1 Kings 19:14-18

14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

15 The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.

16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.

17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.

18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

1 Kings 19:14-18 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.

Cross References

• 1. ver 10; 1 Kings 18:22; Romans 11:3*
• 2. 2 Kings 8:7-15
• 3. 2Ki 9:1-3,6
• 4. ver 21; 2 Kings 2:1; 2 Kings 3:11; 2 Kings 2:9,15
• 5. S Judges 7:22
• 6. 2 Kings 8:12,29; 2 Kings 9:14; 2 Kings 10:32; 2 Kings 12:17; 2 Kings 13:3,7,22; Amos 1:4
• 7. Jeremiah 48:44
• 8. Romans 11:4*
• 9. Hosea 13:2