Bible Commentaries

Exodus 9 overview — This chapter continues the history of the Ten Plagues with Plague V (Exodus 9:1-7), Plague VI (Exodus 9:8-12), and Plague VII (Exodus 9:13-35). As the record unfolds, the student should note the gradation in the severity of the plagues, the decreasing ability of the magicians to stand before Moses, the gradual erosion of the adamant position of Pharaoh, and the increasing numbers of the

1 Kings 2 overview — AUTHORITY The events of this chapter did not follow immediately after those of the previous chapter. David recovered from his serious illness and performed a number of important deeds prior to his death as witnessed by the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 23-29. And, although David's sinful numbering of Israel is included in the events reported there (which event occurred prior to the serious illness of David reported in 1 Kings 2:1), it is quite evident that a number of things reported in Chronicles were

2 Kings 11 overview — religion of Judah; the High Priest Jehoiada was degraded; and all the cruelties, immoralities and irreligion of the house of Ahab were reenacted in the Southern Kingdom, which now fell to the lowest level in its history."The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 3, p. 244. The true people of Judah never recognized Athaliah as a legitimate ruler of their kingdom. "The sacred author did not speak of her as a valid ruler at all, gave no date of her usurpation, nor of her death or burial; and when her successor Jehoash

Psalms 30 overview — also generally received as accurate, is the basis of several opinions regarding its meaning. A summary of various views as to what is meant by the "Dedication of the House" is as follows: It refers to the Temple of Zerubbabel in 165 B.C.W. E. Addis, p. 377. Some say it refers to the Temple of Solomon. Some think it means the house of David's palace, Others assign it to the purgation and re-dedication of David's house (palace) after Absalom left. Calmet believed the psalm was written by David on the

Psalms 31 overview — the author of this psalm, on the basis of some verses in Jeremiah which are very much like some of the passages in this chapter; but Jonah and Jeremiah were quoting the Psalms, not the other way around. As McCaw noted, "Jeremiah actually quoted verse 13 in Jeremiah 20:10."The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 470. Another device of destructive critics is that of declaring the psalm to be a composite; but that proposition has been exposed and rejected by both Leupold and Yates. "The latter section of

Psalms 59 overview — persecutions."F. Delitzsch, Vol. V-B, p. 186. "The Psalm divides into four parts, two of them terminated by the word "Selah," and the other two by refrains."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8-B, p. 11. These divisions are (1) Psalms 59:1-5; (2) Psalms 59:6-9; (3) Psalms 59:10-13, and (4) Psalms 59:14-17.

Isaiah 15 overview — already written, and then pinpointing the fulfillment of it within an exact period of only three years time. Cheyne divided the prophecy (both chapters) into three divisions:T. K. Cheyne's Commentary, p. 96 (1) Isaiah 15:1-9; (2) Isaiah 16:1-5; and (3) Isaiah 16:6-14. The time prophesied here for the fulfillment of the doom of Moab is nearly impossible to decide. As Hailey said, "If we knew the date of this prophecy, we could determine whether it was fulfilled by Shalmanezar, Sargon, or Sennacherib";Homer

Jeremiah 40 overview — the Nebhiim, a division endorsed by Jesus himself in Luke 24:44, in which passage Jesus quoted the classical division of the Old Testament into its three, and only three, divisions, (1) The Torah, (2) The Psalms (inclusive of the poetical books), and (3) The Prophets. Jesus used the words, "The Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets"; but these three divisions were called by the Jews, (1) The Torah, (2) The Kethubhim, and the Nebhiim.J. R. Dummelow's Commentary, p. xii. Thus, the appearance in this historical

Hosea 11 overview — Himself, in the person of his Son, upon the Cross of Calvary. It was there in the event of God's setting forth his Son to be the propitiation for our sins that God showed himself to be "just, and the justifier of them that believe in Christ" (Romans 3:25). It is the unconquerable love of God in Christ Jesus that dramatically comes into focus in this chapter.

John 12 overview — in this. A number of important things in the life of Christ took place between John 11:54 and John 11:55. According to Robertson, these were: He started the last journey to Jerusalem, via Samaria and Galilee. healing ten lepers en route (Luke 17:11-37). He gave two parables on prayers, those of the importunate widow and the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:1-14). He gave his teaching on divorce (Mark 10:1-12; Matthew 19:1-12). He received little children (Mark 10:13-16, etc.). He spoke with the

Romans 4 overview — This chapter is a development of the thought expressed in Rom. 4:28-29 near the close of Romans 3, that is, the vindication of God's righteousness in calling Jews and Gentiles in one body, that of Christ, with no distinctions between them. Paul followed throughout this chapter the terminology introduced in those verses, calling the Jews "the

1 Peter 1:4 — who possessed Canaan received it through their being the actual posterity of Abraham. Four things are stated with reference to that glorious inheritance. Incorruptible … Paul also spoke of the Christian's inheritance (Ephesians 1:14; Colossians 3:24), and all of the sacred writers extolled the virtues of it. Canaan, the inheritance of the old Israel, had indeed been corrupted; foreign enemies invaded it and subjected the people to slavery; evil kings arose from themselves who oppressed and devoured

1 John 2:5 — but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: Whoso keepeth his word … This is identical in meaning with "if we keep his commandments" (1 John 2:3). The love of God has been perfected … Here is another glimpse of that absolute perfection which is the goal of all Christian living, mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 5:48, and referred to by all the New Testament writers. Although unattainable

Revelation 1:12-13 — turned I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. I turned to see the voice … "As in Genesis 3:8, the voice is put for the speaker." A. Plummer, The Pulpit Commentary, Volume 22, Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 6. One of the big things in Revelation is the voice so frequently mentioned. The

Revelation 1:6 — is not to the saints as forming the kingdom which Christ now rules." Isbon T. Beckwith, op. cit., p. 429. The teaching of the entire New Testament, however, makes it absolutely certain that Christians are now in Christ's kingdom (Colossians 1:13), the precise terminology of this verse being found in Paul's words there. This passage reflects Exodus 19:6, where it is revealed that God's purpose for Israel was that, "Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests." 1 Peter 2:9 is also parallel

Revelation 4:11 — around. Thyself didst create all things … Repeatedly, the broadest and most fundamental doctrines of Christianity are given dramatic and powerful emphasis in this prophecy. This chapter is full of this. Note the description of God in Revelation 4:3, where the likeness of God is mentioned. "In the author's refusal to describe God in anthropomorphic terms, he declares that "God is Spirit,'" Edward A. McDowell, The Meaning and Message of the Book of Revelation (Nashville: Broadman

Revelation 5:5 — the conception is nevertheless found in the patriarchal blessing of Judah (Genesis 49:10), who earned the right to have his name stand in a title of the Messiah when he unselfishly offered himself as a ransom for his brother Benjamin (Genesis 44:18-34). John's application of this glorious title to Christ, or rather its being so done in heaven, confirms Jesus Christ as the true occupant of the throne of David. Jesus Christ is now the true and only King of the true Israel, "the seed of David"

Revelation 8:13 — symbol of Roman legions, some exceptional prophet, Gregory the Great, or even Christ himself." R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 284. Rist even thought that this eagle might be the living creature with the eagle's head." Martin Rist, op. cit., p. 431. Is it any wonder that people get mixed up and confused in their studies of this prophecy? Strauss pointed out that the prophecy here of woes that shall be worse and worse "is in harmony with Paul's teachings (1 Timothy 3:12)." James D. Strauss,

Revelation 8:3 — And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. Revelation 8:3-6 seems to connect the prayers of the saints with the trumpet judgments; and, in a sense, "it is these prayers that set the judgments in motion." Leon Morris, op. cit., p. 120. Over the altar … All speculations about where, exactly,

1 Samuel 14 overview — Saul's sins as: "(1) Entering the battle of Michmash without awaiting divine counsel (1 Samuel 14:19); (2) invoking an egotistical and pagan curse which deprived his army of the necessary food to support their victorious pursuit of the Philistines; (3) causing his army, through fatigue and hunger, to eat meat improperly bled (a violation of God's law); and (4) condemning his son Jonathan to death."The Teachers' Bible Commentary, p. 171. The people had sense enough to overrule that last stupid and