-3a] When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. [2] So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” [3] Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.

b-4a] He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. [4] Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day.

b-8] He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “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, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” [6] He 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 angel of the Lord 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 God.

-10] There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [10] Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

] Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.

] So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

b] Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.