points and circumstances easily to be gathered and understood Deut. XI 26 30. and XXVII 12 26 This was done in the first year of their coming over Jordan Josh. VIII 32 35. when and where were read likewise all the words of the Law of Moses before all the Congregation of Israel With ships Ships besides the Ark of Noah chapter XXVIII verse 68 are first mentione in Jacobs blessing of Zebulun Gen. XLIX 13. and in Moses his threatning the Israelites in this place Not given Gods hand in giving and working of Grace chapter XXIX verse 4 See Ch. XXX 6. Jer. XXIV 7. and XXXI 33. and XXXII 39. Ezek. XI 19 20. and Ch. XXXVI 26 27. Heb. VIII 10 11. John VI. 44 45 65 Phil. I. 29. and II. 13. Ephes. II. 8. 2. Tim. II. 25. And he gives grace to the remnant which is according to the election of Grace Matth. XI 25. and XIII 11. Mark IV. 11 12 John XII 39. Rom. XI 7. Ephes. I. 5. 2 Chron. XXX 12. Mount This Mount Hor chapter XXXII verse 50 where Aaron died Num. XX. 25 26. was South of Judea And Mount Hor on the North-bounds of Judea Num. XXXIV 7. are far differing and distant mountains King in Jeshurum Moses King in Ieshurum chapter XXXIII verse 5 25. in Blessing the twelve Tribes doth omit Simeon if we accompt him not included in Iudah as his Lot in the division of Canaan fell within the Lot and Tribe of Iudah and their expeditions against their enemies in conquering their own shares were joynt and undertaken together Iosh. XVIII and XIX Iudg. I 3. Dwell between his shoulders That is verse 12 In Ierusalem For though the Southerne and Superior part of Ierusalem where Mount Sion was and which was called the City of David did belong to the Tribe of Iudah yet the Northerne and inferior part of it where Mount Moriah was whereon the Temple was built belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin The huge deep valley of Mello between the two Mountains being filled up and levelled by Solomon so that thence afterward Sion and Moriah might be called two tops of one Mountain Sion the higher top and Moriah the lower Died The time of Moses his death was in the fourtieth year chapter XXXIV verse 5 twelfth moneth seventh day of their coming out of Egypt and one hundred and twentieth year of his age See upon Aarons death Num. XXXIII 38. No man knoweth The reason of concealing the place of the Burial of Moses verse 6 And Michael the Archangel his contending with the Devil and disputing about the body of Moses Iude ver 9. was not revealed in the Scripture of the Old Testament And this dispute might be lest the Israelites knowing it might carry it with them as Iosephs bones into Canaan into which God had said That he should not enter or rather That the people might not idolize it Joshua THE Book of Joshua was not probably written by him though of and concerning him For besides some things contained in it which are deemed by some to be done after his death As that concerning Caleb and his daughter Achsah Ch. XV. 16 19. And most surely the Conquering of Leshem or Laish by the Danites Ch. XIX 47. Iudg. XVIII 7. 29. And those things recorded Ch. XXIV 29 33. Some other things seeme to plead That it was written by some Prophet Long after his death Whence that phrase remaines unto this day is so frequently used Ch. IV. 9. and Ch. VI. 25. and VII 26. and VIII 29 and IX 27. and X. 27. and XIII 13. and XIV 14. and XV. 63. And the Book of Iasher is named Ch. X. 13. which seemes written at soonest in Davids time as recording an Act of his 2 Sam. I. 18. unlesse we say This Book of Iasher in Ioshua's time to be continued on and enlarged in after-times by adding and inserting memorable acts in after-ages And so in Davids time And further the Mountains of Iudah and the Mountains of Israel are mentioned Iosh. XI 21. Which many possibly seeme to intimate the Book to be written after the division of the Nation into the two Kingdomes of Iudah and Israel Ioshua was the Tribe of Ephraim Num. XIII 8. 1 Chron. VII 27. And he lived one hundred ten years Ch. XXIV 29. and was six full years in conquering the Land and in the seventh fell to the Dividing of it by Lot as is gathered out of the age of Caleb Iosh. XIV 7 10. And divers years Ioshua lived and governed after that time but how many it doth not appear out of this Book yet is gathered out of other places to be ten years more and so this Book to containe an History of seventeen years from the Beginning of his Government to his Death The truth of this account stands upon this computation from the coming out of Egypt to the fourth of Solomon are four hundred and eighty years 1 King VI. 1. which are made up thus fourty years in the Wildernesse seventeen of Ioshua two hundred ninety nine of the Iudges counting in the twenty of Sampson as coincident and concurring with the first twenty years of Eli twenty years more of Eli twenty of Samuel fourty of Saul fourty of David four of Solomon In all 480. Within three dayes This Edict and Proclamation of three dayes chapter I verse 2 for preparation to passe over Iordan set down here doth begin and commence after the History of the two Spies and their returne to Ioshua which History yet is recorded after in the Chapter following And thereupon the mention of the said three dayes is taken up again the second time Ch. III. 2. when new directions are given for their Passage and the manner of it Rahab Rahab chapter II verse 1 an Harlot because at least she had been so though now a beleeving Convert ver 9 10 11. Heb. XI 31. Iames II. 25. She had her house on the wall of Iericho ver 15. which fell not when the rest of wall fell Ch. VI. 20 22. In framing her excuses for the Spies sake she bewrayes her infirmity in making equivocations or untruths rather ver 4 5. In transacting with the Spies some speeches seeme to passe between them after they were let down the wall ver 18. In pleading for her family she makes no mention of an Husband ver 13. and Ch. VI. 23. She was after married to Salmon eldest sonne of Nahshon which Nahshon was great-grand-childe to Hezron or Esrom that went down with Iacob into Egppt Gen. XLVI 12. And was Prince of Iudah at the numbring of the people Num. I. 7. at the marshalling of the Camps Num. II. 3. at the Dedication of the Altar Num. VII 12. and at the setting forward in their journeys Num. X. 14. But died in the Wildernesse Num. XIV 29. This marriage of Rahab to Salmon now Prince of Iudah is not recorded in the Old Testament But mentioned Matth. I. 5. in the Genealogy of our Saviour wherein as Rachab so Thamar Ruth
between the two rivers Tygris and Euphrates and the countreys adjacent ch 11. 2. V. 11. Out of the land went forth Ashur He Shents sonne v. 22. went out of Shinar by Nimrods invasion and built Nineveh and gave the name to the Assyrian Monarchy Or else Nimrod inlarging his Conquests and Dominions went from Shinar to Ashur and built Nineveh V. 12. The same is a great city Not Calah but Nineveh Jonah 1. 2. 3. 2. 3. 4. 11. specially in the Prophet Jonahs time who lived in the dayes of Jeroboam the second the son of Joash 2 Kings 14. 25. 14. Out of whom came Philistiim The Philistines not of the off-spring of Canaan but expelling some of them made roome for themselves in part of the land of Canaan Amos 9. 7. Jer. 47. 4. V. 15. And Heth Whence come the Hittites ch 23. 3 5 7 10. Girgasite Mat. 8. 28 34. Gadarenes Luke 8. 26. V. 16. Jebusite 2 Sam. 5. 6. 1 Chron. 11. 4. V. 19. The border of the Canaanites Set down particularly because it was promised to Abraham and his seed the Israelites V. 20. These are the sounes of Ham Many more of them are set down here then either of Shem or of Japheth But most likely it is that all these children or Grand-children of Shem Cham and Japheth are not here set down but only such as were famous and by their several Plantations gave names to several Nations descending from their loines V. 21. Unto Shem also the father of all the children of Eber Great Grand-father to Eber yet Eber thus mentioned because of him afterwards they were called Hebrewes so Abraham ch 14. 13. so ch 40. 15. Phil. 3. 5. and so frequently of Japhet the elder Because Shem was begotten in the five hundred and second yeare of Noah's life he being one hundred yeare old two yeares after the flood ch 11. 10. Therefore Japhet was two yeare older V. 22. Elam Hence came the Elamites or Persians Acts 2. 9. Aram From him came the Aramites Syrians There is Padan-Aram ch 25. 20. Aram-Naharaim ch 24. 10. Aram-Dammesek 2 Sam. 8. 5 6. Araâ—-Zobah Psal. 60. tit Aram Maachah 1 Chron. 19. 6. Aram-Beth-Rehob 2 Sam. 10 6. all these being several Provinces of Syria V. 23. Uz Job 1. 1. There dwelt the Edomites or the Idumeans Lam. 4. 21. V. 25. For in his dayes was the earth divided About the time of his birth was the division of tongues at the building of Babel which occasioned their dispersion into several parts of the earth for habitation And the language before used of all continuing in Eber the father of Peleg might occasion his posterity to be distinguished from all others by the name of Hebrewes V. 29. Ophir From this mans land in India it is likely Solomons ships fetched fine gold 2 Chron. 9. 10. called also gold of Parvaim 2 Chron. 3. 6. This is supposed to be in Havilah near Ophir See the Tree in the beginning of Speeds Genealogies CHAP. XI Ver. 1. OF one language Since the flood no doubt Whether the Hebrew language which was Adams continued the same among all men for the space of one thousand six hundred fifty six yeares before the flood may be more questionable And it came to passe One hundred yeares after the flood v. 10 11 12 13 14. and ch 10. 25. V. 2. They journeyed Nimrod and his company Not Noah Shem Arphaxad Salah Eber and their godly posterities from the East Likely from about the mountaines of Ararat which parts are much North-eastward from Shinar or Chaldea or Mesopotamia Or from other Easterne parts Shinar Containes Babylon Mesâ—potamia and the Countries adjacent foure Cities afterwards built there by Nimrod ch 10. 10. V. 3. Slime A pitchy slime V. 4. Unto Heaven An Hyperbole for the chief haply to escape another flood lest we be scattered Lest this company be the sooner dispersed Or when by multiplication they should in after-times be scattered yet this might remaine as an honourable monument and memorial of their former co-habitation V. 6. And now nothing Ironically as ch 3. 22. V. 7. Let us go down See ch 1. 26. God speaks of himself after the manner of men for mans better understanding A while he suffered them to go on in building and confound their language The number of the several languages now made is uncertain V. 8. Scattered them The thing they sought to prevent by their proud project v. 4. God for it brings upon them presently V. 10. Generations of Shem Those ch 10. 22 c. were without any mention of the age of the Patriarchs descended from him when they begat their eldest sonnes or those by whom the holy line is drawn and of whom our Saviour descended And if they had been passed over so the Chronology of the world had beed lost But now here they are resumed and the chaine of Chronology carefully continued And as there were ten Patriarchs before the flood counting in Noah so there are ten after the flood from Shem to Abraham inclusively The yeares of the world in the former ten to the six hundredth yeare of Noah when the flood came amounted to the number of 1656. The years from the flood which was in the ninety eighth yeare of Shems age to the birth of Abram the tenth Patriarch after the flood came but to the number of three hundred fifty two yeares For mans age was shortened about the half at the time of the flood And again shortened about the half in Pelegs time at the building of Babel And yet the third time shortened somewhat near the half in the time of Nahor as may be seen and observed in the ages of the Patriarchs at their deaths in this chapter Arphaxad The third son of Shem 1 Chron. 1. 17. V. 12. Arphaxad begat Salah Betwixt these is inserted Cainan as the sonne of Arphaxad and father of Salah Luke 3. 35 36. which would break the chaine of Chronology and leave unknown the age of the world The LXX-Translation hath here in Genesis put in that Cainan And that Translation was much more known much more in use in publick Synagogues in private Libraries and Houses in our Saviours time then the Authentical Hebrew Text was yea thereupon the Holy Writers of the New Testament in their quotations out of the Old Testament do follow much the said Translation even with some variation from the Hebrew Text though not in any material thing as the learned well know This may seem to occasion St. Luke in this of Cainan to follow the LXX Translation though he knew that this Cainan was never in the world condescending so to the times and weakness of men therein lest otherwise he might have given occasion of offence or rather they have taken it V. 22. Nahor The first idolater of the line ch 31. 53. Josh. 24. 2. And so after him were Terah and Abraham till God called him out of that place chap. 11. 31. 12. 1. Rom. 4. 2 5. V. 26.
heifer Not for sacrifice though all sorts here commanded to be used were fit for sacrifice But for confirmation of this Promise and Covenant as Jer. 34. 18. V. 12. And when the Sun was going down By comparing this with the fifth verse it seemes the day was spent by Abram in preparing and doing according to that command v. 9. a deep sleep As ch 2. 21. extasie or trance an horrour See Dan. 10. 8 9. Here shadowing out the great distresses Abrams children should have through vexation of their enemies V. 13. In a land that is not theirs In Canaan and Egypt and they shall afflict them Not all that time nor the greater part but upward of the last hundred years Foure hundred yeares Acts 7. 6. From the birth of Isaac to their going out of Egypt Thus From the birth of Isaac to the birth of Jacob sixty yeares Gen. 25. v. 26. Thence to the birth of Joseph ninety yeares Jacob being so old at Josephs birth which is collected thus Jacob was one hundred and thirty when Joseph was fourty viz. thirty when Pharaoh advanced him ch 41. 46. after which passed seven yeares of plenty and three of famine when Jacob came down ch 47. 9. Now Jacob was fourteen yeares with Laban before Joseph was borne ch 30. 25. deducting then those fourteen yeares before Joseph was born and fourty yeares of his age out of Jacobs one hundred and thirty and so will remain seventy five or seventy six for the age of Jacob when he came to Laban and so ninety yeares old he was when he had Joseph Now Joseph lived in Egypt after his father came thither seventy yeares Gen. 50. 26. Between the death of Joseph and birth of Moses were sixty yeares as the undoubted beginning and undoubted end of the foure hundred yeares do clearly and necessarily evince and enforce Thence to the Israelites going out of Egypt in the eightieth yeare of Moses age eighty yeares Acts. 7. 23 24 30 Now these several summes cast up come to foure hundred 60 90 110 60 80 400. In Exod. 12. 40 41. and Gal. 3. 17. are foure hundred and thirty years reckoned But that is from the first giving the Promise and Covenant to Abram which was in Ur of the Chaldees to the foresaid time of their coming out of Egypt which thirty yeares are thus made up viz five yeares in Haran at the end whereof Abram was seventy five ch 12. 4. Thence ten yeares to the taking of Hagar ch 16. 3. Thence fifteen to the birth of Isaac when Abram was one hundred yeares old ch 21. 5. And thus from the first Promise to their coming into Egypt were two hundred and twenty yeares And their time in Egypt two hundred and ten yeares And this I take to be the true and clear Account of these times The particulars wherein I differ from the great Annotations and others in this Account I do willingly submit to the judgement of the learned V. 14. Will I judge Exod. 7. 8 9 10 12 14. chapters and Psal. 78. 43 to 52. and 105. 27 to 37. with great substance Exod. 3. 21 22. 12. 35 36. 38. V. 16. In the fourth generation Caleh the sonne of Hezron was the fourth generation from Judah 1 Chron. 2. and Aaron and Moses were the fourth from Levi Exod 6. 16 18 20. V. 17. A smoking furnace and a burning lamp By which God did passe between those pieces Jer. 34. 18 19. haply shadowing hereby their afflictions in the furnace of Egypt Deut. 4. 20. and the burning bush Exod. 3. 2. V. 18. Have I given By Promise already or this shewes the certainty of the Promise from the river of Egypt Sichor Josh. 13. 3. Jer. 2. 18. Euphrates The Lands so far became Tributary in Davids and Solomons dayes 2 Sam. 8. 3 c. 1 Kings 4. 21. 2 Chron. 9. 26. If they possessed not all that was promised the cause was in their breach of Covenant with God not in Gods with them V. 19. The Kenites c. Here are ten Nations reckoned After usually reduced to seven Deut. 7. 1. Acts 13. 19. CHAP. XVI Verse 1. NOw Sarai Being seventy five years old and Abram being eighty five when he took Hagar ch 12. 4. ch 16. 3 16. Fifteen yeares after Sarai beiug then ninety and Abraham one hundred they had Isaac ch 17. 17. an handmaid Or bondmaid ch 21. 10 12. Opposed to a free-woman Gal. 4. 22. an Egyptian Of Chams posterity Hagar The Apostle allegorically makes her a figure of the Covenant of the Law on Mount Sinai and of the earthly Jerusalem gendring to bondage and Sarah of the Covenant of the Gospel and of Jerusalem which is above gendring to freedome Gal. 4. 22 to the end of the chapter Gal. 3. 12 14 18 22 29. V. 2. Restrained me Ch. 20. 18. God had promised a seed to Abram but not as yet unto Sarai therefore doubting whether she should be the mother she sets on foot this course not lawful in it self Mal. 2. 15. The impediment she alledgeth why she was out of hope of bearing childe ch 18. 11. was fifteen yeares after it may be No certainty But after Sarah had a Son by Promise ch 18. 10. Gal. 4. 23. Rom. 9. 9. I may obtain Thus Rachel and Leah did and said ch 30. 3 6 9. by the Law Exod. 21. 4. Bond-servants-children were their Masters V. 3. Ten yeares Since he left Haran to be his wife A secondary wife a Concubine ch 25. 6. so Keturah Gen. 25. 1. 1 Chro. 1. 32. so Bilha and Zil pa Gen. 35 22. yet called wives ch 37. 2. inferiour to a lawful wife This a fault and infirmity of faith in Abraham too V. 4. Conceived Quickly v. 16. despised Prov. 30. 21 23. it seems by Saraies words v. 5. in an high degree V. 5. My wrong Likely Abram bear too much with Hagars insolencie and was the more tender of her because she was with childe by him So the Israelites too passionate against Moses and Aaron Exod. 5. 21. and Zipporah against Moses Exod. 4. 26. either right thou my wrong or beare the punishment thereof from God yet otherwise she made a patterne of wively obedience 1 Pet. 3. 6. V. 6. Thy maid So he calls her still and so Hagar calls her Mistresse v. 8. in thine hand To correct her for her fault V. 7. And the Angel Christ the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. called here Jehovah v. 〈◊〉 speaking as God v. 10. called an Angel Exod. 14. 19. 13. 21. 23. 20 21 22 23. Esay 63. 9. Shur Towards Egypt her countrey Exod. 15. 22. In this wildernesse her posterity after dwelt chap. 25. 17. 18. V. 8. Whence As ch 3. 9. V. 11. Thy affliction Though her self the cause of it V. 12. A wilde man He after dwelt in the wildernesse as a Salvage and was a warlike man fierce and unruly rough and rude of such courage as to match all his opposers ch 21. 20. his
of those two families severally But Abiathar the father of Abimelech was then the supreme and only High Priest The Cherethites verse 18 and the Pelethites Of these see the great Annotations on this Text Mourning was past David marries her when she was with childe chapter XI verse 27 in some hope thereby also to cover his sinne Solomon The elder brother of Nathan chapter XII verse 24 by Bathsheba or Bathshua the daughter of Eliam or Ammiel though Nathan be rancked before â—olomon 2 Sam. V. 14. 1 Chron. III. 5. and XIV 4. Crowne The weight and worth of the King of Ammons Crowne verse 30 a Crowne of State too weighty to wear Shobi the brother of Hanun and sonne of Nahash seemes by David to be made King in Hanuns place which makes him to shew such kindnesse to David in his flight from Absalom ch XVII 27. 28. After fourty years Absalom chapter XV verse 7 whose hair weighed not was worth above three pounds at sixteen ounces to the pound when yearly poll'd 2 Sam. XIV 25 26. Begins his Rebellion against David after fourty years 2 Sam. XV. 7. not after fourty since David was anointed in Hebron but since he was anointed by Samuel 1 Sam. XVI 13. And he ends his Rebellion with hanging by his hair as his halter or by his head rather where he is slaine first by Joab after by Joabs armour-bearers 2 Sam. XVIII 14 15 That the fourty years aforesaid did take their Beginning and commencement as aforesaid and so fell in with the twenty second or twenty third year of Davids age with the seventh or eighth year before he actualy began his reigne at Hebron and ended at the thirty second or thirty third year of his real reigne and about seven years before his death appears in this That at this time of Absaloms rebellion David was a strong man 2 Sam. XV. 36. and ch XVII 8 10. and XVIII 2. And afterwards also ch XXI 15. whereas in the fourtieth and last year of his reigne and life he was bed-rid 1 King I. 1 2. And after the businesse of this Rebellion was carried on and ended we read of three yeares of famine 2 Sam. ch XXI I. And of the hanging up of ten of Sauls sons and grand-sons ver 8 9 10. and of the gathering of the bones of them that were hanged and the burying of them afterwards in another place ver 13 14. As also of warres yet againe raised by the Philistines and battels fought with them at four several times In the first of which David himself was in person and in present danger ver 15 22. And besides neere ten moneths were taken up in numbering the people Ch. XXIV 8. And upon the occasion of the Pestilence following thereupon The Threshing-Floore of Araunah being found to be the place where the Temple was to be builded 1 Chron. XXII 1. with 2 Chron. III. 1. David doth instruct Salomon about his dutie in the building of it and doth encourage him to do it and chargeth the Princes to assist him therein 1 Chron. XXII And causing him to be suddenly anointed King to suppresse the seditious and ambitious attempt of Adoniah And having afore ordered the Courses and Offices of the Levites Priests Singers Porters for the Service of the Temple 1 Chron. XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI Ch. He gives Solomon Patterns and Materials for the Building tells him of the Courses of the Priests and Levites which he had Ordered Ch. XXVIII And himself offers of his own goods magnificently and procures the Princes and People to Offer willingly towards the said Building And concludes with Thanksgiving and Prayer to God And the People blesse God and offer Sacrifices and make Solomon King the second time Ch. XXIX And lastly on his death-bed David gives Solomon charge to serve God as also concerning Joab and Barzillai and Shimei and dieth 1 King II. All which may well take up the seven last years of Davids reigne and life In the wood of Ephraim Not that Ephraim had any wood or land on the East-side of Jordan chapter XVIII verse 6 But the name might seeme to rise from the great defeat given there to Ephraim by Jephthah Judg. XII 5 6. Amasa Davids gentlenesse and courtesie to spare and honour Amasa chapter XIX verse 13 notwithstanding his chief hand in rebellion against him 2 Sam. XVII 25. slew Goliath His brother Lahmi chapter XXI verse 19 as it is explained 1 Chron. XX. 5. And so Michal for Michals sister ver 8. of this Chapter The words brother and sister being left out by an Eclipsis not unusual specially in the short idiome of the Hebrewes and in cases so well known This Psalme of Praise and Thanksgiving is the same with Psalme XVIII chapter XXII The difference is very little Here are Davids Worthies towards the end of his reigne chapter XXIII These in all thirty seven 2 Sam. XXIII 39. whereof Joab one the General and Captaine of the hoast 1 Chron. XI 6. Six chief Worthies or Colonels And of them the first three above the other three And the first three Adino or Jacobeam Eleazar and Shammah exceeding the other three Abishai the chief of the second three and Benaiah the son of Jehoiadah and Asahel who was one not of the thirty but above the thirty for there are thirty named after him The three first or three chief over the thirty ver 13. are described as otherwise so by their valiant Acts both distinctly and joyntly 2 Sam. XXIII 8 17. And so the two first of the next three And these six likely were each of them over five of the thirty following and their Regiments The Catalogue of Davids Worchies 1 Chron. XI was taken when David began his reign at Hierusalem or before The number there is fourty seven besides the first three and the second three And well might the number be more at that beginning of his reigne then at the end of it some of them dying in the meane time And of others some might have two different names The chief of all the Worthies slayes three hundred himself aud likely in the pursuit at the same time 500. more by himself or with his company in all eight hundred Of him see more 1 Chron. XXVII 2 3. The second defies the Philistines when the men of Israel were fled away and in a parcel of ground full of Barley slew the Philistines till his hand clave unto the sword and wrought a great victory and deliverance Of his father see 1 Chron. XXVII 4 The third did the like in a piece of ground full of Lentiles Of the other three 1. Abishai the brother of Joab 2. Asahel another brother and Captain for the fourth moneth 1 Chron. XXVII 7. slaine by Abner whiles David reigned in Hebron 3. Benaejah the Captaine of Davids guard the Cherethites and Pelethites 2 Sam. VIII 18. And Captaine for the third moneth 1 Chron. XXVII 5 6. And afterwards by Solomon made General of the Hoast in
Iehoshaphat 2 Chron XVII 6. and XX. 33 1 King XXII 43 The meaning is They took away those High places which were for Idols and strange gods not those which were for Gods worship or they laboured in the Reformation of these later also but through the peoples waywardnesse could not therein fully prevaile In the Reformation of Manasseh upon his Repentance it is said That neverthelesse the people did sacrifice still in the High places yet unto the Lord their God only 2 Chron XXXIII 17 But zealous Hezekiah and Iosiah went through-stitch with all Gibeon The Tabernacle was never at any one of the Cities of the Levites verse 4 except here at Gibeon only Askeâ— Gods proffer to Solomon verse 5 in that night after he had offered up those numerous Sacrifices at Gibeon 2 Chron. I. 7. And his large Petition thereupon for Wisdome 1 King III. 6 7 8 9. And Gods ample Grant thereunto and further Largesse partly added partly upon Condition promised ver 11 12 13 14. were transacted all whiles Solomon was asleep as appears by ver 5. and 15. Though in this same History 2 Chron. I. 7 12. of Sleep or Dreame there is no mention made at all a little childe In that sleep Solomon calls himself a little childe verse 7 And a little before that David testifies the like of him 1 Chron. XXII 5. and chap. XXI 1. with an eye had to his grear charge at that age not unlike to that Jer. I. 6. Yet then David calls him a Wise-man 1 King II. 9. even before that wonderful increase of wisdome added to him after Davids death And then Solomon being indeed about seventeen years old had Rehoboam his son as appears by the age of Rehoboam at the beginning of his reigne 1 King XIV 21. 2 Chron. XII 13. Harlots The King knew not likely verse 16 that the women were Harlots haply open Inne-keepers and close Harlots sonne of Nathan chapter IV verse 5 The Prophet Nathans two sons highly honoured and advanced by Solomon Spake Solomon chosen by God to be King verse 32 1 Chron. XXVIII 5. and XXIX 1. and chap. XXII 9 10 spake three thousand Proverbs And he spake of all Trees 1 King IV. 32 33. Not that the Text saith he writ them or of them And his Songs were one thousand and five Hiram Hiram chapter V verse 1 or Huram King of Tyre and Sidon too ver 6. having Lebanon in his possession Both father and son of that name 2 Chron II. 3 13. And again Hiram the workman father and sonne at the same time of the said Kings both it seemes of the same name likewise 1 King VII 13 14. 2 Chron. II. 14. and IV. 11. and both wrought to Solomon 2 Chron. IV. 16. The sonnes mother was of Dan 2 Chron. II. 14. His father of Naphtali though inhabiting in Tyre 1 King VII 14. The House of the Lord This House chapter IV verse 1 called the Temple ver 3. the Throne of Gods glory Jer. XIV 21. a Glorious high throne Jer. XVII 12. our Holy and Beautiful House where our fathers praised thee Esay XLVI 11. the Beauty of Holinesse 1 Chron XVI 29. was built in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah or Sion on the Threshing-floore of Araunah or Ornan the Jebusite 2 Chron. III. 1. 1 Chron. XXII 1. Very wonderful riches acquired and laid up and other preparations made by David and others towards the building of the Temple 2 Sam. VIII 11 12. 1 Chron. XXII 14. and ch XXIX And the Patterne or Platforme of it given to David by the Spirit 1 Chron. XXVIII 21. he set down in writing particularly and gave it to his sonne 1 Chron. XXVIII 11 18. This was such like an help as Moses had Exod. XXV 40. The Preparations for the second Temple were very small Huge stones and costly and precious stones used in Solomons Buildings 1 King VII 9 12. and chap. X. 2 10 11. 1 Chron. XXIX 2 8. 2 Chron. III. 6. The Brazen Altar for Sacrifice was in the Court next the Temple in the open aire The Lavers likewise in that Court between the Brazen Altar and the Temple fixt and placed before the Temple in the inmost Court viz. five Bases and Lavers upon them on the right hand and five on the left as one was to go from the East into the Temple To wash in them such things as they Offered for the Burnt-offerings and Sacrifices The great molten Sea standing on twelve Oxen or Brazen Buls which were by and beside not under the Bases and Lavers as the word is rendered Jer. LII 20. This Sea was placed on the right hand or North-side over against the South For the Priests to wash in 2 Chron. IV. 6 10. In most other places in Scripture the Right hand is taken for the South and the Left hand for the North as supposing a mans posture with his face towards the East Going on from the East towards the West and passing by the Altar Lavers and Sea Entrance was so made into the Porch of the Temple This Porch being the entrance and East-end of the Temple was in length twenty Cubits from North to South In breadth ten Cubits from East to West and in height as high as the Temple and thrice as high above it one hundred and twenty Cubits in all 1 King VI. 3. 2 Chron. III 4. In the middle betweene the walls not joyning to the walls stood on each side of the entrance or Porch the two Pillars of Jachin on the right hand and Boaz on the left eighteen sacred Cubits apiece high 1 King VII 15. or thirty five common Cubits besides the Basis or Pedestal of one Cubit 2 Chron. III. 15. Although some would have this thirty five to be the number arising from the height of both Pillars or the shafts of them And a Chapiter on the top of each five sacred Cubits high 1 King VII 16. 2 Chron. III. 15. to a part whereof are assigned three Cubits 2 King XXV 17. And they being four fingers thick of brasse and hollow within Jer. LII 21. a line of twelve sacred Cubits did compasse either of the Pillars about 1 King VII 15. Some divide the Pillars into five parts or rather into six thus a square Table on the bottome a Rundle or round Basis upon that the shaft and maine body of the Pillars round and above that a square Border upon which the Pomegranates were a Head or Chapiter or Belly and a Crowne or Powel both round All the three parts above the Shaft are called by the name of Chapiter and are said to be five Cubits high 1 King VII 16. Jer. LII 22. And the four Cubits 1 King VII 19. is to be understood of some parts of them And the thâ—ee Cubits 2 King XXV 17. of the other or the four Cubits relate to the Lilie-work and the three Cubits to the Net-work The whole Chapiters had Nets of Checker-work and wreaths of Chain-work seven on either 1 King VII 17.
31. Ahazia the son of Ahab began to reigne in the seventeenth yeare of Jehoshaphat King of Judah and reigned two years Jehoram the other son of Ahab begins to reigne in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat 2 Kings I. 17. and in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat and reigned twelve years 2 Kings III. 1. Jehoshaphat began to reigne in the fourth year of Ahab 1 Kings XXII 41. and reigned twenty five years 2 Chron. XX. 31. Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat began to reigne in his fathers life-time and in the fifth year of Jehoram of Ahab and reigned eight years 2 Kings VIII 16 17. Ahaziah Kings of Judah and son of Jehoram King of Judah began to reigne in the twelfth year of Jehoram of Ahab 2 Kings VIII 25. in his eleventh year chap. IX 29. Ahaziah himself being then twenty two years old 2 Kings VIII 26. or fourty two years old 2 Chron. XXII 2. And he reigned one year 2 Kings VIII 26. 2 Chron. XXII 2. All the doubts arising from the Premises are fairly cleared as followeth viz. Jehoshaphat King of Judah beginning to reigne in the fourth year of Ahab King of Israel And Jehoram King of Israel and Ahaziah King of Judah being both slaine by Jehu in one yeare Therfore between their deaths And the first of Jehoshaphat or fourth of Ahab there must be one and the same distance and period of time Which agrees well thus In the line of Israel eighteen years remaining of Ahabs twenty two 1 Kings XVI 29. Two of Ahaziah but one of them in his fathers life-time and twelve of Jehoram in all 31. And so in the line of Iudah twenty five of Iehoshaphat and eight of Iehoram whereof two at least in his fathers life-time and Ahaziah but a piece of a year in all thirty one Now Ahaziah of Israel beginning to reigne in the seventeenth of Iehoshaphat shewes that Ahab had made him Viceroy the year before his death for Ahab died in the eighteenth of Iehoshaphat And so this Ahaziah reigned but one year himself alone And Iehoram the other son of Ahab beginning to reigne in the second year of Iehoram the son of Iehoshaphat shewes That Iehoshaphat had made his son Iehoram his Viceroy the same year that Ahab had done the like viz. the year before their going to battel to Ramoth-Gilead which battell was in the last of Ahab and eighteenth of Iehoshaphat And Iehoram the son of Iehoshaphat beginning to reigne in the fifth year of Iehoram of Ahab and that being in the time of Iehoshaphats own reigning and Iehoram reigning from that time eight years shewes that Iehoshaphat made his son of Voiceroy King joynt with himself in the twenty third year of his reigne two years before his death And so this Iehoram reigned as King two years in his father Iehoshaphats life-time and six years after his death Not four years in his life-time and four years after his death as is usualy averred And Ahaziah of Iudah upon the premises begins to reigne upon the twelfth year beginning or eleventh year ending of Iehoram of Israel And Iehoram the father of this Ahaziah beginning to reigne in the thirty two year of his age and reigning eight years and dying at fourty 2 Kings VIII 17 24 This Ahaziah cannot possibly be fourty two but twenty two when he began to reigne his father being married to Athaliah his mother in the eighth year of Iehoshaphats reigne And those fourty two years must needs relate to another time then Ahaziah's age and do justly agree with the number of years of the continuance of Omri his race in the royal Throne from whom this Ahaziah descended by his mother Athaliah and in whom and Omries grandchilde Jehoram it ended Thus Omri alone after the death of Tibni six or seven years 1 Kings XVI 23 29. Ahab twenty two Ahaziah alone one Jehoram twelve in all fourty two And the Hebrew expression in 2 Chron. XXII 2. is this A sonne of fourty two years was Ahaziah inhis reigning which may have a relation to a continuance in a stock And a passage and computation not unlike to this is that 2 Chron. XV. 19. and chap. XVI 1. from the beginning of the division of the two Kingdomes of Judah and Israel This Ahaziah of Judah is otherwise called Azariah 2 Chron. XXII 6. and Jehoahaz chap. XXI 17. and Joahaz 2 Chron. XXV 23. For the times of the reignes of Uzziah Jotham Ahaz and Hezekiah Kings of judah And of Zuchariah Shallum Menachem Pekiah Pekah Hosheah Kings of Israel take this as followeth Vzziah being smitten with Leprosie in his old age for attempting to offer Incense on the Altar of Incense his son Jotham was over the Kings house judging the people of the Land 2 Chron. XXVI 21. This seemes to be four years before his father Uzziah's death And so may seeme to extend after a sort the number of the years of Jothams reigne to twenty 2 Kings XV. 30. whereas Jotham reigned only sixteen years after the death of his father Uzziah 2 Kings XV. 33. Jotham begins his sixteen in the second of Pekah's twenty 2 Kings XV. 32. In Iothams dayes Pekah and Rezin begin to trouble Iudah 2 Kings XV. 37. Ahaz begins his sixâ—een in the seventeenth of Pekah's twenty 2 Kings XVI 1. Then doth the danger by Pekah and Rezin increase He is spoiled by them and by the Edomites and the Philistines 2 Chron. XXVIII And by the Assyrian partly helped and partly distressed Hezekiah begins his twenty nine in the third of Hoshea 2 Kings XVIII 1 2. that is the third after his first nine 2 Kings XVII 1. which ninth falls in with the ending of the twelftth of Ahaz and that third after it falls in with the beginning of the sixteenth and last of Ahaz 2 King XV. 8 13. Zachariah begins in the thirty eight of Uzziah Shallum begins in the thirty nine of Uzziah Menachem begins his ten in the thirty nine of Uzziah 2 King XV. 17. Then Pul King of Assyria made an attempt upon Menachem ver 18 19 20. Pekahiah begins his two in the fiftieth of Vzziah 2 King XV. 23. Pekah begins his twenty in the fifty two of Vzziah 2 King XV. 27. And so Pekah's first and Uzziah's last are in one year In Pekah's dayes Tiglath-Pelezer captived Galilee and Naphtali into Assyria 2 King XV. 29. Hoshea rules and reignes eighteen years For thirty eight yeares are from the first of Jotham to the sixth of Hezekiah And so many must be from the first of Pekah to the end and last of Hoshea And Pekah reigning twenty the remain for Hoshea must needs be eighteen Hoshea begins in the twentieth of Jotham 2 King XV. 30. that is from the beginning of his reigne from the beginning of his sixteenth For Jothams fourth in his father Uzziah's time did precede his sixteene And his sixteene ended in the seventeenth of Pekah when Jothams son Ahaz began to reigne 2 King XVI 1. So that
XVIII 9 10. or Enemessar Tobit l. 2 15. Sennacharib who came against Hezekiah 2 King XVIII 13. Esarhaddon or Asnapper Esay XXXVII 38. 2 King XIX 37. Ezra IV. 2 10. called also Sarchedonus Tobit I. 22. And another King of Assyria against whom Pharaoh-Necho King of Egypt fights at Carchemish by Euphrates in the last year of King Josiah 2 King XXIII 29. 2 Chron. XXXV But many leave out Iareb as no proper name of a King and make Sargon to be the same with Senna harib And some place Iareb before Pul and Sargon after Shalmanesar And no doubt there were many Kings of Assyria it being the first Monarchy before Pul though their names be not in Scripture Though the Assyrians take the name from Ashur the sonne of Shem Gen. X. 22. 1 Chron. I. 17. yet the Kingdome seemes to be raised among them by the posterity of Cush the sonne of Cham Gen. X. 6 11. a Singer Heman chapter VI verse 33 of Kohath stood in the middest Asaph of Gershom on the right hand Ethan of Merari on the left ver 38 39 44 47. See more of the Singers 1 Chron. XV. ver 16 22. All their Cities The Kohathites had twenty three Cities verse 60 63. The Gershonites thirteen The Merarites twelve In all fourty eight Cities reckoned Issachar a numerous Tribe chapter VII Ephraim The line from Ephraim to Ioshuah verse 5 is Num. verse 20 I. 10. and chap. XXVI 35 1 Chron. VII 20 26 27. Shephuphan verse 5 and Huram chapter VIII verse 33 Either of these had three names Ner Ner had Kish the father of Saul and another sonne Ner the father of Abner 1 Sam. XIV 50 51. genealogies This Chapter chapter IX verse 1 and chap. III. 19 24. are some parcels of the last passages for History of the Old Testament See more on Neh. XII 10 11. David and Samuel David and Samuel the Seer though he died in the time of Sauls reigne ordained and ordered the Priests verse 22 and Levites Singers and Porters in their set Offices and Courses See ver 10 14 22 and Chapters XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him 1 Chron. XXIV 19. by the Spirit and by God and Nathan 1 Chron. XXVIII 12 19. 2 Chron. XXIX 25. and VIII 14. and XXXV 4 15. And Solomon did according to him 2 Chron. XXXV 4. Neh. XII 45. day and night verse 33 verse 9 The Singers imployed in that work day and night tydings unto their Idols Idolaters ascribe their Victories chapter X and prosperous successes to their Idols so Iudg. XVI 23 24. 1 King XX. 23. 2 Chron. XXVIII 23. Hab. I. 11. They bring their Idols to their Camps 1 Chron. XIV 12. As the Israelits the Ark 1 Sam. IV. 3. castle of Zion David took the Castle chapter XI verse 5 or strong hold of Zion dwelt in it built round about it called it the Citie of David And Ioab repaired the rest of the Citie 2 Sam. V. 9. came to David There came to David to Ziklag a great hoast chapter XII verse 1 like the hoast of God And to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 340822. And among them very many Priests and Levites ver 26 27 28. besides others intimated ver 32. Jehoiada verse 27 the Leader of the 3700. Aaronites that came to David to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 1 Chron. XII 27. Jehoiada a chief Priest 2 Chron. XXIV 6. married Iehoshabeath or Iehosheba the daughter of King Iehoram and sister of King Ahaziah 2 King XI 2 3. 2 Chron. XXII 11. He caused usurping and murthering Athaliah the daughter of Ahab and Iezebel and wife of King Iehoram and mother of King Ahaziah 2 Chron. XXI 6. and XXII 1 2. to be murtheredher self 2 King XI 16. And caused Ioash grand-childe of Athaliah and his wives nephew and sonne and heir of Ahaziah to be crowned King when he was seven years old 2 King XI 11 12 21. 2 Chron XXIII 11. Of whom see more on 2 King XI 4. Iehoiada the sonne of Benaiah Davids Counseller next to Ahitophel 1 Chron. XXVII 34. bring again the Ark David so soone as ever he was setled upon his throne over all Israel chapter XIII verse 3 taketh the strong Fort of Zion from the Jebusites brings the Ark of God with all solemnity yet not after the due maner from Kiriath-jearim and the house of Abinadab And upon the death of Uzza by the way at the threshing floore of Nachon or Chidon he carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom where it remained three moneths 1 Chron. XIII Hiram sends to David messingers workmen and materials to build him an house in Zion And David takes more wives at Jerusalem and obtaines two victories against the Philistines chap. XIV And with great solemnity in the due maner he brings the Ark from Obed-Edoms house and sets it in the middest of the Tabernacle or Tent which he had prepared for it in the Citie of David in Zion chap. XV. where he offers Sacrifices Orders a Quire gives them a Psalme of Thanksgiving and appoints Ministers Porters Priests and Musicians to attend on the Ark continualy ch XVI In 2 Sam. V. David takes the strong Fort of Zion builds dwels in it hath messingers sent to him from Hiram King of Tyre with materials workmen for his building growes great takes moe wives and concubines at Jerusalem gets two victories over the Philistines in two set battels chap. V. And he brings up the Ark from Kiriath-Jearim and carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom and after three moneths he brings it thence into the Citie of David with great solemnity and joy 2 Sam. VI Now whether the things contained in 1 Chr. XIV and 2 Sam. V. after the taking of Zion did intervene in that three moneths space while the Ark was in the house of Obed-Edom or were acted before the Ark was removed from Kiriath-Jearim is a matter of conjectural probabilities on either side yet I rather incline to the later opinion from Shihor of Egypt This Shihor chapter XIII verse 5 or Shichor or Sihor hath a notion of blacknesse in it And is not that rill or drill of water called by forraine writers Rhinocolura but is much rather the same with Nilus otherwise not once named in Scripture anciently by the Ethiopians called Siris by the Greeks Melas by the Latines Melo from the blacknesse of the water or rather of the mud and slime that it brings downe with it or the black colour of the grounds and soils it passeth through It is called by way of excellencie the River Esay XXIII 3. Ezek. XXIX 3 9. and the river or flood of Egypt Amos VIII 8. and chap. IX 5. This River rising in the South from unknown heads runs in one intire streame Northward to the Head Delta in Egypt where it divideth it self into two maine Channels and afterwards brancheth into seven several streames Esay XI 15. Emptying themselves
had owned him 2 Sam. VII 14. and chosen him for King before any of his elder brethren His mother thus stiles him as mothers many times do frame affectionate titles with some smal variations to insinuate with their children she breaks off the first letter of his name and adds in the end the name of God his mother taught him Lemuels lesson taught him by Bathsheba and if taught him haply being King then upon his beginning to warp and wander He was taught likewise by his father ch IV. 3 4. Ps. CXXVII and LXXII Both which heighten his after-fall as well as that 1 Kings XI 9. These words and Prophetical documents may seeme to be penned down by Lemuel himself afterwards What my sonne Passionate verse 2 and affectionate words a sweet schooling out of a fear and jealousie conceived and a care had to prevent his miscarrying thy strength to women Chap. verse 3 V. 9. Deut. XVII 17. to drink wine Chap. XXIII 29 30. verse 4 Ephes. V. 18. Hos. VII 5. Esay V. 11. Hab. II. 15 16. Eccles. X. 16 17. Lest One verse 5 amongst many of the mischiefs of drunkennesse in Kings and Princes chap. XXIII 29 35. and wine to those Jer. XVI 7. verse 6 Good things well used Hence as some conceive arose the custome of giving wine to such as were condemned to die as Mark XV. 23. Whereunto some apply that of Amos II. 8. and forget Judg. verse 7 IX 13. Psal. CIV 15. for the dumb Chap. XXIV 11 12. verse 8 such as may not or cannot speak for themselves Iob XXIX 15 16. Ier. XXXVIII 8 9. and plead Levit. XIX 15. Deut. I. 17. Psal. LXXII 4. verse 9 a vertuous woman Chap. XII 4. 1 Cor. XI 7. verse 10 Her praise is set forth all along to the end of this Chapter And that methodicaly beginning every verse with a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet as it stands in order Such a woman as this is the female glorie the wonder of woman-kinde amiable and admirable as the paragon of the world A faire patterne for Solomons choise in a wife But a lesson ill learned by him a worse practised In this large Description the whole Text needs not any Glosse Ecclesiastes THis is the Book of Solomons Repentance written in his old age as may seeme to be gathered both out of the Title of the Book and the Closure of it in the six last verses and also out of the whole Body of it Being written upon a serious view of the Passages and practises of his life past and the great and manifold Experiences he had made and found therein His maine businesse is a curious search after true Felicitie and real Contentation And upon his search and experience he doth finde and pronounce That in order thereunto all things under the Sunne were but vanitie of vanities and vexation of spirit and for such experimented by him though the same improved by humane wisdome in him to the utmost Chap. II. 3 9. This he shews in a large maner in sundry sorts in many particular vanities under the Sunne principaly in humane wisdome and knowledge humane labours industries and endeavours in Delights and Pleasures of all kinds in Honours Greatnesse and Power in Riches and Possessions and in the utter insufficiencie that is in all these to extract from them or the quintessence of them any true happinesse or from any other sublunarie thing or creature whatsoever He seemes to speak sometimes in the person and according to the carnal reasonings of the Atheist and Epicure as reciting their opinions with their arguments yet he avers the truth of God against them and the just and wise course though to us secret hid and unsearchable of his Providence Administration and government of all the events issues accidents and affairs of this life in relation both to the just and to sinners even in things befalling in common to both of them He giveth sundry sound remedies to abate and heale the said Vanities He speaks much for Wisdome and against Folly And prescribes many good Rules for better things for procuring tranquillity unto the mind and peace and comfort to the life of a man eftsoones minding and mentioning among other things a chearful fruition and enjoyment of the outward Blessings and Comforts of this Life with gladnesse contentation and thankfulnesse as from the hand of God And lastly in the twelfth Chapter he concludes That in Old age elegantly described by him and at Death It will appear That to Fear God and Keep his Commandments is the whole of man both the whole Dutie and Felicitie of Man the one and only thing wherein it consisteth The words Solomons Ethicks verse 1 his Sapiential Tractate of the Sovereign good chapter I his Retractations and Penitential Sermon his Experiments of the Preacher Or of a preaching soul. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being Foeminine hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the soul understood The penitent convert gathering himself to the Church He again gives himself this title chap. I. 2 12. and VII 27. and XII 8 9 10. Yet in those places it is construed with a Masculine And so the foeminine is sometimes used for the Common gender which is wanting with the Hebrews The Greeks and Latins render it in the Masculine Ecclesiastes David published his Repentance in Psal. LI. Vanitie of vanities Psal. CXLIV 4. and XXXIX 5. verse 2 All Adam is all Abel even at his best estate altogether vanitie And all worldly things are so an heap a nest of vanities vanitie in the abstract This the last issue and result the upshot of all his curious critical enquirie search and experiments what profit A chief point in the wise mans Compasse verse 3 is cui bono Who will shew us any good Thus worldly men look after this Psal. IV. 6. Yea wicked men in their overtures of Religion Mal. III. 14. No profit towards the attainment of true happinesse Labour which c. A labour in order to things above the Sunne will profit Phil. III. 20. Colos. III. 1 2. John VI. 27. No toilsome labour in earthly things will do so Nothing remaineth or abideth with him nothing more is added to him by it it addes nothing of real worth unto him at all That we shall finde to be truth which is in Habak II. 13 6. One generation Ecclesiasticus XIV 18. verse 4 Meere man is but the dream of a dream a curious picture of nothing Mortalitie is the stage of mutabilitie The inward principles of change and alteration are alwayes working The children thrust out the fathers but the earth Whereon as on a stage the several Generations act their parts and go off others come on abideth for ever Till its time of change in the end of all 2 Pet. III. 10. See my Observations on Deut. XV. 17. The duration of the earth opposed to every mans duration not the motion or standing of it is here intended The Sunne Psal. XIX 3. verse 5 There is
doth supply and minister the former yea and hath the dominion in humane affairs above all other things money is the measure of all things buyeth all things Money is the sinewes of warre beares the masterie in matches and marriages and Law-suits effecteth all things Curse not the King Notwithstanding his errours in government verse 20 or miscarriages in living or wrongs done to thee Exod. XXII 28. 2 Pet. II. 10. no not in thy thought Or conscience or heart Thought is not free Jer. IV. 14. Esay LIX 7. Psal. LXII 4. It will likely break forth for a bird of the aire The danger if thou mutter it in hugger-mugger God can reveale it by brute creatures birds and beasts by inanimate creatures See Gen. IV. 11. Esay XXVI 21. Hab. II. 11. As Luke XIX 40. So in this case However Kings themselves have long eares Yea we say walls and hedges have ears See that Ester II. 22. And consider the discovery of our hellish Powder-plot Cast thy bread It must be thine chapter XI verse 1 well gotten Ephes. IV. 28. upon the waters Where it may seeme clearly cast away as if it were throwne into the Sea lost because the poor cannot recompence thee againe Luke XIV 12 13 14. Yet lend in that manner looking for nothing againe Luke VI. 35. God will repay it Prov. XIX 17. Esay LVIII 7. Yet some by water here do understand moist and fertil soile well watered or grounds on the sides of waters such as on the banks of Nilus which yeeld increase very abundantly And that so plentifully God will reward thy almes to the poor In the former Chapter as the Great Annotations do well observe Solomon shewed the excellent use of true wisdome as a means of tranquility of minde and Remedy against the vanity and vexation of outward things in Ordering our behaviour aright toward Superiours for prevention of those dangers which their displeasure might subject us unto In this Chapter he further discovereth the use thereof unto the same end of comfortable living so still pursuing his principal argument touching tranquility and comfort of life in Ordering our behaviour towards Inferiours those especially that are in want shalt finde it after Gal. VI. 9. Prov. XI 25. and XIX 17. James V. 7. 2 Cor. IX 6 10. Matth. XIX 21. Deut. XV. 9 10. to seven and also to eight Micah V. verse 2 5. To many as waters formerly in the plural number may likewise intimate The necessity of a man may require it when his person doth not deserve it And thy ability must guide thee to Give with discretion Psal. CXII 5. Luke VI. 30. Prov. XXXI 20. thou knowest not what evil Therefore sowe whilest thou hast it work while the toole is in thy hand James IV. 14. Prov. XXVII 1. By bounty evil of punishments and judgements is prevented by unmercifulnesse to the poor it is procured If the clouds They emptie themselves in showers for the good of the earth verse 3 So should rich men do Psal. CXII 9. And the showers fal upon all the ground this as well as that And so should the full and rich not too solicitously enquire who it is to whom they give He is a man and needie man and if the tree fall Fall it must and man must die And as death leaves him judgement findes him and sentence goes upon him for the right hand or the left according to his carriage towards the poor Matth. XXV 33 46. Or This seemes a vulgar Proverb touching things of small concerment care or choise And to imply that our ordinarie almes should fall upon any this or that poor and be distributed as it were with a blinde hand or hood-winkt eye without any over-curious choise He that observeth the winde We must not stand scrupling and casting perils and objections and pretences to hinder or delay our Alms-giving and come with our Talent tied up in a napkin Whereas any pertext serves the covetous miser not to give What is the way of the Spirit Of the winde verse 5 say some John III. 8. Of the Soul rather how it comes into the body and quickens it Nor how the bones Psal. CXXXIX 14 15 16. Job X. 8 13. Knowest not the works of God The works of his Providence how he may dispose of thy life and state and ability of doing good And therefore thou must take the present season and opportunity and not delay and defer it lest the Lord haply will put thee out of all capacitie and meanes to do it Neither knowest thou by what secret and wondrous wayes he may recompence thy liberality In the morning At all times verse 6 upon every occasion and opportunity chap. IX 10. John IX 4 Begin betimes and continue to the end lose not a day Whether shall prosper Though sometimes thy bounty prove misplaced and it be ten to one if any cured Leper returne to give thanks yet thy reward is sure from God Heb. VI. 10. Matth. X. 41 42. 1 Kings XVII 13 16. The light is sweet The light of life as appears in the opposition verse 7 verse 8. And specialy a lightsome joyful life is such Job II. 4. 1 Kings XX. 32. Esther VII 3. Life was given as a prey and reward to Ebedmelech and Baruc Jer. XXXIX 18. and XLV 5. Yet consider it will end in death dayes of darknesse will come Therefore unto compleat happinesse there is yet more to be done not only to gaine and secure the comforts of this life and tranquility of minde here amidst all the vanities and vexations of it In which search and point Solomon had hitherto laboured But also to get the assurance of a better life after this which is the businesse of Solomon in the remaining part of this Book But if a man live And sit in the worlds warme Sun-shine verse 8 and say he shall never be moved Job XXI 7 13. yet let him remember That the light will be turned into darknesse the dark dayes will come of old age and death chap. VI. 4. Job X. 21. Psal. VIII 12 13. and CXLIII 3. and they so many as that the lightsome days of life will seeme but a warm gleame a momentanie glance which remembrance should coole our hot desires after the vanites of this life and lay our lusts a bleeding and a dying at our feet 1 Pet. II. 12. All that cometh every man every thing that hapneth is vanity Rejoyce O young man No encouragement verse 9 but a scoff and ironie derides his folly Like that of Elias to the Baalites and many more in Scripture and walk in the wayes Go on in the choise and chase of thy hearts desires But know thou To thy cost though such would faine baffle their knowledge and blinde the eye of their understanding yet it will not be As Esay XXVI 11. 1 King XXII 25. 2 Pet. III. 5. that for all these things This mars the mirth leavens all is sowre sauce to his sweet meats God will bring thee