1 Kings 19 14

1 Kings 19:14 kjv

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 Kings 19:14 nkjv

And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."

1 Kings 19:14 niv

He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

1 Kings 19:14 esv

He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away."

1 Kings 19:14 nlt

He replied again, "I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."

1 Kings 19 verses

1 Kings 19 14 Meaning

This verse encapsulates Elijah's profound lament and complaint to God. He asserts his intense, faithful zeal for the Lord, emphasizing Israel's utter apostasy manifest in their breaking of God's covenant, destruction of His legitimate altars, and systematic murder of His prophets. Elijah portrays himself as the last surviving faithful prophet, uniquely targeted for death, reflecting his deep despondency and sense of isolation.

1 Kings 19 14 Context

This verse occurs after Elijah's dramatic triumph over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kg 18), but also immediately after Jezebel's death threat, which sent Elijah fleeing into the wilderness. Overwhelmed by fear and despondency, he journeys to Mount Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God, echoing Moses' encounter with God. This is Elijah's second identical lament (the first being in 1 Kg 19:10) after experiencing the powerful wind, earthquake, and fire, and then hearing God in a "still small voice" or "whisper." His persistent repetition of this complaint indicates his deep-seated psychological and spiritual weariness, despite the profound divine encounter he has just witnessed. The context is Elijah pouring out his soul, perceiving his faithful efforts as futile in the face of widespread national apostasy.

1 Kings 19 14 Word analysis

• He replied: Implies a continuation of a dialogue, here Elijah's response to God's direct question in 1 Kings 19:13, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" This indicates God is actively engaging with Elijah's distress.
• I have been very jealous: From the Hebrew קַנֹּא (qanno'), an intense and zealous emotion. It implies a strong, fervent devotion, almost an all-consuming passion. In God, this "jealousy" is for His exclusive worship and holiness (Ex 34:14). In Elijah, it is his unwavering allegiance and defense of YHWH against idolatry. The repetition (קַנֹּא קִנֵּאתִי - qanno' qinneti) signifies emphatic certainty, bordering on self-righteousness, about his loyalty.
• for the LORD God of Hosts: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת (YHWH Elohei Ts'va'ot). A powerful divine title, emphasizing God's sovereignty over celestial and earthly armies or powers. Elijah appeals to the Almighty God, implicitly seeking His vindication and intervention against those who oppose Him.
• for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant: עָזְבוּ אֶת־בְּרִיתֶךָ ('azevu 'et-beriteka). "Forsaken" means to abandon, desert, or reject. The "covenant" refers specifically to the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai, outlining the unique relationship and obligations between God and Israel. This is the gravest charge, signifying national apostasy and rebellion against God's law.
• torn down Your altars: הָרְסוּ אֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתֶיךָ (harasu 'et-mizbechotecha). "Torn down" (to demolish, break down). Not Baal's altars, but God's legitimate altars, perhaps those used for private or non-centralized worship, or even symbolic references to any place or form of proper worship. This act directly undermined the worship of YHWH, demonstrating profound contempt.
• and killed Your prophets with the sword: וְאֶת־נְבִיאֶיךָ הָרְגוּ בַחֶרֶב (ve'et-nevieicha hargu vachev). This highlights the persecution and physical elimination of God's messengers. "With the sword" signifies violent and deliberate murder. This demonstrates not just a rejection of God, but active hostility towards His living voice among the people.
• I alone am left: וָאִוָּתֵר אֲנִי לְבַדִּי (va'ivatheyr 'aniy levaddi). "Left" (to remain, be left over). This phrase conveys a deep sense of isolation, loneliness, and desperation. It reflects Elijah's perception of himself as the last true prophet of YHWH, though God later reveals otherwise (1 Kg 19:18, 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal). This is an expression of human despondency.
• and they seek to take my life: וְאֶת־נַפְשִׁי יְבַקְשׁוּ לְקַחְתָּהּ (ve'et-nafshi y'vaqshu leqachtah). "Seek" (to desire, require). "My life" (נַפְשִׁי nafshi) referring to his very being or soul. This expresses a concrete, imminent threat to his existence. Jezebel's oath to kill him is a tangible fear, making his flight understandable.

Words-group analysis:

• "I have been very jealous for the LORD God of Hosts": This phrase establishes Elijah's identity as a fervent servant of YHWH, whose loyalty drives his actions and grief. It also hints at the possible flaw in his zeal: a self-focused righteousness that misses God's broader work.
• "for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword": This triad of accusations forms the core of Israel's national apostasy, presenting a comprehensive picture of rebellion. It moves from spiritual rejection (covenant) to practical impiety (altars) to direct persecution (prophets). It indicates Israel's rejection of their entire religious and moral framework.
• "I alone am left; and they seek to take my life": This powerfully communicates Elijah's deep personal despair, feeling utterly isolated and vulnerable. It reveals his overwhelming fear and a limited perspective on God's work, which God subsequently addresses. This cry echoes in similar laments found throughout the Psalms.

1 Kings 19 14 Bonus section

This lament in 1 Kings 19:14 is nearly identical to Elijah's first lament in 1 Kings 19:10. The repetition signifies that despite the powerful natural phenomena (wind, earthquake, fire) and the gentle "still small voice" through which God spoke, Elijah's underlying despair and singular focus on Israel's apostasy had not fundamentally shifted. His internal state remained unchanged, showing the depth of his trauma and despondency. God's response after this second complaint is crucial, as He doesn't directly console Elijah's feelings but rather gives him practical directives and new commissions (anointing Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha), demonstrating that His work continues through means Elijah had not yet conceived. This highlights that while God hears our laments, He often calls us to participate in His ongoing plans rather than dwelling on despair. The fact that this specific verse is later quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 11:2-4 emphasizes the enduring theological truth of God always preserving a remnant, even when the human perception is of complete abandonment.

1 Kings 19 14 Commentary

1 Kings 19:14 is Elijah's deep cry of desolation, expressing his unwavering commitment to God in stark contrast to what he perceives as the complete and aggressive apostasy of Israel. His "very jealous" zeal highlights a legitimate divine passion, yet also reveals his intense, personal identification with God's honor to the point of a seemingly self-pitying isolation. He details the extent of Israel's sin—breaching the foundational covenant, destroying places of worship, and killing prophets—underscoring a complete rejection of YHWH's authority and word. Elijah's despair is palpable as he claims to be the solitary survivor of God's true messengers, and the immediate target of hostile forces. This lament serves as a poignant reminder that even the strongest and most faithful servants of God can experience profound weariness, fear, and a distorted perception of reality during intense spiritual battles. God’s gentle question and His subsequent revelation of a still-active remnant and future work are a divine counter to Elijah's humanly limited perspective.