Why did God send Elijah to a Gentile widow?

To display His mercy beyond Israel and to provide for both Elijah and the widow, anticipating Gentile inclusion (cf. Luke 4:25–26).

What does 1 Kings 17 teach about daily dependence?

God provides daily—sometimes miraculously—so our trust rests in Him, not in resources (jar of flour, jug of oil).

Is there a resurrection in this passage?

Yes. God revives the widow’s son through Elijah’s prayer—the first recorded resurrection in Scripture (1 Kings 17:22).

Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath – 1 Kings 17 (August 12, 2025)

Name: Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath – 1 Kings 17 | Reading the Bible Daily with Dave
Uploaded: 2025-08-12T08:00:00-07:00
Duration: DURATION_ISO
Channel: Dave Jenkins
Description: Elijah appears during a spiritual crisis. God provides through scarcity and raises the widow’s son, pointing to Christ our life-giver.

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 1 min read

Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath – 1 Kings 17

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1–24 (ESV) | Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | Series: Reading the Bible Daily with Dave

In 1 Kings 17, Elijah appears during a national spiritual crisis to confront King Ahab. Through a drought, daily provision for a widow, and the raising of her son, the Lord shows that He alone is the living and faithful God. This chapter points us to Christ—the true Prophet and Life-Giver—who sustains His people and triumphs over death.

Episode Notes

Outline

v.1 — Elijah’s prophetic word to Ahab
vv.2–7 — God feeds Elijah by the brook Cherith
vv.8–16 — Daily bread for Elijah and the widow at Zarephath
vv.17–24 — The widow’s son raised; God’s Word proven true

Key Themes

God raises truth-tellers in dark times
Trusting God in scarcity
The God who provides—and resurrects
“The word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.” (v.24)

Cross-References

Deut 11:16–17; Luke 4:25–26; James 5:17–18; John 11:25; Matt 6:11

Memory Verse

1 Kings 17:24 — “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”

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Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.