Ahab King of Israel

As for Ahab, the king, one assumes that he was among the enlightened, bowing and declaring the supremacy of God. This point is not noted explicitly in the text; however, he and Elijah do meet again on Mount Carmel, at which point they clarify their respective orientations.

Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is a rumbling of approaching rain," and Ahab went up to eat and drink. Then Elijah said, "Go say to Ahab, "Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you." Meanwhile the sky grew black with clouds; there was wind, and a heavy downpour fell; Ahab mounted his chariot and drove off to Jezreel. The hand of the Lord had come upon Elijah. He tied up his skirts and ran in front of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. (I Kings 18:41-46)

When our story began, a vast ideological chasm existed between Elijah and Ahab. After Elijah miraculously impressed the people with God's omnipotence the king along with his constituency moved over to Elijah's side. Now that they recognized God's triumph over Baal, Elijah willingly brought the rain. However, he first instructed Ahab to eat. The nature of this command is curious. Elijah had just executed the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Ahab wondered whether he would be next. Rather than directly absolving him of his guilt by association, Elijah required of the king to dissociate himself from the prophets of Baal by eating. This action would imply that Ahab was unmoved by their deaths, making it quite clear where his loyalties lied.

It was at this point that Elijah took giant strides in the direction of the king. The rain was falling steadily. Ahab's chariot was on the way back to the royal palace in Jezreel. It had been a long day leaving him with much to contemplate. He had been defeated, but the spirit of the nation of Israel had triumphed and he was among them. From his royal chariot his eyes caught sight of a runner, drenched by the downpour, yet sprinting joyfully in front of his horses. He rubbed his weary eyes certain that they deceived him. Who was that man whose cape was blowing wildly in the wind? Could it be? Indeed, there was no mistaking Elijah, the prophet who had been answered through fire and now through rain. It was Elijah, Ahab's prophet, paying him the respect due the king of Israel who walked in the ways of God.