1 Kings 18:27

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 18:27

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:21-40

Israel's Conversion. It has been remarked elsewhere that in the history of the Israelitish people we may see pourtrayed the trials and experiences of a Christian soul. And not only is that true of this history as a whole, but it also holds good of various periods of that history, of various crises in the nation's life. It holds good of that great crisis recorded in this chapter. For from the conversion of Israel on the day of Carmel, we may gather some lessons as to the true doctrine of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:21-40

The God that answereth by fire. I. ISRAEL 'S SIN ( 1 Kings 18:21 ). 1 . Its nature : indecision, a want of whole-hearted devotion; "How long halt ye?" etc. They tried to combine both worships, bowing before Jehovah in secret, and publicly before Baal in the assemblies commanded by the court. There are two who contend today for our devotion and service—the world and God ( 1 John 2:15 ). The world has its rewards and demands; God has His. 2 . Its folly . Both cannot... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:25-29

The Failure. When the appeal of Elijah to the people had gained their applause, he had the prophets of Baal at his command. The test he had proposed was so fair that they could not reasonably object to it, and the voice of the people rendered it impossible for them to evade the trial. The prophet of the Lord accordingly pressed the matter home upon his adversaries in the words of the text. They were obliged to proceed to the trial which ended in their discomfiture. I. THEIR PRAYER ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:27

And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked [or deceived ] them, and said, Cry aloud [Heb. with a great voice ]: for he is a god [ i.e; in your estimation. "Here is one of the few examples of irony in Scripture" (Wordsworth)]; either he is talking [the marg. he meditateth is preferable. Cf. 1 Samuel 1:16 ; Psalms 142:3 . But the word has both meanings (see 2 Kings 9:11 ), fairly preserved in the LXX ; ἀδολεσχία αὐτῷ ἐστι ] , or he is pursuing [Heb.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:27

The object of Elijah’s irony was two-fold;(1) to stimulate the priests to greater exertions, and so to make their failure more complete, and(2) to suggest to the people that such failure would prove absolutely that Baal was no God.The force of the expressions seems to be, “Cry on, only cry louder, and then you will make him hear, for surely he is a god; surely you are not mistaken in so regarding him.” He is “talking,” or “meditating;” the word used has both senses, for the Hebrews regarded... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:27

1 Kings 18:27. And it came to pass at noon When they had long tried all means in vain. Elijah mocked them He derided them and their god, that he might awaken them out of their stupidity, and expose them to all the bystanders as deceivers of the people, in leading them to worship such senseless and contemptible things. Cry aloud, for he is a god As you suppose: but what a god, who cannot be made to hear without all this clamour! Either he is talking Or meditating, as the Hebrew is,... read more

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