Ahaziah’s servants were met by a man of God, who directed them to return to the king with the message: “Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith Jehovah, Thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:16. Having delivered his message, the prophet departed. (PK 208.1) MC VC

The astonished servants hastened back to the king, and repeated to him the words of the man of God. The king inquired, “What manner of man was he?” 2 Kings 1:7. They answered, “He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.” “It is Elijah the Tishbite,”(2 Kings 1:8) Ahaziah exclaimed. He knew that if the stranger whom his messengers had met was indeed Elijah, the words of doom pronounced would surely come to pass. Anxious to avert, if possible, the threatened judgment, he determined to send for the prophet. (PK 208.2) MC VC

Twice Ahaziah sent a company of soldiers to intimidate the prophet, and twice the wrath of God fell upon them in judgment. The third company of soldiers humbled themselves before God; and their captain, as he approached the Lord’s messenger, “fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.” 2 Kings 1:13. (PK 208.3) MC VC