1 Kings 17:16

[And] the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

And the barrel {H3537} of meal {H7058} wasted {H3615} not, neither did the cruse {H6835} of oil {H8081} fail {H2638}, according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, which he spake {H1696} by {H3027} Elijah {H452}.

The pot of meal did not get used up, nor did there fail to be oil in the jug, in fulfillment of the word of ADONAI spoken through Eliyahu.

The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah.

The jar of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spake by Elijah.

Commentary

1 Kings 17:16 records a remarkable fulfillment of divine promise during a severe famine in ancient Israel. This verse confirms the continuous miracle of provision for the prophet Elijah, the widow of Zarephath, and her son: "And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah." It highlights God's unwavering faithfulness and His ability to sustain His people even in the most desperate circumstances.

Context of the Miracle

This powerful event unfolds during a devastating drought and famine that Elijah had prophesied to King Ahab (1 Kings 17:1). After being miraculously fed by ravens at the brook Cherith, Elijah was directed by God to the Gentile city of Zarephath in Sidon. There, he encountered a destitute widow who was gathering sticks to prepare her very last meal for herself and her son, expecting to die afterward from starvation (1 Kings 17:12). Despite her dire circumstances, she demonstrated extraordinary faith by obeying Elijah's request to feed him first, trusting in the prophet's assurance that her barrel of meal and cruse of oil would not fail until the LORD sent rain (1 Kings 17:14). Verse 16 emphatically confirms the fulfillment of this divine promise, illustrating God's boundless power and faithfulness even to those outside the covenant nation of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine and Miraculous Provision: The verse is a powerful testament to God's ability to provide abundantly, even in times of extreme scarcity and famine. It demonstrates that His resources are limitless and His methods often defy human logic or natural limitations, ensuring sustenance for His chosen ones.
  • Faithfulness of God's Word: The phrase "according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah" is central to the verse's meaning. It underscores that God's promises are absolutely reliable and will be fulfilled precisely as spoken. This miracle serves as a profound illustration of the authority and truthfulness of God's prophetic word.
  • Reward for Obedience and Trust: The widow's act of faith, in sharing her last morsel of food, was met with sustained miraculous provision. Her obedience, despite overwhelming odds and personal hardship, became the very channel for God's blessing. This story is even referenced by Jesus to illustrate the nature of faith and God's sovereign choice in Luke 4:25-26.
  • God's Compassion Beyond Israel: The miracle occurs in Zarephath, a Gentile city in Sidon, demonstrating God's compassion and power extending beyond the covenant people of Israel. This foreshadows a broader scope of God's redemptive plan and care for all humanity.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 17:16 serves as a timeless and powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and His extraordinary capacity to provide for His children in every circumstance. It encourages us to:

  • Trust in God's Promises: Even when facing overwhelming challenges, scarcity, or seemingly impossible situations, we can rest in the assurance that God's word is true and His promises of provision will not fail.
  • Exercise Obedience and Generosity: Like the widow of Zarephath, our willingness to obey God's commands, even when it seems illogical or costly, can open the door for His miraculous intervention. Sharing what little we have, in faith, can lead to abundant blessings and demonstrate our reliance on Him.
  • Recognize God's Sovereignty: This verse affirms that God is in complete control, even over natural phenomena like famine, and He uses His servants to accomplish His divine will. It encourages us to look to Him as our ultimate source of sustenance and hope, knowing that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
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

  • Matthew 9:28

    And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

  • Matthew 9:30

    And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See [that] no man know [it].

  • John 4:50

    Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

  • John 4:51

    And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told [him], saying, Thy son liveth.

  • Luke 1:37

    For with God nothing shall be impossible.

  • 1 Kings 16:12

    Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,

  • 1 Kings 13:5

    The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.
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