The answer is: Would never get out of bed alive

2 Ki 1:15-16

Elijah’s stark proclamation to Ahaziah is one of the powerful tales woven throughout the tapestry of the Old Testament. As a prophet, Elijah embodies the voice of God, delivering potent and often uncomfortable messages intended to realign leaders with the divine intent. In this instance, Ahaziah sought wisdom not from the Israelite God but rather from Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron—a choice that would not go unnoticed or unpunished.

Interestingly, this event underlines a broader biblical theme: the dangers of turning away from trusted divine guidance. Ahaziah’s inquiry reflects a common pitfall of the faith journeys explored in Scripture: seeking signs or help in spiritually compromised places often leads to dire consequences.

Digging deeper into the narrative, you cannot help but recognize Elijah’s previous bouts with royalty. His life was filled with dramatic encounters—most notably, the confrontation with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, where he rerouted the people’s waning faith back to Yahweh amid idolatry's chaos. Fry your brain with the imagery of fire coming down from heaven (1 Kings 18), which paints him not merely as a prophet but as a dynamic instrument of divine power!

Furthermore, this particular prophecy would solidify Elijah's role not just as a voice of reproof but as a herald of unyielding truth, showcasing the synthesis of mercy and justice that characterizes divine action throughout the biblical narrative. Fun fact: ultimately, Ahaziah died as prophesied, fulfilling what turned out to be a horrifyingly accurate message from God relayed through his faithful servant.