1 Kings 19

2. Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah.** Jezebel’s object probably was to induce Elijah to flee, not daring at present to carry her threat into execution. It is a striking evidence of the weakness of the strongest hearts that Elijah should now give way to fear.

3. And when he saw that.** Some Hebrew manuscripts, with the Septuagint and Vulgate, read, “And he feared and arose,” etc.

4 the wilderness. i.e., of Paran; the “desert of wandering.”

a juniper tree. The retem, a species of broom, which abounds in this district, and grows large enough to afford protection from snow and rain: see note on Gen. xxi. 15.

take away my life. The prophet, whom in the preceding chapter we have beheld on the very summit of Divinely-imparted power, now comes before us in the deepest depression. After eminent success in the service of God, we are in danger of thinking too much of ourselves; and then it is a mercy to be shown our weakness, that so we may be kept humble (see 2 Cor. xii. 8, 9). See F. W. Robertson’s fine sermon on this subject, with its closing sentence: “Not in the jubilee of the myriads on Carmel, but in the humble silence of the hearts of the seven thousand, lay the proof that Elijah had not lived in vain.”

6 a cake baken on the coals. “On hot stones” (R.V. marg.). This is a common repast of the Bedouin in the present day.

7 the journey is too great. Horeb is nearly two hundred miles from Beersheba; and evidently the prophet wandered in the desert with scanty supplies, if any.

8. Horeb.** Horeb, as “the mount of God” (see Exod. iii. 1; xix. 10, 12), had many ancient associations calculated to revive the prophet’s faith and courage.

10. Thine altars.** These altars had probably been used by pious Israelites of the ten tribes, when unable to go to Jerusalem: see xviii. 30.

12 a still small voice. Elijah perhaps thought that all the work was to be done by him. He now learned that Israel had to be acted upon by other ministry besides his. He is taught also that though force and terror have their place, the still, small voice of God’s word and God’s Spirit is a more potent influence upon the hearts and consciences of men.

15. Go, return on thy way, etc.** The answer to Elijah’s complaint is this: Hazael shall be king of Syria, and shall chastise the Israelites for their idolatry (see 2 Kings viii. 12); Jehu shall be king of Israel, and shall utterly destroy the idolatrous house of Ahab; and Elisha shall help thee whilst thou art on earth, and, when thou art gone to thy rest, shall carry on thy work.

16. Abel-meholah.** “Meadow of the dance.” In the valley of the Jordan, south of the Sea of Galilee: see Judges vii. 22; 1 Kings iv. 12.

18. I have left Me seven thousand.** Rather, as R.V., “I will leave Me”; after the fearful visitations described. “Seven thousand” may be an indefinite number. In the darkest times there may exist a hidden remnant of true servants of God.

19 twelve yoke of oxen. It would appear from this statement that Elisha was a wealthy man, who gave up his worldly possessions to consecrate himself to the Lord’s service, and thus was eminently fitted for the office to which he was called by a self-denying faith.

cast his mantle upon him. This was an act of investiture with the prophetic office.