In the third year of famine, the LORD sends Elijah to confront Ahab, who has been searching everywhere for water for horses and mules. Obadiah, Ahab's palace manager who hid one hundred prophets from Jezebel, meets Elijah and fears for his life if Elijah disappears again; Elijah promises to appear before Ahab that day. Ahab calls Elijah Israel's troubler; Elijah retorts Ahab has troubled Israel by forsaking the LORD for Baal. On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenges four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred of Asherah: both sides prepare a bull, and the God who answers by fire is the true God. From morning to evening, the prophets of Baal cry, dance, and cut themselves without answer. Elijah rebuilds the LORD's altar with twelve stones, digs a trench, drenches the sacrifice three times, and prays; the LORD's fire consumes everything including the water. The people fall down: 'The LORD, He is God!' Elijah executes the prophets at the Kishon. He prays seven times for rain until his servant sees a small cloud; torrential rain follows as Elijah runs before Ahab's chariot to Jezreel.
Read 1 Kings Chapter 18 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
David's son, wisest and wealthiest king, builder of the temple, but later fell into idolatry
Prophet who confronted Baal worship and demonstrated God's power on Mount Carmel
Wicked king of Israel who promoted Baal worship through his wife Jezebel
Ahab's Phoenician wife who promoted Baal worship and persecuted God's prophets
Solomon's son whose harsh policies caused the kingdom to divide
Prophet against Edom
Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel
Father of Many Nations
Son of Abraham
Places in This Chapter
Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel and later became the name for the entire region between Judea and Galilee. After the Assyrian conquest, the population became mixed, and the Samaritans developed their own form of worship. Jews and Samaritans had deep hostility. Jesus broke social barriers by speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well and telling the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Jezreel was both a city and a fertile valley (also called the Valley of Megiddo or Armageddon). King Ahab had a palace here where Jezebel orchestrated Naboth's murder for his vineyard. Jehu killed Jezebel here, fulfilling Elijah's prophecy. The valley has been a battlefield throughout history and is associated with end-times prophecy.
Position in Book
Elijah confronts Baal worship, defeats prophets of Baal on Carmel, flees from Jezebel, Ahab's wars.