1 Kings 19:1-3
19:2 a Speaking a curse, Jezebel reinforced her threat to kill Elijah within a day. Solomon had made a similar declaration regarding his half-brother Adonijah (2:23 b), and the king of Aram later issued an edict against Elisha with the same formula (2 Kgs 6:31 c). Jezebel acted with cold-blooded resolve to accomplish her purposes (1 Kgs 21:5-15 d).19:3 e Elijah was afraid: The NLT follows the Greek Old Testament and a majority of scholars in translating Elijah’s reaction as one of fear, proposing a reading of wayyira’ (“he feared”) in the original Hebrew. The Hebrew text as we have it reads, “he saw it” (wayyare’)—i.e., the danger in Jezebel’s threat. Rather than a warm reception after the spectacular victory, and a hoped-for repentance beginning with the royal house, Elijah faced a death threat.
• Beersheba lay at the southern end of the country. A familiar formula described the limits of the land as “from Dan . . . to Beersheba” (4:25 f; 2 Sam 24:2 g).
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