John Gill Commentary James 5:18

"And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." — James 5:18 (ASV)

And he prayed again
(1 Kings 18:42 1 Kings 18:43) . Here also is no express mention of his prayer, but it may be concluded from his gestures; and so the Jewish interpreters understand these words, "Elijah went up to the top of Carmel", (llpthl) , "to pray, and he cast himself down upon the earth", (Mymvgh le llpthl) , "to pray for rain; and he put his face between his knees", (llpthw) , "and prayed, and said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea"; and this he said while he was (wtlyptb) , "in his prayers" ^F9 : and the effect of this his prayer was,

and the heaven gave rain ;
see (1 Kings 18:45) .

And the earth brought forth her fruit :
which for the years past it has not; hence there was a sore famine in the land, (1 Kings 18:2) . Now the apostle chose to give this example, because it was a common thing for the Jews to ask for rain: we often read of such a doctor, that he prayed for rain, and it came; and of another, that he asked for the rains, and they descended ^F11 :

And his view is to observe, that the weakness and infirmities of the saints ought not to discourage them from prayer; and that they should be earnest and fervent in it, as was Elias, a man of like passions with themselves.

---

FOOTNOTES:

• F9: Jarchi, Kimchi, Ralbag, & Laniado in loc.
• F11: T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 28. 1. & Taanith, fol. 19. 1. 23. 1. 24. 2. 25. 2. & Yoma, fol. 53. 2.