In this gracious act of God's messenger shown to a wicked king is a lesson for all who claim to be servants of God, but who are exalted in their own estimation. There are those who feel above performing duties that to them appear menial. They hesitate to perform even needful service, fearing that they will be found doing the work of a servant. These have much to learn from the example of Elijah. By his word the treasures of heaven had been for three years withheld from the earth; he had been signally honored of God as, in answer to his prayer on Carmel, fire had flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice; his 159 hand had executed the judgment of God in slaying the idolatrous prophets; his petition for rain had been granted. And yet, after the signal triumphs with which God had been pleased to honor his public ministry, he was willing to perform the service of a menial.

Den venlighed, som Guds tjener her viste den ond konge, indeholder en lærdom til alle dem, der hævder, at de er Guds tjenere, men har høje tanker om sig selv. Der findes mennesker, som føler sig for fine til at udføre visse pligter, fordi de anser det for at være under deres værdighed. De vægrer sig endog ved at udføre nyttigt arbejde, fordi de er bange for at gøre en tjeners gerning. Sådanne personer kan lære meget af Elias. På hans ord var Himmelens velsignelser blevet holdt tilbage i tre år. Gud viste ham en stor ære, da han besvarede hans bøn på Karmel og sendte ild fra himmelen for at fortære brændofferet. Gud benyttede ham som et redskab til at fuldbyrde Himmelens dom, da afgudspræsterne blev dræbt. Hans bøn om regn blev opfyldt. Men selv da Gud havde kronet hans arbejde med disse store sejre, indtog han villigt en træls plads.