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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 1:13-19

We have here a particular account of Job's troubles. I. Satan brought them upon him on the very day that his children began their course of feasting, at their eldest brother's house (Job 1:13), where, he having (we may suppose) the double portion, the entertainment was the richest and most plentiful. The whole family, no doubt, was in perfect repose, and all were easy and under no apprehension of the trouble, now when they revived this custom; and this time Satan chose, that the trouble,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 1:16

While he was yet speaking, there came also another ,.... Another messenger, one of Job's servants, from another part of his fields where his sheep were grazing, and was one of those that kept them; he came with another piece of bad news, even before the other had finished his whole account; and the same is observed of all the other messengers that follow: so Satan ordered it, that all Job's afflictions should come upon him at once, and the news of them be brought him as thick and as fast as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 1:16

The fire of God is fallen - Though the fire of God may mean a great, a tremendous fire, yet it is most natural to suppose lightning is meant; for as thunder was considered to be the voice of God, so lightning was the fire of God. And as the prince of the power of the air was permitted now to arm himself with this dreadful artillery of heaven, he might easily direct the zigzag lightning to every part of the fields where the sheep were feeding, and so destroy the whole in a moment. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:6-19

The trial of the righteous man. The central subject of this book is the trial of the righteous man. Job is acknowledged of God to be "a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil." Yet he is tried, and tried sorely, and by permission of God. The difficulty to be solved by the history of Job is—How can it come to pass that the righteous suffer? To what end is this permitted? The trial of Job is divided into two parts—the first is briefly recounted, it contains the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:13-19

Job's unparalleled calamities. Everything is done to heighten and intensify the impression of Job's calamities. Let us note their salient features. I. THEY OCCUR AT A SEASON OF FESTIVITY . It was a feast-day, and Job's whole family was gathered together in his eldest son's house. Then of all times the affectionate father would be least prepared for ominous rumours of calamity. The thunderbolt fell from the cloudless blue sky. Without a note of warning, the fearful storm burnt... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:13-22

The first trial of the patriarch. I. THE PREPARATION FOR THE TRIAL . The patriarch at the height of his prosperity. The season pitched upon for making an assault upon the patriarch was a day of: 1 . Festive rejoicing ; when the patriarch's family were convened at a banquet of unusual magnificence, "eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house;" such a sumptuous entertainment doubtless as became the firstborn to provide. 2 . Busy industry ; when the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:13-22

The invasion of trouble, and its first effect on Job. The lessons on which we have been dwelling, and on which Job had doubtless deeply meditated in the leisure of his prosperous days, were now to receive the illustration of actual experience. A series of waves breaks in upon his peaceful home and heart, and, in the space of a few short hours, turns the smiling scene into utter desolation. We may notice in the story the following points: the calamities of Job, and their first effect upon his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 1:16

While he was yet speaking ; literally, he yet speaking ; ἔτι τούτον λαλοῦντος , LXX . The writer hurries his words to express the rapidity with which one announcement followed another (see Job 1:17 , Job 1:18 ). There came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven. "The fire of God" is undoubtedly lightning (comp. Numbers 11:1-3 ; 2 Kings 1:10 , 2 Kings 1:14 ; Psalms 78:21 ). This Satan, under permission, might wield, as being "the prince of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 1:16

While he was yet speaking - All this indicates the rapidity of the movement of Satan, and his desire to “overwhelm” Job with the suddenness and greatness of his calamities. The. object seems to have been to give him no time to recover from the shock of one form of trial before another came upon him. If an interval had been given him he might have rallied his strength to bear his trials; but afflictions are much more difficult to be borne when they come in rapid succession. - It is not a very... read more

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