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.

ANNOTATIONS Upon the second book of the CHRONICLES.

CHAP. I. Vers. 3.

SO Solomon and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, &c.] To wit, because being now settled in his kingdome, maugre the opposition of those that favoured not his cause, he desired now in a solemne man∣ner to praise God for his mercies, and to seek unto the Lord for wisdome, that he might be the better able to govern the people committed to his charge.

Vers. 5. The brazen altar that Bezaleel the sonne of Uri, the sonne of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the Lord.] That is, Moses: of whom mention was before made vers. 3.

Vers. 7. In that night did God appear unto Solomon.] To wit, in that night af∣ter they had made an end of sacrificing those thousand burnt offerings mentioned in the former verse; (for it is not likely they offered a thousand burnt offerings in one day upon one altar) and that in a dream, as is expressed, 1. Kings 3.6. where see also what is to be noted, either in Solomons prayer, or Gods answer to him.

Vers. 14. And he had a thousand and foure hundred chariots, &c.] See 1. Kings 10.26. and 1. Kings 4.26.

Vers. 16. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn, &c.] See 1. Kings 10.28, 29.

CHAP. II.

Vers. 2. ANd Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear bur∣dens.] See 1. Kings 5.15, 16.

Vers. 3. And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, &c.] In the 1. Kings 5.3. it is said also that he al∣ledged to Huram, that he knew that David could not build an house for the wor∣ship of God by reason of his continuall warres, whereof himself being eased, he was now resolved to undertake the work; where also such other passages in this message of Solomon to Huram, as need any exposition, are already explained.

Vers. 8. For I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon.] That is, excellently; better than any of my servants, see 1. Kings 5.6.

Vers. 10. I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thou∣sand measures of beaten wheat, &c.] Or if this did not like him, whatsoever hire himself did appoint, 1. Kings 5.6.

Vers. 12. Huram said moreover, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, &c.] See 1. Kings 5.7.

Vers. 13. And now I have sent a cunning man, &c.] His name was Huram, chap. 4.16. or Hiram 1. Kings 7.13. concerning which, and what is further here∣in to be noted, see the note there.

Vers. 15. The wheat, and the barley, the oyle, and the wine which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants.] Thus he accepts of the hire for his ser∣vants, which Solomon had profered, vers. 10. but withall he made a request to him for a certain yearely provision for his own houshold, which Solomon granted him also, 1 Kings 5.9, 11. Of which, and some other passages in the king of Tyres answer, see the note there.

Vers. 17. And Solomon numbred all the strangers that were in the land of Israel.] See 1. Kings 5.15, 16.

CHAP. III.

Vers. 1. THen Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, &c.] See the notes for the first part of this chapter, in the sixth chapter of the first of Kings.

Vers. 14. And he made the vail of blew and purple, &c.] Which was hung upon chains of gold, betwixt the holy and the most holy place, see 1. Kings 6.21.

Vers. 15. Also he made before the house two pillars, &c.] Concerning these two pillars, see the notes, 1. Kings 17.15. &c.

Vers. 16. And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars.] That is wreaths of chain-work. See 1. Kings 7.17.

And made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.] That is, an hundred in each of the two rows that went round about upon the net-work of each chapiter, see 1. Kings 7.18.

CHAP. IIII.

Vers. 1. ANd ten cubits the height thereof.] If their cubites contained a foot and an half, as is usually held, then according to our measures this altar was five yards high, and consequently there was some way for the priests to ascend up to offer their sacrifices on this altar, though they might not ascend by such steps as are in a ladder, lest their nakednesses should be thereby discovered, Exod. 20.26. Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakednesse be not discovered thereon, See the notes, Exod. 27.1. &c.

Vers. 2. Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits, &c.] Concerning this sea, see the notes, 1. Kings 7.23. &c.

Vers. 6. He made also ten lavers, and put five of them on the right hand, &c.] See the notes, 1. Kings 7.39. &c. they were set upon so many severall bases, which are there also largely described.

Vers. 7. And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, &c.] To wit, which the Lord made David to understand in writing, much alike to that in the Tabernacle, as it seems by the description which is given of them, 1. Kings 7.49. And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right hand, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tonges of gold; concerning which, see the note there.

Vers. 9. Furthermore, he made the court of the priests.] Called the inner court, 1. Kings 6.36.

Vers. 16. All their instruments did Huram his father make to king Solomon, &c.]

To wit, Solomons father: so Solomon it seems called him out of the great respect he bare him for his singular wisdome and skill, and the good service he did him in ma∣king all these things for the Temple.

CHAP. V.

Vers. 2. THen Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, &c.] What needs expla∣nation in this chapter is already explained in the nine first verses of the eight chapter of the first book of the Kings.

CHAP. VI.

Vers. 1. THen said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darknesse.] The annotations of this chapter unto the 41. verse, see 1. Kings 8.12. &c.

Vers. 41. Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength.] In these words Solomon doth as it were invite the Lord in the ark, the signe of his presence, to enter and take possession of the Temple as his resting place, that is, the place of his settled abode; and that because the ark was now no longer to be removed from place to place, but to continue there: and herein he seems to allude to the prayer which Moses used at the removall of the ark, as they travelled through the wildernesse, Numb. 10.35. Rise up, O Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered, &c. And he calls the ark, the ark of Gods strength, as else∣where it is called Gods strength and glory, Psal. 78.61. He delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemies hand, because it was the signe of Gods presence amongst them, as their strength and defence, which had been manifested by many mighty works which the Lord had wrought, as it were by the presence of the ark; as the dividing of Jordan, and the fall of the walls of Jericho, &c. Now because we find this last clause of Solomons prayer, Psal. 132.8, 9, 10. that Psalme it may well be was composed by Solomon upon this occasion of the de∣dication of the Temple. See the note, 1. Kings 8.54:

Let thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoyce in goodnesse.] The first clause may be understood two severall wayes, either of Gods saving and preserving the priests, Let thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with salvation, that is, let thy salvation be as a garment to defend them, or as a robe to adorn them, (for it is indeed an honour and glory to men, that the great God of heaven and earth should make such precious account of them, as to be alwayes watchfull over them to preserve and save them) or else of the preservation and salvation of the whole people, this being a decking and glorious ornament to the priests, that they stood as typicall mediatours betwixt God and them, and were the instrumentall meanes of their preservation and, salvation; even as it is now the glory of the mi∣nisters of the Gospel, that they are the meanes of saving soules: whence it is, that S. Paul saith of the converted Thessalonians, that they were his joy, his glory, and crown of rejoycing, 1. Thes. 2.19.20. Indeed in Psal. 132.9. this clause is ex∣pressed thus, Let thy priests be clothed with righteousnesse; but even that also the most Expositours understand of Gods righteousnesse in saving and defending his priests: as for that last clause of this verse, it is meant doubtlesse of the goodnesse

of God▪ let thy saints rejoyce in goodnesse, that is, let thy holy people rejoyce in thy goodnesse and bountie to them in all regards; yet because the goodnesse of God to his people consists chiefly in his making them good, even this may be also com∣prehended in this request of Solomons, that Gods people may rejoyce in goodnesse and grace, rather then in outward blessings.

Vers. 42. O Lord God, turn not away the face of thine anointed.] That is, deny not the request of me thine anointed; because when petitioners are denyed their requests, their faces are turned away with shame and confusion: hence is this phrase, turn not away the face of thine anointed.

Vers. 42. Remember the mercies of David thy servant.] That is, the mercies which thou hast promised to David.

CHAP. VII.

Vers. 1. NOw when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, &c.] See the notes, Levit. 9.24. and 1. Kings 8.54.

Vers. 3. And praised the Lord, saying, For he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.] That is, they sang Psalmes of praise, the burthen and foot whereof was this, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. And such we see the 136. Psalme was, and therefore happely that was sung at this time: the like expression we have again, vers. 6.

Vers. 6. David praised by their ministery.] That is, the Levites sung the Psalmes which David composed and appointed to be sung.

Vers. 7. Moreover, Solomon hallowed the middle of the court, &c.] See 1. Kings 8.64.

Vers. 8. Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast, &c.] Concerning this feast, see also the notes. 1. Kings 8.65.66.

Vers. 12. And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, &c.] See 1. Kings 9.1, 2.

CHAP. VIII.

Vers. 2. THe cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, &c.] Solomon had given them to Huram, and Huram not liking them had restored them to Solomon, and so Solomon built them. See 1. Kings 9.11, 12. In which chapter we have also most of the other passages of this chapter; and therefore I must referre the reader to the annotations there.

Vers. 11. For he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David, &c.] In the foregoing words it is said, that Solomon brought up the daughter of Pha∣raoh out of the city of David, unto the house that he had built for her: and here the reason given for this is, for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel; and why so? Because the places are holy whereunto the ark of the Lord hath come: Concerning which, a question of great difficulty may be moved, to wit, why the house of David should be counted so holy, that Solo∣mons wife might not be suffered to dwell there? and that even after the ark was al∣ready removed thence into the Temple: we reade not any where else that the pre∣sence of the ark made any place holy any longer then it continued there; (for was the house of Obed-edom holy after the ark was carried from thence?) yet here

thirteen years after the ark was carryed into the Temple, (for so long it was after the finishing of the Temple, ere Solomon had built his own house, and the queens house, 1. Kings 7.1.) Solomon refused to let his wife dwell in Davids house, be∣cause the ark had been there; yea, the words seem to imply, that all places were e∣steemed holy where the ark had been, the places are holy saith Solomon, whereunto the ark of the Lord hath come. But for resolving of this, two answers may be gi∣ven: First, that those words, for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, &c. contain the reason why Solomon resolved to build an house for his wife (at which time the ark was yet in the house of David) not why he brought up his wife into the house he had built for her, when indeed the ark had been long before removed into the Temple, and so must be referred to the words immediately foregoing (the house that he had built for her) Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of Da∣vid, unto the house that he had huilt for her: and then to shew, what moved him to build an house for her, this clause is added, for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy whereunto the ark of the Lord hath come. Or secondly, that Solomon resolved that because the places were holy, whereunto the ark was brought, therefore it was not fit that his wife who was born of heathen parents, and had not her self perhaps at that time, em∣braced the faith of Israel, should dwell in the house which had been holy in this re∣gard: though Davids house ceased to be holy after the ark was removed thence, in regard of the Symbolicall signe of Gods presence, yet out of his superabundant re∣spect unto that signe of Gods presence, he thought it not fit to make that a dwelling place for her and her followers, that were aliens and strangers to the house of Israel, which had been the holy dwelling place of the most high God: and this I conceive to be the best and most satisfying answer.

CHAP. IX.

Vers. 1. ANd when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, &c.] See 1. Kings 10.1. where also many other passages of this chapter are explained in the Annotations upon the severall passages there.

Vers. 8. Which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne.] That is, the throne of Israel, 1. Kings 10.9. All thrones are Gods, because all power is of God, and he disposeth all the kingdomes in the world to whom he pleaseth, Daniel 4.32. The most high ruleth in the kingdome of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. But the throne of Israel was the Lords in a more speciall respect, because there was a speciall covenant betwixt God and Israel, in regard whereof he was more peculiar∣ly their God and king, and their kings his deputies, and types of Christ, Psal. 2.6. I have set my king upon my holy hill of Sion.

Vers. 10. And the servants of Huram, &c.] See 1. Kings 10, 11, 12.

Vers. 12. And king Solomon gave to the Queen of Sheba, all her desire, whatso∣ever she asked, besides that which she had brought unto the king.] That is, besides what he gave her of his own royall bounty, 1. Kings 10.13. in lieu of those guifts which she had brought to him; or rather, besides what he gave her in gifts of the same kind with those which she had given him, to wit, gold, and spices, and preci∣ous

stones, he gave her also other things that were greater rarities to her, because she had them not in her own countrey.

Vers. 13. Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon, &c.] See 1. Kings 10.14. &c.

Vers. 25, And Solomon had foure thousand stalls for horses, and chariots, &c.] See 1. Kings 4.26.

Vers. 28. And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, &c.] See 1. Kings 10.28.

Vers. 29. Now the rest of the acts of Solomon first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan, &c.] See 1. Kings 11.41.

CHAP. X.

Vers. 1. ANd Rehoboam went to Sechem.] This story is related as here in 1. Kings 12.1. Concerning which therefore see the Annotations there.

CHAP. XI.

Vers. 4. ANd they obeyed the words of the Lord, &c.] See 1. Kings 12.24.

Vers. 11. And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, &c.] That is, many places that were by situation and nature strong, he forti∣fied also by art, and made them castles, and put captains in them, some of which were perhaps his sonnes whom he dispersed unto every fenced citie throughout Judah and Benjamin, vers. 23. And he dealt wisely, and dispersed all his children throughout all the countreys of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced citie,

Vers. 12. And in every citie he put shields and spears.] That is, weapons both for defence and offence.

Vers. 14. For Jeroboam and his sonnes had cast them off from executing the priests office unto the Lord.] To wit, by forbidding them to go up to Jerusalem to execute the priests office in the Temple, as by the Law they were enjoyned: and this is ascribed not onely to Jeroboam, but also to his sonnes, because he used them as his instruments in restraining them from going up to sacrifice at the Temple, having happely given them the charge and command of the fenced cities, as Rehoboam did his sonnes, vers. 23.

Vers. 15. And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.] Hereby it appears that Jeroboam set up other idols besides his golden calves, in which he pretended the worship of the true God, and why he said in them to have served devils, see Levit. 17.7.

Vers. 17. So they strengthened the kingdome of Judah, and made Rehoboam the sonne of Solomon strong, three years.] That is, by the accesse of these Levites and others of the ten tribes the kingdome of Judah was strengthened, and so conti∣nued three years. Indeed till the fifth yeare Shishak invaded not the land of Judah, chap. 12.2. But in the fourth yeare they began to corrupt themselves; and because so soon as they forsook God, God also forsook them, therefore even then are they counted as a weakned people, their defence being then departed from them: as was evident in the preparations which Shishak immediately made against them.

For three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.] To wit, before

his fall, and after his repentance: for by this place amongst others, it appears that Solomon before his death repented him of his idolatry, and turned unto the Lord, though he could not so soon purge the land of those idolatrous monuments which himself had raised; as it was with Manasseh, chap. 33.18. For it is not likely that the beginning of Rehoboams reigne would have been David-like, if Solomon had died and left the kingdome in so corrupt a condition. Yet some conceive that Solo∣mon is here joyned with David, because himself continued incorrupt from idolatry, though he suffered high places to be set up for his wives.

Vers. 18, And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jeremoth, &c.] Though Rehoboam had eighteen wives, vers. 21. yet three of them onely are expres∣sed by name: the third, because he had by her Abijah who succeeded him in the throne, and the first two onely to make way to the mention of the third, because he married them first, and then afterward took the third to wife, to wit, Maachah the daughter of Abishalom the mother of Abijah. Concerning whom, see the notes, 1. Kings 15.2.

Vers. 22. And Rehoboam made Abijah the sonne of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren, &c.] That is, he gave him the preheminency in all re∣spects above his brethren, as intending that he should succeed him in the throne. Now if he were not his eldest sonne, unlesse, he had expresse direction for this from God, it was doubtlesse against that Law, Deut. 21.15.

Vers. 23. And he dealt wisely, and dispersed all his children throughout all the countreys of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced citie.] The wisdome and pol∣licie of Rehoboam in dispersing his other sonnes into the severall fenced cities in the out-skirts of his kingdome was this, that hereby they were kept, either from variance amongst themselves, or from consulting together against their brother Abijah, and perhaps under a pretence of honouring them with the charge of those places, were little better then prisoners there, under the eye of some that were appointed to watch over them; (for indeed otherwise there would have been little policie in putting the strong places of the kingdome into their hands) to which purpose also it was (as I conceive) that the better to content them, he allowed them most liberall and prince∣ly maintenance in all regards, which is implyed in the following clause, he gave them victualls in abundance.

CHAP. XII.

Vers. 1. ANd it came to passe when Rehoboam had established the kingdome, &c.] See the notes for these two verses, 1. Kings 14.22. and 25.

Vers. 7. They humbled themselves, therefore I will not destroy them, &c.] This humiliation of Rehoboams (and so it is likely of his Princes too) proceeded onely from a base slavish fear of the wrath that he saw was coming upon him, and there∣fore it said after this, that he did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord; yet so farre did the Lord regard this, that he resolved so farre, or so long to deliver them, that he would not now utterly destroy Jerusalem, and the Temple by the hand of Shishak, as he did afterward in a like case with Ahab, 1. Kings 21.27. Concerning which see the notes there.

Vers. 8. Neverthelesse, they shall be his servants, &c.] That is, they shall be∣come

tributaries to the king of Egypt, (upon which condition it seems Shishak ren∣dred up to Rehoboam the cities which he had taken) that they may know my service (saith the Lord) and the service of the kingdomes of the countreys; that is, that they may know how much better it had been to have served me, then by sin to bring themselves into bondage to other nations, which indeed they had cause to com∣plain of, as Isaiah 26.13. O Lord, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us.

Vers. 9. So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, &c.] Not the holy vessels, but the treasures of the Temple, and the treasures of the kings house, which were yielded it seems for the ransome of Jerusalem, and those other cities which he had taken.

Vers. 12. And also in Judah things went well.] That is, after this time things began again to prosper and go well with the kingdome of Judah. But some reade it as in the margin, and yet in Judah there was good things; and then it is added as another reason, why God did not utterly destroy Jerusalem at this time, to wit, because there were some in Judah that feared God, and continued constant in that way of his worship which he had prescribed: for that which is said, vers. 1. that he forsook the Law of the Lord, and all Israel with him, must be understood onely of the generality of the people, that all in a manner had corrupted themselves.

Vers. 15. And there were warres between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.] See 1. Kings 12.24.

CHAP. XIII.

Vers. 1. NOw in the eighteenth yeare of king Jeroboam, began Abijah to reigne over Judah, &c.] Or Abijam, see the notes, 1. Kings 15.1, 2.

Vers. 4. And Abijah stood upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephra∣im, and said, Hear me thou Jeroboam, and all Israel, &c.] To wit, having first by his Heralds or messengers desired a parley, or at least liberty to say somewhat that he had to say, both to Jeroboam and the people, for otherwise being so near the enemy that they might heare what he said, he could not have stood thus to speak to them without danger.

Vers. 5. The Lord God of Israel gave the kingdome over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sonnes by a covenant of salt.] See Numbers 18.19.

Vers. 7. And there are gathered to him vain men, the children of Belial.] See Deut. 13.13.

And have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the sonne of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tender hearted, &c.] That is, when Rehoboam was newly entred upon his kingdome, unexperienced in matters of state, and much more in warlike affaires, as having alwayes been brought up in his fathers peaceable reigne, delicately and daintily; and being not yet settled in that throne (as a plant that hath not yet taken root) was easily shaken and terrified with the insolencies of his rebellious subjects; that thus we must understand these words is evident, because Rehoboam was one and fourty years old when he began to reigne, as we may see, 1. Kings 14.21.

Vers. 10. The Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him, &c.] Though he walked in all the sinnes of his father Rehoboam 1. Kings 15.3. and suffered ido∣latry in his kingdome (which his sonne Asa did afterwards reform, 1. Kings 15.12, 13.) yet because withall the true religion was openly professed, and the true worship of the true God openly and incorruptly maintained in the Temple at Jerusalem, he boasts of their assurance of Gods favour, and seeks to scare the Israelites from hoping to maintain their party against them.

Vers. 11. The shew-bread also set they in order upon the pure table, &c.] That is, upon the tables of the shew-bread. And so we must also understand the next clause, and the candlestick of gold, &c. for there were in the Temple ten candle∣sticks, and ten tables, chap. 4.7, 8. and it is but a poore conceit of some, that be∣cause but one table here is mentioned, therefore Shishak had carryed away the rest: for thus also table is put for tables, 1. Kings 7.48.

Vers. 17. So there fell down slain of Israel, five hundred thousand.] And yet, the men of Judah that slew them, were but foure hundred thousand in all, vers. 3.

Vers. 19. And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth-el with the townes thereof, &c.] Which stood in the borders of Benjamin and Ephraim, Josh. 18.13. and had in it one of Jeroboams calves, 1. Kings 12.29. some conceive that this is meant of another Beth-el, because Jeroboams idol stood still, and was not destroyed in the dayes of Asa, &c. but this is no sufficient argu∣ment, since perhaps this Beth-el was afterwards recovered from the kings of Judah, and perhaps was now taken by composition, &c.

Vers. 20. Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the dayes of Abijah: and the Lord stroke him, and he dyed.] That is, Jeroboam: for of Abijahs death the text speaks after, chap. 14.1. perhaps he was struck in the dayes of Abijah, but he dyed not till the second yeare of Asa the sonne of Abijah.

Vers. 21. But Abijah waxed mighty, and married foureteen wives, and begat twenty and two sonnes, and sixteen daughters.] Partly before he was king, and partly after; for he reigned in all but three years, 1. Kings 15.2.

CHAP. XIIII.

Vers. 1. SO Abijah slept with his fathers, &c. and Asa his sonne reigned in his stead.] In the twentieth yeare of Jeroboam, 1. Kings 15.9. where al∣so are many severall Annotations that may serve for the explaining of severall passa∣ges in this chapter.

Vers. 9 And came unto Mareshah.] A city in Judah, Josh. 15.44.

Vers. 13. And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar.] Which was a city of the Philistines; whereby it seems very probably that they also joyned with the Ethiopians in invading the land of Judah; especially be∣cause it is expressely also said in the following verse, that they smote all the cities round about Gerar.

Vers. 15. They smote all the tents of cattell, &c.] That is, the tents of the Arabians, who indeed were wont to dwell in tents, and so to remove from place to place for the feeding of their cattell. It seems the Ethiopians passing through Ara∣bia,

the Arabians aided them in their invasions of the land of Judah; and so now Asa and his souldiers smote their tents and carryed from them abundance of cattel.

CHAP. XV.

Vers. 2. THe Lord is with you, whilest ye be with him, &c.] As if he should have said, By experience you now see in this your victory over the Ethiopians, that whilest you walk in Gods wayes he will not fail to blesse you.

Vers. 3. Now for a long season Israel had been without the true God, &c.] That is, now for a long time, ever since their revolting from Rehoboam, the ten tribes have lived under Jeroboam in a manifest apostacie from the true God, not having Gods priests to instruct them, and not regarding the law of God, according to which they ought in all things to have ordered themselves.

Vers. 4. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.] That is, in former times when the Israe∣lites in their trouble did repent and return unto the Lord, he was alwayes ready to receive them into his favour again. And this is added to imply, that though the ten tribes had thus forsaken the Lord, yet if they would as in former times have returned to the Lord, he would have pardoned them.

Vers. 5. And in those times there was no peace, &c.] That is, ever since the re∣volting of the ten tribes from Rehoboam, and their apostacie from the true God; whereof he had before spoken, vers. 3.

Vers. 6. And Nation was destroyed of nation, &c.] To wit, in the warres be∣twixt the kingdome of Judah and the kingdome of Israel; wherein they also made use of the auxilliary forces of other nations.

Vers. 7. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.] That is, go couragiously and constantly forward in the reforma∣tion begun amongst you, and the Lord shall be still with you.

Vers. 8. And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the pro∣phet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols, &c.] Either this is meant of some prophecy of Oded the father of this Azariah, which he declared unto them at this time, together with this his own exhortation; or else of some prophesie of Azariah himself, he also being here called by the name of his father Oded. As for that which is said, that when Asa had heard these words, and this prophesie, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land, &c. we see that he had in a great part done this before, chap. 14.3. but it seems now upon a more di∣ligent search made throughout his kingdome, he put away the remainder of the idols that were found amongst them; and that not onely out of the land of Judah and Benjamin, but also out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, which may be meant of the cities which his father Abijam had taken, chap. 13.19. but yet there is mention made of cities of Ephraim which Asa himself took, cha∣pter 17.2.

And renewed the altar of the Lord.] That is, the altar which Solomon had built, having some way lost its beautie in so many years (which is no wonder, con∣sidering how continually it was used and stood in the open court) he renewed it,

and beautified it again; and then in a solemne manner observed again sacrifices thereon.

Vers. 9. And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon.] Hereby it is manifest that even the tribe of Simeon did revolt from the kingdome of Judah, or at least the greatest part of them, however they had their inheritance within the portion of Ju∣dah, Josh 19.1. and that therefore either they removed from their first habitation, and transplanted themselves amongst other tribes of Israel: or else that they stood out against Judah, and clave to the party of the other tribes, yea, though they had their dwelling within Judahs portion.

Vers. 10. So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third moneth, in the fifteenth yeare of the reigne of Asa.] Which was the twelfth of Baasha king of Israel. By this it appears that Zerah the Ethiopian did not invade the land of Judah, till the fourteenth yeare of Asa. Indeed Asa lived in peace but ten years, chap. 14.1. But it was therefore Baasha king of Israel not Zerah, that immediately after those ten years were ended, made warre against Asa. As for the third moneth, it was that wherein the feast of Pentecost was kept.

Vers. 15. And the Lord gave them rest round about.] To wit, at that time when Asa and the people made this covenant with God; then the Lord gave them rest, the land not being invaded by any of her enemies.

Vers. 16. And also concerning Maachah the mother of Asa, &c.] That is, the grandmother. The Annotations concerning these three following verses, see 1. Kings 15.2, 10, 14, 15.

Vers. 19. And there was no more warre unto the five and thirtieth yeare of the reigne of Asa.] Ʋnto the five and thirtieth yeare (that is, untill the five and thir∣tieth yeare was ended, whence is that chap. 16.1. In the six and thirtieth yeare of the reigne of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, &c.) of the reigne of Asa, that is of the kingdome of Judah since it was divided from that of Israel; which was the fifteenth yeare of Asa: for that thus these words must be ex∣pounded is evident, because Baasha died in the six and twentieth yeare of Asa, 1 Kings 16.8. and therefore could not come up in the six and thirtieth yeare of Asa, as is expressely said in the first verse of the following chapter: we have a like passage afterward, chap. 22.2.

CHAP. XVI.

Vers. 1. IN the six and thirtieth yeare of the reigne of Asa, Baasha king of Is∣rael came up against Judah, and built Ramah, &c.] That is, in the thirty sixth yeare of the kingdome of Judah, which was the sixteenth yeare of Asa, and the fourteenth of Baasha. See the last note in the former chapter, as also see the note 1. Kings 15.17. where also severall other passages in the five first verses of this chapter, are already explained.

Vers. 7. Because thou hast relyed on the king of Syria, and not relyed on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.] Whereas if he had gone on (as he intended, vers. 3.) in his league with the king of Israel to invade thy land, thou shouldest have overcome him as thou did∣dest

the Ethiopian; now thou hast deprived thy self of this glory and booty.

Vers. 9. Therefore, from henceforth thou shalt have warres,] To wit, with Ba∣sha, 1. Kings 15.16. And there was warre betwixt Asa and Baasha king of Isra∣ael all their dayes.

Vers. 12. And Asa, in the thirty and ninth yeare of his reigne, was diseased in his feet.] About the six and twentieth yeare of his reigne Baasha died, and Elah his sonne succeeded him 1. Kings 16.8. about the seven and twentieth yeare of his reigne Zimri one of his captains slew Elah, and all the house of Baasha, 1. Kings 16.9. &c. and within a few dayes Omri being made king by the souldiers, forced Zimri desperately to burn himself, and about the one and thirtieth yeare of Asa, was peaceably settled in the throne of Israel, Tibni his competitour dying, 1. Kings 16.22.23. And about this nine and thirtieth yeare wherein Asa fell sick of the gout, Omri died, and Ahab his sonne succeeded him, 1. King. 16.29.

Vers. 14. And laid him in the bed, which was filled with sweet odours and diverse kinds of spices, &c.] After the manner of embalming kings used in those times they filled the beer whereon he was laid, or coffin whereinto he was put, with all kinds of odours and sweet spices.

And they made a very great burning for him.] That is, they burnt sweet prefumes at his buriall in very great plenty.

CHAP. XVII.

Vers. 1. ANd Jehoshaphat his sonne reigned in his stead, and strengthened him∣self against Israel.] In the latter dayes of Asa, after he fell into those grievous sinnes mentioned in the former chapter, the kings of Israel (as God threat∣ned, chap. 16.9.) did it seems in their severall times renew their warres against Ju∣dah, to wit, Baasha, Omri, and Ahab, and had happely often the better of them; but about the third or fourth yeare of Ahab, Asa dying, 1. Kings 22.41. Jehoshaphat suc∣ceeded him, and making great preparations to withstand them, he was greatly strengthened against the kingdome of Israel.

Vers. 3. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first wayes of his father David.] Which were purer and freer from sinne then were his latter dayes: for whilest he was in continuall troubles, we reade not any such foul sinnes he fell into, as afterwards being settled in his kingdome, when he committed adul∣tery with Uriahs wife, and many other wayes transgressed Gods Laws.

And sought not unto Baalim.] To wit, as did Ahab at this time king of Israel: whether by Baalim we understand all false Gods in generall, or in particular the the idols of Baal, the God of the Sydonians, 1. Kings 16.31, 32. for that these words are spoken by way of comparing of Jehoshaphat to Ahab, we may see by that which follows, vers. 4. But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

Vers. 6. And his heart was lifted up in the wayes of the Lord.] That is, he be∣came zealous, and very couragious in Gods cause, and went forward with an high, and magnanimous spirit, without any basenesse, fear, or carnall respects.

Moreover, he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.] The high places, whereon the God of Israel was worshipped, though contrary to his Law,

were not by Jehoshaphat taken away, chap. 20.33. and therefore this must be meant of such high places and groves, wherein they worshipped idol-gods. These indeed Asa his father had taken away, chap. 14.3. but it seems in the latter and de∣clining dayes of Asa, when he lay sick, some of the people that lingred still after their former idolatry, made use of the advantage of these times, and did secretly set up their high places and groves again: and these they were that Jehoshaphat after search made did now take away.

Vers. 7. And in the third yeare of his reigne, he sent to his princes, &c. to teach in the cities of Judah.] To see that they were taught. We may not think, that at other times the people of God did now live in the kingdome of Judah without any ordinary teaching; but because he found that the people were in many places so in∣clined to idolatry (as having set up their high places, which his father Asa had pul∣led down) these choice priests and Levites mentioned, vers. 8. were sent as visitours into the severall parts of his kingdome, to see whether they were truely taught, and by their own personall teaching, both to confirm those that were rightly instructed, and to convince those that were corrupt, and to shew them how expressely the Law did forbid, and threaten all idolatry whatsoever. And with them these princes were sent to countenance, and incourage them, and happely to punish those that should op∣pose them, or that should be found obstinate in their errours.

Vers. 13. And the men of warre, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.] That is, his Generalls, and captains, and some companies of their souldiers still at∣tended with them.

Vers. 14. Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour, three hun∣dred thousand.] That is, under his command.

Vers. 16. Amasiah the sonne of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord.] To wit, to fight his battels, some say as a Nazarite.

Vers. 19. These waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fen∣ced cities, throughout all Judah.] That is, these captains before mentioned, and some of their bands by course: for it is not likely that so many hundred thousand did at one time attend on the kings person at Jerusalem. Yea, because the totall number of the souldiers here mentioned, amounts to eleven hundred and threescore thousand (and it seems not probable that Jehoshaphat would have been so affright∣ed with the multitude of the Moabites and Ammonites that came against him, chap. 20.12. if he had had eleven hundred and threescore thousand trained men in his kingdome, besides those wherewith his strong cities were manned) Therefore some conceive it more likely, that he had not all these at one time, but successively; the trained band of Judah being first under the command of Adnah, and then Adnah being dead, under the command of Jehohanan; and so likewise the trained band of Benjamin, under the command of Amasiah first, then Eliada, and then Jehozabad, and were in the severall times of these Generalls, sometimes more, and sometimes lesse.

CHAP. XVIII.

Vers. 1. NOw Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joyned affi∣nity with Ahab.] To wit, by marrying his eldest sonne Joram to A∣thaliah Ahabs daughter, chap. 21.6. and 2. Kings 8.18.

Vers. 2. And after certain years, he went down to Ahab to Samaria.] To wit, about the seventeenth yeare of his reigne. See the notes for this chapter, 1. Kings 22.1. &c.

CHAP. XIX.

Vers. 2. ANd Jehu the sonne of Hanani the seer went out to meet him.] Who reproved Asa Jehoshaphats father, see chap. 16.7.

And said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?] That is, oughtest thou thus to joyn thy self in such strict wayes of love and friendship with such a wicked idolatrous wretch, such an enemy to God and all goodnesse as Ahab is? In some cases to joyn in league with infidels and idolaters, is not unlawfull, Gen. 14.13. when it is done onely to up∣hold peace, to maintain mutuall traffick, or for the common defence of their coun∣treys; but otherwise unnecessarily, as out of love and friendship to joyn with them and help them, is doubtlesse unlawfull; and so it had been now with Je∣hoshaphat.

Therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.] That is, God is highly dis∣pleased with thee, and hath determined to poure forth his displeasure upon thee: and this might have respect to that invasion of the Moabites and Ammonites, which followed not long after, chap. 20.1. or happely to some dissension that began at present betwixt his sonnes, the seeds of that horrid slaughter which his eldest sonne did afterwards make amongst them, chap. 21.4.

Vers. 3. Neverthelesse there are good things found in thee, &c.] This is added to intimate, that because of this the Lord would deal gently with him, and even in judgement remember mercy.

Vers. 4. And he went out again, &c. and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.] That is, where he found any idolatry, or any corruptions a∣mongst the people, he reduced them to the true worship of God, and reformed what was out of order amongst them.

Vers. 5. And he set judges in the land, &c.] To wit, where he found any wanting.

Vers. 6. Ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judge∣ment.] That is, whose person ye represent, and who is present seeing all you do; and accordingly ready to stand by you and defend you if you judge aright, and to punish you if you deal unjustly:

Vers. 8. In Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Jerusalem, &c.] See above vers. 5. This is meant of the high senate or councel of the Sanhedrim in Jerusalem, to which all appeals were made from inferiour courts, and to which all causes of difficulty were referred, both for ecclesiasticall and civill affairs; and therefore it is said here that they were for the judgement of the Lord, that is, for ecclesiasticall causes, concerning which God had determined in his law what should be done; and for controversies, to wit, in causes merely civill. See Deut. 17.8, 9, 10.

Vers. 10. And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between bloud and bloud, between law and commandment, &c.]

That is, where each party shall pretend that they have the law or statutes on their side; and so one shall alledge one law, and another an other, see Deut. 17.8. &c.

Vers. 11. Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord.] That is, in all matters ecclesiasticall, or which are determined in the law of the Lord.

And Zebadiah the sonne of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the kings matters.] For all civill affairs, or those things which were determinable by the civill statutes of the king and kingdome.

Also the Levites shall be officers before you.] That is, they shall be officers in eve∣ry city, subordinate to the great Sanhedrim in Jerusalem, from whom they should receive their power and directions.

CHAP. XX.

Vers. 1. THe children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat in battel.] That is, the Edomites of mount Seir, vers. 10.

Vers. 2. There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea, on this side Syria.] That is, the dead sea, which lay betwixt Judah and Syria: and because they came from those parts, some Expositours conceive it to be very probable, that Jehoshaphats aiding of Ahab in his warres against the Syrians, chap. 18. was the first occasion of this invasion of his land.

Vers. 5. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord before the new court.] Some Expositours understand this of a new court added of late years to the Temple, for those that were strangers and unclean amongst the Israelites to worship God in: but because of this we have no mention at all in the Scriptures, it is better by others expounded of the court of the priests, which Solomon built; and that it is here called the new court, because it was of late newly repaired and beautified, and that happely by Asa when the altar of burnt offerings was also renewed, chap. 18.8. Others again understand it of the court of the people, and that this had been lately repaired, and perhaps divided into two courts, the one being appointed for the men and the other for the women (as it is generally held, that though at first when Solomon built it it was but one court, yet afterwards it was divided into two) or that having been ever since the revolt of the ten tribes alienated to other uses (because then there was no use of so large a court as was provided for the meeting of the twelve tribes) now upon the coming in of so many of the ten tribes to the kingdome of Judah, it was opened and restored again to the service of the Temple. But because it is most probable that Jehoshaphat stood to pray amongst the people upon the brasen scaffold which Solomon had built, 2. Chron. 6.13. which was in the court of the people, therefore I rather think this new court before which he stood, was the priests court newly repaired.

Vers. 13. And all Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, their wives and their children.] In times of publick humiliation they used to bring their little ones to the assemblies, Joel 2.16. Gather the children, and those that suck the breasts. First, that the bowels of the people might be the more moved by the sight of those their little ones, now in danger to be cruelly butchered by these enemies,

and so they might be rendred the more serious and vehement in their prayers, and more couragious in withstanding the enemy, when they should come to fight a∣gainst them. And secondly, being presented before the Lord, as a pitifull object of his mercy, he might also be moved to take compassion on them.

Vers. 16. Behold they come by the cliff of Ziz, and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, &c.] By telling them before-hand the place where they should meet their enemies the next day, he let them see with what assurance they might believe whatever else he said unto them.

Vers. 20. Believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.] This it is likely was spo∣ken with speciall reference to the prophecy of Jehaziel the Levite, which they had heard the day before, concerning their subduing the mighty army that was com∣ing against them.

Vers. 21. And when he had consulted with the people, &c.] That is, when he had advised with the heads and rulers of the people, concerning their ordering of the battel, &c. he appointed singers unto the Lord to go before the army, as it were to triumph beforehand for the victory promised, and that should praise the beauty of holinesse; that is, Gods most holy majestie, the glory of Gods sanctuary his dwelling place (which also is therefore called the beautie of holinesse, Psal. 29.2. Worship the Lord in the beautie of holinesse, and Psal. 96.9. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holinesse.) and to say praise ye the Lord, for his mercy endureth for ever, which was the foot of severall Psalmes of thanksgiving composed by David and others, as in particular, of the 136. Psalme, wherein there is an enumeration of many severall mercies which God afforded to his people; and that therefore was happely at this time sung by the Levites.

Vers. 22. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, &c.] That is, the Lord did suddenly and unexpectedly cut them off, as when men are cut off by enemies that ly in ambush against them, and that by sending some unexpected strife amongst those nations, whereupon they fell out amongst themselves, and slew one another; and so that was accomplished which the Levite had foretold, vers. 17. Ye shall not need to fight in the battel, &c. Yet some Expositours understand this ambushment of the holy angels that came suddenly in upon them by the Lords command, and slew them; whereupon they mistaking the matter, and supposing it had been their own compa∣nions, flew upon them, and so sheathed their swords in one another bowels.

Vers. 31. He was thirty and five years old when he began to reigne, &c.] See 1. Kings 22.41.

Vers. 33. Howbeit the high places were not taken away.] See the notes, chap. 17.6.

For as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.] That is, though Jehoshaphat did endeavour to reforme what was amisse, chap. 19.4. yet from the high places the people would not be reclaimed.

Vers. 36. And he joyned himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, &c.] See 1. Kings 22.48.

CHAP. XXI.

Vers. 2. ALl these were the sonnes of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.] That is, king of the Israelites in the kingdome of Judah. Usually in the sacred hi∣story the kings of the ten tribes are onely called kings of Israel: it may be there∣fore that Jehoshaphat is here so called, because many of the ten tribes had now joyned themselves to the kingdome of Judah, chap. 15.9. They fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.

Vers. 3. And their father gave them great gifts of silver and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah.] See the Annotations for most passages in this chapter, 2. Kings 8.16. &c.

Vers. 11. And caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, &c.] That is, to worship Baal; and herein this sinne of Jehoram is aggravated, that he set up this idolatry in Jerusalem, where was the Temple, Gods dwelling place.

Vers. 12. And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, &c.] Eli∣jah was taken up into heaven in Jehoshaphats time, and Elisha was succeeded in his room, 2. Kings 3.11. either therefore this is meant of some other Elijah, or of Elisha, and that he is here called Elijah as the Baptist afterward was, because he came in the spirit and power of Elijah or else (which is more probable) this pro∣phesie was written by Elijah whilest he lived upon the earth (as Isaiah wrote before∣hand concerning Cyrus. Isaiah 45.1. and the prophet that was sent to Jeroboam prophesied of Josiah 1. Kings 13.2.) and committed either to Elisha, or the other prophets, and by them now sent to Jehoram; whose insolent crueltie was such, that the prophets durst not shew themselves in his presence.

Vers. 14. Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, &c.] See the event, vers. 16, 17, 18. and thus his slaying his brethren was punished with the losse of his own children.

Vers. 19. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fa∣thers.] See chap. 16.14.

CHAP. XXII.

Vers. 1. ANd the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest sonne, king in his stead, &c.] See the Annotations of most of this chapter, in 2. Kings 8.24. &c.

Vers. 9. And he sought Ahaziah and they caught him, (for he was hid in Sa∣maria) and brought him to Jehu.] He was first wounded in his flight from Israel not farre off from Ibleam, which was not farre from Megiddo, and being wounded fled to Megiddo, and at Megiddo he was at length slain, 2. Kings 9.27. But how is it then said that he was h••d and taken in Samaria? I answer; 1. That by Sa∣maria here may be meant onely the kingdome of Samaria, as is noted on the 2. Kings 9.27. Or, 2. that not thinking himself safe in Megiddo, whither he at first fled to hide himself, he thence fled to Samaria, where he was found, and thence brought back to Megiddo and slain there.

So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdome.] That is, there was none of his children of years to maintain their right to the kingdome against

such as would usurpe the regall power as Athaliah immediately did.

Vers. 10. She arose, and destroyed all the seed royall of the house of Judah.] See the Annotations for this and the following verses, in 2. Kings 11.1, 2.

CHAP. XXIII.

Vers. 1. ANd in the seventh yeare Jehoiada strengthened himself, &c.] See 2. Kings 11.4. &c.

Vers. 4. A third part of you entring on the sabbath of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doores.] This third part here spoken of seems to be the same that in 2. Kings 11.6. are said to have had the charge of the gate behind the guard, which was the south-gate. Whereas therefore it is here said, that they were porters of the doores, it is either because this gate was called the gate of the doores or thresholds (for some cause unknown to us;) or else because besides the charge of the keeping of the gate behind the guard, mentioned in the book of the Kings, they were also appointed to be porters of the doores of the Temple. See the notes on 2. Kings 11.5.

Vers. 5. And a third part at the gate of the foundation.] That is the east-gate called also the gate of Sur, 2 Kings 11.6. it was happely called the gate of the foundation, because it stood lower than the rest, and from thence they went up by an ascent into the great court.

And all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the Lord.] That is, in the court of the people which was divided into severall courts; for we cannot think that the people were appointed to be in the priests court.

Vers. 6. Let none come into the house of the Lord, save the priests, &c.] That is, into the priests court.

But all the people shall keep the watch of the Lord.] That is, shall guard the holy place, that no man enter it, or they shall observe to do in this service of the Lord what is given them in charge.

Vers. 8. And took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, &c.] That is, every man that was the head of the family took those that belonged to them.

For Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.] See 2. Kings 11.5.

Vers. 9. Moreover, Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds, spears, &c.] See 2. Kings 11.10. where also are many severall notes for the following passages of this chapter.

Vers. 11. And Jehoiada and his sonnes anointed him, and said, God save the king.] Zechariah therefore the sonne of Jehoiada, that was afterwards slain at the command of this king, chap. 24.21. had now an hand in setting the crowne upon his head.

Vers. 13. Also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise.] That is, that lead the song, as being the most skilfull, and at other times teachers of the younger sort.

Vers. 16. And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the peo∣ple, &c.] That is, between the Lord (of whom mention was made before, vers. 14. and again in the last words of this verse) and the king and the people, as it is ex∣pressed,

2. Kings 11.17. or betwixt himself and the king and the people, to wit, in Gods behalf.

Vers. 20. And they came through the high gate into the kings house.] That is, the chief gate of the kings house, called the gate of the guard, 2. Kings. 11.19.

CHAP. XXIV.

Vers. 4. ANd it came to passe after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord.] See 2. Kings 12.4, 5.

Vers. 5. Howbeit, the Levites hastened it not.] For in the three and twentieth yeare of his reigne they had done nothing to the repairing of the house, 2. Kings 12.6.

Vers. 6. Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring out of Judah and out of Jerusalem, the collection, according to the commandment of Moses, &c.] By this collection may be meant either the half shekel, which every man paid when they were numbred, Exod. 30.12.13. which is called the money of every one that passeth account, 2. Kings 12.14. or else the voluntary contributions which the peo∣ple were to give after the manner as they did for the building of the tabernacle at the commandment of Moses, Exod. 35.5. an order which it seems was observed in future times, Neh. 10, 32. Also we made ordinances for us, to charge our selves yearely with the third part of a shekel, for the service of the house of our God.

Vers. 7. For the sonnes of Athaliah that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God, &c.] To promote the worship of Baalim they robbed the Temple; and so there was not in the treasuries of the Temple any competent summe of money, whereby the decayes thereof might be repaired. Indeed the sonnes of Joram by A∣thaliah were all slain by the Arabians, save onely Ahaziah, chap. 21.17. But this might be done before that.

Vers. 8. And at the kings commandment they made a chest.] The Levites be∣ing forbidden by Joash to meddle any more with the collection of the money, because of their former neglect, 2. Kings 12.7.

And set it without the gate of the house of the Lord.] To wit, by the gate whereby they went out of the great court, and on that side the gate where the altar stood, 2. Kings 12.9.

Vers. 14. They brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, &c.] See 2. Kings 12.13.

Vers. 16. And they buried him in the citie of David amongst the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both towards God, and towards his house.] That is, the house and family of David; or rather the Temple the house of God.

Vers. 17. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeysance to the king, &c.] In the most fawning and flattering manner they pre∣sented themselves before him, and withall petitioned him, that every one might wor∣ship God as they pleased themselves, namely, in the high places, after the manner of their fathers; to wit, because it was burthensome to go up from all places to the Temple; or because every one desired to have his own proper place of devotion. Now this request is implyed, though not expressed in the following words, then the king hearkned to them: and they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers.

Vers. 18. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespasse.]

For Hazael king of Syria (as it is related, 2. Kings 12.17.) invaded the land, and ha∣ving taken Gath addressed himself to Jerusalem, having sufficient pretence for what he did (if his ambition cared for pretence) because the kings of Judah had former∣ly assisted the Israelites against the Syrians at Ramoth Gilead: and so formidable to Joash was this approch of Hazael towards Jerusalem, that he took all the hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the Temple, and in his own house, and with that present purchased his peace. Some conceive that this in∣vasion of Hazael (mentioned in the Kings) is the same with that inrode of the Sy∣rians spoken of, vers 23. of this chapter, but that cannot be: for this was before the slaying of Zachariah, vers. 20. that after it, vers. 23. in this the matter was com∣pounded without a battel, in that a battel was fought to Joash his great losse, vers. 24. in this Hazael was present, 2. Kings 12.11. in that the Syrians sent the spoil they took to their king at Damascus, vers. 23. And last of all, in this the Syrians had great forces (else Joash would not have been afraid of them) in that they came with a small band of men, vers. 24.

Vers. 20. And the spirit of God came upon Zechariah the sonne of Jehoiada the priest, &c.] It is a great question amongst Expositours, whether this were that Ze∣chariah of whom our Saviour spake, Matth. 23.35. From the bloud of righteous Abel unto the bloud of Zacharias sonne of Barachias, whom ye slew, &c. Most conceive it is, and that because this Zechariah was slain by the Jews, and that (as is expressed in the following verse) in the court of the house Lord: nor do we reade in Scripture of any other Zechariah that was so slain: for though this was the sonne of Jehoiada, and that Zachariah of whom Christ speaks, is expressely called there the sonne of Barachias; yet to this it may be answered, that Jehoiada was so called Barachias; or that he is called Barachias, which signifies the blessed of the Lord, because he was in his time such a blessed instrument of so much good to the people of God: and it may well be the drift of Christs words, to shew that the bloud of all that were long ago slain, should be charged upon that generation, and so in that re∣gard this Zechariah is joyned there with Abel. But now others hold that it is not this Zechariah of whom our Saviour speaks there, but that Zachariah which is last but one of the small Prophets, that was raised up of God to encourage the people that were come back from Babylon to rebuild the Temple. And indeed, first, be∣cause that Zachariah is expressely called the sonne of Barachiah, Zach. 1.1. as it were purposely to distinguish him from this Zechariah the sonne of Jehoiada. And secondly, because the words of our Saviour seem rather to imply that all the bloud of Gods righteous servants, slain in former times, from the first to the last, should be charged upon them; and so Abel is mentioned as the first, and Zachariah as the last, I cannot see but that very probably it may be understood of that Zachariah, and that he after the reedifying of the Temple, flying to the altar for Sanctuary, when the Jews were for some cause enraged against him, was there slain, as our Saviour saith, between the Temple and the altar.

Vers. 25. For they left him in great diseases.] To wit, by reason of wounds re∣ceived in the fight, or some exquisite tortures, which happely the Syrians had put him to.

His own servants conspired against him, for the bloud of the sonnes of Je∣hoiada

the priest, &c.] Hereby it may appear, that having slain Zechariah, they slew also his brethren the sonnes of Jehoiada; perhaps lest they should avenge his death; yet some conceive that the plurall number is put for the singular, sonnes for sonne, as it is also in many other places.

CHAP. XXV.

Vers. 1. AMaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reigne, &c.] To wit, in the second yeare of Joash king of Israel. See the notes for this chapter, 2. Kings 14.1. &c.

Vers. 13. But the souldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battel, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon.] Beth-horon was one of the cities of Ephraim, Josh. 15.3. but because some of the Israelites cities had been taken by the kings of Judah, in the warres betwixt those two kingdomes, therefore it is here said, that in their return from Samaria, they fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon.

Vers. 23. And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah the sonne of Joash, the sonne of Jehoahaz, &c.] That is, the sonne of Ahaziah; for Ahaziah was also called Jehoahaz, chap. 21.17. and 22.1.

Vers. 24. And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-Edom.] That is, with the posterity of Obed-E∣dom. See 1. Chron. 20.15.

CHAP. XXVI.

Vers. 1. THen all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king, &c.] To wit, in the seven and twentieth yeare of Jeroboam the second king of Israel, 2. Kings 14.21. See the notes for this chapter, 2. Kings 15.1. &c.

Vers. 5. And he sought God in the dayes of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God.] That is, who was a Prophet, one that was accustomed to see the visions of God; or else, it is meant that he was one that had singular under∣standing in the writings of Moses, and David, and other the Prophets and servants of God, that had written in former times; and consequently, an able instructour and councellour to Uzziah in those things that concerned the knowledge of God and of his Laws; or that was skilfull to interpret the dreams, and nightly visions of other men, as Joseph and Daniel had, Gen. 41.15. Dan. 1.17. and 2.19.

Vers. 9. Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, &c.] It is likely that the repairing of that great breach which Joash king of Israel had made in the wall, chap. 25.23. from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, was the first occasion that put the king upon these buildings.

Vers. 19. And while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosie even rose up in his forehead.] See the 2. Kings 15.5. Though he were leprous happely all over his body, yet it appeared in his face onely.

Before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar.] For there standing, he was stricken with the leprosie.

Vers. 22. Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah first and last, did Isaiah the prophet

the sonne of Amos write.] We find nothing of his history in the prophesie of Isaiah which we have; this therefore may relate to some part of the book of Kings written by Isaiah, or some other history which he wrote that is not now extant.

CHAP. XXVII.

Vers. 1. JOtham was twenty and five years old when he began to reigne, and he reigned sixteen years, &c.] See 2. Kings 16.2. &c. and 15.33.

Vers. 2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah did.] That is, he did that which was right, but not with a perfect heart: and therefore it follows in the next words (to shew that yet he was not altogether so ill as his father) that he entered not into the Temple, to wit, to of∣fer incense, and to incroach upon the priests office, as his father did.

And the people did yet corruptly.] That is, they sacrificed, and burnt incense still in the high places, 2. Kings 15.35.

Vers. 3. He built the high gate of the house of the Lord, &c.] See 2. Kings 15.35.

And on the wall of Ophel he built much.] This Ophel was a tower on the out∣side of the citie. See chap. 35.15. Neh. 3.26.27. and 11.21. and was (as is there noted) the place where in those times the Nethinims dwelt.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Vers. 1. AHaz was twenty years old when he began to reigne, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem, &c.] See many severall notes for this chapter in 2. Kings 16.2. &c.

Vers. 10. But are there not with you, even with you, sinnes against the Lord your God?] That is, since God hath delivered the men of Judah into your hands because of their sinnes, and that you cannot but know that you also have given the Lord as just cause to have punished you, the consideration hereof should have moved you to shew them mercy, and not to have exercised such horrible cruelty against them, as you have done.

Vers. 16. At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him.] That is, the king of Assyria that had many kings under him. After that Re∣zin king of Syria, and Pekah king of Israel had severally made inrodes into the land of Judah, as is above related, vers: 5, 6. &c. and had made great spoil in the coun∣trey, not content with this they resolved to joyn their forces together, and to go up against Ahaz again, and besiege Jerusalem, as is related, 2. Kings 16.5. and this combination of these two kings it was, accompanied with the losse he sustained at the same time by the Edomites and Philistines, vers. 17, 18. that made him send to the king of Assyria for help; of which see 2. Kings 16.7.

Vers. 19. For the Lord brought Judah low, because of Ahaz king of Israel, &c.] That is, king of Judah. See the note on chap, 21.2.

Vers. 20. And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.] It is manifest that this king of Assyria, as on the behalf of Ahaz went up against Damascus, and took it, and slew Rezin, 2. Kings 16.9. as likewise that at the same time he invaded the land of Israel, and made great havock there, 2. Kings 15.29. yet because Rezin and Pekah had raised the siege of

Jerusalem, as the prophet Isaiah had foretold, Isaiah 7.4. Fear not, neither be faint-hearted for the two tailes of these smoking fire-brands, &c. before the king of Assyria stirred forth to help him, Rezin in his departure taking Elath, which Uzzah the grandfather of Ahaz had wonne from the Syrians, 2. Kings 16.6. And second∣ly, because when he did come forth to his help, though he did indeed sorely afflict both the Syrians and the Israelites, yet he restored not to Ahaz any of the cities which his enemies had taken from him, nor did him any other good in recompence of the great treasures which Ahaz had given him, but perhaps did other wayes di∣stresse him, therefore it is here said, he distressed him, but helped him not. As for that phrase, he made Judah naked, see the note, Exod. 32.35.

Vers. 23. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which smote him, &c.] The occasion whereof was a journey he took to Damascus to meet with Tiglath-pil∣neser king of Assyria, and to congratulate his vanquishing of Rezin: for there he took up that resolution of sacrificing to the gods of Damascus which smote him, to wit, in that expedition of Rezin king of Damascus against Judah, whereof mention is made before, vers. 5. and to that end sent the pattern of an altar he had seen there to Uriah the priest, according to which he built an altar, which was placed in the Temple, and thereon did Ahaz sacrifice to these heathen gods, 2. Kings 16.10—16.

CHAP. XXIX.

Vers. 1. HEzekiah began to reigne when he was five and twenty years old, &c.] Viz. in the third yeare of Hoshea. See the notes, 2. Kings 18.1, 2.

Vers. 3. He in the first yeare of his reigne, in the first moneth, opened the doores of the house of the Lord.] And in the first day of the moneth: for then pre∣sently they began to cleanse the Temple, vers. 17.

Vers. 4. And gathered them together in the east-street.] That is, the street be∣fore the east-gate, the chief gate of the Temple.

Vers. 6. And have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs.] That is, they have openly, basely, and opprobriously for∣saken the worship of God in his Temple. The like expression we have Jer. 2.27. They have turned their back unto me, and not their face.

Vers. 17. And on the eighth day of the moneth came they to the porch of the Lord, &c.] That is, in eight dayes they purged and sanctified the Temple it self, the most holy, and the holy place, and the porch before the holy place they began with, or came to on the eighth day; and then in eight dayes more they purged the courts and chambers thereof, and so made an end on the sixteenth day of the first moneth: and all this is noted to imply, what a deal of idolatrous trash Ahaz had brought into the Temple, when they were so many dayes imployed in the removing and casting it out, and setting all things in order as they were in former times.

Vers. 21. And they brought seven bullocks and seven rammes, &c.] That is, they brought all kind of clean beasts appointed for sacrifice, some for the consecra∣ting of the Temple, &c. some for sinne offerings, some for burnt offerings, and some for peace offerings; and seven they brought of each sort, to signifie the gene∣rality of the sacrifice, that it was for the whole kingdome, the prince, and all the people.

Vers. 23. And they brought forth the he-goats for the sinne offering, &c.] To wit, the seven he-goats mentioned vers. 21. In Levit. 4.13. the law enjoyneth a young bullock to be offered for a sinne-offering for the congregation; but that was for the expiation of some one particular sinne, whereof through ignorance the whole con∣gregation might be guilty; and now the expiation was to be made for all the many sinnes, whereof the whole land, both king and people were guilty; in which case they were not tyed to that law, in Levit. 4.

Vers. 24. And they made reconciliation with their bloud upon the altar, to make an attonement for all Israel.] That is, not onely for the kingdome of Judah, but also for the brethren of the ten tribes, who had been sorely of late oppressed by the Assyrians; which was the reason why Hezekiah gave expresse charge con∣cerning this.

Vers. 31. Now ye have consecrated your selves unto the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices, &c.] That is, Let the people now bring in their sacrifices, or do you, O priests, bring in the peoples sacrifices.

Vers. 33. And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen, and three thousand sheep.] That is, the other sacrifices of severall sorts, to wit, peace-offerings, and free-will-offerings, were six hundred oxen, and three thousand sheep.

Vers. 34. But the priests were too few, so that they could not slay all the burnt-offerings.] Which was properly the work of the priests onely, Levit. 1.5, 6.

For the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctifie themselves, then the priests.] That is, they were more forward to sanctifie themselves then the priests were; and so there were more of them sanctified.

Vers. 35. And also the burnt-offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace-offerings, and the drink-offerings, &c.] That is, these things (besides the burnt-offerings) were to be offered on the altar; so that the priests being but few, had not leasure to slay all the sacrifices.

Vers. 36. For the thing was done suddenly.] It was evident that God had ex∣traordinarily enclined the hearts of the people to this reformation, because it was done so suddenly.

CHAP. XXX.

Vers. 1. ANd Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, &c.] That is, to the remainder of the ten tribes that were not yet carried away by Tiglath-pilneser king of Assyria, as many of their brethren were, 2. Kings 15.29.

Vers. 2. The king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passeover in the second moneth.] See Numb. 9.10, 11.

Vers. 3. For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not san∣ctified themselves sufficiently, &c.] To wit, when they should have kept it; that is, the foureteenth day of the first moneth: for the Temples purgation was not fi∣nished till the sixteenth day, chap. 29.17. And in the sixteenth day of the first moneth they made an end.

Vers. 6. He will return to the remnant of you, that have escaped out of the hand of the king of Assyria.] To wit, out of the hands of Pul, and Tiglath-pil∣neser,

for both these kings already carryed away many of the ten tribes into captivi∣ty; but the last captivity under Shalmaneser, (as is most likely) had not yet been.

Vers. 14. And they arose, and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, &c.] To wit, by the kings encouragement, and at this time also the brasen serpent which Moses made was broken in pieces, 2. see Kings 18.4. This was done in Jerusalem be∣fore they kept the Passeover: how they proceeded afterwards after the same man∣ner in other places, we see chap. 3.11. Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present, went out to the cities of Iudah, and brake the images in pieces, &c.

Vers. 15. And the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified them∣selves, &c.] That is, the priests and Levites that had been hitherto remisse, were a∣shamed of their own negligence, when they saw the forwardnesse of the people, and so sanctified themselves, &c.

Vers. 16. The priests sprinkled the bloud, which they received of the hands of the Levites.] To wit, the bloud of the sacrifices upon the altar, as was accustomed in all sacrifices, Levit. 1.5. And he shall kill the bullocks before the Lord, and the priests Aarons sonnes, shall bring the bloud, and sprinkle the bloud round about, &c.

Vers. 17. For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passeover, &c. By the passeovers here are meant (as I conceive) the sacrifices which by the law were to be offered at the feast of the Passeover, and did accompany the eating of the Paschall lambe, as Deut. 16.2. Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passeover unto the Lord thy God of the flock and heard, called elsewhere the passeover-offerings, chap. 35.7, 8. And Josiah gave to the people of the flock lambes and kids for the passeover-offerings, &c. These sacrifices were to be killed according to the rule of the law by the priests onely, Levit. 1.5. Here therefore a reason is given why at this time the Levites had the charge of killing them, namely, because there were so many of the people that were not sanctified but were unclean; and consequently, there were so many sacrifices to be offered for their purifying and cleansing, that the priests alone could not do the work, and therefore the Levites were imployed therein.

Vers. 18. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not cleansed themselves, &c.] That is, though the Levites did help the priests, as is before said, yet very many of the Israelites did eat the Passeover being not purified from their uncleannesse.

Vers. 20. And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.] That is, he sanctified them by his spirit in an extraordinary way; or, he did not punish them, but forgive them that their infirmity, and accepted them as if they had been purified.

Vers. 22. And Hezekiah spake comfortably to all the Levites, that taught the good knowledge of the Lord.] That is, he encouraged them in their work, and gave them hope of Gods mercy to the people, as concerning those that had eaten the Passe∣over and were not cleansed according to the Law.

Vers. 24. And a great number of the priests sanctified themselves.] To wit, that were not before sanctified, see vers. 3. and chap. 29.34.

Vers. 26. For since the time of Solomon the sonne of David king of Israel,

there was not the like in Jerusalem.] That is, since the Israelites were divided from Judah and Benjamin.

Vers. 27. Then the priests the Levites arose, and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, &c.] That is, the Lord heard their prayer, and blessed them as was promised, Numb. 6.27. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will blesse them.

CHAP. XXXI.

Vers. 1. NOw when all this was finished, all Israel that were present, went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, &c.] See chap. 30.14.

In Ephraim also and Manasseh, untill they had utterly destroyed them all.] To wit, in those cities of Ephraim and Manasseh that had been taken in the warres by the kings of Judah from the kings of Israel: for all this was done by the authority and command of Hezekiah. See 2. Kings 18.4.

Vers. 2. And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests, and the Levites, &c. to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.] That is, in the Temple, called the tents of the lord, because there the priests and Levites (who for their severall functions number and order are called an army or host, Levit. 4.3.) kept the watch of the Lord, and there the people assembled to∣gether in troops as souldiers in the camp, and that to pray unto the Lord, which is the chief service of our spirituall warfare.

Vers. 3. He appointed also the kings portion of his substance, for the burnt-offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt-offerings, &c.] All the parti∣cular sacrifices here mentioned as is written in the law of the Lord, that is, which in the law were severally prescribed for every feast, and for the daily sacrifice, Num. 28. they were ordinarily provided by the people in generall, as it was also afterward, Nehem. 10.32, 33. Also we made ordinances for us to charge our selves yearely with the third part of a shekel, for the service of the house of our God, for the shew-bread, and for the continuall meat-offering, and for the continuall burnt-offerings of the Sabbaths, and of the new moons, &c. but now it seems to ease the people in their poverty, Hezekiah appointed a portion for and toward these services out of his own substance.

Vers. 4. He commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem, to give the portion of the priests, and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.] That is, that they might not be distracted with worldly cares of providing for themselves, nor follow their callings heavily for want of maintenance, but might chearfully bend themselves wholly to the service of the Lord.

Vers. 5. The children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of corn, wine, and oyle, &c.] To wit, those in and about Jerusalem, where the command∣ment was first given: for of the Israelites inhabiting the other cities of Judah the following verse speaks: or else in this verse there is mention of the tithes and first-fruits of such as grew out of the earth, and in the following verse of the tithes of cattell and such other things. And concerning the children of Israel and Judah that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tythes of oxen and sheep, and

the tithe of holy things, that is, all other tithes that were by the Law of God due; which are here called the tithe of holy things, because the tithes were to be set apart from the rest of their goods, as things consecrated and holy to the Lord: yet happe∣ly these words are specially intended of those second tithes, which were not given for the maintenance of the Levites, but separated for other holy uses, for which see Deut. 14.22. and Levit. 27.30.

Vers. 7. In the third moneth they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh moneth.] For in the third moneth was their harvest, and therefore the feast of Pentecost, which was in that moneth, was called the feast of harvest, and in the seventh moneth they gathered all other fruits of the land, and therefore the feast of Tabernacles which was in that moneth, was called the feast of in gathering in the end of the yeare, Exod. 23.16.

Vers. 9. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concern∣ing the heaps.] That is, he demanded how it came to passe that they had spent no more of that provision that was brought in for them.

Vers. 10. And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok, answered him, &c.] There were still two chief priests of the two severall families of Eleazar and Ithamar, that had the chief command in the Temple under the high priest, of which it seems this Azariah was one, who is therefore also called, vers. 13. the ruler of the house of God.

For the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.] That is, since they brought in their first fruits and tithes, God hath so abundantly blessed the people, that their offerings have yielded us sufficient provision, and this overplus which is left besides.

Vers. 12. And brought in the offerings and the tithes, and the dedicate things faithfully, over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, &c.] To wit, to see the of∣ferings and the tithes, and the dedicate things safely stored up, and carefully preser∣ved in the severall garners or chambers appointed for them, and to keep an account, both of what was brought in, and what was delivered forth, according to the order established, 1. Chron. 26.20.

Vers. 14. And Kore the sonne of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the free-will-offerings of God, &c.] As these before mentioned, vers. 12, 13. had the charge of keeping the offerings and tithes and dedicate things; so Kore and those under him, mentioned, vers. 15. had the charge of distributing them to the priests and Levites, to whom they belonged.

Vers. 16. Beside their genealogie of males, from three years old and upward, &c.] Here is expressed more particularly who they were to whom these holy things were distributed; to wit, (besides the males of three years old and upward, but under the age of twenty years, who had also their portion allotted to them, vers. 18.) they give both to the priests and Levites, from twenty years old and upwards, as they came in their courses to do their service in the house of the Lord; yea, and besides, vers. 18. they gave to all that were registred in the genealogies of the priests and Levites, even to their little ones, their wives, and their sonnes, and their daughters through all the congregation.

Vers. 18. For in their set office they sanctified themselves in holinesse.] That is,

in this their office, to which they were sanctified and set apart, they did faithfully, and in an holy manner discharge that trust that was reposed in them, and were carefull to keep themselves from pollution, that so they might be capable of eating these holy things.

Vers. 19. Also the sonnes of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, &c.] That is, besides those mentioned before, vers. 14, 15. that were to distribute the holy things to those that dwelt in Jerusalem, or that came up thither in their severall courses for the service of the Temple; there were others al∣so chosen, who were then expressed by name of the priests that dwelt in the other cities of the kingdome, that were to give portions to the priests and Levites that were then abiding in those places, and not attending in Jerusalem upon the service of God in the Temple.

CHAP. XXXII.

Vers. 1. SEnnacherib king of Assyria came, and entred into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, &c.] See the notes, 2. Kings 18.13. &c. for many severall passages in this chapter.

And thought to winne them for himself.] That is, resolved to take them for him∣self, and indeed accordingly he took many of them, 2. Kings 18.13.

Vers. 3. He took counsel with his princes, and his mighty men, to stop the waters of the fountains, which were without the citie.] That is, to fill up the fountains and springs with earth, and to carry the waters by pipes under ground into the citie, that so the Assyrians if they came against Jerusalem might be distressed for want of wa∣ter, whilest they within the citie were abundantly supplyed.

And they did help him.] That is, his Princes and his mighty men aided him in this work.

Vers. 4. Who stopt all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, &c.] That is, the brook Gihon, of which vers. 30. that ranne through the midst of the countrey where Jerusalem stood. See 1. Kings 1.33.

Vers. 10. Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?] That is, being thus shut up without hope of help, yet notwithstanding ye still refuse to yield up the citie?

Vers. 17. He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, &c.] To wit, upon Rabshakeh his return to Sennacherib at Libnah, and the report of the approch of Tirhakah the king of Ethiopia. See 2. Kings 19.8, 9.

Vers. 18. To affright them, and to trouble them, that they might take the citie.] That is, to sow the seeds of discord amongst them, whilest some should desire to have the citie yielded up, and others should oppose them.

Vers. 20. For this Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the sonne of A∣mos, prayed and cried to heaven.] See 2. Kings 19.14, 15. and at the same time Isaiah sent a comfortable message to Hezekiah, wherein he prophesied of the destru∣ction of Sennacherib, and the good of Sion.

Vers. 21. And the Lord sent an angel which cut off all the mighty men of va∣lour, &c.] A hundred fourescore and five thousand in all, and that in one night. See the note, 2. Kings 19.35,

They that came forth of his own bowels, slew him there with the sword.] That is, his own sonnes Adramelech, and Sherezer. 2. Kings 19.27.

Vers. 22. Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah, &c. and guided them on every side.] He governed them and took care of them all as a shepheard doth of his flock.

Vers. 24. In those dayes Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord.] The prophet Isaiah having visited him, and told him that he should die and not live. See the notes. 2. Kings 20.1, 2, 3.

And he spake unto him, and he gave him a signe.] That is, he assured him that he should recover, and confirmed that promise with a signe from heaven; but withall he gave him also direction to lay a lump of figgs to the boil. See the 2. Kings 20.5. &c.

Vers. 25. For his heart was lifted up.] And this he manifested in shewing his riches to the Babylonian Embassadours, for which he was reproved and threatned by the prophet Isaiah. See 2. Kings 20.12, 19.

Vers. 27. And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour. &c.] This is added to shew what it was for which his heart was lifted up, as was said before, v. 25.

Vers. 30. This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper water-course of Gihon, &c.] The brook Gihon divided it self into two streams, one of which Hezekiah turned from the usuall channell, and brought it strait down into the west side of the city of David.

Vers. 31. Howbeit, in the businesse of the embassadours of the princes of Ba∣bylon, &c.] To wit, the Embassadours which Besodach-Baladan king of Babylon by the advice of his princes sent unto him, see 2. Kings 20.12. God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. See Gen. 22.1.

CHAP. XXXIII.

Vers. 1. MAnasseh was twelve years old when he began to reigne.] See 2. Kings 21.1. &c. many severall notes for the explanation of this chapter.

Vers. 6. And he caused his children to passe through the fire, in the valley of the sonne of Hinnom,] See 2. Kings 16.3.

Vers. 10. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people.] To wit, by his servants the prophets: the summe of their prophesies is expressed, 2. Kings 21.11—15.

Vers. 11. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns.] It seems he thought to hide himself in some woods and thickets, and therefore it is said here, that he was taken among the thorns. The like is said concerning the Israelites, when they were affraid of the Philistines that were come into their land, 1. Sam. 13.6. When the men of Israel saw they were in a strait, then they did hide themselves in caves and in thickets.

Vers. 14. Even to the entring in of the fish-gate, &c.] So called, because there they used to sell fish.

Vers. 15. And he took away the strange gods, and the idols out of the house of the Lord.] That idol mentioned vers. 7.

Vers. 20. And they buried him in his own house.] To wit, in the garden of his house, called the garden of Ʋzza, 2. Kings 21.18.

CHAP. XXXIIII.

Vers. 2. ANd he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, &c.] See many severall notes for this chapter, 2. Kings 22.2. &c. and 23.1. &c.

Vers. 11. And to floor the houses, which the kings of Judah had destroyed.] That is, the chambers of the priests and Levites which joyned to the Temple.

Vers. 12. And the overseers of them were Jahath, &c and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.] Those being purposely it seems cho∣sen to oversee the work, that might also at set times praise the Lord, whilest the work went forward, with instruments of musick.

CHAP. XXXV.

Vers. 3. ANd said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy un∣to the Lord, Put the holy ark in the house, which Solomon the sonne of David king of Israel did build.] It seems that in his father Ammons reigne, ei∣ther the ark had been put out of the most holy place, that some idol might be set up in the place thereof, and so was set aside in some other place of the Temple; or perhaps quite removed out of the Temple; or else it had been purposely carried out by the priests, that it might not stand there amongst those heathenish idols that were brought into the Temple: and therefore now Josiah calls upon the Levites to restore the ark to its own place again in the Temple, where formerly it stood. Indeed the Levites might not enter the holy place; but they might bring it to the entrance of the Temple, and there the priests might receive it of them: and perhaps by the Le∣vites here are meant all the tribe of Levi, both priests and Levites.

It shall not be a burden upon your shoulders.] That is, the ark the testimony of Gods presence must abide in the Temple his dwelling place, and must not be carried from one place to another upon your shoulder, as it was before the Temple was built.

Vers. 5. And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, &c.] It seems the severall families of the Levites were severally appointed to attend upon the sacrifices and offerings of the se∣verall families of each tribe; some to be employed in that holy service for such and such families, and other for others: and hence it is that they are here appointed to stand in the holy place, that is, to attend the service that was to be done, accor∣ding to the divisions of the families of the people, and after the division of their own families.

Vers. 11. And they killed the passeover, and the priests sprinkled the bloud, &c.] See chap. 30.17.

Vers. 12. And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give accor∣ding to the divisions of the families of the people, &c.] That is, of those cattell that were given both for sacrifices of all kinds and for the passeover, they set apart such cattell as should be for burnt offerings, which were wholly to be offered upon the altar, that so then of the rest they might give unto the people, partly for paschall lambs, partly for peace offerings, whereof both priests and people had their share;

or else it may be meant of removing from the peace offerings, the fat, the kidnies, &c. that were to be burnt upon the altars.

Vers. 13. But the other holy offerings sod they in pots, &c.] To wit, so much of the peace offerings, as was to be prepared for the offerers to eat before the Lord.

Vers. 18. And there was no passeover like to that, &c.] See 2. Kings 23.22. where are also many other notes for the following part of this chapter.

Vers. 25. And all the singing-men and the singing-women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel, &c.] The meaning of this may be, that it grew to a custome which they observed as a law; or else that it was indeed established for an ordinance, that in all the mournfull ditties which were sung upon occasion of any publick calamitie, they should still mention the mourning that was at the death of Josiah, which accordingly the singing-men and the singing-women did upon all such occasions constantly observe. As for that following clause, And behold they are written in the Lamentations, thereby may be meant some volume of mournefull ditties extant in those times, wherein it was evident how this was practised amongst the people; or else it may be referred to Je∣remiahs Lamentations for the death of Josiah.

CHAP. XXXVI.

Vers. 5. THen the people of the land took Jehoohaz the sonne of Josiah, and made him king, &c.] See 2. Kings 23.30.

2. And he reigned three moneths in Jerusalem.] In which time he set up I∣dolatry again, and did evil according to all that his fathers had done. See 2. Kings 23.32.

Vers. 3. And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem.] That is, he de∣posed him from being king at or in Jerusalem, to wit, that he should no more reigne as king in that citie: but at Riblah this was done; for thither the king of Egypt sent for him, and there he deposed him and put him in bands: or else it may be that he was deposed at Jerusalem, and put in bands at Riblah, as is expressed, 2. Kings 23.33. concerning which see the note there.

And condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.] which accordingly Eliakim exacted of the people, and then paid it to Pharaoh, 2. Kings 23.35.

Vers. 4. And turned his name to Jehoiakim.] As a memoriall that he was his vassall, and that he had made him king.

And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him to Egypt.] Where he di∣ed. 2. Kings 23.34.

Vers. 5. Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reigne &c.] See 2. Kings 23.36.37.

Vers. 6. Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, &c.] See 2 Kings 24.1, 2.

Vers. 8. His abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, &c.] To wit, his rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar and other things which he did, 2. Kings 24.1, 2, &c,

Vers. 9. Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reigne, &c.] See 2. Kings 24.8, 9.

Vers. 10. When the yeare was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, &c.] That is, when the new yeare came in, Nebuchadnezzar sent his servants, as is related, 2. Kings 24.10. who besieged Jerusalem: whereupon Jehoiachin by the advice of Jeremiah yielded up himself and his into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, who car∣ried him to Babylon, 2. Kings 24.15. together with ten thousand captives of the people, vers. 12, 13, 14.

And made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.] That is, his uncle, his fathers brother by the father, but the brother of Jehoahaz both by father and mother, see 2. Kings 24.17, 18.

Vers. 13. And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God.] Which did greatly aggravate his sinne, Ezek. 17.15, 16. But he rebelled against him in sending his Embassadours into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people; shall he prosper? shall he escape that doth such things? or shall he break the covenant and be delivered? As I live, saith the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despi∣sed, and whose covenant he brake, even with him, in the middest of Babylon he shall die: See 2. Kings 24.20.

Vers. 17. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, &c.] See 2. Kings 25.2. The city was besieged a full yeare and a half, and was at length ta∣ken by force, and the people exposed to the rage of their mercilesse enemies; Zede∣kiah indeed by a secret way escaped with his wives, children, and principall servants to the plaines of Jericho; but being there overtaken, was carried back to Nebuchad∣nezzar, where his children being first slain before his face, his eyes were put out, and so being bound in fetters of brasse, he was carryed to Babylon, see 2. Kings 25.1—7.

Vers. 20. And them that had escaped from the sword, carried he away to Babylon.] To wit, by Nebuzar-adan captain of his guard; some immediately after the taking of Jerusalem, and some in after times: indeed some of the poorer people, together with some that had followed the partie of Nebuchadnezzar, were left behind to till the ground, and one Gedaliah was left to be their governour; but he being slain by Ishmael, they all sled for fear into Egypt, where they afterwards indured all kind of misery.

Where they were servants to him and his sonnes, untill the reigne of the king∣dome of Persia.] That is, to Nebuchadnezzar and Evilmerodach his sonne, 2. Kings 25.27. and Belshazzar his grand-child, sonne of Evilmerodach, according to that Jer. 27.6.7. And now have I given all these lands into the hands of Nebuchad∣nezzar, &c. and all nations shall serve him, and his sonne, and his sonnes sonne: in which times doubtlesse the miseries of the Jewes were many and great; though withall the bitternesse thereof was somewhat allayed, partly by the prophecying of Ezekiel amongst them, partly through the favour they might find by means of Je∣choniah, Esther, Mordecai, Daniel and others, that were in their times much re∣spected and honoured by these Babylonian kings.

Vers. 21. To fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, untill the land had enjoyed her sabbaths, &c.] That is, the citie of Jerusalem being thus de∣stroyed,

the people carried away, the land lay desolate seventy years, which was ten sabbaths of years as Jeremiah had prophecyed, Jer. 25.11. This whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Baby∣lon seventy years: and 29.10. After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you, And so that came to passe which God threatned, Levit. 26.34, 35. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lies desolate, and you be in your enemies land, &c. because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when you dwelt upon it. Some indeed do begin the seventy years captivity from the carrying away of Jecho∣niah, 2. Kings 24.12. and that first, because Jeremiah writing to those that were carried away with him, tells them, that after seventy years the Lord would visit them, Jer. 29.10. secondly, because Ezekiel doth usually reckon the years of the Babylonian captivity from that of Jechoniah, Ezek. 1.2. and the 8—1. and the 20.1. &c. yea and doth distinguish it from the destruction of Jerusalem, Ezek. 40.1. In the five and twentieth yeare of our captivity, in the beginning of the yeare, in the tenth day of the moneth, in the fourteenth yeare after the city was smitten, in the self same day the hand of the Lord was upon me: thirdly, because that captivity was most notable, both for the number and for the quality of those that were then carryed a∣way; to wit, the king, his mother, his servants, princes and officers, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, &c. 2. Kings 24.12, 13, 14. But yet I con∣ceive these seventy years are rather to be numbred from the destruction of Jerusalem; first, because Dan. 9.2. they are called the seventy years of the desolations of Je∣rusalem; secondly because the same term of seventy years is set for the subjection of other neighbouring nations, Isaiah 23.15. And it shall come to passe in that day that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, &c. and so also Jer. 25.11. and it is well known that Nebuchadnezzar did not subdue those neighbouring nations and make himself the great monarch of those parts of the world, till the time that Jeru∣salem was taken and destroyed: and thirdly, because here and elsewhere usually the prophecy of the seventy years, is said to be fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusa∣lem, and the following desolation of that countrey.

Vers. 22. Now in the first yeare of Cyrus king of Persia, &c.] See Ezra 1.1