At the gate of Jezreel, Elijah and Ahab separated. The prophet, choosing to remain outside the walls, wrapped himself in his mantle and lay down on the bare earth to sleep. The king soon reached the shelter of his palace and related to his wife the events of the day. As Ahab told of the slaying of the idolatrous prophets, Jezebel, hardened and impenitent, became infuriated. She refused to recognize the overruling providence of God, and still defiant, boldly declared that Elijah should die. SS 84.1
That night a messenger aroused the weary prophet and delivered the word of Jezebel: “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” SS 84.2
It would seem that after showing courage so undaunted, and after triumphing so completely over king and priests and people, Elijah could never afterward have given way to despondency nor been awed into timidity. But in this dark hour his faith and courage forsook him. Bewildered, he started from his slumber. The rain was pouring from the heavens, and darkness was on every side. Forgetting that three years before, God had directed his course to a place of refuge, the prophet now fled for his life. SS 84.3