1 Kings 18:13

Was it not told my lord, what I did when Iezebel slew the Prophets of the Lord ? How I hid an hundred men of the Lords Prophets, by fiftie in a caue, and fedde them with bread and water? 1 Kings 18:13 (KJV)

“Is it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD’S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?” In this verse, we find Obadiah speaking to the prophet Elijah during a critical time in Israel’s history. To better understand the significance of this passage, let’s explore the context and key themes:

Context: 1 Kings 18 takes place during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel over the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab had married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, who influenced him to worship Baal, a pagan god, and to promote the worship of idols throughout the kingdom. This led to the persecution and killing of many of God’s prophets.

Key Themes:

Faithfulness in Difficult Times: Obadiah, who served in Ahab’s court, faced a difficult situation. While Ahab and Jezebel sought to destroy God’s prophets, Obadiah remained faithful to God and hid a hundred prophets in two caves, supplying them with bread and water. Despite the risks involved, Obadiah displayed courage and loyalty to God, ensuring the survival of His prophets during a time of great danger.

God’s Preservation of His Remnant: The passage highlights how God, in His providence, preserves a remnant of faithful believers even in times of intense persecution. Despite the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel’s regime, God ensured that His prophets remained alive and protected. This theme echoes throughout the Bible, where we see God’s faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people to carry out His purposes.

Obeying God Rather Than Human Authority: Obadiah’s actions demonstrate the importance of obeying God rather than human authority when they contradict His commands. Obadiah recognized the evil of Jezebel’s actions and risked his own life to protect God’s prophets. His actions serve as a reminder that our allegiance should be to God and His principles, even if it means standing against powerful and influential individuals or systems.

God’s Provision: Obadiah’s provision of bread and water to the prophets in hiding reflects God’s faithfulness to sustain His people even in challenging circumstances. Despite being in a wilderness, God ensured that the needs of His servants were met. This theme reminds us of God’s ability to provide for His people and sustain them even when they find themselves in difficult situations.

Application:

The passage from 1 Kings 18:13 encourages us to remain faithful to God even when faced with challenging circumstances. It teaches us the importance of standing up for righteousness and justice, even in the face of opposition or persecution. Like Obadiah, we should prioritize obedience to God’s commands over the desires and demands of human authority. Moreover, this passage reminds us of God’s faithfulness in preserving and protecting His people. It encourages us to trust in His provision and to rely on His guidance even in the most challenging times. Just as God sustained the prophets through Obadiah’s provision, He will also provide for us and sustain us in our journeys of faith.

In conclusion, 1 Kings 18:13 demonstrates the faithfulness of Obadiah and the preservation of God’s prophets during a time of persecution. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, obey God rather than human authority, trust in His provision, and stand up for righteousness, even when faced with adversity.