Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 4:20-28 — Solomon’s prosperity 4:20-28 One explanation of the writer’s unusual reference to Judah and Israel (1 Kings 4:20) is that when he wrote Kings the nation had split, so perhaps the writer was using the designation that was common in his day. However, years before the

Nehemiah 4:1-23 — 2. The opposition to the workers ch. 4 Any attempt to fulfill God’s desires will almost certainly draw opposition from God’s enemies. "The real test of a leader is how he or she faces crises and reacts to opposition. This chapter recounts several forms of opposition and

Esther 4:1-3 — C. Mordecai’s Reaction 4:1-3 We can understand why Mordecai reacted to Haman’s decree so strongly (Esther 4:1). Undoubtedly he felt personally responsible for this decree (cf. Esther 3:2-5). However, we should not interpret Mordecai’s actions in Esther 4:1 as a

Proverbs 4:10-19 — 7. The two paths 4:10-19 In Proverbs 4:10-19, two paths again lie before the youth: the way of wisdom (Proverbs 4:10-13) and the way of folly (the way of the wicked; Proverbs 4:14-17). [Note: See Norman C. Habel, "The Symbolism of Wisdom in Proverbs 1-9," Interpretation

Song of Solomon 4:1-7 — 1. The bride’s beauty 4:1-7 His bride’s beauty ravished Solomon. His praise in Song of Solomon 4:1; Song of Solomon 4:7 frames his description of her in Song of Solomon 4:1-6.

Song of Solomon 4:9 — "Sister" was an affectionate term for wife (cf. Song of Solomon 4:10; Song of Solomon 4:12; Song of Solomon 5:1-2; Tobit 7:16; Tobit 8:4; Tobit 8:7). [Note: Longman, p. 151; J. G. Westenholz, "Love Lyrics from the Ancient Near East," in Civilizations of the Ancient Near East, 4:2474.]

Amos 4:11 — the overthrow of some Israelite cities did not move the Israelites to repent (cf. Deuteronomy 28:62). Comparing these overthrown cities to Sodom and Gomorrah indicates their proverbial complete destruction (cf. Isaiah 1:9; Isaiah 13:19; Jeremiah 50:40; Zephaniah 2:9), not necessarily the method of their destruction. God had rescued His people like burning sticks from a conflagration, as He had formerly extracted Lot and his daughters from Sodom (Genesis 19). The Assyrian kings customarily sowed

Habakkuk 1:2-4 — A. Habakkuk’s question about Judah 1:2-4 This section is a lament and is similar to many psalms of lament (e.g., Psalms 6:3; Psalms 10:1-13; Psalms 13:1-4; Psalms 22:1-21; Psalms 74:1-11; Psalms 80:4; Psalms 88; Psalms 89:46; cf. Jeremiah 12:4; Zechariah 1:12).

Matthew 5:8 — heart" are those who are single-minded in their devotion to God and therefore morally pure inwardly. Inner moral purity is an important theme in Matthew and in the Old Testament (cf. Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 30:6; 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 24:3-4; Psalms 51:6; Psalms 51:10; Isaiah 1:10-17; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 7:3-7; Jeremiah 9:25-26). Likewise freedom from hypocrisy is also prominent (cf. Psalms 24:4; Psalms 51:4-17; Proverbs 22:11; Matthew 6:22; Matthew 6:33). Jesus probably implied

Luke 5:13 — By stretching out His hand and touching the leper, Jesus was doing the unthinkable (Leviticus 13). He probably did this to express His compassion for the man as well as to identify Himself beyond doubt as the source of his healing (cf. Exodus 4:4; Exodus 6:6; Exodus 14:16; Exodus 15:12; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 4:30). Jesus’ words offered him reassurance (cf. Luke 5:10). Jesus’ authority extended to power over disease and ceremonial uncleanness. Doctor Luke again noted an immediate

John 4:33-34 — The disciples continued to think only on the level of physical food, as the woman had thought only of physical water (John 4:15). They were all unspiritual in their thinking. Jesus responded that what satisfied Him more than physical food was the spiritual nourishment that came from doing the Father’s will and advancing His work (cf. Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke

Acts 4:34-35 — The voluntary sharing described in Acts 4:32 seems to have been customary, but the occasional selling mentioned here was evidently exceptional (cf. Acts 2:45). The imperfect tense verbs here imply "from time to time" (NIV). The apostles were in charge of distributing help to those

Galatians 4 overview — B. Clarification of the doctrine ch. 4 In chapter 3 the Jews’ preoccupation with the Law of Moses was foremost in Paul’s mind. In chapter 4 he reiterated his argument for the benefit of Gentiles for whom religious syncretism and pagan idolatry were primary concerns. Whereas in chapter 3 Paul dealt mainly with justification (cf. Galatians 3:20), in chapter 4 his emphasis was primarily on sanctification (cf. Galatians 4:3).

Ephesians 6:21-22 — Tychicus (lit. Chance) accompanied this letter to Ephesus and may have carried it. What Paul wrote about Tychicus and his purpose in sending Tychicus to Ephesus was almost identical to what he wrote in Colossians 4:7-8. Tychicus’ mission was to give the Ephesian Christians further information about Paul and to comfort and encourage them (cf. Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:7; Titus 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:12).

Philippians 4:10-20 — IV. EPILOGUE 4:10-20 The apostle began this epistle by sharing some personal information about his situation in Rome (Philippians 1:12-26). He now returned from his concerns for the Philippians (Philippians 1:27 to Philippians 4:9) to his own circumstances (Philippians

Hebrews 4:15-10 — D. The Compassion of the SON 4:15-5:10 Having explored the concept of Jesus as a faithful high priest (Hebrews 3:1 to Hebrews 4:14), the writer proceeded next to develop the idea that Jesus is a merciful high priest in the service of God (cf. Hebrews 2:17). A high priest must be

James 4 overview — V. CONFLICTS AND HUMBLE SUBMISSION CH. 4 In this chapter James gave direction to his readers to encourage and enable them to live at peace with God, others, and themselves. It ties in closely to chapter 1 (cf. James 4:6 and James 1:5; James 1:21; James 4:8 b and James 1:6-8; James 1:15; James 1:21; James 1:27; James 4:9-10 and James 1:21).

James 4:5 — In this verse James gave scriptural support for what he just asserted (James 4:4). However, he did not quote a particular verse but evidently summarized the scriptural teaching on God’s jealousy (cf. Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14; Psalms 42:1; Psalms 84:2; Zechariah 8:2) in a new statement. [Note: See Sophie S. Laws, "Does

Revelation 13:5 — God (cf. Revelation 6:4; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 7:2; Revelation 9:5; Daniel 4:17; Daniel 4:25; Daniel 4:32) will give authority to the beast to act as he will during the Great Tribulation, the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation.

1 Samuel 4:1-22 — A. The Capture of the Ark 4:1-22 A new subject comes to the forefront in this section and continues to be a significant motif throughout the rest of Samuel. It is the ark of the covenant. The writer drew attention to the ark in this chapter by mentioning it seven times, including