1 Kings 18:28 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 18:28

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

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

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 18:28

And they cried aloud [Heb. in a great voice, as above. It was not that they took Elijah's words au serieux, but his scorn led them to redouble their efforts, if only to testify their faith in their god. The frantic cries of the Greek Easter in Jerusalem, the prayers of the pilgrims for the descent of the holy fire, may help us to realize the scene here described], and cut themselves [cf. Deuteronomy 14:1 ; Jeremiah 16:6 ; Jeremiah 41:5 ; Jeremiah 47:5 ] after their manner ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:28

Elijah’s scorn roused the Baal-priests to greater exertions. At length, when the frenzy had reached its height, knives were drawn, and the blood spirted forth from hundreds of self-inflicted wounds, while an ecstasy of enthusiasm seized many, and they poured forth incoherent phrases, or perhaps an unintelligible jargon, which was believed to come from divine inspiration, and constituted one of their modes of prophecy.The practice of inflicting gashes on their limbs, in their religious... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:28

1 Kings 18:28. They cried aloud They were so far from being convinced and put to shame by the just reproach which Elijah cast upon them, that it made them the more earnest and violent in their proceedings, and induced them to act more ridiculously. A deceived heart having turned them aside, they could not deliver their souls by inquiring, Is there not a lie in our right hand? And cut themselves after their manner, &c. Observe their zeal! They mingled their own blood with their... read more

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:21-40

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:21-40

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:25-29

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:28

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:28

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:28

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