Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 1:36 — anointed him in the name of the Lord; and thereby signified that he should be endued with all the kingly virtues; that he should reign by, under, and for the Lord.3. The trumpet was then to be blown, and solemn proclamation made, that he was anointed king.4. He was then brought and solemnly placed on the throne, to signify that he had now assumed the reins of government, and was about to administer justice and judgement to the people.

1 Kings 4:31 — Verse 1 Kings 4:31. He was wiser than all men — He was wiser than any of those who were most celebrated in his time, among whom were the four after mentioned, viz., Ethan, Heman, Chalcol, and Darda. Ethan was probably the same as is mentioned in some of the Psalms,

2 Kings 8:4 — Verse 2 Kings 8:4. The king talked with Gehazi — This is supposed to have happened before the cleansing of Naaman, for is it likely that the king would hold conversation with a leprous man; or that, knowing Gehazi had been dismissed with the highest disgrace from

1 Chronicles 13:1 — CHAPTER XIII David consults with his officers, and resolves to bring back the ark from the house of Abinadab, 1-4. They place it on a new cart, and Uzza and Ahio drive the cart; the oxen stumbling, Uzza puts forth his hand to save the ark from falling, and he is smitten by the Lord, 5-10. David is displeased, and orders the ark to be carried to the house of Obed-edom

1 Chronicles 3:1 — CHAPTER III The children of David which were born to him in Hebron, 1-4. Those born to him in Jerusalem, 5-9. The regal line from Solomon, 10-24. NOTES ON CHAP. IIIVerse 1 Chronicles 3:1. The second, Daniel — In 2 Samuel 3:3, this person is called Chileab; he probably had two names. The Targum says, "The second, Daniel,

Esther 2:1 — CHAPTER II The counsellors advise that a selection of virgins should be made throughout the empire, out of whom the king should choose one to be queen in place of Vashti, 1-4. Account of Mordecai and his cousin Esther, 5-7. She is chosen among the young women, and is placed under the care of Hegai, the king's chamberlain, to go through a year's purification, 8-11. The manner in which these young women were introduced to

Esther 5:1 — CHAPTER V Esther presents herself before the king, and finds favour in his sight, 1, 2. He asks what her request is, and promises to grant it, 3. She invites him and Haman to a banquet, which they accept, 4, 5. He then desires to know her request; and she promises to make it known on the morrow, if they will again come to her banquet, 6-8. Haman, though overjoyed at the manner in which he was received by the queen, is indignant at the indifference with

Job 24:4 — Verse Job 24:4. They turn the needy out of the way — They will not permit them to go by the accustomed paths; they oblige them to take circuitous routes. When the Marquis of H. was made ranger of Richmond Park, he thought it his duty to shut up a pathway which

Job 26:4 — Verse Job 26:4. Whose spirit came from thee? — Mr. Good renders the verse thus: From whom hast thou pillaged speeches? And whose spirit hath issued forth from thee? The retort is peculiarly severe; and refers immediately to the proverbial sayings which in several

Job 8:1 — CHAPTER VIII Bildad answers, and reproves Job for his justifying himself, 1, 2. Shows that God is just, and never punishes but for iniquity; and intimates that it was on account of their sins that his children were cut off, 3, 4. States that, if Job would humble himself to the Almighty, provided he were innocent, his captivity would soon be turned, and his latter end be abundantly prosperous, 5-7. Appeals to the ancients for the truth of what he says; and draws examples from

Psalms 112:4 — Verse Psalms 112:4. There ariseth light in the darkness — The upright are always happy; and when tribulations come, God lifts up the light of his countenance upon him, and causes all occurences to work together for his good.He is gracious, and full of compassion,

Psalms 126:4 — Verse Psalms 126:4. Turn again our captivity — This is either a recital of the prayer they had used before their deliverance; or it is a prayer for those who still remained in the provinces beyond the Euphrates. The Jewish captives did not all return at once; they

Psalms 4:5 — Verse Psalms 4:5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness — Do not attempt to offer a sacrifice to God for prosperity in your present rebellious conduct. Such a sacrifice would be a sin. Turn to God from whom you have revolted; and offer to him a righteous sacrifice,

Psalms 61:1 — PSALM LXI The psalmist's prayer for those who were banished from their own land, and from the ordinances of God, 1, 2. He praises God for his past mercies, 3; purposes to devote himself entirely to his service, 4, 5. He prays for the king, 6, 7; and promises to perform his vow to the Lord daily, 8. NOTES ON PSALM LXIThe title, To the chief Musician upon Neginath, נגינת. The verb נגן nagan signifies to strike or play on a musical instrument, especially one of

Psalms 70:5 — of this Psalm are the following: - I. The prayer of David for himself, that he may be freed from his enemies, Psalms 70:1, repeated Psalms 70:5.II. For the speedy overthrow of the wicked Psalms 70:2-3.III. For the prosperity of the godly, Psalms 70:4.IV. The arguments he uses to induce God to answer his prayer.1. His miserable condition: "I am poor and needy."2. God's office: "Thou art my Helper and Redeemer."For a farther analysis, see at the end of the fortieth Psalm. Psalms 40:17.

Proverbs 25:9 — subject I cannot but give the following extract from Sir John Hawkins's Life of Dr. Johnson, which he quotes from Mr. Selwin, of London: "A man who deliberates about going to law should have,1. A good cause;2. A good purse;3. A good skilful attorney;4. Good evidence;5. Good able counsel;6. A good upright judge;7. A good intelligent jury; and with all these on his side, if he have not,8. Good luck, it is odds but he miscarries in his suit." O the glorious uncertainty of the law!

Ecclesiastes 9:1 — CHAPTER IX No men knows, by any present sign, what is before him, 1. All things happen alike to all, 2, 3. Comparison of the state of the dead and the living, 4-6. Enjoy God's mercies, and live to his glory, 7-10. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, 11. Man is ignorant of futurity, 12, 13. The account of the little city, and the poor wise man, 14-18. NOTES ON CHAP. IXVerse Ecclesiastes

Judges 17:1 — Micah, an Ephraimite, restores to his mother eleven hundred shekels of silver, which he had taken from her, 1, 2. She dedicates this to God; and out of a part of it makes a graven image and a molten image, and gets them up tn the house of Micah, 3, 4; who consecrates one of his sons to be his priest, 5. He afterwards finds a Levite, whom he consecrates for a priest, and gives him annually ten shekels of silver, with his food and clothing, 6-13. NOTES ON CHAP. XVIIVerse Judges 17:1. And there was

Ruth 4:16 — Verse Ruth 4:16. Naomi took the child — This might do for Naomi, but it was bad for the child. A child, unless remarkably healthy and robust, will suffer considerably by being nursed by an old woman, especially if the child sleep with her. The aged gain refreshment

1 Samuel 13:14 — Verse 1 Samuel 13:14. The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart — That this man was David is sufficiently clear from the sequel. But in what sense was he a man after God's own heart? Answer:1. In his strict attention to the law and worship of God.2. In his