Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited

 

Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings

The account tells us: "It came about in the meantime that the heavens themselves darkened up with clouds and wind and a great downpour began to occur. And Ahab kept riding and his way to Jezreel." (1 Kings 18:45)  Events began to unfold at remarkable speed.  While Ejijah's attendant was delivering the prophet's message to Ahab, that little cloud became many, filling and darkening the sky.  A great wind blew. At last, after three and hafl years, rain fell on the soil of Israel.  The patched ground drank in the drops.  As the rain became a downpour, the river  Kishoon swelled, no doubt washing away the blood of the executed Baal prophets. Th wayward Israelites too were being given a chance to wash away the terrible stain of Baal worship on the land. 

Surely Elijah hoped that it would be so! Perhaps he wondered how Ahab would respond to the dramatic events that were unfolding.  Would Ahab repent and turn away from the pollution of Baal worship! The events of the day had furnished powerful reasons to make such changes.  Of course we cannot know what was going through Ahab's mind  at the moment. The account simply tells us tha the king "kept riding and made his wayt to Jezreel." Had he learned anything? Was he resolved to change his ways? Later events suggest that the answer is no.  Still, the day was not over for Ahab-nor for Elijah.

Jehovah's prophet began to make his way along the same road Ahab had taken. A long dark, wet trek lay ahead of him.  But something unusual happened next. 

Next time: Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited - Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings: Conclusion

From the jw.org publications