A Cloud The Size Of A Man’s Hand

Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of rushing rain.’  So Ahab went up to eat and drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; there he bowed himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees.  He said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look towards the sea.’  He went up and looked, he said, ‘There is nothing.’  Then he said, ‘Go again seven times.’  At the seventh time he said, ‘Look, a little cloud no bigger than a person’s hand is rising out of the sea.’  Then he said, ‘Go and say to Ahab, “Harness your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”‘ In a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind; there was heavy rain.  Ahab rode off and went to Jezreel.  But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; he girded up his loins and ran in front of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.  (1 Kings 18:41-44 NRSV)