CHAP. XIX.
TAke thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel, and say, What is thy mother? a * 1.1 lionness. In this Chapter under the similitude of a lionnei and her whelpes such kings as of late were in Judea are set forth, the one being Jeboaz the first son of Josiah, whom Pharaoh Necho took and carryed into Egypt, ano∣ther Jehoiakim, whom he made king in his stead, that was taken and carryed into Babylon.
So that the state is set forth by the lionness, which consisted of men ad∣dicted to make preys the rich of the poor, as a lionnes makes a prey of other beasts. For the two whelps taken and brought up till they became lions, the first Jehoaz was made King by the people, after that Josiah his father was slaine by Pharaoh Necho, but when he had reigned three moneths, in which time be is said to have done evil, that is, as is here expressed, by oppressing the people, Pharaoh being displeased at their boldness to set him up for King without his * 1.2 consent came and took him away into Egypt, where he dyed. Then Eliakim, whom he called Jehoiakim being by him made king did evil likewise, yea more is said touching his oppressions to pay the money imposed to the King of Egypt. Then the king of Babylon coming against him he became his servant three yeers, ut thenceforth rebelled and suffered much by bands of the * 1.3 Caldees, and Syrians and other Nations coming against him, so that he was taken and bound in chains to be carryed into Babylon. The cause of all * 1.4 which and manner is here thus expressed, v. 6. He went up and down amongst the lions and became a lion, and learned to catch the prey and devoured men v. 7. and he knew their * 1.5 desolate places, and laid wast their Cities, &c. v. 8. Then the Nations set against him on every side from their provinces, and spread their net over him, he was taken, v. 9. and they put him in ward in chaines, and they brought him to the king of Babylon, &c. Whre by his going up and down amongst the lions is meant, as the Kings of Egypt and Babylon, who were like lions, whom he made a covenant for tribute and so as they exacted upon men taking their goods from them, for which he is said to have devoured them. But for the next words, v. 7. he knew their desolute places, Hebr. it is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 his widows, Vulg. he learned to make widows, and •••• bring kis Cities to desoltion. Calvin following Cald. render it, he knew her palaces, turning 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but why any should render it by desolate places, I see no reason, unless by widows desolate places be set forth metaphorically. For any change of a letter from the Hebr. copy I cannot by any means assent; besides that rendering it by palaces perverts the sense, which is that this king having devoured the men by oppressions and tyrannically cutting off them,