Recent Commentaries

Unfortunately, in the beginning chapters of this book gross immorality had taken place and had set tribe against tribe and class against class. It led to political anarchy. First there was religious apostasy in the temple, then moral awfulness in the home, and finally political anarchy in the state …

In this passage James reminds Christians who are going through trials that God rewards those who remain steadfast. The reward is twofold: The possession of an inner blessedness (v. 12a). Happiness is not affected by outward circumstances. It is for those who are poor, …

The removal of four men was imperative if Solomon’s throne was to remain secure. Already Adonijah has been lain. Now the second conspirator, Abiathar, has to be dealt with. He was the priest who though faithful to David, had supported Adonijah as his successor. He could have bee …

In the past a walled city was a protected city, and a city without walls was vulnerable. A walled city could be taken only with great difficulty. A military leader seeking to take a walled stronghold would require (1) a large army and a willingness to take many casualties, (2) superior tactics, …

One prevailing theme of this chapter is not finishing the work. Israel was ready to divide up the land among the tribes, but we find there were enemies yet to be conquered in the land (13:1). It appears that some of the Israelites wanted to spare the Canaanites because of a false sense of mercy …

“The word of the Lord that came” indicates that this prophecy is not Hosea’s (v. l). It is a prophecy that originated with God Himself. In dealing with the words of this prophecy a person is not dealing with the words of man, but rather with the very words of God. Hosea was a spokesman for the …

I. Deals with civil violations concerning thieves (vv. 1-4). 1. If a man stole an animal and got caught he was to pay back four or five times the amount stolen. No doubt this heavy compensation effectively deterred animal theft. 2. If the t …

Jehoshaphat became care¬less in his diplomatic relations and joined in an unholy alliance with king Ahab. A sad result of this alliance was the marriage of his son Jehoram to Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah (v. 21:6). One day Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab in Samaria (v. 2) and Ahab put on a …

In this chapter, Israel is exhorted to walk by faith. Israel was rebellious but the prophet pleaded for her to trust in the Lord and not in her own doings (vv. 1-3). God promised to fight for Israel, but Israel sold itself into sin. Israel had caused its own problems. An emphasis is made on the Lord’s …

…