Definition: And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from 1 Kings 18:46. It's a really important passage about God’s protection and a dramatic moment in biblical history. Here’s what it means, explained simply: Basically, God is sending Elijah to confront a powerful, evil demon. Let’s unpack it word by word: “And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah…” – This means God was actively supporting and protecting Elijah. The "hand" represents His strength and guidance. “…and he girded up his loins…” - This is a figurative way of saying Elijah was getting ready for a tough, serious task. “Girding up” means to prepare yourself physically and mentally for something challenging. He was preparing himself spiritually too. “…and ran before Ahab…” - Elijah started running towards the entrance of Jezreel – which is a city in Israel – with a determined purpose. Ahab was a powerful, vengeful king who wanted to punish people for some wrongdoing. “…to the entrance of Jezreel.” - He was heading straight into the city, where Ahab lived and ruled. So, what’s happening? God is sending Elijah on a mission to confront a demon that Ahab was trying to control. It's like a battle between good and evil – and God is choosing to support Elijah in this struggle. Why is this important? This story shows that God doesn’t always intervene directly in human affairs. He works through individuals, sometimes in surprising ways. It also emphasizes that God is powerful and will not let evil prevail without a fight. In short, the verse describes Elijah boldly heading into Jezreel to stop Ahab from using evil magic. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the story of Elijah and Ahab?