Although the first chapter of 2 Kings begins with a notice about Moab’s rebellion (1:1–2), this thread will not be picked up until chapter 3. More pressing for the moment is Ahaziah’s awkward nosedive that reveals something about his character: he is not willing to consult the God of Israel but rather opts for an alternative deity (literally “Baal the fly,” here located in the Philistine city of Ekron) to learn his prospects for recovery. The impotence of this god is further enhanced …