2 Then Jezebel H348 sent H7971 a messenger H4397 unto Elijah, H452 saying, H559 So let the gods H430 do H6213 to me, and more H3254 also, if I make H7760 not thy life H5315 as the life H5315 of one H259 of them by to morrow H4279 about this time. H6256
Thus shall ye speak H559 to Hezekiah H2396 king H4428 of Judah, H3063 saying, H559 Let not thy God H430 in whom thou trustest H982 deceive H5377 thee, saying, H559 Jerusalem H3389 shall not be delivered H5414 into the hand H3027 of the king H4428 of Assyria. H804 Behold, thou hast heard H8085 what the kings H4428 of Assyria H804 have done H6213 to all lands, H776 by destroying them utterly: H2763 and shalt thou be delivered? H5337 Have the gods H430 of the nations H1471 delivered H5337 them which my fathers H1 have destroyed; H7843 as Gozan, H1470 and Haran, H2771 and Rezeph, H7530 and the children H1121 of Eden H5729 which were in Thelasar? H8515
But I know H3045 thy abode, H3427 and thy going out, H3318 and thy coming in, H935 and thy rage H7264 against me. Because thy rage H7264 against me and thy tumult H7600 is come up H5927 into mine ears, H241 therefore I will put H7760 my hook H2397 in thy nose, H639 and my bridle H4964 in thy lips, H8193 and I will turn thee back H7725 by the way H1870 by which thou camest. H935
And G3739 G2532 when he had apprehended G4084 him, he put G5087 him in G1519 prison, G5438 and delivered G3860 him to four G5064 quaternions G5069 of soldiers G4757 to keep G5442 him; G846 intending G1014 after G3326 Easter G3957 to bring G321 him G846 forth G321 to the people. G2992 Peter G4074 G3303 therefore G3767 was kept G5083 in G1722 prison: G5438 but G1161 prayer G4335 was G2258 made G1096 without ceasing G1618 of G5259 the church G1577 unto G4314 God G2316 for G5228 him. G846 And G1161 when G3753 Herod G2264 would G3195 have brought G4254 him G846 forth, G4254 the same G1565 night G3571 Peter G4074 was G2258 sleeping G2837 between G3342 two G1417 soldiers, G4757 bound G1210 with two G1417 chains: G254 and G5037 the keepers G5441 before G4253 the door G2374 kept G5083 the prison. G5438
Go to G33 now, G3568 ye that say, G3004 To day G4594 or G2532 to morrow G839 we will go G4198 into G1519 such G3592 a city, G4172 and G2532 continue G4160 G4160 there G1563 a G1520 year, G1763 and G2532 buy and sell, G1710 G1710 and G2532 get gain: G2770 G2770 Whereas G3748 ye know G1987 not G3756 what G3588 shall be on the morrow. G839 For G1063 what G4169 is your G5216 life? G2222 It is G2076 even G1063 a vapour, G822 that G4314 appeareth for G5316 a little time, G3641 and G1161 then G1899 vanisheth away. G853
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Kings 19
Commentary on 1 Kings 19 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 19
1Ki 19:1-3. Elijah Flees to Beer-sheba.
3. he arose, and went for his life—He entered Jezreel full of hope. But a message from the incensed and hard-hearted queen, vowing speedy vengeance for her slaughtered priests, dispelled all his bright visions of the future. It is probable, however, that in the present temper of the people, even she would not have dared to lay violent hands on the Lord's servant, and purposely threatened him because she could do no more. The threat produced the intended effect, for his faith suddenly failed him. He fled out of the kingdom into the southernmost part of the territories in Judah; nor did he deem himself safe even there, but, dismissing his servant, he resolved to seek refuge among the mountain recesses of Sinai, and there longed for death (Jas 5:17). This sudden and extraordinary depression of mind arose from too great confidence inspired by the miracles wrought at Carmel, and by the disposition the people evinced there. Had he remained steadfast and immovable, the impression on the mind of Ahab and the people generally might have been followed by good results. But he had been exalted above measure (2Co 12:7-9), and being left to himself, the great prophet, instead of showing the indomitable spirit of a martyr, fled from his post of duty.
1Ki 19:4-18. He Is Comforted by an Angel.
4-18. went a day's journey into the wilderness—on the way from Beer-sheba to Horeb—a wide expanse of sand hills, covered with the retem (not juniper, but broom shrubs), whose tall and spreading branches, with their white leaves, afford a very cheering and refreshing shade. His gracious God did not lose sight of His fugitive servant, but watched over him, and, miraculously ministering to his wants, enabled him, in a better but not wholly right frame of mind, by virtue of that supernatural supply, to complete his contemplated journey. In the solitude of Sinai, God appeared to instruct him. "What doest thou here, Elijah?" was a searching question addressed to one who had been called to so arduous and urgent a mission as his. By an awful exhibition of divine power, he was made aware of the divine speaker who addressed him; his attention was arrested, his petulance was silenced, his heart was touched, and he was bid without delay return to the land of Israel, and prosecute the Lord's work there. To convince him that an idolatrous nation will not be unpunished, He commissions him to anoint three persons who were destined in Providence to avenge God's controversy with the people of Israel. Anointing is used synonymously with appointment (Jud 9:8), and is applied to all named, although Jehu alone had the consecrated oil poured over his head. They were all three destined to be eminent instruments in achieving the destruction of idolaters, though in different ways. But of the three commissions, Elijah personally executed only one; namely, the call of Elisha to be his assistant and successor [1Ki 19:19], and by him the other two were accomplished (2Ki 8:7-13; 9:1-10). Having thus satisfied the fiery zeal of the erring but sincere and pious prophet, the Lord proceeded to correct the erroneous impression under which Elijah had been laboring, of his being the sole adherent of the true religion in the land; for God, who seeth in secret, and knew all that were His, knew that there were seven thousand persons who had not done homage (literally, "kissed the hand") to Baal.
16. Abel-meholah—that is, "the meadow of dancing," in the valley of the Jordan.
1Ki 19:19-21. Elisha Follows Elijah.
19. Elisha the son of Shaphat—Most probably he belonged to a family distinguished for piety, and for their opposition to the prevailing calf-worship.
ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen—indicating that he was a man of substance.
Elijah … cast his mantle upon him—This was an investiture with the prophetic office. It is in this way that the Brahmins, the Persian Sufis, and other priestly or sacred characters in the East are appointed—a mantle being, by some eminent priest, thrown across their shoulders. Elisha had probably been educated in the schools of the prophets.
20. what have I done to thee?—that is, Go, but keep in mind the solemn ceremony I have just performed on thee. It is not I, but God, who calls thee. Do not allow any earthly affection to detain you from obeying His call.
21. took a yoke of oxen—Having hastily prepared (2Sa 24:22) a farewell entertainment to his family and friends, he left his native place and attached himself to Elijah as his minister.