1 Kings 18:17

17 And it came to pass when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, Is it thou, the troubler 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 And Elijah said, As Jehovah of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will certainly shew myself to him to-day.

16 Then Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah.

17 And it came to pass when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, Is it thou, the troubler of Israel?

18 And he said, I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of Jehovah, and thou hast followed the Baals.

19 And now send, gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.