This is what I wrote let me make it more clear:
What about Jesus going and preaching to the souls in hades who had been drowned in Noah's flood? You got me there so two things. Forgot about Him preaching and leading captivity captive. But they were not just from Noah's flood. These were ALL the Righteous dead in a place called Abraham's bosom (comfort, rest, peace, joy), a separate compartment from the burning side of Hell, fixed by a great gulf. In Hell there are two compartment as you will. 1. Abraham's bosom (Righteous dead from eternity past until Jesus' Resurrection.) 2. The Burning side of Hell (ALL the Wicked dead from eternity past until eternity future.) Leading the captivity captive is emptying Abraham's bosom. The preaching to the prisoners was; to Only those who died in the flood, fallen angels or ALL those Wicked from all eternity past until Christ's resurrection. Doesn't matter which view you hold the preaching was not an offer for salvation but rather was a proclamation of victory of death, hell and the grave.
Let me put in another way:
1 Pet. 3
18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1. Christ also hath once suffered for sins: This emphasizes Jesus' singular, perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity.
2. The just for the unjust": Highlights His righteousness in contrast to our unrighteousness. He bore the consequences we deserved.
3. That he might bring us to God": The purpose of Christ's sacrifice was to restore the broken relationship between humanity and God caused by sin.
4. Being put to death in the flesh": Refers to Jesus' physical crucifixion.
5. But quickened by the Spirit": Underlines His resurrection, demonstrating His victory over death and sin.
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Disobedient Spirits: This phrase likely refers to the people of Noah's time who ignored God's warnings and refused to repent of their wicked ways.
God's Patience: The verse highlights God's longsuffering, meaning His incredible patience and mercy even in the face of defiance and rebellion.
Noah's Days: This sets the context for the story of the Great Flood, a time of widespread corruption and sin.
The Ark: The ark becomes a symbol of God's provision of salvation for those who would heed His voice.
Eight Souls: Emphasizes the small number who trusted God and were saved from destruction through the ark.
Theological Significance:
- Consequences of Disobedience: The verse underscores the reality of judgment for those who persist in rebellion against God.
- God's Mercy and Patience: It highlights God's desire for people to turn to Him and receive salvation, even within a world steeped in wickedness.
- Urgency of Response: The story of Noah and the few who were saved draws attention to the importance of responding to God's message while there is still time.
- Symbol of Baptism: Some early Church Fathers connected the water of the flood to Christian baptism, emphasizing cleansing from sin and entering new life with Christ.