An explication of the iudiciall lawes of Moses. Plainely discovering divers of their ancient rites and customes. As in their governours, government, synedrion, punishments, civill accompts, contracts, marriages, warres, and burialls. Also their oeconomicks, (vizt.) their dwellings, feasting, clothing, and husbandrie. Together with two treatises, the one shewing the different estate of the godly and wicked in this life, and in the life to come. The other, declaring how the wicked may be inlightned by the preaching of the gospel, and yet become worse after they be illuminated. All which are cleered out of the originall languages, and doe serue as a speciall helpe for the true understanding of divers difficult texts of scriptures. ... / By Iohn Weemse, of Lathocker in Scotland, preacher of Gods word.

CHAPTER XII. Whether Ishbosheth was a Rebell in affecting the Kingdome or not?

2 Sam. 2. 8. But Abner the sonne of Ner, Captaine of Sauls Host, tooke Ishbosheth the sonne of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim, and he made him King over Gilead, &c.

IT may be said of Ishbosheth, that he was no Rebell in accepting of the Kingdome after his father Saul was dead; for first, he was his fathers eldest sonne now liuing; and by the law of Nations, the first borne, or he that was in place of the first borne, did succeede, Exod. 11. 5. and 1 King. 2. 15. And so amongst the Edo∣mites, the first borne succeeded in the Kingdome, 2 King. 3. 27. he tooke his eldest sonne who should haue reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall.

Secondly, Ishbosheth had the consent almost of all the people, for eleven tribes acknowledged him for their King.

Thirdly, he had good successe amongst his Subjects; first, in Mahanaim; then amongst the Giliadites; thirdly, amongst the Ashurites; fourthly, in Izreel; fiftly, in Iu∣da and Benjamin; and lastly, over all Israel, 2 Sam. 2. 9.

Fourthly, he reigned seven yeares amongst them, and by that it may seeme, that it was a setled Kingdome.

The thing that may be alledged against him is this, [Object.] that Mephibosheth was the sonne of the eldest brother, and therefore by right should haue succeeded before him. But Mephibosheth was a lame man, and an impo∣tent [Answ.]

creature, and was not fit for Government, and therefore by right the Kingdome succeeded to Ishbo∣sheth. [Inst.] And if it be said, that David was appointed King by the Lord, we may say, that Ishbosheth knew nothing of this, and he was in bonafide: and moreover, [Ans.] David calleth him a righteous person, 2 Sam. 4. 9. therefore it may seeme that he did not usurpe or affect the King∣dome wrongfully.

Now let us compare Ishbosheths affecting of the King∣dome, and Ieroboams affecting of the Kingdome; Iero∣boam had the word of the Lord by Ahija the Prophet that he should be King, and he confirmed it unto him by a signe, in renting of the Cloke in twelue peices, thus much he had from the Lord; but he was a wicked and prophane man, and got the hearts of the people ra∣ther by discontentment and mutinie than by heartie good will, and herein Ishbosheth farre exceeded him.

Againe, Ieroboams affecting of the Kingdome might seeme to be a revenge; for he fled away to Egypt from Salomon as a traytor, and now to be revenged upon his sonne, he draweth away the ten Tribes from him, and so Ishbosheths entering to the Kingdome seemeth to be better than his.

Ishbosheth notwithstanding of all that is said for him [Reply.] cannot be excused; he was his fathers eldest sonne, but the Kingdome goeth not alwayes by succession, it plea∣seth God to change this forme sometimes, as David was chosen King and not his eldest brother, and so was Salomon chosen and not Adonijah. And if it had come by succession, then Mephibosheth should haue succeeded and beene preferred before him, for although he was lame in his feete, yet he was not lame in his mind. And where it is said, that he had the consent of all the peo∣ple, their consent is nothing without the consent of the superiour God himselfe, by me Kings reigne, Pro. 8. 9.

God had declared long before, that Saul should not reigne, but that David should reigne, and Ionathan gaue way to it, therefore he could not be ignorant of this, but being blinded by presumption, and misled by craf∣tie Abner (who thought in effect to be King himselfe) he affected the Kingdome. And whereas David calleth him a righteous person; we must distinguish inter justitiam causae, & justitiam personae, betwixt the righteousnesse of his cause, & the righteousnesse of his person, although he was otherwise a good man, yet he had not a good cause in hand; and if we shall joyne his cause and his death together, we may thinke that it was a just punish∣ment of his Rebellion; for he was murthered by Baanah and Rechab upon his bed in his bed-chamber, 2 Sam. 4. 7.

The conclusion of this is; He that affecteth Gods [Conclusion.] Kingdome in the heaven, & he who affecteth his Kings throne upon the earth, shall both miserablie perish; and as God vindicateth his owne honour when any man claimeth it; so he vindicateth the honour of the King, if any man affect it. Feare God, honour the King. 1 Pet. 2. 17.

Notes

• Their reasons who hold that Ishbosheth sinned not in taking the Kingdome.
• The first borne by the law of Nations succee∣ded in the Kingdome.
• The successe that Ish∣bosheth had.
• Ishbosheth compared with Ieroboam in affe∣cting the Kingdome.
• Ishbosheth cannot be ex∣cused for affecting the Kingdome.
• Saul could not be igno∣rant that David should be King.
• Iustitia

  • ... causae.
  • ... personae.