The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 391

restmin both dew and rain, and so make the gods to worship him. (See Deut. xi. 16, 17; J er. xiv. 22.) (2) " There shall be neither dew nor rain these years.'' Dew and rain, according to the course of nature, may be withholden for days, for weeks, even, in rare cases, for months; but not for years. When therefore for "three years and eix months'' these meteors were awanting, the phenomenon was supernatural. 2. The qualification is no less remOfflrn,ble---" But according to my word." (1) Unless divinely authorized to say this, such a declamtion would be most presumptuous. And the inevitable failure of the prediction would cover the pseudo-prophet with ridicule and confusion. (2) But Elijah was a genuine man. He spoke nnder the inspiration of Jehovah before whom he stood. Such inspiration makes all the difference between presumption and faith. This is just the dis- tinction made by James, who describes Elijah's faith as (i11EpyovµE1111) inwrought persuasi-On of 11 righteous man (James v. 16). Faith is the gift of God. 3. The directness is admirable. (1) This address is to Ahab. It comes not to him as a hearsay, but with the highest authenticity. The inspired messenger of God is above kings. (See J er. i 10.) (2) It is fearlessly delivered. WLen a man is conscious that he stands before Jehovah he may use great freedom of speech. The courage of the lion is in the heart of faith. Elijah wa.s a ma.n of faith because he was a. man of prayer. It is an encouragement to our faith to know that "Elias was a man ofli.ke passions as we are'' (James v. 17).-J. A. M. Vera. 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, emergencies. I. HE HAS RESOURCES FOR THE PROTECTION OF HIS SERVANTS. 1. He could defend Elijah in the midst of his enemies. (1) The power that had shut up the heavens could surely do this. The elemental fire which now scorched the earth, He could cause to fall upon the heads of any who would threaten his servant. (See 2 Kings i. 10-15.) (2) Without reoonrse to violence, he could dispose the hearts of men to respect His messenger, as afterwarda He did. (See chap. xviii.) But this was not now His way. 2. He has also places of refuge for His servants. (1) If there be a vn.lley secluded from human intrusion God knows it. In the courses traversed by the brook Cherith Elijah may safely hide. These recesses lay " eastward'' from Samaria, where probably the prophet hod encountered the king; and eastward from the Jordan, for this is the import of the phrase " before Jordan." Probably this seclusion was in his own wild district of Gilead. (2) Ahab will not suspect that Elijah is here; for how could he possibly subsist in such R. desolate region. Water he might :find in the streams of the moun- tains; but where can he get bread from bald rocks in time of drought? (Matt. xiii. 6, 6.) 8. Into such asylums He can guide His saints. (1) "The word of the Lord" came to Elijah. Christ is that Word (John i. 1-14). He was the MEMRA of the Targums-that personal Word, who "appeared" to patriarchs and prophets . .:See Gen. xv. 1.; xxviii. 20.) He will be ever with his people guiding them into aofety. (2) "The word of the Lord came unto him saying," or expressing His wisdom in human vooables. To Elijah the direction was, "Get thee hence," &c. To _all He comes in the promises and precepts of holy Scriptur~. (3) Those who behave and obey God's Word, as Elijah did, are in safe keeping. They need never fear the combinations oi wickedness against them. II. HE HAS RESOURCES ALSO FOR THEIR SUPPORT. 1. Their water is sure. "Thou sholt drink of the brook." (1) There was refreshment for the body. The stream of that brook continued to flow for a whole year. Such is supposed to be the import of (Cl't:l') days, when there is nothing to limit it (as in ver. 7, mo.rg. ; see also ver. 15, marg. ; Gen. iv. 8). (2) His soul meanwhile was refreshed, as, by faith, he ren.lizcd the wells of sahation whioh flow from the Word of the Lad. 400 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [oa. XVII. 1-24.