When she came up to the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came to push her away, but the man of God said, ‘Leave her alone #– #she is in severe anguish, and the Lord has hidden it from me. He hasn’t told me.’
Tell them, “As I live #– #this is the declaration of the Lord God #– #I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel? ”
If they will diligently learn the ways of my people #– #to swear by my name, “As the Lord lives,” just as they taught my people to swear by Baal #– #they will be built up among my people.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers, , said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord God of Israel lives, in whose presence I stand, there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command! ’
Otherwise, as surely as the Lord God of Israel lives, who prevented me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, Nabal wouldn’t have had any males left by morning light.’
Now my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and as you yourself live #– #it is the Lord who kept you from participating in bloodshed and avenging yourself by your own hand–may your enemies and those who intend to harm my lord be like Nabal.
Then I will send a servant and say, “Go and find the arrows! ” Now, if I expressly say to the servant, “Look, the arrows are on this side of you #– #get them,” then come, because as the Lord lives, it is safe for you and there is no problem.
But the people said to Saul, ‘Must Jonathan die? He accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel! No, as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he worked with God’s help today.’ So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die.
Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, that’s good. Let him redeem you. But if he doesn’t want to redeem you, as the Lord lives, I will. Now lie down until morning.’