 1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. 3 He saw, he rose and went for his life, and came to Beersheba of Judah, and left his servant there. 4 He himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he begged for his life, that he might die. And he said, It is enough. O Lord, take away my life. For I am no better than my fathers. 5 As he lay and slept under a broom tree, behold, then an angel touched him and said to him, Arise, eat. 6 He looked, and, behold, a cake was baked on the coals, and a jug of water at his head. And he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came to him the second time and touched him and said, Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you. 8 He rose, ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food for 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb the mount of God. 9 He came there to a cave and stayed there. Then the Word of the Lord came to him and He said, What are you doing here Elijah? 10 He said, I have been very zealous for the Lord the God of Hosts. For the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and they seek to take my life. 11 He said, Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Behold, the Lord passed by and a great, strong wind tore the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire was a still, small voice. 13 When Elijah heard, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood at the cave entrance. A voice came to him and said, What are you doing here Elijah? 14 He said, I have been very zealous for the Lord, God of Hosts, because the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, have thrown down your altars, and have slain your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and they seek to take my life. 15 The Lord said to him, Go. Return to the wilderness of Damascus. When you come, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah to be prophet in your place. 17 Whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill. Whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have left 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him. 19 He left there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat and he was plowing. Twelve pairs of oxen were before him and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, Please let me kiss my father and my mother and I will follow you. He said to him, Go back again for what have I done to you? 21 He turned back from him and took a yoke of oxen, killed them, boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and ministered to him.
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