Elijah’s bold summons to Obadiah shows that God’s plans transcend human fears.
In this passage, Obadiah voices his fear to Elijah, saying, “And now you say, ‘Go, say to your master, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; he will then kill me.” (v.14). These words take place in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab (874-853 BC), when a severe drought has ravaged the land. Obadiah, a devoted follower of the LORD since his youth, has secretly protected one hundred prophets in caves so that King Ahab's wife Jezebel would not kill them. He now worries that if he tells Ahab where Elijah is, God’s prophet might disappear again, leaving Obadiah to face Ahab’s wrath alone. This scene underscores both Obadiah’s deep reverence for God and his legitimate fear of being caught between the king’s hostility toward Elijah and his own allegiance to the LORD.Here, “Go, say to your master…” reflects Elijah’s command for Obadiah to bring word of his return to King Ahab. Elijah had gone into hiding during the drought, a punishment pronounced by him on behalf of God for Israel’s idolatry (1 Kings 17). Obadiah knows Elijah is God’s prophet—active around the 9th century BC—capable of vanishing under divine guidance at any moment. Yet Obadiah struggles with the potential consequences of delivering such a message, because Ahab has scoured many kingdoms searching for Elijah. If the king cannot find Elijah after Obadiah’s report, Obadiah fears that Ahab “will then kill me.” (v.14). This highlights the tension in a land where Jezebel is promoting Baal worship and the prophets of the true God are under threat.Obadiah’s anxiety contrasts with Elijah’s firm assurance that he will indeed show himself to Ahab. Their encounter at this pivotal moment sets the stage for a miraculous demonstration of God’s power on Mount Carmel. It is a reminder that courage and obedience often require trusting the LORD in difficult circumstances, especially when worldly authorities oppose His purposes. Elijah’s presence in Israel testifies to God’s sovereignty, even under King Ahab’s hostile regime. This verse underscores how faith can overcome fear when one rests in God’s unfailing protection.
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1 Kings 18:14 meaning
In this passage, Obadiah voices his fear to Elijah, saying, “And now you say, ‘Go, say to your master, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; he will then kill me.” (v.14). These words take place in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab (874-853 BC), when a severe drought has ravaged the land. Obadiah, a devoted follower of the LORD since his youth, has secretly protected one hundred prophets in caves so that King Ahab's wife Jezebel would not kill them. He now worries that if he tells Ahab where Elijah is, God’s prophet might disappear again, leaving Obadiah to face Ahab’s wrath alone. This scene underscores both Obadiah’s deep reverence for God and his legitimate fear of being caught between the king’s hostility toward Elijah and his own allegiance to the LORD.Here, “Go, say to your master…” reflects Elijah’s command for Obadiah to bring word of his return to King Ahab. Elijah had gone into hiding during the drought, a punishment pronounced by him on behalf of God for Israel’s idolatry (1 Kings 17). Obadiah knows Elijah is God’s prophet—active around the 9th century BC—capable of vanishing under divine guidance at any moment. Yet Obadiah struggles with the potential consequences of delivering such a message, because Ahab has scoured many kingdoms searching for Elijah. If the king cannot find Elijah after Obadiah’s report, Obadiah fears that Ahab “will then kill me.” (v.14). This highlights the tension in a land where Jezebel is promoting Baal worship and the prophets of the true God are under threat.Obadiah’s anxiety contrasts with Elijah’s firm assurance that he will indeed show himself to Ahab. Their encounter at this pivotal moment sets the stage for a miraculous demonstration of God’s power on Mount Carmel. It is a reminder that courage and obedience often require trusting the LORD in difficult circumstances, especially when worldly authorities oppose His purposes. Elijah’s presence in Israel testifies to God’s sovereignty, even under King Ahab’s hostile regime. This verse underscores how faith can overcome fear when one rests in God’s unfailing protection.