Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
Parallel translations
- WEB Behold, fire came down from the sky, and consumed the last two captains of fifty with their fifties. But now let my life be precious in your sight.”
- BSB Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty, with all their men. But now may my life be precious in your sight.”
- NKJV Look, fire has come down from heaven and burned up the first two captains of fifties with their fifties. But let my life now be precious in your sight.”
- NASB Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight.”
- NLT See how the fire from heaven came down and destroyed the first two groups. But now please spare my life!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The captain acknowledges the fate of the previous companies and begs for mercy. His fear of God leads him to seek spared life.
Overview
By recounting the judgment that fell on the others, the captain confesses the reality of God's power working through Elijah. His appeal rests not on his own authority but on a plea for grace. The contrast teaches that those who humble themselves find mercy where the proud find judgment.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- 1 Sam 26:24And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
- 2 Kgs 1:10–11And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
- 1 Sam 26:21Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
- Ps 116:15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
- Matt 16:25–26For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
- Ps 49:8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
- Prov 6:26For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
- Ps 72:14He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Amid the long decline toward exile, the promise to David's house refuses to die; the flickering lamp kept burning anticipates the coming King who will not fail or be cut off.
How 2 Kings 1:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.