Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 18:1

"And it came to pass after many days, that the word of Jehovah came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth." — 1 Kings 18:1 (ASV)

The third year. —By the accurate tradition, preserved in Luke 4:25, James 5:17, it would seem that the drought lasted three years and six months. If, therefore, the expression in the text is to be taken literally, it must be reckoned from the beginning of the visit to Zarephath.