Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 18:25

25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Chuse ye one bullock for your selves, and dress it first, for ye are many : and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

And I am willing to give you the precedency. This he did, partly, because if he had first offered, and God had answered by Fire, as he knew that he would do, Baal's Priests would have been discouraged, and upon some excuse (which would easily be accepted in regard of the Kings Authority, and the Favour which they had with the People) would have desisted from making the trial on their part; and partly, because the disappointment of the Priests of Baal, of which he was well assured, would notably prepare the way for the Peoples more diligent attention unto his words and actions, and cause them to entertain the Prophets good success with more admiration and affection; and this coming last, would leave the greater impression and relish upon their hearts. And this they accepted, because they might think, that if Baal did answer them first, which they presumed he would, the People would be so confirmed and heightned in their Opinion of Baal, that they by the Kings assistance might murder Elijah before he came to his experiment.

Marginal references: Or, God.