Elijah Given New Commissions

Such a murderous threat seemed too heavy for Elijah’s exhausted body and mind, and “he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba.” Leaving his servant there, he pressed farther on, “a day’s journey into the wilderness.” But he did not remain here. He traveled on yet forty days farther, until he came to “Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there.” (See verses 3-9.)AGP 97.2

Elijah might be now a long way from the wrathful queen, but not from the Lord, who came close to him, and said, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” Verse 9. How long Elijah remained at Horeb is not known; but while there, he was given another sad, heavy task. The Lord said unto him:AGP 97.3

“Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

“So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him…. Then he [Elisha] arose, and went after Elijah and ministered unto him.” 1 Kings 19:15-21.

During Elijah’s stay at Horeb, and elsewhere, the Lord sent other prophets with messages to Ahab.AGP 97.4

“Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.” 1 Kings 20:1.AGP 98.1

Samaria was a part of Ahab’s kingdom. This invasion by a great monarch, accompanied by thirty-two other kings and a great army, so terrified Ahab that he hastily said to Ben-hadad’s messengers, “My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.” Verse 4. Ahab’s surrender was complete. But though Israel was unworthy of His protection, the Lord was not ready to see His people, as they still were, go into Syrian captivity.AGP 98.2

“And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord. And Ahab said, … Who shall order the battle? And He answered, Thou.” Verses 13, 14.AGP 98.3

This was surely the manifestation of great compassion toward a rebellious king and an ungrateful people. The Lord wrought for them mightily. “And the king of Israel went out, … and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter.” Verse 21.AGP 98.4