1 Kings 19:15

“And the Lord said unto him, go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus, etc.] He is bid to go back the way he came, through the wilderness of Arabia, which was part of his way to Damascus, near to which was another wilderness, which took its name from thence; though Fortunatus Schacchus f418 thinks no other is meant by this phrase than returning to his former course and custom of preach the law of God, and reclaiming men from the error of their ways: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria; it is nowhere related that Elijah did go to Damascus, and anoint Hazael, though it may be he did; however he acquainted Elisha with it, and he declared it to Hazael, that he…”

“The answer is not a justification of the ways of God, nor a direct reproof of the prophet’s weakness and despondency, nor an explanation or application of what Elijah had seen. For the present, he is simply directed back into the path of practical duty. His mission is not yet over, there is still work for him to do. He receives special injunctions with respect to Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha; and he is comforted with a revelation well adapted to rouse him from his despondency: there are seven thousand who will sympathize with him in his trials, and who need his care and attention. The wilderness of Damascus - Probably the district north of the prophet’s own country, between Bashan and Damascus…”

“19:15-17 Go back . . . and travel: In loving patience, God renewed his prophet’s commission (cp. John 21:15-19). God directed Elijah to retrace his steps back to the place where he had strayed from God’s mission; from there he could move forward. • Hazael and Jehu both became instruments of God’s judgment (2 Kgs 8:7-15; 9:14-37). • Elisha, Elijah’s successor, would bring spiritual discernment and the Lord’s further judgment to Israel (2 Kgs 3:10-19; 8:7-15; 9:1–10:31; 13:3, 15-19). • Abel-meholah was located south of Beth-shan, where the valley of Jezreel and the Jordan Valley come together (see 1 Kgs 4:12; Judg 7:22).”

“wilderness of Damascus: The wilderness of Damascus seems to have been that part of Arabia Deserta which lay on the south-east of that city, and east of the Trachonites, or the Djebel Haouran and El Ledja; at which the prophet could arrive without meeting Jezebel or any of his enemies. Gen 14:15; Kg2 8:7; Act 9:2, Act 9:3 anoint: Isa 45:1; Jer 1:10, 27:2-22 Hazael: Kg2 8:8-15, Kg2 8:28, Kg2 9:14; Amo 1:4 3 Kings (1 Kings) 19:16”