וַיִּקְרָ֣א אַחְאָ֔ב אֶל־עֹבַדְיָ֖הוּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הַבָּ֑יִת וְעֹבַדְיָ֗הוּ הָיָ֥ה יָרֵ֛א אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה מְאֹֽד׃
아합이 궁내 대신 오바댜를 불렀으니 이 오바댜는 크게 여호와를 경외하는 자라
Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition)
(I Kings 18, 3) And Achab called Obadiah, who was the superintendent of the house. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly. What was their discussion? R. Isaac said: "Achab said to Obadiah: "Concerning Jacob, it is written (Gen. 30, 27) The Lord hath blessed me for thy sake, and concerning Joseph it is written (Ib. 39, 5) The Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for the sake of Joseph. I, however, keep thee in my house, yet I am not blessed for thy sake. Perhaps thou art not fearing God?" Thereupon a heavenly voice was heard, saying: "Obadiah fears the Lord greatly, but the house of Achab is not destined for blessings." Raba said: "What is said of Obadiah is of greater signifieanee than what is said of Abraliam, for about Abraham it is not written 'greatly,' and about Obadiah 'greatly' is added." R. Isaac said: Why did Obadiah merit to be rewarded with prophecy? Because he hid one hundred prophets in a cave, as it is written (I Kings, 8, 4) And it happened when Isabel cut off the prophets of the Lord that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them fifty in one cave, and provided them with bread and water." Why fifty?" R. Elazar said: "He learned this from Jacob, as it is said (Gen. 32, 9) Then the other band which is left may escape." R. Abahu, however, said: "Because the cave could not hold more than fifty."
Midrash Tanchuma
If thou lend money to any of my people (Exod. 22:24). Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: He that putteth not out his money on interest (Ps. 15:5). Come and observe that every wealthy man who gives charity to the needy and does not lend out his money on interest is considered to have fulfilled all the commandments, as it is said: He that doeth these things shall never be moved (ibid.). Who was one such person? Obadiah, the wealthy overseer of Ahab’s household, as it is said: And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly (I Kings 18:3). He fed the prophets out of his own resources during that famine (which Elijah produced) and even borrowed money on interest from Joram the son of Ahab to do so. Obadiah fulfilled the verse He that putteth not out his money on interest, but concerning Joram who loaned money on interest, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: Until now he has survived, but Jehu will come and slay him, as it is written: He hath given forth upon interest, and hath taken increase; shall he then live? (Exod. 18:13). It is also written: And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength, and smote Joram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot (II Kings 9:24). This occurred because he had become hard of heart and sought interest. Thus the prophesy of Ezekiel was fulfilled: He hath given forth upon interest and hath taken increase; shall he then live? (Ezek. 18:13).
Shemot Rabbah
Another matter, “if you lend money to My people,” that is what is written: “He did not lend his money with usury” (Psalms 15:5). Come and see that anyone who has wealth and gives charity to the poor, and does not lend with interest, it is ascribed to him as though he fulfilled all the mitzvot, as it is stated: “He does not lend his money with usury, nor does he take bribes against the innocent. One who performs these will never stumble” (Psalms 15:5).
Who was [an example of] this? Ovadya, who was the wealthy steward of Ahab, as it is stated: “Ahab summoned Ovadya, who was over the household” (I Kings 18:3). He was exceptionally wealthy and he expended all his belongings for charity, as he would sustain the prophets.4See I Kings 18:4. When all that evil transpired,5The great famine described in I Kings chapter 18, which had been brought about by Elijah (see I Kings 17:1). he would borrow with interest from Yehoram son of Ahab, just enough to be sufficient for the prophets. He fulfilled: “He did not lend his money with usury.” However, Yehoram, who lent with interest, God said: ‘Does this one still exist? Let Yehu come and kill him,’ as it is stated: “Yehu drew his bow fully, and he smote Yehoram between his shoulders; the arrow came out from his heart” (II Kings 9:24). Why “between his shoulders; the arrow came out from his heart”? It is because he had hardened his heart and had extended his arms to collect the interest, to realize what is stated: “He gave with usury and took interest, shall he live? He shall not live” (Ezekiel 18:13). That is why He cautions them: “If you lend money to My people…[you shall not impose interest upon him].”
In Jerusalem, too, they would do so, as it is stated: “Your silver has become dross [lesigim]” (Isaiah 1:22).6The verse is expounded to mean: Your money has become more [sagi], meaning that they collected interest. What happened to them? “Rejected silver they called them [as the Lord has rejected them]” (Jeremiah 6:30). Likewise, “they will cast their silver into the streets” (Ezekiel 7:19). Why? It is because they violated what is written in the Torah: “Do not give him your money with usury” (Leviticus 25:37).
Who was [an example of] this? Ovadya, who was the wealthy steward of Ahab, as it is stated: “Ahab summoned Ovadya, who was over the household” (I Kings 18:3). He was exceptionally wealthy and he expended all his belongings for charity, as he would sustain the prophets.4See I Kings 18:4. When all that evil transpired,5The great famine described in I Kings chapter 18, which had been brought about by Elijah (see I Kings 17:1). he would borrow with interest from Yehoram son of Ahab, just enough to be sufficient for the prophets. He fulfilled: “He did not lend his money with usury.” However, Yehoram, who lent with interest, God said: ‘Does this one still exist? Let Yehu come and kill him,’ as it is stated: “Yehu drew his bow fully, and he smote Yehoram between his shoulders; the arrow came out from his heart” (II Kings 9:24). Why “between his shoulders; the arrow came out from his heart”? It is because he had hardened his heart and had extended his arms to collect the interest, to realize what is stated: “He gave with usury and took interest, shall he live? He shall not live” (Ezekiel 18:13). That is why He cautions them: “If you lend money to My people…[you shall not impose interest upon him].”
In Jerusalem, too, they would do so, as it is stated: “Your silver has become dross [lesigim]” (Isaiah 1:22).6The verse is expounded to mean: Your money has become more [sagi], meaning that they collected interest. What happened to them? “Rejected silver they called them [as the Lord has rejected them]” (Jeremiah 6:30). Likewise, “they will cast their silver into the streets” (Ezekiel 7:19). Why? It is because they violated what is written in the Torah: “Do not give him your money with usury” (Leviticus 25:37).