1 Kings 19:9

Translations

Modern

There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Traditional

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?

Literal

And he went there into a cave and spent the night in that place. And behold, the word of YHWH came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Latin

Cumque venisset illuc, mansit in spelunca: et ecce sermo Domini ad eum, dixitque illi: Quid hic agis, Elia?

Original

Hebrew

English

There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Notes

1 Kings 19:9–10

a cave (literally the cave): Some suggest Elijah came to the same place where God appeared to Moses (Exodus 33:21–23).
What are you doing here, Elijah?: The Lord's question might mean two things:
1. Why had Elijah come?
2. And did he grasp the importance of the place where he stood?
Elijah answered the first part of the question. He had bravely declared he was alone in his commitment to the Lord (1 Kings 18:22). Now, that feeling had turned into self-pity.

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Elijah Jezebel Complaints Persecution Prophets in 1 Kings Suffering in Following God The Suffering Prophet

Events

Prophecies of Elijah

Related verses

Genesis 3:9
But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
Exodus 33:21–22
The LORD continued, “There is a place near Me where you are to stand upon a rock,
Jeremiah 2:18
Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?
Genesis 16:8
“Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.
1 Kings 19:13
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Hebrews 11:38
The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.
Jeremiah 9:2
If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people.
Jonah 1:3–4
Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

People

Elijah: A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah

Glossary

Ahab (King) Earthquake John the Baptist Kings, Books of First and Second Miracle Mount, Mountain Prophecy Remnant

Topics

Cave: (Used As a Dwelling): Elijah Cave: Place of Refuge Caves were Used as Resting Places Christian Minister: God's Care of Christian Minister: Trials and Persecutions of Elijah: Flees to the Wilderness of Damascus Escapes to the Wilderness from the Fierceness of Jezebel Prophets: Inspiration of Trouble: Elijah, Under the Juniper Tree and in the Cave

1 Kings 19:9

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