1 Kings 18

AND it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year Either, 1. From the time when he went to hide himself by the Brook Cerith; Six Months before which time the Famine might begin, though it was not yet come to extremity. And so this being in, or towards the end of the Third Year, it makes up these Three Years and Six Months, Iac. 5. 17. Or 2. From the time of his going to Sarepta, which probably was a Year after the Famine begun; See on Chap. 17. 7. and so this might be in the middle of the Third Year, which also makes up the Three Years and Six Months., saying, Go show thy self unto Ahab To acquaint him with the cause of Judgment, ver. 18. and to advise him to remove it, and upon that condition to promise him Rain., and I will send rain upon the earth According to thy Word and Prayer which thou shalt make for it. Thus God takes care to maintain the Honour and Authority of his Prophet, and in Judgment remembers Mercy to Israel for the sake of the Holy Seed yet left among them, who suffered in this common Calamity..

And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab Wherein he shows a strong Faith, and resolute Obedience, and invincible Courage, that he durst at God's Command run into the mouth of this raging Lion; which was a degree of Martyrdom. and there was a sore famine in Samaria.

And Ahab called Obadiah which was the governour of his house Being valued by Ahab for his great prudence and fidelity, and therefore indulged as to the worship of the Calves and Baal.: (now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly Quest. How could he and some other Israelites be said to fear the Lord, when they did not go up to Ierusalem to Worship, as God had Commanded? Ans. Although they seem not to be wholly excusable in this neglect, because they should have preferred Gods Service before their Worldly commodity, according to the good example of the Priests and Levites, and the generality of the Godly People who did so, 2 Chron. 11. 13, 16. yet because they Worshipped God in Spirit and Truth, and performed all Moral Duties to God and their Brethren, and abstained from Idolatry, and being kept from Ierusalem by violence, they thought necessity, and the apparent hazard of their Lives, would excuse them from Ceremonial Services; and God bare with their infirmity herein.:

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets Which name is not only given to such as are endowed with an extraordinary Spirit of Prophecy, but to such Ministers as Devoted themselves to the Service of God in Preaching, Praying, Praising God, and the like, as 1 Sam. 10. 10, 11, 12. and in this place compared with v. 22. where Elijah says, I only remain a prophet of the Lord, to wit, strictly so called; and Matth. 10. 41. 1 Cor. 12. 28, 29. and 14. 29., and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them With the hazard of his own life, and against the Kings command; as wisely considering, that no command of an Earthly Prince could over-rule the command of the Supreme Lord, the King of kings, or discharge him from those acts of Piety to God, and Charity to Men, which Gods Law indispensably required. with bread and water Either properly; which was a great kindness in those circumstances: or figuratively, i. e. with meat and drink.).

And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks About which, Grass was most probably to be found in that great drought.: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.

So they divided the land between them, to pass throughout it. Ahab went one way by himself Not daring to trust any other, Obadiah excepted, lest being bribed by such as had Grass for their own use, they should not give him a true account., and Obadiah went another way by himself.

¶ And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face By this profound reverence, showing his great Respect and Love to him., and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?

And he answered him, I am: go tell thy lord Ah...: whom, though a very wicked man, he owns for Obadiah's lord and King; thereby instructing him, that he did well in owning him as such; and that the wickedness of Kings does not exempt their Subjects from obedience to their Lawful commands., Behold, Elijah is here.

And he said, What have I sinned Wherein have I so offended God, and thee, that thou shouldest inflict this punishment upon me, and expose me to certain ruin by this means?, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?

As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom To wit, near to his own, where he could in reason think that Elijah had hid himself. Nothing is more frequent than to understand general expressions with such limitations., whither my lord has not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not Not that he could force other Kingdoms to take an Oath, but that by his persuasions he prevailed with the chief persons in several Kingdoms for his satisfaction to Swear that they did not know of Elijah's being among them. Which was not hard for him to obtain. For Ahab was a great Prince, and had a great interest among the Neighbouring Kings. The King of Tyre was his Father-in-law; the King of Moab Tributary to him; Iehoshaphat, his Friend and Relation, to whom the King of Edom was Tributary. We read also of all the kings of Arabia, and of all the Kings of the Hittites, and of Syria, 1 King. 10. 15, 29. which as they corresponded with Solomon, so how far they might be Allied to, or Confederate with Ahab, we know not; nor what Articles or Agreements were between him and them, among which this might be one, That they should deliver up to one another all their fugitive or banished Subjects upon demand; which might give sufficient ground for his desire or expectation of this Oath. Quest. How then could Elijah lye hid in the House of the Widow of Sarepta? Ans. That might easily be, either, because she her self, or at least others, did not know particularly who he was; or, because she used all possible care to conceal him, her Conscience and Interest both obliging her so to do; or because God secured him there..

And now thou sayest, Go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is there.

And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD The Holy Ghost, to whom the inspiration and conduct of the Prophets is commonly ascribed in Holy Scripture, as Isa. 48. 16. and 61. 1. Matth. 4. 1. Act. 16. 6, 7. who might do this either immediately by his own power, or by an Angel, or by a strong wind. shall carry thee whither I know not Such transportations of the Prophets having doubtless been usual before this time, as they were after it. See 2 King. 2. 16. Ezek. 3. 12, 14. Mat. 4. 1. Act. 8. 39.; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he will slay me Either as a cursed impostor that has deluded him with vain hopes: or rather, because I did not forthwith seize upon thee, and bring thee to him to receive punishment.: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth He speaks not these, nor the following words, in way of vain boasting; but only for his own necessary vindication and preservation, that he might move the Prophet to pity and spare him, and not put him upon that hazardous action; which yet he was resolved to do, if the Prophet peremptorily required it..

Was it not told my lord, what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD? how I hid an hundred men of the LORDS prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

And now thou sayest, Go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.

And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts The Lord of all the Creatures, which are called Gods hosts, Gen. 2. 1. Deut. 4. 19. Psal. 103. 21. and 148. 2. and are all subject to his Command. He mentions this Title as his Shield, under the Protection whereof he did, and durst venture to come into Ahab's presence. liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show my self unto him to day.

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

¶ And it came to pass when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel Have I at last met with thee, O thou great disturber of my Kingdom, the Author of this Famine, and of all our Disquiets and Calamities??

And he answered, I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy fathers house These Calamities are not to be imputed to my passions, but thine and thy Fathers wickedness, which God punisheth by this means. He answered him thus boldly, because he spoke and acted in Gods Name, and for his Honour and Service, whose Vassal Ahab was., in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

Now therefore send To wit, Messengers, that this controversy between thee and me may be decided, the true cause of these heavy Judgments discovered and removed, that so this Plague may be removed., and gather to me all Israel By their Deputies, or Heads, and Representatives, that they may be Witnesses of all our Transactions. unto mount Carmel Not that Carmel in Iudah, 1 Sam. 15. 12. but another in Issachar by the Midland-Sea, Ios. 19. 26. Ier. 46. 18. which he chose as a very convenient place, being not far from the Center of his Kingdom, to which all the Tribes might conveniently resort, and at some good distance from Samaria, that Iezebel might not hinder his design; and a very high Mountain, Amos 9. 3. and that upon the Sea, whence he might have the opportunity to discover the Rain at its first approach, which he did chap. 42, &c., and the prophets of Baal Which were dispersed in all the parts of the Kingdom. four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves Which attended upon those Baals or Idols which were worshipped in the Groves, which were near the Royal City, and much valued and frequented by the King and the Queen, 1 King. 15. 13. and 16. 33. 2 King. 13. 6. and therefore were maintained at the Queens Charges. four hundred, which eat at Jezebels table.

So Ahab He complied with Elijah's motion; partly, because it was so fair and reasonable, that he could not refuse it with honour, nor without the discontent of all his people, this being proposed in order to their deliverance from this terrible Famine; partly, because the urgency of the present distress made him willingto try all means to remove it; partly from a curiosity of seeing some extraordinary Events; and principally, because God inclined his heart to close with it. sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions Why do you not make straight paths with your Feet, as the Phrase is, Heb. 12. 13? Why do you walk so lamely and unevenly, being so unsteddy in your opinions and practises, and doubting whether it is better to Worship God or Baal?? If the LORD be God Whom you pretended to worship in the Calves, 2 King. 10. 16. 31. compare Exod. 32. 4., follow him Worship him, and him only, and that in such place and manner as he has commanded you, and not by the Calves.: but if Baal If Baal can prove himself to be the True God., then follow him: And the people answered him not a word Being convinced of the reasonableness of his proposition; taught by experience, that Iehovah had sent this Judgment, and that Baal could not remove it, which had staggereed them in their Opinion about Baal; yet not daring to disown Baal, for fear of the displeasure of the King, then present..

Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only remain To wit, here present, publickly to own and plead the cause of God; for he opposeth himself only to Baal's 450 Prophets, because they only were present; the Prophets of the Groves, being, it seems, not permitted by Iezabel (through her pride, or obstinacy, or care, and kindness to them) to go thither. See chap. 22. 6. As for the other Prophets of the Lord, many of them were slain by Ahab or Iezabel, others banished, or hid in Caves. a prophet of the LORD; but Baals prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

Let them therefore give us two bullocks He attempts the decition of this controversy; not by Gods word, which was either rejected, or despised, or grosly neglected, by the generality of that People; but by a Miracle, to which all that had common sense must needs submit., and let them choose one bullock for themselves Which they judge best and fittest for their purpose., 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:

And 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 i. e. That shall consume the Sacrifice by Fire sent from Heaven; which the People knew the True God used to do, as Genesis 4. 4. Iudges 6. 21. and 13. 20., let him be God. And all the people Even the Baalites themselves; partly, because they could not without great reproach to themselves and Baal, refuse so equal a motion; and partly, because they were confident of Baal's power and divinity, having probably had some experiments of supernatural and prodigious Events done in the worship of Baal by Gods Just and Wife permission, for the hardening of that Apostatical and wicked People in their Idolatry; as God has in several Ages for the like reason suffered lying wonders to be wrought by the Devil whom they worshipped in and by their Idols. answered and said, it is well spoken.

And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose ye one bullock for your selves, and dress it first, for ye are many And I am willing to give you the precedency. This he did, partly, because if he had first offered, and God had answered by Fire, as he knew that he would do, Baal's Priests would have been discouraged, and upon some excuse (which would easily be accepted in regard of the Kings Authority, and the Favour which they had with the People) would have desisted from making the trial on their part; and partly, because the disappointment of the Priests of Baal, of which he was well assured, would notably prepare the way for the Peoples more diligent attention unto his words and actions, and cause them to entertain the Prophets good success with more admiration and affection; and this coming last, would leave the greater impression and relish upon their hearts. And this they accepted, because they might think, that if Baal did answer them first, which they presumed he would, the People would be so confirmed and heightned in their Opinion of Baal, that they by the Kings assistance might murder Elijah before he came to his experiment.: and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

And they took the bullock which was given them Which being chosen by them, v. 25. was now put into their hands by those who had the Beasts in their custody, till they were taken away for Sacrifice., and they dressed it Cut it in pieces, and laid the parts in or upon the Wood., and called on the name of Baal from morning From the time of the morning-Sacrifice; which advantage Elijah suffered them to take for their Sacrifice. even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leapt upon the altar Or, over the altar: which might easily be done, the Altar being low, and suddenly made for the present use. Or rather, beside, as the Hebrew (al) oft signifies the altar: or, before it. They used some superstitious, unusual, and disorderly gestures, either pretending to be acted by the Spirit of their God, and to be in a kind of Holy rage, and Religious extasie; or, in way of Devotion to their god; which they might borrow from the practise of their progenitors, who amongst other things, used Dancing in Gods Service and presence, as Exod. 15. 20. and 32. 19. Iudg. 21. 21. 2 Sam. 6. 14. which was made Heb. which he made: Either, First, Elias; which some think was already made, though the making of it be not mentioned till afterwards, ver. 31. and that it was their design, by leaping upon his Altar, to overthrow it. Or rather, Secondly, Ahab on their behalf; or, any other person: that being only an Hebraism, the third person active, being put for the passive Verb, as our Translators well render it..

And it came to pass at noon When they had long tried all means in vain., that Elijah mocked them Derided them and their gods, which were indeed, and had now proved thmselves to be ridiculous and contemptible things. By this example we see, that all jesting is not unlawful, but only that which intrencheth upon Piety, and good Manners. See on Eph. 5. 4., and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god, either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey He is employed about some other business, and has not leisure to mind you: for being a god of a small and narrow understanding, he cannot mind two things at once, and you are immodest and unreasonable to expect it from him., or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

And they cried aloud As if Eltas had spoken the truth, and their god needed rowzing., and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancers Mingling their own blood with their Sacrifices; as knowing by experience, that nothing was more acceptable to their Baal (which was indeed the Devil) than humane blood; and hoping hereby to move their god to pity and help them. And this indeed was the practise of divers Heathens in the worship of their false gods, as is manifest both from Scripture, as Levit. 19. 28. Deut. 14. 1. 1 King. 18. 28. and from the express testimonies of Plutarch, Lucian, Apuleius, and many others., till the blood gushed out upon them.

And it came to pass, when mid-day was past, and they prophesied i. e. Praised, and prayed unto, and worshipped their God; for so the word prophecying is used, 1 Sam. 10. 10. and 19. 20, &c. 1 Chron. 25. 2, 3. Matth. 7. 22. 1 Cor. 11. 4 and 14. 5, 6, &c. until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice Heb. of the sacrifice, which being here opposed to the time of their offering, which was the morning, ver. 26. must needs be meant of the Evening Sacrifice; of which see Exod. 29. 39, &c. which is called the sacrifice, by way of Eminency, because it was more solemn, and publick, and frequented, than the Morning Sacrifice; of which divers reasons may be given. See Exod. 12. 6. Psal. 141. 2. Act. 3. 1., that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded Heb. there was no attention: Either, First, Of their god, who was so far from answering, that he did not mind any of their words and actions. Or, Secondly, Of the People, who were now tired out with so long attention and expectation; and therefore more readily deserted them, and approached to Elijah and his Altar, at his call, v. 30..

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me Come away from these impudent deceive... to me, and expect from me what satisfaction you desire.. And all the people came near unto him; and he repaired Which by the Peoples help was quickly done; the materials being all ready, and very slightly put together, only for the present occasion. the altar of the LORD Which had been built there by some of their Ancestors for the offering of Sacrifice to the God of Israel, which was frequently done in high-places, of which this was none of the least eminent ones: but being for some time neglected, it needed reparations. that was broken down Either, First, By the Priests of Baal at this time, who leaped upon it to that end: of which see on ver. 26. Or rather, Secondly, By some of the Baalites, out of their enmity to the True God, whose Temple, because they could not reach, they showed their malignity in destroying his Altars, ch. 19. 14..

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob This he did, partly, to renew the Covenant between God and all the Tribes, as Moses did, Exod. 24. 4. Partly, to show, that he prayed and acted in the Name, and for the Service of the God of all the Patriarchs, and of all the Tribes of Israel, and for their good: and partly, to teach the people, that though the Tribes were divided as to their Civil Government, they ought all to be united in the Worship of the same God, and in the same Religion., unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name Which Iacob was Graciously answered by God when he prayed to him, and was honoured with the Glorious Title of Israel, which noted his prevalency with God and men. And I, calling upon the same God, doubt not of a like Gracious answer; and if ever you mean to have your Prayers granted, you must not seek to Baal for it, who, as you now see, neither hears nor regards his most devout worshippers; but unto the God of Iacob; and if you would recover the honour which was once conferred upon Iacob, and continued a long time to his Posterity, you must return to that God from whom you are revolted..

And with the stones he With the assistance of the People, who readily yielded their helping-hand. built an altar Which, though generally forbidden, he might do, because he did it by the command and suggestion of God, who can dispence with his own Laws, and upon apparent and urgent necessity, and for a work of great mercy, (to which even by Gods Command the Ceremonial Laws must give place, Hos. 6. 6. Mar. 2. 27.) even for the conversion of the Israelites, whom it was impossible to bring to the Altar of Ierusalem at this time. in the Name of the LORD By the Authority of God, and for his Worship.: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures i. e. Two third parts of an Ephah: which shows that the... rench was of a competent largeness. of seed.

And 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 Which they could quickly fetch, either from the River Kishon; or, if that was dried up, from the... ea; both which were at the foot of the Mountain. See Ier. 46. 18., and pour it on the burnt-sacrifice, and on the wood This he did, to make the Miracle more Glorious, and more unquestionable, and so more successful..

And 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.

And the water ran round about the altar, and he filled the trench also with water.

And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice Which time he chose, that he might unite his Prayers with the Prayers of the Godly Iews at Ierusalem, who at that time assembled together to pray, Act. 3. 1., that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day, that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things Brought this Famine, gathered the people hither, and done what I have done, or am doing here. at thy word Not in compliance with my own passions, but in obedience to thy command, as thy Agent and Minister. For that action of shutting up Heaven, and that of killing the Priests of Baal, must needs expose him to great envy and reproach; which made this publick vindication necessary, as it was also effectual, being witnessed from Heaven..

Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart That they may feel so powerful and sudden a change in their hearts, that they may know it is thy Work, and the effect of thy Grace to them, and in them. Or, when thou hast turned, &c. or, because thou, &c. So the Particle Vau is oft used; and the sense is, That they may know thee to be the True God, by the effects of thy Divine Power, in converting their hearts, and that in so miraculous a way, and in answer to my Prayers. back again Unto thee, from whom they have revolted..

Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt-sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces In way of acknowledgment and adoration of the True God.: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God He alone; and Baal is a dull and sensless Idol. And they double the words, to note their abundant satisfaction and assurance of the Truth of their assertion..

And Elijah said unto them He takes the opportunity, whilst the peoples hearts were warm with the fresh sense of this great miracle., Take the prophets of Baal, let not one of them escape: and they took them, and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon That their blood might be poured into that River, and thence conveyed into the Sea, and might not defile the Holy Land., and slew them there Quest. How could Elijah do this, seeing he was but a private Person? Ans. First, He had no doubt the consent of all the heads of the People, who were here assembled; and of the King too, who durst not resist the universal torrent, and could not deny that they were Impostors, and worthy of Death; and probably was by the Prophet assured of Rain when this was done. Ans. Secondly, As these Idolatrous Priests were manifestly under a Sentence of Death, passed upon such by the Sovereign Lord of Life and Death, Deut. 13. and 17. so Elijah had sufficient Authority to execure it, as being a Prophet, and an extraordinary Minister of Gods vengeance against sinners, now especially when the Magistrate so grosly neglected his Duty therein..

¶ And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up From the River, where the King and he had been present at the slaughter of Baal's Priests, to thy Tent: which probably was pitched on the side of Carmel., eat and drink Take comfort, and refresh thy self: for neither the King, nor any of the People could have any leasure to eat, being wholly inrent upon the decision of the great controversy., for there is a sound of abundance of rain The Rain is as certainly and speedily coming, as if I did actually see it, or hear the noise which it makes. Gods wrath is now appeased, and thou shalt have no cause to repent of this days work..

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink, and Elijah went up to the top of Carmel Where he might secretly and ardently pour out his Prayers unto God; and whence he might look towards the Sea, and discern when the Rain was coming., and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees He either sate, or rather, kneeled upon his Knees, and then cast down his Face to the Ground between his Knees; either, in token of profound reverence and humility; or, out of fervency of spirit, which oft disposeth men to uncouth gestures, which at other times, or in other men, would be ridiculous; but in them and in that case, are usual and allowed; or, that turning away his Eyes from all outward objects, he might be more intent and earnest upon his work, or pray to God without distraction.,

And said to his servant, Go up now Whilst I continue praying., look towards the sea Whence Clouds and Vapours usually arise. Elijah desired to have timely notice of the very first appearance and signification of Rain, not out of vanity or ambition, but that Ahab and the People might know that it was obtained from Iehovah by the Prophets prayers, and thereby be confirmed in the True Religion.. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times Let us not be dejected for some disappointments, but continue to wait upon God, who will Answer me, and that speedily..

And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a mans hand. And he said, Go up; say unto Ahab, Prepare thy ohariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel Not that in Iudah, Ios. 15.... 6. but another City in the border of Issachar and Manasseh, Ios. 19. 18..

And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah God gave him more than natural and ordinary strength, whereby he was enabled to outrun Ahab's Chariot, and that for so many Miles together., and he girded up his loyns That his Garments, which were then long, might not hinder him. See 2 King. 4. 29. and 9. 1., and ran before Ahab Partly, to show how ready he was to honour and serve the King, if he did not exalt himself above or against God: partly, that by this humble and self-denying carriage, it might appear, that what he had done was not from envy, or ambition, or humane passion, but only from a just zeal for Gods Glory: partly, that by his presence with the King, and his Courtiers who attended upon him, he might animate and oblige them to proceed in the well-begun Reformation of Religion: and partly, to demonstrate, that he was neither ashamed of nor afraid for what he had done, tho he knew how Iezabel would resent it, but durst venture himself in the midst of his Enemies, as being confident of the Divine Power and Protection., to the entrance of Jezreel.