Observation

WHY ELIJAH SOUGHT REFUGE AT THE BROOK CHERITH (I KINGS 16: 29-34; 17:1-7)

This question was less popular among candidates. A vast number of the candidates avoided it. The performance to this question was below average. However, the B part boosted the scores of the candidates as they were able to highlight ways religious tension could be resolved in the society. In regards to this question, candidates were expected to have highlighted the points as listed below;

1. Ahab succeeded Omri his father as king of Israel.

   
   
   1. He got married to Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, who was a keen worshipper of Baal Melkart.
   
   
   2. She started propagating the teaching of Melkart in an attempt to make Baalism the state religion in Israel.
   
   
   3. She brought 450 prophets of Baal to achieve this.
   
   
   4. To accomplish her aim, she started persecuting the prophets of God who opposed her, and killed others.
   
   
   5. Those who could not stand it fled the country while others were kept in caves by Obadiah.
   
   
   6. Ahab the king worsened the situation by building shrines and Asherah for the Baal.
   
   
   7. A religious tension was created as Ahab gave official approval to Baalism and participated in its worship.
   
   
   8. The situation aroused God’s anger and jealousy as Israel now preferred Baalism to Yahwehism.
   
   
   9. God then called on Elijah the Teshbite of Gilead to champion the cause of Yahwehism.
   
   
   10. He asked Elijah to curse Israel with drought and no rain fell for three and half years.
   
   
   11. The resultant famine brought untold hardship to the people, and the king’s household.

   12. To provide security to Elijah, God asked him to take refuge at the brook Cherith in the east of the Jordan.
   
   
   13. For his upkeep, God asked ravens (birds) to feed Elijah with bread and meat daily.
   
   
   14. Thus, the prophet was miraculously fed and drank from Cherith until the river dried up since it was not raining.
   
   

2. WAYS BY WHICH RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS CAN BE RESOLVED



1. Tolerance/ accepting other people’s right to worship.


2. Dialogue/ negotiations.


3. Arbitration.


4. Respect for other faiths.


5. Education.


6. Religious freedom.