Vers. 5. And the Lord spake yet a∣gaine vnto me, saying,
6. Because this people hath refused the waters of Shiloah which runne softly, and reioyce with Rezin, and the sonne of Remaliah.
TO the end Achaz should not waxe secure, nor rest himselfe vpon a vaine hope, the Prophet suddenly breakes off his speech tou∣ching the common saluation of the faithfull, and doth againe set the threatnings and chastisements before the vnbeleeuers. Some thinke that hee speakes here against those which onely sought after newes: as indeede it comes to passe, that the common people for the most part are not contented with the present state, but desire to heare of a new King. And that often happens to manie, which wee see befall those that are sicke; namely, they hope to be better, when they haue changed their place. The wills of men are so peruerse, that when things fall not out as they would, they looke after nothing but a change in the state, greedily pursuing after tidings therof, thinking to receiue some reliefe by it. But I thinke the meaning of the Prophet is to be stretched further, and is not to be referred only to those who asked after a change: but that it is rather a generall speech comprehending all estates: for im∣pietie, and the contempt of God had almost ouergrowne the whole land.
He speakes not then of any small number or of a particular faction; but of the whole assemblie of the people: and seeing they were almost all of them degenerate, he very iustlie reprooues them all. I confesse indeede that he excepts a little remnant of the faithfull, of whom he will make mention by and by. Now the offence is, that the people distru∣sting their owne weakenesse, desired grea∣ter riches and forces. He saith then, that they despised the waters of Shiloah, because the Iewes made no reckoning thereof, and were discontented with their owne estate. He ads, that they delighted to looke to Rezin. Others translate, with Rezin: but the particle, to ex∣presseth their peruerse desire better. His mea∣ning then is to say, that the Iewes seeing themselues destitute of great garisons, loo∣ked vnto others, and longed for the riches of the kingdome of Israel. For when they con∣sidered their pouertie and weake estate they trembled, and trusted not in God at all; but only in outward helpes. They thought they should be in great safetie, if they could ob∣taine a Prince equall in power to the King of Israel. Thus they reioyced in other mens ri∣ches; and desired them.