house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 33 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Ephraim were fourty thousand and five hundred o Above 8000 more than Manasseh towards the accomplishment of that promise Gen. 48. 20. which the Devil in vam attempted to defeat by stirring up the men of Gath against them i Chron. 7. 21 22. 34 Of the children of Manasseh by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 35 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Manasseh were thirty and two thousand and two hundred 36 Of the children of Benjamin by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 37 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Benjamin were thirty and five thousand and four hundred p The smallest number except one though Benjamin had more immediate children than any of his brethren Gen. 46. 21. whereas Dan had but one immediate son Gen. 46. 23. yet now his number is the biggest but one of all the Tribes and is almost double to that of Benjamin Such great and strange changes God easily can and frequently doth make in families 1 Sam 2. 5. And therefore let none boast or please themselves too much in their numerous off-spring 38 Of the children of Dan by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 39 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Dan were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred 40 Of the children of Asher by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 41 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Asher were forty and one thousand and five hundred 42 Of the children of Naphtali throughout their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 43 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Naphtali were fifty and three thousand and four hundred 44 These are those that were numbred which Moses and Aaron numbred and the princes of Israel being twelve men each one was for the house of his fathers 45 So were all those that were numbred of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war in Israel 46 Even all they that were numbred were * Exod. 38 26. See Exod. 12. 37. chap. 26. â—…1 six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty 47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbred among them 48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses saying 49 Onely thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi q Because they were not generally to go out to war which was the thing principally eyed in this muster ver 3 20 45. but were to attend upon the service of the Tabernacle and therefore are reserved to another distinct muster Numb 3. 15. and 4. 2. c. And least this should be thought to be designed and done through Moses his ambition to give his own Tribe the preeminence he assures them it was done by Gods express command neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel 50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony r So called here and Exod. 38. 21. because it was made chiefly for the sake of the Ark of the Testimony 2 Sam. 7. 2. which is oft called the Testimony as hath been observed before and over all the vessels thereof and over all things that belong to it they shall bear the tabernacle and all the vessels thereof and they shall minister unto it and shall encamp round about the tabernacle 51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward the Levites shall take it down and when the tabernacle is to be pitched the Levites shall set it up and the stranger s The stranger elsewhere is one of another Nation here one of another Tribe one no Levite that cometh nigh t So as to do the offices mentioned ver 50. shall be put to death 52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents every man by his own camp and every man by his own standard throughout their hosts 53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony that there be no wrath u To wit from God who is very tender of his worship and will not suffer the profaners of it to go unpunished whose wrath is called simply Wrath by way of eminency as the most terrible kind of wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel and the Levites shall keep the charge x i. e. Shall suffer no stranger to approach through curiosity or any other motive of the tabernacle of testimony 54 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so did they CHAP. II. 1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard a Or ensign by that to which he is allotted by the following order It is manifest that there were four great Standards or Ensigns which here follow distinguished by their colours or figures or otherwise also that there were other particular Ensigns belonging to each of their Fathers Houses or Families as is here said with the ensign of their fathers house †Heb. over against far off b Partly out of reverence to God and his Worship and the portion allotted to it and partly for caution least their vicinity to it might tempt them to make too near approaches to it It is supposed they were at 2000 cubits distance from it which was the space between the people and the Ark Ios. 3. 4. and it is not improbable because the Levites encamped round about it between them and the Tabernacle about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch 3 And on the east-side toward the rising of the Sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah 4 And his host and those that were numbred of them were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred 5 And those that do pitch
angel of the LORD s i. e. Christ the Angel of the Covenant as appears from ver 12. 16. called unto him out of heaven and said Abraham Abraham t He repeats his name to prevent Abraham whom he knew to be most expeditious in Gods service and just ready to give the deadly blow And he said Behold here am I. 12 And he said lay not thine hand upon the lad neither do thou any thing unto him for now I know u God knew the sincerity and resolvedness of Abrahams faith and obedience before and without this evidence and from eternity foresaw this fact and all its circumstances and therefore you must not think that God had now made any new discovery But this is spoken here as in many other places of God after the manner of men who is then said to know a thing when it is notorious and evident to a mans self and others by some remarkable effect Thus David prayeth that God would search and know his Heart and his thoughts Psal. 139. 23. Though he had before professed that God understood his thought afar off ver 2. This therefore is the sense Now I know i. e Now I have what I designed and desired now I have made thee and others to know As the Spirit of God and of Christ is said to cry Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. when it makes us to cry so Rom. 8. 15. that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not with-held thy son thine onely son from me x From my service and Sacrifice Or for me i. e. for my sake i. e. thou hast preferred mine Authority and Honour before the Life of thy dear Son By which word it appears that God himself speaks these words 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked and behold behind him ‖ Which way he looked either because the voice came that way Or because he heard the noise made by the motion of the Ram in the thicket a ram y Which had gone astray from the rest of the Flock and whose errours were directed hither by Gods wise and powerful Providence and being young though horned it might be called either Lamb as v. 7. or Ram as it is here There needs no curious enquiry how he could offer up that to God which was not his own both because it was found in a publick place and in all probability utterly lost to his owner and because he had no doubt a warrant and inspiration for it from the great Lord and supreme owner of all things caught in a thicket by his horns and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son 14. And Abraham called the name of that place ‖ That is the Lord will see or provide Jehovah-jireh z The same Hebrew Letters differently pointed make the sense either active the Lord will see i. e. provide or take care of those that commit themselves and their affairs to him or passive the Lord will be seen i. e. will appear and shew himself in the behalf of all those that love him as it is said to this day a Wherein Moses wrote this Book this is still used as a Proverb in the mount b i. e. In greatest extremities and distresses as we say at the pits brink of the LORD it shall be seen c Or the Lord shall be seen or manifested And although these words are used by way of remembrance of this great deliverance and by way of accommodation to such like eminent preservations from great dangers yet they may have a further respect and may signifie that this was but an earnest of further and greater blessings to be expected in this place where the Temple was built and the Lord Christ was manifested in the Flesh. 15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time 16 And said * Psal. 105. 9. Luk. 1. 73. Heb. 6. 13. By my self have I sworn d So the Lord swears by his name Ier. 44. 26. By his soul in the Hebrew text Ier. 51. 14. By his Holiness Amos 4. 2. Which is the same with by himself here Hence also it appears that the Angel who speaks here is Christ and God because this is Gods prerogative to swear by himself as appears from Heb. 6. 13. saith the LORD for because thou hast done this thing e Not that Abraham by this act did properly merit or purchase the following promises as plainly appears because the same things for substance had been freely promised to Abraham long before this time and action Gen. 12. 2. and 13. 16. onely what before was promised is now confirmed by an Oath as a Testimony of that singular respect which God had to Abraham and to this heroical instance of Faith and Obedience and hast not with-held thy son thine onely son 17 That in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea †Heb. lip shore and thy seed shall possess the gate f i. e. The City by an usual Synecdoche as Deut. 12. 15. and 18. 6. all the Cities and consequently the Country adjacent gate for gates The sense is they shall subdue their Enemies For the gates of Cities were the places both of jurisdiction or judicature Deut. 21. 19. and 22. 15. Amos 5. 12 15. Zech. 8. 16. and of fortification and chief strength in War Iudg. 5. 8. Psal. 147. 13. Isa. 22. 7. Ezek. 21. 22. And this promise was fulfilled both literally in Israels conquest of Canaan in David Solomon c. and spiritually in Christ Psal. 110. 1 2 3. of his enemies 18 * Chap. 12. 3. and 18. 18. Acts 3. 25. Gal. 3. 8. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the Earth be blessed because thou hast obeyed my voice 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba 20 And it came to pass after these things that it was told Abraham saying Behold * Chap. 11. 29. Milcah she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor g This narration and Genealogy is added for Rebekahs sake and to make way for the following relation 21 Huz his first-born and Buz h From whom descended as some conceive Elihu the Buzite Iob 32. 2. his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram i So called possibly because he dwelt amongst the Syrians as Iacob for the same reason was called a Syrian Deut. 26. 5. But there was another more antient Aram from whom the Syrians descended Gen. 10. 22. 22 And Chesed and Hazo and Pildash and Jidlaph and Bethuel 23 And Bethuel begat * Called Rom. 9. 10. Rebecca Rebekah k Afterwards Isaac's Wife Chap. 24. these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor Abrahams brother 24 And his concubine l
of the Amalekites and those other people who were leagued with them with the edge of the sword 14 And the LORD said unto Moses Write this for a memorial in a book n Even in this book which Moses was to write by Gods inspiration and appointment See Exod. 34. 27. Deut. 31. 9 22. and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua x Thy successour and the captain of my people that he and all succeeding governours may watch all occasions to execute this command for * Num. 24. 2â—… 1 Sam. 15. 3 â—… and 30. 1 17. 2 Sam. 8. 12. Esth. 9. 14. I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek y i. e. I will utterly destroy them for a person or people dead or destroyed are soon forgotten Psal. 31. 12. and the grave is called the land of forgetfulness Psal. 88. 12. Or thus though they are now a numerous and flourishing people and in great repute I will make them few and inglorious for such are little minded or remembered for this is not to be understood absolutely of a speedy and utter extinction of them for he supposeth their being from generation to generation v. 16. but comparatively from under heaven z From the face of the whole earth 15 And Moses built an Altar a Both for the offering of sacrifices of praise unto God and to be a monument of this victory and of the Author of it and called the name of it b viz. Of the Altar which he so calls metonymically because it was the sign and monument of Iehovah Nissi even as circumcision is called Gods covenant Gen. 17. 13. and the lamb the passeover Exod. 12. 11. and the cup the new Testament Luk. 22. 20. because they were the signs of them Or the word altar is to be repeated out of the former member which is frequent and the place to be read thus he called the name of it the altar of Iehovah nissi Or the name given to it signifies onely the inscription ingraven upon it which was not the single name of God but an entire sentence the lord is my banner By which words he takes all the praise of the victory from the Israelites and gives it to God ‖ That is the LORD my 〈◊〉 ner JEHOVAH-nissi 16 For c Or And as the Hebrew particle properly signifies for these words are not a reason of the passage next preceding but an additional sentence he said ‖ Or becauseâ—… hand of 〈◊〉 is against the throne of the LORD thereâ—… c. Because d Or surely as that particle is oft used as Iob 8. 6. and 20. 20. Psal. 10. 14. and 44. 22 c. 〈◊〉 Heb. the hand upon the throne of the Lord for the hand of the Lord upon his throne which is perfectly the same thing onely the order of the words is a little varied after the manner of the Hebrew tongue These words then are a paraphrastical description of a solemn oath by the usual posture of it viz. the listing up the hand which is usually put for swearing and in that sence is ascribed both to men as Gen. 14. 22. and to God as Deut. 32. 40. And this hand of God lifted up upon his throne where his Majesty doth peculiarly and gloriously dwell signifies that God swears by himself as is said Heb. 6. 13. And thus the Chaldee and Arabick Interpreters understand it Others render the place thus Because the hand or his hand the pronoun being here understood as it frequently is in the Hebrew language of which several instances have been given before i. e. the hand of Amalek which may easily be understood out of the following clause in which Amalek is named was against the throne of the Lord i. e. was stretched out against God himself for so God esteems it because it was done against that people among whom God had placed his throne or seat or dwelling according to his covenant made with them which also was well known to the Amalekites by the relation of their progenitours who in all probability had acquainted them with their own rights and with Iacobs arts whereby he robbed Esau the father of Amalek Gen. 36. 15 16. of his birthright and blessing and consequently of the land of Canaan to which now God was bringing them that he might plant them there and set up his throne among them And the Amalekites doubtless heard as the other neighbours also did in what a miraculous manner God had brought them out of Egypt and over the Red-sea And they knew better then others by tradition from their Parents that God had promised Canaan to them and now they saw that he was conducting them thither And therefore to prevent this they now commence a War against them and against God or his throne whose presence with and conduct over them was most manifest which was a great aggravation of their sin And this latter translation and interpretation seems most probable 1. because it exactly agrees with the Hebrew words and the order in which they are placed 2. It makes the coherence more clear than our translation doth the former part of the verse containing a reason of the latter to wit of that severe curse and everlasting war denounced against Amalek because they attempted by force to overthrow Gods throne and people and that with so many aggravating circumstances of which see Deut. 25. 17 18. †Heb. the 〈◊〉 upon thâ—…t 〈◊〉 of the LORD the LORD hath sworne that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation CHAP. XVIII 1 WHen * chap. 2. 16. Jethro the Priest of Midian Moses father in law heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt 2 Then Jethro Moses father in law took Zipporah Moses wife after he had sent her back a From the way to Egypt upon the occasion mentioned Exod. 4. 24 25. and because he found by experience that she was likely to hinder him from or discourage him in the discharge of his great and dangerous office and to give an ill example to the Israelites 3 And her two sons of which the * chap. 2. 22. name of the one was ‖ That is a stranger there Gershom for he said I have been an allen in a strange land 4 And the name of the other was ‖ That is My God is 〈◊〉 help Eliezer for the God of my father said he was mine help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh 5 And Jethro Moses father in law came b Not at this time but after the delivery of the law at mount Sinai as may appear 1. because he finds them encamped as it here follows at the mount of God i. e. Sinai whither they came not till Exod. 19. 2. 2. because the laws of Sacrifices were given before his coming as appears from ver 12. 3. because the
were come out of the land of Egypt saying 2 * Exod. 30. 12. Take ye the sum c This is not the same muster with that Exod. 38. 26. as plainly appears because that was before the building of the Tabernacle which was built and setup on the first day of the first moneth Exod. 40. 2. but this was after it to wit on the first day of the second moneth as is said ver 1. And they were for differing ends that was to tax them for the charges of the Tabernacle but this was for other ends partly that the great number of the people might be known to the praise of Gods faithfulness in making good his promises of multiplying them and to their own comfort and encouragement partly for the better ordering of their camp and march for they were now beginning their journey and partly that this account might be compared with the other in the close of the book where we read that not one of all this vast number except Caleb and Ioshua were left alive which was an evident discovery of the mischievous nature of sin by which so vast a company were destroyed and a fair warning to all future generations to take heed of rebelling against the Lord for which their ancestours had been so dreadfully plagued even to extirpation It is true the sums and numbers agree in this and that computation which is not strange because there was not much time between the two numbrings and no eminent sin among the people in that interval whereby God was provoked to diminish their numbers Some conceive that in that number Exod. 30. and 38. the Levites were included which are here excepted ver 47. and that in that interval of time there were grown up as many more men of those years as there were Levites of the same age of all the congregation of the children of Israel d So the strangers mixed with them were not numbred after their families by the house of their fathers e The people were divided into twelve Tribes the Tribes into great Families Num. 26. 5. these great Families into lesser Families called the houses of their fathers because they were distinguished one from another by their fathers with the number of their names every male by their poll 3 From twenty years old and upward †Heb. 〈◊〉 that goith 〈◊〉 all that are able to go forth to war in Israel thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies 4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe f To inspect the work that it might be faithfully and impartially done every one head of the house of his fathers 5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you g To wit with Moses and Aaron who were the chief managers of the work of the tribe of Reuben h The Tribes are here numbred according to the order or quality of their birth first the children of Leah then of Rachel and then of the handmaids Elizur the son of Shedeur 6 Of Simeon Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai 7 Of Judah Nahshon the son of Amminadab 8 Of Issachar Nethaneel the son of Zuar 9 Of Zebulun Eliab the son of Helon 10 Of the children of Joseph of Ephraim Elishama the son of Ammihud of Manasseh Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur 11 Of Benjamin Abidan the son of Gideoni 12 Of Dan Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai 13 Of Asher Pagiel the son of Ocran 14 Of Gad Eliasaph the son of Deuel i Called Reuel Numb 2. 14. the Hebrew letters Daleth and Resh being very like and oft changed 15 Of Naphtali Ahira the son of Enan 16 These were the renowned k Heb. the named or called to wit by Moses and by Gods appointment to manage this affair and others as there was occasion Compare Numb 16. 2. and 26. 9. of the congregation princes of the tribes of their fathers heads of thousands l See Exod. 18. 21. Numb 10. 4. in Israel 17 And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names 18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month and they declared their pedigrees after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward by their poll 19 As the LORD commanded Moses so he numbred them in the wilderness of Sinai 20 And the children of Reuben Israels eldest son by their generations m Heb. to wit their generations i. e. the persons begotten of Reubens immediate Children who are here subdivided into families and they into houses and they into particular persons after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names by their polls every male from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 21 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Reuben were fourty and six thousand and five hundred 22 Of the children of Simeon by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers those that were numbred of them according to the number of the names by their polls every male from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 23 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Simeon were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred 24 Of the children of Gad by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 25 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Gad were fourty and five thousand six hundred and fifty 26 Of the children of Judah by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 27 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Judah were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred n Far more than any other tribe in accomplishing of Iacobs prophecy Gen. 49. 28 Of the children of Issachar by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 29 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Issachar were fifty and four thousand and four hundred 30 Of the children of Zebulun by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 31 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Zebulun were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred 32 Of the children of Joseph namely of the children of Ephraim by their generations after their families by the
20 24. Psal. 105. 39. And this cloud was easily distinguished from other clouds both by its peculiar figure and by its constant residence in that place and at * Exod. 13. 21. and 40. 38. even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire q That they might better discern it and direct themselves and their journeys or stations by it until the morning 16 So it was alway the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night 17. And when the cloud was taken up r Or Ascended on high above its ordinary place by which it became more visible to all the camp from the tabernacle then after that the children of Israel journeyed and in the place where the cloud abode there the children of Israel pitched their tents 18 At the commandment of the LORD s The motion or stay of the cloud is fitly called the command of God because it was a signification of Gods will and their duty which a command properly is the children of Israel journeyed and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched * 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 1. as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in the tents 19 And when the cloud †Heb. prolonged tarried long upon the tabernacle many dayes then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD t i. e. The command of God mentioned before that 〈◊〉 should stay as long as the cloud stayed as the same phrase is manifestly taken below ver 23. And this saith he they did though it were long in one place which was tedious to them who desired to change places and to make haste to Canaan yet they obeyed God herein against their own inclinations Which because it was remarkable in so obstinate a people it is so largely and particularly mentioned here as an instance of their obedience and as an aggravation of the many following instances of their Apostacy and Disobedience and journeyed not 20 And so it was when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed 21 And so it was when the cloud †Heb. was chap. 11. 3â—… abode from even unto the morning and that the cloud was taken up in the morning then they journeyed whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up they journeyed 22 Or whether it were two dayes or a month or a year that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle remaining thereon the children of Israel * Exod. 40. 36 37. abode in their tents and journeyed not but when it was taken up they journeyed 23 At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed they kept the charge of the LORD at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses CHAP. X. 1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2 Make thee two trumpets a For Aarons two Sons though afterwards the number of the trumpets was much increased as the number of the Priests also was See 2 Chron. 5. 12. These trumpets were ordained both for signification of the great duty of Ministers to wit to preach the word and for use as here follows of silver b A metal pure and pretious and giving a clear sound of an whole piece c See Exod. 25. 31. Numb 8. 4. shalt thou make them that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly and for the journeying of the camps 3 And when * Joel 2. 15. they d i. e. The Priests by comparing this with ver 8. shall blow with them e i. e. With both of them by comparing this with the next verse all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation 4 And if they blow but with one trumpet then the princes which are heads of the thousands of Israel shall gather themselves unto thee 5 When ye blow an alarm e To wit once as appears from ver 6. then the camps that lie on the east-part shall go forward 6 When ye blow an alarm the second time then the camps that lie on the south-side shall take their journey they shall blow an alarm for their journeys f As a sign for them to march forward and consequently for the rest to follow them which is easily understood out of these words 7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together ye shall blow but ye shall not sound an alarm 8 And the sons of Aaron the priests shall blow with the trumpets g To oblige them to the greater regard and observance as if God himself had called them and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations 9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets h Which was practised accordingly See Numb 31. 6. 2 Chron. 13. 12. and ye shall be remembred before the LORD your God and ye shall be saved from your enemies i If you use this ordinance of God with trust and dependance upon God for help which condition is necessarily to be understood from divers other Scriptures where it is expressed 10 Also * chap. 29. 1. 1 Chro. 15. 24. 2 Chron. 5. 12. and 7. 6. and 29. 26. Ezra 3. 10. Neh. 12. 35. in the dayes of your gladness k i. e. Days appointed for rejoycing and thanksgiving to God either for former mercies or for succeeding deliverances as Esth. 9. 18. c. Compare Hos. 2. 11. and in your solemn dayes l Your stated and constant festivals and in the beginnings of your months m Of which see Psal. 81. 3. ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings that they may be to you for a memorial before your God n That God may remember you for good to accept and bless you as that phrase oft signifies I am the LORD your God 11 And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month in the second year that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony 12 And the children of Israel took * chap. 2. 9 16 24 31. their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran o From which they travelled to other places and then returned into it again Numb 12. 16. 13 And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses 14 * chap. 2. 3. In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Iudah according to their armies and over his host was * chap. 1. 4. Nahshon the son of Amminadab 15 And over the
so long a succession for the Priesthood returned to Phinehas his line in the time of Solomon 1 King 2. 26 27 34. 1 Chron. 24. 3. and continued in that line till the captivity of Babylon as is evident and afterward too 1 Chron. 6. 4. Ezra 7. 1 5. even untill Christs time for any thing which appears to the contrary because he was zealous for his God and made an atonement for the children of Israel 14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain even that was slain with the Midianitish woman was Zimri the son of Salu a prince h This is added as a proof of Phinehas his zeal that he durst venture upon so great a person who was likely to have many avengers of his blood of †Heb. 〈◊〉 father a chief house i Heb. Of the house of his Father Every Tribe was divided into great Housholds called the houses of their Fathers Numb 1. 2. and he was the Prince or chief of one of these though not of the whole Tribe Of the Tribe of Simeon which seems to have been too much influenced by his and other such examples so that for 59300. which were numbred Numb 1. 22 23. there were now onely 22200. Numb 26. 14. among the Simeonites k. 15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi the daughter of Zur l One of the Kings or Princes of Midian Numb 31. 8. Ios. 13. 21. he was head over a people and of a chief house m Or and over her fathers house in Midian 16 And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 17 * Vex the Midianites n And why not the Moabites who were as guilty ver 1. Answ. 1. Because God will reserve to himself a liberty of punishing or sparing according to his own good pleasure 2. God had a kindness for the Moabites for Lots sake Deut. 2. 9. 3. God punished the Moabites in another manner partly by his own immediate hand whereby it is probable he cut off those Moabitish women that were guilty of this fact partly by a particular and dreadful kind of excommunication Deut. 23. 3. and partly by impunity which in its consequences is commonly worse and more pernicious than any or all temporal punishments which none that believes the Bible can deny 4. It is probable the Midianites were most guilty as in perswading Balak to send for Balaam as may be gathered from Numb 22. 4 7. So in the reception of Balaam after Balak had dismissed him Numb 31. 8. and in further consultation with him and in contriving the means for the executing of this wicked plot and smite them o i. e. Kill them in which words as there is a command to war against them so there is a promise of success chap. 31. 2. 18 For they vex you with their wiles p For under pretence of Kindred and Friendship and Leagues yea and Marriages which they offered to them instead of that War which the Israelites expected from them they sought onely an opportunity to insinuate themselves into their familiarity and execute their hellish plot of bringing that curse upon the Israelites which they had in vain attempted to bring another way wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor and in the matter of Cozbi q By drawing you both to spiritual and corporal whoredome the daughter of a prince of Midian their sister r In a large sense to wit their Countrey woman which was slain in the day of the plague for Peors sake CHAP. XXVI 1 AND it came to pass after the plague a Last mentioned chap. 25. 8 9. that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar b Who his father being dead was High-priest the son of Aaron the priest saying 2 Take the sum c They were numbred twice before Exod. 30. 11 12. and Numb 1. 1 2. Now they are numbred a third time partly to demonstrate the faithfulness of God both in cutting all those off whom he had threatned to cut off Numb 14. 29. and in a stupendious increase and multiplication of the people according to his promise notwithstanding all their sins and the sweeping judgments inflicted upon them and partly to prepare the way for the equal division of the Land which they were now going to possess of all the congregation of the children of Israel * from twenty years old and chap. 1. 3. upward throughout their fathers house all that are able to go to war in Israel 3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab d See Numb 22. 1. and 33. 48. by Jordan near Jericho e See Numb 22. 1. saying 4 Take the sum of the people f Which words are easily supplied and necessarily to be understood from ver 2. from twenty chap. 1. 1. years old and upward as the LORD * commanded Moses and the children of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt 5 * Gen. 46. 8. Exod. 6. 14. â—… Chro. 5. 1. Reuben the eldest son of Israel the children of Reuben Hanock of whom cometh the family of the Hanochite of Pallu the family of the Palluite 6 Of Hesron the family of the Hesronite of Carmi the family of the Carmite 7 These are the families g i. e. The chief houses which were subdivided into divers lesser families of the Reubenite and they that were numbred of them were fourty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty h Whereas in their last numbring they were 46500 Numb 1. 21. for Korahs conspiracy as well as other provocations of theirs had cut off many of them 8 And the sons i For son of which change of the number See Gen. 21. 7. and 46. 7. of Pallu Eliab 9 And the sons of Eliab Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram this is that Dathan and Abiram which were * chap. 16. 2. famous in the congregation who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah when they strove against the LORD 10 And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah k According to this translation Korah was not consumed by fire with his 250 men Numb 16. but swallowed up by the Earth But others rather think he was devoured by the fire of which see on Numb 16. 32 35. and render these words and the things of Korah or belonging to Korah to wit his tent and goods and family children excepted as here follows Which interpretation receives strength by comparing this place with Numb 16. 32. And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them to wit Dathan and Abiram as is manifest from ver 24 25 27. up and their houses and all the men that appertained unto Korah which variation of the phrase plainly shews that Korah himself was not swallowed up with them but onely his men and his tabernacle which is mentioned there together with the tabernacles
person was not in her Father's house she was unquestionably bound by it but being now freed from her Husband and returned to her Father it was doubtful whether she was not returned to the same state of subiection in which she was before and consequently unable to make or perform a vow without her Fathers consent as she was before which is here denyed wherewith they have bound their souls shall stand against her 10 And if she vowed in her husbands house x i. e. If she that now is a Widow or divorced made that vow whilest her Husband lived with her as suppose she then vowed that if she was left a Widow she would give such a proportion of her estate to pious or charitable uses of which vow she might repent when she came to be a Widow and might believe or pretend she was free from it because that vow was made in her Husbands life time which is here granted in case her Husband then disallowed it but denyed in case by silence or otherwise he consented to it And thus this Law is sufficiently distinguished from that above v. 6 7 8. or bound her soul by a bond with an oath 11 And her husband heard it and held his peace at her and disallowed her not then all her vows shall stand and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand 12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning the bond of her soul shall not stand her husband hath made them void and the LORD shall forgive her 13 Every vow and every binding oath to afflict the soul y i. e. Her self by fasting which oft goes under that name as Levit. 16. 29 31. and 23. 27 32. Isa. 58. 5. by watching or the like And these words are added not for limitation for it is manifest from v. 5 8 10 12. that the power of Parents and Husbands was more general and large but for amplification to shew that the Husband had this power not onely in those vows which concerned himself or his estate but also in those which might seem onely to concern her own person or Body And the reason hereof is because the Wives person or body being the Husbands right she might not do any thing to the injury of her Body without his consent her husband may establish it or her husband may make it void 14 But if her Husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day then he establisheth all her vows or all her bonds which are upon her he confirmeth them because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them 15 But if he shall any wayes make them void after that he hath heard them z And approved them by his silence from day to day if now after that time spent he shall upon further thoughts dislike and hinder it which he ought not to do then he shall bear her Iniquity †Her non-performance of her vow shall be imputed to him not to her 16 These are the statutes which the LORD commanded Moses between a man and his wife between the father and his daughter being yet in her youth in her fathers house CHAP. XXXI 1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses saying 2 * Chap. 2â—… â—… Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites a For their malicious designs and practices against Israel both by hiring Balaam to curse them and by sending their Women to insnare them The Moabites also were guilty but God out of his own good pleasure and in kindness to Lot was pleased to spare them the rather because the measure of their Iniquity was not yet full afterwards shalt thou * Chap. 2â—… be gathered unto thy people 3 And Moses spake unto the people saying Arm some of your selves unto the war and let them go against the Midianites and avenge the LORD b For the affront and injury which they offered to God partly by their own Idolatry and lewdness and partly by seducing Gods people into Rebellion against him Gods great care was to avenge the Israelites v. 2. and Moses his chief desire was to avenge God rather than himself or the people Withal he doth hereby insinuate that God and his people have the same cause the same Friends and Enemies of Midian 4 †Heb. A thousand of a tribe a 〈◊〉 of a tribe Of every tribe a thousand throughout all the tribes of Israel shall ye send to the war 5 So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel a thousand of every tribe c To prevent Emulations or divisions twelve thousand armed for war d God would send no more though it is apparent that the Midianites were numerous and strong because he would try and exercise their trust in him and because he would hereby give them an earnest of their Canaâ—…nitish Conquests 6 And Moses sent them to the war a thousand of every tribe them and Phinehas e Who had the charge not of the Army as General an Office never committed to any Priest in all the Old Testament but of the Holy Instruments c. as is here expressed and was also sent to encourage and quicken and confirm them in their good enterprize It is not here mentioned who was the general whether Iosua as some think because he is not named amongst those who went out to meet the returning host though that might be for other reasons or some other Prince nor is it worth while to determine the son of Eleazar the Priest to the war with the holy instruments f Either 1. the Ark with the things belonging to it which before the building of the Temple they did sometimes carry into the War for the encouragement of their Army See Numb 14. 44. Ios. 6. 9. 1 Sam. 4. 4. and 14. 18. But why then is it thus ambiguously expressed seeing in all the other places it is called by its proper Name Nor is the Ark ever so called in Scripture Or 2. The Trumpets as it here follows the words being thus to be read the Holy Instruments that is the Trumpets for and is oft times put exegetically for that is or to wit as Gen. 13. 15. 1 Chron. 21. 12. compared with 2 Sam. 24. 13. Zach. 1. 4. and 9. 9 c. Or rather 3. The Holy Breast-plate wherein was the Urim and Thummim which was easily carryed and used and very useful in War upon many emergent occasions See 1 Sam. 23. 9. and 30. 7. and the trumpets to blow g Which were to be used in war as well as in the service of the Tabernacle See Numb 10. 9. 2 Chron. 13. 12. in his hand 7 And they warred against the Midianites as the LORD commanded Moses and they slew * See Judg. 6. 33. all the males h Namely all whom they took in that War Or all who lived in
those parts for it is probable and was then very usual some colonies of them were sent forth to remoter places which therefore had no hand either in their former sin or in this present raine of whom we read after this Iudg 6. And herein they did according to Gods own order concerning such people Deut 20. 13. only their fault was that they did not consider the special reason and great obligation which they had to involve the Women in the destruction for which reason Moses blames them afterward v. 15 16. 8 And they slew the Kings of Midian i Called Dukes or Princes of Sihon Ios. 13. 21. because they were subject to him while he lived but upon his death they resumed their Kingly power besides the rest of them that were slain namely * Josh. 13. 21. Evi and Rekem and Zur k The Father of Cozbi Numb 25. 15. and Hur and Reba five Kings of Midian Balaam also l Obj. he was gone and returned to his own place Numb 24. 25. which was Aram or Mesopotamia Numb 23. 7. Answ. Either he did go thitherward but in his journey made some stay in Midian where he was overtaken by divinevengeance or understanding the success of his wicked counsel left with Balaam in the sin and slaughter of the Israelites he returned partly to enjoy the reputation and reward of his counsel which he had lost before and partly to employ his Hellish arts against Israel now they were as he thought forsaken by their God and exposed to his malice Here Balaam dies the death of the wicked and not of the righteous as he desired Numb 23. 10. the son of Beor they slew with the sword And the children of Israel took all the Women of Midian Captives and their little ones and took the spoil of all their cattel and all their Flocks and all their goods 10 And they burnt all their cities m Partly to blot out the Name and Memory of so lewd and vile a people partly least any of the Israelites should be tempted to settle there and so be discouraged in their progress to Canaan and partly least they should be possessed by other people who might prove as bad Neighbours to them as these would have been wherein they dwelt and all their goodly castles with fire 11 And they took all the spoil and all the prey both of men and of beasts 12 And they brought the captives and the prey and the spoil unto Moses and Eleazar the Priest and unto the Congregation of the children of Israel unto the camp at the plains of Moab which are by Jordan near Jericho 13 And Moses and Eleazar the Priest and all the Princes of the congregation went forth to meet them without the camp n Partly to put respect upon them and congratulate with them for their happy success and partly to prevent the pollution of the Camp by the untimely entrance of the Warriours into it 14 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host o Because they had spared those who were most criminal and who by the law of God and of nature were worthy of Death with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds which came from the †Hebr. host of war battel 15 And Moses said unto them Have ye saved * Sâ—… Deut. 20. 23. 1 Sam. 15. 3. all the women alive 16 Behold * Chap. 25. 2. these caused the children of Israel through the * Chap. 24. 14. 2 Pet. 2. 15. counsel of Balaam to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor and * Chap. 25. 9. there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD 17 Now therefore * Judg. 21. 11. kill every male among the little ones p Which they were forbidden to do to other people Deut. 20. 14. except the Canaanites to whom this people had equalled themselves by their horrid crimes and therefore it is not strange nor unjust that God the supream Lord of all mens lives who as he gives them so may take them away when he pleaseth did equal them in the punishment and kill every woman that hath known man q Partly for punishment because the guilt was general and though some of them only did prostitute themselves to the Israelites yet the rest made themselves accessary by their consent or concurrence or approbation and partly for prevention of the like mischief from such an adulterous generation by lying with †Hebr. a male him 18 But all the women children that have not known a man r To wit carnally See on Gen. 48. 1. and 19. 8. Levit. 18. 22. by lying with him keep alive for your selves s Either to sell them as slaves to others or to use them as Servants to your selves or to marry them when you have prepared and instructed them 19 And do ye abide without the camp seven dayes s According to the Law Levit. 15. 13. and Numb 19. 11 12. whosoever hath killed any person and * Chap. 19. 11 c. whosoever hath touched any slain purify t With the water of sprinkling Numb 19. 9. both your selves and your captives on the third day and on the seventh day 20 And purifie all u To wit your spoil and prey See Levit. 8. 15. and 14. 49. your raiment and all that is †Heb. Instrument or vesseâ—… of skins made of skins and all work of goats hair x All which had contracted some ceremonial uncleanness either from the dead Bodies which wore them or the tents or houses where they were in which such dead Bodies lay or from the touch of the Israelitish Souldiers who were legally defiled by the slaughters they made and all things made of wood 21 And Eleazar the Priest said unto the men of war which went to the battel This is the ordinance of the Law which the LORD commanded Moses 22 Only the gold and the silver the brass the iron the tin and the lead 23 Every thing that may abide the fire ye shall make it go thorow the fire and it shall be clean nevertheless it shall be purified * Chap. 19. 9 17. with the water of separation and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water 24 And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day and ye shall be clean and afterward ye shall come into the camp 25 And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 26 Take the sum of the prey †Heb. Of the captivity that was taken both of man and of beast thou and Eleazar the priest and the chief fathers of the congregation 27 And * Josh. 22. 8. 1 Sam. 30. 24. divide the prey into two parts between them that took the war upon them who went out to battel and between all the congregation y The Congregation hath some share because the Warriours went in the name of all and because all
having been injured by the Midianites all were to have some share in the reparations but the Warriours who were but 12000 have a far greater share than others of their brethren because they underwent greater pains and dangers 28 And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battel one soul z i. e. one person as it follows here and ver 30. of five hundred both of the persons and of the beeves and of the asses and of the sheep 29 Take it of their half and give it unto Eleazar the priest for an heave-offering of the LORD a In thankfulness to God for their preservation and good success 30 And of the children of Israels half thou shalt take one portion of fifty b Whereas the former part was one of 500 the reason of the difference is partly because this was taken out of the peoples portion whose hazards being less than the others their gains also in all reason were to be less partly because this was to be distributed into more hands the Levites being now numerous when the Priests were but few of the persons of the beeves of the asses and of the ‖ Or goats sheep of all manner of beasts and give them unto the Levites * chap. 3. 7 8 25 31 36. which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD 31 And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses 32 And the booty being the rest of the prey c All which was now left of the prey It is so expressed because they took more but some of the persons were since killed ver 17. and some of the cattel was spent for the necessary provisions of the army which the men of war had caught was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep 33 And threescore and twelve thousand beeves 34 And threescore and one thousand asses 35 And thirty and two thousand persons in all of women that had not known man by lying with him 36 And the half which was the portion of them that went out to war was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep 37 And the LORDS tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen 38 And the beeves were thirty and six thousand of which the LORDS tribute was threescore and twelve 39 And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred of which the LORDS tribute was threescore and one 40 And the persons were sixteen thousand of which the LORDS tribute was thirty and two persons 41 And Moses gave the tribute which was the LORDS heave-offering unto Eleazar the priest as the LORD commanded Moses d Either now upon his consulting of God in the case or formerly in general rules and laws for such occasions such as Numb 18. 8. 42 And of the children of Israels half which Moses divided from the men that warred 43 Now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep 44 And thirty and six thousand beeves 45 And thirty thousand asses and five hundred 46 And sixteen thousand persons 47 Even of the children of Israels half Moses took one portion of fifty both of man and of beast and gave them unto the Levites which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD as the LORD commanded Moses 48 And the officers which were over thousands of the host the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds came near unto Moses 49 And they said unto Moses Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our †Heb. 〈◊〉 charge and there lacketh not one man of us 50 We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD what every man hath †Heb. soâ—… gotten of jewels of gold chains and bracelets rings ear-rings and tablets to make an atonement for our souls e For their error noted ver 14 15 16. and withal for a memorial as it is said ver 54. or by way of gratitude for such a stupendious assistance and deliverance as appears from the word therefore in the beginning of this verse and from ver 49. before the LORD 51 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them even all wrought jewels 52 And all the gold of the †Heb. 〈◊〉 offering offering that they offered up to the LORD of the captains of thousands and of the captains of hundreds was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels 53 For the men of war had taken spoil every man for himself 54 And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD CHAP. XXXII 1 NOW the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattel and when they saw the land of Jazer a A city and country taken from the Amorites Numb 21. 32. and the land of Gilead b A mountainous country famous for pasturage Ier. 50. 19. Mich. 7. 14. that behold the place was a place for cattel 2 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses and to Eleazar the priest and unto the princes of the congregation saying 3 Ataroth c Different from that Ataroth Iosh. 16. 2 7. which was on the other side of Iordan and Dibon and Jazer and Nimrah d Called Beth-nimrah ver 36. and Ios. 13. 27. and the waters of Nimrim Isa. 15. 6. and Heshbon and Elealeh and Shebam e Which is thought to be the same place called Baal-meon ver 38. and Beth-meon Ier. 48. 23. and Nebo and Beon f 4 Even the countrey * ch 21. 〈◊〉 which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel g And given to them for a possession in the same manner as he will give the land of Canaan is a land for cattel and thy servants have cattel 5 Wherefore said they if we have found grace in thy sight let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession and bring us not over Jordan h To wit to give us our possession there but let this land on this side Iordan be our whole possession 6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben Shall your brethren go to war and shall ye sit here i In ease and peace whilest your brethren are ingaged in a bloody war Their words were ambiguous and Moses thought this to be an act of unbelief and sloth and self-love and policy 7 And wherefore †Heb. break discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them 8 Thus did your fathers when I * chap. 13. 3. sent them from Kadesh-barnea * Deut. 1. 22.
to see the land 9 For * chap. 13. 24. when they went up into the valley of Eshcol and saw the land they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel that they should not go k That they should not attempt to go but rather return to Egypt Numb 14. 4. into the land which the LORD had given them 10 And the LORDS anger was kindled the same time and he sware saying 11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt * chap. 14. 28 â—…9 from twenty years old and upward shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob because * chap. 14. 24 30. they have not †Heb. fulfilled after me wholly followed me 12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite l So called from Kenaz his grand-father or one of his eminent ancestours Ios. 15. 17. 1 Chron. 4. 13 14 15. and Joshua the son of Nun for they have wholly followed the LORD 13 And the LORDS anger was kindled against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the LORD were consumed 14 And behold ye are risen up in your fathers stead an increase of sinful men m Succeeding your fathers as in their places and estates so also in their sins to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel 15 For if ye turn away from after him he will yet again leave them in the wilderness and ye shall destroy all this people n Who being moved by your counsel and example will refuse to go over Iordan and to possess the land of Canaan 16 And they came near unto him and said We will build sheep-folds here for our cattel and cities for our little ones 17 But we our selves o Either all or as many of us as shall be thought necessary leaving onely so many as may be necessary to provide for the sustenance and defence of our wives and children here See Ios. 4. 12 13. will go ready armed before the children of Israel until we have brought them unto their place and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land p The Moabites and Edomites or other bordering people 18 * Josh 22. 2. We will not return unto our houses until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance 19 For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan or forward because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward 20 And * Josh. 1. 13. Moses said unto them If ye will do this thing if ye will go armed before the LORD p Either 1. sincerely and heartily as in Gods presence Or rather 2. before the Ark. which was the token of Gods presence He alludes either to the order of the tribes in their march whereby Reuben and Gad marched next and immediately before the ark as appears from Numb 2. 10 14 16 17. Or to the manner of their passage over Iordan wherein the Ark went first into Iordan and stood there whilest all the tribes marched over Iordan by and before it Ios. 3. and 4. and these amongst the rest as is expresly noted in these very words that they passed over before the Lord Ios. 4. 13. to war 21 And will go all of you armed over Jordan fore the LORD until he hath driven out his enemies from before him 22 And * Deut. 3. 20. the land be subdued before the LORD q i. e. By his presence and gracious and powerful assistance then afterward ye shall return and be guiltless before the LORD and before Israel and * Deut. 3. 12 15 16. Josh. 1. 15 and 13. 8. this land shall be your possession before the LORD 23 But if ye will not do so behold ye have sinned against the LORD and be sure your sin r i. e. The punishment of your sin as that word is very oft used will find you out 24 Build you cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth s Which you have uttered and promised to do See this or the like phrase Numb 30. 2. Mat. 15. 18. 25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses saying Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth 26 Our little ones our wives our flocks and all our cattel shall be there in the cities of Gilead t. r Largely so called as that word is oft used for that whole country beyond Iordan as in other places it is taken more strictly for a part of it as here below ver 39 40. and elsewhere 27 * Josh. 4. 12. But thy servants will pass over every man armed for war before the LORD to battel as my lord saith 28 So * Josh. 1. 13. concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel 29 And Moses said unto them If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan every man armed to battel before the LORD and the land shall be subdued before you then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for your possession 30 But if they will not pass over with you armed they shall have possession among you in the land of Canaan u They shall forfeit and lose their possessions in Gilead and shall be constrained to go over Iordan and to seek possessions there among their brethren 31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered saying As the LORD hath said x Either at this time by thy mouth or formerly where he commandeth us as well as our brethren to go into Canaan and possess it unto thy servants so will we do 32 We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be ours 33 And * Deut. 3. 2. Josh. 13. 8. and 22. 4. Moses gave unto them even to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben and unto half the tribe of Manasseh y Who are here added to the Tribes of Reuben and Gad either because upon the good success of the two Tribes of Reuben and Gad they were encouraged to make the same request for themselves as having much cattel as well as they or because upon further consideration it was found that this portion of land was more than sufficient for those two tribes and it was given by Moses â—…o these rather than to any other because these fought against the Amorites with great courage and success here ver 39. and Ios 17. 1. the son of Joseph the * chap. 21. 24 33. Kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorite and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan the land
those of Galilee which was called Galilee of the Gentiles who were their Neighbours or people of other nations with whom they had commerce which they endeavoured to improve in perswading them to the true God and his Worship and Service unto the mountain r i. e. To the Temple which Moses knew was to be seated upon a mountain there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness s i. e. Such as God requires and Righteousness obligeth them to offer Their trafficking abroad with Heathen nations shall not make them forget or neglect their duty at home nor shall their distance from the place of sacrifices hinder them from coming to it to discharge that duty for they shall suck of the abundance of the sea t They shall grow rich by the traffick of the sea and their riches shall not make them the worse as they do others but they shall consecrate themselves and their riches to the service of God and of treasures hid in the sand u Such pretious things as either 1. Are contained in the sand of the sea and Rivers in which sometimes there is mixed a considerable quantity of Gold and Silver Or 2. Such as grow in the Sea or are fetched from the sandy bottom of it as pearls coral ambergrease c. Or 3. Such as being cast into the Sea by shipwrack are cast up upon the shore by the workings of the Sea and thence taken either by merchants or by the people that live upon the Sea-Coast 20 And of Gad he said Blessed be he that * See Josh. 8. c 1 Chron. 12. 8 c. enlargeth Gad x By praising God for enlarging Gad he supposeth the ground of these praises that God would enlarge Gad i. e. either 1. enlarge his Territories which seems needless because they had a very large portion now when Moses uttered these words Or 2. bring him out of his straits and troubles which he was likely to be oft engaged in because he was encompassed with potent Enemies And in this sense the phrase is used Ps. 4. 2. compare Ps. 31. 8. and 118. 5. One instance of the fulfilling hereof we have Iudg. 11. he dwelleth as a lion y i. e. Safe and secure from his Enemies and terrible to them when they rouse and molest him See 1 Chron. 5. 18 c. and 12. 8. and teareth the arm with the crown of the head z i. e. Utterly destroys his Enemies both the head the seat of the crown their dignity and principality and the Arm the subject of strength and instrument of action both chief Princes and their instruments and subjects 21 And * Num. 32. 17. he provided the first part a The first-fruits of the Land of promise the country of Sihon which was first conquered which he is said to provide for himself because he desired and so obtained it of Moses Numb 32. for himself because there in a portion of the law-giver b i. e. Of Moses whose portion this is called either because this part of the Land beyond Iordan was the onely part of the Land which Moses was permitted to enter upon or because it was given to him by Moses whereas the portions beyond Iordan were given to the several Tribes by Ioshua according to the direction of the lot was he †Heb. 〈◊〉 seated c Heb. hid or protected for their Wives and Children were secured in their Cities whilest many of their men went over to the war in Canaan and he came with the heads of the people d i. e. He went or he will go the preter tense being put for the future after the manner of the Prophets to wit to the war in Canaan with the Princes or Captains or Rulers of the People of Israel i. e. under their command and conduct as indeed they did or with the first of the people or in the front of the people as the Syriack renders it for this tribe and their brethren whose lot fell beyond Iordan were to march and did march into Canaan before their brethren as it is expressed Ios. 1. 14. And the Hebrew word rosch oft signifies the beginning or first of a thing he executed the justice of the LORD and his judgment with Israel e i. e. He did or will execute the just iudgment of God against the Canaanites as the rest of the Israelites did he will joyn in the war against them as he promised to do Numb 32. 27 c. and actually did Ios. 1. 14. 22 And of Dan he said Dan is a lions whelp f i. e. Couragious and generous and strong and successeful against his Enemies he shall leap from Bashan g Or which leapeth from Bashan for this clause seems not to belong to the Tribe of Dan which was at a great distance from Bashan even at the other end of the Land and therefore this seems too great a leap for him and if he did leap so far he should rather be said to take his leap from his own lot in the South of Canaan and thence to leap not from Bashan but to Bashan to fall upon his Enemies there but it rather is a continuation of the Metaphor and belongs to the Lion which is said to leap from Bashan because there were many and fierce Lions in those parts see Iudg. 14. 5. whence they used to come forth to prey and their manner was to leap upon the prey 23 And of Naptali he said O Naptali satisfied with favour g Either 1. With Gods favour as it follows Or 2. With mens favour or good will his carriage being peaceable courteous and obliging as is intimated Gen. 49. 21. according to the common Translation see the notes there and full with the blessing of the LORD h i. e. Seated in a pleasant and fertile and happy soil such as Galilee in which their share lay eminently was as Iosephus and others report possess thou the west and the south i Or the Sea and the South This is to be understood of the places that his lot should fall there for he was rather in the East and North of the Land but of the pleasures and commodities of the West or of the Sea which were conveyed to him from his neighbour Zebulun and of the South i. e. from the southern tribes and parts of Canaan which were brought to him down the River Iordan and both sorts of commodities were given him in exchange for the fruits of his rich soil which he had in great abundance 24 And of Asher he said Let Asher be blessed with children k He shall have numerous and those strong and healthful and comely Children Or shall be blessed or praised of or above the sons i. e. the other Sons of Israel or his brethren as it here follows i. e. His portion shall fall in an excellent part where he may have the benefits both of his own fat soil and of
all of them might be partakers of this first spoil and thereby be encouraged to proceed in their work The weak multitude were not to go because they might have hindred them in the following Stratagem and it was but fit that the Military men who run the greatest hazards should have the Precedency and Priviledg in the spoils and arise go up to Ai see I have given into thine hand the king of Ai and his people and his city and his land 2 And thou shall do to Ai b i. e. The City and people of Ai. and her King as thou didst unto * Chap. 6. 21. Jericho and her King c i. e. Overcome and destroy them This was enjoyned partly to chastise their last Insolence and the Triumphs and Blasphemies which doubtless their success produced and partly to revive the dread and terrour which had been impressed upon the Canaanites by Iericho's ruine and had been much abated by the late success of Ai and their confidence and expectation of further and greater success * Deut. 20. 14. only the spoil thereof and the cattel thereof shall ye take for a prey unto your selves lay thee an ambush for the city behind it 3 So Joshua arose and all the people of war to go up against Ai c i. e. To consider and conclude about this Expedition of going up against Ai not as if all the people of war did actually go up which was both unnecessary and burdensom and might hinder their following design but it seems to be resolved by Ioshua and all the Council of War That the 30000. here following should be selected for the Enterprize Either 1. the 30000. now mentioned Or 2. part of them to wit such as were to lie in wait as seems most probable both from the next verse which limits it to those who were to lie in wait and from v. 9. where what is here mentioned only by anticipation is actually put in execution and it is said of them that were sent forth that they went to lie in ambush and did so and these were only 5000. men as is expressed v. 12. And the only inconvenience of this Exposition is That the Pronoun Relative them is put without or before its Antecedent which is left to be gathered out of the following words which is not unusual in the Hebrew Tongue as plainly appears from Exod. 14. 19. Numb 18 9. and 24. 17. Psal. 87. 1. and 105. 19. and 114. 2. Prov. 7. 8. and 14. 26. and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour and sent them away by night 4 And he commanded them d The same party last spoken of v. 3. even the 5000. mentioned v. 12. This historical Narration seems obscure and intricate and at first view to make three parties one of 30000. v. 3. one of 5000. v. 12. which may seem to be two several Ambushes and a third of all the people v. 5 11. But if it be more narrowly and considerately observed it will appear that there are only two parties ingaged in the taking of Ai and but one Ambush as plainly appears by comparing v. 9. which manifestly speaks of that party which is mentioned v. 3. with v. 12. which speaks only of 5000. which is justly supposed to be a part of those 30000. named v. 3. and that part which was to lie in ambush unless we will suppose that there were two Ambushes one of 30000. and the other of 5000. both lying in wait in the same quarter even between Bethel and Ai on the west side of Ai the only place where the Ambush lay as is said both v. 9. and 12 13. which seems absurd and incredible And besides in the execution of this Command there is mention but of one Ambush v. 12 13 14 19. and they are said to consist only of 5000. v 12. and they only take and burn the City v. 19. so that the other supposed Ambush of 30000. is perfectly vanished and lost and did nothing in this work which also is very improbable And therefore that 30000. v. 3. are the same who are called the people and the people of war that were with Ioshua v. 5 11 which pitched on the North-side of Ai v. 11 13. as the Ambush did on the west-side but for any other side of the City or a third party placed elsewhere about Ai we read not one word and therefore it may well be presumed there were no more imployed to take it saying Behold ye shall lie in wait against the city even behind the city go not very far from the city but be ye all ready 5 And I and all the people that are e Or that shall be for at present he sent them away v. 9. but the next morning followed them and joyned himself with them v. 10 11. with me will approach unto the city and it shall come to pass when they come out against us as at the first that we f I and the 25000. with me will flee before them 6 For they will come out after us till we †have drawn them from the city for they will say ‡ Heb. pulled They flee before us as at the first therefore we will flee before them 7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush f To wit upon the signal given of which v. 18. and seize upon the city for the LORD your God will deliver ir into your hand 8 And it shall be when ye have taken the city that ye shall set the city on fire g To wit part of it as a sign to their Brethren of their success for the whole City was not burnt now but afterwards as is said v. 28. according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do See I have commanded you 9 Joshua therefore sent them h The same party designed by the Pronoun them v. 3. of which see the Notes there forth and they went to lie in ambush and abode between Bethel and Ai on the west-side of Ai but Joshua lodged that night among the people i Heb. that people to wit the people of war as they are called v. 11. to wit the main body of that host consisting of 30000. 10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning and numbred the people k Heb. that people not all the people of Israel which was needless and required more time than could now be spared but the rest of that host of 30000. whereof 5000. were sent away and now the remainder are numbred partly to see whether some of them had not withdrawn themselves taking the advantage of the night and of the design of laying an Ambush and partly that it might be evident that this work was done without any loss of men and thereby they might be encouraged to trust in God and to proceed vigorously and resolutely in their work and went up he and the elders of Israel l Either 1. the military Elders the chief
Commanders of his Army But they seem to be included in the 30000. v. 3. which are supposed to be furnished and led by their several Commanders and such persons are scarce ever called the Elders of Israel Or rather 2. the chief Magistrates and Rulers of Israel under Ioshua who are commonly so called and these I suppose went with Ioshua and with the Army to take care that the Cattel and the Spoil of the City which was given by God to all Israel for a prey v. 2 27. might be justly and equally divided between those that went to battel and the rest of the people according to the Example and Prescript Numb 31. 27. and that they who were present and assistant in the taking of that City might not ingross the whole to themselves as is usual for Soldiers in those cases to do before the people to Ai. 11 And all the people even the people of war that were with him m To wit the 30000. mentioned v. 3. or the most of them went up and drewnigh and came before the city and pitched on the north-side of Ai now there was a valley between them and Ai. 12 And he took n Or rather but he had taken to wit out of the said number of 30000. for this is added by way of Recapitulation and further Explication of what is said in general v. 9. about five thousand men and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai on the west-side †of the city ‡ Or of Ai. 13 And when they had set the people even all the host that was on the north-side of the city and †their ‡ Heb. their lying in wait liers in wait on the west of the city Joshua went o To wit accompanied with a small part of the host now mentioned i. e. Very early in the morning when it was yet dark as is said in a like case Ioh. 20. 1. whence it is here called Night though it was early in the morning as is said v. 10. for it seems most probable that all was done in one Nights space and in this manner Ioshua sends away the Ambush by night v. 3. and lodgeth that night with 25000 men v. 9. not far from the city But not able nor willing to sleep all night he rises very early v. 20. and numbers his men which by the help of the several Officers was quickly done and so immediately leads them towards Ai and while it was yet duskish or night he goes into the midst of the valley v. 13. and when the day dawns he is discovered by the King and people of Ai who thereupon rose up early to fight with them v. 14. Though others conceive this was the second night and so the Ambush had lain hid a night and a day together But then there might be danger of their being discovered although that danger may seem to be the less because Ai might be shut up that none might go out nor come in but by Order and upon Necessity because of the nearness of their Enemies as Iericho formerly was for the same reason Iosh. 6. 1. that night into the midst of the valley p Which was near the City thereby to allure them forth 14 And it came to pass when the king of Ai saw it that they hasted and rose up early and the men of the city went out against Israel to battel he and all his people q To wit all his men of war for the rest were left in Ai v. 16. at a time appointed r At a certain hour agreed upon between the King and People of Ai and of Bethel too who were their Confederates in this Enterprize as it may seem from v. 16. Possibly they might appoint the same hour of the day on which they had fought against Israel with such good success looking upon it as a lucky hour before the plain s i. e. Towards or in sight of that plain or valley in which the Israelites were that so they might put themselves in Battel-array but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him t The former success having made him more careless and secure as is usual in such Cases God also blinding his mind and infatuating him as he useth to do with those which he intends to destroy behind the city 15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them u i. e. Fled from them as it were for fear of a second blow and peradventure some of them might be wounded though none were killed and might make that the pretence of their fleeing away and fled by the way of the wilderness x Which lay between Ai and Iericho whither they now seemed to flee 16 And all the people y To wit all that were able to bear Arms for old men and Children were unfit for the pursuit or fight and that they were yet left may seem from v. 24 25. that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them and they pursued after Joshua and were drawn away from the city 17 And there was not a man z To wit fit for war left in Ai or Bethel a Which being a neighbouring City and incouraged by the former success had sent some Forces to assist them and now upon notice sent to them of the flight of their common Enemies or upon some other signal given which might easily be done having been appointed before-hand as is usual in such Cases all their men of War joyn with those of Ai in the pursuit that went not out after Israel and they left the city open and pursued after Israel 18 And the LORD said unto Joshua Stretch out the spear b Or thy banner or there might be some Banner in the end of his Spear This was prescribed and practised either 1. for a sign to his Host present with him to stop their flight and make head against the pursuers Or 2. for a signal to the liers in wait as may seem from v. 19. who though they were at some distance might know this from persons whom they had set in some high and convenient places to observe Ioshua's motion and to give notice from one to another and that speedily as is common in such cases until it came to the whole ambush Or 3. as a mystical token of Gods presence and assistance with them and of their Victory or as a mean by Gods appointment contributing to their good success as the like posture of Moses lifting up his hands was Exod. 17. 11 12. which may be the reason why he continued this posture till the Enemies were all destroyed v. 26. whereas if it had been a signal only it was sufficient to do it for a little while I know no reason why all these ends might not be joyned together that is in thy hand toward Ai for I will give it into thine hand And Joshua stretched out the spear
Israelites whom God would not have to suffer in their Reputation for executing his commands and therefore he acquits them of that implacable hatred and heinous cruelty which they might be thought guilty of and ascribes it to himself and his own just Indignation against this most wicked people 41 And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea o Which lay in the South of Canaan Numb 34. 4. Deut. 1. 19. Josh. 15. 3. even unto Gaza p Which was in the South-west of Canaan So he here signifies that Ioshua did in this expedition subdue all those parts which lay South and West from Gilgal and all the country of * Chap. 11. 16. 15. 51. Goshen q Not that Goshen in Egypt but another in Iudah Josh. 11. 16. and 15. 51. even unto Gibeon 42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel 43 And Joshua returned and all Israel with him unto the camp to Gilgal CHAP. XI AND it came to pass when Jabin king of Hazor a The chief City of all those parts v. 10. had heard those things b This was a remarkable instance of the Wisdom and Goodness of divine Providence which so governed the minds and hearts of the Canaanites that they were not at all united under one King but divided amongst many petty Kings and next that these did not all unanimously joyn their Counsels and Forces together to oppose the Israelites at their first entrance which their own Wisdom and Interest obliged them to do but quietly suffered the destruction of their Brethren thereby preparing the way for their own that he sent to Jobab king of Madon and to the king of Shimron c Called Shimron-meron Josh. 12. 10. and to the king of Achshaph d A place in the Tribe of Aser the furthest part of the land toward the North and West 2 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains e Heb. on the North which may be the general designation of all the particular places following that they were in the Northern parts of Canaan as those mentioned Iosh. 10. were in the Southern parts in the mountain either in or near the famous mountain of Lebanon called the Mountain by way of eminency or in the mountainous Countrey and of the plains south of Cinneroth f Heb. in the plain lying Southward from Cinneroth or the Lake of Genesareth See Deut. 3. 17. Luke 5. 1. and in the vale and in the borders of Dor g A place upon the coast of the Midland-sea on the west 3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west h The Canaanites properly so called lived part of them on the East near Iordan and part on the West near the Sea and both are here united and to the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Jebusite in the mountains and to the Hivite under Hermon i That dwelt under Mount Hermon in the North of Canaan whereby they are differenced from those Hivites who lived in Gibeon of which before in the land of Mizpeh k That Mizpeh which was in the Northern part of Gilead of which Gen. 31. 49. Iudg. 11. 29. But there were other Cities called by that name which signifying a Watching-place might be easily applied to several places of good prospect Besides this there is one Mizpeh of Iudah Josh. 15. 38. another of Benjamin Josh. 18. 26. a third in Moab 1 Sam. 22. 3. 4 And they went out they and all their hosts with them much people even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude with horses and charets very many 5 And when all these kings were †met together ‡ Heb. â—…bled by appointment they came and pitched together at the Waters of Merom l A lake made by the River Iordan in the Northern part of it which was in the Territory of the King of Schimron or Schimron-Meron and near Hazor Iabins royal City and almost in the middle of these confederate Kings to fight against Israel 6 ¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua Be not afraid because of them for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel thou shalt hough their horses m i. e. Cut their Hamstrings that they may be unfit for War For God forbad them to have or keep many Horses Deut. 17. 16. now especially that they might not trust to their Horses as men are apt to do nor distrust God for want of so necessary an help in Battel nor ascribe the Conquest of the land to their own strength but wholly to God by whose power alone a company of raw and unexperienced Footmen were able to subdue so potent a people which besides their great Numbers and Giants and walled Cities had the advantage of many thousands of Horses and Chariots and burn their charets with fire 7 So Joshua came and all the people of war with him against them by the waters of Merom suddenly n When they least expected them intending there to refresh and prepare and order themselves for the offensive War which they designed and they fell upon them 8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel who smote them and chased them unto ‡ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 †great Zidon o A great and famous City in the Northwest part of Canaan and upon the Sea and unto †* Heb. â—…ings of 〈◊〉 Misrephoth-main p A place not far from Zidon supposed to be so called from the Salt or Glass which they made there ‡ Or 〈◊〉 and unto the valley of Mispeh q Under Mount Hermon as appears by comparing this with v. 3. and 17. where it seems to be called the valley of Lebanon This lay on the East as Sidon did on the West and so it seems they fled several ways and the Israelites also divided themselves into two Bodies one pursuing East and the other West eastward and they smote them until they left them none remaining 9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him he houghed their horses and burnt their chariots with fire 10 ¶ And Joshua at that time turned back and took Hazor and smote the king thereof r Either in the former Battel though it be mentioned here or rather in his Royal City to which he fled out of the Battel with the sword for Hazor before time was the head of all those kingdoms s Not of all Canaan but of all those who were confederate with him in this Expedition 11 And they smote all the souls â—…hat were therein with the edge of the sword utterly destroying them there was not * Heb. any breath any t i. e. No Humane Person left to breathe and he burnt Hazor with fire 12 And all the cities of those kings and all the kings of them did Joshua take
and smote them with the edge of the sword and he utterly destroyed them * Numb 33. 52. Deut. 7. 2. and 20. 16 17. as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded 13 But as for the cities that stood still †in their strength u Heb. with for so this Preposition is oft used as Exod. 35. 12. Levit. 2. 2. Ezek. 16. 37. c. their Fence or Fences Walls or Bulwarks i. e. which were not utterly ruined together with their Walls in the taking of them Israel burned none of them save Hazor ‡ Heb. on their beap onely x Which though taken by the Israelites was not so much destroyed as other places were that did Joshua burn y Because this City began the War and being the chief and Royal City might renew the War if the Canaanites should ever seize upon it 14 And all the spoil of these cities and the cattel the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves but every man they smote with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them neither left they any to breathe 15 ¶ * Exod. 34. 11. As the LORD commanded Moses his servant so * Deut. 7. 2. did Moses command Joshua and so did Joshua †he left nothing undone of all that the ‡ Heb. he removed nothing LORD commanded Moses 16 So Joshua took all that land z Of Canaan whose parts here follow the hill a Or the Mountain i. e. the Mountainous Country to wit of Iudea as may seem 1. Because in the following enumeration he begins in the South parts where there was an eminent Mountain Numb 13. 17. 2. Because a considerable part of Iudea was called the Hilly or the Mountainous Country Luke 1. 39 65. which is not likely to be omitted in this particular description of the Land the rather because Hebron one of the places taken by Ioshua chap. 10. 36 37. was in the mountain of Judah Jos. 20. 7. 3. Because this is here distinguished from the Mountain of Israel and therefore most likely to be the Mountain of Judah especially if you compare this with v. 21. where having mentioned the Mountain in general from which Ioshua cut off the Anakims he comes to particularize and names only two all the Mountain of Judah and all the Mountain of Israel and all the south countrey b i. e. Not onely the Mountainous part but all the Country of Iudea which lay in the Southern part of Canaan and oft comes under the name of the South as Numb 13. 22 29. and 21. 1. Ios. 10. 40. and 18. 5. c. and all the land of Goshen c Of which see Ios. 10. 41. and the vale d The low Countries and the plain e The Fields or Champion grounds and the mountain of Israel f Either 1. Some one particular and eminent Mountain possibly the Hill of Samaria mentioned 1 Kings 16. 24. or rather 2. The Mountains or Mountainous Country of Israel See the second note on this verse and the vale of the same g i. e. Of Israel 17 Even from the mount Halak that goeth up â—… Or the smooth Mountain to Seir h i. e. To the country of Seir or Edom to wit that part of it which was South from Iudea not that which was Eastward from it as appears from hence that here as also Ios. 12. 7. is mention of the two extream bounds of the Land conquered by Ioshua whereof the other which follows being in the North this must needs be in the South of the Land unto Baal-Gad i A part of Mount Lebanon in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon and all their kings he took and smote them and slew them 18 Joshua made war along time k For divers years together as is evident by the following History and by comparing Deut. 2. 14. with Ios. 14. 7 c. And this is here expressed lest it should be thought that as all these Wars are here recorded in a short Narration so they were dispatched in a short time And God would have the Land to be Conquered gradually for many weighty reasons 1. Lest the sudden extirpation of those Nations should have made a great paâ—…t of the Land Desert and thereby have encreased the Numbers of Wild Beasts Deut. 7. 22. 2. Lest being done suddenly and easily it should soon be forgotten and despised as the nature of man is apt to do in those cases 3. That by long exercise the 〈◊〉 might grow skilful in the Art of War which was very useful anâ—… needful for them in that Land 4. For the trial and exercise of their Patience and Courage and Trust in God 5. â—…o oblige them to the greater care to please and obey God whom they yet needed for their help against their Enemies with all those kings 19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel save * Chap. 9. 3. the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon all other l To wit all that were taken by Ioshua were taken by the Sword and therefore it is no wonder that the War was long when the Enemy was so obstinate they took in battel 20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts m It was the design of Gods Providence not to soften their hearts to a compliance with the Israelites but to give them up to their own Animosity Pride Confidence and Stubbornness that so both their abominable and incorrigible wickedness might be severely punished and that the Israelites might not be mixed with them but be intiâ—…e among themselves in the possession of the Land Compare Deut. 2. 30. and for the Phrase Exod. 7. 13. and 9. 12. and 14. 17. that they should come against Israel in battel that he might destroy them utterly and that they might have no favour but that he might destroy them * Deu. 2â—… 16 17. as the LORD commanded Moses 21 And at that time * i. e. In that War for it cannot be meant of any particular and short time because the work here related was done in divers times and years came Joshua and cut off the Anakims n A race of Giants of which see Numb 13. 33. from the mountain o Or Mountains the Singular Number for the Plural These Barbarous and Monstrous persons either chose to live in the Dens or Caves which were frequent in the Mountains of those parts or else they were driven thither by the Arms and Success of the Israelites from Hebron from Debir p Either 1. From the Territories belonging to these Cities as we have oft seen in this History Cities mentioned for the Country subject to them for the Cities were taken before by Ioshua chap. 10. 36 37 38. or 2. From the Cities themselves and so either the Cities were re-taken by the Giants which it is not probable that God would permit in Ioshua's time or he speaks here
of that time when he took those places mentioned here and chap. 10. which History he here in part repeats and enlargeth with this memorable circumstance That together with the rest he destroyed also the Giants which were in those places from Anab q A place in the Tribe of Iudah Jos. 15. 50. and from all the mountain of Judah and from all the mountain of Israel r It doth not follow from hence which some conclude that this Book was written by some other person long after Ioshua's Death even after the division of the Israelites into two Kingdoms of Israel and Iudah but only that this was one of those clauses which were added or altered and suited to the stile of the present times by Ezra or some other Prophet though that be not necessary for since it was evident to Ioshua from Gen. 49. 10 c. That the Tribe of Iudah was to be the chief of all the Tribes and some dawnings of its Eminency appeared in that time in their having the first Lot in the Land of Canaan Ios. 15. 1. and the largest inheritanâ—…e Ios. 19. 9. It is no wonder that it is mentioned apart and distinguished from the rest of the Tribes of Israel though that also be one of them even as the Daughter of Pharaâ—…h is distinguished from the Strange Women 1 King 11. 1. and Saul from all Davids Enemies Psal. 18. title and Peter from the Disciples Mark 16. 7. though they were each of the same nature and quality with the rest Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities s Qâ—… How could Ioshua utterly destroy these when Caâ—…eb and Othoniel destroyed some of them after Ioshua's Death Ios. 14. 12. Iudg. 1. 10 11 12. Ans. This might be either 1. 〈◊〉 these places being in part destroyed and neglected by the Israelites might be re-possessed by the Giants either in Ioshua's time or after his Death and by them kept till Caleb dispossessed and destroyed them Or rather 2. Because this work though done by the particular valour and industry of Caleb is ascribed to Ioshua as the General of the Army according to the manner of all Historians and therefore it is here attributed to Ioshua though afterwards that Caleb might not lose his deserved Honour the History is more particularly described and Caleb owned as the great Instrument in the atchievement of it Ios. 14. and Iudg. 1. 22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel only in Gaza in Gath and in Ashdod t Three Cities of the Philistines to which they retired and where we find some of them afterwards 1 Sam. 17. 4. and 2 Sam. 21. 16. Which may be one reason why the Israelites durst not make an attempt upon these places though they were a part of their Possession there remained 23 So Joshua took the whole land u Synecdochically i. e. the greatest and the best part of it for some parts and places are expresly excepted in the following History according to all that the LORD said unto Moses and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel * Numb 26. 53. according to their divisions by their tribes and the land rested from war x From actual War so far that they could now quietly survey and distribute and possess the Land CHAP. XII NOW these are the kings of the Land which the children of Israel smote and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the Sun from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon and all the plain on the east a On the East of Iordan called the Plain Deut. 1. 1. and the Plains of Moab Deut. 34. 1. 2 * Numb 21. 24. Deut. 3. 6. Sihon king of the Amorites who dwelt in Heshbon and ruled from Aroer which is upon the bank of the river of Arnon and from the middle of the river b It is not unusual even amongst us for a River to be divided between two Lords and for their Territories or Jurisdictions to meet in the middle of the River And besides here is a very particular reason for this expression because the city Ar which was no part of Sihons Dominions but belonged to the Moabites Deut. 2. 9 18. was in the middle of the River Arnon Deut. 2. 36. and 3. 16. and therefore the middle of the River is most fitly and properly here mentioned as the bound of Sihons Dominion on that side and from half Gilead c Heb. and the half Gilead i. e. half of the Country of Gilead the particle from is not in the Original and this doth not seem to denote the term or bound from which his Dominion begun as our Version implies for so indeed it was not but the place or Country in and over which his Dominion was which as is here said began at Arnon and took in half Gilead and ended at Iabbok beyond which was the other half of Gilead which belonged to Og as is expresly said v. 5. where the words being wholly the same that are here it is most reasonable to understand and translate them in the same manner even unto the river Jabbok which is the border of the children of Ammon 3 And * Deut. 3. 17. from the plain unto the sea of Cinneroth on the east d Which words describe the scituation not of the sea of Cinneroth which was part of the Western border of Sihons Dominion but of the Plain which is here said to lye eastward from the sea of Cinneroth and also eastward from the Salt Sea as it here follows And this was indeed the scituation of the Plains of Moab which are here spoken of to wit that they lay between the two Seas that of Cinneroth and the Salt Sea and eastward to them both and unto the sea of the plain e The Salt Sea is so called because it was a famous Plain pleasant and fruitful before it was turned into a Salt Sea even the salt sea on the east the way to Beth-jeshimoth and from * Or Teman the south f Or on or towards the South under †* Deut. 3. 17. and 4. 49. Ashdoth-pisgah ‡ Or the springs of Pisgah or the hill 4 ¶ And the coast of Og king of Bashan which was of the †remnant of the giants that * Deut. 1. 4. dwelt at ‡ Deut. 3. 11. Chap. 13. 12. Ashtaroth and at Edrei g To wit successively sometimes at the one sometimes at the other City both being his Royal Mansions 5 And reigned in mount Hermon and in Salcah and in all Bashan unto the border of the Geshurite h Of which see Deut. 3. 13. Jos. 13. 13. 2 Sam. 13. 37. and 15. 8. and the Maacathite and half Gilead the border of Sihon king of Heshbon 6 * Num. 21. 33. Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite and * Numb 3â—… Deut. 3. 12
blessed them 8 And he spake unto them saying Return with much riches unto your tents and with very much cattel with silver and with gold and with brass and with iron and with very much raiment divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren f i. e. With them who stay'd beyond Iordan for the defence of their Land and Wives and Children who therefore were to have a share though not an equal share with these See Numb 31. 27. But for them 1 Sam. 30. 24. their share was equal because their danger was equal 9 ¶ And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan to go into the country of Gilead to the land of their possession whereof they were possessed according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses 10 ¶ And when they came unto the borders of Jordan that are in the land of Canaan the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there g Or then as this Particle is elsewhere used and so Learned Interpreters understand it Psal. 14. 5. and 36. 12. Eccles. 3. 17. Hos. 2. 15. And in the Latin Tongue Adverbs of Place are sometimes put for Adverbs of Time So I take it here First Because this best answers to the when in the beginning of the Verse Secondly This seems to me to clear a great difficulty as to the place where this Altar was built which though according to our Translation it seems and is generally thought by Interpreters to have been in the Land of Canaan yet if things be more narrowly examined it may be thought to have been on the other side Iordan in Gilead and that both First from v. 11. where it is said to have been built over against or in the sight of the land of Canaan therefore not in it And Secondly From the reason they give for the building of this Altar for fear lest the Israelites within Iordan and in Canaan should say unto their Children dwelling beyond Iordan The Lord hath made Iordan a border between us and you c. Which jealousie would have been much confirmed by building the Altar in Canaan but would be satisfied and confuted by having on the other side of Iordan and in their own Land a pattern of that Altar at which God was served in the Land of Canaan as a Witness that they owned the same God and the same way of Worship with their Brethren that lived in Canaan But whether the Hebrew Particle be rendred then or there it is not to be taken too strictly if then the meaning is not that they did this as soon as ever they came to the borders of Iordan that are in the land of Canaan but about that time when they came to them they thought and designed it and as soon as ever they were got over Iordan which was in a very little time they effected and perfected it if it be rendred there it is not to be limited to the very same spot of ground mentioned before as if it was built at that border of Iordan that was in the Land of Canaan but to be a little more largely understood to be built at one or other of the borders of Iordan or in general by Iordan which is here purposely added for the Explication of the Word there and to prevent the restraint of it to the border of Iordan within Canaan an altar by Jordan a great altar to see to 11 ¶ And the children of Israel heard say Behold the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an Altar over against the land of Canaan in the borders of Jordan at the passage of the children of Israel h Where they passed over Iordan either at their first entrance into Canaan or afterwards and usually 12 And when the children of Israel i Not in their own persons but by their Elders who used to transact all Affairs of this kind in the name and stead of all the People heard of it the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh to go up to war against them k As Apostates from God according to Gods command in that case Deut. 13. 13 c. 13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben and to the children of Gad and to the half tribe of Manasseh into the land of Gilead * Exod. 6â—… Numb 2â—… 〈◊〉 Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest 14 And with him ten Princes of each ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel 15 ¶ And they came unto the children of Reuben and to the children of Gad and to the half tribe of Manasseh unto the land of Gilead and they spake with them saying 16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the Lord l Who do and are resolved to cleave unto that God from whom you have revolted and who speak this to you in the name of the Lord. What trespass is this m How heinous a crime is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel to turn away this day n i. e. so soon after God hath obliged you by such wonderful favours and when God is now conducting you home to reap the fruits of all your pains and hazards from following the LORD in that ye have builded you an altar that ye might rebel o With a design to revolt from and rebel against God and against his express command of worshipping him at one onely Altar Exo. l. 20. 24. Levit. 17. 8 9. Deut. 12. 5 11 13. this day against the LORD 17 Is the iniquity ‡ Numb 25. 4. of Peor p i. e. Of our worshipping of Baal-Peor Numb 25. too little for us from which we are not cleansed until this day q For though God had pardoned it as to the National Punishment of it Numb 25. 11. Yet they were not yet thorowly purged from it partly because the shame and blot of that filthy and odious practise was not yet wiped of and partly because some of that corrupt leaven still remained among them and though smothered for a time yet was ready to break forth upon all occasions See Ios. 24. 23. And God also took notice of these Idolatrous inclinations in particular persons and found out ways to punish them one time or other although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD 18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD and it will be seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD that to morrow r i. e. Suddenly as that word is oft used as Matt. 6. 30. 1 Cor. 15. 32. he will be
Inspiration and Excitation of their Minds and Hearts and by outward Designation restified by some heroical and extraordinary Action judges r Supreme Magistrates whose office it was under God and by his particular direction to govern the Commonwealth of Israel by Gods Laws and to protect and save them from their Enemies to preserve and purge Religion to maintain the Liberties of the People against all Oppressors See Iudg. 3. 9 10 15 c. and 4. 4. and 6. 25 26. and 8. 23. which ‡ 〈◊〉 sâ—…ved delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them 17 And yet they would not hearken unto their Judges s Who admonished them of their sin and folly and of the danger and misery which would certainly befall them but they went a whoring after other gods and bowed themselves unto them they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in obeying the commandments of the LORD but they did not so 18 And when the LORD raised them up judges then the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their Enemies all the days of the judge for it repented the LORD t i. e. The Lord changed his course and dealings with them as penitent Men use to do removed his Judgments and returned to them in mercy Gen. 6. 6. because of their groanings by reason of them that vexed them and oppressed them 19 And it came to pass ‡ Chap. 3. 12. when the judge was dead that they returned u To their former and usual and natural though interrupted course and ‖ Or were corrupt corrupted themselves more than their fathers x In Egypt or in the Wilderness in following other gods to serve them and to bow down unto them ‡ Hâ—…b they let 〈◊〉 â—…all of 〈◊〉 they ceased not from their own doings y i. e. From their evil practises which he calls their own partly because they were agreeable to their own natures which in all mankind are deeply and universally corrupted Gen. 6. 5. and 8. 21. and partly because they were familiar and customary to them Compare Isa. 58. 13. and 66. 3. Ezek. 36. 32. Act. 14. 16. Iude v. 16. nor from their stubborn way z Heb. hard way so he calls their way of wickedness either because it proceeded from an hard heart and was managed with an hard and stiff neck or to signifie that although it seemed at first very soft and easie and pleasant yet they would certainly and did constantly find that it was hard and difficult and troublesome to them as an hard way is to the Traveller 20 ¶ And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel and he said Because that this people hath transgressed my Covenant which I commanded their fathers and have not hearkned unto my voice 21 * Joâ—…h 23. 13. I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died 22 That through them I may prove Israel ‖ Either First that I may trie and see whether Israel wiâ—… be true and faithful to me or whether they will suffer themselves to be corrupted by the evil counsels and examples of their bad neighbours whom I will leave among them for their Tryal and Exercise Or Secondly That by them I may aâ—…ict and punish Israel for Aâ—…ons are coâ—…y and justly called trials But the former sense suits better with the following words whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein as their fathers did keep it or not 23 Therefore the LORD ‖ Or suffered left those nations without driving them out hastily ‡ Or speedily when the Israelites desired it and needed iâ—… neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua CHAP. III. NOW these are the nations which the LORD left to prove Israel by them even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan a i. e. Such who had no experience of those Wars nor of Gods extraordinary Power and Providence manifested in them 2 Onely that the generations of the children of Israel might know to teach them war b That by the Neighbourhood of such Warlike and Potent Enemies they might be purged from Sloth and Security and obliged to inure themselves to Martial Exercises and to stand continually upon their guard and consequently to keep close to that God whose Assistance they had so great and constant need of at the least such as before knew nothing thereof 3 Namely * Josh. 13. 3. five LORDS of the Philistines c Whereof three had been in some sort subdued Iudg. 1. 18. But afterwards rescued themselves and recovered their former strength See on Iudg. 1. 18. and all the Canaanites d Properly so called who were very numerous and dispersed through several parts of the Land whence they gave denomination to all the rest of the People and the Zidonians e The people living near Zidon and subject to its jurisdiction and the Hivites that dwelt in Mount Lebanon from mount Baal-hermon f Which was the Eastern part of mount Lebanon See Deut. 3. 8 9. unto the entring in of Hamath 4 And they were to prove Israel by them to know g i. e. That they and others might know by experience whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses 5 ¶ And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites Hittites and Amorites and Perizzites and Hivites and Jebusites 6 And they * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 16. Deut. 7. 3. took their daughters to be their wives and gave their daughters to their sons and served their gods h Were drawn to Idolatry by the perswasions and examples of their Yoke-fellows through the just judgment of God punishing their sinful Marriages by giving them up to Idolatry 7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and forgat the LORD their God and served Baalim and the groves i i. e. In the Groves in which the Heathens usually Worshipped their Baalims or Idols Or the Groves are here put Metonymically for the Idols of the Groves which are distinguished here from their Baalim which seem to have been Worshipped in other places as the Prophets of Baal are distinguished from the Prophets of the Groves 1 King 18. 19. 8 ¶ Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel and he sold them into the hand of * Heb. â—… 7. Chushan-rishathaim king of ‡ Heb. Aramna â—…araim Mesopotamia and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim k i. e. Were made subject and Tributary to him eight years 9 And when the children of Israel cried l i. e. Prayed servently for deliverance unto the LORD the LORD raised up a ‡ Heb. saviour deliverer to the children of Israel even * Chap. 1. 13. Othniel the son of
and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet t i. e. Who followed him or his Foot-steps possibly he intimates that they were all Foot-men the Israelites neither now having nor otherwise allowed to have a multitude of Horses and so this is emphatically added to signify by what contemptible means God overthrew Sisera's great Host wherein there were Ten Thousand Horse as Iosephus reports and Deborah went up with him 11 Now Heber u The Husband of Iael v. 17. the Kenite x Of whom see Numb 24. 21 22. Iudg. 1. 16. which was of the children of Hobab y Called also Iethro See Numb 10. 29. the father in law of Moses had severed himself from the Kenites z From the rest of his Brethren who lived in the wilderness of Iudah Iudg. 1. 16. which removal is here mentioned lest any should wonder to find the Kenites in this place and pitched his tent a i. e. His dwelling which probably was in Tents as Shepherds used unto the plain of Zaanarim which is by Kedesh 12 And they shewed b They i. e. His people dwelling there or his Spies or he was told this being an impersonal Speech Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor 13 And Sisera ‡ Heb. â—…ed by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proclamâ—… gathered together all his charets even nine hundred charets of iron and all the people that were with him from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon 14 And Deborah said unto Barak Up c Heb. arise delay not fall to thy work for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand is not the LORD gone out before thee d To wit as General of thine Army to Fight for thee see Iudg. 5. 20. and 2 Sam. 5. 24. so Barak went down from mount Tabor e He doth not make use of the advantage which he had of the Hill where he might have been out of the reach of his Iron Chariots Ios. 17. 16. but boldly marcheth down into the Valley to give Sisera the opportunity of using all his Horses and Chariots that so the Victory might be more glorious and wonderful and ten thousand men after him 15 And * Psal. 83 â—… 10. the LORD discomfited f With great Terror and Noise as the word signifies Exod. 14. 24. Ios. 10. 10. 1 Sam. 7. 10. most probably with Thunder and Lightning and Hail-stones or other such Instruments of Destruction poured upon them from Heaven as is sufficiently implied Iudg. 5. 20. Sisera and all his charets and all his host with the edge of the sword g i. e. By the Sword of Barak and his Army whose Ministry God used but so that they had little else to do but to kill those whom God by more powerful Arms had put to flight before Barak so that Sisera lighted down off his charet and fled away on his feet h That he might flee away more secretly and securely in the quality of a common Soldier whereas his Chariot would have exposed him to more observation and hazard 16 But Barak pursued after the charets and after the host unto Harosheth of the Gentiles and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword and there was not ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 one a man left i To wit in the Field for there were some who fled away as Sisera did 17 Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael k For Women had their Tents apart from their Husbands Gen. 24. 67. and 31. 33. And here he thought to lurk more securely than in her Husbands Tent. the wife of Heber the Kenite for there was peace l Not a League or Covenant of Friendship which they were forbidden to make with that cursed People but onely a cessation of Hostilities which he afforded them because they were a peaceable people abhorring War and wholly minding Pasturage and were not Israelites with whom his principal Quarrel was and especially by Gods over-ruling disposal of his heart to favour them who were careful to keep themselves uncorrupted with Israel's Sins and therefore are preserved from their Plagues between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite 18 ¶ And Jael went out to meet Sisera and said unto him Turn in my lord turn in to me fear not m This was a promise of Security and therefore she cannot be excused from Dissimulation and Treachery in the manner though the substance of her act was lawful and worthy And when he had turned in unto her into the tent she covered him with a ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blankeâ—… mantle 19 And he said unto her Give me I pray thee a little water to drink for I am thirsty And she opened * Chap. â—… â—…5 a bottle of milk and gave him drink n Either because â—…he had not Water in her Tent and pretended â—…ear of Discovery or some inconvenience if she went â—…ut to â—…etch it or as a signification of greater respect or as a likely mean to cast him into a Sleep which she desired and designed to which end possibly she might mix something with it to cause Sleep which she could not so conveniently have done with water and covered him o Upon pretence of hiding him but really to dispose him to Sleep 20 Again he said unto her Stand in the door of the tent and it shall be when any man doth come and enquire of thee and say â—…s there any man here that thou shalt say No p He speaks imperiously to her but it is observable that she gives him no promise to do so nor makes him any Answer possibly because though she knew her design upon him was warrantable yet she had proceeded too far in using dissimulation therein 21 Then Jael Hebers wife took a nail of the â—…ent q Wherewith they used to fasten the Tent which consequently was long and sharp being headed with Iron These Weapons she chuseth either 1. Because she had no better Weapons at hand this being only the Womans Tent where Arms use not to be kept and these people being wholly given to Peace and negligent of War Or Sisera having disarmed them before this time Or 2. Because she had more skill in the handling these than other Weapons being probably accustomed to fasten the Tents herewith Or 3. Because this was very proper for his present posture and which she knew would be effectual and ‡ Heb. puâ—… took an hammer in her hand and went softly unto him and smote the nail into his temples r Which is the softest part of the Skull and soonest pierced This might seem a very bold attempt but it must be considered that she was encouraged to it partly by observing that the Heavens and all the Elements conspired against him as against one devoted to Destruction partly by the fair opportunity
with Floods of Water poured out of the Clouds upon them and from them flowing down in a mighty Etream upon the lower grounds and carrying down some part of the Mountain with it as is usual in excessive Showers from before the LORD even * Psal. 68. â—… that Sinai m She sâ—…ides into the mention of another and a more ancient appearance of God for his People to wit in Sinai it being usual in Scripture repetitions of former actions to put divers together into a narrow compass and in few words The sense is No wonder that the Mountains of the Amorites and Canaanites melted and trembled when thou didst lead thy People towards them for even Sinai it selâ—… could not bear thy Presence but melted in like manner before thee Or as that Sinai did upon a like manifestation of thy self so there is onely a defect of the Particle as which I have shewedâ—… to be frequent from before the LORD God of Israel 6 In the days of Shamgar n Whilest Shamgar lived who was if not a Judg yet an eminent person for Strength and Valour Iudg. 3. 31. the son of Anath in the days of * Chap. 4. 18. Jael o Iael though an Illustrious Woman and of great Authority and Influence upon the People did effect nothing for the Deliverance of Gods People till God raised me up c. the high ways were unoccupied and the ‡ Heb. walkers of paths travellers walked through ‡ Heb. crooked ways by-ways p Partly because of the Canaanites who besides the publick Burdens and Tributes which they laid upon them waited for all opportunities of doing them mischief secretly their Soldiers watching for Travellers in Common Roads as is usual with such in times of War and partly because of the Robbers even of their own people who having cast off the â—…r and Worship of God and there being no King or Ruleâ—… in Israel to restrain or punish them and being also many of them reduced to great want through the Oppression of the Canaanites it is not strange if in those times of publick disorder and ataxy divers of the Israelites themselves did break forth into acts of Injustice and Violence even against their own Brethren whom they could meet with in convenient places which made Travellers seek â—…or by-paths 7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased q The people forsook all their unfortified Towns as not being able to protect them from Military Insolence they ceased in Israel until that I Deborah arose that I arose a * 〈◊〉 49. 23. mother r i. e. To be to them as a Mother to Instruct and Rule and Protect them which Duties a Mother oweth to her Children as far as she is able in Israel 8 They chose s They did not onely submit to Idolatry when they were forced to it by Tyrants but they freely chose it new gods t New to them and unknown to their Fathers and new in comparison of the true and everlasting God of Israel being but Up-starts and of yesterday then was war in the gates u i. e. In their Walled Cities which have Gates and Bars Gates are oft put for Cities as Gen. 22. 17. Deut. 17. 2. Obad. v. 11. Then their strongest Holds fell into the hands of their Enemies * 1 Sam. 13. 19 â—…2 was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel x i. e. There was not the meaning is not that all the Israelites had no Arms for here is mention made onely of Shields or Spears so they might have Swords and Bows and Arrows to offend their Enemies but either that they had but few Arms among them being many Thousands of them disarmed by the Canaanites or that they generally neglected the use of Arms as being utterly dis-spirited and without all hope of recovering their lost Liberty and being necessitated to other employments for subsistence 9 My heart is toward the governours of Israel y I greatly honour and love those who being the chief of the people in Wealth and Dignity did not withdraw themselves from the work as such usually do but did expose themselves to the same hazards and joyned with their meaner Brethren in this noble but dangerous attempt and by their Examples and Countenance engaged others in it that oâ—…ered themselves willingly among the people Bless ye the LORD z Who inclined their hearts to this undertaking and gave them Success in it As she gives Instruments their due so she is careful the Soveraign Cause and Lord of all lose not his Glory 10 ‖ Or meditate Speak a Celebrate the Praises of our Mighty God whose hard hath done this ye that ride on white asses b i. e. Magistrates and Nobles who used to do so Iudg. 10. 4. and 12. 14. Hories being in a manner forbidden theâ—…e Deut. 17. 16. ye that sit in judgment and ye that walk by the way c i. e. You that now can safely Travel about your business in those High-ways which before you durst neither ride â—…or walâ—… in So 〈◊〉 and mean persons are jointly excited to Praise God 11 They that are delivered from the noise of archers d Either 1. From the noise or sound and consequently the force of those Arrows which are shot at them but he names the noise because this Epithete is frequently given to Bows and Arrows in Poetical Writings Or 2. From the Triumphant noise and shout of Archers rejoycing when they meet with their Prey in the places oâ—… drawing water e At those Pits or Springs of Water which were scarce and precious in those hot Countreys to which the peoples Necessities forced them oft to resort and nigh unto which the Archers did usually lurk in Woods or Thickets or Hedges that from thence they might shoot at them and kill and spoil them there shall they rehearse the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the LORD righteous acts of the LORD f When they come to those places with freedom and safety which before they could not they shall with thankfulness rehearse this Righteous and Faithful and Gracious work of God in rescuing his People and Punishing his Enemies even the righteous acts towards the inhabiâ—…ants of his villages g Whom he mentions because as their danger was greater v. 7. so was their Deliverance and their Obligation to Praise God in Israel then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates h To wit of their Cities which were the chief places to which both City and Countrey resorted for publick business and matters of Justice from which they had been debarred by their Oppressors but now they had free access and passage either in or out of the Gates as their occasions required and they who had been driven from their Cities now returned to them in Peace and Triumph so the Citizens Deliverance is Celebrated here as the Countrey-mens is in the foregoing
words 12 Awake awake i Stir up thy self and all that is within thee to Admire and Praise the Lord. Deborah awake awake utter a song arise Barak and lead thy captivity captive k How could this be done when there was none of them left Iudg. 4. 16 Ans. 1. None were left to make head against them 2. None is oft put for few and those few might be taken after the Battel and carried Captive and led in Triumph and afterward Slain thou son of Abinoam 13 Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people l Thus God did not onely preserve the poor and despised remnant of his people from the fury of the Oppressor before this War and from the Destruction which Sisera designed and promised himself to bring upon them by this War but also gave them the Victory and thereby the Dominion over the Princes and Nobles of Canaan who were combined against them the LORD made me m Though but a weak Woman have dominion over the mighty 14 Out of Ephraim n Now she relates the carriage and miscarriage of the several tribes in this expedition and she begins with Ephraim was there a root of them o Either First of the Ephraimites or Secondly of them that came forth to this Expedition By root she seems to mean a branch as that word is sometimes used as Isa. 11. 10. and 53. 2. By which also she may note the fewness of those that came out of Ephraim that fruitful bough consisting of many branches Gen. 49. 22. yielding but one branch or an handful of Men to this service against Amalek p The constant and sworn enemy of the Israelites who were confederate with their last oppressors the Moabites Judg. 3. 13. And in all probability took their advantage now against the Israelites in the southern or middle parts of Canaan whilest their main Force was drawn Northward against Iabin and Sisera Against these therefore Ephram sent forth a Party and so did Benjamin as it here follows and these hindred their conjunction with Iabin's Forces and gave their brethren the advantage of sighting with Sisera alone after thee Benjamin q Benjamin followed Ephraim's Example Or After thee O Benjamin and thus the preeminence is here given to Benjamin in two respects First That he was first in this Expedition as indeed he lay nearer the Amalekites and by his example incouraged the Ephraimites Secondly That the whole Tribe of Benjamin though now but small came forth to this War when the numerous Tribe of Ephraim sent only an handful to it among thy people r Either First among the people of Benjamin with whom those few Ephraimites united themselves in this Expedition Or Secondly among the People or Tribes of Israel to wit those who ingaged themselves in this War out of Machir s i. e. Out of the Tribe of Manasseh which are elsewhere called by the name of Machir as Ios. 13. 31. to wit out of the half Tribe which was within Iordan for of the other she speaks v. 17. came down governors t Either civil Governours the Princes and great Persons who were as ready to hazard themselves and their ample Estates as the meanest or Military Officers valiant and expert Commanders such as some of Machir's Posterity are noted to have been and out of Zebulun they that ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 with the 〈◊〉 handle the pen of the Writers u i. e. Even the Scribes who gave themselves to Study and Writing whereby they were exempted from Military Service did voluntarily enter into this Service Or they that drew to wit The People after them as that Verb is used Iudg. 4. 6. With the pen of the scribe or writer i. e. Who did not only go themselves but by their Letters invited and engaged others to go with them to the Battel 15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah x i. e. Ready to assist her even Issachar y Heb. And Issachar i. e. The Tribe or People of Issachar following the counsel and example of their Princes and being now at their Commandments as they were afterward upon another occasion 1 Chron. 12. 32. Secondly Or even as Barak i. e. They were as hearty and valiant as Barak their General and as he Marched on foot here and Iudg. 4. 10. against their Enemies Horses and Chariots and that into the valley where the main use of Horses and Chariots lies so did they with no less courage and resolution and also * Chap. 4. 14. Barak z he was sent on ‡ Heb. his feet foot into the valley ‖ Or in the divisions c. for the divisions a Or Separations whereby they were divided or separated not so much one from another in their thoughts counsels and carriage in this War for they seem to be all too well agreed in abiding at home with their Sheep as it follows as all from their Brethren from whom they were divided no less in their Designs and Affections than in their Situation by the River Iordan and they would not joyn their Interests and Forces with them in this common Cause of Reuben there were great ‡ Heb. impressions thoughts b Or great searchings as it is v. 16. Great and sad thoughts and debates and perplexities of Mind among the Israelites to see themselves deserted by so great and potent a Tribe as Reuben was of heart 16 Why abodest thou among the sheep folds to hear the bleatings of the flocks c Why wast thou so unworthy and cowardly so void of all Zeal for God and compassion towards thy Brethren and care for the recovery of thy own Liberties and Priviledges that thou wouldst not ingage thy self in so just so necessary and so noble a cause but didst prefer the care of thy Sheep and thy own present ease and safety before this generous undertaking Reuben thought Neutrality their wisest course being very rich in Cattel Numb 32. 1. They were loath to run the hazard of so great a loss by taking up Arms against so Potent an Enemy as Iabin was and the bleatings of their Sheep were so loud in their ears that they could not hear the call of Deborah and Barak to this Expedition ‖ Or in for the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart 17 Gilead d Gilead is sometimes taken more largely for all the Land of the Israelites beyond Iordan as Numb 32. 1 26 29. So it is not here taken because Gilead is here distinguished from Reuben and his Land sometimes it is taken more strictly for that part of the Land beyond Iordan which fell to the half-tribe of Manasseh as Numb 32. 39 40. Deut. 3. 15. Ios. 17. 1. And sometimes both for that part of Manasseh's and for Gad's Portion as Ios. 13. 24 25 29 30 31. And so it seems to be understood here and the Land Gilead is here
25. 2. whether Edomites or others Or Secondly the Mehunims a People living near the Arabians of whom 2 Chron. 26. 7. For in the Hebrew the Letters of both Names are the same onely the one is the Singular the other the Plural Number Or Thirdly The Midianites whose Oppression he would not omit it being usual for one and the same Person or Persons to have two Names although the Midianites may be comprehended under the Amalekites with whom they were joyned Iudg. 6. 3 33. Or Fourthly Some other people now unknown and not expressed elsewhere in Scripture did oppress you and ye cried to me and I delivered you out of their hand 13 * Deut. 28. 20. Ier. 2. 13. Yet ye have forsaken me and served other gods wherefore I will deliver you no more s To wit except you Repent in another manner than you yet have done which when they performed God suspends the execution of this Threatning Compare Ier. 18. 7. 14 Go and * Deut. 32. 37 38. Ier. 2. 28. cry unto the gods which ye have chosen t You have not been forced to Worship those gods by your Oppressors and Tyrants but you have freely chosen these gods before me let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation 15 ¶ And the children of Israel said unto the LORD We have sinned do thou unto us whatsoever ‡ Heb. is good in thine eyes seemeth good unto thee u Do not give us up into the hands of these cruel Men but do thou chastise us with thine own hand as much as thou pleasest to wit if we be not more faithful and constant to thee than we have hitherto been deliver us onely we pray thee this day 16 And they put away the ‡ Heb. gods of strangers strange gods from among them x This was an evidence of the sincerity of their sorrow that they did not only confess and bewail their Sins but also forsake them and loath themselves for them and served the LORD and * Isa. 63. 9. his soul ‡ Heb. was shortned was grieved y Not properly or as to inward affection for God being infinitely happy is not capable of grieving but figuratively and as to outward expression He acted towards them like one that felt their Sufferings he had pity upon them repented of his severe Proceedings against them and quite changed his carriage towards them and punished their Enemies as sorely as if they had grieved and injured his own person for the misery of Israel 17 Then the children of Ammon were ‡ Heb. cried together gathered together and encamped in Gilead and the children of Israel assembled themselves together and encamped in Mizpeh z That Mizpeh which was beyond Iordan in Gad or Manasseh of which see Gen. 31. 49. Iosh. 18. 26. Iudg. 10. 17. and 11. 11 29 34. There were other Cities of that name in Scripture 18 And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon he shall * Chap. 11. 8. be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead CHAP. XI NOW * Heb. 11. 32. called Jephte Jephthah the Gileadite a So called either from his Father Gilead Ios. 17. 1 2. or from the Mountain or City of Gilead the place of his birth or abode was a mighty man of valour and he was the son of ‡ Heb. a woman an harlot an harlot b i. e. A Bastard for though such were not ordinarily to enter into the Congregation of the Lord Deut. 23. 2. Yet God can dispence with his own Laws and hath sometimes done honour to base-born persons so far that some of them were admitted to be the Progenitors of the Lord Jesus Christ. and Gilead c One of the Children of that Ancienter Gilead Numb 32. 1. Iosh. 17. 1. begat Jephthah 2 And Gileads wife bare him sons and his wives sons grew up and they thrust out Jephthah and said unto him Thou shalt not inherit in our fathers house for thou art the son of a strange woman 3 Then Jephthah fled ‡ Heb. from the face from his brethren and dwelt in the land of Tob d The name either of the Land or Territory or of the Man who was the Owner or Ruler of it This place was in or near Gilead as appears by the speedy intercourse which here was between Iephthah and the Israelites and there were gathered * Judg. 9 4. 1 Sam. 22. 2. vain men e Idle persons who desire to get their living rather by Spoil and Rapine than by honest and diligent Labour These evil minded persons Iephthah managed well employing them against the Enemies of God and of Israel that bordered upon them and particularly upon Parties of the Ammonites which made the Israelites more forward to chuse him for their Chieftain in this War to Jephthah and went out with him f When he made excursions and attempts upon his and their Enemies 4 ¶ And it came to pass ‡ Heb. after days in process of time g Heb. after some days or after a year days being oft put for a year as hath been shewed after that year mentioned Iudg. 10. 8. The Ammonites had vexed and oppressed them Eighteen Years and now that the Israelites begin to make Opposition they commence a War against them Or some time after Iephthah had been banish'd and after he had taken up Arms and given them some disturbance Or after the Israelites assembled together as is said Iudg. 10. 18. that the children of Ammon made war against Israel 5 And it was so that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah h By direction or instinct from God who both qualified him for and called him to the office of a Judge See Iudg. 12. 7. Heb. 11. 32. Otherwise they might not have chosen a Bastard Deut. 32. 2. Unless we will say that there being no other person among them fit for and willing to this Work necessity dispensed with this Law as it did with other positive Laws as those of the Sabbath and Sacrifices out of the land of Tob. 6 And they said unto Jephthah Come and be our Captain i They say not our King for the experience of Abimelech's kingship had cooled their Appetite in that particular but our Captain that we may fight with the children of Ammon 7 And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead * Gen. 26. 27. Did not ye hate me and expel me out of my fathers house k And deprive me of all share in my Fathers Goods which though a Bastard was due to me This Expulsion of him was the act of his Brethren but he here ascribes it to the Elders of Gilead either because some of them were among these Elders as is very probable from the dignity of this Family or
because this act though desired and promoted by his Brethren was executed by the decree of the Elders to whom the determination of all controversies about Inheritances belonged and therefore it was their fault that they did not Protect him from the Injuries of his Brethren as their duty was and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress 8 And the Elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah Therefore we turn again to thee now l Being sensible that we have done thee Injury we come now to make thee full Reparations that thou mayest go with us and fight against the children of Ammon and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead 9 ¶ And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead If ye bring me home again m If you recall me from this place where I am now setled to the place whence I was Expelled to fight against the children of Ammon and the LORD deliver them before me shall I be your head n Will you really make good this Promise Iephthah was so sollicitous in this case either from his Zeal for the publick Good which required that he should be so or from the Law of Self-Preservation that he might secure himself from his Brethren whose ill-will he had experienced and whose iniuries he could not prevent if after he had served their ends he had been reduced to his private capacity or there might be some Tincture of Ambition in him for which God therefore severely though paternally chastiseth him as we see afterwards 10 ¶ And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah The LORD ‡ Heb. be the hearer between us be witness between us o They confirm their Promise by a Solemn and Sacred Oath if we do not so according to thy words 11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead and the people made him head and captain over them and Jephthah uttered all his words p Objectively so called i. e. All that was spoken not onely by him but also by the Elders of Gilead concerning him and concerning this whole Transaction and the conditions of it or all his matters the whole business before the LORD q i. e. Before the Publick Congregation wherewith God was usually and then especially present see Exod. 20. 24. Deut. 6. 25. Mat. 18. 10. Or before the Altar which possibly they did erect upon this special occasion by Gods Permission Or in Gods Presence calling him to be present as a Witness and Judge between them in Mizpeh 12 ¶ And Jephthah sent messengers r i. e. Ambassadors to prevent Blood-shed and make Peace as far as in him lay that so the Israelites might be acquitted before God and men from all the sad consequences of this War Herein he shewed great Prudence and no less Piety unto the king of the children of Ammon saying What hast thou to do with me s What pretence or reasonable cause hast thou for this Invasion that thou art come against me to fight in my land t He speaks this in the Name of all the People whose the Land was 13 And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah * Numb 21. 13. Because Israel took away my land u i. e. This Land of Gilead which was mine but unjustly taken from me by Sihon and Og the Kings of the Amorites and the injury perpetuated by Israel's detaining it from me This Land before the Conquests of Sihon and Og belonged partly to the Ammonites as is affirmed Ios. 13. 25. and partly and principally to the Moabites as appears from Numb 21. 24 26. Deut. 3. 11. And indeed Moab and Ammon did for the most part join their Interests and their Forces as appears from Scripture-Story and as Balak the King of the Moabites acted for the Ammonites so now the King of Ammon seems to act for the Moabites either as being now his Subjects or as his Confederates whence it comes to pass that Moab and Ammon are here promiscuously mentioned as v. 15 17 18 25. and Chemosh the known god of the Moabites Numb 21. 29. 1 King 11. 33. 2 King 23. 13. Ier. 48. 13 46. is here called the god of the Ammonites v. 24. though to speak strictly Moloch or Milchom was their god 1 King 11. 5 7 33. and 2 King 23. 13. when they came up out of Egypt from Arnon even unto Jabbok and unto Jordan now therefore restore those lands again peaceably 14 And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon 15 And said unto him Thus saith Jephthah * Deut. 2. 9. Israel took not away the land of Moab nor the land of the children of Ammon 16 But when Israel came up from Egypt and * Num. 14. 25. walked through the wilderness unto the red-sea x Unto which they came three times once Exod. 13. 18. again a little after their passage over it Exod. 15. 22. and a third time long after when they came to Ezion-Gaber Numb 33. 35. Deut. 2. 8. which was upon the Shoar of the Red-Sea 1 King 9. 26. 2 Chron. 8. 17. from whence they went to Kadesh Numb 20. of this time he speaks here and * Num. 20. 1. came to Kadesh 17 Then * Numb 20. 14. Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom saying Let me I pray thee pass through thy land but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto and in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab but he would not consent and Israel abode in Kadesh y Peaceably and did not revenge their unkindness and inhumanity as they could have done 18 Then they went along through the wilderness and * Numb 21. â—… compassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab and came by the east-side of the land of Moab and pitched on the other side of Arnon * Num. 21. â—… and 22. 36. but came not within the border of Moab for Arnon was the border of Moab 19 And * Deut. â—… â—… Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites the king of Heshbon and Israel said unto him Let us pass we pray thee through thy land unto my place z i. e. Unto the Land of Canaan which God hath given to me 20 But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast but Sihon gathered all his people together and pitched in Jahaz and fought with Ifrael a So Sihon was the aggressor or beginner of the War and the Israelites were forced to it for their own Defence 21 And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel and they smote them so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites the inhabitants of that countrey 22 And they possessed * Deut. â—… all the coasts b Or Borders together with all the Land included within those Borders for so that word is oft used as Exod. 8. 2. Psal.
147. 14. Ier. 15. 13. and 17. 3. of the Amorites from Arnon even unto Jabbok and from the wilderness c To wit the Desert of Arabia even unto Jordan 23 So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites d God the Soveraign Lord of all Lands hath given us this Land This he adds as a further and a convincing reason because otherwise it might have been alledged against the former Argument that they could gain no more Right to that Land from Sihon than Sihon himself had and he had but an unjust Claim to it from before his people Israel and shouldest thou possess it 24 Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess e He speaks according to their fond and absurd Opinion The Ammonites and Moabites got their Land by right of War and Conquest of the old Inhabitants whom they cast out and this Success though given them by the true God for Lot's sake Deut. 2. 9 19. they impiously and ridiculously ascribe to their god Chemosh whose Gift they owned to be a firm and sufficient Title so whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us them will we possess 25 * Num. â—… â—… Deut. 23. â—… Josh. 24. 9. And now art thou any thing better than Balak f Art thou wiser than he or hast thou more right than he had Balak though he Plotted against Israel in defence of his own Land which he feared they would Invade and Conquer Numb 22. 4. yet he never contended with them about the restitution of those Lands which Sihon took from him or his Predecessors after the Israelites had Conquered them the son of Zippor king of Moab Did he ever strive against Israel or did he ever fight against them 26 While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 ters towns and in Aroer and her ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 ters towns and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon three hundred years g Not precisely but about that time either from their coming out of Egypt or from their first Conquest of those Lands and thus numbers are oft expressed see Numb 1 46. and 2. 32. and 11. 21. Iudg. 20. 46. He urgeth Prescription which is by all men reckoned a just Title and it is fit it should be so for the good of the World because otherwise the Door would be opened both to Kings and to private Persons for infinite Contentions and Confusions why therefore did ye not recover them within that time 27 Wherefore I have not sinned against thee h I have done thee no wrong but thou doest me wrong to war against me the LORD the judg be judg this day i Let him determine this Controversy by the success of this day and War between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon 28 Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him 29 ¶ Then the * Chap. 3. 10. Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah k Indued with a more than ordinary Courage and Resolution and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh l i. e. Bashan which the half Tribe of Manasseh beyond Iordan inhabited Ios. 20. 8. and 21. 6. and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead m So called to distinguish from other Cities of that name Having gathered what Forces he suddenly could he came hither to the borders of the Ammonites and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon 30 And Jephthah vowed a vow n Of this and the following Verse see the Notes on ver 39. unto the LORD and said If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hand 31 Then it shall be that ‡ Heb. that which cometh forth which shall come forth whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon shall surely be the LORDS ‖ Or or I will offer it c. and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering 32 ¶ So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them and the LORD delivered them into his hand 33 And he smote them from Aroer even till thou come to Minnith o A place not far from Rabbah the chief City of the Ammonites even twenty cities and unto the ‖ Or Abel plain of the vineyards with a very great slaughter thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel 34 ¶ And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house and behold his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances p In Confort with other Virgins as the manner was See Exod. 15. 20. 1 Sam. 18. 6. and she was his onely child ‖ Or he had not of his own either son or daughter ‡ Heb. of himself beside her q Heb. of himself i. e. Proceeding from his own body which may imply that he had other Children either by Adoption or in right of his Wife who had them by a former Husband he had neither son nor daughter 35 And it came to pass when he saw her that he rent his clothes and said Alas my daughter thou hast brought me very low and thou art one of them that trouble me r Before this I was troubled by my Brethren and since by the Ammonites and now most of all though but occasionally by thee for I have opened my mouth s i. e. I have Vowed which was done by Words Numb 30. 2 6. unto the LORD and I cannot go back t i. e. Not retract my Vow I am indispensably obliged to perform it 36 And she said unto him My father if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth u Do not for my sake make thy self a Transgressor I freely give my consent to thy Vow wherewith and with the Success of his Arms he had now acquainted her though it be not here expressed forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies x I am willing to bear my Burthen being abundantly satisfied with the great Deliverance which God hath given to his People by thy hands even of the children of Ammon 37 And she said unto her father Let this thing be done for me let me alone two months that I may ‡ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 go down go up and down upon the mountains y Which she chose as a solitary place and therefore fittest both for Lamentations and for her Preparation for her approaching Calamity and bewail my virginity z That I shall Die Childless which was esteemed both a Curse and a Disgrace for the Israelites Gen. 30. 23. 1 Sam. 1. 6 7. Isa. 4. 1. Because such were excluded from that great Priviledg of increasing the Holy Seed and contributing
is called either because he was her husband for which cause Sarah called Abraham Lord 1 Pet. 3. 6. or because she had been his maid-servant as Concubines oftentimes were as Gen. 30. 3 9. 27 And her lord rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to go his way and behold the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house and her hands were upon the threshold f The posture either of one that had fallen down or of one that was layed down to sleep her hands or arms for the Hebrew word signifies both leaning upon the threshold and being put under her head and therefore he thought to awake her and raise her up 28 And he said unto her Up and let us be going But none answered g For she was dead as is said Iudg. 20. 5. then the man took her up upon an ass and the man rose up and gat him into his place 29 ¶ And when he was come into his house he took a knife and laid hold on his concubine and divided her together with her bones h Or according to her bones according to the joints of her Body for there he made the division This might seem to be a Barbarous and inhuman act in it self but may seem excusable if it be considered that the sadness of the Spectacle did highly contribute to stir up the zeal of all the Israelites to avenge his Concubines death and to execute Justice upon such profligate Offenders and was necessary especially in this time of Anarchy and general Corruption Iudg. 17. 6. to awaken them out of that Lethargy in which all the Tribes lay into twelve pieces i That one piece might be sent to every Tribe whereof none to Levi because they would meet with it in every Tribe being dispersed among them but one to Benjamin for he might well presume that they would as much abhor so villanous an Action though done by some of their own Tribe as any of the rest and sent her into all the coasts of Israel k By several messengers by whom also he sent a particular Relation of the Fact 30 And it was so that all that saw it said There was no such deed l So wicked and abominable done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day consider of it take advice and speak your minds m Let us meet together and seriously consider and every one freely speak what is to be done in this case CHAP. XX. THEN all the children of Israel a i. e. A great number and especially the Rulers of all the Tribes except Benjamin v. 3 12. went out b From their several habitations and the congregation was gathered together as one man c i. e. With one consent from Dan even to Beersheba d Dan was the Northern border of the Land near Lebanon and Beersheba the Southern border Gen. 21. 33. Compare 1 King 4. 25. with the land of Gilead e Beyond Iordan where Reuben Gad and half Manasseh were unto the LORD f As to the Lords Tribunal for God was not only present in the place where the Ark and Tabernacle was but also in the Assemblies of the Gods or Judges Psal. 82. 1. and in all the places where Gods name is recorded Exod. 20. 24. and where two or three are met together in his name Matth. 18. 20. for his service and to seek for Counsel and mercy from him compare Iudg. 11. 11. in Mizpeh g A place in the borders of Iudah and Benjamin and therefore ascribed to both of them Ios. 15. 38. and 18. 26. This they chose as a place most fit and proper in many respects First as a place they used to meet in upon Solemn occasions See Iudg. 10. 17. and 11. 11. 1 Sam. 7. 5 16. and 10. 17. Secondly For its convenient Scituation for all the â—…ribes within and without Iordan Thirdly As being near the place where the Fact was done that it might be more throughly examined and not far from Shiloh where the Tabernacle was whither they might go or send if need were 2 And ‡ Hebr. the corners the chief h Heb. the corners i. e. the Nobles and Rulers which are oft so called because like corner-stones they both unite and support and adorn the whole Building Or and four hundred thousand It is an Ellipsis of the Particle and of which Examples have been given before for the chief of the People were not so many but the common Soldiers and these were all Foot-men whereas many of the Rulers rid upon Horses or Asses Iudg. 5. 10. and 10. 4. and 12. 14. The number is here set down to shew both their zeal and forwardness in punishing such a Villany and the strange blindness of the Benjamites that durst oppose so great and united a Body and that the success of Battelâ—… depends not upon great numbers seeing this great Host was twice defeated by the Benjamites but wholly upon Gods blessing of all the people even of all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God four hundred thousand i foot-men k For horse-men they had few or none in their Armies that drew sword 3 Now the children of Benjamin heard l Like Persons unconcerned and resolved they neither went nor sent thither partly from their own pride and stubbornness and self-confidence partly because as they were loath to give up any of their Brethren to Justice so they presumed the other Tribes would never proceed to a War against them and partly from a Divine infatuation hardening that wicked Tribe to their own Destruction that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh Then said the children of Israel Tell us m The Verb is of the Plural Number because they speak to the Levite and his Servant and his Host who doubtless were present upon this occasion how was this wickedness 4 And ‡ Hebr. the man the Lâ—…vite the Levite n To whose Relation the other two gave their consent the husband of the woman that was slain answered and said I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin I and my concubine to lodge 5 And the men of Gibeah rose up against me and beset the house round about upon me by night and thought to have slain me o Except I would either submit to their unnatural Lust which I was resolved to withstand even unto death or deliver up my concubine to them which I was forced to do and my concubine have they ‡ Hebr. humbled forced that she is dead 6 And I took my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel for they have committed lewdness and folly p i. e. A lewd folly most ignominious and impudent Wickedness in Israel 7 Behold
ye are all children of Israel q The Sons of that Holy man who for one filthy action left an Eternal brand upon one of his own Sons a People in Covenant with the holy God whose Honour you are obliged to vindicate and who hath expresly commanded you to punish all such notorious Enormities give here your advice and counsel 8 ¶ And all the people arose as one man saying We will not any of us go to his tent r i. e. His habitation to wit until we have revenged this Injury neither will we any of us turn into his house 9 But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah we will go up by lot against it 10 And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel and an hundred of a thousand and a thousand out of ten thousand to â—…etch victual for the people that they may do when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin accord ing to all the folly that they have wrought s That we may punish them as such a wickedness deserves in Israel t This is added as an aggravation that they should do that in Israel or among Gods peculiar People which was esteemed abominable even among the Heathen 11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city ‡ Heb. fellows knit together as one man 12 ¶ And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe u Heb. tribes Either the Plural Number for the Singular or rather tribe is put for family as was noted before as families are elsewhere put for tribes They take a wise and a just course in sending to all the parts and families of the tribe to separate the Innocent from the Guilty and to give them a fair opportunity of preventing their ruin by doing nothing but what their Duty Honour and Interest obliged them to even by delivering up those vile Malefactors whom they could not keep without horrid guilt and shame and bringing the Curse of God upon themselves of Benjamin saying What wickedness is this that is done among you 13 Now therefore deliver us the men the children of Belial which are in Gibeah that we may put them to death and put away evil x Both the Guilt and the Punishment wherein all Israel will be Involved if they do not Punish it from Israel but the children of Benjamin would not hearken y Partly from the Pride of their Hearts which made them scorn to submit to their Brethren or to suffer them to meddle in their Territory partly from a conceit of their own Valour and Military skill and partly from Gods just judgment to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel 14 But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah to go out to battel against the children of Israel 15 And the children of Benjamin were numbred at that time out of the city twenty and six thousand men that drew sword beside the inhabitants of Gibeah which were numbred seven hundred chosen men z Object This agrees not with the following numbers for all that were slain of Benjamin were 25100 men v. 35. and there were only 600 that survived v. 47. which make only 25700. Ans. The other thousand men were either left in some of their cities where they were slain v. 48. or were cut off in the two first Battels wherein it is unreasonable to think they had an unbloody Victory and as for these 25100 men they were all slain in that day i. e. the day of the third Battel as is affirmed v. 35. 16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men * Chap. 3. 15. left handed a Heb. shut up on their right hand i. e. using their left hand instead of their right every one could sling stones at an hairs breadth and not miss b An Hyperbolical expression signifying that they could do this with great exactness There are many Parallel Instances in Historians of Persons that could throw Stones or shoot Arrows with great certainty so as seldom or never to miss Of which see my Latin Synopsis And this was very considerable and one ground of the Benjamites confidence because in those times they had no Guns 17 And the men of Israel c To wit such as were here present v. 2. for otherwise it is most probable they had a far greater number of men being 600000 before their entrance into Canaan Num. 1. 2. beside Benjamin were numbred four hundred thousand men that drew sword all these were men of war 18 ¶ And the children of Israel d i. e. Some sent in the name of all arose and went up to the house of God e To wit to Shiloh which was not far from Mizpeh where they were and * Chap. 1. 1. asked counsel of God and said Which of us shall go up first to the battel f This they ask to prevent Emulations and Contentions but they do not ask whether they should go against them oâ—… no for that they knew they ought to do by the will of God already revealed nor yet do they seek to God for his help by Prayer and Fasting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all reason they ought to have done but were confident of Success because of their great Numbers and Righteous Cause against the children of Benjamin And the LORD said Judah shall go up first 19 And the children of Israel rose up in the morning and encamped against Gibeah 20 And the men of Israel went out to battel against Benjamin and the men of Israel put themselves in aray to fight against them at Gibeah 21 And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men g Quest. Why would God suffer them to have so great a loss in so Good a Cause Ans. Because they had many and great Sins reigning amongst themselves and they should not have come to so great a Work of God as this with polluted hands but should have pulled the Beam out of their own Eye before they attempted to take that out of their Brother Benjamin's Eye which because they did not God doth it for them making them by this loss more clearly to see their own Sins and their need of Gods help without which their great Numbers were insignificant and bringing them through the Fire that they might be purged from their Dross it being probable that the great God who governs every stroke in Battels did so order things that their worst and rotten Members should be cut off which was a great Blessing to the whole Common-wealth 22 And the people the men of Israel incouraged themselves h Heb. strengthned themselves partly by supporting themselves with the Conscience of the Justice of their Cause and the hopes of success and partly by putting themselves in better order for
give his daughter unto Benjamin to wise b They do not as some suppose here swear the utter extirpation of the Tribe which fell out beyond their expectation Iudg. 21. 3 6. but only not to give their Daughters to those Men who should survive justly esteeming them for their harbarous Villany to be as bad as the worst of Heathens with whom they were forbidden to Marry In this Case the Benjamites might have Married among themselves if any of their Men and Women were left alive 2 And the people came to the house of God c Partly to mourn for the common loss and partly to ask counsel from God about the repairing of it and abode there till even before God and lift up their voices and wept sore 3 And said O LORD God of Israel Why is this come to pass in Israel that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel d Why hast thou given them up to such wickedness and us to such rage that the whole Tribe should be in a manner lost Hence it appears that they did not swear to root them all out as is further manifest from the different matter and words of this Oath ver 1. which only denied them their Daughters in Marriage and that concerning the people of other Tribes who joyned not with them in this business which was that they should be put to death v. 5. And their sparing of those 600 Men in the Rock Rimmon v. 13 14. plainly shews that they were not obliged by any Oath or Vow to extirpate them 4 And it came to pass on the morrow that the people rose early and built there an altar e Not for a Monument of the Victory as some say but for Sacrifices as the next words shew Qu. What need was there of this when the ordinary Altar was there to which also they seem to be restrained Deut. 16. 2 Answ. They are not there restrained to one Altar but to one place of Worship as is expressed and therefore there might be in that place more Altars than one when the Multitude of Sacrifices so required which was the case 1 King 8. 64. and probably at this time when all the Tribes being met they had many Sacrifices to offer some in common for all and some peculiar to every Tribe Nay other Altars might be and oft-times were Erected in other places by Divine Direction or Dispensation as Iudg. 6. 24 26. 1 Sam. 7. 9 17. and 11. 15. and 16. 2 5. and offered burnt-offerings and peace offerings 5 And the children of Israel said Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD for they had made a great oath f i. e. A solemn Oath joyned with some terrible Execration against the Offenders herein concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh saying He shall surely be put to death g Because by refusing to execute the Vengeance due to such Malefactors they were justly presumed guilty of their Crime and therefore liable to the same Punishment as was the case of that City that would not deliver up an Idolater dwelling among them to Justice 6 And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother h Not for the War which was just and necessary and good but for their immoderate severity in the Execution of it and for the dreadful consequences of it and said There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day 7 How shall we do for wives for them that remain seeing we have sworn by the LORD that we will not give them of our daughters to wives 8 And they said What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD And behold there came none to the camp from Jabesh-gilead i A City in Gilead and in the Tribe of Manasseh of which see 1 Sam. 11. 1 3 9 c. and 31. 11 c. to the assembly 9 For the people were numbred and behold there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there 10 And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest and commanded them saying Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword with the women and the children k Who in such publick and scandalous Crimes were for the greater Terrour of such Transgressors and prevention of the like Sins oft involved in the same Punishment with the men as Deut. 13. 15. Ios. 7. 24 c. 11 And this is the thing that ye shall do * Numb 31 Ye shall utterly destroy every male and every woman that ‡ Heb. knoweth the lying with man hath lien by man l But not the Virgins as appears from the next Verses It is questionable whether they were not obliged to destroy these also by vertue of their Oath and of Gods express Command concerning Devoted Persons such as these certainly were that they should surely be put to death Levit. 27. 29. which was also particularly enjoyned and practised in such Cases as Deut. 13. Ios. 7. c. But the natural and necessary duty of preserving a Tribe from total Ruine might seem to render the case difficult and doubtful and incline their Opinions as well as their Affections to the more favourable side And it may be the Lord whom they were here consulting with upon all their occasions gave them a Dispensation thus to do though that be not expressed which is the case of many other things which were done though not Recorded as this very Oath was omitted in its proper place and had not been Recorded if this extraordinary occasion had not been offered 12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred ‡ Heb. young women Virgins young virgins m Not Married yet marriageable it is probable there were other and younger Virgins but whether they were slain or spared Scripture determines not and the Learned do not agree But these could not serve the present and urgent occasion and therefore he takes notice onely of these 400 which were of riper Age. that had known no man by lying with any male and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan 13 And the whole congregation sent some ‡ Heb. and â—…pake and called to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon and to call ‖ Or proclaim peace peaceably unto them 14 And Benjamin n The poor remainders of the Tribe of Benjamin came again at that time and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead and yet so they sufficed them not 15 And the people repented them for Benjamin o Were yet more grieved upon this unhappy disappointment for they supposed here would have been Wives sufficient for them because that the LORD had made a breach p The Benjamites were the onely
heart 21 And turn ye not aside p To wit after Idols as they had often done before and notwithstanding this warning did afterwards for then should ye go q Or should ye turn aside which words are easily to be understood out of the foregoing Branch such Ellipses being most frequent in Scripture as Deut. 1. 4. 1 King 14. 14. 2 King 9. 27. after vain things r So Idols are called Deut. 32. 21. Ier. 2. 5. and so they are being meer nothings 1 Cor. 8. 4. having no Divinity nor Power in them no Influence upon us nor use or benefit to us which cannot profit nor deliver s i. e. Which will not onely be unprofitable but highly pernicious to you the contrary Affirmative being understood undet the Negative as Exod. 20. 7. Numb 21. 23. Deut. 2. 30. for they are vain 22 * Psal. 94. 14. For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great Names sake s i. e. For his own Honour which would seem to suffer much among men if he should not preserve and deliver his People in eminent Dangers as if he were grown feeble or forgetful or inconstant or unfaithful or regardless of Human affairs or unkind to those who own and Worship him when all the rest of the World forsake him Hence this Argument hath been oft pleaded with God not without good success as Exod. 32. 12. Numb 14. 13 c. And this reason God here alledgeth to take them off from all conceit of their own merit and to assure them that if they did truly repent of all their sins and served God with all their heart which is here supposed yet even in that case their Salvation would not be due to their Merits but onely the effect of Gods Free Mercy because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people t To wit out of his own Free Grace without any desert of yours as he saith Deut. 7. 7. and 9. 5. and therefore he will not easily forsake you except you thrust him away 23 Moreover as for me God forbid that I should sin against the LORD ‡ Heb. from ceasing in ceasing to pray for you u Think not that because you have so highly Disobliged and Rejected me that I will revenge my self by neglecting to pray for you or by Praying against you as I have now done for your Conviction and Humiliation and so for your Preservation I am sensible it is my Duty as I am a Man an Israelite a Minister a Prophet to Pray for you but I will teach you x Heb. and I will c. i. e. I will not onely Pray for you which is one Branch of my Duty but will also Teach and Instruct you which is the other Branch of it And though you have cast me off from being your Judge and Ruler yet I will not cease to be your Instructor and Monitor to keep you from Sin and Destruction the good and the right way 24 Onely fear the LORD and serve him y Otherwise neither my Prayer nor Counsels will stand you in any stead in truth with all your heart for consider ‖ Or what a great thing c. how great things he hath done for you z Or among you both at this time and formerly 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly ye shall be consumed both ye and your king CHAP. XIII SAul ‡ Heb. the son of one year in his reigning reigned one year a i. e. Had now Reigned one Year from his first Election at Mizpeh in which time these things were done which are Recorded chap. 11. and 12. to wit Peaceably or Righteously Compare 2 Sam. 2. 10. and when he had reigned two years over Israel 2 Saul chose b Heb. And i. e. Then as that Adverb is oft used as Gen. 3. 5. and 18. 10 c. Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel c Which he thought sufficient for constant Attendance and Service intending to Summon the rest when need should be whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash d A Tract of Ground near Ramah and Bethel in the Border of Benjamin and near to the Philistines and in mount Bethel and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent 3 And Jonathan smote the * Chap. 10. 5. garison of the Philistines e The first Design of Saul and Ionathan was to Free their Land from the Garisons which the Philistines had in it and they first begin to clear their own Country of Benjamin that was in ‖ Or the hill Geba f Not the same place called Gibeah v. 2. for if the place were the same why should he vary the Name of it in the same Story and in the next Verse Nor is it likely that Ionathan would chuse that place for his Camp where the Philistines had a Garison but another place in the same Tribe in which there were two distinct places Gebah and Gibeah Iosh. 18. 24 28. and the Philistines heard of it and Saul blew the trumpet thorowout all the land saying Let the Hebrews hear g i. e. He sent Messengers to tell them all what Ionathan had done and how the Philistines were enraged at it and made great preparations for War and therefore what necessity there was of gathering themselves together and coming to him for his and their own Defence 4 And all Israel heard say that Saul h i. e. Ionathan by Saul's direction and encouragement The Actions of an Army are commonly ascribed to their General had smitten a garison of the Philistines and that Israel also ‡ Heb. did stink was had in abomination with the Philistines and the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal i The place before appointed by Samuel chap. 1â—… 8. 5 ¶ And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel thirty thousand charets k This number seems incredible to Infidels To whom it may be sufficient to reply That it is far more rational to acknowledge a mistake in him that Copied out the Sacred Text in such Numeral or Historical passages wherein the Doctrine of Faith and Good Life is not directly concerned than upon such a pretence to question the Truth and Divinity of the Holy Scriptures which are so fully Attested and evidently Demonstrated And the mistake is not great in the Hebrew Schalosh for Schelishim and so indeed those two Ancient Translators the Syriack and Arabick Translate it and are supposed to have read in their Hebrew Copies Three thousand Nor is it necessary that all these should be Military Charets but many of them might be for Carriage of things belonging to so great an Army For such a distinction of Charets we find Exod. 14. 7. But there is no need of this Reply Charets here may very well be put for the Men that rode
Jonathan thou wast slain in thine high places t Which were in thy Country and had not thy Father disinherited thee by his Sins in thy Dominions 26 I am distressed for thee u i. e. For the loss of thee For besides the loss of a true Friend and all the comfort of friendship which is inestimable he lost him who both could and undoubtedly would have given him a speedy and quiet and sure Possession of the Kingdom whereas now he met with long and troublesome interruptions my brother Jonathan very pleasant hast thou been unto me thy love to we was wonderful passing the love of women x i. e. That Love wherewith they love their Husbands or Children for their Affections are usually more vehement and ardent than Mens 27 How are the mighty fallen and the weapons of war y Either 1. Metaphorically so called to wit Saul and Ionathan and the brave Commanders and Soldiers of Israel who might have been called the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof Or rather 2. Properly for together with the Men their Arms were lost which was a very great aggravation of their loss and that loss seems to be at this time more irrecoverable and dangerous than the loss of their men perished CHAP II. AND it came to pass after this that David enquired of the LORD a By Urim as 1 Sam. 23. 6 9. and 30. 7 8. Thus David begins at the right end and lays his Foundation in Gods counsel and assistance which now he seeks saying Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah b He asketh not whether he should take the Kingdom for that was appointed and known before and he would not offend God nor dishonour his Ordinances with frivolous and unnecessary enquiries but onely where he should enter upon it whether in Iudab as he supposed because of his relation to that Tribe and his interest in it or whether in some other Tribe for he doth not limit God but resolves exactly to follow his Counsels And the LORD said unto him Go up And David said Whither shall I go up And he said Unto Hebron c Which was next to Ierusalem part whereof the Iebusites now possessed the chief City of that Tribe and a City of the Priests Iosh. 21. 10 c. and in the very center or middle of that Tribe to which the whole Tribe might speedily resort when need required 2 So David went up thither and his two wives also Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail Nabals Wife the Carmelite 3 And his men that were with him did David bring up every man with his houshold and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron d i. e. The Cities or Towns belonging and subject to Hebron which was the Metropolis Ios. 21. 11 12. For in Hebron it self there was not space for them all because it was filled with Priests and with David's Court. 4 And * 1 Mac. 2. 57. the men of Judah came and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah e This they did upon just grounds because not onely the Kingdom was promised to that Tribe Gen. 49. 10. but David was Designed and Anointed by God whose will both they and all Israel were obliged to observe and obey And they Piously resolved not to neglect their Duty though they saw the other Tribes would Yet their prudent caution and modesty is observable That they make him King of Iudah onely and not of all Israel And therefore there was need of a Third Anointing to the Kingdom over all Israel which he had chap. 5. 3. But as for that First Anointing 1 Sam. 16. 13. it was onely a designation of the Person who should be King but not an actual Inauguration of him to the Kingdom and they told David saying That * â—… Sam. 31. 13. the men of Jabesh-Gilead were they that buried Saul 5 ¶ And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-Gilead and said unto them Blessed be ye of the LORD that ‡ Or because ye have shewed this kindness f This respect and affection to procure him Burial For as it is and ever was esteemed an act of inhumanity to deny Burial to the Dead so it is an act of mercy and kindness to Bury him unto your lord even unto Saul and have buried him 6 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth g i. e. True and real kindness not in words onely but also in actions as you have now done to your King the Lords Anointed unto you and I also will requite you this kindness h So far am I from being offended with you for this kindness to my late Enemy that I will requite it because ye have done this thing 7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthned and †be ye valiant i Be not afraid lest the Philistines should punish you for this Fact but take good courage I will defend you for your master Saul is ‡ Heb. be ye the Sons of valour dead k Or though your Master Saul be dead and so your hearts may faint within you as if you were now Sheep without a Shepherd and also ‡ Know this for your comfort that the house of Judah have anointed me king over them 8 ¶ But Abner the son of Ner l Partly out of envy and malice against David and partly out of his own ambition and desire of Rule because he knew that Ishbosheth would have onely the name of King whilst he had the power captain of ‡ Heb. the host which was Saul's Sauls host took ‖ Or Eshbaal 1 Chr. 8. 33. Ishbosheth m Called also Eshbaal 1 Chron. 8. 33. and 9. 39. It being usual with the Hebrews instead of Baal the name of false gods to put Bosheth which signifies shame or confusion or a shameful thing as appeareth by comparing Iudg. 9. 53. with 2 Sam. 11. 21. and 2 Sam. 4. 4. with 1 Chron. 8. 34. and from Ier. 3. 24. Hos. 9. 10. the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim n A place beyond Iordan whither he carried him partly to secure those Brave and Valiant Men of Iabesh-Gilead to himself and principally because this place was most remote from David and from the Philistines too and therefore here he might recruit his Forces with less disturbance than in other places 9 And he made him king over Gilead o Largely so taken for all the Land of Israel beyond Iordan as it is Ios. 22. 9. Iudg. 10. 8. and over the Ashurites p i. e. The Tribe of Asher as the Chaldee Paraphrast and others understand it and over Jezreel q A large and rich Valley scituate in the Borders of the Tribes of Zebulun Issachar and Napthali and so put Synecdochically for them all and over Ephraim and over Benjamin and over all ‡ the rest of Israel r Except Iudah as it follows 10 Ishbosheth
the land 15 ¶ Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel m These Wars though here related were transacted long before this time of which see the notes on v. 1. For it is no way probable either that the Philistines being so fully and perfectly subdued by David chap. 8. 1. should in his days be in a capacity of waging War with the Israelites or that David in his old age would undertake to fight with a Giant or that his people would permit him to do so and David went down and his servants with him and fought against the Philistines and David waxed faint 16 And Ishbi benob which was of the sons of ‖ Or 〈◊〉 the giant n So called by way of eminenâ—…y Or of Rapha a Giant so called the weight of whose ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 staff or 〈◊〉 head spear weighed three hundred shekels o See 1 Sam. 17. 5. of brass in weight he being girded with a new swâ—…rd p Or rather with a new Girdle or Belt For First This was the usual habit of Soldiers 1 Sam. 18. 4. 2 Sam. 18. 11. and 20. 8. 1 King 2. 5. Isa. 5. 27. and when it was of an extraordinary fashion and price an Ensign of dignity and command in the Army Ezek. 23. 15. So this may be mentioned to note that this was the first time either of his going out to fight or of his advancement to some eminent place in the Army which made him desirous to signalize himself with some great action Secondly This supplement is more natural and usual the word girdle being easie supplied from the word being girded such Ellipses of conjugate words being frequent in the Hebrew Tongue as Numb 11. 14. Psal. 76. 12. Matth. 20. 12. Thirdly The newness of the Sword seems to have no emphasis nor significancy for the present purpose seeing an old and tried Sword would seem more considerable for his encouragement than one new and unproved thought to have slain David 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him and smote the Philistine and killed him Then * Chap. 18. 3. the men of David sware unto him saying Thou shalt go no more out with us to battel that thou quench not the †light of Israel q Lest thou be slain and thereby thy people be ruined Good Kings are in Scripture justly called the Light of their people as 1 King 11. 36. and 15. 4. Psal. 132. 17. because the beauty and glory the conduct and direction the comfort and safety and welfare of a People depends upon them and comes from them ‡ Heb. candle or lamp 18 * â—… Chro. 20. 4. And it came to pass after this r After the Battel last mentioned that there was again a battel with the Philistines at Gob s Or in Gezer as it is 1 Chron. 20. 4. whereby it seems Gob and Gezer were Neighbouring places and the Battel fought in the confines of both then Sibbechai the Hushathite t One of David's Worthies 1 Chron. 11. 29. slew Saph which was of the sons of ‖ Or Rapha the giant 19 And there was again a battel in Gob with the Philistines where Elhanan u Another of David's worthy and valiant Commanders the son of Jaare-oregim a Bethlehemite slew * â—…ee 1 Chro. 〈◊〉 5. the brother of Goliath the Gittite x The relative word Brother is not in the Hebrew Text but is fitly supplied out of the parallel place 1 Chron. 20. 5 where it is expressed And such defects of relatives are not unusual in Scripture Thus the word Wife is understood Matth. 1 6. Ioh. 19. 25. and Father or Mother Mar. 15. 40 47. Compare with Mar. 16. 1. and Luk. 24. 10. and Son Matth. 4. 21. Mar. 2. 14. Ioh. 21. 15. and Brother Luk. 6. 16. Compare with Iud. v. 1. And such Ellipses do also frequently occur in profane Authors Although the place may be and is otherwise rendred Elhanan the son of Iaare-oregim slew Beth-halachmi or Lachmi as he is called by way of abbreviation 1 Chron. 20. 5. which is very frequent in the Hebrew Tongue who was which words are frequently understood in the Hebrew Text with so eth is oft rendred as hath been noted before Goliath the Gittite i. e. in his Company bred up with him to the War and related to him as his Brother Or he slew Beth-halachmi a Goliath or another Goliath of Gath or the Gittite So the name of the Giant was Beth-halachmi who may be here called Goliath not onely for his near relation to him being his Brother but for his exact resemblance of him in Feature or in Stature and Strength or in Courage and Military Skill as Iohn the Baptist was called Elias for the like reason Peradventure also after the death of the first and famous Goliath the Gittite 1 Sam. 17. that name was either given to him by others or taken by himself the staff of whose spear was like a weavers beam y In thickness See 1 Sam. 17. 7. 20 And there was yet a battel in Gath z i. e. In the Territory of the City of Gath. Which circumstance intimates that this and consequently the other Battels here described were fought before David had taken Gath out of the hands of the Philistines which he did 2 Sam. 8. 1. compare with 1 Chron. 18. 1. and therefore not in the last days of David as some conceive from their mention in this place Or a man of Middin or Madon as the LXX render it so called from the place of his birth as Goliath is said to be of Gath for the same reason where was a man of great stature that had on every hand six fingers and on every foot six toes four and twenty in number and he also was born to ‖ Or Rapha the giant 21 And when he ‖ Or reproved defied Israel Jonathan the son of * 1 Sam. 16. 9. Shimea the brother of David slew him 22 These four were born to the giant in Gath and fell by the hand of David ‖ Either because they were slain by his conduct and counsel or conâ—…urrence for he contributed by his hand to the death of one of them whilst maintaining a fight with him he gave Abishai the easier opportunity of killing him ver 16 17. or because what is done by the inferior Commanders is commonly ascribed to the General both in Sacred and Prophane Writers and by the hand of his servants CHAP. XXII This Chapter is in a manner wholly the same with Psal. 18. and therefore I shall adjourn the exposition of it to that place AND David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hand of Sâ—…ul 2 And he said * Psal. 18. 2 c. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer 3 The
Come in thou wife of Jeroboam i By which discovery he both reproves their folly who thought to conceal themselves or their designs from that God from whom they expected and desired the discovery of the most secret things and withal gives her assurance of the truth and certainty of that message which he was to deliver why feignest thou thy self to be another for I am sent to thee with ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 heavy tidings 7 Go tell Jeroboam Thus saith the LORD God of Israel Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people and made thee prince over my people k For so they were when Ieroboam was first set over them Israel 8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it thee and yet thou hast not been as my servant David l Who though he fell into some sins yet first he constantly persevered in the True Worship of God from which thou art revolted Secondly He heartily repented of and turned from all his sins whereas thou art obstinate and incorrigible who kept my commandments and who followed me with all his heart to do that onely which was right in mine eyes 9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee m Above all the former Kings of my People as Saul and Solomon and Rehoboam for thou hast gone and made thee other gods and molten images n Or other Gods to wit for so and oft signifies among the Hebrews as hath been formerly noted molten images namely the Golden Calves which he calls other gods not as if the Israelites esteemed the Calves made of their own Gold to be gods indeed which it is incredible should find belief with any man in his wits especially with the whole Body of the Israelites who knew that the Ark and Cherubims though made by Gods special direction were not Gods but onely Pledges of Gods presence c. Nor as if they thought them to be other gods in a strict and proper sense for it is apparent that they still pretended to Worship the God of their Fathers as the Iews at Ierusalem did though in a differing manner but onely because God rejected their whole Worship and howsoever they called or accounted it he reckoned it a manifest defection from him and a betaking of themselves to other gods or devils as they are called 2 Chron. 11. 15. by whose instigation they were led to such Idolatrous practises and whom alone they served and worshipped therein whatsoever pretences they had to the contrary to provoke me to anger o i. e. Whereby thou didst provoke me For otherwise this was not Ieroboam's design in it but onely to Establish himself in the Throne and hast cast me behind thy back p Despised and disregarded and forsaken me and my Commands and my Worship as we do things which we cast behind our backs 10 Therefore behold I * Chap. 15. 29. will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam * Chap. 21. 21. 2 King 9. 8. him that pisseth against the wall q Either so much as a Dog or any male Children Of which Phrase see the Notes on 1 Sam. 25. 22. and him that is shut up and left r Those who had escaped the fury of their Enemies invading them either because they were shut up in Caves or Castles or strong Towns or because they were left over-looked or neglected by them or spared as poor impotent helpless Creatures But now saith he They shall be all searched out and brought to destruction See more on Deut. 32. 36. in Israel and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam as a man taketh away dung s Which they remove as a loathsom thing out of their Houses and that thoroughly and universally till it be all gone 11 Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat t So both sorts shall die unburied for the LORD hath spoken it 12 Arise thou therefore get thee to thinâ—… own house and when thy feet enter into the city u Presently upon thy entrance into the City when thou art gone but a little way in it even as far as to the threshold of the Kings door v. 17. which possibly was near the Gates of the City And by the event of this branch judge of the Truth of the rest of my Prophecy the child shall die 13 And all Israel shall mourn for him x Either First For the loss of so worthy and hopeful a Person Or Secondly For the sad calamities which should follow his death which possibly his moderation and wisdom and vertue might have prevented whereof his death was a certain presage and evidence So they should mourn not simply for him but for their own loss in him and bury him for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave y Shall have the honour of Burial denied to the rest v. 11. because in him 2 Chr. 12. 12. and 19. 3. there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel z Some Pâ—…ous inclinations and intentions of taking away the Calves or of permitting or obliging his People to go up to Ierusalem to Worship if God gave him Life and Authority to do it and of trusting God with his Kingdom in that case in the house of Jeroboam a Which is added for his greater commendation he was good in the midst of so many temptations and wicked examples a good branch of a bad stock 14 Moreover the LORD shall raise him up a king b Baasha chap. 15. 28. over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam that day c When he is so raised in the very beginning of his Reign chap. 15. 29. but what d But what do I say he shall raise as it were a thing to be done at a great distance of time he hath already raised him in some sort the man is now in being if not in power who shall do this this Judgment shall be shortly executed even now 15 For the LORD shall smite Israel e Because they obeyed Ieroboam's wicked command of Worshipping the Calves and that willingly Hos. 5. 11. as a reed is shaken in the water f Easily and variously hither and thither with every wind So shall the Kingdom and People of Israel be always in an unquiet and unsettled posture tossed to and fro by Foreign Invasions and Civil Wars by opposite Kings and Factions and by the dissentions of the People See 2 King 17. 18. and he shall * 2 Kin. 17. 23. root up Israel out of this good land which he gave to their fathers and shall scatter them beyond the river g To wit Euphrates oft so called by way of eminency as Gen. 15. 18. and 31. 21. 1 King 4. 21 24. This was accomplished in part 2 King
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
second year of Asa king of Judah and reigned over Israel two years k Not compleat as appears from v. 28. and 33. 26 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin l i. e. In the worship of the Calves which his Father had made 27 ¶ And Baasha the son of Ahijah of the house m i. e. Of the Tribe which is oft called an house as Iudg. 10. 9. Psal. 135. 20. Hos. 1. 7. of Issachar conspired against him and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon which belonged to the Philistines n Who taking advantage of the division between Israel and Iudah had retaken this Town which belonged to the Tribe of Dan Ios. 19. 44. and belonged to the Levites Ios. 21. 23. upon whose departure to Iudah 2 Chron. 11. 14. the Kings of Israel seized their Towns and Lands to their own use as was noted before which made them so much concerned for this Town to besiege both now and many Years after this time chap. 16. 15. for Nadab and all Isaael laid siege to Gibbethon 28 Even in the third year of Asa n How this agrees with 2 Chron. 16. 1. see in the notes there king of Judah did Baasha slay him o Which he did not to fulfil God's Threatning but onely to advance himself and therefore this is called Murder Chap. 16. 7. and reigned in his stead 29 And it came to pass when he reigned that he smote all the house of Jeroboam he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed until he had destroyed him according unto * Chap. 14. 10. the saying of the LORD q So God over ruled Baasha's ambition and cruelty to fulfil his own Counsel and Prediction which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite p i. e. Any of the Males of that Family See Deut. 20. 16. Iosh. 10. 40. 30 Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned and which he made Israel sin r So that same wicked Policy which he used to Establish the Kingdom in his Family proved his and their Ruine which is very frequently the event of ungodly Counsels by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger 31 ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he did are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel * See above 14 19. 32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days 33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah * And reigned twenty and four years 34 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin CHAP. XVI THen the word of the LORD came to Jehu a A Prophet of whom see more 2 Chron. 19. 2. and 20. 34. the son of Hanani b Who also was a Prophet 2 Chron. 16. 7. against Baasha saying 2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust c Out of a low and mean Estate See 1 Sam. 2. 8. Psal. 113. 7. Quest. How is Baasha's Exaltation to the Kingdom ascribed to God when he got it by treachery and cruelty Answ. Though that way or manner of Invading the Kingdom was from himself and his own wicked heart yet the Translation of the Kingdom from Nadab to Baasha simply considered was from God who by his Decree and Providence ordered it and disposed of all occasions and of the hearts of all the Soldiers and People so that Baasha should have opportunity of Executing God's Judgment upon Nadab and such success thereupon that he should get a present and quiet Possession of the Kingdom Nay the very act of Baasha to wit the Killing of his Master Nadab was an act of Divine Justice foretold and appointed by God Chap. 14. 10. And if Baasha had done this in obedience to God's Command and with a single Design to Execute God's Vengeance threatned against him it had been no more a Sin than Iehu's act in Killing his Master King Iehoram upon the same account 2 King 9. But that Baasha did this meerly to gratifie his own Pride or Covetousness or Malice this was not from God but from himself and therefore is charged upon him as Murder here ver 7. and made thee prince over my people Israel and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam and hast made my people Israel to sin to provoke me to anger d See on 1 King 14. 9. with their sins 3 Behold I will take away the posterity of Baasha and the posterity of his house and will make thy house like * Chap. 15. 29. the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat 4 * Chap. 14. 11. Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat 5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did and his might * 2 Chro. 16. 1. are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel 6 So Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah and Elah his son reigned in his stead 7 And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD e The meaning is The Message which came from the Lord to Iehu ver 1 c. was here delivered by the hand i. e. the Ministry of Iehu unto Baasha Iehu did what God commanded him in this matter though it was not without apparent hazard to himself against Baasha and against his house even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands in being like the house of Jeroboam and because he * Chap. 15. 29. and 2 King 10. 17. killed him f i. e. Nadab who though he be not expressed yet is sufficiently understood 1. By the manifest reference which these words have to the Murder committed by Baasha which was done upon Nadab onely ch 15. 28. 2. By the foregoing words the house of Ieroboam i. e. His Posterity which was Nadab Quest. Why doth God punish him for doing God's Work Answ. 1. Though God appointed That Ieroboam's Family should be cut off yet he did not give Baasha Commission to do it nor had declared how or by whom he would do it 2. Baasha did this not to fulfil God's Will but his own Lusts. See on ver 2. 8 In the twentieth and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah two years g One compleat and part of the other ver 10. which in Scripture-account is reckoned for a Year See above 7. 15. and 15. 25. 9 And his
after Elijah o Being powerfully moved by Gods Spirit to follow Elijah and wholly to give up himself to his Function and said p Or but he said or yet he said Let * Matth. 8. 2â—… 22. me I pray thee kiss my father and my mother q i. e. Bid them farewel by the usual Ceremony See Gen. 29. 〈◊〉 and 31. 28. Act. 20. 37. and then I will follow thee And he said unto him ‡ Heb. Go return Go back again r And take thy leave of them as thou desirest and then return to me again for what have I done to thee s Either First To hinder thee from performing that office That employment to which I have called thee doth not require an Alienation of thy heart from thy Parents nor the total neglect of them Or Secondly To make such a change in thee that thou shouldst be willing to forsake thy Parents and Lands and All and desire onely this liberty to go and bid them farewel that thou maist follow me Whence comes this marvellous change It is not from me who did onely throw my Mantle over thee but from an higher Power even from Gods Spirit which hath changed thy heart and Consecrated thee to thy Prophetical Office which therefore it concerns thee vigorously to execute and wholly to devote thy self to it 21 And he returned back from him t From Elias to his Parents whom when he had seen and kissed he returned to the Field where Elijah was and took a yoke of oxen and slew them and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen u i. e. With the wood belonging to the Plow c. to which more was added as occasion required But that he burned to shew his total relinquishing of his former employment and gave unto the people x i. e. He made thereof a Feast for his Servants who had been Plowing with him and for him and his other Friends and Neighbours who came to take their leave of him Hereby he shewed how willingly and joyful he forsook all his Friends that he might serve God in that High and Honourable employment and they did eat then he arose and went after Elijah and ministred unto him CHAP. XX. AND Ben-hadad a Called Adad by Iosephus and Ader by the LXX and Adâ—…res by Iustin such changes of names being usual in their Translations into other Languages and by other Authors the king of Syria gathered all his host together b To War against Israel wherein his design was to amplify the Conquests which his Father had made chap. 15. 20. but Gods design was to punish Israel for their Apostacy and Idolatry and there were thirty and two kings c Petty Kings such as were in Canaan in Ioshua's time who indeed were no more than Governours of Cities or small Territories These were either Subject or Tributary to Benhadad or hired by him with him and horses and chariots and he went up and besieged Samaria and warred against it 2 And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city and said unto him Thus saith Benhadad 3 Thy silver and thy gold is mine d I challenge them as my own and accordingly expect to have them forthwith delivered into my possession if thou expectest peace with me thy wives also and thy children even the goodliest are mine 4 And the king of Israel answered and said My lord O king according to thy saying I am thine and all that I have e I do so far comply with thy demand that I will own thee for my Lord and my self for thy Vassal and Tributary and will hold my Wives and Children and Estate as by thy favour and with an acknowledgment But it is not likely that he would deliver up his Wives and Children into the Barbarians hand or that his proud and imperious Wife Iezabel would permit him to do so 5 And the messengers came again and said Thus speaketh Ben-hadad saying Although I have sent unto thee saying Thou shalt deliver me thy silver and thy gold and thy wives and thy children f Although I did before demand not onely the dominion of thy Treasures and Wives and Children as thou maist seem to understand me but also the Propriety and actual Possession of them wherewith I would then have been contented 6 Yet I will send my servants unto thee to morrow about this time and they shall search thine house and the houses of thy servants and it shall be that whatsoever is ‡ Heb. desirable pleasant in thine eyes they shall put it in their hand and take it away g Yet now I will not accept of those terms but together with thy Royal Treasures I expect all the Treasures of thy Servants or Subjects nor will I wait till thou deliver them to me but I will send my Servants into the City and they shall have free liberty and power to search out and take away all which they desire and this to prevent fraud and delay and then I will grant thee a peace 7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land h Whose counsel and concurrence he now desires in his distress and said Mark I pray you and see how this man seeketh mischief i Though he pretended Peace and a Friendly Agreement upon these terms propounded it is apparent by those additional demands That he intends nothing less than our utter ruin for he sent unto me for my wives and for my children and for my silver and for my gold and ‡ Heb. I kept not back frâ—… him I denied him not k I granted his demands in the sense before mentioned 8 And all the elders and all the people said unto him Hearken not unto him nor consent 9 Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Ben-hadad Tell my lord the king All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do but this thing I may not do l If I would do it I cannot because my people will not suffer it And the messengers departed and brought him word again 10 And Ben-hadad sent unto him and said * Chap. 19. 2. The gods do so unto me and more also if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my feet follow me m If I do not assault thy City with so potent and numerous an Army that shall turn all thy City into an heap of Dust and shall be sufficient to carry it all away though every Soldier take but one handful of it See the like boast 2 Sam. 17. 13. 11 â—…nd the king of Israel answered and said Tell him Let not him that girdeth on his harnesâ—… boast himself as he that putteth it off n Do not Triumph before the Fight and Victory for the Events of War are uncertain 12 And it came to pass when Benhadad heard this ‡
for chariot and we will fight against them in the plain and surely we shall be stronger than they And he hearkned unto their voice and did so 26 And it came to pass at the return of the year that Benhadad numbred the Syrians and went up to Aphek l Not that in Iudah of which Iosh. 13. 4. and 15. 53. but that in Asher of which Iosh. 19. 30. Iudg. 1. 31. nigh unto which was the great Plain of Galilee And this seems to be one of those Cities which Benhadad's Father had taken from Israel ver 34. Here also the Syrians might Retreat if they should be worsted ‡ Heb. to the War with Israel to fight against Israel 27 And the children of Israel were numbred and ‖ Or were Victualled were all present m i. e. All the Forces of the Israelites were here gathered together to oppose the Syrians so if those had been Conquered all had been lost and went against them n Being perswaded and encouraged so to do partly to prevent the Mischiefs of a Siege in Samaria and the waste of all the rest of their Country and partly by the remembrance of their former Success and an expectation of the same Assistance from God again and the children of Israel pitched before them o Probably upon some Hilly Ground where they might secure themselves and watch for Advantage against their Enemies which may be the reason why the Syrians â—…rst not Assault them before the Seventh Day ver 29. like two little flocks of kids p i. e. Few and Weak and Heartless being also for conveniency of Fighting and that they might seem to be more than they were divided into Two Bodies but the Syrians filled the country 28 ¶ And there came a man of God and spake unto the king of Israel and said Thus â—…aith the LORD Because the Syrians have said q Which he knew either by common Report strengthned by their present choice of a Plain Ground for the Battel or rather by Revelation from God who discovered their secret Counsels 2 King 6. 12. The LORD is God of the hills but he is not God of the valleys therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand and ye shall know that I am the LORD r To wit The Universal Lord of all Places and Persons and Things 29 And they pitched one over against the other seven days and so it was that in the seventh day the battel was joyned and the children of Israel â—…low of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day 30 But the rest fled to Aphek in the city and the wall s Or the walls the Singular Number for the Plural than which nothing more frequent of the City or of some great Castle or Fort in or near the City in which they were now Fortifying themselves or of some part of the City where they lay Which might possibly happen through Natural Causes but most probably was Effected by the Mighty Power of God then sending some sudden Earthquake or violent Storm of Wind which threw down the Wall or Walls upon them or doing this by the Ministry of Angels Which cannot be incredible to any Man except to him that denies the Truth of all the Miracles Recorded in the Old and New Testament which being Attested many of them by Iews and Heathens it is the height of Folly and Impudence to deny For if ever Miracle was to be Wrought now seems to have been the proper time and season for it when the Blasphemous Syrians denied the Soveraign and Infinite Power of God and thereby in some fort obliged him for his own Honour to give a Proof of it and to shew That he was the God of the Plains as well as of the Mountains and that he could as effectually Destroy them in their strongest Holds as in the open Fields and make the very Walls to whose strength they trusted for their Defence to be the Instruments of their Ruine But it may be further observed that it is not said That all these were killed by the fall of this Wall but onely that the wall fell upon them Killing some and Wounding others as is usual in those Cases Nor is it necessary that the Wall should fall upon every Individual Person but it is sufficient to justifie this Phrase if it fell upon the main Body of them for the Words in the Hebrew run thus the Wall fell upon 27000 not of the men that are left as we render it but which were left of that great Army fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left and Benhadad fled and came into the city t Either 1. Out of the Fields as the rest of his Army did Which is distinctly and particularly noted of him because he was the most Eminent Person in it and the Head of it Compare the Title of Psal. 18. Or 2. Aâ—… and from the noise and report of that Terrible Fall of the Wall or Walls which possily might be in the outside or Suburbs of the City from whence he â—…led further into the City ‖ Or from chamber to chamber ‡ Heb. unto a chamber within a chamber into an inner chamber u Or a chamber within a chamber where he supposed he might lye hid till he had an opportunity of making an Escape or of obtaining Mercy 31 ¶ And his servants said unto him Behold now we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings x More merciful than others because that Religion which they had professed taught them Humanity and obliged them to shew Mercy let us I pray thee put sackcloth on our loins and ropes upon our heads y As a testimony of our sorrow for undertaking this War and that we have justly forfeited our Lives for it which we submit to their mercy 〈◊〉 and go out to the king of Israel peradventure he will save thy life 32 So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads and came to the king of Israel and said Thy servant Benhadad saith I pray thee let me live And he said Is he yet alive he is my brother z I do not onely freely Pardon him but Honour and Love him as my Brother 33 Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him and did hastily catch it a Or they took that Word for a good token and made haste and snatched it i. e. that Word from him i. e. from his mouth they repeated the word again to try whether the King would own it or it onely drop't casually from him or made haste to know whether it was from him i. e. Whether he spoke this from his heart or onely in dissimulation or design for it seemed too good news to be true and they said Thy brother Benhadad b Understand liveth for that he enquired after ver 32. Then he said
14. 10. â—… King 9. 8. I will bring evil upon thee and will take away thy posterity and will cut off from Ahab * Sam. 25. 22. him that pisseth against the wall and * Chap. 14. 10. him that is shut up and left in Israel e Of which see on chap. 14. 10. 22 And will make thine house like the house of * Chap. 15. 29. Jeroboam the son of Nebat and like the house of * Chap. 16. 3. Baasha the son of Ahijah for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger and made Israel to sin 23 And * â—… Kin. 9. 36. 〈◊〉 ditch of Jezabel also spake the LORD saying The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the ‖ wall f Or by the ditch or fort or in the portion as it is explained 2 King 9. 36. the Hebrew chel here being put for chelek used there by an Apocope of the last Hebrew Letter which is not unusual in the Hebrew Tongue of Jezreel 24 * Chap. 14. 11. and 16. 4. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat 25 ¶ But there was none like unto Ahab g None among all the Kings of Israel which had been before him which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD whom Jezebel his wife ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stirred up h This is added to shew that temptations to sin are no excuse to the sinner 26 And he did very abominably in following idols according to all things as did the Amorites i i. e. The seven Nations of Canaan all called by this name as Gen. 15. 16. and 48. 22. Amos 2. 9 10. whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel 27 And it came to pass when Ahab heard those words that he rent his clothes and put sackcloth upon his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went softly k i. e. Slowly and silently after the manner of mourners or those who are under a great consternation and in deep consideration 28 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite saying 29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me because he humbleth himself before me l i. e. In my presence and upon my threatning But this humiliation or repentance of Ahab's was onely external and superficial arising from the terror of Gods Judgments and not sincere and serious proceeding from the Love of God or a true sense of his sin or a solemn purpose of amendment of his Life as appears because all the particulars of his repentance here ver 27. are external and ritual onely nor is there the least intimation of any one sign or fruit of his true repentance as that he restored Naboth's Land or reproved his infamous Wife but in the very next Chapter you find him returning to his former Vomit hating and threatning the Lods Prophets c. I will not bring the evil m i. e. The Judgment threatned both that ver 19. which was not inflicted upon Ahab with so much ignominy and with that particular signature of Gods vengeance that it was to be done in the same place as it was upon his Son Ioram and especially that ver 21 22 which was wholly suspended until his Sons days in his days but * â—… Kin. 9. 25. in his sons days will I bring the evil upon his house CHAP. XXII AND they a The Syrians and Israelites designed in the following words continued three years b Computed from the last War and League wherewith it was concluded because both Ahab and Benhadad were so weakned and broken by the late Wars that they needed and desired Peace to recruit themselves and repair their former losses without war between Syria and Israel 2 And it came to pass in the third year that * 2 Chron. 18. 1 c. Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel c Having now as he supposed made a firm Peace with Ahab by the Alliance contracted between Ioram his Son and Athaliah Ahab's Daughter Of which see 2 King 8. 18. 2 Chron. 18. 1. 3 And the king of Israel said unto his servants Know ye that * 1 Chr. 6 73. Ramoth in Gilead is ours d i. e. Belongeth to us by right both by Gods Donation and designation of it for a City of refuge Ios. 21. 38. and by our last agreement with Benhadad 1 King 20. 34. which he refuseth to deliver up to us upon our demand and we be ‡ Heb. â—…lent from taking it still and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria 4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat Wilt thou go with me to battel to Ramoth-gilead And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel * 2 King 3â—… I am as thou art my people as thy people my horses as thy horses e I will heartily and effectually joyn with thee and my Forces shall be at thy service as much as thine own 5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel Enquire f By some Prophet that we may know the mind of God in it and what success we may expect This was the practise of the Godly See Iudg. 1. 1. and 20. 28. 1 Sam. 23. 2. I pray thee at the word of the LORD to day 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets g Which doubtless were his own false Prophets or the Priests of Baal probably those very 400 Men whom Iezabel preserved from that great slaughter chap. 18. who yet gave in their Answer in the Name of Iehovah not of Baal either in compliance with Iehoshaphat or rather by Ahab's direction that good Iehoshaphat might be deceived by them into a good opinion of the War together about four hundred men and said unto them Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battel or shall I forbear And they said Go up for the LORD shall deliver it unto the hand of the king 7 And Jehoshaphat said Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides h Besides these who may seem to be such by your opinion and their own profession but I desire further satisfaction from some other Prophet that we might enquire of him 8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat There is yet one i To wit in this place for whom I can speedily send for there were also other Prophets elsewhere in the Kingdom as Elijah Elisha and others but these were not at hand for the present occasion man Micaiah k Not one of the 12 Prophets who lived about 150 Years after this time but another of that name the son of Imlah by whom we may enquire of the LORD but I hate him for he doth not prophesie good concerning me but evil l He is always a messenger of evil tidings which was true but no sufficient reason why he should hate him
because Micaiah was purely Gods instrument in all his messages and whatsoever evil he threatned Ahab himself was the cause and procurer of it And Jehoshaphat said Let not the king say so m Do not presage evil to our enterprize let us neither hate his person nor despise his message but first hear it and then do as we see cause 9 Then the king of Israel called an ‖ Or Eunuch officer and said Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah 10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne having put on their robes n Their Royal Robes and Ensigns of Majesty in a ‡ Heb. floor void place o In the place of Judicature which was in or nigh the Gate of the City and in the front of some void place where either People stood to hear and see Justice Administred or Soldiers were placed for the defence of the City in time of War in the entrance of the gate of Samaria and all the prophets prophesied before them 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron p Fit Emblems of the Power and Victory of these two Kings The Devil is Gods Ape and the false Prophets sometimes imitating the true who when they declared Gods mind by words did also oftentimes confirm it by sensible signs See Isa. 20. 2. Ier. 27. 2. and he said Thus saith the LORD q Heb. Iehovah whose Name he pretends to gain the more credit and countenance to his words See on v. 7. With these shalt thou push the Syrians until thou have consumed them 12 And all the prophets prophesied so saying Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper for the LORD shall deliver it into the kings hand 13 And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him saying Behold now the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth let thy word I pray thee be like the word of one of them and speak that which is good r This he designs not out of any Love to Micaiah whom he persuades to debauch his Conscience but meerly out of a desire to gratify his Kings humour 14 And Micaiah said As the LORD liveth what the LORD saith unto me s What answer God shall put into my mind and mouth which it seems was not yet done that will I speak 15 ¶ So he came to the king and the king said unto him Micaiah shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battel or shall we forbear And he answered him t Not seriously but ironically using the very words of the false Prophets in way of derision As appears First From his omission of that Solemn Preface Thus saith the Lord or this is the word of the Lord which the Prophets generally used and which himself useth when he comes to his serious answer v. 19. Secondly From Ahab's reply ver 16. which shews that he suspected Micaiah's sincerity in that answer and gathered by his gesture or manner of speaking that he spake onely mimically as representing and traducing the false Prophets for their answer See the like Ironical passages Gen. 3. 22. Iudg. 10. 14. 1 King 18. 27. Eccles. 11. 9. Ezek. 20. 39. Amos 4. 4 5. All which expressions are not used to lead Men into mistakes but to bring them to the sight of their sin and duty which may be done sometimes most efficaciously in this way So Micaiah's meaning is plainly this Because thou dost not seek to know the truth but onely to please thy self go to the Battel as all thy Prophets advise thee and expect the success which they promise thee and try the truth of their Prediction by thy own costly experience Go and prosper for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king 16 And the king said unto him How many times shall I adjure thee u I adjure thee again and again that thou give over this mockery and seriously tell me the mind of God in this matter that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the Name of the LORD 17 And he said I saw x In the Spirit or in a Vision all Israel * Matth. 9. 36. scattered upon the hills y Upon the Mountains of Gilead nigh Ramoth either where they lay encamped by Ahab's order or to which they fled from the Enemy esteeming that the safest place See Matth. 24. 16. as sheep that have not a shepherd z As People who have lost their King See Numb 27. 17. Isa. 40. 11. and 44. 28. Ezek. 34. 23. And the LORD said These have no master let them return every man to his house in peace a Discharged from the War which was fulfilled v. 26. 18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat Did I not tell thee that he would prophesie no good concerning me but evil b Now thou seest my words verified and this man shewing his hatred by this malignant and treasonable Prophecy and how little heed is to be given to his words Which crafty insinuation seems to have had too great an influence upon good Iehoshaphat otherwise he would never have gone to the Battel 19 And he said Hear thou therefore c Because thou givest credit to thy false Prophets and distrustest my words as if they were but the suggestions of my own fancy and hatred of thy Person I will give thee a distinct and true account of the whole matter in Gods Name and Presence the word of the LORD I saw d By the eyes of my mind for he could not see the Lord with bodily eyes the LORD sitting on his throne and * Job 1. 6. and 2. 1. Dan. 7. 10. Zech. 4. 10. Matth. 18. 10. Heb. 1. 7 14. all the host of heaven e i. e. The Angels who are oft called Gods host or hosts because of their great number excellent order and constant readiness to attend upon God and to execute his Commands See Gen. 2. 1. Psal. 103. 21. and 148. 2. These Angels were both good and bad the one possibly on his right the other on his left hand Nor is it strange that the Devils are called the host of heaven if you consider First That their original seat was in Heaven and men in Scripture are oft called by the name of the place from whence they came Secondly That the name of heaven is oft given to all that part of the World which is above the Earth and among the rest to the Air as Gen. 1. 20. and 7. 11. and 8. 2. and 27. 28. Deut. 4. 11. and 11. 11. where the Devils residence and dominion lies Eph. 2. 2. and that both Michael and his Angels and the Dragon and his Angels are said to be and to wage war in heaven Revel 12. 7. i. e. either the Air or the Church And this place is not to be understood as if Micaiah had seen with his bodily eyes the Lord
and his Angels sitting in the third Heaven but that he saw a representation of the Divine Presence in the Air attended with good and bad Angels standing by him f In the posture of Ministers to receive and execute his Commands on his right hand and on his left 20 And the LORD said Who shall ‖ Or deceive perswade Ahab g This is not to be grosly understood as if God did ask and take counsel from his Creatures or were at a loss to find out an expedient to accomplish his own Will did consider several ways and then close with that which upon debate appeared to be best all which it is ridiculous to imagine concerning a God of perfect and infinite knowledge but onely to bring down Divine things to our shallow capacities and to express the various means which God hath to execute his own Designs that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead And one said on this manner and another said on that manner 21 And there came forth a spirit h An evil spirit came out of the knot or company of them standing possibly on the left had and presented himself before the Throne as having something to say to the Lord. and stood before the LORD and said I will perswade him 22 And the LORD said unto him Wherewith And he said I will go forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets k I will inspire a lye into the minds and mouths of his Prophets And he said * Judg. 9. 23. Thou shalt perswade him and prevail also l I will give them up into thy hands and blind their minds and leave them to their own ignorance and wickedness which will certainly lead them into dreadful mistakes go forth and do so m This is not a command but onely a permission which is oft expressed in the Imperative Mood as 1 Sam. 16. 10. Matth. 8. 22. Ioh. 13. 27. I will not hinder thee from tempting them nor give them Grace to withstand their temptation whereby thou maist be assured of success 23 Now therefore behold the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee 24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah n The chief of the false Prophets who was much in the Kings favour upon which he now presumed went near and smote Micaiah on the cheek o In way of contempt and scorn Iob 16. 10. Ier. 20. 2. Lament 3. 30. Mark 14. 65. and said * 2 Câ—… 18. 〈◊〉 Which way went the spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee p i. e. In what manner went it Forasmuch as I and my Brethren have consulted the Lord and answered in his Name and have the same spirit which thon pretendest to have and not a lying spirit as thou dost falsly and maliciously affirm How is it possible that the same spirit should tell us one thing and thee the quite contrary 25 And Micaiah said Behold thou shalt see in that day when thou shalt go ‖ Or from chamber to chamber into ‡ Heb. a chamber in a chamber an inner chamber to hide thy self q Out of a just fear and expectation of the deserved punishment of a false Prophet and of the great Author and Abettor of this pernicious War and of Ahab's destruction 26 And the king of Israel said Take Micaiah and carry him back r To wit into Prison where it seems he was before shut up for so the Lords Prophets were used by Ahab And some think he was the deliverer of that unwelcome message â—…hap 20. 41 42. unto Amon the governour of the city and to Joash the kings son 27 And say Thus saith the king Put this fellow in the prison and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction s i. e. With a very course and sparing Diet whereby he may be onely supported to endure his torment See Deut. 16. 3. 2 Chr. 18. 26. Isa. 30. 20. until I come in peace t Until I return in triumph which I doubt not I shall do in spight of all his malicious suggestions to the contrary and then I shall call him to an account for all his lyes and impudence 28 And Micaiah said If thou return at all in peace the LORD hath not spoken by me u I acknowledge my self to be an Impostor and to deserve Death And he said x i. e. Micaiah the person last named being assured of the truth of his Prophecy calls all the people to be witnesses of it Hearken O people every one of you 29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah y Who though a good man yet was easily deceived in this matter partly because Micaiah was a person unknown to him and both he and the other Prophets pretending to give their answer in the Name of the Lord it seemed hard to him to determine the controversy which onely the event could decide and therefore it is no wonder if he was overborn by the vast disproportion of 400 Prophets to one and by his Relation and Obligation and Affection to Ahab and partly because the War was Just and Lawful to recover his own rights which the Syrian King unjustly detained from him went up to Ramoth-gilead 30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat ‖ Or when he was to disguise himself and enter into the battel I will disguise my self z i. e. Put off my Imperial habit that the Syrians may not know me and direct their main Force against me which they will assuredly endeavour as knowing that this War proceedeth from me and is likely to die with me and then thou shalt see that this Man is a false Prophet and I shall have the success which I desire and expect notwithstanding all his presages and enter into the battel but put thou on thy robes a Thy Royal Robes which thou maist do without any danger because thou art not the object either of the Syrians rage or of this false Prophecy And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battel 31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots b And the men that fought from them or with them i. e. his whole Army Possibly the Chariots and the whole Army were distributed into thirty two several parts and each Captain ruled those Chariots and Soldiers attending upon them which fell to his share saying Fight neither with small nor great save onely with the king of Israel c This he ordered either in Policy truly supposing this to be the best way to put an end to the War or with design to take him Prisoner that thereby he might wipe out the stain of his own Captivity and recover the honour and advantage which then he lost or
against the Holy Ghost That they might be guilty of many other hainous Crimes which God and the Prophet knew and were guilty of Idolatry which by Gods Law deserved death that the Idolatrous Parents were punished in their Children and that if any of these Children were more innocent and ignorant of what they said God might have Mercy upon their Souls and then this death was not a misery but a real blessing to them that they were taken away from that wicked and Idolatrous Education which was most likely to expose them not onely to Temporal but to an Eternal destruction in the Name of the LORD m Not from any carnal or revengeful passion but by the motion of Gods Spirit and by Gods command and commission as appears by Gods concurrence with him Which God did partly for the terror and caution of all other Idolaters and prophane persons who abounded in that place partly to vindicate the Honour and maintain the Authority of his Prophets and particularly of Elisha now especially in the beginning of his Sacred Ministry And this did beget such a confidence in Elisha that he durst venture to go into Bethel after this was done and such a terror in the Bethelites that they durst not avenge themselves of him and there came forth two she-bears n Possibly robbed of their Whelps and therefore more fierce Prov. 17. 12. Hos. 13. 8. but certainly acted by an extraordinary fury which God raised in them for this purpose out of the wood and tare forty and two children o This Hebrew word signifies not onely young Children but those also who are grown up to maturity as Gen. 32. 22. and 34. 4. and 37. 30. Ruth 1. 5. of them 25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel p Partly to decline the fury of the People of Bethel partly that he might retire himself from men and converse more freely with God and so fit himself more for the discharge of his employment and partly that he might visit the Sons of the Prophets who lived in that place or near it and from thence he returned to Samaria q By the direction of Gods Spirit for the service which he did chap. 3. 11 c. CHAP. III. NOw Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah a Quest. How can this be true when Ahaziah Iehoram's predecessor who Reigned two Years began his Reign in Iehoshaphat's 17th Year 1 King 22. 51 Ans. Either Ahaziah Reigned the greatest part of two Years to wit of the 17th and 18th Years of Iehoshaphat parts of Years being oft called years in the computation of times both in Scripture and other Authors and Iehoram began his Reign towards the end of his 18th Year or Ahaziah Reigned part of this two Years with his Father and the rest after him and reigned twelve years 2 And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD but not like his father and like his mother for he put away the ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 image of Baal * 1 King 16. 31 32. that his father had made b Not from any principle of Conscience for that would have reached the Calves also but either because he was startled at the dreadful Judgments of God inflicted upon his Father and Brother for Baal-worship or because he needed Gods help to subdue the Moabites which he knew Baal could not do or to gratify Iehoshaphat whose help he meant to crave which he knew he should never obtain without this and for this reason it seems Iezabel was willing to connive at it as a trick of State 3 Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam c i. e. The worship of the Calves which all the Kings of Israel kept up as a Wall of partition between their Subjects and those of Iudah Thus he shews that his Religion was over-ruled by his Interest and Policy the son of Nebat which made Israel to sin he departed not therefrom 4 ¶ And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master d A man of great wealth which in those times and places consisted much in Cattel which enabled and emboldned him to Rebel against his Sovereign Lord. and rendred unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs and an hundred thousand rams with the wool 5 But it came to pass when * Ahab was dead that the king of Moab rebelled e See of this ch 1. 1. It is here repeated to make way for the following Story Ahaziah did not attempt the recovery of Moab either because he was a man of a low spirit and courage or because his Sickness or the shortness of his Reign gave not opportunity for it against the king of Israel 6 ¶ And king Jehoram went out of Samaria f To some place appointed for the Rendezvous of his people the same time and numbred all Israel g To wit such as were fit for War 7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah saying The king of Moab hath rebelled against me wilt thou go with me against Moab to battel and he said I will go up I am as thou art my people as thy people and my horses as thy horses h Of which see on 1 King 22. 4. He joyns with him in this War partly because the War was very just in it self and convenient for Iehoshaphat both in the general that Rebels and Revolters should be chastised and suppressed lest the example should pass into his Dominions and the Edomites should be hereby encouraged to revolt from him as they did from his Son and in particular that the Moabites should be humbled who had with others Invaded his Land before this time 2 Chron. 20. 1. and might do so again if they were not brought low for which a fair opportunity was now offered to him and partly because Iehoram had reformed some things and Iehoshaphat hoped by this means to engage him to proceed further in that work 8 And he i Either Iehoshaphat or rather Ioram for the following answer may seem to be Iehoshaphat's said Which way shall we go up And he answered The way through the wilderness of Edom k Which though it was much the longer way yet they thought it best partly to secure the King or Vice-Roy of Edom of whom they might have some suspition from that passage 2 Chron. 20. 22. and to carry both him and his Soldiers along with them into the War both to get their assistance and to prevent them from making a War of diversion against Iudah whilst Iehoshaphat was engaged against Moab and partly that they might invade Moab on their weakest side and where they least expected them God also thus disposed their hearts to make way for the following miracle 9 So the king of Israel went and the king of Judah and the king of Edom l i. e. The Vice-Roy under Iehoshaphat 1 King 22. 47.
most probable and they went to their master So the bands of Syria came no more f Either 1. In such a manner to wit in small Bands or Companies which might be Entrapped as these had been but their next Attempt was by an open and solemn War and a Conjunction of all their Forces which they still ridiculously conceited would be too hard for the King and Prophet and God of Israel notwithstanding their multiplied Experiences to the contrary Or 2. For some considerable time until the Terror of these Examples was got out of their minds into the land of Israel 24 ¶ And it came to pass after this that Benhadad king of Syria g He whom Ahab wickedly and foolishly spared 1 King 20. 42. who now comes to requite Ahab's kindness and to fulfil that Divine Prediction Benhadad was a name very frequent among the Kings of Syria 1 King 15. 18 c. and Chap. 13. 24. 2 King 13. 3 24. If not common to them all See Ier. 49. 27. Amos 1. 4. gathered all his host and went up and besieged Samaria 25 And there was a great famine in Samaria and behold they besieged it until an asses head was sold for fourscore pieces h Supposed to be Shekels and the common Shekel being valued at fifteen pence of English Money this amounts to five pounds A vast price especially for that which had on it so little Meat and that unwholsome and unclean by Law Levit. 11. 13. though necessity might seem to excuse their violation of that Law of silver and the fourth part of a kab i A measure containing 24 Eggs. of doves dung k Which they used not for Fire for he is speaking here onely of the scarcity of Food but for Food Which if it seem incredible it must be considered First That Famine hath constrained People to eat things as improper and unfit for nourishment as this as dry Leather and Mans Dung as is implied Isa. 36. 12. and affirmed by grave Historians Secondly That some Creatures do usually eat the Dung of others 3dly That Doves Dung though it be hotter than ordinary might in other respects be fitter for nourishment than other as being made of the best and purest Grains and having some moisture in it c. Fourthly That this Hebrew word being of an obscure and doubtful signification and no where else used may be and is by Learned Men otherwise rendred and understood either first of the Corn which is found in the Crops of Doves or secondly of the Guts and other inwards of Doves or rather thirdly of a sort of cicer or pease which in the Arabick Language which is near a kin to the Hebrew and from which many words are explained is called Doves Dung for this was a Food much in use amongst the poorer Israelites and was by all esteemed a very course Food and therefore fit to be joyned with an Asses head and a kab was the usual Measure of all sorts of Grains and Fruits of that sort for five pieces of silver 26 And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall l To give necessary order for the Defence of the City against Assaults and to see if the several Guards were watchful and diligent and if his directions were executed and to observe the motions of the Enemy there cried a woman unto him saying Help my lord O king 27 And he said ‖ Or Let 〈◊〉 the Lord save thee If the LORD do not help thee m Or let not God help thee as some both ancient and late Interpreters render the words So they are words of Impatience and Rage and a formal Curse wishing that God would not help her as he could not as Iosephus amongst others understand it which agrees too well with the Character of the Man an Infidel and Idolater and a wicked Man and at this time in a great Rage as appears from ver 31. Or they may be rendred thus No as this Hebrew Particle is sometimes used as Iob 20. 17. Psal. 34. 5. and 41. 2. and 50. 3. Prov. 3. 3 25. and 31. 4. let the Lord help thee So it may be taken Either First As a direction No do not cry to me but to God for help God help thee for I cannot Or rather Secondly As a prophane scoff No come not to me but go to him to whom Elisha directs you Pray to the Lord you see how ready he is to help you by his suffering you to come to this extremity wait upon God for relief as Elisha adviseth me but I will wait no longer for him ver 33. and I will take a course with Elisha for thus abusing both me and my people with vain hopes Or thus the Lord on whom forsooth thou and I are commanded to wait for help will not help thee as he could easily do and would do if he were so good as Elisha pretends whence then shall I help thee whence shall I help thee out of the barn-floor or out of the wine-press n Dost thou ask of me Corn or Wine which I want for my self 28 And the king said unto her What aileth thee And she answered This woman said unto me Give thy son that we may eat him to day and we will eat my son to morrow 29 So * Deut. 28. 53 57. we boiled my son and did eat him o A dreadful Judgment threatned to them in case of their Apostacy Deut. 28. 56 57. in which they were now deeply plunged Compare Ezek. 5. 10. and I said unto her on the ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 next day Give thy son that we may eat him and she hath hid her son p Either that she might eat him alone or rather that she might save him from Death her Bowels yearning towards him and her hunger being in great measure satisfied 30 ¶ And it came to pass when the king heard the words of the woman that he rent his clothes q Partly in Grief for such an horrid Fact and partly through Indignation at the Prophet ver 31. and he passed by upon the wall and the people r Who were in great numbers upon the Wall either to defend the City or rather to seek for relief from the Soldiers for whose Provisions the King doubtless took special care as it was necessary for the preservation of the place looked and behold he had sackcloth within upon his flesh s Under his inner Garments in token of his sorrow and with a pretence of humiliation which he would shew by outward signs as his Father Ahab had done not without some advantage to himself 1 King 21. 27 28 29. 31 Then he said * Ruth 1. 17. God do so and more also to me if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day t If I do not this day take his head and life This wretched and partial Prince overlooks his own great and various sins and
the baseness and cowardise of their King but meerly from the Righteous and Dreadful Judgment of God who was now resolved to reckon with them for their filthy Apostacy are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel 9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers and they buried him in Samaria and Joash his son reigned in his stead 10 ¶ In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah o By which compared with v. 1. it may be gathered that Iehoahaz had two or three Years before his death made his Son Iehoash King with him which is very probable because he was perpetually in the state of War and consequently in danger of an untimely death and because he was a Man of valour as is implied here ver 12. and declared 2 Chron 25. began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria and reigned sixteen years 11 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nabat who made Israel sin but he walked therein 12 And the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel 13 And Joash slept with his fathers and Jeroboam sat upon his throne and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel 14 ¶ Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died and Joash the king of Israel came down unto him and wept over his face p Noâ—… for any true Love and Respect to him for then he would have followed his counsel in forsaking the Calves and returning to the Lord but for his own and the Kingdoms inestimable loss in him and said O my father my father the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof q See 2 King 2. 12. 15 And Elisha said unto him Take bow and arrows And he took unto him bow and arrows 16 And he said to the king of Israel ‡ Heb. Make thine hand to ride Put thine hand upon the bow And he put his hand upon it and Elisha put his hands upon the kings hands 17 And he said Open the window east-ward r Either towards Syria which lay North-East-ward from the Land of Israel or towards the Israelites Land beyond Iordan which lay East-ward from Canaan and which was now possessed by the Syrians Either way this Arrow is shot against the Syrians as a token what God intended to do against them and he opened it Then Elisha said Shoot and he shot And he said The arrow of the LORDS deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek s Not in the City but in the Territory of it where it seems there was a great Battel to be fought between the Israelites and Syrians Of Aphek see 1 Sam. 4. 1. and 29. 1 1 King 20. 30. though it is possible there might be several Cities of that name Or as in Aphek i. e. thou shalt smite them as they were smitten in the City and Territory of Aphek i. e. utterly destroy them See 1 King 20. 26 29 30. the Particle as being oft understood as hath been formerly and frequently proved till thou have consumed them t i. e. The Syrians not all that people but their Armies or at least that which was to be at Aphek where a dreadful Battel was to be fought Or if this be meant of all the Syrian Armies this is to be understood conditionally if he did not hinder it by his unbelief or neglect signified in the following Verses 18 And he said Take the arrows and he took them And he said unto the king of Israel Smite upon the ground u The former sign portended Victory and this was to declare the number of the Victories and he smote thrice and stayed 19 And the man of God was wroth with him and said Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice x Quest. Wherein was Iehoash his fault or why was the Propher angry with him Ans. The Prophet himself did not yet know how many Victories Iehoash should obtain against the Syrians but God had signified to him that he should learn that by the number of the Kings strokes And he was angry with him not simply because he smote onely thrice but because by his unbelief and Idolatry he provoked God so to over-rule his heart and hand that he should smite but thrice which was a token that God would assist him no further Although his smiting but thrice might proceed either from his unbelief or negligence For by the former sign and the Prophets Comment upon it he might clearly perceive that this also was intended as a sign of his success against the Syrians and therefore he ought to have done it frequently and vehemently 20 ¶ And Elisha died and they buried him y In or near Samaria and the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year z In the Spring when the Fruits of the Earth grew ripe 21 And it came to pass as they were burying Or were about to bury as that Particle is oft used in the Hebrew Tongue a man that behold they spied a band of men a Coming towards them but at some distance and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha b Not daring to carry the dead Corps further to the place appointed for his burial they made use of the next burying-place where Elisha was buried and there they removed some Stone or opened some Door and hastily flung down their dead Corps there and when the man c i. e. The mans dead Body or the Coffin in which he was put ‡ Heb. went down was let down and touched the bones of Elisha d Which might easily be the Coffin and Linen in which Elisha's Body was put and the Flesh of his Body being now consumed for this was some considerable time after his death he revived and stood up on his feet e Which Miracle God wrought there partly to do honour to that great Prophet and that by this Seal he might confirm his Doctrine and thereby confute the false Doctrine and Worship of the Israelites partly to strengthen the Faith of Ioash and of the Israelites in his promise of their success against the Syrians and partly in the midst of all their Calamities to comfort such Israelites as were Elisha's followers with the hopes of that Eternal life whereof this was a manifest pledge and to awaken the rest of that people to a due care and preparation for it 22 ¶ But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz 23 And the LORD was gracious unto them and
had compassion on them and had respect unto them because of his covenant with Abraham Isaac and Jacob and would not destroy them neither cast he them from his ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 presence f i. e. From the Land of Canaan to which the presence and publick and solemn Worship of God was confined as yet 24 So Hazael king of Syria died and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead 25 And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 ed and â—…ook took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war three times did Joash beat him g According to the Prediction above v. 19. and recovered the cities of Israel CHAP. XIV IN the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel a i. e. After he began to Reign alone for he Reigned two or three Years with his Farther Oâ—… which see on chap. 13. 10. reigned * 2 Câ—… 〈◊〉 Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah 2 He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign and reigned twenty and nine years b To wit 14 Years with Ioash King of Israel who Reigned onely 16 Years chap. 13. 10. and 15 Years after the death of Ioash or with Ieroboam the Son of Ioash as is affirmed here ver 17. and 2 Chron. 25. 25. in Jerusalem and his mothers name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem 3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD c That which was in some sort agreeable to Gods Will. yet not like David his father d Not sincerely 2 Chron. 25. 2. he did according to all things as Joash his father did e i. e. For a time served God aright but afterwards fell to Idolatry 1 Chron. 25. 14. as Ioash had done 2 King 12. 3. 4 Howbeit f Though he did right c. for this Particle is to be joyned with those words the rest being to be closed with a Parenthesis the high places were not taken away as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places 5 ¶ And it came to pass assoon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand that he slew his servants * Chap. 12 〈◊〉 which had slain the king his father Whereby it is implied that his Fathers Murderers had powerful Friends and Abetrors and that their Fact was in some sort approved by the generality of the People to whom Ioash had made himself hateful by his Apostacy to Idolatry and by his ingratitude to the House of Iehoiada 6 But the children of the murderer he slew not g Wherein he shewed some Faith and Courage that he would obey this Command of God though it was very hazardous to himself such persons being likely to seek revenge for their Fathers death according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses wherein the LORD commanded saying * Deut. 24. 〈◊〉 Ezek. 18 〈◊〉 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children nor the children be put to death for the fathers but every man shall be put to death for his own sin 7 He slew of Edom h i. e. Of the Edomites or the children of Seir as they are called 2 Chron. 25. â—… 1. either because they dwelt in Seir See Gen. 36. 8. or because these people were confederates And he invaded these People because they were Subjects to his Kingdom from which they had revolted in Ioram's days 2 King 8. 20. in the valley of salt i Which was the Land of Edom Of which see 2 Sam. 8. 13. Psal. 60. 2. ten thousand and took ‖ Selah k Or the rock the chief City of that part of Arabia called by other Authors Petra which signifies a rock because it was built upon a Rock â—… Chron. 25. 12 by war and called the Or the rock name of it Joktheel l Which signifies the obedience of God i. e. given him by God as a reward of his Obeidence to Gods Message by the Prophet 2 Chron. 25. 8 9. unto this day 8 ¶ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel saying Come let us look one another in the face m Let us fight personally and with our Armies This challenge he sent partly upon the late and great inâ—…uries done by the Israelites to his people 2 Chron. 25. 10 13. and partly from self-confidence and a desire of advancing his Glory and Empire by his Arms. 9 And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah saying The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon n By the thistle a low and contemptible yet troublesome Shrub he understands Amaziah and by the cedar himself whom he intimates to be far stronger than he and out of his reach saying Give thy daughter to my son to wife o Let us make a match i. e. let us fight Onely he expresseth this Bloody work in a civil manner as Amaziah had done ver 8. and as Abner did 2 Sam. 2. 14. Or let thy Kingdom and mine be United under one King as formerly they were and let us decide it by a pitched Battel whether thou or I shall be that King Or as some expound it by affirming That it was great arrogancy and presumption for him to desire a Friendly League or Affinity with him he leaves him to guess how intolerable it was that he should undertake to wage War against him and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trode down the thistle p And with no less ease shall my Soldiers tread down thee and thy Forces 10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom and thine heart hath lifted thee up glory of this q Content thy self with that Glory and Success and let not thine Ambition betray thee to ruin and tarry ‡ 〈◊〉 at thy 〈◊〉 at home for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt that thou shouldest fall even thou and Judah with thee 11 But Amaziah would not hear r Because God blinded and hardned him to his destruction for his abominable and ridiculous Idolatry 2 Chron. 25. 10. therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up s To wit into the Kingdom of Iudah carrying the War into his Enemies Countrey and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemesh which belongeth to Judah t Which is added to distinguish it from that Bethshemesh in Issachar and another in Naphthali Ios. 19. 22 38. 12 And Judah ‡ Heb. was 〈◊〉 was put to the worse before Israel and they fled u Being unsatisfied in the ground and manner of the quarrel and discouraged by their Kings Idolatry and smitten by God with a spirit of fear every man to their tents 13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah
which by a Synecdoche are contained under this one kind Thus their Spiritual blemish puts them into the very same state which corporal blemishes brought them Lev. 21. 17 c. And thus he mitigates their punishment he shuts them out from Spiritual Services but allows them natural and necessary Provisions among their brethren 10 And he defiled Topheth which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom e Of which see Ios. 15. 8. Nehem. 11. 30. Ier. 7. 31. and 19. 6 11. that no man might * Lev. 18. 21. Deut. 1â—… 10. make his son of his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech f See on Lev. 18. 21. Deut. 18. 10. 11 And he took away the horses g Either â—… The Carved or Graven Horses to which were â—…yned a Graven Chariot in which there might be the Picture of the Sun which the Heathens used to represent in this manner Or rather 2. Living Horses For 1. Such the â—…stern Nations used to Consecrate to the Sun to signify the swifness of his motion 2. These Horses are mentioned apart from the Chariots and are said to be given to the sun which is not said of the Chariots and to be taken away when the 〈◊〉 more burnt c. and a certain place is here allotted to the Horses not to the Chariots that the kings of Judah had given to the sun h Either to be Sacrificed to the Sun or to draw those Chariots in which the Kings or some other in their stead and by their appointment went forth every Morning to worship the rising Sun for both these were the customs of the Armenians and Perâ—… as Xenophon testifies at the entring in of the house of the LORD i i. e. By the Gate of the outward Court of the Temple for the Courts are oft contained under the name of the House or Temple by the chamber of Nathan-melech the ‖ Or 〈◊〉 or officer chamberlain k Or officer to whom the care of these Horses was committed which was in * 1 Chr. 26. 18. the suburbs l Either 1. Of the City of David or rather of the Temple in certain outward Buildings belonging to the Temple and the uses thereof See Ezek. 45. 2. Heb. in Parvarim a place near the Temple called also Parbar 1 Chr. 26. 18. though it be not now known either where it was or why it was so called and burnt the chariots of the sun m Which were made for the honour and worship of the Sun as was before expressed with fire 12 And the altars that 〈◊〉 on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz n i. e. Upon the Roof of the Kings House They were so mad upon their Idols that they were not content with all their publick high places and Altars but made others upon their House-tops for the worship of the Heavenly bodies See Ier. 19. 13. Zeph. 1. 5. which the kings of Judah had made and the altars which * Chap. â—…1 â—… Manasseh had made o Quest. How could this be when Manasseh had taken them away before 2 Chr. 33. 15 Ans. Either these Altars were not so fully destroyed as they should have been the foundations of them being left through the neglect of the Officers appointed to do that work upon which Amon built his new Altars Or if they were wholly rooted out Amon's new Altars are called by his Fathers name because they were built by his example and in the very same place where his Fathers Altars were as the Wells which Isaac digged in the same place where Abraham had digged them before were therefore called by their ancient names Gen. 26. 15. See more on the next Verse in the two courts p The Priests and the Peoples See ch 21. 5. of the house of the LORD did the king beat down and ‖ Or 〈◊〉 from thence brake them down from thence and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron q Partly to shew his derestation of them and partly to abolish the very remembrance of them as far as he could 13 And the high places that were before Jerusalem which were on the right hand of the ‖ That is the mount oâ—… 〈◊〉 mount of corruption r i. e. The Mount of Olives 1 King 11. 7. here called the mount of corruption for the gross Idolatry there practised which is oft expressed by the name of corruption See Exod. 32. 7. Deut. 32. 5. In the Hebrew is an elegant allusion between Mâ—…seah anointing and Moshâ—…ith corruption as there is between Bethel and Bethaven Hos. 4. 15. which * 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solomon the king of Israel had builed s Not the same individual Altars which doubtless either Solomen upon his repentance or some other of Iosiah's Godly predecessors had taken away long before this time but other Altars built by Manâ—…sseh or Amon which because erected by Solomon's example and for the same use and in the same place are called by his name this brand being left by the Holy Ghost upon his name and memory as a just punishment of that abominable practise and a mean to deter others froâ—… the like for Ashtoreth t Of which and the rest see on 1 King 11. 5 6 7. the abomination u i. e. The Idol so called because it was abominable and made them abominable to God of the Zidonians and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon did the king defile 14 And he * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deâ—… 7. 5â—… â—… brake in pieces the ‡ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 images and cut down the groves and filled their places with the bones of men x i. e. Of the Idolatrous Priests which he caused to be taken out of their Graves v. 18. 15 ¶ Moreover the altar that was at Bethâ—…el y Quest. How could he rightly do this seeing Bethel was a part of the Kingdom of Israel not of Iudah Ans. Either First This City was now under the Kingdom of Iudah to which it was added by Abijah long since 2 Chron. 13. 19. Or Secondly He did this by vertue of that ancient right which David and his posterity had to the Kingdom of Israel which though suspended for a time by God's grant of the Ten Tribes to Ieroboam and the succeeding Kings of Israel yet these being all extinct it might seem to return to him at least so far as to pluck up Idolatry out of the Land of Israel as he had opportunity and especially out of those parts of it which bordered upon Iudah Or Thirdly The King of Babylon having ingaged in a War with the Assyrian Hezekiah's great enemy and having thereupon occasion for Hezekiah's friendship did as some suppose enlarge his Dominion and give him some power over the Kingdom of Israel at least as to matters of Religion Which may seem not improbable from 2 Chron. 30. 1 4 5 6. And
words to know what not onely their own Tribe but all Israel ought to do 2. By the great Authority and Command which they had over all their Brethren upon this account as it here follows 3. Because this is so considerable a Circumstance in all Humane and especially in publick Affairs that the Success or Disappointment of them depends very much upon the right or wrong Timing of them and therefore this is a very fit expression to signifie their great Prudence And particularly they shewed this point of their Wisdom at this time for as they had adhered to Saul whilest he lived as knowing the time was not yet come for David to take Possession of the Kingdom and as they could not joyn themselves to David whilst Abner lived and was potent and had the Command of the other Tribes wherewith they were encompassed so as soon as he was dead and they had opportunity to declare themselves they owned David for their King 4. By the like use of this Phrase Esth. 1. 13. to know what Israel ought to do the heads of them were two hundred and all their brethren were at their commandment 33 Of Zebulun such as went forth to battel ‖ Or 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expert in war with all instruments of war fifty thousand q For this Tribe being next to that of Issachar which was generally well-affected to David were probably very much swayed by their Opinion and Advice which could keep rank r Or which were disposed or prepared or ordered for battel or to fight for David if occasion so required they were †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 batâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not of double heart s Heb. without an heart and an heart which may relate either 1. to the whole Body of them they were all of one heart and one mind towards David not some for him and others secretly against him but all with one soul and one consent adhered to him Or 2. To the same particular persons they were each of them sincerely Loyal to David and did not dissemble with David pretending to be for him whilst in their hearts they favoured Sauls Family which possibly some of those who came to Hebron did Or this is particularly noted of this Tribe because they lay under some suspicion in this matter as also some of the other Tribes did and therefore the like testimony is given to all of them v. 38. 34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand 35 And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred 36 And of Asher such as went forth to battel ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expert in war forty thousand 37 And on the other side of Jordan of the Reubenite and the Gadite and of the half-tribe of Manasseh with all manner of instruments of war for the battel an hundred and twenty thousand 38 All these men of war that could keep rank came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make David king over all Israel and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart t To wit after the death of Abner and Ishbosheth to make David King 39 And there they were with David three days eating and drinking for their brethren had prepared for them 40 Moreover they that were nigh them u That lived not far from Hebron the place where they now were even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali x This is added by way of amplification and explication to shew that he did not understand this of those Israelites onely who lived in the Neighbourhood of Hebron but of those that lived at some distance yet were nearer to Hebron than some of the other Tribes here named brought bread on asses and on camels and on mules and on oxen y Which though not commonly used in this manner nor fit for such Purposes now they so used because the quantity of Provisions which they brought was very great as the Numbers of the People at Hebron were and Horses they had few in Israel and most of their Asses and Camels and Mules here mentioned probably were used to carry divers Men or Women and Children to this great and publick and happy Solemnity and ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 meat meal cakes of figs and bunches of raisins and wine and oil and oxen and sheep abundantly for there was joy in Israel z Partly because their Civil Wars were wholly ended and they were all united under one King and partly because they had now a King of Eminent Valour and Piety and Felicity and therefore expected to be saved from all their Enemies and Calamities as they were CHAP. XIII 1 A And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds and with every leader a Or Governour or Elder of the People 2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel b i. e. Unto all the People then assembled with him at 〈◊〉 This Story is mentioned in another place in 2 Sam. 5. 6. even after the taking of Ierusalem and the two first Fights with the Philistins whereas here it is placed before the latter and there is no mention here of the former The matter may be thus conceived There being now a great and general concourse of all Israel and David being now Established in his Throne with universal consent and applause he begins with God and his first Thoughts and Cares are about Religion and the Ark then the great Instrument and Ornament of it and takes the Opportunity of this Assembly to desire their Advice and Concurrence with him in it that the Ark might be brought either to Hebron which then was the Royal City or to Ierusalem which as probably he told them he was resolved to besiege and doubted not by Gods Help to take After this was proposed by the King and accepted by the People this great Assembly was dismissed onely some of them David reserved to go with him against Ierusalem which accordingly he did and succeeded in his Enterprize as is related 1 Sam. 5. But before this Resolution could be executed the Philistins came and fought twice with David as is related 1 Sam. 5. 17 c. and here ch 14. 8 c. And after they were repulsed with great loss and shame David sets upon the Execution of that which before he had resolved and in order to it calls another General Assembly of the People Iâ—… it seem good unto you and that it be of the LORD our God c i. e. If this Translation of the Ark be pleasing to God which I purpose to enquire by the Urim after the manner and to act accordingly †Heb. let us break forth and sâ—…nd let us send abroad d Heb. let us break out and send i. e. let us send Messengers speedily and universally to the several Tribes We are now in some sort pent up in a Corner of
XXVIII 1 ANd David assembled a This Assembly seems to be distinct from that ch 23. 2. and more general as may be gathered from the persons said to be assembled here and there Though others think them to be the same and this to be a return to his former Discourse all the * Ch. 27. 1â—… princes of Israel the princes of the tribes and * Ch. 27. 1â—… the captains of the companies that ministred to the kingly course and the captains over the thousands and captains over the hundreds and the * Ch. 2â—… 〈◊〉 stewards over all the substance and ‖ Or 〈◊〉 possession of the king and of his sons with the ‖ Or 〈◊〉 Officers and with Ch. 〈◊〉 the mighty men and with all the valiant men unto Jerusalem 2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet b Partly out of Reverence to God and his Word which was the Matter of the following Discourse and partly out of Respect to this great and honourable Assembly and said Hear me my brethren c So he calls the Princes and chief Rulers both because they had a Share with him though under him in the Government and in compliance with the Divine Command that the King should not be lifted up above his Brethren Deut. 17. 20. and my people As for me I had in mine heart to build an house of rest d A place where it might be fixed and no more removed from place to place as it had been for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and e Which is here put expositively for by the Foot stool c. he means the Ark. for the foot-stool of our God and had made ready for the building 3 But God said unto me * 2 〈◊〉 13. 1 〈◊〉 Ch. 22. â—… Thou shalt not build an house for my name because thou hast been a man of war and hast shed †Heb. 〈◊〉 blood 4 How beit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel * 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ever for he hath chosen * Gen. â—…9 â—… 1 Sam. 〈◊〉 Psal 〈◊〉 Judah to be the ruler and of the house of Judah the house of my father and among the house of my father he liked me to make me king over Israel 5 * Ca. 〈◊〉 And of all my sons for the LORD hath given me many sons he hath chosen f It is not my fancy or fond Affection but Gods express Will that Solomon should be preferred before his elder Brethren and therefore all of you are obliged to submit to him and accept of him as your King by Divine Appointment Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel 6 And he said unto me * 2 Sam. 〈◊〉 1 Chr. 〈◊〉 2 Chr. 〈◊〉 Solomon thy son he shall build my house and my courts for I have chosen him to be my son and I will be his father 7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever if he be †Heb. 〈◊〉 constant to do my commandments and my judgments as at this day g As he hath begun and hitherto continued in some good measure to do 8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD and in the audience of our God h i. e. I do here exhort and charge you every one calling God who is here present and this Congregation wherein all Israel are present by their Representatives for Witness against you if you do not follow my Counsel keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD i Keep those Commands which you know and seek for or search into what you are yet ignorant of that you may distinctly understand the whole Will of God and all the parts of your Duty and seriously give up your selves to the Practice thereof your God that ye may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever 9 And thou Solomon my son know thou the God k Know him so as to love him and serve him as it follows for Words of Knowledge in Scripture-use commonly imply Affection and Practise or acknowledge him as thy God by loving and obeying him For otherwise Solomon did already know God having doubtless been very well instructed in the Knowledge of Gods Nature and Law of thy father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for * 〈…〉 the LORD searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts l If thou doest onely put on a profession of Religion to please me and secure thy Hopes of the Kingdom or if thy obedience to God be unsincere and with grudging thou mayest indeed deceive me but thou canst not deceive him for he searcheth thy inward Thoughts and the motions of thy Heart if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him m If when I am dead and gone and thou art perfectly at thy own dispose thou shalst cast off that Religion and Fear of God of which thou now makest profession and shalt continue to do so without true Repentance for thine Errours he will cast thee off for ever n Notwithwanding all his Promises made to me and to my seed and that great Honour and Favour which he hath shewed to thee with which possibly thou mayest flatter thy self 10 Take heed now for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary o Or for a Sanctuary i. e. which is to be a Sanctuary for him to wit for the Ark to dwell in be strong p Take Courage and Resolution to break through all Difficulties Troubles Discouragements or Oppositions which thou mayest possibly meet with and do it 11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch q To wit of the Temple which is necessarily to be understood and of the houses thereof r Either 1. the Houses of the Porch so called because they went thorough the Porch into them Or rather 2. the Houses of the Temple manifestly understood in the next foregoing Clause of this Verse to wit the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies which may well pass for two Houses because they were separated by a Partition and because they were of differing Dimensions as appears by 1 King 6. 2 20. especially seeing the Holy Place is called the greater House 2 Chron. 3. 5. comparatively to the Holy of Holies which was the lesser House and so you have two Houses and of the treasuries thereof and of the upper chambers thereof and of the inner parlours thereof s By these he seems to understand all those Rooms which were made against the Wall of the House round about as is said 1 King 6. 5. which are here called by divers names according to the difference of their situation or
Israel to put his Name there and his mothers name was Naamah an Ammonitess 14 And he did evil because he ‖ Or fixed 1 Sam. 7. 3. prepared not k Or directed nâ—…t or settled not c. i. e. Although he humbled himself and seemed penitent for a season and professed the True Religion and Worship of God yet he quickly relapsed into his former Sins because he was not sincere nor serious in his Actions and his Heart was not right with God his heart to seek the LORD 15 Now the acts of Rehoboam first and last are they not written in the †Heb. words book of Shemajah the prophet and of Iddo the seer concerning genea logies l In an Historical Account written by him of the Genealogies and Actions of the Kings of Judah And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam conâ—…inually 16 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David and Abijah his son reigned in his stead CHAP. XIII 1 NOw * 1 Kiâ—… 〈◊〉 c. in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah 2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem his mothers name also was Micajah the daughter of Uriel a Called Maachah the Daughter of Absalom 1 King 15. 2. She might be Daughter to one and Grand-daughter to the other or the proper and natural Daughter of the one and the others by Adoption of which there are Instances in Scripture or the same Person might be called Uriel and Absalom See 1 King 15. 2. of Gibeah and there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam 3 And Abijah †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set the battel in aray c Against Jeroboam We need not scrupulously enquire into the Lawfulness of this War for this Abijah though here he makes a fair Flourish and maintained the better Cause yet was indeed an Ungodly Man 1 King 15. 3. and therefore minded not the satisfaction of his Conscience but onely the Recovery of his Parents Ancient Dominions with an army of valiant men of war even four hundred thousand chosen men Jeroboam also set the battel in aray against him with eight hundred thousand men being mighty men of valour 4 And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim d Some commodious Place whence his Voice might be heard by Jeroboam and some of his Host who possibly were pitched in the Valley Or the two Armies being pitched near to one another Abijah might desire a Parly before they fought whereupon Jeroboam and some of his Commanders and Souldiers might draw near to him and stand below him at the bottom of the Hill where they might hear his Speech which Jeroboam was the more willing to do that in the mean time he might cause an Ambushment to come behind Abijah and his Army as he did v. 13. whilest he was quietly standing before them and seemed to hearken to any Terms of Accommodation which might be offered which is in mount Ephraim and said Hear me thou Jeroboam and all Israel 5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt e i. e. By a perpetual Covenant which thy â—…surpation cannot disanul For the Phrase see on Numb 18. 19. 6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat the servant of Solomon the son of David is risen up and hath * 1 〈◊〉 rebelled against his lord 7 And there are gathered unto him vain men the children of Belial f Such as have cast off the Yoke and Obedience which they owed both to God and to their King and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon when Rehoboam was young g Not in Age for he was then 41 years old but in his Kingdom which he had but newly obtained and in Experience in Politick and especially in Military Affairs to which he was wholly a Stranger as having been born and bred up in a time of great Peace and Security and tender-hearted h i. e. Cowardly and fearful who durst not adventure to chastise the Rebels as he should have done But herein Abijah forgets his Duty both to his Father whom he falsely traduceth and to God by whose Express Command Rehoboam was restrained from the War against Israel which otherwise he had both Courage and Resolution to prosecute as appears from the History 1 King 12. 21. and could not withstand them 8 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David i That Kingdom which was not set up by Vain Men in pursuance of their own Ambition and Discontent as yours was but ordained and established by God himself in the House of David and ye be a great multitude k Or because that Hebrew Particle being oft so used ye be c. This he mentions partly as the ground of their Confidence that they had more Triâ—…es and a greater Host and partly as a Presâ—…ge of their Downfal which trusting â—…o the Arm of Flesh is and there are with you golden calâ—…es l Or but there are c. There is that among you which may damp your Courage and Confidence You worship those Images which God aâ—…hors and severely forbids which Jeroboam * 1 Kiâ—… 〈◊〉 made you for gods m Or for God as that plural word is most commonly used i. e. instead of God to give them the Name of God as Exod. 32. 4. and that worship which is peculiar to him 9 * 〈◊〉 Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD the sons of Aaron and the Levites and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands so that whosoeveâ—… cometh †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to consecrate himself n i. e. To make himself a Priest See on Levit. 7. 37. with a young bullock and seven rams the same may be a priest of them that are no gods o That have nothing of the Nature or Power though you give them the Name of gods 10 But as for us the LORD p Heb. Iehovah the onely true and great God is our God and we have not forsaken him q We maintain his Honour and Worship which you have ungratefully rejected and the priests which minister unto the LORD are the sons of Aaron and the Levites wait upon their business 11 * 〈◊〉 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shew-bread also set they in order upon the pure table r So called because it was made of pure Gold Exod. 25. 23 24. and the candlestick of gold s He saith Table and Candlestick though there were ten of each 〈◊〉 4. 7 8. either 1. because Shishak had carried away all but onâ—… Or 2. the singular number is put for the plural as 1 King 7. 48. and oft
host of a thousand thousand and three hundred chariots and came unto Maresha g A City upon and within the Borders of Judah Ios. 15. 44. 10 Then Asa went out against him and they set the battel in aray in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah 11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God and said LORD †Heb. it is not for 〈◊〉 to help amongst many him that hath no strength it is * 1 Sam. 14. 6. nothing with thee h i. e. Theâ—…e is no difference or no difficulty with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power Help us O LORD our God for we rest on thee and in thy Name i By thy 〈◊〉 in confidence of thy Assistance and for the maintenance of thy Honour and Service and People we go against this multitude O LORD thou art our God let not ‖ Or mortal man man prevail against thee 12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah and the Ethiopians fled 13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar k A City of the Philistins who probably were Confederatâ—… with them in this Design and the Ethiopians were overthrown that they could not recover themselves for they were †Heb. broken destroyed before the LORD and before his host and they carried away very much spoil 14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar l Partly because they had joyned with Zerah in this War and partly because the Ethiopians had sheltred a great part of the Remains of the Army in them for * Gen. 35. 5. Chap. 17. 10. the fear of the LORD came upon them and they spoiled all the cities for there was exceeding much spoil in them 15 They smote also the tents of cattel m i. e. The dwellers in Tents which were either a Part of Zerahs Company or joyned with them or had come along with them to furnish that Great Host with necessary Provisions which their Custom of dwelling in Tents made them more capable of doing and carried away sheep and camels in abundance and returned to Jerusalem CHAP. XV. 1 ANd the spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded 2 And he went out †Heb. before Asa. to meet Asa and said unto him Hear ye me Asa and all Judah and Benjamin * Jam. 4. 8. The LORD is with you a To defend you against all your Enemies as now you have seen and you may hereafter expect if you persist in that good Course into which you are entred while ye be with him and if ye seek him he will be found of you but if ye forsake him he will forsake you b But let not this Victory make you presumptuous or self-confident for you are upon your good Behaviour and if you leave God he will leave and destroy you after he hath done you Good 3 Now for a long season * Ch. 12. 1. Israel hath been without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law c Heb. For many days have been to Israel without the true God c. i. e. They have long lived without the sound Knowledge and Worship of the True God The Prophet confirms his foregoing Exhortation and the Threatning annexed to it that if they forsook God he would forsake him from the usual manner of Gods dealing with Israel formerly and therefore in the same case they may expect the same usage Israel here mentioned and â—…ed as an Example is here understood either 1. Specially of the Ten Tribes distinguished by that name from the Kingdom of Judah whose Condition had been since Jeroboams Revolt and now wâ—…s such in some measure as is here described they having been 〈◊〉 still being without God and his True Worship and 〈◊〉 exposed to many Vexations and Wars and Miseries But theâ—…e hâ—…d not as yet turned unto God or sought him nor was God yet found of them as is said of this Israel v. 4. Nor had they as yet been exercised with those grievous and continual Vexations and Wars and mutual Destructions of which he here speaks v. 5 6. and which in succeeding times they felt For except that one Blow which they had from Aâ—…ijah ch 13. we read of none other great Miseries which befel them Or rather 2. Generally of the whole 〈◊〉 of Israel in former times and especially in the times of the Judges to which all that follows suits very well For then many times they were though not wholly and universally yet in a very great measure and for the generality of them without God and his Law and Teaching Priests as plainly 〈◊〉 from diveâ—…s Passages in the Book of the Judges and then indeed they were brought to all the Exigeâ—…cies and Calamities 〈◊〉 following then they had grievous Wars both Foreign and 〈◊〉 and then they did sometimes turn to the Lord aâ—…d 〈◊〉 him and he was found of them and did raise up Judges and Saviours to them of which see Iudg. 2. at large Iudg. 3. 9 15. 10. 10 c. 4 But when they d i. e. Israel mentioned v. 3. in their trouâ—…le did turn unto the LORD God of Israel and sought him he was found of them 5 And in those times e When Israel lived in the gross Neglect and Contempt of God and his Law and Worship there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in f Men could not go abroad about their private Occasions without great Danger as it was in the days of Shamgar Iudg. 5. 6. which is a good Comment upon this Text. but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries g Heb. of these Countries i. e. The divers Parts of the Land of Israel both within and without Jordan 6 And nation was †Heb. in 〈◊〉 destroyed of nation h i. e. One part of the People of Israel destroyed the other by Civil Wars of which see Instances Iudg. 9. 23 c. and 12. 1 c. As all the people of Israel are called a Nation so the several Tribes and Families of them are sometimes called Nations as Gen. 17. 4. Ezâ—…k 2. 3. Act. 4. 27. compared with Psal. 2. 1. and city of city for God did vex them with all adversity 7 Be ye strong therefore i Go on therefore Couragiously and Resolutely to maintain Gods Worship and to root out Idolatry as you have begun to do for this is the onely right Method of preserving your selves from such Calamities as your Predecessors have felt and let not your hands be weak k â—…e not discouraged with the Opposition which you may possibly meet with for your work shall be rewarded l What you do for God and for his Honour and Service shall not go unrequited 8 And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet m To wit
as need required besides those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah CHAP. XVIII 1 NOw Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance and joyned affinity with Ahab a For Joram his eldest Son married Athaliah Ahabs Daughter ch 21. 6. 2 King 8. 18. This Chapter is for substance the same with 1 King 22. where it is explained 2 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And †after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria and Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance and for the people that he had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with him and perswaded †him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-Gilead And he answered him I am as thou 〈◊〉 and my people as thy people and we will be with thee in the war 4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel Inquire I pray thee at the word of the LORD to day 5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men and said unto them Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battel or shall I forbear And they said Go up for God will deliver it into the kings hand 6 But Jehoshaphat said Is there not here a prophet of the LORD †〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 besides b that we might inquiâ—…e of him 7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat There is yet one man by whom we may enquire of the LORD but I hate him for he never prophesieth good unto me but always evil the same is Micajah the son of Jimla and Jehoshaphat said Let not the king say so 8 And the king of Israel called for one of his ‖ 〈◊〉 oâ—…ficers and said †〈◊〉 Fetch quickly Micajah the son of 〈◊〉 9 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne clothed in their robes and they sat in a ‖ 〈◊〉 void place at the entring in of the gate of Samaria and all the prophets prophesied before them 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron and said Thus â—…aith the LORD With these thou shalt push Syria until 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they be consumed 11 And all the prophets prophesied so saying Go up to Ramoth gilead and prosper for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king 12 And the messenger that went to call Miâ—…ajah spake to him saying Behold the words of the prophets declare good to the king ‖ with one assent let †Heb. with one 〈◊〉 thy word therefore I pray thee be like one of theirs and speak thou good 13 And Micajah said As the LORD liveth even what my God saith that will I speak 14 And when he was come to the king the king said unto him Micajah shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to â—…attel or shall I â—…orbear And he said Go ye up and prosper and they shall be delivered into your hand 15 And the king said to him How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the Name of the LORD 16 Then he said I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains as sheep that have no shepherd and the LORD said These have no master let them return therefore every man to his house in peace 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat Did I not tell thee that he would not prophecy good unto me ‖ Or but for evil but evil 18 Again he said Therefore hear the word of the LORD I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left 19 And the LORD said Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead and one spake saying after this manner and another saying after that manner 20 Then there came out a * Job 1. 6. spirit and stood before the LORD and said I will entice him And the LORD said unto him Wherewith 21 And he said I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets And the LORD said thou shalt entice him and thou shalt also prevail go out and do even so 22 Now therefore behold the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and smote Micajah upon the cheek and said which way went the spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee 24 And Micajah said Behold thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go ‖ Or from chamber to chamber into †Heb. a chamber in a chamber an inner chamber to hide thy self 25 Then the king of Israel said Take ye Micajah and carry him back to Amon the governour of the city and to Joash the kings son 26 And say Thus saith the king Put this fellow in the prison and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction until I return in peace 27 And Micajah said If thou certainly return in peace then hath not the LORD spoken by me And he said Hearken all ye people 28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead 20 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat I will disguise my self and will go to the battel but put thou on thy robes So the king of Israel disguised himself and they went to the battel 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him saying Fight ye not with small or great save onely with the king of Israel 31 And it came to pass when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat that they said It is the king of Israel therefore they compassed about him to fight but Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD helped him and God †Heb. incited ver 2. moved them to depart from him 32 For it came to pass that when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel they turned back again †Heb. from after him from pursuing him 33 And a certain man drew a how †Heb. in his simplicitâ—… at a venture and smote the king of Israel †Heb. between the joynts and between the breast-plate between the joynts of the harness therefore he said to his chariot-man Turn thine hand that thou mayest carry me out of the host for I am †Heb. made sick wounded 34 And the battel increased that day howbeit the king of Israel staid himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even And about the time of the sun going down he died CHAP. XIX 1 ANd Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace a Safe being miraculously delivered from eminent danger as was related ch 18. 31
silver and they offered burnt-offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehojada 15 But Jehojada waxed old and was full of days when he died an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died 16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings because he had done good in Israel m i. e. In Judah which was an eminent part of Israel and the onely part of it which owned God or was owned by God as his Israel to whom therefore he oft appropriates this name thereby signifying that the other Tribes were unworthy of that honourable title and had forfeited all their right in it to Judah 〈◊〉 on ch 21. 2. both towards God and towards his house 17 Now after the death of Jehojada came the princes of Judah and made obeisance to the King n In that posture presenting their requests to him that they might not be confined to unnecessary and troublesom journeys in coming to Jerusalem to worship but might have the liberty which their Fore-fathers enjoyed of worshipping God in the High-places Which liberty when once they had obtained they knew they could then worship Idols without observation or disturbance which was the thing at which they aimed And for the prevention of such abuses God obliged all to worship him in one place then the King hearkned unto them 18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers and served groves and idols and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass o By Hazael King of Syria of which see 2 Kings 12. 17 18. 19 Yet he sent prophets to them to bring them again unto the LORD and they testified against them but they would not give ear 20 And the spirit of God †Heb. clothed 〈◊〉 Judg. 6. 34. came upon Zechariah the son of Jehojada the priest which stood above the people p In an higher place that his voice and message might be the better heard and said unto them Thus saith God Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD that cannot prosper because ye have forsaken the LORD he hath also forsaken you 21 And they q i. e. The people to whom he preached who were easily corrupted by the examples of their Apostate King and Princes conspired against him and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD 22 Thus Joash the king remembred not the kindness which Jehojada his father had done to him but slew his son And when he died he said The LORD look upon it and require it r i. e. Make inquisition for my innocent blood Which he did not wish from any desire of private revenge with which so wise and good a man would never be willing to die but partly from a zeal to publick Justice and the punishment of such gross wickedness and partly to deter them if possible from compleating their murderous intentions But these words may as well be rendred indicatively as optatively The Lord will look upon it and require it i. e. He will examine this action and require satisfaction from you for it 23 And it came to pass †〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at the end of the year s So soon did God hear the cry of this holy Prophets blood and revenge it that the host of Syria came up against him and they came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people t That it might appear they were sent and directed by God to single out to destruction the first beginners and chief promoters of this general Apostacy and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iâ—… Damascus u To Hazael the king of that part of Syria called Syria Damascena from its capital City Damascus 24 For the army of the Syrians * 〈…〉 came with a small company of men and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers So they executed Judgment against Joash 25 And when they were departed from him for they lest him in great diseases his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons x i. e. Of Zachariah his son the plural number Sons put for the singular Son as it is frequently both in Scripture as Gen. 46. 7. 〈◊〉 26. 42. and in Cicero and other profane Authors Or he might kill other sons of Jehojadah with him either because they owned him in what he had said or lest they should revenge his death of Jehojada the priest and slew him on his bed and he died and they buried him in the city of David but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings 26 And these are they that conspired against him ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12. 21. Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of ‖ 〈…〉 Shimrith a Moabitess 27 Now concerning his sons and the greatness of the * burdens laid upon him y Either the severe prophecies against him which are oft called Burdens of which one instance is recorded and there might be others that are not recorded or the great Judgments of God upon him both by the Syrians v. 23 24. and by great disâ—…ses v. 25. and the †repairing 〈◊〉 12. 18. 〈◊〉 1â—… of the house of God behold they are 〈…〉 written in the ‖ story of the book of the kings And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead CHAP. XXV AMaziah * 〈…〉 was twenty and five years old a Of this Verse and v. 2 3 4. see the Notes on 2 King 14. â—… c. when he began to reign and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem and his mothers name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD but not with a perfect heart 3 Now it came to pass when the kingdom was †Heb. confirmed upon him established to him that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father 4 But he slew not their children but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses where the LORD commanded saying * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…6 2 Kin. 14. â—… Jer. 31. â—…0 Ezek. 18. 20 The fathers shall not die for the children neither shall the children die for the fathers but every man shall die for his own sin 5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together and made them captains over thousands and captains over hundreds according to the houses of their fathers throughout all Judah and Benjamin and he numbred them * Numb 1. 3 from twenty years old and above and found them three hundred thousand choice men able to go sorth to war that could handle spear and shield 6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel b Out of the
as it follows but by vehement perswasions and denunciations of Gods further Judgments upon him if he did not depart Some suppose that the Earthquake mentioned Amos 1. 1. Zech. 14. 5. happened upon this occasion as another token of Gods displeasure against this unparallel'd arrogancy yea himself * 〈◊〉 6. 12 hasted also to go out because the LORD had smitten him 21 * 〈◊〉 15. 5. 〈◊〉 13. 26 〈◊〉 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death r God would have this Leprosy to be incurable as a lasting monument of his Anger against such presumptuous Invaders of the Priests office and dwelt in a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 †several house being a leper s As he was obliged to do by Law Levit. 13. 46. which he durst not now resist being under the hand and stroke of God and under the fear of further and worse plagues if he did so for t So the following words are a reason of the former he dwelt in a several house because he might not come into the Temple or Courts nor consequently into any publick Assembly or the society of others Or and therefore as the Hebrew Chi oft signifies and the Particle and is oft understood So it is an inference from the next foregoing words He was a Leper and therefore he was cut off c. He who could not content himself with Gods allowance but usurped the Priests place and office is now deprived of the priviledge of the meanest of his People A just and most suitable Judgment he was cut off from the house of the LORD and Jotham his son was over the kings house judging the people of the land 22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah first and last did Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz write 23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings for they said He is a leper and Jotham his son reigned in his stead CHAP. XXVII 1 JOtham * 2 Kin 15 32 c. was twenty and five years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem his mothers name also was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD according to all that his father Uzziah did howbeit he entred not into the temple of the LORD a To wit to offer Incense But seeing this was commendable how is this mentioned as an exception from the foregoing Character that he did as his Father did in that which was right c. Answ. It is an exception onely from the last clause where also one word may be supplied out of the foregoing words as is most usual in Scripture thus He did according to all that his father Uzziah did then it fitly follows howbeit c. i. e. except in his miscarriages And the people did yet corruptly 3 He built b i. e. Repaired it for it was built before ch 11. 5. the high-gate c 〈◊〉 wise called the New gate Jer. 36. 10. of the house of the LORD and on the wall of ‖ Or the 〈◊〉 â—…r Ophel d A Tower upon 〈◊〉 the wall of Jerusalem which probably he fortified as his Father 〈◊〉 done other Towers ch 2. 6. 9. he built much 5 He fought also with the king of the Ammonites e Who it seems endeavoured to shake off the yoke which from Davids time had been put upon them and prevailed against them And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver and ten thousand measures of wheat and ten thousand of barley †Heb. this So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him both the second year and the third 6 So Jotham became mighty because he ‖ Or established prepared his ways d Or directed his ways i. e. his counsels and actions by the rule of Gods Law before the LORD his God 7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham and all his wars and his ways lo they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah 8 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem 9 And Jotham slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city of David and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead CHAP. XXVIII 1 AHaz * 2 Kin. 16. 〈◊〉 was twenty years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD like David his father 2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and made also molten images for Baalim a To worship his Baalim or false gods in and by them 3 Moreover he ‖ Or offered sacrifice burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom and burnt * Lâ—…v 18. 21. his children in the fire after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel 4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places and on the hills and under every green tree 5 Wherefore the LORD his God b God was his God though not by Covenant and Grace and special Relation which Ahaz had renounced yet by his Soveraign Dominion over him For God did not forfeit his Right by Ahaz his denying it delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria and they smote him and carried away a great multitude of them captives and brought them to †Heb. Darmesek Damascus and he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel who smote him with a great slaughter 6 For * 2 Kin. 15. 2â—… Isa. â—… â—… Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day which were all †Heb. sons of valour valiant men because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers 7 And Zichri a mighty man of Ephraim slew Maasejah the kings son and Azrikam the governour of the house and Elkanah that was †Heb. the second to the king next to the king 8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand women sons and daughters and took also away much spoil from them and brought the spoil to Samaria 9 But a prophet of the LORD was there whose name was Oded and he went out before the host that came to Samaria and said unto them Behold * Psal. 69. 26. Isa. 10. 5. 47. 6. Ezek. 2. 12 15. 26. 2. Obad. 10. c. Zech. 1. 15. because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah he hath delivered them into your hand and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven c i. e. In a most high and fierce manner An usual Hyperbole withal signifying that their Rage did cry aloud and
was heard to heaven from whence it would pull down Vengeance upon them 10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bond-men and bond-women unto you but are there not with you even with you sins against the LORD your God d Which if not repented of may bring down the like Vengeance upon your own Heads 11 Now hear me therefore and deliver the captives again which ye have taken captive of your brethren for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you 12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim Azariah the son of Johanan Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum and Amasa the son of Hadlai stood up against them that came from the war 13 And said unto them Ye shall not bring in the captives hither for whereas we have offended against the LORD already ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass for our trespass is great and there is fierce wrath against Israel 14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation 15 And the men which were expressed by name e Which were appointed to take care about the Management of this Business rose up and took the captives and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them and arraied them and shod them and gave them to eat and to drink and anointed them and carried all the feeble of them upon asses and brought them to Jericho * Deut. 34. 3. Judg. 1. 16. the city of palm-trees to their brethren then they returned to Samaria 16 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings f i. e. The King The Plural Number for the Singular Either 1. Because he was a Great King and a King of Kings as the Elephant or as others think the Crocodile is called Behemoth which signifies Beasts Iob 40. because of his vast Bulk and Eminency above other Beasts Or 2. Because he wrote to divers of the Kings or great Princes who may be called Kings in a more general signification of the Word and indeed are so called Isa. 10. 8. Are not my Princes altogether Kings of Assyria to help him 17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah and carried away †Heb. a captivity captives 18 Ezek. 16. 57. The Philistins also had invaded the cities of the low country g That part of Judah which was towards the Sea and towards the Philistins Land and of the south of Judah h Of which see Ios. 15. 21. and had taken Beth-shemesh and Ajalon and Gederoth and Socho with the †Heb. daughters villages thereof and Timnah with the †Heb. daughters villages thereof Gimzo also and the villages thereof and they dwelt there 19 For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel for * Exod. 32. â—…5 he made Judah naked i Taking away their Ornament and their Defence and Strength to wit their Treasures which he sent to the Assyrian to no purpose their Frontier Towns and other strong Holds which by his Folly and Wickedness were lost their Religion and the Divine Protection which was their great and onely firm Security which by his Sins he forfeited See the Notes on Exod. 32. 25. and transgressed fore against the LORD 20 And * 2 Kin. 25. 2â—… Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him and distressed him k Or straitned him by robbing him of his Treasures but strengthened him not l A most Emphatical Expression for though he weakned his present Enemy the Syrian as is related 2 King 16. 9. yet really and all things considered he did not strengthen Ahaz and his Kingdom but rather weaken them for by the removing the Syrian who though a Troublesom Neighbour was a kind of Bulwark to him as to many other Enemies he smoothed the way for himself a far more Dangerous and Mischievous Enemy as appears by his Invasion of Judah in the very next Kings Reign 21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD and out of the house of the king and of the princes and gave it unto the king of Assyria but he helped him not l A most Emphatical Expression for though he weakned his present Enemy the Syrian as is related 2 King 16. 9. yet really and all things considered he did not strengthen Ahaz and his Kingdom but rather weaken them for by the removing the Syrian who though a Troublesom Neighbour was a kind of Bulwark to him as to many other Enemies he smoothed the way for himself a far more Dangerous and Mischievous Enemy as appears by his Invasion of Judah in the very next Kings Reign 22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD This is that king Ahaz m That Monster and Reproach of Mankind that unteachable and incorrigible Prince whom even grievous Afflictions made worse which commonly make Men better This is he whose name deserves to be remembred and detested for ever Or King Ahaz was the same no Changeling not a whit better by all the Methods which God used with him 23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of †Heb. 〈◊〉 Damascus which smote him n Or which had smitten him formerly i. e. had enabled their Worshippers the Syrians to smite him as he fondly imagined which yet he saw confuted having now found by experience that they could not save them from the Assyâ—…ian Power and he said Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them therefore will I sacrifice to them that they may help me But they were the ruine of him and of all Israel 24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem 25 And in every several city of Judah he made high places ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to burn incense unto other gods and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers 26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways first and last behold they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel 27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city even in Jerusalem but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead CHAP. XXIX 1 HEzekiah * 2 Kin. 18. 〈◊〉 began to reign when he was five and twenty years old and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem and his mothers name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD according to all that David his father had done 3 He in the first year of his reign in the first month opened the doors of the
cannot agree to David's time wherein there was no such Captivity of the people but only a Civil war and mutual slaughter which is quite another thing nor to the time of Israel's return from Babylon when there was no such return of all Israel but only of Iudah and Benjamin and some few of the other Tribes and the joy which the returning Isroelites then had was but low and mixed with many Fears and Dangers and Reproaches as we see in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah And therefore they must belong to the times of the Messias by whom this Promise was fulfilled to the true Israel of God who were brought back from that most real and dreadful though spiritual Captivity of sin and Satan as is declared Luk. 4. 18. Eph. 4. 8. and shall be litterally accomplished to the natural seed of Iacob or Israel according to the Expectation and belief of all the Jews in their several Ages and of most Christian Writers when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people †i. e. His Captive people Captivity being oft put for Captives as Deut. 21. 10. and 30. 3. Psal. 126. 1. 4. Or his people from Captivity of which see the former Note Jacob * i. e. The seed or Children of Iacob as Aaron is named for his Sons 1 Chron. 12. 27. and 27. 17. and David for his Sons and the like shall rejoyce and Israel shall be glad PSAL. XV. The ARGUMENT The occasion and time of Composing this Psalm is uncertain but the Scope of it is plain which is to give the Character of an holy and happy Man and to describe the way to true Blessedness Wherein this is observable that he is wholly silent as to the Ceremonial or Ritual Observations of the Law not that he doth disown them or allow the neglect of them as is manifest from David's constant Practice and from many other passages but that he might undeceive the Hypocritical Israelites who laid too great a stress upon those things as if the diligent performance thereof would excuse their wicked Lives which Error almost all the Prophets do observe and Condemn in them and that he might inform the Church of that and all succeeding Ages that the substance of Religion did consist in the Practice of true Holiness and Righteousness A Psalm of David 1. LORD a O thou who art the soveraign Lord of this holy Hill and Tabernacle to whom it belongs to give Laws to it and to admit or reject Persons as thou seest fit I beg of thee the resolution of this important question And he proposeth this question to God that the Answer coming from him may have the greater Authority and influence upon mens Consciences who shall †Heb. sojourn abide b Heb. sojourn to wit so as to dwell as it is explained in the next clause Unless this clause be meant of sojourning in the Church here and the next of dwelling in Heaven hereafter Who shall enter thither and abide there with thy good leave and liking in thy â—… Psal. 24. 3. 〈◊〉 tabernacle c i. e. In thy Church either 1. Militant Who is a true and will be a persevering Member of this Church Or 2. Triumphant or in Heaven which is called the true Tabernacle not made with mans â—…ands Heb. 8. 2. and 9. 11. Revel 21. 3. who shall dwell in thy holy hill d To wit of Zion so called Psal 2. 6. which is oft put for the Church and for Heaven Who shall so dwell in thy Church here as to dwell with thee for ever hereafter in Heaven 2. * Isa. 33. 15 He that walketh uprightly e Or presently or sincerely without guile or Hypocrisie Loving Worshiping and serving God and loving his Neighbour not in word and shew only but in truth and reality and this constantly and in the whole course of his Life as walking implies and worketh righteousness f Maketh it his work and business to do justly i. e. to give to every one his due first to God and then to men for the words are general and not restrained to either and speaketh the truth ‖ Or with in his heart g His words and professions to God and men agree with and proceed from the thoughts and purposes of his Heart 3. He that back-biteth not with his tongue h He doth not take away or diminish his Neighbours good name either by denying him his due praises or by laying any thing to his Charge falsely or without sufficient cause and Evidence nor doeth evil i i. e. Any hurt or injury to his neighbour k i. e. To any man as is evident 1. from the Nature of this precept which reacheth to all it being plain and certain that both by Laws of Nature and of Moses it was not lawful to do evil to any man except where God the Soveraign commanded it as he did to the Canaanites and Amalekites 2. From the Scripture usage of this word Neighbour which frequently signifies every man though a stranger or an heathen as appears from Gen. 29. 4. Exod. 20. 16 17. Levit. 18. 20. and 19. 15 c. Prov. 25. 8 9. Luk. 10. 29 c. Mat. 5. 43 44. And he useth this word Neighbour because he who is strictly so is most within our reach and most liable to the injuries which one man doth to another nor ‖ Or receiveth Or endureth Exod. 23. 1. taketh up l To wit into his Lips or Mouth which is understood here as also Exod. 20. 7. Iob 4. 2. and fully expressed Psal. 16. 4. and 50. 16. i. e. Doth not raise it though that may seem to be included in the first Clause that Back-biteth not Or doth not spread and propagate it which men are too prone and ready to do and which makes that a publick which before was but a private injury and mischief Or nor taketh or receiveth i. e. Entertaineth it cheerfully and greedily as men usually do such things and easily believeth it without sufficient reason See Exod. 23. 1. Levit. 19. 1â—… Or nor beareth or endureth as this phrase signifies Psal. 69. 7. Ezek. 36. 15. He doth not suffer another to defame him without some rebuke or signification of his dislike Prov. 25. 23. a reproach against his neighbour 4. In whose eyes m i. e. In whose Judgment and Estimation a vile person n i. e. One who deserves Contempt an ungodly or wicked Man as appears from the next clause where he that feareth God is opposed to him is contemned o Or despised notwithstanding all his Wealth and Glory and Greatness He doth not admire his Person nor envy his Condition nor court him with flatteries nor value his Company and Conversation nor approve of or comply with his Courses but he thinks meanly of him he judgeth him a most miserable man and a great object of Pity he abhors his wicked practices and labours to
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
not readily grant it to those that greedily seek it and if any son of violence procure it he will make him pay very dearly for it and when the Saints suffer it for Gods sake as they frequently do it is a most acceptable Sacrifice to God and highly esteemed by him Thus the blood of Gods people is said to be precious in his sight Psal. 72. 14. And in the same sence the life of a man is said to be precious in his eyes who spareth and preserveth it as 1 Sam. 26. 21. 2 Kings 1. 13. Gods people are precious in his eyes both living and dying for whether they live they live unto the Lord or whether they die they die unto the Lord Rom. 14. 8. of his saints 16 O LORD truly I am thy servant b This is either 1. an argument used in prayer It becometh thee to protect and save thy own servants as every good master doth or rather 2. a thankful acknowledgment of his great obligations to God whereby he was in duty bound to be the Lords faithful and perpetual servant For this suits best with the context I am thy servant and * Psal. 86. 16. the son of thy handmaid c Either 1. the son of a mother who was devoted and did devote me to thy serviet Or 2. like one born in thy house of one of thy servants and so thine by a most strict and double obligation thou hast loosed my bonds d Thou hast rescued me from mine enemies whose captive and vassal I was and therefore hast a just right and title to me and to my service 17 I will offer to thee * Lev. â—… 12. the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the Name of the LORD 18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people e And as I said before so I now repeat my promise for the greater assurance and to lay the stricter obligation upon my self 19 In the courts of the LORD's house in the midst of thee O Jerusalem Praise ye the LORD PSAL. CXVII This Psalm contains a Prophecy of the Calling of the Gentiles as appears both from the matter of it and from Rom. 15. 11. where it is quoted to that purpose 1 O * Rom. 15. 11. Praise the LORD a Acknowledge the true God and serve him onely and cast away all your Idols all ye nations praise him all ye people 2 For his merciful kindness is great towards us b Either 1. towards us Jews to whom he hath given those peculiar priviledges which he hath denied to all other nations But this may seem an improper argument to move the Gentiles to praise God for his mercies to others from which they were excluded Or 2. towards all of us all the children of Abraham whether carnal or spiritual who were to be incorporated together and made one body and one sold by and under the Messias Iob. 10. 16. Eph. 2. 14. which mystery seems to be insinuated by this manner of expression and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever Praise ye the LORD PSAL. CXVIII This Psalm most probably was composed by David when the Civil Wars between the Houses of Saul and David were ended and David was newly setled in the Kingdom of all Israel and had newly brought up the Ark of God to his Royal City But though this was the occasion yet David or at least the Spirit of God which indired this Psalm had a further reach and higher design in it and especially in the latter part of it which was to carry the Readers thoughts beyond the Type to the Antitype the Messias and his Kingdom who was chiefly intended in it Which is apparent both from the testimonies produced of it to that purpose iâ—… the Neâ—…t Testament as Mat. 〈◊〉 9 42. Mark 12. 10 11. Acts 4. 11 c. and from the consent of the Hebrew Doctors both ancient and modern one evidence whereof is that in their prayers for their Messiah they use some part of this Psalm and from the matter it self as we shall see hereafter The form of this Psalm may seem to be dramatical and several parts of it are spoken in the name of several persons yet so that the distinction of the persons and their several passages is not expressed but lest to the observation of the intelligent and diligent Reader as it is in the Book of the Song of Solomon and in some part of Ecclesiastes and in many profane Writers David speaks in his own name from the beginning to v. 22. and from thence to v. 25. in the name of the people and thence to v. 28. in the name of the Priests and then concludes in his own name 1 O * 1 Chro. 16. 8. Psal. 106. 1. 107. 1. 136. 1. Give thanks a All sorts of persons which are particularly expressed in the three next verses as they are mentioned in like manner and order Psal. 115. 9 10 11. where see the Notes unto the LORD for he is good because his mercy endureth for ever 2 Let Israel b After the flesh all the Tribes and people of Israel except the Levites now say that his mercy endureth for ever 3 Let the house of Aaron c The Priests and Levites who were greatly discouraged and oppressed in Sauls time and shall receive great benefits by my government now say that his mercy endureth for ever 4 Let them now that fear the LORD d The Gentile-Proselytes whereof there were in Davids time and were likely to be greater numbers than formerly had been say that his mercy endureth for ever 5 I called upon the LORD †Heb. out of distress in distress the LORD answered me and * Psal. 18. 19. set me e Which Verb is tacitly included in the former and is easily understood out of Psal. 31. 9. where the full phrase is expressed and from the following word See the like examples in the Hebrew Text Gen. 12. 15. Psal. 22. 21 c. ‖ Or with enlargement in a large place 6 * Psal. 56. 4 11. Heb. 13. 6. The LORD is ‖ Heb. for me on my side I will not fear what can man f A frail and impotent creature in himself and much more when he is opposed to the Almighty God do unto me 7 * Psal. 54. 4. The LORD taketh my part with them that help me g He is one of the number of my helpers and enables them to defend me therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me 8 * Psal. 40. 4. 62. 8 9. Jer. 17. 5 7. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man h As mine adversaries do in their own numbers and in their great confederates 9 * Psal. 146. 2. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes i The neighbouring and
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
many other men Besides this Hebrew Word being used of God as here it is of him who was now called the mighty God constantly signifies Eternity as Isa. 26. 4. 57. 15. c. The prince of peace s This Title doth not fully agree to Hezekiah whose Reign was not free from Wars as we see 2 Kings 18. but it exactly agrees to Christ who is called our peace Mich. 5. 5. Eph. 2. 14. and is the onely Purchaser and Procurer of Peace between God and Men Isa. 53. 5. and of Peace between Men and Men Jews and Gentiles Eph. 2 15. and of the Peace of our own Consciences and leaves Peace as his Legacy to his Disciples Ioh 14. 27. 16. 33. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace * 〈◊〉 1. 32 33. there shall be no end t His peaceable and happy Government shall be enlarged without end either without end of duration for ever â—…ut that is expressed in a following Clause of this Verse or without end of limitation or without Bounds It shall not be confined to a narrow spot of Ground the Land of Canaan but shall be extended far and wide to all the end of the Earth upon the throne of David u Which was promised to David and to his Seed for ever and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice x Not with Oppression and Tyranny by which other Kingdoms are commonly managed but by the Administration of Justice from henceforth even for ever y From the beginning of it unto all Eternity the * 2 Kings 〈◊〉 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 32. zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this z This great Work which surpasseth all the Power and Skill of Men shall be brought to pass by Almighty God out of that fervent Affection which he hath to his own Name and Glory and to the Honour of his dearly beloved Son and unto his Church and People 8 The Lord sent a word a A Prophetical and threatning Message by me For now the Prophet having inserted some Consolatory Passages for the support of God's faithful People returns to hâ—…s former Work of Commination against the rebellious Israelites into Jacob and it lighted b Heb. it fell i. e. it shall fall in the Prophetical Stile It shall certainly be accomplished upon Israel c The same with Iacob in the former Clause the Posterity of Iacob or Israel 9 And all the people shall know d To wit by experience they shall know whether my Word be true or false they shall feel the Effects of it even Ephraim e The People of the Ten Tribes and particularly Ephraim the strongest and proudest of them all and the inhabitant of Samaria f The strongest Place and the Seat of the King and Court who were most secure and presumptuous that say g Within themselves and one to another They purpose and boast of it in the pride and stoutness of heart 10 The bricks are fallen down but we will build with hewn stones h It is true we have received some Damages from our Enemies but Rezin and the Syrians being now our Friends and Confederates we doubt not we shall quickly repair them with great Glory and Advantage the Sycomores i Wild Fig-trees a contemptible sort of Trees if compared with Cedars 1 Kings 10. 27. are cut down but we will change them into Cedars k Putting Cedars into our Buildings in stead of Sycamores See Ier. 22. 13 15. 11 Therefore l To chastise your Pride and defeat your Hopes and Resolutions the LORD shall set up m Heb. exalt advance their Power and give them Success against him the adversaries of Rezin n The Assyrians who presently after this Prophecy fought and prevailed against him 2 Kings 16. 7. He mentions Rezin partly because he was Confederate with Ephraim and so his Enemies were their Enemies also and partly because the Israelites trusted to his powerful Assistance against him o Either 1. against Rezin last mentioned or rather 2. against Ephraim or Israel who may easily be understood either from the foregoing or following Verse For against them this Prophecy is directed and of them he speaks both in the next Clause of this Verse and in the next Verse and it seems reasonable that him in this Clause and his in the next Clause should be understood of the same Persons and †Heb. mingle joyn p Heb. mingle i. e. unite them so that they shall agree together to fight against Israel and shall invade him from several Quarters his q Not Rezin's but Ephraim's as appears from the next Verse which is added to explain this Clause enemies together 12 The Syrians r For although Rezin King of Syria was destroyed yet the Body of the Nation survived and submitted themselves to the King of Assyria and served under him in his Wars and upon his Command invaded Israel afterwards before s Heb. on the east for Syria stood Eastward from Israel and the Philistims behind t On the Western side of the Land of Israel and they shall devour Israel †Heb. with whole month with open month u Like wild and furious Beasts with great greediness and cruelty * Chap. 5. 25. 10. 4. for all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still x His Justice is not fully satisfied but he will yet take further vengeance upon them 13 For the people turneth not y From their wicked Courses unto God by true Repentance unto him that smiteth them neither do they seek the LORD of hosts z They do not study and endeavour to procure his Favour by sincere and servent Supplication and by removing the Causes of his just Displeasure 14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail a High and low honourable and contemptible as the next Verse explains it branch b The goodly Branches of tall and strong Trees the Mighty and Noble and rush c The Bulrush the weakest and meanest Persons in one day d All together one as well as another without any distinction 15 The ancient and honourable he is e i. e. Signifies as that Word is commonly used in the Hebrew Tongue as Gen. 41. 26 27. and every where the head and the prophet that teacheth lies f Whose Destruction he mentions not as if it were a Punishment to them to be deprived of such Persons but partly to shew the Extent of the Calamity that it should reach all sorts of Persons and partly to beat down their vain Presumptions of Peace and Prosperity by shewing that those false Prophets which had fed their vain Hopes should perish and all their false Prophecies of Peace with them he is the tail g These I mean by the Tail as being in