Slap him in the face

Intro

I kings is written as a history book and can really be read as as story book. It picks up with the death of David and continues through the history of the kings of Israel and concludes with King Ahaziah. Beginning in the middle of the book of I kings we see a very unique character enter the scene and his name is Elijah. He is a prophet of the Lord.

He begins his work in verse 1 of chapter 17

Elijah’s Entry

He enters during a low spot in Israel

1 Kings 16:25–33 (KJV 1900)

25 But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all that were before him. 26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities. 27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.

29 And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. 31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

Omri drove Isreal to provoke the Lord God with VANITIES

this word vanity means emptiness

what kinds of things could this correlate to today

video games

fashion

social media

tv

Ahab did even worse than his father had done

It was so bad that it became nothing to him to do wicked wicked sins.

He married a harlot women

and he worshiped and served Baal

He provoked the Lord to anger more than all the kings before him

This is where Elijah enters the scene

1 Kings 17:1 KJV 1900

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Elijah’s Exit

Elijah drops the mic with these words and than leaves for 3 years where he is served by a Raven and by a widow women.

Elijah’s Explosion

Elijah is found by Obadiah and talks to Ahab

1 Kings 18:17–24 (KJV 1900)

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.

His reputation

His response

His rebuke

The prophets of Baal fail to call fire down

Elijah soaks the alter with 8 barrels of water and prays and fire falls from heaven