XVII. With this chapter begins the third section of the book, marked by a complete change in the character of the history. Drawn evidently not from official annals, but from records of the lives of the last of the elder line of prophets, Elijah and Elisha — probably preserved in the prophetic school... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIJAH THE TISHBITE OF THE INHABITANTS OF GILEAD. — The most probable rendering of this disputed passage is that of the LXX., and virtually of Josephus, “Elijah the Tishbite of Tishbe in Gilead,” the last words being added to distinguish the place from a Tishbe (or Thisbe) in Naphtali, referred to,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROOK CHERITH — properly “the torrent (or valley) Cherith, facing the Jordan;” evidently one of the ravines running into the Jordan valley; probably on the east from the prophet’s own land of Gilead.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RAVENS. — Of the accuracy of this rendering, which is that of almost all the ancient versions and of Josephus, there can be little doubt. The singularly prosaic interpretations, substituted for this striking and significant record of miracle by some ancient and modern writers (adopting slight va... [ Continue Reading ]
ZAREPHATH — the _Sarepta_ of the LXX. and of the New Testament (Luke 4:26). It is said by Josephus to have lain between Tyre and Sidon, and by St. Jerome to have been on the great coast-road. Hence it has been identified with a modern village, _Surafend_, in that position. The words, “which belonget... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NOT A CAKE. — The famine may have already extended to Phœnicia; for there, according to Menander, it lasted for a year; or, since the country depended upon Israel for supplies, the distress may have been only the reflex effect of the famine in Israel. AS THE LORD THY GOD LIVETH. — The phrase... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BARREL OF MEAL WASTED NOT. — The miracle is doubly remarkable. First, in this instance, as in the similar miracles of Elisha and of our Lord Himself, we see that God’s higher laws of miracle, like the ordinary laws of His providence, admit within their scope the supply of what we should consider... [ Continue Reading ]
O THOU MAN OF GOD. — The terms of the address (contrasted with 1 Kings 17:12), indicate a natural growth in the recognition of the true God by the woman, through familiar intercourse with the prophet, and experience of his wonder-working power. For it is the adoption of the regular Israelitish descr... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST THOU ALSO BROUGHT EVIL. — Elijah’s complaint is characteristic of the half-presumptuous impatience seen more fully in 1 Kings 19. He apparently implies that his own lot, as a hunted fugitive not protected by God’s Almighty power, is so hard, that it must be his presence which has brought troubl... [ Continue Reading ]
HE STRETCHED HIMSELF UPON THE CHILD. — To suppose that this implies merely the use of some natural means of reviving the dead, is simply to explain the whole description away. The idea in this passage (as in 2 Kings 4:34; 2 Kings 13:21, and, perhaps, Acts 20:10) clearly is of a certain healing “virt... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW BY THIS I KNOW... — In these words we trace the final victory of faith, brought out by the crowning mercy of the restoration of her son. First, the widow had spoken of Jehovah from without, as “the Lord thy God” (1 Kings 17:14); next, had come to recognise Him as God (1 Kings 17:18); now she not... [ Continue Reading ]