The people of Judah that were taken as prisoners to Babylonia continue to return to Jerusalem and their own towns in Judah (vv. 14-58). They are listed in their family groups and the part if Judah they came from. A total is given of how many ancestors returned from each town (vv. …
Beginning with the twelfth verse of this chapter the writer moves away from the abstract ideas to some concrete examples. He explains how absolutely futile it is when life asks us to straighten something that is crooked or to count something that is not there (v. l5).Solomon high …
The people of Israel had experienced a unique, covenant relationship with the Lord because He had elected them from among all the nations to be His people (v. 1). The nation of Israel also had the privilege of having a unique “family relationship.†Along with the nation of Judah, they had …
Solomon sends the blueprint for the temple to Hiram, the king of Tyre. Hiram readily received Solomon’s request and “answered in writing†(v. 1). This country recognized and accepted the new leadership of Solomon as King over Israel. Hiram wrote “Because the Lord …
Verses 1 through 6 describe the setting for a miracle. Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, had become gravely ill (v. 1). Lazarus lived in Bethany with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. This was the …
Still hurting from the beating, and locked in wooden stocks, you would not think the prisoners would be too joyful. However, at midnight the jailer and the other prisoners were startled to hear Paul and Silas singing and praising God. God responded by shaking the prison with an earthquake …
In looking through various commentaries we find many different interpretations of this passage. Probably when Peter wrote this section of his letter he had no idea it would be classified as one of the most difficult portions of the Word of God. Some think the phrase& …
While Jesus was speaking Judas arrived in the garden with a large crowd (v. 47). They had swords, clubs, torches and lanterns (John 18:3). Judas had arranged a signal with the officials that the one he kissed would be the one to arrest (vv. 48-49). When Judas called Jesus “Rabbi,” there is no …
Saul was given specific instructions, through Samuel, to utterly destroy the Amalekites (vv. 1-3). Saul and his men smote the Amalekites but he did not utterly destroy them, as God had commanded (vv. 4-7). He spared Agag, the king, and kept the best of the spoil …
Once in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, a captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Joseph soon became a trusted slave in Potiphar’s house. The Lord was with him, prospering him. He served his master faithfully (vv. 1-5). As a result, Potiphar placed him over all that he possessed (v. 6). Joseph …