Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 18:4
For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
4. Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord ] Not content with having Baal-worship established and fostered by her husband, the queen determined to destroy all the worshippers of Jehovah, and probably she included in her extermination the priests who ministered at Dan and Bethel, for they did not disown Jehovah, though they brake His law by setting up an image to represent him. But no doubt the larger number whom Jezebel cut off were ‘the sons of the prophets,’ those who belonged to the schools of the prophets, which we learn from 2 Kings 2. were both numerous and largely frequented. It was a hundred of these men whom Obadiah saved in the time of persecution. The story of Jezebel’s butchery is not given us, but it is alluded to here and in 1Ki 19:10-14.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
We have no details of Jezebels deed of blood. Some have conjectured that it was the answer of Jezebel to Elijahs threat, and that the command given him to hide in Cherith alone saved him from being one of the victims. This view receives some support from Obadiahs act and words 1Ki 18:13.
Fifty in a cave – The limestone formation of Judaea and Samaria abounds with large natural caverns, the size of which is easily increased by art. These caves play an important part in the history of the country, serving especially as refuges for political offenders and other fugitives Jdg 6:2; 1Sa 13:6; Heb 11:38.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. Fed them with bread and water.] By these are signified the necessaries of life, of whatsoever kind.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Prophets: this name is not only given to such as are endowed with an extraordinary spirit of prophecy, but to such ministers as devoted themselves to the service of God in preaching, praying, praising God, and the like, as 1Sa 10:10-12; and in this place compared with 1Ki 18:22, where Elijah saith,
I only remain a prophet of the Lord, to wit, strictly so called; and Mat 10:41; 1Co 12:28,29; 1Co 14:29.
Fed them, with the hazard of his own life, and against the kings command; as wisely considering that no command of an earthly prince could overrule the command of the supreme Lord, the King of kings, or discharge him from those acts of piety to God, and charity to men, which Gods law indispensably required.
With bread and water; either properly, which was a great kindness in those circumstances; or figuratively, i.e. with meat and drink.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. an hundred prophetsnot menendowed with the extraordinary gifts of the prophetic office, but whowere devoted to the service of God, preaching, praying, praising, &c.(1Sa 10:10-12).
fed them with bread andwaterThese articles are often used to include sustenance ofany kind. As this succor must have been given them at the hazard, notonly of his place, but his life, it was a strong proof of hisattachment to the true religion.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord,…. Or slew them, as the Targum; put them to death some way or another; such as were brought up in the schools of the prophets, trained up in religious exercises, and instructed others therein:
that Obadiah took one hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave; fifty in one cave and fifty in another; for there were large caves in the land of Israel capable of holding such a number, and many more, see 1Sa 22:1 and fed them with bread and water; which in this time of famine were very acceptable; though these may be put for all the necessaries of life.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) Jezebel cut off the prophets.The persecution here referred to, in which for the first time the royal power was placed in distinct antagonism to the prophetic order, is only known by this allusion. It may probably have followed on the denunciation of judgment; and Elijahs retirement to Cherith and Zarephath may have been a means of escape from it. If Elijahs oft-repeated phrase, I, even I, alone remain, is to be taken literally, Obadiahs merciful interposition must have availed only for a time, or have simply given opportunity of escape.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. When Jezebel cut off the prophets Whence it appears that this woman had not only set up Baal-worship in Israel, but had also persecuted unto death the true prophets of Jehovah. This persecution she had probably ordered in vengeance and passion because Elijah could not be found, (1Ki 18:10,) and on suspicion that they were privy to his concealment.
A hundred prophets These were doubtless mostly members of the prophetical schools, now numerous in Israel. See note on 1Sa 10:5.
Hid them by fifty in a cave That is, hid them in two caves, fifty in each cave. These were they “of whom the world was not worthy,” mentioned in Heb 11:38, as noble exemplars of faith.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 18:4 For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
Ver. 4. When Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord. ] Who declaimed against her idolatry, and proclaimed hell fire, &c. Who can stand still to have his eyes picked out
Obadiah took a hundred prophets.
With bread and water.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jezebel. The first record of using the civil power against the true religion (and by a woman). See note on Jdg 4:21.
fifty in a cave = fifty men.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jezebel: Heb. Izabel
cut off the prophets: Neh 9:26, Mat 21:35, Rev 17:4-6
in a cave: Heb 11:38
fed them: 1Ki 18:13, 2Ki 6:22, 2Ki 6:23, Mat 10:40-42, Mat 25:35, Mat 25:40
bread and water: 1Ki 13:8, 1Ki 13:9, 1Ki 13:16
Reciprocal: Deu 23:4 – Because they met Jos 2:6 – hid them 1Sa 22:16 – Thou shalt 1Sa 22:17 – slay the priests 1Ki 16:31 – Jezebel 1Ki 17:11 – a morsel 1Ki 19:10 – thrown down 1Ki 21:5 – Jezebel 1Ki 21:25 – whom Jezebel 1Ki 22:8 – yet one man 2Ki 1:9 – sent unto 2Ki 2:3 – And the sons 2Ki 2:7 – fifty men 2Ki 6:32 – son of a murderer 2Ki 9:7 – at the hand 2Ki 9:22 – the whoredoms 2Ch 18:7 – one man Psa 19:9 – The fear Jer 26:24 – that Jer 36:19 – General Jer 36:26 – but Amo 2:11 – I raised Mic 6:16 – the works Mat 5:12 – for so Mat 10:41 – that receiveth a prophet Mat 14:8 – Give Mat 25:17 – he also Mar 12:3 – they Luk 6:23 – for in Rom 11:3 – Lord Heb 11:37 – were slain
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 18:4. When Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord The name of prophets was not only given to such as were endowed with an extraordinary spirit of prophecy, but to such ministers of religion as devoted themselves to the service of God, in preaching, praying, and praising him. There were schools of these prophets, it is likely, still remaining in Israel; but Jezebel endeavoured both to destroy the schools, and those that were brought up in them, in order that none might be left to instruct the people in the true religion. Obadiah hid them by fifty in a cave At the hazard of his own life, and against the kings command; wisely considering that no command of an earthly prince could overrule the command of the King of kings. And fed them with bread and water Sent them meat and drink privately every day. See how wonderfully God raises up friends for his ministers and people, where one would least expect them!