1 Kings 18:21

“And Elijah came unto all the people, etc.] Assembled at Mount Carmel: and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? sometimes inclining to the one, and sometimes to the other: as a lame man in walking, his body moves sometimes to one side, and sometimes to another; or “leap ye upon two branches” f389, like a bird that leaps or hops from one branch to another, and never settles long; or rather it denotes the confusion of their thoughts, being like branches of trees twisted and implicated; thus upbraiding them with their inconstancy and fickleness; what their two opinions were, may be learnt from the next clause: if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him; for there is but…”

“Elijah said unto all the people, How long halt ye?--They had long been attempting to conjoin the service of God with that of Baal. It was an impracticable union and the people were so struck with a sense of their own folly, or dread of the king's displeasure, that they "answered not a word." Elijah proposed to decide for them the controversy between God and Baal by an appeal, not to the authority of the law, for that would have no weight, but by a visible token from Heaven. As fire was the element over which Baal was supposed to preside, Elijah proposed that two bullocks should be slain and placed on separate altars of wood, the one for Baal, and the other for God. On whichever the fire…”

“The people were mute. They could not but feel the logical force of Elijah’s argument; but they were not prepared at once to act upon it. They wished to unite the worship of Yahweh with that of Baal - to avoid breaking with the past and completely rejecting the old national worship, yet at the same time to have the enjoyment of the new rites, which were certainly sensuous, and probably impure. return to 'Top of Page'”

“And said - Why do you walk so lamely and unevenly, being so unsteady in your opinions and practices, and doubting whether it is better to worship God or Baal? If the Lord - Whom you pretend to worship. Follow - Worship him, and him only, and that in such place and manner as he hath commanded you. If Baal - If Baal can prove himself to be the true God. Answered not - Being convinced of the reasonableness of his proposition. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 18:22”

“18:21 The Hebrew word translated waver means “to be lame” or “to limp.” Elijah compared the people’s hobbling between the worship of the Lord and of Baal to a person who limps awkwardly from one foot to the other. Elijah may have also been referring to the ritual dance performed by Baal’s prophets as they attempted to gain the storm-god’s attention (18:26).”

“How long: Deu 4:35; Kg2 17:41; Zep 1:5; Mat 6:24; Luk 6:13; Rom 6:16-22; Co1 10:21, Co1 10:22; Co2 6:14-16; Rev 3:15, Rev 3:16 opinions: or, thoughts if the Lord: Kg1 18:39; Exo 5:1, Exo 5:2; Jos 24:15, Jos 24:23, Jos 24:24; Sa1 7:3; Ch1 17:26; Ch2 33:13; Psa 100:3 answered: Gen 24:50, Gen 44:16; Job 40:4, Job 40:5; Mat 22:12, Mat 22:34, Mat 22:36; Rom 3:19, Rom 6:21 3 Kings (1 Kings) 18:22”