Read the Passage: 1 Kings 19

Elijah’s Despair (19:1–8)

God’s victory on Mount Carmel was both public and indisputable, as not only was the fire from heaven seen by the multitudes, but also the 450 prophets of Baal were executed. One might hope—as apparently Elijah did—that such an indisputable display of God’s power, coupled with the people’s exclamation, “The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39), would have resulted in a national revival. Yet, 1 Kings 19:1–3 reports that when Jezebel learned about the death of her false prophets, she sent a messenger to Elijah to declare his imminent death. Rather than draw spiritual strength from the events on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled to Beersheba, and then into the wilderness, eventually arriving at Mt. Sinai. The text does not identify the exact reason for Elijah’s despair, yet it likely stemmed from dashed expectations, grief over Jezebel’s continued reign, as well as physical exhaustion.

Elijah was so discouraged in his ministry that he asked God to kill him (cf. 1 Kings 19:4). Note that similar prayers had been prayed by Job (cf. Job 6:8–9), Moses (cf. Num. 11:10–15), Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 20:14–18), and Jonah (cf. Jonah 4:3, 8). Given Jezebel’s threat to his life, perhaps Elijah’s reaction seems reasonable, yet recall Elijah’s earlier declaration, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord” (1 Kings 18:22). Surely this wallowing, self-pity contributed to the prophet’s despair. Indeed, Elijah’s anxiety was so great that he fled to Beersheba, which was 100 miles south of Mount Carmel. Next, when Elijah fell asleep in the wilderness under a broom tree, God mercifully sent an angel to minister to him and to provide food, as He had done earlier at Cherith (cf. 1 Kings 17:6) and Zarephath (cf. 1 Kings 17:13). The food gave Elijah strength for a 200 mile trip to meet God on Mt. Sinai.

God’s Revelation (19:9–14)

1 Kings 19:8 records that during his trip to and arrival at Mt. Sinai, also known as Horeb, Elijah went forty days and forty nights without nourishment. This mirrors the forty days and forty nights that Moses spent on Mt. Sinai when he met with God to receive the Ten Commandments. Elijah’s forty day fast is also similar to the forty years God’s people spent wandering in the wilderness on account of their lack of trust in God. When Elijah finally arrived at Mt. Sinai, God asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:10). Since God had presumably led Elijah to Mt. Sinai via supernatural means, God’s question to Elijah was surely rhetorical, designed to convict him about his wallowing. Yet, Elijah’s response to God reflected his ongoing self-pity, as for the second time Elijah complained, “I alone am left [a follower of God]” (1 Kings 19:10; cf. 1 Kings 18:22).

God’s interaction with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1–10 is repeated a second time in 1 Kings 19:11–14. In both of these encounters God asks Elijah why he is on Mt. Sinai (cf. 1 Kings 19:9, 13) and both times Elijah answer by claiming he alone is left (cf. 1 Kings 19:10, 14). A difference, however, in these two encounters is that on the second occasion God passed by in a mighty wind, and then in an earthquake, and then with fire, before finally speaking to Elijah in a delicate whispering voice. While wind, earthquakes, and fire are associated elsewhere with God’s presence (cf. Exod. 19:16–19; Ps. 18:7–15), it seems that God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice to make the point that He is always at work, although often God’s presence is quiet and imperceptible. Prov. 15:3 teaches, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (cf. Prov. 5:21).

Elisha’s Inauguration (19:15–21)

In His response to Elijah, God gave Elijah an important task, as well as disclosing a vital piece of information. The assignment that God gave Elijah was to anoint three leaders: Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as prophet in his place. The reason for these three men assuming leadership roles was to compete the process that Elijah had begun—that is, to eradicate Baal worship from Israel. Indeed, the narrative that follows in 1 and 2 Kings reveals that Baal worship would cease in Israel within a generation. The information that God disclosed to Elijah was, “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18). While Elijah thought he was the only follower of God left, he learned that there were many believers in Israel and that Baal worship with soon end.

Application Questions:

1. Why are spiritual victories sometimes followed by sin, despair, or other forms of spiritual decline?
2. If God performed more indisputable public miracles, would there be more believers (cf. Luke 16:27–31)?
3. What things cause you to engage in self-pity? What is the difference between self-awareness and self-pity?
4. Do you ever fall into the trap of thinking that God is unaware about events in your life?
5. How important is Christian fellowship for sanctification? Have you ever met a believer in an unlikely place?