1After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” (1Ki 17:1)2So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.3And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly, (1Ki 16:9)4and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) (1Ki 18:13)5And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.”6So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.7And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”8And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’”9And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me?10As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. (1Ki 17:1)11And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’12And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the LORD will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the LORD from my youth. (2Ki 2:16; Eze 3:12; Eze 3:14; Eze 8:3; Ac 8:39)13Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD’s prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? (1Ki 18:4)14And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; and he will kill me.”15And Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” (1Ki 18:10)16So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah.17When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” (Jos 7:25; 1Ki 21:20)18And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. (1Ki 9:9; 1Ki 16:31; 2Ch 15:2; 2Ch 24:20)19Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” (Jos 19:26; 1Ki 16:33; 1Ki 18:22; 2Ki 3:13)
The Prophets of Baal Defeated
20So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.21And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. (Jos 24:15; 2Ki 17:41; Mt 6:24)22Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. (1Ki 18:19; 1Ki 19:10; 1Ki 19:14)23Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it.24And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” (1Ki 18:38)25Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.”26And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made.27And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”28And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. (Le 19:28; De 14:1)29And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. (Ex 29:39; Ex 29:41)30Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. (1Ki 19:10; 1Ki 19:14)31Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” (Ge 32:28; Ge 35:10; 2Ki 17:34)32and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs[1] of seed.33And he put the wood in order and cut the bull 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.” (Ge 22:9; Le 1:7; Jud 6:20)34And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time.35And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.36And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. (Ex 3:6; Nu 16:28; Jos 4:24; 1Sa 17:46; 1Ki 18:29)37Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”38Then the fire of the LORD 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. (Le 9:24; 1Ki 18:24)39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.” (1Ki 18:24)40And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there. (Jud 4:7; 2Ki 10:25)
The Lord Sends Rain
41And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.”42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. (Jas 5:17; Jas 5:18)43And 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.44And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” (Lu 12:54)45And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. (Jos 17:16)46And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. (Ex 12:11; Jos 17:16; 2Ki 3:15; 2Ki 4:29; 2Ki 9:1; Jer 1:17; Eze 1:3; Eze 3:14)
1 Kings 18
King James Version
1And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.2And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.3And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:4For it was so , when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)5And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.6So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.7And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?8And he answered him, I am : go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here .9And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?10As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there ; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.11And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here .12And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.13Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD' prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?14And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here : and he shall slay me.15And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.16So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.17And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?18And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father' house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.19Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel' table.20So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal' prophets are four hundred and fifty men.23Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under : and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under :24And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.25And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under .26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it , and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.30And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:32And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.33And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.34And 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.35And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.36And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, 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.37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.38Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.39And when all the people saw it , they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.40And 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.41And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,43And 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.44And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man' hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot , and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.45And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.46And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
1 Kings 18
Nuova Riveduta 2006
from Società Biblica di Ginevra
Elia e Abdia
1Molto tempo dopo, nel corso del terzo anno, la parola del Signore fu rivolta a Elia in questi termini: «Va’, presèntati ad Acab, e io manderò la pioggia sul paese».2Elia andò a presentarsi ad Acab. La carestia era grave in Samaria.3E Acab mandò a chiamare Abdia, che era il sovrintendente del palazzo. Abdia era molto timorato del Signore;4e quando Izebel sterminava i profeti del Signore, Abdia aveva preso cento profeti, li aveva nascosti, cinquanta in una spelonca e cinquanta in un’altra, e li aveva nutriti con pane e acqua.5Acab disse ad Abdia: «Va’ per il paese, verso tutte le sorgenti e tutti i ruscelli; forse troveremo dell’erba e potremo conservare in vita i cavalli e i muli, e non avremo bisogno di uccidere parte del bestiame.6Si spartirono dunque il paese da percorrere; Acab andò da una parte e Abdia dall’altra.7Mentre Abdia era in viaggio, gli venne incontro Elia; e Abdia, avendolo riconosciuto, si prostrò con la faccia a terra e disse: «Sei tu il mio signore Elia?»8Quegli rispose: «Sono io; va’ a dire al tuo signore: “Ecco qua Elia”».9Ma Abdia replicò: «Che peccato ho mai commesso, ché tu dia il tuo servo nelle mani di Acab perché egli mi uccida?10Com’è vero che il Signore, il tuo Dio, vive, non c’è nazione né regno dove il mio signore non abbia mandato a cercarti; e quando gli si diceva: “Egli non è qui”, faceva giurare il regno e la nazione che davvero non ti avevano trovato.11E ora tu dici: “Va’ a dire al tuo signore: ‘Ecco qua Elia!’”.12Succederà che quando io ti avrò lasciato, lo Spirito del Signore ti trasporterà non so dove; io andrò a fare l’ambasciata ad Acab, ed egli, non trovandoti, mi ucciderà. Eppure il tuo servo teme il Signore fin dalla sua giovinezza!13Non ti hanno riferito quello che io feci quando Izebel uccideva i profeti del Signore? Come io nascosi cento uomini di quei profeti del Signore, cinquanta in una spelonca e cinquanta in un’altra, e li sostentai con pane e acqua?14E ora tu dici: “Va’ a dire al tuo signore: ‘Ecco qua Elia!’”. Ma egli mi ucciderà!»15Elia rispose: «Com’è vero che vive il Signore degli eserciti di cui sono servo, oggi mi presenterò ad Acab».16Abdia dunque andò a trovare Acab e gli fece l’ambasciata; e Acab andò incontro a Elia.17Appena Acab vide Elia, gli disse: «Sei tu colui che mette scompiglio in Israele?»18Elia rispose: «Non sono io che metto scompiglio in Israele, ma tu e la casa di tuo padre, perché avete abbandonato i comandamenti del Signore, e tu sei andato dietro ai Baal.19Adesso fa’ radunare tutto Israele presso di me sul monte Carmelo, insieme ai quattrocentocinquanta profeti di Baal e ai quattrocento profeti di Astarte che mangiano alla mensa di Izebel».
Elia sul monte Carmelo
20Acab mandò a chiamare tutti i figli d’Israele e radunò quei profeti sul monte Carmelo.21Allora Elia si avvicinò a tutto il popolo e disse: «Fino a quando zoppicherete dai due lati? Se il Signore è Dio, seguitelo; se invece lo è Baal, seguite lui». Il popolo non gli rispose nulla.22Allora Elia disse al popolo: «Sono rimasto io solo dei profeti del Signore, mentre i profeti di Baal sono in quattrocentocinquanta.23Dateci dunque due tori; quelli ne scelgano uno per loro, lo facciano a pezzi e lo mettano sulla legna, senz’appiccarvi il fuoco; io pure preparerò l’altro toro, lo metterò sulla legna e non vi appiccherò il fuoco.24Quindi invocate voi il nome del vostro dio, e io invocherò il nome del Signore; il dio che risponderà mediante il fuoco, lui è Dio». Tutto il popolo rispose dicendo: «Ben detto!»25Allora Elia disse ai profeti di Baal: «Sceglietevi uno dei tori; preparatelo per primi, poiché siete i più numerosi; e invocate il nome del vostro dio, ma non appiccate il fuoco.26Quelli presero il loro toro e lo prepararono; poi invocarono il nome di Baal dalla mattina fino a mezzogiorno, dicendo: «Baal, rispondici!», ma non si udì né voce né risposta; e saltavano intorno all’altare che avevano fatto.27A mezzogiorno Elia cominciò a beffarsi di loro dicendo: «Gridate forte; poiché egli è dio, ma sta meditando, oppure è indaffarato, o è in viaggio; può anche darsi che si sia addormentato, e si risveglierà».28E quelli si misero a gridare più forte, e a farsi delle incisioni addosso, secondo il loro costume, con spade e lance, finché grondavano di sangue.29E passato che fu il mezzogiorno, quelli profetizzarono fino all’ora in cui si offriva l’offerta. Ma non si udì voce o risposta, e nessuno diede loro retta.30Allora Elia disse a tutto il popolo: «Avvicinatevi a me!» Tutto il popolo si avvicinò a lui; ed Elia riparò l’altare del Signore che era stato demolito.31Prese dodici pietre, secondo il numero delle tribù dei figli di Giacobbe, al quale il Signore aveva detto: «Il tuo nome sarà Israele[1]».32Con quelle pietre costruì un altare al nome del Signore, e fece intorno all’altare un fosso della capacità di due misure di grano.33Poi vi sistemò la legna, fece a pezzi il toro e lo pose sopra la legna.34E disse: «Riempite quattro vasi d’acqua e versatela sull’olocausto e sulla legna». Poi disse: «Fatelo una seconda volta». E quelli lo fecero una seconda volta. E disse ancora: «Fatelo per la terza volta». E quelli lo fecero per la terza volta.35L’acqua correva attorno all’altare, ed egli riempì d’acqua anche il fosso.36All’ora in cui si offriva l’offerta, il profeta Elia si avvicinò e disse: «Signore, Dio di Abraamo, d’Isacco e d’Israele, fa’ che oggi si conosca che tu sei Dio in Israele, che io sono tuo servo e che ho fatto tutte queste cose per ordine tuo.37Rispondimi, Signore, rispondimi, affinché questo popolo riconosca che tu, o Signore, sei Dio e che tu sei colui che converte il loro cuore!»38Allora cadde il fuoco del Signore e consumò l’olocausto, la legna, le pietre e la polvere, e prosciugò l’acqua che era nel fosso.39Tutto il popolo, veduto ciò, si gettò con la faccia a terra e disse: «Il Signore è Dio! Il Signore è Dio!»40Elia disse loro: «Prendete i profeti di Baal; neppure uno ne scampi!» Quelli li presero, ed Elia li fece scendere al torrente Chison, e laggiù li sgozzò.41Poi Elia disse ad Acab: «Risali, mangia e bevi, poiché già si ode un rumore di grande pioggia».42Acab risalì per mangiare e bere, ma Elia salì in vetta al Carmelo; e, gettatosi a terra, si mise la faccia tra le ginocchia43e disse al suo servo: «Ora va’ su, e guarda dalla parte del mare!» Quegli andò su, guardò e disse: «Non c’è nulla». Elia gli disse: «Ritornaci sette volte!»44E la settima volta il servo disse: «Ecco una nuvoletta grossa come la palma della mano, che sale dal mare». Allora Elia ordinò: «Sali e di’ ad Acab: “Attacca i cavalli al carro e scendi, perché la pioggia non ti fermi”».45In un momento il cielo si oscurò di nuvole, il vento si scatenò e cadde una gran pioggia. Acab montò sul suo carro e se ne andò a Izreel.46La mano del Signore fu sopra Elia, il quale si cinse i fianchi e corse davanti ad Acab fino all’ingresso di Izreel.
1Wochen und Monate vergingen. Nach mehr als zwei Jahren sagte der HERR zu Elia: »Geh jetzt und zeig dich Ahab! Ich will es wieder regnen lassen.«2Elia machte sich auf den Weg nach Samaria, wo die Menschen schwer unter der Hungersnot litten.3König Ahab ließ unterdessen seinen Palastverwalter Obadja zu sich rufen, einen Mann, der große Ehrfurcht vor dem HERRN hatte.4Als damals Königin Isebel alle Propheten des HERRN beseitigen wollte, hatte er hundert von ihnen in zwei Höhlen versteckt, je fünfzig in einer, und sie mit Wasser und Brot versorgt.5Ahab befahl nun Obadja: »Geh durch das Land zu allen Quellen und Bächen! Vielleicht gibt es dort noch etwas Gras, mit dem wir zumindest einige unserer Pferde und Maultiere durchbringen können.«6Ahab und Obadja sprachen sich ab, wer welche Teile des Landes durchstreifen sollte, und brachen dann auf.7Obadja war noch nicht lange unterwegs, als ihm Elia entgegenkam. Obadja erkannte den Propheten sofort, warf sich vor ihm zu Boden und fragte: »Bist du es wirklich, Elia, mein Herr?«8»Ja, ich bin es«, antwortete Elia. »Geh sofort zurück und melde deinem Herrn, dass ich wieder da bin!«9Obadja stöhnte: »Was habe ich verbrochen, dass du mir einen solchen Auftrag gibst? Ahab bringt mich um, wenn ich ihm das sage!10Bei dem HERRN, deinem Gott, schwöre ich: Er hat dich überall suchen lassen. In alle Länder und Königreiche schickte er seine Leute. Erhielten sie zur Antwort: ›Elia ist nicht bei uns!‹, dann musste das Volk jeweils schwören, dich wirklich nicht gefunden zu haben.11Und nun soll ich einfach zum König gehen und ihm sagen: ›Elia ist da‹?12Was ist, wenn der Geist des HERRN dich in der Zwischenzeit entrückt, und ich weiß nicht wohin? Ahab wird mich umbringen, wenn ich ihm sage, dass ich dich gesehen habe, er dich dann aber nicht findet. Dabei habe ich doch von Jugend an nur den HERRN als meinen Gott verehrt!13Hat dir niemand berichtet, was ich riskiert habe, als Isebel alle Propheten des HERRN umbringen ließ? In zwei Höhlen habe ich je fünfzig Propheten versteckt und sie mit Brot und Wasser versorgt.14Und nun soll ich zu Ahab gehen und ihm melden: ›Elia ist wieder da‹? Bestimmt bringt er mich um!«15Da entgegnete Elia: »Ich schwöre dir bei dem HERRN, dem allmächtigen Gott, dem ich diene, dass ich mich noch heute dem König zeige.«16Da kehrte Obadja um und brachte Ahab die Nachricht. Der brach seine Suche sofort ab und ging Elia entgegen.
Wer ist der wahre Gott – Baal oder der Herr?
17Ahab begrüßte den Propheten mit den Worten: »So, da ist er ja, der Mann, der Israel ins Verderben gestürzt hat!«18Elia widersprach: »Nicht ich bin an dem Unheil schuld, sondern du und deine Familie! Ihr macht euch nichts mehr aus den Geboten des HERRN. Stattdessen wirfst du dich dem Götzen Baal an den Hals und verehrst seine Statuen.19Aber jetzt fordere ich dich auf: Schick die 450 Propheten von Baal alle zu mir auf den Berg Karmel! Auch die 400 Propheten der Aschera, die von Königin Isebel versorgt werden, sollen kommen. Sende Boten ins Land und lass alle Israeliten zu einer Volksversammlung auf den Karmel rufen!«20Da befahl Ahab den Israeliten und allen Propheten, auf den Karmel zu kommen.21Als alle versammelt waren, trat Elia vor die Menge und rief: »Wie lange noch wollt ihr auf zwei Hochzeiten tanzen? Wenn der HERR der wahre Gott ist, dann gehorcht ihm allein! Ist es aber Baal, dann dient nur ihm!« Das Volk sagte kein Wort,22und so fuhr Elia fort: »Ich stehe hier vor euch als einziger Prophet des HERRN, der noch übrig geblieben ist; und dort stehen 450 Propheten von Baal.23Und nun bringt uns zwei junge Opferstiere. Baals Propheten sollen sich einen aussuchen, ihn in Stücke schneiden und auf das Brennholz legen, ohne es anzuzünden. Den anderen Stier will ich als Opfer zubereiten, und auch ich werde kein Feuer daran legen.24Dann ruft ihr, die Propheten von Baal, euren Gott an; ich aber werde zum HERRN beten. Der Gott nun, der mit Feuer antwortet, der ist der wahre Gott.« Die ganze Volksmenge rief: »Ja, das ist gut!«25Da sagte Elia zu den Propheten von Baal: »Ihr könnt anfangen, weil ihr so viele seid. Sucht euch einen Stier aus und bereitet ihn zu; aber keiner darf das Opfer anzünden! Und dann bittet euren Gott, Feuer vom Himmel zu schicken!«26Sie schlachteten ihren Stier und bereiteten ihn für das Opfer zu. Dann begannen sie zu beten. Vom Morgen bis zum Mittag riefen sie ununterbrochen: »Baal, Baal, antworte uns doch!« Sie tanzten um den Altar, den man für das Opfer errichtet hatte. Aber nichts geschah, es blieb still.27Als es Mittag wurde, begann Elia zu spotten: »Ihr müsst lauter rufen, wenn euer großer Gott es hören soll! Bestimmt ist er gerade in Gedanken versunken, oder er musste mal austreten. Oder ist er etwa verreist? Vielleicht schläft er sogar noch, dann müsst ihr ihn eben aufwecken!«28Da schrien sie, so laut sie konnten, und ritzten sich nach ihrem Brauch mit Messern und Speeren die Haut auf, bis das Blut an ihnen herunterlief.29Am Nachmittag schließlich gerieten sie vollends in Ekstase. Dieser Zustand dauerte bis gegen Abend an[1]. Aber nichts geschah, keine Antwort, kein Laut, nichts.30Endlich forderte Elia das Volk auf: »Kommt jetzt zu mir herüber!« Sie versammelten sich um ihn, und er baute vor aller Augen den Altar des HERRN wieder auf, den man niedergerissen hatte.31Er nahm dazu zwölf Steine nach der Zahl der Söhne Jakobs, von denen die zwölf Stämme Israels abstammen. Der HERR hatte Jakob später den Namen Israel gegeben.32Mit den zwölf Steinen baute Elia einen Altar für den HERRN. Rundherum zog er einen breiten Graben.[2]33Dann schichtete er das Brennholz auf den Altar, zerteilte den Opferstier und legte ihn auf das Holz.34Zuletzt befahl er: »Holt vier Eimer Wasser und gießt sie über das Opfer und das Holz!« Dies genügte ihm aber noch nicht, und so gab er denselben Befehl ein zweites und ein drittes Mal,35bis das Wasser schließlich auf allen Seiten am Altar herunterlief und den Graben füllte.36Zur Zeit des Abendopfers trat Elia vor den Altar und betete laut: »HERR, du Gott Abrahams, Isaaks und Israels! Heute sollen alle erkennen, dass du allein der Gott unseres Volkes bist. Jeder soll sehen, dass ich dir diene und dies alles nur auf deinen Befehl hin getan habe.37Erhöre mein Gebet, HERR! Antworte mir, damit dieses Volk endlich einsieht, dass du, HERR, der wahre Gott bist und sie wieder dazu bringen willst, dir allein zu dienen.«38Da ließ der HERR Feuer vom Himmel fallen. Es verzehrte nicht nur das Opferfleisch und das Holz, sondern auch die Steine des Altars und den Erdboden darunter. Sogar das Wasser im Graben leckten die Flammen auf.39Als die Israeliten das sahen, warfen sie sich zu Boden und riefen: »Der HERR allein ist Gott! Der HERR allein ist Gott!«40Elia aber befahl: »Packt die Propheten von Baal! Keiner soll entkommen!« Sie wurden festgenommen, und Elia ließ sie hinunter an den Fluss Kischon führen und dort hinrichten.
Endlich Regen!
41Dann sagte Elia zu Ahab: »Geh und lass dir etwas zu essen und zu trinken bringen, denn gleich fängt es an zu regnen; ich höre es schon rauschen!«42Während Ahab aß und trank, stieg Elia zum Gipfel des Karmel hinauf. Dort oben kniete er nieder, verbarg das Gesicht zwischen den Knien und betete.43Nach einer Weile befahl er seinem Diener: »Steig auf den höchsten Punkt des Berges und blick über das Meer! Dann sag mir, ob du etwas Besonderes siehst.« Der Diener ging, hielt Ausschau und meldete: »Kein Regen in Sicht!« Doch Elia schickte ihn immer wieder: »Geh, sieh noch einmal nach!«44Endlich, beim siebten Mal, rief der Diener: »Jetzt sehe ich eine kleine Wolke am Horizont, aber sie ist nicht größer als eine Hand.« Da befahl Elia: »Lauf schnell zu Ahab und sag ihm: ›Lass sofort anspannen und fahr nach Hause, sonst wirst du vom Regen überrascht!‹«45Da kam auch schon ein starker Wind auf, und schwarze Wolken verfinsterten den Himmel. Es dauerte nicht mehr lange, und ein heftiger Regen prasselte nieder. Ahab bestieg hastig seinen Wagen und fuhr in Richtung Jesreel.46Da kam die Kraft des HERRN über Elia. Der Prophet band sein Gewand mit dem Gürtel hoch und lief vor Ahabs Wagen her bis nach Jesreel.