Elijah

Lore & Background

Elijah first appears announcing a drought by the word of the LORD, saying there will be no dew or rain except by his word (1 Kings 17:1). During the famine, he stays with a widow in Zarephath, where her barrel of meal and cruse of oil do not fail according to the LORD's word (1 Kings 17:16). When her son dies, Elijah prays and the LORD restores the child's life, leading the woman to affirm that Elijah is a man of God (1 Kings 17:22-24). After three years, the LORD sends Elijah to show himself to Ahab, promising rain (1 Kings 18:1). Elijah meets Obadiah and then Ahab, who accuses him of troubling Israel (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah mocks the prophets of Baal when their god does not answer (1 Kings 18:27). He repairs the altar of the LORD, offers a sacrifice, and prays; the LORD answers with fire, and the people acknowledge the LORD (1 Kings 18:30-36). Elijah then has the prophets of Baal slain at the brook Kishon (1 Kings 18:40). He prays for rain, and a great rain comes; the hand of the LORD empowers him to run before Ahab to Jezreel (1 Kings 18:41-46).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Elijah as a prophet whose authority comes directly from the LORD, whom he serves and before whom he stands (1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 18:15). His word initiates and ends the drought (1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 18:41). He is a miracle worker: the widow's food supply is supernaturally sustained (1 Kings 17:16), and he raises her son from the dead through prayer (1 Kings 17:22). Elijah is also a bold confrontational figure, challenging King Ahab (1 Kings 18:17) and the people of Israel to abandon their divided loyalty (1 Kings 18:21). He demonstrates the power of the LORD over Baal by calling down fire on the sacrifice (1 Kings 18:36-38) and then executing the false prophets (1 Kings 18:40). His prayer for rain is accompanied by physical posture and persistence (1 Kings 18:42). The passages emphasize that the LORD's word through Elijah is truth (1 Kings 17:24) and that the LORD acts in response to Elijah's faith and obedience.

Did You Know?

• Elijah declared a drought that lasted 'these years' and ended after the third year (1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 18:1).
• The widow's son was revived when Elijah prayed, and the child's soul came into him again (1 Kings 17:22).
• Elijah repaired an altar of the LORD using twelve stones, representing the tribes of Israel (1 Kings 18:31).
• After the contest on Carmel, Elijah ran before Ahab's chariot to Jezreel (1 Kings 18:46).