In the closing verses of chapter one Solomon, as the new King, forgave his brother Adonijah for his attempted takeover of the kingdom and told him to go his way and behave himself. Now in this passage we have a new and strange turn of events. Adonijah comes to Bathsheba (the Quee …
The focus in chapters 25 and 26 is on Israel in their land. The word “land’ is used thirty-nine times in these two chapters. The Israelites were to possess and enjoy the land but in order to do so they must recognize and respect some basic facts. The first thing is that God …
It was customary in Paul’s day to close each letter with personal greetings. Paul’s greetings conveyed his spiritual concern for his friends. In these last eight verses Paul winds up the letter with his own personal greetings and includes the greetings of six of his co-work …
It was customary in Hosea’s day for people to rejoice at harvest time. Israel, however, was commanded not to do so. She had attributed the abundance she experienced to the idols she worshiped, instead of to God who sent it (v. l). Because of her spiritual defection crops failed and …
Now we come to a passage which deals with afflictions and diseases and, in the spiritual realm, with what these do to us in our relationships with others, and between ourselves and God. Here we will find that many modern sanitary procedures are anticipated by the rules and laws l …
Peter listed five sins that his readers were guilty of (v. 1). (1) hate, (2) hypocrisy, (3) envy, (4) jealousy and (5) slander. Sadly, many who claim to be “Christians” lack any appetite for God’s Word. They will only eat if some else feeds them (v. 2). Often, when a child lacks an appetite, they …
As Jesus draws near to Jerusalem it was expected that He will establish the kingdom immediately. So he tells this parable now to correct this mistaken idea. He wants them to know what they are to do while the king is gone and before he comes back. He did this through the …
Jesus encountered a rich, young ruler. Possibly the ruler of a synagogue. He asked Jesus what “good thing” he must do to get eternal life (v. 16)? It implies that he wanted to perform some work that might gain him salvation. Jesus replied, “there is only one who is good,” namely, God, and …
The fifth vision of the golden candlestick and the two olive trees can be divided as follows: The details of the vision (vv. 1-5) Introduction (v. 1)The golden candlestick with seven lamps (v. 2)The two olive trees by the bowl (v. 3)Questions as to what is seen (vv. 4,5)The …
James makes it plain in these verses that wars come from our sinful desires. These “wars and fightings” (v. 1) do not refer to international wars but to feuds and conflicts within the Christian community. What we do know is that feuds and conflicts among pro …