1 Kings 17:9

“Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there, etc.] This might be a trial of the prophet’s faith, to be sent to dwell in a place belonging to the Zidonians, among whom Jezebel had an interest, being the daughter of their king, (<111631>1 Kings 16:31), the place is so called, to distinguish it from another Zarephath, (Obidiah 1:20), Kimchi interprets it, near to Zidon, yet not as belonging to it, but of the land of Israel; though it rather seems to be a Gentile city; it is called, in (<420426>Luke 4:26) Sarepta of Sidon; and also by Pliny f372; according to Josephus f373, it was not far either from Sidon or Tyre, and lay between them; it was three quarters of a mile…”

“The dependence of Zarephath (Sarepta) on Sidon is indicated in the inscriptions of Sennacherib, where it is mentioned as belonging to Luliya (Elulaeus), king of Sidon, and as submitting to the Assyrian monarch on Luliya’s flight from his capital. Elijah may have been sent to this place, so near the city of Jezebel’s father, as one which it was most unlikely that he would visit. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Zarephath - A city between Tyre and Sidon, called Sarepta by St. Luk 4:26, and others. Zidon - To the jurisdiction of that city, which was inhabited by Gentiles. And God's providing for his prophet, first, by an unclean bird, and then by a Gentile, whom the Jews esteemed unclean, was a presage of the calling of the Gentiles, and rejection of the Jews. So Elijah was the first prophet of the Gentiles. Commanded - Appointed or provided, for that she had as yet no revelation or command of God about it, appears from Kg1 17:12. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 17:12”

“17:9-16 Elijah’s faith was tested further. At Kerith Brook, God had supplied his needs directly. With these supplies cut off, Elijah now had to depend on a foreign woman’s response to a divine test. The account details the setting (17:8-10a), Elijah’s test for the widow (17:10b-14), the woman’s compliance, and God’s reward (17:15-16). 17:9-11 Zarephath was in Phoenician territory about seven miles south of Sidon, away from Ahab’s jurisdiction. Ironically, God provided Elijah a place of refuge in Jezebel’s homeland, which was associated with worship of Baal. • So he went: Elijah again (see 17:5) obeyed the Lord’s command. Obedience (1 Sam 15:22; Ps 40:1-6; Isa 1:10-20), trust (Ps 37:3; Prov…”

“Zarephath: Oba 1:20; Luk 4:26, Sarepta which belongeth: Mat 15:21, Mat 15:22 widow woman: Kg1 17:4; Jdg 7:2, Jdg 7:4; Rom 4:17-21; Co2 4:7 3 Kings (1 Kings) 17:10”