Bible Commentaries
Go deeper in Scripture
Browse trusted public-domain commentary alongside DiscipleDeck Bible study. References inside each commentary open Bible previews in place.
27,299 commentary entries
The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on 2 Samuel 24:1-25
EXPOSITION 2 Samuel 24:1 And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel. It is probable that this chapter once stood in intimate connection with 2 Samuel 21:1-22; and that the famine therein described was fol…
The Pulpit Commentary on 2 Samuel 24:2
(1 Chronicles 21:2).—(THE KING'S PALACE.) Self-elation. This chapter contains the spiritual history of a great soul in its "fall and rising again," its sin and recovery—its and self-dedication to God (verses 24, 25). Of…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 1:1-53
EXPOSITION THE REVOLT OF ADONIJAH AND THE ACCESSION OF SOLOMON.—The first chapter of this book is occupied with the accession of Solomon and with the circumstances which preceded, marked, and followed that event. The au…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 2:1-11
EXPOSITION THE LAST WORDS AND DEATH OF DAVID.—The death of David, and of course the charge which preceded it, did not follow immediately (as the casual reader might be tempted to suppose) on the events related in 1 King…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 2:12-25
EXPOSITION ADONIJAH'S INTRIGUE. 1 Kings 2:12 And Solomon sate on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom [i.e; dominion, sway] was established greatly. [Cf. 2 Chronicles 1:1, 2 Chronicles 1:2. This verse serves…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 2:26-35
EXPOSITION THE DEPOSITION OF ABIATHAR AND THE DEATH OF JOAB. 1 Kings 2:26 And unto Abiathar the priest [see note on 1 Kings 1:8. The historian now relates the end of Adonijah's confederates] said the king, get thee to A…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 2:36-46
EXPOSITION THE END OF SHIMEL.—This fresh intrigue of Adonijah's warns the king that he must be on his guard and keep a watch over suspected persons. Prominent among these, from his antecedents and connexions, would be S…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 3:1-15
EXPOSITION THE BEGINNING OF SOLOMON'S REIGN.—In the preceding chapter we have seen the establishment of Solomon's rule (verse 46) by the removal of internal foes, i.e; of disaffected and rebellious subjects. In this we…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 3:16-28
EXPOSITION IN this section we see how remarkably the gracious promise of Gibeon (1 Kings 3:12) was fulfilled. The "understanding to discern judgment" has been richly bestowed. And this, no doubt, is the reason why the s…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 5:1-18
EXPOSITION SOLOMON AND HIRAM—The somewhat detailed description which we have had in 1 Kings 4:1-34. of Solomon's pomp and power and wisdom, is followed in 1 Kings 5:1-18. sqq. by an account of what, in Jewish eyes, was…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 6:1-38
EXPOSITION SOLOMON'S TEMPLE.—The preparations for the building of the Temple having been related in the preceding chapter, the historian now proceeds to describe the edifice. He begins his narrative with a precise state…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 7:1-51
EXPOSITION SOLOMON'S PALACES AND THE PREPARATION OF THE TEMPLE VESSELS.—The first twelve verses of this chapter constitute a break in the long account of the Temple, its furniture and its consecration. The historian hav…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 8:1-66
EXPOSITION THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE.—The stately and impressive service with which the Temple, the character and contents of which have now been described, was dedicated, is related in this chapter, and divides itse…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 10:1-13
EXPOSITION THE VISIT OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA.—The last words of the preceding chapter spoke of Solomon's fleet, of its voyages, and the treasures it brought home. The historian now proceeds to tell of one result to which…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 10:14-29
EXPOSITION SOLOMON'S WEALTH, POMP, AND POWER. The visit of the Queen of Sheba, in itself a striking proof of the fame and greatness of Solomon, is followed by a description of his revenues, his throne, and various other…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 11:1-13
EXPOSITION SOLOMON'S DEFECTION.—The observant reader will have already remarked in this history some intimations of Solomon's approaching fall. Among these are, first, the repeated warnings which are addressed to him, e…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 11:14-43
EXPOSITION SOLOMON'S ADVERSARIES.—As the historian has collected together in 1 Kings 6:1-38; 1 Kings 7:1-51; 1 Kings 8:1-66, all the information he can convey respecting the temple, and in 1 Kings 9:1-28; 1 Kings 10:1-2…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 12:1-24
EXPOSITION THE REVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES.—With the reign of Rehoboam, on which our historian now enters, we begin the second great period in the history of the Hebrew monarchy, so far as it is related in these Books of K…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 12:25-33
EXPOSITION THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL, AND THE SCHISM IN THE CHURCH.—The historian, after describing the great rebellion of the Jewish people, proceeds, in the rest of this chapter, to relate the measure…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 13:1-10
EXPOSITION THE TESTIMONY OF GOD AGAINST THE CALF WORSHIP.—We have in this chapter, which some commentators consider to be derived from a different source from the narratives which precede and follow it—the expression of…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 13:11-34
EXPOSITION THE DISOBEDIENCE AND DEATH OF THE MAN OF GOD.—The seduction of the man of God, who has borne such fearless witness against Jeroboam's ecclesiastical policy, and his tragical end, are now narrated, partly beca…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 15:1-24
EXPOSITION THE REIGNS OF ABIJAM AND ASA, KINGS OF JUDAH. The Reign of Abijam. 1 Kings 15:1 Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, reigned Abijam [see note on 1 Kings 14:31. It is implied in 2 Chr…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 15:25-34
EXPOSITION THE REIGNS OF NADAB, BAASHA, ELAH, ZIMRI, AND OMRI, KINGS OF ISRAEL.—After bringing up the history of the kings of Judah, which has engaged his pen since 1 Kings 14:21, to the date of the death of Asa, our au…
The Pulpit Commentary on 1 Kings 16:1-28
EXPOSITION This division of chapters, immediately after the commencement of the narrative of the reign of Baasha, is somewhat unfortunate, inasmuch as it obscures the close connexion between the sin of Baasha and the pr…