Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 9:15 — 15-24. this is the reason of the levy—A levy refers both to men and money, and the necessity for Solomon making it arose from the many gigantic works he undertook to erect. Millo—part of the fort of Jerusalem on Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Chronicles

1 Kings 9:19 — 15-24. this is the reason of the levy—A levy refers both to men and money, and the necessity for Solomon making it arose from the many gigantic works he undertook to erect. Millo—part of the fort of Jerusalem on Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 18:17 — 17. the Cherethites and the Pelethites—who formed the royal bodyguard. The Cherethites were, most probably, those brave men who all along accompanied David while among the Philistines, and from that people derived their name (1 Samuel 30:14; Ezekiel 25:16; Zephaniah 2:5) as well as their skill in archery—while the Pelethites were those who joined him at Ziklag, took their name from Pelet, the chief man in the company (Zephaniah 2:5- :), and, being Benjamites, were expert in the use of the sling.

Psalms 123:1-4 — Salmo 123 Una petición ansiosa de la protección divina en medio de la aflicción. 1. (Cf. el Salmo 121:1). que habitas—lit., que estás sentado como entronizado (cf. el Salmo 2:4; el 113:4, 5). La deferencia, la sumisión, y la confianza, se expresan por la figura. En el oriente, a los siervos que atienden a sus amos, se les dirige casi enteramente por señales, lo que requiere que presten la mayor atención a las manos de éstos. Los siervos

Psalms 78:9 — 9-11. The privileges of the first-born which belonged to Joseph (1 Chronicles 5:1; 1 Chronicles 5:2) were assigned to Ephraim by Jacob (Genesis 48:1). The supremacy of the tribe thus intimated was recognized by its position (in the marching of the nation to Canaan) next to the ark (Genesis 48:1- :), by the selection of the first

Isaiah 14:1 — 1. choose—"set His choice upon." A deliberate predilection [HORSLEY]. Their restoration is grounded on their election (see :-). strangers—proselytes (Esther 8:17; Acts 2:10; Acts 17:4; Acts 17:17). TACITUS, a heathen [Histories, 5.5], attests the fact of numbers of the Gentiles having become Jews in his time. An earnest of the future effect on the heathen world of the Jews' spiritual restoration (Isaiah 60:4; Isaiah 60:5; Isaiah 60:10; Micah 5:7; Zechariah 14:16; Romans 11:12).

Isaiah 27:5 — 5. Or—Else; the only alternative, if Israel's enemies wish to escape being "burnt together." strength—rather, "the refuge which I afford" [MAURER]. "Take hold," refers to the horns of the altar which fugitives often laid hold of as an asylum (1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 2:28). Jesus is God's "strength," or "refuge" which sinners must repair to and take hold of, if they are to have "peace" with God (Isaiah 45:24; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14; compare Ephesians 2:14- :).

Isaiah 49:18 — 18. As Zion is often compared to a bride (Isaiah 54:5), so the accession of converts is like bridal ornaments ("jewels," Isaiah 62:3; Malachi 3:17). Her literal children are, however, more immediately meant, as the context refers to their restoration; and only secondarily to her spiritual children by conversion to Christ. Israel shall be the means of the final complete conversion of the nations (Micah 5:7; Romans 11:12; Romans 11:15). as a bride—namely, binds on her ornaments.

Isaiah 55:4 — 4. him—the mystical David (Ezekiel 37:24; Ezekiel 37:25; Jeremiah 30:9; Hosea 3:5). Given by God (Isaiah 49:6). witness—He bore witness even unto death for God, to His law, claims, and plan of redeeming love (John 18:37; Revelation 1:5). Revelation is a "testimony"; because it is propounded to be received on the authority of the Giver, and not merely because it can be proved by arguments. commander—"preceptor" [HORSLEY]; "lawgiver" [BARNES]. to the people—rather, "peoples."

Jeremiah 17:3 — an easy prey to the enemy [CALVIN]. "Field" may, however, mean all Judea; it and "My mountain" will thus express the country and its capital. (GESENIUS translates, "together with," instead of "in"; as the Hebrew is translated in Jeremiah 11:19; Hosea 5:6; but this is not absolutely needed), "the substance" of both of which God "will give to the spoil." thy high places—corresponding in parallelism to "My mountain" (compare Hosea 5:6- :), as "all thy borders," to "the field" (which confirms the view

Jeremiah 46:23 — 23. her forest— ( :-). though it cannot be searched—They cut down her forest, dense and unsearchable (Job 5:9; Job 9:10; Job 36:26) as it may seem: referring to the thickly set cities of Egypt, which were at that time a thousand and twenty. The Hebrew particle is properly, "for," "because." because—the reason why the Chaldeans shall be able to cut down so dense a forest of cities as Egypt: they themselves are countless in numbers. grasshoppers—locusts (Judges 6:5).

Ezekiel 18:30 — desires their salvation on repentance. I will judge you—Though ye cavil, it is a sufficient answer that I, your Judge, declare it so, and will judge you according to My will; and then your cavils must end. Repent—inward conversion (Revelation 2:5). In the Hebrew there is a play of like sounds, "Turn ye and return." turn yourselves, c.—the outward fruits of repentance. Not as the Margin, "turn others" for the parallel clause (Revelation 2:5- :) is, "cast away from you all your transgressions."

Joel 3:18 — fountain . . . of . . . house of . . . Lord . . . water . . . valley of Shittim—The blessings, temporal and spiritual, issuing from Jehovah's house at Jerusalem, shall extend even to Shittim, on the border between Moab and Israel, beyond Jordan (Numbers 25:1; Numbers 33:49; Joshua 2:1; Micah 6:5). "Shittim" means "acacias," which grow only in arid regions: implying that even the arid desert shall be fertilized by the blessing from Jerusalem. So Micah 6:5- : describes the waters issuing from the threshold

Zephaniah 2:4 — play of similar sounds, Gaza Gazubah; Gaza shall be forsaken, as its name implies. So the Hebrew of the next clause, Ekron teeakeer. at the noonday—when on account of the heat Orientals usually sleep, and military operations are suspended (2 Samuel 4:5). Hence an attack at noon implies one sudden and unexpected (Jeremiah 6:4; Jeremiah 6:5; Jeremiah 15:8). Ekron—Four cities of the Philistines are mentioned, whereas five was the normal number of their leading cities. Gath is omitted, being at this time

1 Corinthians 15:52 — 52. the last trump—at the sounding of the trumpet on the last day [VATABLUS] (Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Or the Spirit by Paul hints that the other trumpets mentioned subsequently in the Apocalypse shall precede, and that this shall be the

2 Corinthians 3:17 — 17. the Lord—Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14; 2 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 4:5). is that Spirit—is THE Spirit, namely, that Spirit spoken of in 2 Corinthians 4:5- :, and here resumed after the parenthesis (2 Corinthians 4:5- :): Christ is the Spirit and "end" of the Old Testament, who giveth life to it, whereas "the letter killeth" (1

Ephesians 2:1 — God's Spirit in the soul, and so unable to think, will, or do aught that is holy. in trespasses . . . sins—in them, as the element in which the unbeliever is, and through which he is dead to the true life. Sin is the death of the soul. Isaiah 9:2; John 5:25, "dead" (spiritually), 1 Timothy 5:6. "Alienated from the life of God" (1 Timothy 5:6- :). Translate, as Greek, "in your trespasses," c. "Trespass" in Greek, expresses a FALL or LAPSE, such as the transgression of Adam whereby he fell. "Sin." (Greek, "hamartia")

Ephesians 6:16 — the fiery darts" (an image from the ancient fire-darts, formed of cane, with tow and combustibles ignited on the head of the shaft, so as to set fire to woodwork, tents, &c.). of the wicked—rather "of the EVIL ONE." Faith conquers him (1 Peter 5:9), and his darts of temptation to wrath, lust, revenge, despair, &c. It overcomes the world (1 John 5:4), and so the prince of the world (1 John 5:4- :).

1 Peter 2:5 — 5. Ye also, as lively stones—partaking of the name and life which is in "THE LIVING STONE" (1 Peter 2:4; 1 Corinthians 3:11). Many names which belong to Christ in the singular are assigned to Christians in the plural. He is "THE SON," "High Priest," "King,"

Revelation 16:15 — 15. The gathering of the world kings with the beast against the Lamb is the signal for Christ's coming; therefore He here gives the charge to be watching for His coming and clothed in the garments of justification and sanctification, so as to be accepted. thief— (Matthew 24:43; 2 Peter 3:10). they—saints and angels. shame—literally, "unseemliness" (Greek, "aschemosunee"): Greek, 1 Corinthians 13:5: a different word from the Greek in 1 Corinthians 13:5- : (Greek, "aischunee").