mine hand 15 Now thereâ—…ore let not Hezekiah deceive you nor perswade you on this manner neither yet believe him for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand and out of the hand of my fathers how much less shall your God deliver you i Seeing I have destroyed so many Nations and some of them stronger than you in spight of all their gods it is not probable that your God should defend you which none of the rest could do for their People out of mine hand 16 And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God and against his servant Hezekiah 17 * 2 Kin. 19. 9 He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel and to speak against him saying As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand 18 * 2 Kin. 18. 28. Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall to affright them and to trouble them that they might take the city 19 And they spake against the God of Jerusasem as against the gods of the people of the earth which were the work of the hands of men 20 * 2 Kin. 19. 15. And for this cause Hezekiah the king and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz prayed and cried to heaven 21 * 2 Kin. 19. 35 c. And the LORD sent an angel which cut off all the mighty men of valour and the leaders and the captains in the camp of the king of Assyria so he returned with shame of face to his own land And when he was come into the house of his God they that came forth of his own bowels †Heb. made him fall slew him there with the sword 22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from the hand of all other and guided them on every side 23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem and †Heb. precious things presents to Hezekiah king of Judah so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations k Or of all those Nations which were not very remote from Canaan and heard these matters from thenceforth 24 * 2 Kin. 20. 1. Isa. 38. 1. In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death l Of which see a more particular Account 2 King 20. 1 c. and prayed unto the LORD and he spake unto him and he ‖ Or wrought a miracle for him gave him a sign 25 But Hezekiah rendred not again according to the benefit done unto him for his heart was lifted up m For that prodigious Victory over the Assyrians above v. 21. and for his miraculous Restauration from Sickness and the confirmation of that Work by a strange and supernatural Motion of the Sun and by the Honour since done him by an Embassy from the great and potent King of Babylon All which probably raised in him too great an Opinion of himself as if these things were done if not by his Power yet at least for his Piety and Vertues And instead of walking humbly with God and giving the Glory of all intirely to him he took the Honour to himself and vain-gloriously shewed his Riches and Precious Treasures to the Babylonish Ambassadors 2 King 20. 12 c. therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem n Who might justly be punished for Hezekiahs Sin because they followed him in it as they confess in the next verse 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for †Heb. the lifting up the pride of his heart both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah 27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour and he made himself treasuries for silver and for gold and for precious stones and for spices and for shields and for all manner of †Heb. instruments of desire pleasant jewels 28 Store-houses also for the increase of corn and wine and oil and stalls for all manner of beasts and cotes for flocks 29 Moreover he provided him cities o Heb. he made c. Either he purchased them to himself by his Gold or Silver Or he repaired and fortified and beautified them for the honour and safety of his Kingdom But the former Sence seems to agree better with the following Words and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance for God had given him substance very much 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper water-course of Gihon p A Rivulet near Jerusalem consisting of two Streams the upper which was brought into one Pool called the upper Pool Isa. 7. 3. and the lower which was brought into another called the lower Pool Isa. 22. 9. The former he diverted and brought by secret Pipes into Jerusalem which was a Work of great Art and Labour and Policy and therefore is here commended and brought it straight down q Whereas before it fetched a compass and thereby might have been beneficial to the Assyrian Host. to the west-side of the city of David And Hezekiah prospered in all his works 31 Howbeit in the business of the †Heb. Interpreters embassadours of the princes of Babylon who * 2 Kin. 20. 12. Isa. 39. 1. sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land God lest him r To wit to himself and his own Impotency and Corruption God withdrew from him those Supplies and Assistances of his Spirit which would certainly and effectually have kept him from that sin and suffered Satan to tempt him and him to fall into the sin of Pride and Ostentation to try him that he might know s Either 1. That God might know it So it is spoken of God after the manner of Men whereof we have had many Instances Or 2. That Hezekiah might know that he had Infirmities and Sins as well as Vertues and therefore that the great Mercies which he had received were not the Effects of his owa Merits as he might be prone to believe but of Gods free Grace all that was in his heart 32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his †Heb. 〈◊〉 goodness behold they are written in * Isa. 36. 37. 38. 39. the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz and in * 2 Kin. 18. 19. 20. the book of the kings of Judah and Israel 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers and they buried him in the ‖ Or 〈◊〉 chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead CHAP. XXXIII 1 MAnasseh * 2 Kin. 21.
Egypt of which he boasts Isa. 10. 9. by Euphrates and Josiah went out against him 21 But he sent Embassadors to him saying What have I to do with thee thou king of Judah I come not against thee this day but against the †Heb. the house of my war house wherewith I have war x Heb. against the house or family of my war i. e. Against the House of the King of Assyria between whom and me there is War for God y Either his False God by their lying Priests Or the True God either 1. by some Prophet For Gods Prophets used sometimes to deliver or send Commands from God to Heathen Kings Though it is not probable either that Pharaoh would regard the Command of the True God Or that a Prophet of the Lord would not acquaint Josiah with this Message Or that Josiah would oppose Pharaoh in a War undertaken by Gods Command Or rather 2 by a Dream as God spoke to another Heathen King Abimelech Gen. 20. 3. Though it is not impossible that he pretended this for his own Advantage that Josiah might not assist his Enemies commanded me to make hast forbear thee from meddling with God who is with me that he destroy thee not 22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him z Being peradventure incouraged to do so by a Misinterpretation of that Promise made to him ch 34. 28. Thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace Thus God over-rules the Errours and Miscarriages of Men to the Accomplishment of his own Counsels but * So 1 Kin. 22. â—…0 disguised himself a Changed his Habit that he might not give his Enemies the Advantage of aiming at his Person which he wisely thought they would do that being a likely Course to end their Trouble as indeed it proved that he might sight with him and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God b Either 1. which Pharaoh sent to him in the Name of God or as coming from Gods Mouth Or rather 2. which Pharaoh received from the Mouth of God who was pleased some way or other to impart his Mind to him and which Pharaoh acquainted him with by the Command of God And therefore Josiah is here blamed for not hearkening to this Message Although if he sinned herein it was onely a Sin of Ignorance for he did not know that God had spoken this to Pharaoh and was not bound to believe his Testimony which he had good reason to suspect in this matter Yet methinks he ought so far to have regarded it as to have enquired the Mind of God about it which he neglected to do and therefore he cannot be wholly excused and is here taxed for it and came to sight in the valley of Megiddo 23 And the archers shot at king Josiah and the king said to his servants Have me away for I am â—…ore †Heb. made sick wounded 24 His servants therefore took him out of that chariot and put him in the second chariot that he had and they brought him to Jerusalem and he died and was buried ‖ Or among the sepulehres in one of the sepulchres of his fathers And * Zech. 12. 11. all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah 25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the singing men and the singing women spake to Josiah in their lamentations to this day c In all their succeeding Lamentations for their publick Calamities and for the ruine of their City and Temple and State and Church they remembred Josiahs death as their first and most fatal Blow and as that which opened the Flood-gates to all their following Miseries and it was ordained that they should do as the next words intimate and made an ordinance in Israel and behold they are written in the lamentations d Either in that Canonical Book of Jeremies Lamentations or in some other Volume of mournful Ditties made by divers Persons upon occasion of their following Calamities which is since lost 26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his †Heb. kindnesses Ch. 32. 32. goodness e Either 1. his Piety towards God and his House Or 2 his Penignity Clemency and Kindness towards all his Subjects being of 2 most tender Disposition and Carriage both towards God ch 34. 27. and towards Men. But the former seems principally intended because it best agrees both with the History of Josiah which is wholly taken up with the former and speaks little or nothing of the latter and with the following words and it doth not disagree with the Hebrew word hesed which though it doth most frequently express kindness to Men yet sometimes it notes a Mans Piety to God and his House as is manifest from Nehem. 13. 14. according to that which was written in the law of the LORD 27 And his deeds first and last behold they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah CHAP. XXXVI 1. THen * 2 〈◊〉 c. the people of the land took Jehoahaz a The Contents of this Chapter for the Substance of them are explained in the Notes upon 2 Kings ch 23. 31 c. 24. 25. what is peculiar to it shall be here opened so far as is necessary the son of Josiah and made him king in his fathers stead at Jerusalem 2 Joahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign and he reigned three months in Jerusalem 3 And the king of Egypt †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put him down at Jerusalem and †Heb. 〈◊〉 condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold 4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem and turned his name to Jehojakim And Necho took Joahaz his brother and carried him to Egypt 5 Jehojakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God 6 * 2 〈◊〉 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and bound him in ‖ Or 〈◊〉 fetters to carry him to Babylon 7 * 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon and put them in his temple at Babylon 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehojakim and his abominations which he did and that which was sound in him b That Crime of Rebellion against the King of Babylon which for a time he kept in his own Breast but when he saw fit he discovered it and was convicted of it See 2 King 24. 1. behold they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah and ‖ Or 〈◊〉 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jer. 〈◊〉 Jehojachin his son reigned in his stead 9 * 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehojachin was eight years old when he began to reign c Of which see the Notes upon 2 King 24.
other things in which they glory shall be contemned b Shall be made contemptible to those who formerly admired them with all that great multitude c With the great numbers of their People of which they boasted and the â—…emnant shall be very small and ‖ Or not many feeble d Comparatively to what they were before Which might be very true and yet afterwards in an hundred years space they might be sufficiently recruited CHAP. XVII * Jer. 49. 23. Amos 1. 3. Zech. 9. 1. THE burden of Damascus a Both of that City and Kingdom as appears from v. 2 3. Behold Damascus is taken away from being a City and it shall be a ruinous heap b This was fulfilled by Tiglath-pileser 2 Kings 16. 9. although afterwards it was re-edified and possessed by another sort of Inhabitants 2 The cities of Aroer c Of that part of Syria called Aroer from a great City of that name of which see Deut. 2. 36. 3. 12. These Cities were possessed by the Reubenites and Gadites whom Tiglath-Pileser carried into Captivity 1 Chron. 5. 26. These he mentions here as he doth Ephraim in the next Verse because they were Confederate with Syria against Iudah are forsaken they shall be for flocks which shall lie down and none shall make them afraid d Because the Land shall be desolate and destitute of Men who might disturb them 3 The fortress also e Either Samaria their chief Fortress or all their Fortresses or Strong Holds the Singular Number being put for the Plural or all their Strength and Glory which answers to the kingdom in the next Clause shall cease from Ephraim and the kingdom from Damascus and the remnant of Syria f Or and from which Particle is easily understood from the former Clause the remnant of Syria So the sence is The Remainders of Damascus and of Syria shall be an Headless Body a People without a King they shall be as the glory * An Ironical Speech implying their contemptible Condition for their Glory is supposed to be departed from them by what he had already said of them The sence is Syria shall have as much Glory as Israel i. e. neither of them shall have any at all of the children of Israel saith the LORD of hosts 4 And in that day it shall come to pass that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin g Or shall be emptied as this Word is rendred Isa. 19. 6. and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean 5 And it shall be as when the harvest-man gathereth the corn and reapeth the ears with his arm h Taking care as far as may be that all may be gathered in and nothing left So shall the whole Body of the Ten Tribes be carried away Captive some few Gleanings onely being left of them as it is in the Harvest and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the Valley of Rephaim i A very fruitful Place near Ierusalem Ios. 15. 8. 18. 16. 6 * Chap. 24. 13. Yet gleaning-grapes shall be left in it k Some few Israelites were left after their Captivity who joyned themselves to the Kingdom of Iudah and were carried Captive to Babylon with them from whence also they returned with them as we find in the History of their Return in Ezra and Nehemiah as the shaking of an olive-tree two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof saith the LORD God of Israel 7 At that day shall a man l Those few Men that are left look to his maker m They shall sincerely respect and trust and worship all which are understood by looking to God and God onely as the next Verse explains it Their Afflictions shall at last bring them to Repentance and his eyes shall have respect to the holy One of Israel 8 And he shall not look to the altars n Not resort or trust to them or to the Worship offered 〈◊〉 â—…dols upon them the work of his hands o Their own Inventions for othâ—… 〈◊〉 the Altars made by God's Command were the Woâ—… of Mens Hands neither shall respect that which his fingers have made either the groves p Which were devised and planted by Men as fit Places for the Worship of their Gods and therefore were forbidden Deut. 16. 21. 1 Kings 14. 15. or the ‖ Or sun-images the images q Worshipped in their Groves The Word properly signifies images of the sun either having the Form and Shape of the Sun or at least erected to his Honour and Worship of which see Deut. 4. 19. 17. 3. 2 Kings 2â—… 5 11. Ier. 8. 2. 7. 18. 44. 17 18. 9 In that day r In the day of Iacob's Trouble of which he spake v. 4. and continueth his Speech unto these Words and afterwards shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough and an uppermost branch s Which he that pruneth the Tree neglecteth either because he esteems it useless and inconsiderable or because he cannot reach it which they left because of the children of Israel t The sence is either 1. Which they to wit the Enemies left or which shall be left the Active Verb being put Impersonally as it frequently is in the Hebrew Text because of or for the children of Israel which God inclined their Hearts to leave or spare out of his Love to his Israel Thus this is mentioned as a Mercy or Mitigation of the Calamity But this seems not to agree either with the foregoing or following Words both which manifestly speak of the greatness of the Judgment And that their strong Cities were not left for them but taken from them seems evident from v. 3 4. Or 2. As the Cities which Words are easily understood out of the former part of the Verse where they are expressed which they to wit the Canaanites as the Seventy Interpreters express it and it was needless to name them because the History was so well known to them to whom the Prophet writes left or forsook which they did either by departing from them or being destroyed out of them because of or before or for fear of the children of Israel And this was a very fit Example to awaken the Israelites to a serious belief of this Threatning because God had inflicted the same Judgment upon the Canaanites and that for the same Sins of which they were guilty and there shall be desolation 10 Because thou u O Israel hast forgotten the God of thy salvation and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength x That God who was thy onely sure Defence therefore shalt thou plant ‖ Or plants of pleasant fruits pleasant plants y Excellent Flowers and Fruit-trees and shalt set it with strange z Fetched from far Countries and therefore highly esteemed The sence
and his land before thee begin to possess that thou mayest inherit his land 32 * Num. 21. 23. Then Sihon came out against us he and all his people to fight at Jahaz 33 And the LORD our God delivered him before us and we smote him and his sons and all his people 34 And we took all his cities at that time and utterly destroyed g By Gods command these being a part of those people who were devoted by the Lord of Life and Death to utter destruction for their abominable wickedness See Deut. 7. 2. and 20. 16. the †〈…〉 men and the women and the little ones of every city we left none to remain 35 Onely the cattel we took for a prey unto our selves and the spoyl of the cities which we took 36 From Aroer h Which was in the border of Moab but now in the hands of the Amorites which is by the brink of the river of Arnon and from the city that is by the river i Heb. In the river wherewith it was encompassed Numb 21 15 28. Ios. 12. 2. and 13. 9. He speaks exclusively for this was Ar which now was in the Moabites Jurisdiction above v. 9. even unto Gilead there was not one city too strong for us the LORD our God delivered all unto us 37 Onely unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not nor unto any place of the river * â—…en 32. 22. Jabbok k i. e. Beyond Iaâ—…ok for that was the border of the Ammonites Ios. 12. 2. Obj. Half the land of the Ammonites is said to be given to the tribe of Gad Ios. 13. 27. Answ. This is true of that half of it which the Amorites had taken from them but not of the other half which yet was in the possession of the Ammonites nor unto the cities in the mountains l The mountainous Country of the Ammonites nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us m Heb. commanded us commanding is put for forbidding here as Gen. 2. 16. and 3. 11. Levit. 4. 2. Deut. 4. 23. The words may be thus rendred Concerning which the Lord gave us command or charge to wit that we should not meddle with them as was said before So it is only an ellipsis of the preposition which is very frequent CHAP. III. 1 THen we turned and went up the way to Bashan and * Num. 21. 33. c. chap. 29. 7. Og the King of Bashan came out against us he and all his people to battel at Edrei 2 And the LORD said unto me Fear him not a Though he be of so frightful a look and stature ver 11. for I will deliver him and all his people and his land into thy hand and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto * Num. 21. 24. Sihon King of the Amorite which dwelt at Heshbon 3 So the LORD our God delivered into our hands * Num. 21. 33. Og also the King of Bashan and all his people and we smote him until none was left to him remaining 4 And we took all his cities at that time there was not a city which we took not from them threescore cities all the region of Argob b A Province within Bashan or at least subject and belonging to Bashan as appears from ver 13. and 1 King 4. 13. called Argob possibly from the name of a man its former Lord and owner the kingdom of Og in Bashan 5 All these cities were fenced with high walls gates and bars c Which may encourage you in your attempt upon Canaan notwithstanding the fenced cities which the spies told you of and you must expect to find besides unwalled towns a great many 6 And we utterly destroyed them as we did unto Sihon King of Heshbon utterly destroying the men women and children of every city 7 But all the cattel and the spoil of the cities we took for a prey to our selves 8 And we took at that time out of the hand of the two Kings of the Amorite the land that was on this side Jordan d So it was when Moses wrote this book but afterward when Israel passed over Iordan it was called the land beyond Iordan from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon e 9 Which Hermon the Zidonians call Sirion and the Amorite call it Shenir f Elsewhere called mount Gilead and Libanus or Libanon and here Shenir and Sirion and by abbreviation Sion Deut. 4. 48. Which several names are given to this one mountain partly by several people and partly in regard of several tops and parts of it whence Scâ—…nir and Hermon are mentioned as distinct places Cant. 4. 8. 10 All the cities of the plain and all Gilead f Gilead is sometimes taken largely for all the Israeâ—…ites possessions beyond Iordan and so it comprehends Bashan but here more strictly for that part of it which lies in and near mount Gilead and so it is distinguished from Bashan and Argob and * â—…osh 12. 5. â—…d 13. 11. all Bashan unto Salchah and Edrei cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan 11 For only Og King of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants g The other giants of Bashan were destroyed before and therefore when Og was killed the Israelites work was done behold his bedstead was a bedstead of iron is it not in * 2 Sâ—…m 12. 26. Jer. 49. 2. Rabbath of the children of Ammon i Where it might now be either because the Ammonites in some former battel with Og had taken it as a spoil or because after Ogs death the Ammonites desired to have this monument of his greatness and the Israelites permitted them to carry it away to their chief city nine cubits was the length thereof and four cubits the breadth of it after the cubit of a man k To wit of ordinary stature So his bed was four yards and an half long and two yards broad 12 And this land which we possessed at that time from Aroer which is by the river Arnon and half mount Gilead and * Num. 32. 33 Josh. 13. 8. c. the cities thereof gave I unto the Reubenite and to the Gadite 13 And the rest of Gilead and all Bashen being the kingdom of Og gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh all the region of Argob with all Bashan which was called the land of giants 14 * 1 Chro. 2. 2â—… Jair the son of Manasseh took all the countrey of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri l Or Geshurites a people towards the North of Canaan 2 Sam. 3. 3. and 15. 8. See also Ios. 13. 13. and Maachathi m Of whom see 2 Sam. 3. 3. and 10. 6. and called them after his own name Bashan * Num. 32. 41. Havoth-Jair unto this day n This must be put among those other passages which were not written by Moses but added by those holy men who
the Sea by his neighbours Tyrus and Sidon let him be acceptable to his brethren l By his sweet disposition and winning carriage and communication of his excellent commodities to his brethren he shall gain their affections and let him dip his foot in oil m He shall have such plenty of Oil that he may not onely wash his face but his feet also in it Or the fatness and fertility of his Countrey may be expressed by oil as Iob 19. 6. And so it agrees with Iacobs blessing of him Gen. 49. 20. 25 ‖ Or under thy shoes shall be iron Thy shoes shall be iron and brass n This may note either 1. Their great strength by which they should be able to tread down and crush their Enemies as Christs feet for this very reason are said to be of brass Revel 1. 15. Or 2. The mines of Iron and Copper which were in their portion whence Sidon their neighbour was famous among the heathens for its plenty of brass and Sarepta is thought to have its name from the brass and iron which were melted there in great quantity Compare Deut. 8. 9. Or 3. The strength of its scituation and so some antients and moderns render the words thy habitation or thy enclosure shall be iron and brass i. e. fortified as it were with walls and gates of iron and brass being defended by the Sea on one side by their brethren on other sides as also by mountains and rivers and as thy dayes so shall thy strength be o i. e. Thy strength shall not be diminished with thine age but thou shalt have the vigour of youth even in thy old age thy Tribe shall grow stronger and stronger 26 There is none like unto the God of Jesurun who rideth upon the heaven p i. e. Upon the clouds to succour thee from thence by sending thunder and lightning upon thine enemies See Psal. 18. 7 c. and 68. 34. c. in thy help and in his excellency q Or in his magnificence i. e. magnificiently gloriously and with great Majesty as well as power on the skie 27 The eternal God is thy refuge r Or thy dwelling-place Compare Psal. 91. 1. and underneath s i. e. Under thy arms to hold thee up as my hands were once held up by Aaron and Hur. He will support and defend thee Or the meaning is Though he dwelleth on high yet he comes down to the earth beneath to assist and deliver thee are the everlasting arms and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee and shall say Destroy them t i. e. Shall give thee not onely command and commission but also power to destroy them for Gods saying is doing his word comes with power 28 * Jer. 23. 6. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone u Either 1. Though they be alone and have no confederates to defend them but have all the world against them yet my single protection shall be sufficient for them Or 2. Distinct and separated from all other nations with whom I will not have them to mingle themselves See Num. 23. 9. Ezra 9. 1 2. the fountain of Jacob x i. e. The posterity of Iacob which flowed from him as waters from a Fountain in great abundance Compare Psal. 68. 26. Isa. 48. 1. The fountain is here put for the River or Streams which flow from it as Psal. 104. 10. as the Root is put for the branch 2 Chron. 22. 10. Isa. 11. 10. Revel 5. 5. and as Iacob or Israel who is the fountain is oft put for the children of Israel Or the eye for so the Hebrew word oft signifies of Iacob i. e. of the people of Israel and so the sense is They who now onely hear of the Land of promise shall shortly see it which I am not suffered to do and shall enjoy it which is oft signified by seeing as Psal. 4. 6. and 27. 13. and 34. 13. Eccles. 2. 1. and 3. 13. shall be upon a land of corn and wine also his heavens y i. e. Those Heavens or that Air which hangs over his Land shall drop down dew 29 Happy art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people saved by the LORD the shield of thy help and who is the sword of thy excellency and thine enemies ‖ Or shall be subdued shall be found liars unto thee ‖ i. e. Shall be deceived as to all their vain hopes and confidences of destroying thee or saving themselves whether grounded upon their own numbers and valour and strong holds or upon old Prophesies and predictions of success or upon their Idols Or shall lie unto thee i. e. shall submit themselves to thee though it be done but feignedly and by constraint as this phrase is used Psal. 18. 44. 66. 3. 81. 15. Possibly this may design the lies and frauds which the Gibeonites would use to deceive them Ios. 9. 4. and thou shalt tread upon their high places †i. e. Thou shalt subdue their greatest princes and their strongest holds Deut. 32. 13. and their idols Temples and Worship z The giver and preserver of all that excellency that glory safety and happiness which thou hast above all other people which thou doest not obtain either by or for thy own wisdom or strength or goodness Or Thy most excellent sword i. e. Thy strength and the authour of all thy past or approaching victories CHAP. XXXIV 1 AND Moses went up a In compliance with Gods will that he should then and there resign up his soul to God from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo b Of which see Num. 27. 12. and 32. 38. Deut. 32. 49. to the top of ‖ Or the hill Pisgah that is over against Jericho and the LORD shewed him * chap. 3. 27. all the land of Gilead c Whereof Moses had as yet seen and enjoyed but a small part Of this Land see Gen. 31. 21. Numb 32. 1 19 c. unto Dan d To that City which after Moses his death was called Dan Ios. 19. 47. Iudg. 18. 29 So that here is an anticipation But it seems most probable and is commonly believed that this chapter was not written by Moses but by Eleazar or Ioshua or Ezra or some other man of God directed herein by the Holy Ghost this being no more impeachment to the divine authority of this chapter that the penman is unknown which also is the lot of some other Books of Scripture than it is to the authority of the Acts of the King or Parliament that they are Written or Printed by some unknown person 2 And all Naphtali e i. e. The land of Naphtali which together with Dan was in the North of Canaan as Ephraim and Manasseh were in the midland parts and Iudah on the South and the Sea on the west So these parts lying in the several quarters are put
for all the rest He stood in the East and saw also Gilead which was in the Eastern part of the land and thence he saw the North and South and west and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh and all the land of Judah unto the utmost sea f i. e. The midland Sea which was the utmost bound of the land of promise on the west 3 And the south g i. e. The south quarter of the land of Iudah which is towards the salt sea which is described Num. 34. 3 4 5. Ios. 15. 1 2 3 4. as the western quarter of Iudah was described in the words next foregoing and the plain of the valley of Jericho h Or in which lies Iericho which was in the Tribe of Benjamin the city of palm-trees i i. e. Iericho so called both here and Iudg. 1. 16. and 3. 13. 2 Chron. 28. 15. from the multitude of Palm-trees which were in those parts as Iosephus and Straâ—… write From whence and the balm there growing it was called Iericho which signifies odoriserous or sweet smelling unto Zoar. 4 And the LORD said unto him * Gen. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 13. 1â—… This is the land which I sware unto Abraham unto Isaac and unto Jacob saying I will give it unto thy seed I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes k To wit by a miraculous power strengthning thy sight or making a clear representation of all these parts to thy view but thou shalt not go over thither 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab l i. e. In the land which Israel took from the Amorites which antiently was the land of Moab according to the word of the LORD 6 And he m i. e. The Lord last mentioned buried him either immediately or by the ministery of Angels whereof Michael was the Chief or Prince Iude ver 9. buryed him in a valley in the land of Moab over-against Beth-Peor but no man knoweth of his sepulchre n i. e Of the particular place of the Valley where he was buried which God hid from the Israelites to prevent their Superstition and Idolatry to which he knew their great proneness And for this very reason the Devil endeavoured to have it known and contended with Michael about it Iude ver 9. And seeing God would not endure the worship of the Relicks or Tomb of so eminent a person as Moses was it is ridiculous to think God would permit this honour to be given to any of the succeeding Saints who were so far inferiour to him unto this day 7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died his eye was not diâ—… nor his †Heb. 〈◊〉 natural force †Heb. 〈◊〉 abated o By a miraculous work of God in mercy to his Church and people 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty dayes p Which was the usual time of mourning for persons of high place and eminency See Gen. 50. 3 10. Num. 20. 29. For others seven days sufficed so the dayes of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom q And other gifts and graces too as appears from the History but Wisdom is mentioned as being most necessary for the Government to which he was now called for Moses had laid his hands upon him r Which God had appointed as a sign to Moses and Ioshua and the Israelites that this was the person whom he had appointed and qualified for his great work See Numb 27. 18 c. compare Gen. 48. 10. Numb 8. 10. and the children of Israel hearkned unto him and did as the LORD commanded Moses 10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses s In the priviledges here following whom the LORD knew face to face t i. e. Whom God did so freely and familiarly and frequently converse with See on Exod. 33. 11. Numb 12. 8. Deut. 5. 4. 11 In all the signs u This is to be joyned either 1. with the words immediately foregoing as an eminent instance wherein God did know or acknowledge and own or converse so familiarly with Moses namely in the working of all his signs and wonders in Egypt where God spake to him so oft and sometimes even in Pharaohs presence and answered his requests so particularly and punctually whether he called for vengeance or for deliverance Or 2. With the more remote words there was none like unto Moses in regard of all the signs c. the words whom the Lord knew face to face coming in by way of parenthesis and the wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land 12 And in all that mighty hand and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel JOSHUA The ARGUMENT IT is not material to know who was the Pen-man of this Book whether Joshua as seems most probable from Chap. 24. 26. or some other holy Prophet It is sufficient that this Book was a part of the Holy Scriptures or Oracles of God committed to and carefully kept by the Jews and by them faithfully delivered to us as appears by the concurring Testimony of Christ and his Apostles who owned and approved of the same Holy Scriptures which the Church of the Jews did But this is certain that divers Passages in this Book were put into it after Joshua's death as Josh. 10. 13. compared with 2 Sam. 1. 18. and Josh. 19. 47. compared with Judg. 18. 1. and Josh. 24. 29 30. And such like Insertions have been observed in the five Books of Moses CHAP. I. NOW after the death of Moses a Either immediately after it or when the days of mourning for Moses were expired Ioshua was appointed and declared Moses his Successor in the Government before this time and therefore doubtless entred upon the Government instantly after his death and here he receives confirmation from God therein the servant of the LORD b This title is given to Moses here and v. 2. as also Deut. 34. 5. and is oft repeated not without cause partly to reflect Honour upon him partly to give Authority to his Laws and Writings in publishing whereof he only acted as Gods Servant in his name and stead and partly that the Israelites might not think of Moses above what was meet remembring that he was not the Lord himself but only the Lords Servant and therefore not to be worshipped nor yet to be too pertinaceously followed in all his Institutions when the Lord himself should come and abolish part of the Mosaical Dispensation it being but reasonable that he who was only a Servant in Gods house should give place to him who was the Son and Heir and Lord of it as Christ was See Heb. 3. 3 5
and Bizjothjah 29 Baalah and lim and Azem 30 And Eltolad and Chesil and Hormah 31 And Ziklag and Madmannah and Sansannah 32 And Lebaoth and Shilhim and Ain and Rimmon all the cities are twenty and nine r Obj. Here are 37 or 38 Cities named before how then are they only reckoned 29 Ans. There were only 29 of them which either 1. Properly belonged to Iudah the rest fell to Simeons Lot or 2. Were Cities properly so called i. e. walled Cities or such as had Villages under them as it here follows the rest being great but unwalled Towns or such as had no Villages under them with their villages 33 And in the vale Eshtaol and Zoreah and Ashnah 34 And Zanoah and Engannim Tappuah and Enam 35 Jarmuth and Adullam Socoh and Azekah 36 And Sharaim and Adithaim and Gederah * Or or and Gederothaim fourteen cities s Obj. There are 15 numbred Ans. Either one of them was no City strictly called or Gederah and Gederothaim is put for Gederah or Gederothaim so called possibly because the City was double as there want not instances of one City divided into two parts called the old and the new City So the conjunction and is put for the disjunctive or whereof examples have been given before with their villages 37 Zenan and Hedashah and Migdal-gad 38 And Dilean and Mizpeh and Joktheel 39 Lachish and Bozkath and Eglon 40 And Cabbon and Lahmas and Kithlish 41 And Gederoth Beth-dagon and Naamah and Makkedah sixteen cities with their villages 42 Libnah t Heb. Libnah See Ios. 10. 29. and Ether and Ashan 43 And Jiphta and Ashnah and Nezib 44 And Keilah and Achzib and Mareshah nine cities with their villages 45 Ekron u Here and in the following Verses are contained all the Cities of the Philistines among which are Gath and Askelon which peradventure are here omitted because they were not at this time places of such Power and Eminency as afterwards they were but were the Daughters of some of these following Cities though afterwards the Daughter might overtop the Mother as is usual with her †Towns x Heb. Her Daughters i. e. lesser Cities or great Towns subject to Ekrons Jurisdiction and her villages ‡ Heb. Daughters Numb 21. 25. y i. e. Lesser Towns or Hamlets 46 From Ekron even unto the sea all that lay †near Ashdod with their villages ‡ Heb. by the place of 47 Ashdod with her †towns and her villages Gaza with her * Heb. Daughters * Heb. Daughters towns and her villages unto the river of Egypt and the great sea and the border thereof z i. e. The Sea-Coast and all other Cities Towns and Villages upon it 48 ¶ And in the mountains a i. e. In the higher grounds called Mountains or Hills in comparison of the Sea-Coast Shamir and Jattir and Socoh 49 And Dannah and Kirjath-sannah which is Debir b Which also is called Kiriath-sepher above v. 15. So this City had three Names 50 And Anab and Eshâ—…emoh and Anim 51 And Goshen c See Ios. 10. 41. and Holon and Giloh eleven cities with their villages 52 Arab and Dumah and Eshean 53 And * Janum and Beth-tappuah and 〈◊〉 Janus Aphekah 54 And Humtah and * Chap. 14. 15. Kirjath-arba which is Hebron and Zior nine cities with their villages 55 Maon d Of which see 1 Sam. 23. 25. and 25. 2. Carmel e Nabals Country 1 Sam. 25. and Ziph f Which gave its name to the Neighbouring Mountain 1 Sam. 26. 1. and Juttah 56 And Jezreel and Jokdeam and Zanoah 57 Cain Gibeah and Timnah ten cities with their villages 58 Halhul Bethzur and Gedor 59 And Maarath and Beth-anoth and Eltekon six cities with their villages 60 Kirjath-baal which is Kirjath-jearim and Rabbah two cities with their villages 61 ¶ In the wilderness g So the Hebrews call places either uninhabited by men or having but few Inhabitants Beth-arabah Middin and Secaâ—…ah 62 And Nibshan and the city of salt h So called either from the Salt Sea which was near it or from the Salt which was made in it or about it and Engedi six cities with their villages 63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jeruâ—…em i For though Ierusalem was in part taken by Ioshua before this yet the upper and stronger part of it called Zion was still kept by the Iebusites even until Davids time and it seems from thence they descended to the lower Town called Ierusalem and took it so that the Israelites were forced to win it a second time yea and a third time also for afterwards it was possessed by the Iebusites Iudg. 19. 11. 2 Sam. 5. 6 7. the children of Judah could not drive them out k Namely because of their unbelief as Christ could do no mighty work because of the peoples unbelief Mark 6. 5 6. Mat. 13. 58. and because of their Sloth and Cowardise and Wickedness whereby they forfeited Gods help and then they must needs be imporent but this inability was wilful and brought upon them by themselves but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem l The same things which are here said of the children of Iudah are said of the Benjamites Iudg. 1. 21. Hence ariseth a question To which of the Tribes Ierusalem belonged whether to Benjamin as is gathered from Gen. 49. 27. Deut. 33. 12. Ier. 6. 1. or to Iudah as is implied here and Psal. 78. 68 69. Some think that being in the Borders of both it was common to both and promiscuously inhabited by both and it is certain that after the Captivity it was possessed by both Neh. 11. 4. But for the present though it did belong to Benjamin yet the Children of Iudah being possibly very active in the first taking of it by Ioshua as they certainly were after his Death Iudg. 1. 8. they might thereby get some right to share with the Benjamites in the Possession of it It seems most probable that part of it and indeed the greatest part and main body of it stood in the Tribe of Benjamin and hence this is mentioned in the List of their Cities and not in Iudah's List and part of it stood in Iudah's share even Mount Moriah on which the Temple was built and Mount Sion when it was taken from the Iebusites unto this day m When this Book was written whether in Ioshuah's Life and Old Age which continued many years after the taking of Ierusalem or after his Death when this Clause was added here and elsewhere in this Book by some other man of God which must needs be done before Davids time when the Iebusites were quite expelled and their Fort taken CHAP. XVI AND the lot of the children of Joseph a i. e. Of Ephraim and the half Tribe of Manasseh which are here put together in one not because they had but one Lot for
the Lion did not devour its prey as the manner is nor yet go away when he had done his work which he was sent for but stood still partly to preserve the Carkass of the Prophet from other wild Beasts or Fowls which would quickly have eaten it partly as an evidence that the Prophet's Death was not casual nor the effect of a Lions hungry and ravenous disposition but of Gods singular and just Judgment and consequently that his Prediction was Divine and should be infallibly accomplished in its proper time and partly as a token of Gods favour to the deceased Prophet of whose very Carkass he took such special care thereby signifying that although for Wise and Just reasons he thought fit to take away his life yet his remains were precious to him and his Soul did live in his sight 29 And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God and laid it upon the ass and brought it back and the old prophet came to the city to mourn and to bury him 30 And he laid his carcase in his own grave p So that threatning v. 22. was fulfilled and withal the memory of his Prophecy was revived and preserved among them and his very Carkass resting there might be a witness of their madness and desperate wickedness in continuing in their abominable Idolatry after such an assurance of the dreadful effects of it and they q The old Prophet and his Sons and others whom common humanity taught to lament the untimely death of so worthy a Person mourned over him saying Alas my brother r Which was an usual form of expression in Funeral-lamentations See Ier. 22. 18. 31 And it came to pass after he had buried him that he spake to his sons saying When I am dead then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried * â—… Kin. 23. 18. lay my bones beside his bones s That I may be secured from that Judgment threatned ver 2. 32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of * See Chap. 16. 24. Samaria t i. e. Of the Kingdom of Samaria as it was called though not when this Fact was done yet before these Books were written Samaria was properly the name of one City 1 King 20. 1. but from hence the whole Kingdom of Israel was so called Ier. 31 5. Hos 7. 1. and 8. 5. and Amos 3. 9. and the King of Israel is called the King of Samaria 2 King 1. 3. Hos. 10. 7. and as here we read of the cities of Samaria Ezra 4. 10. shall surely come to pass 33 ¶ After this thing u i. e. After all these things the Singular Number put for the Plural after so many and evident and successive Miracles Which is noted to aggravate his Infidelity and Apostacy Jeroboam returned not from his evil way but ‡ Heb. returned and made * Chap. 12. 31. made again of the lowest of the people priests x He abated not so much as a circumstance in his Idolatrous Worship of the high places whosoever would y Without any respect to Tribe or Family or integrity of Body or Mind or Life all which were to be regarded in the Priesthood he ‡ Heb. filled his hand consecrated him z Heb. he filled his hand Of which Phrase see Exod. 28. 41. and 29. 9 33. and he became one of the priests of the high places 34 And this thing became sin Either an occasion of sin and means of hardening all his Posterity in their Idolatry or a punishment for so the word sin is oft used This his obstinate continuance in his Idolatry after such warnings was the utter ruin of all his Family unto the house of Jeroboam even to cut it off and to destroy it from off the face of the earth CHAP. XIV AT that time a Either First Presently after the things described in the former Chapter which though related in the beginning of his Reign yet might be done a good while after it and so Ahijah the Prophet might be very old as he is described to be v. 4. Or Secondly many Years of it i. e. Whilst Ieroboam lived and persisted in his former course For this Phrase is oft used indefinitely and without respect to the time last mentioned before it as Dan. 12. 1. Matth. 4. 1. Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick b By the stroke of God to punish Ieroboam's Rebellion against God 2 And Jeroboam said to his wife c Partly because he would trust none else with this secret partly because she might without suspition enquire concerning her own Child and partly because she would enquire most exactly and diligently and faithfully acquaint him with the whole truth Arise I pray thee and disguise thy self d Change thy habit and voice and go like a private and obscure person that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam e This caution proceeded First From the pride of his heart which made him loath to confess his folly in worshipping such ignorant and helpless Idols and to give Glory to the God whom he had forsaken Secondly From jealousie and suspition lest the Prophet knowing this should either give her no Answer or make it worse than indeed it was Thirdly From Policy lest his people should by his example be drawn to forsake the sensless Calves and to return to the God of Iudah whom they had rashly forsaken and get thee to Shiloh Behold there is Ahijah the prophet which told me that * Chap. 11. 〈◊〉 I should be king over this people 3 And take ‡ Heb. in 〈◊〉 hand with thee ten loaves and ‖ Or 〈◊〉 cracknels and a ‖ Or 〈◊〉 cruse of honey f A present after the manner Iudg. 13. 17. 1 Sam. 9. 7 8. 2 King 5. 15. and 8. 8. but mean as became an ordinary Countrey Woman which she personated and go to him g To enquire the event of this sickness as the following words imply he shall tell thee what shall become of the child 4 And Jeroboams wife did so and arose and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah but Ahijah could not see for his eyes ‡ Heb. 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 were set h Or stood still or were grown stiff the Nerves by which the Eyes and Lye-lids are moved being contracted and withered by reason of his age 5 ¶ And the LORD said unto Ahijah Behold the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son for he is sick thus and thus shalt thou say unto her for it shall be when she cometh in that she shall feign her self to be another woman 6 And it was so when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door that he said
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
it was most evident that this man was appointed by God to Destruction as is here said But Ahab was so far from punishing this Blasphemer that he doth not so much as Rebuke him but Treats him like a Friend and a Brother dismisseth him upon easie terms and takes his Word for the performance and takes not the least care for the Reparation of God's Honour but onely for the Amplification of his own Power and thy people for his people t Quest. Why were the People punished for Ahab's Sin Answ. 1. Because Ahab was punished in the loss of his People 2. The people were punished for their own Sins which were many and great though God took this occasion to Inflict it 3. The great injury and mischief hereby done to â—…is own people who by this most foolish and wicked act were exposed to all those Rapines and Slaughters which Benhadad either did commit or might have committed against them afterwards of which consequently Ahab was guilty And it must be considered That all the Israelites were the Lords peculiar people nor did their Apostacy from God deprive God of his right and the Kings of Israel and Iudah had these committed to them in way of Trust to be Governed and Protected by them And therefore Ahab for this gross breach of his Trust was justly liable though not to the Censures of his People yet to the hand of God who was his King and Governour 43 And the King of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased u Not for his Sin but for the sad Effects of it upon himself and people which he might confidently expect having had many experiences that God did not suffer the words of his Prophets to fall to the ground and came to Samaria CHAP. XXI AND it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel a Where one of Ahab's Palaces was as the other was in Samaria hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria 2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth saying Give me thy * 1 Sam. 8. 14. vineyard that I may have it for a garden of herbs because it is near unto my house and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it or if it ‡ Heb. be good in thine eyes seem good to thee I will give thee the worth of it in money 3 And Naboth said to Ahab the LORD forbid it me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee b For God hath expresly and for divers weighty reasons forbidden the alienation of Lands from the Tribes and Families to which they were allotted Levit. 25. 15 23 25. Numb 36. 7. Ezek. 46. 18. And although these might have been alienated till the Jubilee yet he durst not â—…ell it to the King for that time because he supposed that if once it came into the Kings hand especially to be made a Garden of Pleasure and affixed to his Palace neither he nor his Posterity could ever recover it again and so he should both offend God and wrong his Posterity which being as it seems a Pious Man he durst not do 4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him for he had said I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers and he laid him down upon his bed and turned away his face c From the Light and Company which either then were with him or might come to him to the Wall as Hezekiah did under a like Dejection of Spirit Isa. 38. 2. and would eat no bread d Refused to eat meat in his usual time 5 ¶ But Jezebel his wife came to him and said unto him Why is thy spirit so sad that thou earest no bread 6 And he said unto her Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite and said unto him Give me thy vineyard for money or else if it please thee I will give thee another vineyard for it and he answered I will not give thee my vineyard 7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him Doest thou now govern the kingdom of Israel e Art thou fit to be King that canst put up such Affronts from thy Subjects and hast not the Courage to use thy Absolute Power to dispose of them and theirs as seemeth good unto thee arise and eat bread and let thine heart be merry I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite 8 So she wrote letters in Ahabs name and sealed them with his seal and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles f Whom she very well knew to be fit for her purpose that were in his city g i. e. In Iezreel So she seeks to destroy him with a pretence of Justice and with as little reflection upon Ahab as might be dwelling with Naboth 9 And she wrote in the letters saying Proclaim a fast h To remove all suspition of hatred or evil design in Ahab and to beget a good opinion of him amongst his people as if his afflictions had done him good and as if he were grown zealous for Gods Honour and careful of his Peoples welfare and therefore desirous to prevent the further displeasure of God against his City and Kingdom and in order thereunto to enquire into all those sins which provoked God against them and effectually to purge them out and set Naboth ‡ Heb. in the top of the people on high i In a scaffold or some other high-place where Malefactors were usually and fitly placed that they might be seen and their Defence heard by all the People among the people 10 And set two men sons of Belial before him to bear witness against him saying Thou didst ‡ Heb. bless So Gr. Job 2. 5 9. * Act. 6. 11. blaspheme k Heb. Bless Blessing is put for cursing and blaspheming as Iob 1. 5. and 2. 9. so also here as is apparent because his blessing God and the king had been no Crime It is a Figure called Euphemismus God would have Blasphemy so much abhorred that it should not easily and unnecessarily be named by its proper name Compare Psal. 16. 4. God and the king and then carry him out l To the place where Malefactors were punished which was out of the City Lev. 24. 23. Ios. 7. 24. Mar. 15. 20. Heb. 13. 12. partly to shew that they were unworthy of all humane society and abhorred by all the people and partly because the place where they were killed was thereby ceremonially polluted and * â—…ev 24. 14. stone him m The proper punishment of Blasphemers Lev. 24. 15 16. that he may die n As one that Cursed his God and his Political Father his King See Exod. 21. 17. and 22. 28. 11 And the men of his city even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city did as Jezebel had sent unto
rather by the Power and Providence of God which disposeth the hearts of Kings as he pleaseth and inclined them to this course that they might though ignorantly accomplish his word and counsel 32 And it came to pass when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat that they said Surely it is the king of Israel And they turned aside d They drew their Forces from their several quarters towards Iehoshaphat to fight against him and Jehoshaphat cried out e To the Lord for help 2 Chron. 18. 31. 33 And it came to pass when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel f Which they easily perceived either by their words uttered to God or them or by the difference of his shape and countenance from that of Ahab which probably many of them very well knew that they turned back from pursuing him 34 And a certain man drew a bow ‡ Heb. in his simplicity at a venture g Heb. In his simplicity i. e. ignorantly without care or choice or any design or thought of reaching Ahab Or according to his perfection i. e. with his perfect and utmost strength which is mentioned as the reason why it pierced through the joynts of his Armour and smote the king of Israel between the ‡ Heb. joynts and the breast-plate joynts of the harness h Where the several parts of his Armour are joyned together which possibly were not then joyned with so much art and closeness as now they are wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot Turn thine hand and carry me out of the host i Out of the midst of the Host where the heat of the Battel was into a safer part of the Army See the next Verse for I am ‡ Heb. made sick wounded 35 And the battel ‡ Heb. ascended increased k i. e. Grew hot and violent that day and the king was stayed up l Was supported by Cordials or by his Servants that by his presence he might encourage his Soldiers to Fight more couragiously and that he might see the event of the Battel in his chariot against the Syrians and died at even and the blood ran out of the wound into the ‡ Heb. bosom midst of the chariot 36 And there went a proclamation throughout the host m Probably by Iehoshaphat's order with the consent of the chief Captains of Israel and possibly with the permission of the King of Syria upon notice of Ahab's Death which was the onely thing at which he aimed ver 31. about the going down of the sun saying Every man to his city and every man to his own countrey n The King is Dead and the Battel ended and therefore every man hath liberty to return to his own House and private occasions 37 ¶ So the king died and ‡ Heb. came was brought to Samaria and they buried the king in Samaria 38 And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria and the dogs licked up his blood o Together with the Water wherewith it was mixed and they washed his armour according * Chap. 21. 19. unto the word of the LORD which he spake p Of which see the Note on chap. 21. 19. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did and the ivory house q Heb. the house of the tooth or teeth to wit of Elephants See chap. 10. 18. Not that it was made wholly of solid Ivory but because the other materials were covered or intermixed or adorned with Ivory Compare Amos 3. 15. which he made and all the cities that he built are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel 40. So Ahab slept with his fathers and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead 41 ¶ And * 2 Chr. 20. 31. Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab r Who Reigned 22 Years therefore he Reigned about 18 Years with Ahab king of Israel 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign and he reigned twenty and five years s Part by himself and partly with his Sons whom he took into the Fellowship of his Kingdom Of which see more on 2 King 1. 17. in Jerusalem and his mothers name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi 43 And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father t He took the same care for the Government of his Kingdom and especially for the Reformation of Religion that Asa did of whom see Chap. 15. 11. he turned not aside from it doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD nevertheless the high places were not taken away u Object It is said he did take them away 2 Chron. 17. 6. Answ. He took away those which were Erected to Idols of which he seems to speak there because the high places are there joyned with groves which were generally Erected to Idols and not to the True God as will appear to any one that shall compare all the Scriptures where groves are mentioned but he could not take away those which were Erected to the True God of which this place manifestly speaks as also that Parallel place 1 King 15. 14. where see the notes Or he took them away but not fully or not in the very beginning of his Reign for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places 44 And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel x With Ahab first and then with his Son This is noted as a Blemish in his Government 2 Chron. 19. 2. and proved of most Mischievous Consequence to Iehoshaphat's Posterity as we shall see 2 King 9. and 10. 45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat and his might that he shewed and how he warred are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah y Whence the most memorable Passages were Translated into that Canonical Book of the Chronicles 46 And the remnant of the Sodomites z Of whom see Deut. 23. 17. 1 King 14. 24. and 15. 12. which remained in the days of his father Asa he took out of the land 47 There was then no king in Edom a deputy a Sent and set over them by the Kings of Iudah from the time of David 2 Sam. 8. 14. until the days of Iehoram 2 Chron. 21. 8. was king 48 Jehoshaphat ‖ Or had ten ships made ships b As it is expressed 2 Chron. 20. 36. Or there were to Iehoshaphat ten ships the Ellipsis of the Verb Substantive and of the Praefix Lamed being frequent in the Hebrew Language Some render the Words he made ten ships so joyning both Texts together and out of both compleating the sence of Tharshish c Either 1. Of the Sea as this Word is thought sometimes to be used Or rather 2. To go to Tarshish
Ahab and made a Garden 22 And it came to pass when Joram saw Jehu that he said Is it peace f Dost thou come to me with a Peaceable mind or in a way of Hostility For now when it was too late he began to suspect some Treachery which God hid from him before to prepare him for destruction Jehu And he answered What peace g What cause hast thou to expect Peace when thou hast so long abetted and dost still abet and allow thy Mother in her abominable practises so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts h Which are to be understood Either First Literally Spiritual Whoredom which is Idolatry being oft punished with corporal See ver 30. and witchcraft there was oft practised by Idolaters Or rather Mystically and Spiritually of her Idolatry which is oft called whoredom because it is a departing from God to whom we are all tied by many obligations and witchcraft either because it doth so powerfully bewitch and deceive mens minds or because it is a manifest entring into Covenant with the Devil For Idolatry being her chief sin and the cause of all the rest it seems improbable that Iehu would omit that in the Inditement which he drew against her He mentions not Ioram's but his Mothers sins partly because they were more notorious and infamous partly because they were the principal cause why God inflicted and he was come to execute these Judgments partly because by his connivence he had made them his own and partly because he could find no gross and odious matter wherewith to charge him except about the worship of the Calves which he forbore to mention both lest it should lose his Interest amongst his Officers and Soldiers who were devoted to that worship and because he himself intended to keep it up are so many 23 And Joram turned his hands i Either that therewith he might turn the Reins of the Chariot or that by this motion he might direct his Charioteer to turn it from Iehu and fled and said to Ahaziah There is treachery O Ahaziah 24 And Jehu ‡ Heb. filled his hand with a bow drew a bow with his full strength and smote Jehoram between his arms k Between his shoulders when he was turned or turning back the Chariot being probably open behind as many times they were and the arrow went out at his heart and he ‡ Heb. bowed sunk down in his chariot 25 Then said Iohn to Bidkar his captain Take up and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite for remember how that ‖ Or I and thoâ—… were with them that rode together when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father l Which might be when Ahab went in his Chariot attended with his Nobles or Chief Officers of which these were two to take a formal and solemn possession of Naboth's Land for then the Prophet Elijah met him and denounced this Judgment against him 1 King 21. 17 c. * 1 Kin. 21. 29. the LORD laid this burden m i. e. This grievous Prophecy for such are oft and truly called burdens as Isa. 13. 1. and 15. 1. Ier. 23. 33 34. Nah. 1. 1. upon him 26 Surely I have seen yesterday the ‡ Heb. bloods blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons n Who as it seems were killed with their Father by Iezabel's advice to make the possession of the Vineyard more sure to Ahab though it be not mentioned in its proper place 1 Kin. 21. 13. For it is not unusual to bring in such fragments of History in succeeding Writings which were neglected in the History of those matters Thus we read of the earthquake in the days of Uzziah Amos 1. 1. which was not Recorded in his History in the Books of the Kings or Chronicles Although he might well be charged with â—…aking away the lives of his Sons because he took away the necessary supports of their lives said the LORD and I will requite thee in this ‖ Or portion plat o Of which see the Notes on 1 King 21. 19. saith the LORD Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground p Where he shall lie unburied and be a prey to the Dogs or Fowls according to the prediction 1 King 21. 24. according to the word of the LORD 27 ¶ But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this he fled by the way of the garden-house q By some secret way hoping to escape whilst they were busie about Ioram and Jehu followed after him and said Smite him also r As you have done Ioram for he also is of the House of Ahab chap. 8. 18. in the chariot and they did so s They smote or wounded him but not mortally either supposing that the wound was mortal or being more remiss in executing Iehu's Sentence against him because they were not so much concerned in his as in Ioram's Death or because they had some kindness for him either for his own or for Iehoshaphat's sake at the going up to Gur which is by Ibleam and he fled to Megiddo and died there t Quest. How doth this agree with 2 Chron. 22. 9. He sought Ahaziah and they caught him for he was hid in Samaria and brought him to Iehu and when they had slain him c Ans. Either First Samaria is there to be understood not of the City but of the Kingdom or Territory so called 1 Kin. 13. 32. and elsewhere in which Megiddo was and so that may be noted to shew that he could not flee into his own Kingdom where he might have been safe but was forced to take up in another part of the Kingdom of Israel in the Territory of Samaria and there to hide himself Or Secondly If Samaria be the City then the History is briefly and imperfectly described here and the defects supplied there the Book of Chronicles being in great part written for that end to supply things omitted in the Book of Kings and out of both the History may be thus compleated He fled first to Megiddo and thence to Samaria where he was caught and thence brought to Iehu and by his Sentence was put to death at Megiddo either because Iehu was there at that time upon some occasion or for some other reason which at this distance of time we cannot understand 28 And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David u Which they did by Iehu's permission for Iehoshaphat's sake 2 Chron. 22. 9. 29 And in the eleventh year of Joram x Of this see the Note on chap. 8. 25. the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah 30 ¶ And when Jehu was come to Jezreel Jezebel heard of it and she ‡ Heb. put 〈◊〉 eyes in pâ—…ing painted her face and tired her head y
Either hoping that by her Majestick dress and carriage she might strike Iehu or his followers with such an awe that they should not offer any injury to her person or rather because perceiving her case to be desperate and that she could not live was resolved to die with honour and gallantry and looked out at a window 31 And as Jehu entred in at the gate z Of the Kings Palace she said Had Zimri peace who slew his master a Remember that thy brother Traitor Zimri had but a very short enjoyment of the benefit of his Treason and was speedily and severely punished for it by my Grand-Father Omri 1 King 16. 9 16. and do thou expect the same from some of my posterity 32 And he lift up his face to the window and said Who is on my side who And there looked out to him two or three ‖ Or châ—… lains eunuchs b For such used to attend upon Queens in their Chambers 33 And he said Throw her down So they threw her down c Being mercenary Creatures they quickly comply with Iehu's command Sacrificing her life to save their own and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall and on the horses And he trode her under foot 34 And when he was come in he did eat and drink and said Go see now this cursed woman and bury her d This he suddenly commanded either because he had forgot the charge given him above ver 10. or because having done his own business he was careless about Gods Work and the fulfilling of his threatning for she is a kings daughter e See 1 King 16. 31. He doth not say because she was a kings wife left he should seem to shew any respect to that wicked and cursed House of Ahab which God had devoted to ignominy and utter destruction 35 And they went to bury her but they found no more of her than the scull and the feet and the palms of her hands 36 Wherefore they came again and told him and he said This is the word of the LORD f This strange Providence brings that to his mind which he had forgotten or did not regard which he spake ‡ Heb. by the hand of by his servant Elijah the Tishbite saying * 1 Kin. 21. 23. In the portion of Jezreel shall the dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel 37 And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel so that they shall not say This is Jezebel g These words are not extant in the place where this Prophecy is first mentioned 1 King 21. 23. but are here added either by Iehu by way of explication and amplification or rather because Elijah spoke them though they be not there Recorded as being for the substance of them contained in the former words it being usual to insert some passages in following Writings which had been omitted in the former CHAP. X. AND Ahab had seventy sons a Either First Properly Sons by several Wives Or rather Secondly Grand-Sons are comprehended who are oft called sons and Grand-Fathers fathers in Scripture in Samaria b Either because they were bred up there that being the chief City of the Kingdom or because upon the tidings of Ioram's slaughter they fled thither or were by their Friends conveyed from several parts thither as to the strongest place in which it may seem by Iehu's message they intended to defend themselves and Ahab's Children and to set up one as King in Ioram's stead or rather because they were left there by Ioram when he went to Ramoth-Gilead that if the Syrians had prevailed against him they might have safety in that very strong and great City and he by their means succour from it And Jehu wrote letters and sent to Samaria unto the rulers of Jezreel c Heb. the princes of Iezreel i. e. the great Persons and Officers of the Court which then was and had been for some time at Iezreel who either had fled thither with Ahab's Sons upon the news of Iehu's actions and successes or rather had been sent by Ioram with his Sons to Samaria to take care of them there to the elders d Either by Age or rather by Office the Rulers or Senators of Samaria and to ‡ Heb. nouâ—…hers them that brought up Ahabs children saying e That had a more particular care of the several Children under the inspection of the princes or rulers here mentioned 2 Now assoon as this letter cometh to you seeing your masters sons are with you and there are with you chariots and horses a â—…enced city also and armour 3 Look even out the best and meetest of your masters sons and set him on his fathers throne and â—…ight for your masters house f Thus he speaks either because he had some notice of their intentions thus to do or to make tryal of them whether they would do so or would be true to him and his designs or to signify to them his intentions of fighting against them if they did so that by the terror hereof he might bring them to a compliance with him 4 But they were exceedingly afraid and said Behold two kings stood not before him g All their Power and Interest either in Iezreel or in the Army before or in Ramoth-Gilead could not hinder him from executing his design from killing the two Kings and from invading one of their Kingdoms It is true he surprised the Kings which a little weakens their argument but fear and self-love made them easily yield to it how then should we stand 5 And he that was over the house h The chief Governour of the Kings Palace or Castle there and he that was over the city i The chief Magistrate or Military Governour the elders also and the bringers up of the children sent to Jehu saying We are thy servants and will do all that thou shalt bid us k They make no delays or conditions but submit all to his mercy we will not make any king do thou that which is good in thine eyes 6 Then he wrote a letter l Thus Iezabel is requited for her Letter directed in like manner to the Elders of Naboth's City whereby his life was wickedly taken away 1 Kin. 21. 8. And it is probable that some of these Elders were concerned in that very business which makes the Judgment of God more remarkable the second time to them saying If ye be ‡ Heb. for me mine and if ye will hearken unto my voice take ye the heads of the men m Which word seems to imply that some of them were grown up who doubtless trod in their Parents steps and those that were yunger were justly cut off for their Parents sin of which see on Exod. 20. 5. Deut. 5. 9. your masters sons and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time now the kings sons
it not good if peace and truth be in my days k Which he speaks not as if he were careless and unconcerned for his Posterity which neither the common inclinations and affections of Nature in all Men nor that singular Piety and Charity which was eminent and manifest in Hezekiah can suffer us to believe or for the Church and People of God for whose welfare he was so solicitous and industrious in the whole course of his Life but because it was a singular favour that this Judgment did not immediately follow his sin the cause of it but was suspended for a longer time 20 ¶ And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might and how he made a pool and a conduit and brought water into the city are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah 21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead CHAP. XXI MAnasseh * â—… 〈◊〉 33. 1. was twelve years old when he began to reign and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem a In which time the Years of his Imprisonment are comprehended 2 Chron. 33. 11. and his mothers name was Hephzi-bah 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD b Partly by the instigation of the wicked Princes of Iudah who in Hezekiah's time were secret Enemies to his Reformation and now when their Fetters were knock't off by Hezekiah's death break forth into open Hostility against it and corrupt the Kings tender years with their wicked counsel and principally by his own vicious inclination after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel 3 For he built up again the high places * 〈◊〉 18. 4. which Hezekiah his father had destroyed and he reared â—…p altars for Baal and made a grove as * 1 〈◊〉 16. 33 did Ahab king of Israel and worshipped all the host of heaven c The Stars which the Gentiles had transformed into gods See on Deut. 4. 19. and served them 4 And * 〈◊〉 32. 34. he built altars in the house of the LORD d i. e. In the Temple its self in the Holy-place because this is distinguished from the courts of the house ver 5. of which the LORD said * 2 Sam. 7. 13. 1 〈◊〉 8. 29. 〈◊〉 9. 3. In Jerusalem will I put my Name e That place I have peculiarly Consecrated to my Worship and Honour which made it the greater Injustice and Impiety and Sacriledge to Alienate it from God and to Dedicate it or any part of it especially the Temple to the service of Idols whom God abhorreth 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts f The one of the Priests the other of the People 1 King 6. 36. of the house of the LORD 6 And * Lev. 18. 2â—… and 2â—… â—… he made his son pass through the fire g Of which see the Notes on Lev. 18. 21. and 2 King 16. 3. and observed times h i. e. Lucky or unlucky days or seasons for the dispatch of businesses according to the superstitious practise of the Heathens See Esth. 3. 7. See also Lev. 19. 26. Deut. 18. 10 11. and used inchantments and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger 7 And he set a graven image of the grove i Either First The Image of that Baal which was worshipped in the Grove Or Secondly A representation of the Grove as may seem by comparing chap. 23. 6. Or Thirdly The Graven Image of Asherah a god or goddess so called possibly the same called elsewhere Ashtaroth See Iudg. 6. 25 28. 2 King 23. 6. 2 Chron. 15. 16. that he had made in the house of which the LORD said to David and to Solomon his son * 2 Saâ—… â—… 1â—… 1 King â—… 〈◊〉 and 9. 3. Chap. 23. 27 Psal. 1â—… 13. In this house and in Jerusalem which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel will I put my Name for ever 8 Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land k They shall no more be carried Captives into a strange Land as it had happened before which I gave their fathers onely if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them 9 But they hearkened not and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel l Partly because they were not contented with those Idols which the Canaanites worshipped but either themselves invented or they borrowed from other Nations many new Idols and kinds of Idolatry and partly because as their light was far more clear their obligations to God infinitely higher and their helps and antidotes against Idolatry much stronger than the Canaanites had so their sins though the same in kind were unspeakably worse in respect of these dreadful aggravations 10 ¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets saying 11 * Jer. 15. 4. Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites m i. e. The Canaanitish Nations all so called from one eminent part of them See on Gen. 15. 16. did which were before him and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols n By his Example Encouragement Counsel Authority and Command 12 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel Behold I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah that whosoever heareth of it both * 1 Sam. 3. 11. his ears shall tingle o By the great commotion which such terrible reports shall cause in the hearts and heads of the hearers See on 1 Sam. 3. 11. Ier. 19. 3. 13 And I * Isa. 34. 11. will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria p She shall have the same measure and lot i. e. the same Judgments which Samaria had The line is oft put for ones lot or portion as Psal. 16. 6. 2 Cor. 10. 16. because mens portions or possessions used to be measured by Lines Psal. 78. 55. Amos 7. 17. Or it is a Metaphor from workmen who mark out by Lines what parts of the Building they would have thrown down and what they would have stand See Isa. 34. 11. Lam. 2. 8. Amos 7. 7 8. Zech. 1. 16. Or it is an allusion to that fact of David who destroyed the Moabites by a measuring Line 2 Sam. 8. 2. ‡ Heb. over the House of Manasseh and the plummet of the house of Ahab and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish ‡ Heb he wipeth and turneth it upon the face thereof wiping it and turning it upside down q As men do with a
e Mentioned also ch 12. 15. supposed to be the same who is called Obed ch 15. 1. This and the other Prophets mentioned were also Historians and wrote some Annals or Histories of their times out of which these Sacred and Canonical Books were taken either by these or other Prophets against Jeroboam the son of Nebat 30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years 31 And Solomon slept with his fathers and he was buried in the city of David his father and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead CHAP. X. 1 ANd * Rehoboam went to Shechem a The Contents of this Chapter are in 1 King 12. where see the Notes for 1 Kin. 12. â—… c. to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king 2 And it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nebat who was in Egypt whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king heard it that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt 3 And they sent b Or For as that Particle is oft used as hath been noted before they had sent c. So this is the Reason why he returned as was said v. 2. and called him So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam saying 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father and his heavy yoke that he put upon us and we will serve thee 5 And he said unto them come again unto me after three days And the people departed 6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived saying What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people 7 And they spake unto him saying If thou be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them they will be thy servants for ever 8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him that stood before him 9 And he said unto them What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people which have spoken to me saying Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us 10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him saying thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee saying thy father made our yoke heavy but make thou it somewhat lighter for us thus shalt thou say unto them My little finger shall be thicker than my fathers loins 11 For whereas my father †Heb. 〈◊〉 put a heavy yoke upon you I will put more to your yoke my father chastised you with whips but I will chastise you with scorpions 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king bade saying Come again to me on the third day 13 And the king answered them roughly and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men 14 And answered them after the advice of the young men saying My father made your yoke heavy but I will add thereto my father chastised you with whips but I will chastise you with scorpions 15 So the king hearkened not unto the people for the cause was of God that the LORD might perform his word which he spake by the * 1 Kin. 11 〈◊〉 hand of Abijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat 16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them the people answered the king saying What portion have we in David and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse every man to your tents O Israel and now David see to thine own house So all Israel went to their tents 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah Rehoboam reigned over them 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute and the children of Israel stoned him with stones that he died but king Rehoboam †〈…〉 made speed to get him up to his chariot to â—…lee to Jerusalem 19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day CHAP. XI 1 ANd * â—… Kin. 12. 21 â—… when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin a Of this verse and v. 2 3 4. see the Notes on 1 King 12. 21. c. an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men which were warriours to fight against Israel that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam 2 But the word of the LORD came to Shemajah the man of God saying 3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin saying 4 Thus saith the LORD Ye shall not go up nor fight against your brethren return every man to his house for this thing is done of me And they obeyed the words of the LORD and returned from going against Jeroboam 5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem and built cities b i. e. Repaired and enlarged and fortified them as building is oft used in Scripture as hath been formerly proved For these Cities or divers of them were built before as appears from Ios. 10. 10. 12. 15. 15. 24 33 35 58. 19. 42. for defence in Judah 6 He built even Beth-lehem and Etam and Tekoa 6 And Beth-zur and Shoco and Adullam 8 And Gath and Maresha and Ziph 9 And Adoraim Lachish and Azekah 10 And Zorah and Ajalon and Hebron which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities 11 And he â—…ortified the strong holds and put captains in them and store of victuals and oyl and wine 12 And in every several city c To wit so fortified as he said v. 11. he put shields and spears and made them exceeding strong having Judah and Benjamin on his side 13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel †resorted to him out of all their coasts 〈…〉 14 For the Levites left their * suburbs and their possession and came to Judah and Jerusalem for * 〈◊〉 â—…5 2. 〈◊〉 13. 9. Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priests office unto the LORD d They would not suffer them to instruct and assist the Israelites in the worship and service of God nor to go up to Jerusalem to worship in their Courses and these Priests would not joyn with them in the Worship of the Calves as they were desired and commanded to do and therefore they willingly forsook all their Patrimonies and Possessions for Gods Sake 15 And he ordained him priests for the high places and for the devils and for the calves e Or for the high places both for the Devils i. e. the Baals or false gods which divers of his People worshipped whom he permitted and encouraged to do so giving them liberty to do any thing 〈◊〉 to serve God at Jerusalem and for the Calves So he erected two sorts of High places
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
contented himself with the Worship of the Calves and did not practise that great Idolatry which his Predecessors had used and therefore would patiently suffer the breaking of these Images of Baal and the things belonging to them which is all that was done at this time 2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses every man according to his service the priests and Levites for burnt-offerings and for peace-offerings to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD b i. e. Within the Gates of the House of the Lord which is here called tents partly because all Houses are oft so called as Iudg. 19. 9. 20. 8. Psal. 69 25. And partly because the Host of the Lord to wit the priests and Levites frequently so called encamped there and kept their Stations and Orders there by course 3 He appointed also the kings portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings c Which had hitherto been and were to be taken out of the Treasures of the Temple which were collected from the People 1 Chron. 26. 20. Nehem. 10. 32 33. but that he might ease them in their present Poverty which his Predecessor had brought upon them and engage them to a more chearful attendance upon Gods Service he took the Burden upon himself to wit for the morning and evening burnt-offerings and the burnt-offerings of the sabbaths and for the new moons and for the set feasts as it is written in the * Numb 28. 29. law of the LORD 4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD d i. e. Freed from worldly Cares and Distractions and enabled to give up themselves entirely to the serious Study of Gods Law in which many of them were ignorant and to the Instruction and Direction and quickning of the People in their several Duties 5 And as soon as the commandment †Heb. brake forth came abroad e Either 1. As soon as the Report of this Command of the King v. 4. was got abroad into other parts Or 2. as soon as the King enlarged and extended that Command to all the Parts of his kingdom which v. 4. was confined to them that dwell in Jerusalem the children of Israel brought in abundance the first-fruits of corn wine and oil and ‖ Or dates honey f Or Dates as the Hebrew Writers generally and many other Learned Hebricians understand this word which is given to them because of the Sweetness of their Tast in some sort resembling Honey For the Law requires no Tithes but of the Fruits of Trees or of the Earth or of Beasts and of all the increase of the field and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly 6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah that dwelt in the cities of Judah they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep g They brought in not onely the same Tithes which the Dwellers in Jerusalem did to wit of corn and wine and oil c. which they had in their own Storehouses in that City but also Oxen and Sheep which were more proper to the Country For under the Cities of Iudah are comprehended the Suburbs and Territories adjacent and belonging to them as is evident from the Nature of the thing and the Law of God and the * Lev. 27. 30. Deut. 14. 28. tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God h This may be taken either 1. By way of Explication even the Tithe of Holy things c. Or rather 2. By way of Addition the Tithe of all Holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord whether by Vow or voluntary Promise or otherwise as the Tithes of Gains by Merchandise or Spoils of War c. of which see Gen. 14. 20. 28. 22. Numb 31. 28. 30. and laid them †Heb. heaps heaps by heaps 7 In the third month i To wit of the Sacred Year Exod. 12. 2. in which their Harvest began they began to lay the foundation of the heaps and finished them in the seventh month k In which their Harvest ended and the Feast of Tabernacles was kept Exod. 23. 16. Levit. 23. 34. 8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps they blessed the LORD l Both for giving such plentiful Provisions to his Land in this Year and for giving his People such Liberal and Pious Hearts towards this good Work and his people Israel m They praised them for their forwardness and faithfulness in it 9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps n How it came to pass that no more of their Provision was spent and that there yet remained such great Heaps of it 10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok o Either 1. the High-priest called also Zadok 1 Chron. 6. 12. because he was of his Line and Family Or 2 The Chief Priest or the Head of that Family of Zadok or of Eleazar as there was another Chief Priest of the Family of Abiathar or of Ithamaâ—… See 2 Sam. 8. 17. 1 Chron. 24. 3. but both Subject to the High-Priest answered him and said * 〈◊〉 3. 12. Since the people began to bring the offerings p Which they did from the beginning of the Harvest according to the manner into the house of the LORD we have had enough to eat and have left plenty for the LORD hath blessed his people q In an Extraordinary Degree and that which is left is this great store 11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chambers in the house of the LORD r Largely so called to wit in the Courts or in the Chambers adjoyning to the House and they prepared them 12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicate things faithfully over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler and Shimei his brother was the next 13 And Jehiel and Azaziah and Nahath and Asahel and Jerimoth and Jozabad and Eliel and Ismachiah and Mahath and Benajah were overseers †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hand under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother s i. e. To dispose of those Provisions by their Direction and to be accountable to them therein at the commandment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of the house of God t Either the Supreme Ruler to wit the High-priest or the Chief Ruler under him and in his stead being appointed by him to inspect this Work See above v. 10. 1 Chron. 9. 11. Ier. 20. 1. 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite the porter toward the east u At the East-gate of the Lords House of which see on ch 23. 5. was over the free-will-offerings of God
the men that made this building i. e. who were the chief undertakers and encouragers of this work For although the Hebrew particle mah rendred what seems always to be used interrogatively yet the Chaldee particle man here rendred what is used otherwise as is manifest from Dan. 4. 17. unto them after this manner What are the names of the men †Chal. that build this building that make this building 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews that they could not cause them to cease f Because God over-ruled their Hearts and Hands that they did not hinder them by force as they could have done till the matter came to Darius and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter 6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai governour on this side the river and Shethar-boznai and his companions the Apharsachites g A People so called sent hither as a Colony As for the other people mentioned chap. 4. 9. they seem to have had a greater Power with Rehum and Shimshai than with these new Officers who made choice of other companions which were on this side the river h Whereby they are distinguished from those of their Brethren who yet continued in their native Countrey beyond the River and were not transplanted hither sent unto Darius the king 7 They sent a letter unto him †Chal. in the midst whereof wherein was written thus Unto Darius the king all peace 8 Be it known unto the king that we went into the province of Judea to the house of the great God i Whom the Jews account the great God the God of Gods esteeming all others to be but little and false gods which is built with †Chal. stones of rolling great stones and timber is laid in the walls and this work goeth fast on and prospereth in their hands 9 Then asked we those elders and said unto them thus who commanded you to build this house and to make up these walls 10 We asked their names also to certifie thee that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them 11 And they returned us answer saying We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and build the house that was built many years ago which a great king of Israel built * 1 Kin. 6. 1. and set up 12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath he gave them into the hand of * 2 Kin. 24. 2. 25. 8. Nebuchad-nezzar the king of Babylon the Chaldean who destroyed this house and carried the people away into Babylon 13 But in the first year of * Ch. 1. 1. Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God 14 And * Ch. 1. â—… â—… 6. 5. the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought them into the temple of Babylon those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon and they were delivered unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar whom he had made ‖ Or 〈◊〉 governour 15 And said unto him Take these vessels go carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem and let the house of God be built in his place 16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem And since that time even until now k Allowing for some interruptions hath it been in building and yet it is not finished 17 Now therefore if it seem good to the king let there be search made in the kings treasure-house which is there at Babylon whether it be so that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter CHAP. VI. 1 THen Darius the king made a decree a Either 1. To search the Rolls Or rather 2. To permit and promote the building of the Temple And so the following words may be rendred after search was made c. the Hebrew particle vau being oft so used as hath been noted before and search was made in the house of the †Chal. 〈◊〉 rolls where the treasures †Chal. 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 were laid up in Babylon b Either 1. In the Kingdom or Empire of Babylon which he now possessed Or rather 2. In the City of Babylon where search was first made supposing that this Edict which was made presently after Cyrus had taken Babylon was kept there but not finding it there they searched in Ackmetha and found it there 2 And there was found c Here the Kings answer may seem to begin and this following account he sends to them and after that lays down his commands at ‖ Or 〈◊〉 or iâ—… 〈◊〉 Achmetha d The Royal City of the Medes and Persians in the palace that is in the province of the Medes a roll and therein was a record thus written 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem Let the house be built the place where they offered Sacrifices and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid the height thereof threescore cubits and the breadth thereof threescore cubits e He did not command them to make it so large for he left the ordering of the proportions of the Building to their skill and choice but he restrained them that they should make it no larger lest they should hereafter make use of it to other purposes against himself But those proportions differ much from those of Solomon's Temple which was but Thirty Cubits high only the porch was 120 Cubits high and but 20 Cubits in breadth Either therefore Solomons Cubits were sacred Cubits which were larger than the other and these were but common Cubits Or the 60 Cubits of heighth are meant only of the Porch which he would not have to be so high and magnificent as that of Solomons was lest they should be puffed up with it and by degrees arrive at their former heighth and insolence And the word rendred breadth may be and is by some rendred more generally the extension or amplitude or the length of it it being improbable that the King should give orders about the breadth and none about the length of it 4 With three rows of great stones and a row of new timber f As Solomon's Temple was built 1 Kin. 6. 36. Whereof Darius was informed by some of the Jews who also desired that it might be done in this manner and let the expences be given out of the kings house 5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem and brought unto Babylon be restored g To
the people r Whose passions being once raised could not suddenly be composed saying Hold your peace s Cease from weeping and mournful cries and turn your lamentations into thanksgivings for the day is holy neither be ye grieved 12 And all the people went their way to eat and to drink and to send portions and to make great mirth because they had understood the words that were declared unto them r Because they now knew Gods mind and their own duty which they were resolved to practise which gave them ground of hope and trust in Gods mercy and consequently of great and just joy 13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people the priests and the Levites u Chusing rather to confess their ignorance for their edification then vainly to pretend to more knowledge than they had wherein they shew both true humility and serious godliness that they were more careful to learn and practice their duty than to preserve their reputation with the people unto Ezra the scribe even ‖ Or that they might instruct in the words of the law to understand the words of law x That they might more exactly understand the meaning of some things which they had heard before and so instruct the people in them 14 And they found y Upon Ezra's information and their discourse with him written in the law which the LORD had commanded †Heb. by the hand of by Moses that the children of Israel should dwell in * Lev. 23. 34. Deut. 16. 1â—… booths in the feast of the seventh month 15 And that they should publish z i. e. And they found this also written which is to be supplied out of the former verse that they should c. which though it be not particularly required so as is expressed in the words here following yet in the general is required by vertue of that precept Levit. 23 4. Numb 10. 10. And according to this translation it must be understood in the close of this verse that they did accordingly publish and proclaim c. But these words may be rendred which as this Hebrew word is rendred here v. 14. and most commonly also so the particle vau is used Isa. 6. 1. Ier. 1. 3. also they did publish c. For so they did as is evident and acknowledged and it seems fit that so much should be expressed and these words being so particular and proper to this special occasion seem to intimate that this is rather an historical relation of what they now did than a declaration of that which the law required them to do which was but in very general terms and not so exact and particular as this following precept is said to be and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem saying Go forth unto the mount a The mount of Olives which was next Ierusalem and stored with Olive-branches and probably with the rest here mentioned for these trees may seem to have been planted here abouts principally for the use of this capital City in this very feast which though long neglected should have been celebrated once every year And therefore this place seems to be here designed as the most eminent place but with an usual Synecdoche this place being put for any place nearest to the several cities of Judah where these branches were to be procured fetch olive-branches pine-branches and myrtle-branches and palm-branches and branches of thick trees b Of which see on Levit. 23. 34 Deut. 16. 13. to make booths as it is written 16 So the people went forth and brought them and made themselves booths every one upon the roof of his house c For the houses there were made â—…at of which see Deut. 22. 8. and in their courts d Belonging to their own Houses for these might be any where in the open air and in the courts of the house of God and in the street of the water-gate and in the street of the gate of Ephraim e That gate of the City which led to the Tribe of Ephraim 17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths and sate under the booths for f Or surely as the Hebrew chi is oft used as hath been noted before For the following words seem not so much to give a reason of what was last said or done concerning their dwelling in booths as to contain the holy writers reflection upon the present celebration of this feast since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so g Either 1. So as to the matter or substance of the thing So it implies that all this while the feast of Tabernacles was not observed Which seems altogether improbable considering how expresly this was commanded to be celebrated Levit. 23. c. and what excellent Kings and Priests and Prophets there had been within that time such as were persons of great understanding and most expert and studious in Gods Word and therefore could not be ignorant of so plain a duty and withal so throughly pious and careful and zealous for God and the observation of his law and worship and some of them commended for their universal obedience to all Gods commands and therefore would not be guilty of so gross a neglect Besides that this feast was observed is sufficiently implied in 1 Kings 8. 2 65. 2 Chr. 7. 9. is particularly expressed Ezra 3 4. Or rather 2. So as to the manner circumstances They never kept this feast so joyfully as the next words declare having not only the same causes of rejoycing which they formerly had but some special causes to increase their joy towit the remembrance of their stupendious deliverance both out of the land of their Captivity out of the hands of their wicked malicious Neighbours ever since their return especially now when they were new building the walls of Ierusalem they never kept it so solemnly and religiously for whereas at other times only the first and last day of that feast were celebrated with an holy convocation Levit 23. 35 36. Ioh. 7. 37. now there was an holy convocation and the people assembled and attended upon the reading of the law everyday of this feast as is noted in the next verse and there was very great gladness 18 Also day by day from the first day unto the last day he read in the book of the law of God h Which was commanded to be done at this feast Deut. 31. 10 11 12. though not injoyned to be done every day as now out of a singular zeal they did and they kept the feast seven days and on the eighth day was †Heb. 1 restraint a solemn assembly * Lev. 23. 36. according unto the manner CHAP. IX 1 NOW in the twenty and fourth day of this month
5 Harim Meremoth Obadiah 6 Daniel Ginnethon Baruch 7 Meshullam Abijah Mijamin 8 Maaziah Bilgai Shemajahâ—… these were the priests 9 And the Levites both Jeshua the son of Azaniah Binnui of the sons of Henadad Kadmiel 10 And their brethren Shebaniah Hodijah Kellta Pelajah Hanan 11 Micah Rehob Hashabiah 12 Zaccur Sherebiah Shebaniah 13 Hodijah Bani Beninu 14 The chief of the people c i. e. Their elders or representatives acting in the stead and by the appointment of all the rest for it had been troubelsome and unnecessary for every one of the people to seal Parosh Pahath-moab Elam Zattu Bani 15 Bunni Azgad Bebai 16 Adonijah Bigvai Adin 17 Ater Hizkijah Azzur 18 Hodiah Hashum Bezai 19 Hariph Anathoth Nebai 20 Magpiash Meshullam Hezir 21 Meshezabeel Zadok Jaddua 22 Pelatiah Hanan Anajah 23 Hoshea Hananiah Hashub 24 Hallohesh Pileha Shobek 25 Rehum Hashabnah Maasejah 26 And Ahijah Hanan Anan 27 Malluch Harim Baanah 28 * Ezr. 2. 〈◊〉 And the rest d Those who did not write and seal with their own hands but onely by their deputies above mentioned of the people the priests the Levites the porters the singers the Nethinims and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God their wives their sons and their daughters every one having knowledge and having understanding 29 They clave to their brethren e They owned and ratified what the others had done in their names declaring their assent to it by their words or by the lifting up of their hands as the manner was their nobles and entred into a curse and into an oath f i. e. An outh bound with a curse or imprecation upon themselves in case they violated it to walk in Gods law which was given †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Moses the servant of God and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and his judgments and his statutes 30 And that we would not give g To wit in marriage having sworn obedience to Gods Laws in the general they now do so to some particulars wherein they had lately transgressed or were most prone to transgress * Exod. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our daughters unto the people of the land nor take their daughters for our sons 31 * Exod. 〈◊〉 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 5. 12. Chap. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath or on the holy day and that we would leave * Lev. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the seventh year h i. e. Leave the land at rest from plowing or tilling it in that year according to Gods command Exod. 23. 10 11. Levit. 25. 4. and the * Deut. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exaction of †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every debt i Heb. hand debts are called hands because they are commonly contracted or confirmed by a bill under the hand of the debtour 32 Also we made ordinances for us to charge our selves k i. e. Every particular head or person among us Which they had warrant to do both from the nature of the thing because this was necessary to be done for the upholding of Gods Worship and from the warrant of former examples in the like case 2. 〈◊〉 24. 5. yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God 33 For the shew-bread and for the continual meat-offering and for the continual burnt-offering l Formerly these things were provided out of the treasures of the Temple 1 Chron. 26. 20. And when those failed out of the Kings treasure 2 Chron. 31. 3. But how both these failing provision is here made for them another way * See 〈◊〉 28. 〈◊〉 of the sabbaths of the new moons for the set feasts and for the holy things m i. e. For the Sacrifices all which were holy and for the sin-offerings n Which are particularly mentioned as most necessary and suitable to their present state which was exceeding sinful and therefore miserable and calling aloud for atoning Sacrifices to make an atonement for Israel and for all the work of the house of our God 34 And we cast the lots amongst the priests the Levites and the people o To determine the time and order in which each of them should take the care of the business for the wood-offering p For the wood which was to be spent in great quantity being used in every Sacrifice and formerly had been supplied out of the Temples treasures or by the King which could not now be done to bring it into the house of our God q i. e. Into the place appointed to receive it in the buildings adjoyning or belonging to the Temple after the houses of our fathers r i. e. According to our several families which were to take the charge of it by course at times appointed year by year to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God * 〈◊〉 16. 12. as it is written in the law 35 And * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2â—… to bring the first fruits of our ground s i. e. Of the fruits of our ground All the particulars of the first-fruits are exactly and distinctly mentioned that none might pretend ignorance when they withheld any part of the Priests dues which at that time especially the people were very prone to do through poverty or covetousness or profaneness and that the Priests fights might be firmly assured to them and the first fruits of all fruit of all trees year by year unto the house of the LORD 36 Also the first born of our sons and of our cattle as it is written * 〈◊〉 13. 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 15 〈◊〉 in the law and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks to bring to the house of our God unto the priests that minister in the house of our God 37 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1â—… 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12. c. 〈◊〉 1â—… 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. And that we should bring the first-fruits of our dough and our offerings and the fruit of all manner of trees of wine and of oil unto the priests to the chambers of the house of our God and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3â—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the tithes of our ground unto the Levites that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage t i. e. The tithes of all the fruits of the ground belonging to our several Cities 38 And the priest the son of Aaron u i. e. Some Priest or Priests appointed to this work that so neither the people might wrong the Levites nor the Levites defraud the Priests of their dues shall be with the Levites * 〈◊〉 1â—… â—…6 when the Levites take tithes and the Levites shall bring up x At their own charges the
and partly for the greater illustration of Gods glorious Power and Wisdom and Goodness in giving his People such an admirable and unexpected deliverance Yet God so ordered things that this Letter should be sent in due time before it was too late for there were yet near nine Months to come before that appointed day and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews q That they might understand their Liberty and be encouraged to use it for their own defence and to the lieutenants and the deputies rulers of the provinces r That they should publish and disperse them into all parts that both themselves and others might take notice of the Kings Pleasure and Kindness to the Jews which are from India unto Ethiopia an hundred twenty and seven provinces unto every province according to the writing thereof and unto every people after their language and to the Jews according to their writing and according to their language 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus name and sealed it with the kings ring and sent letters by posts on Horse-back and riders on mules camels and young dromedaries s Which were not employed in the sending of the former Letter but this coming later required more care and speed that the Jews might be eased from the torment of their present Fears and have time to furnish themselves with necessaries for their own defence 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city †Liberty and authority to gather themselves together and to stand for their life t To stand up and fight for the defence of their Lives against all that should seek to destroy them to destroy to slay and to cause to perish all the power of the people u Either Governours or governed without any exception either of Age Dignity or Sex as it follows and province that would assault them both little ones and women x Which is here added because it was put into the former decree and to strike the greater terrour into their enemies and according to the Laws and customs of this Kingdom whereby Children were punished for their Parents offences which also in some cases was allowed and practised in sacred story Yet we read nothing in the execution of this decree of the slaughter of Women or Children nor is it probable that they would kill their innocent Children who were so indulgent to their Families as not to meddle with the spoil and to take the spoil of them for a prey 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus namely upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month which is the month Adar 13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was †Heb. â—…ed published unto all people and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their Enemies 14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out being hastened and pressed on by the kings commandment y By his particular and express Command to that purpose and the decree was given at Shushan the palace 15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of ‖ Or violet blue and white and with a great crown of gold z Which the chief of the Persian Princes were permitted to wear but with sufficient distinction from the Kings Crown and with a garment of fine linen and purple and the city of Shushan a Not only Jews but the greatest number of the Citizens who by the Law of Nature written upon their hearts had an abhorrency from bloody Counsels and designs and a compiacency in acts of benignity and Mercy or for other reasons of which see on Chap. 3. 15. rejoiced and was glad 16 The Jews had light b Which is oft put for gladness as 2 Sam. 22. 29. Iob 18. 5 6. Psal. 27. 1. because light is pleasant and disposeth a man to joy whereas darkness inclines a man to sorrow and gladness and joy c This explains the former Metapâ—…or by two words expressing the same thing to note the greatness of the joy and honour d Instead of that contempt under which they had lain 17 And in every province and in every city whithersoever the kings commandment and his decree came the Jews had joy and gladness a feast and a good day e i. e. A time of feasting and rejoicing and thanksgiving and many of the people of the land became Jews for the fear of the Jews f Whom possibly they had irritated by their former threatnings and now gave this evidence of their Repentance that they were willing to submit to that severe precept of Circumcision fell upon them CHAP. IX 1 NOw in the twelfth month that is the month Adar on the thirteenth day of the same when the kings commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them a In that day which was selected by Haman with great Industry and Art as the most lucky day and which their Enemies had oft times formerly thought of and â—…o doubt threatned the Jews with it though it was turned to the contrary that the Jews had rule over them that hated them 2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus to lay hand on such as sought their hurt and no man could withstand them b Their Enemies though they did and were allowed to take up Arms against them yet were easily conquered and destroyed by the Jews for the fear of them c Who had such potent Friends at Court and so great a God on their side who by such unusual and prodigious Methods whereof doubtless they had been particularly informed had brought about such a mighty and unexpected deliverance fell upon all people 3 And all the rulers of the provinces and the lieutenants and the deputies and †Heb. those which did the business that belonged to the king officers of the king d Heb. and all them that did the Kings business i. e. Not only the chief persons designed by the foregoing words but all his other Ministers or Officers of what quality soever ‖ Or exâ—…lled Gr. 〈◊〉 helped the Jews because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them 4 For Mordecai was great e i. e. The greatest in Place and Power and Favour with the King both for his near relation to his beloved Queen and for his good service done to him in preserving his Life and managing his Affairs and for those excellent Abilities and Virtues which he discovered in him and especially by the disposition of the heart-ruling God in the kings house and his fame went out throughout all the provinces for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater 5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke
of the sword and slaughter and destruction and did †Heb â—…ding to their will what they would unto those that hated them 6 And in Shushan the palace f i. e. In the City so called as was noted before ch 1. 2. it not being probable either that they would make such a slaughter in the Kings palace or that they would be suffered so to do the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men g Whom by long experience they knew to be their constant and inveterate Enemies and such as would watch all opportunities to destroy them which also they might possibly now attempt to do Part of them also might be Friends and Allies of Haman and therefore the avowed Enemies of Mordecai 7 And Parshandatha and Dalphon and Aspatha 8 And Poratha and Adalia and Aridatha 9 And Parmashta and Arisai and Aridai and Vajezatha 10 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha the enemy of the Jews slew they but on the spoil laid they not their hand h Either because they were desirous it should come into the Kings Treasury or because they would leave it to their Children that it might appear that what they did that day was not done out of malice to their Persons and Families or covetousness of their Estates but out of meer necessity and by that great and approved Law of Self-preservation and that they were ready to mix Mercy with Judgment and would not deal with their Enemies so ill as it was apparent that their Enemies intended to do against them 11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace †Heb. 〈◊〉 was brought before the king h Possibly with evil design to incense the King against the Jews 12 And the king said unto Esther the queen The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace and the ten sons of Haman what have they done in the rest of the kings provinces i In which doubtless many more were slain So that I have fully granted thy Petition And yet if thou hast any thing further to ask I am here ready to grant it now what is thy petition and it shall be granted thee or what is thy request further and it shall be done 13 Then said Esther If it please the king let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according to this days decree k i. e. To kill their implacable Enemies For it is not improbable that the greatest and worst of them had politickly withdrawn or hidden themselves for that day after which the Commission granted to the Jews being expired they confidently returned to their homes where they were taken and slain by vertue of this private and unexpected decree and †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let Hamans ten sons be hanged upon the gallows l They were slâ—…in before now let their Bodies be hanged upon their Fathers Gallows for their greater Infamy and the terrour of all others who shall presume to abuse the King in like manner or to persuade him to execute such cruelties upon his own Subjects This custom of hanging up the Bodies of Malefactoâ—… after their death was frequent among the Jews and Persians alâ—…o as is well known 14 And the king commanded it so to be done and the decree was given at Shushan and they hanged Hamans ten sons 15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar and slew three hundred men at Shushan but on the prey they laid not their hand 16 But the other Jews that were in the kings provinces gathered themselves together and stood for their lives and had rest from their enemies and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand but they laid not their hand on the prey 17 On the thirteenth day m This belongs not to the Feast but to the work done before it The meaning is This they did i. e. they slew their Foes as was now said â—… 16. upon the 13th day of the month Adar and on the fourteenth day †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the same rested they and made it a day of feasting and gladness 18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof and on the fourteenth thereof and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness 19 Therefore n To wit because they did their whole work upon the 13th day as was noted v. 17. to which this manifestly relates the 18th verse coming in as it were by waâ—… of Parenthesis the Jews of the villages that dwelt in the unwalled towns o Heb. Iâ—… the cities of the villages i. e. in the lesser Cities and Villages which are here opposed to the great City Shushan and those who dwelt in it made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting and a good day and of sending portions one to another 20 And Mordecai wrote these things p Either 1. The Letters here following But that is distinctly mentioned in the next word Or 2. The History of these things which was the ground of the Feast which Mordecai knew very well ought to be had in remembrance and to be told to their Children and Posterity through all ages according to the many commands of God to that purpose and the constant practice of the holy men of God in such cases and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus both nigh and far 21 To stablish this among them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and the fifteenth day of the same q Because both these days had been set apart this year the latter at Shushan the former in other parts and because that great work of God which was the ground of this solemnity had been done both upon the 13th and the 14th day yearly 22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy and from mourning into a good day that they should make them days of feasting and joy and of sending portions one to another and gifts to the poor r Which they used to give upon days of Thanksgiving of which see Nehem. 8. 10. 23 And the Jews undertook s Having by this means opportunity to gather themselves together upon any occasion the chief of them assembled together and freely and unanimously consented to Mordecai's desire in this matter and bound it upon themselves and Posterity to do as they had begun and as Mordecai had written unto them 24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite the enemy of all the Jews had devised against the Jews to destroy them and * 〈◊〉 3. â—… had cast Pur that is the lot to †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consume them and to
destroy them 25 But †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when Esther came before the king he commanded by letters that his wicked device which he devised against the Jews should return upon his own head and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows 26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of ‖ 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 Pur therefore for all the words of this letter and of that which they had seen t i. e. Both for the respect which they justly bare to Mordecai's â—…etter and because they themselves had seen and felt this wonderful work of God on their behalf concerning this matter and which had come unto them 27 The Jews ordained and took upon them and upon their seed and upon all such as joined themselves unto them u i. e. Gentile Proselites who were obliged to submit to other of the Jewish Laws and therefore to this also the rather because they enjoyed the benefit of this days deliverance without which the Jewish Nation and Religion had been in a great measure if not wholly extinct in the World so as it should not †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fail that they would keep these two days according to their writing x i. e. According to that writing which was drawn up by Mordecai with Esthers consent v. 23 29. and afterwards confirmed by the consent of all the Jews in the several places and according to their appointed time every year 28 And that these days should be remembred and kept throughout every generation every family every province and every city and that these days of Purim should not †Heb pass fail from among the Jews nor the memorial of them †Heb. â—…nded perish from their seed 29 Then Esther the queen the daughter of Abihail and Mordecai the Jew wrote with †Heb. all strength all authority y The former Letter v. 20. did only recommend but this enjoins the observation of this solemnity because this was not only Mordecai's Act who yet had by the King 's Grant a great Power and Authority over the Subjects of that Kingdom and consequently over the Jews but it was the Act of all the Jews binding themselves and Posterity to it v. 27. Or with all might or efficacy and as that word usually signifies He presâ—…ed it with all earnestness and vehemency to confirm this second letter of Purim 30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus with words of peace and truth z Or even words of peace and truth Which may respect either 1. The form of the writing wherein after the custom he saluted them with hearty wishes of their true Peace or prosperity or of the continuance of those two great blessings of God truth i. e. the true Religion and Peace either among themselves or with all men that they might peaceably and quietly enjoy and profess the truth Or 2. The manner of his writing which was with peace i. e. friendship and kindness to his Brethren and truth i. e. sincerity which is the more noted and commended in him because it is so unusual in such great Courtiers as he now was Compare ch 10. 3. or the matter of his Writing which was to direct and persuade them to keep both peace and truth i. e. both to live peaceably and lovingly both one with another and with all their Neighbours not insulting over them upon their confidence in Mordecai's great power or upon this late and great success as men naturally and commonly do nor giving them any fresh provocations and yet holding fast the true Religion in spight of all the artifices or hostilities of the Gentiles among whom they lived 31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them and as they had decreed †Heb. for their souls for themselves and for their seed the matters of the fasting and of their cry ‖ For or about those great and overwhelming calamities which were decreed to all the Jews and for the removing of which not only Esther and the Jews in Shushan but all other Jews in all places as soon as they heard those dismal tidings did doubtless according to the precepts of Scripture and the constant practice of their godly Predecessors in all Ages fly to that last and only Refuge of seeking to God by Fasting and earnest Prayers and strong Cries unto God which God was pleased graciously to hear and in answer thereunto to give them this amazing Deliverance And this was that which they were now to remember to wit the greatness of their danger and of their rescue from it And accordingly the Jews use to observe the first of these days with Fasting and crying and other expressions of vehement grief and fear and the latter with Feasting and Thanksgiving and all demonstrations of Joy and Triumph 32 And the decree of Esther †Who had received Authority and commission from the King to impose this upon all the Jews confirmed these matters of Purim and it was written in the book * Either in the publick Registers of that Kingdom Or rather in the Records which the Jews kept of their most memorable passages CHAP. X. 1 ANd the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land and upon the isles of the sea a i. e. Upon all his Dominions whether in the main continent or in the Islands 2 And all the acts of his power and of his might and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai whereunto the king †〈…〉 advanced him are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia 3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus and great among the Jews and accepted of the multitude of his brethren b Who did not envy his greatness as men most commonly do in such cases but rejoiced in it and blessed God for it and praised and loved him â—…or his right sweet management of his vast power seeking the wealth of his people and speaking peace to all his seed c Or for all his seed to wit the Jews who were of the same seed and root from which he was descended He spoke and acted with great Kindness and Friendliness to them when they resorted to him upon any occasion JOB SOme things are to be premised in the General concerning this Book before I come to the Particulars 1. That this was no Fiction or Parable as some have dreamed but a real History which is sufficiently evident both from the whole Contexture of the Book wherein we have an exact and distinct account of the Places Persons and things here mentioned with their several Circumstances and especially the succeeding Pen-men of Holy Scripture who mention him as a real and eminent example of Piety and Patience as Ezek. 14. 14. Jam. 5. 11. 2. That
Of which see the Notes on Chapter 22. 6. 10. They cause him h The poor oppressed person to go naked without clothing i Leaving him nothing or next to nothing to cover him in the Day-time when he should go abroad to his labour to get his living but cannot for want of Cloaths to cover his nakedness and they take away the sheaf from the hungry k That single Sheaf which the poor man had got with the sweat of his Brows to satisfie his hunger they unhumanely take away and added it to their own Stores and full Barns Or they are hungry or they sent them away hungry those words being repeated cut of the former Clause of the Verse as is most usualâ—… which took or carried the sheaf or their sheaves i. e. which reâ—…ped and gathered in the rich man's Corn for which they received injuries in stead of a just Recompence for their labour and that when God's liberality and the bounty of the earth to them invited and obliged them to kind and generous actions to others 11. Which make oil within their walls l To wit the poor man last mentioned Either 1. within their own Walls i. e. in private and secret places for fear of the Oppressors Or rather 2. within the Walls of the rich Oppressors for their use and benefit For the poor alas had no Walls nor Houses nor Olive-yards nor Vine yards left to them but they were violently spoiled of and driveâ—… away from all those things as was said in the foregoing Verses and tread their wine-presses m i. e. The Grapes in their Wine-presses by a Metonymy of the thing containing for the thing contained and suffer thirst n Because they are not permitted to quench their thirst out of the Wine which they make though their labours both need and deserve refreshment 12. Men groan o Under the burden of Injuries and grievous Oppressions from out of the city p Not only in Deserts or less inhabited places where these Tyrants have the greater opportunity and advantage to practice their Villanies but even in Cities where there is a face of Order and Government and Courts of Justice and a multitude of people to observe and restrain such actions whereby they plainly declare that they neither fear God noâ—… reverence man and the soul q Either 1. properly their Soul sympathizing with the Body and being grieved for its insupportable miseries crieth to God and men for help Or rather 2. the life or blood which oft cometh under thâ—… name of those who are there wounded unto death as this word properly signifies 〈◊〉 30. 24. crieth aloud unto God for vengeance Gen. 4. 10. Reâ—… 6 9 â—…0 whereby God might seem in some sort obliged to punish them and yet he did not as the next words declare of the wounded crieth out yet God layeth not folly to them r So the sense is Yet God doth not impute or lay to their charge this folly or wickedness which in Scripture is commonly called folly i. e. He takes no notice of these horrid Oppressions noâ—… hears the Cries of the Oppressed nor punisheth the Oppressors Or Yet God who seeth and permitteth all this disposeth or ordereth or doth for all these things this Hebrew Verb signifies nothing which is absurd or foolish or unsavoury i. e. doth nothing in this permission and connivance unworthy of himself or which a wise and considerate man cannot relish or approve or which is not in it self righteous and reasonable though we do not always discern the reasonableness of it 13. They are of those that rebel against the light s This is added as the general Character of the persons before mentioned and as a great aggravation of their wickedness that they were not modest sinners which were ashamed of their evil ways and therefore sinned in the dark and in secret as some who here follow but sinned impudently in the face of the Sun and in spight of all their light as well the light of Reason and Conscience which abhors and condemns their wicked actions as the light of Divine Revelation which was then in good measure imparted to the Church and people of God in this time and shortly after was committed to Writing all which they set at defiance sinning with manifest contempt of God and of men and of their own Consciences they know not t Either 1. they do not desire or care to know them they are willingly ignorant of them Or 2. they do not approve nor love nor choose them as knowing frequently signifies in Scripture-use the ways thereof u i. e. Of the light or in such ways and courses as are agreeable to the light Or in his ways i. e. in the ways of God who is oft understood in this Book where he is not expressed nor abide in the paths thereof x If they do some good actions yet they do not persevere in well-doing they are not constant and fixed in a good course of life 14. * â—…sal 10. 8. The murderer rising with the light y As soon as the light appears using no less diligence in his wicked practises than Labourers do in their honest and daily employments killeth the poor and needy z Where he finds nothing to satisfie his covetousness he exerciseth his cruelty and in the night is as a thief a i. e. He is really a Thief the Particle as being oft used to express not the resemblance but the truth of the thing as Num. 1â—… 1. Deut. 9. 10. Hos. 4. 4. 5. 10. Iohn 1. 14. In the Night they rob men secretly and cunningly as in the Day-time they do it more openly and avowedly 15. * Prov. 7. 9. The eye also of the adulterer b i. e. The Adulterer but he mentions his Eye because the Eye discerns the difference between light and darkness waiteth for the twilight c To wit for the Evening twilight which is his opportunity saying d In his heart comforting himself with the thoughts of secreâ—…ess and impunity No eye shall see me and †â—…eb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in seâ—… disguiseth his face e Heb. putteth his face in secret covers it with a Vizard or Cloak that he may be undiscovered 16. In the dark they f Either 1. the Adulterer last mentioned although such persons do not use nor need these violent courses to get into the house of the Adulteress but are commonly admitted upon milder and easier terms Or 2. the Thief or Robber whose common practise this is of whom he spoke â—… 14. and having on that occasion inserted the mention of the Adulterer as one who acted his sin in the same manner as the Night-thief did he now returns to him again dig through houses which they g The Thief and his Complices had marked for themselves h Designing by some secret mark the house of some rich man
Mount Zion He saith Zion rather than Ierusalem to intimate that he loved Ierusalem for Zions sake or for the Temple which is oft said to be in Zion which place he loved and chose for his peculiar dwelling place more than all the dwellings of Jacob e More than all other places of the Land of Canaan in which the Israelites dwelt For although the Tabernacle was for a season in some other parts of the Land yet the Temple the place of God's fixed residence was no where but in this City e i. e. The City gates being oft put for cities as Deut. 15. 7. and 16. 5. Psal. 9. 14. 3 Glorious things are spoken of thee O city of God f O Ierusalem though thou and thy Temple are yet in some sort in your ruines and desolate and contemptible not onely to thine enemies but also in the eyes of thine own People yet comfort thy self with these great and glorious things foretold concerning thee in the Holy Prophets as Isa. 62. 1 7. and 65. 18 c. and 66. 10 c. Zech. 1. 14 c. and 2. 4 12. and 8. 3 c. and 12. 2 c. Among other things it was â—…oretold that the glory of the latter house should be greater than of the former Hagg. 2. 9. All which Prophecies are to be understood as this place also is of a Spiritual and Evangelical Glory accruing to the Ierusalem as by the birth and presence of Christ in it so also by the accession of all People and Nations to it of which he speaks in the next Verse Selah 4 I will make mention g i. e. I will reckon or account them in the number of my Children and Subjects of * Psal. 89. 10. 〈◊〉 â—…1 9. Rahab h i. e. Egypt so called Psal. 89. 10. Isa. 51. 9. but whether from its pride or natural strength or figure or shape is not material and Babylon i Under these two and Philistia the old and constant enemies of Israel he seems to understand all the keenest enemies of the Israel or Church of God who shall now be not onely reconciled but united to them which also was foretold under the similitude of the wolfs dwelling with the lamb c. Isa. 11. 6. to them k Or with or among them as the prefix â—…amed is frequently used that know me l To wit truly clearly affectionately and practically so as to love serve and obey me as this Phrase is very frequently used in Scripture And upon this account not onely Heathens but wicked Israelites are said not to know God as 1 Sam. 2. 12. and oft elsewhere behold m The notice of it as a thing new and strange and comfortable Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia n The Nations on every side of them for Tâ—…rus was on the North Ethiopia or Arabia for that seems rather to be meant by Câ—…sh as hath been before observed on the South those nearest to them and those more remote from them that lived in the uttermost parts of the earth as this very Land is called Matt. 12. 42. this man was born there o Or saying this man c. for this cohereth with the first words thus I will make mention of Raâ—…ab c. saying this man i. e. these Men or People now mentioned the singular number put collectively for the plural and the Scripture oft speaks of a Nation as of one man as Psal. 25. 22. and 130 8. was born there or in her as it is expressed Verse 5. to wit in Zion born by Adoption and Regeneration See Ioh. 1. 12. and 3. 3 7. Gal. 3. 26. and 4. 26. 1 Pet. 1. 23. The Gentiles shall be ingraffed into the Jewish Church and into all their Priviledges 5 And of Zion p i. e. Of Ierusalem or the Church of God it shall be said q This and that man r i. e. Men of this and that Nation i. e. of every Nation indifferently Jews or Gentiles according to that prediction that Egypt and Assyria and Israel should be all joyned together and blessed and owned by God for his People Isa. â—…9 24 25. Heb. Man and man i. e. every man or all sorts of men without difference of Nations as this very Phrase man and man Lev. 17. 10. 13. is rendred every or what-man and as by day and day is meant every day or from day to day â—…st 3. 4. Psal. 61. 8. was born in her and the Highest himself shall establish her s And this shall not be a sudden and transient but a lasting work Zion shall continue in its strength and fertility because the Almighty God is her Founder and Protector and will finish the work which he hath begun b It shall be mentioned by God as was said Verse 4. and it shall be observed and acknowledged by men as a great and wonderful work of God 6 The LORD shall count when he writeth up the people t Or his people So it is onely a defect of the Pronoun his which is very frequent and easily understood out of the foregoing word the Lord. The sence is when God the Maker and Governor of this City shall take a survey of all his Citizens and Subjects It is an allusion to Princes or Governors of Cities that use to write and keep a Register of all their people Hence holy Men and true Israelites are said to be written among the living in Ierusalem Isa. 4. 3. Or in the writing of the house of Israel Ezek. 13. 9. that this man was born there Sclah 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments u There shall be great rejoycing and praising God both with vocal and instrumental musick for this glorious and stupendious work of the Conversion of the Gentiles He describes Evangelical Worship by Legal Phrases and Customs as the Prophers frequently do shall be there all my Springs are in thee x i. e. In Zion or the Church These words may be here added as the burden or matter of the Song which these singers are supposed to have sung and that either 1. In their own names and in the name of all the Zionites or people of God So the sence is all our desires and delights are in thee all the springs of Mercy Grace and Glory flow to us onely in and thorow thee for springs or fountains are oft put for all precious or desirable things as Psal 36. 9 Isa. 12. 3. Hos. 13. 15. Or 2. In God's name whose words were frequently sung by the singers in the Old Testament 2. So the sence is all the Springs or Fountains of good things or of my Blessings are in Zion or in the Church out of which no true Blessings are to be expected or found And this seems best to suit with the Phrase my Springs partly because it seems more proper to call them God's Springs who is the author and giver of them than mens Springs
Calamity shall be universal without any respect or distinction of Persons or Ranks of Men the Priests themselves having been Partakers of the Peoples Sins shall also partake with them in their Plagues as with the servant so with his master as with the maid so with her mistress * Ezek. 7. 1â—… 13. as with the buyer so with the seller e The Purchaser of Lands shall have no more left than he who hath sold all his Patrimony and all Persons shall be made equal in Beggary and Slavery as with the lender so with the borrower as with the taker of usury so with the giver of usury to him 3 The land shall be utterly emptied and utterly spoiled for the LORD hath spoken this word 4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away the world f From this Word some infer That this Prophecy concerns not onely the Land of Iudaea but also the neighbouring Countries But if the proper Signification of that Word be urged this Prophecy must be extended to all the Parts of the World which these Learned men will not allow And the world both in Scripture and other Authors is oft used Synechdochically for that which is in truth but a small part of it at least in comparison with the Whole as it is not onely of the Roman Empire as Luk. 2. 1. Act. 11. 28. but also of Babylon Isa. 13. 11. and which cometh nearer to the point of this very Land of Iudaea as Ioh. 12. 19. 18. 20. and elsewhere And therefore it may well be so understood here especially when this Word world is explained by those other Words the earth and the land which the very next Verse sheweth to be meant of Israel or Iudaea as we shall there discover languisheth and fadeth away †Heb. the heighth of the people the haughty people g Not onely Common People who use to be of low Spirits but the High and Lofty ones who use to be stout in their Words and Carriages towards me and to deride my Threatnings of the earth do languish 5 * Gen. 3. 17. The earth also h Heb. And the land or this land for here is an emphatical Article in the Hebrew Text. is defiled under the inhabitants thereof i By the Wickedness of its People of which see Levit. 18. 25 27 Numb 35. 33. c. because they have transgressed the laws k The Laws of God revealed to them and pressed upon them in a singular manner called simply the laws as the Word of God is oft-times called the word by way of eminency changed the ordinance l God's Ordinances concerning his Worship and Service the Singular being put collectively for the Plural broken the everlasting covenant m The Covenant made between God and Abraham and all his Posterity renewed with the Israelites at Sinai which was everlasting both on God's part who upon the Conditions therein expressed engaged himself to be a God to them and to their Seed for ever and on Israels part who were obliged thereby to constant and perpetual Obedience through all Generations All these Clauses clearly prove that the earth or land which this Prophecy concerns is no other than the Land of Israel and Iudah 6 Therefore hath the curse n The Curse of God threatned to Transgressours Deut. 28. 15. c. and 29. 20. and imprecated by and upon themselves if they should not persist in their Obedience to God Deut. 2â—… 26. and elsewhere devoured the earth and they that dwell therein are desolate therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned o Are consum'd by the Wrath of God which is commonly compared to Fire and few men left 7 * Chap. 16. 8 9. Joel 1. 10 12. The new wine mourneth p Because there are either none or none but the Enemies of God and Israel to drink it Grief is ascribed to senceless Creatures by a Figure usual in all Authors the vine languisheth q Either because there are no People left to dress it or gather its Grapes or because it is broken down and spoiled by the Enemy all the merry-hearted r That made their Hearts merry with Wine Psal. 104. 15. do sigh 8 The mirth * Jer. 7. 34. 16. 9. 25. 10. Ezek. 26. 13. Hos. 2. 11. of tabrets s Which they used in their Feasts and Revellings ceaseth the noise t The Word properly signifies a roaring Noise and confused Clamour such as drunken men make Psal. 78. 65. Zech. 9. 15. of them that rejoyce endeth the joy of the harp ceaseth 9 They shall not drink wine with a song strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it u Because of the Fears and Miseries wherewith it is mixed 10 The city x Ierusalem and other Cities for the Singular Word may be here taken collectively of ‖ Or emptiness confusion y Or of vanity or emptiness or desolation for this Hebrew Word signifies all these things And the City may be thus called either 1. in regard of the Judgments of God coming upon it as if he had said a City devoted to Desolation or Destruction to be emptied of its Goods and People or 2. for its Sin a City of Confusion or Disorder breaking all the Laws and Orders which God had established among them or a City that walketh with or after vanity as the Scripture speaks Iob 31. 5. Ier. 2. 5. that loveth and speaketh vanity as they did Psal. 4. 2. 12. 2. And this may seem most convenient that the Sin of the City should be noted in this Word as the Punishment is expressed in the next is broken down every house is shut up z Either for fear of the Enemy who have entred the City or rather because the Inhabitants are either fled or dead or gone into Captivity and so there are none to go into it or come out of it that no man may come in 11 There is a crying for wine a For the want or loss of their Wine and spoil of their Vines whereby they were deprived of the Means both of their Delight and Profit Whereby he intimates their gross Sensuality and Sottishness that in stead of crying for their Sins and humbling themselves under God's Judgments did onely howl for their corn and wine and oil as they did Hos. 7. 14. in the streets all joy is darkned the mirth of the land is gone 12 In the city is left desolation and the gate is smitten with destruction b The Gates of the City are totally ruined that the Enemy may enter when and where they please 13 When thus it shall be c When this Judgment shall be executed in the midst of the land d In the Land But withal this Phrase may intimate that the Judgment should not be sleight and superficial and in the Skirts of the Land but that it should reach their very Heart their most
wise men coming the first to Christ when he was born and as a first fruits of the rest of the Gentiles * Gal. 4. 26. to bring thy sons k Begotten by the word from far l From the remotest parts this may be understood with reference either to place at how great a distance soever either in place or state they shall come to Christ who hath Sons abroad in Gods decree not yet called other Sheep that he will bring into his sold Ioh. 10. 16. their m Their may refer either to the Merchant bringing traffique with him as verse 6. or the Jews as Israel came out of Egypt with all their treasure with them and what others gave them Ezr. 1. 4. as also the vessels that were sent back with them Ezr. 1. 7. silver and their gold with them unto the name n i. e. To the Lord himself by a periphrasis or to his Temple where his name was placed the type of the Church comp 2 Sam. 7. 13. with 1 Chro. 17. â—…2 or in the name of the Lord or for his sake who is the holy one the like Metonymies having been formerly and frequently pointed at of the LORD thy God and to the holy One of Israel because he hath glorified thee o He will spread thy fame and make thee honourable in the Eyes of the world and that especially in setting up the ministry of the Gospel in the midst of thee The name of God and so also of Israel were contemptible among the Gentiles before the coming of Christ and spreading of the Gospel but as a consolation to his people it is promised they shall both be honourable and here God by an Enallage of the Person speaks of himself in the third Person 10 And the sons of strangers p viz. Such as were not Israelites and he puts Sons of strangers by an usual Hebraism for strangers properly termed alienigenae see Chap. 56. 3. this was literally fulfilled in repairing the walls of Ierusalem he spake before of the Temple now of the City and Spiritually in the Ministers of the Gospel who are the walls and Bullwarks of the Church by Preaching and writing for her and Ecclesiastical History affords us many instances of Kings and Princes that were great Benefactors to her among whom Constantine did greatly excel not caring what he bestowed on her Valentinian and Theodosius c. shall build up thy walls and their kings shall minister q Shall administer all necessaries to thee as they had been demolished by the Babylonians so they were repaired by the favour of Cyrus Darius Hystaspes Artaxerxes c. All strangers Ezra 6. 7. c. or strangers becoming Proselytes see Chap. 56. 6. unto thee for in my wrath I smote thee but in my favour have I had mercy r As I afflicted thee in my anger so out of my compassions I will abundantly bless thee on thee 11 Therefore s For that end and purpose or by reason of the conflux of people that shall be continually flocking thither arguing abundance of peace and security and great enlargement of the Church and that the Christian Church shall be always open to the Godly to receive all coâ—…ers freely thy gates * Rev. 21. 25. shall be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night that men may bring unto thee the ‖ Or wealth forces t Or wealth either all wherein they excell or all the prey taken in fight of the Gentiles and that their kings may be brought u As it were Captives in Chains such as they took in war being made victorious so say some but rather such as were led and conducted in state 12 For * Zech. 14. 17. the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee x Do offices of kindness so is the word used Chap. 19. 23. or rather that will not submit to Christ's Scepter shall perish yea these nations shall be utterly wasted z Heb. Wasting be wasted viz. By thy sword accordingly we read of many victories in Iosephus that the Jews obtained and in the book of the Macchabees as a fulfilling of this Prophecy but this doth Principally relate to the Spiritual Ierusalem and this seems to anticipate an objection If the gates stand continually open we shall be in danger of enemies not so saith he for they shall all either serve thee or perish y Shall be no more sui juris but subdued to thee and as refusing subjection to Christ shall perish everlastingly as they all perished in the deluge that were not in the Ark they that should be saved were added to the Church Act. 2. 47 and Rev. 21. 24. 13 * Chap. 35. 2. 41. 19. The glory a The Box the Fir the Pine and the Cedar on account whereof Lebanon grew so famous a Metonymy of the Efficient Kings Princes and great ones the glory of the world and also Persons of a lower rank the Piâ—…es Firs and Box trees as also the choicest Persons endued with the special gifts of the Holy-Ghost shall be the materials and members of Christ's Church as those also of a lower size and measure we find the godly called trees Ch. 61. 3. they shall have sweet Communion together the Box shall not envy the Pine nor the Pine despise the Box they shall Worship the Lord together of Lebanon shall come unto thee the fir-tree the pine-tree and the box together to beautify b This is the reason and end why the glory of Lebanon is to be brought hither by these trees understand the beauty and Nobility of the Church Trees being both for building and for beautifying the place of my sanctuary c The Temple wherein was the Sanctuary this being a type of the Church both actively as that which his presence Sanctifyeth and passively as that wherein he is worshipped and Sanctified and I will make the place of my feet d viz. The Ark 1 Chro. 28. 2. described here by a periphrasis so called because supposing God after the manner of man to sit as on a seat between the wings of the Cherubims his feet would rest upon the Ark and therefore called the mercy seat Exod. 25. 17 18 19 20. The Temple and Sion is called his rest Psa. 132. 13 14. and all this is made good in the Gospel Church 2 Cor. 6. 16. glorious 14 The sons e Either their posterity acknowledging their Fathers sins in afflicting thee or themselves for it is the manner of the Hebrews to put the Sons of a thing for the thing its self also of them that afflicted thee shall * Chap. 45. 14. 49. 23. come bending f Humbling themselves as penitents this being a sign of Reverence and respect and that either for love or fear submit to the yoke of Christ they shall be like Christ of an humble and meek Spirit and the degree of this is mentioned in the next