King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 18:5 Mean?

1 Kings 18:5 in the King James Version says “And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts. that: Heb. that we cut not off ourselves from the beasts”

1 Kings 18:5 · KJV

Salvation

Context

3

And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: Obadiah: Heb. Obadiahu the governor: Heb. over his house

4

For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) Jezebel: Heb. Izebel

5

And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts. that: Heb. that we cut not off ourselves from the beasts

6

So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

7

And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?

Read 1 Kings 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of elijah and the prophets of baal, within the book's focus on prophetic ministry of Elijah confronting Baalism.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Elijah's ministry (c. 860-850 BCE) occurred during Ahab's reign, a time of intense spiritual crisis in Israel.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַחְאָב֙2 of 22

“And Ahab”

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

אֶל3 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֹ֣בַדְיָ֔הוּ4 of 22

“unto Obadiah”

H5662

obadjah, the name of thirteen israelites

לֵ֤ךְ5 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בָּאָ֙רֶץ֙6 of 22

“into the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֶל7 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל8 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַעְיְנֵ֣י9 of 22

“unto all fountains”

H4599

a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)

הַמַּ֔יִם10 of 22

“of water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְאֶ֖ל11 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל12 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנְּחָלִ֑ים13 of 22

“and unto all brooks”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

אוּלַ֣י׀14 of 22

“peradventure”

H194

if not; hence perhaps

נִמְצָ֣א15 of 22

“we may find”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חָצִ֗יר16 of 22

“grass”

H2682

grass; also a leek (collectively)

וּנְחַיֶּה֙17 of 22

“alive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

ס֣וּס18 of 22

“the horses”

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

וָפֶ֔רֶד19 of 22

“and mules”

H6505

a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits)

וְל֥וֹא20 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נַכְרִ֖ית21 of 22

“that we lose”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מֵֽהַבְּהֵמָֽה׃22 of 22

“not all the beasts”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 18:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 18:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 14:5-6Joel 1:18Psalms 104:14Joel 2:22Romans 8:20-22Habakkuk 3:17

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