1 kings 18:13 - Wasn’t it told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed Yahweh’s prophets, how I hid one hundred men of Yahweh’s prophets with fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

Generated Verse: 1 kings 18:13

What does "1 kings 18:13" mean?


This verse from 1 Kings 18:13 is part of a conversation between Obadiah, a devout servant of King Ahab, and the prophet Elijah. It explains why Obadiah is afraid to follow Elijah's instruction to tell Ahab that Elijah has returned to Israel. Let's break down what it means:

"Wasn't it told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed Yahweh's prophets..." Obadiah is reminding Elijah that Ahab, his king, should already know about Obadiah's past actions. Jezebel, Ahab's wife, was a staunch worshipper of Baal and was actively persecuting and killing prophets of Yahweh (the Hebrew God).

"...how I hid one hundred men of Yahweh's prophets with fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water?" Obadiah reveals that during Jezebel's purge, he risked his life to protect 100 prophets of Yahweh. He hid them in two caves, groups of 50 each, and provided them with basic sustenance (bread and water) to keep them alive.

The significance of this verse:

Obadiah's Faith and Courage: It highlights Obadiah's devotion to Yahweh and his courageous actions in the face of extreme danger. As a high-ranking official in Ahab's court, protecting the prophets was a very risky endeavor, potentially leading to his own execution.
The Severity of the Persecution: It underscores the extent of Jezebel's hostility toward Yahweh's followers. The fact that she was actively killing prophets demonstrates the spiritual crisis in Israel at the time.
Obadiah's Fear: This sets the stage for Obadiah's fear. He worries that if he tells Ahab that Elijah is back, and then Elijah disappears, Ahab will blame him and kill him. The king knows about Obadiah's pro-Yahweh actions, so he would be the prime suspect in helping Elijah.
Contrast with Elijah's Boldness: It contrasts Obadiah's cautious approach with Elijah's unwavering faith and boldness. Elijah is unafraid to confront Ahab, even though he knows it's dangerous.

In essence, the verse explains Obadiah's loyalty to Yahweh and his past acts of bravery, but also highlights his very reasonable fear for his own life in the present situation, as he believes that Ahab would blame him for protecting Elijah.