Elijah at Horeb

Following the events at Carmel, Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, swearing to take his life by the following day. Elijah fled to Beersheba and then traveled a day's journey into the wilderness, where he requested that he might die while sitting under a broom tree. After an angel provided him with food and water twice, Elijah traveled for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mount of God (1 Kings 19:8). He entered a cave and spent the night there.

The word of the Lord came to Elijah, asking why he was there. Elijah responded that he had been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts, but the children of Israel had forsaken the covenant, thrown down altars, and slain prophets, leaving him as the only one remaining. He was told to stand on the mount before the Lord. A great wind rent the mountains, followed by an earthquake and a fire, but the text states the Lord was not in these elements. After the fire, there was a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). Elijah wrapped his face in his mantle and stood at the entrance of the cave.

The Lord instructed Elijah to return toward the wilderness of Damascus. He was commanded to anoint Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as prophet in his room. The text states that these three would execute judgment on those who escaped one another. Elijah was informed that seven thousand in Israel had not bowed to Baal. Elijah departed and found Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. Elijah cast his mantle upon him. Elisha asked to kiss his parents goodbye, then slew a yoke of oxen, boiled their flesh using the wooden instruments, and followed Elijah (1 Kings 19:21).