Definition: And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare [thy chariot], and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a really interesting passage about God’s judgment! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very serious situation where God is angry with humanity because of Ahab, the king of Israel. He’s sending a storm to stop Ahab from continuing his wicked plans. Let's unpack it: “And it came to pass at the seventh time…” – This tells us this isn’t the first time God has been displeased with Ahab. It’s a pattern of escalating anger. “…that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea…” - This is a dramatic image. A "cloud" in the sky is usually associated with rain and storms. This particular cloud is very unusual – it's not just normal clouds. It’s like a hand reaching up! “…like a man’s hand.” – This is a really powerful metaphor. It suggests something small, but incredibly significant, is happening. It’s not just a random cloud; it has a specific and threatening purpose. “And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare [thy chariot], and get thee down…” - Here's the core of the message. God is telling Ahab to stop his actions. He's giving him instructions: "Go up..." – He’s commanding Ahab to leave his position of power and go somewhere else. "...say unto Ahab, Prepare [thy chariot]…” - This means he needs to prepare a large, powerful chariot (a vehicle for travel) and be ready to move quickly. He's telling him to be prepared for a significant change in plans. “and get thee down..." – This is a warning. Ahab must return to his position of power, or face the consequences. Overall Meaning: God is sending a storm (a large cloud) to stop Ahab’s rebellion and prevent him from causing further harm. It's a clear message of divine judgment and a call for repentance. In short, it's about God's displeasure with a king who is defying Him and causing trouble. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse was written in the Old Testament? Discuss the significance of the imagery (like the “hand”)? Connect this passage to other parts of the Bible about God’s judgment or obedience?