1 Kings 18:1-19

1A while later in the third year of the drought, the Lord spoke his word to Elijah: “Present yourself to Ahab. I will allow rain to fall on the ground.”

2So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was particularly severe in Samaria.

3Ahab sent for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Obadiah was a devout worshiper of the Lord.

4(When Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in caves. He put 50 prophets in each cave and kept them alive by providing bread and water for them.)

5Ahab told Obadiah, “Let’s go throughout the countryside to every spring and stream. If we can find grass, then we can keep the horses and mules alive and not lose any animals.”

6So they split up in order to cover the entire countryside. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went the other way by himself.

7Obadiah was on the road when he met Elijah. Obadiah recognized him and immediately bowed down to the ground. “Is it you, my master Elijah?” he asked.

8“Yes,” Elijah answered him. “Tell your master that Elijah is here.”

9Obadiah asked, “What have I done wrong to make you hand me over to Ahab to be killed?

10I solemnly swear, as the Lord your God lives, my master has searched for you in every region and kingdom. When people would say, ‘He isn’t here,’ my master made that kingdom or region take an oath that they hadn’t found you.

11“Now you say, ‘Tell your master that Elijah is here.’

12This is what will happen: When I leave you, the Lord’s Spirit will take you away to some unknown place. I’ll tell Ahab, but he won’t be able to find you. Then he will kill me. “I have been faithful to the Lord since I was a child.

13Haven’t you heard what I did when Jezebel killed the Lord’s prophets? Haven’t you heard how I hid 100 of the Lord’s prophets in caves? I hid 50 prophets in each cave and provided bread and water for them.

14Now you say that I should tell my master that Elijah is here. He will kill me.”

15Elijah said, “I solemnly swear, as the Lord of Armies whom I serve lives, I will present myself to Ahab.”

16So Obadiah went to tell Ahab. Ahab went to meet Elijah.

17When he saw Elijah, Ahab said, “Is that you, you troublemaker of Israel?”

18Elijah answered, “I haven’t troubled Israel. You and your father’s family have done it by disobeying the Lord’s commands and following the various Baal gods.

19Order all Israel to gather around me on Mount Carmel. And bring the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”