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Matthew Henry

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 17:3

Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward ,.... From the place where he was, being in danger from Ahab and Jezebel, provoked by his reproofs, threatenings, and prophecies: and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan ; in some wood or cave near it, or among the reeds and rushes that grew on the banks of it; and Bochart F15 Hierozoic. par. 2. l. 2. c. 13. col. 216. takes it to be the same with the river Kanah, on the borders of Ephraim, which has its name from reeds, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:4

And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook ,.... The water of that was to be his drink: and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there ; whereby he should be provided with food to eat; by whom are meant not angels in the form of ravens, as some; nor, as others, Arabians, for there were none of that people near him; nor, as others, merchants, the word being sometimes used of them, for this was not a likely method for privacy; nor, as others, the inhabitants of a place called... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:5

So he went, and did according to the word of the Lord ,.... Took his journey eastward, and hid himself in the place directed to: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan ; see Gill on 1 Kings 17:3 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:6

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening ,.... For his breakfast and supper, the two principal meals then in use; and as there were several employed, they could bring a sufficiency in a short time for each meal; and these provisions were ready prepared, the bread made and baked, and the flesh boiled, broiled, or roasted; from whence they had it need not be inquired after; the Jews say F23 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 113. 1. Cholin, fol. 5.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:7

And it came to pass after a while ,.... Or "at the end of days" F24 מקץ ימים "in, vel a, fine dierum", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; , perhaps a year, which sometimes is the sense of this phrase, see Exodus 13:10 , that the brook dried up ; through the excessive heat, and for want of supplies from the springs and fountains with which it was fed, and for the following reason: because there had been no rain in the land ; from the time Elijah prayed and prophesied; of this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:3

Hide thyself by the brook Cherith - This brook, and the valley through which it ran, are supposed to have been on the western side of Jordan, and not far from Samaria. Others suppose it to have been on the eastern side, because the prophet is commanded to go eastward, 1 Kings 17:3 . It was necessary, after such a declaration to this wicked and idolatrous king, that he should immediately hide himself; as, on the first drought, Ahab would undoubtedly seek his life. But what a proof... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:4

I have commanded the ravens to feed thee - Thou shalt not lack the necessaries of life; thou shalt be supplied by an especial providence. See more on this subject at the end of the chapter, 1 Kings 17:24 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:6

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh - The Septuagint, in the Codex Vaticanus, and some ancient fathers, read the passage thus: - Και οἱ κορακες εφερον αυτῳ αρτους το πρωΐ, και κρεα το δειλης , And the crows brought him bread in the morning, and flesh in the evening: but all the other versions agree with the Hebrew text. This is the first account we have of flesh-meat breakfasts and flesh-meat suppers; and as this was the food appointed by the Lord for the sustenance... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:7

The brook dried up - Because there had been no rain in the land for some time, God having sent this drought as a testimony against the idolatry of the people: see Deuteronomy 11:16 , Deuteronomy 11:17 . read more

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