Elijah’s Message to Ahab
September 30, 2020
Commentary
Soon after Elijah’s experience with the widow at Zarephath, the Word of the Lord came again to him. About three years into the famine God directs Elijah to present himself to King Ahab. There was a great famine in the land. Down in Samaria where the king lived the famine was very bad. The cattle were dying because there was no grass or water.
Caring more for their horses than for the people Ahab had gone out into the country to see if he could find any pasture land. One of his servants (Obadiah) met Elijah and was told to tell the king that he was coming to see him. Obadiah was fearful because he had hid 100 prophets in a cave to protect them from Jezebel, Ahab’s wife. When King Ahab saw Elijah he blamed him for the famine and said, “Are you the one who is bringing all of this trouble upon Israel?”
In response Elijah spoke sternly to the king. He told him that he was the one who had brought the famine on the land because he had turned away from the living God and led the people to worship Baal. Then Elijah challenged Ahab to gather the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and promised to meet him there. Mount Carmel was about 30 miles southeast of modern day Haifa. This was regarded by the people as the sacred dwelling place of Baal. This would have given the bad prophets a definite advantage; but this didn’t worry Elijah.
Application
It is interesting to think about the amazing miracles God accomplished through Elijah but just think about meeting Ahab and the prophets of Baal in their camp. What happened in Elijah’s life began with the same miracle that is available to me today. He responded to the miracle of knowing God.
1 Kings 18:1– 19 (NET)
1 Some time later, in the third year of the famine, the Lord’s message came to Elijah, “Go, make an appearance before Ahab, so I may send rain on the surface of the ground.” 2 So Elijah went to make an appearance before Ahab.
3 So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who supervised the palace. (Now Obadiah was a very loyal follower of the Lord. 4 When Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah took 100 prophets and hid them in two caves in two groups of fifty. He also brought them food and water.) 5 Ahab told Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grazing areas so we can keep the horses and mules alive and not have to kill some of the animals.” 6 They divided up the land between them to search it; Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went the other way by himself.
7 As Obadiah was traveling along, Elijah met him. When he recognized him, he fell facedown to the ground and said, “Is it really you, my master, Elijah?” 8 He replied, “Yes, go and say to your master, ‘Elijah is back.’” 9 Obadiah said, “What sin have I committed that you are ready to hand your servant over to Ahab for execution? 10 As certainly as the Lord your God lives, my master has sent to every nation and kingdom in an effort to find you. When they say, ‘He’s not here,’ he makes them swear an oath that they could not find you. 11 Now you say, ‘Go and say to your master, “Elijah is back.”’ 12 But when I leave you, the Lord’s Spirit will carry you away so I can’t find you. If I go tell Ahab I’ve seen you, he won’t be able to find you and he will kill me. That would not be fair, because your servant has been a loyal follower of the Lord from my youth. 13 Certainly my master is aware of what I did when Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets. I hid 100 of the Lord’s prophets in two caves in two groups of fifty and I brought them food and water. 14 Now you say, ‘Go and say to your master, “Elijah is back,”’ but he will kill me.” 15 But Elijah said, “As certainly as the Lord of Heaven’s Armies lives (whom I serve), I will make an appearance before him today.”
16 When Obadiah went and informed Ahab, the king went to meet Elijah. 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is it really you, the one who brings disaster on Israel?” 18 Elijah replied, “I have not brought disaster on Israel. But you and your father’s dynasty have, by abandoning the Lord’s commandments and following the Baals. 19 Now send out messengers and assemble all Israel before me at Mount Carmel, as well as the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah whom Jezebel supports.”