ia no confession of that unworthy timidity with which Elijah has been, we think, too hastily charged. Nor had he any rebuke from God for such supposed dastardli- ness, which doubtless he would have received had he deserved it. He is here because he cannot abide in the land of Isra.el, where Jehovah was commonly insulted. (2) He recounts the particulars of his grief. " For the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant "-have substituted fe.lse Elohim for Thee; "thrown down thine altars "-attempted to abolish Thy worship; "slain thy prophets with the sword "-to provide against any revival of the pme religion of their fathers; "and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away." Of what use, then, could he be to such a people ? (See Hosea iv. 17.) (3) The motive of this intercession to God against Israel is not personal revenge, but zeal for Jehovah. And though we are bound, as Christians, to love our enemies, that does not say that we are to love the enemies of God. There is a spurious charity in high favour which the Scriptures do not sanction. (See 2 Ch.ron. xix. 2 ; Psa. cxix. 19 ; cxxxix. 21; Luke xiv. 26.) Beware of that charity which has complicity with sin. (4) The repetition of the answer when a second time the question was put evinces the deep sincerity of the prophet's soul. II. THE ANSWER OF Gon UNTO HIM. 1. This was first given in symbol. (1) To witness the vision he was caused to stand on the mount before the Lord. Probably this was the place where Moses stood on a similar occasion (see Exod. xix. 9, 16). We should have the Rock of Ages for our foundation when we witness visions of God. All shall witness them in the judgment of the great day. (2) Terrible signs immediately followed upon the passing by of Jehovah. (a) First, "a g1:eat and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord." Here was a ~on of wrath upon the rulers and people, through invasion. (Compare Jer. iv.11-13; Ezek. vi. 2; Amos iv.1). (b) "And afterthewind anearthquake." This is a sign of revolution, whether in things civil, ecclesiastical, or both. (Compare Psa. lxviii. 8; Rev. vi. 12; xvi. 18). (c) "And after the earthquake a fire." This is the symbol of judgments more immediately from God (see Deut. iv. 24; Paa. xviii. 12-14; lxvi. 12; J er. :xlviii. 45). (3) But the Lord was in none of these. Judgments are a strange work to Him. They are necessary to the order of His government, but not congenial to His nature. "He delighteth in mercy." So the Lord was in the " still small voice" which followed. The gentle voice of the gospel follows the law which came with the uproar of the elements, and God is in it. So Elijah wrapped his face in his mantle. (Compare Exod. iii. 6; Isa. vi. 2.) 2. It waa afterwards expounded in words. (1) Elijah, the intercessor against Israel, and therefore the impersonation of anger against sin, was to return to Israel by way of DamascUB, where he was to "anoint Hazael to be king over Syria." In Hazael now we must look for the " strong wind" that was to come up and make havoc upon the mo=tains and rocks of Israel. (Compare 2 Kings viii. 12, 13 ; x. 82, 83; xiii. 3.) (2) "Jehu the son of Nimshi" was Elijah to "anoint to be king over Israel." Here was the instrument of the "earthquake" of revolution. (See 2 Kings ix. 1-3.) Not only did Jehu bring a signal destruction upon the whole house of Ahab; he brought down judgment also upon the worshippers of Baal (2 Kings :x:. 28). (3) "Elisha the son of Shaphat " was this impersonation of righteous anger to " anoint to be prophet'' in his room. Here is God's instrument of" fire.'' His words are to be swords of flame. So "it shall come to pass that him that escapet,h from the sword of Hazael shall J ehu slay; and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay." No sinner can escape the fire of God's word. (4) But the "still small voice" of the gospel of mercy has its triumphs. "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel," &c. God has His faithful "hidden ones" (Psa. lxxxiii. 3). No wonder Elijah should cover his face with rtiverent gratitude at the discovery of that sealed company in whose midst was JEHOVAH- Slli.MMAH I (Ezek. xlviii. 35; Rev. vii 13-17.)-J. A. M.
Vers. 19-21.-The Call of Elisha. After the visions of Horeb, and in pur- suance of the commission there received, Elijah returned from the wilderness and re-entered the land of Israel. Whether he went round by Dams.sous, and in his oa. xut. 1-21.] 'l'HE FIRST B001{ OF KINGS. 473