21 And Elijah H452 came H5066 unto all the people, H5971 and said, H559 How long H5921 halt H6452 ye between two H8147 opinions? H5587 if the LORD H3068 be God, H430 follow him: but if Baal, H1168 then follow H3212 H310 him. And the people H5971 answered H6030 him not a word. H1697
22 Then said H559 Elijah H452 unto the people, H5971 I, even I only, remain H3498 a prophet H5030 of the LORD; H3068 but Baal's H1168 prophets H5030 are four H702 hundred H3967 and fifty H2572 men. H376
23 Let them therefore give H5414 us two H8147 bullocks; H6499 and let them choose H977 one H259 bullock H6499 for themselves, and cut it in pieces, H5408 and lay H7760 it on wood, H6086 and put H7760 no fire H784 under: and I will dress H6213 the other H259 bullock, H6499 and lay H5414 it on wood, H6086 and put H7760 no fire H784 under:
24 And call H7121 ye on the name H8034 of your gods, H430 and I will call H7121 on the name H8034 of the LORD: H3068 and the God H430 that answereth H6030 by fire, H784 let him be God. H430 And all the people H5971 answered H6030 and said, H559 It is well H2896 spoken. H1697
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Kings 18
Commentary on 1 Kings 18 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 18
We left the prophet Elijah wrapt up in obscurity. It does not appear that either the increase of the provision or the raising of the child had caused him to be taken notice of at Zarephath, for then Ahab would have discovered him; he would rather do good than be known to do it. But in this chapter his appearance was as public as before his retirement was close; the days appointed for his concealment (which was part of the judgment upon Israel) being finished, he is now commanded to show himself to Ahab, and to expect rain upon the earth (v. 1). Pursuant to this order we have here,
It is a chapter in which are many things very observable.
1Ki 18:1-16
In these verses we find,
1Ki 18:17-20
We have here the meeting between Ahab and Elijah, as bad a king as ever the world was plagued with and as good a prophet as ever the church was blessed with.
1Ki 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 allegiance. Elijah might have looked for rain seventy times seven times, and not have seen it, if he had not thus begun his work at the right end. Three years and a half's famine would not bring them back to God. Elijah would endeavour to convince their judgments, and no doubt it was by special warrant and direction from heaven that he put the controversy between God and Baal upon a public trial. It was great condescension in God that he would suffer so plain a case to be disputed, and would permit Baal to be a competitor with him; but thus God would have every mouth to be stopped and all flesh to become silent before him. God's cause is so incontestably just that it needs not fear to have the evidences of its equity searched into and weighed.
1Ki 18:41-46
Israel being thus far reformed that they had acknowledged the Lord to be God, and had consented to the execution of Baal's prophets, that they might not seduce them any more, though this was far short of a thorough reformation, yet it was so far accepted that God thereupon opened the bottles of heaven, and poured out blessings upon his land, that very evening (as it should seem) on which they did this good work, which should have confirmed them in their reformation; see Hag. 2:18, 19.