Study Desk

And all Israel buried him and mourned for him, as the Lord had promised through the prophet Ahijah.

During Rehoboam's reign, the people of Judah did what was evil in the Lord 's sight, provoking his anger with their sin, for it was even worse than that of their ancestors.

For they also built for themselves pagan shrines and set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

But for David's sake, the Lord his God allowed his descendants to continue ruling, shining like a lamp, and he gave Abijam a son to rule after him in Jerusalem.

For David had done what was pleasing in the Lord 's sight and had obeyed the Lord 's commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.

Elah son of Baasha began to rule over Israel in the twenty-sixth year of King Asa's reign in Judah. He reigned in the city of Tirzah for two years.

For he, too, had done what was evil in the Lord 's sight. He followed the example of Jeroboam in all the sins he had committed and led Israel to commit.

Then Omri bought the hill now known as Samaria from its owner, Shemer, for 150 pounds of silver. He built a city on it and called the city Samaria in honor of Shemer.

First Ahab built a temple and an altar for Baal in Samaria.

Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food."

But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.

But Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son.

For this is what the Lord , the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!"

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days.

Then the woman told Elijah, "Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you."

For I swear by the Lord your God that the king has searched every nation and kingdom on earth from end to end to find you. And each time he was told, ‘Elijah isn't here,' King Ahab forced the king of that nation to swear to the truth of his claim.

"I have made no trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.

Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "You go first, for there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls, and prepare it and call on the name of your god. But do not set fire to the wood."

About noontime Elijah began mocking them. "You'll have to shout louder," he scoffed, "for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be wakened!"

At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, "O Lord , God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command.