King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 19:4 Mean?

1 Kings 19:4 in the King James Version says “But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested fo... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. for himself: Heb. for his life

1 Kings 19:4 · KJV


Context

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.

3

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

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. for himself: Heb. for his life

5

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

6

And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. head: Heb. bolster


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְהֽוּא1 of 25
H1931

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

הָלַ֤ךְ2 of 25

But he himself went

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בַּמִּדְבָּר֙3 of 25

into the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

דֶּ֣רֶךְ4 of 25

journey

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

י֔וֹם5 of 25

a day's

H3117

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

וַיָּבֹ֕א6 of 25

and came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיֵּ֕שֶׁב7 of 25

and sat down

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

תַּ֖חַת8 of 25
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

רֹ֣תֶם9 of 25

juniper tree

H7574

the spanish broom (from its pole-like stems)

אֶחָ֑ת10 of 25

under a

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל11 of 25

and he requested

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

אֶת12 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשִׁ֔י13 of 25

for himself

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לָמ֔וּת14 of 25

that he might die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀15 of 25

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רַ֗ב16 of 25

It is enough

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

עַתָּ֤ה17 of 25
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יְהוָה֙18 of 25

now O LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

קַ֣ח19 of 25

take away

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

נַפְשִׁ֔י20 of 25

for himself

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

כִּֽי21 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹא22 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

ט֥וֹב23 of 25

for I am not better

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אָֽנֹכִ֖י24 of 25
H595

i

מֵֽאֲבֹתָֽי׃25 of 25

than my fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 19:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 19:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study