The Narrative Integrity of Chapters 17-19 and its Components (Part 2)

Chapters 17-19 should be regarded as a single, lengthy, literary whole. At the same time, though, we should not ignore the fact that this whole is composed of three semi-independent units which differ from one another. The third story cannot be read in such a way that it can be understood alone. Eliyahu's flight at the beginning of the story makes sense only against the background of the two previous stories - and particularly in light of the events at Carmel.