Definition: And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 21:17. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic starting point in a story about a prophet named Elijah. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse is essentially saying that God spoke to Elijah, who was called "Tishbite" (which means "the silent one" or "the mute"), with a message. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the word of the LORD came…” This tells us that God is speaking – sending something important. “…to Elijah the Tishbite…” This identifies who's receiving the message: Elijah, and he’s been given a specific name. “Tishbite” suggests he wasn’t known for anything good or joyful, maybe even a bit of a troubled or strange personality. “…saying,” This is key. It means that God was communicating something to Elijah. What's the Message? The verse doesn’t tell us exactly what God said, but it implies it was a significant message. Here are some possible interpretations: A Warning: It could be a warning to Elijah about potential dangers or consequences of his actions. A Promise: It might be a promise of something good to come for him, even if it wasn’t immediately clear. A Guidance: Perhaps it was a direction or instruction that God wanted Elijah to follow. Why is this important? This verse sets the stage for a whole series of events in the book of Kings. It's a pivotal moment where God begins to actively intervene in the lives of powerful individuals, and it foreshadows challenges and conflict. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Give you some context about Elijah’s role in the story?