and Bizjothjah 29 Baalah and lim and Azem 30 And Eltolad and Chesil and Hormah 31 And Ziklag and Madmannah and Sansannah 32 And Lebaoth and Shilhim and Ain and Rimmon all the cities are twenty and nine r Obj. Here are 37 or 38 Cities named before how then are they only reckoned 29 Ans. There were only 29 of them which either 1. Properly belonged to Iudah the rest fell to Simeons Lot or 2. Were Cities properly so called i. e. walled Cities or such as had Villages under them as it here follows the rest being great but unwalled Towns or such as had no Villages under them with their villages 33 And in the vale Eshtaol and Zoreah and Ashnah 34 And Zanoah and Engannim Tappuah and Enam 35 Jarmuth and Adullam Socoh and Azekah 36 And Sharaim and Adithaim and Gederah * Or or and Gederothaim fourteen cities s Obj. There are 15 numbred Ans. Either one of them was no City strictly called or Gederah and Gederothaim is put for Gederah or Gederothaim so called possibly because the City was double as there want not instances of one City divided into two parts called the old and the new City So the conjunction and is put for the disjunctive or whereof examples have been given before with their villages 37 Zenan and Hedashah and Migdal-gad 38 And Dilean and Mizpeh and Joktheel 39 Lachish and Bozkath and Eglon 40 And Cabbon and Lahmas and Kithlish 41 And Gederoth Beth-dagon and Naamah and Makkedah sixteen cities with their villages 42 Libnah t Heb. Libnah See Ios. 10. 29. and Ether and Ashan 43 And Jiphta and Ashnah and Nezib 44 And Keilah and Achzib and Mareshah nine cities with their villages 45 Ekron u Here and in the following Verses are contained all the Cities of the Philistines among which are Gath and Askelon which peradventure are here omitted because they were not at this time places of such Power and Eminency as afterwards they were but were the Daughters of some of these following Cities though afterwards the Daughter might overtop the Mother as is usual with her †Towns x Heb. Her Daughters i. e. lesser Cities or great Towns subject to Ekrons Jurisdiction and her villages ‡ Heb. Daughters Numb 21. 25. y i. e. Lesser Towns or Hamlets 46 From Ekron even unto the sea all that lay †near Ashdod with their villages ‡ Heb. by the place of 47 Ashdod with her †towns and her villages Gaza with her * Heb. Daughters * Heb. Daughters towns and her villages unto the river of Egypt and the great sea and the border thereof z i. e. The Sea-Coast and all other Cities Towns and Villages upon it 48 ¶ And in the mountains a i. e. In the higher grounds called Mountains or Hills in comparison of the Sea-Coast Shamir and Jattir and Socoh 49 And Dannah and Kirjath-sannah which is Debir b Which also is called Kiriath-sepher above v. 15. So this City had three Names 50 And Anab and Eshâ—…emoh and Anim 51 And Goshen c See Ios. 10. 41. and Holon and Giloh eleven cities with their villages 52 Arab and Dumah and Eshean 53 And * Janum and Beth-tappuah and 〈◊〉 Janus Aphekah 54 And Humtah and * Chap. 14. 15. Kirjath-arba which is Hebron and Zior nine cities with their villages 55 Maon d Of which see 1 Sam. 23. 25. and 25. 2. Carmel e Nabals Country 1 Sam. 25. and Ziph f Which gave its name to the Neighbouring Mountain 1 Sam. 26. 1. and Juttah 56 And Jezreel and Jokdeam and Zanoah 57 Cain Gibeah and Timnah ten cities with their villages 58 Halhul Bethzur and Gedor 59 And Maarath and Beth-anoth and Eltekon six cities with their villages 60 Kirjath-baal which is Kirjath-jearim and Rabbah two cities with their villages 61 ¶ In the wilderness g So the Hebrews call places either uninhabited by men or having but few Inhabitants Beth-arabah Middin and Secaâ—…ah 62 And Nibshan and the city of salt h So called either from the Salt Sea which was near it or from the Salt which was made in it or about it and Engedi six cities with their villages 63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jeruâ—…em i For though Ierusalem was in part taken by Ioshua before this yet the upper and stronger part of it called Zion was still kept by the Iebusites even until Davids time and it seems from thence they descended to the lower Town called Ierusalem and took it so that the Israelites were forced to win it a second time yea and a third time also for afterwards it was possessed by the Iebusites Iudg. 19. 11. 2 Sam. 5. 6 7. the children of Judah could not drive them out k Namely because of their unbelief as Christ could do no mighty work because of the peoples unbelief Mark 6. 5 6. Mat. 13. 58. and because of their Sloth and Cowardise and Wickedness whereby they forfeited Gods help and then they must needs be imporent but this inability was wilful and brought upon them by themselves but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem l The same things which are here said of the children of Iudah are said of the Benjamites Iudg. 1. 21. Hence ariseth a question To which of the Tribes Ierusalem belonged whether to Benjamin as is gathered from Gen. 49. 27. Deut. 33. 12. Ier. 6. 1. or to Iudah as is implied here and Psal. 78. 68 69. Some think that being in the Borders of both it was common to both and promiscuously inhabited by both and it is certain that after the Captivity it was possessed by both Neh. 11. 4. But for the present though it did belong to Benjamin yet the Children of Iudah being possibly very active in the first taking of it by Ioshua as they certainly were after his Death Iudg. 1. 8. they might thereby get some right to share with the Benjamites in the Possession of it It seems most probable that part of it and indeed the greatest part and main body of it stood in the Tribe of Benjamin and hence this is mentioned in the List of their Cities and not in Iudah's List and part of it stood in Iudah's share even Mount Moriah on which the Temple was built and Mount Sion when it was taken from the Iebusites unto this day m When this Book was written whether in Ioshuah's Life and Old Age which continued many years after the taking of Ierusalem or after his Death when this Clause was added here and elsewhere in this Book by some other man of God which must needs be done before Davids time when the Iebusites were quite expelled and their Fort taken CHAP. XVI AND the lot of the children of Joseph a i. e. Of Ephraim and the half Tribe of Manasseh which are here put together in one not because they had but one Lot for
it is but fit and just that God should equal them in punishment and all that therein is and the cattel with the edg of the sword 16 And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof and shalt burn with fire the city and all the spoil thereof every whit for the LORD thy God e i. e. For the satisfaction of Gods justice the maintenance of his honour and authority and laws and the pacification of his offended Majesty and it shall be an heap for ever it shall not be built again f It shall be an eternal monument of Gods justice and terrour to after ages who may be tempted to like practises 17 And * chap. 7. 〈◊〉 there shall cleave nought of the ‖ Or 〈◊〉 cursed thing g i. e. Of the goods of that accursed city to thine hand that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger and shew thee mercy and have compassion upon thee and multiply thee h So thou shalt have no loss of thy numbers by cutting off so many people as he hath sworn unto thy fathers 18 When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God CHAP. XIV 1 YE are the children of the LORD your God a Whom therefore you must not disparage by unworthy or unbecoming practises such as here follow and whom you must not disobey * Lev. 19. 28. ye shall not cut your selves nor make any baldness between your eyes b Which were the practises of Idolaters both in the worship of their Idols as 1 King 18. 28. or in their funerals as here and Ier. 16. 6. or upon occasion of publick calamities as Ier. 41. 5. and 47. 5. See more on Levit. 19. 27 28. and 21. 5. for the dead c Through excessive sorrow for your dead friends as if you had no hope of their happiness after death 1 Thess. 4. 13. 2 * chap. 7. 6. and 26. 18. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself above all the nations that are upon the earth 3 Thou shalt not eat any abominable d i. e. Unclean and forbidden by me which therefore should be abhominable to you thing 4 * Lev. 11. 2. c. These are the beasts e Of which see on Levit. 11. The small differences between some of their names here and there are not proper for this work The learned reader may find them cleared in my Latin Synopsis For others they may well enough want the knowledge of them both because these are the smaller matters of the Law and because this distinction of clean and unclean beasts is now out of date which ye shall eat the ox the sheep and the goat 5 The hart and the ro-buck and the fallow deer and the wild goat and the ‖ Or bisâ—…n †Heb. dishon pygarg and the wild ox and the chamois 6 And every beast that parteth the hoof and cleaveth the cleft into two claws and cheweth the cud amongst the beasts that ye shall eat 7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud or of them that divide the cloven hoof as the camel and the hare and the coney for they chew the cud but divide not the hoof therefore they are unclean unto you 8 And the swine because it divideth the hoof yet cheweth not the cud it is unclean unto you ye shall not eat of their flesh * Lev. 11. 27. nor touch their dead carcase 9 * Lev. 11. 9. These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters all that hath fins and scales shall ye eat 10 And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat it is unclean unto you 11 Of all clean birds ye shall eat 12 But these are they of which ye shall not eat the eagle and the ossifrage and the osprey 13 And the glede and the kite and the vulture after his kind 14 And every raven after his kind 15 And the owl and the night-hawk and the cuckow and the hawk after his kind 16 The little owl and the great owl and the swan 17 And the pelican and the gier-eagle and the cormorant 18 And the stork and the heron after her kind and the lapwing and the * Lev. 11. 19. bat 19 And every creeping thing that flyeth is unclean unto you they shall not be eaten 20 But of all clean fowls ye may eat 21 Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of it self thou shalt give it unto the stranger f Not to the proselyte for such were obliged by this Law Levit. 17. 15. but to such as were strangers in Religion as well as in nation that is in thy gates that he may eat it or thou mayest sell it unto an alien for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God * Exod. 23. 19. and 34. 26. Thou shalt not see the a kid in his mothers milk 22 * chap. 12. 6 â—…7 Thou shalt truly tithe all the encrease of thy seed g This is to be understood of the second tithes which seem to be the same with the tithes of the third year mentioned here below ver 28. and Deut. 26. 12. of which see above on ver 17. And to confirm this opinion though I would not lay too great a stress upon criticismes Yet I cannot but observe that this tithing is spoken of onely as the peoples act here and Deut. 26. 12. and the Levites are not at all mentioned in either place as receivers or takers of them but onely as partakers of them together with the owners and therefore they are so severely charged here upon their consciences thou shalt truly tithe all thine increase because the execution of this was left wholly to themselves whereas the first tithes were received by the Levites who therefore are said to take or receive those tithes Numb 18. 26. Neh. 10. 38. Heb. 7. 5. that the field bringeth forth year by year 23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD h See on Deut. 12. 6 17. thy God in the place which he shall chuse to place his Name there the tithe of thy corn of thy wine and of thine oil and * chap. 15. 19 20. the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God alwayes 24 And if the way be too long for thee so that thou art not able to carry it or if the place be too far from thee which the LORD thy God shall chuse to set his Name there when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee 25 Then shalt thou turn it into money and bind up the mony in thine hand i i. e. In a
present to Jerusalem l As the place which God had designed for his Worship and in the Center and Heart of his Kingdom and therefore fittest for his Royal City unto the Jebusites m Who continued to dwell there in spight of the Benjamites to whose lot it fell See Iosh. 15. 63. Iudg. 1. 21. and 19. 10 11. the inhabitants of the land which spake unto David saying ‖ Or except one remove from thee Except thou take away the blind and the lame thou shalt not come in hither n Or thou shalt not come in hither but the blind and the lame shall remove or hinder thee By the blind and the lame they understand either 1. Their own People and so they imply that the Place was so Impregnable that a few Blind and Lame men were able to Defend it against all David's Assaults And these may be called and were the hated of David's soul v. 8. Not because they were blind and lame but because they were Iebusites a People hated and accursed by God and the Iebusites of this place were more hateful to him than the rest of that Nation partly because they Possessed this Place which David knew was designed for the one and onely Place of God's Solenm Worship and partly because they did so wickedly and insolently defie the Armies of Israel and consequently the God of Israel Or 2. Their gods or images which after the manner of the Heathens they Worshipped as their tutelary gods and placed in their Gates or Walls These they call blind and lame sarcastically and with respect to David's opinion as if they said These gods of ours whom you Israelites Reproach as Blind and Lame Psal. 115. 5 6. and so unable to direct and protect us they will defend us against you and you will find they are neither Blind nor Lame but have Eyes to watch for us and Hands to Fight against you and you must Conquer them before you can take our City And these may well be called the hated of David's soul. But I prefer the former sence as being most easie and natural and proper whereas the latter is Metaphorical and seems doubtful and forced ‖ Or saying thinking David cannot come in hither o Concluding their Fort to be Impregnable 7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion o Either 1. A very strong Fort which they had built upon Mount Sion which being taken the City quickly yielded Or 2. The City of Zion which was very strongly Fortified the same is ‡ Now 〈◊〉 the city of David 8 And David said on that day Whosoever getteth up to the gutter p i. e. Whosoever Scaleth the Fort or getteth up to the top of it where the Gutter was and smiteth the Jebusites and the lame and the blind q Or even or especially for the Hebrew Particle Vau signifies both ways the lame and the blind i. e. Those of them who are set to Defend that Place who as they pretend should be onely the Lame and the Blind Others understand it of their Idols or Images But they could not properly be said to be smitten i. e. Killed as that Word is used here and elsewhere that are hated of Davids soul r This belongs to the Iebusite and the lame and the blind and it is explained in v. 6. * 1 Chron. 11. 6. he shall be chief and captain s These words are fitly supplyed out of 1 Chron. 11. 6. where they are expressed and they must needs be understood to make the sence compleat And such Ellipses or defects of a part of the Sentence are usual in Promises and Oaths and Conditional Offers such as this was ‖ Or because they had 〈◊〉 even the blind and the lame he shall not come into the house wherefore they said The blind and the lame shall not come into the house t i. e. Whence it became a Proverb or a common saying used by David and others upon this occasion or otherwise The blind and the lame Iebusites â—…ere set to keep the House i. e. The Fort of Zion and to keep others from coming into it but now they are shut out of it and none of them to wit either 1. Of the Iebusites or 2. Of Blind and Lame persons shall be admitted to come into it again Which David might resolve and ordain to keep up the memory of this great Exploit and of the Insolent Carriage of the Iebusites and their unhappy Success Or the blind and the lame shall not come into my house to wit Into the King's Palace And although this might be a general Rule and Decree of David's yet he might dispense with it in some special cases as in that of Mephibosheth But it is not necessary that this should be a Proverb for the Words may be thus rendred as it is in the Margent of our Bible because they had said even the blind and the lame he i. e. David shall not come into the house or because they i. e. the Jebusites had said the blind and the lame shall hinder him which Words are easily supplied out of v. 6. where having spoken of this more largely it was sufficient here to mention the most Emphatical Words as is usual in such Cases He shall not come into the house or hither as they say v. 6. i. e. Into the Fort for the Word house is used very largely and generally in the Hebrew Language for any place as Iudg. 16. 21. 9 So David dwelt in the fort and called it The city of David and David built round about from Millo u Which seems to have been some large and well fortified Building Iudg. 9. 6. 2 Chron. 3. 5. adjoyning or near to the wall of the City of Zion and inward 10 ¶ And David ‡ Heb. went going and growing went on and grew great x In reputation and power and the LORD God of hosts was with him 11 And * 1 King 5. 2. 1 Chron. 14. 1. Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David and cedar-trees y For Lebanon which was famous for its Cedars was a great part of it in his Dominion and carpenters and ‡ Heb. hewers of the stone of the wall masons z For the Tyrians were excellent Artists and Workmen as both Sacred and Profane Writers agree and they built David an house 12 And David perceived a By reflecting upon the Promises which God had made him and the constant course of Gods Providence favouring him that the LORD had established him king over Israel and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israels sake 13 ¶ And * 1 Chron. 3. 9. and 14. 3. David took him moe concubines and wives b This may well be reckon'd amongst David's miscarriages the multiplication of 〈◊〉 being expresly forbidden to the King Deut. 17. 17. The use of seems to have been his Policy that hereby he might enlarge his
searched found out 48 And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD p Such as God by the Mouth of Moses had commanded to be made for his House and Service and such as Moses had made onely these were larger and richer and more according to the difference of the Temple and Tabernacle and Solomon's vast riches and the poverty of Moses and the Israelites at that time the altar of gold q To wit of Incense as appears from 1 Chron. 28. 18. where this is mentioned amongst the things for which David left Gold and Solomon is here said to build it and therefore this cannot be that Altar made by Moses Exod. 25. 23 24. and 30. 1 3. which also was of Shittim-Wood whereas this was made of Cedar and covered with Gold 1 King 6. 20. and the table of gold whereupon the * Exod. 25. 30 shew-bread was r Under which by a Synecdoche are comprehended both all the utensils belonging to it and the other ten Tables which he made together with it 2 Chron. 4. 7 8. 49 And the candlesticks s Which were ten according to the number of the Tables whereas Moses made but one whereby might be signified the progress of the Light of Sacred Truth which was now grown clearer than it was in Moses his time and should shine brighter and brighter until the perfect day of Gospel Light of pure gold t Of massy and fine Gold five on the right side and five on the left before the oracle u In the Holy place with the flowers x Wrought upon the Candlesticks as it had formerly been See on Exod. 25. 31. and the lamps and the tongs of gold 50 And the bowls and the snuffers and the basons and the spoons and the ‡ Heb. ashpans censers of pure gold and the hinges of gold both for the doors of the inner house the most holy place and for the doors of the house to wit of the holy temple 51 So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD and Solomon brought in the ‡ Heb. Holy things of David things * 2 Sam. 8. 11. 2 Chron. 5. 1. which David his father had dedicated even the silver and the gold y Either First All of it and so Solomon built it wholly at his own charge Or Secondly So much of it as was left and the vessels z Those which David had dedicated and with them the Altar of Moses and some other of the old utensils which were now laid aside far better being put in the room of them did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD CHAP. VIII THen * â—… Chr â—… 2. Solomon assembled the elders of Israel a The Senators and Judges and Rulers and all the heads of the tribes b For each Tribe had a peculiar Head or Governor the ‡ Heb. princes chief of the fathers c The chief Persons of every great Family in each Tribe of the children of Israel unto king Solomon d Unto himself the antecedent Noun being put for the relative and reciprocal Pronoun as is frequent with the Hebrews in Jerusalem e Where the Temple was built and now finished that they might bring up the ark f To the top of this high Hill of Moriah upon which it was built whither they were now to carry the Ark in a Solemn pomp that by this their attendance they might make a publick profession of that service and respect and obedience which they owed unto that God who was Graciously and Gloriously present in the Ark. of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David g Where David had placed the Ark 2 Sam. 6. 12 17. See on 1 King 2. 10. and 3. 1 which is Zion h Which is also called Zion because it was built upon that Hill 2 And all the men of Israel i Not onely the chief Men who were particularly invited but a vast number of the common people as being forward to see and to joyn in this great and Glorious Solemnity assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast k Understand either first The Feast of Tabernacles Or rather Secondly The Feast of the Dedication to which Solomon had invited them which was before that Feast for that began on the 15 day of the 7th month Lev. 23. 34. but this began at the least 7 days before that Feast for Solomon and the People kept the Feast for 14 days here v. 65. i. e. 7 days for the Dedication of the Temple and 7 other days for that of Tabernacles and after both these were finished he sent all the People to their homes on the 23 day of the month See 2 Chron. 7. 9 10. in the month Ethanim which is the seventh month l Which time he chose with common respect to his Peoples convenience because now they gathered in all their Fruits and now they were come up to Ierusalem to Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles Quest. The Temple was not finished till the eighth month 1 King 6. 38. how then could he invite them in the seventh month Ans. This was the 7th month of the next Year For although the house in all its parts was finished the Year before yet the utensils of it described chap. 7. were not then fully finished but took up a considerable time afterward and many preparations were to be made for this great and extraordinary occasion 3 And all the elders of Israel came and the priests took up the ark m For although the Levites might do this Numb 4. 15. yet the Priests did it at this time partly for the greater honour of the Solemnity and partly because the Levites might not enter into the Holy place much less into the Holy of Holies where it was to be placed into which the Priests themselves might not have entred if the High-Priest alone could have done it Obj The Levites are said to have done this 2 Chron. 5. 4. Ans. That is most true because all the Priests were Levites though all the Levites were not Priests 4 And they brought up the ark of the LORD and the tabernacle of the congregation n That made by Moses which doubtless before this time had been translated from Gibeon to Zion and now together with other things was put into the Treasuries of the Lords-House to prevent all the superstitious use and prophane abuse of it and to oblige the people to come up to Ierusalem as the onely place where God would now be Worshipped and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle even those did the priests and Levites o The Priests carrying some and the Levites others bring up 5 And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him were with him before the ark sacrificing sheep and oxen p Either First
true Iacobites or Israelites who cannot conveniently be said to seek the Face of Iacob i. e. Their own And the Phrase of seeking the Face of Iacob or of the Church is no where used in Scripture Or as it is in the Margent O God of Iacob But that seems to be too large a Supplement Or this is Iacob the Pronoun this being easily understood out of the beginning of the Verse Or the Generation which may in the same manner be supplied of Iacob Iacob being here put not for the Person but for the posterity of Iacob as it is Gen. 49. 7. Numb 23. 7. 10. 23. Deut. 32. 9. Psal. 14. 7. or for the Church or people of God which is oft called Iacob or Israel as Isa. 14. 1. and 41. 8. and 44. 1 5 21. c. So the Sence is this and this only is the true Iacob or Israel or Church of God and all others are so only in Name and Title although they be descended lineally from him Or in Iacob the Particle in being here understood as it is in Psal. 2. 12. and 17. 12. and in many other places So the Sence of the place is this is the true Generation of them that seek God's Face in Iacob i. e. Either in Iacobs Land or Sanctuary the only place where God was to be sought Or among the Iacobites or Israelites By which he insinuates what is expressed Rom. 9. 6. that all are not Israel that are of Israel and that all were not Israelites indeed that were sprung from Iacob but only those of them who were such as he described v. 4. Comp. Ioâ—… 1. 47. Rom. 228 29. and the King of glory t The question was put Who shall ascend into God's Hill and Holy place v. 3. To which Answer hath been given and the Persons described v. 4 5 6. But because there still were impediments in the way and there were Gates and Doors to this Holy place to shut out those who would ascend thither therefore he poetically speaks to those Gates to open and let in the King of Glory who would make way for his Subjects and followers Here is a Representation of a Triumphant entrance of a King into his Royal City and Palace for which the Gates use to be enlarged or at least Wide opened He speaks here of the Gates and Doors Either 1 Of his Royal City of Sion through which the Ark was at this time to be brought to the Tabernacle which David had built for it called Everlasting Either from the solidity and durableness of the Matter or from David's Desires and Hopes that God would make them such in some sort because he loved the Gates of Sion Psal. 87. 2 Or rather 2. Of the Temple which by Faith and the Spirit of Prophecy he beheld as already built and accordingly addresseth his Speech to it whose Doors he calls Everlasting not so much because they were made of strong and durable Materials as in Opposition of those of the Tabernacle which were removed from place to place whereas the Temple and it's Doors were constantly fixed in one place and if the sins of Israel did not hinder â—…were to abide there for ever i. e. As long as the Mosaical dispensation was to last or until the coming of the Messias as that Phrase is very commonly taken in the Old Testament These Gates he bids liâ—…t up their Heads or Tops either by allusion to those Gates which have a Portcullis at the top of them which may be let down or taken up and accordingly makes the Entrance either higher and lower Or that by this figurative Address to the Gates he might signifie the Duty of the People to make their Gates higher and Wider to give their King a more Magnificent entrance But though this be the litteral Sence of the place yet there is also a Mystical Sence of it and that too designed by the Holy Ghost And as the Temple was undoubtedly a Type of Christ and of his Church and of Heaven it self so this place may also contain a Representation Either of Christ s entrance into his Church or into the Hearts of his faithful People who are here Commanded to set open their Hearts and Souls which are not unfitly called everlasting Doors for his Reception Or of his Ascension into Heaven where the Saints or Angels are poetically introduced as preparing the way and opening the Heavenly Gates to receive their Lord and King returning to his Royal Habitation with Triumph and Glory Comp. Psal. 47. 5. and 68. 25. Act. 2. 33. Eph. 4. 8. shall come in t The glorious King Ieâ—…ovah who dwelt in the Temple and between the Cherubims Or the Messias the King of Israel and of his Church called the King Or Lord of Glory 1 Cor. 2. 8. Iam. â—… 1. both for that Glory which is Inherent in him and that which is purchased by him for his Members 8. Who is the King of glory u This seems to be a Prolepsis or removal of an Objection You will say What is the cause of this imperious Call and why or for whom must those Gates be opened in so solemn and Extraordinary a manner the LORD strong and mighty the LORD mighty in battel x This contains an Answer to the question He is no ordinary Person no meaner and no other than Iehovah who hath given so many Proofs of his Almightiness who hath subdued all his Enemies and is now returned in Triumph Here is in this and the foregoing Verse a sacred Dialogue between several Persons And some suppose that the Sacred Musitians which attended upon the Service of the Ark and Tabernacle and were doubtless employed in this Solemnity 2 Sam. 6. â—… were divided into two Quires whereof one spake the former and the other the latter Verse 9. Lift up your heads O ye gates even lift them up ye everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in y The same Verse is repeated again Partly to shame and awaken the Dulness of mankind who are so hardly brought to a serious Preparation for such Solemnities and Partly to signifie the great worth and importance of the Matter contained under these Expressions 10. Who is this King of glory the LORD of host z Under whose Command are all the Hosts of Heaven and Earth Angels and Men and all other Creatures he is the King of glory Selah PSAL. XXV The ARGUMENT This Psalm seems to have been Composed when David was under some straights and pressures when his outward afflictions were accompanied with inward â—…horrors of Conscience for his sins by which he had forfeited God's favour and procured these Calamities to himself A Psalm of David 1. UNto thee O LORD do I * Psal. 143. 8. lift up my soul a i. e. I direct my Desires and Prayers which are expressed by this Phrase Psal. 24. 4. Ier. 22. 27. Lam. 3. 41. with hope or Expectation of a gracious Answer which also it implies
Men which Antiently used to be Written in Catalogues out of which the Names of those who died were blotted Or rather 2. Of eternal Life as both Iewish and Christian Interpreters commonly understand it Which agrees best 1. To the use of this Phrase in Scripture For in this Sence men are said to be â—…ritten in the Book Dan. 12. 1. or in God's Book Exod. 32. 32. Or in the Book of Life Phil. 4. 3. â—…el 3. 5. and 13. 8. and 17. 8. and 20. 12. and 21. last 2. To the last Clause of the Verse which explains it of that Book wherein none but the Righteous are written whereas this Life and that attended with Health and Prosperity is Promiscuously given to and taken from good and bad Men. 3. To the quality of the Persons of whom this is said which are the Malicious Enemies of God and of his People and the Murderers of the Lord of Glory who shall be punished with eternal Death In this Book Men may be said to be written Either 1. In Reality by God's Election or Predestination Or 2. In Appearance when a Man is called by God to the Profession and Practice of the true Religion and into Covenant with himself and Professeth to Comply with it and so is written in the writing of the House of Israel which is said of all that are in the Assembly of God's People Ezek. 13 â—… and so seems to others and it may be to himself to be Really written in the Book of Life And when a Man renounceth this Profession and Religion he may be said to be 〈◊〉 out of that Book because his Apostacy makes it Evident that he was not written in it as he seemed to be For this is a known and approved Rule for the understanding of many Texts of Scripture that things are oft said to be done when they onely seem to be done and are not Really done as he is said to find his Life Mat. 10. 39. who falsly imagined that he did find it when in Truth he lost it and to have Mat. 13. 12. who onely seemed to have as it is explained in the Parallel place Luk. 8. 1â—… and to Live Rom. 7. â—… when he vainly Conceited himself to be alive And in like manner Men may be said to be written in or blotted out of this Book when they seem to be so by the Course of their Lives and Actions But that this blotting out is not meant Properly and Positively is clear from the last Branch of this Verse which after the manner of these Books expounds the former wherein this doubtful Phrase is explained by one which is Evident and unquestionable even by his not being written in it For it is impossible that a Mans name should be Properly blotted out of that Book in which it was never written The Sence of the Verse seems to be this Let their Wickedness be so notorious and the Tokens of God's wrath upon them so manifest that all Men may discern that they are blotted out that is that they never were written in the Book of Life in which the Righteous are written and not be written with the righteous e i. e. In that Book of Life in which all righteous or holy Persons and onely they are written whereby it may appear that whatsoever shew or Profession they once made yet they neither are nor were truly righteous Persons 29. But I am poor and sorrowful let thy salvation O God set me up on high f Out of the reach of mine Enemies Or liâ—…t me out of the deep Waters and the Mire in which I was sinking v. 14. 30 I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnifie him with thanks-giving 31 * Psal. 50. 13. 14. 23. This also shall please the LORD better than an oxe or bullock g This sincere and hearâ—…y Sacrifice of Praise is and shall be more grateful to God than the most Glorious legal Sacrifices For so such moral Services ever were 1 Sam. 15. 22. Hosâ—… 6 6. and such Sacrifices shall be accepted when those Legal ones shall be abolished that hath horns and hoofs h This is added as a Description and Commendation of the Sacrifice or Bullock which he supposeth to be of the best sort both tender and Mature as it is when the Horns bud forth and the Hoofs grow hard 32 * Psal. 34. 2. The ‖ Or 〈◊〉 humble shall see this and be glad i Those pious Persons who are grieved for my Calamities shall have occasion to Rejoyce and they will heartily Rejoyce in my Deliverance and Exaltation and your heart shall live k Or be Revived to wit with Joy which were dejected and in a manner Dead with Sorrow Compare Gen. 45. 27. Psal. 22. 26. and 109. 21. that seek God 33 For the LORD heareth the poor and despiseth not his prisoners l Those who are in Prison or any Straits and Afflictions for his sake which is my Case v. 7. 34 Let the heaven and earth m Either 1 Angels and Men. Or rather 2. The Heaven and Earth themselves as in the next Branch the Seas and every thing that moveth â—…erein All which by an usual Figure he invites to praise God aâ—…â—…e doth elsewhere because they all give men occasion to praise God praise him the seas and every thing that †Heb. 〈◊〉 Câ—… moveth therein 35 For God will save Sion n The City of Sion or Ierusalem and his Church and People which are frequently expressed under that Title and build the cities of Judah that they o The humble and Poâ—…r v. 32 33. or his Servants as is explained in the following Verse may dwell there p In the literal Canaan for a long time and in the Heavenly Canaan for ever and have it in possession 36 * Psal. 102. 23. The seed also of his servants shall inherit it q Their posterity shall flourish after them and partake of the same Happiness with them and they that love his name shall dwell therein PSAL. LXX To the chief musician a Psalm of David to bring to remembrance The Contents of this Psalm are almost all to be found Psal. 40. 13. c. Nor is it strange that they are here repeated because the same or like Occasions were oft repeated and David's returning Distresses might well make him sometimes repeat the same Words And as these things were joyned with many other passages in Psal. 40. so they are distinctly repeated as a Form of Prayer which himself or others might use in such a Condition What is necessary for the understanding of this Psalm The Reader may find in the Notes on Psal. 40. 1 MAke hast * â—…al 40. 13. 〈◊〉 â—… 71. 12. O God to deliver me make hast †Heb. to my 〈◊〉 to help me O LORD 2 * 〈◊〉 35. 4. â—…â—…1 13. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul let them be turned
u Or yet there is none i. â—… Few Psa. 14. 3. they are not to be discerned among the multitude that calleth x Such as call upon thee as they ought 〈◊〉 Iacob and Moâ—…es and David c. did which often prevents the 〈◊〉 of a state or kingdom it points out the universal Apostacy of the â—…ast times of the Jewish state for which they were cut off upon thy name that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee y Either to stay thee from departing from us see Lâ—…k 24. 28 29. or to fetch thee back when departed Ier. 12. 7. or it is an Allegorical allusion to one struck down and still smitten but never stirs to lay hold on the arm that smites him ch 27. 5. it notes their great sâ—…oathfulness and carelesness and some refer it to their lukewarmness and dead heartedness relying upon their priviledges before they went into 〈◊〉 and so a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their approaching Judgments for z Or 〈◊〉 so the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iob 5. 21. Psa. 75. 2. thou hast hid thy face from us and hast †Heb. 〈◊〉 consumed us a Or mâ—…lted our sins 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fire of thy wrath that we are melted with it because of our iniquities b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of our iniquities i. e. Either in the place of our iniquities the land wherein they were Committed or into the hands of our iniquities to be punished by them and as it were 〈◊〉 or melted down or our strength exhausted by them as wax before the fire Lev. 26. 39. Ezek. 33. 10. or as we translate it our iniquities being the procuring cause of it 8 But now O LORD thou art our Father c An argument or pathetical plea for pity or notwithstanding all this thou art our Father both by Creation and by Adoption therefore pity us thy Children * Ch. 29. 16. 4â—… 9. 〈◊〉 1â—… 6. Rom. 9. 20 21. we are the clay d A Metonymy of the matter clay for the vessels made of clay Or we are clay pointing at our Original matter Or it may relate to their state that God framed into a Body Civil and Ecclesiastical out of a confused multitude they plead at the same time their own frailty why they would be pitied and God's Covenant-interest in them why he should pity them and thou our potter and we all are the work of thy hand e Another argument of the same nature with the former Psal. 138. 8. not onely as men but as a Body of men made thy peculiar People 9 Be not * Psal. 79. 8. wroth very sore O LORD neither remember iniquity for ever f viz. Thou hast been angry with us a long time be not so for ever but deal with us as may best consist with a Father's bowels It hath reference boâ—…h â—…o Quantity and Time that it might not be very great noâ—… of long durance See on Psal. 79. 8. behold see we beseech thee we are all thy people g Thy peculiar People Chap. 63 19. Another argument to back the former Petition Psal. 28. 9. Though we are very bad in our selves and very badly handled by our Enemies thou sufferest in our sufferings for thou hast no people in Covâ—…nant but us and wilt thou noâ—… leave thy self a People in the world 10 Thy holy cities h Either Sion and 〈◊〉 being thâ—… Cities they instance in q. d. Thy holy Cities viz. Sâ—…on and 〈◊〉 Or rather other Cities also in the Land of 〈◊〉 besides those two called Hâ—…ly Either 1. Because they were built upon God's â—…nheritance Chap. 63 17. Or 2. Because they were inhabited by the Iâ—…ws who were an holy People Deu. 7. 6. Daâ—… 12. 7. Or 3. Because God had his Synagogues in them Psal. 74. 8. For all which reasons also they are called Thy Cities are a wilderness Zion is a wilderness Jerusalem a desolation i Utterly waâ—…t not onâ—…ly the ordinary Cities but even Ierusâ—…lem and Sion themselves the one called the upper 〈◊〉 or the City of David because it was built upon Mount Sion the other the 〈◊〉 City because it lay under the Hill of Sion in the Valley he particularizeth Sion and 〈◊〉 though he had mentioned the other Cities before because the chiefest of the Cities it being usual notwithstanding the mentioning of generals in which all the particulars or individuals are included to name the particular again as and from the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Psal. 18. title 11 Our holy and our beautiful house k The Temple Châ—…p 6â—… 7. q. a. Not onely our Cities and our Principal Cities but 〈◊〉 our 〈◊〉 which we thought sacred and inviolable in which we have gloriâ—…d because it was Thinâ—… and our Father's and Ours the place where thy holy service was performed and thy Glory and Presence was 〈◊〉 where our fathers l Not 〈◊〉 to mention themselves they had beâ—…n so every way abominable but their 〈◊〉 praised thee is burnt up with fire and all our pleasant things are m The King's 〈◊〉 and the houses of the Nobles and other pâ—…ces of State and Magnificence 2 King 25. 9. Lam. 1. 7 10. Or their Syâ—…agogues Or those stately pieces about the Temple laid wast 12 Wilt thou refrain thy self for these things n viz That are done by the 〈◊〉 do none of these things move thee to take vengeâ—…nce on them O LORD Wilt thou hold thy peace o Wilt thou be as one that regards not Wilt thou be still and suffer them and afflict us very sore p See vers 9. For these our sins or for these our sufferings shall we feel the smart of it that have done no such things but have been sufferers under the Babylonians to which God answers in the next Chapter CHAP. LXV 1 I * Rom. â—… 24 25 26. 10. 20. Eph. 2. 12 13. am sought a The word signifies properly a diligent enquiry in things relating to God 2 Chr. 14. 4. Psal. 34. 4. Ier 37. 7. I am diligently enquired of by them of them that asked not for me b That in times before made no enquiry after me as the Gentiles and not being without God in the world Eph. 2. 12. as seeking may more strictly relate to Prayer as the word is used Isa. 55. 6. so this word translated asked may also be so taken and is so 1. Sam 1. 20. 1 Sam. 22. 13. but possibly it is better interpreted more generally I am found c Yea I was found of them before they sought me those who formerly did not seek me now seek me but they were found of me before they sought me I prevented them by my Grace sending my Son to preach pâ—…ace to those that were afar off Eph. 2. 17. and my Apostles to intreat them to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5. 20. and my Spirit to convince the woâ—…ld of Sin Righteousness and Iudgment Joh. 16. 8. of them that sought
for a prey as it is expressed Ier. 38. 2. look not behind thee y Like one that grieves either for the loss of thy pleasant habitation or vast estate or for those cursed miscreants justly devoted to this destruction And this command though given to Lot alone yet was directed also to his companions to whom doubtless he imparted it as is evident both from all the other commands which equally concern all and from the following event See Matth. 24. 18. Lake 9. 62. neither stay thou in all the plain escape to the mountain lest thou be consumed 18 And Lot said unto them * i. e. Unto one of them as is manifest from the following words Oh not so my LORD 19 Behold now thy servant hath found grace in thy sight and thou hast magnified thy mercy which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life and I cannot escape to the mountain z Because of the infirmity of my age and the fainting of my spirits Thus he sheweth an unworthy and unreasonable distrust of Gods Power and Goodness which he had now experienced and acknowledged lest some evil take me and I die 20 Behold now this City is near to flee unto and it is a little one a Therefore as its inhabitants so its sins are fewer and it will not be an eminent example of thy vengeance as the other places will be O let me escape thither is it not a little one and my soul shall live 21 And he said unto him see I have accepted †Heb. thy face thee b Heb. I have lift up thy countenance i. e. granted thy request The manner of the expression possibly may be taken from the custom of the Eastern parts where petitioners used not to fall upon their knees as we do but to prostrate themselves with their face to the ground and the person to whom they addressed themselves in token of his favourable acceptance of their petitions commanded them to be lifted up concerning this thing that I will not overthrow this City for the which thou hast spoken 22 Haste thee escape thither for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither c Because of Gods decree and promise to save thee from the general destruction therefore the name of the City was called Zoar. 23 The sun was †Heb. goâ—… forth risen upon the Earth d This phrase may note either the time of the day when this was done or rather the nature and quality of the day that the Sun appeared and shone forth that morning in great lustre and glory Which is well noted as a very considerable circumstance of the History and a great aggravation of their ruine which came when they least expected it when Lot entered into Zoar. 24. Then * Deut. 29. 23. Isa. 13. 19. Jer. 50. 40. Ez. 16. 49. Hos. 11. 8. Amos 4. 11. Luke 17. 29. 2 Pet. 2. 6. Jude 7. the * See Jud. 5. 20. 2 Chron. 7. 1. Ezek. 11. 24. LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrha e And the Neighbouring Cities Admah and Zeboim as appears from Deut. 29. 23. Ier. 49. 18. Hos. 11. 8. brimstone and fire f Brimstone is added to the fire either to conveigh and carry down the fire which in it self is light and apt to ascend or to increase it Isa. 30. 33. or to represent the noysomness of their lusts from the LORD g i. e. From himself The noun put for the pronoun as Gen. 1. 27. 2 Chron. 7. 2. But here it is emphatically so expressed Either 1. To signifie that it proceeded not from natural causes but from the immediate hand of God Or 2. To note the plurality of persons in the Godhead God the Son who now appeared upon the Earth rained from God his Father in Heaven both concurring in this act as indeed all outward actions are common to all the persons of the Trinity out of Heaven 25 And he overthrew those Cities and all the plain h To wit where these Cities and their Territories lay called the plain of Iordan Gen. 13. 10. all which then became and to this day continues to be a filthy Lake called the Dead-Sea because no Fish lives in it and all the inhabitants of the Cities and that which grew upon the ground 26 But his wife looked back i Through curiosity or unbelief or desire of what she left or from all these causes from behind him k i. e. From behind her Husband whom she followed Which circumstance seems to be mentioned as the reason of this presumption because she could do it without her Husbands observation or reproof to which she had a greater regard than to the all-seeing eye of God and she ‖ i. e. Her body by a very common Synecdoche became a * Luke 17. 3â—… pillar of Salt l Either metaphorically i. e. a perpetual durable pillar as an Everlasting Covenant is called a pillar of Salt Numb 18. 19. or properly for there is a kind of Metallick Salt which resists the Rain and is hard enough for Buildings as Pliny Solinus and others Witness And that Salt was here mixed with Brimstone may be gathered from Deut. 29. 23. Adde to this that Iosephus Antiq 1. 12. Affirms that this pillar remained in his time And the like is witnessed by others after him 27. And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he * Chap. 18. 22. stood before the LORD 28. And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrha and toward all the Land of the plain and beheld and lo the smoak of the Countrey went up as the smoak of a furnace 29 And it came to pass when God destroyed the Cities of the plain that God remembred Abraham m Either 1. The promise made to Abraham Gen. 12. 3. Or 2. The prayer made by Abraham Gen. 18. who doubtless in his prayers for Sodom would not forget Lot though his prayer for him be not there mentioned And hereby it is insinuated that Lot though he was a righteous man and should be saved eternally yet deserved to perish temporally with those wicked people to whom he associated himself meerly for worldly advantages and should have done so if Abraham had not hindred it by his prayers and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the Cities in the which Lot dwelt 30 And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain and his two daughters with him for he feared to dwell in Zoar n Lest he should either suffer from them or with them perceiving now that though it was a little City yet there was more wickedness in it than he imagined and he dwelt in a cave he and his two daughters 31 And the first-born said unto the younger Our father is old and there is not a man in the earth o Either 1. In the whole Earth For they thought the same deluge of
†That is the son of my right hand Benjamin z Either as near and dear and precious to him as his right hand which is both more useful and more honourable than the left See Psal. 80. 17. or in stead of his right hand the staff stay and comfort of his old age 19 And * chap. 48. 7. Rachel died and was buried in the way to Ephrath a Not in the city though that was near for in ancient times their Sepulchres were not in the places of resort but in separated places and out of Cities See Mat. 27. 60. Luk. 7. 12. which is Bethlehem 20 And Jacob set a pillar b As a monument or memorial of her life and death and as a testimony of her future resurrection upon her grave that is the pillar of Rachels grave unto this day c i. e. Unto the time wherein Moses writ this book and long after See 1 Sam. 10. 2. Ieâ—… 31. 15. 21 And Israel journeyed and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar d Or the tower of the flock a place where were excellent pastures See Mich. 4. 8. 22 And it came to pass when Israel dwelt in that land that Reuben went and * chap. 49. 4. 1 Cor. 5. 1. lay with Bilhah his fathers concubine e An horrid incest for Concubines were a sort of Wives See Gen. 22. 24. and 25. 1. and Israel heard it f And doubtless sadly resented it both in Reuben as appears from Gen. 49. 4. 1 Chron. 5. 1 2. and in Bilhah whose Bed without question he forsook upon it as afterwards David did in the like case See 2 Sam. 16. 22. and 20. 3. Yet here is no mention of Iacobs reproof of it nor any censure of Moses added to it Possibly to teach us that we are not to approve of every fact which is mentioned in Scripture without censure and that the miscarriages of Professors of Religion are rather to be silently bewailed then publickly reproached left Religion should suffer by it Now the sons of Jacob were twelve g Which were heads of the twelve Tribes Therefore his daughter Dinah is not here mentioned because she was not the head of a Tribe 23 The sons of Leah * chap. 46. 8. Exod. 1. 2. Reuben Jacobs first-born and Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun 24 The sons of Rachel Joseph and Benjamin 25 And the sons of Bilhah Rachels handmaid Dan and Naphtali 26 And the sons of Zilpah Leahs handmaid Gad and Asher These are the sons of Jacob which were born to him in Padan-Aram h All but Benjamin who must in all reason be supposed to be excepted here because he is said to be born elsewhere above ver 16. But it is an usual Synecdoche whereby that is ascribed to all in gross which belongs to the greatest part See Gen. 15. 13. and 46. 15. Exod. 12. 40. Iudg. 20. 46. Iohn 20. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 5. 27 And Jacob came unto Isaac i Either with his Wives and Children and Estate to dwell with him or rather in person to visit his sick and dying father For otherwise Iacob having been ten years near his Father no doubt he had oft visited him and carried his Wives and Children thither though Scripture be silent in this particular But they could not live together because of the greatness of their Estates as it happened with others See Gen. 13. 6. and 36. 7. his father unto * chap. 13. 18. and 23. 2. Mamre unto the City of Arbah which is Hebron where Abraham and Isaac sojourned 28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years 29 And Isaac gave up the ghost and died and was * chap. 15. 15. and 25. 8. gathered unto his people k Either to the society of the dead Or to the Congregation of the just See Gen. 15. 15. and 25. 8. being old and full of dayes and his sons Esau and Jacob buryed him CHAP. XXXVI 1 NOW these are the generations of Esau a They are here mentioned partly to shew the effect of his fathers blessing chap. 27. 39. partly that the Israelites might be admonished to treat the Edomites like Brethren and not to invade their Land See Deut. 23. 7. who is Edom. 2 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite and * ver 25. Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite b If this account be compared with that Gen. 26. 34. We shall find some difficulties which yet admit of an easie reconciliation if these things be considered 1. That it is very usual and confessed by all that the same persons are oft called by several names 2. That the names of some persons are in Scripture given to others because of a great resemblance between them Upon which account the Parents of the Israelites are called Amorites and Hittites Ezek. 16. 3. and the Governours of Ierusalem are called the Rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah Isa. 1. 10. and Iohn the Baptist is called Elias Matth. 17. 12. 3. That the same men are oft-times denominated from several Countries as Christ is noted to have a threefold Country in Scripture Bethlehem by his Birth Nazareth by his Education and Capernaum by his much Residence and Preaching there 4. That the same names are sometimes common to Men and Women That persons are called the Children not onely of their immediate Parents but of their Grand-parents and of those who adopted them These things premised the seeming contradictions objected by Infidels do vanish She who was properly called Iudith chap. 26. is here called Aholibamah a name which seems to be given her either by Isaac or by Moses from her settledness in her idolatrâ—… câ—…urses And Adah was also called Bashemath and Mahâ—…â—…aels daughter was called Bashemath chap. 26. either becaâ—… 〈◊〉 her principles and manners she resembled Esaus other Wife so called or to shew that Ishmaels Marriage to a third Wife was no less opprobrious to him and displeasing to his Parents then the former 〈◊〉 a man and the Son of Zibeon as appears from ver 24. called here an Hivite is called Beeri the Hittite chap. 26. either because those two people were mixed together in habitation and by Marriage or because the one people were larger then the other and comprehended under their name or because he was an Hivite by birth an Hittite by habitation or incorporation with them Hence also we may learn how Aholibamah here comes to be the Daughter both of 〈◊〉 and of Zibeon the one being either the natural or proper Father and the other either the Grandfather or Father by Adoption 3 And * chap. 26. 24. Bashemath Ishmaels daughter sister of Nebajoth 4 And * 1 Chro. 1. 35. Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz c The progenitor of that Eliphaz Ioh 2. 11. and Bashemath bare Reuel d The Father
A just punishment of their obstinate refusal of peace offered 14 But the women and the little ones p Excused by their sex or age as not involved in the guilt nor being likely to revenge their quarrel and * Josh. 8. 2. the cattel and all that is in the city even all the spoil thereof shalt thou †Heb. spoil take unto thy self and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies which the LORD thy God hath given thee 15 Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee which are not of the cities of these nations 16 But * Num. 33. 5â—… chap. 7. 1 2. of the cities of these people which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth q Heb. no soul i. e. no man as that word is oft used Compare Ios. 10. 40. with 11. 14. For the beasts some few excepted as being under a special curse were given them for a prey 17 But thou shalt utterly destroy them namely the Hittites and the Amorites the Canaanites and the Perizzites the Hivites and the Jebusites as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee 18 That they teach you not to do after all their abominations which they have done unto their gods so should ye sin against the LORD your God 19 When thou shalt besiege a city a long time in making war against it to take it thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof r To wit the fruit trees as appears from the following words Which is to be understood of a general destruction of them not of the cutting down of some few of them as the conveniency of the siege might require by forcing an ax against them for thou mayest eat of them and thou shalt not cut them down ‖ Or for O man the tree of the field is to be imployed in the siege for the tree of the field is mans life s i. e. The sustenance or support of his life as life is taken Deut. 24. 6. But this place may be otherwise translated as it is in the Margent of our English Bibles For O man the Hebrew letter He being here the note of a vocative case as it is Psal. 9. 7. the tree or trees the singular number for the plural as is common of the field is or ought as the Hebrew Lamed is used Esth. 9. 1. Psal. 62. 10. to be employed in the siege or as it is in the Hebrew to go before thy face i. e. to make fences for thy security in the siege The trees of the field I here understand not in its general signification of all trees including fruit-bearing trees as that phrase is commonly used but in its more special and distinct signification for unfruitful trees as it is taken Isa. 55. 1 2. or such as grow onely in open fields such as are elsewhere called the trees of the wood 1 Chron. 16. 33. Isa. 7. 2. or the trees of the forest Cant. 2. 3. Isa. 10. 19. which are opposed to the trees of the gardens Gen. 3. 2 8. Eccl. 2. 5. Ezek. 31. 9. as the flower of the field Psal. 103. 15. Isa. 40. 6. and the lilies of the field Mat. 6. 28. are opposed to those that grow in Gardens and are preserved and cultivated by the gardeners art and care And so it is a very proper argument to disswade from the destroying of fruit-trees because the wild and unfruitful trees were sufficient for the use of the siege And this sence fitly agrees with the following words where the concession or grant which here is delivered in more ambiguous terms of the tree of the field is repeated and explained concerning the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat †Heb. to go from before thee to imploy them in the siege 20 Onely the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat thou shalt destroy and cut them down and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee until †Heb. it come down it be subdued CHAP. XXI 1 IF one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it lying in the field a Or in the city or any place onely the field is named as the place where such murders are most commonly committed and most easily concealed and it be not known who hath slain him 2 Then thy elders and thy judges b Those of thy Elders who are Judges for the latter word explains and restrains the former the Judges or rulers of all the neighbouring cities who were all concerned in this enquiry shall come forth and they shall measure c Unless it be evident and confessed which city is hearest for then measuring was superfluous unto the cities which are round about him that is slain 3 And it shall be that the city which is next unto the slain man even the elders of that city shall take an heifer which hath not been wrought with and which hath not drawn in the yoke d A fit vicegerent and representative of the muderer in whose stead it was kild who by this act hath shewn himself to be a son of Belial who would not bear the yoke of Gods law A type also of Christ who was obliged to no work and under no yoke but what he had voluntarily taken upon himself 4 And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley which is neither eared nor sowen e Partly to represent the hard and unprofitable and untutoured heart of the murderer and partly that such a desert and horrid place might beget an horrour of murder and of the murderer and shall strike off the heifers neck f To shew what they would and should have done to the murderer if they had found him there in the valley 5 And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near g Both to direct them in all the circumstances of action and to see that the law was observed and to bless them in Gods name by praying for them and absolving or pronouncing them guiltless in this matter for * chap. 10. â—… them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him and to bless in the Name of the LORD and * chap. 17. 8. 9. by their †Heb. 〈◊〉 â—… word shall every controversie h Not absolutely all manner of controversies that could possibly arise as if their word were to determine whether there were a God or providence or no whether God should be worshipped and his commands observed or no whether Moses was a true Prophet or an impostour whether Apostate and Idolatrous Israelites should be punished or no which is apparently absurd and ridiculous but every such controversie as might arise about the matter here spoken of nothing being more usual than to understand universal expressions in a limited sence and indeed
discourses or diffamations against her and bring up an evil name upon her and say I took this woman and when I came to her I found her not a maid 15 Then shall the father of the damsel and her mother take and bring forth the tokens of the damsels virginity x i. e. The linnen cloth or sheet as is expressed v. 17. which in the first congress was infected with blood as is natural and usual But because this is not now constant the enemies of Scripture take occasion to quarrel with this Law as unreasonable and unjust and such as might oppress the innocent and hence take occasion to reject the Holy Scriptures It were much more reasonable for these men either to expound this place metaphorically of producing those proofs and testimonies of her virginity which should be as satisfactory as if that cloth were produced as some of the Iews understand it or modestly to acknowledge their own Ignorance in this as they are forced to do in many other things and not impudently to conclude it is insoluble because they cannot resolve it But there is no need of such general answers many things may be particularly said for the vindication of this â—…w 1. That it was necessary for that people because of their hard-heartedness towards their Wives and their levity and desire of change of Wives 2. That either this tryal or at least the proof of her Virginity was to be taken presently after the day of marriage and that proof was to be admitted afterwards upon occasion 3. That this Law was seldom or never put in execution as the Iews note and seems to be made for terrour and caution to Husbands and Wives as many other Laws have been in like cases 4. That that God who gave this Law did by his Providence govern all Affairs and rule the Tongues and Hearts of Men and therefore would doubtless take care so to order matters that the innocent should not suffer by this means which he could prevent many wayes 5. That there is a great difference in times and climates Who knows not that there are many things now by our Moderns thought uncertain or false which by the Antient Physitians were thought and affirmed to be true and certain in their times and Countreys and that many signs of Diseases and other things do generally hold true in those more Southernly and warmer parts of the World which are many times deceitful in our Northern and colder Climates 6. That this very way of tryal of Virginity hath been used not onely by the Iews but also by the Arabians and Egyptians as is affirmed by divers Learned Writers among whom yet it was more doubtful and hazardous than among the Iews who might promise to themselves that God would guide the execution of his own Law to a just and good issue 7. That this sign if it were uncertain in persons of riper years yet it may be reasonably thought certain and constant in Virgins of young and tender age and that the Jews did ordinarily marry their Daughters when they were about 12 or 13 years old as is confessed as making haste to roll away that reproach which they thought to be in an unmarried state unto the elders of the city in the gate 16 And the damsels father shall say unto the elders I gave my daughter unto this man to wife and he hateth her 17 And â—…o he hath given occasions of speech against her saying I found not thy daughter a maid and yet these are the tokens of my daughters virginity and they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city 18 And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him x Either 1. By the following muâ—…ct Or 2. By severe reproofs which that word oft signifies Or 3. By stripes as is expressed Deut. 25. 2 3. Which is not strange considering how pretious a thing ones good Name is of which he endeavoured to deprive his Wife 19 And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver and give them unto the father of the damsel y Because this was a reproach to his family and to himself because such a miscarriage of his Daughters would have been ascribed to his evil education because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel and she shall be his wife he may not put her away all his dayes z Which seems to have been his design in this false accusation and therefore that liberty of a divorce which is permitted to others Deut. 24. 1. shall be denied to him 20 But if this thing be true and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel 21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her fathers house and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die a Qu. Why should she die when her crime was onely Fornication which was not punished in a woman with death Exod. 22. 16 17 Answ. Because there was not onely Fornication in this case as Exod. 22 but this was accompanyed with deep dissimulation and injury to her Husband in the false profession of Virginity and it might be presumed that she committed this folly after she was betrothed to him and therefore so obstinately denyed it as knowing the danger of it in that case Or God ordered it thus for the honour and custody of the matrimonial bed from all defilement that she who being defiled before she was married or betrothed and therefore not punishable by death yet if she should presume to carry her defilement into the married estate with a pretence of Virginity she should then be put to death because she hath wrought folly in Israel to play the whore in her fathers house so * Chap. 13. 5. shalt thou put evil away from among you 22 * Lev. 20. 10. If a man be found lying with a woman marryed b If he be convicted of this fault though not taken in the very act to an husband then they shall both of them die both the man that lay with the woman and the woman so shalt thou put away evil from Israel 23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband c For by this betrothing she had actually engaged her self to another man and was in some sort his Wife and therefore is sometimes so called as Gen. 29. 21. Mat. 1. 20. and a man find her in the city and lie with her 24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city and ye shall stone them with stones that they die the damsel because she cried not d And therefore is justly presumed to have consented to it being in the city and the man because he hath humbled his neighbors wife so thou shalt put away evil from among you 25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field and the man ‖ Or take strong â—…old of heâ—… force her
that he had in his hand toward the city 19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their place and they ran assoon as he had stretched out his hand and they entred into the city and took it and hasted and set the city c i. e. Not all of it as appears both from v. 28. and because then they had lost that Prey which God had allowed them but some part of it enough to raise a smoke and give notice to their Brethren of their success on fire 20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them they saw and behold the smoak of the city ascended up to heaven and they had no * Heb. Hand power d Or place for so the Hebrew word is oft used as Numb 2. 17. Neh. 7. 4. Iob 37. 7. Psal. 104. 25. Isa. 22. 18. and 56. 5. to flee this way or that way and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers 21 And when Joshua and all Israel e i. e. All the Israelites there present or all those who seemed to flee away before saw that the ambush had taken the city and that the smoak of the city ascended then they turned again and slew the men of Ai. 22 And the other f They who lay in Ambush issued out of the city against them so they were in the midst of Israel some on this side and some on that side and they smote them so that they * Deut. 7. 2. let none of them remain or escape g So their late success was a real mischief to them as being the occasion of their total ruine 23 And the king of Ai they took alive h Reserving him to a peculiar and more ignominious punishment for the terror of the other Kings who were the chief causes of all that opposition and disturbance which Israel met with in gaining the Possession of the Promised Land and brought him to Joshua 24 And it came to pass when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field in the wilderness wherein they chased them and when they were all fallen on the edg of the sword until they were consumed that all the Israelites returned unto Ai and smote it i i. e. The Inhabitants of it the men who through age or infirmity were unfit for War and the women v. 25. with the edg of the sword 25 And so it was that all that fell that day both of men and women were twelve thousand even all the men of Ai k Not strictly but largely so called who were now in Ai either as constant and settled Inhabitants or as Sojourners and such as came to them for their help such as being consederate with them are esteemed as one with them for it is evident that the men of Bethel are included in this number v. 17. the Israelites who took this number being unable to distinguish who belonged to the one City and who to the other 26 For Joshua drew not his hand back wherewith he stretched out the spear l Either 1. he ceased not to Fight with that Hand Or 2. He kept his Hand and Spear in the same posture both stretched out and lifted up as a Sign both to encourage them and to direct them to go on in the work See on v. 18. until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. 27 * 〈◊〉 31. 26. Only the cattel and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves according unto the word of the LORD which he * 〈◊〉 2. commanded Joshua 28 And Joshua burnt Ai and made it an heap for ever m Or for a long time as that word oft signifies as Gen. 6. 3. Isa. 42. 14. For that it was after some Ages rebuilt may seem from Nehem. 11. 31. unless that were another City built near the former there being some little difference in the name also even a desolation unto this day 29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree n He dealt more severely with the Kings of Canaan than with the people partly because the abominable wickedness of that people was not restrained and punished as it should have been but countenanced and encouraged by their evil examples and administrations and partly because they were the principal Authors of the Destruction of their own people by engaging them in an obstinate opposition against the Israelites until even-tide and assoon as the sun was down Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree o According to Gods command in that case Deut. 21. 22. and cast it at the entring of the gate of the city p Which place he chose either as most commodious now especially when all the City within the Gate was already turned into an heap of Stones and Rubbish or because this was the usual place of Judgment and therefore proper to bear the monument of Gods â—…ust Sentence against him not without reflection upon that Injustice which he had been guilty of in that place and * 〈◊〉 7. 26. raise thereon a great heap of stones that remaineth unto this day 30 Then q To wit after the taking of Ai. For they were obliged to do this when they were brought over Iordan into the Land of Canaan Deut. 11. 29. and 27 2 3. which is not to be understood strictly as if it were to be done the same moment or day for it is manifest they were first to be Circumcised and to eat the Passover which they did and which was the work of some days but as soon as they had opportunity to do it which was now when these two great Frontier Cities were taken and destroyed and thereby the Coast cleared and the bordering people under great consternation and confusion that all the Israelites might securely march thither And indeed this work was fit to be done as soon as might be that thereby they might renew their Covenant with and profess their subjection to that God by whose help alone they could expect Success in their great and difficult enterprise Joshua built an altar r To wit for the Offering of Sacrifices as appears from the following verse and from Deut. 27. 5 6 7. unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal s Why not on Mount Gerizim also Ans. Because Gods Altar was to be but in one place Deut. 12. 13 14. and this place was appointed to be Mount Ebal Deut. 27. 4 5. which also seems most proper for it that in that place whence the Curses of the Law were denounced against Sinners there might also be the tokens and means of Grace and Peace and Reconciliation with God for the removing of the Curses and the procuring of Gods Blessing unto Sinners 31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel as it is written in the * Exod. 20. 2â—… Deut. 27. 5. book of the law of
us in a most Bloody War you have delivered us from the evils we feared He that prevents an unexpected or approaching Disease or Mischief doth as truly deliver a man from it as he that cures or removes it after it hath been inflicted 32 ¶ And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest and the princes returned from the children of Reuben and from the children of Gad out of the land of Gilead unto the land of Canaan to the children of Israel and brought them word again 33 And the thing pleased the children of Israel and the children of Israel blessed God and did not intend to go up against them in battel to destroy the land p As they were by the Law of God obliged to do if they had been guilty and persisted therein as afterwards they did the Tribe of Benjamin for the same reason wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt 34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar ‖ That is a Witness So chap. 24. 27. Ed for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God CHAP. XXIII AND it came to pass a long time a About 14 years after it after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about that Joshua waxed old and ‡ Heb. come into days stricken in age 2 And Joshua called b Either to his own City or rather to Shiloh the usual place of such Assemblies where his words being uttered before the Lord were likely to have the more effect upon them for all Israel c Not all the people in their own persons who could not either come thither or hear him there but in their Representatives by their Elders Heads Iudges and Officers which are here added for the restriction and explication of that general expression and for d Or even for c. their elders and for their heads and for their judges and for their officers and said unto them I am old and stricken in age 3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these Nations because of you e For your sake and good that you might gain by their losses for the * Exod. 14. 14. LORD your God is he that hath fought for you 4 Behold I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain f Not yet Conquered to be an inheritance for your tribes g You shall certainly subdue them and inherit their Land as you have done the rest if you be not wanting to your selves from Jordan with all the Nations that I have cut off h i. e. With the Land of those Nations the People put for their Land as we have seen before and as sometimes on the contrary the Land is put for the People even unto the great sea ‡ Heb. at the sun-set westward i Where the Philistines your most formidable Adversaries yet survive but them also and their Land I have given to you and you shall undoubtedly destroy them if you will proceed vigorously in your work 5 And the LORD your God he shall expel them from before you and drive them from out of your sight and ye shall possess their land as the LORD your God hath promised unto you 6 Be ye therefore very couragious k For it will require great Courage and Resolution to execute all the Commands of Moses and particularly that of expelling and destroying the residue of the Canaanites to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses * Deut. 5. 32. and 28. 14. that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left l i. e. In one kind or other by adding to the Law or diminishing from it as Moses speaks 7 That ye come not among these nations m i. e. Avoid all familiar converse and contracts but especially Marriages with them as it is explained v. 12. and as the Hebrew Verb intimates being oft used of coming or going in to a Woman these that remain amongst you neither * Psal. 16. 4. Jer. 5. 7. Zeph. 1. 5. make mention of the name of their gods n To wit unnecessarily and familiarly lest the mention of them breed discourse about them and so by degrees bring a man to the approbation and worship of them Compare Exod. 23. 13. Deut. 12. 3. Psal. 16. 4. Eph. 5. 3. nor cause to swear by them o Nor require or compel the Gentiles to swear by them as they used to do especially in Leagues and Contracts which therefore the Israelites are here implicitely forbidden to make with them neither serve them nor bow your selves unto them p Neither give them any inward reverence or outward adoration Here is an observable gradation whereby he shews what notable Progress Sin usually makes and what need there is to look to the beginnings of it forasmuch as a civil and common conversation with their persons was likely to bring them and indeed did actually bring them by insensible steps to the Worship of their gods So it is no wonder if some things not simply and in themselves evil be forbidden by God as here the naming of their gods is because they are occasions and introductions to evil 8 ‖ Or for if 〈◊〉 will cleave c. But * Deut. 11. 〈◊〉 cleave unto the LORD q By firm Affiance constant Obedience intire Affection faithful Service and Worship of him alone your God as ye have done unto this day r To wit since you came into Canaan since which time the body of the people for of them he speaks not of every particular person had behaved themselves much better than they did in the Wilderness and had not been guilty of any gross and general Apostacy from God or Rebellion against him 9 ‖ Or then the LORD 〈◊〉 drive For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong but as for you no man s To wit whom you have invaded otherwise some of those people did yet remain unconquered hath been able to stand before you unto this day 10 * Lev. 26. â—… Deut. 32. 〈◊〉 One man of you shall chase a thousand for the LORD your God he it is that fighteth for you t Impute not this therefore to your own valour as you will be apt to do but to Gods gracious and powerful assistance * Exod. 1â—… 1â—… and 23. 2â—… as he hath promised you 11 Take good heed therefore unto your ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 selves u Now it requires more watchfulness and diligence than it did in the Wilderness because your Temptations are now more and stronger partly from the examples and insinuations of your bad Neighbours the remainders of this wicked people and partly from your own Peace and Prosperity and the Pride Security Forgetfulness of God and Luxury which usually attend
and took possession of their Cities and Land Or 3. When the whole Land of the ten Tribes whereof Dan was one was Conquered and the People carried Captive by the Assyrian 2 King 17. 6 23. which is called by way of Eminency the Captivity 1 Chron. 5. 22. But against this it is Objected That it is not probable that this Idolatry should continue so long in such a publick place and manner or that David and Solomon would suffer it Ans. It is not said that the graven Image was there so long for that is restrained to a shorter date even to the continuance of the Ark in Shiloh v. 31. which was removed thence 1 Sam. 4. But only that Ionathan's posterity were Priests to this Tribe or Family of Dan which they might be under all the changes even till the Assyrian Captivity sometimes more openly and allowedly sometimes more cunningly sometimes more secretly sometimes in one way of Superstition or Idolatry and sometimes in another and in and after Ieroboam's time in the Worship of the Calves for which service though he did make Priests of the meanest of the People 1 King 12. 31. yet that was not by choice but out of necessity because the Priests and Levites generally forsook him 2 Chron. 11. 13 14. and therefore when he could engage any of the Priests or Levites in that service he was doubtless very glad of them to gain reputation to his Impious and absurd device 31 And they set them up Micah's graven image which he made all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh CHAP. XIX AND it came to pass in those days a Of which see on Iudg. 17. 1. â—… and 〈…〉 when there was no king in Israel that there was a certain Levite â—…journing on the side b Heb. in the sides i. e. in one of the sides as Verse 18. of mount Ephraim who â—…k to him ‡ Heb. a woman a â—…bine or a wâ—…e a concubine a concubine c Heb. a Wiâ—…e a Concubine i. e. such a Concubine as was also his Wife as appears from v. 3 4 5 7 9 26 27. and Iudg. 20. 4. See of these Gen. 22. 24. and 25. 1. out of Bethlehem-Judah 2 And his concubine played the whore against him d i. e. Against her Faith given to him or to his wrong or with him i. e. in his House or whilest she lived with him which is opposed to her going away which here follows and went away from him e Either for fear of his severe rebukes or punishment or because her heart was alienated from him unto her fathers house to Bethlehem-Judah and was there ‖ Or a year and four months ‡ Days for months four whole months f Heb. some days to wit four months or a year so days commonly signifie and four months wherein not only she sinned but her Father by some indulgence and connivence at her Sin and neglect of just endeavours for her reconciliation to her Husband the ill effects whereof he speedily felt in the loss of his Daughter in so dreadful a manner 3 And her husband arose and went after her to speak ‡ Heb. to her heart friendly unto her g Or to speak to her heart i. e. kindly and comfortably as that phrase is taken Gen. 50. 21. Hos. 2. 14. to offer her pardon and reconciliation and restitution to her former state and to bring her again h To wit to his own House having his servant with him and a couple of asses t Partly for himself or his Wife to ride upon as there was occasion and partly for carrying their Provision as appears from v. 19 and she brought him into her fathers house and when the father of the damsel saw him he rejoiced to meet him k Hoping the breach would be made up by this means 4 And his father in law the damsels father retained him and he abode with him three days so they did eat and drink and lodged there 5 ¶ And it came to pass on the fourth day when they arose early in the morning that he rose up to depart and the damsels father said unto his son in law ‡ Heb. strength en Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread and afterward go your way 6 And they sate down and did eat and drink both of them together for the damsels father had said unto the man Be content I pray thee and tarry all night and let thine heart ‡ Heb. bâ—… good be merry 7 And when the man rose up to depart his father in law urged him therefore he lodged there again 8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart and the damsels father said Comfort thine heart I pray thee And they tarried ‡ Heb. till the day declined until afternoon and they did eat both of them 9 And when the man rose up to depart he and his concubine and his servant his father in law the damsels father said unto him Behold now the day ‡ Heb. is weak draweth towards evening I pray you tarry all night behold ‡ Heb. it is the pitching time of the day the day groweth to an end l lodg here that thine heart may be merry and to morrow get ye early on your way that thou mayest go ‡ Hebr. to thy tent home l Heb. It is the encamping time of the day i. e. the Evening when Armies having marched in the day begin to pitch their Camp or when the Sun that makes the day begins to encamp himself and go toward rest so it is a Poetical expression taken from hence That the Sun when he sets seems to vulgar eyes to go to rest 10 But the man would not tarry that night but he rose up and departed and came ‡ Hebr. to over against Jebus over against Jebus which is Jerusalem and there were with him two asses sadled his concubine also was with him 11 And when they were by Jebus the day was far spent and the servant said unto his master Come I pray thee and let us turn in unto this city of the Jebusites and lodg in it 12 And his master said unto him We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger m i. e. Of a strange Nation which the Canaanites posses for though the City Ierusalem had been taken by Caleb Iudg. 1. yet the strong Fort of Zion was still in their hands 2 Sam. 5. 6 7. whence it is likely they did much molest and afterwords by Gods permission and for the punishment of their Sin drive out the Israelites who dwelt there that is not of the children of Israel we will pass over to Gibeah 13 And he said unto his servant Come and let us draw near to one of these places to lodg all night in Gibeah or in Ramah n Both which places lay in Benjamin's Portion a little Northward from
when he was in distress and going to fight with Ieroboam 2 Chron. 13. though afterwards he did not perform his Vows nor bring in what he had Devoted whether because he was prevented by Death or because he afterwards relapsed to Idolatry as may seem probable from the 12 Verse of this Chapter and the things which himself had dedicated into the house of the LORD silver and gold and vessels 16 ¶ And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days u So long as they two Lived and Reigned together Which is not so to be understood as if there were a solemn and declared War continuing all that time for Asa was quiet in a great measure for his first ten years 2 Chr. 14. 1. till the Israelites had recovered themselves from that dreadful blow given them by Abijam 2 Chron. 13. and Baasha began to Reign in Asa's third Year but so that there were many private and particular Hostilities practised among them in which sense the same Phrase is used chap. 14. 30. 17 And 2 Chr. 16. 1. Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah x Perceiving Asa's great success of which see 2 Chron. 14 and 15. and the defection of many of his own Subjects to him upon that occasion 2 Chron. 15. 9. he began to bestir himself and commenceth a War against him and built y i. e. Repaired and Fortified Ramah z A City of Benjamin which either belonged to the Kingdom of Israel from the division as some other places of that Tribe are supposed to have done of which see on 1 King 11. 13. or belonged to Iudah but was now Invaded and taken by Baasha and Fortified that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah a Therefore he chose this place because it was in the way from his Kingdom to Ierusalem and as some add in or near the straits of the Mountains where they could easily discover and hinder all Passengers that way 18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left b These poor remainders which either Shishak had left at that time chap. 14. 26. or Abijam or Asa or others both of Israel and Iudah had dedicated which probably was not inconsiderable because Asa had got great spoils from Zerah 2 Chron. 14. and he and his numerous and prosperous People did at this time express a great Zeal for the House and Worship of God in the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the kings house and delivered them into the hand of his servants and king Asa sent them to * 2 Chr. 16. 2. Benhadad c Wherein he committed three great faults amongst many others First he Alienated things Consecrated to God without necessity Secondly He did this out of Carnal fear and distrust of that God whose Power and Goodness he had lately experienced Thirdly He did this for an ill intent to hire him to the breach of his League and Covenant with Baasha v. 19. and to take away part of that Land which by Right and the special Gift of God belonged to the Israelites the son of Tabrimon the son of Hezion king of Syria that dwelt at Damascus saying 19 There is a league between me and thee and between my father and thy father d Whereby it appears that albeit he was an adversary to Israel all Solomon's days chap. 11. 25. yet after the division of the Kingdoms of Israel and Iudah he was in League with both of them either because his designs lay upon the enlargement of his Empire other ways or rather because he thought it his Wisdom and Interest to leave them to themselves to undo one another by their intestine Wars and so to prepare the way to his Conquest of both whereas his Invading of either of them might have made up the breach and forced them to unite against their common Enemy And therefore as soon as he was free from this fear and one of them needed and earnestly desired his help against the other he gladly embraced the opportunity behold I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel that he may ‡ Heb. go up depart from me e That being called to defend himself he may be forced to depart from my Territories 20 So Ben-hadad hearkned unto king Asa and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel and smote Ijon and Dan and Abel-beth-maachah and all Cinneroth f The Northern parts of Baasha's Kingdom which were nearest to his own Kingdom of Damascus and most remote from those parts where Baasha was now employed which were in the most Southern parts of his Dominions with all the land of Naphtali 21 And it came to pass when Baasha heard thereof that he left off building of Ramah and dwelt in Tirzah g Now the Royal City of Israel See chap. 14. 17. There he abode to defend his own Kingdoms and durst not return to oppose Asa lest the Syrian King should make a second and worse Invasion So Asa met with success in his ungodly course as on the other side good men sometimes meet with disappointment in a good cause and course So there is no judging of Causes by Events 22 Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah none was ‡ Heb. free exempted All sorts of Persons were obliged to come except those who were disenabled by age or infirmity or absence or by the publick service of the King and Kingdom in other places and they took away the stones of Ramah and the timber thereof wherewith Baasha had builded and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah h i. e. Repaired and strengthned them for they were built before See Ier. 41. 9. Quest. Why did he not rather perfect the Fortifications of Ramah which Baasha had begun Ans. Because Baasha might have returned and recovered it afterwards and he thought it most convenient that there should be no City nor Fort in that place 23 The rest of all the acts of Asa and all his might and all that he did and the cities which he built are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah Nevertheless i Notwithstanding the great things which he had done and the glory and prosperity which he enjoyed he felt the effects of humane infirmity and of his own sins of which see 2 Chron. 16. 12 13. in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet 24 And Asa slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father and * 2 Chr. 1â—… â—… Matth. 1. 8. called Joâ—…phat Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead 25 ¶ And Nadab the son of Jeroboam ‡ Heb. reiâ—…d began to reign over Israel in the
amongst others his obstinate cleaving to the Idolatry of the Calves and the Whoredoms and Witchcrafts of his Mother Iezabel 2 King 9. 22. and the Wickedness of his People which was the true and proper cause of this and all their Calamities and lays the blame of all upon Elisha either supposing that he who had the Spirit of Elijah resting upon him had brought this Famine by his Prayers as Elijah had formerly done 1 King 17. 1. or because he had encouraged them to withstand the Syrians by promising them help from God in due time or because he would not by his intercession to God and the working of a Miracle deliver them from these Calamities as he easily could have done But he did not consider that the Prophets could not work what Miracles and when they pleased but onely as far as God saw fit whose time was not yet come otherwise it was Elisha's Interest as well as theirs to be freed from this distress 32 But Elisha sat in his house u In the House where he Iodged for he had no House of his own having forsaken all when he followed Elijah 1 King 19. 20 21. and the elders x So they might be called Either First From their age Or rather Secondly From their office which was either Ecclesiastical or Civil so they were either the Sons of the Prophets or rather some Godly men who were then in some Power and Office either in the Court or Army or City as may seem probable from what he requires of them And though Ioram was a wicked King and most of his Officers probably like himself yet there were some of them whom Elisha's Holy Life and Powerful Ministry and Glorious Miracles and the great and publick benefits procured by him had won to God and to the True Religion at least to the profession of it among which Iehu might be one and these were here sitting with him either to receive comfort and counsel from him in this distressed time or rather to solicite him to use his Power with God for their relief which accordingly he doth and in compliance with them not out of any fear of the King from which he very well knew by frequent experience and certain assurance that God both could and would deliver him he gives the following answer chap. 7. 1. sat with him and the king sent a man from before him y Or one of them who stood before his face one of his Guard or some other Officer to take away his head as it follows but ere the messenger came to him he said to the elders z Being admonished by God of his danger See ye how this son of a murderer a The genuine Son of that wicked Ahab the Murderer of the Lords Prophets 1 King 18. 4. and 21. 9. whose son he is not by Birth onely but also by his Manners and Bloody disposition Compare Ioh. 8. 44. This expression may seem very harsh and unfit nor is it to be drawn into imitation by others but it must be considered that he was an extraordinary Prophet intrusted with a Power in some sort superior to that of Ioram and had Authority to controle and rebuke him in the Name of the King of kings hath sent to take away mine head b To kill me before he hear what I have to say Look when the messenger cometh shut the door and hold him c Not the King but the Messenger who was last mentioned that he may not break in upon me and take away my life before the King comes fast at the door Is not the sound of his masters feet behind him d You shall not need to hold him long for the King is just at his heels coming as is probable either to recall his rash and furious sentence or at least to debate the matter with the Prophet and to procure relief 33 And while he yet talked with them behold the messenger came down unto him e To wit to the Door where also we are to understand that he was held fast that he could not come at the Prophet till the King came as the Prophet had commanded them to do and he said f Either 1. The Messenger in the Kings name and words Or Secondly The King himself who though not here named may be presumed to be present both by the Prophets prediction of his speedy coming and by the presence of the lord on whose hand the king leaned chap. 7. 2. Behold this evil g This dreadful Famine which is now so extream that Women are forced to eat their own Children is of the LORD h He hath inflicted it and for ought that I see he will net remove it Thus he lays all the blame upon God not as he ought upon his own and his Mothers wickedness which provoked God who doth not willingly afflict to send this heavy Judgment upon him what should I wait for the LORD any longer i Thou bidst me wait upon God for help but I perceive I may wait long enough before deliverance comes I am weary with waiting I can wait no longer CHAP. VII THen Elisha said a Either to the Messenger to be reported to the King or rather to the King being then come to him as it is expressed ver 18. and to his Courtiers who were come with him ver 2. Hear ye the word of the LORD Thus saith the LORD b The Lord whom you have so highly offended and at present despise and refuse to wait upon of his own meer Grace and Bounty hath sent you the glad tidings of your deliverance To morrow about this time shall a measure c Heb. Seah a Measure containing six Cabs or 144 Egg-shells or about a Peck and a Pottle of our Measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel d Compare this with chap. 6. 25. and two measures of barley for a shekel in the gate of Samaria 2 Then ‡ Heb. a lord which belonged to the King leaning upon his hand a lord on whose hand the king leaned e When he walked See chap. 5. 18. answered the man of God and said Behold if the LORD would make windows f Through which he could Rain down Corn as once he did Manna in heaven might this thing be And he said Behold thou shalt see it with thine eyes but shalt not eat thereof g A just punishment for such peremptory unbelief whereby he made not onely the Prophet but even God himself in whose Name it was evident Elisha said and did this and other things a lyar 3 ¶ And there were four leprous men at the entring in of the gate h To wit of the City out of which they were shut by virtue Gods Law Lev. 13. 46. and 14. 3 either the dwelling-place of the Lepers was near the Gate or they were come very near the Gate for fear of the Syrians and they said one to another Why sit
may be rendred thus I will put a Spirit within him so that he shall hear a rumour and return c. For by Spirit is many times understood an Imagination or Inclination or Affection in which sense we read of the Spirit of fear 2 Tim. 1. 7. Of the Spirit of jealousie Numb 5. 14. Of the Spirit of slumber Rom. 11. 8. Or a Spirit against for so the Hebrew Position Beth is oft used as hath been noted before him Of whom this Word is elsewhere used as Iudg. 9. 23. 1 Sam. 16. 14 23. 1 King 22. 23. as it is also given to Man's Soul Iob 12. 10. Eccles. 12. 7. which is a Spiritual Substance as the Angels are And this Interpretation seems most agreeable to the design of this Verse which is in brief to represent all the Judgments of God which were to befall him and which are related in the following History and therefore all the other Particulars being contained in the following Branches of this Verse the tidings of Tirhakah ver 9. in these words he shall hear a rumour his returning to his own Land and being slain there ver 36 37. in the next words it seems most probable That the chiefest of all the Judgments to wit the Destruction of 185 thousand Soldiers in one night ver 35. is not omitted here but expressed in the first branch of the Verse and the Spirit here is the same thing which is here called an Angel this latter Word being there used to limit and explain the former which otherwise was of a doubtful signification and he shall hear a rumour and shall return to his own land and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land 8 ¶ So Rab-shakeh returned i To the King to give him an account of the Treaty and to advise with him what was further to be done leaving behind him the Army under the other Commanders mentioned Chap. 18. 17. as is most probable from the other threatning Message here following which would have been very unsuitable if his Siege had been raised and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish k Not being able to take it 9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia l Heb. of Chush i. e. Either 1. of Arabia as that Word is most commonly meant of which see the notes and especially my Latin Synopsis upon Numb 12. 1. Or rather 2. Of Ethiopia beyond Egypt Nor was there any need that he should force his Passage through Egypt which is objected against this Opinion by a very Learned Man because the Egyptians against whom this Sennacherib Warred as Heathen Historians Herodotus and Berosus relate and the Ethiopians were Confederates in this Expedition as Iosephus expresly affirms who lived above 1600 Years nearer the time when this was done than we and therefore was more likely to understand it Behold he is come out to fight against thee he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah saying 10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah saying Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee saying Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria 11 Behold thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly and shalt thou be delivered m No certainly never expect it such questions oft imply a denial as Gen. 18. 17. 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed as Gozan and Haran and Rezeph and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar n Several places about or beyond Euphrates See Gen. 11. 31. Ezek. 27. 23. 13 Where is the king o Either 1. Their god whom he here calls their King because they looked upon him as their Protector and Governour which Kings are or should be to their People Or rather 2. Their King properly so called And as before he compared their gods with the God of Ierusalem so now he compares their kings with King Hezekiah and by both intends to perswade them that neither their God nor their King was able to save them out of his Hand of Hamath and the king of Arpad and the king of the city of Sepharvaim of Henah and Ivah p Of which see the notes on Chap. 18. 34. 14 ¶ And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers and read it And Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD q i. e. Into the Court of the Temple for further he might not enter and spread it before the LORD r i. e. Before the Ark or Temple which â—…e did not to acquaint God but to strengthen his own Faith and quicken himself to Prayer 15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said O LORD God of Israel * 1 Sam. 4. 4. which dwellest between the cherubims thou art the God even thou alone of all the kingdoms of the earth thou hast made heaven and earth 16 LORD bow down thine ear and hear open LORD thine eyes and see and hear the words of Sennacherib which hath sent him s i. e. The Messenger who brought this Railing Letter ver 14. Or Rabshakeh who was easily understood out of the former Chapter although he would not do him the honour to name him or sent it to wit This Letter to reproach the living God 17 Of a truth LORD the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands 18 And have ‡ Heb. given cast their gods into the fire for they were no gods but the work of mens hands wood and stone therefore they have destroyed them 19 Now therefore O LORD our God I beseech thee save thou us out of his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God even thou onely 20 ¶ Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah saying Thus saith the LORD God of Israel That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard t i. e. Accepted it and will answer it A common Synecdoche 21 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him The virgin u So he calls Zion or Ierusalem partly because she was pure in good measure from that gross Idolatry wherewith other people were defiled which is called Spiritual Whoredom partly to signifie that God would defend her from that Rape which Sennacherib intended to commit upon her with no less Care and Zeal than Parents do their Virgin Daughters from those who seek to Force and Deflour them and partly to intimate That as she had not yet been Forced and taken by her Barbarous Enemies so she should still retain her Virginity in spight of his Attempts against her the daughter of Zion x i. e. The People of Zion i. e. as it follows of Ierusalem so called Synecdochically from the Mountain and City of Zion which was an eminent part
of it Cities and Countries are oft called Mothers as 2 Sam. 20. 19. and their Inhabitants Daughters as Numb 21. 25. Iosh. 17. 16. Iudg. 1. 27. Psal. 45. 13. and 137. 8. hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee y Laughed at all thy proud and impotent Threatnings This is a Gesture of Contempt and Derision of which see Psal. 22. 7. and 44. 13. Ier. 18. 16. Matt. 27. 39. 22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice z By Rabshakeh who cryed with a loud voice Chap. 18. 28. and lift up thine eyes on high a A Gesture of Pride and Scornfulness Pro. 21. 4. even against the holy One of Israel b Not against man but against the Holy God who will not suffer thy Impious Blasphemies to go unpunished and against the holy one of Israel who hath a special relation and kindness to Israel having as it were set himself apart for them and set them apart for himself as being at this time the God of the Iews onely and not the God of the Gentiles whom as yet he suffered to walk in their own evil ways Act. 14. 16. And therefore he will Plead their Cause against thee 23 By ‡ Heb. By the hand of c. thy messengers c So thou hast advanced thy very Servants above me thou hast reproached the LORD and hast said With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains d I have brought up my very Chariots to those Mountains which were thought inaccessible by my Army to the sides of Lebanon e An high Hill famous for Cedars and Fir-trees here following and will cut down ‡ Heb. the tallness c. the tall cedars thereof and the choice fir-trees thereof f This may be understood either 1. Mystically I will destroy the Princes and Nobles of Iudah which are sometimes compared to cedars c. Or their strongest Cities Or rather 2. Literally I will cut down the Trees that hinder my March and plain and prepare the way for all my Numerous Army and Chariots And by this one Instance he intimates That nothing should stand in his way no not the highest and strongest Places and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders g i. e. Those Towns and Cities which he calls Lodgings in way of Contempt which are in his utmost Borders and most remote from me I am come into the Land of Canaan at one Border Lebanon and I resolve to March on to the other extreme Border and so to Destroy the whole Countrey from one Border to another the borders of a Land being oft put for the whole Land within its Borders as Exod. 8. 2. Psal. 74. 17. and 147. 14. Isa. 54. 12. Or as it is in the Hebrew into the lodging of his border for which in the Parallel place Isa. 37. 24. it is into the height of his border And so this may be understood of Ierusalem which it is not probable that in all his brags he would omit and against which his chief Design now lay which he here calleth a lodging for its contemptible smallness if compared with his great and vast City of Niniveh or as it is in Isa. 37. the height for its Two famous Mountains Zion and Moriah or for the Mountains which were round about Ierusalem Psal. 125. 2. and he adds of his border because this City was in the Border of Iudah as being part of it in the Tribe of Benjamin and near the Kingdom of the Ten Tribes which was now in the Assyrians hands and into the ‖ Or the forest and his fruitful field forest of his Carmel h i. e. The Forest of Mount Carmel which may seem to be another Inaccessible Place like Lebanon Or into his forest and his fruitful field For Carmel though properly it was a pleasant and fruitful Mountain in the Tribe of Issachar of which see Iosh. 12. 22. yet it is oft used to signifie any fruitful place as is manifest from Isa. 10. 18. and 16. 10. Ier. 2. 7. And thus all the parts of the Land are here enumerated the Mountains the Cities the Woods and the Fruitful Fields Or his fruitful forest to wit Ierusalem which is thought by many Interpreters to be called a Forest Ier. 21. 14. Ezek 20. 46. a name which agrees well enough to Cities where Buildings are very numerous and close and high like Trees in a Forest And if Ierusalem might be called a Forest it might well be called Hezekiah's Carmel or Fruitful Place because his Chief Strength and Treasure and Fruit was now in it and this last Word may seem to be added here to intimate That this was not like other Forests unfruitful and barren And so both this and the foregoing words are understood of the same place even of Ierusalem the last Branch being joyned to the former by way of Apposition into the lodging of his border the forest of his Carmel or his fruitful Forest there being no more words in the Hebrew Text. 24 I have digged and drank strange waters i Such as were never discovered nor used by others And therefore all thy indeavours to deprive me of Water for my Army 2 Chron. 32. 3. are Idle and Fruitless and * Deut. 11 1â—… with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of ‖ Or fenced besieged places k And as I can furnish my Army with Water digged out of the Earth by their Labour and my Art so I can deprive my Enemies of their Water and can dry up their rivers and that with the sole of my feet i. e. With the March of my Vast and Numerous Army who will easily do this either by Marching thorough them and each carrying part away with them or by Drinking every one a little of them or by their Pains making many new Channels and deriving the Waters of the River into them as Cyrus dried up Euphrates and thereby took Babylon 25 ‖ Or Hast thou not heard how I have made it long ago and formed it of ancient times should I now bring it to be laid waste and fenced cities to be ruinous heaps Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it and of ancient times that I have formed it l Hast thou not long since learned that which some of thy Philosophers could and did teach thee That there is a Supreme and Powerful God by whose Decree and Providence all these Wars and Calamities were sent and ordered whose meer Instrument thou art so that thou hast no cause for these vain Boastings This Work is mine more than thine Or as it is in the Margent of our Bibles Hast thou not heard that a Particle oft understood I have made i. e. Constituted or Purchased or Adorned for all these ways is this Hebrew Verb used
he the rather presseth upon him because the state of his Kingdom required it for it is plain that Hezekiah had not as yet any Son Manasseh his Heir and Successor not being born till three Years after this time by comparing this chap. 20. 6. with chap. 21. 1. for thou shalt die and not live c According to the course of Nature and of thy Disease which is mortal in its kind and will be so in effect if God doth not miraculously prevent it Such threatnings though absolutely expressed have oft times secret conditions which God reserves in his own Breast See Ionah 3. 4. 2 Thâ—…n he turned his face to the wall d Either because the Temple lay that way or rather that by turning his Face from the company he might intimate his desire of privacy and so might with more freedom and fervency pour out his Soul to God and prayed unto the LORD saying 3 I beseech thee O LORD remember now how I have walked before thee in truth e i. e. Sincerely with an honest mind as the following words explain it I have in some measure humane frailty excepted kept the condition which thou didst require 1 King 8. 25. and therefore do humbly beg of thee that the Promise made to David and to his Posterity upon that condition may not fail in my Person for as yet thou hast not given me a Son See on ver 1. I am not conscious to my self of any gross exorbitancies in the course of my life for which thou usest to shorten mens days and cut off my life in thy displeasure which by this sharp Message thou threatnest to do and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept ‡ Heb. with a great weeping sore f Partly for that horror of death which is and was common to men especially in the times of the Old Testament when the Grace of God in Christ was not so fully manifested as now it is and principally for the distracted and miserable condition in which the Church and State were then likely to be left through the uncertainty of the Succession to the Crown and the great proneness of the People to backslide to their false worship and evil practises which he easily perceived and which he knew would bring far worse Calamities upon them if he were removed as afterwards it came to pass 4 And it came to pass afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle ‖ Or citâ—… court g To wit of the Kings Palace of which see on 1 King 7. 8. Or into the middle city as it is in the Hebrew For some observe that there were three Cities or three parts of this City one called the city of David in Sion another 〈◊〉 led Iebus or Salem and a third which was betwixt these two parts and united them all into one City called Ierusalem This is noted to shew Gods great readiness to hear the sincere and fervent prayers of his Children that the word of the LORD came to him saying 5 Turn again and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people Thus saith the LORD the God of David thy father h I am mindful of my Promise made to David and his House and will make it good in thy Person I have heard thy prayer I have seen thy tears behold I will heal thee on the third day i Which shews that the cure was Miraculous thou shalt go up into the house of the LORD k To give me Solemn Praise for this Mercy Which proves the perfection of the cure 6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years l Beyond what thou dost expect and beyond what thou wouldst do if I should leave thee to the force of thy Disease and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria m This is added either first Because he might otherwise fear the Assyrians return to this City from which he was so shamefully repulsed Or Secondly Because this sickness happened before that great slaughter chap. 19. 35. Of which see the Notes on ver 1. and * Chap. 19. 34. I will defend this city for mine own sake n To vindicate my Glory against that insolent Blasphemer and for my servant Davids sake 7 And Isaiah said Take a lump of figs o Though the deliverance was certainly Promised yet means must be used and those suitable for this hath naturally a power of ripening and softning Boils or Sores though that power was altogether insufficient to produce so sudden and so compleat a Cure And they took and laid it on the boil Which seems to have been a Plague-sore and he recovered 8 ¶ And Hezekiah said p Or rather had said for it is evident this was said before his recovery though his recovery be mentioned before it such transpositions being frequent in Scripture unto Isaiah What shall be the sign q He asketh a sign not because he distrusted it but for the strengthning of his Faith which otherwise might be shaken by the greatness of his danger and by the contradiction between this and his former Message Compare Iudg. 6. 17 37 39. Isa. 7. 11. that the LORD will heal me and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day 9 And Isaiah said This sign shalt thou have of the LORD that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go back ten degrees 10 And Hezekiah answered It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees r To wit in an instant for that course or motion of the Sun is natural for the kind of it though miraculous for the swiftness of it but the other would be both ways miraculous nay but let the shadow return backward ten degrees 11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD s Being moved by Gods Spirits first to offer him this sign and then to pray for it and * Isa. 38. 8. he brought the shadow ten degrees backward t Quest. 1. What were these degrees Ans. Lines in the Dial but whether each of these Lines or Degrees noted an hour or half an hour or a quarter of an hour is uncertain and not very considerable in this case Quest. 2. What was it that went down Ans. Either First The Shadow alone went back without the Sun For God could so dispose of the Light of the Sun by interposing Clouds or other things so that the Shadow should fall onely upon those Lines and in that manner as God directed it And whereas the sun is said to have gone down that may be spoken according to appearance as other passages of Scripture are understood as when the Moon is called one of the great lights Gen. 1. though it be less than some of the Stars and when the sun is said to go down Jer. 15.
on 1 King 7. 40 c. and the ‖ Or bowls basons and Huram †Heb. finished to make finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God 12 To wit the two pillars and * 1 Kin. 7. 41. the pommels and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars and the two wreathes to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars 13 And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreathes two rows of pomegranates on each wreath to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were †Heb. upon the face upon the pillars 14 He made also bases and ‖ Or caldrone lavers made he upon the bases 15 One sea and twelve oxen under it 16 The pots also and the shovels and the flesh-hooks and all their instruments did Huram his father g i. e. Solomons Father the Relative being put before the Antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew Tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great Respect which he bare to him for his Excellent Art and Service which he did for him it being usual to call great Artists and Inventers of things by this Name of which see Gen. 4. 20 21. Or Huram Abiu or Abif a Man so called or Huram Abi as ch 2. 13. make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of †Heb. made bright or scoured bright brass 17 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the †Heb. thicknesses of the ground clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah 18 Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance for the weight of the brass could not be found out 19 And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God the golden altar also and the tables whereon the †Heb. bread of faces shew-bread was set h Which were of Gold and so are distinguished from those ten Tables mentioned v. 8. which seem to have been made of Silver Compare 1 Chron. 28. 16. 20 Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps that they should burn after the manner i According to the Prescription of God to and by Moses before the oracle of pure gold 21 And the flowers and the lamps and the tongs made he of gold and that †Heb. perfections of gold perfect gold 22 And the snuffers and the ‖ Or bowls basons and the spoons and the censers of pure gold and the entry of the house the inner doors thereof for the most holy place and the doors of the house of the temple were of gold k To wit in part they were made of Wood 1 King 6. 30. 2 King 18. 16. but covered with Golden Plates CHAP. V. 1 THus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished * 1 Kin. 7. 51. And Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated and the silver and the gold a Or even as that particle is oft understood the Silver and the Gold the Remainder of those vast Sums mentioned 1 Chron. 22. 14. and all the Instruments put he among the treasures of the house of God 2 * 1 King 8. 2 c. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel b Of this and the following Verses see the Notes on 1 King 8 1 c. and all the heads of the tribes the ‖ Or rulers of the families So Gr. chief of the fathers of the children of Israel unto Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David which is Zion 3 Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which was in the seventh month 4 And all the elders of Israel came and the Levites took up the ark 5 And they brought up the ark and the tabernacle of the congregation and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle these did the priests and the Levites bring up 6 Also king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark sacrificed sheep and oxen which could not be told nor numbred for multitude 7 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place to the oracle of the house into the holy place even under the wings of the cherubims 8 For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above 9 And they drew out the staves of the ark that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle but they were not seen without And ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Kin. â—… â—… there it is unto this day c When this History was first written not when it was reviewed by Ezra who made some Additions to it For after the Return from Babylon neither Staves nor Ark were any more seen or heard of 10 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses * Deut. 10. 2 5. put therein at Horeb ‖ Or 〈◊〉 when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt 11 And it came to pass when the priests were come out of the holy place for all the priests that were †Heb. 〈◊〉 present were sanctified and did not then wait by course d According to Davids Appointment 1 Chron. 24. 25. which was onely for the Ordinary Service but in Extraordinary Solemnities such as this eminently was they all came together 12 * 1 Chr. 25. â—… And also the Levites which were the singers all of them of Asaph of Heman of Jeduthun with their sons and their brethren being arrayed in white linen having cymbals and psalteries and harps stood at the east-end of the altar and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets 13 It came even to pass as the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD and when they lift up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick and praised the LORD saying * Psal. 136. For he is good for his mercy endureth for ever that then the house was filled with a cloud even the house of the LORD 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God CHAP. VI. 1 THen * 1 Kin. 8. 1â—… c. said Solomon a This whole Chapter for the Substance and almost all the Words of it are explained in the Notes on 1 King 8. The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the * Lev. 16. 2. Exod. 20. 21. thick darkness 2 But I have built an house of habitation for thee and a
many Instances in Scriptureâ—… some of which have been formerly given and others will be given in their proper places where the same Word or Phrase is taken differently and that in the very same Chapter and History And particularly this variety is elsewhere used both by Sacred and Profane Writers in the Computation of the years of Princes which are sometimes reckoned from the beginning of their Reign and sometimes from other remarkable Times and Occurrences Thus Nebuchadnezzars years are sometimes computed from the beginning of his Reign as 2 King 25. 8. Ier. 52. 12 29 30. and sometimes from his compleat Conquest of Syria and Egypt c. As that Passage Dan. 2. 1. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar is by the general stream of Interpreters understood Thus Ahaziahs years which doubtless were usually computed from the time of his Birth are computed from another Head ch 22. 2. where see the Notes And the like differences are observed in computing the years of some of the Syrian Monarchs and Roman Emperours and particularly of Augustus the years of whose Reign are variously accounted by the Roman Historians sometimes from his first Consulship sometimes from the time of the Triumvirate and sometimes from that Famous Victory at Actium where he utterly overthrew his Competitour and made himself sole and unquestionable Emperour And therefore it is not strange if it be so here And that it must necessarily be thus understood appears from hence that it cannot be the 36th year of the Reign of Asa in his own person because Baasha began to reign in Asa's third year 1 King 15. 28. and reigned onely 24 years and consequently died in Asa's 26th or 27th year as it is said he did 1 King 15. 8. * 1 Kin. 15. 17. Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah to the intent that he might let none go out or come into Asa king of Judah b That he might keep his subjects from revolting to Asa as he perceived they began to do ch 15. 9. and keep Asa's Subjects from coming into his Dominions to seduce his â—…eople from their Obedience to him 2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold c This verse and v. 3 4 5 6. are explained 1 King 15. 18 c. out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the kings house and sent to Benhadad king of Syria that dwelt at †Heb. Darmâ—…sek Damascus saying 3 There is a league between me and thee as there was between my father and thy father behold I have sent thee silver and gold go break thy league with Baasha king of Israel that he may depart from me 4 And Ben-hadad hearkned unto king Asa and sent the captains of †Heb. which were his his armies against the cities of Israel and they smote Ijon and Dan and Abel-maim and all the store-cities of Naphtali 5 And it came to pass when Baasha heard it that he left off building of Ramah and let his work cease 6 Then Asa the king took all Judah and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timber thereof wherewith Baasha was a building and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah 7 And at that time * 1 Kin. 16. 1. Ch. 19. 2. Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said unto him Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria and not relied on the LORD thy God therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand d And so reserved to be a Scourge to thy Kingdom and Posterity hereafter Whereas if he had joyned with Baasha against thee thou shouldest have overthrown them both and prevented all that Mischief which that Monarch will do one day to thy Family 8 Were not * Ch. 14. 9. the Ethiopians and the Lubims e Either the Libians in Africa or another People possibly descended from them but now seated in some part of Arabia †Heb. in abundance a huge host with very many chariots and horsemen yet because thou didst relie on the LORD he delivered them into thine hand 9 For * Zech. 4. 10. the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth ‖ Or strongly to hold with them c. to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect f i. e. Upright and sincere as thine is not Obj. The heart of Asa is said to be perfect all his days ch 15. 17. Ans. He was perfect and sincere in the things here spoken of in the Establishment of the outward Worship of God but not in the inward Worship of God trusting and fearing and loving him with all his heart of which he here speaks Or thus He was perfect or sincere in the general Course of his Life though in some particulars whereof this is one his heart did not perfectly cleave to God as it should have done toward him herein thou hast done foolishly therefore from henceforth * 1 Kin. 15. 32. thou shalt have wars g With Baasha ch 16. 4. 10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer and put him in †Heb. a house of subversion aprison house h Or in the house of the Stocks in which the Feet or as some of the Hebrews say the Necks of the Prisoners were locked up See Iâ—…r 20. 2. 29. 26. for he was in a rage with him because of this thing And Asa †Heb. crâ—…shed oppressed some of the people the same time 11 And behold the acts of Asa first and last lo they are written in the books of the kings of Judah and Israel 12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet until his disease was exceeding great yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD but to the physicians i He did not humble himself before God nor earnestly desire his Help but put all his Confidence in the Skill and Faithfulness of his Physicians of whom it seems he had great experience 13 And Asa slept with his fathers and died in the one and fortieth year of his age 14 And they buried him in his own sepulchre which he had †Heb. digged made for himself in the city of David and â—…aid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries art k As the manner of those Nations was See Gen. 50. 2. 2 Chron. 21. 19. and they made a very great burning l To wit of Precious Spices thereby â—…estifying their Thankfulness for many Benefits which they enjoyed under his Government and their Respect to him notwithstanding his Miscarriages for him CHAP. XVII ANd * 1 Kin. 15. 24. Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel a Against the King and People of Israel who had molested the Kingdom of Judah with Wars all the days of Asa
Ierusalem as it is called ch 12. 28. And they are thus called because they or their Parents either were born or now did or formerly had dwelt in those parts whence they came to Ierusalem when the service of the Temple required it 23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house after him repaired Azariah the son of Maasejah the son of Ananiah by his house 24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall even unto the corner 25 Palal the son of Uzai over against the turning of the wall f In a part of the Wall which jutted out as the tower here following did and therefore was opposite to or over against that turning and the tower g Or even the tower which lieth out from the kings high house h Either from the Royal Palace or from some other smaller House which the King formerly built there either for prospect or for defence that was by the * Jer. 32. 2. 33. 1. 37. 21. court of the prison i A place oft mentioned of which see Ier. 32. 2. 38. 7 13. after him Pedajah the son of Parosh 26 Moreover the Nethinims dwell in * 2 Chr. 27. 3. ‖ Or the tower Ophel k Or who dwelt in Ophel for this seems to be onely a description of the persons whose work follows unto the place over against * Ch. 8. 3. 12. 37. the water-gate l So called because by that Gate Water was brought in either by the People for the use of that part of the City or rather by these Nethinims who were Gibeonites for the uses of the Temple for which they were drawers of Water Jos. 9. 21. toward the east and the tower that lieth out 27 After them the Tekoites m The same spoken of before v. 5. who having dispatched their first share sooner than their Brethren had done theirs freely offered their help to supply the defects of others who as it seems neglected that part of the work which had been committed to them And this their double diligence is noted both for the greater shame of their Nobles who would not do any part of it v. 5. and for their own greater honour who were so far from being corrupted by the bad Example of their Nobles that they were rather quickened and enflamed to greater Zeal and Industry in this publick and pious work repaired another piece over against the great tower that lieth out even unto the wall of Ophel 28 From above * 2 Kin. 11. 16. Jer. 31. 40. the horse-gate n Not that belonging to the Kings Palace 2 Chr. 23. 15. but one of the Gates of the City so called either because nigh unto that were many Stables for Horses or because the Horses commonly went out that way to their watering place repaired the priests every one over against his house 29 After them repaired Zadock the son of Immer over against his house after him repaired also Shemajah the son of Shechaniah the keeper of the east-gate o To wit of the City or of the Temple which being the chief Gate was committed to his particular Care and Custody 30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph another piece after him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber p Or chambers the singular number for the plural 31 After him repaired Malchiah the gold-smiths son unto the place of the Nethinims and of the merchants over against the gate Miphkad and to the ‖ Or corner chamber going up of the corner 32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep-gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants CHAP. IV. 1 BUt it came to pass that when * Ch. 2. 10. Sanballat heard that we built the wall he was wroth and took great indignation and mocked the Jews a Pretending contempt in his words when he had grief in his Heart 2 And he spake before his brethren b Tobiah v. 3. and Geshem ch 2. 19. and others whom he calls his brethren because of their conjunction with him in office and interest and the army of Samaria c Whom he designed hereby to incense against them or at least to understand their minds herein and said What do these feeble Jews will they †Heb. leave to themselves fortifie themselves will they sacrifice will they make an end in a day d Do they intend to begin and finish the work and keep the feast of dedication by sacrifice all in one day for if they spend any long time about it they cannot think that we and the rest of their Neighbours will suffer them to do it Thus he persuaded himself and his companions that their attempt was ridiculous and this mistake kept him from giving them any disturbance till it was too late So God infaruated him to his own grief and shame and to the advantage of his people will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish e Will they pick up their broken stones out of the ruines and patch them together for other materials they want which are burnt f i. e. Which stones were burnt and broken or consumed to powder to wit by the Chaldeans when they took the City See on ch 1. 3. 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him and he said even that which they build if a fox go up g He mentions the Foxes because they were very numerous in those parts and because in the late desolations the Foxes did walk in the Mount and City of Zion Lamen 5. 18. wherewith he seems to upbraid them he shall even break down their stone-wall h It is so low that a Fox can easily get to the top of it and so weak and done so hastily and carelesly that the least thrust will tumble it down 4 Hear O our God for we are †Heb. despite despised and turn their reproach upon their own head i Let them be really as contemptible as they represent us to be This and the following requests may seem harsh but they were both just as being directed against such malicious inveterate and implacable enemies to God and to his People and necessary for the vindication and defence of Gods Honour and Worship and People and give them for a prey in the land of captivity k let them be removed from our Neighbourhood and carried into Captivity and there let them find no favour but further severity Or give them for a prey to their enemies and let these carry them into the land of captivity 5 And * Psal. 109. 14. 15. cover not their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee l Let their wickedness be in thy sight so as to bring down deserved judgments upon them that
more necessary because their times were now to be measured not by the years of their Kings as formerly but by their High-Priests Jojakim also begat Eliashib h Of whom see Nehem. 3. 1. 13. 4 5. and Eliashib begat Jojada 11 And Jojada begat Jonathan and Jonathan begat Jaddua i Generally supposed to be the same man who was High-Priest in the days of Alexander the Great as Iosephus mentions whence a great difficulty ariseth how Nehemiah could mention this man who seems not to have been High-Priest till many years after Nehemiah's death But it seems not necessary that this Iaddua should be the same Person for he might be the Father of that Iaddua both being called by the same name Or if he were the same the blessing of a very long Life might be given to this great and excellent Governour as it was to Ezra that famous Scribe as was noted on v. 1. and that for the very same reason He might also live to see Iaddua though not to see him High-Priest which might be many years after Or this passage might be put into this Book by some sacred or inspired Pen-man there being some though but few such passages in the foregoing Books of Scripture which were added by succeeding men of God in after times 12 And in the days of Jojakim were priests k As their Fathers were Priests in the days of Ioshua so in the days of Iojakim the son of Ioshua the sons of those persons executed the Priesthood in their Fathers steads some of their Fathers probably being yet living and many of them now dead the chief of the fathers of Serajah Merajah of Jeremiah Hananiah 13 Of Ezra Meshullam of Amariah Jehohanan 14 Of Melicu Jonathan of Shebaniah Joseph 15 Of Harim Adna of Merajath Helkai 16 Of Iddo Zechariah of Ginnethon Meshullam 17 Of Abijah Zichri of Miniamin of Moadiah Piltai 18 Of Bilgah Shammua of Shemajah Jehohanan 19 And of Jojarib Mattenai of Jedajah Uzzi 20 Of Sallai Kallai of Amok Eber 21 Of Hilkia Hashabiah of Jedaja Nethaneel 22 The Levites in the days of Eliashib Jojada and Johanan and Jaddua were recorded chief of the fathers also the priests to the reign of Darius l Either Darius Codomannus and then what was said concerning Iaddua v. 11. must be in part repeated and applied here or Darius Nothus and so this Iaddua might be Father to him who was in the days of Darius Codomannus and of Alexander the Great the Persian 23 The sons of Levi the chief of the fathers were written in the Book of the * 〈◊〉 â—… 14. â—… chronicles m i. e. In the publick Annals or Registers in which the Genealogies of the several Families were set down by the Jews with great exactness as all persons agree even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib 24 And the chief of the Levites Hashabiah Sherebiah and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel with their brethren over against them to praise and to give thanks * 〈◊〉 â—… â—… â—… according to the commandment of David the man of God ward over against ward n Of which see on v. 9. 25 Mattaniah and Bakbukiah Obadiah Meshullam Talmon Akkub were porters keeping the ward at the ‖ 〈…〉 thresholds of the gates o To wit of the Temple their watching-place being close by the Thresholds of the Gates as it now is 26 These were in the days of Jojakim the son of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and in the days of Nehemiah the governour and of Ezra the priest the scribe 27 And at the dedication of the wall p And of the gates which are mentioned v. 30. and of the City itself within the Gates which is here dedicated to God and to his Honour and Service not only upon a general account by which we ought to devote our selves and all that is ours to God but upon a more special ground because this was a place which God himself had chosen and sanctified by his Temple and gracious presence and therefore did of right belong to him whence it is oft called the holy City as hath been observed before And they restored to God by this dedication withal imploring the Presence and Favour and Blessing of God to this City by solemn Prayers and Praises and Sacrifices wherewith this Dedication was accompanied See Deut. 20. 5. 1 Kin. 8. 63. Ezr. 6. 17. Psal. 30. title of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places q To which they were now retired after that great and general Assembly ch 8 9 10. to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness both with thanksgivings and with singing with cymbals psalteries and with harps 28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem and from the villages of Netophathi 29 Also from the house of Gilgal and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth for the singers had built them villages round about Jerusalem r That they might be near at hand for the service of God and of his House 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves and purified the people and the gates and the wall s Partly by sprinkling the water of Purification upon them by which the Tabernacle and sacred Utensils were purified Num. 8. and partly by solemn Prayers and Sacrifices 31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah t And half of the people with them as it is expressed afterwards v. 38. upon the wall u For the Wall was broad and strong and so ordered that Men might conveniently walk upon it as at this day it is in many Cities and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks whereof one went on the right hand x Towards the South and East upon the wall toward * Ch. 2. 13. 3. 13. the dung-gate 32 And after them went Hoshajah and half of the princes of Judah 33 And Azariah Ezra y Not the Scribe as is evident from v. 36. but another Ezra and Meshullam 34 Judah and Benjamin and Shemajah and Jeremiah 35 And certain of the priests sons * Num. 10. 2. with trumpets namely Zechariah the son of Jonathan the son of Shemajah the son of Mattaniah the son of Michajah the son of Zaccur the son of Asaph 36 And his brethren Shemajah and Azareel Milalai Gilalai Maai Nethaneel and Judah Hanani with * 1 Chr. 23. 5. the musical instruments of David the man of God and Ezra the scribe before them 37 And at * Ch. 2. 14. â—… 15. the fountain-gate which was over-against them they went up by * Ch. 3. 15. the stairs of the city of David z By which they went up to the hill of Sion and City of David at the going up of the wall above the house of David even unto * Ch. 3. 26. 8. 1 3 16. the
of his Church he hath prepared t Or established by his immutable Purpose and his irrevocable Promise his throne for judgment 8. And * Psal. 96. 13. 98. 9. he shall judg the world u Not you onely but all the Enemies of his People and all the Men of the World in righteousness he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness 9. * Psal. 3â—… 39. 46. 1. 91. 2. The LORD also will be †Heb. At high place a refuge for the oppressed x God will not only judg the World at the last day and then give Sentence for his People against their Enemies but even at present he will give them his Protection a refuge in †Gr. 〈◊〉 times †Heb. Is trouble So Gr. of trouble 10. And they that know y i. e. That thoroughly understand and duly consider thy name z i. e. Thy Nature and Perfections thy infinite Power and Wisdom and Faithfulness and Goodness which make a Person a most fit and proper Object for Trust. The name of God is most frequently put for God as he hath manifested himself in his Word and Works as Deut. 28. 58. Psal. 7. 17. and 20. 1. Prov. 18. 10. c. will put their trust in thee for thou LORD hast not forsaken a The experience of thy Faithfulness to thy People in all Ages is a just ground for their Confidence them that seek thee b i. e. That seek Help and Relief from thee by fervent Prayer mixed with Faith or trust in God as is expressed in the former Clause 11. Sing praises to the LORD which dwelleth in Zion c Whose special and gracious Presence is there for there was the Ark at this time declare among the people d i. e. To the heathen Nations that they also may be brought to the Knowledg and Worship of the true God his doings 12. * Gen. 9. 5. When he maketh inquisition for blood e Heb. Bloods The bloodshed or murder of his innocent and holy ones which though he may connive at for a season yet he will certainly call the Authors of it to a very severe Account and avenge it upon them he remembreth them f Either 1. The Humble as it follows or the Oppressed v. 9. That trust in him and seek to him v. 10. Whom he seemed to have forgotten Or 2. The bloods last mentioned for that Noun and this Pronoun are both of the masculine Gender and then remembring is put for revenging or punishing as it is Deut. 25. 17 19. Neâ—… 6. 14. Ier. 14. 10. and 44. 21. and oft elsewhere he forgetteth not the cry of the ‖ Or Afflicted humble g Or â—…eek as this word which is used also Zech. 9. 9. is Translated Mat. 21. 5. Who do not and cannot and will not avenge themselves but commit their Cause to me as the God to whom Vengeance belongeth Or afflicted or oppressed ones 13. Have mercy upon me O LORD consider my trouble h To wit Compassionately and effectually so as to bring me out of it which I suffer of them that hate me thou that liâ—…test me up from the gates of death i From the Brink or Mouth of the Grave into which I was dropping being as near Death as a Man is to the City that is come to the very Gates of it And so the Phrase is used Psal. 107. 18. Isa. 38. 10. and in other Authors of whom see my Latin Synopsis Gates elsewhere signify Power and Policy because the Gates of Cities were places both of Counsel and Strength but the Gates of Death are never so taken in Scripture 14. That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates k i. e. In the great Assemblies which were usually in the Gates Comp. Prov. 31. 31. Isa. 3. 26. These Gates he elegantly opposeth to the former and declareth that if he be brought off them he will go into these of the daughter of Zion l Either 1. Of Ierusalem so called also Isâ—… 1. 8. Zech. 9. 9. Because at this time it was subject to Zion which at this time was the seat of the Kings Palace and of the Ark. For Cities or Towns belonging or subject unto any Metropolis are commonly called its Daughters as Ios. 15. 45. 2. Chron. â—…3 19. Psal. 48. 11. As the chief Cities are called Mothers as 2. Sam. 20. 19. Gal. 4. 26. Or 2. Of the People who live in or belong to or meet together for civil and religious Matters in Zion For Cities are as it were Mothers to their People giving them Birth and Breeding and therefore the People are commonly called their Daughters So the Name of the Daughter of Egypt Ier. 46. 11. and of Edom Lam. 4. 21 22. and of Tyre Psal. 45. 12. and of Babel Psal. 137. 8. and of Ierusalem Lam. 2. 13 15. Mich. 4. 8. Are put for the People of those places I will rejoyce m To wit with spiritual Joy and Thanksgiving else it were no fit Motive to be used to God in Prayer in thy salvation 15. * 〈◊〉 7. 15. 〈◊〉 6. 〈◊〉 22. 8. The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made n Fallen into that Destruction which they designed to bring upon us in the net which they hid is their own foot taken 16. The LORD is known o Or hath mads himself known or famous even among his Enemies by his most wiâ—…e Counsels and wonderful Works by the judgment which he executeth p Upon the Wicked as it followeth the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands * 〈◊〉 92. 3. Higgaion q This is either a musical Term or a Note of Attention a kind of behold intimating that the Matter deserves deep and frequent Meditation or Consideration as the word signifies Selah 17. The wicked shall be turned into hell r Either 1. Into the Grave which is oft called Schâ—…ol into which they are said to be turned or to return because they were made of or taken out of the Dust Eccles. 12. 7. Or 2. Into the place of eternal Perdition which also is sometimes called Schâ—…ol as Prov. 15. 24. and elsewhere For he seems to speak here of those Punishments which are peculiar to the Wicked whereas the Grave is common to good and bad And as v. 8. He seems to speak of the last and general Judgment of all the World so this Verse may be understood of the general Punishment of all Persons and Nations consequent upon it And into this place wicked Men may be said to be turned back or to return either 1. Because it is their own proper place Act. 1. 25. to which they belong and from which they have their Original and their wicked Qualities as being of their Father the Devil Iohn 8. 44. In which respect the Locusts who are by all Interpreters understood to be living Men are said
by such Metaphors as Ier. 51. 25. Hagg. 2. 21 22. Revel 6. 14. 3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled d Though the Sea be very Tempestuous and it's Waters by which a multitude of People is oft signified as Revel 17. 1. 1â—… Rage to wit against us as appears from the following Verses though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof e Though its Raging Waves assault mighty Princes and Kingdoms and make them shake and be ready to fall down Selah 4. There is a river the streams whereof f He either speaks of or at least alludes to the River of Kidron 2 Sam. 15. 23. Ioh. 18. 1. and it 's two streams or Rivolets following from it Giâ—…one and Siloah 2 Chron. 32. 30. Isa. 8. 6. which being small and Contemptible or still or gentle Waters are not unfitly opposed to the vast and unruly Waters of the Sea He insinuates the weak Condition of God's Church as to outward advantages that they had not one Sea to oppose to another but onely aâ—… small River which though in it self despicable yet was sufficient to Refresh and defend them in spight of all their Enemies And as the Sea and â—…aters thereof v. 2 3. are to be understood Metaphorically as all agree so also in all Probability are this River and Streams Which therefore may design the gracious Presence and Assistance and Blessing of the Lord which is very frequently described under the Name of waters as Isa. 11. 9. and 12. 3. Zech. 14. 8. c. or the Lord himself who is expresly said to be unto the City of Zion for it's defence a place of broad Rivers and Streams Isa. 33. 20 21. which probably alludes to this Text or at least explains it shall make glad g i. e. Shall not barely defend it from utter Ruin but preserve it from Danger and give great occasion for Rejoycing and Thanksgiving the city of God h i. e. Zion or Ierusalem so called also Psal. 48. 1. Isa. 60. 14. the holy place of the tabernacles i i. e. Of the Tabernacle the plural Number for the singular as Psal. 43. 3. The place where God's holy Tabernacle is settled of the most High 5. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her †Heb. 〈◊〉 the Morning appeareth and that right early k Heb. as soon as the Morning appeareth i. e. Speedily after a short Night of affliction Comp. Psal. 30. 5. and seasonably when the Danger is greatest and the Enemies prepare to make the Assault which is commonly done in the Morning 6. The heathen raged l To wit against God and against his People the kingdoms were moved he uttered his voyce l Either he thundred Or he spake to them in his Wrath as is said Psal. 2. 5. the earth melted m The Inhabitants of the Earth who were combined against Zion were dispirited and consumed 7. The LORD of hosts is with us the God of Jacob is †Heb an high place for us our refuge Selah 8. * Psal. 66. 5. Come behold the works of the LORD ‖ Or who hath made Desolations what desolations he hath made in the earth n i. e. Among those People of the Earth who were Neighbouring and Vexatious to God's People and therefore were cut off by David and their Lands and Cities in great part wasted 9. He maketh wars to cease o He hath ended our Wars and settled us in a firm and well-grounded Peace unto the end of the earth p Or. of this Land to wit of Israel From one end of it to the other * Psal. 76. 3. he breaketh the bow and cuteth the spear in sunder he burneth the Chariot in the fire q He speaks of the Bows and Spears and Chariots of their Enemies for he preserved those which belonged to his People 10. Be still r He speaks Either 1. To the Israelites be still i. e. Do you henceforth silently and quietly wait upon me without Fear or Dissidence Or rather 2. To the Heathen who had Raged v. 6. and therefore now he seasonably admonisheth them to be still and to stir no more against God's people and know thâ—…t I am God s The onely True and Almighty God and your God's are but dumb and impotent Idols I will be exalted t i. e. I will make my self Glorious by my great and wonderful Works among the hâ—… I will be exalted in the earth 11. The LORD of hosts â—…ith us the God of Jacob is our refuge Selah PSAL. XLVII The ARGUMENT This Psalm may seem to have been Composed upon the occasion of that great Solemnity of carrying the Ark from the House of Obed-Edom into the City of Zion of which sâ—…e 2 Sam. 6. and 1 Chro. 13. and 16. But as Zion was a Type of the Church and the Ark a Type of Christ â—…o this hath a further reference even to Christ's â—…scension into Heaven and as Consequent thereunto to the spreading of his Kingdom in all the Parts and Nations of the World Which is the chief Scope and Design of the Psalmist or at least of the Holy Ghost in this Psalm as will plainly appear from the Words and Matter of it To the chief musician a Psalm ‖ Or of for the sons of Korah 1. O Clap your hands all ye people a Either 1. All the Tribes of Israel For the several Tribes are sometimes called several People See Iudg. 5. 14. Ezek. 2. 3. Act. 4. 27. Or 2. All Nations not onely Iews but Gentiles for all of them either had or might have Benefit by the Ark upon their Addresses to God there and especially by Christ and his Ascension shout unto God b In the Worship and unto the Glory of the God of Israel with the voyce of triumph 2. For the LORD most high is terrible c Or is most high in himself above all God's which Conjunction is oft understood Teâ—…rible to all his Enemies be is a great King over all the earth d The universal Monarch of the whole World and not of onely Israel 3. He shall subdue e Or lâ—…ad like Sheep Or â—…ring into the Fold as divers render the Word by Comparing Isa. 5. 17. Mich. 2. 12. He seems to speak of such a Subjugation of them as was for the good of the People subdued because this is Matter of Rejoyâ—…ing to them v. 1. Which is true both of those People whom David subdued who thereby had Opportunities Obligations and Encouragements to own and Worship the true God which was the onely way to their true and lasting Happiness and especially of those Gentiles who were subdued to Christ by the preaching of the Gospel the people under us f The Gentile-Converts were in some sort brought under the Iews because they were subjected to Christ and to his Apostles and to the primitive
8. and all 〈◊〉 shall 〈◊〉 their Hâ—…s for joy as it is v. 1. for the shields of the earth x Either 1. The protection of the People of all the Earth Or rather 2. Their Princes or Rulers who are fitly called Shields Hâ—…se 4. 18. because by their Office they are or should be the common Parents and Protectors of all their People to defend them from all Oppression and Injuries These saith he are the â—…rds i. e. At his disposal or subject to his Dominion both as to their Hearts and Kingdomâ—… And so this is here Conveniently added as the Reason of that great and improbable Event sorâ—… told in the foregoing Words that the Princes of the People which of all others were most lofty and wilful and incorrigible should joyn and subject themselves to the Lord and to his Church belong unto God he is greatly exalted y By this means God shall be greatly Glorified and appear to be far above all the Princes of the World and above all other Gods PSAL. XLVIII THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was Composed upon the Occasion of some eminent Deliverance vouchsafed by God to the City of Jerusalem from some potent Enemy and dâ—…eadful Danger Either that in Johoshaphat's time 2 Chron. 20. or that under Hezekiah 2 Kings 18. and 19. In both which times they were Holy Prophets by some of whom this Psalm might be made A song and Psalm a Of which see on Psal. 30. which hath the same Title for the sons of Korah ‖ Or of 1 GReat is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God b In Ierusalem which he hath chosen for his dwelling Place in the mountain of his holiness c i. e. In his holy Mountain either Zion where the Ark and Tabâ—…rnacle was Or rather Moriah where the Temple now was Although both of them are supposed by some to be but one Mountain having two Tops and it is certain that both are frequently called by one Name to wit Zion 2. * Psal. 50. 2. Ezek. 20. 6. Dan. 8. 9. 11. 16. Beautiful for situation the joy of the whole earth d Ierusalem may be so called here as it is also Lament 2. 15. not actually as if all People did rejoyce in it or for it but Fundamentally or Causally because here was very great cause or ground of rejoycing for the Gentile World if they had understood themselves or their true Interest Because here God was graciously present and ready to hear and Answer the just Desires and Prayers not onely of the Israelites but of any stranger of what Nation soever according to Soâ—…mon's Prayer 1 Kings 8. 41. c. and here the Gentiles might find that God whom like blind Men they groped for as the Greek Phrase implies Act. 17. 27. and here they might be informed of the Nature and Properties as also of the Mind and Will of the Almighty and everlasting God of which they were so grossly Ignorant and of that Messias who was the Dâ—…sire of and Consequently matter of great Joy unto all Nations Hagg. 2. 7. and 2. Prophetically because the â—…ful Doctrine of the Gospel was to go from thence unto all Nations of which see Iâ—…a 2. 2 3. Mich. 4. 1 2. yet these Words may be and are by others rendred and understood thus the Ioy of the or this for here is an Emphatical Article whole Land is mount Zion on the sides of the north e i. e. Which is on the Northern part of Ierusalem But because Iosephus and some others affirm thâ—…t Mount Zion stood Southward from Ierusalem this Clause possibly may be added to signifie that Zion is not here to be understood strictly and Properly for that Mountain or part of the Mountain so called but for that other Mountain or part of the same Mountain upon which the Temple was built which was strictly called Moriah but is here called Zion because that Name was far better known in Scripture as being oft put for the Temple as Psal. 137. 3. Isa. 18. 7. Ier. 51. 10. Lam. 5. 18. and for the whole City and for the Church of God in a multitude of places of Scripture * Math. 5. 35. the city of the great king f i. e. The City of God as it was now called v. 1. who justly calls himself a great King Mal. 1. 14. as being King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revel 19. 16. 3. God is known in her palaces g To his People by sensible and long Experience and to all neighbouring Nations by their own Observation for a refuge h i. e. In the Habitations or to the Inhabitants of that City Possibly he may here point at the Kings Palace and the Temple which was the Palace of the King of Heaven which two Palaces God did in a singular manner Protect and by Protecting them he Protectâ—…d the whole City and People i Uader whose shadow we are more safe and secure than other Cities are with their great Rivers and impregnable Fortifications 4. For lo the kings i Either those Kings Consederate against Iohoâ—…haphat 2 Chron. 20. or tâ—…e Assyrian Princes whom they Vain-Gloriously called Kings Iâ—…a 10. 8. were assembled they passed by k In their March towards Ierusalem Or they pasâ—… away i. e. Departed without the Success which they desired and Considently expected together 5. They saw it l Thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 look upon it but not come into it nor shoot an 〈◊〉 tâ—…re nor cast a Bank against it as is said upon this or the like Occasion 2 Kings 19. 32. and so they marvelled m Not so much at the structure or strength of the City as at the wonderful Works wrought by God on their behalf they were troubled and hasted away n See 2 Kings 19. 35. 6. Fear took hold upon them there and pain o Partly at the Tidings of Tirhakah's coming against them 2 Kings 19. 9. and Partly for that Terrible slaughter of their Army there v. 35. as of a woman in travail 7. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east-wind p This is not reported as a Matter of Fact for we Read of no Ships in those Expeditions to which this Psalm relates nor did any Ships come near Ierusalem because that was aâ—… a great Distance from the Sea and from any navigable River running into the Sea but onely added by way of Illustration oâ—… Allusion The Sence is Thou didst no less violently anâ—… suddenly destroy these Proud and Raging Enemies of Ierusalem than sometimes thou destroyest the Ships at Sea with a fierce and Vehement Wind such as the Eastern Winds were in those Parts Exod. 14 21. Iob. 27. 21. Ier. 18. 17. Ezek. 27. 26. The Words are and may be rendred thus Thou diast break them as such Ellipsis of the Pronoun and of the note of similitude being very frequent as I have again and again shewed the Ships of the
in the next verse by this description of them him or them that hated peace although David sought peace with them v. 7. And so he speaks either 1. of the Philistins among whom he sojourned for a time But he did not seek peace with them but sought their ruine as the event shewed not did they wage war against him whilst he lived peaceably among them Or rather 2. the Courtiers and Souldiers of Saul and the generality of the Israelites who to curry favour with Saul sought Davids ruine and that many times by treachery and pretences of friendship of which he oft complains in this Book whom as he elsewhere calls Heathen as Psal. 9. 5 59. 5. it is not strange if he compare them here to the savage Arabians And amongst such persons David was oft forced to sojourn in Sauls time and with them he sought peace by all ways possible but they hated peace and the more he pursued peace the more eagerly did they prosecute the war as it here follows 6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace 7 I am ‖ 〈◊〉 a man of 〈◊〉 for peace but when I speak they are for war PSAL. CXXI A song of degrees The matter of this Psalm sufficiently sheweth that the Psalmist was conflicting with great difficulties and oppositions and looking hither and thither for help as men in such cases use to do and then turning his eyes to God and his Providence and encouraging himself by Gods promises made to his people 1 ‖ Or shall I lift up mine eyes to the hills whence should my help come I Will lift up mine eyes unto the * Psal. 87. 1. 133. 3. hills a Either to Sion and Moriah which are called the holy mountains Psal. 87. 1. or rather 2. to the hills in general whereof there were many in the land of Canaan and upon which the forces which he hoped would come to his aid might be seen at a great distance from whence cometh b Or may come Heb. will come my help 2 * Psal. 124. 8. My help cometh from the LORD c From God alone and therefore to him alone will I turn mine eyes which made heaven and earth 3 He will not suffer thy foot d He speaketh as it were from God to himself but withal to the encouragement of his followers and of all good men to be moved e To wit so as to fall into mischief he that keepeth thee will not slumber f Will not overlook nor neglect any thing which is necessary for thy preservation 4 Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep 5 The LORD is thy keeper the LORD is thy shade g Both to refresh thee and keep thee from the burning heat of the Sun as it is expressed in the next verse and to protect thee by his power from all thine enemies for which reason God is oft called a shadow in Scripture upon thy right hand h Partly to uphold thy right hand which is the chief instrument of action and partly to defend thee in that place where thine enemies oppose thee of which see on Psal. 109. 6. And compare Psal. 16. 8. 109. 31. 6 The sun shall not smite thee i With excessive heat by day nor the moon k With that cold and moisture which comes into the air by it and with it Intemperate heats and colds are the two springs of many diseases He alludes both to the condition of Souldiers or Travellers who are exposed to the open air by day and by night and also to the cloudy Pillar which defended the Israelites both by day and by night The sence is He shall protect thee from all evils both by day and night by night 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in l Shall guard and assist thee in all thy expeditions and affairs and actions either at home or abroad So this phrase is used Numb 27. 17. Deut. 28. 6. from this time forth and even for evermore PSAL. CXXII A song of degrees of David This Psalm seems to have been written by David for the use of the people when they came up to Ierusalem to the solemn Feasts 1 I Was glad when they said unto me Let us go a Exhorting one another to it as Deut. 33. 19. Or we will go The sence is It delighted me much to hear that the people who had so long lived in the neglect or contempt of Gods worship were now ready and forward in it into the house of the LORD 2 Our feet †Heb. were standing So Gr. shall stand b Thither we shall come and there we shall make our abode during the times of solemn worship within thy gates O Jerusalem c In that City where the Ark is now fixed We shall wander no more from place to place as the Ark was removed 3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is * See 2 Sam. 5. 9. compact together d Partly in its buildings which are not dispersed as they are in Villages nor divided into two Cities as it was before but united and enlarged 1 Chron. 11. 7 8. and principally in its Government and Religion which was distinct and opposite before David took the Fort of Zion from the Iebusites 4 * Exod. 23. 17. Deut. 16. 16. Whither the tribes e Not some few pious people of each Tribe as in Sauls time and under the Judges but whole Tribes nor onely one or two of the Tribes as it was during the late Civil Wars but all the twelve Tribes go up the tribes of the LORD e Whom God hath chosen to be his people and whom he hath invited and required to resort thither unto the testimony of Israel f Unto the Ark which is oft called the Testimony as Exod. 16. 34. Levit. 16. 13. 24. 3. Numb 17. 4. and more fully the Ark of the Testimony as Exod. 26. 33 34. and elsewhere because of the Tables of the Covenant laid up in it which are called Gods Testimony and the Tables of the Testimony as Exod. 25. 16. 31. 18 c. And this may well be called the Testimony of or to Israel because it was given by God to them and for their good Or by or according to the Testimony of Israel i. e. Gods command given to Israel which may be alledged here as the reason which moved them to this journey to give thanks unto the name of the LORD g To worship God this one eminent part and action thereof being put for all the rest 5 For h This is added as another reason inviting and obliging them to go up to Ierusalem and as another commendation of this City there †Heb. Do sit are set thrones of judgment i The supreme Courts of Justice for
great work 2 How he sware unto the LORD and vowed c He made a solemn vow and confirmed it with an oath Which he undoubtedly did although no mention be made of it 2 Sam. 7. Thus many historical passages which were omitted in their proper places are afterwards recorded upon other occasions of which examples have been formerly noted unto the mighty God of Jacob d Of Israel Iacob and Israel are frequently put for their posterity as hath been frequently observed 3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house nor go up to my bed e This and the following clauses are not to be understood strictly and properly as if he would never come into his house or bed till this was done which is confuted by the history 2 Sam. 11. 2. but figuratively as an hyperbolical expression such as are usual both in Scripture and in all other Authors to signifie his passionate desire of doing this work which was so earnest that neither his house nor bed nor sleep could give him any content till this work was done or in some forwardness 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes or slumber to mine eye-lids 5 Until I find out a place for the LORD f Either 1. until I can understand from God what place he hath chosen for his house to be built in Or rather 2. until I have fitted or raised an house in which the Ark may be put an habitation as this is explained both in the next clause and in v. 7. and Act. 7. 46. For this and not the former was the matter both of Davids desire and of Gods answer delivered by Nathan 2 Sam. 7. †Heb. habitations an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. 6 Loe we have heard of it g Of the place or habitation for the Lord last mentioned at Ephratah h Either 1. in Bethlehem which is called Ephratah Gen. 35. 19. 48. 7. Mich. 5. 2. So the sence is either this We heard a rumour at Bethlehem among Davids relations that the Ark should be removed to a new place and that David had pitched upon it or this We heard that Bethlehem would be the place for it because it was the City of David Or rather 2. in the Tribe of Ephraim which was called also Ephratah or Ephrathah as is manifest because the men of Ephraim were called Ephrathites as Iudg. 1â—… 5. in the Hebrew Text though in the English it be Ephraimite So Ieroboam is called an Ephrathite 1 Kings 11. 26. So the sence is We heard it from our fathers that the ancient place of it was Shiloh which was in the land of Ephraim Whereby he covertly intimates that God rejected and forsook that place and chose not the tribe of Ephraim as it is said Psal. 78. 67. that so he might make way for Zion which was the place chosen by God for it as it follows here v. 13. we found it i Afterwards we found it elsewhere in the fields of the wood k i. e. In a field or in one of the fields of the wood for that little spot of ground in which the Tabernacle or Temple was built was not likely to be in several fields Thus Iepthah was buried in the cities of Gilead Iudg. 12. 7. i. e. in one of them This is meant either 1. of the Mount Moriah which might possibly be called the field of the wood as being anciently a place full of wood Gen. 22. 13. or of the threshing-floor of Araunah of which see 2 Sam. 24. 28. which before the building of the Temple is said to have been a woody place Or rather 2. of Kiriath-jearim which signifies a city of woods in the field or territory whereof the Ark was seated for twenty years as we read 1 Sam. 7. 1 2. And from this place it was removed to Zion 2 Sam. 6. 1 c. 7 We will go l Seeing the Ark is now fixed in a certain place we will go to it more generally and constantly than formerly we did into his tabernacles m Into his Tabernacle or Temple the Plural number put for the Singular as Psal. 43. 3. 46. 4 c. * Psal. 99. 5. we will worship at his footstool n Either the Temple or rather the Ark so called 1 Chron. 28. 2. Lament 2. 1. because God is oft said to sit between the Cherubims which were above the Ark. 8 * Num. 10. 35. 2 Chr. 6. 41 42. Arise o i. e. Arise and come One word put for two as Gen. 43. 33. marvelled i. e. marvelled looking one at another and v. 34. he took messes i. e. he took and sent messes as our Translation renders it And this word is very proper in this place because it was to be used by Gods appointment when the Ark was to be removed from one place to another Numb 10. 35. as now it was from the Tabernacle in Zion to the Temple in Moriah upon which occasion this and the two following verses were used by Solomon 2 Chron. 6. 41 42. O LORD into thy rest p Into thy resting place the Temple so called Isa. 66. 1. where thou hast now a fixed habitation thou and the ark of thy strength q The seat of thy powerful and glorious presence from whence thou dost put â—…orth and manifest thy strength on the behalf of thy people when they desire and need it 9 Let thy priests be cloathed with * Ver. 16. righteousness r Not onely with those outward Sacerdotal garments of glory and beauty which thou hast appointed for them but especially with those inward ornaments of righteousness and true holiness that so their persons and services may be accepted by thee both for themselves and for all thy people and they may be cloathed with salvation as it is expressed here below v. 16. and 2 Chron. 6. 41. which is the effect or consequent of the former clothing and let thy saints shout for joy s Let all thy people have cause of rejoycing in the tokens of thy goodness which they eminently had at the dedication of the Temple as is noted 1 Kings 8. 66. 10 For thy servant Davids sake t In regard of thy singular kindness and promises vouchsafed to David as this is explained in the following verses And this verse makes it more than probable that David was not the Penman of this Pslam who never used to beg mercies from God for his own sake but constantly for his names sake and for the sake of his truth mercy goodness or righteousness as will be evident to any one that reads this Book turn not away the face u Cast me not out of thy presence do not reject or deny my request as this phrase is expounded 1 Kings 2. 16. of thine anointed x Of me whom thou hast anointed to be King over thy people He speaks of himself in the third person as
embraceth 6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment r There is a fit way and season for the happy accomplishment of every business which a man designeth or undertaketh to do which is known to God but for the most part hidden from man as is implied and may be gathered from the following words See the Notes on Ch. 3. 1. therefore s Because there are very few who have that wisdom which is necessary to discern this as was now said v. 5. and most men do by their ignorance and loss of opportunities deprive themselves of many advantages and expose themselves to manifold miseries the misery of man is great upon him 7 For * Pro. 24. 22. Ch. 6. 12. he knoweth not that which shall be t Men are generally ignorant of all future events and of the success of their endeavours and therefore their minds are greatly disquieted and their expectations frequently disappointed and they fall into many mistakes and miscarriages which they could and would prevent if they did foresee the issues of things for who can tell him u No wise Man no Astrologer or other Artist can discover this ‖ Or â—…ow it shall be when it shall be 8 There is no man that hath power * Job 14. 5. over the spirit x i. e. The Soul of Man which is oft called a Spirit as Iob 7. 7. 10. 12. Psal. 78. 39. 104. 29 c. to retain the spirit y To keep it in the Body beyond the time which God hath allotted to it This is added as another evidence of Man's misery neither hath he power in the day z Or against the day i. e. to avoid or delay that day of death and there is no ‖ Or casting â—…ff weaponâ—… discharge a As there is in other Wars when Souldiers either are dismissed from the service or escape by flight or otherwise in that war b In that fatal conflict between Life and Death between Nature and the Disease when a Man is struggling with Death though to no purpose for Death shall always be Conqueror neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it c And although wicked men who most fear Death use all possible means whether good or bad to free themselves from this deadly blow yet they shall not escape it 9 All this d All these things before-mentioned I have seen and apply my heart unto every work e I have been a diligent observer of all actions and events that is done under the sun there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another e There are some Kings who use their power tyrannically and wickedly whereby they do not onely oppress their People but hurt themselves by bringing the vengeance of God and men upon their own heads Which is here noted partly for the terrour of Tyrants and partly for the caution and comfort of Subjects groaning under those heavy pressures which they are not able to remove that they may forbear unlawful or rebellious courses and quietly commit themselves and their cause to God who judgeth righteously and who both can and will call the greatest Monarchs to a sad account for all their impious and unrighteous courses 10 And so f In like manner or such another vanity or disorder I saw the wicked g Wicked Princes or Rulers as the next clause limits this buried h Die quietly in their Beds and afterwards be buried with state and pomp whereas in truth they deserved an untimely end and no other than the burial of an Ass. who had come †〈◊〉 and gone i Who had administred publick Justice and Government which is frequently signified by the Phrase of coming in and going out before the People as Numb 27. 17. Deut. 31. 2. The LXX Jewish Interpreters whom some others follow render the word they were praised applauded and adored by the variation of one Letter in the Hebrew word which also is very like that Letter which is in the Text. from the place of the holy k By which he understands either 1. the Holy City Ierusalem or the the Holy Land where Israel dwelt which may be added to aggravate the wickedness of such Persons from the obligations and counsels and examples which they had to do better things Or 2. the Seat of Majesty and Judgment which may well be called the place or Seat of the Holy i. e. of God who is called the Holy One Habak 3. 3. and oft elsewhere who is in a special manner present in and president over those places whose work and for whom and in whose Name and stead Magistrates act who are therefore called gods of all which see Exod. 22. 28. Deut. 1. 17. 1 Chro. 29. 23. Psal. 82. 1 c. And the Throne or Tribunal seems to be so called here to aggravate their wickedness who being Sacred Persons and advanced by God into so High and Sacred a place betrayed so great a trust and both practised and encouraged that wickedness which by their Office they were obliged to suppress and punish and they were forgotten l Whereas they designed to spread and perpetuate their Names and Memories to all succeeding Ages Psal. 49. 11. in the city where they had so done m i. e. Come to and go from the place of the Holy where they lived in great splendor and were buried with great magnificence which might have kept up their remembrance at least in that place this is also vanity n That men should so earnestly thirst after and please themselves with worldly greatness and glory which is so soon extinct and the very memory of it quickly worn out of the minds of men 11 * 〈◊〉 50. 21. 〈◊〉 26. 10. Because sentence against an evil work o Or the Decree c. God's determ inâ—…te counsel or sentence for the punishment of Tyrants and all evil-doers is not executed speedily therefore p Because God's forbearance makes them presumptuous and secure and confident of impunity the heart of the sons of men is fully set q Heb. is filled is carried on with full sail as the Seventy understand it like a Ship with a strong and violent wind or is bold or presumptuous as the same Phrase is understood Esth. 7. 5. Act. 5. 3. in them to do evil 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times r Frequently and innumerably and his days s The time of his Life and Prosperity be prolonged yet surely I know that * Pâ—… 37. 11 18 19. Pro. 1. 32 33. 〈◊〉 3. 10 11. it shall be well with them that fear God t Whereby he implies both that good men might for a time suffer grievous things from such wicked Tyrants and that it should be very ill with the wicked which is manifest from the contrary course and condition of good and bad men and which is
that Christ though he withdrew himself from her yet left a sweet savour behind him inâ—…using into her and stirâ—…ing up in her the Graces of the Spirit such as Repentance which is bitter as Myrrhe earnest desire after Christ c. and my fingers with †Heb. passing or running about Nah. 1. 8. Heb. sweet smelling myrrhe upon the handles of the lock t Heb. with 〈◊〉 passing or flowing upon the handles of the lock which place the Bridegroom had touched when he attempted to open it 6 I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself u Denied me his gracious and comfortable presence as a just punishment for my former neglect and â—…olly and was gone x Either she repeats the same thing to shew how deeply she was affected with it Or this is added to imply that he had not only stepped aside but was quite gone away my soul failed y Heb. went out of me I fainted and was ready to die away through excessive passion as this Phrase is used Gen. 35. 18. 42. 28. and elsewhere when he spake z Or for what he spoke for those endearing Expressions related v. 2. which then I did not heed but this sad occasion brings them to my remembrance as oft times that word which is ineffectual when it is preached is afterwards brought to a mans Mind and produceth blessed effects I * Ch. 3. 1. sought him a By diligent enquiry and importunate Prayer but I could not find him I called him but he gave me no answer b That so he might both chastise her folly and quicken her desires and prepare the way for a more hearty welcome and his longer abode with her 7 The watch-men that went about the city c The Governours of the Church as Ch. 3. 3. who though by their place and office they be obliged to comfort and protect the faithful do frequently discourage and oppress them as they manifestly did both in the days of Isaiah and Ieremiah and the other holy Prophets and in the time of Christ and his Apostles and in divers other Ages found me they smote me they wounded me d With bitter Calumnies and Persecutions the keepers of the walls e The same with the Watch-men whose Office it is to keep the Gates and Walls of the City took away my vail f Which was an ornament of her Sex Isa. 3. 23. and a badge of her Modesty Gen. 24. 65. or an ensign of her Relation and Subjection to Christ Gen. 20. 16. 1 Cor. 11. 5. And so the taking of this Veil away signifies their contemptuous and injurious usage of her their endeavours to blast her Reputation and to represent and treat her as a common and impudent prostitute and as one that had no Relation to Christ. from me 8 I charge you O daughters of Jerusalem g Of whom see on ch 1. 5. 2. 7. The Church having passed the Watch-men and patiently born and in a manner forgotten their injuries proceeds in the pursuit of her beloved and enquires of every particular Believer or Professor whom she meets concerning him if ye find my beloved †Heb. what that ye tell him that I am sick of love h That I am ready to faint for want of his presence and the tokens of his Favour Use all your interest and importunity with him on my behalf 9 What is thy beloved more than another beloved i Wherein doth he excel them Which Professors of Religion might ask because they were ignorant of Christs Excellency and true Believers might ask it that they might be more fully informed of it and might give the Spouse occasion to discourse of that subject which was very grateful to them * Ch. 1. 8. O thou fairest among women k Whose Beauty may command the Respects and Affections of the most worthy persons and therefore we conclude it must be some person of transcendent excellency with whom thou are so highly enamoured What is thy beloved more than another beloved that thou dost so charge us 10 My beloved is white and ruddy l Which two colours rightly mixed together make a Face beautiful Or the white may note his pure and spotless Innocency and the brightness of his Glory and Majesty and the ruddy colour may intimate his bloody passion which made him amiable both to God and Men. †Heb. a standard-bearer or taller than ten thousand the chiefest m Heb. the standard bearer for such are usually persons of great Eminency both for Stature and Courage and Dignity among ten thousand n Among all persons Angels or Men. A certain number is put for an uncertain There are other Kings and Priests and Prophets but none to be compared with him 11 His head is as the most fine gold o It shines like Gold not in respect of the Hair which is black as it followeth but by reason of his Crown of pure Gold upon his Head Rev. 14. 14 Whereby she implies that her Bridegroom was a King which she declared above ch 3. 11. his locks p In which a part of Mans Beauty consists I shall not trouble my Reader with a distinct application of this and the following particulars unto some special part or excellency of Christ because such things are meer conjectures without any solid grounds and the only design of this description seems to be this to set forth the beauty of Christ under the notion of a most compleat and amiable person in whom there is no defect nor blemish from the crown of his Head to the sole of his Feet are ‖ Or curled bushy and black as a raven q Which is mentioned partly because this was esteemed a beauty and partly because it was an evidence of his Youth and vigor as grey hairs are characters of age and infirmity Hos. 7. 9. 12 * Ch. 1. 15. 4. 1. His eyes are as the eyes of doves r Lovely and pleasant chaste and innocent by the rivers of waters s Where they delight to abide and wherewith they bath themselves and wash their Eyes where also their Eyes are most lively and beautiful both by the reflection of the waters and from that pleasure which they take in such places washed with milk t Which may belong either 1. To the Eyes which are supposed to be washed with water as white and pure as Milk Or 2. To the Doves which are intimated to be of a milk-white colour which in those parts was most esteemed which colour also made the Eyes appear more lovely and †Heb. sitting in fulness that is fitly placed set as a precious stone in the soil of a Ring fitly set u Neither sinking into the Head nor standing out too much but in a moderate and comely scituation Heb. sitting in fullness which may note a full and competently large Eye which is esteemed one
the same Violence and Cruelty and Injustice that Thieves use * Ezek. 22. 12. 〈◊〉 4. 18. 〈◊〉 3. 11. every one loveth gifts g i. e. Bribes given to pervert Justice which are severely forbidden Deut. 10. 17. 27. 25. and followeth after rewards h Pursuing them with all eagerness and by all means possible they * Jer. 5. 28. 〈◊〉 7. 10. judge not the fatherless neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them i They are so far from doing them Justice that they will not so much as give them a fair Hearing of their Cause because they cannot make their way to them by Gifts 24 Therefore saith the Lord the LORD of hosts the mighty One of Israel Ah * Deut. 28. 63. I will ease me k Heb. I will comfort my self ease my Mind and satisfie my Justice by taking vengeance as the next Clause explains this The same Expression is used in the same sense Ezek. 5. 13. of mine adversaries l Of the Israelites who though they have called themselves my Children and Friends yet by their Temper and Carriage towards me have shewed themselves to be mine Enemies and avenge me of mine enemies 25 And I will turn my hand upon thee m To chastise thee again which God threatned that he would not do v. 5. but now promiseth that he will do it not in fury or so as utterly to destroy them but in mercy and with moderation so as to purge them as it here follows and †Heb. accordâ—…ng to pureâ—… * Jer. 6. 29. â—… 9. 7. Mal. 〈◊〉 purely purge away thy dross and take away all thy tin n I will purge out of thee and destroy those wicked Men that are incorrigible and infectious to others and for those of you that are curable I will by my Word and by the Furnace of Affliction purge out all that Hypocrisie and Corruption that yet remains in you and requires so sharp a Cure 26 And I will restore thy judges o I will give thee such Princes and Magistrates as at the first p Heb. As thou hadst in the beginning either 1. of thy Common-wealth such as Moses and Ioshua or 2. of thy Kingdom such as David and thy counsellers q Thy Princes shall have and hearken to wise and faithful Counsellors which is a singular Blessing to a Prince and People as at the beginning afterward * Zech. 8. â—… thou shalt be called q To wit justly and truly thou shalt be such for to be called is oft put for to be as Isa. 4. 3. 61. 6. Mat. 5. 9. The city of righteousness the faithful city 27 Zion r The Iews that live in or near Zion and worship God in Zion shall be redeemed s Shall be delivered from all their Enemies and Calamities with judgment t Or by judgment i. by Gods righteous Judgment purging out those wicked and incorrigible Iews who by their Sins hindred the Deliverance of the People and punishing and destroying their unmerciful Enemies who kept them in cruel Bondage as he did to the Babylonians whereby he made the way open for their deliverance and ‖ Or they that return of her her converts u Heb. her returners those of them who shall come out of Captivity into their own Land with righteousness x Or by righteousness i. e. either by my Faithfulness in keeping my Promise of delivering them after seventy years or by my Goodness for both these come under the name of righteousness in Scripture-use 28 And y Or rather But as that Particle is oft used for here is a manifest opposition the * Job 31. 3. Psal. 1. 6. 5. 6. 73. 27. 92. 9. 104. 35. †Heb. breaking destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together z Though I will deliver my People from the Babylonish Captivity yet those of them who shall still go on in their wickedness shall not have the benefit of that Mercy but are reserved for a more dreadful and total destruction and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed 29 For they shall be ashamed a Not with an ingenuous and penitential shame for the Sin but with an involuntary and penal shame for the disappointment of their hopes which they had in their Idols of the ‖ Or gods Chap. 57. 5. â—…r idols oaks which ye have desired b Which after the manner of the Heathen you have consecrated to Idolatrous Uses that under them you might worship your Idols as they did Ezek. 6. 13. Hos. 4. 13. See also Isa. 57. 5. Ier. 2. 20. 3. 6. and ye shall be confounded for the gardens c In which as well as in the Groves they committed Idolatry of which we read Isa. 65. 3. 66. 17. that ye have chosen d To wit for the Place of your Worship which is opposed to the Place which God had chosen and appointed for his Worship 30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth and as a garden that hath no water e As you have sinned under the Oaks and in Gardens so you shall be made like unto Oaks and Gardens not when they are green and flourishing but when they wither and decay 31 And the strong f Either 1. your Idols which you think to be strong and able to defend you as appears by your Confidence in them or 2. the strongest Persons among you who think to secure themselves against the threatned danger by their Wealth or Power or Wisdom and much more they that are weak and helpless shall be as tow g Shall be as suddenly and easily consumed by my Judgments as Tow is by Fire ‖ Or and his work and the maker of it h The Maker of the Idol who can neither save himself nor his Workmanship Or his work either all that he doth or can do or that which he hath done his wicked course of Life shall bring him to ruine as a spark and they shall both burn together and none shall quench them CHAP. II. THe word a Or the matter or thing as this Hebrew word commonly signifies the Prophecy or Vision that I saiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem 2 And b Or Now as this Particle is rendred 1 Sam. 9. 1. Ezra 1. 1. c. * Mic. 4. 1 c. it shall come to pass in the last days c In the Times of the Messias or the Gospel as the generality both of Jewish and Christian Writers understand it and as may further appear both from the use of this Phrase in this sence Ier. 48. 47. 49. 39. Ezek. 38. 8 16. Dan. 10. 14. Hos. 3. 5. Act. 2. 17. Heb. 1. 2. 1 Ioh. 2. 18. and from the Conversion of the Gentiles here promised which was not to be till that time
sent or come to enquire concerning the State of Zion in that day when not onely the Philistins but even the Iews themselves shall fall by the hands of one and the same Enemy Nation is put collectively for nations as gate and city for gates and cities in the foregoing Verse That * Psal. 87. 1 5. 102. 16. the LORD hath founded Zion and * Zeph. 3. 12. Zech. 11. 11. the poor of his people shall ‖ Or betake themselves unto it trust in it a They shall give them this answer That although Zion at present be in a very distressed and deplorable condition and seems to be forsaken by her Cod yet she stands upon a firm Foundation and God who first founded her will again restore and establish her and his poor despised People shall resort to her as to a strong and sure Refuge CHAP. XV. * Ezek. 25. 8. Amos 2. 1. THe burden of Moab a A Prophecy of the Destruction of the Moabites the inveterate and implacable Enemies of the Iews begun by the Assyrian and finished by the Babylonian Emperours Because in the night b Or in a night suddenly and unexpectedly for Men sleep securely in the Night and therefore the Evils which then overtake them are most terrible to them Ar c The chief City of Moab Numb 21. 28. Deut. 2. 9. of Moab is laid waste and ‖ Or cut off brought to silence d Or rather is cut off as the Word oft signifies as Ier. 47. 5. Hos. 10. 9 15. and elsewhere because in the night Kir e Another eminent City of Moab called more largely and fully Kir-heres and Kir-Haresheth Isa. 16. 7 11. Ier. 48. 31 36. of Moab is laid waste and brought to silence 2 He is gone up to Bajith f Which signifies an house It is supposed to be the Name of a Place so called from some eminent House or Temple of their Idols which was in it It is called more fully Beth-baal-meon that is The house of Baals habitation Ios. 13. 17. and to Dibon g Another City of Moab as is manifest from Ier. 48. 18 22. where also was their other eminent High places To these two Places they used to resort in case of great Difficulties and Troubles the high places to weep h To offer their Supplications with Tears to their Idols for help Moab shall howl over Nebo and over Medeba i Two considerable Cities anciently belonging to the Moabites from whom they were taken by the Amorites and from them by the Israelites and possessed by the Reubenites Numb 21. 30. 32. 3 38. but were as it seems recovered by the Moabites in whose hands they now were as is evident for Nebo Ier. 48. 1 22. and for Medeba from this Text. * Jer. 47. 5. 48. 37 38. Ezek. 7. 18. on all their heads shall be baldness and every beard cut off k The Hair of their Heads and Beards which was their Ornament was shaved as was usual in great Mournings as hath been oft observed upon diâ—…ers preceding Texts See on Levit. 19. 27 28. 21. 5. 3 In their streets they shall gird themselves with sack-cloth l This was another Practice of Mourners on the tops of their houses m Which were made flat Deut. 22. 8. to which men used to go up either to walk or to cry to God in Heaven or to Men for Help and in their streets n Publickly without shame whereas in ordinary Sorrows men are wont to seek secret Places for their Mourning every one shall howl †Heb. descending into weeping or coming down with weeping weeping abundantly 4 And Heshbon shall cry and Elealeh o Two other Moabitish Cities of which see Numb 21. 25 26. 32. 3. 37. their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz p Another City in the utmost Borders of Moah Numb 21. 23. called also Iahazah Ios. 21. 36. therefore the armed souldiers q Who should be and use to be the most couragious of Moab shall cry out his life shall be grievous unto him r The Moabites shall generally long for death to free themselves from those dreadful Calamities which they perceive unavoidably coming upon them 5 My heart shall cry out for Moab s Their Destruction approaching is so dreadful that although they are a most vile Nation and by their implacable Enmity against God and his People do abundantly deserve it yet the Respect which I have to Humane Nature fills me with Horrour at the very thoughts of it Compare Isa. 16. 11. ‖ Or to the borders thereof even to Zoar as an heisâ—…r his fugitives t Or his bars as others render it and as this Word is frequently taken as Exod. 26. 26 27. Psal. 107 16. c. whereby he may understand their valiant Men or their Princes and Rulers who as they are called the shields of the earth Psal. 47. 9. because like Shields they do or should defend their People so for the same reason they may be called bars because Bars are the Strength of the Gates of Cities or Castles and therefore are mentioned as such Psal. 147. 13. Prov. 18. 19. Ier. 51. 30. shall flee unto Zoar u Or shall cry unto Zoar either shall cry as they go along the way even till they come to Zoar or shall cry so as they may be heard to Zoar which may easily be understood out of the foregoing Verse Zoar was a Town bordering upon Moab of which see â—…en 19. 20 21 22. Deut. 34. 3. an * Heb. breaking heifer of three years old x Which some understand of the City of Zoar so called for her Strength and Wantonness But such a Description of Zoar seems very improper and impertinent in this place The Words therefore are to be translated here as they are by our Translators Ier. 48. 34. as an heifer of three years old and so they belong to their Cry and signifie that it is strong and loud like that of such an Heifer for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry y He signifies that the Cry should be universal in all Places where they come and reaching from one side of the Country to another Of Luhith see Ier. 48. 4 5. of †Jer 48. 5. 34. destruction z Such a Cry as men send forth when they are just falling into the Pit of Destruction 6 For the waters a Either 1. properly they shall be dried up or 2. figuratively the Waterish Grounds as waters seem to be taken Eccles. 11. 1. Isa. 32. 20. These being very fruitful are commonly most inhabited and cultivated but now they also and much more the dry and barren Grounds shall be desolate and without Inhabitant of Nimrim shall be †Heb. desolations desolate for the hay is
mentioned 1. that she was drunk with the cup of Gods Wrath v. 17. 2. that she had none to support or comfort her in that condition Or 2. Those which here follow which although they be expressed in four words yet they may fitly be reduced to two things the desolation or devastation of the Land and the destruction of the People by Famine Sword So Famine and Sword are not named as new evils but only as the particular ways or means of bringing the destruction there mentioned and the words may be thus rendred desolation and destruction even this Hebrew particle being oft taken expositively whereof many instances have been given famine or by famine and sword Or two may be put indefinitely for many as double is put for abundantly more Iob 11. 6. Isa. 40. 2. 61. 7. Zech. 9 12. elsewhere †Heb. â—…appened are come unto thee who shall be sorry for thee desolation and †Heb. breaking destruction and the famine and the sword by whom shall I comfort thee f I cannot find any man who is able to comfort and relieve thee 20 * â—…am 2. 11. 12. Thy sons have fainted g they lie h Dead by Famine or the Sword of the Enemy at the head of all the streets i Where men enter in or go out of the streets where the Enemy found them either opposing their entrance or running out of them to make an escape as a wild bull in a net k Those of them who are not slaâ—… are struggling for Life and although they murmur at God and fight with Men yet they cannot prevail or escape they are full of the fury of the LORD the rebuke of thy God f They are so far from being able to comfort thee as was said v. 18. that they themselves faint away for want of comfort and through Famine 21 Therefore hear now this thou afflicted and * Ch. 29. 9. drunken but not with wine l But with the cup of Gods fury mentioned above v. 17. 22 Thus â—…aith thy Lord the LORD and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people m Who though he hath fought against thee is now reconciled to thee and will maintain thy cause against all thine adversaries Behold I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling even the dregs of the cup of my fury thou shalt no more drink it again 23 But * Jer. 25. 26 2â—… I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee which * Pâ—… 66. 11. have said to thy soul Bow down that we may go over n Lie down upon the ground that we may trample upon thee as Conquerors used to do upon their conquered Enemies See Ios. 10. 24. Psal. 110. 1. and thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over CHAP. LII 1 * Ch. 51. 17. AWake awake put on thy strength a God biddeth his Church do that which she intreated him to do ch 51. 9. And because Gods word is operative and effectual and his sayings are doings this is a prediction and promise what she should do that she should awake or arise out of her low estate and be strong and courageous O Zion put on thy beautiful garments b Thy sorrows shall be ended and thou shalt be advanced into a most glorious and blessed condition O Jerusalem the holy city c O my Church which is every where called by the name of Zion or Ierusalem for henceforth there shall no more come into thee d Either to molest thee or to associate themselves with thee or to defile or corrupt thee the uncircumcised e Heathens or Infidels who are commonly called uncircumcised and the unclean f Nor any others who though they be circumcised as the Jews generally were are unclean in any thing Whereby he intimates that there should be a greater purity and Reformation in the Church than formerly there had been which was eminently accomplished in the Church and Kingdom of Christ. 2 Shake thy self from the dust g In which thou hast lain as a Prisoner or â—…ate as a mourner arise and sit down h Upon thy Throne Or sit up as this word is rendred Gen. 27. 19. O Jerusalem loose thy self from the bands of thy neck i The yoke of thy captivity shall be taken off from thee It is a Metaphor from Beasts that have the yoke fastened by bands to their necks O captive daughter of Zion 3 For thus saith the LORD * Ps. 44. 12. Ch. 45. 13. Jer. 15. 13. ye have sold your selves k By your sins into the hands of the Chaldeans for nought l Without any price or valuable consideration paid by them either to you or to me your Lord and owner and ye shall be redeemed without money m Without paying any ransom 4 For thus â—…aith the Lord GOD My people went down aforetime into * Gen. 46. 6. Egypt to sojourn there n Where they had protection and sustenance and therefore owed subjection to the King of Egypt And yet when he oppressed them I punished him severely and delivered them out of his hands Which is easily understood from the following words and o Or but for here is an opposition made between these two cases * Jer. 50. 17. the Assyrian p The King of Babylon who is called the King of Assyria 2 Kin. 23. 29. compared with ch 24. 7. as also the Persian Emperour is called Ezra 6. 22. because it was one and the same Empire which was possessed first by the Assyrians then by the Babylonians and afterwards by the Persians oppressed them without cause q Without any such ground or color by meer force invading their Land and carrying them away into Captivity For although it be said that God gave this Land and People into his hand 2 Chr. 36. 17. by his Counsel and Providence yet that was neither known to nor regarded by the King of Babylon nor was it a good and lawful Title Gods Word and not his Providence being the rule by which Mens rights are determined otherwise a Robber hath a right to my purse which he cannot take from me upon the high-way without Gods Providence 5 Now therefore what have I here r Heb. What to me here The sense is either 1. What do I here Why do I sit still here and not to go to Babylon to punish the Babylonians and to deliver my People Or 2. What honour have I by suffering this injury to be done to my People saith the LORD that my people is taken away s Were carried away Captive by the Babylonians for nought t Without any provocation or pretence of right See before on v. 3. they that rule over them u Who by their Office are obliged to deal justly and tenderly with their subjects make
clause unto thee and all they that despise thee shall * Rev. 3. 9. bow themselves down at the soles g This notes that great degree of Submission that eveâ—… despisers and enemies shall yield to the Church prostrating themselves as humble suppliants See Chap. 49. 23. or rather to Christ the head King and Husband of the Church of thy feet and they shall call thee The city h They shall give her that honourable title or acknowledge her to be so and so called both from the Love that God had for her and from the Temple of God that was in her of the LORD the Zion of the holy One of Israel 15 Whereas thou hast been forsaken i Both of God i. e. As to outward appearance and of her inhabitants being upon the matter depopulated and hated k Either slighted and neglected or suffering actual miseries and Slaughters thus was she dealt with Lam. 1. 2. so that no man went through thee l Thy streets were left desolate I will make thee an eternal excellency m The Abstract is put here for the Concrete whereby the Hebrews are wont to express the superlative degree and in this happy estate we find the Church Zech. 2. per toâ—… and 9. 9. c. Which refers to the coming of Christ and it is said to be Eternal i. e. For a great while it being an hyperbolical expression frequent with the Hebrews who express a long time by eternity a joy of many generations n The Churches happiness should be the rejoicing and comfort of succeeding generations she would be the matter of their great rejoicing a Metonymy of the Object 16 * Chap. 49. 23. 61. 6. Thou shalt also suck o A Metaphor taken from Children sucking nourishment from the breast the sense is that the Church should draw or drain the wealth of Nations and the riches and power of Kings and what ever is most excellent and that it should come freely and affectionately as milk flows from the breast of the Mother the same thing intended Chap. 49. 23. and in the foregoing verses the milk of the Gentiles and shalt suck the breast of kings and thou shalt know p i. e. Experience it knowing is often put for an experimental knowing that * Chap. 43. 3. I the LORD am thy saviour and thy redeemer the mighty One of Jacob q Styled so either with reference to Iacob's Person he being the first that gave God this title Gen. 49. 24. or with reference to Iacobs posterity viz. the Jews These things will certainly be accomplished for he is the mighty God and so able and the God of Iacob so obliged by Covenant and Relation 17 For brass I will bring gold r Here is the effect of the former promise thy poverty shall be turned to riches all things shall be altered for the best an allusion to the days of Solomon when gold was as brass thus on the Contrary when they change for the worse in the state it useth to be expressed by the like Metapâ—…ors Ch. 1. 21 22 23. and for iron I will bring silver and for wood brass and for stones iron I will also make thy officers peace s i. e. Loving Meâ—…k and Peaceable the Abstract put for the Concrete as is usual whether you understand it of Under-officers they shall be Officers of peace or of Governours thou shalt have a peaceable Government as was made good to them under Ezra Nehemiah Zoroâ—…abel and such like and thine exactours righteousness t Most righteous as before peace for peaceable the Church is not freed from Taxes and paiments that is given by Christ and Peter unto Caesar but it shall be without oppression and grinding no more then is necessary and not exacted rigorously though all these were made good in their return out of Babylon yet doth it more properly relate to the meliorating of the Church under the Gospel wherein instead of carnal Ceremonies she had Spiritual Ordinances which is the scope of the Apostle Heb. 9. and larger measures of the holy Spirit and should have such Officers as would speak peace to the Consciences by discovering the compleat and perfect righteousness of him who fulfilled all righteousness 18 Violence u That this and what follows must necessarily be understood of the Church Triumphant though there only it will be compleat I see no necessity neither will I obtrude my Judgment but leave it to the judicious as being more proper in a Comment none to ofter violence to this quiet state thou shalt attain to either within thee to oppress by Injustice Rapine or Fraud or without thee by hostiâ—… invasions and this the Prophet mentions as the effect of good Officers in the former verse shall no more be heard in thy land wasting nor destruction within thy borders x no havock made among thy people but thou shalt call * Chap. 26. 1. thy walls salvation y They shall be safe and able to defend thee thou shalt be as safe as salvation it self can make thee when a thing is said in Scripture to be called so it often signifies as much as to be so Ch. 26. 1. 47. 1. and 56. 7. and it intimates as much as that God will be salvation to his Church when they shall be without Gates and Walls he will be their safety and the matter of their praise see Isa. 26. 1. and God's care of his Church is the matter of that exhortation to praise him Psa. 147. and thy gates praise z A double Metonymy viz. of the Effect as salvation will cause praise and of the Adjunct as it is worthy of praise so that within or upon thy Gates and Walls thou shalt sing praises 19 * Rev 21 23. 22. 5. The sun shall be no more thy light a These shall not be at all esteemed in comparison of the Spiritual light of the Church and this is laid down as the 〈◊〉 of the Churches comfort as the former was for her safety so that God will not only be a shield but a Sun to her Psa. 84. 11. â—…ot â—…at they shall not have the Sun and Moon among them but that the light of the godly as such should principally consist in what is â—…tual by day neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light b Christ shall scatter all darkness and ignorance enlightning thee with the doctrines of the Gospel and graces of his Spirit and this shall be Everlasting not wax and wane and sufâ—…r â—…lipses and settings as the Sun and Moon do but it shall be conâ—…ant without shadow of change no night which will be undoubtedly truâ—… of the Church in Heaven whatever it will be or how near soever it will come to it here which I presume will bear its analogy and * Zech. 2. 5. thy God