FOR MOST OLD TESTAMENT prophets, there was never a dull moment. They were on a mission—to preach that Israel's God, Yahweh, was the only God. And, typically, that meant they condemned anyone and everyone who worshiped false gods. Risky though it was, Old Testament prophets burned with an inner fire that could not be denied. Elijah, one such prophet, had the conviction—and the fortitude—the job required.
The Bible doesn't tell much about Elijah's background. The exact whereabouts of Tishbe, the town of his birth, are unknown. He lived much of his life in the mountainous region of Gilead, located within Transjordan. (The area was called Transjordan because it was "across the Jordan," or on the east side of the river.) During Elijah's time, Gilead fell under Israel's political jurisdiction. Besides being home to Elijah, Gilead was a haven for Israelites when they were under threat of attack from their enemies.
The Biblical account of Elijah's life begins around 865 BC, after he had left Gilead for Israel. Ahab, the king of Israel, along with his wife, Jezebel, fast became targets of Elijah's harsh judgment and condemnation. At that time, Israel's people worshiped Yahweh in combination with other gods, something expressly forbidden in the Ten Commandments. Ahab not only went along with the crowd, he was also strongly influenced by his Phoenician wife, who was a worshiper of the Canaanite storm and fertility god Baal. (Their marriage had been arranged as a type of "public relations" policy to keep Israel and Phoenicia allies.) Ahab even built an altar and house of worship dedicated to Baal, just to please Jezebel.
