1 Kings 19

King James Version

Full text for 1 Kings Chapter 19

1¶ And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

2Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do [to me], and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

3And when he saw [that], he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which [belongeth] to Judah, and left his servant there.

4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I [am] not better than my fathers.

5And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise [and] eat.

6And he looked, and, behold, [there was] a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

7And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise [and] eat; because the journey [is] too great for thee.

8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

9¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD [came] to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

10And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; [but] the LORD [was] not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; [but] the LORD [was] not in the earthquake:

12And after the earthquake a fire; [but] the LORD [was] not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13And it was [so], when Elijah heard [it], that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, [there came] a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael [to be] king over Syria:

16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint [to be] king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint [to be] prophet in thy room.

17And it shall come to pass, [that] him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

18Yet I have left [me] seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

19¶ So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who [was] plowing [with] twelve yoke [of oxen] before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

20And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and [then] I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

After slaying Baal's prophets, Elijah flees Jezebel's death threat and falls into despair in the wilderness, where an angel sustains him. He journeys to Mount Horeb, where the Lord appears not in powerful natural phenomena, but in a still small voice. There, Elijah receives new commissions, including anointing Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha, whom he subsequently calls to ministry.

Medium Summary

Following his triumph over the prophets of Baal, Elijah is threatened by Jezebel and flees into the wilderness, falling into deep despair and requesting death. An angel twice provides him with food and water, enabling him to travel forty days to Mount Horeb. In a cave, the Lord questions Elijah, who expresses his zealousness and loneliness, believing himself to be the sole remaining prophet. The Lord then reveals Himself not in a mighty wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a "still small voice." After this encounter, Elijah reiterates his complaint. The Lord commissions Elijah to anoint Hazael king of Syria, Jehu king of Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor, also revealing that 7,000 faithful Israelites remain. Elijah departs and finds Elisha plowing, casting his mantle upon him as a sign of calling, and Elisha accepts, sacrificing his oxen as a sign of commitment.

Long Summary

Upon hearing from Ahab of Elijah's slaying of the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel vows to take Elijah's life by the next day. Fearing for his life, Elijah flees to Beersheba in Judah, leaving his servant, and then proceeds a day's journey into the wilderness. There, under a juniper tree, he expresses profound despair, requesting that the Lord take his life, believing himself no better than his ancestors. An angel twice appears to Elijah, providing him with miraculously baked cake and water, instructing him to eat for the long journey ahead. Strengthened by this divine provision, Elijah travels forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God, where he lodges in a cave. The word of the Lord comes to him, asking, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" Elijah responds by expressing his fervent zeal for the Lord and his belief that he is the only prophet left, with the children of Israel having forsaken the covenant and slain the other prophets. The Lord then commands Elijah to stand upon the mount, and a powerful demonstration of divine presence unfolds: a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire pass by, yet the Lord is not in these mighty displays. Finally, after the fire, a "still small voice" is heard, prompting Elijah to wrap his face in his mantle and stand at the cave's entrance. The Lord again asks Elijah his purpose there, to which Elijah repeats his lament of loneliness and zeal. The Lord then issues new directives: Elijah is to return to the wilderness of Damascus to anoint Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as prophet in his place. The Lord also reveals that a remnant of seven thousand in Israel has not bowed to Baal. Elijah departs from Horeb and finds Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. Elijah casts his mantle upon Elisha, signifying the call to prophetic ministry. Elisha immediately leaves his oxen, requests to bid farewell to his parents, and then sacrifices his oxen, using the plowing instruments for fuel, providing a meal for the people. This act demonstrates his complete commitment before he follows Elijah and begins to minister to him.

Core Concepts

  • Prophetic DespairElijah, despite his recent triumph, experiences profound fear and despair after Jezebel's threat, wishing for death in the wilderness. This highlights the human vulnerability of even great prophets.
  • Divine SustenanceAn angel twice provides Elijah with food and water, enabling him to endure a forty-day journey to Mount Horeb. This demonstrates God's direct care and provision for His servant.
  • The Still Small VoiceAt Mount Horeb, the Lord reveals Himself to Elijah not in the dramatic displays of wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a quiet, subtle voice. This emphasizes God's presence in intimacy rather than solely in overwhelming power.
  • Divine CommissionThe Lord gives Elijah new instructions, including the anointing of Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha, indicating a continuation of His plan despite Elijah's perceived isolation. This shows God's sovereign control over nations and succession.
  • The Faithful RemnantThe Lord reveals to Elijah that seven thousand in Israel have not bowed to Baal, correcting Elijah's perception that he is the only one left. This concept assures that God always preserves a faithful people.
  • Calling of ElishaElijah casts his mantle upon Elisha, symbolizing the transfer of prophetic authority and calling Elisha to ministry. Elisha's immediate and decisive response, including sacrificing his oxen, signifies his complete dedication.