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Ahaziah

The Cursed Seed of a King

Baal-zebub is a pagan deity that is also known as the "lord of the flies." I also want to point out that Baal-zebub is sometime spelled as Beel-zebub, which means "lord of dung." Nonetheless, this was the pagan deity that the Philistines of Ekron served. This same pagan deity, is also identified with Satan the ruler of demons.

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1 Kings 22:40-53 ; 2 Kings 1:1-18

Short Recap

In the last article we'd learned that before King Ahab had went into battle against Ben-Hadad, he'd tried to disguise himself. The Israel king did this, so that he could try to keep Micaiah's prophecy, from coming true. This is what Micaiah had prophesied: "I saw all of Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said: 'These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.'" -- 1 Kings 22:17

Remember, Ahab's personal soothsayers, had foretold that the Israel king would be victorious, if he'd went to war against Ben-Hadad. This is what they had to say:

"King Ahab of Israel, and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones that were placed at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. And it was during this time, all of Ahab’s prophets were prophesying there in front of them. Now from among them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, had made some iron horns and proclaimed: 'This is what the Lord says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!'" -- 1 Kings 22:10,11

But we should also remember, what Micaiah had said, when it came to Ahab's personal soothsayers:

"Then Micaiah continued, 'Listen to what the Lord says! As I saw Him sitting on His throne, with all the armies of heaven around Him, on His right, and on His left.

And the Lord said: 'Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth–gilead, so that he can be killed there?'

"Now there were many suggestions that were put forth, until finally, a spirit approached the Lord and said: ‘I can do it!’ And after hearing this, the Lord replied: ‘How will you do this?’ And the spirit answered: ‘I will go out and inspire all Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’ And when the Lord heard this, He told the spirit: ‘You will succeed; go ahead and do it.’" -- 1 Kings 22:19-22

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Ahab Trying To Prove God Wrong

Now personally, I believe that Ahab saw this as an opportunity, to finally be able to prove God wrong; while in turn, bring some much needed respect, to his personal soothsayers. Ahab did all he could, to bring this conclusion about. The Israel king even went into battle against Ben-Hadad, by disguising himself. He did this, so that he could be unrecognizable to Ben-Hadad's military commanders.

However, Ahab wouldn't stop there, for he felt like he needed to add more assurances, when it came to him returning from war safely. This is why he had God's prophet Micaiah put in jail. Ahab had also ordered that Micaiah, was to be placed on a strict bread and water diet. Micaiah was to stay locked up, and on this diet, until Ahab had returned from the battle field, in one peace.

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God Can't Be Bested

However, in spite of Ahab's efforts, he will never succeed, when it comes to trying to outsmart God. And this is why, when it came to Ahab being able to stay alive as he'd attacked Ben-Hadad. The Sacred Record reveals that the Israel king failed mightily:

"An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops, and the arrow hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. 'Get me out of here!' Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. 'I've been badly wounded!'

However, the battle raged on, all that day; while Ahab had been propped up in his chariot. He was propped in such a way, to where he could face the onslaught that was taking place before him. Nonetheless, as he'd watched, blood ran down from his wound, and onto the floor of his chariot. And unfortunately for Ahab, as the evening arrived, the Israel king died." -- 1 Kings 22:34,35

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Ahab Resting with His Fathers

And it's for this reason, we now find Ahab's son Ahaziah, has now succeeded him: "So Ahab rested with his fathers; then Ahaziah his son, reigned in his place." -- 1 Kings 22:40

However, this wouldn't be necessary good news for Ahaziah, or for his father's household. For we must not forget the prophecy that had been foretold against Ahab, after his wife Jezebel had Naboth killed. Remember she did this, so that the Israel king could have Naboth's vineyard. And it's during this time we find the Lord's prophet Elijah, prophesying to Ahab, after the king had went down to claim the vineyard he so desired:

"Because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. I'm going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab, every last male in Israel slave or free." -- 1 Kings 21:20

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Ahab's Humbleness 

Jehoshaphat Now Resting With His Fathers

However, after this had happened, the Sacred Record also revealed, that after some time had passed, after this prophecy had been foretold by Elijah. We find that the Israel king had humbled himself greatly. And actually, he had humbled himself to such a degree, that the Lord took notice. And after seeing this great display of humbleness, God said to His prophet Elijah: "Have you notice how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day; but I will bring it on his house, in the days of his son [Ahaziah]." -- 1 Kings 21:29

NOTE: Now while we're here, I would also like to point out, that after reigning for 25 years (which included the 8 years after Ahaziah had succeeded his father) Jehoshaphat the Judean king, would also pass away and be with his fathers: "And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David his father. Then Jehoram his son reigned in his place." -- 1 Kings 22:50

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Just Like His Father :

Ahaziah Goes Against God

Nonetheless, we now begin to move forward. And it's at this time, where we find that the new king of Israel Ahaziah, decides to follow in his father's footsteps, by insisting on doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. For the Sacred Record points out, that Ahaziah walked in the ways of his father and mother; and in the ways of Jeroboam, and because of this, he'd caused Israel to sin once again.

NOTE: Remember that Jeroboam was the first Israel king that had taken power, after God had split the house of David right after the death of Solomon, which took place during the rule of Solomon's son Rehoboam. For it would be during this time, that the Israel kingdom will be split into two kingdoms.

One part being known as the Northern Kingdom, which consisted of 10 of the 12 Israel tribes; and the other being known as the Southern Kingdom, which consisted of the remaining 2 Israel tribes Judah and Benjamin. Jeroboam ruled the Northern kingdom; while Rehoboam continued to rule the south. However, it would be during Jeroboam's reign, pagan worship would once again be introduced (and forced) upon the Northern Israel kingdom.   

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Ahaziah Turns To Baal-zebub

This is why we find Ahaziah, worshiping the pagan deity Baal, and because of this, he'd continued to provoke the Lord to anger, just like his father had done before him. However, Ahaziah would quickly pay a great price for going against the Lord. For you see, he had only been king for about two years, before the Sacred Record tells us about the very unfortunate accident, that had befallen the new king.

This accident dealt with Ahaziah falling through the lattice of his upper room. And because of this, he had severely injured himself. Now it would also be at this time, where we find Ahaziah deciding to send his messengers out, so that they can inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron. For the king instructed his messengers, to go and ask Baal-zebub, if he will ever recover from his life threatening injuries.

Baal-zebub is a pagan deity that is also known as the "lord of the flies." I also want to point out that Baal-zebub is sometime spelled as Beel-zebub, which means "lord of dung." Nonetheless, this was the pagan deity that the Philistines of Ekron served. This same pagan deity, is also identified with Satan the ruler of demons. Also keep in mind, that this was the demigod that the Pharisees and Sadducees had accused Jesus of using, when He was casting out demons.

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Ahaziah Receives Unwelcoming News

Now while Ahaziah's messengers were in route, when it came to consulting with this "lord of the flies." An angel of the Lord went to prophet Elijah. And it's during this time the angel instructed Elijah to go and deliver this prophecy to the Ahaziah's messengers: "Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you are going off to consult Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!"

Now after hearing this, Ahaziah's messengers went back to tell their king what they had heard. And when Ahaziah had seen that his messengers were back so early, he asked them: "Why have you come back?" Then the messengers responded, by telling the king about the prophecy that Elijah had told them. And after the king had heard these words, he asked the messengers: "What kind of man was it? Who came to meet you, and told you this?" Then his messengers responded by saying: "He was a man with a garment of hair, and with a leather belt around his waist." And after hearing this, the king knew that this particular prophet was Elijah the Tishbite.

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Bring Me : Elijah the Tishbite

Now after hearing this, Ahaziah wanted to hear directly from Elijah. So he sent one of his captains, along with a company of fifty men, so that they could go, and bring Elijah back. So the captain and his men, set out to retrieve the prophet. And when they had located Elijah, they found him sitting on top of a hill. So the captain ordered the prophet: "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down!'" But Elijah responded by saying: "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then as soon as Elijah had said this, fire fell from heaven, and consumed the captain and his men.

Now this same event would happen one more time, which brought about the same results: "Then he sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty men. And he answered and said to him: 'Man of God, thus has the king said, "Come down quickly!"' So Elijah answered and said to them, 'If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.' And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty." -- 11,2 Kings 1:12

So this basically meant, that up to this point, Ahaziah had lost two captains, and a hundred men to fire, that had fallen from the heavens at Elijah's command thus far.

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Please Elijah Come and See The King

Now after this had happened, the king would send another captain, along with another fifty men, so that they could go and get Elijah. But this time around, when the captain had came before the prophet, he fell on his knees pleading with Elijah:

"Man of God, please have respect for my life, and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! We see that fire has fallen from heaven, and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now I beg of you, have respect for my life!"

After the very wise captain had done this, an angel came and told this to Elijah: "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." And after hearing this, Elijah went down the mountain, in order to go with the captain.

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Since You Turned to Baal-zebub...

Nonetheless, Elijah would now find himself standing before Ahaziah, the seriously injured king of Israel. And it would be at this time, that the prophet would tell him: "This is what the Lord says: 'Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!'"

And rest assured, the prophet words reigned true. For we would later learn that soon after, the king did die in that bed; the very bed, he'd never left since being injured. Ahaziah's reign would only last for two years. And to make matters worse, he had no sons or heirs, which basically meant, that the throne would now pass to his younger brother Joram. And it's for this reason, Ahab's descendants are now a few steps closer to being cutoff from Israel, just like the Lord had promised to Elijah earlier.

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The Three Phase Judgment Process

Remember that God had revealed to Elijah a while back, a judgment three phase process, that would begin to take place against Israel: "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram [Syria]. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel. And anoint Elisha son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah, to succeed you as prophet." -- 1 Kings 19:15-16

Phase One In The Works: The prophet Elijah has already anointed Elisha to be his successor. But this apprentice must now be trained, in order to do the job in which he has been called, properly.

Phase Two In The Works: We also find, that Ben-Hadad has been partially remove from his throne as king of Aram. Somewhat opening the door for Hazael, to eventually take the throne later on down the line.

Phase Three In The Works: And as we just learned during this past couple of articles, Ahab and his oldest son Ahaziah have now passed away. And with Ahaziah dying before he could produce an heir, we find that his younger brother Joram will now take over the throne. And again, Ahab's descendants have almost been cutoff from the throne of Israel, bringing Jehu just a few extra steps closer to the throne of Israel.

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In The Next Upcoming Article :

So as we just discovered, Ahaziah would indeed follow in the footsteps of Ahab his father, and because of this, he also paid with his life. But now the Sacred Record turns our attention back towards Elijah and his young apprentice Elisha. What will Elijah have in store, when it comes to his future successor. For it would seem that the master prophet has one more important thing that he needs to show his number one student, before he succeeds him.

May God blessings be upon you, and thank you for your support

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Elisha the Apprentice

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02) Obadiah and the Caves of Refuge

03) The Fire Contest Between God & Baal

04) The Gift of Rain That Came From The Heavens

05) Elisha The Prophet Apprentice

06) The Thirty Two Kings of Mass Destruction

07) Ben-Hadad The Drunken King

08) The Vineyard of Envy

09) The Prophets of the Groves

10) Micaiah The One True Prophet

11) The Demise of King Ahab

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13) Elijah and the Chariot of Fire

14) Elisha the Miracle Prophet