And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he [is] a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, [or] peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
Ver. 27. That Elijah mocked them.] All mocking therefore is not unlawful: not that which tendeth to the discountenancing of sin; but that which is to the unjust disgrace and just grief of another.
Or he is pursuing.] Heb., He hath a pursuit, viz., hostium vel ferarum: either he is chasing his enemies, or hunting some wild creatures for his recreation.
Or he is in a journey, &c.] Homer brings in the gods journeying, fighting, feasting, sleeping, &c. Lucian feigneth that there are certain chasms or chinks in heaven, through which only Jupiter, at certain times, heareth men's prayers. Of Diana they say, that being busy at great Alexander's birth, she could not be present at Ephesus to preserve her temple, which was, the same time, set on fire and burnt to ashes.