1 Kings 18:21-24

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 18:21

And Elijah came unto all the people ,.... Assembled at Mount Carmel: and said, how long halt ye between two opinions ? sometimes inclining to the one, and sometimes to the other: as a lame man in walking, his body moves sometimes to one side, and sometimes to another; or "leap ye upon two branches" F18 פסחים על שתי הסעפים "transilietis super duos ramoe, Malvenda; vos transilientes super ambos ramos", Piscator. , like a bird that leaps or hops from one branch to another, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:22

Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only remain a prophet of the Lord ,.... At least as he thought, all the rest being slain, as he supposed; however there were none present but himself: but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men ; which were very great odds he had to contend with. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:23

Let them therefore give us two bullocks ,.... Who, being so many, were better able to be at the expense of them, and having the king on their party too; though perhaps no more is meant than that two bullocks should be brought thither, and presented before them: and let them choose one bullock for themselves ; which of the two they would, if they thought one was any ways preferable to the other, it was at their option to take it: and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood ; as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:24

And call ye on the name of your gods ,.... The Baalim, the many lords and gods they served: and I will call on the name of the Lord ; the one true Jehovah and God of Israel, whom I serve: and the God that answereth by fire ; by causing fire to come down upon the sacrifice, and consume it: let him be God ; accounted, owned, and acknowledged as the true God, and so afterwards worshipped as such: and all the people answered and said, it is well spoken ; they thought it a very... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:21

How long halt ye between two opinions ? - Literally, "How long hop ye about upon two boughs?" This is a metaphor taken from birds hopping about from bough to bough, not knowing on which to settle. Perhaps the idea of limping through lameness should not be overlooked. They were halt, they could not walk uprightly; they dreaded Jehovah, and therefore could not totally abandon him; they feared the king and queen, and therefore thought they must embrace the religion of the state.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:22

I only , remain a prophet of the Lord - That is, I am the only prophet of God present, and can have but the influence of an individual; while the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men! It appears that the queen's prophets, amounting to four hundred, were not at this great assembly; and these are they whom we meet with 1 Kings 22:6 , and whom the king consulted relative to the battle at Ramoth-gilead. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:24

The God that answereth by fire - Elijah gave them every advantage when he granted that the God who answered by fire should be acknowledged as the true God; for as the Baal who was worshipped here was incontestably Apollo, or the sun, he was therefore the god of fire, and had only to work in his own element. 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 18:19-21

Christ or Belial! Here is a curious phenomenon. A monarch, who had searched all kingdoms for a prophet that he might reek anger upon his life, now sought out and confronted by that prophet, and submitting to his orders to call an assembly of the nation! How God can turn about the hearts of princes! Conspicuous in this vast concourse are the idolatrous priests with gnashing teeth. Elijah stands alone undaunted, a witness for Jehovah, and, appealing to the multitude, he accuses them of... read more

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