1 Kings 18:17

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O 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 Then Elijah said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will present myself to Ahab today.”

16 So Obadiah went to inform Ahab, who went to meet Elijah.

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”

18 “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.

19 Now summon all Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”