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
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
The Cross of Christ
A profound exploration of the meaning and power of the cross at the center of Christian faith and life.
View on Amazon
The Holiness of God
Sproul unfolds the blazing holiness of God and why a right fear of the Lord is vital to true worship.
View on Amazon
Chosen by God
A clear, pastoral explanation of biblical election and God's sovereignty in salvation.
View on Amazon
A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Walks through Paul's prayers to teach believers how to pray biblically and God-centeredly.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Grace
Shows how God's grace and our disciplined effort work together in sanctification.
View on Amazon
Future Grace
Argues that faith in God's future grace frees believers from the enslaving power of sin.
View on Amazon
The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination
Explains and defends the doctrines of grace and God's sovereign election from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Redemption Accomplished and Applied
A concise, biblical study of Christ's atonement and the application of salvation to believers.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
View on Amazon
The Universe Next Door
Surveys competing worldviews and contrasts them with the Christian view of reality.
View on Amazon
Christ of the Covenants
Explains the biblical covenants and how they reveal Christ and God's plan of redemption.
View on Amazon
Gentle and Lowly
Meditates on Christ's heart for sinners and sufferers from key biblical texts.
View on Amazon
Religious Affections
Examines the nature of true spiritual experience and the marks of genuine conversion.
View on Amazon
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
A Puritan classic on learning contentment in God in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
View on Amazon
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
Encourages and equips Christians to share the gospel faithfully and simply.
View on Amazon