Obadiah saved a hundred prophets by hiding them in caves, “one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water” (1 Kings 18:4). Caves were common in Palestine. In times of warfare and persecution, they served as excellent hiding places.
The Bible tells us that “Obadiah feared the Lord greatly” (1 Kings 18:3). He was also a high official for the apostates King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 18). It is significant that the king would keep Obadiah in such an important position whom he knew to be a servant of the Lord. But Ahab realized that Obadiah could be trusted over his affairs (verse 3).
At that time, the evil king and queen had been searching everywhere for Elijah, but could not find him. But now the Lord commanded Elijah to go and reveal himself to the king. The famine had been placed upon the land by Elijah’s direct announcement to Ahab. And Now the LORD was ready to reveal His mighty hand to the nation so he sent Elijah to fulfill that mission (verse 1).
Queen Jezebel, who was greatly devoted to Baal and worshiped it, severely persecuted God’s people. Because of Elijah’s message of shutting up the heavens so that it might not rain due to the people’s apostasy, the evil queen was determined that the prophet and all who associated with him in the ministry for Jehovah should be killed.