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1 Kings 17:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 17:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he cried unto Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he cried unto Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
1 Kings 17:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
18And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? thou art come unto me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son!
19And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into the chamber, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
20And he cried unto Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
21And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, I pray thee, let this child`s soul come into him again.
22And Jehovah hearkened unto the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
23And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother; and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
← 1 Kings 17:191 Kings 17:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he cried unto the Lord, etc.] Or prayed unto him, as the Targum, with great vehemence and importunity: and said, O Lord, my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow, with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? he pleads his interest in the Lord, and makes use of it as an argument with him to hear his prayer; he observes the character and condition of the woman, a widow, such as the Lord has a compassionate regard for; and he urges the kindness of her to him, with whom he had sojourned so long; and seems to represent the case as an additional evil or affliction to him, as well as to the widow.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He cried - A prayer full of powerful arguments. Thou art the Lord, that canst revive the child: and my God; and therefore wilt not, deny me. She is a widow, add not affliction to the afflicted; deprive her not of the support and staff of her age: she hath given me kind entertainment: let her not fare the worse for her kindness to a prophet, whereby wicked men will take occasion to reproach both her, and religion. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 17:21”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:20 why have you brought tragedy: Elijah plaintively expressed to God the fear that his presence caused the child’s death.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he cried: Kg1 18:36, Kg1 18:37; Exo 17:4; Sa1 7:8, Sa1 7:9; Kg2 19:4, Kg2 19:15; Psa 99:6; Mat 21:22; Jam 5:15-18 hast thou also: Gen 18:23-25; Jos 7:8, Jos 7:9; Psa 73:13, Psa 73:14; Jer 12:1 3 Kings (1 Kings) 17:21”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification