Verse 19: “He destroyed the seven nations in the land of Canaan, and He gave an inheritance to them, their land.”

He destroyed: God destroyed them because of their unwillingness to respond to Israel. 

Them: The children of Israel


Verse 20: “And after these (things) about four hundred and fifty years they were there, and He gave to them judges unto Samuel the Prophet.”

After these (things): After they inherited the land.

Note: In this Scripture, by alluding to Samuel, God is exalting prophecy. Paul is showing the people what God’s prophetic plan was and still is.

Verse 21: “From there, they sought a king. He (God) gave to them Saul, the son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.”
From there: At the end of that time of Samuel.

Forty years: This number almost always brings to the text a transition, a change. God gave the people Saul – they desired an earthly king, but this was not God’s desire for them. He submitted to the request of the people, however, to show, and teach, them that His ways would be better. (In the same way God’s initial desire was for the people to enter into the Promised Land and not spend 40 years in the wilderness. It became His purpose to keep them there, in order to change their stubbornness, their lack of faith, their unwillingness to trust Him.

Verse 22: “And having removed Saul He raised up to them David for king. Which also He spoke a testimony, ‘I have found David, the one of Jesse, a man according to My heart. Who will do all the things of My will’”

Raised up: This is a word of resurrection. God wanted to bring a new understanding or revelation to His people, in order for them to walk upon the proper pathway.

A man according to My heart: David wanted to think in the ways of God. David desired God’s will.

All the things of My will: David wanted to please God in not only the big things but in the small things as well.

Verse 23: “From this one, of the seed, according to the promise He raised up for Israel a Saviour – Yeshua.”

Of the seed: ‘The Seed’ is foundational in the covenant that God made with Abraham (Genesis 12v7). It is the foundation for the promise being manifested and established.

The promise: This is a good Biblical indicator of what is important. Paul is speaking about the promise and reminding the people to be mindful of the prophetic promise of God – namely, Messiah.

Raised up: This is the second time that this word is used (see 13v22)

For Israel: Yeshua, the Saviour, was raised up on Israel’s behalf. Saviour, in the Scripture, means to save us from our sins.


Verse 24: “John proclaimed, beforehand, a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel. “

John: John the Baptist was revered, respected, and accepted by all of Israel. No one wanted to challenge that John was one sent by God.

Beforehand: Before His coming – referring to Messiah.

Note: The God fearing (gave God priority) Gentiles believed in the God of Israel because of this promise – a promise of a Redeemer, a Restorer, a Saviour.