1 Kings 18:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-16

In these verses we find, I. The sad state of Israel at this time, upon two accounts:? 1. Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord (1 Kgs. 18:4), slew them, 1 Kgs. 18:13. Being an idolater, she was a persecutor, and made Ahab one. Even in those bad times, when the calves were worshipped and the temple at Jerusalem deserted, yet there were some good people that feared God and served him, and some good prophets that instructed them in the knowledge of him and assisted them in their devotions. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:3

And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house ,.... Perhaps his steward: the Jews F13 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 39. 2. take him to be Obadiah the prophet, who wrote the small prophecy that goes by his name: (now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly:) who, though he did not go up to Jerusalem to worship, which ceremonial service was dispensed with in him, yet he did not worship the calves, nor Baal, but served the Lord in a spiritual manner. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:3

Obadiah feared the Lord greatly - He was a sincere and zealous worshipper of the true God, and his conduct towards the persecuted prophets was the full proof both of his piety and humanity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-6

The Cry for Life. For three years and six months the heavens were as brass. Throughout the summers the sun glared and flamed in a cloudless sky, and the temperature, even at night, never sank to the dew-point. Throughout the winters, if the temperature reached that point, the elements were so boisterous that no dew could settle upon the herbage, and the winds carried the aqueous vapour away to other lands. In the absence of dew and rain, vegetation, excepting only that near rivers or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal. Elijah is now prepared for his work. He who had sent him into the desert now commands him to enter into open conflict with idolatry. God makes His will known to him in two ways. I. BY AN INWARD IMPULSE . II. THROUGH HIS MEETING WITH THE YOUNG OBADIAH , the protector of the prophets, and the faithful servant of God in the midst of the impure court of Ahab. Let it be ours to seek such a twofold assurance of the will of God. Let... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:3

And Ahab called [Rather, had called . "The verbs וַיְּהִי וַיּקְרָא etc. ( 1 Kings 18:3 , 1 Kings 18:4 , 1 Kings 18:5 , 1 Kings 18:6 ), carry on the circumstantial clauses" (Keil).] Obadiah [This name is almost as remarkable as Elijah's, or would be, if it were not more common. It means "servant of Jehovah." Compare the modern Arabic Abdallah . Although borne by one who "feared the Lord greatly" ( Obadiah 1:3 ), and "from his youth" ( Obadiah 1:12 ), it occurs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:3-4

The Governor of Ahab's House. There are few things in these books of Scripture more surprising and suggestive than the position of Obadiah in She palace of Ahab. Consider— I. THE AGE . We have seen that during this reign ( 1 Kings 16:30 , 1 Kings 16:33 ; 1 Kings 21:25 ), and especially in the capital city of Samaria ( 1 Kings 16:32 ), the wickedness of Israel had reached its zenith. From the accession of Jeroboam, and the schism which followed it, the northern kingdom had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:3

Obadiah’s name, “servant of Yahweh,” indicates his religious character. It corresponds to the modern Arabic name Abdallah. Ahab could scarcely have been ignorant of Obadiah’s faithfulness to Yahweh; and it tells in favor of the monarch’s tolerance that he should have maintained an adherent of the old religion in so important an office. There seems to be no doubt that the worst deeds of Ahab’s reign sprang less from his own free will and natural disposition than from the evil counsels, or rather... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:3

1 Kings 18:3. Obadiah, who was governor of his house Intrusted with the management of the affairs of his family, and highly valued by him on account of his singular prudence and fidelity. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly Was a truly pious man, and worshipped Jehovah alone, with sincere and fervent affection to his service. This circumstance, one might have supposed, would have made Ahab discard, if not persecute him; but it is likely he found him so very useful a servant, that for his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

Elijah and the prophets of Baal (18:1-46)After three years unbroken drought, God told Elijah that the time had come to make Ahab and Israel decide clearly whether they would follow him or Baal (18:1-2). Ahab was concerned about the effect of the drought on Israel’s trade and defence (for he was in danger of losing his valuable transport animals), but he was not so concerned about the religious condition of the country. He still tried to serve both God and Baal. While his queen attacked God’s... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 18:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:3-4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 18:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 18:1-46

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