Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 18:26

26 And 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 leapt upon the altar which was made .

Which being chosen by them, v. 25. was now put into their hands by those who had the Beasts in their custody, till they were taken away for Sacrifice.

Cut it in pieces, and laid the parts in or upon the Wood.

From the time of the morning-Sacrifice; which advantage Elijah suffered them to take for their Sacrifice.

Or, over the altar: which might easily be done, the Altar being low, and suddenly made for the present use. Or rather, beside, as the Hebrew (al) oft signifies the altar: or, before it. They used some superstitious, unusual, and disorderly gestures, either pretending to be acted by the Spirit of their God, and to be in a kind of Holy rage, and Religious extasie; or, in way of Devotion to their god; which they might borrow from the practise of their progenitors, who amongst other things, used Dancing in Gods Service and presence, as Exod. 15. 20. and 32. 19. Iudg. 21. 21. 2 Sam. 6. 14.

Heb. which he made: Either, First, Elias; which some think was already made, though the making of it be not mentioned till afterwards, ver. 31. and that it was their design, by leaping upon his Altar, to overthrow it. Or rather, Secondly, Ahab on their behalf; or, any other person: that being onely an Hebraism, the third person active, being put for the passive Verb, as our Translators well render it.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] ▪; Or, [illegible: 1 word] ▪; Or, [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] and [illegible: 1 word] the [illegible: 1 word].