The verse 1 Kings 18:7 from the King James Version of the Bible states: "And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?"

This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Old Testament that tells the story of the prophet Elijah and his confrontation with the prophets of Baal. The context of this verse is important to understanding its full meaning and significance. The verse takes place during a time of great spiritual and political turmoil in the kingdom of Israel.

Elijah was a prophet of the Lord who lived during the reign of King Ahab, a king who had turned away from the worship of the true God and had embraced the worship of Baal, a false god. 1 Kings 18 describes the dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. In this chapter, Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to see whose god is the true God by demonstrating who can bring down fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice. This verse takes place before the showdown on Mount Carmel, as Elijah meets Obadiah, who is a servant of King Ahab.

Obadiah's reaction to seeing Elijah is one of reverence and respect. He falls on his face before Elijah and addresses him as "my lord." This reaction is significant because it shows the high regard and honor that was given to the prophet Elijah, as he was seen as a representative of the Lord and a powerful figure in Israel. It also underscores the fear and reverence that the people of Israel had for the prophets of God and the significance of their words and actions.

The encounter between Elijah and Obadiah also highlights the theme of faithfulness and obedience to God's will. Obadiah, as a servant of King Ahab, had risked his life to hide and protect one hundred prophets of the Lord from being killed by Jezebel, Ahab's wife and a fierce supporter of Baal. Despite being in a position of power and influence, Obadiah remained faithful to the true God and sought to do what was right in the midst of a corrupt and idolatrous society. His humble and reverent reaction to Elijah's presence demonstrates his dedication to God and his recognition of Elijah as a true messenger of the Lord.

The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The meeting between Elijah and Obadiah can be seen as a symbolic representation of the clash between good and evil, between faithfulness to the true God and the worship of false idols. Elijah represents the true prophet of the Lord, while Obadiah represents those who remain faithful in the midst of adversity and persecution. Their meeting foreshadows the coming confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, as well as the larger conflict between the forces of good and evil in the kingdom of Israel.

Overall, 1 Kings 18:7 is a verse that holds deep spiritual and moral significance within the larger narrative of the Bible. It speaks to themes of faithfulness, obedience, and reverence for the true God, as well as the symbolic struggle between good and evil. It serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining steadfast in our faith, even in the face of opposition and persecution, and highlights the power and authority of God's true prophets.