Definition: And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 19:10. It's a really powerful and dramatic passage about a man named Elijah experiencing a profound crisis of jealousy. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Elijah is traveling through the wilderness – a very difficult and isolated place – and he’s feeling incredibly upset. He’s lost, hungry, and desperately lonely. He's essentially saying to himself, “I’m really angry at God and the Israelites.” Let’s unpack the key parts: “And he said…” : This is Elijah speaking aloud, revealing his thoughts and feelings. “…I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts…” : This is the core of the verse. “Jealous” means filled with anger or resentment. Elijah feels intensely resentful because of something that happened to the Israelites – they’ve broken their covenant (a promise and agreement) with God. It’s a deep feeling of bitterness. “…for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant…” : This is a big one! The Israelites had made a sacred agreement with God, a covenant, promising to obey him and worship him. They abandoned that promise – they stopped following his rules. "...thrown down thine altars..." : Altars were places where people offered sacrifices and prayers to God. They were important religious symbols of devotion. The Israelites had desecrated these symbols. "...and slain thy prophets with the sword." : This is a particularly shocking part. They've actively attacked and silenced the prophets – individuals who were tasked by God to communicate with the people through words. “…and I, [even] I only, am left…” : Elijah realizes he’s utterly alone. He’s the only one left to uphold God’s standards and defend what's right. It highlights his desperation and feeling of powerlessness. "...and they seek my life, to take it away.” : This is the most frightening part. The Israelites are actively trying to get rid of him! They’re seeking to kill him, hoping to eliminate a threat to their rebellion. What's the Big Message? This verse paints a picture of a man who has fallen into deep despair and anger. He feels like he's been wronged by God and his people. It shows a moment of intense spiritual conflict – a struggle between righteous anger and a desperate need for protection. It’s a reminder that even when we feel like we’re fighting against something, there can be moments where we are truly alone and vulnerable. In essence, it's a story about a man who is consumed by his own bitterness and seeks to eliminate those who oppose him. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of the Old Testament? Connect it to a specific theme or idea (e.g., forgiveness, repentance)?