Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 17:21

21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD , and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee let this childs soul come into him again .

Not as if he thought this could contribute any warmth or Life to the Child; but partly, to express, and withal to increase his grief for the Child's Death, and his desire of its reviving; that thereby his Prayers might be more fervent, and consequently, more prevalent with God: and partly, that it might appear, That this Miracle, though wrought by God alone, yet was done for the sake of Elijah, and in answer to his Prayers. Compare 2 King. 4. 34. Ioh. 9. 6. Act. 20. 10.

First, he stretched himself, then he prayed, and that for Three times successively.

By which it is evident, That the Soul was gone out of his Body, and therefore doth subsist without it after Death. Compare Gen. 35. 18. This was a great Request; but Elias was incouraged to make it; partly, by his Zeal for God's Honour, which he thought was concerned in it, and would be Eclipsed by it: partly, by the experience which he had of his prevailingpower with God in prayer: and partly, by a Divine Impulse moving him to desire it.

Marginal references: Heb. measured.; Heb. into [illegible: 1 word] inward parts.