1 Kings 18

1. In the third year. This was the third year of Elijah’s residence at Zarephath, or the fourth of the famine, which lasted three years and six months: see Luke iv. 25; James v. 17.

2. Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. As Elijah had said to Ahab that the return of rain was to be according to the prophet’s word (xvii. 1), it was necessary that he should announce it to him, that it might not be regarded as a mere natural event, or as being brought about by the priests of Baal.

10 hath not sent to seek thee. Ahab had probably desired to get Elijah into his power, with the view either of inflicting vengeance upon him, or of endeavouring to compel him to procure the rain.

13 the Lord’s prophets. See note on 1 Sam. x. 5. 21 If Baal, then follow him. Though the people worshipped Baal, they had never formally renounced Jehovah; nor had they ceased to regard themselves as His people. They therefore “limped on both sides.” “The Lord” should here be “The Eternal.”

26 they leaped upon the altar. Rather, “they danced about the altar.”

27. Elijah mocked them. Ridicule is not a test of truth, but it may sometimes help to expose a mischievous absurdity.

either he is talking, etc. The heathen supposed that such things might happen to prevent the god hearing their prayers. Homer represents Thetis as waiting twelve days to ask a boon from Jupiter, when he should return from a journey (Iliad, i. 426).

28 they . . . cut themselves. Similar self-inflictions by heathen priests, on urgent occasions, are mentioned by Herodotus and Plutarch.

30. Come near. That the people might be satisfied that there was no deception, and become witnesses of what would follow, and prompt executors of the prophet’s commands.

31. Elijah took twelve stones. To impress upon the assembled multitude the essential unity of their nation, as God’s chosen people, and the proper unity of their worship.

33 he put the wood in order, etc. Elijah was not of the priestly race; but, as a prophet, he was acting under a special and direct commission from heaven: see 1 Sam. vii. 9.

Fill four barrels. By this means all suspicion of fraud was prevented.

36,37. In this prayer Elijah expresses the great design of all the miracles which he and other prophets had performed.

38 the fire of the Lord. A similar Divine interposition had occurred on the occasion of Aaron’s first sacrifice (Lev. ix. 24). As, in that instance, the Eternal solemnly accredited the institution of the Mosaic ritual, so here He sanctioned, in a similar manner, the prophet’s attempt to restore His worship in opposition to that of Baal. See also Ex. xix. 16; 1 Chron. xxi. 26; 2 Chron. vii. 1.

40 and slew them there. It is unnecessary to suppose that Elijah did this with his own hand; for assistants would be found among the people who had seized them. These idolatrous prophets, who had been clearly convicted of deceiving the nation, were condemned to death by the law (Deut. xiii. 5, 15, 16; xvii. 5).

42 his face between his knees. A posture expressive of the profoundest reverence.

43 look toward the sea. The summit of Mount Carmel commands a very extensive view of the Mediterranean Sea.

44 a little cloud. A small black cloud on the verge of the horizon is often the precursor of a violent storm.

46 the hand of the Lord. After his great exertions during a whole day, without time for food or rest, it would require that strength should be specially given to the prophet in order to keep pace with the king’s chariot.

ran before Ahab. This proof of Elijah’s humility and respect as a subject would be calculated to make a favourable impression on the king’s heart; and to convince him that the prophet, in his zeal against idolatry, had been actuated by no personal disrespect or ill-will towards himself, but only by a principle of obedience to God, and an anxious concern for his country’s good.