1 Kings 19:13

And it was [so], when Elijah heard [it], that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, [there came] a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

And it was so, when Elijah {H452} heard {H8085} it, that he wrapped {H3874} his face {H6440} in his mantle {H155}, and went out {H3318}, and stood {H5975} in the entering in {H6607} of the cave {H4631}. And, behold, there came a voice {H6963} unto him, and said {H559}, What doest thou here, Elijah {H452}?

When Eliyahu heard it, he covered his face with his cloak, stepped out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Then a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Eliyahu?"

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Commentary

1 Kings 19:13 marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Elijah's journey, revealing his posture of reverence and God's persistent, gentle inquiry. This verse immediately follows God's profound demonstration of His presence, not in the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a "still small voice" (or "whisper" as some translations render the Hebrew qol demamah daqqah).

Context and Background

After a dramatic victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where God powerfully consumed the sacrifice (1 Kings 18:38), Elijah faced a severe threat from Queen Jezebel. Overwhelmed by fear and exhaustion, he fled into the wilderness, eventually reaching Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, the very mountain where Moses received the Law (Exodus 19:18). Elijah was in a deep state of despair, feeling isolated and believing he was the only faithful prophet left (1 Kings 19:10). God had just passed by, revealing His nature in a profound, subtle way, prompting Elijah's response.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Reverence and Humility: Elijah's act of wrapping his face in his mantle (his prophetic cloak) signifies profound respect and humility before the divine presence. It echoes ancient practices of covering the face in the presence of holiness, acknowledging God's awe-inspiring nature.
  • God's Gentle Presence: The preceding verses emphasize that God was not in the powerful natural phenomena but in a quiet, subtle sound. This highlights God's ability to communicate and be present in ways that challenge human expectations, often through quiet introspection rather than overwhelming displays.
  • Divine Inquiry and Purpose: God's repeated question, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" (first asked in 1 Kings 19:9 and repeated here), is not an expression of ignorance but a probing question designed to draw Elijah out of his self-pity and despair. It challenges his purpose and presence in that desolate place.

Linguistic Insights

The "mantle" (Hebrew: addereth) was a significant garment for prophets, often symbolizing their authority and spiritual covering. Elijah's use of it to cover his face demonstrates a deep understanding of the sacredness of the moment, a recognition of God's immediate, intimate presence. The question, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" is direct and personal, forcing Elijah to confront his situation and articulate his feelings.

Practical Application and Reflection

This verse offers powerful insights for believers today:

  • God Meets Us in Our Despair: Like Elijah, we may experience periods of fear, exhaustion, and isolation. God does not abandon us but seeks us out, even in our deepest valleys.
  • Listen for the "Still Small Voice": In a noisy world, it's easy to miss God's subtle promptings. This passage reminds us to cultivate quietness and attentiveness to discern His presence and guidance, which may not always come in dramatic ways.
  • God Asks Us to Examine Ourselves: The divine question "What doest thou here?" encourages self-reflection. It prompts us to examine our motives, our location (spiritually and physically), and our alignment with God's will. It's an invitation to articulate our struggles and allow God to guide us back to purpose.

Elijah's encounter serves as a timeless reminder that even the strongest among us need divine reassurance and redirection, and that God's presence is often found not in the spectacular, but in the profoundly personal and quiet moments.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 19:9 (7 votes)

    ¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD [came] to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

  • Exodus 33:23 (2 votes)

    And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

  • Isaiah 6:5 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

  • Isaiah 6:2 (2 votes)

    Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

  • John 21:15 (2 votes)

    ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

  • John 21:17 (2 votes)

    He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

  • Genesis 16:8 (2 votes)

    And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.