Fire from Heaven: A Clash of Idols and the Power of God

Welcome to Day 92 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are continuing the book of 1 Kings. In 1 Kings 16-18, a period of great spiritual decline is depicted in Israel, marked by the wicked reign of King Ahab and the rise of the prophet Elijah. Chapter 16 details the continued corruption of Israel’s kings, culminating in Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel and the promotion of Baal worship. In chapter 17, Elijah boldly declares a drought as divine judgment, experiences God’s miraculous provision, and raises a widow’s son from the dead. Chapter 18 showcases the dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel, where Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal, demonstrating the power of the one true God through fire from heaven. These events highlight God's sovereignty, the consequences of idolatry, and the call to unwavering faith in Him.

1 Kings 16: 1 Kings 16 records the continued downfall of Israel’s monarchy, emphasizing the wickedness of its kings. Following the short reign of Elah, Zimri seizes the throne by murdering the king but rules for only seven days before setting his palace on fire and perishing. Omri, his successor, establishes a strong but morally corrupt rule, founding the city of Samaria as Israel’s capital. However, it is Ahab, Omri’s son, who surpasses all his predecessors in evil. Ahab marries Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, and aggressively promotes Baal worship, provoking the Lord’s anger. This chapter sets the stage for God’s coming judgment on Israel due to its persistent rebellion.

1 Kings 17: 1 Kings 17 introduces Elijah, one of the Bible’s greatest prophets, who declares a drought upon Israel as judgment for their idolatry. God sustains Elijah by sending ravens to feed him at the Brook Cherith. When the brook dries up, God leads him to a widow in Zarephath, where a miraculous supply of flour and oil sustains them throughout the famine. Later, when the widow’s son dies, Elijah prays, and God raises the boy from the dead, demonstrating His power over life and death. This chapter highlights God’s provision, faithfulness, and ability to work miracles even in times of great distress.

1 Kings 18: 1 Kings 18 recounts the dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. After three years of drought, Elijah challenges King Ahab and gathers the people of Israel to witness a test of divine power. The prophets of Baal fail to summon fire from their god, but when Elijah prays, God sends fire from heaven, consuming the offering, altar, and water surrounding it. The people acknowledge the Lord as the true God, and Elijah orders the execution of the false prophets. Soon after, Elijah prays, and God sends rain, ending the drought. This chapter powerfully displays God’s supremacy and calls His people to reject idolatry and return to Him.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The book of 1 Kings derives its name from its content, as it records the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. The title originates from the Hebrew name "Melekhim" meaning "Kings." In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it was included as part of the larger "Books of the Kingdoms" (Βασιλειῶν), later divided into 1 & 2 Kings.

Purpose of the Book:

1 Kings serves to document the history of Israel’s monarchy, beginning with Solomon's reign and leading to the division of the kingdom into Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom). The book emphasizes how the kings' faithfulness—or lack thereof—to God's covenant determined the nation's prosperity or downfall. It highlights God's sovereignty over history, the consequences of disobedience, and the role of prophets in guiding and warning the people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

Jewish tradition attributes the authorship of 1 Kings to the prophet Jeremiah, though there is no explicit biblical confirmation of this. The Talmud (Baba Bathra 15a) suggests that Jeremiah compiled Kings based on prophetic records and royal chronicles. Some scholars argue that it was written by an anonymous compiler, often referred to as the Deuteronomist, who drew from earlier sources such as:

The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:29)

Outside the Bible, ancient historians such as Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 8) acknowledge that Jewish records documented the events of Kings, reinforcing its historical credibility.

Key People:

Solomon – Son of David and Bathsheba, known for his wisdom, the building of the temple, and his eventual downfall due to idolatry.
Rehoboam – Solomon’s son, whose harsh leadership led to the division of the kingdom.
Jeroboam – The first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who established idol worship in Bethel and Dan.
Elijah – A major prophet who confronted Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
Ahab – A wicked king of Israel, married to Jezebel, and infamous for promoting Baal worship.
Jezebel – A Phoenician princess and wife of Ahab who persecuted God’s prophets.
Asa and Jehoshaphat – Kings of Judah known for their faithfulness to God compared to Israel’s kings.

Conclusion

1 Kings sets the stage for the spiritual decline of Israel, leading to its eventual exile, while also reminding readers of God's enduring faithfulness despite human failure.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 1 Kings 16, God’s name Elohim is fitting as He demonstrates His sovereign rule over the rise and fall of kings. Despite Israel’s rebellion, He remains in control, executing justice upon wicked rulers like Zimri and ensuring that their sin does not go unchecked. Even as Ahab ascends the throne and plunges Israel deeper into idolatry, God is not absent—He is setting the stage for His prophet Elijah to challenge the nation’s corruption.

God’s character is revealed as just and holy, unwilling to tolerate persistent sin. The lesson He teaches is that unchecked wickedness leads to destruction, as seen in the downfall of kings who reject Him. Even when evil appears to prevail, God is still sovereign, allowing consequences to unfold while preparing a way for His truth to be revealed.

In 1 Kings 17, God reveals Himself as Jehovah-Jireh, "The Lord Will Provide", sustaining Elijah with ravens, the widow’s flour and oil, and the resurrection of her son. His name Yahweh is also evident, as He remains personally involved in the lives of those who trust Him, guiding Elijah step by step. Through miraculous provision, God shows that He is intimately aware of His people’s needs and able to meet them in unexpected ways.

God’s character shines through as compassionate and faithful, caring for both Elijah and the Gentile widow. The lesson He teaches is that faith in Him leads to provision and life, even in the midst of drought and difficulty. Trusting in God’s word brings sustenance, while doubting Him can lead to fear—yet He remains patient, proving His power and faithfulness through miracles.

In 1 Kings 18, God is revealed as Yahweh, the Lord of all, who alone deserves worship. The name Elohim also appears in the challenge on Mount Carmel, signifying His supreme authority over nature and the false gods of Baal. When fire falls from heaven at Elijah’s prayer, God displays His unmatched power, silencing the prophets of Baal and calling Israel back to Himself.

God’s character is revealed as jealous for His people’s worship and all-powerful in demonstrating His supremacy. The lesson He teaches is that He alone is God, and anything that takes His place is worthless. Through this dramatic showdown, He calls His people to make a choice—either follow Him fully or remain lost in deception.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

How does God’s justice and sovereignty appear in 1 Kings 16-18, even in the midst of Israel’s rebellion?
In what ways does God show His provision and faithfulness to those who trust in Him in these chapters?
How does God’s response to Ahab’s wickedness in 1 Kings 16 reflect His holiness and intolerance of idolatry?
What does Elijah’s dependence on God in 1 Kings 17 teach us about God’s personal care and guidance?
How does God demonstrate His power over false gods in 1 Kings 18, and what does this reveal about His authority?
Why do you think God performed miracles, such as providing food for Elijah and the widow, rather than solving problems in a more ordinary way?
How does God’s character in these chapters challenge the way we view Him in our daily lives?

Questions About Themes:

How does the theme of divine judgment play out in the rise and fall of kings in 1 Kings 16?
What does 1 Kings 17 teach about trusting in God’s provision even when circumstances seem impossible?
How does the confrontation on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18 illustrate the theme of choosing between God and idolatry?
In what ways do these chapters reveal that God always preserves a remnant of faithful believers?
How does the theme of obedience and faith contrast with rebellion and idolatry in these passages?
Why does God often use trials, such as drought and famine, to draw people back to Him?
How does the theme of spiritual renewal emerge when the people turn back to God after the fire falls in 1 Kings 18?

Reflective Application Questions:

Are there any areas in your life where you have allowed “idols” to take priority over God? How can you realign your worship?
When facing difficult seasons, do you rely on your own strength or trust in God’s provision like Elijah did?
How can you respond to God’s call for unwavering faith, even when others around you reject Him?
What steps can you take to stand boldly for God, as Elijah did, in a culture that often opposes His truth?
Do you recognize God’s power and faithfulness in your life, or do you sometimes doubt like the Israelites did before the fire fell?
How can you encourage others to return to God when they have strayed, as Elijah did with Israel?
What practical ways can you strengthen your faith so that, like Elijah, you are prepared to act when God calls you?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans