Westminster Annotations, 1 Kings (3 Kings) · Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX.
Vers. 1. ALI that Elijah] All the particulars before mentioned, about the altar, sacrifice, fire, peoples acelamation, slaughter of Baals prophets, prediction of rain, and coming to Jezreel.
all the prophets] That are mentioned, Chap. 18. v. 22, 40.
V. 2. sent a messenger] The more to affright Elijah: but it proved a warning to shift for himself.
So let the gods] A form of oath, wherein the vengeance imprecated is implied in this particle, so; So as I threaten to him, let it be done to me.
the gods] For she was a worshipper of many gods.
V. 3. he saw] He perceived by Jezebels message.
for his life] Or, according to his soul, even whither his minde carried him.
Beer-sheba] A city in the tribe of Simeon, but within the inheritance of Judah, Josh. 19. 1, 2. it was at the utmost border, as is evident by this frequent phrase, From Dan to Beer-sheba; and that on the south, opposite to Geba, 2 King. 23. 8.
his servant] Heb. his boy; The widow of Zarephath's son, as many of the ancients and others suppose.
V. 4. juniper-tree] No broad spreading tree, but the best that in that desert he could finde, See Job 30. 4.
requested] Prayed to God.
for himself] Heb. for his life.
enough] That I have hitherto lived. See Deut. 3. 26.
not better] Of no better stock or constitution then my predecessours that have died before me.
V. 5. and slept] As Jacob, Gen. 28. 11.
an angel] As before he was provided for by a raven and a widow extraordinarily (Chap. 17. 6, 15.) so now by an angel.
V. 6. behold, &c.] It was the more remarkable, because he knew not how it was provided for him.
a cake baken on the coals] Heb. a cake of coals.
head] Heb. bolster.
V. 7. eat] Liberally, that thou mayest be the stronger, and thy strength the longer continue.
too great for thee] In regard of thy humane weaknesse, unlesse thou use the means which God affordeth to strengthen thee.
V. 8. in the strength] By that vertue and efficacy which God gave to it, whereby it remained fourty days in his body, and continued to nourish him, as Chap. 17. 14, 15.
fourty dayes] So much time was spent in going to, and abiding in Horeb. So long time remained Moses (Exod. 34. 28.) and Christ (Matth. 4. 2.) without food.
Horeb] In the desert of Sinai, Exod. 3. 1. and 19. 1.
mount of God] Where God appeared to Moses (Exod. 3. 1, 2.) and delivered the law to Israel, Deut. 4. 10, 15.
V. 9. unto a cave] Supposed to be that place where the LORD shewed his glory to Moses, Exod. 33. 21, 22.
What dost thou here] Heb. What to thee here. This question is propounded, to make way to the discourse following.
V. 10. I have been very jealous] Heb. being jealous, I am jealous. Of jealousie, see Chap. 14. 22. Hereby he s…eweth that Gods honour was as tender to him, as a wives honestie to an husband. So Num. 25. 11. Psal. 69. 10.
thine altars] Such altars as in former times had been erected to the LORD; which the Israelites, as an evidence of preferring Baal before God, had impiously demolished, Chap. 18. 26, 30. Else altars may be here put for the worship of God.
I, even I onelyonly am left, &c.] Rom. 11. 3. Alone, for ought I know to the contrary: for none shewed themselves in Gods cause, when Elijah most zealously stood for it. See Chap. 18. vers. 4, 22.
V. 11. Go forth] For he had reposed himself in the cave.
before the Lord] Where the LORD will manifest his presence.
the Lord passed by] In some sensible manifestation of his presence.
a great, &c.] Such evidences of terrour as were at the delivery of the law, Exod. 19. 18. Hebr. 12. 18, &c. They were to shew the power of God, to humble the prophet, and to prepare him with better heed to hearken to the still voice.
the Lord was not in] Did not manifest his presence by any distinct voice.
V. 12. a still small voice] That might, without any terrour, be heard and understood.
V. 13. wrapped his face] In testimony of his own unworthinesse, and reverence to God, Exod. 3. 6. Isai. 6. 2.
a voice] The still voice mentioned, v. 12.
What d…st thou here] Vers. 9. The same question is again propounded, to shew, that the same person continued to speak with him.
V. 14. Jealous, &c.] See vers. 10.
V. 15. Go] Hereby God gives him assurance of his life, whereof he doubted, v. 14.
wildernesse of Damascus] Appertaining to Dimascus. See Chap. 11. v. 24.
ancint Hazael] Take order that he be anointed, or declared to be king. So he did by the ministery of Elisha, 2 King. 8. 13.
V. 16. Jehu the son of Nimshi shal… thou anoint to be king over Israel] 2 King. 9. 1, 3.
son] Grand-childe, 2 King. 9. 2. Nimshi was a man of note, and therefore expresly named.
anoint] As v. 15. This was done, 2 King. 9. 6.
Elisha] Luke 4. 27, called Eliseus.
of Abel-meholah] Mentioned Chap. 4. v. 12.
ancint] Solemnly ordain.
in thy room] To succeed thee, and to do such things as thou (if alive) shouldest do.
V. 17. of Hazael] As Joram, who was wounded, and other Israelites that escaped when Hazael got the day, 2 King. 8. 28.
shall Jehu slay] This he did, 2 King. 9. 24, &c.
shall Elisha slay] By his prophecie denouncing divine vengeance against them, as Isai. 11. 4. Jer. 1. 10. Hos. 6. 5.
V. 18. I have left] Or, I will leave; Rom. 11. 4. In this generall apostacie I have reserved and kept from the evil of the time. Because these were not openly known, Elijah thought there were none, v. 10. as in a like case it is said, that all Israel forsook the LORD, 2 Ch…on. 12. 1.
seven thousand] A great number: a set number is here put for an indefinite number, as Matth. 18. 22.
all the knees, &c.] Such as have not worshipped Baal: bowing the knee is an externall act of worship, Psal. 95. 6.
kissed] A note of willing subjection, Job 31. 27. Hos. 13. 2. so as the seven thousand here mentioned, no way conformed themselves to the idolatry of the times.
V. 19. so he] Elijah.
plowing with twelve] In the company of other persons that were there plowing, and Elisha the last of them; who, of a plow-man, is made a prophet, as Am. 7. 14. Matth. 4. 18.
mantle] His upper coat (v. 13.) whereby he was known to be a prophet, 2 King. 1. 8. Zac. 13. 4.
upon him] As a signe of his calling to be a prophet.
V. 20. he left the oxen] To those others that were in company, and plowing with him.
ran after Elijah] The Spirit of God entring into him, upon Elijah's casting his mantle on him. So Matth. 4. 20, 22. and 9. 9.
kisse my father, &c.] Take a fair fare-well of my friends, Gen. 31. 28.
Go back] Heb. Goreturn; And do what thou desirest.
what have I done] To hinder thee from what thou desirest: onelyonly consider that what I have done, is to call thee to a great and extraordinary work, which is not in any case to be put off, Luk. 9. 60.
V. 21. a yoke of oxen, &c.] The oxen and instruments which were used in his former calling, he now slayeth and burneth, to shew that he clean renounceth that calling, and betaketh himself wholly to the other.
gave to the people] To his kinred, companions and neighbours, as a fare-well-feast. So Luk. 5. 29.
ministred] As a continuall attendant.