¹² After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper.^{[a] 13} When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Suddenly^[b] a voice asked him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal^[c] to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies,^[d] even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.”^[e]