Question 1

What does Elijah mean by "How long halt ye between two opinions"?

Accepted Answer

Elijah is calling out the people’s double-mindedness. They were trying to worship the Lord and also follow Baal. The picture is of someone limping back and forth, never putting full weight on either side. Elijah tells them they cannot stay in the middle. If the Lord is truly God, they must follow him with their whole heart. If they think Baal is god, then they should be honest and follow Baal. This presses them, and us, to make a real, clear choice about whom we serve.

Question 2

Why does Ahab call Elijah the one who troubles Israel?

Accepted Answer

Ahab blames Elijah for the drought and famine, because Elijah announced that there would be no rain. From Ahab’s view, Elijah is the problem. Elijah answers that he is not the one troubling Israel. The real cause is Ahab and his father’s house turning away from God’s commands and following Baal. This shows how sin twists things, so that those who speak God’s truth are blamed, while the real trouble is the people’s own disobedience and idolatry.

Question 3

Why did Elijah challenge the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel?

Accepted Answer

Elijah calls for a meeting on Mount Carmel so the whole nation can see clearly who is the true God. He tells Ahab to gather all Israel and the prophets of Baal and of the groves. On the mountain, there will be only one test: the God who answers by fire is God. This open challenge is meant to expose how empty Baal worship is and to bring the people back to the Lord. It is a public call to stop wavering and return to true worship.

Question 4

What is the meaning of the test with the two bullocks and no fire?

Accepted Answer

Elijah’s test is simple and fair. The prophets of Baal get a bull, and Elijah gets a bull. Each side prepares an altar and puts the sacrifice and wood in place, but no one is allowed to light a fire. Instead, they must call on their god. The idea is that only the real God can send fire from heaven. By removing human effort, the test shows that any answer must come from above. When Baal is silent, his worship is shown to be empty, and God’s answer will stand out clearly.

Question 5

Why did the prophets of Baal cry aloud and cut themselves?

Accepted Answer

The prophets of Baal cried from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, hear us.” When nothing happened, they became more frantic. They leaped on the altar and cut themselves with knives and lancets until the blood flowed. This was their custom, hoping to stir their god to pay attention. But there was still no voice and no answer. The story shows how idol worship can lead people into painful, even harmful practices, yet still cannot bring real help or power.

Question 6

Why does Elijah mock the prophets of Baal at noon?

Accepted Answer

At noon, after hours of shouting with no result, Elijah mocks them. He tells them to cry louder, saying maybe their god is talking, traveling, busy, or even asleep and needs to be awakened. His words are sharp on purpose. He is showing how foolish it is to treat a supposed god like a distracted human. The mockery underlines the emptiness of Baal. A real God does not get lost, fall asleep, or fail to hear. The silence from Baal proves he is no god at all.

Question 7

What is the significance of Elijah repairing the altar of the Lord with twelve stones?

Accepted Answer

Elijah calls the people near and repairs the broken altar of the Lord. He uses twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom God said, “Israel shall be your name.” This is a strong reminder that the whole nation belongs to the Lord, not just a part. Even though the kingdom was divided, God still saw them as one people. By rebuilding the altar this way, Elijah is calling them back to their true identity and covenant with the Lord.

Question 8

Why did Elijah pour water on the sacrifice three times?

Accepted Answer

Elijah has four barrels of water poured on the sacrifice and wood, and he tells them to do it a second and a third time. The water runs around the altar and fills the trench. This makes it humanly impossible for the wood to catch fire. When fire later falls from heaven, no one can say it was a trick or chance. The soaking shows Elijah’s confidence that God can answer in power, and it helps the people see that the coming fire is clearly a work of the Lord.

Question 9

What does this passage teach about God compared to idols like Baal?

Accepted Answer

This story sets the living God and Baal side by side. Baal’s prophets shout, dance, and hurt themselves, but there is no voice, no answer, and no one who pays attention. Their god is silent and powerless. Elijah, on the other hand, calls on the Lord who made Israel his people. God will answer by fire in a way no one can deny. The passage shows that idols take much and give nothing, but the Lord hears, acts, and calls people back to himself.

Question 10

How can the challenge on Mount Carmel apply to my life today?

Accepted Answer

The scene on Mount Carmel is about more than one day in Israel’s history. Elijah’s question still reaches us: how long will you waver between two opinions? Today, people may not bow to Baal, but they can divide their hearts between God and other “gods” such as money, success, or approval. This passage invites you to look honestly at what you trust and follow. It encourages you to stop living in between and to give your loyalty and trust to the Lord alone.

1 Kings 18:16

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

Elijah on Mount Carmel

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1 Kings 18:16

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

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Elijah on Mount Carmel

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