מלכים א, פרק י״ח, פסוק ט״ז

A period of waiting comes to an end when the king receives crucial news about the missing prophet. Obadiah successfully finishes his mission and informs the king that the prophet has been found.

This specific report is exactly what the king needs to take action. Because he finally knows the exact location of the prophet, the king is able to set out and go meet him directly [ביאור שטיינזלץ].