1 Kings 18:24

And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

And call {H7121} ye on the name {H8034} of your gods {H430}, and I will call {H7121} on the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}: and the God {H430} that answereth {H6030} by fire {H784}, let him be God {H430}. And all the people {H5971} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, It is well {H2896} spoken {H1697}.

Then, you, call on the name of your god; and I will call on the name of ADONAI; and the God who answers with fire, let him be God!" All the people answered, "Good idea! Agreed!"

Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.”

And call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Jehovah; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

Context

1 Kings 18:24 is a pivotal verse in the dramatic confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. This event takes place during a severe drought that had afflicted Israel for three and a half years, a judgment from God due to the widespread idolatry promoted by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 18:1). Elijah, standing alone against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah, challenges them to a definitive test to prove who the true God is. The proposal in this verse sets the terms for this epic spiritual showdown: a contest of divine power, where the God who answers by fire will be acknowledged as the one true deity. The people's immediate agreement, "It is well spoken," underscores the fairness and urgency of the challenge, as they were wavering between the worship of the LORD and Baal (1 Kings 18:21).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Supremacy of the LORD: The core message is the absolute sovereignty and unique power of the God of Israel over all false gods. Elijah's challenge is designed to expose the impotence of Baal and affirm that there is no god like the LORD (Isaiah 45:5).
  • Divine Revelation through Power: God is not merely a philosophical concept but a living, active deity who reveals Himself through supernatural acts. The specific test of answering by fire is a powerful demonstration of His presence and authority, echoing earlier instances of divine fire (Leviticus 9:24).
  • Confrontation of Idolatry: This verse highlights the direct conflict between true worship and the destructive nature of idolatry. Elijah forces a decisive moment, demanding a choice between serving the LORD or Baal, thereby challenging the spiritual apathy and syncretism prevalent in Israel.
  • The People's Acknowledgment: The phrase "It is well spoken" signifies the people's recognition of the justness and clarity of Elijah's proposed test. It sets the stage for their eventual turning back to the LORD after witnessing His power (1 Kings 18:39).

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "call ye on the name of your gods" and "I will call on the name of the LORD" emphasizes the act of invocation and the authority inherent in a deity's "name" (Hebrew: shem). In ancient Near Eastern thought, a god's name represented their character, power, and essence. Thus, calling on a god's name was an appeal to their very being for intervention. The phrase "God that answereth by fire" is precise and direct, leaving no room for ambiguity or human manipulation. Fire here symbolizes divine acceptance, judgment, and undeniable power.

Practical Application

Elijah's bold challenge on Mount Carmel remains relevant today.

  1. Discerning Truth: Like the Israelites, we are often faced with competing claims for our allegiance—whether from secular ideologies, material possessions, or other modern "gods." This verse encourages us to critically examine where we place our faith and to seek a God who truly acts and reveals Himself.
  2. Boldness in Faith: Elijah stood alone, yet unwavering in his conviction. His example inspires believers to stand firm for the truth, even when it is unpopular or challenging, trusting that God will vindicate His name.
  3. The Living God: The narrative powerfully reminds us that the God of the Bible is not a distant, inactive deity but a living God who intervenes in human affairs and answers prayer. While He may not always answer by literal fire, His power to transform lives and circumstances remains evident. This challenges us to consider whom we truly serve, echoing the call to "choose this day whom ye will serve".
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Kings 18:38

    Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that [was] in the trench.

  • 1 Chronicles 21:26

    And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:3

    And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Leviticus 9:24

    And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:1

    ¶ Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

  • Judges 6:21

    Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that [was] in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

  • 2 Samuel 14:19

    And the king said, [Is not] the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, [As] thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:
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