Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 1:3

"But the angel of Jehovah said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?" — 2 Kings 1:3 (ASV)

But the angel ... said. —Rather, Now the angel ... had said. “The angel” is right. (Compare to 2 Kings 19:35). Reuss strangely renders: “Mais une révélation de l’Eternel parla;” and adds the note, “Et non pas un ange” (!).

Arise, go up. —Samaria lay on a hill, and the prophet was to meet the messengers at the gates.

King of Samaria. —Not Israel, a mark of Judean feeling.

And say. —Literally, speak. Septuagint, Vulgate, and Arabic add “saying,” but compare to 1 Kings 21:5–6.

Is it not because. —Omit “not.” So 2 Kings 1:6.

You go. —Are going.

A God in Israel. —Compare to Micah 4:5: For all peoples will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God for ever and ever.