9 And he cometh in there, unto the cave, and lodgeth there, and lo, the word of Jehovah 'is' unto him, and saith to him, 'What—to thee, here, Elijah?' 10 And he saith, 'I have been very zealous for Jehovah, God of Hosts, for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant—Thine altars they have thrown down, and Thy prophets they have slain by the sword, and I am left, I, by myself, and they seek my life—to take it.' 11 And He saith, 'Go out, and thou hast stood in the mount before Jehovah.' And lo, Jehovah is passing by, and a wind—great and strong—is rending mountains, and shivering rocks before Jehovah:—not in the wind 'is' Jehovah; and after the wind a shaking:—not in the shaking 'is' Jehovah; 12 and after the shaking a fire:—not in the fire 'is' Jehovah; and after the fire a voice still small; 13 and it cometh to pass, at Elijah's hearing 'it', that he wrappeth his face in his robe, and goeth out, and standeth at the opening of the cave, and lo, unto him 'is' a voice, and it saith, 'What—to thee, here, Elijah?'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 19:9-13
Commentary on 1 Kings 19:9-13
(Read 1 Kings 19:9-13)
The question God put, What doest thou here, Elijah? is a reproof. It concerns us often to ask whether we are in our place, and in the way of our duty. Am I where I should be? whither God calls me, where my business lies, and where I may be useful? He complained of the people, and their obstinacy in sin; I only am left. Despair of success hinders many a good enterprise. Did Elijah come hither to meet with God? he shall find that God will meet him. The wind, and earthquake, and fire, did not make him cover his face, but the still voice did. Gracious souls are more affected by the tender mercies of the Lord, than by his terrors. The mild voice of Him who speaks from the cross, or the mercy-seat, is accompanied with peculiar power in taking possession of the heart.