1Ki 17:17-24 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Kgs 17:17-24: 17:17-24 This narrative begins with the woman’s doubts about Elijah (17:17-18 ) and ends with her acknowledging the authority of God’s word as spoken by Elijah (17:24 ). Ironically, this Gentile widow affirmed God’s miraculous power when God’s own people, Israel, had forgotten his mighty works. 17:17 he died: All attempts to explain away the subsequent miracle fly in the face of the plain statement.

Summary for 1Kgs 17:17-24: 17:17-24 ^a This narrative begins with the woman’s doubts about Elijah (17:17-18 ^b) and ends with her acknowledging the authority of God’s word as spoken by Elijah (17:24 ^c). Ironically, this Gentile widow affirmed God’s miraculous power when God’s own people, Israel, had forgotten his mighty works. 17:17 ^d he died: All attempts to explain away the subsequent miracle fly in the face of the plain statement.
17:18 ^e my sins: The widow held to the common idea that suffering and misfortune are always the result of personal sin (see Job 4:7 ^f; Luke 13:1-4 ^g; John 9:1-3 ^h).
17:19 ⁱ Following ancient Near Eastern custom, Elijah’s quarters were probably situated in a separate room accessed by an outside stairway. This arrangement maintained the woman’s reputation and offered Elijah a measure of privacy.
17:20 ^j why have you brought tragedy: Elijah plaintively expressed to God the fear that his presence caused the child’s death.
17:21 ^k While it is unclear what life-giving power Elijah was trying to convey by his physical contact with the deceased boy, it is clear that his confidence was in the Lord. Elisha later performed a similar physical ritual when the Lord restored the dead son of the woman from Shunem (2 Kgs 4:32-37 ^l).
Summary for 1Kgs 17:22-24: 17:22-24 ^m The miracle of the child’s raising rewarded the faith of Elijah and confirmed the mother’s initial confidence in God’s prophet. Her testimony may indicate that she put her faith in the Lord. Jesus cited her as an example of God’s concern for non-Israelites and as an indication that God’s messengers are often more easily received by others than by their own countrymen (Luke 4:24-26 ⁿ). The Scriptures repeatedly mention God’s care of widows as illustrating his care for needy people (Exod 22:21 ^o; Deut 10:18 ^p; 27:19 ^q; Ps 68:5 ^r; Isa 1:17 ^s; Jas 1:27 ^t).