Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 13:34 — This persistence in wrong, after the warning given him, brought a judgment, not only on Jeroboam himself, but on his family. Jeroboam’s departure from the path of right forfeited the crown 1 Kings 11:38; and in that forfeiture was involved naturally the destruction of his family, for in the East, as already observed, when one dynasty supplants another, the ordinary practice is for the new king to destroy all the males belonging to the house of his predecessor. See 1 Kings 15:29.

1 Kings 19:5 — An angel touched him - The friendly ministration of angels, common in the time of the patriarchs Genesis 18:2-16; Genesis 19:1-22; Genesis 28:12; Genesis 32:1, Genesis 32:24-29, and known also under the Judges Judges 6:11-21; Judges 13:3-20, was now extended to Elijah. Any other explanation of this passage does violence to the words. It is certainly not the intention of the writer to represent Elijah as relieved on this occasion by a human “messenger.”

1 Kings 22:48 — The expression, “ships of Tharshish,” probably designates ships of a particular class, ships (i. e.) like those with which the Phoenicians used to trade to Tharshish (Tartessus, 1 Kings 10:22 note). Compare the use of “India-man” for a vessel of a certain class. Jehoshaphat’s fleet was constructed at Ezion-Gaber, on the Red Sea 2 Chronicles 20:36, where Solomon had previously built a navy 1 Kings 9:26. Being lord-paramount of Edom, Jehoshaphat had the right of using this harbor.

1 Kings 22:52 — In the way of his mother - In this phrase, which does not occur anywhere else, we see the strong feeling of the writer as to the influence of Jezebel (compare 1 Kings 16:31).Verses 1 Kings 22:51-53. It would be of advantage if these verses were transferred to the Second Book of Kings, which would thus open with the commencement of Ahaziah’s reign. The division of the books does not proceed from the author. See the introduction to the Book of Kings

1 Kings 7:51 — Las cosas que David había dedicado - No solo las cosas descritas en 1 Crónicas 28:14, sino también el botín de las naciones que había sometido ( referencia de margen), y también los vasos de oro, plata y latón, enviados por Toi, rey de Hamat, en su victoria sobre Hadadezer. Salomón ahora los trajo al tesoro del templo. Un tesoro sagrado se había establecido al menos ya en la época de Saúl, a lo que el mismo Saúl, Abner, Joab y otros habían contribuido 1 Crónicas 26:28.

2 Kings 14:22 — Elath, or Eloth (marginal reference 1 Kings 9:26), was near Ezion-Geber, in the Gulf of Akabah. It had been lost to the Jews on the revolt of Edom from Joram 2 Kings 8:22. Uzziah’s re-establishment of the place, rendered possible by his father’s successes 2 Kings 14:7, was one of his first acts, and seems to imply a desire to renew the commercial projects which Solomon had successfully carried out, and which Jehoshaphat had vainly attempted 1 Kings 22:48.

Proverbs 10:16 — A warning against the conclusion to seek wealth first of all, which men of lower natures might draw from Proverbs 10:15. “Quaerenda pecunia primum est; Virtus post nummos?” Horace, Ephesians 1:0. i. 53.Such an inference is met by the experience, that while wealth gotten by honest industry is not only, like inherited riches a defense, but also a blessing, the seeming profit (rather than “fruit”) of the wicked tends to further sin 1 Timothy 6:10, and so to punishment. Compare Romans 6:21.

Proverbs 21:4 — The plowing - The Hebrew word, with a change in its vowel points, may signify either:(1) the “fallow field,” the “tillage” of Proverbs 13:23, or(2) the lamp.According to: (1) the verse would mean, “The outward signs of pride, the proud heart, the broad lands of the wicked, all are evil.” (2) however, belongs, as it were, to the language of the time and of the book Proverbs 13:9; Proverbs 24:20. The “lamp of the wicked” is their outwardly bright prosperity.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 — otherwise translated, “feeding on wind.” Modern Hebrew grammarians assert that the word rendered “vexation” must be derived from a root signifying “to feed,” “follow,” “strive after.” This being admitted, it remains to choose between two translations: (1) “striving after wind,” or “windy effort;” adopted by the Septuagint and the majority of modern interpreters; or (2) feeding on wind. Compare Hosea 12:1 : and similar phrases in Proverbs 15:14; Isaiah 44:20; Psalms 37:3.

Lamentations 1:1 — In these two verses is the same sad image as appears in the well-known medal of Titus, struck to celebrate his triumph over Jerusalem. A woman sits weeping beneath a palm-tree, and below is the legend “Judaea capta.”Translate Lamentations 1:1 : How sitteth solitary the city that was full of people: She is become as a widow that was great among the nations: A princess among provinces she is become a vassal.Tributary - In the sense of personal labor Joshua 16:10.

Lamentations 1:17 — Spreadeth forth her hands - In prayer Exodus 9:29, Exodus 9:33, but Zion entreats in vain. There is no one to comfort her - not God, for He is chastising her, nor man, for all the neighboring nations have become her enemies. See Lamentations 1:2.That his adversaries ... - Rather, that those round about him should be his adversaries; all the neighboring states should regard him with aversion.Jerusalem is ... - i. e. is become an abomination. The words are virtually the same as in Lamentations 1:8.

Ezekiel 21:1-2 — The first word of judgment Ezekiel 21:1-7. Ezekiel speaks first to the people of Israel, shows the universality of the coming destructions, and indicates by a sign (that of sighing) the sadness of the calamity.The words and order of words are identical with Ezekiel 20:45-46, except that for “south,” there are substituted: (1) “Jerusalem;” (2) “the holy place,” i. e., the temple and its various parts; (3) “the land of Israel.”No subterfuge is left for the people to pretend misunderstanding.

Deuteronomy 34:6 — No man knoweth of his sepulchre - Hardly, lest the grave of Moses should become an object of superstitious honor, because the Jews were not prone to this particular fore of error. Bearing in mind the appearance of Moses at the Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-10, and what is said by Jude Jude 1:9, we may conjecture that Moses after death passed into the same state with Enoch and Elijah; and that his grave could not be found because he was shortly translated (transported) from it.

Luke 10:38 — A certain village - Bethany. See John 11:1. It was on the eastern declivity of the Mount of Olives. See the notes at Matthew 21:1.Received him - Received him kindly and hospitably. From this it would seem that “Martha” was properly the mistress of the house. Possibly she was a widow, and her brother Lazarus and younger sister Mary lived with her; and as “she” had the care of the household, this will also show why she was so diligently employed about domestic affairs.

Colossians 2:13 — And you, being dead in your sins - Notes, Ephesians 2:1.And the uncircumcision of your flesh - That is, Gentiles, and giving unrestrained indulgence to the desires of the flesh. They lived as those who had not by any religious rite or covenant brought themselves under obligations to lead holy lives.Hath he quickened - Notes, Ephesians 2:1.Together with him - In virtue of his being restored to life. That is, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the means of imparting to us spiritual life.

1 Samuel 15:33 — Hewed in pieces - Only found in this passage. Samuel thus executed the חרם chērem 1 Samuel 15:3 which Saul had violated, and so both saved the nation from the guilt of a broken oath, and gave a final example to Saul, but apparently in vain, of uncompromising obedience to the commandments of God. There is something awful in the majesty of the prophet rising above and eclipsing that of the king (compare 1 Kings 21:20; Jeremiah 38:14 ff; Daniel 2:46; Daniel 4:27).

1 Samuel 15:33 — Cortado en pedazos - Solo se encuentra en este pasaje. Samuel ejecutó así el חרם chērem 1 Samuel 15:3 que Saúl había violado, y ambos salvaron a la nación de la culpa de un juramento roto, y dieron un ejemplo final a Saúl, pero aparentemente en vano, de obediencia inflexible a los mandamientos de Dios. Hay algo horrible en la majestad del profeta que se eleva y eclipsa la del rey (compárese 1 Reyes 21:2; Jeremias 38:14 ff; Daniel 2:46; Daniel 4:27).

1 Samuel 20:1 — Mientras Saúl estaba bajo la influencia restrictiva del espíritu de profecía, David escapó de Naioth y, probablemente por el consejo de Samuel, regresó a la corte de Saúl para comunicarse con Jonathan. Nada podría ser una mejor evidencia de su inocencia que ponerse así en el poder de Jonathan. Quizás algo pasó entre Samuel y Saúl sobre el tema, ya que aparece de 1Sa 20: 5 , 1 Samuel 20:25, 1 Samuel 20:27, que Saúl esperaba a David en la fiesta de la luna nueva.

2 Samuel 24:22 — Here be oxen - Those, namely, which were at that very time threshing out the grain in Araunah’s threshing-floor 1 Chronicles 21:20; Deuteronomy 25:4.Threshing-instruments - This was a kind of sledge with iron teeth Isaiah 41:15. It was drawn by two or four oxen over the grain on the floor.Other instruments of the oxen - “i. e., the harness of the oxen,” of which the yoke, and perhaps some other parts, would be made of wood (marginal references; 1 Samuel 6:14).

2 Samuel 24:22 — Aquí hay bueyes - Esos, a saber, que en ese mismo momento estaban trillando el grano en la era de Araunah 1 Crónicas 21:2; Deuteronomio 25:4. Instrumentos de trilla - Esto era una especie de trineo con dientes de hierro Isaías 41:15. Fue atraído por dos o cuatro bueyes sobre el grano en el piso. Otros instrumentos de los bueyes - “ i. e., el arnés de los bueyes ”, de los cuales el yugo, y quizás algunas otras partes, serían de madera (referencias marginales; 1 Samuel 6:14).