Pentecost Season · Proper 4 · Year C
1 Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), 30-39
Elijah and the Prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel
June 4, 2028
Overview & Insights
"How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." (1 Kings 18:21)
Elijah summons Ahab, the people of Israel, and 450 prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel for a contest to prove whose God is real. When Baal fails to answer his prophets' frantic pleas, Elijah rebuilds the Lord's altar, and fire falls from heaven to consume the drenched sacrifice.
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Commentary
1 Kings 18 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on the Carmel contest verse by verse.
1 Kings 18 Commentary: Elijah and the Prophets of Baal Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's chapter commentary on Elijah's confrontation with Baal's prophets.
1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29), 30-39 Center for Excellence in Preaching
Preaching-focused reading of Elijah's courage to speak the word of the Lord to power.
Commentary on 1 Kings 18:20-21 [22-29] 30-39 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary's lectionary commentary on Elijah's public test of true worship.
1 Kings 18 (Gill's Exposition) StudyLight
John Gill's older verse-by-verse notes fill out historical and textual detail.
Background & Word Study
1 Kings 18:20 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew interlinear lets you check the key verb for "limping" (pasach) in Elijah's challenge.
1 Kings 18 (Hebrew Text) Sefaria
Sefaria's Hebrew-English side-by-side text of the Carmel narrative.
Kings Video Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of 1-2 Kings places Elijah's Carmel showdown within the book's larger story of covenant unfaithfulness.
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