1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:1 Elijah has won a mighty battle on the mountain, but a stronger opponent than Ahab awaits him: Queen Jezebel. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:3 HE WAS AFRAID, AND HE AROSE AND RAN FOR HIS LIFE. The shock of Jezebel’s resistance after Mount Carmel has led Elijah to forget to trust God. He flees to BEERSHEBA in the far south of the Promised Land—as far away from Jezebel as he can get. The distance was about 120 mi... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:5 The BROOM TREE is a bush with many branches and twigs, small leaves, and clusters of flowers. AN ANGEL TOUCHED HIM. Elijah has been responding so far only to Jezebel’s “messenger” (v. 1 Kings 19:2). Now God sends an “angel” or messenger of his own, leading Elijah back on... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:7 THE JOURNEY IS TOO GREAT. Elijah thought his journey was over; he has had “enough” (v. 1 Kings 19:4). But now he is to fortify himself for a further journey, which will otherwise be “too great” (same Hebrew word as “enough”). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTag... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:8 HE AROSE... AND WENT... TO HOREB, THE MOUNT OF GOD. Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai, where God first spoke the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel (Exodus 19:1). The FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS of Elijah’s travels represented a journey of about 250 miles (400... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:10 I, EVEN I ONLY, AM LEFT. The resistance of one person (Jezebel) has turned massive victory into overwhelming defeat in Elijah’s mind. He is certainly not the only one left, but that is how he feels. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0,... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:11 NOT IN THE WIND... NOT IN THE EARTHQUAKE... NOT IN THE FIRE. The emphasis on Mount Carmel had been on God’s spectacular ways, particularly his use of fire. The emphasis here is on God’s quiet ways, being found in a LOW WHISPER. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsBy... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:13 WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, ELIJAH? The point of the demonstration on the mountain was presumably that Elijah would answer this question differently the second time (compare v. 1 Kings 19:9). His answer is, however, exactly the same as before (I HAVE BEEN VERY JEALOUS FOR... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:15 GO, RETURN ON YOUR WAY TO THE WILDERNESS OF DAMASCUS. Elijah must now return to northern Syria-Palestine and ANOINT HAZAEL, JEHU, and ELISHA. This new political and religious order will bring about the final victory over Baal worship. Elijah is to prepare the way. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:19 HE DEPARTED FROM THERE AND FOUND ELISHA. Has Elijah regained his faith as a result of his trip to Mount Horeb? The closing verses of ch. 1 Kings 19:1 suggest not. There is no mention here or later of Elijah’s ever even trying to meet Hazael and Jehu (see vv. 1 Kings 19:... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 19:20 LET ME KISS MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER. Elisha immediately leaves his normal employment to follow his new mentor, pausing only briefly to cut his ties with his old life. He kisses his parents goodbye and destroys his old means of financial support (the 12 YOKE OF OXEN AND.... [ Continue Reading ]