19 King Ahab told Jezebel about everything that Elijah had done. He told her how Elijah had killed all Baal's prophets with a sword. 2 So Jezebel sent someone with this message to Elijah: ‘By this time tomorrow, I will make sure that you are dead, the same as Baal's prophets! If I do not do that, I pray that the gods will kill me instead.’
3 Elijah became very afraid. He ran away to save his life. He arrived at Beersheba in Judah. [ a ] He left his servant there. 4 Then Elijah went into the desert by himself. He travelled for about a day. He found a small tree there and he sat down under it. He prayed that he might die. He said, ‘ Lord , I have had enough trouble! Take my life from me. It is no better for me here than to be with my dead ancestors.’ 5 Then he lay down under the tree and he slept. Suddenly, an angel came and touched him. The angel said, ‘Get up and eat something.’ 6 When Elijah looked, he saw some bread near his head. Someone had baked it on a fire. There was also a jar of water. So he ate the bread and he drank the water. Then he lay down again to sleep. 7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time. He touched Elijah and he said, ‘Get up and eat more food. Then you will be strong enough to go on a long journey.’ 8 So Elijah got up. He ate the food and he drank the water. The meal made him strong enough to travel for 40 days and 40 nights. He travelled to Sinai, the mountain of God. [ b ]
9 Elijah went into a cave on Sinai mountain and he stayed there all night. Suddenly, the Lord spoke to Elijah. He asked Elijah, ‘Elijah, why have you come here?’ 10 Elijah replied, ‘The Israelites have turned away from the covenant that you made with them. They have destroyed your altars. [ c ] They have killed your prophets with swords. But I have always served the Lord God Almighty faithfully. Now I am the only prophet that is still alive and they are trying to kill me too.’ 11 The Lord said, ‘Go out from the cave and stand on the mountain, in front of me. I, the Lord , will pass in front of you.’
Then a very strong wind broke the mountain apart. It broke the rocks into pieces as the Lord came near. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a very quiet voice. 13 When Elijah heard that, he covered his face with his robe. He went out and he stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘Elijah, why have you come here?’ [ d ] 14 Elijah said, ‘The Israelites have turned away from the covenant that you made with them. They have destroyed your altars. They have killed your prophets with swords. But I have always served the Lord God Almighty faithfully. Now I am the only prophet that is still alive and they are trying to kill me too.’
15 The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go back again along the way that you came. Go to the desert which is near Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to make him king of Syria. 16 You must also anoint Nimshi's grandson Jehu to make him king of Israel. Then anoint Shapat's son Elisha from Abel Meholah to be my prophet after you. 17 Jehu's army will kill anyone that Hazael's army does not kill. Then Elisha will kill anyone who escapes from Jehu. 18 But remember this: I still have 7,000 people in Israel who have not worshipped Baal. They have not kissed his idols.’
19 Elijah went away from Sinai. He found Shaphat's son, Elisha. Elisha was ploughing a field with 12 pairs of oxen. Elisha himself was using the 12th pair of oxen to plough. Elijah went to Elisha and he threw his robe over him. [ e ] 20 So Elisha left his oxen in the field and he ran after Elijah.
Elisha said, ‘Let me go home first to kiss my father and my mother and say “goodbye”. Then I will come with you.’ Elijah replied, ‘Yes, go back home. But do not forget about what I have done to you.’
21 So Elisha went back to his field. He took his pair of oxen and he killed them as a sacrifice. He burned wood from the plough to cook the meat. He gave the meat to the people who were there and they ate it. Then he left home to go with Elijah and to become his helper.
19 King Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah did and how Elijah had killed all the prophets of Baal with a sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah and said, “I swear that by this time tomorrow, you will be just as dead as those prophets. If I don’t succeed, may the gods do the same or worse to me.”
3 When Elijah heard this, he was afraid. So he ran away to save his life. He took his servant with him, and they went to Beersheba in Judah. Then Elijah left his servant in Beersheba 4 and walked for a whole day into the desert. Then he sat down under a bush and asked to die. He said, “I have had enough, Lord ! Take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.”
5 Then Elijah lay down under the bush and went to sleep. An angel came to him and touched him. The angel said, “Get up and eat!” 6 Elijah looked around, and by his head there was a cake that had been baked over coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then went back to sleep.
7 Later the Lord ’s angel came to him again, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat! If you don’t, you will not be strong enough to make the long trip.” 8 So Elijah got up. He ate and drank and felt strong. Then Elijah walked for 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There Elijah went into a cave and spent the night.
Then the Lord said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?”
10 Elijah answered, “ Lord God All-Powerful, I have always served you the best I can, but the Israelites have broken their agreement with you. They destroyed your altars and killed your prophets. I am the only prophet left alive, and now they are trying to kill me!”
11 Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go, stand in front of me on the mountain. I, the Lord , will pass by you.” [ a ] Then a very strong wind blew. The wind caused the mountains to break apart. It broke large rocks in front of the Lord . But that wind was not the Lord . After that wind, there was an earthquake. But that earthquake was not the Lord . 12 After the earthquake, there was a fire. But that fire was not the Lord . After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle voice. [ b ]
13 When Elijah heard the voice, he used his coat to cover his face and went to the entrance to the cave and stood there. Then a voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?”
14 Elijah said, “ Lord God All-Powerful, I have always served you the best that I can, but the Israelites broke their agreement with you. They destroyed your altars and killed your prophets. I am the only prophet left alive, and now they are trying to kill me.”
15 The Lord said, “Go back. Take the road that leads to the desert around Damascus. Go into Damascus and anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel. Next, anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah. He will be the prophet who takes your place. 17 Jehu will kill anyone who escapes Hazael’s sword, and Elisha will kill anyone who escapes from Jehu’s sword. 18 I still have 7000 people in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed that idol.”
19 So Elijah left that place and went to find Elisha son of Shaphat. Elisha was plowing 12 acres of land and was working on the last acre when Elijah came. [ c ] Elijah went to Elisha and put his coat [ d ] on Elisha. 20 Elisha immediately left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Elisha said, “Let me kiss my mother and father goodbye. Then I will follow you.”
Elijah answered, “You can do that. I will not stop you. [ e ] ”
21 Elisha turned away from him and went back. He killed the oxen and used the yoke for firewood. He boiled the meat, gave it to the people, and they all ate together. Then Elisha went to follow Elijah and became his helper.
19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord , take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord . And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord ; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an 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 a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?
21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
19 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, and [ a ] ( A ) how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “ ( B ) So may the gods do to me and more so, if by about this time tomorrow I do not make your [ b ] life like the [ c ] life of one of them.” 3 And he [ d ] was afraid, and got up and ran for his [ e ] life and came to ( C ) Beersheba, which belongs to Judah; and he left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and ( D ) he asked for himself to die, and said, “Enough! Now, Lord , take my [ f ] life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 Then he lay down and fell asleep under a broom tree; but behold, there was ( E ) an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat!” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a round loaf of bread baked on hot coals, and a pitcher of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 But the angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him, and said, “Arise, eat; because the journey is too long for you.” 8 So he arose and ate and drank, and he journeyed in the strength of that food for ( F ) forty days and forty nights to ( G ) Horeb, the mountain of God.
9 Then he came there to a cave and spent the night there; and behold, ( H ) the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 And he said, “ ( I ) I have been very zealous for the Lord , the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, ( J ) torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And ( K ) I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life.”
11 So He said, “ ( L ) Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord .” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And ( M ) a great and powerful wind was tearing out the mountains and breaking the rocks in pieces before the Lord ; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind there was an 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, ( N ) a sound of a gentle blowing. 13 When Elijah heard it , ( O ) he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, ( P ) a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 Then he said, “ ( Q ) I have been very zealous for the Lord , the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life.”
15 The Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; and when you have arrived, ( R ) you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 You shall also anoint ( S ) Jehu the son of Nimshi king over Israel; and you shall anoint ( T ) Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17 And it shall come about that the ( U ) one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu ( V ) shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. 18 ( W ) Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not ( X ) kissed him.”
19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat while he was plowing, with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah came over to him and threw ( Y ) his cloak on him. 20 Then he left the oxen behind and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please ( Z ) let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back, for [ g ] what have I done to you?” 21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them, and ( AA ) cooked their meat with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he got up and followed Elijah and served him.
19 Now Ahab told Jezebel ( A ) everything Elijah had done and how he had killed ( B ) all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, ( C ) if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” ( D )
3 Elijah was afraid [ a ] and ran ( E ) for his life. ( F ) When he came to Beersheba ( G ) in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, ( H ) sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord ,” he said. “Take my life; ( I ) I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. ( J )
All at once an angel ( K ) touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty ( L ) days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, ( M ) the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave ( N ) and spent the night.
And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ( O )
10 He replied, “I have been very zealous ( P ) for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, ( Q ) torn down your altars, ( R ) and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, ( S ) and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain ( T ) in the presence of the Lord , for the Lord is about to pass by.” ( U )
Then a great and powerful wind ( V ) tore the mountains apart and shattered ( W ) the rocks before the Lord , but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, ( X ) but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ( Y ) 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face ( Z ) and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
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, ( AA ) 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 ( AB ) king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint ( AC ) Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha ( AD ) son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah ( AE ) to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, ( AF ) and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. ( AG ) 18 Yet I reserve ( AH ) seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed ( AI ) him.”
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak ( AJ ) around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” ( AK ) he said, “and then I will come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”
21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen ( AL ) and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. ( AM )
