Summary
The true story of Elijah teaches us about courage, faith, and the power of God. Just like Elijah, we can trust in God and share His love with others!
Biography
1 Kings 17–19 and 2 Kings 1–2
A long time ago, in the land of Israel, there was a brave prophet named Elijah. Elijah loved God very much and wanted to help the people of Israel follow Him. But during Elijah’s time, many people had turned away from God and were worshiping false gods, especially a god named Baal. The king of Israel, King Ahab, and his wife, Queen Jezebel, encouraged this idol worship, and it made God very sad.
Elijah’s Call
One day, God spoke to Elijah and told him to go to King Ahab. Elijah was not afraid, even though he knew that Ahab and Jezebel did not like him. He boldly told the king, “As the Lord lives, there will be no rain or dew in the land for the next few years unless I say so!” This was a serious message, and it meant that the people would suffer because they had turned away from God.
After delivering this message, God told Elijah to go and hide by a brook called Cherith. There, God provided for him by sending ravens to bring him food every day, and he drank water from the brook. But after a while, the brook dried up because there was no rain.
The Widow of Zarephath
God then instructed Elijah to go to a town called Zarephath, where a widow would take care of him. When Elijah arrived at the widow’s home, he found her gathering sticks. She looked very sad and told Elijah, “I have only a handful of flour and a little oil. I am gathering these sticks to make one last meal for my son and me, and then we will starve.”
Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go home and make a small loaf of bread for me first, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord says: The flour and oil will not run out until the Lord sends rain on the land.”
Elijah’s Call
One day, God spoke to Elijah and told him to go to King Ahab. Elijah was not afraid, even though he knew that Ahab and Jezebel did not like him. He boldly told the king, “As the Lord lives, there will be no rain or dew in the land for the next few years unless I say so!” This was a serious message, and it meant that the people would suffer because they had turned away from God.
After delivering this message, God told Elijah to go and hide by a brook called Cherith. There, God provided for him by sending ravens to bring him food every day, and he drank water from the brook. But after a while, the brook dried up because there was no rain.
The Widow of Zarephath
God then instructed Elijah to go to a town called Zarephath, where a widow would take care of him. When Elijah arrived at the widow’s home, he found her gathering sticks. She looked very sad and told Elijah, “I have only a handful of flour and a little oil. I am gathering these sticks to make one last meal for my son and me, and then we will starve.”
Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go home and make a small loaf of bread for me first, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord says: The flour and oil will not run out until the Lord sends rain on the land.”
The widow trusted Elijah’s words, and she went home and did as he said. Miraculously, the flour and oil did not run out, and they had enough food to eat for many days!
The Miracle of the Widow’s Son
Later, the widow’s son became very sick and sadly passed away. The widow was heartbroken and cried out to Elijah, “Why have you come to me? Did you come to remind me of my sins?” Elijah took the boy to his room, prayed to God, and stretched himself over the child three times. God heard Elijah’s prayer, and the boy came back to life! The widow was overjoyed and said, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is true.”
The Showdown on Mount Carmel
After some time, God told Elijah to go back to King Ahab. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. He said, “Let’s see whose God is real! You call on your god, and I will call on the Lord. The God who answers by fire is the true God!”
The prophets of Baal went first. They called out to Baal all day long, but nothing happened. They danced and shouted, but their god did not answer. Then it was Elijah’s turn. He built an altar, soaked it with water, and prayed to God. Suddenly, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, and even the stones! The people of Israel saw this and shouted, “The Lord, He is God!”
The Miracle of the Widow’s Son
Later, the widow’s son became very sick and sadly passed away. The widow was heartbroken and cried out to Elijah, “Why have you come to me? Did you come to remind me of my sins?” Elijah took the boy to his room, prayed to God, and stretched himself over the child three times. God heard Elijah’s prayer, and the boy came back to life! The widow was overjoyed and said, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is true.”
The Showdown on Mount Carmel
After some time, God told Elijah to go back to King Ahab. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. He said, “Let’s see whose God is real! You call on your god, and I will call on the Lord. The God who answers by fire is the true God!”
The prophets of Baal went first. They called out to Baal all day long, but nothing happened. They danced and shouted, but their god did not answer. Then it was Elijah’s turn. He built an altar, soaked it with water, and prayed to God. Suddenly, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, and even the stones! The people of Israel saw this and shouted, “The Lord, He is God!”