Her threat produced the intended effect, for Elijah’s faith suddenly failed him. Even though he had just called down the power of the living God to defeat 450 men who were false prophets, he had a momentary lapse of faith and ran for his life from this one lone woman. The first lesson for us today is this: even the strongest of us can have moments when our faith falters.

Had he remained steadfast and immovable, the impression on the minds of Ahab and the people of Israel might have been followed by good results, but by running away, he negated the great display of God’s power. And the second lesson is: there is always someone watching us, and if we waver in our faith, it affects not only us, but others around us. Yet another lesson is that sometimes our greatest failures come immediately on the heels of our greatest victories. Perhaps God allows these failures to keep us humble, so we don't fall into an ego trap and think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. (Romans 12:3)

Jezebel's threat had rattled Elijah so much that he ran off without seeking God's will. God gives us all free will; He will let us do what we choose, even when it is contrary to His will. Elijah ran all the way to Beersheba, the southernmost city in Judah, about 60 miles southwest of Jezreel. After his victory over the false prophets he had run all the way to Jezreel (a distance of about 20 miles from Mt. Carmel) in absolute victory, but now he was running away from Jezreel in defeat.

Elijah did not feel safe even in the southernmost city of Beersheba. He left his servant there, perhaps because he feared betrayal, because Ahab had already had spies all over Israel looking for him. Elijah went alone a day's journey south into the desert. (A day's journey could be anywhere from 18 to 30 miles depending on circumstances, whereas a sabbath day’s journey could be no greater than 1 mile.) Here Elijah gave in to despair and asked the Lord to take his life. He had concluded that his work was fruitless, and his life was not worth living. Compare Elijah's request to Jonah’s- Jonah asked in anger; Elijah asked in despair.

Another lesson we can learn here: In spite of our failures God always has a plan for our life. It is rather ironic that in the end this man did not die at all, but was taken up to heaven in a chairiot in a whirlwind, and probably will not taste death until the future tribulation, when he will most likely die as one of the two witnesses.

Even though Elijah has suffered a crisis of faith, the Lord sent an angel to minister to him, miraculously providing bread and water. He had done the same thing at the brook of Cherith, and for the children of Israel in the wilderness. The angel of the Lord encouraged him to eat and drink, saying that the journey would be too much for him. God knew Elijah was planning to run, and that it would take him 40 days and 40 nights to reach Horeb. God didn’t do anything to stop his flight, like He later stopped Jonah’s.

Horeb, which is Mount Sinai, was out in the desert about 250 miles south of Beersheba. (called the mountain of God, the same mountain where Moses had received the Commandments) It is significant that he ran to this particular mountain, the place where the commandments had been given, when he felt like the people were breaking the commandments and thus nullifying the covenant with Jehovah God. The forty days and nights is also significant, as that is how long Moses stayed on that same mountain.

God asked Elijah what he was doing there in Horeb. The question was meant to make Elijah stop and think about what he was doing. Of course, God already knew the answer; He only asks us questions to get us to think about what we are doing. He did the same thing when He questioned Adam and Eve in the garden after they ate the forbidden fruit. The lesson: You cannot run away from God. No matter where you go, no matter where you hide. He is there. Adam and Eve learned this lesson. Jonah learned this lesson. And so did Elijah.

Elijah did not give a direct answer to the Lord’s question, but instead implied that God's covenant with the nation of Israel was now about to be destroyed. Whereas Moses had interceded for Israel when they sinned with the golden calf, Elijah condemned the Israelites for breaking the covenant, while complaining about the seemingly fruitlessness of his own work. He was feeling a little bit sorry for himself, thinking he was the only one remaining faithful. Here is another powerful lesson for us: We are never more likely to boast of our past works than when we are neglecting our present duty; and we are never more likely to complain, criticize, and condemn than when we are outside of the will of God.

God displayed His powers to Elijah, but not in the way Elijah was expecting. God was not in the great and mighty wind that broke the mountains apart and shattered the rocks; he was not in the earthquake; he was not in the fire; instead, God was in the still small voice. God was teaching Elijah - and us - a mighty lesson here: God power isn’t only in the big, powerful things, but is in the little, often unnoticed things. Like Elijah, we most often look for spectacular outward displays of His power, but God usually works through the quiet, persevering labors of his servants, under the invisible and silent influences of his Spirit.

That still small voice indicated God’s compassion for His people: it was not yet time for God's judgment upon Israel, despite their unfaithfulness. These elements (powerful wind, earthquake and fire) are used throughout the Bible to depict the magnitude and severity of God’s judgment. God was letting Elijah know that there was still time for Israel to repent and turn back to worshiping Him alone, and His juudgment would come in His timing, not Elijah's.

Elijah covered his face as a sign of reverential fear and awe of the Lord. Moses had done the same thing when the Lord appeared to him in the burning bush - he hid his face. God asked Elijah the same question again, giving him a chance to change his earlier answer. God was saying, in effect, “What are you doing here, Elijah? I did not send you here.” Elijah's answer indicated that he still did not understand the significance of the Divine revelation he had just witnessed. He was still trying to justify his actions in running away, and still calling for God's judgment upon the Israelites, because they were killing all the prophets. He thought he was the only one left, and they were trying to kill him, too. He was still feeling self-pity and wanting God to avenge him

God answered each of Elijah’s complaints. God lets him know that judgment is coming to Israel, but the time is not yet. He declares that the wicked reign of Ahab shall be rooted out, that the people of Israel shall be punished for their sins; whoever escapes from Hazeal would be slain by Jehu, and anyone who escaped Jehu would be slain by Elisha, Elijah’s successor. Each of these would be instrumental in the punishment of idolatrous Israel.

God also shows that Elijah was not left alone as he had supposed: God had in reserve a remnant of 7000 in Israel whose knees have not bowed, and who have not kissed the idol. This kissing was literal, as it was customary in pagan worship and certain ceremonies to actually kiss the idol. and that God would provide a helper for him. This is a vivid reminder that we don't always know all that God is doing behind the scenes.

Thus all Elijah’s complaints are answered and provided for. God instructed Elijah to go back, indicating that He had not sent him there, and this was not where God wanted him to be. God told Elijah to anoint Hazeal to be king of Aram, and Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his own replacement as the prophet of God. Elisha's name means “God is salvation” or “God saves”, and his name was the essence of his ministry. God provided someone to carry on Elijah's ministry, just as he did to Moses, and it was through Elisha that the faithful in Israel received the covenant blessings of God

Elijah found Elisha by Divine direction, because Elisha was not where one would suppose. He was not in the schools of the prophets, but in the field; he not reading, or praying, or sacrificing, but plowing. Twelve yoke of oxen probably indicated that Elisha was a man of some wealth. Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha: this was an investiture with the prophetic office. It is in this way that many religions appoint their priests, by a mantle thrown across their shoulders by another priest or holy person. Elisha had probably been educated in the schools of the prophets, and thus was well aware of the significance of this act.

Elisha was eager to follow Elijah and learn from him, but asked if he could go kiss his mother and father goodbye first. Elijah replied “What have I done to thee?” In other words: Go on, but remember what I've just done ; this is a sacred duty, for it is not I but God who is calling you. The lesson for us is this: Of course we love our families and should consider them when making a serious life changing decision, but we should be careful not to allow love for others to interfere with God's call upon our lives.

In response Elisha did go back home to tell his loved ones goodbye, but his eagerness to follow his calling was so great that he used his ploughs to cook his oxen, rather than waiting until other wood could be brought. Elisha then cheerfully left his home and family to accompany Elijah, just as the disciples left all to follow Jesus. Jesus promised great reward for those who would do as Elisha did: