Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 18:26

"And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made." — 1 Kings 18:26 (ASV)

O Baal, hear us. — This repeated cry—the ever-recurring burden of the prayer, uttered probably first in measured chant, afterwards in a wild excited cry—stands in an instructive contrast (which has been splendidly emphasized in Mendelssohn’s music) with the simple, earnest solemnity of the prayer of Elijah. It has been obvious to see in it an illustration of our Lord’s condemnation of the worship of the heathen, who think that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 6:7). There is a grave irony in the notice of the blank silence which followed this frenzied cry. There was no voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

They leaped upon — properly, leaped up and down at the altar, in one of those wild dances, at once expressing and stimulating frenzy, in which Eastern religions delight, even to this day.