What is the meaning of 1 Kings 17:21? Then he stretched himself out over the child Elijah’s literal act of lying on the boy is more than first-aid; it is a visible expression of identification and compassionate faith. • 2 Kings 4:34-35 records Elisha doing the same with the Shunammite’s son, showing this posture was an accepted, Spirit-led means of ministry. • Acts 20:10 says Paul “fell on” Eutychus after his fall, echoing the same pattern of embracing the lifeless body before God revived him. These parallels underline that God welcomes wholehearted, hands-on faith when we minister to human need. three times The repetition signals persistence rather than magic. Elijah keeps going until God answers. • 2 Corinthians 12:8 notes Paul pleaded with the Lord “three times” for relief, illustrating that faithful servants may pray repeatedly. • Matthew 26:44 shows Jesus Himself praying a third time in Gethsemane. In Scripture, the third iteration often marks completeness; Elijah stays before God until he senses that his petition is fully laid out. and cried out to the LORD This is no quiet wish—Elijah raises his voice in urgent intercession. • James 5:17 reminds us that “Elijah was a man like us, and he prayed earnestly,” directly linking this scene to the power of fervent prayer. • Psalm 34:17 promises, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.” The prophet depends entirely on the covenant-keeping LORD, not on technique. “O LORD my God,” Elijah addresses God personally and covenantally. • 1 Kings 18:36 records him saying, “LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,” the same personal approach that will soon call fire from heaven. • Psalm 63:1 echoes, “O God, You are my God,” revealing the intimacy God invites. By saying “my God,” Elijah anchors his plea in a living relationship. please let this boy’s life return to him! The request is clear, bold, and supernatural. Elijah expects literal resurrection because he knows the living God. • Luke 8:54-55 describes Jesus taking Jairus’s daughter by the hand; “her spirit returned,” using the same life-return language. • John 11:43-44 shows Lazarus coming out of the tomb at Christ’s call. • Hebrews 11:35 notes, “women received back their dead, raised to life again,” affirming that such miracles are historical realities. Elijah’s prayer demonstrates: - Confidence in God’s absolute power over life and death. - Compassion for the widow’s grief (1 Kings 17:20). - God’s desire to reveal Himself to a Gentile household and to strengthen Elijah before Mount Carmel. summary 1 Kings 17:21 portrays a real prophet performing a real miracle through persistent, heartfelt prayer to the real, living God. Elijah stretches himself over the corpse, repeats the act three times, cries loudly, claims the LORD as “my God,” and asks plainly for life to return. Scripture shows God honoring such faith, foreshadowing later resurrections and reminding us that the LORD still hears earnest prayer and holds absolute authority over death. |
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