1 Kings 17:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Arise {H6965}, get {H3212} thee to Zarephath {H6886}, which belongeth to Zidon {H6721}, and dwell {H3427} there: behold, I have commanded {H6680} a widow {H490} woman {H802} there to sustain {H3557} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Get up; go to Tzarfat, a village in Tzidon; and live there. I have ordered a widow there to provide for you."

Berean Standard Bible

“Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse marks a pivotal moment in Elijah's prophetic journey, as God sovereignly redirects him from the dried-up Brook Cherith to Zarephath, a town within the territory of Sidon. It profoundly reveals God's meticulous and unconventional provision for His prophet during a severe famine, demonstrating His absolute ability to command even the most unlikely individuals—a destitute widow in a foreign, pagan land—to fulfill His divine purposes of sustenance and care, thereby showcasing His boundless power, universal sovereignty, and often surprising methods.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This divine directive immediately follows the miraculous provision at the Brook Cherith, where Elijah was sustained by ravens and water, a period of hidden, isolated dependence on God. The command to "Arise, get thee to Zarephath" signifies a crucial transition from passive reception of provision to active obedience in a new, challenging environment. The broader narrative in [1 Kings 17](/1-kings/17 "1 Kings 17 - Elijah's Ministry and Miracles") establishes God's direct and active intervention in Elijah's life, from his bold prophecy of drought in [1 Kings 17:1](/1-kings/17-1 "1 Kings 17:1 - Elijah's Prophecy to Ahab") to his miraculous feeding by ravens in [1 Kings 17:6](/1-kings/17-6 "1 Kings 17:6 - Ravens Feed Elijah"). The redirection to Zarephath sets the stage for God's further miraculous demonstrations of provision through the multiplying flour and oil, and His power over death through the raising of the widow's son, further solidifying Yahweh's supremacy over Baal and His compassionate care for both prophet and the vulnerable.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The severe famine gripping Israel was a direct divine judgment against King Ahab and Queen Jezebel's pervasive idolatry, particularly their zealous promotion of Baal worship, the Canaanite storm and fertility god. Zarephath was located in Phoenicia, a region closely associated with Jezebel's homeland of Sidon. For Elijah, a zealous prophet of Yahweh, to be sent to a pagan land ruled by the very forces he opposed was a profound test of faith and a powerful statement about Yahweh's universal sovereignty, extending even over foreign territories and their inhabitants. Widows in ancient Near Eastern societies were often among the most vulnerable, lacking male protection and economic security, making God's choice of a destitute widow as a provider even more striking and counter-cultural, highlighting His concern for the marginalized and His ability to work through the seemingly powerless.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme is **Divine Providence**, showcasing God's active, detailed, and often unconventional involvement in sustaining His servants against all odds. This verse also highlights **Obedience and Trust**, as Elijah's immediate response to such an unusual and challenging command underscores the necessity of unwavering faith in God's unconventional methods and His specific instructions, even when they defy human logic. Furthermore, it powerfully illustrates **God's Universal Sovereignty**, demonstrating that His power and care extend beyond the geographical and religious boundaries of Israel, reaching even into a pagan land that was the epicenter of Baal worship. Lastly, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's Compassion for the Vulnerable**, as the divine provision for Elijah simultaneously brings miraculous sustenance to a destitute widow and her son, echoing the broader biblical concern for the marginalized found in passages like [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Love for the Stranger, Fatherless, and Widow") and [Psalm 68:5](/psalms/68-5 "Psalm 68:5 - God, Father of the Fatherless and Defender of Widows").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Get (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** This primitive root signifies "to walk" or "to go," often implying a journey or movement. In this imperative, it conveys a direct command for Elijah to physically relocate, emphasizing the active nature of his obedience. It's not merely a suggestion but a divine directive to set out on a new path, trusting God's leading.
* **Dwell (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** This word means "to sit down," "to remain," or "to inhabit." It indicates a settled presence, implying that Elijah is not merely passing through Zarephath but is to establish his residence there for an indefinite period. This command to "dwell" underscores the long-term nature of God's provision and the depth of trust required from Elijah in a foreign land.
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** This verb signifies a divine decree, an authoritative order, or an ordination. It implies that God's sovereign will is actively at work, not merely a suggestion or a hope. It suggests that the widow's actions would be divinely influenced or already part of God's pre-ordained plan, underscoring God's absolute control over circumstances and even human hearts.
* **Widow (Hebrew, _ʼalmânâh'_):** This term refers to a woman whose husband has died, often implying a state of vulnerability, destitution, and lack of protection in ancient patriarchal societies. God's specific mention of a "widow woman" highlights the counter-intuitive and miraculous nature of His provision, choosing the weak and dependent to sustain His powerful prophet, thereby magnifying His own strength and unconventional methods.
* **Sustain (Hebrew, _kûwl'_):** Meaning to nourish, provide for, or support. It encompasses not just physical food, but overall provision and maintenance. In the context of a severe famine, this word carries immense weight, promising comprehensive care and preservation in a time of widespread scarcity, ensuring Elijah's well-being despite the dire circumstances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which [belongeth] to Zidon, and dwell there":** This opening imperative is a direct, urgent command from God, signaling an immediate and significant change in Elijah's location and mode of living. The destination, Zarephath, being part of Sidon, is highly significant as it places Elijah in the very heartland of Baal worship, challenging his comfort zone and highlighting God's sovereignty over all territories, even those hostile to Him. The command to "dwell there" implies a sustained period of residence, not just a temporary visit, requiring deep trust from Elijah.
* **"behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee":** The word "behold" (Hebrew, _hinneh_) draws immediate attention to the miraculous and unexpected nature of God's provision. The choice of a "widow woman" is profoundly counter-intuitive; widows were typically dependent and vulnerable, not providers, especially during a famine. The emphatic phrase "I have commanded" underscores God's absolute authority and pre-arrangement, indicating that this seemingly powerless individual would be God's divinely appointed and empowered agent of sustenance, demonstrating His ability to work through the most unlikely means.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs profound **Irony**, as God chooses a destitute widow in a pagan land, a symbol of vulnerability and dependence, to sustain His prophet, thus defying conventional expectations of provision. This highlights God's ability to work through the weak and unexpected to demonstrate His strength and sovereignty. There is also clear **Divine Command**, emphasizing God's direct, authoritative, and non-negotiable instruction to Elijah, which serves as a profound test of faith and obedience to an unconventional directive. The phrase "behold, I have commanded" functions as a powerful **Divine Assurance**, providing Elijah with confidence in the seemingly impossible task by revealing God's prior orchestration. The narrative structure, moving from the isolated Brook Cherith to the foreign town of Zarephath, also demonstrates **Progression**, showing God's continuous, adaptive, and increasingly public care for His servant, leading him to new revelations of divine power and universal reach.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's sovereign and unconventional providence, revealing His capacity to orchestrate sustenance through the most unlikely channels. It challenges human logic and trust in conventional resources, compelling believers to rely solely on God's word and command, even when the means seem impossible. The divine choice of a vulnerable widow in a pagan land underscores God's universal reach and His compassion for the marginalized, demonstrating that His plans often involve mutual blessing—the prophet is sustained, and the widow's household experiences a miracle. This act of provision is not merely physical but also serves to validate Elijah's prophetic ministry and Yahweh's supremacy over Baal, even in the heart of Baal's territory, showcasing His power to provide where false gods cannot.
* [Luke 4:25-26](/luke/4-25-26 "Luke 4:25-26 - Jesus References Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")
* [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry About Your Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 17:9 serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and ingenious provision, even in the direst circumstances. It calls us to cultivate a radical trust in God's ability to meet our needs, not necessarily according to our expectations or through conventional means, but always according to His perfect and often surprising plan. When faced with our own "dried-up brooks"—moments of scarcity, uncertainty, or seemingly insurmountable challenges—this verse encourages us to listen for God's specific commands, however counter-intuitive or uncomfortable they may seem. Our obedience, even when the path is unclear, becomes the conduit for God's miraculous intervention and revelation. It reminds us that God often uses the weak, the overlooked, and the unexpected to display His glory, challenging us to look beyond human limitations and embrace His boundless creativity in provision and purpose. It compels us to ask: Are we truly open to God's unconventional methods, or do we limit Him by our own understanding of what is possible?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge your preconceived notions about how God provides, particularly in times of scarcity or when resources seem nonexistent?**
* **In what "Zarephath"—a seemingly illogical, uncomfortable, or even hostile place—might God be calling you to step out in faith and trust His unconventional leading?**
* **What "widow woman" or unexpected source might God be using or preparing to use in your life, or through you for His broader purposes, and how can you be more attentive to such divine appointments?**

### FAQ
**Why did God send Elijah to Zarephath, a town outside Israel and in a pagan land?**

Answer: God sent Elijah to Zarephath for several profound reasons, primarily demonstrating His universal sovereignty. Yahweh's power was not confined to Israel but extended even to the heartland of Baal worship in Phoenicia, directly challenging the false god's perceived dominion over weather and fertility. This move served as a powerful rebuke to King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, showing that while their own land suffered under divine judgment due to their idolatry, God could sustain His prophet even among their pagan kin. Furthermore, it highlighted God's unconventional methods of provision, using a vulnerable widow to underscore His ability to work through the weak and unexpected to display His strength. Finally, it allowed for the miraculous provision of flour and oil and the raising of the widow's son, further validating Elijah's prophetic ministry and Yahweh's supremacy over Baal, as the widow herself acknowledges in [1 Kings 17:24](/1-kings/17-24 "1 Kings 17:24 - The Widow's Confession of God's Word").

**What is the significance of God "commanding" a widow to sustain Elijah?**

Answer: The word "commanded" (Hebrew, _tsâvâh_) indicates a divine decree or authoritative ordination, not a mere suggestion or hope. This signifies God's absolute control and pre-arrangement of circumstances. It implies that the widow's willingness to provide, despite her own dire poverty and the logical impossibility of such an act, was divinely influenced or part of God's sovereign plan. This highlights God's power to move human hearts and orchestrate events to fulfill His purposes, even through seemingly impossible means, as detailed in [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart is in the Hand of the Lord"), which states that "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes." It underscores that God's resources are not limited by human limitations or conventional wisdom, and He often chooses the most unlikely vessels to demonstrate His glory and provide for His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Elijah's provision at Zarephath, particularly God's command to a destitute widow in a foreign land, profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God provided for His prophet through an unexpected, vulnerable source, so too did God choose a humble, unexpected path for the salvation of humanity—the incarnation of His Son, Jesus, born in obscurity and ministering primarily to the marginalized. Jesus himself referenced this event in [Luke 4:25-26](/luke/4-25-26 "Luke 4:25-26 - Jesus References Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath"), highlighting God's sovereign choice to extend grace beyond Israel's borders, a theme central to the New Covenant and the global mission of the church. Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of divine provision; He is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") who spiritually sustains us, and His sacrifice on the cross, the ultimate act of self-giving, provides for our deepest need, eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Moreover, just as the widow's meager resources were supernaturally multiplied, Christ's boundless grace and power are more than sufficient to meet every need, transforming scarcity into abundance and death into life, as demonstrated in His feeding of the multitudes ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand")) and His triumph over the grave, offering resurrection life to all who believe ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). In Christ, God's unconventional provision reaches its zenith, offering spiritual sustenance and eternal hope to all who trust in Him, regardless of their background or perceived unworthiness.

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

Luke 4:26

But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, [a city] of Sidon, unto a woman [that was] a widow.

Obadiah 1:20

And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel [shall possess] that of the Canaanites, [even] unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which [is] in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.

1 Kings 17:4

And it shall be, [that] thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Matthew 15:21

¶ Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

Matthew 15:22

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Romans 4:17

¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.