I Kings 18
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
After many days - in the third year - We learn from our Lord, Luk 4:25, that the drought which brought on the famine in Israel lasted three years and six months. St. James, Jam 5:17, gives it the same duration. Probably Elijah spent six months at the brook Cherith, and three years with the widow at Sarepta. I will send rain upon the earth - The word האדמה haadamah should be translated the ground or the land, as it is probable that this drought did not extend beyond the land of Judea.
Open source ↗ELIJAH MEETS OBADIAH. (1Ki. 18:1-16) the third year--In the New Testament, it is said there was no rain "for the space of three years and six months" [Jam 5:17]. The early rain fell in our March, the latter rain in our October. Though Ahab might have at first ridiculed Elijah's announcement, yet when neither of these rains fell in their season, he was incensed against the prophet as the cause of the national judgment, and compelled him, with God's direction, to consult his safety in flight. This was six months after the king was told there would be neither dew nor rain, and from this period the three years in this passage are computed. Go, show thyself unto Ahab--The king had remained obdurate and impenitent. Another opportunity was to be given him of repentance, and Elijah was sent in order to declare to him the cause of the national judgment, and to promise him, on condition of his removing it, the immediate blessing of rain.
Open source ↗And it came to pass after many days,.... When two years and more were gone from the time the drought and famine began; or rather from the time of the prophets departure to the brook Cherith, which might be six months after the famine began: that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year; of his absence from Ahab: saying, go show thyself unto Ahab; whom he had not seen so long, and who had been seeking for him, but to no purpose: and I will send rain upon the earth; the term of three years and six months being almost expired, see Jam 5:17.
Open source ↗As the judgment of drought and famine did not bring king Ahab to his senses and lead him to turn from his ungodly ways, but only filled him with exasperation towards the prophet who had announced to him the coming judgment; there was no other course left than to lay before the people with mighty and convincing force the proof that Jehovah was the only true God, and to execute judgment upon the priests of Baal as the seducers of the nation. Kg1 18:1-6 Elijah's meeting with Ahab. - Kg1 18:1, Kg1 18:2. In the third year of his sojourn at Zarephath the word of the Lord came to Elijah to show himself to Ahab; since God was about to send rain upon the land again. The time given, "the third year," is not to be reckoned, as the Rabbins, Clericus, Thenius, and others assume, from the commencement of the drought, but from the event last mentioned, namely, the sojourn of Elijah at Zarephath. This view merits the preference as the simplest and most natural one, and is shown to be the oldest by Luk 4:25 and Jam 5:17, where Christ and James both say, that in the time of Ahab it did not rain for three years and six months. And this length of time can only be obtained by allowing more than two years for Elijah's stay at Zarephath. - From Kg1 18:2 to Kg1 18:6 we have parenthetical remarks introduced, to explain the circumstances which led to Elijah's meeting with Ahab. The verbs ויּקרא, ויהי, ויּאמר ,ויהי , and ויחלּקוּ (Kg1 18:3, Kg1 18:4, Kg1 18:5, Kg1 18:6) carry on the circumstantial clauses: "and the famine was..." (Kg1 18:2), and "Obadiah feared..." (Kg1 18:3), and are therefore to be expressed by the pluperfect. When the famine had become very severe in Samaria (the capital), Ahab, with Obadiah the governor of his castle (הבּית על אשׁר, see at Kg1 4:6), who was a God-fearing man,…
Open source ↗In these verses we find, I. The sad state of Israel at this time, upon two accounts: - 1. Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord (Kg1 18:4), slew them, Kg1 18:13. Being an idolater, she was a persecutor, and made Ahab one. Even in those bad times, when the calves were worshipped and the temple at Jerusalem deserted, yet there were some good people that feared God and served him, and some good prophets that instructed them in the knowledge of him and assisted them in their devotions. The priests and the Levites had all gone to Judah and Jerusalem (Ch2 11:13, Ch2 11:14), but, instead of them, God raised up these prophets, who read and expounded the law in private meetings, or in the families that retained their integrity, for we read not of any synagogues at this time; they had not the spirit of prophecy as Elijah, nor did they offer sacrifice, or burn incense, but taught people to live well, and keep close to the God of Israel. These Jezebel aimed to extirpate, and put many of them to death, which was as much a public calamity as a public iniquity, and threatened the utter ruin of religion's poor remains in Israel. Those few that escaped the sword were forced to abscond, and hide themselves in caves, where they were buried alive and cut off, though not from life, yet from usefulness, which is the end and comfort of life; and, when the prophets were persecuted and driven into corners, no doubt their friends, those few good people that were in the land, were treated in like manner. Yet, bad as things were, (1.) There was one very good man, who was a great man at court, Obadiah, who answered his name - a servant of the Lord, one who feared God and was faithful to him, and yet was steward of the household to Ahab. Observe his character: He feared the Lord greatly (Kg1 18:3…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מָטַר (mâṭar, H4306) — rain פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) רָעָב (râʻâb, H7458) — hunger (more or less extensive) שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עֹבַדְיָה (ʻÔbadyâh, H5662) — Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3373) — fearing; morally, reverent יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,…
Open source ↗אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עֹבַדְיָה (ʻÔbadyâh, H5662) — Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction חָבָא (châbâʼ, H2244) — to secrete אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty מְעָרָה (mᵉʻârâh, H4631) — a cavern (as dark) כּוּל (kûwl, H3557) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֹבַדְיָה (ʻÔbadyâh, H5662) — Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מַעְיָן (maʻyân, H4599) — a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… אוּלַי (ʼûwlay, H194) — if not; hence perhaps מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… חָצִיר (châtsîyr, H2682) — grass; also a leek (collectively) חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) פֶּרֶד (pered, H6505) — a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits)
Open source ↗חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb עֹבַדְיָה (ʻÔbadyâh, H5662) — Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites
Open source ↗עֹבַדְיָה (ʻÔbadyâh, H5662) — Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) נָכַר (nâkar, H5234) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten נָעוּר (nâʻûwr, H5271) — (only in plural collectively or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the…
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אִיזֶבֶל (ʼÎyzebel, H348) — Izebel, the wife of king Ahab הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָבָא (châbâʼ, H2244) — to secrete מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty מְעָרָה (mᵉʻârâh, H4631) — a cavern (as dark) כּוּל (kûwl, H3557) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) אֵלִיָּה (ʼÊlîyâh, H452) — Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land.
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD lives—the God of Israel before whom I stand—there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”
The LORD will open the heavens, His abundant storehouse, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but borrow from none.
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria,
Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.
Can the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies alone send showers? Is this not by You, O LORD our God? So we put our hope in You, for You have done all these things.
So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household.
When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.