1 Kings 19:9-14

Listen to 1 Kings 19:9-14

The Lord Speaks to Elijah

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, 1the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah? ”
10 He said, “I have been very 2jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, 3thrown down your altars, and 4killed your prophets with the sword, 5and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away. ”
11 And he said, “Go out and 6stand on the mount before the Lord. ” And behold, the Lord passed by, and 7a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind 8an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. [a]
13 And when Elijah heard it, 9he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, 10there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah? ”
14 He said, 11“I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, 12thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away. ”

1 Kings 19:9-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 19

This chapter gives us a further account of Elijah, of his being obliged to flee for his life through the threats of Jezebel, 1Ki 19:1-4, of the care the Lord took of him, providing food for him, in the strength of which he went to Horeb, 1Ki 19:5-8, of the Lord's appearance to him there, and conversation with him, 1Ki 19:9-14, of some instructions he gave him to anoint a king over Syria, another over Israel, and a prophet in his room, 1Ki 19:15-18, and of his finding Elisha, and throwing his mantle over him, who left his secular employment, and followed him, and became his servant, 1Ki 19:19-21.

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Cross References 12

  • 1. 19:9 ver. 13
  • 2. 19:10 Num. 25:11, 13
  • 3. 19:10 ch. 18:30; Cited Rom. 11:3
  • 4. 19:10 ch. 18:4
  • 5. 19:10 ch. 18:22
  • 6. 19:11 Ex. 24:12; 34:2
  • 7. 19:11 Ezek. 1:4
  • 8. 19:11 Ezek. 37:7
  • 9. 19:13 [Ex. 3:6]
  • 10. 19:13 ver. 9
  • 11. 19:14 [See ver. 10 above]
  • 12. 19:14 [See ver. 10 above]

Footnotes 1

  • [a] 19:12 Or 'a sound, a thin silence'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025