1 Kings 17:12

meal in a[R.V. the] barrel … oil in a[R.V. the] cruse The definite article is expressed in the original, and represented by the LXX. The barrel and the cruse were the special domestic articles in every house, and would be spoken of definitely.

two sticks i.e. some small quantity. Thus we often say -a couple" when we do not mean -two" only.

my son The LXX. renders by the plural -sons," perhaps because it is said, in 1 Kings 17:15, that -she and he and her housedid eat many days." Josephus gives the singular -my son" as the Hebrew.

eat it, and die The drought had already brought so poor a person to the point of starvation.