1 Kings 17

“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, word. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.” Naming Cherith and Get keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD : for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bread, flesh, brook. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, word. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.” Naming Bring keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it…” Naming Elijah and Fear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.” Naming Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD , which he…” Naming Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he…” Naming Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he cried unto the LORD , and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD , and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.” Naming Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother…” Naming Elijah and See keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy…” Naming Elijah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.