1 Kings 17 10

1 Kings 17:10 kjv

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

1 Kings 17:10 nkjv

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink."

1 Kings 17:10 niv

So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"

1 Kings 17:10 esv

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink."

1 Kings 17:10 nlt

So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, "Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?"

1 Kings 17 verses

1 Kings 17 10 Meaning

1 Kings 17:10 describes Elijah's immediate obedience to God's command to travel from the brook Cherith to Zarephath. Upon arrival at the city gate, he providentially finds the designated widow, who is engaged in the seemingly desperate act of gathering sticks, indicating her profound poverty and the dire famine conditions. This verse sets the stage for God's miraculous provision through a vulnerable individual in pagan territory.

1 Kings 17 10 Context

1 Kings chapter 17 introduces Elijah the Tishbite and the severe drought proclaimed by him, at God's word, as judgment on idolatrous Israel under King Ahab and Jezebel, who promoted Baal worship. Following this declaration, God miraculously sustained Elijah by the brook Cherith, where ravens brought him food. However, as the drought worsened, the brook dried up. Verse 10 comes as a divine directive for Elijah to leave Cherith and proceed to Zarephath in Sidon, outside Israelite territory. The city, being in the region of Jezebel's homeland, was deeply immersed in Baal worship. This move underscores God's sovereign control over nature and His ability to provide even in the heart of paganism, demonstrating His superiority over Baal, who was supposedly the god of rain and fertility.

1 Kings 17 10 Word analysis

• So he arose (וַיָּקָם - wayyāqom): From the verb qum, meaning "to stand up, arise." It often denotes promptness and decisive action. It signifies an immediate response to God's previous command (v. 9), emphasizing Elijah's complete and swift obedience without hesitation or complaint, contrasting with others who might falter in difficult times.
• and went (וַיֵּלֶךְ - wayyēleḵ): From halakh, meaning "to walk, go." Coupled with "arose," it illustrates the execution of the divine instruction, a journey by faith into the unknown, leaving behind a familiar place of provision.
• to Zarephath (צָרְפַתָה - Ṣārᵊpaṯāh): A town on the Phoenician coast, near Sidon, modern-day Sarafand in Lebanon. Its name possibly means "smelting place" or "refinery," suggesting a place of trial or purification. It was explicitly Gentile territory, controlled by King Ethbaal, Jezebel's father. God sending Elijah here for sustenance dramatically showcases His sovereignty beyond Israel's borders and directly challenges Baal's assumed domain.
• And when he came (וַיָּבֹא - wayyābō’): From bo’, meaning "to come, enter, arrive." Indicates his successful completion of the journey as divinely instructed, signaling divine orchestration of his path.
• to the gate (אֶל־שַׁעַר - ʾel-šaʿar): The city gate was not just an entrance but a bustling public space for commerce, social gatherings, legal proceedings, and meeting points. This indicates a public encounter, yet specifically chosen by God.
• of the city (הָעִיר - hāʿîr): Generic term for "the city," confirming the location.
• behold (וְהִנֵּה - wəhinnēh): An interjection signaling discovery or surprise, often highlighting divine presence or a divinely arranged encounter. It emphasizes that Elijah immediately found what God said he would find, confirming God's accurate prediction and guidance. It underlines the precise timing of the meeting.
• a widow (אִשָּׁה אַלְמָנָה - ʾiššâ ʾalmānâ): "A woman, a widow." Widows in ancient societies were particularly vulnerable, without male protectors, often economically destitute. This highlights God's choice of a weak and seemingly incapable vessel through whom He would manifest His power and provision, further contrasting with the might of rulers and false gods.
• was there (שָׁם - šām): Simply "there." Points to her precise location at the designated meeting point, reinforcing the perfect divine timing and arrangement.
• gathering sticks (מְקַשֶּׁשֶׁת עֵצִים - məqaššəšat ʿēṣîm): qašash means "to collect, glean." The act itself denotes extreme poverty and desperation. In this context, it wasn't just for a fire; it was for a final meal before expecting to die, underscoring the severity of the famine and the dire circumstances of the widow, setting up the magnitude of the coming miracle.

1 Kings 17 10 Bonus section

The choice of Zarephath, a "smelting place," can be seen symbolically as a location where faith is refined and tested, both for Elijah and the widow. It's a testament to God's pervasive power, showing His control extends far beyond the borders of Israel and into the very heartland of the opposing false deities. The immediate sighting of the widow "gathering sticks" emphasizes divine synchronicity, leaving no room for coincidence. This highlights that when God sends, He also provides the means and encounters necessary to fulfill His purpose, regardless of the apparent impossibility of the situation or the status of the instruments He uses.

1 Kings 17 10 Commentary

1 Kings 17:10 unveils a powerful demonstration of divine sovereignty and prophetic obedience. Elijah's prompt compliance with God's word, traveling to Zarephath, a pagan stronghold, exemplifies faith despite difficult circumstances. God's specific instructions, down to identifying a widow gathering sticks at the city gate, underscore His meticulous providence and ability to work through unlikely channels—a destitute Gentile woman, in the heart of Baal-worshipping territory. This verse perfectly sets the scene for God to showcase His ultimate authority over nature and life, proving He, not Baal, controls rain and sustenance, and establishing His unfailing care for His faithful servants and the vulnerable. This event also prophetically hints at the future inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.