1 Kings 18:41 - Meaning and Application

Israel had gone only partway in reform. They had admitted that the Lord is God, and they had agreed to kill Baal’s prophets so those false teachers could not lead them astray again. That was far from a full change of heart, yet God accepted it for what it was. So he opened the windows of heaven and poured out blessing on the land that very evening, as it seems, to strengthen them in their reform (Haggai 2:18, Haggai 2:19).

Elijah first sent Ahab to eat and drink in joy, because God had accepted his work and rain was coming. Ahab had stayed fasting all day, either as part of a day of prayer or because the day’s events left no time to eat. Now he could eat and drink, because Elijah, by faith, heard the sound of abundant rain even though no one else yet saw any sign of it (1 Kings 18:41). God reveals his secrets to his servants the prophets, and even without special revelation we can expect that when human judgment runs its course, God’s mercy will come. Rain is one of God’s gifts from his storehouse (Psalm 65:9).

Then Elijah withdrew to pray, because even though God had promised rain, he still had to ask for it (Zechariah 10:1). He also gave thanks for God’s answer by fire and now looked for an answer by water. We are not told his exact words. He went to the top of Carmel, a high and private place, where he could be alone. Those who serve God in public still need private time with him, and they must keep up that quiet fellowship in solitude.

There Elijah humbled himself deeply. He bowed down on his knees with his face between his knees, showing reverence, humility, and earnest pleading. In that posture he seemed to lower himself, aware of his own smallness now that God had honored him so greatly. He also placed himself, as it were, on a watchtower, waiting for God’s answer (Habakkuk 2:1).

Elijah then told his servant to keep watch for a cloud rising out of the sea, the Mediterranean Sea, which could be seen from Carmel. His servant went six times and saw nothing, but brought no hopeful news back. Elijah did not stop praying or go look for himself. He kept his mind fixed on prayer and sent the servant again and again, holding to the same determined faith as Jacob, who said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Even when an answer does not come quickly, we must keep praying and not grow weary, because in the end it will speak true and not fail.

At last a small cloud appeared, no bigger than a man’s hand, and it quickly covered the sky and brought rain to the land (1 Kings 18:44, 1 Kings 18:45). Great blessings often begin in very small ways, and a tiny cloud can lead to a pouring rain. So we should not despise small beginnings, but wait in hope for what God may grow from them. This was not like a passing morning cloud, as Israel’s goodness had been, but a cloud that brought abundant rain and gave a sign of more blessing to come (Psalm 68:9).

After that, Elijah quickly sent Ahab home and went with him. Ahab rode in his chariot in comfort and honor (1 Kings 18:45), while Elijah ran ahead on foot. If Ahab had honored Elijah as he should have, he would have taken him into the chariot, as the Ethiopian official later took Philip, so Elijah could be honored before Israel’s elders and speak further about the kingdom’s reform. But Ahab’s sinful desires were stronger than his convictions, and he was glad to be rid of Elijah, much like Felix when he put Paul off and said he would talk later. Still, since Ahab did not invite him into the chariot, Elijah ran before him as one of his footmen (1 Kings 18:46), so he would not seem lifted up by the great honor God had given him, or less respectful to the king, even though he had reproved him faithfully. God’s ministers should show that, however greatly they may stand when delivering God’s message, they do not seek worldly splendor. That belongs to the kings of the earth.