Elijah and the Fire From Heaven

1 Kings 18:17–39

WHAT HAPPENED

On Mount Carmel, Elijah stood before the people and asked them to stop wavering between two sides. He told them to prepare two bulls with no fire, and said the God who answered by fire would show that He is God. The prophets of Baal called out all day, but no one answered. Then Elijah repaired the Lord’s altar, prayed, and the Lord sent fire that burned everything on the altar and even the water. When the people saw it, they fell down and said that the Lord is God.

SCENE 1 / 6

How Long Will You Waver?

Ahab gathered the people of Israel and the prophets at Mount Carmel. Elijah came close and asked how long they would keep wavering between two sides. He told them that if the Lord is God, they should follow Him, and if Baal is god, they should follow him. The people did not answer a word.

1 Kings 18:20-21

SCENE 2 / 6

Two Altars

Elijah said that he alone was left as a prophet of the Lord, but Baal had four hundred fifty prophets. He told the people to bring two bulls and prepare them on wood, but to put no fire under them. The prophets of Baal would call on their god, and Elijah would call on the Lord. The God who answered by fire would show that He is God. The people agreed, and Elijah told Baal’s prophets to go first.

1 Kings 18:22-25

SCENE 3 / 6

No Answer at All

The prophets of Baal took the bull, prepared it, and called on Baal from morning until noon. They cried out and leaped around the altar, but there was no voice and no answer. At noon Elijah mocked them and told them to cry louder. They kept going until the time of the evening offering, but still there was no voice, no answer, and nobody paid attention.

1 Kings 18:26-29

SCENE 4 / 6

Elijah Builds the Altar

Elijah asked all the people to come near, and they came close to him. He repaired the Lord’s altar that had been torn down, using twelve stones for the tribes of the sons of Jacob. Then he built the altar in the Lord’s name, put the wood in order, and laid the bull on it. He told them to pour four jars of water on the offering and the wood three times. The water ran all around the altar and filled the trench too.

1 Kings 18:30-35

SCENE 5 / 6

Elijah Prays

At the time of the evening offering, Elijah came near and prayed to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. He asked the Lord to make it known that He is God in Israel and that Elijah was His servant. He said he had done these things at God’s word. Then he asked the Lord to hear him so the people would know that the Lord is God and that He had turned their hearts back again.

1 Kings 18:36-37

SCENE 6 / 6

Fire Falls

Then the Lord’s fire fell. It burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dust, and even the water in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. They said that the Lord is God.

1 Kings 18:38-39

MEMORY VERSE · World English Bible (WEB)

“When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. They said, “Yahweh, he is God! Yahweh, he is God!””

1 Kings 18:39

WHAT WE LEARN

This story shows that the Lord alone is God. Elijah trusted the Lord, and the Lord answered so the people would know the truth and turn their hearts back to Him. God wants people to know Him and come near to Him.

DID YOU KNOW?

Elijah used twelve stones when he rebuilt the altar.

TALK ABOUT IT

Why did Elijah ask the people to stop wavering?
What happened when the prophets of Baal called out?
What did Elijah do before he prayed?
What did the people say when the fire fell?

PRAY ABOUT IT

Lord God, You alone are God. Help me trust You and know You are true. Turn my heart to You.

📍 Where it happened: Mount Carmel

CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY