Elijah meets Ahab I Kings 18

I Kings 18:1 "And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go shew thyself unto Ahab and I will send rain upon the earth."

It had not rained for three years. Little did the world know that the drought was about over. There is a series of events that take place before it rains. The word goes out to Ahab that Elijah wants to see him. They've been looking for Elijah because he announced that it would not rain. The messenger from Elijah to Ahab is a little nervous that Elijah might not be there when Ahab shows up.

v10 "As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. v11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold Elijah is here."

The messenger here was Obadiah. Elijah finally convinced him that he would indeed show up. Elijah made a challenge to Ahab. Gather all the prophets of Baal and we will see who makes it rain. Elijah's challenge to the people was this:

v21 "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him; but if Ball then follow him. And the people answered him not a word."

An altar was set up. Two bullocks were chosen: one for the prophets of Baal and one for Elijah. The prophets of Baal went first. Though they climbed on the altar and cut and abused themselves, yet Baal did not answer them and the offering was not consumed. Elijah had a little fun with them.

v27 "And it came to pass at noon that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god, either he is talking or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked."

There were over 400 prophets of Baal and none were able to arouse any god.

Now it is Elijah's turn. He prepared the altar and laid the bullock on it. Then he had them pour water on it over and over until it was soaked and the trench around it was full of water. Then he prayed.

v37 "Hear me O LORD hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God and that thou hast turned their heart back again."

v38 "Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt-sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust and licked up the water that was in the trench."

The people did fall down and worship the LORD. The prophets of Baal were killed by the brook Kishon.

v41 "And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up eat and drink for there is a sound of abundance of rain."

So both sides, that were still alive, had food and drink. Then Elijah sits on mount Carmel with his head between his knees. He tells his servant to go look for clouds. Then seven times he looked and one the size of a man' s hand appeared. Then the sky was black and Elijah told Ahab to get off the mountain. Ahab took to his chariot and took off.

v46 "And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah and he girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel."

I think Ahab was convinced that day which side he should be on but he had a wife named Jezebel who was filled with hate.

Psalm 150:6 "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."

Keywords: Bible Study, Old Old Story, Old Testament, Elijah, Ahab. Elijah out runs Ahab's chariot.