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AHAB REPORTS TO JEZEBEL

Text: 1 Kings 19
1 September 2009

(I) AHAB REPORTS TO JEZEBEL

1 Kings 19:1

1. He recounts the event at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40)

2. He recalled the execution of the 44 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:40)

(II) JEZEBEL’S FURIOUS REACTION

1. Swift reaction

2. Threatens to kill Elijah

“So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 1 Kings 19:2

(III) ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE

“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

1. Elijah feared the fury of Jezebel

2. Fear of being killed caused him to run for his life

3. He fled Israel

4. He ended up in Beersheba, Judah

5. He left his servant behind

(IV) FIGHTING DESPAIR

“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said,

‘It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 1 Kings 19:4

1. Wilderness

a) Elijah’s preferred element

b) Choice of element important in fighting despair effectively

c) Elijah has spent a good number of years in the wilderness (training years)

2. Prayer

a) Another strong element in Elijah’s life

b) Wisdom to enter into prayer

3. Struggles in prayer

(Content)

a) It is enough!

b) Now, LORD, take my life

c) For I am no better than my fathers

4. Sleep

“Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree…” 1 Kings 19:5a

a) Rest needed

b) Sleep deprivation- a serious problem

(V) A SIGNIFICANT ANSWER FROM GOD

1. Sending of an angel to minister to Elijah

a) External help

b) Divine help

2. Practical matters

a) Food and drink

“A cake baked on coals, and a jar of water” 1 Kings 19:5

b) Physical energy and strength needed (1 Kings 19:7)

3. Strength for 40 days and 40 nights (1 Kings 19:8)

a) Went to Horeb (another name for Mount Sinai)

b) Went to the same place where Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights in the mountain with God

4. Time with God

Unhurried time with God is needed in the battle against despair