1 Kings 19:1 – Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
Instead of being married to her husband, Jezebel’s highest allegiance and authority was the demon Baal. The name Jezebel is, “perhaps derived from Phoenician name meaning ‘Baal is the prince.’” (1)
Jezebel had a Temple (along with numerous other shrines and worship sites) built in Israel devoted to the worship of the demonic counterfeit god Ashtoreth (also called Ashtart or Astarte). She also funded 450 demonic counterfeit priests for Baal, considered the king of demons, as well as 400 priests for Ashtoreth, considered the mother queen of demons (2).
The large demonic temple in Samaria was often filled with overflowing crowds of worshippers, as Ahab and Jezebel had the altars (worship centers like churches today) torn down and replaced with shrines and temples to demons masquerading as gods and goddesses.
True believers and God’s prophets were persecuted and killed, Bible teaching schools for the prophets were closed, and biblical faith was on its death bed in Israel. The same demonic spirits are at work today seeking to close the church, control the education of children, and cancel any Spirit-filled Bible preacher who would dare speak out as Elijah did.
The godly Obadiah hid a few remaining prophets of God in the limestone caves of Carmel, feeding and protecting them at the risk of his own life. There were only 7,000 Spirit-filled leaders who had not “bowed to Baal” (3). Elijah was unaware that he was not alone but still stood up against everything and everyone opposed to God.
When have you ever been alone physically but felt amazing comfort and peace because you knew God was with you?
- Chad Brand et al., eds., “Jezebel,” Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 921.
- 1 Kings 18:19
- 1 Kings 19:17-19
For the sermons and study guide that accompany this series on the life of Elijah, visit realfaith.com/elijah or text ELIJAH to 99383.