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A46811 Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that mights at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson. Jackson, Arthur, 1593?-1666. 1646 (1646) Wing J65; ESTC R25554 997,926 828

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judgements he should be able readily to judge as it was in that Law determined and in all other things to order himself according to the directions which were there given Vers 11. Prepare you victuals for within three dayes you shall passe over Jordan For though as yet they had that manna from heaven yet where other meat might be had they were not debarred the eating of it See Deut. 2.6 Now though the story of the spies that were sent to view Jericho be related in the following chapter yet doubtlesse this charge given by the Officers to the people for preparing victualls for themselves against they were to passe over Jordan was given them after they were returned from Jericho For this charge was given but three dayes before they were to go over Jordan and the spies stayed three daies in the mountains for fear of those that pursued them as they returned from Jericho chap. 2.22 Vers 14. But ye shall passe before your brethren armed all the mighty men of valour That is you shall passe over Jordan together with your brethren and all that passe over shall be mighty men of valour or of the prime choice of your armies for that Joshua left garrisons in every city of these tribes for the guard of those they left behind them is evident See Numb 32.21 Vers 17. According as we hearkned to Moses in all things so will we hearken unto thee That is as we acknowledged Moses and obeyed him as our supreme Magistrate so will we likewise obey thee Nor need we wonder that they should thus expresse themselves because of the frequent rebellion of this people against Moses For first that mutinous generation were all destroyed in the wildernesse and it was their posterity that had been more obsequious to Moses that made this promise And secondly even the people formerly had ordinarily yielded obedience to Moses though now and then they brake into rebellion against him Onely the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses That is the Lord prosper thee in all thy proceedings and attempts as he prospered Moses and this they adde either onely by occasion of the mention they had made of Moses in the former words the high precious esteem they alwayes had of him causing them thus abruptly to break forth into this wish or prayer That the Lord would be with him as he was with Moses or else to intimate an acknowledgment that however they would be ready to go over with their brethren and aid them against the inhabitans of Canaan yet it was not so much their help as the Lords help that must make them victorious We will say they passe over Jordan and do in all things what thou shalt enjoyn us onely the Lord that wrought so great things for us under the government of Moses afford us the same assistance and favour under thy government too CHAP. II. Vers 1. ANd Joshua the sonne of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spie secretly saying Go view the land even Jericho That is the citie of Jericho and the land about it This Joshua did before he gave that charge to the people which is related in the former chapter vers 10. though it be here inserted after it as is there noted Considering what a mischief formerly followed upon Moses his sending forth of spies to search the land Deut. 1.27 28. it may seem strange that Joshua durst take this course again but therefore it is most probable that Joshua did not this without some speciall direction from God and then no wonder it is though this succeeded well when that did not for that proceeded first from a motion made by the people out of some secret fear and distrust as is noted upon Numb 13.2 but here now the people had no hand in it and therefore there were not now twelve chief men chosen for this service out of all the tribes as there were then but Joshua onely chose two men whom he knew able and fit for this imployment and these two he sent away secretly without the knowledge of the people for that I conceive is implyed in this word secretly not onely that they were ordered to carry themselves closely and cunningly perhaps in some disguise that they might not be discovered which all spies are wont to do but also that they were sent away privily without any knowledge of the people that so the businesse might be carried the more covertly and therefore we see also that when these spies returned they gave an account of what they had done onely to Joshua vers 23 24. whenas those that Moses sent returned their answer to all the Congregation Numb 13.26 However if Joshua had not a speciall direction from God for the doing of this yet doubtlesse he did it not out of any secret distrust or fear but out of a necessary providence that became a Generall that he might the better know what course to take when they were gotten over into Canaan For though God had assured him that he should drive out the inhabitants of the land yet he knew that God expected that he should use all requisite means that might conduce thereto and therefore intending first to attempt Jericho which was the nearest city of note to the river Jordan he sent spies thither to view the city and land about it to see how it was fortified of what strength and courage the people were what preparations the inhabitants had made to resist them and which way they might best passe into the city And they went and came into an harlots house named Rahab c. In passing from Shittim to Jericho they must needs passe over Jordan which they might do by those foords mentioned vers 7. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the foords and again Judg. 3.28 As for their taking up their lodging in Rahabs house when they came to Jericho this they did either because in her house built upon the town wall vers 15. they might the more conveniently view the fortifications and strength of the city or because in such an obscure corner they might be the better concealed and were not so likely to be discovered or because thence they might most conveniently slip away if they should be discovered The Hebrew word here translated an harlot is by some translated an hostesse or victualler but every where else signifieth an harlot and is so here taken by the Apostles testimony Heb. 11.31 By faith the Harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not James 2.25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works whence it was perhaps that vers 13. amongst those whose lives she pleads for there is no mention neither of husband nor children though she lived in a house apart from her father yet was this woman by the speciall grace of God not onely wonne to embrace the faith of Israel and to joyn her self to Gods people but besides after her conversion she was married
was certainly given them at Shittim it could not be given them when they came to Jordan where they lodged onely one night as it is said here and then passed over the next day and must needs therefore be given them before the spies came back if Joshua went away from Shittim the very next morning after their return But now because it is very improbable that Joshua would appoint the people to prepare to passe over Jordan within three dayes when as yet he could not tell whether the spies would return within that time or no neither was it to any purpose to send them if he had not resolved to wait for their return that according to the information they should give him they might order their journey therefore I conceive rather that the drift of these words is onely to shew that when they removed from Shittim to Jordan Joshua rose early in the morning that day to dispose of all things for their intended journey and not that it was early the next morning after the spies returned And so in this order I conceive those things were done which are here related First after the return of the spies the people being much encouraged by the tidings they brought Joshua commanded the Officers of the people as is noted before chap. 1.10 11. saying Passe through the host and command the people saying Prepare you victuals for within three dayes ye shall passe over this Jordan Secondly when the people had according to this direction made provision for their journey Joshua rose early in the morning and they removed from Shittim and came to Jordan And then thirdly the three dayes being expired after which they had been told they should passe over Jordan and that was the very day it seems when they were come to Jordan Joshua again sent the officers through the host to give direction to the people how they should follow the ark the next day in passing over the river Jordan and this is that which follows in the next verse And it came to passe after three dayes that the officers went through the host c. Vers 3. When ye see the Ark of the covenant of the Lord your God and the Priests the Levites bearing it c. See the note upon Numb 4.15 Vers 4. Yet there shall be a space between you and it about two thousand cubits by measure c. As near as they could guesse by their eye and two thousand cubits was a thousand yards of our measure But why were the people enjoyned in following the ark as it was carried by the Priests before them to lead them over Jordan to keep so farre behind it I answer first That all Expositours do joyntly agree that this was partly to teach them to fear the Lord their God of whose presence amongst them the ark was a signe But secondly another reason is here rendred in the following words Come not near unto it that ye may know the way by which ye must go for ye have not passed this way heretofore The meaning whereof is somewhat questionable for there are some that conceive of these words thus to wit That they were enjoyned to keep thus farre behind the ark to the end they might all the more commodiously see the ark when the Priests went with it into the river Jordan and how the waters of the river were divided before them and so might know the way by which they were to go But I see not how their being two thousand cubits behind the ark could be an advantage for the seeing of this and not rather a hinderance unlesse we suppose that being so farre behind the ark they were upon the asscent of a hill which led down to the river Jordan from whence they might behold how the Priests went on with the ark and entred the river Better therefore I conceive these words may be understood thus Come not near unto it that ye may know the way by which ye must go That is that the Priests bearing the ark may discover a sure and safe passage for you through the river before you come near to enter into it Indeed when the river was divided before them there could be no question of seeing the way they were to go But as yet God did not make known to them the miracle he meant to work but held them as it were in suspence onely intimating the danger of this passage by commanding this distance betwixt the ark and them to the end the Lord by the ark which went before them might find out a safe way for them before they might offer to set a foot in the channel And thus this foregoing apprehension of the danger of the passage might make them with the more admiration and thankfulnesse acknowledge the mercie of the following miracle Vers 5. And Joshua said unto the people Sanctifie your selves c. To wit by endeavouring to bring your hearts to a holy temper vvith all faith and reverence and admiration to observe the great works which God will do for you and happely also by those Legal rites of washing their clothes and keeping themselves apart from their wives formerly likewise enjoyned at the giving the Law See Exod. 19. ver 10. and 15. Vers 7. This day will I begin to magnifie thee in the sight of all Israel Herein was Joshua a type of Christ whom God magnified at his first entrance upon the publick discharge of his Office to wit at his baptisme Mat. 3.16 17. And Jesus when he was baptised went straightway out of the water and lo the heavens were opened unto him and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved sonne in whom I am well pleased as he did also afterwards by his many miracles for he was a man approved of God amongst them by miracles and signes and wonders which God did by him in the midst of them Acts 2.22 Vers 8. When you are come to the brink of the water of Jordan ye shall stand still in Jordan This is meant onely of a little stop the priests were to make upon their first setting their feet into the waters of Jordan which had at that time overflowed the banks vers 15. namely till thereupon the Lord had miraculously divided the waters and opened a fair passage for them and the people to go through For that being done the priests went immediately forward with the ark upon their shoulders into the midst of Jordan And then indeed they stood still there till all the people were gone over as it is afterwards expressed vers 17. And the priests that bare the ark of the Covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground untill the people were passed clean over Jordan Vers 10. He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and Hittites c. See the note upon
that is the Lord shall rule the whole world and at the last day he shall judge all the inhabitants of the earth yea and that by the Messiah the Lord Christ his anointed King who though at first he shall live in a low and mean estate and condition yet when he hath finished the work of mans redemption he shall then be exalted above all principalities and powers and shall sit down at the right hand of his father all power shall be given him both in heaven and in earth he shall gather in his elect people among all nations govern them by his word and spirit and destroy all his and their enemies Thus I say it is generally thought by Interpreters that these words are a prophecie concerning Christ the Lords anointed yet in regard the kingdome afterward established amongst the Jews was a figure of the kingdome of Christ it may also be well understood of that Vers 11. And the child did minister unto the Lord before Eli the Priest This is repeated again vers 18. where it is also added that in his ministring before the Lord he was girded with a linen Ephod It is expressely said in the former chapter vers 24. that Samuel was carried by his parents to the Tabernacle and left there so soon as even he was weaned But we cannot possibly think that there was any service of the Tabernacle that at those years Samuel was able to do and therefore the meaning of this clause is onely that afterwards even whilest he was yet but a child de did such service in the Tabernacle as according to his years and strength he was capable of doing The Levites indeed did not enter upon the service of the Tabernacle till they were twentie five years old Levit. 8.24 But now Samuels case was extraordinary because by the speciall vow of a Nazarite he was even from his tender years consecrated to the service of the Lord and therefore we see even in his childhood he did wait upon the service of the Tabernacle to wit in such services as still by degrees he grew able to do as happely in locking and unlocking the doores of the Tabernacle in laying up and fetching out the vestments of the Priests and such like for that it was some ministerie in the Tabernacle that he was employed in is evident because vers 18. it is said that he wore a linen Ephod which was an holy garment in the doing of it We find not indeed in the law of Moses that there was any such linen Ephods appointed for the Levites but for the inferiour Priests onely the sonnes of Aaron Exod. 39.27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sonnes either therefore afterwards when the Tabernacle came to be settled in the land of Canaan it was ordered and that by divine authoritie that the Levites also should wear such linen Ephods when they attended upon the service of the Tabernacle or else Samuel was by speciall dispensation because of the Nazarites vow or some other reason appointed to wear this holy vestment which yet seems not so probable because it appears that this linen Ephod was so commonly worn by all that were employed in holy services that even David also when he danced before the Ark 2. Sam. 6.14 was girded with a linen Ephod However hereby I say it is clear that Samutl in his childhood and youth did attend upon the service of the Tabernacle in such services as he could then discharge and that before Eli the Priest that is according as he was ordered and directed by Eli who undertook the training of him up and upon whom he chiefly attended in the service he did Vers 12. Now the sonnes of Eli were sonnes of Belial they knew not the Lord. This is meant of the effectuall knowledge of faith so they knew not the Lord they had no lively knowledge nor apprehension of God They that have a floating knowledge in their brains of those things which they believe not in their hearts may be well said not to know that which by a speculative knowledge they understand well enough and so they that understand well enough those things which God hath revealed concerning himself either by his word or works if this their knowledge be not accompanied with faith and the fear of God and so though they know God yet they do not glorifie him as God Rom. 1.21 these men do not indeed know God they may say they know him but their own works may confute them for if they did indeed know him they would fear him and honour him as God They professe that they know God saith the Apostle concerning such men as these Tit. 1.16 but in their works they denie him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate He that saith I know him saith S. John 1. John 2.4 and keepeth not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him and thus it is said here of the sonnes of Eli that they knew not the Lord Though they were Priests whose office it was to teach and instruct the people in the knowledge of God yet because they were wicked ungodly wretches sonnes of Belial concerning which expression see the note Deut 13.13 therefore they are said not to have known the Lord as upon the same ground the Prophet Hosea complained of the people of God in his time that there was no knowledge of God in the land Hos 4.1 And this is here inserted concerning the sonnes of Eli to intimate both the faith of Samuels parents in leaving him and also the singular grace of God in preserving him pure and incorrupt where there was such danger of infection by reason of these sonnes of Belial with whom he was to live Vers 13. The Priests servant came whilest the flesh was in seething with a flesh-hook of three teeth in his hand c. Concerning this flesh-hook see Exod. 27.3 The sinne of these sonnes of Eli here set forth was this first that not content with the breast and shoulder which onely were the Priests portion of the peace-offerings Levit. 7.31 32 33 34. they used to take out of that which was seething for the sacrifices as their customarie fees not having any Law of God for it all that their flesh-hook could take out and it is said that this they did not now and then but alwayes vers 14. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither Again sometimes they would have this their overplus customarie portion before the flesh was seething that they might rost it yea before the fat was burnt directly against that Law Levit. 7.31 And the Priest shall burn the fat upon the altar but the breast shall be Aarons and his sonnes yea and perhaps before the fat was taken off which may be the reason why vers 29. they are said to have made themselves fat with the chiefest of the offerings Vers 18. But Samuel ministred before the Lord
it to wit that the king of Moab having the king of Edoms eldest sonne in his power whether left with him as an hostage formerly or now taken lately in that salley which he had made upon the king of Edoms quarters he took him and sacrificed him upon the walls of the city whereupon the Edomites being enraged against the king of Israel because by his pressing the continuance of this siege so lamentable a mischief was fallen upon their king and his sonne they brake up and went in a fury away from the camp and so the siege was raised But I rather conceive it was the king of Moabs own sonne whom he sacrificed First because the king of Edom was but a vice-roy chosen and set over them by Jehoshaphat for in his time they had no king of their own 2. Chron. 21.8 and therefore he could not have a sonne that should have succeeded him in his throne Secondly because this barbarous fact would rather have enraged both the king of Edom himself and the other kings to have pressed the siege the more vehemently that they might come to be revenged on him better therefore do most of Expositours understand this of the king of Moabs sonne to wit first that finding himself in extremity of distresse he fled to this last refuge of sacrificing his own sonne and heir to his idol-gods that with so pretious a sacrifice he might prevail with them for help and secondly that this he did on the wall both to let his enemies see how resolved he was still to hold out and that they might be afraid of the event of such a sacrifice and thirdly that the great indignation against Israel here spoken of was either that the Edomites moved with this lamentable spectacle were offended with the Israelites for it and so broke up their quarters and went away or rather that after this prodigious act of blind devotion both the king of Moab and the inhabitants of the city were more bitterly enraged against the Israelites then ever and were resolved to fight it out to the last man which the Israelites perceiving and withall perhaps moved with some compassion upon that lamentable spectacle they raised the siege and went away home As for that place whereby some would prove it was the king of Edoms sonne that was slain Amos 2.1 Thus saith the Lord for three transgressions of Moab and for foure I will not turn away the punishment thereof because he burnt the bones of the king of Edom into lime that speaks of burning the king of Edom not the kings sonne how ever it may be meant of any other salvage act of cruelty in the Moabites against the king of Edom. CHAP. IIII. Vers 1. THy servant my husband is dead and thou knowest that thy servant did feare the Lord. This she adds first to cleare her husband from the suspition of wasting what he had by any evill courses secondly to move him the rather to pity her because her husband was one as Elisha knew well that did truly and unfainedly feare the Lord and indeed observable it is how respectively she speaks of her husband though he had left her in so great poverty and distresse And the creditour is come to take unto him my two sonnes to be bondmen See the notes Exod 21.2 and Levit. 25.39 Vers 2. Tell me what hast thou in thine house As if Elisha should have said come let me see what thou hast of any value in thy house that may go toward the payment of thy debts and thus whilest the prophet made shew as if he desired to know how farre she was able to discharge her husbands debts that so he might try if he could compose the difference betwixt her and the creditour he brought her to speak of the pot of oyle she had to wit that being the onely thing of any value she had for we cannot think she was so poore that she had nothing at all else left in her house intending to take that occasion to give order for that whereby she was to be miraculously supplyed Vers 4. Thou shalt shut the doore upon thee c. This was enjoyned first as an act or signe approving or testifying her faith that being left to her self hopelesse of all help and succour from man she did yet expect from the Lord that miraculous help which the prophet had promised her secondly as a circumstance implying that it was fit they should pray unto God when they undertook this work whereto privacy was required thirdly that they might not be disturbed by others when they were imployed in this businesse they had in hand but fourthly and principally for the clearer manifestation of the intended miracle that there might be no suspicion that the oyle was by any body secretly conveyed into the house to them Vers 6. She said unto her sonne Bring me yet a vessell That is to one of her sonnes for that she had two sonnes is evident vers 1. Vers 8. Elisha passed to Shunem A city in the tribe of Issachar not farre from mount Carmel Josh 19.17 18. the very same from whence Abishag was fetched to David 1 Kings 1.3 Vers 9. I perceive that this is an holy man of God Not onely a prophet but a man of eminent holinesse Vers 10. Let us make a little chamber I pray thee on the wall Not that she had not room in her house to lodge him but because she considered that the tumult of a large family might be some disturbance to the devotions study and meditations of a prophet and therefore thought it convenient to provide a place for him where he might be more retired Vers 12. Call this Shunamite And when he had called her she stood before him Vers 15. it is againe said that Elisha bad Gehazi call her so that though it be here expressed that she came and stood before Elisha yet that which follows must be conceived to have been done before her coming the order of the cariage of the businesse it seems was this Elisha sent Gehazi to call her to him and withall willed him to acquaint her with the businesse namely that in recompence of her kindnesse if she had any suit to the king or captain of the host he would be her mediatour she answering Gehazi that she dwelt among her own people and Gehazi carrying back this answer to his master he consulted with Gehazi what then might be done for her and Gehazi putting him in mind that she had no child Elisha bade him again call her Vers 13. And he said unto him Say now unto her Behold now thou hast been carefull for us c. This was the message which Elisha bade Gehazi carry her when he was first sent to call her wherein he makes a thankfull acknowledgement of her great care of them and then tenders to speak for her if she had any occasion either to the king or the captain of the host whereby it appears also that the succour which