2 Kings 1:13
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and 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.
This verse belongs to the fall of the house of Ahab, when there was none like Ahab, who sold himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up, and whose evil influence bore fruit in shame and violence seldom equaled. It belongs to the history of King Ahaziah's sin and punishment, whose sin was turning from God to a heathen god. The first two companies sent to Elijah came to intimidate him and were judged, for fire from heaven destroyed the two earlier captains and their companies. In contrast, the third captain humbled himself before God as he approached, falling on his knees before Elijah and pleading that his own life and the lives of his fifty men be spared. His plea was answered when God told Elijah not to fear but to go with him.
This history gives a lesson of warning that none can disregard with impunity. Although men today do not pay homage to heathen gods, thousands are worshiping at Satan's shrine as truly as the king of Israel did, for the very spirit of heathen idolatry is rife today, only assuming a more refined and attractive form under the guise of science and education. Faith in the sure word of prophecy is fast decreasing while superstition and satanic witchery captivate minds. All who do not earnestly search the Scriptures and submit every desire and purpose of life to that unerring test, and who do not seek God in prayer for knowledge of His will, will wander from the right path and fall under Satan's deception.