Elijah Confronts Ahab
[ READ ] 1 Kings 18:1–19
Elijah Confronts Ahab
1 After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.
7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ 12 And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth. 13 Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; and he will kill me.” 15 And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.”
1 After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.
7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ 12 And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth. 13 Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; and he will kill me.” 15 And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.”
Three years after Elijah predicts the drought, King Ahab and Elijah reunite. Verse 2 tells us that there has been a severe famine in Samaria as a result of the drought. Ahab calls him the “troubler of Israel.” Elijah does not mince words and reminds Ahab that he actually caused Israel’s downfall because he has abandoned the Lord’s commandments. The drought was due to his own idolatry. We end on a cliffhanger where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to the Lord of hosts on Mount Carmel.
Obadiah’s monologue from verse 9-14 is really interesting to me. He was so terrified of Ahab’s retribution that he basically begs Elijah to call off the meeting. Obadiah feared the Lord but he still feared man. Our fear of man should never influence our actions, only our faith in the Lord. Obadiah still acts in obedience but his heart is not in the right place during this confrontation. Is it possible to serve God and do good yet with the wrong heart posture?
- Cara Fowler
Obadiah’s monologue from verse 9-14 is really interesting to me. He was so terrified of Ahab’s retribution that he basically begs Elijah to call off the meeting. Obadiah feared the Lord but he still feared man. Our fear of man should never influence our actions, only our faith in the Lord. Obadiah still acts in obedience but his heart is not in the right place during this confrontation. Is it possible to serve God and do good yet with the wrong heart posture?
- Cara Fowler
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Reread verse 9. Why do you think this was Obadiah’s response to Elijah’s request?
+ Mount Carmel translates to “garden,” “orchard,” or “God's vineyard.” What might this tell us about what will happen in the subsequent passage?
+ Reread verse 9. Why do you think this was Obadiah’s response to Elijah’s request?
+ Mount Carmel translates to “garden,” “orchard,” or “God's vineyard.” What might this tell us about what will happen in the subsequent passage?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What might we learn from Obadiah in this passage? Do you see yourself in him?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What might we learn from Obadiah in this passage? Do you see yourself in him?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Holy God, we want to serve You faithfully yet we are easily swayed. Will You give us clear direction and boldness? Will You help us hear Your words and act obediently in this confusing world? Thank You for being just and showing us mercy. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Holy God, we want to serve You faithfully yet we are easily swayed. Will You give us clear direction and boldness? Will You help us hear Your words and act obediently in this confusing world? Thank You for being just and showing us mercy. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/find-a-group)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/find-a-group)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
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