Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version
Book of 1 Kings
Chapter 18  -  Read Chapter
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:1 JFB -> Commentary on 18:1 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:1 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:1 TSK -> Commentary on 18:1 TSK -> Entry for 18:1 WEN -> Notes on 18:1 NTB -> Elijah; Israel; Prayer TTT -> Rain EBD -> Carmel 18:1 - [In Context] During the third year that no rain fell, the Lord said to Elijah, "Go and meet with King Ahab. I will soon send rain."
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:2 JFB -> Commentary on 18:2 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:2 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:2 TSK -> Commentary on 18:2 TSK -> Entry for 18:2 WEN -> Notes on 18:2 NTB -> Elijah; Israel TTT -> Famine; Rain EBD -> Dearth 18:2 - [In Context] So Elijah went to meet Ahab. At that time, there was no food in Samaria.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:3 JFB -> Commentary on 18:3 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:3 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:3 SRN -> Study Notes on 18:3 TSK -> Commentary on 18:3 TSK -> Entry for 18:3 WEN -> Notes on 18:3 NTB -> Elijah; Fear Of God; Israel; Obadiah; Zeal, Religious EBD -> Obadiah SBD -> Obadiah 18:3 - [In Context] So King Ahab told Obadiah to come to him. Obadiah was the man in charge of the king's palace. F196 (Obadiah was a true follower of the Lord.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:4 JFB -> Commentary on 18:4 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:4 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:4 TSK -> Commentary on 18:4 TSK -> Entry for 18:4 WEN -> Notes on 18:4 NTB -> Cave; Elijah; Fear Of God; Israel; Jezebel; King; Love; Martyrdom; Obadiah; Persecution; Women; Zeal, Religious TTT -> Caves; Love to Man; Martyrdom; Prophets; Water EBD -> Cave; Jezreel, Blood of SBD -> Cave; Obadiah 18:4 - [In Context] One time Jezebel was killing all the Lord's prophets. So Obadiah took 100 prophets and hid them in two caves. Obadiah put 50 prophets in one cave and 50 prophets in another cave. Then Obadiah brought them food and water.)
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:5 JFB -> Commentary on 18:5 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:5 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:5 TSK -> Commentary on 18:5 TSK -> Entry for 18:5 WEN -> Notes on 18:5 NTB -> Elijah; Israel; Obadiah TTT -> Brooks; Famine; Fountains and Springs; Grass; Horse, The; Mule, The; Water EBD -> Grass; Leek; Mowing SBD -> Obadiah 18:5 - [In Context] King Ahab said to Obadiah, "Come with me. We will look at every spring and every stream in the land. We will see if we can find enough grass to keep our horses and mules alive. Then we will not have to kill our animals."
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:6 JFB -> Commentary on 18:6 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:6 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:6 TSK -> Commentary on 18:6 TSK -> Entry for 18:6 WEN -> Notes on 18:6 NTB -> Elijah; Israel; Obadiah SBD -> Obadiah 18:6 - [In Context] Each person chose the part of the country where they would go look for water. Then the two men went through the whole country. Ahab went in one direction by himself. Obadiah went in another direction by himself.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:7 JFB -> Commentary on 18:7 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:7 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:7 TSK -> Commentary on 18:7 TSK -> Entry for 18:7 WEN -> Notes on 18:7 NTB -> Doubting; Elijah; Extradition; Obadiah SBD -> Obadiah 18:7 - [In Context] While Obadiah was traveling, he met Elijah. Obadiah knew Elijah when he saw him. Obadiah bowed down before Elijah. He said, "Elijah? Is it really you, master?"
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:8 JFB -> Commentary on 18:8 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:8 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:8 TSK -> Commentary on 18:8 TSK -> Entry for 18:8 WEN -> Notes on 18:8 NTB -> Doubting; Elijah; Obadiah SBD -> Obadiah 18:8 - [In Context] Elijah answered, "Yes, it is me. Go and tell your master the king that I am here."
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:9 JFB -> Commentary on 18:9 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:9 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:9 TSK -> Commentary on 18:9 TSK -> Entry for 18:9 WEN -> Notes on 18:9 NTB -> Doubting; Elijah; Obadiah SBD -> Obadiah 18:9 - [In Context] Then Obadiah said, "If I tell Ahab that I know where you are, he will kill me! I have done nothing wrong to you! Why do you want me to die?
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:10 JFB -> Commentary on 18:10 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:10 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:10 TSK -> Commentary on 18:10 TSK -> Entry for 18:10 WEN -> Notes on 18:10 NTB -> Doubting; Elijah; Extradition; Obadiah; Persecution TTT -> Prophets SBD -> Obadiah 18:10 - [In Context] As sure as the Lord your God lives, the king has been looking for you everywhere! He has sent people to every country to find you. If the ruler of a country said that you were not in his country, then Ahab forced the ruler to promise that you were not in his country.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:11 JFB -> Commentary on 18:11 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:11 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:11 TSK -> Commentary on 18:11 TSK -> Entry for 18:11 WEN -> Notes on 18:11 NTB -> Doubting; Elijah; Obadiah TTT -> Prophets SBD -> Obadiah 18:11 - [In Context] Now you want me to go and tell him that you are here?
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:12 JFB -> Commentary on 18:12 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:12 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:12 TSK -> Commentary on 18:12 TSK -> Entry for 18:12 WEN -> Notes on 18:12 NTB -> Children; Doubting; Elijah; Obadiah TTT -> Children, Good; Fear, Godly; Prophets SBD -> Obadiah 18:12 - [In Context] If I go tell King Ahab that you are here, then the Lord might carry you to some other place. King Ahab will come here, and he will not be able to find you. Then he will kill me! I have followed the Lord since I was a boy.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:13 JFB -> Commentary on 18:13 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:13 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:13 TSK -> Commentary on 18:13 TSK -> Entry for 18:13 WEN -> Notes on 18:13 NTB -> Cave; Doubting; Elijah; Jezebel; King; Martyrdom; Obadiah; Women TTT -> Prophets SBD -> Jezebel; Obadiah 18:13 - [In Context] You heard what I did! Jezebel was killing the Lord's prophets, and I hid 100 prophets in caves. I put 50 prophets in one cave and 50 prophets in another cave. I brought them food and water.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:14 JFB -> Commentary on 18:14 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:14 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:14 TSK -> Commentary on 18:14 TSK -> Entry for 18:14 WEN -> Notes on 18:14 NTB -> Doubting; Elijah; Obadiah SBD -> Obadiah 18:14 - [In Context] Now you want me to go and tell the king that you are here. The king will kill me!"
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:15 JFB -> Commentary on 18:15 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:15 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:15 TSK -> Commentary on 18:15 TSK -> Entry for 18:15 WEN -> Notes on 18:15 NTB -> Elijah; Obadiah TTT -> Boldness, Holy SBD -> Obadiah 18:15 - [In Context] Elijah answered, "As sure as the Lord All-Powerful lives, I promise that I will stand before the king today."
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:16 JFB -> Commentary on 18:16 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:16 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:16 WEN -> Notes on 18:16 NTB -> Elijah; Obadiah SBD -> Obadiah 18:16 - [In Context] So Obadiah went to King Ahab. He told him where Elijah was. King Ahab went to meet Elijah.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:17 JFB -> Commentary on 18:17 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:17 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:17 TSK -> Commentary on 18:17 TSK -> Entry for 18:17 WEN -> Notes on 18:17 NTB -> Accusation, False; Carmel; Elijah; Minister, Christian; Reproof; Revivals 18:17 - [In Context] When Ahab saw Elijah he said, "Is it you? You are the man that causes trouble in Israel!"
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:18 JFB -> Commentary on 18:18 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:18 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:18 TSK -> Commentary on 18:18 TSK -> Entry for 18:18 WEN -> Notes on 18:18 NTB -> Accusation, False; Baal; Carmel; Elijah; Minister, Christian; Reproof; Revivals TTT -> Boldness, Holy; Forsaking God; Prophets EBD -> Baal 18:18 - [In Context] Elijah answered, "I have not caused Israel trouble. You and your father's family caused all this trouble. You caused the trouble when you stopped obeying the Lord's commands and began following the false gods.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:19 JFB -> Commentary on 18:19 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:19 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:19 TSK -> Commentary on 18:19 TSK -> Entry for 18:19 WEN -> Notes on 18:19 NTB -> Carmel; Elijah; Feasts; Groves; Jezebel; Religion; Reproof; Revivals TTT -> Idolatry EBD -> Ashtoreth; Baal; Carmel; Jezebel SBD -> Ahab; Asherah; Baal; Jezebel 18:19 - [In Context] Now, tell all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Also bring to that place the 450 prophets of Baal. F197 And bring the 400 prophets of the false goddess Asherah. F198 Queen Jezebel supports those prophets." F199
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:20 JFB -> Commentary on 18:20 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:20 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:20 TSK -> Commentary on 18:20 TSK -> Entry for 18:20 WEN -> Notes on 18:20 NTB -> Carmel; Elijah; Reproof; Revivals SBD -> Carmel 18:20 - [In Context] So Ahab called all the Israelites and those prophets to Mount Carmel.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:21 JFB -> Commentary on 18:21 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:21 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:21 TSK -> Commentary on 18:21 TSK -> Entry for 18:21 WEN -> Notes on 18:21 NTB -> Carmel; Choice; Decision; Indecision; Instability; Reproof; Revivals TTT -> Decision; Idolatry EBD -> Halt SBD -> Carmel 18:21 - [In Context] Elijah came to all the people. He said, "When will you people decide who to follow? If the Lord is the true God, then you should follow him. But if Baal F200 is the true God, then you should follow him!" The people said nothing.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:22 JFB -> Commentary on 18:22 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:22 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:22 TSK -> Commentary on 18:22 TSK -> Entry for 18:22 WEN -> Notes on 18:22 NTB -> Carmel; Decision; Prayer; Revivals EBD -> Baal SBD -> Baal; Carmel 18:22 - [In Context] So Elijah said, "I am the only prophet of the Lord here. I am alone. But there are 450 prophets of Baal. F201
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:23 JFB -> Commentary on 18:23 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:23 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:23 WEN -> Notes on 18:23 NTB -> Carmel; Prayer; Revivals SBD -> Carmel 18:23 - [In Context] So bring two bulls. Let the prophets of Baal take one bull. Let them kill it and cut it into pieces. Then let them put the meat on the wood. But don't start the fire burning. Then I will do the same with the other bull. And I will not start the fire burning.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:24 JFB -> Commentary on 18:24 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:24 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:24 TSK -> Commentary on 18:24 TSK -> Entry for 18:24 WEN -> Notes on 18:24 NTB -> Carmel; Elijah; Miracles; Prayer; Revivals SBD -> Carmel 18:24 - [In Context] You prophets of Baal will pray to your god. And I will pray to the Lord. The god that answers the prayer and starts his wood burning is the true God." All the people agreed that this was a good idea.
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:25 JFB -> Commentary on 18:25 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:25 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:25 WEN -> Notes on 18:25 NTB -> Carmel; Elijah; Idol; Prayer; Revivals EBD -> Baal SBD -> Carmel 18:25 - [In Context] Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, F202 "There are many of you. So you go first. Choose a bull and prepare it. But don't start your fire."
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:26 JFB -> Commentary on 18:26 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:26 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:26 TSK -> Commentary on 18:26 TSK -> Entry for 18:26 WEN -> Notes on 18:26 NTB -> Altar; Carmel; Elijah; Idol; Idolatry; Prayer; Revivals TTT -> Idolatry; Morning EBD -> Baal SBD -> Baal; Carmel 18:26 - [In Context] So the prophets took the bull that was given to them. They prepared it. They prayed to Baal F203 until noon. They prayed, "Baal, please answer us!" But there was no sound. No one answered. The prophets danced around the altar that they had built. {But the fire never started.}
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:27 JFB -> Commentary on 18:27 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:27 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:27 TSK -> Commentary on 18:27 TSK -> Entry for 18:27 WEN -> Notes on 18:27 NTB -> Carmel; Elijah; Idol; Idolatry; Irony; Mocking; Prayer; Revivals; Sarcasm; Tantalizing EBD -> Baal SBD -> Baal; Carmel 18:27 - [In Context] At noon Elijah began to make fun of them. Elijah said, "If Baal F204 is really a god, then maybe you should pray louder! Maybe he is thinking! Or maybe he is busy! Or maybe he is traveling! He could be sleeping! Maybe you should pray louder and wake him!"
Study Resource List GEB -> Study Notes on 18:28 JFB -> Commentary on 18:28 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 18:28 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 18:28 TSK -> Commentary on 18:28 TSK -> Entry for 18:28 WEN -> Notes on 18:28 NTB -> Carmel; Elijah; Idol; Idolatry; Knife; Prayer; Revivals TTT -> Idolatry EBD -> Baal; Cutting SBD -> Arms, Armor; Baal; Carmel; Cuttings [in the flesh]; Knife; Lancet 18:28 - [In Context] So the prophets prayed louder. They cut themselves with swords and spears. (This was the way they worshiped.) They cut themselves until the blood flowed over them.
FOOTNOTES: F196: palace   A large house for the king and his family. F197: Baal   The Canaanite people believed that this false god brought the rain and storms. They also thought that he made the land produce good crops. F198: Asherah   An important Canaanite goddess. At this time, the people thought she was the wife of Baal. F199: Queen Jezebel supports those prophets   Literally, "Those prophets eat at Jezebel's table." F200: Baal   The Canaanite people believed that this false god brought the rain and storms. They also thought that he made the land produce good crops. F201: Baal   The Canaanite people believed that this false god brought the rain and storms. They also thought that he made the land produce good crops. F202: Baal   The Canaanite people believed that this false god brought the rain and storms. They also thought that he made the land produce good crops. F203: Baal   The Canaanite people believed that this false god brought the rain and storms. They also thought that he made the land produce good crops. F204: Baal   The Canaanite people believed that this false god brought the rain and storms. They also thought that he made the land produce good crops.

Abbreviations Legend: GEB - Gill's Exposition; JFB - Jamieson, Fausset, Brown; MHC-COM - Matthew Henry Complete; MHC-CON - Matthew Henry Concise; SRN - Scofield Reference Notes; TSK - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge; WEN - Wesley's Explanatory Notes; NTB - Nave's Topical Bible; TSK - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge; TTT - Torrey's Topical Textbook; EBD - Easton's Bible Dictionary; SBD - Smith's Bible Dictionary; Copyright Statement - Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission.