Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, please let this boy's life return to him!" Then he stretched himself out over the child three timesThis action by Elijah is significant and symbolic. In the ancient Near Eastern context, physical gestures often accompanied prayers and prophetic acts. Stretching out over the child three times may symbolize a complete and earnest appeal to God, as the number three often represents completeness or divine perfection in the Bible. This act can also be seen as a type of Christ, who would later bring life through His own body. Elijah's physical contact with the child signifies a deep intercession, similar to how Jesus would later touch and heal the sick. and cried out to the LORD
Elijah's cry to the LORD demonstrates his reliance on God for the miracle of resurrection. In the Hebrew tradition, crying out to God is a form of fervent prayer, showing both desperation and faith. This reflects the biblical principle that God hears the cries of His people, as seen in the Psalms and throughout the Old Testament. Elijah's prayer is a model of earnest supplication, showing that true prayer involves both words and heartfelt emotion. “O LORD my God
By addressing God as "my God," Elijah personalizes his relationship with the LORD, indicating a covenantal bond. This phrase underscores the personal faith and trust Elijah has in God, which is a recurring theme in the lives of the prophets. It also highlights the monotheistic belief in the God of Israel, distinguishing Him from the pagan gods of the surrounding nations. This personal address is reminiscent of other biblical figures who called upon God in times of need, such as David and Daniel. please let this boy’s life return to him!”
Elijah's request for the boy's life to return is a direct appeal for resurrection, a rare and significant event in the Old Testament. This miracle prefigures the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, who would later raise the dead, including Himself. The request for life to return emphasizes the belief in God as the giver and sustainer of life, a theme that runs throughout Scripture. This plea also reflects the compassion and mercy of God, who responds to the prayers of His faithful servants. Elijah's successful intercession foreshadows the ultimate victory over death through Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElijahA prophet of God, known for his powerful prayers and miracles. In this passage, he is interceding for the life of a widow's son. 2. The Widow of ZarephathA Gentile woman who provided for Elijah during a famine. Her son falls ill and dies, prompting Elijah's prayer. 3. The Widow's SonThe child who becomes ill and dies, and whom Elijah prays for to be revived. 4. ZarephathA town in Sidon, outside of Israel, where Elijah stays with the widow. It is significant as a place where God demonstrates His power and provision through Elijah. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, to whom Elijah prays for the boy's life to return. Teaching Points The Power of Persistent PrayerElijah's prayer was fervent and persistent, demonstrating the importance of earnest prayer in seeking God's intervention. Faith in God's SovereigntyElijah's actions show a deep trust in God's power to give life, encouraging believers to have faith in God's ability to work miracles. God's Care for All PeopleThe miracle occurs in a Gentile region, illustrating God's love and care for all humanity, not just Israel. The Role of ProphetsElijah's role as a prophet highlights the importance of being a vessel through which God can work, reminding believers to be open to God's calling. Life and ResurrectionThe restoration of the boy's life prefigures the resurrection power of Christ, offering hope in God's ultimate victory over death. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elijah's method of prayer in 1 Kings 17:21 inspire you to approach God in your own prayer life? 2. In what ways does the account of the widow of Zarephath challenge or encourage your understanding of God's provision? 3. How can Elijah's faith in God's power to raise the dead influence your perspective on seemingly impossible situations in your life? 4. What does this passage teach us about God's concern for people outside of the traditional boundaries of faith communities? 5. How can the account of Elijah and the widow's son deepen your understanding of the resurrection and its significance in the Christian faith? Connections to Other Scriptures James 5:16-18This passage highlights the power of a righteous person's prayer, using Elijah as an example of effective prayer. Luke 4:25-26Jesus references Elijah's stay with the widow of Zarephath, emphasizing God's care for Gentiles and the faith of the widow. 2 Kings 4:32-35Elisha, Elijah's successor, performs a similar miracle by raising a Shunammite woman's son, showing the continuation of God's power through His prophets. Hebrews 11:35This verse mentions women receiving their dead back to life, connecting to the faith and miracles seen in the lives of prophets like Elijah. People Ahab, Elijah, ZidonPlaces Cherith, Gilead, Jordan River, Sidon, Tishbe, ZarephathTopics Boy, Boy's, Calleth, Child, Child's, Cried, Herself, Lad, Midst, O, Please, Pleased, Prayer, Return, Saying, Soul, Stretched, Stretcheth, Stretching, TurnDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 17:8-24 1416 miracles, nature of 1 Kings 17:13-24 7773 prophets, role 1 Kings 17:17-23 5658 boys 1 Kings 17:17-24 5092 Elijah
7758 preachers, call 1 Kings 17:19-22 8612 prayer, and faith 1 Kings 17:20-22 5136 body 1 Kings 17:21-22 8614 prayer, answers Library Elijah Standing Before the Lord
And Elijah the Tishbite ... said ... As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand.--1 KINGS xvii. 1. This solemn and remarkable adjuration seems to have been habitual upon Elijah's lips in the great crises of his life. We never find it used by any but himself, and his scholar and successor, Elisha. Both of them employ it under similar circumstances, as if unveiling the very secret of their lives, the reason for their strength, and for their undaunted bearing and bold fronting of all antagonism. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Inexhaustible Barrel
Though, however, I make these few observations by way of preface, this is not the subject of this morning. I propose to take the case of the poor widow of Sarepta as an illustration of divine love, as it manifests itself to man; and I shall have three things for you to notice. First, the object of divine love; secondly, the singular methods of divine love; and, then, in the third place, the undying faithfulness of divine love--"The barrel of meal did not waste, neither did the cruse of oil fail, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860 Answered Prayer.
"And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah."--1 KINGS xvii. 22. Yes, and He will hear your voice if you are as much in earnest as he was! Why should not God hear the voice of William, or Robert, Sarah or Edith? He is no respecter of persons. Is it not written over the door of mercy, "Knock, and it shall be opened?" Aye, and the knocker is so low a child's hand may reach it. St. James tells us that Elijah was "a man of like passions." He was a human being like you and me, but he had faith in God. …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Whether it is Praiseworthy to Enter Religion Without Taking Counsel of Many, and Previously Deliberating for a Long Time?
Objection 1: It would not seem praiseworthy to enter religion without taking counsel of many, and previously deliberating for a long time. For it is written (1 Jn. 4:1): "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God." Now sometimes a man's purpose of entering religion is not of God, since it often comes to naught through his leaving the religious life; for it is written (Acts 5:38,39): "If this counsel or this work be of God, you cannot overthrow it." Therefore it would seem that …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Sovereignty of God in Administration
"The LORD hath prepared His Throne In the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all" (Psa. 103:19). First, a word concerning the need for God to govern the material world. Suppose the opposite for a moment. For the sake of argument, let us say that God created the world, designed and fixed certain laws (which men term "the laws of Nature"), and that He then withdrew, leaving the world to its fortune and the out-working of these laws. In such a case, we should have a world over which there was no intelligent, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem? A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 17:21 NIV1 Kings 17:21 NLT1 Kings 17:21 ESV1 Kings 17:21 NASB1 Kings 17:21 KJV
1 Kings 17:21 Commentaries
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