191 Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done , and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword . 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah , saying , " So may the gods do to me and even more , if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time ." 3 And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba , which belongs to Judah , and left his servant there . 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness , and came and sat down under a juniper tree ; and he requested for himself that he might die , and said , "It is enough ; now , O Lord , take my life , for I am not better than my fathers ." 5 He lay down and slept under a juniper tree ; and behold , there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, "Arise , eat ." 6 Then he looked and behold , there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones , and a jar of water . So he ate and drank and lay down again .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:1-6
Commentary on 1 Kings 19:1-8
(Read 1 Kings 19:1-8)
Jezebel sent Elijah a threatening message. Carnal hearts are hardened and enraged against God, by that which should convince and conquer them. Great faith is not always alike strong. He might be serviceable to Israel at this time, and had all reason to depend upon God's protection, while doing God's work; yet he flees. His was not the deliberate desire of grace, as Paul's, to depart and be with Christ. God thus left Elijah to himself, to show that when he was bold and strong, it was in the Lord, and the power of his might; but of himself he was no better than his fathers. God knows what he designs us for, though we do not, what services, what trials, and he will take care that we are furnished with grace sufficient.