They took the bullock which was given them; which being chosen by them, 1 Kings 18:25, was now put into their hands by those who had the beasts in their custody, till they were taken away for sacrifice. They dressed it; cut it in pieces, and laid the parts in or upon the wood. From morning; from the time of the morning sacrifice; which advantage Elijah suffered them to take for their sacrifice. Upon the altar; 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 ecstasy; or in way of devotion to their god; which they might borrow from the practice of their progenitors, who, amongst other things, used dancing in God's service and presence, as Exodus 15:20, Exodus 32:19 Judges 21:21 2 Samuel 6:14. Which was made, Heb. which he made; either, first, Elijah; which some think was already made, though the making of it be not mentioned till afterwards, 1 Kings 18:31, 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 only a Hebraism, the third person active being put for the passive verb, as our translators well render it.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 18:26
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, hearc us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.