Elijah was the first major prophet after the kingdom of Israel had divided. Remember that 10 tribes split off to become the Northern Kingdom and were known as Israel. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained together as the Southern Kingdom known as Judah. Elijah prophesied to the Northern Kingdom, because all of their kings were evil.
The drought begins and Elijah is fed by ravens
Ahab was one of the bad kings of Israel. In fact, in 1 Kings 16:30, the Bible tells us that he was one of the worst kings of all. He married a woman named Jezebel. Elijah gave a message to Ahab that there would be no rain in the land of Israel for several years, until Elijah came back and told him there would be rain.
So, while there was a drought in the land, God send Elijah to a valley east of the Jordan River where he provided ravens to bring food for Elijah. They brought him bread and meat in the morning and the evening and there was a brook nearby where Elijah was able to drink. Talk about room service!
Elijah and the widow
There was still no rain in the land of Israel, and the brook that Elijah was drinking from finally dried up. So God sent Elijah to a widow who could provide him food and drink. This widow was very poor. See, in those days, a widow would have no one to provide for her and her son. So when Elijah asked her for a drink, she got a drink for him. But when he asked her for some bread, she told Elijah that she was on her last bit of flour. "I'll make one last meal for myself and my son. We'll eat it. After that, we'll die." (1 Kings 17:12).
But Elijah knew God was up to something. He told her not to be afraid, but to go ahead and make the meal anyway. To her amazement, she made the meal and there was still some flour and oil left! Every day, she made the bread, and every day, there was still some flour and oil left. God was miraculously providing food for Elijah, the widow, and her son.
Elijah and the widow's son
Some time later, the widow's son became very sick. Eventually, he stopped breathing and the widow thought he was dead. Elijah asked for her son, and he took him upstairs. Elijah prayed to God that God would give the boy his life back and God did! Elijah took the widow's son back downstairs to his mother.
Have you ever had food delivered to your house? Who brought your food to you? Was it a person or a bird that delivered your food?
I'm guessing it wasn't a bird! Well, today, we are going to learn about a story in the Bible when a man named Elijah had food brought to him by ravens!
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or tell the story yourself.
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: 1 Kings 17:1-24
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
Scripture And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:6
Supplies large popsicle sticks, hot glue, string, raven patterns,
Scripture For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, - 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.' And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 1 Kings 17: 14-15
Supplies mixing bowl, measuring utensils, flour, water, extra virgin live oil, cookie sheet, parchment paper, oven
Scripture And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:6
Supplies black paint, yellow paint, black construction paper, glue, wooden clothespins, paint brushes, pretzels
Scripture And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:6
Supplies clothespins, pretzel rods or some snack
Scripture And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:6
Supplies large paper plates, small paper plate, stapler, googly eyes, yellow construction paper, black pipe cleaners, black crayon or paint, small plastic bags, bread, jerkey
Scripture Elijah was from Tishbe in the land of Gilead. He said to Ahab, "I serve the Lord. He is the God of Israel. You can be sure that he lives. And you can be just as sure that there won't be any dew or rain on the whole land. There won't be any during the next few years. It won't come until I say so." 1 Kings 17:1
Supplies saltine crackers