1 Kings 19:8–18

⁸He got up, ate, and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled for 40 days and nights until he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. ⁹There he went into a cave and spent the night. 

Then the Lord spoke his word to Elijah. He asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

¹⁰He answered, “Lord God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises,^atorn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I’m the only one left, and they’re trying to take my life.” 

¹¹God said, “Go out and stand in front of the Lord on the mountain.” 

As the Lord was passing by, a fierce wind tore mountains and shattered rocks ahead of the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake. ¹²After the earthquake there was a fire. But the Lord wasn’t in the fire. And after the fire there was a quiet, whispering voice. ¹³When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. 

Then the voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

¹⁴He answered, “Lord God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises, torn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I’m the only one left, and they’re trying to take my life.” 

¹⁵The Lord told him, “Go back to the wilderness near Damascus, the same way you came. When you get there, anoint Hazael as king of Aram. ¹⁶Anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel. And anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah as prophet to take your place. ¹⁷If anyone escapes from Hazael’s sword, Jehu will kill him. And if anyone escapes from Jehu’s sword, Elisha will kill him. ¹⁸But I still have 7,000 people in Israel whose knees have not knelt to worship Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”