Melachim Alef 18:4

4 For it was so, when Izevel cut off the Nevi’im of Hashem, that Ovadyah took a hundred Nevi’im, and hid them by fifty in a me’arah (cave), and fed them with lechem and mayim—

Melachim Alef 18:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 18:4

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord,
&c.] Or slew them, as the Targum; put them to death some way or another; such as were brought up in the schools of the prophets, trained up in religious exercises, and instructed others therein:

that Obadiah took one hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a
cave;
fifty in one cave and fifty in another; for there were large caves in the land of Israel capable of holding such a number, and many more, see ( 1 Samuel 22:1 ) ( 24:3 ) and fed them with bread and water; which in this time of famine were very acceptable; though these may be put for all the necessaries of life.

Melachim Alef 18:4 In-Context

2 And Eliyahu went to show himself unto Ach’av. And there was a ra’av chazak (strong famine) in Shomron.

3 And Ach’av summoned Ovadyah, who was in charge of the Bayit (Palace)—now Ovadyah feared Hashem me’od (greatly);

4 For it was so, when Izevel cut off the Nevi’im of Hashem, that Ovadyah took a hundred Nevi’im, and hid them by fifty in a me’arah (cave), and fed them with lechem and mayim—

5 And Ach’av said unto Ovadyah, Go into HaAretz unto all springs of mayim, and unto all brooks; perhaps we may find khatzir (grass) to save the sus (horse) and pered (mules) alive, that we not be dispossessed of all the behemah.

6 So they divided ha’aretz between them to pass throughout it; Ach’av went derech echad by himself, and Ovadyah went derech echad by himself.