1 kings 17:9 - “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.”
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What does "1 kings 17:9" mean?
This verse, 1 Kings 17:9, is a key moment in the story of the prophet Elijah during a severe drought in Israel. Let's break down its meaning:
"Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon...": God is instructing Elijah to leave the current location, which is not explicitly stated in the immediately preceding verses, but is implied to be somewhere near the brook Cherith where he was being fed by ravens. Zarephath is a city in Phoenicia, near Sidon. This is significant because Sidon was a pagan region, the homeland of Jezebel, the wicked queen of Israel who persecuted prophets of God. God is sending Elijah to a potentially hostile territory.
"...and stay there.": This is a command for Elijah to make Zarephath his temporary home. He is to remain there until further instruction. This suggests a period of reliance and dependence on God in a foreign land.
"Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.": This is the crucial part. God reveals that he has already arranged for a widow in Zarephath to provide for Elijah's needs. Note that:
"Commanded": While the Bible doesn't explicitly detail how God commanded the widow, it suggests a pre-ordained plan. It implies that God has already prepared her heart and circumstances to receive Elijah. This could be through a dream, a prompting, or some other form of divine communication not mentioned in the text.
"Widow": This is a striking detail. Widows in ancient Israel (and often still are) were among the most vulnerable and impoverished members of society. They typically relied on the charity of others or the support of their families to survive. God choosing a widow, someone in a precarious position, to care for his prophet highlights the extraordinary nature of his provision. It underscores that God's power and resources are not limited by human limitations or worldly wealth.
"To sustain you": God promises that this widow will provide for Elijah's needs, likely food and shelter. This implies that Elijah's survival will be entirely dependent on God's intervention through this unlikely source.
In summary, the verse signifies:
God's Direction and Providence: God directs Elijah to a specific location, demonstrating his control over circumstances. He has a plan in place.
Unlikely Source of Provision: God chooses a poor widow in a foreign land, an unconventional choice highlighting his power to provide from unexpected sources.
Trust and Obedience: Elijah must trust God's guidance and obey even when it seems illogical or dangerous.
God's Sovereignty: God has already orchestrated the situation, demonstrating his sovereignty over human affairs and the natural world (since the drought is causing famine).
A Test of Faith: For both Elijah and the widow, this encounter becomes a test of their faith in God's ability to provide even in the face of extreme scarcity.
This verse sets the stage for the remarkable encounter between Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, a story that illustrates God's faithfulness, power, and compassion.
1 kings 17:9 - “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.”
What does "1 kings 17:9" mean?
This verse, 1 Kings 17:9, is a key moment in the story of the prophet Elijah during a severe drought in Israel. Let's break down its meaning:
"Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon...": God is instructing Elijah to leave the current location, which is not explicitly stated in the immediately preceding verses, but is implied to be somewhere near the brook Cherith where he was being fed by ravens. Zarephath is a city in Phoenicia, near Sidon. This is significant because Sidon was a pagan region, the homeland of Jezebel, the wicked queen of Israel who persecuted prophets of God. God is sending Elijah to a potentially hostile territory.
"...and stay there.": This is a command for Elijah to make Zarephath his temporary home. He is to remain there until further instruction. This suggests a period of reliance and dependence on God in a foreign land.
"Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you.": This is the crucial part. God reveals that he has already arranged for a widow in Zarephath to provide for Elijah's needs. Note that:
"Commanded": While the Bible doesn't explicitly detail how God commanded the widow, it suggests a pre-ordained plan. It implies that God has already prepared her heart and circumstances to receive Elijah. This could be through a dream, a prompting, or some other form of divine communication not mentioned in the text.
"Widow": This is a striking detail. Widows in ancient Israel (and often still are) were among the most vulnerable and impoverished members of society. They typically relied on the charity of others or the support of their families to survive. God choosing a widow, someone in a precarious position, to care for his prophet highlights the extraordinary nature of his provision. It underscores that God's power and resources are not limited by human limitations or worldly wealth.
"To sustain you": God promises that this widow will provide for Elijah's needs, likely food and shelter. This implies that Elijah's survival will be entirely dependent on God's intervention through this unlikely source.
In summary, the verse signifies:
God's Direction and Providence: God directs Elijah to a specific location, demonstrating his control over circumstances. He has a plan in place.
Unlikely Source of Provision: God chooses a poor widow in a foreign land, an unconventional choice highlighting his power to provide from unexpected sources.
Trust and Obedience: Elijah must trust God's guidance and obey even when it seems illogical or dangerous.
God's Sovereignty: God has already orchestrated the situation, demonstrating his sovereignty over human affairs and the natural world (since the drought is causing famine).
A Test of Faith: For both Elijah and the widow, this encounter becomes a test of their faith in God's ability to provide even in the face of extreme scarcity.
This verse sets the stage for the remarkable encounter between Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, a story that illustrates God's faithfulness, power, and compassion.