1 Kings 17:1-13 ▼

1 Elijah, who was from Tishbe but had settled in Gilead, said to Ahab, |I solemnly swear, as the LORD God of Israel whom I serve lives, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years unless I say so.|

2 Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah:

3 |Leave here, turn east, and hide beside the Cherith River, which is east of the Jordan River.

4 You can drink from the stream, and I've commanded ravens to feed you there.|

5 Elijah left and did what the word of the LORD [had told him]. He went to live by the Cherith River, which is east of the Jordan River.

6 Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening. And he drank from the stream.

7 But after some time the stream dried up because no rain had fallen in the land.

8 Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah:

9 |Get up, go to Zarephath (which belongs to Sidon), and stay there. I've commanded a widow there to feed you.|

10 He got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the town's entrance, a widow was gathering wood. He called to her, |Please bring me a drink of water.|

11 As she was going to get it, he called to her again, |Please bring me a piece of bread too.|

12 She said, |I solemnly swear, as the LORD your God lives, I didn't bake any bread. I have one handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I'm gathering wood. I'm going to prepare something for myself and my son so that we can eat it and then die.|

13 Then Elijah told her, |Don't be afraid. Go home, and do as you've said. But first make a small loaf and bring it to me. Then prepare something for yourself and your son.