1 Kings 17
Meaning of 1 Kings 17
1 Kings 17 is part of the Old Testament in the Bible. This chapter is the first introduction of the prophet Elijah, who emerges as an important figure in the biblical narrative.
Here’s a brief explanation of the key events:
1. The chapter starts off by Elijah predicting a drought to the wicked King Ahab, who worshipped other gods and did evil in God’s sight. Elijah declares that there will be no rain or dew for the next few years until he says so.
2. After God’s command, Elijah hides by the brook Cherith where he is fed by ravens who bring him bread and meat. The brook provided water to drink in the dry spell.
3. When the brook dries up due to the drought, God instructs Elijah to go to Zarephath, to a widow who God has instructed to provide for him.
4. When Elijah arrives in Zarephath, he finds the widow and asks her for a piece of bread. The widow expresses her dilemma that she has only a handful of flour and a little oil, which she was preparing to cook as the last meal for her and her son before they starve to death.
5. Elijah assures her not to be afraid and to go ahead and make the meal, but first to make a small loaf for him and then for herself and her son. He prophesies that the jar of flour and jug of oil will not be used up until God sends rain on the land. The words come true and the widow, her family, and Elijah are sustained throughout the famine.
6. Later in the chapter, the widow’s son falls ill and dies. The woman is distraught and blames Elijah for bringing her sin to remembrance and causing her son’s death.
7. Elijah takes the son upstairs, prays to God, and the boy’s life is restored. He brings the boy back to his mother, now alive and well, which leads her to acknowledge that Elijah is indeed a man of God and that his words are truth.
So, in essence, 1 Kings 17 is about divine provision and faith amidst difficulties, God’s sovereignty, and Elijah’s role as a prophet. It mixes narratives of miracle, provision, and resurrection affirming God’s command over nature.
1 Kings 17 kjv
1 Kings 17 is a chapter in the Bible from the Old Testament. In the King James Version (KJV), this chapter introduces the prophet Elijah, who comes from Tishbe in Gilead, and his interactions with God.
The chapter begins with Elijah predicting a drought as a result of the Israelites’ sinful behavior under the rule of King Ahab. He says there will be no dew or rain for the next few years until he says otherwise. Following God’s guidance, Elijah hides by the Brook Cherith, where he is fed by ravens as instructed by God.
However, the brook dries up because of the drought. So, God tells Elijah to go to Zarephath and meet a widow who will provide for him. When he meets the widow, she reveals that she is on the verge of making her last meal for her and her son before they die, as she only has a handful of flour and a little oil remaining.
Elijah gives her a prophetic word from God, telling her not to be afraid and instructing her to make a small loaf of bread for him first then use the remaining for her and her son. He tells her that the jar of flour will not go empty and the jug of oil will not run dry until the Lord sends rain on the land. The woman does as Elijah instructs and, indeed, her jar of flour and jug of oil do not run out, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy.
In the later part of the chapter, the widow’s son becomes very ill and eventually stops breathing. Distressed, the widow questions Elijah’s presence, believing it has brought about this punishment for her sin. Elijah takes the boy from his mother and carries him to the upper room where he’s staying. He cries out to God three times and asks God to let the boy’s life return. God grants Elijah’s request, and the boy comes back to life.
Elijah brings the boy down and presents him alive to his mother. Witnessing the miracle, the woman says to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”
The story discusses themes of faith, obedience, provision, and God’s power over life and death.
1 Kings 17 nkjv
1 Kings 17 from the New King James Version (NKJV) introduces us to the prophet Elijah. In this chapter, God commands Elijah to deliver a message to Ahab, the king of Israel, announcing a drought as punishment for Israel’s idolatry.
In verses 2-7, after delivering the message, Elijah retreats to the Kerith Ravine as instructed by God. There, ravens sent by God bring him food, and he drinks from the brook. However, eventually, the brook dries up due to the drought.
In verses 8-16, God tells Elijah to go to Zarephath in Sidon, where He has instructed a widowed woman to feed him. Initially, the woman resists because she only has a small amount of flour and oil left for herself and her son. But Elijah reassures her that the flour and oil will not run out until the day that the Lord sends rain on the land. Trusting in his words, she agrees to feed him, and miraculously, her supply of flour and oil does not run out.
In verses 17-24, the woman’s son falls ill and dies. She blames Elijah for bringing her sin to remembrance and causing her son’s death. Elijah, in response, carries the boy to his room and prays to God to restore the boy’s life. God listens to Elijah, and the boy comes back to life. Seeing this miracle, the woman declares her belief that Elijah is indeed a man of God and that his words are truth.
The chapter illustrates God’s power, Elijah’s obedience, the significance of trust in God’s provisions, and the consequences of idolatry. It also demonstrates that Elijah, besides being a prophet, was a miracle worker – providing food in a famine and restoring a life.
1 Kings 17 niv
“1 Kings 17” of the New International Version (Niv) of the Bible introduces the prophet Elijah, who played a key role in Israel’s history.
Verses 1-7: Elijah, from Tishbe in Gilead, proclaims a drought to Ahab, the king of Israel. God then directs him to hide by the Kerith Ravine, where he is fed by ravens, as a brook provides him with water.
Verses 8-16: When the brook dries up, God sends Elijah to Zarephath in Sidon to meet a widow, who will provide for him. The widow is preparing last meal for herself and her son when Elijah arrives, expecting to die due to hunger and famine afterwards. Elijah, however, tells her not to fear and to make a small loaf of bread for him first from what little she had. He assures her that neither jar of flour nor jug of oil will run out till the rain falls again. She does as told and miraculously, the flour and oil lasts for her, her son, and Elijah throughout the famine.
Verses 17-24: Sometime later, the widow’s son becomes ill and dies. The Widow is distraught and blames Elijah but Elijah takes the child to his upper room, prays to God, and the child’s life is restored. The miracle reaffirms the widow’s faith in the God of Elijah that His words are truth.
This chapter shows the trust and obedience of Elijah toward God, and also God’s provision in times of difficulty. Elijah’s prophecies and miracles demonstrate the power of God and His active presence in the world.
What is 1 Kings 17 all about?
1 Kings 17 is a chapter from the Old Testament in the Bible. This chapter introduces the prophet Elijah and recounts his interactions with King Ahab and a widow from Zarephath.
The chapter begins with Elijah telling King Ahab of Israel that there would be a severe drought in the land, which would not end until Elijah said so. This was a punishment from God because of the Israelites’ sinful ways under Ahab’s rule, particularly the worship of the false god, Baal.
Fearing retaliation from King Ahab, God directs Elijah to a brook called Cherith. There, he is miraculously provided with water from the brook and is fed by ravens that brought him bread and meat.
However, the brook eventually dries up due to the drought. God then sends Elijah to Zarephath, a town in Sidon, to meet a widow whom God had commanded to provide food for him. When Elijah arrives, he finds the widow preparing to use her last bit of flour and oil to make food for herself and her son before they die of starvation. Despite her desperate situation, at Elijah’s assurance, she feeds him first.
Miraculously, the flour and oil in her house do not run out, providing sustenance throughout the duration of the drought. Later, the woman’s son becomes critically ill and dies. Elijah takes the child, and by God’s power, he brings him back to life. These miracles demonstrated God’s provision, power, and sovereignty to Elijah, the widow, and ultimately King Ahab. It showed that Yahweh, not Baal, controlled the rain, the grain, and the oil jar, life, and death.
What does 1 Kings 17 teaches?
1 Kings 17 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that features the prophet Elijah. This chapter is meant to teach several important religious lessons:
1. The Power of God: The chapter begins with Elijah prophesying a drought as a demonstration of God’s power and control over the elements of nature. This incident shows the sovereignty of God over every situation, including those that seem uncontrollable.
2. Faith and provision: Elijah is directed by God to hide in a ravine, where he is miraculously fed by ravens sent by God. Then he is sent to a widow in Zarephath, who, despite her poverty and the ongoing famine, agrees to share her last resources with Elijah. This kind of faith in God’s provision is highlighted and rewarded, as God miraculously provides food for Elijah, the widow and her son.
3. Faith in hardship: Even after being helped by Elijah, the widow faces another hardship: her son becomes ill and dies. In her despair, she questions Elijah and his God. Still, by faithfully turning to God in prayers, Elijah sees this boy restored to life. This miracle demonstrates that God is not only a provider but also a healer.
4. Miracles confirm the identity of God’s prophet: The miracles performed through Elijah confirmed his identity as a true prophet of God. In verse 24, the widow exclaims, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”
In conclusion, 1 Kings 17 teaches lessons of faith, God’s authority over nature, His provision, His power to heal, and the role of miracles in confirming the identity of His chosen prophets.
A Sermon on 1 Kings 17
The 1 Kings 17 can be interpreted and preached in numerous ways. However, in this scriptural exposition, we will take a look at the narrative featuring the prophet Elijah, drawing critical life-lessons from his experiences.
1 Kings 17 introduces us to Elijah, a prophet in Israel, during the reign of wicked King Ahab. Throughout the chapter, we gain insights into the life of Elijah, his faith, and his relationship with God.
This chapter in particular covers three key events – Elijah prophesying a great drought, his miracle involving a widow, and his revival of the widow’s son.
1. Elijah’s Proclamation of the Drought (1 Kings 17:1): Here, Elijah prophesies a coming drought as a direct result of King Ahab’s and Israel’s idolatry. The lesson here is about boldness and being willing to stand up for God’s truth, regardless of the circumstances or the opposition. It also reminds us that sin often has dire consequences.
2. Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16): After the brook Cherith dries up, God sends Elijah to a widow in Zarephath. Despite her lacking provisions, Elijah asks her to first make a small loaf of bread for him then one for herself and her son. This portrays the concept of sacrificial giving and unyielding faith in God. Astonishingly, her jar of flour and jug of oil do not run out, just as Elijah had promised.
3. The Widow’s Son Restored to Life (1 Kings 17:17-24): When the widow’s son falls ill and dies, she blames Elijah. But through Elijah’s intercession, God miraculously restores her son to life. This teaches us about God’s compassion and His control over life and death. It also shows that God is the ultimate healer, able to revive not only physically but also spiritually.
In conclusion, through 1 Kings 17, we see a compelling picture of God’s sovereignty, His provision in times of trouble, and His intervention in the most helpless situations. This sermon on 1 Kings 17 is thus a call to trust in God’s provision, relinquish our self-sufficiency, and hold onto faith even in the face of challenges, knowing that God is in control.
This narrative also presents an opportunity for introspection: Are we identifying with Elijah, putting faith in God’s assurances, or are we doubting like the widow initially did? Through trust and obedience, we open the door to God’s supernatural intervention in our lives.
Key people in 1 Kings 17
1 Kings 17 mainly features two key individuals:
1. Elijah: He is a significant character who plays a crucial role throughout both 1 Kings and 2 Kings. In chapter 17, he is introduced as a prophet from Tishbe in Gilead. Elijah prophesies to King Ahab about the upcoming drought, hides in the Kerith Ravine where ravens provide him food, and then travels to Zarephath.
2. The Widow of Zarephath: Elijah meets this unnamed widow in the Sidonian town of Zarephath. After her first encounter with Elijah, she shows great faith by giving him the last of her oil and flour during a severe famine. In return, God blesses the widow’s house with an unending supply of oil and flour. Her son becomes ill and dies later in the story, and Elijah resurrects him, confirming to her that Elijah is a man of God.
These are the key characters in 1 Kings 17, and the chapter revolves around the interactions and miracles between these two characters.
Real world examples on 1 Kings 17
The book of 1 Kings 17 in the Bible tells the story of Elijah, a prophet God used to show His power and provide for His people even in the most seemingly impossible situations. It’s a story of faith, trust, and divine intervention.
1 Kings 17 starts off with Elijah prophesying a time of great drought as a result of the people’s disobedience to God. This could be likened to situations in the real world where leaders make decisions that negatively impact their followers, leading to a time of hardship, such as economic recessions, war, or environmental degradation.
Then we see Elijah being told by God to go to the brook Cherith, where he would be fed by ravens. This depicts God’s provision even in dire circumstances and may be compared to real-world situations where individuals receive unexpected help or provision during times of trouble. For instance, a person who has lost their job might receive a financial breakthrough from the least expected sources, or a hand of help when they least expected it.
Further, we have the story of the widow of Zarephath, who, despite her limited resources, is asked by Elijah to feed him. She responds in obedience, and as a result, her jar of flour and jug of oil didn’t run out during the drought. This could be compared to times in life where showing kindness, generosity, or taking a step of faith despite our limited resources or circumstances, can result in unexpected blessings or miracles.
Elijah also performs a miracle in raising the widow’s son. This demonstrates the power of calling on God in desperate situations. It might testify to instances where people, in the midst of unbearable circumstances, have experienced miracles or unexpected turnarounds as they cried out to God or to a higher power they believe in.
In essence, the examples in 1 Kings 17 can find many correlations in reality, considering themes of survival in tough times, unexpected provisions, acts of faith, and miracles. Of course, these real-world examples will have a stronger resonance for those who view their life experiences through a spiritual or religious lens.
Brief Explanation of 1 Kings 17
1 Kings 17 is the beginning of the story of the prophet Elijah. This chapter marks important events and acts of miracle performed by Elijah in Israel’s history during one of the most challenging periods.
In the first part of the chapter, Elijah prophesizes to King Ahab that there will be a severe drought in Israel as a punishment because of the king’s and nation’s idolatry and disobedience towards God. God then instructs Elijah to hide by the Kerith Brook where he’s fed by ravens sent from God.
After the brook dries out due to the drought, God sends Elijah to Zarephath, where he encounters a widow gathering sticks to make a meal for her son and herself. Elijah requests for a small loaf of bread. Despite the widow expressing that she was preparing her last meal before they die of hunger, Elijah encourages her with a promise from God that her jar of flour will not be used up and jug of oil won’t run dry until the drought ends. Trusting Elijah’s words, the widow makes a loaf for Elijah first. Miraculously, her supplies of flour and oil lasted throughout the drought.
In the final part of the chapter, the widow’s son becomes ill and dies. Elijah prays fervently to the Lord to restore the boy’s life. God hears Elijah’s prayer, and the boy’s life is returned to him. After this miracle, the widow acknowledges Elijah as a man of God and his words to be truth.
The chapter showcases the obedience of Elijah, the provision and faithfulness of God, and reminds the Israelites the importance of repenting and returning to their faith in God.
Frequently asked questions for 1 Kings 17
1 Kings 17 is a prominent chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that sets the stage for the prophet Elijah. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers about this chapter:
1. Who is Elijah, and where is he from?
Elijah is introduced in this chapter as a prophet from Tishbe, who served during the rule of King Ahab in Israel. He is considered one of the more important prophets in the Old Testament and is known for his miracles.
2. What’s the reasoning behind the drought in 1 Kings 17?
Elijah predicts a severe drought as a form of judgment from God because of the worship of Baal promoted by King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. This drought lasted several years and was lifted only when Elijah prayed for rain.
3. Why was Elijah instructed to go to the widow in Zarephath?
God told Elijah to go to Zarephath because a widow there would provide him with food. The widow initially hesitated because of limited food, but miraculously, her jar of flour and jug of oil kept replenishing after she used some to feed Elijah.
4. What happened to the widow’s son and how was Elijah involved?
The widow’s son became seriously ill and died. However, with Elijah’s prayers, God miraculously resurrected him, proving to the widow that Elijah was a man of God.
5. What is the overarching theme of 1 Kings 17?
The major theme is the Sovereignty and providence of God. Despite the deceived state of Israel’s leadership, God continues to exert His rule and provides for Elijah, the widow, and her son. These miracles showed that the Lord is the one true God, compared to Baal, who was seen as a false god.
Remember, interpretations can vary depending on cultural perspectives and religious beliefs, hence it’s good to read and research from varied sources.
Possible References for 1 Kings 17
1 Kings 17 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, belonging to the book of 1 Kings. The chapter mainly outlines the stories of the prophet Elijah. The possible references from 1 Kings 17 might include the following events and miracles:
1. Elijah Predicts a Drought: In the beginning of the chapter (verses 1-7), Elijah predicts a drought which God will send upon the land as punishment for King Ahab’s evil deeds, in particular for his worship to the pagan god Baal.
2. The Widow at Zarephath: In verses 8-16, God directs Elijah to Zarephath, where he encounters a widow. Despite the ongoing famine, Elijah tells her to make a loaf of bread for him first before she does it for her and her son. The widow obeys and finds that her jar of flour and jug of oil never run out, just as Elijah told her.
3. Resurrection of the Widow’s Son: Verses 17-24 tell the story of the widow’s son falling ill to the point of death. Elijah prays to God, and the boy’s life is returned to him. This miracle leads the widow to proclaim her belief that Elijah is truly a man of God.
These references in the 1 Kings 17 chapter showcase Elijah’s prophetic career and his relationship with God. They also highlight themes of punishment and redemption, faith, obedience, the power of God’s word, and the manifestation of miracles.
Conclusion on 1 Kings 17
1 Kings 17 is a chapter from the Bible that primarily focuses on the story of the prophet Elijah. The chapter’s conclusion is about Elijah’s miracle of raising the widow’s son from the dead. This chapter starts Elijah’s public ministry, displaying his prophetic power and demonstrating God’s care for His servants in times of crisis.
After predicting a severe drought to King Ahab of Israel, Elijah escapes to a brook at God’s command where God provides him with food by ravens. After the brook dries up, God tells Elijah to go to Zarephath, where He has commanded a widow to supply him with food.
But the widow has almost nothing left for herself and her son. Upon hearing the widow’s plight, Elijah promises the widow that her jar of flour and jug of oil will not run out until rains come again if she first makes something to eat for him and then for herself and her son.
She does as instructed, and miraculously, her supply of flour and oil doesn’t run out. Later her son falls ill and dies, and the widow blames Elijah. Elijah takes the boy, cries out to God, and the boy’s life is restored. The widow recognizes Elijah as a man of God, and acknowledges that the word of the Lord from his mouth is the truth.
In conclusion, 1 Kings 17 is about the faithfulness of God, His provision, and His power over life and death. It highlights Elijah’s deep relationship with God and his role as a prophet. It also encourages faith, trust, and obedience even in dire circumstances.