Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 1:9 — those fetes champetres are not cold collations, but magnificent entertainments, the animals being killed and dressed on the spot. Adonijah's feast at En-rogel was one of this Oriental description, and it was on a large scale (2 Samuel 3:4; 2 Samuel 3:5; 2 Samuel 5:14-16; 1 Chronicles 14:1-7). At the accession of a new king there were sacrifices offered (1 Chronicles 14:1-13.14.7- :). But on such an occasion it was no less customary to entertain the grandees of the kingdom and even the populace in

2 Kings 25:6 — 39:3; Jeremiah 39:13; Daniel 6:7; Daniel 6:8; Daniel 6:12), regarding him as a seditious and rebellious vassal, condemned him for violating his oath and neglecting the announcement of the divine will as made known to him by Jeremiah (compare Jeremiah 32:5; Jeremiah 34:2; Jeremiah 38:17). His sons and the nobles who had joined in his flight were slain before his eyes (Jeremiah 39:6; Jeremiah 52:10). In conformity with Eastern ideas, which consider a blind man incapable of ruling, his eyes were put out,

Job 31:37 — 37. A good conscience imparts a princely dignity before man and free assurance in approaching God. This can be realized, not in Job's way (Job 42:5; Job 42:6); but only through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:22).

Job 4:6 — divine government even in this life, yet we cannot judge by the mere outward appearance. "One event is outwardly to the righteous and to the wicked" (Ecclesiastes 9:2); but yet we must take it on trust, that God deals righteously even now (Psalms 37:25; Isaiah 33:16). Judge not by a part, but by the whole of a godly man's life, and by his end, even here (James 5:11). The one and the same outward event is altogether a different thing in its inward bearings on the godly and on the ungodly even here.

Job 42:9 — 9. The forgiving spirit of Job foreshadows the love of Jesus Christ and of Christians to enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Acts 16:24; Acts 16:28; Acts 16:30; Acts 16:31).

Psalms 18:16 — 16-19. from above—As seated on a throne, directing these terrible scenes, God— sent—His hand ( :-), reached down to His humble worshipper, and delivered him. many waters—calamities (Job 30:14; Psalms 124:4; Psalms 124:5).

Psalms 91:1 — 1. dwelleth in the secret place— (Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20) denotes nearness to God. Such as do so abide or lodge secure from assaults, and can well use the terms of trust in Psalms 31:20- :.

Proverbs 16:4 — 4. for himself—"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psalms 49:5; Jeremiah 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.

Leviticus 19:28 — for the dead, as well as a sort of propitiatory offering to the deities who presided over death and the grave. The Jews learned this custom in Egypt, and though weaned from it, relapsed in a later and degenerate age into this old superstition (Isaiah 15:2; Jeremiah 16:6; Jeremiah 41:5). nor print any marks upon you—by tattooing, imprinting figures of flowers, leaves, stars, and other fanciful devices on various parts of their person. The impression was made sometimes by means of a hot iron, sometimes by

Leviticus 25:2 — what year, after the occupation of Canaan, the sabbatic year began to be observed. Some think it was the seventh year after their entrance. But others, considering that as the first six years were spent in the conquest and division of the land (Joshua 5:12), and that the sabbatical year was to be observed after six years of agriculture, maintain that the observance did not commence till the fourteenth year. the land keep a sabbath unto the Lord—This was a very peculiar arrangement. Not only all agricultural

Song of Solomon 4:11 — 11. drop—always ready to fall, being full of honey, though not always ( :-) actually dropping (Song of Solomon 5:13; Deuteronomy 32:2; Matthew 12:34). honeycomb— (Proverbs 5:3; Proverbs 16:24). under thy tongue—not always on, but under, the tongue, ready to fall (Proverbs 16:24- :). Contrast her former state (Psalms 140:3; Romans 3:13). "Honey and milk" were

Isaiah 14:32 — 32. messengers of the nation—When messengers come from Philistia to enquire as to the state of Judea, the reply shall be, that the Lord . . . (Psalms 87:1; Psalms 87:5; Psalms 102:16). poor— (Psalms 102:16- :).

Isaiah 5:5 — 5. go to—that is, attend to me. hedge . . . wall—It had both; a proof of the care of the owner. But now it shall be trodden down by wild beasts (enemies) (Psalms 80:12; Psalms 80:13).

Jeremiah 22:5 — 5. I swear by myself— (Hebrews 6:13; Hebrews 6:17). God swears because it seemed to them incredible that the family of David should be cast off. this house—the king's, where Jeremiah spake (Jeremiah 22:4).

Jeremiah 5:5 — 5. they have known—rather, "they must know." The prophet supposes it as probable, considering their position. but these—I found the very reverse to be the case. burst . . . bonds—set God's law at defiance (Psalms 2:3).

Joel 2:1 — 1. Blow . . . trumpet—to sound an alarm of coming war (Numbers 10:1-10; Hosea 5:8; Amos 3:6); the office of the priests. Joel 1:15 is an anticipation of the fuller prophecy in this chapter.

John 5:15 — 15. The man departed, and told, c.—little thinking how unwelcome his grateful and eager testimony would be. "The darkness received not the light which was pouring its rays upon it" (John 1:5 John 1:11) [OLSHAUSEN].

Acts 2:5 — 5-11. there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation—not, it would seem, permanently settled there (see :-), though the language seems to imply more than a temporary visit to keep this one feast.

Acts 5:23 — 23. the prison . . . shut . . . keepers . . . before the doors, but . . . no man within—the reverse of the miracle in :-; a similar contrast to that of the nets at the miraculous draughts of fishes (Luke 5:6; John 21:11).

Judges 2:1 — 1-3. an angel . . . came from Gilgal to Bochim—We are inclined to think, from the authoritative tone of his language, that he was the Angel of the Covenant (Exodus 23:20; Joshua 5:14); the same who appeared in human form and announced himself captain of the Lord's host. His coming from Gilgal had a peculiar significance, for there the Israelites made a solemn dedication of themselves to God on their entrance into the promised