מלכים ב, פרק א׳, פסוק ו׳

The king's messengers abruptly cut their journey short, returning to the palace with a severe prophecy of doom from a mysterious man they encountered on the road. This sudden reversal of their mission occurs because the messengers are deeply moved by the man's words. Struck by the weight of his message, they feel an urgent need to turn back immediately and report what they have heard to the king [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

When delivering their account, however, the messengers slightly alter the original message. They present the entire rebuke, including the harsh question of whether there is no God in Israel, as a direct prophecy from God aimed squarely at the king [מלבי״ם]. This change is driven by fear. The messengers are terrified to admit that the prophet actually rebuked them personally for following the king's orders. Hoping to escape the king's anger, they frame the entire encounter as a divine message meant only for him. They justify their early return by claiming they came back simply to deliver the prophet's warning that the king will die as a consequence of his actions [מלבי״ם].