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I’ve always enjoyed using questions as an effective commu nication tool. First, they set the stage for me to do more listening than talking, which is never a bad thing. Questions set the minds of people in motion without setting them back on their heels. Above, such a strategy shows others that we genuinely care about what they think and have to say. Jesus utilized this method regularly, posing over 300 ques tions during the course of His ministry. In Romans, Paul’s crown jewel among the 13 books he wrote, he asks 75 questions. The concern is, why would the king consult a pagan Philis tine god rather than the One true God of Israel? Because, like his immediate predecessors, he was wicked and vile, rebelling against instead of submitting to the true source of healing. Consider again King David. Despite his transgressions, he remained a man after God’s own heart. A key reason for that is, unlike most of the others who served in that position, he repeat edly “inquired of the Lord.”Whenever he faced a trial, particu larly a threat from his enemies, he sought the will of God on the matter.Though the Bible records nine of those (1 Samuel 23:1 3, 1 Samuel 23: 4-5, 1 Samuel 23:10-11, 1 Samuel 23:12-14, 1 Samuel 30: 8-9,2 Samuel 2:1-2, 2 Samuel 5:17-21, 2 Samuel 5:22-25, 2 Samuel 21:1), certainly there were many more. Unfortunately, Ahaziah never reached that point. Instead, he sends a captain and 50 men to Elijah, setting the stage for a deadly affirmation. Spotting the prophet, the captain curtly demands, “Man of God, the king says,‘Come down.’” To which, Elijah responds, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” (2 Kings 1:9.10, emphasis added). Just like on Mount Carmel, fire fell from heaven, this time consuming the captain and his 50 men. One would think this would have instilled a little fear and trepidation in the king. Instead, he sends another 50 men to Elijah,

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