The Blessings that followed Her obedience:

v.15: ”And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah, and she and he, and her house, did eat many days.”

v.16: “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.”

v.17-18: “And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick: and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? Art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?”

As in any illness or tragedy that comes upon us, the widow was examining her heart and wondering if the sin in her life had brought the tragedy. Something we may tend to think as well, thoughts many of us have entertained. KJV study note1 -- Ancient Near East suffering was often mistakenly considered to be solely the result of sin (See also Job 4:7,8; John 9:3)

v.22-23: The Lord heard Elijah’s cry just as He hears each of his children. The Lord gave the son back to his mother.

V.24: The Lord had to show her and reveal to her that He was not only concerned with her physical needs, but also desired to answer her (unspoken) prayer for her son. Learned more of the Father heart of God and an example of a faithful follower was portrayed when the Lord answered Elijah’s prayer for her son to be brought back to life.

Company that we Keep can Increase Our Faith

The Lord can and will use examples in each of our lives to encourage each other, as well as bring comfort to us. It is important that we remember, we are influenced by those around us. Much like the widow was influenced by Elijah’s display of faith in the Lord Thy God.

“Let us draw near with a true heart I full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:22-25

“[Jesus responded] But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.”
Luke 4:25,26

Jamieson, Fausset, Brown commentary⁴ ( v.17-24) Cross reference Luke 4:25 The relief of her bodily necessities became the preparatory means of supplying her spiritual wants and bringing her and her son, through the teaching of the prophet [Elijah] to a clear knowledge of God and a firm faith in His word.

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