Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 1:1-4 — 1. David’s declining health 1:1-4 It was customary in ancient times to warm an elderly person not only by covering him or her with blankets, but also by putting a healthy person in bed with him or her. [Note: Wiseman, p. 67.] The body heat of the well person would keep the older person

2 Kings 12:4-16 — Jehoash’s restoration of the temple 12:4-16 This was the first such project the writer recorded in Kings. Later, Hezekiah and Josiah also repaired the temple. Until now, temple expenses came out of the royal treasury, but Jehoash moved this obligation into the private sector. [Note: Jones,

Nehemiah 6:1-4 — The plot to distract Nehemiah 6:1-4 The plain of Ono, to which Nehemiah’s adversaries invited him for a meeting (Nehemiah 6:2), lay about 25 miles west and a little north of Jerusalem near Ashdod and Judah’s border with Samaria. Israel’s present international airport

Psalms 41:4-9 — 2. God’s punishment of the treacherous 41:4-9 David continued to address the congregation of Israel, and he presented the alternative to caring for the helpless with its consequences. He did this by relating a personal experience.

Song of Solomon 6:11-13 — She had gone down to Solomon’s garden (Song of Solomon 6:2), more to see if his love for her was still in bloom, than to examine the natural foliage (Song of Solomon 6:11). Immediately, because of his affirmation of his love (Song of Solomon 6:4-10), she felt elevated in her spirit, as though she were chief over all the 1,400 chariots in Solomon’s great army (1 Kings 10:26). Evidently, in her fantasy, she rode out of the garden in a chariot accompanied by Solomon. As she did, the people

Song of Solomon 7:1-10 — B. Communicating Affection 7:1-10 This section, which provides a window into the intimate relationship of Solomon and his wife, shows how their love had matured since their wedding (cf. Song of Solomon 4:1-11).

Isaiah 34:1 — Isaiah called everyone in the world to hear what follows (cf. Isaiah 1:2; Psalms 25:1; Psalms 96:1-3; Psalms 97:1; Psalms 98:1-2; Psalms 98:4). It has universal significance and scope.

Isaiah 9:8-4 — 2. Measurement by God’s standard 9:8-10:4 This section of the book focuses on the Northern Kingdom, and it ties in with the section immediately preceding concerning the Messiah (Isaiah 9:2-7). It explains why Ephraim’s plans against Judah would fail. They would not fail because of Ahaz’s

Jeremiah 52:7 — Shortly after that the Chaldeans broke into Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:2). The soldiers tried to flee by night by way of a concealed gate near the king’s garden and headed east for the Arabah (Jeremiah 39:4-7).

Jeremiah 8:2 — their modern counterparts might read an astrological chart), in human death the futility of their actions was at last made plain." [Note: Craigie, p. 127.] Worship of astral deities was popular in the days of Manasseh (2 Kings 21:3; 2 Kings 23:4) and later revived after Josiah’s reforms (Ezekiel 8:16). The land would resemble a boneyard, because there would be few, if any, survivors from Judah to gather up the bones for burial (cf. ch. 37). Human bones would serve as fertilizer for the

Ezekiel 14:12-23 — 5. The need of personal righteousness for deliverance 14:12-23 This prophecy continues the emphasis on judgment from the previous one and stresses the irrevocability of Jerusalem’s destruction (cf. Jeremiah 7:16; Jeremiah 15:1-4).

Ezekiel 31:6 — Many peoples and nations benefited from the mighty kingdom of Assyria symbolized by the birds and beasts that took refuge under this tree (cf. Ezekiel 31:12-13; Ezekiel 17:23; Daniel 4:12; Matthew 13:32).

Hosea 13:9 — By turning against the Lord who only desired to help them (cf. Hosea 13:4), the Israelites had done something that would result in their own destruction. How ironic it was that Israel’s helper would become her destroyer!

Micah 4:9-1 — 2. The might of Zion 4:9-5:1 One of the events that would occur before the realization of these great promises of blessing was Israel’s exile, but the burden of this pericope is also future restoration.

Matthew 27:27-56 — 4. The crucifixion of Jesus 27:27-56 Matthew narrated the crucifixion of Jesus by emphasizing the Roman soldiers’ abuse of Jesus, the Jews’ mockery of Jesus, His actual death, and the events that immediately followed His death.

John 14:25-31 — 4. The promise of future understanding 14:25-31 Jesus realized that the Eleven did not fully understand what He had just revealed. He therefore encouraged them with a promise that they would understand His words later.

John 4:27-38 — 2. Jesus’ explanation of evangelistic ministry 4:27-38 Jesus had modeled evangelistic effectiveness for His disciples, though ironically they were absent for most of the lesson. Now he explained the rewards, urgency, and partnership of evangelism.

Romans 12:17 — The second exhortation probably means that we should give thought to how we do what is right so our witness may be most effective to believers and unbelievers alike (cf. Colossians 4:5; 1 Timothy 3:7).

Romans 8:36 — Suffering has always been the portion of the righteous (Psalms 44:22). The sufferings in view are the consequence of our identification with Christ (cf. Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 Peter 4:14-19).

Revelation 4:9 — Whenever it is appropriate and possible the four living creatures give praise to eternal God. They glorify and honor Him for His perfections, and they thank Him for His great works, especially His creation (Revelation 4:11).