“Then stood up Elias the prophet as fire, and his word burned like a lamp.”
Torch. He was animated with a burning zeal, (Menochius) like John the Baptist, admonishing kings, &c., John v. 35., and Luke i. 17. (Calmet)
“He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his zeal he diminished their number.”
And they. Greek, “and by his zeal he diminished them. By,” &c. (Haydock) — He slew the priests of Baal, and many perished by famine, 4 Kings xviii. (Grotius) (Calmet)
“By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and also three times brought down fire.”
Heaven. That it should not rain for three years and a-half, 3 Kings xvii. 1. — Thrice. First upon his sacrifice, and twice to destroy fifty soldiers, Ibid.[3 Kings xvii.] 38., and 4 Kings i. 10. (Calmet) (Worthington)
“Who didst raise up a dead man from death, and his soul from the place of the dead, by the word of the most High:”
Man. The son of the widow of Sarepta.
“Who broughtest kings to destruction, and honorable men from their bed:”
Destruction. The prophets are said to perform what they foretell; to indicate the certainty of the event. Elias denounced death to Achab, Jezabel, Ochozias, and the two Jorams, 4 Kings ix. 12., and 2 Paralipomenon xxi. 12., &c. (Calmet) — Brokest. Greek, “those in honour from,” &c., alluding to (Haydock) Ochozias and Joram, 4 Kings i. 16., and 1 Paralipomenon xxi. 15. (Calmet)
“Who heardest the rebuke of the Lord in Sinai, and in Horeb the judgment of vengeance:”
Judgment. Greek, “the reprimand of the Lord,” for betraying fear, (3 Kings xix. 3, 9, 12.; Haydock) or the reprimand regarded Israel. (Calmet)
“Who annointedst kings to take revenge, and prophets to succeed after him:”
Penance. Greek, “reward,” (Haydock) or punish the guilty. Hazael and Jehu were anointed by Eliseus, though by order of Elias. — Thee. Eliseus was called from the plough, and adhered to his master, who governed the sons of the prophets in large communities.
“Who wast ordained for reproofs in their times, to pacify the wrath of the Lord's judgment, before it brake forth into fury, and to turn the heart of the father unto the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.”
Jacob. Protestants reject the authority of this book, partly (Haydock) on account of this (Worthington) ancient tradition. Enoch and Elias will appear in the days of antichrist, to convert many. The Jews will then agree with the Patriarchs, and embrace the religion of Christ. (Calmet) — Elias came in the person of John the Baptist, at the first coming of our Saviour, but he will come in person before his second appearance. (Haydock) — The application which Christ makes of the prediction of Malachy (Malachias iv. 6.) to John the Baptist, does not exclude this more distant accomplishment. Elias is still alive in some part of the world, as well as Enoch, whom St. Augustine styles “the first-born (primogenitor) of our resurrection.” (City of God xv. 19.) (4 Kings ii. 11.)
“Blessed are they that saw thee, and slept in love; for we shall surely live.”
Friendship. Like Eliseus, or the disciples of both. (Calmet) — Greek, “who slept in love, for we also shall live indeed; (13.) Elias,” &c. (Haydock) — When we shall witness thy return, if we prove faithful, we may expect an immortal name, and not otherwise. (Calmet) — He speaks in the person of those who shall live at that time. (Haydock)
“No word could overcome him; and after his death his body prophesied.”
Eliseus. Who received his double spirit, with his garment, 4 Kings ii. 15. — Prince. Joram, 4 Kings iii. 14., and vi. 32.
“He did wonders in his life, and at his death were his works marvellous.”
Overcome. Or “escape.” (Greek; Syriac) He knew what Giezi and the Syrians were doing, at a distance, 4 Kings v. 26., and vi. 12. — Prophesied. Or raised the dead to life, 4 Kings xiii. 21. (Calmet) — On his death-bed (ver. 15.) he also foretold the victory of Joas, ibid. 14.[4 Kings xiii. 14.?] (Vatable, &c.) — The miracle wrought by his relics (Haydock) shewed that he was a true prophet. (Worthington)
“Then trembled their hearts and hands, and they were in pain, as women in travail.”
Thereof. From Gehon, a fountain on the west, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 30. (Calmet)
“But they called upon the Lord which is merciful, and stretched out their hands toward him: and immediately the Holy One heard them out of heaven, and delivered them by the ministry of Esay.”
Lifted. Greek, “removed from Lachis, and, “&c., 4 Kings xviii., &c.
“In his time the sun went backward, and he lengthened the king's life.”
He was. Greek, “and he purified (Haydock; or redeemed, Calmet) them by the hand (ministry) of Isaias. (24.) He,” &c. (Haydock) — Prayer prevailed when troops were insufficient, 4 Kings xix. (Worthington)
“He shewed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things or ever they came.”
Sight. Greek, “vision.” All his predictions were verified. (Calmet)
Life. Fifteen years, Isaias xxxviii., and 4 Kings xl. 11. (Haydock)
At last. After the captivity, (Isaias ii. 2.; Calmet) or in the days of the Messias. (Menochius)