1Kings 18-20
Overview of chapter 18
God spoke to Elijah and told him to go find King Ahab, whom Elijah was hiding from. At this same time Ahab and his household manager Obidiah were searching the land for someplace to pasture their horses during the drought. Obidiah and Elijah crossed each others paths and Elijah asked Obidiah to tell Ahab where to meet him. Obidiah was afraid that Elijah wouldn’t stick around, and then Ahab would think he was lying, but Elijah reassured him that he would not back out.
When Ahab and Elijah met, Elijah challenged all the prophets of Baal to a competition in front of all Israel. Two altars were set up, one for Baal, and one for the one true God. Whichever God answered and consumed the sacrifices was the one that Israel should serve. The 450 prophets of Baal called out first, leaping, crying, raving, and even cutting themselves. Apparently Baal was asleep because he did not answer. Next Elijah called out and the real God consumed his sacrifice.
All the people of Israel worshipped God, killed the 450 prophets of Baal, and the Lord sent rain. Then Elijah went for a jog, keeping ahead of Ahab.
Overview of chapter 19
Ahab returned home and told his wife that all her prophets were dead and it was Elijah’s fault. She threatened to kill Elijah, which freaked him out, so he ran away. An angel ministered to him and fed him before he left on a 40 day journey.
While Elijah was hiding in a gave the Lord blew into town asked him what he was doing their. Elijah said he was hiding so he wouldn’t be killed, but God told him to get up and go to Damascus where he would anoint a couple of new kings and pick up a successor in training for himself (Elisha). When Elijah saw Elisha, he passed his mantle on to him, and after saying bye to mom and pop Elisha followed and ministered to Elijah.
Overview of chapter 20
The king of Aram, Ben-hadad, decided to take out king Ahab, but before he did he asked Ahab to hand over all his silver, gold, women and children. Ahab agreed, but before he could do it Ben-hadad sent his servants to Ahab and told them to take whatever they wanted. At the advice of his elder Ahab told them to back off. At this time the prepared for war, and a prophet told Ahab that he would win, which of course they did.
Following this victory a prophet told Ahab that Ben-hadad would be back in a year to fight again. Of course he was, and Israel was victorious against unbelievable odds. Ahab spared Ben-hadad’s life, which a prophet later told Ahab was a bad choice, one he would eventually die for. Ahab stubbornly went home angry at God.
Reflection
Do you put much trust in the promises people make to you? When you see God working in the world around you, do you drop to the ground and worship God? Are you obedient to God even if it is dangerous and could cost you dearly? How important is it to you that you follow God’s word exactly?
For Further Study
Ministering Angels: Psalm 34:7, Daniel 9:20-27, Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43, Acts 12:7, Hebrews 1:13-14
God spoke to Elijah and told him to go find King Ahab, whom Elijah was hiding from. At this same time Ahab and his household manager Obidiah were searching the land for someplace to pasture their horses during the drought. Obidiah and Elijah crossed each others paths and Elijah asked Obidiah to tell Ahab where to meet him. Obidiah was afraid that Elijah wouldn’t stick around, and then Ahab would think he was lying, but Elijah reassured him that he would not back out.
When Ahab and Elijah met, Elijah challenged all the prophets of Baal to a competition in front of all Israel. Two altars were set up, one for Baal, and one for the one true God. Whichever God answered and consumed the sacrifices was the one that Israel should serve. The 450 prophets of Baal called out first, leaping, crying, raving, and even cutting themselves. Apparently Baal was asleep because he did not answer. Next Elijah called out and the real God consumed his sacrifice.
All the people of Israel worshipped God, killed the 450 prophets of Baal, and the Lord sent rain. Then Elijah went for a jog, keeping ahead of Ahab.
Overview of chapter 19
Ahab returned home and told his wife that all her prophets were dead and it was Elijah’s fault. She threatened to kill Elijah, which freaked him out, so he ran away. An angel ministered to him and fed him before he left on a 40 day journey.
While Elijah was hiding in a gave the Lord blew into town asked him what he was doing their. Elijah said he was hiding so he wouldn’t be killed, but God told him to get up and go to Damascus where he would anoint a couple of new kings and pick up a successor in training for himself (Elisha). When Elijah saw Elisha, he passed his mantle on to him, and after saying bye to mom and pop Elisha followed and ministered to Elijah.
Overview of chapter 20
The king of Aram, Ben-hadad, decided to take out king Ahab, but before he did he asked Ahab to hand over all his silver, gold, women and children. Ahab agreed, but before he could do it Ben-hadad sent his servants to Ahab and told them to take whatever they wanted. At the advice of his elder Ahab told them to back off. At this time the prepared for war, and a prophet told Ahab that he would win, which of course they did.
Following this victory a prophet told Ahab that Ben-hadad would be back in a year to fight again. Of course he was, and Israel was victorious against unbelievable odds. Ahab spared Ben-hadad’s life, which a prophet later told Ahab was a bad choice, one he would eventually die for. Ahab stubbornly went home angry at God.
Reflection
Do you put much trust in the promises people make to you? When you see God working in the world around you, do you drop to the ground and worship God? Are you obedient to God even if it is dangerous and could cost you dearly? How important is it to you that you follow God’s word exactly?
For Further Study
Ministering Angels: Psalm 34:7, Daniel 9:20-27, Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43, Acts 12:7, Hebrews 1:13-14
posted by Shaun Sells | 11:55 PM
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