1 Kings 18:17

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is that you, you destroyer of Israel?"

1 Kings 18:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 18:17

And it came to pass when Ahab saw Elijah
As soon as he came up to him, and knew who he was; Abarbinel thinks, because his hair was grown so long that Ahab did not know him certainly, and therefore put the following question:

that Ahab said unto him, art thou he that troubleth Israel?
by opposing the religion of Baal, which prevailed among them; but chiefly rain being withheld from them according to his word, and at his prayer.

1 Kings 18:17 In-Context

15 Then Elijah said, "As the Lord of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, today I will present myself to Ahab."

16 Obadiah went to meet Ahab and report to him. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah.

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is that you, you destroyer of Israel?"

18 He replied, "I have not destroyed Israel, but you and your father's house have, because you have abandoned the Lord's commandments and followed the Baals.

19 Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table."