During the apostasy of all Israel, and while his master is a worshiper of Baal, the governor of Ahab’s house has proved faithful to God. At the risk of his own life he has preserved the prophets of God by hiding them by fifties in a cave and feeding them. While the servant of Ahab is searching throughout the kingdom for springs and brooks of water, Elijah presents himself before him. Obadiah reverenced the prophet of God, but as Elijah sends him with a message to the king, he is greatly terrified. He sees danger and death to himself and also to Elijah. He pleads earnestly that his life may not be sacrificed; but Elijah assures him with an oath that he will see Ahab that day. The prophet will not go to Ahab but as one of God’s messengers, to command respect, and he sends a message by Obadiah: “Behold, Elijah is here.” If Ahab wants to see Elijah, he now has the opportunity to come to him. Elijah will not go to Ahab. {3T 277.2}

Under hele Israels frafald, viste det sig at Akabs husmester var trofast over for Gud, skønt hans mester var Baalsdyrker. Med risiko for sit eget liv har han beskyttet halvtreds af Guds profeter ved at skjule dem i en hule og give dem mad. Imedens Akabs tjener gennemsøger hele riget for kildeudspring og vandbække, kommer Elias sig selv hen og viser sig for ham. Obadja viser ære for Guds profet, men da Elias sender ham til kongen med et budskab, er han frygtelig forfærdet. Han ser farerne og døden for sig selv og for Elias. Han beder alvorligt om at hans liv ikke må ofres; men Elias forsikrer ham, ved edsaflæggelse, at han selv vil møde Akab på den dag. Profeten vil ikke gå til Akab som en af Guds budbringere, der påbyder respekt og han sender et budskab sammen med Obadja: »Se, Elias er her.« Hvis Akab ønsker at se (278) Elias, har han nu anledningen til at komme til ham. Elias vil ikke tage til Akab.