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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:33

And he put the wood in order ... - He obeyed, that is, all the injunctions of the Law with respect to the offering of a burned sacrifice (marginal reference). He thus publicly taught that the ordinances of the Law were binding upon the kingdom of Israel.Barrels - Rather, “pitchers” or “water-jars,” such as the maidens used to carry on their heads (Genesis 24:14-20. Compare Judges 7:16, Judges 7:19). The flooding the sacrifice and the trench with water would at once do away with any suspicion of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:32-33

1 Kings 18:32-33. With the stones he built an altar With the assistance of the people, who now readily yielded their helping hands. In the name of the Lord By the authority of God and for his worship. He made a trench, as great as would contain two measures of seed As capacious, say some, as a sack that would contain that quantity, namely, two third parts of an ephah. Others understand the words as meaning a trench of sufficient breadth and circuit to sow therein that quantity of seed,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

Elijah and the prophets of Baal (18:1-46)After three years unbroken drought, God told Elijah that the time had come to make Ahab and Israel decide clearly whether they would follow him or Baal (18:1-2). Ahab was concerned about the effect of the drought on Israel’s trade and defence (for he was in danger of losing his valuable transport animals), but he was not so concerned about the religious condition of the country. He still tried to serve both God and Baal. While his queen attacked God’s... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 18:33

water. See note on 1 Kings 18:19 . the wood. Septuagint adds "and they did so". read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:33

1 Kings 18:33. Fill four barrels with water, &c.— The prophet did this to make the miracle more conspicuous and convincing, to shew that there was no fallacy in it, no fire concealed in or about the altar; but that the lightning, which was to consume the sacrifice, came from heaven, and at his invocation; and so Josephus tells us, that Elijah invited the people to draw near, that they might search and spy every where, if they could find any fire secretly conveyed under the altar. Antiq.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 18:17-40

The vindication of Yahweh 18:17-40Ahab had a problem of perception similar to Obadiah’s (1 Kings 18:17; cf. 1 Kings 18:7). The real source of Israel’s troubles was Ahab and Omri’s disregard of the Mosaic Covenant and their preference for idolatry (Deuteronomy 6:5)."This was a crime against the state worthy of death (like that of Achan, Joshua 6:18; Joshua 7:25; and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14:24-29)." [Note: Wiseman, p. 168.] Probably hundreds, if not thousands of people, gathered since Elijah... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:1-46

Jehovah or Baal?1. In the third year] in Luke 4:2-5; James 5:17 the duration of the famine is given as 3 years and 6 months. 3. The governor of his house] The same office as that alluded to in 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 16:9. Feared the Lord greatly] His name (’Servant of Jehovah’) was a true index of his character. 4. Cut off the prophets] Nothing is related of this beyond what is implied in 1 Kings 19:10. 12. The Spirit.. thee] cp. 2 Kings 2:16: the prophet’s movements being directed toward... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Kings 18:33

(33) Fill four barrels—or pitchers. The filling of these at the time of drought has naturally excited speculation. A ready surmise, by those unacquainted with the country, was that the water was taken from the sea flowing at the base of Carmel; but a glance at the position and the height of the mountain puts this not unnatural surmise out of the question, as difficult, if not impossible. Examination of the locality has discovered a perennial spring in the neighbourhood of the traditional scene... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Kings 18:1-46

Obadiah A Palm in the Desert 1 Kings 18:3 The name Obadiah means 'servant of Jehovah,' and it will appear that his life and character answer to his sacred name. I. Obadiah is an Example of Early Piety. 'But I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth' was his meek avowal to Elijah, the stern Tishbite, as he confronted him in the way. It was a splendid thing to say. Yet a man who so speaks assumes an immense responsibility. I wish each youthful reader would take the words 'my youth' and ponder... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:20-40

ELIJAH ON MOUNT CARMEL1 Kings 18:20-40"O for a sculptor’s hand, That thou might’st take thy stand, Thy wild hair floating in the eastern breeze!"- KEBLEIT never occurred to Ahab to refuse the challenge, or to arrest the hated messenger. The hermit and the dervish are sacrosanct; they stand before kings and are not ashamed. Having nothing to desire, they have nothing to fear. So Antony stalked into the streets of Alexandria to denounce its prefect; so Athanasius fearlessly seized the bridle of... read more

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