Jezebel utterly refused to recognize the drought as a judgment from Jehovah. Unyielding in her determination to defy the God of heaven, she, with nearly the whole of Israel, united in denouncing Elijah as the cause of all their misery. Had he not borne testimony against their forms of worship? If only he could be put out of the way, she argued, the anger of their gods would be appeased, and their troubles would end.

Jesabel benægtede pure, at tørken var en straf fra Herren. Hun var fast besluttet på at byde Himmelens Gud trods, og nu gav hun og næsten hele Israel Elias skylden for al deres ulykke. Havde han ikke talt imod deres gudsdyrkelse? Hvis blot han kunne blive ryddet af vejen, sagde hun, så ville deres guders vrede lægge sig og deres besværligheder ophøre.