Joel 1:1

JOEL CHAPTER 1

Joel declareth the destruction of the fruits of the earth by noxious insects, Joel 1:1 , and by a long drought, Joel 1:8 . He recommendeth a solemn fasting with prayer to deprecate these judgments, Joel 1:14 .

Since this preface is word for word the same with that of Hosea, Hosea 1:1 , see it there explained.

Joel; supposed to be of the posterity of Reuben, therefore could not be (as the Jews suppose) Samuel's son, nor will his time fit to 1 Chronicles 5:4,8; but of what tribe soever, we know he came from God, and with his authority, and is so cited by the apostle, Acts 2:16 .

The son of Pethuel: more of this man I know not, and it is possible he might be, as the Jews suppose, very eminent, because he is named; however, it is an honour to be reported a prophet's father. The time of his prophesying, though not demonstrable, is with greatest probability laid about the latter end of Jeroboam the Second's reign over Israel, and in the days' of Uzziah over Judah.