1 Kings 16:29-17:6

New English Translation

Ahab Promotes Idolatry

²⁹ In the thirty-eighth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Omri’s son Ahab became king over Israel. Ahab son of Omri ruled over Israel for twenty-two years in Samaria. ³⁰ Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the sight of^[a] the Lord than all who were before him. ³¹ As if following in the sinful footsteps of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not bad enough, he married Jezebel the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians. Then he worshiped and bowed to Baal.^{[b] 32} He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal he had built in Samaria. ³³ Ahab also made an Asherah pole; he^[c] did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

³⁴ During Ahab’s reign,^[d] Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. Abiram, his firstborn son, died when he laid the foundation;^[e] Segub, his youngest son, died when he erected its gates,^[f] in keeping with the Lord’s message that he had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.^[g]

Elijah Visits a Widow in Sidonian Territory

17 Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As certainly as the Lord God of Israel lives (whom I serve),^[h] there will be no dew or rain in the years ahead unless I give the command.”^{[i] 2} The Lord’s message came to him: ³ “Leave here and travel eastward. Hide out in the Kerith Valley near the Jordan. ⁴ Drink from the stream; I have already told^[j] the ravens to bring you food^[k] there.” ⁵ So he carried out^[l] the Lord’s message; he went and lived in the Kerith Valley near the Jordan. ⁶ The ravens would bring him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he would drink from the stream.