1 Kings 18:41-46

The Lord Sends Rain

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain."

42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. ¹And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees.

43 And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." And he went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go again," seven times.

44 And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, ²a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'"

45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to ³Jezreel.

46 ⁴And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, ⁵and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of ⁶Jezreel.

1 Kings 18:41-46 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 18

In this chapter Elijah has an order from the Lord to show himself to Ahab, who, going first, and meeting with a servant of his, Obadiah, charges him to tell his master where he was, that he might meet him, 1Ki 18:1-16, and, upon meeting him, desires that all Israel, and the prophets of Baal, might be convened, which was accordingly done, 1Ki 18:17-20, when he expostulated with the people of Israel for their idolatry, mocked and confounded the prophets of Baal, and gave the strongest proofs, to the conviction of the people, that Jehovah is the true God, 1Ki 18:21-39, on which all the prophets of Baal were slain, 1Ki 18:40, and rain in great abundance was given at the prayer of the prophet, 1Ki 18:41-46.

Cross References

• 1. [James 5:17, 18]
• 2. [Luke 12:54]
• 3. Joshua 17:16
• 4. 2 Kings 3:15; Ezekiel 1:3; Ezekiel 3:14
• 5. Exodus 12:11; 2 Kings 4:29; 2 Kings 9:1; Jeremiah 1:17
• 6. Joshua 17:16