1 Kings 19:1
All the prophets — Of Baal.... [ Continue Reading ]
All the prophets — Of Baal.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jezebel sent — She gives him notice of it before hand: partly, out of the height of her spirit, as scorning to kill him secretly: partly, out of her impatience, till she had breathed out her rage: and principally, from God's all — disposing providence, that so he might have an opportunity of escapin... [ Continue Reading ]
Left his servant — Because he would not expose him to those perils and hardships which he expected: and because he desired solitude, that he might more freely converse with God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Into the wilderness — The vast wilderness of Arabia. He durst not stay in Judah, tho' good Jehosaphat reigned there, because he was allied to Ahab, and was a man of an easy temper, whom Ahab might circumvent, and either by force or art seize upon Elijah. It is enough — I have lived long enough for t... [ Continue Reading ]
Angel of the Lord, &c. — He needed not to complain of the unkindness of men, when it was thus made up by the ministration of angels. Wherever God's children are, they are still under their father's eye.... [ Continue Reading ]
And went — He wandered hither and thither for forty days, 'till at last he came to Horeb, which in the direct road was not above three or four days journey. Thither the spirit of the Lord led him, probably beyond his own intention, that he might have communion with God, in the same place that Moses... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto a cave — Perhaps the same wherein Moses was hid when the Lord passed before him, and proclaimed his name.... [ Continue Reading ]
I have been, &c. — I have executed my office with zeal for God's honour, and with the hazard of my own life, and am fled hither, not being able to endure to see the dishonour done to thy name by their obstinate idolatry and wickedness. I only — Of all thy prophets, who boldly and publickly plead thy... [ Continue Reading ]
And behold — This is a general description of the thing, after which the manner of it is particularly explained. Strong wind — Whereby he both prepares Elijah to receive this discovery of God with greatest humility, reverence, and godly fear; and signifies his irresistible power, to break the hardes... [ Continue Reading ]
A still voice — To intimate, that God would do his work in and for Israel in his own time, not by might or power, but by his own spirit, Zechariah 4:6, which moves with a powerful, but yet with a sweet and gentle gale.... [ Continue Reading ]
He wrapped, &c. — Through dread of God's presence, being sensibly that he was neither worthy nor able to endure the sight of God with open face. And stood, &c. — Which God commanded him to do; and as he was going towards the mouth of the cave, he was affrighted and stopped in his course, by the drea... [ Continue Reading ]
The son, &c. — That is, his grand — son, for he was the son of Jehosaphat, 2 Kings 9:2. This was intended as a prediction that by these God would punish the degenerate Israelites, plead his own cause among them, and avenge the quarrel of his covenant.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall Elisha slay — One or other of these should infallibly execute God's judgments upon the apostate Israelites. Elisha is said to slay them, either, because he slew those forty two children, 2 Kings 2:24, besides others whom upon like occasions he might destroy; or, because he by God's appointment... [ Continue Reading ]
I have left — Or, I have reserved to myself; I have kept from the common contagion: therefore thou art mistaken to think that thou art left alone. Seven thousand — Either, definitely so many: or rather, indefinitely, for many thousands; the number of seven being often used for a great number. Kissed... [ Continue Reading ]
Was plowing — Who had twelve ploughs going, whereof eleven were managed by his servants, and the last by himself; according to the simplicity of those ancient times, in which men of good estate submitted to the meanest employments. Cast his mantle — By that ceremony conferring upon him the office of... [ Continue Reading ]
He ran — Being powerfully moved by God's spirit to follow Elijah, and wholly give up himself to his function. Let me kiss — That is, bid them farewell. Go — And take thy leave of them, and then return to me again. For what, &c. — Either first, to hinder thee from performing that office. That employm... [ Continue Reading ]
From him — From Elijah to his parents; whom when he had seen and kissed, he returned to Elijah. The instruments — That is, with the wood belonging to the plow, &c. to which more was added, as occasion required. But that he burned, to shew his total relinquishing of his former employment. And gave —... [ Continue Reading ]