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1 Kings 18 (NIV)

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1 Kings 18 (NIV)
Commentary 1 source group
Tyndale Commentary 4 notes
TyndaleStudyNotes

IKgs.18.10

18:10 every nation and kingdom: Ancient Near Eastern protocol called for the extradition of fugitives or runaway slaves, as noted in the famous treaty between Pharaoh Ramses II and the Hittite king Hattusilis (see ANET 200b, 203a). But Elijah had not had to seek asylum with a foreign king. God provided for his safety at Kerith Brook (17:3) and with the widow...

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18:10 every nation and kingdom: Ancient Near Eastern protocol called for the extradition of fugitives or runaway slaves, as noted in the famous treaty between Pharaoh Ramses II and the Hittite king Hattusilis (see ANET 200b, 203a). But Elijah had not had to seek asylum with a foreign king. God provided for his safety at Kerith Brook (17:3) and with the widow at Zarephath (17:9).

Tyndale Open Resources - CC BY-SA 4.0
TyndaleStudyNotes

IKgs.18.12-15

18:12-15 As a true believer, Obadiah recognized that the Spirit of the Lord operated within God’s prophets (Judg 6:34; Ezek 3:12, 14; 11:1). Obadiah feared that the Lord’s Spirit would carry Elijah away while he was reporting Elijah’s whereabouts to Ahab. The king would then interpret his inability to produce Elijah as a sign that he was hiding Elijah, and h...

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18:12-15 As a true believer, Obadiah recognized that the Spirit of the Lord operated within God’s prophets (Judg 6:34; Ezek 3:12, 14; 11:1). Obadiah feared that the Lord’s Spirit would carry Elijah away while he was reporting Elijah’s whereabouts to Ahab. The king would then interpret his inability to produce Elijah as a sign that he was hiding Elijah, and he would kill him.

Tyndale Open Resources - CC BY-SA 4.0
TyndaleStudyNotes

IKgs.18.16-18

18:16-18 troublemakers: Although Elijah announced the onset of the drought (17:1), it was Ahab and his family who brought God’s judgment upon Israel by their violations of the covenant and their sponsorship of Baal worship (see Lev 26:19; Deut 28:15, 23; 2 Chr 7:13; Jer 14:1-7; Amos 4:7-8).

Tyndale Open Resources - CC BY-SA 4.0
TyndaleStudyNotes

IKgs.18.19-20

18:19-20 Mount Carmel lies on a ridge dividing the coastal plain of Palestine. The site was known for Canaanite idol worship; an altar to the Lord had also been built there earlier (18:30). It was a natural location for the contest with Baal. Although the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament) may indicate that the prophets of Asherah attended...

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18:19-20 Mount Carmel lies on a ridge dividing the coastal plain of Palestine. The site was known for Canaanite idol worship; an altar to the Lord had also been built there earlier (18:30). It was a natural location for the contest with Baal. Although the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament) may indicate that the prophets of Asherah attended the ensuing contest on Mount Carmel, the Hebrew text does not (cp. 18:22).

Tyndale Open Resources - CC BY-SA 4.0
People & Profiles1 item
TyndalePeople and Profiles

Elijah

Elijah

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Elijah Elijah from Tishbe served as prophet of Israel during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah (874–852 BC). His name means “my God is Yahweh,” and his ministry involved demonstrating that the Lord is the one true God and calling Israel back to the Lord. Under Ahab and Jezebel, Israel began worshiping Baal, a Canaanite fertility god of storm and rain, so God sent a drought upon Israel (1 Kgs 17:1). Elijah hid until the drought ended, and he was sustained by God. During that time, he lived with a widow in Zarephath, a town in Jezebel’s home territory of Sidon. The widow’s son died, but Elijah prayed for him and he was revived (1 Kgs 17:8-24). In the third year of drought, Elijah challenged Baal’s prophets to a contest on Mount Carmel to demonstrate the identity of the true God (1 Kgs 18:1-40). The prophets of Baal called on Baal in vain, becoming frantic to induce him to appear, while Elijah made fun of Baal. When it was Elijah’s turn, he poured water over his sacrifice and prayed a simple, powerful prayer. Fire immediately consumed the offering. In response, the people of Israel worshiped the Lord and, at Elijah’s direction, killed Baal’s prophets. Then Elijah prayed for rain...

Tyndale Open Resources - CC BY-SA 4.0
Cross Reference8 items
TyndaleCross References

genesis 50:24

genesis 50:24

TyndaleCross References

leviticus 9:24

leviticus 9:24

Dictionary & Themes1 item
TyndaleTheme Notes

Prophets in 1 Kings

Prophets in 1 Kings

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Prophets in 1 Kings God’s prophets played a major role in the Old Testament kingdoms of Israel and Judah. They ministered to people’s everyday needs, confronted kings and priests over their apostasy, and performed many miracles. They brought announcements of God’s coming plans (1 Kgs 11:29-32; 17:1), especially messages of judgment (13:1-2; 20:42; 21:20-23; 22:20-22). Several examples from 1 Kings serve to illustrate the prophets’ role. The faithful prophet Nathan, who had rebuked David regarding his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:1-12), played a crucial role in counteracting Adonijah’s attempt to seize his father David’s throne (1 Kgs 1:5-49). The prophet Ahijah informed Jeroboam that God intended to divide Solomon’s kingdom after his death (11:29-39). Later, God used an unnamed prophet to condemn Jeroboam’s apostate religion and the altar at Bethel (13:1-10) and to demonstrate the consequences of disobeying the Lord’s commission (13:11-32). Ahijah reappeared, announcing the Lord’s judgment against Jeroboam and his heirs (14:1-16). The prophet Jehu announced judgment on King Baasha for continuing in Jeroboam’s sin (16:1-4). Finally, a large portion of 1 Kings is devoted to the...

Tyndale Open Resources - CC BY-SA 4.0