And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

1 KINGS 18:2KJV
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1 Kings 18:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 18:2 mean?

1 Kings 18:2 says that Elijah went to present himself to King Ahab during a time when there was a severe famine in Samaria. This verse sets the stage for an important meeting between Elijah and Ahab, highlighting the seriousness of the drought affecting the land.

Elijah is the prophet who had earlier announced the drought as a judgment from God. Ahab is the king of Israel, ruling from Samaria, the capital. The verse shows Elijah’s willingness to confront Ahab despite the danger, and it emphasizes how desperate the situation had become because of the ongoing famine.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 18:2

  • "sore" (חָזָק, ḥāzāq): This word is often translated as "severe" or "strong." Its use here underlines just how intense and devastating the famine was in Samaria, not just a mild shortage but a crisis.
  • "famine" (רָעָב, rāʿāḇ): This word means a lack of food, often due to drought. In the context of this verse, it points to the direct result of the drought Elijah had prophesied, making the meeting between Elijah and Ahab even more urgent.
  • "Samaria" (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron): Naming Samaria reminds the reader that this is the heart of the northern kingdom of Israel, and the famine is affecting the king’s own city and people.

Why 1 Kings 18:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Elijah’s meeting with Ahab happens at a time of national crisis, which adds weight to their encounter and the message Elijah brings.
  • The mention of a "sore famine" highlights the consequences of Israel’s disobedience, connecting the physical suffering of the people to the spiritual issues addressed by Elijah.
  • By setting the scene in Samaria, the verse ties the coming events to the political and religious center of the northern kingdom, showing that the confrontation will have wide-reaching effects.

Where else these words appear

“sore” Hebrew H2389 · used in 54 verses

  • Exodus 3:19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
  • Deuteronomy 26:8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:
  • Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

“Elijah” Hebrew H452 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
  • 1 Kings 18:31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
  • 2 Kings 1:13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

“Ahab” Hebrew H256 · used in 81 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 21:4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
  • 2 Kings 9:8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:

“famine” Hebrew H7458 · used in 88 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:12 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
  • Jeremiah 32:24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.