(30) “And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me; and all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of Jehovah that was thrown down. (31) And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of Jehovah came, saying, Israel shall be thy name. (32) And with the stones he built an altar in the name of Jehovah; and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. (33) And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the wood. And he said, Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt-offering, and on the wood. (34) And he said, Do it the second time; and they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time; and they did it the third time. (35) And the water ran about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. (36) And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening oblation, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, O Jehovah, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. (37) Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that thou, Jehovah, art God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again. (38) Then the fire of Jehovah 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. (39) And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Jehovah, He is God; Jehovah, He is God. (40) And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.”
(41) “And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain. (42) So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. (43) And he said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. (44) And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a cloud out of the sea, as small as a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Make ready thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. (45) And it came to pass in a little while, that the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel; (46) and the hand of Jehovah was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”
Golden Text.— “If the Lord be God, follow Him.” Verse 21.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What was the occasion of King Ahab’s calling the people of Israel together on Mount Carmel? (2) When the prophets of Baal had failed to get an answer to their petitions, what did Elijah say to the people? Then what did he proceed to do? Verse 30. (3) What material did he use? What word had come to the sons of Jacob? Verse 31. (4) In whose name did he build the altar? What did he construct around the altar? Verse 32. (5) What further preparation did he make? What strange command did he give to those who assisted him? Verse 33. (6) What further command did he give? And yet again what direction was given? Verse 34. (7) As the water ran round about the altar, what was added to this? Verse 35. (8) At the time of the evening oblation in Jewish worship, what did Elijah do? Verse 36. (9) What additional petition did he offer? Verse 37. (10) In what wonderful manner was Elijah’s prayer answered? Verse 38. (11) When the people saw this what did they do? And what did they say? Verse 39. (12) Then what command did Elijah give to the people? When the prophets of Baal were all taken, what was done with them? Verse 40. (13) Then what did Elijah tell Ahab to do? Why? Verse 41. As Ahab went to eat and drink, what did Elijah do? Verse 42. (14) What did he say to his servant? What word did the servant bring? Then what command did Elijah give? Verse 43. (15) After going the seventh time, what word did the servant bring? What message did the prophet then send to the king? Verse 44. (16) What came to pass in a little while? On leaving the place, where did Ahab go? Verse 45. (17) What then came upon Elijah? and what was he moved to do? Verse 46.
