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E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 18:4

Jezebel. The first record of using the civil power against the true religion (and by a woman). See note on Judges 4:21 . fifty in a cave = fifty men. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:4

4. an hundred prophets—not men endowed with the extraordinary gifts of the prophetic office, but who were devoted to the service of God, preaching, praying, praising, &c. (1 Samuel 10:10-12). fed them with bread and water—These articles are often used to include sustenance of any kind. As this succor must have been given them at the hazard, not only of his place, but his life, it was a strong proof of his attachment to the true religion. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 18:1-16

God’s revelation of His people 18:1-16Elijah would next learn from God how the Israelites would respond to his ministry as God’s servant.Evidently God made the famine especially severe in Samaria (1 Kings 18:2) because Ahab and Jezebel were the causes of it and lived there. As a believer in Yahweh, Obadiah had been a blessing to 100 of God’s prophets even in the famine (1 Kings 18:3-4). Surveyors have counted over 2,000 caves in the Mount Carmel area. [Note: Patterson and Austel, p. 142.] When... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:1-46

Jehovah or Baal?1. In the third year] in Luke 4:2-5; James 5:17 the duration of the famine is given as 3 years and 6 months. 3. The governor of his house] The same office as that alluded to in 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 16:9. Feared the Lord greatly] His name (’Servant of Jehovah’) was a true index of his character. 4. Cut off the prophets] Nothing is related of this beyond what is implied in 1 Kings 19:10. 12. The Spirit.. thee] cp. 2 Kings 2:16: the prophet’s movements being directed toward... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Kings 18:4

(4) Jezebel cut off the prophets.—The persecution here referred to, in which for the first time the royal power was placed in distinct antagonism to the prophetic order, is only known by this allusion. It may probably have followed on the denunciation of judgment; and Elijah’s retirement to Cherith and Zarephath may have been a means of escape from it. If Elijah’s oft-repeated phrase, “I, even I, alone remain,” is to be taken literally, Obadiah’s merciful interposition must have availed only... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Kings 18:1-46

Obadiah A Palm in the Desert 1 Kings 18:3 The name Obadiah means 'servant of Jehovah,' and it will appear that his life and character answer to his sacred name. I. Obadiah is an Example of Early Piety. 'But I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth' was his meek avowal to Elijah, the stern Tishbite, as he confronted him in the way. It was a splendid thing to say. Yet a man who so speaks assumes an immense responsibility. I wish each youthful reader would take the words 'my youth' and ponder... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-19

ELIJAH AND AHAB1 Kings 18:1-19"Return, oh backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto Thee; for Thou art Jehovah our God. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the tumult (of votaries) upon the mountains. Truly in Jehovah our God is the salvation of Israel. And the Shame (i.e., Baal) hath devoured the labor of our fathers."- Jeremiah 3:22-24ELIJAH stayed long with the Sidonian widow, safe in that obscure concealment, and with his simple wants supplied. But... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Kings 18:1-46

2. Elijah on Carmel: The Answered Prayer CHAPTER 18 1. The command to see Ahab (1 Kings 18:1 ) 2. Elijah’s response (1 Kings 18:2 ) 3. Ahab and Obadiah (1 Kings 18:3-6 ) 4. Elijah and Obadiah (1 Kings 18:7-15 ) 5. Elijah meets Ahab (1 Kings 18:16-18 ) 6. Elijah’s demand (1 Kings 18:19-20 ) 7. The events on Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40 ) 8. The answered prayer (1 Kings 18:41-46 ) The judgment of God as announced by Elijah continued its allotted time. A Greek historian, Menander of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:1-46

ELIJAH'S RETURN TO FACE AHAB (vs.1-20) The famine lasted three and a half years (James 5:17), the same length of time the Great Tribulation will last. But the rain would not be sent until Elijah gave the word. The Lord then sent Elijah to present himself to Ahab (v.1). Meanwhile Ahab was desperately occupied with finding some means to relieve the results of the famine. Obadiah was a prominent man in charge of Ahab's affairs. In contrast to Ahab, he feared the Lord greatly, so that it was... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

ELIJAH AND AHAB ELIJAH IN HIDING (1 Kings 17:1-24 ) Nothing is known of Elijah’s previous history, not even why he is called the Tishbite (1 Kings 17:1 ) except, as suggested in the Septuagint translation, that the town of Tishbeh is meant, which was in the Gilead region east of the Jordan. A comparison of Deuteronomy 11:16-17 shows that the judgment he announces (1 Kings 17:1 ) was threatened by Jehovah for such iniquity as that now prevailing; but of course the divine impulse must have... read more

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