1 Kings 17:10

KJV

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman [was] there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

KJV (with Strong's)

So he arose {H6965} and went {H3212} to Zarephath {H6886}. And when he came {H935} to the gate {H6607} of the city {H5892}, behold, the widow {H490} woman {H802} was there gathering {H7197} of sticks {H6086}: and he called {H7121} to her, and said {H559}, Fetch {H3947} me, I pray thee, a little {H4592} water {H4325} in a vessel {H3627}, that I may drink {H8354}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So he set out and went to Tzarfat. On reaching the gate of the city, he saw a widow there gathering sticks. He called out to her, "Please bring a little water in a container for me to drink."

Berean Standard Bible

So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.”

American Standard Version

So he arose and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 17:10 vividly portrays the prophet Elijah's arrival in Zarephath, a Sidonian city, in direct obedience to God's command. This pivotal moment, set against the backdrop of a severe famine in Israel, highlights God's meticulous providence as He orchestrates a divine encounter between His prophet and a destitute Gentile widow at the city gate. Elijah's immediate request for water from this vulnerable woman initiates a series of profound miracles, demonstrating God's sovereign care and power to sustain life in the midst of extreme scarcity, even through the most unexpected of vessels.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point in Elijah's ministry, immediately following God's instruction for him to leave the dried-up brook Cherith, where he had been miraculously sustained by ravens ([1 Kings 17:7](/1_kings/17-7 "1 Kings 17:7 - The Brook Cherith Dries Up")). The divine command in [1 Kings 17:9](/1_kings/17-9 "1 Kings 17:9 - God's Command to Elijah to Go to Zarephath") explicitly directs Elijah to Zarephath, assuring him that a widow there has been commanded to provide for him. This shift from supernatural provision through animals to provision through a human, particularly a vulnerable Gentile woman, underscores God's diverse and often surprising methods of care. The narrative consistently emphasizes Elijah's unwavering obedience, which is foundational to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the demonstration of His power amidst the spiritual darkness of Ahab's reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 1 Kings 17 unfold during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, a period characterized by rampant Baal worship and profound apostasy in Israel. Jezebel, a Phoenician princess from Sidon, aggressively promoted the worship of Baal, making the drought prophesied by Elijah in [1 Kings 17:1](/1_kings/17-1 "1 Kings 17:1 - Elijah's Prophecy of Drought") a direct divine judgment against Baal, who was erroneously believed to be the god of rain and fertility. Zarephath's location in Sidonian territory, Jezebel's homeland, adds a layer of profound theological irony, powerfully demonstrating Yahweh's universal sovereignty even over the lands of pagan deities. In ancient Near Eastern society, widows were among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups, often lacking social and economic support. God's deliberate choice of a widow as Elijah's provider makes a powerful statement about His compassionate care for the destitute and His ability to work through the seemingly weakest vessels, challenging conventional human wisdom.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully illustrates **Divine Provision and Guidance**, showcasing God's precise and timely direction for Elijah, leading him not just to a city but to a specific individual, a "widow woman," who would provide for him. This highlights the detailed nature of God's care, even in times of extreme scarcity and hardship, echoing themes of divine sustenance found throughout Scripture, such as in [Psalm 37:19](/psalms/37-19 "Psalm 37:19 - God Sustains the Righteous During Famine"). Another prominent theme is **Obedience to God's Word**, as Elijah's immediate action, "So he arose and went to Zarephath," exemplifies unwavering trust and compliance with the Lord's command, even when the instructions appear unconventional or challenging. Furthermore, the narrative emphasizes **God's Use of the Unexpected and Marginalized**, as it was highly unusual for a prophet of Israel to seek sustenance from a Gentile widow in a foreign land. This choice underscores God's power to work through the seemingly weak or insignificant, defying human expectations and challenging conventional wisdom about where and how God's power operates, a theme also seen in [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **widow (Hebrew, _ʼalmânâh'_):** From H490, this term specifically denotes a woman whose husband has died, leaving her in a state of extreme vulnerability in ancient patriarchal societies. Lacking a male protector and provider, widows were often without social or economic support, making them dependent on charity or divine intervention. God's deliberate choice of an "almânâh" to sustain Elijah highlights His profound compassion for the marginalized and His sovereign power to provide through the most unlikely channels, challenging human perceptions of strength and capability.
* **Fetch (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** From H3947, this primitive root means "to take" in a wide variety of applications, including to accept, bring, carry away, or receive. In Elijah's command to the widow, "Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water," the word implies a direct action of bringing something to him. This seemingly simple request is, in fact, a test of the widow's willingness to give from her scarcity, initiating a relationship of dependence and provision that will reveal God's miraculous power.
* **water (Hebrew, _mayim'_):** From H4325, this word refers to water, a fundamental necessity for life. In the context of a severe, divinely-imposed drought, water was incredibly scarce and precious. Elijah's request for "a little water" is not merely a polite inquiry but a profound test of the widow's faith and hospitality in a time of extreme deprivation. It sets the stage for the greater miracle of sustained provision, demonstrating God's ability to provide even the most basic necessities in the direst of circumstances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So he arose and went to Zarephath."**: This opening clause emphasizes Elijah's immediate and unwavering obedience to God's command given in the preceding verse. Despite the perilous journey to a foreign, pagan land and the unconventional nature of his destination, Elijah demonstrates complete trust in divine instruction, serving as a model of faith-filled action that is foundational to experiencing God's miraculous provision.
* **"And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman [was] there gathering of sticks:"**: The scene at the city gate is divinely orchestrated, highlighting God's meticulous providence. The gate was a public place, a hub of activity, yet God directs Elijah precisely to the designated person. The detail of her "gathering of sticks" immediately communicates her desperate situation, implying she was preparing for a final meager meal, thus setting the stage for the dramatic intervention of God's provision. The word "behold" (Hebrew, _hinneh_) draws immediate attention to the providential nature of this encounter.
* **"and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink."**: Elijah's initial request is simple yet profound, especially in a time of severe drought. Water was a basic necessity, and asking for it first tested the widow's willingness to give from her scarcity. This seemingly small request paves the way for the greater test of faith concerning food and establishes the relationship of dependence and provision that will characterize their interaction, initiating a series of events that would reveal God's miraculous power.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices that enrich its theological significance. **Irony** is profoundly present, as the prophet of Yahweh, who had called for the drought as a judgment against Baal worship, is now sent to a Gentile city in the heart of Baal's territory—Jezebel's homeland—to be sustained by a pagan widow. This subverts expectations and powerfully underscores Yahweh's universal sovereignty. **Foreshadowing** is evident in the widow's desperate act of "gathering of sticks," which immediately hints at her extreme poverty and the imminent need for a miraculous intervention, setting the stage for the subsequent miracle of the unfailing jar of flour and oil. The precise timing and location of the encounter, "at the gate of the city," demonstrate **Divine Providence**, highlighting God's meticulous orchestration of events to bring about His purposes. Furthermore, the stark **Contrast** between Elijah's divine authority and the widow's extreme vulnerability emphasizes God's power to work through the humble and overlooked, challenging human perceptions of strength and capability and magnifying His glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This encounter at the gate of Zarephath is a profound theological statement about God's universal sovereignty, His meticulous providence, and His compassionate care for the vulnerable, extending beyond the conventional boundaries of Israel. It demonstrates that God's power is not limited by human scarcity or geographical borders, but rather thrives in unexpected circumstances, often using the marginalized to accomplish His purposes. The narrative underscores the importance of radical obedience in the face of daunting instructions and the profound impact of even small acts of faith and hospitality. It reveals a God who sees the desperate plight of His creation and intervenes supernaturally, not only to sustain His prophet but also to reveal His glory to those who would otherwise be outside the covenant, embodying a principle of grace that transcends ethnic and religious divides.

* [Psalm 37:19](/psalms/37-19 "Psalm 37:19 - God Sustains the Righteous During Famine")
* [Luke 4:25-26](/luke/4-25 "Luke 4:25-26 - Jesus References Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene at the gate of Zarephath offers a powerful challenge to our modern understanding of divine provision and the nature of faith. In a world that often values self-reliance, visible resources, and predictable outcomes, Elijah's journey to a destitute widow in a foreign land reminds us that God's economy operates on radically different principles. We are called to cultivate a radical trust in God's specific guidance, even when His instructions seem counter-intuitive, illogical, or lead us to uncomfortable places. Just as Elijah obeyed and found God's supply in the most unexpected of places and through the most unlikely of people, we too must be willing to step out in faith, knowing that God has already made provisions for our needs, often in ways that defy our expectations and challenge our comfort zones. This story also compels us to re-evaluate our preconceptions about who God can use; the humble, the overlooked, and the marginalized are often precisely the vessels through whom God chooses to display His greatest power and glory, inviting us to see Christ in the least of these.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Elijah's immediate obedience to God's unconventional command challenge my own willingness to follow divine leading, especially when it seems illogical or difficult?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on my own resources or conventional wisdom, rather than trusting God for unexpected provision?**
* **How does God's deliberate choice of a vulnerable, Gentile widow in a foreign land expand my understanding of His universal care and His willingness to use anyone for His divine purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why did God send Elijah to a Gentile widow in Zarephath, outside of Israel, especially when there were many widows in Israel?**

Answer: God's decision to send Elijah to Zarephath, a city in Sidonian territory, was multifaceted and deeply significant. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrated God's universal sovereignty, proving that His power was not confined to Israel but extended even to the heart of Baal worship, Jezebel's homeland. This directly challenged the notion that Baal, the god of rain and fertility, had any power over the land. Secondly, it underscored God's prerogative to choose whom He wills, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, highlighting His profound compassion for the vulnerable and His ability to work through the marginalized. As Jesus himself later pointed out in [Luke 4:25-26](/luke/4-25 "Luke 4:25-26 - Jesus References Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath"), there were indeed many widows in Israel, but God chose this particular Gentile widow, illustrating a principle of divine election and grace that transcends national boundaries and foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.

**What is the significance of Elijah asking for water first, before food, given the severe famine?**

Answer: Elijah's initial request for "a little water in a vessel" is significant for several reasons, especially in a time of severe drought and famine. While food was scarce, water was an immediate and desperate necessity for survival, perhaps even more critical than food in the short term. By asking for water first, Elijah tested the widow's willingness to extend hospitality from her extreme scarcity. It was a seemingly simple request, yet in the context of the drought, it represented a significant act of generosity and self-sacrifice. This initial request also served as a subtle prelude to the greater request for bread, preparing the widow's heart for a more profound act of faith and setting the stage for the miraculous provision of the unfailing jar of flour and oil that would follow. It established a relationship of dependence and initiated the chain of events that would reveal God's miraculous power and faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Elijah's arrival at the gate of Zarephath and his initial request of the destitute widow finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus himself referenced this event in [Luke 4:25-26](/luke/4-25 "Luke 4:25-26 - Jesus References Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath"), highlighting God's sovereign prerogative to extend grace beyond the confines of Israel, thereby foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family through Christ. The widow's desperate state, gathering sticks for what she believed would be her last meal, powerfully foreshadows humanity's spiritual destitution and utter inability to save itself, awaiting divine intervention. Just as Elijah, sent by God, came to this vulnerable woman with a request that led to miraculous life and sustained provision, so too did Christ, the ultimate Prophet sent from God, come to a world spiritually impoverished and on the brink of eternal death. He made a "request" of humanity—to believe and follow Him—which, when met with faith, leads to an unfailing supply of spiritual life and eternal provision ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water")). The "smelting place" of Zarephath, where faith was refined through testing and miraculous provision, can be seen as a type of the refining work of the cross, where Christ's sacrifice provides ultimate sustenance and transforms those who were once far off into children of God ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Made Near by the Blood of Christ")). The divine initiative in sending Elijah to a specific, vulnerable individual mirrors God's ultimate initiative in sending His Son to seek and save the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost")), demonstrating that God's provision for humanity in Christ is both universal and deeply personal.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 4:7

There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

Genesis 24:17

And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

Genesis 21:15

And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

Hebrews 11:37

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

2 Corinthians 11:27

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.