Bible Commentaries

Genesis 14:15-16 — while admitting the historicity of the narrative here, nevertheless set it aside as an exaggeration, claiming also that it was a miracle and therefore unacceptable!John Skinner, International Critical Commentary (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1910), p. 255. First, there is no need whatever to make a miracle out of this narrative, although we freely admit the providential guidance of the Lord in Abram's triumph. This was a token of what would continue to happen throughout the history of Israel. Whether

Genesis 24:10-14 — God" (John 3:15). As Christ himself stated it, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Also, four of the seven great signs of the Gospel of John followed the water motif: (1)    water was changed to wine; (2)    the healing at the Pool of Bethesda; (3)    the healing in the Pool of Siloam; and (4)    Jesus, walking on the sea.

1 Kings 19:15-18 — 11:4). Seven thousand is a perfect number and probably should be understood as a larger but indefinite multitude. Right here is the beginning of the doctrine of the Righteous Remnant which receives so much attention in Isaiah (Isaiah 6:13; Isaiah 10:20-23). "And every mouth which hath not kissed him" (Baal) "Kissing Baal was the usual form in which this idol was worshipped, not merely by throwing kisses with the hand but also by actually kissing the idol itself."C. F. Keil, Keil and Delitzsch's Old

2 Kings 3:1-3 — therefrom." The critical allegation that this paragraph is merely, "A Deuteronomic appraisal, and that the successive kings of Israel were judged by the Deuteronomic standard of the single sanctuary (in Jerusalem),"Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 233. is unacceptable in the light of truth. The implication of such an opinion is that the provision of Jerusalem as the single, one and only, acceptable sanctuary for the Chosen People came, not from Moses via the direct revelation of God, but that it

Psalms 130 overview — doubtless many in Israel who, like this penitent psalmist, earnestly "waited" for the kingdom of God and the forgiveness for which mankind stood in the sorest need. Luke mentions the godly Simeon who was, "looking for the consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:26). We believe the psalmist here was also of that company who waited for the kingdom of God. Barnes pointed out that, "Most interpreters suppose that the psalmist here is speaking, not as an individual, but in the name of the nation."Barnes' Notes

Psalms 59 overview — House to Kill Him. Leupold expresses perfectly our full confidence in this superscription. "We give full credence to the heading as being historically reliable and as actually reflecting the situation out of which the Psalm grew."H. C. Leupold, p. 442. "The whole character of the Psalm is Davidic; and the 'title' has more intrinsic weight than the conjectures of critics, especially critics who all disagree with one another."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8-B, p. 11. THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND (1 Samuel

Leviticus 8:22-29 — not yet ready to make atonement for Israel. This typifies the fact that the great Captain of our Salvation was made perfect to perform the Great Atonement on Calvary by suffering. God would make Jesus to be sin upon our behalf (See Hebrews 5:8-9 and 2 Corinthians 5:21). To portray this, Aaron must be accounted as a leper, and touched all over by the cleansing blood before he can fulfill his office!

Isaiah 15 overview — that Isaiah (perhaps) had 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,

Isaiah 33 overview — the prophecy is just prior to 701 B.C., when the death of the Assyrian army occurred. Unbelieving, critical scholars as a general rule date the prophecy "after the Babylonian captivity,"Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), p. 284. but it is refreshing that one of their number raised a flag of caution on the blind acceptance of such speculations regarding the date of Isaiah's prophecies, and commented that it is "very precarious." He even mentioned, "Our almost complete ignorance"Footnote

Numbers 30:9-12 — concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and Jehovah will forgive her." The teaching here is that widows and divorced women were in the same category as all mankind (as in Numbers 30:1-2) and were required to discharge their pledges, oaths, sworn promises, and vows. Even in those instances in which a woman had made binding vows (not disallowed) before she was widowed or divorced, the woman's obligations stood. It is dramatically clear

Habakkuk 3 overview — This chapter is a concluding prayer by Habakkuk, although a great deal of it is more like what would be called a devotional. "All devotional addresses to God are called prayers (Psalms 72:20)."Robert Jamieson, Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1961), p. 831. Stephens-Hodge defended the unity of the whole prophecy and believed that, "This third chapter could hardly be more suitable to

Deuteronomy 28:20-26 — tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth. And thy dead body shall be food unto all birds of the heavens, and unto the beasts of the earth; and there shall be none to frighten them away." "Among all the kingdoms of the earth" (Deuteronomy 28:25). What other race of the earth's peoples have been so dispersed among all nations as the Jews? This part of this fantastic prophecy is being fulfilled at this very moment, as has been the case already, for thousands of years. But this prophecy goes

John 12 overview — 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 rich young ruler and gave the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Mark 10:17-31, and parallel accounts). He gave the third prophecy of his death and resurrection

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,

1 Corinthians 7 overview — raised in the lost letter. The six questions treated in this chapter are: (1)    Should married couples continue normal sexual relations after becoming Christians? Answer: Yes, it is their duty to do this (1 Corinthians 7:1-7). (2)    Should single persons get married? Answer: Yes, in all normal situations; but for the gifted, such as Paul, celibacy was advantageous, especially in unsettled times (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). (3)    Is divorce

Judges 10:3-5 — they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died and was buried in Kamon." "Jair the Gileadite" "The name Jair is the same as the N.T. name `Jairus.'"New Bible Commentary Revised, p. 267. Dalglish pointed out that this and the following verse feature what appears to be a play on words. "J-air, the name of the judge, also appears as `[~a-ir]' meaning `donkey,' and as `[~`ir]' meaning city"!Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 431. "They

Judges 19:10-15 — to lodge in Gibeah; and he went in and sat him down in the street of the city; for there was no man that took them into his house to lodge" "Over against Jebus" (the same is Jerusalem) In the Conquest, Joshua had indeed captured this city (Joshua 10:23; Joshua 12:10); "But the Israelites had withdrawn and left the city entirely to the Jebusites who continued to hold it until David captured it and made it his capital (2 Samuel 5:6)."The Pulpit Commentary, op. cit., p. 193. Jerusalem was only a couple

1 Samuel 20:30-34 — him." "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman" This vile slur cast upon Jonathan was the ancient equivalent of the vulgar present-day insult, "You son-of-a-bitch." "These words possibly meant that Jonathan was born of a prostitute."John T. Willis, p. 217. From the most ancient times, it has been customary to revile a person by slandering or belittling his ancestors. It became perfectly clear to all present, when Saul thus addressed Jonathan, that Saul would not only kill David if possible, but anyone

1 Samuel 21:7-9 — but that here." And David said, "There is none like that; give it to me." "Doeg the Edomite" This evil character is mentioned here for two reasons. (1) He would be the chief actor in the destruction of the entire company of the priests at Nob; and (2) David's recognition of him meant that David was required to get out of Nob as rapidly as possible. Doeg would certainly have notified Saul of David's presence there. "Detained before the Lord" "It is not impossible that Doeg was detained in the sanctuary

1 Samuel 25:9-13 — Septuagint (LXX) rendition of the place, which is followed by the Jerusalem Bible and the New International Version, H. P. Smith changed the verse, making it read, "Must I take my bread and my wine… etc."International Critical Commentary, Samuel, p. 222. This is precisely the type of meddling with the text which this writer finds frequently unacceptable. Yes, there's no doubt that Nabal had plenty of wine and that he drank enough of it that it required a whole day and night for him to become sober;