Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 19:1-2

"And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel send a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time." — 1 Kings 19:1-2 (ASV)

There is a certain grandeur of fearlessness and ruthlessness in the message of Jezebel, which marks her character throughout and places it in striking contrast with the vacillating, easily influenced nature of Ahab, whom she treats with natural scorn (see 1 Kings 21:7). Ahab, as before, remains passive; he has no courage, perhaps no desire, to attack Elijah, before whom he had quailed; but he does not care, or does not dare, to restrain Jezebel.

She disdains to strike secretly and without warning: in fact, her message seems intended to provide an opportunity for flight, which might degrade Elijah in the eyes of the people. We note that the prophet (see 1 Kings 18:46) had not ventured to enter Jezreel until he learned how his deadly foe would receive the news of the great day at Carmel.