1 Kings 17:8-24
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- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- IV.21s, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
- II.LVII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
- Concerning Works and Almsgiving -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 254)
- Chapter XIV, Historia Calamitatusm: The Story of My Misfortunes, Pierre Abélard / Peter Abelard, c. 1140.
- Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- "As the troubles of the saints of God are many, so his mercy is always at hand to deliver them."
- From
Matthew Henry's
Commentary.
- "One poor meal's meat this poor widow gave the prophet; in recompence of it, she and her son did eat above two years, in a time of famine. To have food from God's special favour, and in such good company as Elijah, made it more than doubly sweet. It is promised to those who trust in God, that they shall not be ashamed in evil time; in days of famine they shall be satisfied."
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
- "And God's providing for his prophet, first, by an unclean bird, and then by a Gentile, whom the Jews esteemed unclean, was a presage of the calling of the Gentiles, and rejection of the Jews."
- From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "Meeting, at his entrance into the town, the very woman who was appointed by divine providence to support him, his faith was severely tested by learning from her that her supplies were exhausted and that she was preparing her last meal for herself and son. The Spirit of God having prompted him to ask, and her to grant, some necessary succor, she received a prophet's reward (Mt 10:41, 42), and for the one meal afforded to him, God, by a miraculous increase of the little stock, afforded many to her."
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
-
Courageous Compassion, commentary by Kate Huey at SAMUEL, i.ucc.org: Sermon
Seeds, lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, bulletin back page.
- "A reading like this one, in the midst of drought and famine, thirst and hunger, poverty and despair, provokes reflection on the phrase, "desperate hope," for desperation, or despair, paradoxically, suggests hope-less-ness. However, at the worst possible moments, hope can still persist deep within our hearts, no matter what God or god we have been raised to worship, and taught to place our faith in."
-
- "The wheels almost come off the wagon of the bold narrative known as the Elijah cycle, when the boy dies unexpectedly."
-
Surprising Abundance, Bruce Epperly, Faith Forward, Patheos,
2010.
- "The encounter between Elijah and widow is an inspiration and a challenge for today?s moderate and progressive churches and institutions: an inspiration to explore today?s perceived 'impossibilities' in light of divine wisdom and to trust God enough to generously share with others, knowing that generosity connects us with the energy of the universe and the wisdom of God, which will provide for our deepest needs."
- 1 Kings 17:8-24, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
-
I Kings 17:8-16 (17-24),
Pentecost 2, The Old Testament Readings: Weekly
Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne,
Australia.
- "The woman, like the prophet she feeds, will be supported by the Lord..."
- "The Miracle of the Jars," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
-
"Elijah Raising the Widow's Son," Old Testament Analysis,
Sermons from
Seattle,
Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle,
Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
- "It is important to know who is an authentic man/woman of God and that the Word of the Lord is TRULY being spoken."
-
- "Isn't it intriguing that with a goose that lays golden eggs, we are still fearful and ready to blame G*D for not being only a positive force in our life. Here the widow still had her unending supply (good) but loses her son (bad) and that the latter is seen as G*D's judgment, not the former."
-
- "Just as surprising as the widow of Zarephath's intervention in the life of Elijah would have been, so we may find ourselves surprised and blessed by those whom we would least expect to serve as our source of survival."
-
-
- "The stories of Elisha and Elijah and Jesus suggest that radical change requires passion and compassion for our political and personal and religious enemies. Compassion isn?t formulaic or predictable or tidy or even rational?yet it is perhaps the only thing that can save us."
-
"The Widow of Zeraphath," Michael Hudson, Homily Blog, 2009.
- "What constitutes a tipping point between self-protection and generosity?"
-
"The Widow's Hand," Heidi Neumark, The Christian Century, 2000.
- "Here is a woman about to die with her child, a mother unable to feed her little boy, who still manages to love her neighbor as herself."
-
"Understanding
Faith and Miracle," Pheme Perkins, The Christian Century,
1989. At Religion Online.
- "The Scriptures have always used the widow and orphan as symbols of society?s most vulnerable and defenseless people. Both justice and compassion require that Christian churches make the gospel a real word of good news by reaching out to such people. In that sense, the miracle is a challenge to the faith of all Christians. We must make the compassion of God visible by providing for the needs of those who are suffering."
-
"Elijah's
Truth," Expository Essay,
1 Kings 17:17-24, Dr. William R. Long.
- "A close and sympathetic study of this chapter of the Elijah narrative encourages us to look at the ways where we are hesitant to depend fully on God for all things in life."
- "Testings
and Ministry at Zaraphath (1 Kings 17:8-16)," by J. Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "When you and I measure what God is doing, we tend to measure it by what we see and think according to the natural man. We tend to measure God?s supply, or our confidence and hope in God?s supply, by what we see. When we do this, we are walking by sight rather than by faith. The question we need to ask ourselves is: ?Do I tend to look at human conditions as a basis for my confidence or do I see through them to the Savior??"
-
Courageous Compassion, commentary by Kate Huey at SAMUEL, i.ucc.org: Sermon
Seeds, lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, bulletin back page.
- Articles & Background:
-
"Vier
Gestalten einer Totenerweckungserzählung (1 Kön 17,17-24; 2 Kön 4,8-37; Apg 9,36-42;
Apg 20,7-12)," H.-J. Stipp, Biblica 80 (1999).
Abstract (in English).
- "The four successive versions of the story of the raising from the dead in 2 Kgs 4,8-37; 1 Kgs 17,17-24; Acts 9,36-42 and Acts 20,7-12 are very differently constructed narratives, tailored to diverse aims."
- "When the King Crosses the Line: Royal Deviance and Restitution in Levantine Ideologies," by K.C. Hanson, in Biblical Theology Bulletin 26 (1996).
-
"Vier
Gestalten einer Totenerweckungserzählung (1 Kön 17,17-24; 2 Kön 4,8-37; Apg 9,36-42;
Apg 20,7-12)," H.-J. Stipp, Biblica 80 (1999).
Abstract (in English).
-
Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
- Cohn, Robert L.,
"The Literary Logic of 1 Kings 17-19," Journal of Biblical Literature,
1982.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - DePuy, Norman R.,
"Rooted Elsewhere," The Christian Century, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Dyrness, William,
"Two Widows as Role Models," The Christian Century, 1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Evans, Craig A., "Luke's Use of the
Elijah/Elisha Narratives and the Ethic of Election," Journal of
Biblical Literature, 1987.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Glover, Neil,
"Elijah versus the Narrative of Elijah: The Contest between the Prophet and
the Word," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Gomes, Peter J.,
"Veterans and Stewards," The Christian Century, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Lasine, Stuart,
"Matters of Life and Death: The Story of Elijah and the Widow's Son in
Comparative Perspective," Biblical Interpretation, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Neumark, Heidi,
"The Widow's Hand," The Christian Century, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Otto, Susanne, "The Composition of
the Elijah-Elisha Stories and the Deuteronomistic History," Journal
for the Study of the Old Testament, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Parzen, Herbert, "The Prophets and
the Omri Dynasty," Harvard Theological Review, 1940.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Perkins, Pheme,
"Understanding Faith and Miracle," The Christian Century, 1989.
(1 Kings 17:17-24)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Peter, David, "Homiletical
Helps on LW Series C - Old Testament," Concordia Journal, 2007.
(Section on this text begins on p. 196)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Cohn, Robert L.,
"The Literary Logic of 1 Kings 17-19," Journal of Biblical Literature,
1982.
- Reviews:
- Sermons:
- "Turning Points," the Rev. Dr. Stephen Hayner, Day 1, 2010.
- Sample Sermon by Kate Huey at SAMUEL, i.ucc.org: Sermon Seeds, lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, bulletin back page.
- "Hard Decisions?" Rev. Frank Schaefer, DesperatePreacher.com.
- "Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath," Dr. Clive Calver, President of World Relief in Wheaton, Illinois, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1998.
- With Children:
-
"Elijah," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons),
coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "Elijah," "Elijah (Part 2)," "Elijah (Part 3)," Linda Edwards, The Children's Chapel.
- "All I Have Is a Little Olive Oil," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "The Ravens Bring Food to Elijah," "Elijah Helps a Poor Widow," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
-
"Elijah," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons),
coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- Drama:
- "Elijah and the Raven," John Fewings, dramatix.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
- Clip Art: Elijah, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
- Elijah and Ravens, Clip Art, Anglican Diocese of Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Hymns and Music:
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: 1 Kings 17:16. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of 1 Kin
