Bible Commentaries

Genesis 10:25 — tongues. Other interpretations, of which there are many, include: (1)    a reference to Noah's formally dividing the earth among his sons, an event traditionally assigned to a period more than a hundred years after the flood, and (2)    a reference to widespread landslips on the surface of the earth that divided and separated the continents. All such speculations are without foundation in proved events. The view that the division of the earth following the confusion

Exodus 29:8-9 — and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons." The investiture of the sons of Aaron to be priests unto God consisted of only three things, contrasting with the nine steps pertaining to that of the High Priest. These were: (1) putting on the coats; (2) girding with the girdles; and (3) adorning with the head-tires. "They do not seem to have been anointed, as Aaron was, by having oil poured upon their heads, but only by having some of it sprinkled upon their garments (Exodus 29:21; Leviticus 8:30)."George

2 Kings 14:15-16 — they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead." These verses are the same as the two verses in 2 Kings 13:12-13. The accession of Jeroboam to the throne of Israel was an important event. His long reign became the high point of the Northern Israel's prosperity, and under his kingship the territory of Israel once more reached the dimensions of the

1 Chronicles 15:29 — of Jehovah came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart." We have written several pages regarding this sad episode in my commentary on 2 Samuel, pp. 75-77. Some may be surprised that we find many reasons to sympathize with the lonely, mistreated daughter of Saul. Also, this writer seriously questions the propriety of David's actions in dancing before the ark without his breeches. We

2 Chronicles 10:1-5 — II. FROM THE REIGN OF SOLOMON THROUGH THE CAPTIVITY TO CYRUS' DECREE (2 Chronicles 10-36) I. REHOBOAM (922-915 B.C.); ISRAEL DEMANDS AN EASEMENT OF EXCESSIVE TAXES "And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was

2 Chronicles 22:10-12 — the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. And he was with them in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned in the land." Our comments on the narration in these three verses are found in the parallel account in 2 Kings 11:1-3.

2 Chronicles 36:1-4 — land a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. And the king of Egypt make Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt." Joahaz mentioned in 2 Chronicles 36:4 is only the abbreviated name of the deposed king Jehoahaz. At this point, Neco was master of Judah and Jerusalem, and God's people were merely vassals of Egypt.

Psalms 118:8-9 — more unreliable than had David, His first great disappointment was with Saul the king of Israel. "It is better to take refuge in Jehovah" Why is it "better?" Barnes answered that question: "(1) It is better because man is weak… God is Almighty; (2) man is selfish… God is benevolent; (3) man is often treacherous and deceitful… God is faithful; and (4) in some emergencies, such as death, man cannot help… God can assist us in any extremity."Barnes' Notes on the Old Testament

Psalms 33:8-9 — (Psalms 33:8). The mighty Creator is also the Judge of all men; and this universal commandment for the whole world to fear God is here backed up with three tremendous reasons, which are: (1) God's great power which he showed in Creation (Psalms 33:9); (2) God's ability to battle and destroy all human opposition to his will (Psalms 33:10); (3) the permanence and certainty of the triumph of God's will in absolutely everything (Psalms 33:11).

Psalms 38:17-18 — forgive David. "For I am ready to fall" He is at his row's end. His power to go onward is about exhausted. If God does not help now, he is doomed. This is reason (1). "My sorrow is continually before me" My grief is overwhelming me. This is reason (2). "I will declare mine iniquity" David here promises to make a full and open confession of his wrongdoing, which he most certainly did in the Penitential Psalms which are accredited to him in the Bible. This is reason (3). Another will appear in the

Psalms 9:3-4 — "When mine enemies turn back, They stumble and perish at thy presence. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou sittest in the throne judging righteously." See alternate reading for Psalms 9:3 under Psalms 9:2. "Thou hast maintained my right." These words indicate that God had already revealed to David the triumph over enemies which, although yet future, was what prompted this outpouring of thanksgiving and praise on David's part. "God has already passed

Lamentations 5:1 — look upon it and to behold the manifold wretchedness of their condition. Their king Hezekiah, when Sennacherib threatened the city, did a similar thing, when he spread the insulting message of the Assyrian king before the presence of God in the Temple (2 Kings 19:14). Price called this chapter, "A national prayer to Jehovah, Zion's only hope and help."The Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary, p. 700. "It is not a dirge, but a nation's prayer for compassion."The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 6, p. 35. Nevertheless,

Zechariah 8:6 — those days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? saith Jehovah of hosts." There are ten of these brief statements in this chapter, each one introduced by an affirmation that the promise is of God and not of Zechariah. They begin in Zechariah 8:2-4; Zechariah 8:6-7; Zechariah 8:9; Zechariah 8:14; Zechariah 8:19-20; Zechariah 8:23. The subject here is the marvelous fact that a remnant of the people of God have been brought back home, an event unique in human history up to that time. "The message

Malachi 4:5 — send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible days of Jehovah come." "Elijah" Did this mean that Elijah who was "caught up" to the Lord, and who therefore, apparently did not die, -that he would return to prepare the way before the Lord? (2 Kings 2:1-12). Of course, the Jews generally understood this to mean that the same Elijah the Tishbite would be the one who returned. There was a strong tradition among the Jews that continues to the present day, to the effect that the literal, self-same

Matthew 18:10-11 — that in his kingdom such persons, described as "one of these little ones," are of the most transcending importance, and that the highest ranking angels in glory are charged with watching on their behalf. See more on angels under Matthew 1:20. In 2 Kings 25:19, certain ministers were spoken of as being "in the king's presence," an example of Oriental monarchies in which so-called "ministers of the face" held higher rank than others.

Matthew 26:58 — denied Jesus. Had he been with Jesus as was that "other disciple," presumably John, he might have endured without denying his Lord (John 18:13). Other preconditions that led to Peter's fall are seen in that he: (1) contradicted Jesus' word, (2) relied on his own strength, (3) turned to carnal weapons, (4) sustained the Lord's rebuke, (5) followed afar off, (6) accepted a place in the company of Christ's enemies, and (7) warmed himself at their fire.

Matthew 8:6 — of law still holds that what a man does through a duly-constituted agency, he himself actually and legally does. Thus, Christ himself was said to have made and baptized more people than John the Baptist, though he did not do so PERSONALLY! (John 4:1-2). The good character of this man is further certified by the fact that he was deeply concerned for the welfare of a slave, here called a servant.

Luke 2:44-45 — they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. This passage formed the basis for many a great sermon of the Restoration, in which were these analogies: (1) Many continue along life's way believing that Jesus is in their company, when actually he is not. (2) The search for Christ begins with kinsfolk and neighbors, but he is not with them either! (3) Then, let men return to Jerusalem, that is, to the gospel that was first preached in Jerusalem, to the true teachings of the New Testament. (4) Sure enough,

Romans 2:17-20 — same distinction at the end of this chapter where he denied them any right to be so called. It is as though Paul had said, "I do not associate myself with you in your usurpation of this honored name." The name "Jew" first occurs in 2 Kings 16:6; but after the Babylonian exile, it was used frequently. It is thought to be derived from "Judah," the name of the principal tribe of Israel, especially of the southern kingdom, after the division. It was an honored and sacred name.

Joshua 6:1 — heavenly intervention was necessary if Israel was to capture it. "Straitly shut up" A glance at the margin reveals that this is also rendered, "did shut up, and was shut up." This, in Hebrew, is an emphatic form such as, "dying thou shalt die" (Genesis 2:17).Arthur W. Pink, Gleanings From Joshua (Chicago: Moody Press, 1964), p. 146.