3 And when he saw H7200 that, he arose, H6965 and went H3212 for his life, H5315 and came H935 to Beersheba, H884 which belongeth to Judah, H3063 and left H3240 his servant H5288 there.
Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians H4713 shall see H7200 thee, that they shall say, H559 This is his wife: H802 and they will kill H2026 me, but they will save thee alive. H2421 Say, H559 I pray thee, H4994 thou art my sister: H269 that H4616 it may be well H3190 with me for thy sake; and my soul H5315 shall live H2421 because of thee. H1558
I, even I, am he that comforteth H5162 you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid H3372 of a man H582 that shall die, H4191 and of the son H1121 of man H120 which shall be made H5414 as grass; H2682 And forgettest H7911 the LORD H3068 thy maker, H6213 that hath stretched forth H5186 the heavens, H8064 and laid the foundations H3245 of the earth; H776 and hast feared H6342 continually H8548 every day H3117 because H6440 of the fury H2534 of the oppressor, H6693 as if H834 he were ready H3559 to destroy? H7843 and where is the fury H2534 of the oppressor? H6693
Also Amaziah H558 said H559 unto Amos, H5986 O thou seer, H2374 go, H3212 flee thee away H1272 into the land H776 of Judah, H3063 and there eat H398 bread, H3899 and prophesy H5012 there: But prophesy H5012 not again H3254 any more at Bethel: H1008 for it is the king's H4428 chapel, H4720 and it is the king's H4467 court. H1004
But G1161 he denied G720 before G1715 them all, G3956 saying, G3004 I know G1492 not G3756 what G5101 thou sayest. G3004 And G1161 when he G846 was gone out G1831 into G1519 the porch, G4440 another G243 maid saw G1492 him, G846 and G2532 said G3004 unto them that were there, G1563 This G3778 fellow was G2258 also G2532 with G3326 Jesus G2424 of Nazareth. G3480 And G2532 again G3825 he denied G720 with G3326 an oath, G3727 G3754 I do G1492 not G3756 know G1492 the man. G444 And G1161 after G3326 a while G3397 came unto him they G4334 that stood by, G2476 and said G2036 to Peter, G4074 Surely G230 thou G4771 also G2532 art G1488 one of G1537 them; G846 for G1063 G2532 thy G4675 speech G2981 bewrayeth G1212 thee. G4571 G4160 Then G5119 began he G756 to curse G2653 and G2532 to swear, G3660 saying, G3754 I know G1492 not G3756 the man. G444 And G2532 immediately G2112 the cock G220 crew. G5455
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.