Christian Formation Guide for June 23 - 1 Kings 19:1-15; Elijah Flees from Jezebel and Meets God at Horeb

June 23, 2013 – 5 Pentecost

1 Kings 19:1-15

Elijah Flees from Jezebel

Elijah Meets God at Horeb

 

Background: The book of 1 Kings is an account of the Kings of Israel from David’s death through King Jehoshaphat’s death (the grandson of Ahab). This selection follows Elijah’s destruction of the 450 prophets of Baal.

 

Theme: This passage details a second instance of Elijah fleeing for his life from Jezebel and Ahab. This passage provides insight into the nature of God interacting with his prophets and the protection and wisdom God provides for his chosen people. This passage is reminiscent of the stories in the Pentateuch and is reminiscent of Moses’ call and interaction with God.

 

Questions to Ponder:

* Briefly describe the situation in Israel: the political, social, and religious dynamics of the nation. Identify the following locations: Beersheba, Mount Horeb, Damascus, and Aram. How are these places significant in the story of the combined nation of Israel and the northern tribes?

* What is odd about the dynamics in verses 1 and 2 with respect to who is most offended by the killing of the prophets of Baal and the condemnation of Elijah?

* Why might Elijah flee to Beersheba and what is odd about the distance between the previous story in Carmel and this story in Beersheba and at Mount Horeb?

* Why might Elijah leave his servant in Beersheba and go into the wilderness by himself? How does this journey into the wilderness compare with Elijah’s journey to the Wadi Kishon in a previous story?

* What might cause Elijah to ask God to die in verse 4?

* What strikes you as odd about the eating and drinking interlude in verses 5-7? How might two meals sustain Elijah for his forty day and forty night journey from Beersheba to Horeb?

* Why might God ask Elijah in verses 9 and 13 what he is “doing here,” especially since God had told him to go to the two places where he went?

* What is interesting about Elijah’s response to God in verses 10 and 14?

* Why do you think the writer chose “a great wind,” “an earthquake,” and “fire” as the places Elijah first looks for God? Why might Elijah not be able to find God in those places?

* How do you think Elijah knew that God was in the shear silence? Why might Elijah have covered his face with his mantle when he realized God was present?

* What role might Hazael of Aram play in the life of Israel, Judah, and the nation of Israel?

* Why might God choose to anoint a foreign king in the person of Hazael? How would Hazael’s selection as king (even when another might be king at the time) impact Israel’s future and their livelihood?

* What is the good news of this story for the Israelites in the period before Christ? How would this passage provide hope for the Israelites of its era?

* What is the story of hope for us? How do we see this passage apply to us in our life and ministry?