1 KINGS CHAPTER 18 Elijah in the extremity of famine is sent to Ahab; meeteth good Obadiah, 1 Kings 18:1-7; chargeth him to certify the king of his coming: he bringeth Ahab to him, 1 Kings 18:8-16. He reproveth Ahab and the congregation: by fire from heaven convinceth Baal's prophets: they are slain, 1 Kings 18:17-40. Elijah by prayer obtaineth rain; runs before Ahab to Jezreel, 1 Kings 18:41-46. In the third year; either,
1. From the time when he went to hide himself by the brook Cherith; six months before which time the famine might begin, though it was not yet come to extremity. And so this being in or towards the end of the third year, it makes up these three years and six months, James 5:17. Or,
2. From the time of his going to Sarepta, which probably was a year after the famine began; See Poole on "1 Kings 17:7"; and so this might be in the middle of the third year, which also makes up the three years and six months. Show thyself unto Ahab; to acquaint him with the cause of this judgment, 1 Kings 18:18, and to advise him to remove it, and upon that condition to promise him rain. I will send rain upon the earth, according to thy word and prayer, which thou shalt make for it. Thus God takes care to maintain the honour and authority of his prophet, and in judgment remembers mercy to Israel for the sake of the holy seed yet left among them, who suffered in this common calamity.