1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly:
4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
5 And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
9 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
10 As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth.
13 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?
14 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
15 And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.
16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.
31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.
40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.
45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
<html><b>And when Ezevel killed.</b> [Scripture] comes to tell [us] how Ovadyahu feared God. <b>Fifty men in a cave.</b> And fifty men in another cave.</html>
<html><b>And we will not be bereft of [our] animals.</b> All our animals will not be cut off from us.</html>
<html><b>To kill me.</b> As it [continues and] explains and states, “a wind from Adonoy will carry you away to where I do not know.”1<i class=“footnote”>The Gemara in Maseches Sanhedrin 39b states that he followed the same strategy used by Yaakov to protect his family from Eisav. Yaakov divided his household into two groups so that some would survive if Eisav were to attack. Alternatively, each cave could accommodate only 50 people.</i></html>
<html><b>That they did not find you.</b> For the nation was unable to find you.2<i class=“footnote”>Below v. 12.</i></html>
<html><b>Two concepts.</b> Two thoughts, because you do not know how to decide who is God. <b>And if it is the Baal.</b> Is God, then go after him. <b>And the people did not answer him a word.</b> Because they did not know how to distinguish [between the two].3<i class=“footnote”>After being unable to find Eliyahu in Eretz Yisroel, Achov sent messengers to other kingdoms and nations to search for him. He made them swear that they are unable to find him.—Radak.</i></html>
<html><b>That he gave them.</b> For it slipped away from them so that it would not be offered to the idol, and it ran under Eliyahu’s cloak.4<i class=“footnote”>I.e., they were undecided.</i> He said to the ox, “Go, for through the both of you the Omnipresent will be sanctified.”5<i class=“footnote”>And ultimately it was Eliyahu who “gave” the ox to the prophets of the Baal. Alternatively, Achov supplied the oxen, and they chose the one they wanted. Achov then “gave” them the ox they chose.—Radak</i> <b>And they jumped on the altar that he had made.</b> [Targum] Yonoson rendered, “and they raved [ואשתטו], [i.e.,] they were dancing according to their custom, on their altar. <b>And they jumped.</b> [ויפסחו means] the same as ויפסעו6<i class=“footnote”>Bamidbar Rabboh 23:9.</i> [=they stepped].</html>
<html><b>For he is a god.</b> [Targum Yonoson rendered,] “for you say he is one to be feared.” <b>Perhaps he is conversing or pursuing.</b> Maybe he is conferring with his advisors now, or he is overtaking and pursuing [his enemies] in war. <b>Or is traveling.</b> To the bathroom.</html>
<html><b>And they gashed themselves.</b> An expression of tearing the flesh with an instrument, for such was their custom.</html>
<html><b>They continued to prophesy.</b> [Targum Yonoson rendered,] “and they raved.”</html>
<html><b>And he repaired the altar of Adonoy that had been broken down.</b> He built an altar7<i class=“footnote”>A ‘ח’ and an ‘ע’ are both guttural letters and are therefore interchangeable.</i> and reminded Yisroel that God’s altar should enter their thoughts and should be oft mentioned, for it was torn down and destroyed, and its name and its mention had ceased from the mouth of all the ten tribes. Thus I heard is its plain interpretation.8<i class=“footnote”>Although once the Beis Hamikdosh was built private altars were not permitted, however, extraordinary circumstances allow for the suspension of certain laws in cases of dire necessity, such as this. See Maseches Sanhedrin 89b and Tosafos there. Also see footnote on v. 36 below.</i> And its Midrashic interpretation I heard, is that Shaul built an altar on Mount Carmel, and that is what it states, “Shaul came to Carmel, and is setting up a place for himself,”9<i class=“footnote”>Alternatively, as a result of the miracle on Mount Carmel, many people repented and went to Yerusholayim to offer sacrifices in the Beis Hamikdosh. Thus he reactivated [וירפא] the altar which had been dormant [ההרוס].—Radak</i> and there it states, “and he erected an altar there.”10<i class=“footnote”>I Shmuel 15:12.</i> But the kings of Yisroel tore down all the altars and high places in their land that were made in the Name of Heaven, and Eliyahu built this altar of Shaul that had been torn down.</html>
<html><b>To whom the word of Adonoy had come, saying, “Yisroel will be your name.”</b> Why is this stated here? Because on the day that the Divine Presence was revealed to Yaakov in Beis Eil and named him Yisroel, on that day He said to him, “A nation and a community of nations will come from you,”11<i class=“footnote”>Bereishis 33:20.</i> i.e., your children are destined to congregate like other nations and build an altar upon which to burn sacrifices during the period of the prohibition [of offering sacrifices on] the high places. Nevertheless, I will consent to it. [Thus is stated] in Bereishis Rabboh.12<i class=“footnote”>Bereishis 35:11.</i></html>
<html><b>A ditch.</b> <i>Fosse</i>, in O.F. <b>Which would contain two <i>se’ah</i>.</b> Its width [i.e., capacity] was as great as to hold two <i>se’ah</i>,13<i class=“footnote”> 82:5.</i> [i.e.,] one hundred <i>amohs</i> by fifty <i>amohs</i>,14<i class=“footnote”>An area that accommodates the sowing of two se’ah of seed.</i> like [the area of] the Tabernacle’s courtyard.15<i class=“footnote”>Alternatively, an area whose dimensions are 50 <i>amohs</i> by 50 <i>amohs</i>.—Radak</i></html>
<html><b>Pitchers with water.</b> To make the miracle even greater. <b>And pour them.</b> Elisha (poured) on his hands, and his fingers became like springs,16<i class=“footnote”>See Maseches Eruvin 23b.</i> and the ditch became full. This is the meaning of what is stated, “Here is Elisha the son of Shofot who poured water on Eliyahu’s hands,”17<i class=“footnote”>Rashi explains from where they got the water to fill the entire ditch.</i> and a miracle took place with the water through him, [i.e.,] he is worthy that a miracle should take place with water through him.18<i class=“footnote”>II Melochim 3:11.</i></html>
<html><b>And at Your word have I done.</b> That I sacrificed on a private altar during the period of the prohibition of [offering sacrifices on] private altars.19<i class=“footnote”>This verse implies that God commanded Eliyahu to offer the sacrifice on Mount Carmel even though private altars were not permitted once the Beis Hamikdosh had been built. See footnote on v. 30 above and Tosafos in Maseches Sanhedrin 89b.</i></html>
<html><b>Answer me, Adonoy, answer me.</b> Answer me with fire, answer me with rain.20<i class=“footnote”>Rashi is explaining why he said “ענני” twi ce.</i> So did [Targum] Yonoson render this. But our Rabbis said, “Answer me with fire, (and water) answer me so that they do not say that this deed was accomplished by sorcery.”21<i class=“footnote”>Maseches Berachos 9b.</i> 22<i class=“footnote”>Alternatively, it is not unusual for one who prays to repeat his request.—Radak</i> <b>[And this people] will know that You are Adonoy.</b> And I am Your servant, and when You will send me to bring them tidings [of the redemption] that is forthcoming, they will believe me, if You will answer me today. <b>And You have turned their hearts away.</b> You gave them an opportunity to turn away from following You, although You could have directed their hearts toward You.23<i class=“footnote”>See Maseches Berachos 31b. Alternatively, “You misled them by occasionally allowing their idolatrous prayers to be effective.”—Ralbag Or, Eliyahu is referring to the future and is saying, “When You answer my prayer and send down fire, You will have turned their hearts away from the Baal and back to You.”—Radak in the name of Rav Sa’adyah Gaon</i> And according to Midrash Aggadah, if You do not answer me, I will deny and say that You turned their hearts. And so did Moshe say, “If as all men die will these men meet their death,”24<i class=“footnote”>Bamidbar 16:29.</i> I, too, will deny and say, “then Adonoy has not sent me,”25<i class=“footnote”>Ibid.</i> to speak [the words of] the Torah and the commandments, and so did Michoyhu say, “If you really return in peace, Adonoy did not speak to me.”26<i class=“footnote”>Below 22:28.</i></html>
<html><b>Adonoy He is God.</b> And the Baal is not God.27<i class=“footnote”>They repeated the declaration to reinforce their belief.—Metzudas Dovid.</i></html>
<html><b>He bowed to the ground.</b> [Targum Yonoson rendered,] “and he crouched on the ground,” to pray for rain.28<i class=“footnote”>He put his face between his knees with the intention of remaining in this cramped position until a sign of rain appeared.—Radak</i></html>
<html><b>To the sea.</b> If you see a cloud rising from the sea.29<i class=“footnote”>The Mediterranean Sea is near Mount Carmel. Alternatively, דרך ים means westward.—Targum</i></html>
<html><b>Harness your [horses to the carriage] and go down.</b> Harness your [horses to] your chariots and go down quickly from Mount Carmel, to return to your house, otherwise the rain will press you on the way.</html>
<html><b>In the meantime.</b> While the messenger went, and while he harnessed [he horses to] the chariot, the sky grew dark.</html>
<html><b>And the hand [the spirit] of Adonoy.</b> [Targum Yonoson rendered,] “a spirit of strength from before Adonoy,” [i.e.,] he became endowed with strength to run on foot before the chariot, so that Achov would not go alone, for he treated royalty with respect.30<i class=“footnote”>See above 13:2 and Rashi and footnote there. </i> <b>And he girded his loins.</b> [וישנס means] the same as ויאזור [=and he girded], but there is no similar word [in Scripture], and it came only to teach [us] an expression of acting quickly, [i.e.,] he was as quick as a mighty man.</html>