1 Kings 18:20-29

The Prophets of Baal Defeated

²⁰ So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. ²¹ And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long _r will you go limping between two different opinions? _s If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word. ²² Then Elijah said to the people, _t "I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are _u 450 men. ²³ Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. ²⁴ And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who _v answers by fire, he is God." And all the people answered, "It is well spoken." ²⁵ Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it." ²⁶ And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. ²⁷ And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." ²⁸ And they cried aloud and _w cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. ²⁹ And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of _x the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.

1. Cross References
   2 Kings 17:41
   So these nations feared the Lord and also served their carved images. Their children did likewise, and their children's children - as their fathers did, so they do to this day.
   
2. Cross References
   Joshua 24:15
   And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
   Matthew 6:24
   No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
   
3. Cross References
   1 Kings 19:10
   He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.
   1 Kings 19:14
   He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.
   
4. Cross References
   1 Kings 18:19
   Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.
   
5. Cross References
   1 Kings 18:38
   Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
   
6. Cross References
   Leviticus 19:28
   You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.
   Deuteronomy 14:1
   You are the sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead.
   
7. Cross References
   Exodus 29:39
   One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.
   Exodus 29:41
   The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it a grain offering and its drink offering, as in the morning, for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord.