Definition: And it shall come to pass, [as soon as] I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and [so] when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 18:12. It's a really important and dramatic passage about God’s judgment. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: God is saying that he (the speaker – likely Elijah) is going to punish Ahab, the king of Israel, for his arrogance and disobedience. He’s warning him that he will come back and kill him, but he's terrified of being killed by God himself. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee…” : This is a key phrase. It means that immediately after God leaves, he will return and confront Ahab. It's not a long wait; it’s going to happen quickly. “…that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not…” : The Spirit of God (the divine presence) is going to take Elijah with him. He doesn't know exactly where he will go, but he’s confident that he’ll eventually find Ahab. Think of it like a whirlwind – he’s moving quickly and unpredictably. “…and [so] when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee…” : This is where the danger really sets in. When God returns, he will reveal to Ahab that he's been killed. He won’t just say “Ahab died.” He’ll tell him that Elijah was killed before he could reach Ahab, making it impossible for Ahab to find him. “…he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.” : This is the most shocking part. Elijah is telling God that he – meaning he as a servant – is terrified of being killed by God himself. He’s admitting that his fear is deep and ancient, going back to when he was a young boy. It suggests a profound sense of humility and recognizing God's power. In short: This verse shows that God is incredibly powerful and has a very personal stake in the events happening around him. He’s not just concerned about Ahab; he's worried about himself being harmed, and he’s showing his fear to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. Why is this important? It highlights several things: God’s Sovereignty: God is in control, and He doesn't tolerate disobedience. Judgment: This verse is a warning about the consequences of evil and rebellion. Personal Connection: It shows that God cares deeply about his servants and will not hesitate to punish those who defy Him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event from the Bible?