Keraia
1 Kings 19

1 Kings 19:4

Elijah Flees from Jezebel · 1 Kings 19:1–8
Read 1 Kings 19

Translations

Modern
…while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And he went into the wilderness a journey of a day, and he came and sat down under a certain broom tree, and he prayed for himself that he might die, and he said, “Enough now, YHWH, take my life; for I am no better than my fathers.”
Latin
…et perrexit in desertum, viam unius diei. Cumque venisset, et sederet subter unam juniperum, petivit animæ suæ ut moreretur, et ait: Sufficit mihi, Domine: tolle animam meam: neque enim melior sum quam patres mei.

Original

Hebrew
English
…while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Notes

1 Kings 19:4

  • Although technically a shrub, the broom tree can grow up to ten feet tall. Its small leaves still offer enough shade for a tired traveler in the wilderness. Like Jonah (Jonah 4:3), Elijah completed his mission but felt disappointed with the outcome.

  • no better: God's prophet, seeking refuge, felt he achieved little and thought he would be better off dead.

1 Kings 17:1–19:21

The prophet Elijah's work was closely tied to his spiritual growth. Elijah challenged Israel's interest in Baal, the Canaanite storm god. During this conflict, Elijah saw God's power and support, unlike Baal's weakness. This was shown in Elijah's contest with Baal's prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:1–46). After fleeing from Jezebel, God renewed Elijah's mission at Mount Sinai (1 Kings 19:1–18). Elijah's mission was finished by his successor, Elisha (1 Kings 19:19–21).

Events

Glossary

Ahab (King) Angel Broom Day’s Journey Desert John the Baptist Juniper Kings, Books of First and Second Miracle Remnant

Topics

Christian Minister: God's Care of Christian Minister: Trials and Persecutions of Day: Day's Journey, Eighteen or Twenty Miles Death: Desired: Elijah Deserts: Beersheba Despondency: Elijah, when he Fled from Jezebel to the Wilderness and Sat Under the Juniper Tree Escapes to the Wilderness from the Fierceness of Jezebel God: Feeding Elijah and the Widow Juniper: A Tree Life: (Sacredness of, an Inference from What is Taught in the Law Concerning Murder): Elijah Miracles: Catalogue of Is Fed by an Angel Murmuring: Elijah Prudence: Elijah, in his Escape from Jezebel Trees: Juniper Trouble: Elijah, Under the Juniper Tree and in the Cave