CHAP. XVIII.
Verse 1. PLaines] O. Oak-grove.
of Mamre,] Ch. 13. 18. 14. 13. 23. 19.
V. 2. Three men] So▪ in his thought, and in appearance. But thus he entertained Angels at unawares, Heb. 13. 2. But one of them is called Jehova, 13, 14, 17, 20, 22. And after Abraham so acknowledgeth him, v. 25, 27. The o∣ther two were created Angels, Ch 19. 1.
V. 3. Lord] Speakes to one of them, in shew, the chief.
V. 6. Three measures] Jewes write that their measure, which they call Seah, the Greeks Saton, containes as much as one hundred fourty foure Hens egges, about two gallons and 1/2 of our measure, three of these measures make an Ephah, containing about seven gallons, and 1/2
V. 8. And they did eate] Ch. 19. 3. They had true bo∣dies for the time, and did truly eate. Though a Spirit hath not flesh and bones. Luke 24. 39. yet Spirits may, and by Gods dispensation sometimes do assume humane bo∣dies.
V. 9. Where is Sarah thy wife] Thus they begin to manifest themselves to be more then men.
V. 10. He said] Jehova, v. 13.
returne] Not by apparition again, but by performance of promise, ch. 21. 1.
according to the time of life] From this time, according as the time of life is between conception and birth; so many moneths as a woman goes with childe, Rom. 9. 9. This Promise argued more then men.
V. 11. After the manner of women] Rom 4. 19. Heb. 11. 11.
V. 12. Laughed] Not as Abraham, ch. 17. 17. but through weaknesse of saith, and therefore it is reproved, v. 13. yet commended, Heb. 11. 11. after sure she did better recollect her self, Luk. 1 45. after she laughed for joy, ch. 21. 6.
within her self] Not outwardly and openly, which hap∣ly made her the more readily deny it.
V. 13. And the Lord said] Jehova said, Christ, so, v. 17. He knew her thoughts themselves.
f••ying, shall I, &c] She used, if not the very same words, yet to the same sense.
V. 15. Denied, for she was afraid] Weaknesses and fail∣ings in Saints.
V. 16. Toward Sodom] As going thither, the two An∣gels did so, ch. 19. 1.
V. 17. Shall I hide] Amos 3. 7. Joh. 15. 15. Abraham a Prophet, ch. 20 7. and a friend, 2 Chron. 20. 7.
V. 19. He will command] Duty of Parents, and Masters of families, and example to them, Gen. 28. 1. Deut 6. 7. 11. 10. 32. 46. Job 1. 5. Prov. 6. 20.
V. 20. Sodom and Gomorrah] Admah and Zeboim, Deut. 29. 23. Hos. 11. 8.
V. 21. I will go down and see] God speaks after the man∣ner of men, as, ch. 11. 5, 7.
V. 22. And the men] Two of the three, ch. 19. 1.
stood yet before the Lord] Jehovah. This Abraham now knew.
V. 23. Drew near] A signe and fruit of saith in prayer, Heb. 7. 19. 10. 22.
V. 24. Within the City] Implying the like for the other three Cities.
V. 25. That be far from thee] That the righteous should be as the wicked, taken away in justice, wrath and venge∣ance, as the wicked Sodomites here were; though in pub∣lick calamities they are sometimes taken away, as the wheat is thrashed with the chaffe, yet it is in mercy to them.
V. 32. Ten] Jer. 5. 1. God offers mercy if there were but one, Esay 65. 8. sometimes again he forbids his Pro∣phets to pray for such, Jer 15. 1. Ezech. 14. 14.