Recent Commentaries

A period of peace followed the battle of Aphek (20:26–34). Some time after the battle the events recorded in chapter 21 took place. Naboth was a neighbor of Ahab in Jezreel. Ahab wanted to buy Naboth’s vineyard to use for a vegetable garden. He offered to pay him in cash …

In this chapter Moses states that during this seventh year the Israelites were not to be pressed to pay their debts. This does not mean that the debts would be eliminated completely but simply that the time of payment was extended for one year. The Israelites were allowed to press foreigners …

Once the ark was safely delivered within the tent erected by David, burnt offerings were dedicated to God and peace offerings provided a sacrificial meal for the people (vv. 1-3). This was only a tent, a humble dwelling place, but this was the tabernacle which David, in his psalms, often speaks of …

In yesterday’s passage, Paul laid out for us God’s plan for sex: If you are single, save sex for marriage (v. 1). If you are married, have sex exclusively with your spouse of the opposite sex (v. 2). The norm is for married couples to not abstain from (or deprive each other of) sexual relations …

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 …

On their second appearance before the Sanhedrin the apostles found an unexpected helper – Gamaliel, a Pharisee (vv. 33-34). He was highly respected and loved. He was a kindly man with a far wider tolerance than his fellows. When the Sanhedrin seemed likely to resort to violent …

Just before Jesus’ crucifixion the Roman soldiers decided to make sport of Him. Evidently this took place before a large “band of soldiers” (v.27) which would have been 600. There they removed His clothing and mocked Him by putting on Him “a scarlet robe” …

The Jews always regarded the greatest days in their history as the days of David; and they dreamed of a day when there would be another king of David’s line, a king who would make them great in righteousness and in power. (Isa.9:7; 11:1; Jer. 22:4, 23:5; 30:9.) But a …

In chapter thirty-seven Ezekiel describes his remarkably beautiful vision of the Valley of Dry Bones. He sees in his vision a valley full of dry bones, bones that are not joined together, and then when joined they have no breath in them (vv. 1-14). These dry bones represe …

In this chapter we are informed that wisdom has built her house and invites men to come to the banquet she has prepared (vv. 1-6). The seven pillars suggest the splendor of the house (v. 1). Wisdom provides an elaborate banquet for all who will come. Animals have been slain, and …