of
the Baals.

=The Rechabites.=--One Hebrew clan known as the Rechabites, actually
became nomads again and did all they could to persuade others to do
the same. They gave up their houses and lived in tents. They pledged
themselves to drink no wine or strong drink, and they were
enthusiastically devoted to the worship of Jehovah only. Naturally
they hated Ahab for bringing in the worship of the foreign gods of
Tyre. They did much to cause the overthrow of the dynasty of Ahab in
favor of a general named Jehu, who was pledged to drive out the
Phoenicians and their gods.

THE PROPHETS

There were also certain specially religious people, called prophets,
some of whom saw the evils which were ruining the happiness of the
people and fought against them. In the earliest days, these men who
were called prophets were much like the soothsayers of other nations.
They were supposed to have a special power of speaking revelations
from God. Sometimes they went into trances. Sometimes they caused
exciting music to be played in their hearing. Most of them spoke what
seemed likely to be popular with their hearers. For example, once when
Ahab wanted to start a new war against Damascus, he sent for prophets
and some four hundred were brought to him. "Shall we go to war or
not?" he asked. All but one, knowing that Ahab's heart was set on the
matter, answered, "Jehovah says, go to war, and he will give you
victory."

=Micaiah.=--The true prophets, however, were men of truth who
worshiped Jehovah and waited for his teaching. Such a man was Micaiah.
When Ahab asked him, "What do you say?" his answer was like the
others. But his manner was so sarcastic that the king kept asking him.
He finally declared that Jehovah had revealed to him that the proposed
expedition would end in disaster. For this Micaiah was thrown into a
dungeon. But his prophecy came true. The Hebrews were defeated, and
Ahab himself was killed.

=Elijah.=--The greatest leader in this movement back to the desert and
to Moses, was a prophet named Elijah. He was like the Rechabites in
his aims. He was dressed like a desert nomad and his whole life was
given to the cause of the old desert religion. He had a very clear
understanding as to what was best in that religion. It was not merely
because Jehovah might be jealous of other gods that Elijah fought
against Baal worship, but also because Jehovah really stood for
justice and righteousness as against the unrighteousness