Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 18:4 — deed of blood. Some have conjectured that it was the answer of Jezebel to Elijah’s threat, and that the command given him to hide in Cherith alone saved him from being one of the victims. This view receives some support from Obadiah’s act and words 1 Kings 18:13.Fifty in a cave - The limestone formation of Judaea and Samaria abounds with large natural caverns, the size of which is easily increased by art. These “caves” play an important part in the history of the country, serving especially as refuges

1 Kings 21:1 — A vineyard ... in Jezreel - The name Jezreel is applied in Scripture, not merely to the town 1 Kings 18:46, but also to the valley or plain which lies below it, between Mount Gilboa and Little Hermon (2Sa 2:9; 2 Kings 9:10; Hosea 1:5; etc.).The palace of Ahab at Jezreel was on the eastern side of the city, looking toward the Jordan down the valley

1 Kings 22:4 — Ahab, well aware of the military strength of Syria, and feeling that he cannot now expect divine aid 1 Kings 20:42; 1 Kings 21:21, asks the aid of Jehoshaphat, whose military resources were very great 2 Chronicles 17:12-19. Jehoshaphat’s answer is one of complete acquiescence, without reserve of any kind (compare 2 Chronicles 18:3). Jehoshaphat was afterward

1 Kings 3:12 — A wise and an understanding heart - Solomon’s wisdom seems to have been both moral and intellectual (see 1 Kings 4:29-34). But it was moral wisdom alone which he requested, and which was promised him. The terms translated “wise” and “understanding,” both denote practical wisdom. (See Genesis 41:33, Genesis 41:39; Deuteronomy 4:6; Proverbs 1:2, etc.)Neither

1 Kings 3:12 — Un corazón sabio y comprensivo - La sabiduría de Salomón parece haber sido moral e intelectual (ver 1 Reyes 4:29). Pero lo único que solicitó fue sabiduría moral y lo que se le prometió. Los términos traducidos "sabio" y "comprensión", ambos denotan sabiduría práctica. (Ver Génesis 41:33, Génesis 41:39; Deuteronomio 4:6; Proverbios 1:2, etc.) Ni

2 Chronicles 21:12 — historian of the southern one. The notice shows that Elijah did not confine his attention to the affairs of his own state, but strove to check the progress of idolatry in Judah. And it proves that he was alive after the death of Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 21:13; a fact bearing(1) upon the chronological order of 2 Kings 2:1 (see the note), and(2) showing that Elisha, who prophesied in the time of Jehoshaphat. 2 Kings 3:11-19 commenced his public ministry before his master’s translation.

Job 2:5 — he was, he knew that God only could subject the holy man to this trial - another proof that Satan is under the control of the Almighty, and acts only as he is “permitted” to act in tempting and trying the good.And touch his bone - See the note at Job 1:11. Afflict his body so as to endanger his life. The words “bone” and “flesh” denote the whole body. The idea was, that the whole body should be subjected to severe pain.And he will curse thee to thy face - Notes at Job 1:11.

Psalms 103:15 — man: man so frail and weak; man, not only made originally of earth, but man delicate, feeble, soon to pass away like the springing grass, or like the fading flower.His days are as grass - See the notes at Psalms 90:5-6; compare Isaiah 40:6-8, notes; 1 Peter 1:24, note.As a flower of the field - As a blossom. It opens with beauty and fragrance, but soon fades and perishes.So he flourisheth - Rather, “So he blossoms.” That is, he is like a flower that is fresh and beautiful, and that soon withers away.

Psalms 38:1 — O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath - See the notes at Psalms 6:1, where the same language occurs, except in the change of a single Hebrew “word,” that is, “wrath,” though expressing the same idea.Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure - See the notes at Psalms 6:1. The Hebrew in both is the same, except that in

Psalms 61:1 — psalmist gave utterance to his desires in words. It is language such as would be produced by deep distress; when a sad and burdened heart gives vent to its feelings in a loud cry for mercy.Attend unto my prayer - Give ear; incline the ear to me, Psalms 5:1; Psalms 17:1, Psalms 17:6; Psalms 39:12; Psalms 71:2.

Song of Solomon 4:7 — Section 4:7–5:1: The king meeting the bride in the evening of the same day, expresses once more his love and admiration in the sweetest and tenderest terms and figures. He calls her now “bride” (spouse, Song of Solomon 4:8) for the first time, to mark it as the hour

Isaiah 36:22 — With their clothes rent - This was a common mark of grief among the Jews (see 2 Samuel 3:21; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 9:3; Job 1:20; Job 2:12; Jeremiah 36:24; and the notes at Matthew 26:65; notes at Acts 14:14). The causes of their griefs were the insolence and arrogance of Rabshakeh; the proposal to surrender the city; the threatening of the

Jeremiah 36:1 — In the fourth year of Jehoiakim - See Jeremiah 25:1 note. The present chapter belongs to the very end of that year. The capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar took place early in Jehoiakim’s fourth year, long before the writing of Jehoiakim’s scroll. The humiliation seems to have sunk deeply into the

Jeremiah 37:3 — This embassy is not to be confounded with that Jeremiah 21:1 which took place when Nebuchadnezzar was just marching upon Jerusalem; this was in the brief interval of hope occasioned by the approach of an Egyptian army to raise the siege. The Jews were elated by this temporary relief, and miserably abused it

Ezekiel 8 overview — The prophecies contained in these chapters Ezek. 8–19 fall within eleven months (compare Ezekiel 8:1 with Ezekiel 20:1). Although they were not all delivered on the same day, they may be regarded as a whole. They contain in fact a review of the condition of the people of Judah, including those who were

Mark 16:19 — He was received up into heaven - In a cloud from the Mount of Olives. See Acts 1:9.The right hand of God - We are not to suppose that God has hands, or that Jesus sits in any particular direction from God. This phrase is taken from the manner of speaking among men, and means that he was exalted to honor and power in the heavens.

Luke 1:22 — something of this nature had detained him there, and that, on inquiry of him, he signified by a nod that this was the case. He was unable to speak, and they had no way of “perceiving” it but by such a sign. On the word “vision,” see the notes at Isaiah 1:1.For he beckoned unto them - That is, by beckoning unto them, or by a sign, he informed them of what he had seen.

John 10:11 — hazard his own life to defend them. When the wolf comes, he would still remain to protect them. To give his life, here, means the same as not to fly, or to forsake his flock; to be willing to expose his life, if necessary, to defend them. Compare Judges 12:3; “I put my life in my hands and passed over,” etc.; 1 Samuel 19:5; 1 Samuel 28:21. See John 10:15. The Messiah was often predicted under the character of a shepherd.

John 12:21 — Bethsaida of Galilee - See the notes at John 1:44.Would see Jesus - It is probable that the word “see,” here, implies also a desire to converse with him, or to hear his doctrine about the nature of his kingdom. They had seen or heard of his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and, either by curiosity

1 Samuel 7:2 — Y toda la casa de Israel se lamentó ... - La ocupación del país sobre Shiloh por los filisteos 1 Samuel 7:3 fue en parte la razón de el arca se mantuvo tanto tiempo en Kirjath-jearim. Pero otra razón parece haber sido la caída de los israelitas en la idolatría, lo que les hizo descuidar el arca y trajo sobre ellos esta servidumbre filistea; probablemente