1 Kings 19:17, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to Elijah's retreat on Mount Horeb, where an angel was sent to meet him, supply his needs, and reveal the divine purpose for Israel. It stands within his complaint that Israel had killed God's prophets and sought his life, which was answered by the assurance that God had preserved a faithful remnant of seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal, showing that widespread apostasy did not mean God had rejected all His people. It is part of the judgment appointed after Elijah fled in fear and his faith failed, when the work he had begun was to be completed by others and he was told to appoint another prophet in his place.

It belongs to the commission that prepared Elisha to succeed Elijah, and Elisha's early training under God's direction fitted him to guide Israel safely after the work against idolatry and Baal worship. Those who escaped the punishment carried out by Hazael would be slain by Jehu, and those who escaped Jehu would be slain by Elisha, a judgment directed against Israel's idolatry through men chosen to carry out God's purpose, with the severe punishment also meant to give people an opportunity to take their stand for the true God. Hazael's rise as king of Syria was part of God's judgment on idolatrous Israel, with Hazael appointed as a scourge and his violence placed within a sequence of judgments against Israel. Judgment came on apostate Israel through Hazael's attacks scourging the nation and Jehu's reforms bringing the destruction of Ahab's house, permitted as discipline to turn people away from Baal worship and toward God.

These judgments against apostasy were carried out in love and compassion for Israel, and the calamities and removal of Baal and Ashtoreth worship were merciful measures, since God foresaw that removing the temptation would lead some to abandon heathenism and seek Him. His judgments were tempered with mercy, and when their purpose was accomplished He turned events in favor of those who had learned to seek Him. The surrounding account warns against presuming to count who belongs to God, since God knows the faithful who remain, which calls for tender sympathy and concern for the salvation of the lost rather than judgmental assumptions about others.

The history of Elijah fleeing in discouragement at Jezebel's threat, to which the verse belongs, helps God's people under difficulties when studied carefully and prayerfully. It teaches every soul in difficulty to trust the Lord God of Israel rather than human wisdom as defense, to remain in the way of duty without letting fear discourage, and to trust implicitly with patient and prayerful waiting in confidence of seeing a wonderful display of His power. It teaches care not to assume responsibilities God does not require or to interpose between the Lord and His tempted and tried ones, so that God's purposes for them are carried out. The passage about Hazael applies to men in responsible positions whose unbelief and confidence in human judgment make them a scourge to God's people, presuming to be wiser than Scripture and rejecting truths they cannot understand.