Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Kings 18
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
1 Kings 18
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
1 Kings 18
"And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Is it thou, thou troubler of Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father`s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of Jehovah, and thou hast followed the Baalim." — 1 Kings 18:17-18 (ASV)
It is the way of people to cast the blame for their trouble not on their sin and on themselves, but on those who have warned them. Note Elijah's holy boldness. I have not troubled Israel, but you.
"Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel`s table." — 1 Kings 18:19 (ASV)
He knew how many there were of them. The man's heart was so engaged in this battle for God against idols, that he had counted all his adversaries.
"So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." — 1 Kings 18:20-21 (ASV)
So undecided were they – perhaps so cowed by the presence of that brave man who feared none, but only feared God.
"Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Jehovah; but Baal`s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under. And call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Jehovah; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken." — 1 Kings 18:22-24 (ASV)
And the Baalite priests could not refuse the challenge. For they worshipped the sun-god – the god of fire; and if he could not answer the sun-worshippers, he must be no God at all.
"And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under. 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 18:25-26 (ASV)
And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 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.
Which was Baal's own high time, for then the sun would be at its zenith – from morning, even unto noon.
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