--- title: "Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 1: Genesis to Jeremiah" author: "Adam Clarke" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 363 of 914 url: https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-1-genesis-to-jeremiah/363/ cite: "Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 1: Genesis to Jeremiah, section 363. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-1-genesis-to-jeremiah/363/" --- # Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible · Volume 1: Genesis to Jeremiah *Adam Clarke* Clarke's learned notes on the Hebrew and Greek, verse by verse, from Genesis to Revelation: volume 1 of 2. ## 363. 1 Kings · 24 of 30 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-1-genesis-to-jeremiah/363/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/adam-clarke-commentary-volume-1-genesis-to-jeremiah/363/#p-N [¶0] 4. The twelve stones were also consumed, to show that it was no common fire, but one whose agency nothing could resist. [¶1] 5. The dust, the earth of which the altar was constructed, was burned up. [¶2] 6. The water that was in the trench was, by the action of this fire, entirely evaporated. [¶3] 7. The action of this fire was in every case downward, contrary to the nature of all earthly and material fire. Nothing can be more simple and artless than this description, yet how amazingly full and satisfactory is the whole account! ### Verse 39 [¶5] Fell on their faces - Struck with awe and reverence at the sight of this incontestable miracle. [¶6] And they said - We should translate the words thus: Jehovah, He is the God! Jehovah, He is the God! Baal is not the God; Jehovah alone is the God of Israel. [¶7] As our term Lord is very equivocal, we should every where insert the original word יהוה, which we should write Yeve or Yeheveh, or Yahvah or Yehueh, or, according to the points, Yehovah. ### Verse 40 [¶9] Let not one of them escape - They had committed the highest crime against the state and the people by introducing idolatry, and bringing down God's judgments upon the land; therefore their lives were forfeited to that law which had ordered every idolater to be slain. It seems also that Ahab, who was present, consented to this act of impartial justice. ### Verse 41 [¶11] Get thee up, eat and drink - It appears most evidently that Ahab and the prophet were now on good terms, and this is a farther evidence that the slaying of the false prophets was by the king's consent. ### Verse 42 [¶13] Put his face between his knees - He kneeled down, and then bowed his head to the earth, so that, while his face was between his knees, his forehead touched the ground. ### Verse 43 [¶15] Look toward the sea - From the top of Mount Carmel the Mediterranean Sea was full in view. ### Verse 44 [¶17] There ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. - ככף איש kechaph ish, like the hollow of a man's hand. In the form of the hand bent, the concave side downmost. I have witnessed a resemblance of this kind at sea previously to a violent storm, a little cloud the size of a man's hand first appearing, and this increasing in size and density every moment, till at last it covered the whole heavens, and then burst forth with incredible fury. [¶18] Mr. Bruce mentions a similar appearance in Abyssinia: - "Every morning, in Abyssinia, is clear, and the sun shines. About nine a small cloud, not above four hundred feet broad, appears in the east, whirling violently round, as if upon an axis; but arrived near the zenith, it first abates its motion, then loses its form, and extends itself greatly, and seems to call up vapours from all opposite quarters. These clouds, having attained nearly the same height, rush against each other with great violence, and put me always in mind of Elijah foretelling rain on Mount Carmel." - Travels, vol. v., page 336, edit. 1806. ### Verse 46 [¶20] Ran before Ahab - Many think that Elijah ran before the king in order to do him honor; and much learned labor has been spent on this passage in order to show that Elijah had put himself at the head of a company of chanters who ran before the king reciting his praises, or the praises of God; a custom which still exists in Arabian countries! I believe all these entirely mistake the writer's meaning: Ahab yoked his chariot, and made all speed to Jezreel. The hand of the Lord, or, as the Targum says, the spirit of strength, came upon Elijah, and he girded up his loins, that is, tucked up his long garments in his girdle, and ran; and notwithstanding the advantage the king had by means of his chariot, the prophet reached Jezreel before him. There is no intimation here that he ran before the horses' heads. All this was intended to show that he was under the peculiar influence and inspiration of the Almighty, that the king might respect and fear him, and not do or permit to be done to him any kind of outrage. ### Introduction [¶22] Ahab tells Jezebel what Elijah had done; she is enraged, and threatens to take away his life, [1Kgs 19:1], [1Kgs 19:2]. He leaves Jezreel, and comes to Beer-sheba, and thence to the wilderness, where he is fed and encouraged by an angel, [1Kgs 19:3-9]. His complaint and the vision by which God instructs him, [1Kgs 19:10-14]. He is sent to Damascus, in order to anoint Hazael king over Syria, and Jehu king over Israel, [1Kgs 19:15-18]. He meets with Elisha, who becomes his servant, [1Kgs 19:19-21]. ### Verse 1 [¶24] Ahab told Jezebel - Probably with no evil design against Elijah. ### Verse 2 [¶26] So let the gods do - If I do not slay thee, let the gods slay me with the most ignominious death. ### Verse 3 [¶28] He arose, and went for his life - He saw it was best to give place to this storm, and go to a place of safety. He probably thought that the miracle at Carmel would have been the means of effecting the conversion of the whole court and of the country, but, finding himself mistaken, he is greatly discouraged. [¶29] To Beer-sheba - This being at the most southern extremity of the promised land, and under the jurisdiction of the king of Judah, he might suppose himself in a place of safety. [¶30] Left his servant there - Being alone, he would be the more unlikely to be discovered; besides, he did not wish to risk the life of his servant. ### Verse 4 [¶32] A day's journey into the wilderness - Probably in his way to Mount Horeb. See [1Kgs 19:8]. [¶33] Juniper tree - A tree that afforded him a shade from the scorching sun. [¶34] It is enough - I have lived long enough! I can do no more good among this people; let me now end my days. ### Verse 5 [¶36] As he lay and slept - Excessive anguish of mind frequently induces sleep, as well as great fatigue of body. [¶37] An angel touched him - He needed refreshment, and God sent an angel to bring him what was necessary. ### Verse 6 [¶39] A cake baken on the coals - All this seems to have been supernaturally provided. ### Verse 7 [¶41] The journey is too great for thee - From Beer-sheba to Horeb was about one hundred and fifty miles. ### Verse 8 [¶43] Forty days and forty nights - So he fasted just the same time as Moses did at Horeb, and as Christ did in the wilderness.