This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated this in [1 Kings 6:11](../06/11.md). AT: "Yahweh spoke his word" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
The word "now" is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the writer tells background information about how the famine had affected Samaria. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])