1 Kings 17:1-24

Elijah is Fed by Ravens, and Raises the Widow's Son. Elijah appeared suddenly: we hear nothing of his birth or parentage. He simply announced to Ahab, in the name of Yahweh, before whom I stand (cf. Jeremiah 35:19), that there should be no rain for three years. Elijah is described as one of the sojourners of Gilead. Probably the LXX is correct in saying that he came from Tishbe (mg.), said to be in Gilead to distinguish it from another Tishbe in Galilee (Tob_1:2). He then retired (1 Kings 17:3) to the brook Cherith, E. of Jordan, where he was fed by ravens. In the valley of the Jordan was the rock of Oreb the raven (Judges 7:25; Isaiah 10:26), and this may have suggested the legend. By Divine guidance he next went into the heart of the country whose worship he denounced namely, Zidon (1 Kings 17:9). At Zarephath (Sarepta, LXX and Luke 4:26) he was received by a widow whose oil and wheat he miraculously multiplied and raised her son (1 Kings 17:17). Josephus (Ant. viii. 133) says the child only appeared to be dead. Elijah raised him in the same way as Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite (2 Kings 4:34). and Paul Eutychus (Acts 20:10).