1st Kings — 19

AliYahu Flees to Sinai

1 When Ahab got home, he told Yazabaal everything AliYahu had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 

2 So Yazabaal sent this message to AliYahu: “May the idols strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

3 AliYahu was afraid and fled for his life, he went to Baarshaba, a town in Yahudah, and he left his servant there. 

4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day, he sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die, he said “I have had enough, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, a Malak touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 

6 AliYahu looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

7 Then the Malak of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH. 

9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar to AliYahu, “What are you doing here?”

10 AliYahu replied, “I have zealously served 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH my 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH. But the people of Yashar'AL have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your Nabym. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

11 “And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar to AliYahu; Go out and stand before me on the mountain, and as AliYahu stood there, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH was not in the earthquake. 

12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH was not in the fire, and after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 

13 When AliYahu heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave, and a voice said, “What are you doing here, AliYahu?”

14 And AliYahu replied again, “I have zealously served 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH my 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH. But the people of Yashar'AL have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your Nabym. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

15 Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar to AliYahu, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazaal to be king of Aram. 

16 Then anoint Yahu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Yashar'AL, and anoint Alysha son of Shaphat from the town of Abal-mahulah to replace you as my Nabym (prophet). 

17 Anyone who escapes from Hazaal will be killed by Yahu, and those who escape Yahu will be killed by Alysha! 

18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Yashar'AL who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

The Call of Alysha 

19 So AliYahu went and found Alysha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Alysha was plowing with the twelfth team, and AliYahu went over to Alysha and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 

20 Alysha left the oxen standing there, ran after AliYahu, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” AliYahu replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”

21 So Alysha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them, he used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh, he passed around the meat to the people of his town, and they all ate, then Alysha went with AliYahu as his assistant.