American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
1 Kings 19
1
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and with how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
Reference
Prophecy
1 Kings 18:40
2
Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not your life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ruth 1:17
Proverbs 27:1
Exodus 10:28
1 Kings 2:28
References God
1 Kings 20:10
2 Kings 6:31
Daniel 3:15
3
And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
Reference
4
But 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.
Reference
5
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 13:5
6
And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
Reference
7
And 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 you.
8
And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 34:28
Exodus 24:18
Matthew 4:2
Deuteronomy 9:18
Mark 1:13
2 Corinthians 12:9
Luke 4:2
References God
Exodus 3:1
9
And he came thither to a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, What do you here, Elijah?
Reference
10
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Reference
Covenant
Numbers 25:13
Prophecy
1 Kings 18:4
1 Kings 18:22
References God
Exodus 34:14
Exodus 20:5
References Israel
Numbers 25:11
Sacrifice
1 Kings 18:30
11
And he said, Go forth, and stand on the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke 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:
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 1:4
Psalm 50:3
Hebrews 12:26
Psalm 68:8
Exodus 34:2
Ezekiel 37:7
Revelation 20:11
References Lord
Isaiah 30:30
Job 38:1
Exodus 19:20
12
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Reference
Parallel theme
Job 4:16
Deuteronomy 4:33
Job 33:7
Genesis 15:17
Hebrews 12:29
Acts 2:2
References Lord
Zechariah 4:6
Exodus 34:6
Exodus 3:2
1 Kings 18:38
13
And 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 to him, and said, What do you here, Elijah?
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 19:9
14
And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15
And the LORD said to him, Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when you come, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
Reference
People
16
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shall you anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shall you anoint to be prophet in your room.
Reference
People
17
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapes the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
Reference
18
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.
Reference
19
So he departed there, and d?und 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 on him.
Reference
20
And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray you, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you. And he said to him, Go back again: for what have I done to you?
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 20:37
Summary of 1 Kings 19
1 Kings Chapter 19 presents Elijah's journey from spiritual victory to personal exhaustion and shows how God restores, encourages, and redirects His servants. The chapter reveals God's compassion toward those who experience fear, discouragement, and loneliness.
After Elijah's great victory on Mount Carmel, where God demonstrated His power over Baal by sending fire from heaven, Jezebel threatens to kill him. Instead of facing the threat with the same confidence he showed before Ahab and the prophets of Baal, Elijah becomes afraid and escapes into the wilderness.
Exhausted and discouraged, Elijah reaches a point where he feels unable to continue. He asks God to take his life, believing that his efforts have failed and that he is the only faithful person remaining in Israel. However, God responds with compassion. An angel provides food and water, allowing Elijah to rest and regain strength before continuing his journey.
Elijah travels forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb, the mountain associated with Israel's covenant history. There God asks him why he is there, allowing him to express his pain. God then reveals His presence not through the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire, but through a gentle whisper. This teaches Elijah that God's work is not always revealed through dramatic events but also through quiet guidance.
God then renews Elijah's mission by giving him new assignments. He is instructed to anoint Hazael as king of Aram, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor. God also corrects Elijah's belief that he is alone by revealing that seven thousand Israelites have remained faithful to Him.
The chapter concludes with Elijah calling Elisha to become his successor. Elisha leaves his former life behind, sacrifices his oxen, and follows Elijah.
The message of the chapter is that God's servants may experience moments of weakness, but God does not abandon them. He restores them, reminds them that they are not alone, and gives them renewed purpose.
After Elijah's great victory on Mount Carmel, where God demonstrated His power over Baal by sending fire from heaven, Jezebel threatens to kill him. Instead of facing the threat with the same confidence he showed before Ahab and the prophets of Baal, Elijah becomes afraid and escapes into the wilderness.
Exhausted and discouraged, Elijah reaches a point where he feels unable to continue. He asks God to take his life, believing that his efforts have failed and that he is the only faithful person remaining in Israel. However, God responds with compassion. An angel provides food and water, allowing Elijah to rest and regain strength before continuing his journey.
Elijah travels forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb, the mountain associated with Israel's covenant history. There God asks him why he is there, allowing him to express his pain. God then reveals His presence not through the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire, but through a gentle whisper. This teaches Elijah that God's work is not always revealed through dramatic events but also through quiet guidance.
God then renews Elijah's mission by giving him new assignments. He is instructed to anoint Hazael as king of Aram, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor. God also corrects Elijah's belief that he is alone by revealing that seven thousand Israelites have remained faithful to Him.
The chapter concludes with Elijah calling Elisha to become his successor. Elisha leaves his former life behind, sacrifices his oxen, and follows Elijah.
The message of the chapter is that God's servants may experience moments of weakness, but God does not abandon them. He restores them, reminds them that they are not alone, and gives them renewed purpose.