¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.^(A)

⁴² So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.^(A)

⁴³ “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

⁴⁴ The seventh time^(B) the servant reported, “A cloud^(C) as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

⁴⁵ Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain^(D) started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.^(E)

¹⁸ “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you^(A) and your father’s family have. You have abandoned^(B) the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals.

¹⁷ Yet he has not left himself without testimony:^(A) He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;^(B) he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”^(C)