Melachim Alef 19:15

15 And Hashem said unto him, Go, shuv (return) on thy derech to the midbar of Damascus; and when thou comest, anoint Chatzael to be Melech over Syria;

Melachim Alef 19:15 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 19:15

And the Lord said unto him, go, return on thy way to the
wilderness of Damascus
He is bid to go back the way he came, through the wilderness of Arabia, which was part of his way to Damascus, near to which was another wilderness, which took its name from thence; though Fortunatus Schacchus ^F24 thinks no other is meant by this phrase than returning to his former course and custom of preach the law of God, and reclaiming men from the error of their ways:

and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria;
it is nowhere related that Elijah did go to Damascus, and anoint Hazael, though it may be he did; however he acquainted Elisha with it, and he declared it to Hazael, that he should be king of Syria, and which perhaps is all that is meant by anointing; that is, that he should be made king, and which was declared by both these prophets, see ( 2 Kings 8:13 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 Elaeochrism. Myrothec. l. 1. c. 39. col. 198.

Melachim Alef 19:15 In-Context

13 And it was so, when Eliyahu heard it, that he wrapped his face in his aderet (cloak, mantle), and went out, and stood in the mouth of the me’arah. And, hinei, there came a kol (voice) unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Eliyahu?

14 And he said, I have been very kina for Hashem Elohei Tzivos; because the Bnei Yisroel have forsaken Thy Brit (Covenant, i.e., Sinai Covenant), thrown down Thine mizbechot, and slain Thy nevi’im with the cherev; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my nefesh, to take it away.

15 And Hashem said unto him, Go, shuv (return) on thy derech to the midbar of Damascus; and when thou comest, anoint Chatzael to be Melech over Syria;

16 And Yehu ben Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be Melech over Yisroel; and Elishah ben Shaphat of Avel Mecholah shalt thou anoint to be navi in thy place.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the cherev of Chatzael shall Yehu slay; and him that escapeth from the cherev of Yehu shall Elishah slay.