Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 10:16 — And king Solomon made two hundred targets [of] beaten gold: six hundred [shekels] of gold went to one target. Two hundred targets of beaten gold. — Which were carried before him by his guard, as 1 Kings 14:27-28 , being more for pomp than service; and therefore so soon became a prey to the enemy through God’s just indignation.

1 Kings 11:10 — And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. And had commanded him. — To despise God’s express command, is a foul offence. 2 Samuel 12:9 See Trapp on " 2 Samuel 12:9 " "Rebellion is" as bad "as witchcraft." 1 Samuel 15:23

1 Kings 11:20 — And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh. Whom Taphenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house. — This implieth, saith an interpreter, that though she was a princess, yet she gave suck to her child, as Genesis 22:1 ; Genesis 22:8 .

1 Kings 12:2 — And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard [of it], (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) For he was fled, — viz., For safeguard of his life, as man is ζωον φιλοζωον , a life loving creature. See on 1 Kings 11:40 .

1 Kings 12:9 — And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? Make the yoke. — He mentioneth not the people’s promise - "and we will serve thee" 1 Kings 12:4 - as not serving to his purpose.

1 Kings 14:23 — For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. For they also built them high places. — They fell to foul idolatry and sodomy, which are called evil by a specialty, 1 Kings 14:22 like as war is called evil, that is, misery, antonomastice Isaiah 45:7

1 Kings 15:25 — And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years. And reigned over Israel two years. — Two years peaceably, and eight years in affliction, saith Vatablus; but the truth is, he reigned not two full years in all. 1 Kings 15:28

1 Kings 16:2 — Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins; Forasmuch as I exalted thee. — See 1 Kings 14:7 . Ingentia beneficia, flagitia, supplicia, say the Centurists.

1 Kings 16:24 — And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria. And built on the hill. — A city, with a palace royal: for Tirzah was burnt by Zimri. 1 Kings 16:18

1 Kings 17:20 — And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? Hast thou also brought evil? — Words of wonder, and all full of weight. Quot verba, tot argumenta: this humble expostulation flowed from faith, as appeareth in 1 Kings 17:21 .

1 Kings 4:6 — And Ahishar [was] over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda [was] over the tribute. And Abishar was over the household. — Magister Aulae magnus. Le grand maistre, comptroller of the court, or governor of the king’s house. Was over the tribute. — Or, Levy; praefectus delectui, so Tremellius rendereth it, and referreth to 1 Kings 5:14 .

1 Kings 5:10 — So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees [according to] all his desire. According to all his desire. — Wherein he was as good as his word. 1 Kings 5:8 Of many promisers it may be said, as Tertullian of the peacock, they are all in changeable colours, as often changed as moved, “ Tantum constantes in levitate sua. ”

Deuteronomy 25:3 — Forty stripes he may give him, [and] not exceed: lest, [if] he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee. Should seem vile unto thee. — There is an honour due to all men, 1 Peter 2:17 and though we must hate the sin, yet not the sinner.

Joshua 1:18 — Whosoever [he be] that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage. Only be strong and of a good courage. — Here Vox populi accordeth Vox Dei: this was a further confirmation. See Joshua 1:6 .

Joshua 16:3 — And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea. And to Gezer. — Where the Canaanites held them till Solomon’s days; but were then slain by Pharaoh, king of Egypt, in favour of his daughter, Solomon’s wife. 1 Kings 9:16

Joshua 19:12 — And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia, Chislothtabor. — A mountain in the lower Galilee, called by Josephus, Itabirion. Here it is commonly conceived that our Saviour was transfigured. And of this place Jerome, on Hosea 5:1 , writeth copiously and elegantly.

Joshua 9:19 — But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. Now therefore we may not touch them. — Unless we will run upon the pikes of God’s displeasure, as Saul did four hundred years after this. 2 Samuel 21:1-2

1 Samuel 11:12 — And the people said unto Samuel, Who [is] he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death. Who is he that said? — Saul’s prudence and diligence crowned with so good success, had made him many friends. Those of Jabeshgilead showed their thankfulness many years after. 1 Samuel 31:11-12

1 Samuel 14:5 — The forefront of the one [was] situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. The fore front. — Heb., The tooth. See 1 Samuel 14:4 . Northward over against Michmash. — So that these rocks were placed on either end of the inlet or passage; and he that would pass must climb over both. Sic petitur caelum.

2 Samuel 1:13 — And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence [art] thou? And he answered, I [am] the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. — This he had said before in David’s hearing, 2 Samuel 1:8 but he being full of grief, minded it not belike.