<p data-start="0" data-end="356">The chapter begins with a severe drought that has afflicted the land for three years. God instructs the prophet Elijah to present himself to Ahab, promising that rain will soon fall upon the earth. Obeying this command, Elijah sets out to meet the king.

<p data-start="358" data-end="738">On his journey, Elijah encounters Obadiah, the head of Ahab's household. Obadiah is described as a devout believer who, during Queen Jezebel's purge of the Lord's prophets, had hidden a hundred of them in caves to protect them. Elijah asks Obadiah to inform Ahab of his presence. Initially hesitant, fearing for his life, Obadiah eventually agrees and conveys the message to Ahab.

<p data-start="740" data-end="1134">When Ahab meets Elijah, he accuses him of being the "troubler of Israel." Elijah counters, stating that it is Ahab and his family who have brought trouble by abandoning the Lord's commands and worshipping raja18 link Baal. To demonstrate the power of the true God, Elijah proposes a challenge: He asks Ahab to gather all Israel, along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah, on Mount Carmel.

<p data-start="1136" data-end="1660">At Mount Carmel, Elijah addresses the people, urging them to choose between the Lord and Baal. He sets forth a test to reveal the true deity. Two bulls are prepared for sacrifice&mdash;one for Baal's prophets and one for Elijah. The prophets of Baal call upon their god from morning until noon, but there is no response. Elijah mocks their efforts, suggesting that perhaps Baal is deep in thought, busy, traveling, or sleeping. The prophets continue their fervent pleas, even resorting to self-harm, but still, there is no answer.

<p data-start="1662" data-end="2053">Elijah then repairs the Lord's altar, which had been torn down. He uses twelve stones, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel, to rebuild it. After arranging the wood and placing the bull on it, he instructs the people to pour water over the offering and the wood three times, filling a trench around the altar. This act makes it clear that no human intervention could ignite the sacrifice.

<p data-start="2055" data-end="2452">Elijah prays to the Lord, asking Him to demonstrate His divinity so that the people may know He is God and that He is turning their hearts back to Him. In response, fire from the Lord falls from heaven, consuming the offering, the wood, the stones, the soil, and even the water in the trench. Witnessing this, the people prostrate themselves and proclaim, "The Lord&mdash;He is God! The Lord&mdash;He is God!"

<p data-start="2454" data-end="3162">Elijah then commands the people to seize the prophets of Baal, ensuring that none escape. They are taken to the Kishon Valley and executed there. Following this, Elijah tells Ahab to eat and drink, for there is the sound of heavy rain approaching. Elijah climbs to the top of Mount Carmel, bends down to the ground with his face between his knees, and instructs his servant to look toward the sea. The servant reports seeing nothing seven times, but on the seventh occasion, he observes a small cloud rising from the sea. Elijah interprets this as the impending end of the drought. Soon after, the sky grows dark with clouds, the wind rises, and a heavy rain begins to fall, ending the long-standing drought.

<p data-start="3164" data-end="3487">This chapter highlights the confrontation between the worship of the Lord and the worship of Baal, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God. Elijah's actions and the subsequent divine response serve as a powerful testament to the sovereignty of the Lord and His desire to turn the hearts of His people back to Him.