Elijah and the Great Contest Trivia Quiz

Answer: King Ahab

King Ahab was a very wicked king and so was his wife, Queen Jezebel. They worshiped Baal, a false God, instead of the true God of the Israelites. They also killed many of the prophets of God. God was so angry, he told Elijah to go speak to them. Elijah went to the king and told him it would not rain until he prayed. (1 Kings 17:1)

Answer: ravens brought him bread

For three years there was no rain. Cattle, plants, animals, and even people were dying. God took care of Elijah by feeding him with the help of ravens. The ravens would bring him food next to a brook of water. The king wanted to kill Elijah, but God kept the king from finding him.

After three years, God told Elijah it was time to see the king again with a very special message. (1 Kings 17:2-3,1 Kings 18:1-2)

Answer: Mount Carmel

Elijah told the king to gather all the Israelites and the 450 priests of Baal. He told him to have everybody meet on Mount Carmel to have a contest. This contest would prove who the real God of Israel was. (1 Kings 18:18-19)

Answer: bulls

Elijah and the 450 priests of Baal made two altars and sacrifices. They used bulls for the sacrifices and Elijah let the priests choose. Each side built their own altar. However they didn't light the fire at that point.

(Extra fun fact: The bull was extremely important to the Israelites. It was one of the most honored sacrifices because it was very costly and very large. For the Israelites, bulls were the sacrifices and offerings God required of priests and kings.)

Answer: He teased them.

Elijah had told the people that the God who answered from heaven with fire would be the true God of Israel. Elijah told the people, "If Baal is god, follow Him. If the Lord is the true God, follow Him." (1 Kings 18:21)

The prophets of Baal went first and did everything they could to get their god's attention. Elijah teased and made fun of them while they tried to call out to their god. He asked them if their god was on a trip. He told them to shout louder because their god might be on vacation. He told them to shout louder because their god might be taking a nap. The prophets were so frustrated they cut themselves, but nothing they did worked. Finally at the end of the day, no one paid attention to them or their sacrifice and it was time for Elijah. (1 Kings 18:27-29)

Answer: He had them pour water over the altar and the sacrifice.

Water was very rare during the time of no rain, but Elijah had servants pour twelve barrels of water on the sacrifice. He had them pour a barrel of water for each tribe of the children of Israel, to represent all the people. The water soaked the sacrifice and the altar. Wet things are very hard to burn. There was no chance of a fire without a miracle and God! (1 Kings 18:30-35)

Answer: He prayed.

Elijah prayed a simple prayer:

"Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." (1 Kings 18:36-37)

When he finished, God sent fire down from heaven that consumed the sacrifice, the water, and the rocks of the altar! The people of Israel fell to their knees and worshiped the true God.

Answer: kill them

The people of Israel really believed in God after fire fell from the sky. They started worshiping the true God, but Elijah told them to grab the priests. He told them to make sure no one escaped and kill them. All 450 of the priests died that day. Elijah wanted to make sure the priests could not trick Israel into serving Baal ever again.

When the wicked Queen Jezebel heard the news, she was so angry she promised to kill Elijah for what he had done. (1 Kings 18:40)

Answer: a cloud the size of a man's hand

While he was praying, Elijah repeatedly sent his servant down to see if there was any sign of rain. The servant came back seven times and there was no sign of rain at all. Elijah sent him out one more time, and this time he saw a cloud the size of a man's hand. Elijah told him to run and tell the king that there would be rain. (1 Kings 18:43-44)

Answer: True

Elijah's servant told the king to get to his palace as soon as possible before the rain stopped his chariots. The king raced to get home as quickly as possible in the rain. However as soon as the rain had started, the power of God came upon Elijah. He tucked his coat in his belt and outran the horses of the king with God's help. Elijah made it home before the king did! (1 Kings 18:45-46)