1 Kings 18:46

46. Hand of the Lord was on Elijah He was in the Spirit, and he and all around him were conscious that the mighty power of God was with him.

Girded up his loins Twisted the leather garment which he wore (2 Kings 1:8) tightly about him, that he might run more freely.

Ran before Ahab “As the Bedouins of his native Gilead would still run, with inexhaustible strength.” “The mode of doing honour to Ahab by running before his chariot was in accordance with the customs of the East, even to this day. I was reminded of this incident when Mohammed Ali, with a large army, came to Jaffa to quell the rebellion of Palestine. The officers were constantly going or coming, preceded by runners, who always kept just in advance of the horses, however furiously they were ridden; and in order to run with greater ease, they not only girded their loins very tightly, but also tucked up their loose garments under the girdle, lest they should be incommoded by them. Thus, no doubt, did Elijah. The distance from the base of Carmel across the plain to Jezreel is not less than twelve miles, and the race was probably accomplished in two hours in the face of a tremendous storm of rain and wind.” Thomson. This “running” was a humble and servant-like act on the part of Elijah, and was probably done to convince Ahab that the stern and fiery-spirited prophet, whom he had so much hated, was a faithful and obedient subject, having no desire to injure the king or his people, but zealous to defend the honour and worship of the God of their fathers.