Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 19:4

4 ¶ But he himself went a days journey into the wilderness , and came and sat down under a juniper-tree: and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough , now, O LORD, take away my life: for I am not better than my fathers .

The vast Wilderness of Arabia. He durst not stay in Iudah, though good Iehoshaphat Reigned there, because he was Allied to Ahab, and was a Man of an easie temper, whom Ahab might circumvent, and either by force or art seize upon Elijah.

Heb. for his life, or his soul, that it might be taken away from his Body. Or, with his soul, as it is Isa. 26. 9. i. e. He desired it heartily or fervently. Which he did not onely for his own sake, that he might be freed from his great fears and troubles; but especially from his zeal for Gods Glory, which he saw was and would be dreadfully eclipsed by the relapse of the Israelites into Idolatry, and by Elijah's Death, if it should be procured by the hands of Iezabel, or of the worshippers of Baal: and therefore he wished to die in peace, and by the hand of God.

I have lived long enough for thy Service, and am not like to do thee any more Service; neither my words nor works are like to do any good upon these unstable and incorrigible people.

That I should continue in Life, when other Prophets who have gone before me, have lost their Lives by Iezabel, or other persecutors.

Marginal references: Jona. 43, [illegible: 1+ letters].; Heb. for his life.