Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 1 Kings » Chapter 19 » Verse 16-21

1 Kings 19:16-21 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

16 And Jehu H3058 the son H1121 of Nimshi H5250 shalt thou anoint H4886 to be king H4428 over Israel: H3478 and Elisha H477 the son H1121 of Shaphat H8202 of Abelmeholah H65 shalt thou anoint H4886 to be prophet H5030 in thy room.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth H4422 the sword H2719 of Hazael H2371 shall Jehu H3058 slay: H4191 and him that escapeth H4422 from the sword H2719 of Jehu H3058 shall Elisha H477 slay. H4191

18 Yet I have left H7604 me seven H7651 thousand H505 in Israel, H3478 all the knees H1290 which have not bowed H3766 unto Baal, H1168 and every mouth H6310 which hath not kissed H5401 him.

19 So he departed H3212 thence, and found H4672 Elisha H477 the son H1121 of Shaphat, H8202 who was plowing H2790 with twelve H8147 H6240 yoke H6776 of oxen before H6440 him, and he with the twelfth: H8147 H6240 and Elijah H452 passed H5674 by him, and cast H7993 his mantle H155 upon him.

20 And he left H5800 the oxen, H1241 and ran H7323 after H310 Elijah, H452 and said, H559 Let me, I pray thee, kiss H5401 my father H1 and my mother, H517 and then I will follow H3212 H310 thee. And he said H559 unto him, Go back H3212 again: H7725 for what have I done H6213 to thee?

21 And he returned back H7725 from him, H310 and took H3947 a yoke H6776 of oxen, H1241 and slew H2076 them, and boiled H1310 their flesh H1320 with the instruments H3627 of the oxen, H1241 and gave H5414 unto the people, H5971 and they did eat. H398 Then he arose, H6965 and went H3212 after H310 Elijah, H452 and ministered H8334 unto him.

Commentary on 1 Kings 19 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 19

1Ki 19:1-3. 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 (Jas 5:17). 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 (2Co 12:7-9), and being left to himself, the great prophet, instead of showing the indomitable spirit of a martyr, fled from his post of duty.

1Ki 19:4-18. 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 (Jud 9:8), 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 [1Ki 19:19], and by him the other two were accomplished (2Ki 8:7-13; 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.

1Ki 19:19-21. Elisha Follows Elijah.

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 (2Sa 24:22) a farewell entertainment to his family and friends, he left his native place and attached himself to Elijah as his minister.