1 Kings 17:11

And as she was going to fetch [it], he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

And as she was going {H3212} to fetch {H3947} it, he called {H7121} to her, and said {H559}, Bring {H3947} me, I pray thee, a morsel {H6595} of bread {H3899} in thine hand {H3027}.

As she was going to get it, he called after her, "Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand."

And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”

And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand.

Commentary

In 1 Kings 17:11, the prophet Elijah, under divine instruction during a severe famine, makes a profound and challenging request to the widow of Zarephath. After previously asking for water, he now escalates his plea, asking for a "morsel of bread" from a woman who, as revealed in the preceding verse, is on the brink of starvation herself.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of a devastating drought and famine that had gripped Israel, a judgment prophesied by Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1. God had sent Elijah to the Gentile city of Zarephath, where He had commanded a widow to sustain him. When Elijah first encounters her, she is gathering sticks, preparing what she believes will be the last meal for herself and her son before they die (1 Kings 17:12). Elijah's initial request for water (1 Kings 17:10) is followed immediately by this seemingly audacious demand for food, directly challenging her expressed despair and limited resources.

Key Themes

  • The Test of Faith: Elijah's request for bread serves as a critical test of the widow's faith. It demands that she look beyond her dire circumstances and trust in the word of the prophet, and by extension, in God's ability to provide. This is a recurring theme in biblical narratives where God often asks for the seemingly impossible.
  • Divine Authority and Providence: Elijah speaks with the authority of God. His request isn't based on human need alone, but on a divine plan to demonstrate God's power to sustain His servants, even through unconventional means. It foreshadows the miraculous provision that follows.
  • Radical Obedience: While the widow's initial response (in 1 Kings 17:12) is one of despair, Elijah's persistence sets the stage for her remarkable act of obedience, which ultimately leads to a continuous supply of food (1 Kings 17:13-16).

Significance and Application

This simple request for "a morsel of bread" holds profound lessons for believers today. It illustrates that God often calls us to give or act out of our perceived lack, rather than our abundance, to demonstrate His power and trustworthiness. The story encourages us to:

  • Trust God's Provision: Even when resources are scarce and the future looks bleak, God can provide beyond our natural understanding.
  • Practice Obedience: Giving, even when it feels like we have nothing left, can open the door to divine blessing and miracles.
  • Recognize Divine Appointments: Sometimes, God places us in challenging situations not just for our benefit, but so that we can be a channel of blessing or witness to His power for others, or vice versa. This event is even referenced by Jesus in Luke 4:25-26 as an example of God's sovereign choice and miraculous intervention.

The seemingly small request was, in fact, a pivotal moment that revealed the character of God and the power of faith in dire circumstances.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 17:9

    Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which [belongeth] to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

  • Genesis 24:18

    And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

  • Genesis 24:19

    And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw [water] for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

  • Hebrews 13:2

    Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

  • Matthew 10:42

    And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold [water] only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

  • Genesis 18:5

    And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

  • 1 Kings 18:4

    For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
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