1 Kings 19:18

Yet I have leftme] R.V. (and margin of A. V.) Yet will I leave me. And this is not only required by the Hebrew words, but for a true conception of the sense of the passage. Elijah had been witness of God's might and power to execute judgement, in the wind, the earthquake, and the fire, and subsequently of the true presence of God in the still small voice which spake of mercy. He is now sent to make known who the ordained ministers of vengeance shall be, Hazael and Jehu being the embodiment of what was portrayed in the elemental fury which had passed before him. But after all came the voice which bare witness of Jehovah's presence, and this Elijah is now told shall be made known hereafter in the multitude of those who, after all trials, shall still remain faithful. The LXX. renders -and thou shalt leave in Israel, &c."

seven thousand in Israel Used for an indefinite number. On this use of -seven" cf. above 1 Kings 18:43. Also Proverbs 24:16; Matthew 18:21-22. The total was small compared with the whole people of Israel, but they were God's -holy remnant," the seed of a purified congregation of the future.

hath not kissed him That such was the nature of some part of the worship offered to false gods we can see from Hosea 13:2, -Let the men that sacrifice kissthe calves." Probably the Latin adorois etymologically connected with this. For kissing as an act of religious homage, see also Psalms 2:12.