And he stretched himself upon the child three times,.... Or "measured himself" on it, or put himself into a posture in some respects equal to the child; putting his mouth on its mouth, his eyes on its eyes, his hands on its hands, as Elisha afterwards did in a like case, perhaps in imitation of him, 2Ki 4:34, thereby showing his great affection to the child, and in order to increase it the more, and to make him the more fervent and importunate in his prayers for its life; and hereby signifying also that he would if he could infuse his breath and life into it, and warm it with his own heat:and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again: which shows that the child was really dead; and a proof this that the soul dies not with the body, but exists in a separate state without it.
Bible Commentary
1 Kings 17:21
1 Kings 17:21
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
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1 Kings 17 — Overview1 Kings 17 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleSo sad was the character both of the princes and people of Israel, as
described in the foregoing chapter, that one might have expected God
would cast off a people that had so cast him off; but, as an evidence…1 Kings 17 — Overview1 Kings 17 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Kings 17:1, Elijah, having prophesied against Ahab, is sent to Cherith where the ravens feed him; 1 Kings 17:8, He is sent to the widow of Zarephath; 1 Kings 17:17, He raises the widow’s son; 1 Kings 17:24, The woman…1 Kings 17 — Overview1 Kings 17 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter begins with a prophecy of Elijah, that there should be want of rain for some years to come, and he is directed to go first to the brook Cherith, where he should be fed by ravens, 1Ki 17:1, and afterwards he…1 Kings 17:1-241 Kings 17:1-24 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION
ELIJAH AND THE GREAT DROUGHT.—The picture which the historian has just drawn of the shameless idolatry and the gross degeneracy of the earlier part of Ahab's reign forms a fit prelude to an account of the…1 Kings 17:1-241 Kings 17:1-24 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd Elijah said unto her [This looks at first like a further test. But it is pretty clear that the prophet now knew that the widow of whom God had spoken was before him], Fear not; go and do as thou hast said [Heb.…1 Kings 17:1-241 Kings 17:1-24 · The Pulpit Commentary4. That God guarantees us necessaries, not luxuries. Elijah's fare was frugal. "Water, bread, and flesh" (cf. Isaiah 33:16). As a rule, He gives us food "exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think." How…
commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionThe Dried BrookElijah's brook dried up — not because God stopped providing but because the next chapter required him to move. The brook drying is not abandonment. It's redirection. Where is God sending you?Discipledeck