9b–10 At length the word of the Lord aroused Elijah. The penetrating interrogation called for minute self-evaluation (v.9b; cf. Gen 3:9). Did Elijah yet understand his failure and God’s gracious guidance in bringing him to this place? Elijah’s reply indicated that he did not. Like Phineas of old, he alone had been very zealous for the Lord in the midst of gross idolatry (v.10; cf. Num 25:7–13). His soul was somewhat bitter at having served God so earnestly and spectacularly and yet having experienced