Elijah Meets the King’s Servant

18:1 Some time later, in the third year of the famine, the Lord told Elijah,1 “Go, make an appearance before Ahab, so I may send rain on the surface of the ground.” 18:2 So Elijah went to make an appearance before Ahab.

Now the famine was severe in Samaria.2 18:3 So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who supervised the palace. (Now Obadiah was a very loyal follower of the Lord.3 18:4 When Jezebel was killing4 the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them in two caves in two groups of fifty. He also brought them food and water.) 18:5 Ahab told Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grazing areas5 so we can keep the horses and mules alive and not have to kill6 some of the animals.” 18:6 They divided up the land between them; Ahab went7 one way and Obadiah went the other.

18:7 As Obadiah was traveling along, Elijah met him.8 When he recognized him, he fell facedown to the ground and said, “Is it really you, my master, Elijah?” 18:8 He replied, “Yes,9 go and say to your master, ‘Elijah is back.’ ”10 18:9 Obadiah11 said, “What sin have I committed that you are ready to hand your servant over to Ahab for execution?12 18:10 As certainly as the Lord your God lives, my master has sent to every nation and kingdom in an effort to find you. When they say, ‘He’s not here,’ he makes them13 swear an oath that they could not find you. 18:11 Now you say, ‘Go and say to your master, “Elijah is back.” ’14 18:12 But when I leave you, the Lord’s spirit will carry you away so I can’t find you.15 If I go tell Ahab I’ve seen you, he won’t be able to find you and he will kill me.16 That would not be fair,17 because your servant has been a loyal follower of18 the Lord from my youth. 18:13 Certainly my master is aware of what I did19 when Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets. I hid one hundred of the Lord’s prophets in two caves in two groups of fifty and I brought them food and water. 18:14 Now you say, ‘Go and say to your master, “Elijah is back,” ’20 but he will kill me.” 18:15 But Elijah said, “As certainly as the Lord who rules over all21 lives (whom I serve),22 I will make an appearance before him today.”