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Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:19

Now therefore send, to wit, messengers, that this controversy between thee and me may be decided, the true cause of these heavy judgments discovered and removed, that so this plague may be removed. Gather to me all Israel, by their deputies, or heads, or representatives, that they may be witnesses of all our transactions. Unto Mount Carmel; not that Carmel in Judah, 1 Samuel 15:12, but another in Issachar by the midland sea, Joshua 19:26; Jeremiah 46:18; which he chose as a very convenient... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:20

He complied with Elijah’s motion; partly, because it was so fair and reasonable, that he could not refuse it with honour, nor without the discontent of all his people, this being proposed in order to their deliverance from this terrible famine; partly, because the urgency of the present distress made him willing to try all means to remove it; partly, from a curiosity of seeing some extraordinary events; and principally, because God inclined his heart to close with it. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:21

How long halt ye between two opinions? why do you not make straight paths with your feet? as the phrase is, Hebrews 12:13; why do you walk so lamely and unevenly, being so unsteady in your opinions and practices, and doubting whether it is better to worship God or Baal? If the Lord be God; whom you pretend to worship in the calves, 2 Kings 10:16,2 Kings 10:31; compare Exodus 32:4. Follow him; worship him, and him only, and that in such place and manner as he hath commanded you, and not by the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:22

I only remain, to wit, here present, publicly to own and plead the cause of God; for he opposeth himself only to Baal’s four’ hundred and fifty prophets, because they only were present; the prophets of the groves being, it seems, not permitted by Jezebel (through her pride, or obstinacy, or care and kindness to them) to go thither. See 1 Kings 22:6. As for the other prophets of the Lord, many of them were slain by Ahab or Jezebel, others banished, or hid in caves. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:23

He attempts the decision of this controversy, not by God’s word, which was either rejected, or despised, or grossly neglected by the generality of that people; but by a miracle, to which all that had common sense must needs submit. Let them choose one bullock for themselves, which they judge best and fittest for their purpose. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:24

That answereth by fire, i.e. that shall consume the sacrifice by fire sent from heaven; which the people knew the true God used to do, as Genesis 4:4; Judges 6:21; Judges 13:20. All the people; even the Baalites themselves; partly because they could not without great reproach to themselves and Baal refuse so equal a motion; and partly because they were confident of Baal’s power and divinity, having probably had some experiments of supernatural and prodigious events done in the worship of Baal... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:25

Ye are many, and I am willing to give you the precedency. This he did, partly because if he had first offered, and God had answered by fire, as he knew that he would do, Baal’s priests would have been discouraged, and upon some excuse (which would easily be accepted in regard of the king’s authority, and the favour which they had with the people) would have desisted from making the trial on their part; and partly because the disappointment of the priests of Baal, of which he was well assured,... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:26

They took the bullock which was given them; which being chosen by them, 1 Kings 18:25, was now put into their hands by those who had the beasts in their custody, till they were taken away for sacrifice. They dressed it; cut it in pieces, and laid the parts in or upon the wood. From morning; from the time of the morning sacrifice; which advantage Elijah suffered them to take for their sacrifice. Upon the altar; or, over the altar; which might easily be done, the altar being low, and suddenly... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:27

At noon; when they had long tried all means in vain. Elijah mocked them; derided them and their gods, which were indeed, and had now proved themselves to be, ridiculous and contemptible things. By this example we see that all jesting is not unlawful, but only that which intrencheth upon piety and good manners. See Poole "Ephesians 5:4". Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey; he is employed about some other business, and hath not leisure to mind you; for being a god of a... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 18:28

They cried aloud; as if Elijah had spoken the truth, and their god needed rousing. Cut themselves; mingling their own blood with their sacrifices; as knowing by experience, that nothing was more acceptable to their Baal (which was indeed the devil) than human blood, and hoping hereby to move their god to pity and help them. And this indeed was the practice of divers heathens in the worship of their false gods, as is manifest both from Scripture, as Leviticus 19:28; Deuteronomy 14:1; 1 Kings... read more

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