1 Kings 17
DOYLYChap. XVII. ver. 1. — Elijah the Tishbite.] This prophet, called Elias in the New Testament, was probably denominated “the Tishbite,” from Thesbe, a town on the other side of Jordan, in the tribe of Gad, and the land of Gilead, where he was born, or at least lived for a considerable time. Respecting the birth and parentage of Elijah, Scripture is silent: the Jews have many conjectures on the subject, which are fanciful and of no authority. He was one of the chief, if not the prince, of the Prophets of his age; was a man of a great and elevated soul, of a generous and undaunted spirit, a zealous defender of the laws of God, and a just avenger of the violations of His honour. Calmet. This illustrious Prophet was the greatest, “in words and in deeds,” that had appeared since the days of Moses. Dr. Hales. These times were fit for an Elijah; an Elijah was fit for them. The most eminent Prophet is reserved for the corruptest age. Israel had never such a king as Ahab for impiety, never so miraculous a Prophet as Elijah; this Elijah is addressed to this Ahab. The God of spirits knows how to proportion men to the occasions. Bp. Hall.
— there shall not be dew nor rain &c.] Elijah here boldly predicted a long drought to Ahab, not to be removed “but according to his word,” that is, by his intercession. He seems to have apprehended that the idolatries of the nation would draw down destruction from God, and therefore prayed for a lesser chastisement to work its reformation. And when that end was accomplished, he prayed again for its remission. So it is understood by the Son of Sirach, Ecclus. xlviii. 10; and also in the New Testament, “Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain:—he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, &c.” James v. 17, 18. Dr. Hales. The Prophet acted no farther part in this matter than as he was the minister of God, and His messenger, to declare His purpose of bringing famine on the land: all judgments of this kind are the immediate work of God. Stackhouse.
Being grieved to see such a general apostasy from the true religion, he prayed earnestly to God that He would lay bare His arm, and shew some visible token of His displeasure against so wicked a people. Though this calamity is said to have been procured by Elijah’s prayers, we must remember, that the prayers were uttered from a feeling of necessity, and of charity to the offenders;
to the end that, by the sharp and long affliction which they produced, the honour of the Deity, and the truth of His word and threatenings, which were now universally contemned, might be vindicated; and that the Israelites, whose present impunity hardened them in their idolatry, might thereby be awakened to see their wickedness, their dependence on God, and the necessity of their returning to His religion and worship. Stackhouse.
1 Kings 17:3
- — the brook Cherith.] Concerning this brook, nothing is known, but that it ran into the river Jordan; whether on the east or the west side, authors differ: but from the command here given to Elijah to turn “eastward,” towards the brook Cherith, it is rather inferred that it ran into Jordan on the east side. Dr. Wells.
1 Kings 17:6
- And the ravens brought — bread &c.] These creatures are voracious, and said to be unnatural to their young; yet the more unfit instruments they seemed to be, the more they magnified the almighty power of Him, who controlled their natural appetites while He employed them. Stackhouse. God could have conveyed to him the food in any other way, but He chose to send it by these rapacious birds, for the greater illustration of His absolute command over all the creatures, and to give us a full evidence that He is able to succour and preserve, by the most improbable means, all those who put their trust in Him. We need go no further to inquire whence the ravens had this food; it is enough if we believe that they brought it to Elijah; for then we must allow, that they acted by the Divine direction, and that the food was of God’s providing. Reading. Who can make question of the means which God possesses of providing for His creatures, when he sees the very ravens forget their own hunger, and bring food to Elijah! Let not our faith be wanting in God; His care will never be wanting to us. Bp. Hall.
1 Kings 17:9
- — get thee to Zarephath.] Zarephath is a town called Sarepta in the New Testament, Luke iv. 26, “which belongeth to Zidon,” or is within the jurisdiction of the Zidonians. Dr. Wells. It is probably the same as a place now called Sarphan, distant about three hours’ journey from Sidon towards Tyre: it at present consists only of a few houses on the tops of the mountains, about half a mile from the sea; but it is probable that the principal part of the city stood below, in the space between the hills and the sea, as ruins to a considerable extent are still seen there. Mumdrell.
— behold, I have commanded a widow woman &c.] God gave the widow woman no express command to this effect, but appointed and disposed her to sustain Elijah, by the dispensations of His providence, as He
Elijah is sent to the widow of Zarephath. I. KINGS. He raiseth the widow’s son. Before CHRIST about 210.
1 Kings 17:12
12.— As the Lord thy God liveth.] It appears hence, that she knew the name of the Lord God of Israel, and that she also knew Elijah to be a Prophet, or at least one of His worshippers. Bp. Patrick. Though she lived without the bounds of Israel, she had gained so much by her neighbourhood to it, to know an Israelite and a Prophet by his habit; to know that the only living God was the God of that Prophet, the God of Israel. Bp. Hall.
— in a barrel.] It is related by Sandys, that the inhabitants of these countries now keep the corn they are using in pots or jars, long vessels of clay; a precaution which is necessary to prevent its being eaten by worms. Of this description, probably, was the “barrel” here spoken of. Harmer.
— a little oil in a cruse.] Our translators have rendered by the word “cruse” three different Hebrew words, which no doubt describe different utensils. The first occurs in 1 Sam. xxvi. 11, where we read of Saul’s “cruse of water;” and in 1 Kings xix. 6, where “a cruse of water” stood at the head of Elijah. The same word is used in this place; so that the vessel here designed was used for either oil or water. In 1 Kings xiv. 3, we read of “a cruse of honey;” but the original word is different; honey not being nearly so fluid as water, a different vessel might contain it: this should perhaps be rendered jar, or pot of honey. In 2 Kings ii. 20, Elisha says, “Bring me a new cruse;” this vessel is described by a word different from either of the others; and one which, in 2 Chron. xxxv. 13, appears to denote a vessel wherein the sacrifices were boiled; but elsewhere a vessel, a dish, brought to table, containing food, 2 Kings xxi. 13; Prov. xix. 24; xxvi. 15. Script. illust.
1 Kings 17:15
15.— and did according to the saying of Elijah.] We cannot but observe how noble, how generous a faith this was of the poor widow! she had but one handful of meal
in a barrel, and but a little oil in a cruse, and yet is hospitable to the stranger: nay, on his bare request, served the Prophet out of that small pittance, even before herself, yea, even before her own son; and that without money and without price. Such is the faith, and such the obedience, that most recommends us to God. If we so trust Him as she did, and even part with our all for His sake, we shall be no losers, but infinite gainers: we may not only be assured of more grace, but depend on His kind providence for the supply of all our necessary wants: our bread and our oil shall never fail. Our alms and liberalities shall not lessen but increase our store. Wogan. The consideration of this wonderful instance of God’s care and concern for His distressed servants should strongly influence and turn our hearts to regard Him as the fountain of all goodness, who sees our necessities and is able to supply them in all extremities. And it should convince us, that it is our wisest and best policy to secure to ourselves the favour of such an omnipotent Benefactor, by rendering Him the homage of our prayers, the confession of our lips, the obedience of our whole lives, against all the temptations of worldly fear or favour which can be offered to pervert us. Reading.
1 Kings 17:16
- And the barrel of meal wasted not.] Happy was it for this widow that she did not shut her hand to the man of God, that she was no niggard of her last handful. Never corn or olive did so increase in growing, as here in consuming. Who can fear want by a merciful liberality, when he sees how the widow of Sarepta must have famished if she had not given, and by giving abounded? With what thankful devotion must this woman have looked daily upon her barrel and cruse, wherein she saw the mercy of God renewed to her continually! Doubtless, her soul was no less fed by faith, than her body with this supernatural provision. Bp. Hall.
1 Kings 17:19
19.— into a loft.] An upper room of the house, where Elijah slept, and which probably he had to himself for study, meditation, and prayer. Bp. Patrick.
The woman believeth Elijah. Elijah is sent to Ahab. Hadare CHRIST about 910. and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? measured.
1 Kings 17:24
- — Now by this I know] The woman had sufficient reason to believe that Elijah was a Prophet, or person sent from God, when she saw the miraculous increase of the meal and oil: it seems, however, that, upon his not curing her sick son, so as to save his life, her faith began to droop; but, upon seeing him brought to life, her faith revived; and, through the joy of having him restored to her again, she accounted the latter miracle much greater than the former. Stackhouse. We are not to interpret these words so, as if the woman was now first apprized upon this occasion that Elijah was a Prophet of the true God. For he was made known to her long before by a special revelation; nor was it possible for them to live so long together upon the miraculous supply, which Elijah had foretold and promised in the name of the Lord, without the woman’s being persuaded that his mission was from Heaven. But the raising her son from the dead, a thing which was never heard of before in all the world, made the strongest impression upon her mind, filled her with an excess of joy, and obliged her to make a more particular acknowledgment of that, which no doubt she had confessed in other words before, that Elijah’s works proved him to be a servant of the most high and holy God. Reading. The end of miracles is a confirmation of the truth. It seems that, had this widow’s son continued dead, her belief would have been buried in his grave. Notwithstanding her meal and oil, her soul would have languished. The mercy of God is fain to provide new helps for our infirmities, and graciously condescends to our own terms, that we may work out our faith and salvation. Bp. Hall. Chap. XVIII. ver. 1. — in the third year.] Rather, “after the third year,” as the Hebrew words may be translated; and so it is necessary to understand it, as both our Saviour and St. James (Luke iv. 25, and James v. 17,) say that the drought continued three years and six months. Pyle. — Go, shew thyself unto Ahab:] The king and people must be witnesses that God will make good the word, the oath of His Prophet. If the rain had fallen in Elijah’s absence, who would have known it was by his procurement? God holds the credit of His mes- # CHAP. XVIII.