Study Desk

"Let there be a treaty between me and you," he said, "as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me."

So I am about to wipe out Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat.

So Zimri destroyed the whole family of Baasha, in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken against Baasha through the prophet Jehu—

because of all the sins Baasha and his son Elah had committed and had caused Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the Lord , the God of Israel, by their worthless idols.

When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him. So he died,

But Omri's followers proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king.

He followed completely the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the Lord , the God of Israel, by their worthless idols.

So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.

So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"

She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.

So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria,

Ahab had said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals."

So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another.

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.

Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire."

So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.

Answer me, Lord , answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord , are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.