1 Kings 19:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 19:1-8

One would have expected, after such a public and sensible manifestation of the glory of God and such a clear decision of the controversy depending between him and Baal, to the honour of Elijah, the confusion of Baal's prophets, and the universal satisfaction of the people?after they had seen both fire and water come from heaven at the prayer of Elijah, and both in mercy to them, the one as it signified the acceptance of their offering, the other as it refreshed their inheritance, which was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 19:5

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree ,.... Being weary and fatigued with his journey, the same under which he sat; for there was but one, as that is said to be in the preceding verse: behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, arise, and eat ; so far was the Lord from granting his request to take away his life, that he made provision to preserve it; so careful was he of him, as to give an angel charge to get food ready for him, and then awake him to eat of it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 19:5

As he lay and slept - Excessive anguish of mind frequently induces sleep, as well as great fatigue of body. An angel touched him - He needed refreshment, and God sent an angel to bring him what was necessary. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:1-8

Elijah's Prayer for Death. How erratic have been the movements of this prophet! Our first introduction to him is at the court of Ahab, whence, as soon as he utters his prophecy, he is away to Cherith in the east, among the wilds of Gilead. Next we find him in the north, at Zarephath of Zidon. Then he meets Obadiah, probably in the plain of Esdraelon, whence he passes over to Carmel in the west. From Carmel he runs before Ahab's horses to the entrance of Jezreel. The next day finds him on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:1-8

The Prophet's Despair. I. ELIJAH 'S WEAKNESS . 1 . His disappointment . With the hand of the Lord upon him he had come to Jezreel ( 1 Kings 18:46 ). Was it not because a further success for God awaited him there? Could Carmel's wonders and the mercy of God in the rain now flooding the earth be resisted? Jezebel's message, displaying only determined and increased hostility, rudely dispels the dream. The blighting of the long-expected fruit of prayer and waiting and mightiest... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:1-18

The Desponding Prophet. A marvellous change has come over Elijah. It is difficult to imagine a more complete contrast than is presented by his moral attitude in this and the previous chapters. He who just before has so boldly confronted the proud king, and defied the priests of Baal, standing without fear before his flaming altar, and sternly carrying out the judgment of God on the corrupters of His people, is now filled with dismay, and flies from the post of duty and of danger. So... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:1-18

The Desponding Prophet. A marvellous change has come over Elijah. It is difficult to imagine a more complete contrast than is presented by his moral attitude in this and the previous chapters. He who just before has so boldly confronted the proud king, and defied the priests of Baal, standing without fear before his flaming altar, and sternly carrying out the judgment of God on the corrupters of His people, is now filled with dismay, and flies from the post of duty and of danger. So... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:5

And as he lay and slept ["While death was called for, the cousin of death comes unbidden" (Hall)] under a [Heb. one ] Juniper tree, behold, then [Heb. זֶה this ; "behold here," siehe da, Gesen.], an angel [Heb. messenger ; the same word as in verse 2, but explained in verse 7 to be a messenger of God . Cf. Genesis 16:9 ; Genesis 21:17 ] touched [Heb. touching ] him and said unto him, Arise and eat. [Probably he had eaten little or nothing since leaving... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:5

" Behold, an angel touched him ." So that he was watched and guarded, even while he slept. His impatience and faithlessness have not diminished the loving care and tenderness of God. "He knoweth our frame." His very sleep was ordained in mercy. Observe the contrast between the pity and love of God and the childish repining and discontent of the man of God! Observe, too, how God uses the ministry of angels! Compare Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 27:23 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:8 .... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 19:5

An angel touched him - The friendly ministration of angels, common in the time of the patriarchs Genesis 18:2-16; Genesis 19:1-22; Genesis 28:12; Genesis 32:1, Genesis 32:24-29, and known also under the Judges Judges 6:11-21; Judges 13:3-20, was now extended to Elijah. Any other explanation of this passage does violence to the words. It is certainly not the intention of the writer to represent Elijah as relieved on this occasion by a human “messenger.” read more

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