The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:44
Elijah's Prayer for Rain. The wonders which accompanied the ministry of Elijah were not meaningless prodigies. Those who question the wisdom of miracles should remember that the condition of those for whom they were intended rendered them necessary. Sensuous men must learn through their senses, and worshippers of material force must be met by physical displays of power. We do not try to instruct a child by an essay, or to convince a savage by a syllogism. God could speak directly to the... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:44
And it came to pus at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. [ כַף lit; palm, hollow of hand. Cf. Luke 12:54 , "When ye see the cloud (Gr. τὴν νεφέλην ) arise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is." "Still in autumn the Utile cloud comes up like a man's hand and swells till huge thunder pillars are piled black and high above the mountains" (Condor). But it is not in Palestine alone... read more