8. He arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, God’s Mountain.
9. He came to a cave there, and camped there; and behold, the Lord’s word came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10. He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of Hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
11. He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.”Behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
12. After the earthquake a fire passed; but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a still small voice.
13. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Behold, a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14. He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of Hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
15. The Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.
16. Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.
17. He who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and he who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.