Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 17:1

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 .

The most Eminent of the Prophets, Matt. 17. 3. who is here brought in, like Melchisedek, Gen. 14. 18. Heb. 7. 3. without any mention of his Father, or Mother, or beginning of his days; like a man drop'd out of the Clouds, and raised by God's special Providence as a Witness for himself, in this most degenerate time and state of things; that by his Zeal, and Courage, and Power of Miracles, he might give some check to their various and abominable Idolatries, and some reviving to that small number of the Lords Prophets, and People, who yet remained in Israel; as we shall see.

So called, either from the place of his Birth or Habitation; or for some other reason not now known.

Which was the Land beyond Iordan. See Gen. 31. 21.

Having doubtless admonished him of his Sin and Danger before this; and now upon his obstinacy in his Wicked courses, he proceeds to declare, and execute the Judgment of God upon him.

I Swear by the God of Israel, who is the onely True and Living God; when the gods whom thou hast joyned with him, or preferred before him, are dead and sensless Idols.

Either, 1. Whose Minister I am, (as this Phrase is oft used, as Numb. 3. 6. Deut. 10. 8. and 17. 12. and 18. 5.) not onely in general, but especially in this Threatning, which I now deliver in his Name and Authority, and not from my own Imagination or Passion. Or, 2. Who is now present with me, and a Witness of what I say; and let him punish me severely, if I speak not the Truth.

This was a Prediction, but was seconded with his Prayer, That God would verifie it; as it is Recorded, Iam. 5. 17. And this Prayer of his was not voluntary, and malicious; but necessary, and (all things considered) truly Charitable; that by this sharp and long Affliction, God's Honour, and the Truth of his Word and Threatnings (which was now so horribly and universally contemned) might be Vindicated; and the Israelites (whom their present Impunity and Prosperity had hardned in their Idolatry) might hereby be awakened to see their own Wickedness, and the vanity of their Calves, and other Idols; and their dependance upon God, and the necessity of returning to the True Religion.

i. e. These following years, which were three and an half, Luk. 4. 25. Iam. 5. 17.

i. e. Until I shall declare, That this Judgment shall cease, and shall pray to God for the removal of it.

Marginal references: Heb. Elijahu. [illegible: 1+ letters]uk. 4. 2[illegible: 1+ letters]. he is called Elias.; [illegible: 1 word]. sojourtus.; [illegible: 1+ letters]am. 5. 17.