1 Kings 18 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, the author continues to describe in detail how one of the great Israelite prophets, Elijah, challenged the king and people of Israel to stop worshiping idols and to become devoted to Yahweh once again. This chapter relates a great contest on Mount Carmel in which Elijah defeated and completely discredited the prophets of Baal.

1. Elijah returns to Israel (18:1–19)
2. Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal in a contest on Mount Carmel (18:20–40)
3. Elijah prays for rain, and Yahweh sends a great storm (18:41–46)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Where would the people have gotten so much water during a severe drought?

In 18:34, during his contest with the prophets of Baal, Elijah tells the people to douse the altar of Yahweh thoroughly with water. They use twelve large jars full of water to do that. But this was during a severe drought. It had not rained in Israel for three years. So where would the people have gotten all that water? One likely source is the Mediterranean Sea. Mount Carmel, the site of the contest, was on the seacoast. Some interpreters also note that there is a shaded spring on Mount Carmel that continues to have water even in dry conditions. So those are two good possibilities. The availability of all that water is not a contradiction or inconsistency in the text.