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 too frequently ( 1 Chronicles 3:21 ; 1 Chronicles 7:3 ; 1 Chronicles 8:38 ; 1 Chronicles 9:16 ; 2 Chronicles 17:7 ; 2 Chronicles 34:12 ; Ezra 8:9 ; Obadiah 1:1 ; etc.) to justify the belief that it was assumed or bestowed as an indication of his character (Rawlinson)], which was the governor of his [Heb. over the ] house . [See note on 1 Kings 4:6 , and cf. 1 Kings 16:9 . Rawlinson says it "tells in favour of the monarch's tolerance that he should have maintained an adherent of the old religion in so important an office." But it is just as probable that it was because of his religion that he occupied this post of trust. Ahab could depend on his fidelity and conscientiousness]. ( Now Obadiah [here begins a second parenthesis within the first] feared [Heb. was fearing ] the Lord greatly.