Elijah's Drought: A Land Parched

Elijah, a prophet of God, proclaimed a drought upon the land, a consequence of Israel's idolatry. The land withered, reflecting the spiritual emptiness of the people.

Elijah's Drought: A Land Parched

1 Kings (3 Kings) 17:1-18

1. 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.
2. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3. Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
7. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
8. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
9. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
10. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
12. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
15. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
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.
17. 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.
18. 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?

Back to Index

A wide shot of a once-lush valley now completely arid, with bare trees and cracked earth stretching to the horizon. The vastness of the emptiness highlights the extent of the drought's impact. The vastness of the barren landscape underscores the far-reaching consequences of the drought.

People, their faces etched with worry, search for water in a dried-up riverbed at dawn. Their postures and expressions convey despair and the urgent need for survival. This scene shows the consequences of the drought on people’s lives, bringing to life the suffering mentioned in the text.

A village at night, completely dark and silent, signifying the oppressive atmosphere of the drought. Only a few faint lights flicker in the distance, showing the desolation. The silence and darkness symbolize the spiritual and physical desolation brought by the drought

Macro closeup of cracked earth, showing deep fissures and dust devils swirling in the distance. A single withered plant clings to life, symbolizing the desperate situation. The scene should feel desolate and empty, reflecting the severity of the drought. This emphasizes the physical manifestation of the drought, mirroring the spiritual emptiness described in 1 Kings 17.

Macro closeup of a parched riverbed, with sun-bleached stones and scattered debris. A few dead fish lie exposed, and the air shimmers with heat. The scene should emphasize the complete lack of water. The absence of life in the riverbed directly reflects the verse 'And the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.' (<a href=

1 Kings 17:7 )' />

Bright morning light bathes a landscape of barren hills and dried-up vegetation. Orange and yellow sunlight illuminates dust motes in the air, and distant mountains appear hazy with heat. A lone raven is visible, a symbol of hardship and desolation mentioned in the story. The morning light symbolizes hope, contrasting with the desolate landscape, reflecting the potential for redemption.

Bright morning sunlight illuminates a withered field of grain, with stalks brittle and brown. The sky is a clear, intense blue, contrasting sharply with the lifeless earth below. A few struggling wildflowers add a touch of resilience to the scene. The barren field visually depicts the consequences of God's judgment on Israel's sin.

Evening scene showing a sun setting behind a range of barren mountains casting long shadows across the dry, cracked earth. The color palette should be dominated by reds, oranges, and browns, creating a somber and desolate mood. The setting sun evokes a sense of impending doom and the hopelessness of the situation.

Evening scene with a lone, silhouetted figure walking along a dusty path toward a village that looks deserted. The sky is a deep twilight blue, with the last vestiges of the sun disappearing below the horizon, showing a sense of despair. The lone figure represents the isolation and despair of those affected by the drought.

A group of desperate people, their clothes dusty and ragged, huddle together in the early morning sun, sharing the little water they have left. Their faces show exhaustion and despair, reflecting the desperation caused by the drought. This captures the desperation of the people, mirroring their spiritual hunger and the need for divine intervention.

A family sits around a meager fire at night, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames. The darkness surrounding them emphasizes their isolation and vulnerability. A few possessions lie scattered around them, highlighting their poverty and loss. The night scene shows the vulnerability and poverty brought about by the drought, creating a powerful visual metaphor for spiritual darkness.

A close-up of a hand reaching desperately for a small amount of water, only to find a cracked, dry well. The hand and surrounding earth should show the effects of sun and drought. This close-up highlights the immediate and desperate struggle for survival, illustrating the physical reality of the drought's effects.

overlayed with the bible verse 1. 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.

NOTE: The images reflect the following descriptions related to the theme : Elijah's Drought: A Land Parched

Macro closeup of cracked earth, showing deep fissures and dust devils swirling in the distance. A single withered plant clings to life, symbolizing the desperate situation. The scene should feel desolate and empty, reflecting the severity of the drought.
Macro closeup of a parched riverbed, with sun-bleached stones and scattered debris. A few dead fish lie exposed, and the air shimmers with heat. The scene should emphasize the complete lack of water.
Bright morning light bathes a landscape of barren hills and dried-up vegetation. Orange and yellow sunlight illuminates dust motes in the air, and distant mountains appear hazy with heat. A lone raven is visible, a symbol of hardship and desolation mentioned in the story.
Bright morning sunlight illuminates a withered field of grain, with stalks brittle and brown. The sky is a clear, intense blue, contrasting sharply with the lifeless earth below. A few struggling wildflowers add a touch of resilience to the scene.
Evening scene showing a sun setting behind a range of barren mountains casting long shadows across the dry, cracked earth. The color palette should be dominated by reds, oranges, and browns, creating a somber and desolate mood.
Evening scene with a lone, silhouetted figure walking along a dusty path toward a village that looks deserted. The sky is a deep twilight blue, with the last vestiges of the sun disappearing below the horizon, showing a sense of despair.
A group of desperate people, their clothes dusty and ragged, huddle together in the early morning sun, sharing the little water they have left. Their faces show exhaustion and despair, reflecting the desperation caused by the drought.
A family sits around a meager fire at night, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames. The darkness surrounding them emphasizes their isolation and vulnerability. A few possessions lie scattered around them, highlighting their poverty and loss.
A close-up of a hand reaching desperately for a small amount of water, only to find a cracked, dry well. The hand and surrounding earth should show the effects of sun and drought.
A wide shot of a once-lush valley now completely arid, with bare trees and cracked earth stretching to the horizon. The vastness of the emptiness highlights the extent of the drought's impact.
People, their faces etched with worry, search for water in a dried-up riverbed at dawn. Their postures and expressions convey despair and the urgent need for survival.
A village at night, completely dark and silent, signifying the oppressive atmosphere of the drought. Only a few faint lights flicker in the distance, showing the desolation.

General themes for this chapter of the Bible: Elijah and the Widow; Elijah's Miraculous Provision

A link to this resource is much appreciated to let others know about this free christian resource. The AB Church in LAusanne-Renens is happy to make the image collection available for free.

Other Galleries for this theme / Bible book

Adonijah's Usurpation: A King's Ambitions
Ahab's Wars and Death: A King's Downfall
Construction of Solomon's Temple
David's Farewell Instructions to Solomon
Dedication of the Temple - Solomon's Splendor
Division of the Kingdom: Solomon's Folly
Elijah's Flight and Encounter with God
Elijah's Drought: A Land Parched
Elijah's Contest on Mount Carmel: A Showdown with Baal
God's Covenant with Solomon
Kings of Judah and Israel: Solomon's Wisdom
Preparations for Solomon's Temple: Gathering the Materials
Prophecies against Jeroboam and Rehoboam
The Rise of King Ahab: A Kingdom Divided
Solomon's Downfall: From Wisdom to Idolatry
Solomon's Officials and Prosperity
Solomon's Palace and Temple Furnishings: A Splendor of Gold and Ivory
Solomon's Wisdom: A King's Judgment
The Queen of Sheba's Visit to King Solomon
Jeroboam and the Man of God: A Confrontation of Faith and Power

Related Nature Images With Bible Verses

Visit other nature images in 1 Kings 17