1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
2 And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
5 And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
9 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
10 As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath 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.
11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
13 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 LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
14 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to day.
16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And 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.
19 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 groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 And 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.
22 Then 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.
23 Let 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:
24 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, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 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.
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 upon the altar which was made.
27 And 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.
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29 And 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.
30 And 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.
31 And 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:
32 And 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.
33 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, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34 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.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, 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 at thy word.
37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 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.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.
45 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.
46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Chapter 18 of the book of 1 Kings in the KJV Holy Bible is a pivotal chapter in the story of the prophet Elijah and his encounter with the prophets of Baal. The chapter begins with a severe drought that has been plaguing the land of Israel for three years, as a result of the disobedience of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel who have introduced the worship of the false god Baal to the Israelites. Elijah, a faithful prophet of the Lord, confronts King Ahab and challenges the prophets of Baal to a showdown on Mount Carmel to prove the superiority of the true God. This chapter is filled with dramatic events, miraculous displays of God's power and the ultimate triumph of the Lord over the false gods. It is a powerful and inspiring story that showcases the faithfulness and sovereignty of God and teaches important lessons about obedience, faith, and the consequences of sin.
There are several prominent themes that can be identified in chapter 18 of 1 Kings. These themes reveal important truths about God and His relationship with His people.
The Power and Sovereignty of God
One of the main themes of this chapter is the power and sovereignty of God. The severe drought that has been plaguing the land is a direct result of the disobedience of the Israelites and their worship of false gods. However, God demonstrates His ultimate power and sovereignty by sending Elijah to confront King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Despite the odds being stacked against him, Elijah confidently proclaims that the Lord will reveal Himself and prove His superiority. The events that unfold on Mount Carmel, with God sending fire from heaven to consume Elijah's sacrifice, clearly show that the power of the Lord is unmatched and His sovereignty over all creation is absolute. This theme is a powerful reminder that no matter how dire the circumstances may seem, God is in control and His power and sovereignty will ultimately prevail.
Obedience and Faith
Another important theme in this chapter is the importance of obedience and faith. Elijah's unwavering obedience to God's commands is evident throughout the chapter. Despite the danger and opposition he faced, he remained faithful in carrying out God's instructions. He also demonstrated great faith in the Lord's ability to perform miracles and fulfill His promises. This is in stark contrast to the prophets of Baal who put their faith in a false god and are ultimately proven to be powerless. The theme of obedience and faith is a reminder that those who remain faithful to God and obey His commands will be rewarded and protected by Him.
The Consequences of Sin
The consequences of sin is a recurring theme in the Bible and it is also evident in this chapter. The severe drought that has been plaguing the land is a direct result of the sin and disobedience of the Israelites. The worship of false gods, introduced by King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, has led to the downfall of the nation and brought about God's judgment. The story of the prophets of Baal being unable to call upon their god to send fire on their sacrifice is a clear illustration of the consequences of sin and the futility of putting our faith in anything other than the one true God. This theme serves as a warning against the dangers of disobedience and the importance of staying faithful to God.
Chapter 18 of 1 Kings holds great significance in the overall narrative of the Bible. The showdown on Mount Carmel is a powerful demonstration of God's power and sovereignty over all creation. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faith, as well as the consequences of sin.
This chapter also holds important spiritual lessons for believers. It reminds us that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, we can trust in the power of God to provide for us and protect us. It also teaches us the importance of remaining faithful to God and His commands, even when it may seem difficult or unpopular. The story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal is a reminder that God is always in control and His plans will ultimately prevail.
Additionally, this chapter also serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate victory of God over all false gods and powers. The fire that consumed Elijah's sacrifice on Mount Carmel is a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, which would defeat sin and death once and for all. This chapter is a powerful reminder that no matter how great the challenge may seem, God's power and sovereignty will always triumph in the end.
In conclusion, chapter 18 of 1 Kings in the KJV Holy Bible is a pivotal chapter that holds great significance in the overall narrative of the Bible. It teaches important lessons about the power and sovereignty of God, the importance of obedience and faith, and the consequences of sin. It is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ultimate victory over all false gods and powers. This chapter serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement for believers to remain faithful and obedient to God, no matter the circumstances.
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