1 Kings 17:4

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 17:4

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:2-4

Strange Provision in a Sad Necessity. The miracles associated with the ministry of Elijah and Elisha have led some to deny the historical credibility of the Books of Kings. It should be remembered that great miracles were rendered necessary by a great and general apostasy. It was essential to the survival of true faith that Jehovah should indicate His unseen sovereignty. In Israel such attestation was more required than in Judah, where the sanctuary and the priesthood, in the worst times,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:2-6

Resources of Providence. When the heavens are shut up by the word of the Lord, what will become of the prophet who declared that word? Will he not suffer from the drought in common with the sinners on whose account the dew and rain are restrained? Will he not be exposed to the rage of an idolatrous king and queen whose humbled gods cannot, in this crisis, vindicate themselves? Will not a demoralized populace resent their sufferings upon the man of God? God knows all, and is equal to all,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:3-7

The Solitary Place. We have just seen that it was from the wilderness that Elijah went forth into the busy, wicked world, and to the anxious, dangerous work of a prophet. He, like his antitype, was in the desert "until the time of his showing unto Israel" ( Luke 1:80 ). There, in secret communion with God, he had gained strength for the encounter; there he had meditated over the grievous apostasy of his people, and had "vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their evil deeds" ( 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:4

And it shall be that thou shalt drink of the brook [There was clearly nothing miraculous about the supply of water . No miracle was wrought even to continue the supply, 1 Kings 17:7 ]; and I have commanded [of. 1 Kings 17:9 ; Isaiah 5:1-30 ; Isaiah 6:1-13 ; Amos 9:3 , etc.] the ravens to feed thee there. [Despite the general agreement of scholars that by ערבים we must understand "ravens," I think probability favours the meaning Orbites, i.e; inhabitants of Orbo. In... read more

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