Old Testament · History

1 Kings chapter 19

Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done — how he had killed every one of the of with the sword.Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah: “ if I don’t make your life like one of theirs by this time tomorrow.”Elijah was terrified. He got up and ran for his life. He went to in Judah and left his servant there.Then he went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a and asked to die. “I’ve had enough, Yahweh,” he said. “ — I’m no better than my ancestors.”He lay down and fell asleep under the broom bush. Then suddenly a touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”He looked around, and there by his head was a loaf of and a jar of water. He ate and drank, then lay down again.Yahweh’s messenger came back a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat — the journey ahead is too much for you.”So he got up, ate, and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled until he reached , the mountain of God.He went into a there and spent the night. Then came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”He answered, “I’ve been for Yahweh, the . The Israelites have abandoned your , torn down your altars, and murdered your prophets with the sword. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me too.”Yahweh said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in Yahweh’s presence.” And then — Yahweh . A massive, violent tore through the mountains and shattered rocks in front of Yahweh, but Yahweh was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake.After the earthquake came fire, but Yahweh was not in the fire. And after the fire — .When Elijah heard it, he , went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”He answered, “I’ve been burning with devotion for Yahweh, the God of armies. The Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and murdered your prophets with the sword. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me too.”Yahweh told him, “Go back the way you came, through the wilderness to . When you get there, Hazael as king over Aram.Also anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-Meholah as .Anyone who escapes Hazael’s will be killed by Jehu, and anyone who escapes Jehu’s sword will be killed by Elisha.”“But I will preserve in Israel — every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not .”So Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with in front of him, and he was driving the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and .Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I’ll follow you.” Elijah said, “.”So Elisha turned back from following him. He . , he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up, followed Elijah, and .