1 Kings 18:31-32 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 18:31

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob ,.... Which he might very easily come at from the mountain: unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name , which signifies one that has power with God, as Jacob had, when the word came to him to make a change in his name at Penuel, Genesis 32:28 , and as Elijah hoped and believed he should have at this time, being a prophet, and a worshipper of Israel's God. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:32

And with the stones he built an altar in the same of the Lord ,.... Whom the twelve tribes had formerly worshipped; and though now divided in their civil state, yet ought to be united in the worship of God: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed ; or two seahs, one of which was the third part of an ephah, and two of them were more than half a bushel; and this trench or ditch round the altar was as broad as such a measure of seed would sow. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:31

Took twelve stones - He did this to show that all the twelve tribes of Israel should be joined in the worship of Jehovah. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:32

He made a trench - This was to detain the water that might fall down from the altar when the barrels should be poured upon it, 1 Kings 18:35 . 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 18:30-35

The Prepatation. As the time of the evening sacrifice approached, Elijah left the priests of Baal prophesying in despair. Satan, if permitted, could have brought fire down (see Job 1:12 , Job 1:16 ; Revelation 13:13 , Revelation 13:14 ); but God restrained him. The people were now convinced that Baal was not able to hear his priests; so they drew round Elijah, and observed the order in which he proceeded with his preparation. I. HE REPAIRED THE ALTAR OF THE LORD .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:31

And Elijah took twelve stones [This number, too, was full of significance. Not only would it carry back their thoughts to the giving of the law ( Exodus 24:4 ; Exodus 28:21 ), and to their fathers' entrance into the promised land ( Joshua 4:3 , Joshua 4:9 ), but it would remind them of the essential unity of the people, notwithstanding the division of the kingdom. The act was thus a protest against the schism. We cannot hold with Keil, Wordsworth, al . that it was "a practical... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:31

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:32

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 18:30-35

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:31

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