John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah , etc.] In Jezreel, or near it, to frighten him away; not caring to seize him, and dispatch him, for fear of the people, in whom he had now a great interest; or otherwise it is not easy to account for it that she should give him notice of it; unless she scorned to do it privately, as some think, and was determined to make a public example of him; but being not as yet prepared for it, sends him word what he must expect, imagining that as he had the courage to appear, he would not flee; no doubt there was an hand of Providence in it, be it which it will, that he might have time to make his escape: saying, so let the gods do to me, and more also ; the gods she served, Baal and Ashtaroth, and by whom she swore: if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time ; as one of the prophets Elijah had slain; she swore by her gods, and wished the greatest evils might befall her, if she did not lodge him in the state of the dead where they were in the space of twenty four hours; though Abarbinel thinks it is not an oath, but that the words and meaning of them are, so the gods do; it is their usual way, and they will go on to do so for the future, because of the holiness of their name; and therefore do not boast of slaying the prophets, or make use of that as an argument of their falsehood, for they will do the same by thee by tomorrow this time.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Jezebel sent Elijah a threatening message. Carnal hearts are hardene and enraged against God, by that which should convince and conque them. Great faith is not always alike strong. He might be serviceabl to Israel at this time, and had all reason to depend upon God' protection, while doing God's work; yet he flees. His was not the deliberate desire of grace, as Paul's, to depart and be with Christ God thus left Elijah to himself, to show that when he was bold an strong, it was in the Lord, and the power of his might; but of himsel he was no better than his fathers. God knows what he designs us for though we do not, what services, what trials, and he will take car that we are furnished with grace sufficient.
Original Hebrew ותשׁלח7971 איזבל348 מלאך4397 אל413 אליהו452 לאמר559 כה3541 יעשׂון6213 אלהים430 וכה3541 יוספון3254 כי3588 כעת6256 מחר4279 אשׂים7760 את853 נפשׁך5315 כנפשׁ5315 אחד259 מהם׃1992
