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Bible story · 1 Kings 18

Elijah and the Fire from Heaven

Elijah prays, and God answers with fire from heaven. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

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The people of Israel had turned away from God to worship a false god called Baal. The prophet Elijah called them to Mount Carmel and said, “If the LORD is God, follow him!”

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

1 Kings 18:21 KJV

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Elijah set a test. Each side would put an offering on an altar and pray, but light no fire. “The God who answers by fire,” he said, “he is God.”

And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

1 Kings 18:24 KJV

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The prophets of Baal shouted and danced around their altar from morning until noon, calling, “O Baal, hear us!” But nothing happened. No one answered.

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 leaped upon the altar which was made.

1 Kings 18:26 KJV

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Then Elijah built an altar with twelve stones, one for each tribe of Israel, and dug a trench all around it.

And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

1 Kings 18:31 KJV

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He had water poured over the offering and the wood three times, until everything was soaked and the trench was full.

And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

1 Kings 18:35 KJV

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Elijah prayed, “Hear me, O LORD, hear me, so that these people will know that you are God.”

Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

1 Kings 18:37 KJV

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Then fire fell from heaven! It burned up the offering, the wood and the stones, and it even dried up the water in the trench.

Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

1 Kings 18:38 KJV

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When the people saw it, they fell on their faces and cried, “The LORD, he is the God!” Soon afterwards, rain clouds came, and the long drought was over.

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

1 Kings 18:39 KJV

The end

Next story: Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall

What does this story teach?

  • There is only one true God, and he hears when we pray.
  • It takes courage to stand up for God, even when you are outnumbered.
  • Nothing is too hard for God.
  • We cannot follow God halfway. Elijah asked the people to choose.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. Why do you think Elijah poured water on his altar?
  2. What happened when the prophets of Baal called out?
  3. What did the people say when they saw the fire?
  4. What could you pray to God about today?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in 1 Kings 18, one verse per screen:

1 Kings 18

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of Elijah and the fire from heaven in the Bible?

It is in 1 Kings 18, in the Old Testament. The contest takes place on Mount Carmel during the reign of King Ahab, after three years without rain.

Why did Elijah pour water on the altar?

So no one could say the fire was a trick. Soaking the offering three times (1 Kings 18:34–35) made it impossible to light by any human means, so only God could send the fire.

Who was Baal?

Baal was a false god worshipped by the Canaanites, who believed he controlled rain and storms. That is why the contest, and the rain that followed, showed the people that the LORD is the true God.

What is the lesson of Elijah on Mount Carmel?

The LORD is the one true God, and he answers prayer. Elijah also challenged the people to stop wavering, asking, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21).

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