Bible Commentaries

Deuteronomy 1:4 — which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei: After he had slain Sihon. — If Samson had not turned aside to see the lion, that not long before he had slain, he had not found the honey in the carcass. Judges 14:8 So, if we recognise not our dangers, deliverances, and achievements, we shall neither taste how sweet the Lord is, nor return him his due praises. To true thankfulness is required, (1.) Recognition; (2.) Estimation; (3.) Retribution. See them all

Deuteronomy 23:11 — But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash [himself] with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp [again]. He shall wash himself with water. — See Leviticus 15:1-33 See Trapp on " Leviticus 15:2 " … The Turks at this day pertinaciously and superstitiously retain this ceremony. Before prayers they wash both face and hands, sometimes the head and other parts. Yea, some report of them, that

Deuteronomy 23:6 — Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever. Thou shalt not seek their peace. — Or, Enter into confederacy with them; which when David did, 2 Samuel 10:1-2 he was basely abused in his ambassadors. Hannibal’s hatred to the Romans is well known. Tyrone, 1567, so boiled in hatred against the English, that he named a castle that he built, Feoghnegal, that is, "the hatred of the English."

Deuteronomy 28:13 — and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them]: And the Lord shall make thee. — See a parallel place. Hosea 13:1 "When Ephraim spake, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died." Before, none durst budge against the name of Ephraim; but after he offended in Baal, every paltry adversary trampled upon him

Deuteronomy 32:11 — over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: As an eagle stirreth up her nest. — So doth God stir up his people by his word of promise. Fluttereth over them. — By the motions of his Spirit, as Genesis 1:2 . Spreadeth abroad her wings. — Hovereth and covereth them with his protection. Matthew 23:37 Taketh them. — With much tenderness, but nothing comparable to that of God. Beareth them on her wings. — Aquilae pullos suos in alis portant,

Deuteronomy 32:8 — most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. He set the bounds of the people. — Of the seventy nations reckoned, Genesis 10:1-32 and the seventy souls of Israel. Genesis 46:27 Deuteronomy 10:22 The Jews have a saying, that those seventy souls were as much as all the seventy nations of the world, as being the Lord’s portion, for whom he espied out the land of Canaan,

Deuteronomy 33:27 — enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them]. The eternal God. — Heb., The God of antiquity, that "Ancient of days," that "Rock of ages," "who is before all things, and by whom all things consist," Colossians 1:17 who is "the first and the last, and besides whom there is no God." Isaiah 44:6 And underneath are the everlasting arms. — A saint cannot fall so far as to fall beneath the supporting arms of God: Song of Solomon 2:6 his hand is reserved

Deuteronomy 5:5 — stood between the Lord, — sc., After the decalogue delivered by God himself out of the fire. For of that he might say, as once Joseph did to his brethren, "Behold, your eyes see that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you." Genesis 45:12 And as Paul did to Philemon, Philemon 1:19 "I Paul," …, so I the Lord "have written it with mine hand, I will" require "it."

Joshua 13:1 — night of death cometh, when none can work. Divide what thou hast conquered, yea, that which is yet to be conquered, among the tribes; for all is theirs, unless they forget their charter. See the true Christian’s charter, which he cannot forfeit. 1 Corinthians 3:22-23

Joshua 22:9 — LORD by the hand of Moses. According to the word of the Lord, … — Numbers 32:20-22 God yielded to their desires, though inordinate: but then they were afterwards, as is well observed, the first that were carried captive out of their land. 1 Chronicles 5:25-26 Strong affections cause strong afflictions.

Joshua 6:26 — the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it. Cursed be the man. — And yet there was found a man that durst rebuild it, 1 Kings 16:34 as if he would despitefully spit in the face of Heaven, wrestle a fall with the Almighty. In his firstborn. — God’s hand was very heavy upon William the Conqueror in his issue, for his depopulations in New Forest. Speed, p. 445.

Judges 14:13 — Junius. Carnal men are too confident of their own abilities: but can no more understand gospel mysteries, than a swain can the profundities of the mathematics: they can judge no better of them than a blind man can do of colours, or a sick man of food. 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

Judges 6:26 — the Lord. We see then that things which have been abused to idolatry, may afterwards be lawfully used in God’s service, as churches, monasteries, chalices, … So the men of Bethshemesh took and used the Philistines’ cart and cattle. 1 Samuel 6:15

Judges 8:22 — upon God’s prerogative royal, who had used all means to have the glory of this victory ascribed to himself only. See Isaiah 42:8 . For thou hast delivered us. — We should for this cause set up Christ, since servati sumus ut serviamus Luke 1:74

Ruth 1:9 — comfortably. God is the chief marriage maker: but now-a-days, Dowry not God Dos, non Deus: and it proveth accordingly. Bag and baggage go oft together, … And they lifted up their voice, and wept. — And so answered the kindness of her kiss. See 1 Samuel 20:41 Acts 20:37 .

Ruth 2:8 — thou not, my daughter? — q.d., Hear and heed what I say to thee; be advised by me. Audite senem iuvenes, … Neither showed Boaz his love "in word or in tongue only" - such love is good cheap - "but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18 Abide here fast by my maidens. — Who were there, either as reapers, binders, or takers: or if they gleaned, it was for themselves, because they were poor and indigent.

1 Samuel 11:15 — LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. And there they made Saul king. — Serrarius saith these were the ceremonies used at such a time: (1.) They set the king in his throne; (2.) They crowned him; (3.) They anoined him; (4.) They put the book of the law into his hand: They took an oath of him to observe it; (6.) They offered sacrifices of all sorts; (7.) They showed various signs and testimonies

1 Samuel 17:36 — uncircumcision, but a new creature: yet as circumcision saved David, a believer, from Goliath; so doth baptism now shend and save us from Satan, yet "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God." 1 Peter 3:21

1 Samuel 30:24 — ingenuity? … But as his part is that, … — This is so far ex aequo et bono, agreeable to good reason, that the Romans also had the like law amongst them, as Polybius writeth. Lib. x. Pariter partientur. See the like done, Numbers 31:25-40 Joshua 22:10-11 ; Joshua 2:1-24 Ma 8:28.

2 Samuel 1:2 — son, and further tell us that Doeg, Saul’s armourbearer, delivered to this son of his Saul’s crown and bracelets, willing him to repair therewith to David, so to win his favour. With his clothes rent. — In token of greatest grief, as 1 Samuel 4:12 .