1 Kings 18:26-29 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 18:21-40

Ahab and the people expected that Elijah would, in this solemn assembly, bless the land, and pray for rain; but he had other work to do first. The people must be brought to repent and reform, and then they may look for the removal of the judgment, but not till then. This is the right method. God will first prepare our heart, and then cause his ear to hear, will first turn us to him, and then turn to us, Ps. 10:17; 80:3. Deserters must not look for God's favour till they return to their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:26

And they took the bullock which was given them ,.... By such of them as made the choice: and they dressed it ; slew it, and cut it in pieces, and laid it on the wood, but put no fire under it: and called on the name of Baal, from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us ; and send fire down on the sacrifice; and if the sun was their Baal, they might hope, as the heat he gradually diffused was at its height at noon, that some flashes of fire would proceed from it to consume... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:27

And it came to pass at noon ,.... When they had been from the time of the morning sacrifice until now invoking their deity to no purpose: that Elijah mocked them ; he jeered and bantered them: and said, cry aloud ; your god does not hear you; perhaps, if you raise your voice higher, he may; for he is a god ; according to your esteem of him, and, if so, he surely may hear you: unless either he is talking ; with others about matters of moment and importance, who are waiting on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:28

And they cried aloud ,.... Trying to make him hear, if possible: and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them ; so the priests of Heathen deities used to slash themselves on their shoulders, arms, and thighs, in their devotions to them, as many writers observe F26 Vid. Kipping. Antiqu. Roman. l. 1. c. 10. p. 202. , fancying their gods were delighted with human blood; particularly the priests of Bellona F1 Tertul Apolog. c.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:29

And it came to pass when midday was past ,.... And nothing done, no fire descended: and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice ; continued praying to Baal, and singing his praises, but all to no purpose; or they behaved like madmen, as the Targum; thus they went on until it was time to offer the evening sacrifice; so that they had no interruption in their service, and had all the time they could desire to have to importune their god to do the favour for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:26

From morning even until noon - It seems that the priests of Baal employed the whole day in their desperate rites. The time is divided into two periods: From morning until noon; this was employed in preparing and offering the sacrifice, and in earnest supplication for the celestial fire. Still there was no answer, and at noon Elijah began to mock and ridicule them, and this excited them to commence anew. And, They continued from noon till the time of offering the evening... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:27

At noon - Elijah mocked them - Had not Elijah been conscious of the Divine protection, he certainly would not have used such freedom of speech while encompassed by his enemies. Cry aloud - Make a great noise; oblige him by your vociferations to attend to your suit. For he is a god - הוא אלהים כי ki Elohim hu , he is the supreme God, you worship him as such, he must needs be such, and no doubt jealous of his own honor and the credit of his votaries! A strong... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:28

They cried aloud - The poor fools acted as they were bidden. And cut themselves after their manner - This was done according to the rites of that barbarous religion; if the blood of the bullock would not move him they thought their own blood might; and with it they smeared themselves and their sacrifice. This was not only the custom of the idolatrous Israelites, but of the Syrians, Persians, Greeks, Indians, and in short of all the heathen world. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:29

They prophesied - They made incessant prayer and supplication; a farther proof that to pray or supplicate is the proper ideal meaning of the word נבא naba , which we constantly translate to prophesy, when even all the circumstances of the time and place are against such a meaning. See what is said on the case of Saul among the prophets, in the note on 1 Samuel 10:5 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal. Elijah is now prepared for his work. He who had sent him into the desert now commands him to enter into open conflict with idolatry. God makes His will known to him in two ways. I. BY AN INWARD IMPULSE . II. THROUGH HIS MEETING WITH THE YOUNG OBADIAH , the protector of the prophets, and the faithful servant of God in the midst of the impure court of Ahab. Let it be ours to seek such a twofold assurance of the will of God. Let... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 18:21-40

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:29

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:27

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:28

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:29

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

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