Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on James 5:18
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
And he prayed again, etc.] (<111842>1 Kings 18:42,43). Here also is no express mention of his prayer, but it may be concluded from his gestures; and so the Jewish interpreters understand these words, “Elijah went up to the top of Carmel”, llpthl, “to pray, and he cast himself down upon the earth”, µymçgh l[ llpthl, “to pray for rain; and he put his face between his knees”, llpthw, “and prayed, and said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea”; and this he said while he was wtlyptb, “in his prayers” f57: and the effect of this his prayer was, and the heaven gave rain; (see <111845>1 Kings 18:45). And the earth brought forth her fruit: which for the years past it had not; hence there was a sore famine in the land, (<111802>1 Kings 18:2). Now the apostle chose to give this example, because it was a common thing for the Jews to ask for rain: we often read of such a doctor, that he prayed for rain, and it came; and of another, that he asked for the rains, and they descended f58: and his view is to observe, that the weakness and infirmities of the saints ought not to discourage them from prayer; and that they should be earnest and fervent in it, as was Elias, a man of like passions with themselves.
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