1 Kings 18 - New International Version (NIV)

Elijah and Obadiah

18 After a long time, in the third(A) year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Go and present(B) yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain(C) on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.

Now the famine was severe(D) in Samaria, 3 and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace administrator.(E) (Obadiah was a devout believer(F) in the Lord. 4 While Jezebel(G) was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden(H) them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied(I) them with food and water.) 5 Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs(J) and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals.”(K) 6 So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.

7 As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized(L) him, bowed down to the ground, and said, “Is it really you, my lord Elijah?”

8 “Yes,” he replied. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’”

9 “What have I done wrong,” asked Obadiah, “that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to be put to death? 10 As surely as the Lord your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look(M) for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you. 11 But now you tell me to go to my master and say, ‘Elijah is here.’ 12 I don’t know where the Spirit(N) of the Lord may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn’t find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the Lord since my youth. 13 Haven’t you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord’s prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water. 14 And now you tell me to go to my master and say, ‘Elijah is here.’ He will kill me!”

15 Elijah said, “As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present(O) myself to Ahab today.”

Elijah on Mount Carmel

16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler(P) of Israel?”

18 “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you(Q) and your father’s family have. You have abandoned(R) the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon(S) the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel.(T) And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”(U)

20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.(V) 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver(W) between two opinions? If the Lord(X) is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left,(Y) but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.(Z) 23 Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call(AA) on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord.(AB) The god who answers by fire(AC)—he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it.

Then they called(AD) on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response;(AE) no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”(AF) 28 So they shouted louder and slashed(AG) themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice.(AH) But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.(AI)

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar(AJ) of the Lord, which had been torn down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.”(AK) 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name(AL) of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs[a] of seed. 33 He arranged(AM) the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

36 At the time(AN) of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham,(AO) Isaac and Israel, let it be known(AP) today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.(AQ) 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know(AR) that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

38 Then the fire(AS) of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate(AT) and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”(AU)

40 Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley(AV) and slaughtered(AW) there.

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.(AX)

43 “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

44 The seventh time(AY) the servant reported, “A cloud(AZ) as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

45 Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain(BA) started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.(BB) 46 The power(BC) of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt,(BD) he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 18:32 That is, probably about 24 pounds or about 11 kilograms

Cross references

  1. 1 Kings 18:1 : 1Ki 17:1; Lk 4:25
  2. 1 Kings 18:1 : ver 15
  3. 1 Kings 18:1 : S Dt 28:12
  4. 1 Kings 18:2 : S Lev 26:26
  5. 1 Kings 18:3 : 1Ki 16:9
  6. 1 Kings 18:3 : Ne 7:2
  7. 1 Kings 18:4 : 1Ki 21:23; 2Ki 9:7
  8. 1 Kings 18:4 : S 1Ki 17:3; Isa 16:3; 25:4; 32:2; Ob 1:14
  9. 1 Kings 18:4 : Jer 26:24
  10. 1 Kings 18:5 : Jer 14:3
  11. 1 Kings 18:5 : S Ge 47:4
  12. 1 Kings 18:7 : 2Ki 1:8; Zec 13:4
  13. 1 Kings 18:10 : S 1Ki 17:3
  14. 1 Kings 18:12 : 2Ki 2:16; Eze 3:14; Ac 8:39
  15. 1 Kings 18:15 : ver 1
  16. 1 Kings 18:17 : Jos 7:25; 1Sa 14:29; 1Ki 21:20; Jer 38:4
  17. 1 Kings 18:18 : 1Ki 16:31, 33; 21:25
  18. 1 Kings 18:18 : S Dt 31:16
  19. 1 Kings 18:19 : 2Ki 10:19
  20. 1 Kings 18:19 : S Jos 19:26
  21. 1 Kings 18:19 : 2Ki 9:22
  22. 1 Kings 18:20 : 2Ki 2:25; 4:25
  23. 1 Kings 18:21 : Jos 24:15; 2Ki 17:41; Ps 119:113; Mt 6:24
  24. 1 Kings 18:21 : ver 39; Ps 100:3; 118:27
  25. 1 Kings 18:22 : 1Ki 19:10
  26. 1 Kings 18:22 : Jer 2:8; 23:13
  27. 1 Kings 18:24 : S 1Sa 7:8
  28. 1 Kings 18:24 : S Ge 4:26
  29. 1 Kings 18:24 : S ver 38; S Ex 19:18; S Lev 9:24
  30. 1 Kings 18:26 : Isa 44:17; 45:20
  31. 1 Kings 18:26 : Ps 115:4-5; 135:16; Isa 41:26, 28; 46:7; Jer 10:5; 1Co 8:4; 12:2
  32. 1 Kings 18:27 : Hab 2:19
  33. 1 Kings 18:28 : S Lev 19:28
  34. 1 Kings 18:29 : S Ex 29:41
  35. 1 Kings 18:29 : 2Ki 19:12; Isa 16:12; Jer 10:5
  36. 1 Kings 18:30 : 1Ki 19:10
  37. 1 Kings 18:31 : S Ge 17:5; 2Ki 17:34
  38. 1 Kings 18:32 : S Dt 18:7; Col 3:17
  39. 1 Kings 18:33 : S Ge 22:9
  40. 1 Kings 18:36 : S Ex 29:39, 41
  41. 1 Kings 18:36 : S Ge 24:12; S Ex 4:5; Mt 22:32
  42. 1 Kings 18:36 : S Jos 4:24; S 1Sa 17:46; S Ps 46:10
  43. 1 Kings 18:36 : Nu 16:28
  44. 1 Kings 18:37 : S Jos 4:24
  45. 1 Kings 18:38 : ver 24; S Ex 19:18; S Lev 9:24; 2Ki 1:10; 1Ch 21:26; 2Ch 7:1; Job 1:16
  46. 1 Kings 18:39 : S Lev 9:24
  47. 1 Kings 18:39 : S ver 24; S Ps 46:10
  48. 1 Kings 18:40 : S Jdg 4:7
  49. 1 Kings 18:40 : S Ex 22:20; S Dt 17:12; S 2Ki 11:18
  50. 1 Kings 18:42 : S 1Sa 12:17; Jas 5:18
  51. 1 Kings 18:44 : S Jos 6:15
  52. 1 Kings 18:44 : Lk 12:54
  53. 1 Kings 18:45 : S 1Ki 8:36; Job 37:13
  54. 1 Kings 18:45 : S 1Sa 29:1; S Hos 1:4
  55. 1 Kings 18:46 : S Jdg 3:10; S 1Sa 11:6; Lk 1:35; 4:14
  56. 1 Kings 18:46 : 2Ki 4:29; 9:1

You Might Also Like:

1 Kings 18 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

18 And the days are many, and the word of Jehovah hath been unto Elijah in the third year, saying, `Go, appear unto Ahab, and I give rain on the face of the ground;' 2 and Elijah goeth to appear unto Ahab. And the famine is severe in Samaria, 3 and Ahab calleth unto Obadiah, who [is] over the house ...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

18 After many days the word of the Lord was made to Elijah, in the third year, and said, Go, and show thee to Ahab, that I give rain upon the face of the earth (Go, and show thyself to Ahab, and I shall send rain upon the face of the earth). 2 Therefore Elijah went to show himself to Ahab; forsooth ...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - World English Bible (WEB)

18 After many days, Yahweh’s word came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain on the earth.” 2 Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria. 3 Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Yahweh greatly...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - The Voice (VOICE)

18 Many days passed, and the word of the Eternal visited Elijah during the third year of the drought.Eternal One: Go now, and reveal yourself to Ahab. When you do, I will bring rain on the earth. 2 Elijah then went to reveal himself to Ahab.During this time, there was a dangerous shortage of food in...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Elijah Confronts Ahab18 Now it was after many days that the word of Adonai came to Elijah in the third year saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; then I will send rain on the land. 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab.Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 Ahab summoned Obadiah who was the stew...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Elijah’s Message to Ahab18 After many days the word of the Lord came to Eli′jah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Eli′jah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samar′ia. 3 And Ahab called Obadi′ah, who was over t...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Elijah’s Message to Ahab18 After many days the word of the Lord came to Eli′jah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Eli′jah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samar′ia. 3 And Ahab called Obadi′ah, who was over t...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Elijah’s Message to Ahab18 After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year of the drought,[a] saying, ‘Go, present yourself to Ahab; I will send rain on the earth.’ 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria. 3 Ahab summoned Obadiah, who wa...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Elijah’s Message to Ahab18 After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year of the drought,[a] saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab; I will send rain on the earth.”(A)2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria. 3 Ahab summoned Obadiah, who wa...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New Living Translation (NLT)

The Contest on Mount Carmel18 Later on, in the third year of the drought, the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” 2 So Elijah went to appear before Ahab.Meanwhile, the famine had become very severe in Samaria. 3 So Ahab summoned Obadiah, ...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New Life Version (NLV)

Elijah’s Word to Ahab18 After many days, the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go show yourself to Ahab. And I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the time without food was very hard in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah who was ...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Elijah’s Message to Ahab18 And it came to pass after (A)many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and (B)I will send rain on the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a severe famine in Samaria. 3 And A...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Elijah and Obadiah18 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.’ 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.Now the famine was severe in Samaria, 3 and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace adminis...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New International Version (NIV)

Elijah and Obadiah18 After a long time, in the third(A) year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Go and present(B) yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain(C) on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.Now the famine was severe(D) in Samaria, 3 and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his pala...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Elijah and Obadiah18 It was now three years since it had rained. A message came to Elijah from the Lord. He said, “Go. Speak to Ahab. Then I will send rain on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to speak to Ahab.There wasn’t enough food in Samaria. The people there were very hungry. 3 Ahab had sent for Ob...
Read More

1 Kings 18 - New English Translation (NET)

Elijah Meets the King’s Servant18 Some time later, in the third year of the famine,[a] the Lord’s message came to Elijah, “Go, make an appearance before Ahab, so I may send rain on the surface of the ground.” 2 So Elijah went to make an appearance before Ahab.Now the famine was severe in Samaria. ...
Read More