1 Kings 17:12, 1 Kings 17:14, 1 Kings 17:16 NIV

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 17:12

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:10-16

The Barrel of Meal. In the East the people kept their corn in earthen jars to protect it from insects which swarm in the heat of the sun. What in our translation is called a "barrel" ( כד ) was one of these vessels. The store in this case was run low; there was but a "handful" left; yet this was so multiplied by the power of God that three persons found at least in it sufficient provision for two and a half years. Let us inquire— I. HOW ITS CONDITION BECAME KNOWN . 1 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:12

And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth [Bähr, Keil, al . conclude from this formula that the woman was a worshipper of the God of Israel. Bähr is extremely positive on this point, affirming that, had she been a heathen, the words would have been positively hypocritical, and more, that Elijah would never have been sent ( Luke 4:26 ) to an idolater. He further suggests that possibly she was an Israelite by birth, who had been married to a Phoenician. But all this is extremely doubtful.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 17:12

As the Lord thy God liveth - The words do not prove that the woman was an Israelite, or a worshipper of the true God; any Phoenician, recognizing in Elijah’s appearance the garb and manner of a Jehovistic prophet, might have thus addressed him: Baal-worshippers would have admitted Yahweh to be “a” living God. The woman does not say “as the Lord my God liveth.”That we may eat it and die - Phoenicia always depended for its cereal supplies on the harvests of Palestine (1 Kings 5:9 note); and it is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 17:10-12

1 Kings 17:10-12. Behold, the widow woman was gathering sticks He knew, by some secret divine intimations, that this was the woman that was to sustain him. Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water Water, in consequence of the long drought, was doubtless scarce there as well as in the land of Israel; yet, being a pious woman, and therefore ready to succour a stranger in distress, she readily goes to fetch it. He called and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand This he... read more

1 Kings 17:12, 1 Kings 17:14, 1 Kings 17:16 Niv

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:7-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:7-24

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:8-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:10-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 17:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 17:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 17:10-12

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