2 Kings 1

2Ki 1:14
"Look, fire has come down from heaven and burned up the first two captains of fifties with their fifties. But let my life now be precious in your sight."

Why had Elijah then not send fire down to consume the third captain and his fifties? Could it really be that the lives of the first two captains and their fifties were not precious in the sight of God?

Of course not. Our lives are of course precious in the sight of God. Every individual soul is precious to Him.

As for why God decided not to send fire down to consume the third captain, I believe it has to do with his humbled heart. And also a heart that believed.

See how Elijah replied the first two when they called upon him as "man of God":

"If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men." (1:10,12)

Why had Elijah replied with "if I am a man of God"?

My opinion is that the first two captains did not really believe in that, even though they address him as such. Therefore, judgment came upon them. As for the third captain, we saw how he "came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him" (1:13).

I do not know if he really believed in the LORD God as the true God then, maybe he was just fearful for his life? But I believe he recognised that Elijah did come with power and authority from above. When he addressed Elijah as "man of God", he meant it with sincerity, at least he was more sincere than the previous two.

Moreover, he came on his knees and pleaded. He came pleading for his life. I think falling on one's knees is probably one of the best actions to show humility. Being lower (well, literally) than the other party, one is actually submitting to him and his will.

Have we ever humbled ourselves and fallen on our knees before God? Have we ever come before God on our knees, pleading with Him? Such is a manifestation of humility, and God desires a humble spirit.

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2Ch 7:14)"