Obadiah
Obadiah was a palace administrator under King Ahab who feared the Lord and protected a hundred prophets during Jezebel's persecution.
The name Obadiah means “servant of the Lord”
MaleDivided Monarchy eraOld Testament1 book8 verses
Summary
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1 Kings 18:3; only referred to as Obadiah (עֹבַדְיָ֫הוּ).
Glossary entries
Alternative names
- עֹבַדְיָ֫הוּObadiah
Mentions
Includes 2 verses that refer to Obadiah without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- …and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,
- …for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)
- Then Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to every spring and every valley. Perhaps we will find grass to keep the horses and mules alive so that we will not have to destroy any livestock.”
- So they divided the land to explore. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went the other way by himself.
- Now as Obadiah went on his way, Elijah suddenly met him. When Obadiah recognized him, he fell facedown and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”
- 1 Kings 18:8Referred to, not named“It is I,” he answered. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here!’”
- 1 Kings 18:9Referred to, not namedBut Obadiah replied, “How have I sinned, that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to put me to death?
- So Obadiah went to inform Ahab, who went to meet Elijah.