God or Baal on Mount Carmel

20 So Ahab sent orders among all the sons of Israel and brought the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “(A)How long are you going to [a]struggle with the two choices? (B)If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him so much as a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I (C)alone am left as a prophet of the Lord, while Baal’s prophets are (D)450 men. 23 Now have them give us two oxen; and have them choose the one ox for themselves and cut it up, and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other ox and lay it on the wood, and I will not put a fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and (E)the God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people replied, “[b]That is a good idea.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 18:21 Lit limp on the two crutches
  2. 1 Kings 18:24 Lit The matter is good

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

But the people said nothing.

22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left,(D) but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.(E) 23 Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call(F) on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord.(G) The god who answers by fire(H)—he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

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