Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Kings 17:21

"And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, I pray thee, let this child`s soul come into him again." — 1 Kings 17:21 (ASV)

He stretched himself upon the child three times: This action of Elijah is different from that of Elisha and does not imply the use of any natural means for the restoration of suspended animation. It is nearly parallel to the touch, through which our Lord performed similar miracles (Matthew 9:25; Luke 7:14).