1 Kings 18:15

1Ki 18:15 And Elijah said, [As] the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.

Ver. 15. I will surely show myself unto him today.] Though he be never so much incensed against me. The fear of God putteth out the fear of any mortal wight, as the sunbeams do the fire on the hearth. When Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, said to Dr Taylor, martyr, Art thou come, thou villain? how darest thou look me in the face for shame? knowest thou not who I am? Yes, quoth Taylor, I know who you are: you are Dr Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and Lord Chancellor, yet but a mortal man, I think. But if I should be afraid of your lordly looks, why fear you not God the Lord of us all? How dare you, for shame, look any Christian man in the face, seeing ye have forsaken the truth, denied our Saviour Christ and his word, and done contrary to your own word and writing? &c. Thus that valiant martyr, like another Elias. {a}

{a} Act. and Mon.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ki 18:15-16. As the Lord of hosts liveth — Who commands all creatures in heaven and earth. He mentions this title as his shield, under the protection of which he durst venture to come, and did come, into Ahab’s presence; before whom I stand — Whom I serve as one of his ministers; I will surely show myself to him to-day — For a greater king than he, the Lord of all things, will preserve me. So Obadiah went to meet Ahab — The solemn oath of Elijah made him readily obey; as convincing him fully that the prophet seriously intended to see Ahab, which he before suspected he did not. No doubt it was a great surprise to Ahab to hear that Elijah, whom he had so long sought and not found, was now found without seeking.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

By my presence I will declare that thou hast told him the truth.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

15. I will surely shew myself unto him to day] With this assurance Obadiah is satisfied, and goes to find Ahab.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And it came to pass when Ahab saw Elijah,.... As soon as he came up to him, and knew who he was; Abarbinel thinks, because his hair was grown so long that Ahab did not know him certainly, and therefore put the following question:

that Ahab said unto him, art thou he that troubleth Israel? by opposing the religion of Baal, which prevailed among them; but chiefly rain being withheld from them according to his word, and at his prayer.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

As the Lord of hosts liveth; the Lord of all the creatures, which are called God’s hosts, Gen 2:1; Deu 4:19; Psa 103:21; Psa 148:2, and are all subject to his command. He mentions this title as his shield, under the protection whereof he did and durst venture to come into Ahab’s presence.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand This formula should be compared with that ofis 1Ki_17:1. The repetition is suggestive as exhibiting the habit of the man. He was the ready and patient slave of Jehovah. The twOabx apparently introduced not so much to "elevate the solemnity of the oath" (Keil, Bahr) for surely Elijah would wish to make the affirmation of, 1Ki_17:1 as strong and solemn as possible nor yet to convey the meaning that "it is not Baal or Ashtaroth who are the rulers of the heavenly bodies" (Wordsworth) for Obadiah knew that perfectly well, but because it was thus better adapted for a believer. In addressing Ahab it suited Elijah"s purpose better to give prominence to the idea that Jehovah was "the God of Israel", I win surely show myself unto him today.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.