We must take seriously Obadiah’s anguished question directed toward Elijah. It is not mysterious once we recognize the context that we have already seen in part. This servant of Ahab was terrified for a number of reasons that unfold as the narrative will continue.
In this verse, however, we must deal with the first issue that overshadows the rest. Obadiah believes that obeying Elijah will bring about his death at the hands of Ahab. It is for this reason that Obadiah asks in what manner he has offended Elijah. Notice that he does not accuse the prophet of injustice; conversely, he questions the possibility of a misdeed of his bringing such a response.
We may still ask why Obadiah jumps to the conclusion that Ahab will kill him. One possible answer lies in Ahab's wrath at anyone who fails to seize Elijah on sight. Elijah is, in effect, a fugitive prophet—wanted, dead or alive. Obadiah fears that Ahab will interpret Elijah's reappearance, follwed by any delay or disappearance, as evidence that Obadiah has allowed him to escape. In Obadiah's mind, Ahab's murderous rage is the predictable outcome.
9 Et Abdias dit: Quel péché ai-je commis, pour que tu livres ton serviteur entre les mains d'Achab, qui me fera mourir?