Keraia
1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17:9

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

Translations

Modern
“Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”
Traditional
Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
Literal
“Arise, go to Zarephath, which is unto Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded there a widow woman to provide for you.”
Latin
Surge, et vade in Sarephta Sidoniorum, et manebis ibi: præcepi enim ibi mulieri viduæ ut pascat te.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

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

Sidon: Phoenician city; home of Jezebel Zarephath: A Phoenician city where Elijah stayed with a widow

Glossary

Elijah Famine Kings, Books of First and Second Ordain, Ordination Resurrection Sidon (Place), Sidonian Zarephath

Topics

Christian Minister: God's Care of Elijah the Tishbite, a Gileadite and Prophet, Called Elias Famine: God Provided for his People During Judgments: Preservation During - Exemplified: Elijah Miracles: Catalogue of Increases the Widow's Meal and Oil Select Readings: Elijah's Miraculous Preserv Ation The Sidonians: Cities of Mentioned: Zarephath or Sarepta Widows: Great Liberality In Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Zarephath: Elijah Performs Two Miracles In