The Tanakh Podcast

In our chapter Ahab goes to war with Aram - twice.
Each time, God sends a prophet to support Ahab.
Is God on Ahab's side? Have things shifted in Ahab's royal court?

After Elijah's great victory on Mt. Carmel, Elijah is thrust into deep crisis - he goes into the desert to end his own life!
Why is Elijah so despondent? And what does God try to teach him?

What is the purpose of Elijah's duel at Mt. Carmel. What does it seek to achieve? And why do we hear about Achav's official - Ovadiah - in such detail?

Eliyahu decrees a famine, a drought, that endures for three years! Why did he do it?
Was God commanding Eliyahu or was Eliyahu instructing God?
There are three stories of Eliyahu in this chapter:
1. In Nahal Karit - the ravens and the stream
2. The widow in Zerafat - And the miracle of the oil and flour
3. The revival of the widow's son.
Are these stories Eliyahu's training? Or are they God trying to send Eliyahu a message to rescind the famine?

Our podcast today describes the Northern Kingdom; how after 50 years of great volatility and insecurity, it finds wealth, power and political stability under the royal house of Omri and Achav. But at what spiritual price?