Today is the big showdown between Ahab and Elijah. Self interest versus trust in God. The big human conflict writ large.
Contest on Mount Carmel
1 Kings 18:17-39
Prophets of Baal destroyed
1 Kings 18:40
Elijah prays for rain
1 Kings 18:41-46
God’s care for Elijah
1 Kings 19:1-7
God speaks at Horeb
1 Kings 19:8-18
Elishah joins Elijah
1 Kings 19:19-21
Ben-Hadad beseiges Samaria
1 Kings 20:1-12
His defeat
1 Kings 20:13-21
It’s easy to blame Ahab and see him as the bad guy. He is, in many ways, But, he is trying as best he can, to preserve his position and to keep the security of his nation. The trouble is that he is not turning to God to do this, but to Baal. Elijah’s contention is that Baal is worthless and unable to help, and this he demonstrates conclusively on Mount Carmel. What Ahab thought is not recorded, but Jezebel his wife is not convinced. She has everything invested in her gods, and is not willing to surrender. Elijah is exhausted and depressed, and runs for his life - all the way to the place where God spoke to Moses. God speaks again to him, in a tiny whisper, not in a mighty way, and encourages him.
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