consisted of a girdle of skin round his loins, which he tightened when about to move quickly. ( 1
Kings 18:46) But in addition to this he occasionally wore the “mantle” or cape of sheepskin which
has supplied us with one of our most familiar figures of speech. His introduction, in what we may
call the first act of his life, is the most startling description. He suddenly appears before Ahab,
prophesies a three-years drought in Israel, and proclaims the vengeance of Jehovah for the apostasy
of the king. Obliged to flee from the vengeance of king, or more probably of the queen (comp. ( 1
Kings 19:2) he was directed to the brook Cherith. There in the hollow of the torrent bed he remained,
supported in the miraculous manner with which we are all familiar, till the failing of the brook
obliged him to forsake it. His next refuge was at Zarephath. Here in the house of the widow woman
Elijah performed the miracles of prolonging the oil and the meal, and restored the son of the widow
to life after his apparent death. 1Kin 17. In this or some other retreat an interval of more than two
years must have elapsed. The drought continued, and at last the full horrors of famine, caused by
the failure of the crops, descended on Samaria. Again Elijah suddenly appears before Ahab. There
are few more sublime stories in history than the account of the succeeding events—with the servant
of Jehovah and his single attendant on the one hand, and the 850 prophets of Baal on the other; the
altars, the descending fire of Jehovah consuming both sacrifice and altar; the rising storm, and the
ride across the plain to Jezreel. 1Kin 18. Jezebel vows vengeance, and again Elijah takes refuge in
flight into the wilderness, where he is again miraculously fed, and goes forward, in the strength of
that food, a journey of forty days to the mount of God, even to Horeb, where he takes refuge in a
cave, and witnesses a remarkable vision of Jehovah. (1 Kings 19:9-18) He receives the divine
communication, and sets forth in search of Elisha, whom he finds ploughing in the field, and anoints
him prophet in his place. ch. 19. For a time little is heard of Elijah, and Ahab and Jezebel probably
believed they had seen the last of him. But after the murder of Naboth, Elijah, who had received
an intimation from Jehovah of what was taking place, again suddenly appears before the king, and
then follow Elijah’s fearful denunciation of Ahab and Jezebel, which may possibly be recovered
by putting together the words recalled by Jehu, (2 Kings 9:26,36,37) and those given in (1 Kings
21:19-25) A space of three or four years now elapses (comp. (1 Kings 22:1,51; 2 Kings 1:17) before
we again catch a glimpse of Elijah. Ahaziah is on his death-bed, (1 Kings 22:51; 2 Kings 1:1,2)
and sends to an oracle or shrine of Baal to ascertain the issue of his illness; but Elijah suddenly
appears on the path of the messengers, without preface or inquiry utters his message of death, and
as rapidly disappears. The wrathful king sends two bands of soldiers to seize Elijah, and they are
consumed with fire; but finally the prophet goes down and delivers to Ahaziah’s face the message
of death. No long after Elijah sent a message to Jehoram denouncing his evil doings, and predicting
his death. (2 Chronicles 21:12-15) It was at Gilgal—probably on the western edge of the hills of
Ephraim— that the prophet received the divine intimation that his departure was at hand. He was
at the time with Elisha, who seems now to have become his constant companion, and who would
not consent to leave him. “And it came to pass as they still went on and talked, that, behold, a
chariot of fire and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind
into heaven.” (B.C. 896.) Fifty men of the sons of the prophets ascended the abrupt heights behind
the town, and witnessed the scene. How deep was the impression which he made on the mind of
the nation may be judged of from the fixed belief which many centuries after prevailed that Elijah
would again appear for the relief and restoration of his country, as Malachi prophesied. (Malachi
4:5) He spoke, but left no written words, save the letter to Jehoram king of Judah. (2 Chronicles
21:12-15)
frankie
(Frankie)
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