Justin Houtz

1 Kings 17, Luke 4

DateVersionReading Plan
November 4, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

1 Kings 17

Observation & Interpretation

1 Kings 17:6 – The ravens brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning and evening and he drank from the brook until it dried up.

  • The overtones of the provision of God for Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness are evident, as birds provide a daily ration of “bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening.” (ESVEC – Comment)

1 Kings 17:15 – The widow did as Elijah said re: making him a cake.

1 Kings 17:17 – The widow is referred to as the “mistress of the house”.

  • The description of the widow as “the woman, the mistress of the house” may imply that she is a woman of some means (which has enabled her to accommodate Elijah) or may simply highlight that her husband has died and she is facing this trial alone. (ESVEC – Comment)

1 Kings 17:18 – The woman accused Elijah that his motivation was to cause the death of her son.

  • She interprets the death of her son as an act of God in response to her sin. This reaction is in marked contrast to the silence of Ahab when the curse of drought was announced. While the text itself does not affirm that her son dies because of her personal sin, this pagan shows a greater sensitivity to spiritual realities than do the people of Yahweh. (ESVEC – Comment)

1 Kings 17:1-24 – This chapter is about listening to the word of Yahweh, just like this nameless widow does. Elijah is significant but only as one who announces the word o Yahweh. This chapter is basically a call for us to listen to the God who speaks. (ESVEC – Response)

Luke 4

Observation & Interpretation

Luke 4:23 – Jesus spoke of how the people of Nazareth would quote to him the proverb, “Physician, heal yourself.”

  • What is meant by the proverb is clear from the next line: if Jesus is truly who he says he is, then the people will think he needs to replicate what they have heard he has done in Capernaum. (ESVEC – Comment)

Luke 4:24-26 – Jesus references the story of the prophet, Elijah.

  • Connection to earlier reading of 1 Kings 17.
  • During the days of Elijah, Israel experienced a drought for three and a half years (1 Kings 17-18). The drought came because of Israel’s sin, representing one of the curses of the covenant (Deut. 11:17; 28:23-24; 1 Kings 8:25)…Jesus’ point is clear: those who have the greatest privileges often do not respond to the message of salvation. And those we think will never respond may in fact repent and believe. (ESVEC – Comment)

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