Many Christians and commentators read through 1 Kings 19:1-8 and intepret the Text that the prophet Elijah was suicidal. In this article, I'll be offering a different interpretation. But first, let us read the text first.
1 Kings 19:1-8 (ESV)
1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs 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 broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs 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 broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
Verse 3 exposes the frailty and weakness of man/flesh. Elijah, in 1 Kings 18 (the previous chapter), had not only called down the fire of God in front of the nation of Israel, but had also slaughtered 850 false prophets. Amazingly, after seeing and experiencing the power of God (and not for the first time), he flees from Jezebel! This is a reminder to the saints: that we can have our spiritual guard down which leaves us open for a moment of weakness. The fear of man can grip us, and there are moments where we do not trust and rely on God. We should always remain vigilant and remember the works that God has done (in our own lives and in Scripture). Remember His power. Remember to seek and trust Him.
Just as Jesus told his disciples to "watch and pray that [they] may not enter into temptation" Matthew 26:41, let us do the same by consistently praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and standing firm with the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Just as Jesus told his disciples to "watch and pray that [they] may not enter into temptation" Matthew 26:41, let us do the same by consistently praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and standing firm with the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-11).
1 Kings 19:4 "4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Verse 4. This passage is believed, by many, that Elijah was suicidal or had given up hope. Biblically, a (true) saint, let alone a prophet, being suicidal, seems highly unlikely. While Elijah may have had a moment of 'no hope', here is another biblical interpretation I believe fits more in line not only with other Scriptures, but also with the character of God: Verse 4 shows Elijah's heart of repentance and humility. The prophet Elijah, knowing God's holiness and expectation, has realised what a terrible and wicked deed it is to fear man rather than God. Elijah had realised what a fool he had been to run away from Jezebel when the God of Israel was with him.
Elijah asking for the Lord to take away his life is a prayer revealing his heart of humility and repentance. The meaning behind his prayer is: "Lord, I am not even worthy to live, because I have sinned against you so greatly!"
*** Side note *** And as all Scripture points to an aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this particular verse points to man's need for a Saviour due to man's wicked/sinful nature (as Elijah had seemingly realised), who has the wrath of God (already) abiding on him (John 3:18, 36).
When Elijah claims that he is no better than his fathers, he very well may be referring to the people of Israel. Throughout the generations, the people of Israel have always been considered 'stiff-necked' (Exodus 32:9, Acts 7:51), 'idolatrous' (Ezekiel 14:6) and 'consistently doing evil in the sight of the Lord' (Judges 3:12). Therefore Elijah, to equate himself to his 'fathers', showed how wicked he thought of himself, and hence showing great humility as he realises his own sinful nature/place before the eyes of Yahweh.
James 4:6 (ESV) "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
The Lord has chosen Elijah before the foundations of the earth (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:20) for a specific mission. God in all His sovereignty, could have easily raised rocks (Luke 19:40) to prophesy and do works in Elijah's place (and do it even better), let alone raise up any one of the other 7000 people in Israel who had not served Baal (1 Kings 19:18). But God was not finished with Elijah. The Lord continued to use him carry on and finish the mission for His glory.
1 Kings 19:5-8 "5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God."
Verse 5-8 shows God's grace. How amazing and gracious the Lord of Hosts is! Not only is it clear that God has forgiven Elijah, but the Lord even gave supernatural provision for the journey ahead. When we as Christians sin against the Almighty, if we (truly) repent, He will be sure to forgive us and give us His grace to turn away from our sin. God will always be faithful to give us the strength and grace to help us repent if our desire is truly please Him. What a faithful and gracious God we serve!
Praise God that when we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13)!
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