Carmel. Eighteen miles from Jezreel; sixteen miles from the sea. The Kishon below, but now dry. At the foot a perennial spring, with a roofed reservoir, eight feet deep. Carmel is still called "Mar-Elias".
repaired. Carmel had been a local altar for lay (individual) offerings, but had been broken down. Compare 1 Kings 19:10 . These lay altars had no horns.
Then the fire of the LORD fell. Aram, and Septuagint read "Then fire from Jehovah fell". See note on Genesis 4:4 . "Fire of Jehovah" occurs only here and Numbers 11:1 , Numbers 11:3 .
hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for power put forth.
girded. Girdles worn by all. Taken off when resting. Put on when preparing for work or journeying. See Exodus 12:11 . 2 Kings 4:29 ; 2 Kings 9:1 .Luke 12:37 ; Luke 17:8 . Acts 12:8 .
ran. For over twenty miles Elijah acted as the royal "runner" across the great plain of Esdraelon. Possibly none at hand in the king's hasty departure.
Verse 1
the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
third year: i.e. the third or last full year toward the end of the three and a half years.
Verse 2
famine. One of the thirteen famines mentioned in Scripture. See note on Genesis 12:10 .
Verse 3
governor of = governor over. Now. Figure of speech Parenthesis. App-6 .
Verse 4
Jezebel. The first record of using the civil power against the true religion (and by a woman). See note on Judges 4:21 .
fifty in a cave = fifty men.
Verse 5
Go into = Septuagint and Syriac read "Go and let us pass through".
Verse 9
What. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
wouldest deliver = art giving.
Verse 10
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
Verse 12
Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
Verse 13
men. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
Verse 15
before, &c. See note on 1 Kings 17:1 .
Verse 17
troubleth. Compare Joshua 7:25 with Joshua 6:18 , and 1 Chronicles 2:7 ,
Israel. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for Israelitish people.
Verse 19
Carmel. Eighteen miles from Jezreel; sixteen miles from the sea. The Kishon below, but now dry. At the foot a perennial spring, with a roofed reservoir, eight feet deep. Carmel is still called "Mar-Elias".
groves = the' Asherah. See note on Exodus 34:13 .
Verse 20
children = sons.
Verse 21
How long. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
halt = leap. Compare 1 Kings 18:26 .
Verse 22
the People. Some codices read "all the people".
Verse 24
gods = god, as in 1 Kings 18:25 . So Revised Version.
by fire. This was Jehovah's way of showing His acceptance of the offering. See note on Genesis 4:4 .
Verse 26
leaped upon = leaped over. Compare 1 Kings 18:21 .
was made = had been made.
Verse 27
Cry aloud, &c. Figure of speech Eironeia. App-6 .
pursuing. Occurs only here.
Verse 28
lancets = lances. Done by Dervishes to the present day.
Verse 29
evening sacrifice. The usual meal offering. There was also a morning meal offering as well (Numbers 28:8 ). Compare 2 Kings 16:15 .
Verse 30
repaired. Carmel had been a local altar for lay (individual) offerings, but had been broken down. Compare 1 Kings 19:10 . These lay altars had no horns.
broken down: i.e. purposely.
Verse 31
Jacob. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Septuagint, read "Israel", in harmony with 1 Kings 18:36 .
Israel. See note on Genesis 32:28 .
Verse 33
water. See note on 1 Kings 18:19 .
the wood. Septuagint adds "and they did so".
Verse 36
Israel , not Jacob. See note on Genesis 32:28 .
Verse 38
Then the fire of the LORD fell. Aram, and Septuagint read "Then fire from Jehovah fell". See note on Genesis 4:4 . "Fire of Jehovah" occurs only here and Numbers 11:1 , Numbers 11:3 .
burnt sacrifice. See App-43 .
Verse 40
Take = seize, lay hold of.
one = a man. Hebrew. 'Ish. App-14 .
Kishon. Compare Judges 4:13 ; Judges 5:21 .
slew. Hebrew idiom, caused them to be slain.
Verse 42
cast himself down. A rare word. Only here and 2 Kings 4:34 , 2 Kings 4:35 . = Kneeling, and then placing forehead on the ground.
Verse 43
servant = young man.
Verse 45
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
Verse 46
hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for power put forth.
girded. Girdles worn by all. Taken off when resting. Put on when preparing for work or journeying. See Exodus 12:11 . 2 Kings 4:29 ; 2 Kings 9:1 .Luke 12:37 ; Luke 17:8 . Acts 12:8 .
ran. For over twenty miles Elijah acted as the royal "runner" across the great plain of Esdraelon. Possibly none at hand in the king's hasty departure.