A brief exposition on the XII. smal prophets: the first volume containing an exposition on the prophecies of Hosea, Joel, & Amos. By George Hutcheson, minister at Edenburgh.

Verse 13. Thus saith the Lord, For three trans∣gressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof: because they have ript up the women with childe of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.

14. But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the Palaces thereof with shouting in the day of battel, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwinde:

15. And their King shall go into captivity, he, and his Princes together, saith the Lord.

In the fifth place, the Ammonites are spoken against, and are chalenged for their manifold transgressions; and par∣ticularly, that they not onely slew the men, but ript up the very women with child in Gilead, that so they might enlarge their Kingdom by possessing that tract of Land laid desolate by themselves, v. 13. This injury the Lord threatens to aveng in a terrible manner, by consuming Rabbah (which was their chief City, 2. Sam. 11.1.) by the furice of war, v. 14. And by sending their King and Princes into captivity, v. 15. The word rendred their King, is also the name of their idol Malchom (called else∣where Molech, and Milcom, 1. Kings 11.5.33. 2 Kings 23.13.) who it may be was carried away with the rest; but the context seems to speak more clearly of their King and his Princes. As for this cruelty of the Ammonites a∣gainst the inhabitants of Gilead, it was founded on an old quarrel. And it appeareth, that that Land did of old belong to the Ammonites, before that the Ammorits (whom Israel dispossessed) took it from them, Judg. 11.13-24. and therefore on all occasions they contended with Israel about it, but injustly, seeing that they incroached upon nothing that was then in the Ammonites possession, but did onely cast out the Amorites out of Gilead, who were a people ap∣pointed for destruction. As for the sentence given out against the Ammonites, although it be true that Ʋzziah (in whose days Amos prophecied) did terrifie them, and cause them to bring gifts to him, 2. Chron. 26 8. and Jotham his Son did defeate them, and make then tributaries, 2. Chron. 27.5, 6. Yet it seemeth that this final overthrow was given them by the Babylonians after the destruction of Je∣rusalem, as Histories do mention. Doct. 1. As many as have outward relations to the Church of God, will be found guilty of many sins; and especially of cruel perse∣cution, and ripe for plagues, as of any other people in the world; for, Ammon was also a friend, being descended from Lot, and yet he hath three transgressions and four, for which God will not turn away the punishment thereof, and he is also an enemy to Israel. 2. As God abhorreth

all cruelty, so especially that which is exercised against the weaker Sexe, and innocents; for, it is his quarrel, they have ript up the women with child of Gilead, and so cruelly destroy∣ed the mothers, and the young ones. 3. Albeit that men count it their glory to be able to remove ancient land∣marks, and to enlarge their dominion; yet it is a sin a∣gainst God so to do, Deut. 19.14. and 27.17. And it is a great aggravation of their cruelty, that they should cut off, and crush and undoe so many, onely that themselves may have more room in the world, and more large domi∣nions; for, it is his controversie that they did this, that they might enlarge their border Senacherib gloried that he was good at this, of removing the bounds of the people, Isa. 10.13. And God suffered his sons to passe over the bound of their duty, and kill him, Isa. 37.37, 38. 4. When men do with cruelty and violence usurpe upon others, God is provoked to make them lose what was their own, as well as that which they purchased so sinfully; for, because of this I will (saith the Lord) kindle a fire in the wall of Rab∣bath &c. It brings calamity and desolation to their own Country and Cities. 5. Judgements upon wicked and cruel men will have much of Gods wrath in them, and they will come suddenly and violently, and be accompanied with much terror and confusion; for the calamity shall be like a fire which devoureth all, as being inflicted in the burning indignation of God, and they shall be consumed with shouting in the day of battell; that is, in the fury of war, wherein there shall be dreadful shoutings of assailing ene∣mies, and of affrighted people, and with a tempest in the day of the whirlewinde, that is, the calamity shall surprize and overwhelme them like a tempestuous whirlwinde: All which sheweth how sweet it is to have peace with God in a sad and boisterous time; for it is the want of this that maketh this condition so dreadful to them. 6. Kings and great ones will be so far from helping these whom they draw to sin with them, and idols so unable to help these that worship and trust in them, that themselves shall be made eminent spectacles of justice, and monuments of the power of the true God, and of the truth of his word; for, their King (or Malchom) shall go into captivity, he and his Princes together, saith the Lord.