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.
Ver. 1. And Elijah the Tishbite.] So he is called of his country. The Hebrews tell us a of another name that he had before that acclamation drawn by him from the people, "The Lord he is God, the Lord he is God." 1Ki 18:39 Elijah signifieth, "My God, he is the Lord." This wonder working prophet - who comes to our knowledge as, another Melchizedek, "without father or mother, or descent" Heb 7:3 Gen 14:18 - observing Ahab's and Hiel's height of wickedness, and desperate obdurateness, denounceth with great boldness the ensuing judgment upon the whole land of drought and famine.
Said unto Ahab.] Who might sit in his ivory palace, having gold, and silver, and jewels in every place; but is here given to know that he was not out of the reach of God's rod; and that since he had done what he ought not, done evil as he could, he should now hear what he would not, and share deeply in the common calamity.
Before whom I stand.] As a servant; as a suppliant; as one who will stand to and for the Lord, though I stand alone.
There shall not be dew nor rain.] The drought, it seems, was begun already, but lengthened out by Elijah's prayer, as St James first telleth us. Jam 5:17
But according to my word,] i.e., According to my prediction, and my prayer; which seems to have been the same in effect with that of Luther, Fiat voluntas mea; mea, inquam, Domine, quia tua voluntas: Let my will herein be done; mine, I say, Lord, because the same with thy holy will.
a In Genesi, magn. cap. 37.