18:1 And it came to pass [after] many days, that the word of the
LORD came to Elijah in the a third year, saying, Go, shew
thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
(a) After that he departed from the river Cherith.
18:3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which [was] the governor of [his]
house. (Now Obadiah b feared the LORD greatly:
(b) God had begun to work his fear in his heart, but had
not yet brought him to the knowledge which is also
required of the godly: that is, to profess his Name
openly.
18:7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah c met him:
and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, [Art] thou
that my lord Elijah?
(c) God often pities the wicked for the sake of the godly,
and causes Elijah to meet with Obadiah, that the
blessing might be known to be granted for the sake of
God's children.
18:12 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 d
fear the LORD from my youth.
(d) I am not of the wicked persecutors that you should
procure to me such displeasure, but serve God and
favour his children.
18:15 And Elijah said, [As] the LORD of hosts liveth, before
whom I stand, I will surely shew e myself unto him to
day.
(e) By my presence I will declare that you have told him
the truth.
18:18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but f thou,
and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the
commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
(f) The true ministers of God should not only not permit
falsehoods, but should boldly reprove the wicked
slanderers without respect of persons.
18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long
g 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.
(g) Be consistent in religion and do not be indifferent,
whether you follow God or Baal, or whether you serve
God wholly or in part, (Zep 1:5).
18:24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on
the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth h by
fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and
said, It is well spoken.
(h) By sending down fire from heaven to burn the
sacrifice.
18:26 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 i leaped upon
the altar which was made.
(i) As men possessed by some strange spirit.
18:27 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 l awaked.
(l) He mocks their beastly madness, who think that by any
instance or suit, the dead and vile idols can help
their worshippers in their necessity.
18:35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he m filled
the trench also with water.
(m) By this he declared the excellent power of God, who
contrary to nature could make the fire burn even in
the water, so that they should have no opportunity to
doubt that he is the only God.
18:37 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 n again.
(n) Though God permits his to run in blindness and error
for a time, yet eventually he calls them home to him
by some notorious sign and work.
18:40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let
not o one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah
brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them
there.
(o) He commanded them that as they were truly persuaded to
confess the only God: so they should serve him with
all their power, and destroy the idolaters his
enemies.
18:43 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 p seven times.
(p) As God's spirit moved him to pray, so was he
strengthened by the same that he did not faint, but
continued still till he had obtained.
18:46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up
his loins, and ran q before Ahab to the entrance of
Jezreel.
(q) He was so strengthened by God's spirit that he ran
faster than the chariot was able to run.
