1 AND Ahab told Jezebel [ Ahab tells here that you are not going to like what I have to tell you. You know your priests well there was a show down and your priests lost and as a result were put to death. ] all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, [ At this point she is livid. ] saying, so let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. [ Either I will kill you or I will die trying to kill you by this time tomorrow. ]

3 And when he [ Elijah. ] saw that, he arose, and went for his life, [ Elijah recognizes the power of Jezebel and fears for his own life. It is one thing to mess with Ahab, but it appears that Jezebel is the one who is really calling the shots anyway. Why would a prophet do this? Why not stand up to her again and again? Emma ask Joseph Smith Why he could not save their own son form death? to which he answered I can only do the will of God. ] and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 ¶ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; [What kind of plea is this? After all the miracles why the depression - he is a Prophet of God? Why do you think that he is so discouraged? He thought that he would have accomplished more than he did. He thought that if he showed the people the power of the Lord they would change their ways and return to him - with full purpose of heart. He belives now that he is really the only faithful one left. But the Lord shows him that there were others even 7,000 who had remained faithful. Doctrines of Salvation 2:106. ] and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. [ Indicating he is carnal and weak as they were (cp. 2 Chron. 29:6. 2 Chron. 30:7). I s he suggesting that I have completed the mission that you required of me, so let me move on and not have this constant fight for life any longer. I have been shelter under trees for years eating very little, I am tired an have just had enough. Is he suggesting that I am not better than my fathers and they could not get Israel to change so how can I, and why even continue to try. ]

5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.

8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights [ Fasted forty days. ] unto Horeb [ Same place as Moses went or Sinai. ] the mount of God.

9 ¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? [ Kind of close to the same language that God said to Adam and Eve after they were out of the garden offerring sacrifices. Or do you have any idea what plans I have for you to complete with my children going forward? Well of coarse he does not. ]

10 And he said, I have been very jealous [ Diligent/loyal. ] for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; [ It would appear that Elijah does not know that the other prophets are still alive, as a result he thinks himself all alone. It can be really hard at the top, especially when you feel like you are the only one fighting the battle, the only one who cares, it can be tiring and lonely. ] and they seek my life, to take it away.

11 And he [ God. ] said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; [ Remember that is the previous chapter he was in the fire. ] but the LORD was not in the fire: [ What do we know about fire from Elijah's experience with the priests of Baal? It does come with a lot of POWER. So is there any symbolism here for the people? cp18:38 Authority and unquestioning power vs still - small - voice. ] and after the fire a still small voice. [ I am not like that. While I may control the elements, when I want to talk to you I will speak to your heart and your mind with a still and yet small voice. One that will require some effort on your part if you are to hear it. If you will listen I will lead you. The shock and awe from the previous chapter is not how we will typically communicate. Why hasn't the Holy Ghost gone digitial? May sound perposterious but is that not what we expect from him sometimes? Think about it we often want greater clearity in our communication of what the Lord wants us to do. ]

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, [ Why would he do this? A sign of humility, he is not worthy to see the face of the Lord. This is in a way a make shift veil. He is in the Holy of Holies here. ] and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14 And he said, I have been very jealous [ Diligent/loyal. ] for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, [ So Elijah is a little discouraged and what happens? He is told to Wake up and do something more than dwell on your plight below. How does serving other help us when we are feeling discouraged? so what then is he told to do exactly?Tells him what he wants him to do... ] return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, [1] anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And [2] Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and [3] Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet[ Anoint Elisha to be your predecessor. ] in thy room.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. [ Not that Elisha himself will slay anyone, but that Elisha would prophesy the death of sertain people. ]

18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, [ Then the Lord says to Elijah, "Oh by the way there are over seven thousand left in Israel who are with me, and they are with you also. So do not feel like you are alone. They are just like you, they are true to me." ] all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

19 ¶ So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, [ What does this imply? Elisha is a wealthy farmer who has a lot of oxen plowing a lot of land and can afford servants. Not only that, but to have 12 yoke of oxen, or 12 pair, in the field at any one time would require him to have at least another 12 to 24 yoke in reserve as oxen were rotated throughout the day after a few hours work. Since oxen were doing all of the hard work of plowing, it was necessary to rotate them depending on how difficult the plowing was. Thus, in order to keep 12 plows operating, Elisha must have had more than 12 yoke of oxen. If you can handle 12 yokes of oxen then you have alot of skill as that would be a very difficult task. ] and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. [ Elijah puts his coat or covering upon the sholders of Elisha. Elisha knew exactly what this guesture meant - he was being designated for the prophetic calling and as such was being chosen to begin as an understudy and future sucessor to Elijah. No lengthy discussion, no persuasion - he simple accepted the call. Out of this simple act has become the phrase "mantle of the prophet". A test to see if he is discerning enough for his next mission. ]

20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. [ I am willing to follow, I just have some loose ends that I want to take care of. So give me a bit and I will be ready to serve. ] And he [ Elijah. ] said unto him, [ Elisha. ] Go back again: for what have I done to thee? [ He seems to respect Elisha's agency but he follows with an interesting phrase. Which may be a little harsh but he says "fine, do as you wish, it doesn't matter to me. I however am on the Lord's errand and I am heading back to where I am assigned to be right now." ]

21 And he [ Elisha. ] returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. [ He must have taken the hint as he does go back, kills his oxen, cooks them and the next day goes to find Elijah. ]