Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

1 Samuel 2 Commentary Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the LORD God. This cannot be good news! The Book of Samuel has the color and mood of the Book of Judges. The priesthood failed. Not too long from now, the kingship will also fail (under King Saul). Samuel is a Moses-like figure whomContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 2 Commentary”

1 Samuel 1 Commentary. What may easily escape our attention is the fact that the great prophet Samuel was a Nazirite. Like Samson, his mother never used a razor on his head. He was dedicated to the LORD God all his life. Like Manoah’s wife, Elkanah’s wife, Hannah, could not have children. The women areContinueContinue reading “1 Samuel 1 Commentary”

Ruth 4 Commentary.“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 NIV “Ancients times” may be a reference to the times of the Judges. It couldContinueContinue reading “Ruth 4 Commentary”

Ruth 3b Commentary What is the role of a man in a woman’s life? Chapter 3 is rich in pointers to answering this all-important question. A man protects; a man provides. A man covers. This is Naomi’s view of Ruth’s marriage to Boaz. Indeed, this is Boaz’s view. In this chapter, “Will you marry me?”ContinueContinue reading “Ruth 3b Commentary”

Ruth 3 Commentary.Naomi comes close to the LORD’s statement that it is not good for a man to be alone. She reckons the time has come for her to find a home for Ruth, where she would be cared for. When a mother seeks a husband for her daughter, her number 1 concern is theContinueContinue reading “Ruth 3 Commentary”

Ruth 2b Commentary Both Boaz and Naomi address Ruth as “my daughter”. It shows acceptance and affection. A daughter you have by choice is one who has earned it! Now we can meet Boaz. He is described as a man of standing in the community. He is also a good man, but importantly, a godlyContinueContinue reading “Ruth 2b Commentary”

Ruth 2 CommentaryChapter 2 describes at length the characters involved in the love story. The Book of Ruth has huge value to young people as they navigate the loops of relationships. Coming up first is the main character herself, Ruth.From Chapter 1, we can tell we are looking at a determined and loyal woman. SheContinueContinue reading “Ruth 2 Commentary”

Ruth 1 Commentary The timing of this love story is the days when the Judges ruled. While the Book of Judges looks at the life of the nation of Israel, Ruth zooms into the life of an ordinary Israelite family. The Book of Ruth seeks to establish the point that the LORD had been atContinueContinue reading “Ruth 1 Commentary”

Judges 21 Commentary The Book of Judges winds down with Chapter 21, and with the statement that has been used repeatedly in the closing chapters of the Book of Judges: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” The presence of a king means people would live by the rules.ContinueContinue reading “Judges 21 Commentary”

Judges 20 Commentary 400,000 men armed with weapons of war assembled at Mizpah. Mission? Punish the perpetrators of extreme wickedness of chapter 19 at Gibeah. Everyone is in apart from Benjamin, who actually refuses to surrender the wicked men of Gibeah. Civil war ensues. This type of wickedness deserved the kind is punishment that IsraelContinueContinue reading “Judges 20 Commentary”