1 Kings 18:33 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 18:33

And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood ,.... Just in such manner as sacrifices usually were: and said, fill four barrels with water ; either from the brook Kishon, or, if that was dried up, from the sea; for both were near this mountain, and so to be had, though a time of drought: and pour it on the burnt sacrifice ; that which was intended to be one: and upon the wood : wherewith it was to be burnt, and so made unfit for it; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:33

Fill four barrels - This was done to prevent any kind of suspicion that there was fire concealed under the altar. An ancient writer under the name of Chrysostom, quoted by Calmet, says that he had seen under the altars of the heathens, holes dug in the earth with funnels proceeding from them, and communicating with openings on the tops of the altars. In the former the priests concealed fire, which, communicating through the funnels with the holes, set fire to the wood and consumed the... 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 18:33

And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood [Rawlinson says "He obeyed, that is, all the injunctions of the law with respect to the offering of a burnt sacrifice (see Le 1 Kings 1:3-9 ), and adds, "He thus publicly taught that all the ordinances of the law were binding on the kingdom of Israel." But it is very probable that the priests of Baal had done the same things. All sacrifice involved such manual acts. Cf. Genesis 22:9 , where the same... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:33

And he put the wood in order ... - He obeyed, that is, all the injunctions of the Law with respect to the offering of a burned sacrifice (marginal reference). He thus publicly taught that the ordinances of the Law were binding upon the kingdom of Israel.Barrels - Rather, “pitchers” or “water-jars,” such as the maidens used to carry on their heads (Genesis 24:14-20. Compare Judges 7:16, Judges 7:19). The flooding the sacrifice and the trench with water would at once do away with any suspicion of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:32-33

1 Kings 18:32-33. With the stones he built an altar With the assistance of the people, who now readily yielded their helping hands. In the name of the Lord By the authority of God and for his worship. He made a trench, as great as would contain two measures of seed As capacious, say some, as a sack that would contain that quantity, namely, two third parts of an ephah. Others understand the words as meaning a trench of sufficient breadth and circuit to sow therein that quantity of seed,... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:33

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:33

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 18:33

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:33

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:32-33

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