1 Kings 18:17-20

17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”
18 “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals.
19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”
20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.

1 Kings 18:17-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 18

In this chapter Elijah has an order from the Lord to show himself to Ahab, who, going first, and meeting with a servant of his, Obadiah, charges him to tell his master where he was, that he might meet him, 1Ki 18:1-16, and, upon meeting him, desires that all Israel, and the prophets of Baal, might be convened, which was accordingly done, 1Ki 18:17-20, when he expostulated with the people of Israel for their idolatry, mocked and confounded the prophets of Baal, and gave the strongest proofs, to the conviction of the people, that Jehovah is the true God, 1Ki 18:21-39, on which all the prophets of Baal were slain, 1Ki 18:40, and rain in great abundance was given at the prayer of the prophet, 1Ki 18:41-46.

Cross References 7

  • 1. Joshua 7:25; 1 Samuel 14:29; 1 Kings 21:20; Jeremiah 38:4; Acts 16:20
  • 2. 1 Kings 16:31,33; 1 Kings 21:25
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 31:16; 2 Chronicles 15:2
  • 4. 2 Kings 10:19
  • 5. S Joshua 19:26
  • 6. 2 Kings 9:22
  • 7. 2 Kings 2:25; 2 Kings 4:25
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