1 Kings 18:2
New International Version
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria,

New Living Translation
So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. Meanwhile, the famine had become very severe in Samaria.

English Standard Version
So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

Berean Standard Bible
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria,

King James Bible
And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

New King James Version
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a severe famine in Samaria.

New American Standard Bible
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

NASB 1995
So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

NASB 1977
So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

Amplified Bible
So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

Christian Standard Bible
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.

American Standard Version
And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria.

English Revised Version
And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was particularly severe in Samaria.

Good News Translation
So Elijah started out. The famine in Samaria was at its worst,

International Standard Version
So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab, right when the famine in Samaria was most severe.

Majority Standard Bible
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria,

NET Bible
So Elijah went to make an appearance before Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.

New Heart English Bible
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. And the famine was severe in Samaria.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. And there was a grievous famine in Samaria.

World English Bible
Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Elijah goes to appear to Ahab. And the famine is severe in Samaria,

Young's Literal Translation
and Elijah goeth to appear unto Ahab. And the famine is severe in Samaria,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elijah will go to be seen to Ahab. And the famine strong in Shomeron.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Elias went to shew himself to Achab, and there was a grievous famine in Samaria.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. For there was a severe famine in Samaria.

New American Bible
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine in Samaria was severe,

New Revised Standard Version
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. And there was a severe famine in Samaria.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Elyah went on to appear to Akhab, and the famine was severe in Samaria.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Eliu went to appear before Achaab: and the famine was severe in Samaria.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Confronts Ahab
1After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.” 2So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria, 3and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,…

Cross References
James 5:17-18
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

Luke 4:25
But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land.

Deuteronomy 11:16-17
But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods, / or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you. He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, nor will the land yield its produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you.

1 Kings 17:1
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”

2 Kings 4:38
When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.”

Amos 4:7
“I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered.

Jeremiah 14:1-6
This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: / “Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. / The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads. ...

Matthew 17:3
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Romans 11:2-4
God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel: / “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? / And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Revelation 11:6
These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14
If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people, / and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Leviticus 26:19-20
I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze, / and your strength will be spent in vain. For your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not bear their fruit.

Joel 1:16-20
Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes—joy and gladness from the house of our God? / The seeds lie shriveled beneath the clods; the storehouses are in ruins; the granaries are broken down, for the grain has withered away. / How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering. ...

Acts 7:42-43
But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.


Treasury of Scripture

And Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

went to shew

Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

a sore

Leviticus 26:26
And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

Deuteronomy 28:23,24
And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron…

2 Kings 6:25
And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.

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1 Kings 18
1. In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah
9. Obadiah brings Ahab to Elijah
17. Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal's prophets
41. Elijah, by prayer obtaining rain, follows Ahab to Jezreel














So Elijah went
The phrase "So Elijah went" signifies obedience and action. Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," is a prophet who acts in accordance with God's command. This phrase highlights the importance of obedience to God's will, a central theme in the life of Elijah. His willingness to go, despite the potential danger, underscores his faith and trust in God. In the Hebrew context, the verb "went" (הלך, halak) often implies a journey with purpose, reflecting Elijah's mission to confront Ahab and challenge the idolatry in Israel.

to present himself
The act of presenting oneself, especially in a biblical context, often involves a formal appearance before someone of authority. Here, Elijah is preparing to confront King Ahab, a ruler who has led Israel into idolatry. The Hebrew root for "present" (ראה, ra'ah) can also mean "to see" or "to appear," suggesting that Elijah is not only physically appearing before Ahab but is also making himself visible as a representative of God's truth. This act of presentation is a bold declaration of his prophetic authority and God's sovereignty.

to Ahab
Ahab, the king of Israel, is a significant figure in the narrative of 1 Kings. Known for his marriage to Jezebel and the promotion of Baal worship, Ahab represents the spiritual decline of Israel. The mention of Ahab here sets the stage for the confrontation between the forces of idolatry and the true worship of Yahweh. Historically, Ahab's reign is marked by political strength but spiritual weakness, making Elijah's mission critical for the restoration of Israel's covenant relationship with God.

The famine was severe
The severity of the famine is a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience and idolatry. In the ancient Near Eastern context, famine was often seen as a divine judgment. The Hebrew word for "severe" (חזק, chazaq) implies strength or intensity, indicating that the famine was not only widespread but also devastating. This serves as a backdrop for Elijah's mission, emphasizing the urgent need for repentance and the return to Yahweh.

in Samaria
Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, is the epicenter of Ahab's rule and the idolatrous practices he has instituted. The mention of Samaria highlights the geographical and spiritual heart of the nation's apostasy. Archaeologically, Samaria was a significant city, known for its fortifications and as a center of political power. The famine's impact on Samaria underscores the depth of the crisis facing Israel and the need for divine intervention through Elijah's prophetic ministry.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elijah
A prophet of God, known for his boldness and faithfulness. He is central to the account, acting as God's messenger and representative.

2. Ahab
The king of Israel, known for his wickedness and idolatry, particularly his promotion of Baal worship, which led Israel away from God.

3. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during Ahab's reign. It is significant as the center of political and religious activity.

4. Famine
A severe drought and famine were occurring in the land, a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience and idolatry, as prophesied by Elijah.

5. Presentation to Ahab
Elijah's act of presenting himself to Ahab is significant as it sets the stage for the confrontation on Mount Carmel, where God demonstrates His power over Baal.
Teaching Points
Faithful Obedience
Elijah's willingness to confront Ahab despite the danger teaches us the importance of obeying God's call, even when it is difficult or risky.

Consequences of Idolatry
The severe famine in Samaria serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and embracing idolatry.

God's Sovereignty
The unfolding events demonstrate God's control over nature and history, affirming His sovereignty and power.

Prayer and Intercession
Elijah's role as an intercessor highlights the power of prayer in aligning with God's will and bringing about change.

Courage in Confrontation
Elijah's courage in confronting Ahab encourages believers to stand firm in their faith and speak truth to power.Verse 2. - And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And [or Now. It would, perhaps, have been better to begin a new verse here, as this is the beginning of a parenthesis, explanatory of the circumstances under which king and prophet met. It was the famine led to Obadiah's encountering Elijah on the road] there was a sore famine in Samaria. [The effect of a three years' drought would be to reduce the entire people to the verge of starvation. The severity of the famine was no doubt mitigated, as on a former occasion (Genesis 41:57), by the importation of corn from Egypt.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Elijah
אֵֽלִיָּ֔הוּ (’ê·lî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 452: Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites

went
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to present
לְהֵרָא֖וֹת (lə·hê·rā·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200: To see

himself to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Ahab.
אַחְאָ֑ב (’aḥ·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 256: Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet

The famine
וְהָרָעָ֖ב (wə·hā·rā·‘āḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger

was severe
חָזָ֥ק (ḥā·zāq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2389: Strong, stout, mighty

in Samaria,
בְּשֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ (bə·šō·mə·rō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8111: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel


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OT History: 1 Kings 18:2 Elijah went to show himself to Ahab (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 18:1
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