Rashi on the Former Prophets

Eliyahu haTishbi said. From a land (Other texts: The name of the city) named Toshav.
As Adonoy lives. Why was this placed here? For Eliyahu and Achov went to console Chieil in his mourning. Achov said to Eliyahu, “Is it possible that the student’s curse was fulfilled while Moshe our teacher’s curse was not fulfilled, as it is stated, “And you turn away and serve other gods, and bow down to them, Adonoy’s wrath will be aroused against you, and He will restrain the skies [and there will be no rain].” Now, all Yisroel are worshiping idols, yet, the rains are not being withheld. Immediately, Eliyahu said, etc.

And hide. From Achov and Ezevel.

The brook dried up. In order that he realize the need for rain and trouble himself to go into exile, for it was displeasing to the Holy One Blessed Is He, that Yisroel should be living in hunger.

To Tzorphas. [Tzorphas was] the name of the city.
I have commanded there. In My retinue, that a widow will feed you there.

Please bring me a little water. He was unable to identify the widow about whom the Holy One Blessed Is He, had told him. But he learned from Eliezer, the servant of Avrohom, and he said, “The one who gives me water to drink, she is the widow.”

Cake. [מעוג means] the same as עוגה [=cake].
A handful. [Targum] Yonoson rendered, “the palm of a handful.”
In a bottle. Bouteille, in O.F., as it is stated regarding Shaul, “the flask of water that was at [Shaul’s] head.”
We will die. From then on, we will die of hunger.

A small cake first. There is a Midrash Aggdah in Bereishis Rabboh (why he wanted it first) on [the verse], “And Leah said, ‘Unexpected success has come.’”

Illness struck the son of the woman. So that he should need the Key of Resurrection of the Dead, as stated at the end of the Aggadah of [the chapter entitled] “Cheilek.”

To cause my sins to be remembered. Before you came, they would weigh my deeds and the deeds of my city, and I was worthy of a miracle. But since you came here, I am not reckoned with as [being worthy of] anything and my righteousness is not noticeable. (Other texts: Remembered) And similarly, concerning Lot it states, “I cannot escape to the mountain,” [i.e., referring] to Avrohom, for my merit will not be remembered next to his.

He spread himself out. [ויתמודד is] an expression of מדה, [i.e.,] he spread himself upon him.