Gate Gates of Cities were the ordinary places of audience chapter IV verse 1 and judicature Deut. XVII 2 8. 2 Sam. XIX 8. Prov. XXXI 23. Jer. XXXVIII 7. Lam. V. 13. And the usual maner of Prophets was to publish their Prophecies in the Gates either of the Temple or of the Citie of Jerusalem Jer. VII 2. and XIX 2. and XXVI 10. and sometimes of the Kings house as places of greatest concourse of people Jer. XVII 19. and XXII 1 2. Lest I marre mine own inheritance Want an heire verse 6 if I shall have but one childe by her or having many she being young and poor weaken mine owne inheritance in dividing it among so many specially if he were now a widower and had children by his former wife A man plucked off his shoe These Ceremonies then used in buying verse 7 and bargaining of land in reedeeming and changing had some resemblance to that Law Deut. XXV 8 9. But with diverse differences See Psal. LX. 8. The Ceremonies that respected the person of Ruth are here not mentioned but may seeme either omitted or else transacted with much alteration from the first institution as those times now were THe two Books of Samuel are thought to be written by Samuel Nathan and Gad one after another 1 Chron. XXIX 29. Yet some passages in them may seeme to intimate the writing of them to have been of a later time As 1 Sam. V. 5. and XXVII 6. and XXX 25. 2. Sam. VI. 8 and XVIII 8. They may better be called The I. and II. Book of Kings The I. containing all the History of King Saul Samuel dying 1 Sam. XXV And the II. the History of King Ishbosheth shortly and of King David at large And so do the LXX and many other stile them I. Samuel THis first Book contains an History of eighty years viz fourty in the time of Heli Ch. IV 18. in the four first Chapters And fourty in the times of Samuel and King Saul in the rest If Samuels time be reckoned in with that of Saul Or rather thus fourty to Eli whereof the former half runs up in the times of the Judges in the twenty years of Sampson And the later halfe or twenty begins with this Book after the death of Sampson and the end of the Book of the Judges And then follow twenty years of Samuels Government alone And after that fourty years of King Saul Acts XIII 21. In the former part whereof Samuel also lived and partly judged with him as appears in the XIII XV. XVI XIX Chaters of this Book though he withdrew from Saul in his last dayes 1 Sam. XV. 35. And died ch XXV And in regard whereof they are named as joynt partners in the administration of the Government 1 Sam. XI 7. Still in the whole eighty years An Ephrathite As the Jewes are called Cretes chapter I verse 1 and Arabians Parthians Medes Elamites c. because borne and bred up in those Countreys Acts II. 9 10 11. For though borne or at least dwelling in Mount Ephraim in Ramah yet was Elkanah and so Samuel his son of the posterity of Izhar the son of Kohath the son of Levi 1 Chron. VI. 33 38. Eli Eli or Heli verse 3 was by unknown descents of the posterity not of Eleazer the elder but of Ithamar the younger son of Aaron the son of Amram the son of Kohath the son of Levi. Eli was extraordinarily both High Priest and Judge And a good and famous man though faulty and infamous in his children And therfore more grievously punished for their flagitious wickednesse then Samuel for his sons lesser faults See the sins of the sons of the High Priest Joshua Ezra X. 18. From Eli descended Phinehas his son Ahitub his son 1 Sam. IV. 19 21. compared with chap. XIV 3. Ahimelech his son slaine by Saul his brother was Ahijah 1 Sam. XIV 3. and XXII 9 11. Abiathar his son in Davids time 1 Sam. XXII 20. 1 King I. 7. This Abiathar is named High Priest by our Saviour Marke II. 26. when David did eate the Shew-bread because Abiathar then was with his Father Ahimelech joyned in that action of giving the bread to David instantly succeeded in his Fathers roome and Priesthood was therein more eminent then his Father and continued therein with David in his persecution by Saul and in all the time of his reigne afterward And thus have we no need in that whole History of Ahimelech and Abiathar Father and son to make them Binomii to be both known by both those names and both indifferently called by either yet see the great Annotations on 1 Chron. XVIII 16. This Abiather was thrust out of the High Priesthood by Solomon 1 King II. 26 27. And the sons of Abiathar were Ahimelech and Jonathan 2 Sam. VIII 17. and XV. 27. This Ahimelech and not his Grandfather of the same name is he that is usualy joyned with Zadok in Davids reigne And both then are named Priests 2 Sam. VIII 17. 1. Chron. XXIV 31. i. e. Priests of the second ranck or next the High Priest who then was Abiathar Such a second Priest we read of 2 King XXV 18. Jer. LII 24. who upon any extraordinary occurrent restraining or disabling the High Priest was to supply his place This Jonathan the son of Abiathar was imployed with Ahimaaz the son of Zadok as newes-bearer to David in his flight from Absolom 2 Sam. XV. 27 28. and XVII 17. Of Zadok See 2 Sam. VIII 17. Temple So is the Tabernacle here called verse 9 And so chap. III. 3. 2 Sam. XXII 7. Psal. XXVII 6. And so again The Temple is called a Tabernacle Lam. II. 6. Samuel We read not that he was High Priest verse 20 or ever so called But an extraordinary Prophet and Judge a Nazarite ver 11. a Sacrificer though a Levite onely and most likely of the posterity of that Korah Num. XVI 32. and of the race of Izhar the son of Kohath the son of Levi as was formerly said 1 Chron. VI. A rare and worthy person The doores of the house of the Lord The Hangings of the Gate of the Court chapter III verse 15 Exod XXVII 16. Ark The Ark so precious in the eyes of God chapter IV verse 3 and of the Israelites and that worthily Psal LXXVIII 61. and CXXXII 8. 1. Sam. IV. 20. Was carried about the walls of Jericho and then returned into the Tabernacle Being in the Tabernacle in Shiloh it was taken thence and never came into the Tabernacle again and was carried to Eben-Ezer a place ominous then but a monument of Gods help soone after into the Camp 1 Sam. IV. 1 3 4 5. and V. 1. that it might save them out of the hand of their enemies the Philistines As we read the Philistines themselves in the dayes of David brought their Images into their Camp 2 Sam V. 21. 1 Chron. XIV 12. The Ark being taken there by the Philistines they carried it about to Ashdod into
called Harosheth of the Gentiles Judg. IV. 2. as lying in that Tribe of Naphtali Thirteen Thirteen Cities with their Suburbs in title and dominion given to the Priests Josh. chapter XXI verse 19 XXI 4. See the Annotations on 1 Chron. VI. 59. Though one of them at that time was too much for their present use and habitation we reading but of three of them in number about fifty years before this time Called The two Tribes and a half dismist chapter XXII verse 1 likely at the end of sixe or seven years before the Division of the Land and stayed not fourteen yeers till after the Division which Division might yet possibly be made sooner then so Josh. XX. 11. Divide This Dividing the spoile with their brethren verse 8 those that stayed at home beyond Jordan seemes to relate to that Num. XXXI 27. And David seemes hereupon to revive and enact that Law of like Division 1 Saem XXX 24 25. Mention of the name The not naming of Idols is mentioned chapter XXIII verse 7 as here so Exod. XXIII 13. Deut. XII 3. Psal. XVI 4. And a like Ephes. V. 3. Yet the thing in it self is not simply and absolutely unlawful Shechem Shechem was a City in Mount Ephraim chapter XXIV verse 1 Josh. XX. 7. North-North-East from Shiloh and Bethel and close by Mount Gerizim and Ebal Judg. IX 7. Here Abraham and Jacob had sojourned And Jacobs two sonnes Simeon and Levi young men upon Dinah's ravishment murthered the Citizens Gen. XXXIV Here after Gideons death the Citizens worshipped Baal-Berith and rebelled with Abimelech and were after punished and spoyled by him Judg. IX This City in Ioshua's time was made a City of Refuge and given to the Kohathite-Levites Iosh. XXI 21. And here Ioshua made a Covenant with all the people to serve the Lord Chap. XXIV ver 25. The Mount Ephraim whereon the City stood was famous for Burials Here they buried Iosephs bones in Shechem in a parcel of ground which Iacob bought of the children of Hamor or Emor Josh. XXIV 32. Acts VII 16. Gen. XXXIII 19. Here was great Ioshua himself an Ephraimite buried in his inheritance in Timnath-Scrah or Here 's which is in Mount Ephraim on the North-side of the hill Goash Josh. XXIV 30. Judg. II. 9. And here was the High-Priest Eleazar buried in an Hill that pertained to Phineas his son which was given him in Mount Ephraim Josh. XXIV 33. Here Deborah dwelt Judg. IV. 5. And Tola the Judge ch X. 1. Hither came Rehoboam to be made King But Jeroboam was there made King in his stead who built or fortified the City and dwelt there 1 King XII 1 20 25. Judges THE Book of JUDGES contains an History not of four hundred and ten years but of two hundred ninty and nine years So Counting the years of the VI. Oppressors within the years and times of the Judges as I have shewed they necessarily must upon Rahabs marriage with Prince Salmon Josh. II. And so Expounding the Texts following according to the truth of the times thus That the Land had Rest by Othniel in the fourtieth year after it was first settled in Rest by Ioshua at his Death Judg. III. 11. not after the Death of Moses And again had Rest by Ehud in the eightieth year after the former Rest by Othniel Ch. III. 30. And again had Rest by Deborah in the fourtieth year after the former Rest by Ehud Ch. V. 31. And again had Rest by Gideon in the fourtieth year after the former Rest by Deborah Ch. VIII 28. These make up two hundred years And then follow three of Abimelech twenty three of Tolah twenty two of Jair sixe of Jephthah seven of Ibzan ten of Elon eight of Abdon twenty of Sampson which make np the other ninty nine years in all two hunded ninty nine The text Judg. IV. 3 4. seemes to accord with rhis reckoning and to accompt Jabins Oppression within the years of Deborah But yet counting beside these the times of the VI. Oppressors distinctly over and above which amount to one hundred and eleven years and is according to the seeming letter of the texts And then fourty years of Eli being added thereunto the summe ariseth to those 450. years mentioned by Paul Acts XIII 20. But reading the words of Saint Paul as in order they stand there in the Original and after these things about four hundred and fifty years he gave them Judges untill Samuel the Prophet we may rather conceive the four hundred and fifty years to comprehend all the time from the choosing of the Fathers till the Division of the Land by Joshua it being four hundred fifty two from the Birth of Isaac and four hundred fourty seven from the Rejection of Ishmael both wayes about four hundred and fifty wherein those things mentioned ver 18 19 20. were done and accomplished And after that time he gave them Judges until Samuel the Prophet And after that time He gave them Kings And thus the most learned Primate of all Ireland hath it in his learned Annals This Book seemes written of and concerning the Judges as the Book of Ruth concerning Ruth And long after their times As may seeme to be gathered by those phrases remaine unto this day and the like Ch. I. 21 26. and VI. 24. and X. 4. and XV. 19. And Ch. XVIII 30. must needs have relation at soonest to the captivity of the Arke in the dayes of Samuel 1 Sam. IV. 17. Psal. LXXVIII 60 61. Asked They asked the Lord chapter I verse 1 by Phineas the High Priest who by Urim and Thummim makes answer Num. XXVII 21. Both which were on or in the Breastplate and the Breastplate was annexed to the Ephod Exod. XXVIII 28 30. and XXXIX 21. which made David call for the Ephod and High Priest thereby to enquire of the Lord 1 Sam. XXIII 9 10 11 12. and Ch. XXVIII 6. So Ezra II. 63. See more on 1 Sam. XXIII 9. Bezek Bezek a City in the tribe of Iudah verse 4 not farre from Ierusalem lying from it South-West and midway between 〈◊〉 and Bethlehem Adoni-Bezek verse 5 Of him see on Iosh. X. 1. Said verse 7 seventy Kings His seventy Kings subdued and mangled by him must needs be very pettie Kings of Provinces or Cities if not such Princes as are now in Germany where all the brethren of a Prince are called Princes likewise And these seventy were such as in the time of all his reigne and tyranny Adoni-bezek had subdued He was brought from Bezek to Ierusalem to be made a publike example there Ierusalem Iudah had taken Ierusalem verse 8 slaine the inhabitants and burnt the City i. e. that part of it which belonged to Iudah Iosh. XV. 8. yet so as the Jebusite still dwelt therein with the children of Iudah ver 63. even till Davids time 2 Sam. V. 6 7 8. And Benjamin did the like and no more with their part of Ierusalem Judg. I. 21. yet both had little hold in it
Exod. XXXII 4 5. 2 Chron. XXXIII 17. Hos. II. 16. The other nine hundred Shekels it is like she bestowed on house vestments and other necessaries for that Idolatrous service An house of gods So great was the Idolatry of the Jewes at this time And their zeale great in their Idolatry Ch. XVIII 24. Ephod This Ephod mentioned againe verse 5 Ch. XVIII 14. As likewise that of Gideon Ch. VIII 27. were not like those Linnen Ephods Exod. XXVIII 40. 1 Sam. II. 18. and Ch. XXII 18. But like Aarons rich and glorious Ephod Exod. XXVIII 6 34. See the Annotations on Hos. III. 4. and the Observations on 1 Sam. XXIII 9. Teraphim Or Theraphim a word of the plural number and still so used in Scripture signifies Images or Idols Hos. III. 4. 1 Sam. XV. 23. But of what kinde or fashion it is uncertaine some conceive them to be made like men because Michal put one of them in Davids bed thereby to deceive her father Sauls messengers 1 Sam. XIX 13. Some take them to be houshold-gods and as such in Labans house and family Gen. XXXI 19 34. Some to be such as they used to consult with as Oracles as in the case of the Danites here and Ch. XVIII 14 17 18 20. and of Nebuchadnezzar Ezek. XXI 21. and in Zecharies time Zech. X. 2. Answers likely being given by the subtilty of the Devil or forgery of their Priests And to workers with familiar spirits and Wizards They are joyned in Josiah's Reformation 2 King XXIII 24. See the Annotations on Hos. III. 4. Consecrated And ver 12. The grosse abuse of Consecration As in Jeroboams time 1 King XIII 33. No King King here is taken verse 6 not properly for a King but for a Judge such as the thirteen Judges in this Book for King properly there was none till Sauls reigne A Levite A Levite borne or verse 7 bred in Bethlehem Judah or sojourning there as a stranger Where I may finde a place The necessitous state of the Levites verse 9 in those Idolatrous times ver 10 11. Danites sought Their inheritance by lot is set down chapter XVIII verse 1 Josh. XIX 40. But they got it not all through their own sinne and default Iudg. I. 34. And their tribe being numerous they sought out larger bounds and more commodious habitations Iosh. XIX 47. And this though mentioned in that text of Ishua yet fell out after his death and the death of those Elders that out-lived him likely soone after but surely before the dayes of Sampson Mount Ephraim See the Observations on Josh. 2. XXIV 1. Ask counsel These Danites verse 5 being superstitious Idolaters ascribe thus much to this Levite and to his Idolatrous Ephod and Teraphim and graven and molten Images ver 14 17. Laish Laish very farre off from the body of the Tribe of Dan verse 7 that lying next to Simeon and Judah in the South-parts of the Land of Canaan and this under Mount Libanon by Asher and Naphtali in the North-bounds This Citie first burnt and after rebuilt by these Danites they then called Dan which is taken as the North-bound of the Land of Canaan as Ch. XX. 1. 1 Sam. III. 20. 2 Sam. III. 10. and elsewhere And here Jeroboam did set up one of his golden Calves 1 King XII 29. Jonathan A Levite the great grandchilde of Moses verse 30 though borne in Bethlehem-Judah and so as of the family of Judah Ch. XVII 7. And though a Levite yet taken and used as a Priest and consecrated thereunto by Micah an Ephraimitie ver 1 12. Who likewise had consecrated one of his owne sons to become his Priest ver 5. And this Jonathan forced to seeke and shift for his maintenance and livelihood and to accept of one so poore and base ver 10. All this bespeaks the sad and lamentable condition and coufusion of those times wherein they lived Captivity of the Land This Idolatry of the Danites in this Citie Dan continued untill the day of the Captivity of the Land that is as it is explained ver 31. all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh till the Philistines took the Arke 1 Sam. IV. Psalme LXXVIII 60 61. which was at the death of Eli. A Concubine Or a wife a Concubine chapter XIX The word for Concubine in Hebrew is etymologized wittily by some from two other words of that language which put together verse 1 signifie that which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some old Latine Inscriptions Viro-conjux an half-wife or secondarie wife We read in Scripture of Concubines and Wives variously Of many wives to one man in the Old Testament And this not onely in prophane and evill men as in Lamech Gen. IV. and Esau and other but also in good and godly men as in Iacob David and others And among these many wives we sometimes finde a kinde of distinction of them into two sorts One sort the First and principal and absolutely lawful wife and Mistris The other sort but in a secondary and inferiour degree And such as had no Dowries nor solemne Rites of reception nor Rule in the family nor their children had any Inheritance but Gifts and Portions For that of Iacobs sons by Bilhah and Zilpah was a case extraordinary And thus we finde with Abraham Sarah of the first sort and Hagar and Keturah of the second with Iacob Rachel and Leah of the first Bilhah and Zilpah of the second And those of the second sort are sometimes called wives and sometimes Concubines as we see in Keturah Gen. XXV 1 6. 1 Chron. I. 32. And in Bilhah Gen. XXX 4. and XXXV 22. and Ch. XXXVII 2. And Davids ten Concubines 2 Sam. XV. 16. and Ch. XVI 22. and Ch. XX. 3. are called his wives 2 Sam. XII 11. And thus Concubines are of two sorts some are wives or half-wives others plaine Whores and Harlots But this Concubine of the Levite was his wife and he her Lord as appears ver 3 4 5 7 9 26 27. and Ch. XX. 4. Gibeah Distinct from Gibeah in the tribe of Iudah chapter XIX verse 12 Iosh. XV. 57. And from Gibeon in the Tribe of Benjamin Iosh. XVIII 25. This was either that which afterwards was called Gibeah of Saul in the Tribe of Benjamin 1 Sam. XI 4. or else very near it in the same Tribe and not farre from Ierusalem and Ramah ver 13 14 16. House of the Lord In Shilo verse 18 And so Ch. XX. 18. This was near Mount Ephraim where he sojourned And thither the whole Campe came Ch. XXI 12. Know him So Gen. verse 22 XIX 5. monstrous impudent wickednesse a modest intimation of a most immodest meaning My brethren Men in nature verse 23 though worse then beasts in their lusts Behold my daughter Sinful this verse 24 to use unlawful means though to a good end We may not do evill that good may come thereof Rom. III. 8. Not hearken Yet did in the next words verse 25 And she sinning
Advertise thee Balaam called a South-sayer chapter XXIV verse 14 Josh. XIII 22. and a Prophet 2 Pet. II. 16. gives this advertisement to Balak which seems to have a relation to that which follows in the residue of that Chapter Yet besides he gives counsel to Balak or at least after to the Midianites to draw the Israelites into sinne Num. XXXI 16. which coming so to passe He himself in his return is slaine by the sword amongst the Midianites Num. XXXI 8. in that Expedition wherein Joshuah though not named may seeme to be the General and Phineas chief of the Priests sounding Trumpets in that warre wherein 12000. Israelites not having one man slaine did yet slay five Kings of Midian or Dukes of Sihon dwelling in the Countrey as it is Josh. XIII 21. and all the males of that populous Nation save such as escaped by flight whose posterities in the dayes of Gideon came to prevaile against Israel Judg. VI. 1 2. And they took a mighty prey and booty whereout after Purifications of themselves and the Prey there was paid a tribute and portion to the Priests and a portion to the Levites and a voluntary Oblation after made by the Captaines to the Lord Num. XXXI Of the 24000. chapter XXV verse 9 that died in the Plague and stroak of Gods vengeance the 23000. mentioned 1 Cor. X. 8. likely were the vulgar sort that died in the slaughter Num. XXV 5. and the other thousand were the heads of the people hung up ver 4. without supposing any Pestilence at that time Or if by Plague Num. XXV 9. Psal CVI. 30. we understand the Pestilence then most probably the 23000. died of it and the other thousand by Hanging and Slaughter 22200. chapter XXVI verse 14 In this last numbering of the people in the Plains of Moab in the fourtieth year of their wandering in the Wildernesse Simeon was farre the least in number and Judah the most And the whole number of fighting men of the twelve Tribes after that generation died in the Wildernesse upon that judgement Numb XIV 29 35. and upon sundry other judgements besides was now 1820. lesse in number then in the former numbering at Mount Sinai thirty nine years before 23000. And so but 700 more then they were in the former numbering at Sinai Ch. III. verse 62 Being likely not altogether free from that sinne and punishment Num. XIII and XIV Sin This Wildernesse differs from Zin chapter XXXIII verse 11 ver 36. This being the eighth Station of the Israelites that of Zin the thirty third which is Kadesh where Miriam died as was said Num. XXXIII 11 36. Rephidim See the Observations on Ch. verse 14 XXVIII 8. Abarim Pluraly verse 47 Mountains being a continuation of Mountains or Hills Num. XXXIII 47. in the Confines of the Amorites and Moabites whereof the tops had several names as Nebo Pisgah Pehor But Mount Sinai was none of them being farre enough of Salt Sea Is not that Lake of Genesareth chapter XXXIV verse 3 But only that Dead Sea and Salt Sea where formerly Sodom and Gomorrah Admah and Zeboim had stood Deut. XXIX 23. Hos. XI 8. Riblah Riblah in the Land of Hamath part of the East border of Canaan near the North quarter Here Pharaoh-Nechoh put Jehoahaz in bonds 2 Kings XXIII 33. And Nebuchadnezzar put King Zedekiah in bonds and put out his eyes 2 King XXV 6 7. And slew the High Priest and second Priest and the sonnes of Zedekiah and other prime men ver 18 21. Jer. LII 10 27. This Riblah seems to be that which was afterwards called Antiochia in Syria Of this see my Annotations on Ezek. XI 10 11. Chinnereth Num. XXXIV 11. Deut. III. 17. Josh. XI 2. and XII 27. and XIX 35. is called in the New Testament Genezareth Luke V. 1. which Lake is also called the Sea of Galilee Matth. IV. 18. Mark I. 16. And the Sea of Tiberias Josh. XXI 1. And absolutely the Sea Matth. XVII 27. Suburbs The Suburbs of the Cities of the Priests chapter XXXV verse 4 and Levites were 1000. Cubits from the Cities on every side And so 2000. in the limits and utmost Bounds and Borders of each Quarter East West North and South Fourty eight Cities See Josh. verse 7 XX. and XXI and 1 Chron. 6. compared together and the Great Annotations upon the said sixth Chapter Shall not be guilty The innocent man verse 27 that by meere accident against his will slew a man might yet as it seemes be lawfully slaine by the revenger of blood if he took him without the Citie of refuge Which the more shews the wrath of God against murder Onely to the family Israelites might marry wives of other Tribes chapter XXXVI verse 6 so that they were not inheritrixes of Land Num. XXXVI Yea of other Nations if they were Proselytes and not of those Nations which God expressely devoted to destruction Deut. VII 3. and XXI 10 13. Of their marriages with Heathens and mixing the holy seed See Ezra IX and X. Ch. Neh. IX 2. and X. 30. and XIII 3. 23 30. Deuteronomie DEUTERONOMIE was written in the yeare of the world not 2493. But in the year 2553. or rather 2548. thirty eight years and odde moneths from the time of the beginning of the Book of Numbers And about 1450 years before Christ's time It containes to the fifteenth Verse of the last Chapter an History of one moneth and seven dayes viz From moneth eleven day one to moneth twelve day seven at which time Moses died as hath been formerly gathered upon Aarons death See and compare together Deut. I. 3. and XXXIV 8. and Josh. IV. 19. In which short time the Book was written by Moses And besides sundry Repetitions and Explications other new Lawes given A second Edition as it were of the Covenant made with the new Generation with some other Consequences and last Acts of Moses The last Chapter of Deuteronomie was written after Moses his death As likewise the Conclusion of the Book of Jeremie was written after his Death Jer. LI. 64. and LII 31 34. And that XXXIV Chapter contains one moneth more of the Israelites mourning for the death of Moses This Book of Deuteronomie and that of the Psalmes are of chief note in the Old Testament for the Life of Religion the spiritual power of Worship and Obedience in the inner man Yet this Book of Deuteronomie seemes not to be that which was to be written very plainly upon great stones plaistered in Mount Ebal For that was the Decalogue only or those Blessings and Curses only Deut. XXVII 2 26. Josh. VIII 30 35. Nor seemes it to be this book of Deuteronomie only that was to be Copied out by the King and He to read therein all the dayes of his life Deut. XVII v. 18 19 20. Not yet seemes it to be this book only that was to be solemnly read by the Priests every seventh or Sabbatical year in the Feast of Tabernacles in the audience of
all the people Chapt. XXXI 9 13. As in the three foresaid particulars some would have it Nor yet is it this Book only or that Song only Deut. XXXII that was to be put and placed by the Priests in at or by the side of the Arke of the Covenant Deut. XXXI 25 26. But the whole book of the Law the five Books of Moses were to be Copied out by the King read in every Sabbath-year and laid up and preserved safe by the Arke of the Testimony The Judicial Lawes most of all mentioned in this Book and peculiarly belonging to the Countrey and People of the Jewes are grounded upon an equity of Right Reason for that Countrey and People And so far are useful to all others The ten first Chapters are most-what of precedent Passages Repetitions of what things were formerly done with Exhortations to Obedience intermixed Moses yet herein not binding himself to an exact order in observation of the times and places These Is an Inscription of the whole book chapter I verse 1 and an accurate description of the Place where Moses delivered and did what in this book is contained Eleven The eleven dayes journey end either at Kadesh-barneah verse 2 or compassing about by the way of Mount Seir and Kadesh-barneah it ends at and in the Plaines of Moab Both which serâ—â— to shew how soone they might have come from Horeb or Sinai to Canaan had they not provoked God by their sinne Num. XIV instead of that eleven dayes journey to keep them wandring in the wildernesse 38. years after Horeb Horeb and Mount Sinai are taken for the same Exod. III 1. See on that Text Deut. I. 2 6 19. and IV. 10 15. and V. 2. and IX 8. 1 King XIX 8 Mal. IV. 4. They being close neighbours or rather two tops of the same Mount The Israelites abode almost a year there Deut. I. 6. Exod. XIX 1 Num. X. 11. Og that dwelt at Ashteroth verse 4 was slaine in Edrei another of his royal Cities Ch. III. 1. Num. XXI 33. Josh. XIII 12 31. and XII 4. Angry Gods anger at Moses here mentioned verse 37 was not in the second year when and where the Spies were sent from Kadesh-barnea Num. XIII and XIV But in the fourtieth year at that other Kadesh when and where Miriam died Num. XX. 1 2 12. Many dayes The Israelites abode in Kadesh many dayes verse 46 And they compassed Mount Seir many dayes The space in which they came from Kadesh-barnea till they came over the brook Zered or pitch'd in the Valley of Zared in Moab being their thirty ninth Station was thirty eight years which was in the beginning of the fourtieth year of their coming out of Egypt Deut. II. 1 2 3 7 14. some take thirty seven years and a half of this time to be spent at Kadesh-barnea And sure the most of it was spent there and the lesser and later part of it in compassing Mount Seir And the other half year spent in coming from Mount Seir to Zered See Deut. II. 7. Distresse not And so chapter II verse 9 v. 19. The Israelites forbidden to distresse the Moabites and Ammonites or to possesse their Lands Yet what Sihon had lately conquered from them and possessed which was no small part of their Countreys all that the Israelites conquering Sihon by right of that Conquest did fairly possesse Josh. XIII 15 25. Judg. XI 12 27. Gyants There are mentioned Anakims verse 11 Emims Zanzummims Rephaims as several races of Gaints Deut. II. 11 20. and Ch. III. 11 13. Num. XIII 33. See further Gen. VI. 4 1 Sam. XVII 4. and 2 Sam. XXI 16 22. Mount Sion chapter IV verse 48 which is Hermon Called by the Sidonians Syrion by the Amorites Shenir in the Valley of Lebanon Deut. III. 9. and IV. 48. Josh. XI 17. and XIII 5. and XII 5. 1 Chron. V. 23. And Mount Sion that strong hold in the City of David being the South-part of Jerusalem and not seated on the North-side of it 2 Sam. V. 7 9. 1 King VIII 1. Psal. II. 6. and IX 11. and XLVIII 2. upon which Text see the Annotations are two differing Mountains and farre asunder They differ also in their Original Characters and letters the former being written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the later 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though the New Testament write the later also Sion Rom. IX 33 〈◊〉 XI 26. As likewise the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is written Sidon And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is written Tyre Matth. XI 21 22. Called We may not conceive a miracle in Moses voice chapter V verse 1 as some do on this place My Commandments So it is in the Masorets marginal reading verse 10 But in the Text it is his Commandments And may import the words of Moses expounding the sense and meaning of Gods words that went next before Seventh day Some words are added by Moses to those uttered by God on Mount Sinai verse 14 15. Exod. XX. 10 11. as an Explication of them And also a Reason is given of the fourth Commandment differing altogether from that Reason in Exod. XX. 11. which Reason here yet evinceth not that therefore God brought the Israelites out of Egypt on the Sabbath-day But the putting of Wife before House ver 21. contrary to that order of House before Wife in Exod. XX. 17. confounds the late Papists silly shift in dividing the last Commandment into two to make up ten Deut. IV. 13. to colour thereby their taking away the second Commandment or shufling of it into the first so that by them is not known which is the ninth and which the tenth Commandment Seven Nations So many are here reckoned chapter VII verse 1 And so Iosh. III. 10. Six in Exod. XXXIII 2. Deut. XX. 17. Iudg. III. 5. In many places fewer In Gen. XV. 19 20 21. ten Nations are reckoned And among them the Philistines are never mentioned Yet all the inhabitants of the whole Land go many times under the names of Canaanites and Amorites as Gen. XXIV 3. and Ch. XV. 16. Utterly destroy them Such is Gods Command verse 2 And such his Promise of assistance v. 16. See Exod. XXXIV 11 12. Deut. IX 3. and XX. 16 17. Yet this was not a thing to be done in one year or in Ioshuah's Life-time Iosh. XXIII 4 5 13. Iudg. l. 9 21 27 29 30 31 33 34. But by little and little Exod. XXIII 29 30. Deut. VII 22. Yet God justly threatens and blames them for their neglect in Conquering and Expelling them Num. XXXIII 55 56. Josh. XXIII 13. Judg. II. 3 21 22 23. And he never gave them the possession of their full Bounds as of Tyre Sidon and of all the Land of the Philistines because they kept not for their part the Condition of their Covenant with him Judg. II. 20 21. Neither shalt thou Marriage forbid with the Canaanites strictly verse 3 Yea also forbid with the Ammonites Moabites and Egyptians Ezra IX 1 2.
there 2 Sam. VI. 12 17. whereupon Zion is called the City of God Gods holy Hill The Northerne and lower part belonging to Benjamin wherein the Temple stood on Mount Moriah 2 Chon III. 1. Honourable things are spoken of this City Psal. LXXXVII 2 3. This City is called the City of God of the Lord of Hoasts of the great King the holy place of the Tabernacles of the most High Psal. XLVI 4. and XLVIII 8. The Throne of the Lord Jer. III. 17. Jehovah-Shammah in that visionarie Description Ezek. XLVIII 35. It is called the City of Solemnities Esay XXXIII 20. a City of Righteousnesse Esay V. 26. a City of Truth Zech. VIII 3. a Faithful City Esay I. 26. a City sought out and not forsaken Esay LXII 12. The walls thereof are called Salvation and her gates Praise and they are ever in Gods sight Esay XLIX 16. and LX. 18. Hoham These other four Kings were all South of Jerusalem chapter X verse 3 And all five did after belong to the Tribe of Judah Lachish Of this City see the Annotations on Micah I. 13. The Lord said The Lord spake to Joshua verse 8 sometimes immediately by himself sometimes being consulted with by Urim and Thummim Hailestones God 's two Miracles in this battel verse 11 I. By wondrous Hailestones like those in Egypt Exod. IX 18 25. which killed more Amorites then were slaine by the sword braining likely the body of their hoast as they fled where they were thickest and those that were formost in the flight and not hurting the Pursuers who were intermingled yet likely mostwhat in the Reare of the enemy II. By the miraculous standing still upon Joshua's Prayer first privately made and granted after publikely pronounced in the sight of Israel of the Sunne and of the Moone and with them of the whole frame of Heaven about a whole day till the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies Jasher The Book of Jasher records the Miracle verse 13 No Heathen History being so ancient This Book seemes to be carried on and enlarged still with the story of things acted in after-ages For there is mention of it in Davids time 2 Sam. I. 18. And this Book being no part of Canonical inspired Scripture but a Civil Chronicle or Annals among the Jewes is since perished as divers others of like nature Among which are those books of Chronicles not Canonical but Civil so often cited in our two books of the Kings No day That day in Hezekiah's time verse 14 was in some things like this 2 King XX. 11. But that not till many ages after And this book first written Returned If Joshua here resolved to return to Gilgal verse 15 Yet many other victories in the Southern parts even from Kadesh-barnea unto Gaza in a short time intervened ver 16 42. before he actually returned thither ver 43. Ioshua And c. XI verse 36 31. Ioshua took Hebron or Kiriath-Arba and Debir or Kiriath-Sepher and cut off the Anakims Yet under the conduct of Caleb this was perfected Ioshua assigning him out of his army the Tribe of Iudah for his assistance therein Ch. XIV 6 15. and Ch. XV. 13 19. which thing seems to be repeated Iudg. I. 10 15. rather then a new Conquest made again after the death of Ioshua Goshen And Ch. XI verse 41 16. and Ch. XV. 51. This Goshen in Canaan differing from that in Egypt Sand Hyperbolees much used in Scripture chapter XI verse 4 So Gen. XXII 17. and XLI 49. Iudg. VII 12. and Ch. XX. 16. 1 Sam. XIII 5. 2 Sam. I. 23. 1 King I. 40. and IV. 20 29. 2 King XIX 24. 1 Chron. XII 8. and XVI 33. 2 Chron. I. 9. and XXVIII 9. Job XX. 6. and XXII 24. and XL. 23. Psal. VI. 6. Esay XXXIV 3 5 7 9. and XLVIII 19. Jer. IV. 24. and XV. 8. Ioel. III. 18. Amos II. 9. and IX 13. Iohn XXI 25. A long time After the battel at the waters of Merom verse 18 Ioshua did make warre a long time with all those Northern Kings in Canaan about sixe years as is gathered out of Ch. XIV 6 15. Arnon Arnon the River chapter XII verse 1 ariseth not farre from the head-spring of the River Iabbok and both from rocky Mountains that lie in the East part of the Tribe of Gad. It runneth Southward and falls into the North-East corner of the Dead Sea It is the border between Sihon or Reuben on the West and Ammon on the East and between Sihon or Reuben on the North and Moab on the South Iabbok Iabbok the River verse 2 ariseth as Arnon but runneth North a little and after turneth his streame West and falleth into Iordan a little below the Sea of Galilee It divided the Land of Gilead between Sihon and Og and afterwards between Gad on the South and halfe Manasseh on the North. Remaineth yet The Land both Conquered chapter XIII verse 1 and Unconquered was to be divided by Lot among the nine Tribes and a half so Iosh. XXIII 4 5. Begun at Gilgal Ch. XIV 6. and Ch. XV. and Ch. XVI and Ch. XVII Resumed and Perfected at Shiloh Ch. XVIII and XIX But we never read That they did Conquer the whole Land and all their several Shares and Lots through their own default and breach of Covenant with God by Disobedience Chapt. XXIII 13. Aroer The City Aroer was neere the Rise of the River Arnon verse 16 and in the confines between the Reubenites and Gadites as also Heshbon Dibon and Ataroth which being bordering Cities are said to belong to them both sometimes to the one sometimes to the other To Reuben Iosh. XIII 16 17. Num. XXXII 37. To Gad Iosh. XXI 39. Num. XXXII 34. 1 Chron. VI. 81. Distributed The whole Countrey chapter XIV verse 1 seemes to be divided into so many parts as there were Tribes to possesse them Yet so as that the Bounds of every part or Province were not so precisely limited before the Tribe had drawn the Lot but that afterwards they might be enlarged or lessened according to the greatnesse or smalnesse of the number that belonged to it Num. XXVI 53 56. and Chap. XXXIII 54. which last point of division was left to the wisdome of the High Priest Ioshua and the Elders whom God had appointed to divide it ver 1. and Ch. XVII 14 18. By lot Lots fell out providentialy to the twelve Tribes chapter XIV verse 2 in the Division of the Land in relations partly to their Birth partly to the Prophetical Blessings of them by Jacob Gen. XLIX and Moses Deut. XXXIII And so in the Cities of the Levites the Lot cast the thirteen Cities of the Priests in the Tribes of Judah Benjamin and Simeon which were nearest the Temple Josh. XXI 9 10 17. when it was builded Old Calebs age verse 7 when he was sent among the Spies from Kadesh-barnea was fourty At this Division of the Land eighty five So that fourty five years intervened viz. 38. in the
in that Levites time Iudg. XIX 10 11 12. or haply at that time had never got any hold in it at all Hebron Of this City see the Observations on 2 Sam. verse 10 II. 1. Caleb Of Caleb see the Observations on Iosh. verse 12 XV. 16. A South-Land Or dry Land verse 15 Kenite and Ch. IV. 11. and Ch. V. 24. See 1 Chron. II. 55. verse 16 As also Gen. XV. 19. Num. XXIV 21. 1 Sam. XV. 6. And see my Observations on Num. X. 29. Palme Trees Jericho Of this see the Observations on Ch. III. 13. Gaza Iudah took Gaza verse 18 and Askelon and Ekron And lost them soone afterwards Ch. III. 3. Bethel Of this see the Observations on 1 King verse 22 XII 29. and XXXII Bethsâ—an And the rest in this verse were Cities in that half Tribe of Manasseh that lay West of Jordan verse 27 Angel The Angel here seemes to be no created Angel chapter II verse 1 But that Angel of the Covenant Mal. III. 1. that appeared to Moses in the Bush Exod. III. 2. called Jehovah ver 4. and to Ioshua Iosh. V. 14. And to Gideon Iudg. VI. 16. And to Manoah and his wife Ch. XIII Of whom Iacob spake Gen. XLVIII 24. And of whom God spake unto Moses Exod. XXIII 21 22 23. termed both Jehovah Exod. XIII 21. XIV 10 24. and his face or presence Exod. XXXIII 14 15. and an Angel Exod. XXXIII 2. the Messias Acts VII 38. the Sonne of God Heb. I. 3. See on Judg. XIII 3. But whether this History fell out in the life-time of Ioshua or after his death is somewhat more uncertain all the dayes of Joshua Therefore the Angel's coming to Bochim verse 7 though premised was after the death of Joshua and those Elders Mount of Ephraim Of this see the Observations on Joshua XXIV verse 9 1. Baal and Ashtaroth Of these see the Observations on Ch. verse 13. 16. VIII 33. Judges This Chapter seemes to be a summarie of the bulk of this Book Left those Nations Ver. verse 23 22. and Ch. III. 1 2 4. See the Observations on Deut. VII 1. and 2. King of Mesopotamia Heb. chapter III verse 8 Aram-Naharaim i. e. of Syria between the two rivers Tigris and Euphrates Naharaim being of the Dual number Fourty years See the Observations on the beginning of this Book verse 11 Palme-trees Jericho the City of Palme-trees Deut. XXXIV 3. verse 13 2 Chron. XXVIII 15. This was nigh Jordan on the West-side of it and Gilgal in the East border of Jericho where Rahab entertained and hid the two Spies And from the Plaines of Moab Pisga and Shirtim which were over against Jericho on the East-side of Jordan the Israelites passed over Here the Israelites kept the Passeover and the Captain of the Lords Hoast appeared to Joshua This was burnt Josh. VI. 24. And the Re-builder of it cursed ver 26. And the same verified in Hiel in the dayes of Ahab 1 King XVI 34. So that the Kenites being in it and Eglons possessing of it mentioned here And that of Davids ill-intreated messengers residing here 2 Sam. X. 5. must be meant of some mean buildings or Forts onely in it or rather by it It fell by Lot to the Tribe of Benjamin Josh. XVIII 21. Here was a Colledge of the sonnes of the Prophets in the times of Elias and Eliseus and the waters healed by Eliseus Hither were sent back courteously the many Jewes captived by Pekah in the dayes of Ahaz 2 Chron. XXVIII And in the Plaines here was Zedekiah taken by Nebuchadnezzars forces And in the dayes of our Saviour he did herein or hard by give sight to blinde men and converted Zacheus And he arose Reverence to God and his Word verse 20 Num. XXIII 18. 2 King XX III. 2. 2 Chron. XXXIV 31. Neh. VIII 6. Oxe-goad Miraculous are the victories of Shamgar verse 31 slaying sixe hundred Philistines with an Oxe-goad and of Sampson slaying one thousand of them with the jaw-bone of an Asse Ch. XV. 15 16. Jabin This Jabin successor to that Jabin slaine by Joshua chapter IV verse 2 and his City Hazor burnt Josh. XI 1 10 11 13. Yet this successor or sonne reinforceth himself and twenty years oppressed Israel and was destroyed at last by Deborah and Barak ver 24. Hazor A City in Naphtali and upper Galilee East from Rehob in Asher and in former times head of the neighbouring Kingdomes Iâ—sh XI 10. There was another Hazor or two in the Tribe of Judah Iosh. XV. 23 25. Haresheth of the Gentiles Ver. 16. In Naphtali about thirty miles East from Hazor near the South-bottome of the waters of Merom Here he dwels because Joshua had burnt Hazor Iosh. XI 11 13. Charets of iron Much use of these in warre verse 3 not by the Jewes but by their enemies See the Observations on Ch. XX. 2. and on 2 Sam. VIII 5. A Prophetesse See the Observations on Zeph. verse 4 III. 4. and on 1 Sam. XVIII 10. at that time Even when and while Iabin oppressed them So that those twenty years v. 3. are within those fourty years of Deborah V. 31. Ramah See the Annotations on Hos. verse 5 V. 8. There were divers Cities of this name in divers Tribes See Josh. XVIII 25. and XIX 29 36. 1 Sam. I. 1. Those in Benjamin Ephraim and Judah were the chief Places famous by Deborah Samuel Saul and David as the sacred Histories do record Barak This Barak verse 6 as also Rahab Gideon Jephthah Sampson commended for their Faith Heb. XI 31 32. though weak in Faith and not without their many failings Tabor In the South-part of Zebulon not farre from the river Kishon as it runnes into the South-bottome of the Sea of Galilee Of Tabor see more in the Annotations on Hos. V. 1. Of a Woman Deborah verse 9 and Jael Zaanaim Zaanaim by Kedesh in Naphtali verse 11 where Barak dwelled Not a man left Not a man left in the field to make any resistance verse 16 Psal. XIV 3. and LIII 3. Rom. III. 12. Shamgar Of him chapter V verse 4 Ch. III. 31. And of Jael Ch. IV. 18. Was there a speare 1 Sam. XIII 19. verse 8 From the noise They could not fetch water without danger from the enemy verse 11 Out of Hence to the end of the Song verse 14 and Chapter Deborah relates how the several Tribes behaved themselves in this Expedition with their praise or dispraise And here Reuben Gilead and Dan and Asher are blamed and Meroz cursed and Jael the wife of Heber is blessed Roote Most likely understood of Deborah of Mount Ephraim the firstrise and mover of this Expedition though some extend it to Joshua and others understand it of the Tribes of Judah and Simeon Amalek Amalek joyned here with the Canaanites in this battell against the Israelites After thee Benjamin After Ephraim came Benjamin to assist in this warre Out of Machir That half Tribe of Manasseh that dwelt within Canaan For though the one half
of the children of Machir had their inheritance in Gilead Josh. XIII 31. which is here blamed ver 17. yet the other half of Machirs children had their inheritance within Canaan West of Jordan Josh. XVII 1 2. who are here commended Barak Not of Issachar verse 15 but of Naphtali dwelling in Kedesh of Naphtali Ch. IV. 6. Divisions of Reuben Divided among themselves touching this warre or divided from the other Tribes and deserting them in it Megiddo Megiddo an eminent City which Manasseh had in Issachar verse 19 Josh. XVII 11. not farre from Jezreel and the river Kishon Joshua slew the King of it Josh. XII 21. And Josiah was slaine or had his deaths wound in the valley of it 2 King XXIII 29 30. 2 Chron. XXXV 34. Taanach Taanach a royal City near Megiddo Josh. XII 21. Took no gaine Took none of Jabin nor got any gaine by this fight with Israel The Staâ—s The Stars in their stations verse 20 by extraordinary influences at Gods appointment raising stormy Meteors did help to ruine them As it was in Ioshua's time Iosh. X. and in Samuels time 1 Sam. VII Or frighting them with dreadful noises as in Iehorams time 2 King VII 6. Rest fourty years from that eightieth year mentioned verse 31 Ch. III. 30. See the Annotations on Ch. III. 11. and the Observations on the beginning of this Book Midian See the Annotations on Hab. chapter VI verse 1. 11. 14. III. 7. Angel Christ the Angel of the Covenant ver 14 15 16 22 23. Thy might Which I now give thee with my promise to assist thee as ver 16. My Present Not Sacrifice verse 18 or meat-offering but for thy food and repast As Abraham entertained the Angels Gen. XVIII and Manoab Iudg. XIII 15. Fire Here fire comes out of a rock verse 2. 25. as water did Exod. XVII 7. Of seven years old The same age that the tyranny and oppression of the Midianites had arrived to And build an Altar Gideon had Gods warrant and command for all verse 26 for his building the Altar and for his sacrificing upon it And this is that Altar mentioned ver 24. That he may die Their idolatrous zeale verse 30. 32. Ierubbaal Gideon so called by his father not in way of reproach but of honour rather In 2 Sam. XI 21. he is called Ierubbosheth And so Eshbaal and Meribbaal the sonne and grandchilde of Saul 1 Chron. VIII 33 34. are called Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth 2 Sam. II. 8. and IV. 4. Iezreel As here in Iezreel the Midianites pitched verse 33 so did both the Philistines and Israelites in Sauls time 1 Sam. XXIX 1 11. And hence came the newes of Sauls death 2 Sam. IV. 4. who was slaine in Mount Gilboa on the North-side of Iezreel This Iezreel was not that in the Tribe of Iudah Iosh. XV. 56. But in Manasseh towards Issachar about twelve miles Northward from Samaria Ahab from Carmel rode hither and Elijah did run before his Chariot 1 King XVIII 45 46. Here Ahab gets Naboths Vineyard and came from Samaria in the Tribe of Ephraim hither to take possession 1 King XXI 18. having his habitations and Palaces in both Cities And besides Gods judgement upon Ahab himself ver 19. both Ioram and Iezebel the sonne and wife of Ahab were slaine here by Iehu and also all that belonged to Ahab in Iezreel And the heads of Ahabs seventy sons were brought from Samaria to Iezreel 2 King IX and X Chapters Messengers The Tribes here named were the next to Gideon verse 35 and to Iabin Fleece of wooll Herein is Gods great condescension to Gideon verse 37 working a miracle forward and backward as it were yea many miracles for the strengthening of his faith in his vocation and in Gods promise From Mount Gilead Or towards Mount Gilead chapter VII verse 3 Haply to be there in a readinesse against the enemies flight that way The people The three hundred lappers verse 8 took the trumpets of them that were dismissed Fled The places named here were in that half Manasseh where the overthrow was given verse 22 And Abelmeholah was the habitation of the Prophet Elizaeus in after-ages 1 King XIX 19. Succoth And so of Penuel chapter VIII verse 5 ver 8. See Gen. XXXIII 17. and XXXII 30. They and Karker were in the tribe of Gad. Ishmaelites Midianites and Ishmaelites seeme confounded together verse 24 as being intermingled one with another So Gen. XXXVII 25 27 28. Golden ear-rings The weight and multitude of them verse 26 And chaines about their Camels necks Of ear-rings see Exod. XXXII 2. and XXXV 22. Ephod See the Observations on 1 Sam. verse 27 XXIII 9. and on Hos. III. 4. Ophrah In the East border of this Westerne half Manasseh near Jordan Baalim Baalim in the Plural number verse 33 signifying Lords seemes to be a very common name to their He-gods and Idols among the Moabitts Ammonites Canaanites Philistines Sidonians Phenicians and other neighbouring Nations and the idolatrous Israelites themselves as Ashtaroth of the plural number and feminine gender seemes to be so to their She-goddesses Iudg. II. 13. and X. 6. And there are sundry specifications of Baal As Berith and Baal-Berith here and Ch. IX 4 46. the God of the Shechemites Peor and Baal-Peor the idol-god of the Moabites and Midianites Num. XXV 3 17 18. Baal-Zebub called also Beelzebub or Beelzebul the god of Ekron 2 King I. 2. And from Baal were names imposed both upon persons and places as we read of Ethbaal the King of Sidon Iezebels father 1 King XVI 31. of Esh-baal 1 Chron. VIII 32. of Baal-hanan Gen. XXXVI 38. of Jerubbaal Judg. VI. 32. of Merib-baal the other name of Mephibosheth 1 Chron. VIII 34. As also of Baal-Zephon Exod. XIV 2. and Baal-Meon Josh. XVII 17. And from other particular Idols specially among the Babylonians were like denominations takeâ— Whether Bel be a contraction or in a diverse dialect the same with Baal is not so certaine God himself also was called Baal But refused after to be so stiled because the name had been so commonly given to Idols Hos. II. 16. Of Bel see the Annotations on Esay XLVI 1. Ashteroth or Ashtoreth or Ashtaroth is more specificaly the goddesse of the Sidonians 1 King XI 5 33. 2 King XXIII 13. and of the Philistines 1 Sam. XXXI 10. Take also these other names of Idol-gods in Scripture Chemosh of the Moabites and Ammonites Iudg. XI 24. 1 King XI 5 7 33. 2 King XXIII 13. Dagon of the Philistines Iudg. XVI 23. 1 Sam. V. 2 7. 1 Chron. X. 10. Moloch or Molech or Milchom of the Ammonites 1 King XI 5 7 33. 2 King XXIII 13. Bel and Nebo and Belteshazzar and Merodach and Succoth-Benoth of the Babylonians Esay XLVI 1. Dan. IV. 8. 2 King XVII 30. Ier. L. 2. Nishrosh of the Assyrians and Sennacherib 2 King XIX 37. Rimmon of the Syrians 2 King V. 18. 2 King XVII 30 31. Nergal of the men of Cuth Ashimah
by lust ver 2. was plagued by lust Divided her An act barbarous in it self and inhumane verse 29 though he did it to a good end to bring these sons of Belial to deserved punishment that such pests might not be suffered to live and poiâ—on the aire with their breath and so pollute the Land and go unpunished The unbowelling and enbalming of dead bodies and anatomizing of them by Physitians and Chirurgeons to good uses is a case different in divers points Mizpeh See the Observations on Ch. chapter XX verse 1 X. 17. Footmen Footmen four hundred thousand verse 2 We read not of Horsemen among the Israelites in all or any of their battels Onely we finde them prepared iu Solomons time 1 King IV. 26. and IX 19. and Ch. X. 26. 2 Chron. I. 14. and Ch. VIII 9. and Ch. IX 25. where the four thousand stalls of horses for his Chariots 2 Chron. IX 25. agree well with the fourty thousand in 1 King IV. 26. counting ten single stalls or divisions in every stable yet we finde no expresse mention of the use of any horsemen in any battel afterwards And to this the command and care for the houghing of the enemi es horses and the burning of their Charâ—oâ—s may have relation Iosh XI 6 9. 2 Sam. VIII 4. 1 Chron. XVIII 4. yet we read of many horses and Chariots in warre with the Canaanâ—tes Iosh. XI 4. Iudg. IV. 3 13. And many among the Israelites Esay II. 7. Trust in them is forbidden Dâ—uâ— XVII 16 17. Psal. XX. 7. XXXIII 16 17. Prov. XXI 31. Asked Counsel The eleven Tribes presume here more upon their own strength verse 18 and the justnesse of their Cause then upon God and consult him at first onely about the precedencie in the warre and who shall have the honour of the day And upon their first overthrow they weep but more for their shame and smart then for their sin And they aske counsel of God whether they shall fight again but neither crave his assistance nor inquire of the successe being still so confident in themselves of their own strength and still putting their trust in the arme of flesh and blood But upon the second overthrow they seek God in a right manner they more seriously mourn and Fast and repent of their sins Offering Burnt-offerings for the expiation of them and Peace offerings to make their peace with God and testifie their Faith in him And gaining a Promise of successe yet they carefully use the means and stratagems which formerly they sleighted and presumptuously neglected And by this stratagem they seeme to divide their army into three parts some to lie in wait some to fight and seemingly flee And the body of their Army as a strong reserve to fall on and gaine the victory upon an appointed signe when the Benjamites were brought to an amazed stand and come within the reach of it Phineas Phineas here living verse 28 yet died long before Sampson was borne which sheweth this History preceded Sampson a long time As the like might have been observed to a like end of many other Passages in these five last Chapters as hath been formerly said All which fell The odde hundred men mentioned ver 35 are here omitted verse 46 as well known out of the foresaid former verse The sacred Author here contenting himself with the round number of 25000. As the like is in the number of the time of Davids reigne 2 Sam. V. 5. and Ch. II. 11. And of the time of Solomons building the Temple 1 King VI. 1 38. And the like is in Jephthahs accompt of the 300. years Judg. XI 26. And likely here in the number of the remaine of the Benjamites that were slaine after the three battels Turned again This done in heat of warre verse 48 and rage of blood though after a sort it may be said to be done in cold blood and after the fierce brunt of warre was over And of this they repented afterwards as of a barborous and bloody act as well they might This slaughter lessened the number of the Benjamites in very many generations after See that in Jehoshaphat's time comparing the number of Benjamin with Judah 2 Chron. XVII 14 18. Had sworne This Oath chapter XXI verse 1 and Curse ver 18. was made in rashnesse and rage out of a blinde zeale and superstitious ignorance And by Gods Law might and ought to have been broken And was unlawful to be kept and much lesse to have fraud and violent rape without consent either of parties or parents used for the keeping of it Which yet they did thinking to silence thereby the cry of a superstitious conscience in themselves and to provide also for the like in those parents of the 200 Virgins ver 22. Women The women and children verse 10 here are unjustly and outragiously slaughtered Here again rash zeal out-runs right reason Ruth THE Book and History of Ruth falls in with the time of Deborah or Gideou as may be gatherd by comparing Matth. 1. 5. with the end of this History and what formerly hath been said upon Rahabs marriage And the History serves mainly to continue and declare the Genealogie of our Saviour Jesus Christ Chap. IV. 18 22. Famine In the time of the Oppression of Jabin chapter I verse 1 or the Midianites Ephrathites Ch. IV. 11. Bethlehem was called Ephrath verse 2 Gen. XXXV 19. Micah V. 2. Matth. II. 6. Of Bethlehem Judah To distinguish it from Bethlehem in the Tribe of Zebulun Josh. XIX 15. And these persons from those of the Tribe of Ephraim who were likewise called Ephrathites 1 King XI 26. Ruth The subject matter not the Author of this Book verse 4 Mothers house I am but your Mother-in-Law verse 8 Moe sons in my womb See Deut. XXV verse 11 5 6. And unto her gods Orpha's idolatrous inclination verse 15 Returne thou As Josh. XXIV 19. Testified against me As a witnesse of his just displeasure verse 21 and my sinne Barley-harvest Part of our March and April Lev. XXIII 10 verse 22 15 16. Let me gleane Her modesty notwithstanding the Law chapter II verse 7 Lev. XIX 9 10. and XXIII 22. An 20. Ephah See the Observations on Exod. XVI 36. One of our next kinsmen Who hath right to redeem verse 17 c. And ought also to marry the Widow of his Kinsman verse 20 being dead without issue Levit. XXV 25 26. Deut. XXV 5 6 7. Mar. XII 19. Uncover his feet Naomi well knew the piety and chastity of Boaz chapter III verse 4 and of Ruth and confidently trusted therein Spread therefore thy skirt Receive me into thy protection by taking me to be thy wife verse 9 according to the Law Lie down untill the morning Boaz not offended with this maner of her approach verse 13. 14. and motion Not be known Boaz then did lie alone in a roome by himself and is careful to avoid scandal Six See the Observations on Gen. XVIII 6. verse 15
a miracle and to declare to all That they were gifted and assumed to that their present Office and imployment Naked i. chapter XIX verse 24 e. Stript of his upper garment or military habit So Peter John XXI 7. and Micah chap. I. 8. Esay chap. XX. 2 4. And those Acts XIX 16. Slew chapter XXII verse 18 Sauls most horrid and bloody Act. Ephod The Ephod here is that of the High Priests chapter XXIII verse 9 wherin were the Urim and Thummim Exod. XXVIII 30. which Urim and Thummim were not the twelve precious stones of the Breast-plate mentioned v. 17-21 Or the words of Vrim and Thummim engraven in the middest of those twelve precious stones on the Breast-plate Or things committed into the hands of the workmen to make them But rather given by God to Moses to put them not on but into the Breast-plate which haply to this end and purpose was doubled ver 16. so to have them hid there And accordingly Levit. VIII 8. Moses is said to put in the Breast-plate the Urim and the Thummim Yet what things or what kinde of things they were appears not Only we know the names signifie Lights and Perfections haply intimating Knowledge of Doctrine and Integrity of Life and Conversation And that by these the High Priests extraordinarily did ask Counsels of the Lord and did receive Answers as Oracles from him So we see the Precept for it Num. XXVII 21. Joshuah shall stand before Eleazar the Priest who shall ask Counsel for him after the judgement of Urim before the Lord at his word shall they go out and at his word they shall come in both he i. e. Joshuah and all the children of Israel with him And the Practice of it we finde expected earnestly by Saul 1 Sam. XXVIII 6. though the same it may seeme lighty sleighted by him 1 Sam. XIV 18 19. And here acted by Abiathar the High Priest for David David hereunto adjoyning his Request unto the Lord for the Answer ver 10 11 12. And again 1 Sam. XXX 7. And not unlike but Davids enquiring of the Lord 2 Sam. II. 1. and chap. V. 19 23. and XXI 1. And possibly that Judg. XX. 18 23 27 28. was by the same meanes upon the same ground And if it were burnt or lost at the ruine of the Temple and all by Nebuchadnezzar yet the Tirshatha entertains an expectation of the restoring of it Ezra II. 63. Neh. VII 65. a Messinger Gods providence for the preservation of his verse 27 unto Achish This second time chapter XXVII verse 2 upon better security beforehand given then formerly was had in Shunem In Shunem and Aphek chapter XXVIII verse 4 1 Sam. XXIX 1. the Philistines pitched And the Israelites in Gilboa by a Fountain which is in Jezreel All in the Tribe of Issachar Josh XIX 18. This is Davids Spoile i. chapter XXX verse 20 e. all that the Amalakites had taken from others save from them of Ziglag This by his right and free consent and gift of his souldiers he made use of to gratifie his friends and engage them to him ver 26 31. they shall part alike They both alike shall have their shares verse 24 according to Gods appointment Num. XXXI 27 30. Josh. XXII 8. Though not both equal shares fell upon it Saul his own bloody butcher and self-murderer chapter XXXI verse 4 The Amalakite belies himself in most of his relation to David 2 Sam. I. 5 10. in hope of grace and reward from David but in issue to the losing of his life God in his secret justice justly takes it upon himself that he slew him 1 Chron. X. 14. his head This they fastened in the Temple of Dagon verse 9 1 Chron. X. 10. His body to the wall of Bethshan or Bethshean And his Armour in the house of Ashteroth a name of their female goddesses II. Samuel THis Book contains an History of fourty years from the death of King Saul to the death of King David or the time immediately preceding it 2 Sam. V. 4 5. The time and story of Davids reign Crown that was upon his head Likely not so worne by him in the day of battel chapter I verse 10 1 King XXII 30. But carried with him or before him by his armour-bearer verse 18 or some others as an Ensigne of his Kingly honour bowe That they might be skilful in the right use of their armes and weapons against their enemies in this time of need Of the Bowe in warre see ver 22. And the Annotations on Hos. I. 5. and on Zech. X. 4. How are the mighty fallen Repeated verse 19 ver 25. and 27. as the foot of this sad song and Elegie Tell it not in Gath This impossible not to be told there But this shews Davids desire verse 20 if it had been possible A Pathetical expression not much unlike is that ver 21. Unto Hebron Of this place chapter II verse 1 thus once for all Hebron was a City in the Tribe and Mountain of Judah Josh. XV. 54. Called also Mamre and Kiriath-arba the City of Arba the father of Anak where Anak lived his sonnes and the Anakims a race of Giants Here formerly dwelt the children of Heth and Hittites And Abraham Isaac and Jacob sojourned here And they and Sarah and Rebekah and Leah were buried here in the Cave of Machpelah before Mamre the same is Hebron Gen. XIII 18. and XXIII 19. and XLIX 31. Hence Joseph was sent to see the welfare of his brethren Hither the Spies came that were sent from Kadesh-barnea in the Wildernesse of Paran to search the Land Hoham the King of Hebron was one of the five Kings mured up by Joshuah in a Cave and after slaine and hanged up And soone after the City taken and another King thereof seems then to be slaine by him And he and Caleb slew the Anakims that dwelled here This City and Suburbs were given to the Priests and to be a Citie of Refuge The Fields and the Villages of it to Caleb the sonne of Jephunne the Kenezite that good Spie Josh. XX. 7. and XXI II. To the top of an hill before Hebron Sampson carried the Gate of Gaza To them in Hebron David sent a Present of the Spoile taken from the Amalakite 1 Sam. XXX 31. Hither God directed him to go in this Text. And here he was anointed King and reigned seven years and six moneths And here he had six sonnes born to him of six several women his wives Here Abner was slain by Joab and mournfully buried by David Hither King Ishbosheths head was brought by his murderers buried in Abners Sepulchre and they hanged up here Hither came all the Tribes of Israel to make David King over all Israel and anointed him here And Absalom being borne here pretended a vow to be performed here and rebelling against his father made himself King here This Citie of Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt Num. XIII 23. And in Rehoboams reigne was
the roome of Joab 1 King II. 34 35. Of him see more 2 Sam. XXIII 20 21 22. This Benajah the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel is called also a chief Priest or Principal Officer 1 Chron. XXVII 5. Another Benajah a Pirathonite was one of Davids thirty Worthies 2 Sam. XXIII 30. And other Benajahs there were besides that were Priests and Levites And divers of the Captaines for the twelve moneths were of the number of Davids Worthies And among the thirty were a son of Achitophel Uriah the Hittite and the armour-bearer of Joab likewise Although my house Rather thus interrogatively verse 5 And is not my house so with God Seven years Seven years of famine here propounded to David chapter XXIV verse 13 And three years 1 Chron. XXI 12. that is three more to the three years of famine for the Gibeonites 2 Sam. XXI 1. To which three so lately past And Davids sinne of numbering the people being in the fourth year which was a Sabbatical year A new addition of other three makes up seven years of famine Yet the LXX read three in 2 Sam. XXIV 13. Of Famine see more on Lam. I. 11. and II. 11 12 19 20. and IV. 4 5 8 9 10. and V. 10. Ezek. IV. 9 16. and V. 16. I. Kings THE Books of Kings do most pursue the History of the Kings of Israel during the continuance of that Kingdome They seeme to be written after their dayes 1 King IX 13 21 and X. 12. and XII 19. 2 King II. 22. and VIII 22. and X. 27. and XIV 7. and XVI 6. and XVII 23 34 41. 1 Chron. IV. 41 and V. 26. 2 Chron. XXXVI 22 23. The first Book of Kings or III. contains an History of one hundred and eighteen years viz. of Solomon And after him Of Rehoboam Abia Asa Jehoshaphat Kings of Judah Jeroboam Nadab Baasha Elah Zimri Tibni Omri and Ahab Kings of Israel Acts of Solomon Rehoboam and Abijah are written in Books of Nathan the Prophet of Shemaiah the Prophet of the Prophecie of Ahijah the Shilomite of the Visions and story of Iddo the Seer and Prophet 2 Chron. IX 29. and XII 15. and XIII 22. which are lost and never were Canonical Scripture Yet those of Solomon seeme to some to be written by Nathan Ahijah and Iddo in the beginning of the first Book of Kings 2 Chron. I. 29. Adonijah The eldest sonne then living chapter I verse 5 2 Sam. III. 3 4 Chileab or Daniel 1 Chron. III. 1. being dead as Absolon was eldest when he formerly sought the Crowne begins with a Courtly traine and Life-guard as Absolon did But gets Joab and Abiathar to joyne with him in seeking to be King And that by a fairer way then Absolon did 2 Sam. XV. 1 King I. En-Rogel Or the Well of Rogel verse 9 This was nigh Jerusalem East and by South See Josh. XV. 7. 2 Sam. XVII 17. Gihon Gihon is a Mount verse 33 and a Rivolet close on the West-side of Jerusalem See 2 Chron. XXXII 30. and XXXIII 14. Hornes of the Altar And so chap. II. 28. verse 50 The Altar whereunto Adonijah and Joab fled seemes to be not any at Jerusalem but that with the Tabernacle at Gibeon 2 Chron. I. 3 6. Fourty years And so the years of his life chapter II verse 11 seventy when he dies of age For he was thirty when he began to reigne 2 Sam. V. 4. And yet Jesse was above one hundred when he begat him See on Rahab Josh. II. And we read not of any King of Judah or Israel after David that attained to his age Onely Vzziah and Manasseh came very near it I will not say thee nay Many Promises of God and Man verse 20 have their Provisoes and are to be understood conditionally as 1 Sam. II. 30. Ezek. XXXIII 13. 1 Chron. XVII 9. and chap. XXVIII 9. 2 Chron. VI. 16. Psal. CXXXII 12. 2 Chron. VII 17 22. As Gods manifold promises of Long Life and Temporal Blessings and Deliverances And many the like And so for Threatnings and Dooms Judg. X. 13. Jonah III. 4. See my Observations on that Text of Jonah Abiathar Abiathar the fourth from Eli verse 35 of the race of Ithamar the younger brother was High Priest till Solomon put Zadok in his roome being indeed the right heir of the right line of Eleazar and Phineas 1 Chron. VI. 3 c. Num. XXV 13. High places High places called so chapter III verse 2 because mostwhat on Mountains Esay LVII 7. whence named Bamah Ezek. XX. 28 29. There they built houses of the High Places Temples Chappels Altars c. and put their Idols and Images there and decked all with Tapistry and garments of divers colours They made Priests of the High places and there they sacrificed yea sometimes their children and burnt Incense 1 King XII 31 32. 2 King XVII 29 32. Ezek. XVI 16 17 18 24 25 31. Ier. XIX 5. The High places of Heathen Idolaters were alwayes abominable These High places God commands the Israelites to destroy and quite pluck down Num. XXXIII 52. While the Ark and Tabernacle were parted one from the other and both from Shiloh and removed from place to place till the building of the Temple and there fixed and setled We read of High places lawfully resorted to and used by Samuel 1 Sam. IX 12 13 14 19 25. and by others chap. X. 5 12 13. And not much unlawfully by these here 1 King III. 2 3. And Gibeon it self when the Tabernacle and Altar were there is called the Great High place 1 King III. 4. But when the Temple was since built then all other High places for Gods solemneworship and Ceremonial Services were counted abominable And in this sin the ten Tribes after the division of the Kingdomes by Ieroboam continualy abounded They made houses and Priests of High places in Mountains and in all the Cities of Samaria and their Altars were as heaps in the furrows of the fields 1 King XIII 32. Hos. XII 11. Yea and Solomon himself afore that in his later dayes fearfully offended in this kinde 1 King XI 7. 8. And Iudah it self fell into this sin even in Rehoboams reigne 1 King XIV 23. And in after-times They built High places to Baal and to the Idols of neighbouring Nations 2 Chr. XXV 14. in Tophet in the Valley of the sonne of Hinnom on Mount Olivet in Hierusalem in all the Cities of Iudah and in every street of the Cities Micah I. 5. 1 King XIV 23. Ier. VII 31. and XIX 5. and XXXII 35. Ezek. XVI 16 31. And this specialy in the reignes of Ahaz Ioram and Manasseh And in the reignes of divers good Kings of Iudah as Ioash Amatziah Vzziah Iotham it is recorded as a blemish in them That they did not take away the High places but the people sacrificed and burnt Incense in them Of good Asa it is said that he did and he did not take them away 1 King XV. 14 2 Chron. XV. 17. And so of
in the Ark and Dedication of the Temple and Solomons sacrifices and his solemne Prayer upon his brazen scaffold might then and thereby become the greater and more illustrious 1 King VIII 1 66. 2 Chron. V. and VI. and VII chapters It began the seventh or eighth day of that moneth for on the fifteenth day began the Feast of Tabernacles And in relation to these two Feasts are those fourteen dayes mentioned 1 King VIII 65. 2 Chron. VII ver 8 9. And on the twenty third day of that moneth the people were dismissed 2 Chron. VII 10. the eighth day of the later Feast 1 King VIII 66. House of the Forrest of Lebanon This was built in Jerusalem chapter VII verse 2 See ver 6 7 8. His dwelling House and Throne not farre from it and golden shields in it 1 King X. 16 17. And there seazed on by the King of Egypt 2 Chron. XII 9 10. It seemes so called as being a kinde of abridgement of that famous Forrest afarre off from Jerusalem and containing in it and in the Groves and Gardens about it all the delights and pleasures of that Forest in solitary walks sweet smels musick of birds and sight of wilde-beasts c. See my Annotations on Zech. XI 1. where conceiving this House to be built in that Forest not in Jerusalem upon further consideration I think good to retract that opinion here Two thousand Baths Bath the measure of Liquid things verse 26 as Epha of Dry Both of the same capacity This Sea had ordinarily put into it two thousand Baths or five hundred Barrels reckoning eight gallons to the Bath and four Baths to the Barrel But this Sea being filled up to the brim it might containe three thousand Baths 2 Chron. IV. 5. or seven hundred and fifty Barrels with water drawn out of it by Cocks or otherwayes the Priests washed c. Ten Lavers But one in the Tabernacle verse 38 Exod. XXX 18. Here are ten Lavers besides the Sea And so of the Candlesticks and Tables there were ten in the Temple to one in the Tabernacle 1 King VII 49. 2 Chron. IV. 8. Each Laver contained fourty Baths Bowles of pure Gold Of Gold belonging to the Altar of Incense verse 50 1 Chron. XXVIII 17. Some of Silver 1 Chron. XXVIII 16. And as those given by the twelve Princes Num. VII 13 85. Some of Brasse for the Brazen Altar Exod. XXXVIII 3 Num. IV. 14. 1 King VII 45. And for the Vessels of the Temple See on Jer. LII 17 23. Pleased him not King Hiram chapter IX verse 12 though displeased with the twenty Cities given him by Solomon in the Land of Galilee yet pleaseth to restore them to him in love 2 Chron. VIII 2. A tribute of bond-service These here mentioned verse 21 and their posterity seeme to be called Solomons servants Ezra II. 55 58. Neh. VII 57 60. and XI 3. Gold from Ophir So gold from Uphaz chapter X verse 11 Jer. X. 9. and Gold of Ophir Psal. XLV 9. and Gold of Uphaz Dan. X. 5. and Gold of Sheba Ps. LXXII 15. and Gold of Parvaim 2 Chron. III. 6. And these are taken for the finest Gold 1 King X. 18. compared with 2 Chron. IX 17. Job XXII 24. But whether these places be Peru in America or Fez in Africa or Sumatra or Taprobane or in Arabia or elsewhere according to our moderne names is in these dayes altogether doubtful Tarshish The name of one of the sonnes of Javan verse 22 Gen. X. 4. whose posterity as some imagine planted in that part of Spaine where a Citie and Region adjacent thence took the denomination of Tartesus and Tartesia afterwards Or rather as others conceive they seated themselves in Cilicia and gave this name of Tarshish as to the whole Region so specially to the chief City and Port-towne there afterwards called Tarsus the place of Pauls birth Acts XXI 39. and XXII 3. And that thence the Midland Sea which bordered upon that port and territorie was called Tarshish and the ships either belonging to that Port or trading to and fro in that Sea were thence called ships of Tarshish Esay II. 16. yea sometimes Tarshish seemes to denote the Arabian and Persian Gulphs the Ocean either Westerne or Easterne Ezek. XXVII 12. or any great Sea as likewise Pontus doth in Latine And ships of Tarshish to be vessels of great bulk and burden fit to traverse and traffick in any such Sea 1 King X. 22. Silver to be in Jerusalem as stones The Israelites ripe for Rebellion verse 27 complain so much of their Oppressions in Solomons peaceable rich glorious reigne 1 King X. 27. and XII 4. 2 Chron. I. 15. and VIII 8 9. Loved many strange women Wise Solomons chapter XI verse 1 or Jedidiah's Fall is wonderful yet his Repentance not to be doubted of as appears in the Book of Ecclesiastes in 2 Sam. VII 14 15. 1 Chron. XXII 10. and XXVIII 6. and XVII 13 14. 2 Chron. XI 17. 2. Pet. I. 21. One Tribe Not one whole Tribe verse 32 but that of Judah only did stick to Rehoboam and the House of David after Solomons reigne 1 King XI 32 36. and XII 20. 2. King XVII v. 18. Yet see 2 Chr. XI 13 17. And hence begin those three hundred and ninty dayes in Ezek. IV. 5. See the Annotations there Rehoboam Rehoboam is the only sonne we read of that Solomon had verse 43 for all his shameful number of Wives and Concubines And there is mention made only of two of his daughters 1 King IV. 11 15. set down in that chapter by Anticipation This Rehoboam is said to be young and tender-hearted 2 Chron. XIII 7. young in experienced wisdome when yet at that time he was fourty one years of age 2 Chron. XII 13. being borne in the first year of his young wise father Solomons reigne He foolishly forsook the counsel of the old men 1 King XII 8 13 14. to the losse of the ten parts of his Kingdome Yet afterwards he is said to deal wisely 2 Chron. XI 23. In Bethel chapter XII verse 29 and the other put he in Dan In the South and North borders of his kingdome And yet Bethel being in the Tribe of Benjamin Bethel was taken from him in his own dayes by Abijah 2 Chron. XIII 19. And Dan was smitten by Benhadad in the dayes of Asa and Baasha soone after 1 King XV. 20. Bethel Though Bethel be sometimes called Bethaven in the Prophets verse 32 as Hos. IV. 15. and V. 8. and X. 5 15. and Aven chap. X. 8. As Mount Olivet of Mount Mischa is called Mount Maschith 2 King XXIII 13. Yet were there Bethel and Bethaven two distinct neighbouring townes or Cities Josh. VII 2. and XVIII 12. 1 Sam. XIII 5. and chap. XIV 23. a childe Fulfilled 2 King XXIII 15 16 17. Samaria Samaria so called by Anticipation chapter XIII verse 2 as Bethel Gen. XII 8. And sundry other places in Scripture verse 32 Not that they had
those names in those times first mentioned But in after-times when the writers of those Histories lived 1 King XVI 24. It seemes of old to be called and belong to Shimron-Meron Josh. XI 1 5. and XII 20. Book of the Chronicles chapter XIV verse 19 After the division of the Kingdomes The Books of the Kings do often cite the Books of the Chron of Israel and of Judah as 1 King XIV 19 20. XV. 7. 23 31. 2 King I. 18. and VIII 23. and X. 34. Not meaning thereby our Canonical Books of Chron. for they were not then written before but after the Books of Kings and therefore they could not be cited before they had a Being But meaning thereby Civil Chronicles or Rolls now not extant Like those Ezra VI. 1 2. Esther VI. 1. Maachah Abijahs mother chapter XV verse 2 and her Father had both of them two differing and various names 1 King XV. 2 10. 2 Chron. XI 20. and XIII 2. His marriages and children 2 Chron. XIII 21. were all or almost all in his fathers reigne Save only in the matter of Vriah In this sin David did lie long without repentance verse 5 2 Sam. XII 14. And to cover this sin he made Uriah drunck and after murthered him yet afterwards upon his repentance he publisheth it and his shame and sorrow for it in the LI. Psalme and commits it to the chief Musician to be sung publickly in the Congregation But besides this there are many other sins recorded of David As his speech and lyes to Jonathan 1 Sam. XX. 6. to Ahimelech 1 Sam. XXI 2. to Achish 1 Sam. XXVII 10. the slownesse of his kindnesse to Mephibosheth compare together 2 Sam. IV. 4. and chap. IX 11 12. And after his ill-managing of it 2 Sam. XVI 4. and chap. IX 29. his many Wives and Concubines the sparing of his sons Ammon and Absolom his numbering of the people Yet by reason of the upright intention of his heart and his singular rare graces gifts and qualifications are the rest not reckoned and this Praise here given him by the indulgency of God Fourty and one years Asa reigned in Judah in the times of the reignes of eight Kings in Israel verse 10 viz. Jeroboham Nadab Baasha Elah Zimri Tibni Omri Ahab 1 King XV. 9 and XVI 29. and XXII 41. In which time the Kingdome of Israel was changed into three several stocks and families Maachah Maachah was wife to Rehoboam verse 13 mother to Abijah and grandmother to Asa 1 King XV. 2. yet called the mother of Asa 1 King XV. 13. 2 Chron. XV ver 16. And as mother used for grandmother so daughter for grandchilde 2 Kings VIII 26. Brethren for Kinsmen 2 Kings X. 13. Matth. XIII 55 56. And many like phrases are frequent in Scripture See Gen. XIII 8. Exod. II. 18. 20 21. Dan. V. 10 11 13 22. these years Not this place chapter XVII verse 1 nor chap. XVIII 1. nor any place in the Old Testament do shew that the drought was brought at Elias his Prayer or continued three years and six moneths But Saint James first recordeth it Jam. I. 17. Four Barrels with water Elijah got this water in the time of that wonderful drought for three years and a half chapter XVIII verse 33 out of the sea Mount Carmel joyning to the sea Jer XLVI 18. The brook Kishon at the foot of Carmel being dryed up as well as the brook Cherith thine Altars Formerly erected to him chapter XIX verse 10 thought not so warrantably See ver 14. thy Prophets As chap. XVIII 4 13. I only am left In his own apprehension Yet was there then a flowrishing Church in Judah anoint By another verse 15 viz. Elisha 2 King VIII 7. And likewise Jehu was anointed by a young Prophet at the command of Elisha 2 King IX 1. Thirty two Kings Petty Kings chapter XX verse 1 As those Gen. XIV Josh. XII Judg. I. 7. Aphek A Citie whose Kings was slaine by Joshuah verse 26 Josh. XII 18. Fell by lot afterwards to the Tribe of Asher Josh. XIX 30 31. Where the Philistines pitching in battel against Israel got the victory and took the Ark of God 1 Sam. IV. 1. And again gathering their armies in Aphek went up to Jezreel near the Mount of Gilboa and overthrew Saul and his hoast 1 Sam. XXIX 1 11. and chap. XXX And here the Syrians under Benhadad fought against Ahab and were slaine even one hundred thousand footmen in one day And the rest fled to Aphek into the Citie and there a wall fell upon twenty seven thousand of the men that were left 1 King XX. 26 29 30. And here again the Syrians were smitten and consumed by Joash King of Israel 2 King XIII 17. Proclaime a Fast chapter XXI verse 9 It seemes on Fast-dayes they were wont to try and execute heynous offendors and stoned him The blood of his sons is mentioned verse 13 2 Kings IX 26. Which is in Samaria verse 18 behold he is in the Vineyard of Naboth Or will be in Jezreel in the Vineyard of Naboth In Samaria when the message was given in charge to Elias in the Vineyard at Jezreel when Elias met him even thine Verified for the substance in himself verse 19 in his wife Jezebel and in his son Jehoram 2 Kings IX 25 26. not bring the evil in his dayes That evil verse 29 ver 21 24. that totally in the Poole of Samaria Which might extend chapter XXII verse 38 or run into Jezreel or another poole of that name be there or the armour washed there where his chief armory was made peace Made peace with Ahab verse 44 and his two sons Ahaziah and Jehoram 2 Kings III. 6 7. 2 Chron. XIX 2. and chap. XX. 35 36. and is reprehended justly therefore would not Would not at first verse 49 but yeelded afterwards 2 Chron. XX. 35 36 37. II. Kings THE second Book of Kings or fourth rather containes the History of 321 years to the lifting up of the head of Jehoiachim In the reignes of 16 Kings of Iudah counting in Athaliah 12 King of Israel So that the number of Kings from the first division of the Kingdomes to the extirpation of them both were twenty in each Though the Kingdome of Israel did expire in Hoshea by Shalmanasar before the Kingdome of Judah did expire in Zedekiah by Nebuchadnezzar the space of one hundred thirty and three years not one hundred thirty and five The twenty of Judah were all of Davids line excepting Athaliah the Queen The twenty of Israel were of ten several stocks Ahaziah Joash Amatziah Kings of Judah and Athaliah the Queene all succeeding one another were all slaine Amon likewise and his son Josiah both slaine And ten Kings of Israel the half of all their number were likewise slaine For the times of the reignes of Ahab Ahaziah Jehoram Kings of Israel and of Iehoshaphat Iehoram Ahaziah Kings of Judah take this as followeth Ahab reigned twenty two years 1 King XVI
Hoshea truly began in the fourth of Ahaz which was the twentieth from the time that Jotham began to reigne not that Jotham reigned twenty years till Hoshea began And Hoshea had reigned nine years in the twelfth of Ahaz And these first nine years the Sacred story passeth over in silence He having done nothing remarkable or memorable in them His later nine years are storied on t thus That the first of them begins in the twelfth of Ahaz 2 King XVII 1. That in the third of them which was the last of Ahaz Hezekiah began to reigne 2 King XVIII 1. That in the seventh of them and fourth of Hezekiah Shalmanezar came and besieged Samaria 2 King XVIII 9. That in the ninth and last of them and sixth of Hezekiah Shalmanesar took Samaria and carried all captives into Assyria and finaly extinguished that Kingdome of Israel 2 King XVIII 10 11. The Names then and the Numbers of the years of the Reignes of the Kings of Judah and of Israel in this II. Book of Kings are as followeth viz. of Judah years Iehoram as viceroy 4 In all 12. Imperfect Joynt King with his father Iehoshaphat 2 Sole King after his fathers death 6 Ahaziah 1 imperfect Athaliah 6 Ioash 40 Amatziah 17 Vzziah 52 Iotham 15 Ahaz 14 Hezekiah 29 Manasseh 55 Amon 2 Iosiah 31 Iehoachaz  Iehojakim 11 Iehoachin  Zedekiah 11 Thence to Iehoiachins advancement 26 Kings of Israel years Ahaziah 1 Iehoram 11 Iehu 28 Iehoahaz 15 Ioash or Iehoash 16 Ieroboam 41 Zechariah  Shallum  Menachem 10 Pekahiah 2 Pekah 20 Hoshea 18 See my Annotations on Hos. I. 1. If thou see me chapter II verse 10 This signe was of Gods appointment And the thing done on the East-side of Iordan a Minstrel To quiet chapter III verse 15 quicken and compose his spirit his eldest sonne The King of Edoms eldest son verse 27 taken by the King of Moab in this eruption See Amos II. 1. and the Annotations there Shunem A Citie in the Tribe of Issachar chapter IV verse 8 Iosh. XIX 18. And hath in the same Tribe standing from it Iezreel towards the South Mount Gilboa towards the South-East The river Kishon on the East and Mount Tabor towards the North-North-East in the Confines of the Tribe of Zebulon In Shunem the Philistines pitched against Saul in Gilboa 1 Sam. XXVIII 4. Here was borne Abishag that fair Virgin that lay in Davids bosome to cherish him as a wife-nurse in his decreped age And was afterwards sought for in marriage by Adonijah but to the losse of his life in the State-wisdome of Solomon 1 King I. and II. chapters And here dwelt this great and good woman that made these accommodations for the Prophet Elishah and upon his Prophetical promise obtained a sonne and had him miraculously raised from death of life againe by Elishah coming from Mount Carmel hither as is in this IV. Chapter And further upon this accompt after her seven years absence on the Prophets direction by reason of the Famine to ensue during that time she returning out of the Land of the Philistines had her house lands and profits of her estate restored to her by Iehoram King of Israel 2 King VIII Gilgal Of this see the Annotations on Hos. IV. 15. verse 38 twenty loaves of barley This was more then the bread of his first fruits came to verse 42 King of Syria This was Benhadad the son of Benhadad chapter V both Kings of Syria verse 5 1 Kings XV. 18 19 20. and XX. 1. 34. 2 King VI. 24. and VIII 7. 2. Chron. XVI 2. The father was the sonne of Tabrimon the sonne of Hezion King of Syria 1 King XV. 18. This the sonne slew Ahab at Ramoth-Gilead 1 King XXII 35 37. Who contrary to Gods command had saved him 1 King XX. 42. And besieging Samaria he brought it to that extreme famine 2 King VI. 24 25. And after at Ramoth-Gilead he wounded Jehoram the son of Ahab 2 King VIII 28 29. Whence returning to Jezreel to be healed of his wounds he was slaine by Jehu 2 King IX 24. And this son died 2 King VIII 15. A third Benhadad King of Syria was the son of Hazael 2 King XIII 3 24. Benhadad signifies the son of Hadad And Hadad was a name very common among the Kings of Edom or Idumea Gen. XXXVI 35. 1 Chron. I. 50. 1 King XI 14 but afterwards grew more common with the Kings of Syria insomuch as Benhadad may seeme a name common to the Kings of Syria See Jer. XLIX 27. Amos I. 4. And take here a Catalogue of the Kings of Syria as we finde them in Scripture thus Omitting Chushan-Rishathaim who was King of Aram-Naharaim or Syria between the two rivers that is Tigris and Euphrates or of Mesopotamia Judg. III. 10. We finde these Kings of Syria properly so called whereof Damascus was the chief Citie viz. Hadadezer or Hadarezer in Davids time 2 Sam. VIII 5 6 13. and X. 6 8 16. Rezon in the dayes of Solomon 1 King XI 23 24 25. Benhadad the son of Tabrimon the son of Hezion in the dayes of Asa 1 King XV. 18 19 20. Benhadad the son of Benhadad in the dayes of Ahab and of Elias and Eliseus And Nahaman was the Captain of his hoast 1 King XX. 1 20 26 32 34. and XXII 3. and 2 King V. 1 2 6 7. and chap. VI. 8 12 23 24. and chap VII 4. 16. Hazael in the dayes of Joram Jehu Iehoahaz 1 King XIX 15. 2 King VIII 7 8 13. and X. 32. and XII 17. and XIII 3 22. Benhadad the son of Hazael in the dayes of Iehoash ◠King XIII 24 25. Rezin in the dayes of Pekah and of Ahaz 2 King XVI 5. Esay VII 1. 16. and VIII 4. Talents See my Observations on Exod. XXXVIII 24. Go in peace A fare-well phrase verse 19 a friendly dismission with little or no relation to what Nahaman had said as little minding it and of smal concernment to the greater engagements that then lay upon him which kinde of Answers are not unusual The Leprosie Yet King Jehoram holds conference with Gehazi afterwards verse 27 2 King VIII 4. as upon sundry grounds and occasions incident in a right manner well he might are come down chapter VI verse 9 Here the holy Pen-man useth a word of the Syrian language Dothan In the Tribe of Ephraim verse 13 about mid-way between Samaria and Shechem Here Joseph findes his brethren feeding their flocks Gen. XXXVII 13 17. This is not the way No verse 19 nor the place or Citie whereby and wherein to effect your purpose came no more Not these Bands verse 23 nor in this maner making inrodes or laying ambushes nor any at all of a long time after till Benhadad came with all his hoast ver 24. a Cab Is a Hebrew measure verse 25 Of this see my Observations on Gen. XVIII 6. of Doves dung Or of the corne found in the crop she flying into the Citie out of
9. Iehojakim In his fourth chapter XXIV verse 1 year or third complete and 1. of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel was carried captive Dan. I. 1 6. Ezekiel and Mordecai with Iehojachin Ezek. XL. 1. Esther II. 5 6. Of Ezechiel see the Argument of his Book Iehojacin Called likewise Coniah verse 6 and Iechoniah 1 Chron. III. 16. Ier. XXII 28 Of his age at the beginning of his reigne See the Observations on 2 Chron. XXXVI 9. He was carried captive into Babylon in the seventh ending and eighth year beginning of Nebuchadnezzars reigne ver 12. Ier. LII 28. And his head lifted up againe in the thirty seventh year of his captivity twelfth moneth on the twenty fifth and twenty seventh day and first year of Evilmerodach 2 King XXV 27. Ier. LII 31. Zedekiah rebelled Zedekiah rebelled in his sixth year verse 20 Ezek. XVII 15 17. compared with Ezek. VIII 1. and XX. 1. the second Priest Grounded on Num. chapter XXV verse 8 III. 32. And mentioned as here So Ier. LII 24. See 2 King XXIII 4. and the like 1 Chron. V. 12. This second Priest upon any extraordinary occasion and occurrent restraining or disabling the High Priest seemes set to supply his place to Riblah See the Observations on Num. XXXIV 11. THE Books of Chronicles do chiefly pursue the Histories of the Kings of Judah And yet are more sparing in relating the sinnes of David and Solomon These are not those Chronicles often cited in the Books of Kings as hath been shewed heretofore But these are thought to be written by Ezra 2 Chron. XXXVI 22 23. Ezra I. 1 2 3 And that after the return from the Babylonish captivity Yet some things are inserted which extend beyond Ezra's time as that 1 Chron. III. 21 24. In these Books as in an Abridgement the holy Penman is sometimes short and obscure But in the Histories of the Kings of Judah full and exact Take the periods of times from the Creation to the year of Returne from the Babylonish Captivity And so these Books containe an History of 3458. years The first Book 2986. to the death of David Thus Genesis 2369 Exodus 142 Levit Num. Deut. 39. Joshuah 17. Judges 299. 1 Sam. 80. 2 Sam. 40. In all 2986. The second Book 472. from the beginning of Solomons reigne to the said year of Returne Others reckon thus 3467. in the whole 2990. in the first Book 477. in the second Book Others and that most likely 2986. in the first Book And 466. in the second Book viz. from the first of Solomon to the seventeenth of Jehoshaphat 118. Thance to the Captivity in the first of Nebuchadnezzar and fourth of Iehojakim 278. Thence to the Returne 70. In all 466. And so the whole in both Books will amount to 3452. The first Book mentions occasionally some things long after Davids death as the Inhabitants of Jerusalem after the Returne from Babylon chap. IX And Zerubbabels posterity long after that chap. III. I. Chronicles IN the Genealogies of the first eight Chapters the Tribes of Dan and Zebulon are left out Edom chapter I verse 43 Eight Kings in Edom before any in Israel Sisters of David Zerviah bare Abishai Ioab Asahel Abigail bare Amasa 2 Sam. chapter II verse 16 17. XVII 25 Caleb Three Calebs famous in Israel first the sonne of Hezron verse 18 in this Text called also Carmi and Chelubai chap. II. 9. and IV. 1. who had a sonne called Hur And this Hur a sonne called also Caleb chap. II. 9 19 50. who is the second Caleb And the third is that famous Caleb the sonne of Iephunne Num. XIII 6. 1 Chron. IV. 15. The sonnes of David See the Observations on 1 Sam. chapter III verse 1 9. XVI 11. verse 17 Salatheil Hebrew Shealtiel said to be the sonne of Iechoniah Matth. I. 12. And so here sonne of Iechoniah Assir that is strictly bound prisoner in Babylon For we read not of any sonne called Assir that Iechoniah had yet this Salathiel is named the sonne of Neri Luke III. 27. who came by many descents of another line that is of Nathan the younger brother of Solomon from which line came our Saviour and not of Solomons line And though Iechoniah may seeme to have seed and sonnes more out of Ier. XXII 28 30. and 1 Chron. III. 17 18. Yet he is doomed childlesse Ier. XXII 29 30. because neither Salathiel if he were his sonne nor any of Iechoniah's race Zedekiah the last King being Uncle to Iechoniah did succeed him in the Regality to sit on the throne of David though in a kinde of soveraignty as Zerubbabel the sonne or grandchilde rather of Salathiel by Pedaiah did succeed in regard of which successions both Salathiel and after also Zerubbabel may be called sonnes See Ezra III. 2 8. and V. 2. Neh. XII 1 Hag. I. 1 12 14. and II. 3. 24. Of Iehojakim the father of Iechoniah it is likewise said He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David that is for any time worth speaking of for his sonne Iechoniah reigned but three moneths and tenne dayes Ier. XXXVI 30. 2 Chron. XXXVI 9. Sonnes of Zerubbabel Among his sonnes verse 19 Abihud and Rhesa are not mentioned unlesse under other names nor else where found in the Old Testament And yet from them two the Genealogies Matth. I. 13. and Luke III. 27. are drawn and derived which makes some suppose that Zerubbabel and this here to be different persons Ezra Ezra not that learned Scribe chapter IV verse 17 Ezra VII 1. And in the last letter of this Hebrew name there is a difference from the name of the other in the dayes of Hezekiah The Simeonites lying within the inheritance and lot of the Tribe of Iudah verse 41 Iosh. XIX 9. were not carried away Captive by the Assyrians but continuing in their estate sought to enlarge their territories as is here mentioned Amalekites They bordered on mount Seir. verse 43 These the first that fought against Israel Num. XXIV 20. And after joyned oft with other enemies against Gods people They were overthrown by Ioshuah Exod. XVII 13. Saul in his time was sent against them destroyed many but spared Agag their King and for so doing lost his own Kingdome 1 Sam. XV. and chap. XXVIII 18. David afterwards destroyed more of them 2 Sam VIII 12. And here the Simeonites in the dayes of Hezekiah smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped Thus the judgement denounced against them Exod. XVII 14 16. Deut XXV 17 18 19. was accomplished See the Observations on Esth. III. 1. King of Assyria This Catalogue we finde in Scripture of the Kings of Assyria chapter V verse 26 Pul or Phul in the dayes of Menachem so here and 2 King XV 19. Tiglath-Pileser in the dayes of Pekah and Achaz so here and 2 King XV. 29. and XVI 7 10. Jareb Hos. V. 13. and X. 16. Sargon Esay XX. 1. Shalmanesar called Shalman Hos. X. 14. Who took Hoshea and Samaria 2 King XVII 3 4. and
3. II. Chronicles THE II. Book of Chronicles contains the History of the Kings of Judah not of Israel but a little occasionally when the two Kingdomes had to do one with another unto the last end of that Kingdome viz. from the first of Solomon to the Babylonish captivity Mentioning also the Proclamation of Cyrus for the Returne out of the Captivity Containing in all till that Returne four hundred sixty six years or upwards some say four hundred and eighty which number of four hundred and eighty was exactly compleat from the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt till the building of Solomons Temple 1 King VI. 1. horsemen Ver. chapter I verse 14 28. of Horsemen and Solomons horses see the Observations on Judg. XX. 2. How farre his multiplying of Horses 1 King IV. 26. and X. 36. And his multiplying of wives 1 King XI 3. And his multiplying of gold and silver 1 King X. 21 27. 2 Chron. I. 15. and chap. IX 27. may square with or swarve from may stand or fall by that Law for Kings Deut. XVII 16 17. is a thing to be considered and not very hard to be determined threescore and ten thousand And ver chapter II verse 2 17 18. Solomons workmen in Lebanon were 150000. viz. 70000. Bearers and 80000. Hewers All of strangers dwelling in the Land of Israel And his Overseers of them were 3600. Such strangers likewise And so each of them were over fourty two workmen or thereabout And three hundred of these Overseers which are more then those set downe 1 King V. 16. might be extraordinary in case any of the Ordinary should faile by sicknesse death or any other way And thus the Ordinarie Overseers would be one over fourty five workmen or thereabout Or rather those three thousand three hundred 1 King V. 16. were Israelites the chief of Solomons Officers added to the other three thousand sixe hundred Overseers and set partly as with them so over them and partly over the whole work And so each Overseer would be over twenty one workmen at least Those sixteen thousand a moneth by course 1 King V. 13 14. are by some added to the Overseers And so there would be one Overseer to eight workmen But they may seeme rather to be the better sort of workmen of the Israelites joyned to King Hirams workmen 1 King V. 6. Those Officers viz. five hundred and fifty 1 King 9. 23. seeme to be the chief of the Officers that were over Solomons other words when he builded his owne house and that for Pharaohs daughter and all his other Buildings besides the Temple ver 15 19. 2 Chron. VIII 1 6. These bare rule over the people that wrought in those works And the two hundred and fifty 2 Chron. VIII 10. seeme to be chief of his Officers that bare rule over the people i. e. over those Canaanites that Solomon had made Tributaries ver 7 8. to rule them And so iffering from the former five hundred and fifty of beaten wheat The difference of the Food and Measures of them verse 10 given by Solomon here over and above that in 1 King V. 11. may stand in this That the former was for King Hirams Court and houshold And this here for his workmen in Lebanon Bathes See the Observations on Gen. verse 13 XVIII 6. of Huram my father See the observations on 1 King verse 16 V. 1. to Joppa See the Observations on Jonah I. 3. Solomon Solomon had divers elder brethren living chapter III verse 1. 9. besides Adoniah when he was made King and he was the eldest sonne of the four by Bathshuah or Bathshebah though he be recorded last 2 Sam. XII 24. 1 Chron. III. 5. and XIV 4 2 Sam. V. 14. And Nathan was the second from whom Christ came Luke III. 31. After the first measure See the Annotations on Ezek. verse 3 XL. 5. Greater house This was twice as big as the Oracle verse 5 and four times as big as the Porch 1 King VI. 3. he seiled Or covered This and the next verse seemes to relate to the Floore of the Temple 1 King VI. 15. The walls are mentioned in the seventh verse following Chambers Of these see 1 King verse 9 VI. 5. 1 Chron. XXVIII 11 12. Ezek. XL. 44 45 46. and chap. XLI 5 11. and chap. XLII 1 13. an Altar of brasse That Altar in the Tabernacle was made of Shittim wood chapter IV verse 1 hallow with boords and over-laid with brasse Exod. XXVII 1 2 8. And the staves of it likewise ver 6. And so Exod. XXXVIII 1 6 7. And again it was covered with broad Plates made of the Censers of those Sinners Num. XVI 38. This Altar of burnt-Offerings in the Temple though farre greater then the other seemes to be made of the same materials Shittim wood and brasse Of the Altar in Ezekiels Visionary Temple see Ezek. XLIII 13. 17. Court Of the Courts see the Annotations on 1 King verse 9 VI. 36. right side See the Observations on 1 King verse 10 VII 39. Seventh moneth See chap. chapter V verse 3 VII 8 9 10. Levites Priests of the tribe of Levi verse 4 1 King VIII 3. Num. IV. 15. unto this day See 1 King verse 9 VIII 8. 1 Chron. IV. 41. till Nebuchadnezzar or Nebuzaradan burnt all 2 King XXV 9. If Ezra writ these Books of the Chronicles after the returne from the Babylonish Captivity then this phrase must be understood as a Proverbial speech to signifie a long time See the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. Neither chose I any man As I chose David chapter VI verse 5 a special type of Christ and in whose seed a royal succession was to continue from him to Christ. thou didst well The purpose approved verse 8 though the act forbidden the fire Of this see Levit. chapter VII verse 1 IX 24. 1 King XVIII 38. 1 Chron. XXI 26. sacrifice of 22000. verse 5 Ver. 7. The greatest Offering that we do read of Those 1 Chron. XXIX 21. 2 Chron. XV. 11. and chap. XXIX 32. and XXX 24. and XXXV 7 8 9. come short of this appeared Formerly verse 12 chap. I. 7. This is the second time 1 Kings IX 2. my wife shall not dwell chapter VIII verse 11 Solomons reverend and religious respect to the Place where the Ark of God had been four hundred and fifty Talents The thirty Talents reckoned here verse 18 more then those 1 King IX 28. seeme to go for all maner of charges of the Navy and Voyage Four thousand stals See the Observations on Judg. chapter IX verse 25 XX. 2. fourty years Being born after David warre with the Ammonites at Rabbah verse 30 2 Sam. XI and XII chapters A little before the time that Ammon deflowred Tamar And so aged about eighteen years when he began to reign Shechem See the Observations on Josh. chapter X verse 1 XXIV 1. Levites left Cast out by Jeroboam chapter XI verse 14 from their Cities houses inheritances
3. and 2 Chr. VIII 14. and chap. XXIII 4 5 19 20. and chap. XXIV 8. and XXVII 3. and XXXI 14. and XXXV 5. the Horse-gate Of the gates of Ierusalem verse 15 or of the walls of the Citie see the Observations on Nehemy III. 1. gather of all Israel chapter XXIV verse 5 So much of Israel as Ioash had from year to year One year would not suffice to make up this Reparation hastened not For in the twenty third year of Ioash it was not done 2 Kings XII 6. the Collection of Moses So ver verse 6 9. such as Moses used Exod. XXX 12 16. or Exod. XXV But this differing from them both agreeing only in this As Moses then provided for the Tabernacle and the service of it by those Collections extraordinarily as need then required so were they now by somewhat a like Collection to provide for the repairing of the breaches of the Temple Yet is this because somewhat like called the Collection of Moses as like sinnes are called by the names of the sinnes of Manasseh 2 Kings XXIV 3. of the iniquity of the fathers Exod. XXXIV 7. of the errour of Balaam and gain-saying of Core Iudge 11. and the signe of Ionas Matth. XII 39. is used in a like sense Sonnes of Athaliah In their father Iehorams life-time verse 7 before they were taken and slaine by the enemy if sonnes here be taken properly High-priests Officer 2 Kings XII verse 11 10. The High-Priest himselfe did this But that Iehoiada was this High-Priest is not expressed day by day i. e. time after time so oft as the chest was full in Israel the Kingdome of Iudah verse 16 Gods people 2 Chr. XXIX 24. Princes Hypocritical flattering Princes See ver verse 17 23. Zechariah Zechariah slaine and mentioned Matth. XXIII verse 20 35. seemes not to be this Zechariah But rather the Prophet Zechariah the sonne of Barachiah Zech. I. 1. slew his sonne Cruel ingratitude verse 22 hoast of Syria This might be a seconding of that invasion verse 23 2 King XII 17 18. a small company Gods visible hand in it verse 24 for the executing of his judgement against Joash ver 25. sonnes Likely more slaine then Zechariah verse 25 or taken indefinitely for one as Gen. XLVI 7. Book of the Kings Most likely some civil Records verse 27 Amaziah Of the times of the reignes of Amaziah chapter XXV verse 1 and of Uzziah as also of Iotham and of Ahaz 2 Kings XV. 32. and XVI 1. And of their Concordance with the time of the reignes of the Kings of Isreel See my Annotations on Hosea I. 1. But he slew not their children See the Annotations on this text verse 4 do it An Ironical concession verse 8 See the Observations on Amos IV. 4 5. top of the rock Selah verse 21 or Petra signifying a rock whence the chief Citie in Arabia Petraea is called Petra 2 Kings XIV 7. gods of the children of Seir Worse then that of Ahaz chap. verse 14 XXVIII 23. Punished chap. XXV 20 27. Altar of Incense This the High-Priest might do chapter XXVI verse 16 Exod. XXX 7. and other Priests also Luke I. 9 But not the King or any else but Priests the chief Priest Not stiled the High-Priest verse 20 was a Leper Yet bare the title of King to the day of his death verse 21 Ophel Ophel in Ierusalem chapter XXVII verse 3 over-against the water-gate toward the East where the Nethinims dwelt 2 Chron. XXXIII 14. Neh. III. 26. and XI 21. his wars 2 Kings XV. verse 7 37. his God Though himself such an idolater chapter XXVIII verse 5 ver 22. So ch XXXVI 5. King of Syria Rezin 2 Kings XVI 5. slew Slew a great number verse 6 Captive A greater number verse 8 feirce wrath Pekah soone slaine verse 11 And in Hosheah's time all captivated and the Kingdome extinguished Esay VII 16. the first day ver chapter XXIX verse 17 3. Hezekiah begins Reformation on the very first day of his reign Or rather on the first day of the year which fell out towards the later end of the first year of Ezekiah's reigne sixteenth day So that Passeover was past and not kept seven Bullocks Here are seven verse 21 to represent the whole body of the Kingdome And here are used all maner of Beasts fit for sacrifice the Priests killed them And so Levit. IV. 4. and chap. IX 8 verse 24 15 18. 2 Chron. XXIX 24 34. The Levites did flea them 2 Chron. XXXV 11. And in some extraordinary cases sley them also 2 Chron. XXIX 34. and receive the blood 2 Chron. XXX 16 17. The Priests only not the Levites came to the Altar to lay the wood sprinkle the blood and burn them Levit. l. 7. c. and chap. III. 2 5. 2 Chron. XXXV 14. the Song Psal CXXXVI verse 27 See the Annotations on Ezra III. 11. to Ephraim chapter XXX verse 1 and Manasseh See ver 5 11 18. Yet this was before their finall captivity by Shalmaneser 2 Kings XVII in the second moneth ver verse 2 1 3. As in like case Num. IX 11. Kings of Assyria Pul verse 6 and Tiglath Pilneaser 2 Kings XV. 19 29. 1 Chron. V. 26. 2 Chron. XXVIII 20. mocked them But a finall judgement sonne followed verse 10 had not cleansed themselves yet And verse 18 it seemes in Josiah's time all did not eate at the very hour appointed at Even 2 Chron. XXXV 14. yet where the heart is upright God mercifully heals such offenders to keep other seven dayes The power of the Church seene herein verse 23 and by God approved Since the time of Solomon And the division of the two Kingdomes verse 26 so many out of the ten tribes came not to Jerusalem to eat celebrate the Passeover Yet see a larger commendation of Josiah's Passeover which followed after this chap. XXXV 18. 2 Kings XXIII 22 23. finished Presently after the foresaid Passeover chapter XXXI verse 1 they pull down idolatry yea in Ephraim also and Manasseh which belonged to Hoshea King of Israel third moneth Or Feast of weeks verse 7 of Pentecost which is called the feast of harvest And the seventh moneth is called the Feast of ingathering Exod. XXIII 16. hoast of the King of Assyria Though that King Sennacherib chapter XXXIII verse 11 and his hoast were so slain in the time of his father Hezekiah chap. XXXII 21. a wall Begun by his father chap. XXXII 5. yet unto the Lord Not to false gods verse 14 as was in the grosser kinde of idolatrous sacrificers verse 17 Amon Amon worse then his father Manasseh eighth year Being then sixteen years old chapter XXXIV verse 20 and before that the father of Eliakim or Iehojakim verse 3 2 Kings XXIII 36. and chap. XXII 1. compared together twelfth year Himself being then twenty cities of Manasseh Remanants then of the Israelites verse 6 for the body of the ten tribes were formerly carried away captives and the Kingdome exterminated eighteenth year
This Reformation and Covenant made verse 8 and Passeover kept chap. XXXV 19. And yet from this or rather from the twelfth year above mentioned begins that reckoning of the sinne of Iudah Ezek. IV. 6. For under so good a King yet the people continued obstinately wicked as appears in Ieremie who began to prophesie in the thirteenth year of Iosiah's reigne Ier. I. 2. and XXV 3. and ch III. 6. And Iosiah only caused and made them outwardly to obey 2 Chron. XXXIV 32 33. the Houses The Houses of the Priests which adjoyned to the Temple and of the Levites which adjoyned to the Courts Levites Scribes 1 Chron. verse 13 XXIV 6. Ezra VII 6. 21. Neh. VIII 9. and chap. XII 26. and XIII 13. See the Annotation on 1 Kings IV. 3. More fully thus we read in the Old Testament of severall persons that were Scribes some Scribes of Kings or their Secretaries So David had one And Solomon two Ioash one 2 Kings XII 10. Iosiah one 2 Kings XXII 3. Of Ionathan Davids Uncle that he was a Counseller a wise man and a Scribe 1 Chron. XXVII 32. And of Baruch that he was Ieremies Scribe And of families of Scribes that dwelt at Jabez in the tribe of Iudah and were of the posterity of Iethro 1 Chron. II. 55. But why so called or what their Office was whether as Publike Notaries Scriveners or Transcribers of the Law or what else it appears not Here in Iosiah's time we finde that in his businesse of repairing the house of the Lord there were appointed of the Levites Scribes And in Nehemiah's time he made Treasurers over the Treasuries in the Lords House Shelemiah the Priest and Zadok the Scribe And in his time also was that famous Ezra a Priest sonne of the High Priest Serajah slaine by Nebuchadnezzar and the same a ready Scribe in the Law of Moses a Scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven of the words of the Commandments of the Lord and of his Statutes to Israel and the same a publick Reader and Teacher of the Law In the New Testament we finde them much more mentioned and to be of more esteeme and themselves affected Preheminence and precedencies Mark XII 38 39. Here they are often joyned with the Chief Priests and Elders and often with the Pharisees They pretended to extraordinary holinesse as the Pharisees did whence is that Matth. V. 20. and Acts XXIII 9. They were of the Pharisees part against the Sadduces Yea he that is called a Scribe Marke XII 28. the same is called a Pharisee and a Lawyer Matth. XXII 34 35. We read not that they were of the Sect of the Sadduces or Essenes But we finde them to joyne with all the rest to question to pose and oppose our Saviour to entangle and insnare him by Questions to charge his miracles to be done by Belzebub Himself with Blasphemy to apprehend and binde him to condemne him in the Councel to deliver him to Pilate to accuse him before Herod to prosecute him to death to mock him upon the Crosse. And we finde that these Scribes sate in Moses-chair Matth. XXIII 2. and were Preachers and Teachers of the people Mat. VII 29. and XIII 52. And likely were all of the tribe of Levi. rent his clothes See the Annotations on 2 Kings XXII 8. verse 19 Huldah the Prophetesse See the Observations on Zeph. verse 22 III. 4. The High Priest Hilkiah is here sent to her she being an extraordinary Prophetesse so near at hand Put the holy Ark It might be put out of his place chapter XXXV verse 3 in the dayes of his wicked father if not of his grandfather Passeover-Offerings So ver verse 8 9. in the Feast of Unleavened bread for the seven dayes After all this Thirteen years after the foresaid Passeover verse 20 that being in the eighteenth and this in the thirty one and last year of his reigne by Euphrates Heb. Phrat or Prat or Perath the fourth river in Eden Gen. II. 14. usually called the River and the great River made one of the Boundaries of the Promised Land Gen XV. 18. Deut. 1. 7 and chap. XI 24. Iosh. I. 4. 2. Chron. IX 26. Cut by Cyrus into severall Channels when he lay in siege before Babylon which stood upon it and so by him much dreyned and dried Ier. L. 38. See 1 Chron. XVIII 3. Ier. XIII 4. and chap. LI. 63. Apoc. IX 14. and Chap. XVI 12. See on Dan. IV. 30. Megiddo See the Annotations on Zech. verse 22 XII 11. to carrie him But he died by the way chapter XXXVI verse 6 Jer. XXII 18 19. Eight years old when he He was eighteen when himself began to reigne verse 9 2 Kings XXIV 8. And but eight then when his father began to reigne The like relative sense may that speech admit 2 Kings XVI 2. no remedy Desperate sinners procure implacable wrath verse 16 irrevocable exterminating judgements Kingdome of Persia See the Observations on the beginning of the Book of Ezra verse 20 threescore and ten years For the beginning of these verse 21 see the Annotations on Dan. IX 2. rather then those on Zech. VII 3. yet many learned are of the later opinion Ezra THE Book of Ezra contains an History of seventy years viz. from the first of Cyrus or his Proclamation chap. I. 1. to the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus upon this Accompt viz. Cyrus seven Cambyses seven Smerdis one Darius Hystaspis thirty six Xerxes twelve of Artaxerxes Longimanus seven where Ezra end Or premising two of Darius Medus before Cyrus it comes to seventy two The four last Chapters containe the History but of that one year concerning Ezra which was in that seventh year of Artaxerxes See chap. VII 7 9. and chap. VIII 15 21 31 32 33. and chap. X. 8 9 16 17. But the six first Chapters are extended by some otherwise learned men yet upon lesse probable grounds to a farre larger scope of time even to one hundered thirty eight or one hundred fourty five years And they end the Book with the nineteenth year of Artaxerxes Mnemon which seemes cleane contrary to the Text chap. VII 7 8. For the clearer knowledge of divers things in this Book as likewise in Nehemy and Esther A Catalogue of the Persian Monarchs and of the years of their Reignes is very useful which out of the best Authors with very little variation may be as followeth  years Darius Medus 2 Cyrus 7 Cambyses 7 Smerdis 1 Darius Hystaspis 36 Xerxes 12 Artaxerxes Longimanus 48 Xerxes 1 Sogdianus 1 Darius Ochus seu Nothus 19 Artazerxes Mnemon 43 Darius Ochus 23 Arsen 3 Darius Codomannus 5 And so the Persian Monarchy continued two hundred and eight years or there about In this Book of Ezra there is mention made of six Persian Monarchs first of Cyrus chap. I. 1. secondly of Darius ch IV. 5. thirdly of Ahasuerus chap. IV. 6. fourthly of Artaxerxes chap. IV. 7. fifthly of another Darius chap. IV. 24. and
Temple verse 12 which was burnt but fifty two years before wept at the laying of the foundation of this Temple either at the remembrance of the wondrous glory of the former Temple so burnt and consumed and considering the small Preparations and Meanes for the building and furnishing of this Ezra I. 4 6 68 69. and chap. VI. 8 9. and chap. VII 15 22. and chap. VIII 25 26 27. 33 34. Neh. VII 70 71 72. in comparison of those for the former Temple Hag. II. 3. In which case God comforts them Hag. II. 7 9. Zech. IV. 6 10. and VIII 6 9. Mal. III. 1. Or else seeing these foundation-stones not so goodly and precious as those were known to be that were in Solomons Temple 1 Kings VII 9 10. For as for the largenesse and compasse of the foundation it was not inferiour to that of Solomons 1 Kings VI. 2. Yea far superiour if that Decree of Cyrus and the record of it found by Darius Ezra VI. 1 2 3. mistake not and the Cubits be the same Esar-haddon The sonne of Sennacherib chapter IV verse 2 2 Kings XIX 37. and grandchild of Salmaneser And this seemes to be the last of the Assyrian Kings And the same with Asnapper and to be him that carried Manasseh prisoner to Babylon then under the Assyrian Empire 2 Chron. XXXIII 11. And is likely the man whom Ptolomie calls Assaradinus and the Greeks Sardanapalus of Sar for Esar haddon and Pul Pul being much used in the names of the Assyrian and Chaldean Kings Brought us up hither So that those adversaries ver 1. seeme to be the race of those Samaritanes brought in by Salmanesar 2 Kings XVII 6 24. Or a second kinde of plantation by his grandchilde ver 9. which ever continued fierce enemies to the Jewes whatever they mischeivously pretend here John IV. 9. Luke IX 52 53. And this makes that Answer returned to them here ver 3. Darius Hystaspis Ahasuerus Ahasuerus seemes most probably to be the man whom Heathen Authors call Smerdis Magus verse 5 the sonne of Cyrus and younger brother of Cambyses verse 6 reigning a very short time Artaxerxes As they had formerly done in the dayes of this Artaxerxes verse 7 who most likely is Cambyses For to understand this of Artaxerxes Longimanus and much more of Artaxerxes Mnemon And the Temple to be builded in the dayes of Darius Nothus and much more of Darius Ochus will no wayes stand with these Scriptures and the notation of times contained in them Zech. III. 9. and Hag. II. 3. Syrian tongue Hebr. Aramite This was in ordinary use under the Assvrian Chaldean and Persian Monarchy Esay XXXVI 11. Dan. II. 4. This we commonly call the Chaldee tongue It differs from the Hebrew Dialect Esay XXVIII 11. and chap. XXXIII 13. and XXXVI 11. Yet in the dayes of our Saviour it grew common among the Jewes also and is in that regard called the Hebrew tongue in the New Testament John XIX 13 17. Acts XXI 40. and XXII 2. Rehum This verse 8 and all the rest to chap. VI. 19. is penned in the Chaldee Dialect And so chap. VII 11 -27. building the rebellious and the bad Citie So ver verse 12 13. and 16. They only went about to build the Temple the river So chap. V. 6. Jordan verse 16 or rather Euphrates ver 17. and 20. From Persia it is beyond the river work of the House of God Though their Letter verse 24 and the Kings Answer mention only the Citie yet they extend it here to the House of God Zechariah He is called the sonne chapter V verse 1 of Iddo And Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel ver 2. And they were indeed their grandchildren Zech. I. 1. 1 Chron. III. 17 18 19. Tatnai He verse 6 and Shethar-boznai deale more fairly and truly with the Jews in their letter to Darius then Rehum and Shimsai did in theirs to Artaxerxes chap. IV. 12 16. And they make mention only of the House of God and not of the Citie untill now But hindered and inhibited in the meane time verse 16 chap. IV. 21 22. in Babylon Or concerning Babylon chapter VI verse 1 Achmetha Called by Heathen Authors Ecbatana signifying a Summer seat for coole refreshing verse 2 In which Citie the Kings of Media kept their Court in the Summer season threescore Cubits Cubits likely are taken here for common Cubits half the length of sacred Cubits verse 3 which sacred Cubits were unknowne to Heathen And the number of them may be reckoned from the bottome of the foundation to the top on the outside and from the outsides of the Temple including the thicknesse of the walls and of the Chambers adjoyning And so this Temple will be lesse then Solomons 1 Kings VI. 2. 2 Chron. III. 3. according to that Hag. II. 3. See the Annotations on this text and the Observations on Ch. III. 12. three rowes This relates to the Courts of the Temple verse 4 Let timber The great zeale of this King for the Temple verse 11 appears in this and other passages and Decrees in this his Letter Artaxerxes Likely one of the seven that put down Smerdis Magus and in a sort verse 14 at the beginning was fellow in Empire with Darius Hystaspides finished About twenty two years after their Returne verse 15 about twenty since the foundation was laid Offered not comparable to that verse 17 1 Kings VIII 5 63. 2 Chron. VII 5. 7. And the children From this verse to Chap. VII ver 11. the Text again is Hebrew verse 19 Killed Each family verse 20 or master of family must not kill it themselves as they did in Egypt But Gods Ministers Priests and Levites must do it 2. Chron. XXX 15 16 17. separated themselves unto them Heathen Proselytes verse 21 King of Assyria See the Observations on 2 Chron. XXI 2. verse 22 Artaxerxes chapter VII verse 1 Longimanus Ezra See the Observations touching him in the beginning of this his Book Azariah Six generations here omitted verse 3 1 Chron. VI. ver 7 8 9 10 11. And three generations omitted between Jeroam and Pashur 1 Chron. IX 12. compared with Neh. XI 12. And so three generations are omitted between Joram and Ozias Matth. I. 8 And all done for brevity sake conceiving those Omissions to be things evidently known or not so material to be there inserted King granted Ezra's extraordinary power and authority was from the Kings grant verse 6 and not otherwayes went up So backward were the Jewes in returning back to Judea after the Proclamation of Cyrus yea verse 7 the Priests and Levites themselves See Esther VIII 8 9. first Four moneths in going verse 9 King of Kings Ezek. XXVI 7. Dan. II. 37. verse 12 This whole Letter is in the Chaldean tongue seven Counsellors So Esther I. 14. verse 14 freely offered great zeale verse 15 and forwardnesse here ver 20 26. and 28. and chap. 8. 25 26 27. as was formerly in Darius chap. VI. 11. canst finde Grants
the former Decree could not be reverst nor this new one being sealed with the Kings Seal See Ch. I. 19. third moneth Two moneths and ten dayes after Hamans Decree verse 9 chap. III. 12. The Lots were cast in the first moneth and twelfth year of Ahasuerus chap. III. 7. And the Decree issued out the thirteenth day of that moneth ver 12. And did stretch even to the Jews in Jury ver 6 8 13. And the execution of it was to be on the thirteenth day of Adar the twelfth moneth following But the Edict on their behalf issued forth on the twenty third day of the third moneth Sivan i. e. two moneths and ten dayes after Hamans bloody Edict Sivan Whereunto our May most answereth and unto the Jewes Whom it so much concerned crown of gold See chap. verse 15 VI. 8. became Jewes Proselytes verse 17 turned to their Religion as sought their hurt As assaulted them chapter IX verse 2 so as they were on the defensive part and stood for their lives chap. VIII 11. and chap. IX 16. smote all their enemies Wonder that they durst rise against the Jewes verse 5 considering the minde and power of the King and Queen and Mordecai for them see ver 3. in Shushan These likely of Hamans faction verse 6 eager set to revenge his death and downfal to do tomorrow It may be necessity to preserve the lives of the Jewes in Shushan verse 13 against such as might seek an opportunity hereafter to revenge the blood of Haman his sonnes and others that were slaine might move her to this Petition so to rid their hands of all their enemies 75000 It argues a great height of malice against the Jewes verse 16 That Hamans ten sonnes and others in Shushan even on a second day and so many in all the Kings Provinces durst so assault the Jewes that in their own defence they killed in all seventy five thousand eight hundred likely most Amalekites considering the Kings Edict for the Jewes and the power of the Queene and Mordecai with the King as hath been said yet the Jewes laid not their hands on the prey and spoile though granted to them by the King chap. VIII 11. chap. IX 10 15 16. to shew they did it not for covetousnesse but to preserve their own lives Mordecai wrote Some extend this to the whole Book verse 20 but more likely it relates to the point of Deliverance and ordaining the Feasts ver XXIII 29. And herein the power of the Church is seene in Ordaining set annual Feasts ver 27. 29 31. And so for Fasts Zech. VII Purim i. e. Lots verse 26 Of Lots see the Annotations on Jonah I. 7. the matters of the fastings verse 31 and their cry The occasions that were given of their fastings and cries by which they obtained such a blessing Some take this as a part of the Ordinance and Decree to fast on the thirteenth day And alledge for it the practise of the Jewes to this day in the Book Some publick record verse 32 a tribute We read of a release chapter X verse 1 chap. II. 18. whether the Jewes by Mordecai's means were released of this Tribute the Scripture expresseth not Job THE Book of Job is a true History accompanied fully with all the circumstances of a true History from first to last and attested Ezek. XIV 14. and Jam. V. 11. This Book is written in the judgement of some in Prose to chap. III. v. 3. In Verse thence to chap. XLII ver 6. And then again concludes in Prose thence to the end Job lived most likely when the Israelites were in Egypt His age being one hundred and fourty years after his Affliction was ended and he having seven sonnes and three daughters and being the greatest of all the men of the East before his Affliction began Job XLII 16. and I. ver 2 3. Jobs patience is wonderful and so highly commended by the holy Ghost Jam. V. 11. His Impatience too much accused as by his friends then so by some others now not weighing the burden of his Afflictions outward and inward from heaven earth and hell and withal his fair clearing of God and his justice and his full acknowledgement of his owne sinfulnesse though not of that Hypocrisie wherewith his friends did falsely charge him chap. VII 20 21. and IX 2 3. 14 15 20 21. and XIII 26. and XIV 17. and XXVII 5 6. and XXXI 6. 33 35 36 37. and XXIII 10. and XIII 15. and IX 12. Jobs three friends most likely were of the posterity of Abraham viz. Eliphaz and Zophar of the posterity of Esau Gen. XXXVI 11 40. Bildad of Abrahams race by Ketura Gen. XXV 2. 1 Chron. I. 32. And Elihu the fourth of the race of Nahor Abrahams brother Gen. XXII 21. Eliphaz Bildad and Zophar speak in order one after another Eliphaz and Bildad thrice Zophar twice To every one of which Jobs Answers are annexed and interposed Elihu speaks after they ceased without any answer made by Job to him Jehovah speaks last of all And Orders all Uz Uz in Idumea chapter I verse 1 or Arabia bordering upon it So called from Uz the sonne of Dishan of the linage of Seir Gen. XXXVI 28. Of this we read Lam. IV. 21. Jer. XXV 20. Or in that part of Arabia the Desert near to Chaldea where Job had such bad neighbours the Chaldeans on the one side and the Sabeans on the other chap. I. 15. 17. We read of Kings of the Land of Uz Jer. XXV 20. And of Uz the grandchilde of Shem Gen. X. 22 23. And of Vz the sonne of Nahor Abrahams brother Gen. XXII 21. three thousand Camels When God blessed his latter end verse 3 he had six thousand Camels chap. XLII 12. a wondrous number for one man They were numerous and of much use in the Eastern Countries Fifty thousand taken from the Hagarites 1 Chron. V. 20 21. The Midianites used very great multitudes of them in warre and put ornaments and chains of gold about their necks Judg. VII 12. and chap. VIII 21 26. Some of them were swift all for burden with bunches on their backs fit for that purpose but not fit to go through the eye of a needle David himself had a special officer only over his Camels 1 Chron. XXVII 30. East Whither Abraham sent his sonnes Gen. XXV 6. and sanctified them Sent to them verse 5 requiring them to fit and prepare themselves by all means in an holy maner to come and joyne with him in offering a sacrifice for them and their sinnes See Num. X 1. 18. Exod. XIX 10. Josh. III. 5. and chap. VII 13. 2 Chron. XXIX 5. continualy On those dayes when their feasting was gone about the sonnes of God The good Angels verse 6 Job XXXVIII 7. to present themselves See 1 Kings XXII 19. This is spoken after the maner of men as Rom. III. 5. among them Not that Satan comes into Heaven The similitude is taken from earthly Kings escaped
properties and qualifications stand in awe and sinne not Ephes. IV. 26. verse 4 Be anrgy and sinne not And that sense the word here used will bear David speaking thus to his friends Let not your indignation and just resentment of these scandals and confusions in my sufferings proceed to a sinful murmuring against God but consider of it wisely in your most retired thoughts and be silent contented and quiet into thy house chapter V verse 7 So farre as it was lawful for David toward thy holy Temple And so David Psal. XXVII 4. and XXIX 9. and LXV 4. and LXVIII 29. and CXXXVIII 2. And yet in Davids dayes the Temple was not built He minded that which after his dayes he knew presently should be And meane time he stiles the Arke or Tabernacle by the name of the Temple See the Observations on Exod. XXXIII 7. rebuke me not Psal. chapter VI verse 1 XXXVIII 1. heale me David was in some soar sicknesse at this time verse 2 bed to swim See the Observations on Josh. XI 4. verse 6 If I have done this Whereof Cush Sauls Courtier or Favourite chapter VII verse 3 one of his Tribe doth falsely accuse me return thou on high To ascend verse 7 and set thy self on thy high tribunal and judgement-seat 1 Kings X. 19. And this to judge for me and against Cush as it followeth in the rest of the Psalme Out of the mouth This is alluded to Mat. chapter VIII verse 2 XXI 16. What is man This verse 4 and ver 5 6. are applied to Christ by the Apostle Heb. II. 6 9. 1 Cor. XV. 27. Ephes. I. 22. so taking in both Christ the head and mankinde specialy the faithful as members shewing thereby that mysticaly and propheticaly in these words is intimated the humiliation and exaltation of the man Christ Jesus O thou enemie A kinde of scoff and derision chapter IX verse 6 whereby David upbraids him for his bloody designes and threats Know thy name will Know experimentaly verse 10 practicaly verse 20. in all their hearts and souls in themselves as the phrases of Scripture are Josh. XXIII 14. 1 Sam. VI. 9. Heb. X. 34. Of this knowledge is that Iohn XVII 3. and 1 Iohn II. 3 4 5. and chap. III. 19 24. and chap. IV. 6 7 8 13. and chap. V. 2. 18 19. 20. Noëtical speculative knowledge swimming only in the braine and not sinking into the heart is none of this knowledge till thou finde none Rid the world of them chapter X verse 15 and their sinnes at once flee a bird 1 Sam. chapter XI verse 1 XXVI 19. If the foundations In Church and Kingdome verse 3 what can He help but suffer in such a general ruine The fool Psal. chapter XIV verse 1 X. 4. and LIII 1. The three first verses of this Psalme are by Saint Paul applied to all mankinde in general in the state of the Fall and natural corruption Rom. III. 10 11 12. usury Of this see Exod. chapter XV verse 5 XXII 25. Levit. XXV 36 37. Deut. XXIII 19 20. Neh. V. 17. Levit. XXVIII 8. And the Annotations on Ezek. XVIII 8. and XXII 12 13. Mat. XXV 27. that hasten Or give gifts to another god chapter XVI verse 4 See Ezek. XVI 33 34. The true God needs them not ver 2. But false gods do which gifts do redound in the end to the dammage and sorrowes of the givers their drink-offerings of blood Their Offerings and Sacrifices of mans blood The drink-offerings to the true God were of wine according to his Law Num. XV. 5. But Idolaters in stead thereof did many times offer mans blood Pauls readinesse to be offered Phil. II. 17. 2 Tim. IV. 6. imports no more then his willingnesse to die and spend his blood for Christs cause and the good of his Church and people their names See the Observations on Josh. XXIII 7. I have set the Lord Acts II. 25 31. verse 8 and XIII 35 37. David speaks here of himself in this regard as having Christ in his loins in a Prophetical spirit relating to Christ. right hand Psal. CIX 31. CX 5. CXXI 5. not be moved Psal. CXVIII 6. CXXXV 1. Rom. VIII 31 c. my glory My tongue verse 9 Acts II. 26. Psal. XXX 12. and LVII 8. and CVIII 2. Gen. XLIX 6. my flesh also As Rom. VIII 19. 21. my soul in hell A Prophesie of Christs Resurrection verse 10 David speaks here in the Person of Christ. Soul Sometimes is taken properly sometimes improperly for the whole person of man Gen. XIV 12. Acts XXVII 37. sometimes for the life of the person sometimes for the body Gen. XVII 21. sometimes for the dead carkasse Levit. XIX 28. and XXI 1 2. Num. VI. 6. and V. 2 9 10. Hag. II. 14. And so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken also Here my soul i. e. my self hell the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for the grave Psal. CXLI 7. and LXXXVI 13. and XXX 13. and LV. 15. Gen. XXXVII 35. and XLII 3. 1 Kings II. 6 9. Num. XVI 30. Jonah II. 1 2. Not for a place of souls under the earth See Doctor Rainolds Praelect 81. 82. upon the Apocryphal books and Robert Parker upon Christs Descent into hell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for death or the state of the dead for the place invisible for the grave in relation to the body Acts II. 27. And in relation to the soul for heaven to the godly soul as in our Creed and for Hell to the soul ungodly and so most usualy Christs soul did not descend to the lower parts or that imaginary place of Limbus Patrum This place here meant is a place of punishment and therefore it is mentioned as a mercy that Christ was thence delivered Christs soul was not therefore there in triumph The scope of the Apostles in citing this place is not to deale about the deliverance of Christs soul out of Hell but punctualy of Christs Resurrection They inferre nothing else out of this Text. But Resurrection is properly of the Body not of the Soul Gehenna is sometimes taken for the Grave and most-times further for Hell it self The true meaning and sense of the Article of Christs Descent into Hell as the Latines very improperly translate the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seemes to be thus rendered rather he went into the place of invisible souls and to be understood of Christs Soul for his body remained in the Grave And his soul in that interim to passe to the place of souls to Heaven or Paradise as the souls of the godly did and his principaly As the souls of the wicked went to Hell For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a general name doth certainly and evidently signifie both places And thus the Articles go on methodicaly without any tautologie That after Christs death his body was buried in the Grave his Soul went to the place of blessed souls and the third day both soul and body were
For this David befools and bebeasts himself Psal. LXXIII 10 22. studieth Great students verse 2 to be wittily wicked lips It blistereth out at their tongues end Through wisdome Chap. III. 13 19. verse 3 is strong Chap. XXI 22. verse 5 warre Chap. XX. 18. verse 6 and chap. XV. 22. and chap. XI 14. too high Chap. XIV 6. verse 7 and chap. VIII verse 9. and chap. IX 1. Yet the highest and saving wisdome is too high for the wisest natural man 1 Cor. II 14. openeth not He were two fools if he did deviseth Is an Artist at any evil verse 8 The thought Chap. XIV 22. verse 9 and chap. VI. 18. and chap. XII 5. and chap. XV. 26. Esay LIX 7. Jer. IV. 14. If thou faint Gen. XLIX 23 24. verse 10 Man hath no trial of his strength till he be in trouble If thou forbear Psal. LXXXII 4. verse 11 Esay LVIII 6 7. It being in thy power to deliver such innocent persons Mark III. 4. Job XXIX 17. and XXXI 8 9. If thou sayest Sinnes are not to seek for excuses verse 12 But they availe not with God Psal. XI 4. Iob XXXIV 22. Ier. XVII 9 10. When thou hast found it Experimental knowledge is the only true knowledge verse 14 Heb. X. 34. Iosh. XXIII 14. A literal notion of the brain comes short of it a reward Psal XIX 10 11. and CXIX 103. chap. XXIII 18. falleth Into trouble verse 16 It is not here meant of falling into sinne Micah VII 8. and riseth Iob V. 19. Psal. XXXIV 19 20. and XXXVII 24. and XCI 3. James I. 2. the wicked fall As Nahum I. 9. into an Only evil Ezek. VII 5. Esther VI. 13. Job V. 12. Amos VIII 14. Jer. XXV 27. Esay XXIV 20. Rejoyce not Chap. XVII 5. verse 17 Job XXXI 29. Psal. XXXV 12 16. Obad. 12. 2 Sam. I. 11 12. Matth. V. 44. Rom. XII 19. thine enemie But only so farre as Gods glory is concerned in it And still pitie his person Psal. LVIII 10. from him To thee verse 18 no reward The pain of Losse verse 20 And sure the tears of hell are not sufficient to bewail the losse of heaven fear Who would not fear thee O King of Nations verse 21 Ier. X. 7. And the King must be feared 1 Pet. II. 1â— Rom. XIII 3. under God Acts IV. 19. suddenly When it comes though delayed awhile verse 22 Had Zimri peace that slew his master of them both That fear not the Lord and the King These things also belong to the wise Concerne wise men to look unto verse 23 Not that the sentences following were taken out of wise mens books or saâ—ings after Solomon and before the time of Ezechiah not good Verie bad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The like is chap. X. 2. and chap. XX. 23. Psal. V. 5. 1 Cor. XVI 22. Exod. XX. 7. respect of persons Chap. XVIII 5. chap. XXVIII 21. Levi. XIX 25. Deut. I. 17. and XVI 19. Thou art righteous Chap. XVII 15. verse 24 Esay V. 23. Exod. XXIII 7. that rebuke him Job XXIX 11 17. verse 25 a good blessing Of every good man Kisse Gen. XLI 40. verse 26 Shall do him honour Psal. II 11. afterwards build thine house First be sure of the means how to compasse it verse 27 Luke XIV 28 33. Do things of necessity first after of accommodation without cause Without a calling verse 28 or against thine own conscience deceive not To bolster out a bad cause or out-face a good or ot entise another to suborne him to be a false witnesse Say not Chap. XX. 22. verse 29 Rom. XII 17. 1 Thes. V. 15. 1 Pet. III. 9. Matth. V. 39. Rom. XII 17. This is to wring the sword out of Gods had Rom. XII 19. sloathful See on Chap. VI. 6. verse 30 received instruction A Bee can suck honie out of a flower verse 32 which a Flie cannot A spiritual man can extract good out of other mens faults and follies can gather grapes of thornes and figs of thistles The worse others are the better we should be saving our selves from an untoward generation and redeeming the time because the dayes are evil yet a little sleep Little verse 33 and yet sleeps plutaly in the Original A little he asks but a little will not serve his turne Thus he personates the sluggard speaking povertie The beggar shall catch him by the back verse 34 swiftly and irresistibly These Here begins a new Collection of Proverbs chapter XXV verse 1 long after Solomons time which some choice men of King Hezekiah likely by his appointment Copied out of some of Solomons writtings then extant or out of publike Records Registers and Commentaries wherein for their worth and wisdome they were inserted And in these Solomon most-what intreateth of higher matters of State businesse of Regal and Civil administrations to conceal Such as are verse 2 the Union of three Persons into one Nature and of two Natures into one Person his wonderful Decrees and the no lesse wonderful Execution of them c. Rom. XI 33. Deut. XXIX 29. to search out Chap. XVI 10. Job XXIX 16. 1 Kings III. 24 27. unsearchable verse 3 As the two former Jer. XXXI 37. profundum sine fundo Jer. XVII 9. 1 King IV. 29. Much more unsearchable are the deep and hidden wayes of God Rom. XI 33 34. we must adore them when we cannot comprehend them Neither must the subject think to attain to the depth of all the secret reasons and doings of a King even when he is upright and doth his dutie wicked from Chap. XX. 8. verse 5 Evil Counsellers about a King are great means of much mischief as Human Doeg Rehoboams young Counsellers Psal. CI. 4. Put not forth This is for modestie verse 6 and against ambition which useth to ride without rains Wait rather on Gods pleasure and leasure for thy promotion Psal. LXXV 5 8. better it is Luke XIV 10. verse 7 hastily Hastie men never want woe verse 8 Eccles. V. 2. chap. XXIX 20. He soone shoots his fools bolt Debate thy cause Matth. V. 25. verse 9 and XVIII 15. discover not Specialy out of a revengeful minde no nor thy friends secret All wise men will abhorre such a one as not to be trusted but to be deemed as a tale bearer or backbiter rather fitly spoken Chap. XV. 23. verse 11 Esay L. 4. Job VI. 25. Eccles. XII 10. as apples of gold put in cases of silver cut-work with curious inlayings and interlacings a wise reprover Chap. IX 9. verse 12 Touch some never so gently yet like the nettle it will sting you Exod. II. 14. Prov. XIII 18. But an obedient eare deserves such earings of gold as diamonds in a diademe as wel as the wise reprover that rightly orders and circumstantiates his words messenger Verse 25. verse 13 and chap. XIII 17. His speed and trustiness revives and refresheth the longing and languishing minds of them that sent him Job XXXIII 23. of a false gift As the
by Jeremiah And was after executed in the reigne of Zedekeih when the Messengers of those neighbouring Kings verse 3. came to Zedekiah to congratulate him in the Beginning of his reigne or to sollicit him to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar in the fourth year of his reigne chap. XXVIII 1 10. Or otherwise Jehojakim in chap. XXVII v. 1. must by errour of the Scribe be crept in for Zedekiah mentioned againe v. 12. which thing in all Copies may not be admitted He shall be called The Lord our Righteousness chap. XXIII 6. She shall be called The Lord our Righteousnesse chap. XXXIII 16. The Lord is our Righteousnesse Iehojakim is made King by Pharaoh Necho and paies to him the tribute imposed 2 Kings XXIII 31 32 34 35. slaies Uriah the Prophet Ier. XXVI 20 23. And in the third or fourth year of his reigne and first of Nebuchadnezzar he was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar as Jeremie foretold chap. XXV 1 11. And he served him three years 2 Kings XXIV 1. In which time he burnes the Book written by Baruc from the mouth of Jeremie chap. XXXVI After rebels against Nebuchadnezzar And at last after that 2 Kings XXIV 2. he is taken by him and bound in fetters to be carried to Babylon 2 Chron. XXXVI 6. But dying by the way his dead body is cast out and he buried with the burial of an Asse as Jeremie foretold chap. XXII 18 19. and XXXVI 30. And so he slept with his fathers 2 Kings XXIV 6. Zedekiah saw with his eyes the eyes of the King of Babylon But not Babylon it self where yet he should die in captivity Having his eyes put out by Nebuchadnezzar at Ribla Jer. XXXII 4 5. and LII 10 11. Ezek. XII v. 13. and XVII 16. In the first year of Zedekiahs captivity and nineteenth of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuzaradan came in the fifth moneth seventh day unto Jerusalem and after two dayes preparation and taking order about it on the tenth day burnt the Temple Kings house and all the great mens houses Or began to burne them on the seventh day which fire continued burning and came to its height or end on the tenth day Jer. LII 12. 2 Kings XXV 8. Jewes carried capives into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in his I. Year and third or fourth moneth of Jehojakim Daniel and his three Companions and others And part of the Vessels of the Temple Jer. XXV 1. Dan. I. 1 6. VII Year and eleventh and last of Jehojacin 3023. Persons And it seemes more Vessels of the Temple Jer. LII 28. 2 Chron. XXXVI 7. VIII Year with Jehojakim men of might and apt for warre 10000. out of all Jerusalem and 1000. Smyths and more Vessels of the Temple and cut them in pieces 2 Kings XXIV 13 14 16. 2 Chron. XXXVI 10. And at that time Mordecai Ester II. 5 6. And Ezekiel who calls it his Deportation Ezek XXXIII 21. and XL. 1. XVIII and XIX years and last of Zedekiah He carried away Zedekiah and 832. persons And all the rest of the Vessels of the Temple great and small And by Nebuzaradan the Captaine of the Guard burnt the Citie of Ierusalem and the Temple brake down the Walls slew Serajah the High Priest and the second Priest and twelve other principal men and sixty others brought to him to Ribla by Nebuzaradan Ier. LII 11 29. 2 Kings XXV 8 21. 2 Chron. XXXVI 17 18 19. XXIII Year and fifth of Zedekiah's captivity by the aforesaid Nebuzaradan 745. Ier. LII 30. This was after the murder of Gedaliah Their number at their Returne out of the Captivity was farre greater Ezra II. 64 65. Neh. VII 66 67. Leopard Or rather an Ounse chapter XIII verse 23 or Cat-a-mountaine I am weary with repenting God repents chapter XV verse 6 see Gen. VI. 6 7. and in many other places But this is not properly Repentance such as is in man Man Repents with trouble of minde and conscience for some fault or out of ficklenesse or through some oversight or impotence In which respects God cannot Repent Num. XXIII 19. 1 Sam. XV. 29. Mal. III. 6. Iames I. 17. But he is said to Repent improperly And so this and other Humane Passions in some semblance are ascribed to him improperly for our better apprehension And thus God is said to Repent when he doth as men use to do when they Repent 1 Sam. XXV 33 34. When he undoeth what he had done before revoketh a doome that he had passed before stayeth the execution of a Sentence that formerly he had denounced withholdeth the punishment denounced against sinne when the Persons repent of the evil of sinne So Iudg. X 13. 15 16. 1 Kings XXI 21 27 29. Ionah Iâ—I 10. Ier. XVIII 8 10. and XLII 10. Psal. CVI. 45. The end being thus accomplished for which the doome was denounced Without which Repentance in man God will not Repent of his purposed punishment Esay XIV 24 27. Ier. IV. 28. Zech. VIII 14. Thus Repentance in man produceth this kinde of Repentance in God Man Repenting changeth his minde will and act But God Repenting willing this change in man altereth the act His minde and purpose abiding still the same Ier. XX. 16. Shallum This seemes to be the same with Jehoachaz chapter XXII verse 11 and Johanan 2 Kings XXIII 30. 1 Chron. III. 15. And that Shallum named 1 Chron. III. 15. seemes to be another from this Shallum as being reckoned distinctly the fourth sonne of Iosiah and haply dying before his father Iosiah See the Observations on 2 Kings XXIII 31. Branch Is taken for the Messias And so chapter XXIII verse 5 chap. XXXIII 15. and Zech. III. 8. and VI. 12. Esay IV. 2. XI 1. Yet that King Esay XXXII 12. and XXXIII 17. seemes properly and immediately to be understood of Ezekiah of Christ only Typicaly And that Esay VIII 18. and XLIX 1. and chap. LXI 1. of Esay partly but of Christ principaly As likewise that Esay XLIX 1. And that Esay VIII 8. Of Esay literaly of Christ figuratively Heb. II. 14. And againe Esay XLII 1. of Christ principaly of Cyrus Typicaly That Esay XLI 2. of Cyrus only Many speeches of the Prophets concerning themselves and others who were Types of Christ are in the New Testament applied to Christ being one way and in one maner verified of them and another way and in another maner also many times fulfilled in him And so those words 2 Sam. VII 14. compared with 1 Chron. XXII 10. and Heb. I. 5. And those Heb. II. 13. Yea in diverse Prophecies some Particulars agree to the Type and not to the Truth as Psal. XXII 6. and XL. 12. Some to the Truth and not to the Type as Psal. XVI 10. with Acts II. 29. and XIII 36 37. Or to the Type in one sense to the Truth in another so in those Psalmes wherein David is a Type of Christ as Psal. II. and XVI and XXII and those in which Solomon as Psal. XLV and LXXII Christ is called the Branch because springing up
as a bud or sprout from the root of Jesse Esay XI 1 10. And so from David Apoc. V. 5. and XXII 16. Psal. CXXXII 11 17. Acts XIII 23 32. called the Righteous Branch in this Text and chap. XXXIII 15. springing from a withered stock and stump sprouting at first in a mean and despicable maner Esay XXXIII 2 3 4. Yet after branching out beautifully retaining its verdure perpetualy spreading and growing flowering and flourishing to all eternity Dan. II 44 45. A man See the Annotations on Esay II. chapter XXX verse 6 9. uncles sonne Sonne omitted in the Original chapter XXXII verse 12 haply for brevity fake as well knowne to be supplied out of verse 7. preceding As likewise the word Sister seemes to be omitted 2 Sam. XXI 8. And the word Brother Verse 19. of that Chapter Funeral Burnings chapter XXXIV among the Heathen were of the dead bodies But among the Jewes not of the bodies but of sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the Art of the Apothecaries burned in the Tombe where the embalmed body was to lie 2 Chr. XVI 14. This was denied to the wicked King Jehoram 2 Chron. XXI 19. yet granted here to Zedekiah in Babylon And that burning of the Flesh of Saul and his sonnes 1 Sam. XXXI 12. was a case extraordinary and as their present condition and that exigent seemed to require when they cut the calf in twaine chapter XXXIV verse 18 c. The maner of making Covenants whence the Hebrew phrase is to Cut a Covenant that is from the right of Cutting a beast in twaine sometime for Sacrifice sometime for Feasting and the Covenanters passing through betweene the Parts of it implying it seemes and that by way of execration Themselves to be alike cut in sunder in case of violating the Conditions of the Covenant Matth. 24. 51. Though some make the Cutting to relate to the strict and exact cutting out of Articles agreed upon for mutual performance by both parties Gen XV. 9 10 17. Deut. XXIX 12. Of Covenants see more betweene man and man and betweene God and man Gen. IX 9 17. Gen. XXI 27 32. and chap. XXVI 28 31. and chap. XXXI 44 55. Exod. XXIV 4 8. Deut. V. 2 3. whence the two tables are called the Tables of the Covenant and the Ark the Ark of the Covenant And the Tabernacle The Tabernacle of the Covenant the Book of the Law the Book of the Covenant Josh. XXIV 24 25 26 27. Neh. IX 38. 1 Sam. XVIII 3 4. and XXIII 18. 1 Kings V. 12. and XX. 34. 2 Kings XI 17. and XXIII 3. Ezra X. 3. Esay LIX 21. Jer. L. 5. And God promises to make a New Covenant with his people Jer. XXXI 31 32 33 34. cited Heb. VIII 8 9. which yet is not simply New in regard of the substance of it for the maine matter and substance of the former Covenant is there verse 33. And Gen. XVII 7. Deut. XXVI 17 18. and XXIX 13. And both Covenants ratified by the blood of the Messias But as Love is called a New Commandment John XIII 34. So this a New Covenant in that it is ratified by the death of our Saviour exhibited in that the Doctrine of the Gospel is now more fully and clearly revealed in that this runneth wholly upon the spiritual and celestial Blessings in that the Ceremonials are removed and the more Spiritual Service substituted for it in that it is more generaly dilated and enlarged to all Nations in that a large measure of Spiritual Gifts and efficacie of the Spirit is now vouchsafed in that the continuance of it without change is to be to the end of the world hath sworne by himself Having no greater to swear by chapter LI verse 14 Heb. VI. 13. So Gen. XXII 16. Jer. XXII 5. Amos VI. 8. By his soul So is the Hebrew in this text and chap. LI. 14. By the excellency of Jacob Amos VIII 7. By his Holinesse Amos IV. 2. And againe the Forme of his Oath is thus expressed As I live Heb. I. live so Jer. XXII 24. and XLVI 18. Ezek. V. 11. And I live for ever Deut. XXXII 40. So men use to swear The Lord liveth Jer. IV. 2. and V. 2. As the Lord liveth that made us this soul Jer. XXXVIII 16. Gods oath shall undoubtedly be fulfilled Psal. CX 4. and CXXXII 11. Heb. VI. 17 18. Of Oaths see more in the Annotations on Hos. IV. 15. and Gen. XXIV 3. carried away captive chapter LII verse 28 Five captivities into Babylon are mentioned in Scripture Lamentations THese are not those of Jeremie for Josiah 2 Chron. XXXV 25. No more then those were for him Ezek. XIX 1 14. which indeed were commanded to be taken up by Ezekiel for Jehoachaz and Jehojakim But these were written by Jeremie in the time of the Babylonish captivity after the Temple of the Lord and Citie of Jerusalem were burnt and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar Lamenting here those more then lamentable miseries As the whole Matter and Contents of this Book doth declare And particularly that very passage it self chap. IV. 20. which is appliable properly to King Zedekiah and not to King Josiah The LXX and Jerome doth expresse this very time in the beginning of the Book it self These Lamentations are full of Pathetical expressions And for the weight of the Matter and the Help of Memorie The first second and fourth Chapters do containe twenty two verses apiece according to the number of the Letters of the Hebrew Alphabet and do begin each verse with one of them in their order methodicaly And chap. III. contains 66. verses treble the former number And begins each three of them with one letter of the Hebrew Alphabet in the order methodicaly The last Chapter only is without this Art Many Signes of Lamentations are expressed here Which from hence and other Scriptures may more fully be gathered thus Sighing Mourning mournful Songs weeping howling Fasting changing of the garments mourning women Ier. IX 17. 2 Chron. XXXV 25. Amos V. 16. rending of the Cloathes wearing black and sack cloth sitting on the ground and keeping silence lying prostrate upon the ground sitting lying covering rowling wallowing in ashes in dust and ashes casting up dust ashes earth upon them and their heads spreading and wringing the hands laying the hands upon the head smiting with the hand stamping with the feet hanging down the head uncovering the head and bare and againe in some ages the covering the head covering head and face too as our close mourners covering the upper lip bare-foot shaving the head and beard making baldnesse plucking off the haire beating the breast printing marks upon the flesh tearing it cutting it Amongst other places see these viz. Lam. II. 10. and III. 16. Lev. X. 6. and XIII 45. and XIX 27 28. and XXI 5 10. Deut. XIV 1. Iosh. VII 6. 1 Sam. IV. 12. 2 Sam. I. 2. and XIII 19. and XIV 2. and XV. 30 32. and XIX 4. 2 Chron. XXXV
Esay XXX 4. a Prime Citie in Egypt taking likely its name from Tahpenes Queene of Egypt 1 Kings XI 19 20. Seated not farre from Pelusium whence termed by the Greeks and Latines Daphnae Pelusiacae See Jer. II. 16. Here Jâ—remy was chap. XLIII 8. Ezek. XLVIII 8 22. In this Visionary Description The Portion or holy Oblation of Land for the Priests and the Sanctuary for the Levites for the Citie and Suburbs for the Prince was all at most no greater or biger then the several Portions for each of the other Tribes And therefore in that Draught of mine set forth by my learned and industrious friend Master Thomas Fuller in his Pisgah-sight of Palestine V. Book page 189. I desire to be rightly so understood and no otherwise The said Draught is represented there in a far larger Proportion But the only Reason was That so there might be roome enough for the setting down of the several Situations and Limits among themselves of the Priests Portion and of the Sanctuarie in the midst of it And of the Levites Portion by themselves And of the Citie Jerusalem and Suburbs of it by themselves And of the Princes Portion lying and guarding as it were all the former at both Ends East and West The true quantity of all this in relation to the other Tribes being no other then I have formerly expressed Daniel DANIEL was carried Captive in the first year of Nebuchadnezzar and the third or fourth of Jehojakim Dan. I. 1 6. And at this time began the Babylonian Monarchy and the Jewes Subjection or Captivity which lasted seventy years Daniel living and young was so famous for Prayer and Piety That in the thirteenth or fourteenth year of his Captivity He is matched with Noah and Job Ezek. XIV 14. And in the eighteenth or nineteenth year He is held such an unparallel'd patterne for Wisdom That the King of Tyre who thought himself so wise above others is taunted in these words Behold thou art wiser then Daniel Ezek. XXVIII 2. His Book begins with his own Captivity reacheth to our Saviours time Dan. IX 25. And ends a while after with the final Destruction of the Temple and Citie of Jerusalem by the Romanes Dan. IX 27. Daniels Prophecies stretch not beyond Daniels owne People the Jewes Some reckon the times thus seventy years in the Babylonish captivity or subjection to Babylon seventy years seven times or seven weeks of years that is four hundred and ninety years thence to our Saviours death And fourty thence to Jerusalems Destruction and the end of the Jewes Common-wealth in all six hundred years But others rather upon more likely grounds extend the number of years to a great summe His Book is Historical in the first six Chapters Prophetical in the rest The Language of it is Chaldee from chap. II. v. 4 to chap. VIII A little Arabique being intermixt in the sixth Chapter Because as some conceive the matters contained in those Chapters mostwhat concerne the Chaldeans and were things known to them or at least such as no danger by the knowledge of them accrued to the Jewes In all the rest before and after it is Hebrew the Churches dialect and treasure And yet here are sometimes some kinde of concealments from the Hebrews themselves in the darkest Visions chap. VIII 26. and chap. XII 4. The Chapters in Daniel fall within the reigns of several Kings Thus In the reign of Nebuchadnezzar in his I. Year Chapter I. V. Year Chap. II. VI. Year most likely Chap. III. XXXV Year Chap. IV. Belshazzar in his I. Year Chap VII III. Year Chap. VIII Last year Chap. V. Darius in his first year Chapters VI. and IX Cyrus in his third year first moneth Chapters X. and XI and XII So that in the Order of the Chapters there is this Transposition That the seventh and eighth Chapters as now they stand numbered and placed in order of time go before the fifth and sixth Chapters And for the matter of some Chapters Those Prophetical Dreames and Visions Chap. II. and IV. and VII and VIII and XI seeme mostwhat to expound one another falling so oft upon the same matters lesse or more and going over them or some of them still Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian is the Golden Head Chap. II. the Tree Chap. IV. the Lion Chap. VII The Mede and Persian is the Breast and Armes of silver Chap. II. the Beare Chap. VII the Ram Chap. VIII and Chap. X. 1 13 20. and Chap. XI 1 2. The Grecian Alexander is the Belly and Thighs of Brasse Chap. II. the Leopard Chap. VII the he-Goat Chap. VIII and Chap. X. 20. and Chap. XI 3 4. The Grecian divided chiefly into the Seleucide and Lagide are the Legs of iron and Feet part of iron and part of clay chap. II. The fourth Beast chap. VII and the Kings of the North and of the South chap. XI Daniel having his suit denied by the Prince of the Eunuchs makes his addresse to his Steward and prevails chap. I. 10 11. That second year Dan. II. 1. is not of Cyrus the last word of the former chapter But of Nebuchadnezzar Nor of his Reigne or Monarchy either But in his reigne as the Hebrew distinctions in the Context seeme to import Namely the second year after the three years of Daniels education were past and he brought in to stand before the King which falls in with the fifth year of Nebuchadnezzars reigne and Daniels Captivity and with the eighth or ninth of Jehojakim In the second year in Nebuchadnezzars reigne Nebuchadnezzar had this Dreame and Daniel was then sought for to be slaine with the rest of the Wisemen and Magicians That huge Image of gold though hollow within as the two brazen Pillars were Jer. LII 21. which was set up to be worshipped Dan. III. seems to be soone after the former Dreame and before Jehojacins Captivity Being Daniels three companions only newly advanced are accused and no other Jewes for not worshipping it and committing such grosse and open Idolatry That Dreame and Vsion of the Great Tree chap. IV. being when Nebuchadnezzar was at rest after all his Victories chap. IV. 4. And flourishing in his Palace after his conquest of Egypt which was in the twenty seventh year of Jehojacins Captivity Ezek. XXIX 17 20. seemes to be some thirty years after the former Dreame chap. II. and in the thirty fifth year of Nebuchadnezzars owne reigne and Daniels Captivity A year after this Dreame he fell mad chap. IV. 29. and continued so seven years verse 16 25 3. even so long as Solomons Temple was in building which he destroyed And about two years after his restoring to his wits and Kingdome v. 26 34 36. in the fourty fourth or fourty fifth year of his reigne and thirty seventh of Jehojacins Captivity he died Jer. LII 31. Evilmerodach the sonne of Nebuchadnezzar in the first year of his reign advanced Jehojacin 2 Kings XXV 27 30. Jer. LII 31 34. Belshazzar the grandchilde of Nebuchadnezzar was the