Elijah was a prophet whose courageous ministry was set in the days of King Ahab (c. 874-852 B.C.) of the northern kingdom of Israel. In a time when many Israelites were following the god Baal, much of Elijah's life and ministry demonstrated that Yahweh was the true God. To Ahab, who believed that Baal controlled the rain, he foretold a three-year drought caused by God (1 Kings 17:1). During that drought, God incredibly provided for Elijah (1 Kings 17:2-6), as ravens brought him bread and meat. Through Elijah, God also provided food and life for a poor widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-24). In a spectacular and climactic display, Elijah initiated a "battle of the gods" on Mount Carmel, at which Yahweh's power and Baal's impotence became evident (1 Kings 18). Despite Yahweh's victory, Elijah ran for his life after being threatened by Queen Jezebel (19:1-9). God spoke to Elijah, reminding him that he was not alone (19:9-18). All the episodes of Elijah's life can be found in 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 2, including his transport to heaven via the chariot of fire.
