1 Kings · chapter 18 of 22
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1 Kings 18 tells how, in the third year of drought, Elijah appears before Ahab and gathers Israel and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal call out in vain from morning, but when Elijah prays, fire falls from the Lord and the people acknowledge that the Lord is God. Elijah has the prophets of Baal put to death, prays for rain, and the sky opens.
This is one of the best-known chapters of the Old Testament. After three years of drought, the showdown on Carmel decides whom Israel will worship and tests Baal's claim to be the god of rain and fire. It is a scene of decision that calls the people to stop wavering.
In the third year of the drought, the famine is severe in Samaria. Ahab calls Obadiah, the manager of his household, who feared the Lord greatly and had hidden a hundred prophets from Jezebel, and together they travel the land looking for grass. Elijah meets Obadiah and asks him to tell Ahab. Obadiah fears for his life, but Elijah swears that he will present himself. When Ahab sees him, he calls him the troubler of Israel, and Elijah answers that the troubler is Ahab, for abandoning the Lord's commands and following the Baals.
Elijah orders all Israel and the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal gathered on Mount Carmel. He asks the people how long they will waver between two opinions: if the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him. He proposes that each side prepare a bull and place it on wood without lighting a fire, and that the god who answers with fire be recognized as God. The prophets of Baal call from morning until noon and cut themselves, with no answer; Elijah mocks them.
At the time of the offering, Elijah repairs the altar of the Lord with twelve stones, digs a trench, places the bull on the wood and has everything drenched with water three times. He prays briefly that it be known the Lord is God in Israel. Fire from the Lord falls and consumes the burnt offering, the wood, the stones and the water. The people fall on their faces and say the Lord is God. Elijah has the prophets of Baal killed at the brook Kishon.
Elijah tells Ahab to go up and eat and drink, because there is the sound of heavy rain. Elijah climbs to the top of Carmel, bows down and prays seven times. At the seventh, his servant sees a little cloud like a man's hand. Elijah sends word to Ahab to hurry. Soon the sky grows black, heavy rain comes, Ahab rides in his chariot, and the hand of the Lord is on Elijah, who runs ahead of the chariot to Jezreel.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Elijah asks the people how long they will go limping between two opinions and tells them to follow the Lord if he is God, or Baal if he is. The people do not answer: it is the sin of dividing the heart between God and other gods.
Elijah prays simply that it be known the Lord is God in Israel and that he is his servant, and that the people's hearts be turned back. His prayer is short and seeks no fame but the people's return to the Lord.
Fire from the Lord falls and consumes the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, the dust and the water; the people fall prostrate and acknowledge that the Lord is God. The God Baal claimed to replace shows his power in the very domain attributed to Baal.
After seven prayers, Elijah's servant sees a little cloud the size of a man's hand rising from the sea. Elijah takes it as the sign of rain and acts in faith before the storm is seen.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: The manager of Ahab's household, who hid a hundred prophets in caves from Jezebel's persecution. — 1 Kings 18:3-4
Answer: How long they would waver between two opinions: if the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him. — 1 Kings 18:21
Answer: That each side prepare a bull on wood without fire, and the god who answered with fire would be the true God. — 1 Kings 18:23-24
Answer: They called from morning, danced and cut themselves, but no one answered. — 1 Kings 18:26-29
Answer: Twelve, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob. — 1 Kings 18:31
Answer: They fell on their faces and said the Lord is God. — 1 Kings 18:39
Elijah's question is still relevant: how long will we waver? Often we give the Lord part of the heart and reserve another part for what gives us security or success. In a small group, talk about what competes with God for your loyalty and what concrete step of decision you need to take.
The chapter also highlights Elijah's prayer: simple, confident and centered on God's glory. And then his perseverance, praying seven times until he sees the cloud. Ask yourselves what request you need to keep praying with faith, and how to watch for the small signs that God is answering.
1 Kings 18 ends with the rain returning and Elijah running ahead of Ahab's chariot. In 1 Kings 19, Jezebel's threat makes him flee, and the same prophet who triumphed on Carmel finds himself exhausted and discouraged.
The text does not explain, but Carmel was a mountain facing the sea, at the edge of the territory of Tyre and Sidon, where Baal was worshiped. Choosing that place showed that the Lord does not fear to confront Baal on his own ground.
With twelve jars of water poured on the sacrifice and wood, and the trench filled, there was no doubt that the fire was not a trick or an accidental spark. With everything drenched, the fire consumed even the water, and the answer was plain to all.
The text presents the act as fulfilling the law that commanded the removal of prophets who incited the people to follow other gods. It is a hard episode that belongs to the history of Israel under the covenant, and not a model for the believer's conduct today, who is to love and pray for enemies.