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. IX.

Vers. 1. ANd Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, &c.] That is, prepare thy self, and go with speed: the excution that was to be done by Jehu upon the house of Ahab was to be dispatched presently, whilest Jehu had the army with him at Ramoth Gi∣lead, and Jehoram was gone from thence to Jezreel: and therefore the prophet that was to give him his commission, was sent with such speed: which may also be the rea∣son why aged Elisha went not himself, but sent one of the younger prophets.

Vers. 2. And make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an ••••nner chamber.] The message sent by this prophet to Jehu, was to be delivered thus secretly, first, that the prophet might do it without danger or fear: and secondly, that which was to be done by Jehu, might be done before there was any notice ta∣ken

of it by any body that should endeavour to prevent it, and therefore he was enjoyned to call him out from among his brethren; that is, his fellow captains, and to withdraw him into an inner chamber.

Vers. 3. Then take the box of oyl, and poure it on his head, &c.] See the note 1. Kings 19.15, 16. As for that following clause, then open the doore, and flee, and tarry not, that is added to prevent any delay, by the captains propounding any que∣stions to him, when he came out from anointing Jehu.

Vers. 4. So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead, &c.] The doubling of this word, the young man, seems to hold forth this as observable, that though the service was perillous, and the prophet but a young man that was sent about it, yet he performed it exactly and boldly.

Vers. 9. And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam, &c.] These former presidents of Gods dealing with Jeroboam and Baasha are alledged; first, to discover the more fully, with what severity God would wholly root out his posterity: secondly, to assure him the better that it should be so, by calling to mind Gods dealing with others before him in the like manner: and thirdly, to in∣timate to Jehu, what he might likewise expect if he were not more carefull to walk in the wayes of Gods commandments.

Vers. 11. And one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fel∣low to thee?] Perhaps the troubled thoughts of Jehu were discerned in his coun∣tenance: however his fellow captains might easily gu••sse that a prophet (for such it seems they knew him to be, perhaps by his habit) coming in such haste with an er∣rand so secretly delivered, there was somewhat of importance in it: and therefore they enquire of him, whether all were well. And yet withall these Baalitish Russians cannot mention the prophet of God without a flout, wherefore came this mad fel∣low hither? for such the prophets were in those dayes esteemed, because they plea∣ded inspiration from God, and spake and did sometimes what such carnall wretches thought none but mad men would speak or do, Jerem. 29.26. and Hos. 9.7.

And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.] As not be∣ing able to resolve on such a sudden, whether it would be safe for him to discover what the prophet had said to him, he gives them at first an uncertain answer, Ye know the man, and his communication; that is, you know him to be a prophet, and by the man you may guesse at his errand, and that what he sayes is from the Lord: or, a mad man indeed he is as you rightly guessed, and therefore it is no great mat∣ter what he said.

Vers. 12. And they said, It is false, tell us now.] Hereby they give Jehu to understand that they knew him not, nor could guesse at his errand; or rather, that they knew he came about some extraordinary businesse, which therefore they would have him truly to discover to them.

And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, &c.] Being overcome by their im∣portunity, and withall considering of what importance their aid might be to effect what was spoken, he resolved to put it to the venture, and told them exactly all that the prophet had said to him.

Vers. 13. Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, &c.] Great houses have usually an ascent of staires

of the court into the first rooms, there (or else on some scaffold to which there was an ascent, and which they used at other times for some other occasions, (as happely, from thence to make proclamation or speeches in the hearing of the people) in stead of a throne, they set him on their garments laid on a heap; or else on something whereon he might be raised aloft in the sight of the souldiers, they spread their garments, so trimming it up by way of honouring him, and to signifie their sub∣jection to him, and their readinesse to imploy all that they had for the advancement of his kingdome (as in the like respect, we see the people spread their garments in the way, as Christ rode in triumph into Jerusalem, Matth. 21.8.) and so having done this, they proclaimed him king: Nor need we wonder, that the greatest num∣ber of the captains should thus suddenly joyn with Jehu against Joram their king, and that upon the word of one, whom by way of derision they had erewhile termed a mad fellow: for first, it may well be that the house of Ahab was at this time odious to all, for their horrible wickednesse: secondly, Jehu was now, it seems, commander in chief over the army in Ramoth Gilead, and so highly estee∣med amongst the captains and souldiers: thirdly, when they compared that which was spoken by this prophet, who had now anointed Jehu, with that which it was well known Elijah had prophecyed concerning the utter extirpation of Ahabs po∣sterity, this might much prevail with them: and fourthly, there was doubtlesse a speciall hand of God inclining them to the speedy furtherance of that which he had determined should be done.

Vers. 14. Now Joram had kept Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria, &c.] That Ramoth Gilead was a little before this in the possession of the Syrians, is evident, chap. 8.28. where it is said that Ahaziah king of Judah went with Joram the sonne of Ahab, against Hazael king of Syria in Ra∣moth Gilead: again, that Joram did in this expedition winne Ramoth Gilead from the Syrians, is evident in this place, where it is said, that Joram kept Ramoth Gile∣ad, and verse 15. where Jehu adviseth the captains, not to suffer any man to go out of the city: It seems therefore, that when they had taken the town, though Joram went away to Jezreel to be healed of his wounds: (which was a great advantage for the furtherance of Jehues advancement amongst the souldiers, and is therefore here mentioned) yet he left his army behind him in Ramoth Gilead, either because he feared lest Hazael should come with some forces to recover Ramoth Gilead a∣gain out of his hands, and therefore it is said here, that Joram kept Ramoth Gilead, because of Hazael; or else rather, because though they had taken the town, yet there was some fort or castle which the Syrians still held, and for the gaining thereof Jehu and the army was left in Ramoth Gilead.

Vers. 16. So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel, for Joram lay there, and Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram.] This is added both to clear the following story, and withall to imply, what state and jollity there was in Ahabs court, when God wrought so great a change: doubtlesse the house of Ahab since the revolt of Moab, was never in a more flourishing condition: there were seventy princes of the bloud royall at this time in Samaria, as many Expositours ga∣ther from that, chap. 10.7. And it came to passe, when the letter came to them, that they took the kings sonnes and slew seventy persons: Joram had by valiant fight

recovered Ramoth Gilead from the Syrians, (which his father had attempted in vain) and was indifferently recovered of the wounds he had there received. The king of Ju∣dah was come thither to visit him, and fourty princes of his bloud were expected, cha. 10.13. for whose entertainment at a time of such rejoycing, no doubt both Joram and Jezebel made great preparations; and yet behold in the midst of this security, Eli∣ahs prophecy that was now forgotten, shall be fulfilled in their ruine.

Vers. 17. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace?] As fearing that some disaster had happened at Ramoth Gilead.

Vers. 18. And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me.] He would not suffer the messenger to return, lest Joram being warned by him, should escape by flight, or arm himself for resistance; and therefore he wills the messenger not to talk of peace for Joram, but to follow him; as knowing, that it was in vain for him to attempt to fly back, when he commanded him to stay.

Vers. 20. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the sonne of Nimshi.] That is, the grandchild of Nimshi: for he was the sonne of Jehoshaphat, who was the sonne of Nimshi, ver. 2.

Vers. 21. And Joram king of Israel, and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, &c.] It was strange that neither of these kings should apprehend that they were e∣nemies that were descried, when they perceived that they detained the messengers that were sent to know who they were: but thus we usually find men infatuated whom God intends to destroy.

Vers. 22. And it came to passe when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace Jehu?] As if he had said, What is the cause of this thy unexpected coming hither? have ye taken the strong hold, which the Syrians held in Ramoth Gilead, by assault or composition? or have the Assyrians come upon you, and put you to flight? or what is the matter that ye are so suddenly come hither, and in so great haste?

And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredomes of thy mother Jeze∣bel, and her witchcrafts are so many?] Idolatry is often in the Scripture called whore∣dome, Deut. 31.16. And this people will rise up and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land whither they go to be among them; and Levit. 20.5. And I will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredome with Molech: and mens inveigling or compelling others to partake with them in their idolatry, is called witchcraft; because as harlots were wont with their enchan∣ted cups and love-potions, to make men dote upon them; so these great ones that were idolaters did by their flatteries and threatnings winne others to their spirituall fornication: whence it is that in these very terms the idolatry of Nineveh in Na∣hums prophecy, is said to be the cause of her approaching misery, chap. 3.4. Be∣cause of the multitude of the whoredomes of the well favoured harlot, the mistres•••• of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredomes, and families throug•• her witchcrafts: and these, no doubt, are principally the whoredomes and witchcraft•• wherewith Jezebel is here charged by Jehu, though withall it may well be that sh•• was guilty (as Idolaters use to be) of whoredome and witchcrafts in the ordinar•• sense, and so Jehu used such expressions as might comprehend both the one an•• the other.

Vers. 24. And smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at h••••

heart.] That is, he shot the arrow and smote him betwixt his shoulders, as he was flying away, so that it went out at his brest through his heart.

Vers. 25. When I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the Lord laid this burden upon him, &c.] To wit, that dogs should lick the bloud of Ahab in the place where they had licked the bloud of Naboth, 1 Kings 21.19. concerning which see the note there. Now such prophecies as this that contained threatnings and curses, were usually called burdens, because the evil therein threatned was like to fall hea∣vie upon those against whom they were denounced, as is evident, Isa. 13.1. and so in many other places.

Vers. 27. But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house, &c.] To wit, choosing that as a secret way, though he fled to∣ward Jezreel, yet he durst not enter the city, but in the suburbs, where their garden-houses were, he turned aside into some by way, hoping by that means to escape; but what the successe was, the following words do shew: Jehu and his captains at last overtook him, and so they smote him at a place by Ibleam, a town that belonged to Manasseh, Josh. 17.11: and so flying further after he was wounded, even to Megiddo, there they found him out, and slew him. Indeed the words here would seem to import, that he dyed in Megiddo of the wounds he received nigh Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and dyed there; but by the relation of this story in the book of the Chronicles, it is evident, that after the wound he received in his flight he hid himself in Samaria, 2. Chron. 22.9. that is, in the kingdome of Samaria; to wit, in Megiddo, whither he fled, and so Jehu with his men following him close, at length by making diligent search in the city, there they found him out and brought him to Jehu, and he slew him there, 2 Chron. 22.9.

Vers. 28. And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre, &c.] Which Jehu permitted for his father Jehoshaphats, sake, 2 Chron. 22.9. When they had slain him, they buried him, because said they, he is the sonne of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart.

Vers. 29. And in the eleventh yeare of Joram the sonne of Ahab, began Aha∣ziah to reigne over Judah.] See the note, chap. 8.25.

Vers. 30. Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window, &c.] To wit, as hoping with her stately and imperious looks to daunt the traitour, or at least to expresse a brave spirit even in this her desperate condition, and how little she feared what he or his could do to her.

Vers. 31. And as Jehu entred in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace who slew his master?] Intimating, that as Zimri enjoyed not the benefit of his conspira∣cy against his lord and master, no more should Jehu; and that as Omri the grand∣father of Joram was setled in the throne of Israel, after Zimri the traitour received his just reward; so the posterity of Omri, to wit, the sonnes of Joram, should be confirmed in the throne of Israel, when just vengeance had seized upon Jehu for this his treachery against Joram his lord and soveraigne.

Vers. 32. And there looked out to him two or three Eunuches.] Giving some signe of their readinesse to do what he should enjoyn them. Concerning Eunuchs, see the note, chap. 8.6.

Vers. 34. Go see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a kings daugh∣ter.]

This order Jehu gave, perhaps on a sudden, not remembring at that time the prophecy of Elijah; nor what the prophet that anointed him had lately said to him, vers. 10. for presently after, when they brought him back word, that the dogs had eaten all but her skull, her feet, and the palmes of her hands, then he could say as it is. vers. 36. This is the word of the Lord which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel, shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel.