1 Kings 17
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1Elijah the Tishbite, who was one of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 2Then Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, 3“Go away from here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before the Jordan. 4You shall drink from the brook. I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5So he went and did according to Yahweh’s word; for he went and lived by the brook Cherith that is before the Jordan. 6The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7After a while, the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 8Yahweh’s word came to him, saying, 9“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.” 10So he arose and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her, and said, “Please get me a little water in a jar, that I may drink.” 11As she was going to get it, he called to her, and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12She said, “As Yahweh your God lives, I don’t have a cake, but a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jar. Behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go and do as you have said; but make me a little cake from it first, and bring it out to me, and afterward make some for you and for your son. 14For Yahweh, the God of Israel says, ‘The jar of meal will not run out, and the jar of oil will not fail, until the day that Yahweh sends rain on the earth.’” 15She went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, and he, and her house, ate many days. 16The jar of meal didn’t run out, and the jar of oil did not fail, according to Yahweh’s word, which he spoke by Elijah. 17After these things, the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became sick; and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18She said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, you man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to memory, and to kill my son!” 19He said to her, “Give me your son.” He took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into the room where he stayed, and laid him on his own bed. 20He cried to Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh my God, have you also brought evil on the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?” 21He stretched himself on the child three times, and cried to Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh my God, please let this child’s soul come into him again.” 22Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the room into the house, and delivered him to his mother; and Elijah said, “Behold, your son lives.” 24The woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that Yahweh’s word in your mouth is truth.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“And Elijah said to her, 'Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.'”
1 Kings 17:13
Summary
In 1 Kings chapter 17, the prophet Elijah emerges as a central figure during a time of great apostasy in Israel. God commands Elijah to prophesy a drought, demonstrating His sovereignty over nature and judgment against Israel's idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal. Following this, Elijah is instructed to retreat to the brook Cherith, where God miraculously provides him with food through ravens and fresh water from the brook, showcasing divine provision and care in times of crisis. When the brook dries up, God directs Elijah to Zarephath, where he encounters a widow. Despite her dire circumstances and lack of food, Elijah reassures her with God's promise that her jar of flour and jug of oil will not run dry until the drought ends. This act of faith not only provides for the widow and her son but also illustrates God's faithfulness and the power of faith in Him. The chapter emphasizes key themes such as God's power over creation, the importance of faith and obedience, and His provision in times of need. Elijah's ministry serves as a reminder of God's continuous presence and care, even amidst challenging circumstances, and highlights the significance of trusting in divine provision. The theological implications of reliance on God over earthly resources are profound, inviting readers to reflect on their dependence on divine sustenance and grace during life's trials.
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Chapter outline
How 1 Kings 17 unfolds
1 Kings 17:1 Elijah's Prophecy of Drought
Elijah announces to King Ahab that there will be no rain or dew, signifying God's judgment on Israel's idolatry.
1 Kings 17:2–7 Provision by the Brook Cherith
God tells Elijah to hide at the brook Cherith, where ravens provide him food, demonstrating divine care amid drought.
1 Kings 17:8–16 Miracle of the Widow's Oil
Elijah is sent to Zarephath, where he assures a widow that her food supplies will not run out during the drought.
1 Kings 17:17–24 The Widow's Son Revived
After the widow's son dies, Elijah prays and revives him, confirming Elijah's role as a prophet and God's power over life.
Key verses
1 Kings 17:13The key verse emphasizes the necessity of faith and prioritizing God's commands, reflecting the chapter's central themes.
Main themes in 1 Kings 17
Divine Provision
Divine provision is evident when God instructs Elijah to drink from the brook and be fed by ravens, as seen in verses 4-6. This miraculous sustenance showcases God's ability to care for His prophet in a time of drought and famine. The chapter further illustrates this theme through the widow's flour and oil, which do not run out, highlighting God's ongoing commitment to provide for those in need.
Faith and Obedience
Elijah's obedience in following God's command to go to Zarephath, noted in verse 10, serves as a powerful illustration of faith in action. Despite her dire circumstances, the widow demonstrates her own faith by preparing a cake for Elijah first, as indicated in verse 13. Their mutual acts of obedience underscore the necessity of trusting God, even when the situation seems hopeless and resources are scarce.
God's Sovereignty
God's sovereignty is highlighted through Elijah's proclamation of drought and subsequent provision (verse 1, verse 4). The control over nature and life, as seen in the revival of the widow's son (verse 22), reinforces His supreme authority. The chapter illustrates that God is actively involved in the affairs of the world.
Hope in Crisis
The chapter embodies hope in crisis as Elijah offers comfort to the widow during her time of despair, particularly in verses 12-13. The miraculous revival of her son in verse 23 stands as a poignant reminder of hope amid suffering and loss. This moment reflects a profound belief that God can bring life, renewal, and restoration, even in the most desperate and challenging circumstances.
Cross-references
Passages that echo 1 Kings 17
- Matthew 6This passage connects by illustrating God's provision, urging trust in Him over material needs.
- 2 Kings 4The miracle of the widow's oil echoes this later story of divine provision through a prophet.
- James 5James references Elijah's prayers, connecting his prophetic ministry to the power of faith-filled intercession.
- 1 Kings 18Elijah’s story continues in the following chapter, emphasizing God's ongoing work through him.
- Luke 4Jesus refers to Elijah's visit to the widow, highlighting God's grace extended beyond Israel.
- Hebrews 11This chapter connects through its themes of faith, particularly in the actions of Elijah and the widow.
Study questions
Questions for studying 1 Kings 17
- What message does Elijah deliver to Ahab at the beginning of the chapter?
- How does God provide for Elijah while he is by the brook Cherith?
- What assurance does Elijah give to the widow about her supplies?
- What does the widow's reaction reveal about her situation and faith?
- How does Elijah's revival of the widow's son impact her understanding of him?
- What do the events in this chapter suggest about God's character and provision?
1 Kings 17: frequently asked questions
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