Bible Commentary

1 Kings 18:21

1 Kings 18:21

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

And Elijah came unto all the people,.... Assembled at Mount Carmel:and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? sometimes inclining to the one, and sometimes to the other: as a lame man in walking, his body moves sometimes to one side, and sometimes to another; or "leap ye upon two branches" , like a bird that leaps or hops from one branch to another, and never settles long; or rather it denotes the confusion of their thoughts, being like branches of trees twisted and implicated; thus upbraiding them with their inconstancy and fickleness; what their two opinions were, may be learnt from the next clause:if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him; for there is but one God, one infinite, immense, and incomprehensible being; one that is omnipotent, all sufficient, good, and perfect; there cannot be more, and therefore but one to be followed, served, and worshipped:and the people answered him not a word: through conviction and confusion, his reasoning being unanswerable; or not knowing which to choose at present; or fearing they should be drawn into a snare, should they name any; either incur the displeasure of the king, who was for Baal, or of the prophet, who was for the Lord, at whose word rain was withheld, and might be given, which they were desirous of.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for 1 Kings 18:21

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

1 Kings 18 — Overview1 Kings 18 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe left the prophet Elijah wrapt up in obscurity. It does not appear that either the increase of the provision or the raising of the child had caused him to be taken notice of at Zarephath, for then Ahab would…1 Kings 18 — Overview1 Kings 18 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Kings 18:1, In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah; 1 Kings 18:9, Obadiah brings Ahab to Elijah; 1 Kings 18:17, Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal’s prophets; 1…1 Kings 18 — Overview1 Kings 18 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter Elijah has an order from the Lord to show himself to Ahab, who, going first, and meeting with a servant of his, Obadiah, charges him to tell his master where he was, that he might meet him, 1Ki 18:1,…1 Kings 18:1-461 Kings 18:1-46 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION ELIJAH'S RETURN AND THE ORDEAL OF MOUNT CARMEL.—The preceding chapter having been exclusively occupied with the fortunes of Elijah during his enforced absence of three and a half years from the land of…1 Kings 18:1-461 Kings 18:1-46 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd Elijah took twelve stones [This number, too, was full of significance. Not only would it carry back their thoughts to the giving of the law (Exodus 24:4; Exodus 28:21), and to their fathers' entrance into the…1 Kings 18:1-461 Kings 18:1-46 · The Pulpit Commentary1. "Let every man, wherein he is called, there abide with God" (1 Corinthians 7:20, 1 Corinthians 7:24). The temptation to desert our post, because of the difficulties, seductions, persecutions it affords, is peculiarly…