Deep Dive

I Kings 18:18

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“I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 18

We 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 have discovered him; he would rather do good than be known to do it. But in this chapter his appearance was as public as before his retirement was close; the days appointed for his concealment (which was part of the judgment upon Israel) being finished, he is not commanded to show himself to Ahab, and to expect rain upon the earth (Kg1 18:1). Pursuant to this order we have here, I. His interview with Obadiah, one of Ahab's servants, by whom he sends notice to Ahab of his coming (Kg1 18:2-16). II. His interview with Ahab himself (Kg1 18:17-20). III. His interview with all Israel upon Mount Carmel, in order to a public trial of titles between the Lord and Baal; a most distinguished solemnity it was, in which, 1. Baal and his prophets were confounded. 2. God and Elijah were honoured (v. 21-39). IV. The execution he did upon the prophets of Baal (Kg1 18:40). V. The return of the mercy of rain, at the word of Elijah (Kg1 18:41-46). It is a chapter in which are many things very observable.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 18

אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָכַר (ʻâkar, H5916) — properly, to roil water; figuratively, to disturb or affict יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

II Chronicles 15:2rank 6

So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

I Kings 9:9rank 5

And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, the LORD has brought all this disaster upon them.’”

I Kings 16:31rank 4

And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.

Jeremiah 2:19rank 4

Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

I Kings 21:25rank 3

(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.

Jeremiah 2:13rank 2

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns— broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Isaiah 3:11rank 2

Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

Proverbs 11:19rank 2

Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.

Proverbs 13:21rank 2

Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

Matthew 14:4rank 2

because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

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