1 Kings 19: 1-16

 

1: When Ahab told Jezebel all the Elijah had done and how he had put all the prophets to the sword.

2: she sent this message to Elijah, “The gods do the same to me and more, unless by this time tomorrow I have taken your life as you took theirs.”

3: In fear he fled for his life and, when he had reached Beersheba in Judah he left his servant there,

4: while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, and sitting down under it he prayed for death: “It is enough” he said; “”now Lord take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers before me.”

5: He lay down under the bush and, while he slept, an angel touched him and said,

6: “Rise and eat.” He looked and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a pitcher of water. He ate and drank and lay down again.

7: The angel of the Lord came again and touched him a second time, saying “Rise and eat; the journey is too much for you.”

8: He rose and ate and drank and, sustained by this food, he went on for forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

9: There he entered a cave where he spent the night. The word of God came to him: “Why are you here Elijah?”

10: “Because of my great zeal for the Lord the God of Hosts” he replied. “The people of Israel have forsaken your covenant , torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.”

11: To this the answer came: “Go and stand on the mount before the Lord.” The Lord was passing by: a great and strong wind came, rending mountains and shattering rocks before him, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

12: and after the earthquake fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a faint murmuring sound.

13: When Elijah heard it he wrapped his face in a cloak and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. There came a voice: “Why are you here Elijah?”

14: “Because of my great zeal for the Lord of Hosts, “ he replied. “The people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword, I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.”

15: The Lord said to him “Go back by way of the wilderness of Damascus, enter the city, and anoint Hazael to be king of Aram;

16: anoint also Jehu son of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah to be prophet in your place.