Annotations upon the remaining historicall part of the Old Testament. The second part. to wit, the books of Joshua, Judges, the two books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, and the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther : wherein first, all such passages in the text are explained as were thought likely to be questioned by any reader of ordinary capacity : secondly, in many clauses those things are discovered which are needfull and usefull to be known ... and thirdly, many places that might at first seem to contradict one another are reconciled ... / by Arthur Jackson.

CHAP. VIII.

Vers. 1. ANd it came to passe when Samuel was old, that he made his sonnes judges over Israel.] To wit, as his deputies and substitutes, being through age unable to go through the land to judge the people, as formerly he had done, he appointed his sonnes to judge the people in some part of the land in his stead, and that happely not without Gods permission and consent.

Vers. 2. Now the name of his first-born was Joel.] Who was also called Vash∣ni, 1 Chron. 6.28.

They were judges in Beersheba.] Though they exercised authority, and power of Judges over all the people, at least in those parts, and went happely in their circuits as their father had done; yet there they dwelt, as their father did in Ramah, and there most an end they judged the people: and that it may be purposely, either be∣cause that town was in the utmost southpart of the land, the furthest off from Ra∣mah, from whence it was most trouble for the people to come to Samuel in Ramah; or because it bordered close upon the land of the Philistines, over whom they might the better keep a vigilant eye.

Vers. 3. And his sonnes walked not in his wayes, but turned aside after lucre.] Not onely the singular piety of Samuel, but also the experience he had of Gods se∣verity against Eli for his indulgence to his children, may well induce us to think that he did what he could to train up his sonnes in the wayes of righteousnesse, nor can we indeed think that he would have entrusted them with the subordinate power of governing the people under him, had they not to that time behaved themselves well, and given hope of managing the trust well that was committed to them; but being advanced to these places of dignity and power, it seems they soon degenerated, and proved the occasion of much mischief to the commonwealth.

Vers. 5. Behold, thou art old, and thy sonnes walk not in thy wayes: now make us a King, &c.] They expressely pretend onely Samuels age, and his sonnes wic∣kednesse, as the reasons why they desired a King; but there were other things that did chiefly move them in this attempt; to wit, first, their fear of the great preparati∣ons which they perceived Nahash the king of the children of Ammon made against them; whereupon as men not having any confidence in Gods protection, they fly to other devices, and pi••ch upon this of making them a king chap. 12.12. And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay▪ but a king shall reigne over us; and secondly, an ambitious affectation of being like other nations; by turning their government into an absolute Monar∣chy, which is implyed in their last words, Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But though they were resolved to have a king, yet they referre the choice of him that should reigne over them to the Lord (for they came to Samuel as a Prophet that might enquire in this businesse of God) and that no doubt as pretend∣ing respect to that which was written in their Law; Deut. 17.14, 15. When th•••• art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possesse it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that

are about me: Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee whom the Lord thy God shall choose.

Vers. 6. But the thing displeased Samuel, &c.] It could not but greive him, that the people, of whom he had deserved so well, should thus unthankfully shake off his government; but the cheif thing that troubled him, was because he knew their desire was sinfull, and would be displeasing to God: and therefore that clause is added, that Samuel prayed unto the Lord, that is, he prayed him to forgive this their sinne, to help in this danger, and to direct him what course he should take with them.

Vers. 7. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee.] Thus God yields to their desire, but in his anger, Hosea 13.11.

For they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reigne over them.] That is, For they have rejected me rather then thee: we have the like phrase in many places of Scripture, as Matth. 10.20. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your father which speaketh in you: It is the spirit of your fa∣ther rather then you that speaks: Hos. 6.6. For I desired mercie and not sacrifice; that is, mercie rather then sacrifice: Acts 5.4. Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God; that is, unto God rather then men. And this God saith, first, because they cast off that government which God had established amongst them: for though God had a purpose to erect a regall throne amongst them, and to give them Kings out of whose seed the Messiah should come; and now made use of their inordinate desire to accomplish his own purpose: (as usually he doth turn the evil actions of men to a good end) yea though he had partly made known this to his people; Gen. 17.6. And I will make thee exceeding fruitfull, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee; and 49.10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a law-giver from between his feet, untill Shiloh come: Deut. 17.18. And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdome, that he shall write him a copie of this law in a book: yet they should have waited Gods leisure; nei∣ther was it therefore lawfull to make an innovation in the government, without any direction from the Lord; especially in such a sinfull manner, out of a distrustfull fear, and proud affectation to be therein like all other nations; as is noted before upon Deut. 17.14. secondly, because though God do govern by kings also, Prov. 8.15, 16. By me Kings reigne, and Princes decree justice, By me Princes rule, and Nobles; even all the Judges of the earth: yet his government was more immediate which he now exercised over them by Judges; both because they were extraordina∣rily raised up of God, and because they had not that absolute power which kings usually have, but judge them chiefly by making known to them the will of God; and to that end did often enquire of the Lord in difficult cases: see Judg. 8.23. And thus the Lord shews Samuel, first, the grievousnesse of their sinne, and that this moved him in his displeasure to yield them their desire: and secondly, he sought to prevent the wonder and indignation of Samuel; for why? they dealt no otherwise with him, then with the Lord himself; as Christ saith to his disciples, Matt. 10.24, ••5. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his Lord. It is ••nough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord: If they have called the Master of the house Beel-zebub, how much more shall they call them of his houshold?

Vers. 9. Howbeit, yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reigne over them.] Samuel is not here enjoyned to shew them what power, right and authoritie their king must have over them; but what would be the manner of their kings dealing with them; and this he is appointed to tell them beforehand▪ that either they might be perswaded to desist from their enter∣prize; or that they might be left inexcusable, and onely condemne themselves when these miseries befell them.

Vers. 11. He will take your sonnes, and appoint them for himself, for his cha∣riots, &c.] That princes may make use of the subjects that live under their com∣mand both in the services of warre and peace, cannot be questioned; nor yet that the subjects may be legally compelled to yield obedience in this kind if they should refuse; but the oppression which is here threatned is, that he should deal with them herein, as tyrants with slaves, not freeborn subjects, forcing children from their pa∣rents many times, without affording them any equall recompence; and that to em∣ploy them causelessely, onely to satisfie his pleasure in the basest drudgerie and most perillous employments. And how soon the Israelites began to feel these grievances under their kings, we may see by that which is said of Solomon, 1. Kings 12.4. Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

Vers. 12. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties, and will set them to eare his ground, &c.] These were honourable offices to them that enjoyed them, but they were burdensome to the people, who must be heavily taxed to maintain them; and threatned all severe rigour to those drudges and labour∣ers, over whom happely they were set as overseers.

Vers. 22. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his citie.] That is, he undertook to satisfie their desire, and so brake up the assembly, till the Lord had revealed his will; and so it might be known what course they should take to provide them a king.