1 Kings 17:17

“And it came to pass after these things, etc.] Not only after the conversation that passed between the prophet, and the widow, but after they had lived together many days, a year or years, upon the miraculous provision made for them: that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; that is, the son of the widow woman in whose house the prophet dwelt; the Jews say f380 this woman was the mother of Jonah, and that he was this son of her’s: and his sickness was so sore that there was no breath left in him: it was a sickness unto death, it issued in it; for that he was really dead appears from all that follows.”

“HE RAISES HER SON TO LIFE. (Kg1 17:17-24) the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick--A severe domestic calamity seems to have led her to think that, as God had shut up heaven upon a sinful land in consequence of the prophet, she was suffering on a similar account. Without answering her bitter upbraiding, the prophet takes the child, lays it on his bed, and after a very earnest prayer, had the happiness of seeing its restoration, and along with it, gladness to the widow's heart and home. The prophet was sent to this widow, not merely for his own security, but on account of her faith, to strengthen and promote which he was directed to go to her rather than to many widows in…”

“No breath - Or, “no spirit,” “no soul.” (Compare Genesis 2:7). The word used is translated “spirit” in Proverbs 20:27; Ecclesiastes 3:21; Job 26:4; and elsewhere. return to 'Top of Page'”

“No breath - That is, he died. We must not think it strange, if we meet with sharp afflictions, even when we are in the way of eminent service to God. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 17:18”

“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.”

“am 3096, bc 908 the son of the woman: Gen 22:1, Gen 22:2; Kg2 4:18-20; Zac 12:10; Joh 11:3, Joh 11:4, Joh 11:14; Jam 1:2-4, Jam 1:12; Pe1 1:7, Pe1 4:12 that there was: Job 12:10, Job 34:14; Psa 104:29; Dan 5:23; Jam 2:26 \*marg. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 17:18”

“The widow's deceased son raised to life again. - Kg1 17:17. After these events, when Elijah had taken up his abode in the upper room of her house, her son fell sick, so that he breathed out his life. וגו אשׁר עד, literally till no breath remained in him. That these words do not signify merely a death-like torpor, but an actual decease, is evident from what follows, where Elijah himself treats the boy as dead, and the Lord, in answer to his prayer, restores him to life again. Kg1 17:18 The pious woman discerned in this death a punishment from God for her sin, and supposed that it had been drawn towards her by the presence of the man of God, so that she said to Elijah, "What have we to do with…”