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1 Kings 18:37

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 18:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Kings 18:37 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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] 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.
37Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that thou, Jehovah, art God, and [that] thou hast turned their heart back again.
38Then 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.
39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is 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.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hear me, O Lord, hear me; etc.] Which repetition is made to express his importunity, and the vehement earnest desire of his soul to be heard in such a case, which so much concerned the glory of God; the Targum is, “receive my prayer, O Lord, concerning the fire, receive my prayer concerning the rain;” as if the one respected the sending down the fire on the sacrifice, and the other sending rain on the earth; and which sense is followed by other Jewish writers: that this people may know that thou art the Lord God; and not Baal, or any other idol: and that thou hast turned their heart back again; from idolatry, to the worship of the true God; though some understand this of God’s giving them up…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That thou hast turned their heart - The hearts of the people were turning. Elijah speaks of them as already turned, anticipating the coming change, and helping it on. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hast turned - Let them feel so powerful a change in their hearts, that they may know it is thy work. Back again - Unto thee, from whom they have revolted. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 18:38”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:37 The call-answer motif appears frequently in the Old Testament, often depicting the petitioner’s intimate relationship to the Lord (Job 14:15; Pss 4:1; 91:15; 102:2; Isa 65:24; Jer 33:3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Hear me: Kg1 18:24, Kg1 18:29, Kg1 18:36; Gen 32:24, Gen 32:26, Gen 32:28; Ch2 14:11, Ch2 32:19, Ch2 32:20; Isa 37:17-20; Dan 9:17-19; Luk 11:8; Jam 5:16, Jam 5:17 thou hast turned: Jer 31:18, Jer 31:19; Eze 36:25-27; Mal 4:5, Mal 4:6; Luk 1:16, Luk 1:17 3 Kings (1 Kings) 18:38”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification