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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֽוּא
H1931
וְהֽוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
1 of 25
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָלַ֤ךְ
But he himself went
H1980
הָלַ֤ךְ
But he himself went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙
into the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙
into the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
3 of 25
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
journey
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
journey
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 25
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
י֔וֹם
a day's
H3117
י֔וֹם
a day's
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וַיֵּ֕שֶׁב
and sat down
H3427
וַיֵּ֕שֶׁב
and sat down
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
תַּ֖חַת
H8478
תַּ֖חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
8 of 25
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אֶחָ֑ת
under a
H259
אֶחָ֑ת
under a
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל
and he requested
H7592
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל
and he requested
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
11 of 25
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשִׁ֔י
for himself
H5315
נַפְשִׁ֔י
for himself
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לָמ֔וּת
that he might die
H4191
לָמ֔וּת
that he might die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
14 of 25
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
רַ֗ב
It is enough
H7227
רַ֗ב
It is enough
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
16 of 25
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
עַתָּ֤ה
H6258
יְהוָה֙
now O LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
now O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נַפְשִׁ֔י
for himself
H5315
נַפְשִׁ֔י
for himself
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
22 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jonah 4:3Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.Numbers 11:15And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.Jonah 4:8And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah flees to horeb, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.