1 Kings 18 6

1 Kings 18:6 kjv

So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

1 Kings 18:6 nkjv

So they divided the land between them to explore it; Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

1 Kings 18:6 niv

So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.

1 Kings 18:6 esv

So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.

1 Kings 18:6 nlt

So they divided the land between them. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

1 Kings 18 verses

1 Kings 18 6 Meaning

This verse describes King Ahab and Obadiah, his palace administrator, dividing the drought-stricken land of Israel between them. Their purpose was to personally search thoroughly for springs or streams of water and patches of grass to prevent their livestock from perishing due to the severe famine.

1 Kings 18 6 Context

First Kings 18 opens at the climactic point of a severe, three-year-plus drought in Israel, which was sent by God as judgment through Elijah's pronouncement (1 Ki 17:1). This famine was a direct consequence of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's active promotion of Baal worship, an idolatrous religion that claimed Baal controlled rain and fertility. The dire situation, including the suffering of the livestock (horses and mules), reveals the complete failure of Baal to provide for his worshippers. This sets the immediate stage for Elijah's dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, proving Yahweh's sole sovereignty over creation, including the rain. Ahab's personal involvement in searching for water, alongside his loyal administrator Obadiah (a devout believer who hid prophets of the Lord), underscores the kingdom's desperate state and provides the precise backdrop for Elijah's unexpected appearance before the king.

1 Kings 18 6 Word analysis

• So they divided (וַיַּחֲלְקוּ - vayyachalaqu): From the Hebrew root חָלַק (chālaq), meaning "to divide, portion, allot." This indicates a deliberate act of allocation of territory or responsibility. The pluperfect "so they had divided" shows a completed action, emphasizing their urgent and pragmatic response to the crisis.

• the land (הָאָרֶץ - ha'aretz): Refers to the physical territory of Israel. The drought's pervasive effect means the entire country is affected, necessitating a broad, systematic search.

• between them (בֵינֵיהֶם - beinehem): Literally "between them two," signifying a shared task divided into two distinct responsibilities.

• to pass throughout it (לַעֲבָר בָּהּ - la'avor bah): From the Hebrew verb עָבַר ('avar), "to pass over, through, cross." It implies a thorough, exhaustive, and systematic journey through the affected areas, covering as much ground as possible.

• Ahab went one way by himself (וְאַחְאָב הָלַךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶחָד לְבַדּוֹ - v'Ach'av halakh b'derekh echad levaddoh):

  • Ahab (אַחְאָב - Ach'av): The wicked King of Israel, largely responsible for the spiritual apostasy. His personal involvement underscores the extremity of the famine; even a king finds himself actively participating in survival efforts.
  • one way (בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶחָד - b'derekh echad): Denotes a specific, designated path or direction taken by one individual.
  • by himself (לְבַדּוֹ - levaddoh): "Alone," or "for himself," stressing individual responsibility for the search in his assigned region. This highlights the severity that compels the highest authority to undertake this search personally, without delegating it entirely.

• and Obadiah went another way by himself (וְעֹבַדְיָהוּ הָלַךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶחָד לְבַדּוֹ - v'Ovadiahū halakh b'derekh echad levaddoh):

  • Obadiah (עֹבַדְיָהוּ - 'Ovadiahū): Meaning "servant of Yahweh." He is depicted as a devout man who reverenced the Lord greatly and protected a hundred prophets from Jezebel (1 Ki 18:3-4). His partnership with Ahab, despite their vast spiritual differences, illustrates the universal impact of the drought.
  • another way (בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶחָד - b'derekh echad): Again, "one way" (different from Ahab's), implying his distinct route.
  • by himself (לְבַדּוֹ - levaddoh): Again, "alone," indicating his individual focus on his assigned section of the land.

• "So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it": This phrase encapsulates the strategic and collaborative effort. The division ensures comprehensive coverage of the distressed region. It's a pragmatic logistical solution to an overwhelming crisis, indicating the extent of the disaster.

• "Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself": This phrasing emphasizes the personal and distinct effort put forth by each man. The repetition of "by himself" underscores the deep personal engagement required and the gravity of the situation, showing that mere delegation was not sufficient for a crisis of this magnitude. It also implicitly highlights their differing characters engaging in a common task for survival.

1 Kings 18 6 Bonus section

• The practical measure of dividing the land illustrates a response born of sheer desperation, where normal societal order is strained. Even the king abandons his palace duties for manual exploration, signaling the kingdom-wide peril.
• The absence of success noted in this verse serves to amplify the desperation before Elijah's return, preparing the reader for the Lord's mighty intervention. The human effort alone is shown to be insufficient against a divinely ordained judgment.
• This act of "searching" itself can be seen as a humble (though perhaps not spiritually repentant) acknowledgement of dependence on external factors beyond royal control—a subtle testament to God's hand forcing humanity's limitations to the forefront.

1 Kings 18 6 Commentary

Verse 1 Kings 18:6 is seemingly a simple statement of logistics, yet it profounding reveals the dire consequences of divine judgment upon a disobedient nation. The necessity for the highest authorities—King Ahab and his trusted palace administrator, Obadiah—to personally embark on a perilous search for water underscores the unprecedented severity of the drought. This isn't merely about cattle; it speaks to the entire societal breakdown due to lack of basic sustenance, proving Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty over life and creation, a stark contrast to the impotence of Baal, the false god whose domain was supposedly rain and fertility. The verse immediately precedes Elijah's encounter with Ahab, demonstrating Ahab's preoccupation with survival rather than seeking the true God who held the keys to rain. Obadiah's participation, despite his deep faith in Yahweh, shows how believers navigated the complex realities of living under a wicked king. It's a powerful setup, painting a vivid picture of desolation that serves as the backdrop for the imminent theological showdown on Mount Carmel.