Verse 18
And he prayed again ,.... 1 Kings 18:42 . Here also is no express mention of his prayer, but it may be concluded from his gestures; and so the Jewish interpreters understand these words, "Elijah went up to the top of Carmel", להתפלל , "to pray, and he cast himself down upon the earth", להתפלל על הגשמים , "to pray for rain; and he put his face between his knees", והתפלל , "and prayed, and said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea"; and this he said while he was בתפילתו , "in his prayers" F9 Jarchi, Kimchi, Ralbag, & Laniado in loc. : and the effect of this his prayer was,
and the heaven gave rain ; see 1 Kings 18:45 .
And the earth brought forth her fruit : which for the years past it had not; hence there was a sore famine in the land, 1 Kings 18:2 . Now the apostle chose to give this example, because it was a common thing for the Jews to ask for rain: we often read of such a doctor, that he prayed for rain, and it came; and of another, that he asked for the rains, and they descended F11 T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 28. 1. & Taanith, fol. 19. 1. 23. 1. 24. 2. 25. 2. & Yoma, fol. 53. 2. : and his view is to observe, that the weakness and infirmities of the saints ought not to discourage them from prayer; and that they should be earnest and fervent in it, as was Elias, a man of like passions with themselves.
Be the first to react on this!
