Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

of this victory by an ephod, made of the choicest of the spoils. But probably this ephod had, as usual, a teraphim annexed to it ...

wise, more than those who merely make a figure. All these fruit-trees gave much the same reason for their refusal to be promoted ...

Israel's repentance. (10–18) Verses 1–5 Quiet and peaceable reigns, though the best to live in, yield least variety of matter to ...

Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgive ...

Chapter Outline Ephraimites quarrel with Jephthah. (1–7) Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon judge Israel. (8–15) Verses 1–7 The Ephraimites ...

should tell each other their experiences of communion with God, and their improvements in acquaintance with him, that they may h ...

Chapter Outline Samson desires a wife of the Philistines. (1–4) Samson kills a lion. (5–9) Samson's riddle. (10–20) Verses 1–4 A ...

against us arises from his correspondence with our deceitful hearts and inbred lusts. This proved an occasion of weaning Samson ...

Verses 18–20 So little notice did the men of Judah take of their deliverer, that he was ready to perish for want of a draught of ...

was bad that he lay down without such checks; but it would have been worse, if he had laid still under them. Verses 4–17 Samson ...

be accused of self-murder. He sought not his own death, but Israel's deliverance, and the destruction of their enemies. Thus Sam ...

The Danites seek to enlarge their inheritance, and rob Micah. —The Danites determined to take Micah's gods with them. Oh the fol ...

Ruth We find in this book excellent examples of faith, piety, patience, humility, industry, and loving-kindness, in the common e ...

it their deliberate choice, and sit down first and count the cost, as it concerns those to do who make a profession of religion. ...

to eat the bread of idleness. This is an example to young people. Diligence promises well, both for this world and the other. We ...

Chapter 3 Chapter Outline The directions given to Ruth by Naomi. (1–5) Boaz acknowledges the duty of a kinsman. (6–13) Ruth's re ...

doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well wi ...

Ruth, when the outcast babe of another forlorn female of the same race appeared, controlling the counsels of the Roman master of ...

1 Samuel In this book we have an account of Eli, and the wickedness of his sons; also of Samuel, his character and actions. Then ...

censure. Hannah thought it enough to clear herself, and so must we. Eli was willing to acknowledge his mistake. Hannah went away ...