Bible Strands
2 Kings 1:4
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elijah delivers a divine decree to the messengers of the king of Samaria after the angel of the LORD instructs him to intercept them. The text states the king will not rise from his bed but will surely die, after which Elijah departs.
The words — The phrase כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה (koh amar Yahweh) literally renders "thus says Yahweh," functioning as the prophetic marker of divine authority. The verb עָלִיתָ ('a.Li.ta) means "you have gone up," directly referencing the king's ascent to his bed.
The thread — This declaration of certain death mirrors the covenant warning in Genesis 2:17 and stands in direct contrast to the serpent's denial in Genesis 3:4. It also corresponds to the principle in Ezekiel 18:4 that the soul who sins is the one who will die.
Why it lands — The text asserts that God's spoken word executes its stated outcome without delay or alteration. It requires the reader to accept divine judgment as final rather than pursuing human inquiry or rival powers.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
Cross-references
- Genesis 2:17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
- Genesis 3:4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent told the woman.
- Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
- 1 Samuel 28:19 Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
- 2 Kings 1:16 And Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: Is there really no God in Israel for you to inquire of His word? Is that why you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.”
- Proverbs 11:19 Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
- Numbers 26:65 For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
- 1 Kings 14:12 As for you, get up and go home. When your feet enter the city, the child will die.
- 2 Kings 1:6 They replied, “A man came up to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him that this is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’”
- Proverbs 14:32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.