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2 Kings 1 – A Resurrection Story?
“Resurrection” is a theme throughout the Bible and in 2 Kings. It is found in various forms whether a literal resurrection, recreation, barrenness, and typical miracles. Sometimes the resurrection themes are obvious, and other times hinted at. One of the dangers in looking for themes is finding them when they are not there, but it is equally problematic in not seeing them if they are. So as you read, expand your mind, because all the resurrection references are not all obvious.
Elijah is the one of the most glorified and powerful prophets in ancient Israel. Today among the Jews he is still celebrated every Passover with “Elijah’s cup” as they await his return. God uses Elijah to demonstrate the power of God in resurrecting the dead (1 Kings 17). While Abraham and Isaac typify the resurrection (Romans 4; Hebrews 11), the raising of the widow’s son is the first recorded, actual resurrection (1 Kings 17). Elijah stretches himself out over the boy three times praying. Maybe this has messianic significance too, because of the number three (1 Corinthians 15:4).
The number three is associated often with resurrection themes. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15 that the scriptures teach that Christ would be resurrected on the third day.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (HCSB) 3) For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4) that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Nowhere in the Old Testament is there a specific statement about three days and Christ’s resurrection. But it is found in type. The most obvious is Jonah (1:17; Matt.12:40). A resurrection in type is Isaac (Gen.22; Heb.11:17-19). The journey to Mt. Moriah took three days (Gen.22:4). Three is associated with resurrection. We see it in the Elijah narrative in 1 Kings 17 twice.
Now, not every time a “3” appears should we see a connection to the resurrection. However, when we see “3” and knowing that the resurrection theme appears in various forms, we should be curious. That brings me to a possible, notice I said possible, resurrection story in 2 Kings 1.
King Ahaziah sends soldiers to arrest Elijah. The first group, consisting of 50 soldiers plus the captain, die. The second group of 50 plus the captain die. The third group, numbering the same as the first two groups, lives. If we understand the “Angel of the LORD” to be a preincarnate Jesus, which is commonly understood, then that makes this possibility even more interesting. The Angel of the LORD appears only three times in 2 Kings, twice in this story. The third time in 19:35 which is certain death and then life for Jerusalem.
In 2 Kings 1, only on the third time, only when the captain repents and confesses, is there life.
2 Kings 1:13-14 (HCSB) 13) Then the king sent a third captain of 50 with his 50 men. The third captain of 50 went up and fell on his knees in front of Elijah and begged him, “Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these 50 servants of yours be precious in your sight. 14) Already fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of 50 with their fifties, but this time let my life be precious in your sight.”
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