The hand of the LORD was on Elijah: In the Old Testament the hand is frequently used as a symbol of power. In this context the meaning seems to be that the LORD gave Elijah the strength and speed to run ahead of Ahab to Jezreel. New Living Translation says “the LORD gave special strength to Elijah.”

He girded up his loins: The subject of the verb girded up is Elijah and not the LORD. Regarding the word loins, see the comments on 1 Kgs 2.5. The long garment that a man wore hung loose when he was not working, but in preparation for some activity, the garment would be tucked into a belt or girdle. Revised English Bible has “he tucked up his robe,” and New Jerusalem Bible says that he was “hitching up his clothes.” The same kind of expression is used in the New Testament for getting ready for action even if the activity is not physical (1 Peter 1.13).

Ran before Ahab: Since verses 44-45 indicate that Ahab went by chariot, New Living Translation says that Elijah “ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot.”

To the entrance of Jezreel: Since Jezreel was about 26 kilometers (17 miles) away, Elijah had a long way to run. Good News Translation expresses the idea of great distance by saying “all the way to Jezreel” (similarly New Living Translation).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .