1 Kings 17:20

Elijah Raises the Widow’s Son · 1 Kings 17:17–24
Read 1 Kings 17

Translations

Modern
Then he cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on this widow who has opened her home to me, by causing her son to die?”
Traditional
And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
Literal
And he cried out to YHWH and said, “O YHWH my God, also on the widow with whom I lodge, have You brought tragedy by killing her son?”
Latin
Et clamavit ad Dominum, et dixit: Domine Deus meus, etiam ne viduam apud quam ego utcumque sustentor, afflixisti ut interficeres filium ejus?

Original

Hebrew
English
Then he cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on this widow who has opened her home to me, by causing her son to die?”

Notes

have You also brought tragedy: Elijah sadly asked God if his presence caused the child's death.

This story starts with the woman's doubts about Elijah (1 Kings 17:17–18) and ends with her recognizing the power of God's word through Elijah (1 Kings 17:24). Interestingly, this non-Israelite widow acknowledged God's miraculous power, while God's own people, Israel, had forgotten his mighty acts.

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).

Events

Glossary

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

Topics

Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Elijah Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents: Raised from the Dead by Elijah Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath Elijah: Miracles of Raises the Son of the Woman of Zarephath from the Dead Hospitality: Rewarded: Widow of Zarephath's Hospitality: The Widow of Zarephath to Elijah Intercession: Answered of Elijah, for Raising the Son of the Hospitable Widow from the Dead Miracles: Catalogue of Raises the Widow's Son Poor: Kindness to To the Widow of Zarephath Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Zarephath: Elijah Performs Two Miracles In