The Book of first kings

Chapter 18a

[1] And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
[2] And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

1) Account (1,2)

“It came to pass after many days”........ 3 yrs earlier (17:1) God had said there would be drought

Elijah was to seclude himself at the “brook Cherith” and then at the “barrel of Zarephath”

“There” the Lord will provide for Elijah and God did

While the nation of Israel had become a dry, barren, scorched nation, Elijah prayed daily.

Now God says go shew thyself unto King Ahab and Elijah is obedient to go

The drought is to end & God will send rain

[3] And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
[4] For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
[5] And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
[6] So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

2) Accommodations (3-6)

King Ahab called for Obadiah, his governor in charge of household, to go & search far & wide for pastureland

Note: Ahab is not concerned for his soul, nor for the people but for the animals and livestock

Ahab is seeking grass rather than seeking God

This same Obadiah (servant of the Lord) was a God fearing man (v 3 & v12).

He proves this as Jezebel ordered death to Gods men (v13)and Obadiah gave refuge to 100

Obadiah fed the prophets with water and bread (in midst of famine) and hid them in a cave

(As Judas was amongst the Jesus disciples, Obadiah was amongst Jezebels prophets)

[7] And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
[8] And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
[9] And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
[10] As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
[11] And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
[12] And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
[13] Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
[14] And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.

3) Announcement (7-14)

As Obadiah was out seeking pastureland, here comes the man of God Elijah on his way to see Ahab

Obadiah recognized Elijah and saluted by falling upon his face and said art thou my lord Elijah?

Elijah said “I am” and “Go tell King Ahab that behold Elijah is here” (Vs 8,11,14)

Obadiah knew that King Ahab had searched high and low for Elijah with no success

(Elijah was hidden by the Lord) - Col 3:3

Ahab searched to find Elijah because the king wanted to punish Elijah for the drought

Obadiah knew that if he announced he had met Elijah, should Elijah disappear, he would be punished

[15] And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.
[16] So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

4) Assurance (15-16)

Elijah assures Obadiah that he will stay put. In other words the man of God will keep his word

Obadiah goes and finds King Ahab and King Ahab went to meet Elijah

[17] And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
[18] And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

5) Accusations (17-18)

When Ahab saw Elijah he accusingly says “art thou he that troubleth Israel?”

Ahab believed that Elijah had troubled Israel and the sky god Baal withheld rain

Ahab believed Baal would hold back the rain until Elijah was caught and executed

Elijah accordingly responds “I’ve not troubled Israel but you have.”

You see Ahab, that wicked king, never considered his own sins

The liberal blames the fundamental for causing division. The church was fundamental to begin w

* Accused of leaving the church, but the church left me....I was still the same (Acts 17:6)

He never considered the scriptures (Dt 28:23-24)

[19] Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
[20] So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

6) Attendance (19-20)

Thus Elijah, at the command of God (vs 36) lays out a challenge for all Israel to attend at Mt Carmel

Specifically, 450 prophets of Baal are summoned, the 400 prophets of the grove are summoned

All of which are supported by the King, Queen, government and people

[21] 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.

7) Appeal (21)

These prophets of Baal hate the man of God Elijah.

They loved the favor of the world and they believe Elijah is the cause of this drought

Elijah stood before all and says “how long halt ye between two opinions?”

Halt- limp, hop, dance around, leap over (There is a difference between serving God and Baal)

How many more sermons will it take to cause you to get right?

How many more warnings and sicknesses? How many more storms and plagues?

How many more miracles will God have to do to prove His love and show that He is God Alone?

But the people answered him not a word .......they did not justify themselves nor condemn themselves

They had no objection, felt no conviction. They were happy just to have any kind of religion!