So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
Read it in contextElijah on Mount Carmel
Start reading at 1 Kings 18:16 (1 Kings 18:16 to 1 Kings 18:35).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
18:16So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
18:17And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18:18And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
18:19Now 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 groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
18:20So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
18:21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
18:22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
18:23Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
18:24And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
18:25And 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.
18:26And 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 upon the altar which was made.
18:27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
18:28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
18:29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
18:30And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
18:31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
18:32And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
18:33And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
18:34And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
18:35And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution. The history draws on earlier records, and its final compiler is not independently identifiable with certainty. Biblical references: 1 Kings 11:41; 1 Kings 14:19. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Kings 18:1–18:46): Elijah confronts Ahab, the gathered Israelites, and the prophets of Baal at Carmel; the people witness the contest and respond. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel and Judah's later community, especially readers confronting the history that led to exile. First and Second Kings originally form one continuous work. Biblical references: 1 Kings 9:6; 1 Kings 9:7; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Elijah on Mount Carmel. Read 1 Kings 18:16 through 1 Kings 18:35 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account begins in David's last days, follows Solomon's reign, and continues into the divided kingdoms and the ministries associated with Elijah. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Jerusalem and the temple are central early; later events move through Judah, the northern kingdom, and neighboring regions. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16 to 1 Kings 18:35).
Start reading at 1 Kings 18:16. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus refers to Solomon's wisdom while declaring that a greater than Solomon is present. The comparison directs attention to Jesus without endorsing Solomon's later unfaithfulness. See 1 Kings 11:4, Matthew 12:42. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Distinguish outward prosperity and impressive religious buildings from covenant faithfulness. Attend to the reasons the narrative gives for its evaluations of kings and prophets. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Kings 18
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Kings traces Solomon's reign and the divided kingdoms. Its evaluation of kings centers on faithfulness to the LORD. The book does not name its author. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
Connection to the wholeThe later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
Connection to the wholeThe later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Kings
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Kings traces Solomon's reign and the divided kingdoms. Its evaluation of kings centers on faithfulness to the LORD. The book does not name its author.
Connection to the wholeThe later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.