1 Kings Chapter 18 · Verse 17
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֛י
H1961
וַיְהִ֛י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּרְא֥וֹת
saw
H7200
כִּרְא֥וֹת
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 12
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אַחְאָב֙
And it came to pass when Ahab
H256
אַחְאָב֙
And it came to pass when Ahab
Strong's:
H256
Word #:
3 of 12
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֵֽלִיָּ֑הוּ
Elijah
H452
אֵֽלִיָּ֑הוּ
Elijah
Strong's:
H452
Word #:
5 of 12
elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other israelites
אַחְאָב֙
And it came to pass when Ahab
H256
אַחְאָב֙
And it came to pass when Ahab
Strong's:
H256
Word #:
7 of 12
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
Cross References
Joshua 7:25And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.1 Kings 21:20And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.Acts 16:20And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,Acts 17:6And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;Acts 24:5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:Amos 7:10Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah and the prophets of baal, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism. The prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.