1 Kings 19 15

1 Kings 19:15 kjv

And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

1 Kings 19:15 nkjv

Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.

1 Kings 19:15 niv

The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.

1 Kings 19:15 esv

And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.

1 Kings 19:15 nlt

Then the LORD told him, "Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.

1 Kings 19 verses

1 Kings 19 15 Meaning

1 Kings 19:15 presents a direct divine directive to the prophet Elijah following his encounter with God on Mount Horeb. God commands Elijah to leave his retreat and return to active ministry, specifying his first task: to travel to the wilderness area bordering Damascus and ritually anoint Hazael. This act of anointing signifies Hazael's divine appointment as king over Syria (Aram), highlighting God's sovereign control over nations and His intention to use Hazael as an instrument of judgment against disobedient Israel.

1 Kings 19 15 Context

1 Kings chapter 19 opens with Elijah in profound despair. After his triumphant victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in chapter 18, Queen Jezebel threatens his life, causing him to flee into the wilderness, where he even requests death from God. His journey takes him to Mount Horeb (Mount Sinai), the place of the covenant. Here, after witnessing powerful natural phenomena, God speaks to him in a "still small voice" (1 Kgs 19:12). Having listened to Elijah's repeated lament of feeling isolated and believing he is the sole remaining faithful servant, God does not dwell on his despair. Instead, this verse initiates God's direct re-commissioning of Elijah. It outlines precise new tasks, signalling an end to his flight and isolation, and directing him back into God's sovereign plan for Israel's future through the raising up of key figures for both judgment and continuity.

1 Kings 19 15 Word analysis

• And the LORD said unto him, Go, return:

  • And: Connects this command directly to God's preceding interaction and revelation to Elijah, showing continuity in the divine discourse.
  • the LORD (יהוה - YHWH): Emphasizes God's covenant name, signifying His unchanging, faithful, and absolute divine authority as He directs His prophet.
  • said: Indicates clear, verbal, and authoritative communication from God, leaving no room for doubt concerning the command.
  • unto him: Specifies Elijah as the sole recipient of this direct instruction, highlighting his unique prophetic role.
  • Go, return (לֵךְ שׁוּב - lekh shuv): A powerful, dual imperative command. "Go" signifies leaving his current location (Horeb) and past state of despair. "Return" implies a retracing of physical steps, but metaphorically, it means returning to his divine mandate and engagement with the world. It marks an end to his flight and the resumption of active service.

• on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus:

  • on thy way: Not an aimless wandering, but a specific, divinely appointed itinerary, indicating precise divine guidance for the task.
  • to the wilderness (מִדְבַּר - midbar): A sparsely inhabited or uncultivated region. While it can imply a place of testing or preparation, here it signifies a direct and strategic route to Damascus, perhaps for anonymity or immediate purpose.
  • of Damascus: Refers to the region and capital of Aram (Syria), a powerful foreign kingdom and often an enemy of Israel. This command demonstrates God's sovereignty extends beyond Israel to include all nations and their rulers.

• and when thou comest, anoint Hazael:

  • and when thou comest: A temporal clause establishing a prerequisite; the anointing is to occur only upon arrival, emphasizing order and divine timing.
  • anoint (וּמָשַׁחְתָּ - u-māshaḥtā): From mashach, meaning "to smear" or "to anoint with oil." This is a sacred act of consecration, setting someone apart for a special office, typically for priests, prophets, or kings in Israel. Anointing a foreign king signifies that God alone is the ultimate king-maker (Dan 2:21), even empowering those outside the covenant to fulfill His purposes, including judgment.
  • Hazael: A specific individual, later known as a particularly ruthless and oppressive king of Aram (Syria), who would severely afflict Israel (2 Kgs 8:12-13; 10:32). His anointing is part of God's judicial process against apostate Israel.

• to be king over Syria:

  • to be king: Establishes the specific political and military office to which Hazael is appointed.
  • over Syria: Confirms Hazael's domain. God is explicitly designating a ruler for a Gentile nation that often posed a threat to Israel, further underscoring His universal dominion and His use of external powers to execute His will upon His disobedient people.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus": This phrase marks a significant redirection for Elijah, away from his personal crisis and back into his public prophetic role. It shows God's specific planning, giving Elijah clear geographical instructions that align with His broader geopolitical strategy concerning both Israel and its powerful neighbor.
  • "anoint Hazael to be king over Syria": This pivotal phrase details a profound act of divine sovereignty. It illustrates that God uses both His chosen servants (Elijah) and even foreign, pagan leaders (Hazael) as instruments for His purposes, especially concerning judgment upon His people for their unfaithfulness. The anointing bestows not spiritual favor but a divine mandate for a particular role in God's historical narrative.

1 Kings 19 15 Bonus section

This command to anoint Hazael, alongside the subsequent commands to anoint Jehu and Elisha in the following verse (1 Kgs 19:16), forms a significant tripartite judgment program established by God. Hazael would punish Israel from the outside through warfare, Jehu would punish the house of Ahab and Baal worship from within Israel through violence, and Elisha would continue the prophetic confrontation of idolatry. This elaborate plan underscores the seriousness with which God viewed the widespread apostasy in Israel and illustrates that His ultimate purpose prevails regardless of the state of His prophets or people. It emphasizes that divine appointments, even for those who do not know God, are real and potent instruments in fulfilling His ultimate will.

1 Kings 19 15 Commentary

This verse is God's active intervention to revive and redirect Elijah after his period of despair and self-pity. God, who previously sustained him physically, now re-commissions him spiritually and professionally, demonstrating that divine plans do not falter because of human weakness. The instruction to anoint Hazael as king over Syria is profound; it highlights Yahweh's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over all nations, even those outside the covenant. This is not an anointing for blessing, but a strategic appointment for judgment upon an apostate Israel, who faced Hazael's future brutal oppression as a consequence of their persistent idolatry. God's faithfulness includes not only covenant mercies but also covenant curses, which He enacts through instruments of His choosing, foreign or domestic. This task for Elijah signified the immediate future would bring not comfort, but divine accountability and further testing for Israel.