A compleat history and mystery of the Old and New Testament logically discust and theologically improved : in four volumes ... the like undertaking (in such a manner and method) being never by any author attempted before : yet this is now approved and commended by grave divines, &c. / by Christopher Ness ...

Judges CHAP. XV.

JUdges the Fifteenth manifesteth more of Samson's Heroick Exploits in his waging War against the Philistines singly by himself: Wherein is observable, (1.) The Cause. (2.) The Manner. (3.) The Event.

The First Remark is, The External Cause, or Occasion of Samson's War, was the de∣nial of his Wife, ver. 1, 2, 3. Samson had withdrawn himself from her in a fit of high displeasure.

N. B. This cannot be look'd upon as a laudable Action in him, for he ought not so lightly to be disjoynted from her, having now taken her [for better and for worse] as we say; but [within a while after] so soon as he had disgested his Indignation, he first sought a Reconciliation, which he would have purchased with a Kid; so kind was he to forgive and to forget Injuries.

N. B. Hereby teaching all Married Couples, either not to fall out, or not to go long un∣reconciled: But Samson's Overtures of Peace were wretchedly rejected by his Wife's Father: Samson essayed to go into his Wife's Chamber, (which used to be distinct from the Mens, Gen. 24.67.) her Father stops him: 'Tis a wonder Samson did not knock him down.

N. B. No doubt but Filial Reverence and Respect to a Father, did tie Samson's Hands from so doing: This was also of the Lord, he did it not, because he still sought an occasion against the Philistines, Judg. 14.4. Her Father with his forcible resistance adds a slender Apology, saying, [I verily thought thou hadst utterly hated her,] but he should have been sure of it, or sought either a Reconcilement, or a Divorce, and not have disposed of another Man's Wife without his Consent once asked, which is not only against the Law of God, but of Nature also.

N. B. The wilful neglect of those Moral and Natural Duties therefore did cost him and his Daughter their Lives, ver. 6. However to stop Samson's Mouth, as well as his En∣trance, &c. He offers him the Incestuous Match of his Younger Daughter, who (he said) was Fairer, but never better for her Beauty.

N. B. This was a Marriage fitter for a Philistine to propose, than for an Israelite to embrace, knowing that the Law saith [Nullae propinquae sunt Appropinguandae,] Thou shalt not come near to any of thy Kin, Levit. 18.6, 9, &c. and 20.17, &c. Therefore Samson ab∣hor'd it, and resolv'd Revenge as a publick Magistrate, ver. 3. The Body Politick being faulty in permitting such an Injury to an Innocent.

The Second Remark is, The Manner of his Revenge, and that was Threefold.

First, Upon the Philistines Fields, ver. 4, 5, 6. in order to this, Samson catcheth Three Hundred Foxes, (whereof that Countrey was full, Can. 2.15. Nehem. 4.3. Psal. 63.10, 11. Lam. 5.18, Ezek. 13.4.)

N. B. Nor ought Anti-Scripturists to ridicule this Story as incredible, if it be seriously considered.

• 1. He might use many hands beside his own to catch them in Nets and Snares, this might take up some time; how long this was in doing, we are not told in the Text.
• 2. The Work was Inspired into him by God's Spirit, which was upon him. And,
• 3. The Cattel upon a Thousand Hills are at God's Command, Psal. 50.11. Gen. 6.20.

N. B. The same Power and Providence of God that brought all sorts of Beasts to Noah's Hand, that he might House them in the Ark, did likewise bring those Three Hundred Foxes into Samson's hands, &c.

N. B. Foxes he rather chose than Hares, or other such like Creatures for their bushy Tails, which was the more serviceable for his design, tying Tail to Tail together, that they might not run into their common Kennels, but drew each other contrary ways with a lighted Link tyed to their Tails, that they might run among the Standing Corn. and Stacks in the very time of Wheat Harvest, ver. 1. and into their Vineyards and Olive∣yards, as they were severally let loose by him to burn them all, ver. 4, 5.

N. B. The Event of Samson's burning the Corn-fields, &c. of the Philistines, incens'd them so highly, that they burn the Timnite and his Daughter, as the two grand Incendia∣ries,

who had provoked Samson to this Mischievous Action, ver. 6. Thus that which Samson's Wife feared, chap. 14.15. came upon her, Prov. 10.24. and that justly.

N. B. Because she had chosen Iniquity, rather than Affliction, Job 36.21. her Bride-men threaten'd to Burn her, Judg. 14.15. (which probably they never intended, having no provocation thereunto upon her part) if she would not prevail with her Husband to Interpret his Riddle unto her, that she might Interpret it unto them; hereupon she chused rather to betray her own Husband's Secrets, than in faithfulness to him to run the hazard of any harm to her self, though never intended.

N. B. And if Josephus saith true, that together with her, they burnt all her Kindred, then it is not unlikely, but her new Gàllant (who had so treacherously leap'd into his Friend Samson's Bed) had his just Desert of being burned with her, as he had most wickedly burnt in Lust after her, this was a righteous Punishment upon a pair of Adul∣terers; they that sow Iniquity shall reap Vanity, Prov. 22.8. Hos. 8.7.

N. B. Here God wrote the Sin of this Adulteress upon her Punishment; and as Ovid saith of his Jove, in the case of Phaeton, whom he struck dead with an hot burning Thunderbolt for his setting the World on fire, [Compescuit Ignibus Ignes,] he quenched one fire with another: So the true Jehovah gives Samson's Adulterous Wife, burning for burning, she had burnt in Lust toward Samson's Philistine Friend, and now the very Philistines are Executioners in God's Hand to burn her with fire: And thus Kitchin-fire God used to quench Carnal fire in her.

N. B. The second manner of Samson's Revenge was upon the Bodies of the Philistines with bruising Blows, as before upon their Fields, by fire in the Foxes Tails: Now the Philistines had reveng'd Samson's Injury upon those Persons that had been Principals in being Injurious to him; Was Samson satisfied with this piece of Rigorous Justice? No, he solemnly protests against it, ver. 7. because they had not done Justice in an orderly Judiciary way, but after a tumultuous manner, (saith he) ye have indeed revenged my Just Quarrel upon my Churlish Father-in-Law, and Wanton Wife, and think you have pleased me well thereby, but because ye have done it with a wicked Mind, merely re∣specting your own Losses of your Corn, Grapes and Olives, more than the Injuries done to me.

N. B. Note well; This shall not serve your turn, nor satisfie me, but I will still persist, and not yet desist in being throughly avenged of you, and then shall I cease, till you have given me another just occasion of farther Revenge:] This he speaketh, not as a private per∣son, vindicating his own personal Quarrel only, but as a publick Magistrate, set up by God for that very purpose to take Vengeance upon an Ʋngodly Nation.

H. B. Hereupon he falls Pell-Mell (as we say) upon them, and Smites them Hip and Thigh, ver. 8 a proverbial expression intimating that he laid load upon them with his heavy Hands and lusty Legs, Cuffing and Kicking them, so that he not only knock'd down to the ground all that felt his fatal Blows and Spurns, but also he lamed them, by putting their Hips and Thighs out of Joynt, so rendred them incapable of any Mili∣tary Employ against Israel, which peradventure was the only design of Samson in this present Expedition; and though we read it [with a great Slaughter,] yet the Hebrew may be read [with a great stroke,] and possibly his Blows were Mortal unto some; his Mawling them with his Fists, and punching them with his Feet (for he had no Weapon in his hand) might give a Passport (as we say) to a few, yet at this time he aimed on∣ly to Maim and Lame them, so as to make them useless for War.

N. B. Some do sense those words [Hip and Thigh] that he smote their Horse-men and Foot-men, because the former sits upon their Hips on Horse-back, and the latter march and stand in Battel by the strength of the Thigh.

N. B. From hence we may learn what Mischiefs may ensue such Adulteries and Viola∣tions of the Marriage-Bed; so true is that of Solomon, [one sinner destroys much good,] Eccles. 9.18. When Samson had done this Heroick Exploit, in routing the Horse and Foot of the Philistines, he retireth to a Rock for his own safety, well knowing that they would watch all Opportunities to take their revenge upon him, ver. 8.

N. B. His Third manner of Revenge upon them, was still higher than the two former, even against the very Lives of them; this is described by Antecedents, Concomitants, and Consequents.

First, The Antecedents do concern (1.) Samson's Enemies, who march into Judah with a mighty Army to surprize him, and to make War against Israel, if they durst Abet or protect him, ver. 9. (2.) Samson's Friends, who,

First, Expostulate the Case with the Philistines, that, seeing they paid their Tribute and lived peaceably, they had no just cause of waging War against them, ver. 10. The Philistines answer, their Quarrel was not against them for any breach of Covenant, but it was only against Samson, who had broke the Peace after a most notorious Inso∣lency, both in burning their Corn, &c. so spoiling the hope both of their Harvest and Vintage, and in Mawling their Men, so that they were unserviceable either for War or Husbandry: Yet if they would deliver up Samson to Justice, they would return Home in Peace, and give them no farther Molestation, ver. 10.

N. B. Then Secondly, Those Men of Judah Expostulate the Case with Samson him∣self. ver. 11. Having a better Mind to Treat than to Fight, though they had such a brave Champion as Samson for their General, their Slavery to the Philistines for a long time had so Emasculated their Minds, that they most Effeminately fear their Oppressors, and comes crouching to Samson in his Rock of Refuge to beseech his Complyance with their Enemies Demands, or otherwise the Philistines would destroy their whole Countrey; and saying, were it not better that thou alone perish as a Sacrifice to save all Israel?

N. B. Samson's Reply is made in much Meekness, saying. They are God's Enemies, I have but executed his Justice upon them, [and done to them as they have done to me,] acting therein not as a private Person, but as a publick Judge, appointed by God for that work; and seeing ye are come to bind me, and deliver me up into their hands to make your own Peace like a Company of Cowards that will not fight for your Countrey, tho' ye be three Thousand Perfidious Persons, and therefore I am not afraid of you, but could make my part good with you, as well as with the Enemies great Host: yet am I con∣tent to submit, provided you will Swear not to fall upon me your selves, lest thereby I be provoked to fall foul upon you in my own Defence, ver. 12.

N. B. Hereupon they promise not to kill him, ver. 1.3. whereas they did as bad, in binding his hands, that he might be kill'd by his Enemies: That Samson should thus condescend to those his Cowardly Countrey-men, and so tamely consent to the bind∣ing of his hands (wherewith he had laid a Lyon dead upon the Spot, and quite Lamed so many Philistines, &c.) and to be delivered up as a Prey to the Teeth of his Enemies, and all this by pretended Friends too; it was assuredly a manifest evidence of the strength of his Faith, for which he is ranked among the most Renowned of God's Heroes, those Stars of the first Magnitude recorded, Heb. 11.32.

Secondly, The Concomitants of Samson's Third manner of Revenge described,

First, By the means of Samson's hands being set at Liberty from these Bonds where∣with they were fast bound together, ver. 14.

N. B. How can we but behold Samson at this time in a most forlorn condition, led like a Condemned Malefactor fast pinioned to the place of Execution, the Philistines Host saw their desired Prey approaching near them, every way prepared for their swallow∣ing him up at one Mouthful; they gave a great Shout at this pleasing Spectacle, and indeed did Triumph before the Victory, That God, who always holds in his Holy Hand for a dead lift, here helps his Servant when forsaken of his helps and hopes; then did the Spirit of the Lord come mightily upon Samson, (in that very nick of time when the Phili∣stines came running, shouting with open Mouth, and just ready to worry him, verily supposing they had now got their grand Enemy into their Clutches) even that Spirit of burning, Isa. 4.4. that both burnt asunder those strong new Cords wherewith his hands were bound, and likewise inflamed his Spirit to fall foul upon the Insulting Philistines with extraordinary Might and Magnanimity.

N. B. Secondly, By the Instrument wherewith he made a most Miraculous Slaughter amongst so Numerous an Enemy, ver. 15. Samson wanted a Weapon in his former Ex∣pedition of Maiming the Philistines, so as to make them unmeet for fighting in Battel; this he did effect by Cuffing them with his Fists, and by Kicking them with his Feet, as above: But now God will have Samson to do more than Maim them; he must here step to an higher degree of Revenge upon them, he must not only Maim but Murder them, by knocking out their Brains out of their Brainless, or Witless Heads; had they not been such, they had never come forth with so much Confidence in so great an Army, only to fetch in their own Bane.

N. B. In order hereunto, God will not have his Champion to be altogether without a Weapon in this higher Expedition, and therefore his Providence hands into Samson's hands (now loose and set at liberty) the Jaw-bone of an Ass, newly dead, which made it the tougher, and stronger, and with this Weapon (for want of a better) he assaults at single hand, so vast an Army of his Adversaries. The Heathen Hercules had a lusty

Club to do his great Exploits withal; but this Holy Hercules had no better a Weapon than this Contemptible Jaw-bone against all the Arms of those Aliens, a numerous Host of Enemies, yet was it made sufficient to slay a Thousand of the Philistines in the hands of one single Person, because the Lord of Hosts was with him in the Action.

N. B. As 'tis said of Joseph, [His hands were made strong by the Arms of the Hands of the Mighty God of Jacob, Gen. 49.24. even so was it with Samson here; God frequently effects great Matters by small Means; thus Shamgar had slain Six Hundred of Israel's Enemies, only with an Oxe-Goad; and David afterward slew the Philistines great Go∣liah, only with a Sling and a Stone. Thus our Lord heal'd the Blind Man only with Clay and Spittle, more like to put out his Eyes than to restore them.

N. B. And thus, as the same Lord had tumbl'd down the Walls of Jericho only by the sounding of Rams-Horns, even so by the foolishness of Preaching only, hath he sub∣dued the World unto himself, who Rides on Conquering, and to Conquer upon the White Horse of the Gospel, Revel. 6.2. and who indeed is the true Antitype of Samson his Type in this and many more particulars, as may be seen in the close of his History.

'Tis no matter what the Tool or Instrument be, where the Lord himself will be but the principal Agent.

N. B. It may justly be wondred at, how this Jaw-bone could hold whole until a Thou∣sand Men were knock'd down dead by Samson's furious Blows upon so many Robust Bo∣dies with it: Some indeed say, That Asses, as they have large and hard Heads, so and Jaw-bones also, especially in Syria, where they be larger and stronger than those bred in our Countrey; but we must farther say, The power of God was present here, both to preserve the Jaw-bone from breaking, and to impower Samson, that with it he was made able to Murder a Thousand Men.

N. B. Nor must we ascribe too much to the strength of the Jaw-bone it self, or to the strength of Samson himself; for though this Jaw-bone was moist and fresh (of some Ass lately dead) so not so easily broken as those that have laid long and dryed towards a Putrefaction; and though Samson had likewise most unparallell'd strength (reckoned the strongest Man that ever was in the World) yet must we look higher above both, and conclude, That this matchless Exploit was the accomplishment of God's Gracious Promise, which we find twice recorded, [one of you shall chase a Thousand,] Deut. 32.30. and Josh. 23.10. which Scriptures must be fulfilled, Mark 14.49. &c.

The last part is the Consequents of this Victory, which be Three.

The First is, Samson's Song of Thanksgiving for it, ver. 16. singing, [With the Jaw-bone of an Ass I have laid heaps upon heaps,] where there is such an Elegancy in the Original, [Chamor Chamorathaim,] as our Translation cannot reach; for the same word [Chamor] signifies both an Ass and an Heap.

N. B. Though Josephus wrongs Samson here, saying, this Song was a vain Vaunt of his own Strength and Atchievements, for which pride God punish'd him afterward with such a Throat-thratling Thirst, as made him ready to perish; yet the Scripture of Truth owns it as a Song of his Faith, and he is celebrated for it, Hebr. 11.32. and no doubt but Samson look'd higher than the bare lifting up of the Jaw-bone, (as he named that place [Ramath lehi,] ver 17.) which so signifies for a Monument and Memorial of this Matchless Mercy.

N. B. Had he ascribed his Victory to so despicable a Tool, it was not the lifting of it up, but the falling of it down with force that did the feat; and so there would have been a Solecism, an absurd Impropriety in his naming the place thus: Beside, it was not the dead Instrument a Jaw-bone, that could lay heaps upon heaps of it self, but it was the living and lively Arm of a strong Champion striking with it, that did the Deed. yet no marks of his own Might doth he make in the name of the place; therefore Samson must have an Eye herein to the Almighty Power of God, who had given him his Assistance to Atchieve these things.

The Second Consequent of his Conquest, was Samson's excessive Thirst, which God quench'd by a Miracle, ver. 18, 19. None can justly wonder that Samson was now Thirsty, considering how he had toil'd and turmoil'd himself, in Vanquishing such an Host, and Mawling a Thousand Men; the over-heating of his Body might well, in a Natural way, cause him to be thirsty: But beside this Natural Thirst, God might like∣wise send one Preternatural for Supernatural ends. As,

N. B. First, To keep him humble, hiding Pride from him, Job 33.17. that he should not ascribe the Glory of this great Victory to himself, and to his own Prowess (which haughty Man is apt to do in Autotheism, as bad as Atheism, and Polutheism) and so

Sacrifice to his own Nes, Habak. 1.16. and with Ajax, Adore no God but his own Weapon. And,

Secondly, It was to make him pray; and this he did here; for no sooner had he com∣plained▪ [I am sore a Thirst,] but immediately 'tis said, [He called on the Lord,] ascrib∣ing Kingdom, Power and Glory unto God alone, and urging this Argument in his Prayer, [That it would not consist with, or conduce to God's Honour to begin a great Work, and not to finish it, contrary to the Promise, when I begin I will make an end,] 1 Sam. 3.12.

N. B. And in his Prayer he tells God, [Thy Servant hath got this Thirst in thy Service] believing, that as he had granted him the greater Mercy, namely, Victory over his Ene∣mies, he would not deny him the lesser Mercy, to wit, the quenching of his Thirst, &c saying, Seeing I have kept within the compass of my calling, whereunto my God hath called me, I cannot but hope he will Relieve and Refresh me: Such a savoury frame of Spi∣rit is apparent in Samson's Praye•• here, as is enough to answer Josephus's Notion, and that of Ambrose (following his Footsteps in his Tenth Epistle) that Samson was puffed up with Pride and Vain glory in his Song.

N. B. Sure I am, the contrary is apparent in his Prayer, wherein he ascribes all the Glory of his Victory to the Lord of Hosts, and not to his Jaw-bone of an Ass; and he gives a clear Testification therein, that he was more tender of Gods Honour than he was of his own, in telling the Lord, that it would much redound to his Dishonour, should he (after such a Glorious Appearance with him in this Marvelous Conquest) yet suffer him to fall into the hands of the Philistines, by his Fainting through Thirst.

N. B. But that which puts it beyond all Controversie, is God's Acceptance of his Address▪ and his Answer of Peace to his present Prayer▪ ver. 19. The Lord there works a Miracle to gratifie his Servant, and to quench his Thirst: [God clave the hollow place that was in the Jaw-bone, and turned it into a Spring of Water, whereof Samson drank, and his Na∣tural Spirits were Revived.]

N. B. The same God that did cleave the Rock in the Wilderness and (as it were set it a broach to give Israel drink out of it, did the like here, for his Servant Samson: The Miracle was the same, though the Subject was differing, there he clave the Bock, and here the Jaw-bone, yet out of both, God's Omnipotency fetched not fire but mater: For an impotent and weak Man can fetch fire out of a Flint, or Bone, with forcible strokes upon them; but 'tis only the Power and Prerogative of the Almighty God to wring Water out of them.

N. B. And hereupon sensible Samson, to testifie his Thankfulness to his God, sets ano∣ther Mark of Remembrance upon this Miracle of Mercy also, naming it, [Enhakkorth,] that is, The Well of him that called or cryed, looking upon it as a signal Answer to his servent Prayer in the time of his Extremity, Psal. 50.15. and this Fountain is said [to remain there unto this Day,] from whence ariseth the Opinion of some,

N. B. That the Spring of Water was in the ground under it, and not in the Jaw-bone it self, which every Traveller that saw it, might carry away with him, as a rich Prize in those hot Countries, where they had so much need to drink of the Brook in the way of their Travel, 1 Kings 17.4. Psal. 110.7. This indeed makes it improbable, that the Jaw-bone should continue there so long; but the contrary to this Opinion is not incre∣dible upon those Considerations.

N. B. First, Though Passengers might be forward enough to carry a Fountain along with them in that hot Climate, yet might they generally have such an Awe upon them, as to forbear the removing so great a Monument of God's great power and Miraculous Mercy.

Secondly, The same God who had wrought a double Miracle.

• 1. By it, as an Instrument wherewith to slay a Thousand Philistines. And,
• 2. Ʋpon it, in turning it into a Fountain to quench Samson's Thirst, might add one Circumstance more, namely, to fix it so in the Ground, as to make it unremove∣able. And,
• 3. The words [unto this Day] is understood only, until Samuel's time, who is thought to be the Author of this Book of Judges, and it might well enough remain so long, be∣ing less than an Hundred Years; yet Hierom saith, it remained till his time as a Testi∣mony to Posterity, of the truth of this Glorious Work, &c.

The Third Consequent is, Though the Israelites had dealt unkindly with Samson be∣fore, yet now after this Victory, they publickly own'd and acknowledg'd him as their General Judge, ver. 29. pleading their Causes, and avenging their Wrongs against the

Philistines, who at this time Tyrannized over Israel for Twenty Years; for Samson did but begin to deliver Israel, Judg 13.5. Their compleat Deliverance was reserved for David; and this clause (of his Judgeship Twenty Years, while the Philistines had Do∣minion over them) clears up this truth, that the times of Israel's Judges, and of their Oppressions, are included as Contemporary, which justifies the Account of time given in, 1 Kings 6.1.