Abstract
n the Israelite prophetic narratives of the book of Kings, both Elijah and his suc-cessor Elisha perform an action described by the verbal root גה״ר, albeit in differ-ent contexts and with, it seems, different aims. In the case of Elijah, the prophet first predicts a drought (1Kgs 17:1) that indeed comes to pass (1Kgs 17:7). Yahweh then instructs Elijah to present himself before Ahab so the rain will resume (1Kgs 18.1). Before the king, Elijah challenges the four hundred and fifty Baal-prophets to a contest of divine responsiveness (1Kgs 18:17–37). When Yahweh proves more available to Elijah’s invocation (1Kgs 18:38), the lone prophet is declared victori-ous and the prophets of Baal are murdered (1Kgs 18:39–40). At last, the climatic problem is treated directly (1Kgs 18:41–45