The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 395

sojourn by slaying her son?" He calls it "evil," yet attributes it to God. Moral evil God cannot perpetrate, but evil which comes iu the form of afiliction or punish- ment is a very different thing. (See Job ii. 10; Isa. xlv. 7; Amos iii. 6; John ix. 1-8.) (2) He entreated God to restore the child's life. " He cried unto the Lord.'' Here is the " fervency" which characterizes " efiectue.l '' prayer. (8) He entreated Him confidingly: "0 Lord 'TTll!J God." This appealing to God in the possessive expresses a loving trust in a Covenant-Friend. (See Levit. xx.vi.12; J er. xxxi. 88; 2 Cor. vi. 16; Heb. xi. 16; Rev. xri 8.) (4) Hence his success. "The Lord heard the voice of Elijah.'' He saw in Elijah those moral qualifications which make it fitting that He should answer prayer. So the prophet was able to restore the child alive to his mother. 8. But what example is this for ua ., (1) Elijah's success in prayer was not because he was a prophet. James replies to this objection when he assures us that " Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are." For this is the ground on which he proceeds to lay down the broad principle, viz., that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James v. 16; see also A.cts xi 24). (2) Therefore we also may be moved by the Holy Ghost; and we must be so moved if we would pray effectually. True faith is " of the operation of God" (Luther's prayer for the recovery of Myconius instanced in Krummacher). (8) But how may we know that we are so influenced? God will make it plain as one of the secrets of holy communion with Him (Psa. :x:xv. 14 ; John vii. 17 ; xv. 15). When we are free from selfish desire, and above all things seek God's glory, there is little danger of being led astray. (4) The widow was no prophetess, but she also was an example of faith. (See Heh. xi. 35.) Witness her recognition of God, and the readiness with which she gave her son from her bosom at the prophet's request. Her faith was honoured as well as his. II. A. PROPHETIC SIGN. 1. So the widow interpreted it (ver. 24). (1) It authen- ticated Elijah as a" man of God.'' Not only that he was a good man, but that he was a prophet of the Lord. (2) Consequently " that the word of the Lord in his mouth" was no sham. (Comp. eh. xxii.) Spurious prophets could not give miraculous signs. 2. Such sign8 were parables. The question, then, is, what did this parable teach? (1) Could it be a sign that the drought would be removed which had now lasted two years, working fearful ravages, and must, ii continued long, destroy the nations visited? For the " word of the Lord in the month of Elijah" did encourage the hope that rain should come upon the earth (ver. 14). The coming of rain would be a national resurrection. (2) Could it be a pledge of the resurrection of the dead nt the last day ? The gospel has thrown floods of illustration upon this subject, but in old times it was obscure. This miracle taught the separate existence of the soul. AlBo that the disembodied spirit may and shall be reunited to its organic companion. (3) Why did Elijah stretch himself upon the child? He was a type of Christ. So he made himself like the dead to foreshow that Christ by dying in our room should give us life. This He does morally. .Also physically, viz., in the resurrection of the body. (Comp. 2 Kings iv. 34; John xi. 43-45; Acts xx. 10.) Is there any correspondence between the "three times '' mentioned in the text and the " three times" in which our Lord prayed for the removal of the cup of His suffering l' (Matt. xxvi. 44).-J. A. M. Ver. 1.-The Messenger of Jehovah. Stanley is justified in describing Elijah as "the grandest and most romantic character that Israel ever produced" (S. &. P., p. 328). He appears suddenly, and disappears miraculously. Hence imagination has had scope. Some Rabbins believed that he was Phineas, the grandson of Aaron, and others that he was an angel from heaven. The impression his mini~try made upon the mind of the people re-appeared again and again after the lapse o! centuries. When, for example, the miracles of our Lord aroused the wonder of the people, many said, "It is Elias.'' Such a character and work as were his deserve careful study. Describe the social and religious condition of the kingdom of Israel after Ahab's accession and marriage with the dauntless, fanatical, idolatrous Jezebel. Never was reformation more called for, and never were supernatural works more 11ecessary as the credentials of a Heaven-sept ainbassactor. Our text presents for diI, XVII. 1-24,] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS.