Teks -- 1 Kings 18:42 (NET)

18:42 So Ahab went on up to eat and drink, while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel. He bent down toward the ground and put his face between his knees.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 1Ki 18:42 - The top of Carmel

Where he might pour out his prayers unto God; and whence he might look towards the sea. He had a large prospect of the sea from hence. The sailors at this day call it cape Carmel.

Wesley: 1Ki 18:42 - Between his knees

That is, bowed his head so low, that it touched his knees; thus abasing himself in the sense of his own meanness, now God had thus honoured him.

JFB: 1Ki 18:42 - Ahab went up to eat and to drink

Ahab, kept in painful excitement by the agonizing scene, had eaten nothing all the day. He was recommended to refresh himself without a moment's delay; and, while the king was thus occupied, the prophet, far from taking rest, was absorbed in prayer for the fulfilment of the promise (1Ki 18:1).

JFB: 1Ki 18:42 - put his face between his knees

A posture of earnest supplication still used.

Clarke: 1Ki 18:42 - Put his face between his knees

Put his face between his knees - He kneeled down, and then bowed his head to the earth, so that, while his face was between his knees, his forehead touched the ground.

TSK: 1Ki 18:42 - Elijah // he cast himself // put his face

Elijah : 1Ki 18:19; Mat 14:23; Luk 6:12; Act 10:9

he cast himself : Gen 24:52; Jos 7:6; 2Sa 12:16; Dan 9:3; Mar 14:35; Jam 5:16-18

put his face : 1Ki 19:13; Ezr 9:6; Psa 89:7; Isa 6:2, Isa 38:2; Dan 9:7

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Ki 18:42 - Elijah went up to the top of Carmel // Put his face between his knees

Elijah went up to the top of Carmel where he might secretly and ardently pour out his prayers unto God; and whence he might look towards the sea, and discern when the rain was coming.

Put his face between his knees he either sat, or rather kneeled upon his knees, and then cast down his face to the ground between his knees; either in token of profound reverence and humility, or out of fervency of spirit, which oft disposeth men to uncouth gestures, which at other times, or in other men, would be ridiculous; but in them, and in that case, are usual and allowed: or, that turning away his eyes from all outward objects, he might be more intent and earnest upon his work, or pray to God without distraction.

Haydock: 1Ki 18:42 - Knees

Knees, in fervent and humble prayer. God made his servant wait some time before he granted his request, that he might not give way to vanity. The people were not present, so that there was no danger of their being scandalized. (Menochius)

Gill: 1Ki 18:42 - So Ahab went up to eat and to drink // and Elijah went up to the top of Carmel // and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink,.... Up to his chariot, as some think, or rather to some place higher than that in which he now was:

and Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; higher still, where he both might be alone, and have the opportunity of observing the clouds gathering, and the rain coming:

and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees; expressive of his humility, and of his earnestness, and vehement desire, and continued importunity, that rain might fall; for this was a posture of prayer he put himself into, and continued in; and it is certain that it was through his prayer that rain came, Jam 5:18 and from hence came the fable of the Grecians concerning Aeacus praying for rain in a time of drought, when it came ^h. So the Chinese writers ⁱ report that at the prayers of their emperor Tangus, after a seven years' drought, great rains fell.