Pagan Deities in the Old Testament Table

18:1 Ahab See 16:29–34.

I may give rain on the surface of the earth See note on 17:1.

18:2 Samaria The capital city established under Ahab’s father, Omri (see note on 16:24).

18:3 Obadiah The Obadiah who prophesied against Edom, whose oracles appear in the book of Obadiah, is likely a different person.

over the house Refers to the royal residence in Samaria. It is unclear what responsibilities Obadiah’s position entailed; it was likely the highest attainable office in the ancient Near East, making Obadiah second only to King Ahab (Gen 39:4–5; 41:40–45; 1 Kgs 4:6; 2 Kgs 15:5; Isa 22:15–24).

18:4 cave The Hebrew word here suggests a specific cave or set of caves. Since the following scene occurs on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs 18:19–40), tradition holds that the cave(s) of the prophets were in the Carmel mountain range.

18:5 horses and mules See note on 1:33.

18:7 he recognized him Elijah was recognizable because he wore a hairy garment with a leather belt (2 Kgs 1:8).

my lord Elijah Obadiah’s position over the king’s household made him second only to Ahab (1 Kgs 18:3). Referring to Elijah as “lord” or “master” suggests that Obadiah willingly subjected himself to the prophet, despite being Elijah’s superior.

18:9 to kill me Obadiah expresses this fear three times (vv. 9, 12, 14).

18:10 As Yahweh your God lives A formula indicating that a formal oath will follow.

he would make the kingdom or the nation swear Since Elijah’s words threatened Ahab’s regime, the king could call upon his allies to search for Elijah and extradite him. Ancient Near Eastern treaty texts often included a clause requiring the extradition of runaway slaves or fugitives wanted for inciting rebellion, such as Elijah (2:39–40).

18:12 the Spirit of Yahweh The Hebrew word used here, ruach, means “breath,” “wind,” or “spirit,” which fits with the idea of Yahweh’s Spirit carrying someone from one location (or activity) to another—it can move them and be in them. This verse foreshadows Elijah’s ascent in the whirlwind (2 Kgs 2:1–12).

18:15 As Yahweh of hosts lives A formula indicating that a formal oath will follow.

As Yahweh of hosts A common title for God used by the prophets. The Hebrew word term used here, yhwh tseva’ot (literally rendered as “Yahweh of armies”), portrays Yahweh as the commander of either Israel’s army or the heavenly hosts.

before whom I stand The idea is that Elijah serves the Lord.

18:17 this you who throws Israel into confusion Ahab later greets Elijah by saying, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” (1 Kgs 21:20).

throws Israel into confusion The Hebrew word used here, okheri, denotes the idea of causing a disturbance or stirring up trouble.

18:18 Baals Refers to various renderings of the Canaanite storm god, Baal. The plural form of ba’al (ba’alim) is used only here in the book of Kings. It also appears in Judges (see Judg 2:11; 3:7; 8:33; 10:6, 10) and Samuel (1 Sam 7:4; 12:10).

Pagan Deities in the Old Testament Table

18:19 Mount Carmel A mountain range that extends to the Mediterranean coast near the modern city of Haifa. This particular mountain is symbolic of fertility and grandeur (compare Isa 35:2; Jer 50:19).

18:21 you go limping The Hebrew word pasach, denoting “pass over,” “spring over,” or “limp,” can also imply “jump” or “hop” (see v. 26).

opinions The Hebrew word used here typically refers to the boughs of a tree (Isa 17:6; Ezek 31:6, 8) or clefts in a rock (Isa 2:21; 57:5), but it also can refer to divided thoughts (Job 4:13; 20:2). The usage here creates the image of a bird hopping between branches or rock clefts.

Baal The Canaanite storm god.

18:22 alone am left a prophet An exaggeration, since 100 of Yahweh’s prophets have already been mentioned (1 Kgs 18:4, 13), and other prophets of Yahweh are mentioned later (20:13; 22:1–28).

18:24 you call on the name of your god Assumes that all the people of Israel worship Baal.

18:26 they limped about the altar Possibly refers to a ritual dance.

Altars in the Old Testament Table

which they had made This was probably not an active religious site, since the prophets had to build the altar for this contest.

18:28 they cut themselves A sign of mourning and distress that was outlawed for the Israelites (Deut 14:1; Lev 19:28; 21:5).

18:30 He repaired the altar of Yahweh that had been destroyed The people of Israel apparently had disassembled the altars of Yahweh throughout the land (1 Kings 19:10).

18:31 Elijah took twelve stones Marks the participation of the “original” Israel—the 12 tribes that were divided into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

18:38 the fire of Yahweh Fire often symbolizes Yahweh’s presence (Exod 3:2; 19:18; Lev 9:24; 2 Chr 7:3), divine approval (Judg 6:21; 1 Chr 21:26; 2 Chr 7:1), and divine judgment (Num 11:1; 16:35).

Fire as a Motif of Divine Presence

18:40 the wadi of Kishon The Wadi Kishon gathers the runoff from the many springs and streams in the Jezreel Valley and directs the waters west, past Mount Carmel and into the Mediterranean Sea.

18:41 Ahab Ahab was silent during the challenge to Baal’s prophets (vv. 20–40).

18:43 go They may ascend to a different peak; Elijah and his servant are already on top of Mount Carmel (v. 42).

18:46 the hand of Yahweh A phrase used to indicate an extreme sensory experiences (see Ezek 1:3).

ran before Ahab Elijah miraculously outruns Ahab’s chariot.