ELIJAH

ELIJAH, who is sometimes denominated Elias, was one of the most distinguished of the Jewish prophets, and furnished the Tifbbite, probably from the district in which he was born. He began his prophetic office about 920 years before Christ, in the reign of wicked Ahab, by whom the Sidonian idolatry was introduced among the Israelites. The prophet was commissioned to appear before this impious prince, and threaten the country with a long drought as a punishment for his crimes. The indignation of Ahab was so great against the prophet for this prediction, that he resolved to punish him in a signal manner; but Elijah withdrew to