Bible Strands
1 Kings 18:9
But Obadiah replied, “How have I sinned, that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to put me to death?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Obadiah addresses Elijah in response to Elijah’s command to report his presence to King Ahab. The exchange occurs during Elijah’s return to Israel after his period of concealment.
The words — The Hebrew phrase מֶה חָטָאתִי (meh cha.Ta.ti) translates literally as “what? have I sinned?” using the verb חָטָאתִי rather than a noun. Obadiah couples this with אַתָּה נֹתֵן (’a.Tah no.Ten), “you are giving,” to frame his fear of being surrendered to Ahab.
The thread — The text places Obadiah’s fear alongside similar complaints of unjust blame in Exodus 5:21 and 1 Kings 17:18. The immediate narrative continues in 1 Kings 18:12 with Obadiah’s practical concern that Elijah might be taken away before he can speak to the king.
Why it lands — The verse records Obadiah’s direct question about his guilt and his fear of royal retaliation, leaving the reader to observe his cautious negotiation with political power. It asks the reader to recognize the concrete danger prophets faced when delivering divine messages to kings.
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 he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
Cross-references
- Exodus 5:21 “May the LORD look upon you and judge you,” the foremen said, “for you have made us a stench before Pharaoh and his officials; you have placed in their hand a sword to kill us!”
- 1 Kings 17:18 “O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?”
- 1 Kings 18:12 I do not know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off when I leave you. Then when I go and tell Ahab and he does not find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth.