1 Kings 17:8-20:22 ESV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 17:8-24

God’s revelation of His power 17:8-24God had a very unusual ministry for Elijah to perform in which he would stand alone against hundreds of opponents (1 Kings 18:16-40). This section reveals how the Lord prepared him for it.The site of Zarephath was between Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia, the stronghold of the cult that Ahab had imported into Israel (cf. 1 Kings 16:31). Widows were poor in the ancient Near East and would have been the first to run out of food in a drought. [Note: See Richard D.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:1-24

Elijah and the Widow of ZarephathThe prophet Elijah, who occupies so large a space in the succeeding history, is, like his successor Elisha, conspicuous among the prophetic figures of the OT. as a worker of miracles; and to him belongs the further distinction of having been removed from earth without dying. His prophecies differed from those of most later prophets in having in view only certain critical occasions of contemporary history, and in having no reference to the remote future or the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Kings 17:1-24

1 Kings 17:1 This miracle of the drought is one of the few which have received the countersign and imprimatur of our Blessed Lord. The statement that 'The heaven was shut up three years and six months' 'in the days of Elias' (St. Luke 4:25 ) does not rest on the unsupported authority of the compiler of the books of Kings, or the unknown writer from whom he derived it. We are told that this history is largely fabulous, but this part of the 'fable' at any rate has been accepted by Him who is 'the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Kings 17:1-24

IV. THE PROPHET ELIJAH AND KING AHAB 1. Elijah’s Prediction and Miracles CHAPTER 17 1. Elijah’s message to Ahab (1 Kings 17:1 ) 2. At the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:2-7 ) 3. With the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16 ) 4. The widow’s son restored to life (1 Kings 17:17-24 ) Upon this scene of complete departure of God, when Ahab and his heathen wife worshipped Baal and all the vileness connected with that cult flourished in Israel, there appeared suddenly one of the greatest of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Kings 17:8

17:8 And the {d} word of the LORD came unto him, saying,(d) As the troubles of the saints of God are many, so his mercy is always at hand to deliver them. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:1-24

ELIJAH PROPHESIES A DROUGHT (vs.1-7) Ahab was suddenly confronted by a prophet who had never been mentioned before, Elijah the Tishbite, the first prophet of God spoken of as arising from among the ten tribes. He came from Gilead and in God's name announced that for some years there would be neither dew nor rain in Israel until Elijah gave the word. James 5:17 tells us that Elijah had prayed earnestly that it might not rain. Why? Because of the gross evil of Ahab that infected all Israel.... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:1-24

ELIJAH AND AHAB ELIJAH IN HIDING (1 Kings 17:1-24 ) Nothing is known of Elijah’s previous history, not even why he is called the Tishbite (1 Kings 17:1 ) except, as suggested in the Septuagint translation, that the town of Tishbeh is meant, which was in the Gilead region east of the Jordan. A comparison of Deuteronomy 11:16-17 shows that the judgment he announces (1 Kings 17:1 ) was threatened by Jehovah for such iniquity as that now prevailing; but of course the divine impulse must have... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Kings 17:1-24

Elijah 1 Kings 17:0 Elijah means "Jehovah is my God." There is often much in a name. It is a history, sometimes, the summing up of generations; it is sometimes an inspiration, recalling memories that stir the soul to high daring. In Christ we are called to a new name. Have you yet received it? Behold, what manner of love hath the Father bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. "Tishbite." There are two places called Tishbi, one in Gilead and the other in Galilee. Elijah... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Kings 17:8-9

(8) ¶ And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, (9) Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. Observe, though all means of sustenance were over, at the brook Cherith; yet Elijah doth not move his quarters, until directed of God. It is sweet in all our movements, to wait the pillar of Cloud directing the way. There is a great beauty, as well as mercy, in this movement of the prophet to Zidon. This... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:8-16

8-16 Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, and some, it is likely, would have bidden him welcome to their houses; yet he is sent to honour and bless with his presence a city of Sidon, a Gentile city, and so becomes the first prophet of the Gentiles. Jezebel was Elijah's greatest enemy; yet, to show her how powerless was her malice, God will find a hiding-place for him even in her own country. The person appointed to entertain Elijah is not one of the rich or great men of Sidon; but a... read more