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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 17:6

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

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

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 17:2-6

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 17:4-7

The Food of the Saints. We have just seen the prophet in his solitude. Let us now consider the manner in which he was sustained there. His needs were supplied in two ways, partly by natural, partly by supernatural means. No miracle was wrought to give him water. He must make his home in the wady and drink of the rivulet that flowed past his feet. It was there, and he must help himself to it. But with his food it was quite different. He could not find that, and so it was brought to him;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:6

And the ravens brought [Heb. bringing ] him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening [the Vat. LXX . has" bread in the morning and flesh in the evening." It has been objected that this verse is fatal to the view advanced above—that the ערבים were not birds but men—that no men would have "come regularly twice a day,; thus giving themselves needless trouble and increasing the chance of detection, when they might easily have left him a supply for several... read more

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