the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai and they had no children and Eleazar and Ithamar ministred in the priests office in the sight of Aaron d In the time of Aarons life as this phrase is taken Nâ—…ab â—… 4. See also Psal. 72. 5 17. and under their fathers inspection and direction and as their fathers servants or ministers in the Priests-office for servants are oft described by this phrase of being or standing or 〈◊〉 in the sight or 〈◊〉 of their master their father 5 And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 6 Bring the tribe of Levi near and present them e Offer them to the Lord for his special service This was promised to them before and now actually conferred upon them before Aaron the priest that they may minister unto him 7 And they shall keep his charge f i. e. Aarons charge or those things which are committed principally to Aarons care and oversight and under him and his direction to the Levites and the charge of the whole congregation g i. e. Of all the sacrifices and services which were due to the Lord from all the people and because all the people could not and might not perform them or at least diverse of them in their own persons therefore they were to be performed by some particular persons in their name and stead formerly by the first-born Numb 8. 16. and now by the Levites See Numb 1. 53. and 16. 9. before the tabernacle h Emphatically not within the Tabernacle for the care of these things within the holy place was appropriated to the Priests as the care of the most holy place was peculiar to the High-priest of the congregation to do the service of the tabernacle 8 And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation and the charge of the children of Israel i Those things which all the children of Israel are in their several places and stations obliged to take care of though not in their persons yet by others in their stead to do the service of the tabernacle 9 And * chap. 8. 19. thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons they are †Heb. 〈◊〉 giveâ—… wholly given unto him k To attend upon him and observe his orders and case him of part of his burden in things hereafter mentioned out of the children of Israel 10 And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons and they shall wait on their priests office l In their own persons not by the Levites and the stranger m i. e. Every one who is of another family than Aarons yea though he be a Levite See Numb 1. 53. and 16. 40. that cometh nigh n To wit to execute any part of the Priest office shall be put to death 11 And the LORD spake unto Moses saying 12 And I behold * chap. 8. 16 and 18. 6. I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the first-born n Who were Gods propriety by right of Redemption Exod. 13. 12. and to whom the administration of holy things was formerly committed which now was taken away from them either because they had forfeited this priviledge by joyning with the rest of their brethren in the idolatrous worship of the calf or because they were to be mainly concerned in the distribution and management of the inheritances which now they were going to possess and therefore could not be at leisure to attend upon the service of the Sanctuaâ—…y Which made it fit that this work should be committed to other hands And God would not commit it to some other persons in each Tribe which might be an occasion of Idolatry confusion division and contempt of sacred things but to one distinct Tribe which might be intirely devoted to that service and particularly to the Tribe of Levi partly out of his respect to Moses and Aaron branches of this Tribe partly as a recompence of their zeal for God and against Idolaters See Exod. 32. 25 29. Deut. 33. 9. and partly because it was the smallest of the Tribes and therefore most likely to find both employment in and maintenance for the work that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel therefore the Levites shall be mine 13 Because * Exod. 13. 2. Lev. 27. 26. chap. 8. 16. Luk. 2. 23. all the first-born are mine * Exod. 13. 12 15. for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the first-born in Israel both man and beast mine they shall be I am the LORD o Who may appoint whom I please for my service 14 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai saying 15 Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers by their families every male from a month old p Because at that time the first-born in whose stead the Levites came Numb 8. 16. were offered to God Luk. 2. 22. and to be redeemed Numb 18. 16. And from that time the Levites were consecrated to God and were as soon as they were capable to be instructed in their work Elsewhere they are numbred from twenty five years old when they were entred as novices to part of their work Numb 8. 24. and from thirty years old when they were compleatly admitted to their whole office and upward shalt thou number them 16 And Moses numbred them according to the †Heb. mouth word of the LORD as he was commanded 17 * Gen. 46. 11. Exod. 6. 16. chap. 26. 57. 1 Chron. 6. 1 2. and 23. 6. And these were the sons of Levi by their names Gershon and Kohath and Merari 18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families Libni and Shimei 19 And the sons of Kohath by their families Amram and Izhar Hebron and Uzziel 20 And the sons of Merari by their families Mahli and Mushi these are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers 21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnite and the family of the Shimite these are the families of the Gershonite 22 Those that were numbred of them according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward even those that were numbred of them were seven thousand and five hundred 23 The families of the Gershonite shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward 24 And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonite shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael 25 And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the * Exod. 25. 9. tabernacle q Not the boards which belonged to Merari ver 36. but the ten curtains mentioned Exod. 26. 1. and the * Exod. 26. 1. tent r To wit the curtains of goats hair * Exod. 26. 7. 14. the covering thereof s i. e. The coverings of
i Ehud or Gera last mentioned had sent them away Hushim and Baara were his wives k Others joyn these Words with the former and render the Place thus after he had sent them to wit his Sons away with Hushim and Baara his wives i. e. as he also sent his Wives away from him Which may be here mentioned as a Brand upon him to shew that he was without natural Affection to his Wives and Children And it seems the more probable that he divorced them because we find him married to another Wise v. 9. 9 And he begat of Hodesh his wife Jobab and Zibia and Mesha and Malcham 10 And Jeuz and Shachiah and Mirma These were his sons heads of the fathers 11 And of Hushim he begat Ahitub and Elpaal 12 The sons of Elpaal Eber and Misham and Shamed who built Ono and Lod l Of which see Ezr. 2. 33. Nehem. 7. 37. 11. 35. with the towns thereof 13 Beriah also and Shema who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Ajalon m A Place formerly belonging to the Tribe of Dan Ios. 19. 42. but after the Return from Babylon possessed by the Benjamites because both Dan and the rest of the ten Tribes were yet for the Generality of them in Captivity and but few of them returned who drove away the inhabitants of Gath n Either 1. at that time when they made such a Slaughter among Ephraims Children ch 7. 21. and were possibly pursuing their Victory till they were driven back by these Benjamites who came to the â—…uccour of their Brethren Or 2 Now when they were returned from the Captivity and found the Men of Gath possessed of Ajalon Or 3. at some other time not mentioned in Scripture 14 And Ahio Shashak and Jerimoth 15 And Zebediah and Arad and Ader 16 And Michael and Ispah and Joha the sons of Beriah 17 And Zebadiah and Meshullam and Hezeki and Heber 18 Ishmerai also and Jezliah and Jobab the sons of Elpaal 19 And Jakim and Zichri and Zabdi 20 And Elionai and Zilthai and Eliel 21 And Adajah and Berajah and Shimrath the sons of ‖ 〈…〉 Shimhi 22 And Ishpan and Heber and Eliel 23 And Abdon and Zichri and Hanan 24 And Hananiah and Elam and Antothijah 25 And Iphedejah and Penuel the sons of Shashak 26 And Shamsherai and Shehariah and Athaliah 27 And Jaresiah and Eliah and Zichri the sons of Jeroham 28 These were heads of the fathers by their generations chief men These o All these named from v. 14. to this place dwelt in Jerusalem 29 And at Gibeon dwelt the ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. 35. father of Gibeon p i. e. The Chief or Ruler of the Benjamites dwelling there whose * 〈◊〉 9. 35. wives name was Maacha 30 And his first-born son Abdon and Zur and Kish and Baal and Nadab 31 And Gedor and Ahio and ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. 37. Zacher 32 And Mikloth begat ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9. 3â—… Shimeah And these also dwelt with their brethren q i. e. With those other Benjamites spoken of v. 28. in Jerusalem over against them r In some street or part of Ierusalem which was over against that where their Brethren dwelt 33 And * 1 Sam. 14. 51. Ner begat Kish and Kish begat Saul and Saul begat Jonathan and Malchishua and Abinadab and ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sam. 2. 8. Eshbaal 34 And the son of Jonathan was ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Sam. 〈◊〉 Merib-baal and Merib-baal begat * Sam. 9. 12. Micah 35 And the sons of Micah were Pithon and Melech and ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—… 41. Tarea and Ahaz 36 And Ahaz begat Jehoada and Jehoada begat Alemeth and Azmaveth and Zimri and Zimri begat Moza 37 And Moza begat Binea Rapha was his son Eleasa his son Azel his son 38 And Azel had six sons whose names are these Azrikam Bocheru and Ishmael and Sheraiah and Obadiah and Hanan All these were the sons of Azel 39 And the sons of Eshak his brother were Ulam his first-born Jehush the second and Eliphelet the third 40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valout atchers s Heb. That tread the bow For the Bows of Steel which these used required great strength to bend them which therefore they did by treading the Bow with their Feet and pulling the String with both their Hands and had many sons and sons sons an hundred and fifty All these are of the sons of Benjamin CHAP. IX 1 SO all Israel were reckoned by genealogies and behold they were written in the book of the Kings of Israel and Judah a Not in that Sacred and Canonical Book so called but as hath been oft observed before in the Publick Records wherein there was an Account of that King and Kingdom and of the several Families in it according to their Genealogies who b i. e. Which Tribe or People of Iudah last mentioned were carried away to Babylon for their transgression 2 Now the first inhabitants c The first after the Return from Babylon that dwelt in their possessions in their cities d i. e. That took possession of their own Lands and Cities which had been formerly alotted to them but of late years had been taken from them for their Sins and possessed by other People were the Israelites e i. e. The Common People of Iudah and Israel called here by the general name of Israelites which was given to them before that unhappy Division of the two Kingdoms and now is restored to them when the Israelites are united with the Jews in one and the same Commonwealth that so all the Names and Signs of their former Division might be blotted out And although the generality of the ten Tribes were yet in Captivity yet divers of them were now returned either such as had long before the Captivity fled to Ierusalem to worship God and joyned themselves with Iudah as those 2 Chron. 11. 16. and others Or such as upon Cyrus his general Proclamation associated themselves and returned with those of Iudah and Benjamin the priests Levites f These took possession of the Cities or Places belonging to them as they had need and opportunity and the Nethinims g A certain Order of Men either Gibeonites or others joyned with them devoted to the Service of God and of his House and of the Priests and Levites who that they might attend upon their work without distraction had certain Places and Possessions given to them which they are now said to repossess 3 And in * Nâ—…hem 11. 〈◊〉 Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh h i. e. Some of each of these Tribes either such as offered themselves or such as were chosen by Lot see Nehem. 11. 1 2. 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud i That there is so great
the Lots were promiscuously put together and out of which they were severally taken to Jehojaâ—…ib the second to Jedajah 8 The third to Harim the fourth to Seorim 9 The fifth to Malchijah the sixth to Mijamin 10 The seventh to Hakkoz the eighth to * Neh. 12. 4 17 Luke â—… 5. Abijah 11 The ninth to Jeshua the tenth to Shecaniah 12 The eleventh to Eliasâ—…ib the twelfth to Jakim 13 The thirteenth to Huppah the fourteenth to Jeshebeab 14 The fifteenth to Bilgah the sixteenth to Immer 15 The seventeenth to Hezir the eighteenth to Aphses 16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah the twentieth to Jehezekel 17 The one and twentieth to Jachin the two and twentieth to Gamul 18 The three and twentieth to Delajah the four and twentieth to Maaziah 19 These were the orderings of them in their service h In this Order and Method they were to come to perform the Offices of the Temple i. e. To come into the Temple every Sabbathday and to continue there all the Week long until the next Sabbath when they were relieved by others as the Manner was See 2 King 11. 5. 1 Chron. 9. 25. to come into the house of the LORD according to their manner i under Aaron their father k i. e. Under the Inspection and Direction of the High-priest whom he calls Aaron because he represented his Person and executed his Office and also came out of his Loyns and their father because of the Authority which by Gods Appointment he had over them and that Love Reverence and Obedience which they owed to him as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him 20 And the rest of the sons of Levi l Either such as were onely Levites and not Priests or rather such as were not named or numbred before in this or the former Chapter were these Of the sons of Amram * Ch. 23. 16 Shebâ—…el Shubael of the sons of Shubael Jehdejah m Who being as it seems an Eminent Person or having a very numerous Family was not reckoned with or under his Fathers Family but was accounted as a distinct Head of another Family 21 Concerning Rehabiah n The Son of Eliezer ch 23. 17. of the sons of Rehabiah the first o By Birth or Place was Jeshiah 22 Of the Izharite * Ch. 23. 18. Shelomith Shelomoth p Called also Shelomith ch 23. 18. of the sons of Shelomoth Jahath 23 And the sons of * Ch. 23. 19. 26. 31. Hebron Jeriah the first q Which word is fitly supplied both out of the rest of this verse the second third and fourth having a manifest reference to the first and out of 1 Chron. 23. 19. 26. 31. where it is expressed Amariah the second Jahaziel the third Jekameam the fourth 24 Of the sons of Uzziel Michah of the sons of Michah Shamir 25 The brother of Michah was Isshiah of the sons of Isshiah Zechariah 26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi the sons of Jaaziah r The Son either of Mahli or rather of Mushi last named for Mahli's Posterity comes v. 28. Beno 27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziah Beno s Whose Name is here repeated with his Brethren because he was the First-born and Head of the rest who were all reckoned with and under his Family as if they had been Branches of it and Shoham and Zaccur and Ibri 28 Of Mahli came Eleazar * Ch 23. 22. who had no sons 29 Concerning Kish t Another of Mahli's Sons as appears from 1 Chron. 23. 21. the son of Kish was Jerahmeel 30 The sons also of Mushi Mahli and Eder and Jerimoth These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers 31 These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron u i. e. Answerable for Number and Order to those of the Priests so as there should be a several course of the Levites for each course of the Priests This is expressed concerning the Singers ch 25. and the like is implied concerning the Porters ch 26. and is here sufficiently intimated concerning those Levites which were employed in other Sacred Ministrations in the presence of David the king and Zadok and Ahimelech and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren x The Lots of the Elder and Younger Brethren were promiscuously put together and the order was settled as the Lots came forth without any regard to the Age or Dignity or Number of the Persons or Families the youngest Family having the first Course if they had the first Lot c. CHAP. XXV 1 MOreover David and the captains of the host a Both of the Civil and Sacred Host to wit all the Princes of Israel with the Priests and the Levites whom David gathered together ch 23. 2. for this very end that in their Presence and with their Approbation and Consent all these things might be established who are here fitly called the Captains of the Host for the Princes were under David the Chief Captains or Commanders of the Militia or Trained Bands of the Kingdom and as the Levites are called an Host and the Lords Host Numb 4. 23. and elsewhere because of their Number and Order in Holy Ministrations so these Priests and Levites were the Captains and Governours of the rest separated b i. e. Distributed them into their several Ranks and Orders Which though chiefly done by David as a Prophet and by Divine Direction as hath been oft observed yet is here imputed in part to the Captains of the Host because it was done with their Concurrence and Approbation to the service of the sons of * Ch. 6. 33 39. 2 Chr. 29. 30. Asaph and of * ver 5. Heman and of * 2 Chr 35. 15. Jeduthun c i. e. To the Service of God under the Conduct and Command of these Persons who should prophecy d i. e. Praise God by singing the Psalms of David of which see on ch 16. 7. and other sacred Songs made by themselves who were Prophets in some sort or by other Prophets or Holy Men of God Or this Action of theirs is called prophecying because it had been formerly performed by the Prophets and the Sons of the Prophets of which see 1 Sam. 10. 5. 19. 20. 2 King 3. 15. 1 Chron. 15. 19. with harps with psalteries and with cymbals and the number of the workmen e Of the Persons employed in this Sacred Work according to their service was 2 Of the sons of Asaph Zaccur and Joseph and Nethaniah and ‖ Otherwise called Iesharelah ver 14. Asarelah the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph f i. e. Under his Oversight and Direction which prophesied †Heb. by the hands of the king according to the order of the king g In such Manner and Order as David appointed 3 Of
they have imagined to do 7. Go to let us m i. e. The blessed Trinity See Gen. 1. 26. go down and there confound their Language n By making them forget their former Language and by putting into their minds several Languages not a distinct Language into each person but into each Family or rather into each Nation that they may not †Heb. hear understand one anothers speech o And thereby be disenabled from that mutual commerce which was altogether necessary for the carrying on of that work 8. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the Earth p Thus they brought upon themselves the very thing they seared and that more speedily and more mischievously to themselves For now they were not only divided in place but in Language too and so were unfitted for those Consederacies and Correspondencies which they mainly designed and for the mutual Comfort and Help of one another which otherwise they might in good measure have enjoyed And they left off to build the City 9. Therefore is the Name of it called ‖ That is confusion Babel because the LORD did there confound the Language of all the Earth and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the Earth 10. * Chap. 10. 32. 1 Chron. 1. 17. These are the Generations of Shem q Not all of them as appears both from the next verse and from the former Chapter but of those who were the seminary of the Church and the Progenitors of Christ. Shem was an hundred years old and begat Arphaxad two years after the Flood 11. And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years r So that he lived almost all the time of Abraham which was a singular blessing both to himself who hereby saw his Children of the tenth Generation and to the Church of God which by this means enjoyed the Counsel and Conduct of so great a Patriarch and begat Sons and Daughters 12. And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years and begat Salah 13. And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years and begat Sons and Daughters 14. And Salah lived thirty years and begat Eber. 15. And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years and begat Sons and Daughters 16. * 1 Chro. 1. 19. And Eber lived four and thirty years and begat * called Luk. 3. 35. Phalec Peleg 17. And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years s So that he was the longest liv'd of all the Patriarchs which were born after the Flood and begat Sons and Daughters 18. And Peleg lived thirty years and begat Reu. 19. And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years and begat Sons and Daughters 20. And Reu lived two and thirty years and begat * Luk 3. 35. Saruch Serug 21. And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years and begat Sons and Daughters 22. And Serug lived thirty years and begat Nahor 23. And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years and begat Sons and Daughters 24. And Nahor t The first Patriarch who fell to Idolatry lived nine and twenty years and begat * Luk. 3. 34. Thara Terah 25. And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years and begat Sons and Daughters 26. And Terah lived seventy years and * Josh. 24. 2. 1 Chro. 1. 26. begat u i. e. Began to beget as Gen. 5. 32 Abram x Who is first named in order of Dignity for which cause Shem is put before Ham and Iapheth and Moses before Aaron not in order of time which seems to be this Haran probably was the eldest because Nahor married his Daughters Nahor the second and Abram certainly was the youngest because Terah Abrams Father lived two hundred and five years ver 32. and Abram after his Fathers Death Acts 7. 4. went out of Haran when he was seventy five years old Gen. 12. 4 5. therefore he was not begotten in Terahs seventieth year when Terah began to beget his Sons as here is said but in his one hundred and thirtieth year and so there remains seventy five years precisely to Abrams departure And Sarai Harans Daughter was but ten years younger than Abram Gen. 17. 17. and therefore Haran was Abrams Elder Brother Nahor and Haran 27. Now these are the Generations of Terah Terah begat Abram Nahor and Haran And Haran begat Lot 28. And Haran died before his Father Terah y i. e. In the presence and during the Life of his Father in the Land of his Nativity in Ur of the Caldees 29. And Abram and Nahor took them Wives The Name of Abrams Wife was Sarai and the Name of Nahors Wife Milcah the Daughter of Haran z Such Marriages of Uncles and Nieces being permitted then Exod. 6. 20. as in the beginning of the World the Marriages of Brethren and Sisters were though afterwards the Church being very much enlarged they were severely forbidden Levit 18. 12 14. the Father of Milcah and the Father of Iscah a Who is either Sarai as the Jews and many others think or rather another person For 1. Why should Moses express Sarai thus darkly and doubtfully Had he meant her he would have added after Iscah this is Sarai according to his manner in like cases Gen. 14. 2 7. and 35. 6. He elsewhere calleth her the Daughter not of his Brother as he should have done had she been Iscah but of his Father by another Mother 30. But Sarai was barren she had no child b See Gen. 16. 1 2. and 18. 11 12. 31. And Terah took Abram his Son c See Ios. 24. 2. Nehem. 9. 7. 1 Chron. 1. 26. Being informed by his Son of the command of God he did not despise it because it came to him by the hands of his inferiour but chearfully obeyeth it and therefore he is so honourably mentioned as the Head and Governour of the Action and Lot the Son of Haran his sons son and Sarai his daughter in law his Son Abrams wife and they went forth with them †i. e. Terab and Abram went with Lot and Sarâ—…i as their Heads and Guides from * Neh. 9. 7. Act. 7. 4. Ur of the Caldees to go into the Land of Canaan and they came unto Haran d Called Charran Act. 7. 4. and by the Romans Carrae a place in Mesopotamia strictly so called in the way to Canaan and near to it well known by Crassus his defeat there See Gen. 24. 10. and 28. 10. and 29. 4. and dwelt e Or rested or abode being detained there for a season peradventure by Terab's disease which begun there for the next verse tells us of his death there 32. And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years and Terah died in Haran CHAP. XII 1.
the sons of Uzziel Mishael and Elzaphan and Zithri 23 And Aaron took him Elisheâ—…a daughter * Ruth 4. 19 20. 1 Chro. 2. 10 of Aminadab m A Prince of the Tribe of 〈◊〉 Numb 1. 7. and â—… 3. Marriages were not yet confined to their own Tribes and when they were the Levites seem to have had this priviledge thâ—… they might marry a daughter of any other tribe because indeed the reason of that law did not concern them there being no danger of confusion or loss of inheritance on their part And especially there were many marriages made between the Tribes of Iudah and Levi to signifie that both were united in Christ who was to be both King and Priest It is observable that Moses is here silent in his own progeny but gives a particular account of his brothers not onely from his great humility and modesty which shines forth in many other passages but because it was of more concernment and the honour of Priesthood given to Aaron was to be hereditary and peculiar to his seed and therefore it was necessary they should be exactly known whereas Moses his honour and government was onely personal and did not pass to his children Sister of Naashon to wife and she bare him * Num. 3. 2. 26. 60. 1 Chron. 6. 3. and 24. 1. Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar 24 And the sons of Korah Assir and Elkanah and Abiasaph these are the families of the Korhites 25 And Eleazar Aarons son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife and * Numb 25. 11. she bare him Phinehas these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families 26 These are that Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies n i. e. According to their numerous families which were equal to great Armies and which went out of Egypt like several Armies in military order and with great power See Exod. 12. 41 51. and 13. 18. and 14. 8. 27 These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt These are that Aaron and Moses 28 And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt 29 That the LORD spake unto Moses saying I am the LORD speak thou unto Pharaoh King of Egypt all that I say unto thee 30 And Moses said before the LORD Behold I am of uncircumcised lips and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me CHAP. VII 1 AND the LORD said unto Moses See I have made thee a god to Pharaoh a To represent my person to act like God by requiring his obedience to thy commands and by punishing his disobedience with such punishments as none but God can inflict to which end thou shalt have my omnipotent assistance and Aaron thy brother shall be thy Prophet b i. e. Thy Interpreter or spokesman as chap. 4. 16. to deliver thy commands to Pharaoh 2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh that he send c Heb. and he will send or dismiss to wit at last being forced to it Success shall attend your endeavours the children out of his land 3 And I will harden Pharaohs heart and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt 4 But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you that I may lay my hand upon Egypt and bring forth mine armies and my people the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt * chap. 6. â—… by great judgments 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them 6 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them so did they d An emphatical repetition to shew their courage in attempting to say and do such things to so great a Monarch in his own dominions and their fidelity in the execution of all Gods commands 7 And Moses was fourscore years old and Aaron fourscore and three years old when they spoke unto Pharaoh e The ages of Moses and Aaron here as of Levi and Kohath chap. 6. 16 18. and before them of Iacob and Ioseph are so exactly set down that thence we may understand the accomplishment of Gods prediction Gen. 15. 13. and the time of Israels being in Egypt 8 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you saying Shew a miracle for you then thou shalt say unto Aaron f By whose hands this and other miracles were to be done and not by Moses immediately partly to take off the suspition that these miracles were wrought by some magical artifice of Moses and partly for the greater honour of Moses that he might be what God had said ver 1. a God to Pharaoh who not onely could work wonders himself but also give power to others to do so * chap. 4. 2 17. Take thy rod g The same rod is called the rod of God and of Moses and of Aaron here and ver 12. because it was appointed and as it were consecrated by God and used both by Moses and Aaron in their great works And this rod Moses ordinarily held in his hand and delivered it to Aaron upon occasion for the execution of his commands and cast it before Pharaoh and it shall become a serpent h Heb. A dragon which is a great serpent Others a Crocodile to whose jaws he had exposed the Israelitish Infants 10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh and they did so as the LORD had commanded and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants and it became a serpent 11 Then Pharaoh also called the wisemen * Under which general title he seems to comprehend all who were most eminent in any sort of wisdom either natural or civil or divine who were all called to give their opinion and advice in these matters and the sorcerers now the Magicians i The same now called sorcerers who acted by the power of the Devil whom by certain rites and ceremonies they engaged to their assistance Of these the two chief were Iannes and Iambres 2 Tim. 3. 8. of Egypt they also did in like manner k In shew and appearance which was not difficult for the devil to do either by altering the air and the spectatours sight and by causing their rods both to look and move like serpents or by a sudden and secret conveyance of real serpents thither and removing the rods Nor is it strange that God permitted those delusions partly because it was a just punishment upon the Egyptians for their horrid and manifold Idolatry and barbarous cruelty towards the Israelites and their other wickedness and partly because there was a sufficient difference made between their
of the north Psal. 4â—… 2. and more specially to wit on mount Calvary which was on the North and West side of Ierusalem before the LORD and the Priests Aarons sons shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the Altar 12 And he shall cut it into his pieces with his head and his fat and the Priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar 13 But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water and the Priest shall bring iâ—… all and burn it upon the altar it is a burnt-sacrifice an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 14 And if the burnt-sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowles then he shall bring his offering of * chap. 5. â—… turtle doves or of young pigeons z These birds were appointed for the relief of the poor who could not bring better And these birds are preferred before others partly because they were easily gotten and partly because they are fit representations of Christs chastity and meekness or gentleness for which these birds are remarkable The pigeons must be young because then they are best but the turtle-doveâ—… are better when they are more grown up and therefore theâ—… are not confined to that age 15 And the Priest shall bring it unto the altar and ‖ Or 〈◊〉 off the head with the 〈◊〉 wring off a To wit from the rest of the body as sufficiently appears because this was to be burnt by it self as it here follows and the body afterwards ver 17. And whereas it is said Levit. 5. 8. he shall â—…ing his 〈◊〉 from his neck but shall not divide it 〈◊〉 that is spoken not of the burnt-offering as here out of the sin-offering in which there might be a differing 〈◊〉 his head and burn it on the altar and the blood thereof shall be wrung out †Heb. 〈◊〉 wâ—…ll at the side of the altar 16 And he shall pluck away his crop with ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his feathers b Or with its dung or filth to wit contained in the crop and in the guts and cast it beside the altar on the East-part c To wit of the Tabernacle Here the filth was cast because this was the remotest place from the Holy of Holies which was in the West-end to teach us that impure things and persons should not presume to approach to God and that they should be banished from his presence by the place of the ashes d The place where the ashes fell down and lay whence they were afterwards removed without the camp See Levit. 4. 12. and 6. 10 11. and 8. 17. 17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof but shall not divide it asunder e Shall cleave the bird thorough the whole length yet so as not to separate the one side from the other and so as there may be a wing left on each side See Gen. 15. 10. and the Priest shall burn it upon the altar upon the wood that is upon the fire it is a burnt-sacrifice an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD CHAP. II. 1 AND when †Heb. 〈◊〉 any will offer a meat-offering a This was of two kinds the one joyned with other offerings Numb 15. 4 7 10. which was prescribed together with the measure of proportion of it the other of whâ—…h this plaâ—… speaks was a distinct and separate offering and â—…as 〈◊〉 â—…o the offerers good will both for the thing and for the 〈◊〉 And the matter of this offering waâ—… 〈◊〉 without 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 corn cakes c. Now this sort of sacrifices were appointed 1. because these are things of greatest necessity and benefit to man and therefore it is meet that God should be served with them and owned and praised as the giver of them 2. in condescension to the poor that they might not want an offering for God and to shew that God would accept even the meanest services when offered to him with a sincere mind 3. these were necessary provisions for the feast which was here to be represented to God and for the use of the Priests who were to attend upon these holy ministrations unto the LORD his offering shall be of fine flour b Searched or sifted and purged from all bran it being fit that the best things should be offered to the best being and he shall pour oyl upon it c Which may note the graces of the Holy Ghost which are compared to oyl and anointing with it Psal. 45. 7. 1 Ioh. 2. 20. and which are necessary to make any offering acceptable to God and put frankincense thereon d Which manifestly designed Christs satisfaction and intercession which is compared to a sweet odour Eph. 5. 2. and to incense Rev. 8. 3. 2 And he shall bring it to Aarons sons the Priests and he e i. e. That Priest to whom he brought it and who is appointed to offer it shall take thereout his handfull of the flour thereof and of the oyl thereof with all the frankincense thereof * chap. 5. 12. 6. 15. and the Priest shall burn the memorial of it f That part thus selected and offered which is called a memorial either 1. to the offerer who by offering this part is minded that the whole of that he brought and of all which he hath of that kind is Gods to whom this part was paid as a quit-rent or acknowledgment Or 2. to God whom to speak after the manner of men this did put in mind of his gracious covenant and promises of favour and acceptance of the offerer and his offering See Exod. 30. 16. Levit. 6. 15. Numb 5. 26. upon the altar to be an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD 3 And * chap. 7. 6. Eccl. 7. â—…1 the remnant of the meat-offering shall be Aarons and his sons ‖ To be eaten by them Levit. 6. 16. it is a * Num. 18. 9. thing most holy g i. e. Most holy or such as were to be eaten onely by the Priests and that onely in the holy place near the Altar See Levit. 6. 26. and 7. 6 9. and 21. 22. of the offerings of the LORD made by fire 4 And if thou bring an oblation of a meat-offering baken in the oven h Made in the Sanctuary for that use as may seem from 1 Chron. 23. 28 29. Ezek. 46. 20. it shall be an unleavened cake of fine flour mingled with oyl or unleavened wafers anointed with oyl 5 And if thy oblation be a meat-offering baken ‖ Or on a flat plate or slice in a pan it shall be of fine flour unleavened mingled with oyl 6 Thou shalt part it in pieces i Because part of it was offered to God and part given to the Priest and pour oyl thereon it is a meat-offering 7 And if thy oblation
which the LORD commanded that ye should do and the glory of the LORD h The glorious manifestation of Gods powerful and gracious presence ver 24. Compare Exod. 24. 16 17. â—…nd 40. 34 35. Ezek. 43. 2. shall appear unto you 7 And Moses said unto Aaron Go unto the altar and * Heb. 5. 3. offer i Moses had hitherto sacrificed but now he resigneth his work to Aaron and actually gives him that commission which from God he had received for him thy sin offering and thy burnt-offering and make an atonement for thy self and for the people k The order is very observable first for thy self otherwise thou art unfit to do it for the people Hereby God would teach us both the deficiency of this Priesthood and the absolute necessity of an higher and better Priest Heb. 7. 26 27. and how important and needful it is that Gods Ministers should be in the grace and favour of God themselves that their ministrations may be acceptable to God and profitable to the people and offer the offering of the people and make an atonement for them as the LORD commanded 8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar and slew the calf of the sin offering which was for himself 9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him and he dipt his finger in the blood and put it upon the horns of the altar l To wit of burnt-offerings of which alone he speaks both in the foregoing and following words and the blood was poured out at the bottom of this altar onely not of the altar of incense as appears from Lev. 4. 7. where indeed there is mention of putting some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of incense in this case of the Priests sacrificing for his own sins But there seems to be a double difference 1. that sacrifice was offered for some particular sin this for his sins indefinitely 2. there he is supposed to be compleat in his office and here he is but entring into his office and therefore must prepare and sanctify himself by this offering upon the brazen Altar in the court before he can be admitted into the holy place where the Altar of incense was And the like is to be said for the difference between the sin-offering for the people here and Lev. 4. 17 18. and poureâ—… out the blood at the bottom of the altar 10 But the fat and the kidneys and the cawle above the liver of the sin offering he burnt m Either 1. disposed it for the burning i. e. laid it upon the altar where it was to be burnt by the heavenly fire ver 24. Thus Interpreters generally understand the word here as also ver 13 17 20. by an anticipation or the consequent is put for the antecedent of which there are examples in Scripture Or 2. properly burnt by ordinary fire which was used and allowed until the fire came down from heaven ver 24. though afterwards it was forbidden And if it had not been allowed otherwise yet this being done by Aaron at the command of Moses and consequently with Gods approbation it was unquestionably lawful And therefore there seems to be no necessity of departing from the proper sence of the word Adde to this that there is nothing said to be consumed by that heavenly fire but the burnt-offering with the fat belonging to it namely that burnt-offering mentioned ver 16. which therefore is not there said to be burnt as it is said of the other burnt-offering ver 13. and of the rest of the sacrifices in their places upon the altar * chap. 4. 8. as the LORD commanded Moses 11 And * chap. 4. 11. the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp 12 And he slew the burnt-offering and Aarons sons presented unto him the blood which he sprinkled round about upon the altar 13 And they presented the burnt-offering unto him with the pieces thereof and the head and he burnt them upon the altar 14 And he did wash the inwards and the legs and burnt them upon the burnt-offering on the altar 15 And he brought the peoples offering n Which was to be offered for the people as the former was for himself ver 7. and took the goat which was the sin offering for the people and slew it and offered it for sin as the first o To wit in like manner as he did that for the Priest ver 8. and consequently burnt this as he did the other ver 11. for which Moses reproves him Lev. 10. 17. 16 And he brought the burnt-offering p Which also was offered for the people as the last mentioned sin-offering was and offered it * chap. 1. 3 10. according to the ‖ Or ordinance manner 17 And he brought the * chap. 2. 1 2. meat-offering q Which was always to be added to the burnt-offering See Levit. 6. and †Heb. filled his band out of it took an handful thereof and burnt it upon the altar * Exod. 29. 38. besides the burnt-sacrifice of the morning r Which was to be first offered every morning for God will not have his ordinary and stated service swallowed up by extraordinary 18 He slew also the bullock and the ram for * chap. 3. 1. a sacrifice of peace-offerings which was for the people and Aarons sons presented unto him the blood which he sprinkled upon the altar round about 19 And the fat of the bullock and of the ram the rump and that which covereth the inwards s The fat which covereth the inwards or the guts Which words are here understood as appears by comparing this place with Levit. 3. 3 9. and 4. 8. and 7. 3. where they are expressed and the kidneys and the caul above the liver 20 And they put the fat upon the breasts t Which were reserved for the Priest out of the peace-offerings which were offered for the people See Levit. 7. 30 31 34. and he burnt the fat upon the altar 21 And the brests and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a * Exod. 29 24 28. wave-offering before the LORD as Moses commanded 22 And Aaron lift up his hand u His right hand which the Iews say was lifted up highest or his hands according to the other reading which was the usual rite of blessing See Luk. 24. 50. By this posture he signified both whence he expected the blessing and his hearty desire of it for them towards the people and blessed them x In some such manner as is related Numb 6. 24 c. though not in the same form as some suppose for it is not probable that he used it before God delivered it And this blessing was an act of his Priestly office no less than sacrificing See Gen. 14. 18 19. Numb 6. 23. Deut. 10. 8. and 21. 5. Luk. 24. 50. and came down y To wit from the altar whence he
devoted which shall be devoted of men y Not by men as some would elude it but of men for it iâ—… manifest both from this and the foregoing verses that men here are not the persons devoting but devoted Quest. Was it then lawful for any man or men thus to devote another person to the Lord and in pursuance of such vow to put him to death Ans. This was unquestionably lawful and a duty in some cases when persons have been devoted to destruction either by Gods sentence as Idolaters Exod. 22. 20. Deut. 23. 15. the Canaanites Deut. 20. 1â—… the Amalekites Deut. 25. 19. 1 Sam. 15. 3 26. Benhadad 1 King 20. 42. or by men in pursuance of such a sentence of God as Numb 21. 2 3. and 31. 17. or for any crime of an high nature as Iudg. 21. 5. Ios. 7. 15. But this is not to be generally understood as some have taken it as if a Iew might by vertue of this Text devote his child or his servant to the Lord and thereby oblige himself to put them to death which peradventure was Iepthe's errour For this is expresly limited to all that a man hath or which is his i. e. which he hath a power over But the Iews had no power over the lives of their children or servants but were directly forbidden to take them away by that great command thou shalt do no murder And seeing he that killed his servant casually by a blow with a rod was surely to be punished as is said Exod. 21. 20. it could not be lawful wilfully and intentionally to take away his life upon pretence of any such vow as this But for the Canaanites Amalekites c. God the undoubted Lord of all mens lives gave to the Israelites a power over their persons and lives and a command to put them to death And this verse may have a special respect to them or such as them And although the general subject of this and the former verse be one and the same yet there are two remarkable differences to this purpose The verb is active ver 28. and the agent there expressed that a man shall devote but it is passive ver 29 and the agent undetermined which shall be devoted to wit by God or men in conformity to Gods revealed will 2. The devored person or thing is onely to be sold or redeemed and said to be most holy ver 28. but here it is to be put to death and this belongs onely to men and those such as either were or should be devoted in manner now expressed shall be redeemed but shall surely be put to death 30 And * Gen. 28. 22. Num. 18. 21 24. Mal. 3. 8. 10. all the tithe of the land z There are divers sorts of Tithes but this seems to be understood onely of the ordinary and yearly tithes belonging to the Levites c. as the very expression intimates and the addition of the fifth part in case of redemption thereof implies whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree is the LORDS it is holy unto the LORD 31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd or of the flock even of whatsoever passeth under the rod ‖ Either 1. the tithers rod it being the manner of the Iews in tithing to cause all their cattel to pass through some gate or narrow passage where the tenth was marked by a person appointed for that purpose and reserved for the Priest Or 2. the shepherds rod under which the herds and flocks passed and by which they were governed and numbred See Ier. 33. 13. Ezek. 20. 37. the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD 33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad neither shall he change it and if he change it at all then both it and the change thereof shall be holy it shall not be redeemed 34 These are the commandments which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai ANNOTATIONS ON NUMBERS The ARGUMENT THis Book giveth us an History of almost forty years travel of the children of Israel through the Wilderness where we have an account of their journeys and what happened to them therein with their Government and how they were managed thereby Called Numbers by reason of the several Numbrings of the people as at the offerings of the Princes and at their several journeys c. But especially two One Chap. 1. Out of which the Priests and Levites were excepted but numbred by themselves viz. in the second year after they were come out of Egypt in the first month whereof the Passeover was instituted with the order about the Tabernacle both of the Levites and People and their several marches encampings and manner of pitching their Tents the Priest's maintenance and establishment by the miraculous budding of Aarons rod with the several impediments in their marches both among themselves by several murmurings seditions and conspiracies and from their enemies viz. the Edomites Canaanites over whom having obtained a victory and afterwards murmuring they were stung with fiery Serpents and cured by the brazen one Amorites whose Kings Sihon and Og they overcame and slew and Moabites where by the allurements of Balaam who was hired by Balak to curse Israel they joyned themselves to Baal-peor and are plagued for it that openly opposed them The other chief numbring is in Chap. 26. where they are found almost as many as the first though among them were none of the first numbring according to what God had threatned Chap. 14. save Moses Joshua and Caleb by reason of their desire to return back into Egypt upon the discouraging report of ten of those twelve that Moses sent to spy out the Land whereupon they were forced to wander above 38 years in the wilderness where he gave them several Laws Civil Ecclesiastical and Military as also particular directions about women's inheriting occasioned by the case of Zelophehad's daughters and concerning vows And then brings them back to the borders of Canaan where after divers victories obtained against their enemies they were directed how the Land of Canaan was to be divided among the Tribes and what portion the Levites were to have among them together with six cities of Refuge set apart for the Man-slayer At length Aaron being dead and Eleazar placed in his stead and Moses also having received the sentence of Death doth by God's appointment deliver up the people unto the charge and conduct of Joshua CHAP. I. 1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai a Where now they had been a full year or near it as may be gathered by comparing this place with Exod. 19. 1. and 40. 17. and other places in the tabernacle b From the mercy-seat of the congregation on the first day of the second month in the second year after they
were come out of the land of Egypt saying 2 * Exod. 30. 12. Take ye the sum c This is not the same muster with that Exod. 38. 26. as plainly appears because that was before the building of the Tabernacle which was built and setup on the first day of the first moneth Exod. 40. 2. but this was after it to wit on the first day of the second moneth as is said ver 1. And they were for differing ends that was to tax them for the charges of the Tabernacle but this was for other ends partly that the great number of the people might be known to the praise of Gods faithfulness in making good his promises of multiplying them and to their own comfort and encouragement partly for the better ordering of their camp and march for they were now beginning their journey and partly that this account might be compared with the other in the close of the book where we read that not one of all this vast number except Caleb and Ioshua were left alive which was an evident discovery of the mischievous nature of sin by which so vast a company were destroyed and a fair warning to all future generations to take heed of rebelling against the Lord for which their ancestours had been so dreadfully plagued even to extirpation It is true the sums and numbers agree in this and that computation which is not strange because there was not much time between the two numbrings and no eminent sin among the people in that interval whereby God was provoked to diminish their numbers Some conceive that in that number Exod. 30. and 38. the Levites were included which are here excepted ver 47. and that in that interval of time there were grown up as many more men of those years as there were Levites of the same age of all the congregation of the children of Israel d So the strangers mixed with them were not numbred after their families by the house of their fathers e The people were divided into twelve Tribes the Tribes into great Families Num. 26. 5. these great Families into lesser Families called the houses of their fathers because they were distinguished one from another by their fathers with the number of their names every male by their poll 3 From twenty years old and upward †Heb. 〈◊〉 that goith 〈◊〉 all that are able to go forth to war in Israel thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies 4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe f To inspect the work that it might be faithfully and impartially done every one head of the house of his fathers 5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you g To wit with Moses and Aaron who were the chief managers of the work of the tribe of Reuben h The Tribes are here numbred according to the order or quality of their birth first the children of Leah then of Rachel and then of the handmaids Elizur the son of Shedeur 6 Of Simeon Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai 7 Of Judah Nahshon the son of Amminadab 8 Of Issachar Nethaneel the son of Zuar 9 Of Zebulun Eliab the son of Helon 10 Of the children of Joseph of Ephraim Elishama the son of Ammihud of Manasseh Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur 11 Of Benjamin Abidan the son of Gideoni 12 Of Dan Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai 13 Of Asher Pagiel the son of Ocran 14 Of Gad Eliasaph the son of Deuel i Called Reuel Numb 2. 14. the Hebrew letters Daleth and Resh being very like and oft changed 15 Of Naphtali Ahira the son of Enan 16 These were the renowned k Heb. the named or called to wit by Moses and by Gods appointment to manage this affair and others as there was occasion Compare Numb 16. 2. and 26. 9. of the congregation princes of the tribes of their fathers heads of thousands l See Exod. 18. 21. Numb 10. 4. in Israel 17 And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names 18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month and they declared their pedigrees after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward by their poll 19 As the LORD commanded Moses so he numbred them in the wilderness of Sinai 20 And the children of Reuben Israels eldest son by their generations m Heb. to wit their generations i. e. the persons begotten of Reubens immediate Children who are here subdivided into families and they into houses and they into particular persons after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names by their polls every male from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 21 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Reuben were fourty and six thousand and five hundred 22 Of the children of Simeon by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers those that were numbred of them according to the number of the names by their polls every male from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 23 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Simeon were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred 24 Of the children of Gad by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 25 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Gad were fourty and five thousand six hundred and fifty 26 Of the children of Judah by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 27 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Judah were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred n Far more than any other tribe in accomplishing of Iacobs prophecy Gen. 49. 28 Of the children of Issachar by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 29 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Issachar were fifty and four thousand and four hundred 30 Of the children of Zebulun by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 31 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Zebulun were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred 32 Of the children of Joseph namely of the children of Ephraim by their generations after their families by the
house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 33 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Ephraim were fourty thousand and five hundred o Above 8000 more than Manasseh towards the accomplishment of that promise Gen. 48. 20. which the Devil in vam attempted to defeat by stirring up the men of Gath against them i Chron. 7. 21 22. 34 Of the children of Manasseh by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 35 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Manasseh were thirty and two thousand and two hundred 36 Of the children of Benjamin by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 37 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Benjamin were thirty and five thousand and four hundred p The smallest number except one though Benjamin had more immediate children than any of his brethren Gen. 46. 21. whereas Dan had but one immediate son Gen. 46. 23. yet now his number is the biggest but one of all the Tribes and is almost double to that of Benjamin Such great and strange changes God easily can and frequently doth make in families 1 Sam 2. 5. And therefore let none boast or please themselves too much in their numerous off-spring 38 Of the children of Dan by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 39 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Dan were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred 40 Of the children of Asher by their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 41 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Asher were forty and one thousand and five hundred 42 Of the children of Naphtali throughout their generations after their families by the house of their fathers according to the number of the names from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war 43 Those that were numbred of them even of the tribe of Naphtali were fifty and three thousand and four hundred 44 These are those that were numbred which Moses and Aaron numbred and the princes of Israel being twelve men each one was for the house of his fathers 45 So were all those that were numbred of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers from twenty years old and upward all that were able to go forth to war in Israel 46 Even all they that were numbred were * Exod. 38 26. See Exod. 12. 37. chap. 26. â—…1 six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty 47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbred among them 48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses saying 49 Onely thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi q Because they were not generally to go out to war which was the thing principally eyed in this muster ver 3 20 45. but were to attend upon the service of the Tabernacle and therefore are reserved to another distinct muster Numb 3. 15. and 4. 2. c. And least this should be thought to be designed and done through Moses his ambition to give his own Tribe the preeminence he assures them it was done by Gods express command neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel 50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony r So called here and Exod. 38. 21. because it was made chiefly for the sake of the Ark of the Testimony 2 Sam. 7. 2. which is oft called the Testimony as hath been observed before and over all the vessels thereof and over all things that belong to it they shall bear the tabernacle and all the vessels thereof and they shall minister unto it and shall encamp round about the tabernacle 51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward the Levites shall take it down and when the tabernacle is to be pitched the Levites shall set it up and the stranger s The stranger elsewhere is one of another Nation here one of another Tribe one no Levite that cometh nigh t So as to do the offices mentioned ver 50. shall be put to death 52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents every man by his own camp and every man by his own standard throughout their hosts 53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony that there be no wrath u To wit from God who is very tender of his worship and will not suffer the profaners of it to go unpunished whose wrath is called simply Wrath by way of eminency as the most terrible kind of wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel and the Levites shall keep the charge x i. e. Shall suffer no stranger to approach through curiosity or any other motive of the tabernacle of testimony 54 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses so did they CHAP. II. 1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron saying 2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard a Or ensign by that to which he is allotted by the following order It is manifest that there were four great Standards or Ensigns which here follow distinguished by their colours or figures or otherwise also that there were other particular Ensigns belonging to each of their Fathers Houses or Families as is here said with the ensign of their fathers house †Heb. over against far off b Partly out of reverence to God and his Worship and the portion allotted to it and partly for caution least their vicinity to it might tempt them to make too near approaches to it It is supposed they were at 2000 cubits distance from it which was the space between the people and the Ark Ios. 3. 4. and it is not improbable because the Levites encamped round about it between them and the Tabernacle about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch 3 And on the east-side toward the rising of the Sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah 4 And his host and those that were numbred of them were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred 5 And those that do pitch
his service See Exod. 19. 10 15. Levit. 14. â—… them 7 And thus shalt thou do unto them to cleanse them sprinkle water †Heb. of sin chap. 19. 9. of purifying d Heb. Of sin i e. for the expiation of sin This water was mixed with the ashes of a red heiâ—…er Numb 19. 9. which therefore may seem to have been prescribed before though it be mentioned after such kind of transplacings of passages being frequent in Scripture upon them and †Heb. let them cause a rasor to pass over c. let them shave all their flesh e Which external rite signified the cutting off their inordinate concupiscences of earthly things and that singular purity of heart and life which is required in the Ministers of God See Isa. 52. 11. 2 Tim. 2. 21. and let them wash their cloths and so make themselves clean 8 Then let them take a young bullock with his * Lev. 2. 2. meat-offering even fine flour mingled with oil and another young bullock e The same sacrifice which was offered for a sin-offering for the whole congregation Levit. 4. because the Levites came in the stead of all the first-born which did in a manner represent the whole congregation shalt thou take for a sin offering 9 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together 10 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD and the children of Israel f Not all of them which was impossible but some in the name and stead and by the appointment of all to wit either the first-born or rather the Princes or Chiefs of each Tribe who used to transact things in the name of their Tribes Whereby they signified their transferring of that right of Ministring to God from the first-born in whose hands it formerly was unto the Levites and their renouncing of their interest in the Levites from whom they might otherwise have expected help by their persons or purses as they diâ—… from other Tribes in their common concernments and 〈◊〉 intire resignation and dedication of them to God service as the person offering by laying his hand upon the head of his 〈◊〉 Levit. 1. 4. signified his translation of his guilt upon the beast and his dedication of it unto God shall put their hands upon the Levites g. 11 And Aaron shall †〈◊〉 offer the Levites before the LORD for an ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 offering h Heb. For a wave-offering Of which see Exod. 29. 24. Not that Aaron did so wave them which he could not do but that he caused or commanded them to imitate that motion and to wave themselves towards the several parts of the world whereby they might signifie their readiness to serve God according to their capacity wheresoever they should be Though the word may be taken more generally for any offering made to God as Exod. 35. 22. of the children of Israel that †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 c. they may execute the service of the LORD 23 And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks i To signifie that they were offered by them and for them See Exod. 29. 16 19. Levit. 1. 4. and 3. 2. and 4. 4. and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt-offering unto the LORD to make an atonement for the Levites 13 And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron and before his sons k i. e. Put them into the power of Aaron and his sons to employ them in holy ministrations for so that phrase is sometimes used as Gen. 13. 9. the land is before thee i. e. in thy power to use or enjoy it Or setting the Levites before them did signifie the giving the Levites to them or to their service and offer them for an offering unto the LORD l For to him they were first properly offered and by him given to the Priests in order to his service 14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel and the Levites shall be * chap. 3. 45. mine 15 And after that shall the Levites go in m To wit into the Court where they were to wait upon the Priests at the Altar of burnt-offering and at present into the Tabernacle to take it down and set it up to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and thou shalt cleanse them and offer them for an offering 16 For they are wholly given unto me n By the peoples consent as well as taken as it follows by my choice and command See Numb 3. 9. from among the children of Israel in stead of such as open every womb * chap. 3. 13. Exod. 13. 2. Luk. 2. 23. even in stead of the first-born of all the children of Israel have I taken them unto me 17 * Exod. 13. 2 12 15. chap. 3. 13. Luk. 2. 23. For all the first-born of the children of Israel are mine both man and beast on the day that I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for my self 18 And I have taken the Levites for all the first-born of the children of Israel 19 And * chap. 3. 9. I have given the Levites as a †Heb. given gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel to do the service of the children of Israel o i. e. To serve God in their stead and behalf to do what otherwise they had been obliged to do in their own persons in the tabernacle p How in it see on ver 15. of the congregation and * chap. 1. 53. to make an atonement for the children of Israel q Not by offering sacrifices which the Priests alone might do but by assisting the Priests in that expiatory work and by a diligent performance of all the parts of their office whereby God was pleased both with them and with the people that there be no plague r This is added as a reason why God appointed them to serve in or about the Tabernacle that they might watch and guard it and not suffer any of the people to come near it or meddle with holy things which if they did it would certainly bring a plague upon them among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come high unto the sanctuary 20 And Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites so did the children of Israel unto them 21 And the Levites were purified s Which was done by washing and sprinkling and sacrifices See Levit. 15. 13 14 15. Numb 19. 11 c. and they washed their clothes and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse
oâ—…n fancies before my commands and to live onely by present sight or sence and not at all by faith in my promises 40 That ye may remember and do all my commandments and be holy unto your God 41 I am the LORD your God which brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God I am the LORD your God m Though I am justly displeased with you for your frequent and horrid rebellions for which also I will keep you 40 years in the wilderness yet I will not utterly cast you off but will continue to be your God to preserve and provide for you there and after that time to bring you into Canaan CHAP. XVI 1 NOW * chap. 27. 3. Jude 11. Korah a The first and chief authour of this rebellion ver 21. Iude ver 11. the son of Izhar b Amrams brother Exod. 6. 18. therefore Moses and he were cousen germans Moreover Izhar was the second son of Kohath whereas Elizaphan whom Moses had preferred before him and made prince or ruler of the Kohathites Numb 3. 30. was the son of Uzziel the fourth son of Kohath This the Iewish writers say made him malecontent which at last broke forth into sedition the son of Kohath the son of Levi and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab and On the son of Peleth sons of Reuben c These are drawn into confederacy with Korah partly because they were his next neighbours both being encamped on the south-side and therefore could easily communicate counsels partly in hopes to recover their rights of primogeniture in which the Priesthood was comprehended which was given away from their father took men d To wit those 250 mentioned ver 2. In the Hebrew there is nothing but took and the Hebrew words are placed and may well be rendred thus Now Korah took both Dathan and Abiram c. or took Dathan c. the particle Vau being here superfluous as it is Gen. 8. 6. and elsewhere 2 And they e i. e. Korah Dathan and Abiram last mentioned rose up f i. e. Conspired together and put their seditious design in execution before Moses g Not privily and obscurely but openly and boldly not fearing nor regarding the presence of Moses who was an eye-witness of their conspiracy with certain of the children of Israel two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly * chap. 26. 9. Ruth 4. 11. 14. famous h For place and birth in the congregation men of renown 3 And * Psal. 106. 16. they i i. e. Either Korah and the 250 Princes which may seem probable by comparing this with ver 12 25 27. where we find Dathan and Abiram in another place even in their tents whither it is likely they were gone by consent to form and strengthen their party there while Korah and the rest went to Moses Or Korah Dathan and Abiram and the rest who were all together when Moses spake those words ver 5 6 7. but after that Dathan and Abiram retired to their tents and then Moses sent for Korah and the Levites who had more special and more colourable pretences to the Priesthood and treats with them apart and speaks what is mentioned ver 8 9 10 11. and then having dispatched them he sends for Dathan and Abiram ver 12. that he might reason the case with them also apart gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron k Against Aaron to whom the Priesthood was confined and against Moses both because this was done by his order and because before Aarons consecration Moses appropriated it to himself For whatever they intended they seem not now directly to strike at Moses for his supreme civil government but onely for his interest and influence in the disposal of the Priesthood as may appear by the whole context and particularly by ver 5 10 15 c. and said unto them †Heb. it is much for you ye take too much upon you l By perpetuating the Priesthood in your selves and family with the exclusion of all others from it seeing all the congregation are holy m A kingdom of Priests an holy nation as they are called Exod. 19. 6. a people separated to the service of God and therefore no less fit to present themselves before God and to offer sacrifice and incense for themselves than you are every one of them and the LORD is among them n By his Tabernacle and cloud the tokens of his special and gracious presence and therefore ready to receive all their sacrifices and services from their own hands wherefore then lift ye up your selves o Thou Moses by prescribing what laws thou pleasest about the Priesthood and confining it to thy brother and thou Aaron by usurping it as thy peculiar priviledge above the congregation of the LORD 4 And when Moses heard it he fell upon his 〈◊〉 p Humbly begging that God would direct him and defend and vindicate him from this false and odious imputation See Numb 14. 5. Accordingly God answers his prayers and inspires him with this following answer to Korah and strengthens him with new courage and confidence of good success 5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company saying Even to morrow q Heb. In the morning the time appointed by men for administring justice Psal. 101. 8. Ier. 21. 12. and chosen by God for that work Psal. 73. 14. Isa. 47. 11. Zeph. 3. 5. Some time is allowed partly that Korah and his company might prepare themselves and their censers and partly to give them space for consideration and repentance the LORD will shew who are his and who is holy and will cause him r Or and whom he will cause to come near unto him s i. e. To serve him in the Priesthood even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him t i. e. He will by some evident and miraculous token declare his approbation of him and his ministery 6 This do take ye censers u Since ye will be Priests take your censers and act as Priests at your peril Korah and all his company 7 And put fire therein and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose x i. e. Declare his choice and appointment of them for that work he shall be holy ye take too much upon you ye sons of Levi. 8 And Moses said unto Korah Hear I pray you ye sons of Levi y Consider what I say before it be too late and repent of your great wickedness 9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near to himself z Nearer than the other Tribes though not so near as the Priests to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD and to stand before
a diversity of Names between this Catalogue and that Nehem. 11. may be ascribed to two causes first to the Custom of the Hebrews who used very frequently to give 2. or 3. several Names to one person And secondly to the change of Times for here they are named who came up at the first Return but many of those in Nehemiah might be such as returned afterward and came and dwelt either in stead of the Persons here named who might be then dead or gone from Ierusalem or with them the son of Omri the son of Imri the son of Bâ—…ni of the children of Pharez the son of Judah 5 And of the Shilonites k Or Shelanites as they are called from Shelah Numb 26. 20. Asajah l Called also Maaseiah Nehem. 11. 5. the first-born and his sons 6 And of the sons of Zerah Jeuel and their brethren six hundred and ninety 7 And of the sons of Benjamin Sallu the son of Meshullam n Who is mentioned but described by other Parents Neh. 11. 7. or at least by persons under other Names Possibly these were his more immediate and those his more remote Parents or he might be born of one and adopted by another For this is certain Men are sometimes in Scripture called the Sons of those who adopted them or whose Right of Inheritance fell to them the son of Hodaviah the son of Hasenuah 8 And Ibnejah the son of Jeroham and Elah the son of Uzzi the son of Michri and Meshullam the son of Shophatiah the son of Reuel the son of Ibnijah 9 And their brethren according to their generarations nine hundred and fifty and six o They are reckoned but 928. in Neh. 11. 8. either because there he mentions onely those that were by Lot determined to dwell at Ierusalem to whom he here adds those who freely offered themselves to it see Neh. 11. 1 2. because some of the persons and Families first placed there were dead or extinguished or else removed from Ierusalem upon some emergent Occasion All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers 10 And of the priests Jedajah and Jehojarib and Jachin 11 And Azariah p The same called Seraiah Nehem. 11. 11. the son of Hilkiah q Either of him in Iosiahs time 2 Kin. 22. 8. or rather another of the same Name the son of Meshullam the ion of Zadok the son of Merajoth the son of Ahitub the ruler of the house of God r Or a ruler in the house of God Not the High-Priest who was Ezra Ezr. 3 8. but a Chief Ruler under him either the second Priest as such are called Numb 3. 32. or the Head of one of the 24. Families or Courses of the Priests 12 And Adaiah the son of Jeroham the son of Pashur s i. e. His Great Grandson as appears from Neh. 11. 12 13. the son of Malchijah and Maasai the son of Adiel the son of Jahzerah the son of Meshullam the son of Meshillemith the son of Immer 13 And their brethren heads of the house of their fathers a thousand and seven hundred and threescore †Heb. mighty men of valour very able men t Heb. mighty men of valour Which is here noted as an excellent Qualification for their Place because the Priests might meet with great Opposition and Difficulty in the Faithful discharge of their Office in the Execution of the Censures upon all Impure persons without Exception and in preserving Sacred things from Violation by the Touch of Forbidden Hands Of which see an Eminent Instance in Azariah 2 Chren 26 17 c. for the work of the service of the house of God 14 And of the Levites Shemajah the son of Hashub the son of Azrikam the son of Hashabiah of the sons of Merari 15 And Bakbakkar Heresh and Galal and Mattaniah the son of Micah the son of Zichri the son of Asaph 16 And Obadiah the son of Shemajah the son of Galal the son of Jeduthun and Berechiah the son of Asa the son of Elkanah that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathite u Or Netophathites which were in Iudah ch 2. 54. Here they now dwelt either because their proper Cities were not yet built or because they were not yet numerous enough to replenish them 17 And the Porters x Whose Office it was to keep all the Gates of the Temple that no unclean Person or Thing might enter into it were Shallum and Akkub and Talmon and Ahiman and their brethren Shallum was the chief 18 Who hitherto waited in the kings gate y In the East-gate of the Temple which was so called either because it was the Chief and most Magnificent of all the Gates or because the Kings of Iudah used to go to the Temple through that Gate 2 King 16. 18. Compare Ezek. 44. 1 2. Under this Gate he comprehends all the rest which also were guarded by these Porters eastward They were porters in the companies z Or according to the companies or orders or courses i. e. They kept the Gates successively according to that Method into which themselves and the rest of their Brethren the Levites were distributed for the more convenient management of their several Offices among which this of the Porters was one of the children of Levi. 19 And Shallum the son of Kore the son of Ebiasaph the son of Korah and his brethren of the house of his father the Korhites were over the work of the service keepers of the †Heb. thresholdâ—… gates of the tabernacle a Or who were to wit in time past which is expressed in a like case v. 20. when the Tabernacle was standing before the Temple was built and their fathers b The Kohathites of whom see on Numb 4. â—… being over the host of the LORD c Or with as this Hebrew Particle is oft used the host c. i. e. when the Israelites were in the Wilderness encamped in a Military manner round about the Tabernacle with or among whom these were then placed were keepers of the entry d i. e. Of the Vail by which they entred into the Tabernacle which he calls the entry distinctively because then there were no Gates The meaning is That all things were now restored to their Primitive Order and Institution and the several Persons took those Places and Offices upon them which their Ancestors had before them 20 And * Num â—…â—… Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them e i. e. Over all the Porters and other Levites and Priests before mentioned in time past and the LORD was with him f To direct and assist and bless him in the discharge of his Place Which seems here related to encourage his Successor and consequently all the Priests and Levites of this time to go on couragiously and resolutely in their Work not doubting but God will stand by them as he had done by
their Fathers 21 And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was g To wit in the time of David as the following verse sheweth See ch 26. 1 2. 27. 2. porter h i. e. Chief Porter of the door of the tabernacle i i. e. Of the Door which led out of the Priests Court into the Tabernacle in which the Ark was placed 2 Sam. 6. 17. of the congregation 22 All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages k Where their usual Residence was and whence they came to Ierusalem in their Courses whom * Ch â—…6 1â—… David and Samuel the * 1 Saâ—… 9 9. seer †Heb. 〈◊〉 did ordain l In the times of the Judges there was much Disorder and Confusion both in the Jewish State and Church and the Levites came to the Tabernacle promiscuously and as their Inclinations or occasions brought them But Samuel the best of Judges having some prospect and good hopes of deliverance from their Enemies and of an happy Settlement of the Israelitish Church and Nation and observing that the Levites were greatly increased he began to think of establishing some Order among the Levites in their Ministration about the Tabernacle And these Intentions of his probably were communicated by him to David who after Samuels death and his own peaceable Settlement in his Throne revived and perfected Samuels Design and took care to put it in execution in their ‖ Or 〈◊〉 set office m Heb. in their faith or faithfulness i. e. either 1. in their Office which is called faithfulness because this is required in that Office Or 2. In the Faithful discharge of their Duty and in obedience to the Will of God signified to them by Revelation or by the spirit as it is said of David 1 Chron. 28. 12. which they received by Faith and accordingly designed and David executed it And so this is added to shew that this was no Humane Invention as some might conceive but a Divine Appointment to which all ought to submit 23 So they and their children had the oversight n To wit in Davids time of the gates of the house of the LORD namely the house of the tabernacle o This is added to explain what he means by the House of the Lord not that Tabernacle which David had set up for the Ark but that more solemn Tabernacle which Moses had made by Gods express Command and most particular Direction which in Davids time was at Gibeon in which God was and would be worshipped until the Temple was built See 1 King 3. 2 c. 2 Chron. 1. 3 5 c. by wards p i. e. By Turns or Courses each of them at his Gate and in his appointed Time 24 In four quarters were the porters q i. e. The Chief Porters as this is explained v. 26. toward the east west north and south 25 And their brethren which were in their villages were to come r From their several Villages to the Place of Worship after seven days s Every Sabbath or seventh day the Courses were changed and the New Commers were to tarry till the next Sabbath-day See 2 Kin. 11. 5 7 9. from time to time with them t i. e. To be with them i. e. with the Chief Porters who always abode in the Place of Gods Worship and to minister to them 26 For these Levites the four chief porters were in their ‖ Or trust set office u i. e. These were constantly upon the place and in the execution of their Office that so they might oversee and direct the Inferiour Porters in their work Or as others render the words agreeably to the Hebrew Text For these i. e. their brethren v. 25. were under the charge or committed to the trust of the four chief porters who also were Levites as their Brethren were whereas the Chief of all of them was a Priest Either way these words contain a Reason of what was said v. 25. why the rest were to come to these and to be with them and were over the ‖ Or 〈◊〉 chambers and treasuries x In which the Sacred Utensils and other Treasures belonging to the Temple were kept of the house of God 27 And they lodged round about the house of God y Therefore they were obliged to constant Residence in the Place and were not permitted to dwell in the Villages as their Brethren were because the charge was upon them and †Heb. they were â—… the key Gr. the opening thereof every morning pertained to them 28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministring vessels that they should †Heb. bring 〈◊〉 iâ—… by tale 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bring them in and out by tale 29 Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels and all the ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 instruments of the sanctuary and the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the frankincense and the spices 30 And ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some of the sons of the priests made * 〈◊〉 30. 2â—… the ointment of the spices z This is added to prevent a Mistake and to shew that although the Levites were intrusted with the keeping of this Ointment yet none but the Priests could make it See Exod. 30. 22 c. 31 And Mattithiah one of the Levites who was the first-born of Shallum the Korhite had the ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set office over the things that were made ‖ Oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the pans a i. e. was to take care that Fine Flour might be provided and 〈◊〉 saâ—…ly and well that when occasion required they might make Cakes in Pans to be offered to the Lord of which see on Lev. 2. 5. 32 And other of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites were over the †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 shew-bread b Of which see Exod. 35. 13. to prepare it every sabbath 33 And these c i. e. Others of the Levites of whose several Offices he had spoken before are d Or rather were which is understood and all along in the foregoing and following verses and again in this very verse * 〈…〉 the singers chief of the fathers of the Levites who remaining in the chambers e Where they waited that they might be ready to come â—…hensoever they were called to the Service of God in the Taberâ—… were free f From all Trouble and Employment that they might wholly attend upon the proper Work for †〈…〉 they were imployed in that work g Either composing or ordering sacred Songs or actually singing or teaching others to sing thâ—… day and night h i. e. Continually and particularly in the Morning and Evening the two Times appointed for solemn Service and Offerings 34 These chief fathers of the Levites were
‖ Or of Reâ—… v. o. 14 Thorefore David enquired again of God and God said unto him Go not up after them turn away from them * 2 Sam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and come upon them over against the mulberry trees 15 And it shall be when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulbery-trees that then thou shalt go out to battel for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistins 16 David therefore did as God commanded him and they smote the host of the Philistins from Gibeon even to Gazer 17 And the same of David went out into all lands b i. e. Into all the neighbouring Countries and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations CHAP. XV. 1 ANd David made him houses a A Palace consisting of many Houses or Apartments for his several Wives and Children in the city of David and prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched for it a tent b Qu. Why did he not first fetch the tabernacle of Moses from Gibeon where it now was that so he might put the Ark into its proper place Ans. Partly because he had no motion or direction from God concerning the Tabernacle as he had concerning the Ark and partly because he thought the Tabernacle was not so necessary for that end as formerly seing he intended forthwith to set upon the building of the Temple as appears from chap. 17. 2 Then David said †〈…〉 None ought to carry the * 〈…〉 ark of God but the Levites c And that upon their Shoulders of which see Numb 4. 15. 7. 9. and not in a Cart as it was before to our great grief and loss for them the LORD hath chosen to carry the ark of God and to minister unto him for ever d i. e. So long as the Ark is to be removed and as that Worship continues 3 And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place which he had prepared for it 4 And David assembled the children of Aaron and the Levites 5 Of the sons of Kohath e To wit of Amram or Izhar Kohaths Sons Numb 3. 27. Otherwise Elizaphan v. 8. and Hebron v. 9. and Uzziel v. 10. were Kohaths Children of which see Exod. 6. 17 18 22 Uriel the chief and his ‖ Or 〈◊〉 brethren an hundred and twenty 6 Of the sons of Merari Asajah the chief and his brethren two hundred and twenty 7 Of the sons of Gershom Joel the chief and his brethren an hundred and thirty 8 Of the sons of Elizaphan Shemajah the chief and his brethren two hundred 9 Of the sons of Hebron Eliel the chief and his brethren sourscore 10 Of the sons of Uzziel Amminadab the chief and his brethren an hundred and twelve 11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests f i. e. The Chief Priests Abiathar the High-Priest and Zadok the second Priest see Numb 3. 32. and for the Levites for Uriel Asajah and Joel Shemajah and Eliel and Amminadab 12 And said unto them Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites sanctifie your selves g By solemn Purification and Preparation of your selves both in Soul and Body See on Exod. 19. 10. 15. both ye and your brethren that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it 13 For * 2 Sam. â—… â—… Ch. 13. 7. because ye did it not at the first h Because you did not sanctifie and prepare your selves by solemn Prayer and seeking Counsel from God and by a serious consideration of Gods Will as to the Manner of carrying it which it was your Duty more than others to observe and see it executed the LORD our God made a breach upon us for that we i He takes a part of the guilt to himself because it was his Duty as well as theirs diligently to read the Law and Word of God and to see it executed and their oversight did not excuse his sought him not after the due order k According to the Rules which he appointed 14 So the Priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel 15 And the children of the Levites l To wit the Kohathites Numb 4. 4. bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon as * 〈◊〉 25. 14. 〈◊〉 â—… 15. 〈◊〉 â—… 9. Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD 16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick psalteries and harps and cymbals †〈…〉 sounding by lifting up the voice with joy 17 So the Levites appointed * Câ—… 6. 33. Heman the son of Joel and of his brethren * Câ—… â—… 39. and Asaph the son of Berechiah and of the sons of Merari their brethren * 〈◊〉 â—… 44. Elthan the son of Kushajah 18 And with them their brethren of the second degree m The first rank or degree of Sacred Musicians being those three famous Persons named v. 17. next unto whom were these here named Zechariah Ben and Jaaziel and Shemiramoth and Jehiel and Unni Eliab and Benajah and Maasiah and Mattithlah and Eliphalet and Mikniah and Obed-edom and Jeiel the porters n Who were to keep the Doors of the Tabernacle and Courts but withal were instructed in Musick and singing that when they were free from Attendance upon their proper Office they might not be idle nor unprofitable persons in Gods House 19 So the singers Heman Asaph and Ethan were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass 20 And Zechariah o In this Catalogue Ben is omitted who was mentioned v. 18. Yet others think him to be the same who is called Azariah v. 21. But Ben might be some other person who was indeed appointed for this Work as is related v. 17 18. and yet he might be taken off by death or sickness or some sudden and extraordinary Accident which hindred his Execution of the Place and Work allotted for him which might force the Chief of the Levites to appoint some other in his stead when they came to put their Institution in practise as here they did and Aziel and Shemiramoth and Jehiel and Unni and Eliab and Maasiah and Benajah with Psalteries on Alamoth p Or with as that particle is elsewhere used Alamoth which is thought to be the name of an Instrument of Musick or of a certain Tune or Note or part in Musick The certain signification of it is not now known nor is it necessary for us to know it And the like may be said of Sheminith v. 21. 21 And Mattithiah and Eliphaleh and Mikneiah and Obed-edom and Jeiel and Azaziah with harps ‖ Or 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over on the Sheminith q See on v. 20. to
Sacred Treasures for future Occasions there being mention of the great treasures left by David even in other Authors But some Learned Men make these Talents far less than those in Moses his Time and they conceive that as there were two sorts of Shekels both of Gold and Silver the common and the sacred Shekel whereof the latter is commonly thought to be double to the former so also there were Talents of divers kinds and values For the Hebrew word kikkar which is rendred a Talent properly signifies onely a Mass or a Piece as it is used Exod. 29. 23. 1 Sam. 2. 36. Zech. 5. 7. So it may indifferently denote either a greater or a lesser Piece And this is certain and observed by two Ancient and most Learned Writers 〈◊〉 and Pollux and by others that a Talent among the Greeks and Romans sometimes notes but a small quantity and that a Talent of Gold contains onely six Drams And Homer in his Ileads amongst other things of no great value which are propounded as Rewards to the Conqueror at a solemn and publick Exercise a Bondwoman an Horse and a Pot mentions two Talents of Gold which plainly shews that in his Time which was after the building of this Temple Talents of Gold were very far Inferiour in quantity and price to what they had been in former Ages And Iosephus a Iew and therefore the more Competent Judge of these things speaking of this very thing for 100000 Talents of Gold here mentioned he puts 10000 and for 1000000 Talents of Silver he puts 100000 either because the Talents in Moses his time were of ten times more Bulk and Price than in Davids and Solomons time and therefore these Talents reduced to them amounted to no greater Sum or because he read so in his Copy of the Hebrew Bible And certainly it is infinitely more tolerable and reasonable to suppose that there is a mistake here in the generality of the present Copies of the Hebrew Bible through the Errour of the Scribe which being onely in a numeral and historical Passage might happen without Impeachment to the Care of Gods Providence which hath so miraculously preserved all the most Important and Substantial parts of Scripture as hath been formerly said than upon such Pretences to deny the Truth and Divine Original and Authority of the Holy Scriptures Add to this that all the Gold then used was not of equal worth and purity as appears both by the special Commendation given to some sorts of Gold in divers parts of Scripture and particularly by the Difference observed in this very History between the Gold and Gold which David gave for this use whereof one little part being distinctively called pure Gold and refined Gold 1 Chron. 28. 17 18. it is sufficiently implied that all the rest of the Gold was not refined nor pure which might greatly diminish the Worth of it for in what degree it was impure or allayed with other things in those Times and Places we cannot know at this Distance And therefore we cannot make a true Estimate what those Talents of Gold did amount to in our Value and a thousand thousand talents of silver p Just as much in Silver as in Gold for this is known and agreed that the Proportion of Gold to Silver is Ten to One. and of brass and iron without * As 〈◊〉 3. weight for it is in abundance timber also and stone have I prepared and thou mayest add thereto 15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance hewers and ‖ That is ma sons and carpenters workers of stone and timber and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work 16 Of the gold the silver and the brass and the iron there is no number Arise therefore and be doing q To wit when thou shalt come to the Throne in my stead and the LORD be with thee 17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son saying 18 Is not the LORD your God with you and hath he not given you rest on every side for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand and the land is subdued before the LORD and before his people r Either 1. It is brought under the Command of God and of you his People all the Enemies of God and of Israel in it or near it being now perfectly subdued Or 2. It is really subdued whereof both God and your own Eyes are Witnesses 19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God arise therefore and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD CHAP. XXIII 1 SO when David was old and full of days he made * 1 Kin. 1. 33. 39. Ch. 28. 5. Solomon his son king over Israel a Not that he did resign the Kingdom to him but that he declared his Mind concerning his Succession into the Throne after his death As David himself is called King 1 Sam. 16. 1. because he was appointed and anointed to be King after Sauls death though till then he was onely a Subiect 2 And he gathered together all the princes of Israel with the priests and the Levites b Partly to declare Gods Mind and his own Will that Solomon should be his Successor and so to cut off the Claims and Pretences which others of his Sons might make to the Crown and partly to acquaint them with those Directions which he had received from God by the Spirit as appears from ch 28. 11 c. concerning the Establishment of a new Order and Method in the Ministration of the Priests and Levites in the Temple 3 Now the Levites were numbred from the age of * Numb 4. 3. thirty years and upward c Not onely till fifty as it was appointed Num. 4. 2 3. but even till their Death For that was but a Temporary Law grounded upon a special Reason because the Levites were employed in carrying the Tabernacle and Sacred Vessels from place to place and therefore God would have them freed from those Burdens when they came to feel the Infirmities of Age Which Reason wholly ceasing upon the Building of the Temple and their Work being far easier than it had been and their Service being more a Priviledge than a Burden their time of Service is justly and fitly prolonged and their numbers by their polls man by man was thirty and eight thousand 4 Of which twenty and four thousand were ‖ Or or to oversee to set forward the work of the house of the LORD d i. e. To take care that all the Work of the Temple about Sacrifices and other Parts or Means of Gods Service should be punctually and diligently performed either by themselves or others Which they were not to do all at once but by Courses 1000 at a
Tabernacle and therefore more of the Levites were to be employed and consequently they were to be sooner taken into Service and upward 25 For David said The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever 26 And also unto the Levites r Or rather as concerning the Levites of whom he is here speaking they shall no more carry the Tabernacle nor any vessels of it for the service thereof 27 For by the last words of David s By his last Order and Constitution made by Gods Direction and by the Spirit as hath been once and again noted and proved before This is here added to signifie that this great Affair was thus settled by David not in his younger years when it might have been thought to have the Effect of youthful Heat and Confidence and Presumption and Rashness but when he was come to the greatest Maturity when he was Old and near his Death and going to give up his Account to his Lord and Maker of all his Actions and particularly of the Alterations which he made in the Service of God which he declared was done by the Spirit of God These were in a manner his dying Words which usually make the deepest Impressions the Levites were †Heb. 〈◊〉 numbred from twenty years old and above 28 Because †Heb. their 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 the hand of 〈◊〉 sons of 〈◊〉 their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things t i. e. Holy Places and Garments and Vessels and Sacrifices which were to be washed and cleansed from any Filthiness which possibly might cleave to them and the work of the service of the house of God 29 Both for the shew-bread and for * Lev. 6. 20. Ch. 9. 29 〈◊〉 the fine flour for meat offering and for the unleavened cakes and for that which is baked in the ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pan and for that which is fryed and for all manner of measure and cise u This is to be understood either 1. particularly of the Measure or Quantity of fine Flour and Wine and Oil which was fixed by Gods Law Or generally of all Measures used either in Sacred or Civil Things the publick Standards whereof were kept in the Sanctuary or Temple of which see on Exod. 30. 13. and therefore the care of keeping them inviolable and producing them upon Occasion must needs belong to the Priests and under them to the Levites who were to examine other Measures and all things by them as oft as Occasion required that so the Priests might be at more leisure for their higher and greater Employments 30 And to stand every morning x The two Solemn Times of offering Sacrifices Which Work was attended with publick Prayer and Thanksgiving to thank and praise the LORD and likewise at even x The two Solemn Times of offering Sacrifices Which Work was attended with publick Prayer and Thanksgiving 31 And to offer all burnt-sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths in the new moons and on the set feasts by number according to the order commanded unto them y i. e. Unto those persons the Levites of whom he speaks Or concerning them i. e. about those things continually before the LORD 32 And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation and the charge of the holy place and the charge of the sons of Aaron z i. e. What the Priests should commit to their Charge or command them to do their brethren in the service of the house of the LORD CHAP. XXIV 1 NOw these are the divisions a i. e. The several Branches into which that Family was divided or distributed of the sons of Aaron * 〈◊〉 10. â—… 5. The sons of Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar 2 But * 〈◊〉 â—… 4. 〈◊〉 â—…6 6â—… Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priests office b i. e. Were the onely persons to whom and to whose Families the Execution of that Office was committed 3 And David distributed them †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zaâ—… â—…0 3â—… both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar according to their Offices c Or courses or prefectures i. e. Allotting to each of them several times wherein they or theirs should by turns have the Government of Holy Ministrations in the Temple Service in their service 4 And there were moe chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar and thus were they divided Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers 5 Thus were they divided by lot d Partly to prevent that Envy or Emulation which otherwise might arise among them and partly that all mens Minds and Consciences might be fully satisfied in the Order now established by this Divine way of Decision one sort with another for †Heb. the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of God 〈◊〉 23. 6. the governours of the sanctuary and governours of the house of God e But that is no other than the Sanctuary and so it may seem to make this Division improper and irregular the several Members of it being altogether the same Or rather of the things of God i. e. of all persons ministring in the Sanctuary and of all Holy Ministrations done in it and of all other matters of the Lord as they are called by way of distinction from the kings matters 2 Chron. 19. 11. were of the sons of Eleazar and of the sons of Ithamar 6 And Shemajah the son of Nathancel the scribe one of the Levites wrote them before the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and before the chief of the fathers of the Priests and Levites one †Heb. 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 principal houshold being taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar f Or the Chief which Word is easily supplied out of the context of one house of the Fathers was taken to wit by Lot for Eleazar i. e. out of his Family and that which was taken after it was taken for Ithamar i. e. out of his Family The meaning is that the first Lot fell to Eleazar and the second to Ithamar and the third to Eleazar and the fourth to Ithamar and so successively until all the Families of Ithamar had received their Lots And afterwards all the Lots came forth to the rest of Eleazars Families which were double in number to those of Ithamar as was said v. 4. 7 Now the first lot came forth g To wit out of the Vessel in which all
in reference to unreasonable Creatures as 1 King 17. 4. Amos 9. 3. who are not properly capable of a Command or of Obedience to devour the land or if I send pestilence among my people 14 If my people †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉 is tâ—…sted which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I heat from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land 15 Now * Ch. 6. 42 mine eyes shall be open and mine ears attent †Heb. 〈◊〉 prayer of this plaâ—…e unto the prayer that is made in this place i Or that shall be made in or towards this Place for he speaks of the Answers which he will give to the Prayers which shall be made here Heb. Of this Place 16 For now have * Ch. 6. 5. I chosen and sanctified this house k Of this Verse and the rest of this Chapter see the Notes on 1 King 9. 3 c. that my name may be there for ever and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually 17 And as for thee if thou wilt walk before me as David thy father walked and do according to all that I have commanded thee and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments 18 Then will I establish the throne of thy kingdom according as I have covenanted with David thy father saying * 〈…〉 †〈…〉 There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel 19 * Lev. 26. â—…4 33. Deut. 28 â—…5 36 37. But if ye turn away and forsake my statutes and my commandments which I have set before you and shall go and serve other gods and worship them 20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them and this house which I have sanctified for my name will I cast out of my sight and will make it to be a proverb and a by-word among all nations 21 And this house which is high shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it so that he shall say * Deut. 29 â—… Jeâ—… 22. 〈◊〉 Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land and unto this house 22 And it shall be answered Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshipped them and served them therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them CHAP. VIII 1 AND * Kin 9. 10 it came to pass at the end of twenty years wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD and his own house 2 That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon a Which Solomon gave to Hiram who not being pleased with them 1 Kin. 9. 12 13. here returns them to him again Solomon built them and caused the children of Israel to dwell there 3 And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and prevailed against it 4 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness b Of this and the following Verses see on 1 King 9. 18 c. and all the store-cities which he built in Hamath 5 Also he built Beth-horon the upper and Beth-horon the nether fenced cities with walls gates and bars 6 And Baalath and all the store-cities that Solomon had and all the chariot cities and the cities of the horsemen and †〈…〉 all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem and in Lebanon and throughout all the land of his dominion 7 As for all the people that were left of the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites which were not of Israel 8 But of their children who were left after them in the land whom the children of Israel consumed not them did Solomon make to pay tribute unto this day 9 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work but they were men of war and chief of his captains and captains of his chariots and horsemen 10 And these were the chief of king Solomons officers even two hundred and fifty that bare rule over the people 11 And Solomon * 〈…〉 brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her for he said My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel because the places are †〈…〉 holy whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come c Not because every place where once the Ark came was thereby consecrated to God and might not after the Ark was gone be put to any common use for then both the House of Obed-edom and all other places where the Ark either rested or passed were made Holy thereby and unlawful for Men to dwell in but either 1. Because she was a Woman and attended by many other Women who besides the common Pollutions of all are subject to many and frequent Ceremonial Pollutions peculiar to their Sex and either she or at least many of her followers might be Heathens at this time and therefore he thought it indecent that such persons should come as it were in Gods stead and succeed him in the place where he had dwelt Or 2. He speaks not of the Time when the Ark was gone but whilest it was there and these words contain a Reason not of the more remote words why he now brought her up thither but of the words immediately preceding why he built this House for her because the Ark was now in the House of David which therefore ought to be kept pure and free from the very Danger and Appearance of Pollution 12 Then Solomon offered burnt-offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD which he had built before the porch 13 Even after a certain rate every * 〈◊〉 29. 38. day-offering according to the commandment of Moses on the sabbaths and on the new moons and on the solemn feasts * 〈◊〉 23. 14. 〈◊〉 16. 16. three times in a year even in the feast of unleavened bread and in the feast of weeks and in the feast of tabernacles 14 And he appointed according to the order of David his father the * â—… Chr. 24. 1. courses of the priests to their service and * â—… Chr. 25. 1. the Levites to their charges to praise and minister before the priests as the duty of every day required the * 1 Chr. 9. 17. 26. 1. porters also by their courses at every gate for †Heb. so was the commandment of David the man of God so had David the man of God d i. e. A Prophet inspired by God in these Matters whose Commands therefore are the Commands of God commanded 15 And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter or concerning the treasures 16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared e All the Materials were procured
Israel to put his Name there and his mothers name was Naamah an Ammonitess 14 And he did evil because he ‖ Or fixed 1 Sam. 7. 3. prepared not k Or directed nâ—…t or settled not c. i. e. Although he humbled himself and seemed penitent for a season and professed the True Religion and Worship of God yet he quickly relapsed into his former Sins because he was not sincere nor serious in his Actions and his Heart was not right with God his heart to seek the LORD 15 Now the acts of Rehoboam first and last are they not written in the †Heb. words book of Shemajah the prophet and of Iddo the seer concerning genea logies l In an Historical Account written by him of the Genealogies and Actions of the Kings of Judah And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam conâ—…inually 16 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David and Abijah his son reigned in his stead CHAP. XIII 1 NOw * 1 Kiâ—… 〈◊〉 c. in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah 2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem his mothers name also was Micajah the daughter of Uriel a Called Maachah the Daughter of Absalom 1 King 15. 2. She might be Daughter to one and Grand-daughter to the other or the proper and natural Daughter of the one and the others by Adoption of which there are Instances in Scripture or the same Person might be called Uriel and Absalom See 1 King 15. 2. of Gibeah and there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam 3 And Abijah †Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set the battel in aray c Against Jeroboam We need not scrupulously enquire into the Lawfulness of this War for this Abijah though here he makes a fair Flourish and maintained the better Cause yet was indeed an Ungodly Man 1 King 15. 3. and therefore minded not the satisfaction of his Conscience but onely the Recovery of his Parents Ancient Dominions with an army of valiant men of war even four hundred thousand chosen men Jeroboam also set the battel in aray against him with eight hundred thousand men being mighty men of valour 4 And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim d Some commodious Place whence his Voice might be heard by Jeroboam and some of his Host who possibly were pitched in the Valley Or the two Armies being pitched near to one another Abijah might desire a Parly before they fought whereupon Jeroboam and some of his Commanders and Souldiers might draw near to him and stand below him at the bottom of the Hill where they might hear his Speech which Jeroboam was the more willing to do that in the mean time he might cause an Ambushment to come behind Abijah and his Army as he did v. 13. whilest he was quietly standing before them and seemed to hearken to any Terms of Accommodation which might be offered which is in mount Ephraim and said Hear me thou Jeroboam and all Israel 5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt e i. e. By a perpetual Covenant which thy â—…surpation cannot disanul For the Phrase see on Numb 18. 19. 6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat the servant of Solomon the son of David is risen up and hath * 1 〈◊〉 rebelled against his lord 7 And there are gathered unto him vain men the children of Belial f Such as have cast off the Yoke and Obedience which they owed both to God and to their King and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon when Rehoboam was young g Not in Age for he was then 41 years old but in his Kingdom which he had but newly obtained and in Experience in Politick and especially in Military Affairs to which he was wholly a Stranger as having been born and bred up in a time of great Peace and Security and tender-hearted h i. e. Cowardly and fearful who durst not adventure to chastise the Rebels as he should have done But herein Abijah forgets his Duty both to his Father whom he falsely traduceth and to God by whose Express Command Rehoboam was restrained from the War against Israel which otherwise he had both Courage and Resolution to prosecute as appears from the History 1 King 12. 21. and could not withstand them 8 And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David i That Kingdom which was not set up by Vain Men in pursuance of their own Ambition and Discontent as yours was but ordained and established by God himself in the House of David and ye be a great multitude k Or because that Hebrew Particle being oft so used ye be c. This he mentions partly as the ground of their Confidence that they had more Triâ—…es and a greater Host and partly as a Presâ—…ge of their Downfal which trusting â—…o the Arm of Flesh is and there are with you golden calâ—…es l Or but there are c. There is that among you which may damp your Courage and Confidence You worship those Images which God aâ—…hors and severely forbids which Jeroboam * 1 Kiâ—… 〈◊〉 made you for gods m Or for God as that plural word is most commonly used i. e. instead of God to give them the Name of God as Exod. 32. 4. and that worship which is peculiar to him 9 * 〈◊〉 Have ye not cast out the priests of the LORD the sons of Aaron and the Levites and have made you priests after the manner of the nations of other lands so that whosoeveâ—… cometh †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to consecrate himself n i. e. To make himself a Priest See on Levit. 7. 37. with a young bullock and seven rams the same may be a priest of them that are no gods o That have nothing of the Nature or Power though you give them the Name of gods 10 But as for us the LORD p Heb. Iehovah the onely true and great God is our God and we have not forsaken him q We maintain his Honour and Worship which you have ungratefully rejected and the priests which minister unto the LORD are the sons of Aaron and the Levites wait upon their business 11 * 〈◊〉 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shew-bread also set they in order upon the pure table r So called because it was made of pure Gold Exod. 25. 23 24. and the candlestick of gold s He saith Table and Candlestick though there were ten of each 〈◊〉 4. 7 8. either 1. because Shishak had carried away all but onâ—… Or 2. the singular number is put for the plural as 1 King 7. 48. and oft
have been both sinful and shameful See on v. 11. and that they might have matter for an evil report that they might reproach me t As a Coward and conscious of my own guilt that so they might make me contemptible and odious both to my own People and to the King of Posia 14 My God think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works and on the prophetess Noadiah u One that falsly pretended to the Spirit of Prophecy to deceive and destroy Nehemiah He prays to God to remember and punish these False prophets because he was not yet in a capacity to do it having such powerful Enemies round about him and so many rich and potent Jews highly discontented for their great loss by his means ch 5. and the rest of the prophets that would have put me in fear 15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day or the month Elul x Answering part to our August and part to September in fifty and two days y To be computed either 1. From the time of Sanballat's sending this letter to him Or as most judg from the beginning of the Work Which though a great thing yet it is not at all incredible considering 1. That the Walls and Gates were not wholly pulled down by the Chaldeans For to what purpose should they make that waste of time and labour 2. That where the Walls were thrown down yet the materials remained which they now used 3. That in the building of the Walls they minded not curiosity but only strength and safety 4. The great numbers of the Builders and the prudent distribution of the work among them and their admirable Zeal and diligence in the work 5 That there want not parallel Instances even in heathen Authors for both Curtius and Arian report that Alexander the Great built the Walls of new Alexandria which contained above Seven Miles in length within Twenty days space 6. That there was an eminent hand of God in carrying on this work which their very Enemies here acknowledg 16 And it came to pass that when all our enemies heard thereof and all the heathen that were about us saw these things they were much cast down in their own eyes z i. e. In their own Opinion or themselves being Judges For though ordinarily men are very prone to judge partially and still to flatter themselves with vain hopes and fancies yet this case was so clear and remarkable that they began to despair Now they saw that all was lost that their designs were broken and that their mischief was now likely to fall upon their own heads for they perceived a By that admirable Courage and Constancy and quickness wherewith this work was managed notwithstanding all their difficulties and discouragements that this work was wrought of our God b That it was the work of that mighty God of Israel whom they had great reason to fear and withal they took it for an ill omen to them and a sure presage that God would still watch over that City and People and crush those who should oppose or disturb them 17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah †〈…〉 sent many letters unto Tobiah c Corresponding with him against Nehemiah and against their own City and Nation and the letters of Tobiah came unto them 18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him d To be true to him in the prosecution of his wicked designs because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah and his son Ichanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah e This is noted to shew the mischief of such unequal and forbidden Marriages and how reasonable and necessary Ezra's Action was in the dissolution of them 19 Also they reported his good deeds before me and uttered my ‖ Or matters words to him and Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear CHAP. VII 1 NOw it came to pass when the wall was built and I had set up the doors and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed a i. e. When I had taken order that the Levites should be summoned from all places to celebrate the dedication of the Wall as it was done ch 12. 27. 2 That I gave my brother Hanani b Of whom see ch 1. 1 2. and Hananiah the ruler of the palace c i. e. Of Nehemiah's Court justly so called because he lived in great splendor and like a Vice-Roy though it was wholly at his own charge charge over Jerusalem d To preserve its peace and safety and to take particular care of the shutting the Gates of the City for he e To wit Hananiah last mentioned for it was needless to say any thing in commendation of Hanani who had shewn his Piety and Zeal for God and his Country in taking a tedious journey from Ierusalem to Shushan to inform Nehemiah of the sad Estate of Ierusalem and to implore his helping hand to relieve it chap. 1. was a faithful man f He chose not Magistrates and Officers out of any partial or carnal respects to his own Kindred or Acquaintance or Favourites but from true Piety and Prudence such as were fittest for and would be most faithful in their Employments and feared God g This is added as the ground and reason both why he was faithful and why Nehemiah put such Trust and Confidence in him because he knew that the fear of God would keep him from yielding to those temptations to perfidiousness which he was likely to meet with when Nehemiah was gone and against which a man destitute of Gods fear hath no sufficient sence above many h More than most men did or above the common pitch of piety 3 And I said unto them Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the son be hot i i. e. Till it be clear and broad day when Enemies approaching may be discovered and the people of the City will be ready for the defence in case of an assault and while they k i. e. The watches appointed to that end as is manifest from the following words stand by let them shut the doors and bar them and appoint watches of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem every one in his watch and every one to be over against his house l i. e. Every one in his turn keeping watch with others in that watching-place which is next to his house 4 Now the city was †Heb. broad of hands or spaces large and great but the people were few therein and the houses were not built m i. e. Not all nor compleatly built but only some sleight Buildings of Boards or Stones were made for the present use of the generality of the People 5 And my God put into mine heart n This Action though meerly prudential he doth not ascribe to himself or his own wit
Nethinims dwelt in ‖ Or the 〈◊〉 Ophel and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims 22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani the son of Hashabiah the son of Mattaniah the son of Micha of the sons of Asaph the singers were over the business of the house of God p i. e. Were to take care at Jerusalem for the supply of such things as were necessary for the Temple and the service of God from time to time whilest others minded the outward business v. 16. And this Office was very proper for them both as they were Levites to whose care those things belonged and as they were Singers who were not to come to Ierusalem by turns as other Levites and as the Priests did but were constantly to reside there and therefore were more capable of minding this business Besides their Employment was not so frequent nor so great as some others were and therefore they had more leisure for it 23 For q Or therefore For the following words contain either a reason why they were set over that business or a recompense for it or a provision that they might diligently attend to it it was the kings r Either 1. Davids who made this constitution Or rather 2. The Kings of Persia who is called simply the king in the next verse also who took this care at the request and by the direction of Ezra or Nehemiah Or this might be Nehemiah's Command which is called the Kings Command because it was done by the Kings Deputy or a Commissioner whom the King impowered to do what he saw fit for the House and Service of God commanding all the People to obey him therein as he had formerly done Ezra 7. 18 20 23. commandment concerning them that ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a certain portion should be for the singers due for every day 24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel of the children of Zerah the son of Judah was at the kings hand s Or on the kings part to determine Civil Causes and Controversies between Man and Man by the Laws of that Kingdom which peradventure he understood better than Nehemiah and therefore was appointed for this work but still under Nehemiah Or according to the kings appointment as the hand is used as Numb 4. 49. and elsewhere in all matters concerning the people t Either in civil differences between them or in things between the King and People as in matters of Tribute or Grievances c. wherein this man possibly was chief Justitiary under Nehemiah 25 And for the villages with their fields some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba u This and most of the other places here named had been destroyed by the Chaldeans but the Jews now repaired the best of the ruinated Houses and by degrees rebuilt others and in the †Heb. daughters villages thereof and at Dibon and in the villages thereof and at Jekabzeel and in the villages thereof 26 And at Jeshua and at Moladah and at Bethphelet 27 And at Hazar-shual and at Beer-sheba and in the villages thereof 28 And at Ziklag and at Mekonah and in the villages thereof 29 And at Enrimmon and at Zareah and at Jarmuth 30 Zanoah Adullam and in their villages at Lachish and the fields thereof at Azekah and in the villages thereof And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom 31 The children also of Benjamin ‖ Or of Geba from Geba dwelt ‖ Or to 〈◊〉 at Michmash and Aija and Bethel and in their villages 32 And at Anathoth Nob Anania 33 Hazor Ramah Gittaim 34 Hadid Zeboim Nebullat 35 Lod and Ono * 1 Châ—… â—… 〈◊〉 the valley of craftsmen x Or in the valley c. Or this is another place called Ge-baharasim 36 And of the Levites were divisions y Or for the Levites to wit those of them who were not settled in Ierusalem there were divisions i. e. places appointed for them and distributed among them in Judah and in Benjamin CHAP. XII 1 NOw these are the * Ezâ—… â—… â—… priests a i. e. The chief of the Priests as they are called here v. 7. to wit the heads of those Twenty four courses which David appointed by divine direction 1 Chr. 24. And whereas there are Twenty four and here but Twenty two and v. 12 c. only Twenty the reason of this difference may possibly be this because Two of the Twenty four courses were extinct in Babylon or at least none of them was then returned and two of the Persons here named v. 2 5. to wit Hattush and Maodiah may be omitted in the account of the posterity of these persons v. 12 c. because they had no posterity Possibly these were not the same courses which David had appointed but others which Zerubbabel and Ioshua had constituted in imitation of that order as far as they could and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua Serajah Jeremiah Ezra b Either this was another Ezra or if it were the same mentioned Ezra 7. he lived to a great Age which may well be supposed concerning his great Sobriety and abstinence from those evil practices which shorten Mens Lives and his great piety to which God promised long Life and withal the special providence of God continuing him so long in such a season wherein the Church of God did greatly need his help and counsel 2 Amariah ‖ Or 〈◊〉 ver 14. Malluch c In the repetition of this and some other mens names hereafter v. 14 c. there are some small variations which are very frequent in that language Hattush 3 ‖ Or 〈◊〉 ver 1â—… Shechaniah ‖ Or 〈◊〉 ver 1â—… Rehum ‖ Or 〈◊〉 ver 1â—… Meremoth 4 Iddo ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ver 〈◊〉 Ginnetho Abijah d The Progenitor of Iohn the Baptist Luk. 1. 5. 5 ‖ Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ver 1â—… Miamin ‖ Or 〈◊〉 ver 1â—… Maadiah Bilgah 6 Shemajah and Jojarib and Jedajah 7 ‖ Or 〈◊〉 ver 2â—… Sallu Amok Hilkiah Jedajah these were the chief of the priests and of their brethren e i. e. Of the Priests who were their Brethren in the days of Jeshua 8 Moreover the Levites Jeshua Binnui Kadmiel Sherebiah Judah and Mattaniah which was over ‖ Thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the thanksgiving he and his brethren 9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni their brethren were over against them in the watches f i. e. In the places where they were appointed to stand and wait and perform their office one standing over against another as it is explained v. 24. ward over against ward for the Hebrew word is the same there and here Others according to their turns or courses of which see 1 Chron. 25. 9. 10 And Jeshua begat Jojakim g Here follows a Catalogue of the Jewish High-Priests which was the
that time when multitudes were made Christs willing people by the preaching of the Apostles as we read Acts 2. 3. 4. 5 c. And for the second clause it is to be understood thus thou hast or as it is in the Hebrew to thee is the dew of thy youth or of thy childhood for the word jeled from which this is derived signifies sometimes a young man and sometimes a child or infant By youth or childhood he here seems to understand those young men or children which shall be born to the Messias who are called his children Heb. 2. 13. and his seed Isa. 53. 10. wherein possibly there might be an allusion to this dew Thus the abstract is here put for the concrete which is very frequent in the Hebrew Tongue as Circumcision and Uncircumcision are put for the circumcised and the uncircumcised c. And even in the Latine Tongue this very word youth is oft used for a young man or for a company of young men By the dew of youth he means youth or young men like dew the note of similitude being oft understood And this progeny of Christ is compared to the dew partly because of their great multitude being like drops of dew innumerable and covering the whole face of the earth see 2 Sam. 17. 12. and partly because of the strange manner of their generation which like that of the dew is done suddenly and secretly and not perceived till it be accomplished and to the admiration of those that behold it of which see Isa. 49. 21. Or 2. joyntly as one entire sentence The dew of thy youth i. e. Thy posterity which is like the dew as was noted and explained before is as the dew which may very well be understood out of the foregoing clause as the word feet is understood in like manner Psal. 18. 33. He maketh my feet like hinds feet of or from the womb of the morning it is like the morning dew as it is called both in Scripture as Hos. 6. 4. and in other Authors Not is it strange that a womb is ascribed to the morning seeing we read of the womb of the Sea and of the womb of the â—…oe and frost Job 38. 8 28 29. 4 The LORD hath sworn t Which he did not in the Aaronical Priesthood Heb. 7. 21. but did it here partly because the thing was new and strange and might seem incredible because God had already erected another and that an everlasting Priesthood Numb 25. 13. and given it to Aaron and his posterity for ever and therefore this needed all possible assurance and partly that this Priesthood might be established upon better promises as is said Heb. 8. 6. and made sure and irrevocable and such that God neither could nor would repent of it as it follows and therefore will not repent * Heb. 5. 6. 7. 17 21. Thou art u To wit by my order and constitution thou shalt be so and I do hereby make thee so a priest x As well as a King Those Offices which were divided before between two families are both united and invested in thee both being absolutely necessary for the discharge of thine Office and for the establishment of thy Kingdom which is of another kind than the Kingdoms of the World spiritual and heavenly and therefore needs such a King as is also a Minister of holy things This word plainly discovers that this Psalm cannot be understood of David as some of the Jews would have it but onely of the Messias And although this word Cohen be sometimes used of a Prince or great Person in the State as the Jews object yet it cannot be so understood here partly because it signifies a Priest in Gen. 14. 18. from whence this expression is borrowed partly because that word is never used of a Soveraign Prince or King such as the Jews confess the Messias to be but onely of inferiour Princes or Ministers of State as Gen. 41. 45. 2 Sam. 8. ult partly because such an inconsiderable assertion would never have been ushered in by so solemn an oath especially after far greater things had been said of him in the same kind v. 1 2 3. and partly because the Messias is called a Priest Zach. 6. 13. compare Ier. 20. 21. 35. 15 18. for ever y Not to be interrupted or translated to another person as the Priesthood of Aaron was upon the death of the Priest but to be continued to thee for ever after the order of Melchizedek z Or after the manner c. so as he was a Priest and also a King and both without any successor and without end in the sence intended Heb. 7. 3. 5 The Lord a Either 1. God the Father whose words and oath he last mentioned v. 4. So this is an Apostrophe of the Psalmist to Christ Thy God and Father is at thy right hand to wit to defend and assist thee as that phrase is used Psal. 16. 8. 109. 31. and elsewhere See the Notes on v. 1. And he to wit God the Father shall strike c. as it follows Although this latter clause may belong to the Messias and as in the former he spake to him so in this he speaketh of him such changes of persons being very frequent in this Book Or 2. God the Son or the Lord who is at thy right hand as was said before v. 1. shall strike c. So this is an Apostrophe to God the Father concerning his Son This seems best to agree with the following verses for it is evident that it is the same person who strikes thorow Kings and judgeth among the heathen and filleth c. And so this whole verse and those which follow speak of one person which seems most probable at thy right hand shall strike thorow kings b Shall mortally wound and destroy all those Kings and Potentates who are obstinate enemies to him and to his Church in the day of his wrath c In the day of battel when he shall contend with them and pour forth the flouds of his wrath upon them 6 He shall judge d Either 1. conquer and govern them or rather 2. condemn and punish them as it is explained in the following clauses and as this word is used Gen. 15. 14. Rom. 2. 1 2. 1 Pet. 4. 6. and elsewhere among the heathen he shall fill the places d Or the place of battel which is necessarily supposed in the fight and therefore may very well be understood with the dead bodies e Of his enemies slain by his hand and lying in the field in great numbers and heaps and that unburied to their greater infamy he shall wound the heads f Heb. the head Which may be understood either 1. of some one person and eminent adversary of Christ and of his Kingdom either the Devil by comparing this with Gen. 3. 15. Heb. 2. 14. who was indeed the Head or
not readily grant it to those that greedily seek it and if any son of violence procure it he will make him pay very dearly for it and when the Saints suffer it for Gods sake as they frequently do it is a most acceptable Sacrifice to God and highly esteemed by him Thus the blood of Gods people is said to be precious in his sight Psal. 72. 14. And in the same sence the life of a man is said to be precious in his eyes who spareth and preserveth it as 1 Sam. 26. 21. 2 Kings 1. 13. Gods people are precious in his eyes both living and dying for whether they live they live unto the Lord or whether they die they die unto the Lord Rom. 14. 8. of his saints 16 O LORD truly I am thy servant b This is either 1. an argument used in prayer It becometh thee to protect and save thy own servants as every good master doth or rather 2. a thankful acknowledgment of his great obligations to God whereby he was in duty bound to be the Lords faithful and perpetual servant For this suits best with the context I am thy servant and * Psal. 86. 16. the son of thy handmaid c Either 1. the son of a mother who was devoted and did devote me to thy serviet Or 2. like one born in thy house of one of thy servants and so thine by a most strict and double obligation thou hast loosed my bonds d Thou hast rescued me from mine enemies whose captive and vassal I was and therefore hast a just right and title to me and to my service 17 I will offer to thee * Lev. â—… 12. the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the Name of the LORD 18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people e And as I said before so I now repeat my promise for the greater assurance and to lay the stricter obligation upon my self 19 In the courts of the LORD's house in the midst of thee O Jerusalem Praise ye the LORD PSAL. CXVII This Psalm contains a Prophecy of the Calling of the Gentiles as appears both from the matter of it and from Rom. 15. 11. where it is quoted to that purpose 1 O * Rom. 15. 11. Praise the LORD a Acknowledge the true God and serve him onely and cast away all your Idols all ye nations praise him all ye people 2 For his merciful kindness is great towards us b Either 1. towards us Jews to whom he hath given those peculiar priviledges which he hath denied to all other nations But this may seem an improper argument to move the Gentiles to praise God for his mercies to others from which they were excluded Or 2. towards all of us all the children of Abraham whether carnal or spiritual who were to be incorporated together and made one body and one sold by and under the Messias Iob. 10. 16. Eph. 2. 14. which mystery seems to be insinuated by this manner of expression and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever Praise ye the LORD PSAL. CXVIII This Psalm most probably was composed by David when the Civil Wars between the Houses of Saul and David were ended and David was newly setled in the Kingdom of all Israel and had newly brought up the Ark of God to his Royal City But though this was the occasion yet David or at least the Spirit of God which indired this Psalm had a further reach and higher design in it and especially in the latter part of it which was to carry the Readers thoughts beyond the Type to the Antitype the Messias and his Kingdom who was chiefly intended in it Which is apparent both from the testimonies produced of it to that purpose iâ—… the Neâ—…t Testament as Mat. 〈◊〉 9 42. Mark 12. 10 11. Acts 4. 11 c. and from the consent of the Hebrew Doctors both ancient and modern one evidence whereof is that in their prayers for their Messiah they use some part of this Psalm and from the matter it self as we shall see hereafter The form of this Psalm may seem to be dramatical and several parts of it are spoken in the name of several persons yet so that the distinction of the persons and their several passages is not expressed but lest to the observation of the intelligent and diligent Reader as it is in the Book of the Song of Solomon and in some part of Ecclesiastes and in many profane Writers David speaks in his own name from the beginning to v. 22. and from thence to v. 25. in the name of the people and thence to v. 28. in the name of the Priests and then concludes in his own name 1 O * 1 Chro. 16. 8. Psal. 106. 1. 107. 1. 136. 1. Give thanks a All sorts of persons which are particularly expressed in the three next verses as they are mentioned in like manner and order Psal. 115. 9 10 11. where see the Notes unto the LORD for he is good because his mercy endureth for ever 2 Let Israel b After the flesh all the Tribes and people of Israel except the Levites now say that his mercy endureth for ever 3 Let the house of Aaron c The Priests and Levites who were greatly discouraged and oppressed in Sauls time and shall receive great benefits by my government now say that his mercy endureth for ever 4 Let them now that fear the LORD d The Gentile-Proselytes whereof there were in Davids time and were likely to be greater numbers than formerly had been say that his mercy endureth for ever 5 I called upon the LORD †Heb. out of distress in distress the LORD answered me and * Psal. 18. 19. set me e Which Verb is tacitly included in the former and is easily understood out of Psal. 31. 9. where the full phrase is expressed and from the following word See the like examples in the Hebrew Text Gen. 12. 15. Psal. 22. 21 c. ‖ Or with enlargement in a large place 6 * Psal. 56. 4 11. Heb. 13. 6. The LORD is ‖ Heb. for me on my side I will not fear what can man f A frail and impotent creature in himself and much more when he is opposed to the Almighty God do unto me 7 * Psal. 54. 4. The LORD taketh my part with them that help me g He is one of the number of my helpers and enables them to defend me therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me 8 * Psal. 40. 4. 62. 8 9. Jer. 17. 5 7. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man h As mine adversaries do in their own numbers and in their great confederates 9 * Psal. 146. 2. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes i The neighbouring and