Elijah came at a very difficult time in the history of Israel for those who wished to be righteous. After two generally righteous kings had fallen the kingdom had been split and each portion ruled by a number of uninterrupted kings. The people had become almost indistinguishable from any other nation.
Elijah was very unpopular with a number of these rulers because he boldly declared their sins and the need for the people to return to the God of their fathers. I can imagine that those who were inclined to be righteous were very happy to have such a bold prophet reminding the people of their spiritual heritage.
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