And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. I have been very jealous for the Lord - The picture which he draws here of apostate Israel is very affecting: -
1. They have forsaken thy covenant - They have now cleaved to and worshipped other gods.
2. Thrown down thine altars - Endeavoured, as much as they possibly could, to abolish thy worship, and destroy its remembrance from the land.
3. And slain thy prophets - That there might be none to reprove their iniquity, or teach the truth; so that the restoration of the true worship might be impossible.
4. I only, am left - They have succeeded in destroying all the rest of the prophets, and they are determined not to rest till they slay me.