1 Kings 19 16

1 Kings 19:16 kjv

And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

1 Kings 19:16 nkjv

Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.

1 Kings 19:16 niv

Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.

1 Kings 19:16 esv

And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.

1 Kings 19:16 nlt

Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.

1 Kings 19 verses

1 Kings 19 16 Meaning

1 Kings 19:16 describes God's direct commission to Elijah to anoint two significant figures: Jehu, to become king over Israel, tasked with executing divine judgment against the idolatrous house of Ahab; and Elisha, to succeed Elijah as prophet, ensuring the continuity of God's divine word and presence among His people. This directive marks a pivotal point in God's plan for Israel, signaling both imminent judgment and the unwavering provision of His truth, even amidst widespread apostasy.

1 Kings 19 16 Context

This verse is given by God to Elijah at Mount Horeb (Mount Sinai), following Elijah's profound victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, yet also subsequent to his desperate flight into the wilderness due to Jezebel's death threats. Overwhelmed by despair and a sense of isolation, Elijah believed he was the sole faithful prophet remaining. God responded to Elijah's distress not in fire, earthquake, or wind, but in a "still small voice," and then by recommissioning him. This divine instruction, encompassing Hazael (king of Aram), Jehu (king of Israel), and Elisha (Elijah's successor), outlines God's continuing and overarching plan for judgment and spiritual continuity, reassuring Elijah that His work was not reliant on him alone and that His purposes would be fulfilled through others. Historically, Israel under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel had descended into severe apostasy, adopting and aggressively promoting Baal worship, a direct affront to the covenant with Yahweh. This widespread spiritual rebellion necessitated divine intervention through both judgment on the unfaithful monarchy and the sustained presence of prophetic witness.

1 Kings 19 16 Word analysis

• And Jehu: Hebrew Yēhū. Meaning "He is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is He." His name itself pointed to the true God, chosen despite Israel's idolatry. Jehu was not from the lineage of the Omrides but chosen by divine decree to fulfill God's punitive plan against Ahab's house.
• the son of Nimshi: Hebrew Nimshī. His patronymic identifies him. Emphasizes his specific identity, crucial for a literal anointing and future execution of God's judgment. This detail underscored the precise nature of God's selection.
• shalt thou anoint: Hebrew timshaḥ, from the verb māshaḥ (to smear, rub with oil, consecrate). This term explicitly denotes a formal, sacred act of installation by divine appointment, endowing the recipient with authority and capability for a specific God-given role. In this context, it signifies a direct commissioning by divine will.
• to be king over Israel: Establishes Jehu's specific role and the realm of his authority. Kingship was viewed as a divine appointment, and God's active involvement in establishing and dethroning monarchs, even ungodly ones, demonstrated His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly rulers and nations for His purposes, especially concerning judgment.
• and Elisha: Hebrew ʾĔlîshāʿ. Meaning "My God is Salvation" or "God is Salvation." Like Jehu, his name carried deep theological significance regarding God's character and plan, especially in a context of spiritual decline.
• the son of Shaphat: Hebrew Shāpāṭ. His patronymic. Identifies his lineage, placing him in the socio-economic context of a prosperous agricultural family, underscoring the contrast of his calling from common life to sacred ministry.
• of Abelmeholah: Hebrew ʾĀbēl Mĕḥōlāh. "Meadow of dancing." Elisha's hometown, a fertile region in the Jordan Valley. Pinpoints his geographical origin, further emphasizing God's calling from a specific, seemingly ordinary background for an extraordinary purpose.
• shalt thou anoint: Hebrew timshaḥ, same as for Jehu. While a literal oil anointing for a prophet was less common than for kings or priests, its use here underscores the definitive divine commission and transfer of spiritual authority and endowment of the prophetic mantle from Elijah to Elisha. It signifies Elisha's formal inauguration into his prophetic office, marking him as divinely appointed and empowered.
• to be prophet in thy room: Hebrew taḥtekā (under you, instead of you, in your place). This phrase explicitly establishes Elisha as Elijah's direct successor, ensuring the unbroken continuation of prophetic witness and God's spoken word in Israel. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to maintain His active communication with His people through His chosen messengers.

Words-group analysis

• "Anoint...king...over Israel": This commission underscores God's absolute sovereignty over human political structures. He designates leaders, even through an indirect means (via His prophet), to fulfill His righteous judgments and historical plan for His chosen nation, regardless of current societal apostasy.
• "Anoint...prophet in thy room": This demonstrates God's commitment to His people by ensuring the continuous presence of His divine voice. Even as Elijah nears the end of his active ministry, God ensures His covenant relationship with Israel remains mediated by a living prophet who speaks His truth and performs His mighty acts. This guarantees continuity of spiritual guidance and divine revelation.
• The juxtaposition of Jehu and Elisha: These two individuals represent two distinct, yet complementary, aspects of God's intervention in Israel's history during a period of deep spiritual decline: Jehu embodying God's necessary and decisive judgment on the unfaithful dynasty, and Elisha symbolizing the continuity of God's mercy, grace, and word, providing ongoing spiritual instruction and prophetic intercession. Together, they illustrate the comprehensive nature of God's dealings with His covenant people, combining discipline with the sustained presence of His salvific message.

1 Kings 19 16 Bonus section

• The three commissions given to Elijah at Horeb (Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha) indicate a comprehensive divine strategy that goes beyond Elijah's individual efforts, encompassing both foreign and domestic kings and a direct prophetic successor. This larger perspective offers profound reassurance to Elijah that God's plan is not limited by his personal weariness or perceived isolation.
• While Hazael was prophesied to be king (1 Ki 19:15), only Jehu and Elisha are explicitly stated to be "anointed" by Elijah in this immediate instruction. Elijah did not directly anoint Hazael, who later usurped the throne of Aram through his own violence (2 Ki 8:7-15), showing God works His will through various means, both direct and indirect.
• The phrase "anoint... prophet in thy room" is unique. While prophets were often called by God, a formal anointing with oil (like kings and priests) to pass on the prophetic office directly from one prophet to another is rarely explicitly stated, emphasizing the weighty transfer of Elijah's unique authority and spiritual mantle to Elisha.

1 Kings 19 16 Commentary

1 Kings 19:16 is a pivotal divine directive given to Elijah at Mount Horeb, directly following his period of deep despondency. Far from abandoning His plan for Israel, God reassures Elijah that His work will continue, not solely through Elijah but through others chosen and equipped by divine authority. The dual anointing of Jehu and Elisha highlights God's multifaceted approach to Israel's apostasy. Jehu, a military commander, is divinely appointed as king to execute the severe judgment promised against the wicked house of Ahab and the widespread Baal worship they championed. This demonstrates God's unyielding demand for righteousness and His ultimate authority over human kingdoms, utilizing even unperfected instruments for His sovereign purposes of cleansing and retribution. Elisha, a man called from farming, is commissioned as Elijah's direct prophetic successor, ensuring the continuous flow of God's truth, counsel, and miracles to His people. This prophetic lineage underscores God's faithfulness to provide ongoing spiritual guidance and intervention, preventing Israel from being utterly abandoned in their spiritual darkness. The verse powerfully illustrates God's unflagging purpose and sovereign control, even when His instruments feel exhausted, ensuring both judgment and the enduring presence of His redemptive word among His people.