Question 1

Why did Elijah run away after Jezebel threatened him?

Accepted Answer

Elijah had just seen God send fire from heaven and win over the prophets of Baal, yet when Jezebel promised to kill him, fear took over. This shows how even a strong servant of God can suddenly feel weak and overwhelmed. Elijah focused on the danger instead of on what God had already done. He ran to save his life and went far away to Beer-sheba and then into the wilderness. His flight shows human frailty and how quickly courage can turn into fear when danger feels close and personal.

Question 2

What is the meaning of Elijah asking God to take his life?

Accepted Answer

Under the juniper tree, Elijah is exhausted, afraid, and feels like a failure. He says, “It is enough” and asks God to take his life, thinking he is no better than his fathers. He feels alone and useless because Israel has turned from God and is killing the prophets. This shows that a true believer can sink into deep discouragement and even wish for death. Yet God does not rebuke him harshly. Instead, God cares for him with food, rest, and gentle help, showing patience with Elijah’s weakness.

Question 3

What does the angel’s food and the forty-day journey teach us?

Accepted Answer

The angel of the Lord wakes Elijah, gives him bread and water, and says, “The journey is too great for thee.” Elijah eats, then travels forty days and nights to Horeb in the strength of that food. This shows that God knows our limits and gives what we need when we cannot go on. The food is not just about hunger; it is God preparing Elijah for a meeting with him. It also recalls long journeys in the wilderness, where God sustained his people. The message is that God supplies strength when our own strength is gone.

Question 4

What does the still small voice to Elijah mean?

Accepted Answer

On Horeb, Elijah sees a powerful wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but the passage says the Lord was not in these. After them comes a “still small voice,” and when Elijah hears it, he covers his face and goes out to listen. This shows that God is not limited to loud signs and outward displays. He often speaks quietly and gently. For Elijah, who had just seen fire from heaven on the mountain of victory, this is a lesson that God’s work can come through quiet words and patient guidance, not only through big miracles and public power.

Question 5

Why does God ask Elijah, “What doest thou here, Elijah?”

Accepted Answer

God’s question invites Elijah to pour out his heart. Elijah answers that he has been very zealous, but Israel has broken the covenant, destroyed God’s altars, killed the prophets, and now seeks his life. He says, “I, even I only, am left.” God asks the question twice, before and after the wind, earthquake, fire, and the still small voice. This draws Elijah to see where his fear has led him and to listen to God’s view of the situation. The question leads not to blame, but to a fresh call and new tasks from God.

Question 6

What is the significance of God saying there are seven thousand in Israel?

Accepted Answer

Elijah feels completely alone and believes he is the last faithful servant left. God corrects this by saying he has kept seven thousand in Israel who have not bowed to Baal or kissed him. This shows that God preserves a hidden remnant even when things look spiritually dark. Elijah’s feelings do not match reality. God is quietly keeping many hearts loyal to himself. This word not only comforts Elijah but also reminds us that God’s work is bigger than what we can see and that his people are never as few as they may seem.

Question 7

Why does God give Elijah instructions to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha?

Accepted Answer

After listening to Elijah’s complaint, God does not send him back to despair. Instead, he gives him new work: to anoint Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as prophet in his place. These acts show that God’s plan for judging evil and guiding his people is still moving forward. The mention of each one “slaying” those who escape the others points to coming judgment on persistent sin. At the same time, choosing Elisha shows that God will keep speaking to Israel through another prophet after Elijah’s work is done.

Question 8

Who is Elisha in this passage, and why does Elijah cast his mantle on him?

Accepted Answer

Elisha is the son of Shaphat, plowing with twelve yoke of oxen when Elijah finds him. Elijah passes by and throws his mantle over Elisha, a sign that Elisha is being called to take up the prophetic work. Elisha leaves his oxen, asks to kiss his parents goodbye, then kills a yoke of oxen and uses the equipment for fire to cook the meat and feed the people. This act hints that he is breaking from his old life to follow this call. After that, he goes after Elijah and serves him, beginning his training as a prophet.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about God’s character toward discouraged believers?

Accepted Answer

In this story, God does not crush Elijah for his fear and despair. Instead, God lets him sleep, feeds him twice by an angel, and only then calls him to talk. On Horeb, God listens to Elijah’s complaint, reveals himself gently in a still small voice, corrects Elijah’s sense of being alone, and gives him clear steps for the future. This shows God as patient, tender, and wise with tired servants. He knows that people can be worn out and frightened, and he meets them with care, quiet words, and renewed purpose, not with cold rejection.

1 Kings 19:1

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

Elijah Flees from Jezebel

The LORD Speaks to Elijah at Horeb

The Call of Elisha

Elijah Flees from Jezebel

metadata.crossReferences

1 Kings 19:1

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

share.title

share.allVerses

share.verseWithContext

share.currentVerse

Elijah Flees from Jezebel

The LORD Speaks to Elijah at Horeb

The Call of Elisha

Elijah Flees from Jezebel

metadata.crossReferences