1 Kings 18:1-21

During the third year without rain, the LORD spoke his word to Elijah: “Go and meet King Ahab, and I will soon send rain.” So Elijah went to meet Ahab. By this time there was no food in Samaria. King Ahab sent for Obadiah, who was in charge of the king’s palace. (Obadiah was a true follower of the LORD. When Jezebel was killing all the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah hid a hundred of them in two caves, fifty in one cave and fifty in another. He also brought them food and water.) Ahab said to Obadiah, “Let’s check every spring and valley in the land. Maybe we can find enough grass to keep our horses and mules alive and not have to kill our animals.” So each one chose a part of the country to search; Ahab went in one direction and Obadiah in another. While Obadiah was on his way, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized Elijah, so he bowed down to the ground and said, “Elijah? Is it really you, master?” “Yes,” Elijah answered. “Go tell your master that I am here.” Then Obadiah said, “What wrong have I done for you to hand me over to Ahab like this? He will put me to death. As surely as the LORD your God lives, the king has sent people to every country to search for you. If the ruler said you were not there, Ahab forced the ruler to swear you could not be found in his country. Now you want me to go to my master and tell him, ‘Elijah is here’? The Spirit of the LORD may carry you to some other place after I leave. If I go tell King Ahab you are here, and he comes and doesn’t find you, he will kill me! I have followed the LORD since I was a boy. Haven’t you been told what I did? When Jezebel was killing the LORD’s prophets, I hid a hundred of them, fifty in one cave and fifty in another. I brought them food and water. Now you want me to go and tell my master you are here? He will kill me!” Elijah answered, “As surely as the LORD All-Powerful lives, whom I serve, I will be seen by Ahab today.” So Obadiah went to Ahab and told him where Elijah was. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah. When he saw Elijah, he asked, “Is it you—the biggest troublemaker in Israel?” Elijah answered, “I have not made trouble in Israel. You and your father’s family have made all this trouble by not obeying the LORD’s commands. You have gone after the Baals. Now tell all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Also bring the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” So Ahab called all the Israelites and those prophets to Mount Carmel. Elijah approached the people and said, “How long will you not decide between two choices? If the LORD is the true God, follow him, but if Baal is the true God, follow him!” But the people said nothing.