The Bible In Paintings: ELIJAH RUNS FROM AHAB & JEZEBEL

[Hebrews 11:6]

The Bible In Paintings 2
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR APPRECIATING AND APPLYING GOD'S MESSAGE

1^st KINGS
CHAPTERS 17-18

Now Elijah the Tishbite said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

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“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

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3
JAMES TISSOT
"Elijah from Mount Carmel Sees a Cloud"

4
MARC CHAGALL
"Elijah, on the Top of Mount Carmel, Announced the Impending
Rain before any Single Cloud in the Sky Appeared"

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So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”

Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

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CHAPTER 19

Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

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HE QI
"Sleeping Elijah"

9
"The Angel and Elijah"

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11
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12
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13
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14
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15
FREDERIC LEIGHTON
Source

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17
PETER PAUL RUBENS
"The Prophet Elijah Nourished by the Angel"

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19
SIR GODFREY KNELLER
"Elijah and the Angel"

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Detail
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MANNING DE VILLENEUVE LEE
"Elijah’s Angel"

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JONATHAN ROBERTSON
"Elijah and the Angel"

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GUSTAVE DORÉ
"Elijah Nourished by an Angel"

25
DIERIC BOUTS
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26
TINTORETTO
Source

27
FERDINAND BOL
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FERDINAND BOL
Source

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JACOPO VIGNALI
"Elijah Awakened and Fed by an Angel in the Desert"

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MORETTO DA BRESCIA
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31
GIOVANNI LANFRANCO
Source

32
JUAN ANTONIO DE FRÍAS Y ESCALANTE
"El Profeta Elias y el Angel"

33
GEORGE RICHMOND
Source

34
LUDWIG MEIDNER
Source

35
DANIELE DA VOLTERRA
Source

36
ANDREA ZUCCHI
"An Angel Saves a Thirsting Elijah"

37
MARC CHAGALL
Source

38
"Elijah Fed by the Angel"

39
SALVATORE BIANCHI
"Elia e l'angelo"

40
CORNELIS BISSCHOP
"Elijah and the Angel"

41
"Der Engel weckt Elias in der Wüste"

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PALMA IL GIOVANE
"Elijah Fed by the Angel"

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PHILIPPE DE CHAMPAIGNE
"The Prophet Elijah's Dream"

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"Elijah and the Angel"

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→ a n d... f i n a l l y ←

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DANIELE DA VOLTERRA
"Elijah in the Desert"

The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.

New International Version ©1984, Abrdgd, EMPHASES Added
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To be continued…

[InkStone]

“He got out to the end of his faith, having exercised all of it, and became in his own power overwhelmed, exhausted and depressed.”
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Well said Dan. Some of us have been there...
I marvel at those who stand strong at all (or maybe most) times. Others have a smaller ‘fuel tank’

Good morning Dan, and my most sincere thanks for the hours you spend on serving God in this ministry. Finding, assembling, editing, shepherding...

Also, to all who post comments: thanks to each of you. I learn a great deal here. Please keep your comments coming.

[spankalib]

I like #15 by Frederic Leighton. It is smooth, idealized, but beautiful nonetheless.

Some critics of that style - I believe it's called "academic" - sneered at it, and called it pompous. I still like it...it's just pretty!

[Red Badger]

Jezebel was a Phoenician princess and likely spoiled brat as well.............

[fidelis]

Every major character in the Old Testament had a flaw somewhere, even Moses and David. Maybe this was Elijah’s...

Perhaps so. After this his ministry effectively comes to an end. God tells him that he is to anoint Elisha as his successor and new kings of Damascus and Israel, but it it is actually Elisha that ends up anointing the kings.

Elijah has a couple of prophetic announcements to Ahab after this (probably with Elisha in tow as part of his training), but then he is taken up to heaven and Elisha takes over as prophet to Israel.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Some of us have been there...

What I marvel at, Leon, was the overwhelming pressure Jesus faced, far more than anyone else. Who else has experienced what He did in His forty days in the wilderness? And that was merely the beginning.

He knew He could only do it full of His Holy Spirit, so constantly He refilled, prayerfully. AND HE SUCCEEDED.

[Squidpup]

Elijah’s wavering has always been comforting to me as it demonstrates his humanity and allows us to identify with him. One detail I noticed, he was bold when dealing with Ahab and the prophets, but when it came to Jezebel, that’s when he lost it.

Another question - is anyone aware of a good movie version of Elijah’s life? AW Pink has a book about it, but it would make great cinema!

[Hebrews 11:6]

It certainly stands out among the rest.

[fidelis]

Jezebel was a Phoenician princess and likely spoiled brat as well...

And it seems the apple doesn't fall very far from the cart. I was just reading the somewhat obscure episode about Athaliah, the one and only queen to rule over the southern kingdom of Judah. When her son the king died, she proceeded to kill all the male members of the Davidic household of Judah so she could rule unchallenged. The king's infant son was hidden in the temple for 6 years until he could be brought out and crowned, at which point Athaliah was slain. See 2 Kings 11:1-20

Anyway, guess whose daughter Athaliah was? Ahab and Jezebel!

[Hebrews 11:6]

I'm not aware of a film, but yesterday we had an enthusiastic book recommendation.

[Hebrews 11:6]

You’re ably anticipating future episodes here: fiery chariot, Elisha’s ministry, Athaliah/Jehu.

[fidelis]

Another question - is anyone aware of a good movie version of Elijah’s life? AW Pink has a book about it, but it would make great cinema!

I've always thought the same thing. The whole Elijah/Elisha cycle, if it were done right, would make a great TV mini-series.

[fidelis]

You’re ably anticipating future episodes here: fiery chariot, Elisha’s ministry, Athaliah/Jehu.

I'm looking forward to them. I always appreciate your efforts.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I need to avoid what befell Elijah and instead top off the Holy Spirit in my tank. Unlike gasoline, He is FREE!

[fidelis]

Amen!

[fidelis]

See 2 Kings 11:1-20

Dang! That link should have been 2 Kings 11:1-20.

[Hebrews 11:6]

It’s clear that you know your 2nd Kings.

[fidelis]

I do have a special love for the historical books of the Bible.

[Hebrews 11:6]

As do I. I don't chafe in rereading the much longer Old Testament, perhaps because I recognize this summary:

Genesis to Malachi: JESUS IS COMING
Matthew to John: JESUS IS HERE
Acts to Revelation: JESUS IS RETURNING

[fidelis]

Very good.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Hat-tip to Jase Robertson, beginning at 12:48, through 16:15.