1 Kings 18:10

[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.

As the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} liveth {H2416}, there is no {H3426} nation {H1471} or kingdom {H4467}, whither {H834} my lord {H113} hath not sent {H7971} to seek {H1245} thee: and when they said {H559}, He is not there; he took an oath {H7650} of the kingdom {H4467} and nation {H1471}, that they found {H4672} thee not.

As ADONAI your God lives, there can't be a single nation or kingdom where my master hasn't sent to search you out; and in each kingdom or nation where they said, 'He isn't here,' he made them take an oath that they hadn't found you.

As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear that they had not found you.

As Jehovah 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 here, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

Commentary

1 Kings 18:10 records Obadiah's dramatic declaration to Elijah, revealing the extent of King Ahab's desperate search for the prophet during a severe drought in Israel. Obadiah, a faithful servant of the Lord, emphasizes the king's relentless pursuit, even forcing other nations to swear they had not harbored Elijah.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of a devastating famine in Israel, a divine judgment for the widespread idolatry promoted by King Ahab and his Phoenician wife, Queen Jezebel. The prophet Elijah had previously declared the drought (1 Kings 17:1) and then went into hiding, miraculously sustained by God. Ahab, blaming Elijah for the nation's suffering, had launched an exhaustive, kingdom-wide search for him, viewing him as a dangerous enemy of the state.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Pursuit: King Ahab's frantic and widespread search for Elijah underscores his belief that capturing the prophet would end the drought or allow him to silence God's voice. His actions demonstrate the lengths to which a defiant ruler will go to avoid accountability.
  • Divine Protection: Despite Ahab's immense power and global reach (sending emissaries to "every nation or kingdom"), Elijah remained divinely hidden. This highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to protect His servants even in the face of intense persecution, as seen in Psalm 91:4.
  • Oath-Taking: The detail that Ahab "took an oath of the kingdom and nation" reveals the extreme measures employed. This was a severe diplomatic act, compelling other rulers to attest under solemn vow that they had not provided refuge to Elijah, indicating the gravity of Ahab's obsession.
  • The Faith of Obadiah: Obadiah’s opening oath, "As the LORD thy God liveth," is a strong affirmation of his personal faith and reverence for God, even while serving a wicked king. This sets him apart from the pervasive idolatry of the time and foreshadows his role in saving God's prophets.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "As the LORD thy God liveth" is a common biblical oath (Hebrew: Chai Yahweh Eloheka), signifying a solemn declaration made in the presence and by the authority of the living God. It underscores the absolute truthfulness and gravity of Obadiah's statement, contrasting sharply with the dead idols worshipped by Ahab and Jezebel.

Practical Application

This verse reminds believers that God's protection is real, even when facing powerful opposition. When human authorities desperately seek to suppress truth or silence God's messengers, divine providence often intervenes in unexpected ways. It encourages us to trust in God's plan and timing, knowing that He is ultimately in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic or threatening.

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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

  • 1 Kings 17:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Psalms 10:2 (2 votes)

    The wicked in [his] pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

  • Psalms 31:20 (2 votes)

    Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

  • 1 Kings 1:29 (2 votes)

    And the king sware, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,

  • 1 Kings 17:5 (2 votes)

    So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that [is] before Jordan.

  • 1 Kings 18:15 (2 votes)

    And Elijah said, [As] the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.

  • Jeremiah 36:26 (2 votes)

    But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.