BSBKJVWEBYLTASVBBEWMBT4TDBY|HymnsMusicDonate
Menu
Home › Berean Standard Bible  › 1 Kings 18  › 1 Kings 18:4

1 Kings 18:4

← 1 Kings 18:3 1 Kings 18:5 →

1 Kings 18:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

King James Version KJV

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

American Standard Version ASV

for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Bible in Basic English BBE

For when Jezebel was cutting off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred of them, and kept them secretly in a hole in the rock, fifty at a time, and gave them bread and water.)

Free Bible Version FBV

While Jezebel was busy killing the Lord's prophets, Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty in each of two caves, and had provided them with food and water.)

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For when Iezebel destroyed the Prophets of the Lord, Obadiah tooke an hundreth Prophets, and hid them, by fiftie in a caue, and he fed them with bread and water.)

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and it cometh to pass, in Jezebel's cutting off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah taketh a hundred prophets, and hideth them, fifty men in a cave, and hath sustained them with bread and water —

World English Bible WEB

for when Jezebel cut off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets, and hid them fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For it was so , when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For when Jezabel killed the prophets of the Lord, he took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifty and fifty in caves, and fed them with bread and water.

Translation for Translators T4T

One time when Queen Jezebel had tried to kill all Yahweh’s prophets, Obadiah hid 100 of them in two caves. He put 50 prophets in each cave, and he brought food and water to them.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 18:4

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Kings 18:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יְהִי֙ בְּ/הַכְרִ֣ית אִיזֶ֔בֶל אֵ֖ת נְבִיאֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַ/יִּקַּ֨ח עֹבַדְיָ֜הוּ מֵאָ֣ה נְבִאִ֗ים וַֽ/יַּחְבִּיאֵ֞/ם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אִישׁ֙ בַּ/מְּעָרָ֔ה וְ/כִלְכְּלָ֖/ם לֶ֥חֶם וָ/מָֽיִם
וַ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/הַכְרִ֣ית kârath H3772 to cut Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
אִיזֶ֔בֶל ʼÎyzebel H348 Jezebel N-proper
אֵ֖ת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
נְבִיאֵ֣י nâbîyʼ H5030 prophet N-mp
יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
וַ/יִּקַּ֨ח lâqach H3947 to take Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עֹבַדְיָ֜הוּ ʻÔbadyâh H5662 Obadiah N-proper
מֵאָ֣ה mêʼâh H3967 hundred Adj
נְבִאִ֗ים nâbîyʼ H5030 prophet N-mp
וַֽ/יַּחְבִּיאֵ֞/ם châbâʼ H2244 to hide Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים chămishshîym H2572 fifty Adj
אִישׁ֙ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms
בַּ/מְּעָרָ֔ה mᵉʻârâh H4631 cave Prep | N-fs
וְ/כִלְכְּלָ֖/ם kûwl H3557 to sustain Conj | V-Piel-Perf-3ms | Suff
לֶ֥חֶם lechem H3899 food N-cs
וָ/מָֽיִם mayim H4325 Water (Gate) Conj | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 18:4

וַ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְּ/הַכְרִ֣ית kârath H3772 "to cut" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
אִיזֶ֔בֶל ʼÎyzebel H348 "Jezebel" N-proper
Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, a queen of Israel, known for her evil deeds. She appears in 1 Kings 16:31, influencing Ahab to worship Baal and oppose God's prophets, like Elijah. Her story serves as a warning against idolatry and disobedience.
Definition: A queen of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.16.31; daughter of: Ethbaal (H0856); married to Ahab (H0256); mother of: Ahaziah (H0274) and Joram (H3141H) Also named: Iezabēl (Ἰεζαβήλ "Jezebel" G2403) § Jezebel = "Baal exalts" or "Baal is husband to" or "unchaste" queen of Israel, wife of Ahab, daughter of Ethbaal
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: Jezebel. See also: 1 Kings 16:31; 1 Kings 21:14; 2 Kings 9:37.
אֵ֖ת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נְבִיאֵ֣י nâbîyʼ H5030 "prophet" N-mp
A prophet is someone who speaks for God, like a spokesperson. This word is used in the Bible to describe true and false prophets, like those in 1 and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) spokesman, speaker, prophet 1a) prophet 1b) false prophet 1c) heathen prophet Aramaic equivalent: ne.vi (נְבִיא "prophet" H5029)
Usage: Occurs in 288 OT verses. KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Kings 24:2; Psalms 51:2.
יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וַ/יִּקַּ֨ח lâqach H3947 "to take" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
עֹבַדְיָ֜הוּ ʻÔbadyâh H5662 "Obadiah" N-proper
Obadiah was a prophet who wrote one of the minor prophetic books, prophesying against Edom during the time of Exile and Return. His name means servant of Jehovah, and he is also the name of several other Israelites.
Definition: A prophet living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Oba.1.1 § Obadiah = "servant of Jehovah" 1) the 4th of the 12 minor prophets; nothing personal is known of him but it is probable that he was contemporary with Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel 1a) the prophetic book by him; prophesies against Edom 2) father of Ishmaiah, one of the chiefs of Zebulun in the time of David 3) a Merarite Levite overseer of the work of restoring the temple in the time of king Josiah of Judah 4) chief of the household of king Ahab of Israel; an devout worshipper of Jehovah who at risk to his own life hid over 100 prophets during the persecution of Jezebel 5) a descendant of David 6) a chief of the tribe of Issachar 7) a Benjamite, one of the 6 sons of Azel and a descendant of king Saul 8) a Levite, son of Shemaiah and a descendant of Jeduthun 9) a Gadite chief, the 2nd of the lion-faced Gadites who joined David at Ziklag 10) a prince of Judah in the time of king Jehoshaphat of Judah 11) a priest, son of Jehiel of the sons of Joab who returned from exile with Ezra 12) a gatekeeper in the time of Nehemiah 13) one of the men who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah 13a) perhaps the same as 12
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: Obadiah. See also: 1 Kings 18:3; 1 Chronicles 9:16; Obadiah 1:1.
מֵאָ֣ה mêʼâh H3967 "hundred" Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
נְבִאִ֗ים nâbîyʼ H5030 "prophet" N-mp
A prophet is someone who speaks for God, like a spokesperson. This word is used in the Bible to describe true and false prophets, like those in 1 and 2 Kings.
Definition: 1) spokesman, speaker, prophet 1a) prophet 1b) false prophet 1c) heathen prophet Aramaic equivalent: ne.vi (נְבִיא "prophet" H5029)
Usage: Occurs in 288 OT verses. KJV: prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. See also: Genesis 20:7; 2 Kings 24:2; Psalms 51:2.
וַֽ/יַּחְבִּיאֵ֞/ם châbâʼ H2244 "to hide" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
To hide means to secrete or withdraw, often for safety or protection. In the Bible, this word is used to describe hiding oneself or being forced into hiding. It appears in various forms, including to hide oneself or to be hidden by someone else.
Definition: 1) to withdraw, hide 1a) (Niphal) to hide oneself 1b) (Pual) to be forced into hiding 1c) (Hiphil) to hide 1d) (Hophal) to be hidden 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to hide oneself, draw back 1e2) to draw together, thicken, harden
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] held, hide (self), do secretly. See also: Genesis 3:8; 1 Kings 18:4; Isaiah 42:22.
חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים chămishshîym H2572 "fifty" Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number fifty, used in various biblical contexts like measurements and quantities. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers.
Definition: 1) fifty 1a) fifty (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers) 1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: fifty. See also: Genesis 6:15; 1 Kings 7:2; Isaiah 3:3.
אִישׁ֙ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
בַּ/מְּעָרָ֔ה mᵉʻârâh H4631 "cave" Prep | N-fs
The Hebrew word for a cave or den, often used to describe a dark or hidden place. It can also refer to a hole or a hollowed-out space. In the Bible, it is used to describe natural landscapes and places of refuge or hiding.
Definition: cave, den, hole
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: cave, den, hole. See also: Genesis 19:30; 1 Samuel 13:6; Psalms 57:1.
וְ/כִלְכְּלָ֖/ם kûwl H3557 "to sustain" Conj | V-Piel-Perf-3ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to sustain or support something, like holding it in or keeping it going, and is used in various senses, such as nourishing or enduring, as seen in Psalm 55:22.
Definition: 1) to seize, contain, measure 1a)(Qal) to measure, calculate 1b) (Pilpel) to sustain, maintain, contain 1b1) to sustain, support, nourish 1b2) to contain, hold in, restrain 1b3) to support, endure 1c) (Polpal) to be supplied 1d) (Hilpil) to contain, hold, hold in, endure 1d1) to contain 1d2) to sustain, endure
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: (be able to, can) abide, bear, comprehend, contain, feed, forbearing, guide, hold(-ing in), nourish(-er), be present, make provision, receive, sustain, provide sustenance (victuals). See also: Genesis 45:11; 2 Chronicles 2:5; Psalms 55:23.
לֶ֥חֶם lechem H3899 "food" N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
וָ/מָֽיִם mayim H4325 "Water (Gate)" Conj | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.

Study Notes — 1 Kings 18:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Kings 18:13 Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred prophets of the LORD, fifty men per cave, and I provided them with food and water.
2 Matthew 10:40–42 He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”
3 Revelation 17:4–6 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
4 Matthew 21:35 But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.
5 Hebrews 11:38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.
6 Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,
7 Matthew 25:40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
8 Nehemiah 9:26 But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
9 1 Kings 13:16 But the man replied, “I cannot return with you or eat bread or drink water with you in this place.
10 1 Kings 13:8–9 But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place. For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”

1 Kings 18:4 Summary

This verse tells us that Queen Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord, but Obadiah, who feared the Lord, hid 100 prophets in caves and took care of them with food and water. This shows that Obadiah was a brave and faithful servant of God, willing to risk his life to protect others. Just like Obadiah, we can trust in God's care and provision, as seen in verses like Matthew 6:25-34 and Psalm 37:3-7, and stand up for what is right, even when it's hard. By doing so, we demonstrate our love and devotion to God, just as Obadiah did.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Obadiah hide the prophets of the Lord?

Obadiah hid the prophets because Queen Jezebel was slaughtering them, as mentioned in 1 Kings 18:4, and he wanted to protect them, demonstrating his fear of the Lord, similar to the actions of those who feared God in Acts 5:13-14.

How did Obadiah care for the hidden prophets?

According to 1 Kings 18:4, Obadiah provided the hidden prophets with food and water, showing his compassion and obedience to God, much like the way God cares for His people as described in Psalm 23:1-4.

What does this verse reveal about Obadiah's character?

This verse shows that Obadiah greatly feared the Lord, as mentioned in 1 Kings 18:3, and was willing to risk his own life to protect the prophets, demonstrating his loyalty and devotion to God, similar to the character of Daniel in Daniel 6:10.

How does this event relate to the rest of the story in 1 Kings 18?

The hiding of the prophets sets the stage for Elijah's confrontation with Ahab and Jezebel, highlighting the spiritual battle between those who serve the Lord and those who serve idols, as seen in the rest of 1 Kings 18 and supported by verses like Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Reflection Questions

  1. What would I be willing to risk to stand up for my faith and protect others who serve the Lord?
  2. How can I demonstrate my fear of the Lord in my daily life, like Obadiah did in this verse?
  3. What are some ways I can care for and support those who are serving the Lord, just as Obadiah cared for the prophets?
  4. How does this verse encourage me to trust in God's provision and care, even in difficult circumstances?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 18:4

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord,.... 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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 18:4

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) An hundred prophets - not men

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 18:4

Prophets: this name is not only given to such as are endowed with an extraordinary spirit of prophecy, but to such ministers as devoted themselves to the service of God in preaching, praying, praising God, and the like, as ; and in this place compared with , where Elijah saith, I only remain a prophet of the Lord, to wit, strictly so called; and ,29 . Fed them, with the hazard of his own life, and against the king’ s command; as wisely considering that no command of an earthly prince could overrule the command of the supreme Lord, the King of kings, or discharge him from those acts of piety to God, and charity to men, which God’ s law indispensably required. With bread and water; either properly, which was a great kindness in those circumstances; or figuratively, i.e. with meat and drink.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 18:4

1 Kings 18:4 For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)Ver. 4. When Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord.] Who declaimed against her idolatry, and proclaimed hell fire, &c. Who can stand still to have his eyes picked out Obadiah took a hundred prophets.] This was a sure sign of the true fear of God in him, quitting his heart of carnal fears, and quickening it to help God’ s persecuted prophets not without the hazard of his head, if once it had been noticed. But he was as secret as good; else he could not have done so much service to the Church. Policy and religion do as well together, as they do ill asunder; their match maketh themselves secure, and many happy. With bread and water.] Which though but mean fare, yet - to them that had the continual feast of a good conscience within - it was as brown bread and water was to the martyrs in those Marian times, better than the fine bread and wine would have been at Jezebel’ s table.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 18:4

(4) Jezebel cut off the prophets.—The persecution here referred to, in which for the first time the royal power was placed in distinct antagonism to the prophetic order, is only known by this allusion. It may probably have followed on the denunciation of judgment; and Elijah’s retirement to Cherith and Zarephath may have been a means of escape from it. If Elijah’s oft-repeated phrase, “I, even I, alone remain,” is to be taken literally, Obadiah’s merciful interposition must have availed only for a time, or have simply given opportunity of escape.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 18:4

Verse 4. Fed them with bread and water.] By these are signified the necessaries of life, of whatsoever kind.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 18:4

4. Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord] Not content with having Baal-worship established and fostered by her husband, the queen determined to destroy all the worshippers of Jehovah, and probably she included in her extermination the priests who ministered at Dan and Bethel, for they did not disown Jehovah, though they brake His law by setting up an image to represent him. But no doubt the larger number whom Jezebel cut off were ‘the sons of the prophets,’ those who belonged to the schools of the prophets, which we learn from 2 Kings 2. were both numerous and largely frequented. It was a hundred of these men whom Obadiah saved in the time of persecution. The story of Jezebel’s butchery is not given us, but it is alluded to here and in 1 Kings 19:10-14.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 18:4

We have no details of Jezebel’s deed of blood. Some have conjectured that it was the answer of Jezebel to Elijah’s threat, and that the command given him to hide in Cherith alone saved him from being one of the victims.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 18:4

4. When Jezebel cut off the prophets — Whence it appears that this woman had not only set up Baal-worship in Israel, but had also persecuted unto death the true prophets of Jehovah.

Sermons on 1 Kings 18:4

SermonDescription
Jason Cooley Beheading in the Bible: Are You Ready to Lose Your Head for Jesus? by Jason Cooley In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of making a daily decision to serve Christ and live for Him. He challenges the audience to abstain from evil and be separated
David Wilkerson God’s Measure of Success by David Wilkerson David Wilkerson emphasizes that true success in God's eyes is found in being fulfilled through ministering to Him, rather than seeking earthly recognition or security. He reflects
Dennis Kinlaw The Gift of Hunger by Dennis Kinlaw In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being in the presence of God. He acknowledges the value of building friendships and connections with others, but states tha
William MacDonald Conference for Missionaries-1988- Discipleship - Part 3 by William MacDonald In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of fervent love for one another as a way to overcome interpersonal conflicts. He references 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 8, which st
John Wesley John Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Matthew 18 by John Wesley John Wesley expounds on Matthew 18, emphasizing the necessity of humility and childlike faith to enter the kingdom of heaven. He warns against causing offenses and stresses the imp
John Bjorlie Be My Guest by John Bjorlie John Bjorlie preaches on the importance of hospitality as a crucial element in building Christian community, promoting close, brotherly love, and combating superficial relationship
A.W. Tozer Membership in the Universal Church by A.W. Tozer A.W. Tozer emphasizes the distinction between membership in the local church and the universal church, arguing that true membership requires a spiritual rebirth and acceptance of C
← 1 Kings 18:3 1 Kings 18:5 →

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate