2 Kings 1:4

2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers and instructed them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury.”

3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’

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.

5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, “Why have you returned?”

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.’”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
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.
WEB
Now therefore the LORD says, “You will not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you will surely die.”’” Then Elijah departed.
ASV
Now therefore thus saith Jehovah, Thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
DARBY
Now therefore thus saith Jehovah: Thou shalt not come down from the bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt certainly die. And Elijah departed.
BLB
And now thus says YHWH, ‘The bed to which you have gone up, you shall not come down from it. For You will surely die.’” And Elijah departed.
ÅB
Derfor sier Herren så: Du skal ikke stige ned fra den seng du er steget opp i; du skal dø. Dermed gikk Elias.
OTB
Derfor sier Herren: Du skal ikke forlate sengen du ligger på. Du skal visselig dø.’” Så Elia gikk.
B1930
Derfor sier Herren så: Du skal ikke stige ned fra den seng du er steget op i; du skal dø. Dermed gikk Elias.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 3:4

    “You will not surely die,” the serpent told her.

    Read in context
  • 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.”

    Read in context
  • 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.”

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 11:19

    Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.

    Read in context
  • 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.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 14:12

    As for you, get up and go home. When your feet enter the city, the child will die.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 14:32

    The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.

    Read in context