It shall happen, that he who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
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
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay,.... Which suggests that many should be slain in Israel by them both, as were by Hazael, Kg2 10:32 and by Jehu, Kg2 9:24, and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay; which may be understood either literally of the forty two children cursed by...
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