the tribe of Benjamin Gibeon with her suburbs Geba with her suburbs 18 Anathoth with her suburbs and * 1 Chron. 6. â—…0 Alemeth Almon with her suburbs four cities 19 All the cities of the children of Aaron the priest were thirteen cities with their suburbs 20 ¶ And the families of the children of Kohath the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath q Oveâ—… and above those of them who were Priests even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim 21 For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim to be a city of refuge for the slayer and Gezer with her suburbs 22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs and Beth-horon with her suburbs four cities 23 And out of the tribe of Dan Eltekeh with her suburbs Gibbethon with her suburbs 24 Aijalon with her suburbs Gath-rimmon with her suburbs four cities 25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh r To wit that half which dwelt in Canaan by comparing this with v. 27. Tanach with her suburbs and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs two cities 26 All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained 27 ¶ And unto the children of Gershon of the familites of the Levites out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs to be a city of refuge for the slayer and Beeshterah with her suburbs two cities 28 And out of the tribe of Issachar Kishon with her suburbs Dabareh with her suburbs 29 Jarmuth with her suburbs En-gannim with her suburbs four cities 30 And out of the tribe of Asher Mishal with her suburbs Abdon with her suburbs 31 Helkath with her suburbs and Rehob with her suburbs four cities 32 And our of the tribe of Naphtali Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs 〈◊〉 a city of refuge for the slayer and Hammoth-dor with her suburbs and Kartan with her suburbs three cities 33 All the cities of the Gershâ—… according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs 34 ¶ And unto the families of the children of Merari the rest of the Levites out of the tribe of Zebulun Jokneam with her suburbs and Kartah with her suburbs 35 Dimnah with her suburbs Nahalal with her suburbs four cities 36 And out of the tribe of Reuben Bezer s A City of Refuge as it is called Ios. 20. 8. and therefore needless to he here repeated with her suburbs and Jahazah with her suburbs 37 Kedemoth with her suburbs and Mephaath with her suburbs four cities 38 And out of the tribe of Gad Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs to be a city of refuge for the slayer and Mahanaim with her suburbs 39 Heshbon with her suburbs Jazer with her suburbs four cities in all 40 So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families which were remaining of the families of the Levites were by their lot twelve cities 41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities t Qu. Why hath this Tribe which was the least of all more Cities than any of them Answ. First It doth not appear that they had more for though all the cities of the Levites be expressed it is not so with the other Tribes but divers of their Cities are omitted as is evident Secondly The Levites were confined to their Cities and Suburbs the rest had large Territories belonging to their Cities which also they were in a capacity of improving which the Levites were not so that one of their Cities might be more considerable than divers of the Levites Thirdly God was pleased to deal liberally with his Ministers partly to put honour upon those whom he foresaw many would be prone to despise and partly that being free from all outward distractions they might more intirely and fervently devote themselves to the service of God and the instruction of Souls with their suburbs 42 These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them thus were all these cities 43 ¶ And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land u He gave them the right to All and the actual Possession of the greatest part of it and power to Possess the rest as soon as it was needful and convenient for them which was by degrees when their numbers were increased c. Exod. 23. 29 30. and the absolute dominion of all the people remaining in it which he sware to give unto their fathers and they possessed it and dwelt therein 44 And the LORD gave them rest round about according to all that he sware unto their fathers and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them x To wit all the days of Ioshua by comparing Ios. 1. 5. for afterwards it was otherwise with them the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand 45 ‡ Chap. 21. 44 〈◊〉 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel all came to pass CHAP. XXII THen Joshua called the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh 2 And said unto them Ye have kept * Num. 32 20. 〈◊〉 â—… 18. all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you 3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days a i. e. For divers years together so long as the War lasted See Jos. 11. 18. and 14. 10. unto this day but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God 4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren as he promised them therefore now return ye and get ye unto your tents b i. e. To your settled habitations as appears from v. 8. which are oft called Tents as Iudg. 19. 9. 2 Sam. 18. 17. Hos. 9. 6. Mal. 2. 12. and unto the land of your possession ‡ Numb 32. 〈◊〉 Chap. 13. â—… which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan 5 But take diligent heed c Watch over your selves and all your actions to do the commandment and the law d Two words expressing the same thing the Law of Commandments delivered by Moses which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you * Deut. 10. 12. to love the Lord your God and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cleaye unto him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul e With the whole strength of your Minds and Wills and Affections 6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them away and they went unto their tents 7 ¶ Now to the one half of the Tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents then he
6. of the congregation with singing until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem and then they waited on their office according to their order s Which David had appointed by the Spirit as it follows in this Book 33 And these t To wit Heman here mentioned and Asaph v. â—…9 and Ethan v. 44. are they that †Heb. stâ—…od waited with their children of the sons of the Kohathite Heman a singer the son of Joel the son of Shemuel u Or Samuel the Prophet 34 The son of Elkanah the son of Jeroham the son of Eliel the son of ‖ Ver. 26. Nahâ—…th Toah 35 The son of ‖ or Zophai Zuph the son of Elkanah the son of Mahath the son of Amasai 36 The son of Elkanah the son of ‖ Ver. 24. Shaul Uzziah Uriel Joel the son of Azariah the son of Zephaniah 37 The son of Tahath the son of Assir the son of * Exod. 6. 24. Ebiasaph the son of Korah 38 The son of Izhar the son of Kohath the son of Levi the son of Israel 39 And his brother x Asaph is here called Hemans Brother both by birth being of the same Tribe and Father Levi and by his Office and Employment which was the same with his Asaph who stood on his right hand even Asaph the son of Berechiah the son of Shimea 40 The son of Michael the son of Baasiah the son of Melchiah 41 The son of Ethni the son of Zerah the son of Adajah 42 The son of Ethan the son of Zimmah the son of Shimei 43 The son of Jahath the son of Gershom the son of Levi. 44 And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand Ethan y Called also Ieduthun 1 Chron. 9. 16. 2 Chron. 35. 15. and in the Titles of divers Psalms the son of ‖ Or Kushajah Ch. 15. 17. Kishi the son of Abdi the son of Malluch 45 The son of Hashabiah the son of Amaziah the son of Hilkiah 46 The son of Amzi the son of Bani the son of Shamer 47 The son of Mahli the son of Mushi the son of Merari the son of Levi. 48 Their brethren also the Levites z Such of them as had no skill in Singing were otherwise employed were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God 49 But a Having mentioned the Work and Employment of the High-Priests he briefly rehearseth the Names of the Persons who successively performed it Aaron and his sons offered * Lev. 1. 9. upon the altar of the burnt-offering and * Exod. 30. 7. on the altar of incense and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy and to make an atonement for Israel according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded 50 And these are the sons of Aaron Eleazar his son Phinehas his son Abishua his son 51 Bukki his son Uzzi his son Zerahiah his son 52 Merajoth his son Amariah his son Ahitub his son 53 Zadok his son Ahimaaz his son 54 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts of the sons of Aaron of the families of the Kohathite for theirs was the lot b Or this Lot or Portion which here follows Or the first Lot as appears by the sequel 55 And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah and the suburbs thereof round about it 56 But the fields of the city and the villages thereof they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh 57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities c Or out of the Cities the Hebrew eth being put for meeth as hath been oft noted of Judah namely Hebron the city of refuge and Libna with her suburbs and Jattir and Eshtemoa with their suburbs 58 And ‖ Or Holon Josh. 21. 15. Hilen with her suburbs Debiâ—… with her suburbs 59 And ‖ Or Ain Josh. 21. 16. Ashan with her suburbs and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs 60 And out of the tribe of Benjamin Geba with her suburbs and ‖ Or Almon Josh. 21. 18. Alemeth with her suburbs and Anathoth with her suburbs All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities d Whereof 11. are here numbred and two more added to them Ios. 21. 13. 61 And unto the sons of Kohath which were left e Over and above the Priests who were of the same Family of Kohath and Tribe of Levi. of the family of that tribe were cities given out of the half tribe namely out of the half tribe of Manasseh * Josh. 21. 5. by lot ten cities f Or by lot with a full Point for there the Sense ends All their Cities were ten cities as it is expresly said Ios. 21. 26. Those words all their cities were are to be understood out of the former Verse which is not unusual in the Holy Scripture And so this sacred Writer explains himself v. 66 c. where eight of these Cities are named whereof onely two are taken out of this half Tribe of Manasseh v. 70. the other two being named Ios. 21. 21 c. where these things are more plainly and fully declared 62 And to the sons of Gershom g Understand here cities were given which is also understood v. 61 and expressed v. 64. throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar and out of the tribe of Asher and out of the tribe of Naphtali and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan thirteen cities 63 Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot throughout their families out of the tribe of Reuben and out of the tribe of Gad and out of the tribe of Zebulun * Josh. 21. 7 34. twelve cities 64 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites h i. e. To the Tribe of Levi consisting of Priests and other Levites these cities i Which are numbred or named in this Chapter with their suburbs 65 And they gave k To wit to those Levites of the Family of Kohath who were Priests as appears both by v. 57 c. where the Cities given to the Aâ—…ronites are said to be taken out of the Tribes here named even out of Iudah under which Simeon is comprehended because his Lot lay within that of Iudah and Benjamin and by the next Verse where the other Kohathites who were not Priests are called the Residue of the Families of the Sons of Kohath by way of distinction from those of them to whom this v. 65. relates by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin these cities which are called by their names l Which are expressed by their Names above v. 57 c. 66 And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts m Or of their borders i.
before the congregation CHAP. XXI THen a When the whole Land was distributed unto the several Tribes but not actually possessed by them which was the proper season for them to put in their claim came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites b The Fathers of the Levites were Kohath Gershom and Merari and the heads of these were the chief persons now alive of these several Families unto Eleazar the priest and unto Joshua the son of Nun and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel 2 And they spake unto them * Chap. 〈◊〉 at Shiloh in the land of Canaan saying ‡ Numb 〈◊〉 The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in with the suburbs thereof for our cattel 3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites c It seems most probable that they gave to the Levites promiscuously such Cities as God commanded and that the Lot appropriated them to their several Houses or Families out of their inheritance d i. e. Out of their several Possessions partly that the burden and loss might be equally divided and principally that the Levites being dispersed among the several Tribes according to Iacobs Prediction Gen. 49. 7. might more easily and frequently and effectually Teach the Israelites Gods Law and Iudgments which they were engaged to do Deut. 33. 10. and that the People might upon all occasions resort to them and require the meaning of the Law at their mouths Mal. 2. 7. at the commandment of the LORD these cities and their suburbs e Not only the use but the absolute Dominion of them as is manifest both from v. 11 12. where a distinction is made between the City and Suburbs of Hebrâ—… and the Fields and Villages thereof and the former are given to the Levites the latter to Caleb and from the return of these Cities in the Iubilee unto the Levites as to their proper owners Levit. 25. 33 34. 4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites and the children of Aaron the priest which were of the Levites had * See Châ—… 33. by lot out of the tribe of Judah and out of the tribe of Simeon and out of the tribe of Benjamin f Which three Tribes were nearest to the Temple where their business lay thirteen cities g For though the Priests were now few enough for one City yet respect was to be had to their succeeding numbers this division being made for all future Generations And seeing the Levites might sell their Houses until the Iubilee Levit. 25. 33. much more might they Let them and therefore it is probable their Cities were not very long uninhabited many being inclined to dwell with them by vertue of relations contracted with them or dependance upon or expectation from them or oâ—… of respect to the Service of God and the good of their Souls 5 And the rest of the children of Kohath h Who were not of Aarons Family or Priests but Levites onely had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim and out of the tribe of Dan and out of the half tribe of Manasseh i Which Tribes are nearest to the three former and so the Kohathites are placed next to their Brethren the Aaronites ten cities k Fewer than they gave out of the three former Tribes because their inheritance was no less than the former See Numb 35. 8. 6 And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar and out of the tribe of Asher and out of the tribe of Naphtali and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan thirteen cities 7 The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben and out of the tribe of Gad and out of the tribe of Zebulun twelve cities 8 And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs k Of which see on Numb 35. 2. as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses 9 ¶ And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon l These are mentioned together because the Cities of Siâ—… lay within Iudah's Portion these cities which are here ‡ 〈◊〉 mentioned 〈◊〉 name 10 Which the children of Aaron being of the families m i. e. Of the family the Plural Number for the Singular which is not unusual of the Kohathites who were of the children of Levi had for theirs was the First lot 11 And they gave them ‖ Or Kiriathâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…3 2. the city of Arbah the father of Anak which city is Hebron in the hill â—…ntrey of Judah with the suburbs thereof round about it 12 But ‡ Chap. 14. 14. 1 〈◊〉 6. 56. the fields n i. e. All beyond the 2000 Cubits expressed Numb 35. 5. This is here mentioned not as his peculiar case but as one â—…ment Instance to shew that it was so in all the rest of the Cities here named that the Fields and Villages thereof still belonged to the several tribes from whom the Cities and their Suburbs were taken and to make the rest of the Israelites more contentedly and chearfully resign so great a part of their Possessions to the Levites because even Caleb did so though his Possession had been long before promised and now actually given to him by Gods special command as a mark of honour and compensation for his long and faithful Service of the city and the villages thereof gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession 13 ¶ Thus they * 1 Chro. 6. 57. gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs to be a city of refuge for the slayer and Libnah with her suburbs 14 ¶ And Jattir with her suburbs and Eshtemoa with her suburbs 15 And * 1 Chr. 6. 58. 〈◊〉 Holon o Called Hilen 1 Chron. 6 58. as Iuttah here is called Ashâ—… 1 Chron. 6. 59. and Kibzaim called Iokmeam 1 Chron. 6. 6â—… and so some others the names of the places being changed by length of time and upon special occasions as was frequent among the Jews Though their Doctors add that some of these places here mentioned being now in the Canaâ—…tes Possession and not speedily recovered from them there were others put in their stead with her suburbs and Debir with her suburbs 16 And * 1 Chro. 6. 59 â—…shan Ain with her suburbs and Juttah with her suburbs and Bethshemesh with her suburbs nine cities out of those two tribes â—…â—…in here and Gibeon v. 17. and some others here named are not named 1 Chron. 6. either because they were destroyed in some of those Hostile Invasions and Wars wherewith their Land was grievously harassed and wasted before that time or they appear there under other Names as was said 17 And out of
to distribute x To the Priests and Levites to whom they were appropriated by God the oblations of the LORD and the most holy things y To wit the remainders of the Free-will-offering Levit. 2. 3 10. The Sin-offering and Trespass-offering Levit. 6. 18 22. 7. 1. and the Shew-bread Levit. 24. 9. 15 And †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hand next him were Eden and Minjamin and Jeshua and Shemajah Amariah and Shecaniah in * Josh. 21. the cities of the priests z Who were intrusted with the Receiving and Distributing of the several Portions belonging to the Priests who abode in their several Cities whilest their â—…rethren came up to Jerusalem in their ‖ Or 〈◊〉 set office to give to their brethren by courses as well to the great as to the small 16 Beside their genealogy of males from three years old and upward a To whom a Portion of these things was allotted as is here implied even unto every one that entreth into the house of the LORD b That were capable of entring thither and doing Service there which they were at twenty years old as is expressed here v. 17. 1 Chron. 23. 24. Through the whole Company of the Priests and Levites his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses 17 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers and the Levites ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 from twenty years old and upward in their charges by their courses 18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones their wives and their sons and their daughters through all the congregation c This is alledged as a Reason why their Wives and Children were provided for out of the Holy things because they sequestred themselves from worldly Affairs by which they might otherwise have provided for their Families and intirely devoted themselves to Holy Administrations for in their ‖ 〈◊〉 set office they sanctified themselves in holiness 19 Also the sons of Aaron the priests which were in * 〈◊〉 25. 34. 〈◊〉 35. 2. the fields d Who are opposed to those that lived in or resorted to the great City Jerusalem of the suburbs of their cities in every several city the men that were expressed by name to give portion to all the males among the priests and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites 20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God 21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God and in the law and in the commandments to seek his God he did it with all his heart and prospered CHAP. XXXII 1 AFter * 〈◊〉 18. 13 〈◊〉 these things and †〈◊〉 36. â—… c. â—… Heb. tâ—…is the establishment thereof a An Emphatical Preface signifying that notwithstanding all his Pious Care and Zeal for God yet God saw fit to Exercise him with a fore Trial and Calamity which yet he turned to his great Honour and Advantage Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entred into Judah and encamped against the senced cities and thought †〈◊〉 Gr. 〈◊〉 31. 20. â—… Heb. 〈◊〉 break 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to win them for himself b He designed and bragged that he would win them all and did actually win many of them 2 King 18. 13. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come and that †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 face 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was purposed to sight against Jerusalem 3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains c With Earth or other things cast into them and withal to derive the Waters by secret Paths and Pipes under ground to Jerusalem which were without the city and they did help him 4 So there was gathered much people together who stopt all the fountains and the brook that †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ran through the midst of the land saying Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water d Which was a scarse Commodity in this Country and the want of it might much annoy the Assyrian Army 5 Also * 〈◊〉 22. 9. he strengthened himself and built up all the wall that was broken e By Joash ch 25. 23. and not since repaired 2 Chron 25. 23. and raised it up to the towers f Either 1. As high as the Towers or the tops of the Wall Or 2. As far as the two Towers or Gates which were made in the Form of Towers and had the use of Towers to wit that of Ephraim and the Corner-Gate both mentioned above ch 25. 23. Or brought up Engines or Instruments of Defence upon the Towers and another wall without and repaired * 2 Sam. 5. 9. Millo g Of which see 1 King 9. 24. 11. 27. in the city of David and made ‖ Or swords or weapons darts and shields in abundance 6 And he set captains of war over the people and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city and †Heb. spake to their heart spake comfortably to them saying 7 Be strong and couragious be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria nor for all the multitude that is with him for * 2 Kin. 6. 16. there be mo with us than with him 8 With him is an * Jer. 17. 5. arm of flesh but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battels And the people †Heb. leaned rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah 9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem h Of this and the following Verses see the Notes on 2 King 18. 17. c. and 19. 10 c. but he himself laid siege against Lachish and all his †Heb. â—… mâ—…n power with him unto Hezekiah king of Judah and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem saying 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria Whereon do ye trust that ye abide ‖ Or in the strong hold in the siege in Jerusalem 11 Doth not Hezekiah perswade you to give over your selves to die by famine and by thirst saying The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria 12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem saying Ye shall worship before one altar and burn incense upon it 13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand 14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed that could deliver his people out of mine hand that your God should be able to deliver you out of
for us then shall he redeem that which his brother sold. 26 And if the man have none to redeem it †Heb. his 〈◊〉 hath attained and found sufficiency and himself be able to redeem it 27 Then let him count the years of the sale thereof m i. e. From the time of the sale to the Jubilee See above ver 15 16. and restore the overplus n i. e. A convenient price for the years from this Redemption to the Jubilee unto the man to whom he sold it that he may return unto his possession 28 But if he be not able to restore it to him then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubile and in the jubile it shall go out and he shall return unto his possession o i. e. Out of the buyers hand without any Redemption mony 29 And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold within †Heb. dayes 1 Sam. 1. 3 and 27. 7. a full year may he redeem it 30 And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations it shall not go out in the jubile p The reason is from the great difference between such houses and lands The reasons before alledged for lands do not hold in such Houses there was no danger of confusion in Tribes or Families by the alienation of Houses The seller also had a greater propriety in Houses than in Lands as not coming to him by Gods meer gift but being commonly built by the owners cost and diligence and therefore had a fuller power to dispose of them Besides God would hereby encourage persons to buy and possess Houses in such places which frequency and fulness of Inhabitants in Cities was a great strength honour and advantage to the whole Land 31 But the houses of the villages q Because they belonged to and were necessary or very convenient for the management of the lands which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country †Heb. 〈◊〉 belongeth unto it they may be redeemed and they shall go out in the jubile 32 Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites and the houses of the cities of their possession may the Levites redeem at any time 33 And if ‖ Or one of the Levites redeem them a man purchase of the Levites then the house that was sold and the city of his possession shall go out r Or thus But he that shall redeem it shall be or must be of the Levites i. e. No person of another Tribe though by Marriage near akin to the selling Levite shall redeem it but Levites onely and any of them shall have the same power to redeem it which in other Tribes onely the nearest kindred have and in case none of them redeem it yet the house that was sold and the City of his possession i. e. his share or interest in the City of his possession shall go out and return to the Levites without any redemption in the year of jubile for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel 34 But the field of the suburbs of their cities s Of which see on Numb 35. 5. may not be sold t Not sold at all partly because it was of absolute necessity for them for the keeping of their Cattle and partly because these were no enclosures but common fields in which all the Levites that lived in such a City had an interest and therefore no particular Levite could dispose of his part in it Some conceive that this Law was altered in ensuing ages which they gather from Ier. 32. 7 8. c. and Act. â—… 36 37. But those examples do not prove it That sale of Ieremiahs was made by a particular dispensation and command of God and that in a time when the Levites as well as the people were to be destroyed or dispersed and carried into captivity and therefore could receive no considerable injury by it and besides this sale was onely made formally and for signification as it is explained ver 14 15. And for the land sold by Barnabas a Levite Act. 4. as it was at a time when the Jewish Church was dissolved and their state upon the brinks of utter ruine so it is not evident that it was such Suburb land which would have yielded but a small price but it might be other land either such as he might have in right of his wife or such as he might have purchased For though the Levites in general had no other share of land beside this allotted them by God yet it is conceived that particular Levites might purchase lands to themselves for it is their perpetual possession 35 And if thy brother be waxen poor and †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fallen in decay u Heb. his hand 〈◊〉 or faileth or is decayed so that he hath not power to get or keep wealth as the phrase is Deut. 8. 18. as on the contrary when a man is able his hand is said to attain and find sufficiency as here above ver 26. with thee then thou shalt †Heb. 〈◊〉 relieve him x Heb. strengthen him comfort his Heart and strengthen his Hand yea though he be a stranger or a sojourner y Understand it of Proselytes onely for of other strangers they were permitted to take usury Deut. 23. 20. that he may live with thee 36 * Exod. 22. 25. Deut. 23. 19. Prov. 28. 8. Ezek. 18. 8. and 22. 12. Take thou no usury of him z i. e. Of thy brother whether he be Israelite or Proselyte or increase a This some conceive relates to the fruits of the earth food c. as 〈◊〉 doth to mony But here may rather feem to be two words expressing the same thing to meet with the subtil evasions of crafty and covetous men who make gain of their poor brethren for of such onely he speaks here as is evident from ver 36. by the lending of mony or other things and that they may quiet their consciences and palliate their sin they disguise it under other names and to shew that all kinds of usury are in this case forbidden whether of mony or of victuals or of anything that is commonly lent by one man to another upon usury or upon condition of receiving the thing lent with advantage and overplus as it is said Deut. 23. 19. but * Nehem. 5. 9. fear thy God that thy brother may live with thee 37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury nor lend him thy victuals for increase 38 I am the LORD your God which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt to give
thee and to thy seed with thee 20 And the LORD spake unto Aaron Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land r i. e. In the land of the children of Israel mentioned ver 19. You shall not have a distinct and separate portion of land as the other tribes shall The reason of this law was partly because God would have them wholly devoted to and employed in his service and therefore free from worldly encumbrances and businesses partly because God had abundantly provided for them otherwise by tithes and first-fruits and oblations of all sorts partly because God would have their worldly comfort and happiness depend singly upon him and his service and so would oblige them to use more zeal and diligence in the advancement of piety even for their own interest which was either better or worse as true religion flourished or decayed See Iudg. 17. 9 10. and 19. 18. 2 Chron. 13. 9. and 30. 22. and 31. 4. partly that this might be a firm bond of hearty love and affection between the people and their teachers the Levites who as they performed religious services for the people so they received their subsistence from them and partly that by this means being dispersed among the several tribes they might have the better opportunity for teaching and watching over the people which was their duty Deut. 33. 10. 2 Chron. 30 22. Mal. 2. 4 5 6 7. neither shalt thou have any part among them * Deut. 1â—… â—… 12. 12. 〈◊〉 2. Josh. 13. 14 33. Ezek 〈◊〉 28. I am thy part s i. e. I have appointed thee a liberal maintenance out of my oblations and thine inheritance among the children of Israel 21 And behold * Lev. 27. 32. I have given the children of Levi all the tenth t For the tithes were all given to the Levites and out of their tithes the tenth was given to the Priests here ver 26 c. and Neh. 10. 37 38. in Israel for an inheritance for their service which they serve eveâ—… the service of the tabernacle of the congregation 22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation u i. e. So nigh as to do any act proper to the Priests or Levites lest they bear sin †Heb. to 〈◊〉 and die 23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and they shall bear their iniquity x i. e. The punishment due not onely for their own but also for the peoples miscarriage if it be committed through their connivance or negligence And this was the reason why the Priests withstood their King Uzziaâ—… when he would have burnt incense to the Lord 2 〈◊〉 26. 17 18. it shall be a statute for ever throughout their generations that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance 24 But the tithes of the children of Israel which they offer as an heave-offering unto the LORD y i. e. As a rent-charge or an acknowledgment that they have and hold all their lands and the fruits of it from Gods bounty Note that the word heave-offering which is for the most part understood of a particular kind of offerings heaved or lifted up to the Lord is here used for any offering in general as before ver 8. I have given to the Levites to inherit therefore I have said unto them Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance 25 And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 26 Thus speak unto the Levites and say unto them When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance then ye shall offer up an heave-offering of it for the LORD even a tenth part of the tithe 27 And this your heave-offering shall be reckoned unto you as though it were the corn of the threshing-floor z It shall be accepted of you as much as if you offered it out of your own lands and labours and as the fulness of the wine-press 28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave-offering unto the LORD of all your tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel and ye shall give thereof the LORDS heave-offering to Aaron the priest a And to his children which were one with him and were all to have their share herein 29 Out of all your gifts b Not onely out of your tithes but out of the other gifts which you receive from the people and out of those fields which shall belong to your cities ye shall offer c To wit to the Priest every heave-offering d i. e. As many gifts so many heave-offerings you shall reserve a part out of each of them for the Priest of the LORD of all the †Heb. â—…at best thereof even the hallowed part thereof e This may describe either 1 the nature and proportion of this offering and so peradventure he means the tenth part which was the part or proportion that God hallowed or sanctified to himself as his proper portion both here and elsewhere or 2. the reason or ground of this offering because it is a thing hallowed or appropriated by God to himself and given by him to the Priest and because the payment of this due doth hallow all the rest so as they may use it with comfort and good conscience as it follows ver 31 32. out of it 30 Therefore thou shalt say unto them When ye have heaved the best thereof from it then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshing floor and as the increase of the wine-press 31 And ye shall eat it in every place f i. e. In every clean place and not in the holy place onely ye and your housholds for * 1 Tim. 5. 18. it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation 32 And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it when ye have heaved from it the best of it g Implying that if they neglected this duty they sinned in the use of such unhallowed food * Lev. 22. 15 16. neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel h As you will do if you abuse their holy offerings by reserving that intirely to your selves which they offer to God to be disposed as he hath appointed to wit part to you and part to the Priests lest ye die CHAP. XIX 1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 2 This is the ordinance of the law a Or The constitution of the Law i. e. that which God hath ordained or established by Law which the LORD hath commanded saying speak unto the children of Israel that they bring thee b At their common charge because it was for the common good a red c A fit colour to shadow forth both the bloody nature and complexion of sin Isa. 1. 8. and the humane nature and
in Ios. 15. 3. may seem distinguished into two places Hezron and Addar which here are united because peradventure they were contiguous or joyned together Or the village of Addar and so this is the same place called Addar Ios. 15. 3. and for Hezron that may be another place here omitted and there supplied for more exactness and pass on to Azmon k Which is at the West end of the mount of Edom. 5 And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt l Called Sihon Ios. 13. 3. which divided Egypt from Canaan See Gen. 15. 18. and the goings out of it shall be at the sea m The midland sea called the sea emphatically whereas the other seas there as they are called are indeed but lakes 6 And as for the western border ye shall even have the great n The midland sea from the South to the North so far as runs parallel with mount Libanus sea for a border this shall be your west-border 7 And this shall be your north border from the great â—…ea ye shall poinâ—… oâ—… for you moâ—… Hâ—…r o Not that Hor where Aaron died Numb 20. 22. which was Southward and bordering upon Edom Numb 33. 37 38. and therefore could not be their northern border but another mountain and as it is conceived the mountain of Libanus which is elsewhere mentioned as the Northern border of the land and which in regard of divers parts or by divers people is called by divers names as Sirion and Senir Deut. 3. 9. and Sion Deut. 4. 48. and Hermon Ios. 13. 5. and here Hor which signifies a mountain and this may be called so by way of eminency Certain it is that as Hor here so Hermon Ios. 13. 5. is joyned with the entrance of Hamath which makes it probable they are one and the same place 8 From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath p Called Hamath the great Amos 6. 2. which is among the Northern borders Ezek. 47. 16 17. See Gen. 10. 15 18. Numb 13. 21. Iudg. 3. 3. 1 King 8. 65. and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad 9 And the border shall go unto Ziphron and the goings out of it shall be at Hazar-enan this shall be your north-border 10 And ye shall point out your east-border from Hazar-enan to Shepham 11 And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east-side of Ain and the border shall descend and shall reach unto the †Heb. shoulder side of the sea of Chinnereth q Of this name we have a city Ios. 19. 35. and a country Ios. 11. 2. 1 King 15. 20. and a Sea or Lake here and Ios. 12. 3. and 13. 27. which in the New Testament is called the sea of Genesareth Luk. 5. 1. and of Galilee and of Tâ—…otrias Ioh. 6. 1. eastward 12 And the border shall go down to Jordan r i. e. All along the river of Iordan even to the end of it which is the eastern border and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about 13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel saying This is the land which they shall inherit by lot which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes and to the half tribe 14 * chap. 32. 33. Josh. 14. 2 3. For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers have received their inheritance and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance 15 The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward toward the sun-rising 16 And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 17 These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you * Josh. 14. 1. and 19. 51. Eleazar the priest s Who was to act in Gods name to cast lots to prevent differences and contentions to consult with God in cases of difficulty to transact the whole business in a solemn and religious manner and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe to divide the land by inheritance 19 And the names of the men are these of the tribe of Judah t The order of the Tribes is here differing from that Numb 1 7 26. and in other places being here as also Ios. 16. and 17. and 18. and 19. conformed to the order of their several inheritances which afterwards fell to them by Lot Which is an evident demonstration of the infinite wisdom of Gods providence and of his exact and peculiar care over his people Caleb the son of Jephunneh 20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon Shemuel the son of Ammihud 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin Elidad the son of Chisbon 22 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan Bukki the son of Jogli 23 The prince of the children of Joseph for the tribe of the children of Manasseh Hanniel the son of Ephod 24 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim Kemuel the son of Shiphtan 25 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun Elizaphan the son of Parnach 26 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar Paltiel the son of Azzan 27 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher Ahihud the son of Shelomi 28 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali Pedahel the son of Ammihud 29 These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan CHAP. XXXV 1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho saying 2 * Josh. 14. 3 4. and 21. 2. Command the children of Israel that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them 3 And the cities shall they have to dwell in and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattel a For pasturage for their cattel where they might not build houses nor plant gardens orchards or vineyards no nor sow corn for which they were abundantly provided out of the first-fruits and tithes And these suburbs did not belong to the Levites in common but were distributed to them in convenient proportions as may appear from Ios. 21. 18. 1 Chron. 6. 60. and for their goods and for all their beasts 4 And the suburbs of the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about b Obj. In the next verse it is two thousand How do these agree Ans. 1. The LXX Interpreters read both here and ver
5. two thousand cubits whence some suppose this to be an errour in the Hebrew Text which being in a matter neither concerning faith nor good manners is not prejudicial to the authority of the holy Scriptures Ans. 2. The one thousand cubits may be in length from the city and the two thousand cubits in breadth on each side of the city and so they well agree for a line of a thousand cubits being drawn in length eastward and another westward and another northward and another southward a line drawn at a thousand cubits distance from the city from east to west must needs contain two thousand cubits and so must the other line from north to south and so on every side of the city there must be two thousand cubits Ans. 3. This verse and the next do not speak to the same thing this speaks of the space or place from whence the suburbs shall be measured the next verse speaks of the space unto which that measure shall be extended and the words may very well be read thus And the suburbs shall be so it is onely an ellipsis of the verb substantive which is most frequent and the meaning is shall be taken or accounted from the wall of the city and from that particle being supplied oâ—… understood from the foregoing words which is very usual without it or from the outward parts of it which being a general and indefinite expression is limited and explained by the following word even from a thousand cubits round about Which are mentioned not as the thing measured for as yet there is not a word of measuring but as the term or space from which the measuring line should begin And then it follows ver 5. And ye shall measure from without the city not from the wall of the city as was said before ver 4. but from without it i. e. from the said outward part or space of a thousand cubits without the wall of the city round about on the east-side two thousand cubits c. So in truth there were three thousand cubits from the wall of the city whereof one thousand probably were for out-houses stalls for cattel gardens vineyards and olive-yards and the like and the other two thousand for pasture which are therefore called the field of the suburbs Lev. 25. 34. by way of distinction from the suburbs themselves which consist of the first thousand cubits from the wall of the city 5 And ye shall measure from without the city on the east-side two thousand cubits and on the south-side two thousand cubits and on the west-side two thousand cubits and on the north-side two thousand cubits and the city shall be in the midst this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities 6 And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be * â—…eut 4. 41. â—… 20. 2. 〈◊〉 21. 3. 21. six cities for refuge c Or or receit or escape or resort to wit for man-slayers And these cities are assigned among the Levites partly because they might be presumed to be the most proper and impartial Judges between man-slayers and wilful murderers partly because their presence and counsel and authority would more effectually bridle the passions of the avenger of blood who might pursue him thither and partly to signifie that it is onely in Christ whom the Levitical Priests did represent that sinners find refuge and safety from the destroyer The names of these Cities we have Deut. 4. 41 43. Ios. 2â—… 8. which ye shall appoint for the man-slayer d Such as is here described ver 11 15 22 23. that he may flee thither and †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to them ye shall add forty and two cities 7 So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities them shall ye give with their suburbs 8 And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel * â—…ap 2â—… 54. from them that have many ye shall give many e Compare Numb 33. 54. Ios. 20. 2. but from them that have few ye shall give few Every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inâ—… he inheriteth 9 And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 10 Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them * 〈◊〉 19. 2. 〈◊〉 2â—… 2. when ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan 11 Then * 〈◊〉 21. 13. ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you that the slayer may flee thither which killeth any person †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at unawares f i. e. Not wilfully designedly or maliciously but inconsiderately through mistake or indiscretion or carelessness See Levit. 4. 2. 12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger g To wit of the party sâ—…ain or of blood as it is fully expressed below ver 19 25. Heb. from the redeemer or from the next 〈◊〉 to whom by the law belonged the right of redemption of the lands of and vindication of the injury done to the person acceased that the man-slayer die not h i. e. Be not killed by the avenger meeting him in some other place until he stand before the congregation i i. e. Before the society or convention of Judges or Elders who were appointed in every City for the decision of criminal causes who were 23 who were to examine the matter and that publickly before the people whether the murder was wilful or casual Quest. In what City was this cause to be tried Answ. Some say in the City of refuge others say in the City in or near which the fact was committed It seems to me it was done in both at first in the City of refuge as is manifest from Ios. 20. 4. but if that trial and sentence did not satisfie the avenger of blood it was fully and finally determined in the other City as is sufficiently evident both by comparing this place with ver 25. and Ios. 20. 6. and from the usual and most reasonable course of Justice which is that facts should be examined as far as may be in or near the places where they were committed and where the witnesses and evidences were at hand in judgment k Or for judgment i. e. to receive sentence there according to the nature of the fact 13 And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge 14 Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan l Because that Land was as long as Canaan though not so broad and besides these might be convenient for many of them that lived in Canaan and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan which shall be cities of refuge 15 These six cities shall be a refuge both for the children of Israel and for the stranger m Not the proselyte onely but all strangers
but did not precisely fix all the bounds of it but these might be either enlarged or diminished according to the greater or smaller number of the Tribes Numb 26. 53 56. and 33. 54. and that by the direction of those persons mentioned v. 1. and Iosh. 17. 14. 18. as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine tribes and for the half tribe 3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and a half tribe on the other side Jordan but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them 4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes e i. e. Had the double Portion or the Portion of two Tribes 1 Chron. 5. 1 2. and therefore though Levi was excluded there remained nine Tribes and a half as was said v. 2. to be provided for in Canaan Manasseh and Ephraim therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land save cities to dwell in with their suburbs for their cattel and for their substance 5 * Numb 35. 2â—… As the LORD commanded Moses so the children of Israel did and they divided the land f They i. e. the persons named v. 5. who represented and acted in the name of the Children of Israel divided it either now or presently after which is here spoken by Anticipation 6 ¶ Then g Either 1. at that time when Ioshua and the rest were consulting about the division of the Land though they did not yet actually and fully divide it Or 2. when Ioshua and himself and the Israelites were proceeding in their Conquests and were going against Hebron Iosh. 10. 36. which Expedition there mentioned in a general manner may be particularly described in this Chapter and Iosh. 15. 13 14. But the former seems more probable because this was done when Ioshua was in Gilgal and not when he was pursuing his enemies the children of Judah came h Not so much to intercede for Caleb which was not needful for Ioshua especially in a thing already promised by God but only to justifie and countenance him in his desire unto Joshua in Gilgal i Where the division of the land was designed and begun though it was executed and finished at Shiloh Iosh. 18. 1 c. and Caleb the son of Jephunneh k So he is called here and 1 Chron. 4. 15. to difference him from Caleb the Son of Hezron 1 Chron. 2. 18. the Kenezite l Of the Posterity of Kenaz of whom see Iudg. 1. 13. 1 Chron. 4. 13 15. said unto him Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses m In general the gracious and comfortable promise he made us of possessing this land and in particular for my part that which is expressed here v. 9. the man of God n Whose words therefore thou art obliged to make good concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea 7 Forty years old was I o See on Iosh. 11. 18. when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh barnea to espy out the land and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart p I spake my opinion sincerely without flattery and fear when the other Spies were blassed by their own fears and the dread of the people to speak otherwise than in their Consciences they believed as appears from Numb 13. 30 31 32. and 14. 36. 8 Nevertheless * Numb 13. 31 32. my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt but I wholly * Numb 14. 24. followed the LORD my God q Which self-commendation is justifiable because it was necessary as being the ground and foundation of his Petition 9 And Moses sware on that day saying Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance r See Numb 14. 24. Deut 1. 36. and thy childrens for ever because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God 10 And now behold the LORD hath kept me alive as * Numb 14. 30. he said these forty and five years s Whereof 38. years were spent in the Wilderness and seven since they came into Canaan even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses while the children of Israel †wandred in the wilderness ‡ Heb. walked and now lo I am this day fourscore and five years old 11 * Eccles. 46. 9. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me as my strength was then even so is my strength now for war t Not only for Counsel but for Action for marching and fighting And therefore this gift will not be cast away upon an unprofitable and unserviceable person both to go out and to come in u To perform all the Duties belonging to my place 12 Now therefore give me this mountain x i. e. This mountainous Countrey in which was Hebron Iosh. 11. 21. and 20. 7. and Debir and Anab. He names the Countrey rather than the Cities either 1. because the Giants here following were already driven out of their Cities but yet abode in their Caves or Holds in the mountains whence they much molested the Israelites Or 2. because the Cities were given to the Levites Iosh. 21. 11 13. whereof the LORD spake in that day for thou heardest y i. e. Didst understand both by the Reports of others and by thy own observation as I also did Hearing the sense by which we get knowledg is oft put for knowing or understanding as Gen. 11. 7. and 42. 23. 2 King 18. 26. in that day how the * Numb 13. 28 32 33. Anakims were there and that the cities were great and fenced if so be the LORD will be with me z A modest and humble and pious Expression signifying both the absolute necessity of Gods help and his godly fear lest God for his sins should deny his Assistance to him as he might justly do for although he was well assured in general that God would crown his people with success in this War yet he might doubt of his particular success in this or that Enterprize then I shall be able to drive them out z A modest and humble and pious Expression signifying both the absolute necessity of Gods help and his godly fear lest God for his sins should deny his Assistance to him as he might justly do for although he was well assured in general that God would crown his people with success in this War yet he might doubt of his particular success in this or that Enterprize as the LORD said a Out of their Fastnesses where they yet remain Caleb desires this difficult work as a Testimony of his own Faith and as a Motive to quicken and encourage his Brethren to the like attempts 13 And Joshua blessed him b Either 1. prayed to God to bless and help him according to his own desire Or 2. acknowledged his praise-worthy Carriage in the matter of the Spies and
the children of Abiezer and for the children of Helek and for the children of Afriel and for the children of Shechem and for the children of Hepher and for the children of Shemida these were the male-children i This expression is used to bring in what follows concerning his Female Children of Manasseh the Son of Joseph by their families 3 But * Numb 26. â—…3 and 27. 1. â—…nd 36. 2. Zelophehad the son of Hephir the son of Gilead the son of Machir the son of Manasseh had no sons but daughters k Of whom see on Numb 26. 33. and 27. 1. and these are the names of his daughters Mahlah and Noah Hoglah Milcah and Tirzah 4 And they came near before Eleazar the priest and before Joshua the son of Nun and before the princes saying The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he l i. e. Eleazar or Ioshua with the consent of the Princes appointed for that work gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father 5 And there fell ten portions m Either 1. Six portions for the six Sons whereof one was Hepher and because he had no Sons his part was subdivided into five equal parts for each of the Daughters Or 2. Ten Portions five for the Sons and five for the Daughters for as for Hepher both he and his Son Zelophehad was dead and that without Sons and therefore he had no Portion but his Daughters had several Portions allotted to them to Manasseh beside the land of Gilead and Bashan which were on the other side Jordan 6 Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons n i. e. No less than the Sons so their Sex was no bar to their Inheritance and the rest of Manassehs sons had the land of Gilead 7 ¶ And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah that lieth before Shechem and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of En-tappuah 8 Now Manasseh had the land of Tappuah but the city of Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim 9 And the coast descended unto the ‖ Or Brook of Reeds river Kanah southward of the river * Chap. 16. 9. these cities of Ephraim o Tappuah and the cities upon the Coast descending to the River c. last mentioned are among the cities of Manasseh p i. e. Are intermixed with their Cities which was not strange nor unfit these two being linked together by a nearer Alliance than the rest the coast of Manasseh also was on the north-side of the river and the out-goings of it were at the sea 10 Southward it was Ephraims and northward it was Manassehs and the sea is his border q Either 1. Manasseh's whose portion is here described and whose Name was last mentioned Or 2. Ephraim's and Manasseh's both expressed in the foregoing words and implyed in the following they and they met together in Asher r i. e. Upon the Tribe of Asher for though Zabulon came between Asher and them for the greatest part of their Land yet it seems there were some Necks or Parcels of Land both of Ephraim's and of Manasseh's which jutted out farther than the rest and touched the borders of Asher And it is certain there were many such incursions of the Land of one Tribe upon some parcels of another although they were otherwise considerably distant one from the other See Ios. 19. 34. And you must not judg of these things by the present Maps which are drawn according to the Opinions of late Authors which many times are false and they are to be judged by the Scripture and not the Scripture by them But that part of Manasseh did reach to Asher appears from hence that Dor a City of Manasseh v. 11. was as Iosephus witnesseth near Carmel which belonged to Asher Jos. 19. 26. on the north s and in Issachar on the east 11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher t Either 1. Bordering upon them as in Asher is taken v. 10. and as Aarons Rod is said to be in the Ark i. e. close by it Heb. 9. 4. or 2. Properly in them as Ephraim had some Cities in the Tribe of Manasseh Jos. 16. 9. and as it was not unusual when the place allotted to any Tribe was too narrow for it and the next too large to give away part from the larger to the less portion nay sometimes oâ—…e whole Tribe was taken into another as Simeon was into Iudah's Portion when it was found too large for Iudah Jos. 19. 9. Beth-shean and her towns and Ibleam and her towns and the inhabitants of Dor u Not the places onely but the people whom contrary to Gods Command they spared and used for Servants whom therefore they are said to have or possess and her towns and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns even three countreys x This may be referred either to some to wit the three last places or to all the places named in this verse which are here said either to have three Countreys or Tracts of Land belonging to them or to be in three several Countreys or Portions as they seem to have been some in Issachar and some in Asher and yet both belonging to Manasseh Or the words may be rendred the third part of that Countrey for the Hebrew word is of the Singular Number and the Article seems emphatical and so the meaning may be That the Cities and Towns here mentioned are a third part of that Country i. e. of that part of Issachars and Ashers Portion in which those places lay 12 Yet * â—…udg 1. 〈◊〉 the children of Manasseh could not y drive out the inhabitants of those cities but the Canaanites would dwell z Were resolved to Fight rather than he turned out of their ancient habitations in that land q See on Ios. 15. 63. 13 Yet it came to pass when the children of Israel were waxen strong that they put the Canaanites to tribute but did not utterly drive them out a Which they were obliged to now they were strong and numerous enough to possess those places 14 And the children of Joseph b i. e. Of Ephraim and Manasseh as is manifest partly from v. 17. where it is so explained and partly because they mention it as an unreasonable thing that they being two should have but one Lot spake unto Joshua c i. e. Expostulated with him when they went and saw that Portion which was allotted to them and found it much short of their expectation saying Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion d Either 1. Because they really had but one Lot which afterwards was divided by the Arbitrators between them Or 2. Because the Land
others 21 And she said Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother u By the Father's side whom Brotherly Affection and Relation obligeth thee to gratifie at least in small things to wise 22 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother And why doest thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah ask for him the kingdom also x His Design is not upon Abishag but upon the Kingdom which by this means he thinks to recover partly because she was the last Kings Wife or Concubine which might strengthen his Pretence to the Crown See 2 Sam. 3. 7. and 12. 8. and 16. 21. and partly because by her eminent Beauty and near Relation to David she had a powerful Interest in the Court Quest. Was not this too harsh a Censure and the following Punishment of it too severe Answ. 1. That Adonijah had such a Design is very probable both from his Temper for he was an aspiring and Designing Man and highly discontented with Solomon's Government and desirous of a Change and from the nature of the thing because he would not have made so daring and presumptâ—…ous a Request if he had not some great Design in it 2. It is very likely from the following words though not expressed that he and Ioab and Abiathar were engaged in some Design against Solomon and that Solomon had got Information of it and therefore he did and might reasonably take this for an Indication and the first overt-act of his Treason 3. Solomon did not Pardon Adonijah s Treason simply and absolutely but upon condition that he carried himself worthily Chap. 1. 52. and this being confessedly a bold and unworthy Action and arguing more considence and presumption than became him and carrying in it the appearance and intention of an Incestuous Marriage he might justly revive his Guilt and take this occasion to Execute the Sentence which he formerly deserved If it be said That it is very improbable that Adonijah should expect to get the Kingdom from Solomon who was so firmly Established in it with universal Applause it may be answered That Adonijah was not the onely man that hath fed himself with vain hopes and engaged himself in high and Treasonable Designs where to other wise Men there was but little likelihood of Success and that he might now be onely laying the Foundation of what he further intended when he saw a fit time and getting a pretence for his future Attempts upon the Crown either when Solomon should lose the Peoples Affections as David had done or when Solomon should die which also Adonijah might secretly procure and hasten and he had onely Solomon's young and tender Son to contest with All which and many other things Solomon in his great Wisdom might easily discern yea or have some secret Intelligence of though it be not Recorded for he is mine elder brother y He looks upon the Kingdom as his by Nature and Birth-right and the Law of Nations and therefore he may seek to recover his own and to cast me ouâ—… as an Usarper even for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab the son of Zeruiah z Who have all an hand in the Plot though he alone appear in it which appears the more likely because of Solomon's proceeding against them all at the same time as appears in the following Verses 23 Then king Solomon sware by the LORD a Once here and again ver 24. Which he did to oblige himself irrevocably to it and to prevent all Intercessions for his Life it being of so great importance to him saying * Ruth 1. 17. God do so to me and more also if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life 24 Now therefore as the LORD liveth which hath established me and set me on the throne of David my father b Though Adonijah be my elder Brother yet I have an undoubted Right and Title to the Crown and that from the promise and appointment of that God who disposeth of all Kingdoms and especially this of Israel to whom he pleaâ—…eth and therefore Adonijah in this and his former Attempt is guilty of Treason against me and of Rebellion against God and who hath made me an house c Either 1. who hath given me Posterity as that Phrase is used Exod. 1. 21. and elsewhere for Rehoboam most probably was born before this time by comparing 1 King 14. 21. Or rather 2. who hath Established me in the House and Throne of David which he thus expresseth to signifie that God had fulfilled in and to him that Promise which he made to David in 2 Sam. 7. 11. where the same Phrase is used and where it doth not so much signifie the giving of David Posterity which he had sufficiently before that time as the settlement of the Crown in him and his Seed as he * 2 Sam. 17. 12 13. promised Adonijah shall be put to death this day d For he knew delays were dangerous in matters of that Nature 25 And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoâ—…ada e For the Execution of Justice was not then 〈◊〉 to obscure persons as now it is but to persons of great Honour and Authority See Iudg. 8. 21. 1 Sam. 22. 18. 2 Sam. 1. 15. and 4. 12. and he gell upon him f With a Sword or other Instrument of Death as below ver 32 34 46. that he died 26 ¶ And unto Abiathar the priest said the king Get thee to Anathoth g A City of the Priests Iosh. 21. 18. to lead a private life there unto thine own fields h Either that part of the Suburbs which fell to his share or other Land which he had purchased there See Ier. 32. 7. for thou art ‡ Heb. a man of death worthy of death but I will not at this time i He doth not fully Pardon him but onely forbears him and reserves to himself a liberty of Punishing him afterwards if he saw occasion which he doth to keep him in awe that he might not dare to raise or foment Discontents or Tumults among the People which otherwise he might be prone to do put thee to death because thou barest the ark of the LORD God before David my father k When he thought fit to carry it out with him as 2 Sam. 15. 24 29. 1 Chron. 15. 11 12. when he as High-priest was to attend upon it Thus Solomon sheweth his respect to his Sacred Function and because * 1 Sam. 22. 20. thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted l Here he mixeth Mercy with Justice and requires Abiathar's former kindness to David hereby reaching Princes that they should not Write Injuries in Marble and Benefits in Sand or Water as they have been too oft observed to do 27 So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD m Either from his Office or
10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel i In that part of Land in or near the City which belonged to Naboth and there shall be none to bury her And he opened the door and fled 11 ¶ Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord k To the rest of the Commanders and Officers there present and one said unto him Is all ‡ Heb. peace well l Is not this unlucky Messenger come with some ill tidings Wherefore came this mad fellow m They perceived him to be a Prophet by his habit and gestures and manner of speech And these prophane Soldiers esteemed the Lords Prophets mad men partly because of their neglect of themselves and contempt of all worldly Wealth and Honour which the wise Men of this World so greedily seek and of their strange and uncouth manner of living partly because of their Holy Exercises to which they devoted themselves which they esteemed nothing but a Religious phrenzy and partly because of those unusual and seemingly ridiculous gestures and actions which the Prophets sometimes used in raptures of Spirit or in the â—…ervours of Devotion Compare Ier. 29. 26. Ioh. 10. 20. Act. 26. 24. to thee And he said unto him Ye know the man and his communication n You rightly guess that he was a mad man and so it appears by his discourse with me which was after the manner of that sort of men vain and impertinent to tell me of my â—…ins or of my duty or such things as are not worth my speaking or your hearing 12 And they said It is false o There is something extraordinary and of great importance in his Message as we plainly perceive by his calling thee into an inner Chamber by his great expedition and by his gesture and carriage tell us now p His concealment of the thing made them more greedy to know it And he said Thus and thus spake he to me saying Thus saith the LORD I have anointed thee king over Israel 13 Then they hasted q Being well pleased with the thing partly from the advantage which hereby they expected pattly from that desire of change which is in most mens natures and principally by Gods Providence inclining their hearts to Iehu and took every man his garment and put it under him r A Ceremony used in the Eastern parts towards Superiors in token of great reverence to his Person that they would not have his Feet to touch the ground and that they put themselves and their concerns under his Feet and into his disposaâ—… See on Matth. 21. 7. on the top of the stairs s In some high and eminent place whence he might be seen and owned by all the Soldiers who were called together upon this great occasion and blew with trumpets saying Jehu ‡ Heb. reignâ—… is king 14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram Now Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead t Which Interpreters conclude to have been taken by Ioram before this time though the taking of it be not mentioned This they gather First From the mention of the inner chamber ver 2. and of the top of the stairs here Secondly From ver 15. let none go forth out of the city But these Arguments seem not to be cogent Not the former because there might be some Suburbs or out-Buildings be longing to the City or not far from it which the Israelites might have in their possession Nor the later as we shall there see And if it was taken why should all Israel be there to keep it for which a strong Garison was sufficient The words therefore may be otherwise rendred exactly according to the Hebrew Ioram had kept or did keep to wit by his Army left there or put guards or laid siege at or to for so the Particle Beth is oft used Ramoth-Gilead And therefore he had all Israel i. e. all the Military Force of Israel with him that he might both maintain the siege and withall oppose Hazael who sought to relieve it he and all Israel because of Hazael king of Syria 15 But * Chap. 8. 29. king ‡ Heb. Jehoram Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians ‡ Heb. smote had given him when he fought with Hazael u When he came with an Army either to retake the City taken by Ioram or to raise the Siege king of Syria And Jehu said If it be your minds then ‡ Heb. let â—…o escaper go c. let none go forth nor escape out of the city x Or from the City either from within the City or from before it from the Siege or Army to go tell it in Jezreel y That we may surprise him and so more easily subdue him 16 So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel z Accompanied with the Horsemen of his Army for Joram lay there z Accompanied with the Horsemen of his Army and Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram 17 And there stood a watch-man on the tower in Jezreel and he spied the company of Jehu as he came and said I see a company And Joram said Take an horseman and send to meet them and let him say Is it peace a Enquire who it is comes and if he come upon peaceable terms For he feared lest either the Syrians had prevailed there or some Sedition or Rebellion was raised against him which the example of Libnah and his own guilty Conscience made him fear 18 So there went one on horseback to meet him and said Thus saith the king Is it peace And Jehu said What hast thou to do with peace b What right hast thou or thy Master that sent thee to Peace turn thee behind me And the watch-man told saying The messenger came to them but he cometh not again 19 Then he sent out a second on horseback which came to them and said Thus saith the king Is it peace And Jehu answered What hast thou to do with peace turn thou behind me 20 And the watch-man told saying He came even unto them and cometh not again and the ‖ Or marching driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi for he driveth ‡ Heb. in madness furiously c As his temper is hasty and fierce so is his March 21 And Joram said ‡ Heb. Bind Make ready And his chariot was made ready And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out each in his chariot and they went out againt Jehu d Or to meet Iehu to know his intentions and by his presence to repress any Seditious inclinations which might be in Iehu or his followers and ‡ Heb. found met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite e In that Field which formerly belonged to Naboth part whereof was inclosed by
‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 gathered the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work that have the oversight of the house of the LORD 10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king saying Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book and Shaphan read it before the king 11 And it came to pass when the king had heard the words of the book of the law i i. e. The dreadful Comminations against them for the sins still reigning among the people Quest. Did Iosiah never see and read a Copy of this Book before this time If he did not how could he do so much towards the Reformation of Religion as he did before If he did why was he not sooner convinced and humbled by it Ans If Iosiah had not yet seen a Copy of this Book which is not impossible yet there was so much of the Law left in the minds and memories of many of the people as might easily persuade and direct him to all that he did till this time or if Iosiah had seen and read it before which seems more probable yet the great Reverence which he justly bare to the Original Book and the strange and remarkable and seasonable finding of it had very much awakened and quickened him to a more serious and diligent reading and attentive consideration of all the passages contained in it than he used before that he rent his clothes 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam the son of Shaphan and Achbor the son of Micaiah and Shaphan the scribe and Asahiah a servant of the kings k Who most constantly waited upon the Kings Person otherwise all of them were the Kings Servants saying 13 Go ye enquire of the LORD l Either what he intends to do with us or what we shall do to him to appease his wrath for me and for the people and for all Judah concerning the words of this book m Whether the Curses here threatned must come upon us without remedy or whether there be hope in Israel concerning the prevention of them that is found for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book to do according unto all that which is written concerning us 14 So Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam and Achbor and Shaphan and Asahiah went unto Huldah the prophetess n For we read of Women Prophetesses both in the Old and New Testament as Miriam Exod. 15. 20. Deborah Iudg. 4. 4. Hamah 1 Sam. 2. Elizabeth and the Blessed Virgin Luk. 1. and Philip's Daughters Act. 21. 9. Quest. But why did he send to this Woman and not rather to Zephaniah or Ieremiah who were Prophets in Iosiah's days Ans. Either First Because the Kings earnest affection in this business required great haste and she was in Ierusalem which is therefore noted in the following part of the Verse when Ieremiah might at this time be at Anathoth or in some more remote part of the Kingdom and the like may be said of Zephaniah who also might not be a Prophet at this time though he was afterward in the days of Iosiah which is all that is affirmed of him Zeph. 1. 10. Or 2. Because the King or his Courtiers had longer and greater experience of the eminency of her Prophetical Gifts than of Ieremiah's who began not to Prophecy till the thirteenth Year of Iosiah Ier. 1. 2. and being well assured of her Fidelity in delivering the Mind and Counsel of God to those that enquired of her they rightly concluded that it was much more considerable what Message God sent than by whom it was conveyed to them the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah the son of Harhas keeper of the ‡ 〈◊〉 garâ—… wardrobe now she dwelt in Jerusalem in ‖ 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 part the colledge o Where the Sons of the Prophets or others who devoted themselves to the study of God's Word used to meet and discourse of the things of God and receive the Instructions of their Teachers Others both Ancient and Modern render it in another or the second part to wit of the City i. e. in the Suburbs which also were Fortified and Walled about by Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32. 5. and they communed with her 15 ¶ And she said unto them Thus saith the LORD God of Israel Tell the man that sent you to me 16 Thus saith the LORD Behold I will bring evil upon this place and upon the inhabitants thereof even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read 17 Because they have forsaken me and have burnt incense unto other gods that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands p Gods made with hands This she adds to aggravate their folly and contempt of God in preferring such vain and idle things before him therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place and shall not be quenched 18 But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD thus shall ye say to him Thus saith the LORD God of Israel As touching the words which thou hast heard 19 Because thine heart was tender and thou hast humbled thy self before the LORD when thou heardst what I spake against this place and against the inhabitants thereof that they should become a desolation and a curse and hast rent thy clothes and wept before me I also have heard thee saith the LORD 20 Behold therefore I will gather thee unto thy fathers and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace q i. e. In a time of publick Peace and the Tranquility of thy Kingdom or so as thou shalt not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place as the following words explain it for otherwise he died in Batttel chap. 23. 29. Besides he died in Peace with God and was by death translated to everlasting Peace and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place And they brought the king word again CHAP. XXIII AND * 2 Câ—…r 34. 30. the king sent and they gathered unto him all the elders a The chief Governors both of Church and State of Judah and of Jerusalem 2 And the king went up into the house of the LORD and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him and the priests and the prophets b Either Ieremiah Zephaniah Urijah or the Sons or Disciples of the Prophets and all the people ‡ Heb. from 〈◊〉 even â—…to great both small and great and he read c He caused to be read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD 3 ¶ And the king stood by the pillar d Of which see on chap. 11. 14. and 2 Chron. 34. 31. and made a covenant before the LORD
their Inheritance with that Ios. 13. 15 16. dwelt in * Josh. 13. 15 16. Aroer even unto Nebo and Baalmeon 9 And eastward he p i. e. The Tribe of Reuben inhabited unto the entring in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates q From Iordan and the Wilderness beyond it unto Euphrates Or of the Wilderness which lies towards or reacheth to the River Euphrates namely the great Wilderness of Kedemoth Deut. 2. 26. which was extended far and wide towards Euphrates for that was the Eastern Border of Reubens Possession and not Euphrates to which their Habitation never reached because their cattel were multiplied r Which forced them to enlarge their Habitation as far as they could Eastward towards Euphrates in the land of Gilead 10 And in the days of Saul they made war s The Gadites and Marassites joyning with them in the War v. 18 19. with the Hagarites t The Ishmeelites who dwelt in Arabia the Desert who fell by their hand and they dwelt in their tents u The Israelites took possession of their Lands and Tents or Houses †Heb. upon all the face of the east throughout all the east land of Gilead x Which lay Eastward from the Land of Gilead 11 And the children of Gad who dwelt over against them in the land of * Josh. 13. 11. Bashan unto Salcah were as followeth 12 Joel the chief y The Prince of the Tribe or at least of his Family when they were numbred to wit in the days of Iotham v 17. and Shapham the next and Jaanai and Shaphat in Bashan z i. e. Who dwelt in the City of Bashan Others thus Who abode in Bashan to defend the City and Country when their Brethren went out to War against the Hagarens v. 18. 13 And their brethren of the house of their fathers were Michael and Meshullam and Sheba and Jorai and Jachan and Zia and Heber seven 14 These a These seven last named are the children of Abihail the son of Huri the son of Jaroah the son of Gilead the son of Michael the son of Jeshishai the son of Jahdo the son of Buz 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel the son of Guni chief of the house of their fathers b This Aâ—…i was the Head or Chief of the Houses or Families either 1. of those seven named v. 13 or 2. of Abdiel and Guni 〈◊〉 named and of their Fathers 16 And they c i. e. The Children or Tribe of Gad. dwelt in Gilead d i. e. In part of Giâ—… for the Reubenites and Manassites dwelt in other parts of it Deut. 3. 12 13 16. in Bashan e In the Land of Bashan as it is said v. 11. Qu. How come the Gadites to dwell in Bashan when all Bashan is expresly said to be given to the half Tribe of Manasseh Deut. 3. 13. Ios. 13. 29 30 Ans. All Bashan is put for the greatest Part of it by a Synecdoche very frequent in Scripture and all Authors and so the Gadites might possess a Part of it And thus both Bashan and Gilead are used for Parts of them Ios. 17. 1. where it is said of Machir a Manassite that he had Gilead and Bashan And as it is unquestionably true that Gilead is taken sometimes more largely for all the Land of the Israelites beyond Iordan sometimes more strictly for that part of it which Borders upon Mount Gilead of which see my Notes on Ios. 17. 1. The like may be presumed concerning Bashan and so in its strictest Sence it might be all given to the Manassites and yet in its largest â—…ence might comprehend a Part of the Land belonging to the Gadites and in her †〈…〉 towns f i. e. In some of her Cities and Towns and in all the suburbs g i. e. In its Fields and Pasture-grounds 1 Chron. 27. 29. of * Ch 2â—… 29. Sharon h Not that within Iordan Isa. 35. 2. but another without Iordan upon †〈…〉 their borders i To wit of Gilead and Bashan For Gilead properly so called or the greatest Part of it belonged to the Reubenites and Bashan or the greatest Part of it to the Manassites and so the Gadites whose Habitation was between the Reubenites and Manassites had those Parts of both their Countries which were towards their Borders Or unto their Borders i. e. as far as the Suburbs or Fields of Sharon which were last mentioned were extended 17 All these were reckoned by Genealogies in the days of * 2 Kin. 15. 5. 32. Jotham king of Judah k Who reigning long partly in his Fathers days and partly by himself 2 Kings 15. And being at leasure as to Wars or Troubles thought this a fit Season to examine the state of his People and in the days of * 2 Kin. 14. 16 28. Jeroboam l Either the second of that Name of whom see 2 Kings 13. 13 14. Oâ—… rather the first Ieroboam partly because he is called simply Ieroboam without any Addition which shews that he speaks of the most Famous of the two and partly because this Work of taking an Account of the People doth far better agree to the Times of Ieroboam the First when the Kingdom of â—…srael was first erected and established and broken off from that of Iudah when it was necessary for Ieroboam to know his own Strength and the Numbers of his People than to the Times of Ieroboam the second when the Kingdom of Israel was broken and near to its Ruine King of Israel 18 The sons of Reuben and the Gadite and half the tribe of Manasseh †Heb. sons of valour of valiant men men able to bear buckler and sword and to shoot with bow and skilful in war were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore that went out to the war 19 And they made war with the Hagarites with * Gen. 25. 15. Ch. 1. 31. Jetur and Nephish and Nodab m i. e. With the Posterity of Ietur c. who were Ishmeelites appears from Gen. 25. 15. 20 And they were helped against them n To wit By God v. 22. who gave them extraordinary Courage and Success and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand and all that were with them o Their Friends and Allies in this War for they cried to God in the battel and he was intreated of them because they pâ—…t their trust in him 21 And they †Heb. led captive took away their cattel of their camels fifty thousand p For Camels were very numerous in Arabia being used in War and for Burdens c. and being very patient of thirst and therefore most fit for those hot and dry Countries and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand and of asses two thousand and of †Heb. soulâ—… of men as Num. 31. 35. men an hundred thousand q Whom they took
the Land in Hebron but let us break up the Assembly and disperse our selves and send far and near about this Work It is a Metaphor from the Sea or Rivers which when the Banks are broken do suddenly overflow the whole adjoyning Country unto our brethren every where that are left e By which word he minds them of the great Desolations and Destructions which God for their sins had hitherto made among them and therefore adviseth that Remnant whom God had so graciously saved in and from those dreadful Ruines that they would more seriously set themselves to seek God than they had formerly done in all the land of Israel and with them also to the Priests and Levites which are †Heb. in the cities of their 〈◊〉 in their cities and suburbs that they may gather themselves unto us 3 And let us †Heb. bring about bring again the ark of our God to us for we enquired not at it f The Ark was then neglected and the generality of the People either lived in the gross neglect of the solemn Worship of God or contented themselves with going to Gibeon and offering Sacrifices there not caring though the Ark the Soul of the Tabernacle was in another place in the days of Saul g So it was in the days of Samuel but it is rather charged upon Saul than him partly because Samuel was exercised with continual Wars or expectation of Wars with the Philistins all the time of his Regency and therefore wanted the Opportunity to bring back the Ark which Saul had and neglected partly because Samuel took care to stir up and maintain Religion among them by other Means and in an extraordinary manner whereas this was but one Branch of Sauls Impiety and was joyned with a contempt of all Religion as the History of his Life shews and partly because it was more proper to accuse himself and the present Generation who were guilty of this neglect than to rake into the Ashes of their deceased Progenitors and lay his Charge against those who were dead and gonâ—… some good while since 4 And all the congregation said that they would do so for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people h Their Consciences smiting them for their former negligence and being fully convinced of the Piety and Reasonableness of this Proposition 5 So * 1 Sam. 7. 1. 2 Sam. 6. 2. David gathered all Israel i i. e. All the chosen Men of Israel as it is phrased 2 Sam. 6. 1. their Elders and Representatives together from Shihor of Egypt k Of which see Numb 34. 5. Ios. 13. 3. 1 Chron. 13. 5. even unto the entring of Hemath to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim 6 And David went up and all Israel to * 〈◊〉 1â—… 9 60. Baalah that is to Kirjath-jearim l Which Explication is justified by Ios. 15. 9. 60. where the same City is called by both Names Obj. They are said to go from this Baale 2 Sam. 6. 2. Ans. 1. Some Learned Men render that Place also to Baale the particle Mem being sometimes used for to amongst the Hebrews and especially amongst the Arabians 2. Both were true they first went to Baale for the Ark as is here said and then went from Baale to bring or to carry for the word signifies either or carrying from thence the Ark of God as is there related But of this and other difficulties or differences between these two Relations see the Notes on 2 Sam. 6. which belonged to Judah to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD that dwelleth between the cherubims whose Name is called on it m. 7 And they †Heb. made the ark to ride carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart 8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might and with †Heb. sorgâ—… singing and with harps and with psalteries and with timbrels and with cymbals and with trumpets 9 And when they came to the threshing-floor of ‖ Called Nachâ—…n â—… Sam. 6. 6. Chidon Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark for the oxen ‖ Or sâ—…ok it stumbled 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza and he smote him * Numb 4. 15. because he put his hand to the ark and there he died before God 11 And David was displeased because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza wherefore that place is called ‖ That is breâ—…ch oâ—… Uâ—…a Perez-uzza to this day 12 And David was afraid of God that day saying How shall I bring the ark of God home to me 13 So David †Heb removed brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite 14 And the ark of God remained with the samily of Obed-edom in his house three months And the LORD blessed * As Ch. 26. 5. the house of Obed-edom and all that he had CHAP. XIV 1 NOw * 2 Sam. 5. 11 c. Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David and timber of cedars with masons and carpenters to build him an house 2 And David perceived a By the Remembrance of Gods Promise and his Providence complying with it c. But of this and the following Verses see the Notes on 2 Sam. 8. 12 c. where the same History is related that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel for his kingdom was lift up on high because of his people Israel 3 And David took †Heb. yet mo wives at Jerusalem and David begat mo sons and daughters 4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem Shammua and Shobab Nathan and Solomon 5 And Ibhar and Elishua and Elpalet 6 And Noga and Nepheg and Japhia 7 And Elishama and ‖ Or Eliaâ—…a 2 Sam. 5. 16. Beliada and Eliphalet 8 And when the Philistins heard that * 2 Sam. 5. 17. David was anointed king over all Israel all the Philistins went up to seek David and David heard of it and went out against them 9 And the Philistins came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim 10 And David enquired of God saying Shall I go up against the Philistins and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand and the LORD said unto him Go up for I will deliver them into thine hand 11 So they came up to Baal-perazim and David smote them there Then David said God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters therefore they called the name of that place ‖ That is a place of breaches Baal-perazim 12 And when they had left their gods there David gave a commandment and they were burnt with fire 13 And the Philistins yet again spread themselves abroad in the ‖ Or that valley
contented himself with the Worship of the Calves and did not practise that great Idolatry which his Predecessors had used and therefore would patiently suffer the breaking of these Images of Baal and the things belonging to them which is all that was done at this time 2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses every man according to his service the priests and Levites for burnt-offerings and for peace-offerings to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD b i. e. Within the Gates of the House of the Lord which is here called tents partly because all Houses are oft so called as Iudg. 19. 9. 20. 8. Psal. 69 25. And partly because the Host of the Lord to wit the priests and Levites frequently so called encamped there and kept their Stations and Orders there by course 3 He appointed also the kings portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings c Which had hitherto been and were to be taken out of the Treasures of the Temple which were collected from the People 1 Chron. 26. 20. Nehem. 10. 32 33. but that he might ease them in their present Poverty which his Predecessor had brought upon them and engage them to a more chearful attendance upon Gods Service he took the Burden upon himself to wit for the morning and evening burnt-offerings and the burnt-offerings of the sabbaths and for the new moons and for the set feasts as it is written in the * Numb 28. 29. law of the LORD 4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD d i. e. Freed from worldly Cares and Distractions and enabled to give up themselves entirely to the serious Study of Gods Law in which many of them were ignorant and to the Instruction and Direction and quickning of the People in their several Duties 5 And as soon as the commandment †Heb. brake forth came abroad e Either 1. As soon as the Report of this Command of the King v. 4. was got abroad into other parts Or 2. as soon as the King enlarged and extended that Command to all the Parts of his kingdom which v. 4. was confined to them that dwell in Jerusalem the children of Israel brought in abundance the first-fruits of corn wine and oil and ‖ Or dates honey f Or Dates as the Hebrew Writers generally and many other Learned Hebricians understand this word which is given to them because of the Sweetness of their Tast in some sort resembling Honey For the Law requires no Tithes but of the Fruits of Trees or of the Earth or of Beasts and of all the increase of the field and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly 6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah that dwelt in the cities of Judah they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep g They brought in not onely the same Tithes which the Dwellers in Jerusalem did to wit of corn and wine and oil c. which they had in their own Storehouses in that City but also Oxen and Sheep which were more proper to the Country For under the Cities of Iudah are comprehended the Suburbs and Territories adjacent and belonging to them as is evident from the Nature of the thing and the Law of God and the * Lev. 27. 30. Deut. 14. 28. tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God h This may be taken either 1. By way of Explication even the Tithe of Holy things c. Or rather 2. By way of Addition the Tithe of all Holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord whether by Vow or voluntary Promise or otherwise as the Tithes of Gains by Merchandise or Spoils of War c. of which see Gen. 14. 20. 28. 22. Numb 31. 28. 30. and laid them †Heb. heaps heaps by heaps 7 In the third month i To wit of the Sacred Year Exod. 12. 2. in which their Harvest began they began to lay the foundation of the heaps and finished them in the seventh month k In which their Harvest ended and the Feast of Tabernacles was kept Exod. 23. 16. Levit. 23. 34. 8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps they blessed the LORD l Both for giving such plentiful Provisions to his Land in this Year and for giving his People such Liberal and Pious Hearts towards this good Work and his people Israel m They praised them for their forwardness and faithfulness in it 9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps n How it came to pass that no more of their Provision was spent and that there yet remained such great Heaps of it 10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok o Either 1. the High-priest called also Zadok 1 Chron. 6. 12. because he was of his Line and Family Or 2 The Chief Priest or the Head of that Family of Zadok or of Eleazar as there was another Chief Priest of the Family of Abiathar or of Ithamaâ—… See 2 Sam. 8. 17. 1 Chron. 24. 3. but both Subject to the High-Priest answered him and said * 〈◊〉 3. 12. Since the people began to bring the offerings p Which they did from the beginning of the Harvest according to the manner into the house of the LORD we have had enough to eat and have left plenty for the LORD hath blessed his people q In an Extraordinary Degree and that which is left is this great store 11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chambers in the house of the LORD r Largely so called to wit in the Courts or in the Chambers adjoyning to the House and they prepared them 12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicate things faithfully over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler and Shimei his brother was the next 13 And Jehiel and Azaziah and Nahath and Asahel and Jerimoth and Jozabad and Eliel and Ismachiah and Mahath and Benajah were overseers †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hand under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother s i. e. To dispose of those Provisions by their Direction and to be accountable to them therein at the commandment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of the house of God t Either the Supreme Ruler to wit the High-priest or the Chief Ruler under him and in his stead being appointed by him to inspect this Work See above v. 10. 1 Chron. 9. 11. Ier. 20. 1. 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite the porter toward the east u At the East-gate of the Lords House of which see on ch 23. 5. was over the free-will-offerings of God
water-gate eastward 38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them a To wit on the other side of the City Northward and Eastward and I after them and the half of the people upon the wall from beyond * Ch. 3. 11. the tower of the furnaces even unto the * Ch. 3. 8. broad wall b Which they made thicker and stronger than the rest of the Wall for some special reason 39 And from above * 2 Kin. 14. 1â—… the gate of Ephraim and above the * Ch. 3. 6. old gate and above * Ch. 3. 3. the fish-gate and the tower of Hananeel and * Ch. 3. 1. the Tower of Meah even unto the sheep-gate and they stood still in the prison gate c Waiting as also their Brethren did that they might go together in due order into God's House there to perfect the solemnity 40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God d i. e. In the Courts of the Temple and I and the half of the rulers with me e And Ezra and the other half with him as appears by comparing this with v. 31 36. 41 And the priests Eliakim Maasejah Miniamin Michajah Elioenai Zechariah and Hananiah with trumpets 42 And Maasejah and Shemajah and Eleazar and Uzzi and Jehohanan and Malchijah and Elam and Ezer and the singers †Heb. made their voice to be heard sang loud with Jezrahiah their overseer 43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced for God had made them rejoice with great joy the wives also and the children rejoiced so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off f Either their loud voices and instruments were heard to a great distance or the fame of it was spread far and near 44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures for the offerings g Such as they had lately ingaged themselves to give or other voluntary or prescribed offerings for the first-fruits and for the tithes to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions ‖ That is appointed by the law of the law h i. e. The foresaid first-fruits and Tithes and other things which God by his Law appointed for them for the priests and Levites †Heb. for the joy of Iudah for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites †Heb. that stood that waited i Partly for the eminent Gifts and Graces which they observed in many of them and partly for the great benefit which they had now received by their Ministry and therefore for the competent provision which hereby was made for them that so they might wholly wait upon their office to the Peoples Edification and Comfort 45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God k i. e. That Ward or Charge or Business which God had prescribed to them and the ward of the purification l And in particular the charge of purification i. e. of taking care that no unclean person or thing might enter into the House or Courts of the Lord which care did certainly belong to the Porters as is expressed 2 Chron. 23. 19. and at this time and in some sort as it seems to the singers who besides their proper imployment were also over the business of the house of God as is affirmed ch 11. 22. Which being a general expression may-well comprehend if it doth not principally design this that they should take care to keep the House of God free from all pollution And possibly as the Porters were to take care that no unclean thing might enter there so if it should through their madvertency enter in the Singers were to remove it * 1 Chr. 25. 26. according to the commandment of David and of Solomon his son 46 For in the days of David * 1 Chr. 25. 1 c. and Asaph m of old there were chief of the singers n There were some overseers whose Office it was to see that the Singers were fit for and diligent in their work and therefore they took care of it at this time and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God n And Heman and Ieduthun 1 Chron. 25. 1. but Asaph only is mentioned here as the most eminent and useful in that work 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the portions of the singers and the porters every day his portion and they ‖ That is set apart sanctified holy things o i. e. They sequestred or set apart the First-fruits and Tithes from their own share and devoted them to the use of the Levites to whom they belonged And so did the Levites by the Tithe of the Tithes Thus they all conscientiously paid their dues to God or his Assigns and did not profane those things which God had sanctified nor take them to their own common use as divers ungodly or covetous persons had formerly used to do when they had opportunity unto the Levites * Num. 18. 26. and the Levites sanctified them unto the childeren of Aaron CHAP. XIII 1 ON that day a Not now presently after the dedication of the wall and gates and City but upon a certain day as that phrase is very commonly used in Scripture without any relation to the time or things mentioned next before it to wit when Nehemiah was returned again from the Persian court to Ierusalem from which he had been absent for some considerable time in which some errours and abuses had crept in which now he endeavours to remove †Heb. there was read they read in the book of Moses in the †Heb. ears audience of the people b Partly because it was not only the Priests but also the peoples duty to study and understand Gods Law and their own duty and partly that the people hearing that this was the express mind and will of the great God might the more willingly yield to the following duties some of which were attended with difficulty and required self denial and therein was found written * Deut. 23. 3. that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God c i. e. Not be incorporated into the common wealth of Israel nor be joyned with any Israelite in marriage relation as appears from v. 3. That practice being a plain comment upon this law But of this and the next verse see the notes on Deut. 23. 3 4. for ever 2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water but * Numb 22. 5. Josh. 24. 9. hired Balaam against them that he should curse them howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing 3 Now it came to pass when they heard the law that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude d i.