Keraia
1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:10

The Widow of Zarephath · 1 Kings 17:8–16
Read 1 Kings 17

Translations

Modern
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.”
Traditional
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
Literal
And he arose and went to Zarephath. And he came to the gate of the city, and behold, there a widow, woman, was gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in the vessel, that I may drink.”
Latin
Surrexit, et abiit in Sarephta. Cumque venisset ad portam civitatis, apparuit ei mulier vidua colligens ligna, et vocavit eam, dixitque ei: Da mihi paululum aquæ in vase ut bibam.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.”

Notes

1 Kings 17:9–11

  • Zarephath was in Phoenician territory. It was about seven miles south of Sidon, outside Ahab’s control. In an ironic twist, God gave Elijah a place of safety in Jezebel’s homeland, a region known for the worship of Baal.

  • Elijah got up and went: Elijah once more obeyed the Lord’s command (see 1 Kings 17:5). He had key traits for successful spiritual service:

  • God’s ongoing care for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath showed His concern for everyone who prioritizes Him.

  • water … bread: Elijah asked for basic needs, but these were scarce as the drought affected Phoenician territory.

1 Kings 17:9–16

Elijah’s faith faced another test. At Kerith Brook, God directly provided for him. When those supplies stopped, Elijah had to rely on a foreign woman's reaction to a divine test. The story has four parts:

  1. The setting (1 Kings 17:8–10a).

  2. Elijah’s test for the widow (1 Kings 17:10b–14).

  3. The woman’s obedience (1 Kings 17:15).

  4. God’s reward (1 Kings 17:15–16).

1 Kings 17:1–19:21

The prophet Elijah's work was closely tied to his spiritual growth. Elijah challenged Israel's interest in Baal, the Canaanite storm god. During this conflict, Elijah saw God's power and support, unlike Baal's weakness. This was shown in Elijah's contest with Baal's prophets on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:1–46). After fleeing from Jezebel, God renewed Elijah's mission at Mount Sinai (1 Kings 19:1–18). Elijah's mission was finished by his successor, Elisha (1 Kings 19:19–21).

Theme notes and profiles

Ahab Elijah Jezebel Prophets in 1 Kings

Events

Places

Zarephath: A Phoenician city where Elijah stayed with a widow

Glossary

Elijah Famine Kings, Books of First and Second Ordain, Ordination Resurrection Zarephath

Topics

Christian Minister: God's Care of Christian Minister: Hospitality to Woman of Zarephath to Elijah Elijah the Tishbite, a Gileadite and Prophet, Called Elias Frugality: General Scriptures Concerning Gates: Made to Cities Hospitality: Rewarded: Widow of Zarephath's Hospitality: The Widow of Zarephath to Elijah Miracles: Catalogue of Increases the Widow's Meal and Oil Select Readings: Elijah's Miraculous Preserv Ation Widows: Great Liberality In Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Zarephath: Elijah Performs Two Miracles In