This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 1 Kings 19:1-18, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Elijah was a prophet who loved and followed God. One day, Elijah did something really important. He proved that God is the one true God, and not the false gods that some people worshiped.
Now, there was a queen named Jezebel who was very angry with Elijah for what he did. She sent a message to him saying that she was going to hurt him. Elijah was very scared, so he ran away and went to a place called Beersheba. He left his servant there and continued running into the wilderness. He was so scared and sad that he asked God to take his life.
But God didn’t want Elijah to die. An angel came to him and told him to eat some bread and drink some water. Elijah ate and drank, and then he fell asleep. The angel came back and told Elijah to eat and drink again because he had a long journey ahead. Elijah did what the angel told him to do, and he felt strong enough to travel for forty days and forty nights to a place called Horeb.
When Elijah got to Horeb, he found a cave and stayed there. God spoke to him and asked him why he was there. Elijah told God that he was upset because some people were being mean to him and he felt like he was the only person who loved God. But God told Elijah that he wasn’t alone. There were still many people in Israel who loved God and had not worshiped false gods.
God told Elijah to go out and stand on the mountain in front of Him. Elijah did what God asked, and suddenly there was a very strong wind that came and shook the mountains, but God was not in the wind. After the wind, there was a big earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire, but God was not in the fire. Then, there was a small, still voice that Elijah heard, and he knew it was God. Elijah felt ashamed because he had forgotten that God was with him, even though he couldn’t see Him.
God talked to Elijah and told him that He had important work for him to do. Elijah had to anoint some new kings and a new prophet to take his place. Even though Elijah felt scared and alone, God was with him and had a plan for him.
Biblical Lessons
- God is always with us, even when we feel scared and alone.
- God has a plan for each one of us, and it’s important to trust in Him.
- We should be brave and do what God asks us to do, even if it’s hard.
- God takes care of us, just like He took care of Elijah.
Related Stories
Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath
Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son
Must-Read Christian Books
Mere Christianity
Lewis lays out the core beliefs of the Christian faith with clarity, logic, and imagination, rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Knowledge of the Holy
Short, powerful meditations on the attributes of God that lift the reader into a bigger, more biblical view of who He is.
View on Amazon
Holiness
A rich, pastoral treatment of sin, sanctification, and the fight for holiness in the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic allegory of the Christian journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, saturated with Scripture.
View on Amazon
Scripture Alone
Explains and defends the authority and sufficiency of Scripture over all human traditions.
View on Amazon
Basic Christianity
A timeless introduction to who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him according to Scripture.
View on Amazon
Knowing Scripture
Teaches how to interpret the Bible rightly, emphasizing its clarity and our responsibility to study it.
View on Amazon
Respectable Sins
Exposes the "ordinary" sins Christians often tolerate and calls us to gospel-driven holiness.
View on Amazon
The Gospel for Real Life
Shows how the finished work of Christ applies to everyday struggles and assurance.
View on Amazon
God's Big Picture
Traces the storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a clear, Christ-centered way.
View on Amazon
Just Do Something
A wise, biblical approach to knowing God's will without paralysis or mysticism.
View on Amazon
The Gospel According to Jesus
Defends a biblical understanding of faith and repentance against easy-believism.
View on Amazon
Expository Listening
Teaches Christians how to listen to expository preaching in a way that bears fruit.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Worship
Traces historic worship patterns and shows how to shape Christ-focused services today.
View on Amazon
Religious Affections
Examines the nature of true spiritual experience and the marks of genuine conversion.
View on Amazon
Operation World
A prayer handbook with up-to-date information on nations and their gospel needs.
View on Amazon