Bible Strands
1 Kings 18:3
and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ahab summons Obadiah, the palace administrator, immediately after Elijah’s return to Samaria during a severe famine. The narrative places this command at the moment royal authority intersects with prophetic crisis.
The words — וַיִּקְרָא (va-yiqrāʾ) translates to “and he summoned,” while עַל־הַבַּיִת (ʿal-habbayit) denotes “over the household” or palace administration. These terms establish Obadiah’s official royal rank and the immediacy of Ahab’s directive.
The thread — The theme of fearing the Lord appears in 1 Kings 18:4 where Obadiah hides the prophets, and in Matthew 10:28 where believers are instructed to fear God rather than human threats. The administrative appointment parallels Nehemiah 7:2, where trust is placed in officials proven faithful.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that royal power operates under divine sovereignty and that faithful service requires courage amid persecution. A reader must acknowledge that obedience to God supersedes political survival, as demonstrated by Obadiah’s concealed protection of the prophets.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly:
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 7:2 Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.
- 1 Kings 16:9 However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him.
- Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Genesis 22:12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”
- Genesis 24:2 So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,
- Genesis 24:10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.
- Genesis 39:4 Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.
- Genesis 39:9 No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
- Genesis 41:40 You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
- Genesis 42:18 and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live: