1 Kings 18:4

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.] This was a sure sign of the true fear of God in him, {see Job 6:14} quitting his heart of carnal fears, and quickening it to help God’s persecuted prophets not without the hazard of his head, if once it had been noticed. But he was as secret as good; else he could not have done so much service to the Church. Policy and religion do as well together, as they do ill asunder; their match maketh themselves secure, and many happy.

With bread and water.] Which though but mean fare, yet - to them that had the continual feast of a good conscience within - it was as brown bread and water was to the martyrs in those Marian times, better than the fine bread and wine would have been at Jezebel’s table.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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 king’s 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!

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

18:4 Obadiah’s care for 100 of the Lord’s prophets may indicate a group of prophets such as had existed since Samuel’s time (1 Sam 10:5-18; 19:20, 24). Such groups met together for study and mutual spiritual encouragement and are mentioned several times (2 Kgs 4:1, 38; 9:1). Elijah and Elisha apparently exercised leadership in some of these groups (2 Kgs 2:3-7, 15; 6:1-7).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

an hundred prophets--not men endowed with the extraordinary gifts of the prophetic office, but who were devoted to the service of God, preaching, praying, praising, &c. (Sa1 10:10-12).

fed them with bread and water--These articles are often used to include sustenance of any kind. As this succor must have been given them at the hazard, not only of his place, but his life, it was a strong proof of his attachment to the true religion.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 4. Fed them with bread and water.] By these are signified the necessaries of life, of whatsoever kind.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(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 Elijah’s retirement to Cherith and Zarephath may have been a means of escape from it. If Elijah’s oft-repeated phrase, “I, even I, alone remain,” is to be taken literally, Obadiah’s merciful interposition must have availed only for a time, or have simply given opportunity of escape.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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 Sa1 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.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

We have no details of Jezebel’s deed of blood. Some have conjectured that it was the answer of Jezebel to Elijah’s 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 Obadiah’s 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.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

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 king’s 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 God’s 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.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

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.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord Our author now instances a proof of Obadiah"s devotion. The incident to which he refers is otherwise unknown to us, nor can we refer it with certainty to its proper place in the history. But it is extremely probable that this work of extermination was begun as an act of reprisals for the drought denounced by Elijah. Ver. 13 almost implies that it had taken place during his absence. We see here, consequently, an additional reason for his flight. (1Ki_19:2) These "prophets" are the same as those elsewhere called the sons of the prophets, i.e., members of the prophetic schools; (cf. 2Ki_2:3, 2Ki_2:5, 2Ki_2:7, etc.) that Obadiah took a hundred prophets This would lead us to suppose that the great majority escaped. But see ver. 19 and 1Ki_22:6. That we find so large a number still in the land, notwithstanding the exodus, (2Ch_11:16) and the steady growth of impiety, shows that God had not left Himself without witnesses, and hid them by fifty Keil would insert a second as do some MSS. (Gardiner), and as in ver. 13. Such a word might easily be omitted in transcription, it is true. But proclivi lectioni," etc. in a cave Heb. the cave; but LXX ejn sphlaiw. Similarly in ver. 13. What is the force of the article here it is somewhat difficult to say. It has been suggested that these caves were in the sides of Mount Carmel; there are large caves under the western cliffs (Stanley); more than two thousand, according to others; "often of great length and extremely tortuous" (Dic. Bib. 1. p. 278); but this is mere guesswork, as Palestine, being of limestone formation, abounds in caverns. See Stanley, S. and P. pp. 151, 52. From the earliest times we find men outlaws and the like taking up their abode therein. Of. Jos_10:17; Jud_1:6:2; 1Sa_22:1; Eze_33:27; Heb_11:38. Probably the division into two companies was partly for the sake of security, (see Gen_22:8) and partly for the sake of convenience. The greater the number to be fed, the greater the chance of detection. Compare also Jacob"s precautions, (Gen_32:8) and fed them with bread or, food and water.) It is to be observed, as bearing 1Ki_17:3-6, that these hundred prophets, though preserved by the special providence of God, were nevertheless maintained through human agency and by natural means.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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, and praising God. And fed - With the hazard of his own life, and against the king's command; as wisely considering, that no command of an earthly prince could over-rule the command of the king of kings. Bread and water - With meat and drink. See how wonderfully God raises up friends for his ministers and people where one would least expect them!

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

And when Ezevel killed. [Scripture] comes to tell [us] how Ovadyahu feared God.

Fifty men in a cave. And fifty men in another cave.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.