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After Elijah's success in re-establishing the power of YHWH on Mt Carmel, to the detriment of the Baal's reputation, and the death of Jezebel's 400 baal prophets, and after the drought had ended, he had run away from Jezebel's threat of revenge. In his emotional exhaustion, Elijah went southwards, through the Southern Kingdom and on to the holy mountain in the Sinai area, known in the Northern Kingdom's E-Code as Mt Horeb, where Moses had originally experienced the mighty presence of YHWH. Elijah was in despair as he reviewed the situation he had left behind. He had achieved almost nothing, for Jezebel was still Ahab's Queen. She would merely bring in more baal-prophets from her Phoenician homeland, and nothing would be different, except that Elijah's life would be at risk.

ELIJAH AT MT HOREB Like Moses, many years before, Elijah felt the presence of God, but very differently. Like Moses, he had experienced the rushing wind on the mountain, and the quaking, and also the fire, but failed to 'find' YHWH in any of these phenomena. His theophany experience was quite new. He 'met' YHWH in 'a sound of sheer silence', or in the older translation, 'a still small voice', deeply and quietly within himself. (YHWH was so very different from Baal!). As Elijah again tried to justify his presence at Sinai/Horeb, he sounded as if he were making feeble excuses. But suddenly, he was re-newed, and totally re-invigorated within himself. He realised his journey had been unnecessary, that YHWH was, as always, in action among His people in Israel, and needed Elijah there. Elijah 'saw' very clearly, that Ahab's family had to be removed from the throne, and that he must set in motion the events that would make it happen. He returned to Israel with three commissions from YHWH, one to appoint Elisha as a successor for himself, and two more, to stimulate Hazael of Aram/Syria, and Jehu of Israel, to rebel against their kings. Elijah, himself, achieved only the first of the three.

Elijah's experience at Sinai/Horeb was the beginning of a new style of prophecy, the communing of a 'loner' with God, in the innermost depths of his being, so that his oracles, uttered 'in the name of YHWH', were full of conviction and authority. Elijah returned to Israel, - and straight into conflict again with the King.

NABOTH'S VINEYARD In Elijah's absence, Naboth had died. Ahab had tried to buy Naboth's vineyard which was next to his own estate in Jezreel, and sulked when Naboth declined. Jezebel was incredulous when she heard, for in her homeland the King's wishes were paramount, and no-one could refuse! She took action on behalf of her husband and gave him what he wanted. Using Ahab's seals, she sent letters and organised the bribing of false witnesses in court to prove the unsuspecting Naboth a traitor! She succeeded, and Naboth died, along with all his family, and as Ahab went joyfully to take possession of the vineyard, Elijah met him at the gate. Ahab was conscience-stricken, suddenly remembering, and realising how many of YHWH's Commandments he had disregarded. Elijah uttered his prophetic curse. Ahab's dynasty would be overthrown, and Jezebel would be eaten by dogs! Ahab was truly contrite, and this was accepted by the Biblical Editors as the reason for the delay, because it didn't happen for another twenty years or so.

WARS WITH ARAM/SYRIA At the end of Ahab's reign, and during a time when the new super-power, Assyria, was occupied in the east, the King of Aram, (Syria), King Benhadad, tried to assert his kingdom's ascendancy over Israel. The prophet of these stories was Micaiah, son of Imla. Acting on his advice, Ahab and Israel fought off the attempt, but it happened again the following spring.

For the second attempt, Benhadad's advisers suggested they attacked 'on the plain', assuming that Israel's God was only powerful to help in the hill country. They were wrong! Even though Israel was 'like two little flocks of goats, while the Arameans filled the country', Ahab, a very good leader in battle, routed the Aramean infantry, and pursued the remnants into the town of Aphek. There another disaster befell, and many were crushed when the wall collapsed. Benhadad sued for mercy. He came in sackcloth and ashes, and Ahab found himself in the same situation as Saul, long ago, with King Agag, of the defeated Amalekites, (1 Sam 15). Ahab made the same mistake as Saul had done, thinking in worldly values, and spared Benhadad's life, on condition that the merchants of Israel were given concessionary rights in the markets of Damascus. This did not impress the prophet. With the help of acted prophecies, he tricked Ahab into passing judgment of death upon himself.

The third skirmish took place three years later. Ahab took the initiative this time, and in alliance with the southern Kingdom of Judah, (the kings were now related through dynastic marriages), they went together against the King of Aram, to ensure ownership of Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, urged Ahab to consult his 400 court prophets who obligingly agreed with their plans, but then he enquired if Ahab knew of a seer. Ahab, reluctantly admitted he did, but one who only preached disasters! Jehoshaphat insisted,on hearing Micaiah, and they waited for him to come. Micaiah arrived in Samaria to find the two kings sitting in state, with the court prophets prophesying dramatically. He was threatened not to contradict them all, and at first he agreed. Ahab was so surprised that Micaiah was urged to speak more truthfully, and prophesied disaster if they went to battle. Micaiah was put in captivity until such time as they returned from battle, - but they didn't.

Ahab went to battle in disguise, but was shot by a stray arrow. Bravely he remained in his chariot, propped up to inspire his men, but by evening he had bled to death.

Ahab's son, Ahaziah became king, but died after an accident two years later, and another son, Jehoram, reigned for the next twelve years.

ELIJAH AND ELISHA In his old age, Elijah returned to his home across the Jordan. He took Elisha with him, and parted the waters with his 'mantle', (remember Moses?). Elijah 'departed' this life, 'taken up in a chariot of fire', and Elisha inherited his 'mantle', symbolising his prophetic authority.

The editors , at this point in their story, have included many of the stories of Elisha that were obviously collected, and treasured, by the band of prophets with whom Elisha lived. They are interesting for establishing the accepted skills expected of a true prophet, and are in the first chapters of 2 Kgs.

Elisha purified water as Moses had done; He cursed cheeky boys and they died when attacked by lions. He found water for the troops in the desert area of Edom, (like Moses).

He helped a prophet's widow to get out of debt, with a miraculous gift of oil she could sell.

He rewarded the Shunamite woman for her generosity to himself, by praying successfully that she should have a son, and later, by restoring the lad to life, after he had died.

He was given 20 barley loaves and donated them to 100 hungry people; some was left over!

He cured Naaman, the Syrian army officer, from his leprosy, commanding him to bathe seven

times in the Jordan. Naaman's reaction indicates the popular expectation that a prophet

would behave like a doctor, with a magic formula.

His servant, Gehazi, learnt the hard way, that there is no charge for YHWH's loving care. Elisha 'found' a lost iron hammer which had fallen into the Jordan. ... and so on.

Elisha had become well known as a prophet, and was summoned to Damascus, Benhadad was ill. Elisha looked at the messenger, Hazael, and saw the future in his ambitious eyes Elisha pronounced that the king was not mortally ill, but would nevertheless die. Hazael returned with good news for the King, but the next night seized his chance, and smothered him in his bed. Hazael became King of Aram/Syria, as Elijah had prophesied.

Hazael again faced the combined armies of Israel and Judah at Ramoth-gilead. When the king of Israel was wounded, both kings withdrew quickly. Jehoram went back to Jezreel where Jezebel, (his mother), was living, and while recovering was visited by his cousin, King of Judah. Elisha saw his opportunity. He sent a messenger to the army, still at Ramoth-gilead, to find Jehu. Jehu left the council meeting, to find himself being anointed by the prophetic messenger. When he returned and told his fellow-officers, they acclaimed him King with great enthusiasm. They all drove their chariots to Jezreel, with such haste that the kings came out to hear their obviously urgent news.

When the two kings realised what was afoot, they turned to flee. Jehu shot the King of Israel, and his body was left, ironically, on Naboth's former vineyard. Jehu then pursued the King of Judah, and shot him from behind. Wounded, he managed to get to Megiddo, but died there, so his body was taken back to Jerusalem for burial.

Jehu took control of Israel, and began his forceful rule by returning to Jezreel There Elijah's prophecy at last was fulfilled. Jezebel, sophisticated to the last, presented herself at the lattice window, her hair and make-up impeccably groomed, only to be thrown out of the window by the servants behind her, at Jehu's orders. She died, and her body was left where it fell, for the dogs to eat.