Contradictions and Paradoxes in 1 Kings 18:36

Check out Contradictions Catalog of 1 Kings 18:36 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts 1 Kings 18:36. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to the author of 1 Kings, Elijah wanted everyone to know that God was real and powerful. He prayed to God to show the people that he was following God's instructions and that God was the true God of their ancestors.

1 Kings 18:36: And it came to pass at [the time of] the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou [art] God in Israel, and [that] I [am] thy servant, and [that] I have done all these things at thy word.

Contradiction with Matthew 7:7

While 1 Kings 18:36 depicts God's immediate response to Elijah's prayer, Matthew 7:7 suggests a more general principle of persistence in prayer.

Matthew 7:7: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Contradiction with James 4:3

1 Kings 18:36 does not mention wrong motives, whereas James 4:3 suggests prayers can be unanswered due to selfish motives.

James 4:3: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. [lusts: or, pleasures]

Contradiction with Mark 11:24

This verse emphasizes faith as a precondition for answered prayer, whereas faith isn't explicitly highlighted in 1 Kings 18:36.

Mark 11:24: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].

Contradiction with John 16:24

John 16:24 encourages asking in Jesus' name for prayers to be fulfilled, while 1 Kings 18:36 is an Old Testament passage without this stipulation.

John 16:24: Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Contradiction with Isaiah 59:2

This verse speaks of sin separating people from God, while 1 Kings 18:36 does not address sin as a barrier to prayer being answered.

Isaiah 59:2: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear. [have hid: or, have made him hide]

Paradox #1

1 Kings 18:36 involves the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal. A potential contradiction some discuss is the differing accounts and details of the prophets of Baal within the larger story, compared to other biblical narratives. Different sections of the Bible might portray these events with slight variations in details, leading to discussions on historical consistency.

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