Obadiah עֹבַדְיָ֫הוּ
Ahab's palace administrator, protected prophets
Biography
Obadiah was a palace administrator during the reign of King Ahab of Israel (1Ki.18.3). He was described as a devout believer in the Lord (1Ki.18.3). When Jezebel, Ahab's wife, was killing off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them in two caves, supplying them with food and water (1Ki.18.4). During a severe famine, Ahab sent Obadiah to search for grass to keep the horses and mules alive (1Ki.18.5-6). While on this mission, Obadiah encountered the prophet Elijah and helped arrange a meeting between Elijah and Ahab (1Ki.18.7-16). Obadiah's actions demonstrate his courage and commitment to God, even while serving in a high position under a king who had turned away from the Lord.
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Kings 5 verses
- 1 Kings 18:3
"Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Yahweh greatly;"
- 1 Kings 18:4
"for when Jezebel cut off Yahweh’s prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)"
- 1 Kings 18:5
"Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land, to all the springs of water, and to all the brooks. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we not lose all the animals.”"
- 1 Kings 18:6
"So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself."
- 1 Kings 18:7
"As Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. He recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עֹבַדְיָ֫הוּ | H5662G |