Why does Eliyahu refuse to fulfill the commands given to him at Horev? Charging Eliyahu with the terrible responsibility of appointing a cruel king who will become the enemy of his nation was the test of the limit of Eliyahu's criticism. Eliyahu does not agree to this mission, and thereby finally withdraws from the position that he had previously maintained as a prophet. Up until this point, Eliyahu's behavior was characterized by actions undertaken without any explicit Divine command. Now Eliyahu is no longer zealous of his own initiative, but rather sent by God with explicit instructions.

Prophetic Mission
Argument between God and the Prophet
Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion