Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Kings 19:4

"But he himself went a day`s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper-tree: and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough; now, O Jehovah, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." — 1 Kings 19:4 (ASV)

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Having presented this passionate and unreasonable prayer, he laid himself down to sleep — the very best thing that he could do under the circumstances.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die;

What inconsistent beings men are! Elijah had fled to save his life, yet he requested for himself that he might die; – that he might die because he was afraid of death, die under a juniper tree in the wilderness in order to escape death at the hand of Jezebel.

And said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

This was the man who never died, yet he requested for himself that he might die. How gracious it is, on God's part, not to grant the requests of his people when they are unwise, as this petition of Elijah was! Had he known that he would go up by a whirlwind into heaven, riding in a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire, surely he would not have prayed after this fashion, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.