A great famine in Shomron in the year 3034, the 12th year of Achav, lasting three and a half years [(Yalkut, Melachim 1 16)]. This requires investigation, for according to the order of the verses, the famine in Shomron was in the days of Yehoram son of Achav, which was approximately two years after the death of Achav—see Melachim 2 chapter 6 (see above, year 47).

The ravens [that fed Eliyahu from the table of Achav or Yehoshafat (Melachim 1 17). They were people from the tribe of Shimon who encountered Pinchas when he killed Zimri and Kozbi, and this is found in the Zohar, the soul separated and entered into it the soul of Nadav and Avihu, and now those people were corrected to bring food to him (Bereishit Nun). They were from the sons of Shmuel (see above, year 2870).

Some say they were actual ravens, and He showed him that he should not be so cruel toward Israel, for ravens are cruel to their offspring yet they sustained him. And some say from the word "ta'aruvot" (mixtures)—the noble and prominent ones, from the language of "your voice is sweet," that the city aroused their spirit to sustain him, or merchants from the language of "and the traders of your wares" (Shorashim, entry 'arav)].

The matter [of Eliyahu saying "Answer me HaShem, answer me" so that fire should come down (Melachim 1 18), and the prophets of Ba'al let the army of the house of Eli descend, for the fire descended and also a snake, and bit him and he died. And it is written that because he transgressed the ban of Yehoshua to build Yericho, a snake of the Jordan bit him].

Carmel is Mount Carmel near the Great Sea, high and visible from very far. And at the top of the mountain is the altar of twelve stones [(its width is 5 cubits according to the Masot Binyamin)], and around it is a deep mound where the waters were that Eliyahu built in the days of Achav. And at the bottom of the mountain is the great Kishon stream, and there is the cave of Eliyahu, and next to it a well of living waters [(Bereishit Yosef)].