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Azzah shall be farsaken, and Ashkelon desolate: they shall driue out Ashdod at the noone day, and Ekron shall be rooted vp.
* 1.1THirdly he doth terrify, or make the Iewes afraid by sundry ex∣amples, that at the leastwise they may learne to be wise by the example of others, and to feare the iudgments of God. There∣fore first of all he alleageth vnto them the example of the Philis∣tines, a people bordering vpon them toward the West, whom God will destroy for their wickednes, albeit they seemed neuer so migh∣ty, and wealthy, and strong a people. And these things doth God rehearse both for that he would recall those which were his vnto better thrift by al meanes possible: and also because that same ouerthrow of the Philistines should go before that of the Iewes, as it also fell out Ierem. 47. that the Iewes as it were by this token or signe might vnderstand also that the iudgements threatned vnto them, did presently hang ouer their owne heades. And therefore that they should then at leastwise repent, that is, they should both besory for their sinnes, and also conuert or turne vnto God.* 1.2 And that he may the rather moue them, he doth by a certaine Hypoty∣posis or liuely description seuerally in this place reckon vp the cities of the Philistines, which were to be destroyed, and by a notable al∣lusion & resemblance vnto the names of euery one of them, shew∣eth what should particularly come to passe, and fall out vnto them. And of Ashdod he saith especially, that it shall come to passe that they of Ashdod shall be caried away, and driuen out of their seates, and led away by their enemies at noone day, that is, in the sight of all men, and when as the iourney shall be most hard and painfull, by reason of the heat and parching of the Sunne.