Pentecost Season · Proper 5 · Year C
1 Kings 17:17-24
The Widow of Zarephath
June 11, 2028
Overview & Insights
“The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord.” (1 Kings 17:16)
We have lacked a prophet to address the house of Omri, but now a prophet bursts onto the scene with a vengeance. His announcement of doom on this house will, however, be delayed until 1 Kings 21:21–24. His first task is to tackle the problem of the Baal-worship that Ahab has introduced into Israel (16:31–32), so as to demonstrate beyond all doubt that Baal is no more a god in any real sense than Jeroboam’s calves are. Chapter 17 provides the context in which the climactic demonstration of this truth will take place (18:16–40): the divinely ordained drought of 17:1. It also prepares us for the demonstration by showing us that it is the LORD, and not Baal (nor any other “god”), who controls both life and death, both fertility and infertility. It is thus the LORD, and not any other, who is God—as Elijah’s name (Hb. ʾēlîyāhû , “the LORD is God”) itself proclaims.
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Take it further: 1 Kings 17:17-24
Commentary
1 Kings 17 Commentaries1 Kgs 17 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on Elijah's raising of the widow's son.
1 Kings 17 Commentary: Elijah, Ravens, and the Widow1 Kgs 17 Commentary: Elijah, Ravens, and the Widow Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's chapter commentary includes the raising of the widow's son.
Commentary on 1 Kings 17:17-24Commentary on 1 Kgs 17:17-24 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary's lectionary commentary on Elijah's prayer against death itself.
1 Kings 17 Commentary1 Kgs 17 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-by-verse word study compilation covering the boy's restoration to life.
1 Kings 17 (Gill's Exposition)1 Kgs 17 (Gill's Exposition) StudyLight
John Gill's older verse-by-verse notes on the miracle of the boy's revival.
Background & Word Study
1 Kings 17:17 Interlinear1 Kgs 17:17 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew interlinear for Elijah's cry that the Lord let the child's life return.
1 Kings 17 (Hebrew Text)1 Kgs 17 (Hebrew Text) Sefaria
Sefaria's Hebrew-English side-by-side text covering verses 17-24.
Kings Video Overview BibleProject
Places this miracle within the larger story of 1-2 Kings.
Questions preachers ask
What happens at Zarephath?
Elijah asks a starving widow for bread; trusting the Lord’s word, she feeds him first, and her flour and oil do not run out through the famine (1 Kings 17:8–16), a sign of God’s provision.
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