And now you say, 'Go tell your lord that Elijah is here!' He will kill me!" And now you say,Obadiah recoils at Elijah’s command because Ahab has searched relentlessly for the prophet during the years of drought. The request places Obadiah between loyalty to his king and obedience to the servant of the Lord. 1Ki 17:18 “O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity?”… ‘Go tell your lord Ahab is Obadiah’s earthly master, though Obadiah fears God and had hidden one hundred prophets from Jezebel’s violence. His position in Ahab’s household exposes him daily to a kingdom committed to Baal worship. 1Ki 20:9 So Ahab answered the messengers of Ben-hadad,… that Elijah is here!’ Elijah’s return brings the conflict between Yahweh and Baal into the open. After announcing the drought and disappearing from Ahab’s reach, Elijah, whose name means “My God is Yahweh,” now comes to summon the king toward the confrontation on Mount Carmel. 1Ki 19:9 There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night.… He will kill me!” Obadiah fears that Elijah may again vanish by God’s direction, leaving Ahab to regard him as a deceiver. Jezebel’s murder of the Lord’s prophets makes the danger real, yet Elijah assures him by oath that he will present himself to Ahab that day. 1Ki 19:2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying,… Persons / Places / Events 1. ElijahA prophet of God known for his boldness and faithfulness. He played a crucial role in challenging the idolatry of Israel and demonstrating God's power. 2. Obadiah A devout believer in the Lord who served in King Ahab's court. He feared God greatly and had hidden prophets from Jezebel's wrath. 3. Ahab The king of Israel, known for his wickedness and idolatry, particularly his worship of Baal, influenced by his wife Jezebel. 4. Jezebel The wife of King Ahab, notorious for promoting Baal worship and persecuting the prophets of Yahweh. 5. Mount Carmel The location where Elijah would later confront the prophets of Baal in a dramatic demonstration of God's power. Teaching Points Courage in FaithElijah's boldness in confronting Ahab and the prophets of Baal serves as a model for standing firm in faith, even when facing opposition. Fear and Faith Obadiah's fear of Ahab's wrath contrasts with his faithfulness in protecting the prophets, illustrating the tension between fear and faith in a believer's life. Divine Providence God's protection of Elijah and the prophets through Obadiah's actions demonstrates His providential care for His servants. The Cost of Discipleship Obadiah's fear of being killed for delivering Elijah's message highlights the potential cost of following God's call. The Power of God The events leading up to and including the confrontation on Mount Carmel underscore God's power over false gods and His ability to vindicate His name. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elijah's boldness in 1 Kings 18:14 inspire you to stand firm in your faith today, especially in challenging situations?2. In what ways can you relate to Obadiah's fear and faithfulness, and how can you apply this to your own life when facing difficult decisions? 3. How does the account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel encourage you to trust in God's power and provision? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that challenge your faith, and how can you confront them with the same courage Elijah demonstrated? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's providence in your life. How can this assurance of His care strengthen your faith in current circumstances? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 18:1-13Provides context for Obadiah's fear, as Elijah had been in hiding due to Ahab and Jezebel's persecution of the prophets. 1 Kings 18:15-40 Describes the subsequent events on Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal, demonstrating God's supremacy. Hebrews 11:32-34 Mentions the prophets, including Elijah, as examples of faith who conquered kingdoms and performed acts of righteousness. James 5:17-18 Highlights Elijah's fervent prayer life and his role in God's miraculous acts, emphasizing the power of prayer.
People Ahab, Elijah, Isaac, Jacob, Jezebel, Jezreel, ObadiahPlaces Jezreel, Kishon River, Mount Carmel, Samaria, ZarephathTopics Behold, Death, Elijah, Eli'jah, Kill, Master, Sayest, Saying, Slain, SlayDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 18:13 4218 cave Library ObadiahTo the Young '... I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth.--1 KINGS xviii.12. This Obadiah is one of the obscurer figures in the Old Testament. We never hear of him again, for there is no reason to accept the Jewish tradition which alleges that he was Obadiah the prophet. And yet how distinctly he stands out from the canvas, though he is only sketched with a few bold outlines! He is the 'governor over Ahab's house,' a kind of mayor of the palace, and probably the second man in the kingdom. But … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trial by Fire Elijah's Appeal to the Undecided Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety The Prophet Hosea. But Some one Will Say, Does He not Know Without a Monitor Both what Our... Selfishness and Prayer. A Contrast. The West Coast of Galilee-Carmel. Ninth Sunday after Trinity. How Long Halt Ye Between Two Opinions? if the Lord be God, Follow Him; but if Baal, Then Follow Him. Fall of the Western Empire (Ad 451-476) Will the Knowledge that Some of Our Own are Lost, Mar Our Happiness in Heaven? Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It. This was Antony's First Struggle against the Devil... Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves. The First Commandment Prayer Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha, which are Quoted, or Incidentally Illustrated, in the Institutes. Links 1 Kings 18:14 NIV1 Kings 18:14 NLT 1 Kings 18:14 ESV 1 Kings 18:14 NASB 1 Kings 18:14 KJV 1 Kings 18:14 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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