Melachim I Perek 18

• After three years of drought Hashem told Eliyahu to tell Achav that Hashem was going to make it rain.

• In the meantime, Achav had split up the land between himself and Ovadyahu, his servant, to search the land for food for the cattle.

Note: Ovadyahu, at great personal risk, had saved the lives of 100 true prophets by hiding them in 2 caves and sustaining them with food and water.

• Izevel, Achav’s wife, had ordered the true prophets to be killed.

• Eliyahu appeared to Ovadyahu and instructed him to tell Achav that Eliyahu wants to meet with him.

• Ovadyahu was hesitant to do so at first, for fear that Eliyahu would not show up to the meeting and Achav would have him killed, but he consented after Eliyahu promised that he would appear.

• Eliyahu came to Achav. Achav spoke to Eliyahu in a contemptuous manner.

• Elyahu challenged Achav to a “show down” between the false prophets and Eliyahu to see whose “G-d” would accept the sacrifices brought on the altar.

Note: it’s beyond the scope of this summary to delve into how Eliyahu was allowed to build and utilize a bama (private altar) when it was strictly forbidden to use bamas at this time.

• The prophets of Baal tried to pray to Baal for 3 days, but failed to receive any response from Baal. They even resorted to self-mutilation.

• Eliyahu called the nation to come close so that they would all see the miracle about to occur. Eliyahu rebuilt the altar and had his attendant, Elisha, dig a ditch around the altar and pour water on the wood, which was placed on top of the alter.

• Eliyahu prayed to Hashem. A fire came down and consumed his offering for all of Yisrael to see that Hashem is the true master of the world and the source of all life.

• Eliyahu proceeded to kill the prophets of Baal.

• Eliyahu told Achav to make a feast.

• Rain had begun to fall.

• Elisha, Eliyahu’s attendant, was watching for the rain.

• Achav then fled to his wife, Izevel.