Elijah's Wanderings
1 Kgs 17–19 · c. 870–850 BC
From the brook Cherith to Mount Horeb – Elijah, who defied the king, was fed by ravens, called down fire from heaven and fled in despair to the mountain of God (1 Kgs 17–19).
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Elijah’s Wanderings
1 Kgs 17–19 · c. 870–850 BC
From the brook Cherith to Mount Horeb – Elijah, who defied the king, was fed by ravens, called down fire from heaven and fled in despair to the mountain of God (1 Kgs 17–19).
Trip stops (9)
1
Samaria (Ahab's court)
1 Kgs 17:1
Elijah stands before King Ahab with a word from the Lord: "There shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." Then he disappears.
2
The brook Cherith
1 Kgs 17:2-7
The Lord sends Elijah to the brook Cherith east of the Jordan. The ravens bring him bread and meat morning and evening. He drinks from the brook – until it dries up.
3
Zarephath (Sidon)
1 Kgs 17:8-24
The Lord sends Elijah to a widow in Zarephath – Gentile land, in the middle of the kingdom of Sidon, Jezebel's home. The flour in the jar does not run out, and the oil in the jug does not fail. When her son dies, Elijah raises him.
4
Mount Carmel
1 Kgs 18:1-46
The showdown. 450 prophets of Baal against Elijah alone. "How long will you go limping between two opinions?" Elijah builds an altar and pours water over it – and fire falls from heaven and consumes everything. "The Lord, he is God!" The people kill the prophets of Baal. Then, after three years, the rain comes.
5
Jezreel
1 Kgs 18:45-46
Elijah runs ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to Jezreel – tangible proof of the power of the Lord upon him.
6
Beersheba
1 Kgs 19:1-4
Jezebel threatens to kill him. Elijah flees in panic – all the way to Beersheba on Judah's southern border. He leaves his servant and goes a day's journey into the wilderness. "It is enough, Lord. Take away my life."
7
Under the broom tree
1 Kgs 19:5-8
Elijah lies down under a broom tree and falls asleep. An angel touches him twice: "Arise and eat!" A cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He eats and goes in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights.
8
Horeb / Sinai (the mountain of God)
1 Kgs 19:8-18
Elijah reaches the mountain of God – the same mountain where Moses received the law. "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He complains: "I alone am left." The Lord passes by – not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in a still small voice. "I have kept seven thousand in Israel, who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
9
Abel-meholah
1 Kgs 19:19-21
Elijah returns north. He finds Elisha ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen. He throws his cloak over him – and Elisha follows him.