Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

1 Kings 19:1-3

i Kings 18:46 records that “the hand of the LORD was on Elijah” so that we was able to outrun Ahab and his chariot to the gate at Jezreel. Elijah’s run was one more in a trail of miracles on that day when the prophets of Baal were defeated. But what can cause a man who just experienced the pinnacle achievement of his life, run away in fear?

It’s hard for me to comprehend how Elijah would run scared by Jezebel’s threat to take his life. Maybe there are details we don’t know or maybe he didn’t expect any more opposition once God was again acknowledged by the people as the one true God.

That’s part of the beauty of the Bible. Not only do we see the heroic acts and faithfulness to God’s plan, we also see that Elijah was a flawed man, just like us. And so he ran and despaired for his life.

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”

1 KIngs 19: 4-8

The LORD recognizes our fears and our frailty and so we find that when Elijah had just about given up, an angel was sent to give him strength and encouragement.And so we should not despair, but if we do God is faithful to watch over us.