CHAPTER 19
. ELIJAH FLEES
TO BEER-SHEBA.
3. he arose, and went for his
life—He entered Jezreel full of hope. But a message from the
incensed and hard-hearted queen, vowing speedy vengeance for her
slaughtered priests, dispelled all his bright visions of the future.
It is probable, however, that in the present temper of the people,
even she would not have dared to lay violent hands on the Lord's
servant, and purposely threatened him because she could do no more.
The threat produced the intended effect, for his faith suddenly
failed him. He fled out of the kingdom into the southernmost part of
the territories in Judah; nor did he deem himself safe even there,
but, dismissing his servant, he resolved to seek refuge among the
mountain recesses of Sinai, and there longed for death (). This sudden and extraordinary depression of mind arose
from too great confidence inspired by the miracles wrought at Carmel,
and by the disposition the people evinced there. Had he remained
steadfast and immovable, the impression on the mind of Ahab and the
people generally might have been followed by good results. But he had
been exalted above measure (), and being left to himself, the great prophet, instead of
showing the indomitable spirit of a martyr, fled from his post of
duty.
. HE IS
COMFORTED BY AN ANGEL.
4-18. went a day's journey into the
wilderness—on the way from Beer-sheba to Horeb—a wide expanse
of sand hills, covered with the retem (not juniper, but broom
shrubs), whose tall and spreading branches, with their white leaves,
afford a very cheering and refreshing shade. His gracious God did not
lose sight of His fugitive servant, but watched over him, and,
miraculously ministering to his wants, enabled him, in a better but
not wholly right frame of mind, by virtue of that supernatural
supply, to complete his contemplated journey. In the solitude of
Sinai, God appeared to instruct him. "What doest thou here,
Elijah?" was a searching question addressed to one who had been
called to so arduous and urgent a mission as his. By an awful
exhibition of divine power, he was made aware of the divine speaker
who addressed him; his attention was arrested, his petulance was
silenced, his heart was touched, and he was bid without delay return
to the land of Israel, and prosecute the Lord's work there. To
convince him that an idolatrous nation will not be unpunished, He
commissions him to anoint three persons who were destined in
Providence to avenge God's controversy with the people of Israel.
Anointing is used synonymously with appointment (), and is applied to all named, although Jehu alone had the
consecrated oil poured over his head. They were all three destined to
be eminent instruments in achieving the destruction of idolaters,
though in different ways. But of the three commissions, Elijah
personally executed only one; namely, the call of Elisha to be his
assistant and successor [], and by him the other two were accomplished (2 Kings 8:7-13;
2 Kings 9:1-10). Having thus
satisfied the fiery zeal of the erring but sincere and pious prophet,
the Lord proceeded to correct the erroneous impression under which
Elijah had been laboring, of his being the sole adherent of the true
religion in the land; for God, who seeth in secret, and knew all that
were His, knew that there were seven thousand persons who had not
done homage (literally, "kissed the hand") to Baal.
16. Abel-meholah—that is, "the
meadow of dancing," in the valley of the Jordan.
. ELISHA
FOLLOWS ELIJAH.
4-18. went a day's journey into the
wilderness—on the way from Beer-sheba to Horeb—a wide expanse
of sand hills, covered with the retem (not juniper, but broom
shrubs), whose tall and spreading branches, with their white leaves,
afford a very cheering and refreshing shade. His gracious God did not
lose sight of His fugitive servant, but watched over him, and,
miraculously ministering to his wants, enabled him, in a better but
not wholly right frame of mind, by virtue of that supernatural
supply, to complete his contemplated journey. In the solitude of
Sinai, God appeared to instruct him. "What doest thou here,
Elijah?" was a searching question addressed to one who had been
called to so arduous and urgent a mission as his. By an awful
exhibition of divine power, he was made aware of the divine speaker
who addressed him; his attention was arrested, his petulance was
silenced, his heart was touched, and he was bid without delay return
to the land of Israel, and prosecute the Lord's work there. To
convince him that an idolatrous nation will not be unpunished, He
commissions him to anoint three persons who were destined in
Providence to avenge God's controversy with the people of Israel.
Anointing is used synonymously with appointment (), and is applied to all named, although Jehu alone had the
consecrated oil poured over his head. They were all three destined to
be eminent instruments in achieving the destruction of idolaters,
though in different ways. But of the three commissions, Elijah
personally executed only one; namely, the call of Elisha to be his
assistant and successor [], and by him the other two were accomplished (2 Kings 8:7-13;
2 Kings 9:1-10). Having thus
satisfied the fiery zeal of the erring but sincere and pious prophet,
the Lord proceeded to correct the erroneous impression under which
Elijah had been laboring, of his being the sole adherent of the true
religion in the land; for God, who seeth in secret, and knew all that
were His, knew that there were seven thousand persons who had not
done homage (literally, "kissed the hand") to Baal.
19. Elisha the son of Shaphat—Most
probably he belonged to a family distinguished for piety, and for
their opposition to the prevailing calf-worship.
ploughing with twelve yoke of
oxen—indicating that he was a man of substance.
Elijah . . . cast his mantle
upon him—This was an investiture with the prophetic office. It
is in this way that the Brahmins, the Persian Sufis, and other
priestly or sacred characters in the East are appointed—a mantle
being, by some eminent priest, thrown across their shoulders. Elisha
had probably been educated in the schools of the prophets.
20. what have I done to thee?—that
is, Go, but keep in mind the solemn ceremony I have just performed on
thee. It is not I, but God, who calls thee. Do not allow any earthly
affection to detain you from obeying His call.
21. took a yoke of oxen—Having
hastily prepared (2 Samuel 24:22) a
farewell entertainment to his family and friends, he left his native
place and attached himself to Elijah as his minister.
CHAPTER 19
. ELIJAH FLEES TO BEER-SHEBA.
3. he arose, and went for his life—He entered Jezreel full of hope. But a message from the incensed and hard-hearted queen, vowing speedy vengeance for her slaughtered priests, dispelled all his bright visions of the future. It is probable, however, that in the present temper of the people, even she would not have dared to lay violent hands on the Lord's servant, and purposely threatened him because she could do no more. The threat produced the intended effect, for his faith suddenly failed him. He fled out of the kingdom into the southernmost part of the territories in Judah; nor did he deem himself safe even there, but, dismissing his servant, he resolved to seek refuge among the mountain recesses of Sinai, and there longed for death (). This sudden and extraordinary depression of mind arose from too great confidence inspired by the miracles wrought at Carmel, and by the disposition the people evinced there. Had he remained steadfast and immovable, the impression on the mind of Ahab and the people generally might have been followed by good results. But he had been exalted above measure (), and being left to himself, the great prophet, instead of showing the indomitable spirit of a martyr, fled from his post of duty.
. HE IS COMFORTED BY AN ANGEL.
4-18. went a day's journey into the wilderness—on the way from Beer-sheba to Horeb—a wide expanse of sand hills, covered with the retem (not juniper, but broom shrubs), whose tall and spreading branches, with their white leaves, afford a very cheering and refreshing shade. His gracious God did not lose sight of His fugitive servant, but watched over him, and, miraculously ministering to his wants, enabled him, in a better but not wholly right frame of mind, by virtue of that supernatural supply, to complete his contemplated journey. In the solitude of Sinai, God appeared to instruct him. "What doest thou here, Elijah?" was a searching question addressed to one who had been called to so arduous and urgent a mission as his. By an awful exhibition of divine power, he was made aware of the divine speaker who addressed him; his attention was arrested, his petulance was silenced, his heart was touched, and he was bid without delay return to the land of Israel, and prosecute the Lord's work there. To convince him that an idolatrous nation will not be unpunished, He commissions him to anoint three persons who were destined in Providence to avenge God's controversy with the people of Israel. Anointing is used synonymously with appointment (), and is applied to all named, although Jehu alone had the consecrated oil poured over his head. They were all three destined to be eminent instruments in achieving the destruction of idolaters, though in different ways. But of the three commissions, Elijah personally executed only one; namely, the call of Elisha to be his assistant and successor [], and by him the other two were accomplished (2 Kings 8:7-13; 2 Kings 9:1-10). Having thus satisfied the fiery zeal of the erring but sincere and pious prophet, the Lord proceeded to correct the erroneous impression under which Elijah had been laboring, of his being the sole adherent of the true religion in the land; for God, who seeth in secret, and knew all that were His, knew that there were seven thousand persons who had not done homage (literally, "kissed the hand") to Baal.
16. Abel-meholah—that is, "the meadow of dancing," in the valley of the Jordan.
. ELISHA FOLLOWS ELIJAH.
4-18. went a day's journey into the wilderness—on the way from Beer-sheba to Horeb—a wide expanse of sand hills, covered with the retem (not juniper, but broom shrubs), whose tall and spreading branches, with their white leaves, afford a very cheering and refreshing shade. His gracious God did not lose sight of His fugitive servant, but watched over him, and, miraculously ministering to his wants, enabled him, in a better but not wholly right frame of mind, by virtue of that supernatural supply, to complete his contemplated journey. In the solitude of Sinai, God appeared to instruct him. "What doest thou here, Elijah?" was a searching question addressed to one who had been called to so arduous and urgent a mission as his. By an awful exhibition of divine power, he was made aware of the divine speaker who addressed him; his attention was arrested, his petulance was silenced, his heart was touched, and he was bid without delay return to the land of Israel, and prosecute the Lord's work there. To convince him that an idolatrous nation will not be unpunished, He commissions him to anoint three persons who were destined in Providence to avenge God's controversy with the people of Israel. Anointing is used synonymously with appointment (), and is applied to all named, although Jehu alone had the consecrated oil poured over his head. They were all three destined to be eminent instruments in achieving the destruction of idolaters, though in different ways. But of the three commissions, Elijah personally executed only one; namely, the call of Elisha to be his assistant and successor [], and by him the other two were accomplished (2 Kings 8:7-13; 2 Kings 9:1-10). Having thus satisfied the fiery zeal of the erring but sincere and pious prophet, the Lord proceeded to correct the erroneous impression under which Elijah had been laboring, of his being the sole adherent of the true religion in the land; for God, who seeth in secret, and knew all that were His, knew that there were seven thousand persons who had not done homage (literally, "kissed the hand") to Baal.
19. Elisha the son of Shaphat—Most probably he belonged to a family distinguished for piety, and for their opposition to the prevailing calf-worship.
ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen—indicating that he was a man of substance.
Elijah . . . cast his mantle upon him—This was an investiture with the prophetic office. It is in this way that the Brahmins, the Persian Sufis, and other priestly or sacred characters in the East are appointed—a mantle being, by some eminent priest, thrown across their shoulders. Elisha had probably been educated in the schools of the prophets.
20. what have I done to thee?—that is, Go, but keep in mind the solemn ceremony I have just performed on thee. It is not I, but God, who calls thee. Do not allow any earthly affection to detain you from obeying His call.
21. took a yoke of oxen—Having hastily prepared (2 Samuel 24:22) a farewell entertainment to his family and friends, he left his native place and attached himself to Elijah as his minister.