1 Kings 17:10-13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 17:8-16

We have here an account of the further protection Elijah was taken under, and the further provision made for him in his retirement. At destruction and famine he shall laugh that has God for his friend to guard and maintain him. The brook Cherith is dried up, but God's care of his people, and kindness to them, never slacken, never fail, but are still the same, are still continued and drawn out to those that know him, Ps. 36:10. When the brook was dried up Jordan was not; why did not God send... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:10

So he arose, and went to Zarephath ,.... Which, according to Bunting F6 Ut supra, (Travels, &c.;) p. 203. , was one hundred miles from the brook Cherith: and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering sticks : perhaps out of an hedge just without the city this shows her to be a poor woman, who had no other way of coming at fuel but this, and no servant to fetch it for her: Bunting tells us, that now before the gate of the city there is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:11

And as she was going to fetch it ,.... For she made no difficulty of granting his request, but immediately set out to fetch him some water from the city, or some spring close by, or her own house; being very ready to do an hospitable act to a stranger, and especially to a good man, and a prophet, as she might perceive by his habit he was, as it seems by what follows: and said, bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand ; to eat before he drank; this he said still further to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:12

And she said, as the Lord thy God liveth ,.... Which shows her to be a good woman, swearing by the living God, and him only, and that she took Elijah to be a good man, and a prophet of the Lord: I have not a cake ; greater or less, not a morsel of bread in the house: but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse ; these separate and unmixed, and not made into a cake, and dressed as she intended to do with them: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks ; or a few,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 17:13

And Elijah said unto her, fear not ,.... That she and her son should die, it would not be the case: go and do as thou hast said : mix her meal and her oil, and make a cake thereof, and bake it: but make thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son : which was not said from a selfish spirit of the prophet, but to try the faith of the woman; and besides, as Abarbinel observes, the prophet was not only hungry and thirsty through his journey,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:12

A handful of meal in a barrel - The word כד cad is to be understood as implying an earthen jar; not a wooden vessel, or barrel of any kind. In the East they preserve their corn and meal in such vessels; without which precaution the insects would destroy them. Travellers in Asiatic countries abound with observations of this kind. The word cruse, צפחת tsappachath , says Jarchi, signifies what in our tongue is expressed by bouteille, a bottle. Jarchi was a French rabbin. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 17:13

But make me thereof a little cake first - This was certainly putting the widow's faith to an extraordinary trial: to take and give to a stranger, of whom she knew nothing, the small pittance requisite to keep her child from perishing, was too much to be expected. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:7-16

Divine Care. I. THE ENDLESSNESS OF GOD 'S RESOURCES . 1 . The brook failed ; and one essential of life could no more be had there. But it was only that this wondrous provision might give place to greater marvels. When means are threatened, the heart sinks; but He who has provided these for a season knows of the failure; and He who sent go Cherith can send elsewhere. One channel of help fails only that the soul may be quickened by a fresh revelation of God's kindness. 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:7-24

Second Preparation of Elijah. Elijah passed through his second phase of preparation under the humble roof of the widow of Sarepta. He is in the right attitude for gaining a holy preparedness for his work, for he has placed himself absolutely and directly under the guidance of God. When the word of God comes to him, he is ready to arise and go whithersoever it bids. Thus was Christ "led of the Spirit" to commence His public ministry ( Matthew 4:1 ); and throughout His whole course He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:8-16

The Furnace of Trial. The village of Zarephath appears to have borrowed its name from the furnace or furnaces created there for the smelting of metals. See note on 1 Kings 17:9 . A great lexicographer interprets the word to mean, a "workshop for the melting and refining of metals." But that name might with scarcely less propriety have been bestowed upon it from the circumstances recorded in this section. It was a veritable furnace for men; a place of assay and refining both for the... read more

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