1 Kings 18:5

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.

And Ahab {H256} said {H559} unto Obadiah {H5662}, Go {H3212} into the land {H776}, unto all fountains {H4599} of water {H4325}, and unto all brooks {H5158}: peradventure {H194} we may find {H4672} grass {H2682} to save {H2421} the horses {H5483} and mules {H6505} alive {H2421}, that we lose {H3772} not all the beasts {H929}.

Ach'av said to 'Ovadyah, "Go throughout the land, and check all the springs and vadis; maybe we can find grass somewhere, so that we can keep the horses and mules alive and not lose all the animals."

Then Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to every spring and every valley. Perhaps we will find grass to keep the horses and mules alive so that we will not have to destroy any livestock.”

And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go through the land, unto all the fountains of water, and unto all the brooks: peradventure we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.

Commentary

1 Kings 18:5 opens a pivotal scene in the narrative of Elijah, King Ahab, and the severe drought plaguing Israel. This verse highlights the desperate situation confronting the kingdom after three years without rain, a direct consequence of the nation's idolatry and Ahab's wicked reign.

Context

Following Elijah's bold declaration of a drought in 1 Kings 17:1, the land of Israel was gripped by a devastating famine. By this point, the lack of water and vegetation had reached crisis levels. King Ahab, notoriously wicked (1 Kings 16:30), is depicted here not as a repentant monarch seeking God, but as a ruler primarily concerned with the economic and military impact of the disaster. He dispatches his trusted steward, Obadiah—a man who feared the Lord greatly and had protected prophets—on a critical mission to find water and pasture.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Severity of Divine Judgment: The prolonged and intense drought serves as a stark reminder of God's judgment against Israel's widespread Baal worship and disobedience. The land, which was meant to be blessed for obedience (Deuteronomy 11:14), was now suffering the curse of disobedience (Deuteronomy 11:17).
  • Ahab's Misplaced Priorities: Ahab's primary concern in this crisis is not the spiritual state of his people, nor the suffering of his subjects, but the preservation of his valuable livestock—"horses and mules." This reveals his worldly and self-serving nature, highlighting a profound spiritual blindness.
  • Desperation and Survival: The phrase "peradventure we may find grass" underscores the extreme desperation. Even King Ahab, with all his power, is reduced to searching for basic necessities, illustrating the humbling effect of God's judgment.
  • The Value of Livestock: Horses and mules were essential for transportation, agriculture, and military strength in ancient Israel. Losing "all the beasts" would have crippled the kingdom's infrastructure and defense, making their survival a top priority for Ahab.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "fountains of water, and unto all brooks" emphasizes the thoroughness of the search, indicating that even typical water sources had dried up. The word "peradventure" (Hebrew: אולי, ʾûlay) conveys the uncertainty and dwindling hope, highlighting the severe conditions and the slim chances of finding relief.

Practical Application

This verse prompts reflection on our own priorities during times of crisis. Are we, like Ahab, primarily concerned with material possessions and worldly security, or do we seek spiritual solutions and acknowledge God's hand in our circumstances? The narrative reminds us that true security and provision come from God, not from human effort alone, especially when faced with the consequences of turning away from Him. It also implicitly sets the stage for the dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel, where the source of rain—and thus life—is definitively revealed (1 Kings 18:41).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 14:5

    Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook [it], because there was no grass.

  • Jeremiah 14:6

    And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because [there was] no grass.

  • Joel 1:18

    How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

  • Habakkuk 3:17

    Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls:

  • Joel 2:22

    Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

  • Psalms 104:14

    He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

  • Romans 8:20

    For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope,
← Back