Elijah and the Ravens
During a devastating drought, God miraculously provides for the prophet Elijah through ravens that bring him food by a brook.
1 Kings 17:1-7
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The Story
Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, appeared suddenly on the stage of Israel's history with a bold proclamation to wicked King Ahab: 'As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.'
This was no idle threat. Ahab and his Phoenician queen Jezebel had led Israel into Baal worship. Baal was supposedly the god of storms and rain. Now the true God would demonstrate His power by shutting up the heavens.
Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 'Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.'
Elijah did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
Ravens—unclean birds, scavengers known for their greed—became God's delivery service. Morning and evening, faithfully, they brought provisions to the prophet. The brook provided water. God sustained His servant through the very drought he had announced.
Sometime later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. But God was not done providing. He would send Elijah next to a widow in Zarephath, in the heart of Jezebel's homeland, where another miracle of provision awaited.
God's servants may find themselves in wilderness places, but they will never find themselves beyond His care.
Birds Bring Elijah Food
Kids Version
Elijah was a special messenger for God called a prophet. He had to tell the mean king some bad news: 'Because you worship fake gods, God says there will be no rain!'
No rain meant no food would grow. It was going to be a hard time.
God told Elijah, 'Go hide by a little stream. You can drink the water there. And guess what? I'm going to send birds to bring you food!'
Elijah went to the stream and waited. And sure enough, every morning—FLAP FLAP FLAP—birds called ravens flew down with bread and meat for Elijah!
Every evening—FLAP FLAP FLAP—the birds came again with more food!
Ravens are birds that usually keep food for themselves. But God told them to share with Elijah, and they obeyed!
Every day Elijah had water from the stream to drink. Every day the birds brought breakfast and dinner. God took care of Elijah in a special, surprising way.
After a while, the stream dried up because there was no rain. But God had another plan to take care of Elijah.
When we trust God, He always takes care of us—sometimes in surprising ways!
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — 1 Kings 17:1-7 (KJV)
1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. Elijah: Heb. Elijahu: Gr. Elias
2And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. after: Heb. at the end of days
Memory Verse
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. Elijah: Heb. Elijahu: Gr. Elias”
— 1 Kings 17:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Elijah and the Ravens” in the Bible?
During a devastating drought, God miraculously provides for the prophet Elijah through ravens that bring him food by a brook. This story is found in 1 Kings 17:1-7.
Where is “Elijah and the Ravens” found in the Bible?
“Elijah and the Ravens” is found in 1 Kings 17:1-7, in the book of 1 Kings.
What can children learn from “Elijah and the Ravens”?
This story teaches children about God's provision, Faith, Obedience, Divine care. God told Elijah to hide by a stream. How would he eat? God sent birds to bring him breakfast and dinner every single day!