Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath

This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 1 Kings 17:7-24, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.

Once upon a time, there was a man named Elijah. One day, the brook that he had been drinking from dried up because there was no rain in the land. But God had a plan for Elijah, and He told him to go to a town called Zarephath where a widow would feed him.

So Elijah went to Zarephath and saw a widow gathering sticks. He asked her for a little water to drink, and while she was getting it, he also asked her for some bread. But the widow told him that she only had a handful of flour and a little oil left, and she was going to use it to make one last meal for herself and her son before they died.

But Elijah said, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” So the widow did what Elijah said, and she, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. Just as God had promised, the jar of flour and the jug of oil never ran out.

Later, the widow’s son became very sick, and he stopped breathing. The widow was very upset and thought that Elijah had come to her to punish her for her sins by causing the death of her son. But Elijah took her son and went to his room. He cried out to God, asking Him to bring the boy back to life. He laid on the boy three times and prayed to God. God listened to Elijah’s prayers, and the boy came back to life!

The widow was amazed and knew that Elijah was a man of God. She knew that God’s word was true and that He had sent Elijah to help her and her son.

Biblical Lessons

  • God is always with us, even in our darkest moments, and He can provide for us when we trust in Him.
  • God can use anyone, even a poor widow, to carry out His plans and do amazing things.
  • Sometimes, God asks us to do something that may seem impossible, but if we have faith, He will provide for us and bless us.
  • We can trust in God’s promises because He always keeps His word.

Related Stories

Elijah Fed by Ravens

Elijah and the Prophets

Elisha and the Widow’s Oil

Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son

Naaman Healed of Leprosy