“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”
King James Version (KJV)
5:17 Elijah was a man of like passions - Naturally as weak and sinful as we are. And he prayed - When idolatry covered the land.
Jas 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are. Jas 5:16 has affirmed the power of the prayer of a righteous man. An example of its power is now given. Elijah was a man like ourselves, yet great results followed his prayer. See 1Ki 17:1 and following chapters. He prayed earnestly that it might not rain. No mention is made in the Old Testament of the prayer, but it is announced prophetically. He prayed, either before or after, that rain might be withheld until Israel repented. And it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. See Lu 4:25 In the Old Testament the time is not exactly stated. "In the third year" the Lord spoke to Elijah about rain, 1Ki 18:1 but we are not informed whether the beginning of the "third year" was when rain ceased to fall, or when he went to Zarephath. It is probable that the latter is meant.