Studies in the Life of Elijah

Preface

This series is a devotional study on the life of the prophet Elijah. The objective is to provide practical insight into the doctrinal and spiritual significance and meaning of his life. As a man of like passions with us, his life sheds light on the greatness of the God of the Bible, His purposes, and His love and care for His people in a world in desperate need of the saving message of Jesus Christ. The story of Elijah also reflects the need of God's people to walk with Him by faith through the privilege of prayer and the knowledge of His Word.

The messages of these studies stem from the heart and from years of study and shepherding God's people as a pastor. They were originally a series of studies presented at the Sunday morning services. I do not intend this study as a "scholarly" work, though I have sought to base it on a careful exposition according to the cultural and historical background, the context (both near and more remote), the meaning of Hebrew words and grammar, and the analogy of Scripture. I do not claim originality, for the hearts of many other students of God's Word have guided and influenced my own.

Unless otherwise noted, the translation used is that of the New American Standard Bible of the Lockman Foundation.

These studies are not presented as a last word on the life of the prophet but it is my prayer that the Lord, by His matchless grace, will use them to His glory and honor and for the building up of the saints for a deeper walk by faith in our loving and sovereign God. So I commend this study to God and to the Word of His grace which is able to build us up.

For whatever was written in earlier times
was written for our instruction,
that through perseverance and the encouragement
of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4

J. Hampton Keathley III, director of content for The Biblical Studies Foundation, is a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. Hampton is a former pastor of 28 years and currently writes for the foundation and teaches Greek at Moody Northwest (an extension of Moody Bible Institute) in Spokane, Washington. (hamptonk@on-ramp.ior.com)

Note: This entire series may be downloaded in Microsoft Word format, compressed to speed up downloading. To locate "elijah.zip," click on the "FTP Area" button located on the BSF home page and go to the "docs" subdirectory.

©1996 Hampton Keathley III, http://www.bible.org. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

Lesson 1: Introduction and Historical Setting
Lesson 2: The Man Elijah (1 Kings 17:1)
Lesson 3: The Message of Elijah (1 Kings 17:1)
Lesson 4: Testings By the Brook (Part 1) (1 Kings 17:2-3)
Lesson 5: Testings By the Brook (Part 2) (1 Kings 17:4-7)
Lesson 6: Testings and Ministry at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)
Lesson 7: The Death and Resurrection of the Widow's Son (1 Kings 17:17-24)

The Confrontation on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:1-46)

Lesson 14: The Vulnerability of Victory (1 Kings 19)
Lesson 15: The Crisis of Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-14)
Lesson 16: The Restoration of Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-18)
Lesson 17: Taking Up Your Mantle (1 Kings 19:19-21)
Lesson 18: The Translation of Elijah (Part 1) (2 Kings 2:1-11)
Lesson 19: The Translation of Elijah (Part 2) (2 Kings 2:1-11)