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1 Kings 18:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 18:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
1 Kings 18:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of Jehovah, how I hid a hundred men of Jehovah`s prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
14And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah [is here]; and he will slay me.
15And Elijah said, As Jehovah of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to-day.
16So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Is it thou, thou troubler of Israel?
18And he answered, 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 Baalim.
19Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, that eat at Jezebel`s table.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him, etc.] That Elijah was in such a place, and had desired him to inform him of it, and was ready to appear before him that day wherever he pleased; for upon the prophet’s oath Obadiah was entirely satisfied, and was in no fear of delivering the message: and Ahab went to meet Elijah; though perhaps the bold message of the prophet might make him fear he had something to say to him not very agreeable.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:16-18 troublemakers: Although Elijah announced the onset of the drought (17:1), it was Ahab and his family who brought God’s judgment upon Israel by their violations of the covenant and their sponsorship of Baal worship (see Lev 26:19; Deut 28:15, 23; 2 Chr 7:13; Jer 14:1-7; Amos 4:7-8).”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification