by Sandi Smithq

Created on: January 03, 2008   Last Updated: January 04, 2008

The prophets and prophetic literature are attempts to resolve the sinful actions of the people and the nation of Israel, and return them to the approval of God. According to Birch, Brueggemann, Fretheim, and Petersen, prophetic literature has several primary characteristics. (2005) Prophetic literature is based on the premise, that there exists a covenant relationship between God and people, principally Israel. People have always failed in their obligations to this relationship. God essentially retains authority in this covenant, and the prophets are the spokesman of God's response to the broken covenant.(Ibid.) The stories of Elijah found in 1 Kings are an early example of prophetic literature.

1 Kings 16:33 reads, "Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him." (Revised Standard Version) The first mention of Elijah is in response to Ahab's transgressions. In 1 Kings 17:1 Elijah is found in the presence of the king with this message, "As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." (Ibid.) This prediction plays out in the biblical text, and eventually climaxes with a confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal and Asherah proving that, "the LORD, he is God." (1 Kings 18:39 Revised Standard Version)

Although the stories of Elijah in 1 Kings are different from other prophetic literature found in the Bible, they still fall within the description of this form of Biblical literature as presented by Birch et al. Elijah is depicted as more a man of action rather than an orator, but he is still God's representative to the king and the people. Israel has fallen out of the covenant relationship with God and is worshiping false gods. The Mosaic laws are being ignored. God attempts to draw the people and the nation back to Himself through the work of His prophet.

Elijah is forced to go into concealment for a time in order to avoid Ahab's wrath after predicting years of drought. (1 Kings 17:3 Revised Standard Version) God preserves the prophet's life by miraculous means. (1 Kings 17:6 Revised Standard Version) Later the Lord starts working in the individual hearts of the people when Elijah is taken in by a widow whose family is on the verge of starvation. She, her son, and Elijah again receive miraculous sustenance from God. (1 Kings 17:16 Revised Standard Version) While Elijah is staying with the widow, her son succumbs

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