1 Kings 19-21 Elijah and Elisha

Thoughts

Kings 19

Ahab tells Jezebel everything, including Elijah’s slaughter of the prophets of Baal. Jezebel says she will kill Elijah within 24 hours.

Elijah becomes afraid, flees into the wilderness, and prays to die. He collapses under a broom tree (shown below)

An angel touches Elijah and tells him to eat. Once again, God provides food and water for him, giving him strength for a 40-day journey to Mount Horeb (Sinai).

Elijah hides in a cave and tells God that he has been zealous, yet Israel has forsaken God.

God tells him to stand on the mountain. Then comes:

• A powerful wind tearing through the mountains.
• An earthquake.
• A fire.
• But the Lord was not in any of these.
• Afterward comes a gentle whisper ק֖וֹלדְּמָמָ֥הדַקָּֽה(qōl dĕmāmāh daqqāh) and Elijah covers his face, recognizing God’s presence.

God sends Elijah back with a mission to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as prophet to succeed him.

God also reminds Elijah that he is not alone: there are still 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed to Baal or kissed him.

Elijah finds Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. Elijah throws his cloak over him, symbolizing his new calling.

Elisha sacrifices his oxen and burns the plowing equipment to cook the meat and follows Elijah to serve him.

Kings 20

Ben-Hadad, king of Aram (Syria), gathers 32 allied kings with horses and chariots and fought Samaria.He demands Ahab’s silver, gold, wives, and children. Ahab agrees at first.

But then Ben-Hadad pushes further and demands to search Ahab’s palace and seize whatever they want. Now Ahab refuses.

An unnamed prophet tells Ahab that God will deliver the vast Aramean army into his hands so he will know the Lord is God. Ahab is instructed to send out junior officers first. Only 232 of them, supported by 7,000 men, defeat the huge Syrian force.

The prophet now warns Ahab to prepare for Ben-Hadad’s return in the spring. Sure enough, the next year, Ben-Hadad gathers another massive army at Aphek.

Israel’s tiny army looked like “two small flocks of goats” against the Arameans. God promised victory to prove He is Lord of both hills and plains.

Israel struck down 100,000 in one day, a wall crushed 27,000 more, and Ben-Hadad again fled.

Ben-Hadad’s officials, hearing Israel’s kings are merciful, put on sackcloth and ropes and beg for mercy. Ahab calls Ben-Hadad his “brother” and makes a treaty, letting him live in exchange for the return of some cities and trade rights in Damascus.

We are taken over to the story of a prophet who asks another prophet to strike him (as God commanded). The second prophet refuses to strike him, so a lion is sent to kill him. The first prophet finds another prophet who would strike him.

The now disguised bandaged prophet tells Ahab a parable about letting a prisoner escape. When Ahab declares judgment on that man, the prophet reveals it applies to him: for sparing Ben-Hadad, his life will be taken.Ahab returns home resentful and angry.

Kings 21

A man namedNaboth owns a vineyard in Jezreel, next to Ahab’s palace.Ahab offers to buy it or trade for a better vineyard, because he wants it for a vegetable garden. 

Naboth refuses, because Israelite law (Leviticus 25:23) forbade permanent sale of ancestral land. Ahab sulks, lying on his bed, refusing to eat (pouting like a child)

Jezebel mocks Ahab’s weakness and takes matters into her own hands. She writes letters in Ahab’s name, ordering a trial for Naboth. Men falsely accuse him and he is stoned to death. 

God sends Elijah to meet Ahab in Naboth’s vineyard. Ahab calls him his “enemy,” but Elijah delivers God’s word:

• Dogs will lick up Ahab’s blood in the same place they licked Naboth’s.
• Disaster will fall on Ahab’s family line
• Jezebel herself will be eaten by dogs by the wall of Jezreel.
• Those in Ahab’s household who die in the city will be eaten by dogs and those in the country by birds.

When Elijah’s prophecy is spoken, Ahab tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth, and fast. God notices and delays his punishment: it will not happen in Ahab’s lifetime, but in his son’s.

Questions

What’s with the prophet disguising himself and getting someone to wound him?

Why is it fair that Ahab’s son is cursed and not himself when he was a vile wicked man like no other?

Application

These chapters came at a good time. Sometimes in our walk with Christ we hit seasons of absolute burnout. We pour ourselves out yet all we feel is empty, tired, and ready to quit (anyone else?) Elijah knew that feeling well as he collapsed under a broom tree and begged God to take his life. God met him where he was at and cared for him with rest, food, and gentle encouragement. God sees us in our exhaustion.  Burnout doesn’t mean failure- instead it’s an invitation to let God carry and restore us. 

A broom tree