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1 Kings 19:10

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 19:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the 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; and they seek my life, to take it away.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the 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; and they seek my life, to take it away.
1 Kings 19:10 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7And the angel of Jehovah came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for thee.
8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
9And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of Jehovah came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the 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; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before Jehovah; but Jehovah was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Jehovah was not in the earthquake:
12and after the earthquake a fire; but Jehovah was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said, I have been jealous for the Lord God of hosts, etc.] Through zeal for the glory of God he had slain four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and this had stirred up the malice and revenge of Jezebel against him, who sought his life, and which had obliged him to flee, and come to this place for shelter; this is the first part of his answer, others follow: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant; the law, especially the two first commandments delivered in this very place; and therefore he could hope for no protection from them, but was forced to leave his country: thrown down thy altars: which had been built in times past for the worship of God, to sacrifice thereon…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I, even I only, am left - The same statement as in 1 Kings 18:22, but the sense is different. There Elijah merely said that he alone remained to execute the prophet’s office, which was true; here he implies that he is the only prophet left alive, whereas a hundred had been saved by Obadiah 1 Kings 18:4. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I have been, &c. - I have executed my office with zeal for God's honour, and with the hazard of my own life, and am fled hither, not being able to endure to see the dishonour done to thy name by their obstinate idolatry and wickedness. I only - Of all thy prophets, who boldly and publickly plead thy cause: for the rest of thy prophets who are not slain, hide themselves, and dare not appear to do thee any service. They seek my life - I despair of doing them any good: for instead of receiving my testimony, they hunt for my life. It does by no means appear, that he was at all to blame, for fleeing from Jezebel. If they persecute you in one city flee into another. Besides, the angels feeding and…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“very jealous: Exo 20:5, Exo 34:14; Num 25:11, Num 25:13; Psa 69:9, Psa 119:139; Joh 2:17 thrown down: Kg1 19:14, Kg1 18:4, Kg1 18:30; Jer 2:30; Hos 5:11; Mic 6:16, Mic 7:2 I only: Kg1 18:4, Kg1 18:20, Kg1 18:22, Kg1 20:13, Kg1 20:22, Kg1 20:35, Kg1 20:41, Kg1 20:42, Kg1 22:8; Rom 11:2-4 they seek my life: Kg1 19:2, Kg1 18:10, Kg1 18:17 3 Kings (1 Kings) 19:11”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification