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First Kings 17 opens with a rapid series of events. After an abrupt introduction to Elijah, the prophet confronts King Ahab with promises of drought. Then, already in verse 5, Elijah follows the Lord’s directions and flees east of the Jordan to a brook for food and drink. By verse 7 the brook has dried out, and Elijah finds himself on the move yet again. What an abrupt and rapid succession of events in Elijah’s introduction.
Then the plotline slows down as Elijah enters Zarephath. The text turns to focus on a widow and her son throughout the rest of the chapter. But why? Why would we speed past the king and land of Israel in seven verses and then slow down to focus on a widow in Zarephath for seventeen verses? The plotline’s pause in Zarephath helps to focus on three clear points. First, Elijah delivers the outsider in need. Second, Elijah’s departure points to judgment on the people of Israel. Finally, we see the power of the resurrection in the concluding miracle (1 Kings 17:17–24).
When Elijah comes to Zarephath, he approaches the enemy and delivers the outsider. Geography can have great theological significance throughout the Old Testament. Here, the Lord calls Elijah to leave Israel and journey to a coastal location that was near Sidon, Jezebel’s homeland. Then in verse 14, a miracle comes, providing food. The Lord sends Elijah to provide for the helpless widow and her son in Baal’s homeland. Outsiders in need are given gifts of life. In Elijah’s journey we see a shadow of the Great Commission to give good news to all nations (Matt. 28:19). A widow outside Israel receives mercy from the Lord (see Gal. 3:28).
Elijah’s journey also signifies just judgment against Israel, as they all are left behind. Christ would explain this meaning in Luke 4:25–26: “But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when . . . a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.” God’s people had rejected Him throughout the reign of Ahab. Therefore, the Lord cared for a widow in Zarephath to show judgment on the people of Israel.
Finally, 1 Kings 17 concludes with a defeat of death itself. The miraculous provision of oil and flour seems to be overturned in the death of the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:17–18). But Elijah calls out to the Lord, and the Lord provides a greater miracle (1 Kings 17:22). Resurrections are rare throughout the Old Testament, but in the time of Elijah and Elisha multiple resurrections take place. These resurrection miracles serve as preparation for a greater Prophet in Jesus Christ. Our Savior would come to raise many from the dead (Matt. 11:5). Furthermore, our Savior would identify Himself as the resurrection, and He would die only to rise again from the dead (Matt. 28:7; John 11:25).