1 Kings 17:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1-7

The history of Elijah begins somewhat abruptly. Usually, when a prophet enters, we have some account of his parentage, are told whose son he was and of what tribe; but Elijah drops (so to speak) out of the clouds, as if, like Melchisedek, he were without father, without mother, and without descent, which made some of the Jews fancy that he was an angel sent from heaven; but the apostle has assured us that he was a man subject to like passions as we are (Jas. 5:17), which perhaps intimates, not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead ,.... Which belonged partly to the Reubenites and Gadites, and partly to the half-tribe of Manasseh on the other side Jordan, where this prophet dwelt; but why he is called the Tishbite is not easy to say; what Kimchi observes seems right, that he was at first of a city called Toshab, and afterward's dwelt at Gilead; which city perhaps is the same with Thisbe, in the tribe of Naphtali, the native place of Tobit, "Who in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:1

Elijah the Tishbite - The history of this great man is introduced very abruptly; his origin is enveloped in perfect obscurity. He is here said to be a Tishbite. Tishbeh, says Calmet, is a city beyond Jordan, in the tribe of Gad, and in the land of Gilead. Who was his father, or from what tribe he sprang, is not intimated; he seems to have been the prophet of Israel peculiarly, as we never find him prophesying in Judah. A number of apocryphal writers have trifled at large about his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1

EXPOSITION ELIJAH AND THE GREAT DROUGHT .—The picture which the historian has just drawn of the shameless idolatry and the gross degeneracy of the earlier part of Ahab's reign forms a fit prelude to an account of the ministry of the great prophet Elijah, which occupies this and several succeeding chapters; for the two stand together in the closest connexion. It was only the unprecedented corruption of that age which necessitated such a mission, and a mission armed with such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1

The Mission and Ministry of Elijah. The appearance on the arena of Israel's history of such a champion as Elijah, armed with such high credentials, wielding such supernatural powers, marks a crisis in the history of God's ancient Church. We have but to see him, to hear him for one moment, to know that a great struggle is impending. God, like Nature, which is but a name for God, "does nothing in vain." Such high powers as his foreshadow great issues. Four points consequently may well engage... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1

Elijah. In this sudden manner the Tishbite is introduced, upon which Bishop Hall remarks, "He comes in with a tempest who went out with a whirlwind." And Lamartine says, "Recalling his life and his terrible vengeance, it seems as if this man had the thunder of the Lord for a soul, and that the element in which he was borne to heaven was that in which he was brought forth." Let us consider— I. HIS PRESENCE . 1 . It is awful in its vagueness . 2 . It is awful also in its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1

The Messenger of Jehovah. Stanley is justified in describing Elijah as "the grandest and moss romantic character that Israel ever produced". He appears suddenly, and disappears miraculously. Hence imagination has had scope. Some Rabbins believed that he was Phineas, the grandson of Aaron, and others that he was an angel from heaven. The impression his ministry made upon the mind of the people reappeared again and again after the lapse of centuries. When, for example, the miracles of our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1-6

Elijah the Tishbite. One of the noblest of the noble figures that cross the stage of Old Testament history appears before us here. Few names have such a halo of glorious associations surrounding them as that of Elijah. The mystery of his origin, the grandeur of his mission, his physical and moral characteristics, the peculiar nature of his miracles, his wonderful translation and reappearance with Moses at the time of our Lord's transfiguration, together with the place that he occupies in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1-6

Elijah's Advent and Service. I. THE GREAT PROPHET . 1 . His name : Elijah, my God (is) Jehovah. It was a symbol of his spirit. It expressed his judgment of Israel's idolatry and the choice which with his soul's whole strength he had made of God. Light and fidelity are the only foundations of any true work for God or man. 2 . His origin . The words ("of the inhabitants," etc.) seemed to indicate that he belonged to none of the tribes of Israel 3 . His attitude... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1-7

First Preparation of Elijah for his great Mission. After Elijah's first appearance before Ahab to announce to him the Divine visitation of sterility and dearth which was to come upon the land as the chastisement of his sin, the prophet was sent away into a solitary place to prepare himself for his great and solemn mission, which was to overthrow idolatry and vindicate the worship of the true God. This work of preparation was divided into two great periods. 1 . The preparation of the... read more

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