Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
As we continue our journey, we now find ourselves within the third year of the three-and-a-half drought that Elijah had foretold against king Ahab. As we enter into (1 Kings 18) the account states that Elijah had just received word from the Lord that the rain will soon come and for him to go and show himself to king Ahab. The divine punishment that God released upon the city of Samaria had really taken its toll on the city and the land. Because of this, Jezebel enters into a state of revenge and decides to bring down her own wrath against the Lord's prophets. It would be at the hands of Jezebel the Lord's prophets had begin to suffer great persecution and martyrdom. Her rampage was so severe that only a few were able to escape and seek refuge in some caves that were provided by Obadiah. Obadiah is recorded as being a faithful God fearing man that served as a governor of Ahab's household. For the Scriptures tells us that he had faith and knowledge of the Lord since his youth. It's very interesting that Ahab would have a man like Obadiah over his household, for it seemed very strange? For we know that Ahab had no respect for the God that Obadiah served and Obadiah would not renounce his God in order to please Ahab. But yet he served Ahab while keeping his faith and servitude to the Almighty God. It would seem that there were very few men who held the type of character that Obadiah had. So if Ahab wanted someone who he could trust and depend on, his options to choose from would have been extremely limited. As Jezebel continue her revenge against the Lord's prophets, we learn that one hundred of them were spared thanks to the two caves that Obadiah had hidden them in equally. For Obadiah had fifty in one and fifty in the other, as he was provided them with bread and water while they waited out the drought and the great persecution that was carried out against them at the hands of Jezebel. The Scriptures points out, that the drought had gotten so bad, that Ahab had Obadiah go with him to search the land for some grass or fodder to feed their horses and mules with. Ahab was afraid that if they weren't able to feed the animals soon they would have to start killing them so they don't suffer a long drawn out death. It seems that Ahab had compassion for the little things, but none for the things that matter the most. Note: Samaria was only forty-two miles north from Jerusalem, also known as "The House of David." I find it amazing that the city of Jerusalem was prospering while Samaria was in a state of suffering. It shows that going against God would not have been a wise move on anybody's part. Now while Ahab and Obadiah had divided the land in search for some grass or fodder for their horses and mules, Obadiah runs into Elijah and immediately recognizes him and begins to bow before him. As Obadiah was bowing before the prophet he had asked Elijah if it was really him that was standing before him. Elijah responded by saying: "Yes, now go and tell your master that Elijah is here." Now Obadiah after hearing what the prophet had just said to him responded in fear by saying: "What have I done wrong, why would you hand your servant over to Ahab to be put to death? Then Obadiah proceeds to tell Elijah about all that he has done when it came to the Lord's prophets: "Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water. And now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.' He will kill me!" (1 Kings 18:13-14) You see, Obadiah was afraid that Elijah was going to vanish again and if he was to return with Ahab and Elijah wasn't there, the king would have had Obadiah put to death for toying with him. I find it interesting that Ahab had did all he could within his power to find Elijah. He had sent out spies and search teams to try to find the elusive prophet. He had offered rewards to anybody who would turn him in. He contacted neighboring kingdoms to see if they knew about the prophet's whereabouts, but to no avail -- nothing. So Elijah puts Obadiah's mind at peace by saying: "As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today." (1 Kings 18:15)
**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 02) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 03) The Fire Contest Between God & Baal 04) The Gift of Rain That Came From The Heavens 05) Elisha The Prophet Apprentice 06) The Thirty Two Kings of Mass Destruction 07) Ben-Hadad The Drunken King 09) The Prophets of the Groves 10) Micaiah The One True Prophet 13) Elijah and the Chariot of Fire 14) Elisha the Miracle Prophet  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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