I Kings 19
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ahab told Jezebel - Probably with no evil design against Elijah.
Open source ↗ELIJAH FLEES TO BEER-SHEBA. (Kg1 19:1-3) he arose, and went for his life--He entered Jezreel full of hope. But a message from the incensed and hard-hearted queen, vowing speedy vengeance for her slaughtered priests, dispelled all his bright visions of the future. It is probable, however, that in the present temper of the people, even she would not have dared to lay violent hands on the Lord's servant, and purposely threatened him because she could do no more. The threat produced the intended effect, for his faith suddenly failed him. He fled out of the kingdom into the southernmost part of the territories in Judah; nor did he deem himself safe even there, but, dismissing his servant, he resolved to seek refuge among the mountain recesses of Sinai, and there longed for death (Jam 5:17). This sudden and extraordinary depression of mind arose from too great confidence inspired by the miracles wrought at Carmel, and by the disposition the people evinced there. Had he remained steadfast and immovable, the impression on the mind of Ahab and the people generally might have been followed by good results. But he had been exalted above measure (Co2 12:7-9), and being left to himself, the great prophet, instead of showing the indomitable spirit of a martyr, fled from his post of duty.
Open source ↗And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done,.... What miracles he had wrought, how that not only fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifice, but even the stones and dust of the altar, and licked up great quantities of water in the trench around it; and that it was at his prayer that rain came down from heaven in such abundance, of which she was sensible; by all which he got the people on his side, so that it was not in his power to seize him and slay him; and this he said to clear himself, and make her easy: and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword; the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal he had gathered to Carmel; the Targum calls them false prophets, but Ahab would scarcely use that epithet to Jezebel; as for the four hundred prophets of the grove, they were not present, and so not included. Jezebel knew they were safe, being with her, she not suffering them to go to Carmel.
Open source ↗The hope of completing his victory over the idolaters and overthrowing the worship of Baal, even in the capital of the kingdom, with which Elijah may have hastened to Jezreel, was frustrated by the malice of the queen, who was so far from discerning any revelation of the almighty God in the account given her by Ahab of what had occurred on Carmel, and bending before His mighty hand, that, on the contrary, she was so full of wrath at the slaying of the prophets of Baal as to send to the prophet Elijah to threaten him with death. This apparent failure of his ministry was the occasion of a severe inward conflict, in which Elijah was brought to a state of despondency and fled from the land. The Lord allowed His servant to pass through this conflict, that he might not exalt himself, but, being mindful of his own impotence, might rest content with the grace of his God, whose strength is mighty in the weak (Co2 12:8-9), and who would refine and strengthen him for the further fulfilment of his calling. Kg1 19:1-2 Elijah's flight into the desert and guidance to Horeb. - Kg1 19:1, Kg1 19:2. When "Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and all, how he had slain all the prophets (of Baal)," she sent a messenger to Elijah in her impotent wrath, with a threat, which she confirmed by an oath (see at Kg1 2:23), that in the morning she would have him slain like the prophets whom he had put to death. The early commentators detected in this threat the impotentia muliebris iracundiae, and saw that all that Jezebel wanted was to get rid of the man who was so distressing and dangerous to her, because she felt herself unable to put him to death, partly on account of the people, who were enthusiastic in his favour, and partly on account of the king himself, upon whom the affair at Carmel…
Open source ↗One would have expected, after such a public and sensible manifestation of the glory of God and such a clear decision of the controversy depending between him and Baal, to the honour of Elijah, the confusion of Baal's prophets, and the universal satisfaction of the people - after they had seen both fire and water come from heaven at the prayer of Elijah, and both in mercy to them, the one as it signified the acceptance of their offering, the other as it refreshed their inheritance, which was weary - that now they would all, as one man, return to the worship of the God of Israel and take Elijah for their guide and oracle, that he would thenceforward be prime-minister of state, and his directions would be as laws both to king and kingdom. But it is quite otherwise; he is neglected whom God honoured; no respect is paid to him, nor care taken of him, nor any use made of him, but, on the contrary, the land of Israel, to which he had been, and might have been, so great a blessing, is now made too hot for him. 1. Ahab incensed Jezebel against him. That queen-consort, it seems, was in effect queen-regent, as she was afterwards when she was queen-dowager, an imperious woman that managed king and kingdom and did what she would. Ahab's conscience would not let him persecute Elijah (some remains he had in him of the blood and spirit of an Israelite, which tied his hands), but he told Jezebel all that Elijah had done (Kg1 19:1), not ton convince, but to exasperate her. It is not said he told her what God had done, but what Elijah had done, as if he, by some spell or charm, had brought fire from heaven, and the hand of the Lord had not been in it. Especially he represented to her, as that which would make her outrageous against him, that he had slain the prophets; the prophets of Baa…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or…
Open source ↗אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first מָחָר (mâchâr, H4279) — properly, deferred, i.e. the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely,… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ, H884) — Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a…
Open source ↗הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first רֶתֶם (rethem, H7574) — the Spanish broom (from its pole-like stems) שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) יָשֵׁן (yâshên, H3462) — properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die);… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first רֶתֶם (rethem, H7574) — the Spanish broom (from its pole-like stems) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care עֻגָּה (ʻuggâh, H5692) — an ash-cake (as round) רֶצֶף (retseph, H7529) — a red-hot stone (for baking) צַפַּחַת (tsappachath, H6835) — a saucer (as flat) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen מְרַאֲשָׁה (mᵉraʼăshâh, H4763) — properly, a headpiece, i.e. (plural for adverbial) at (or as) the head-rest (or pillow) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… אֲכִילָה (ʼăkîylâh, H396) — something eatable, i.e. food אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity חֹרֵב (Chôrêb, H2722) — Choreb, a (generic) name for the Sinaitic mountains הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מְעָרָה (mᵉʻârâh, H4631) — a cavern (as dark) לוּן (lûwn, H3885) — to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense)… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קָנָא (qânâʼ, H7065) — to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) הָרַס (hâraç, H2040) — to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… פָּרַק (pâraq, H6561) — to break off or crunch; figuratively, to deliver שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) סֶלַע (çelaʻ, H5553) — a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… רַעַשׁ (raʻash, H7494) — vibration, bounding, uproar אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דְּמָמָה (dᵉmâmâh, H1827) — quiet דַּק (daq, H1851) — crushed, i.e. (by implication) small or thin קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound
Open source ↗אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… לוּט (lûwṭ, H3874) — to wrap up פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אַדֶּרֶת (ʼaddereth, H155) — something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way מְעָרָה (mᵉʻârâh, H4631) — a cavern (as dark) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קָנָא (qânâʼ, H7065) — to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) הָרַס (hâraç, H2040) — to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.
And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.