By the living LORD, your God, I swear that the king has made a search for you in every country in the world. Whenever the ruler of a country reported that you were not in his country, Ahab would require that ruler to swear that you could not be found.

When we make a vow, we use the name of someone greater than ourselves, and the vow settles all arguments.

To those who were to receive what he promised, God wanted to make it very clear that he would never change his purpose; so he added his vow to the promise.

And so the whole universe was completed.

Do not be tempted to worship and serve what you see in the sky---the sun, the moon, and the stars. The LORD your God has given these to all other peoples for them to worship.

Can anyone count the angels who serve him? Is there any place where God's light does not shine?

Who is this great king? He is the LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, victorious in battle.

Who is this great king? The triumphant LORD ---he is the great king!

Praise the LORD, all you heavenly powers, you servants of his, who do his will!

Praise him, all his angels, all his heavenly armies.

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, shining stars.

They were calling out to each other: "Holy, holy, holy! The LORD Almighty is holy! His glory fills the world."

Instead of being gathered and buried, their bones will be like manure lying on the ground. They will be spread out before the sun, the moon, and the stars, which these people have loved and served, and which they have consulted and worshiped.

Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!"

A prophet named Elijah, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to King Ahab, "In the name of the LORD, the living God of Israel, whom I serve, I tell you that there will be no dew or rain for the next two or three years until I say so."

But strengthen the determination of your helper, Joshua son of Nun. He will lead Israel to occupy the land.'

"I am Gabriel," the angel answered. "I stand in the presence of God, who sent me to speak to you and tell you this good news.

"Listen to me, you that know what is right, who have my teaching fixed in your hearts. Do not be afraid when people taunt and insult you;

they will vanish like moth-eaten clothing! But the deliverance I bring will last forever; my victory will endure for all time."