"Beholdfirecamedownfrom heavenand consumedthe firsttwocaptainsof fiftywith their fifties;but nowlet my lifebe preciousin your sight."
So he againsentthe captainof a thirdfiftywith his fifty.When the thirdcaptainof fiftywentup, he cameand boweddownon his kneesbeforeElijah,and beggedhim and saidto him, "O manof God,pleaselet my lifeand the livesof thesefiftyservantsof yours be preciousin your sight.
The angelof the LORDsaidto Elijah,"Godownwith him; do not be afraidof him." So he aroseand wentdownwith him to the king.
Preciousin the sightof the LORDIs the deathof His godlyones.
For the redemptionof his soulis costly,And he should cease[trying] forever--
He will rescuetheir lifefrom oppressionand violence,And their bloodwill be preciousin his sight;
For on accountof a harlot[one is reduced] to a loafof bread,And an adulteresshuntsfor the preciouslife.
"But I do not considermy lifeof anyaccountas dearto myself,sothat I may finishmy courseand the ministrywhichI receivedfrom the LordJesus,to testify solemnlyof the gospelof the graceof God.
Then Saulsaid,"I have sinned.Return,my sonDavid,for I will not harmyou againbecausemy lifewas preciousin your sightthisday.Behold,I have playedthe fooland have committeda seriouserror."
"Now behold,as your lifewas highlyvaluedin my sightthisday,somay my lifebe highlyvaluedin the sightof the LORD,and may He deliverme from alldistress."
