Keraia
1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:15

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

Translations

Modern
So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household.
Traditional
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
Literal
And she went away and did according to the word of Elijah, and she ate, she and he and her house for days.
Latin
Quæ abiit, et fecit juxta verbum Eliæ: et comedit ipse, et illa, et domus ejus: et ex illa die

Original

Hebrew
English
So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household.

Notes

1 Kings 17:15–16

She followed Elijah's instructions, and God rewarded her faith. The daily supply of essentials reminded her of God's faithfulness and goodness (Lamentations 3:22–24; Philippians 4:19).

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

People

Elijah: A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah

Glossary

Bread Cruse Elijah Famine Kings, Books of First and Second Oil Ordain, Ordination Resurrection

Topics

Blessing: Temporal, from God: To the Widow of Zerephath Christian Minister: God's Care of Christian Minister: Hospitality to Woman of Zarephath to Elijah Elijah the Tishbite, a Gileadite and Prophet, Called Elias Elijah: Miracles of Increases the Oil of the Widow of Zarephath Faith: Widow of Zarephath in Feeding Elijah Hospitality: Rewarded: Widow of Zarephath's Hospitality: The Widow of Zarephath to Elijah Miracles Wrought Through Servants of God: Elijah: Meal and Oil Multiplied Miracles: Catalogue of Increases the Widow's Meal and Oil Oil used for Food Poor: Kindness to To the Widow of Zarephath Select Readings: Elijah's Miraculous Preserv Ation Self-Denial: The Widow of Zarephath, in Sharing with Elijah the Last of Her Sustenance Self-Denial: Widow of Zarephath Widows: Great Liberality In Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Zarephath: Elijah Performs Two Miracles In