The Drought

With no introduction, Eliyahu – who was apparently an experienced prophet – bursts onto the scene and decrees to Ahav that no rain will fall. It appears that Eliyahu’s decree is on the backdrop of the increase in idol worship in Ahav’s time; however, the text omits the explicit connection. The fragmented introduction and the unexplained decree are part of an intentional literary device calculated to create the sense of mystery and suddenness that characterize Eliyahu.