Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Elias . . . like passions as we—therefore it cannot be said that he was so raised above us as to afford no example applicable to common mortals like ourselves.
prayed earnestly—literally, "prayed with prayer": Hebraism for prayed intensely. Compare Luke 22:15, "With desire I have desired," that is, earnestly desired. ALFORD is wrong in saying, Elias' prayer that it might not rain "is not even hinted at in the Old Testament history." In I Kings 17:1 it is plainly implied, "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." His prophecy of the fact was according to a divine intimation given to him in answer to prayer. In jealousy for God's honor (I Kings 19:10), and being of one mind with God in his abhorrence of apostasy, he prayed that the national idolatry should be punished with a national judgment, drought; and on Israel's profession of repentance he prayed for the removal of the visitation, as is implied in I Kings 18:39-42; compare Luke 4:25.
three years, etc.—Compare I Kings 18:1, "The third year," namely, from Elijah's going to Zarephath; the prophecy (James 5:1) was probably about five or six months previously.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing James 5:17:
1 Kings 18:1
1 Kings 19:3
2 Kings 8:1
Daniel 9:24
Daniel 12:7
Amos 7:3
Zechariah 4:11-12
Malachi 4:5
Luke 4:25-27
1 John 5:17
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