1 Kings 18:1–18:46
Sources
Reformed ConsensusReformation Study BibleGeneva Bible Notes (1599)John Trapp (1647)John Gill (1748)Matthew Henry (1714)Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBarnes (1832)Cross-References (TSK)Reformed Consensus
In 1 Kings 18, the sovereign Lord vindicates His covenant name against the impotent pretensions of Baal, demonstrating that He alone commands the rain, the fire, and the hearts of men. Elijah's bold address to Ahab — reversing the charge of "troubler of Israel" back upon the king's own apostasy — reflects the Reformed conviction that covenant unfaithfulness, not prophetic truth-telling, is the true source of national calamity. The contest on Carmel is not a spectacle of mere power but a judicial proceeding: the God who answers by fire proves Himself the only legitimate object of Israel's worship, exposing Baal-devotion as a grotesque nullity that cannot hear, respond, or save. Elijah's prayer, offered in humble dependence and shaped entirely by God's own covenant promises, stands as a pattern of true intercession — the fire and the rain both fall not on the strength of human effort but on the faithfulness of the God who had pledged Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The chapter thus closes with sovereign mercy triumphing over a generation of idolatry, the prostrate people confessing "The LORD, He is God," a confession that every Reformed expositor from Calvin onward reads as the rightful end of all history: the undivided glory of the one living God.
Reformation Study Bible
over the household. This was an important position in the royal administration (4:6 note). | Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lor. Not content to promote her-native religion, Jezebel persecuted followers of the Lord and mur- dered His prophets. | horses and mules. The drought threatened Ahab’s government because the army depended on these animals, for example, in the char- jot forces. Ahab’s reaction to the drought was practical, to find water, and did not reach the heart of the issue: who is sovereign over nature and life. 18:12 the Spirit of the Lorp will carry you. Earlier Elijah had disap- peared across the Jordan only to emerge in Zarephath. | you troubler of Israel. Ahab views Elijah as a troublemaker, a threat to the normal functioning of society. His understanding is shallow. | the Baals. These were local manifestations of the god Baal. | Mount Carmel. This mountain juts out along the Mediterranean coast due west of the Sea of Chinneroth (Galilee). Because it was near the Phoenician cities, the influence of Baal religion was probably strong, Asherah. See note 14:15. who eat at Jezebel’s table, These prophets are supported by the state (2:7 note). | the God who answers by fire. Since Baal’s followers believed that Baal controlled thunder, lightning, and storms, Elijah’s challenge struck at the core of his alleged power (16:31 note). | they limped around the altar. The Baal prophets engaged in a ritual dance to arouse the unresponsive Baal. | Cry aloud. Myths of Baal portray him traveling, fighting war, visit- ing the underworld, and even dying and coming back to life. Elijah knows these beliefs and plays on them when he taunts Baal’s followers. | after their custom. They cut themselves to provoke Baal. Self- laceration was prohibited in Old Testament law (Lev. 19:28; Deut. 14:1), but nevertheless was practiced by some (Jer. 41:5; 47:5). | they raved on. This description probably indicates a trance or ecstatic state. the time of the offering of the oblation. That is, around 3:00 pm. (Ex. 29:38-41; Num. 28:3-8; 2 Kin. 16:15; Acts 3:1). | twelve stones. Elijah emphasizes the oneness of the people, despite the division of the kingdom. In this way he also underscores that the contest at Mount Carmel is not significant for the northern tribes only, but for the southern tribes as well (Ex. 20:25; 24:4; Josh. 4). Israel shall be your name. The words are a quotation of Gen. 35:10, where God affirmed the special name He had earlier given Jacob, | Elijah . .. came near and said. In contrast to the elaborate and frantic activities of the Baal prophets, Elijah’s prayer is simple and direct. | you have turned their hearts back. The human act of repen- tance is not possible without divine grace. | brook Kishon. This brook runs toward the north in the plain below Mount Carmel. slaughtered them there. Israel was a theocracy, a society founded by and constituted under God. Deut. 13:1-5 mandates the death of false prophets; Deut. 13:13-18 and 17:2-7 prescribe death to anyone embrac- ing idolatry or inciting others to it. | eat and drink. Ahab’s austerity can end, because the famine will soon be over (cf. James 5:17, 18). | Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. Ahab used the town of Jezreel (located near Mount Gilboa) as a second residence (in addition to Sa- maria; 20:43; 21:1).
Geneva Bible Notes (1599)
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.
John Trapp (1647)
And it came to pass [after] many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. After many days, — i.e., After three years and six months’ time of famine: which to the distressed Israelites seemed a long while. In the third year. — Of his abode at Zarephath. And I will send rain. — Heb., I will give. Rain is a gracious gift of God. See on Zechariah 10:1 .
John Gill (1748)
And it came to pass after many days,.... When two years and more were gone from the time the drought and famine began; or rather from the time of the prophets departure to the brook Cherith, which might be six months after the famine began: that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year; of his absence from Ahab: saying, go show thyself unto Ahab; whom he had not seen so long, and who had been seeking for him, but to no purpose: and I will send rain upon the earth; the term of three years and six months being almost expired, see James 5:17 .
Matthew Henry (1714)
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, except the sanctifying Spirit of God, can purge away its pollution. The priests and the Levites were gone to Judah and Jerusalem, 2Ch 11:13,14, but instead of them God raised up prophets, who read and expounded the word. They probably were from the schools of the prophets, first set up by Samuel. They had not the spirit of prophecy as Elijah, but taught the people to keep close to the God of Israel. These Jezebel sought to destroy. The few that escaped death were forced to hide themselves. God has his remnant among all sorts, high and low; and that faith, fear, and love of his name, which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, will be accepted through the Redeemer. See how wonderfully God raises up friends for his ministers and people, for their shelter in difficult times. Bread and water were now scarce, yet Obadiah will find enough for God's prophets, to keep them alive. Ahab's care was not to lose all the beasts; but he took no care about his soul, not to lose that. He took pains to seek grass, but none to seek the favour of God; fencing against the effect, but not inquiring how to remove the cause. But it bodes well with a people, when God calls his ministers to stand forth, and show themselves. And we may the better endure the bread of affliction, while our eyes see our teachers.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
CHAPTER 18 1Ki 18:1-16. Elijah Meets Obadiah. 1. the third year—In the New Testament, it is said there was no rain "for the space of three years and six months" [Jas 5:17]. The early rain fell in our March, the latter rain in our October. Though Ahab might have at first ridiculed Elijah's announcement, yet when neither of these rains fell in their season, he was incensed against the prophet as the cause of the national judgment, and compelled him, with God's direction, to consult his safety in flight. This was six months after the king was told there would be neither dew nor rain, and from this period the three years in this passage are computed. Go, show thyself unto Ahab—The king had remained obdurate and impenitent. Another opportunity was to be given him of repentance, and Elijah was sent in order to declare to him the cause of the national judgment, and to promise him, on condition of his removing it, the immediate blessing of rain.Elijah in the extremity of famine is sent to Ahab; meeteth good Obadiah, 1 Kings 18:1-7 ; chargeth him to certify the king of his coming: he bringeth Ahab to him, 1 Kings 18:8-16 . He reproveth Ahab and the congregation: by fire from heaven convinceth Baalâs prophets: they are slain, 1 Kings 18:17-40 . Elijah by prayer obtaineth rain; runs before Ahab to Jezreel, 1 Kings 18:41-46 . In the third year; either, 1. From the time when he went to hide himself by the brook Cherith; 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, Jam 5:17 . Or, 2. From the time of his going to Sarepta, which probably was a year after the famine began; See Poole " 1 Kings 17:7 " ; and so this might be in the middle of the third year, which also makes up the three years and six months. Show thyself unto Ahab; to acquaint him with the cause of this judgment, 1 Kings 18:18 , and to advise him to remove it, and upon that condition to promise him rain. 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.
Barnes (1832)
The third year - i. e., in the third year of his sojourn with the widow. The whole period of drought was three years and a half Luke 4:25 ; James 5:17 : of this, probably about one year was passed by Elijah in the torrent-course of Cherith, and two years and a half at Sarepta.
Cross-References (TSK)
1Kings 17:24; 1Kings 18:2; Luke 4:25; James 5:17; Revelation 11:2; 1Kings 17:1; Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 28:12; Psalms 65:9; Isaiah 5:6; Jeremiah 10:13; Jeremiah 14:22; Joel 2:23; Amos 4:7; 1Kings 18:1; 1Kings 18:9; 1Kings 18:17; 1Kings 18:41; 1Kings 17:14; 1Kings 8:50; 1Kings 15:33; 1Kings 17:3; 1Kings 17:17; 1Kings 18:42; 1Kings 18:7; 1Kings 18:34; 1Kings 20:22; 1Kings 18:4; 1Kings 18:13