The widow of Zarephath plays an important role in Elijah’s story. She feeds Elijah in her home. Soon after, her son dies, and Elijah pleads to God for the power to resurrect him.

While in the widow’s house, Elijah performs the miracle of the jar of flour and the jug of oil. A single spoonful of ground flour that the woman had and the little oil in the jug sufficed, they were not exhausted, and the blessing reigned from within her home.

After this, the woman’s son falls ill and dies. Imagine the suffering of this woman - not only was she grieving the loss of her husband, but she was now forced to face that she and her son would die too.

Resurrection

1 Kings 17:18–23 So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” 21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” 22 Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!”

The prophet lays himself on the body of the boy, cries out for God to give life to him, and the boy begins to breathe again so the prophet can deliver this son back to his mother.

Compare the woman’s feelings toward God, with Elijah’s. He prayed,  “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” 

Blaming the ones who helped you

John 15:20 NLT Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

Notice that the woman is blaming Elijah for the death or her son. The prophet however sees beyond the accusation and looks at a broken heart. He did a bold prayer and God answered his request.  Elijah shows true Godly character. He does not blast her. He does not answer her charges. He makes a tender request to her.

There is no precedent for Elijah’s request – no one had ever been raised from the dead before. “The LORD heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he came back to life!” (17:22)

God cares for you

The woman and her son are not mentioned anymore in the Bible. Their story shows how God cares for ordinary people and does extraordinary miracles.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

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