Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 18:15-16
1 Kings 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... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 18:15
And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand [This formula should be compared with that of 1 Kings 17:1 . The repetition is suggestive as exhibiting the habit of the man. He was the ready and patient slave of Jehovah. The צְבָאוֹת is apparently introduced not so much to "elevate the solemnity of the oath" (Keil, Bähr)—for surely Elijah would wish to make the affirmation of 1 Kings 17:1 as strong and solemn as possible—nor yet to convey the meaning that "it is... read more