An exposition of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah by the endeavours of W. Day ...

SEnd ye the Lamb to the Ruler of the Land, &c.] For the under∣standing of this place, we must know, that Da∣vid made warre upon the Mo∣abites, and over∣came them, he put two parts of them to the sword, and one part of them he spared, up∣on this condition, that they should become his servants, and acknowledge him for their Lord, and pay him a yearely Tribute, 2 Sam. 8.2. This Tribute was yearely to be an hundred thousand Lambes, and an hundred thousand Ramms with the wooll, 2 Kings, 3.4. Now when the Kingdome of David, was rent in twaine, in the dayes of Rehobo∣am his grand-child, the Moabites payd this Tribute to the Kings of Israel, as having the greater part of that divided Kingdome and therefore being the strongest, as they thought: And the payment thereof they continued untill the dayes of Ahaz, 2 Kings 3.4. But now the Prophet adviseth them to pay this Tribute to Hezekiah, as due to him (he being of the lineage of David, and his right Heire) and so much the rather, because now the Kingdome of Israel, was utterly ruined by Salmaneser, but the Kingdome of Judah did increase in power and strength, and flourish under Hezekiah.

Send ye the Lamb.] q. d. O ye Moabites, send ye the Tribute of Lambes, and of Ramms, which ye owe to David and his Successours.

He speakes here to the Moabites. And

by the Lamb he meaneth the Lambes, put∣ting a Singular number for a Plurall: And by the Lambes he meaneth, the whole Tri∣bute of Lambs and Ramms, which the Mo∣abites owed to David and his Successours, (by a Synechdoche) by part of the Tribute understanding the whole.

To the Ruler of the Land.] i. e. To He∣zekiah King of Judah, who is the Supream Lord of your Land, and so your Lord.

By the Land, he meaneth the Land in which they lived, that is, the Land of Mo∣ab.

But how could Hezekiah be called the Ruler or Lord of the Land of Moab?

Answer, Because he was the right Heire of David. For because he was the right Heir of David, he was by right of Inheri∣tance, Lord and Ruler of the Land of Mo∣ab. For the Moabites covenanted with Da∣vid to be his Servants, (and by consequence the Servants of his Heires and lawfull Suc∣cessours) 2 Sam. 8.2. And if they cove∣nanted to be his Servants, then was he, by consequence, their Lord.

From Sala to the wildernesse.] These words depend upon the Pronoune, Ye; So that the sence of the words, and order thereof is this. O ye Moabites, Supple, which dwell from Sala to the wilderness, send ye the Lambs to the Ruler of the Land.

Sala was a City scituate on the South, and the wildernesse here mentioned, was a wildernesse lying on the North of the Land of Moab, (the west part of which wilder∣nesse bordered upon Jordan) these there∣fore were two of the bounds of that Land: And by these two bounds the whole Land of Moab is to be understood.

Ʋnto the Mount of the daughter of Sion.] i. e. To Hierusalem which is the head City of the Kingdome of Judah, and where is the Throne of David, and Pallace of Heze∣kiah.

By the Mount of the daughter of Sion he meaneth Hierusalem, see Chap. 1. vers. 8.

These words, Ʋnto the Mount of the Daughter of Sion, depend upon the word, send, q. d. Send ye the Lambs unto the Mount of the Daughter of Sion.

When he bids them send the Lambs to the Ruler of the Land, he tells them the Person to whom, and when he bids them send them to the Mount of the Daughter of Sion: He tells them the Place whether they should send them.