1 Kings 19 3

1 Kings 19:3 kjv

And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

1 Kings 19:3 nkjv

And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

1 Kings 19:3 niv

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,

1 Kings 19:3 esv

Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

1 Kings 19:3 nlt

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.

1 Kings 19 verses

1 Kings 19 3 Meaning

1 Kings 19:3 describes Elijah's immediate reaction of fear and flight upon receiving Jezebel's death threat after his triumphant confrontation on Mount Carmel. Driven by a primal urge for self-preservation, he undertook a significant journey southward to Beersheba, a border city in Judah, abandoning his attendant there as he prepared to continue alone into the wilderness in his despair.

1 Kings 19 3 Context

This verse occurs immediately after Elijah's unparalleled victory on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs 18), where he definitively demonstrated Yahweh's supremacy over Baal through a dramatic display of fire from heaven, followed by the execution of Baal's prophets and the ending of a severe drought. Despite this spectacular triumph and divine power, Elijah receives a deadly threat from Queen Jezebel, a fervent Baal worshipper, communicated through her messenger. Jezebel vows to make Elijah's life like those of her prophets. Instead of remaining steadfast in faith, Elijah, seemingly exhausted physically and emotionally, succumbs to profound fear, which sets in motion his flight into the wilderness, a period of deep despondency and a crisis of faith, culminating in his encounter with God at Mount Horeb. His flight to Beersheba, at the southern edge of Judah, indicates his intent to distance himself as much as possible from Jezebel's reach in the northern kingdom of Israel.

1 Kings 19 3 Word analysis

• And when he saw that (וַיַּרְא, vayyar'): Literally "and he saw." This refers to his perception and understanding of Jezebel's deadly threat. It highlights that Elijah's reaction was driven by a visual and intellectual grasp of the imminent danger. The transition from confident action on Carmel to fear-driven reaction begins with his "seeing" or perceiving.

• he arose (וַיָּקָם, vayyaqam): "He stood up," "he got up." A standard Hebrew idiom indicating the commencement of an action or journey. Here, it denotes immediate physical readiness to act on his perception.

• and went for his life (וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל-נַפְשׁוֹ, vayyeleḵ ’el-nap̄šô):

  • Nâphash (נֶפֶשׁ): "Soul," "life," "person," "living being." In this context, it unequivocally means "his life."
  • The phrase emphasizes the urgency and desperation of his flight—it was purely to preserve his own life. This highlights the human fear for survival, even in a prophet who had just witnessed God's mighty power. It contrasts sharply with Elijah's willingness to stand against hundreds of prophets previously.

• and came to Beersheba (וַיָּבֹא בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע, vayyavo’ be’ēr ševa‘):

  • Beersheba (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע): "Well of the Oath" or "Well of Seven." It was the southernmost city of the kingdom of Judah. Located approximately 80-100 miles (130-160 km) south of Jezreel (where Ahab and Jezebel resided), this significant distance indicates the depth of his desperate flight and desire for absolute safety.
  • This city also held deep historical and covenantal significance for Israel as a place where Abraham and Isaac made covenants and encountered God. The irony is poignant: Elijah flees in despair to a place traditionally associated with divine promise and presence for the patriarchs.

• which belongeth to Judah (אֲשֶׁר לִיהוּדָה, ’asher lîhûḏâ): This specifies that Beersheba was part of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, distinct from the Northern Kingdom of Israel where Ahab and Jezebel ruled. This detail clarifies that Elijah crossed a political and geographical boundary, seeking refuge outside of Jezebel's direct immediate authority.

• and left his servant there (וַיַּנַּח אֶת-נַעֲרוֹ שָׁם, vayyannaḥ ’et-na‘arô shām):

  • Na‘ar (נַעַר): "Young man," "boy," "attendant," "servant." This likely refers to Gehazi, Elijah's well-known attendant.
  • This action signifies Elijah's deepening state of isolation and despair. He intentionally leaves his companion, suggesting he intends to go into the desolate wilderness alone, perhaps to die, and did not wish for his servant to be present for or witness such a desperate state or fate. It demonstrates an profound internal struggle and detachment, as if he needed to be utterly alone to face his overwhelming fear and brokenness.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And when he saw that, he arose and went for his life": This phrase dramatically shifts the narrative from the pinnacle of divine power and prophetic boldness to a raw, human response of fear and self-preservation. It underlines Elijah's vulnerability and fallibility, even after such extraordinary spiritual heights. It shows the intense psychological toll of ministry and spiritual warfare.
  • "and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah": The choice of destination illustrates not only the physical distance covered in his flight but also a crossing into a perceived zone of relative safety. His movement across kingdoms reflects the political divisions but also his search for an extreme boundary to escape his circumstances.
  • "and left his servant there": This specific action marks a critical turning point. It suggests a descent into deep loneliness and a profound crisis of faith, as he sheds even human companionship before seeking an ultimate solitude, preparing for what he might anticipate as his end. It signifies the commencement of a spiritual and emotional withdrawal.

1 Kings 19 3 Bonus section

• Prophetic Burnout: Elijah's immediate collapse into fear and flight after such a high-stakes, physically, and spiritually exhausting triumph illustrates the phenomenon of prophetic burnout or extreme emotional and psychological fatigue experienced by those in intense ministry.
• Contrast with Patriarchs: Beersheba was a sacred site for Abraham and Isaac, where they encountered God, made covenants, and experienced divine protection and provision. Elijah's arrival there in utter despair and flight offers a stark contrast, underscoring the severity of his crisis, ironically fleeing to a place of historical faith rather than finding immediate solace in it.
• The "Fear of Man": This episode shows the "fear of man" taking hold of Elijah, which Proverbs 29:25 warns "bringeth a snare." Despite his direct encounter with God's power, he momentarily succumbs to human intimidation.

1 Kings 19 3 Commentary

1 Kings 19:3 is a stark illustration of a spiritual leader experiencing deep psychological and emotional collapse immediately following a monumental victory. Elijah, who boldly confronted 450 prophets of Baal, here reacts with fear-driven flight from a single threat. This reaction highlights the human limits and vulnerabilities that can affect even the mightiest servants of God. His urgent flight for his life signifies a lapse in faith and trust in God's sustained protection, revealing the immense stress and exhaustion that follow intense spiritual warfare. His deliberate decision to abandon his servant in Beersheba marks his entry into a period of profound isolation and despair, signaling his descent into suicidal thoughts and prophetic burnout before his divine encounter at Horeb. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that faith is not the absence of human struggle or fear, but about God's sustained grace amidst our deepest weaknesses.