1. Now Elijah was a prophet from the town of Tishbe in Gilead. Elijah said to King Ahab, “I serve the Lord, the God of Israel. As surely as the Lord lives, I tell you the truth. No rain or dew will fall during the next few years unless I command it.”
2. Then the Lord spoke his word to Elijah:
3. “Leave this place. Go east and hide near Kerith Ravine. It is east of the Jordan River.
4. You may drink from the brook. And I have commanded ravens to bring you food there.”
5. So Elijah did what the Lord told him to do. He went to Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and lived there.
6. The birds brought Elijah bread and meat every morning and every evening. And he drank water from the brook.
7. After a while the brook dried up because there was no rain.
8. Then the Lord spoke his word to Elijah,
9. “Go to Zarephath in Sidon. Live there. I have commanded a widow there to take care of you.”
10. So Elijah went to Zarephath. When he reached the town gate, he saw a widow there. She was gathering wood for a fire. Elijah asked her, “Would you bring me a little water in a cup? I would like to have a drink.”
11. As she was going to get his water, Elijah said, “Please bring me a piece of bread, too.”
12. The woman answered, “As surely as the Lord your God lives, I tell you the truth. I have no bread. I have only a handful of flour in a jar. And I have only a little olive oil in a jug. I came here to gather some wood. I will take it home and cook our last meal. My son and I will eat it and then die from hunger.”