1 Kings 19 · Verse 3

1 Kings 19:3

And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer–sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
1 Kings 19:3, King James Version

1 Kings 19:3 in other translations

BSBAnd Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,
WEBWhen he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
ASVAnd when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
YLTAnd he feareth, and riseth, and goeth for his life, and cometh in to Beer-Sheba, that is Judah's, and leaveth his young man there,
DARBYAnd when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
BBEAnd he got up, fearing for his life, and went in flight, and came to Beer-sheba in Judah, parting there from his servant;
WebsterAnd when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

What does 1 Kings 19:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
1Ki 19:1-3. Elijah Flees to Beer-sheba. 3. he arose, and went for his life--He entered Jezreel full of hope. But a message from the incensed and hard-hearted queen, vowing speedy vengeance for her slaughtered priests, dispelled all his bright visions of the future. It is probable, however, that in the present temper of the people, even she would not have dared to lay violent hands on the Lord's servant, and purposely threatened him because she could do no more. The threat produced the intended effect, for his faith suddenly failed him. He fled out of the kingdom into the southernmost part of the territories in Judah; nor did he deem himself safe even there, but, dismissing his servant, he resolved to seek refuge among the mountain recesses of Sinai, and there longed for death (Jas 5:17). This sudden and extraordinary depression of mind arose from too great confidence inspired by the miracles wrought at Carmel, and by the disposition the people evinced there. Had he remained steadfast and immovable, the impression on the mind of Ahab and the people generally might have been followed by good results. But he had been exalted above measure (2Co 12:7-9), and being left to himself, the great prophet, instead of showing the indomitable spirit of a martyr, fled from his post of duty. 1Ki 19:4-18. He Is Comforted by an Angel.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 He arose, and went for his life - He saw it was best to give place to this storm, and go to a place of safety. He probably thought that the miracle at Carmel would have been the means of effecting the conversion of the whole court and of the country, but, finding himself mistaken, he is greatly discouraged. To Beer-sheba - This being at the most southern extremity of the promised land, and under the jurisdiction of the king of Judah, he might suppose himself in a place of safety. Left his servant there - Being alone, he would be the more unlikely to be discovered; besides, he did not wish to risk the life of his servant.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Kings 19:1-8

Jezebel sent Elijah a threatening message. Carnal hearts are hardened and enraged against God, by that which should convince and conquer them. Great faith is not always alike strong. He might be serviceable to Israel at this time, and had all reason to depend upon God's protection, while doing God's work; yet he flees. His was not the deliberate desire of grace, as Paul's, to depart and be with Christ. God thus left…

Read the full comment on 1 Kings 19:1-8 →

1 Kings 19:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיַּ֗רְאvai.Yar'and he sawH7200
וַיָּ֙קָם֙vai.Ya.komand he aroseH6965
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְvai.Ye.lekhand he wentH1980
אֶל\־'el-toH413
נַפְשׁ֔וֹnaf.Sholife hisH5315
וַיָּבֹ֕אvai.ya.Vo'and he cameH935
בְּאֵ֥רbe.'ErBeerH884
שֶׁ֖בַעShe.va'ShebaH884
אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherwhichH834
לִֽיהוּדָ֑הli.hu.Dah[belongs] to JudahH3063
וַיַּנַּ֥חvai.ya.Nachand he leftH5117
אֶֽת\־'et-<obj.>H853
נַעֲר֖וֹna.'a.Roservant hisH5288
שָֽׁם\׃ShamthereH8033

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Kings 19:3

  • Genesis 21:31

    Wherefore he called that place Beer–sheba; because there they sware both of them.

  • Matthew 26:70-74

    But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. …

  • Matthew 26:56

    But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:7

    And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

  • Isaiah 51:12-13

    I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?

  • Amos 7:12-13

    Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: But prophesy not again any more at Beth–el: for it is the king’s chapel, and it is the king’s court.

  • Exodus 2:15

    Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

  • 1 Kings 4:25

    And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, all the days of Solomon.

  • 1 Samuel 27:1

    And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

  • Genesis 12:12-13

    Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he arose.
Ge 12:12,13; Ex 2:15; 1Sa 27:1; Isa 51:12,13; Mt 26:56,70-74
2Co 12:7
Beer-sheba.
4:25; Ge 21:31; Am 7:12,13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Kings 19:2

    Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, 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.

  • 1 Kings 19:3

    And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer–sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

  • 1 Kings 19:4

    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; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Read all of 1 Kings 19

1 Kings 19:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Viendo pues el peligro, levantóse y fuése por salvar su vida, y vino á Beer-seba, que es en Judá, y dejó allí su criado.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et voyant cela, il se leva, et s’en alla pour sa vie, et vint à Beër-Shéba, qui appartient à Juda, et il y laissa son jeune homme.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und als er das sah, machte er sich auf und ging fort um seines Lebens willen, und kam nach Beerseba, das zu Juda gehört; und er ließ seinen Knaben dort zurück.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Timuit ergo Elias, et surgens abiit quocumque eum ferebat voluntas: venitque in Bersabee Juda, et dimisit ibi puerum suum,