1 Kings 18:3
New International Version
and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace administrator. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.

New Living Translation
So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Obadiah was a devoted follower of the LORD.

English Standard Version
And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly,

Berean Standard Bible
and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,

King James Bible
And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:

New King James Version
And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.

New American Standard Bible
Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly;

NASB 1995
Ahab called Obadiah who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly;

NASB 1977
And Ahab called Obadiah who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly;

Legacy Standard Bible
And Ahab called Obadiah who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Yahweh greatly.

Amplified Bible
Ahab called Obadiah who was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly;

Christian Standard Bible
Ahab called for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Obadiah was a man who greatly feared the LORD

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ahab called for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Obadiah was a man who greatly feared the LORD

American Standard Version
And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Jehovah greatly:

English Revised Version
And Ahab called Obadiah, which was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ahab sent for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Obadiah was a devout worshiper of the LORD.

Good News Translation
so Ahab called in Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Obadiah was a devout worshiper of the LORD,

International Standard Version
Ahab called for Obadiah, his household supervisor. This man, who feared the LORD very much,

Majority Standard Bible
and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,

NET Bible
So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who supervised the palace. (Now Obadiah was a very loyal follower of the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
And Ahab summoned Obadiah, the steward of the house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Ahab called Obadiah who was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:

World English Bible
Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Yahweh greatly;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Ahab calls to Obadiah, who [is] over the house—and Obadiah has been fearing YHWH greatly,

Young's Literal Translation
and Ahab calleth unto Obadiah, who is over the house -- and Obadiah hath been fearing Jehovah greatly,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ahab will call for Obadiaha who was over the house. (And Obadiaha was fearing Jehovah greatly:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Achab called Abdias the governor of his house: now Abdias feared the Lord very much.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Ahab called Obadiah, the manager of his household. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly.

New American Bible
and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, master of his palace, who greatly revered the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah revered the LORD greatly;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Ahab called Obadiah, who was the steward of his household. (Now Obadiah revered the LORD greatly;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Akhab called Oubdaya his Steward, and Oubdaya was worshiping before LORD JEHOVAH greatly.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household.--Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Achaab called Abdiu the steward. Now Abdiu feared the Lord greatly.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Confronts Ahab
2So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria, 3and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD, 4for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)…

Cross References
1 Kings 16:29-33
In the thirty-eighth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twenty-two years. / However, Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. / And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. ...

1 Kings 17:1
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”

1 Kings 19:1-2
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!”

2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.

2 Kings 9:7
And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel.

2 Chronicles 22:2-4
Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. / Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for to his destruction they were his counselors after the death of his father.

2 Chronicles 28:1-4
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD. / Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even made cast images of the Baals. / Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. ...

Nehemiah 9:26
But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.

Psalm 106:28-29
They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. / So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them.

Jeremiah 2:8
The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.

Matthew 14:1-5
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus / and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” / Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ...

Matthew 23:29-36
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. / And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ / So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. ...

Mark 6:17-20
For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. / For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” / So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable, ...

Luke 3:19-20
But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done, / Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

Luke 11:47-51
Woe to you! For you build tombs for the prophets, but it was your fathers who killed them. / So you are witnesses consenting to the deeds of your fathers: They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. / Because of this, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and others they will persecute.’ ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:

Obadiah [heb] Obadiahu

Genesis 24:2,10
And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: …

Genesis 39:4,5,9
And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand…

Genesis 41:40
Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

feared the Lord

1 Kings 18:12
And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.

Genesis 22:12
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Genesis 42:18
And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

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Ahab Believer Charge Controller Devout Fear Feared Fearing Governor Greatly House Household King's Obadiah Obadi'ah Palace Revered Steward Summoned
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Ahab Believer Charge Controller Devout Fear Feared Fearing Governor Greatly House Household King's Obadiah Obadi'ah Palace Revered Steward Summoned
1 Kings 18
1. In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Ahab, meets good Obadiah
9. Obadiah brings Ahab to Elijah
17. Elijah, reproving Ahab, by fire from heaven convinces Baal's prophets
41. Elijah, by prayer obtaining rain, follows Ahab to Jezreel














And Ahab summoned Obadiah
The name "Ahab" is derived from the Hebrew "אַחְאָב" (Ach'av), meaning "brother of the father." Ahab was the seventh king of Israel, known for his idolatry and marriage to Jezebel, which led Israel into sin. His summoning of Obadiah indicates a moment of political or administrative importance, as Obadiah held a significant position. The act of summoning suggests authority and urgency, reflecting the dire circumstances of the drought in Israel.

who was in charge of the palace
The phrase "in charge of the palace" indicates a high-ranking official, akin to a chief steward or governor. In Hebrew, the term used is "עַל־הַבַּיִת" (al-habayit), which denotes a position of great responsibility and trust. Obadiah's role would have involved managing the king's household and affairs, highlighting his influence and the trust Ahab placed in him despite their differing spiritual allegiances.

(Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD
The name "Obadiah" means "servant of Yahweh" in Hebrew, "עֹבַדְיָה" (Ovadyah). This name is fitting, as the text emphasizes his reverence for God. The phrase "greatly feared the LORD" underscores a deep, abiding respect and awe for Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This fear is not terror but a profound reverence and commitment to God's commandments, setting Obadiah apart in a corrupt and idolatrous environment. His fear of the LORD would have guided his actions and decisions, even within the pagan court of Ahab, illustrating the possibility of maintaining faithfulness amidst adversity.

(3) Obadiah.--The name ("servant of Jehovah") here corresponds to the character of the man. It is curiously significant of the hesitating and temporising attitude of Ahab, that, while Jezebel is suffered to persecute, a high officer in the court is able to profess openly the service of Jehovah, and secretly to thwart the cruelty of the queen. In his heart Ahab always seems to acknowledge the true God, but is overborne by the commanding and ruthless nature of Jezebel.

Verse 3. - And Ahab called [Rather, had called. "The verbs וַיְּהִי וַיּקְרָא etc. (vers. 3, 4, 5, 6), carry on the circumstantial clauses" (Keil).] Obadiah [This name is almost as remarkable as Elijah's, or would be, if it were not more common. It means "servant of Jehovah." Compare the modern Arabic Abdallah. Although borne by one who "feared the Lord greatly" (ver. 3), and "from his youth" (ver. 12), it occurs too frequently (1 Chronicles 3:21; 1 Chronicles 7:3; 1 Chronicles 8:38; 1 Chronicles 9:16; 2 Chronicles 17:7; 2 Chronicles 34:12; Ezra 8:9; Obadiah 1:1, etc.) to justify the belief that it was assumed or bestowed as an indication of his character (Rawlinson)], which was the governor of his [Heb. over the] house. [See note on 1 Kings 4:6, and cf. 1 Kings 16:9. Rawlinson says it "tells in favour of the monarch's tolerance that he should have maintained an adherent of the old religion in so important an office." But it is just as probable that it was because of his religion that he occupied this post of trust. Ahab could depend on his fidelity and conscientiousness]. (Now Obadiah [here begins a second parenthesis within the first] feared [Heb. was fearing] the Lord greatly.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and Ahab
אַחְאָ֔ב (’aḥ·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 256: Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet

summoned
וַיִּקְרָ֣א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

Obadiah,
עֹבַדְיָ֖הוּ (‘ō·ḇaḏ·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5662: Obadiah -- 'servant of Yah', the name of a number of Israelites

who
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

was in charge of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the palace.
הַבָּ֑יִת (hab·bā·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

(Now Obadiah
וְעֹבַדְיָ֗הוּ (wə·‘ō·ḇaḏ·yā·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5662: Obadiah -- 'servant of Yah', the name of a number of Israelites

greatly
מְאֹֽד׃ (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

feared
יָרֵ֛א (yā·rê)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3373: Fearing, reverent

the LORD,
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: 1 Kings 18:3 Ahab called Obadiah who was over (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 18:2
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