Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

II CHRONICLES.

CHAP. I.

1 ANd * 1.1 Solomon the son of David was strengthned a 1.2 in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him * 1.3 ex∣ceedingly.

2 Then Solomon spake b 1.4 unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governour in all Israel, ‖ 1.5 the chief of the fathers.

3 So Solomon and all the congregation with him, went to the high place c 1.6 that was at * 1.7 Gibeon, for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.

4 * 1.8 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim, to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem d 1.9.

5 Moreover, * 1.10 the brazen altar that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, ‖ 1.11 he e 1.12 put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it f 1.13.

6 And Solomon went up thither to the brazen al∣tar before the LORD, which g 1.14 was at the taberna∣cle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it.

7 In that night h 1.15 did God appear i 1.16 unto Solo∣mon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shew∣ed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me * 1.17 to reign in his stead.

9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: * 1.18 for thou hast made me king over a people, † 1.19 like the dust of the earth in multitude,

10 * 1.20 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may * 1.21 go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people that is so great k 1.22?

11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies l 1.23, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wis∣dom and knowledge for thy self, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:

12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee, and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as * 1.24 none of the kings have had, that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place m 1.25 that was at Gibeon, to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.

14 * 1.26 And Solomon gathered chariots n 1.27 and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hun∣dred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot-cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

15 * 1.28 And the king † 1.29 made silver and gold at Je∣rusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar-trees made he as the sycamore-trees that are in the vale, for abundance.

16 * 1.30 And † 1.31 Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the kings merchants recei∣ved the linen yarn at a price.

17 And they fetcht up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, † 1.32 by their means.

CHAP. II.

1 ANd Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom a 1.33.

2 And * 1.34 Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thou∣sand to hew in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

3 And Solomon sent to ‖ 1.35 Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou * 1.36 didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me b 1.37.

4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him c 1.38, and to burn before him † 1.39 sweet incense, and for the conti∣nual shew-bread d 1.40, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new-moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.

5 And the house which I build is great e 1.41: for great is our God above all gods.

6 * 1.42 But who † 1.43 is able to build him an house, see∣ing the heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him f 1.44? who am I then that I should build him an house, save onely to burn sacrifice before him g 1.45.

7 Send me now therefore a man, cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blew, and that can skill † 1.46 to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my fa∣ther did provide.

8 Send me also cedar-trees, sir-trees, and ‖ 1.47 algum∣trees out of Lebanon: (for I know that thy ser∣vants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon) and behold, my servants, shall be with thy servants,

9 Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build, shall be † 1.48 won∣derfully great h 1.49.

10 And behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oyl.

11 Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.

12 Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, † 1.50 erdued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his king∣dom.

13 And now I have sent a cunning man (endued with understanding) of Huram my fathers i 1.51;

14 The son of a woman of the daughter of Dan k 1.52, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone and in timber, in purple, in blew, and in fine linen, and in crimson: also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord l 1.53 David thy father.

15 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:

16 And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, † 1.54 as much as thou shalt need, and we will bring it to thee in flotes by sea to † 1.55 Joppa, and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.

17 * 1.56 And Solomon numbred all † 1.57 the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbring, wherewith David his father had numbred them m 1.58; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand, and three thousand and six hundred.

18 And he set * 1.59 threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thou∣sand to be hewers in the mountains, and three thou∣sand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

CHAP. III.

1 THen * 1.60 Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Mori∣ah, ‖ 1.61 where the LORD appeared unto David a 1.62 his father, in the place that David had prepared b 1.63 in the threshing-floor c 1.64 of * 1.65 ‖ 1.66 Ornan the Jebusite.

2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month d 1.67, in the fourth year of his reign.

3 Now these are the things * 1.68 wherein Solomon was † 1.69 instructed e 1.70 for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure f 1.71 was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cu∣bits.

4 And the * 1.72 porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty g 1.73: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.

5 And the greater house h 1.74 he ceiled with fir-tree, which he overlaid with † 1.75 fine gold, and set there∣on palm-trees and chains.

6 And he † 1.76 garnished the house with precious stones † 1.77 for beauty: and the gold was gold of Par∣vaim i 1.78.

7 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof with gold, and graved cherubims on the walls.

8 And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cu∣bits: and he overlaid it with fine gold amounting to six hundred talents.

9 And the weight of the nails k 1.79 was fifty shekels of gold: and he overlayed the upper chambers l 1.80 with gold.

10 And in the most holy house he made two cherubims ‖ 1.81 of image-work m 1.82, and overlaid them with gold.

11 And the wings of the cherubims were twenty cubits long: one wing of the one cherub was five cu∣bits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the o∣ther wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub.

12 And one wing of the other cherub was five cu∣bits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the o∣ther wing was five cubits also, joyning to the wing of the other cherub.

13 The wings of these cherubims spread them∣selves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on their feet, and their faces were ‖ 1.83 inward n.* 1.84

14 And he made the * 1.85 vail o 1.86 of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and † 1.87 wrought cheru∣bims thereon.

15 Also he made before the house p 1.88 * 1.89 two pil∣lars of thirty and five cubits † 1.90 high q 1.91, and the cha∣piter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits.

16 And he made chains, as in the oracle r 1.92, and put them on the heads of the pillars, and made an hundred pomegranats s 1.93, and put them on the chains.

17 And he * 1.94 reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left, and called the name of that on the right hand, ‖ 1.95 Jachin, and the name of that on the left, ‖ 1.96 Boaz.

CHAP. IV.

1 MOreover he made * 1.97 an altar of brass, twen∣ty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof a 1.98.

2 * 1.99 Also he made a molten sea b 1.100 of ten cubits, † 1.101 from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof, and a line of thirty cu∣bits did compass it round about.

3 * 1.102 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.

4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking to∣ward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three look∣ing toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.

5 And the thickness of it was an hand breadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, ‖ 1.103 with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.

6 He made also * 1.104 ten lavers c 1.105, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: † 1.106 such things as they offered for the burnt-offering, they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

7 * 1.107 And he made ten candlesticks of gold ac∣cording to their form d 1.108, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.

8 * 1.109 He made also ten tables e 1.110, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left: and he made an hundred ‖ 1.111 basons of gold.

9 Furthermore, * 1.112 he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the

court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.

10 And * 1.113 he set the sea on the right side of the east-end, over against the south.

11 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels f 1.114, and the ‖ 1.115 basons; and Huram † 1.116 finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God:

12 To wit, the two pillars, and * 1.117 the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreathes to cover the two pommels of the chapiters, which were on the top of the pillars:

13 And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreathes; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters, which were † 1.118 upon the pillars.

14 He made also bases; and ‖ 1.119 lavers made he upon the bases:

15 One sea, and twelve oxen under it.

16 The pots also, and the shovels, and the flesh∣hooks, and all their instruments did Huram his fa∣ther g 1.120 make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, of † 1.121 bright brass.

17 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the † 1.122 clay ground, between Succoth and Zereda∣thah.

18 Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance; for the weight of the brass could not be found out.

19 And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the † 1.123 shew-bread was set h 1.124.

20 Moreover, the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner i 1.125, before the oracle, of pure gold;

21 And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs made he of gold, and that † 1.126 perfect gold.

22 And the snuffers, and the ‖ 1.127 basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the en∣try of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold k 1.128.

CHAP. V.

1 THus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: * 1.129 And Solomon brought in all the things that David his fa∣ther had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold a 1.130, and all the Instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.

2 * 1.131 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Is∣rael b 1.132, and all the heads of the tribes, the ‖ 1.133 chief of the fathers of the children of Israel unto Jeru∣salem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD, out of the city of David, which is Zion.

3 Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast, which was in the seventh month.

4 And all the elders of Israel came, and the Le∣vites took up the ark.

5 And they brought up the ark, and the taber∣nacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up.

6 Also king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbred for multitude.

7 And the priests brought in the ark of the co∣venant of the LORD, unto his place, to the oracle of the house into the holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.

8 For the cherubims spread forth their wings o∣ver the place of the ark, and the cherubims cover∣ed the ark and the staves thereof above.

9 And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark be∣fore the oracle, but they were not seen without. And ‖ 1.134 there it is unto this day c 1.135.

10 There was nothing in the ark save the two ta∣bles which Moses * 1.136 put therein at Horeb, ‖ 1.137 when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Is∣rael, when they came out of Egypt.

11 And it came to pass when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were † 1.138 present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course d 1.139.

12 * 1.140 And also the Levites which were the sin∣gers; all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jedu∣thun, with their sons, and their brethren; being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals, and psalte∣ries, and harps, stood at the east-end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests soun∣ding with trumpets.)

13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD: and when they lift up their voice with the trumpets, and cym∣bals, and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, * 1.141 For he is good, for his mercy en∣dureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

CHAP. VI.

1 THen * 1.142 said Solomon a 1.143, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the * 1.144 thick darkness.

2 But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

3 And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel, (and all the con∣gregation of Israel stood)

4 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Is∣rael, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying,

5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there, neither chose I any man to be * 1.145 a ruler over my people Israel.

6 But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there, and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

7 Now * 1.146 it was in the heart of David my fa∣ther, to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

8 But the LORD said to David my father, For∣asmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my Name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:

9 Notwithstanding, thou shalt not build the house, but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my Name.

10 The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the Name of the LORD God of Is∣rael,

11 And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.

12 And he stood before the altar of the LORD, in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands;

13 (For Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, of five cubits † 1.147 long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of † 1.148 the court, and upon it he stood, and kneeled down up∣on his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven)

14 And said, O LORD God of Israel, * 1.149 there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their heart.

15 Thou which hast kept with thy servant Da∣vid my father, that which thou hast promised him, and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.

16 Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father, that which thou hast promised him, saying, * 1.150 † 1.151 There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so, that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.

17 Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David

18 (But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? * 1.152 Behold, heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built?)

19 Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:

20 That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said, that thou wouldest put thy Name there, to hearken unto the prayer, which thy servant prayeth ‖ 1.153 towards this place.

21 Hearken therefore unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall † 1.154 make towards this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven, and when thou hearest ‖ 1.155 forgive.

22 If a man sin against his neighbour, † 1.156 and an oath be laid upon him, to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:

23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants by requiting the wicked, by re∣compensing his way upon his own head, and by ju∣stifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

24 And if thy people Israel ‖ 1.157 be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned a∣gainst thee, and shall return and confess thy Name, and pray, and make supplication before thee ‖ 1.158 in this house:

25 Then hear thou from the heavens, and for∣give the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them, and to their fathers.

26 When the * 1.159 heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray towards this place, and confess thy name and turn from their sin when thou dost afflict them:

27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance

28 If there * 1.160 be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege them † 1.161 in the cities of their land: whatsoever sore, or what∣soever sickness there be:

29 Then what prayer, or what supplication soe∣ver shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore, and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands ‖ 1.162 in this house:

30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling∣place, and forgive, and render unto every man ac∣cording unto all his ways, whose heart thou know∣est: (for thou onely * 1.163 knowest the hearts of the children of men)

31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, † 1.164 so long as they live † 1.165 in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

32 Moreover, concerning the stranger, * 1.166 which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great Names sake, and thy mighty hand, and stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house:

33 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling▪ place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy Name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that † 1.167 this house which I have built, is called by thy Name.

34 If thy people go out to war against their ene∣mies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

35 Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their ‖ 1.168 cause.

36 If they sin against thee, (for there is * 1.169 no man which sinneth not) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and † 1.170 they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;

37 Yet, if they † 1.171 be think themselves in the land whether they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;

38 If they return to thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their captivi∣ty, whether they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:

39 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their suppli∣cations, and maintain their ‖ 1.172 cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

40 Now, my God, let (I beseech thee) thine

eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent † 1.173 unto the prayer that is made in this place.

41 Now * 1.174 therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting-place b 1.175, thou and the ark c 1.176 of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be cloth∣ed with salvation d 1.177, and let thy saints rejoyce in goodness e 1.178.

42 O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed f 1.179: remember * 1.180 the mercies of Da∣vid thy servant g 1.181.

CHAP. VII.

1 NOW * 1.182 when Solomon had made an end of praying, the * 1.183 fire came down from hea∣ven a 1.184, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD b 1.185 filled the house.

2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD c 1.186, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORDs house.

3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house d 1.187, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and wor∣shipped, and praised the LORD, saying, * 1.188 for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.

4 Then the king and all the people offered sa∣crifices before the LORD.

5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twen∣ty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

6 * 1.189 And the priests waited on their offices, the Levites also with instruments of musick * 1.190 of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever; when David praised ‖ 1.191 † 1.192 by their ministery e 1.193: and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.

7 Moreover, Solomon hallowed the middle of the court f 1.194 that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings, because the brazen altar which Solomon had made, was not able to receive the burnt-offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the •…•…at.

8 Also at that time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congre∣gation, from the entring in of Hamath, unto * 1.195 the river of Egypt.

9 And in the eighth day they made † 1.196 a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.

10 And on the three and twentieth day of the se∣venth month, he sent the people away unto their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solo∣mon, and to Israel his people.

11 Thus * 1.197 Solomon finished the house of the LORD g 1.198, and the kings house: and all that came into Solomons heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously ef∣fected.

12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, * 1.199 and have chosen this place to my self for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts h 1.200 to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people:

14 If my people † 1.201 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 * 1.202 mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent † 1.203 unto the prayer that is made in this place i 1.204.

16 For now have * 1.205 I chosen, and sanctified this house k 1.206, 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 king∣dom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, * 1.207 † 1.208 There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.

19 * 1.209 But if ye turn away, and forsake my sta∣tutes and my commandments, which I have set be∣fore 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 pro∣verb, and a by-word among all nations.

21 And this house which is high, shall be an asto∣nishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, * 1.210 Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house!

22 And it shall be answered, Because they for∣sook 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 * 1.211 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 1.212, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.

3 And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah, and pre∣vailed against it.

4 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness b 1.213, 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 So∣lomon had, and all the chariot▪cities, and the ci∣ties of the horsemen, and † 1.214 all that Solomon desi∣red 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 Hit∣tites, 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 * 1.215 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, be∣cause the places are † 1.216 holy whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come c 1.217.

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 * 1.218 day-offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the so∣lemn feasts, * 1.219 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 * 1.220 courses of the priests to their service, and * 1.221 the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the * 1.222 porters also by their courses at every gate: for † 1.223 so had David the man of God d 1.224 commanded.

15 And they departed not from the command∣ment of the king unto the priests and Levites, con∣cerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepa∣red e 1.225 unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished: so the house of God was perfected.

17 Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber f 1.226, and to ‖ 1.227 Eloth, at the sea-side in the land of Edom.

18 And Huram sent him by the hand of his ser∣vants, ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea, and they went with the servants of Solo∣mon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king So∣lomon.

CHAP. IX.

1 ANd * 1.228 when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon a 1.229 with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

2 And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.

3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,

4 And the meat of his table, and the fitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, his ‖ 1.230 cup-bearers also, and their apparel, and his ascent, by which he went up into the house of the LORD, there was no spirit in her.

5 And she said to the king, It was a true † 1.231 re∣port which I heard in mine own land, of ‖ 1.232 thine acts, and of thy wisdom:

6 Howbeit, I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the same that I heard.

7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.

8 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delight∣ed in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD b 1.233 thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.

9 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon.

10 And the servants also of Huram, and the ser∣vants

of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum-trees, and precious stones.

11 And the king made of the algum-trees ‖ 1.234 † 1.235 ter∣rises to the house of the LORD, and to the kings palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Ju∣dah.

12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of She∣ba, all her desire, whatsoever she asked, besides that which she had brought c 1.236 unto the king: So she tur∣ned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants.

13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solo∣mon in one year, was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;

14 Besides that which chapmen and merchants brought: and all the kings of Arabia, and ‖ 1.237 go∣vernours of the country, brought gold and silver to Solomon.

15 And king Solomon made two hundred tar∣gets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target.

16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forrest of Lebanon.

17 Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.

18 And there were six steps to the throne with a foot-stool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and † 1.238 stayes on each side of the sitting-place, and two lions standing by the stayes.

19 And twelve lions stood there, on the one side and on the other, upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.

20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon, were of † 1.239 pure gold: ‖ 1.240 none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

21 For the kings ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold and silver, ‖ 1.241 ivo∣ry, and apes, and peacocks.

22 And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches, and wisdom.

23 And all the kings of the earth sought the † 1.242 presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom that God put in his heart.

24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and rayment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

25 And Solomon * 1.243 had four thousand stalls d 1.244 for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the chariot-cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

26 * 1.245 And he reigned over all the kings, * 1.246 from the ‖ 1.247 river, even unto the land of the Philistins, and to the border of Egypt.

27 And the king † 1.248 made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar-trees made he as the sycamore∣trees, that are in the low plains, in abundance.

28 * 1.249 And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.

29 Now the rest of the * 1.250 acts of Solomon first and last, are they not written in the † 1.251 book of Na∣than the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of * 1.252 Iddo the seer e 1.253, against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.

31 And Solomon slept with his fathers; and he was buried in the city of David his father, and Re∣hoboam his son reigned in his stead.

CHAP. X.

1 ANd * Rehoboam went to Shechem a 1.254: for* 1.255 to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.

2 And it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, (who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king) heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt;

3 And they sent b 1.256 and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came, and spake to Rehoboam, say∣ing,

4 Thy father made our yoke grievous, now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.

5 And he said unto them, come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.

6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father, while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me, to re∣turn answer to this people?

7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.

9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye, that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?

10 And the young men that were brought up with him, spake unto him, saying, thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us: thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my fa∣thers loins.

11 For whereas my father † 1.257 put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my fa∣ther chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Re∣hoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.

13 And the king answered them roughly, and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men:

14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke hea∣vy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scor∣pions.

15 So the king hearkened not unto the people, for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word which he spake by the * 1.258 hand of Abijah the Shilonite, to Jeroboam the son of Ne∣bat.

16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the

king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now Da∣vid, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.

17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute, and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died: but king Rehoboam † 1.259 made speed to get him up to his cha∣riot, to •…•…lee to Jerusalem.

19 And Israel rebelled against the house of Da∣vid unto this day.

CHAP. XI.

1 ANd * 1.260 when Rehoboam was come to Jerusa∣lem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin a 1.261 an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriours, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.

2 But the word of the LORD came to Shema∣jah the man of God, saying,

3 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Ben∣jamin, saying,

4 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house, for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

5 And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities b 1.262 for defence in Judah.

6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Te∣koa,

6 And Beth-zur, and Shoco, and Adullam,

8 And Gath, and Maresha, and Ziph,

9 And Adoraim, Lachish, and Azekah,

10 And Zorah, and Ajalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fenced cities.

11 And he •…•…ortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victuals, and oyl, and wine.

12 And in every several city c 1.263 he put shields, and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.

13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel, † resorted to him out of all their coasts.* 1.264

14 (For the Levites left their * suburbs, and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for * 1.265 Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from exe∣cuting the priests office unto the LORD d 1.266.

15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves e 1.267 which he had made.)

16 And after them out of all the Tribes of Is∣rael, such as set their heart to seek the LORD God of Israel f 1.268, came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon g 1.269.

18 And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth to wife, and Abihail the daugh∣ter of Eliab h 1.270 the son of Jesse:

19 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Sha∣mariah, and Zaham.

20 And after her, he took * 1.271 Maachah the daugh∣ter of Absalom, which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubins: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concu∣bins, and begat twenty and eight sons and three∣score daughters.)

22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Ma∣achah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren i 1.272: for he thought to make him king.

23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city k 1.273: and he gave them victuals in abundance: and desired † 1.274 many wives l 1.275.

CHAP. XII.

1 ANd it came to pass when Rehoboam had e∣stablished the kingdom, and had strengthen∣ed himself, * 1.276 he forsook the law of the LORD, and * 1.277 all Israel with him.

2 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year a 1.278 of king Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up a∣gainst Jerusalem (* 1.279 because they had transgressed against the LORD)

3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt, the Lu∣bims b 1.280, the Sukkiims c 1.281, and the Ethiopians d 1.282.

4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem.

5 Then came Shemajah the prophet to Rehobo∣am, and to the princes of Judah, that were gather∣ed together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus faith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

6 Whereupon the princes of Israel, and the king humbled themselves, and they said, The LORD is righteous.

7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves e 1.283, the word of the LORD came to She∣majah, saying, They have humbled themselves, therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them ‖ 1.284 some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out f 1.285 upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shi∣shak.

8 Nevertheless, they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries g 1.286.

9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Je∣rusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the kings house h 1.287, he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold, which Solomon had * 1.288 made.

10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the kings house.

11 And when the king entred into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fet them, and brought them again into the guard-chamber.

12 And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: ‖ 1.289 and also in Judah things went well i 1.290.

13 So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned: for * 1.291 Rehoboam was one and sorty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Is∣rael, to put his Name there: and his mothers name was Naamah an Ammonitess.

14 And he did evil, because he ‖ 1.292 prepared not k 1.293 his heart to seek the LORD.

15 Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the † 1.294 book of Shemajah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer, concerning genea logies l 1.295? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam con•…•…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 * 1.296 in the eighteenth year of king Jero∣boam began Abijah to reign over Judah.

2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem: (his mo∣thers name also was Micajah the daughter of Uriel a 1.297 of Gibeah) and there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

3 And Abijah † 1.298 set the battel in aray c 1.299, with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thou∣sand 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 1.300, 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 1.301?

6 Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up and hath * 1.302 rebelled against his lord.

7 And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial f 1.303, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young g 1.304 and tender-hearted h 1.305, 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 1.306, and ye be a great multitude k 1.307, and there are with you golden cal•…•…es l 1.308, which Jeroboam * 1.309 made you for gods m 1.310.

9 * 1.311 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 whosoeve•…•… cometh † 1.312 to conse∣crate himself n 1.313 with a young bullock, and seven rams, the same may be a priest of them that are no gods o 1.314.

10 But as for us, the LORD p 1.315 is our God, and we have not forsaken him q 1.316, and the priests which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business.

11 * 1.317 And they burn unto the LORD every mor∣ning, and every evening, burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the * 1.318 shew-bread also set they in order upon the pure table r 1.319, and the candlestick of gold s 1.320 with the lamps thereof, * 1.321 to burn every evening t 1.322, for we keep the charge of the LORD our God u 1.323; but ye have forsaken him.

12 And behold, God himself is with us † 1.324 for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you x 1.325: O children of Israel, * 1.326 fight ye not against the LORD God of your fa∣thers y 1.327, for ye shall not prosper.

13 But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them z 1.328: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.

14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battel was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trum∣pets.

15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass that God smote a 1.329 Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.

16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.

17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a very great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Is∣rael five hundred thousand b chosen men. * 1.330

18 Thus the children of Israel were brought un∣der at that time, and the children of Judah prevail∣ed, because they relyed upon the LORD c 1.331 God of their fathers.

19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth-el d 1.332 with the towns thereo•…•…, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephraim e 1.333 with the towns thereof.

20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD strook him f 1.334, and he died g 1.335.

21 But Abijah waxed mighty, and married four∣teen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and six∣teen daughters h 1.336.

22 And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the ‖ 1.337 story of the prophet * 1.338 Iddo.

CHAP. XIV.

1 SO Abijah slept with his fathers, and they bu∣ried him in the city of David, and * 1.339 Asa his son reigned in his stead: in his days the land was quiet ten years a 1.340.

2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD b 1.341 his God.

3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the † 1.342 ima∣ges, and cut down the groves:

4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers c 1.343, and to do the law and the commandment d 1.344.

5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Ju∣dah the high places, and the † 1.345 images: and the king∣dom was quiet before him.

6 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years, be∣cause the LORD had given him rest.

7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us d 1.346▪ because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side: so they built and prospered.

8 And Asa had an army of men e 1.347, that bare tar∣gets and spears, out of Judah, three hundred thou∣sand, and out of Benjamin, that bare sh•…•…elds and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

9 * 1.348 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian f 1.349 with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots, and came unto Mare∣sha g 1.350.

10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battel in aray in the valley of Zephathah, at Ma∣reshah.

11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, † 1.351 it is * 1.352 nothing with thee h 1.353 to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on thee, and in thy Name i 1.354 we go against this mul∣titude. O LORD, thou art our God, let not ‖ 1.355 man prevail against thee.

12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.

13 And Asa and the people that were with him, pursued them unto Gerar k 1.356: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover them∣selves, for they were † 1.357 destroyed before the LORD, and before his host, and they carried away very much spoil.

14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar l 1.358, for * 1.359 the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities, for there was exceeding much spoil in them.

15 They smote also the tents of cattel m 1.360, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and re∣turned to Jerusalem.

CHAP. XV.

1 ANd the spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.

2 And he went out † 1.361 to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benja∣min, * 1.362 The LORD is with you a 1.363, while ye be with him, and if ye seek him, he will be found of you: but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you b 1.364.

3 Now for a long season * 1.365 Israel hath been with∣out the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law c 1.366.

4 But when they d 1.367 in their trou•…•…le did turn un∣to the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.

5 And in those times e 1.368 there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in f 1.369, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the coun∣tries g 1.370.

6 And nation was † 1.371 destroyed of nation h 1.372, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adver∣sity.

7 Be ye strong therefore i 1.373, and let not your hands be weak k 1.374: for your work shall be reward∣ed l 1.375.

8 And when Asa heard these words, and the pro∣phecy of Oded the prophet m 1.376, he took courage n 1.377, and put away the † 1.378 abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken o 1.379 from mount Ephraim, and re∣newed the altar of the LORD p 1.380, that was before the porch of the LORD.

9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and * 1.381 the strangers with them, out of Ephraim and Ma∣nasseh, and out of Simeon q 1.382, (for they fell to him r 1.383 out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.)

10 So they gathered themselves together at Je∣rusalem, in the third month s 1.384, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa t 1.385.

11 And they offered unto the LORD † 1.386 the same time, of the spoil which they had brought u 1.387, seven hundred oxen, and seven thousand sheep.

12 And they entred into a covenant x 1.388 to seek the LORD God of their fathers, with all their heart, and with all their soul.

13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel y 1.389 * 1.390 should be put to death z 1.391, whe∣ther small or great, whether man or woman.

14 And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.

15 And all Judah ‖ 1.392 rejoyced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire, and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

16 And also concerning * 1.393 Maachah † 1.394 the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an † 1.395 idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her Idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless, the heart of Asa was per∣fect all his days.

18 And he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicated, and that he himself had dedicated, silver, and gold, and vessels.

19 And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa * 1.396.

CHAP. XVI.

1 IN the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa a 1.397, * 1.398 Baasha king of Israel came up a∣gainst Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come into Asa king of Judah b 1.399.

2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold c 1.400 out of the treasures of the house of the LORD, and of the kings house, and sent to Benhadad king of Sy∣ria, that dwelt at † 1.401 Damascus, saying,

3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father▪ behold I have sent thee silver and gold, go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

4 And Ben-hadad hearkned unto king Asa, and sent the captains of † 1.402 his armies against the cities of Israel, and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel∣maim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali.

5 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.

6 Then Asa the king took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was a building, and he built therewith Geba, and Mizpah.

7 And at that time * 1.403 Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand d 1.404.

8 Were not * 1.405 the Ethiopians and the Lubims e 1.406, † 1.407 a huge host, with very many chariots and horse∣men?

yet because thou didst relie on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.

9 For * 1.408 the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, ‖ 1.409 to shew himself strong in the behalf of them, whose heart is per∣fect f 1.410 toward him; herein thou hast done foolish∣ly; therefore from henceforth * 1.411 thou shalt have wars g 1.412.

10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in † 1.413 aprison house h 1.414, for he was in a rage with him, because of this thing. And Asa † 1.415 oppressed some of the people the same time.

11 And behold, the acts of Asa first and last, lo, they are written in the books of the kings of Judah and Israel.

12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians i 1.416.

13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his age.

14 And they buried him in his own sepulchre, which he had † 1.417 made for himself in the city of Da∣vid, and •…•…aid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours, and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries art k 1.418: and they made a very great burning l 1.419 for him.

CHAP. XVII.

ANd * 1.420 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel a 1.421.

2 And he placed forces in all the senced cities of Judah, and set garisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his ‖ 1.422 father David b 1.423, and sought not unto Baalim.

4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel c 1.424:

5 There•…•…ore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah † 1.425 brought to Jehosha∣phat presents d 1.426, and he had riches and honour in abundance.

6 And his heart ‖ 1.427 was lift up e 1.428 in the ways of the LORD: moreover, * 1.429 he took away the high places and groves f 1.430 out of Judah.

7 Also in the third year of his reign, he ‖ 1.431 sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah; and to Nethaneel, and to Michajah, to teach g 1.432 in the cities of Judah.

8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shema∣jah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

10 And * 1.433 the fear of the LORD † 1.434 fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Ju∣dah h 1.435, so that they made no war against Jehosha∣phat.

11 Also some of the Philistins i 1.436 brought Jeho∣shaphat presents, and tribute-silver; and the Ara∣bians k 1.437 brought him flocks, seven thousand and se∣ven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats.

12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah ‖ 1.438 castles and cities of store.

13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah l 1.439: and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem.

14 And these are the number of them according to the house of their fathers. Of Judah the cap∣tains of thousands, Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour, three hundred thousand.

15 And † 1.440 next to him m 1.441 was Jehohanan the cap∣tain,

and with him two hundred and fourscore thou∣sand.

16 And next him, was Amasiah the son of Zich∣ri, who willingly offered himself n 1.442 unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

17 And of Benjamin, Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield, two hundred thousand.

18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand, ready prepared for the war.

19 These waited on the king o 1.443, besides those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

CHAP. XVIII.

1 NOw Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joyned affinity with A∣hab a 1.444.

2 * 1.445 And † after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria: and Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had* 1.446 with him, and perswaded † him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.* 1.447

3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehosha∣phat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ra∣moth-Gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and my people as thy people, and we will be with thee in the war.

4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets, four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battel, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, for God will de∣liver it into the kings hand.

6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a pro∣phet of the LORD † 1.448 besides b, that we might in∣qui•…•…e of him?

7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him, for he never prophe∣sieth good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micajah the son of Jimla, and Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

8 And the king of Israel called for one of his ‖ 1.449 o•…•…∣ficers, and said, † 1.450 Fetch quickly Micajah the son of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

9 And the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, sat either of them on his throne clothed in their robes, and they sat in a ‖ 1.451 void place, at the entring in of the gate of Samaria, and all the pro∣phets prophesied before them.

10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus •…•…aith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria, until * 1.452 they be consumed.

11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth gilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

12 And the messenger that went to call Mi•…•…ajah, spake to him, saying, Behold the words of the pro∣phets declare good to the king ‖ with one assent: let* 1.453 thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.

13 And Micajah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith that will I speak.

14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micajah, shall we go to Ramoth-gi∣lead to •…•…attel, or shall I •…•…orbear? And he said, Go ye up and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee, that thou say nothing but the truth to me, in the Name of the LORD?

16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shep∣herd: and the LORD said, These have no master, let them return therefore, every man to his house in peace.

17 (And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee, that he would not prophecy good unto me, ‖ 1.454 but evil?)

18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand, and on his left.

19 And the LORD said; Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel that he may go up and fall at Ramoth∣gilead? and one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

20 Then there came out a * 1.455 spirit, and stood be∣fore the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?

21 And he said, I will go out and be a lying spi∣rit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also pre∣vail: go out, and do even so.

22 Now therefore behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, came near, and smote Micajah upon the cheek, and said, which way went the spirit of the LORD from me, to speak unto thee?

24 And Micajah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go ‖ 1.456 into † 1.457 an inner cham∣ber to hide thy self.

25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Mica∣jah, and carry him back to Amon the governour of the city, and to Joash the kings son:

26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction, and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

27 And Micajah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

28 So the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.

20 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise my self, and will go to the battel, but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel dis∣guised himself, and they went to the battel.

30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save onely with the king of Israel.

31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel: therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God † 1.458 moved them to de∣part from him.

32 For it came to pass, that when the captains of the chariots perceived, that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again † 1.459 from pursuing him.

33 And a certain man drew a how † 1.460 at a venture, and smote the king of Israel † 1.461 between the joynts of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot-man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out

of the host, for I am † 1.462 wounded.

34 And the battel increased that day: howbeit, the king of Israel staid himself up in his chariot a∣gainst the Syrians until the even. And about the time of the sun going down, he died.

CHAP. XIX.

1 ANd Jehoshaphat the king of Judah return∣ed to his house in peace a 1.463, to Jerusalem.

2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer b 1.464, went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, shouldest thou help the ungodly, and * 1.465 love them that hate the LORD c 1.466? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD d 1.467.

3 Nevertheless, there are * 1.468 good things found in thee e 1.469, in that thou hast taken away the g•…•…oves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart f 1.470 to seek God.

4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and † 1.471 he went out again through the people, from Beer∣sheba to mount Ephraim h 1.472, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers i 1.473. * 1.474

5 And he set Judges in the land, throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city k 1.475.

6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for * 1.476 ye judge not for man, but for the LORD l 1.477 * 1.478 who is with you m 1.479 † 1.480 in the judgment.

7 Wherefore now, let the fear of the LORD be upon you, take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor * 1.481 respect o•…•… persons n 1.482, nor taking of gifts o 1.483.

8 Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of I•…•…rael p 1.484 for the * 1.485 judgment of the LORD q 1.486, and for controversi•…•…s r 1.487 † 1.488 wh•…•…n they re∣turned to Jerusalem s 1.489.

9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a perfect heart t 1.490.

10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood u 1.491, between law and command∣ment, statutes and judgments x 1.492, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD y 1.493, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your bre∣thren: this do, and ye shall not trespass z 1.494.

11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is o∣ver you a 1.495 in all matters of the LORD b 1.496; and Ze∣badiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah c 1.497, for all the kings matters d 1.498: also the Le∣vites shall be officers before you e 1.499. † 1.500 Deal coura∣giously, and the LORD shall be with the good f 1.501.

CHAP. XX.

1 I•…•… came to pass after this also, that the children of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the childr•…•…n of Ammon, and with them † 1.502 oth•…•…r beside the Ammonites a 1.503, •…•…ame against Jehoshaphat to battel.

2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against the•…•… from beyond the sea b 1.504 on this side Syria c 1.505, and be∣hold, they be in Haz•…•…zon-tamar, which is Engedi.

3 And Jehoshaphat •…•…eared d 1.506, and set † 1.507 himself to seek the LORD e 1.508, and proclaimed a fast f 1.509 throughout all Judah.

4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD g 1.510 before the new court h 1.511,

6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms o•…•… the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee.

7 Art not thou our God, † 1.512 who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the •…•…eed of Abraham * 1.513 thy friend for ever i 1.514?

8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,* 1.515

9 * 1.516 If when evil cometh upon us, as ‖ 1.517 the sword, judgment k 1.518, or pestilence, or famine, we stand be∣•…•…ore this house, and in thy presence, (•…•…or thy name is in this house) and •…•…ry unto thee in our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o•…•…, then thou wilt hear and help.

10 And now behold, the children of Ammon, and Moab, and mount Seir, whom thou * 1.519 wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but * 1.520 they turned from them, and destroyed them not:

11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast gi∣ven us to inherit.

12 O our God, wilt thou not judg them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us l 1.521: neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee m 1.522.

13 And all Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones n 1.523, their wives and their children.

14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benajah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Matta∣niah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the spi∣rit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation o 1.524.

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehosha∣phat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, * 1.525 Be not afraid nor dismaid by reason of this great multitude, for the battel is not yours, but Gods p 1.526.

16 To morrow go ye down q 1.527 against them: be∣hold, they come up by the † 1.528 cliff of Ziz, and ye shall find them at the end of the ‖ 1.529 brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battel; set your selves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismaid; to morrow go out against them, for the LORD will be with you.

18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head, with his face to the ground r 1.530: and all Judah, and the inha∣bitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, wor∣shipping the LORD.

19 And the Levites, of the children of the Ko∣hathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up s 1.531 to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high t 1.532.

20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa•…•… and as they went forth Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hea•…•… me, O

Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, * 1.533 Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe † 1.534 his p•…•…ophets t 1.535, so shall ye prosper u 1.536.

21 And when he had consulted with the people x 1.537, he appointed singers unto the LORD y 1.538, and † 1.539 that should praise the beauty of holiness z 1.540, as they went out before the army, and to say, * 1.541 Praise the LORD, for his mercy endureth for ever.

22 † 1.542 And when they began † 1.543 to sing and to praise a 1.544, the LORD set ambus•…•…ments b 1.545 against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah, and ‖ 1.546 they were smitten.

23 For the children of Ammon and Moab, stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to s•…•…ay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped † 1.547 to destroy another.

24 And when Judah came toward the watch∣tower c 1.548 in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies fal∣len upon the earth, and † 1.549 none escaped.

25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bo∣dies, and precious jewels d 1.550 (which they stript off for themselves) more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

26 And on the fourth day they assembled them∣selves in the valley of ‖ 1.551 Berachah e 1.552; •…•…or there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called the valley of Berachah unto this day.

27 Then they returned every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the † 1.553 •…•…orefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy: for the LORD had made them to rejoyce over their ene∣mies.

28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalte•…•…ies, and harps, and trumpets, unto the house of the LORD f 1.554.

29 And * 1.555 the fear of God was on all the king∣doms of those countries g 1.556, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.

31 * 1.557 And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem: and his mothers name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

32 And he walked in the ways of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.

33 Howbeit, the high places were not taken a∣way h 1.558; for as yet the people had not prepared their heart unto the God of their fathers i 1.559.

34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the † 1.560 book of Jehu the son of Hanani, * 1.561 who † 1.562 is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

35 And after this k 1.563 did Jehoshaphat king of Ju∣dah joyn himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly l 1.564:

36 And he joyned himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish m 1.565: and they made the ships in Ezion-geber n 1.566.

37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mare∣sha•…•…, prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Be∣cause thou hast joyned thy self with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

CHAP. XXI.

1 NOw * 1.567 Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city o•…•… David: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

2 And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, A∣zariah a 1.568, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah a 1.569, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel b 1.570.

3 And their father gave them great gi•…•…ts o•…•… sil∣ver and of gold, and of precious things, with •…•…enced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jeho∣ram, because he was the first-born c 1.571.

4 Now * 1.572 when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself d 1.573▪ and slew all his brethren with the sword e 1.574, and di∣vers also of the princes of Israel f 1.575.

5 Jehoram was thirty and two years old g 1.576 when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Je∣rusalem.

6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Is∣rael, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of * 1.577 Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.

7 Howbeit, the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David h 1.578, and as he promised to give a † 1.579 light to him, and to his * 1.580 sons for ever.

8 In his days the Edomites revolted from under the † 1.581 dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.

9 Then Jehoram * 1.582 went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compas•…•…ed him in, and the captains of the chariots.

10 So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers i 1.583,

11 Moreover, he made high places k 1.584 in the moun∣tains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Je•…•…u∣salem to commit fornication l 1.585, and compelled Ju∣dah thereto.

12 And there came a writing to him from Eli∣jah the prophet m 1.586, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father n 1.587, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father o 1.588, no•…•… in the ways of Asa king of Judah;

13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whored•…•…ms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy bre∣thren of thy fathers house, which were better than thy self p 1.589▪

14 Behold, with † 1.590 a great plague will the LORD smite thy people q 1.591, and thy children, and thy wives r 1.592, and all thy goods.

15 And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out, by reason of the sickness day by day s 1.593.

16 Moreover, the LORD stirred up against Je∣horam the spirit of the Philistins t 1.594, and of the A∣rabians, that were near the Ethiopians u 1.595.

17 And they came up into Judah, and brake in∣to it, and † 1.596 carried away all the substance that was found in the kings house, and his sons also and his wives x 1.597: so that there was never a son left him, save ‖ 1.598 Jehoahaz y 1.599 the youngest of his sons.

18 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disea•…•…e.

19 And it came to pass that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by

reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases: and his people made no burning for him, like the * 1.600 burning of his fathers.

20 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed z 1.601 † 1.602 without being desired: howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchre of the kings.

CHAP. XXII.

1 ANd the inhabitants of Jerusalem made * 1.603 A∣haziah his youngest son, king in his▪ stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians a 1.604 to the camp, had slain all the * 1.605 eldest. So Aha∣ziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign b 1.606, and he reigned one year in Jeru∣salem: his mothers name also was * 1.607 Athaliah the daughter of Omri c 1.608.

3 He also walked in the ways of the house of A∣hab, for his mother was his counseller d 1.609 to do wickedly.

4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellers after the death of his father e 1.610, to his destruction.

5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel, to war against Hazael f 1.611 king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.

6 And he returned to be healed in Jezreel, be∣cause of the wounds † 1.612 which were given him at Ramah, when he sought with Hazael king of Syria. And ‖ 1.613 Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah, went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jez∣reel, because he was sick.

7 And the † 1.614 destruction of Ahaziah * 1.615 was of God g 1.616 by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed * 1.617 to cut off the house of Ahab.

8 And it came to pass that when Jehu was execu∣ting judgment upon the house of Ahab, and * 1.618 found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren h 1.619 of Ahaziah, that ministred to Ahaziah, he slew them i 1.620.

9 * 1.621 And he sought Ahaziah k 1.622: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria l 1.623 and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him m 1.624, because (said they) he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah n 1.625 had no power to keep still the kingdom.

10 * 1.626 But when Athaliah the mother of Aha∣ziah o 1.627, saw that her son was dead, she arose, and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Ju∣dah.

11 But Jehoshabeath the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the kings sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bed-chamber. So Jehoshabeath the daughter of king Jehoram, the wise of Jeho∣jada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years, and Athaliah reigned over the land.

CHAP. XXIII.

1 AND * 1.628 in the seventh year Jehojada streng∣thened himself, and took the captains of hundreds a 1.629, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ish∣mael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Oben, and Maasejah the son of Adajah, and Elisha∣phat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

2 And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah b 1.630, and the chief of the fathers of Israel c 1.631, and they came to Jerusalem.

3 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God: and he said un∣to them, Behold, the kings son shall reign, as the LORD hath * 1.632 said of the sons of David.

4 This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entring on the sabbath, of the priests* 1.633 and of the Levites shall be porters of the † 1.634 doors d 1.635;

5 And a third part shall be at the kings house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation e 1.636: and all the people shall be in the courts f 1.637 of the house of the LORD.

6 But let none come into the house of the LORD g 1.638, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites h 1.639, they shall go in, for they are † 1.640 holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD i 1.641.

7 And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand, and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth our.

8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehojada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in * on the sabbath, with them that were to go 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the sabbath: for Jehojada the priest dismissed not the courses.

9 Morcover, Jehojada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds, spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king Davids, which were in th•…•… house of God.

10 And he set all the people (every man having his weapon in his hand) from the right † 1.642 side of the † 1.643 temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round a∣bout.

11 Then they brought out the kings Son, and put upon him the crown, and * 1.644 gave him the te∣stimony, and made him king: and Jehojada and his sons k 1.645 anointed him, and said, † 1.646 God save the King.

12 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD.

13 And the looked, and behold the king stood at his pillar, at the entring in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king? and all the people of the land rejoyced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with Instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes and said, † 1.647 Treason, treason.

14 Then Jehojada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds, that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso solloweth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.

15 So they laid hands on her, and when she was come to the entring of the horse-gate, by the kings house, they slew her there.

16 And Jehojada made a covenant between him l 1.648 and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORDS people m 1.649.

17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and * 1.650 slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

18 Also Jehojada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand n 1.651 of the priests the Levites, whom David had * 1.652 distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt-offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the * 1.653 law of Moses, with rejoycing and singing, as it was ordained † 1.654 by David.

19 And he set the * 1.655 porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in anything, should enter in.

20 And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governours of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate o 1.656 into the kings house, and set the king upon the throne of the land.

21 And all the people of the land rejoyeed: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.

CHAP. XXIV.

1 JOash * 1.657 was seven years old a 1.658 when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: his mothers name also was Zibeah of Beer-sheba.

2 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, all the days of Jehojada the priest.

3 And Jehojada took for him two wives, and he begat sons and daughters.

4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded † 1.659 to repair the house of the LORD.

5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel b 1.660, money to repair the house of your God from year to year c 1.661, and see that ye haste the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastned it not.

6 And the king called for Jehojada the chief d 1.662, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem, the collection, according to the command∣ment of * 1.663 Moses e 1.664 the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?

7 For the sons of Athaliah f 1.665, that wicked wo∣man, had broken up the house of God g 1.666, and also all the dedicate things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.

8 And at the kings commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD h 1.667.

9 And they made † 1.668 a proclamation through Ju∣dah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness i 1.669.

10 And all the princes, and all the people re∣joyced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, un∣til they had made an end.

11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the kings office k 1.670, by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money: the kings scribe, and the high priests officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.

12 And the king and Jehojada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.

13 So the workmen wrought, and † 1.671 the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthned it.

14 And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehojada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD l 1.672, even vessels to minister, and ‖ 1.673 to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver: and they offered burnt-offerings in the house of the LORD continually, all the days of Jehojada.

15 But Jehojada waxed old, and was full of days when he died, an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.

16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel m 1.674, both towards God, and towards his house.

17 Now after the death of Jehojada, came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the King n 1.675: then the King hearkned unto them.

18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass o 1.676.

19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD, and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

20 And the spirit of God † 1.677 came upon Zecha∣riah the son of Jehojada the priest, which stood a∣bove the people p 1.678, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

21 And they q 1.679 conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king, in the court of the house of the LORD.

22 Thus Joash the king remembred not the kindness which Jehojada his father had done to him, but slew his son: And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it r 1.680.

23 And it came to pass † 1.681 at the end of the year s 1.682, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and de∣stroyed all the princes of the people from among the people t 1.683, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of † 1.684 Damascus u 1.685.

24 For the army of the Syrians * 1.686 came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed Judgment against Joash.

25 And when they were departed from him, (for they lest him in great diseases) his own ser∣vants conspired against him, for the blood of the sons x 1.687 of Jehojada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

26 And these are they that conspired against him; ‖ 1.688 Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammo∣nitess, and Jehozabad the son of ‖ 1.689 Shimrith a Moa∣bitess.

27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the * burdens laid upon him y 1.690, and the † re∣pairing* 1.691 of the house of God, behold, they are* 1.692 written in the ‖ story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.

CHAP. XXV.

AMaziah * 1.693 was twenty and five years old a 1.694 when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem: and his mo∣thers name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

3 Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was † 1.695 established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.

4 But he slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, * 1.696 The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.

5 Moreover, Amaziah gathered Judah together, and made them captains over thousands, and cap∣tains over hundreds, according to the houses of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbred them * 1.697 from twenty years old and a∣bove, and found them three hundred thousand choice men, able to go sorth to war, that could handle spear and shield.

6 He hired also an hundred thousand mighty men of valour out of Israel b 1.698, for an hundred ta∣lents of silver.

7 But there came a man of God to him, sa•…•…ing, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel c 1.699, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.

8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battel d 1.700: God shall make thee fall before the ene∣my: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the † 1.701 army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.

10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go † 1.702 home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah e 1.703, and they returned home † 1.704 in great anger.

11 And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led sorth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir, ten thousand.

12 And other ten thousand left alive, did the chil∣dren of Judah carry captive, and brought them away unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they were broken all in pieces

13 But † 1.705 the souldiers of the army which Ama∣maziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battel, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Sama∣ria even unto Beth-horon f 1.706, and smote g 1.707 three thou∣sand of them h 1.708, and took much spoil.

14 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

15 Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kind∣led against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a pro∣phet,

which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not de∣liver their own people out of thine hand i 1.709?

16 And it came to pass as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the the kings counsel k 1.710? forbear, why shouldest thou be smitten l 1.711? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know m 1.712 that God hath † 1.713 determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkned unto my counsel.

17 Then * 1.714 Amaziah king of Judah took advice n 1.715, and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

18 And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The ‖ 1.716 thistle that was in Lebanon, sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by † 1.717 a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the E∣domites, and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home, why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee.

20 But Amaziah would not hear, for * 1.718 it came of God o 1.719, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they •…•…ought after the gods of Edom.

21 So Joash the king of Israel went up, and they saw one another in the face, both he, and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah.

22 And Judah was † 1.720 put to the worse before Is∣rael, and they fled every man to his tent.

23 And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah the son of Joash, the son of Jehoa∣haz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusa∣lem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem: from the gate of Ephraim to † 1.721 the corner-gate, four hun∣dred cubits.

24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom p 1.722, and the treasures of the kings house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

25 And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Ju∣dah, lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoa∣haz king of Israel, fifteen years.

26 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?

27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn a∣way † 1.723 from following the LORD, they † 1.724 made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.

28 And they brought him upon horses, and bu∣ried him with his fathers in the city of ‖ 1.725 Judah.

CHAP. XXVI.

1 THen all the people of Judah took * 1.726 ‖ 1.727 Uzzi∣ah a 1.728, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.

3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah, when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Je∣rusalem: his mothers name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.

4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Ama∣ziah did b 1.729.

5 And he sought God c 1.730 in the days of Zechari∣ah d 1.731, who had understanding e 1.732 † 1.733 in the visions of God f 1.734: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

6 And he went forth and * 1.735 warred against the Philistins, and brake down the wail of Gath g 1.736, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities ‖ 1.737 about Ashdod, and among the Phili∣stins.

7 And God helped him against the Philistins, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims.

8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah, and his name † 1.738 spread abroad, even to the entring in of Egypt, for he strengthened himself exceedingly.

9 Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem, at the * 1.739 corner-gate, and at the valley-gate, and at the turning of the wall, and ‖ 1.740 fortified them.* 1.741

10 Also he built towers in the desert h 1.742, and ‖ 1.743 digged many wells, for he had much cattel, both in the low-country, and in the plains: husbandmen also and vine-dressers in the mountains, and in ‖ 1.744 Carmel: for he loved † 1.745 husbandry.

11 Moreover, Uzziah had an army of fighting∣men, that went out to war by bands i 1.746, according to the number of their account, by the hand of Jeiel the scribe, and Maasejah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the kings captains.

12 The whole number of the chief of the fa∣thers of the mighty men of valour, were two thou∣sand and six hundred.

13 And under their hand was † 1.747 an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hun∣dred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.

14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host, shields and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and † 1.748 slings to cast stones.

15 And he made in Jerusalem engins invented by cunning men, to be on the towers, and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal: and his name † 1.749 spread far abroad, for he was mar∣vellously helped till he was strong.

16 But when he was strong k 1.750, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed a∣gainst the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD * 1.751, to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

17 And Azariah the Priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:

18 And they withstood Uzziah l 1.752 the King, and said unto him, It * 1.753 appertaineth not unto thee, Uz∣ziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the * 1.754 priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary for thou hast trespassed, neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God m 1.755.

19 Then Uzziah was wroth n 1.756, and had a censer in his hand, to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead o 1.757, before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar p 1.758.

20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests looked upon him, and behold, he was le∣prous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence q 1.759, yea, himself * 1.760 hasted also to go out, be∣cause the LORD had smitten him.

21 * 1.761 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death r 1.762, and dwelt in a * 1.763 † several house being a leper s 1.764, for t 1.765 he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the kings house, judging the people of the land.

22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz write.

23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings: for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

CHAP. XXVII.

1 JOtham * 1.766 was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: his mothers name also was Je∣rushah the daughter of Zadok.

2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entred not into the temple of the LORD a 1.767. And the people did yet corruptly.

3 He built b 1.768 the high-gate c 1.769 of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of ‖ 1.770 Ophel d 1.771 he built much.

5 He fought also with the king of the Ammo∣nites e 1.772, and prevailed against them. And the chil∣dren of Ammon gave him the same year, an hun∣dred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. † 1.773 So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.

6 So Jotham became mighty, because he ‖ 1.774 pre∣pared his ways d 1.775 before the LORD his God.

7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

8 He was five and twenty years old when he be∣gan to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusa∣lem.

9 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

CHAP. XXVIII.

1 AHaz * 1.776 was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father.

2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baa∣lim a 1.777.

3 Moreover, he ‖ 1.778 burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt * 1.779 his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

4 He sacrificed also, and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

5 Wherefore the LORD his God b 1.780 delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria, and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of

them captives, and brought them to † 1.781 Damascus: and he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.

6 For * 1.782 Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all † 1.783 valiant men: because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.

7 And Zichri a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maasejah the kings son, and Azrikam the gover∣nour of the house, and Elkanah that was † 1.784 next to the king.

8 And the children of Israel carried away cap∣tive of their brethren, two hundred thousand wo∣men, sons and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, * 1.785 because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven c 1.786.

10 And now ye purpose to keep under the chil∣dren of Judah and Jerusalem for bond-men, and bond-women unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God d 1.787?

11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the cap∣tives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.

12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up a∣gainst them that came from the war:

13 And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended a∣gainst the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil, before the princes and all the congregation.

15 And the men which were expressed by name e 1.788, rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrai∣ed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, * 1.789 the city of palm-trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

16 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings f 1.790 of Assyria to help him.

17 For again the Edomites had come and smit∣ten Judah, and carried away † 1.791 captives.

18 * 1.792 The Philistins also had invaded the cities of the low country g 1.793, and of the south of Judah h 1.794, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Ajalon, and Ge∣deroth, and Socho with the † 1.795 villages thereof, and Timnah with the † 1.796 villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.

19 For the LORD brought Judah low, because of Ahaz king of Israel: for * 1.797 he made Judah na∣ked i 1.798, and transgressed fore against the LORD.

20 And * 1.799 Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him k 1.800, but strengthened him not l 1.801.

21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not l 1.802.

22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD. This is that king A∣haz m 1.803.

23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of † 1.804 Damas∣cus, which smote him n 1.805: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruine of him and of all Israel.

24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in e∣very corner of Jerusalem.

25 And in every several city of Judah he made high places ‖ 1.806 to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers.

26 Now the rest of his acts, and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

CHAP. XXIX.

1 HEzekiah * 1.807 began to reign, when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem: and his mothers name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah.

2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.

3 He, in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD a 1.808, and repaired them.

4 And he brought in the priests, and the Levites,

and gathered them together into the east-street b 1.809.

5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sancti∣fie now your selves, and sanctifie the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the fil∣thiness c 1.810 out of the holy place d 1.811.

6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the † 1.812 habitation of the LORD, and † 1.813 turned their backs e 1.814.

7 Also * 1.815 they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burnt incense, nor offered burnt-offerings in the holy place, unto the God of Israel.

8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to † 1.816 trouble, to astonishment, and to * 1.817 hissing f 1.818, as ye see with your eyes.

9 For lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons, and our daughters, and our wives are g 1.819 in captivity for this.

10 Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.

11 My sons h 1.820, ‖ 1.821 be not now negligent i 1.822: for the LORD hath * 1.823 chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and ‖ 1.824 burn incense.

12 Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari; Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:

13 And of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri, and Jehiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:

14 And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel and Shi∣mei: and of the sons of Jeduthun; Shemajah, and Uzziel.

15 And they gathered their brethren and sancti∣fied themselves, and came, according to the com∣mandment of the king, ‖ 1.825 by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.

16 And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD k 1.826, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD, into the court l 1.827 of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.

17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctifie, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD; so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days, and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end m 1.828.

18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt-offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shew-bread table, with all the ves∣sels thereof.

19 Moreover, all the vessels which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.

20 Then Hezekiah the king arose early, and ga∣thered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.

21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he-goats n 1.829 for a * 1.830 sin-offering for the kingdom o 1.831, and for the sanctua∣ry p 1.832, and for Judah q 1.833: and he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.

22 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and * 1.834 sprinkled it on the altar: likewise when they had killed the rams, they sprink∣led the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the al∣tar.

23 And they brought † 1.835 forth the he goats for the sin-offering, before the king and the congregati∣on, and they r 1.836 laid their * 1.837 hands upon them.

24 And the priests killed them, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made reconciliation with their blood upon the •…•…tar, to make an atonement for all Israel s 1.838: for the king commanded that the burnt-offering and the sin offe∣ring should be made for all Israel.

25 * 1.839 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, * 1.840 according to the commandment of Da∣vid, and of Gad the kings seer, and Nathan the pro∣phet: for so was the commandment † 1.841 of the LORD † 1.842 by his prophets

26 And the Levites stood with the instruments * 1.843 of David, and the priests with * 1.844 the trumpets.

27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt∣offering upon the altar: and † 1.845 when the burnt-offe∣ring began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the † 1.846 instruments ordained by David king of Israel.

28 And all the congregation worshipped, and the † 1.847 singers sang, and the trumpets sounded: and all this continued until the burnt-offering was fi∣nished.

29 And when they had made an end of offering,

the king and all that were † 1.848 present with him, bowed themselves and worshipped.

30 Moreover, Hezekiah the king, and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD, with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer: and they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

31 Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have ‖ 1.849 consecrated your selves unto the LORD t 1.850, come near, and bring sacrifices, and † 1.851 * 1.852 thank∣offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices, and † 1.853 thank-offe∣rings, and as many as were of a free heart, burnt∣offerings u 1.854.

32 And the number of the burnt-offerings which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt-offering unto the LORD.

33 And the consecrated things x 1.855 were six hun∣dred oxen, and three thousand sheep.

34 But the priests y 1.856 were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings z 1.857 wherefore their brethren the Levites † 1.858 did help them ‖ 1.859 till the work was ended, and untill the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more up∣right in heart, to sanctifie themselves, than the priests.

35 And also the burnt-offerings were in abun∣dance * 1.860, with the fat of the peace-offerings, and the drink-offerings for every burnt-offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.

36 And Hezekiah rejoyced, and all the people, that God had * 1.861 prepared the people: for the thing was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suddenly † 1.862.

CHAP. XXX.

1 ANd Hezekiah sent to all Israel a 1.863 and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Ma∣nasseh b 1.864, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem c 1.865, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.

2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second * 1.866 month d 1.867.

3 For they could not keep it at that time e 1.868, be∣cause the priests had not sanctified themselves suffi∣ciently f 1.869, neither had the people gathered them∣selves together to Jerusalem g 1.870.

4 And the thing † 1.871 pleased the king, and all the congregation.

5 So they established a decree h 1.872, to make procla∣mation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passo∣ver unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem h 1.873: for they had not done it † 1.874 of a long time in such sort as it was written i 1.875.

6 So the posts went with the letters † 1.876 from the king, and his princes throughout all Israel, and Ju∣dah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are esca∣ped out of the hands of the kings of Assyria k 1.877.

7 And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to de∣solation, as ye see.

8 Now † 1.878 be ye not stiff-necked as your fathers were, but † 1.879 yield your selves l 1.880 unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary which he hath sanctified for ever m 1.881: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

9 For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion be∣fore them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is * 1.882 gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

10 So the posts passed from city to city, through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even unto Zebulun: but they n 1.883 laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

11 Nevertheless, * 1.884 divers of Asher, and Manas∣seh,

and of Zebulun, humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

12 Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king, and of the princes, by the word of the LORD o 1.885.

13 And there assembled at Jerusalem much peo∣ple, to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.

14 And they arose, and took away the * 1.886 al∣tars p 1.887 that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.

15 Then they killed the passover on the four∣teenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed q 1.888, and sanctified them∣selves, and brought in the burnt-offerings into the house of the LORD.

16 And they stood in † 1.889 their place, after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood r 1.890, which they received of the hand of the Levites s 1.891.

17 For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified t 1.892: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing u 1.893 of the passovers x 1.894, for every one that was not clean y 1.895, to sanctifie them un∣to the LORD.

18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passo∣ver, otherwise than it was written z 1.896: but Heze∣kiah prayed for them, saying, † 1.897 The good LORD pardon every one,

19 That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not clean∣sed according to the purification of the sanctuary a 1.898.

20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people b 1.899.

21 And the children of Israel that were † 1.900 present at Jerusalem, kept the feast of unleavened bread se∣ven days with great gladness: and the Levites, and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with † loud instruments unto the LORD.

22 And Hezekiah spake † 1.901 comfortably unto all the Levites c 1.902 that taught the good knowledge of* 1.903 the LORD d 1.904: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace-offerings, and ma∣king confession e 1.905 unto the LORD God of their fa∣thers.

23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep * 1.906 other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness f 1.907.

24 For Hezekiah king of Judah † 1.908 did give to the congregation g 1.909 a thousand bullocks, and seven thousand sheep h 1.910; and the princes gave to the con∣gregation a thousand bullocks, and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves i 1.911.

25 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, re∣joyced.

26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Is∣rael, there was not the like in Jerusalem.

27 Then the priests the Levites k 1.912 arose, and * 1.913 blessed the people l 1.914: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to † 1.915 his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

CHAP. XXXI.

1 NOw when all this was finished, all Israel that were † 1.916 present, went out to the cities of Judah, and * 1.917 brake the † 1.918 images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places, and the altars out of all Judah and Benja∣min, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, † 1.919 until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the chil∣dren of Israel returned every man to his possession into their own cities. a 1.920

2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites, after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Le∣vites for burnt-offerings, and for peace-offerings to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD b 1.921.

3 He appointed also the kings portion of his sub∣stance, for the burnt-offerings c 1.922, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt-offerings, and the burnt∣offerings of the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the * 1.923 law of the LORD.

4 Moreover, he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem, to give the portion of the priests, and the Levites, that they might be encou∣raged in the law of the LORD d 1.924.

5 And as soon as the commandment † 1.925 came a∣broad e 1.926, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and ‖ 1.927 honey f 1.928, and of all the increase of the field, and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

6 And concerning the children of Israel and Ju∣dah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep g 1.929, and the * 1.930 tithe of holy things, which were consecrated unto the LORD their God h 1.931, and laid them † 1.932 by heaps.

7 In the third month i 1.933 they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month k 1.934.

8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD l 1.935, and his people Israel m 1.936.

9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps n 1.937.

10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok o 1.938, answered him, and said, * 1.939 Since the people began to bring the offerings p 1.940 into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people q 1.941, and that which is left is this great store.

11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare ‖ 1.942 chambers in the house of the LORD r 1.943; and they prepared them,

12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes, and the dedicate things faithfully: over which Co∣noniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.

13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benajah, were over∣seers † 1.944 under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother s 1.945, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God t 1.946.

14 And Kore the son of Imnah, the Levite, the porter toward the east u 1.947, was over the free-will∣offerings of God, to distribute x 1.948 the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things y 1.949.

15 And † 1.950 next him were Eden, and Minjamin, and Jeshua, and Shemajah, Amariah, and Sheca∣niah, in * 1.951 the cities of the priests z 1.952, in their ‖ 1.953 set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small.

16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward a 1.954, even unto every one that entreth into the house of the LORD b 1.955, his daily portion for their service in their charges, according to their courses:

17 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites, ‖ 1.956 from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses:

18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation c 1.957: for in their ‖ 1.958 set office they sanctified themselves in holiness.

19 Also the sons of Aaron the priests which were in * 1.959 the fields d 1.960 of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portion to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies, among the Levites.

20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good, and right, and truth before the LORD his God.

21 And in every work that he began in the ser∣vice of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

CHAP. XXXII.

1 AFter * 1.961 these things and † 1.962 the establishment thereof a 1.963, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entred into Judah, and encamped against the senced cities, and thought † 1.964 to win them for him∣self b 1.965.

2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that † 1.966 he was purposed to sight against Jerusalem;

3 He took counsel with his princes, and his mighty men, to stop the waters of the fountains c 1.967, which were without the city: and they did help him.

4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopt all the fountains, and the brook that † 1.968 ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much wa∣ter d 1.969?

5 Also * 1.970 he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken e 1.971, and raised it up to the towers f 1.972, and another wall without, and re∣paired * 1.973 Millo g 1.974 in the city of David, and made ‖ 1.975 darts and shields in abundance.

6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and † 1.976 spake comfortably to them, saying,

7 Be strong and couragious, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for * 1.977 there be mo with us, than with him.

8 With him is an * 1.978 arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us, and to fight our battels. And the people † 1.979 rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem h 1.980 (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his † 1.981 power with him) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah, that were at Jerusalem, saying,

10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide ‖ 1.982 in the siege in Jerusalem?

11 Doth not Hezekiah perswade you to give o∣ver your selves to die by famine and by thirst, say∣ing, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places, and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?

13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?

14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations, that my fathers utterly destroyed; that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?

15 Now there•…•…ore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor perswade you on this manner, neither yet be∣lieve him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you i 1.983 out of mine hand?

16 And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.

17 * 1.984 He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying▪ As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.

18 * 1.985 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them, that they might take the city.

19 And they spake against the God of Jerusa∣sem, as against the gods of the people of the earth which were the work of the hands of men.

20 * 1.986 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

21 * 1.987 And the LORD sent an angel which cut off

all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and the captains in the camp of the king of Assyria: so he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his God, they that came forth of his own bowels, † 1.988 slew him there with the sword.

22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Senna∣cherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.

23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and † 1.989 presents to Hezekiah king of Ju∣dah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations k 1.990, from thenceforth.

24 * 1.991 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death l 1.992, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he ‖ 1.993 gave him a sign.

25 But Hezekiah rendred not again, according to the benefit done unto him: for his heart was lift∣ed up m 1.994, therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem n 1.995.

26 Notwithstanding, Hezekiah humbled him∣self for † 1.996 the pride of his heart (both he and the in∣habitants of Jerusalem) so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Heze∣kiah.

27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for sil∣ver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of † 1.997 plea∣sant jewels;

28 Store-houses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

29 Moreover he provided him cities o 1.998, and pos∣sessions of flocks, and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper water-course of Gihon p 1.999, and brought it straight down q 1.1000 to the west-side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

31 Howbeit in the business of the † 1.1001 embassadours of the princes of Babylon, who * 1.1002 sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God lest him r 1.1003 to try him, that he might know s 1.1004 all that was in his heart.

32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his † 1.1005 goodness, behold, they are written in * 1.1006 the vi∣sion of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in * 1.1007 the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ‖ 1.1008 chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inha∣bitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

CHAP. XXXIII.

1 MAnasseh * 1.1009 was twelve years old when he began to reign a 1.1010, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the * 1.1011 abominations of the hea∣then, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

3 For † 1.1012 he built again the high places which He∣zekiah his father had * 1.1013 broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and * 1.1014 made groves, and wor∣shipped * 1.1015 all the host of heaven, and served them.

4 Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, * 1.1016 In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven, in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

6 And he * 1.1017 caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used inchantments, and used witchcraft, and * 1.1018 dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizzards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger.

7 And he set a carved image (the idol which he had made) in the house of God, of which God had said to David, and to Solomon his son, In * 1.1019 this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen be∣fore all the tribes of Israel, will I put my Name for ever:

8 * 1.1020 Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have ap∣pointed for your fathers: so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, ac∣cording to the whole law, and the statutes, and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to erre, and to do worse than the hea∣then, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host † 1.1021 of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns b 1.1022, and bound him with ‖ 1.1023 setters, and carried him to Ba∣bylon c 1.1024.

12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers;

13 And prayed unto him, and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God c 1.1025.

14 Now after this he built a wall d 1.1026 without the city of David, on the west-side of Gihon e 1.1027, in the valley, even to the entring in at the fish-gate, and compassed about ‖ 1.1028 Ophel f 1.1029, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.

15 And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD: and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

16 And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace▪offerings, and * 1.1030 thank∣offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel g 1.1031.

17 Nevertheless, the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God onely.

18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the * 1.1032 seers that spake to him, in the Name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the books of the kings of Israel h 1.1033.

19 His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled, behold, they are written among the sayings of ‖ 1.1034 the seers i 1.1035.

20 So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house k 1.1036, and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

21 * 1.1037 Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jeru∣salem.

22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them.

23 And humbled not himself before the LORD as Manasseh his father had humbled himself: but A∣mon † 1.1038 trespassed more and more.

24 And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.

25 But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon, and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

CHAP. XXXIV.

1 JOsiah * 1.1039 was eight years old, when he began to reign a 1.1040, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.

2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand nor to the left.

3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young b 1.1041, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began * 1.1042 to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

4 * 1.1043 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the ‖ 1.1044 images that were on high above them, he cut down, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it up∣on the † 1.1045 graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.

5 And * 1.1046 he burnt the bones of the priests up∣on their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusa∣lem.

6 And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and •…•…imeon, even unto Naphtali c 1.1047, with their ‖ 1.1048 mattocks, round about.

7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images † 1.1049 in∣to powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

8 Now in the * 1.1050 eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house d 1.1051, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maasejah the governour of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.

9 And when they came to Hilkiah the high∣priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors, had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin, and they e 1.1052 returned to Jerusalem.

10 And they put it in the hand of the work-men, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the work-men that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and mend the house:

11 Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewen stone, and timber for couplings, and ‖ 1.1053 to floor the houses f 1.1054 which the kings of Ju∣dah had destroyed.

12 And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath, and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zecha∣riah, and Meshullam, of the sons of the Koha∣thites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick g 1.1055.

13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers and porters.

14 And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest * 1.1056 found a book of the law of the LORD, given † 1.1057 by Moses.

15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.

16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed † 1.1058 to thy servants, they do it.

17 And they have † 1.1059 gathered together the mo∣ney that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.

18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, say∣ing, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read † 1.1060 it before the king.

19 And it came to pass when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.

20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and A∣hikam the son of Shaphan, and ‖ 1.1061 Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asajah a servant of the kings, saying,

21 Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel, and in Judah, concern∣ing the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

22 And Hilkiah and they that the king had ap∣pointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of ‖ 1.1062 Has∣rah, keeper of the † 1.1063 wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem ‖ 1.1064 in the colledg) and they spake to her to that effect.

23 And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,

24 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants there∣of, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:

25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burnt incense unto other gods, that they might pro∣voke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.

26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard,

27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thy self before God when thou heard∣est his words against this place, and against the in∣habitants thereof, and humbledst thy self before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, nei∣ther shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.

29 * 1.1065 Then the king sent, and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.

30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and the inhabi∣tants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Le∣vites, and all the people † 1.1066 great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant, that was found in the house of the LORD.

31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.

32 And he caused all that were † 1.1067 present in Je∣rusalem and Benjamin * 1.1068 to stand to it h 1.1069. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the cove∣nant of God i 1.1070, the God of their fathers.

33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countreys that pertained to the chil∣dren of Israel, and made all that were present in Is∣rael to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not † 1.1071 from follow∣ing the LORD, the God of their fathers.

CHAP. XXXV.

1 MOreover, * 1.1072 Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the * 1.1073 fourteenth day of the first month.

2 And he set the priests in their charges, and en∣couraged them to the service of the house of the LORD.

3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Is∣rael, which were holy a 1.1074 unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house b 1.1075 which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build: * 1.1076 it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders c 1.1077: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel.

4 And prepare your selves by the * 1.1078 houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the * 1.1079 wri∣ting of David king of Israel, and according to the * 1.1080 writing of Solomon his son.

5 And stand d 1.1081 in the holy place e 1.1082 according to the divisions of † 1.1083 the families of the fathers ‖ 1.1084 of your brethren † 1.1085 the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites f 1.1086.

6 So kill the passover, and * 1.1087 sanctifie your selves, and prepare your brethren g 1.1088, that they may do ac∣cording to the word of the LORD, by the hand of Moses.

7 And Josiah † 1.1089 gave to the people of the stock, lambs and kids h 1.1090, all for the passover-offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thou∣sand, and three thousand bullocks i 1.1091: these were of the kings substance.

8 And his princes k 1.1092 † 1.1093 gave willingly unto the people, to the priests and to the Levites l 1.1094: Hil∣kiah, and Zechariah, and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God m 1.1095, gave unto the priests for the passover∣offerings, two thousand and six hundred small cattel, and five hundred oxen.

9 Conaniah also, and Shemajah, and Netha∣neel, his brethren, and Hashabiah, and Jehiel, and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, † 1.1096 gave unto the Le∣vites for passover-offerings, five thousand small cattel, and five hundred oxen.

10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the kings commandment.

11 And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hand, and the Le∣vites * 1.1097 flayed them n 1.1098.

12 And they removed the burnt-offerings o 1.1099, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD p 1.1100, as it is written * 1.1101 in the book of Moses, and so did they with the oxen q 1.1102.

13 And they * 1.1103 rosted the passover with fire, ac∣cording to the ordinance: but the other holy offer∣ings r 1.1104 sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and † 1.1105 divided them speedily among all the people.

14 And afterward they made ready s 1.1106 for them∣selves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt-offe∣rings, and the fat until night: therefore the Le∣vites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.

15 And the singers the sons of Asaph, were in their † 1.1107 place, according to the * 1.1108 commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun, the kings seer: and the porters * 1.1109 waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.

16 So all the service of the LORD was prepa∣red the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt-offerings upon the altar of the LORD, ac∣cording to the commandment of king Josiah.

17 And the children of Israel, that were † 1.1110 pre∣sent, kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread, seven days.

18 And * 1.1111 there was no passover like to that, kept in Israel, from the days of Samuel the pro∣phet: neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

20 * 1.1112 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the † 1.1113 temple t 1.1114, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish u 1.1115 by Euphrates, and Jo∣siah went out against him.

21 But he sent Embassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the † 1.1116 house wherewith I have war x 1.1117: for God y 1.1118 com∣manded me to make hast: forbear thee from

meddling with God, who is with me, that he de∣stroy thee not.

22 Nevertheless, Josiah would not turn his face from him z 1.1119, but * 1.1120 disguised himself a 1.1121, that he might sight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho, from the mouth of God b 1.1122, and came to sight in the valley of Megiddo.

23 And the archers shot at king Josiah: and the king said to his servants, Have me away: for I am •…•…ore † 1.1123 wounded.

24 His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had: and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried ‖ 1.1124 in one of the sepulchres of his fa∣thers. And * 1.1125 all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah, and all the singing men, and the singing women spake to Josiah in their lamentations to this day c 1.1126, and made an ordinance in Israel, and behold, they are written in the lamentations d 1.1127.

26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his † 1.1128 goodness e 1.1129, according to that which was written in the law of the LORD,

27 And his deeds first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

CHAP. XXXVI.

1. THen * 1.1130 the people of the land took Jehoa∣haz a 1.1131 the son of Josiah, and made him king in his fathers stead at Jerusalem.

2 Joahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.

3 And the king of Egypt † 1.1132 put him down at Je∣rusalem, and † 1.1133 condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his bro∣ther king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehojakim. And Necho took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

5 Jehojakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

6 * 1.1134 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in ‖ 1.1135 fetters to carry him to Babylon.

7 * 1.1136 Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehojakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was sound in him b 1.1137, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and ‖ 1.1138 Jehojachin his son reigned in his stead.

9 * 1.1139 Jehojachin was eight years old when he be∣gan to reign c 1.1140, and he reigned three months, and ten days in Jerusalem, and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

10 And † 1.1141 when the year was expired d 1.1142, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the † 1.1143 goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made ‖ 1.1144 * 1.1145 Zedekiah his brother e 1.1146 king over Judah and Jerusalem.

11 * 1.1147 Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.

12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself f 1.1148 be∣fore Jeremiah the prophet, speaking from the mouth of the LORD.

13 And he also rebelled against king Nebuchad∣nezzar, who had made him swear by God g 1.1149: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart h 1.1150 from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

14 Moreover, all the chief of the priests, and the people transgressed very much i 1.1151, after all the abominations of the heathen, and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.

15 * And the LORD God of their fathers sent* 1.1152 to them † by his messengers, rising up ‖ betimes, and sending k 1.1153; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

16 But they mocked the messengers of God l 1.1154, and despised his words, and misused his prophets m 1.1155, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no † 1.1156 remedy n 1.1157.

17 * 1.1158 Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword, in the house of their sanctuary o 1.1159, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.

18 And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes: all these he brought to Babylon.

19 And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the pa∣laces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the good∣ly vessels thereof.

20 And † 1.1160 them that had escaped from the sword, carried he away to Babylon: where they were ser∣vants to him and his sons, until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:

21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of * 1.1161 Jeremiah, until the land * 1.1162 ‖ 1.1163 had en∣joyed her sabbaths p 1.1164: for as long as she lay deso∣late; she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years q 1.1165.

22 * 1.1166 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Per∣sia r 1.1167, (that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of * 1.1168 Jeremiah might be accomplished) the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Per∣sia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdoms, and put it also in writing, saying,

23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me, and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah; who is there among you of all his people? the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 2. 45.
• a 1.2

  Or, established, after his Seditious Brother Adonijah and his Partisans were suppressed; and he was received with the universal Consent and Joy of his Princes and People.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 23. 17.
• b 1.4

  To wit, concerning his Intention of going to Gibeon, and that they should attend him thither, as the next Verse shews.
• ‖ 1.5

  •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• c 1.6

  Upon which the Tabernacle was placed; whence it is called the great high Place, 1 King 3. 4.
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 34. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16. 39. 129.
• * 1.8

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 6. 17. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 16. 1.
• d 1.9

  He separated the Ark from the Tabernacle and brought it to Jerusalem, because there he intended to build a far more noble and lasting Habitation for it.
• * 1.10

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 38. 1.
• ‖ 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• e 1.12

  Either Moses mentioned v. 3. or Bezaleel here last named, by the Command and Direction of Moses: or David, who may be said to put it there, because he continued it there, and did not re∣move it, as he did the Ark, from the Tabernacle.
• f 1.13

  i. e. Sought the Lord and his Favour by hearty Prayers and Sacrifices in the Place which God had appointed for that Work, Levit. 17. 3, 4.
• g 1.14

  i. e. Which Altar. But that he had now said v. 5. and there∣fore would not unnecessarily repeat it. Or rather, who: and so these Words are emphatical, and contain a Reason why Solomon went thither, because the Lord was there graciously present to hear Prayers and receive Sacrifices.
• h 1.15

  After those Sacrifices were offered.
• i 1.16

  In a Dream, of which see the Notes on 1 King. 3. 5, &c.
• * 1.17

  1 Chr. 28. 5.
• * 1.18

  1 Kin. 3. 7.
• † 1.19

  Heb. much as the dust of the earth.
• * 1.20

  1 Kin. 3. 9.
• * 1.21

  Numb. 27. 17.
• k 1.22

  What one Man is sufficient to govern so numerous a People.
• l 1.23

  i. e. The taking away of their Lives.
• * 1.24

  1 Chr. 29. 25. Chap. 9. 22. Eccles. 2. 9.
• m 1.25

  Or, from the High-place: for the Hebrew prefix Lamed, which commonly signifies to, is sometimes put for the Latin de, which signifies from.
• * 1.26

  1 King. 4. 26. & 10. 26, &c.
• n 1.27

  Of this and the three following Verses see the Notes on 1 King. 10. 26, &c.
• * 1.28

  1 Kin. 10. 27. Ch. 9. 27.
• † 1.29

  Heb. gave.
• * 1.30

  1 Kin. 10. 28. Ch. 9. 28.
• † 1.31

  Heb. the go∣ing forth of the horses which was Solomons.
• † 1.32

  Heb. by their hand.
• a 1.33

  i. e. A Royal Palace for himself and his Successors. This whole Chapter for the substance of it is contained in 1 King. 5. and in the Notes there it is explained and the seeming Differences recon∣ciled.
• * 1.34

  1 Kin. 5. 15.
• ‖ 1.35

  Or, Hiram. 1 Kin. 5. 1.
• * 1.36

  1 Chr. 14. 1.
• b 1.37

  Which words may be commodiously understood from the na∣ture of the thing and from the following Words, such Ellipses be∣ing frequent in the Hebrew. Or, without any Ellipses, the sence being here suspended, is compleated v. 7. so send me, &c. the 4. 5, and 6, verses being inserted by way of Parenthesis to usher in and enforce his following Request.
• c 1.38

  i. e. To his Honour and Worship.
• † 1.39

  Heb. incense of Spices.
• d 1.40

  So called here and Numb. 4. 7. because it was to be there continually, by a constant success on of new Bread when the old was removed: of which see Exod. 25. 30. Levit. 24. 8.
• e 1.41

  For though the Temple strictly so called was but small, yet the Buildings belonging to it both above and under ground, were large and numerous.
• * 1.42

  1 Kin. 8. 27. Chap. 6. 18.
• † 1.43

  Heb. hath re∣tained, or, obtained strength.
• f 1.44

  When I speak of building a great House for our great God, let none be so foolish to think that I mean to include or compre∣hend God within it, for he is Infinite.
• g 1.45

  i. e. To worship him there where he is graciously present.
• † 1.46

  Heb. to grave gravings.
• ‖ 1.47

  Or, almug∣trees, 1 Kin. 10. 11.
• † 1.48

  Heb. great and wonderful.
• h 1.49

  See the Notes on v. 5.
• † 1.50

  Heb. know∣ing prudence and understan∣ding.
• i 1.51

  i. e. Who was my Fathers Chief Workman. Or, Huram Abi, a Man so called; the Prefix Lamed being here onely a Note of the Accusative Case. See more on ch. •…•…. 16.
• k 1.52

  Of which see the Notes on 1 King. 7. 14.
• l 1.53

  So he calls Da∣vid here, and Solomon in the next Verse, either out of singular re∣spect to their Greatness and true Worth: or because he was indeed Tributary to them: or, at least, his Country was nourished by their Country, as it was afterwards, Act. 12. 20.
• † 1.54

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 need.
• † 1.55

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.56

  1 Kin. 5. 1•…•…. & 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and ver. 2.
• † 1.57

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• m 1.58

  For David had not onely numbred his own People, for which he smarted, 2 Sam. 24. but afterward he numbred the Strangers, not out of Vanity, but that Solomon might have a true Account of them, and employ them about his Buildings, as he saw fit. Yet Solomon thought fit to number them again, because Death might have made a considerable Alteration among them since Davids numbring of them; and it behoved him to have an exact Account of them.
• * 1.59

  As it is ver. 2.
• * 1.60

  1 Kin. 1, &c.
• ‖ 1.61

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if David 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• a 1.62

  Which Place the Lord had Consecrated by his gracious Ap∣pearance there, 1 Chron. 21. 26. Or, which was shewed unto Da∣vid, to wit, to be the Place where the Temple should be built; which God pointed out to him partly by his Appearance, and prin∣cipally by his Spirit suggesting this to David at that time.
• b 1.63

  By pulling down the Buildings which were upon it or near it, by level∣ling the Ground, and possibly by marking it out for the Temple and Courts, the Dimensions whereof he very particularly and ex∣actly understood by the Spirit of God.
• c 1.64

  i. e. In the place where that Threshing-floor formerly stood.
• * 1.65

  1 Chr. •…•…1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. & 22. 1.
• ‖ 1.66

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Sam. 24. 25.
• d 1.67

  Of this Verse and the rest of this Chapter see my Notes on 1 King. 6.
• * 1.68

  1 Kin. 6. 2.
• † 1.69

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• e 1.70

  Partly by his Father David; and partly by the Spirit of God which inspired and guided him in the whole Work. Or, these were Solomons Foundations, the Hebrew verb being put for the noun, as it is elsewhere. The Sence is, These were the Measures of the Foundations, upon which he intended to build the Temple.
• f 1.71

  i. e. According to the Measure of the first and ancient Cubit. By which it is evident that there were Cubits of different sorts and sizes; which also appears from Ezek. 40. 5. and 43. 13. But how big those Cubits were, and how much larger than the common Cubits, and whether this was the Cubit used by Moses in the building of the Tabernacle, which seems most probable, or some other and yet larger Cubit, is not agreed among Learned Men, and cannot now be exactly known, nor is it of any great moment for us to know.
• * 1.72

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• g 1.73

  This being a kind of Turret to the Building. The breadth of it here omitted is expressed to be ten Cubits, 1 King. 6. 3.
• h 1.74

  i. e. The Holy Place, which was thrice as large as the les∣ser house or the Holy of Holies, which is called the most Holy House, v. 8. See the notes on 1 Chron. 28. 11.
• † 1.75

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• † 1.76

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• † 1.77

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• i 1.78

  See the Notes on 1 King. 9. 26, &c.
• k 1.79

  i. e. Of each of the Nails or Heads of those Nails whereby the Pla•…•…es were fastned to the Boards.
• l 1.80

  Of which see on 1 Chro. 28. 11.
• ‖ 1.81

  〈…〉〈…〉▪
• m 1.82

  Made in the shape of Young Men or Boyes, as they com∣monly are. Or, of moveable work, so called because they were not fixed to the Mercy-seat, as the Mosaical Cherubims were, but stood upon their Feet, as it is said here v. 13. in a moving posture.
• ‖ 1.83

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.84

  Heb. Towards the House, or rather, that House, not the Holy House, as divers understand it; for then their backs must have been turned towards the Ark, which was indecent and directly con∣trary to the posture of Moses his Cherubims which looked towards it, but the Most Holy House, which was last named, v. 8. and of which he continues yet to speak; this Posture being most agree∣able to their Use, which was with their Wings to close in the Ark and cover it, as it is expresly affirmed below, ch. 5. 8.
• * 1.85

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• o 1.86

  To wit, the Inner Vail before the Most Holy Place, by com∣paring this with Exod. 26. 31. 1 King. 6. 21.
• † 1.87

  〈…〉〈…〉▪
• p 1.88

  i. e. Before the Holy House, or before the Temple, as this is explained, v. 17. lest it should be understood of the Most Holy House, of which he had spoken before.
• * 1.89

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ •…•…. 15▪ 21
• † 1.90

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• q 1.91

  To wit, both of them: of which see the Notes on 1 King. 7. 15.
• r 1.92

  As he had done, or like unto those which he made, in the Oracle; of which see 1 King. 6. 21. The particle, as, is oft un∣derstood, as Gen. 49. 9. Deut. 33. 22, &c.
• s 1.93

  In each Row; or 200 in all, as it is said 1 King. 7. 20.
• * 1.94

  1 Kin. 7. 21.
• ‖ 1.95

  That is, he shall establish.
• ‖ 1.96

  That is, in it is strength,
• * 1.97

  Ezek. 43. 13, 17.
• a 1.98

  Qu. How could this be when God had said, Thou shalt not go up by Steps unto mine Altar, that thy Nakedness be not discovered thereon, Exod. 20. 26. and Steps were necessary for so high an Al∣tar as this was? Ans. 1. These Steps were so made that there was no fear of this Inconvenience. 2. That Law was useful and fit when it was made; but afterwards when the Priests were com∣manded to wear Linen Breeches in their Holy Ministrations to cover their Nakedness, Exod. 28. 42. it was not necessary. 3. Howsoe∣ver God could undoubtedly dispense with his own Law, as here he did; for he it was that gave these Dimensions for the Altar.
• * 1.99

  1 Kin. 7. 23.
• b 1.100

  Of this and v. 3, 4, 5, &c, see the Notes on 1 King. 7. 23, &c.
• † 1.101

  Heb. from his brim to his brim.
• * 1.102

  1 Kin. 7. 25.
• ‖ 1.103

  Or, like a lilie-flower.
• * 1.104

  1 Kin. 7. 38.
• c 1.105

  Of which see, 1 King. 7. 39, &c.
• † 1.106

  Heb. the work of burnt∣offering.
• * 1.107

  1 Kin. 7. 49.
• d 1.108

  Either 1. The Form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David. Or rather 2. The old form which God prescribed to Moses, Exod. 25. 31, &c. for so these were made. And this clause seems to be added here, because in many things there was a great Variation from the old Form, as in the posture of the Che∣rubims, the height of the Altar, and divers other things.
• * 1.109

  1 Kin. 7. 48.
• e 1.110

  Of which see 1 King. 7. 48.
• ‖ 1.111

  Or, bowls.
• * 1.112

  1 Kin. 6. 36.
• * 1.113

  1 Kin. 7. 39.
• f 1.114

  Of these and the following Verses see the Notes on 1 King. 7. 40, &c.
• ‖ 1.115

  Or, bowls.
• † 1.116

  Heb. finished to make.
• * 1.117

  1 Kin. 7. 41.
• † 1.118

  Heb. upon the face.
• ‖ 1.119

  Or, caldrone.
• g 1.120

  i. e. Solomons Father; the Relative being put before the An∣tecedent, which is not unusual in the Hebrew Tongue. And he is so called here, because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great Respect which he bare to him for his Excellent Art and Service which he did for him: it being usual to call great Artists and Inventers of things by this Name; of which see Gen. 4. 20, 21. Or, Huram Abiu or Abif, a Man so called, or Huram Abi, as ch. 2. 13.
• † 1.121

  Heb. made bright, or scour∣ed,
• † 1.122

  Heb. thick∣nesses of the ground.
• † 1.123

  Heb. bread of faces.
• h 1.124

  Which were of Gold; and so are distinguished from those ten Tables mentioned v. 8. which seem to have been made of Silver. Compare 1 Chron. 28. 16.
• i 1.125

  According to the Prescription of God to and by Moses.
• † 1.126

  Heb. perfecti∣ons of gold.
• ‖ 1.127

  Or, bowls.
• k 1.128

  To wit, in part; they were made of Wood, 1 King. 6. 30. 2 King. 18. 16. but covered with Golden Plates.
• * 1.129

  1 Kin. 7. 51.
• a 1.130

  Or, even (as that particle is oft understood) the Silver, and the Gold, the Remainder of those vast Sums mentioned 1 Chron. 22. 14.
• * 1.131

  1 King. 8. 2, &c.
• b 1.132

  Of this and the following Verses see the Notes on 1 King. 8 1, &c.
• ‖ 1.133

  Or, rulers of the families. So Gr.
• ‖ 1.134

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 1 Kin. •…•…. •…•….
• c 1.135

  When this History was first written; not when it was review∣ed by Ezra, who made some Additions to it: For after the Return from Babylon neither Staves nor Ark were any more seen or heard of.
• * 1.136

  Deut. 10. 2, 5.
• ‖ 1.137

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.138

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• d 1.139

  According to Davids Appointment, 1 Chron. 24. & 25. which was onely for the Ordinary Service, but in Extraordinary Solem∣nities, such as this eminently was, they all came together.
• * 1.140

  1 Chr. 25. •…•….
• * 1.141

  Psal. 136.
• * 1.142

  1 Kin. 8. 1•…•… &c.
• a 1.143

  This whole Chapter for the Substance and almost all the Words of it are explained in the Notes on 1 King. 8.
• * 1.144

  Lev. 16. 2. Exod. 20. 21.
• * 1.145

  •…•… Sam. 6. 21. Chr. 28. 4.
• * 1.146

  2 Sam. •…•…. 2. Chr. 28. 2.
• † 1.147

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•….
• † 1.148

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, place 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.149

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 15. 11. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. 24.
• * 1.150

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12. 1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 24. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.151

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 132. 12.
• * 1.152

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•… 49.
• ‖ 1.153

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.154

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ‖ 1.155

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & Gr.
• † 1.156

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ‖ 1.157

  Or, be smit∣ten.
• ‖ 1.158

  Or, toward•…•…
• * 1.159

  1 Kin 17. 1.
• * 1.160

  Ch. 20. 9.
• † 1.161

  Heb. in the land of their gates.
• ‖ 1.162

  Or, towards this house.
• * 1.163

  1 Chr. 28. 9.
• † 1.164

  Heb. all the days which.
• † 1.165

  Heb. upon the face of the land.
• * 1.166

  Joh. 12. 20. Act. 8. 27.
• † 1.167

  Heb. thy name is called upon this house.
• ‖ 1.168

  Or, right.
• * 1.169

  Prov. 20. 9. Eccles. 7. 20. Jam. 3. 2. 1 Joh. 1. 8.
• † 1.170

  Heb. they that take them captives carry them away.
• † 1.171

  Heb. bring back to their heart.
• ‖ 1.172

  Or, right.
• † 1.173

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.174

  Psal. 132. 8, &c.
• b 1.175

  O thou that sittest in the Heavens arise from the Throne of thy Glory and come down into this place, which thou hast appoint∣ed for thy constant and fixed Habitation, from which thou wilst not remove, as formerly thou hast done, from place to place.
• c 1.176

  i. e. Thou in the Ark.
• d 1.177

  Which is the Sign and Instrument of thy great power put forth from time to time on the behalf of thy people. i. e. Let them be adorned and encompassed on every side with thy Protection and Benediction. For he seems rather to speak of the Salvation afforded to the Priests, than of that which by Gods bles∣sing on the Priests Labours is conferred upon the People; this be∣ing a Prayer for Gods Blessing upon the whole Community, con∣sisting of Priests and People.
• e 1.178

  i. e. Let them have cause of Re∣joycing and Thanksgiving for the Effects of thy goodness impart∣ed unto them.
• f 1.179

  i. e. Of me, who by thy Command and Appointment was anointed the King and Ruler of thy People: do not deny my pre∣sent Requests, nor send me back from the Throne of thy Grace with a sad Heart and dejected Countenance.
• * 1.180

  Isa. 55. 3.
• g 1.181

  i. e. Those which thou hast promised to David and to his House for ever.
• * 1.182

  1 Kin. 8. 54.
• * 1.183

  Lev. 9. 24. Judg. 6. 21. 1 Chr. 21. 26.
• a 1.184

  In token of Gods Acceptance of his Prayer. See on Levit. 9. 24. 1 Kin. 18. 38.
• b 1.185

  i. e. The Cloud, which was the Sign of Gods glorious and gracious Presence.
• c 1.186

  Compare Exod. 40. 35.
• d 1.187

  The Cloud first came down upon the House, and then entred into the House, and was seen both within it by the Priests and without it by the People.
• * 1.188

  Ch. 5. 13.
• * 1.189

  1 Chr. 15. 16.
• * 1.190

  1 Chr. 16. 42.
• ‖ 1.191

  the LORD.
• † 1.192

  Heb. by their hand.
• e 1.193

  For David composed the Psalms or Hymns, 1 Chron. 16. 7. and appointed them to be sung by the Levites, and instrumental Musick to be joyned to their Voices.
• f 1.194

  Of this and v. 8, 9, 10. see the Notes on 1 King. •…•…. 64, &c.
• * 1.195

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• † 1.196

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.197

  1 Kin. 9. •…•…, &c.
• g 1.198

  See on 1 King. 9. 1, 2.
• * 1.199

  Deut. 12. 5.
• h 1.200

  i. e. Use my Authority and Power over them to cause them to do so. A Metaphor elsewhere used in reference to unreasonable Creatures, as 1 King. 17. 4. Amos 9. 3. who are not properly ca∣pable of a Command or of Obedience.
• † 1.201

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is t•…•…sted.
• * 1.202

  Ch. 6. 42
• † 1.203

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prayer of this pla•…•…e.
• i 1.204

  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.
• * 1.205

  Ch. 6. 5.
• k 1.206

  Of this Verse and the rest of this Chapter see the Notes on 1 King. 9. 3, &c.
• * 1.207

  〈…〉〈…〉
• † 1.208

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.209

  Lev. 26. •…•…4. 33. Deut. 28 •…•…5, 36, 37.
• * 1.210

  Deut. 29 •…•… Je•…•…. 22. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.211

  Kin 9. 10,
• a 1.212

  Which Solomon gave to Hiram, who not being pleased with them, 1 Kin. 9. 12, 13. here returns them to him again.
• b 1.213

  Of this and the following Verses see on 1 King. 9. 18, &c.
• † 1.214

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.215

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• † 1.216

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• c 1.217

  Not because every place where once the Ark came was there∣by 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 Wo∣men, who besides the common Pollutions of all, are subject to many and frequent Ceremonial Pollutions peculiar to their Sex, and ei∣ther 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 Da∣vid, which therefore ought to be kept pure and free from the very Danger and Appearance of Pollution.
• * 1.218

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 29. 38.
• * 1.219

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 23. 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 16. 16.
• * 1.220

  •…•… Chr. 24. 1.
• * 1.221

  •…•… Chr. 25. 1.
• * 1.222

  1 Chr. 9. 17. & 26. 1.
• † 1.223

  Heb. so was the command∣ment of David the man of God.
• d 1.224

  i. e. A Prophet inspired by God in these Matters, whose Com∣mands therefore are the Commands of God.
• e 1.225

  All the Materials were procured, and in all points squared and fitted and compleated before hand.
• f 1.226

  Of this and the next Verse see the Notes on 1 King. 9. 26▪ &c.
• ‖ 1.227

  Or, Elath, Deut. 2. 8
• * 1.228

  1 Kin. 10. 1, &c. Mat. 12. 42. Luke 11. 31.
• a 1.229

  Almost all this Chapter is contained in 1 King. 10. where it is explained.
• ‖ 1.230

  Or, butlers.
• † 1.231

  Heb. word.
• ‖ 1.232

  Or, sayings.
• b 1.233

  i. e. In the Lords Name and Stead, both in general because all Kings have and hold their Kingdoms from God and act as his Vicegerents and Deputies; and in a special manner, because he sat in Gods own Throne and ruled over Gods Peculiar People, and di•…•… in a singular and eminent manner maintain the Honour and Wor∣ship of God in his Land and in the Eyes of all the World besides.
• ‖ 1.234

  Or, stayes.
• † 1.235

  Heb. high∣•…•…. Gr. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• c 1.236

  Besides what he gave her of his Royal Bounty, as it is expres∣sed, 1 King. 10. 13. which was in compensation for her Presents, as is here noted.
• ‖ 1.237

  Or, captains.
• † 1.238

  Heb. bands.
• † 1.239

  Heb. shut up.
• ‖ 1.240

  Or, there was no silver in them.
• ‖ 1.241

  Or, elephants teeth.
• † 1.242

  Heb. sa•…•…e.
• * 1.243

  1 Kin. 4. 26. & 10. 26. Ch 1. 14.
• d 1.244

  To wit, greater Stalls, in each of which were ten Stalls, in all 40000 Stalls, as it is 1 King. 4. 26. where see the Notes.
• * 1.245

  1 Kin. 4. 21.
• * 1.246

  Gen. 15. 18.
• ‖ 1.247

  That is, Eu∣phrates.
• † 1.248

  Heb. gave.
• * 1.249

  1 Kin. 10. 28. Chap. 1. 16.
• * 1.250

  1 Kin. 11. 41.
• † 1.251

  Heb. words,
• * 1.252

  Ch. 12. 15. & 13. 22.
• e 1.253

  Mentioned also ch. 12. 15. supposed to be the same who is cal∣led Obed, ch. 15. 1. This and the other Prophets mentioned were also Historians, and wrote some Annals or Histories of their times; out of which these Sacred and Canonical Books were taken either by these or other Prophets.
• a 1.254

  The Contents of this Chapter are in 1 King. 12. where see the Notes.
• * 1.255

  1 Kin. 12. •…•… &c.
• b 1.256

  Or, For (as that Particle is oft used, as hath been noted be∣fore) they had sent, &c. So this is the Reason why he returned, as was said v. 2.
• † 1.257

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.258

  1 Kin. 11▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.259

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.260

  •…•… Kin. 12. 21, •…•…
• a 1.261

  Of this verse and v. 2, 3, 4. see the Notes on 1 King. 12. 21. &c.
• b 1.262

  i. e. Repaired, and enlarged, and fortified them: as building is oft used in Scripture▪ as hath been formerly proved: For these Cities, or divers of them, were built before, as appears from Ios. 10. 10. & 12. 15. & 15. 24, 33, 35, 58. & 19. 42.
• c 1.263

  To wit, so fortified, as he said v. 11.
• * 1.264

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.265

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…5. 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 13. 9.
• d 1.266

  They would not suffer them to instruct and assist the Israelites in the worship and service of God, nor to go up to Jerusalem to worship in their Courses: and these Priests would not joyn with them in the Worship of the Calves, as they were desired and com∣manded to do; and therefore they willingly forsook all their Pa∣trimonies and Possessions for Gods Sake.
• e 1.267

  Or, for the high places, both for the Devils (i. e. the Baals or false gods, which divers of his People worshipped, whom he permitted and encouraged to do so, giving them liberty to do any thing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to serve God at Jerusalem) and for the Calves. So he erected two sorts of High places, some for Baal, and some for the True God, whom he pretended and would be thought to worship in and by the Calves.
• f 1.268

  Such as loved and feared God in truth and with their whole Heart.
• g 1.269

  This honourable mention of Solomon as a Pattern of Piety▪ is a considerable Evidence of his true Repentance before his death: of which see more on 1 King. 11. 43.
• h 1.270

  He declared him his Successor and gave him the Dominion over his Brethren: wherein (if he was not the First-born, as it seems to be implyed because this is mentioned as an Effect of his Superlative Love to his Mother) he transgressed that Law, Deut. 21. 15, 16. unless God was pleased to dispence with it at this time.
• * 1.271

  1 Kin. 15. 2. She is called Michaiah the daughter of Uriel. Chap. 13. 2.
• i 1.272

  Lest his other Sons should after his death unite their Counsels and Forces together against Abijah, he wisely dispersed them into several and distant Places, and under pretence of honouring them with the Government of them, he made them Prisoners in a sort, appointing several persons to observe their motions and prevent their Combinations.
• k 1.273

  Agreeable to their Quality, that their Restraint might be more easie to them.
• † 1.274

  Heb. a multi∣tude of wives.
• l 1.275

  Either 1. for his Children: Or rather 2. for himself, by comparing this with v. 21.
• * 1.276

  1 Kin. 14. 22.
• * 1.277

  Ch. 11. 3. & 28. 19.
• a 1.278

  Presently after the Apostacy of the King and People, which was in his fourth year, by comparing this with ch. 11. 17.
• * 1.279

  1 Kin. 14. 24, 25.
• b 1.280

  A People of Africa bordering upon Egypt: of whom see ch. 16. 8. Dan. 11. 43. Nah. 3. 9.
• c 1.281

  A People living in Tents, as the Word signifies; and such there were not far from Egypt both in Africa and in Arabia.
• d 1.282

  Either those beyond Egypt, or the Ara∣bians.
• e 1.283

  Which though they did but forcedly, yet God was pleased so far to regard it as to mitigate their Calamity.
• ‖ 1.284

  Or, a l•…•…ttle while.
• f 1.285

  I will give some stop to the course of my Wrath which was ready to be poured forth upon them to their utter Destruction.
• g 1.286

  That they may experimentally know and feel the Difference between my Yoke and the Yoke of a Foraign and Idolatrous Prince, and what Mischief they have done to themselves by forsa∣king me and my Service.
• h 1.287

  Upon which Condition and Rehoboams Submission to him he delivered up to him the fenced Cities of Judah, which he had taken v. 4. But of this and the two next verses see on 1 Kin. 14. 26, &c.
• * 1.288

  1 Ki•…•…. 10. 16. Ch. 9. 15.
• ‖ 1.289

  Or, and yet in Iudah there wer•…•… good things.
• i 1.290

  Heb. There were good things. The meaning is either 1. Though there were many Corruptions in Judah, yet there were also divers good things there, which were not in Israel, as the Word and Or∣dinances and pure Worship of God, Prophets and Ministers of Gods Institution, and divers truly Religious People. And so this is an additional Reason why God would not destroy them. Or, 2. Notwithstanding this loss, they began to recruit themselves and to reg•…•…in some degree of their former Prosperity. Whence it fol∣lows, v. 13. So, there being some respite given and Peace being restored, Rehoboam strengthened himself, &c.
• * 1.291

  1 Ki•…•…. 14. 21.
• ‖ 1.292

  Or, fixed, 1 Sam. 7. 3.
• k 1.293

  Or, directed n•…•…t: or settled not, &c. i. e. Although he hum∣bled 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 Acti∣ons, and his Heart was not right with God.
• † 1.294

  Heb. words.
• l 1.295

  In an Historical Account written by him of the Genealogies and Actions of the Kings of Judah.
• * 1.296

  1 Ki•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ &c.
• a 1.297

  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.
• † 1.298

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• c 1.299

  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 satisfa∣ction of his Conscience, but onely the Recovery of his Parents An∣cient Dominions.
• d 1.300

  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 Jero∣boam 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 quiet∣ly standing before them and seemed to hearken to any Terms of Accommodation which might be offered.
• e 1.301

  i. e. By a perpetual Covenant, which thy •…•…surpation cannot disanul. For the Phrase see on Numb. 18. 19.
• * 1.302

  1 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• f 1.303

  Such as have cast off the Yoke and Obedience which they owed both to God and to their King.
• g 1.304

  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.
• h 1.305

  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 Ex∣press Command Rehoboam was restrained from the War against Israel, which otherwise he had both Courage and Resolution to pro∣secute, as appears from the History, 1 King. 12. 21.
• i 1.306

  That Kingdom which was not set up by Vain Men in pursu∣ance of their own Ambition and Discontent, as yours was, but or∣dained and established by God himself in the House of David.
• k 1.307

  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 Tri•…•…es and a greater Host; and partly as a Pre∣s•…•…ge of their Downfal, which trusting •…•…o the Arm of Flesh is.
• l 1.308

  Or, but there are, &c. There is that among you which may damp your Courage and Confidence: You worship those Images which God a•…•…hors and severely forbids.
• * 1.309

  1 Ki•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• m 1.310

  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.
• * 1.311

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.312

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• n 1.313

  i. e. To make himself a Priest. See on Levit. 7. 37.
• o 1.314

  That have nothing of the Nature or Power, though you give them the Name, of gods.
• p 1.315

  Heb. Iehovah, the onely true and great God.
• q 1.316

  We main∣tain his Honour and Worship which you have ungratefully rejected.
• * 1.317

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.318

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• r 1.319

  So called, because it was made of pure Gold, Exod. 25. 23, 24.
• s 1.320

  He saith Table and Candlestick, though there were ten of each, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4. 7, 8. either 1. because Shishak had carried away all but on•…•…: Or 2. the singular number is put for the plural, as 1 King. 7. 48. and oft elsewhere. Or 3. because ordinarily there was but one of each used at a time for those uses.
• * 1.321

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•…. 21.
• t 1.322

  And from Evening to Mor∣ning continually, Lev. 24. 2, 3. for which End one Candlestick was sufficient, and it is very improbable that all the Candlesticks were used every night.
• u 1.323

  This he saith, though he was an ungodly King; either because he flattered himself and fancied that his keeping up the External Worship of God would make full satis∣faction for the Errors of his Life: Or, that he might hereby en∣courage his own Souldiers, and convince or terrifie his Enemies.
• † 1.324

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• x 1.325

  Upon the sounding whereof God hath solemnly promised to •…•…ssist his People, Numb. 10. 9.
• * 1.326

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•…9.
• y 1.327

  You have not onely us for your Enemies, but God, even the God whom your Fathers honoured and served, to their own great Comfort and Benefit.
• z 1.328

  Whilest Abijah was discoursing, Jeroboam takes the Advan∣tage of it to lay an Ambush.
• a 1.329

  By strengthning the Hearts and Hands of the Men of Judah, and taking away the Spirits and Power of their Enemies; and, it may be, by some extraordinary Assistance.
• * 1.330

  A •…•…ast Number: but it hath been oft observed and recorded by sacred and profane 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ansient Ti•…•…es there were very numerous Armie▪ and oft times very great 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and if this Slaughter was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 than ordinary, there is nothing strange nor incredible, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Almighty God fo•…•…ght 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Israelites.
• c 1.331

  They put their Trust in him and con•…•…idently expected Help from him: which is a Disposition of heart that God prizeth and taketh kindly. See 2 King. 18. 5. 2 Chron. 20. 20. Psal. 22. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. 28.
• d 1.332

  Which Jeroboam recovered afterwards, as appears by the course of the History, though it be not pa•…•…ticularly mentioned▪ which is the case of many other considerable things. And in the mean time it is very probable that, when Jeroboams Host was dis∣comfited, and he expected that Abijah would purs•…•…e his Victory, he removed the Golden Calf from Beth-el, which lay near Abijahs Kingdom to some safer Place.
• e 1.333

  A City so called, possibly the same which is mentioned, Ioh. 11. 54. or that which is called Ophra, Iudg. 8. 27.
• f 1.334

  i. e. Jeroboam, as appears from the contrary •…•…ondition of A∣bijah described in the next verse. Him God might strike either with vexation and horror of Mind: or with some painful and ling∣ring but incurable Disease, like that of Jehoram, which tormented him two years together, and at last killed him, 2 Chro•…•…. 21. 19.
• g 1.335

  Not presently, but a year or two after this time.
• h 1.336

  Not now after this Victory, for he died presently after it, but in the whole time of his Life, before he was King, and afterward.
• ‖ 1.337

  Or, commen∣tary.
• * 1.338

  Ch. 12. 15.
• * 1.339

  1 Kin, 15. 8▪ &c.
• a 1.340

  i. e. There was no open War, either by Baasha or others; onely there were secret Grudges and private Hostilities between his and Baasha's Subjects, 1 King. 15. 16.
• b 1.341

  Of this and the next verse see on 1 King. 15. 11, 12.
• † 1.342

  Heb. statde•…•….
• c 1.343

  By his Royal Edicts he required them to worship God, and him onely.
• d 1.344

  i. e. To practise all which the Laws of Moses re∣quired of them.
• † 1.345

  Heb. sun∣images.
• d 1.346

  i. e. In out Power, as that Phrase is oft used. See on Gen. 13. 9.
• e 1.347

  Which, as it seems, he had now gathered together upon the Information of Zerahs Design against him.
• * 1.348

  Ch. 16. 3.
• f 1.349

  Or, the Arabian▪ as the Hebrew word Cush is commonly used, as hath been noted before: These being much nearer to Asa than the Ethiopians, who also could not have come to Asa but thorough Egypt, which probably the King of Egypt would not permit him to do.
• g 1.350

  A City upon and within the Borders of Judah, Ios. 15. 44.
• † 1.351

  Heb. it is not for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to help amongst many, him that hath no strength.
• * 1.352

  1 Sam. 14. 6.
• h 1.353

  i. e. The•…•…e is no difference, or no difficulty, with thee.
• i 1.354

  By thy 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in confidence of thy Assistance, and for the main∣tenance of thy Honour, and Service, and People.
• ‖ 1.355

  Or, mortal man.
• k 1.356

  A City of the Philistins, who probably were Confederat•…•… with them in this Design.
• † 1.357

  Heb. broken.
• l 1.358

  Partly because they had joyned with Zerah in this War; and partly because the Ethiopians had sheltred a great part of the Re∣mains of the Army in them.
• * 1.359

  Gen. 35. 5. Chap. 17. 10.
• m 1.360

  i. e. The dwellers in Tents, which were either a Part of Ze∣rahs Company, or joyned with them, or had come along with them to furnish that Great Host with necessary Provisions; which their Custom of dwelling in Tents made them more capable of doing.
• † 1.361

  Heb. before Asa.
• * 1.362

  Jam. 4. 8.
• a 1.363

  To defend you against all your Enemies, as now you have seen, and you may hereafter expect, if you persist in that good Course into which you are entred.
• b 1.364

  But let not this Victory make you presumptuous or self-confident; for you are upon your good Behaviour; and if you leave God, he will leave and destroy you after he hath done you Good.
• * 1.365

  Ch. 12. 1.
• c 1.366

  Heb. For many days have been to Israel without the true God, &c. i. e. They have long lived without the sound Knowledge and Worship of the True God. The Prophet confirms his foregoing Exhortation and the Threatning annexed to it, that if they for∣sook God he would forsake him, from the usual manner of Gods dealing with Israel formerly, and therefore in the same case they may expect the same usage Israel here mentioned and •…•…∣ed as an Example is here understood either 1. Specially of the Ten Tribes, distinguished by that name from the Kingdom of Judah; whose Condition had been since Jeroboams Revolt, and now w•…•…s such in some measure, as is here described, they having been, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 still being, without God and his True Worship, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ex∣posed to many Vexations, and Wars, and Miseries. But the•…•…e h•…•…d not as yet turned unto God or sought him, nor was God yet found of them, as is said of this Israel, v. 4. Nor had they as yet been exercised with those grievous and continual Vexations, and Wars, and mutual Destructions of which he here speaks, v. 5, 6. and which in succeeding times they felt. For except that one Blow which they had from A•…•…ijah, ch. 13. we read of none other great Miseries which befel them Or rather, 2. Generally of the whole 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Israel in former times, and especially in the times of the Judges, to which all that follows suits very well: For then many times they were, though not wholly and universally, yet in a very great measure and for the generality of them, without God, and his Law, and Teaching Priests, as plainly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from dive•…•…s Pas∣sages in the Book of the Judges; and then indeed they were brought to all the Exige•…•…cies and Calamities 〈◊〉〈◊〉 following; then they had grievous Wars both Foreign and 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and then they did sometimes turn to the Lord a•…•…d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him and he was found of them, and did raise up Judges and Saviours to them; of which see Iudg. 2. at large, & Iudg. 3. 9, 15. & 10. 10, &c.
• d 1.367

  i. e. Israel, mentioned, v. 3.
• e 1.368

  When Israel lived in the gross Neglect and Contempt of God and his Law and Worship.
• f 1.369

  Men could not go abroad about their private Occasions without great Danger; as it was in the days of Shamgar, Iudg. 5. 6. which is a good Comment upon this Text.
• g 1.370

  Heb. of these Countries, i. e. The divers Parts of the Land of Israel both within and without Jordan.
• † 1.371

  Heb. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• h 1.372

  i. e. One part of the People of Israel destroyed the other by Civil Wars: of which see Instances, Iudg. 9. 23, &c. and 12. 1, &c. As all the people of Israel are called a Nation, so the seve∣ral Tribes and Families of them are sometimes called Nations, as Gen. 17. 4. Ez•…•…k. 2. 3. Act. 4. 27. compared with Psal. 2. 1.
• i 1.373

  Go on therefore Couragiously and Resolutely to maintain Gods Worship and to root out Idolatry, as you have begun to do; for this is the onely right Method of preserving your selves from such Calamities as your Predecessors have felt.
• k 1.374

  •…•…e not discou∣raged with the Opposition which you may possibly meet with.
• l 1.375

  What you do for God and for his Honour and Service shall not go unrequited.
• m 1.376

  To wit, of Azariah, v. 1. who was also called by his Fathers Name Obed. Or Obed may be here put patronymically for the son of Obed; as David is put for Christ the Son of David, Ier. 30. 9. and elsewhere; and Moses for the Sons of Moses, Psal. 90. Title. Or here is an Ellipses of the Relative Word, of which there are many Instances both in sa•…•…red and profane Authors; as 2 Sa•…•…. 21. 19. the Brother of Gol•…•…ah: Mat. 4. 21. Iohn the Son of Zebecke: Luk. 24. 10. Mary the Mother of Iames, by comparing Mark. 15. 40. Ioh. 19. 25. Mary the Wife of Cleopas; and many other places. And so this place may be thus read, When Asa heard these words, even the Prophecy of the Son of Oded the Prophet. And this El∣lipsis is the more easie and tolerable, because this Defect might be well enough understood and supplyed out of v. 1. Though some understand this to be another Prophecy of Oded the Father, which is not here expressed, which Azariah his Son repeated to them for the confirmation of his own Prophecy.
• n 1.377

  For it required great Courage to put away all the Idols, to which so great a number of his People were to this day addicted, and among others, Ma•…•…hah the Queen, his Mother, whom for this reason he deposed, 1 King. 15. 13.
• † 1.378

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• o 1.379

  To wit, Abijah his Father; which was easily understood from ch. 13. 19. Or, which had been taken, the active word being oft so used impersonally for the passive, as Hebricians know.
• p 1.380

  Which had been either decayed through Age and long Use of it, or broken by his Idolatrous Mothers means: Or, he consecrated or dedicated the Altar, &c. which possibly had been polluted by Ido∣laters, and now needed some purification.
• * 1.381

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16.
• q 1.382

  Which Tribe, though they had their Inheritance out of the Portion of Judah, did for the generality of them Revolt to Jero∣boam with the other Tribes, as appears from many passages of Scripture. Which they might conveniently do, because their Por∣tion bordered as on one side upon that of Judah, so on the other side upon that of Dan; and therefore might indifferently joyn with the one or other, as they saw fit.
• r 1.383

  To wit, from the King of Israel.
• s 1.384

  To wit, of the Sacred Year, in which the Feast of Weeks or of Pentecost fell: Of which see Exod. 23. 16. Deut. 16. 9.
• t 1.385

  Asa had Peace but ten years, ch. 14. 1. After which probably there were some Bickerings and Skirmishes, which seem to have been com∣posed: And after that Zerah comes against him and is discomfi∣ted. Upon this great Success many of the Israelites fall to him; and in his 15th. year he calls this Assembly.
• † 1.386

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• u 1.387

  Taken from Zerah and his Complices, ch. 14. 13, &c.
• x 1.388

  They engaged themselves by a serious and solemn Covenant before the Lord and this great Assembly.
• y 1.389

  Whosoever should obstinately refuse to pay unto God that Solemn Worship which he required at his Temple in Jerusalem; or should disown God, or serve other gods.
• * 1.390

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1•…•…. •…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• z 1.391

  By vertue of all those Laws which command that such persons should be cut off: and in pursuance of that Law, Deut. 17. 2. Compare Heb. 10. 28.
• ‖ 1.392

  i. e. A great number of the People, as such general Expressi∣ons are frequently understood▪ for none doubt but there were many Dissemblers and ungodly men at this time among them.
• * 1.393

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 1•…•…. 13.
• † 1.394

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.395

  Of this and the following Verses see on 1 King. 15. 2, 10, 14, 15.
• * 1.396

  For though there were continual Skirmishes between Asa and Baasha and their People all their days, 1 King. 15. 16. yet it did not break forth into an open War till Asa's 35th. year, i. e. till that was ended. But how this 35th. year is to be computed, see the Note on ch. 16. 1.
• a 1.397

  Or, of the Kingdom of Asa, i. e. of the Kingdom of Judah, which was now Asa's Kingdom; or from the time of the division of the two Kingdoms. Rehoboam reigned 17 years, ch. 12. 13. Abijah 3 years, ch. 13. 2. Asa had now reigned 15 years, ch. 15. 10. all which put together make up the 35 years mentioned ch. 15. 19. And in the next year Baasha wars against him; and the ground of War was the defection of many of his Subjects to Asa, ch. 15. 9. whom Asa endeavours to engage together with his own Subjects by an Oath and a Covenant to be true and faithful to God and con∣sequently to himself, which was done in his 15th. year, ch. 15. 9, 10. and therefore in his 16th. year, called here the 36th. year of h•…•…s Kingdom he commenceth an open War against him. If it be ob∣jected that the Reign, or Kingdom of Asa is otherwise understood of the time of Asa's personal Reign (as I may call it) ch. 15. 10. The Answer is obvious, that there are many Instances in Scripture•…•… (some of which have been formerly given, and others will be given in their proper places,) where the same Word or▪ Phrase is taken differently, and that in the very same Chapter and History. And particularly this variety is elsewhere used both by Sacred and Pro∣fane Writers, in the Computation of the years of Princes, which are sometimes reckoned from the beginning of their Reign, and sometimes from other remarkable Times and Occurrences. Thus Nebuchadnezzars years are sometimes computed from the begin∣ning of his Reign, as 2 King. 25. 8. Ier. 52. 12, 29, 30. and some∣times from his compleat Conquest of Syria and Egypt, &c. As that Passage, Dan. 2. 1. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar, is by the general stream of Interpreters understood. Thus Ahaziahs years, which doubtless were usually computed from the time of his Birth, are computed from another Head, ch. 22. 2. where see the Notes. And the like differences are observed in computing the years of some of the Syrian Monarchs and Roman Emperours, and particularly of Augustus, the years of whose Reign are variously ac∣counted by the Roman Historians, sometimes from his first Consul∣ship; sometimes from the time of the Triumvirate; and some∣times from that Famous Victory at Actium, where he utterly over∣threw his Competitour, and made himself sole and unquestionable Emperour. And therefore it is not strange if it be so here. And that it must necessarily be thus understood, appears from hence, that it cannot be the 36th. year of the Reign of Asa in his own▪ per∣son, because Baasha began to reign in Asa's third year, 1 King. 15. 28. and reigned onely 24 years, and consequently died in A∣sa's 26th. or 27th. year, as it is said he did, 1 King. 15. 8.
• * 1.398

  1 Kin. 15. 17.
• b 1.399

  That he might keep his subjects from revolting to Asa, as he perceived they began to do, ch. 15. 9. and keep Asa's Subjects from coming into his Dominions to seduce his •…•…eople from their Obedience to him.
• c 1.400

  This verse, and v. 3, 4, 5, 6. are explained, 1 King. 15. 18, &c.
• † 1.401

  Heb. Darm•…•…∣sek.
• † 1.402

  Heb. which were his.
• * 1.403

  1 Kin. 16. 1. Ch. 19. 2.
• d 1.404

  And so reserved to be a Scourge to thy Kingdom and Posteri∣ty hereafter: Whereas if he had joyned with Baasha against thee, thou shouldest have overthrown them both, and prevented all that Mischief which that Monarch will do one day to thy Family.
• * 1.405

  Ch. 14. 9.
• e 1.406

  Either the Libians in Africa; or another People, possibly de∣scended from them, but now seated in some part of Arabia.
• † 1.407

  Heb. in a∣bundance.
• * 1.408

  Zech. 4. 10.
• ‖ 1.409

  Or, strongly to hold with them, &c.
• f 1.410

  i. e. Upright and sincere, as thine is not. Obj. The heart of Asa is said to be perfect all his days, ch. 15. 17. Ans. He was per∣fect and sincere in the things here spoken of in the Establishment of the outward Worship of God; but not in the inward Worship of God, trusting, and fearing, and loving him with all his heart, of which he here speaks. Or thus, He was perfect or sincere in the general Course of his Life, though in some particulars, where∣of this is one, his heart did not perfectly cleave to God, as it should have done.
• * 1.411

  1 Kin. 15. 32.
• g 1.412

  With Baasha, ch. 16. 4.
• † 1.413

  Heb. a house of subversion.
• h 1.414

  Or, in the house of the Stocks, in which the Feet, or, as some of the Hebrews say, the Necks of the Prisoners were locked up. See I•…•…r. 20. 2. & 29. 26.
• † 1.415

  Heb. cr•…•…shed.
• i 1.416

  He did not humble himself before God, nor earnestly desire his Help, but put all his Confidence in the Skill and Faithfulness of his Physicians, of whom, it seems, he had, great experience.
• † 1.417

  Heb. digged.
• k 1.418

  As the manner of those Nations was. See Gen. 50. 2. 2 Chron. 21. 19.
• l 1.419

  To wit, of Precious Spices; thereby •…•…estifying their Thankfulness for many Benefits which they enjoyed under his Go∣vernment, and their Respect to him notwithstanding his Miscar∣riages.
• * 1.420

  1 Kin. 15. 24.
• a 1.421

  Against the King and People of Israel, who had molested the Kingdom of Judah with Wars all the days of Asa after that Sin of his mentioned, ch. 16. 2, &c.
• ‖ 1.422

  O•…•… of his fa∣ther, & David.
• b 1.423

  Which David walked in before he fell into those horrid Sins of Murder and Adultery. Or, in the ways of David, and his Fa∣thers first ways: For the beginning of Asa's Reign was Laudable, as we have seen, though he declined at last. For it seems more pro∣bable that this Passage is a Ref•…•…ection upon Asa, whose last ways were much his worst, and of whose Repentance we have no Evi∣dence, than upon David, who, though he fell dreadfully in the Matter of Uriah, yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of Life, in which also he continued until death; having this Character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death, that he did right in all things, saving that of Uriah, 1 King. 15. 5.
• c 1.424

  i. e. Their Worship of the Calves or other Idols.
• † 1.425

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• d 1.426

  As Subjects in those times and Places used to do to their Kings, as a Token of their Respect and Subjection to them. See 1 Sam. 10. 27, 28. 1 King. 10. 25. 2 Chron. 32. 23.
• ‖ 1.427

  That is, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 encouraged.
• e 1.428

  Above all discouragements and difficulties and fears, by which mens Hearts use to be cast down: He was Valiant and Resolute for God and his Ways.
• * 1.429

  Ch. 19. •…•….
• f 1.430

  To wit, such onely wherein Idols were worshipped, as appears by comparing this with ch. 20. 33. And though Asa had done this before, yet either he did not do it tho∣roughly; or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their Idols) had secretly made new Ones in the latter part of his Reign when he grew more infirm in Body and more remiss in Gods cause.
• ‖ 1.431

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 princes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• g 1.432

  To inform the People of their Duty and of the Kings Plea∣sure. As Judges or Justices of Peace teach or instruct the People in the Laws of the Land when they deliver their Charges upon the Bench, so did these Princes in the Kings Name admonish and require the People to observe and obey the Laws of God, which were the Mu∣nicipal Laws of that Land: The particular Explication and Inforce∣ment whereof they left to the Levites and Priests here following, who were sent for this End, and accordingly taught the People, v. 9.
• * 1.433

  Gen. •…•…5. 5.
• † 1.434

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• h 1.435

  Justly concluding from this singular Piety that God would e∣minently appear for him and against all those who had Ill W•…•…ll to him, which was their Case. For even the Heathens could not but observe that the Kings of Judah were either Prosperous or Unhap∣py accordingly as they served God or forsook him.
• i 1.436

  Who had been Subjects to this Kingdom ever since Davids Time, but, it seems, had neglected this Duty in the Times of his Predecessors, but now were moved by their own Fears to perform it.
• k 1.437

  Either because he had upon some just occasion waged War against them and subdued them; though the Particulars of it •…•…e not described in Scripture▪ Or because, they voluntarily put them∣selves under his Protection, in Recompence whereof they sent him those Presents: Or onely as a free Acknowledgment of their Re∣spects to him.
• ‖ 1.438

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• l 1.439

  Partly to repair and fortifie them, and furnish them with all necessary Provisions: and partly to purge out all the Reliques and Seeds of Idolatry and Injustice which were more secretly and sub∣tilly managed in the Cities than in the Country, and which were first and most in the Cities, and thence spread their Infection into the Country about them. See Ier. 2. 28.
• † 1.440

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• m 1.441

  Either 1. After his death, as his Successor in the same Com∣mand. And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad, v. 18. Or, rather 2. Next to him in Place and Authority; or, at least, in Power and the Numbers of his Host.
• n 1.442

  As Voluntiers and Auxiliaries to be ready upon Occasion as the Service of God and the King should require. Possibly these or most of them were the Strangers which had come out of Israel in∣to the Kingdom of Judah in Asa's days, and probably since that in his Time.
• o 1.443

  These above mentioned were the Trained Bands or Auxilia∣ries: whose Chief Officers waited upon the King to receive his Commands, and to raise and bring in all or part of their Forces to the Service of the King and Kingdom, as need required.
• a 1.444

  For Joram his eldest Son married Athaliah Ahabs Daughter, ch. 21. 6. 2 King. 8. 18. This Chapter is for substance the same with 1 King. 22. where it is explained.
• * 1.445

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.446

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.447

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.448

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ‖ 1.449

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.450

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ‖ 1.451

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.452

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.453

  † Heb. with one 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ‖ 1.454

  Or, but for evil.
• * 1.455

  Job. 1. 6.
• ‖ 1.456

  Or, from chamber to chamber.
• † 1.457

  Heb. a cham∣ber in a cham∣ber.
• † 1.458

  Heb. incited, ver. 2.
• † 1.459

  Heb. from after him.
• † 1.460

  Heb. in his simplicit•…•….
• † 1.461

  Heb. between the joynts, and between the breast-plate.
• † 1.462

  Heb. made sick.
• a 1.463

  Safe, being miraculously delivered from eminent danger, as was related, ch. 18. 31, 32.
• b 1.464

  Of whom see 1 Kin. 16. 1, 2.
• * 1.465

  Psal. 139. 21.
• c 1.466

  Was this agreeable to thy Duty and Love which thou pro•…•…essest to God and Godliness, that thou hast entred into so strict an Alliance and Friendship with wicked Ahab my sworn Enemy and given such Assistance to him?
• d 1.467

  There∣fore God is angry with thee and will chastise thee for this Miscar∣riage. Which he did partly by stirring up the Moabites and o∣thers to invade him, ch. 20. partly by permitting his Eldest Son Je∣horam to kill all his Brethren, ch. 21. 4. and principally by bring∣ing that sore and almost general Destruction upon his Grandchil∣dren by Jehu, 2 King. 9. 27. and 10. 13, 14. which was the proper F•…•…uit of his Alliance with Ahab.
• * 1.468

  Ch. 17. 4. 6.
• e 1.469

  i. e. Good Works proceeding from an Honest Heart; which God more regards than this particular Errour: and therefore though he will chasten thee. yet he will not utterly destroy thee.
• f 1.470

  Or, directed or set thy heart; i. e. Thou hast sought and served God with all thy Heart, and not feignedly, as many others do. And this work of preparing or directing his heart is here ascribed to Jeho∣shaphat, as elsewhere it is attributed to God, Prov. 16. 1. Phil. 2. 13. because it is mans Action, but performed by Gods Grace pre∣venting, enabling, and enclining him to it.
• † 1.471

  Heb. he re∣turned and went out.
• h 1.472

  i. e. Through his whole Kingdom, whereof these were the two Bounds.
• i 1.473

  Such of them as had revolted from God to Idols he reclaimed by his good Counsel and Example, and by the Instructions of the Levites and Priests whom doubtless now he carried with him, as he sent them before with his Officers of State.
• * 1.474

  g Once he went by his Officers, ch. 17. 7, &c. Now he went in his own person.
• k 1.475

  In every City, for it self and the Country adjacent, that Ju∣stice might be administred with the most ease and convenience to the People, and they might not all be forced to go up to Jerusalem.
• * 1.476

  Deut. 1. 17.
• l 1.477

  You represent Gods Person to whom Judgment belongeth, and you have your Commission and Power from God, and not from Man onely; and your Administration of Justice is not onely for Mans good, but also for Gods Honour and Service.
• * 1.478

  Psal. 82. 1. Eccles. 5. 8.
• m 1.479

  Both to observe your Carriage, and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you against all those Ene∣mies whom the Impartial Exercise of Justice may provoke.
• † 1.480

  Heb. in the matter of Iudg∣ment.
• * 1.481

  Deut. 10. 17. Job 34. 19. Act. 10. 34. Rom. 2. 11. Ephes. 6. 9. Col. 3. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 17.
• n 1.482

  And therefore you are in Gods stead, and do his Work, and must give an Account to him, must imitate God here. Of respect of persons, see Deut. 10. 17. job 34. 19. Act. 10. 34.
• o 1.483

  So as to pervert Judgment for them, by comparing this with Exod. 23. 8. Deut. 16. 19. Prov. 17. 23.
• p 1.484

  Who were not Priests and Levites, but such persons of other Tribes as were most Eminent for their Dignity, Ability and Inte∣grity. But whether these persons made up one Court called the Sanhedrim, by which all Causes Ecclesiastical and Civil were de∣cided; or there were two distinct Courts, the one Eccles•…•…astical, consisting of the Priests and Levites, the other Civil, consisting of the Chief of the Fathers of Israel, belongs to another place to determine, and requires more words than the Nature of this Work can permit.
• * 1.485

  Deut. 16. 18.
• q 1.486

  i. e. For Sacred matters concerning the Laws and Worship and Service of God.
• r 1.487

  For Matters of Difference be∣tween Man and Man.
• † 1.488

  Heb. and they returned.
• s 1.489

  i. e. When Jehoshaphat and his Compa∣ny were returned to Jerusalem, then he made this Order •…•…∣ing establishing Judges there. But so this last Clause may see•…•… superfluous and tautological, being more than implyed in the be∣ginning of the Verse. Or rather, when they, i. e. the Causes and Controversies last mentioned, shall return, or be returned t•…•… Ierusalem; i. e. When the Causes shall be so difficult that the Judges ordained in every City cannot determine them; or when your Brethren that dwell in every City shall come to you, as it is ex∣pressed v. 10. appealing from their City-courts to the great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Councel at Jerusalem. Of which see on Exod. 18. 26. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 1. 17. & 17. 8. As for the Phrase, not onely Persons but Thing•…•… are said to return or be returned, as Blood, 1 King. 2. 33. and Clouds, Eccles. 12. 2. and Reproach Hos. 12. 14. If it be further objected that these Causes were never brought to Jerusalem before, and therefore cannot be properly said to be returned thither, That may be answered both from the usage of our Law wherein suc•…•… Causes are said to be returned to Westminster, which never were there before; and from the use of Scripture, wherein sinners are commonly said to return to the Lord, though they had never been with the Lord in that Sence before, but were estranged from God even from the Womb till the Time of their Conversion. And t•…•…e Dust, i. e. Mans Body, is said to return to the Earth, Eccles. 12. 7. though it was never there before.
• t 1.490

  Passing such Sentences with your Mouths, as your own Minds and Consciences, upon the hearing of the Parties, shall judge to be Just, and not acting against your own Consciences for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Motives, as Corrupt Judges do.
• u 1.491

  Of which see the Notes on Deut. 17. 8.
• x 1.492

  When any De∣bates or Differences shall arise about the meaning of any of Gods Laws, one party possibly putting this, and the other a quite diffe∣ring sence upon the same place, or one alledging one place, and the other another place, which may seem to clash with it.
• y 1.493

  Ye shall not onely give a Righteous Sentence for what is past, but ye shall admonish the Offender and others to take better heed to themselves and their ways for the future.
• z 1.494

  So you shall not bring Guilt and Wrath upon your selves and others, which otherwise you will certainly do.
• a 1.495

  Shall be your President to direct and assist you.
• b 1.496

  In spiri∣tual or Ecclesiastical Matters.
• c 1.497

  Either 1. the Prince or chief Ruler under the King of the Tribe of Judah, which is called the house of Iudah, 2 Sam. 2. 4, 7, 10. 1 King. 12. 21, 23. •…•… Chron. 28. 4. Jer. 13. 11. Ezek. 4, 6. Or, 2. The Ruler of the Kings House, which also seems to be called the house of Iudah, 2 Chron. 22. 10. and more fully, the Kings House of Iudah, Jer. 22. 6. And who so fit to manage the Kings Matters as the Ruler of the Kingshouse?
• d 1.498

  For Civil Causes or Controversies which might arise either be∣tween the King and his People; or between Subject and Subject, which may be called the Kings Matters, because it was a principal part of his Office to see them justly decided.
• e 1.499

  They shall be at your command to see your just Sentences executed; which work was fitly committed to the Levites, as persons who might add their Instructions to the Corrections, and might work the Guilty to an acknowledgment of their Fault and a submission to their Punish∣ment. And so this is an Argument to encourage the Judges to proceed couragiously and vigorously in their Work, because they had the Levites to stand by them and assist them.
• † 1.500

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• f 1.501

  i. e. Shall protect and bless good Judges in their doing of Good and Just Things.
• † 1.502

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Compare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.503

  To wit, the people that dwelt in Mount Seir, who were now Confederate with them, as appears from v. 10, 22, 23. Or, This is the Name of a Peculiar People called either Mehumin, of whom you read 2 C•…•…ron. 26. 7. (and so there is onely a Transposition of two Letters in the Hebrew word, which is not unusual in that Lan∣guage) or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as the LXX Interpreters render this Word; or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as it is in the Hebrew (the two first Letters being not Prefixes, as they are commonly made, but part of the Word or proper Name of that People) who, as it may seem, now dwelt in Mount Seir, being either of the Old Stock of the Edomites, or another Nation since come in their stead or mixed with them. Others render the Place thus, for (as the Hebrew vau is oft taken) with them (i. e. with the Moabites) were the Ammo∣•…•… or children of Ammon. Which may be distinctly noted ei∣ther to shew the largeness of the Confederacy, in which not onely the Moabites were ingaged, who dwelt nearer Jehoshaphats King∣dom, but the Ammonites also who lived at a greater distance from him: Or to intimate that the Ammonites, being possibly instiga∣ted by the Syrians, their next Neighbours, were the first Beginners and chief Promoters of the War, and engaged both the Moabites and the Inhabitants of Mount Seir in their Quarrel.
• b 1.504

  To wit, the Dead Sea, beyond which Mount Seir lay.
• c 1.505

  Or, and from Syria, largely so called, and so it includes the Moabites and Ammonites. And it may be thus expressed to intimate that they came by the Instigation of the Syrians, who thought by this means to revenge themselves of Jehoshaphat for joyning with Ahab against them.
• d 1.506

  Partly from Humane Frailty, and partly from the Remem∣brance of his own Guilt and the Wrath of God denounced▪against him for it, ch. 19. 2.
• † 1.507

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• e 1.508

  The Phrase notes his settled Resolution, Se∣riousness, and Earnestness in it, and the preparing and fixing his Heart for it.
• f 1.509

  Partly in token of his Humiliation and Penitence for his Sins, and partly to make himself and his People more Fer∣vent in their Prayers.
• g 1.510

  Largely so called, i. e. in one of the Courts of the Temple, even in the Court of the People, and upon that Bra•…•…en Scaffold which Solomon had erected for such a Purpose, 2 Chron. 6. 13.
• h 1.511

  i. e. Besides and before the Priests Court: for there were but two Courts belonging to the Temple, as is noted 2 King. 21. 5. & 23. 12. And Jehoshaphat stood in the one, which must be that of the People; and before the other, which therefore can be no other than that of the Priests, which is called the New Court, because it •…•…ad been lately renewed when the Altar was renewed, ch. 15. 8. as the Command of Love is called a new Command, Joh. 13. 34. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ioh. 2. 8. because it was so solemnly renewed and revived and reinforced by Christ.
• † 1.512

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.513

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ •…•…. 23.
• i 1.514

  i. e. To whom thou hast engaged thy self by Covenant to be his Friend, and the Friend of his Seed for ever, and therefore we trust thou wilst not forsake us his Posterity.
• * 1.515

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.516

  •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ •…•…8. 33,
• ‖ 1.517

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• k 1.518

  Or rather, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sw•…•…rd of Judgment or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•…. e. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whereby thou judgest and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy People 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Com∣pare Levit 26. 25.
• * 1.519

  Deut 2▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 19.
• * 1.520

  Num. 20. 21▪
• l 1.521

  Thus he speaks partly though he had great Armies to be drawn together in due time upon g•…•…eat 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ ch. 17. 1•…•…▪ &c. Yet he seems t•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to oppose them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ecause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well knew and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and wisely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Humane 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 numerous 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, were a•…•…le 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 witho•…•…t Gods Assistance, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he feared by his Sins he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and then he had really been as weak as Water.
• m 1.522

  Looking to thee onely for Relief and Succour.
• n 1.523

  Whom they used to present before the Lord in times of great Distress, partly to stir up themselves to more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and faithful Prayers, that their Eye being upon their harmless and tender Chil∣dren, might affect their Heart with a gre•…•…ter Sence of their Mise•…•…y: and partly to move God to Compass•…•…on, not as if he were capable of Passions or Changes upon such a Sight, but because God hath declared himself that he will be prevailed with by such Methods as these.
• o 1.524

  He was suddenly inspired by God with the following Message.
• * 1.525

  Exod. 14. 13, 14.
• p 1.526

  God will fight for you, and he alone will do the Work, you need not strike a Stroke.
• q 1.527

  From Jerusalem, where he and his Army now were; which stood upon high ground.
• † 1.528

  Heb. ascent▪
• ‖ 1.529

  Or, v•…•…lley▪
• r 1.530

  In token of his Reverence to God and his Message, his Belief of the Promise, and his Thankfulness for so great a Favour.
• s 1.531

  •…•…y Jehoshaphats Appointment,
• t 1.532

  i. e. With most loud voice, with Heart and Voice lifted up: whereby they shewed their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 assurance of the Victory, as if it were already accomplished.
• * 1.533

  Is•…•…. 7. 9.
• † 1.534

  Heb▪ in his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• t 1.535

  i. e. Gods Promise delivered to us by this Prophet▪ and con∣sequently all other Predictions of the Prophets that either have been or shall be.
• u 1.536

  Take heed, le•…•…t by your Unbelief you frustrate Go•…•…s Prom•…•…se.
• x 1.537

  i. e. With the Elders or Chief of the People; partly to take their Advice about the Expediency of the Thing; and partly that they might excite and prepare themselves and the People under them to this great Work of Praysing God.
• y 1.538

  To the Honour and Service of God.
• † 1.539

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• z 1.540

  Or, the Glory or Magnificence or Majesty of Holiness, i. e. (by a vulgar Hebraism) the Holy Majesty; a Peri∣phrasis of God. Or, according to the beauty or magnificence of the Sanctuary, i. e. in the same comely Order and Magnificent Manner, as they used to do it i•…•… the Temple; where the following Song was usually, s•…•…ng, as •…•… Chron. 5. 13. & 7. 3, 6.
• * 1.541

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 13•…•…. 1.
• † 1.542

  Heb. and in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time t•…•…at 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ &c.
• † 1.543

  Heb. in sing∣ing and pra•…•…se.
• a 1.544

  So acceptable are the Fervent Prayers of Gods People to God, and so terrible to their Enemies.
• b 1.545

  Or, lyers in wait, either 1. the Holy Angels, who appeared in the Shape of Men, and possibly put on the Appearances and Visages of Moabites or Ammonites, and in that shape slew the rest, who supposing this Slaughter to be done by a part of their own Army, fell upon them, and so broke forth into Mutual Slaughters. Or, 2. God raised Jealousies and Ani∣mosities amongst themselves, which by degrees broke forth, first, into secret Ambushments, which one party laid for another, and then into open Hostilities and Outrages to their utter Destruction. So Vain are all Mens Attempts against God, who needs none to de∣stroy his Enemies but themselves and their own Mistakes and Passi∣ons, which he can, when he pleaseth, arm against them.
• ‖ 1.546

  Or, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.547

  Heb. for the destruction.
• c 1.548

  Which stood upon the Cliff of Ziz mentioned above, v. 6. or some other Hill which looked toward the Wilderness, where their Enemies lay encamped, whose Numbers, and Order, and Condi∣tion they could descry from thence.
• † 1.549

  Heb. there was not an es∣caping.
• d 1.550

  Which they brought with them partly to corrupt any of Je∣hoshaphats Officers as they saw Occasion: partly to procure neces∣saries for their vast Army from time to time: and partly because they came as to a Triumph rather than to a Fight, being secure and confident of the Victory because of their great Numbers, and especially because they thought to surprize Jehoshaphat ere he could make any considerable preparations against them; God also per∣mitting them to be puffed up to their own Destruction.
• ‖ 1.551

  that is, blessing.
• e 1.552

  Heb. of Blessing; so called from their solemn Blessings and Praises given to God in it upon this Occasion.
• † 1.553

  Heb. head.
• f 1.554

  To renew their Praises in the Court of the Temple, the pro∣per and usual Place for it.
• * 1.555

  C•…•…. 1•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• g 1.556

  Which were near, or which heard these things.
• * 1.557

  1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c.
• h 1.558

  Not fully nor universally; of which see on ch. 17. 6.
• i 1.559

  The Fault was not in Jehoshaphat, but in the People, who, though they did Worship the True God, yet would not be confined to the Temple, but for their own Conveniency, or from their Affection to their Ancient Custom chose to Worship him in the High Places: which Jehoshaphat was forced to connive at, lest those people be∣ing debarred from that dearly-beloved Practice, should fall into a Neglect of God and his Worship.
• † 1.560

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.561

  •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16. •…•….
• † 1.562

  He•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• k 1.563

  This is mentioned as an Aggravation of his Sin, after so great a Favour and Obligation laid upon him by God; and after he had been so sharply reproved and threatned by a Prophet for the same thing, ch. 19. 2. yet he relapsed into the same Sin; which proceed∣ed partly from that near Relation which was contracted between the two Families, and partly from the sweetness and easiness of Je∣hoshaphats Temper, which could not resist the Solicitations of o∣thers, in such things as might seem indifferent. For he did not joyn with him in a War, as he did with Ahab, but in a peaceable way onely in a Matter of Trade and Commerce. And yet God sharply reproves and punisheth him for it, v. 37. to shew his great dislike and detestation of all friendly and familiar Conversation of his Servants and People with Idolaters and professed •…•…nemies of God and of Religion, as Ahaziah was, who is therefore thus stig∣matized in the next words, who did very wickedly.
• l 1.564

  Or, who did industriously, and malitiously, and constantly work wickedness, as the Hebrew Phrase implyes, giving himself up to Idolatry and all Wickedness.
• m 1.565

  Of which see on 1 King. 10. 22. & 22. 48.
• n 1.566

  Of which see on 1 King. 9. 26.
• * 1.567

  1 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 22 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.568

  Two Sons called by the same Name, though doubtless distin guished by some additional Title, which is not mentioned here, because it did not concern succeeding Ages to know it. Though in∣deed there is a Difference in their Hebrew Names, the one being Azariah, the other Azariahu, hu being the last Syllable in his Name, as in Elihu, and others.
• a 1.569

  Two Sons called by the same Name, though doubtless distin guished by some additional Title, which is not mentioned here, because it did not concern succeeding Ages to know it. Though in∣deed there is a Difference in their Hebrew Names, the one being Azariah, the other Azariahu, hu being the last Syllable in his Name, as in Elihu, and others.
• b 1.570

  So he is called either 1. Be∣cause he was so by Right: Or 2. Because he was •…•…ing not onely of Judah and Benjamin, but of a great number of Israelites, who had come into and settled themselves in his Kingdom, in his and in his Predecessours days; who being a considerable, and the pu∣rest and best part of Israel, may well be called Israel, being mo•…•…e truly and properly Gods Israel than their Apostate Brethren, who were no longer worthy of that Name. Or, 3. Because all his Sub∣jects were Israelites; and therefore he was King of Israel, though not of all Israel. Or, 4. With some reflection upon his Memory, for making so strict an Alliance and Friendship with the King of Israel, whos•…•… Cause he defended with his own and his Kingdoms great Hazard, as if he had been the King not so much of Judah, as of Israel. And this may be the rather noted here, because here speedily follows a sad Effect of that wicked and cursed Match. Some say Israel was •…•…oisted into some Copies by the Transcriber in∣stead of Iudah, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it was first written.
• c 1.571

  Whom he conceived that he ought to prefer by vertue of that Law of God, Deut. 21. 15. though otherwise he would not have done it, having probably ere this time perceived his perve•…•…se and wicked Inclinations, and how much he was swayed by his Idolatrous Wi•…•…e. Now he saw his Errour when it was too late.
• * 1.572

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• d 1.573

  He took Courage and hardned his heart, as that word some∣times signifies.
• e 1.574

  Partly because they either did, or he knew that they would, oppose him in his Wicked Designs: and partly for his own Security, lest his People, who, as he believed, would be high∣ly exasperated with the Execution of his Counsels, should advance any of them to the Throne and depose him.
• f 1.575

  Either 1. of Ju∣dah, here called Israel, of which see the Notes on v. 2. Or. 2. The Princes or Chief Men of Israel, properly so called; not the Princes of all Israel or of the several Tribes thereof, but the Chief of those Israelites who out of Love to God and to the True Religion had forsaken their E•…•…tates and worldly Advantages in the King∣dom of Israel, and were now incorporated with the Kingdom of Judah. These he especially struck at, either 1. Because his Wife instigated him thereunto, both to punish them for their Revolt from her Father, and to deter others from following their Example: Or, 2. Because he justly and truly thought these would be most firm and constant to and zealous for that Religion, which he was resolved to oppose, being both by their Conscience and Interest obliged to it.
• g 1.576

  Of this, and v. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. see the Notes on 2 King. 8. 17, &c
• * 1.577

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…▪
• h 1.578

  For which in 2 King. 8. 19. it is for David his servants sake •…•… i. e. Not for Davids Merits, but for Gods free Promise and Cove∣nant, as it is here explained.
• † 1.579

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ •…•…▪
• * 1.580

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ •…•…. 12. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 36. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…. 19. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 11, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.581

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.582

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 8. 21.
• i 1.583

  To wit, public•…•…ly and avowedly, setting him at Defiance, as the next Verse shews. And this is mentioned, either 1. As the Reason why the Priests, whose City Libnah was, forsook him, be∣cause he had forsaken God: Or rather, 2. as the reason why God raised up so many Enemies against him, both from abroad and at home.
• k 1.584

  Not to the Lord, whose sworn Enemy he was, but to Baals or False Gods.
• l 1.585

  Not onely by his Cou•…•…sel and Example, but, as it follows, by Force, by Threats, and Penaltie•…•….
• m 1.586

  Qu. How could this be, when Elijah was wrapt up to Hea∣ven in Jehoshaphats time, 2 King. 2. & 3. 11. Ans. Either 1. This was Elisha, or some other Prophet called Elijah, because he acted in the Spirit and Power of Elijah▪ for which cause John the Baptist also is so called. Or rather, 2. This was really written by Elijah, who by the Spirit did clearly foresee and foretel the Reign and Acts of Jehoram, (as others did of Jo iah, 1 King. 13. 2. and Isaiah of Cyrus, ch. 45. 3. long before they were born) and in conside∣ration thereof le•…•…t this Prophecy with Elisha to be delivered in due time by him or some other person in his Name and as from his Mouth.
• n 1.587

  Whose Name he mentions either to upbraid him with his degeneration from so worthy a Parent: Or to take off his Pre∣sumption and Confidence which was grounded upon his being the Son and Successor of David, in whose Posterity the Crown was settled for ever by Gods special Appointment, and by the Approba∣tion of the People.
• o 1.588

  Whose wise Counsel and good Example thou hast despised.
• p 1.589

  More Innocent, and Righteous, and Pious▪
• † 1.590

  Heb. a great stroke.
• q 1.591

  Qu. Why the People, for his Sin? Ans. 1. Because the genera∣lity of them sinned in complying with his Wicked and Idolatrous Commands through Fear, v. 11. 2. Because he suffered in his Peoples Destruction: For as the Honour, and Safety, and Strength of a King lies in the Multitude and Prosperity of his People, Prov. 14. 28. so when they are diminished and destroyed, the king is very much weakned and endangered by it.
• r 1.592

  Whose Lives shall go for the Lives of thy Brethren, v. 4.
• s 1.593

  i. e. From day to day continually. Or, year upon year, i. e▪ one year after another, or, for the space of two years, as the Event shews, v. 19. Heb. days upon d•…•…ys. Days are oft put for a year, as Exod. 13. 10. Levit. 25. 29. Numb 9. 22. Iudg. 17. 10. 1 Sam. 1. 3. & 27. 7. Amos 4. 4.
• t 1.594

  A People fully subdued and dispirited: but God now raiseth their Spirits and Courage to do his Work.
• u 1.595

  Heb. near the Cu∣shites, i. e. Either the Ethiopians from whom they were parted onely by the Red Sea, each dwelling upon the opposite Shores of it: Or rather a People in Arabia, frequently mentioned in Scri∣pture, and so called either for their likeness in Colour and Com∣plexion to the Ethiopians properly so called; or because the one of these People were a Colony of the other. But the Ethiopians a∣bove Egypt were far enough from these other Arabians, being se∣parated from them by the Red Sea.
• † 1.596

  Heb. carried captive▪
• x 1.597

  Whom also they slew, ch. 22. 1. except Ahaziah and Atha∣liah; who possibly were hidden in some secret and safe Place.
• ‖ 1.598

  Or, Ahaziah, Ch. 22. 1. Or, Azariah, Ch. 22. 6.
• y 1.599

  Called also Ahaziah, which signifies the very same thing with •…•…ehoahaz; and Azariah, ch. 22. 6. whose signification is near akin to the other, all signifying Gods taking or helping of him.
• * 1.600

  Ch▪ 6. 14.
• z 1.601

  Heb. went, to wit, the way of all the Earth, as it is more fully expressed, Ios. 23. 14. Or, to the land of darkness, as Iob 10. 21, 22. Or, to his long home, Eccles. 12. 5. Or, went away, to wit, out of this World; as this Word is used, Iob 14. 20. Eccles. 5. 15. & 6. 4. there being many such Words and Phrases used concerning death in the Old and New Testament, signifying that death is not an Annihilation, but onely a Translation into another Place and State. See Gen. 15. 15. Philip. 1. 23. ‖ Heb. without desire, which may belong either 1. to himself; he had no desire of living lon∣ger, nor any pleasure in Life, but was heartily weary of it, through his excedive Pains: Or rather 2. to his People, who did not de∣sire that he should live longer, but oft and heartily wished that he had died sooner: Which contempt of him they shewed both by making no burning for him, as they used to do for Good and Land∣able Kings, ch. 16. 14. and by denying him burial among the Kings, as it here follows. Desire is here put for a person or thing whose life or continuance is desireable or desired by others, as Isa. 2. 16. Ezek. 24. 16, 18, 21, 25. Dan. 9. 23. & 10. 11, 19. And this is an emphatical Expression, because it is usual with Men to desire the deaths of some persons, whom afterward they lament and hear∣tily wish that they were alive again▪ as they may have cause to do. But for this ungodly and unhappy Prince his People did not onely in his life time wish his Death, but afterwards they did not repent of those desires, nor wish him alive again, but rejoyced that they were delivered from so great a Plague as he was to them.
• † 1.602

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.603

  •…•… Kin. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 24, &c.
• a 1.604

  Either 1. A cruel fort of Men who came along wich the A∣rabians, and therefore slew those whom the Arabians had spared and onely carried into Captivity. Or 2 The Philistins, who did accompany the Arabians in this Expedition, ch. 21. 16. who lived near the Kingdom of Judah, and therefore thought to make as sure work as they could in destroying all the Branches of the Royal Family▪ who otherwise, they expected, would recover Strength and revenge themselves upon them.
• * 1.605

  Ch▪ 2•…•…. 1•…•….
• b 1.606

  Obj. He was then onely 22 years old, as is affirmed, 2 King. 8. 26. Besides, Joram his Father, died in his fortieth year, as is twice noted, ch. 21. 5, 20. how then can this be true? Ans. 1. In the Hebrew it is, A son of 42 years, &c. which is an ambiguous Phrase, and though it doth for the most part, yet it doth not al∣ways signifie the Age of the Person, as is manifest from 1 Sam. 13. 1 where see the Notes. And therefore it is not necessary that this should note his Age, (as it is generally presumed to do, and that is the onely ground of the difficulty) but it may note either 1. The Age of his Mother Athaliah; who being so great, and in∣famous, and mischievous a person to the Kingdom and Royal Fa∣mily of Judah, it is not strange if her Age be here described, espe∣cially seeing she her self did for a season sway this Scepter. Or, rather 2. Of the Reign of that Royal Race and Family from which by his Mother he was descended, to wit, of the house of Omri, who reigned 6 years, 1 King. 16. 23▪ Ahab his son reigned 22 years, 1 King. 1•…•…. 29. Ahaziah his Son 2 years, 1 King. 22. 51. •…•…oram his Son 12 years, 2 King. 3. 1. All which put together make up exactly these 42 years. For Ahaziah began his Reign in Jo∣rams 12th. year, 2 King. 8. 25. And such a kind of Computation of the years not of the Kings Person, but of his reign or King∣dom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 we had before, ch. 16. 1. where see the notes. And so we have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Persons Age, in 2 King. 8. 26. and here of the K•…•… to which he belonged. Ans. 2. Some acknowledge an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Transcribers of the present Hebrew Copies, in which Language the num•…•…l Letters for 22 and 42 are so like, that they might easily be mistaken. For that it was read 22 here, as it is in the Book of Kings, in other Hebrew Copies, they ga∣ther from hence, that it is at this day so read in divers ancient Greek Copies, as also in those two Ancient Translations, the Syriack and the Arabick, and particularly in that Famous and most Anci∣ent Copy of the Syriack which was used by the Church of Anti∣och in the Primitive Times, and to this day is kept in the Church of Antioch, from which that most Reverend, Learned, Pious, and Publick-spi•…•…ted Archbishop Usher did at his own great Charge get another Copy transcribed, in which he hath published to all the World that he found it here written, Twenty and two years old, &c. Nor doth this overthrow the Authority of the Sacred Text, as Infidels would have it, partly because it is onely an Historical Passage of no Importance to the Substantial Doctrines of Faith and a good Life; and partly because the Question here is not whether this Text be true, but which is the true Reading of the Text, whether that of the generality of present Copies, or that which was used in the Ancient Copies, which the Ancient and Ve∣nerable Translators above mentioned did follow: For it seems un∣reasonable and uncharitable to think that all of them would have conspired to have changed the Text, and put in twenty and two, for forty and two, if they had so read it in their Hebrew Copies. Nor can this open any great Door to those innumerable Changes which some have boldly and rashly made in the Hebrew Text with∣out any such pretence of Authority, as there is for this, which as they are affirmed without reason, or authority, or necessity, so they may as easily be rejected. If all this will not satisfie our present Infidels, I desire them onely to consider what hath been hinted be∣fore upon such Occasions, that many Difficulties which did seem unanswerable, being now fully cleared by later Writers, it is but reasonable to think that this may be so in after times, either by finding of some Hebrew Copies in which it may be Twenty and two years, &c. or by some other way.
• * 1.607

  Chr. 2•…•…. 2.
• c 1.608

  i. e. Of Omri's Family: Or of Ahab Omri's Son. Grandchildren are oft called Sons and Daughters, as Mat. 1. 1. Luk. 3. 26.
• d 1.609

  Being a Crafty and an Imperious Woman.
• e 1.610

  Who, whilest he lived, seduced his Son by his Counsel and Authority, and made other Evil Counsellers then unnecessary.
• f 1.611

  Following the Evil Example of Jehoshaphat therein. ch. 18. though he would not follow him in what was good. But of this and the following verses see 2 King. 8. 28, 29. & 9. 21, 27.
• † 1.612

  Heb 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ‖ 1.613

  Otherwise called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ch. 2•…•…. 1. 2. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Ch. 2•…•…. •…•….
• † 1.614

  Heb. •…•…∣ing 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.615

  Iu•…•…g. 14. 4.
• g 1.616

  By his Providence so disposing Occasions and Ahaziah's Incli∣nations, that he should come at that season to receive his deserved Judgment.
• * 1.617

  2 Kin. 9. •…•….
• * 1.618

  2 Kin. 10. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• h 1.619

  Either properly so called: Or the Sons of his Cousins or near Kinsmen, who are oft called Brethren: for his Brethren were slain, v. 1.
• i 1.620

  That came thither to wait upon their King Ahaziah, as is here implyed, and withal to visit Joram and his Children, as is noted, 2 King. 10. 13.
• * 1.621

  2 Kin. 9. 27▪
• k 1.622

  Who, though wounded, had made an escape, 2 King 9. 27.
• l 1.623

  Either 1. In the Kingdom of Samaria, to wit, in Megiddo: Or, 2. In the City of Samaria: and so he fled first to Megiddo; and, not thinking himself safe there, he fled to Samaria, where he was taken and sent thence by Jehu's Order to Samaria, where he received the Sentence of Death. See more of this matter upon 2 King. 9. 27.
• m 1.624

  They gave his Servants leave to carry him away to Jerusalem and bury him there, 2 King. 9. 28. Both God and Men are oft times said to do what they and others do by their per∣mission when they could hinder them.
• n 1.625

  i. e. His Posterity, because they were young and feeble, being ground between two Milstones, the great and growing power of Jehu; and the craft and tyranny of Athaliah.
• * 1.626

  •…•… Kin. 11. 1.
• o 1.627

  This, and v. 11, 12. are explained on 2 Kings 11. 1, 2, 3.
• * 1.628

  •…•… Kin. 11. 4, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.629

  Not all but those here following, in whom he put most trust. But this Chapter is almost all taken out of 2 Kings 11. where it is explained.
• b 1.630

  Partly because they could do this without any suspicion, upon pretence of some solemn Feast; which time, it is probable, was chosen for this purpose: and partly because he knew them to be well affected to the cause of God and the King, to which they were obliged by the the two firmest ties, Conscience and In∣terest.
• c 1.631

  i. e. Both of the two Tribes, and of the ten Tribes, all which are called Israel; and he useth the name of Israel rather than that of Iudah; because there were now great numbers of the other Tribes incorporated with Israel; and these he estemed more faithful than many of Judah, having given better proofe of the truth of their Religion than they; and therefore he pick't out of the chief men of the other Tribes, as well as of Judah and Benjamin.
• * 1.632

  •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12. 1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…4. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.633

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 6. 16. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.634

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• d 1.635

  Both that of Shur, 2 Kings 11. 6. and other doors adjoyning or leading to it.
• e 1.636

  At the East-gate, thought to be so called because it stood lower than the rest of the doors at the foot of the steps, by which they went up from the Kings house to the Temple.
• f 1.637

  Either 1. in the two Courts; and so by the People he understands as well the generality of the Levites who had no particular stations al∣lotted to them, as their Brethren had, v. 4, 5. which were to be in the Priests Court, as the People, who were in the Court of the people: Or 2. in the Court of the People, which may be called Courts, the plural number being put for the singular, in regard of great amplitude and divers quarters and partitions, into which it was or might be divided▪ as the Temple is called Sanctuaries, be∣cause of its division into divers parts, Levit. 26. 31.
• g 1.638

  Strictly so called, as it is distinguished from the Courts, into which others were permitted to come, v. 5. to wit, into the Holy place.
• h 1.639

  They who are to minister in course, or by my present appointment.
• † 1.640

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. leliness. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…1▪ 6.
• i 1.641

  i. e. Of the House of the Lord▪ as the phrase may be filled up out of this place and 2 Kings 11. 6. The sence is, Let them stand in their Court to prevent and oppose any person who shall endeavour violently to break into the house to seize upon the King, or to disturb their present work; which he expected A∣thaliah and her complices would do.
• † 1.642

  Heb 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.643

  Heb. •…•….
• * 1.644

  Deut. 17. 18.
• k 1.645

  And Zechariah among the rest, whom afterwards he ungrate∣fully slew, ch. 24. 21.
• † 1.646

  Heb. Let the King live.
• † 1.647

  Heb. Conspi∣racy.
• l 1.648

  i. e. The Lord as is sufficiently implied in the end of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and plainly expressed, 2 Kings 11. 17▪ Or, between himself; that the people might see that he brought them under no bond; but what he would take upon himself.
• m 1.649

  i. e. That every one in his place and station would maintain the Law and Worship of God, and root out all false Worship; which they did in the next verse.
• * 1.650

  Deut. 13. 9.
• n 1.651

  Or, as it is in the Hebrew, put the offices of the house of the Lord into the hand, i. e. he restored the Priests and Levites, either 1. to theirplaces and offices, which possibly in the time of the Idola∣trous Kings, and of Athaliah, had been disposed of to persons of other Tribes, partly to gratifie their wicked friends, and partly to bring Gods House and Worship into disgrace: Or 2. to the exer∣cise of their offices, from which they had been in a great measure hindred.
• * 1.652

  1 Chr. 24. 1.
• * 1.653

  Numb. 28. 2.
• † 1.654

  Heb. by the hands of Da∣vid.
• * 1.655

  1 Chr. 26. 1, &c.
• o 1.656

  To wit, of the Court belonging and leading to the Kings Palace.
• * 1.657

  2 Kin. 12. 1, &c.
• a 1.658

  A great part of this Chapter is explained on 2 Kings 12.
• † 1.659

  Heb. to renew.
• b 1.660

  i. e. Of all the Israelites that were in the Kingdom of Judah. See Ch. 15. 17. and 21. 2.
• c 1.661

  Either 1. repair part of it every year till the reparations be perfected: Or 2. gather it from year to year, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you get such a sum as may suffice for the work; for he supposed one or two years collection would not suffice for the work, whether it were that collection of half a shekel for every man, of which see Exod. 30. 12, 13. 2 Kings 12. 14. Or a volun∣tary contribution required for the present exigence of the Temple by virtue of the command and example of Moses, who made such a collection for the building of the Tabernacle, Exod. 35. 5. See also Nehem. 10. 32. which he thought would not be any great sum, because of the great iniquity and impiety which yet had reigned for many years, and yet continued in the generality of the people of the Land, the Levites not excepted, as the last clause of this Verse shews.
• d 1.662

  It is observable, that he is not called the Chief Priest, or High Priest, but onely the Chief, or the Head, which he might be in many other respects, either by reason of his near relation to the Royal Family: or because he was the Chief of one of the 24 Fa∣milies, or because he had been the chief man in the contriving and bringing about of this great change, and the General of the Forces employed about it. And the High Priest seems to be men∣tioned as a distinct person from Jehojadah here, 2 Kings 12. 9, 10 All which make it questionable, whether Jehojadah was the High-Priest or no.
• * 1.663

  Exod. 30. 12, 13, 14.
• e 1.664

  Heb. the Collection of Moses, i. e. such an one as he commanded or made in the like case: of which see on v. 5. In like manner we read of the Sins of Manasseh, 2 Kings 24. 3. and of the Sin of Ieroboam frequently.
• f 1.665

  To wit, Ahaziah, and his Brethren before they were carried away captive, ch. 21. 17. who did this by her instigation, as this phrase implies.
• g 1.666

  Both broken up the Treasuries, and defaced the House it self.
• h 1.667

  i. e. Of the Court of the people, whether all manner of per∣sons might come to offer.
• † 1.668

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• i 1.669

  i. e. A Collection answerable to it; as they are said to be guilty of the errour of Balaam and gainsaying of Core, Jud. v. 11. who fell into sins of the same kind.
• k 1.670

  From the gate of the Court into one of the Chambers be∣longing to the Temple, which was appointed by the King for this office.
• † 1.671

  〈…〉〈…〉▪
• l 1.672

  Because Athaliah and her Sons had taken the old 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away, v. 7.
• ‖ 1.673

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• m 1.674

  i. e. In Judah, which was an eminent part of Israel, and the onely part of it which owned God, or was owned by God as his Israel, to whom therefore he oft appropriates this name, thereby signifying that the other Tribes were unworthy of that honourable title, and had forfeited all their right in it to Judah. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on ch. 21. 2.
• n 1.675

  In that posture presenting their requests to him, that they might not be confined to unnecessary and troublesom journeys in coming to Jerusalem to worship, but might have the liberty, which their Fore-fathers enjoyed, of worshipping God in the High-places. Which liberty, when once they had obtained, they knew they could then worship Idols without observation or disturbance: which was the thing at which they aimed. And for the preven∣tion of such abuses, God obliged all to worship him in one place.
• o 1.676

  By Hazael King of Syria: of which see 2 Kings 12. 17, 18.
• † 1.677

  Heb. clothed. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Judg. 6. 34.
• p 1.678

  In an higher place, that his voice and message might be the better heard.
• q 1.679

  i. e. The people to whom he preached, who were easily cor∣rupted by the examples of their Apostate King and Princes.
• r 1.680

  i. e. Make inquisition for my innocent blood. Which he did not wish from any desire of private revenge, with which so wise and good a man would never be willing to die; but partly from a zeal to publick Justice and the punishment of such gross wicked∣ness; and partly to deter them, if possible, from compleating their murderous intentions. But these words may as well be rendred indicatively as optatively, The Lord will look upon it, and require it, i. e. He will examine this action, and require satisfaction from you for it.
• † 1.681

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• s 1.682

  So soon did God hear the cry of this holy Prophets blood, and revenge it.
• t 1.683

  That it might appear they were sent and directed by God to single out to destruction the first beginners and chief promoters of this general Apostacy.
• † 1.684

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 i•…•….
• u 1.685

  To Hazael the king of that part of Syria called Syria Damascena, from its capital City Damascus.
• * 1.686

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• x 1.687

  i. e. Of Zachariah his son: the plural number Sons, put for the singular Son, as it is frequently both in Scripture, as Gen. 46. 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 26. 42. and in Cicero and other profane Authors. Or he might kill other sons of Jehojadah with him, either because they owned him in what he had said; or lest they should revenge his death.
• ‖ 1.688

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 12. 21.
• ‖ 1.689

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• y 1.690

  Either the severe prophecies against him, which are oft called Burdens; of which one instance is recorded, and there might be others that are not recorded: or the great Judgments of God upon him, both by the Syrians, v. 23, 24. and by great dis∣•…•…ses, v. 25.
• * 1.691

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 12. 18. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 1•…•….
• * 1.692

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.693

  〈…〉〈…〉▪
• a 1.694

  Of this Verse, and v. 2, 3, 4. see the Notes on 2 King. 14. •…•…, &c.
• † 1.695

  Heb. confirm∣ed upon him▪
• * 1.696

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•…6. 2 Kin. 14. •…•…. Jer. 31. •…•…0. Ezek. 18. 20▪
• * 1.697

  Numb. 1. 3▪
• b 1.698

  Out of the Kingdom of the Ten Tribes.
• c 1.699

  He hath forsaken them, and for their sakes will curs•…•… thy Forces if thou joynest thy self with them.
• d 1.700

  Take Courage and strengthen thy self as much as thou canst. It is an Ironical Concession like that, Go, and prosper.
• † 1.701

  Heb. hand.
• † 1.702

  Heb. to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place.
• e 1.703

  Because they were both disgraced by this Rejection, and dis∣appointed of that Prey and Spoil which they hoped to gain, whereas now they were sent away empty; for the 100 Talents pro∣bably were given to their Officers onely to raise Men for this Ser∣vice; that Sum being otherwise too small to be distributed into so many hands.
• † 1.704

  Heb. in hea•…•… of anger▪
• † 1.705

  Heb. the sons of the band.
• f 1.706

  To wit, Beth-horon the Lower, which was in the Tribe of Benjamin; and from thence to Samaria, either 1. to the City of Samaria; for the Kings of Judah had taken divers Places within the Kingdom of Israel. Or, 2. To the Kingdom of Samaria: Beth-horon and all other Places between that City and their own Kingdom▪
• g 1.707

  i. e. Killed, as that word is generally understood.
• h 1.708

  Not 3000 Cities, but 3000 Persons dwelling in them▪ who pos∣sibly opposed them in taking the Spoil, which was the Thing they sought.
• i 1.709

  Therefore thou art not onely ungrateful and impious, but also ridiculously foolish, in offending that God whose Power and Good∣ness thou hast now found, and in worshipping such gods of whose Impotency thou hast had late Experience.
• k 1.710

  Who art thou that presumest to direct and govern my Af∣fairs without my Commission?
• l 1.711

  Provoke me no further, lest I cause thee to be killed for thy Sawciness.
• m 1.712

  This he might know either by the plain and positive Rules of Gods Word, as Prov. 29. 1. or by the Suggestion of Gods Spirit.
• † 1.713

  Heb. counsel∣led.
• * 1.714

  2 Kin. 14. 8.
• n 1.715

  i. e. About the Injury which the Israelites had done to his People, v. 13. and how he should repair it. But of this and the following Verses see on 2 King. 14. 8, &c.
• ‖ 1.716

  Or, furbush, or, thorn.
• † 1.717

  Heb. a beast of the field.
• * 1.718

  Ch. 22. 7.
• o 1.719

  Who gave him up to his own Errour and Passion in order to his Ruine.
• † 1.720

  Heb. smitten.
• † 1.721

  Heb. the gate of it that look∣eth, Ch. 26. 9.
• p 1.722

  i. e. With Obed-edoms Posterity, to whom the Custody of the Sacred Treasures was committed. See 1 Chron. 26. 15.
• † 1.723

  Heb. from after.
• † 1.724

  Heb. conspi∣red a conspira∣cy.
• ‖ 1.725

  That is, the city of David, as it is 2 Kin. 14. 20.
• * 1.726

  2 Kin. 〈◊〉〈◊〉: •…•…. & 15. 1.
• ‖ 1.727

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• a 1.728

  Called also Azariah, 2 King. 14. 21. both Names signifying the same thing; Gods Strength or Help. See of this and v. 2, 3, 4. on 2 King. 14. 21, 22. & 15. 2, 3.
• b 1.729

  To wit, for a Time, but not perfectly nor constantly, which was Amaziahs Case also.
• c 1.730

  i. e. He persisted in the True Religion and Worship of God.
• d 1.731

  As long as he lived. Compare ch. 24. 2.
• e 1.732

  Who was a very knowing and experienced Person. Or, who made him understand∣ing; or, who instructed him; who was his Tutor and Teacher, and had great Authority and Influence upon him; and so restrain∣ed from those Exorbitancies to which he was otherwise inclined.
• † 1.733

  Heb. in the seeing of G•…•…d.
• f 1.734

  Either 1. In Prophetical Visions, which he either received from God himself; or understood and explained the Prophetical Visions of others, which was a special Gift of God: Of which see Gen. 41. 15. Dan. 1. 17. & 2. 19. Or, 2. In the Law and Word of God, which sometimes cometh under that Name, as Prov. 29. 18. and Isa. 22. 1, 5.
• * 1.735

  Isa. 14. 2•…•….
• g 1.736

  Which had been taken by Hazael in the days of Joash his Grandfather, 2 King. 12. 17. but was either relinquished by him, because it lay so far from his other Dominions: or retaken by the Philistins, who had now repaired its Fortifications, and kept it.
• ‖ 1.737

  Or, in the country of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ded.
• † 1.738

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.739

  Ne•…•…. •…•…. 15, 19, 32.
• ‖ 1.740

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.741

  Zech. 14. 10.
• h 1.742

  Partly to guard his Cattel from the Inroads and depredations which the Arabians were accustomed to make: and partly to give Notice of the Approach of any Enemy, and to give some stop to their March on that Side.
• ‖ 1.743

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 many 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ‖ 1.744

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fields.
• † 1.745

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• i 1.746

  i. e. Some Bands at one time and some at another, as Occa∣sion required. See the Notes on 1 Chron. 27. 1, &c. & 2 Chron. 13. 14.
• † 1.747

  Heb. the power of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 army.
• † 1.748

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.749

  Heb. w•…•…nt 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• k 1.750

  When he was strengthned in his Kingdom, and free from the fear of any Enemy.
• * 1.751

  Into the Holy place▪ where the Altar of In∣cense stood, and into which none but the Priests might enter, much less offer Incense.
• l 1.752

  Heb. Stood up against Uzziah, not by force or laying hands upon him to restrain him, for in the next Verse you still find the Censer in his hand; but onely by admonition and reproof, which here follows.
• * 1.753

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 18. 7.
• * 1.754

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 7.
• m 1.755

  Expect that God will punish thee, or put some brand of Infamy upon thee for this presumption. But this they express modestly, and by a figure called Meiosis, where more is meant than is expressed, because they considered that he to whom they spake, though an Offender, was their Lord and Soveraign.
• n 1.756

  With the Priests.
• o 1.757

  So as he could not hide his shame though it is probable it was also in the rest of his Body.
• p 1.758

  By a stroke from an invisible hand coming from the Altar; that he might be assured that this was the effect of Gods just displeasure against him.
• q 1.759

  Not by force, as was noted on v. 18. which needed not, for he voluntarily hasted away, as it follows, but by vehement per∣swasions and denunciations of Gods further Judgments upon him if he did not depart. Some suppose that the Earthquake men∣tioned Amos 1. 1. Zech. 14. 5. happened upon this occasion, as ano∣ther token of Gods displeasure against this unparallel'd arro∣gancy.
• * 1.760

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 6. 12
• * 1.761

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 15. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 13. 26, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• r 1.762

  God would have this Leprosy to be incurable, as a lasting monument of his Anger against such presumptuous Invaders of the Priests office.
• * 1.763

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• s 1.764

  As he was obliged to do by Law, Levit. 13. 46. which he durst not now resist, being under the hand and stroke of God, and under the fear of further and worse plagues, if he did so.
• t 1.765

  So the following words are a reason of the former; he dwelt in a several house, because he might not come into the Tem∣ple or Courts, nor consequently into any publick Assembly, or the society of others. Or, and therefore, as the Hebrew Chi oft signi∣fies: and the Particle and is oft understood. So it is an inference from the next foregoing words, He was a Leper, and therefore he was cut off, &c. He who could not content himself with Gods al∣lowance, but usurped the Priests place and office, is now deprived of the priviledge of the meanest of his People. A just and most suitable Judgment.
• * 1.766

  2 Kin 15 32, &c.
• a 1.767

  To wit, to offer Incense. But seeing this was commendable, how is this mentioned as an exception from the foregoing Cha∣racter, that he did as his Father did in that which was right? &c. Answ. It is an exception onely from the last clause, where also one word may be supplied out of the foregoing words, as is most usual in Scripture, thus, He did according to all that his father Uzziah did; then it fitly follows, howbeit, &c. i. e. except in his mis∣carriages.
• b 1.768

  i. e. Repaired it: for it was built before, ch. 11. 5.
• c 1.769

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 wise called the New gate, Jer. 36. 10.
• ‖ 1.770

  Or, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…r.
• d 1.771

  A Tower upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wall of Jerusalem, which probably he fortified, as his Father 〈◊〉〈◊〉 done other Towers, ch. 2. 6. 9.
• e 1.772

  Who, it seems, endeavoured to shake off the yoke which from Davids time had been put upon them.
• † 1.773

  Heb. this▪
• ‖ 1.774

  Or, establish∣ed.
• d 1.775

  Or, directed his ways, i. e. his counsels and actions by the rule of Gods Law.
• * 1.776

  2 Kin. 16. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• a 1.777

  To worship his Baalim or false gods in and by them.
• ‖ 1.778

  Or, offered sacrifice.
• * 1.779

  L•…•…v. 18. 21.
• b 1.780

  God was his God, though not by Covenant, and Grace, and special Relation, which Ahaz had renounced, yet by his Soveraign Dominion over him: For God did not forfeit his Right by Ahaz his denying it.
• † 1.781

  Heb. Darme∣sek.
• * 1.782

  2 Kin. 15. 2•…•…. Isa. •…•…. •…•….
• † 1.783

  Heb. sons of valour.
• † 1.784

  Heb. the se∣cond to the king.
• * 1.785

  Psal. 69. 26. Isa. 10. 5. & 47. 6. Ezek. 2. 12, 15. & 26. 2. Obad. 10. &c. Zech. 1. 15.
• c 1.786

  i. e. In a most high and fierce manner. An usual Hyperbole, withal signifying that their Rage did cry aloud and was heard to heaven from whence it would pull down Vengeance upon them.
• d 1.787

  Which, if not repented of, may bring down the like Ven∣geance upon your own Heads.
• e 1.788

  Which were appointed to take care about the Management of this Business.
• * 1.789

  Deut. 34. 3. Judg. 1. 16.
• f 1.790

  i. e. The King: The Plural Number for the Singular; Ei∣ther 1. Because he was a Great King and a King of Kings; as the Elephant, or, as others think, the Crocodile, is called Behe∣moth, which signifies Beasts, Iob 40. because of his vast Bulk and Eminency above other Beasts. Or, 2. Because he wrote to divers of the Kings or great Princes, who may be called Kings in a more general signification of the Word, and indeed are so called, Isa. 10. 8. Are not my Princes altogether Kings?
• † 1.791

  Heb. a cap∣tivity.
• * 1.792

  Ezek. 16. 57.
• g 1.793

  That part of Judah which was towards the Sea and towards the Philistins Land.
• h 1.794

  Of which see Ios. 15. 21.
• † 1.795

  Heb. daugh∣ters.
• † 1.796

  Heb. daugh∣ters.
• * 1.797

  Exod. 32. •…•…5
• i 1.798

  Taking away their Ornament and their Defence and Strength, to wit, their Treasures, which he sent to the Assyrian to no pur∣pose; their Frontier Towns and other strong Holds, which by his Folly and Wickedness were lost; their Religion and the Divine Protection, which was their great and onely firm Security, which by his Sins he forfeited. See the Notes on Exod. 32. 25.
• * 1.799

  2 Kin. 25. 2•…•…
• k 1.800

  Or, straitned him, by robbing him of his Treasures.
• l 1.801

  A most Emphatical Expression: for though he weakned his present Enemy the Syrian, as is related, 2 King. 16. 9. yet really and all things considered he did not strengthen Ahaz and his Kingdom, but rather weaken them; for by the removing the Syrian, who, though a Troublesom Neighbour, was a kind of Bulwark to him as to many other Enemies, he smoothed the way for himself a far more Dangerous and Mischievous Enemy, as appears by his Invasion of Judah in the very next Kings Reign.
• l 1.802

  A most Emphatical Expression: for though he weakned his present Enemy the Syrian, as is related, 2 King. 16. 9. yet really and all things considered he did not strengthen Ahaz and his Kingdom, but rather weaken them; for by the removing the Syrian, who, though a Troublesom Neighbour, was a kind of Bulwark to him as to many other Enemies, he smoothed the way for himself a far more Dangerous and Mischievous Enemy, as appears by his Invasion of Judah in the very next Kings Reign.
• m 1.803

  That Monster and Reproach of Mankind, that unteachable and incorrigible Prince, whom even grievous Afflictions made worse, which commonly make Men better. This is he whose name deserves to be remembred and detested for ever. Or, King Ahaz was the same, no Changeling, not a whit better by all the Me∣thods which God used with him.
• † 1.804

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• n 1.805

  Or, which had smitten him formerly, i. e. had enabled their Worshippers, the Syrians, to smite him, as he fondly imagined: which yet he saw confuted, having now found by experience that they could not save them from the Assy•…•…ian Power.
• ‖ 1.806

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.807

  2 Kin. 18. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.808

  Which Ahaz his Father had shut up, ch. 28. 24.
• b 1.809

  Which was before the Eastern Gate of the Temple.
• c 1.810

  That filthy Altar, which Ahaz had put in the Place of Gods Altar, 2 King. 16. 11, &c. and the Idols or other abominable or polluting things which were there.
• d 1.811

  The Temple: or the Priests Court, which also is called an holy Place, Levit. 6. 16. & 10. 13. Numb. 28. 7.
• † 1.812

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gr.
• † 1.813

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• e 1.814

  Either 1. Metaphorically; they have wilfully, and obstinate∣ly, and contumeliously forsaken me and my House and Worship; that posture being a signification of Contempt. Or, 2. Literally and properly. For Ahaz having removed the Altar of God into a By-place, 2 King. 14. and directing his Worship towards the East, after the manner of the Heathens, whom he designed to follow; and not to the West, as the Israelites did by Gods Command, in which Quarter the Ark was, he must needs consequently turn his Back upon the Altar, and House, and Ark of God.
• * 1.815

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.816

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.817

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25. Kin. 9. 8.
• f 1.818

  i. e. To such Calamities as all that see and hear of shall be astonished at and hiss at those who by their own Sin and Folly have brought such Miseries upon themselves. See on 1 King. 9. 8.
• g 1.819

  Or, were, though they were presently released, ch. 28. 5, 14, 15.
• h 1.820

  So he calls them indifferently, though many of them were el∣der than himself, because he was by his tender Love and Affection as he was by his Office obliged to be a Nursing Father to them. See Isa. 49. 23.
• ‖ 1.821

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 no•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• i 1.822

  In sanctifying your selves and the Temple, v. 5. and in quickning and preparing your selves and the People to Gods Service.
• * 1.823

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…. 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 2, 6.
• ‖ 1.824

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• ‖ 1.825

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• k 1.826

  Not the Holy of Holies, into which onely the Highpriest might enter, and that but once in a year, but the Holy Place.
• l 1.827

  To wit▪ the Priests Court, called here the Court, by way of Eminency.
• m 1.828

  In 16 Days purging the House, and Porch, and Courts, and all the Chambers belonging to the Temple. This is noted to im∣ply partly the Universal Abuse and Defilement of all the Parts of it by Ahaz, which required so much time to remove; and partly the Diligence of the Priests in this Work.
• n 1.829

  The Number of seven is famous and customary in Sacred mat∣ters, and is here used in regard of the vast Numbers and various Kinds of Sins, the Guilt whereof yet lay upon the Kingdom which was now to be expiated. Indeed in case of one particular Sin of Ignorance done by the People, there was but one Bullock to be of∣fered, Levit. 4. 13, 14. but here the Sins were many and presump∣tuous, &c.
• * 1.830

  Lev. 4. 3, 14.
• o 1.831

  To make Atonement for the Sins of the King and the Royal Family, and the Court.
• p 1.832

  For all the Idolatry and Un∣cleanness wherewith the Temple had been polluted, which, as it had been cleansed naturally by the Priests Hands, so now was to be purged morally by Sacrifices.
• q 1.833

  For the Sins of all the People of Judah.
• * 1.834

  Lev. 8. 14, 15. Heb. 9. 21.
• † 1.835

  Heb. near.
• r 1.836

  i. e. The King and the Elders of the Congregation in the Name of the whole Congregation.
• * 1.837

  Lev. 4. 15, 24
• s 1.838

  i. e. For Judah and Benjamin, and all the rest of the Tribes, whereof a considerable Number were now in his Dominions.
• * 1.839

  1 Chr. 16. 4. & 25. 6.
• * 1.840

  1 Chr. 23. 5. & 25. 1.
• † 1.841

  Heb. by the hand of the LORD.
• † 1.842

  Heb. by the hand of.
• * 1.843

  1 Chr. 23. 5. Amos 6. 5.
• * 1.844

  Num. 10. 10
• † 1.845

  Heb. in the time.
• † 1.846

  Heb. hands of instruments.
• † 1.847

  Heb. song.
• † 1.848

  Heb. found.
• ‖ 1.849

  Or, filled your hand.
• t 1.850

  Now that you have reconciled your selves and the House to Gods Favour, and that he is willing and ready to accept your Sa∣crifices.
• † 1.851

  Heb. thanks.
• * 1.852

  Lev. 7. 12.
• † 1.853

  Heb. thanks.
• u 1.854

  Wherein there was more generosity than in the other Sacrifices, because they were wholly burnt and offered to God, and the People had no share in them as they had in the rest.
• x 1.855

  i. e. All the Offerings consecrated to God besides the Burnt∣offerings already mentioned.
• y 1.856

  To wit, such as were sanctified and fit for their Work, as the following words shew: for otherwise the Number of the Priests was more than sufficient for this Employment.
• z 1.857

  And much less all the other Sacrifices, which were more numerous; the flaying whereof was the Priests proper Work, Levit. 1. 5, 6.
• † 1.858

  Heb. streng∣thened them.
• ‖ 1.859

  Necessity excusing their deviation from the Rule, as it hath excused others in like Cases.
• * 1.860

  Or, For the Burnt-offerings were to be offered also in abun∣dance. So it is a reason why the Priests could not stay all the burnt∣offerings, as was said v. 34. Because there was so much other work for them, for the Burnt-offerings were not onely to be flayed, but also to be offered, to wit, wholly, and with them the Fat of Peace∣offerings, &c.
• * 1.861

  1 Chr. 29. 18.
• † 1.862

  It was, as a very great, so a sudden Change that the People, who but the other day were so ready to comply with wicked Ahaz in his Idolatrous and Impious Prescriptions, were now so free and forward in Gods Service: whereby it plainly appeared to be the Work of the Almighty God changing their Hearts by his Holy Spirit.
• a 1.863

  Whereby he understands all the Persons of the Ten Tribes, who were now setled in his Kingdom; as appears by their contra∣distinction to Ephraim and Manasseh here following.
• b 1.864

  i. e. To all the remainders of the Ten Tribes, v. 5. who are here Synecdochi∣cally expressed by the names of Ephraim and Manasseh, as else∣where by the name of Ephraim onely. But he names these two Tribes, because they were nearest to his Kingdom, and a great Number of them had long since and from time to time joyned themselves to the Kingdom of Judah, 2 Chron. 15. 8, 9. and there∣fore had most hopes of success amongst them.
• c 1.865

  Admonishing them of their Duty to God and perswading them to comply with it.
• * 1.866

  Num 9. 10, 11.
• d 1.867

  Which was against the common Rule and Practise, but was justified by that Supreme Law of Necessity, and by a just Impedi∣ment, which made the doing of this in its proper time, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 14th. Day of the first Month, impossible, because the Temple was not cleansed nor they prepared till that time was past, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 29. 3. 1•…•…. Compare Numb, 9. 10, 11.
• e 1.868

  Which God had appointed for it, Exod. 12. 6. One Reason whereof was evident in it self, because the Temple was not then purified and prepared; to which he adds two other Reasons.
• f 1.869

  To wit, in such manner and degree as was fit, nor in such Numbers as were necessary for the s•…•…aying and offering of so many thousands of Paschal-offerings, as appears, because they were not sufficient for those Offerings, which were comparatively few, ch. 29. v. 32, 33, 34.
• g 1.870

  As they used and ought to do at that time from all places: which now they could not do, because neither the thing was agreed upon, nor the People summoned thither till the proper time was past.
• † 1.871

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• h 1.872

  They fixed this Resolution.
• h 1.873

  They fixed this Resolution.
• † 1.874

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• i 1.875

  i. e. So as God had command∣ed them to do it, to wit, That all the Males in Israel should do it: Which Express Command of God they ought to have obeyed ra∣ther than the Wicked Commands or Edicts of Men to the contra∣ry: which was both the Judgment and Practise of the Priests and Levites and other godly Israelites, as is manifest from 2 Chron. 15. 8, &c.
• † 1.876

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• k 1.877

  To wit, Pul and Tilgath-pilneser, who had carried their Bre∣thren away Captives, 2 King. 15. 19, 29. 1 Chron. 5. 26. 2 Chron. 28. 20.
• † 1.878

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.879

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• l 1.880

  Heb. Give the Hand to him; i. e. submit your selves to him by obeying his Command, and renew your Covenant with him: both which things were done amongst Men by this Ceremony of giving the Hand. See 1 Chron. 29. 24. Ezra 10. 19. Ezek. 17. 18.
• m 1.881

  Not for a transient and temporary use; but as long as the State and Church of Israel had a Being, whatsoever Alterations should happen therein.
• * 1.882

  Exod. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 6.
• n 1.883

  i. e. The Generality of the ten Tribes; who by long want of Meat had now lost all their Appetite to Gods Ordinances, and from a Neglect were now fallen into a Contempt and Derision of them; for which they paid dear. For about 6 years after their Refusal of this Offer of Grace they were all carried Captive, 2 King. 18. 1, 10.
• * 1.884

  Ch. 11. 16
• o 1.885

  i. e. God by the Power of his Grace inclined their Hearts to an unanimous Compliance with Gods and the Kings Will. And this is mentioned as the Reason of this wonderful Change wrought in these Men, who had lately been utterly averse from Gods Wor∣ship and wholly given up to Idolatry; as was noted before on ch. 29. 36.
• * 1.886

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• p 1.887

  To wit, of Burnt-offerings; because they are distinguished from the Altars of Incense here following; both which were re∣moved and destroyed, partly because all the Israelites were confined to the Altars of the Temple; and partly because these Altars were erected to Idols.
• q 1.888

  Their Negligence and Remisness being upbraided by the great and general Alacrity and Forwardness of the People.
• † 1.889

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• r 1.890

  Of the Sacrifices upon the Altar, Levit. 1. 5.
• s 1.891

  Who flayed and killed the Sacrifices which the Priests, if they had been san∣ctified, should have done, as it was observed before, ch. 29. 34.
• t 1.892

  That had more desire to come to the Passover, than care and diligence to cleanse and prepare themselves for it. Now these persons were either 1. The Priests, who were before taxed with Un∣cleanness and Unpreparedness. Or rather 2. the People, as is im∣plied in the word Congregation, and expressed in the next verse, and confirmed by the Reason here following.
• u 1.893

  Because many of the People were unclean, and therefore many more Sacrifices were to be offered for their Purification than the Priests could kill.
• x 1.894

  i. e. Either 1. The Paschal Lambs; which the Levites here offered, be∣cause of the Impurity of many of the Masters of Families, who otherwise, as some think, should have killed the Paschal Lambs in their own Houses, Exod. 12. 3. Or, 2. The other Sacrifices which accompanied the Passover, which also are called by the same Name, as is evident from Deut. 16. 2, 3. where see my Notes: Which the Levites here killed, for the Reason now mentioned.
• y 1.895

  So far as they could make any discovery of their uncleanness ei∣ther by their own Confession, or otherwise. But there were many whose Uncleannesses were not known, and therefore did not cleanse themselves, as is said, v. 18. as they ought to have done.
• z 1.896

  They had so eager a Desire to partake of this Ordinance that rather than neglect it, they would venture upon it with some Ce∣remonial Uncleanness upon them.
• † 1.897

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• a 1.898

  i. e. With that Ceremonial Purification which was required of them that came into Gods Sanctuary. So he calls it to distinguish from that Moral and Internal Purity which they are here acknow∣ledged to have.
• b 1.899

  From their Uncleanness; which it self was a Spiritual Disease, and which probably produced a Disease, or Distemper, or Trouble in their Minds and Consciences; which also had formerly brought and might justly now bring even outward Diseases upon the Body, or, at least, Guilt, which is a Disease upon the Soul: From all which the Lord was pleased now to heal them, by pardoning this their Sin, and accepting them and their Services as if they had been clean. Which it is likely God was pleased to manifest by some outward Sign, possibly by fire from Heaven consuming the Sacri∣fices; which was the usual Token of Gods Approbation, as hath been formerly noted more than once.
• † 1.900

  Heb. found
• † 1.901

  Heb. instru∣ments of strength.
• c 1.902

  Encouraged them to a chearful and diligent Attendance upon their Holy Ministrations by the Promise of his Favour and utmost Care for them, which he faithfully performed, ch. 31. 4, &c.
• * 1.903

  † Heb. to the heart of all, &c.
• d 1.904

  Who by their Office were to instruct and build up the People in the Knowledge and Fear of God: which is mentioned as the Cause of his Respect and Kindness to them, which was for their works sake, as it is said, 1 Thes. 5. 13.
• e 1.905

  Either 1. Confessing their Sins: which Work was to accompany many of their Sacrifices: of which see Levit. 5. 5. & 16. 21. Or rather 2. Confessing Gods Goodness, or praising of God, which oft goes under this Name, as 1 Chron. 16. 8, 24. which also seems to be more proper work for this Season of Joy.
• * 1.906

  See 1 Kin. 8. 65.
• f 1.907

  Not in the same manner as they had done the former, with of∣fering new Paschal Lambs and eating onely Unleavened Bread, (of which there is not the least intimation in the Text) but onely in the solemn Worship of God, by Sacrifices, and Prayers, and Praises, and publick Instruction of that great Congregation in the Good Knowledge of the Lord; which was so dear to Hezekiah, v. 22. and at this time most seasonable and necessary for the People after so long and dismal a Night of Ignorance, Superstition and Idolatry, as both Israel and Judah had been involved in.
• † 1.908

  Heb. lifted up, or, offered.
• g 1.909

  First to God, to whom the parts appointed were offered in way of Thanksgiving; and then to the People, who feasted upon the Relicks, as the Offerer used to do in Peace-offerings: and H•…•…∣zekiah, who was the Offerer, gave away his Right in the Remains of the Sacrifices to the People.
• h 1.910

  Which Generosity is the more considerable, because it was in the Beginning of his Reign, when he found the Royal Exchequer exhausted and empty; and when he had been at great Expence about the Cleansing and refitting of the Temple, and making Preparations for this great Feast.
• i 1.911

  Having now both more Time and further Need of sanctifying themselves to offer these Numerous Sacrifices.
• k 1.912

  Those of the Levites who were Priests also; for to them onely this Work belonged, 1 Chron. 23. 13. Or, the Priests and the Levites: For as the Levites did some other part of the Priests Work at this time, it is not strange if they did this also. Or the Priests might bless by solemn pronunciation of the Blessing, and the Levites by their Acclamations or with their Musical Instruments.
• * 1.913

  Numb. 6. 23.
• l 1.914

  Either commended them for their great Zeal and Diligence in Gods Service. Or rather, solemnly prayed to God to bless them; and their Prayer was not in vain, as the following words shew.
• † 1.915

  Heb. the ha∣bitation of his holiness.
• † 1.916

  Heb. found.
• * 1.917

  2 Kin. •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.918

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.919

  Heb. until to make an end.
• a 1.920

  Either 1. In those Cities belonging to Ephraim and Manas∣seh, which the Kings of Judah had formerly taken from the Kings of Israel. Or, 2. In the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. For although these were a part of Hoshea's Kingdom, yet Hezekiah presumed to do this partly by vertue of the Law of God, to which both Israel and Judah owed Subjection, which commanded the ex∣tirpation of these things out of the whole Land of Canaan: Partly by the special Impulse and Direction of Gods Spirit, which some∣times did put persons upon Heroical and Extraordinary Actions not to be drawn into Imitation: And partly because he knew that Ho∣shea contented himself with the Worship of the Calves, and did not practise that great Idolatry which his Predecessors had used, and therefore would patiently suffer the breaking of these Images of Baal and the things belonging to them; which is all that was done at this time.
• b 1.921

  i. e. Within the Gates of the House of the Lord: which is here called tents, partly because all Houses are oft so called, as Iudg. 19. 9. & 20. 8. Psal. 69, 25. And partly because the Host of the Lord, to wit, the priests and Levites, frequently so called, encam∣ped there and kept their Stations and Orders there by course.
• c 1.922

  Which had hitherto been and were to be taken out of the Treasures of the Temple which were collected from the People, 1 Chron. 26. 20. Nehem. 10. 32, 33. but that he might ease them in their present Poverty, which his Predecessor had brought upon them, and engage them to a more chearful attendance upon Gods Service, he took the Burden upon himself.
• * 1.923

  Numb. 28. & 29.
• d 1.924

  i. e. Freed from worldly Cares and Distractions, and enabled to give up themselves entirely to the serious Study of Gods Law, in which many of them were ignorant, and to the Instruction, and Direction, and quickning of the People in their several Duties.
• † 1.925

  Heb. brake forth.
• e 1.926

  Either 1. As soon as the Report of this Command of the King, v. 4. was got abroad into other parts. Or, 2. as soon as the King enlarged and extended that Command to all the Parts of his kingdom, which v. 4. was confined to them that dwell in Je∣rusalem.
• ‖ 1.927

  Or, dates.
• f 1.928

  Or, Dates, as the Hebrew Writers generally, and ma∣ny other Learned Hebricians understand this word, which is given to them, because of the Sweetness of their Tast in some sort re∣sembling Honey. For the Law requires no Tithes but of the Fruits of Trees, or of the Earth, or of Beasts.
• g 1.929

  They brought in not onely the same Tithes which the Dwel∣lers in Jerusalem did, to wit, of corn, and wine, and oil, &c. which they had in their own Storehouses in that City; but also Oxen and Sheep, which were more proper to the Country: For under the Ci∣ties of Iudah, are comprehended the Suburbs and Territories ad∣jacent and belonging to them, as is evident from the Nature of the thing and the Law of God.
• * 1.930

  Lev. 27. 30. Deut. 14. 28.
• h 1.931

  This may be taken either 1. By way of Explication, even the Tithe of Holy things, &c. Or rather 2. By way of Addition, the Tithe of all Holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord, whether by Vow, or voluntary Promise, or otherwise; as the Tithes of Gains by Merchandise, or Spoils of War, &c. of which see Gen. 14. 20. & 28. 22. Numb. 31. 28. 30.
• † 1.932

  Heb. heaps, heaps.
• i 1.933

  To wit, of the Sacred Year, Exod. 12. 2. in which their Har∣vest began.
• k 1.934

  In which their Harvest ended and the Feast of Ta∣bernacles was kept, Exod. 23. 16. Levit. 23. 34.
• l 1.935

  Both for giving such plentiful Provisions to his Land in this Year, and for giving his People such Liberal and Pious Hearts to∣wards this good Work.
• m 1.936

  They praised them for their forward∣ness and faithfulness in it.
• n 1.937

  How it came to pass that no more of their Provision was spent, and that there yet remained such great Heaps of it.
• o 1.938

  Either 1. the High-priest, called also Zadok, 1 Chron. 6. 12. because he was of his Line and Family. Or, 2 The Chief Priest, or the Head of that Family of Zadok or of Eleazar; as there was another Chief Priest of the Family of Abiathar or of Ithama•…•…. See 2 Sam. 8. 17. 1 Chron. 24. 3. but both Subject to the High-Priest.
• * 1.939

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. 12.
• p 1.940

  Which they did from the beginning of the Harvest according to the manner.
• q 1.941

  In an Extraordinary Degree.
• ‖ 1.942

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• r 1.943

  Largely so called, to wit, in the Courts, or in the Chambers adjoyning to the House.
• † 1.944

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hand.
• s 1.945

  i. e. To dispose of those Provisions by their Direction, and to be accountable to them therein.
• t 1.946

  Either the Supreme Ruler, to wit, the High-priest: or the Chief Ruler under him and in his stead, being appointed by him to inspect this Work. See above, v. 10. & 1 Chron. 9. 11. Ier. 20. 1.
• u 1.947

  At the East-gate of the Lords House; of which see on ch. 23. 5.
• x 1.948

  To the Priests and Levites, to whom they were appro∣priated by God.
• y 1.949

  To wit, the remainders of the Free-will-offe∣ring, Levit. 2. 3, 10. The Sin-offering and Trespass-offering, Levit. 6. 18, 22. & 7. 1. and the Shew-bread, Levit. 24. 9.
• † 1.950

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hand.
• * 1.951

  Josh. 21.
• z 1.952

  Who were intrusted with the Receiving and Distributing of the several Portions belonging to the Priests who abode in their se∣veral Cities, whilest their •…•…rethren came up to Jerusalem.
• ‖ 1.953

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.954

  To whom a Portion of these things was allotted, as is here implied.
• b 1.955

  That were capable of entring thither and doing Ser∣vice there, which they were at twenty years old, as is expressed here, v. 17. & 1 Chron. 23. 24. Through the whole Company of the Priests and Levites.
• ‖ 1.956

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• c 1.957

  This is alledged as a Reason why their Wives and Children were provided for out of the Holy things, because they sequestred themselves from worldly Affairs, by which they might otherwise have provided for their Families, and intirely devoted themselves to Holy Administrations.
• ‖ 1.958

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.959

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25. 34. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 35. 2.
• d 1.960

  Who are opposed to those that lived in or resorted to the great City, Jerusalem.
• * 1.961

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 18. 13, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.962

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 36. •…•… &c. •…•… Heb. t•…•…is
• a 1.963

  An Emphatical Preface, signifying, that notwithstanding all his Pious Care and Zeal for God, yet God saw fit to Exercise him with a fore Trial and Calamity; which yet he turned to his great Honour and Advantage.
• † 1.964

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gr. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 31. 20. •…•… Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 break 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• b 1.965

  He designed and bragged that he would win them all, and did actually win many of them, 2 King. 18. 13.
• † 1.966

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 face 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• c 1.967

  With Earth or other things cast into them; and withal to de∣rive the Waters by secret Paths and Pipes under ground to Jeru∣salem.
• † 1.968

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• d 1.969

  Which was a scarse Commodity in this Country, and the want of it might much annoy the Assyrian Army.
• * 1.970

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 22. 9.
• e 1.971

  By Joash, ch. 25. 23. and not since repaired, 2 Chron 25. 23.
• f 1.972

  Either 1. As high as the Towers, or the tops of the Wall. Or, 2. As far as the two Towers, or Gates, which were made in the Form of Towers, and had the use of Towers, to wit, that of E∣phraim and the Corner-Gate, both mentioned above, ch. 25. 23. Or, brought up Engines or Instruments of Defence upon the Towers.
• * 1.973

  2 Sam. 5. 9.
• g 1.974

  Of which see 1 King. 9. 24. & 11. 27.
• ‖ 1.975

  Or, swords, or weapons.
• † 1.976

  Heb. spake to their heart.
• * 1.977

  2 Kin. 6. 16.
• * 1.978

  Jer. 17. 5.
• † 1.979

  Heb. leaned.
• h 1.980

  Of this and the following Verses see the Notes on 2 King. 18. 17. &c. and 19. 10, &c.
• † 1.981

  Heb. •…•…. m•…•…n.
• ‖ 1.982

  Or, in the strong hold.
• i 1.983

  Seeing I have destroyed so many Nations and some of them stronger than you in spight of all their gods, it is not probable that your God should defend you, which none of the rest could do for their People.
• * 1.984

  2 Kin. 19. 9▪
• * 1.985

  2 Kin. 18. 28.
• * 1.986

  2 Kin. 19. 15.
• * 1.987

  2 Kin. 19. 35, &c.
• † 1.988

  Heb. made him fall.
• † 1.989

  Heb. precious things.
• k 1.990

  Or, of all those Nations, which were not very remote from Canaan and heard these matters.
• * 1.991

  2 Kin. 20. 1. Isa. 38. 1.
• l 1.992

  Of which see a more particular Account, 2 King. 20. 1, &c.
• ‖ 1.993

  Or, wrought a miracle for him.
• m 1.994

  For that prodigious Victory over the Assyrians, above v. 21. and for his miraculous Restauration from Sickness, and the con∣firmation of that Work by a strange and supernatural Motion of the Sun; and by the Honour since done him by an Embassy from the great and potent King of Babylon. All which probably raised in him too great an Opinion of himself, as if these things were done, if not by his Power, yet, at least, for his Piety and Vertues. And instead of walking humbly with God, and giving the Glory of all intirely to him, he took the Honour to himself, and vain∣gloriously shewed his Riches and Precious Treasures to the Baby∣lonish Ambassadors, 2 King. 20. 12, &c.
• n 1.995

  Who might justly be punished for Hezekiahs Sin, because they followed him in it, as they confess in the next verse.
• † 1.996

  Heb. the lift∣ing up.
• † 1.997

  Heb. instru∣ments of desire.
• o 1.998

  Heb. he made, &c. Either he purchased them to himself by his Gold or Silver: Or, he repaired, and fortified, and beautified them for the honour and safety of his Kingdom. But the former Sence seems to agree better with the following Words.
• p 1.999

  A Rivulet near Jerusalem consisting of two Streams, the upper which was brought into one Pool called the upper Pool, Isa. 7. 3. and the lower which was brought into another called the lower Pool, Isa. 22. 9. The former he diverted and brought by secret Pipes into Jerusalem; which was a Work of great Art, and Labour, and Policy, and therefore is here commended.
• q 1.1000

  Whereas before it fetched a compass, and thereby might have been beneficial to the Assyrian Host.
• † 1.1001

  Heb. Inter∣preters.
• * 1.1002

  2 Kin. 20. 12. Isa. 39. 1.
• r 1.1003

  To wit, to himself, and his own Impotency and Corruption. God withdrew from him those Supplies and Assistances of his Spirit which would certainly and effectually have kept him from that sin, and suffered Satan to tempt him, and him to fall into the sin of Pride and Ostentation:
• s 1.1004

  Either 1. That God might know it. So it is spoken of God after the manner of Men; whereof we have had many Instances. Or, 2. That Hezekiah might know that he had Infirmities and Sins as well as Vertues; and therefore that the great Mercies which he had received were not the Effects of his owa Merits, as he might be prone to believe, but of Gods free Grace.
• † 1.1005

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.1006

  Isa. 36. & 37. & 38. & 39.
• * 1.1007

  2 Kin. 18. 19. 20.
• ‖ 1.1008

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.1009

  2 Kin. 21. •…•…, &c.
• a 1.1010

  This, and the following Verses to v. 11. are taken out of 2 King. 21. 1, &c.
• * 1.1011

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1•…•…. •…•….
• † 1.1012

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.1013

  2 Kin. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ch. 30. 14 & 31. 1.
• * 1.1014

  Deut. 16. 21.
• * 1.1015

  Deut. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.1016

  Deut. 12. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1 Kin. 8. 29. & 9. 3. Ch. 6. 6. & 7. 16.
• * 1.1017

  Lev. 18. 21. Deut. 18. 12. 2 Kin. 21. 1•…•….
• * 1.1018

  2 Kin. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•….
• * 1.1019

  Psal. 13•…•…. 14.
• * 1.1020

  2 Sam. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.1021

  Heb. which were 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• b 1.1022

  In some Thicket where he thought to hide himself from the Assyrians till he could make an escape, as the Israelites formerly used to do, 1 Sam. 13. 6. Or, with hooks; a Metaphorical Ex∣pression. Or, in his Forts, i. e. in one of them.
• ‖ 1.1023

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• c 1.1024

  Either there∣fore Esarhaddon Sennacheribs Successor had recovered Babylon from Merodach-Baladan: Or rather the King of Babylon, is here called the King of Assyria, because by this time he had added Assyria to his Empire, who having been informed by his Ambassadours of the great Riches which were in Hezekiahs Treasures at Jerusalem, which he was desirous to enjoy; and withall being assured of Ma∣nasseh his degeneracy from the Piety and Vertue of his Father, and from that God whose Power alone made Hezekiah formidable, he thought this a Fit Season to invade Manasseh's Kingdom; which he did with Success.
• c 1.1025

  i. e. He was convinced by his own Experience of Gods Power, Justice, and Goodness, that Jehovah alone was the True God, and not those Idols which he had worshipped, by which he had recei∣ved great Hart and no Good,
• d 1.1026

  He repaired and strengthened that Wall which Hezekiah had built, ch. 32. 5. and which possibly the King of Assyria, when he last took Jerusalem, had caused to be thrown down, either wholly, or in part.
• e 1.1027

  On the West-side of the City of David, to which Hezekiah had brought this Water-course down, chap. 32. 30. into the great Pool which he had made to receive it; and possibly this Wall was built to secure the Free Use of it to the Citizens when they should be distressed or besieged by an Enemy.
• ‖ 1.1028

  〈…〉〈…〉
• f 1.1029

  With a Wall. Of Ophel see before, ch. 27. 3.
• * 1.1030

  〈…〉〈…〉
• g 1.1031

  That thereby he might, as far as he could, repair the Inju∣ries which he had done to God by his Impious Commands, v. 9.
• * 1.1032

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 5. 9.
• h 1.1033

  i. e. Of Judah; oft called Israel, as hath been noted before. He speaks not of that part of the Canon called the Book of Kings, for these things are not mentioned there, but of their Publick Records, where all things were particularly mentioned, and whence the most important things were taken by the Prophets, and put into those Canonical Books.
• ‖ 1.1034

  〈…〉〈…〉
• i 1.1035

  Or rather, of Hosai, a Writer so called. For when the Sa∣cred Pen-men make a Reference, they constantly refer us to some particular Book or certain Author, as to the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel, or Iudah; to the Prophecy of Ahijah, or Oded, &c.
• k 1.1036

  i. e. In his Garden; of which see on 2 King. 21. 18.
• * 1.1037

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 21. 19.
• † 1.1038

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trespass.
• * 1.1039

  2 Kin. 22. •…•…, &c.
• a 1.1040

  Of this Chapter see the Notes on 2 King. 22. & 23.
• b 1.1041

  In the 16th. Year of his Age; when he was entring into the Age and State of Temptations and Youthful Lusts; and had the Administration of his Kingdom wholly in his own Hand and Power, and none to rebuke or restrain him; yet even then he be∣gins to be Religious in good Earnest.
• * 1.1042

  1 Kin 13 2.
• * 1.1043

  Lev. 26. 30. 2 Kin. 23. 4.
• ‖ 1.1044

  Or, sun∣images.
• † 1.1045

  Heb. face of graves.
• * 1.1046

  2 Kin. 23. 20
• c 1.1047

  Which was in the utmost and northern Borders of the King∣dom of Israel. For it must be remembred, that the ten Tribes were now gone into Captivity; and those who were come in their stead were weak and few, and not able to withstand the Power of Josiah.
• ‖ 1.1048

  Or, mauls▪
• † 1.1049

  Heb. to make powder.
• * 1.1050

  2 Kin. 22, 3.
• d 1.1051

  The House of God, called the House by way of Eminency.
• e 1.1052

  i. e. The Levites who had gone abroad through all Josiahs Kingdom to gather Money for this good Use, and now came with it to Jerusalem to lodge it in the Treasuries of the Lords House.
• ‖ 1.1053

  Or, to rafter.
• f 1.1054

  i. e. The Chambers joyning to the Temple or within the Courts.
• g 1.1055

  Or, all these here named, were skilful in Instruments of Mu∣sick. Which may be here mentioned, either to their Commenda∣tion, that they were fit for, and careful and diligent in this Em∣ployment wherewith they were now entrusted, no less than in their own proper Work: Or, to intimate, that as they were skilful, so they were exercised in both their Employments, and did successive∣ly oversee the Work, and praised God with their Voices and In∣struments for his Gracious and Powerful Help in carrying on the Work.
• * 1.1056

  2 Kin. 22. 8, &c.
• † 1.1057

  Heb. by the hand of.
• † 1.1058

  Heb. to the hand of.
• † 1.1059

  Heb. poured out, or, melted.
• † 1.1060

  Heb. in it.
• ‖ 1.1061

  Or, Achbor, 2 Kin. 22. 12.
• ‖ 1.1062

  Or, Har•…•…as, 2 Kin. 22. 14.
• † 1.1063

  Heb. gar∣ments.
• ‖ 1.1064

  Or, in the school, or, in the second part.
• * 1.1065

  •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…3.
• † 1.1066

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• † 1.1067

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.1068

  〈…〉〈…〉
• h 1.1069

  To own, or maintain it, or persist in it, as this phrase is used Deut. 25. 8. He caused them to engage themselves by an Oath or Covenant that they would observe and obey the Laws of God, as his Godly Predecessors had formerly done, and which indeed they were before obliged to do.
• i 1.1070

  They complied with Gods and the Kings Command as to the outward Acts of Gods Worship, though not with an upright heart, as appears by the History.
• † 1.1071

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.1072

  2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 22.
• * 1.1073

  Exod▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• a 1.1074

  Or, and which were holy.
• b 1.1075

  In the Temple: Or, in the Holy of Holies. Whence, it may seem, it had been removed, ei∣ther 1. by some of the Wicked and Idolatrous Kings of Judah, possibly by Josiahs Father Amon; which peradventure may be im∣plied by that expression, ch. 33. 23. Amon trespassed more and more, i. e. more than he or his Father Manasseh had done, which seems to point at some very enormous Crime committed by him. Or, 2. By Josiahs Order, that the Temple might be thoroughly re∣paired both in the Holy place, and in the Most Holy place, which some of the Idolatrous Kings of Judah, it may be, had defaced or defiled; and therefore it was to be searched in order to its Repa∣ration; and to that end it might seem fit to remove the Ark: And upon this Occasion Hilkiah might find the Original Book of the Law which was written by the Hands of Moses, and by Gods Command was laid beside the Ark, and upon the removal of the Ark was easily discovered.
• * 1.1076

  1 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• c 1.1077

  Or, that it might not be a burden, &c. So these words are to be joyned with the former, as the rea∣son why Solomon built this House, that the Ark might have a constant and fixed Habitation, and not need to be carried from place to place upon their Shoulders, as it had been done whilest it was in the Tabernacle. And withal this is mentioned as an Argu∣ment to quicken them to the more diligent Service of God in their present work, because they were freed from that troublesome part of their Office which lay upon their Forefathers.
• * 1.1078

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. •…•…. 10.
• * 1.1079

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.1080

  〈…〉〈…〉
• d 1.1081

  Or, minister, as that word is frequently used.
• e 1.1082

  i. e. In the Court of the Priests, which is so called elsewhere, as hath been noted before.
• † 1.1083

  〈…〉〈…〉
• ‖ 1.1084

  〈…〉〈…〉
• † 1.1085

  〈…〉〈…〉
• f 1.1086

  i. e. According to the several Families both of the People, whom he calls their Brethren, lest they should de∣spise them or grudge to serve them, and of the Levites. For the Passover was to be eaten by the several Families according to their numbers, Exod. 12. 3. And therefore he commands these persons, that when the Paschal Lambs were brought to them to be killed, as they were, v. 7, 8, 9. they might so order the matter, that they might be distributed to the several Families, whether of the Levi∣tical or other Tribes.
• * 1.1087

  〈…〉〈…〉
• g 1.1088

  By purifying them and quickning them to fit themselves for so great and solemn a Work.
• † 1.1089

  〈…〉〈…〉
• h 1.1090

  For either of these might be used for the Paschal-offering, Exod. 12. 5.
• i 1.1091

  Which were to be offered after the Lambs upon the several days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
• k 1.1092

  Not the Political, but Ecclesiastical Princes, or the Chief of the Priests and Levites, whose Names here follow.
• † 1.1093

  〈…〉〈…〉
• l 1.1094

  For the use of any of the Families of any of them as need should be. For they supposed the 30000 which the King had given were not suf∣ficient for all the Families, Or, the King gave his Cattel to the People onely or principally, for they onely are mentioned for that Gift, v. 7. And therefore these persons here named give their Cattel not onely to the People, but also to the Priests and to the Levites, as it is here expressed. And the Levites being not yet sufficiently provided for, some of their Brethren named v. 9. gave 5000 more peculiarly unto the Levites, as is there said.
• m 1.1095

  For so they were; Hilkiah being the High-priest, and the other the two Chief Priests of the two Lines of Eleazar and Ithamar, who many times were to officiate in the High-priests stead, and were in Power and Dig∣nity next to him; and were in some sort joynt-commissioners with him in ruling the Affairs of the Temple.
• † 1.1096

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.1097

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ •…•…9.
• n 1.1098

  Which they did, though properly it belonged to the Priests, because the Priests, who were sanctified, were not sufficient for that Work, there being so many thousands of the Cattel; and they were fully employed in the killing of the Sacrifices and the sprinkling of the Blood, which was more properly the Priests work than the other.
• o 1.1099

  i. e. Those Cattel which were to be offered for Burnt-offerings, to wit, some of the lesser Cattel: for these also might be offered as burnt-offerings. Levit. 1. 10. And hence it may seem that all these small Cattel were not given to the People to be eaten by them for their Paschal-lambs, but that some of them were to be offered as burnt-offerings for the People. And these they put apart by themselves, partly lest they should be confounded with them which were for another use; and partly, that they might not be hindred from that which was their present and more immediate work, as it follows, that they might give, To wit, the Paschal-lambs or Kids.
• p 1.1100

  These words may belong either 1. to the more remote words, the burnt-offerings, the other words being to be put within a Parenthesis, or there being a trajection in the words, which is frequent in Scripture, and which is here observed by some learned Interpreters. Or, 2. to the last words, and to the Paschal-lambs, which they were first to be offered to the Lord, by Killing them and sprinkling the Blood, as was noted before, and then to be given to the People; though the giving be here mentioned before the offering; such transpositions being usual in Scripture and other Au∣thors.
• * 1.1101

  Lev. 3. 3.
• q 1.1102

  To wit, as they did with the lesser Cattel, of which see the first Note on this Verse. They removed those Oxen which were to be offered as Burnt-offerings, from those which were to be offered as Peace▪ offerings.
• * 1.1103

  Exod. 12. 8, 9.
• r 1.1104

  Those from which the Burnt-offerings were removed, v. 12. to wit, the Peace-offerings, part of which fell to the share of the Offerer, who was Josiah, and by his Gift to the People.
• † 1.1105

  Heb. made them run.
• s 1.1106

  To wit, the Paschal-lambs, and their part of the Peace-of∣ferings.
• † 1.1107

  Heb. station.
• * 1.1108

  1 Chr. 25. 1•…•… &c.
• * 1.1109

  1 Chr. 9. 17, 18. & 26. 14▪ &c.
• † 1.1110

  Heb. found.
• * 1.1111

  2 Kin. 23. 22.
• * 1.1112

  2 Kin. 23. 2•…•…. Jer. 46. 2.
• † 1.1113

  Heb. house
• t 1.1114

  When he and his People hoped that God was reconciled and the Foundation of a solid and lasting Happiness was laid, their Hopes were quickly blasted. So much are men oft mistaken in their Judgments about the Designs of Gods Counsel and Provi∣dence.
• u 1.1115

  Which the Assyrian had lately taken from the King of Egypt; of which he boasts, Isa. 10. 9.
• † 1.1116

  Heb. the house of my war.
• x 1.1117

  Heb. against the house or family of my war; i. e. Against the House of the King of Assyria, between whom and me there is War.
• y 1.1118

  Either his False God by their lying Priests: Or the True God either 1. by some Prophet: For Gods Prophets used some∣times to deliver or send Commands from God to Heathen Kings. Though it is not probable either that Pharaoh would regard the Command of the True God: Or that a Prophet of the Lord would not acquaint Josiah with this Message: Or that Josiah would op∣pose Pharaoh in a War undertaken by Gods Command. Or ra∣ther 2 by a Dream, as God spoke to another Heathen King, A∣bimelech, Gen. 20. 3. Though it is not impossible that he pre∣tended this for his own Advantage, that Josiah might not assist his Enemies.
• z 1.1119

  Being peradventure incouraged to do so by a Misinterpretation of that Promise made to him, ch. 34. 28. Thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace. Thus God over-rules the Errours and Miscar∣riages of Men to the Accomplishment of his own Counsels.
• * 1.1120

  So 1 Kin. 22. •…•…0.
• a 1.1121

  Changed his Habit, that he might not give his Enemies the Advantage of aiming at his Person, which he wisely thought they would do, that being a likely Course to end their Trouble, as in∣deed it proved.
• b 1.1122

  Either 1. which Pharaoh sent to him in the Name of God or as coming from Gods Mouth. Or rather 2. which Pharaoh received from the Mouth of God, who was pleased some way or other to impart his Mind to him; and which Pharaoh acquainted him with by the Command of God. And therefore Josiah is here blamed for not hearkening to this Message. Although if he sinned herein, it was onely a Sin of Ignorance, for he did not know that God had spoken this to Pharaoh, and was not bound to believe his Testimony, which he had good reason to sus∣pect in this matter. Yet, methinks, he ought so far to have re∣garded it, as to have enquired the Mind of God about it; which he neglected to do, and therefore he cannot be wholly excused, and is here taxed for it.
• † 1.1123

  Heb. made sick.
• ‖ 1.1124

  Or, among the sepulehres.
• * 1.1125

  Zech. 12. 11.
• c 1.1126

  In all their succeeding Lamentations for their publick Cala∣mities, and for the ruine of their City, and Temple, and State, and Church, they remembred Josiahs death as their first and most fatal Blow, and as that which opened the Flood-gates to all their following Miseries, and it was ordained that they should do, as the next words intimate.
• d 1.1127

  Either in that Canonical Book of Jere∣mies Lamentations or in some other Volume of mournful Ditties made by divers Persons upon occasion of their following Calami∣ties, which is since lost.
• † 1.1128

  Heb. kind∣nesses. Ch. 32. 32.
• e 1.1129

  Either 1. his Piety towards God and his House. Or 2 his Penignity, Clemency, and Kindness towards all his Subjects, being of 2 most tender Disposition and Carriage both towards God, ch. 34. 27. and towards Men. But the former seems principally in∣tended because it best agrees both with the History of Josiah, which is wholly taken up with the former, and speaks little or nothing of the latter, and with the following words; and it doth not dis∣agree with the Hebrew word hesed, which though it doth most fre∣quently express kindness to Men, yet sometimes it notes a Mans Piety to God and his House, as is manifest from, Nehem. 13. 14.
• * 1.1130

  2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c.
• a 1.1131

  The Contents of this Chapter for the Substance of them are explained in the Notes upon 2 Kings ch. 23. 31, &c. & 24. & 25. what is peculiar to it shall be here opened so far as is necessary.
• † 1.1132

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• † 1.1133

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.1134

  2 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ‖ 1.1135

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.1136

  2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• b 1.1137

  That Crime of Rebellion against the King of Babylon, which for a time he kept in his own Breast, but when he saw fit▪ he dis∣covered it and was convicted of it. See 2 King. 24. 1.
• ‖ 1.1138

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Jer. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.1139

  2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• c 1.1140

  Of which see the Notes upon 2 King. 24. 8. where he is said to be 18 years old.
• † 1.1141

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• d 1.1142

  Heb. At the return of the year, i. e. At the beginning of the next year according to the Sacred Account of the Hebrews, at the Spring of the Year, the time when Kings go forth to Battel, as is elsewhere said, when Nebuchadnezzar, among others, went forth to settle and enlarge his Conquests.
• † 1.1143

  Heb 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ‖ 1.1144

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1•…•….
• * 1.1145

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• e 1.1146

  Largely so called, for this was his Uncle or his Fathers Brother, as he is called 2 King. 24. 17. being the Son of Josiah. See 1 Chron. 3. 15. Ier. 1. 3.
• * 1.1147

  •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Jer. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• f 1.1148

  By Repentance for his past Errours and Obedience to Gods ex∣press Commands, which he would not yield to thorough the Pride of his Heart, as is intimated by this Phrase, and expressed, Jer. 38. 19.
• g 1.1149

  Who had required and forced him to swear Fealty and con∣stant Obedience to him by the True God whom he served▪ and whom he called upon to be a Witness against him if he broke his Oath. So his Rebellion was aggravated with Perjury and horrid Contempt of God. Compare Ezek. 17. 18.
• h 1.1150

  i. e. He added Obstinacy and Incorrigibleness to his Sins.
• i 1.1151

  They were universally corrupt▪ and therefore God justly brought upon them a general Destruction.
• * 1.1152

  〈…〉〈…〉
• k 1.1153

  i. e. Sending them early and diligently, as a careful House∣holder who riseth betimes about his Business, and pursues it till Night come. God sent them many Prophets and Messages, some at the very beginning of their Apostacy, and others afterward as they proceeded in their Impiety until the very day of their Cap∣tivity.
• l 1.1154

  Of which see Instances, Ezek. 11. 3. & 20. 49.
• m 1.1155

  Imprison∣ing and persecuting them as they did Jeremy. Or, seduced them∣selves by his Prophets, i. e. By their Prophecies, which they per∣verted or misconstrued. An Eminent Instance we have in this, That because Jeremy prophesied that Zedekiah should be led to Babylon, Ier. 32. 5. and Ezekiel, that he should not see Babylon, E∣zek. 12. 13. Therefore they believed neither, as the Hebrew Wri∣ters relate.
• † 1.1156

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• n 1.1157

  Because the People would not repent, and God would not pardon them.
• * 1.1158

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• o 1.1159

  Either in Jerusalem, which was the dwelling place of Gods Sanctuary: Or, in the house which was their Sanctuary; as the River of Euphrates, Gen. 15. 18. is the River, which is Euphrates. It is probable they killed them in the very Courts and House of God, to which some of them fled for Refuge, such places being esteemed Sacred and Inviolable by the Heathens themselves.
• † 1.1160

  Heb. the re∣mainder from the sword.
• * 1.1161

  Jer. 25 9, 12▪ & 26. 6, 7. & 29. 10.
• * 1.1162

  Lev. 26. 34▪ 35, 43.
• ‖ 1.1163

  Or, accepted.
• p 1.1164

  i. e. Had rested from the labour of the Husbandmen in plow∣ing and harrowing it, &c. the People that should have managed it being destroyed. Of the Phrase see the Notes on Levit. 25. 2.
• q 1.1165

  That so the 70 years Captivity prophesied of by Jeremiah, might be accomplished.
• * 1.1166

  Ezr. 1. 1.
• r 1.1167

  This, and the next verse, are repeated in the beginning of the next Book, where they will be more fitly explained.
• * 1.1168

  Jer. 25. 12, 13. & 29, 10▪