3Then Elijah became afraid19:3 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg; other Hb mss read He saw19:3 Pr 29:25 and immediately ran for his life.19:3 Gn 31:21 When he came to Beer-sheba19:3 Gn 21:31; Jdg 20:1 that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there,19:3 Gn 22:5; Mt 14:23; 26:36

4but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree19:4 Jb 30:4 and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life,19:4 Nm 11:15; Jnh 4:3,8 for I’m no better than my ancestors.”

5Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.

6Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones, and a jug of water.19:6 1Kg 17:10–11 So he ate and drank and lay down again.

7Then the angel of the Lord19:7 Gn 16:7,9,11 returned for a second time and touched him. He said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.”

8So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked forty days and forty nights19:8 Ex 24:18; Mt 4:2 to Horeb, the mountain of God.19:8 Ex 3:1; 4:27

9He entered a cave19:9 Ex 33:22 there and spent the night.

10He replied, “I have been very zealous19:10 Nm 25:13; Ac 22:3 for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant,19:10 Dt 31:16 torn down your altars,19:10 1Kg 18:30 and killed your prophets19:10 1Kg 18:4,13; Ac 7:52 with the sword. I alone am left,19:10 1Kg 18:22 and they are looking for me to take my life.”19:10 1Kg 19:2,14; Rm 11:3

11Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.”19:11 Ex 19:20

12After the earthquake there was a fire,19:12 Ex 3:2 but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.19:12 Zch 4:6,10

13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle19:13 Ex 3:6 and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

14“I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.”19:14 1Kg 19:10; Rm 11:3

15Then the Lord said to him, “Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael19:15 2Kg 8:8–15 as king over Aram.

16You are to anoint Jehu19:16 2Kg 19:1–10 son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha19:16 1Kg 19:19 son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.

17Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael,19:17 2Kg 9:14–10:25 and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.19:17 2Kg 2:24; 8:1

18But I will leave seven thousand in Israel19:18 Rm 11:4 — every knee that has not bowed to Baal19:18 1Kg 16:31 and every mouth that has not kissed him.”19:18 Hs 13:2

21So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered19:21 Or sacrificed them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow,19:21 1Sm 6:14; 2Sm 24:22 he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.19:21 Lk 14:26,33