1 Kings 18:7

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?

And as Obadiah {H5662} was in the way {H1870}, behold, Elijah {H452} met {H7125} him: and he knew {H5234} him, and fell {H5307} on his face {H6440}, and said {H559}, Art thou that my lord {H113} Elijah {H452}?

'Ovadyah was on the road when suddenly Eliyahu encountered him. 'Ovadyah recognized him, fell on his face and said, "Is it really you, my lord Eliyahu?"

Now as Obadiah went on his way, Elijah suddenly met him. When Obadiah recognized him, he fell facedown and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”

And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Is it thou, my lord Elijah?

Commentary

1 Kings 18:7 describes the significant encounter between the prophet Elijah and Obadiah, a faithful servant in King Ahab's court. This meeting marks a pivotal moment, signaling the end of a devastating three-and-a-half-year drought and setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel.

Context

For over three years, a severe drought had gripped Israel, a judgment from God announced by Elijah himself in 1 Kings 17:1. During this time, Elijah had been miraculously sustained by God, first by the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:3) and then by a widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17:9). Meanwhile, King Ahab, under the influence of his wicked wife Jezebel, fiercely persecuted the Lord's prophets. Obadiah, a devout man who "feared the LORD greatly," served as Ahab's steward and had secretly preserved a hundred prophets from Jezebel's purge (1 Kings 18:4). This verse captures the moment when Elijah, instructed by God to present himself to Ahab, crosses paths with Obadiah, who was out searching for water and pasture for the king's animals.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Orchestration: The meeting was not accidental but divinely arranged, highlighting God's timing and sovereignty in bringing His plans to fruition. It perfectly sets up the public display of God's power.
  • Reverence and Recognition: Obadiah's immediate recognition of Elijah and his act of falling on his face demonstrate profound respect and awe for the prophet, acknowledging his spiritual authority and connection to God. This was a common gesture of deep reverence in the ancient Near East.
  • Faithfulness Amidst Apostasy: Obadiah's character shines through. Despite serving a corrupt king and queen who promoted Baal worship, he maintained his unwavering devotion to the Lord. His humility before Elijah underscores his genuine piety.
  • The End of Hiding: For Elijah, this encounter signifies the end of his period of seclusion and the beginning of his public ministry again, culminating in the dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fell on his face" (Hebrew: naphal 'al panim) is a powerful expression used throughout the Old Testament to denote deep reverence, submission, worship, or intense supplication. It signifies Obadiah's immediate acknowledgment of Elijah's prophetic stature and the divine presence he represented. It was not merely respect for a man, but for the God whom Elijah served.

Practical Application

This encounter offers several timeless lessons. Firstly, it reminds us that God always preserves a remnant of faithful believers, even in times of widespread spiritual decline, like Obadiah in Ahab's court. We are called to maintain our integrity and devotion to God regardless of the surrounding culture. Secondly, it highlights the importance of recognizing and honoring those whom God uses for His purposes, demonstrating humility and respect for spiritual authority. Finally, it assures us that God works behind the scenes, orchestrating events and bringing His servants out of hiding when the time is right for His greater glory, just as He did with Elijah. This story encourages us to trust God's timing and to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that His plans will ultimately prevail.

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

  • 2 Kings 1:6

    And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

  • 2 Kings 1:8

    And they answered him, [He was] an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It [is] Elijah the Tishbite.

  • Isaiah 60:14

    The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 20:41

    [And] as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of [a place] toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

  • Genesis 44:16

    And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we [are] my lord's servants, both we, and [he] also with whom the cup is found.

  • Genesis 44:33

    Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.

  • Numbers 12:11

    And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
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