And Jehovah said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, thou shalt anoint Hazael to be king over Syria;
No man can hide from God's eye or word, not in a cave, not in the wilderness. Elijah came there melancholy and afraid, perhaps hoping to find God where Moses found Him, but God found him first, and His question cuts to the heart: what are you doing here, fleeing your calling?
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 19:9-18
The Lord sends him back through the wilderness toward Damascus to anoint Hazael king over Syria. Whether Elijah himself performed this anointing or Elisha declared it afterward, the point is the same: Hazael was marked by the prophets to be made king, which is what anointing signifies here.
AI summary
The gentle rustling revealed the Lord as merciful and gracious; yet His answer showed He will not leave guilt unpunished. He commands Elijah to anoint Hazael and Jehu as instruments of judgment, and promises that whoever escapes Hazael's sword shall fall to Jehu's, and whoever escapes Jehu's to Elisha's, a word meant to quiet his zeal and courage him to continue His prophetic work.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 19:13-17