And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
Read it in contextElijah’s Message to Ahab
Start reading at 1 Kings 18:1 (1 Kings 18:1 to 1 Kings 18:15).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
18:1And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
18:2And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
18:3And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
18:4For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
18:5And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
18:6So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
18:7And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
18:8And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
18:9And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
18:10As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
18:11And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
18:12And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
18:13Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
18:14And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
18:15And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution. The history draws on earlier records, and its final compiler is not independently identifiable with certainty. Biblical references: 1 Kings 11:41; 1 Kings 14:19. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Kings 18:1–18:46): Elijah confronts Ahab, the gathered Israelites, and the prophets of Baal at Carmel; the people witness the contest and respond. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel and Judah's later community, especially readers confronting the history that led to exile. First and Second Kings originally form one continuous work. Biblical references: 1 Kings 9:6; 1 Kings 9:7; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Elijah’s Message to Ahab. Read 1 Kings 18:1 through 1 Kings 18:15 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account begins in David's last days, follows Solomon's reign, and continues into the divided kingdoms and the ministries associated with Elijah. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Jerusalem and the temple are central early; later events move through Judah, the northern kingdom, and neighboring regions. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Elijah’s Message to Ahab (1 Kings 18:1 to 1 Kings 18:15).
Start reading at 1 Kings 18:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus refers to Solomon's wisdom while declaring that a greater than Solomon is present. The comparison directs attention to Jesus without endorsing Solomon's later unfaithfulness. See 1 Kings 11:4, Matthew 12:42. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Distinguish outward prosperity and impressive religious buildings from covenant faithfulness. Attend to the reasons the narrative gives for its evaluations of kings and prophets. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Kings 18
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Kings traces Solomon's reign and the divided kingdoms. Its evaluation of kings centers on faithfulness to the LORD. The book does not name its author. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
Connection to the wholeThe later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
Connection to the wholeThe later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Kings
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Kings traces Solomon's reign and the divided kingdoms. Its evaluation of kings centers on faithfulness to the LORD. The book does not name its author.
Connection to the wholeThe later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.