2 Kings 1 begins with the reign of Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, over Israel. Ahaziah falls from the lattice of his upper chamber and sends messengers to inquire of the god Baal-Zebub, the deity of Ekron, whether he will recover from his injuries. However, the angel of the Lord intercepts the messengers and instructs them to return to Ahaziah and deliver a message from God, revealing that he will surely die.
Unsatisfied with the answer, Ahaziah sends another captain with fifty men to Elijah the prophet, commanding him to come down. Elijah refuses and declares that Ahaziah will die. The captain and his fifty men are consumed by fire from heaven. Ahaziah sends two more groups of fifty men, both of which are destroyed by fire in the same manner.
Finally, a third captain pleads for his life, and an angel of the Lord instructs Elijah to go with him to speak to Ahaziah. Elijah relays God's message, confirming that Ahaziah will die due to his idolatry and lack of trust in the Lord. Shortly after the conversation, Ahaziah dies as prophesied.