1 Kings 18:23

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

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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Kings 18:1-46

2. Elijah on Carmel: The Answered Prayer CHAPTER 18 1. The command to see Ahab (1 Kings 18:1 ) 2. Elijah’s response (1 Kings 18:2 ) 3. Ahab and Obadiah (1 Kings 18:3-6 ) 4. Elijah and Obadiah (1 Kings 18:7-15 ) 5. Elijah meets Ahab (1 Kings 18:16-18 ) 6. Elijah’s demand (1 Kings 18:19-20 ) 7. The events on Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40 ) 8. The answered prayer (1 Kings 18:41-46 ) The judgment of God as announced by Elijah continued its allotted time. A Greek historian, Menander of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:1-46

ELIJAH'S RETURN TO FACE AHAB (vs.1-20) The famine lasted three and a half years (James 5:17), the same length of time the Great Tribulation will last. But the rain would not be sent until Elijah gave the word. The Lord then sent Elijah to present himself to Ahab (v.1). Meanwhile Ahab was desperately occupied with finding some means to relieve the results of the famine. Obadiah was a prominent man in charge of Ahab's affairs. In contrast to Ahab, he feared the Lord greatly, so that it was... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

ELIJAH AND AHAB ELIJAH IN HIDING (1 Kings 17:1-24 ) Nothing is known of Elijah’s previous history, not even why he is called the Tishbite (1 Kings 17:1 ) except, as suggested in the Septuagint translation, that the town of Tishbeh is meant, which was in the Gilead region east of the Jordan. A comparison of Deuteronomy 11:16-17 shows that the judgment he announces (1 Kings 17:1 ) was threatened by Jehovah for such iniquity as that now prevailing; but of course the divine impulse must have... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Kings 18:17-40

Elijah's Challenge 1Ki 18:17-40 We have said that Ahab was a speculative idolater rather than a cruel persecutor. Jezebel acted the part of cruelty; Ahab acted the part of unbeliever and spiritual rebel generally. A proof of the probable correctness of this view is found in the incident before us. When Ahab met Elijah he did not show a spirit of cruelty. He said unto the prophet, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? He did not threaten him with the sword; he did not demand his immediate... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Kings 18:22-24

(22) Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. (23) Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: (24) And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:21-40

21-40 Many of the people wavered in their judgment, and varied in their practice. Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent, supreme God, the Creator, Governor, and Judge of the world, and to follow him alone. It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin, the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts. If Jesus be the only Saviour, let us cleave to him alone for every thing; if the Bible be the world of God, let us... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Kings 18:21-46

Elijah Slays the Prophets of Baal v. 21. And Elijah came unto all the people, as they were assembled in a convenient place on the southeastern slopes of Mount Carmel, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions, being of a double mind, trying to harmonize the worship of Jehovah and that of Baal? If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him. This same argument is applicable to the unionistic tendencies of our day, no matter in what connection they crop out, for all such... read more

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