And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah
Giving him more than common strength of body, as well as courage and fortitude of mind; so the Targum, the spirit of strength from the Lord was with him:
and he girded up his loins;
gathered up his long loose garment, and girt it about him, that he might be more fit for travelling:
and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel;
reckoned about sixteen miles from Carmel F12; this showed his humility, that he was not elated with the wonderful things God had done by him, and that he bore no ill will to Ahab, but was ready to show him all honour and respect due to him as a king; and that it were his sins, and not his person, he had an aversion to; and that he was not afraid of Jezebel, and her prophets, but entered into the city where she was, to instruct the people, and warn them against her idolatries; though some think he went no further than the gate of the city, prudently avoiding falling into her hands.