1 Kings 18 – Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 1 Kings 18:20,21,38-46

20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’

But the people said nothing.

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord – he is God! The Lord – he is God!’

40 Then Elijah commanded them, ‘Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!’ They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.’ 42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

43 ‘Go and look toward the sea,’ he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

‘There is nothing there,’ he said.

Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go back.’

44 The seventh time the servant reported, ‘A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.’

So Elijah said, ‘Go and tell Ahab, “Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”’

45 Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rainstorm came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46 The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

A. Find Out:    

1. How did Elijah challenge the people? v21
2. What did the Lord do and how did the people respond? v.38,39
3. What happened to the false prophets? v.40
4. What did Elijah tell Ahab? v.41
5. What did Ahab do? v.45

B. Think:

1. Read the story of Elijah from v.16 to 38 not covered.
2. What was Ahab’s role in all this?
3. What do you think he felt about it all?

C. Comment:

       In a sense this chapter is all about Elijah, but we are following the story of Ahab and it’s very easy to forget him in all that is happening. Recap: Ahab has married Jezebel and has allowed Baal worship into the land. Jezebel has been putting to death the Lord’s prophets and be setting up her own Baal-worshipping ‘prophets’. The land is in a spiritual mess, and Ahab is king! However, from what we’ve just noted, this king has abdicated the power and it is in the hands of his wife. He’s spiritually irresponsible – but he’s a king of the covenant people of God.

     There is almost an echo of humour in the background of these terrible events. The land is in a dire state because of the drought. Ahab puts it down to Elijah and is therefore loath to move against him. In fact when Elijah demands he sends for the prophets of Baal, he does so. We then go through the incident of the offerings on the two altars, which culminates in fire from the Lord. When Elijah orders death for the false prophets, the people have no problem in carrying it out. In all this Ahab has been a powerless onlooker. He’s dealing with a powerful man of God and the people are obviously responding to Elijah so Ahab dare not do anything. Then before his eyes, all of his wife’s prophets are killed! He is going to be in serious trouble with his wife when he gets home and tells her! Well, he got himself into this position so he can get himself out of it – or suffer the consequences!

D. Application:

1. Carelessness in sin still has bad consequences. No excuses.
2. Sin brings its own bad consequences. Beware.