1. A while later in the third year of the drought, the Lord spoke his word to Elijah: “Present yourself to Ahab. I will allow rain to fall on the ground.”
2. So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.The famine was particularly severe in Samaria.
3. Ahab sent for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Obadiah was a devout worshiper of the Lord.
4. (When Jezbel was killing the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in caves. He put 50 prophets in each cave and kept them alive by providing bread and water for them.)
5. Ahab told Obadiah, “Let’s go throughout the countryside to every spring and stream. If we can find grass, then we can keep the horses and mules alive and not lose any animals.”
6. So they split up in order to cover the entire countryside. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went the other way by himself.
7. Obadiah was on the road when he met Elijah. Obadiah recognized him and immediately bowed down to the ground. “Is it you, my master Elijah?” he asked.
8. “Yes,” Elijah answered him. “Tell your master that Elijah is here.”
9. Obadiah asked, “What have I done wrong to make you hand me over to Ahab to be killed?
10. I solemnly swear, as the Lord your God lives, my master has searched for you in every region and kingdom. When people would say, ‘He isn’t here,’ my master made that kingdom or region take an oath that they hadn’t found you.