1
Elijah, who was from Tishbe but had settled in Gilead, said to Ahab, "I solemnly swear, as the LORD God of Israel whom I serve lives, there will be no dew or rain during the next few years unless I say so."
2
Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah:
3
"Leave here, turn east, and hide beside the Cherith River, which is east of the Jordan River.
4
You can drink from the stream, and I've commanded ravens to feed you there."
5
Elijah left and did what the word of the LORD [had told him]. He went to live by the Cherith River, which is east of the Jordan River.
6
Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening. And he drank from the stream.
7
But after some time the stream dried up because no rain had fallen in the land.
8
Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah:
9
"Get up, go to Zarephath (which belongs to Sidon), and stay there. I've commanded a widow there to feed you."
10
He got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the town's entrance, a widow was gathering wood. He called to her, "Please bring me a drink of water."
11
As she was going to get it, he called to her again, "Please bring me a piece of bread too."