1 Kings 18:38 ESV

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 18:38

Then the fire of the Lord fell ,.... An extraordinary fire from God out of heaven, as the effects of it show: and consumed the burnt sacrifice ; as it had done in former instances, Leviticus 9:24 , and besides this, which is still more extraordinary, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust ; of the altar, thereby signifying that even such were not to be used any more: and licked up the water that was in the trench ; around the altar, see 1 Kings 18:32 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:38

Then the fire of the Lord fell - It did not burst out from the altar; this might still, notwithstanding the water, have afforded some ground for suspicion that fire had been concealed, after the manner of the heathens, under the altar. Pindar's account of the Rhodians' settling is the isle of Rhodes, and their first sacrifice there, bears a near affinity to the account here given: the shower of gold descending on the sacrifice offered up without fire, to show the approbation of... 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 18:36-40

The Triumph. While Elijah completed his preparations for offering up his sacrifice, the prophets of Baal, who had failed to vindicate their religion, were hoping that the servant of Jehovah likewise might fail. It was matter of history that Jehovah had answered by fire. (See Genesis 4:5 ; Le Genesis 9:24 ; 6:21 ; 1 Chronicles 21:26 .) About a century before this that fire came from heaven which was still kept burning upon the altar at Jerusalem ( 2 Chronicles 7:1 ). But Carmel is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:38

Then the fire of the Lord [ Jehovah . Not lightning, but supernatural light and heat emanating from God Himself. Cf. Le 1 Kings 9:24 ; 1 Chronicles 21:26 ; 2 Chronicles 7:1 ; Hebrews 12:29 ] fell, and consumed [Heb. ate up, devoured ] the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones [ in calcem redigit, Cler.], and the dust [Bähr translates die Erde, and understands this to be the earth with which the altar of twelve stones had been packed. Similarly Rawlinson. But... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:38

The fire of the Lord fell - This cannot have been a flash of lightning. It was altogether, in its nature as well as in its opportuneness, miraculous. Compare the marginal references for the conduct of the people. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:38

1 Kings 18:38. The fire of the Lord fell And not only, as at other times, (see the margin,) consumed the sacrifice and the wood, in token of God’s acceptance of the offering, but licked up all the water that was in the trench, exhaling and drawing it up as a vapour, to descend (with other water, to be raised from the adjoining sea) in the intended rain, which was to be the fruit of this sacrifice and prayer, more than the product of natural causes. And this was not all. To complete the... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:38

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 18:36-40

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:38

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:38

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:38

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