Obadiah

Obadiah was a palace administrator under King Ahab who feared the Lord and protected a hundred prophets during Jezebel's persecution.

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.

An Israelite who was chief in the household of King Ahab (1 Kings 18:3). Amid great spiritual degeneracy he maintained his fidelity to God, and interposed to protect The Lord’s prophets, an hundred of whom he hid at great personal risk in a cave (4, 13). Ahab seems to have held Obadiah in great honour, although he had no sympathy with his piety (5, 6, 7). The last notice of him is his bringing back tidings to Ahab that Elijah, whom he had so long sought for, was at hand (9-16). “Go,” said Elijah to him, when he met him in the way, “go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.”