1 Kings 18:13 kjv
Was 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?
1 Kings 18:13 nkjv
Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, how I hid one hundred men of the LORD's prophets, fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
1 Kings 18:13 niv
Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the LORD's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.
1 Kings 18:13 esv
Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water?
1 Kings 18:13 nlt
Has no one told you, my lord, about the time when Jezebel was trying to kill the LORD's prophets? I hid 100 of them in two caves and supplied them with food and water.
1 Kings 18 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 18:3 | Now Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly...). | Obadiah's deep fear/devotion to God. |
| 1 Kgs 19:10 | And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD... For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant... and killed your prophets..." | Elijah's similar concern over persecuted prophets. |
| Psa 37:25 | I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. | God's faithfulness in providing for the righteous. |
| Isa 33:16 | He will dwell on the heights; his stronghold will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure. | Divine provision and refuge for the upright. |
| Matt 10:41 | The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward... | Reward for supporting God's messengers. |
| Jer 38:7-13 | When Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern… he spoke to the king. | Another official aiding a persecuted prophet. |
| Isa 1:9 | If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah. | God preserves a remnant. |
| Rom 11:5 | So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. | God always maintains a remnant of believers. |
| Neh 9:26 | Nevertheless, they were disobedient... killed your prophets who warned them to return to you... | Israel's history of persecuting prophets. |
| Acts 7:52 | Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? | A direct accusation of prophet persecution. |
| Matt 23:37 | O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you! | Jesus laments Jerusalem's treatment of prophets. |
| 1 Kgs 19:1-3 | Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done… Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying… | Jezebel's continued enmity towards prophets of God. |
| 2 Kgs 9:30-37 | When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it... her corpse was trampled. | Jezebel's violent end reflecting her wickedness. |
| Rev 2:20-23 | But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess... to practice sexual immorality and eat food.. | A symbolic representation of corrupting influences. |
| Psa 27:5 | For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. | God provides hiding places for His people. |
| Heb 11:36-38 | Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment... wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. | Faith shown through enduring persecution, including hiding. |
| Gen 6:8 | But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. | Example of one righteous person in a wicked generation. |
| Exod 2:2-4 | ...she hid him for three months... placed him among the reeds by the river bank. | Mothers hiding children for safety. |
| Matt 6:25-34 | Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink... your heavenly Father knows that you need them. | Trust in God's provision for daily needs. |
| 1 Sam 22:1-2 | David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam... | Caves as refuges for the persecuted. |
| Isa 51:11-12 | So the ransomed of the LORD shall return... | God's people find refuge and rescue. |
1 Kings 18 verses
1 Kings 18 13 Meaning
Obadiah, a trusted official in King Ahab's court, reminds Elijah of his past heroic and life-risking act of protecting God's prophets from Queen Jezebel's widespread and violent extermination. He recounts how he secretly sheltered one hundred prophets of the LORD in caves, organized into groups of fifty, and sustained them with essential provisions of bread and water, thereby proving his deep loyalty and fear of the LORD even in the face of immense danger and an idolatrous regime. This statement serves as his defense and a testament to his trustworthy character amidst Elijah's questioning.
1 Kings 18 13 Context
1 Kings 18 occurs during a severe drought and famine in Israel, divinely sent as judgment for Ahab and Jezebel's idolatry, specifically their fervent promotion of Baal worship. Elijah, who had prophesied the drought, is commanded by God to show himself to Ahab. This verse is part of a dialogue between Obadiah, Ahab's loyal palace administrator, and Elijah. Obadiah, despite serving an idolatrous king, is described as someone who "feared the LORD greatly" (1 Kgs 18:3). When Elijah commands Obadiah to announce his presence to Ahab, Obadiah fears he will be killed if Elijah disappears (as he had done before) and Ahab cannot find him. To convince Elijah of his genuine faith and to explain his fear of being killed for a perceived failure, Obadiah cites his past courageous act of protecting one hundred of the LORD's prophets from Jezebel's brutal persecution, proving his steadfast loyalty to God in secret, even under the direct threat of the wicked Queen. This provides crucial background on Obadiah's character and the intense, life-threatening environment for those who worshipped the LORD in Israel at that time.
1 Kings 18 13 Word analysis
- "Was it not told my lord": This is a rhetorical question, indicating Obadiah's surprise or indignation that Elijah might not know of his prominent, dangerous, and widely-known act of faith. It implies, "Surely you must have heard of this significant event and my involvement in it?"
- "what I did": Refers to Obadiah's direct and active role in orchestrating the hiding and sustenance of the prophets. This was not a passive observation but a decisive, hands-on intervention.
- "when Jezebel slaughtered" (הַכְרִיתָה hakhrîtâ, a Hiphil form of the verb כָּרַת karath, meaning "to cut off," "destroy," "exterminate"): The verb used signifies a comprehensive, violent, and systematic elimination, implying a deliberate campaign of mass murder rather than isolated killings. Jezebel's intention was to completely eradicate the prophets of the LORD from the kingdom, reflecting her fanatical devotion to Baal and Asherah and her extreme hatred for Yahweh's worship.
- "the prophets of the LORD" (נְבִיאֵי יְהוָה nevi'ei Yehovah): Not merely spiritual people, but official, recognized spokesmen for the covenant God of Israel. Their prophetic ministry was crucial for maintaining Yahwism against the prevalent Baal worship. Their identity emphasizes the religious war waged by Jezebel.
- "how I hid" (וָאַחֲבִיאֵם va'achavi'em - and I caused them to be hidden): This signifies an intentional and risky action on Obadiah's part. As a high-ranking official, this act was treasonous in the eyes of Ahab and Jezebel, putting his own life in grave peril.
- "one hundred men": This specific number underscores the significant scale of Obadiah's rescue operation and also implicitly highlights the terrifying scope of Jezebel's persecution. It shows he risked his life for a substantial group, not just a few individuals.
- "of the LORD's prophets": Reinforces that these were genuine Yahweh prophets, directly targeted by Jezebel.
- "by fifties in a cave" (בַּמְעָרָה ba-me'ara, in the cave/a cave): "By fifties" indicates a strategic organization, perhaps dividing them to minimize detection risk or because of space constraints. Caves were natural, readily available shelters in the hilly terrain of Israel, offering concealment but also harsh living conditions. The indefinite "a cave" or collective "caves" suggests multiple locations or distinct sections within one large cave system.
- "and fed them with bread and water": These basic provisions, simple as they were, highlight the consistent, long-term commitment required from Obadiah. In a severe famine (which was ongoing at the time of this narrative), acquiring and secretly distributing food and water for 100 men was an incredibly dangerous and difficult logistical feat, demonstrating his deep dedication and resourcefulness. It suggests a sustained act of faithful provision under duress.
1 Kings 18 13 Bonus section
- Obadiah's loyalty to the king coexisted with his loyalty to the LORD, illustrating the tension some believers face when working in secular or even hostile environments. His priority, however, was clearly with the LORD.
- The fact that he worked for Ahab might have given him access and resources necessary for his covert operation, turning a potentially compromising position into an opportunity for service to God.
- The emphasis on "bread and water" is significant in the context of the famine. It underscores the difficulty and danger involved in sourcing and distributing even the most basic provisions for such a large group.
- This narrative is a prime example of God preserving a remnant even when the visible church seems to be completely overtaken by apostasy. It reminds us that God always has His faithful ones, often working in unseen ways.
- Obadiah's account is critical for establishing his credibility with Elijah and validating his plea against what he perceives as a foolhardy directive from the prophet.
1 Kings 18 13 Commentary
1 Kings 18:13 unveils the courageous and principled character of Obadiah, an unsung hero of faith during one of Israel's darkest spiritual periods. While Ahab and Jezebel ruthlessly promoted Baal worship and violently persecuted God's prophets, Obadiah, occupying a high-level position in the apostate court, secretly risked his life to preserve the faithful remnant. His act of hiding one hundred prophets and consistently providing them with sustenance defied the royal decree and placed him in mortal danger. This was not a passive act of faith but an active, strategic resistance against an evil regime. Obadiah's fear of the LORD superseded his fear of man, setting him apart in a kingdom steeped in idolatry and corruption. His actions serve as a powerful testament to personal integrity, hidden devotion, and God's sovereign way of preserving His people through seemingly ordinary individuals in extraordinary circumstances, showcasing that even within hostile environments, a faithful remnant exists and contributes to God's enduring plan. His conduct exemplified the principle that true devotion to God often involves costly obedience.