So, as our story opens this morning, Elijah is a wanted man, the worship of Baal dominates Israel, the altar of the Lord has been torn down by Jezebel, and what’s left of God’s prophets are in hiding. It is not looking good for Elijah and for the cause of the true God of Israel.

The widow is beside herself with grief as she confronts Elijah with anger: “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” In her grief and anger, the only explanation she can think of for what has happened to her son is that having a prophet in the house has meant that God has been taking a closer look at her, has seen her prior life worshipping
Baal, and has now decided to punish her for that sin.

What made Ahab the worst of the worst of the kings of Israel was not just that he trampled all over the First Commandment (“Thou shalt have no other gods before me” ), but also that he encouraged, nigh unto commanded, the people of God to do the same. King Ahab was not only an idolater himself, but he encouraged Israel to follow him into idolatry.