1 Kings 17:23

And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

And Elijah {H452} took {H3947} the child {H3206}, and brought him down {H3381} out of the chamber {H5944} into the house {H1004}, and delivered {H5414} him unto his mother {H517}: and Elijah {H452} said {H559}, See {H7200}, thy son {H1121} liveth {H2416}.

Eliyahu took the child, brought him down from the upstairs room into the house and gave him to his mother; and Eliyahu said, "See? Your son is alive."

Then Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. β€œLook, your son is alive,” Elijah declared.

And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother; and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

Commentary

1 Kings 17:23 describes the dramatic moment when the prophet Elijah returns the miraculously resurrected son to his grateful mother, the widow of Zarephath. This verse marks the powerful climax of a profound divine intervention, solidifying the truth of God's word through His prophet.

Context

This pivotal event unfolds during a severe famine that grips Israel, a judgment sent by God through Elijah due to the nation's widespread idolatry under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah himself was sustained by God's miraculous provision of flour and oil at the home of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:16). When the widow's son fell gravely ill and died, she confronted Elijah, believing his presence brought judgment upon her sins (1 Kings 17:18). Elijah, demonstrating deep compassion and faith, took the dead child to his chamber, cried out to the Lord, and stretched himself upon the boy three times, pleading for his life to return (1 Kings 17:21). God heard Elijah's fervent prayer, restoring the child's life, leading directly to the joyous scene described in verse 23.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Sovereign Power Over Death: This narrative showcases God's ultimate authority over life and death, even in the Old Testament. It is one of the earliest recorded instances of a resurrection in the Bible, demonstrating God's ability to reverse the natural order and bring life from the grave.
  • The Efficacy of Earnest Prayer: Elijah's passionate and persistent prayer to the Lord was answered, demonstrating that God responds to the cries of His faithful servants, especially when interceding for others in desperate situations.
  • Divine Validation of the Prophet: The resurrection served as undeniable proof that Elijah was indeed a true prophet of God, and that "the word of the LORD in [his] mouth is truth" (1 Kings 17:24). This miracle confirmed his divine commission to both the widow and, implicitly, to a nation steeped in idolatry.
  • God's Compassion and Restoration: Beyond validating Elijah, this act highlights God's profound compassion for the suffering widow, restoring her joy and hope in a time of deep personal grief and loss.

Linguistic Insights

The declaration "thy son liveth" translates the Hebrew word Χ—Φ·Χ™ (chai), which unequivocally means "alive" or "living." It emphasizes a full and complete restoration of life, not merely a recovery from illness. This powerful, direct statement confirms that the boy had truly died and was brought back to life by divine power, a clear miracle of resurrection.

Practical Application

The account in 1 Kings 17:23 offers enduring lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is capable of bringing life out of seemingly hopeless situations, even death itself. It underscores the power of earnest prayer and intercession, encouraging us to bring our desperate pleas before the Lord, knowing He hears and answers. Furthermore, it reassures us that God remains faithful to His word and His promises, often confirming them through extraordinary acts that reveal His glory and compassion. Just as the widow's faith was confirmed through this miracle, we too can find our trust in God strengthened by His demonstrated power and faithfulness in our own lives.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:36

    And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

  • 2 Kings 4:37

    Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

  • Acts 9:41

    And he gave her [his] hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

  • Luke 7:15

    And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

  • Hebrews 11:35

    Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
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