"Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." AriseThe Hebrew word used here is "קוּם" (qum), which means to rise, stand up, or establish. This command from God to Elijah is not just a physical action but a call to readiness and obedience. In the biblical context, "arise" often signifies a divine commissioning or a call to action. It is a reminder that God’s servants must be prepared to move and act according to His will, trusting in His guidance and provision. Go to Zarephath
Zarephath was a Phoenician city located in the region of Sidon, outside of Israel. The name "Zarephath" means "smelting place," which can symbolize a place of refining or testing. This command to go to a Gentile region highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and His concern for people beyond Israel. It also foreshadows the New Testament message of the Gospel reaching the Gentiles. Elijah's journey to Zarephath is a test of faith, as he must trust God to provide for him in a foreign land. Which belongs to Sidon
Sidon was a major Phoenician city known for its wealth and trade. It was also the home region of Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, who led Israel into Baal worship. By sending Elijah to Sidon, God demonstrates His power over the false gods of the region and His ability to provide for His prophet even in the heart of enemy territory. This phrase underscores the theme of God's dominion and the futility of idolatry. And stay there
The Hebrew word for "stay" is "יָשַׁב" (yashab), meaning to dwell, sit, or remain. This instruction implies a period of waiting and reliance on God’s provision. Elijah is called to remain in a place that seems unlikely for sustenance, teaching him and us the importance of patience and trust in God's timing and methods. It is a lesson in faithfulness, as Elijah must depend on God’s promise rather than his own understanding. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you
The word "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is an attention-grabbing term, emphasizing the surprising nature of God's provision. Widows in ancient times were often among the most vulnerable and impoverished, making this command unexpected. Yet, God chooses the weak and unlikely to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His power and grace. This phrase also highlights God's foreknowledge and sovereignty, as He has already prepared the widow’s heart to obey His command. It is a powerful reminder that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and He can use anyone to accomplish His divine plans. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElijahA prophet of God, known for his faithfulness and miraculous works. In this passage, he is instructed by God to go to Zarephath. 2. ZarephathA town in the region of Sidon, outside of Israel, significant for being a Gentile area. It is here that God sends Elijah during a time of drought and famine. 3. Widow of ZarephathA Gentile woman chosen by God to provide for Elijah. Her obedience and faith play a crucial role in the unfolding events. 4. SidonA region known for its pagan practices, highlighting the significance of God’s provision coming from an unexpected place. 5. Drought and FamineA severe drought, a result of Israel's disobedience, sets the stage for God's miraculous provision through unlikely means. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProvisionGod’s command to Elijah to go to Zarephath demonstrates His control over all circumstances and His ability to provide through unexpected sources. Faith in ActionThe widow’s obedience to God’s command, despite her dire circumstances, exemplifies faith in action. Believers are encouraged to trust God’s provision even when it seems unlikely. Cross-Cultural GraceGod’s choice of a Gentile widow to sustain Elijah foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan, reminding believers of the universal scope of God’s grace. Obedience in UncertaintyElijah’s willingness to go to a foreign land and the widow’s willingness to share her last meal teach the importance of obedience to God’s word, even when the future is uncertain. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God’s instruction to Elijah to go to Zarephath challenge our understanding of where and how God can provide for us? 2. In what ways does the account of the widow of Zarephath encourage us to trust God’s provision in our own lives? 3. How does the inclusion of a Gentile widow in God’s plan reflect the broader account of God’s grace throughout the Bible? 4. What can we learn from Elijah’s obedience to God’s command, and how can we apply this in situations where God calls us to step out in faith? 5. How does the account of Elijah and the widow connect with Jesus’ teachings on God’s provision, and how can this shape our perspective on material needs? Connections to Other Scriptures Luke 4:25-26Jesus references the widow of Zarephath, highlighting God's grace extending beyond Israel to Gentiles. James 5:17-18Elijah's prayer life is emphasized, showing the power of a righteous person's prayer. Matthew 6:25-34Jesus teaches about God's provision, paralleling the miraculous provision for Elijah and the widow. Philippians 4:19Paul speaks of God's provision, echoing the theme of God supplying needs in unexpected ways. People Ahab, Elijah, ZidonPlaces Cherith, Gilead, Jordan River, Sidon, Tishbe, ZarephathTopics Abide, Arise, Behold, Belongeth, Belongs, Commanded, Dwell, Dwelt, Feed, Hast, Living-place, Maintain, Orders, Provide, Rise, Sidon, Stay, Supply, Sustain, Widow, Zarephath, Zar'ephath, ZidonDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 17:9 4816 drought, physical
5630 work, divine and human
7949 mission, of Israel 1 Kings 17:1-16 4823 famine, physical 1 Kings 17:2-12 5569 suffering, hardship 1 Kings 17:4-16 5341 hunger 1 Kings 17:7-9 5092 Elijah 1 Kings 17:7-16 8447 hospitality, examples 1 Kings 17:8-12 4514 stick 1 Kings 17:8-24 1416 miracles, nature of Library Elijah Standing Before the Lord
And Elijah the Tishbite ... said ... As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand.--1 KINGS xvii. 1. This solemn and remarkable adjuration seems to have been habitual upon Elijah's lips in the great crises of his life. We never find it used by any but himself, and his scholar and successor, Elisha. Both of them employ it under similar circumstances, as if unveiling the very secret of their lives, the reason for their strength, and for their undaunted bearing and bold fronting of all antagonism. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Inexhaustible Barrel
Though, however, I make these few observations by way of preface, this is not the subject of this morning. I propose to take the case of the poor widow of Sarepta as an illustration of divine love, as it manifests itself to man; and I shall have three things for you to notice. First, the object of divine love; secondly, the singular methods of divine love; and, then, in the third place, the undying faithfulness of divine love--"The barrel of meal did not waste, neither did the cruse of oil fail, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860 Answered Prayer.
"And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah."--1 KINGS xvii. 22. Yes, and He will hear your voice if you are as much in earnest as he was! Why should not God hear the voice of William, or Robert, Sarah or Edith? He is no respecter of persons. Is it not written over the door of mercy, "Knock, and it shall be opened?" Aye, and the knocker is so low a child's hand may reach it. St. James tells us that Elijah was "a man of like passions." He was a human being like you and me, but he had faith in God. …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Whether it is Praiseworthy to Enter Religion Without Taking Counsel of Many, and Previously Deliberating for a Long Time?
Objection 1: It would not seem praiseworthy to enter religion without taking counsel of many, and previously deliberating for a long time. For it is written (1 Jn. 4:1): "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God." Now sometimes a man's purpose of entering religion is not of God, since it often comes to naught through his leaving the religious life; for it is written (Acts 5:38,39): "If this counsel or this work be of God, you cannot overthrow it." Therefore it would seem that …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Sovereignty of God in Administration
"The LORD hath prepared His Throne In the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all" (Psa. 103:19). First, a word concerning the need for God to govern the material world. Suppose the opposite for a moment. For the sake of argument, let us say that God created the world, designed and fixed certain laws (which men term "the laws of Nature"), and that He then withdrew, leaving the world to its fortune and the out-working of these laws. In such a case, we should have a world over which there was no intelligent, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem? A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 17:9 NIV1 Kings 17:9 NLT1 Kings 17:9 ESV1 Kings 17:9 NASB1 Kings 17:9 KJV
1 Kings 17:9 Commentaries
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