Recent Commentaries

In the opening verses of Chapter 12, Samuel gives his farewell speech as their Judge (vv.1-2). He was a remarkable man, and now he is succeeded by Saul. He promises here to continue to intercede for the people and provide prophetic guidance. He asks the Israelites to point out an …

In the opening lines of his letter to Timothy, Paul addresses him (1) as an apostle & (2) as a spiritual father. While we might immediately associate apostleship with authority, Paul here associates it with obedience and patience. Paul was under the command of God, and his hope was in Jesus (v.1) …

The events of this chapter take place six months after the feeding of the 5000 and the great speech that Jesus gave in the synagogue at Capernaum on the “bread of life.” In the opening words of this chapter it shows that Jesus is aware of growing hostility against him a …

In chapters 11 through 20, Jeremiah’s problems are brought to light. These challenges are a result of his faithfulness to the prophetic message. God gives two basic commands regarding His covenant. First is to hear, and second it to speak (v. 2). The word hear is used six ti …

In this passage Ahab and Jehoshaphat go forth disguised against Syria into battle. Jehoshaphat, who had been a godly king, agreed to this unholy alliance and then decided that the Lord should be consulted on the matter (I Kings 22:5). Even though Ahab was in disguise he was stru …

This story of the rich young ruler reveals how, in spite of the fact that he came to the right Person, asked the right question, and received the right answer, he made the wrong decision. Something always stands in the way of a person coming to Christ. It may be pride, po …

There is a 36-year time gap between chapters 4 and 5. Nebuchadnezzar had been dead over 30 years and his grandson, Belshazzar sat on the throne of Babylon as co-ruler with his father, King Nabonidus, who was often absent, fighting Babylon’s enemies. With the city currently under siege …

A man became envious of his friends because they had larger and more luxurious homes. So he listed his house with a real estate firm, planning to sell it and to purchase a more impressive home. Shortly afterward, as he was reading the classified section of the newspaper, he saw a …

We find a beautiful picture of God’s provision of water to abundantly supply the need of His people (vv 17-20). Because of this supply, He will also plant trees in this desert when normally these varieties will grow only in fertile areas. Having promised to bless His peop …

During the Feast of Tabernacles, the women’s court in the temple was lighted by giant lamps with burning wicks made from the priests’ worn out garments. This reminded the people of how God was with them in the wilderness guiding them by a pillar of fire by night. In this setting …