came, as, wrapped in a rough
cape, or mantle, of sheepskin, he confronted the astonished
king.

The name of this strange visitor was Elijah, a man of whom it
has been said that he was "the grandest and most romantic
character that Israel ever produced." His long, thick hair
indicated remarkable powers of endurance, and in addition to
his sheepskin mantle he wore a girdle made from the skin of
some animal, which in the fashion of the day he tightened when
about to move quickly.

[Image: THE NAME OF THIS STRANGE VISITOR WAS ELIJAH.]

Elijah was one of God's prophets, and his mission was to
announce to Ahab that a judgment was about to fall upon the
land, because the people had forsaken the worship of God, and
bowed down to idols instead. This punishment was to be in the
shape of a drought, at all times a terrible infliction, but
especially so in Eastern countries where all vegetation
quickly dries up when there is a scarcity of water.

[Image: RESULT OF DROUGHT IN PALESTINE. From a photograph.]

Elijah's message was very brief, and before the king had
recovered from his astonishment, the prophet had departed as
abruptly as he had appeared.

We have no record that Elijah had any settled home. The wild
paths of the wilderness and the mountains were familiar to
him, and he dwelt where some spreading tree would afford him a
leafy shelter. He moved from place to place, according to
God's commands. Now, as he left the presence of Ahab, God's
word came to him, directing him to turn to the eastward, and
hide by the brook Cherith.

Elijah stayed in this retreat as long as the falling stream
afforded water to quench his thirst, and during this time he
was fed by ravens, who, twice each day, brought him bread and
meat. After a while the brook dried up, and the leaves which
had protected him from the fierce sun shriveled and fell to
the ground, for the promised drought was upon the land.

[Image: "ELIJAH WAS FED TWICE EACH DAY BY RAVENS."]

Again the word of God came upon Elijah, telling him what road
to take to his next shelter. Across the mountains of Lebanon,
where the brooks were as dry as that of Cherith, the prophet
made his way. Descending their further slopes, he crossed the
plains at their feet, and with his face still towards the sea,
approached the village or town of Zarephath. The modern
village of Sura-flud is supposed to occupy its site, and the
ruins of the ancient town are to be seen there.

[Image: