“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”
King James Version (KJV)
17:1 Elijah - The most eminent of the prophets, who is here brought in,like Melchisedek, without any mention of his father, or mother, orbeginning of his days; like a man dropt out of the clouds, and raised byGod's special providence as a witness for himself in this most degeneratetime that by his zeal, and courage and miracles, he might give some check,to their various and abominable idolatries, and some reviving to that smallnumber of the Lord's prophets, and people, who yet remained in Israel.He seems to have been naturally of a rough spirit. And rough spirits arecalled to rough services. His name signifies, my God Jehovah is he: hethat sends me, and will own me, and bear me out. Said to Ahab - Havingdoubtless admonished him of his sin and danger before; now upon hisobstinacy in his wicked courses, he proceeds to declare, and execute thejudgment of God upon him. As the Lord, &c. - I Swear by the God ofIsrael, who is the only true and living God; whereas the gods whom thouhast joined with him, or preferred before him, are dead and senseless idols.Before whom - Whose minister I am, not only in general, but especially inthis threatening, which I now deliver in his name and authority.There shall not, &c. - This was a prediction, but was seconded with hisprayer, that God would verify it, #James 5:17|, And this prayer wastruly charitable; that by this sharp affliction, God's honour, and the truthof his word (which was now so horribly and universally contemned) might bevindicated; and the Israelites (whom impunity had hardened in theiridolatry) might be awakened to see their own wickedness, and the necessityof returning to the true religion. Those years - That is, These followingyears, which were three and an half, #Luke 4:25 James 5:17|.My word - Until I shall declare, that this judgment shall cease, and shallpray to God for the removal of it.