John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And as Obadiah was in the way , etc.] In his district, making his observations: behold, Elijah met him : where is not said; but he was, no doubt, upon the road from Zarephath to Samaria: and he knew him that is, Obadiah knew Elijah, having seen him at Ahab’s court before he absconded: and fell on his face, and said, art thou that my lord Elijah? thus doing him honour and reverence both by words and gesture, as being an extraordinary prophet of the Lord.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-16 - The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can aton for the guilt of sin; nothing, except the sanctifying Spirit of God can purge away its pollution. The priests and the Levites were gone to Judah and Jerusalem, 2Ch 11:13, 14, but instead of them God raised u prophets, who read and expounded the word. They probably were from the schools of the prophets, first set up by Samuel. They had not the spirit of prophecy as Elijah, but taught the people to keep close to the God of Israel. These Jezebel sought to destroy. The few tha escaped death were forced to hide themselves. God has his remnant amon all sorts, high and low; and that faith, fear, and love of his name which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, will be accepted through the Redeemer. See how wonderfully God raises up friends for his minister and people, for their shelter in difficult times. Bread and water wer now scarce, yet Obadiah will find enough for God's prophets, to kee them alive. Ahab's care was not to lose all the beasts; but he took n care about his soul, not to lose that. He took pains to seek grass, but none to seek the favour of God; fencing against the effect, but no inquiring how to remove the cause. But it bodes well with a people when God calls his ministers to stand forth, and show themselves. An we may the better endure the bread of affliction, while our eyes se our teachers.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 עבדיהו5662 בדרך1870 והנה2009 אליהו452 לקראתו7125 ויכרהו5234 ויפל5307 על5921 פניו6440 ויאמר559 האתה859 זה2088 אדני113 אליהו׃452
