Elijah's oath, "As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand," was not just a figure of speech. Commentator John Gill explains this phrase signifies that Elijah saw himself as a servant constantly in the presence of the living God. This gave him the divine authority and courage to face King Ahab and was meant to assure Obadiah that he would not be left in a dangerous position. Elijah's confidence came from his position as God's representative.