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TPIE ^v .,\

FAMILY BIBLE;
CONTAINING

THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS,


wiTn

BRIEF NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS,

DESIGNED

TO GIVE THE RESULTS OF CRITICAL INVESTIGATION, AND TO ASSIST


COMMON READERS TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT IN THE INSPIRED WORD.

INCLUDING

THE REFERENCES AND MARGINAL READING!S OF THE


POLYGLOT BIBLE.

PUBLISHED BY THE
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY,
150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW YORK.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1801, by the Ameuican Tract Society, in the Clerk's office of the District
Court for the Southern District of New York.
NAMES AND ORDER OF ALL THE BOOKS

THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.

THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.


No. Chap. No. Chap. No. Chap.
(JENESIS, 50 n. CHRONICLES, 36 DANIEL, 12
EXODUS, 40 EZRA, 10 HOSEA, 14
LEVITICUS, 27 NEHEMIAH, 13 JOEL, 3
NUMBERS, 36 ESTHER, 10 AMOS, 9
DEUTERONOMY, 34 JOB, 42 OBADIAH, 1

JOSHUA, 24 PSALMS, 150 JONAH, 4


JUDGES, 21 PROVERBS, 31 MICAH, 7
RUTH, 4 ECCLESIASTES, 12 ilAHUM, 3
I. SAMUEL, 31 SONG OF SOLOMON, 8 HABAKKUK, 3
II. SAMUEL, 24 ISAIAH, 66 ZEPHANIAH, 3
I.KINGS, 22 JEREMIAH, 52 HAGGAI, 2
n. KINGS, 25 LAMENTATIONS, 5 ZECHARIAH, 14
I. CHRONICLES, 29 EZEKIEL, 48 MALACHI, 4

THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.


MATTHEW, 28 EPHESIANS, 6 TO THE HEBREWS, 13
MARK, 16 PHILIPPIANS, 4 EPISTLE OF JAMES, 5
LUKE, 24 COLOSSIANS, I. PETER, 5
JOHN, 21 I. THESSALONIANS, . II. PETER, 3
THE ACTS, 28 IL THESSALONIANS,. I.JOHN, 5
TO THE ROMANS, 16 I. TIMOTHY, IL JOHN, 1

I. CORINTHIANS, 16 II. TIMOTHY, in. JOHN, 1

II. CORINTHIANS, 13 TITU.'^, JUDE, 1

GALATIANS, 6 PHILEMON, REVELATION, 22

THE ORDER OF TIME


IN WHICH THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN.
JOB, B. C. 1521 RUTH, 1060 JOEL, 800 HABAKKUK, 626 ZECHARIAH, 520
GENESIS, 1500 I. SAMUEL, 10.55 AMOS. 787 II KINGS, 590 ESTHER, 509
KSODUS, 1491 IL SAMUEL, 1018 HOSEA, 785-725 JEREMIAH, --628-586 I. CHRONICLES,- 457
LEVITICUS, 1490 PSALMS, ISAIAH, 7150-698 LAMENTATIONS, 587 II. CHRONICLES,- 457
NUMBERS, 1451 SOL. SONG, 101.3 NAHUM, 713 OBADIAH, -- 587 EZRA. 450
DEUTERONOMY 1451 PROVERBS, 1000 MICAH, 750-698 EZEKIEL, 595-575 NEHEMIAH, 434
.JOSHUA, 1427 ECCLESIASl'ES,- 977 ZEPHANIAH, 030 DANIEL, 534 MALACHI, 397
JUDGES, 1403 JONAH, 862 I. KINGS, 020 HAGGAI, 520

MATTHEW,- A. D. 38 ROMANS, 60 COLOSSIANS, 64 TITUS, 65 IL JOHN, 90


I. THESS., 54 L PETER, 60 PHILIPPIANS, 64 JUDE, 66 UL JOHN, 90
II. THESS., 54 JAMES, 60 PHILEMON, 64 II. PETER, 66 REVELATION, 96
GALATIANS, 58 LUKE, - 63 HEBREWS, 64 II. TIMOTHY, 66
I. CORINTHIANS,- 59 ACTS, 64 I. TIMOTHY, 65 JOHN, 90
IT. CORINTHIANS, 60 EPHESIANS, 64 MARK, 65 I. JOHN, 90
;

THE

BIBLE GOD'S GIFT FOR MEN

This book is the word of God. In it he makes known to men his character and
will. It is all given by inspiration of the Holy Grhost, and is profitable ;
teaching men
what showing them in what they are wrong instructing them in what is
to believe ; ;

right; and loading them, through the grace of God, to do it. Although written by
men, God directed them what to write and how to write it, that as a rule of human
faith and conduct it might be perfect. Having been all written, not in words taught
by the wisdom of men, but the wisdom of God, it is " perfect, converting the soul

sure, making wise the simple ; and right, rejoicing the heart." Of course a knowledge
of this book is more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold ; because in under-
standing, believing, and obej-ing it, there is great present and great future reward.
Hence, every person who can, should own a copy of it, and should read it every
day; asking God to teach him, by his Spirit, rightly to understand, cordially to believe,

and faithfully to obey it. It will then be spirit and life to his soul, and make him wise
to salvation. It will be a lamp to his feet, and a light to his path ;
guiding him in the
way of righteousness, that way of pleasantness and path of peace. He will be wiser, in
the things of God, even than his teachers, if they do not understand, believe, and obey
the Bible. Through it he will get understanding and will hate every false way ; and
by it he will be furnished thoroughly for every good work.
On the Sabbath he should study this book in its divinely inspired aspects and con-
nection ;
not merely that he may obtain a greater knowledge of it himself, but also that
he may be better qualified to communicate this knowledge to others. He should also,
as he may be able, avail himself of the assistance of his fellow-men, that he may receive
from the treasures of revelation things new and old.

For this purpose he should confine his worldly business, cares, travelling, and
amusements, to six days in a week, and should rest on the Sabbath and keep the day
holy. He should not only, as on other days, pray to God, morning and evening, him-
self in secret and also in the family, but he should meet with others and worship God
in public; hearken to the preaching of the gospel by the ministers of Jesus Christ; and
when he goes home and has opportunity, he should examine the Bible and see whether
THE BIIU.I'] r. (IDS (MFT.

wliat lie has licard is accordiiiir to it. If it is. lie sIkhiM receive it and ti'i'at it as the

truth of (Jod. If it is not, he shoidd reject it; for if any one preaches contrary to the

Bible, he does not preach the truth, and is not to be believed. Each one should there-

fore study this word of God for himself, that he may be able rightly to judge whethei-

what he hears is according to it or not. Every true minister of Christ will wi.'^h to have
his hearers do this; and like Paul will rejoice, (see Acts 17 :11,) when lie learns that

they are "searching the Scriptures daily." By this law and testimony of God all

Innuan teaching from the pulpit and the press should be tried. If men speak nol

according to this word, there is no light in thciu.

Reader, make this book your own. By it try your faith, and your practice.
Hearken to it daily, as the voice God speaking to you, telling you words by which
of
you may be saved, and by which j'ou may also be instrumental in saving others. Fol-

low' its heavenly teachings, and all things shall work together for your good. God will
guide you by his counsel through life; he will support and comfort you in death; and
after death he will receive you to glory; Avhere witli him, and all his people, you will

rise from glory to glory for ever and ever.


The object of the note.s in this Family Bible is to assist common readers to under-
stand the teaching of the Holy Spirit in the revealed word, by giving, in the plainest
and briefest manner, the results of sound, judicious critical and prayerful investigation.
Some of the instructions suggested by each chapter, are added in the hope of
inducing all who read the Bible to form the habit of drawing from it such practical
instructions as will tend most to their growth in knowledge and in grace, and to furnish

them thoroughly for every good work.


The endeavor rightly to apprehend and rightly to express the meaning of the Holy
Ghost in the passages examined, has been delightful; and it is hoped that, through the
divine blessing, great and lasting benefits will result to many. J. e.
THE HARMONY AND PERFECTION

THE HOLY SCPtlPTURES.


FROM THE PREFACE TO THE POLYGLOT BIBLE, THE REFERENCES IN
WHICH ARE EMBODIED IN THIS WORK.

In that grand enunciation of the dignity and design of the sacred vohnne which is

given by the apostle Paul, we are told that "all scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
IN righteousness; that the man of GrOD MAY BE PERFECT, THOROUGHLY FURNISHED
unto all GOOD WORKS." 2 Tiui. 3 : IG, IT. But it must be evident that the Scripture
could not be effectually profitable for these great ends, nor make the man of God per-
fect, if it were not perfect itself; if its different parts were at variance with each other:

if, notwithstanding all the variety of matter, and multiplicity of detail, which such a

book required, the doctrines revealed, and the moral duties enjoined, were not substan-
tially and essentially the same throughout ; and if all the parts did not concur in the

plan of the whole. To exhibit then the harmony of the sacred writers on the subjects

of which they treat, has been the primary design of this selection. And as there arc
some subjects of leading importance, in which all the rest are included, and by means
of which the harmony and perfection of the inspired pages are written as with th(;

beams of the sun, to these especial care and attention have been devoted.
I. It has appeared an object of the first magnitude, that the reader of the holy
Scriptures should be assisted by references from text to text, to have constantly in
view the connection of all the divine attributes, and the holy uniformity of God in his

government both of his church and of the world. A display of the true character ami
perfections of God is, without dispute, one chief design of the inspired volume. Here,
as in Isaiah's miraculous vision, may Jehovah be seen, sitting upon a throne, high and
lifted up; his train fills the temple, and ihc sacred writers, like the seraphim, cover
8 Till: HARMONY AND PERFECTION
themselves, and cry one (n :iiintlier, and say, "IIoja', iioi.y, holy is tue Loiu) of
iiosTr!, THK wiioLK KARTii IS vviA. 01' HIS OLORY." It is tliis wliidi gives to tlie t^cripture

its superlative grandeur. By it God is known; his will is promulgated; his ]mrposes

are revealed : his mercy is announecil : and lie is everywhere exhibited as wortliy of

the supreme adoration, love, service, and praise of all his intelligent creatures. Little

«lo those who neglect the Bible think what refined delight they lose by thus turning

away their eyes from the most sublime, the most glorious, and the most beatifying
object of contciiiplalion that the whole universe affords.

II. But this manifestation of the divine character and government is not presented

to us as a matter of mere speculation, in which we have no immediate and personal

interest. The holy Scriptures are designed to j)roniote the glory of God by the salva-
tion OF MAN. The peculiar jwrpose of the whole is to turn men from darkness to

light, and from the power of Satan to God ; to raise them from the ruins of the fall, and

to put them in possession of the blessings of redemption ; to lead them from sin to holi-

ness ; to conduct them through a state of conflict and trial on earth, to a state of rest

and felicity in heaven ; and so to assist and direct them in all possible conditions in life,

that they may not fail of these great ends, except by their own wilful rejection of the

counsel of God against themselves. The salvation of his own soul should therefore be

the grand concern of every reader of the Scripture. Here the iiimiortality of the soul

is brought to light, and placed in unquestionable evidence. Here, its defection from

original purity is clearly demonstrated, the means of its restoration are set forth, and

its future destiny is declared. It is an awful responsibility which they incur who wil-

fully neglect this holy book, and devote all their time and the powers of their minds to

terrestrial and subordinate objects. They slight the pearl of greatest price, which is

nowhere else to be found ; and seem as if they were determined to frustrate, as far as

respects themselves, all that divine wisdom and goodness have done to rescue the

immortal mind of man from spiritual ignorance, error, vanity, vice, and ruin. Those,

however, who are seeking to enjoy the blessings which the gospel reveals, will, as they

are able, search the Scriptures ; and such persons will receive great help from having

references at hand to assist their inquiries. " It were to be wished," says Bishop Hors-

ley, "that no Bibles were printed without references. Particular diligence should be

used in comparing the parallel texts of the Old and New Testaments It is

incredible," he adds, " to any one who has not made the experiment, what a proficiency

may be made in that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation, by studying the

Scriptures in this manner, without any other commentary or exposition than what the
different parts of the sacred volume mutually furnish for each other. Let the most

illiterate Christian study them in this manner, and let him never cease to pray for th(!

illumination of that Spirit by which these books were dictated, and the whole conqjass
;

OP THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 9

of abstruse philosophy and recondite history shall furnish no argument with which the

perverse will of man shall be able to shake this learned Christian's faith." So great
and perfect is the coincidence of every part of the word of God in the grand and mer-
ciful design of the whole!

III. This is more apparent, and the harmony and perfection of the holy Scriptures
are rendered more peculiarly evident and distinct, by the constant reference of all its

writers to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. "To him give all the prophets wit-
XESS." Acts 10 43. : The things which were written in the law of Moses, and in all

the prophets, and in the Psalms, concern him, Luke 24 27, 44 : ; and would come to

nothing if he were separated from them. He is the bright and morning Star ; the true
Light that must lighten every man who comes to see the glory of divine revelation.

Rev. 22 : 16 ; John 1:9. It has therefore been a chief design of- this work to connect
and to exhibit the testimony which all the sacred penmen bear to the adorable Imman-
uel ; to the proper and unequivocal divinity of his nature, the necessity of his media-
tion, the reality, and design of his incarnation, his spotless and exemplary life, his

unparalleled sufferings, his vicarious death, the verity of his resurrection and ascension

into heaven, the sufficiency of his righteousness, the prevalence of his intercession, the

spirituality of his kingdom, his sovereignty in the church, his constant care and love of
his people, and the certainty of his second coming to raise the dead and judge the
world in righteousness: grand and sublime truths, in which every individual of the
human race is deeply and eternally interested.
IV. The chief purpose of Christ's mission being that such as believe on him might
be saved from sin, which is the transgression of the divine law, and from the punishment
due to it, it has been thought important frequently to connect those texts which speak
of transgressions, with those in which the law concerning them is to be found, and in

which punishment is threatened; and sometimes with those in which the atonement is

set forth, and pardon is proclaimed, or in which sanctilication is promised or enforced


and these again with such as relate to the future happiness and glor}' which is promised
to the faithful, or the punishment and misery denounced against the impenitent. A
small body of divinity is sometimes comprised in a few texts connected together in this

way. Thus, from those words in Ezek. 23 :49, "Ye shall bear the sins of your idols,''

the reader is referred first to Num. 14 34 : as a parallel passage, showing God visiting

sin upon the transgressors themselves; then to Num. 18 : 23, to show the typical visita-

tion of it upon the Levitical priesthood; then to Isaiah 53 : 11, to show the prophetic
declaration of its being laid on Christ; and lastly, to 1 Pet. 2 : 24, to show the actual

fulfilment of that prophecy, and the end to be answered by it; for there we are told
that He that judgeth righteously, "his own self, bare our sins in his own body on the

tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live to righteousness."


10 'rili: IIAIOIONY A\J) I'KRFKCTJON

V. The cimnirrrncc of the Old ami New TestamenLt with eaeh other. \\w\ Uio relation

of the types before and under the Mosaic law to their eoinpletiou inider the gowjjeV

have been studiously reirarded, so as to render it evident, that whatever variations may
have been made in tlie form and administration of external worship, true religion,

under tlu' foriner dispensations, was always essentially (lie same as true religion under

the ))resent; that "he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision

which is outward in the llesh: but he is a .Tew which is one inwardly; and circumcision

is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the lett(>r, whose praise is not of men but

of God." For "in every nation he that feareth God, and worketh righteousness, is

accepted of him.'" Rom. 2 : 28, 29; Acts 10 : 85. Tn this, the revelation made before

the institution of the Lcvitical priesthood, that made during its continuance, and that

which has been made since its termination, all agree. The Mosaic ritual was the

shadow of good things to come; so were the priesthood and kingdom of Melchizedck:
and the body is Christ, who is essentially "the same," both in his person and in his

government, "yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." Ileb. 13 : 8.

VI. But the instruction diffused through the Scriptures respecting the gracious and
indispensable operations of the Holy Ghost the Sanctifier, has not been forgotten ; and

the references on this article will show that, as to his sacred infiuence on the minds of

the inspired penmen we are indebted for all I he truths they have taught us, so to his

influence on the minds of those who receive and regard them must such persons be
indebted for all they have learned or can learn of them. His work completes the

great design of the whole ; and his assistance and blessing are distinctly promised to all

who sincerely ask them.

YII. As the Scriptures harmonize in their primary and general objects, so do they

with regard to the particular subjects comprehended in their plan. Historical accounts

are verified by other coincident ones, or by accounts of the persons or places to which

they refer. The prophecies of one prophet concerning events which were to take place,

relating either to kingdoms, families, individuals, or the world at large, are consistent

with those pronounced by other prophets. The accounts of the Jewish polity under its

various vicissitudes, are confirmed by the writings of the prophets who lived during

or after those vicissitudes ; while the former tend reciprocally to establish the authen-

ticity of the latter. The histories of the four evangelists have a regular connection

and parallelism, especially those of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The recital of the

transactions of the apostles, after the ascension of our Lord, strongly authenticates the

apostolic epistles : and Archdeacon Paley has well shown the confirmation which the
epistles of St. Paul derive from the circumstances recorded by St. Luke in his book of

the Acts. Prophecies are connected with their accomplishments as far as those accom-

plishments are included in the Scripture history. Promises and threatenings are con-
::
:

OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 1]

nectcd with their respective fulfihncnts ;


precept with example, and with supplication

and the prayers of believers with the answers they have received. All these relation?

have been carefully regarded in this compilation.

VIII. Further, the Scriptures are not merely intended to lead men to godliness,

they are intended also to exemplify it. Repentance, faith, hope, charitj', and devotioi:

are here exhibited in the most perfect models ; and it has therefore entered into the
design of this work to show the corresponding emotions and conduct of the saints, both
of the Old Testament and the New, when under the influence of those dispositions,

contemplations, and emotions which are most peculiarly characteristic of true piety

and also to connect the devotional parts of Scripture with the occurrences which gave
rise to them, as far as they can be ascertained. Thus is religion known by its fruits

not as a thing merely of times and circumstances, but a living principle in the mind,

which times and circumstances call into action and contribute to display.

IX. The aphoristic ami poetical parts of the sacred writings are also connected, so
as to illustrate and enforce each other, that the reader may be constantly impressed

with those momentous truths, and that sublime language with which they abound, and

which afford perpetual food for the best exercises of the understanding and the finest

emotions of the heart ; at once furnishing materials for the most rational entertainment,
and the most solid instruction. In this respect, the Scriptures will be found to resem-
ble the garden of Eden, in which the Lord God has made to grow every tree that is

pleasant to the sight, and good for spiritual food. But no cherubim or flaming sword
are here to prohibit access to the tree of life. The children of the second Adam may
freely, and without fear or interruption, now put forth their hands to its soul-reviving

fruit, and take, and eat, and live for ever.

X. The agreement of the sacred writers with each other will be found not only to
exist in the subjects on which they treat, but to extend to their own individual charac-

ters. It will appear that they were all animated by the same Spirit; that they were all

holy men, speaking as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, calling men to holiness, as

the indispensable requisite to the enjoyment of everlasting happiness — men neverthe-


less of like passions with ourselves, conscious of their own natural infirmity and sinful-

ness, and of the mercy of God through Christ Jesus, as their only refuge from his just

displeasure. In short, they were men fearing God ; loving God ; loving his character,
his laws, his will ; admiring his great and wonderful purposes, and voluntarily, deliber-
ately, and determinedly devoting themselves to his service, whatever it might cost
them, and to whatever it might expose them. On all these accounts, they are held

forth as examples, whose faith, patience, and practice, Christians are to follow. 1 Cor.

11 :1; Heb. 13:7; James 5 : 10.

It is thus that the Scriptures are profitable to all the purposes for which they arc
L2 llAlv'.MoNV OF 'I'lIK llol.V SC l{ ir'JT R HS.

•iestinod, and arc calculated to make the man of Goil 'iicilcct, tliDPOughly furnished

unto all good works." To the inspired pages at large may be aj)])lied the remarks ol'

the excellent Bishop llorne on the Psalms: "Indited under the iiilluence of Iliiu to

whom all hearts are known, and all events foreknown, they suit mankind in all situa-

tions, grateful as the manna which descended from above, and conformed itself to every
palate. The fairest productions of human wit, after a few perusals, like gathered flow-
ers, wither in our hands and lose their fragrancy; but these unfading plants of Para-
dise become, as we are accustonuHl to them, still more and more beautiful ; their bloom
appears to be daily heightened, fresh odors are emitted, and new sweets extracted from
them. He who hath once tasted their excellences, will desire to taste them yet again;
and he who tastes them oftenest will relish them best."
Happy in having labored to facilitate the acquaintance of the Christian with this

invaluable treasure, the editor has now only k) implore the blessing of Him by whom
its exhaustless stores have been bestowed on sinful man; and to hope that his feeble
endeavors may be instrumental in advancing the reader's edification, and in their hum-
ble measure tend to promote that hapj)y state of things so long foretold, and so ardently
to be desired, in which "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the
ULORY OF Jehovah as the waters cover the sea.'' Heb. 2 : 14; Isa. 11:9.
T. c.
THE FIRST BOOK OF MOSES,
CALLED

GENESIS.
The five books of Moses are called collectively the Pentateuch, which signifies in Greek, the five, bnoh
The church has in all ages received them as the writings of Moses, the closing chapter of Dcutcronomy
alone having been added by a later hand.
Genesis signifies in Greek, generation, or in a wider sense, origin. The book is so named because it
opens with an account of the origin of the heavens and earth by God's creative power. It is the only
authentic record which we possess of man's creation in God's image, of his fall, and through this fall o!'
the universal apostasy of the human race. The narrative proceeds to show how man's apostasy mani-
fested itself in the murder of Abel by Gain how, in consequence of Cain's departure from the presence ol
;

the Lord, the human family was early divided into two branches, the worshippers of God and the ungod-
ly how from tlie intermarriage of these a universal corruption followed, which God punished by the
;

deluge and how, after the deluge, God confounded men's language, and scattered them abroad. Thus
;

far the narrative is general.


The remainder of the book is occupied with the history of Abraham and his family, in the line of Isaar
and Jacob, with only some brief notices of his other descendants, to the time of their settlement in Egypt,
an event which was, by divine appointment, brought about by the sale of Joseph into Egypt by his
brethren.

CHAPTER I. 5 And God called the light*' Day, and the dark-
1 The creation heaven and earth. 3 of the light. 6 of the firmament,
of
ness he called Night. ^And the evening and the
9 of tlie earth, separated from the waters, 1 1 and made fraitful, 14 of morning were the first day.
the sun, moon, and stars, 20 of fish and fowl, 24 of heasts and cattle, 6 IT Aud God said," Let there be a ^firmament
20 of man in the image of God. 29 Also the appointment of food.
in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the
di,
N the beginning" God created" the waters from the waters.
"?rheaven and the earth.
'^
7 And God made the firmament,' aud divided
4004" ' 2 And
the earth was"^ without form, the waters which were under the firmament from
and void and darkness was upon the face of the
; the waters which were above^ the firmament and :

deep. And the Spirit" of God moved upon the it was so.
face of the waters. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And
3 And God said,'' Let there be light -^ and there the evening and the morning were the second day.
was light. 9 1 And God said, "Let the waters under the
And God saw
4 the light, that it was good : and heaven be gathered together unto one place, and
God divided *the light from the darkaess. let the dry land appear and it was so.
:

»ProT. 8:23; John 1:1, 2; Heb. 1:10. b Job.'!S:4; Psa. 33:6; Isa. 40:2S; 4:6; Eph. 5:14. ' Heb. between tlu light, and between the darkness, e Psa
Jer. 51:15; Zech. 12:1; Acts 14:15; Rom. 1:20; Col. 1:18. c Job 2«:7; 74:10; Isa.45:7. 1 Heb.Ajld the evening was, and the 7norning ivas. hJol
Jer. 4:23. d Job 26:13; Psa. 101:30. e Psa. 33:9; Mat. 8:3. t 2 Cor. 37:18. t Heh. expansion, Jer. 10:12.
i
j Prov. 8:28. l'Job38:3.

The beginning;
CHAPTER I. not know. The deep; the abyss of waters. Moved; in the
1. of the creation here spoken of. Cre- original, brooded or hovered over the mass of matter, and
ated; brought into being out of nothing. The heaven and thus prepared it for being brought into an orderly form,
the earth ; the matter out of which these were afterwards and for bringmg forth, at the command of God, various
formed. productions.
2. Without form ; the materials existed, hut the different
_ 6. Firmament ; in the original, expanse namely, that
;

kinds had not been separated or put into shape. Void; above and around the earth, which we call sky.
empty, and destitute of the vegetation and living crea- 9. Waters dry —land; the earth had before been cov-
tures which were afterwards brought forth. How long ered with water; but now the water and the dry land
the earth remained so, God has not revealed, aud we do were separated.
13
:

The crtiilion. GENESIS I. CreutUin of man.

10 And God callod tlio dry Imtil Karlh; and llic 22 And God blc^.-^ed tlicni, saying, Be | J,,!; ,,

pathcrinj? togcllier of tlie watt'is called he Seas: fruitful, and multiply, anil fdl the waters iu the
and God saw that vns good. it seas, and let fowl niulti])ly in the earth.
11 And God said, Let the earth" l)ring forth 23 And tiie evening and the morning wore the
grass,* the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-tree fifth day.
yielding'' fruit after his kind, whose seed is in 21 'l And God said, Let the earth bring forth
it-elf, ui)on the earth: and it was so. the living creature after his kind, cattle, and
12 And tiie earth brought forth grass, and herb creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his
violding seed after his kind, and tlie tree yielding kind and it was so. :

i'ruit, wliosc seed was in itself, after his kind: and 2.5 And God made the beast of the earth after

t!od saw that it teas good. his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every
13 And the evening and the morning were the tiling that creepoth u])on the onvlh after his kind:
tliird day. and God saw that it was good.
14 1 And God said, Let there bc'= lights in the 26 1 And God said. Let us make man in our
firmament of tlic lieaven, to divide the 'day from image, after our likeness: and let them have do-
the night and let them be for signs, and'' for sea- minion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl
;

sons, and for days, and years of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
1.5 And let them be for lights in the firmament earth, and over every creeping thing that crccp-
of the heaven, to give light upon the earth : and ctli n])Oii tlie earth.
it was so. 27 So God
created man in his oun image,' in
16 And God made two great lights; tlie great- the image of God created he him; male and fe-
er light *to rule tiie day, and the lesser ligiit to male created he them.
rule the night he made the stars also.
: 28 And God ))lc.~sed tlieni, and God .said unto
17 And God them in t!ie firmament of the
set them, Be fruitful, and nndtiply, and replenish the
heaven to give light upon the earth, earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the
18 And to 'rule over tlic day and over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and
and to divide the light from the darkness
nigiit, : over every living thing that 'moveth njion the earth.
and God saw that it was good. 29 ^ And God said. Behold, I have given you
19 And the evening and the morning were the every herb 'bearing seed, which is upon the face
fourth day. of ail tiie earth, and every tree, in the which is
20 1 And God said. Let the waters bring forth the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to ^you it shall
abundantly the ^moving creatui-e that hath 'life, be f-^r racat.
r.nd 'fowl that may fly above the earth ia the 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every
open' iirmament of heaven. fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth
21 And God created great whales, and every upon the earth, wherein t/tei-c is ^life, / have given
living creature that moveth, which the waters every green herb for meat and it was so.:

brought forth alnmdantly after their kind, and 31 And God saw every thing that he had made,
every winged fowl after his kind and God saw : and behold, it was very good. And the evening
that it was good. and the morning were the sixth day.
»Mat. C:aO. • Heh. te7iatr grass, b Luke 6:44. c Psa. 136:7. t Heb. ment of lieaven, ver. 7, 14. ' Kcol. 7:29; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:1U. t Heb.
tltween the day, and btlween the night, i I'sa. 104: 19. 1 Heb. for the rule creepeth. Psa. 69:34. t UA>. seeding seed. « ch. 2:16; 9:3; Job 30:31;
u/tluday. eJer. ai:3o. i HA. creeping. lKmg.s4:33. \ lleh. a living Acts 14 17. 5 Heb. a living soul.
:

soul, Ter. 30; Eccl. 3:21. 1 Heb. let fowl fly. • Heb. face
of the firma-

11. Yielding seed; to perpetuate by natural growth the plants,such as wheat, pulse, etc.; leaving to the cattle
same kind. the green herbage.
lt-19. Lights; light and heat had been made before, on 31. Very good ; each part is separately pronounced good,
but now there were two great bod-
the first day, ver. 3-5 ; but the whole is very good, because it is only in the whole
ies in the heavens to occasion, through their motions and that each part finds its perfection.
those of the earth, day and night, summer and winter,
seed-time and harvest. INSTRUCTIONS.
20. Life; vegetable bfe had been given before, ver. 11, 1. The existence, wisdom, and greatness of God are

12 ; but now that of animals, was


a higher kind of life, shown by the tilings which ho has made, even his eternal
given. Fowl that mayfy; better, as in the margin, let power and godhead so that those who see these things
;

fowl fly. The fowl, as well as the beasts, were formed and yet do not adore him, are without excuse. Rom. 1:20.
out of the ground. Chap. 2 19. : 3. Light exists independently of the sun, as in electric-
21. Whales; the original word denotes the large sea ani- ity, lightning, and fire. God caused the light to shine out

2t. Cattle ——
mals generally sea-monsters.

creeping thing beast of the earth; the usual
of darkness, and he can .shine into dark hearts, and give
them the light of the knowledge of his glory iu the face
Hebrew division of land animals. The beast of the earth of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4:6.
denotes wild beasts, and the creeping thing all small ani- 10. In separating and combining the elements, assigning
mals that move with a low or gliding motion, as moles, to each its appropriate place, and upholding it there, no
serpents, etc. less really than in its creation, God showed his infinite
26. Us; such are the nature and manifestations of God, power, wisdom, and goodness, lie spake, and it was
that he can properly speak of himself as I or we, me or done; he commanded, and it stood fast. Psa. 33:9; Heb.
us thus our Saviour said, We
will come unto him, and 1:3.
;

make our abode with him. Jolm 14:23. Our image our — 12.In the continuance of the great law which God at
likeness; like his Creator, a rational Si>irit, exercising do- firstgave, that each seed should produce its kind in all
minion. future time, we have evidence that he sees and governs
29, 30. Every herb bearing seed —
every green herb; God —
throughout the vegetable creation is of one mind, and
fwes to man for his food the fruits and seed-bearing none can turn him. Job 23:13; Isa. 46:10.
14
;:

The first salhath. GENESIS II. T/ie garden of Eilen.

k^:U CHAPTER II. 9 And


out of tlic ground made the Lord God
1 The first sabbath. 4 The manner of the creation. S The plantin" to grow every tree that is pleasant to tlie sight,
of the garJen of EJen, 10 and the river thereof. 17 The tree oT
knowledge only forbidden. 10. 20 The namin,' of the creatures. 21 and good for food; the "-'tree of life also in the
The making of woman, and institution of marriage. midst of the garden, and the ''tree of knowledge
THUS
and
the heavens and the earth were finished, of good and evil.
the host of tliem. all 10 And a river went out of Eden to water the
2 And "on the seventh day God ended his work garden; and from thence it was parted, and be-
which lie had made and he rested on the scv- came into four heads.
;

cntli day from all his work whicli he had made. 11 The name of the first is Pi.son: that h it
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sancti- which compasseth 'the whole land of Havilah,
fied it; because that in it he had rested from all where thtre is gold
;

iiis work which God 'created and made. 12 And the gold of that laud is good: there is
4 IT Tiiese are the generations of the heavens and bdellium and the ony.x-stone.
of the earth when they were created, in tlie day 13 And the name of the second river is Gihoii
that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, the same is it that compasseth the whole land of
5 And every plant of the field before it was in Ethiopia.'
tiie earth, and every herb of tiie field before it 14 And the name of the third river is Ilidde-
grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to kel :' that is it which goeth toward the cast of •

rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to As.syria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
till the ground. 15 And the Lord God took Hhe man, and "put
G But there went up a mist from the earth, and him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to
*

watered tiie whole face of the ground. keep it.


7 And tlie Lord God formed man* 0/ the ''dust 16 And the Lord God commanded the man,
of the ground, and ''breathed into his ''nostrils saying. Of every tree of the garden ' thou mayest
the breath of life and "^man became a living soul. freely eat:
;

8 1 And the Lord God planted' a garden east- 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good
ward in Eden; and there he put tlie man whom and evil,' thou slialt not eat of it; for in the day
he had formed. that thou catest thereof thou *shalt surely die.

a Exod. aOill Isa. 5S:13; Heb. 4;4.


; Heb. crmltd to make, t Or, iUeh.Cush. J Dan. 10:4. t Or, eastward to Assyria. ^ Or. Adam, k ver
mist which went up from. I Heb. dust of the ground, b ch. .3:19: Ps 8. • Heb. ealinil thou shall eat. 1 ch. 3:1, 3, 11, 17; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor
103:14; Isa. (i4:8; 1 Uor. 15:47. « Job 33:4. a Isa. a:-", e I Cor. l.'i:4 15:56. t Heb. di/ing thou shall d,
( Ezek. 31:8, 9. e ch. 3:-22; I'rov. 3:18; Rev. 2:7. h ver. 17. ch. 25:1
>

18. The sun, moon, and stars are bright manifestations implies eternal, independent, unchanging self-existence,
of the wisdom, power, and goodness of God. can We and infinite perfection.
see and enjoy them without being able to understand When the word Lord in the Bible is printed in small
their nature, or how they produce their effects. So we capitals, it is in the Hebrew, Jehovah.
can beheve truths, and enjoy the benefits of faith, with- 5. Every plant —
before it was in the earth —
ei'ery herb —
out comprehending how those truths exist, are related, or before it grew; many prefer to render the original, "And
operate so usefully on us. no plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no lierb of
28. The fear of man manifested by fishes, fowls, and the field yet grew," the sacred writer again commencing
beasts, testifies to his dignity as the representative of his with the time when the earth was void.
Maimer and by yielding to him to whom God gave domin-
; 7. Formed man ; chap. 1 27. He was not born as men
:

ion, they acknowledge God's authority, and thus honor now are, and did not grow up gradually; but as other
him. They also suffer in consequence of man's sin. Gen. things were formed by the power of God at once, he was
6:7; Rom. 8:20. created full-grown and perfect.
31. .411 that God does is very good like its Author,
; 8. Eden; a country east or north-east of Palestine,

perfect. Nothing could be better; and in our treating aU through which flowed the rivers Tigris and Euphrates.
things according to his will there is great reward. 9. The tree of life; whose fruit would be to man, if obe-
dient, a pledge of endless life. Tree of knowledge ; by
CHAPTER n. man's treatment of which his character would be known
Tints; as described in the previous chapter.
1. and concerning which he knew by express revelation the
2. Rested; not in the sense of weariness, or ease from will of God: by obeying that will, he would know good
fatigue God is never weary. Isa. 40:28.
; But he ceased and good only and by disobeying, he would know evil,
;

from the work of the six days. He rested, as men should, and transmit it to his posterity.
after six days of labor; and as the friends of God, who 10. Was parted—four heads; was divided into four head
rightly understand their duty, will. Having made man in streams. But whether we are to reckon downward from
his own image, he now sets hira an example. Eden, so that the garden lay at their common source, or
3. Tlie seventh day; that which succeeds the six work- upward, so that it lay below their junction, is not agreed.
ing days and which was made to be a day of rest from
,• 13. Ethiopia; in the Hebrew, Cush not the Ethiopia in
;

secular employments and of devotion to religious duties. Africa, but a country in Asia, inhabited by descendants of
Sanctified it; set it apart from other days for sacred em- Cush the son of Ham, and father of Nimrod. Gen. 10:6, 8.
ployments. 14. Hiddekel; the river Tigris, which empties into the
4. " Tlie.ie are the generations ;" this expression is always Euphrates. Euphrates; a river which rises in Armenia
prefixed to the account to which it belongs. Chap. .'5:1; and flows south into the Persian Gulf.
10:1; 11:10; 25:12,19; 3G:1; 37:1. Here it introduces a 15. Dress; cultivate.
second further account of the creation, containing impor- 16. Of every tree; except the tree of knowledge, ver. 17.
tant particulars which could not be brought into the pre- 17. Thou shalt not eat of it; this was a test of his obe-
ceding narrative without interrupting its orderly plan. dience to the known will of God. Surely die; in the orig-
Lord; in the original, Jehovah. This is the first time this inal, dying thou shalt die. He would lose the moral
word is used in the Bible. It is the peculiar name of image and the favor of God become mortal and exposeH
;

Him, who is, and was, and is to come, the Almighty and ; to endless sinfulness and misery.
15
;

The making of voman. GENESIS Man's shamffxd full.

18 f And tlio Lonn God said, // is not pood .\nd he said unto the woman, 'Yea, h.*: JI,,!
iiiadi'.

tliat the man should l>e alone: "I


will make him ,
hath (iod .said, Yc shall not eat of every tree of
a help 'meet for him. the garden?
19 And out of the jrround the Lord God formed the woman said unto the serpent,2 And We
every l)east of the field, and every fowl of the may eat
of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
air; and ''lirouirht them unto *Adam to see wliat 3 Hut of the fruit of the tree which is in the
he would call tliem and whatsoever Adam called midst of the garden, God hath said, 'Ye shall nol
;

every livin<r creature, that icas tiie name thereol'. eat of it. neither shall yc touch it, lest ye die.
20 And Adam 'iravc names to all cattle, and 1 And the ^serpent said unto the ''woman, Ye
to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the shall not surely die:
field; but for Adam tlierc was not found a help 5 For God doth know, that in the day yc cat
meet for hiin. thereof, then your eyes shall be ojiened and yc :

21 And the Loup God caused a 'deep sleep to shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
fall npon Adam, and lie sl('])t; and he took one of (5 And when the woman saw that the tree %ms
his ribs, and closed up liie liesh instead thereof: good for food, and that it was 'pleasant to the
22 And tlie rib, which tiie Lord God had taken eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise,
from man, ''made he a woman, and broughf* her she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and
unto the man. gave also unto her husband with her, and he did
23 And Adam said, Tliis /*• no^\- bone" of my eat.
bones, and flesh of my flesh: she sliail l^e called 7 And the eyes of them lioth were opened,
Woman,' because she was taken out of ' J\[an. and tliey knew that they were naked;' and they
2-4 Therefore shall a man leave 'liis father and sewed tig-leaves together, and made themselves
his mother, and siiall cleave unto his wife: and afirons.'
they shall be one flesh. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God
25 And they were both naked, the man and his walking in the garden in the *cool of the day:
wife, and w'ere not ashamed. and Adam and his wife "'hid themselves from the
presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of
CHAPTER III. the garden.
1 The serpent deceiveth Eve. 6 Man's shameful fall. 9 G-od arraign- 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and
eth them. 14 The serpent is cursed. 15 The promised seed. 16
The punishment of mankind. 21 Their first clothing. 22 Their said unto him, AVhere art thou?
casting out of paradise. 10 And he said, 1 heard thy voice in the gar-
"VTOW the serpent was more "subtle than any den, and I was afraid, "because I was naked; and
^^

XN beast of the field wliich the Lord God had I hid myself.
al Cor. 11:9; 1 Tijn. 2:13. ''Reh.asbeforehim. b Psi. S;6. t Or, Me •
Vieh. yea, because, etc. i oh. 2:17. J John !-:ll. kl Tim. 2:14.
man. I YL«h. railed. = ch. 15:l->. i lUh.'builded. d Prov. 1S:23. c Eph. a desire. 1 ch. 2:23. I Or, tilings to gird about, i Heb. wind.
5:30. 1 Heb. /s/m. t |Hel). /.lA. f M:irk 10:7. e Rev. 12:0. li2Cor. 11:3. 23:24 ; Amos 9:2, 3. >> 1 John 3:20.

18. Alone; without a liumaii companion. Meet for him; istej-s of the gospel to live unmarried, set up their wis-
suited to his nature, condition, and wants. dom in opposition to his, deprive themselves of many
23. Woman —
man ; in Hebrew, man is Ish woman, Isha, ; blessings,and set an evil example to their fellow-men.
the feminine of man. 23. The manner in which, and the object for which woman
24. Therefore; on account of her likeness to man, her was made, show that the husband and wife should love each
suitableness to be his companion, the appointment of God other with tender affection cultivate union of views, inter-
;

with regard to it, and the mutual affection which he would est, and effort and mutually seek each other's highest good.
;

cause to subsist between them. One flesh; united in 24. Marriage, according to the will of God, is a union
bonds more tender and strong than those which unite for life of one man witli one woman, and with one only;
relatives by birth. and the fact that it is a divine instit\ition, shows that men
25. Not ashamed ; shame is the fruit of sin, and as they should enter into it for the glory of God in the promotion
had never sinned, they felt none of its evils. How long of their own happiness and usefulness.
they continued in this state, God has not told us and we ;

do not know. CHAPTER III.


INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Subtle; cunning, deceitful. He; the serpent, or Satan
3. As God made one day seven for rest and spiritual
in speaking by him.
duties, set it apart to be devoted not to secular but to 4. Ye shah not —
die; this is the first lie recorded in the
sacred employments, and enforced the observance of it by Bible. Satan was its author, and he is justly called the
his o^vn example and his command, it is manifestly his father of John 8:44.
lies.
will that men should regard it and no man in this respect; 5. Be as gods; be greatly exalted in knowledge, and able
does his will who does not remember the Sabbath-day to to choose for yourselves between good and evil.
keep it holy. 6. To make one wise; the tempter took occasion from
7. As tlie body of man was at first formed from the the name of the tree, to deceive her into the idea tliat it
dust, and all our bodies mu.st soon return to dust, our would make her wise in such a way as greatly to advance
chief concern should be for the soul that it may be fit- ; her dignity and blessedness. She took of the fruit; show-
ted, when it leaves the body, to enter into the presence ing that she believed Satan rather than tJod.
and enjoy the favor of God. 7. Were opened; but in an opposite sense from that of
15. Diligence in business during the six working days, the tempter. They were opened to see their shame and
as well as rest from it on the Sabbath, was needful to man ruin, and to rmderstand from their own sad experience the
in a state of innocence. He was made for employment difference between good and evil. Compare ver. 22. Knew
and no man can indulge in idleness or sloth, without com- that they were naked ; experienced shame from their naked-
mitting sin. ness as the fruit of sin.
18. As God has told us that it is not good for man to 8. Hid themselves; through conscious guilt, and fearful

live immarried, those who contend that it is best for min- expectation of coming evil.
16
; : ;

The judgments of God. GENESIS IV. T/ic birth of Cain.

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring tforth


wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, where- to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the
of I commanded thee that thou yhouldest not field:
eat? 19 Li the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
12 And the man said, "The woman whom thou till thou return unto the ground; for out of it
gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and wast thou taken for dust thou art, aud unto dust
:

I did eat. shalt thou return.


13 And the Lord God said unto tlie woman. 20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve ;* be-
What is this that thou hast done? And the wom- cause she was the mother of all living.^
an said. The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the
14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent. Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed'" them.
Because tliou hast done this, thou art cursed above 22 1 And the Lord God said, 'Behold, the man
all cattle, and above eveiy beast of the field: is become as one of us, to know good and evil:
upon thy belly shalt thou go, and ''dust shalt thou and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also
eat all the days of thy life of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
J

15 And I will put enmity between thee and the 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from
woman, and between "^thy seed and ''her seed °it ; the garden of Eden,'' to till the ground from
shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his whence he was taken.
heel. 24 So he drove out the man: and ho placed at
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly mul- the east of the garden of Eden cherubim,' and a
tiply thy sorrow and thy conception: in sorrow flaming sword™ which turned every way, to keep
thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire the way" of the tree of life.
shall be* to thy husband, and he shall '^rule over
thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast
CHAPTER IV.
1 The birth, trade, and religion of Cain and Abel. 8 The murder of
hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast Abel. 11 The curse of Cam. 17 Enoch the first city. 19 Lamech
eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, say- and his two wives. 25 The birth of Seth, 26 and Enos.

ing, Thou shalt not eat of it cursed is the ground


for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all
;
:
AND Adamandknew
bare
Eve
ceived,
his wife
Cain,^ and
;

said, I
and she con-
have got-
the days of thy life ten a man from the Lord.
a Job 31:33; Prov. 23:13. b Isa.. 65:25; Micah 7:17. = Mitt. 13:38; John cause to bud. 1 Heb. Chavah, that is, lit ug. e Acts 17:26. b Isa. 61:10;
8:44; lJohn3:8. d Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:35. e Rom. 10:20; Eph. Phil. 3:9. ver. 5. J Rev. 2:7. k VBr. 19
i 1 Psa. 80:1, etc. 99:1. n> 1 Cht.
;

4:8 Rev. 12:7, 8. * Or, suiject to thy husband. ' 1 Cor. 14:34. t Heb. 21:16. n Heb. 10:20. 5 That is, g-oHen, ( acquired-
'

11. Who told thee; bow didst thou become ashamed and resemble Satan, do his work, and will partake of his tor-
fearful? This was asked, not for the information of God, ment. Rev. 21:8.
but for the conviction of Adam. Sin makes men ashamed of themselves, afraid of
9.
12. She gave me ; this was true, but it did not excuse him. God, and desirous to escape his notice. But their efforts
13. Beguiled; deceived. to hide themselves or their sins are vain, and only show
14. The serpent; the instrument through which Satan the reality of their guilt and the dreadfulness of their
acted. Cursed; lie would be greatly degraded, and de- condition.
tested. 13. Impenitent men try to cast the blame of their sins
the seed of the woman, or, as it might be ren-
15. It; on others while those who are penitent, take it to them-
;

dered, He, referring especially to Christ, who in due time selves. Luke 15:21.
would come to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John Duty, safetj', and interest sometimes require us to
17.
3:8. Bruise tliy head; overcome him and destroy his refuse compliance with the wishes of our dearest friends
power. JSruise A(s Ace/; inflict upon him temporary evil, i and if we do not, we shall bring upon ourselves a dread-
16. And thy conception; in thy conception. Tliy desire — i ful curse.
to thy husband; he should control her, and she be subject 19. Theevilof sin surpasses all finite conception. Every
to him. instance of death is an evidence of its power, and of the
18. The herb of the field; for which he must laboriously truth of God. When the word hath gone out of his
toil, instead of living any longer in paradise. mouth, it standeth for ever. All who disbelieve his
Eve; meaning life.
20. known declarations, demonstrated in the universal mor-
supposed to be of animals offered in sacrifice
21. Skins; tality of men, are without excuse.
to God, pointing forward to the great atoning sacrifice of 21. When oiu" first parents had vainly endeavored to
Christ, the promised Conqueror of Satan. Through faith hide their shame by a covering of their own invention.
in Christ, God would forgive men, sanctify, and save them. God, in his great mercy, provided for them a suitable cov-
22. Une of us; chap. 1:26. Man had vainly attempted ering. This truly shadows forth the righteousness which
to elevate and bless himself, by taking his own way, in God gives through faith in Christ, to all who humbly ask
compliance with Satan's temptation, and in opposition to him for it, with a hearty acknowledgment of the worth-
the known will of Gorl thus he knew good and evil, by
; lessness of their own righteousness.
losing the one and suffering the other. 24. There is nothing in the nature of holiness which is
24. Cherubim; this was some visible appearance of a security against apostasy and ruin. Those that are
celestial beings, but its exact nature is unknown. perfectly holy may commit sin; and thus change their
character, condition, and prospects for eternity.
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. The great means of safety to man is continued, hearty CHAPTER IT.
belief in the truth of God's declarations. Hence Satan Cain; meaning possession.
1. A man; man-child, a
tries to prevent this, that by their own voluntary trans- son. From the Lord; these words may be rendered, with
gressions, he may destroy them. the Lord; that is, by intercession with him, and with his
4. Satan tries to make men disbelieve God's declarar aid. Some suppose she thought this son to be the prom-
tions, in order to lead them to break his commands. Liars ised Seed, who should bruise the serpent's head.
11
Cain slay it A Abel, and GENESIS IV. hiimneth a fii^/ire.

2 And slio ns^iun bare liis brother *Abcl. And


Abol was a
kcc'iicr of s^licop, but Cain was a tiller
of tlif irronnd.
3 And 'in process of time it came to pass, that
Cain hroiidil-^ of (he fniit of the ground an oflcr-
ing unto tiic Lonn.
4 And Aljol, ho also brou<rht" of the firstlings
of his fflock, and of the fat" thereof. And tiic
Loud had respect" unto Abel and to his offer-
ing:
5 But unto Cain, and had not
to his offering, he
respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his
countenance fell.

6 And the Loud


said unto Cain, "Wliy art thou
wroth? and why countenance fallen?
is tliy
7 If thou doost well, slialt thou not 'be accept-
ed? and if thou docst not well, ''sin lieth at the
door. And ' unto thee shall be his desire, and thou
shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and
it came to pass, when they were in the field, that
Cain rose up against Abel liis brother, and "slew
him.
9 1i And the Loed said unto Cain,'' Where is
Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Jim
I my brother's keeper?
10 And he said, "What hast thou done? the
voice of thy brother's "blood crieth^ unto me
from the ground.
11 And now art (liou cursed from the earth,
which hath opened her mouth to receive thy
brother's blood from thy hand.
12 When thou tillcst the ground, it shall not
henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugi-
tive and a vagabond slialt thou be in tiic earth.
13 And Cain said uuto the Lokd, My punish-
ment* is greater than I can bear.
•Heb
1 : : ^ ; : : : : :

The genealogy GENESIS V. of the patriarchs

A. M 25 T And Adam knew his wife again; eight hundred and forty years, and begat" sons
r.i,n«t

B. r.'.BToand slie bai-e a son, and called his name and daughters:
Seth For God, said she, hath appointed me an-
:'
14 And all the days of Cainan were nine hun-
other seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. dred and ten years and he died.' :

26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a 15 TI And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years,
son; and he called his name *Enos: then began and begat ' Jared :

men * to call upon the name of the Lord. 16 And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared
eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons
CHAPTER
V. and daughters:
1 The genealogy, age. and deatli of the patriarchs, from Adam unto 17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight
Noah. 24 The godliness and translation of Enoch. hundred ninety and five years and he died.^ :

THIS is the book of tlie generations of Adam. 18 IT And Jared lived a hundred sixty and two
In the day that God created man, in ''the years, and he begat Enoch
likeness of God made he him 19 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight
2 Male" and female created he them; and bless- hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
ed them, and called their name Adam, in the day 20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred
when they were created. sixty and two years and he died.'' :

3 IT And Adam lived a hundred and thirty 21 'i And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and
years, and begat a son in his own likeness,'^ after begat "Methuselah:
his image and called his name Seth
; 22 And Enoch walked with God' after he begat
4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons
Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat and daughters:
sons and daughters:*^ 23 And all the days of Enoch were th.rce h.un-
5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine dred sixty and five years
jumdred and thirty years and he died.' : 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was
6 1[ And Seth lived a hundred and five years, not; '"for God took him.
and begat Enos :
25 1 And Methuselah lived a hundred eighty
7 And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hun- and seven years, and begat *Lamech:
dred and seven years, and begat sons and daugh- 26 iVnd Metkuselah lived after he begat Lamech
ters: seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat
8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred sons and daughters
and twelve years: and he died. 27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine
9 1" And Enos lived ninety years, and begat hundred sixty and nine years and he died. :

Cainan :^ 28 IF And Lamech lived a hundred eighty and


10 And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight two years, and begat a son
hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and 29 And he called his name *Noah, saying. This
daughters same shall comfort us concerning our work and
1 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred toil of our hands, because of the ground "which
and five years: and he died.^ the Lord hath cursed.
12 And Cainan lived seventy years, and be- 30 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five
*![

gat Mahalaleel hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and
13 And Cainan lived after ho begat Mahalaleel dauixhters
• Ilfb. Sltf^lk, that is, appointed, or put. t Keb. Enosh. X Or, to call 9:'J7. f ch. 4:26. S Heb. Kenan, g ver. 5. I Ileb. MaUlee:. h ver. 4.
themselves hi/ the name of the Lokd. Deut. 2r>:l"; Psa. 116:17; Isa. 44:5; iver. 5. 1! Ileb. Jered. > vcr. 5. t ver. 5. • Gr. Mathnsala. ch. 6:0; '

Jocl2::iJ; 1 Cor. 1:2. » ch.l:27; 1 Cor. 11:7; 2 Cor. .3:18. b Mai. 2:15. 17:1; Deut. l:J:4; 2 Kings 20:3; Psa. 10:3; Amos3::5; Mai. 2:6. m Heb.
« Job 43:4; John 3:6; 1 Ccr. 15:39. d ver. 7, 10, 13, 10, 22, 26, 30. e Heb. 11:5. t Ucb. iemcf/i. 1 Gr. A'ot; that is. rest, or rom/orl. n ch. 3:17; 4:11.

meaning appointed or substituted in place of


25. Seth; 14. A murderer feels that he deserves to die and when ;

Abel. he is put to death, often acknowledges that it is just.


To call upon the name of the Lord; they separated
2G. 25. If men would possess the character and receive the
themselves from the wicked, maintained the public wor- reward of God's people, they must separate themselves
ship of God, and were tlius recognized as his visible peo- from his enemies, publicly maintain his worship, and
ple. It is generally thought that they were " the sons of show themselves to be his friends. JIark 8 3S John : ;

God," mentioned in chap. C:2. 14:21; 1 Cor. 7:10; 2 Cor. 6:17.

INSTRUCTIONS. CHAPTER V.
In the declaration that the seed of the woman should
4. 1. Book of the generations; history of Adam and his
bruise the serpent's head, and in the appointment of sac- posterity.
rifices, chap. 3:15, 21, God revealed the certainty of a 2. Their name Adam ; that is, man.
coming Saviour, and laid a foundation for faith, by the 3. In his own likeness; a human being, and depraved;
exercise of which men might be justified, and for Christ's who, without the renewing grace of God, would never be
sake be accepted as righteous, lleb. 11:4. holy, but would live and die in sin.
5. Faith in what God has revealed with regard to the 24. Walked with God; was cordially reconciled to him,
Redeemer, and the way of life through him, is, to those Amos 3:3; sought his guidance, believed his declarations,
who know this revelation, essential to acceptable wor- obeyed his commands, and enjoyed his presence. ICci
ship. He that rejects the Son rejects also the Father, not; was not found on the earth nor did he die, but God ;

and will be rejected by him. John 15:23; 1 John 2:23. took him to heaven. Heb. 11:5.
9. Sins have a close connection, and the commission of 27. He died year of the flood.
; in the
one leads to the connnission of others. He who will 29. Noah; signifying rest; expressive of the hope and
commit murder will also tell lies. expectation that he would be a rvent blessing.
10
;

WitJceJiiess of t/if irnrld. GENESIS \ f. J'unn of Ihe ark.

31 Anddays of Lamocli wore sovcn luin-


nil tlio
dred si'venty and sovon years: and lio died. the lioun.
;{"J And Noah was live liunilrcd years old: and These arc tlie generations of Noah Noali was
i) :

Noah begat Shorn, llaiu, and Japiietii." a justman and ''perfect in Ids generations, and
Noah walked with God.
CHAPTER VI. 10 And Noah begat three sons, Sheni, Ham, and
Japheth.
1 The wickedness of the world, which provoked God's wrntli, and
caused the Hood. 8 Noah findoth grace. 14 The order, form, and 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and
en 1 of the ark. the earth was filled with violence.

VXD came it to pass, when men'' bcijan to 12 And God looked upon tlie earth, and behold,
multiply on liio face of the earth, and daugh- it was C()nii])t; for all flesh had corrupted his
ters were born unl« them, way upon the earth.
'1 That the sons of God saw the daughters of 13 And God said unto Noali, The end' of all
men that they were fair;'' and they took them flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled
wives'* of all which they chose. with violence through them and behold, I will ;

3 And the Loud said, "My Spirit shall not al- destroy them 'with the earth.
ways strive with man, for that he also is 'llesh: 11 *1 ^lake thee an ark of gopher-wood : ^rooms
yet his days shall bo a hundred and twenty years. shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it
•i There were giants in the earth in those days within and without with pitch.
and also after that, the sons of God came
when 15 And this is thefasliion which thou shalt make
in uuto the daughters of men, and they bare chil- it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred

dren to tlicui, the same became mighty men, which cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height
were of old, men of renown. of it thirty cubits.
5 1 And God saw that the wickedness'^ of man 16 window shalt thou make to the ark, and A
was great in the earth, and that every "imagina- in a cubit shalt thou finbsh it above and the door ;

tion of the thoughts'' of his iicart was only evil of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof: imth
continually.^ lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
6 And it repented the Lord that he had made 17 And behold, I, even I, do Ijring a flood^ of
man on the earth, and it grieved hiii^ at Jiis heart. waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein
7 And the Loud said, I will destroy man whom is the breath of life, from under heaven and ;

I have created from the face of the earth; *both every thing that is in the earth shall die.
man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the 18 But with thee will 1 establish my covenant;
fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy
;

made them. sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

aCh. G:10; 7:13; I Chr. 1:4-34. l>ch. »Job31:l. d Deut. 7:.% 4;


1:23. tion, but also tlie purposes and desires, h ch. 8:21 Dent. 23:19; Ezek. 8:9,
;

Erri U:-J; Neh. 13;a6, 27: 2 Cor. G:M. Neh. 9:3U; Isa. .5: 1; 03:10; jer.
e 12; Mat. 15:19. t Heb, every day. I Heb. from man unto beast, i Or,
11:7. 11; 1 Pet. 3:20, r Psx. 7S:.':9. Rom 3:9. -Or,
f Tsa. 14:2; SJ:2; upright, il Pet. 4:7. I Or, from the earth. 1 Heb. nests. iPsa. 03:3, 4,
the itiltoU imagination. The Hebrew word signifies not only tlu iniaffitia- Amos 9:C.

31. He died; five years before the flood. 8. Grace; favor, as being a righteous man.

32. Japheth; he is generally thought to have been the 9. Perfect; not in the sense of being sinless; but in the

elder; see note to chap. 10:21; but Shem ie mentioned sense of being sincere, upright, and truly devoted to God.
first, because from him would descend the Messiah. 14. Gopher; a species of resinous wood; perhaps the
cypress.
INSTRUCTIONS. 15. Length; about four hundred and fifty feet. Breadth;
24. To walk with God is the highest
duty, the greatest seventy-five feet. Height; forty-five feet: proportions
honor, excellence, and blessedness of man. Jude U, 15; according to which the best ships are now built.
Ueb. 11:5, 6. IC. And zn a cubit slialt thou finish it above; literally, unto
Parents often hope for great comfort from their chil-
29. a cubit shalt thou finish it above that is, thou shalt make
;

dren and if children are pious, especially if they become


; it to the height of a cubit. Some understand these words
preachers of righteousness, and are instrumental in the of the roof of the ark, which was to have a cubit's slope
salvation of men, parents have reason to rejoice with from the central line outwards. But they more naturally
great joy. refer to the windows. The horizontal width of the win-
CHAPTER VI. dow is not given; this may have greatly exceeded its
height.
Sons of God; his visible worshippers, who had re-
2.

mained in the home of Adam. Of men; the openly wick-


18. My ccwcnant ; his engagement for the preservation of

Noah and his family, when the rest of the world should
ed, who seem to have belonged to Cain's descendants.
be destroyed.
Chap. 4:16. All which they chose; being governed in this
matter by their own wills, not by the will of God.
INSTRUCTIONS.
3. Strive with man ; to bring him to repentance and sal- Intimate connections with the wicked are sources of
2.
vation. Is flesh; corrupt, John 3:0. A hundred and twen- great moral corruption and danger.
ty years; so long would God wait before ho would destroy 7. When God, instead of preserving and blessing men,
the world. turns against and destroys them, he is said in the Bible
4. Giants; men of great stature and wickedness. 3Ien to repent, because he changes his conduct as men do
of renown; famous for their deeds of I'apine. when they repent. Not that he alters his purposes, or
G. Repented the Lord grieved him;—he would change his does what he did not always intend to do. In this sense
conduct towards men, as men change their conduct when he is of one mind, and none can turn him. Job 23:13; he
sorry for what they have done and instead of continuing ; is not a man that lie should lie, nor the son of man that he

them on the earth and granting them his favors, as be had should repent. Num. 23:19. There is no contradiction
done, he would destroy them. in these texts they refer to difi"erent things, and express
;

7. Sec Instruction, chap. 1:2S. different truths. In studying the Bible, we should not
20
; 1 ; ;

Noah enters I he ark. GENESIS VII. Th6 waters prevail.

taim: 19 -^nii of every living thinj^ of all flesh, 1 1 In


the six hundredth year of Noah's life,
two" of every sort slialt thou bring into the ark, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the
to keep themalive with thee they shall be male : month, the same day were all the fountains" of
and female. the great deep broken up, and the ^windows of
20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after heaven were opened.
their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth 12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days
after his kind two of every sort shall come unto
; and forty nights.
thee, to keep them alive. 13 In tlie self-same day entered Noah, and Shem,
21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and
eaten, and tliou shalt gather it to tlieo ; and it Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with
shall be for food for thee, and for them. them,'' into the ark
22 Thus did Noah according to all that God
;''
14 Tlioy, and every beast after his kind, and all
commanded liim, so did he. the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and
CHAPTER VII. every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. '

1 Noah, witli )iis family, and the living ere enter into the ark. 15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two
17 The be^'iniiin^, increase, and contj of tlie flood.
and two of all flesh, wherein is the breatli of life.
AND the Lord said unto Noah,
all thy house into the ark
Come thou and 16 And they that went in, went in male and fe-
for nhee have I male of all flesh, as God had commanded him:
;

seen righteous before me in this generation. and the Lord shut him in.^
2 Of every ''clean beast thou shalt take to thee 17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth
by sevens,* the male and his female; and of beasts and the waters increased, and bare up the ark,
that are not clean by two, the male and his female. and it was lifted up above the earth.
3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male 18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased
and the female to keep seed alive upon the face
; greatly upon the earth and the ark went upon
;

of all tlic earth. the face of the waters.


4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain 19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon
upon the earth forty days and forty nights and ; the earth ;'' and all tlie high hills that were under
every living substance that I have made will I the wliole heaven were covered.
destroy* from oti' the face of the earth. 20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters pre-
5 And Noah did according unto all that the vail and the mountains' were covered.
;

Lord commanded him. 21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth,
6 And Noah was six hundred years old when both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of
the flood of waters was upon the earth. every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth,
1 1 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his and every man
:'

wife, his sons' wives with him, into the ark,


and 22 All in whose nostrils icas 'the breath of life,
because of the waters of the flood. of all that was in the dry land, died.
8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not 23 And every living substance was destroyed
clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creep- which was upon the face of the ground, both man,
etli upon the earth, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl
9 There went in two and two unto Noah into of the heaven and they were destroyed from the ;

the ark, the male and the female, as God had earth and Noah'' only remained alive, and they
:

commanded Noah. that ivcre with him in the ark.


10 And it came to pass, * after seven days, that 21 And 'the waters prevailed upon the earth a
the waters of the flood were upon the earth. hundred and fifty days.
a Ch. 7:8, 9. <• Heb. 11;7. ' 1 Pet. 3:aO; 2 Pet. 2:5. d Lev. oh. U. wing. S Deut. 33:27; Psa. 40:2; 91:9; Prov. 3:23. h Job 12:15; Psa.

Hcb seven seven, t Heh. Mot out. I Ot, on the seventh day. e ch. 8:2; 104-6; 2 Pet. 3:6. i Jer. 3:23. j Job 22:15-17. 1 Heh. Ike breatk of the
Prov. 8;2S; llitt. 24:3S; 1 Thess. 5:.3. i Or, Jloodgates. fch.6:18. H Heb. spirit of life, k Ezek. 14:14, 20; Mai. 3:17, 18. 1 ch. 8:3.

regard simply the sound of the words, but become ac- —


of the great deep windows of heaven; the waters rushed up
quainted with and believe their meaning. In no other from the sea, and poured down from the heavens.
way can we receive benefit from them. 20. Fifteen cubits; about twenty-two and a half feet.
9. The cause of the difl'erence between a good man and Upward; above the highest land.
the openly wicked is, not their natural disposition, but di- 24. A hundred and fifty days; so long, it is supposed, the
vine grace and the fruits of this grace are piety towards
;
waters did not sensibly abate.
God, integrity, uprightness, and benevolence towards men. LXSTRUCTIONS.
12. The corruption of men proceeds from themselves
they are the authors of all their wickedness, and the cause 1. not necessary for a man to be wicked because
It is
of their own ruin. Prov. 1 31 Hosea 13: 9 James 1 14.
: ; ; : others around him are wicked. Any one may, if he will,
22. That faith in God which heaccepts, and which is be righteous, even in the midst of abounding iniquity.
the means of jiistiflcation and salvation, leads those who And every one whom God sees to be righteous through
exercise it to obey his commands. faith, will be saved when the wicked are destroyed.
5. If men would be saved, they must not only
believe
CHAPTER VII. God's declarations, but also make it their great object to
Clean bea-it ; suitable for sacrifice.
2. obey all his commands.
10. After seven days ; on the seventh day it began to rain. 15. God has power not only over men, but also over
11. Second month; the year began late in September; and beasts, and all the works of his hands. He can influence,
the second month, called Marchesvan, answered to the last direct, and control them, as seemeth him good.
part of October and the first part of November. Fountains 16. Those who beheve God's declarations and obey
21
; ; : :

Tilt tcatcrs assuam: GENESIS VTII. l^oah offers n sacrifice.

CHAPTER VIII so
from
Noah knew tliat
off the earth.
the waters were abated 'J,-."; J^;

Tho assuage I Tli.i nrk rostilh on Ararat. 7 Tho raven


1

and
\v-iitcrs
Uie dove, l-'i Noah. Xmng commanJoa. IS jfoolh fortli of tlio 12 And lie stayed yet other seven days, and
ark. 'JO H« Imiiaotli an altar, and ofTfrelli sacrifice, 21 vhicli Go<l sent forth the dove; wliich returned not again
accepteth, and proIni^^'th to curst* t!io cartli no more.
unto him any more.
A ND rciiicinboml Noah, and every liv-
God" V.'j "i And
it came to pass in the si.x hundredth

1\. iiig tliinir. and all the fattle'' that was with and year, in the Iirst month, the iirst day of
first

liiin in tho ark: and God made a wind" to pass the month, the waters were drieil up from otV tlic
over the earth, and the waters assuaged earth: ami Noah removed tiu! covering of the
2 The fountains'' also of the deej), and the win- ark, and looked, and behold, the face of the
dows'' of lieaven were stopped, and llic rain from ground was dry.
heaven wa.s restrained It And in the second month, on the seven and
3 And the waters returned from off the earth twentieth day of the month, was the earth drieil.
continually:* and after the end of the hundred 1') IT And God spake unto Noah, saying.

and lifty days the waters were abated. 1() Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and

4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.
the seventeenth day of the month, upon the moun- i" Bring forth with thee every living thing that
tains of Ararat.' M with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle,
5 And the waters ^decreased eontinually until and of every creeping thing that creep(!th upon the
the tenth month in the tenth month, on the iirst day
: earth that they may breed abundantly in the earth,
;

of the month, were the tops of the mountains .seen. and be fruitful" and multiply upon the earth.
G 11 And it came to pass at the end of forty 18 And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his
days, that Noah opened" the window of the ark wife, and his sons' wives with him
which he had made : 19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every
I And he sent forth a raven, which went forth fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth,
to* and fro, until the waters were dried up from after their 'kinds, went forth out of the ark.
oif the earth. 20 IT And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord,
8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the and took of every clean beast,' and of every clean
waters were abated from off the face of the ground; fowl, and offered liurnt-offerings on the altar.
9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her 21 And
the Lord smelled ^a sweet J savor; and
foot, and she returned unto him into the ark for ; the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse
the waters were on the face of the whole earth the ground" any more for man's sake *for the im- ;

then he put forth his hand, and took her, and agination' of man's heart is evil from his youth:
pulled^ her in unto him into the ark. neither will I again smite"^ any more every thing
10 And he stayed yet other seven days, and living, as I have done.
again he sent forth the dove out of tiic ark; 22 While ^tlie earth remaineth,"^ seed-time and
II And the dove eanio in to him in the evening; harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and win-
and lo, in her mouth was an olive-leaf plucked oif: ter, and day and night, shall not cease.

Ch. 19:20; Ex. -i-.-n Pia. 1UG:4. b Par


a ;
a. ' K.X. 14:al. d Proy. ities.
9:iS. e Job a3:3<; Matt. V-.Ti. * Heb. i ng an:l returning, f Jer.

cn.i;:16. t -Beh. in going


I Heb. were in gains ^'"^ dtcreasin^
.Tt :'27.

foTth ami returning, i Heb. caused her to i h ch. 1:22. I Heb. fam-

his commands, will receive his efifectual protection and


care.
21. Men who know the declarations of God but do not
believe them, will bo convinced of their truth by their
fulfilment and when he undertakes to punish, tlicre is no
;

possibility of escape.

CHAPTER VIII.
1. Kememftcrerf; showed that he remembered. A.mtaged;
be,£;an to abate.
3. Hundred and fifty days; from the time it began to rain.
4. Seventh month; called Nisan, and answering to the
last part of March and the first part of April. Mountains
of Ararat; in Armenia.
5. Tenth month; called Thammuz, and answering to the
last part of June and the first part of July.
6. Forty days; after the mountains were first seen.

7. A raven; which, being an unclean bird, could feed on


dead bodies.
9. Found no rest; though the tops of some mountains
could be seen, these were not the regions which tlie dove
would visit.
13. month; called Tisri, and answering to the
The first
last part of first part of October. This
September and the
was the first month of the civil year. Afterwards, in tlie
days of Moses, the ecclesiastical year of the Jews began
in the month of Abib or Nisan, answering to the last part
of March and the first part of April.
22
; :

God hkssdh Noah. GENESIS IX. TJie covenant of the rainbow.

S.2!S CHAPTER IX. neither shall all flesh bo cut off any more by the
1 God blesseth Noah. 4 Blood and murder are forbidden. 8 God's waters of a flood neither shall tlierc any more
;

covenant, 13 signified by llie rainbow. IS Noali replenisheth tlie be a flood to destroy the earth.'
world, 20 planteth a vineyard, 21 is drunken, and mocked of Iii-s
son, 2-3 curseth Canaan, 26 blesseth Shem. 27 prayeth for Japhetli, 12 And God said, This is the token of the cov-
29 and dieth. enant which I make between me and you, and
ANDuntoGod blessed Noah and his sons, and said
them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and
every living creature that is with you, for perpet-
ual generations:'"
replenish the earth." 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall
2 And the fear of you, and the dread of you, be for a token of a covenant between me and the
shall bo upon every beast of the earth, and upon earth."
every fowl of the air, upon all that raoveth upon 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a
the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea;'' into cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen
your hand are they delivered. in the cloud
3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat 15 And I will remember my covenant, which is
for you ;" even as the green herb'' have I given you between me and you and every living creature of
all things." all flesh and the waters shall no more become a
;

4 But flesh with the life thereof, lohich is the flood to destroy all flesh."
blood thereof, shall ye not eat.'' 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I will look upon it, that I may remember the ever-
require: at the hand of every beast will I require lasting covenant between God and every living
it, and at the hand of man y at the hand of every creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.''
man's brother will I require the life of man. 17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token
6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall of the covenant wliich I have established between
his blood be shed:'' for in the image of God made me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
lie man.' 18 ^ And the sons of Noah, that went forth of
7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth :' and
fortli abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. Ham is the father of Canaan.'
8 TT And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons 19 These are the three sons of Noah:"" and of
with him, saying, them was the whole earth overspread.
9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with 20 And Noali began to be a husbandman, and ho
you, and with your seed after you ]' planted a vineyard :'
10 And with every living ereaturc that is with 21 And he drank of the wine,' and was drunk-
you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast en and he was uncovered within his tent. ;

<jf the earth with you from all that go out of the
; 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the na-
ark, to every beast of the earth.'' kedness" of his father," and told his two brethren
11 And I will establish my covenant with you; witliout.

» Ver. 7, 19; ch. 10:3->. b Psa. 8:(i; Hos. 2:13; Jls. 3:7. c Deut. 12:1.5 Dent
14:4, etc.; Acts 10:12-14; ITim. 4:3,4. dch.l:2U. eHom.l4:3. (Lev
17:10-14; I9:2G; Deut. 12;-ii; 1 Sam. 14:31. g Ex. 21: 12, 3:^. hLev.24:17;
1 King32:5,6,.32. ch. T
i - " "
.,..11, 17; ch. e:IS.
' k ch. -. -
12Peter3:7. iich.l7;l ;ek. 1:2S; Rev. 4:3; 10:1. 2U:42,45..

people, he never forgets thera nor does he continue tho.se


;

trials any longer tlian will promote his glory and their
highest good. Let them place implicit confidence in him
in due time all his promises will be fully accomplished.
12. In the days of Noah, as at the creation and in the
days of Adam, time was divided into weeks or periods of
seven days marked, not by the revolutions of heavenly
;

bodies, as were months and years, but by the return of


the Sabbath, a day of rest from secular, and of devotion to
eacred duties. This division of time was carried into all
parts of the world, and has been observed by the people
of God in all ages.
18. As soon as trials have accomplished God's wise and
benevolent ends, he delights to deliver his people from
them, and to fill their hearts with joy.
21. Whatever destruction God brings upon the wicked,
and however extensively it may be known, without the
grace of God those who survive will continue to be wick-
ed neither judgments nor mercies will lead them to love
;

and obey God.


22. The regular return of day and night, summer and
winter, seed-time and harvest, is a constant memorial of
the truth of Jehovah that when the word hath gone out
;

of his mouth it standeth for ever. Num. 23:19; Matt.


24:35.

CHAPTER IX.
2. lalo your hand; tlicy shall be subject to you, to be
used for your benefit.
:

The curse of Canaan. GENESIS X. Generations of Noah.

'23 Shorn and Jiipliotli took a panncnt, and and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, aud h. r ^15:
And
laid upon liolli tlicir ;ilii)nldris. and went l)ack- Meshcch, and Tiras.
it

ward." and covitimI tlic nakoilness of tlieir i'atlier 3 And the sons of Gonicr; Aslikenaz, and Ri-
and llicir t'aifs u-irc liackward, aud they saw not phath, and 'J'ogannah.
tlieir fallier's nakedness. 4 And thcsuns of .lavaii; Elishah, and Tarshish,
24 And Noali awoke from Ids wine, aud knew Kitlini, and 'Dodauim.
wliat Ills yonnirer son liad done unto liini. 5 J{y lliesc were the isles' of the Gentiles di-
'Hi And' lie said, Cursed'' be Canaan; a servant vided iu their lands: every one after his tongue,
of servants shall he lie unto his l)retliren. after their I'aniilies, in their nations.
2() And lie said, JJlessed be the Loito God of G " And the -«ons of ilaiu: Cush, aud Mizruini,
Siieni; and Canaan sliall be "his servant. and Phut, aud Canaan.
27 God siiall *enlar<re Jajiheth,'' and he shall 7 Aud the soils of Cush; Scba," ami llavilah,
dwell in tlic tents of Shem aud Canaan shall be aud Habtali, and Raaiuaii. and Sabteeiia: aud the
;

his servant. sons of Raamali ^^lleba, and Dcdau. ;

28 'i And Noali lived after the flood three hun- 8 And (hisli bi'gat Ninirod:'' he began to be a
ilred aud fifty years. mitrlity one in the earth.
29 And all" the days of Noah were ''nine hun- 9 lie was a mighty hunter' before the Lord;
dred aud fifty years: and he died. wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty
hunter before the Loud.
CHAPTERX. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was *Ba-
1The :;onerations of Tfo.ih. 2 The sons of Japhcth. 6 The sons of bel, aud Erecli, aud Aeead, aud Caluch, in the
Haul. S Nimrod the first monarch. 21 liie sons of Shcm. laud of .Shi liar.

1^
OW these arc the generations of the sons of 11 Out ot that laud 'went forth Asshur, and build-
Noah ; Shem, Haiu, aud Japheth : aud unto ed Nineveh, aud ^thc city Rehoboth, and Calah,
them were sous born after the flood. 12 And Resen, between Nineveh aud Calah the :

2 The "sons of Japhcth; Gomer, aud Magog, same is a great city.


» Kx. 20.12; Gal. G 1 1 Pet 4-8. 1> Deut 27 16; Josh 9 23, 27; Judj. 2:11 |[Psa72 10. hMio. 5:6. iMic. 7:2 i Gi. JBatylo:
1:23, 3U; 2Chr 8:7, 8 •
Or, Mnant to thtm 1 lir, persuade. cEph. 2:1:1. out into Assyria. 1 Or, the streets of lite city.
•I ch. 5:5. e Ter. 21. I Or, as some road it. Hodamm. < Jer 2 II); Zeph.

25. Cmiaan; God mercifully restricted the curse to Ca- ply individuals, but nations, or families of nations sprung
naan the son of Ham, aud father of the Canaauitea, whom, from them.
;is a just punishment for their eins, God in after-ages 2. Gomer; probably the Cimmerians north of the Black

directed the Israelites to destroy. Ex. 34: 10-14; Deut. : sea, around which and north of it his sons settled, ver. 3.
7 17-24.
: Servant of servants ; the meanest of servants. Magog; a powerful people of the north. Ezek. 38:15;
27. Enlarge .Japhcth ; greatly extend the territory of his 39:2. Madai; the Modes east of Assyria and south ofthe
descendants. Dwell in the tents of Shem; partake ofthe bless- Caspian sea. Javan; the lonians on the western coast of
ings enjoyed by him. The Jews came from Shem. The Asia Minor, and then the Greeks generally. Tubal, and
chief civilized and Christian nations of modern Gentiles Meshcch ; probably inliabiting the region between the Cas-
;tre from Japhcth. pian and Black seas, and further north.
INSTRUCTIONS. 3. Togarmah; probably the Armenians, or a people iu

With the increase of the human family by the mar-


1. that vicinity.
riage of one man with one woman, God is well pleased, Elishah; the Greeks. 4
Kittim; the same as Chittim,
that all parts of the earth may be inhabited, cultivated, isles of Chittira. The word is plural, and signi-
and the
;iud fiUed with his praise. the coasts and islands west of Palestine, and then, in a
fies
3. The fear of man in beasts, birds, and fishes, is evi- general sense, Europe and the coasts of Asia Jlinor. The
dence of the truth and goodness of God. Without his same is signified by "the isles of the Gentiles," ver. 5.
permission we should have no right to use them for food The sons of Japheth occupied Europe, Asia Minor, the
;

;ind all wanton destruction of them, or jjutting them to countries aroimd the Black sea and the Caspian, and the
pain, is sinful. vast region to the north and east of them.
C. God is the rightful disposer of human life, and as he 6. Cush; from whom camo the Ethiopians, south of

directs that the murderer shall by man be put to death, it Egypt. j)/(crc;m; from whom came the Egj'ptians. Miz-
is morally wrong for government not to do it. It is a vio- raim is the Hebrew word for Egypt.
lation of duty to God and to men. 7. Seba ; a ])eoi)le of Ethiopia, the same as the Sabeans,

15. Whenever we see the rainbow we have evidence of mentioned in Isa. 45 14, along with Egypt and Ethiopia. It :

the truth of Gud's declarations, and that he remembers must not bo confounded with the Sabeans of Jol) 1:15,
them; and we slimild ft'cl that not one jot or tittle of what where a different word is used in the Hebrev/. Uavilah ;
he has said will fail, but that all will be fulfilled. different from the Havilah mentioned ver. 29. Sheba, and
21. Wine is an intoxicating hquor. Those who, at Dedan; to bo distinguished from the Sheba and Dedan
home or abroad, on ordinary or on festive occasions, drink named, chap. 25:3, as descendants of Abraliam. There
it, are in danger of becoming drunken nor is piety tow- was also a third Sheba, descended from Shem, ver. 28.
ards God, nor benevolence to men, nor a long course of
;

8. 9. Mighty one in theearth mighty hunter ; distinguish- —


successful resistance of temptation, a sure safeguard ed for his bold and successful exploits, in overcoming and
against it. .-Ul, therefore, who think they stand, should controlling beasts and men.
take heed lest they fall praying, " Lead us not into temp-
;
10. Babel; Babylon on the Euphrates. The land of Slii-
fation," and showing the sincerity of their prayers by nar; the ijlain country lying around Babylon. It was six
their conduct. or seven imndred miles east of Canaan.
11. Asshur ; from him came the name Assyria. He was
X.CHAPTER a son of Shem, ver. 22, and is mentioned here by way of
1. Noto tliese are the generations ; this chapter contains anticipation. Some prefer the marginal reading: "lie
the oldest and most important genealogical record iu the [Nimrod] went forth to Asshur," that is, Assyria. Nine-
world. The reader will notice that the names of the veh; a city on the river Tigris, about three hundred miles
descendants of Noah's sons represent generally not sim- north of Babylon.
24
;

Sons of Ham and Shem. GENESIS XI. Building of Babe/.

A. >rabout 13 And Mizraim


begat Ludim, and Ana- eartli divided ; and his brother's name v:as Jok-
c'.'aiis.
is. mini, and Leliabini, and Xaplituhim, tan.
14 And Pathrusini," and Casluhim, (out of whom 26 And Joktan Ijcgat Almodad, and .Shele)jh.
came riiilistim,) and Caphtorim. and llazarmaveth, and Jerah,
15 ^ And Canaan begat 'Zidon his first-born, 27 And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
and Hcth, 28 And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,''
16 And the Jcbusite, and the Amorite, and the 29 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all
Girgasite, these weir the sons of Joktan.
17 And the Ilirito, and the Arkite, and 30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou
tlic
Sinite, goest unto Sephar, a mount of the east.
18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the 31 These are the sous of Shem, after their fam-
Hamathite: and afterward were the families of ilies, after their tongues, in their lands, after their
the Canaanites spread abroad. nations.
19 And the border of the "Canaanites was from 32 These are the families of the sons of Noah,
Zidon, as thou conicst to Gerar, unto *Gaza; as after their generations, in their nation.s; and by
thou goest unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Ad- these were the nations divided in the earth after
mah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. the flood.
20 These are the sons of Ham, after their fam-
ilies, after their tongues, in their countries, and in
their nations.
CHAPTER XI.
1 One language in the -w-orld. 3 The building of Babel. 5 The confu-
21 1 Unto Shem also, the father of all the chil- sion of tongues. 10 The generatrons of Shem. 27 The generations
dren of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, of Terah the father of Abram. 31 Terah goeth from Ur to Haran.
even to him were children born.
22 The children of Shem Elam, and Asshur, ;
AND
and
the whole earth was of one 'language,
of one 'speech.
and *Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from
23 And the children of Aram Uz, and Hul, and ; the +east, that they found a plain in the land of
Gether, and Mash. Shinar and they dwelt there.
;

2-1 And Arphaxad begat ^ Salah and Salah be- ;


3 And Hhey
said one to another. Go to, let us
gat Eber. make brick, and *burn them thoroughly. Aid
25 And unto Eber'' were born two sons: the they had brick for stone, and slime had they for
name of one was Peleg,' for in his days was the mortar.

25:3. II Heb. Up. ' Heb. words, t Or. eastward,


'.ighbor. % Heb. bum tliem to a burning.

13. Ludim; that is, children of Lud, m being tlie He- the Lydians in Asia Minor. Aram; a general name for
brew plural. Another Lud is mentioned ver. 22, the de- ancient Syria, lying north and north-cast of Palestine, and
scendant of Shem. Pathntsim; the people of Pathros, in the wider sense, including Mesopotamia.
that is, Upper E^'jpt. 23. L'z; several persons of this name are mentioned in
14. Philistim; the Philistines, who occupied the south- Scripture, chap. 22:21 36:28; and from which of them the
;

western angle of Palestine. From Deut. 2:23, and Amos 9 7, : land of Uz in Arabia was peopled, is not known. Probably
we learn that they came out of Caphtor. We may suppose Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash all occupied parts of Syria.
that from the Casluhim came first the Caphtorim, and from 24. Eber; or Heber in Mesopotamia beyonil the Kiiphra-
these the Philistim. According to the ancients, the Caslu- tes. He was the ancestor of Abraham, and many suppose
him and Caphtorim were Egyptian colonies, the former in- that from him is derived the word Hebrew.
habiting Colchis, at the eastern extremity of the Black sea 25. Peleg; meaning division. The earth divided; among
the latter Cappadocia, in the eastern part of Asia Minor. the different tribes of men. Chap. 11:8.
Some understand by Caphtor the modern island of Crete. 26. Joktan; liis children seem all to have settled in Ara-
la. Zidon; from whom came the Zidonians. Hcth; the bia, or further east. Hazarmaveth; the same as Hadra-
father of the Hittites. mant in south-eastern Arabia.
19. Zidon; the chief city of the Zidonians, in the north- 28. Slveba; the Sabeans in the southern part of Arabia
west corner of Palestine on the Mediterranean sea. As Felix.
thou earnest to Gerar, unto Gaza; that is, extending from 29. Ophir; probably in India. JIavilaJi; on the Persian
Zidon to Gaza, as one goes south to Gerar. Gaza was the gulf.
southern city of tlie Phihstines, and Gerar was near it. The posterity of Shem occupied Arabia, SjTia, and the

As thou goest unto Sodom unto Lasha; extending from Zi- region east, in a more southern line than that of the pos-
don south-east to Lasha, as one goes towards Sodom, etc. terity of Japheth.
Lasha seems to have been east of the Dead sea. Sodom Many changes were afterwards made among the de-
and the three cities named with it lay in the vale of Sid- scendaiits of Noah's three sons, by colonization and con-
dim, which is now covered by the Dead sea. quest.
The posterity of Ham occupied Egypt and Africa gen- INSTRUCTION'S.
erally, the whole eastern coast of the Mediterranean, the 32. As all common origin and sprang
nations had one
great plain around the lower Euphrates and its branches, from one family, they should all love each other as bretli-
and some parts of Asia Minor and of Arabia. ren, and seek to promote each other's good doing in all ;

2L Eber; see below, ver. 24. Tlie elder; tliese words, as things to others as they ought to wish that others should
they stand in the original, may refer to either Shem or do to them.
From the fact that in the genealogical tables
Japheth.
Japheth is named first, as also from chap. 5 32 compared
CHAPTER XI.
with chap. 11:10, it is inferred with probabihty that Ja-
:

1. —
One language one speech; these words denote union
pheth was the elder brother. in counsel and in language.
22. Elam; inhabiting the country now called Persia. 3. Go to; come now. Slime—for mortar; bitumen; a
Asshur; see above, ver. 11. Lud; according to Josephus, pitchy substance which they used for cement.
23
: ; : ;

Ctm/uaiin of Imigues. GENESIS XI. TIte l.-indrcd of Ahrain.

4 And llioy sai<l, Oo us a rily.


in, let lis liuikl IS And Pclog lived thirty year.s, and a.m. .io«i

and a lower" wliosc toji may reach unto Iieavon begat lieu :* «. ior. <•

and lot us niakc us a niuni-,'' lest wo bo scatleroil ]'.) And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hun-

al)i()ad'' u|ifiii llic face of llio whole eartli. dred and nine ycar.^i, and begat sons and daugh-
Andtlic LoKi) canio down'' to sec the city and ters.
tlic tower, wliieh the ehihlicn of men huiklcd. 20 And Reu lived two and thirty years, and be-
G And tlie Loud said, IJeliold. tlic jjeoplo is one, gat 'Sorug:
and tliey have all one language; and this they 21 And Ken lived after he begat Serug two
bagin to do: and now nothing will be restrained hundred and seven years, and begat sons and
from them, which tliey have imagined" to do. dauglitcrs.
7 Go to. let us go down, and tliere coiilnund 22 And Serug lived thirty years, and begat 'Na-
their language,' that they may not understand hor
one another's speech. 23 And Serug lived after ho begat Nahor two
8 So the Lord scattered tlicni altroad from hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
thence upon the face of all the earth: and they 24 And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and
left off to build the city. begat ^Torah:
9 Therefore is the name of it called Bal)el,' be- 25 And Nahor lived after he begat Terah a
cause the LoKU did tiicre confound the language of hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and
all the earth and from thence did the Lord scat-
: daughters.
ter them abroad upon the face*"' of all the earth. 26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat
10 ^\ These'' are the generations of Shem: Shem Abram," Nahor, and Haran.
was a hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad 27 Now these are the generations of Terah Te- :

tvvo years after the flood: rah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran and Haran ;

11 And Hhem lived after he begat Arphaxad five begat Lot.


hundred years, and begat' sons and daughters. 28 And Haran died before his father Terah in
12 And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, the land of his nativity, in 'Ur of the Chaldees.
and begatJ Salah 29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives:
13 And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah the name of Abram's wife was Sarai ;"" and the
four hundred and three years, and begat sons and name of Nahor's wife, Milcah," the daughter of
daughters. Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of
1-1 And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Iscah.
Eber: 30 But Sarai was barren;" she had no child.
15 And Salah lived after ho begat Eber four 31 And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the
hundred and three years, and begat sons and son of Haran his son's son. and Sarai his daugh-
daughters. ter-in-law, his son Abram's wife; and they went
16 And Eber lived four and thirty years, and forth with them from "Ur of the Chaldees, to go
begat ^Peleg: into the land of Canaan; and they came unto
17 And Eber lived after he begat Pel eg four Haran,* and dwelt there.
hundred and thirty years, and begat sous and 32 And the days of Terah were two hundred
dausrhters. and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
• Dent. 1:28. b Psa. 49:11-1.3; Prov. 10:7; Dan. 4:30. c ver. 9; Psa. 3:35; Saruth. 1 Josh. 24:2; Nachor. 1 LnkeS:.'^; Thara. k Josh. 21:2;
!«:9; Luke 1:51. d ch. 18:21. e p»a. 2:1. f Psa. 5.5:9; Acts '2:6; 1 Cor. 1 Chr.l:2U,27. 1 ch. 15:7. mcb. 17:15. n ch. 22: 2U; 21:15. och. 10:1,
14:*). • Thai K, confusion. K Acts 17:26. h vpr. 27; ch. 10:21, 22. i ch. 2; 18:11, 12: 21:1, 2; Psa. 113:9; Luke 1:30. P ch. 12:1. • vcr. 32; C/iar.
l:2-\ iljuke3::35. t Luke 3: 35 Wate. 1 Luke 3:35; iiogau. S Luku
;

4. A name ; a tower of renown, which may serve as a been daughters of Haran, the elder brother of Abram and
centre of unity. Nahor. If so, these two brothers married their nieces
C. Notluiif; irill be restrained; if permitted to go on, thoy but it seems that Haran and Abraham, though both sons
will acL-omplish their designs. of Terah, had not the same mother. Chap. 20:12.
7. Confound their language; by an influence from God 31. Into; towards. Caiman; a country on the eastern
their speech was confounded, and their counsels divided, shore of the Mediterranean sea. Haran ; a place in Meso-
60 that they separated themselves into different families potamia between the rivers Euphrates and Chebar. It is
speaking different languages. called in the New Testament, Charran. Acts 7:i.
9. liiibel; meaning confusion.
10. Shem; the progenitor of Abraham, whose histoiy
INSTRUCTIONS.
Moses, the writer of this book, is about to give. 4. It is men to seek to be distinguished, and
natural for
26. Lived seventy years; and after that, begat Abram, Na- as natural to seek it in a wrong way and for a wrong end.
hor, and Haran; but not, it is supposed, in this order. In doing this they will be disappointed. Would they be
Haran was the first-born, and Abram was the youngest. truly great, and permanently honored, which they may
He is mentioned first as Shem was, chap. 5:32, because and ought to desire, they must seek these blessings, not
from him was to spring the Messiah. See chap. 5, and in the indulgence of selfish gratification, but in learning
Matt. 1. and doing the will of God.
28. Ur of the Chaldees , a place it is supposed between !). The effects of the confusion of tongues are seen
the Tigris and the Euphrates, aliout four hundred miles down to the present day, in the variety of languages
north-east of Canaan. This is tlie first time the Chaldees which are spoken, and in the difficulty thus occasioned
are mentioned in Scripture. They lived in the north part of holding intercourse and communicating freely the
of Mesopotamia, now Koordistan. Afterwards they went knowledge which multitudes need, and without which
south into the land of Shinar, which was afterwards called they are exposed to perish.
Chaldea and Babylonia. Chap. 10:10. 31. The statements of the Old Testament are in various
29. Sarai —
Milcah; these are both supposed to have ways confirmed by the New, and tlius they mutually sup-
26
:

Gud calldh Ah- GENESIS XII. ALram sojnurncth in Egypt.

A. M. :ns.-i.

CHAPTER XII. 9 And Abram journeyed, *goiiig on still toward


1 God Abram, and Llesseth him with a promise of Christ. 4
calleth
the south.
He departeth with Lot from Haran. 6 He journeyeth through Ca- 10 T And there was a famine in the land and :
naan, 7 which is promised him in a vision. 10 He is driven by a fam-
ine into Egypt. 11 Fear m.aketh him feign his wife to be his sister. Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there;
1-1 Phar.ooh, naving taken her from him, by plagues is compelled to for the ftimine loas grievous in the land.
restore
11 And it came to pass, when he was come near
iier.

ATOW the Lord had said unto Abram,'' Get to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his
j^N thee out of tliy country, and from thy kin- wife. Behold now, I know that thou art a fair
dred, and from thy father's house, unto a laud woman to look upon:
tliat I will show thee: 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the
2 And I will make of thee a great nation," ami Egyjitians shall see thee, that they shall say, This
I will bless thee, and make thy name great;'' and is his wife: and they will kill me, but tliey will
tliou shalt be a blessing save thee alive.
3 And I will bless them that bless thee,*^ and 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister:" that
curse him that curseth thee and iu thee shall all
: it may be well with me for thy sake; and ray
families of the earth be blessed." soul shall live because of thee.
4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken 14 1[ And it came to pass, that when Abram
unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the
was seventy and five years old when he departed woman that she was very fair.
out of Haran. 15 Tlie princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and
5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his commended her before Pharaoh:" and the woman
brother's son, and all their substance that they was taken into Pharaoh's house."
had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten 16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake:
in llarau; and they went forth to go into the and he had sheep, and o.xen, and he-asses, and
land of Canaan;' and into the laud of Canaan men-servants, and maid-servants, aud she-asses,
they came. and camels.
6 "[ And Abram passed through the land unto 17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house
the place of Sichem,^ unto the plain of Moreh. with great plagues because of Sarai, Abraiii's
And the Canaanite" was then in the land. wife.
7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram,' And IS And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What
said, Unto thy seed will I gh-e this land:J and is this that thou hast done unto me? Why didst
lliere builded he an altar'' unto the Lord, who thou not tell me that she was thy wife?''
appeared unto him. 19 Why saidst thou. She is my sister? so I
And he removed from thence unto a mountain might have taken her to me to wife: now there-
L)

on the east of Beth-el,' and pitched his tent, hav- foi'e, behold thy wife, take her, and go tliy way.
ing Beth-el on the west, and *Hai on the east: 20 Aud Pharaoh commanded his men concerning
and there he builded an altar uuto the Lord, aud him ; and they sent him away, and his wife, and
called upou the name of the Lord."" all that he had.

aCii. 11:31; 15:7; Neh. 9:7; Isa. 41:2; Acts 7:.3; Heb. 11:8. b ch. 17:(;; 4:2S. k ch. 13:4, 18; 20:25; 33:20. Ich. 2^:19. •
Heb. j4i"; Josh. 7:2.
21:35. c oh. lo:ld; i-<:4. d Num. 24:9. e I'sa. 72:17; Acts 3:2-3; Gal. mch. 21:33. t Heb. ingoing and joiirmying. n ch. 20:2; 20:7. o Mat.
3:«. f Heb. 11:3. S Deut. 11:3U; Judg. 7:1. t ch. 10: IS, 19. icii. 17:1; 5:28. PPsa. 105:14; Prov. 0:29; Heb. 13:4. q ch. 20:10: 20:10; Ex. 32:21.
16:1. J ch. 13:15; 17:8; 20:3; aS:13; Psi. 105:9-11; Rom. B:S; Gal. 3:10;

jiort and each other; while both throughout


illustrate 19. Might havj taken her to me to wife ; he had puqjosed
have .special reference to, and in numerous ways proclaim an honorable mLirriage with her, but had not accomplished
the dignity and show forth the glory of Jesus Christ. it. Compare chap. 20:4.

CHAPTER XIL IXSTRUCTIOXS.


1. this is composed of two Hebrew words : Ab,
Abram; 3. Though God calls his people to make great sacrifices
signifying father, and ram, meaning high or distinguished. for his sake, he promises them blessings greater than
2. a blcsain^ ; to all families of the earth (ver.
JSe 3) by those they relinquish and in believing and obeying him,
;

being the progenitor of Jesus Christ. they will find abundant reward.
3. Be blesssd; in his seed, which is Christ. Gal. 3:S-1G. 8. When called to remove from one place to anotlicr, it
C. Sichem ; called also Shechem ; and in the New Testa- isa groat comfort to take with us our friends. AVhcrevor
ment, Sychar. John 4:5. It lay between mom^t Kbai on we are we should worship God, and commit ourselves and
the north, and Gerizim on the south. It is now called our friends to his merciful guidance and care.
Nabulus or Nablus, and is about forty miles north of 10. Though obedience to God will not, iu this world,
Jerusalem. Plum; the original word means oak. secure ns from trials, it will prepare us to meet them,
8. Bethel; the meaning of this word is house of God. make them blessings, and fit us, when we leave this world,
Tliis name was afterwards given to this place by Jacob. to be freed from aU trials and receive unmingled and
Chap. 28 19. The city was before called Luz, and is about
: everlasting joys.
tliirty miles south of Shechem. Hai; called Ai, Josh. 8:1; 12. The best of men are far from being faultless; they
a few miles east of Bethel. do many things in which it is neither wise, nor safe, nor
13. My sister; see note to chap. 20:12. Tliat it may he right for us to imitate them; and whenever we trust to
veil with me; that I may be well treated for thy sake. Sec human expedients instead of trusting in God, we may
ver. IG. My soul simll live; my life shall be spared. expect to be punished for our folly.
If). He Imd sheep —
camels; Abraham had them as presents 15. Great beauty is a source of great danger, and often
from Pharaoh. the means of great evil to its possessor.
1". Plagued Pharaoh; and also in some way revealed
to 20. The Lord watches over his people for good, and takes
hiiu the cause of these plagues. Compare chap. 20:3. much better care of them than they do of themselves.
27
;

Abram itiitl Lot sffHtrnlr. GENESIS XIV. Gfitrs cmTnant with Abram.

CHAPTER xiir.
1 Abram und Lot riliirii out of V.mvU 7 liy disagreement they part
uiuider. 10 I/Ol yorih to wicfeiJ Sodom. 11 Ood reneweili the
promitc to Abram. 18 He reruovcth lo Hubron, and there buildciii
an altar.

VNP Abram went up out of E?ypt.


his wife, and
and
that he had, and Lot with
all
lie,

him. into the soutli."


2 And Abram teas very rich'' in cattle, in silver,
and in qrold.
3 And
he went on his jonrncys from the south
even to l>et]i-ol,nii(o the place where liis tent had
been at the beurinninpr, between I5eth-el and Ilai
4 Unto the place of the altar,'' which he had
made there at the first: and there Abram called
on tlio name of tiic Loud."'
5 1i And
Jjot al.so, which went with Abram, had
flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 And the land was not able to bear them," that
they mijrlit dwell tojretlier for their substance was
:

great, so that they could not dwell together.


7 And there was a strife between the herdmen
of Abram's cattle, and the herdmen of Lot's cat-
tle and tiic Canaanitc and the Perizzite dwelled
:

then in the land/


8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no
strife,''' I pray thee, between me and thee, and
between my herdmen and thy herdmen for we
;

be 'brethren.''
9 Is not whole land before thee?' Separate
tiic
thyself, I jiray tlicc, from me if thou wilt take tiie
:

left hand, then I will go to the right; or \i thou


depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.J
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all
the plain of Jordan, that it xvas well watered
everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom
and Gomorrah," even as the garden' of the Lord,
like the laud of Egypt, as tliou comest unto Zoar.™
»Ch.
; ; :

The. hattle of the kings. GENESIS XIV. Lot rescued by Abram.

A. M. about 3 All these were joined together in the 14 And when Abram heard that his brother was
n. a 1913. vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.* taken captive, he *armed his * trained servants,
4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and born in his own house, three hundred and eigh-
in the thirteenth year they rebelled. teen, and pursued them unto Dan.J
5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlao- 15 And he divided himself against them, he and
mer. and the kings that icere with him, and smote his servants, by night, and smote them,'' and pur-
the Rephaim'' in Ashteroth-karnaim,'' and the Zu- sued them unto Ilobah, which is on the left hand
zim'' in Ham, and the Emim in *Shaveh Kiria- of Damascus.
thaim, 16 And he brought liack all the goods,' and
6 And the Horites in their mount Scir, unto also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods,
El-paran,* which is by the wilderness." and the women also, and the people.
7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, 17 IT And the king oT Sodom'" went out to meet
which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the him, after his return from the slaughter of Che-
Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in dorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him,
Hazezon-tamar.f at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale."
8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and 18 And Mclchizedek" king of Salem brought
the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, forth bread and wine: and he was the priest" of
and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, the most high God.''
the same is Zoar; and they joined battle with 19 And he blessed him, and said. Blessed be
them in the vale of Siddim Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven
9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and and earth:"'
with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king 20 And blessed be the most high God, which
of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar four kings hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And
;

with five. he gave him tithes of all."


10 And the vale of Siddim %m:s full of slime- 21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram,
pits and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, Give me the 'persons, and take the goods to thy-
;

and fell there: and they that remained fled to the self.
mountain.'^ 22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I
11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and have lifted up my hand unto the Lord,* the most
Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,"
way. 23 That I will not take from a thread even to a
12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, shoe-latchet,'' and that I will not take any thing
who dwelt in Sodom,'' and his goods, and departed. that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made
13 If And there came one that had escaped, and Abram rich
told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the 24 Save only that which the young men have
plain of Mamre the Amorite,' brother of Eshcol, eaten, and the portion of the men which went
and brother of Aner and these were confederate with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them
:

with Abram. take their portion.'"'

a Deut. 3:17; .Tosh. 3;10. bch- 15:20. c Jo=h. 1-2:4. d Deut. 2:10, 20. Jl:2, 3. 1 1 Sam. 30:S, 1?. n 1 I
2 Sam. 1S:1S, o Heb. 7:1.
Or, the plain of Kiriatliahn. 1 Or, plain of Faran. e ch, 21 21 ; Num.
: P Psa. 110:4; Heb. 5:0; 7:3, 11. r ver. 22; Psa. 34:1; 50:10,
12:16. (2Uhl.20:2. S ell. 19:17, 3U. b ch. 13: 12; Num. 10:20; 1 Tim. sHeb. 7:1-10. I Heb, iouh. t rer, 19: ch. 21:33. » Esth.
0:9. ch. 13:1S. i 0^, Udfortli. i Or, instructed. J Deut. 34:1. ' I.sa. 9:15,16. wl Tun. 5:13.

3. Joined togetlier ; assembled as allies. Vale of Siddim which did not receive this name till long after the death
the southern part of the valley of the Jordan, in which of Moses. Judges 18:29.
were the cities above mentioned, and which is now cov- 15. Left hand; to the north. Damascus; the capital of
ered by the Dead sea. ancient Syria on a plain east of Anti-Lebanon.
;

i. Scrwd C/iC(?0)7aomer; by paying him Shaveh—dale ; a valley near Jerusalem.


tribute. Rebelled; 17.
refused longer to pay tribute. name meaning King of righteousness.
18. Mekliizcdek; a
5. Ashteroth — —
Ham Shaveh Kiriathaim ; places east of Salem; meaning in Hebrew, peace, Heb. 7:2; supposed
the Jordan. to have been the place afterwards called Jerusalem.
6. Mount Seir; south of the Dead sea. El-paran; west 20. He gave him tithes; Abram gave to Melchizedek a
of mount Seir. tenth part. Heb. 7: 1-17. This was done as an expression
7. Kadesh; Kadesh-barnea, in the desert south of Judah. of gratitude to God, whose priest Melchizedek was.
Hazezon-tamar ; En-gedi, on the west shore of the Dead 21. Persons and goods; which Abram had taken from —
sea. 2Chron. 20:2. the enemy.
10. Slime-pits; places where bitumen, an adhesive and 22. Lifted up my liand; taken an oath, or made a solemn
inflammable substance, oozed out of the ground, or where promise.
l)itumcn had been dug out to be used for mortar. Chap. 24. Aner, Eshcol, and Mam re : the confederates of Abram.
11:3. Felt there; were entangled among them and over- mentioned ver. 13.
come, and many perished.
13. The Hebrew ; a name given to Abram. as some sup-
INSTRUCTIONS.
pose, because he descended from Eher, or Heber ; and as Ever since the apostasy, there have been men who
11.
others think, because he came from beyond the river acted as if might gave right who, if they could, would
;

Euphrates the word signifying one who has passed over.


; rob others and, to obtain their property, put them to
:

Plain of Mamre; chap. 12:6. Confederate with Abram, death: sins as odious and hateful when committed by
united with him in opposing his enemies. rulers and nations, as when committed by private indi-
14. Brother; here used for nephew. Chapter 12:1,3. viduals.
Dan; perhaps Dan-jaan, mentioned 2 Sam. 4:6, and dif- 12.When men, for worldly purposes, choose to dwell
ferent from the Dan in the northern limit of Palestine, in places distinguished for wickedness, they e.xpose them-
29
Gt>d tncourngfth Ahnnn GENESIS XV. •with the promise cf a son.

CHAPTER XV,
God cncmiragflli Abmin. 2 Abrain complalncth for want nf nn heir.
4 Ood proninctli him » non. unci a muUipljini; of liii hoihI. (i Alirnin

is juatihctt by failli. 7 Canaan it pronuiicj ngnin, and conlimi<Nj by


a. iign, r.> ...id a. visio.i.

AFTER
caino unto
llicso lliines the word of
AVtrniii in a vision," ?ayin<r, Fi-ar
the Loup

not." Abrani: I (tin thy ^'ilielli,'' and thy exceeding


great reward.'
2 And Abrain paiil, Lord Goo, what wilt thou
give ine, i^eeing 1 go chikliej^s.'' an<l the steward
of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3 And Abrain said, Jiehokl, to me thou hast given
no seed and \o. one Ijorn in my house is mine heir.'
:

4 And behold, the word of the LoiU) came unto


liiin, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he

that sliall come forth out of tliiiio own l)()wcls


shall bo thine heir.'-'
And he brought him Ibrtli abroad, and said,
Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars,'' if
thou be able to number tlicm: and he said unto
Mm, So shall thy seed be.'
6 And he l)eli(n-ed in the Lokd; and he counted
it to him for righteousness.^
7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that
brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees," to give
thee "this land to inherit it.
8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know
that I shall inherit it?'
9 And he said unto him, Take me a heifer of
three years old, and a she-goat of three years old,
and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove,
and a young pigeon.
10 And ho took unto him all these, and divided
aCh.4n-2; Num. 12;6; l)an. 10:1; Acts 10; 11. *>. bLukel:13.
Ilagar Jlcdh fi <iT,i Sarai. GENESIS XVII. God rencweth the covenant.

9 And the Angel of the Lord said unto her, Re-


K. . 19U. CHAPTER XVI.
turn to thy mistress, and submit thyself under
1 Sarai, being tarren, givetli Hagar to Abram. 4 Hagar, being afflict- her hands.'
ed for despising ber mistress, runneth away. 7 An angel sendeth her
back to submit herself, 11 and tellelh her of her child. 1-5 Ishmael 10 And the Angel of the Lord said unto her, 1
will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall

NOW Sarai, Abram's -n-ifo, haro liim no cliil-


drcn: and she liad a handmaid, an Egyp-
not be numbered for multitude.
11 And the Angel of the Lord said unto her.
tian," whoso name was Hagar.'' Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son,
2 And
Sarai said unto Abram, Behold no\r, the and shalt call his name Ishmael;^ because the
Lord liath restrained mo from bearing :" I pray Lord hath heard thy affliction.
tliec, go in unto my maid;'' it may be that I may 12 And
he will be a wild man;J his hand will
obtain* children by her. And Abram hearkened every man, and every man's hand against
be against

to the voice of Sarai. him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all
3 And Sarai, Abram'.s wife, took Hagar lier his brethren."
maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten 13 And she called the name of the Lord that
years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her spake unto her. Thou God seest me:' for she
husband Abram to be his wife. said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth

4 1" And he went in unto Hagar, and she con- me?


ceived and when she saw that she had conceived,
:
14 Wherefore the well was called Beer-laliai-
her mistress was despised in her eyes." roi:' behold, if is between Kadesh and Bered.

5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong 5e upon 15^ And Hagar bare Abram a son "' and Abram :

thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and called his sou's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised 16 And x\brani was fourscore and six years old,
in her eyes the Lord judge between me and thee.*' when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
:

G But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid


is in thy hand;" do to her *as it pleaseth thee.
And when Sarai * dealt hardly with her, she lied
XVII. CHAPTER
1 G-od reneweth the covenant. 5 Abram his name is changed in token
from her face. of a greater blessing. 10 Circumcision is instituted. 15 Sarai her
7 And the Angel of the Lord found her by a name is changed, and she blessed. 17 Isaac is promised. 23 Abra-
*:{

fountain of water in the wilderness, by the foun- ham and Ishmael are circumcised.
tain in the way to Shur.*^
8 xVnd he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence
AND
when Abram was ninety years old and
nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said
earnest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And unto him, I mn the Almighty God;° walk before
she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. me,° and be thon perfect.*^
a Ch. ai ;9. IJ Gal. 4;24. t ch. 2U: 18. 1 ch. 30:3. 9. • Heb. be bailded t nh.
by her. « I Sara. 1:6, 8; Pror. SUiSl. f ch. 31:53; 1 Sam. 24:15; 2 Chr.

Jl:22. si Pet. 3:7. tHeb. that which is g-oorf.in lAinefi/M. lUeh. afflict-
ed her. bch. 25:18. ilPet.2:lS. S That is, (rod sAa// Aear. jch.21:20.

those wlio exercise it will, for Christ's sake, be justified,


sanctified, and saved. Rom. 4:3 James 2:21-24. ;

13. God graciously communicates to bis people as much


knowledge of the future as will best fit them for the dis-
charge of their duty and what would not be useful to
;

them he kindly withholds.


18. When God in his providence has given to apeople
a good land, and they abuse his mercies, break his laws,
and live in rebellion against him, he may justly take it
from them and give it to others.

CHAPTER XYI.
2. May obtain children by her ; her present purpose was

to reckon Hagar's offspring as her own.


3. To be his wife; a subordinate wife, or concubine, ac-

cording to the custom of those times. This was a viola-


tion of the great law of marriage, and was followed by
great domestic troubles. Matt. 19:5-9.
5. My
wrong be upon thee; thou art the cause of this
evil, and thou oughtest to prevent it.
7. The Angel of the Lord ; supposcil to be the Messenger
of the covenant, the itessiah. Mai. ">:l; Luke 1:76.
Shur ; a city on the borders of Egypt and r.ilestiue. The
adjacent desert is called the wilderness of Shur. She
was on the way to her native home.
9. Return to thy mistress; she would be more exposed

to hardship, suffering, and death, in going forward, than


in going back.
11. Ishmael; a Hebrew name, meaning God will hear;
it was given as a memento that God had heard and grant-
ed her relief, and an encouragement to her and others to
call upon him. Psa. 50:15.
:

The ital of circumcision. GENESIS XVir. Ahrahnm is circumcised.

2 And will mnkn my covonant liplwofn me


I
and llico," and will multiiily tlu-o cxcccdiii^rly.
3 And Alirani IVll on ids lace: and God talked
with him, sayinir,
4 As for nie. i)ehold. my covenant is with thee,
and thou slialt be a lather'' of 'many nation?.
h Neither shall thy name any more lie called
Altram, luit thy name'' ,«hall be Abraham;* lor a
father of many nations have I made thee.''
G And I wiil make thee cxcecdin,!? Iruitful, and
I will make nations of tiice;" and kings shall
come out of thee.
7 And I my covenant between me
will establish
and and thy seed al'tiM- thee, in their jjenera-
thee,
tions, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God
mito thee, and to thy seed after thee/
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed
after thee, the land 'whei-ein thou art a stranger,
all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting pos-
session;''' and I will be their God.''
9 *\ And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt
keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed
after thee, in their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep,
between me and you and thy seed after thee
Every man-child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your
foreskin and it shall be a token of the covenant
:

betwixt me and you."


12 And '^he that is eight days old shall be cir-
cumcised among you, every man-child in your
generations, he that is born in the house,J or
bought with money of any stranger, which is not
of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is

bought with thy money, must needs be circum-


cised and my
: covenant shall be in your flesh for
an everlasting covenant.
14 And the uncircumcised man-child, whose flesh
of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall
be cut ofl" from- his people
;''
he hath broken my
covenant.
15 If And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai

» Ch
; : P ;

Abraham visited by angels, GENESIS XVIII. who reveil Swlom's doom.

il.(MS CHAPTER XVIII. stricken in age;' and it ceased to bo with Sarah


1 Abraham entertaineth three angels. 9 Sarah is reproved for laughing after the manner of women.-*
at the strange promise. 17 The destruction of Sodom is revealed to 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself,''
Abraham. *J-3 Abraham maketh intercession for the men thereof.
saying, After I am waxed old,' shall I have pleas-
A NDthe Lord appeared unto him in the ure, my lord being old also?'"
J_ A_ plains of Mamre :" and he sat in the tent- 13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Where-
door in the heat of the day fore did Sarah laugh, saying. Shall I of a surety
2 And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, bear a child, which am old ?
three men stood by him:'' and when he saw fheyn, 1-1 Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" At
he ran to meet them from the tent-door, and the time appointed I will return unto thee, accord-
liowed himself toward the ground,'^ ing to the time of life," and Sarah shall have a son.
3 And said. My Lord, if now I have found favor 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not;
in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy for she was afraid. And he said. Nay but thou ;

:''
.-servant didst laugh.
•1 Let a little water,'' I pray you, be fetched, and 16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked
wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree toward Sodom and Abraham went witli them to :

5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and *com- bring them on the way.''
fort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: 17 IT And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abra-
li>r therefore ^are ye come to your servant. And ham that thing which I do ;
I hey said, So do, as thou hast said. 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a
6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto great and mighty nation, and all the nations of
.Sarah, and said, 'Make ready quickly three meas- the earth shall bo blessed in him?"
ures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon 19 For I know him, that he will command his
the hearth. children and his household after him,' and they
7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and
a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abra-
man and he hasted to dress it.
; ham that which he hath spoken of him."
8 And he took butter,' and milk, and the calf 20 And the Lord said. Because the cry of Sod-
which he had dressed, and set it before them and om and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin
;

lie stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. is very grievous,"*'

9 If And they said unto him, Where is Sarah 21 I will go down now,''' and see whether they
lliy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. have done altogether according to the cry of it,
10 And he said, I will certainly return unto which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.'''
lliee according to the time of life;" and lo, Sa- 22 And the men turned their faces from thence,
rah thy wife shall have a son.'' And Sarah heard and went toward Sodom but Abraham stood yet :

it in the tent-door, which was behind him. before the Lord.


11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well 23 IT And Abraham drew near,^' and said, Wilt
» Ch. 13:1S; 14:13. b ver, 2-2; ch. 19:1; Heb. 13:3; 1 Pet. 4:0. = ch. "2 Kings 4:10. pPsa. 4-1:21; Prov. 12:19. q Acts 15:3; Rom. 15:21; 3 John
a?:7; 33:3-7; 43:28, 23; 44:14; Ruth 2:10; 2 Kings 2:15. d Heb. 13:2; 6. r Psa. 25:14; Amos 3:7; John 15:15. s ch. 12:3; 22:18; Psa. 72:17;

I Pet. 4:9. e ch. 43:24. ' Heb. stay, t Heb. ye have pissed, t Heb. Has- Acts 3:25: Gal. 3:8. t Dent. 4:9, 10; 6-7; Psa. 73:5-S; Eph. 6:4. u 1 Sam.
ten, f Judg. 5:25. e ver. 14; 2 Kings 4:16. h ch. 17:19, 21 Rom. 9:9;
; 2:30. »ch. 13:13; 19:13. w ch. 11:5; Ex. 3:H. i Josh. 22:22; Psa. 139:1;
Gal. 4:23. Rom. 4:19; Heb. 11:11, 12. j ch. 31:35. t ch. 21:6; Psa. Jcr. 17:10; Luke 10:15. y Jer. 30:21; Heb. 10:22; Jas. 5:17.
I2G-2. 1 Luke 1:18. m 1 Pet. 3:G. n .Vum. 11:2:3; Jer. 32:17; Matt. 10:26.

13. It is the will of God that servants, as well as mas- giving thee a son by Sarah. According to the time of life
ters and their children, should have the means of grace, supposed to mean the usual time from the conception to
be instructed iu the way of life, and be treated in all the birth of a child. But some prefer to render, " at the
respects as rational, accountable, and immortal beings, reviving of the year."
for whom Christ died, and who, through faith in him, may 12. Sarah laughed ; a sign of unbelief, for which she is
shine as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars rebuked.
forever. Ex. 20:9-11. 13. The Lord; Jehovah.
18. As God
is the author of parental affection, he de- 16. Looked toward Sodom; as if they would go that way.
lights in its exercise, and in answering the hearty, fervent 20. The cry of Sodom; the cry concerning the sin of
prayers of parents for thgir children. Sodom. So ver. 21.
23. True and lively faith not only trusts the promises 21. J know; act with knowledge, and treat them as
will
of God. but yields prompt, implicit, and hearty obedience their case may require.
10 God's commands. It thus shows itself by works, and 22. Tlie men the two beings in human form, who ac-
;

by works is faith made perfect. James 2:22. companied Jehovah, and who at evening entered Sodom.
Chap. 19:1. The Lord; Jehovah, who had been speaking
CHAPTER XVIIL to Abraham. A'er. 13-20.

r/ie Lord,- Jehovah.


1. Plains of Mamre ; chap. 14:13.
Mij Lord ; a token of respect, addressed to one who
3.
LVSTRUCTI0X3.
;tppeared to be chief. .'). A
pious mind is accustomed to recognize the haml
4. Wash your feet ; as the feet were then protected only of God in all the events of providence, and to glorify hint
with sandals, or soles fastened on with straps, it was by doing good to men.
customary with travellers, when they stopped, to wash 8. We
should not be forgetful to entertain strangers, for
their feet. thereby some have entertained angels, ami also the Lord
5. Therefore are ye come; intimating that they had been of angels and acts of kindness done for his sake, even ti>
;

providentially directed there, that he might thus enter- the least of his disciples, he will remember and reward,
tain them. as if done to himself. Matt. 10:42; 25:40; Heb. 13:2.
10. I will — return; will visit thee again; namely, bv 1,). The commission of one sin makes way for the com-

:5 :i:5
:

He iniercalelh for Soilom. GENESIS XIX. Tiro ani;els visit Lot.

thou also destroy the riglitcous with the wick- 2 And he said. Behold now, niy lords, Vr fJw.
ed?* tnrn'' in, Ipray you, into your servant's house, and
24 Peradvcnture there be fifty righteous within tarry all night, and wash ymir feet, and ye shall
the city: wilt thou also dostroy and not spare rise up early, and go on your ways. And they
the place for tiie iifty riglitcous that are therein? said. Nay; but wc will abide iu the street all
25 That be far from thee to do after this man- night.'
ner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and 3 And he pressed u])on them greatly, and they
that the righteous should be as the wicked, that turned in unto him, and entered into his house;
be far from thee:'' Shall not the Judge of all the and he made them a fcast,^ and did bake unleav-
earth do right? ened bread, and they did eat.
2l> And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty 4 •[ But before they lay down, the men of the
righteous witiiin the city," then I will spare all city, TOf?! the men of Sodom, com]passcd the house
the place for their sakes. round, both old and young, all the people from
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold every quarter:
now, 1 have taken upon mo to speak unto the 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto liim.
Lord, which am but dust and ashes:'' Where are the men which came in to thee this
28 Peradvcnture there sliall lack five of the night? bring them out unto us, that we may know
fifty righteous: wilt tiiou destroy all tiie city for them.''
lack of five? And he said, If 1 find there forty 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and
and live, I will not destroy it. shut the door afler him,
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so
Peradventure there sliall bo forty found there. wickedly.'
And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have
30 And ho said unto him, Oh, let not the Lord not known man let mc, I pray you, bring them
;

be angry, and I will speak: I'eradveuture there out unto you,™ and do ye to them as is good in
shall thirty be found tliero. And he said, I will your eyes only unto these men do nothing for
: ;

not do it, if I find thirty there. therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
31 And he said. Behold now, I have taken upon 9 And they said. Stand back. And they said
me to speak unto the Lord Peradventure there
: again. This owe fellow came in to sojourn, and he
shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will will needs be a judge:" now will we deal worse
not destroy it for twenty's sake. with thee than with them. And they pressed sore
32 And he said, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break
and I will speak yet but this once :" Peradventure the door.
ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not 10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled
destroy it for ten's sake.*^ Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he 11 And they smote the men that were at the
had left communing with Abraham and Abraham door of the house with blindness," both small and
:

returned unto his place. great: so that they wearied themselves to find
the door.
12 IT And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here
CHAPTER XIX. any besides? son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy
1 Lot entertaineth two angels. 4 The vicious Sodomites are stricken daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city,
with blindness. 12 Lot is sent for safety into the mountains. 18 He
obtaineth leave to go into Zoar. 24 Sodom and G-omorrah are de- bring them out of this place
stroyed. 26 Lot's wife is a pillar of salt. 30 Lot dwelleth in a 13 For we will destroy this place, because the
cave. 31 The incestuous original of Moafa and Amraon.
cry of them is waxen great before the face of the
AND
even;^
came two angels to Sodom at
there
and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom:
Lord ;" and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.''
1-1 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-
and Lot, seeing them, rose up to meet them, and in-law, which married his daughters, and said.
he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. Up, get you out of this place;'' for the Lord will
« Num. 1G;22. b Job 8:3; 34:17: Psa. 53:11; 94:2. ' Isa. 10:22; Jer.
19:22; Isa. 1:9; 3:9; Jer. 3:3; 6:15; Ezek. 10:19, 51; Matt. 11:23,21; Rom.
5:1; Ezek. 22:30 dch. 2:7; 3:19; Job4:19; Psa.8:4; 144:3; Eccl. 12:7; 1:23, 41, 26, 27; 1 Cor. 0:9; 1 Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim. 3:13; Judo 7. I Lev.
Isa. 6:5; 64:8; Lnke 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:47, 48; 2 Cor. 5:1, 2. e Judg. 6:39. 18:22; 20:13; Deut. 23:17; Rom. 1:24; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Judo 7. » Rom.
fJob33:23. 6 ch. 18:22. t Heb. 13:2. i Luke 24:23. i ch. 18:6-8; 21:8; 3:8. n Ex. 2:14; 2 Pet. 2:7, 8. o 2 Kings 0:18; Acts 13:11. P ch. 18:20.
Luke 5:29; John 12:2; Heb. 13:2. k ch. 4:1; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Judg. qlChr. 21:15; Isa. 30:10. r Num. 10:20; Jer. 51:0; Rev. 18:4.

mission of another and the disbelief of God's word is a


; From regard to them, God may delay his judgments, and
fruitful source of manifold and aggravated transgressions. in answer to their prayers bring the wicked to repentance
19. Family religion is peculiarly pleasing to God, and he and salvation.
requires that parents not only counsel and advise, but
command their children to keep the way of the Lord and ;
CHAPTER XIX.
there is an intimate connection between their doing this, 1. Two angels; according to the original, the two angels,
and his bestowing upon them and their children the namely, the two mentioned in the preceding chapter, ver.
richest spiritual and temporal blessings. 22. Lot supposed them to be men.
24. Those who love God love their feUow men, and 8. Bring tlieni out; ho esteemed the persons of his guests
earnestly supplicate for them the mercies which they as sacred, and was wilhng to protect them at all costs.
need. But in this proposal he did very wrong, and showed the
32. Prayer has great influence with God and those who; weakness of his faith in God.
rightly offer it are eminently benefactors of mankind. 14. As one tliat mocked ; they did not believe what he sa,id.
M
:

Sndom is destroyed. GENESIS XIX. Origin of Moah and Amman.

II.' i:. \WA.


that mocked" unto his sons-in-law.
15 1 And when the morning arose, then the
angels hastened Lot, saying. Arise, take thy wife,
and thy two daughters which *are here, lest thou
be consumed in tlie iniquity* of the city.
1() And wliile he lingered, the men laid hold
upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and
upon the hand of his two daughters; tiie Lord
being merciful unto him:'' and they brought him
fortli, and sethim without the city.
17 1 And came to pass, when they had brought
it

them fortli abroad, that he said, Escape for thy


life;'' look not behind thee,'' neither stay thou in
all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou
be consumed.
IS And Lot said unto them. Oh, not so, my Lord
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace
in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy,"
which thou hast showed unto me in saving my
life; and I cannot escape to the mountain,' lest
some evil take me, and I die:
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto,
and it is a little one Oh, let me escape thither,"
:

{is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.''

21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted


thee* concerning this thing also,' that I will not
overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spo-
ken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannotdo
any thing till thou be come thither.J Therefore
the name of the city was called Zoar.^
23 1 The sun was 'risen upon the earth when
Lot entered into Zoar.
2-4 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon

Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out


of heaven ;''
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the
plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and
that which grew upon the ground.'
26 1 But his wife looked back from behind
him, and she became a pillar of salt.™
" Ex
;

ALiiiJuun uciiiuih Ills vife. GENESIS XX. Ahimcli'ch rcstoreth Sarah.

CHAPTER XX. Tiien Abimelech called Abraham, and l.VX


<)

said unto him.What hast tlmu done unto us? and


Abnham »ojoiimclh «t Gerar, 2 Jcnicth lii> wife, nnj loscih her.
1

*1 Aliinetocti ii rrproveJ for her in a dream. 9 Ho rebukoth Abrn- what have I olTended thee, that thou hast brought
hftin, 14 restoreth &;irikh, 10 luid reproveth her. 17 He is healed by on mo and on my kiiigdoiii a groat sin?' thou hast
Abraham's prayer.
done doods unto mo that ought not to be done.''
VXD Abraham journeyed from thence toward 10 And Abimolooh said unto Abraham, What
country, and dwelt bi'twoen Ka-
tlio siiutli sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
Ic.sh and Sluir," and .sojourned in Uerar.'' 11 And Abraham said. Because I thought. Surely
2 And Abraham said of Sarah She is
his wife, the fear of God is not in this jilaee;' and they
!ny sister f and Abiiuelech kinjj of Gerar sent and will slay mc for my wife's sake.
took Sarali. 12 And yet indco(l she is my sister;"' she is the
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by daughter of my father, but not the daughter of
nifiht,'' and said to him, Bcliold, thou art but a dead my mother; and .she became my wife.
mun, for tlic woman which thou liast taken; for 13 And
came it to jiass, when God caused mc to
slie is 'a man's wife. wander from my father's house, that I said unto
•i But Abimelech had not come near her and he : her. This is thy kindness which thou shalt show
said. Lord, wilt thou slay also a riglitoous nation?'' unto me; at every place whither wc shall come,
5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and say of me. Ho is my brother.
she,. even she hcr.self said, lie is my brother: in il And Abimolech took sheep, and oxen, and
the integrity* of my heart' and innoceney of my men-servants, and women-servants, and gave them
hands have I done this. unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
G And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, 1 15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my laud is be-
know that thou didst this in the intcirrity of thy fore thee:" dwell 'where it pleaseth thee.
heart; for I also withheld thee'-' from sinning 16 And unto Sarah he said. Behold, I have given
against mc:'' therefore suffered 1 thee not to touch thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold,
her. he is to thee a covering of the eyes unto all that
7 Now
therefore restore the man his wife for ; are with thee, and with all other: thus she was
he a prophet, and he shall pray for thee,' and
is reproved."
lliou shalt live and if thou restore her not, know
: 17 IT So Abraliam prayed unto God: and God
thou that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid-ser-
are thine. vants and they bare children.
;

8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morn- 18 For the Loud had fast closed up all the
ing, and called all his servants, and told all those wombs of the house of Abimelech,'' because of Sa-
ihin'is in their ears and the men were sore afraid.
: rah, Abraham's wife.

»Ch. 16:7, 14. bch. 28:0. « ch. 12:13; 2I);7. <i Job 3']:lo; Psa. IO:i; i 1 Sam. 7:5: Job 42:3; Jls5:16. J Ex. 32:21; Josh. 7:2.5. k ch. 31:7.
Ileb. marrttd to a husband.
' 1 Chr. 21:17. t Or, simpUdty, or simer 1Neh. 5:15; Psa. 30:1; Prov. 16:6. mch 11:29. « ch. 47:6. 1 Heb. 0.5 is
I 2 Kings 20:3; 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Tim. l:l:i. K ch. 31:7; 3o:5. h Psi. 5 good inthine eyes, o Prov. 12: 1 25:12; Rev. 3:19. Pch. 12:17;
; 1 Sam, 16.

pravity has a strong tendency to blunt their moral feel- interpretation. According to our version they seem to
ings. They who needlessly expose their offspring to such mean. Acknowledge thy brother (with allusion to Abra-
a corrupting influence, cannot reasonably hope that they ham's excuse) as thy husband. 'Then he will be to thee
will walk in the ways of virtue. a covering of the eyes to all men of thy company, and with
36. In sohtude we are often more exposed to tempta- all others that is, will protect thee from their unlawful
;

tion, and in greater danger of complying with it, than in gaze, and from aU harm. But some prefer to render. Be-
the crowded city and the use of intoxicating drinks ex-
; hold, it (the gift) shall be to thee a covering of the eyes
cites to the greatest abominations. that is, an honorable atonement, so called because it leads
the injured party, and all concerned, to overlook the in-
CHAPTER XX." jury received.
1.From the groves of Hebron, where he had for
tlience ; IXSTRUCTIONS.
some time resided. Cliap. 13:18; 18:1. Gerar; a city of 2. The best of men are entirely dependent for persever-
the Philistines, south-east of Gaza. ance in holiness, for integrity, uprightness, and even ex-
3. A dead man; he would be, should he not return Sarah ternal morality, npon the grace of God. If left to them-
to her husband. selves they will distrust Jehovah, give way to temptation,
4. A
rigliteoiis nction; that is, mo and nation, which my commit sin, and bring disgrace on religion, and distress,
will be involved in my
destruction, though we are guilty if not destruction, on themselves and others.
of no intentional 'wrong. 3. Before men had the Bible to guide them, God often
7. Sltalt surely die; this shows God's abhorrence of the made known his will in dreams but now we have no rea-
:

crime of adultery, and his indignation against those who son to expect a revelation of his will in this way, as all
commit it. needful directions in duty may be obtained from prayer-
9. Brought on me and on my kingdom; exposed us to ful study of the Scriptures.
commit a great sin. 7. Adultery is a sin which exposes all who commit it to the
12. Not —of my mother; Terah, Abraham's father, is sup- wrath of God, both in this world and in the world to come.
;)0sed by many interpreters to have had two wives Ila- ; 13. The guilt of sin is greatly increased when it is made
ran, Sarah's father, to have been a son of Terah's first wife, a part of a settled plan, or conmiitted with forethought,
and Abraham to have been a son of the second so that ; deliberation, and fixed purpose and were it not for the
;

Sarah was his niece, and granddaughter of his father, but boundless grace of God, those who so sin would never be
;iot of his mother. The term sister was tlien often given brought to repentance, but would inevitably perish.
to a niece, and brother to a nephew, uncle, or near rela- 16. The conduct of worldly men is often a reproof to
tive, ver. 5, 13; chap. 11:29; yet this use of these terms, professed Christians-, such as ought to make them asham-
i:i this case, was designed to deceive, and was wrong. ed, and arouse them to greater confidence in God and
!;. A covering of the eyes —
all other; words of ditiicult greater devotion to his service. Luke 16 8. :

30
Isaac is lorn. GENESIS XXI. Abraham's treaty trilh Aiunchrh.

CHAPTER XXI.
1 Isaac is born. 4 He is circumcised. 6 Sarah's ioy. 9 Hag.ar and
Ishmael arc cast for*. 1.5 Hagar in distress. 17 The angel com-
forteth lier. 22 Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beer-sheba.

AND LordLord
the
the visited Sarali as lie
did unto Sarah as he had spoken."
had said,"' and

2 For Sarah conceived," and bare Al)raham a


son in his old age, at the set time of which God
had spoken to him.
3 And Abraham called the name of his son that
was born unto him, wlioiii Sarah bare to him,
Isaac.''
4 And Abraham circmnci.-;ed his son Isaac, be-
ing eight days old, as God had commanded him.'^
5 And Abraham was a luniilred years old, when
his son Isaac was born unto him.
6 1 And Sarah said, God hath made me to
laugh,*^ so that all that hear will laugh with me.
7 And she said. Who would have said unto
Abraham, that Sarah should have given children
suck?^ for I have borne liim a son in his old age.
8 And the child grew, and was weaned and :

Abraham made a great feast the same day that


Isaac was weaned.
9 % And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyp-
tian,'' Avliich she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.
10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out
this bond-woman and her son:' for the son of
this bond-woman shall not be heir with my son,
even with Isaac.
11 And the thing was very grievous iu Abra-
ham's sight, ^ because of his son.
VI \ And God said unto Abraham, Let it not
be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and
because of thy bond-woman in all that Sarah;

hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice j for


iu Isaac shall thy seed be called."
13 And also of the son of the bond-woman will
I make a nation,' because he is thy seed.
14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning,
and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave
it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the
child, and sent her away :'" and she departed, and
wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and
she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16 And she went, and sat her down over against
Jiim, a good way off, as it were a bow-shot: for
; ;

Aorti/ui Ill's J'lii^ii IncJ, GENESIS XXII. Isaiic is sjHireil.

32 Tliiis tlioy iiiailo a covenant at Bcor-shcl)a: wood : but where is the lamb' for a burnt- !,,": iwl
tlion Aliinu'lecljrose up, and I'liicliol tlic cliief offering?
captain <if his host, and they returned into the 8 And Abraluim said. My son, God will provide
land of tiie Piiilistines. himself a himi) for a imrnt-offering :" so they went
33 'i And .lliraJiam planted a prove* in Becr- botii of thoin together.
sheba." and calk-d tlierc on the name of the Loud,'' i) And they came to the place which God had
the everlastinu: God."" told him of; and Abraham built an altar there,
34 And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines" and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his
laud many days. son,'' and laid him on the altar upon the wood.'
11) And Abraham stretched forth Lis hand, and

took the knife to slay his son.


CHAPTER XXII. 11 And the Angel. of the Loud called unto him
1 Abraham is tempted to offer Isaac. 3 He giveih proof of his faiih out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham:
and obfdicnce. 1 1 The Ali^el stayeth liim. 13 Isaac is exchanged
with a ram. 14 The place is called .Tehovah-jireh. 1^ Abruhaill is and he said, Here am IJ
blessed again. 20 The generation of Nahor unto Rebekah. 12 And he said. Lay not thy hand upon the lad,
AND it came to pass after these things, that neither do thou any thing unto him:'' for now I
God did tempt Abraham,'' and said unto know that thou fcarest God,' seeing thou hast not
.

him, Abraham: and ho said, 'Behold, here I am. withheld thy son, thine only so7i, from nic.
2 And ho said, Take now tliy son, thine only so7i 13 And Abraliam lifted up his eyes, and looked,
Isaac, whom tiiou lovest, and get thee into the and behold, behind him a ram caught in a thicket
land of iloriali;'' and oiler him there for aburnt- by his horns:'" and Abraham went and took the
oifering upon one of the mountains which I will ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in
tell thee of. the stead of his son.
3 "i And Abraham
rose up early in the morning, 14 And Abraham called the name of that place
and saddled his ass, and took two of his young Jchovah-jireh:' as it is said to this day, In the
men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the mount of the Lord it shall bo seen."
wood for the burnt-oircring, and rose up, and 15 TF And the Angel of the Lord called unto
went unto the jilace of which God had told him. Abraham out of heaven the second time,"
4 Then on the tliird day Abraham lifted up his 16 And said. By myself have I sworn,'' saith the
eyes, and saw the place afar off. Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and
5 And Al)raham said unto his young men. Abide hast not withheld thy son, thine only son,
ye here with the ass, and I and the lad will go 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in
yonder and worship, and come again to you. multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt- of the hcaven,i and as the sand which is upon the
offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son;'' and he sea-shore ;^ and thy seed shall possess the gate of
took the lire in his hand, and a knife; and they his enemies
went both of them togctlier. 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, earth be blessed;'' because thou hast obeyed my
and said, My father and he said, *IIere am I,
: voice."
my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men

Or. im. ' Dew. 1G:21 Juilg. :!;7; 2 Kings n-.ie.


;
b ch. 4.20. « Psa. k Mio. 6:7, 8. ' ch. 26:5; 1 Sam. 15:22; Psa. 25:12; 147:11; Mai. 4:2.
B0:2, Isa.40:2i. d Deut.8:2; 2 Chr. 32:31; Prov. 17:3; Heb. 11:17; Jas. m 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:9, 10. IThat is, the Lord jpitl see, or. provide.
1:12, 1 Pet. 1:7.1 Heb. Beliaid me. e 2 Chr. 3:1. ' John 1U:17. : Heb. n Psa. 22:4.5; Dan. 3:17, etc.; 2 Cor. 1.9. 10. o ver. 11. P Psa. 10.5:9;
Sehold me. i Or, kid; ver. 2, 8, I.']. S John 1:29; Rev. 5:8. h Psa. Isa. 45:21; Luke 1:73; Heb. 6:13,14. q Deut. 1:10; Jer. 33:22. 1 Heb.
118:27; John 10:17,18. i Heb. 11: 17; Jas. 2:21. J Ex. 3:4; 1 Sam. 3:10. lip. rch. 12:3. > 1 Sam. 2:30; Jer. 7.23

however long God may delay to fulfil his promises, at the


set time they will be perfectly accomplished, and not a jot
CIIAPTER XXII.
or tittle of what he has said fail till it all comes to pass. 1. Tempt Abraham; try him; prove the genuineness and
5-8. God's way and time of fulfilling his promises are strength of his faith.
such as to bring the highest glory to himself, and the 2. The land of Moriah; in which Jerusalem and the
greatest good to his people. temple were afterwards built.
11. Seasons of great joy are often followed by seasons 5. land the lad will— come again; he thought that God
of great anguish, and our choicest comforts may prove would raise Isaac from the dead, or in some way restore
the occasion of peculiar sorrow. him, even if offered as a sacrifice. Heb. 11 17-19. :

14. In cheerful and prompt obedience to God, and hearty 7. Where is the lamb; Isaac knew that Abraham was
commitment of ourselves and our friends to him, he will keep going to offer a burnt-offering, but did not know that he
us in peace, and provide for us according to all our wants. intended to sacrifice him.
18. God hears and tenderly sympathizes not only with 12. Now I know; it had been made evident that Abra-
the voice of supplication, but with that of distress. Not ham regarded God more than he did Isaac, or any creature.
a groan, a tear, or a sigh escapes his notice, or fails to Let God command what he might, Abraham would obey.
reach his heart. He hears the young ravens when they 14. Jehovah-jirch ; meaning, the Lord will provide. As
cry, and delights to feed them. Job 38:41; Psa. 147:9; it is said to this day; said as a proverb. It shall be seen;

Luke 12:24. rather, it shall be provided. Hence the proverb, " Man's
26. They who would live in peace should not only avoid extremity is God's opportunity."
contention themselves, but exercise a diligent supervision 15. Angel of the Lord; here, as often elsewhere, Jehovah
and a wise control over those under their care, lest wrong himself.
and injury should be done of which they are ignorant. When l(i. Sy myself have I sworn; Heb. 6:13-20.
injured it is wise to go directly and kindly to those who can 17. Possess the gate; be victorious over all theu: foes.
give redress, rather than publish the injury to others. l.S. Thy seed; Chvisi. Gal. 3:10.
38
: 1 ;

Tlte death of Sarah. GENESIS XXIII. Tlie cave of Mackpelah.

8 And he communed withthem, saying. If it be


Beer-sheba and Abraham dwelt at Bcer-slieba,
: your mind that I should bury my dead out of my
20 H And it came to pass after these tilings, that sight, hear me, and enti'cat for me to Ephrou the
it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she son of Zohar,
hath also borne children unto thy brother Nahor 9 That he may give mo the cave of Machpelah,
21 Huz" his iirst-born, and Buz" his brother, which he hath, which is in the end of his field
and Kemuel the father of Aram, for *as much money as it is worth he shall give
22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and it me, for a possession of a burying-place among
Jidlaph, and Bethuel. you.
23 And BethueP begat Rebekah:* these eight 10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of
Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother. Heth. And Ejihron tlio Ilittite answered Abra-
24 And his concubine, whose name was Reu- ham in the ^audience of the children of Heth, cw?i
mah, she bare also Tcbah, and Gaham, and Tiia- of all that went in at the gate of his city,' saying,
hash, and Maachah. 1 Nay, my lord, hear me the field give I thee,
:

and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in


the presence of the sons of my people give I it
CHAPTER XXIII. thee bury thy dead.
:

1 The age and death of Sarah. 3 The purchase of Macbpclah, 19 12 And Abraham bowed down himself before
where Sarah was buried.
the people of the land.
ANDtwenty
Sarah was a hundred and seven and
years old: these were the years of
13 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience
of the people of the land, saying. But if thou wilt
the life of Sarah. give it, I pray thee, bear me: I will give thee
2 And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba the same is ;''
money for the field :' take it of me, and I will
Hebron" in the land of Canaan: and Abraham bury my dead there.
came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. 14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto
3 1 And Abraham stood up from before his him,
dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, 15 My lord, hearken unto me the land is worth :

4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you:*' four hundred shekels of silver what is that be- ;

give me a possession of a burying-place with you, twixt me and thee ? bury therefore thy dead.
that I may bury my dead out of my siglit.' 16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron, and
5 And the children of Ueth answered Abraham, Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he
saying unto liim, had named in the audience of the sons of Heth,
6 Hear us, my lord: thou ai-t *a mighty prince four hundred shekels of silver, current money with
among us:'' in the choice of our sepulchres bury the merchant.
thy dead none of us shall withhold from thee
; 17 And the field of Ephron,*^ which ivas in Mach-
his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. pelah, which tvas before Mamre, the field, and the
7 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself cave which was therein, and all the trees tliat were
to the i^eople of the land, even to the children of in the field, that were in all the borders round
Heth. about, wei-e made sure
a Job 1:1. b .Tob 32 2. = ch. 21:1.5. •
Rebecca,- Rom. 9:10. d Josl 1 Heb. fun money. S Heb,
14:15; Judg. 1:10. e < 1. 13:18; ver. 19; 2 Sam. 5:3. f 1 Chr. 29:15; Ps: 25:9; 49:30; 511:13; Acts 7:1
39:12; Heb. 11:9; 1 Fe . 2: 11. B Acts 7:5. t Heb. a prince of God. h cl

20. Nahor; chap. 11:27.


23. Rebekah; her father was Abraham's nephew, and
CHAPTER XXIII.
cousin to Isaac, whom she afterwards married. Chap. 3. IMh ; the son of Canaan, and grandson of Ilam.His
24:15,67. descendants were called Hittites.
INSTRUCTIONS. 6. In tlie choice of our sepulchres; the proposal of the Hit-

1. The children of God, while in this world, must ex- tites was generous, but it did not meet the wishes of Abra-
pect trials and often, tlio most severe come last. But
; ham. He was unwilling to bury Sarah in any sepulchre
they need not despond. If they trust in God, he will sus- of the Canaanites, choosing rather to have a burying-place
tain them and cause them to triumph. Rom. 5 3-j Jas. : ; which should be exclusively his own.
1:2-4: 1 Peter 1:6-9. 9. Machpelah ; a tract of laud owned by Ephron, in which
2. As God is the giver and preserver of life, he has a was a cave. Ver. 17-20.
perfect right to direct when and how it sliall be taken 15. Four hundred shekels; about two hundred dollars.
away. Tliough to take life in opposition to his loiown 16. Weighed —
the silver; to determine its value, as was
will is murder, and subjects the murderer to his curse, the custom in those days, there being no coined money.
to do it in obedience to liis command is a duty, and will Current money with the merchant; in respect to both weight
receive from him a gracious and glorious reward. and quality.
5. To believe heartily and fully tlie divine declarations,
and expect their fulfilment, it is not necessary to know, or
INSTRUCTIONS.
be able to conceive, how they can be accomplished. 1. The longest life must come to an end, the dearest
8. A permanent conviction that God will provide, is an connections be sundered, and the most intimate friends
anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Under its intluence, part to meet no more on earth.
though tlie winds rage and the tempests roar, men may 4. The bodies of those we most love must soon be buried
outride the storm, and in due time calmly and joyfully out of our sight.
enter the port. 9. A burial-place, as a memento of the evil of sin, should
18. Fidelity under great trials is peculiarly pleasing to lead us to abhor sin, and by believing in Ilim who is "the
God and useful to men. It will receive specisil tokens of resurrection and the life," to obtain deUverance from its
divine favor, and bo followed by a rich and lasting reward. power. John 11:25, 26.
39
:

jrcham's serraut sent GKXKSIS XXIV. to si'c'c a wife fur Isaac

18 Unto Abrnham for a possession in tlio pros- camels of master, and departed; (for* *, r f";
lii.s

oncc of tl)0 cliildron of Iletli, before all that wont all the go(jds of his master ?/•(;•(' in his hand:) and
in at tlie frato of liis city. he arose, and went to Mesopotamia,'" unto the city
1!) And after this. Abraliam buried Sarah liis wife of Nahor."
in the eavc of the Held of M:ieli|)elali, before Mam- 11 And he made his camels to kn(^<'l down Avith-
re: the same is Ildiron in the land of Canaan. out tlie city by a well of water, at tlie time of tlie
20 And llic field, and the eavc that is therein, evening, even the time Hliat women go out t()
were made sure" unto Abraham for a possession draw water."
of a burying-place by the sons of Ileth. 12 And he said, Lord God of my master
Abraham,!' I pray thee, .send me good .>-^peed thi.?
CIIAPTErt XXIV. day," and shoAV kindness unto my master Abra-
ham.
1 Alir:ili.iin 10 The servant's journey: 12 liis
fwcarcth \\a servant.
prayir: 11 his sijn. 15 13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water;'
Rebckah meetelh him, 18 fulfillelh his
nign. 22 23 ahoweth her kindred, 2.5 and invitclh
rcceiveth jewels,
tiie men of the city come
and the daughters of
1im home. 26 The Ber»-ant blesseth God. 29 Laban enterLainelh
him. 31 The servant showelh his message. out to draw Avater
50 Laban ,Tnd Bethuel
14 And let it come to pass that the damsel to
hpprovc it. 53 Ilebekah consenteth to go. G'3 Isaac mccteth her.

VXD Abraham Avas old and *Avell-striekon in Avhom I shall say. Let down thy pitcher, I ]iray
aw: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in thee, that I may drink and she shall say. Drink, ;

;:11 tliino;.^.'' and I Avill give tliy camels drink also: kt the
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of same he she that thou hast a])])oint('d for tliy ser-
his housc,"^ that ruled over all that he had,'' Put, vant Isaac; and thereby shall 1 know tliat thou
I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:" hast siiowcii kindness unto my master.'
3 And I will make theo swear by the Lord,'' tlic 15 1 And it came to pass, before he had done
Clod of heaven, and tiic God of the earth, that thou speaking,' that behold, Rebekah came out, Avho
slialt not take a wife unto my son of the daugh- was born to Betliuel. son of Mileah, the wife of
ters of the Canaaniles among whom I dwell:''-' X'ahor, Abraham's brother, Avitli her pitcher upon
4 But thou shalt go unto my country,'' and to her shoulder.
my kindred, and take a wife unto my .son Isaac. 16 And the damsel was ^A-ery fair to look upon,
5 And his servant said unto him, Peradventurc a virgin, neither had any man known her: and
tlio woman will not be willing to follow me unto she went down to the Avell, and filled her pitcher,
this land: must I needs bring thy sou again unto and came up.
tiic land from wliencc thou earnest? 17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said.
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy
that tiiou bring not my son thither again. pitcher.
7 1 'J'he LoKD God of heaven,' which took mc 18 And she said. Drink, my lord and she hast- :

from my father's house.J and from the land of my ed, and let down her pitcher ujjon her hand, and
kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware gave him drink.
inito me, saying. Unto thy seed will I give this 19 And when she had done giving him drink.
hind: he shall send his angel before thee,'' and she said, I Avill draw u-atcr for thy camels also,
ihou shalt take a wife unto my sou from thence. until tliey have done drinking."
8 And if the woman will not be willing to fol- 2(J And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher
low thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my into the trougii, and ran again unto the well to
oath:' only bring not my son thither again. draw water, and drew for all his camels.
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh 21 And the man, Avondering at her, held his
of Abraham his master, and sware to him con- peace,'' to Avit Avhcther the Lord had made his
cerning that matter. journey jirosjicrous or not.
10 1 And the servant took ten camels, of the 22 An(i it came to pass, as the camels had done
« Jer. 32:10. ' Heb. gone into days, b ch. 13:2; ver. 35; Psa. 11-2:1- 10; Acts 2:9. » ch. 11 :31 . I Heb. tkat wome.n which draw water go forth.
3. « ch. 15:2. d ver. lU; ch. 39:5. t ch. 47:29; 1 Chr. 29:21. f Dent. Ex. 2:10; 1 Sam. 9:11. P ver. 27; ch. •26:24: Ex. 3:6; Matt. 2-2:3-2.
(1:13. S ch. 6:2, etc.: Deut. 7:3; 2 Cor. 0:14. ti ch. 11:25, elc; 22:i0| q Neh. 1:11; Prov. 3:0. r ver. 43. • Judg. (i: 17, 37; 1 Sam. 20:7. t Isa.
2-!:2. Ezra. 1:2; Dan. 2:44; Jonah 1:9, Rev. 11:13. J ch. 12:1. 7; C5:'24; Dan. 9:21. 5 Heb. good of countenance, u 1 Pet. 4:9. » Luka
13:15; Dent. 1:3; 31:4; Acts 7:5. t Ex 23:2:3; 33:2; Psa. 31:7; Isa, 2:19,51.
(13:9; Heb. 1:14. 1 Josii. 2:17-20. \ (Jr, and. m Deut. 9:J:4; Juclg. 3:-,

12. True politeness, and a courteous, gentlemanly de- 2. Eldest servant; supposed to be Eliezer. Chap. 15:2.
meanor are the indispensable duty of all, especially of the Under my thigh; a form of making solemn engagements.
friends of God; and the more distinguished men are, the Chap. 47:29.
[greater is the importance of their being patterns of dis- 3. Make thee swear; put thee under oath, or make thee
cretion, propriet}', and good manners. enter into a sacred engagement.
Perfect honesty in making bargains, and strict punc-
16. 4. My coimtnj, Mesopotamia. Kindred; relatives.
tuality in fulfilling them, are duties sacredly binding upon 7. Send his angel; to make thy Avay prosperous.
all and those who do not thus act, violate the first prin-
; 10. The city of Nahor ; Uaxa.\\. Chap. 11:27-32.
ciples not only of morality, but of religion. 11. Kneel down; the posture in which camels take their
20. All conveyances of property from one person to rest.
another should, at the time, be made sure, and thus occa- 12.Send me good speed; prosper me in my undertaking.
siou of contention be prevented. \5.Rebekah; c\\a.\>.ti:fi.
21.Wondering at her; to see how exactly his prayer
CHAPTER XXIV. Avas answered. To wd ; to know, from the indications of
1. Was old; aged one hundred and forty years. Providence.
40
;

lit is prospered, GENESIS XXIV. and uhlaineth RelcluJi.

Rc'iw"' drinking, that the man took


a golden ear- I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper
ring" of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets" thy way and thou shalt take a wife for my sou
;

for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, of my kindred, and of my father's house.
23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, 41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath,
I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house when thou comest to my kindred; and if they
for us to lodge in ? give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my
24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of oath.
Bethuel the son of Milcah,'' which she bare unto 42 And I came this day unto the well, and said,
Nahor. Lord God of my master Abraham,' if now thou
25 She said, moreover, imto him. We have both do prosper my way which I go:'"
straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 43 Behold, I stand by the well of water and it ;

26 And the man bowed down his head,'' and shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh
worshipped the Lord. forth to draw wafer, and I say to her, Give me, I
27 And he said. Blessed be the Lord God of my pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink
master Abraham,'' who hath not left destitute my 44 And she say to me. Both drink thou, and I
master of his mercy and his truth :" I being in the will also draw for thy camels; let the same be the
way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's woman whom the Lord hath appointed out for
brethren. my master's son."
28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her 45And before I had done speaking in my heart,"
mother's house these things. behold, Ecbekah came forth with her pitcher on
29 \ And Rebekah had a brother, and his name her shoulder; and she went down unto the well,
icas Laban and Laban ran out unto the man,
:''
and drew icatcr : and I said unto her. Let me
unto the well. drink, I pray thee.
30 And it came to pass, when he saw the car- 46 And she made haste, and let down her pitch-
ring, and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and er from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will
when he heard the words of Eebckah his sister, give thy camels drink also: so I drank, aud she
saying, Thus spake the man unto me, that ho made the camels drink also.
came unto the man and behold, he stood by the
; 47 And I asked her, aud said, Whose daughter
camels at the well. a7-t thou? And she said, The daughter of Be-
31 And he said. Come in, thou blessed of the thuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him:
LoRD;^ wherefore staudcst thou without? for I and put the ear-ring upon her
I face,"" aud the
have prepared the house, and room for the camels. bracelets upon her hands.
32 ir And the man came into the house and he : 48 And I bowed down my head,'' and worship-
ungirded his camels, and gave straw and proven- ped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my
der for the camels, and water to wash his feet, master Abraham, which had led me in the right
and the men's feet that wei-e with him. way"' to take my master's brother's daughter unto
33 And there was set meat before him to cat: his son.
but he said, I will not eat until I have told mine 49 And now, if ye will deal kindly and truly
errand.'' And he said. Speak on. with my master,^ tell me and if not, tell me
: ; that
3-1 And he said, I am Abraham's servant. 1 may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
35 And the Lord hath .blessed my master great- 50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, and said,
ly,' and he has become great :' and he hath given The thing proceedeth from the Lord :' we cannot
him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and speak unto thee bad or good."
men-servants, and maid-servants, and camels, and 51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee take Iter, and
;

asses. go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the
36 And Sarah, my master's wife, bare a son to Lord hath spoken.
my master when she was old and unto him hath
: 52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's
he given all that he hath. servant heard their words, he worshipped the
37 And my master made me swear," saying. Lord,*' bowing himself to the earth.
Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the 53 And the servant brought forth jewels + of
daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I silver, and jewels of gold," and raiment, and gave
dwell: them to Rebekah he gave also to her brother and
:

38 But thou shalt go unto my father's house, to her mother precious things.''
and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. 54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men
39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure that tcere with him, and tarried all night; and
the woman will not follow me. they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send
40 And he said unto me, The Lord, before whom me away unto my master.
• Or, jewl for the fore/itad. " Ezek. 16:11, li; 1 I'et. 3;3. b ch. 2-J:S3. 3n-3
Cyer. S-2; Ex. 4:31; 34:g; Neh. 8:0; Psa. 'J.J:(i. d Ex. 1H:10; Ruth 4:U.
t ch. 32:10LPia. 9S:3; Luke 1:63. I oh. SO:.?. S ch. 26:29; Judg. 17:2;
Ruth3:10; Tsa. 113:15. h Psa. 132:3-5; John 4:34; Eph. 6:5-7. iver. 1;
ch. 12:2; 13:2; Prov. 10:22; 22:4. j Psa. 1S:35. k ver. 3. 1 Ter. 12. mch.

32. He ungirded; that is, Laban.


45. Speaking in my heart; offering silent prayer.
4 A. Brother's daughter; she was the daughter of Abra-
ham's nephew.
Isaac meeltth Rehthih. GENESIS XXV Children nf Abrn/uim.

55 And lior l)rotlior and licr mother paid, Let


the diinisol abide with ns a fiw days," at the least
ten al'ler that siic shall iro.
;

5(5 Antl he said unto them. Hinder me not," soc-


inp; the Lord hatii i)r(>spercd my way:" send me
away, tiiat 1 may tro to my master.
57 And they said. We
will call the damsel, and
inquire at her moutli.
58 Anil tiiey called Rebekah, and said unto her,
Wilt thou go with this man?'' And she said, I
will go.
5'.) And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and

her nurse,'' and Abraham's servant, and his men.


CO And they blessed Rebekah,'' and said unto
her. Tliou art our sister; be thou Me mother of
thousands of millions, and lot thy seed possess the
gate of those which hate them.
61 1i And Rebekali arose, and her damsels, and
they rode upon the camels, and followed the
man and the servant took Rebekah, and went
:

his way.
62 And Isaac came from the way of the well
;''
Lahai-roi for he dwelt in tlie south country.
G3 And Isaac went out to meditate* in the field
at the eventide:* and he lifted up his eyes, and
saw, and bcholil, tlie camels v;ere coming.
64 And Reljckali lifted up her eyes, and when
she saw Isaac, she lighted oil" the camel."
65 For she had said unto the servant, What man
is thisthat walketh in the field to meet us ? And
the servant had said, It is my master: therefore
she took a veil and covered herself.'
C() And the servant told Isaac all things that he
had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sa-
; :

Birth of Esau and Jacob. GENESIS XXV. Esau sellefh his birthright.

n.r.SS' 10 Tlie field wliich Abraham purchased her and she


; said. If it be so, why am I thus ?
of the sons of Heth :" there was Abraham buried, And she went to inquire of the Lord."
and Sarah his wife. 23 And the Lord said unto her. Two nations
11 Ti And it came to pass after the death of are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall
Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac ; and be separated from thy bowels and the one people :

Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi. shall be stronger than the other people and the ;

12 1 Now tiiese are the generations of Ishmael, elder shall serve the younger.'
Abraliam's son, whom Hagar tlie Egyptian, Sa- 24 And when her days to be delivered were ful-
rah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham. filled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

13 And these are the names of the sons of Ish- 25 And the first came out red, all over like a
mael, by their names, according to their genera- hairy garment and they called his name Esau. ;

tions: The first-born of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and 26 And after that came his brother out, and his
Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, hand took hold on Esau's heel f and his name
14 And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa, was called Jacob and Isaac was threescore years :

15 Hadar,' and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kede- old when she bare them.
mah: 27 And the boys grew and Esau was a cunning :

16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are hunter,"^ a man of the field and Jacob was a plain ;

their names, by their towns, and by their castles man, dwelling in tents.'
twelve princes according to their nations.'' 28 And Isaac loved Esau, because *he did eat
17 And these are the years of the life of Ish- of his venison :" but Rebekah loved Jacob.
mael, a hundred and thirty and seven years: and 29 1i And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came
he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered from the field, and he was faint.
unto his people. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray
18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur,'' thee, * with that same red pottage ; for I am faint
that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward As- therefore was his name called Edom.'
syria: and he died+ in the presence of all his 31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birth-
brethren. right.
ly 1 And
these are the generations of Isaac, 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am ""at the point
Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac: to die: and what profit shall this birthright do
20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took to me?°
Rebekah to wife,* the daughter of Bethuel the 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day and ;

Syrian of Padan-aram," the sister to Laban the he sware unto him and he sold his birthright
:

Syrian. unto Jacob."


21 And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife,*' 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of
because she was barren: and the Lord was en- lentiles and he did eat and drink," and rose up,
;

treated of him," and Rebekah his wife conceived. and went his way : thus Esau despised his birth-
22 And the children struggled together witiiin rio-ht.^

» Oh. 23:16. • Or, Hadad; 1 Chr. 1:30. b ch. 17:20. c 1 Sun. 15:7. 11:9. : Heb. uemsonwas in AiSJnouM. mch. 27:19. i He\>. with that
tHeb,/rf/. dch. 24:67. e ch. 23:.i. f 1 Sim. 1 11 Luke 1 :13. E 1 Chr,
: ; red, with that red pottage. 1 That is, red. 1 Heb. going lo die. » Job
5:20: 2 Chr. 33:13; Ezra 8:23; Psi, 145:19; ProT. 10 24; Rom. 9:10. 21:15; Mai. 3:14 o ch. 27:36; 36:6; Heb. 12:16. P Isa. 22:13; 1 Cw.
t 1 Sim. 22:15; Ezek. 20:31; 36:.37. ch. 27:29; Psi. 60:8; Isa. 63:1-6;
i 15.32. qPsa. 106:24; Malt. 22.5; Acts 13:41.
Obid. 1-16; Mai. 1:2-4; Rom. 9:10-12. J Hos. 12:3. k ch. 27:3. 1 Heb.

11. Lahai-roi; chap. 16:14; 24:62. 34. Lentiles; a kind of pulse or coarse grain resembling
13. T/ie sons of Ishmael; all these were heads of Arabian peas and beans. Despised his birthright; by giving up its
tribes. temporal and spiritual blessings for the gratification of his
16. Twelve princes ; chap. 17:20. appetite. Heb. 12:15-17.
18. ; the
Tliey descendants of Ishmael. From Havilah
INSTRUCTIONS.
unto Skiir ; the country between the Persian gulf and the

Red sea. He died all his brethren; rather, his lot fell, 8. No
degree of faith in God, or fidelity in his service,
that is, he dwelt. See note on chap. 16:12. can prevent the approach of death; but as sin has en-
20. Padan-aram; meaning the plains of Aram, one of tered, and death by sin, so the sentence of death has
the Hebrew names of Mesopotamia, more especially the passed upon all men, because all are siimers, Romans
level part of it. 5:12-14,
23. Two nations ; those from whom should descend two 18. The declarations of God, with regard to this world
nations, the Edomites and the Israelites. Serve the youn- as well as the future, and with regard to bad men as well
ger; the descendants of Esau would be subject to the as good, will, in due time, all be accomplished. Num.
descendants of Jacob. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29.
25. Esau; hairy. 23. The liord sees the end from the beginning, and can
26. Jacob; meaning a supplanter, as by taking hold of describe events which are future with as much minute-
the heel one causes another to fall, or overcomes him. ness and accuracy as those which are past and the truth ;

29. Sod; boiled. Pottage; a nutritious soup of lentiles, of his declarations is abundantly proved by the dispensa-
ver. 34. tions of his providence.
30.Edom ; which means red. 28. Partiality of parents towards their children is a
31.Birthright; that right which belonged to the first- fruitful source of manifold evils, and will be conscien-
born, of succeeding, on the death of his father, to the tiously avoided by all who duly regard the comfort and
government and spiritual instruction of the family, offici- welfare of their families.
ating as their priest, offering sacrifices, and thus securing 34. To disregard spiritual privileges and blessings, and
the blessings with which the performance of these duties treat them as less valuable than personal gratifications, is
would be connected. A
double share of the inheritance a great sin. It is viewed by God as profane, and exposes
also fell to him. the soul to the loss of his favor. Heb. 12 17. :

43
: :

/«(i(7f is lltssal nf Gnd. cENESis xxvr. His covenant with Ahimclich.

CHAPTER XXVI.
1 Isaac because of fainiiie wint lo (lerar. 2 God instnicteth, anil
bicueth him. 7 He is reproveJ by Abimelech for denyinjj bis wife.
1'2 i{e i;roweth rich. IS ile di^'i^eth Esck, Sitnah, and Rvhoboth.
26 Abimelech maketh a covenant with him at Beer-sheba. 3-t Esau's
wives.

AND , the
was a famine in tlic land, besides
tlicrc
that was in tlic days of Abra-
tirst liiniine
ham." And Isaac wont unto Abimelech king of
the Piiilistinos, unto Gerar.""
2 .\iid llio LoiiP appcarpd unto him, and said,
Go lint down into Eii'vpt:
'
dwell in the land which
I shall tell thocof.
3 Sojourn in this land,'^ and I will be with thee,''
and will bless thee: for unto thee, and unto thy
seed, I will give all these countries," and I will
jioribrm the oath which 1 sware unto Abraham
thy father;'
4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the
Ftars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all
those countries: and in thy seed shall all the na-
tions of the earth be blessed \^
5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice,*" and
kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes,
and my laws.
6 IT And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
7 And the men of the place asked him of his
wife; and he said. She w my sister:' for he feared
to say. She is my wife :' lest, said he, the men of the
place should kill me for Rebekah; because she
teas fair to look upon.
8 And it when he had been there
came to pass
a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philis-
tines looked out at a window, and saw, and be-
hold, Isaac teas sporting with Rebekah his wife.
9 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said. Behold,
of a surety she is thy wife and how saidst thou,
:

She is my sister ? And Isaac said unto him, Be-


cause I said. Lest I die for her.
10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast
done unto us?" one of the people might lightly
have laiu with thy wife, and thou shouldest have
brought guiltiness upon us.
11 And Abimelech charged all his people, say-
ing, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall
surely be put to death.'
12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and "receiv-
ed in the same year a hundred-fold and the Lord :

blessed him
13 And the man waxed great, and ^went for-
ward, and grew until he became very great
14 For he had possession of flocks, and posses-
sion of herds, and great store of servants;* and
the Philistines envied him.™
15 For all the wells which his father's servants

a Ch. 12; 10. b ch. 20;


; : : ;;

Jacob obtaintth GENESIS XXVII. his father's hlessln

A.M. .bout32 And it came to pass the same day, two good kids of the goats and I will make them
;

B.C. 1804. that Isaac's servants came, and told him savory meat for thy father, such as he loveth:*^
concerning the well which they had digged, and 10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that
said unto him. We have found water. he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his
33 And he called it Shebah :* therefore the name death.
of the city is Beer-sheba* unto this day. 11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother. Be-
3-1 ir And Esau was forty years old when he hold, Esau my brother is a hairy man,^ and I cm
took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the a smooth man
Hittite, and Bashemath" the daughter of Elon the 12 My father peradventure will feel mo,'' and I
Hittite: shall seem to him as a deceiver and I shall bring ;

85 Which were *a grief of mind unto Isaac and a curse' upon me, and not a blessing.
to Eebekah. 13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me he
thy curse, my sou;^ only obey my voice, and go
CHAPTER XXVII. fetch me them.
1 Isaac sendeth Esau for venison. 6 Rebekah instmcteth Jacob to 14 And he went, and fetched, and brought them
1.5 Jacob under the person of Esau obtaineth
obtain the blessiug. to his mother : and his mother made savory meat,
It. 30 Esau bringeth venison. 33 Isaac trembleth, 34 Esau com-
plaineth, and by importunity obtaineth a blessing. 41 He threaten- such as his father loved.''
etli Jacob. 42 Rebekah dlsappointeth it. 15 And Rebekah took 'goodly raiment of her
AND
and
it when Isaac was old,
came to pass, that
were dim,'' so that he could not
his eyes
eldest son Esau, which ivere with her in the house,
and put them upon Jacob her younger son
.

see, he called Esau his eldest sou, and said unto 16 And she put the skins of the kids of the
him, My son and he said unto him. Behold, here
: goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his
am I. neck:
2 he said, Behold now, I am old, I know
And 17 And she gave the savory meat and the bread,
not the day of my death :''
which she had prepared, into the hand of her son
3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, Jacob.
thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, 18 IT And he came unto his father, and said. My
and take me some venison
** father: and he said. Here am I; who art thou,
4 And make me savory meat, sucli as I love, my son ? i

and bring it to me, that I may eat that my soul 19 And Jacob, said unto his father, I am Esau
;

may bless thee before I die.* thy first-born;' I have done according as thou
5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my
his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt_/br venison, that thy soul may bless me.
venison, and to bring it. 20 And Isaac said unto his son. How is it that
6 1 And Rebekali spake unto Jacob her son, thou hast found it so quickly, my son ? And he
saying. Behold, I heard thy father speak unto said. Because the Lord thy God" brought it ^to
Esau thy brother, saying, me.
7 Bring me venison, and make me savory meat, 21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I
that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord, pray thee, that I may feel thee," my son, whether
before my death. thou be my very son Esau or not.
8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice," ac- 22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father
cording to that which I command thee. and he felt him, and said. The voice is Jacob's
9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
• That is. >4re oart. t That is, Me
WfH o/(Ae <mM. ach. 36:2,3. t Heb. J 1 Sam. 25:24 2 Sam. 14:9; Matt. 27:25. k ch. 25:23; Prov. 23:3; Luke
;

hiutrness of spirit, b ch. 48:10; 1 Sam. 3:2; Eccl. 12:3. c Prov. 27:1; 21:34. I Heb. desirable. I 1 Kings 13:18; 14:2; Isa. 28:15; Zech. 13:4.
I.ulce 12;4U; Jas. 4:14. S Heb. hunt, i ver. 25; ch. 43:9; 49:28; Deut. 1E.-C. 20:7; Job 13:7. 1 Heb. ie/orir me. n ver. 12.
;0:1. ever. 13. f ver. 4. Ech. 23:35. h ver. 22. i ch. 9:25; Deut. 27:18.

33. Beer-sheba ; Abraham had named the well Beer-she- their sins, but according to the greatness of his mercy
ba, well of the oath, from the oath between himself and and every new blessing lays them under new obligations
Abiraelech, chap. 21:31. Now Isaac, from a like transac- to love and obey him.
tion,names the place also Beer-sheba. 22. Men who cannot live near each other without con-
34. The Hittite; the Hittites were descendants of Heth tention, sejjarate and live further apart. There
had better
the son of Canaan, and one of the nations that were after- is room enoughfor all; and let all do to others as they
wards to be destroyed. Chap. 23:3. ought to wish that others should do to them, and all may
live in peace.
INSTRUCTIONS. 31. A wise man, when he has been injured, will not be

5. As great
blessings often come upon children in con- disposed to take revenge, but will be ready to overlook
sequence of the piety and faithfulness of parents, by the and forgive past transgressions.
exercise of like piety and faithfulness children should
endeavor to confer similar blessings on their posterity.
CHAPTER XXVII.
10. The Bible describes men as they arc records not ; Old ; about one hundred and thirty-sis years.
1.

oiJy their virtues but their vices, and often without com- 3. Quiver; a case or sheath for arrows.
mending the one or condemning the otlier. Whether an 4. Savory meat; seasoned with spices and other things

action is right or wrong must be determined not from to give it a pleasant taste.
the fact of its being recorded in the Scriptures, but from 13. Thy curse; tlie evil that would come in consequence
its agreement or disagreement with the requirements of of Jacob's deceiving his father.
God. 19. lam Esau; an utter and deliberate falsehood.
14. God deals with men in this world not according to 20. The Lord thij God brought it; this was an aggrava-
4.3
J^.inu threitcuflh GENESIS XXVII, Jiicdh his brother.

23 And lie (lisrernofl because his hands


bitn not,
were hairy." as hi.s brotluM- Esau's hands: so lie
blessed him.
24 And lie said, .Irt thou my very son Esau?
And he said, I am}'
25 And he said, JJiinjr it near to me, and I will
eat-of my son's venison, that my soul may bless
thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did
cat: and he brought liim wine, and he drank.
2() And his father Isaac said unto him, Come
near now. and kiss me, my son.
27 And lie came near, and kissed him and he :

.smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him,''


and .said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell
of a field'' wliieh the Loun liath blessed :'=

28 Tliereforo God give thee of the dew of heav-


en,'' and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of

corn and wine.


2y Let i)eople serve thee, and nations bow down
to thee; be lord over thy brethren, and let thy
mother's sons bow down to thee:'^ cursed be every
one that curseth thee," and blessed be he that
blesseth thee.
30 1 And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had
made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet
scarce gone out from the presenceof Isaachis father,
that Esiiu his brother came in from his hunting.
31 And he also had made savory meat, and
brought it unto his father; and said unto his fa-
ther, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's
venison, that thy soul may bless me.
32 And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art
thou ? And he said, I am thy son, thy first-born,
Esau.
33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and
*

said, Who? is he that hath * taken venison,


where
and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before
thou earnest, and have blessed him?' yea, and he
shall be blessed.'
34 And when Esau heard the words of his fa-
ther, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter
cry, and "said unto his father, Bless me, even me
also, my father!"
35 And he said. Thy
brother came with subtle-
ty,' and hath taken away thy blessing.
a Ve
; ; ; :

Jacob sent to Padan-aram. GENESIS XXVIII. His vision at Bethd.

t J' k'S"
''''
CHAPTER XXVIII. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and
tarried there all night, because the sun was set:
1 Isaac bifsseth Jacob, and sendeth him to Padan-aram. fi Esau mar-

rieth Mahalalh the daughter of Ishniael. 10 The vision of Jacob's a'd he took of tlie stones of that place, and put
ladder. IS The stone of Beth-el. 20 Jacob's vow. them for his pillows, and lay down in that place
AND
charged
Isaac called Jacob, and blessed liim, and
hiui, and said unto him, Thou shalt
to sleep.
12 And he dreamed,' and behold, a ladder set
not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan." up on the earth, and the top of it reached to
2 Arise, go to Padan-aram," to the house of heaven and behold, the angels of God ascending
:

Bethuel thy mother's father ;'' and take thee a and descending on \i.>
wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy 13 And beliold, tlie Lord stood above it, and
mother's brother.'' said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father,''
3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou
fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be "a liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.
multitude of people 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the
4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham," to and thou shalt ^ spread abroad to the west,
earth ;
'

thee, and to thy seed -with thee that thou mayest ; and
and to the north, and to the south
to the east,
inherit the land + wherein thou art a stranger, and
in thee and in thy seed shall all the families
which God gave unto Abraham. of the earth be blessed.™
5 And Isaac sent away Jacob and he went to 15 And behold, I am with thee," and will keep
:

Padan-aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syri- thee in all places whither thou goest," and will bring
an, the brother of Rebekali, Jacob's and Esau's tliee again into this land;P for I will not leave
mother. thee, until I have done that which I have spoken
6 1 When Esau saw tliat Isaac had blessed Ja- to thee of.'i
cob,' and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take 16 IT And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and
him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed he said. Surely the Lord is in this place;'' and I
him, he gave him a charge, saying. Thou shalt not knew it not.
take a wife of the daughters of Canaan 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful
7 And that Jacob obeyed his father,'' and his is this place! this is none other but the house of
mother, and was gone to Padan-aram God, and this is the gate of heaven.
8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan 18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning,
pleased* not Isaac his father; and took the stone that he had put for his pil-
9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto lows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil
the wives which he had, Mahalath^ the daughter upon the top of it.^
of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, 19 And he called the name of that place Beth-
to be his wife. el:* but the name of that city was called Luz at
10 1 And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba,*" and the first.'
went toward Haran." 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will
a b Hos. 12:12.
c ch. 25:20. d ch. •i):29. • Heb. on assembly
Ch. 24:3. Heb.
of ptoplt. ech. 12:2. Keh. of tky sojournings. ' ch. 27:33. Bch. 27:43.
^
I Heb. were evil in the 5 ch. 3G:3, is called Bashemath.
eyes. h Hos. 12: 12.
I Acts7:2, ciiled C/mrran. ch. 41:1
i Num. 12:0; Job 4:13. JJohnl:51;
;

INSTRUCTIONS.
4. By depriving us of the use of our senses, or dimin-
ishing their power as age advances, God admonishes us
that we are not at home in the body, and that what our
hands find to do in serving him, we should do witli our
might for in the grave, to which we are hastening, there
;

is no work.
10. When parents tempt their children to sin, they lay
the foundation for great and lasting sorrow.
13. To imprecate on one's self the curse of evil-doing
is high-handed iniquity it is assuming a load which may
;

be found too great to bear. It is sowing the wind to reap


the whirlwind. Hos. 8:7.
24. The telling of one lie often leads to the telling of a
second, and that to a third. The beginning of iniquity is
like the letting out of water from a dam, which may sweep
every thing before it.
29. Through the evil-doing and the well-doing of men,
God fulfils his infinitely wise, holy, and benevolent designs,
causing even the evil which is committed to be overruled
for good.
33. Men are often the means of accomplishing what
they did not intend. They mean one thing, and God
means another. Chap. 50:20; Prov. 16:9; 19:21.
36. Wicked men are prone to ascribe their calamities
to other men's sins rather than to their own, and to exer-
cise pride, envy, and revenge, rather than humility, re-
pentance, and forgiveness.
;

Jacob Cdiiul/i III Jfaraii. GENESIS .\.\1.\. Jlis covenant with lAiban.

be witli nu'/' and will


lillkeen
keep mc in this way that 1 the sheep of Laban liis mother's brother, * "„"""' .

no,
ijo, anil will jrive me
le bread to eat, and raiment to that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone <. itbo ii.

put on, from the well's mouth,' and watered the flock of
•21 So that I conic airain to my father's house in Laban his nidlher's brother.
peaie; then shall the Loun bo my God:** And Jacob
kissed Rachel, and lifted up his
11
22 And this stone, whieh 1 have set for a pillar,'" and wept.^ voice,
shall be God's house: and of all that thou slialt 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he wa^ her fa-
Sivc ine, 1 will surely give the tenth uuto thee.' ther's brother,'' and that he was Rcbekah's son;'
and she ran and ttdd her father.
13 And it came to jiass when Laban heard the
CHAPTER XXIX. tidings' of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to
IJacob comcOi to the well of Haran. 9 He taketh acquaintance of meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him,'"
Rachel, Laban cntertaineth him. 18 Jacob covenantetii for Ra-
chel.
l-'i

"^3 He is Jeceived with Leah. 28 He marrieth also Rachel. and brought him to his
house. And he told La-
and serveth for her seven years more. 32 Leah beareth Reuben, 33 ban all those things.
Sjneon. 31 Levi, 3-1 and Judah.
14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my
^T^^IIEX Jacob 'went ou his journey, and came bone and my flesh. And he abode with him 'the
J., into the land of the ^people of the cast. space of a month.
2 And he looked, and behold, a well in the field, 15 Ti And Laban said uuto Jacob, Because thou
and there were three flocks of sheep lying by
lo, art my brother, shouldcst thou therefore serve me
it;"^ watered the flocks;
for out of that well they for naught"? tell me, what shall thy wages be 1
and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. IG And Laban had two daughters: the name of
3 And tliither were all the flocks gathered and : the (jldcr was Leah, and the name of the younger
they rolled the stone from tlic well's mouth and was Rachel."
watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon 17 Leah was tender-eyed, but Rachel was beau-
the well's mouth in his place. tiful and well-favored.
4 And Jacob unto them. My brethren, said 18 And Jacob lovcdRachel and said,Iwill serve
;

whence be ye '? And they said, Of Haran are we.' thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
5 And he said unto them. Know j'C Laban the 19 And Laban said, // is better that 1 give her
son of Xahor And they said, know hiin.
"? We to thee, than that I should give her to another
6 And lie said unto them, ^ Is lie well And ?'^'
man; abide with me.
they said. He is well: and behold, Rachel his 20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel;'"
daughter cometli with the sheep. and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the
7 And he said, Lo, ^it is yet high day, neither is love he had to her."
it time that the cattle should be gathered togeth- 1W And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife,
er water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
: for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in uuto her.
8 And they said. cannot, until all the flocksWe 22 xVnd Laban gathered together all the men of
be gathei'ed together, and till they roll the stone the place, and made a feast.''
from the well's mouth ;'' then we water the sheep. 23 And it came to pass in tlie evening, that he
9 IT And while he yet spake with them, Rachel took Leah his daughter, and brought her to hira
came with her father's sheep for she kept them. ; and he went in unto her.
10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel 24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah,
the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and Zilpah his maid, /or a handmaid.^
»aSam. 15;8. b Deut. aGil?. c oh. 35:7, 14. <1 Lev. 27:30. • Heb. lift 14:14,16. lch.24:2S. I V.e\>. hearing, m Rom. 16:16. n Judg. 9:2; 2Sini.
uphisfat. ^ Heh. ehildreil. e Psa. 23:2; Cant. 1:7; Ezek. 34: 14. f ch. 5:1; 19:12. 1 Heb. a moHI/i o/rfay.'. o Ruth 4:11. pHos. 12:12. q Cant.
27:43. ' I there peace to him? g ch. 4;J:27. 5 Heb. yet the day is great,
Is S:7. rjudg. 14:10; John 2:1,2. • ch. 30:9; 46: 18.
li Mark 1G:3; Luke 24:2. Exod. 2:17. 1 ch. 3:J:4; 45:14. k ch. 13:8;
'

22. a place where I will publicly acknow-


God's house ; breath in our nostrils, the blood flowing in our veins, and
ledge and adore hira. Give the tenth ; devote a tenth part it is in him that we live,move, and have existence.
of what be should have to acts of piety and mercy. 22. Whenever we receive special favors, we should feel
INSTRUCTIONS. under special obligations to acknowledge and adore God,
2. Parents who rightly regard the good of their children, the author and finisher of all good and should, without
;

for this Hfe or the future, or that of their descendants, delay, consecrate ourselves and all that we have to his
wiU especially desire that they be connected with pious service.
companions.
9. When
persons undertake to cure or to lessen one
CHAPTER XXIX.
evil by
commission of another, they must expect to
tlie 3. Wert all the flocks gathered they rolled —
watered—put the —
be disappointed. The further they go in transgression stone again; these words describe what was the daily
the greater the mischief, and the greater the danger of custom.
utter ruin. 7. High day ; the sun is yet high. Be gathered together ;
11. If men, through their own fault, are deprived of that is, for the night.
numerous blessings, and are left desolate and alone, they 8. We cannot; either because they had not bodily
sometimes, during the silence and darkness of night, or in strength till more of the shepherds should come, or be-
scenes of solitude, gloom, and peril, reflect on their condi- cause it was contrary to established usage.
tion, and are brought into such a state of mind as to be 12. Her father's brother; Jacob was Laban's sister's son;
prepared, tlirough grace, for new and glorious manifesta- of course not his brother in our sense of the word, but
tions of divine favor. his nejihew. Ver. 15.
God is much nearer to us than we are apt to imag-
16. 14. il/i/ bone and my flesh; my near relative.
ine. Wherever we go, and whatever we do, we are sur- 23. He took Leah; it was then customary for a bride to
rounded continuallv with his presence. He keeps the be t;dcen at niirht to her husband covered with a veil.
"48
::
;

Children of Leah, GENESIS XXX. Bllhah, and Zilpah.

Leah and he said to Laban,


ing, behold, it ivas :

What hast done unto me ? did not I


is this tliou
serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast
thou beguiled me ?
26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our
country,* to give the younger before the first-born.
27 Fulfil her week,'' and we will give thee this
also, for the service which thou shalt serve with
me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week:
and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter,
Bilhah his handmaid, to be her maid.''
30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he
loved also Raciiel more than Leah," and served
with him yet seven other years.
311" And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated,
he opened her womb:'' but Rachel was barren.'^
32 And Leah conceived, and bare a sou and ;

she called his name Reuben:^ for she said. Surely


the Lord hath looked upon my affliction;'' now
therefore my husband will love me.
33 And she conceived again, and bare a son
and said. Because the Lord hath heard that I was
hated, he hath therefore given me this son also
and she called his name Simeon.*
34 And she conceived again, and bare a son;
and said, Now this time will my husband be join-
ed unto me, because I have borne him three sons
therefore Avas his name called Levi.^
35 And she conceived again, and bare a son
and she said. Now will I praise the Lord thei-e- :

fore she called his name Judah,' and 'left bearing.

CHAPTER XXX.
1 Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, giveUi Bllhah her maid unto Ja-
cob. 5 She beareth Dan and Naphtali. 9 Leah giveth Zilpah her
niaid, wlio beareth Gad and Asher. 14 Reuben findeth mandrakes,
with which Leah buyeth her husband of Rachel. 17 Leah beareth
Issachar, Zebulon, and Dinah. 22 Rachel beareth Joseph. 25 Ja-
cob desireth to depart. 27 Laban stayeih him on a new covenant.
37 Jacob's policy, whereby lie became rich.

AND when Rachel saw


Rachel
children.^
that she bare Jacob no
envied her sister;^ and
said imto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.'
Heb.place^ «Jinlg. 11:12. b ch. 35:*J; y7:-J. c Ter. 211; Deut
: :

Rachd btartth Justph. GENESIS XXX. Jacob's cJtajige of wages.

18 And Leah said. God Imlli pivcn nic my Iiiro, and the spotted and sfieckled among the b.c!i?S!
because I have piven my inaidon to ray luisljand goats: and of suck shall be my liire.'"
and she called his name Issaeliar.'" 33 So shall my righteousness" answer for mc
19 And Leali conceived aurain, and bare Jacob in^ lime to come, when it shall come for my hire
the sixth son. before thy face: every one that ?.v not sjieckled
2(1 .\n(l Leah God hath endued me with a and spotted among the goats, and l)rown among
.said,

good dowry; now will my husband dwell with the sheep, that shall he counted stolen with me.
nic,'' becau.«e I have ])orne him six sons: and she 34 And Ijaban sai<l. Behold, I would it might be
called his name Zobulun.* according to thy word.
21 And afterwards she bare a daughter, and 35 And lie removed that day the he-goats that
called lier name Dinah.* were ring-streaked and spotted, and all the she-
22 'i And God remembered Rachel," and God goats that were sjieckled and .'J])ott(>d, and every
hearkened to her, and opened Iier woml). one that iiad some wliilc! in it, and all the In-own
2:5 And
she conceived, and bare a son; and said, among the sheep, and gave them into the hands of
God hath taken away my reproach:'' ills sons.
24 And she called his name Joseph;^ and said, 3() And he set three days' journey betwixt him-
The Lord add to me another son.
sliall self and Jacob and Jacob fed the rest of La-
:

25 1 And it came to pass, when Rachel had ban's flocks.


borne Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send 37 If And Jacob took him rods of green poplar,
me away,^ that I may go unto mine own place, and of the hazel and chestnut-tree; and pilled
."^

and to my country white streaks in them, and made the white appear
2G Give me my waves and my children, for whom whicii was in the rods.
I have served thee, and let me go for thou know- : 38 And he set the rods which he had pilled be-
est mv service which I have done thee.''' fore the flocks in the gutters in the watering-
27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they
have found favor in thine eyes, tarry : for I have should conceive when they came to drink.
^

learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed 39 And the flocks conceived before the rods,
mo for tliy sake.' and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled,
28 And he said. Appoint me thy wages,' and I and spotted."
will give it. 40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set
29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I the faces of the flocks toward tlie ring-streaked,
have served thee,'' and how thy cattle was with me. and all the brown in the flock of Laban and he ;

30 For it was little whicli thou hadst before I put his own flocks by themselves, and put them
came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; not unto Laban's cattle.
and the Lord hath blessed thee 'since my com- 41 And it came to pass whensoever the stronger
ing and now, when shall I provide for mine own cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods be-
:

house also?' fore the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they
31 And he said. What shall I give thee ? And might conceive among the rods.
Jacob said, Thou slialt not give me any thing if 42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put them
:

thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed not in so the feebler were Laban's, and the
:

and keep thy flock stronger Jacob's.


32 I will pass through all thy flock to-day, re- 43 And the man increased exceedingly,'' and had
moving from thence ail the .speckled and spotted much cattle, and maid-servants, and men servants,
cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and camels, and asses.''
• Tlial is, A hire, a ch. 49;14; Deut. a:):18; 1 Uhr. 1-2:32. b ch. a9:M. 61:9. ich. 29:15. k Matt. 24:45; Tit
rThztts, Dwelling. nti3.lis, Judgment. «ch. 29:31 1 Sam. 1:19.
;
<1 1 Sam.

l;(3ilsa. 4:1. i Tbo^t is, Adding, e ch. 24:54. fell. 31:55. s ch. 31 6.
t Eloii.3:21; Neh. 1:11; Dan. 1:9; Acts 7:10. ich. 39:3. 5; Paa. 1:3; Isa.

25. My country; the land of Canaan.


30. Mine own house ; thus far Jacob had labored for La-
ban. He now proposes to provide for his own family.
33. So shall my righteousness answer for me ; by his hav-
ing none in his possession, except such as Laban had
agreed to give him, it would be seen that he was honest.

Wlien it shall come before thy face ; rather, when thou shalt
come upon my hire (that is, to inspect my hire) before thy
face. —
Every one that is not speckled shall be counted stolen;
should Jacob have any of one color in his possession, it
would be seen that they did not belong to him.
35. He removed; Laban, as appears from the next verse.
37. Pilled; peeled, made white stripes by peeling.
40. Set the faces of the flocks toward the ring-streaked ; ar-
ranged the sheep and goats of one color, which composed
the body of Laban's flocks, so that they would have the ring-
streaked, spotted, and bro^vn among the young always be-
fore their eyes.
INSTRUCTIONS.
i. Grief at another's prosperity is a great sin, and a
source of torment to all who indulge it. Prov. 14:30.
50
; 5 i:

Jacob depart eth GENESIS XXXI. with his household.

. 1739. CHAPTER XXXI, unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance
for us in our father's house ?
1 Jacob upon displeasure departeth secretly. 19 Rachel stealeth her
1 Are wc not counted of him strangers ? for he
f;itKer"s images. 2"2 Laban pursueth after liim, 'J6 and cnmplainefh
of the wrong. 31 Rachel's policy to hide the images. 36 Jacob's hath sold us," and hath quite devoured also our
complaint of Laban. 43 The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed. money.

AND he heard the words of Laban's sons, say- 16 For all the riches which God hath taken
ing, Jacob liath taken away all that wns our from our father, that is ours, and our children's:
fatlicr's; and of f/iat which was our father's hath now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
ho srotten all tliis glory." 17 1 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and
2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban,*" his wives upon camels ;"
and behold, it icas not toward hiin "as before.'' 18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all
3 And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his
the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and getting, which he had gotten in Padan-aram for ;

I will be with thee.'' to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.


•1 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah 19 And Laban went to shear his sheep and Ra- ;

to the field unto his flock, chel had stolen the images* that were her father's."
5 And said unto them, I see your father's coun- 20 And Jacob stole away ^unawares to Laban
tenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
the God of my father hath been with me.'' 21 So he fled with all that he had and he rose ;

6 And ye know that with all my power I have up, and passed over the river,^ and set his face
served your father.'' toward the mount Gilead.'
7 And your father hath deceived me. and changed 22 And it was told Laban on the third day, that
my wages ten times;' but God suffered him not Jacob was fled.
to hurt me."" 23 And he took his brethren with him, and pur-
8 If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy sued after him seven days' journey and they ;

wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if overtook him in the mount Gilead.
he said thus. The ring-streaked shall be thy hire 24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a
then bare all the cattle ring-streaked. dream by night," and said unto him. Take heed
9 Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your that thou speak not to Jacob either 'good or bad.
father, and given them to me. 25 1 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob
10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban
conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a and his l)rethreu pitched in the mount of Gilead.
dream, and behold, the rams* which leaped upon the 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou
cattle vjere ring-streaked, speckled, and grizzled.' done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me,
11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a and carried away my daughters, as captives take7i
dream,^ saying, Jacob and I said. Here am I.''
: with the sword?*'
12 And he said. Lift up now thine eyes and see, 27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and
all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ring- steaH away from me, and didst not tell me, that I
streaked, speckled, and grizzled for I have seen might have sent thee away with mirth, and with
:

all that Laban doeth unto thee.' songs, with tabret, and with harp?'"
13 I am the God of Bcth-el, where thou anoint- 28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons
edst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow •and my daughters?'' thou hast now done foolishly
unto me:'° now arise, get thee out from this land, in so doing.
and return unto the land of thy kindred."* 29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt
14 And Rachel and Leah answered, and said but the God of your father spake unto me yester-
» Psa. 49:16; Eccl. 4:4; 1 Tim. 6:4. b ch. 4:5. ' Huh. as yesterdai/ aiid aM:IK. n ver. 3; ch. 32:9. o ch. 29: 27 Neh. 5:8. Pch.24:10. qch. 28:21.
;

the day before, t Dent. 23:54. ^Ich. •2S:15. e ver. 2. 3. fver. 41. ever. I Heb. lerarliim. ' Judg. 17:5; 1 Sam. 19:13; Hos. 3:4. 5 Heb. the heart
41; Num. 14:a-2; Neh. 4:12; Job 19:3; Zeoh. 8:S}. h ch. 20:0; Job 1:10: of Lahan. sch. 15:13. I ch. 4li:23; 2 Kings 12: IT; Luke 9:51. "ch.20:3;
Psa. 37:23; 103:14. t Or, lie-goats, ch. 30:30. 1 oh. 48:16.
i k Exod. Job 33:15. Heb. from good to bail. » 1 Sam. 30:2. 1 Heb. hast stolen
3:4; 1 Sam. 3:4, etc.; Isa. 5S:9. ExoJ. 3:7; Psa. 139:3; Eccl. 5:8. ti ch.
I
me. "Job 21:11, 12. x 1 Kings 19:20.

he will grant all that will in the end be a blessing to such his father's blessing. We cannot, however, suppose that
as continue to obey him. God would have added his immediate blessing to a course
of conduct for which Jacob had no warrant. It seems
CHAPTER XXXI. more reasonable to conclude that here, as in the case of
2. Not toward him not favorable, but manifested dislike
; his descendants' spoiling the Egyptians, Ex. 12:35, 36, he
and opposition to him. acted by the direction of Him to whom all wealth belongs.
7. Ten times; meaning very often. 15. Hath sold us; alluding to the fourteen years' service
8. All the cattle ; the greater portion of them. which Jacob had rendered him for them. Our money;
9. God hath taken away ; the efficacy of the means em- that is, our prices which he received for us.
ployed by Jacob to increase his property, was due to the 19. Images; in the original, teraphim; that is, small
agency of God. It does not appear that they had in household idols that her father worshipped. Ver. 30.
themselves any natural po'wer to accomplish such a re- 21. Over the river; Euphrates, which lay between Pa-
sult, ilany suppose that he was guided by God him- dan-aram and Canaan. Mount Gilead; a range of high
self in the dream which he relates, to the use of these land cast of the Jordan and south of Bashan.
means. 24. Good or bad ; or, as in tho margin, from good to bad :

The Scriptures record many actions of good men with- that is, take care not to speak any thing with the purpose
out approving of them, as the equivocation of Abraham of harming him. Ver. 29.
and Isaac, and the deception practised by Jacob to obtain 28. Soils; grandsons.
51
;

Tht Mvauint of GENESIS XXXI. Laban and Jaajb.

night, payinir, Take thou lipod that thou speak not Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac.'' liad been u ,?; ^:
to .hicoli cither jrood or bad. with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now
30 And now, thmifrh tliou wouldcst needs be empty. God halh seen mine allliction,' and the
gone, because thou .^ore longest after thy father's labor of my hands, ami rebuked Ihir yesterniglit."'
house, yet wiiercforc hast tliou stolen my gods?" 43 '\ And Laban answered, and said unto Ja-
31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Be- cob, These daughters are my daughters, and tliese
i-ausc I was afraid: for I said, Peradventurc tliou children ai-e my chililreii, and thrse cattle are my
wouhlcst take by force thy dauglitcrs from me. cattle,and all that llioii seest is mine; and what
32 With wliomsoever tliou iindcst thy gods, let can 1 do this day unto these my daughters, or
iiim not live:'' before our brethren discern thou unto their children which they have borne?
what is thine with me, and take it to thee: for 44 Now therefore come thou, h^t us make a cov-
.lacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. enant," 1 and thou and let it be for a witness
;

33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into between me and thee."
liCah's tent, and into the two maid-servants' tents; 45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up /or a
hut he found them not. Then went he out of pillar."
Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. 46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather
34 Now Rachel had taken the images,'^ and put stones; and they took stones and made a heap:
them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. and they did eat there upon the heap.
And Laban searched* all the tent, l)ut found them 47 And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha;* but
not. Jacob called it Galeed:*
35 And
she said to her father, Let it not dis- 48 And Laban said, This heap is a witness be-
please my
lord that 1 cannot rise up before thee;" tween me and thee this day. Therefore was the
for the custom of women is upon me. And he name of it called Galeed ;

searched, liut found not the images. 49 And Mizpah;^ for he said, The Lord watch
30 And Jacob was wroth," and chodc with La- between me and thee, when we are absent one
Iian and Jacob answered, and said to Laban, from another.''
:

What is my trespass ? what is my sin, that thou 50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou
hast so hotly pursued after me ? shalt take otiier wives besides my daughters, no
37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me
what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? and thee.''
set it here before my brethren, and thy brethren, 51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap,
that tiiey may judge betwixt us both.' and behold this pillar, which 1 have cast betwixt
38 This twenty years have I been with thee thy me and thee ;

I'wes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, 52 This heap be witness, and this pillar he wit-
and tlie rams of thy flock have I not eaten. ness,* that I will not pass over this heap to thee,
39 That which was torn of beasts, I brought not and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and
unto thee I bare the loss of it of my hand didst tills pillar unto me, for harm.
; ;

thou require it,'' whether stolen by day, or stolen 53 The God of Aliraliam, and the God of Nahor,
by night. the God of their father,' judge betwixt us." And
40 Thus I was; in the day the drought con- Jacob sware by the Fear of his father Isaac.''
sumed me, and the frost by night and my sleep 54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice' upon the mount,
;

departed from mine eyes. and called his brethren to eat bread: and they
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house: did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
I served thee fourteen years for thy two daugh- 55 And early in the morning Laban rose up, and
ters," and six years for thy cattle and thou hast kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed
;

changed my wages ten times.' them :^ and Laban departed, and returned unto his
42 Except the God of my father,' the God of place.^

« Ver. 19; Judg. 18:24. boh. 44:9. c ver. 19. Heh. fell, d Exod.

Tke heap of witness. 1 Heb. The heap ofwitius^. » That is, A beacon, or
JO: 12; Lev. I«:;j2. e Eph. 4:2(5. t 1 Cor. 8:5. 5 Exod. 22:10. b ch. watch-towrr. q Judg. 11:29; 1 Sim. 7:5. r Judg. 11:10; I .Sam. I2:.'i; Jer.
29:18,30. i ver. 7. J Psi. 121: 1, 2. k ver. 53. IExod. 3:7. m ] Chr. 42:5. 'ver. 45, 48. t Josh. 24:2. " ch. 16:5. v ver. 42. \ Or, kilUd beasts.
12:17; Jude 9. nch. 26:28. o Josh. 22:27; 24:27. Pch. 2S:18. t Chaldee, "ch.28:l. xch. 30:25; Num. 24:25.

31. / u-as afraid; this was .Jacob's answer to the tirst of 53. The Fear of his father; sec note on ver. 42.
Laban's questions, why lie had gone away privately not ; 55. Hts sons; grandsons.
to the last, as to the gods.
42. The Fear of Isaac; the God whom Isaac feared, lov-
INSTRUCTIONS.
ed, and obeyed. 2.Covetousness contracts and debases the soul, lessens
43. 77icse daughters are my daughters is mine; that is, all — natural affection, and tends greatly to injure those who
that thou hast is dear to me as my own. What can I do — exercise it, and those who feel its influence.
unto these; cither, what harm can I do to them, since I re- 9. Things which take place in the course of divine prov-
;^ard thern as my own? or, what shall I do for them? as idence are often, in the Bible, ascribed to God. Good men
the original may be rendered how shall I best secure
; receive all their blessings as coming from him, and give
them from future evil? This he immediately proposes to him the glory.
accomplish a mutual covenant.
b3' 16. When husbands and wives agree in doing what God
47. Jegar-sahadutha ; Chaldee: in Hebrew, Galeed; both commands, they may expect that he will be with thuni,
meaning, the heap of witness. and bestow upon them and their families all needed good.
49. Mizpah ; a watch-tower. 24. That protection of tJod which is secured by obeying
51. Tltis pillar ; \eT. A.5. him, is a better safeguard than all human aid. I'rov. 16:7.
52
: ;

Jacoh wresth'lh. GENESIS XXXII. with an angel.

^li^l CHAPTER XXXII. 13 1 And he lodged there that same night and
;

took of that which came to his hand a present


1 Jacob's vision at Mahanaim. 3 His message to Esau. 6 He is
afraid of Esau's coming. 9 He prayeth for deliverance. 13 He
for Esau his brother;'
scndeth a present to Esau. 24 He wrestleth with an angel at Peniel, 14 Two hundred she-goats and twenty he-goats,
where he is called Israel. 31 He halteth.
two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
AND God
Jacob went on
met of him.''
his way, and the angels 15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty
kine and ten bulls, twenty she-asses and ten foals.
2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is 16 And he delivered them into the hand of his
God's host :" and he called the name of that place servants, every drove by tliemselves; and said
Mahanaim.''' unto his servants. Pass over before me, and put a
3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau space betwixt drove and drove.
his brother,'' unto the land of Seir," the ^country 17 And he commanded the foremost, saying.
of Edom. When Esau my brother meetcth thee, and asketli
4 And he commanded them, saying. Thus shall thee, saying. Whose art thou ? and wliither goest
ye speak unto my lord Esau:'' Thy servant Jacob thou ? and whose are these before tliee ?
saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and 18 Then thou shalt say. They be thy servant Ja-
stayed there until now cob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau:
5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and men- and behold, also he is behind us.
servants, and women-servants: and I have sent to 19 And so commanded he the second, and the
tell my lord, tliat I may find grace in thy sight.^ third, and all that followed the droves, saying.
6 IT And the messengers returned to Jacob, say- On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when
ing, We
came to thy brother Esau, and also he ye find him.
cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with 20 And say ye, moreover. Behold, thy servant
him. Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease
7 Tiien Jacob was greatly afraid and distress- him with the present that goeth before me,'' and
ed :'' and he divided the people that tvas with him, afterward I will see his face peradventure he
;

and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into will accept 'of me.
two bands; 21 So went the present over before him; and
8 And said. If Esau come to the one company, himself lodged that night in the company.
and smite it, then the other company which is left 22 And he rose up that night, and took his two
shall escape. wives, and his two women-servants, and his eleven
9 And Jacob said,
"T[ God of my father Abra- sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.'
ham, and God of my father Isaac,' the Lord which 23 And he took tliera, and 'sent them over the
saidst unto me. Return unto thy country, and to brook, and sent over tliat he had.
thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:- 24 H And Jacob was left alone and there wres-
;

10 *1 am not worthy of the least of all the mer- tled a man witli him until the 'breaking of the
cies," and of all the truth,' which thou hast showed day.'
unto thy servant for with my staff I passed over
; 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not
this Jordan and now I am become two bands. "*
; against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh
11 Deliver me," I pray thee, from the hand of and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint,
my brother, from tlie hand of Esau for I fear : as he wrestled witli him.
him, lest he will come and smite me, and the moth- 26 And he said. Let me go, for the day break-
er *with the children." eth: and he said, 1 will not let thee go, except
12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, thou bless me."
and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name ?
cannot be numbered for multitude.P And he said, Jacob.
' Psi. 91:11; Heb. 1:14. I> Josh. 5:14; Psa.34:7; 103:21; 148:2; Luke Psa. 86:5.
2:l:i. • Thit IS, Two hosts. « Josh. 21:33. <1 Luke 14 3 , 32. e Deut. 2:5.
:
1

t }Uh.Jietd. t Prov. 15:1. e ch. 33:8, 15. h oh. .35:3; Psa. 107:6. Psa.
50:15; 91:15. jch. 31:3:13. t Keh. I arn less than all, etc. kch. 24:27;

36. Good men are sometimes angry with others, when,


ifthey knew all the circumstances, they would see that
the case requires explanation and apology rather than
censure and while ready to forgive, they would also feel
;

the need of being forgiven.


55. When men are disposed, difficulties can be amica-
bly settled and when they are settled, both parties should
;

unite in praising God, who is the author, not of contention


but of peace, and who, in the settlement of difficulties,
ordinarily confers upon both parties more blessings than
could be gained by strife. 1 Cor. 14:33; James 3:16.

CHAPTER XXXII.
2. Mahanaim ; this was east of the Jordan, and north of
the river Jabbok.
3. Country of Edom; south and south-east of Canaan.
6. Grace; Civor.
; 1

The nuetini; of GENESIS XXXIII. Jacob and Enau.

28 And lie said, Tliy name


be called no sliall thee?* And he .said. The children which b.c.kS
more Jai'ob," but Israel:* for as a prince hast God hath frraeiously fjiven thy servant.^
thou i)i)wcr witli God,'' and with men,"^ and hast G Then the handniaiilens came near, they and
prevailed. their children, and they bowed themselves.
2".) And Jacob asked him, and said. Tell vu, 1 7 And Leuli also with her ehihlren came near,
pray thee, tiiy name: and he said, Wliercforc is and bowed theirselves; and alter canu' Joseph
it that thou dost ask after my name?** And lie near and Rachel, and they l)owed themselves.
blessed him there. 8 And he said, Wiiat meanest thou by all this
'

30 And Jacob called the name of the j)lacc drove which I met? And he said, Tluse are to
reuiel:* for 1 have seen God face to face," and sij^lit of my lord.''
find p^race in the
my iile is preserved. 9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother;
81 And as he passed over reniicl, tlio sun rose keep' that thou hast unto thyself.'
upon him. and lie halted u])on liis tliisxli. 10 And .laeob said. Nay, 1 pray thee, if now I
32 Therefore the cliildren of Israel eat not of liave found grace in tiiy siglit, then receive my
the sinew which slirank, which is upon the hollow jiresent at my hand; for therefore I have seen tiiy
of tlie thiifh, unto this day because he touched the
; face,"' as thougli 1 had seen the face of God, and
hollow of Jacob's thinh in the sinew that shrank. thou wast jileased witii me.
1 Take, J pray thee, my blessing that is brought
to thee ;" because God hath dealt graciously with
CHAPTER XXXIII. me, and because I have 'enough:" and he urged
I The kindness of Jacob and Esau at tlieir meeting. 17 Jacob Cometh
to Succotli. 18 At Shalem he buyetli a field, and buildeth an altar him,'' and he took it.
called El-Elohe-Israel. 12 And he said. Let us take our journey, and
AND JacobEsau
behold,
lifted up his eyes,
came, and with him four hun-
and looked, and let us go, and I will go before thee.
13 And he said unto him. My lord knowcth that
dred men.*^ And he divided the children unto the children are tender,'' and the flocks and herds
Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two hand- with young arc witii me; and if men should over-
maids. drive them one day, all the flock will die.
2 And he put the handmaids and their children 14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before
foremost, and Leah and her children after, and his servant; and I will lead on softly, 'according
Rachel and Josepli hindormost. as the cattle tiiat goeth before me and the cliil-
3 And he passed over before them, and bowed dren be able to endure, until I come unto my lord
himself to the <jround seven times,^ until he came unto Seir.''
near to his brother. 15 And Esau said. Let me now ^leave with thee
4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him," soine of the folk that arc with me: and he said,
and fell on his neck,' and kissed him: and they What' needeth it? Let me find grace in the
wept. sight of my lord.*
5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women 16 1 So Esau returned that day on his way
and the children, and said, Who are those with unto Seir.
' Ch. 3.):10; 3 Kiiijs 17:34. • Heb. A prime of God. b Hos. 12:3, 4. 1 Prov. 16:7. m ch. 43:3; 2 Sam. 3:13. n 1 Sam. 35:37; 2 Kings 5:15.
e ch. 31:31; 33:4. i Judg. 13:18. t That is, The face of God. c Exod. M{e\>. all things, o Phil. 4:18. P 2 Kings 5:16. 23. <1 1 Chr. 22:5. "Heb.
•24:11; 33:-i0; Deut. 5:24; 34:10; Judg. U:a2; 13:32, 23; Isa. 6:5; John according to the foot of the work, etc., atut according to the foot of the chil-
1:18; Col. 1:15, Heb. 11:27. ' ch. 33:8. g ch. 18:2; 42:6; 43:26. hob. dren. ' ch. 32:3. t Heb. set, or place. I Heb. Wherefore is this? • ch.
33:28, ich. 45:14. i Ueb. lo thee. J ch. 48:9; Psa. 127:3. S Heb. ICAal 34:11; Ruth 2:13; 2 Sam. 16:4.
is all this band to thee' k ch. .33:5, 16. I Heb. be that to thee that is thine.

28. Israel ; meaning a princely contender with God. As 12. Supplication to God is one of the most sure and
a prince hast thou power witli God; the Hebrew word em- powerful means of influencing men and obtaining from
ployed here, and in the name Israel, has the two mean- them what wc desire. Prov. 16:7; 21:1.
ings of prince and contention, wrestling. It seems to be 20. Prayer does not render needless the most diligent
designedly chosen to unite these two ideas. This verse use of appropriate means, but encourages it, and is in-
gives the meaning of the transaction, Jacob had wrestled strumental in its success.
with God in prayer, and prevailed; and thus hehad also 28. Fervency and perseverance in penitent, believing
prevailed with tlie men whose anger he feared, as Laban prayer, has great influence with God it prepares the way
:

and Esau, for deliverance from present trials, and fui-nishes the best
29, Wherefore —
ask after my name? implying his exalted preparation for all which are future.
and mysterious nature. Compare Judg. 13:18. The name
of God comprehends all his attributes.
30. Peniel; meaning the face of God. This Jacob says
CHAPTER XXXIII.
he had seen, showing that the one with whom he had 2. — —
handmaith Leah Rachel; putting those last that
Tlie
wrestled was God in human form, the Angel of the cove- were most dear to him. Chap. 32:8.
nant, the Messiah. Hos, 12:3-5, 4. They wept; for joy, at meeting each other in such a
31, Penuel; meaning the same as Peniel, Ver. 30. He kind manner.
halted; limped, or was lame, in consequence of the touch 8. Grace; favor, by their being presented to Esau.
of the Angel. Ver. 25. 10. As though I had seen the face of God; imder circum-
INSTRUCTIONS. stances of great and peculiar favor.
2. Angels are ministering spirits sent forth by God to 11. My blessing; his present, as a token of his kindness
minister to those who are heirs of salvation. Psa. 9 11 : and desire to promote Esau's good.
Matt. 4:11; Heb, 1:14, 12. He; Esau.
7, Past transgressions are often remembered, and cause 13. He; Jacob.
deep and pungent distress long after they have been com- 15. Let me find grace; be permitted to proceed without
mitted, any of Esau's men to accompany him.
54
; :

The Shuliemites deceived GENESIS XXXIV. hy the sons of Jccoh.

"
«.'

built
S 17
him a
And Jacob journeyed
liouse, and made booths
to Succotli,'' and daughters unto
for his cat- you.
us, and take our daughters unto

tle : therefore the name of the place is called Suc- 10 And ye shall dwell with us: and the land
coth." shall be before you ;" dwell and trade ye therein,
18 IT And Jacob came to Shalem,*" a city of and get you possessions therein.
Shechem/ wliicli is in the land of Canaan, when 11 And Shechem said unto her father, and unto
he came from Padau-aram; and pitched his tent her brethren. Let me find grace in your eyes, and
before the city. what ye shall say unto me I will give.
19 And he bought a parcel of a field,'' where he 12 Ask me never so mucli dowry and gift," and
had spread his tent, at the hand of the children I will give according as ye shall say unto me but :

of Hanior,* Shechem's father, for a hundred -^pieces give me the damsel to wife.
of money. 13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem
20 And he erected there an altar,'' and called it and Hamor his father deceitfully," and said. Be-
El-Elohe-Israel." cause he had defiled Dinah their sister
14 And they said unto them. We cannot do this
CHAPTER XXXIV. thing, to give our sister to one tliat is uncircum-
1 Dinah is ravished by Shechem. 4 He sueth to marry her. 13 The cised for that loere a reproach unto us:'
;

sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites.


15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye
20 Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept 2-5 The sons of
it.

Jacob upon that advantage slay them, 27 and spoil their city. 30 will be as we be, that every male of you be circum-
Jacob reproveth Simeon and Levi.
cised ;
AND Dinah the daughter of Leah,° which she
bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daugh-
16 Then will we give our daughters unto you,
and we will take your daughters to us, and we
ters of the land.' will dwell with you, and we will become one
2 And when Shechem
the son of Hamor the people.
Ilivite, princeof tlie country, saw her," ho took 17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be cir-
her, and lay with lier, and defiled her.'' cumcised then will we take our daughter, and
;

3 And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter we will be gone.
of Jacob," and he loved the damsel, and spake 18 And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem
kindly' unto the damsel. Hamor's son.
4 And Sliechem s]iakc unto his father Hamor, 19 And
young man deferred not to do the
the
saying. Get me this damsel to wife.' thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daugh-
5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah ter:'* and he was more honorable than all the
liis daughter: now his sous were with his cattle house of his father.'
in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they 20 IT And Hamor and Shechem his son came
were come.' unto the gate of their city, and communed with
6 1 And Hamor the father of Shechem went out the men of their city, saying,
unto Jacob to commune with him. 21 These men are peaceable with us; therefore
7 And the sons of Jacob came out of tlie field let them dwell in the land, and trade therein for ;

when they heard it: and the men were grieved, the land, behold, it is large enough for them: lot
and they were very wrotii,'' because he had wrought us take tlieir daughters to us for wives, and let us
with Jacob's daughter;'
folly in Israel in lying give them our daughters.
which thing ought not be done.'" to 22 Only herein will the men consent unto us
8 And Hamor communed with them, saying. for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every
The soul of my son Sliechem longeth for your male among us be circumcised, as they are circum-
daughter 1 pray you give her him to wife.
: cised."
9 And make ye marriages with us, and give your 23 Shall not their cattle, and their substance,
» Josh. 13:27; Judg. S:5. • That is. iooMi. b John 3;23. tActs7:l(;, the heart of the damsel ; 2 Sam. 10:7; 2Chr.30;23; Isi.40:a. >Judg.l4:2.
called Sj(f/«m. ' oh. 23:17; Josh 21:33. I Acts 7:16, called £mmor. S Or, i 1 Sam. 10:27; 2Sam. 13:22.
k oh. 49:7. I Josh. 7; 15; Judg. 20:6 2 Sam.
lambs, i ch. 35:7. I That is, God tlu God of Israel, e ch. 30:21. ! Tit. 13:12. mDeut. 23:17. iich.l3:9. o Exod. 22:17. pProv.26:25. q Josh.
2:5. s JuJg. 14:1; 2 Sam, 11:2. 1 Heb. humbled her ; Deut. 21:11; 23:2-1, 5:9. rGal.4:12. sch. 29:30. 'ch. 4:9; 41 :20; Num.22:15; 1 Kings22:24;
29; Judg. l'J:24,2o; Ezek. 22:10, 11. h Buth 1:14; 1 Sam. \!i:\. • Heb. to 2 Kings 5:1; Isa. 3:3-5; 5:13; 2:3:8,9; Acts 13:50; 17:12. over. 15, 17.

17. Home; or tent. Chap. 27:15. Bootlis; shelters, cov- such measures as he will crown with success. Prov. 3:6;
erings. Succoth ; that is, booths a place east of the Jor-
; Psa. 25 : 9.

dan, and south of the Jabbok. 20. When


God, in fulfilment of his promises, bestows
18. Skalem; on the west of Jordan, and north-east of on men special favors, they should render special thanks-
Shechem. Shalem means peace and some have rendered
; giving and wherever they reside, should have a placa
;

this, he came in peace to the city of Shechem. Sliechem consecrated to public worship.
or Sychar, John 4:5, about forty miles north of Jerusalem,
in the part of Canaan afterwards called Samaria. CHAPTER XXXIV.
20. El-Elohe-Israel ; God the God of Israel. Chapter 13. Deceitfully; pretending one thing and meaning an-
32:24-30. other. said; to justify the crime they were plotting.
And
14. We cannot ; this shows the manner in which the
INSTRUCTIONS.
word cannot is often used in the Bible, referring, not to
4. A soft answer turneth away wiath ; and yielding power, but choice.
pacifieth great offences. Prov. 15:1; Eccl. 10:4. 16. Then will we give; this was false, and designed to
11. Men who
and act right, wiU in all their ways
feel deceive Hamor and Shechem.
acknowledge God, and adore him as the giver of all their 19. Deferred not; did not hesitate to do what they pro-
mercies. In so doing, they may hope for wisdom to adopt posed.
55
: '

Tht Shtchtmitfs si.. in. GENESIS XXW. Jarob birssrd at Ihthrl.

and every beast of theirs he ours?* only lot us


consent unto tlioin, and they will dwell with us.
24 Anil unto llanior and unto Shechcm his son
licarkeni'd all that wont out of the gate of his
city:'' and every nuile was circumcised, all that
went out of the j^ato of his city.
"2") *!
Aiul it came to jiass on the third day,
when tliov wore sore, that two of the sons (if Ja-
cob. Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each
man iiis sword, and came upon the city boldly,
anil slew all the nialcs.'^
lid And
they slew llanior and Shecliem his son
with the edi^e" of the sword,'' and took Dinaii out
of .Sjiei'heurs house, and went out.
27 Tlie sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and
spoiled the city, because they had defiled their
sister."
28 They took their sheep, and their oxen, and
tiieir asses,and tiiat which icas in the city, and
that whicii loaa in the lield,
29 And all tiicir wealth, and all their little ones,
and their wives took they captive, and spoiled
even all that was in tiie house.
:^0 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have
troubled me' to make me to stink among the in-
habitants of the land,^' among the Canaanites, and
the Perizzites: and I hcino; few in number," they
shall gather tlieniselves together against me, and
slay me and 1 sliall be destroyed, I and my house.
;

31 And thoy said. Should he deal with our sis-


ter as with a harlot?

CHAPTER XXXV.
1 God sendeth Jacob to Betii-el. 2 He purgeth his house of idols. 6
He buildeth an altar at Btth-cl. 8 Deborah dieth at AUon-bachuth.
9 G-od blesseth Jacob at Beth-el. 16 Rachel travaileth of Benjamin,
and dieth in the way to Edar. 22 Reuben lieth with Bilhah. 23
The sons of Jacob. 27 Jacob cometh to Isaac at Hebron. 2S Tlie
age, death, and burial of Isaac.

AND God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to


Beth-el, and dwell there:' and make there
an altar unto God, tliat appeared unto thee when
thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother .J

2 Tlien Jacob said unto his household,"^ and to


all that were with him, Put away the strange gods
that are among you,'" and be clean," and change
your garments
3 And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el ; and I
» Prov. 1:12, 13. b ch. 4!
: : ; ; : : :

Death of Rachel and Isaac. GENESIS XXXVI. Generations of Esatu

18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in


A. M. abou'. 3 And Bashemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of
I!. departing," (for she died,) that she called his
if'\-i-a. Nebajoth.
name Ben-oni ;* but his father called him FJenjamin.^ 4 And Adah bare to Esau, Elipliaz and Bashe- ;

19 And Rachel died," and was buried in the way math bare Reuel
to Ephratli,'' wliich is Beth-lehem. 5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and
20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her crravc that Korah:" these are the sons of Esau, which were :

is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.'' born unto him in the land of Canaan.
21 1 And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent G And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and
beyond the tower of Edar." Ins daughters, and all the persons* of his house.
22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his sub-
that land, that Reuben went and lay witli Bilhali stance which he had got in the land of Canaan
his father's concubine and Israel heard it. Now and went into the country from the face of his
i*^

the sons of Jacob were twelve :° brother Jacob.


23 The sons of Leah Reuben, Jacob's first-born, ; 7 For their riches were more than that they
and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, might dwell together and the land wherein they ;

and Zebulun were strangers could not bear them, because of


24 The sons of Rachel Joseph, and Benjamin: their cattle."
:

25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid 8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir Esau is Edom. :''

Dan, and Naphtali 9 1 And these are the generations of Esau the
26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; father of the Edomites^ in mount Seir
Gad, and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, 10 These are the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz
which were born to him in Padan-aram. the son of Adah the wife of Esau ; Reuel the son
27 1 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto of Bashemath the wife of Esau.""
Manire," unto the city of Arba,' which is Hebron, 11 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar,
where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. Zepho,' and Gatam, and Kenaz.
28 And the days of Isaac were a hundred and 12 And Timnawas concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's
fourscoi'c years. son; and she bare to Eliphaz, Amalek:'' these
29 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and were the sons of Adah, Esau's wife.
was gathered unto his people, being old and full 13 And these are the sons of Reuel Xahath, ;

of days ;J and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him." and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the
sons of Bashemath, Esau's wife.
14 1 And these were the sons of Aholibamah,
CHAPTER XXXVI. the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon,
6 His removing to mount Seir. 9 His sons.
1 Esau's three wives.
Esau's wife: and she bare to Esau, Jeush, and
15 The dukes which descended of his sons. 20 The sons and dukes
of Seir. 34 Anah findeth mules. 31 The kings of Edom. 40 The Jaalam, and Korah.
dukes ihat descended of Esau. 15 These leere dukes of the sons of Esau the *\\ :

NOW these are the generations of Esau, who sons of Eliphaz the first-born son of Esau; duke
is Edom.i Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
2 Esau took his wives of the daugjiters of Ca- 16 Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek
naan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite,'" these are the dukes that cavu of Eliphaz. in the
and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daugh- land of Edom these were the sons of Adah. :

ter of Zibeon the Hivite, 17 t And these are the sons of Reuel, Esau's

» Lim 2 12. That: is, We son of my sorrow, t That is, TAe son of the 25-30. mch. 26:34. nlChr.l:35. t Ueh. souls, och. 13:6,11. P Deut.
d 1 Sam. •>-5 5 Heb. Edom. q ver. 3, 4; 1 Chr. 1:35. I Or, ZrpM; 1 Chr. 1:36.
rightlmrul. boh. 48:7. « Ruth 1:'J; 4; 11; Mic. 5:2; iMalt. 2;<).
1U:2. =Mic.4:8. ch. 49:4
f ; 1 Chr. 5:1 ; 1Cor. 5: 1, s ch. 4S;S. h ch. r Ex. 17:8, 14; Num. 24:20; 1 Sam. 15:2.
13:18. i Josh. 14:15; 15:13. J ch. i5:S; Job 5:26. t ch. 25:9. 1 ch.

18. Ben-oni; son of my sorrow. Benjamin; meaning, 19. Not a thought, word, or action escapes tlie notice
son of the right hand. of God, or ever passes from his remembrance. Give me
20. Unto this day; the time when Moses wrote this liis- children, said Rachel, or else I die. Chap, 30:1. God
tory. gave her children, and she died. More wise, more safe,
21. Toioer of Edar; that is, tower of the flock. Micah more blessed is it to say. Not my will, but thine be done.
4:8. It is supposed to have been not far from Bethlehem. Matt. 26:39-42; Luke 22:42.
27, Hebron; chap, 13:18; 23:2, 19, 29. The death of a parent should ever awaken new
affection and kindness in children; and while they unite
INSTRUCTIOXS. in paying respect to his memory, they should be grateful
3. When God has graciously appeared for us in trouble,
for his virtues, and so far as he obeyed God, imitate his
answered our prayers, and visited us in mercy, we should example.
hasten to acknowledge his goodness, and render the praise
and thanksgiving which are his due and our reasonable
CHAPTER XXXVI.
service. Generations of Esau; a notice of his descendants.
1.

8. Domestics who perform with fidelity their appropri- Edom; chap. 25:30.
ate duties to God and to men, add greatly to the comfort 2, Esau took his wives; chap. 26: 34; 28:9, In the differ-
and usefulness of families, and are justly entitled to con- ent accounts his wives and their parents are called hy
fidence, affection, and respect. By the wise and the good different names, more than one name being often applied
they will be greatly beloved while they live, and deeply to the same person,
lamented when they die. 7, Could not bear them ; they needed more pasturage for
14. Whenever God
especially blesses men, pious grati- their flocks,
tude should lead them publicly to acknowledge and adore 8, Mount Seir; chap. 32:3.
Liu. 15. Dukes; leaders, or princes.
57
;
: :

The dukes of Edom. GENESIS WWII, Josep/i's first dram.

son tiuke Naliath, diiko ZtM-ali, duke Sliaminali,


; 30 And Hadad died, ami Samlah of Mas- a. m. »i«ut
duke Mizzali: tliese nre tlio dukes that caiiu' of rekah reigned in his stead. < Itw. ii.

Rcucl, in tlie land of Kdoni these are the sons of: 37 And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth'^ by
Basheniatli, Ksau's wife. the river reigned in his stead.
18 "i And these are the sons of Aholibamah, 3S And Saul died, aud Haal-hanan the son of
Ksau's wife; duke Jeush, duke Jaalani, duke Ko- Achlior reigned in his stead.
raii these urrc tlie dukes f/iat came of Aholibamaii
:
3'.) .Vnd Baal-hanan the son of Achlior died, and

the dau-riiter of Anah, Esau's wife. Hadar'' reigued in his stead: and the name of his
ll) These are tiie sons of Esau, who is Edom, and city was l*au; and his wife's name tro,? Mehetabcl,
tljcse arc tlieir dukes. the daughter of Hatred, the daughter of Mczahab.
20 *i Tiiese are tlie sons of Scir the Horite," who 40 And these are the names of the dukes that
inliabited tiie land; Lotan, aud rfhobal, and Zib- came of Esau,'' according to their families, after
con, and Anah, their places, liy their names; duke Timnali, duke
21 And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these arc Alvah,' duke Jetheth,
the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in 41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
the land of Edom. 42 Duke Keiiaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,
22 And the children of Lotan were Hori and 43 Duke Magdiel, duke Irani these be the dukes :

Hemam;' and Lotan's sister was Timna. of Edom, according to their habitations in the
23 And the children of Shobal were these; AI- land oi' their possession: he is Esau the father of

van,* and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho.*and Onam. the Edomites.''


24; And these are the children of Zibeon; both
Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found CHAPTER XXXVII.
the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of 1 Josepli is liatcd of his brethren. His two dreams. 13 Jacob send- .0

Zibeon his father. eth him to visit his brethren. IS His brethren conspire his death.
'JlReuben saveth him. 26 They sell him to the Ishmaelitcs. 3\
25 And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, His father, deceived by the bloody coat, mourneth for him. 36 He
and Aholibamah the dauorhter of Anah. IS sold to Potiphar in l^gypt.

26 Aud these nre the cliildren of Dishon ; Hem- ND Jacob dwelt


in the land * wherein his fa-
dan,^ and Eshban, and llhran, and Clieran. A'These wasther a stranger," in the land of Canaan.
27 The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and 2 are the generations of Jacob. Joseph
Zaavau, and Akan.' being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock
28 The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons
Aran. of Billiah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's
29 These are the dukes that came of the Horites wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their
duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah, evil report.''
30 Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan these : 3 Now
Israel loved Joseph more than all his
are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes children, because he teas the son of his old age:°
in the land of Seir. aud he made him a coat oiinany colors.^''
31 IT And these are the kings that reigned in the 4 And when his brethren saw that their father
land of Edom,'' Ijefore there reigued any king over loved him more than all his brethren, they hated
the children of Israel. him,' and could not speak peaceably unto him.
32 Aud Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom 5 1 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told
and the name of his city ivas Dinhabah. it his brethren and they hated him yet the more.
:

33 Aud Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah 6 Aud he said unto them. Hear, I pray you, this
of Bozrah reigned in his stead. dream which I have dreamed
34 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of
7 For behold, we were binding sheaves in the
Temani reigned in his stead. field, and lo, niy sheaf arose, and also stood up-
35 Aud Husham died, and Hadad the son of right; and behold, youi- sheaves stood round
Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.J
reigned in his stead: and the name of his city 8 Aud his brethren said to him, Shalt thou in-
was Avith. deed reign over us?" or shalt thou indeed have
» Ch. 14:6; Deut. 2:1-1, 2>. • Or, HoiHam. \ Or. Allan, t Or, Shepkl. 36:7; Heb. 11:9-16. f 1 Sam. 2:23-24; 1 Cor. 1:11; 5:1; 11:1-. S ch.
iOT,Amram. iOr,Jakan. blChr.l:4:). ech.lU;il. 1 1 Chr. 1 :oO; Ha- 44-2U. ! Or. jJicres. h Judg.5:30; 2 Sam. 13:18; Ezek. 10:16. ich. 49:23;
dad Pal. After his death was an aristocracy, d Exod. 15:15. ' Ox^ Allah. Psa. 38:19; B9:4; Tit. 3:5. J ch, 42:6-9; 43:20; 44:14. k Psa. 118:23;
t Heb. Edom I Heb. of his falher's sojounungs. » ch. 17:3; 23:4; 3<:4; Luke 19:14, 27.

20. Sons of Seir; these were the former iuhabitants, given in the Bible to show that the promises of God con-
called Horites. cerning him were accomplished.
24. T/ie mules; prefer to render, the "warm
many
springs," perhaps those of Callirrho'e, on the east side of CHAPTER XXXVII.
the Dead sea. 2. Som of Bilhah, and— Zilpah ; Dan and Naphtali, Gad
and Asher. Chap. 30 4-13. Tkeir evil report; Joseph
:

INSTRUCTIONS. made known Jacob their evil conduct.


to
1. In this world, as to temporal things, God treats the 3. Coat of many colors; as a mark of distinction, and an
righteous and the wicked in many respects ahke. He expression of his father's love.
makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and 4. Could not; for want of disposition, not of power;
sends his rain on the just and on the unjust. IJut in the they chose not to do it.
future world, each will receive according to his works. 7. Made obeisance; bowed down; a common mode of ex-
43. Enough of the history of Esau's descendants is pressing subjection.
58
;;

Joscp/is second dream. GENESIS XXXVII. Hh brethren sell him.

kc.iWx dominion over us? And they liatcd him him out of their hands, to deliver him to his fa-
yet tlie more for his dreams, and for his words. ther again.
9 1l And he dreamed yet another dream, and told 23 T And it came to pass, when Joseph was come
it his brethren, and said. Behold, I have dreamed unto his brethren, that they stri]iped Joseph out of
a dream more; and behold, the sun and tlie moon his coat," his coat oimany colors* that u-as on him ;"
and the eleven stars made obeisance to me." 24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit:"
10 And he told it to his father, and to his breth- and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
ren and his father rebuked him, and said unto
: 25 And they sat down to eat bread:" and they
him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed ? lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a
Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead," with
come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?'' their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh,''
11 And his brethren envied him; but his father going to carry it down to Egypt.
"^

observed the saying.'' 26 And Judah said unto his brethren. What profit
12 1 And his brethren went to feed their fa- is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood ?'
ther's flock in Shechem. 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and
13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy let not our liand be upon him ;' for he is our broth-
brethren feed the flock in Shechem ? Come, and I er and our flesh and his brethren ^were content.:

will send thee unto them.'' And he said to him. 28 Then there passed by Midianites," merchant-
Here mn I. men and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of
;

14 And he said to him. Go, I pray thee, "see the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for
whether it be well with thy brethren, and well twenty pieces of silver:^ and they brought Joseph
with the flocks; and bring me word again. So into Egypt.
he scut him out of the vale of Hebron,' and he 29 1 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and
came to Shechem. behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his
15 T And a certain man found him, and behold, clothes."'
he was wandering in the field and the man asked
: 30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said,
him, saying. What seekest thou?^ The child is not;'' and I, whither shall I go?
16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me,'' I 31 And they took Joseph's coat,'' and killed a
pray thee, where tiiey feed their flocks. kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood
17 And the man said, They are departed hence; 32 And they sent the coat of many colors, and
for I heard them say. Let us go to Dothan. And they brought it to their father; and said, This
Joseph went after his brethren, and found them have we found know now whether it be thy son's :

in Dothan.' coat or no.


IS And when they saw liim afar off, even before 33 And he knew it, and said. It is my son's coat
he came near unto them, they conspired against an evil beast hath devoured him Joseph is with- ;

him to slay him.J out doubt rent in pieces.*^


19 And they said one to another, Beliold, this 34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sack-
dreamer^ cometh. cloth upon his loins,* and mourned for his son
20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him,'' many days.
and cast him into some pit, and we will say. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose
Some evil beast hath devoured him and we shall up to comfort him but he refused to be comfort-
; :

see what will become of his dreams. ed;" and he said. For I will go down into tlie
21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father
out of their hands; and said. Let us not kill him. wept for him.
22 And Reuben said unto them. Shed no blood,' 36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto
but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, Potiphar, an officer' of Pharaoh's, and captain^ of
and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid the guard.
a Oh 44:14; 46:29; 50:18. bch. 27:29. » Acts 7:9. d Dan. 7:S8; Luke 18:17; 2 Sam. 12:9. i Heb. hearkened. " Jiidg. 6:3. » Psa. 105:17; Zech.
2:19. 51. e 1 Sam. 17:17; Luke 20:13. * Heb. see the peace of thy brethren, 11:12; Matt. 27:9; Acts 7:9. " Num. 14:6; Judg. 11:35; Job 1:20; Joel
elc. fch. 35:27. f Judg. 4:22; 2 Kings 6:19. hCant.l:7. i2Kings8:13. 2:13. ich. 42:13,36; Jer. 31:15. y ver. 23. Jch. 44:29. a 2 Kings 19:1
JPsa. 31:13; 37-12. :i2; 94:21; Matt.21:.38; 27:1: John 11:53; Acts 23:12. Esther4:1; Isa. 32:11; Jonah 3:5. b 2 Sam. 12:17. I Heb. eunuch, cham-
t Reb. rrmster of dreams, k Prov. 1:11, 16; 27:4. 1 ch. 42:22. "Matt. berlain, or courtier; Esther 1 :1U. % Or, chief marshal. Heb. chief of the
27:28. 1 Or, pieces. ' ver. 3. " Psi. 35:7; Lam. 4:2U. p PrOY. 30:2U; slaughter-men, or ezccutioners.
Amos 6:6. q ver. 28. 36. r Jer. 8:22. « ch. 4:10; Job 16:18. t 1 Sam.

9. Sun —moon —
and eleven stars; referring to Joseph's ham's fourth son by Keturah. Hence they are called now
father, mother,and eleven brethren. by one name, now hy the other.
11. Observed the saying; remembered it, and reflected 29. Rent his dollies; a common way in the East of ex-
much ui)on its meaning. pressing deep grief.
12. Shechem; chap. 33:18. 30. The child is not; Reuben was probably absent when
17.Dothan; twelve or fifteen miles north of Shechem. they sold Joseph.
22. That he }night rid him out of their hands; prevent 33. Joseph is —rent in pieces; Jacob, who deceived his
their killing hira, and restore him again to his father. father, is now himself wofully deceived by his children.
24. Into a pit ; that is, a cistern underground. Such cis- 34. Sackcloth; a kind of coarse cloth worn by mourners.
terns are used now, as anciently, to hold water, and some
of them are of great size.
INSTRUCTIONS.
28. Midianites —
hhmaelites; it seems to have been a 3.Parents in the treatment of their children need wis-
mixed company', made up of Ishmaelites, descendants of dom from above, and should carefully avoid making invid-
Ishmael, and Midianites, descendants of Midian, Abra- ious distinctions between them.
59
The cJiilihtn of .htihih. GENESIS \\\\ 111. Ttirnar tlecfiirth Judali.

(11 A I' IKi: \ X \ and covered her with a veil, and wrap- a. v.booi
\ I I I. her,
ped her.self,andsat in 'an open place," which h >'i;j7
Kr S
1 Juduli l..-.ii..ih Kr, (in.vi. ,111,1 Sli.l^li. c, iii.irri.ih Tamar.
The trnpasa of Onan. 1 Tamar nUvrtli for Shclah.
1 iIl- is by the way to Timnath for she saw that Shelah
13 Sho ;

ceirrth JuJah. 27 Sho btanlh twins, I'haroz and Znrah. was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.
AND it c;»nip to jniss at that time, that Judah l.*) When Judah saw her, he thought her to he a
went down from liis brctiiren, and turned in harlot because she had coveretl her face. ;

to a certain Adnllaniite, wiiose name ivas Iliruli. 1(1 And he turned unto her by the way, and saiii.

2 And Judali saw there a dannrlitcr of a certain Go to, 1 pray thee, let me come in unto thee; for
Canaanite, whose name u-as .^huah; and lie tooic he knew not that she? was his daughter-in-hiw.
her, and went in unto her. And she said. What wilt thou give me, that thou
3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he mayest come in unto me?
caih'd his name Er." 17 And he said, 1 will send thfc 'a kid from the
4 And slie conceived asrain, and bare a son and flock. And she said. Wilt thou give ine a plcdtre.
;

she called his name Onan.'' till thou send it ?

5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son 18 And he said. What pledge shall I give thee ?
;

and called his name Shelah and he was at Chezib And she said. Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and
: ''

•when she bare him. thy staff that is in thy hand :'' and he gave it her.
6 And Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.
whose name teas Tamar. I'J And she arose, and went away, and laid by
7 And Er, Judah's lirst-born, was wicked in the her veil from her, and put on the garments of her
sight of the Lord; and the Loud slew him.*^ widowhood.'
8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy 2U And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his
brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from
to thy brother." the woman's hand but he found her not. :

9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be 21 Then he asked the men of that jjlace, saying,
his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto W'lierc is the harlot that was openly' by the way-
his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, side? And they said, There was no harlot in this
lest that he should give seed to his brother. place.
10 And the thing which he did 'displeased the 22 And he returned to Judali, and said, 1 cannot
Lord wherefore he slew him also.
; find her and also the men of the place said, that ;

11 Then said Judali to Tamar his daughter-in- there was no harlot in this place.
law, Remain a wndow at thy father's house, till 23 And Judah said. Let her take it to her, lest
Shelah my son be grown for he said, Lest per- we *be .shamed :J behold, I sent this kid, and thou
:

adventure he die also, as his brethren did. And hast not found her.
Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. 24 1i And it came to pass about three months
12 1[ And *in process of time, the daughter of after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy
Shuah, Judah's wife, died; and Judah was com- daughter-in-law hath played the harlot ;" and also,
forted, and went up unto his sheep-shearers to behold, she is with child liy whoredom. And Ju-
Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullaniite. dah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.'
13 And it was told Tamar, saying. Behold, thy 25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her
father-in-law goeth up to Timnath' to shear bis father-in-law, saying, By the man whose these are,
sheep. am I with child and she said, Discern, I pray thee, :

14 And she put her widow's garments off from whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff."'
> Ch.4B:12. b ch. 40:13. c vcr. 11,28. d 1 Chr. 2:3. e Deut. 25:5; 1 Or, in Enajim. ' Heb. berome a contempt,
i Prov. 6:33; Kom. G:2I :
Matt. 2:2:24. * Heb. was evil in tkf. eyes o/t/ie Lord, t Heb. i/ie days were Eph. S:12. H Judg. 10:2; Hos. 3:3. Lev. 21:9; Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam.
1

muUiplied. f Jo.*. 15: lU; Judg. 14:1. 1 Heb. the door of eyes, or of Eim- 12:5. mver. 18.
jim. sProT. 7:12. t Heb. a kid of the goals, h ver. 25. 2 Sam. "14:2, 5. i

8. Children who are especiaUy favored need much wis- 9. Give seal
to his brother; Deut. 25:5, 6.
dom, in order not needles.sly to increase the difficulty 12. Timnath; south-west of Jerusalem.
which the partiality of parents occasions. It. In an open place; or, at the entrance of Enajim.
11. God's dealings with children are full of instruction, 15. Covered her face; that he might not know her to be
and worthy of being carefully observed and seriously his daughter-in-law.
pondered by parents. IS. Signet ; seal. Bracelets ; rather, cord, by which the
18. Envy tends to make men hard-hearted and cruel, to signet was suspended from the neck.
root out even natural affection, and awaken the most ma- 23. Take it ; keep the pledge to herself.
lignant and murderous passions.
24. Great favors of Providence are often accompanied INSTRUCTIONS.
or followed by great trials. 2 Cor. 2:7 Heb. 12: 6. ; 2. Although ordinarily best for young men to be
it is
32. Under the influence of envy or covetousness, men married early in life, j'et it should not be done without
may sell even their own brother into perpetual bondage, earnest prayer to God for his guidance and blessing, that
and rend the heart of an affectionate father with exquisite the connection may be a source of happiness and useful-
anguish. But in doing it, tliey are preparing for exquisite ness.
anguish themselves. 10. Secret as well as open sins are all known to God,
antl unless repented of and forgiven, will be visited with
CHAPTER XXXVIII. his curse.
1. Adullamite; belonging to Adullam, a place north of 20. Judah had been instrumental in deceiving his father,
Hebron, and south-west from Jerusalem. and now he is himself deceived.
2. Shiiah; the name, not of the daughter, but of her 24. Those who are most guilty themselves are often
father. Vcr. 12. most ready to denounce vengeance on others.
60
; ;
:;

Joseph is advanced, GENESIS XXXIX. and cast into prison.

A.jrjibout 26 And Judali acknowledj?ed them, and 8 But lie refused," and said unto his master's
^'1727.
li. said, She hath been more righteous than wife. Behold, my master wotteth not what is witli
I;" because that I gave her not to Shelah my me in the house, and he hath committed all that
son.'' And he knew her again no more.'' lie hath to my hand
27 IF And it came to pass in the time of her trav- 9 There is none greater in this house than I;
behold, twins were in her womb.
ail, tliat neither hatli he kept back any thing from me but
28 And it came to pass when she travailed, that thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I
the one put out his hand: and the midwife took do tills great wickedness," and sin against God?""
and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying. 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph
This came out first. day by day,'' that he hearkened not unto her, to
29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his lie by her, or to be with her.

hand, that behold, his brother came out and she ; 11 And it came to pass about this time, that Jo-
said. How hast thou broken forth ?' this breach be seph went into tlie house to do his business and ;

upon thee therefore his name was called Pharez.***


: there was none of the men of the house there
30 And afterward came out his brother, that within.
had the scarlet thread upon his hand; and his 12 And she caught him by his garment,' saying,
name was called Zarah. Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand,
and and got him out.
fled,'

CHAPTER XXXIX. 13
left his
Andit came to pass, when she saw that he had
garment in her hand, and was fled forth,
1 Joseph adrancpd in Potiphar's house. 7 He resisteth his mistress'
temptation, l.*^ He is falsely accused. 20 He is cast into prison. 21 14 That she called unto the men of her house,
(>od is with hini there. and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought
AND Josephanwas brought down
Potiphar, officer of Pharaoh,'^ captain of
to Egypt ; and in a Hebrew unto us to mock us ;" he came in unto
me to lie with me, and I cried with a 'loud voice:
the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I
of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his gar-
thither. ment with me, and fled, and got him out.
2 And the Lord was with Joseph,'' and he was 16 And she laid up his garment by her, until
a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his lord came home.
his master the Egyptian. 17 And she spake unto him according to these
3 And his master saw that the Lord u-as with words, saying, The Hebrew servant which thou
him, and that the Lord made all that he did to hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me
prosper in his hand.^ 18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight,'^ and he and cried, that he left his garment with me, and
served him and he made him overseer over his fled out."
:

house, and all that he had he put into his hand.' 19 And it came to pass, when his master heard
5 And it came to pass from the time that he had the words of his wife, which she spake unto him,
made him overseer in his house, and over all that saying. After this manner did thy servant to me
he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's that his wrath was kindled.'"
house for Joseph's sake ;> and the blessing of the 20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him
Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and into the prison,^ a place where the king's prison-
in the field.'' ers were bound: and he was there in the prison.
6 And he left all that ho had in Joseph's hand; 21 IT But the Lord was with Joseph, and ^show-
and he knew not aught ho had, save the bread ed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of
which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly pe?-- the keeper of the prison.*'
wn,' and well-favored. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to
7 IT And it came to pass after these things, that Joseph's hand all the prisoners that we7-e in the
his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph ;'" and prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was
she said, Lie with me." the doer of it.

• 1 Sam. 24:17. Job 34:31, 32; Rom. 13:12; Tit. 2: 11, la.
b ,er. 14. c 20:10; Prov. 6:29, 32. q 2 Sam. 12:13; Psa. .'51:4; Jsr. 2:):16. r Prov.
*
Or, Vfherefort hast thou made this breach against Iher? t That is, A breach, 22:14:23:27. spror. 7:13. I Eccl. 7:26. u Ezelt. 22:5. I Heh. great.
i Num. 28:20; 1 Chr. 2:4; Matt. 1:3. « ch. 37:36; Psa. 105:17. ' 1 Sam. V Kxod. 23:1; Psa. 37:14; 120:3; Prov. 12:19. w Prov. 6:34, 35; Cant. 8:6.
l(i:18: 18:14, 28; Acts 7:9. S Josh. 1:7,8; 1 Chr. 22:13; Psa. 1:3. h ver. I ch. 41:14; Psa. 105:13. i Heb. extended kindness unto him. y Exod.
21 ; 1 Sam. 16:22. ich.24:2. ich. 30:27. k Deut. 2i:3-8. USam. 16:12; 12:36; Psa. 106:46; Prov. 16:7; Dan. 1:9; Acts 7:10.
17:42. «• Job 31:1; Psa. 119:37. n 2 Sam. 13:11. oProv. 1:10. p Lev.

tions is the best preparation for, and tlie surest way of


CHAPTER XXXIX. advancement to those that are higher.
Grace; favor.
4.
9. The fear of the Lord is the surest pledge of fidelity,
6. He knew not aught ; he did not take the care of any
thing himself, but left all to Josei)h. Goodly well-favor- — the best safeguard against temptation, and the most pow-
erful means of promoting all the great interests of men.
ed ; beautiful in person. 15. Tempters to sin will turn accusers, and when they
Wottdh; knoweth.
8.
have power, will become persecutors and tormentors.
2i). In the prison; chap. 41 :H; I'sa. 10."): IS.
21. No evils which men can inflict can shut out the
22. He was the doer; ho gave directions, and things were
presence and favor of God from tliose who trust in him
done accordingly. and a servant in a dungeon may be more happy than a
1N3TKUCTI0XS. king on his throne. Though he may sufl'er for rigliteous-
."i. The Lord any \vhi> put their trust in
will not forsake ness' s;i.ke. in liue time he will he delivered, and his sor-
tiiin; and fidelity in the dischar^'.- ni .liny in Iciwi-r silua- ri)W tunn;d ir.tu joy.
: ;

Pharaoh's bit I If r GENESIS XL. an/l bif.er in prison.

23 Tho kooppr of tlip jirisoii looked not to any


thine t/int wis under his hand because the Loud ;

was with liiin, and that which he did, the Lord


made it to iirosper."

CHAPTER XL.
1 The butler and liakcr of Pharaoh in 4 Joseph hath charge
prison.
of them. 5 He interpreteth their dreams. 20 They come to pass
according to his interpretation. 23 The injjratitude of the butler.

AND came to pass after these things, that


it
butler" of the king of Egypt and his
tlio

bakor had ofleiided their lord the king of Egypt.


2 And I'hiiraoh was wroth again.st two of his offi-
cers,'' against the chief of the butlers, and against

the chief of the bakers.


3 And he put them in ward in the house of the
captain of the guard, into the prison, the place
where Joseph was bound.''
4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph
with them, and he served them: and they con-
tinued a season in ward.
5 If And they dreamed a dream both of them,
each man his dream in one night,"" each man ac-
cording to tlie interpretation of his dream, the
butler and tlie baker of the king of Egypt, which
were bound in the prison.
6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morn-
ing, and looked upon them, and behold, they were
sad.'
7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that ivere
with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying,
Wherefore 'look ye so sadly to-day ?s
8 And they said unto him. We have dreamed a
dream, and there is no interpreter of it.*" And
Joseph said unto them. Do not interpretations be-
long to God ?' tell me them, I pray you.
9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph,
and said to him, In my dream,J behold, a vine was
before me
10 And in the vine were three branches and it :

was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot


forth and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe
;

grapes

a Ver. 2
: : ; : :

Joseph interpreteth GENESIS XLI. Pharaoh's two dreams.

CHAPTER XLI, 15 And Pharaoh


Joseph, I have said unto
1 riiaraoh's
dreamed a dream, and there is none that can in-
two dreams. 25 Joseph interpreteth them. 33 He siveth
terpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that
Pharaoh counsel. 38 Joseph is advanced. 50 He begetteth Manas-
seh and Ephraim. 54 The famine beginneth.
thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.*''
AND years,
it came to pass at the end of two full 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying. It is
that Pliaraoh dreamed:" and behold, not in me God shall give Pharaoh an answer of
:

he stood by the river. peace.'


2 And
behold, there came up out of the river 17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream,
seven well-favored kine and fat-fleshed and they ;
behold, I stood upon the bank of the river :'
fed in a meadow. 18 And behold, there came up out of the river
3 And behold, seven other kine came up after seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favored and they ;

them out of the river, ill-favored and lean-fleshed fed in a meadow


and stood by the other kine upon the brink of 19 And behold, seven other kine came up after
the river. them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed,
4 And the ill-favored and lean-fleslied kine did such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for
eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So badness:
Pharaoh awoke. 20 And the lean and the ill-favored kine did
5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: eat up the first seven fat kine:
and behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one 21 And when they had * eaten them np, it could
stalk, rank* and good. not be known that they had eaten them but they ;

6 And behold, seven thin ears and blasted with were still ill-favored, as at the beginning. So I
the east wind sprang up after them. awoke.
7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven 22 And I saw in my dream, and behold, seven
rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and ears came up in one stalk, full and good
behold, it was a dream. 23 And behold, seven ears, withered," thin, and
8 And it came to pass in the morning, that his blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
spirit was troubled " and he sent and called for
;
24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good
all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men ears: and I told this unto the magicians;'' but
thereof:" and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could declare it to me.
there was none that could interpret them unto 25 IT And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream
Pharaoh.'' of Pharaoh is one: God hath showed Pharaoh
9 IT Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, what he is about to do.'
saying, I do remember my faults this day 26 The seven good kine are seven years and the ;

10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants," and seven good ears are seven years the dream is one. :

put me in ward in the captain of the guard's 27 And the seven thin and ill-favored kine that
house, both me and the chief baker came up after them are seven years and the seven ;

11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be
he; we dreamed each man according to the in- seven years of famine.'"
terpretation of his dream.' 28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto
12 And there was there with us a young man, a Pharaoh: what God is about to do, he showeth
Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard and unto Pharaoh. ;

we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams 29 Behold, there come seven years of great plen-
to each man according to his dream he did inter- ty thi'oughout all the land of Egypt:"
pret. 30 And there shall arise after them seven years
13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, of famine;" and all the plenty shall be forgotten
so it was me he restored unto mine ofiice, and in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall con-
;

him he hanged. sume the land ^ ;

1-1 T Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and 31 And the plenty shall not be known in the
they ^brought him hastily out of the dungeon:^ land by reason of that famine following; for it
and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, shall he very grievous.''
and came in unto Pharaoh. 32 And for that the dream was doubled unto
> Esth. 6:1; Din.2;l. • Heb./a(. b Dan. 4:5, 19; 7:23; 8:27. c Exod. 2 Cor. 3:5. j ver. 1. iTieh. eome to the inward farts of them. I Or. small.
7:11; Isa. 29:14; Ban. 2:2. <llCor.l:19. ech.4a:2. f ch, 40:5. 1 Heb. k ver. 8; Dan. 4:7. 1 D,in. 2:29, 45; Rev. 4:1. m 2 Kings 8:1. n ver. 47.
made him run. B 1 Sam. 2:8; Psa. 105:20. 1 Or, -when thou hearest a dream Over. 54. Pch. 47:13. ^ Heb. heavj.
thou canst interpret it. h Psa. 25:14; Dan. 5:16. i oh. 40:8; Dan. 2:30;

was and reveal hidden


CHAPTER XLI. to explain signs, interpret dreams,
things.
1. JTie river; the Nile, upon the annual overflow of 9. My faults ; against Pharaoh, rather than against Joseph.
which the fertility of Egypt depends. 13. lie re.'ilored; Pharaoh restored. The chief butler
2. Kiyie; cows. Well-favored; good looking. So ill- speaks of his monarch in the third person.
favored means bad looking. Both the fat and the lean IC. /( IS not in me; he could not of himself interpret the
cows came out of the river, signifying that from it come dream, it must be by divine aid. A)i answer of peace ; one
both plenty and want in Egypt. that would remove his fears and promote his good.
5. Ears of corn; heads of wheat. The so called Egyp- 25. Is one ; both dreams mean the same tiling.
tian wheat bears several heads on one stalk. 26. Are seven years; represent them. Chap. 40:12, 18.
8. Magicians; the sacred scribes of Egypt, whose office 28. This is the thing which I have .tpokcn; this is tile
thing which I said berore. See ver. 25.
63
:

Joseph made diitj rultr. (lENKSIS \IJ. Seven years of famine.

Pharaoh twice;" it is bocauso llic thing is estab- daughter of Poti-jihcrah priest* of On. VrffTi.
lished liy God," and God will shortly bring it to And .Joseph went out over all tlie land of Egyjtt.
pass."* 4(1 I And Joseph vas thirty years old when he

33 Now therefore let Pharaoli look out a man stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt.'' And Jo-
discreet and wise, and set him over the land of seph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and
Egypt. went tliroughout all the hind of Egypt.
34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint 47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth
officers* over tiic land, and take up the fifth part brought forth by handfuls.
of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years." 48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven
35 And let thcni gather all the food of tiioso years, which were in the land of Egyjit, and laid
gond years tiiat come, and lay up corn under the up the food in the cities: the food of the field
hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the which teas round about every city, laid he up in
cities. the same.
3G And
that food shall be for store to the land 49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the
against the seven years of famine, which shall be .sea,' very much, until he left miinbering; for it
in tiie land of Egypt; that the laud *peri,sh not was without number.
througii the famine. 50 And unto Josejih were Ijorn two sons before
37 *r And tiic thing was good in the eyes of the years of famine came:'" which Asenatli the
Pharaoli,'' and in the eyes of all his servants. daughter of Poti-pherah priest' of On bare unto
38 And Piiaraoh said unto his servants. Can wo him.
find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit 51 And Joseph called the name of the first-born
of God is !" Manasseh.' For God, said he, hath made me for-
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch toil, and all my father's house.
get all my
as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so 52 And the name of the second called he Ephra-
discreet and wise as thou art im:' For God hath caused me to be fruitful in
40 Thou shalt be over my house,'^ and according the land of my affliction."
unto thy word shall all my people ^ be ruled only : 53 ^ And seven years of plcnteousncss, that
tiie
in the throne will I be greater than thou. was land of Egypt, were ended.
in the
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have 54 And the seven years of dearth began to come,
set thee over all the land of Egypt." according as Joseph had said :" and the dearth
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand,'' was in all lands: but in all the land of Egypt
and put it upon Jos(!ph's hand, and arrayed him there was bread.
in vestui-es of 'fine linen, and put a gold chain 55 And when all the land of Egypt was famish-
about his neck;' ed,'' the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and

43 And he made him to ride in the second char- Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto
iot which he had; and they cried before him, Joseph what he saith to you, do.
;

Bow the knee:'* and he made him ruler over all 56 And the famine was over all the face of thi;
the land of Egyjit.' earth: and Joseph opened *all the storehouses,
44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I aot Pharaoh, and sold unto the Egyptians;'' and the famine
and w ithout thee shall no man lift up his hand or waxed sore in tlie land of Egypt.
foot in all the laud of Egypt. 57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath- for to buy corn ; because that the famine was so
paaneah;* and he gave him to wife Asenath the sore in all lands.

Oh. 37:7,9. • 0-!,prepaTtd of God. b Num. 2:3:19; Isa. 46:10. t Or, secrets are revealed. lOr. prince; Emd.2:16; 2Sam.8:18. k 1 Sara. 10:-il :

nturs. c ProvC:0-i: *2:3. i Re\>. be not cut off. d Acts 7:10. e Num. Dan. 1:19; Luke 21:30. 1 ch. 22:17; Judg. 7.12; 1 Sam. 13:5; Pm. 7p:-->7.

27:18; Job 3-2:8; Prov. 2:0; Dan, 4:8, 18; 5:11. f Psa. 105:21. 5 Heb. 6s rach. 4G:2U; 48:5. 4 Or, prince; ver. 43. I That is, Forgetting. 1 That is.
armed, OT kiss, g Dan. 6:.3. h Esth. 3: 10; 8:2, 8, 15. I Ot. silk, i Dan. Fruitful. 1 ch. 49:2-2. o ver. .30. p Jer. 14:1, 2; Lam. 4:4. • Heb. all
i:7, 29. 1 Or, Tender fatker. ' Heb. Alirech. i ch. 45:8,20; Acts 7:10. wherein was. q ch. 42;C: 47:14, 24.
t Which in the Coptic signifies, A revealer of setrets, or The man to whom

34. Of the land; the produce of the land. 52. Ephraim; fruitful.
36. The land perish not; the inhabitants of it. 55. Egypt was famished; the people had consumed all
Put it upon Joseph's hand; in token of his being
42. their food, and were in want.
clothed with authority.
43. The second chariot; the chariot assigned to the man
INSTRUCTIONS.
that stood next in rank to the king, and doubtless second 7. AD future things are known to God, and as far as he
to the king's chariot in splendor. sees best he makes them knoT\Ti to men. Before men had
44. Lift up hts hand or foot ; a proverbial expression, de- the Bible, God often communicated information to them
noting that all the people should be under Joseph's control. in dreams and visions. But now we are not to expect
45. Zaphnath-paaneah ; supposed to mean, saviour of the information in those ways, but to give heed to the Bililo.
world. Priest; a priest at that time, in Egypt, was a civil which is able to make us wise unto salvation, and furnisli
;is well as an ecclesiastical rnler and by this marriage
; us thoroughly for every good work.
.Foseph became connected with one of the great men of 14. God never overlooks the trials of his people, or suf-
the kingdom. On ; called by the Greeks Ileliopolis, or the fers them to continue a moment too long. When the right
city of the sun. It was on the east of the Nile, in the time comes he delivers them, often suddenly, in ways. In
land of Goshen, and not far from the modern Cairo. means, and for purposes wliich they never expected.
47. By handfuls; in great abundance. 25. Those who in all their ways acknowledge God. will
48. Laid up the food; that which was not wanted for find that he directs their paths and those things wliicli
;

l)re8ent use. they thought to be against them, they will see were order-
.'il. Manasseh , that is, one causing forgctfulness. ed ill such a way as to promote their highest good.
64
1 ; : : ';
;

facoFs sons are sent GENESIS XLll In buy corn in Eaypt.

CHAPTER XLII and behold, the youngest is this day with our fa-
ther, and one is not.*^
1 Jacob sendeth his ten sons to buy corn in Egypt. IG They are im- 14 And Joseph said unto them. That is it that I
prisoned by Joseph for spies. 18 They are set at liberty, on condi-
tion to bring Benjamin. 21 They have remorse for Joseph. 24 Sim- spake unto you, saying. Ye are spies
15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of
eon is kept for a pledge. 2.3 They return witli corn, and tlieir money.
• 29 Their relation to Jacob. 36 Jacob refuseth to send Benjamin.
Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence,'^ except your
NOW when Jacob saw that there was corn in youngest brother come hither.
Egypt," Jacob said unto his sons, Why do 16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your
ye look one upon another? brother, and ye shall be kept* in prison, tliat
2 And he said, Behold, I have hoard that there your words may be proved, wiiether there be any
is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy truth in you: or else, by the life of Pharaoli,
for us from thence that we may live, and not die."" surely ye are spies.
;

3 1 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to 17 And he put* them all together into ward
buy corn in Egypt. three days.
4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent 18 And Joseph said unto them the third day,
not with his brethren; for he said, Lest perad- This do, and live; for I fear God:''
venture mischief befall him." 19 If ye be true me7i, let one of your brethren be
5 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry
those that came: for the famine was in the land corn for the famine of your liouses
of Canaan. 20 But bring your youngest brother unto me ;

6 And Joseph was the governor over the land,** so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not
and he it was that sold to all the people of the die. And they did so.
land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed 21 T And they said one to another. We are
down themselves before him with their faces to verily guilty concerning our brother,^ in that we
the earth. saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us,
7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew and we would not hear ;^ therefore is this distress
them, but made himself strange unto them, and come upon us.
spake "roughly unto them and he said imto them.
; 22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I
Whence come ye ? And they said. From the land not unto you,' saying. Do not sin against the child
of Canaan to buy food. and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also
8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew his blood is required.™
not him. 23 And they knew not that Joseph understood
9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he them; for ^he spake unto tliem by an interpreter.
dreamed of them,'' and said unto them. Ye are 24 And he turned himself about from them, and
spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are wept and returned to them again, and communed ;

come. with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound
10 And they said unto him. Nay, ray lord, but iiim before their eyes.
to buy food are thy servants come. 25 "i Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks
1 We arc all one man's sons we are true men, with corn, and to restore every man's money into
;

thy servants are no spies. his sack, and to give them provision for the way:"
12 And he said unto them. Nay, but to see the and thus did he unto them.
nakedness of the land ye are come. 26 And they laded their asses with the corn,
13 And they said. Thy servants are twelve breth- and departed thence.
ren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan 27 And as one of them opened his sack to give
>Acts7:)2. b ch. 43: S; Psa. 118:17. c ver. 3S. dch. 41:41. • Heb. Matt. 27:3,4; Acts 19:18. k Prov. 21:13; 24:11, 12; Jer. 34:17: Matt. 7:2.
hard tilings wilh them, e ch. 37:5,9. f ch. 37:30; Jer. 31:15; Lam. 5:7; 1 oh. 37:21. mch. 9:5; 1 Kings 2:32; 2 Chr. 24:22; Psa. 9:12; Ezek. 3:18;
Matt. 2:18. 6 Deut. 6:13; 1 Sam. 1:26; 17:55; Jas. 5:12. t Heb. «0Mm/. Luke 11:50,51; Acts 23:4; Rev. 13:10. 5 Heb. an inttrpreter was MVKen
: Heb. h di. 20:11; Lev. 25:43; Neh. 5:15; Luke 18:2, 4.
ffalAererf. i ver. them, n Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:17, 20; Eph. 4:2.
:14; oh. 43:5; 41:23. jNum. 32:23; lKing3l7:18; Job 36:8,9; Hos.5;15;

33. The fact that men are dependent on God does not 6. That sold; directed as to the seUing. Bowed down;
supersede the necessity, on their part, of wisdom and dis- chap. 37:7,8.
cretion and tliose who have most of these qualities, will
; 7. Made himself strange ; acted as one that did not know
be most likely to be successful. them.
39. Those who know most of God and his ways will be 9. TTie dreams; chap. 37:5-9. The nakedness of the land
the most wise and discreet. They can be most safely defenceless points, where and how a successful attack
its
trusted, and in great and diiBcult services may be expect-might be made upon it.
ed to do the most good. 14. Tliat is it that I spake unto you; what I said to you
44. He who shows the most kindness, patience, com- before, ver. 9, is the truth. Compare above, chap. 41:28.
passion, and benevolence in a dungeon, may be expected 15. By the life of Pharaoh; as surely as Pharaoh lives.
to show the most humility, meekness, cquauimi^, and 17. Ward; prison. Three days; this gave them time to
loveliness on a throne. reflect upon their past conduct, their treatment of Joseph
52. God can, in this world, cause his people to forget and Jacob, and upon their present condition and pros-
their sorrows, or so to remember them as to heighten pects. This was what Joseph intended, and he no doubt
their joys, and make them feel that their sharpest trials prayed that it might be for their good.
were not worthy to bo compared with the glory which 20. Be verified; be proved to be true.
shall follow. 21. Guilly concerning our brother ; conscience condemned
them for their treatment of Joseph, more than twenty
CHAPTER XLII. years before. Therefore is this distress; they viewed it as
t. Look one upon another; in perplexity and despair. a punishniciit of their sins.
5 65
:: ;;
:: : : :

Jacob's spjis rcliini home, GENESIS XLllI. and art attain sent to Egypt.

his a«9 provender in the inn, he espied his money CHAPTER XLIII. 1i.?:SI:
for beiiold, it was in liis sacic's moiitli. 1 Jacob i» horilly pcritniulwl t" sonil Benjamin. 1.') Joseph entcrtAinetb
28 And lie said unto iiis brctlircn, My money is his brelhnii. 31 Hu niakllh llicm a feast.

restored and lo, it is even in my saclc ami tlieir


;

heart Maiioil l/iim. and they we're afraid, sayinji'


:
AND And 2
the famine was sore in the land.*"
it came to ])a.«s, when thi'y had eatery
one to another, AViiat is this that God hatii done they had brougiit out of Egypt,
up the corn wliicii
unto us ? their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a
29 1[ And tliey came unto Jacob their fatlier little food.

unto the hind of Canaan, and told him all that 3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man
befell unto them; saying, did solemnly protest' unto us, saying, Ye shall
30 Tiie man who is the lord of the land spake not see my face, except your brother be with yon.
roughly* to us," and took us for spies of the coun- 4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will
try. go down and buy thee food:
31 And we said unto him, We
are true men; we 5 But if tliou wilt not send him, we will not go
are no spies down: for the man said unto us. Ye shall not see
32 We
be twelve brethren, sons of our father my face, except your brother be with you.
one is not, and tlie youngest is this day with our (j And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with

father in the land of Canaan. me, 0.9 to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
33 And tlie man, the lord of tlie country, said 7 And they said. The man asked us* straitly of
unto us, Hereby shall 1 know that ye are true our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your
men: leave one of your brethren htre with me, father yet alive? have ye another brother? and
and take food for the famine of your households, we told him according to the tenor' of these
and be gone words. Could we certainly know^ that he would
34 And bring your youngest brother unto me say. Bring your brother down?
then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye 8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send
are true men : so will I deliver you your brother, the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that
and ye shall traffic in the land.'' we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and
35 1i And it came to pass, as they emptied their also our little ones.
sacks, that beliold, every man's bundle of money 9 I will be surety for him;' of my hand shalt
was in his sack:' and when both they and their thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee,
father saw the bundles of money, they were and set him before thee, tlien let me bear the
afraid. blame for ever
36 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me 10 For except we had lingered, surely now we
have ye bereaved of my children:'^ Joseph is not, had returned this second* time.
and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin 11 And their father Israel said imto them, If it
away : all these things are against me.° must be so now, do this: take of the best fruits
37 And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, in the land in your vessels, and carry down the
Slay my two sons if I bring him not to thee de- : man a present,^ a little balm, and a little honey,
liver him into my hand, and I will bring him to spices and myrrh,'' nuts and almonds
thee again. 12 And take double money in your hand; and
38 And he said. My son
go down with
shall not the money that was brought again in the mouth
you ; and he is left alone
for his brother is dead,' of your sacks,' carry it again in your hand per- ;

if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye advcnture it was an oversight.
go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with 13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again
sorrow to the grave.^ unto the man
• Heb. went forth, t Heb. tvitli us hard things, a ver. 7, 12. b cl :!0. 1 Hob. protesting protested, i THeh. asking askid us. llcb.
ch. 4;!;2I. Jch. '13;14. » 1 Sam. 27:1 ; Job 7:7; Eccl. 7:S; Roi HHeb. Knowing could we knowl ich. 44:32; Psa. 119:122; Phile.
ch. 37:33; 44:20, 'iS. 6 ch. 37:35; 44:29, 31; Isi. 3a; lU. t ch •
Ot, twice by this. jProv. 18:10. tch. 37:25. Ich. 42:25.

28. They were afraid; lest they should be charged with Men are often strongly tempted to do evil that good
IG.
having stolen the money, and be treated as thieves. God may come, but it is never right and the success of a ;

hath done; in his providence caused to come upon us as a plan no sure evidence of the righteousness of the means
is
punishment for our sin. used in prosecuting it.
37. Slay my tiuo sons; that is, you may slay them, if I 28. When men have done what they know to be wick-
bring not Benjamin bacli again a rash expression, but it
; ed, and evils come upon them, conscience links the two
showed Reuben's earnestness and sincerity. together, and views the one as a punishment for the
38. His brother; that is, Joseph; his own brother by other.
Rachel.
INSTRUCTIONS. CHAPTER XLIII.
2.In seasons of danger and distress nothing is gained According to the tenor of these words ; suited our an-
7.
by despondency. The question should be, What shall we swers honestly to these questions of his.
do? and having ascertained, wo should, without delay, 11. Balm; balsam, like that of Gilead. Honey; proba-
and in dependence on God, attempt to do it. He helps bly here honey of grapes, made by boiling down new
those who, in the right way, attempt to help themselves. wine to a third or half. Myrrh ; here probably a fragrant
9. The efforts of men to thwart the plans of God are the gum called ladanum. NvAs; the original word means
means of fulfilling them yet they are as wicked in oppos-
;
pistacia-nuts.
ing him, as if he did not make what they do the occasion 12. Double money; that which they brought back, and
of promoting his cause. enough more to buy the corn which they needed.
: ;

Joseph maketh a feast GENESIS XLIII. for his brethren.

B.ct^: 14 And God Almighty give you mercy 24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's
before the man,* that he may send away your other house, and gave them water, and they washed
brother, and Benjamin. *If I be bereaved of my their feet;'' and he gave their asses provender.
children, I am bereaved." 25 And they made ready the present against
15 IT And the men took that present, and they Joseph came at noon;» for they heard that they
took double money in tlieir hand, and Benjamin should eat bread tliere.
and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood 26 ir And when Joseph came liome, they brought
before Joseph. him the present which was in their hand into the
16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth."
he said to the ruler of his house," Bring these men 27 And he asked them of fhctr welfare," and
home, and slay,* and make ready; for these men said, Is your father well,* the old man of whom
shall dine' with me at noon. ye spake?' Is he yet alive?
17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the 28 And they answered. Thy servant our father
man brought the men into Joseph's house. is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bow-
18 And the men were afraid, because they were ed down their heads, and made obeisance.
brought into Joseph's house; and tliey said, Be- 29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother
cause of the money that was returned in our Benjamin, his mother's son,J and said, Is this your
sacks at the first ^me are we brought in; that younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And
he may seek occasion against us,^ and fall upon he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.''
us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. 30 And Joseph made haste for his bowels did ;

19 And they came near- to the steward of Jo- yearn upon his brother ;' and he sought where to
seph's house, and they communed with him at the weep and he entered into his chamber, and wept
;

door of the house, there.


20 And said, sir, we came indeed down' at 31 And he washed his face, and went out, and
the first time to buy food refrained himself, and said. Set on bread.
21 And it came to pass, when we came to the 32 And they set on for him by himself, and for
inn, that we opened our sacks,'' and behold, every them by themselves, and for the Egyptians which
man's money ivas in the mouth of his sack, our did eat with him by themselves because the Egyp- :

money in full weight: and we have brought it tians might not eat bread with the Hebrews for ;

again in our hand. that is an abomination unto the Egyptians."


22 And other money have we brought down in 33 And they sat before him, the first-born accord-
our hands to buy food we cannot tell who put
: ing to his birtliright, and the youngest according to
our money in our sacks. his youth and the men marvelled one at another.
:

23 And he said. Peace be to you, fear not:" 34 And he took and sent messes unto them from
your God, and the God of your father, hath given before him:" but Benjamin's mess was five times
you treasure in your sacks I had your money .^ : so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and
And he brought Simeon out unto them. ^were merry with him."
» Neh. 1:11; Psa. 37:5. • Or, Ami I, as I liave been, e 1>Esth. 4:16. toyour father? ch. 42:11, 13. J ch. 35: 17, IS. k Josh. 7:19; 2 Chr. 29:11 j
i

c ch. 44: 1. t Heb. kilt a kilting. I Heb. eat. 5 Heb. roll Tlself upon us Matt. 9:2. 1 1 Kings 3:26; Jer. 31:2U; Phil. 1:S; 2:1; Col. 3:12. i» ch.
Job 30; 14. XUith. cominq down we mine down, d ch. 42: judj. 6:23; 46:34; Exod. 8:26. d 2 Sam. 11:8. i Heb. drank largeli/. o Prov. 31:6;
19:-20; 1 Sam. 25:6; Luke 24:3(5. 1 Heb. your money Eccl. 9:7; 10:19; Cant. 5:1; Matt. 11:19; John 2:10
18:4; 24:32. Sver. 11. "-' peace, t Heb.
hch. 37:7, 10 • Heb. Is there peace

14. If I be bereaved — I am bereaved; an expression of de- God; and when the time to act comes, decide as truth
eponding resignation. and duty may then require.
23. —
God hath given you treasure; not without human 7. When things seem to go against us, we are apt to

agency but lie liad so ordered tilings in his providence


; overlook the controlling hand of God, and regard only the
that they had their money. / had your money; it was instruments but in blaming them, we often find fault
;

paid to me, and I acknowledge the receipt of it; of with him.


course you need not fear. He had himself, at the com- 11. When a man has promised to do what is wrong,
mand of Joseph, without their knowledge, put it into instead of feeling that he is bound to fulfil his promise,
their sacks. his duty is to acknowledge his sin in making it, repent,
24. their feet ; according to the custom of travel-
Washed and do what is right. There is always a law higher than
lers in those days. Chap. 18:4. any mere human promise, namely, the law of God. If a
25.The present ; that which they had brought from the man does wrong because he has promised or sworn to do
land of Canaan. it, he adds sin to sin, and ripens for an aggravated con-

26. Bowed themselves; chap. 37:7. demnation. Matt. 14:9, 10.


31. Refrained; from weeping, and appeared as usual. IS. A guilty conscience, when awakened, naturally for»-
32. For that is an abomination; the Egyptians kept them- bodes evil, producing a certain fearful looking for of judg-
selves separate from all strangers, and had a particular ment and fiery indignation and unless men find the way
;

aversion to men whose occupation was that of shepherds. of deliverance, it will make them wretched.
See chap. 46:34. 22. Property that has come into our hands by oversight
33. They sat before him; they were seated according to or mistake, as well as that which we have wrongfully ob-
their difl'erent ages. Marvelled; that he who seated them tained, should be carefully and promptly returned to its
should know, in each case, which was oldest. rightful owners.
34. Messes; portions of food. 2fi. 'When events, long before made known, are accom-

plished by the voluntary actions of free moral agents, it


INSTRUCTIONS. shows that such actions were beforehand certain though ;

5. As to the future doing of things which are left to our that certainty does not lessen men's freedom, nor dimin-
discretion, it is ordinarily not best to say positively what ish their praise or blameworthiness in performing those
we will or will not do, but to feel our dependence on actions. Acts 2:23.
61
:

Joseph's policy GENESIS XLIV to slay his brethren.

CHAPTER XLIV. dear ourselves? uww num lumm .lui, luv- «.,:. i;«;,

1 Joseph's policy to stay liin brethren. 1 1 Jtidnh's liiuiible Bupplicntion iniquity of thy servants:' behold, wc arc my lord's
tu Josipll. servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup
A ND he commanded the steward of his house," is found.

_Z~X saying, Fill the men's sacks tmth food, as .17 And he said, God forliid that I should do
niucii as they can carry, and put every man's so;" hut the man in whose iiantl the cup is found,
money in his sack's mouth. he shall be my servant and as for you, get you ;

2 Ami put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's u]) in peace iinlo your father.
moutii of the youngest, and his corn-money. And 1<S 1i Then Juilah came near unto him, and said,

he did according to the word that Joseph had my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a
spoken. word in my lord's cars, and let not thine anger
3 As soon as the morning was light, the men burn against thy servant:' for thou art even as
were sent away, they and their asses. Pharaoh.
•1 And when they were gone out of the city, and 11) My lord asked his servants, saying. Have ye

not yet far olf, Jose])h said unto his steward, Up, a father, or a brother?
follow after the men;" and when thou dost over- 20 And we said unto my lord. We have a father,
take them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye re- an old man, and a child of his old age, a little
warded evil for good'.'"' one and his brother is dead, and he alone is left ;

Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and of his mother, and his father loveth him.'"
whereby indeed he divineth'^* ye have done evil 21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring
in so doing. liim down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon
6 IT And he overtook them, and he spake unto him."
them these same words. 22 And we said unto my lord. The lad cannot
7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my leave his father: for «/he should leave his father,
lord these words'? God forbid that thy servants his father would die.
should do according to this thing :'^ 23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, E.xcept
8 Behold, the money, which we found in our your youngest brother come down with you, ye
sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of shall sec my face no more.
the land of Canaan:'' how then sliould we steal 24 And it came to pass when we came up unto
out of thy lord's house silver or gold? thy servant my father, we told him the words of
9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, my lord.
both let him die," and we also will be my lord's 25 And our father said, Go again, and buy us a
bondmen. little food."
10 And he said. Now also it be according M
26 And we said. We cannot go down:'' if our
unto your words: he with whom it is found shallyoungest brother be with us, then will we go
be my servant;' and ye shall be blameless. down for wo may not see the man's face, except ;

11 Then they speedily took down every man hisour youngest brother be with us.
sack to the ground, and opened every )nan his 27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye
sack. know that my wife bare me two sons :'^
12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, 28 And the one went out from me, and I said,
and left at the youngest and the cup was found Surely he is torn in pieces ;" and I saw him not
:

in Benjamin's sack. since


13 Then they rent their clothes,^ and laded 29 And if ye take this also from me, and mis-
every man his ass, and returned to the city. chief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray
14 1' And Judah and his brethren came to Jo- hairs with sorrow to the grave.
seph's house for he ivas yet there and they fell
; : 30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant
before liim on the ground.'' my father, and the lad be not with us seeing that ;

15 And Joseph said unto tliem. What deed is his life is bound up in the lad's life;^
this that ye have done? wot ye not tliat such a 31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the
man as I can certainly divine?* lad is not vnth vs, that he will die: and thy ser-
16 And Judah said. What shall we say unto my vants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy
lord? what shall we speak?' or how shall we servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
• Heb. him was ovir his house. •> Deut. 2:l:i. t Prov. 17:13. t Or,
that Prov. 2S:17; Luke 12:2. kProv. 17:15. ch. 1S:30, 32. mch. 37:3.
I n ch.
tnaktth
( Exod. 22:3.
trial, c
Josh. 22:22; 2 Kings S:13.
E ch. 37:29, 34; Num. 14:0; 2 Sa
make trial; ver. 5.. i Ezra 9:10; Job 40:4. J
d ch. 43:22.
' '
e ch. 31:.32. 42:15,20. o ch. 43:2. P Luke 11:7.
37:33; 42:36. • 1 Sara. 18:1 25:29.;
q ch. 30:2;j; 35;lB; 4B: 10. r cli.

30. Family tender and lasting and delightful,


ties are ; tion. The practice of divining by cups was common
after long absence, is the meeting of affectionate family among the Egyjitians.
friends. As their forcible and violent separation causes 14. Fell before him; in token of submission. Chap.
the intensest anguish, so their kind, providential restora- 37:7,10.
tion gives inexpressible joy. 16. of thy servants; he might not mean by
Jlie iniquity
this to confess that they had stolen the cup, but that God
CHAPTER XLIY. in his providence was righteously punishing them for
5. Whereby —
he divinelh; in this, as in using an inter- their sins, and that they meant to accept whatever he
preter and swearing by the life of Pharaoh, Joseph con- sliould lay upon them.
ducts himself towards his brethren as an Egyptian. We 18. Even as Pharaoh ; having full power to do as be
arc not to understand that he actually practised divina- should choose.
68
; : ; :

Joseph mahih himself GENESIS XLV. knnwn to his hrethren.

tc.'ml' 32 For thy servant became surety for a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives
the lad uuto my father,* saying, If I bring him by a great deliverance.'
not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but
father for ever. God :" and he hatli made me a father to Pharaoh,"
33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant and lord of all his house, and a ruler througli^out
abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord ;'' all the land of Egypt.
and let the lad go up with his brethren. 9 Haste ye. and go up to my father, and say
34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the unto him. Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath
lad be not with me? lest pcradvcnture I see the made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me,
evil'= that shall *come on my father.
"^
tarry not
10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen,"
and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy
CHAPTER XLV. children, and thy children's children, and thy
flocks, and thy herds, and all tliat thou hast:
1 Joseph maketh himself known to his brethren. 5 He comforteth them
in (rod's providence. 9 He sendeth for his father. 16 Pharaoh con- 11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there
firmeth it. 21 Joseph furnisheth them for their journey, and exhort- are five years of famine lest thou, and thy house-
;

eth them to concord. 25 Jacob is revived with the news.


hold, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
THENtlicm
Joseph could not refrain himself before 12 And behold, your eyes see," and the eyes of
that stood by him; and he
all ci-ied, my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that
Cause every man to go out from me. And there speaketh unto you.
stood no man with him, while Joseph made him- 13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory
self known unto his brethren. in Eg3'pt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye
2 And he *wept aloud:" and the Egyptians and shall liaste and bring down my father hither.'
the house of Pharaoh heard. 14 And he fell upon his Ijrother Benjamin's
3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I ain Jo- neck, and wept;"" and Benjamin wept upon his
seph^ doth my father yet live? And his brethren neck.
could not answer him for they were troubled^ at
; 15 Moreover, he kissed all his brethren, and
his presence.' wept upon them: and after that his brethren
4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near talked with him.
to me, I pray you and they came near.
; And he 16 IT And the fame thereof was heard in Pha-
.«aid, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into raoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come
Egypt.« and it pleased Pharaoh well,* and his servants.
5 Now therefore be not grieved,'' 'nor angry 17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy
with yourselves, that ye sold me hither for God brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go,
;

did send me before you to preserve life.' get you unto the land of Canaan
6 For these two years hath the famine been in 18 Alid take your father, and your households,
the laud:J and yet there are five years, in the and come unto me and I will give you the good :

which there shall neither be earing nor harvest." of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of
7 And God sent me before you to preserve you the land.'*
''

»Ch.43:9. t Bxod. 33:33; Rom. 5:7-10; 9:3. t 2 Chr. 34 26. • Heb.


: 34:21. ^Keh. to put for you n remnant. 11 Chr. 11:14 Psa. 18:50; 44:4.
;

find my father, d Exod. 18:8; Job 31:29: Psa. 110:3; 119:143. t Heb. m John 19:11. n ch. 41:4'3; Jiidg. 17:10; Job 29:16. o ch. 40:29; 47: l-«;
gave forth, kis voice inweeping. e Num. 14:1. 5 Or, terrified, f Job 4:5; Exod. 8:22; 9:20. p ch. 42:23; Luke 24:39. q Acts 7:14. r ch. 33:4;
23:15; Matt. 14:26. B ch. 37:23. h 2 Cor. 2:7. i Ueh. neither let there be 46:29. • Heb. was good in the eyes
of Pharaoh. ' ch. 27:2S; 47:6; Num.
anger in your eyes. ch. 50:20; Psa. 105:16, 17.
' J cb. 47:18. k Exod. 18:29; Deut. 32:14.

33. Let thy servant abide instead of the lad; the feelings evilsfrom coming upon him, and to prolong his life, pro-
of the ten brethren towards their father and towards mote his comfort, and cheer him in old age, is peculiarly
Benjamin, the trial of which seems to have been a chief pleasing to God, and is often followed by some of his
object of Joseph's demeanor towards his brethren, were richest blessings.
fully proved by this last self-sacrificing offer of Judah.
CHAPTER XLV.
INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Then Joseph; in aU his preceding conduct towards
9. Hasty decisions, and strong, confident assertions are his brethren, which had the appearance of harshness,
often wrong, and bring those who make them into great Joseph had acted by a divine illumination; not for the
perplexity and distress. Prov. 29:11. gratification of his own private feelings, but for the
16. Hearty acknowledgment of the justice of God in accomplishment of the divine purposes, which included
our trials, and humble submission to his will, indicate a the humiliation of his brethren, and the trial of their feel-
preparation for approaching deliverance. ings towards their father and Benjamin. Now the way
18. It is never wise or right, in a world of mercy and was fully prepared for making himself known to hia
grace, to despair, or cease to use appropriate means brethren.
however dark to human appearance may be the prospect, 5. Be not grieved; indulge not excessive anguish, nor
or feeble the means used, God can give speedy and tri- sink into despair, for God is to be seen and acknowledged
umphant success. in all these things.
32. The most touching and efficacious eloquence is often 6. Earinp:; an old English word for ploughing, or tilling.
a simple narration of facts. God's ways are great, and a 8. Not you ; that is, not you merely, or principally. You
true recital of them is suited to produce groat effects. were instruments in fulfilling the infinitely wise and gra-
His ways, like himself, are perfect, and a knowledge of cious purposes of God.
them is suited to make men perfect, and lead them, in 9. God hath made me lord; men had been the means, but
their measure, to imitate him. God had been the cause, and to him belonged the glory.
34. An affectionate and tender regard for one's father, a 10. Goshen; the north-east part of Egypt, nearest to the
readiness to sacrifice, and if need be suffer, to prevent land of Canaan.
69
^

Jatob goeth into Eiiupt. GENESIS XLVI. His sons, and their cJiiUren.

Now thou art coininaiuled,


I'.t do ye: take
tliis

yoa waRona out of tlio land of Ejrypt for your


littU' ones, and for your wivci*, and bring your
fatlicr, and conit'.
20 Also 'rcirard not your stuff; for the good of
all the land of Kirypt iv yours.
Anil the children of Israel did so: and Jo-
'11

seph irave them wairnns, accordinu; to the *com-


mandiuent of I'haraoli," and gave them provision
for the way.
22 To all of them he gave each man changes of
raiment; but to JJenjamin he gave three hundred
piccrs (if silver, and live elianges of raiment.''
23 And to his father ho sent after tiiis manner;
ten asses Maden with tiie good things of Egypt,
and ten slie-asses laden with corn and bread and
meat for his father by tiie way.
2-t So he sent his brethren away, and they de-
parted; and he said unto them, See that ye fall
not out by tiie way.
25 "l And tiiey went up out of Egypt, and came
into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
26 And told liini, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and
he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And
Jacob's^ heart fainted, for he believed them not.*^
27 And they told liim all the words of Joseph,
which he had said unto them and when he saw:

the wagons wliich Joseph had sent to carry him,


the spirit of Jacob their father revived.''
28 And Israel said, It is enough Joseph my son;

is yet alive I will go and see him before I die.


:

CHAPTER XLVI.
1 Jacob is comforted by God at Beer-sheba. 5 Thence he with Iiis
household goeth into ligypC ^ The number of his family tliat went
into Egypt. 29 Joseph meeteth Jacob. 31 He instructeth his breth-
ren how to answer to Pharaoh.

AND Israel took his journey with all that he


had, and came to Beer-sheba,'^ and offered
sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of
the night,*^ and said, Jacob, Jacob; and he said,
Here am I."*

• Heb.
;

Joseph meelcth Jacob. GENESIS XLVII. Jacob Iksseth I'harauh.

n:r:?7oi' 18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom


Laban gave to Leah his daughter and these she ;
''

bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.


19 The sons of Rachel, Jacob's wife; Joseph,
and Benjamin.
20 1 And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt
were born Manasseh and Ephraim,'' which Ase-
natli the daughter of Poti-pherah priest* of On
bare unto him.
21 IT And the sons of Benjamin uvre Belah, and
Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naanian, Ehi,*
and Rosh, Muppim,* and Huppim,^ and Ard.
22 These are the sons of Racliel, which were
born to Jacob all the souls tvere fourteen.
:

23 1 And tlie sons of Dan; Husliim.'


24 ^ And the sons of Naphtali Jahzeel, and ;

Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.


25 These are the sons of Bilhah. which Laban
gave unto Racliel his daughter,'^ and she bare
these unto Jacob all the souls were seven.
:

26 All the souls that came with Jacob into


Egypt, which came out of his loins,^ besides Ja-
cob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore
and six.
27 Andthe sons of Joseph, which were borne
him Egypt, were two souls all the souls of the
in :

house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were


threescore and ten."*
28 IT And he sent Judah before him unto Jo-
seph, to direct his face unto Goshen ;° and they
came into the laud of Goshen.'
29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and
went up to meet Israel Goshen, and
his father, to
pi-esented himself unto him and he fell on his ;

neck, and wept on his neck a good while.'


30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me
die,"* since I have seen thy face, because thou art

yet alive.
31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto
his father's house, I will go up, and show Pha-
raoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my
father's house, which were in the laud of Canaan,
are come unto me
32 And the men are shepherds, for "their trade
hath been to feed cattle and they have brought
;

their flocks, and their herds, and all that they


have.
33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall
call you,and shall say. What is your occupation?'
»CK. 29:24. bch. 41:50. • Or, prince, t jJAiram; Num. 26::i8.
: : :

2'Ik ytars of famive. GENESIS XLVII. Prosperity of Israel.

11 IT And Joseph placed liis father and \\h 21 And as for tho people, ho removed 'ii.i;?„'?^
brethren, and pave tlicm a possession in tiie land them to cities from one end of the borders of
of Ksrypt, in the Ik st of the land, in tlie land of Egypt even to the alhrr end thereof.
Rameses. as Piiar;inli Imd coinnianded." 22 Only the land of the priests' liought he not:
12 And Joscpii noiirirflied liis father, and his for the priests ha<l a portion assigned them of
brethren, and all his father's household, with Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh
bread, accnrdinir to their families.* gave thetn: wherefore they sold not their lands.
13 "i And thirc was no bread in all the land; 2:5 Then Josejih said unto the people. Helndd, I

for the famine xms very sore, so lliat tlie land of have bought you this day and your land for Pha-
Ej^ypt and a'l llic land of Canaan fainted by raoh lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow
:

reason of the famine.'' the land.


14 And Josopli >i-athcrcd up all the money that 24 And it shall come -to pass in the increase,
was found in the land of Esypt, and in the land that ye .sliall give the fifth part unto I'haraoh,
of Canaan, for the corn wliicli tliey lious-ht: and and four parts sluiU lie your own, for seed of the
.Tosc])li hroiiii'lit the money into I'liaraoli's liouse.
field, and for your food, and for them of your
15 And wluMi money failed in the laud of E;j:ypt, households, and for food for your little ones.
and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians 25 And they said. Thou hast saved our lives:
came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread for let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we
:

whv should wc die in thy presence ? for tlie monev will lie Pharaoh's servants.
faiieth. 20 And .Joseph made it a law over the land of
16 And Josepli said. Give your cattle; and I Egypt unto this day, that Pharaoh should have
will give you for your cattle, if money fail. the fifth part; except the land of the priests*
17 And they In-ought their cattle unto Joseph only,'' ichich became not Pharaoh's.
and Josej)h gave them bread in exchange for 27 IT And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in
horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the country of Goshen and they had possessions ;

the herds, and for the asses and he fed* them therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.''
;

with bread for all their cattle for that year. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seven-
18 When that year was ended, they came unto teen years: so the whole age of Jacob' was a
him the second year, and said unto him, Wo
will hundred forty and seven years.
not hide it from my lord, how that our money is 29 And the time drew nigh that Israel must
spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; die:'" and he called his son Joseph, and said unto
there is not aught left in the sight of my lord, him. If now I have foimd grace in thy sight, put,
but our bodies, and our lands I pray thee, thy hand under my tliigh,^ and deal
19 Wherefore shall wo die before thine eyes, kindly and truly with me bury me not, I pray ;

both we and our land? buy us and our land for thee, in Egypt
bread, and we and our land will be servants unto 30 But I will lie with my fathers,"* and thou
Pharaoh:'^ and give us seed, that we may live, shalt carr}' me out of Egypt, and bury me in their
and not die, that the land be not desolate. burying-place. And he said, I will do as thou
20 And Joseph bought all the laud of Egypt hast said.
for Pharaoh for the Egyptians sold every man
; 31 And he said. Swear unto me. And he swarc
his field, because the famine prevailed over them: unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the
so the land became Pharaoh's. bed's head.'

a Ver. 6; Exod. 1:11. * Heb. according to the little ones;


or. as a little Neh. 9:23. I Hch. days of the years of his life, t Deut. 31 :14: 1 Kings
rhitd is nourished, b ch. 41:.'!0, 31. t Heb. ltd. c Job 2;4; Lam. 1:H. 2:1; Job 7:1; 14:14. B ch. 24:2. b ch. 50:5-13; Heb. 11:22. i 1 Kinga
I Or, priiras. i Or, princes. <l Ezri 7:24. e Exod. 1 :7, 12; Deut. 10:22; 1:47; Heb. 11:21.

11. Rameses; the capital of Goshen, about half way from blessingswe enjoy and hope for, it is as needful to use all
the Nile to the Red sea. suitablemeans to obtain these blessings, as it would be if
21. Removed them to cities; where the food was stored, success depended solely on our efforts. Compare Acts
for the greater convenience of supplying them. 28:22-25, 30-32, 44.
22. Priest.^; the priests of Egypt were a very powerful 9. The longest life is but a journey through this world
and influential body, and enjoyed many privileges above to another and as character is the chief thing, our great
;

the common people. concern should be that it may be such as shall render us
23. Sow the land; as the seven years of famine were most useful and fit us for heaven.
now drawing to a close. 20. ilen will cheerfully give up their property to save
26. The fifth part ; this is supposed to have been the the life of the body and yet, for the sake of property,
;

tax which they paid for the use of the land and the sup- they will sacrifice the life of their souls. 1 Tim. 6:9, 10;
port of tlie government. Jas. 5:3.
30. r/(C(r 6t/)i/!ng-/)/ace; chap. 23:20; 25:9. This Jacob 25. To be ungrateful to one who has saved our life,
did, not merely becau.se he wished to be buried by the would be base how much more so not to be grateful to
;

side of his fathers, but also as an expression of his faith Him who, by suffering and doath for us, has opened a way
in the promise of God that his posterity should inherit to save the undying soul.
that land. 30. The pious at death wish to have such disposal made
31. Tlie bed'shead; in Heb. 11:21, the Septuagint, or of their bodies as shall be most useful to survivors, and,
Greek translation, is followed: worshipped, leaning upon if consistent, to have them laid with the bodies of pious
the top of his staff. ancestors that at the trump of the archangel they may
;

rise and ascend together, and complete in body and soul,


INSTRUCTIONS. be ever with the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:51-55; 1 Thess. 4:1G,
4. Notwithstanding our dependence on God for all the 17.
72
SicJcness of Jacob. GENESIS XLVIII. Josp'ph visiteth him.

1 Joseph with his sons visiteth his sick father. 2 Jacob strengtheneth
himself to bless them. 3 He repeateth the promise. 5 He taketh
Ephraim and Manasseh as his o\\-ii. 7 He telleth Joseph of his mother's
grave. 9 He blesseth Ephraim and Manasseh. 17 He preferreth the
younger before the elder. 21 He propliesieth their return to Canaan.

AND it came to pass after these things, tliat one


told Joseph, Behold, thy father w sick and he :

took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.


2 And one told Jacob, and .'^aid, LJcliold, thy son
Joseph Cometh unto thee : and Israel strengthened
himself, and sat upon the bed.
3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty
appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan,"
and blessed me,
4 And said unto me. Behold, I will make thee
fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee
a multitude of people and will give this land to
;

thy seed after thee ybr an everlasting possession.''


5 1 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Ma-
nasseh," wliich were born unto thee in the land of
Egypt, before I came unto tliee into Egypt, are
mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after
them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the
name of their brethren in their inheritance.'^
7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Ra-
cliel died by mo in the land of Canaan in the
Avay, when yet there urns but a little way to come
unto Eplirath:'' and I buried her tliere in the way
of Ephrath the same is Beth-lehcm.
;

8 And Israel bclield Joseph's sons, and said,


Who are these?
9 And Joseph said unto his father. They are my
sons, whom God hath given me in this place.'
And he said. Bring them, I pray thee, unto me,
and I will bless them.!^
10 Now were dim' for age, so
the eyes of Israel
that he could not see. And
he brought them near
unto him and he kissed them, and embraced them.
;

11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I' had not


tiiought to see thy face:" and lo, God hath show-
ed me also thy seed.'
The sons </ Jacub GENESIS XLIX. receive his blessing.

CHAPTER XLIX. ed as a lion, and as an old lion ;' who shall u ": ^:
1 J&cob calleth his sons to bli 1. '.\ Their blessing in particular. rouse him up?
'jy He ch.\r({elh thill h,s burial. 3;j He dlelh. 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah,"'
A ND Jacob called unto liis sons," and said, nor a lawgiver" from between his feet," until Shi-
J. VGather yoiir,<elve.s togetlier, tliat I may tell loh come;'' and unto him sliall the gathering of
you that which i^hall befall you'' in tlie last tJays.' the people be.'^
2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sous 11 Jiinding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's
of Jacob; and liearken unto Israel your father. colt unto the choice vine ;'^ he washed his garments
3 "i l{oiil)en, thou art my first-born, my might, ill wine, and his clotlies in the liiood of grapes
:"

and the beginning of my strength,'' the excellency 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth
of diiiiiity, and the excellency of power: white witli milk.'
4 Unstaiile as water, 'thou slialt not excel; be- 13 1l Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the
cause tliDU wcntest up to thy fatlier's bed;" then sea; and lie shall he for a haven of ships; and his
detilixist tliou it: he went up to my couch.* border shall be unto Zidon."
5 1l Simeon and Levi are brethren;'' instru- 14 ir Issachar is a strong ass couching down be-
ments* of cruelty are in their habitations.'^ tween two burdens:
6 my soul, come not thou into their secret;'' 15 And he saw that rest was good, and the land
unto tiieir assemljly, mine honor, be not thou that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to
united for in their anger they slew a man, and
: bear, and became a servant unto tribute.
in their self-will they digL^ed down a wall.^ l(j 1l Dan shall judge his people as one of the
7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce and ; tribes of Israel.''
their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them 17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder'
in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.' in the path, that biteth the horse's heels, so that
8 [ Judah, tliou art he whom thy brethren shall his rider .shall fall backward.
praise:^ thy hand shall he in the neck of thine 18 1 have waited for thy salvation, Lord.'^
enemies; thy father's children shall bow down 19 [ Gad, a troop shall overcome him but he :

before thee." shall overcome at the last."


9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my 20 1[ Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he
son, thou art gone up he stooped down, he couch-
: shall yield royal dainties.
» Dcut. 33:1, etc. b Num. 24:14; Deut. 4:30. c Isa. 2:2; Jer. Si:30. m Num. 21:17. n Psa. 00:7; isa. 33:22. o Deut. 2rt:57. P Isa. 11:1-5;
•iDeut. 21:17. • Heb. rfo no( I*oa. e ch. 35:22; Deut. 5:21. t Or, my coucA Ezek. 21:27. q John 11:52; 12:32. 'Matt. 21:2. » Isa. 63:1-.). l Cant.
is gone, f ch. 29:33, 51. t Oi, their swords are weapons of violence, g ch. 5:10-16. u Josh. 10:10. v Judg. 13:2, etc. I Hcb. arrowmake. " Psa.
ai;35-29. k Psa.. 28:9; Pror. 1:15, 16. i Oi. houghed oxen. Josh. 21:3. 40:1 ; Isa. 25:9; 26:S. i 1 Chr. 5:18.
i ch. 29:.35; P.si. 7li:l. t 1 Chr. 5:2; Rev. 3:9. 1 Num. 23:24; Rev. 5:5.

15. However much we may have of this world, and rible to other beasts, so the tribe of Judah would govern
however many may minister to our wants, our daily bread the other tribes, and be a terror to their foes.
comes from God, and he is the giver of all the common as 10. The sceptre; an emblem of power and autliority.
well as special mercies of life. Shiloh ; the Messiah, Prince of peace, sent as a Saviour.
21. Strong confidence in the promises of God, and good Isa. 7:14; 9:6, 7; 11:1-10; Jer. 23:5, 6; Dan. 9:25-27;
hope tlirougli grace that when absent from the body we Matt. 1 21-23.
: To him ; to Shiloh. The gathering of the
shall be present with the Lord, and that he will be the people; or, the obedience of the people. See Deut. 18:18,
God of our children and children's children to coming 19. They shall accept him as their King, and he shall
generations, gives peace and joy in death. reign over them.

CHAPTER XLIX. 12. Red with wine —


white with milk; his posterity would
have a very fruitful country, and an abundance of the good
3. —
Excellency nf dignity, and of power ; as the first-bom, things of life.
the blessings of the birthright belonged to Reuben, but 13. The haven of the sea; or, the shore of the sea. The
on account of his sin it was taken from him. possessions of Zebulun extended from the sea of Chin-
4. Unstable as water ; easily overcome by temptation, and nereth, afterwards called the sea of Galilee, on the east,
rushing headlong into iniquity. Shalt not excel; neither he to the Mediterranean on the west. Zidon; or Sidon, a
nor his posterity would ever be distinguished. Chap. 35 22. : very ancient city on the Mediterranean, north of the more
5. Are brethren; not merely descended from the same modern city of Tyre.
parents, but alike in cruelty of disposition. Instruments 14. 15. Issachar; the territory of Issachar lay south of
of cruelty; he refers to their destruction of the Shechem- Zebulun, and included the noble and fertile plain of Esdra-
ites, chap. 3i 25-29. :
elon. —
Strong ass bmred his shoulder to bear; his poster-
6. Come not thou; in this verse Jacob expresses his ity would be distinguished for their ability and readiness
deep abhorrence of their crimes. to labor, for their quiet, patient, and industrious habits,
7. / tcill divide them ; this was a prophecy from God, and their preferring to hve at home rather than engage in
that their posterity would be scattered among the other wars or public affairs.
tribes. The Simeouites never attained to distinction IG. Judge his people; in aUusion to the fneaning of the
among the tribes of Israel. They had their portion with- word Dan, that is, one who judges. From the tribe of
in the inheritance of Judah, Josh. 19:1; and seem to have Dan came Samson. Judg. 15:7-20; 16:27-31.
been gradually absorbed and lost in that powerful tribe. 17. A serpent —an adder; they would overcome their en-
The Levites, as is well known, received no separate in- emies by subtlety, stratagem, and surprise, rather than by
heritance among the other tribes, but were distributed in courage and open force. Judg. 18:27.
cities throughout the land. 19. Gad ; the possessions of the tribe of Gad lay on the
8. Thy brethren shall praise; there is an allusion here to east of the Jordan, and were peculiarly exposed to tho
the meaning of the word Judah, that is, praise. Chap. assaults of hostile troops. See Deut. 33:20; Judg. 10:8;
29:35. His descendants would be highly distinguished Jer. 49:1; iChron. 5:18-22; 12-8.
and honored by all the other tribes. In the neck; they 20. Fat —
royal dainties ; the inheritance of his posterity
would overcome their enemies. would yield in abundance, not merely the necessaries, but
9. A lion; as the hon is the king of the forest, and ter- also the luxuries of life.
14
:

Jacob's bkssings and death. GENESIS L. The mourning for Jacob.

i^JMlJ- 21 INaplitali is a bind 30 In the cave that is in the field of Machpe-


let loose: be
givetb goodly words. lah,° which is before Mamre in the land of Ca-
22 1 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful naan, which Abraham bought with the field of
bough by a well; whose branches* run over the Ephron the Hittite, for a possession of a burying-
wall: place.
23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his
shot at him, and hated him:" wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his
2-t But his bow abode in strength,'' and the arms wife and there I buried Leah. ;

of his hands were made sti'ong by the hands of 32 The purchase of tiie field and of the cave
the mighty God of Jacob ;'^ (from thence is the that is therein was from the children of Heth.
shepherd,'' the stone of Israel ;)•= 33 And when Jacob had made an end of com-
25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall manding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the
help thee
;''
and by the Almighty, who shall bless bed, and yielded up the ghost," and was gathered
thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of unto his people."
the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts
and of the womb CHAPTER L.
26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed 1 The mourning for Jacob. 4 Joseph getteth leave of Pharaoh to go
above the blessings of my progenitors'' unto the to bury him. 7 The fimeral. 15 Joseph comforteth his brethren,
utmost bound of the everlasting hills:" they shall who craved his pardon. 22 His ape. 2.3 He seeth the third genera-
tion of his sons. 24 He prophesieth unto his brethren of their return.
be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the 2-5 He taketh an oath of them for his bones. 26 He dieth, and is
head of him that was separate from his brethren.' embalmed.

27 T Benjamin shall raven as a wolf:' in the


morning he shall devour the prey, and at night
AND Joseph
wept upon
fell upon
him, and kissed him.
his father's face, and

he shall divide the spoil." 2 And Joseph commanded his servants the phy-
28 1
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: sicians to embalm his father :« and the physicians
and spake unto them, and
this is it their father embalmed Israel.
blessed them every one according to his bless-
; 3 And forty days were fulfilled for him ; for so
ing he blessed them.' are fulfilled the days of those which are embalm-
29 And he charged them, and said unto them, ed: and the Egyptians mourned* for him three-
I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me score and ten days.''
with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of 4 And when the days of his mourning were past,
Ephron the Hittite,™ Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying.

Heb. daughlers. » ch. 37:4, etc.; 39:20. t" Job 29:20; Psa. 37:14, 15. Rom. 12:6. etc. m
ch. 47:30; 2 Sam. 19:37. » ch. 23:3, etc. ojobl4:10.
c P-i. 1^:32, 34. d ch. 45:10, 11; 50:21. e I=i. 28:16. f Deut. 33:27. 1 ver. 29. 1 ver. 26; 2 Chr. 10:14; Matt. 26:12; Mark 14:8; 16:1; John
SEph. 1:3. liHab.3:(). i Isi. C(i:5. j Judg. 2U:2I, 25. k Ezek. 39:S-10. 12:7. tHeb.roept. r Num. 20:29; Deut. 34:8.

21. A hind let loose; a female deer roaming at large, dis- INSTRCCTIOXS.
tinguished for beauty and fleetness. But some render, 2. We
should desire not only to be useful in life, but in
Naphtali is a slender deer, slender being used in the sense death to inculcate such truth, communicate such instruc-
of graceful. Goodly words ; words graceful and pleasant. and set such an example as
tion, shall be most useful to
He is thus marked as excelling in the gift of speech. Of coming generations.
this the Song of Deborah and Barak, Judges 5, is an ex- 7. We may feel the effects of our sins long after they

ample. have been committed. Even if they have been repented


22. A fruitful bough; he would have a very numerous of and forgiven, we and our posterity may suffer evils in
posterity. consequence of them to the end of time.
24. From tlience ; some refer these words to Joseph, but 10. The fact that the sceptre has long ago departed from
they belong rather to God. We may render the whole the tribe of Judah, who have ceased to govern Israel,
passage thus From thence [even from] the Shepherd, the shows that the Messiah has come, and that the expecta-
:

Stone of Israel from the God of thy father, who helps tion of a future Messiah is vain.
;

thee and from the Almighty, who blesses thee, [shall be]
; 18. The fulfilment of the prophecies uttered by Jacob
blessings of heaven above, etc. on his death-bed shows that he spoke as directed by the
25. Blessings of heaven above; the sunshine, and fertiliz- Holy Ghost. But however highly favored a good man
ing rain and dews. Blessings of the deep; the fertilizing may be on earth, however numerous his blessings or those
springs and streams. Blessings of the breasts and of the of his posterity, nothing will fully satisfy him but the sal-
womb ; fruitfuhiess in his posterity, and in their flocks and vation of God.
herds. 2G. The measures which men take in opposing God, are
26. Have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors; made the means of fulfilling his designs; -and those which
have exceeded the blessings which my ancestors pro- are adopted to prevent the exaltation and glory of his
nounced on their children. The spirit of prophecy has people, are made the occasion of promoting them.
made to me a fuller revelation of the good things reserv- 33. Men who have finished the work God gave them to
ed for thee. —
Unto the utmost bound everlasting hdls; so do. and are through grace gathered in peace their bodies —
long as they shall endure. But many prefer to render, to the grave and their souls to the assembly of just men
" Unto the precious things of the everlasting hills ;" that made perfect are unspeakably blessed.— Rev. 14:13.
is, my blessing extends so far as to include aU these, and
as long as they endure. Compare Deut. 33:15.
L. CHAPTER
27. Haven as a u-olf; his posterity would be warlike, 2. Embalm; prepare the body with spices, drugs, and

fierce, and cruel. Ju'dg. 19:22-27; 20:14-25. gums, in order to preserve it.
28. Blessed them ; foretold the blessings God would be- 3. Forty days; the time it took to embalm the body.

stow upon them, and what would take place in future Tlireescore and ten; seventy; the forty days in which they
times with regard to their posterity. were embalming him, and thirty besides.
29. In the cave; chap. 47:30; 23:19; 25:9; 35:27, 29. 4. House of Pharaoh; his chief servants or princes.
15
Jacob is huritd in CaTuian. GENESIS L. Joseph diclh and is cmhnln:-

I f now 1 liave found pracc in your eyes, speak, I was dead, they said, Josepli -will rtS":
father
pray you, peradventurc hate us, and will certainly requite
in tlio oars of I'liaraoh, sayinfr,
My
f) lather made
inc swear." Haying, Lo, I die: us all the evil which we did unto him."
in my grave wliieli I iiave digged for mo in the If) And they sent* a messenger unto Joseph, say-

laud "of Canaan, tlierc shall tiiou bury nie.'' Now ing. Thy father did command before he died, saying.
therefore let nio go up, 1 iiray thee, and bury uiy 17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray
father, and I will eonie again. thee now, the trespass of thy lirethren, and their
t) And Pharaoh said, Go np, and bury thy sin; for they did unto thee evil and now, we :

father, aocording as he made thee swear. pray thee, forgive the tres]iass of the servants of
7 1l And Josepii went up to bury his father and the God of thy father.'' : And Josepli wept when
witli liim wont up all the servants of Pharaoh, they spake unto him.
the elders of his house, and all the elders of the 18 And his brethren also went and fell down
laud of Egypt, before his face; and they said. Behold, we be thy
8 And all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, servants.
and his father's house: only their little ones, and 19 And Josepli said unto them. Fear not: for
their flocks, and tiieir herds, they left iu the land am I in the place of God?'
of Goshen.'^ 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me;'
9 And there wont tip witli liim both ehariots hut God meant it unto good,'' to bring to pass, as
and horsemen and it was a very great company. it is this day, to save much people alive.
:

10 And they came to the threshing-floor of Atad, 21 Now therefore fear ye not I will nourish :

which is beyond Jordan; and there they mourned you, and your little ones.' And he comforted
with a great and very sore lamentation and he them, and spake:kindly unto them.*
made a mourning for his father seven days.'' 22 M And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his
11 And when the inhal)itants of the land, the father's house and Joseph lived a hundred and :

Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of ten years.


Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to 23 And Josepli saw Ephraim's children of the
the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was third generation:"' the children also of Macliir the
called Abel-mizraim," which is beyond Jordan. son of Manasseh" were brought up* upon Joseph's
12 And his sons did unto him according as he knees.
commanded them:'' 24 And Josepli said unto his brethren, I die;
13 For his sons carried him into the land of and God will surely visit you," and bring you out
Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of this land unto the land which he sware to
of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
field for a possession of a burying-place of Eph- 25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of
ron the Hittite, before Mamre.' Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye
14 ^ And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and shall carry up my bones from hence."
Lis brethren, and all that went up with him to 26 So Joseph died, being a hundred and ten
bury his father, after he had buried his father. years old and they embalmed him, and he was :

15 If And when Joseph's bi'cthren saw that their put in a coffin in Egypt.
' Cb. 47;29. b Isl. 22:10; Matt. 27:60. c Exod. 10:9, 26. i Deut. 34:8; Luke
1 .«im. :)I:13; 2Sam. 1:17; Job 2:13; Acts &:2. • That is. The mourning
of IK: Egyptians, ech. 49:29. fch. 23:16. s ch. 27:41 Lev. 26:.30; Job
;

1.5:21: Prov. 2^:1. f Uib. charged, b Prov. 28:13; Matt. 6:12, 14; 18:3j;

5. / have digged ; it was common for men to prepare


their burial-place long bsfore their death, and Jacob is
supposed to have prepared his in the cave of Machpelah,
before he left Canaan.
All the servants of Pharaoh; the elders ; his principal
7.
men ; a great company. Ver. 9.
10. Beijond Jordan; on the west side; Moses having
written this on the east of Jordan.
11. Abel-mizraim; mourning of the Egyjitians.
17. The trespass of thy brethren; in selling Josepli into
Egypt. Chap. 37:28.
18. Fell down ; .chap. 37 7, 10. :

19. Am
I in the place of God ? it was not his business to
punish them ; that belonged to God. Rom. 12:19; Heb.
10:30.
20. Ye thought evil; in intending that Joseph should live
and die a slave, and that his father should think that he
had been torn in pieces. God meant it vMo good; that he
should be greatly exalted, and be the means of saving his
father, his brethren, and multitudes of others from death,
and of illustrating to all future generations the wonderful
providence of a wonder-working God.
24. Hesware; chap. 15:14; 46:4; 48:21.
: ; ;

THE SECOND BOOK OF MOSES,


CALLED

EXODUS.
Exodus is a Greek word signifying departure, given as a name to this book because it records the
departure of Israel from Egypt under Moses, of whose birth, education, and early history a brief narrative
is given. After the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt, Moses leads the people to Sinai. Here
God by a voice from heaven proclaims the ten commandments, and adds, through the mediatorship of
Moses, a brief code of laws. The remainder of the book is mainly occupied with an account of the struc-
ture of the tabernacle and its furniture. Into the general course of the narrative are interwoven some
interesting historical incidents ;
as the establishment of the passover, the assault of Amalek upon Israel,
the sin of the golden calf, etc.

kl^: CHAPTER I. enemies, and fight against us, and so get them np
out of the land.
1 The children of Israel, after Joseph's death, do multiply. 8 The more
they are oppressed by a new king, the more they multiply. 1-5 The
11 Therefore they did set over them taskmas-
godliness of the midwives, in saving the men-children alive. 22 Pha- ters, to afflict them with their burdens." And
raoh commandeth the male children to be cast into the river.
they built for Pharaoh treasure-cities, Pithom
NOW the names of the children of
tliese are
came into Egypt
Israel, whicli every man ;'^
and Raamses."*
12 But the more they afflicted them, the more
and liis household came with Jacolj. they multiplied and grew.* And they were grieved
2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, because of the children of Israel.
3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 13 And the Egyptians made the children of
4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Ashcr. Israel to serve with rigor
5 And all the souls that came out of the loins* 14 And they made their lives bitter with hanl
of Jacob were seventy souls for Joseph was in
i** bondage,' in mortar, and in brick, and in all
Egypt already. manner of service in the field :^ all their service,
6 And Joseph died,'= and all his brethren, and wherein they made them serve, was with rigor.''
all thatgeneration. 15 1 And the king of Egypt spake to tlie He-
7 IT And
the children of Israel were fruitful, brew midwives, of which the name of the one
and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and was Shiphrah, and tlie name of the other Puah
waxed exceeding mighty;'' and the land was fill- 16 And he said. When ye do the office of a mid-
ed with them. wife to the Hebrew women, and see i/iem upon
8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, the stools, if it be a son, then ye shall kill him
which knew not Joseph." but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the 17 But the midwives feared God,' and did not
people of the children of Israel are more and as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved
mightier than we: the men-children alive.
10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them,^ lest 18 And the king of Egypt called for the mid-
they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when wives, and said unto them. Why have ye done
there falleth out any war, they join also unto our this thing, and have saved the men-children alive?

« Gen. 46:8. •Keh.lhigh. b Deut. 10:23. <: Gen. 50:90. d Gen. 46:3; Ikey multiplied. ch. 2:23; G:9; Num. 20:15; Ruth 1:20; Acts 7:19, 34.
Deut. 20:5; Psa. 105:-24. e Eccl. 2:19; Acts 7:18. ' Psa. 83:.3, 4; Prov. iPsa. 6l:G; Nih. 3:14. " Lev. 25:43: Isa. 5S:6; Jer. 50:33. 1 Neh. 5:15;
1:11; 21:30; Acts 23:12; 1 Cor. 3:19; Jas.3:15. f ch. 3:7: Gen. 15:13; Prov. 16:6; Ban. 3:18; 6:13; Acts 5:29.
Deut. 26:6; Psa. 81:6. h Gen. 47:11. t Heb. Andas they afflicted them, so

CHAPTER I. places for the keeping of military or other


cities; fortified
5. Seventy souls; including Jacob himself, Joseph, and stores. Pithom and Raamses; cities in the north-east part
his two sous. (Jen. 46:27. of Egypt, in or near Goshen. Gen. 45:10; 47:11.
8. Knenv not Joseph; was ignorant of his eminent ser- 13. With riffor; with great crueltj-.
vices. Probably he belonged to a new dynasty. 16. See them upon the stools; the Hebrew may be ren-
10. Deal visely; cunningly, in such a manner as to di- dered, ye shall look upon the stones." The reference is
'•

minisli their number and power. supposed by some to be to a basin of stone, with a stone
11. Burdens; exactions of labor and money. Treasure- lid, used to wash the new-born infant.

n
:

Moses is born, and EXODrS II. Jltcih into MUlian.

19 Andthe inidwivcs said unto Pharaoh, Be- And Pharaoh's daughter said to her,
8 » *'•
fJ??;

cause tlie Hebrew wonien are not as the Ejryptian Go. And the maid went and called the child's
\ronien for they arc lively, and arc delivered ere
; mother.
the iniilwives come in unto them." And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take
'.)

20 Therefore God dealt well with the mid- this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will
wives:'' and the people multiplied, and waxed give thee thy wages." And the woman took the
Tcry miiihty. ciiild, and nursed it.

21 An(l it came to pass, because the midwives 10 And tiie child grew, and she brought him
feared God, that he made tliem houses."-" unto Pharaoh's daugliter, and he became her son.
22 And Pharaoli charged all his people, saying, And she called his name Moses:' and she said,
Every son that is born ye shall cast into the Because I drew him out of the water.
river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. 11 1 And it came to pass in those days, when
Moses was grown, tluit he went out unto his
brctiiren, and looked on their burdens:'' and he
CHAPTER II.
spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his
1 Moses IS born, 3 and in an ark cast into the flags. .O He is fountl, bretiircn.
anJ broujjht up by Pharaoh's Jau^jliter. 11 He slayeth an Ejn'ptian.
13 He reproveth a Hebrew. IC) He fleeth into Midian. 21 He mar- 12 And he looked tliis way and that way. and
rieth Zipporah. 22 Gershom is born. 23 God respecteth the Israel- wlicn he saw tiiat there was no man, he slew the
ites' cry.
Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
AND
and
there went a man of the house of Levi,
took to wife a daughter of Levi.''
K) And when he went out the second day, be-
hobl, two men of the Hebrews strove together:
2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and he said to him that did the wrong. Where-
and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, fore smitest thou thy fellow?
she hid him three months.'' 14 And he said, Who made thee a prince* and
3 And when she could not longer hide him, she a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as
took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared,
slime and with pitch, and put the child tliercin; and said. Surely this thing is known.
and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, ho
4 And his sister stood afar oif, to wit what souglit to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the
would be done to him. face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian
5 1 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down and he sat down by a well.
to wash herself at tlie river; and her maidens 1(> Now the priest' of Midian had seven daugh-

walked along by the river's side: and when she ters: and they came and drew water, and filled
saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid the troughs to water their father's flock.'
to fetch it. 17 And the shepherds came and drove them
6 And when she had opened it, she saw the away but Moses stood up and helped them, and
:

child and behold, the babe wept.


: And she had watered their flock.
compassion on him,'' and said, This is one of the 18 And when they came to Roucl^ their father,
Hebrews' children. he said. How is it that ye are come so soon to-day?
7 Tiien said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, 19 And they said. An Egyptian delivered us
Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew out of the hand of the sheplierds, and also drew
women, that she may nurse the child for thee? wafer enough for us, and watered the flock.

a Josh. 2:4; 2 Sam. 17:19. b Pror. 11:18; Eccl. 8:12; Isa. 3:10; Heb. is, Drawn out. h ch. 1:11; 3:7; 5:9-14; Isa. 58;G; Luke 4:18; Acts 7:23.
C:IO. c 1 Sam. a:.^; 2 Sam. 7:11; 1 King.3 2:24; Psa. 127:1. d ch. 6:20. 24; Heb. 11:24-26. t Heb. a man. a prince. 1 Or, prince.
I
Gen. 21:11 ;

• Acts 7:21; Heb. 11:23. f Neh. 1: 11 ; P.sa. 10S:16. sPsa.27;10. 'That 29:10; 1 Sam. 9:11. ! Called also /t/Aro, or JelAer; Num. 10:29.

20. God midwives; blessed them be-


dealt well with the children, Miriam and Aaron, when Moses was born. Ver.
cause would not obey the command of Pharaoh.
tliey 4; 6:20; 7:7.
21. Made them houses; increased and prospered their 2. Goo(Wi/ c/(;W,- beautiful, well-favored. Acts 7:20.
families. 3. Slime and —
pitch; to keep out the water. River's
INSTRUCTIONS. brink; the border of the river Nile.
6. No
excellence of character, and no degree of author- 10. Became her son; was adopted as her son. Biases;
ity, influence, or usefulness among men can keep off death. originally an Egyptian word, meaning saved from the wa-
It becomes all, therefore, to prepare for it, by setting their ter but, by a
; slight change, made to signify in Hebrew
affections on things above, and laying up treasure, not on drawn out.
earth, but in heaven. 11. Was grown; had arrived to years of maturity. He
10. Tyrants often pretend that their unrighteous de- was forty years old ; was " learned in all the wisdom of
crees are needful to the welfare of the state. Were this the Egyptians," and was " mighty in words and in deeds."
true it would not excuse them, for the end does not jus- Acts 7:22, 23.
tify the means. But it is not true the permanent good ; 12.Slew the Egyptian; Moses may have received from
of individuals or communities is never promoted by doing God an intimation that he should deliver Israel, Acts
wrong. 7 25
: but his present attempt was unauthorized and pre-
;

11. The providences of God often alarm men and to ; mature.


prevent evils, real or imaginary, and obtain good, they 15. Midian; a country south and south-east of Canaan,
frame and execute wicked devices. and near the Red sea.
Ifi. Priest of Midian; the Hebrew word for priest sig-
CHAPTER II. nifies also prince. Gen. 41:45.
1.There went ; had gone. Amram the father of Moses 18. Reuel; probably the same as Jethro; or, as some
had been married a number of years, and had at least two think, the father of Jethro. Chap. 3: 1 Num. 10: 29.
;

78
'

God appcardh to Moses. EXODUS III. His mcssase unto Israel

B.c'iMi'' 20 And lie said unto his dauirhters, And 7 1 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the
where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? affliction of my people which are in Egypt,"" and
call him, that he may eat bread." have heard their cry by reason of their taskmas-
21 And Moses was content to dwell with the ters;" for I know their sorrows;"
man :'' and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.'' 8 And I am come down to deliver them out of
22 And she bare him a son, and he called his the hand of the Egyptians,'' and to bring them up
name Gershom ;* for he said, I have been a stran- out of that land unto a good land and a large,''
ger in a strange land. unto a land flowing with milk and honey;' unto
23 If And it came to pass in process of time, the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and
that the king of Egypt died and the children of
: the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites,
Israel sighed by reason of the bondage,'' and they and the Jebusites.
cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason 9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children
of the bondage.'^ of Israel is come unto me and I have also seen
:

24 And God heard their groaning, and God the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress
remembered his covenant with Abraham, with them.
Isaac, and with Jacob.' 10 Come now, therefore, and I will send thee
25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, unto Pharaoh," that thou mayest bring forth my
and God had* respect unto t/mn. people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
11 IT And Moses said unto God, Who am I,
that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should
CHAPTER III. bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt ?
1 Moses keepeth Jethro's flock. 2 God nppeareth to him in a burning 12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee;"
bush. 9 He sendeth him to deliver Israel. 14 The name of God. and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have
15 His message to Israel.
sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the
NOW Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-
Midian and he led the
in-law, the priest of :
people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this
mountain.
flock to the backside of the desert, and came to 13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I
the mountain of God, even to Horeb.^ come unto the children of Israel, and shall say
2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me
in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush ^ and ; unto you ; and they shall say to me. What is his
he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, name ? what shall I say unto them ?
and the bush was not consumed. 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT
I
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the
see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. children of Israel, I AM
hath sent me unto you."
4 And when the Lord saw that ho turned aside 15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus
to see, God called unto him out of the midst of shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The
the bush, and said, Moses, Moses: and he said, Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham,
Here am I.' the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent
5 And he said. Draw not nigh hither: put off me unto you this is my name for ever, and this
:

thy shoes from off thy feet for the place whereon
; is my memorial unto all generations.^
thou standest is holy ground.^ 16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together,
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, ap-
God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face for he ; peared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you,
was afraid to look upon God.' and seen that which is done to you in Egypt :="

a ijen. Jl:04.
,31:54.b
o Phil,
mil. 4:11.
l:ll. »; 18:2
ch. lo;'.i.
» eft. That A
a
iftaL is, stranger nere.
here. 18:36; Matt. 22:32. '

d Num. 20:10; Deut. 26:7: Psa. 12:5. e ch. 3:9; " - "
- 22:23, 27; Gen. 18:20
18:20;
Deut. 24:15; Isa. 6:7. f Gen. 15:14; 46:4; Luke 1:72-74. t Heb. knew
e ch. 1S:5; 1 Kings 19:8. I> Deut. 33:16; Isa. 63:9; Acts 7:30. i Gen
22:1, 11; 46:2. j oh. 19:12; Josh. 5:15; Eccl. 5:1. k Gen. 23:13; 1 King:

Gershom ; meaning, a stranger there.


22.
His covenant; Gen. 15:14; 46:4.
24.
Had respect; viewed them with compassion, and with
25.
the purpose to deliver them.

INSTRUCTIONS.
15. The efforts of men to perpetuate oppression may
prepare the way for the deUverance of the oppressed.
22. God has a work for each one of his people; and he
bestows upon them such mercies, and leads them through
such trials as are best suited to fit tliem to perform it.
24. The measures which men adopt to thwart the pur-
poses of God or the good of his people, are often made
the means of fulfilling them.

CHAPTER III.
Jethro; chap. 2:18. Horeb; a moimtain in
1. Arabia be-
tween the two arms of the Red sea.
Mosei rod bcto-'nes a serjkiil. Kxours IV He is loiUli to he sent.

17 And I have saiil, I will brinp: you up out of


the afllictiou of Kjrypt unto llio land of the Canaaii-
ites, and ami the Aniorites, and tlic
tiic llittitcs.
Perizziles, and the and the Jehusites,
iliviti's.
unto a land llowinir with milk and honey."
18 And liicy ^^hall hearken to thy voieo: and
thou Avdlt eonie. thou and the elders of Israel,
unto the kinjr of Kgypt, and ye shall say unto
hiui,The Loud God of the Hebrews hath met witii
us:''and now let us go, we bcseceh thee, three
days' Journey into the wilderness, that wc may
saerihce to tiic Lord our God.
19 And I am sure that the kiuff of Egypt will
1i

not let you go,*" no, not by a niigiity hand.'


20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite
Egypt with all my wonders whieii 1 will do in the
midst thereof:'' and after tiiat he will let you go.'
21 And I will give this people favor in the sight
of the Egyptians and it shall come to pass, that,
:''

when ye go, ye shall not go empty :

22 But every woman shall borrow of her neigh-


bor, and of her tiiat sojournelh in her house, jew*-
elsof silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:'-' and
ye shall put t/wm upon your sons, and upon your
daughters:'' and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.*

CHAPTER IV.
1 Moses' rod is turned into a serpent. 6 His hand is leprous. 10 He
is loath to be sent. !! Aaron is appointed to assist lum. IS Moses
departcth from Jetliro. 21 God's message to Pharaoh. 2-1 Zipporah
circumciseth her son. 27 Aaron is sent to meet Moses. 31 The
people believeth them.

AND Moses answei-ed and said, But behold,


they will not believe me, nor hearken unto
my voice for they will say, The Lord hath not
:

appeared unto thee.


2 And the Lord said unto him, What is that in
thy hand ? And he said, rod. A
3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he
J Gen. 15
Moses returns to Egypt. EXODUS V. 77(6 people receive him.

ii:l\S 14 And
the anger of tlie Lord was kin-
dled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the
Levito thy brother? I know tliat he can speak
well. And also, behold, he comoth fortJi to meet
thee and when, he seeth thee, he will be glad in
:

his heart.''
15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words
inhis mouth:'' andIwillbewithtiiymoutli,andwith
his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.
16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the
people and he shall be, even he shall be to thee
:

instead of a mouth, and thou siialt be to him in-


stead of God."=
17 And thou shalt take this rod in thy hand,""
wherewith thou shalt do signs.
18 1 And Moses went and returned to Jethro*
his father-in-law,and said unto him. Let me go, I
pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are
in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive.
And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
19 Andthe Lord said unto Moses in Midian,
Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead
which sought thy life.''
20 And Moses took his wife and his sous, and set
them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of
Egypt and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.'
:

21 And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou


goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all
those wonders before Pharaoli whicli I have put
in thy hand :'' but I will harden his heart, that he
shall not let the people go.''
22 ^Vud thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith
the Lord, Israel is my son, even my first-born :'
23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he

«Ver
:

Pharaoh rejects Moses. EXODUS VI. The people are oppressed.

2 And Pliaraoh saiJ. Who wcro beaten, and demanded. Wherefore *i. ":"!.?:
is tlic Lord, that I
should obey liis voice to let Israel pro?" I know have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick
not the JjoisD, neither will I let Israel go. both yesterday and to-day, as heretofore?
3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath 15 1 Then the officers of the children of Israel
met with us":" let us go, we pray thee, three days' came and cried unto IMiaraoh, saying, Wherefore
journey into the desert, and sacriiice unto the dealest thou thus with thy servants?
Lord our Cfod lest he fall upon us with pcsti-
; IG There is no straw given unto thy servants,
lenee, i)r witli the sword." and they say to us. Make brick: and behold, thy
4 And tlie king of Egypt said unto them, Wherc- servants are beaten but tiie fault is in thine own ;

fire do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from peo])le.
tlieir works? get you unto your burdens. 17 But he said, Yc are idle, 1/p arc idle; therefore
5 And riiaraoh said. Behold, the people of the ye say. Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.
land now are many, and yc make them rest from 18 Go tiierefore now, and work; for there shall
their burdens. no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the
6 And Pliaraoh commanded the same day the tale of bricks.
taskmasters of the people, and their officers, 19 And the officers of the children of Israel did
saying, sec t/iat they were in evil case' after it was said.
7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to Ye shall not minish aug/U from your bricks of
make brick, as heretofore let them go and gather your daily task.
:

straw for themselves. 20 1i And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood
8 And the tale of the bricks which they did in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh
make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them ye shall 21 And they said unto them. The Lord look
;

not diminish aus:ht thereof:'' for they be idle; upon you, and judge; because ye have made our
therefore they cry, saying. Let us go and sacrifice savor to be abhorred* in the eyes of Pharaoh, and
to our God. in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their
9 Let there more work be laid upon the men,* hand to slay us.*-'
that they may labor therein; and let them not 22 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said.
regard vain words."' Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil-entreated this
10 11 And the taskmasters of the people went people? why is it that thou hast sent me?''
out, and their officers, and they spake to the peo- 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy
ple, saying. Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give name, he hath done evil to this people neither ;

you straw. hast thou delivered^ thy people at all.


11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it:
yet not aught of your work shall be diminished.
12 8o the people were scattered abroad through-
VI. CHAPTER
1 God renewcth his promise by his name JEHOVAH. 14 The geneal-
out all the land of Egypt to gather stubble in- ogy of Reuben, 10 of Simeon, 16 of Levi, of whom came Moses and
stead of straw. Aaron.

13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, THEN the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt
thou see what will do to Pharaoh:' for
Fulfil your works, your daily tasks,* as when there I
was straw. with a strong hand shall he let them go,J and
14 And the officers of the children of Israel, with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his
which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, land.''

a 2 Kings 1S:35; Job 21:15; Psi. 12:4. l>ch.3;18. c Deut. 23:21 Ezek. ; 1 Heb. to stink. S Gen. 34:30; 1 Sam. 13:4; 27:12; 2 Sam. 10:6; 1 Chr.
f.ll "11^51.106:41. ' Heh. Let the work be lifctvi/ upon the men. e 2 Kings 19-6. h Jer. 20:7; Hab. 2:3. % Heb- delivering thou hast not delivered.
15:20. ^Keh. a matter of a day in his day. fDeut.32:3S; Eccl.4:l; 5:S i 2 Chr. 20:17; l's3. 12:5. )Psa.S9:13. tch.U:!.

iugs,which were as unreasonable towards Jehovah as


CHAPTER V. those of the Israelitish officers were towards him; and
much more inexcusable, as he had been expressly fore-
3. Tlie desert; the desert of Shur, lying between Egypt
warned that Pharaoh would for a time resist his efiforts.
and Canaan. Fall upon us with pestilence ; punish us with
Chap. 3:19,20.
death for neglecting to obey his command.
INSTRUCTIONS.
4. Let the people; hinder their working.
6. Taskmasters ; Egyptians appointed to exact of the Is- 2. The commands of God are reasonable and binding
raelites the required labor. Officers; Israelites appointed on all who know them. If men do not obey them, it is
to execute the directions of the taskmasters. Ver. 14-10. because they have no disposition to obey.
7. Straw ; to be mixed with the clay, to make the bricks 8. Wicked men often imagine that the friends of Jeho-

more firm and durable. They were not burned, but dried vah have no real regard for him that their professions
;

in the sun. are mere pretence, and that if they were not hypocritical,
8. The tale of tlie bricks; the fuU amount which was re- selfish, and idle, they would not wish to spend time in
quired. worshipping him.
Vain words; false pretences, about being required by
9. 23. Good men in pursuing a good object in the right
God to go and worship. way, if not immediately successful, are liable to become
21. Judge; judge you for the evil you have brought discouraged, and to complain not merely of men, but also
upon us, in occasioning an increase of our burdens. Blade of God.
our savor to be abhorred; made us odious to Pharaoh and
his people, and thus disposed them to deal more cruelly
CHAPTER VI.
with us. Put a sword in their liarul; giving them a pretext Strong hand; under the judgments of God, Pharaoh
1.

for killing us. would not only consent, but be very urgent to have them
22. Returned unto the Lord; expressed to him his feel-
:

God reneweth his promise. EXODUS VI. The descent of Moses and Aaron.

v.c:mt 2 And God spake unto Moses, and said of Israel,' and unto Pharaoli king of Egypt, to
unto him, I am the Lord:* bring tlie children of Israel out of the land of
3 And I appeared unto Abraliam, unto Isaac, Egypt.
and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty," 14 IT These he the heads of their fathers' houses
but by my name JEHOVAH
was I not known to The sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel Ha- ;

tlicm> noch, and Pallu, Hczron, and Carmi :"" these be the
4 And I haye also established my covenant with families of Reuben.
them, to give them tlie land of Canaan, the land 15 And the sons of Simeon Jemuel, and Jamin, ;

of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers/ and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the
5 And I have also heard the groaning of tlie son of a Canaanitish woman:" these are the fam-
children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in ilies of Simeon.
bondage J* and I have remembered my covenant." 16 IT And these are the names of the sons of
6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I Levi according to their generations Gershon, ;

am the Lord, and I will liring you out from un- and Kohath, and Merari:" and the years of the
der the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid life of Levi u-ere a hundred thirty and seven years.
you out of their bondage,' and I will redeem you 17 The sons of Gershon Libni, and Shimi, ac-;

with a stretched-out arm, and wath great judg- cording to their families.
ments:' 18 And the sons of Kohath Amram, and Izhar, ;

7 And I will take you to me and Hebron, and Uzziel ^ and the years of the life
for a people, and I :

will be to you a God and ye shall know that I of Kohath were a hundred thirty and three years.
:

am the Lord your God, wliich bringeth you out 19 And the sons of Merari; Mahali andMushi:
from under the burdens of the Egyptians.'' these are the families of Levi according to their
8 And I will bring you in unto the laud, con- generations.
cerning the wliich I did swear + to give it to Abra- 20 And Amram took him Jochebed his father's
ham, to Isaac, and to Jacob and I will give it sister to wife and she bare him Aaron and Moses
; ;

you for a heritage I am the Lord.


: and the years of the life of Amram were a hun-
9 And Moses spake so unto the children of dred and thirty and seven years.
Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for 21 IT And the sons of Izhar; Korali, and Nc-
anguish' of spirit, and for cruel bondage.' pheg, and Zichri."
10 T And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 22 And the sons of Uzziel Mishael, and Elza- ;

11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, phan, and Zithri.''


that he let the children of Israel go out of his 23 And Aaron took him Elishcba, daughter of
land. Amminadab, sister of Naaslion, to wife;^ and she
12 And Moses spake before the Lord, saying. bare him Nadab and Abiliu, Eleazar and Ithamar.'
Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened 24 And the sons of Korah Assir, and Elkanah, ;

unto me ;' how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Kor-
am of uncircumcised lips?" hites.
13 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto 25 And Eleazar, Aaron's son, took him one of
Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children the daughters of Putiel to wife; Tind she bare
•Or.jEHOVAH. a Gen. 17:1; 33:11; 48;3. b ch. 3:11; Psa. 6B:4; K3:lrt; i ch 5:21. jver. 9. k ver. 30; Lev. 26:41 ; Jer. 9:26; Acts 7:51. 1 Num.
Isa. 4-2:3; John 8:53; Revr. 1:4. t Gen. 17:7. 8. d ch. 2:21; Psa. 106:44. 27:19, 23; Deut. 31:14. " Gen. 46:9. etc.; 1 Chr. S:3. n 1 Chr. 4:24.
e Psa. 103:8. ' Deut. 26:8; Psa. 81:6. s ch. 15:13; Deut. 7:8; 1 Chr. » Num. 3:17; 1 Chr. 6:1. P Num. 213:57. 1 Num. 16:1. r Lev. 10:4.

17:21; Neh.l:10. h Deut.4:2U; 7:6; 2Sam 7:24; Jer. 3l:')3; Hos.l:10; s Ruth 4:19. I 1 Chr. 6:3; 24:1.

Rev. 21:3, 7. t Heb. lift itp my hand. 1 Heb. shortness,

I am the Lord in the Hebrew, I am Jehovah. This


2. ;
8. Ididswear; Gen. 15:18; 26:3; 28:13; 35:12.
is the first time that the declaration, I am Jehovah, occurs 12. Uncircumcised lips ; not eloquent Chap. 4:10.
in the Bible in this naked form. Its meaning is, that the 14-27. The special design of this table is to show the
name is a pledge that he who bears it will fulfil all his descent of Moses and Aaron. It therefore proceeds no
promises. The word Jehovah signifies HE IS, and, like further than Levi, the third son of Jacob, and gives full
the equivalent name, I AM, it denotes the self-existence, details respecting his descendants.
independence, immutability, and infinite fulness of the
INSTRUCTIONS.
divine Being.
3. God Almighty; see Gen. 17:1; 35:11. By my name 1. of help from themselves and from
When men despair
JEHOVAH was I not knoion to them. It had been known creatures, and look to God, he shows both his readiness
from the beginning that God's name was Jehovah, Gen. and his power to do for them what they need.
4:2. Wehave reason to believe that God himself, who 8. Those attributes of God which are implied in the

named man Adam, also named himself Jehovah. But in names that he appropriates to himself in his word, are
his revelations to the patriarchs, God had not appropri- made known to men in his providence. Both by what
ated this name to himself in a peculiar way, as he now he says and by what he does, he shows that he is Je-
did. He had said to them, I am God Almighty I am Jeho- ; hovah.
vah, the God of Abraham, etc. but not simply, I am Jeho-
; 12. Even the best of men are strongly tempted to walk
vah. The name of God comprehends the sum of all his by sight, not by faith and if appearances are against
;

attributes. To manifest God's name to men, is to manifest them, are liable to be discouraged, though all the perfec-
his true character. John 17:6. When it is said that tions of Jehovah are pledged in their behalf.
God keeps believers through his name, the meaning is, 29. The utter insufficiency of men, and their entire de-
that he keeps them through those divine attributes which pendence on God, instead of being a reason why they
his name comprehends. John 17:11. When God says, I should not in all things obey him, are a reason why they
am Jehovah, he means that the fulness of divine perfec- should obey him and in doing his wiU they will find his
;

tions which that name includes, is a sure pledge that he grace to be sufficient for them, and his strength m;r!i'
will redeem all his promises to his covenant people. perfect in their weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 11:34.
83
Mosu and Aaron before Pharaoh. EXODUS VII. Ilis heart is hardened.

him Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before


Pliinclia?:" tlicso are the heads of the fathers cnJ'l 'Ji

of tlie Lovites according to tlioir families. Pharaoh, and it .shall become a serpent.
20 Tiiose (irv that Aaron aiui Moses, to whom 10 1 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pha-
tlic LoiU) said, JJrinij out tlie cliiidren of Israel raoli, and they did so as tiic Lord had commanded :

from tiie land of Efrypt accordinji; to their armies. and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and
-7 These are they which spake to Pharaoli kin;^ before his servants, and it iiecamc a serpent.
of Eirypt,'' to liring out tlie children of Israel from 11 Tiien Pharaoh also called the wise men and
Ejrypt:" tliese are that Mose.s and Aaron. the sorcerers:'' now the magicians of ]']gy]>t, they
28 1 And it came to ])ass on the day when the also did in like manner with their enchantments.
Lord spake unto Moses in the land of Ejrypt, 12 For they cast down every man his rod, and
29 Tiiat tiie Lord spake unto Moses, saying, I they became serpents but Aaron's rod swallowed :

am the Lord speak tiiou unto Pharaoh king of up their i"ods.


:

Eirypt all tiiat I say unto thee.'' 13 And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he
;5U And Moses said before the Lord, Behold, I hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said."
am of uncircumcised lips," and how shall Pharaoh 14 1 And the Lord said unto Moses, I'liaraoh's
licarkeu unto me? heart is hardened:'" he refuseth to let the people
go."
15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo,
CHAPTER VII. hegoeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand
Moses encouraged to go to Pharaoh. 7 His age. 8 His rod is
is
1

turned into a serpent. U


The sorcerers do the like. 13 Pharaoh's
by the river's brink against he come and the rod ;

heart is hardened. 14 God's message to Pharaoh. 19 The river is which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in
turned into blood.
thy hand."
AND
made
the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have
thee a god to Pharaoh ;'' and Aaron
16 And thou shalt say unto him, The Lord God
of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee,!" saying,
thy brother shall be thy prophet. Let my people go, that they may serve me in the
2 Thou shalt speak all tliat I command thee;*' wilderness:'' and behold, hitherto thou wouldest
and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, not hear.
that he send the children of Israel out of his land. 17 Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know
3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and mul- that I am the Lord behold, I will smite with the
:''

tiply my signs and my wonders in the land of rod that is in my hand upon tlie waters which are
Egypt." in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.^
4 But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that 18 And the fish that is in the river shall die,
I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth and the river shall stink ;
and tlie Egyptians shall
mine armies, and my people the cliildren of Israel, loathe to drink of the water of the river.
out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 19 If And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto
5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand
Lord, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams,
and bring out the children of Israel from among upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon
them.' all their pools of water,' that they may become
6 And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord com- blood and that there may be blood throughout
;

manded them, so did they. all the land of Egypt, both in vessels o/" wood, and
7 And Moses was fourscore
years old, and Aaron in vessels of stone.
fourscore and three years old, when they spake 20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord
unto Pharaoh. commanded : and he lifted up the rod, and smote
8 IT And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto the waters that were in the river, in the sight of
Aaron, saying, Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants;' and
9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, all the waters that were in the river were turned
Show a miracle for you:' then thou shalt say unto to blood.

ajosh. 21:33. b ch. 5: 1


; 7; 10. Psa. 77:2Ui Mic. 6: 4. d Jer.
c ch. 3:3:1 ; n Jer. 8:5, Heb. 12:25. » ver
1:7, S, 17; 2;3:2S;2l):-.>; Ezek. 2:6, 7i 3: 11 Matt. 3i:20. e ver. 12. f Psi.
;

^2:6; Johnl0:35. ech.8:29. l>cli.ll:9. i ch. 14:4, 18; Psa. 9:16. j Matt.
12:39; John 2: IS. k Dan. 2:2; 2 Tim. 3:8. 1 ver. 4. » ch. 8:1.'); 10:1, 27.

CHAPTER YII.
1. / made thee a god to Pharaoh thy prophet; as God
liave —
communicates to men his will through prophets, so Aaron
should make known to Pharaoh the messages which Mo-
ses, acting in God's name, should direct him to deliver.
3. Harden Pharaoli's heart ; as a punishment for his sins,

he was given up to Iiardness of heart and blindness of


mind, so that God's dealings with him served only to in-
crease his obduracy and wickedness.
i. That I may lay my hand upon Egypt; this was not

Pharaoh's object in refusing to obey God, but it was God's


object in suffering him to do it.
5. The Egyptians sliall know ; that Jehovah is almighty,
and able to do his pleasure.
84
; ;;

The plague of frogs. EXODUS VIII. The plague of lice.

B.c' i«L 2 1 And the fish that was in the river died ments, and brouglit up frogs upon the land of
and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not Egypt.
drink of the water of the river;" and tliere was 8 It Moses and Aaron,
Tlien Pharaoh called for
blood throughout all the land of Egypt. and Entreat tlio Lord, that he may take
said.
22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their away the frogs from me, and from my people and ;

enchantments :" and Pliaraoh's heart was liardened, I will let tlie people go, that they may do sacrifice
neither did he hearken unto them as the Lord had ; unto the Loud."
said. 9 And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over
23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, me:* when' shall I entreat for thee, and for thy
neither did he set his heart to this also.*" servants, and for thy people, to destroy^ the frogs
24 And all the Egyptians digged round about from thee and thy houses, (hat they may remain
the river for water to drink; for they could not in the river only?
drink of the water of the river. 10 And he said. To-morrow.' And he said, Be
25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the if. according to thy word that thou mayest know
;

Lord had smitten the river. that there is none like unto the Lord our God.''
11 And the frogs shall depart from thee, and
from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from
CHAPTER VIII. thy people they shall remain in the river only.
;

1 Frogs are sent. 8 Pharaoh sueth to Moses, 12 anJ Moses by prayer 12 And Moses and Aaron went out from Pha-
removeth them away. 16 The dust is turned into lice, which the
magicians could not do. 20 Tlie swarms of flies. 2-5 Pharaoh in- raoh; and Moses cried unto the Lord because
clineth to let the people go, 32 but yet is hardened. of the frogs which he had brought against Pha-
AND Lord
Pharaoh, and
tlie spake unto Moses, Go unto
say unto him, Tlius saith the
raoh.^
13 And the Lord did according to the word of
Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve Moses and the frogs died out of the houses, out
;'*

me. of the villages, and out of the fields.


2 And if thou refuse to let f/mn go, behold, I 14 And they gathered them together upon heaps
will smite all thy borders with frogs: and the land stank.
3 And the river shall bring forth frogs abun- 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite,
dantly, which shall go up and come into thy house, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto
and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and them ;' as the Lord had said.^
into the house of thy servants, and upon thy peo- 16 1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto
ple, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading- Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of
troughs:* the laud, that it may become lice throughout all
4 And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and the laud of Egypt.
upon thy people, and upon all thy servants. 17 And they did so for Aaron stretched out
;

5 If And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the
Aaron, Stretch forth thy hand with thy rod over earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast all ;

the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, the dust of the land became lice throughout all
and cause frogs to come up upon the land of the land of Egypt."
-Egypt. 18 And the magicians did so with their enchant-
(j And Aaron strctclied out his hand over the ments to bring forth lice, but they could not:' so
waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
covered the land of Egypt." 19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This
7 And the magicians did so with their enchant- is the finger of God:" and Pharaoh's heart was

aVer. 18. b a Tim. 3:8. c Isa. 26:11 Jer. 5:3; .3l):24i Hag. 1 :5. •Or,
; 2 Sam. 7:23; IChr. 17:20; Psa. 83:18; 86:8; Isa. 40:25; 46:9; Jer. 10:6, 7.
dough. dPsa. 78:45; 105:30; Rev. 16:13. e ch. 9:23; 10:17; Num. !>l :7 ejas. 5.16-18. h Deut. 34:10-12. iEcol.S:Il. i ch. 7:4. kPsa.l05:31.
1 Kmgs 13:6; Acts B:21. t Or, Have tl rer me. i Or, agaimi 1 Gen. 41:8; Isa. 19:12; 47:12; Dan. 2:10. m 1 Sam. 6:3, 9; Psa. 8:3;
when. § Heb. to cut off. Or, Against
D i
t Deut. 32:31; 33:26; Matt. 12:i8; Luke 11:20.

22. Dtd so with their enchantments; imitated in appear-


ance the miracle of Moses. As Pharaoh did not love the CHAPTER VIII.
truth, God suffered the magicians to deceive him to a cer- 7. And brought up frogs; see chap. 7:12.
tain point by their enchantments. 2 Thess. 2:11. Thus 9. Glory over me; or, according to many, Appoint me a
his heart was hardened, and he persisted in his obduracy. time.
13. Villages; yards, or grounds about the houses of the
INSTRUCTIONS. Egyptians.
The Lord takes occasion, even from the obstinacy
5. 15. He hardened his heart; by refusing to obey God.
and wickedness of men, to manifest his character and show Here the hardening of his heart is ascribed to Pharaoh,
forth his glory, to the terror of his enemies and tlie joy of and yet the process was probably the same as when it
his friends. was ascribed to God. Chap. 7:13. In one sense it was
13. Things which, in the course of divine providence, ascribed to God, and in another to Pharaoh.
take place through the wickedness of men, are sometimes, 16. Lice; the word translated lice is by many supposed
in the Bible, ascribed to God. This shows his all-control- to mean gnats.
ling agency, though he cannot be tempted, neither does he 18. The magicians did so; smote the earth to bring forth
at any time tempt men to commit sin. James 1: 13, 14. lice. Some suppose that as they had no previous warning
22. When men dislike to obey God, and seek excuses of this plague, and no time to prepare tlieir deceptions,
for their neglect, they can generally find them and when they could not imitate this miracle even in appearance
;

they wish to harden themselves against him, he often suf- and to hide their shame, confessed that it was the effect
fers them to do it, even to their ruin. of divine power.
85
;;

Tkt plague of flies. EXODUS IX. The murrain upon leasts.

hardened, and he lioaikoncil not unto them ; as and from his peojilc, to-morrow but let "li.*'. ui?;
:

the Loiin had said. not Pharaoh deal deceitl'uliy any more in not
20 ^ And the Loud said unto JIoscs, Rise uji letting the people go to saerilicc to the Loud/
early in tiio niorniufr, and stand before Pliaraoh IJO And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and en-
;

hi, \\v conietii forlli to tiie water and say unto ; treated the Lord.
iiini, Tims saitli tlie Loud, Let my people go, tliat 31 And the Loud did according to the word of
tlicy may
serve me. Moses and he removed the swarms of flies from
;

'1\ wilt not let my people go, be-


IClse, if tliou Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people;
hold, 1 will send swarms of flics" upon thee, and there remained not one.
ujjon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into 32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time
thy houses and the houses of the Egyptians shall
: also, neither would he let the people go.'*'
be' full of swarms of flics, and also the ground
whereon tiiey are.
22 And 1 will sever in that day the land of
CHAPTER IX.
1 The murrain of beasts. 8 The plague of boils and blains. 13 His
Goshen, in whieh my people dwell, that no swarms me.'^sagc about the hail. 22 The plague of hail. 27 Pharaoh luelli
of fjii's shall be there;" to the end thou mayest to Moseii, but yet is hardened. .'J.3

know that I am tiie Lord in the midst of the ''T'^IIEN the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto
earth. 1 Pharaoh, and tell him. Thus saith the Lord
23 And I will jtut a division^ between my peo- God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that tliey
jile and tliy jioojile: to-morrow* shall this sign be. may serve me.
24 And the Lord did so and there came a ; 2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt
grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, hold them still,
and into his servants' houses, and into all the laud 3 Behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thy cat-
of Egypt: the land was corrupted^ by reason of tle Avhich is in the field, upon the horses, upon the
the swarm of flies. asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon
25 ^ And Pharaoh called for Moses and for the sheep t/icre shall be a very grievous murrain. :

Aaron, and said. Go ye, sacrifice to your God in 4 And the Loud shall sever between the cattle
the land. of Israel and the cattle of Egypt and there shall :

26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do for nothing die of all Ihat is the children's of Israel.
;

we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyp- 5 And the Lord appointed a set time, saying-,
tians to the Lord our God lo, shall we sacrifice To-morrow the Lord shall do this thing in the
:

the abomination of the Egyptians before their land.


eyes, and will they not stone us?" 6 And the Lord did that thing on the morrow,
27 We
will go three days' journey into the wil- and all the cattle of Egypt died :'' but of the cat-
derness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God,*^ as he tle of the children of Israel died not one.
shall command us.'' 7 And Pharaoh sent, and behold, there was not
28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And tlie
may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilder- heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not
ness only ye shall not go very far away entreat let the people go.
; :

for me.'' 8 1 And the Lord said imto Moses and unto
29 And Moses said. Behold, I go out from thee, Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the fur-
and I will entreat the Lord that the swarms of nace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven
flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants. in the sight of Pharaoh.

• Or, a mixture
of noisome beasts, t 9:1, etc.; 10:2:J; 11: 3:18.
13:13. t Heb. a rei/emp(io;t. I Or by 4 Or. destroi/ed. b
43:32; 40:34; Deut. 7:23; 12:31; 1 Kings 11 7; 2 Kings 2;J:I:).

21. Swarms of flies; the word in the original, translated


swarms of flies, means, according to some, a mixed multi-
tude of noisome insects ; according to others, a particular
kind of insect.
22. Sever; separate.
24. C'ornt/)(cd; destroyed, devoured. Psa. 78:45. This
word is most naturally understood of the destruction of
the products and wealth of the land. For this reason
some suppose that it here denotes a species of beetle,
common in Egypt, that devours whatever comes in its
way.
26. Meet; suitable, fit, proper. Sacriflce the abomination
various animals were worshipped by the Egyptians, and
should they see the Israehtes sacriflce them they would
be greatly offended.
32. Pharaoh hardened his heart ; ver. 15.

INSTRUCTIONS.
6. God can make even the meanest of his creatures in-
struments of punishment to those who rebel against him
and none are so exalted that they can resist him and pros-
per. Though for a time he waits upon them, not willing
86
:

The plague of lolls. EXODUS IX. Tlw, pligac of /i^il.

b.'c!i«l' 9 And it shall become small dust in all 21 And he that regarded not* the word of tlic
the land of Eorypt, and shall be a boil breaking Lord servants and his cattle in the field.'"
left his
forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, 22 lAnd the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch
tliroughout all the land of Egypt." forth thy hand toward heaven, that there may be
10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon
stood before Pharaoh and Moses sprinkled it up
; beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout
toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking the land of Egypt.
forth uyit/i blains upon man, and upon beast. 23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward
11 And the magicians could not stand before heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and
Moses because of the boils ;'' for the boil was upon the fire ran along upon the ground and the Lord ;

the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. rained hail upon the land of Egypt."
12 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pha- 24 So there was hail and fire mingled with the
raoh, and he hearkened not unto tlieui;"^ as the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like
Lord had spoken unto Moses.'' it in all the land of Egypt since it became a na-
13 1" And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up tion.
early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, 25 And the hail smote throughout all the land
and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the of Egypt all that teas in the field, both man and
Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. beast and the hail smote every herb of the field, ;

14 For I will at this time send all my plagues and brake every tree of the field."
upon thy heart, and upon thy servants, and upon 20 Only in the land of Goshen, where the chil-
thy people;" that thou mayest know that their is dren of Israel were, was there no hail.''
none like me in all the earth. 27 It And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and
15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this
may smite thee and tliy people with pestilence;'" time the Lord is righteous, and I and my people :

and thou shalt be cut oflf from the cartii. a)-e wicked.''
16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised 28 Entreat the Lord'^ <for it is enough) that there
thee up,* for to show m thee my power
and that be no more mighty thuuderings* and hail aiid I
;'•'
;

my name may be declared throughout


will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
all the earth.
17 As yet exaltest tiiou thyself against my peo- 29 And Moses said unto him. As soon as I am
ple, that thou wilt not let them go?" gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my
18 Behold, to-morrow about this time' I will hands unto the Lord ;' and the thunder shall cease,
cause it to rain a very grievous hail,^ such as hatli neither shall there be any more hail that thou ;

not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof mayest know how that the earth is the Lord's.'
even until now. 30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that
19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, ye will not yet fear the Lord God."
and all that thou hast in the field for upon every 31 And the flax and the barley was smitten:"
;

man and beast wliich shall be found in the field, for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was
and shall not be brought home, tlie hail shall come boiled.
down upon them, and they shall die." 32 But the wheat and the rye were not smitten
20 He that feared the word of the Lord among grown •

for they were not up.^


the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his 33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh,
cattle flee into the houses:' and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord : and
»Deut. 23:27; Job 2:7; Rev. J(>:2. b Isi. 47:12, 14. »Psa.81:ll. d oh. 105:32;
4:21. « Lev. 2():18; Deut. 25:15; 29:20; 32:;i9; 1 Sim. 4:8; Jer. 19:6j
Eev. 1S:S; 22:18. f Prov. 2:22. * Heb. tnadi t/ite stand, e Prov. 1(1:4;
Rom. 9:17; 1 Pet. 3:8. h Job 9:4; 15:25, 26. i 1 Kings 19:2; 20:6. J Psa.
8:J:15. t ver. 25. I Prov. 16:20; 22:3. 1 Hei. set not his hfart unto, m ch.
7:2:3. "Josh. 10:11; 1 Sim. 12:17, 13; .lob 38:22; Psi. 18:13; 78:47;

9. It shall become small dust ; the meaning of these words


is, that ill connection with this sign a fine irritating dust,
produced by the power of Jehovah, fiiled the fand, pro-
ducing painful sores in man and beast. The handful of
ashes from the furnace is caUed this dugt because it rep-
resents it symbotically.
10. Blains; vioient and painful inflammation.
12. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; chap. 4:21;
7:3; 8:15.
V>. Raised thee up ; caused thee to stand continued thee ;

in life, notwitlistanding all thy wickedness. name My


matj he declared ; nij' character, as manifested in my won-
derful works, may be made known to all people.
23. Fire; lightning.
29. The earth is the Lord's; he is its rightful owner and
universal governor.
31. Was boiled; the boUa of flax are the round seed-cups
at the summit of the stalks. Many prefer to render, the
flax was in flower.
32. Rye; the Hebrew word means spelt as — it is trans-
lated in the margin of Isa. 28:25, and Ezek. 4:9 —a species
of beardless wheat common in Egypt.
: : 8

75ie plogut of lofusls KXoDCS X, sent aiul rcmotul.

the thundors and liail ceased, and the rain was not And Moses
said, We
will go with our ji." mi
jwiired upon the eartli. young and with our okl, with our sons and with oiir
34 And wlien Pharaoh saw that the rain and the daughters, with our Hocks and with our herds will
liail and (he thunders were eeased, lie sinned yet we go; for we must hold a feast unto the IjOKD.
more, and iiardened ids lieart," lie and his servants. 10 And he said unto them, l^ei the Loud be so
35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, nei- with you, as 1 will let you go, and your little
ther would he let the ehildreu of Israel go as the ; ones: look to it : for evil i.v lit'lore you.
Lord had spoken by Moses.* 11 Not so: go now ye that arc men, and serve
the Lord for that ye did desire. And they were
;

CHAPTER X. driven out from Piiaraoh's pre.sence.


12 *i And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out
God throateneth to send locusts.7 Pharaoh, moved by his scrvanU,
1

12 The plague of the locusts.


ini-Iineth to lut the Israelites go.
thy hand over the land of Egyjit for the locusts,
10
Pharaoh Hoses. 1>1 The rlague of darkness. 24 Pharaoli
siieih to that they may come up upon the land of Egypt,
sueth unto Moses, 27 but yet is hardened.
and eat every herb of the land, even all that the
ANDPharaohLord the said unto iloscs,
have hardened his heart,''
: for I
Go in unto hail liath left.J

13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the


and the heart of his servants, that I might show land of Egy|it, and the Lord brought an east wind
these my signs before him u])on tlie land all that day, and all that night and ;

2 And tliat thou iiiayest tell in the cars of thy when it was morning, the east wind brought the
son, and of thy son's son,'' what things I have locusts.''
wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have 14 And the locusts went up over all the land of
done among them that ye may know how that 1
; Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt :' very
am the Lord.'' grievous were they: before them there were no such
And Moses and Aaron eame in unto Pharaoh,
3 locusts as they, neither after tliein shall be such.'"
and said unto him. Thus saith the Lord God of the 15 For they covered the face of the whole earth,
Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble so that the land was darkened and they did eat ;

thyself before me?'' let my people go, that they every herb of tiie land, and all the fruit of the
may serve me. trees which the hail had left: and there remained
4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs
to-morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:' of the iield, through all the land of Egypt.
5 And they shall cover the face* of the earth, that 10 1 Then Pharaoh called* for Moses and Aaron
one cannot be able to see the earth and they shall : in haste and he said, I have sinned against the
;

eat the residue of that which is escaped,'^ which re- Lord your God," and against you.
maineth unto you froui tlie hail, and shall eat every 17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin
tree which groweth for you out of the iield: only this once, and entreat the Lord your God,"
6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses that he may take away from me this deatli only.
of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyp- 1 And he went out from Pharaoh, and entreated
tians;'' which neitlier thy fathers, nor thy fathers' the Lord.
fathers have seen, since the day that they were 19 And the Lord turned a mighty strong west
upon the earth unto this day. And he turned wind, which took away the locusts, and cast' them
liimself, and went out from Pharaoh. into the Red sea;!" there remained not one locust
7 And Pharaoli's servants said unto him, How in all the coasts of Egypt.
long shall this man be a snare unto us?" let the 20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, so
men go, that they may serve the Lord their God that he would not let the children of Israel go.
kaowcst thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed ? 21 T" And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out
8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto thy hand toward heaven, that there may be dark-
Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the ness over the land of Egypt,'' even darkness which
Lord your God: but who* are they that shall go? may be felt.''
»2Chr.33:a'); aii:13; Rom. 2:4,5. • Hei. btj tht hand of Moses, b ch. Eccl. 7:20. 1 Heb. who and who,elc. i ch. 7:10
7:13:14. » Deut. 4:9; 6:-J0; Psa. 4^:1; 71:1S; 78:5; Joel 1:3. d Psa.
53:11. el Kings 21:20; 2Chr.7:14; 33:12.19; Job 42:6; Jer. 13:13; Jas.
4:10. f Prov. 30:27; Rev. 9:3. t Heb. eye. « ch. 9:32; Joel 1:4; 2:25.
hver. 14, 15; ch. 8:3. ich.2;j:33; Josh. 2:S:13; 1 Sam. 1S:21; Prov. 20:0;

in removing evils and in bestowing new mercies, are often


abused to the increase of transgression, and a preparation
for more aggravated woe.

CHAPTER X.
4.Locusts; a species of insect resembling our grass-
hopper, but much larger. They fly with the wind in im-
mense swarms that darken the air, and where they alight
they cover the face of the ground, and devour every green
thing.
10. Be so with you, as I will let you go ; may he deal with
you just so as I shall let you go. He means, I will not
let you go and if your God grants 3'our requests in the
;

same way that I do, you will fare hard. Look to it ; for
evil is before you; that is, according to our version, by per-
: :

Moses tkrcateneih the EXODUS XL death of the first-horn.

tc:uit 22 And Moses stretched forth his hand


towai'd heaven; and there was a thick darkness
in all the land of Egypt three days
23 They saw not one another, neither rose any
from his place for three days: but all the chil-
dren of Israel had light in their dwellings."
24 1 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said,
Go ye, serve the Lord only let your flocks and
;

your herds be stayed let your little ones also go


:

with you.
25 And Moses said. Thou must give us* also
sacrifices and burnt-ofTerings, that we may sacri-
fice unto the Lord our God.
26 Our cattle also shall go with us ;" there shall
not a hoof be left behind for thereof must we
;

take to serve the Lord our God and we know ;

not with what we must serve the Lord, until we


come thither.
27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart,"^
*\\

and he would not let them go.


28 And Pharaoh said unto him. Get thee from
me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more;
for in ttiflt day thou seest my face thou shalt die."
29 And Moses said. Thou hast spoken well, I
will see thy face again no more.''

CHAriER XI.
I God's message to the Israelites to borrow jewels of their neighbors.
4 Moses threateneth Pharaoh with the dcatli of the first-born.

AND the Lord said unto Moses, Yet will I


bring one j)lague more upon Pharaoh and
upon Egypt afterwards he will let you go hence
;

when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust


you out hence altogether.'
» Isa. 4-2:16; Col. 1
:

Tht Passover EXODl'S \1I. 15 instituted.

(11 A I' I'Ki: XII


1 TKe beginning of tin- yi':ir ir i-hnn^'nl.'^
The nassovcr is instituted.
II Tlw nil' of Uic pasjovcr. I'l Unleavened bread. M The first-
born arc slain. .'II The Israelites arc driven ont of the land. ;i7
They come to Sucooth. ^\'^ The ordinance of tlie passover.

AND tlio LoiM) ^Y^kQ unto Moses antl


in the lantl of Kirypt, sayin<r,
Aaron

2 Tliis nioiitli shall be unto you the bcffinninf^ of


months: it shall be the lirst month of tlie year to
you."
3 II Speak ye unto all the congrregation of Is-
rael, sayinir, In tiic tenth day of this month thoy
AvaW take to them every man a lamli,* accortl-
inij to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a
house
4 And be too little for the lamb,
if tlie houscliolil
let him and neighbor next unto his house take
his
it according to the number of tlio souls; every
man according to his eating shall make your count
for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish,'' a male
of the first year:^ ye shall take it out from the
sheep, or from the goats.
G And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth
day of the same month:'' and the whole assembly
of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the
evening.*''
7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike
iton the two side-posts and on the upper door-post
of tlie houses, wherein they shall eat it.
8 And thev shall eat the flesh in that night,
,
; :

The, unleavened bread. EXODUS XII. The first-horn are slain.

tll'vvjt 16 And in the first day there shall be a the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And
lioly convocation, and in the seventh day there the people bowed the head and worshipped.""
shall bo a holy convocation to you;'' no manner 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did
of work shall be done in them, save that which as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so
every man* must eat, that only may be done of did they.
you. 29 H And it came to pass, that at midnight the
IT And ye shall observe the feast q/" unleavened Lord smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt,'
bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his
your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore throne unto the first-born of the captive that was
shall ye observe this day in your generations by in the dungeon;* and all the first-born of cat-
an ordinance for ever. tle.
18 1 In the first moiith, on the fourteenth day 30 And Pharaoh
rose up in the night, he, and
of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened all his servants,and all the Egyptians and there ;

bread, until the one and twentieth day of the was a great cry in Egypt :' for there was not a house
month at even. where there was not one dead.
19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in 31 1 And he called for Moses and Aaron by
your houses :" for whosoever eateth that which is night, and said. Rise up, and get you forth from
leavened, even that soul shall be cut ofl' from the among my people, both ye and the children of Is-
congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, rael and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said."
;

or born in the land. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye
20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened in all your ; have said, and be gone; and bless me also.'
habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. 33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the
21 IT Then Moses called for all the elders of Is- people, that they might send them out of the land
rael, and said unto them. Draw out and take you in haste;'" for they said. We be all dead men.
a lamb,* according to your families, and kill the 3-1 And the people took their dough before it was
passover." leavened, their kneading-troughs^ being bound up
22 And ye shall
take a bunch of hyssop, and dip in their clothes upon their shoulders.
it and strike the
in the blood that is in the basin, 35 And the children of Israel did according to
lintel and the two side-posts with the blood that the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the
is in the basin and none of you shall go out at Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold,
;
''

the door of his house until the morning. and raiment


23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the 36 And the Lord gave the people favor in the
Egyptians and when he seetli the blood upon sight of the Egyptians," so that they lent unto
;

the lintel, and on the two side-posts," the Lord them such things as they required: and they spoiled
will pass over the door, and will not suffer the the Egyptians.
destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite 37 Tf And the children of Israel journeyed from
you.'- Rameses to Succoth," about six hundred thousand
24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordi- on foot that icere men, besides children.''
nance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 38 And a mixed multitude' went up also with
25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come them and flocks, and herds, even very much cat-
;''

to the land which the Lord will give you, accord- tle.
ing as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the
service. dough which they brought forth out of Egypt,
20 And it shall come to pass, when your chil- for it was not leavened because they were thrust ;

dren shall say unto you, Wliat mean ye by this out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had
service?' they prepared for themselves any victuals.
27 That ye shall say. It is the sacrifice of the 40 1 Now the sojourning of the children of Is-
Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of rael, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and
the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote thirty years.'

a Num. 29:12. • Heb. soul, b ch. 23:1.5; 34:18; Deut. 16:3. t Or. kid. 105:36; 135:8; 130:10; Heb. 11:23. 1 Heb. house of the pit. > ch. 11:0;
c Josh. 5:10; 2 Kings 23:21; Ezri 6:20; Matt. 26; Is; Mirk 14:12; Luke Prov. 21:13; Amos 5:17; Matt. 25:6; Jas. 2:13. t ch. 11:1. 1 Gen. 27:34.
22:7, etc. d Lev. 14:6,7; Psa. 51:7; Heb. 9:19; 11:2S. e Heb. 12:24. m Psa. 105:33. i Os. dough, n Gen. 39:21 ch. 3:21;
: 11:3. o Num. *):3,
' 2 Sim. 24:16; Ezek. 9:4, 6; Rev. 7:3: 9:4. 8 ch. 13:8, 14; Deut. 32:7; 5. P Num. 1:46: 11:21. I Heh. a greal mixture, q Ntmi. 11:4. ' Gen.
Josh. 4:0; Psa. 7S:6. h ch. 4:31. i Num. 3:13; 8:17; 33:4; Psa. 78:51 15:13; Acts 7:6; Gal. 3:17.

the evening of the twenty-first day of the month. Ver. 34. Kneading-trougtis ; vessels containing their dough.
18. Cut off from Israel; see note to Gen. 17:14. 35.BonoM'cS; asked, requested. Chap. 3:21, 22 11:2, 3. ;

16. Convocation; an assembling together for public wor- 36. Lent unto tliem; granted them what they desired,
ship. No manner of work; except of necessity and mercy. in order to hasten their departure. Spoiled the Egyp-
Compare Matt. 12:11. tians; by carrying away much of their substance. Gen.
17. For ever; to the end of the Jewish state. 15:14.
21. The passover; the lamb that was to be slain on that 37. Rameses; a city which the Israelites had built, and
occasion. wliere they were now assembled. Chap. 1:11. Succoth;
22. Hyssop; a low shrub, or herb, common in eastern a place of encampment between Rameses and Suez. Six
countries, —
hundred thousand men; this shows that the whole number
32. Bless me; seek of God a blessing for me. of souls was probably over two millions. Psa. 105:37.
33. H'c be all dead; we shall be, if we retain the Israel- 40. Four hundred and thirty years; from the time the
ites any longer. promise was made to Abraham, (ion. 15:13. About half
91
77ie liitp of tht Passover. EXODl'S XIII. The fint-horn set nparl.

41 Aiul ranio to pass at the end of the four


it ciiAi'TEi; X in.
hundred and tliirty year;), even tlic selfsame day
it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Loiib
went out from tiic land of Kirypt.
42 It is a ni;rht to lie much observed* unto the
Loun for briiiL'inji them out from the land of
Ejrypt:' this is that night of the Lord to be ob-
served of all the children of Israel in their gen-
erations.
43 1 And the Loud said unto Moses and Aaron,
This is tlie ordinance of the passover :" there shall
no stramjer eat thereof:
44 But every man's servant that is bought for
money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall
he eat thereof."
45 A foreigner and a hired servant shall not cat
thereof.**
46 In one house shall it be eaten thou shalt ;

not carry fortli aught of tlie flcsli abroad out of


the house; neither siiall ye break a bone thereof."
47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.+
48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee,
and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all
his males bo circumcised, and then let him come
near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is
born in the land: for no uncircumcised person
shall eat thereof.
49 One law shall be to him that is home-born,
and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.*^
50 Thus did all the children of Israel as the ;

Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.


51 And it came to pass the selfsame day,^ that
the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of
the land of Egypt by their armies."
.
:

The. Israelites go EXODUS XIV. fort/i out of Egypf.

K.c.'iSt 10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordi- the people repent when they see war,'' and they
nance in his season from 3'ear to year.'' return to Egypt.'"
11 IF And it shall be when the Lord shall bring 18 But God led the people about, through the
thee into the land of the Cauaauites, as he sware way of the wilderness of the Red sea:'' and the
unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, children of Israel went up harnessed^ out of the
12 Tiiat thou shalt set apart* unto the Lord all land of Egypt.
that opencth the matrix, and every firstling that 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with
cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males him: for he had straitly sworn the children of
shall be the Lord's. Israel, saying, God
will surely visit you and ye ;

13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt re- shall carry up my


bones away hence with you.«
deem with a lamb;^ and if thou wilt not redeem 20 1[ And they took their journey from Succoth,
it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wil-
first-born of man among thy children shalt thou derness.''
redeem. 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a
14 1 And it shall bo when thy son asketh thee pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way and by ;

in time to come,* saying. What is tiiis?" that thou night in a pillar of fire, to give them light to go :

shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the Lord by day and night.'
brought us out from Egypt, from the house of 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by
bondage day, nor the pillar of fire by night, fro7n before
15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would the people.
hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the first-
born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of CHAPTER XIV.
man and the first-born of beast therefore I sac- 1 G-od instmcteth the Israelites in their journey. 5 Pharaoh pnrsueth
:

after them. 10 The Israehtes murmur. 13 Moses comforteth them.


rifice to the Lord all that opeueth the matrix,
1.5 G-od instructeth Moses. 19 The cloud removeth behind the camp.
being males but all the first-born of my children
; 21 The Israelites pass through the Ked sea, 23 which drowneth the
Egyptians.
'I redeem.
16 And it shall be for a token upon thy hand,
and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by
AND
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that
strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth,^' be-
of Egypt.= tween Migdol and the sea,'' over against Baal-
n 1[And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had zephon before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
:

let the people go, that God led them not through 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Is-
the way of the land of the Philistines, although rael, They are entangled in the land, the wilder-
that was near for God said, Lest peradventure ness hath shut them in.'
;

1 Ch. 12: 14, 24. • Heb. cause to pass ovei t Or, kid. I Heb. to-morrou: 24:32; Acts 7:16. h Nu 1.33:0. i Num. 9:15-23; 10:34; 14:14; Deut.
b Deut.
6;20i Josh. 4;6, 21. ' Deut. 26:8. i ch. 14:11, 12; Num. 14:1-4. 1:33; Neh. 9:12, 19; Psa B:14; 99:7; 1U5:.39; Isa. 4:5; 1 Cor. 10:2; Rev.
«Deut. 17:16. fDeut. 32:10. i0i,byjiv, in a Tank, s Gen. 50:25; Josh. 10:1. j Num. 33:7. kj, 44:1. 1 Psa. 3:2;
. 71:11 ; Jer. 20:10. U.

10. In his season; on the fourteenth day of Abib an- 21. Pillarof a cloud ; a cloud in the form of a pillar, to
nually. shield them from the sun and guide them in the daytime,
13. Every firstling of an ass —
and all the first-born of and to give them light by night.
man —slialt thou redeem; Num. 3:46-51; 18:8-18. Shalt 22. Took not away the pillar; it continued with them
break his neck; that they might not appropriate it imre- through the wilderness, as the emblem of the divine
deemed to their own use, this precept was added. presence. Chap. 14:24; 33:9-14.
14. What is this? why are the first-born thus devoted
INSTRUCTIONS.
to God and redeemed? What is the meaning of it?
7. In the Bible the same or similar instructions aro
15. Would hardly; refused.
17. Through the —
land of the Philistines; the direct way often repeated, that the truth may become familiar, and
from Egypt to Canaan. make a strong, abiding impression on the heart.
14. The ordinances of God are designed to increase the
18. lied sea; which separates Egypt from Arabia. It is
about 1,400 miles long, and upon an average about 150
knowledge, perpetuate the remembrance, and extend the
miles wide. It extends from the straits of Babelmandel efficacy of his truth and the proper understanding of
;

on the soiith, which unite it with the Indian ocean, to the these ordinances is suited to benefit all, especially the
isthmus of Suez on the north, which separates it from the young.
Mediterranean sea. At the north end it divides into two 18. The way through this world in which God leads
arms or gulfs, between which is the wilderness in which his people is often very diflerent from what they expect
the children of Israel spent forty years. The western or desire, and very different from what any finite mind at
arm, called the gulf of Suez, is about 190 miles long and the time would think to be best.
on an average 21 miles wide. It was near the head of ''
But though they go far wandering round,
this gulf, that the Hebrews passed and the Egyptians "T is the right way to Canaan's ground.*'

were drowned. Chap. 14:21-30. The eastern arm, called 22. God the guide and protector of his people. To
is
the gulf of Akabah. and anciently the ^Elanitic gulf or follow him is perfectly safe. And after he has, by the
gulf of Eiath, is about 100 miles long, and on an average wisest means and in the best way, prepared them for
about 15 miles wide. On this gulf was Eziongeber, a heaven, he will receive them there.
port from which Solomon sent his ships to Ophir for
gold. 1 Kings 9:20. From Rameses to the Red sea was CHAPTER XIY.
about forty or fifty miles. Harnessed; armed, equipped, 2. That theij turn; to the south, and go down on the
and in order. west side of the west arm of the Red sea, instead of
19. Tlw bones of Joseph; Gen. 50:25. passing northward round the head of the sea, as they
20. Etham ; a place near Suez, at the head of the west- —
might have done. Pi-hahiroth Migdol and Baal-zcphon ; —
ern branch of tlu- lied sea. The wilderness; of Etham. places south of Elham, where thev would be shut in be-
9.)
Pharaoh pursiieJh Israel.
EXODUS XIV. Po-tsagt nf (he lied sea.

4 And I will harden riianioli's heart," tliat ho 15 1 And the Lonn said unto Moses, u"mJi
shall follow aftor thoin and I will be honored upon
; Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the
Pharaoh, ami that the Egyptians
iii^n all liis host ; ciiildren of Israel, that they go forward:
may know that I am the Lord. And they did so. It) But lift thou uj) thy rod. and stretch out thy

5% And it was told the king of Egypt that the hand over the sea, and divide it: and the chil-
people fled and the heart of Pharaoh and of his
: dren of Israel shall go on dry grou7id through the
servants was turned against the people,'' and they midst of the sea.
said. Why have we done this, that we have let 17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of
Israel go" from serving us? the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I
6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his will get mc lionor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his
people with him: host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and IS And the Egyjitians shall know tiiat I am the
all tlic chariots of Egypt, and captains over every Lord, when I have got me honor upon Pharaoh,
one of thcm.'^ upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
8 And the TiORD liardcned the heart of Pliaraoh 1!) 1 And the Angel of God,' whieii went before
king of Egypt, and lie pursued after the cliildrcn the camp of Israel, removed and went behind
of Israel and the children of Israel went out with
: them ; and the
pillar of the cloud went from be-
a high hand.'' fore their face,and stood behind them:
9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the 20 And it came between the camp of the Egyp-
horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, tians and the camp of Israel and it was a cloud
;

and his army, and overtook them encamping by and darkness to them, but it gave light by night
the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth. before Baal-zephon. to these: so that the one came not near the other
10 1 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the chil- all the night.
dren of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the 21And Moses stretched out his hand over the
Egyptians marched after them and they were ; sea and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a
;

sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out strong east wind all that night, and made the sea
unto the Lord." dry land, and the waters were divided.^
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were 22 And the children of Israel went into the
no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to midst of the sea, upon the dry ground: and the
die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt waters tvere a wall unto them on their right hand,
thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt ? and on their left."
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in 23 1 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in
Egypt,' saying. Let us alone, that we may serve after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pha-
the Egyptians ? For it had been better for us to raoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in 24 And it came to pass, that in the morning-
the wilderness. watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyp-
13 If And Moses said unto the people. Fear ye tians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud,
not,^ stand still, and sec the salvation of the Lord, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
which he will show to you to-day for the Egyp- :
25 And took ofl' their chariot-wheels, that they
tians whom ye have seen to-day,* ye shall see them drave them heavily ;+ so that the Egyptians said.
again no more for ever. Let us flee from the face of Israel for the Lord ;

14 The LoED shall fight for you,*" and ye shall fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
hold your peace. 26 1[ And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch
«Ch. 4:21, elc. b Psa. 105:25. c ch. 15:4. J Num. 33:3: Deut. 2G:8. I:.30; 3:22; 20:4; Josh. 10:14; 23:3, 10; 2 Chr. 20:29; Neh 4:20; Isa.
eJosh. 24:7; Neh. 9:9; Psi.34:17; 106:44, 107:0. tcli. 5:21 : C:9. g Num 30:15. Num. 20:10: Isa. 63:9. J Josh 3:16; 4:2:j; Psa. 60.6. k 1 Cor
i

14:9; Deut. 20:3: 2 Kings 6:1S; 2 Chr. 20:15, 17; Psa. 27:1. 2; 46:1-3; 10:1; Heb. 11:29. 1 Or, aiid made th^m to go heavily.
Isa. 41.10, 14. ' Or, for whereas ye kave seen the Egijptians to-day. h Deut.

tween the mountains and the sea so that should Pharaoh


; INSTRUCTIONS.
follow them with his array, they would, without a mira- 4. If men would not have their hearts hardened, they
cle, have no way of escape. must not continue knowingly to disobey God. If they
i. jHarden Pharaoh's heart ; chap. 4:21. I will be honor- thus disobey, all the blame will rest upon themselves.
ed; in the destruction of Pharaoh and his host. 9. When suffering the consequences of sin and fearing
5. Turned against the people; against permitting them to destruction, men often appear to be penitent and disposed
escape. to reform but if when they are relieved and their fears
;

8. With a high liand; by a high hand that is, by the ; pass away, they rush again into sin, they not unfrequently
hand of Jehovah, lifted up with might for their deliver- become more hardened, reckless, and wicked than ever,
ance. till, given up of God, they sink into ruin.
19. Angel of God; the Angel of the covenant, who was 15. It is the duty of men not merely to pray, but to
afterwards made flesh and dwelt among men. Deut. 1 32, : act and unless they go forward in the way of duty, their
;

33; Psa. 99:6, 7; Isa. 63:8-16; John 1:14; 1 Cor. 10:9. prayers wiU not avail. God helps those who do what he
Compare ver. 24, 25. He was now present in the cloud ;
requires to help themselves.
and when he removed, the cloud removed with him. 18. The dispensations of Providence, as well as the pub-
20. To Mem,- the Egyptians. TScse; the Israelites. lication of divine truth, are to some, by being improved,
24. The morning-watch; the night was divided into three a savor of life unto life to others, by being abused, a
;

watches of four hours each. The morning-watch was the savor of death unto death and God is honored in the
;

last, and began eight hours after sunset. Looked; his salvation of the one and the destruction of the other.
look was accompanied with visible signs of his displeas- 20. Many things are very plain, and give great light
ure. See the following verse. and comfort to those who obey God, which appear ex-
94
"

The Egyptians are drowned. EXODUS XV. Song oj Moses and Israel.

B. au9L out thy hand over the sea, that the waters hast overthrown them that rose up against thee :

may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them
chariots, and upon their horsemen. as stubble.'
27 And Moses stretched fortli his hand over the 8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters
sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the were gathered together, the floods stood upright
morning appeared and the Egyptians fled against as a heap, and the depths were congealed in the
;

it; and the Lord overthrew* the Egyptians in heart of the sea.J
tlie midst of the sea. 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake,
28 And the waters returned, and covered the I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisiied ;

chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of upon them I will draw my sword, my hand shall
;

Pharaoh that came into the sea after them ;" there destroy* them.
remained not so much as one of tliem. 10 Thou didst blow with thy wind,'' the sea cover-
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry ed them: they sank as lead in (he mighty waters.
land in the midst of the sea and tlie waters icerc a
; 11 Who is like unto thee, Lord,' among the
wall unto them on their right hand, and on their 1 eft. gods?^ who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fear-
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of ful in praises, doing wonders?
the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the 12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the
Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore. earth swallowed them.
31 And Israel saw that great work* which the 13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people
Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people which thou hast redeemed :" thou hast guided them
feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
servant Moses.'' 14 The people shall hear, and be afraid sorrow :

shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.


CHAPTER XV. 15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed;
the miglity men of Moab, trembling shall take
1 Moses" song. 22 The people want water. 23 The waters at Marah
are bitter. 2-3 A tree sweeteneth them. 29 At Elim are twelve hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan
wells, and seventy palm-trees. shall melt away."
THENsong
sang Moses and the children of Israel
unto the
this and spake, saying, Lord,'=
16 Fear and dread shall fall
the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still
upon them;" by

I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed as a stone ;" till thy people pass over, Lord, till
gloriously the horse and his rider hath he thrown
: the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.''
into the sea. 17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in
2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is the mountain of thine inheritance,"' in the place,
become my salvation:'' he ismy God, and I will Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell
prepare him a habitation;'^ my father's God, and in ; in the sanctuary, Lord, which thy hands
I will exalt him. have established.'
3 The Lord w a man of war :'' the Lord m his name. 18 The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.'
4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast 19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his
into tiie sea his chosen captains also are drowned
: chariots and with his horsemen into tlie sea, and
in the Red sea. the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon
5 The depths have covered them: they sank them but the children of Israel went on dry land
;

into the bottom as a stone. in the midst of the sea.


6 Thy right hand, Lord, is become glorious 20 IT And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of
in power: thy right hand, Lord, hath dashed Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand " and all the ;

in pieces the enemy .^ women went out after her, with timbrels and with
7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou dances.
• Heb. shook off. » ch. 13:10; Psi. 77;l(i-ai; 73;53; 106:11. t HeK. 4:9; 2Thess. 2:S. I Or, repossess, k ch. 14:21; Psa. 147:18. Usa. 40:18.
hand, b ch. 4:13; 19:9; John 2: 11 11:45. c Judg. 5:1; 3 Sam. 22:1 Psa.
; ; S Or, 7nighty ones, m Isa. 63:13. n Josh. 5: 1. o Deut. 2:35; 11:25; Josh.
106:12. i Psa. 1S:2; 27:1; 62:6; 118:14; Isa. 12:2. e 1 Kings 8:13, 27. 2.9. Pi Sam. 25:37. q Psa. 74:2; Acts 20:28. r Psa. 44:2. a Psa. 78:54.
f Paa. 24:8; 45:3; Rev. 19:11. e Psa. 118:15, 16. >> Deut. 3:3:26: Psa. I Psa. 146:10; Dan. 4:3; 7:27. u Judg. 11:34; 2 Sam. 6:5; Psa. 6S:25;
63:33. i
Psa. 59:13; Isa. 5:24; 47:14; Matt. 3:12. J 2 Sam. 22:16; Job 81:2; 149:3; 150:4.

ceedingly dark and perplexing to those who knowingly 12. The earth ; the sea in the depths of the earth. Psa.
disobey him. 77:14-20.
28. The way of transgressors is hard. God is against 13. Thyholy habitation; the land of Canaan, where God
them, and the time will come when they will see this. would delight to dwell with his people. But perhaps
Happy will it be if they see it while he is waiting to be here, and ver. 17, there is a prophetic allusion to moimt
gracious, saying, " Turn ye, turn ye for why will ye ; Zion, which became God's special dwelling-place.
die ?" and hearken to his voice, instead of madly perse- 14. Palestina; that is, the country of the Philistines.
vering in rebellion against him. See note, Isa. 14:29.
15. Dukes; leaders, princes.
CHAPTER XY. 16. Pass over; over the desert and through the inter-
2. A habitation ; a place for his public worship. vening countries, to take possession of Canaan. Pur-
8. Blast of thy nostrils; the wind which made the sea chased; redeemed or delivered from bondage, to be his
go back, chap. 14:21, here represented as the breath of peculiar people.
the Almighty. Ver. 10. The depths were congealed; made 17. The mountain of thine inheritance ; the land of Ca-
to stand upon either side like walls of ice. naan, especially Zion, and the temple where he would
10. Didst bloio with thy wind; a wind opposite to that dwell. See note, ver. 13.
which made the sea retire, and which hastened its return 20. The prophetess; appointed of God to instruct the
to overwhelm the Egypti;uis. wcimen, and lead them in their devotions. Num. 12:1, 2 :

95
;;

Tim uiiilcrs nf Mi,r,./i. KXODus xvr. T/.e pecpic murmur.

21 And Miriam answered tiicni, Sing ye to the racl came unto the wildernes.s of Sin,'' l..":?;,?;
Lord," lor lie lialli tiiuuipiicd gloriously: the which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth
horse and his rider hath he tiirown into the sea. day of the second mouth after their departing out
'22 So Moses brought Israel from the lied sea, of the land of Egypt.
and tliey went out into the wilderness of Shur;'' 2 And the whole congregation of the children
and they went three days iu the wilderness, and of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron ia
found no water. the wilderness:'
23 *i And when they came to Marali,"^ they could 3 And the children of Israel said unto them,
not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were Would to God we had died liy the hand of the
bitter therefore the name of it was called Marali.'
: Lord in the land of Egyi)t, when we sat by the
24 Anil the people murmured against Moses, flesii-pots,J and when we did eat bread to the full

saying, Wiiat shall we drink? for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness,
25 And he cried unto the Lord and the Lord
; to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
showed liini a when he had cast into
tree, tv/iick 4 1 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I
tlic waters, tlie waters were made sweet:'' there will rain bread from heaven for you;" and the
lie made them a statute and an ordinance, and
for people shall go out and gather a certain rate
there he proved them, every day,* that I may prove them,' whether they
2C And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to will walk iu my law, or no.
the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that 5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth
which is right in his sight, and wilt give car to day they shall prepare t/iat which they bring in
his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily."'
will putnone of these diseases upon thee, which I 6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the chil-
have brought upon the Egyptians:" for I am the dren of Israel, At even, then ye shall know tjiat
Lord that healeth thee.'' the Lord hath brought you out from the land of
27 H And they came to Elim, where were twelve Egypt:
wells of water, and threescore and ten palm- 7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the
trees and they encamped there by the waters.
: glory of the Lord;" for that he heareth your
murmurings against the Lord and what are we, :

that ye murmur against us?


CHAPTER XYI. 8 And Moses said, This shall be when the Lord
1 The Israelites come to Sin. 2 They murmur for want of bread. 4 shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in
God promiseth tliem bread from heaven. 1 1 Quails are sent, 14 and
manna. 16 The ordering of manna. 2.'5 It was not to be found on the morning bread to the full for that the Lord ;

the Sabbath. 32 An omer of it is preser\'ed. heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against

A » Ver.
ND
all
they took their journey from Elim,'"' and
the congregation of the children of Is-
b Gen. 16:7. t Num. 33:8.
1. • That is. Bilterness; Ruth 1 :20.
him: and what are we? your murmurings are not
against us, but against the Lord."
kPsa. 78:al; John 6:.31, 32. Mleh. tke portn
•1-2 Kings 2:21; 4:41. e Deut. 23:27, 68. f Psa. 41:4 10.3:3. ENum.33:10.
;
8:16. n. ver. 22. n ver. 10; ch. 40:.'34; Nun
h Ezek? 30:15. i ch. 1.1:24; Psa. 106:25; 1 Cor. 10:10. J Num. 11:4, 5. 10:40; Luke 10:16.

Micah 6:4. Timbrel; a musical instrument like the tam- 21. Great deliverances should be celebrated with mani-
bourine. festations of hearty gratitude to God, and sincere devo-
21. Miriam answered; she led the women, who sung tion of body and soul to his service.
responsively with the men. 26. The human heart cannot be safely trusted. At one
23. Marah; meaning bitterness; where was a fountain time it will sing praises to God, and at another murmur
of bitter water. against him. All true confidence in God, and all genuine
25. Statute —
ordinance ; rule, direction, or decree, men- love to him, are the fruit of his Spirit and to him belongs ;

tioned ver. 2C Jer. 7:22, 23. Proved them; tried them


; the glory of every thing spiritually good in men.
by his providence, and thus gave them opportunity to
show whether they would obey him. Gen. 22 1.
26. Healeth tliee; removes all plagues, sicknesses, and
:
CHAPTER XVI.
infirmities, such as those which they had witnessed in 1. day of the semrd month; just one month after
Fifteenth
These are always regarded in the holy Scrip- they started from Egypt.
Egypt.
tures as chastisements for sin. See Deut. 28:59, 61. The 3. Kill —
witli hunger; they had hitherto lived on pro-

outward healing of the body is a symbol of the more visions which they brought with them, or obtained by
glorious healing and sanctifying of the soul by God's the way but as they now entered the wilderness, where
;

grace. they thought they could not obtain any, they feared they
27. Elim ; a place south-east of Marah, and on the way should perish.
to mount Sinai. 4. Prove them ; put them to trial. For the meaning of
this, see Deut. 8:2, 3, 16.
IXSTRUCTIONS. 5. Tlie sixth day; the sixth working day, the day before
1. Those dispensations of Providence which excite our the Sabbath. The Sabbath is spoken of as an institution
greatest fears, often so result as to call forth our loudest already existing and well known.
praises. 6. Ye shall know; by the Lord's providing you a mirac-

7. They that, being often reproved, continue to harden ulous supply of flesh. Ver. 13.
their hearts, will be suddenly destroyed, and that with- 7. See the glory of the Lord; in the miraculous provision

out remedy. 2 Chron. 36 16 Prov. 6 14, 15 29 1.: ; : ;


: of manna. Ver. 14.
10. When the enemies of God are most confident of 8. Not against us; Moses and Aaron acted by God's

success, they are often the nearest to destruction. direction. The murmurings of the Israelites against
16. That fear of coming evil which prevents exertion them, were therefore in reaUty murmurings against Ilim
and leads to despair, instead of delivering from danger, who sent them. Compare Matt. 10:40; Luke 10:16;
only increases it, and prevents escape. John 12:44; 13:20.
Quads and manna sent. EXODUS XVI. Directions conccrnin<^ the manna.

ilc'S IT 9 And Moses


spake unto Aaron, Say man according to his eating : and when the sun
unto all the congregation of the children of Is- waxed hot, it melted.
rael, Come near before the Lord:'' for he hath 22 IT And it came on the sixth day
to pass, that
heard your murmurings. they gathered twice as much bread, two omers
10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the for one man: and all the rulers of the congrega-
whole congregation of the children of Israel, that tion came and told Moses.
tliey looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the 23 And he said unto them. This is that which
glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.'' the Lord hath said. To-morrow is the rest of the
11 IT And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, holy sabbath unto tlie Lord:'' bake that which yo
12 I have heard the murmurings of the children will bake to-day, and seethe that ye will seethe;
of Israel:*^ speak unto them, saying. At even ye and that which remaineth over, lay up for you to
shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be fill- be kept until the morning.
ed with bread and ye shall know that I am the
; 24: And they laid it up till the morning, as Mo-
Lord your God. ses bade and it did not stink, neither was there
:

13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails any worm therein.'
came up, and covered the camp :'' and in the morn- 25 And Moses said. Eat that to-day for to-day ;

ing the dew lay round about the host. is a sabbath unto the Lord to-day ye shall not
:

1-1 And when the dew that lay was gone up, be- find it in the field.
hold, upon the face of the wilderness tliere lay a 26 Six days ye shall gather it but on the seventh ;

small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on day, u-hich is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.-'
the ground. 27 1" And it came to pass, that there went out
15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they some of the people on the seventh day for to gather,
said one to another. It is manna :*" for they wist not and they found none.
what it loas. And Moses said unto them, This is 28 And the Lord said unto Moses, How long re-
the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat. fuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?"
16 IT This is the thing which the Lord hath com- 29 See, for that the Lord hath given you the
manded. Gather of it every man according to his sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day
eating, an oraer for every man,* according to the the bread of two days abide ye every man in his
:

number of your persons;* take ye every man for place, let no man go out of his place on the sev-
them which are in his tents. enth day.
17 And the children of Israel did so, and gather- 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.
ed, some more, some less. 31 And the house of Israel called the name
18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he thereof Manna: and it ims like coriander-seed,
that gatliered much had notliing over, and he that white; and the taste of it teas like wafers made
gathered little had no lack ;'' they gathered every with honey.'
man according to his eating. 32 TT And Moses said, This is the thing which
19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the Lord commandeth. Fill an omer of it to be
the morning." kept for your generations that they may see the
;

20 Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness,
Moses but some of them left of it until the morn-
; when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.
ing, and it bred worms, and stank and Moses : 33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and
was wroth with them. put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up
21 And they gathered it every morning, every before the Lord, to be kept for your generations.'"
1 Num. 16:16. b Num. 1-1:10; 1 Kings 8: in. ever.", d Num. 11:31; head. JUnh. souls. f2Cor.S:15. gMatt.6:34. h ch. 20:8; 31:15; 35:3;
Psa. 7d:27-31; 105:10. *
Or, What is this? or, /( is a portion, e ver. 31, Gen. 2:3; Lev. 23:3. ver. 20.
i jch. 2U:9, 10. t Num. 14:11 ; 2 Kings
3:1;Num. 11:7; Dent. 8:3, 18; Josh. 5:13; Neh. 9:15; Psa. 7S:a4; 105:40, 17:14; P=a. 78:10, 22; 100:13; Jer. 9:0; Ezelc. 5:6. 1 Num. 11:7, 8. m Heb.
John 0:.31, 49, 53; 1 Cor. 10:3; Heb. 9:4; Rev. 2:17. t Heb. by the poll, or

9. Near before the Lord; near to the cloudy pillar, in one, under all circumstances, was required to eat the
which he dwelt, and from which he spoke. Ver. 10. whole, but no one was allowed to lay up any of it for the
12. I am the Lord your God; of course all their fears in next day, or for future use. This was designed to teach
following his guidance were groundless. them to depend on God, from day to day, for their daily
li. Round thing; rather, scale-like thing. bread. Matt. G: 11, 34.
15. Itismanna; which might be translated, What is this? 23. The Lord hath said; God had told this to Moses,
II). An omer; the tenth part of an ephah ver. 36. Ac- ; ver. and Moses now tells it to the people. Seethe; boil.
5,
cording to a probable computation, the ephah contained Remaineth over; above one omer for a man, or above what
one and one-twelfth bushels English; this would make they would want for the sixth day. To be kept; for their
the omer a trifle less than three and one-half quarts. supply on the Sabbath. It was cooked the day before,
18. 3Iete; measure. Gathered much had nothing over — to jirevcnt unnecessary labor on the Sabbath.
gathered little Imd no lack. These words may be imder- 28. 31 y laws; especially those which required them to
stood in two ways either that when each head of a
: rest from their ordinary employments, and keep the Sab-
family measured out to the members what he had gather- bath-day holy.
ed, it was miraculously brought about that there was just 29.Go out of his place; for needless, worldly purposes.
an omer apiece or, that when the people measured the
; 31.Like coriander-seed ; in shape and size. Wafers; thin
manna with an omer, the superabundance of one man cakes. When cooked it had something of the taste of
went to supply the want of another. This seems to bo sweet oil. Num. 11:6-8.
the view taken by the apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 8:14, 15. Ac- 33. Take a pot ; this command seems to be mentioned
cording to his eating; according to the number of his here by way of anticipation, as the tabernacle was not
household. yet made. Before the Lord; in the ark of the testimony,
19. Let no man leave of it till the mornins; not that each the place of his presence. Ver. 34; chap. 25:16,21; 30;6.
7 91
Water from the rock. EXODUS XVII. Amalek is overcome.

34 As the Lord commanded Mosos, go Aaron


laid it up bcforo tlic Testimony, to be kept."
35 And tiic children of Israel did eat manna
forty years, until they came to a land inhal)itcd :''
they (iid eat manna, until they came unto the bor-
ders of tiie land of Canaan."
3G Now an omcr is the tenth part of an cphah.*"

CHAPTER XVII.
1 The people murmur for water at Repliidlm. 5 God senJeth lliem for
^-ater to the rock in Horeb. 8 Amalek is overcome by the holding
up of Moses' hands. lO Moses buildeth the altar Jchovah-nissi.

AND all the congregation of the children of


Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin,''

after their journeys, accordin<^ to the command-


ment of the LOKD, and pitched in Rephidim: and
was no water for tlie people to drink.
t/tere
2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses,'
and said. Give us water that wo may drink. And
Moses said unto them, Why ciiide ye with me?
wherefore do ye tempt tlio Lord ? "
3 And the people thirsted there for water and ;

the people murmured against Moses, and said,


Wlierefore is this that thou hast brought us up
out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our
cattle with thirst?
4 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What
shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready
to stone me.*"
5 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before
the people, and take with thee of the elders of Is-
: : :

Jelhro's visit
EXODUS xviir. mui sacrifiu.

k arnt 14 And the Lord said unto Moses, "Write


this yor a memorial iu a book, and rehearse ii in
the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the
remembrance of Amalck from under heaven."
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the
name of it Jehovah-nissi:*
16 For he said, * Because the Lord hath sworn*
that the Lord will have war with Amalek from
generation to generation.

CHAPTER XVIII.
1 Jethro bringeth to Moses his wife and two sons. 7 Moses entertain-
eth him. 13 Jethro "s counsel is accepted. 27 Jethro departeth.

TTTHEN Jethro the priest of Midian," Moses'


VV father-in-law, heard of all that God had
done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that
the Lord had broup;ht Israel out of Egypt ;
2 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zip-
porah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,
3 And her two sons of which the name of the ;

one ivas Gersliom;^ for he said, I have been an


alien in a strange land
4 And the name of the other icas Eliezer;' for
the God of my father, said he, icas my help, and
delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh
5 And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with
his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilder-
ness, where he encamped at the mount of God
"

6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father-in-law


Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her
two sons with her.
7 IT And Jloses went out to meet his father-in-
law, and did obeisance, and kissed him ^ and they ;

asked each other of their welfare ;' and they came


into the tent.
8 And Moses told his father-in-law all that the
Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyp-
tians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had
» Num. '24::J0: Deut. So: 10. " That is. Tlie Lord
: ;

Jdkro't counstl to Moses. EXODUS XIX. 7Tu people come to Sinai.

19 Hcarkon now unto my voice, I will >.mvc thee CHAPTER XIX.


counsel, and (IdiI with thee: lie tiiou for
"liail lie 1 Tfii; pvople (!omo to SiiiAi. Uotl'i mnua^i; hy ftlcrt^i unto the pro-
.')

i.l<:out of Uie mount. 8 The p<r«|<lc'« nniwi-r returned again. 10


the people to God-ward,* that thou maycst bring the people are prepared A;^tnjit ilie third day. 1'2 The mountain
the caused unto God : luujit not be toacned. IC The fearful preience of <iod upon the mount.

20 And thou nhalt teach them ordinances and the third month, when the children of Israel
them the way wherein they
INwere gone forth out of llie land of Kgypt, the
lawH,'' and .shall t-liow
uiUHt walk, and the work that they niu.il do. same day came they into the wilderne.'^s of Sinai.''
21 Moreover, thou Khalt proviile out of all the 2 For they were departed from Kephidim,' and
jieople able men, such as fear God, men of truth, were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched
tiating covetousnesH ;° and ])lace .wcA over them, in the wilderness and there Israel camped before ;

to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, the mount.


rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens 3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord
22 And let them jud^re the i)eo|de at all seasons: called unto him out of tlic mountain, saying, Thus
and it shall be, l/iat every great matter they shall shalt thou say to the hou.'^e of Jacob, and tell the
bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall children of Israel
judge: 80 shall it bo easier for thyself, and they 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians,'
sliall bear t/ie burden with thee.'' and how I bare you on eagles' wings," and brought
2'6 If thou shalt do this thing, and God com- you unto myself.

mand thee so," then thou shalt be able to endure, .0 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed,

and all 'this people shall also go to their place in and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar
peace.' treasure unto me above all people:' for all the
2-1: So Moses hearkened to the voice of his fa- earth is mine:
ther-in-law, and did all that he had said. G And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests,""
25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and a lioly nation. These are the words which
and made tliem heads over the people, rulers of thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and 7 T And Moses came and called for the elders
rulers of tens. of the people, and laid before their faces all these
26 And they judged the people at all seasons: words which the Loiii> commanded him.
tlic hard causes they brought unto Moses, but 8 And all the people answered together, and
every small matter they judged themselves. said. All that the Loufj hath spoken Ave will do."
27 ^ And Moses let his father-in-law depart; And Moses returned the words of the people unto
and he went his way into his own land.'' the Loud.

«Cll.a«;10: Dout.5:5. bD(!Ut.4:l; «:I,2; Nch.9:H. ' Dcut. l:!!?-!?; 32:11; I«l. 40:31; 63:0. 1 Deul. 7:0; 32:0; 1 Kingn 8:53; Pm. 135:4, I«a.
I9:lb: aSim. 2:!:3; Job29;10; 3I:1X d Num. 1 1:17. elBim.S:?. 'Gen. 1:8; 43:1; Tit. 2:14. m JR^v. 1 :0; 5:10. o ch. -^4:3; Deut. 5:27-29; Jo»h.
30:25. I Num. 10:20, 30. h Num. .33: 15. Ich.l7:l,8. Jch.7,cto. k Dnut. m'.'A; Nch. 10:'20.'

19. God nlwll be witk tlice ; he belicvcil llie jjlan lie pro- ly to discharge their appropriate duties, in order to btnor
posed would be ap])ioved of God. To God-wiird; Moses God and do good to men.
was to inquire of God for them, and make known to them 2C. Division of labor greatly increases useful results.
his will. Our object should be to have others do all the good they
21. Able men; capable men, who are disposed and qual- consistently can, and to do ourselves all we consistently
ified rightly to discharge the duties intrusted to them. can of what they leave undone. •

23. If —God command thee; if he approve the plan, and


direct thee to follow it. Go to their place; to the land of CHAPTER XIX.
Palestine, whither they wore marching. In peace; a well-
The same day; that is, the first day of the third
1.
ordered government would give them peace within and
month, called Siv'an, answering to the last part of May
R,afety without.
and the first of June. This was forty-five days after they
27. His own land; Midian. Chap. 2:16, 21.
left Egypt namely, sixteen days of the first month and
;

twenty-nine of the second. The next day Moses went


IXSTRLX'TIOXS.
up to meet God. Ver. 3. The day after he returned to
2. It is sometimes proper for husbands and wives to God the answer of the people, verses 7, 8, then three
live apart for a time, but generjxUy it is best for them to days were allowed the people to prepare themselves, and
live together, and by precejit and example unite in train- on the tliird day, which was the fiftieth from their depar-
ing u[> their children in tlio imrturo and admonition of ture out of Kgypt, God came down on mount Sinai and
the Lord. 1 Cor. 7:.5; lOpli. C:l. gave them the law. Verses 11, 10. Hence the feast
10. When friends who meet recount the goodness of which was cKtablished in commemoration of this event
<jod to thc:m, it is calculated to honor him, to increase was called IV-ntecoKt, meaning the fiftieth. At this feast
their gratitude, and better to fit them for the discharge it was thiit tlie Holy Ghost descended on the disciples.
of their duties. Acts 2:1-4.
12. When those who have been separated meet again, 4. Bare i/ou on eagles' wings; saved them, and brought
it is not enough merely to speak of the kindness of tiod, them safely and triumphantly to the enjoyment of his
but they should unite in worshipping him as the author special presence and favor. Dent. 32:11; Isa. 63:9.
of all the blessings Ihey enjoy. C. A kingdom of priests; the peculiar oifiec of a priest

18. It is not wise, nor is it right for men to labor so is to minister to God in holy things. Though there was
much as to injure their health and shorten their lives, a body of priests set ajjart from their brethren to offer
even for the purpose of doing gooil but they should the literal sacrifices and iterform the other outward ser-
;

proportion their labors to their ability most usefully to vice of the tabernacle, yet all the Israelites as a holy
perform them. nation were to render to God spiritual service, and oflfer
21. Rulers and all civil officers should be capable men, spiritual sacrifices. Compare 1 I^eter 2:5.
who love God, speak the truth, hate covetousness, and 7. Laid before tlicir faces; fully explained to them, and

are strictly honest men who are able and willing prompt- submitted to their consideration what God had said.
:

100
1

I'rfpnratums for giving EXODUS XX. the ten vimmnndmr.ntt

RruoL 9 And till! Loud said nnto Moacs, Lo, I 20 And the Lord came down upon mount Kinai,''
come unto thoc in a thick cloud," that the people on the top a[' the mount: and the Loiu) called
may hear when I speak with tiicc, and believe Moses up to the. top of tlie mount and Moses went ;

thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the up.
people unto the Loud. 21 And the Loud said unto Moses, Go down,
10 1 And the Loud said unto Moses, Go unto charge* the peof)lo, lest they break through unto
the people, and sanctify tliom to-day and to-mor- tlie Lord to gaze, and many of tliem ficrish.'
row,'' and l(!t them wash their eh)tlies, 22 And let tin; priests also, whieli come near to
1And ready a'^ainst the third day: for the the L(jitD, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord hicak
1:)C

tliird day the Loud will come downtn the sight forth upon them.
of all the people upon mount Sinai." 23 And Mo.scs said unto the Lord, The peofdo
12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people cannot come up to mount Sinai for thou charg- :

round about, Take heed to yourselves, cdst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and
sayinj^.
Ihat ye 2;o not up into the mount, or touch the sanctify it.
border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall 21- And the Lord said unto him. Away, get thee

be surely put to death:'' down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron
13 Tiierc shall not a hand touch it, but lie shall with thee: but let not the priests and the people
surely be stoned, or shot throuj^h whether it he. break through to come up unto the Lord, lest ho'
;

beast or man, it sliall not live: wlien the trumpet* brcfik forth upon them.
soundeth lony, ttiey sliall come up to the mount. 2l> So Mo.ses went down unto the people, and

14 IT And Moses went down from tiie mount spake unto them.
unto the people, and sanctified the people; and
they washed their clothes.
1.5 And he said unto the people, Bo ready against
CHAPTER XX.
1 The ten commandmentjt. 18 The people are afraid. 20 Mokcr com-
the third day: come not at your wives." forUjth tliern. 22 liiolaLry la forbidden. 1^1 Of what itort the aUar
16 IT And it came to pass on the third day in hhould be.

the morning, that there were tininders and light-


nings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the
AND Godamspake Lord
2 I the
all these words,' saying,
thy God, which have
voice of the trumpet e.Kceeding loud so that all ; brought thee out of the land of Egypt,'' out ol' the
the people that was in the camp trembled.'' house of Ijondage.*
17 And Moses brought forth the people out of 3 'i'liou slialt liave no other gods before me.'
the camp to meet with God; and they stood at 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven
the nether part of the mount. image, or any likeness (f any thin/r that is in heav-
18 And mount Sinai was altogether on asmoke, en above, or that is in the eartli beneath, or that
because the Loud descended upon it in fire:" and is in the water under tlie eartli.'"
the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a fur- 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor
nace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. serve them :" for 1 the LfjitD lliy God am a jealous
19 And
wiien tlie voice of the trumpet sounded God," visiting tlie iniquity of tlie fathers upon the
long, and waxed loiuler and louder, Moses spake, children unto the third and fourth gc7ieralion of
and God answered him by a voice. them that hate mc;''
• Ch. W:-H\ 21:1.1 Ki; Ucut. iAl; l'«a. \>i:\\, Vi; I«ii. H);l. I« Lev. k Lev. 2i;;l:f; l'«:i. Kl;10. I Hob. Krvanlt. I 2 Kingn \1:X>\ J«r. 2.'i;lli

11:44. 5 vcr. II), IS. ! Ucb. 12:20. • Or, cornel, o 1 Ham. 21:4..';; Joel Matt. 4: 10. m Um. 211: 1
1 Dntit, 4: 1(1. « oh. 23:24 ; Jo.h. 23:7; Jna. 44:1S,
2:IB, ' Hob. 12:21. t Dcut.4:ll; .31:2: Judg, r,:r>\ P«a.(W:«; llab. .");;!. IB. Jo«h.2l:l«i Nahiiral:2. P ch. 34:7; Num. U;IBi Job 21:10; J«r.
Il Neh. 0:13. t Hub. conunt. i ch. a:i;20; 1 Sam. 0:19. J Uciil. .'5:4, <it<j. 2:9; 32: IS.

10. Siinctifij them; cause thern t/j cleanse and i^rcparc or will not do, but Lord will, wo shall live
lo say, " If the
themselves. The outward washing commanded was a and do this or that ;" and while wo resolve in his strength,
sign of the inward cleansing of the heart from sin, which we should di|iiMd on liiiri for wisdom and grace to learn
God ro(|iiired of every one. and do his will.
12. Wliomever lourjwth; the Y>rc8cnoc of O'kI made tlio I :i. To meet (iod with accfptanfc. we must approach him

monntiiin sacred, and it must not he profaned Ijy the feeling that we are sinners, and that he is of purer eyes
toucli of man or heast. Thus tlic Israelites were taught than to behohl inir|iiity but with abhorrence, and striving
that every thing that pertains to God's service must bo to cleanse ourselves from all lilthincHS of the llesh and of
regarded with the deepest reverence. the spirit, and to jierfect Ii(;liiies8 in the fear of God.
VS. To tlie mount ; towards it, but not beyond the bounds 21. All unholy curiosity in approaching God, gazing
prescribed for them. upon what he designed should not be seen, or prying
H. Sanctified tlie people; led them to purify themselves into what is not revealed, is offensive to him and danger-
as directed, verses 10, 15. ous to ourselves.
17. Netlter; lower, outside
Ver. 12.
of tlio prescribed lino.
CHAPTER XX.
19. Moses spake, and God answered him; Neh. 9:13; Ilcb. Have no other amis;
'.',. to have a god, is to love an ob-
12:18-21. ject supremely. What a man most loves is his god.
21. Jlreak through; over tlio bounds set for them. Thou shalt not love any object in comparison with .leho-
vah, or worship any but him. lie/ore me; besides me, and
IXSTllCCTIONS. in my sight.
5. If we hearken
to the voice of God, beh'eve his doc- .0. Not Ijow down —
nor serve them ; for that is giving them
and obey his commands, he will delight in us,
laratioiiB, the place of .Jehovah worshipping and serving the crea-
;

and esteem us as his peculiar treasure. DfMit. 7:0j 32:9; ture in opposition to and defiance of the ('reator. Jcnious
I'sa. i:j5:4; Tit. 2:14; 1 Peter, 2:9; Kev. .0:10. (Iod; displeased with those who bestow upon others what
S. Men arc often much more ready to promise than to belongs only to him. Vmitinp the iriu/uity of tlie fathers
perform : and it is generally not wise to say what we will upon the children; by suffering the sins of parents to bring
101
: :

The ten commaiulmtnls. EXODUS XX. The people fear and tremble.

6 And showinir mercy unto tliousands of them 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's li" "jf
that love me, ami kcop my connnandmcnt*." house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor
7 Thou shalt not lake the name of tlie Loud tJiy his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox,
Giiil in vain;'' fur tlio Lord will not hold him nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's."
guiltless that takelh his name in vain.*-' is '1 And all the people saw the thunderings,
8Remember tlie sabbath-day, to keep it holy. and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet,
Six days shall thou labor, and do all thy work and the mountain smoking and when the people :

10 But the seventh day is the sabliath of tlie saw it, they removed, and stofid afar off.
LonD thy God :'' in it tiiou shalt not do any work, 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with
thou, nor thy son, nor thy tlaughter, thy man-ser- us, and we will hear : but let not God speak with
Tant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor us, lest we die.
thy stransrer that is witliin thy gates:' 20 And Moses said unto the people. Fear not:
11 For in six days the Loud made heaven and for God is come to jirove you, and that his fear
earth, tlie sea, and all that in them is, and rested may be before your ye sin not.
faces, lliat
the seventh day:*^ wherefore the Lord blessed the 21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew
sabbath-day, and hallowed it.*-' near unto the thick darkness where God was.
12 If Honor tliy father and thy mother;"" that 22 1i And the Lord said unto Moses, Thus thou
thy days may be long upon the land which the shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have
Lord tliv God givetii thee. seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
13 Tiiou shalt not kill.' 23 Yo shall not make with me gods of silver,
14 Thou slialt not commit adultery.^ neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
15 Thou shalt not steal. '^
24 1 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings,
neighbor.' and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen
»Dout. 7:0; Rom. ll;2!i. b I,ev. 19:1-2; Deut. 29:SS. c Lev. 24:16 ; Psa. 3.5:18, 19; Matt. 15:4, 6; E]*. 0:2. Gen. 9:0. J Malt. 5:27, 23; 19:18;
i

11)9 20. d ch. 31:13, 14; Isi. 5S:13. e Lev. 2):3; Kzek. 20:12. f Neh. Rom. 13:9. k Eph. 4:28; 1 Thess. 4:«. " Psa, 52:3, 5; Rev. 22:15. "Hab.
13:13,19; Matt. 12:1-12. S Gen. 2:2, 3. h Deut. 27:16; Prov. 1:8; Jer. 2:9; Rom. 7:7; I Cor. 0:10; Col. 3:5.

evil upon children, and often Bufferin<; children, through 13. Not kill; nor take the life of any human being, ex-
the wicked influence of parents, to imitate their example cept when God requires it. Gen. 9:6; Deut. 25:17-19;
and live and die in sin, and bring upon themselves its 1 Sam. 15:1-3, 18, 19. This command forbids not only
awful guilt and punishment. murder, but all those practices and kinds of business
6. Showing mercy uiito thousands —
that love me; not only which tend to destroy human life and requires the per- ;

by forgiving their sins and saving their souls, but often formance of those duties, and the pursuit of such courses
inak ing them ins trumental in leading others, especially their as tend to preserve it and render it useful.
children and children's children, to become pious, and the 14. Not commit adultery; this command forbids all nn-
means of salvation to their posterity to many generations. chastity in thought, word, or deed. It also forbids all
7. Take —
in vain; the highest violation of this command those things which tend to this evil. It is the application
is in false swearing. But it also prohibits every light of the great law of supreme love to God and impartial love
and irreverent use of God's name. Not hold him guiltless; to men with regard to purity in heart and life. Matt. 5 28. :

wiU view and treat him as he truly is, exceedingly guilty 15. Not steal; this command forbids us to appropriate
and deserving divine displeasure. to our own use what belongs to others. It is the appli-
8. Remember ; that God in six days made the heavens cation of the law of love to property, and requires us to
and the earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and that do to others, in respect to it, as we ougl^t to wish them
the seventh day he made for rest and spiritual duties that ; to do to us. Mic. 6 8 Col. 4 1 2 Peter 2:9.
: ; : ;

on it he himself rested from all his work that he blessed ; 16. Not bear false witness; this is the application of the
it and sanctified it, or set it apart from other days, to be law of love to the reputation of others, and forbids us to
devoted from the beginning to the end of time, not to speak differently of them from what, under similar cir-
Bccular but to sacred duties. Gen. 2:1-3. Keep it holy; cumstances, we ought to wish them to speak of us.
in accordance with the object for which God made it and Matt. 12:37; Rom. 13:10.
gave it to men. As a day not to be devoted to worldly 17. Not covet; not desire what does not rightfully be-
business, conversation, reading, travelling, visiting, or long to us, in any such sense as would incline us wrong-
amusement, nor to sleep, idleness, or worldly thoughts fully to take or retain possession of it. Respect and
and feelings, but to be employed in religious worship, treat the rights of all as you would wish them to respect
and in the promotion of our own spiritual good and that and treat yours.
of our fellow-men. All these ten commands express great moral obliga-
9. Six daiji —
do all thy work; all the worldly business tions, arising from the nature and relations of things.
which men do must bo done in the six working days, and When they prohibit the highest form of any sin, as mur-
what cannot be done in those days must be left undone, der, adultery, and theft, they also forbid every thought
except what is needful to the best discharge of the ap- and word that would lead to it. Thus they extend to the '

propriate duties of the Sabbath. thoughts and feelings as well as the outward actions, and
10. The Sabbath ; the day of rest for men and beasts of are binding in all countries and in all ages.
burden. 18. Saw; personally witnessed the thunderings and
11. Hallowed it; devoted it to sacred, in distinction from lightnings.
secular duties. 19. Lest we die; Judg. 6:22; 13:22.
12. Honor thy father and thy mother; love them, hearken 20. Fear not ; not fear immediate death, but fear to dis-
to their teaching, and oliey their commands. Treat them obey God. Prove you; give you opportunity to show
with respectful and kind attention, assist them when they whether you will or will not obey him.
need, labor to sup])Iy their wants, promote their comfort, 22. Seen tliat I have talked ; they heard his voice, but they
increase their usefulness, and do them all the good in saw no likeness of him ; and this was designed to guard them
your power. Matt. 15:4-6; 19:19; Mark 7:10-13 10:19; against attempting to make any such likeness. Ver. 23.
Luke 18:20; Eph. 6:1-3; Cok 3:20; 1 Tim. 5:4. Days
;

— 24. Record my name; appoint to meet my people and


be long ; life be continued prosperous and happy. receive their pubUc worshijj.
102
:

Laws rcsjteding EXODUS XXI. men-scrva r.ts.

B.' c:\m\: in all places -where I record my name I shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out
will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." free for nothing.'^
25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, 3 If he came in by liimself,+ he shall go out bv
thou shalt not build it of hewn' stone for if thou ; himself: if he were married, then his wife shall
lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. go out with him.
26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine 4 If his master hath given him a wife, and she
altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. have borne him sons or daughters, the wife and
her children shall be her master's, and he shall
go out by himself.
CHAPTER XXI. 5 And if the servant shall plainly say,' I love
1 Laws men-servants. 5 For the servant whose ear is boretl. 7
for my master, my wife, and my children I will not ;
For women-servants. 12 For manslaughter. 16 For stealers ot" men.
17 For cursers of parents. 18 For smiters. 22 For a hurt by
go out free
chance. 28 For an ox that goreth. 33 For liim that is an occasion 6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judg-
of harm.
es he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the
;

NOW these are the judgments which thou shalt


set before them."
door-post; and his master shall bore his ear through
with an awl and he shall serve him for ever.
;

2 If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he 7 IT And if a man sell his daughter to be a maid-

2Chr :1G: Ma • Heb. butld them with hewing, b Dcut. 6; 1. - Deut. 15:12; Jer. 34:!^17. \ Beb. with his body, t Heh. saying shall sny.

25. Tilou rendered it unfit for a place


haM polluted it; Every man has certain things which God has given
15.
of public worship, by disobeying God in the manner of him, and which, by right from God, belong to himself.
building it. One reason of this prohibition doubtless They are his property. To take them away, or without
was, to guard against the superstitious and idolatrous de- just cause deprive him of them, is theft, and exposes
vices common to heathen altars. those who do it to be excluded from heaven. Isa. 10:1,2;
26. Neither —
by steps; they were to go up by a gradual Luke 16:11; 1 Cor. 6:9; 2 Thess. 2:12.
ascent, and thus avoid such exposure as might result 16. To utter falsehood concerning others, or truth for
from their being dressed in loose flowing garments. the purpose of injuring them, is a violation of duty, and
will be condemned by God when the secrets of all hearts
INSTRUCTIONS. shall be revealed. Matt. 12:37; Jas. 4:11.
1. By proclaiming the ten commandments to the Israel- The law of God forbids us not merely to take what
17.

ites himself, and in circumstances of awful solemnity, belongs to others, but to desire to take it. It extends to
God showed their fundamental importance, and took a the thoughts and feelings, requiring us to be content with
course adapted to impress upon all men their obligations such things as we have and can gain by doing right lov- ;

perfectly to obey them. ing Jehovah supremely and our fellow-men as we love
2. Deliverance from bondage is a great and precious ourselves, and pm-suing that course which, under the
blessing, and special praises should be rendered to God direction of his word, this love requires. Psa. 119:96;
by those who enjoy it. Matt. 22:37-40; Rom. 13:7-10; 1 John 3:10; 4:8.
3. By forbidding men to regard any object more than
God, or to worship any other, he would remove the temp- CHAPTER XXI.
tation, and prevent the inclination to break his command- Judgments; rules or laws by which their civO gov-
1.
ments which supreme regard to creatures occasions. ernment was to be conducted. A collection of such rules
5. To
treat creatures, or the likenesses of creatures, as is found in this and the two following chapters, to which
if they were divine, by bowing down to them and wor- this verse serves as an introduction.
shipping them, is to act as if they were gods when they 2. If thou buy; God did not require or justify this, any
are not, and thus by actions to inculcate a falsehood more than the taking of two wives, ver. 10, but both
suited to degrade, debase, pollute, and destroy the soul. were then common, and many evils sprung from them.
7. To use the name of God in a profane, light, or irrev- God gave directions which would tend to lessen some of
erent manner, or to mention it without good reason, tends those evils, and render the case of those servants and
to lesson the reverence which the soul ought to feel for wives less distressing than it otherwise would be. The
him, to render it reckless and increasingly wicked, and is word translated buy, means to acquire, obtain, or possess.
a flagrant ofl'ence against the Ruler of the universe. Gen. 4:1. T/te seventh; one Hebrew should not be bound
10. Men have no right to employ themselves, their to serve another more than six years about the time that
;

children, servants, or cattle in worldly business more an apprentice among us serves his master. For nothing;
than six days in a week. If they take the Sabbath for however little work he had done during his time of ser-
worldly purposes, they take what is not theirs, and thus vice, he was not to be required to pay any thing for his
show themselves to be dishonest men, taking that which freedom, because at the close of six years it belonged to
does not belong to them, and in opposition to the express him, and his master was bound not only to let him go,
command of Jehovah. but also liberally to supply him. So with a woman-ser-
11. As God has hallowed the Sabbath, or set it apart vant. Deut. 15:12-15.
for sacred purposes, and for this end has blessed it, be 4. A wife; from his female servants. Shall be her mas-
makes it a blessing to all who rightly keep it, and through ter's ; neither her marriage nor the close of her husband's
them a means of rich benefits to others. term of service shall release her from any previous obli-
12. Children are bound to respect, love, and obey their gation to serve her master.
parents, for the purpose of thus honoring and obeying 5. Plainly say; openly, freely, so as to make it manifest
God and if they do not thus honor them, they dishonor that it was his free, deliberate choice; thinking that it
;

and rebel against him. would on the whole be better for him to continue, than
By taking the life of a human being when not re-
13. to take another course.
quired by God, a man forfeits his own, and ought, in obe- G. Bore his ear; this was to be the evidence, that from
dience to the divine requirement, to be put to death. love to his master, his wife, and his children, he had vol-
H. Unchastity is a sin which greatly corrupts the human untarily engaged to continue through life to work for his
soul, and exposes it to numerous evils in this world, and to master. Forever; through Hfe.
the WTath of God in the world to come. Lev. 20: 10 Prov. ; 7. Sell his daughter; under the expectation that the

6:25; Mai. 3:5; Matt. 5:28; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19: Ueb. buyer or his son would marry her and his thus buying
;

13:4. her was an engagement to do so, as it was then custom-


103
Cvncerning tnanslanshtcr. KXODl'S XXI, nml injuries by strife

servant," she slifill not fro out as llio mcn-scrvants maid, with a rod, and he die under his B.";ii5ii:
do." hand, he shall bo surely ])uuished.'
8 If slie ploa.^o not' lier master, wlio liatli bo- 21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two,
trotlied her to liiniself, then sliall he let lier l>c he shall not lie punislied lor he is his money.
:

rcdcoiiioil : unto a strange nation he


to sell lier 22 ^ If men strive, and hurt a woman with child.
sliall have no power,'' seeing he hath dealt deceit- so that her fiuit deitart/ro/n, her, and yet no mis-
fully witli her.'' chief follow, he shall be surely punished, accord-
1) And
he have betrothed her unto his .«on, he
if ing as the woman's husband will lay upon him:
manner of daughters.
shall deal with her after the and he shall pay as tiie judges (hlvrmim."
10 If he take him another wife, her food, her 23 And if (tny mischief follow, then thou shalt
raiment, and her duty of marriage shall he not give life for life,
diminish.'' 24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,
11 And
if he do not these three unto her, then foot for foot,''
go out free without money.
shall she 25 ]3urniug for burning, wound for wound, stripe
12 IT He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall for stripe.
be surely put to deatli." 26 *l And if a man smite the eye of his servant,
13 And if a man lie not in wait,"^ but God de- or the eye of his maid, that it perish;'' he shall
liver /liin into his hand; then I will appoint thee let him go free for his eye's sake.''
a place whitlicr lie shall flee.'' 27 And if he smite out his man-servant's tooth,
14 But if a man come ]iresumptuously upon his or his maid-servant's tooth; he shall Jet him go
neighbor to slay him with guile,' thou shalt take free for his tooth's sake.
him from mine altar, that he may die.J 28 1[ If an ox gore a man or a woman that they
15 1" And he that smiteth his father, or his die, then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his
mother, shall be surely put to death." flesh shall not be eaten;' but the owner of the ox
16 IT And he that stealeth a man,' and selleth shall he (piit.
him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely 20 But if the ox were wont to push with his
be put to death.'" horn in time i)ast, and it hath liccn testified to
17 IT And he that curseth* his father, or his his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that
mother, shall surely be put to death." he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall
18 1 And if men strive together, and one smite be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to
another' with a stone, or with his list, and he die death.
not, but keepeth his bed, 30 If there bo laid on him a sum of money, then
19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever
staff, then shall he that smote Mm be quit: only is laid upon him.'
he shall pay for the loss^ of his time, and shall 31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored
cause him to be thoroughly healed. a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be
20 IF And if a man smite his servant, or his done unto him.
» Neh. 5:5. b vet. 2, 3. • Heb. ie evil in the eyts of. « Deut. 21:14 reviUth. " Prov. 20:20; 30:11, 17
<1Mai. 2: 14, 15. e 1 Cor. 7:5. ' Lev. 24: 17; Num. ;I5:3"0. 31
; Matt. 20:52.
f Deut. 19:4, 5. b Num. 35:11. i Num. IJ:.^!). j Gen. 9:8: Dcut. ID: Il-
ia ; 1 Kings 2:29-34. lilTim.I:0. I Rev. 18:12,13. mDeat.24:7. t Or,

;iry for a man to buy his wife. 'Nol go out as tlie men-
xervants do; that is, in the seventli year, ver. 2. She
Khoufd be better provided for, as specified, ver. 8-11.
8. JVJio hath betrothed her; by thus buying iier. Let her
he redeemed; cause lier to be redeemed. Unto a strange
nation; in the Hebrew, a strange people, wliicli some
understand to be a foreign nation. But the more proba-
ble meaning is, people who are strangers to him, not
being of his family. So " a strange woman " means an-
other man's wife. He hath dealt deceitfully; in not marry-
ing her himself, or having her married in his family.
9. After the manner of daughters; giving her a dowry,

and treating her on her marriage as ho should his own


daughter.
10. Her food, her raiment, and her duiy of marriage; those
of the wife whom he had bought and married.
11. Go out free; free from all further obligations to him.
She might be divorced and married, if she chose, to an-
other man.
12. Smiteth a man; intending to kill him. One who
commits murder. Gen. 9:6; Lev. 24:17 Num. 35:30, 31. ;

13. Lie not in wait; had no malice against the man, and
did not intend to kill him. God deliver him; if the act
was wholly providential, without human intention. Whith-
er he shall flee; and stay till the matter could be duly ex-
amined and the man rightly treated.
14. Slay him with guile; intending to murder him. Take
him from mine altar; even if he should flee there for ref-
uge. 1 Kings 2:28-34.

104
;

The ox that "orcth. EXODUS XXII, Of theft, and damage.

B. c'Sl'32 If the ox shall push a man-servant or 5 1 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to
a maid-servant, he shall give unto their master be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed
thirty shekels of silver," and the ox shall be stoned. in another man's field of the best of his own field, ;

;53 IT And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make
shall dip: ^ pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an restitution.
'^

ass fall therein G If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that
34 The owner of the pit shall make it .sjood," the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the
and give money unto the owner of them and the field, be consumed therewith: lie that kindled the
;

dead beast siiall be his. fire shall surely make restitution.


35 T[ And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he 7 IT If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor
die, then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money or stuft' to keep, and it be stolen out of
money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide. the man's house if the thief be found, let him pay ;

36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to double.


push in time past,'= and his owner hath not kept 8 If the thief be not found, then tlie master of
him in, he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the the house shall lie brought unto the judges, to see
dead shall be his own. whether he have put his hand unto his nciglibor's
goods.
9 For manner of
CHAPTER XXII. all
ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for
trespass, whither
any man-
it be for

1 Of 5 Of damage. 7 Of trespasses. 14 Of borrowing. 16 Of


theft.
ner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be
fornication. 18 Of witchcraft. 19 Of bestiality. 20 Of idolatry.
21 Of str,ragers, widows, and fatherless. 2-J Of usury. 26 Of pledges. his, the cause of both parties shall come before the
28 Of reverence to m.agistrates. 29 Of the first-fruits.
judges;' and wliom the judges shall condemn, he
a man an ox, or a sheep,* and kill shall pay double unto his neighbor.
shall steal
IF it, or sell it he shall restore five oxen for an
; 10 If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or
ox, and four sheep for a slieep.'' an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep and it ;

2 IT If a thief be found breaking up," and be die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed 11 Then shall an oath of the Lord be between
for him.*^ them both,-" that he hath not [)ut his hand unto his
3 If tlie sun be risen upon him, there shall be neighbor's goods and the owner of it shall accept ;

blood shed for him for he should make full resti- thereof, and he shall not make it good.
;

tution: if he have nothing, then he shall be sold 12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make
for his theft. restitution unto the owner thereof.
4 If tlie theft be certainly found in his hand 13 If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it
alive, whetlier it be ox, or ass, or sheep he shall for witness, and he shall not make good that which
;

restore double.*^ was torn.


. 16:18; Rev. 1S:6. hch. 21:34.
^ Job 24:14; Joel 2:9;

32. Thirty shekels; supposed to be about fifteen dollars. for the life of that man, and will be treated accordingly
Some have thought it to be more. at the bar of God.
34. Carelessness is forbidden by the law of God, as
INSTRUCTIONS. well as malice and covetousness and if others suffer loss ;

4. God, as civil ruler among the Jews,


did not at once through our neglect, we are bound, as far as may be in
abolish all existing evils, but suffered some for a time to our power, to remunerate them.
continue, on account of the hardness of their hearts. Yet
he adopted regulations which were suited to lessen some
XXII. CHAPTER
of the distressing consequences of those evils, and prepare 2. Breaking up ; breaking into a dwelling in the night.

the way, under the manifestations of increasing light and No blood be "shed ; the man who killed him was' not to be
love, for their ultimate entire removal. Matt. 19:8 Mark deemed guilty of murder, or be punished.
;

10:5; Acts 17:30. 3. If the sun be risen; if it was in the daytime, the man

10. The giving of regulations to lessen the evils of an could be seen and secured. There was no need of killing
existing practice does not sanction the continuance of him, and the wanton killing of him would be murder. Be
that practice, or afford any evidence that it ought not to sold for his theft; that thus restitution may be made to
be abandoned. the man from whom he has stolen. Among the Jews,
14. As King of the Jews, God adopted into their civil men were sometimes sold or bound out for a time, as a
code many of those moral laws which had been obliga- punishment for their crimes. Their services were sold
tory on all men from the creation of the world, and among till they had made compensation to those whom they had
them was that which required the murderer to be put injured. A poor man sometimes sold his own services,
to death —
a law binding on men under all dispensations. or those of his children, or his creditors sold them for
Gen. 9:6; Num. 35:31. the payment of his debts. Chap. 21:2.
26. A Jew by maiming his servant forfeited all claim to 5. Restitution; a proper compensation to the person
his services and God, by requiring him to be set at injured.
;

libert\-, and in many other things, showed a regard to the 6. Make restitution; for the injury which his careless-
persons, property, and rights of servants, and to the ness or neglect occasioned.
mutual good of all, far beyond what was then showTi in 7. Stiifl'; furniture or articles of any kind.

the civil code of any other nation. Dent. 4:5-9; Jer. S. Put tiis hand; taken the article himself.
34:8-17. 9. Challengeth; affirms or declares.
29. AVhen a man has reason any thing
to believe that 12. 3Iake restitution ; on the ground of his not having
under his control, if sent out or suffered to go out, will taken proper care to prevent the theft.
endanger the lives of men, he is bound to keep it in. If 13. Bring it for witness; bring the animal, or some part
liedoes not, and a man is killed by it, ho is responsible of it, in proof of the fact.
105
.

0/ borrowing and usury. EXODUS Will, Of justice and charily.

14 1 And if a man borrow augJd of his ncifrli- shall como to pass, when he crieth unto acuJJ:
bor, and it be liurt, or dii'. tlio owner tlicrcof ici/i/j me, that I will liear;^ for I am gracious."
not with it, lie siiali surely make it jrood. 28 t Tliou shalt not revile the gods,* nor curse
15 But if the owner tiiereof be with it, he shall the ruler of thy people.'
not make it good if it be a hired thing, it cauic
: 2!) 1 Thou shalt not delay to offer llie first* of
for his hire. thy ripe fruits,'" and of thy liiiuors;'^ the first-born
IG ^ And if a man entice a maid that is not be- of thy sons shalt thou give unto ine."
trothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow 30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and
her to be his wife." with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his
17 If her father utterly refuse to frive her unto dam;" on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
him, he shall i)ay' money according to the dowry 31 1 And ye shall be holy men unto me:"" nei-
of viririns. tlier shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in
IS 1l Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.'' the field ;'' ye shall cast it to the dogs.
19 IT Whosoever lieth with a beast shall sui-ely
be put to death.'^
20 T He that sacrificcth unto any god,'' save
CHAPTER
XXIII.
unto the Loud only, he shall bo utterly destroyed. 1 Of stander and false witness. Of justice. 4 Of charitablenefis.
.3,

10 Of the year of rest. 12 Of the sabbath. 13 Of idolatry. 14 Of


21 *[ Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor op- the three feasts. 18 Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice. 20 An
jiress him:" for ye were strangers in the land of An;^'cl is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him.

p]gypt.
22 ^ Ye shall not afflict any widow, or father-
THOU
shalt not raise' a fahse report:' put not
thy hand with the wicked to be an tmright-
less child.f cous witness."
23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they ciy 2 1" Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil ;'
at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry ;
neither slialt thou speak ^ in a cause to decline
24: And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill after many to wrest judgment:
you with the sword and your wives shall be wid-
; 3 M Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man
ows, and your children fatherless.'"' in his cause."
25 1 If thou lead money to any of my people 4 1 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass
that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as a going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to
^'
usurer," neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. him again.
26 If thou at all take thy neighbor's raiment to 5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee
pledge,' thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the lying under his burden, and wouhlcst forbear to
sun gooth down: help him, thou shalt surely help with him.*
27 For that is his covering only, it is his rai- 6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor
ment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it in his cause.'"

» Deut. 22:29, 29. Heb. weigh, b Ler. 20:27; Deut. 18:10; 1 Sim. oLev.22:27. P Lev. 19:2; 1 Pet. 1: 1.5. 16. q Lev. 22:8; Ezek. 4:14 41:31
;

23:3, 9; Rev. 22:15, Ler. 18:a.3, 2S. d Deut. 13:1-11. e Lev. 19:3:!; I Or. receive. rPisa. 15:3. • Prov. 19:5; Eph. 4:25. I 1 Kings 19: If); Job
Zech. 7:10. f Deul. 24:17; Psa. 94:6, 7; Isa. 1:17; Bzek. 22:7; Jas. 1:27! 31:34. 11 Heb. anstoer. o ver. 6. » Matt. 5:44. • Or, jriUthou aase to

e Jer. 15:8; 18:21; Lam. 5:3. h Neh. 5:7; Psa. 15:5; Ezek. 18:8, 17, help himl or, woutdest cease to leave thy business /or Aim; tliou shall surety
i Deut. 21:6, etc.; .lob 22:0. j ver. 23. t2Chr.30:9. ^Ot. judges. 1 Acts leave it to join with him. w ver. 3.
2J:3. 5; Jude 8. 1 Heb. (Ay/u/iKSJ. mMic. 7:1. « Heb. (eor. nch. 13:2.

14. Make it good; presuming lie had not taken proper heedlessness, bo is bound, as far as may be in his power,
care of it to make him suitable compensation.
1.5. Not make good; because the owner could see how
it Fidelity in the safe preservation and good treat-
10.
it was treated. It came for his hire; the price paid for ment of whatever is committed to us, is required by the
tlie use of the beast was supposed to bo enough not only law of God. We
should regard another's property as wo
to compensate for service, but also to cover the risk to ought to wish him to regard ours.
which it would be exposed. Of course, should the beast 15. When a man hires property, giving a rent sufficient
be hurt or die, the owner was to bear the loss. to compensate not only for its use, but also for the risk
16. Endow Iter; marry her, and suitably provide for her to which it is exposed, and the property without his
as his wife. fault is providentially injured or destroyed, the loss shall
17. According to the dowry; such as would be proper fall on the owner.
according to her rank and condition. 20. The restraints which are needful to keep men from
18. A witch; one who professed to have intercourse with outbreaking iniquity, show that their hearts are deprav-
evil spirits, and from them to receive supernatural power. ed and that all the holiness which there is among men
;

20. Shall be utterly destroyed; he not only broke the first is the fruit of divine grace. Jas. 1 17. :

commandment of the moral law, but also committed trea- 27. Strangers, widows, orphans, and poor persons are
son against the state, in acknowledging another God instead peculiarly exposed to be wronged bj' the wicked, and on
of .Jehovah, who was then the civil head of the Jews. this account God graciously makes them objects of his
21. A stranger; one who came among them from another peculiar care, and with special severity will punish their
nation. oppressors. Psa. 68:5; Prov. 22:22,23; Jer. 49:11; Matt.
25. Usury; interest. 26:11.
28. The gods; magistrates, judges, and other civil rul-
ers, officers under God. Ciirse; speak evil of.
CHAPTER XXIII.
30. Give it me; this was an acknowledgment of God as Countenance; unduly favor. In deciding causes, they
3.
the rightful proprietor of all. Ex. 1.3:2. were not to favor the rich, the great, or the many nor ;

31. Holy men unto me; separated from others to be were they to be partial towards the poor,- but to decido
pecuharly Jehovah's people. according to evidence, right, and dutj'.
5. Lying under his burden ; fallen, and not able to rise
IKSTRDCTIONS. witliou't help. Help with him; assist the owner in getting
6. When one man injures another through desif^n or the beast up.
lo'e
: :; ;

The three yearly feasts. EXODUS XXIIL The Angel of the Lord.

B. l\ u'.n. Keep thee far from a false matter


"^ 18 Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacri-
and the innocent and righteous slay thou not for fice^ with leavened bread ; neither sliall the fat
:

I will not justify the wicked.-'' of my sacrifice remain until the morning.
8 IT And thou shalt take no gift:'' for the gift 19 The first of the first-fruits of thy land tliou
blindetli the wise," and perverteth the words of shalt bring into the house of the Lord tliy God.
the rigliteous. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.''
9 T[ Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger for 20 1 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to
:

ye know the heart* of a stranger, seeing ye were keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the
strangers in the land of Egypt. place which I have prepared .^
10 And six years thou shalt sow thy laud, and 21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke
shalt gatlier in the fruits thereof:'' him not lie will not pardon your transgres-
; for
11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and sions: for my name
is in him.
lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: 22 But thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and
if
and wliat tliey leave the beasts of the field shall do all that I speak then I will be an enemy unto
;

eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy thine enemies,'' and an adversary unto thine ad-
vineyard, and with thy olive-yard.* versaries."
12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the 23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and
seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites,
thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the Pcrizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hi-
and tlie stranger, may be refreshed. vites, and tlie Jebusitcs;' and I will cut tlicin ofl".
13 And in all things that I have said unto you be 24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods,' nor
circumspect:'' and make no mention of the name of serve them, nor do after their works :'^ but thou
other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.*^ shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break
14 il Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto down their images.'
me in the year. •
25 And ye shall serve the Lord your God,"" and
15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread he shall bless thy bread, and thy water;" and I
thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I will take sickness away from the midst of theo.°
commanded thee, in the time appointed of the 26 1 There shall nothing cast their young, nor
month Abib; for in it thou camest out of Egypt: be barren, in thy land p the number of thy days
:

and none shall appear before me empty I will fulfil.


IG And the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of 27 send my fear before thee, and will de-
I will
thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field and : stroy all the people to whom thou shalt come;''
the feast of ingathering, tohich is in the end of the and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs'
year, when thou hast gathered in thy labors out unto tliee.
of the field. 28 And I will send hornets before thee,'' which
17 Three times in the year all thy males shall shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the
appear before the Lord God. Hittite, from befoi'e thee.

aCh. 31:7. >> Prov. 17:23; Isl. 33:13. • Ueb. the seeing, t Heb. sou;, i
ch. 33:2; Josh. 5:13. J ch. 20:5. k Lev. 1S:3; Deut 12:30; Psa. 101:3.
c LeT. 2J:3, 4; 20:34. 1 Or, olive-trees, i Dcut. 4:9; Eph. 5:15. = .Josh. 1 ch. 32:20; Num. 33:52; 2 Chr. .34:7. m Josh. 22:5. n Deut. 7:13; Isa.
23:7;Psa.lG:4; Hos.2:17. §Or,/eas(. tch.»4:26. sGen. 4S:10; Isa. 63:0. 33:10; Mai: 3:10, 11. o Psa. 103:3. p Deut. 2S:4. q Josh. 2:9. 11 ; 1 Sam.
hGeii. 12:3; Deut.30;7; Zeoli.2:S. lOt, I wittafflicttkemtliat afflict thee. 14:15; aChr. 14:14. H Heb. neci; Psa. 18:40. r Deut. 7:20; Josh. 24:12.

I.Far from a false matter; not attempt to support a fiftieth, because it commenced on the fiftieth day after the
false accusation. Slay thou not; not be accessory to the passover, and was commemorative of the giving of tho
death of an innocent person. law from mount Sinai, which took place fifty days after
8. Gift ; a bribe offered to induce a magistrate to favor the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. Chap. 34:22;
one in judgment. Lev. 23 14-21 Xum. 28 20-31.
: ; The feast of ingathering
:

9. A They had learned by ex-


stranger; a foreigner. so called because it took place after the gathering in or
perience in Egypt the liability of foreigners to be op- completion of the harvest. It was called also the feast
pressed, and remembered how they felt under oppres- of tabernacles, in commemoration of their having dwelt
sion. forty years in tabernacles or tents in the wilderness. The
II. Let it rest; this was to teach them their dependence feast was kept from the fourteenth to the twenty-first day
on God, and the safety of trusting in him. of the month Tishri, answering to the last part of Sep-
12. Thy work; aU worldly business except what was tember and the first part of October. It was the seventh
needful in acts of mercy, and for the best discharge of mouth of their ecclesiastical, and the first of their civil
the appropriate duties of the Sabbath. May be refreshed; year. Lev. 23:34-36; Deut. 16:13-15.
one day's rest in a week from labor is, for man and beast, 18. The blood of my sacrifice; or the feast of the pass-
essential to the best refreshment, the greatest vigor, and over. Chap. 12:"7-10; 34:25; Lev. 2:11; Deut. 10:4.
longest life. Chap. 34:21. 19. Seethe; boil or cook. Some suppose that this pre-
13. Circumspect ; very careful to obey his will. cept was intended to guard against a sujierstitious usage
15. Feast of unleavened bread; this followed the pass- of the heathen others, that its design was to inculcate
;

over, instituted the night before they left Egypt. It was a humane spirit.
called the feast of unleavened bread because they were 20. An Angel; he who dwelt in the pillar of cloud and
required, during that feast, to eat nothing leavened, and of fire. Chap. 14:19; 32:34; 33:2, 14; Num. 20:10; Josh.
to have no leaven in their houses. Chap. 12:14-20. 5:13-15; 6:2; Isa. 63:7-13.
Empty ; without an offering, or something devoted espe- 21. My name is in him; he possessed and manifested
cially to the Lord. Chap. 34 18-20. the attributes of Jehovah. Mai. 3:1.
:

IB. Feast of harvest ; so called because the harvest then 23. 3Iine Angel shall —
bring thee in; Josh. 24:2-11.
began to be ripe. It was called also the feast of weeks, 26. Thu days I will fulfil; he would preserve their lives
or of sevens, because it was kept seven weeks after the to a good old age.
passover; also the feast of Pentecost, which means the 28. Hornets; Deut. 7:20; Josh. 24:12.
101
Mdses huUdtlh an altar, EXODUS XXIV. and ascendclh mount Sinai.

29 I will not drive them out from before tlioe All the words which the Lord hath said u.V-utr
in one year; lest tlie land become desolate, and will wc do.'
tlie bcaJt of the ticld multiply against thee. 4 And Moses wrolc words of the Lord.^
all the
30 By little and little I will drive them out from and rose up early in the morning, and builded an
before thee, until thou bo increased, and inherit altar under the hill, and twelve jiillars, according
the hind. to the twelve triljcs of Israel.
31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea f) Andhe sent young men of the children of Is-
even unto the sea of tlic Philistines," and lVi>iii i-acl, which offered burnt-ofleriiigs. and sacrificed

tiie desert unto tlie river:'' for 1 will deliver the pface-oll'crings of o.xen unto the Lord.
inhabitants of the land into your hand ;'^ and thou And Mo.ses took half of the blood, and put it
shalt drive them out "before thee. in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on
32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor the altar.
with their gods.'' 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and
33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they read in the audience of the people: and they said.
make thee sin ai^ainst me: for if thou serve their All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be
gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee." obedient.
8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it
on the people,'' and said. Behold the blood of the
CHAPTER XXIV. covenant, which the Lord hath made with you
concerning all these words.
1 Moses is up into the mountain. 3 The people promise obedi-
called
9 1 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab,
ence. 4 Moses buiUeth an altar, and twelve pillars. G He sprin-
kleth the blood of the covenant. 9 The glory oi^ Orod appeareth. 14 and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel;
Aaron and Hur have the charge of the people. 1-3 Moses goeth into 10 And they saw the God of Israel:' and there
the mountain, where he contiuueth forty days and forty nights.
was under his feet as it were a paved work of a
AND he said unto Moses, Come up unto the
Lord,' thou and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu,''
sapphire-stone,">and as it were the body of heaven,
in his clearness.'^
and seventy of the elders of Israel ;" and worship 11 And upon
the nobles of the children of Is-
ye afar off. rael he laid not hishand also they saw God, and
:

2 alone shall come near the Lord


And Moses : did eat and drink."
but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the 12 If And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up
people go up with him. to me into the mount, and be there:'' and 1 will
3 'i And Moses came and told the people all the give thee tables of stone,'' and a law, and com-
words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and mandments which I have written;"' that thou may-
all the peoiile answered with one voice, and said, est teach them.

» Num. 34:3, etc.; Deut. 11:24. !> Num. 34:.'!; Josh. 1:4; Fsa. 72:8. Deut. 31:9. k Heb. 9:19-21; 13:20; 1 Pet. 1:2. 1 Kings 22:19; Isa.
I

Josh. 21:44. i ch. 34:12, 15; Psa. 106:35; 2 Cor. IJ:15. e Judg. 2:3. i:l,S. m Ezek. 1:26; 1U:1; Rev. 4:3; 21:19. » iMalt. 17:2; Rev. 1:10.
5ch.2S:l. hNum.ll:l(>. i Deut. 5:27; Josh. •.M:22.
ver. 15; ch. 34:2. 'Gen. 18:8. Pver. 2, IS. q Deut. 5:22. 'Neh. 9:13.

29. BcasI of the field; wild and ravenous beasts. Deut.


7:22. CHAPTER XXIV.
31. Sea of the Philistines; the Mediterranean sea, on the I. Come up; this command was given to Moses while

eastern shore of wliich the Philistines lived. The desert; he was yet with God in the mount, chap. 20:21. The
ofShur. r/fc rzucr; Euphrates. Josh. 1:4; 1 Kings, 4:21. meaning is, that he should come up again with the per-
32. No covenant —
with their gods ; not worship them. sons named, after he had iirst descended and done what
33. A snare; it would draw them aw;ty from the wor- is recorded in ver. 3-8. Nadab and Abihu; the two elder
ship of Jehovah, and bring upon them his wrath. sons of Aaron. Chap. 6:23.
3. All the mrds of tlie Lord —
the judgments; those con-
INSTRUCTIONS. tained in the four preceding chapters. The ten command-
2. The majority as
to numbers, wealth, and political ments were spoken by God himself to all the people.
influence are often wrong. If in such cases a person 4. All the uvrds of the Lord ; those which he had pre-
would do right, he must not be governed by public opin- viously communicated to the people.
ion, however it may be expressed, but by the law of God. 7. The book of the covenant; that which he had written.
7. The laws of Moses, as well as those of Christ, re- Ver. 4.
quired men to love others as the^' loved themselves and, ; 8. The blood of the covenant; that by which the cove-
under all circumstances, to do to others as they ought to nant w'hich they had made was ratified. Heb. 9: 19 Matt. ;

wish that others should do to them. Matt. 7:12; 19:19; 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke
22:20.
22:37-40. 9. Then went up Moses; as directed, ver. 1.

9. Might never gives right and to oppress or wrong


; 10. Saw the God of Israel; compare Isa. 6:1; Ezek. 1:26.
any one because he cannot defend himself, or bring to A paved work of a sapphire; or, transparent sappliire. This
justice the aggressor, is mean, base, and wicked. is the " sea of glass like unto crystal," in Rev. 4:6. The
12. In requiring men to remember the Sabbath-day to sapphire is a precious stone of a sky-blue color. The
keep it holj', God regards not only his own glory, but the elders of Israel did not see God face to face as Moses
comfort and highest good of all classes of men and of did, but only from the lower part of the mount, where
laboring animals. To deprive them of the rest of the they were commanded to worship "afar off." Ver. 1, 2.
Sabbath is robbery of God, and of man and beast. II. He laid not his hand; they received no harm, though
17. Not only individuals but nations are bound to fol- they saw God not his essence or shape, but his visi-
;

low the directions of God. Nor does their safety or their ble glory. John 1:18; 5:37; 6:46; 14:9; 15:24; 1 John
best interest ever require them, as nations or individuals, 4:12.
to break his commands. Ver. 22-27 chap. 34:24.
; 12. Come up to me; still nearer to the visible glory.
31. Jehovah claims and exercises the right to dispose Tables of stone ; on which were the ten commaudments.
of all parts of the earth according to his pleasure. Chap. 31:18; 32:15, 16; Deut. 5:22.
108
Offerings for the tabernacle. EXODUS XXV. T/ie form of ike ark

B.c'S' 13 And Moses rose up, and his minister 3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of
Joshua; and Moses went up into the mount of them gold, and silver, and brass, ;

God. 4 Andblue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine


14 And
he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here linen,*and goats' hair,
for us, until we come again unto you and behold, : 5 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins,
Aaron and Hur are with you if any man have : and shittim-wood,
any matters to do, let him come unto them. 6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and
15 And Moses went up into the mount, and a for sweet incense,
cloud covered the mount.-' 7 Onyx-stones, and stones to be set in the ephod,
16 And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount and in the breastplate.
Sinai," and the cloud covered it six days: and the 8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I
seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst may dwell among them.'"
of the cloud. 9 According to all that I show thee,^ after the
17 And the sight of the glory of the Lord was pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all
like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
eyes of the children of Israel." 10 1 And they shall make an ark of shittim-
18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, wood:'' two cubits and a half shall be the length
and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof,
the mount forty days and forty nights.*" and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold,
within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt
CHAPTER XXV. make upon it a crown of gold round about.
12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it,
1 What the Israelites must offer for the making of tlie tabernacle. 10
The form of the ark. 17 The mercy-seat, with the cherubim. 23 and put them in the four corners thereof; and two
The table, with the furniture thereof. 31 The candlestick, with the rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings
instruments thereof.
in the other side of it.
A ND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 13 And thou shalt make staves o/" shittim-wood,
JIX. 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that and overlay them with gold.
they bring me* an oii'ering:* of every man that 14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings
giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne
my offering." with them.
a Ch. 19:9. 1> Lev. 9:23; Num. 14:10. " Deut. 4:36; Ezek. 1:27; Nah.
1:6, Hab. 3:4, 5; Heb. 12:18, 29. d ch. 34:23; Deut. 9:9. * Heb. take far

13. Minister ; servant. Into the mount ; towards the top of


the mount, on wliich was the visible presence of Jehovah. CHAPTER XXV.
It would seem that Moses with Joshua approached near to We
come now to the tabernacle and its furniture. To
the cloud that covered the mount, and there abode six days. guard against any intermixture of heathenish usages, as
On the seventh day God called Moses into his immediate well as to impress upon the minds of the Israelites the
presence, while Joshua remained behind and waited for truth that all acceptable worship of God must be in
him. In chap. 32 17, we find him descending with Moses. accordance with the rules of his appointment, Jehovah
:

14. Matters to do; controversies to be settled, or cases gave to Moses in the moimt specific directions for the
to be decided. structure of the tabernacle and every thing pertaining to
INSTRUCTIONS. its service. He showed him, moreover, a pattern, by
1. We
should approach God not only with reverence which he was enabled at once to apprehend the mean-
and holy fear, but with filial respect, confidence, and love. ing of all the directions ho received, and to write them
3. We
often find that many who are forward to promise out in full, as is done in this and the six following chap-
are backward to perform, and that nothing but the grace ters.
of God will make those who solemnly covenant with him The tabernacle was God's visible dwelling-place. As
steadfast and persevering in obeying his commands. Num. such it represented to the Israelites the great truth that
14:11-35; Psa. 78: 10-61 106:8-43; 1 Cor. 10:5-12.
; Jehovah dwells spiritually with his people as their king
8. The blood which was shed in sacrifices under the and protector. Thus the tabernacle, with all the services
Old Testament dispensation, was designed to impress belonging to it, was " a shadow of good things to come."
upon all the necessity of an atonement, in order to the It typified the higher blessings of the Christian dispen-
forgiveness of sin and acceptance with God. It pointed sation, as is fully shown in the epistle to the Hebrews.
forward to the blood of Christ, who, in due time, was to 2. That frivcth it willingly; thus God tiiught the people

take away sin by the sacrifice of himself; and who would that he will h.ave willing worshippers.
enter the holy place with his own blood, and thus obtain 4. Bhie, and purple, and scarlet ; these colors were em-

eternal redemption for all who should bohcve on him. ployed as being the most excellent.
Heb. 9:6-28. 5. Badgers' skins; according to some, the original word
12. A right understanding of the law which God wrote means the skin of a species of seal. Shittim-wood ; a spe-
with his finger on tables of stone, is essential to a right cies of acacia, an exceedingly fine and durable wood.
estimate of human character. Ministers should therefore Gum arabic is obtained from the living tree.
be very explicit in teaching it. Without rightly under- 7. The ephod —
breastplate; see the description of these,
standing the law, men will not rightly imderstand the chap. 28:6-30.
gospel, or their need of its blessings. 10. An ark; this is a different word in the Hebrew
18. Moses received his directions from God, therefore all from that rendered ark in Gen. 6:14, and means a chest.
the children of Israel were bound to obey him. If they A cubit; about eighteen inches.
did not, they rebelled againstGod,andwere justly exposed 11. A crown; a comice or border aromid the lid of the
to his wrath. How much more aggravated will be the sin ark.
and doom of men who refuse to obey Jesus Christ. Deut. 13. Staves; poles or rods to go through the rings of the
18:15; John 1:45; Acts 3:22-26; 7:37; Heb. 10:28-31. ark, by which to carry it.
100
; :

Of the mertii-smt , /fie EXODUS \\V. show-talk, ami the cnndlcstick.

15 Tlip stave.'' shall be in tlio rings of the ark: 27 Over against the liorder shall the *, r.nJ?:
tlicy sliall nut lie taken IVom it. rings be for i)laces of tlie staves to bear the table.
10 And tiioii slialt put into the ark the testi- 28 And tiiou slmlt make the staves of shittiin-
mony wliicli I shall irive tiiee." wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table
17 Anil thou shalt make a mercy-scat of pure may be borne with them.
jrohl:'' two cubits ami a half ,s/;«// he the lenirtii 2*.> And
thou shalt make the di.slies thereof, and
thereof, ami a cubit and a hall' the bread tli tiiereof. spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls
18 And thou slialt make two cherubim o/"gold, thereof, to cover withal:* o/fiurc gold shalt thou
q/" beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two make them.'
ends of the mercy-seat. And thou shalt set upon the table show-bread
30
19 And make one cherub on the one end, and before me always.'
the otlicr cherub on the other end: even of the 31 IT And thou shalt make a candlestick o/"purc
mercy-scat* shall ye make the cherubim on the gold:" o/" beaten work shall the candlestick be

two ends thereof. made: his shaft, aud his branches, his bowls, his
20 And the cherubim shall stretch forth //(f/rwings knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
on hijih, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, 32 And si.\ branches shall come out of the sides
and their faces shall look one to another ; toward of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the
the mercy -seat shall the faces of tiie cherubim be." one side, and three branches of the candlestick
21 And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon out of the other side
the ark i*" and in the ark thou slmlt put the testi- 33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, tvitk a
mony that 1 shall give thee." knop and a flower in one branch and three bowls ;

22 Aud there I will meet with thee, and I will made like almonds in the other branch, with a
commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, knop and a flower: so in the six branches that
from between the two cherubim which are upon come out of the candlestick.
the ark of the testimony of all things Avhich I ;54 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls
."^

will give thee in commandment unto the children made like unto almonds, with their knops and
of Israel. their flowers.
23 ^ Thou shalt also make a 35 And there shall be a knop under two branches
table of shittim-
wood :^ two cubits length thereof, and of the same, and a knop under two branches of
shall be the
a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the same, and a knop under two branches of the
the height thereof. same, according to the six branches that proceed
2'1 Aud thou shalt overlay it with pure gold,'' out of the candlestick.
and make thereto a crown of gold round about. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the
25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of a same all of it shall be one beaten work o/'prn-e gold.
:

handbreadth round about, and thou shalt make a 37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps there-
golden crown to the border thereof round about. of: and they shall light* the lamps thereof,™ that
26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, they may give light over against it.^
and put the rings in the foui" corners that are on 38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuff-dishes
the four feet thereof. thereof, shall be o/"pure gold.

"Oh. u;:34; 31:1a; 34:39; Num. 17:4; Deut. 10:a,S; 1 Kings 5:U; 2 Kmgs I Kings 7:4S; Heh. 9:2. h 1 Kings 0:20. 1 Or, lo pour oul withal, i ch.
11:1-2; 2Chr. 34:14; Rom. 3:2; Hcb. 9:4. b ch. 37:0; 40:2U; Lev. 16:13; 37:10; Num. 4:7. i Lev. 24:5, 6; 1 Sam. 21:6; .Mai. 1:7, 12; Matt. 12:4.
Horn. 3:2-5; Heb. 9:5. * Or, of the matter o/(A« mercy-sral. c2Chr.3:10. k ch. 37:17; 1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chr. 13:11; Zeoh. 4:2; Heb. 9:2; Rev. 1:12.
d ch. 20:34. e rer. 10. ' ch. 30:0; Lev. 16:2; Num. 7:89; 17:4; 1 Sam. 1 Zech. 4:2; Rev. 1:4, 12. I Or, cause to ascend, m ch. 27:20. 21; 30:7, 6;
4:4; 2Sam.6:2; 2Kingsl9:15; Psa.BO:]; 99:1; Isa. 37:10. S ch. 37:10; Lev, 24:3, 4; Num. t:2; 2 Chr. 13:11. 5 Heb. the face of it.

16. Tlie testimony; the tables of stone, on which were number of the tribes. It was placed on the table, and
written the ten commandments, God's testimony as to the called show-bread, or bread of the presence, because it
duty of men. always stood in the presence of the Lord. It was sprin-
17. A mercy-seat; this was the golden covering or lid, kled with iranldncense. On the Sabbath the bread was
the upper side of the sacred chest or ark, called the taken away, and new bread put in its place. The frank-
mercy-seat because cm it was sprinkled the blood of incense that was on it was burnt as an oblation to God,
atonement, and above it dwelt Jehovah in bis visible and the bread was eaten by the priests. Lev. 24:5-9.
glory, dispensing mercy to men. On one emergency mentioned in Scripture it was given
18. Cherubim; representations of creatures intensely to others. 1 Sam. 21:1-6; Matt. 12:2, 4. This show-
studying, for the purpose of doing the will of God. bread, and all the articles and worship in the tabernacle,
Some have supposed them to resemble the living crea- and afterwards in the temple, pointed forward to the Bread
tures described Ezek. 1:4-14. of God, which was to come down from heaven, and give
20. One to anotlwr ; the cherub on one end looking towards life unto the world. John 6:32-58.
the cherub on the other end of the mercy-seat, both looking 31. A candlestick; it consisted of an upright shaft, with
towards the mercy-seat, and their wings stretched over it. six branches coming out in pairs, three on each side, mak-
Heb. 9 5. Between them, on the mercy-seat, was the she-
: ing a line of seven lamps. Knops; knobs or embossed
kinah, or the visible glory of Jehovah. Hence, he is said to work. These and the bowls and flowers were ornamental
dwell between the cherubim. 1 Sam. 4:4; Psa. 80 1 99 1. : ; : figures on the shaft and 1 iranches.
24. A crown; cornice or rim. 33.Like unto almonds; in the form of an almond. In the
25. Border ; this was to be below the leaf, around the frame six branches; three bowls, knobs, and flowers on each
of the table. Handbreadth ; the width of the four fingers ; branch, and four on tlie shaft of the candlestick, making
about three or four inches. A golden crown; a rim of gold t^venty-two in all.
around the border, like that around the leaf of the table. 35. Of the same; the same material, pure gold.
29. Spoons; or bowls. CoDcrs,- or cans. To cover withal 37. Seven lamps; one for the shaft, and one for each
better, as in the margin, to pour out withal. branch of the candlestick.
30. S.'iou'-bread ; twelve loaves of bread, equal to the 38. The tongs; snuifers or scissors to trim the lamps.
110
; ;

The various cartains EXODUS XXVI. of tlie taJjcrnade.

b.c'iml' 39 0/" a talent of pure gold shall lie make of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second
it, with all these vessels. that the loops may take hold one of another.
40 And look that thou make them after their 6 And thou slialt make fifty taches of gold, and
pattern,'' which was showed thee* in the mount. couple the curtains together with the taches and :

it shall be one tabernacle.

CHAPTER XXVI. 7 1[ And thou shalt make curtains o/" goats' hair,
to be a covering upon the tabernacle : eleven cur-
1 The ten curtains of the tabernacle. 7 The eleven curtains of goats'
tains shalt thou make.''
hair. 14 The covering of rams' skins. X^t The boarJs of the taber-

nacle, with their sockets and bars. 31 The veil of the ark. 30 The 8 The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits,
hanging for the door. and the breadth of one curtain four cubits and :

"A TOREOVER thou shalt make the tabernacle the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure.
_LVJ_ with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and 9 And thou shalt couple five curtains by them-
blue, and purple, and scarlet:" with cherubim of selves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt
cunning work+ shalt thou make them. double the sixth curtain in the fore-fi'ont of the
2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and tabernacle.
twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four 10 And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge
cubits and every one of the curtains shall have
: of thb one curtain that is outmost in the coupling,
one measure. and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which,
3 The five curtains shall be coupled together couplcth the second.
one to another; and otiier five curtains shall be 11 And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass,
coupled one to another. and put the taches into the loops, and couple the
4 And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the tent* together, that it may be one.
edge of the one curtain, from the selvedge in the 12 And the remnant that remaineth of the cur-
coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the tains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth,
uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
of the second. 13 And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the
5 Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one cur- other side of that which remaineth ^ in the length
tain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the

1
IChi. 3S:U; Acts 7:44; Heb.8:o. • Heb. icAifA
) 1 Chr. 17:1. t Heb. the icork of a cunning imrk-

39. A talent of pure gold; estimated by some to be equal of the movable temple described in the present chapter.
to about twenty, and by others, thirty thousand dollars. Psa. 78 60. But in a strict sense, the tabernacle is alwaj-s
:

The light of these lamps represented the spiritual light the inner set of curtains described in verses 1-6 while ;

•which God in Christ, by his word and Spirit, through the the tent is the covering above it of goats' hair. See
instrumentality of his people, especially his ministers, verses 6, 11-13. Cherubim of cunning work; or rather, the
communicates to the world. work of a cunning deviser. It is generally agreed that
these curtains were woven with different colors and fig-
INSTRUCTIONS.
ures of cherubim, while the hanging for the door of the
2. God most justly requires of men that, whatever they do,
tent, ver. 36, 37, was embroidered.
they should seek to honor him and benefit their fellow-men. 3. Cow;)/ed/og-c//!CT-; in the Hebrew simply joined. Hence
8. Though God is in aU places, yet he dwells especially
a great curtain formed from the union of several smaller
in those which, according to his will, are consecrated to curtains is caUed a joining, or " coupling."
his worship and from them he bestows peculiar bless-
4. The edge of the one curtain ; that is, of the one great
;

ings on his people. curtain. From tlie selvedge in the coupling; rather, on the
16. What relates to the worship and glory of God, and
edge in the coupHng. The coupling is the compound
to the redemption of men by Jesus Christ, is described curtain made of five single curtains. In the uttermcsl
in the Bible with greater minuteness, and treated as of edge coupling
greater importance, than the temporal interests of king-

of the second ; or, in the edge of the outer-
most curtain in the second coupling. The simple mean-
doms, or all the mere worldly concerns of men. ing is, that in the edge of the outermost curtain of each
22. AU things which, by divine appointment, are con-
coupling (compound curtain) on the adjacent sides should
nected with the sanctuary, were designed by God to im-
be loops, etc., corresponding to each other.
press upon the worshij^pers a conviction of his presence,
5. Coupling of the second; or, second coupling. See above.
and communicate something of those truths which relate Take hold one
of another; or, be opposite one to another.
to the bestowment of mercy and the gift of salvation
6. Taches; clasps to unite the loops, and thus the edges
through Clirist.
of the curtains.
30. It is not enough, in order to salvation, that Christ
9. Double; double it over in an ornamental way.
tasted death for every man, and was made a propitiation
10. Which coupleth the second; or, in respect to the sec-
for the sins of the world but in order to be saved, men
;
ond coupling. See above.
must receive from him spiritual life, be united to him, and 12. The half curtain that remaineth; that is, the half of
receive from him permanently spiritual nourishment and
the second great curtain made of five single curtains.
support. Heb. 2:9; 1 John 2:2; John 6:32-58; 15:1-11.
The framework of shittim-wood was thirty cubits long
37. Jesus Christ is the light of the world. All men,
and ten cubits high. The two great curtains of goats'
and especially his ministers, are bound to follow him, that hair, when united, made a covering 44 cubits long by 30
they may not walk in darkness, but have the light of life wide. Of this, 4 cubits were doubled over in front 30 ;

and to let that light so shine in godly, beneficent conduct, more were needed to cover the framework leaving 10 ;

that men shall be led to glorify their Father in heaven.


cubits, that is, just half of the second great curtain, to
John 8:12; Matt. 5:14-16. hang over in the rear.
13. which remaineth in the length of the curtains of
Tliat
CHAPTER XXVI. which the curtains of the tent exceed in
the tent; that in
1. Tabernacle; the words tabernacleand tent are some- length those of the tabernacle. Here the sacred ^Titer
times used in a general way to denote the whole structui-e reckons according to the length of a single curtain. The
111
; : ;

The boards, burs, and KXODl'S WVII, rf(7 (if the tahcrimdc

sides of tlic tabernacle, on tliis side and on tliat 28 And the middle bar in the midst of u.cSJJ:
side, to cover it. the boards shall reach from einl to end.
14 And tliou slialt make a 21) And thou shalt overlay tlic boards with gold,
covcrin.2: for tiie tent

of ranis' t^kins dyed red, and a covering above of anil make their rings <f ixnld for places for the
badv'crs' skins. bars: and thou shalt ovcihiy the liars with gold.
\h *. And tlion slialt make boards for the taber- 30 And th<iu shalt rear up ihc tabernacle accord-
nacle f)/'sliittini-\viiod standing nj). ing to tlie fashion thereof whicli was showed thee
10 Ten cubits shall be tlie length of a board, and in the mount."
a cubit and a half «/;«// be tlic breadth of one board. 31 ^ And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and
17 Two tenons* shall there he in one board, set in purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cun-
order one against anotlier: tlius siialt tliou make ning work:'' witli clierubim shall it Ijc made.
for all till-' boards of tlic tabernacle. 32 And thou slialt hang it n])on four pillars of
1> And tliou slialt make the boards for the taber- shittim-n-oori overlaid with gold: their hooks shall
nacle, twenty boards on the south side southward." be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.
I'.l And thou slialt make forty sockets of silver 33 1 And thou shalt hang up the veil under the
under the twenty boards;" two sockets under one tachcs, that thou niaycst bring in thither within
buard for his two tenons, and two sockets ifbdcr the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil
anollier board for his two tenons. shall divide unto you between the holy place and
lit) And for the second side of the tabernacle on the most holy."
the north side there shall he twenty boards, 34; And thou shalt put the mercy-seat upon the
21 And their forty sockets ofsilver two sockets ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
;

under one board, and two sockets under another 35 And thou shalt set the table without the
board. veil,'' and the candlestick over against the table on
'22 And for the sides of the tabernacle westward the side of the tabernacle toward the south and :

thou slialt make six boards. thou shalt ]iut the table on the north side.
2o And two boards shalt thou make for the cor- 3t) And thou shalt make a hanging for the door

ners of the tabernacle in the two sides. of the tent, of blue, and purjile, and scarlet, and
24 And they shall be coupled* together beneath, fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.'
and they shall be coupled together above the 37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pil-
"=

head of it unto one ring :" thus shall it be for them lars o/'shittini-u'oorf, and overlay them with gold,
both; they shall be for the two corners. a7id their hooks shall be of gold and thou shalt :

2.5 And they shall be eight boards, and their cast five sockets of brass for them.
sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets
under one board, and two sockets under another
board.
CHAPTER XXVII.
1 The altar of burnt-offering, -with the vessels thereof. 9 The court of
26 IT And thou shalt make bars of shittim--wood the tabernacle inclosed with hangings and pillars. 18 The measure
five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, of the court. 20 The oil for the lamp.
27 And five bars for the boards of the other
side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards
AND
thou shalt make an altar of shittim-
wood,J five cubits long, and five cubits broad
of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides the altar shall be four-square, and the height
westward. thereof shall be three cubits.


Heb. hands. ' Num. 3:3G; 4:31, 32. b ch. 27:10. t Jleh. tmimml. Matt. 27:51; Heb. 9:3, 8; 10:20. 6 1 Kings 8:8-10; 2 Chr. 5:7-10. I" ch.
Tax.
- I Cor.3:lG;
133:1; 1 »jur.
ajL. go-t.t, Pet. 2:5. "
>i:iu, 1iiiti.A.'i.
'
<i j:.pn. 4:10: u
Eph. 1:11): Col. 2:1'J. e ch. 25:9, 40:22. ich.36:37. J ch 38:1; 2 Chr. 4:1 ; Ezek. 43:13; Heb. 13:10.
" "
40; 27:8; Acts 7:44; Heb. 8:5;
" 8:23. '' ch. 36:33; Le' "2; 2Chr. 3:14;

curtains of tlie inner covering (tabernacle) were 28 cubits made double. Tlie meaning seems to be, that each cor-
long those of the outer covering (tent) were 30 cubits
; ner-plank shall be joined above and lielow to the adjacent
in length. When the two coverings were spread over side-plank, so that the two shall make a pair. Unto one
the framework of shittim-wood, so tliat the curtains, re- ring ; so that one ring shall serve to unite the two.
garded as single, lay across it and hung down on each 26. Bars; these were to run through the sides of the
side, the curtains of the tent must Lave extended just a framework, to increase its strength.
cubit on each side below the curtains of the tabernacle, 33. The holy place and the most holy; these were the two
so as entirely to cover the latter. divisions into which the tabernacle was divided tlie holy ;

15. Boards; with the exceptionofEzek. 27:6, -where the place being twenty cubits by ten, and the holy of holies,
meaning is uncertain, the word here rendered " boards " ten cubits square. Heb. 9:6-9.
is used only of the framework of the sanctuary. It docs 36. The door; the entrance to the tabernacle, which was
not denote common boards, but rather thick planks. See on the east.
on ver. 22-25. INSTRUCTIONS.
17. Tenons; projections tn set into the sockets of silver. 30.In order to be accepted, we must consecrate to God
22. Six boards; it is generally agreed that the width of the best that we have, and be careful in all things to fol-
the tabernacle on the inner side was ten cubits. The low his directions.
.Jewish rabbins agree in representing the planks, or tim- 33. As the veil which separated the holy from the most
liers, of the tabernacle to have been one cubit in thick- holy place, in the tabernacle and afterwards in the tem-
ness. As they were a cubit and a half in width, this ple, was at the crucifixion of Christ rent in twain, to show
would require just eight to reach from outside to outside us that the way to the throne of mercy is open for all, all
on the western end. If they had a less thickness, then should, with believing and grateful hearts, draw near to
the two corner planks, ver. 23, must have extended just God, in that new and living way opened by the death of
so far beyond the side. Christ, that they may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
24. Coupled together; in the Hebrew, twinned, that is, in all times of need. Heb. 9 1-14, 20-22.
112
1 : :

The altar aiul court EXODUS XXVIII. of the. tahernade.

upon the four corners thereof:" his horns shall be


of the same and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
:

3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his


ashes, and his shovels, and his basins, and his
flesli-hooks, and his fire-pans: all the vessels there-
of thou shalt make of brass.*"
4 And tiiou shalt make for it a grate of network
o/" brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four
brazen rings in the four corners thereof.
5 And thou shalt put it under the compass of
the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the
midst of the altar.
6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves
o/" shittim-wood, and overlay them with brass."
7 And the staves shall be put into the rings,
and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the
altar, to bear it.

8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it


was showed* thee in the mount, so shall they
make it^
9 IT And thou shalt make the court of the tab-
ernacle:" for the south side southward there shall
be hangings for the court o/"fine twined linen of a
hundred cubits long for one side
10 And the twenty pillars thereof and their
twenty sockets shall be of brass the hooks of the ;

pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.


1 And
likewise for the north side in length there
shall be hangings of a hundred cubits long, and his
twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass
the hooks of tlie pillars and their fillets of silver.
12 T And for the breadth of the court on the
west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their
pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
13 And the breadth of the court on the east side
eastward, shall be fifty cubits.
14 The hangings of one side of the gate shall be
fifteen cubits : their pillars three, and their sock-
ets three.
15 And on the other side shall be hangings fif-
;:

The holy garmtnis EXODUS XXVIIL of the priests.

wisdom, that thoy may make Aaron's frarmcnts to judgment with cunning work;' after the n.rlfSi"?:
consecrate liini, that he may minister unto mo in work of the ephod thou shalt make it; o/'gold, o/
the priest's oflice. lilue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and
of line
4 And these arc tlie trarments wliieh they shall twined linen, shalt thou make it.
make: a breastplate." ami an ephod,'' and a roiie.' 1(1 Foursfpiare it shall be beinf^ doubled a span ;

and a broidcred coat,'' a mitre.'' and a girdle and shall he the length thereof, and a sjtan shall be the
:'

they shall make holy garmcnt.s for Aaron thy breadth thereof.
brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto 17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones,*
me in the priest's office. even four rows of stones the first row shall be a :

5 And they shall take jrold, and blue, and pur- sardius,* a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the
ple, and scarlet, and line linen. first row.
6 'i And they shall make the ephod o/'gold, of 18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a
blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined sapphire, and a diamond.
linen, with cunning work. lit And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an

7 It shall have the two shoulder-pieces thereof amethyst.


joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be 20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx,
joined together. and a jasper:" they shall be set in gold in their
8 And the curious' girdle of the ephod, which inclosings.^
is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the 21 And the stones shall be with the names of
work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, the children of Israel,' twelve, according to their
and scarlet, and fine twined linen. names, like the engravings of a signet every one ;

9 And thou shalt take two onyx-stones, and with his name shall they be according to the
grave on them the names of the children of Israel twelve tribes.
10 Six of their names on one stone, and the other 22 1 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate
six names of the rest on the other stone, accord- chains at the ends o/" wreathen work o/"pure gold.
ing to their birth. 23 And thou .shalt make upon the breastplate
11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on
the engravings of a signet,'^ shalt thou engrave the the two ends of the breastplate.
two stones with the names of the children of Is- 24 And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains
rael thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of
:

gold. the breastplate.


12 And
thou shalt put the two stones upon the 25 And the other two ends of the two wreathen
shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put
the children of Israel and Aaron shall bear their
: them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod before it.
names before the Lord'' upon his two shoulders 26 1\ And thou shalt make two rings of gold,
for a memorial.' and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the
13 1[ And thou shalt make ouches of gold; breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the
14 And two chains of pure gold at the ends side of the ephod inward.
ofwreathen work shalt thou make them, and fas- 27 And two other rings of gold thou shalt make,
ten the wreathen chains to the ouches. and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod
15 1 And thou shalt make the breastplate of underneath, toward the fore part thereof, over
» Ver. 15; ch. 39:8,21; Isa. .59:17; Eph. (i: [-1. b ver. i. ' ver. 31 ch.
; 8:8. t Heh. Jill in il fillings of stone. tOi,Tuit/. k Eev. 4:3; 21:19. 20.
.•)9:22. <i Lev. 8:7. e ch. 39:SS; Zech. 3:5. fisa. 11:5. Or, emhrovlered. » Heb. fillings. 1 Rev". 21 12.
:

% ver. 36. h ver. 29; ch. 39:6, 7. iJosh 4:7; Zech. 6:14. J ch. 39:8; Lev.

and dignity of their office and, since their priesthood


; the ephod being here considered, and there, their connec-
tj-pifled that of Christ, these holy and glorious garments tion with the breastplate.
prefigured the infinite dignity, excellence, and spiritual 15. Breastplate ofjudgment ; so called because worn by the
beauty of Jesus Christ our great High-priest. high-priest when he applied to the Lord for his judgment,
5. Gold; that is, golden threads. The manner of form- or decision, in matters about which they inquired of him.
ing them is described chap. 39 3. : 16. Four square —
being doubled; after being doubled
6. The ephod; this, with the breastplate attached to it, over so as to form a sort of bag or pouch, it was four
was the outermost of the garments belonging to the high- square consequently the whole piece, before doubling,
:

priest. The ephod was a short garment reaching down, was two spans in length. A
span is half a cubit, that is,
according to the testimony of the ancients, to the middle between nine and ten inches.
of the thighs. Originally it seems to have been without 22. Chains at the ends; at the two upper corners on the
sleeves. Each shoulder-piece consisted of two projec- outside were two rings of gold, to which these chains
tions from the body of the ephod, the one coming up were attached, ver. 23, 24.
from before and the other from behind, and united on the 25. The two ouches; the two sockets of the onyx-stones
ehoulder at their extremities by an onyx-stone set in on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.
gold, which served also for a clasp. 26. Two rings of gold; on the two lower comers of the
8. Shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; these breastplate on the inside, corresponding to the two rings
words seem to mean, that it shall be woven as a part of in the ephod, ver. 27.
the ephod and be of the same materials and texture.
; 27. Two other rings of gold —
ephod; this verse may be
11. Signet; a seal. Ouches; sockets. literally rendered thus: "And thou shalt make two rings
12. For a memorial; to put them in remembrance that of gold, and shall put them upon the two shoulder-pieces
Aaron, as priest, appeared in their behalf before the of the ephod below, in its forepart, over against its
Lord. coupling, above the girdle of the ephod." The coupling
14. Two chains; these are generally thought to be the is that of the shoulder pieces at the onyx-stones, ver. 7.
same chains mentioned ver. 24, 25, their cfinnection with These rings are to be directly opposite to this coupling
114
:

The Urim and Thuvimim. EXODUS xxviri. TTie plate of tJte mitre.

RcS' against the other coupling thereof, above


the curious girdle of the cphod.
28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the
rings thereof unto the rings of the cphod with a
lace of blue, that it may be above the curious gir-
dle of the cphod, and that the breastplate be not
loosed from the cphod.
29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the chil-
dren of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon
his heart, when he goeth in unto tiie holy place,
for a memorial before the Lord continually.''
30 IT And thou shalt put in the breastplate of
judgment the Urim and the Thummim;'' and they
shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in
before the Lord and Aaron shall bear the judg-
:

ment of tiie children of Israel upon his heart be-


fore the Lord continually."
31 H And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod
all of blue.
32 And there shall be a hole in the top of it, in
the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven
work round about the hole of it, as it were the
hole of a habergeon,'' that it be not rent.
33 And beneath upon the hem* of it thou shalt
make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of
scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells
of gold between them round about
34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden
bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe
round about.
35 And be upon Aaron to minister and
it shall :

his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto


the holy place before the Lord,'' and when he com-
eth out, that he die not.
»Ver. 12. b
'

The Mnserralwn of EXODUS XXIX. Aaron and his sons.

ciiAPi i: i: XXIX the inwards, and the caul' i/iat is above u?;hJ?:
1 The lacrifion nnJ ccmnonii'j of consecraling the priasU. 3S The the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is
continual burnt-ofTiTtng. 45 God's promise to dwell among the cliiU ujion them, and burn t/icm upon the altar.
drcn of isniel.
14 15ut the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and
AND tliis is the tliinj; tliat tliou slialt
to hallow thoni," to iniuister unto me
tlioin
do unto his dung, shalt thou bum with lire without the
cam]) :' it is a sin-o(Tering.
in the priest's oflice: Take one young bullock, and 1.") 1 Thou shalt also take one
ram; and Aaron
two rams witlioiil blemish, and his sons shall put their hands upon the head
2 And unleavened
l)read,'' and cakes unleavened of the ram.''
tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed If) And thou shalt slay tlie ram, and thou shalt
with oil: o/"wheatcn flour shalt thou make them. take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon
:5 And thou shalt i)ut them into one basket, and the altar.
bring them in the basket, witii the bullock and 17 And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and
the two rams. wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put
4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt Itriiig untothem unto his pieces, and unto'' his head.
the door of the tabcrnaele of the congregation, 15 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the
and shalt wash them with water.'' altar: it is a burnt-offering unto the Lord: it 'is a
5 And thou shalt take the garments,'' and put sweet savor,' an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, 19 TI And thou shalt take the other ram:'" and
and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the
with the curious girdle of the ephod: head of the ram.
C And thou shalt put the mitre upon liis head, 20 Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his
and i)ut the holy crown upon the mitre. blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of
7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his
pour it upon his head, and anoint him.'' sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand,
8 And thou shalt bring bis sons, and put coats and upon the great toe of their right foot, and
upon them.' sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about."
9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron 21 And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon
and his sons, and put' the bonnets on them and the altar, and of the anointing oil," and sprinkle
:

the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual


it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon
statute :s and thou shalt consecrate + Aaron and his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with
his sons. him and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, :

10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.
before the tabernacle of the congregation; and 22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and
Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards,
head of the bullock.'' and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys,
11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoul-
Lord, by the door of the tabernacle of the con- der for it is a ram of consecration. ;

gregation. 23 And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled


12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bul- bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the un-
lock,' and put it upon the horns of the altar with leavened bread that is before the Lord.
thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bot- 24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron,
tom of the altar. and in the hands of his sons and shalt wave them ;

13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth foi- a wave-offering before the Lord.''

" Lev. 8:8. etc. b Lev. 2:4; 6:20-22. c ch. 30:19-21; 40:12; Lev.
8:6; j Lev. 4:11, 12; Heb. 13:11. k ver. 10. iOl,upon. 1 Gen. !<:21 Eph. 5:2;
;

Heb. 10:22; 1 i ch. 2S:2-S.


Pet. .3.21. e Lev. 10:7; Psa. 133:2. < ch. Phil. 4:18. niver. 3. > Lev. 8:24; Heb. 9:22. o ch. 30:25, etc. I Heb.
2'':40. etc. •
e Num. 1»:7; Heb. 5:4.
Heb. bind, t lleb. JiU the fiand of. s/uxke la and fro. p Lev. 7:30,
h Lev. 1:4; 3:2; 8:14; Isa. 53:6; 2 Cor. .5:21. i Lev. 8:15. J Or,midTiff.

10. Put their hands upon the head of the bullock ; this ex-
CHAPTER XXIX. pressed their conviction of guilt, and their hope that
Aaron and his sons being sinners, it is necessary that through the shedding of the 'blood of that victim, point-
they be first cleansed by washing and expiatory sacrifices, ing forward to the blood of Christ, they should receive
before they can minister to the Lord as his priests. Heb. pardon.
5:3. This typical cleansing represents the purity and 12. 27(6 horns of the altar; chap. 27:2.
holiness of tlie priestly office. The three different kinds 18. Burn the whole; denoting the necessity of an entire

of sacrifice a sin-ofi^ering, a burnt-offering, and a peace- consecration of the whole man to God, as well as the ne-
offering —
signify the completeness of their consecration. cessity of an atonement, in order to salvation.
To hallow; set apart from secular to sacred duties.
1. 19. TTie other ram; this was a peace-offering, on the
Without blemish; this was required in the case of every flesh of wliich the offerer and his friends feasted, after
sacrifice. On the part of the offerer it signified his su- the breast and right shoulder had been given to the
preme love and devotion to God, Mai. 1:8 on the part of
; priests. I,ev. 7 28-34.
: On the present occasion, Moses,
the victim, it prefigured the perfection of Christ's sacri- as performing the priestly office, received for his portion
fice. 1 Pet. 1 : 19. the breast, ver. 26.
Wafers; thin cakes.
2. 20. Tip of the right ear — —
thumb toe; this signified the
Holy crown; the plate of gold. Chap. 28:36, 37.
6. completeness of their expiation and consecration.
Anointing oil; an oil prepared with various spices.
7. 24. Wave them ; move them to and fro. This, as well as
Chap. 30:23-33. heaving upward, was a sign that they were consecrated
9. The bonnets; or turbans. Chap. 28:40. to God.
116
1 : ;

Consecration of tlic priests. EXODUS XXIX. T/ic continual burn! -offering

commanded thee : seven days shalt thou conse-


hands, and burn t/iem upon the altar for a burnt- crate them.
offering, for a sweet savor before the Lord:" it is 36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock /or
an offering made by fire unto the Lord. a sin-offering for atonement :J and thou shalt
26 And thou shaft talce the breast of tlieram of cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atone-
Aaron's consecration,'' and wave it for a wave- ment for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it."
oiloring before tiie Lord and it shall be tliy part. : 37 Seven days thou shalt make an atonement
27 And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an
wave-offering,"^ and the shoulder of the heavc-ofler- altar most holy whatsoever toucheth tlie altar
:

ing, which is waved, and whicii is heaved up, of shall be holy.'


the ram of tlie consecration, «>m of that which is 38 1 Now this is that which thou shalt offer
for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons upon the altar:"" two lambs of the first year day
28 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a by day continually.
statute for ever from the children of Israel for ; 39 The one lamlj thou shalt offer in the morn-
it is a heave-oflering and it shall be a heave-
: ing; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:
offering from the cliildrea of Israel of the sacrifice 40 And with the one lamb a tenth-deal of flour
of their peace-offerings, even their heave-offering mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beatea
unto the Lord. oil ;and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a
29 And tiie holy garments of Aaron shall be his drink-offering.
sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be 41 Andthe other lamb thou shalt offer at even,
consecrated in them.'' and do thereto according to the meat-offer-
slialt
30 Jind that son* that is priest in his stead shall ing of the morning, and according to the drink-
put them on seven days," when he cometh into tlie oflering thereof, for a sweet savor, an offering
tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the made by fire unto the Lord.
holy pfacc. 42 This shall be a continualburnt-offering through-
3 H And thou shalt take the ram of the conse- out your generations at the door of the taberna-
cration, and seethe his flesh in tlie holy place. cle of the congregation before the Lord, where I
32 And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh will meet you," to speak there unto thee.
of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket,*^ 43 And there I will meet with tlie childrenof Isra-
by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. el, and thetahernacle^ shall be sanctified by my glory.''

33 And they shall eat tliose things wherewith 44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the
the atonement was made,'^ to consecrate and to congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also
sanctify them but a stranger shall not eat thereof,'^
: both Aaron and his sons, to minister to mo in tlie
because they are holy. priest's office.
3i And if aught of the flesh of the consecrations, 45 And I will dwell among the children of Is-
or of the bread, remain unto the morning, then raeljP and will be tlieir God.
thou shalt burn the remainder with fire:' it shall 46 And they shall know that I am the Lord
not be eaten, because it is holy. their God, that brought them forth out of the
35 And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to land of Egypt,'' that I may dwell among them I :

his sons, according to all thino-s wliich I have am the Lord their God.
a Ver. IS. b Lev. 8:29. ' Num. 18:11. IS; Deut. 18:3. d Num. 18:8. lChr.l6:40; 2Chr. 2:4; 31:3; Ezri3:3; Dm. 9:21, 27; 12:11; Johiil:29; Rev.
'Kub. he of his sans, e Lev. 8:33 9: 1, f ver. 2, 3, 23. e Lev. lU: 1.3-18;
;
5:9-12. nch. 25:22; 30:6. 30; Num. 17:4. t Or, Israel, o ch. 40:34; 2Chr.
JoKn 6.33, 53. h Lev 22:10. Lev. 7:18; 8:32,
i J Ezek 43:27; Heb. 5:14; 7:1-3: Kzek. 43:5; Hag. 2:7,9; Mai. 3:1. Pch.a5:8; Lev. 21i:12j
10:11. kch. 30:25-29; 40:10. ch. 30:29; Matt. 23:19.
1 mNum.28:3,4; Psa. 68:13; Zech.2:10; John 14:17, 20; 2Cor.0:16; Rev. 21:3. Ich. 2(1:2.

27, 28. Slialt sanctifij the breast of the wave-offering ; these 42. A continual burnt-offering; representing their con-
two verses contain a general direction respecting all tinual need of the constant efficacj' of the atonement,
peace-offerings. The breast was waved and tlie slioulder righteousness, and intercession of Christ.
heaved, and botli went to tlie priests as their portion. On 45. Dwell among the children of Israel; by his continual
the signification of the different sacrifices see, in Leviticus, presence in the shekinah, or visible glory, on the mercy-
chap. 1-7. seat, where he was worshipped, and from which he made
30. Tliat .son the one who should succeed his father in
,• known his will.
the high-priest's office. Mlten he cometh ; before he should
be permitted to discharge the duties of high-priest.
IXSTRUCTIONS.
31. The ram of the consecration; the second ram, men- 1. God that those who minister in holy
It is the will of
tioned ver. 19-26. things, making known the will of God and leading the
33. Eat tho.ie things wherewith the atonement was maAe devotions of his people, should not only be called of him,
denoting the necessity of union to Him by whom it was but should be publicly set apart to their work.
made. Matt. 26:26; John 6:53-55; 1 Cor. 6:17. 10. Ministers of religion, as well as their people, are
36. Sanctify it ; set it apart to the worship of God. sinners, and need pardon through the atonement of Christ
37. For //le o/tor; upon it. //oil/; devoted to God. Matt. and the purifying influences of his Spirit, in order rightly
23:19. to discharge their duties.
3S. ContinnaUy; each day. This is the morning and 18. The evidence of genuine repentance for sin, faith
evening sacrifice, whicli was offered every day from year in Christ, and pardon through his atonement, is sincere
to year. and hearty consecration of body and soul to his service.
40. A tenth-deal; one tenth of an ephah. The ephah 28. The effects of reconciliation to God are peace and
being about thirty-four and two-thirds quarts, a tenth- communion with him, access to his mercy-seat, and grace
deal would be a little less than three quarts and a half; to help in all times of need.
and a hin, which, according to the Jews, was the sixth 33. Continued union to Christ, by habitual trust in him,
part of an ephah, a little less than six quarts. not only for pardon, but for wisdom, strength, consolation,
117
;

Tht altar of iiucnst. EXODUS XXX. T/ie brazen later.

CHAPTER XXX when thou numberest them; that there be "nii: "l,

1 The »ltar of incrnsr. U Tl.r ransom of souls. 17 The braion l.ivcr. no jilague among tliem,'' when t/iou numberest them.
22 The holy uunnlin;; oil. ;(l Tlio composition of the pcrfunic.
Vi they shall give, every one that passetli
'i'liis

AND
upon:"
thou slialt
o/*
make an
pliittiui-wood slialt thou
altar to liiirn incciiso
make it.
among them that are numb(M-ed, half a shekel
after the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel is :

2 A
cubit sfiall be the length thereof, and a culiit twenty gerahs:) a half shekel shaU be the offering
tlie brcadtli thereof; foursquare shall it be, and of the Loud.
two cubits s/ia'l be the height thereof: the horns 14 Every one that passeth among them that are
tiioreof s.'ia'l be of the same. numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall
•i And thou slialt overlay it with pure gold," the give an offering unto the Lord.
top' thorcof, and the sides' tlioi'eof round about, 1.") The rich shall not give more,* and the poor

and the horns tliereof and thou slialt make unto ; .«hall not give less,' than half a shekel, when i/uy
it a crown of gold round about. give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atone-
4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it ment for your souls.
under the crown of it, by the two corners' there- 16 And thou shalt take the atoncmcnt-moncy of
of, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it: the childrcMi of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the
and they shall be for places for the staves to bear service of the tabernacle of the congregation
it withal. tliat it may be a memorial unto the children ot'
5 And thon shalt make the staves of shittim- Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for
wood,'' and overlay them with gold. your souls.
6 And thou shalt put it before the veil that is 17 1 And the Lord spake linto Moses, saying,
by tlie ark of the testimony,'' before the mercy- 18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass,' and
seat that is over the testimony," where I will meet his foot also of brass, to wash vnthal: and thou
with thee. shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congre-
7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense^ gation and the altar, and thou shalt put water
every morning:*' when ho dresscth the lamps, he therein.
shall burn incense upon it. 19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their
8 And when Aaron lighteth' the lamps ateven,^ hands and their feet thereat.""
he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense 20 When they go into the tabernacle of the con-
before the Loud throughout your generations. gregation, they shall wash with water, that they
9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon,'^ die not or when they come near to the altar to ;

nor burnt-sacrifice, nor meat-offering; neither minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the
shall ye pour drink-offering thereon. Lord.
10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon 21 So they shall wash their hands and their
the horns of it once in a year with the blood of feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute
the sin-offering of atonements;'' once in the year for ever to them, even to him and to Ms seed
shall he make atonement upon it throughout your throughout their generations.
generations it is most holy unto the Lord.
: 22 1 Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses, say-
11 II And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ing,
12 When thou takest the sum of the children of 23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of
Israel after their number,*' then shall they give pure myrrh five hundred sheJcels,^ and of sweet
every man a ransom for his soul unto the "Lord,J cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and
»Ch. 37:25. bch. 25;11. • Heb. roof. 1 Heh. waUs. t Jleh. riis. c ch. h Lev. 16:18; 23:27; Heb. 9:7, 25. • Heb. them tkat
are to be numbered.
;13. d oh.20:31; 40:3; Matt. 27:51; Heb. 9:3. = ch. 2.3:21. i Ileb. Num. 1:2; 26:2. J Num. 31:50. k 2 Sam. 24:2-15. t Heb. multiply.
ceme of spices. ' ver. 34; 1 Sam. 2:23; 1 Chr. 23:13; Luke 1 :9. 1 Heb. > Tieh. diminish. 1 ch. 33:8; 1 Kings 7:3S. mPsa. 26:6. oPsa. 45:8.
uscth to ascend, or setteth up. 1 Heb. between the two evens. ? Lev. 10: 1.

and all needed good, is essential to progress in holiness his soul ;a tribute paid to God for the preservation and
and preparation for heaven. blessings of life, and for the support of divine worship.
42. Habitual acknowledgment of God as the author of 13. Half a shekel; in value about twentj'-five cents.
all good, and daily supplication to him for the blessings 15. Not give more —
not give less; teaching that before
which we need for ourselves, our friends, and all our fel- God the rich and poor are of equal worth, and equally
low-men, are the duty of all. They are also a privilege, need the same atonement.
the enjoyment of which should not be sacrificed for any 16. Ttiat it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel;
worldly good. more literally, "that it may be to the children of Israel
for a memorial before the Lord ;" that is, that it may re-
CHAPTER XXX. mind God in their behalf, Gen. 9:16, of the ransom they
3. A
crown; cornice or border. have paid for their souls. To make an atonement for your
The veil; which separated the holy from the most
6. souls; so that God shall send no plague among them.
holy place, so that the altar stood directly over against the Ver. 12.
ark of the covenant, being separated from it by the veil. 18. A laver; large bowl or basin.
7. Sweet mcense; this represented the prayers of God's 20. Wash icith water ; an emblem of the purifying influ-
people made acceptable by the intercession of Christ, ences of the Holy Ghost.
Rev. 8:3, 4, as the burnt-ofiering did his atonement. 23. Principal spices; of the purest and most precious
Strange incense ; other than that prescribed, ver. 34-38.
9. kind. Five hundred shekels; the shekel has been estimated
Once in a year; on the great day of atonement. .Lev.
10. at from ten to ten and three quarters pennyweights. Five
16 18 23 27, 28. Shall—make atonement ; this showed that
: ; : hundred shekels would then be from about nineteen to
atonement was necessary, in order to the efficacy of in- twenty-two and a third pounds, troy weight or, from a ;

tercession. little less than sixteen, to about eighteen and a half


12. The sum; the census; their number. A ransom for pounds, avoirdupois.
118
: : : :

Thz holy oin'tntnt and perfume. EXODUS XXXI. Bezakd and A/wliab called.

kv'um: fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two make, ye shall not make to yourselves according
hundred and fifty shekels, to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee
24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the holy for the Lord.
shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil-olive a hin 38 Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell
25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy oint- thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.^
ment, an ointment compound after tlie art of the
apothecaiy :* it shall be a holy anointing oil."'' CHAPTER XXXI.
26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the
1 Bezaleel and Aholiab are called and maile meet for the work of the
congregation therewith,'' and the ark of the tes- tabernacle. 12 The observation of the sabbath is again commanded.
timony. IS Moses receiveth the two tables.

27 And the table and all his vessels, and the can-
dlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
AND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 See, I have called by name'' Bezaleel the
28 And the altar of burnt-oficriug with all his son of Uri,' the son of Hur, of the tribe of Ju-
vessels, and the laver and his foot. dah:
29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may And I have filled him with the spirit of God,
3
be most holy whatsoever toucheth them shall be
: wisdom, and in understanding, and in know-
in
holy.'^ and in all manner of workmanship,-'
ledge,
30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold,
and consecrate them, that they may minister unto and in silver, and in brass,
me in the priest's office. 5 And in cutting of stones, to set thejn, and in
31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of carving of timber, to work in all manner of work-
Israel, saying, This shall be a holy anointing oil manship.
unto me throughout your generations. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aho-
32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, liab,"^ the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan
neither shall ye make any other like it, after the and in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I
composition of it: it is holy, a7id it shall be holy have put wisdom,' that they may make all that I
unto you.* have commanded thee "' :

33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or who- 7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the
soever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall ark of the testimony, and the mercy-seat that is
even be cut off from his people. thereupon, and all the furniture* of the taber-
34 1" And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto nacle,
thee sweet spices," stacte, and onycha, and galba- 8 And the table and his furniture, and the pure
num these sweet spices with pure frankincense candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar
;

of each shall there be a like weight: of incense,


3-5 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confec- 9 And the altar of burnt-offering with all his
tion after the art of the apothecary, tempered^ furniture, and the laver and his foot,
together, pure and holy 10 And the clothes of service, and the holy gar-
3(3 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, ments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of
and put of it before the testimony in the taberna- his sons, to minister in the priest's office,
cle of the congregation, where 1 will meet with 11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for
thee:' it shall be unto you most holy. the holy place: according to all that I have com-
37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt manded thee shall they do.
» Psi. 89:20. b ch. 40:9; Lev. 8:10. c ch. 29:37. 1 Kings 3:9; 7:14. k ch. 35:34. I Prov. 2:6, 7. m chs. 37, 38; Num. oh.
23; I Cht. 9:29, 30. t Heb. sailed; Lev. 2:13. f oh.
4; 1 Kings chs. 6, 7, 8; 2 Chr. chs. 3, 4; Ezek. ch. 43. 1 Heb. vessels.

e ver. 33. h Isa. 45:3, 4. i1 Chr. 2:20, j oh. 33:31;

25. Tlie apothecary; perfumer, or maker of ointments. memorial of his goodness and a testimony of our obliga-
30. Anohit Aaron and las sons; in token of tlie necessity tions for all the blessings of his providence and grace.
of tlieir being endued with the Uoly Spirit, to fit them 21. Purity of heart and life is as needful as the pardon
for their duties. of sin and for it we should look habitually to the Holy
;

32. Upon man's fiesh; the fiesh of men who were not Spirit, the Author and Finisher of all that is spiritually
priests. good in the children of men.
34. Slacte —
onycha, and galbanum; fragrant spices or 31. All our services must be perfumed with the incense
gums. Some, however, suppose onycha to be a species of Christ's merits, and be the fruit of his Spirit, working
of shell whicli, when burnt, yields a strong odor. in us both to will and also to do, in order to be holy, or
35. Confection ; mixture, to burn on the altar of incense. ascend before God with acceptance. John 15:5; Rev.
8:4.
INSTRUCTIONS. 38. While we rely on the atonement, righteousness, and
intercession of Christ as the one only and all-sufficient
1. In the Mosaic ritual we are continually reminded
Mediator, and look to his Sjiirit as the only Sanctifier, we
of the priesthood, sacrifice, and intercession of Glirist,
should most carefully abstain from looking to or depend-
through the incense of whose merits alone our prayers
ing on any other for there is none other name under
;
can ascend with acceptance before God.
8. Our need of Christ's intercession is constant; and
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12.
day by day, morning and evening, continually ouf suppli-
cations should ascend before him as incense, and the lift-
ing up of our hearts in prayer and praise as our habitual
CHAPTER XXXI.
sacrifice. Heb. 13:15. Given with him; as his associate and assistant in
6.
16. A portion of what God has given us should be making the tabernacle and its furniture, according to the
gratefully devoted to the support of his worship, as a pattern and directions which God had given to Moses.
119
The kcepitif; of the Sabbath. EXODUS XXXII, A golden calf is made.

12 \ Ami tlie LoiU) sjiakc unto Moso?, saying, said unto him, Up, make us gods,'' wJiich H.rul'J;
13 Speak tliou also uuti) the cliildreii of Israel. shall g(j before us ; for as for this Moses, the
Bavin"'. Vcrilv my sabbath.^ ye shall keej):" for man that brougiit us up out of the land of Egypt.'
it ts a sign between me ami you tiirougiiout your we wot not what is become of him.
generations;'' that yr may know that I am tiie And A:min said unto them. Ureak off the
'2

Lord that cloth .^Janctily you. gokieii earrings which are in tlie ears of your
14 Ye shall keep tlie .«abbath therefore; for it wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and
isholy unto you.*^ Every one that defileth it shall bring them unto 1110.*°

surely be put to death for whosoever doeth any


: ;5 And the people brake off the golden ear-
all
work tiioroin. tliat soul shall bo cut off from rings which were in their cars, and brought l/mn
ainouLj his people.'' unto Aaron.
15 Six days may work be done; liut in the 4 And he received them at their hand, and fash-
seventh is the sabbatli of rest, iioly* to the Lord: ioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it
whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath-day, he a molten calf:" and they said. These be thy gods.
shall surely be put to death." Israel, wliicii lirought thee up out of the land
10 Wiierefore tlie children of Israel shall keep of Egypt.
tlic sabbatli, to observe the sabbatli tiirougiiout 5 And when Aaron saw if, lie Imilt an altar be-
their irenerations, /or a perpetual covenant. fore it; and Aaron made ]iroclamation," and said,
17 It is a sign between me and the children of To-morrow is a feast to the Lord.
Israel for ever:'' for in six days tiio Lord made () And they rose up early on the morrow, and
iieavon and earth,*-' and on the seventh day he offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offer-
rested, and was refreshed.'' ings; and the jieople sat down to eat and to drink,
18 H And he gave unto Moses, when he had and rose up to play.""
made an end of communing with him upon mount 7 1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get
Sinai,' two tables of testimony, tables of stone, thee down; for thy ])eoplc, which thou broughtest
written with the finger of God. out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted them-
selves : '
8 They have turned aside quickly out of the
CHAPTER XXXII. way which I commanded them they have made :

1 The people, in the absence of Moses, cause Aaron to make a calf. 7 them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and
God is angered thereby. 11 At the entreaty of Moses he is appeas-
ed. Id Moses comctli down with the tables. 19 He breaketli them.
have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy
20 He destroyeth the calf. 22 Aaron's excuse for himself. 2-5 Moses gods, Israel, which have brought thee up out
causeth the idolaters to be slain. 30 He prayeth for the people.
of the land of Egypt.
AND come
when people saw
down
to
the that Moses delayed
out of the mount,-' tiie people
9 And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen
this people, and behold, it is a stifl'-necked people :"
gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath
» Lev. 19::!. 30; 'Jfi:2. b Neh. 9:14; Ezek. 20:12, 2(1. « ch. 20:S: Deul. 24:22; Juilg. 8:24-27; Ezek. 10:12, I"; Hos. 2:8. nch. 20:23; Deut. 9:18;
5:12; Isi. 5S: 1.3; Ezek. 44:21. i ch. 35:2. • Heb. holiness, e Num. 15:35. Judg. 17:3, 4; 1 Kings 12:28; Neh. 9:18; Psa. 10fi:19; Isa. 40:18. 19; 4S:6;
' ver. 13. e Gen. 1:31: 2:2; Heb. 4:3, 4,10. h Job 33:7; Psa. 101:31. Rom. 1 :23. o 2 Kings 10:20. p 1 Cor. 10:7. q Gen. G;ll, 12; Deut. 4:10;
i
ch. 21:13; 32:15, 10; 34:2.S, 20; Deut. 4:13; 5:22; 9:9-11; 2 Cor. 3:3. Judg. 2:19; Hos. 9:9. r2Chr. 30:8; Isa. 48:4.
J ch. 24:18; Dent. 9:9. k Acts 7:40. 1 Matt. 24:48; 2 Pet. 3:4. m Gen.

13. A
sign between me and you; a sign of the relation feel their need of each other, and be mutual helpers in
which subsisted between them. By keejiing the Sabbath the discharge of their various duties, and the accomplish-
holy, according to his directions, chap. 20 : 8-11, tliey ment of the work to which he calls them.
would show that they were his people, and that he was 11. The more exactly men follow the directions of God,
their God. It would also be a great means of preserving the greater wisdom and goodness they will manifest, and
among them a right knowledge of God, and thus making the more useful they will be.
them holy and preparing them for heaven. 14. The Sabbath was not given to men for labor, even
14. Hoi ij unto you; set apart; devoted to sacred employ- in preparing houses or furniture for the worship of God,
ments. Defiletk it; by devoting it to worldly business. but for rest, and for religious duties. It is in keeping the
Put to death ; by the magistrate, at the command of God, day holy that men show that they rightly know God,
who was King of that nation, and had a right to dispose belong to his people, and are preparing for the rest of
of life as he saw best. heaven. Heb. 4:9.
17. A sign; an evidence of God's kindness to men, and 17. The holy keeping of the Sabbath is delightful to
a public token that they who rightly keep it are his peo- the pious. It makes them more and more like God, and
ple, that he is their God, and will do for them all that gives them greater views of his goodness, especially in
he has promised. Was refreshed; delighted in his work, the manifestations which on that day he makes of him-
especially in the Sabbath —
which he had provided and set self, and in the everlasting and glorious ends which,

apart as a day of rest for his people and in the benefits through the Sabbath and its means of grace, he will ac-
which the keeping of it holy would confer upon them. complish.
18. Tables of testimony; on which were written, by the
finger of God, the ten commandments, chap. 20:5-17, tes-
CHAPTER XXXII.
tifying his will and the duty of men. Exod. 20:a-l7; 1. Out of the mount; chap. 24:12-18. Gods; idols, or an
24:12; 32:15, 16. idol to represent God. Wot ; know.
6. Play; engage in revelling and wantonness.
IXSTRUCTIONS. 7. Tki/ people, which thou broughtest; he says not, my
3. God bestows various talents on men, not for the pur- people, whom I brought but, thy people, which thou
;

pose of their lying useless, or being employed only for broughtest; as if he would disown Israel as his people.
the gratification or benefit of their possessors, but for the 9. Stiff-necked; refusing to yield obedience to the com-
promotion of his glory and the good of mankind. mands of God.
6. Different gifts are imparted to men, that they may 10. Let me alone; do not ask me to spare them.
120
:

Moses destroyeth the idol, EXODUS XXXII. and inter cedeth for Israel.

Kc.mt may wax hot against them, and that I 22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my
may consume them:" and I will make of thee a lord wax hot thou knowest the people, that they
:

great nation.'' are set on mischief.'


11 And Moses besought the Lord his God,* and 23 For they said unto me. Make us gods, which
said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against shall go before us for as for this Moses, the man
:

thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of


'^
that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we
the land of Egypt with great power, and with a wot not what is become of him.""
mighty hand ? 2-i And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any
12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me
say. For mischief did he bring them out, to slay then I cast it into the fire, and there came out
them in the mountains, and to consume them from this calf."
tlie face of the earth?'' Turn from thy fierce 25 1[ And when Moses saw that the people were
wrath," and repent of this evil against thy people.' naked, Aaron had made tiiem naked unto their
ifor
13 Rememl}er Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy shame among their enemies,'";
servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self,''' 26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp,
and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as and said, Who' w on the Lord's side? let him come
the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered
spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they themselves together unto him.
shall inherit it for ever. 27 And he said unto them. Thus saith the Lord
14 And the Lord repented of the evil which he God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side,
thouglit to do unto his people. '^
and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the
15 1 And Moses turned, and went down from camp, and slay every man his brother, and every
the mount, and the two tables of the testimony man his companion, and every man his neighbor.'
loere in his hand the tables were written on both
: 28 And the children of Levi did according to
their sides on the one side and on the other were the word of Moses :'' and there fell of the people
;

they written. that day about three thousand men.


16 And the tables were the work of God, and 29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves ^
the writing was the writing of God, graven upon to-day to the Lord, even every man upon his son,
the tables.' and upon his brother that he may bestow upon ;
'

17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the peo- you a blessing this day.''
ple as tiiey shouted, he said unto Moses, There is 30 T" And it came to pass on the morrow, that
a noise of war in the camp. Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great
18 And he said, // is not the voice of them thai sin:" and now I will go up unto the Lord perad- ;

shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them venture I shall make an atonement for your sin.'
that cry for being overcome;^ but the noise of 31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said,
them that sing do I hear. Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have
19 % And it came to pass, as soon as he came made them gods of gold."
nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf and the 32 Yet now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin and ;

dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he if not, blot me," I pray thee, out of thy book
cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them which thou hast written.'"
beneath the mount. 33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever
20 And he took the calf which they had made, hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my
and burnt it in the fire,' and ground it to powder, book."
and strewed it upon the water, and made the 34: Therefore now go, lead the people unto the
children of Israel drink of if. place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold,
21 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this mine Angel shall go before thee:^' nevertheless,
people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon
a sin upon them?'' them.^

> Ch. 2>:-:i. b Num. 14:12; Psa. 106:ai. * Heb. the fare
of Ike Lord. p Num. 25:5. : Mai. 2:4-fi. i Ueh. Fill your hands. I Or,
e Deut. B:lS--.><); Psi. 74;1, 2. d Deut. 3l>:aG,27. e Deut. 13:17; Josh. And RIoses snt'l i!f.t^U-es to-day to the Lord, because every man

7:26;^Ezra 1U:U; Psa. 7>i::iS. f Psa. 90:13. E Gen. 22:16; Heb. 0:13. hath been again .junsthisbrnther.ele. rJoel2:12-14. 1 Sam.

h 2 Sam. 2t:16; I Chr. 21:15; Psa. 10(5:45; Jer. 1S:S; Joel 2:13. i ch. 12:20.23. 1 -N IJ 7,8; Amos 5: 15; Jas. 5:16. " ch. 20:2.3,
3I:IS; Deut. 9:10; Heb. 8:10. t Heb. weakness. J Deut. 9:21. k Gen. V Rom. 9:3. » ni 12:1; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5. x P,a. 69:28.
20:9. 1 Deut. 31:27. mver. 1. o ver. 4. I Ueh. those that rose up against ych. 2:3:20; Nu .63:9. iDeut. 32:35; Amos 3:14.
them, o ch. 33:4, 5; 2 Chr. 23:19; Isa. 47:3; Micah 1:11; Rev. 3:1S.

11. Moses in reply says, Thy people, which thou hast they had solemnly entered, chap. 24:4, 7, and deserved to
brought, and adds also that it was with a mighty luind; be- be destroyed.
cause he means to plead the covenant relation of God to 20. The water; which flowed from the rock, chap. 17:6,
Israel, and the wonders He has already wrought in their and of which the people continued to drink.
behalf, as a reason why He should spare them. In this 25. Naked ; stripped of their ornaments, and exposed.
prayer the one appeal of Moses is to Jehovah's glory; 27. His brother — —
companion, and neighbor; all who had
and this is a prevailing plea. been engaged in this idolatry.
12. Repent of this evil ; not destroy the people, but sp;ue 29. Consecrate yourselves; devote yourselves to the Lord,
them. in the execution of his will in punishing the transgressors.
15. Tables of the testimony; those on which God had 30. Make an atonement ; obtain mercy for theiii.
written the ten eiMnmandments. 32, Blot me—out of thy book; if thou destroy them let me
19. He — brake them show
the people, in a significant
; to die also, and not live to see thy dishonor and their ruin.
manner, that they had broken the covenant into which 34. Visit ; that is, with evils.
121
. ;: :

Gixi truth the jxrple. EXODIS XXX 111. and talhelh with Moses.

35 Ami tlip L(iin> ])la!rucil tlio it without the camp, afar off from the camp, 1," f^J,;
jwoplc, berau.«L'
they made tlic ciill'. wliii-li Aaron iiuulo. and called it tlie Tabernacle of the congregation.
And it came to pass, t/utf every one wliich sought
the Ixiui) went out unto the tabernacle of tho
(" n A r T i: 11 x x x ii i congregation, which was without the camp.
1 The Lord refusctli to ro as he had promised with the people. 4 The 8 And it came to jias.-;, wlicii Moses went out
pmplo murmur thereat. 7 The tabernacle is removed out of the
camp. 9 The Lord talketh familiarly witli Moses. 12 Moses desjr- unto the tabcrnacli-, t/iat all the jieople rose up,
oth to see the glory of tJoJ. and stood every man at his tent-door, and looked
AND the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, aiid after Jloses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.
<ro lip hence, thou and the ))eo]>lc wliich thou !) And it came to ]iass, as Moses entered into the

ha;:t brought up out of tlio land ol' Kirypt, unto tabernacle, the cloudy ]iillar descended, and stood
tlie land wliich I swaro unto Abraliani, to Isaac, at tiie door of the tabernacle, and l/ie LORD
and to Jacob, sayinfr, Uuto thy seed will I give it: talked with iloses.'^
2 And I will send an Angel before thee
and I 10 And all the people saw the cloudy jiillar
;

will drive out the Canaaiiite, the Auiorite, and stand at the tabernacle-door: and all the people
the Ilittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivitc, and the rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent-
Jebusite: door.
3 Unto a land iiowing with milk and honey for : 11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face,"*
I will not go up in the midst of thee for thou ; as a man speaketh uuto his friend. And he turn-
art a stiff-necked people: lest I consume thee in ed again into the camp; but his servant Joshua,
the way. the son of Xun, a young man, departed not out of
4 T[ And when the people heard these evil tid- the tabernacle.
ings, they mourned and no man did put on him
: 12 H And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou
Lis ornaments. sayest unto me, Bring up this people :° and thou
5 For the Loud had said unto Moses, Say unto hast not let mo know whom thou wilt send with
the children of Israel, Yc are a stiff-necked people me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name,''
I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
and consume thee therefore now put off' thy orna-
: 13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found
ments from thee," that I may know what to do grace in thy sight, show me now thy way,'-' that I
unto thee. may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight
G And the children of Israel stripped themselves and consider that this nation is thy people.''
of their ornaments by the mount Horeb. 14 And he said. My presence shall go with tliee}

7 And Moses took the tabernacle," and pitched and I will give thee rest.^

>Job 1:20: Isi. 32:11; Ezsk.2G:lG. b ch. 29: 42. 43. c Psa. 99:7. aDeut. 119:33; John 14:21-2:3. h Deut. 9:26. 29; Joel 2:17. i ch. 40:34-38; Is;

M:10. e ch. 32:34. f Isi. 43:1; Jer. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:19. S Psa. 86:11; 63:9. j Josh. 2:1:1; Ji». 0:18.

INSTRUCTIONS. 5. —
I will consume thee; this he might justly do; and
this, should they continue their wickedness, he would do.
1. Into whatever engagements men enter to serve the
Lord, if left to their own sinful inclinations they will soon
We may, however, render these words. If I come up into
the midst of thee for one moment, I shall consume thee.
break them, and plunge into wickedness, to their disgrace
Tlicrefore now put off thy ornaments ; he will have diem put
and ruin.
themselves in llie dress of crimuials, while he, as it were,
6. Those forms of religion which gratify the pride, self-
deliberates what he shall do to them.
ishness, and carnal inclinations of men, while they attract
6. By the mount Horeb; or, at a distance from the mount
great numbers, instead of making them better, only make
Horeb.
them worse and ripen them for divine judgments.
7. The tabernacle; not the holy tent for the building of
14. Prayer for sinners, offered from regard to the glory
which directions had been given, for that was not yet
of God, has great influence with him, and is often the
made but probably the public tent of the congregation,
;
means of changing his conduct towards them so that,
where Moses had been accustomed to hear causes, and
;

instead of destroying them, he brings them to repentance,


where also, before the arriv;d at Sinai, he had received
and bestows upon them precious and everlasting mercies.
communications from God. Without the camp; implying
24. ^Yhen good men connive at iniquity, and especially
that the people's sins had cut them off from the privilege
when they aid in promoting it, their guilt is exceedingly
of having God's presence in the camp. The Tabernacle of
great, and the excuses which they make are both cow-
the congregation ; the place where the penitent of the con-
ardly and fooHsh. If such conduct does not bring de-
gregation should assemble, and where God would meet
struction on themselves, it may on multitudes of others.
them.
29. It is sometimes a duty to take away human life and
10. Worshipped; bowed themselves in token of worship-
;

in doing it we may honor God, do good to men, and secure


ping Jehovah, who was in the cloudy pillar.
special divine favor. When done at the command of God, 11. Departed not out of the tabernacle; he seems to have
or in obedience to his will, it is a proper and useful ex-
pression of his indignation against sin. remained in charge of it.
12. Thou hast not let me know ; he had only told him he
34. Respite or delay of punishment is not forgiveness
and persons may be spared for a time, and yet afterwards would send an Angel before them, ver. 2; and Moses
be destroyed. The goodness of God in delaying punish- wished for more information, especially that God, by his
ment, should lead all to repentance. If it does not, it will own presence, would go with them. By name; as his
intimate and peculiar friend.
in the end aggravate their ruin.
13. Tliy way; God's way of dealing with men, including
purposes and will respecting Israel, Psa. 25:4. This
CHAPTER XXXIII. his
prayer is nearly related to that in ver. 18.
3.I will not go; not go with his visible, special pres- 14. My presence shall go; in the pillar of cloud and of
ence, but would send an Angel to lead them, as stated fire, to guide and protect them. Thus the prayer of
ver. 2, and chap. 32:34. Moses was answered. Give thee rest; theo and thy people.
122
:

Moses seeth God's glory. EXODUS XXXIY. The name of God proclaimed.

ence go not with me,* carry us not up hence.


16 For wlierein shall it be known here that I
and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is
it not in that thou goest with us ? 80 shall we
be separated,'' I and thy people, from all the peo-
ple that are u])on the face of the earth.
17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this
thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast
found grace in my sight, and 1 know thee by name.
18 And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy
glory.
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness
pass before thee,'^ and I will proclaim the name of
tlie Lord before thee; and will be gracious to
whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy
on whom I will show mercy.''
20 And
he said, Thou canst not see my face:''
for there shall no man see me, and live.
21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place
by me, and thou slialt stand upon a rock:
22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory
passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of tlie
rock, and will cover thee with my band while I
pass by
23 And I will take away my hand, and thou shalt
see my back parts but my face shall not be seen.
;

CHAPTER XXXIV.
1 The tables are renewed. 5 The name of the Lord proclaimed. 8
Moses entreateth tjod to go with them. 10 Grod maketh a covenant
with them, repeating certain duties of the first table. 28 Moses after
forty days in the mount cometh down with the tables. 29 His face
shiueth, and he covereth it with a veil.

A a
ND tlie Lord said unto Moses, thee two
tables of stone like unto the first: and I
Hew
;

God maktth a covcna lit EXdDlS X.XXIV vitk the Israelilts.

have not been done in nil the cartli, nor in any enth day thou shalt rest:'' in earing-time b.cuJJ:
nation: and all tlie pooido anionir wliieli thou urt and ill harvest thou shaft rest.
eliall see tlie work of tlic Loitn: for it is a terri- And lliou shalt oliserve the feast of weeks,
'22 'i

ble thinir that I will do with tiiee." of the first-fruits of wheat-harvest, and the feast
11 ()l).-;erve thou tiiat wiiieh 1 command thee of ingathering at the year's end.-
this day: behold. I ilrivc out iielbie thee tlie 2:5 • 'i'lirice ill they(\irsiiall all yourmen-diildren
Aniorite, and the Canaanite, and the Uittite, and a])pear before tlie Lord (Jon, the God of Israel.'
the I'erizzite, and the llivitc, and the Jebiisite.'' 24 For I will cast out the nations before thee,
12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a cove- and enlarge thy borders :J neither .'^hall any man
nant with the inhabitants of the land whither desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear
thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of before the Lord thy God tliriet; in the year.^
thee:'- 25 Thou shalt not olVer llie blood of my sacrifice
_
13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their with leaven neither shall tlie sacrifice of the feast
;

images,' and cut down their groves: of the passover be left unto the morning.
14 For thou shalt worshij) no other god:'' for 2() The first of the first-fruits of tiiy land thou
the Loud, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous shalt bring unto the house of the LoiU) thy God.'
God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk."'
15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabi- 27 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou
tants of the land, and they go a whoring after these words " for after the tenor of thes(' words I :

their gods, and do sacrifice uuto their gods, and have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.
one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; 28 And he was there with the Lord forty days
16 And thou take of their daughters unto thy and forty nights;" he did neither eat bread, nor
sons," and their daughters go a whoring after drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the
their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after words of the covenant,'' the ten commandments.*
their gods. 29 % And it came to pass, when Moses came
17 Thou shalt make thee no molten gods. down from mount Sinai with the two tables of
18 T The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down
keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin
bread,'' as I commanded thee, in the time of the of his face shone while he talked with him.''
month Abib: for in the month Abib thou earnest 30 And when Aaron and all the children of Is-
out from Egypt. rael saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone
19 All that oponcth the matrix is mine;s and and they were afraid to come nigh him.
every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or 31 And Moses called unto them and Aaron and ;

sheep, that is male. all the rulers of the congregation returned unto
20 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem him and Moses talked with them. :

with a lamb * and if tliou redeem him not, then


:
32 And afterward all the children of Israel came
shalt thou break his neck. All the first-born of nigh and he gave them in commandment all that
;

thy sons thou slialt redeem. And none shall ap- the Lord had spoken with him in mount Sinai.''
pear before me empty. 33 And //// Moses had done speaking with them,
|

21 H Six days thou shalt work, but on the sev- he put a veil on his face.*

«Pii.«5:5. b Dcut. 7:1, 19; 9:4,5. c Jpsh. 23:12, 13. • Tieh. slalues 14:21. n Deut. 31:9. o Deut. 9:9, 18. P ver. 1; Deut. 4:13; 10:2. 4;
i -Malt. 4:10. = Num. 2.5:1,2; Ezra 9:2; 2 Cor. 6:14. t ch. 12:1.'); •iil.'i 2 Cor. 3:7. « Hcb. U'ords. 1 Matt. 17:2; Luke !);2'J; Acts 6:15; 2 Cor.
s ch. 13:2. t Or, kid. h ch. 33:2. I Hfb. revolulion of the year ch. 3:7, i:3; Rev. 1:16. r ch. 21 Num. 15:40. « 2 Cor. 3: 13-10.
: ;
1
21:14,17. Jver.U. k 2 Chr. 17: 10; Job 1:10. 1 Deut. 20;-.!, 10.

the people had so shamefully and wickedly broken theirs. 1C:9, 10. Feast of ingathering ; of tabernacles, which was
Do marvels; perform wonderful things in giving their chil- observed at the close of the harvest. Chap. 23: 14-1 fi.
dren the land of Canaan. A terrible thing; he would ac- 24. Desire thy land; while all the able-bodied men should
complish, through their means, towards their enemies. be absent, God would not only prevent their land from
11. That which I command ; it is to be noticed that ver. being invaded, but he would keep their enemies from de-
12-20 contain a repetition of that part of chap. 21-23, in siring it. This promise was literally fuliilled. In the
which the duties of the Israelites towards God as his history of the Jews, no instance is known of their ene-
covenant-people are specified. Thus he formally renewed mies' taking advantage of their attendance upon the ap-
with them the covenant which they had broken. pointed feasts to invade the land.
12. A covenant; a treaty of peace. A snare; means of 25. He wrote; the Lord wrote the ten commandments on
leading them into sin. these tables, as he had done on the first, which were
Their groves; or, their images of Ashtaroth, which
13. broken; and the other commands Moses wrote as God
were generally of wood. directed him, ver. 1; Deut. 10:4.
11. A jealous God;
especially displeased with those who 29. His face shone; this was the effect of being with
wor_ship any thing except himself. God, and beholding his glory.
17. Molten ; that is, melted ; idols cast in a furnace. 33. He put a veil on his face; to prevent their being
18. The feast of unleavened bread; that connected with afraid of liim. Tlie shining of his face indicated the glory,
the passover. Chap. 12:14-20. and his veiling it indicated the darkness of that dispensa-
19. Is- mine ; chap. 13:2, 12, 13. tion, compared with the gospel. The veil also fitly illus-
21. Earing; ploughing. Harvest ; in the most busy trated the darkness of the human mind as to spiritual
seasons of the year, wlien they would be most strongly things, without the illuminating influences of the Uoly
tempted to break the Sabbath, as well as at other times, Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:6-18.
they were to rest and keep the day holy.
22. Feast of weeks ; penteoost, which began seven weeks, INSTRUCTIONS.
or the fiftieth day after the passover. Chap. 23:16; Deut. 1. Notwithstanding the indignation of Jehovah against
124
; ; ; ; ;

Free gifts of the peopk EXODUS XXXV. for the tabernacle.

kc i'm: 34 But wlicn Moses wont in before the 11 The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering,
Lord to speak with him, he took the veil ofl', until his taches, and liis boards, his bars, his pillars,
he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the and his sockets
children cf Israel i/iat which he was coiumandcd. 12 The ark,!^ and the staves thereof, with the
35 And the children of Israel saw the face of mercy-seat, and the veil of the covering;
Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone and 13 The table, and his staves, and all his vessels,
:

Moses put the veil upon his face again, until he and the show-broad ;
*'

went in to speak with him. 14 Tiie candlestick also for the light, and his
furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light
15 And the incense-altar,' and his staves, and the
CHAPTER XXXV. anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hang-
1 Tlie Sabbath. 4 The free gifts for the tabernacle. 20 The readiness
ing for tlie door at tlie entering in of the tabernacle
of the people to offer. 30 Bezaleel and Aholiab are called to the
work. 16 The altar of burnt-offering, with his brazen

AND Moses gathered congregation of


the childi-en of Israel together, and said unto
all the
his foot
and all his vessels, the laver and
grate, his staves,

them, These ai-e the words which the Lort) hath 17 The hangings of the court,J his pillars, and
commanded, that ye should do them.'' their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the
2 Six days shall work bo done," but on the sev- court
enth day there shall be to you a holy day,* a sab- 18 The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of
bath of rest to the Lord whosoever doeth work :
the court, and their cords
therein shall be put to death." 19 The clothes of service, to do service in the
3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habi- holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest,
tations upon the sabbatli-day.'' and the garments of his sons, to minister in the
4 ir And Moses spake unto all the congregation priest's office.''
of the children of Israel, saying. This is the thing 20 ^ And all the congregation of the children
which the Lord commanded, saying, of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the 21 And they came, every one whose heart stir-
Lord whosoever is of a willing heart," let him
:
red liim up, and every one whom his spirit made
bring it, an offering of the Lord gold, and silver, willing,' and they brought the Lord's offering to
;

and brass, the work of the tabernacle of the congregation,


6 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
linen, and goats' hair, 22 And they came, both men and women, as
I And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, many as were willing-hearted, a7id brought brace-
and shittim-wood, lets, and ear-rings, and rings, and tablets, all

8 And and spices for anointing jewels of gold and every man that offered, offered
oil for the light, :

oil. and for the sweet incense, an offering of gold unto the Lord.
II And onyx-stones, and stones to be set for the 23 And every man, with whom was found blue,
ephod, and for the breastplate. and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats'
10 And every wiso-hoarted among you shall come, hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins,
and make all that the Lord hath commanded •/ brought them.
iCh. 34:3-2. bLev.23:3. • Heh. /wliness. c Deut. 5:12-14; Luka 13:14, 2 Sam, 7:2. k ch. 31:10; 39:1,41; Num. 4:5, 7, i , 22, etc. ; ch.
<i Num. 15:32. etc. e ch. 25:2; Mark 12:41-44; 2 Cor. 8:11, 12; 9:7. 25:2; 3(j:2; IChr. 28:3,9; 29:9; Ezri7:27.
h. 31:6. e ch. 25:10, etc. h Lev. 24:5, C. i ch. 30:1, etc. Jch. 27:9;

backsliders, those who repent and seek his mercy he will men, that none shall in the end be losers from conscien-
forgive, renew his covenant with them, and take them tiously and perseveringly obeying him.
again under bis gracious care. 27. It is a great blessing to have the words of the Lord
7. Though God forgives bis penitent believing people, written in a book. And as we have the book which contains
he does not deliver tbem from all the consequences of them, written not in words which man's wisdom taught,
their sins. The evils of tbem they may feel, in numerous but which the Holy Ghost taught, their meaning should
ways, to the end of Ufe, and even transmit to future gen- be communicated in the plainest manner to all the people.
erations while none who do not repent, and turn heartily
;
33. The meaning and use of the Old Testament are, to
to him, can escape utter and irretrievable ruin. a great extent, explained in the New. They are parts of
11. No repentance of sin or professed reformation will the same revelation, and a knowledge of both is necessary
avail to salvation, which does not lead men to do what in order to a fuU luiderstanding of either. Those, there-
God commands tbem. fore, who think that the Old Testament is out of date, and
14. To regard any object above Jehovah, or pay even
that the study of it can be neglected without sin, or with-
external worship to any but him, is exceedingly offensive out great loss to the soul, do exceedingly err, not know-
in his sight, and exposes those who are guilty of it to his ing the Scriptures.
just indignation.
15. Intimate connection with the openly wicked, and all CHAPTER XXXV.
apparent joining with tbem in their iniquity, or conniving 3.Kindle no fire; for any worldly purpose; not even to
at it, should be carefully avoided. manufacture articles for the tabernacle or sanctuary of the
21. Often, plainly, and expressly, God commands men Lord.
to keep the Sabbath; and no pressure of worldly busi- 4-29. The tabernacle. Chap. 25:2-40.
ness, even in the most pressing season, should lead them 18. Pins of the tabernacle; supposed to be those to which
ever to neglect it. They have no right to do, to attempt, the cords of the sacred tent were fastened, and which
or wish to do any more business than is consistent with were driven into the groimd, to keep it firm in its place.
their remembering the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. 22. Tablets; supposed to be ornaments worn around the
24. God is able so to control the desires and efforts of head or neck.
12.5
; ;

Bezalttl and AAoliab. EXODUS XXXVI. The offering; s are too many.

24 Every one tliat did ofTor an offering of pilver (11 A I'TER 1,.?:fli;. XXXVI.
and brass broutrht the Lonn's offering: and every
The ofleringa arc dclivcrnl to Uic workmen. 5 The liberality of the
1
man, with wlioni was found shittim-Avood for any )>''ople is restrained. 8 The curtains of cherubim. 14 The curtains
work of tlic service, brought it. of goals' hair. 19 The covering of skins. 1>0 The boards with their
BockeU. 31 The bars. 30 Tlie veil. 37 The hanging for tlie door.
25 And all the women that were wise-licartcd
did spin with their hands," and brought that which I^UEN" wrought Bczaleel and Aholiab, and ev-
they had s|inn, both of blue, and of purple, and of ery wise-hearted man,'' in whom the Lord put
scarlet, and nf fine linen. wisdom and iiriderstiinding to know how to work
26 And all the women whose heart stirred them all manncrof work for the service of tlie sanctuary,'
up in wisdom spun goats' hair. according to all that the Lord had commanded.
27 And the rulers brought onyx-stones," and 2 And Moses called Bczaleel and Aholiab, and
stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breast- every wise-]iearted man, in whose heart the Lord
plate ;
had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stir-
28 And spice,'' and oil for the light, and for the red him up to come unto the work to do it.'
anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 3 And they received of Jloses all the offering,
29 The children of Israel brought a willing which the children of Israel had brought for the
offering unto the Lord,'' every man and woman, work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it
whose heart made them willing to bring for all withal. And they brought yet unto him free offer-
manner of work, which the Loud had commanded ings every morning.
to be made liy the hand of Moses. 4 1 And all the wise men," that wrought all the
30 7 And Moses said unto the children of Is- work of the sanctuary,' came every man from his
rael,'' Sec, the Lord hath called by name Bczaleel work which tiiey made;
the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of 5 And they spake unto Moses, saying. The peo-
Judah ple bring much more than enough for the service
31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.™
God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in know- 6 And Moses gave commandment, and they
ledge, and in all manner of w'orkmanship caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp.
32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, saying. Let neither man nor woman make any
and in silver, and in brass, more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So
33 And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and the people were restrained from bringing.
in carving of wood, to make any manner of cun- 7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all
ning work. the work to make it, and too much."
34 And he hath put in his heart that he may 8 Tl And every wise-hearted man among tlicni
teach,'^6o/A ho, and Alioliab, the son of Ahisamach, that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten
of tlie tribe of Dan. curtains o/'fine twined linen," and blue, and pur-
35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart,^ to ple, and scarlet with cherubim of cunning work :

work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of made he them.


the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in 9 The length of one curtain was twenty and eight
blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cu-
and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, bits the curtains were all of one size.
:

and of those that devise cunning work. 10 And he coupled the five curtains one unto
a Ch. 28:3; 2 Kings 23:7; Prov. 31:19. b 1 Chr. 29:6; Ezra2:es. c ch. 2S:3; 31:6; 35:10.35. ch. 25:8; Num. 7:9; Heb. 8:2. J ch. 35:25,20;
30:2J. d Ter. 21; 1 CKr. 29:9. e ch. 31:2, etc. fNeh. 2:12. 6 ver. 31; lChr.29:5. l!lCor.3:I0. 12Chr.24:13. >» 2 Cor. 8:2, 3; Phil. 4:17, 16.

ch. 31:3,6; 1 Kings 3:12; 7:U; 2 Chr. 2:14; Isa. 2S:26; 51:16. h ch. n 2 Chr. 31:10. o ch. 26:1, etc.

25. Wise-hearted ; skilled in curious spinning. offerings may be equally acceptable. If there be a will-
ing mind, it is accepted .according to what any one hath,
INSTRUCTIONS. and not according to what ho hath not. Mark 12:43, 44;
2. The observance of the Sabbath was so essential to 2 Cor. 8:12.
the civil welfare of the Israelites, and to the prevalence 34. Mechanical skill, as really as divine grace, men
and perpetuity of true religion, that it was here placed receive from God but they can obtain and confer the
;

first among the directions which God gave his people. benefits of neither without their own efforts. And both,
The command to keep it holy was often repeated, and on to be accepted, must be employed in the service and to
a variety of occasions and the open, presumptuous viola-
;
the glory of the Giver.
tion of it was to be punished with death.
5. Free, voluntary offerings for the purpose of promot-
CHAPTER XXXVI.
ing the glory of God and the good of mankind, are pecul- 1. Tlien wro^ighl ; rather,and Bezaleel and Aholiab
iarly pleasing to him. shall work. Accordingly iloses calls them, ver. 2, to this
10. Those whose talents and skill are employed in do- service.
ing what God has commanded, are, in the best sense, INSTRUCTIONS.
wise-hearted while those whose powers are not em-
; 3. Those who are intrusted with public contributions
ployed in obeying him, are, in the most emphatic sense, should conscientiously appropriate them to the object.;
fools. Psa. 14:1; Prov. 17:16. for which they are given, and avoid both the reality and
22. All who are truly wise, both men and women, when the appearance of employing any part of them for other
they know the will of God, will be disposed to do it and ; purposes.
in offering willingly to him of what he has given them, 7. The hearts of men, and all their powers, are so under
they will derive from it greater enjoyment and benefit than the control of God, that he can at any time lead them_ to
if they had hoarded it, or employed it on themselves. devote any portion of what he gives them to his service,
29. In giving to the Lord of what he has given to them, and make them instrumental, in such ways as he sees best,
all may take a part, the poor as weU as the rich, and their of ad^'^ncins: his cause.
126
: :

The curtains, boards, and bars. EXODUS XXXVII. The veil, ark, and mercy-seat.

b.c'iwl' another: and the other five curtains he


coupled one unto another.
11 And he made loops of blue on the edge of
one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling:
likewise he made in the uttermost side of another
curtain, in the coupling of the second.
12 Fifty loops made he in one curtain," and fifty
loops made he in the edge of the curtain which
was in the coupling of the second the loops held
:

one curtain to another.


13 And he made fifty taches of gold, and coup-
led the curtains one unto another with the taches
so it became one tabernacle.''
14 ^ And he made curtains of goats' hair for the
tent over the tabernacle :'^ eleven curtains he made
them.
15 The length of one curtain was thirty cubits,
and four cubits was the breadth of one curtain:
the eleven curtains were of one size.
16 And he coupled five curtains by themselves,
and six curtains by themselves.
17 And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost
edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops
made he upon the edge of the curtain which coup-
leth the second.
18 And he made fifty taches of brass to couple
the tent together, that it might be one.
19 And he made a covering for the tent o/" rams'
skins dyed red,"^ and a covering of badgers' skins
above that.
20 T" And he made boards for the tabernacle'^ of
shittim-wood,'^ standing up.
21 The length of a board loas ten cubits, and the
breadth of a board one cubit and a half.
22 One board had two tenons, equally distant
one from another: thus did he make for all the
boards of the tabernacle.
23 And he made boards for the tabernacle;
twenty boards for the south side southward
21 And forty sockets of silver he made under
the twenty boards two sockets under one board
;

for his two tenons, and two sockets under another


board for his two tenons.
25 And for the other side of the tabernacle, which
is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards,
26 And their forty sockets of silver two sockets
;

under one board, and two sockets under another


board.
27 And for the sides of the tabernacle westward
he made six boards.
28 And two boards made he for the corners of
the tabernacle in the two sides.
29 And they were coupled* beneath, and coupled
together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he
did to both of them in both the corners.
: : :

The table, candlestirk, and alUirs. EXODUS XX.WIII. The. laver, and the court.

high," and rovcrcd witli tlioir winjrs over tlic iiicrcy- the two sides thereof, to be places for the B.'iiJJJ:
scat, witli tl)oir faces one to another; even to tlie staves to bear it withal.
inercy-suat-ward were the faces of the cheruhiin.'' 2S And he made the staves o/ shiltiiu-wood, and
10 IT And lie made tabic of sliittim-wood :''
tlie overlaid them witii gold.
two cubits n-ns thp lengtli tliereof, and a culiit the 21) 'i And he iiuidc the holy anointing oil," and
breadtli thereof, and a cubit and a half the height th(> pure inciMise of sweet spices,'' according to the

thereof: work of the apothecary.


11 And he overlaid it with pure pold, and made
thereunto a crown of fjold round about. CHAPTER XXXVIII.
12 Also he made thereunto a border of a liand- 1 The altar of burnt-ofTcring. 8 The lavcr of briws. 9 The court. 21
breadth round about; and made a crown of gold Tltc sum of that the people ofiereU.

for the border thereof round about.


13 And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put
AND he made the altar of burntoffering of
live cubits was tlic length
siiittim-wood:'
the rings upon the four corners that were in the thereof, and live cubits the breadth thereof; it icas
four feet thereof. foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.
14 Over against the border were the rings, the 2 And he made the horns thereof on the four
places for the staves to bear the table. corners of it the horns thereof were of the same:
;

15 And he made the staves o/"s]iittim-wood, and and he overlaid it with brass.
ovei'laid them with gold, to bear the table. 3 And he made all the vessels of the altar, the
IG And he made the vessels which ivere upon the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, and the ilesh-
table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, hooks, and the fire-pans: all the vessels thereof
and his covers to cover withal,* o/pure gold.'' made he o/" brass.
17 1i And he made the candlestick o/"pure gold :" 4 And he made for the altar a brazen grate of
of beaten work made he the candlestick; his network, under the compass thereof, beneath unto
shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and the midst of it.
his flowers, were of the same 5 And he cast four rings for the four ends of the
18 And six branches going out of the sides grate of brass, to be places for the staves.
thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of 6 And he made the staves q/" shittim-wood, and
the one side thereof, and three branches of the overlaid them with brass.
candlestick out of the other side thereof: 7 And he put the staves into the rings on the
19 Three bowls made after the fashion of al- sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the
monds in one branch, a knop and a flower and ; altar hollow with boards.
three bowls made like almonds in another branch, 8 Ti And he made the laver of brass,J and the
a knop and a flower so throughout the six branch-
; foot of it of brass, of the looking-glasses* of the
es going out of the candlestick. women assembling,* which assembled at the door
2l) And in the candlestick ivere four bowls made of the tabernacle of the congregation.
like almonds, his knops, and his flowers 9 1 And he made the court:" on the south side
21 And a knop under two branches of the same, southward the hangings of the court were of fine
and a knop under two branches of the same, and twined linen, a hundred cubits
a knop under two branches of the same, according 10 Their pillars were twenty, and their brazen
to the six branches going out of it. sockets twenty the hooks of the pillars and their
;

22 Their knops and their branches were of the fillets were q/" silver.
same all of it icas one beaten work o/"pure gold.
: 11 And for the north side the hangings were a
23 And he made his seven lamps, and his snufi"- hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and
ers, and his snuff-dishes, q/"pure gold. their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the
24 0/" a talent of pure gold made he it, and all pillars and their fillets o/" silver.
the vessels thereof. 12 And
for the west side were hangings of fifty
25 TI And he made the incense-altar of shittim- cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the
wood:'' the length of it ivas a cubit, and the hooks of the pillars and their fillets 0/ silver.
breadth of it a cubit it was foursquare and two
; ; 13 And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.
cubits was the height of it the horns thereof were
; 14 The hangings of the one side of the gate were
of the same. fifteen cubits their pillai'S three, and their sockets
;

26 And he overlaid it with pure gold, loth the three.


top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and 15 And on
for the other side of the court gate,
the horns of it also he made unto it a crown of
: this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen
gold round about. cubits their pillars three, and their sockets three.
;

27 And he made two rings of gold for it under 16 All the hangings of the court round about
the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon were of fine twined linen.

a Gen. 3:24; Isa. 6;2; Ezck. ch. 10. b ch. 25:20. c ch. 25:23; 3.3:13; 8:3,4. ech.30:23; Psa. 23:5; 92:10; Isa.61:l,3. lich.30:34. ich.a7:l
40:4, 22; Ezek. 40:39; Mai. 1:12. • Or.
(o prar oul withal, i ch. 25:29; ich. 30:18. i Or, brazen glasses, t Heh. assernbling by troops. *ch.27;9
2Tim.2;20. *oh. 25:31; 40:21,25; 1 Chr. 2S:15; 2Chr. 13:11 Zech.4:2, ; 40:8,33; lKings6:36: Fsa.84:2,10.
11; Heb.9:2; Rev.l:12.20; 2:1,5. fch.SOil; 40:27; Luke 1:9,10; Hev.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. of polished metal. Which assembled; for religious pur-


1. The altar; chap. 27:1-8. poses, and to unite in tlie worship of God.
8. The laver; chap. 30:18-21. Looking-slasses ; mirrors 9. Tlie court ; chap. 27 9. :

128
:

The sum of the offerings. EXODUS XXXIX. The holy garments.

ac'S 17 And the sockets for the pillars were


o/" brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets
o/" silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of
silver and all the pillars of the court u-ere fillet-
;

ed with silver.
18 And the hanging for the gate of the court
was needle-work, of blue, and purple, and scarlet,
and fine twined linen :" and twenty cubits ivas the
length, and the height in the breadth icas five
cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.
19 And their pillars it-ere four, and their sockets
of brass four their hooks o/" silver, and the over-
;

laying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.


20 And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the
court round about, were of brass.''
21 IT This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of
the tabernacle of testimony," as it was counted,
according to the commandment of Moses, for the
service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar,"
son to Aaron the priest.
22 And Bezaleel the son of Uri,° the son of Hur,
of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord
commanded Moses.
23 And with him was Aholiab,'" sou of Ahisa-
mach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cun-
ning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and
in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.
24 All the gold that was occupied for the work
in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of
the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and
seven hundred and thirty shekels,^ after the shekel
of the sanctuary."
25 And the silver of them that were numbered
of the congregation ivas a hundred talents, and a
thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen
shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary
20 Abekah for every man,* that is, half a shekel,
after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one
that went to be numbered,' from twenty years old
and upward,J for six hundred thousand and three
thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
27 And of the hundred talents of silver were
cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets
of the veil;" a hundred sockets of the hundred
talents, a talent for a socket.
28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy
and he made hooks for the pillars, and
five shekels
overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.'
29 And the brass of the ofieriug was seventy tal-
ents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.
lO
: ; ; ;

Tht hreastpl tie, rule, and milrf. EXODl'S XL. The taherrutde mmplelid.

14 And stones were acconlincj to the names


Itic U on high upon the mitre; as tlie Loud u.^Nil:
of tlio cliildrcn of Israel, twelve," aceordinfr to commanded Moses.
their names, like the en<^ravin<^s of a sis^net, every 32 11 Thus was all the work of
the tabernacle of
one with his name, aceording to the twelve tril)es. the tent of the congregation finished and the chil- ;

LS And tliey made upon the breastplate chains dren of Israel did according to all that the Lord
at the ends, o/'wreathon work o/" pure jrold. commanded Moses, so diil they.''
16 And they made two ouches o/'gold, and two 33 \ And they brought the tabernacle unto Mo-
gold rinjrs, and pnt the two rings in the two cuds ses, the tent, and all his fiiinitiire, his taches, li's
of the breastplate. boards, his bars, and his jiillars, and his sockets;
17 And they j)ut the two wreathen chains of pold 34 And the cpvering of rains' skins dyed red,
in the two rinijs on the ends of the breastplate.'' and the covering of badgers' skins, and the veil of
18 And the two ends of the two wreathen ciiains the covering;
they fastened in tlie two onclies, and put them on 35 The ark of the testimony, and the staves
the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, before it. thereof, and the mercy-seat;
I'J And they made two rinirs of sold, and put f/ie?n 3() The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the
on the two ends of the lireastplato, upon the border show-bread
of it, -which wo* on the side of the ephod inward. 37 The pure candlestick, u-ith the lamps thereof
20 And they made two other iroldcn rings, and even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the
put them on the two sides of tiie epiiod under- vessels thereof and the oil for light;
neath, toward the forepart of it, over against the 38 And the golden altar, and the anointing oil,
other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of and the sweet incense,' and the hanging for the
the ephod. tabernacle door
21 A nd they did bind the breastplate by his rings 39 The brazen altar, and his grate of brass, his
unto the rings of the epiiod with a lace of blue, staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot
that it might be above the curious girdle of the 40 The hangings of the court, his jiillars, and his
ephod, and that the l)reastplate might not be loosed sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his
from tlie ephod as the Loud commanded Moses.
; cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service
22 *! And he made the robe of the ephod of wo- of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation
ven work, all of blue." 41 The clothes of service to do service in the
23 And there van a hole in the midst of the robe, holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the
as the hole of a habergeon, u-ith a band round priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the
about the hole, that it should not rend. priest's ofiBce.'
24 And they made upon the hems of the robe 42 According to all that the Lonn commanded
pomegranates q/" blue, and Moses,'" so the children of Israel made all the work.
and purple, and scarlet,
twined linen. 43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and
25 And they made bells o/"pure gold,'' and put the behold, they had done it as the Lord had com-
bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of manded, even so had they done it: and Moses
the robe,'' round about between the pomegranates blessed them."
26 A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pome-
granate, round about the hem of the
ister in : as the Lord commanded Moses.
robe to min- CHAPTER
XL.
1 The biternacle is commanded to be reared, 9 and .anointed. 13 Aaron
27 1 And they made coats of fine linen of woven and his sons to be sanctified. 16 Moses performeth all things accord-
34 A cloud covereth the tabernacle.
work for Aaron, and for his sons,' ingly.

28 And a mitre o/" fine linen,'^ and goodly bonnets


of hue linen, and linen breeches o/"fine twined linen,''
AND
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 On the first day of the first month shalt
29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the con-
and purple, and scarlet, of necdlc-work ; as the gregation."
Lord commanded Moses.' 3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the tes-
30 IT And they made the plate of the holy crown timony, and cover the ark with the veil.
o/"pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to 4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in
the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE order' the things that are to be set in order upon
LORD.J it;"" and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and
31 And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten light the lamps thereof.
• Rev. 21:12. b Cant. 1:10. Cch. 28:31. J ch. 28:31. e Cant. 4:13. 31:10
' ch. 23:39, 40. s ch. 28:4, 39. h ch. 23:42; Ezek. 44:18. ch. 25:39.
i

J Zeoh. 14:20. k ,er. 42, 43; ch. 25:40; Dcut. 12:32; 1 Sam. 15:22; 1 Chr.
25:19; Matt, 23:20; Heb. 8:.'). • Heb. the incense of smet spices. 1 ch.

37. To be set in order; or, arranged in order, that is, in


a row.
INSTRUCTIONS.
32. When numbers unite earnestly and perseveringly
in a good work, much, with the blessing of God, may be
accomplished in a short time.
42. When things are undertaken and accomplished ac-
cording to the directions of God, they will be done in tlie
best manner.
43. When others have done well we should show our-
130
1 : :

The lahcrnade is set up. EXODUS XL. Tke cloud covereth

\\l\\S\: 5 Andthou slialt set the altar of gold


for the incense before the ark of the testimony,
and put the hanging of the door to tlic tabernacle.
6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt-oifer-
ing before the door of the tabernacle of the tent
of the congregation.
7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent
of the congregation and the altar," and shalt put
water therein.
8 And thou shalt set up the court round about,
and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and
anoint the tabernacle," and all that is therein, and
slialt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it
shall be holy.
10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt-
offering,and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar
and it shall be an altar most holy.*'^
1 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot,
and sanctify it.
12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons
unto the door of the tabernacle of the congrega-
tion, and wash them with water.**
13 And thou slialt put upon Aaron the holy gar-
ments, and anoint him,*^ and sanctify him ]^ that he
may minister unto me in the priest's office.
14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe
tliem with coats
15 And thou slialt anoint them as thou didst
anoint their fatlier, that they may minister unto
me in tlie priest's office: for their anointing shall
surely bo an everlasting priesthood throughout
their generations.^
IG Thus did Moses: according to all that the
Lord commanded him, so did he.
17 1^ And it came to pass in the first month in
the second year, on the first dmj of the month,
that the tabernacle was reared up."
18 And Moses reared up the taiiernacle, and fas-
tened his sockets, and setup the boards thereof, and
put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tab-
ernacle, and put the covering of the tent above
upon it as the Lord commanded Moses.
;

20 1 And he took and put the testimony into


the ark,' and set the staves on the ark, and put
the mercy-seat above upon the ark :^
21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle,
and set up the veil of the covering," and covered
THE THIRD BOOK OF MOSES,
CALLED

LEVITICUS.
Leviticts is so called from Levi, because the book ismainly occupied with the duties of the priests and
Levites, who belonged to the tribe of Levi. It holds a most important place in the Pentateuch, since it
contains specific directions for the various sacrifices, which fanned the centre of the Mosaic ordinances,
the priesthood of Aaron and his sons having been divinely appointed to prefigure the priesthood of Christ,
wlio with his own blood made atonement for the sins of his people, and now intercedes for them at the

right hand of God. Whatever belonged to the priestly and Levitical service the different sacrifices and —
(jblations ;
the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood, with the various laws for its regula-
tion ; the death of Nadab and Abiliu for violating a priestly ordinance; the rules respecting ceremonial
defilements and purifications, the plague of leprosy, incest, and the release of servants at the year of
jubilee ; various other particulars that came under tlie supervision of the priests — this is all found in the
book of Leviticus. Interspersed with these details are a few short historic notices.

CHAPTER I.
of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
1 The turnt-offerings, 3 of the herd, 10 of the flocks, M of the fowls.
3 If his offering be a burnt-sacrifice of the iierd,
AND the Lord called unto Moses, and spake
unto him out of the tabernacle of the con-
let him
offer it of his
offer a male without blemish:"^ he shall
own voluntary will at the door of
grcfjation," sayinji', the tabernacle of the congregation before the
2 Speak unto tlic children of Israel, and say Lord.
unto them, If any man of you bring an offering 4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of
» Exod. 19:3: Num. 12:4, 5. b ch. 22:13. c ch. 3:1 aa:-^, 21 Exoii.
; ; 8:14; 1 Pet. 1:19.
12:5; Deut. 15:21; Mai. 1:14; Luke 1:35; John 1:36; Eph. 5:27; Heb.

US of the goodness of God, and our obligations to him for should follow him might be guided by his counsel and
his mercies. And when, according to his will, we begin afterwards be received to glory. John 1:14; 8:12, Heb.
the year with devoutly acknowledging and adoring him, 9 : 2-28.
we may hope that whether we continue to its close in this CHAPTER I.
world, or are removed to another, we shall still be happy
in the service of God. 1. Out of tlie previous directions God
tabernacle; the
15 Such is the nature of men, and such the ways in gave to Moses from the mount ; the subsequent, from the
which they are most usefully impressed, that the setting tabernacle.
apart of particular places for public worship, and of par- 3. A burnt-sacrifice; all the sacrifices signified the expi-
ticular men to conduct it, is suited to promote their high- ation of sin through the shedding of blood, Heb. 9:22;
est good. and since " it is not possible that the blood of bulls and
32. The doing of all things as the Lord commands, is of goats should take away sins," Heb. 10:4, they typified
the sure way ofpromotuig his glory, and of obtaining his the efficacious atonement of Christ's blood, Heb. 9:12-14.
blessing. It is also the way to make our temporary so- When he offered himself on Calvary for the sins of the
journ on earth a preparation for an eternal dwelling with world, the Levitical sacrifices ceased to have any further
God in heaven. office. The first and most important sacrifice was the
33. God's taking forty days to give directions about the burnt-offering, which was wholly consumed on the altar,
tabernacle and its worship, and but six to create the and is, for this reason, sometimes called a whole burnt-
world and his occupying many chapters of the Bible to
; offering, Deut. 33:10; Psa.51:19. Onthei)art of the offerer,
describe the former, and but one to describe the latter, this signified the entireness of his faith and devotion to
should increase our conviction of the superiority of re- God, and on the part of the sacrifice, the completeness of
demption to creation, and lead us to regard principally not the expiation. Without blemish; this was required in all
things seen and temporal, but things unseen and eternal. sacrifices. It indicated, on the offerer's part, that he gave
38. All the preparation that was made to provide a to God the best he had and, on the part of the victim,
;

dwelling-place for God, and institute his worship among the perfection of Jesus Christ, the great atoning sacrifice.
the Israelites, the glory which filled the tabernacle, his Of his own voluntary will; or, that he may be accepted,
guidance of them by tlie pillar of cloud and fire in all their as in Exod. 28:38, where the same word is used.
journey through tlie wilderness, and his introduction of 4. Put his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering; this
them into Canaan, prefigured his dwelling in human na- also was required in the case of every sacrifice. Thus
ture and becomuig the light of the world, that such as the offerer solemnly devoted it to God, and signified his
132
: : ;

Of the huriit-sacrificc. LEVITICUS II, Of the meat-offerings.

v.IxuIk the burnt-offeringand it shall be accept-


;"

ed for him'' to make atonement for him.''


5 And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord :

and tlie priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood,


and sprinkle the blood round about upon tlie altar
that is by the door of the tabernacle of the con-
gregation.''
6 And he shall flay the burnt-offering, and cut it
into his pieces.
7 And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put
fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon
the fire
8 And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the
parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood
that is on the tire which is upon the altar
9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in
water and the priest shall burn all on the altar,
:

to be a burnt-sacrifice, an oft'ering made by fire, of


a sweet savor unto tlie Lord."
10 IT And if his offering be of the flocks, namely,
of tlie sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt-sacrifice
he shall bring it a male without blemish.
11 And he sliall kill it on the side of the altar
northward before tlie Lord:^ and the priests,
Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about
upon the altar.
12 And
he shall cut it into his pieces, with his
head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in
order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon
the altar:
i:{ But he shall wasli the inwards and the legs
with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and
burn«7upon the altar it waburnt-sacriSce,an offer-
:

ing made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.


14 IT And if the burnt-sacrifice for his offering
to the Lord be of fowls, then he shall bring his
offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.""'
15 And the priest shall bring it unto the altar.
a
Tht sacrifict of LEVITICUS HI. the peace-ojferiiig.

7 ' And if tliy nl)lation Ar a nicat-ofTorinj» baleen in a male or female, lie sliall offer it without ui! uJJ:
thefVvinjjj-pan, it.-shrill lie made o/Tme Hour witiioil. blemish before the Lord.'''
8 And tliou slialt l)rinf^ llic niout-alTei-ing that is U And he shall lay his hand upon the head of
made of tliesc thiuijs unto the Lord: and wiien it his offering,'' and kill it at the door of the taber-
is presented unto the priest, hesliull bring it unto nacle of the congregation and Aaron's sons, the
:

tiic altar. priest.?, shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar

9And the priest shall take from the racat-olTer- round about.
inj^ a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the 3 And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace-
altar:" it is an olVeriug made by iirc, of a sweet offering an offering made liy (ire unto the Lord ;

savor unto tlie Lord. the fat* that covereth the inwards, and all the fat
10 And that whieh is left of the meat-offering that is upon the inwards,'
shall be Aaron's and his ?ons': it is a tiling most 4 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on
holy of the olTerings of tlie Ijoni) made l)y iire. them, which is liy the flanks, and the caul above
11 \o meatofl'ering which ye siiall bring unto the liver, with the kidneys,' it shall he take away.
the Loud, sliall be made with leaven :'' for ye shall 5 And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar
l)iirn no leaven, nor any honey, in any ofifcring of upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood

the Lord made by lire. that is on the fire :' it is an oflering made by fire,
12 1 As for the oblation of the first-fruits, ye of a sweet savor unto the Lord.
shall offer thorn unto tlie Lord:" but they shall 6 1 And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace-
not be burnt' on the altar for a sweet savor. offering unto the Lord be of the flock, male or
13 And every oblation of thy mcat-ofl'ering shalt female, he shall offer it without blemish."
thou season with salt;"* neither shalt thou suffer 7 If he ofler a lamb for his offering, then shall
tlie salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking he offer it before the Lord.'
from thy meat-offering: with all thine offerings 8 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of
thou shalt otfer salt. his offering,'" and kill it before the tabernacle of
14 And if thou ofter a meat-offering of thy first- the congregation and Aarons sons shall sprinkle :

fruits unto the Lord, thou shalt ofler for tlie meat- the blood thereof round about upon the altar.
oftering of tliy first-fruits green ears of corn dried 9 And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace-
by the fire, even corn beaten out of full cars." offering an offering made by lire unto the Lord ;
15 And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frank- the fat thereof, and the whole rump, it shall he
incense thereon it is a meatoffering.
: take off hard by the backbone;" and the fat that
16 And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon
part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil the inwards,
thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an 10 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon
offering made by fire unto the Lord. them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above
the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he takeaway."
CHAPTER III. 11 And the priest shall burn it upon the altar:
1 The peace-offering of the herd, G of the flock, 7 either a lamb, 12 or it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the
a goat. Lord.''

A ND if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace-offer-

»Ch. 6:15.
ing,'' if he offer it of the herd, whether
bch. 0:17; Exod. 12:19, 20; Matt. l(i:ll; Mark 8:13; Luke
it be
12 1 And if his
offer it before the

16:21
offering be a goat, then
Lord.
lie shall

12: 1 ; 1 Cor. 5:8-8. : ch. 2:): lU, 11 Exod. 22:29. • Heb. ascend, d Num.
;

1:J:19; Ezra 7:32. Ezek. 43:24; Mark 9:49. e 2 Kings 4:42. t ch. 7:11,
29; 22:21. e Num. 6:14; Mai. 1:8, 14; Heb. 10:22. »> ch. 1:4, 5; 8:22;

11. No leaven, nor —


honey; leaven was an emblem of
hypocrisy, and lioney of sensual indulgence, both of which
are oifensive to God.
13. Salt; an emblem of purity, integrity, and perpetuity.
Mark 9:49; Col. 4:6.

INSTRUCTIONS.
3. God has ever required that a support be provided
for his ministers. Under the Old Testament, he ordained
that those who waited at the altar should be partakers
with the altar and under the New, that those who preach
;

the gospel should live of the gospel. 1 Cor. 9: 13, 14.


9. Christ, as our great High-priest and Intercessor, must
present all our offerings perfumed with the incense of his
merits, in order to have them rise with acceptance before
God. Rev. 8:3, 4.
13. Pride, hypocrisy, and sinful indulgence of every
sort must be avoided, and humility, sincerity, and self-
denial assiduously cultivated, if we would meet the ap-
probation and obtain the blessing of the Most High.
14. With the first-fruits of our time, talents, property,
and all that we possess, God is well pleased and our ;

own highest interests, as well as his glory, will be pro-


moted by our devoting them to him.
134
The sin-offering LEVITICUS IV. of Ignorance.

Kv.'m*: 13 And he shall lay his hand upon the


head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the

congrejiation and the sons of Aaron shall sprin-


:

kle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.


14 And he shall ofl'er thereof his offering, cve/i
an offering made by fire unto the Lord the fat ;

that covercth the inwards, and all the fat that is


upon the inwards,
15 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon
them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above
the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
16 And the priest shall burn them upon the
altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire
for a sweet savor: all the fat is the Lokd's.-^
17 It sha'l be a perpetual statute for your gener-
ations throughout all your dwellings,'' that ye eat
neither fat nor blood."

CHAPTER IV.
I The sin-offering of ignorance, 3 for the priest, 13 for the congregation,
'2'2 for the ruler, 27 for any of the people.

AND SpeakLord spake


2
the unto Moses, saying,
unto the children of Israel, saying,
If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any
of the commandments of the Lord concerning
things which ought not to bo done, and shall do
against any of tlicm * ;

3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according


to the sin of tiie people then let him bring for
;

his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock


without blemish unto the Lord for a sin-oflering."'
4 Aud he shall bring the bullock unto the door
of the tabernacle of the congregation before the
Lord;' and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's
head, and kill the bullock before the Lord.
5 And the priest that is anointed shall take of
the bullock's blood,' and bring it to the tabernacle
of the congregation :

6 And tlie priest shall dip his finger in the blood,


and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the
Lord," before the veil of the sanctuary.
7 And the priest shall put some of the blood
upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before

Ch. 7:'.
TA* iinrofferin/i LEVITICUS V. of ignorance.

18 And lie sliall put somf of the blood upon the 30 And the priest shall take of the blood -J,- r ui*:
horns of thi^ altar which is before tlic Loiti)," that thereof will) his finger, and putt/ ujwn the lioriis
is in the tabernacle of tiie conjjregation, and tihall of the altar of burnt-offering, and shall jiour out
pour out ail the blood at the bottom of the altar all the blood thereof at tlu! bottom of the altar.
of the biiriit-oflVriiiir, wliich is at the door of tiic 31 And he shall take away all the fat thereof,"
tabernacli- of the coiiLTCLration. as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of
19 And lie sliall take uU from him, and
jieace-offerings and the jiriest shall burn it ujxin
his fat ;

burn it upon tiie altar. the altar for a sweet savor unto the Lord;'' and
20 And ho do with the bullock as he did the Jiriest shall make an atonement for him, and
shall
with the bullock for a sin-offering,'' so shall he do it shall be forgiven him.
with this and the priests shall make an atone-
: 32 And if he bring a lamb for a sin-offering, he
ment for them;' and it sliall lie forgiven them. .'^hall bring it a female without blomi.sh.''

21 And he shall carry forth the bullock without 33 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of
the camp, and burn him as he burned the lirst bul- the sin-offering, and slay it for a sin-offering in
lock:'' it is a sin-offerincr for the congregation. the place where they kill the burnt-offering.
22 IT When a rul(v hath sinned, and done some- 34 And the priest shall take of the blood of the
what through ignorance afrainst any of the com- sin-offering Avi til his finger.and put?/ upon the horns
mandments of the Lord his God concerning things of the altar of burnt-oft'ering, and shall jjour out all
which should not be done, and is guilty;" the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar:
23 Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come 35 And he shall lake away all the fat thereof,
to his knowledge;'' he shall bring liis offering, a as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sac-
kid of the goats, a male without blemish: rifice of the jieace-offerings and the jiricst shall ;

2-i And ho shall lay his hand upon the head of the

burn them upon the altar, according to the offer-
goat,'' and kill it in the place where they kill the ings made by fire unto the Lord:"' and the jiriest
burnt-oncriiig before the Lord it is a sin-offering. shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath
:

25 And the jiriest shall take of the blood of the committed,' and it shall be forgiven him.
sin-offering witli his finger, and put it upon the
horns of the altar of burnt-offering, and shall pour
out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt- V. CHAPTER
offering." 1 He that sinneih in concealing his knowledge, 2 in toacliing an un-
clean thin^. 4 or in muking an oath. 6 His trespass-offering, of the
26 And he sliall burn all his fat upon the altar, flock, 7 of fowls, 11 or of flour. 14 The trespassH>frering in sacri-
as the fat of the sacrifice of peace-offerings :' and lege, 17 and in sins of ignorance.

the priest shall make an atonement for him as


concerning his sin.J and it shall be forgiven him.
AND ing,"
if a soul
and is
sin,' and hear the voice of swear-
a witness, whether he hath seen
27 1 And if any one" of the common people + sin or known of it : if he do not utter it, then he shall
through ignorance,'' while he doeth somewhat against bear his iniquity."
any of the commandments of the Lord concerning 2 Or if a soul touch any unclean thing,"" whether
things which ought not to be done, and be guilty ;' it be a carcass of an unclean beast, or a carcass of
28 Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to unclean cattle, or the carcass of unclean creeping
his knowledge;™ then he shall bring his offering, things, and ?y it be hidden from him; he also shall
a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for be unclean, and guilty.^
his sin which he hath sinned. 3 Or if he touch the uncleanness of man,'' what-
29 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of soever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled
the sin-offering," and slay the sin-offering in the withal, and it be hid from him when he knowetli;

place of the burnt-offering. of it, then he shall be guilty.''


»Ver. 7. b ver. 3. cNum. 15:2.5; Dan. 9:34: Rom. 5:11; Gil. 3:13: fixed. 29:18
Heb. 2:17; 10:10, 12; 1 John 1:7; 2:2; Rev. 1:5. i ver. 11, 12 e ver •'
13. f ver. 14; ch. 5:4. e ver. 4, etc.; Isa, 53:0. h ver. 7,30. i cli. 3:5!
) ver. 20; Num. 15: ai. • Heb. any soul. 1 Heb. people of the land, k Num
15:27. 1 Num. 5:0. m ver. 2.J. n ver. 4, 24. o ch. 3:.3, 14. Pch. 1:9;

20. Make an atonement—


be forgiven; be who, in the spirit
of true faith and penitence, presented to God his sin-offer-
ing, was saved not only from the temporal punishment of
his sin, but also, through the atonement of Christ which
this offering typified, from its eternal consequences.
INSTRUCTIONS.
3. There is no man or body of men on earth infallible,
or perfect. All are liable to sin, through carelessness,
and the influence of temptation. All need
inattention,
repentance and pardon through faith in the atonement of
Jesus Christ. Psa. 19:12-14.
12. The way in which God pardons sin is suited to
make a deep impression of its evil, and lead men to ab-
hor and forsake it.

21. Nations, as well as individuals, may commit great


iniquity; and without national repentance, reformation,
and pardon through the atonement of Christ, such iniquity
will draw down upon them the sore judgments of God.
136
:

The trespass-offering LEVITICUS VI. for sins of ignorance-

B.aiwa' 4 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with offerings made by fire unto the Lord : it is a sin-
his lips to do evil, or to do good," whatsoever it offering.
he that a man shall pronounce with an oatli, and 13 And the priest shall make an atonement for
it be hid from him when he knoweth of it, then him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one
;

he shall be guilty in one of these. of these, and it shall be forgiven him and the :

5 And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one remnant shall be tlie priest's, as a meat-offering."
of these things, that he shall confess that he hath 14 1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
sinned in that thing.-^ 15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through
6 And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto ignorance, in the holy things of the Lord then :'

the LoiiD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female lie shall bring for his trespass unto the Lord a
from the flock, a lamb, or a kid of the goats, for a ram witliout blemish out of the flocks,™ with thy
sin-offering and the priest shall make an atone- estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of
;

ment for him concerning his sin. the sanctuai-y," for a trespass-offering
7 And if he be not able to bring a lamb,* then 16 And he shall make amends for the liarm that
he shall bring for his trespass, which lie hath com- he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the
mitted, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and
unto the Lord one for a sin-offering, and the the priest shall make an atonement for him with
;

other for a burnt-offering.'' the ram of the trespass offering," and it shall be
8 And he shall bring them unto the priest, who forgiven him.
shall offer that which is for the sin-offering first, 17 ^ And if a soul sin," and commit any of these
and wring off his head from his neck,'^ but shall things whicli are forbidden to be done by the
not divide it asunder : commandments of the Lord though he wist it ;

9 And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin- not,'! yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
offering upon the side of the altar ;^ and the rest 18 And he sliall bring a ram without blemish
of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of oul of the flock, with thy estimation, for a tres-
the altar: it is a sin-offering. pass-offering, unto the priest and the priest sliall
:

10 And he shall offer the second ybr a burnt-of make an atonement for him concerning his igno-
fering, according to the manner:* and the priest rance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it
shall make an atonement for him for his sin which shall be forgiven him.
he hath sinned,' and it sliall be forgiven him.^ 19 It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly
11 IT But if he be not able to bring two turtle- trespassed against the Lord."'
doves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned
shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an CHAPTER VI.
ephah of tine flour for a sin-offering ;" he shall put
1 The trespass-ofi"ering for sins done wittingly. 8 The l<^^v of the burnt-
no oil upon it, neitiier shall he put any franliin- offering, U and of the meat-offering. 19 'The offering at the conse-

cense thereon :
for it is a sin-offering.
'
cration of a priest. 24 The law of the sin-offering.

12 Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the


priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial
AND
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass
thereof,^ and burn if on the altar, according to the against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbor," in

aJudg. 11:31; lSam.23:aa; 2Kirgs6:3l; Mark 6:33; ActE23:ia. b ch. f ch. 4:2S.
26:40; Num. 5:7; Joshua 7:19; Ezra 111:11; Psalm 32:5; Dan. 9:4; Rom.
• Heb. his hand cannot reach to the su^iency
10:10. of a lamb, c chap.
12:8; 14.21. dch. 1:15. « Exod. 12:23, 23; Heb. 12:24. \ Qi, ordinance.

4. A what he will or will not


soul swear; rashly, as to
do, and whenit may be wicked, or not in his power to do

it. hid from him; if he was not aware at the time


It be
that it was wicked, or was not in his power.
7. Sin-offering; chap. 4:24-26, 32-35. Burnt-offering;
chap. 1:14-17.
10. According to the manner; the manner prescribed in
the previous chapters.
11. A
sin-offering ; in this case, from consideration of
the offerer's poverty, an exception was made to the rule
that an expiatory offering must be made through blood.
12. A
memorial; chap. 2:2.
13. A
meat-offering ; chap. 2:1-3.
15. Holy things of the Lord; by withholding from God
something which he required to be devoted to his minis-
ters, or his worship and service. Thy estimation; of the
value of the things withheld, or perverted from the use
which God required. A trespass-offering; the exact dis-
tinction between a sin-offering and a trespass-offering it
is difficult to determine. The particular cases in which
it was prescribed are enumerated in this book. See
chap. 5:15-19; 6:1-7; 14:12,21; 19:20-22; to which may
be added, Num. 5:5-8; 6:9, 12.
17. Wis; ; knew. Gi«7fi/; liable to suffer evil, and must,
when he knows that he has broken the divine command,
present the required offering.
: ' ;

For sins dime uillinsly. LEV IT (IS I VI, Jjiirnt- and meatofferinf^n.

tliat which was dolivcrod liim to keep," or in fcl- 15 And he shall take of it his handful, I,.??;;,'.;
low,*lii|),' or in a tliinu; takiMi away by violence, or of the flour of the nieat-oflering, and of the oil
:''
liath (ieceivcd liis ncii^'hlior thereof, and all the fi-ankincense which is upon the
;{ Or have Ibund that wliich was lost,"^ and licth meat-offering, and shall liiirn il upon the ullar for a
roncerninu; it, and swcaretli falsely ;'' in any of all sweet savor, even the memorial of it, unto the Lord.
these that a man doetii, sinning therein: IG And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and
4 Tlien it shall lie, because he hath sinned, and his sons eat:' with unleavened bread shall it be
is frnilty, that he shall restore that wliicii he took eaten in the holy ])lare; in the court of the taber-
violentlv away, or the thing which he hath deceit- nacle of the congregation they .shall eat it.
fully gotten, or that which was delivered him to 17 It shall not be baken with leaven. I have
keep, or the lost thing which he found, given it unto than for their portion of my oft'er-
5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely ;
iiigs made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin-
he shall even restore it in the i)rincipal,'' and shall offering, and as the trespass-oflcring.
add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto 18 All the males among the children of Aaron
him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in
trespass-offering.* your generations concerning the offerings of the
6 And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Lord made by fire every one that toucheth them
:

the Lord, a ram without blenush out of the flock, shall be holy.'"
with thy estimation, for a trespass-offering, unto I'J And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
"!i

the priest 20 This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons,"


7 And the priest shall make an atonement for which they shall offer unto the Lord in the day
him before the Lord:' aud it shall Ije forgiven when he is anointed the tenth ])art of an ejihali
;

him for any thing of all that he hath done in tres- of fine flour for a mcat-ofi'cring perpetual, half of
passing therein.'^ it in the morning, and half thereof at night.
8 *ir And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 21 In a pan it shall be made with oil, aiid vrhen
9 Command Aaron and his sons, saying. This is it is baken, thou shalt bring it in and the baken
:

the law of the burnt-offering: It is the burnt-offer- pieces of the meat-offering shalt thou offer for a
ing, because of the burning* upon the altar all sweet savor unto the Lord.
night unto the morning,'' and the fire of the altar 22 And the priest of his sons that is anointed in
shall be burning in it. his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever unto
10 And
the priest shall put on his linen gar- the Lord;" it shall be wholly burnt.
ment,' and his linen breeches shall he put upon 23 For every meat-offering for the priest shall
his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.
consumed with the burnt-otlcring on the altar, and 24 11 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
he shall put them beside the altar. 25 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying,
11 And he shall put off his garments, and put on This is the law of the sin-offering:" In the place
other garments,^ and carry forth the ashes with- where the burnt-offering is killed shall the sin-of-
out the camp unto a clean place. fering be killed before the Lord it wmost holy.''
:

12 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning 2(3 The priest that cffereth it for sin shall eat it:
in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall in the holy place shall it be eaten,'' in the court of
burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt- the tabernacle of the congregation.
offering in order upon it; and he shall burn there- 27 Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall
on the fat of the peace-offerings. be holy :' and when there is sprinkled of the blood
13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar thereof upon any garment, thou shalt wash that
it shall never go out. whereon it was sprinkled in the holy jilace.
14 ^ And this is the law of the meat-offering :" 28 But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden
The sons of Aaron shall offer it before the Lord, shall be broken and if it be sodden in a brazen
:

before the altar. pot, it shall be both scoured, and rinsed in water.
Exod. 25:7, 10. • Hub. pulling of tke hand, or dealing, b Pnv. 24:29;
> 12.13. i

2G:19; Jer, 9:5. c Dent. 22:1-1. d ch. 19:12; Jer, 5:2; 7:9; Zcch. 5:4.
' ch.r,:Ui; Num. 5:7; 1 Sam. 12:3; 2 Sam. 12:0; Luko 19:S. t Heb. in
the day of his trespass, or in the day of his being found guilty, f ch. 5:
15,
16. s Isa. 1:18; Matt. 12:31; 1 Cor. U:9-ll. I Or,/or the burning, h ver.

CHAPTER VI.
2. In fellowship ; a deposit.
or, in
5. Add
the fifth part ; this was the case when he volun-
tarily confessed his crime and restored that which was
taken. If he did not confess, but was convicted of the
crime, he was to pay more. Exod. 22:9, 15.
6. Thy estimation ; of the amount which, according to the

direction, ver. 5, he was to restore. Chap. 5: 15.


11. His garments ; theholy garments which he wore in the
sanctuary. These he was not allowed to wear elsewhere.
13. The fire —
shall never go out ; this fire was first kindled
from heaven; and the priests, by timely application of
fuel, were to keep it continually burning. Chap. 9:24.
14-17. Meat-offering ; chap. 2:1-1G.
138
1 :

Trespass-offerings.
LEVITICUS VII. Peice-offerings.

" im
B.- 29 All the males among the priests shall 12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he
eat thereof: it is most lioly. sliall offer witli the sacrifice of thanksgiving un-
30 And uo sin-offering, whereof any of the blood leavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened
is brouglit into the tabernacle of the congregation wafers anointed with oil,' and calces mingled with
to reconcile vyithal in tlie ho\y place, shall be eaten :
''
oil, of fine flour, fried.
it shall be burnt in the fire. 13 Besides the cakes, he shall offer /or his offer-
ing leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanks-

CHAPTER VII. giving of liis peace-offcrings.J


14 And of it he shall ofl'cr one out of the whole
1 The law trespass-offering, 11 and of the peace-offer in !;s, 12
of the
oblation /or a heave-offering unto the Lord,'' and
whether be for a tliauks^ivini^, 16 or a vow, or a freewill-offering.
it

22 The fat, 26 and the blood, are forbidden. 2S The priests" portion it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood
in the peace-offerings. of the peace-ofl'erings.
TIKE WISE this is the law of the trespass-offer- 15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-
J
iug :'' it is most holy. offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same
2 In the place where they kill tlie burnt-offer- day that it is ofi'ered ;
lie shall not leave any of
'

ing shall they kill the trespass-offering := and the it until the morning.

blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon 16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow,
tlie altar.'' or a voluntary oflering, it shall be eaten the same
3 And he sliall offer of it all the fat thereof;*^ day that he offereth his sacrifice and on the mor- ;

the rump, and tlie fat tliat coveretli tlie inwards, row also the remainder of it shall be eaten :

4 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on 17 But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice
them, which is by the flanks, and tlie caul that is on the third day shall be burnt with fire.'"
above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take 18 And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his
away peace-oflerings be eaten at all on the third day, it
5 And the priest shall burn them upon the altar shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed
for an offering made by fire unto the Lord it is : untohimthatofl'erethit: it shall be an abomination,"
a trespass-offering. and the soul tliat eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.
6 Every male among the priests shall eat there- 19 And the flesh that touclieth any unclean thing
of:'' it shall be eaten in the holy place it is most : shall not be eaten it shall be burnt with fire and
; :

holy. as for the flesh, all that be clean shall oat thereof.
7 As the sin-offering is, so is the trespass-offer- 20 But tlie soul that eateth of the flesh of the
ing:^ there is one law for them: the priest that sacrifice of peace-oft'crings, that pertain unto the
maketh atonement therewith shall have if. Lord, having his uncleanness upon him," even that
8 And the priest that offcrcth any man's bnrnt- soul shall be cut ofl" from his people.
offcring, even the priest shallhave to himself the 21 Moreover the soul that shall touch any un-
skin of the burnt-offering whicli he hath offered. clean thing,^ as the uncleanness of man,'' or any
9 And all the meat-offering that is baken in the unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing,''
oven, and all that is dressed in the frying-pan, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace-ofler-
and in the pan,* shall be the priest's that offereth it. ings, which pertain unto the Lord, even that soul
10 And every meat-offering, mingled with oil, shall be cut oS' from his people.^
and dry, shall all the sons of Aaron have, one as 22 1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, .

much as another. 23 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying,


1 And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace- Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep,
oft'erinsrs,'' which he sliall offer unto the Lord. or of goat.
' Ch. 10:13; 10;27; Heb. 9: TJ. b oh. 6:17, 25; '2\:ii. ' Num. 0:12; Ezek. 45:15. ch. 2:4; Num. (i: 15. J Amos 4:5. k Num. 18:8; 11:19.
;ek. 40:39. d ch. 3:2; .5:9. e ch. 4: 8. 9; Exod. 29: 13. f ch. C: IB, l-*. Ich. 22:30. m ch. 19:7. n ch. 11 :10, 41 ; 19:7. » ch. 15:3; 1 Cor. 11:28.

h. 6:25,26; 14:13. • Or, on the fiat plate, or slice. tch.3:l; 22:21; Pch. 11:24, 23. q ch. 12, 13, 15. r Ezek. 4:14. ver. 20.

12. As the ijriest was every morning to put wood on was be unleavened, as before prescribed, ver. 12 but
to ;

the altar, that the fire might never go out so we, wlio are ; that himself, in token of tlianksgiving
which the priest ate
called to be kings and priests unto God, should every for mercies, might, like common bread, be leavened.
morning kindle anew the flame of divine love in our hearts, 15. The same day that it is offered; this was probably to
that it may warm all our services, and shine brightly prevent its being reserved by the offerer for his private
through all the duties and events of the day. Matt. 5:10; use. He had devoted it to Jehovah, and now it was no
Jude 21. longer his own. Of it he was to make a feast for his
17. Often, and in various ways, God warns men against friends, and especially for the poor of his people.
insincerity and hypocrisy, and urges upon them the ha- IG. A vow; a sacrifice offered upon the paying of a vow.
bitual practice, in all things, of perfect sincerity and truth. The flesh of this, and of the voluntary offering, might be
1 Cor. 5:7, 8. eaten the second day; but what remained till the third
28. All the directions of God with regard to things con- day was to be burnt with fire. In those warm regions it
nected with his worship, are suited to impress upon men is difficult to keep flesh over the second day in perfect
the conviction of his purity and their pollution, and that purity, which may have been one reason for this injunc-
without holiness no man can see his face in peace. Chap. tion.
19:2; 20:7; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:16. 18. It; his offering. If he ate any of the flesh after the
second day, his offering would be rejected. Jiear his
CHAPTER VII. inigtiili/; be held guilty, and exposed to punishment.
7. which was not burnt
Shall have it; that portion of it 20. tut off; Gen. 17 14. :

on the altar. 23. No manner offat ; of that fat of beasts which was to
I'i. Liavened bread; that which was offered to the Lord be offered in sacrifice to God. Ver. 3-5, 25.
139
; ; ;

Tht priesls' portion. ij:\ iTicis VIII, Aaron and his sans consecrated.

24 And
the fat of tlio hoasf tliat dieth of itself mcat-offcrinp, and of the sin-offering,'' and ».<'; iu'io:
and tlio fat of tliat wliich is torn witii beasts, may of the tresiiass-olVering,' and of the consecrations,
l>e nsed in any otlior use: but ye shall in no wise and of the sacrifice of the peace-ofl'erings ;J
eat of it." 38 Which the Lord commanded Moses in mount
-5 For wlmsocver oiitclh the fat of tlie beast, of Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children
which men oiler an olVerinii niaile by lire unto liic of Israel to offer their olilations unto the Lord, in
Limi), even the soul that eatcth it shall be cut off the wilderness of .Siuai.
I'roiu his people. I

Moreover ye no manner of blood,''


2()
w/iil/itr if be
shall eat
of fowl or of beast, in any of your
CHAPTER VIII.
1 Moses consecratcth Aaron and his sons. II Their sin-ofTering. 18
dwclliiiffs. Their burnt-offerin;. The ram
2vi of consecration. 31 The place
27 Wliatsoever soul it be tliat cateth any manner jmd time of their consecration.

of lilood, even that soul shall Ije cut off' from his
people.
VND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Take Aaron and his sons with him," and
28 IT And the Lord spake unto Moses, sayinjr, the garments,' and the anointing oil,'" and a Inil-
29 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying. He lock for the sin-oil'ering, and two rams, and a bas-
tliat offereth the sacrifice of his peace-offerings ket of unleavened bread
unto the Lord,'= shall bring his oblation unto the 3 And gather thou all the congregation together
Lord of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings. unto the door of the tabernacle of the congrega-
;UI His own hands shall bring the oltcrings of tion.
the IjOrd made by fire,'' the fat with the breast; it 4 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him
shall he liring, that the lireast may be waved for and the assembly was gathered together unto the
a wavc-oS'ering before the Lord.'' door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the 5 And Moses said unto the congregation. This
altivr but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.
: is the thing wliich the Lord commanded to be
82 And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the done.
priest for a heave-offering of the sacrifices of your 6 And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and
peace-offerings.' Avashcd them with water."
33 He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth 7 And he put upon him the coat, and girded him
the lilood of the peace-offerings, and the fat, shall with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe,
have the right shoulder for his part. and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him
34 For the wave-breast, and tiie heave-shoulder with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it
have I taken of the children of Israel from off the unto him therewith.
sacrifices of their peace-offerings, and have given 8 And he ])ut the breastplate u])on him also he :

them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons, by put in the breastplate the LTrim and the Thunimim."
a statute for ever, from among the children of 9 And he put the mitre upon his head;'' also
Israel. upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put
35 H This is the portion of the anointing of Aa- the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord
ron, and of the anointing of his sons, out of the commande<;l Moses.''
offerings of the Lord made by fire, in the day 10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anoint-
tvhen he presented them to minister unto the Lord ed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and
in the priest's office sanctified them.''
36 Which the Lord commanded to be given 11 And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar sev-
them
of the children of Israel, in the day that he anointed en times, and anointed the altar, and all his ves-
them,'^ by a statute for ever throughout their gen- sels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.'
erations. 12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon
37 This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.'-
• Heb, carcass.
» ch. 17:15; Deut. 14:21; Ezek. 44:31. b ch. 3:17; Exod
17:10-14; Gen. 9:4; I Sam. 14:31; Ezek. 3.3:25; John 0:53; Acts 1S:20, 2<J.
tell. 3. djohnl0:l8. = oh. 8:27; 9:21; Exod. 29:24, 37. ' Num. B:20.
e ch. 8:12, 30; Exod. 40:13, 15. t> ch. 6:9,14,25. ver. 1.
i
j ch. (5-20;

26. No manner of blood; that which flows from the arte-


ries and veins, called the life, or the blood of the life. The
blood which mingled with the flesh when cooked, was not
forbidden. Gen. 9:4, 5.

Wave-hrea.4 heave-shoulder; that had been conse-
34.
crated to Jehovah by waving and heaving.
35. The portion of the anointing of Aaron; his portion in
consequence of his having been anointed as high-priest.
Yer. 3(J.

37, 38. The law of the—offerings ; Exod. 29:1-44.

IXSTRUCTIONS.
While God requires his ministers to devote their
10.
time and talents to his immediate service, he also re-
quires that their temporal wants be supplied by those for
whose spiritual good they labor. Ver. 31-36; chapter
10:13-15.
140
: : ;

Moses consecratcth LEVITICUS IX. Aaron ami his sons.

B.^'im' 13 And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and 27 And he put all upon
Aaron's hands, and upon
put coats upon tliem," and girded them with gir- his sons' hands, and waved them for a wave-offer-
dles, and put* bonnets upon them; as the Lord ing before the Lord.
commanded Moses. 28 And Moses took them from off their hands,
14 And he brouglit the bullock for the sin-ofFer- and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt-offer-
ing and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon
: ing they ivcre consecrations for a sweet savor it
: :

tlie liead of the bullock for the sin-offering. is an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
15 And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, 29 And Moses took the breast, and waved it for
and i)ut it upon the horns of the altar round about a wave-offering before the Lord :' for of the ram
with his finger," and purified the altar, and poured of consecration it was Moses' part as the Lord ;

the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified commanded Moses.
it, to make reconciliation upon it."^ 30 And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of
16 And he took all the fat that was upon the the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled
inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon

kidneys, and their fat, and Moses burned it upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him;
the altar. and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his
17 Bat the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and sons, and his sons' garments with him.''
his dung, ho burnt with fire without the camp;'' 31 1[ And Moses said unto Aaron and to his
as the Lord commanded Moses. sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle
18 IT And he brought the ram for the burnt-of- of the congregation ;' and there eat it with the
fering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I
upon the head of the ram. commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall
19 And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the eat it.

blood upon the altar round about. 32 And that which remaineth of the flesh and of
20 And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses the bread shall ye burn with fire.
burnt tlie head, and the pieces, and the fat. 33 And
yc shall not go out of the door of the
21 And he washed the inwards and the legs in tabernacle of the congregation seven days, until m
water; and Moses burnt the whole i-am upon the the days of your consecration be at an end: for
altar it was a burnt-sacrifice for a sweet savor,''
: seven days shall he consecrate you.™
and an offering made by fire unto the Lord; as 34 As he hath done this day, so the Lord hath
the Lord commanded Moses. commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.
22 ir And he brought the other ram, the ram of 35 Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the
consecration and Aaron and his sons laid their
: ''
tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven
hands upon the head of the ram. days, and keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die
23 And he slew it ; and Moses took of the blood not " for so I am commanded.
:

of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, 36 So Aaron and his sons did all things which
and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.
the great toe of his right foot.''
21 And ho brought Aaron's sons, and Moses put
of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and
CHAPTER IX.
upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the 1 The first-offerings of Aaron, for himself and the people. 8 The sin-
12 and the burnt-ofFering for himself.
offeriiit^, 1-5 The offerings for
great toes of their right feet and Moses sprinkled
: the people. 23 Moses and Aaron bless tile people. 24 Fire Cometh
tlie blood upon the altar round about.'' from the Lord upon the altar.

25 And he took the fat,' and the rump, and all


the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul
AND
Moses
came
it to pass on the eighth day," that
called Aaron and his sons, and the
aJiom the liver, and the two kidneys, and their elders of Israel
fat, and the right shoulder 2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young
26 And out of the basket of unleavened bread, calf for a sin-oflering," and a ram for a burnt-offer-
that was before the Lord, he took one unleavened ing,i without blemish, and offer them before the
cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, Lord.
and put tlKm on the fat, and upon the right 3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt
shoulder speak, saying. Take ye a kid of the goats " for a sin-
aExod. 29:8,9. t Heb. dounrf. k oh. 4:7; Ezek. 43;20, 2G; Heb. 9:18-93. 9:22. i Exod. 29:22, etc.
CcH. 18:20; 2 Chr. 29:24; Ezek. 45:20; Dan. 9:24; 2 Cor. 5:18, 21; Eph.
2:111; Col.1:20-32; Heb. 2:17. a ch. 4:11, 12; Exod. 29:14; Heb. 13:11-13.
e Gen. 8:20, 21; Eph. 5:2. t Exod. 29:19-31. s cli. 14:14, 17, 23. h Heb.

17. j4.s the Lord commanded; chap. 4:11, 12.


34. As he done this day; or, as it hath been done
Itath
this day. Eacli of the seven days he was to offer sacrifice,
as he had the first day.

INSTRUCTIONS.
9. If the ministers of religion are comely in the sight of
God, or in any measure fitted for their work, it must be
through the comehness which he puts upon them clotli- —
ing them witli his righteousness, aud adorning them with
the graces of his Spirit.
;

Aaron's Jirst offerings. LKVITICLS X, I^adiib and Abihii slitin.

offcrin?;' and a calf aiul a lamb, bofh of the first


year, without bletnisli, fur a Ijuriit-oflorinnr
4 Also a bullock ami a ram for pcace-ofVeriiiirs,
to sacrifice before the Loiu) anil a meat-oiferinir
;

mintrled with oil i"" for to-day the Lord will appear
unto you.
5 T'And they brought t/mt which Moses com-
manded before the tabernacle of the congregation :

and the congregation


all drew near and stood
before the Loun.
C And Moses said, This is the thing which the
Loud commanded that ye should do : and the
glory of the Loiii) appear unto you."=
siiall
7 And Moses said unto Aaron, tJo unto the altar,,
and ofter thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering,''
and make an atonement for thyself, and for the
people:'' and offer the offering of the people, and
make an atonement for them;" as the Lord com-
manded.
8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and
*!\

slew the calf of the sin-offering, which was for


himself.
9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto
him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and
])ut it upf)u the horns of the altar and poured out
,•=

the blood at the bottom of the altar.


10 But tiie ilit, and the kidneys, and the caul
above the liver of the sin-offering, he burnt upon
the altar;'' as the Lord commanded Moses.
11 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire
without the camp.
12 And he slew the burnt-offering; and Aaron's
sons presented unto him the blood, which he
sprinkled round about upon the altar.'
13 And they presented the burnt-offering unto
him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and
he burnt t/icm upon the altar.
14 And he did wash the inwards and the legs,
and burnt thc7n upon the burnt-offering on the altar.
15 IT And he brought the people's offering, and
took the goat, which was the sin-offering for the
people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the
first.'
Of witiA and strong drink LEVITICUS X. Eating the sin-offering

B.c'S'' 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is


it that the Lord spal^e, saying, I Avill bo sanctiticd

in thoin that come nigh me," and before all the


people I will be glorified.'' And Aaron held his
peace."
4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the
sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto
them. Come near, carry your brethren from before
the sanctuary out of the camp.
5 So they went near, and carried them in their
coats out of the camp ;'' as Moses had said.
6 And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar
and unto Ithamar, his sons. Uncover not your
heads, neither rend your clothes;"' lest ye die, and
lest wrath come upon all the people Z but let your
brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the
burning which the Lord hath kindled.
7 And ye shall not go out from the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation," lest ye die for :

the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.'' And


they did according to the word of Moses.
8 IT And the Lord spiko unto Aaron, saying,
9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink,' thou,
nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tab-
ernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall
be a statute for ever throughout your genera-
tions :

10 And that ye may put difference between holy


and unholy, and between unclean and clean ;J
11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel
which the Lord hath spoken unto
all the statutes
them by the hand of Moses."
12 IT And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto
Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left.
Take the mcat-offcring that remaineth of the offer-
J
;

Of dtan and unclcdn LEVITICUS XI. Icnsts, fishes, and f I wis.

CHAPTER XI, 15 Every raven after his kind; » t'liwi:


16 And the owl, and tlie nighthawk, and the
1 Whst befuu may, -1 arulwhat may not lie faten. 9 What fishes. cuckoo, and the hawk after his kind,
13 What fowU. Sil The cnipin;; things which arc uiiok.in.
17 And tlic little owl, and the cormorant, and
VND the Lord spake unto Moses and to Aaron, the great owl,
saying unto llicm, is And tlie swan, ami the pelican, and the gier-
2 Speiik unto tlic fliildrcn of Israel, sa3'ing, eaglc,
These are the beasts whicli ye sliall eat among all I'J And the stork, the heron after her kind, and
tlic boasts that are on the earth." the lapwing, and the bat.
3 Whatsoever jiarteth the hoof, and is cloven- 20 All fowls that creep, going upon all four,
footed,'' and chcweth the cud, among the beasts, shall he an abomination unto you.
that shall ye eat. 21 Yet these may ye cat of every flying creep-
4 Nevertheless, these shall yo not cat of them ing thing that goetli upon all fmir, wliich have
tlint chew the cud, or of tliein that divide the legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the
hoof: a? the camel, because he chcweth the cud, earth
but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 22 Even these of them ye may cat;" the locust
And the coney, because he chcweth the cud, after his kind, and tlie bald locust af^ter his kind,
but divideth not the hoof; he is unclam unto you. and the lieetle after his kind, and the grasshopjier
C And the hare, because he chcweth the cud, but after his kind.
divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 23 But all other flying creeping things, which
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.
be cloven-footed, yet he cheweth not the cud he 24 And for these ye shall be unclean whosoever
; :

is unclean to you. touclieth the carcass of them shall be unclean until


8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their car- the even.''
cass shall ye not touch ;° they are unclean to you. 25 And whosoever bearetli aught of the carcass
9 1[ These sliall ye eat of all that are in the wa- of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean
ters:* whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, until the even.'
in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. 2() The carcasses of every beast which divideth
10 And all that have not tins and scales in tlie the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, nor chcweth
seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in tlie the cud, are unclean unto you: eveiy one that
waters, and of any living thing which is in the touclieth them shall be unclean.
waters, they shaU be an abomination unto you:" 27 And wliatsoever goeth upon his paws, among
11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are
ye sliall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcass
tlicir carcasses in abomination. shall be unclean until the even.
12 Whatsoever hatli no fins nor scales in the 28 And he that beareth the carcass of them
waters, that shall he an abomination unto you. shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the
13 IT And these are they which ye shall have in even :' they are unclean unto you.
abomination among the fowls ;'^ they shall not be 29 1 These also shall he unclean unto you among
eaten, tliey are an abomination the eagle, and the the creeping things that creep upon the earth the
: ;

ossifrage, and the ospray, weasel, and the mouse," and the tortoise after his
14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; kind,
»Dsut. 14:3, etc. Ezek. 4:14; Dan. 1:S; Matt. 15:11; Rom. 14:14; Heb.
; hver. 8; ch. 17:15, 16. ich. 14:8; 15:5; Num. 19:10, 22; 31:21; Psa. .Il:'
9:10; 13:9. bPsa.l:l,2. c Isa. 82:11 Acts 10:10-1.5; 2 Cor. 6:17; Col.
; 7; Zech. 13:1; John 13:8; Acts 22:16; Heb. 9:10; 10:22; 1 Pet. 3:21; Rev.
2:21. liDeut. 14:9. e ch. 7:1S. tDeut. 14:12. ? Matt. 3:4; Mark 1:0. 7:14. jver. 21. kisa. 66.17.

Fords that creep; winged insects. See ver. 21-23.


20.
CHAPTER XI. Legs above tlieirfcct; those which, in addition to the
21.
feet on which they wallv, have long legs with which to
This chapter treats of the distinction between clean and
jump as locusts and grasshoppers.
unclean meats, which entered largely into Jewish haliits ;

23. Flying creeping things; as flies, wasps, and bees.


of thinking and acting. It cannot be reasonably doubted
24. For these; the creatures mentioned verses 2G-28.
that tlie clean animals here allowed were those which, to
Unclean until the even; not admitted to unite in public
the people of that region, furnished the most wholesome
worship, or associate with others who united in it.
diet. Bf.t the distinction had a much deeper meaning. It
29. Creeping things; by these the Hebrews understand
typified the inward difference which God's servants should
low or a crawling motion,
make between clean and unclean affections, and the holy small animals that move with a
as well as serpents and worms. Few of the particular
or unholy acts that proceed from them. Another end of
species here mentioned can be determined with any cer-
these distinctions was to keep the Hebrews separate from
tainty.
all other nations, as a people devoted to Jehovah.
3. Cloven-footed; having the hoof divided into two parts, INSTRUCTIONS.
like that of the ox and sheep. 2. In eating and drinking, we should seek not merely to
4. Unclean; not to be eaten. gratify appetite or preserve life, health, and reason, but
5. Coney; a small animal inhabiting high, rocky places. to fit ourselves for the best discharge of our duties.
Prov. 30:26. Whatever as to kind, quality, or quantity, tends to unfit
10. An ahominotion; to be loathed and rejected. us for this, should be rejected. 1 Cor. 10:31.
13. Among the fowls; it is plain that the unclean birds 8. Great attention and care are needful to avoid the
here named are mostly, if not entirely, birds of prey, or commission of sin, and exposure to its punishment.
such as feed on carrion. But the particular species can- 25. Pollution by sin,, and need of spiritual cleansing by
not, in all cases, be determined. the Holy Ghost, were taught abundantly in the Jewish
144
; :

Inclean creeping ikings. LEVITICUS XII. Purification of women.

ilaim' 30 And and the cliameleon, shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that
the ferret,
and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole. ye should be defiled thereby.
31 These are unclean to you anions all that 44 For I a7n the Lord your God ye shall there- :

creep whosoever doth toucli them, when they be foi'e sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy for
; ;

dead, shall be unclean until the even." I am :''


neither shall ye defile yourselves with
holy
32 And upon whatsoever any of them, when they any manner of creeping thing that creepetli upon
are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean whether ; the earth.
it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or 45 For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out
sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein a7iy work is of the land of Egypt, to be your God:*^ ye shall
done, it must be put into water, and it shall be therefore be holy, for I am holy.
unclean until the even ;'' so it shall be cleansed. 46 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl,
33 And every earthen vessel whereinto any of and of every living creature that moveth in the
them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon
;

and ye shall break it.° the earth


34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on 47 To make a difference between the unclean
which such water cometh sliall be unclean and and the clean," and between the beast that may be
:

all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
shall he unclean.
35 And every thiiig whereupon a7iy part of their XII. CHAPTER
carcass falleth shall be unclean whether it be oven, 1 The purification of women after childbirth. C Her offerings for her
;

or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down -.for purifying.

they are unclean, and shall be unclean unto you.


36 Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there
AND
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying.
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying.
is plenty of water," shall l)e clean but that which If a woman have conceived seed, and borne a
:

toucheth their carcass shall be unclean. man-child, then she shall be unclean seven days;'
37 And if any part of their carcass fall upon any according to the days of the separation for her
sowing seed wliich is to be sown, it shall be clean. infirmity shall she be unclean.-'
38 But if any water be put upon the seed, and 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his fore-
any part of tlieir carcass fall thereon, it shall be skin shall be circumcised."
unclean unto you. 4 And she shall then continue in the blood of
39 And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die her purifying three and thirty days; she shall
he tliat toucheth the carcass thereof sliall be un- touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanc-
clean until the even. tuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
40 And he that eateth of the carcass of it shall 5 But if she bear a maid-child, then she shall be
wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even:'^ unclean two weeks, as in her separation and she :

he also that bcareth the carcass of it shall wash shall continue in the blood of her purifying three-
liis clothes, and be unclean until the even. score and six days.
41 And every creeping tiling that creepetli upon 6 And when the days of her purifying are ful-
the eartli shall be an abomination; it shall not be filled,' for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring
eaten. a lamb of the first year^ for a burnt-oifering, and
42 Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and what- a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin-ofl"er-
soever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath ing, unto the door of the tabernacle of the con-
more fcet^ among all creeping things that creep gregation, unto the priest:
upon the earth, them ye shall not eat for they are 7 Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make
;

an abomination. an atonement for her and she shall be cleansed ;

43 Ye shall not make yourselves* abominable from the issue of her blood. This is the law for
with any creeping thing that creepeth," neither her that hath borne a male or a female.
»Ver. 8; Hag. 2:1D. bch. 15;ia. c ch. 6:2S; Psa. '2:9; Jer. 48:38; 2Tim.
2:01; Rev. 2:a7. • Heh. a gathering together of waters. dch.l7:15; 22:8;
Deut. 14:21 Ezek. 4:14; 44:31; 1 Cor. 10:21. t Heb. doth multiply feet.
;

IReb. your souls. ech.30:i5. 'ch.l9:2; 20:7,26; Exod.l9:6; AmM3::3;

ritual ; and none who understand


its teaching, can be igno-
rant of the doctrine of human depravity and the necessity
of being born again in order to see the kingdom of God.
John 3:10.
45. Hohness is to all men the one thing needful. In
every heart where it exists, it is the fruit of the Holy
Spirit. Hence, the reason why all men should hearken
diligently to his voice speaking to them in the Bible,
receive his teachings as infallible trutli. and cordially
obey them.

CHAPTER XII.
2. Unclean ; ceremonially not allowed to enjoy society,
;

attend public ordinances, or eat of the offerings of which


she might otherwise partake. Chap. 15:19-25.
4. Three ami thirty day.i; during tliis time she might

10
: ; : ; ;
: ; ;; ; ;

The tolicns foT iliscfrnitui LKViTicrs xm, the plague of leprosy.

8 Ami if .«ho he not able to brine: a lamb," Ihcn 12 Anda leprosy break out abroad « " S*
if
;"
she shall hrinir two turtles, or two younir pifreons in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the akin of
the one for the burnt-offerinp:, and the other for a him that hath the plague from his head even to his
sin-offerin<x and the priest shall make an atone-
:
foot, wheresoever the )u-icst looketh
ment for her, and she shall be clean. i:i Then tlic jiriest shall consider: and behold,

if \\w lejirosyhave covered all his flesh, he shall


pronounce him clean that hath the plague it is all
CHAPTER XIII. turned white :^ he i? clean.
:

1 Thf liTTs anJ tokens whercli r thp priest is to be guided in d 14 But when raw flesh appearcth in him, be
le lejirosy.
shall be unclean.

AND the
saying,
Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, 15 And the priest shall sec the
pronounce him to be unclean for the raw :
raw flesh, and
flesh
2 When a man
have in the skin of his flesh
shall vi unclean : it is a lejiro.sy.
a or bright spot, and it be in the
rising,* a scab," ]() Or
the raw flesh turn again, and be changed
if
skin oi" his flesh like tiie plague of leprosy then ; unto white, he shall come unto the priest
he shall bo brought unto Aaron the priest,"^ or 17 And the priest shall see him: and behold, if
unto one of his sons tlie priests the plague be turned into white; then the i)riest
3 And the priest shall look on the plague in the shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague:
skin of the flesh and wfwn the hair in the plague
: he is clean.
is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper 18 1 The flesh also, in which, even in llic skin
than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy : thereof, was a boil,"-' and is healed,
and the priest sliall look on him, and pronounce 19 And in the place of the boil there be a white
him unclean. rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat red-
4 If the bright spot he white in the skin of his dish, and it be showed to the priest
flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, 20 And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be
and the hair thereof be not turned white; then in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof
the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him
seven days:* unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of
5 And "the priest shall look on him the seventh the boil.
day: and behold, if the plague in liis sight be at 21 But
if the priest look on it, and behold, there
a stay, and tlie plague spread not in the skin be no white hairs therein, and if it be not lower
then the priest sliall shut him up seven days more than the skin, but be somewhat dark then the ;

6 And tlio priest shall look on him again the priest shall shut him up seven days
:''

seventh day and behold, if the plague be some-


: 22 And if it spread much abroad in the skin,
what dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it w
the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a a plague.
scab and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
: 23 But if the liright spot stay in his place, and
7 But if the scab spread much abroad in the spread not, it is a burning boil;' and the priest
skin, after that he hath been seen of the i)riest shall pronounce him clean .J

for his cleansing, he shall be seen of the priest 24 1 Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof
again there is a hot burning,'"'' and the quick ^*A that
8 And if the priest see that, behold, the scab burnetii have a white bright spot, somewhat red-
sprcadcth in the skin, then the priest shall pro- dish, or white
nounce him unclean: it is a leprosy. 25 Then the priest shall look upon it: and be-
9 1 When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then hold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned
he shall be brought unto the priest white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it
10 And the priest shall see him:" and behold, if is a leprosy broken out of the burning: where-
the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned fore the priest sliall pronounce him unclean it is :

the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh* in the plague of leprosy.
the rising 26 But if the priest look on it, and behold, there
11 It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, be no white hair in the bright spot, and it be no
and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and lower than the other skin, but be somewhat dark
shall not shut him up for he is unclean. : then the priest shall shut him up seven days:
Heh. her hand Jind not
* sufficiency of a lamb. ach. 5:7. 1 OT,sweUins; Ihequickcning of living fcah. ' Isa. 64:0; Jolmfl:41. eExod.9:9; 1.^:26.
i Deut. 2S;a7i I»a. 3:17. e Deut. I7;S. 9; 24:8; .Mai. 2:7; Luke 17:14. li1 Cor. 5:.5. Job .•J4::il PrOT. 28:13; 1 Peter 4:3. )2Cor.2:7. ! Heb. a
;

4 Num. 12:15. t Num. 12:10, 12; 2Kiliss5:27; 2Chr. 26:19, 20. I Heb. burnins offirt. k ha. 3:21.

9. The plague of leprosy; another variety in its form,


CHAPTER XIII. namely, the rising, ver. 10.
Leprosy; a foul disease covering the body with a
2. 13. He is clean; either it is not a true leprosy, or the lep-
kind of white scales; from its loathsome and incurable rosy has in this way healed itself.
character, it is often referred to as an emblem of sin. The 24. A hot burning; in the original, a burning of fire;
terms, "arising, a scab, or bright spot," describe three which seems to mean a sore made by fire in which the
different varieties in its form of appearing. plague of leprosy appears. Borne, however, suppose that
3. Unclean ; leprous, and therefore to be excluded from it is an inflamed sore. And the quick flesh that burnelh liave;
divine ordinances and from society. or, "and the mark of the burning be," that is, break out
6. Dark; or pale, dim, in opposition to bright. into.
146
: ; : ; ; :

Concerning kprcsy in (he LEVITICUS XIII. head, or in a garment.

B ''S*' 27 And the priest shall look upon him 42 And


there be in the bald head, or bald if
the seventh day: and if it be spread much abroad forehead, a white reddish sore; it is a leprosy
in the skin, then the priest shall jirouounce him sprung up in his bald head, or his bald fore-
unclean it is the plague of leprosy.
: head.
28 And if tlie bright spot stay in liis place, anrf 43 Then the priest shall look upon it: and be-
spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark hold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in
;

it is a rising of tlie burning, and the priest shall his bald head, or in iiis bald forehead, as the lep-
pronounce him clean for it is an inflammation of rosy appeareth in the skin of tlie flesh
:

the burning. 44 He is a leprous man, he is unclean the priest :

29 1 If a man or woman have a plague upon shall pronounce him utterly unclean his plague ;

;"
the head or the beard is in his head."
30 Tiien the priest shall see tlie plague and be- 45 And the leper in whom the plague is, his
:

hold, if it he in sight deeper than the skin, and clothes shall be rent,"^ and his head bare,'' and he
there he in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall put a covering upon his upper lip," and shall
shall pronounce him unclean : it is a dry scall, cry.Unclean, unclean.'
ei^cn a leprosy upon the head or beard. 46 All tlic days wherein the plague shall he in
31 And if the priest look on the plague of the him he shall be defiled ;J he is unclean: he shall
scall, and behold, it be not in sight deeper than dwell alone without the camp shall his habita-
;''

the skin, and that there is no black hair in it; then tion be.
the priest shall shut up liint, that hath the plague 47 1 The garment also that the plague of lep-
of the scall seven days -^ rosy is in,' whether it be a woollen garment, or a
32 And in the seventh day tlie priest shall look linen garment
on the plague and behold, if the scall spread not,
: 48 Whether it he in the warp, or woof, of linen,
and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scall be or of woollen ;
whether in a skin, or in any thing
not in sight deeper than the skin; made* of skin
33 He shall be shaven, but the scall shall lie not 49 And if the plague be greenish or reddish in
shave and the priest shall shut up him that hath
; the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or
the scall seven days more in the woof, or in any thing* of skin; it w a
34 And in the seventh day the priest shall look plague of leprosy, and shall be showed unto the
on the scall and behold, if the scall be not spread
: priest
in the skin, nor be in sight deeper tlian tlie skin 50 And the priest shall look upon the plague,
then tlie priest shall pronounce him clean and he and shut up it that hath the plague seven days
:

shall wasli his clothes, and be clean. 51 And he shall look on the plague on the sev-
35 But if the scall spread much in the skin enth day if the plague be spread in the garment, :

after his cleansing f either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or


36 Then the priest shall look on him and be- in any work that is made of skin the plague is a
: ;

hold, if the scall be spread in the skin, the priest fi-etting leprosy ;™ it is unclean.
shall not seek for yellow Jiair ho is unclean.
; 52 He shall therefore burn that garment," wheth-
37 But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and er warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any
that there is black hair grown up therein; the thing of skin, wherein the plague is for it is a :

scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.
pronounce him clean. 53 And if the priest sliall look, and beliold, the
38 1 If a man also or a woman have in the skin plague be not spread in the garment, either in the
of tlieir flesh bright spots, even white bright spots warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin;
;''

39 Then the priest shall look: and beiiold, if 54 Tiien the priest shall command that they
tlie bright spots in the skin of their flesh be dark- wash the thing wherein the plague is, and he shall
ish white, it is a freckled spot that groweth in the shut it up seven days more:
skin: he is clean. 55 And the priest shall look on the plague, after
40 And the man whose hair is fallen off his head,' that it is washed ." and behold, if the plague have
he is bald yet is he clean.
;
not changed his color, and the plague be not
41 And he that hath his hair fallen off from the spread, it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the
part of his head toward his face, he is forehead- fire it is fret inward, whether it be bare witMn or
;

bald ;
yet is he clean. without.^
» 1 Kings i-M; 2 Chr. 6:29; Isa. 1:5. b ver. -l-fi. <:
verses 7, 27; 2 Tim. 1 Cor. 5:5. 13; 2Thess. 3:6; 1 Tim. 6:5; Rev. 21:27; 22:15. 1 Josh. 7:21 ;

2 17; 3:l;i. i Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 7:22, 23; .Tas. 3:2. • Vieh. head is pilled. Eccl. 9:6; Isa. 61:10; 61:6; Zech. 3:3, 4; .Tis. 5:2; Jude 23; Rev. 4:4;
' Isa. 1:5. t 2 Sam. 13;1U; Ezra 9:3; Job 1:2U; Jer. 36:24; Joel 2:13. 10:15. Mleh. work of I Heh. vessel, or inslrumfnl, " ch. 14:44. > ch.
.

f ch. 10:0; 21:10. h Ezek. 24: 17, 22; Micah 3:7. Job
i
42:6; Psa. 51 :3, 11:33; Deut. 7:25, 20; Isa. 30:22; Acts 19:19, 20. •> Ezek. 24:13; Feb.
5: Isa. 6:5; 64:6; Rom. 3:23; 1 Cor. 6:11. j Prov. 30:12. * Num. 5:2; 6:4-S; 2 Pet. 1:9; 2:20-22. i Hcb. bald in llie liead thereof, or in the fore-
12:14; 2 Kings 7:3; 15:5; 2Chr. 26:21; Psa. 38:11 Lam. 1:1; Luke 17:12:
; head thereof.

30.Beard ; a disease in the part from which the beard mourning and huraiHation. Ezek. 24:17, 22; Micah 3:7.
grows, and affecting the beard itself. Unclean, unclean; as a warning to others not to approach
31. There is no black hair in it ; the presence of this would him.
be a ftivorable sign, ver. 37. Its absence makes the case 47. The plague of leprosy; some infection that had a
doubtful. general resemblance to lepro.sy.
39. Darkish white; or dullish white, in opposition to 51. Afreltinglcprosy; corroding and destroying the clotli.
bri,2;ht white spots. 55. Bare; deprived of its nap. Within or without; on
45. A covering upon his upper lip; this was a sign of the inner or outer side of the garment.
147
; ;

nites and stierifices LKVniC US XIV. in cJennsing the leper.

56 Ami if tlio priest look, and behold, the plague


he somowimt dark after the -n-ashins of it; then
h(> siiall rend it out of th(> irarnient, or out of tiio
skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:
57 And if it ajjpear still in the garment, either
iti the warp, or in the woof, or in any thinfj; of
skin; it is a spreading plaspie: thou shalt burn
lliat wlierein the plague is with lire."
58 And the garment, either warp, or woof, or
whatsoever thing of skin it he, wldcli tliou slialt
wash, if the plague be departed from thein, then it
shall be waslied the second time, and shall be clean.
59 This w the law of the plague of leprosy in
a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp,
or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it
clean, or to jironouucc it unclean.

CHAPTER XIV,
1 The rites and sacrifices in cleansing of the leper, 33 The signs of
leprosy in a house. 43 The cleansing of that house.

\ ND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,


2 A_ 2 This shall be tlie law of the leper in the
day of his cleansing: lie shall be brought unto
tlie priest:''
3 And the priest shall go forth out of the camp
and the priest shall look, and behold, if the
plague of leprosy be healed in the leper
4 Then shall the priest command to take for him
that is to be cleansed two birds* alive and clean,
and cedar-wood,"^ and scarlet, and hyssop:"
» Isa. aj:14; Matt. 3:12; 25:41; Rev. 21 :S. b Matt
: ; ; ; : ; ;

Cleansing the leper. LEVITICUS XIV. Leprosy in a Auusi.

B.aim: 12 And the priest shall take one he-lanib, 27 And the priest shall sprinkle with his righl
and offer him for a trespass-offerin.a;,''' and the log finger so7ne of the oil that is in his left hand sevcm
of oil, and wave them for a wave-offering befoi'e times before the Lord :

the Lord.'' 28 And


the priest shall put of the oil that is in
13 And he sliall slay the lamb in the place his hand npon the tip of the right car of him that
wlicre he shall kill the sin-offering and the burnt- is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right
oflering, in tiie holy place for as the sin-offering : hand, and u]ion the great toe of his right foot,
is the priest's," so is the trespass-offering it is upon the place of the blood of the trespass-offering:
:

most Iioly 29 And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's
14 And the priest shall take some of the blood hand, he shall put upon the head of him that is
of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall put it to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him be-
npon the tip of the right ear of him tliat is to be fore the Lord.
cleansed,'' and upon the thmnb of liis right hand, 30 And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves,J
and upon the great toe of his riglit foot. or of the young pigeons, such as he can get ;
15 And the priest shall take some of the log of 31 Eve7i such as he is able to get, the one for a
oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left liand sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering,
:

16 And the priest shall dip his right finger in with the meat-offering and the priest shall make :

the oil that is in his left hand, and sliall sprinkle of an atonement for him that is to be cleansed be-
the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord fore the Lord. :

17 And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand 32 This is the law of him in whom is the plague
shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get that
of him that is to be cleansed," and upon the thumb which pcrtainefh to his cleansing."
of his riglit hand, and upon the great toe of his 33 1 And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto
riglit foot, upon the blood of the trespass-offering: Aaron, saying,
18 And the remnant of tlie oil that is in the 34 When ye be come into the land of Canaan,
priest's Iiand he shall pour upon the head of him which I give to you for a possession,' and I put
that is to be cleansed and the priest sliall make the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of
:

an atonement for him before tlie Lord.'^ your possession;'"


19 And the priest shall offer tlie sin-offering, and 35 And he that owneth the house shall come
make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed and tell the priest, saying. It seemeth to me there
from his uncleanness ; and afterward he shall kill is as it were a plague in the house :"
the biirnt-oflering: 36 Then the priest shall command that they
20 And the priest shall offer the burnt-offering empty* the house, before the ]n-iest go into it to
and the meat-offering upon the altar: and the see the plague, that all that is in the house be not
priest shall make an atonement for him, and he made unclean and afterwards the priest shall go :

shall be clean. in to see the house


21 And if lie be poor,^ and cannot get" so much 37 And he shall look on the plague, and behold,
then he shall take one lamb for a trespass-offer- if the plague be in the walls of the house with
ing to be waved,* to make an atonement for him, hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, which in sight
and one tenth-deal of fine flour mingled with oil are lower than the wall
for a meat-offering, and a log of oil 38 Then the priest shall go out of the house to
22 And two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, the door of the house, and shut up the house
'such as he is able to get; and the one sliall be a seven days:"
sin-offering, and the other a burnt-oflering. 39 And the priest shall come again the seventh
23 And he shall bring them on the eighth day for day, and shall look and behold, if the plague be :

his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the spread in the walls of the house
tabernacle of the congregation, before the Lord. 40 Then the priest shall command that they
24 And the priest shall take the lamb of the tres- take away the stones in which the plague is, and
pass-offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall they shall cast them into an unclean place with-
wave them for a wave-offering before the Lord:" out the city:''
25 And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass- 41 And he shall cause the house to be scraped
ofiering, and the priest shall take some of the within round about, and they shall pour out the
blood of the trespass-offering,' and put it upon dust that they scrape off without the city into an
the tip of the right ear of him that is to be unclean place:
cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, 42 And they shall take other stones, and put
and upon the great toe of his right foot. them in the place of those stones and he shall ;

26 And the priest shall pour of the oil into the take other mortar, and shall plaster the house.
palm of his own left hand 43 And if the plague come again," and break
«Ch. 5;1H; 6:5, b Exod. 29:24. Cch.7:7. d ch. 8.23. e ver. |. Malt. 11:3. 1 Gen. 12:7; 13:17; 17:H; Deut. 32:49. m Prov. 3:33; Amos
4:25^5:0. e ch. 3:7; 12:8. • Heh. his /land nath not. t Hcb./oi Gil. n Psa. 91:10; Prov. 3:33; Zech. 0:4. 1 Or. prepare. » ch. 13:50.
ins- • ver. 12. i ver. 14, 17. J ver. 22; ch. 13: 14. 15. k Psa. 7: p Rev. 22:15. q Heb. 6:4-9; 2 Pet. 2:20. 22; Jude 12.

17, 18. Ear — tliumb— — token that allhis mem-


toe Acarf,- 37. 1/ the plague be in the walls; this has been supposed
in
bers anii faculties need cleansing through the efficacy of to be something corrosive, which caused the walls to
the atonement, by the Holy Spirit and should all be con- moulder away. Lower than the wall; indentations or hol-
;

aeerated to the service of God. low places in the wall.


149
: :

Tie Irprous house. LI'VITK'LS XV. Uiidc'imwi.i of men.

out in the linu.sp, after tliat lie liatlitaken away


tlie stones, and after lie liatli seraped tlie liousc,
and after it is plastered;
11 Tlicn the priest shall come and look, and bc-
liold, \f the platjiie lie spread in tlie house, it is a
frettint; lepro'^y in the house:" it is unclean.
•1.") And he siiall break down tlie house,*' the
stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the
mortar of the house; and he shall carry them
forth out of the city into an unclean jilace.
4G Moreover, he "that fjoetii into the house all
the wiiilc that it is shut up .shall be unclean until
the even."
•17 And ho that lioth in the house shall wash his

clothes and lie that eateth in the house shall


;

wash his clothes.


4<s And if the priest sliall come in,' and look

upon it, and behold, the plague hath not spread in

the house, after the house was plastered then the ;

priest shall pronounce the house clean,'' because


tiie plague is healed.
49 And lie shall take to cleanse tlie house two
birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop;*^
50 And he shall kill the one of the birds in an
earthen vessel ovi'r running water
51 And he shall take tlic cedar wood, and the
hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and
dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in
the running water, and sprinkle the house seven
times
52 And he shall cleanse the house with the blood
of the bird, anil with the running water, and with
the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and
with the hysso]), and with the scarlet:
53 But he shall let go the living bird out of the
city into the open fields, and make an atonement
for the house;' and it shall be clean.
»Ch
Ceremonial LEVITICUS XVI.
R " im 9 And what saddle soever he rideth upon
tiiat hath the issue shall bo unclean.
10 And whosoever toucheth any thing that was
under him shall be unclean until the even: and
ho tiiat bearcth any of those things shall wash his
clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be un-
clean until tho even.
11 And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the
issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he
shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water,
and be unclean until the even.
12 And the vessel of earth,'' that he toucheth
whicli hath the issue, shall be Ijroken:" and every
vessel of wood shall be rinsed in v/ater.
13 And wlien he that hath an issue is cleansed
of his issue, then he shall number to himself seven
days for his cleansing,"" and wash his clothes, and
bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be
clean.
14 And on the eighth day he shall take to him
two turtledoves, or two young pigeons,'' and come
before the Lord unto the door of the tabernacle of
the congregation, and give them unto the priest:
15 And the priest shall offer them, the one ybr
a sin-offering, and the other /or a burnt-offering;
and the priest shall make an atonement for him
before the Lord for his issue.
16 And if any man's seed of copulation go out
from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water,
and be unclean until the even."
17 And every garment, and every skin, whereon
is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with
water, and be unclean until the even.
18 The woman also with whom man shall lie
with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe them-
selves in water,' and be unclean until the even.
19 1[ And if a woman have an issuc,"^ and her
issue in her flesh be blood, she sliall be put apart'
seven days and whosoever toucheth her shall be
:

unclean until the even.


20 And every thing that she lieth upon in her
separation shall be unclean every thing also that
:

she sitteth upon shall be unclean.


21 And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash
his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be un-
clean until the even.
22 And whosoever toucheth any thing that she
sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself
in water, and be unclean until the even.
23 And if it be on her bed, or on any thing
whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he
shall be unclean until the even.
24 And if any man lie with her at all, and her
flowers be upon him,'' he shall be unclean seven

»Ch. G;a?
: :

The high-priest's yea rly m: viTurs xvi. rnUriii^ the Holy of JIvlies.

shall have the linen breeches upon his (Icsli, and 1() And he shall make an atonement for *,7- fm
shall he fririled with a limn frinlle, and with tlie holy place," liecause of the nnch'anness of the
till!

linen niitro shall he bo attired:* these are holy children of Israel, and because of their transgres-
irarinonts; tlierelbrc shall he wash his flesh in sions in all their sins and so shall he do for the
:

water, and xo ])nl tiiern on.'' tabernacle of the congregation, that reniaiiieth'
And lie sliall take of the conirrefration of the among tlicm in the midst of tiicir uncleanncss.
children of Israel two kids of the poats for a sin- 17 And there shall be no man in t\w tabernacle
oflerinjr. and one rain for a burnt-olforincr.'^ of the congregation when he goetli in to make an
{) And Aaron shall ofl'er his bullock of the sin- atonement in the holy place," until he come out,
offerinir, which is and make an atone- and have made an atonement for himself, and for
for himself,
ment for himself, and for his house.'' his household, and for all the congregation of
7 And he shall take the two goats, and present Israel.
them iK'fore tiie Loud ai the door of the tabernacle 18 And he shall go out unto the altar tlj^ is
of the con Strega t ion. before the Loud, and make an atonement for it;''
8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; and shall take of the blooil of the bullock, and of
one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns
scape-goat.* of the altar round about.
9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the 1!) And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it

Lord's lot fell,' and ofl'er him /or a sin-offering. with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and
10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the hallow it from the uucleanness of the children of
scape-goat, siiall bo presented alive before the Israel.''
Loud, to make an atonement with him,'' and to 20 1i And when he hath made an end of recon-
let him go for a scape-goat into the wilderness. ciling the holy place,^ and the tabernacle of the
11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the
sin-ofl'ering, which is for himself, and shall make live goat
an atonement for liimself, and for his house, and 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon
shall kill the bullock of the sin-offering which is the head of the live goat, and confess over him
for himself. all the iniquities of the children of Israel," and all
12 And he shall take a censer'' full of burning their transgressions in all their sins, putting them
coals of fire from off the altar before the Loud,'-' upon the head of the goat,' and shall send kim
and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small,'' away by the hand of a fit man*' into the wilder-
and bring it witliin the veil: ness :

13 And lie shall put the incense upon the fire 22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their
before the Loud,' that the cloud of the incense iniquities" unto a land not inhabited:'* and he
may cover the mercy-seat that is upon the testi- shall let go the goat in the wilderness.
mony,-' tiiat he die not: 23 And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of
14 And he shall take of the blood of the bul- the congregation, and shall put off' the linen gar-
lock,'' and sprinkle it with his finger upon the ments, which he put on when he went into the
mercy-seat eastward; and before tiie mercy-seat holy place, and shall leave them there
shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger 24 And he shall wash his flesh with water in the
seven times. holy place, and put on his garments, and come
15 1 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offer- forth, and offer his burnt-ofl'cring, and the burnt-
ing,' that is for the people, and bring his blood offering of the people, and make an atonement for
within the veil,'" and do with that blood as he did himself, and for the people.
with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon 25 And the fat of the sin-offering shall he burn
the mercy -seat, and before the mercy-seat. upon the altar."
«Ch. 6:10: Exod. 2S:39-43; Ezek. 44:17; Matt. 2-2:11, 12. 1> ch. 8:0; t Heh. dwellelh. o Exod. 34:3; Heb. 9:7. pExod. 30:10. qEzek. 43:16^
Exod. 30:20. £ ch. 4:14. ! ch. 9:7; Heb. 5:2, 3; 7:27, 29; 9:7. • Heb. 2-2. r Ezek. 45:20; Col. 1:20. » ch. 20:40; Psa. 32:5; Prov. 2.-:13; Rom.

Azazet. t Heb. ivent up. e Isi. 53:5, 6; 2 Cor. 5:21: Heb. 7:27; 0:-J3. 2o. 10:10. Ilsa. 53:6. i Reb. a man of opporliinity. u Isa. 63:11. 12; John
' ch. 10:1; Num. 10:18.46. E Isa. 6:6, 7. h Exod. 30:34-35; Rev. H:3, 4. 1:29; Heb. 9:25; 1 Pet. 2:24. lUb. of stparalwn. vPsa. 103:13. >' ch.
I

Exod. 30:8. JExod. 25:21. kch. 4:5.6; Heb.9:l»-a5. ver. .5-9. m ver.
1 4:S-10.
2; Heb. 6:19; 9:3, 7, 12. « Exod. 29:36; Ezek. 45:18; Heb. 9:22, 23.

5. Two hkls—for a sin-offering; both the goats consti- This beautifully tj-pifies Christ entering into the presence
tuted together one expiatory offering, though but one of of God with his own blood, and presenting it before the
them was g-acrificed. Father as a perfect atonement for the sins of his people.
6. Shall offer his bullock; this is spoken by anticipation; Heb. 9:23, 24.
its actual sacrifice is described ver. 11. 16-19. Became of the uncleanness of the children of Israel;
8. For the Lord; that is, to be sacrificed to the Lord. thus signifying that so deep and universal is the pollution of
9. Offer him for a sin-offering; this also is spoken by sinners, that all their services, and every thing with which
anticipation. See ver. 15. they have to do, needs purifying by the blood of Christ.
10. To make an atonement with him ; in the Hebrew, to 20. Reconciling the hohj place — the tabernacle — the altar;
make an atonement upon him, namely, by typically laying making atonement for them, according to ver. 16.
upon his head the sins of the people, to be borne away by 21. head of the goat ; typically trans-
Putting them upon the
him. Ver. 20-22. ferring them to him as if he were to carry them away,
;

11. Make an atonement for himself; being a sinner, he ;ind thus the people be delivered from them and their
must first offer his own sin-offering, before he could pre- consequences thus pointing to Christ and his salvation.
:

sent that of the people. Ileb. 7:27. Isa. 53:-4-12; John 1:29; Rom. 4:25; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18;
15. Bring his blood within the veil; into the Holy of Holies. 1 John 2:2. A fit man ; or, a man ready at hand.
152
: :

The day of atonement. LEVITICUS XVII. T/te offering of blood.

B.aim' 26 And he that let go the goat for the


scape-goat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his
flesh in water," and afterward come into the camp.
27 And the bullock for the sin-offering, and the
goat for the sin-offering, whose blood was Ijrought
in to make atonement in the holy place, shall ojie
carry forth without the camp;" and tliey shall
burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and
their dung.
28 And he that burnetii them shall wash his
clothes, and batlic his flesh in water, and after-
ward he shall come
into the camp.
29 1 And be a statute for ever unto
this shall
you t/iat in the seventh mouth,'^ on the tenth day
:

of the montli, ye sliall afflict your souls,* and do


no work at all, whether it be one of your own
country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you
30 For on that day shall the priest make an
atonement for you, to cleanse you," that ye may be
clean from all your sins before the Lord.
31 It shall be a sabbatli of rest unto you,'' and ye
shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.
32 And the priest,'^ whom he shall anoint, and
whom be shall consecrate* to minister in the
priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the
atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even
the holy garments
33 And
he shall make an atonement for the holy
.sanctuary,''and he shall make an atonement for
the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the
altar: and he shall make an atonement for the
priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto
you,' to make an atonement for the children of
Israel for all their sins once a year.-i And he did
as the Lord commanded Moses.
"Ver. aS;
1 ;

Ealing of blood forbidden. LEVITICIS XV 11 1. Uitlawful mar ridges.

9 bringetli it not unto tlic door of the tab-


And
i-rnai'lc of the contrrcfration, to offer it unto the live inthem: I am the Loud.
iiOiU); even tliat man shall be cut off from among G 1 None of you shall apjiroach to any that is
his ])eoi>le. near of kin' to him. to uncover their nakedness:
10 " And vhatsoevcr man t/ierr he of the liouse 1 am LoHD.
the
of Israel, or of the strangers that sdjonrn among nakedness of thy father," or the naked-
7 Th(!
you, that eatcth any manner of blood;" J will ness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she
even set my face against that soul that eatcth is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her naked-

blood.'' and will cut him off from among his people. ness.
1 For the life of the flesh is in the blood ;'' and 8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou
I have given it to you upon the altar to make an not uncover:'' it is thy father's nakedness.
atonement for your souls:'' for it is the blood that 9 The nakedness of thy sister,'' the daughter of
maketh an atonement for the soul.'' thy father, or daughter of thy mother, irhrthir .she
12 Therefore 1 said unto the children of Israel, be born at home, or born abroad, even their naked-
No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any ness thou shalt not uncover.
stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. 10 The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of
13 And whatsoever man thcrv be of the children thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou
of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own naked-
you, which huutcth' and catcheth any beast or ness.
fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out 11 The nakedness of thy father's wife's daugh-
the blood thereof,' and cover it with dust.^ ter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou
14 For it is the life of all flesh ;" the blood of it shalt not uncover her nakedness.
is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the 12 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy
children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no father's sister she is thy father's near kinswoman. :

manner of flesh; for the life of all flesh is the 13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy
blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off. mother's sister for she is thy mother's near kins- :

15 And every soul that eateth that* which died woman.


qfitsetf.' or that which was torn with beasts, ivhdher 14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy
it be one of your own country, or a stranger.J he father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his
shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in wife she is thine aunt. :

water, and be unclean until the even: then shall 15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy
he be clean. daughter-in-law:' she is thy son's wife; thou shalt
IG But if ho wash them not, nor bathe his flesh not uncover her nakedness.
then he shall bear his iniquity." 16 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy
brother's wife :' it is thy brother's nakedness.
17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a
CHAPTER XVIII.woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take
1 Unbiwful marririjes. 10 Unlawful lusts. her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to
AND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, uncover her nakedness; for they are her near
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and kinswomen it is wickedness. :

say unto them, I am the Lord your God.' 18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister^
3 After the doings of the land of Egypt,'" wherein to vex Aer,' to uncover her nakedness, besides the
ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of other in her Uk-time.
the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye 19 Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman
not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put
4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordi- apart for her uncleanncss."
nances, to walk therein :" I am the Lord your God. 20 Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy
5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my neighbor's wife, to defile thyself with her/
« Gen. 9:4; oh. 7:28, 27; Deut. 12: IB, 2:3; Ezek. 41:7. b Ezelt. 14:9. 20:7,8; Eph. 5:11. n Deut. 4:1. 2; G: 1; Psa. 119:4; Ezek. 36:27.
1 Heb.
« Ter. H. J Mitt. 28:2-J; Rom. 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Ilcb. 13:12; Rev. 1:5. rtmaimUTofhiafltuh. och. 20: 11, etc.; Ezek. 22: 10. PICor.S:!. q 2 Sam.
« Heb. 9:22. • Ueb. tkat hunteth. any hunting. ' Deut. 15:2:!. f Ezek. 13:11,12. rGen.3S;IS. • Deut. 35:5; Matt. 22:34. « Or. one w//i fo an-
21:7. h ver. II. t Heb. a Mrca.ii. i ch. 22:S; Deut. 14:21; Ezek. 4:14; mlier. t 1 Sam. \:6S; Mai. 2:14, 15. u Ezek. 18:6; ^2:10. » E.i.od.
44:J1. icK. 11:25. k Num. 19:19. 20. 1 Exod. 0:7. " I'si. 10ci:3.5; Ezek. 20:14; Prov. 0:25,33; Matt. 5:27.

10. maimer of blood; tlie eating of blood was


Eateth any without which there could be no remission of sin. Heb.
forbidden, to produce a more sacred regard to human life, 9:22.
and to the atonement of which blood was the emblem. IG.In this world of impurity, we must have recourse
Ver. 11-14. to the great Puritier, whom clean water represents, or we
I\STRnCTIOXS. shall live and die in pollution, and bear for ever the sad
4. In all things, especially things connected with the consequences of our sins.
worship of Uod, we sliould be careful to follow his direc-
tions, and avoid botli tlio reality and the appearance of CHAPTER XVIII.
worshipping any one but Jehovah. 2.The doinss ; the sinful practices.
7. Worship presented to any but Jehovah is peculiarly 4. Judgments; Exod. 21:1; Deut. 4:1,2; 0:1.
offensive in his sight, and exposes those who render it 7. The nakedness of thy father, or —
<f thy motlier; the
to his indignation. Hebrew may be rendered, the nakedness of thy father,
12. God requires,and in various ways inculcates, a sa- and the nakedness of thy mother because they were one
;

cred regard to human life and especially to the great atone-


; flesh, and the dishonor done to her was done to him also.
ment wijich he Iius made bv the shedding of that blood Compare verse 8.
154
: ;

Abominable lusts. LEVITICUS XIX. Sundry laws repealed

a ?' um 21 And
not let any of thy seed
tliou shalt
pass through thefirc'^ to Molecli,' neither shalt thou
profane the name of thy God I am the Lord. :

22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind,'' as with


womankind it is abomination.
:

23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile


thyself therewith neither shall any woman stand
;

before a beast to lie down thereto it is confusion. :

24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these


things:" for in all these the nations are defiled
which I cast out before you
25 And the land is defiled :" therefore I do visit
the iniquity thereof upon it," and the land itself
vomitetli out her inhabitants.'^
26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my
judgments, and shall not commit any of these
abominations; nnlher any of your own nation,
nor any stranger that sojourneth among you
27 (For all these abominations have the men of
the land done, which were before you, and the
land is defiled ;)
28 That the land spue not you out also,^ when
ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were
before you.
29 For whosoever shall commit any of these
abominations, even the souls that commit them
shall be cut off from among their people.
30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that
ye commit not any one of these abominable cus-
toms,'' which were committed before you, and that
ye defile not yourselves therein:' I am tlic Lord
your God.J

CHAPTER XIX.
A repetition of sundry laws.

AND SpeakLord spake


2
the unto Moses, saying,
unto
congregation of the
all the
children of Israel, and ^•A.y unto them. Ye shall
be holy for I the Lord your God am holy."
:

1 Deut.
A repetition I.K\ ITICrS XIX. r>f sundry laws.

1() ^ Thou slialt not po up and down as a talo- thereof, that it may yield unto you the u.c.uw:
bcarcT amontr tliy people ;" ncitlier shall tliou stand increase thereof: 1 am the Ijdud your God.
ajrainst the blooil ot'tliy neif,'lil)or :''
1 am the liOUii. 2() M Ye shall not eat arii/ thin<r with the blood,''

17 *i 'I'hou slialt not hate tiiy brother in thy neither shall ye use enchantment,' uor observe
heart:'" thou slialt in any wise rebuke thy neijrh- times.
bor,' and not upon hini.'"'
sutler sin 27 Yc sliall not round the corners of your heads,
18 'i Thou shalt not avenge/ nor bear any neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.'"
prudire ajrainst the ehildren of thy jieople, but thou 2S Ye shall not make any cuttings in your llesh
shalt love thy neiirhbor as thy sell":" I am the Lord. for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am
19 1i Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt the Loud.
not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind:'' 29 Ti Do not prostitute' thy daughter, to cause
thou shalt not sow tliy held with mingled seed: her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whore-
neither sliall a garment mingled of linen and wool- dom, and the land become full of wickedness.
len come upon thee. 30 1i Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence
20 If And whosoever lieth carnally with a wom- my sanctuary:" I am the Lord.
an, that is a bondmaid, betrothed* to a husband, 31 1 Regard not tiiem that have familiar s[)irits,"
and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; neither seek after wizards, to be dclilcd by them :

slic' shall be scourged :' they shall not be put to 1 am the Lord your God.
death, because she was not free. 32 H Thou .shalt rise up before the hoary head,
21 And he siiall bring his trespass-offering unto and honor the face of the old man,'' and fear thy
the Lord,' unto tiie door of the tabernacle of the God:'' 1 am tlie Lord.
congregation, tven a ram for a trespass-oifering. 33 IT And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your
22 And the priest shall make au atonement for land,"" yc shall not vex' him.
him with the ram of the trespass- offering before 34 But the stranger that dwellctli with you shall
tiie Lord for liis sin which he hath done; and the 1)0 unto you as one liorn among you, and thou shalt

sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him. love him as thyself; for yc were strangers in tlie
23 1l And when ye shall come into the land, and land of Egypt 1 am the Lord your God. :

shall have planted all manner of trees for food, 35 IT Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judg-
then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircum- ment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
cised tiiree years shall it be as uncircumcised
: 36 Just balances,'* just weiglit.s,* a just ephali, and
unto you: it shall not be eaten of. a just hin, shall yc have: 1 am, the Lord your
24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof God, whicii brought you out of the land of Egypt.
shall be holy to praise the Lord withal.' '
37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes,
25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit and all my judgments, and do them :' I am the Lord.
b KxoJ. -J:!:/, c 1 John 2:9, 1 1; 3: 1.5.
" Pror. -2(1:19. <1 Prov. 27:5; Eph. ing. \lieh. holiness of praises to the hoRB. JProv. 3:9. k Dent.
ich.C:fi.
5:11; Tim. 5:20. • Or, rtal Ikou bear not sin for him. e l Cor. 5:2.
I 12:2.3. Dent. 18:1U-H. mch. 21:5. T Heb. pro/<in«. "Eccl.S:!. o Dent.
1

' Rom. 12:17, 19. ! Mattf22:;i9, 40. h Deut. 22:9-11. ^ Heh. repioatlied 18:10, 11. P Job 32:4, C. 1 1 Pet. 2:17. ' Exod. 22:21. * Or, oppriss.
by^ ox for man, or abustd by any. 1 Or. they. 5 Heb. there shall be a scourg- 'Prov.ll:!. t Heb. stones. > Deut. 5:1 ; Psa. 119:4, 34.

16. Stand against the blood ; take a course suited to pro- revelations, or accomplish through their aid supernatural
cure the death of the iimocent. 1 Sara. 22:9, 18; 1 Kings deeds. All such practices are essentially idolatrous, as
21.13; Mark 14:.57. they withdraw men's faith and love from God and his
17. Hate Ihy brother in thy lieart —
rebuke thy neighbor ; in- word cannot profit them. See Instruction
to things that
stead of cherishing a secret grudge against our neighbor, to ver. 28.
it is our duty fraukly to reprove him, wherein we think he 3.'). Meteyard; measure of lengths. Measure; of liquids.
has done wrong. Not suffer sin upon him; better, as in 30. Ephah — liin; names of different measures. Chap.
the margin, not bear sin on his account, that is, by neglect- 5:11; Exod. 1G:36; 29:4J.
ing our duty towards him.
20. She shalt be scourged; literally, there shaU be scourg- INSTRUCTIONS.

ing as is supposed, of the man, as well as the woman. 2. As God is holy, so must we be in order to meet his
Not he put to death; Deut. 22:23-27. approbation or enjoy his presence.
23. As uncircumcised; that is, unclean and not suitable 3. Due subordination and affection in families is insep-
to be eaten by them. Ver. 24. arably connected with the right keeping of the Sabbath ;

26. Observe times; or, practise magic arts. See note to and the neglect of the one tends directly and powerfully
ver. 31. to the destruction of the other.
27. Round —
mar the corners; according to the supersti- 4. That men should ever forsake Jehovah for gods of
tious observances of the heathen. their own making, is demonstration of their strong and
28. Cuttings in yourjiesh ; in mourning for the dead. active opposition to him.
31. Them that Imve familiar spirits; those who profess to 8. To meet the approbation of God, men must not only
have intercourse witli demons or the spirits of the dead, be cheerful and hearty in serving him, but must be guided
and by their aid to foretell future events and do other in their efforts by his directions.
supernatural things. Wizards; who profess to have 10. God requires, and holiness leads men, to be not only
supernatural power by the aid of magic arts. Sorcery pious, but benevolent; to be disposed, as there is oppor-
and witchcraft existed among the ancients in a great va- tunity and ability, to help the poor and one of the best
;

riety of forms. Those who practised them 'are called in ways of helping them, is to lead them to help themselves.
the holy Scriptures, wizards, diviners, enchanters, sooth- 12. Falsehood is intimately connected with theft; and
sayers, etc. Of these, some professed simply to interpret profane swearing with both. Let a man be guilty of one
signs and omens, and thus to draw from them a know- of these sins, and you have no security that he will not
ledge of the future others, by means of certain mysteri-
; commit any sin to which he may be tempted.
ous words and forms, to call up demons or the spirits of Refusing promptly to pay just wages for labor, and
13.
the dead, that they might obtain from them supernatural robbing men by fraud or violence of their dues, are sins
156
8 '

Of Molech, and wizards. LEVITICUS XX. Of unlav'ful lusts.

CHAPTER XX, cursed his father or his mother


ujion him.'
; his blood shall be

1 Of him that giveth of his seed to Molech. 4 Of him that favoreth 10 1 And the man that committeth adultery with
such a one. 6 Of goino- to wizards. 7 Of sanctification. 9 Of him
that curseth his parents. 10 Of adultery. 11, 14, 17, 19 Of incest.
another man's wife, even he that committeth adul-
13 Of sodomy. 1.5 Of beastiality. 18 Of uncle.anness. 23 Obedi- tery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and
ence is required with holiness. 27 Wizards must be put to deatii.
the adulteress shall surely be put to death.""

A NDthe Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 11 And the man that lieth with his father's wife
x\. 2 Again, tliou shalt say to the children of hath uncovered his father's nakedness:" both of
Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel,^ them shall surely be put to death; their blood
or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that shall be upon them.
giveth any of his seed unto Molech he shall ; 12 And if a man lie with his daughter-in-law,"
surely be put to death: the people of the land both of them shall surely be put to death: they
shall stone him with stones. have wrought confusion their blood shall be upon
;

3 And I will set my face against that man," and them.


will cut him olf from among his ])eoplc because ; 1.3 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth

he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile with a woman,P both of them have committed an
my sanctuary, and to profone my holy name. abomination: they shall surely be put to death;
4 And if the people of the land do any ways their blood shall be upon them.
hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of 14 And if a man take a wife and her mother,'' it
his seed unto Molech, and kill him not;'^ is wickedness they shall be burnt with fire, both he
:

5 Then I will set my face against that man, and and they that there be no wickedness among you.
;

against his family,'^ and will cut him off, and all 15 And if a man lie with a beast,'' he shall surely
that go a whoring after him,'' to commit whore- be put to death and ye shall slay the beast.
;

dom with Molech, from among their people. 16 And if a woman approach unto any beast,
6 IT And the soul that turneth after such as have and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman,
familiar spirits,' and after wizards, to go a whor- and the beast: they shall surely be put to death;
ing after them, I will even set my face against their blood shall be upon them.
that soul, and will cut him ofl" from among his 17 And if a man shall take his sister,' his father's
people. daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her
7 1 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a
holy:'' for I am the Lord your God. wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the
8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them
:
sight of their people he hath uncovered his sis-
:

I am the Lord which sanctify you.^ ter's nakedness he shall bear his iniquity.
;

9 1 For every one that curseth his father or his 18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having
mother shall be surely put to death;" he hath her sickness,' and shall uncover her nakedness;
a Ch. 18:21. b ch. 17:10; Ezek. 14:3. t Deut. 17:2-5. d Exod. 20:5. 21:17; Prov. 20:20. Iyer. II, 13. m Deut. 22:22. n Dent. 27:20. • ch.
:
ch. 17:7; Jer. 3:2; Hos. 2:5, 13. 'ch. 19:31. s Rev. 22:15. hch. 19:2. 13:15. P ch. 18:22; Deut. 23:17. q ch. 18:17. r ch. 18:23; Deut. 27:21.
cli.19:37. J ch. 21:8; Exod. 31:13; Ezek. 37:28; 1 Cor. 1:30. k Exod. » Deut. 27:22. t ch. 15:24;
18:19; Ezek. 18:0.

which God abhors, and against which he denounces his only such occupy the attention of men as tend to make
dreadful curse. Jas. 5:2-5. them holy, and lead them to love, trust in, and obey God.
14. or despise men, or to bring any evil
To reproach 30. Stated, regular, conscientious attendance on public
upon them, on account of any natural infirmity or calam- worship, when God gives opportunity, is an essential part
ity, is mean, ungrateful, and wicked. of the right keeping of the Sabbath and highly promo-
;

15. Partiality in judicial decisions, and injustice under tive of all the social, civil, and religious interests of men.
the cover of law. are an abomination in the sight of Jeho- 31. Those who pretend to wisdom they do not possess,
vah, and expose those who are guilty of them to his ven- especially to receiving it from disembodied spirits, or
geance. intercourse with invisible agents, and thus to be able to
16. Tattlers, those who go about retailing scandal, and reveal secrets and foretell future events, are morally
delight in accusing, ridiculing, or depreciating others, defiled and defihng, and should be treated accordingly.
especially the good, are following Satan the great accuser, 32. Respect to the aged is a mark of wisdom, and essen-
and in a way which leads to his place of torment. tial to virtue a source of comfort, and a means of useful-
;

18. Real love, such as God requires and holiness of ness an ornament to character, and a passport to influ-
;

heart produces, leads men to desire and strive to deliver ence, reputation, and honor.
others from all evil, especially from sin, and to do them 34. Kindness to strangers is a dictate of true religion,
all the good in their power. Let this love fill all hearts, and peculiarly grateful to persons in a strange country.
and it will make earth resemble heaven. It so much resembles the kindness of God, that it is one
22. Without repentance and faith in the atoning blood of the best means of leading men to love him, and thus
(if Christ, none to whom he is made known can be for- show their gratitude to him for his love. Eph. 2:19.
given, or escape the just punishment of their sins. 36. Strict honesty in trading, and in all business trans-
25. Jehovah is the God of providence as well as of actions, and the doing to others as we ought to wish
grace the giver of all temporal as well as spiritual bless-
; others to do to us, is a duty required bj' God, by our own
ings, which should be received as from him, and used for good, and the good of all.
his glory and the good of his kingdom.
28. There are means of sin, as well as of holiness. CHAPTER XX.
Among them are all pretended intercourse with evil or 2. Molech ; an idol of the Ammonites to whom children
departed spirits, sorcery, enchantments, jugglery, fortune- were sacrificed. According to the Rabbins his statue
telling, and every thing which tends to lead men away was of brass and hollow and this being heated from be-
;

from God as their portion, from his word as their guide, low, the children to be sacrificed were put into its arms.
from his service as their employment, and his favor as 8. S(mctify you; separate them from other nations, and

their reward. All such things should be avoided, and set them apart for himeelf. Ver. 24, 26.
157
Of the priests LEVITICUS XXI. mournins and marriage^.

ho liatli<lipcovcrcd' lior fountain, and slie liatli


iinriivcri'tl tlio fountain ol' Iht lilood and Imth of :

them shall lio cut oti" from among their people.


19 And thou shall not uncover the nakedness of
thv mother's sister," nor of thy father's sister; for
he uncovcrcth his near kiu: they shall bear their
ini(|nity.
"20 And if a man sliall lie with his uncle's wife,

he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they


shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.''
21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife,'^
it is an unclean thing:* he hath uncovered his
l)roth(M-'s nakedness; they shall t)(> childless.
'I'l "i Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and

all my judgments, and do them:'' that the land,


whither 1 bring you to dwell therein, spue you
not out."
23 And ye shall not walk in the manncr.s of the
nation, which I cast out before you for they com- :

mitted all these things, and therefore I abhorred


them.''
24 But have said unto you. Ye shall inherit
I
and I will give it unto you to possess it,
tlicir land,
a land that floweth with milk and honey :'' lam the
LoKD your Crod, which have separated you from
other peo}>lc.''
25 Ye shall therefore put difference between
clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean
fowls and clean :' and ye shall not make your souls
abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any man-
ner of living thing that creepeth* on the ground,
which I have separated from you as unclean.
26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the
Lord am \\o\y} and have severed you from other
people, that ye should be mine.''
27 1 A man also or woman that hath a familiar
spirit,' or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to
death: they shall stone them with stones; their
blood shall be upon them.

CHAPTER XXI.
1 Of the priests' mourning. 6 Of their holiness. 8 Of their estimation.
7, 13 Of their marriages. 17 The priests that have hlemishes must
not minister in the sanctuary.

A ND the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto


the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto
Blemishes of priests. LEVITICUS XXII. Of eating holy things.

u.r'uw*' 18 For whatsoever man he he that hath


a blemish, lie shall not approach: a blind man, or
a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing
superfluous,*
19 Or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-
handed,
20 Or crook-backed, or a dwarf,* or that hath a
blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or
;''
hath his stones broken
21 No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aa-
ron the priest shall come nigh to offer tlie offerings
of the Lord made by fire he hath a blemish ho : ;

shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.


22 Ho shall eat the bread of his God, both of
the most holy," and of the holy.''
23 Only he shall not go in unto the veil, nor
come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blem-
isli; that he profane not my sanctuaries:" for I

tiie Lord do sanctify them.'^


2-1: And Moses told it unto Aaron, and to his
sons, and unto all the children of Israel.

CHAPTER XXII.
1 The priests in tlieir uncleanness must abstain from the holy things.
G How they shall be cleansed. 10 Who of the priest's house may
eat of the holy things. 17 The sacrifices must be without blemish.
26 The age q{ the sacrifice. 29 The law of eating the sacrifice of
tbauksgivmg.

AND2 SpeakLord spake


the
unto Aaron and
unto Moses, saying,
to his sons, that
they separate themselves from the holy things of
the children of Israel,''' and that they profane not
my holy name'' in those things which they hallow
unto me:' I am the Lord.
3 Say unto them. Whosoever he he of all your
seed among your generations, that goeth unto the
holy things, which the children of Israel hallow
unto the Lord, having his uncleanness upon him,J
that soul shall be cut off from my presence I am :

the Lord.
4 What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a
leper, or hath a running issue ;*'^ he shall not eat
of the holy things, until he bo clean.' And whoso
toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead,"' or
a man whose seed goeth from him;"
» Oh
Sacrifices must be perfect. LEVITICUS Will. T/ic Sabbal/i and l/te Piissnrrr.

all liis vows, anil for all his froewill-ofl'orinrrs, which


they will otVcr unto the Loni) for a hurnt-ofleriML--:
rj Yc shall offir at your own will a male with-
out lilcuiish," of the beeves, of the sheep, or of
tho iroats.
20 Ihit wliat?i>cvcr hatli a blemish,'" that shall ye
not olTor: for it shall not be acceptable for you.
21 And whosoever otlereth a sacrilice of peace-
nlVerinjrs'^ inito the Loud to accomplish Am vow,**
or a freewill-otTeriug in beeves or sheep," it sliall
be perfect to be accepted there shall be no blem-
:

ish therein.
22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or liaving a wen,
or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not oiler these unto
the Lord, nor make an offering by lire of tiiem
upon the altar unto the Lord.
23 Either a bullock or a lamb* that hatli any
tiling superlluous or lacking in his parts,'' that
mayest thou oiler for a freewill-offering but for ;

a vow it shall not be accepted.


24 Ye shall not offer unto the Lord that which
is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither
shall ye make any offering thereof in your land.
25 Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer
the bread of your God of any of these because ;'^

liieir corruption is in them, and blemishes be iu


thera:'^ they shall not be accepted for you.
26 IT And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
27 When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is
brought forth, then it sliall be seven days under
the dam ;'' and from the eighth day and thenceforth
it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire
unto the Lord.
28 And whether it be cow or ewe,* ye shall not
kill it and her young both in one day.'
29 And when yc will offer a sacrifice of thanks-
giving unto the Lord, offer it at your own will.
30 On the same day it shall be eaten up ye shall ;

leave none of it until the morrow I am the Lord.-':

31 Tlierefore shall ye keep mj- commandments,


and do them:'' I am the Lord.

«Ch. 1;3. b Dcut


:

Pentecost, Day of AtoncTnent, LEVITICUS XXIII. and Feast of Tahernades.

B.c.'im: 12 And ye shall offer that day when ye


wave the sheaf a hc-lamb without blemish of the
first year for a burnt-offering unto the Lord.
13 And the meat-offering tliereof shall be two
tenth-deals of fine flour mingled with oil," an off"er-
ing made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savor
and tlie drink-offering thereof shall be of wine, the
fourth part of a hin.
14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched
corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that
ye have brought an oflering unto your God: it
shall be a statute for ever throughout your gener-
ations in all your dwellings.
15 1 And ye shall count unto you from the mor-
row after the sabl^ath, from the day tliat ye
brought the sheaf of the wave-offering; seven
sabbaths shall be complete:''
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sab-
bath shall ye number fifty days;'^ and ye shall
offer a new meat-offering unto the Lord.
17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two
wave-loaves of two tenth-deals tliey shall be of :

fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they


are the first-fruits unto the Lord.'*
18 And ye shall offer with the bread seven
lambs without blemish of the first year, and one
young bullock, and two rams:° they shall be for
a burnt-offering unto the Lord, with tlieir meat-
offering, and their drink-offerings, even an offering
made by fire, of sweet savor unto the Lord.
19 Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats
for a sin-offering,'' and two Iambs of the first year
for a sacrifice of peace-offerings.
20 And the priest shall wave them with the
bread of the first-fruits /or a wave-offering before
the Lord, with the two lambs: they shall be holy
to the Lord for the priest.^
21 And ye shall proclaim onthe selfsame day, <^a<
itmay be a holy convocation unto you ye : shall do
no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever
in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
22 1 And when ye reap the harvest of your land,"
thou shalt no't make clean riddance of the corners
of thy field when tliou reapest, neither shalt tliou
gather any gleaning of tliy harvest: thou shalt
leave them unto the poor,' and to the stranger I :

am the Lord your God.


23 1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
«Ch.2:14-ir, bch. aitS; Exod. 34:22; Deut. lf>:9. c Acts 2
:

Of the lamps, and show-bread. LKVITICUS XXIV. The law of blasphemy.

39 Al?o in the fiftooiith day of tlic seventh month,


when ye luive gatliered in the fruit of tiie hind," ye
shall ivcop a feast unto the Loud seven days: on
the first day shall be a sabbath, and on tiic eighth
day shall be a sabbatli.
40 And ye shall take you on the first day the
bouirhs' of goodly trees, branehes of palm-trees,
and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the
brook and ye shall rejoice before the Loud your
;

God seven days.''


41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto tlic Lord
geven days in the year:'" it shall be a statute for
ever in your generations; yc shall celebrate it in
the seventh month.
42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that
are Israelites born shall dwell in booths
43 That your generations'' may knovr that I made
the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I
brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the
Loud your God.
44 And Moses declared unto the children of
Israel the feasts of the Lord.''

CHAPTER XXIV.
1 The oil for 5 The show-bre.id. 10 Shelomith's son blas-
the lamps.
phcmeth. 13 The law of blasphemy. 17 Of murder. IS Of dam-
age. 23 The blasphemer is stoned.

AND Command
Lord spake unto
2
the Moses, saying,
the children of Israel,' that they
bring unto thee pure oil-olive beaten for the light,
to cause^ the lamps to burn continually.*-'
3 Without tiie veil of the testimony, in the
tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order
it from the evening unto the morning before the
Lord continually it shall be a statute for ever in
:

your generations.
4 He sliall order the lamps upon the pure candle-
stick before the Lord continually."
5 T And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake
twelve cakes thereof:' two tenth-deals shall be
in one cake.
6 And thou shalt set tliem in two rows, six on a
row, upon the pure table before the Lord.J
7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense uponeacA

» Exod. -M
: : ' 1 ;
:;

Of the seventh year. LEVITICUS XXV. The year of Jubilee.

iJ'il,^ 21 And he that killeth a beast, he shall 9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubi-
restore it : and he that killeth a man, he shall be lee* to sound on the tenth day of the seventh
put to death. month,'' in the day of atonement shall ye make
22 Ye have one manner of law, as well for
shall the trumpet sound throughout all your land.''
the stranger, as for one of your own country:'' for 10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and pro-
I am the Lord your God. claim liberty throughout all the land unto all the
2;^ IF And Moses spake to the children of Israel, inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you
'

that they should bring forth him that had cursed and ye shall return every man unto his possession,"
out of the camp, and stone him witli stones and : and ye shall return every man unto his family.
the children of Israel did as the Loed commanded 11 A
jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you
Moses. ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth
of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy

CHAPTER XXV. vine undressed.


12 For it is the jubilee it shall be holy unto you
;

1 The sabbaih of the seventh year. 8 The jubilee in the fiftieth year.
14 Of oppression. 18 A blessing of obedience. 23 The reJeinption
ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.
of land- 29 Of houses. 3-5 Compassion of the poor. 39 The usage 13 In the year of this jubilee ye shall return
of bondmen. 47 The redemption of servants.
every man unto his possession."
AND the Lord spake unto Moses,
Sinai, saying,
in mount 14 And if thou sell aught unto thy neighbor, or
buyest aught of thy neighbor's hand, ye shall not
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto oppress one another :

them. When ye come into the land which I give 15 According to the number of years after the
you, then shall the land keep' a sabbath unto the jubilee thou shalt buy of thy neighbor, ayid accord-
Lord. ing unto the number of years of the fruits he shall
3 Six years thou shalt sow thy iield, and six sell unto thee
years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather 16 According to the multitude of years thou
in the fruit thereof;'' shalt increase the price thereof, and according to
4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price
rest unto the laud, a sabbatli for the Lord thou : of it for according to the number of the years of
:

shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. the fruits doth he sell unto thee.
5 That which groweth of its own accord of thy 17 Ye shall not therefore oppress one another
harvest thou shalt not reap,'-' neither gather the but thou shalt fear thy God:-' for I ain the Lord
grapes of thy vine^ undressed: for it is a year of your God.
rest unto the land. 18 ^ Wherefore ye shall do my statu tes,'' and
6 And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for keep my judgments, and do them ; and ye shall
you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy dwell in the land in safety.'
maid, aud for thy hired servant, and for thy 19 And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall
stranger that sojourneth with thee, eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.
7 And for thy cattle and for the beast that are 20 And if ye shall say. What shall we eat the
in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat. seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather
8 T And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of in our increase
years unto thee, seven times seven years and the ; 21 Then I will command my blessing upon you
space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto in the sixth year,™ aud it shall bring forth fruit
thee forty and nine years. for three years.

' Num. 15:16. • Heb, I. b Exoil. M:1G; 2 Chr. :16:21. " 2 Kings sver 13; Ni.m. 36:4. b vcr. lU; ch. 27:17-24. ver. 17; ch. 19-13; Mic
19.29. t Heb. siparalion Heh. louil of sound. J ch 2-3:24, 2". = Num. 2:2, 3; 1 Cor. 6:8. J Gen. 42:18; Jer. 22:16. 1 1.103:13- IDeut. 12:10
10:10. I Isa. 61:1, " 63:4; Jer. 34:1.5-17; Zech. 9:11,12; Luka 4:16-21.
' Psi. 4:8; Prov. 1:33; Jer. 23:6; Ezek. 34:25-23. >Deut. ii-.S.

accordance with the general usage of those times, and


applied only to malicious injuries. CHAPTER XXY.
5. Not reap, neither gather; as in other years, but share
INSTRUCTIONS. what grew with others as they might need, ard with the
4. Ministers of religion should constantly endeavor, beast of the field. Ver. 6, 7, 11, 12.
from the word, the Spirit, and the providences of God, to 6. The .tahbath of the land; the spontaneous produce of

enlighten the minds of men as to their duty, and set the sabbatical year.
before them the motives to obedience which God has 9. The day of atonement ; chap. 23:27-32.
revealed. 10. Hallow; keep sacred as a season of rejoicing.
16. Blasphemy against God is great and aggravated 16. According to the multitude — —
ami the fewness; the
wickedness and under the Jewish dispensation, was, as
; price of what they sold -was to be regulated according to
treason, punished with death. the distance of time from the year of jubilee, when it
23. The execution, at the command of God, of notorious would revert to its former o-mier. Ver. 10, 23.
criminals, is a solemn duty, the performance of which is 21. For three years ; these words refer not to the year
suited to give timely warning to the wicked and exercise of jubilee, but to the regular sabbatical year. This must
upon them salutary restraint. By commanding that some have begun, not in the spring, when the crops were yet
should thus be put to death in this world, God gives indi- standing, but in the fall, after the fruits of the year had
cations of the terrible punishment which awaits the per- been gathered in. The day for its commencement seems
seveiingly wicked in the world to come. Hence a reason to have been the tenth of the seventh month. Ti-shri, when
why some who deny punishment in the future world, are the jubilee plainly began, ver. 9. But Moses here com-
opposed to capital punishment in this : because one fore- putes the years from the first month Abib, Esod. 12:2. The
shadows the other. crop, then, so-wn on the sixth year, which is the one that
163
Redemption of land. LKVmCL'S XXV. Usage of bondmen

22 And ye s-liall pow the eiprlith year," and cat houses of the cities of the Levites are aruiJ:
yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her their possession among the children of Israel.
fruits come in ve shall eat of tht- old store. 34 But the licld of the suburlis of their cities may
23 1 The land shall not be sold for ever :* for the not be sold;'' for it j.v their jierjictual possession.
land i.v mine;'' for yc are strangers and sojourn- 35 *i And if thy brother be wa.xen poor,' and
ers with me.° fallen in decay' with thee; then thou shall re-
24 And in all the land of your possession yc lieve^ him :^ yea, thmtr^h he be a stranger,'' or a
shall grant a redemjition for tJic land. sojourner; that he may live with thee.
25 * If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold 3() Take thou no usury of him,' or increase: but
away some of his jjossession, and if any of his kin fear thy God;'" that thy brother may live with thee.
come to redeem it,'' then shall he redeem that 37 Thou shall not give him tliy money ujjon
•which his brother sold. usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
2G And if tlie man have none to redeem it, and 38 I am the Loud your God," which Ijrought you
himself 1)0 able to redeem it;* forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the
27 Tiien let him count the years of the sale land of Canaan, and to be your God.
thereof,'^ and restore the overplus unto the man to 39 •[ And if thy brother 'that dwdkth by thee Ije
•whom he sold it; that he may return unto his wa.\en poor, and be sold unto thee; tliou shall
:'
possession. not compel him to serve as a bondservant
28 But if he be not able to restore it to him, then 40 But as a hired servant," and as a sojourner,
that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto
that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and the year of jubilee:
in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return 41 And then shall he depart from thee, both he
unto his possession.' and his children with him, and shall return unto
29 And if a man sell a dwelling-house in a walled his own family, and unto the possession of his
city, then he may redeem it within a whole year fathers shall he return.
after it is sold within a full year may he redeem it.
; 42 For they are my servants, which I brought
30 And if it be not redeemed within the space forth out of the land of Egypt:'' they shall not
of a full year, then the house that is in the walled be sold as bondmen.*
city shall be established for ever to him that bought 43 Thou shall not rule over him with rigor;''
it througliout his generations it shall not go out : but slialt fear thy God."'
in the juljilce. 44 Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which
31 But the houses of the villages which have no thou sliall have, shall he of the heathen that are
wall round about them shall be counted as the round about you of them shall ye buy bondmen
;

fields of the country they may be redeemed,* and


: and bondmaids.
they sliall go out in the jubilee. 45 Moreover, of the children of the strangers
32 Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites,'^ and that do sojourn among you,'' of them shall ye buy,
the houses of the cities of their possession, may the and of their families that are with you, which they
Levites redeem at any time. begat in your land and they shall be your pos-
:

33 And if a man purchase of the Levites,^ then session.


the house that was sold, and the city of his pos- 46 And ye shall take them as an inheritance for
session, shall go out in the year of jubilee for the : your children after you,' to inherit them for a pos-
> 2 Kings 19:39. * Heb.
for culling of, or lo be quite cut off. b 2 Chr. hi
7:21). c psa. J Ruth 2:20; Jer. 32:7, 8.
;)i):l2, t Heb. hix hand hath
attained and found
xujkieni-y; ch. r,:7. e ver. SO-W. f ver !:). 1 Heb.
redemption betongeth unto it. S Num. 35:2; Josh. 21:1, etc. 5 Or, one of
the Leviles redeem ihem. !• Acts 4:36 37. Gal. 2:10; 1 John 3:17. I Heb.

God promises sliall serve for three years, would be reaped


at the beginning of the seventh year. The sabbatical
year beginning in the fall of the same year, there would
be no sowing, and consequently no harvest at the begin-
ning of the next, the eighth year. But in the fall of the
eighth year, after the sabbatical year was closed, they
would sow, and gather the harvest at the beginning of
the ninth year, using the corn sown on the sixth year till
this work was accomplished. Tor the year of jubilee no
special directions are given. As it occurred but once in
fifty years, special provision could be easily made for it
as it approached.
23. Not be sold for ever ; so as to be alienated from its
original owner for ever. It must return to him at the year
of jubilee for it belongs to Jehovah, and he will not
;

allow any one to take perpetual occupation of it.


27. Count the years; from the time he sold it to that
date, and also to the year of jubilee, and giveaccordinglj'.
If he sold it twenty years before the year of jubilee, and
ten of them had expired, he would, for the redemption,
give half as much as he sold it for if but five years had ;

passed, he would give three quarters and so in propor- ;

tion for any length of time. Ver. 50-55.


164
; ; : : ; :

Redemption of servants. LEVITICUS XXVI. A blessing and a cnrse.

B.c.'im: session; they shall be your bondmen* for the land shall yield her increase,' and the trees of
ever but over your brethren the children of Is-
: the field shall yield their fruit.
rael, ye shall not rule one over another with rigor." 5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vin-
47 IT And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich* tage,^ and the vintage shall reach unto the sow-
by thee, and thy brotlier that dwelleth by him wax ing-time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full,
poor, and sell liiniself unto the stranger or so- and dwell your land safely.
in
journer by thee,'' or to the stock of the stranger's 6 And I willgive peace in the land,'' and ye
family shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid
48 After that he is sold he may be redeemed and I will rid''^ evil beasts out of tlie land,' nei-
again one of his brethren may redeem him
; sword go through your land.
ther shall the
49 Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may re- And
ye shall chase your enemies, and they
7
deem him, or miy that is nigh of kin unto him of shall fall before you by the sword.
his family may redeem him or if he be able, he ; 8 And five of you shall chase a hundred,™ and a
may redeem himself. hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight:
50 And he shall reckon with him that bought and your enemies shall fall before you by the
him from the year that he was sold to him unto sword.
the year of jubilee and the price of his sale shall
: 9 For I will have respect unto you," and make
be according unto the number of years, according you fruitful," and multiply you,"* and establish my
to the time of a hired servant shall it be with him.'' covenant with you.
51 If there he yet many years behind, according 10 And ye shall eat old store," and bring forth
unto them he shall give again the price of his re- the old because of the new.
demption out of the money that he was bought for. 11 And I will set my tabernacle among you:"'
52 And if there remain but few years unto the and my soul shall not abhor you.'*
year of jubilee, then he shall count with him, and 12 And I will walk among you,' and will be your
according unto his years shall he give him again God, and ye shall be my people."
the price of his redemption. 13 I am the Lord your God,'' which brought you
53 And as a yearly hired servant shall he be forth out of tlie land of Egypt, that ye should not
with him: and the other shall not rule with rigor be their bondmen and I have broken the bands ;

over him in thy sight. of your yoke,'" and made you go upright.
54 And if he be not redeemed in these years,* 14 T But if ye will not hearken unto me," and
then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, both he, will not do all these commandments
and his children with him. 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your
55 For unto me the children of Israel are ser- soul abhor my judgments, so that jq will not do all
vants they are my servants whom I brought forth my commandments, iiii that ye break my covenant f
;

out of the land of Egypt I am the Lord your God. 16 I also will do this unto you: I will even ap-
:
''

point over* you terror, consumption, and the burn-


CHAPTER XXVI. ing ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause
sorrow of heart and ye shall sow your seed in
2 Religiousness. 3 A blessing to them that keep the
;
1 Of idolatry.
comniandinents. 14 A curse to those that break tiiem. 40 God vain,^ for your enemies shall cat it."
proriuseth to remember them that repent.
17 And I will set my face against you, and ye

YE shall make you no idols nor graven image,"* shall be slain before your enemies :" they that hate
neither rear you up a standing image,^ nei- you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when
ther shall ye set up any image of stone' in your none pursueth you."
land, to bow down unto it for I atn the Lord : 18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken
your God. unto me, then I will punish you seven times more
2 IT Ye shall keep my sabbaths,^ and reverence for your sins.
my sanctuary I am the Lord. : 19 And I will break the pride of your power;'*
3 IT If ye walk in my statutes,^ and keep my and I will make your heaven as iron, and your
commandments, and do them earth as brass
4 Then I will give you rain in due season,*" and 20 And your strength shall be spent in vain ^ :

•lieb. ye shall serve yourselves ivith Uteyn; ver. 39. a ver. 43. t Heb. his 2 Kings 13:23. o Neh. 9:93. P Psa. 107:38. <l ch. 25:22. r Psa. 76-2;
hand otilain; ver. 20. b Neh. 5:5, 8. « Job 7: 1 Isa. 16:14. I Or, by these
;
Ezek. 37:26-23; Rev. 91:3. Deut. 32:10; Psa. 7S:50. t 2 Cor. 6:16.
meins. d ver. 42. e Deut. 16:22; 27:15. 8 Or, pi/tar. I Heb. a «oiie o/ "Ezek. 11:20. v ch. 25:3S, 42. w Jer. 2:20. J Deut. 2S: IS, 68. y Ezek.
jiielure, orfigured stone, t ch. 19:30. B Deut. 11 13-15; 28:1-14. h Isi.
:
16:59. • Heb. i/pon. i Mic. 6:15. » Neh. 9:36, 37. bjer. 19:7. c Prov.
30:2:3; Ezek. 34:38. Psi. 67:6. J Amos 9:13. k Psa. 147:14. Heb.11
28:1. dlsl. 23:11. e Psa. 127:1.
cause to cease. 1 2 Kings 17:9.); Ezek. 5: 17. n. Deut. 32:30. n E.xod. 2:2o;

with his visible presence on the mercy-seat, and to do


CHAPTER XXVI. them good.
In this chapter and the twenty-eighth of Deuteronomy, 13. Made you go upright; delivered you from bowing
is recorded a most wonderful prophecy of the future liis- down under oppression or in despondency.
tory of God's covenant people, the fulfilmeiit of which 16. Appoint over you ; as the executioners of my wrath.
through so many centuries is an irrefragalile proof of the 18. Seven times; the number seven is a symbol of com-
divine inspiration of the record that contains it. pleteness. Out of the inexhaustible storehouse of his
8. Five— a hundred —
ten thousand; detinite numbers are omnipotence, God will continually bring upon them new
here used for indefinite. plagues in full measure.
10. Bring forth tlte old; from their granaries, to make 19. As iron, and —
as brass; the clouds would give no
room for the new crop. rain, any more than if they were iron, and the earth no
11. Set my
tabernacle; continue to dwell among them fruit, any more than if it were brass. Ver. 20.
165
; ;

Curia on the Aisobcdient. LEVlTICrS XXVI. l\krcyfor lite penilcnl.

for your land shall not yiclil hor increase, neitiier I


land; even then shall the land rest, and u.cuso:
shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. enjoy her salibaths.
'21 H And if ye walk contrary unto me,' and will 35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; be-
not hearken unto nie; I will bring seven times cause it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye
more i)la'riies upon you aecordintr to your
sins. dwelt u)ion it.
J2 I will also send wild anumjr you," 3(1 And upon them that are left alive of you I will
lieasts
whieh shall rob you of your children, and destroy send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of
your cattle, and make you few in number; and their enemies ;" and the sound of a shaken* leaf shall
your highways sliall be desolate."" chase them;" and they shall flee, as fleeing from a
23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by sword; and they shall fall when none pursucth.
these tliinsrs, but will walk contrary unto me; 37 And they shall fall one n])on another,' as it
24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you," and were before a sword, when none pursui'th and ye :

will punish you yet seven times for your sins. shall have no power to stand before your enemies."
25 And I will bring a sword upon you. that shall 38 And ye shall perish among the heathen, and
avenge the (juarrel of 7ny covenant:'' and when ye the land of your enemies shall eat you up.
are gathered together within your cities, I will 3!) And they that are left of you shall i)inc away

send the pestilence among you;'' and ye shall be in their iniquity in your enemies' lands " and also
delivered into the hand of the enemy. in the ini(iuities of their fathers shall they pine
26 ,'lnd when I have broken the staff of your away with them.
bread,' ten women shall bake your bread in one 40 If they shall confess their iniquity," and the
oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which
by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.*'' they trespassed against me, and that also they
27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto have walked contrary unto me
me, but walk contrary unto me; 41 And that I also have walked contrary unto
28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in them, and have brought them into the land of their
fury and I, even I, will chastise you seven times enemies; if then their uucircuracised hearts" be
;

for your sins. humbled,'' and they then accept of the punishment
29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and of their iniquity ;^
the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.'' 42 Then will 1 remember my covenant with Ja-
30 And I will destroy your high i)laces, and cut cob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my
down your images, and cast your carcasses upon covenant with Abraham will I remember;" and I
the carcasses of your idols,' and my soul shall will remember the laud.''
abhor you.J 43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall
31 And I will make your cities waste,'' and bring enjoy her sabbaths,'' while she lieth desolate with-
your sanctuaries unto desolation,' and I will not out them and they shall accept of the punishment :

smell the savor of your sweet odors.'" of their iniquity;" because, even because they
32 And I will bring the land into desolation:" despised my judgments," and because their soul
and your enemies which dwell therein shall be abhorred mj- statutes.
astonished at it." 44 And yet for all that, when they be in the land
33 And I will scatter you among the heathen,'' of their enemies, I will not cast them away,"^ nei-
and will draw out a sword after you: and your ther will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly.,
land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. and to break my covenant with them -.^ for I am
34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths,' as the Lord their God.
long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' 45 But I will for their sakes" remember the cov-
• a a Kings 17:4); Ezck.5:17. l)Lain.l:4.
Or, at alt adl'enlureswil/i me. 8::33, etc.; Neh. 9:2, etc.; Prov. 28:13; Luke 15:18; 1 John 1:9. x Jer.
cP^a. 13:-2(i:
Isi. 6:!:I0. a Dent. 3-2:35; Ezek. -^0:37. ejer.24:10. f Paa. 9:26; Acts7:5l; Rom. 2:29. r 2 Chn.n. 12:0,7,12. 2 Psa. 39:9; 51:3,4;

11)5:16. « Hag. 1:0. h Lam. 4:10. i Ezek. 6:3 13. J ch. 20:2.3. k Neh. Dan. 9:7. a Psa. 106:45; Ezek. 16:60. b Joel 2:18. c ver. 34, 35. dyer.
2::}. I 2Chron. 36:19; Malt. 24:2. misa. 1:13. > Jer. 25:11, 18. o Jer. 41. e 2 Chron. 36:16. t Psa. 94:14; Lam. 3:31 ; Rom. 11:2. g Psa. 89:33,
19 1. P Psa. 44:11. q 3 Chr. 36:21. Ezek. 21:7, 1.5. t Heb. driven.
"•
.34. 1" Rom. 11:28.
sJot)I5:21. tIsa.lU:4. ujudg.2:14. » Lam. 4:9; Ezek. 4:17. w 1 Kings

22. Yoiir highways shall be desolate; men would not travel number of sabbatical years the observance of which they
in them, on account of the danger. Judges 5 : 6 ; 2 Chron. had neglected. 2 Chron. 36:21 Jer. 25:8-11.
;

15:5; Isa. 33:8. 38. Eat you up ; consume them : many would die in their
25. Avenge tlie quarrel of my covenant; in the Hebrew, enemies' country.
avenge the avenging of my covenant, that is, execute ven- 41. Accept of the punishment ; feel and acknowledge that
geance upon 3-ou for breaking it. God was just in punishing them, and humbly submit them-
26. Ten women bake — —
in one oven; on account of the selves to his disposal.
small quantity tlicy would have to bake. By weight ; each 42. Remember my covenant; granting them the blessings
man shall have a small portion weighed out to him, as is promised in it, Rernemher the land; cause it again to be
the custom in extreme want. inliabited by the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
29. Eat theflenh of your sons, and —
daughters; on account
INSTRUCTIONS.
of the scarcity of food. 2 Kings 6:29; Lam. 4:10; Jose-
phus, Jewish Wars, B. 7, c. 2. 2. One of the most means of preservation from
effectual
became it did not rest; in four hundred
35. /( shall rest, idolatry, secret and open, personal and na-
and all sins,

and ninety years, the time from the reign of Saul to the tional, "is the due observance of the Sabbath, with habitual
Babylonish captivity, there would be seventy years of attendance on public worship.
sabbiUhs, and also seventy sabbatical years equal to the — 12. Obedience to divine commands is not only the
number of years the land lay desolate during their captiv- surest, but the only way to personal and national excel-
ity in Babylon and, as some have supposed, equal to the
; lence, and permauent prosperity, happiness, and glory.
16.6
; :

Of the estimation LEVITICUS XXVII. of things vowed.

B uiia
"enant of thoir ancestors," whom I brought for a bad, or a bad for a good and if he shall at :

forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange
heathen, that I miglit be their God I am the Lord. thereof shall be holy.
:

46 These arp the statutes and judgments and laws, 11 And iiit be any unclean beast, of which they
which the Lord made between him and the children do not offer a sacrifice unto the Lord, then he
of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses. shall present the beast before the priest
12 And the priest shall value it, whether it be
good or bad as thou vainest it, who art the priest,*
CHAPTER XXVII. so shall it
:

be.
1 He that maketh a singular vow must be the Lord's. 2 The estima- 13 But if he will at all redeem it,^ then he shall
tion of the person. 8 Of a beast given by vow. 14 Of a house. 16
Of a and the redemption thereof. 28 No devoted thing
field, may be add a fifth part thereof unto thy estimation.
redeemed. 32 The tithe may not be changed. 14 1 And when a man shall sanctify his house
AND SpeakLord spake
2
the unto Moses, saying,
unto the children of Israel, and say
to be holy unto the Lord,'' then the priest shall
estimate it, whether it be good or bad: as the
unto them. When a man shall make a singular priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.'
vow,'' the persons shall be for the Lord by thy esti- 15 And if he that sanctified it will redeem his
mation.'^ house, then he shall add the fitthpart of the money
3 And thy estimation shall be of the male from of thy estimation unto it,^ and it shall be his.
twenty years old even unto sixty years old,'' even 16 And if a man shall sanctify unto the Lord
thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after some part of a field of his possession, then thy esti-
the shekel of the sanctuary.'^ mation shall be according to the seed thereof: a
4 And if it he a female, then thy estimation shall homer* of barley-seed shall be valued at fifty shek-
be thirty shekels. els of silver.
5 And if it be from years old even unto twen-
five 17 If he sanctify his field from the year of jubi-
ty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the lee, according to thy estimation it shall stand.
male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. 18 But if he sanctify his field after the jubilee,
6 And if it be from a month old even unto five then the priest shall reckon unto him the money
years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male according to the years that remain,'' even unto the
five shekels of silver, and for the female thy esti- year of the jubilee, and it shall be abated from thy
mation shall he three shekels of silver. estimation.
7 And if it he from sixty years old and above 19 And if he that sanctified the field will in any
if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen wise redeem it,' then he shall add the fifth part of
shekels, and for the female ten shekels. the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall
8 But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then be assured to him.
he shall present himself before the priest, and the 20 And if he will not redeem the field, or if he
priest shall value him; according to his ability have sold the field to another man, it shall not be
that vowed shall the priest value him.'' redeemed any more.
9 And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an 21 But the field, when it goeth out in the jubi-
ofi'ering unto the Lord, all that any man giveth lee,"" shall be holy unto the Lord, as a field devot-
of such unto the Lord shall be holy. ed;" the possession thereof shall be the priest's."
10 He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good 22 And if a man sanctify unto the Lord a field
a Luke 1:72, 73. b X,u 2; JuJg. 11:30, eic; 1 Sam. 13. 1 Or, the \a.nd of a homer, k ch. 25:15, 16.

5:4, 5. iJ
Num. 13:10. xod. 30:13. ' Lev. 5:7. o ver. 2S. o Num. 18:14; Ezek. 44:29.
thy estimatioHj O priest. er. 15, 19. h Tsa. 101:2 7.

13. God speaks of deliverance from bondage as a bless- service, will end in deliverance from all evil.and the ever-
ing which lays those who receive it under peculiar obli- lasting enjoyment of all needed good.
gations to love and obey him.
24. The reason why God sets himself against individ-
CHAPTER XXVII.
uals or nations, or ever punishes them, is because they 2. Make a singular vow; in thellebrew, setapart a vow;

oppose him, and act in opposition to what he directs, and that is, set apart one's self or any thing belonging to him by
what their good and the great interests of his kingdom a vow, as given to the Lord. Men might thus devote them-
require. selves to Jehovah, or their children, as Hannah did Samuel,
29. The dreadful evils which sin often occasions in this 1 Sam. 1 28, or a portion of their property.
: By a wise reg-
world, are indications of evils still more dreadfid which it ulation they had the right of redeeming themselves, or the
will occasion in the world to come but neither in this ; person or thing vowed, at a certain estimation, as given in
nor the future world will any sinners suffer more or this chapter. The -persons—for the Lord by thy estimation;
greater evils than their iniquities deserve. the persons thus devoted shall belong to the Lord, to be re-
35. Tlie desecration of Sabbaths, or the neglect to ob- deemed at the estimation ordered by Moses in God's name.
serve them according to divine appointment, is highly 9. Shalt he holy; it could not be reclaimed,but must con-
offensive to God and injurious to men. It is treasuring tinue devoted to the object to which it was consecrated,
up wrath against the day of wrath, and exposes both in- provided it was a thing suitable to be offered in sacrifice
dividuals and nations to desolating judgments. to God. If not, then he must pay the value of it, accord-
39. Children often suffer greatly in consequence of the ing to the estimation of the priest, and one fifth part
sins of their parents but not more than their own sins
; more. Ver. 13-15, 19, 27.
deserve, nor more than, if they repent of and forsake 14. Sanctify; set apart, to be devoted to the service of
them, will be overruled for their good. the sanctuary.
45. A deep conviction and hearty confession of the IG. According to the seed; the seed that it would take to
righteousness of God in all the evils he brings upon us. sow the field, or which the field would produce. homer; A
humble submission to his will, and true devotion to his ten ephahs, or a little less than eleven bushels.
167
Of things deroletl, LEVITICUS XXVil, and of tithes.

wliicli lie liatli bought, which is not of tlie fields of hath, both of man and beast, and of the *i.rulJ:
;"
his possession field of his possession, shall be sold or redeem-
23 Then the priest shall reckon unto him the ed : every devoted thing is most holy unto the
worth of liiy estimation,'' ivcn unto tiie year of the LoKIi.'
jubilee: and he shall jrivo thine estimation in that 2'J None devoted, which .shall be devoted of men,
day n* a holy thinu: unto the Loud. shall be redeemed ;•• but shall surely be put to
24 In the year of the Jubilee the field shall return death.
unto him of whom it was bought,*^ even to him to 30 And all the tithe of the land,'' ivhether of the
wliom the jKissession of the land did belong. seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the
25 And all thy estimations shall be according to Loud's: it is holy unto the I>ord.
the sliekel of the sanctuary twenty gcrahs shall : 31 And if a man will at all redeem aught of his
be the shekel. tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.'
20 1\ Only the firstling' of the beasts, which 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of
should l)e the Loiio's firstling,'' no man shall sanc- the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the
tify it, whether it he ox or sheep: it is the Lord's. rod,^ the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.
27 And if it be of an unclean beast, then he shall 33 He shall not search whether it be good or
redeem it aceonling to thine estimation, and shall bad, neither shall he change it:" and if he change
add a fifth part of it thereto or if it be not re- :"^^
it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall
deemed, then it shall bo sold according to thy esti- be holy it shall not be redeemed.
;

mation. 34 These are the commandments,' which the


28 Xotwithstanding, no devoted thing, that a Lord commanded Jloses for the children of Isra-
man shall devote unto the Lord of all that he el™ in mount Sinai."

Gil. 43:45 bver. IS. c ch. •M:4'j. • Hub. Jirxt-born. i Exod. 13:2, Jpr. 33:13; Ezek. 9
. IS:17| Deut. 15:19. ever. 11-13. f Joshui 0:1<). 5 Num. lExod. 19:2,3,25.
:a, 3; 1 Si 15:16-23. b Gen. 23:22; Nnm. 18:41, 24; 4 Chr. 31:5, 6,

25. Twenty geraks; a gerah was about two and a half wisdom and discretion are also needful. Persons some-
cents. times devote themselves or others to services for which
2fi. It w
Lord's; Exod. 13:2, 12-15.
the they are not wanted, or are unfit. In such cases it is bet-
28. Devoted thin^; a thing irrevocably devoted by the ter for them to aid the cause of Christ in some other way.
offorer to God, which could not be redeemed, but must be Their money may be more useful than their personal ser-
applied to the object to which it was devoted. In this vice, or their services more useful in some other employ-
respect it differed from the things previously mentioned, ment than that to which they aspire.
and is expressed in the original by a diflercnt word. 10. Rash promises, and inconstancy in performing such
29. Devoted of men; it is not to be understood that a as are right, should be carefully avoided.
private person could thus devote to destruction a mem- 19. All our possessions belong to the Lord, and should
ber of liis family. The cases mentioned in Scripture are be used in sucli a manner as will please him some part ;

such as that recorded in lumbers 21:2, 3, where the Israel- of them should be devoted especially to the support
ites devoted to destruction a Canaanitisli people that had and extension of his worship. The proportion wliich
made war upon them; or where God himself ordered such should be thus devoted is not now definitively prescribed,
a devotion to be male, as in the case of Jericho and all and the manner in which persons feel, judge, and act in
its jiosaessions. Josh. G: 17-19. the use of property, is one of the prominent indications
31. Tithes; a tenth part of the products of the land, and evidences of their character, and one wdiicli will have
after the first-fruits had been deducted. This the Israel- a momentous influence on their future condition. Matt.
ites were bound to give for the support of the minis- 25 35^6.
:

ters of religion. Ver. 30-33; Num. 18:21-32. Another 25. Strict integrity towards God and men is a duty, the
tenth of what remained was to be brought to Jerusalem desire and conscientious endeavor to practise which, is
and used for offerings and for the support of the worship- essential, in the sight of God, to the character of an honest
pers while there. Deut. 12:5-7; 14:22-29. man.
32. Tlie rod; which had some coloring matter on the 33. An honest man will not retain, or appropriate to his
end, by which one tenth part was marked as a tithe to be own use, wdiat he knows of right belongs to another, in
devoted to the Lord. opposition to the known will of the owner, whether human
or divine but he will be disposed to render to all what
;

INSTRUCTIONS. rightfully belongs to them. It is a great thing to be truly


2. It is good to be ready and zealous in good things,but honest. Mic. 6:8; Matt. 22:21; Luke 16:10-13.

168
; ;;

THE FOURTH BOOK OF MOSES,


CALLED

NUMBERS.
This book receives its name from the two numhcrin^s of tlio Israelites which it records. In it are
found the rules for the order of marching and encamping in the wilderness, with various repetitions of
laws previously recorded, and some new enactments. The book also contains many interesting narra-
tives as the murmuring of Israel at Taberah the sedition of Miriam and Aaron the mission of the
: ; ;

twelve spies, and the consequent rebellion of Israel the rebellion of Korah and his company the sin of
; ;

Moses and Aaron at Zin ; the prophecies of Balaam ; the destruction of the Midianites, etc. The narrative
is brought down to the fortieth year of the sojourn in the wilderness.

i-Ml^ CHAPTER I. 8 Of Issachar Nethaneel the son of Ziiar.


;

1 G-od commandeth Moses to number the people. 5 The princes of the


9 Of Zebulun Eliab the son of Helon.
;

tribes. 17 The number of every tribe. 47 The Levites are exempted 10 Of the children of Joseph of Ephraim :

for the service of the Lord.


Elishama the son of Ammihud of Manasseh Ga- : ;

AND the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilder-


ness of Sinai," in the tabernacle of the con-
maliel the son of Pedahzur.
11 Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
gregation, on the first day of the second month, in 12 Of Dan Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
;

the second year after they were come out of the 13 Of Asher Pagiel the son of Ocran.
;

land of Egypt, saying, 14 Of Gad Eliasaph the son of Deuel.^ ;

2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the 15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enau.
children of Israel," after their families, by the 16 These were the renowned of the congrega-
house of their fathers, with the number of their tion, princes of the tribes of their fathers,' heads
names, every male by their polls of thousands in Israel.'"'
3 From twenty years old and upward, all that 17 1 And Moses and Aaron took these men
are able to go forth to war in Israel thou and which are expressed by their names:'"
:

Aaron shall number them by their armies. 18 And they assembled all the congregation
4 And with you there shall be a man of every together on the first day of the second month, and
tril)G every one head of the house of his fathers." they declared their pedigrees after their families,
;

5 1 And these are the names of the men that by the house of their fathers, according to the
shall stand with you: of the tribe o/" Reuben; Eli- number of the names, from twenty years old and
zur the son of Shedeur." upward, by their polls.'
6 Of Simeon Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
; 19 As the Lord commanded Moses,^ so he num-
7 Of Judah Nahshon* the son of Amminadab.' bered them in the wilderness of Sinai.
:

ch. 7:2; 1 Chr. 27: 16, etc. g Exod. 18:21, 2o. h Rev.
Ch. 10:12; Exod. 19:1. b ch. 20:2, 63; Exod. 30; 12; 2 Sam. 24:2; ed ReKei, cb. 2:14. t

IChr. ai:2. = Exod. 18:23; Josh. 22:14. d oh. 2:10, etc.; 7:.30, etc.; 7:4, etc.; Isi. 43:1 ; John 10:3. iver. 20, e
10:1S, etc. 'Called, A'iKM.TOn, Matt. 1:4; l.uke 3:33. eHuth4:20. t Call-

oversee it simply filling up the vacancies occasioned by


CHAPTER I.
death from those who had in the meanwhile reached the
1. The second month; called Zif; answering to the a"-e of twenty j-ears.
last Hence the sum is in both cases the
part of April and the first part of Jfay. same, namely, six hundred and three thousand five hun-
2. Take ye the sum of all the congregation; the Hebrew dred and fifty. It is to be noticed further, that witli the
civil division was into thousands, hundreds, fifties, and single exception of the tribe of Gad, ver. 25, no divisions
tens, Exod. 18:25 Deut. 1: 15 and this served also as the lower than hundreds are reckoned.
; ;

basis of the military division, 1 Sam. 8:12; 22:7. Tlie 16. Renou-ned of the congregation ; rather, "the called of
present numbering was an enrolment of the men of war in the congregation;" that is, men of standing and influence,
people
regular military array. A numbering had been made of who were regularly called to the assemblies of the
the people a few months before. Esod. 30:11, 12; 38:25, for these assemblies consisted not of the whole
mass of the
26. The tables prepared on that occasion seem to have people, but of certain representatives from each family.
served for the present enrolment, the men appointed to 18. Their pedigrees; the line of their forefathers.
169
; ; ; : ; ; ;

The number in auh tribe NUMBERS I. able to go forth to war.

'20 And flie children of Roubcn, Israel's eldest 34 II Of


the children of JIanasseh, by 'li.*' ;

son, l)y their frenerutions, iil'tcr their fiimilics, l)y their generations, after their families, by the iiou-c
the house of their fathei's, aceordiny: to the nuiii- of their fathers, according to the number of the
bor of the names. In- their polls, every male from names, from twenty years old and upward, all
twenty years old and upward, all that were able that were able to go "forth to war;
to ffo forth to war; 3o Those that were numbered of them, even of
21 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of JIanasseh, were thirty and two thou-
the tribe of R(niben, we7-e forty and six thousand sand and two hundred.
and live hundred. 36 1 Of the children of Benjamin, by their gener-
22 1 Of the children of Simeon, bv their jrcner- ations, after their families, by the house of their
ations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names,
fathers, those that were numbered of them, aecord- from twenty years old and u]nvard, all that were
ini^ to the number of the names, by their polls, able to go "forth to war;
every male from twenty years old and upward, all 37 Those that were numbered of them, even of
that were able to go forth to war the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thou-
23 Those that were numbered of them, even of sand and four hundred.
the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand 38 ^i Of the children of Dan, by their genera-
and tiireo hundred. tions, after their families, by tlie house of their
21 *i Of tiie children of Gad, by their genera- fathers, according to the number of the names,
tions, after their families, by thehouse of their from twenty years old and upward, all that were
fathers, according to the number of the names, able to go forth to war
from twenty years old and upward, all that were 39 Those that were numbered of them, even of
able to go forth to war; the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thou-
25 Those that were numbered of them, even of sand and seven hundred.
the tribe of Gad, were forty and live thousand six 40 1 Of the children of Asher, by their genera-
hundred and fifty. tions, after their families, by the house of their
2G 1 Of the children of Judah, by their genera- fathers, according to the number of the names,
tions, after their families, by the house of their from twenty years old and upward, all that were
fathers, according to the number of the names, able to go forth to war;
from twenty years old and upward, all that were 41 Those that were numbered of them, even of
able to go ibrth to war the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand
27 Those that were numbered of them, even of and five hundred.
the tribe of Judah," were threescore and fourteen 42 IT Of the children of Naphtali, throughout
thousand and six hundred. their generations, after their families, by the house
28 'i Of the children of Issachar, by their gener- of their fathers, according to tlie number of the
ations, after their families, by the house of their names, from twenty years old and upward, all that
fathers, according to the number of the names, were able to go forth to war
from twenty years old and upward, all that were 43 Those that were numbered of them, even of
able to go forth to war the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thou-
29 Those that were numbered of them, even of sand and four hundred.
the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand 44 These are those that were numbered, which
and four hundred. Moses and Aaron numbered," and the princes of
30 T" Of the children of Zebulun, by their gener- Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the
ations, after their families, by tlie house of their house of his fathers.
fathers, according to the number of the names, 45 So were all those that were numbered of the
from twenty years old and upward, all that were children of Israel, by the house of their fathers,
able to go forth to war; from twenty years old and upward, all that were
31 Those that were numbered of them, even of able to go forth to war in Israel
the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand 46 Even all they that were numbered were six
and four hundred. hundred thousand and three thousand and five
32 ^1 Of the children of Joseph," namely, of the hundred and fifty.*
childri'n of Ephraim, by their generations, after 47 1 But the Levites after the tribe of their
their families, by the house of their fathers, accord- fathers were not numbered among them.'
ing to the number of the names, from twenty 48 For the Lord had spoken unto Moses, saying,
years old and upward, all that were able to go 49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi,
forth to war neither take the sum of them among the children
33 Tliose that were numbered of them, even of of Israel
the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five 50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the
hundred. tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels
•2 Chr. 17:14. b Deut. 3:1:17. ch. 26:64. ch. 2:3-2,- 26:51; Exod. e ch. Chion. ch. 6; 21:6.
: <1
12:37; 38:26; Deut. 10:32. 2:33; chs. 3, 4; 1

20-25. Rnihen —
Simeon —Gad; the tribes are grouped in were able to go forth to war in Israel were
45, 46. All that —
threes, according to their encampment, as described in six hundred thousand; the number able for war shows that
the following chapters, these three tribes having their the whole people must have amounted to more than two
place on the south side of the tabernacle. millions.
no
The order of the NUMBERS II. tribes in their tents.

B. c im' thereof, and over all things that belong to 10 IF On the south side shall he the standard of
it:" they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the the camp of Reuben according to their armies:
vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be
and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.'' Elizur the son of Shedeur.
51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, 11 And his host, and those that were numbered
the Levites shall take it down;'' and when the thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hun-
tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set dred.
it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be 12 And those which pitch by him shall be the
put to death. "*
tribe of Simeon and the captain of the children
:

52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishad-
tents, every man by his own camp,'' and every man dai.
by his own standard, throughout their hosts. 13 And his host, and those that were numbered
53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the of them, were fifty and nine thousand and tliree
tabernacle of testimony,' that there be no wrath hundred.
upon the congregation of the children of Israel:''' 14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of
and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tab- the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Rcuel.*
ernacle of testimony.*^ 15 And his host, and those that were numbered
5-1 And the children of Israel did according to of them, were forty and five thousand and six liun-
all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did they. droti and fifty.
16 All that were numbered in the camp of Reu-
CHAPTER
II.
ben were a hundred thousand and fifty and one
thousand and four hundred and fifty, througliout
The order of the tribes in their tents.
their armies and they shall set forth in the :

AND the Lord spake unto Moses and unto second rank.°^
Aaron, saying, 17 1 Then the tabernacle of the congregation
2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in
by his own standard,' with the ensign of their the midst of the camp:" as they encamp, so shall
father's house far oif about* the tabernacle of the they set forward, every man in his place by their
:

congregation shall they pitch.-* standards.


3 And on the east side toward the rising of the 18 IT On the west side shall he the standard of
gun shall they of the standard of the camp of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies:
Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nah- and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall he
shon the son of Amminadab shall he captain of the Elishama the son of Ammihud.
children of Judali." 19 And his host, and those that were numbered
4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, ivere forty thousand and five hundred.
of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand 20 And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh:
and six hundred. and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall
5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall he he Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
the tribe of Issachar and Nethaneel the son of : 21 And his host, and those that were numbered
Zuar shaU be captain of the children of Issachar. of them, were thirty and two thousand and two
6 And his host, and those that were numbered hundred.
thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four 22 Then the tribe of Benjamin : and the captain
hundred. of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of
7 Then the tribe of Zebulun and Eliab the son Gideoni. :

of Helen shall be captain of the children of Zeb- 23 And his host, and those that were numbered
ulun. of them, were thirty and five thousand and four
8 And his host, and those that were numbered hundred.
thereof were fifty and seven thousand and four 24 All that were numbered of the camp of Ephra-
hundred. im ^cere a hundred thousand and eight thousand
9 All tliat were numbered in the camp of Judah and a hundred, throughout their armies: and they
were a hundred thousand and fourscore thousand shall go forward in the third rank."
and six thousand and four hundred, throughout 25 i The standard of the camp of Dan shall be
their armies: these shall first set forth.' on the north side by their armies: and the cap-
Cll. 3-.«. etc.; Exoii. 3^:21. ver. Si. c ch. 10:17-31. J oh. lS:2i against. i Jnsh. 3:4. k ch. 1:7. etc.; 10:14; 1 Chron. 2:10; Matt. 1:4;
1. 2:2; 21:2. 'ver. .W. e ch S:19; 10:46; 1S:5; 1 Sam. C:19. h ch. Luke 3:32, 33. I ch. 10:14. t Called Deuel, ch. 1:14; 7:42, 47; 10:20.
9; :il:30, 47; I Chr. 9.3:32; 1 Chr. l:i:10. i oh. 1:52. • Heb. over moh. 10:i«. n oh. 10: 17, 21. Och. 10:22.

5.'i. Keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony ; guard CHAPTER II.
the tabernacle from the approach of all improper persons,
and thus keep them from the punishment threatened in
ensign ; the standard was that belonging to
2. Standard —
each grand division, embracing three tribes the ensigns :
ver. 51.
are generally understood to have been those of single
INSTRUCTIONS. tribes, perhaps also of the subdivisions of these tribes.
46. From the great increase of the Israelites in their 9. The camp of JudaJi; a division of the main host, con-
bondage, and from their deliverance according to the di- sisting of three tribes, of which Judah was the head.
vine prediction, we have evidence of the faitlifnlness of 111. The camp of Reuben; the division of which this tribe
God, and are encouraged to trust in him for the fulfilment was the head.
of all his promises. 24. Of Ephraim ; of which Ephraim was the head.
m
;:

Number of the people. NUMHEKS III Families of the Leri/es.

tain of tlic cliildron of Dan s/iall be Ahiezcr the


Bon of Annni^liaildai.
2G And his liost, and those tliat were nnnibercd
of tliem, urre threescore and two thousand and
seven hundred.
27 And tliosc that encamp by him shall be the
tribe of Aslior: and tlie captain of the cliildren
of Ashcr s/ia/l be Pairiel tiie son of Ocran.
28 And his host, and tliose that were numbered
of tliem, ivere forty and one thousand and five
liundred.
2!) "I Then the tribe of Naphtali and the cap-
:

tain of tlic children of Xaplitali shall be Ahira the


sou of Enan.
30 And liis host, and those that were numbered
of them, were fifty and three tliousand and four
hundred.
31 All they that were numbered in the camp of
Pan ivcrc a hundred thousand and fifty and seven
tliousand and six hundred: they shall go hind-
most with tlieir standards."
32 H These are tliose which were numbered of
the children of Israel by the house of their fathers
all those that were numbered of the camps through-
out their hosts were six hundred thousand and
three thousand and five hundred and fifty.''
33 15iit the Lcvitcs were not numbered among
tlie children of Israel; as the Lord commanded
Moses.
And the children of Israel did according to
3-1

all that the Lord commanded Moses:'' so they


])itched by their standards,'' and so they set for-
ward, every one after their families, according to
the house of their fathers.

CHAPTER III.
1 The sons of Aaron. 5 The Levites are given to the priests for the
service of the tabernacle, 11 instead of the first-born, 14 The Levites
are nuiiibereJ by their families. 21 The families, number, and charge
of the Gershonites, 27 of the Kohathites, 33 of the Merarites. 38
The place and charge of Moses and Aaron. 40 The first-born are
freed by the Levites. 44 The overplus are redeemed.

THESE also are the generations of Aaron and


Moses, in the day that the Lord spake with
Moses inmount Sinai.
2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron
Nadab the first-born,'' and Abihu, Eleazar, and
Ithamar.
3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the
»Ch. 10:2
:

Thi number of the Lcrites, NUMBERS III. and their several charges.

B.r.'uw: 20 And
the sons of Morari, b)- their fam- families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail
ilies ;
Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle
the Levitcs according to the house of their fathers. northward."
21 Of Gershon wcw the family of the Libnites, 36 And under the custody and charge" of the
and the family of the Shimites: these are the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the taber-
families of the Gershouitcs. nacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof,
22 Those that -were numbered of them, accord- and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof,
ing to the number of all the males, from a month and all that serveth thereto,
old and upward, even those that were numbered of 37 And the pillars of the court round about, and
them were seven thousand and five hundred. their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.""
23 The families of the Gershonites shall pitch 38 If But those that encamp before the taber-
behind the tabernacle westward." nacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle
2-1 And the chief of the house of the father of of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and
the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael. Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the
25 And the charge of the sons of Gershon in sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel;''
the tabernacle of the congregation" shall be the and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to
tabernacle,'' and the tent,** the covering thereof death."'
and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of 39 All that were numbered of the Levites, which
the congregation, Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment
26 And the hangings of the court," and the cur- of the Lord, throughout their families, all the
tain for the door of the court, which is by the males from a month old and upward, were twenty
tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the and two thousand.^
cords of it/ for all the service thereof. 40 IT And the Lord said unto Moses, Number all
27 1 And of Kohath rvas the family of the Am- the first-born of the males of the children of Israel
ramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the from a month old and upward, and take the num-
family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uz- ber of their names.'
zielites:*^ these are the families of the Kohathitcs. 41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am
28 In the number of all the males, from a month the Lord) instead of all the first-born among the
old and upward, vjere eight thousand and six hun- cliildren of Israel and the cattle of the Levites
:

dred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary. instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the
29 The families of the sons of Kohath shall children of Israel."
pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward." 42 And Moses numbered, as the Lord commanded
30 And the chief of the house of the father of him, all the first-born among the children of Israel.
the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan 43 And all the first-born males by the number
the son of Uzziel. of names, from a month old and upward, of those
31 And their charge' shall be the ark,' and the that were numbered of them, were twenty and
table,'' and the candlestick, and the altars,' and the two thousand two hundred and threescore and
vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, thirteen.
and the hanging,'" and all the service thereof. 44 lAnd the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall 45 Take the Levites instead of all the first-born
be chief over the chief of the Lcvites, and have the among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the
oversight of them that keep the charge of the Levites instead of their cattle;^' and the Levites
sanctuary. shall be mine: I am the Lord.
33 1 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, 46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the
and the family of the Mushites:" these are the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the
families of Merari. first-boru of the children of Israel,'' which are
34 And those that were numbered of them, accord- more than the Levites;''
ing to the number of all the males, from a month old 47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by
and upward, were six thousand and two hundred. the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt
3-5 And the chief of the house of the father of the thou take them;" (the shekel is twenty gerahs:^)
1 Ch. 1:53. b ch. 4:24-'20. = Exod. ao:9. d Exod. 2G:I, etc. e Exod. q ver. 7, 8. ' ver. 10. ' ch. 20:62. 1
'

27:0, etc. ' Exod. 3.5:18. S 1 Chron. 20:3). t ch. 1:.5:3. oh. 4:15. i» ch. 18:15; Exod. 13:13. « ver. 30-43.
j Exod. 25:10. k Exod. 25:2.3, 31. 1 Exod. 27:1; 30:1. m Exod. 28:32. 30:13; Lev. 27:25; Ezek. 45:12.
o 1 Chr. 6:10. o ch. 1:53. • Heb. the offi'e of the charge. P ch. 4:31, 32.

25. The charge of the sons of Gershon; tlie things com- 43. All the first-born males; that is, since the destruction
mitted to their particular care. of the first-born in Egypt as the smallness of the number,
;

31. T/ie hanging; the veil that hung immediately before in comparison with the sum of the whole congregation,
the ark, and separated the inner from the outer sanctuary. shows. It was from that event that the first-born were
Exod. 2G: 31-33. to be reckoned as devoted to God.
39. Twenty and tivo thousand; the sum of the Gershon- 47. Five shekels ; about two dollars and a half.
ites, Kohathites, and Meraritcs, as separately given
above, ver. 22, 28, 34, amounts to twenty-two tliousand INSTRUCTIONS.
three hundred. It is supposed that from these Moses 12. The ministers of religion should be in a peculiar
deducted the first-born, amounting to three hundred, who, sense devoted to God not entangling themselves with
;

as already devoted to God, could not be taken in ex- the affairs of this life, but employing their time and tal-
change for an equal number of first-born from the other ents in the discharge of the appropriate duties of their
tribes. office.
n3
:

The asc and time NUMBERS IV. of the Leriles' scrriu.

48 And lliou shalt pivc Uic money, whorcwitli


odd niunbor of tlicin
tlic is to be redeemed, uuto

Aaron luid to his sons.


4!) And Closes tooic tlie redemption-money of

tlicni that wiTC over and above tliem that were


by the Lovitcs:
rcilt't'ini'd
.')()the lirst-boni of the cliildren of Israel
Of
liiok he the money a tiiousand three hundred and
;

threescore and live s/iekels, after the shekel of the


:''
sanctuary
51 And Moses gave the money of them that were
redeemed uuto Aaron and to his sons,'' according
to the word of the Lord, as the Loud commaudcd
Moses.'

CHAPTER IV.
1 The age and time of the Levites' service. 4 The carriage of the
Kohathitcs, when the priests have taken down the tabernacle. 16
The charge of Eleazar. 17 The office of the priests. 21 The car-
riajje of tlie Gershonites. 29 Tlie carriage of the Merarites. 34 The
number of the Kohathites, 38 of the G-ershonites, 42 and of the Me-
rarites.

AND
Aaron,
the Lord spake unto Moses and unto
saying,
2 Take the sura of the sons of Kohath from
among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the
house of their fathers,
3 From thirty years old and upward even until
fifty years old,'' all that enter into the host, to do
the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
4 This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath
in the taljeruacle of the congregation,' about the
most holy things.'
5 1" And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron
shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down
the covering veil,^ and cover the ark of testimony
with it:"
6 And shall put thereon the covering of badg-
ers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly
of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.'
7 And upon the table of show-breadJ they shall
spread a cloth of blue," and put thereon the dishes,
and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover*
withal and the continual bread shall be thereon
:

8 And they shall spread upon them a cloth of


scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of
badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.
" Ver. 40
; ; :

Charge of tlie. Gershonitcs, NUMBERS IV. Mcrarites, and Kohat kites.

kciiit: 20 But they shall not go in to see when 84 1 And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the
the holy thinizs are covered," lest they die. congregatiou numbered the sons of the Kohathites
211 And tiie Lord spake unto Moses, saying, after their families, and after the house of their
22 Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, fatJiers,
througliout the houses of their fathers, by their 35 From
thirty years old and upward even unto
families fiftyyears old, every one that entereth into the
23 From thirty years old and upward until fifty service, for the work in the tabei'nacle of the con-
years old shalt thou number them;'' all that cuter gregation:'"
in to perform the service,* to do the work in the 36 And those that were numbered of them by
tabernacle of the congregation. their families were two thousand seven hundred
2i This is the service of the families of the Ger- and fifty.

shonitcs, to serve, and for burdens:^ 37 These were they that were numbered of the
25 And they shall bear the curtains of the tab- families of the Kohathites, all that might do ser-
ernacle,'' and the tabernacle of the congregation, vice in the tabernacle of the congregation, which
his covering, and the covering of the badgers' Moses and Aaron did number according to the
skins that is above upon it,'' and the hanging for commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, 38 And those that were numbered of the sons
26 And the hangings of the court,'' and the hang- of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the
ing for the door of the gate of the court, which is house of their fathers,
by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, 39 From thirty years old and upward even unto
and their cords,"^ and all the instruments of their fifty years old, every one that entereth into the
service, and all that is made for them: so shall service, for the work in the tabernacle of the con-
they serve. gregation,
27 At the appointment* of Aaron and his sons 40 Even those that were numbered of them,
shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershon- throughout their families, by the house of their
ites, in all their burdens, and in all their service fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and
and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their thirty.
burdens. 41 These are they that were numbered of the
28 This is the service of the families of the sons families of the sons of Gershon," of all that might
of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation do service in the tabernacle of the congregation,
and their charge shall be under the hand of Itha- whom Moses and Aaron
did number according to
mar the son of Aaron the priest.^ the commandment of the Lord.
29 1 As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt num- 42 1 And those that were numbered of the fam-
ber them after their families, by the house of their ilies of the sons of Merari, throughout their fam-
fathers ilies, by the house of their fathers,
30 From thirty years old and upward even unto 43 From thirty years old and upward even unto
fifty years old shalt thou number them,'' evci-y one fifty years old, every one that entereth into the
that entereth into the service,^ to do the work of service, for the work in the tabernacle of the con-
the tabernacle of the congregation. gregation,
31 And this is the charge of their burden, ac- 44 Even those that were numbered of them after
cording to all their service in the tabernacle of their families, were three thousand and two hundred.
the congregatiou the boards of the tabernacle,
;
' 45 These be those that were numbered of the
and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and
sockets thereof,-" Aaron numbered according to the word of the
32 And the pillars of the court round about, Lord by the hand of Moses."
and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, 46 All those that were numbered of the Levites,
with all their instruments,'' and with all their ser- whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel
vice and by name ye shall reckon the instruments numbered, after their families, and after the house
:

of the charge of tlieir burden. of their fathers,


33 This is the service of the families of the sons 47 From thirty years old and upward even unto
of Mcirari, according to all their service, in the fifty years old,'' every one that came to do the ser-
tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of vice of the ministry, and the service of the burden
Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest' in the tabernacle of the congregation,''
» Exod. 19:-2l; Lev. 10:2; 1 Sam. 6:19. § Heb. warfare; vei ch. 3:36, .37. J Exod. 26: lo k Exod. 25:9.
fare; 1 Cor. 9:7; 1 Tim. 1:18. t Or, carri ch. 3:25, 26. d Exod. I ver. 23; Josh. 3:6. ver. 3, 23,30;
iiiH. e Exod. 37:9. 'Exod. 35:18. > Heb. 7nouth. 1 Chr. 2;l:3, 27. q Rom. 12:6-S; 1 Ci

32. By name ye sitall reckon tlte instruments —


of tlieir bur- INSTRUCTIONS.
den; keep an exact inventory of them. This was espec- 3. Jluturity of body and mind, and thorough prepara-
ially necessary in respect to the pins, cords, and sockets, proper discharge of the duties of
tion, are nc-edful to the
which were very numerous, and needed to be carefully the ministry and none unprepared or uncalled should
;

counted upon each removal. assume the responsibilities of the sacred office. 1 Tim.
47. Service of the ministry; all the other labor belonging 3:6.
to the charge of the Merarites distinct from that of bear- 15. Sacred things should be treated with reverence,
ing the burdens. As their service included the heaviest and we should not attempt to reveal or discover what
articles, four wagons were assigned to them, while the God ilcsigned to conceal.
Gershonites had but two. Chap. 7:7, 8. 19. We should use all suitable means to prevent others
; :

Stparatinff the unclean. NUMBERS V. T/ie trial of jealousy.

48 Even those lliat wore nunihcred of thorn, were


eight thousaiul and five hundred and fourscore.
49 Accordiiiu; to the conimandmcnt of the Lord
they were minihored l)y the liand of JFoses, every
one accordiiii,'' to his service, and according to his
burden:" thus were they numbered of him, as the
Lord commanded Moses.''

CHAPTER V.
1 The unclean are removed out of the camp. 5 Restitution is to be
made for trespasses. 11 The trial of jealousy.

AND Command
Lord spake unto
2
the Moses, saying,
the children of Israel that they
put out of the camp every lepcr,'= and every one
that hath an issue,'' and whosoever is defiled by
tiie dead:"
3 Both male and female shall ye put out, with-
out the camp shall ye put them/ that they defile
not tlieir camps, in the midst whereof I dwell."
•i And tlie children of Israel did so, and put
them out without the camp: as the Lord spalvc
unto Moses, so did the children of Israel.
5 "; And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man
or woman shall commit any sin that men commit,
to do a trespass against tlie Lord," and that per-
son be guilty
7 Then they shall confess their sin which they
have done :
and he shall recompense his trespass
'

with the principal thereof,J and add unto it the


fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against
whom lie hath trespassed.
8 But if the man have no kinsman to recompense
the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed
unto the Lord, even to the priest; beside the ram
of tlie atonement, whereby an atonement shall be
made for him.
9 And every offering* of all the holy things of
the children of Israel, which they bring unto the
priest, shall be his."
And every man's hallowed things shall be his
10
whatsoever any man giveth the priest, it shall be
his.
: : ; :

The law of jealousies. NUMBERS V.I. The vow of Nazariteship.

B." imI)* 22 And this water that cause th the curse CHAPTER VI.
shall go into thy bowels,-' to make thy belly to
The law of the Nazarites. 22 The form of blessing the people.
swell, and thy thigh to rot. And the woman shall
I

say. Amen, amen.''


23 And the priest shall write tliese curses in a
AND
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say
book, and he shall blot tlmji out with the bitter unto them. When either man or woman shall sep-
water arate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite,' to
24 And he shall cause the woman to drink the separate fhemseli'es unto the Lord;'
bitter water that causeth the curse and the water : 3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong
that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and drink,J and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vin-
become bitter. egar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any
25 Then tlie priest shall take the jealousy-offer- liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
ing out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the 4 All the days of his separation* shall he eat
offering before the Lord,'^ and offer it upon the nothing that is made of tlie vine-tree,* from the
altar kernels even to the husk.
26 And the priest shall take a handful of the 5 All the days of the vow of his separation there
offering, even the memorial thereof,'' and burn it shall no razor come upon his head :'' until the days
upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto
woman to drink the water. the Lord, he shall be holy, arid shall let the locks
27 And when he hath made her to drink the of the hair of his head grow.
water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be 6 All the days that he separateth himself unto
defiled, and have done trespass against her hus- the Lord he shall come at no dead liody.'
band, that tlie water that causeth the curse shall 7 He shall not make himself unclean for his
enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for
shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the wom- his sister, when they die: because the consecra-
an shall be a curse among her people.'' tion^ of his God is upon his head.
28 And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean 8 All the days of his separation he is holy unto
;

then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.'' the Lord.™
29 This is the law of jealousies, when a wife 9 And if any man die very suddenly by him, and
goeth aside to another instead of her husband,"^ and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then
is defiled he shall shave his head in the day of his cleans-
30 Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon ing,'' on the seventh day shall he shave it.
him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set 10 And on the eighth day he shall bring two
the woman before tlie Lord, and the priest shall turtles," or two young pigeons, to the priest, to
execute upon her all this law. the door of the tabernacle of the congregation
31 Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, II And the priest shall ofler the one for a sin-
and this woman shall bear her iniquity.'' offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, and

»Psi. 1(W:IS. bDeut. 27:15. = Lev. 8:27. dLev. 2:2. 9. e Dent. 2-::37 rites/lip. i Heh. vine of Ike wine, k Judg. 16:17, 19 ; 1 Sam. 1 :11. I ch.
Ui. 6S:15; Jer. 24:9; 29:1S. 22; 42:1S; Zeeh. 8:13. f Psa. 113:U. 5 vsr 9:6; 19:11, 10; Lev. 21:1, 2, 11. S Heb. separation. •" 2 Cor. 6:17, 13.
19; Isi. 57:8. Ii Lev. 20: 17-2U. Or, make themselves Kazarites. i Judg iActsl8:l8. oLev.5:7; 14:22; 15:14,29.
13:3; Acts 21;ffl, 24. j Jer. 3o;G-S; Amos 2:12; Luke 1 :15. t Or, A'asa

22. Amen; he it so. holy, the curses of God will sooner or later overwhelm
23. In a book; on parchment, or on something from them.
which it could be washed off. Shall blot them out with the 31.Satan tries hard to promote domestic jealousy, be-
hitter water; the original Hebrew implies that he does this cause it tends to destroy family peace, religion, and use-
by dipping the writing into the water, and thus symboli- fulness; all should therefore avoid occasions of producing
cally infusing the curse into it, that she may drink it down it, and withstand all temptations to indulge it. If any
with the water. Compare Psa. 109:18. are unjustly suspected, they should in calmness, patience,
28. She shall be free; from all harm. and well-doing, commit themselves to the disposal of
God, and in due time he will remove suspicions, or over-
INSTRUCTIONS. rule them for the advancement of his glory and the good
of his kingdom.
3. As Jehovah and requires men to be holy, all
is holy,
causes of mental and moral defilement, and especially
whatever tends to increase and extend it, should be care-
CHAPTER VI.
fully avoided. 2. A
Nazarite; the Nazarite was one specially conse-
7. Unjustly to obtain or keep possession of another's crated to God by his parents or himself, and that either
property, is a sin which (Jod abhors. No professed re- for life or for a limited term. See note to Lev. 27 2. In :

pentance, which does not lead a man who is conscious of this chapter the case of those only whose Nazariteship
this sin to forsake it, and, if in his power, make restitu- continued for a limited time is considered.
tion, will deliver him from divine wrath. 4. Eat nothing that is made of the vine-tree; this was a
13. Adulterers and adulteresses are highly criminal, and symbol of sobriety, and of abstinence from all the intoxi-
exposed to the vengeance of God. Though their crime cating pleasures of sin.
may be known only to him and themselves, he will reveal 7. He shall not make himself unclean ; by approaching the
it— if not in this world, in the world to come and will — dead body. The Jews add that he was required to ab-
visit them with his terrible indignation. stain from tlie customary signs of mourning, as in the
27. The diseases which the licentious often suffer, and case of the high-priest. This and all the other regula-
with which they infect and torment each other, are a tions were designed to impress upon his mind the sacred-
manifestation of divine wrath against their sin, and a ness of his peculiar relation to God, and the deadness to
warning that, unless they repent and become pure and worldlv jovs and sorrows demanded bv it.
"
12 177
: : ; :

The law of the Xazariles. NUMBERS VII. T/ic form of blessing.

make an atonement for him, for that he sinned hj-


the lioad, and shall hallow his head that same day. he must do after the law of his separation.
12 Ami he shall consecrate unto the JjOitn the 22 11 And the Loud s])ake unto Moses, saying,
davs of his separation, and shall bring a lainh of 23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying.
the tirstyear for a trespass-offerinfr:" but the days On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel,"

that were before siiall be lost,' because his separa- saying unto them,
tion was dotiled. 21 The Lord bless thee,' and keep thee:""

13 1 And tins is the law of tlie Nazarite: when 25 The Lord make his face shine ujion thee," and
the davs of his separation arc fullilled,'' lie shall be gracious unto t1iee:°
be brouirlit unto the door of the tabernacle of the 2G 'J'he Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,"
conjrrejration and give thee ]ieacc.''
l-i And he shall offer his ofTerinGf nnto the Lord, 27 And they shall put my name upon tlie chil-
one ho-ianib of the lirst year without bleinisii for dren of Israel,' and I will bless them."
a l)urut-off(M'itig, and one ewe-lanib of the first year
witliout blemish for a sin-oficrinir.'^ and one ram
witliout blemish for peace-offerings,''
CHAPTER VII.
1 Tlie offering of princes at the dedication of the Uibernacle.
tlie 10
lo And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of Their several offering at the dedication of the altar. S9 God speak-
fine flour mingled with oil,'' and wafers of unleav- eth to Moses from the mercy-seat.

ened bread anointed with oil,'^ and their meat-


offering, and their drink-offerings.'^
ANDhad it came on the day that Moses
to pass
the tabernacle,' and had
fully set iij)

16 And the priest shall bring them before the anointed it," and sanctified it, and all the instru-
Lord, and shall offer his sin-offering, and his ments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels
burnt-offering: thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified
17 And he shall offer the ram /or a sacrifice of them
peace-offerings unto the Lord, with the basket of 2 That the princes of Israel,'' heads of the house
unleavened liread the priest shall offer also his of their fathers, who irere the princes of the tribes,
:

meat-offering, and his drink-offering. and were* over them that were numbered, offered
18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his 3 And they brought their offering before the
separation at the door of the tabernacle of the Lord, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a
congregation,'' and shall take the hair of the head wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an
of his separation, and put it in the fire which is ox and they brought them before the tabernacle.
:

under the sacrifice of the peace-oflcrings. 4 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
19 And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder 5 Take it of them, that they may be to do the
of the ram,' and one unleavened cake out of the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and ;

basket.^ and one unleavened wafer, and shall put thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every
them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair man according to his service.
of his separation is shaven 6 And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and
20 And the priest shall wave them ybr a wave- gave them unto the Levites.
offering before the Lord: this is holy for the 7 Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the
priest, with the wave-breast and heave-shoulder: sons of Gershon, according to their service:"
and after that the Nazarite may drink wine. 8 And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto
21 This is the law of the Nazarite who hath the sons of Merari,'' according unto their service,
vowed, and of his offering unto the Lord for his under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the
separation, besides that, that his hand shall get: priest.
»Lev.5:6. • lUb. fall. bActs21:20. = Lev. 4:3, 28, 32; Mai. 1: 13, 14; 33:19; Mai. 1:9. V Psa. 4:6; b9:15. q Psa, 29:11; Isa. 26:3. 12; Jolin
I 1;19. • Lev. 3:0. e Lev. 2:4. ' Exod. 20:2. e ch. 15:5, 7, 10.
I'et. 14:27; Phil. 4:7; 2 Thess. 3:16. r Dem. 28:10; 2 Chr. 7:14; Isa. 43:7;
!>Acls2I:2l. i 1 Sara. 2:15. i Exod. 29:23-M. k Lev. 9:22; Deut. 10:S; Dan. 9:18, 19. • ch. 23:20; Gen. 12:2,3; Psa. 5:12; 67:7; 115:12, 13; Acts
21:5; Jojh. 8:33; 1 Chr. 2:1:13. I Psa. 134:3. "> Psa. 121:7; John 17:11. 3:26; Eph. 1:3. I Exod. 40:18. u Lev. 8:10, 11. vch. 1:4. etc. t Heb.
» Psa. 31:16; 67:1; 80:3, 7, I'J; 119:1.35; Dan. 9:17. » Gen. 43:29; Exod. who stood, "ch. 4:24-28. xch. 4:29-33.

12. Days —
shall be lost; they would not be counted as a INSTRUCTIONS.
part of tne time of his Nazariteship, but lie must begin 8. Holiness to the Lord is the badge of his people, and
again. should ever be their peculiar characteristic. They should
14. His offering; tliese offerings were an aclcnowledg- abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,
ment that in liis best services lie needed tlie efficacy of moderate their desires for earthly things, place their
atoning blood and of the purifying Spirit, and also tokens affections on things above, and regulate all their acts by
of gratitude for the goodness of God. the will of God.
15. Meat-offering —
drink-offerings ; those accompanying 20. We are always exposed in this world to moral defile-
the sacrifices mentioned in the preceding verse. See ment, and in our best services need the application of the
chap. 15:3-10. blood of Christ and the purifying influences of his Spirit, in
19. Sodden shoulder ; the boiled shoulder, which was the order that our offerings may be acceptable in his sight.
left shoulder, the right with the wave-breast having been 27. The blessing of Jehovah, in the love of the Father,
given to the priest by a general law. Lev. 7:32, 33. the grace of the Son, and the communion of the Holy
21. That his hand shall get ; such freewill-offerings as he trhost, bestowed upon his believing, obedient people, will
shall be able to make. make them all for ever truly and perfectly blessed.
2-4-26. This threefold divine benediction is supposed
by many interpreters to contain an intimation of the Trin- CHAPTER VII.
ity in the godhead. 2. chap. 1:16.
77(e pi-mccs o/"/srae/,-
27. Put my name; call Israel by my name, and teach 3. Their offering; these were voluntary offerings in ad-

them to obey me as my peculiar people. dition to those which were commanded.


ITH
' : : :: :
:: : :: : :::

Offerings of the princes at NUMBERS VII. the dedication of the altar

B cuai 9 But unto tlie sons of Kohath he gave 30 1 On


the fourth day Elizur tlie son of Shc-
none because the service of the sanctuary belong-
: deur,"" prince of the children of Reuben, did offir:
ing unto them was that they should bear upon 81 His offering icas one silver charger of^the
their shoulders." weight of a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver
10 1 And the princes offered for dedicating of bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the
the altar in the day that it was anointed," even the sanctuary ;" both of them full of fine flour mingled
princes offered tiieir offering before the altar. with oil for a meat-offering:
11 And tlie Lord said unto Moses, They shall 32 One golden spoon often shekels,fu\] of incense
offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the 33 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the
dedicating of the altar. first year, for a burnt-ofi'ering
12 1 And he that offered his offering the first 34 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering
day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab,'^ of the 35 And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two
tribe of Judah oxen, five rams, five hegoats, five lambs of the
13 And his offering was one silver cliarger, the first year this was the offering of Elizur the son
:

weight whereof ?tias a liundrcd and thirty shekels, of Shedeur.


one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel 36 1 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zuri-
of the sanctuary;'' both of them luere full of fine shaddai," prince of the children of Simeon, did offer:
flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering:'^ 37 His offering icas one silver charger, the weight
14 One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of whereof was a hundred and tliirty shekels, one
incense :
silverbowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of
15 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the the sanctuary ;P both of them full of fine flour
first year, for a burnt-offering:' mingled with oil for a meat-oficring:
16 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:" 38 One golden spoon of ten she kels,^n\l of incense:
17 And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings,' two 39 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the
oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year, for a burnt-offering
first year: this ims the offering of Nahshon the 40 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
son of Annninadab. 41 And for a .sacrifice of peace-offerings, two
18 1 On the second day Netlianeel the son of oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the
Zuar,^ prince of Issacliar, did offer: first year this ivas the offering of Shelumiel the
:

19 He offered /"or his offering one silver charger,'' son of Zurishaddai.


the weight whereof was a hundred and thirty shek- 42 1 On the sixth day Eliasaph the son of
els, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the Deuel,*' prince of the children of Gad, offered:
shekel of the sanctuary both of them full of fine
; 43 His offering was one silver charger of the
flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering. weight of a hundred and thirty shekels, a silver
20 One spoon of gold often shekels, fuM of incense bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the
21 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the sanctuary ; both of them full of fine flour mingled
first year, for a burnt-offering with oil for a meat-ofl'cring
22 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering 44 One golden spoon of ten shckels,fu\\ of incense
23 And for a sacrifice of peace-oflerings, two oxen, 45 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the
five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year first year, for a burut-ofl'ering
this v-as the offering of Netlianeel the son of Zuar. 46 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
24 1 On tlie tliird day Eliab the son of Helen,' 47 And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two
prince of the children of Zebulun, did offer: oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the
2.5 His offering icas one silver charger, the weight first year this was the offering of Eliasaph the
:

whereof was a hundred and tliirty shekels, one silver son of Deuel.
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the 48 1 On the seventh day Elishama the son of
sanctuary both of them full of fine flour mingled
;
Ammihud,^ prince of the children of Ephraim,
with oil for a meat-offering: offered:
2G One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense 49 His offering was one silver charger, the weight
27 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver
first year, for a burnt-offering: bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the
28 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering sanctuary both of them full of fine flour mingled
;
'

29 And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two with oil for a meat-oficring:


oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the 50 One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense
first year this was the offering of Eliab the son
: 51 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the
of Helon. first year, for a burnt-offering:

b Dcut. 20; >> ch. 1:5; 2:10. n ver. 13, etc. och. 1:6;
» Ch. 4:4-15. S 1 Kings 8:63; 2 Chron. 7:5,9; Ezra 6:10;
I kver. 13, etc. ch. 1:9; 2:7.
Neh. 12:27; Psa. 3U, title, c ch. 1:7; 2:.'}. <i Exod. 30:13. e Lev. 2:1. 212 P ver. 13. etc. • Called R«i«;, ch. 2: 14. <1 ch. 1 :14 ; 2:14. f vcr.
f Exod. 30:34. eLev. 1:2, 3. l> Lev. 4:43. i Lev. 3:1. ich.l:a;2:5. 13, etc. »ch. 1:10; 2:1?. l ver. 13, etc.

Bear upon their shoidders; the ark and tlie sacred


9. 13. His offering was one silver charger ; the word in the
things -wliii;!! they were to carry. Chap. 3:31. original denotes a deep dish or bowl. Its weight shows
prince on his day; by this orderly arrangement
11. Eacli it to have been of a large size. A
hundred and thirty
increased solemnity was given to the transaction, and the shekels; nearly five and a half pounds. Exod. 38:24. One
great truth that God notices and re^wards the gifts of his silver bowl; a sacrificial bowl for receiving the blood of
servants individually was taught in a very forcible way. the victims.
119
< :: : :: : : : : : :
:
:

Offerings of the princes at NUMBERS VII. the dedication of the al/ar.

52 One kid of the poats for a sin-offering: whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, ar u'.'
5',\ And for a Faerifico of peace-offerings, two one silver bowl of seventy sliokels, after the shekel
oxen, five rams, live lic-jroats, five lambs of the of the sanctuary;'' botii of thcni full of fine flour
first year: this vas the offering of Elishama the mingled with oil for a meat-offering:
son of Amiiiihud. 74 One golden spoon of ten .y//^7ie/i-, full of incense:
!')4 ; On the eiglith day offered Gamaliel the son 75 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the
of Pedali/ur," i)rince of ll\e children of Manasseh first year, for a burnt-oflering:

5.1 His offering teas one silver charger of the 76 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering:
weight of a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver 77 And forasacrificcof peaee-oflerings,twooxcn,
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the first year
sanctuary ;" both of tlicni full of fine flour mingled this was the oficring of Pagiel the son of Ocran.
with oil for a meat-offering: 78 H On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan,'
;JG One golden spoon of ten *Ac/iT/.?,full of incense prince of tlio children of Xaphtali, offered:
57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the 79 His offering was one silver charger, the weight
first year, for a burnt-offering: whereof was a hundred and tliirty shekels, one silver
58 One kid of tlie goats for a sin-offering: bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the
59 And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two sanctuary ;' botli of them full of fine flour mingled
oxen, five rams, five hc-goats, five lambs of the with oil for a meat-offering
first year this was the offering of Gamaliel the
: SO One golden spoon often shekels, full of incense
son of Pedahzur. 81 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the
60 H On the ninth dayAbidan thesonof Gideoni,"^ first year, for a burnt-offering
prince of the children of Benjamin, offered: 82 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering
61 His offering was one silver cliarger the weight 83 And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two
,

whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of tlie first year this was the offering of Ahira the son
:

sanctuary ;'' both of them full of fine flour mingled of Enan.


with oil for a meat-offering: 84 This was the dedication of the altar, in the
62 One golden spoon of ten sAtfe/*, full of incense: day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel
63 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls,
first year, for a burnt-offering twelve spoons of gold
64 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering: 85 Each charger of silver weighing a hundred
65 And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the
oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the silver vessels weighed two tliousand and four hun-
fii'st year this was the offering of Abidan the son dred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary
:

of Gideoni. 86 The golden spoons were twelve, full of in-


66 ^ On the tenth day Ahiezcr the son of Am- cense, weighing ten shekels aj^iece, after the shekel
mishaddai,'' prince of tlie children of Dan, offered: of the sanctuary all the gold of the spoons was
:

67 His offering was one silver charger, the weight a hundred and twenty shekels.
whereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver 87 All the oxen for the burnt-offering were twelve
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first
sanctuary both of them full of fine flour mingled year twelve, with their meat-offering: and the
;
'

with oil for a meat-offering: kids of the goats for sin-offering twelve.
68 One golden spoon of ten sJiekels, full of incense 88 And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace-
69 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams
first year, for a burnt-offering sixty, the he-goats sixty, the lambs of the first
70 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar,
71 And for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two after that it was anointed."
oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five lambs of the 89 And when Moses was gone into the taber-
first year this was the offering of Ahiezer the son nacle of the congregation to speak with him,''
:

of Ammishaddai. then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him


72 1 On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of from off the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of
Ocran,*^ prince of the children of Asher, offered: testimony," from between the two cherubim and :

73 His offering was one silver charger, the weight he spake unto him.
aCh. 1:10; Si-JO. b, 1:22. i ver. 1 .1. 'ThatiSjeorf. Ich. 12:8; Eiod.a'):9,]l.
:I2; 2:25. r ver. 13, ver. 13, etc.

89. Him ; God, to whom the altar and tabernacle had laborious services God will provide for them, that as their
;

been dedicated. The voice of one; Exod. 25:22. duties are, their strength and all needful mercies may be.
11. Jehovah would have all things, especially with re-
INSTRUCTIONS. gard to his worship, conducted with propriety, and in
2. Those who are truly devoted to God, and thankful .such a way that the personal responsibility of each wor-
for his mercies, will not be satisfied with doing merely shipper shall be made manifest, and thus the greatest
what is specifically commanded, but will make voluntary blessing upon the whole be secured.
offerings of time, talents, and property, from love to him 13. They whom God has blessed with wealth, or ele-
and his cause, and to promote his glory and the good of vated to stations of honor and influence, should esteem it
their fellow-men. not only their duty but their privilege to be examples of
5. None need be discouraged when called to great and liberality in his service.
180
:

Lighting of the lamps. NUMBERS VIII. Consecration nf the Levitts.

5.^S" CHAPTER VIII. 14 Thus shalt thou separate tlie Levites from

1 How the lamps are to be liglited. 5 The consecration of the Levite-s.


among the children of Israel:' and the Levites
•J3 The age and time of their service. siiall be mine.'"
AND SpeakLord spake
2 Aaron,
unto
the unto Moses, sa3-ing,
and say unto him,
15 And
after that shall the Levites go in to do
the service of the tabernacle of the congregation
When thou lightest the lamps," the seven lamps and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an
shall give light over against the candlestick. ofiTering."
3 And Aaron did so lie lighted the lamps thereof
; 16 For tliey are wholly given unto me from
over against the candlestick, as the Lord com- among the cliildren of Israel ; instead of such as
manded Moses. open every womb, cve7i instead of tlie first-born of
4 And this -n'ork of the candlestick was of beaten all the children of I:<rael, have I taken them
gold " unto the pliaft thereof, unto tlie flowers
;
unto me."
thereof, ivas beaten work;" according unto the 17 For all the first-born of the children of Israel
pattern which the Lord had showed Moses,* so he are mine, both man and lieast:^ on the day that I
made the candlestick. smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I
5 1[ And
tlie Lord spake imto Moses, saying, sanctified them for myself.
6 the Levites from among the children of
Take 18 And I have taken the Levites for all the
Israel, and cleanse them. first-born of the children of Israel.
7 And thus shalt thou do unto tlicm, to cleanse 19 And have given the Levites as a gift' to
I
them Sprinkle water of purifying upon them,'^ and
: Aaron and from among the children of
to his sons
let them shave* all their flesli, and let them wash Israel,'' to do the service of the children of Israel
their clothes, and so make themselves clean.'' in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make
8 Then let them take a young bullock with his an atonement for the children of Israel that there :

meat-oSering," even fine flour mingled with oil, and be no plague among thechildrenof Israel,"^ when the
another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin- come nigh unto the sanctuary.children of Israel
offering. 20 And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congre-
9 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the gation of the children of Israel, did to the Levites
tabernacle of the congregation:'' and tliou shalt according unto all that the Lord commanded
gather the whole assembly of the children of Moses concerning the Levites, so did the children
Israel together.' of Israel unto them.
10 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the 21 And the Levites were purified, and they
Lord and the children of Israel shall put their washed their clothes;^ and Aaron oftcred them as
:

hands upon the Levites:-' an offering before the Lord and Aaron made i*^

11 And Aaron shall ofler* tlie Levites before the an atonement for them to cleanse them.
LoRD^ybr an offering' of the children of Israel, 22 And after that went the Levites in to do their
that tliey may execute'' the service of the Lord. service in the tabernacle of the congregation be-
12 And the Levites shall lay their hands upon fore Aaron, and before his sons:" as the Lord
the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer had commanded Moses concerning the Levites,^' so
the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a did they unto them.
burnt-off"ering, unto the Lord, to make an atone- 23 II And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
ment for the Levites. 24 This is it that belongrth unto the Levites from :

13 And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, twenty and five years old and upward they shall
and before his sons, and offer them ybr an oflfei'ing go in to wait upon the "'
service^ of the tabernacle
:

imto the Lord. of the congregation

aExod. 25:37; 40:ao. b Exod. 25;31. c Exod. 2j:18. dExod. 25:40. cch. 3:45. » verses 11, 13.
19:9,17,eto. • Heb. raiise a razor 10 jiaM orcr, etc. f Lev. 14:8, 9. fLev.
9:1. 1> Exod. 29:4, etc.; 40:12. i
Lev. 8:3. j Lev. 1:4. f Hcb. irat-c
k ver. 15. I Heb. ivave-nffirin^. i Heb. bt to execute. ' oh. 10:9. »> ch.

84.That which is publicly given for God's service and


the advancement of his cause, should be managed in an
orderly way, and a careful account kept of it, that nothing
may be lost, and no scandal given to the cause of truth.
John C:12; 2 Cor. 8:20, 21.
88. Jehovah is a bountiful God, and is delighted with
liberality in his people. Much may be devoted to the
support of his worship, and when so used, it is not wasted
or unprofitably employed, but is spent to the highest ad-
vantage. Psa. 145 :1C; Prov. 11:25; Isa. 32:8; 2 Cor. 9:13.

CHAPTER VIII.
2. Over ar;nin.st tlie caiullestick; the meaning of these
words, whicli occur also in Exod. 25: 37, is doubtful. The
candlestick stood on the south side of the sanctuary over
against the table of show-bread on the north side. Exod.
40:24. Some suppose the direction to be, that the lamp-
cups should be so arranged that their wicks should incline
towards the north, and thus tlirow their light towards the
table of show-bread others, that the sis wicks of the
;
:

Of the Passover. NUMBERS IX. l%e pillar of cLtid.

25 Ami from tlio n.ffc of fifty years they sliall

cease waiting ii|Hin the .-service thereof' ami sliall

serve no more
2li Hut shall minister witli tlicii- brctiiren in the
tAberiniclc uf the conL'resiation. to keep the charire,"
and shall do no serviee.'' Thus slialt thou do unto
the Levites touching their charge.

CHATTER IX.
1 The passnver U conimamlctl again. 6 A second passover allowed for
tliem lliat were unclean or absent, l.') The cloud guidith ihe rernov-

ings and encampinga of the Israelites.

\ND the Lord spake unto Mose.s in the wilder-


ness of Sinai, in the first month of tlie second
year after they were come out of the land of Egypt,
saying,
2 Let the children of Israel also keep the pass-
over at his appointed season.''
In the fourteenth day of tliis month,'' at even,*
:')

ye shall keep it in his appointed season: accord-


ing to all the rites of it, and according to all the
ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.
4 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel,
that they should keep the passover.
5 And they kept the passover on the fourteenth
day of the first month at even in the wilderness of
Sinai :" according to all that tlie Lord commanded
Moses, so did the children of Israel.
6 1 And there were certain men, who were de-
filed by the dead body of a man,' that they could
not keep the passover on that day and they came :

before Moses and before Aaron on that day.*'


7 And those men said unto him. We are defiled
by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we
kept back, that we may not ofler an offering of
the Lord in his appointed season among the chil-
dren of Israel?
8 And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I
will hear what the Lord will command concern-
ing you.
• Heb. retuT
Of tJie silver trumpets. NUMBERS X. The Israelites have Sinai.

kc.'vm: tabernacle many days, then tlic children


of Israel kept the charge of the Lord," and jour-
neyed not.
20 And so it was, when the cloud was a few
days upon the tabernacle according to the com- ;

mandment of the Lord they abode in their tents,


and according to the commandment of the Lord
they journeyed.
21 And so it was, when the cloud abode* from
even unto the morning, and that tlie cloud was
taken up iu tlie morning, tlicn they journeyed:
whether it u-as by day or by night that the cloud
was taken up, they journeyed.
22 Or whether it loere two days, or a montli, or a
year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle,
remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in
their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was
taken up, tliey journeyed.''
23 A t the commandment of the Lord they rested
in their tents, and at the commandment of the
Lord they journeyed they kept the charge of tlie
:

Lord," at the commandment of the Lord by the


hand of Moses.''

CHAPTER X.
1 The use of the silver trumpets. 11 The Israelites remove from Sinai
to Paran. 14 The order of their march. 29 Hobab is entreated by
Moses not to leave them. 33 The blessing of Moses at the removinj^
and resting of the ark.

AND MakeLord 2
spake unto Moses, saying,
the
thee two trimipets of silver of a ;

whole piece shall thou make them: that thou


mayest use them for the calling of the assembly,"
and for the journeying of the camps.
3 And when they shall blow with them,*^ all the
assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the
door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
4 And if they blow hut with one trumpet, then
the princes, which are heads of the thousands of
Israel,' shallgather themselves unto tliee.
5 When
ye blow an alarm,'' then the camps that
lie on the east parts shall go forward.'
6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then
the camps that lie on the south side shall take
their journey :J they shall blow an alarm for their
journeys.
7 But when the congregation is to be gathered
together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an
alarm.
8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow
with tlie trumpets;'' and they shall be to you for

» Ch. 1:33; 3:S; Zech. 3:7. • Heb. Ki<M. b Exod


Rising and resting of the ark. NUMBERS XI. TAc burning at Taberah.

24 Ami over the host of the tribe of the cliildrcn


of ISoiijainin iray Aliiilan the fin\ of Gidconi.
2o * Aiul the stiiiKiard of tlio camp of the cliil-
dreii of Uiiii set forwaid," wliicli was the rearward
of all the (•ain])^ throiiu:liout their hosts :'' and over
his iiost was Ahiiv.er the son of Aniniishaddai.
20 And over the host of tiie tribe of the ehildreu
of Asiier was I'asriel the son of Ocran.
27 And over the host of the tribe of the children
of N'ai)htali teas Ahira the son of Euan.
28 Thus' were the journeyings of the children of
Israel according to their armies, when they set
forward.
2i) 1 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of
RagucP the Midianitc, Moses' fatiier-in-law, We
arc jouriicving unto the place of which the Lord
said, I will give it you:'' come thou with us, and
we will do tiiee good: for the Loud hath spoken
good concerning Israel.''
30 And
he said unto him, I will not go but 1 ;

will depart to mine own land, and to my kin-


dred.
31 And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; for-
asmuch as thou knowest how we arc to encamp in
the wilderness, and thou niayest be to us instead
of eyes."
32 And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it
shall be, that what goodness tlie Lord shall do
unto us, the same will we do unto thee.'
33 T^And they departed from the mount of the
Lord three days' journey:^ and the ark of the
covenant of the Lord went before them in the
three days' journey, to search out a resting-place
for them.''
34: And Lord was upon them by
the cloud of the
day,' wlicn theywent out of the camp.
35 And it came to pass, when the ark set for-
ward, that Moses said. Rise up. Lord, and let thine
enemies be scattered ;' and let them that hate thee
flee before thee.
30 And when it rested, he said. Return, Lord,
unto the many thousands* of Israel.
a Ch. 2:a5
Seventy elders appointed. NUMBERS XI. The people lust for fiesh.

aaiS' sucking child," unto the land which thou


swarest unto their fathers?''
13 Wiieuce should I have flesh to give unto all
this people?"^ for they weep unto me, saying. Give
us flesh, that we may cat.
14 I am not able to bear all this people alone,"*
because it is too heavy for uie.
15 And if tliou deal tluis with mo, kill me, I pray
thee,'' out of hand, if 1 have found favor in thy
sight and let me not see my wretchedness.
;

16 1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto


me seventy men of the elders of Israel,'' whom thou
knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers
over tiiein and bring them unto the tabernacle of
;

the congregation, that they may stand there with


thee.
17 And I will come down and talk with thee
there and I will take of the spirit whicli is upon
I*-'

thee,"^ and will put it upon them and they shall


;

bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou


bear it not thyself alone.
18 And say thou unto the people, Sanctify your-
selves against to-morrow,' and ye shall eat flesh:
for ye have wept in the ears of the Lord,' saying.
Who shall give us flesh to eat?'' for it was well
with us in Egypt: therefore the Lord will give
you flesh, and ye shall oat.
19 Ye one day, nor two days, nor
shall not eat
five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;
20 But even a whole month,* until it come out
at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you:'
because that ye have despised the Lord which is
among you, and have wept before him, saying,
Why came we forth out of Egypt?
21 And Moses said. The people, among whom 1
am, are six hundred thousand footmen ;'" and thou
hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat
a whole month.
22 Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for
them, to suffice them?" or shall all the fish of the
sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?
23 And the Loud said unto Moses, Is the Lord's
hand waxed short?" thou shalt see now whether
my word shall come to pass unto thee or not."

»Isa. 40:*3;
TV murmuring of Miriam NUMBERS XII. and Aaron rebuked

35 ^Ind tlie people jonrncyctl from Kibroth-liat- 8 With him willspeak month to mouth," ^m-mw
1

taarah unto Iluzciotli ;' anil abode at' Hazeroth. oven app;uently, ami nut in dark speeches; and
the siiniiitutle of the Loiso i-liall he behold where- :

CHAPTER XII. fore then •were ye not afraid to speak against my


servant Moses?'
1 OoU rebuVclh llie scJiiioii of Min: and Aaron. 10 Miriam's Irpro.
•r ia hmlitl nt Uie prayer of lloii H
God commandetli licr to be 9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against
liut out of tht.- host. them and he disparted.
;

AND Miriam and Aaron spake


bccan^eof thcEthiopian' woman wlioin lieliatl
acrainst Moses 10 And the cloud departed from off the taberna-
cle; and behohl, Miriam lunimc leprous, white as
married: Ibrheliad married an Klliiopian woman.''
' snow:'" and Aaron looked upon ^liriam, and be-
2 And tlicy said, Hath tiie LnuD indeed spoken hold, she was leprous.
only by Moses? liatli lie not spoken also by usV 11 And Aaron said unto Jloses, Alas, my lord,
And tlie Loud heard i7.'' I beseecli thee, lay not the sin upon wherein wo
us,
3 iNow tiie man Moses was very meek, above all have done foolishly, and wiiereiii we have sinned."
the men which ivcre upon the face of the earth.) 12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh
4 And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses,'' is half consumed when he cometh out of his moth-

and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out yc er's womb.
three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. V6 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal
And they three came out. her now, O God, 1 beseech thee."
5 And tlie Loiti) came down in the pillar of the 14 • And the Lord said unto Moses, If her father
cloud,' and stot)d in the door of tlie tabernacle, had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed
and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both seven days? let her be shut out from the camp
came forth. seven days,'' and after that let her be received in
6 he said. Hear now my words If there be again.
And :

a prophet among you, / the Lord will make my- 15 And M iriam was shut out from the camp seven
self known unto him in a vision,'-' and will speak days: and the peo)de journeyed not till Miriam
unto him in a dream.'' was brought in again.
7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful' in l(j And afterward the people removed from Ha-
all my house.J zeroth, and jiitched in the wilderness of Paran.
«Ch. 3:1:17. • Ueh. ihti, were in. t Or, Cusliile. tWeh. taken, b ExoJ. iHfb.3:2,5. J 1 Tim. 3: 15; 1 Peter 2:4, 5. k Exod. 33:11 ; Deut. 31:la
2:21. 'Exod. I5;-J0; Micah8:4. d ch. 11:1; P«i. 94:7-9; Isa. 37:4 ; Ezpk. 1 2 Peter 2:10. m Deut. 24:9; 2 Kings 5:27; 2 Chr. 26:19-21. » 2 Sun.
3.5:12.13. trsa.76:9. fch. 11:25. e Gen. 15:1 4r.:a; Job 33:15;
; Kzek. 24: lU; Prov. 30:32. oJas.5:15. PLev. 13:40.
1:1; Luke 1:11,22; Acts 10:11, 17. h Gen. 31:11; 1 Kings 3:5; Job 33: 15.

35. Hazeroth; a place still farther on the way towarils ing to have their own way, and refusing to be guided and
Canaan. governed by him.
IXSTRUCTIOXS. 34. Lust, and the use of things lusted after, are plagues
which have opened and lillod many graves.
1. Discontentment with the dealings of God is unwise

and wicked. Those who indulge in it provoke him, and


expose themselves to his 'WTath.
CHAPTER XII.
2. The wicked are more indebted to the righteous than
1. Miriam the ;Moses and Aaron. Exod. 15:20.
sister of
Ethiopian woman; supposed by some to be Zipporah,
they are apt to imagine, and in their distresses they often
called an Ethiopian, or, as in the original, a C'ushile, be-
feel this, and look to them for help.
cause a native of that part of Arabia which was settled
6. We are apt to depreciate and undervalue the bless-

ings we liave, and to magnify and overrate those which


by the descendants of C'u.sh. Exod. 2: 16, 21. Others sup-
we desire.
pose that she was a Cushite woman whom Moses had
married after the death of Zipporah.
The best of men are but partly sanctified and not
11. ;

3. Meek; not easily provoked or disposed to complain,


iinfrequently in their hearts, and sometimes in words, they
with God. not proud or self-sufficient, but humble, patient, and sub-
find fault
missive.
kill
15.Those who kill themselves, or ask God or men to
them, are not in a proper state to die. Did they feel
6. In a vision —
in a dream ; that was the usual way in

right, wliatever their trials, they would say. All the days
which he communicated with prophets.
8. Mouth to month; the same as face to face, Exod. 33:11;
of my appointed time will I wait, till ray change come.
Deut. 34:10. Apparentli/; in open vision. Similitude;
Not my will, but thine be done. Job 14:14; Luke 22:42.
form, Exod. 33:23; 34:5-8; Ezek. 1:26.
17. God is often kind and gracioius in withholding from
men what in their wickedness they desire, and in giving 14. Spit m
her face; an eastern way of administering a
very severe rebuke. Be ashamed seven days; manifest her
them what they need. If he calls them to great and diffi-
cult services, they have no reason to complain or to de- sense of shame and humiliation by a separation of seven
spond if they trust in him he will provide for them, that days from the ordinary privileges and society of the
;

family. The inference is, that much more should Miriam


as their duties are, their ability may also be.
20. What people impatiently and wickedly desire, God
be separated ten days from God's household the camp —
sometimes suffers them to have, and to abuse to their

of Israel -when he has so rebuked her.
ruin. INSTRUCTIONS.
23. It needs stronger faith than good men often have, or 1. The most inoffensive character, and the moat useful
without the influences of the Holy Spirit would ever have, life, may not secure persons from being blamed, even by
to believe that God will do all that he has promised. their nearest relatives but, if humble, patient,
; and sub-
29. It is natural for men to envy others on account of the missive, the Lord will plead their cause, and in due time
blessings which God gives them but divine grace teaches
; bring forth their righteousness as the light, and their
us to rejoice in the blessings of others, and to desire that, judgment as the noonday. Psa. 37:1-11.
if consistent, such blessings may be given to all. 2. The Lord hears all that men say and he is espec-
;

33. God may in wrath give men what they desire, to ially displeased with those who, without good reason, talk
show them and others the wickedness and folly of wish- against and find fault with his people.
186
;

The twelve spies are sent. NUMBERS XIII. Their evil report of Canaan.

CHAPTER XIII.
20 And what
the land is, whether it be fat or
1 The names of the men who were whether there be wood therein, or not. And
sent to search the lanj. 17 Their lean,'''
instructions. be ye of good courage,'' and bring of the fruit of
21 Tiieir acts. 2li Their relation.

AND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, the land.


2 Send thou men, that they may search the ripe grapes.
Now the time was the time of the first
land of Canaan," whicli I give unto tlie children of 21 "i So they went up, and searched the land
Israel of every tribe of their fathers shall yc send from the wilderness of Zin' unto Rehob,J as men
:

a man, every one a ruler among them. come to Hamath.


3 And Moses by the commandment of the Lord 22 And they ascended by the south, and came
sent them from the wilderness of Paran :" all those unto Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Tal- ;

men were heads of the children of Israel. inai, the children of Anak," were. Now Hebron'
4 And these were their names: Of the tribe of was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.'"
Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. 23 And they came unto the brook* ol'Eshcol,*
5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori. and cut down from thence a branch with one clus-
6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Je- ter of grapes, and they bare it between two upon
phunneh. a staft'; and they brought of the pomegranates, and
7 Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. of the figs.
8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of 24 The place was called the brook* Eshcol,* be-
Nun." cause of the cluster of grapes which the children
9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Ra- of Israel cut down from thence.
phu. 25 And they returned from searching of the land
10 Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of after forty days.
Sodi. 26 ir And they went and came to Moses, and to
11 Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children
Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi. of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Ka-
12 Of the tribe of Dan, Animiel the son of Ge- desh;" and brought back word unto them, and
malli. unto all the congregation, and showed them the
13 Of the tribe. of Asher, Sethur the son of Mi- fruit of the land.
chael. 27 And they told him, and said. came unto We
14 Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it
Vophsi. floweth with milk and honey ;° and this is the fruit
15 Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. of it."
16 These are the names of the men which Moses 28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell
sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea in the land,'' and the cities are walled, and very
the son of Nun Jehoshua.'* great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak
17 ^ And Moses sent them to spy out the land there.""
of Canaan, and said unto them. Get you up this 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the
way southward," and go up into the mountain i*^ south:' and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and
18 And see the land, what it is; and the people the Amorites, dwell in the mountains and the :

that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of
weak, few or many Jordan.
19 And what the land is that they dwell in, 30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses,'
whether it be good or bad and what cities they be and said. Let us go up at once, and possess it; for
;

that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong- we are well able to overcome it."
holds ;
31 But the men that went up with him said, We
» b
Deut. 1;23. c ver. 10. i ver. 8; Exod. 17:9. e ver. 2-J.
Ch. 32:8. I Or, valley, i Ti\it is. a cluster of grapes, n ch. 20:1, 16. o Exod. 33:3.
I Gen. 14:10; Deut. 1:24; Judges 1:9, 19. e Neh. 9:25.3.1; Ezek. ai:U. P Deut. 1:25, etc. <1 Deut. 9:1, 2. r ver. 33. ' ch. 14:43; Exod. 17:8.
* Deut. 31:0, 7, 2:). i Josh. 15:1. J Josh. 19:28. k Josh. 11:21. I Josh. 1 Josh. 14:7, 8. u Rom. 8:37
•Jl:ll. m Psi. 78:12; Isi. 19:11. • Or. valley. ITha-t is, a cluster of grapes.

8. Those who wickedly oppose such as God loves and pe- give directions respecting the manner of executing it.
culiarly favors, have great cause to fear for he views what
; Deut. 1:22,23.
is done to them as in a sense done to him. Matt. 25 40. : 16. Hoshea ; salvation. Jehoshua ; Jehovah is salvation.
10. Sin is sometimes visited with immediate punishment. The Greek form of this name is Jesus, of whom Joshua
H. To commit known sin is foolish, because it always was appointed to be an eminent type.
tends not only to dishonor God, but also to injure those 20. Fat or lean; fruitful or barren. Time of the first ripe
who commit it. grapes; about the month of August.
14. However great the sins of transgressors, when they 21. Wilderness of Zin ; lying south of Canaan. Rehab;
truly repent and turn to the Lord he will forgive them. a city near the north part of Canaan. Hamath ; a city of
His people, so far as they have his Spirit, wtll do the Syria, lying still further north.
same ; and desire for such the greatest blessings. Matt. 22. Hebron; a city in the south part of Canaan, about
18:21-3.5. twenty miles from Jerusalem. Anak; son of Arba, a dis-
tinguished inaii, after whom Hebron was called Kirjath-
CHAPTER XIII. Arba, or tlio city of Arba. Gen. 23:2 Josh. 14:15. ;

Send thou men; this was no command originally given


2. 23. Eshcol ; a fruitful valley near Hebron.
by Jehovah. He would have had the people go imme- 24. Called the brook Eshcol ; Eshcol meaning a cluster.
diately forward under his all-sufficient guidance, Deut. 2G. Kadesh; Kadesh-barnea, Deut. 1:19. It lay on the

1:20, 21. But when the people proposed first to search south border of Canaan, towards Edoni.
the laud, he was pleased to permit the measure, and to 28. Children of Anak; a family of giants.
187
: 1 ;

Murmuring of the peopU. m:.mi{i;i!S xiv. J\Ljscs erpt,sltil(ilcl/i with God.

be not able to po »ip against tlic poo))lc ; for tlicy us into this land,and give it us; a land B.c.fJJJ:
are .>^tr(iiigei* tlmn wo. which iioweth with milk and honey."
It- And an evil rc|)ort of the
tlioy brouL'lit nj) (Jnly rebel not ye against the liOitn,' neither
'.)

land wliicli they had searched unto tlie children fear ye the people of the land "' for they arc bread ;

of Israel, sayinir. The land, throiii^h whieii we have


forns:" their defence* is departed from them, and
pone to search it, is a land that eateth np tiic the Loiii) is with us:" fear them not.''
inhabitants thereof;" and all the people that we 1(1 But all the congregation l)ade stone them with

saw in it are men of a great stature.*'' stones.'' And the glory of the Liiiin appeared in
33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of the tabernacle of the congregation before all the
Anak,' trfiirh come of the giants: and we were in children of Israel.''
our own sight as grasshoppers,"' and so we were in 1 'i And the Lord said nnto Moses, IIow long

their sight. w^iU this people provoke me?' and how long will
it be ere they believe me,' for all the signs which

I have showed among them?


CHAPTER XIV. I will smite them with the pestilence, and dis-
12
1 The people murmur at llie news. 6 Joshu.^ and Caleh labor to still inherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation
them. 11 t.Tod threateneth lliein. KJ Moses persuadeth G-od, and and mightier than they."
obtaineth pardon. 'JG Tlie nmrmurcrs are deprived of enterin;^ into
the land. 3t) The men who rai.'.ed the evil report die by a plao^e.
13 1 And Moses said unto the Lord," Then the
40 The people that would invade the land against the will of God Egyptians shall hear jV,"' for thou broughtest up
arc smitten.
this people in thy might from among them

AND
and
all the congregation lifted up their voice,
cried and the people wept that niglit.''
;
14
land
And they will
for they have heard that thou Loud art
:
tell if to the inhabitants of this

2 And all the children of Israel murmured among this people," that thou Loud art seen face
against Moses and against Aaron and the whole : ''

to face,' and t/iat thy cloud standeth over them,"


congregation said nnto them, Would God that we and that thou goest before them, by daytime in a
had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we pillar of a cloud, and in a ]jillar of lire by night."
had died in this wilderness! 15 Now if thou slialt kill all this people as one
3 And wherefore hath the Loud brought us unto man, then the nations which have heard the fame
this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and of thee will speak, saying,
our children siiould bo a prey? were it not better 16 Because the Lord was not able to bring this
for us to return into Egypt? people into the land which he sware unto them,
4 A nd they said one to another. Let us make a therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness."
captain, and let us return into Egypt.^ 17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my
Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces be- Lord be great,'' according as thou hast spoken,''
fore all the assembly of the congregation of the saying,
children of Lsrael.'' 18 The LoRDM long-suffering, and of great mer-
6 Ti And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the cy, forgiving iniquity and transgression,'' and by
son of Jephunneli,' lohich were of them that searched no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity
the land, rent their clothes of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
7 And they spake unto all the company of the fourth generation.'
children of Israel, saying, The land, Avhich we 19 Pardon, 1 beseech thee, the iniquity of this
passed through to search it, is an exceeding good people, according unto the greatness of thy mercy,
land. and as thou hast forgiven this people,''' from Egypt
8 If the Lord delight in us,J then he will bring even until now.*
»Deut. 1:23. • Hob. statures. I> Deut. 9:2. c ver. 22. d Isa. 40:22. Zech. S:2:); Rom. b: :;l I' I
i 111 I qExod.l7:4. r ch. 16: 19,42; 20:8.
ech. 11:4. tPsi. 100:24, 25. e Deut. 17:10; Neh. 9:17; Acts 7:3U. h ch. »Zech.8:14; Heb.:l I- ' i I' I; John 12:37. «Exod. 32:10. 'Deut.
10:4, 22. i verses 30. 3S. J Deut. 10:15; 2 Sam. 13:25. 26; 22:20; 1 Kings 9:26-23. » Deut. .-JJ : !
'
^ 14. X Josh. 2:9, 10. yExod. 33:11.
10:9; Psa. 147:11. t ch. 13:27. Deut. 9:23. " Deut. 20:3. nch.24:S.
I
zch. 10:34. aExod. 1 : Jl. JJ 1' , 7-!:l4. b Deut. 9:28: Josh. 7:9. eMic.
t Heb. shallow; Psa. 12l:.5. o Oen. 4S:21; Deut. 20:1-1; 31:6, 8; Judg. 3:8; Matt. 9:0, H. J lOxod. :J4:C,, 7, e Micah 7:18. ' Exod. 20:5; Jer.

1:22; 2 Cnr. 13:2; 32:<; Psa. 40:7, 11; Isa. S:9, 10; 41:10; Amos 5:14; 23:2. K Psa. 7S:.38. 1 Or. lutluno.

32. Eateth up the inhabitants ; causing them to die from 32. In making excuses for not doing their duty, and say-
the uiihealthiness of the climate, or some other cause. ing that they are not able to do what God requires and is
If this were so, it mu»t have been strange that they were ready to enable them to perform, men are often very in-
80 large and strong. consistent and contradict themselves.
INSTRUCTIONS.
3. God deals with men according to th? measure
of their
CHAPTER XIV.
faith those counsels that have their origin in an unbe-
; 5. Fell on their faces; as a sign of their deep grief for
lieving spirit must be expected to have a disastrous issue. the sin of the people, and their earnest intercession witli
27. Those who trust the promises of God and follow his God in their behalf.
directions, will find that what he has promised is true, G. Rent* their clothes; thus they expressed deep sorrow
and their own experience will realize its fulfilment. and holy indignation for the unbelieving and rebellious
29. Men may do externally what God directs, and yet spirit of the people.
with such a spirit and for such a purpose as may tend to 9. Are bread for us; food for our swords. Compare
their ruin. chap. 24:8.
30. Different men may unite externally in doing the 16. Therefore he hath slain them; this, Moses thought,
same things, and yet wi'tli a very different spirit and for would be greatly to God's dishonor.
totally different ends. Thus what is done may be to one 17. Let the power of my Lord be great; be greatly mani-
a savor of life unto life, and to another a savor of death fested in forgiving their iniquity, and bringing them into
•unto death. 2 Cor. 2 16. : the land of promise.
188
: ;

The murmurcrs excluded. NUMBERS XIY. The invaders discomfited.

aaiS' 20 And the Lord said, I liavo pardoned


according to thy word:"
21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be
filled with the glory of the Loito.''
22 Because all those men which have seen my
glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egyj)t and
in the wilderness, and iuivo tempted mc now these
ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice
23 Surely they shall not see* the land which I
sware unto their fathers," neitlier shall any of
them that provoked mo see it
24 But my servant Caleb,'' because he had an-
other spirit with him, and hath followed me fully,
him will I bring into the land whereinto he went;
and his seed shall possess it.
25 (Now the Amalekitcs and the Canaanites
dwelt in the valley.) To-morrow turn you, and get
you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
26 *l And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto
Aaron, saying,
27 How long shall I bear iciih this evil congre-
gation," which murmur against me? I have heard
the murmurings of the children of Israel,*^ which
they murmur against me.
28 Say unto them. As truly as I live, saith the
Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do
to you:
29 Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness,
and all that were numbered of you,*"' according to
your whole number, from twenty years old and
upward, which have murnwred against me.
30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land,
concerning which I sware* to make you dwell
therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and
Joshua the son of Nun.
31 But your little ones, which ye said should be
u prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know
the land which ye have despised.''
32 But as for you, your carcasses, they shall fall
in this wilderness.'
33 And your children shall wander* in the wil-
«Psa
— ;

Law of t fie mtat-offering, NC.MP.KKS XV. and of the drink-offering.

CHAPTER XV 14 And if a stranger sojourn with you, n "uSo!


1 Tht law of Ihr in<-»l-(.(T,rlnK iinJ ll.c drink<fl>rin({. 11. 00 Tl.<- or whosoever be among you in your generations,
trsnger ii under the vane law. 17 The law of the (iril of the iloiijjii and will offer an ofleriiig made by fire, of a sweet
for » neavc-offering. 22 The sacrifice for «iii» of i|^ontncc. 30 Tlie
puniihiupiil of prcaiimplion. 'il He tliat violated the sabbath is
savor unto the Loiui as ye do. so he shall do.
;

•toniHl. 37 Tlic law of fringes. 1.") One ordinance shall be both for you of the con-

AND ppakc unto Jfo.^os, sayinj^,


tlic Loiii)

2 Spoiik tmto the children of Israel, and say


gregation, and also Ibr the stranger that sojonrn-
etli irith you,' an ordinance for ever in your gen-

nnto them. When ye he come into the land of your erations: as yc arc, so shall the stranger be before
habitations, whicli I give unto you, the Lord.
3 And will make an offering by fire nnto the 1() One law and one manner shall be for you, and
Loitn," a burnt-oflcring. or a sacriiice in jierform- for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
intr* a vow,'' or in a freewill-ofl'ering, or in your 17 H And the Lord sjiake unto Moses, saying,
solemn feasts,'^ to make
a sweet savor unto the 15 Speak nnto the ciiildrcn of Israel, and say
Loun,'' of the herd, or of tiie flock : unto tliein, When ye come into the land whither
4 Tlien shall lie that offereth liis offering unto I bring you,""

the Lord bring a meat-offering of a tenth-deal of 19 Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the
flour.'' mingled with tlie fourth part of a hin of oil.'' bread of the land,' ye shall oft'er up a heave-offer-
5 And tlie fourth part of a hin of wine for a ing unto the Lord.
drink-offering slialt thou pre]iare with the burnt- 20 Ye shall ofl'cr up a cake of the first of your
offering or sacrifice, for one lamb. dough ybr a heave-olfering:'" as ye do the heave-
6 Or for a ram, thou shall prepare for a meat- offering of the threshing-floor," so shall ye heave it.
offering two tenth-deals of flour, mingled with the 21 Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto
third part of a hin of oil. the Lord a heave-offering in your generations.
7 And for a drink-offering thou shalt offer the 22 If And if ye have erred," and not observed
third part of a hin of wine,ybr a sweet savor unto all these commandments, which the Lord hath
the Loud. spoken unto Moses,
8 And when thou preparest a bullock /or a burnt- 23 AVn all that the Lord hath commanded yon
offering, or for a sacrifice in performing a vow, or by the hand of Moses, from the day that the Lord
peace-offerings unto the L(jitn;'^ commanded Moses, and henceforward among your
9 Then shall he bring with a Imllock a meat- generations
offering of three tenth-deals of flour, mingled with 24 Then it shall be, if avght be committed by
half a hill of oil.'' ignorance without the knowledge* of the congre-
10 And thou shalt bring for a drink-offering half gation, that all the congregation shall ofter one
a hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a young bullock for a burnt-offering, for a sweet
sweet savor unto the Lord. savor unto the Lord, with his meat-offering,'' and
11 Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for his drink-offering, according to the manner,* and
one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid.' one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.''
12 According to the number that ye shall pre- 25 And the priest shall make an atonement for
pare, so shall ye do to every one according to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and
their number. it shall be forgiven them for it is ignorance " and
; :

13 All that are born of the country shall do these they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by
things after this manner, in offering an offering fire nnto the Lord, and their sin-offering before
made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord. the Lord, for their ignorance:
aLev. 1:3,3. • Heb. .upariitin^ ^ Lev. 27:3. b Lpv. 7:16; •>2:1S, 21. n Lev. 23:10. o Lev. 4:2. etc. t Heb. /re
t Lev.23:i. 12. Kxod. 2'J:18. ' Exod. 29:40; Lev. 23:13. f ch. 2n:5,
<1 orilinanct. q ch. 2d: 15; Lev. 4:23; Ezra
etc.; Lev. 14:10. eLev.7:ll. li ch. 2d:12, etc. ich.23. ) ver. 29; ch. 1 Tim. 1:13; Hob. 5:2.
9:14; Exod. 12:49. k Deut. 20:1, etc. Josh. 5: 11, 12. n. Prov. 3:9. 10.
1

any temporal evils, and desire the promotion of his glory 41. As the Lord never brings evils upon any but for the
mure than the reception of all temporal mercies. wisest and best reasons, when he docs bring them, nom-
righteous are often the means of averting great
20. Tlie should murmur against hira, but all should cheerfully sub-
calamities from the wicked, and bringing upon them un- mit, feeling that he afflicts them less than their iniquities
speakable good. deserve, and saying, It is the Lord let him do as seemeth
;

21. (lod will bestow mercy only in such a way as is good in his sight.
consistent with justice, wisdom, goodness, and truth
only in such a way as will glorify himself, give a correct CHAPTER XV.
view of his character, and fill the hearts of all holy beings 2. Ye; the children of those who were to die in the
with admiration and delight. wilderness. Chap. 14:31. The land of your habitations;
24. Steadfastness in duty, however unpopular or dan- Canaan. In the wilderness, which was a land not sown
gerous, is the way to glory, honor, and blessedness. nor planted with vineyards, they would not all be able to
28. (!od sometimes takes men at their word, and evils comply with these requirements.
which they wickedly imprecate, he in righteous judgment 4. A tenth-deal —
a hm ; an ephah contained between thir-
brings upon them. ty-four and thirty-five quarts. A tenth-deal was the
33. Many evils come upon children in consequence of tenth, and a hin the seventh part of an ephah.
the sins of parents but. if they do not imitate their par-
; 14. As ye do, so he shall do; not only to prevent the
ents, nor disobey God, lie will overrule these evils for introduction of heathenish rites, but to convey the idea
their highest good. Ver. 31. that there is one religion and one way of salvation for
38. In due time, all will see the difference between the Jews and Gentiles.
righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God 24. According to the manner; the manner above directed
and hira that serveth him not. for the meat-offering, ver. 9, 10.
190
Oiie is stoned for NUMBERS XVI. violatin'' the Sabbath.

B.c'im' 26 And it shall be forgiven all the con-


gregation of the children of Israel, and the stran-
ger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the
people were in ignorance.
27 "! And if any soul sin through ignorance,"
then he shall bring a she-goat of the first year for
a sin-ofl'oring.
28 And the priest shall make an atonement for
the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth
by ignorance before tlic Lord, to make an atone-
ment for him;*" and it shall be forgiven him.
29 Ye shall have one law for him tliat sinneth*
through ignorance, both for him that is born among
the children of Israel, and for the stranger that
sojourneth among tlicm.'^
30 1 But tlie soul that doeth aught presumptu-
ously,* whether he be born in tlie land, or a stranger,
tlie same reproacheth the Lord and that soul
;

shall be cut off from among his people.''


31 Because he hath despised the word of tlie
LoRD,*^ and hath broken liis commandment, that
soul shall utterly be cut off; liis iniquity shall be
upon him.'
32 And while the children of Israel were in
IT

the wilderness, they found a man that gathered


sticks ui»on the sabbatli-day."
33 And they that found him gathering sticks
brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all
the congregation.
3-1 And they put him in ward,'' because it was
not declared what sliould be done to him.
35 And the Lord said unto Moses, The man
shall be surely put to death :' all the congregation
shall stone him with stones without the camp.J
36 And all the congregation brought him with-
out the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he
died;'' as the Lord commanded Moses.

i Lev. 4:27, 2S. b LeT. 4:35.


: : : ; :

TTu- rebellion of Korah, MM in: IIS XVI. Dalhan, and Ahiram.

1 Ami wlicn JInsos lioard //. he foil ujion liis l!» And Korah gathered all the congre- a. m. ssi^

fucc:* gation against them unto the door of the i«i-

5 And Korali and unto all his


lie spiiko unto tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of
company, savinur. Kvon to-morrow tho Ijoum will the Lord a])]icarcd unto all the congregation.''
show who are his, ami who is holy ;'' and will canso 20 And the LouD spake unto Moses and unto
/lim to come iii'ar unto him:^' oven him whom he Aaron, saying,
hath chosen'' will he cause to come near unto him.' 21 Separate j'ourselves from among this congre-
6 This ilo Take you censers. Korah, and all his
: gation,'^ that I may consume them in a moment."
company 22 And they fell upon their faces,' and said,
7 Ami pat lire (herein, and put incense in them God, the God of the spirits of all flesh," shall one
liefore the Loun to-morrow: and it shall be thai man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the con-
the mau whom the Loud doth choose, he shall be gregation?''
holy ye take too much upon you,'-' ye sons of Levi.
:
' 23 1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, 1 pray you, 24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you
ye sons of Levi up from about the talfcrnacle of Korah, Dathan,
!) Scemeth it but a small thing unto you,'' that the and Abiram.
God of Israel hath scjiaratcd you from the ct)ngrc- 25 Ami Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and
jjation of Israel.' to liring you near to himself to do Abiram and the elders of Israel followed him.
;

tlie service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to 20 And he spake unto the congregation, saying,
stand before the congregation to minister unto them? Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked
10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and men,"' and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be con-
all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and sumed in all their sins.
seek ye the priesthood also ? 27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah,
11 For which cause both thou and all thy com- Dathan. and Abiram, on every side and Dathan :

pany are gathered together against the Lord: and and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of
what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?J their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and
12 ^ And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, their little children.
thesonsof Eliab; which said, We will not come up: 28 And Moses said. Hereby ye shall know that
13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us the Lord hath sent me to do all these works;* for
up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey,'' / have not dotie them of mine own mind.^
to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thy- 29 If these men die the common death of all
self altogether a prince over us?' men,* or if they be visited after the visitation of
14 iloreover. thou hast not brought us into a land all men;^ then the Lord hath not sent me.
that floweth with milk and honey,'" or given us in- 30 But if the Lord make a new thing,* and the
heritance of fields and vineyards wilt thou put out* : earth open her mouth, and swallow them up," with
the eyes of these men? we will not come up. all that appertain unto them, and they go down
15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto (juick into the pit;'' then ye shall understand that
the Lord, Respect not thou their offering:" I these men have provoked the Lord.
have not taken one ass from them," neither have I 31 \\ And it came to pass, as he had made an
hurt one of them. end of speaking all these words, that the ground
16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all clave asunder that was under them
thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and 32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swal-
Aaron, to-morrow lowed them up,'' and their houses, and all the men
17 And take every man his censer, and put in- that appertai?ied unto Korah, and all their goods.
cense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every 33 They, and all that appertained to them, went
man his censer ,p two hundred and fifty censers down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon
thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. them and they perished from among the congre-
:

18 And they took every man his censer, and put gation.
tire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood 34 And all Israel that were round about them
in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the
with Moses and Aaron. earth swallow us up also.

« Ch. 14:5; 20:6. b Lev. 21 :G, etc. » Heb. 12:14. J ch. 17:5. e oh. ' Heb. 12:23, 29. 1 ch. 14:5. « ch. 27:16: Job 12:10; Eccl. 12:7; Isa.
i:lO; Lev. 10;:); 21:17, 18; Ezek. 40:46; 44:15. 16. ' Eph. 1:4. g Hub. 57:16; Zech. 12:1; Heb. 12:9. v Gen. 18:32; Josh. 7:1, etc.; Rom. 5:18.
.'5:4. h vcr. W; Isi. 7:1.3. i ch. :!:41. 4.5; 8:14; Dout. 10:8. J Exod. 16:8; "Gen. 19:12,14; Isa. 52:11; 2 Cor. B: 17; 1 Tim. 5:22; Rev. 18:4. > Exod.
1 Sam. 8:7; Acts 5:4; 1 Cor. 3:5. k ver. 9. lExod.2;14. ni Exod. 3:8; 3:12; Zech. 2:9; John 5:36. y Jer. 23:16. t Heb. as every man dieth.
Lev. 20:24. • Heb. bore out. » Gen. 4:5; Isa. 1:10-15. > I Sam. 12:3; 2 Isa. 10:3. \ 'aeh. create a treature. » .lob 31:3. b ver. 33; Psa. 55:15.
Acts 20:33; 2 Cot. 7:2. PlSam.l2:7. 1ch.l4:10. r ver. 45 Rev. 18:4. ; 'ch. 26:10, 11; Deut. 11:6; Tsa. 100:17, 18.

4. Heupon his face; expressing his deep sense of


fell 14. Put out the eyes of these men; treat them as blind, and
their guilt and danger. attempt to lead them at pleasure.
5. Will he cause to come near; God would show whom he 15. Respect not thou their offering; regard it not willi
had chosen to be priest and leader in his worship. favor, but with just indignation.
7. The man whom the Lord doth choose; that is, as priest. 30. Quick; alive. Yer. 33.
This he will do by giving some token of approbation of 33. All that appertained to them ; all that belonged to them
his conduct. He shall be holy; acknowledged and treated and were with them. The children of Korah, who were
us high-priest. manifestly not present in this seditious assembly, died
II. Against the Lord; their conduct was rebellion against not. Chap. 26:11. His posterity are subsequently men-
his arrantrement. and of course against him. tioned among the servants of God. 1 ('hr. 9:1!': 26:1.
192
: ;

The. people murmuring, NUMBERS XVII. t/ic plague slaytth viany.

A M. 2533. 35 And there came out a fire from the


1471.°" Lord," and consumed the two hundred and
fifty men that offered incense."
36 1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the
j)riest, tliat he take up the censers out of the burn-
ing, and scatter thou the fire yonder for they
;

are hallowed."
38 The censers of these sinners against their
own souls,'' let them make them broad plates /or
a covering of the altar for they offered them be-
:

fore the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and


they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.*-'
39 And Eleazar the priest took the brazen cen-
sers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered
and they were made broad plates for a covering
of the altar
40 To a memorial unto the children of Israel,
be
that no which is not of the seed of
stranger,''
Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord ;

that he be not as Korah, and as his company as :

the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.


41 ir But on the morrow all the congregation of
the children of Israel murmured against Moses
and against Aaron," saying. Ye have killed the
people of the Lord.
42 And it came to pass, when the congregation
was gathered against Moses and against Aaron,
that they looked toward the tabernacle of the
congregation: and behold, the cloud covered it,"
and the glory of the Lord appeared.'
43 And Moses and Aaron came before the taber-
nacle of the congregation.
44 ^ And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
45 Get you up from among this congregation,^
that I may consume them as in a moment. And
they fell upon their faces.''
«Ch
AaroiCs rod buJdeth. NUMBERS XVIII. T/ie charge of the Leoiles.

inako to cease from mc


the nnirniuriiifis of the of thy father, bring thou with thee, ami™.
tril)c

chililreu of Israel, whereby tlicy niurinur against tiiat they may be joined unto liiee,' and min- hti'

you." ister unto thee:' but tiiou and thy sons with theo
6 1 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, shaU minister before tlie tabernacle of witness.''
and every one of their princes gave liim a rod :} And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge

apiece, for each prince one,* according to liieir of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come
fatiier's liouses, ci'cn twelve rods: and the rod of nigh the ves.sels of the sanctuary and the altar,'
Aaron i/ws' among tiieir rods. that neither they, nor ye also, die.
7 And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord 4 And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep
in the tabernacle of witness."* the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation,
8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stran-
went into the tabernacle of witness; and behold, ger shall not come nigh unto you.
the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was bud- 5 And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary,
ded," and brought forth buds, and bloomed blos- and the charge of the altar;'" that there be no
soms, and yielded almonds. wrath any more upon the children of Israel."
9 And mioses brought out all the rods from be- G And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the
fore the Loud unto all the children of Israel and Levites from among the children of Israel to you
: :

they looked, and took every man his rod. they arc given as a gift for the Lord," to do the
It) T^ And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be 7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall
kept for a token against the rebels;*'' and thou keep your priest's office for every thing of the
shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, altar,'' and within the veil ;'' and ye shall serve: I
that they die not. have given your priest's office vnto you as a ser-
11 And Moses did so: as the Lord commanded vice of gift and the stranger that cometh nigh :

him, so did he. shall be put to death.


12 And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, 8 H And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I
saying. Behold, we die, wc perish, we all perish.^' also have given thee the charge of my heavc-ofi'er-
13 Whosoever cometh' any thing near unto the ings of all the hallowed things of the children of
tabernacle of the Lord shall die:"-' shall we be Israel ; unto thee have I given them by reason of
consumed with dying? the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance
for ever.'
most holy things, re-
CHAPTER XVIII. 9 This shall be thine of the
served from the fire every oblation of theirs, every
:

The charge of the priests and 8 The 21


I
The Levites' portion.
port'
"'".heave-offerin,
2-5 The
Levites.
™ gto .
.

tlie
priests'
pri portion.
priests out of the
meat-offering of theirs,' and every sin-oflering of
Levites' portion. theirs," and every trespass-oflering of theirs,' which

AND the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy


sons and thy father's house with thee shall
they shall render unto mc, shall be most holy for
thee and for thy sons.
bear the iniquity of the sanctuary:'' and thou and 10 In tlic most holy place shalt thou eat it;™
thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.
priesthood. 11 And this is thine the heave-offering of their
;

2 And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the gift,'' with all the Avave-offerings of the children

»Ch. 16:11. • llith. arod for one prince. a rod for one prinre. b Exod. 29:34.
38:21; Acls7;44. ' Psa. 110:2; Ezek. 19:12, 14. Mlnb. c/iiUren of rebel-
lion. dHeb. 0:4. « Psa. 90:7; Isa. 57:16. t ch. 1:S1, .W; lo:4, 7. e Eph.
2:13; Heb. 10:19-22. t Exod. 2S:33; Isa. 53:6, 11; 1 Pet. 2:24. Gen. i

10. Their murmurings ; on account of the priesthood's


being confined to the family of Aaron.
12. Wc
die —
we all perish; words of terror and despond-
ency, inview of the severe and oft-repeated judgments
which had fallen upon them.
INSTRUCTIONS.
To the clear manifestations of the divine will aU
5.
should cheerfully submit and they who do not, incur the
;

guilt of rebelling against God.


8.(iod is the author of nature as well as of grace. All
its laws are under his direction, and subject to his control.
10. God uses all reasonable and proper means to pre-
vent men from continuing in sin ; but his mercies, if per-
verted and abused, will increase their guilt and aggravate
their ruin.

CHAPTER XVIII.
1. Thou and thy sons and thy father's house; this includes

the Levites with the priests for by his father's house are
;'

meant the sons of Levi. Bear the iniquity of the sanctuary;


of all the service pertaining to the sanctuary. It was
now sho'WTi that Aaron and his sons were confirmed in
the honors of the priesthood, and the Lord informed him
li'l
;

The portion of the NUMBERS XVIII. priests and Lcvilcs.

ij.cS" of Israel: I have given them unto thee, their service which they serve, even the service
1171. and to thy sons and to thy daua-liters with of the tabernacle of the congregation.
thee by a statute for ever " every one that is clean :
22 Neitlier must the children of Israel hence-
in thy house shall eat of it.'' forth come nigh the tabernacle of the congrega-
12 All the best* of the oil, and all the best of tion, lest they bear sin, and die.*''
the wine, and of the wlieat, the first-fruits of them 23 But the Levites shall do the service of the
which they shall offer unto the Lord,'= them have tabernacle of the congregation,^ and they shall
I given thee. bear their iniquity it shall be a statute for ever :

13 Jlnd whatsoever is first ripe in tlie land, wliich throughout your generations, that among the chil-
they sliall bring unto the Lord, sliall be thine dren of Israel they have no inheritance.
every one that is clean in tliy house shall eat of it. 2-1 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which

li Every tiling devoted in Israel shall be tliine.'' they offer as a heave-offering unto the Lord, I
15 Every thing that openetli the matri.K in all have given to the Levites to inlierit:' therefore I
flesh,*" which they bring unto the Lord, whether it have said unto them. Among the children of Israel
be of men or beasts, shall be thine nevertheless they shall have no inheritance.
:

the first-born of man shalt thou surely redeem,'' 25 TAnd the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou re- 26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto
deem. tliem, When ye take of the children of Israel the
16 And those tliat are to be redeemed from a tithes which I have given you from them for your
month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine inheritance, then ye shall ofl'er up a heave-offering
estimation,'^ for the money of five shekels,'' after the of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe."
shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.' 27 And this your heave-offering shall be reckoned
17 But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of unto you, as though it iccre the corn of the thresh-
a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not ing-floor, and as the fulness of the wine-press.'''
redeem ; they are holy thou shalt sprinkle their : 28 Thus yc also shall offer a heave-offfering unto
blood upon the altar," and shalt burn their fatybr the Lord of all your tithes, whicJi ye receive of
an offering made by fire, for a sweet savor unto tlic cliildren of Israel and ye shall give thereof ;

the Lord. the Lord's heave-offering to Aaron the priest.


18 And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the 29 Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every
wave-breast and as the right shoulder are thine.' heave-offering of the Lord, of all tlie best* there-
19 All the heave- offerings of the holy things, of, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.
which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord, 30 Therefore thou shalt say unto tliem. When yc
have I given thee, and tliy sons and thy daughters have heaved the best thereof from it, then itshall be
with thee, by a statute for ever:™ it is a covenant counted unto the Levites as the increase of the thresh-
of salt for ever before the Lord unto thee and to ing-floor, and as the increase of the wine-press.'"'
thy seed with thee." 31 And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and
20 *! And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt your households: for it is your reward for your
liave no inheritance in their land," neither shalt service in the tabernacle of the congregation.''
thou iiave any part among them I am thy part and 32 And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it,-'
:

thine inheritance among the cliildren of Israel." when ye have heaved from it the best of it: nei-
21 And behold, I have given tiie cliildren of ther shall ye pollute the holy things of the chil-
Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance," for dren of Israel,"" lest ye die.
a Deut. 13:3. b Lev. •3->:-2 • Heb. /n(. ExoJ, 2!:l'Jj Deut. 1S:4;
<:
Josh. 13:14,
Neh. 10:35, 38. i Lev. a7:-2S. ^
Exod. 13:2; 22:-29. 'E.xod. 13:13; 34:-20.
sLev. a7:'2, 6. h oh. 3: 47. i] ;ek. 45:12. J Deut. 15:19. k Exod. 2'J: IB;
Lev. 3:2, 5; Heb. 12:a4. 1 Ex I. -la-.-X. 23; Lev. 7:34. m vpr. 11. " Lev.
•2:13; -2 Chr. 13:5. o ch. 2i:S p Deut. 10:9; 12:12; 14:27, 29; 19:1,2;

12. The best of the oil^tke best of the wine; the refer-
ence here is to the first-fruits of the wine and oil, of
wliich it was the duty of the Israelites to give a jior-
tion to the priest, and which were to be of the best
quality.
14. Devoted; solemnly given to God. Provided it was
any thing that might be eaten or otherwise consumed, it
went to the priest. But vessels of gold, silver, or brass,
went to the service of the sanctuary.
15. Shalt thou redeem; this was done by the priest's re-
ceiving a specified sum of money in exchange for it.
16. That are to be redeemed; that is, of men. The first-
born of unclean beasts were to be redeemed by a lamb.
Exod. 13:13. Accordi7ig to thine estimation; that is, accord-
ing to the valuation prescribed to thee in the law; for
this was not left wholly to the priest's discretion.
19. A covenant of salt ; a perpetual, permanent covenant.
20. No inheritance; no landed property.
21. T/ie tenth ; a tenth part of the produce or increase
of the property of the other tribes.
23. T/iey shall hear their iniquity; if auy thing is done
wrong, they shall bear the blame.
: ;
:

Tht walcr of separation NUMBERS XX. for purifying the unclean.

CHAPTER XIX. tabernacle of the Lonn and that soul shall a. m axi.
;
'

of the iisli™ of a ml be cut olV from Israel because the water of Hii"
:

I Tho wsttr of itpiiration miuic lioifiT. 11 Tliu


law fur tltc use of it iii piirilicaliuii of ihu unclfan. separation was not sjirinklcd upon him, he shall be
\ND the Lord gpake unto Moses and unto unclean;"' his uncleanncss w yet ujioii him."
14 This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent:
Aaron, payiiiir.

is the ordinance of the law, which


2 Tliis the all that come into the tent, and all that is iu the

i.oHi) hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the tent, shall be unclean seven days.
red 1.5 And every open vessel, which hath no cover-
i-hihlreii of Israel, tliat tliey liring tiioc a
heifer without spot, wherein is no bleini.sh," and ing bound upon it, is unclean."
u])on wliich never came yoke.'' 16 And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with
3 And ye shall give her unto Elcazar the priest, a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone
that he may bring her fortli without the camp,'' of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
and one shall slay her lielbre liis face: 17 And for an unclean person they shall take of
4 And Eleazar the priest sliall take of her blood the ashes' of the burnt heifer of purification for sin,
with his finger, and sprinkle of her Idood directly and running water shall be put' thereto in a vessel
before the tabernacle of tlie congregation seven 18 And a clean person sliall take hyssop,"" and
times.'' dip it in the water, and s]>rinklo it upon the tent,
5 And one sliall burn the heifer in his sight Iter ;
and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that
skin, and her ilesh, and her blood, with her dung, were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or
shall he burn:'^ one slain, or one dead, or a grave
6 And
the priest shall take cedar-wood, and hys- 19 And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the
sop, and scarlet,' and cast it into the midst of the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day ;''
burning of the heifer. and on the seventh day he shall purify himself and
7 Then the priest shall wash his clothes,^ and he wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and
shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward lie shall be clean at even.
shall come into the camp, and tlic priest shall be 20 But the man that shall be unclean, and shall
unclean until tlio even. not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from
8 And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes among the congregation, because he hath defiled
in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall the sanctuary of the Lord " the water of separation
:

be unclean until the even. hath not been sprinkled upon him he is unclean. ;

9 And a man that is clean sliall gather up the 21 And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them,
ashes of the heifer,'' and lay them up without the that he that sprinklcth the water of separation
camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the
congregation of the children of Israel for a water water of separation shall be unclean until even.
of separation:' it is a purification for sin. 22 And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth
10 And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall be unclean;' and the soul that toucheth it
shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the shall be unclean until even.'
even and it shall be unto the children of Israel,
:

and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, CHAPTER XX.
for a statute for ever. 1 The children of Israel come to Zin, where Miriam dieth. 2 They
murmur for want of water. 7 Moses smiting the rock bringeth forth
11 *! He
that toucheth the dead body of any water at Meribah. 14 Moses at Kadesh desireth passage through
man' be unclean seven days.'
shall Edom, which is denied him. 2:2 At mount Hor Aaron resigneth liis
place to Eleazar, and dieth.
12 He shall purify himself with it on the third
day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean:'' THEN
came the children of Israel, even the
whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in
but if he purify not himself the third day, then
the seventh day he shall not be clean. the first month :" and the people abode in Kadesh
13 Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man and Miriam died there, and was buried there."'
that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the 2 And there was no water for the congregation :''

» Exod. 12;5; Mil. 1:13, 14; 1 Pet. 1:19. I> Deut. 21:.3; I Sam. 6:7. 21 1;
= Lev. 4:12, 21; 16:27; Heb. 13:11. d Lev. 4:6; 16:14. 19: Heb. 9:13;
12:44. eExod. 29:14. ' Lev. 14:4, 6, 49. S Lev. 11:25; 15:5. h Heb. 9:13.
iverses 13,20, 21; ch. 31:23. •Keb.soulofman. J ch. 5:2; 9:6, 10; Lev.

CHAPTER XIX.
9. Water of separation; with which to purify those who
had been separated from the congregation on account of
ceremonial uiicleanness.
12. If; the water of separation. Ver. 9.

INSTRUCTIONS.
4. In the Old Testament, as well as tlie Xew, we are
often reminded of the prevalence and evil of sin, and the
necessity of the atonement of Christ, and of purification
by the Holy Spirit, in order to acceptance with God and
preparation for heaven.
10. Though God is the author of spiritual purification,
men do not obtain it without the use of means. They
196
:

Water Jlowcth from the rock. NUMBERS XX. Edom refuseth a passage.

against Moses and agajnst Aaron.


3 And the people chode witli Moses, and spake,
saying, Woidd God that we had died when our
bretliron died before the Lord!"
4 And wh_r have ye brought up the congregation
of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our
cattle should die there?
5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up
out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place?
It is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or
of pomegranates neither is there any water to
;
"^

drink.
6 And Moses and Aaron went from the presence
of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of
the congregation, and they fell upon their faces
and the glory of the Lord appeared unto them.
7 1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly
together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak
ye unto the rock before their eyes and it shall
;

give fortli his water, and thou shalt bring forth to


them water out of the rock:'' so thou shalt give
the congregation and their beasts drink.
9 And Moses took the rod from before the Lord,
as he commanded him.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congre-
gation together before the rock, and he said unto
them, Hear now, ye i-ebels; must we fetch you
watier out of this rock?*
11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his
rod he smote the rock twice and the water came
:

out abundantly,'' and the congregation drank, and


their beasts also.
12 ^ And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron,
Because ye believed me not,''' to sanctify me in the
eyes of the children of Israel,** therefore ye shall
not bring this congregation into the land which I
liave given them.
13 This is the water of Meribah ;" because the
children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he
was sanctified in them.'
IF And Moses seut messengers from Kadesh
44
unto the king of Edom,^ Thus saith thy brother
Israel,'^ Thou knowest all the travail that hath
befallen us:*
15 How our fathers went down into Egypt,' and
a
1 : : :

Thr. srrpent of brass. NUMBERS X\I. Jouriuys of tlit Isradi/cs.

died there in the lop of tlio mount:" and Moses 9 And Moses made
a serpent of brass,*" li." uS^
and Kleazar came down from the mount. and j)ut it uj)on a pole; and it came to pass, that
29 And wiicn all the conprcj^ation saw that if a serpent had bitten any man, when be beheld
Aarou was dead, thev mourned for Aarou thirty the serjient of brass, he lived.
days, even all the house of Israel. 10 T And the children of Israel set forward, and
[(itched ill Obolii.^

CHAPTER XXI. 1 And


they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched
at Ije-abarim,' in the wilderness which is before
1 Israel with some loss destroy the Canaanites at Hormah. 4 The peo- Moab, toward the sunrising.
ple murmuring are plagued with fiery serpents. 7 They repenting
arc healed by a brazen serpent. 10 Sundry journeys of the Israelites. 12 H From thence they removed, and pitched in
22 Sihon is overcome, 33 and Og. the valley of Zered.'
ANDdweltwhen king Arad
south, heard tell that Israel
in the
tlie Canaanito," which 13 From thence tliey removed, and ]iitclied on
the other side of Arnon,' which is in the wilder-
came by the way of the spies;'' then he fouglit ness that cometli out of the coasts of the Amorites
against Israel, and took so}?ie of them prisoners. for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab
2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the Loud,'' and the Amorites.
and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people 14 Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars
into 'my hand, then I will utterly destroy their of the Lord, What he did in the Red sea,* and in
cities.'' the brooks of Arnon,
3 And
the Lord hearkened to the voice of Is- 15 And at the stream of the brooks that goeth
rael,'and delivered up the Canaanites; and they down to the dwelling of Ar," and lieth' upon the
utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he border of Moab.
called the name of the place Hormah.* 10 And from thence tliey went to Beer:'' that is
4 ^ And they Journeyed from mount Hor by the well whereof the Lord spake unto Mose?,
the way of tlie Red sea,*-' to compass the land of Gather the peojile together, and I will give them
Edoin :'' and the soul of the people was much dis- water.'"'
couraged* because of the way. 17 * Then Israel sang this song,'' Spring^ up,
5 And tlie people spake against God, and against well; sing' ye unto it:
Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of 18 The princes digged the well, the nobles of the
Egypt to die in the wilderness?' for there w no people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver,^
bread, neither is there any water;'' and our soul with their staves. And from the wilderness tluy
loatheth tliis light bread. urnt to Mattanaii
6 And the Loud sent fiery serpents among the 19 And from ^lattanah to Nahaliel: and from
people, and they bit the people ;' and much people Xahalicl to Baiiioth
of Israel died. 20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the
7 1 Therefore the people came to Moses, and country* of Moab, to the top of Pisgah,* which
said, We
have sinned,'" for we have spoken against looketh toward Jesliimon.^'-
the Lord," and against thee; pray unto the Lord," 211 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king
that he take away the serpents from us. And of the Amorites," saying,
Moses prayed for the people." 22 Let me pass through thy land we will not :

8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a turn into the fields, or into the vineyards ; we will
fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall not drink of the waters of the well but we will go :

come to ])ass, that every one that is bitten, when along by the king's high-way, until we be past thy
he looketh upon it, shall live. borders.''

Ch. 33:33, 39. b ch. 33:40; Judg. 1:18. c ch. 13:21. i Gen. aS:*',
» Acts 8:24 Jas. 5:16. p Psa. 1015:23. q 2 Kings 1S:4 John 3:14, 15. r ch.
;
:

Judg. 11:30. « Lev. 27:23; Deut. 13:15. f Psa. 22:4, 5. * Thit is. ITlIer Xi:43,-H. > Or, Heap< of Abarim. "Deut. 2:13. > ch. 22:3« Judg. 11 :1S.
;

dtslrmlion. e ch. i!0:22; 33:41. h Judg. 11:18. 1 Or, grieved; Ueb. short- i Or, Vaheb in Suphah. u Deut. 2:18, 29. IIleb. /eniielA. » Judg. 9:21.
ened; Exod. 6:9. Psi. 7S:19. J Exod. 10:3 ; 17:3. k ch. 11:6; Psa. wch. 20:8. » Exod. 15:1: Judg. 5:1; Psa. 100:12, 1 Heb. /l.wtid. "Or,
ei:6. 1 Deut. 8:15; 1 Cor. 10:9. m Psa. 73:34. n ver. 5. o Exod. 8:?, answer, y Deut. 33:4; Isa. 33:22. 1 Or. field. I Or. The hill. 5 Or, The
2S; Deut. 9:20,20; 1 Sam. 12:19; 1 Kings 13:0; Job 42:8, 10; Jer. 15:1; wilderness. «ch.2:J:2J. = Deut. 2:2t>, 27; Judg. 11:19, 20. bch. 20:17.

29. The most distinguished and useful must soon die. 13. Anion ; a small stream which empties into the Dead
Their death is a puljUc calamity, and a just cause of gen- sea from the cast.
eral grief and mourning. 14. The book; some book describing the wars referred
to. In the Red sea ; or as the margin, " in Suphah ;" appar-
CHAPTER XXI. ently designed to confirm the statement just made, that
1. In the south part of Canaan. By the wny
the soiitk; the Arnon was the northern boundary of Moab.
of way by which the spies had entered tlie
the spies; the 15. Ar; the capital of Moab. Ver. 28.
land of Canaan, namely, by the south, chap. 13:22. Some, IG. Beer; meaning a well. Ver. 18.
however, render, "by the way of Atharim." 20. And from Bamoth —
to the top of Pisgah; or, "and
3. Hormah ; meaning, utter destruction. from Bamoth to the valley that is in the country of Moab
5. This light bread; the manna. John C:31. by the top of Pisgah." Pisgah; the summit of Nebo, one
6. Fiery; probably so called from the burning heat of of the range of mountains called Abarim, between the
their bite. mountains of Gilead on the north and the mountains of
10. Set forward ; to go round the land of Edom, and up Seir on the south. Deut. 32:49. Jesliimon; meaning, tlie
north, through its eastern border, to the land of Moab. wilderness.
Deut. 2 : 1-8. 21. The Amorites; the tribes so called inhabited the
The valley of Zered ; a valley north-east of the Red
12. south of Palestine, Gen. 14:7, 13; Num. 13:29; also the
Bea, on the way towards Canaan. The Zered empties into region beyond the Jordan, as far south as the river Ar-
the Dead sea. non.
198
: :

Sihnn is overcome, and Og. NUMBERS XXII. Balak sendeth for Balaam.

of Bashan and Og the king of Bashan went out


:

pass through his border: but Sihoii gathered all against them, he, and all his people, to the battle
his people together, and went out against Israel at Edrci.J
into the wilderness:" and ho came to Jahaz, and 34 And the Lord said unto Moses, Fear him not
fought against Israel. for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all
24 And Israel smote him with the edge of the his people, and his land ; and thou shalt do to him
sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto as thou didst unto Sihon king of tlic Amorites,
Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon:'' for which dwelt at Heshbon.
tiie border of the children of Ammon was strong. 35 So they smote him,'' and his sons, and all his
25 And Israel took all these cities: and Israel people, until there was none left him alive: and
dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Hesh- they possessed his land.
bon, and in all the villages" tliereof.
26 For Heshbon icas the city of Sihon the king
of the Amorites,"' who had fought against the for-
CHAPTER XXII.
1 B.alak's 6rstmessage for Balaam is refused. 1.5 His second message
mer king of Moab, and taken all his land out of obtaineth Iiim. 22 An angel vouUl have slain him, if his ass had
his hand, even unto Arnon. not saved him. 36 Balak entertaineth him.

27 Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say,''


Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built
AND the children of Israel set forward, and
pitched in the plains of Moab on this side
and prepared Jordan by Jericho.'
28 For there is a iire gone out of Heshbon, a 2 IT And Balak the son of Zippor™ saw all that
flame from the city of Sihon it hath consumed Ar Israel had done to the Amorites.
: ''

of Moab,'a«rf the lords of the high places of Arnon. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, be-
29 Woe to thee, Moab! tliou art undone, peo- cause they irere many: and IMoab was distressed
ple of Chcmosh:' he hath given his sons that because of the children of Israel."
esca))el, and his daughters, into captivity unto 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian,"
Sihon king of the Amorites. Now shall this company lick up all that are round
30 We have shot at them Heshbon is perished
; about us, as the ox licketh uj) the grass of the
even unto Dibon," and we have laid them waste field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of
even unto Nophah, which reachcth unto Medeba. the Moabitcs at that time.
31 ^ Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amo- 5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the
rites. son of Beor to Pethor,'' which is by the river of
32 And Moses sent to spy out Jazer and they ;
' the land of the children of his people, to call him,
took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amo- saying, Behold, there is a people come out from
rites that were there. Egypt: behold, they cover the face* of the earth,
33 IT And they turned and went up by the way and they abide over against me.
a Deut. aO;7. b Josh. 12, 1, 2; a4:tf. • Heb. daugllUrs. " Song 7:4; Ic. k Deut. 20:7; Josh. 13.12: Psa. 135:10, II; 130:20. 1 ch. -33:48.
Isi. 1J:4. i Hib. 2:6. = Jer 48:45, 40. f Deut. 2:0,18; Isa. 13:1, 2. Judg. 11:25. n Bxod. 15.15; Deut. 2:25. o ch, 31:S; Josh. 13:21,22.
tjudg. 11:34; 2 Kings 23:13. h Jer. 48:13, 22. cb. 32:1.
i j Deut. 3:1, Deut. 23:4; Josh. 24:0; Neh. 13:1, 2; Micah 6:5. t Heb. eye.

23. Jahaz; a city near the northern border of Moab. 16. Though we have many and great trials in this
26. Heshbon; the city in which Sihon lived, about six- world, yet they are never as many or great as our sins
teen miles north of tlie Arnon. Ver. 34. deserve, and the Lord graciously bestows many and great
27. Ill proverbs; that is, in a figurative and poetic st_yle. mercies, which, if gratefully received and rightlj' used, will
The words that follow seem to be a triumphal song of the eventually prepare us for deliverance from all ti'ouble, and
Amorites, celebrating their victory over Moab. the reception of unmingled eternal joy. Eph. 3:10-21.
28. A fire gone out of Heshbon; a fire, that is, a desolat- 31. Li this world we have many enemies, and if we
ing force, has gone out from Sihon, to whom Heshbon now would be saved we must fight, not with flesh and blood
belongs, and who has made it his residence. only, but with principalities and powers, with the rulers
29. Chemosh; one of the idols of Moab. of the darkness of this world, and with spiritual wicked-
30. Dibon —
-Medeba; cities between Heshbon and the ness in high places.
Arnon. 34. Those who trust in God and do his will have no
a country east of the Jordan, between
33. BasJiayi; reason to fear any enemies, however numerous or power-
mount G-ilead and mount Lebanon. Edrei; one of the ful. He will in due time make them conquerors and more
chief cities of Bashan. than conquerors, through Him that loved them and gave
himself for them and to him they will for ever give all
;

rNSTRUCTIOXS. the glory.


However much men may suffer on account
5. of their
sins, they frequently repeat them and under the calami-
;
CHAPTER XXII.
ties which come upon them, they often find fault not only The plains of Moab; in the Jordan valley; so called
1.
with men, but with God, and thus multiply and increase because they had once belonged to Moab. They had
their troubles. Prov. 19:3. afterwards been taken by the Amorites, and now by the
9. .Jehovah answers prayer in a manner suited to try children of Israel. This side; the east side of Jordan.
the faith of his people. Though he is the great efficient Jericho ; a city of Canaan on the west side of Jordan.
Cause, they must use the means appointed in order to 4. Elders; the word translated elders means also princes
avail themselves of his blessings. If they do this as he or rulers. Ver. 8, 14, 15. Midian; a people living near
has directed, through grace they will live if they do ; the Moabites, and who on this occasion acted in concert
not. thev will die, and the blame be all on them. John with the Moabites, ver. 7. Lick up all; overcome and
3:14; 6:"29; 11:2.5, 26. swallow us up.
13. Life is like a journey through a wilderness. We 5. Salaam ; a noted sorcerer or soothsayer, of Mesopo-
are never stationary, but constantly passing onward to tamia. Ver. 7: Joshua 13:22. Pethor; a place near the
our final and everlasting abode. Euphrates. Chap. 23:7; Deut. 23:4.
199
:

Balak's saond mcssai^t. NUMI5ERS XX 11. Balaam mceltth the an^d.

G Come now therefore, I pray thoo, cur?e mc this


people;" for tliey are too mighty for iiie: perad-
I'Ciitiire I shall prevail, that we may smite them,

und that 1 may drive them out of the land for 1 :

wot tliat ho wIkuii thou Idessest is blessed, and he


whom tiiou ouisi'-t is eursed.
T xViid tlio elders of Moab and the elders of Mid-
ian departed with the rewards of divination in
their hand;" and they came unto Balaam, and
spake uiiti) him tlie words of Balak.

8 And he said unto them. Lodge here this night,


and will bring you word again, as the Loud shall
1

speak unto mc: and the princes of Moab abode


with Balaam.
9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What
men are those with thee?
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak tlio son of
Zipi)i)r, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt,
which covereth the face of the earth come now,:

curse mc them; peradventure I shall be able to


overcome them,' and drive them out.
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not
go with them ; thou shalt not curse the people
for they are blessed.'^
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said
unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land :

for the LoKD refuscth to give me leave to go with


you.''
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they
went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuscth to
come with us.
15 1i And Balak sent yet again princes, more,
and more honorable than they.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him.
Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing,
I pray thee, hinder thee* from coming unto me:
17 For I will promote thee unto very great honor,
and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me:
come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people."
18 And Balaam answered and said unto the ser-
vants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house
full of silver and gold,' I cannot go beyond the
word of the Lord my God, to do less or more."^
19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here
this night, that I may know what the Lord will
say unto me more.
20 And God came unto Balaam at night,"* and
said unto him. If the men come to call thee, rise
up. and go with them but yet the word which I
;

shall say unto thee, tliat shalt thou do.'


21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and sad-
• Ch.23:7. bl Sam. 9:7,
Balaam conuth to Balak. NUMBERS XXIII. Balaam^ first pro^hecr/.

a " ul^ Go with the men " but only the word that
:

I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.''


So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
36 IT And when Balak heard that Balaam was
come, he went out to meet him unto a city of
Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is
in the utmost coast.
37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not ear-
nestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore earn-
est tiiou not unto me? am I not able indeed to
promote thee to honor?''
38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come
unto thee have I now any power at all to say any
:

thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth,


that shall I speak.''
39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came
unto Kirjath-huzoth.'
40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent
to Balaam, and to the princes that icere with him.
41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Ba-
lak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high
places of Baal," that thence he might see the utmost
part of the people.

CHAPTER XXIII.
1, 13, 28 Balak's sacrifice. 7, 18 Balaam's parable.

AND Balaam said unto Balak, Build


seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen
me here

and seven rams.'


2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and
Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock
and a ram.^
3 And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt-
offering, and I will go ." peradventure the Lord will
come to meet me, and whatsoever he showeth me
I will tell thee. And he went to a high* place.
::

Biiltiam's seeoml prcphtcy. NUMBERS XXIV, Isr/id's htijtpiiusf fiirdvU.

lo And lie paid unto Balak, Stand liore by thy


burnt-oiyerinp, while 1 meet the LORD yonder.
1() And LoitD met Halaam, and ])iit a word
liic

in liis mouth," and said, Go again unto Balak, and


say thus.
i7 And when he came to liim, behold, he stood
liy his burnt-olTering, and the princes of Moab
with him. xVnd Balak said unto him, What hath
the Lord spoken?''
18 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise
up.' Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son
of Zip[)or:
ly God is not a man, that lie should lie; neither
the son of man, that he should repent:'' hath he
said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken,
and shall he not make it good?"
20 Behold,! have received commandment to bless
and ho hath blessed;'' and 1 cannot reverse it."
'21 ile hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, nei-

ther hath he seen perverseuess in Israel:'' the


IjOiui his God is with him,' and the shout of a
king is among them.-i
22 God brought them out of Egypt ;" he hath as
it were the strength of a unicorn.'
23 Surely there is no enchantment against* Ja-
cob, neither is there any divination against Israel
according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and
of Israel, What hath God wrought!'"
24 Behold, the peo](le shall rise up as a great
lion, and lift up himself as a young lion:" he shall
not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink
the blood of the slain."
25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse
*\\

them at all, nor bless them at all.


26 J>ut Balaam answered and said unto Balak,
Told not I thee, saying. All that the Lord speak-
eth, that I must doV
27 1 And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray

»Ver. 5. b 1 Sam. 3:17; Jer. 37:17


:

The Star ami Sceptre NUMBERS XXV. tif Jacob foretold.

n.lui: 8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; him, l)ut not nigh: there sliall come a Star out of
he hath as it were the strength of a unicorn he Jacob,'-' and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,'' and
:

shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall shall smite the corners* of Moab, and destroy all
break their bones," and pierce them through with the children of Sheth.
his arrows." 18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also
9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a shall be a possession for his enemies;' and Israel
great lion:'' who shall stir him up? Blessed is he shall do valiantly.
that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth 19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have
thee." dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth
10 If And Balak's anger was kindled against of the city.
Balaam, and he smote his hands together and 20 H And when he looked on Amalek, he took:

Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to cui'se up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of
mine enemies, and behold, thou hast altogether the nations;* but his latter end shall be that he
blessed the7n these three times/ perish for ever.*
11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I 21 And he looked on the Kenites,^ and took up
tliought to promote thee unto great honor but lo, his parable, and said. Strong is thy dwelling-place,
;

the Lord hath kept thee back from honor. and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.
12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not 22 Nevertheless the Kenite* shall be wasted,
also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto until" Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
me, saying, 23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas,
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver who shall live when God doeth this!"
and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of 24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chit-
the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own tim,' and shall afflict Asshur,'" and shall afflict
mind; Ai/i what the Lord saith, that will I speak? Eber," and he also shall perish for ever.
1-1 And now, behold, I go unto my people come 25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned
:

therefore, and I will advertise thee what this peo- to his place and Balak also went his way. :

ple shall do to thy people in the latter days.


15 H And he took up his parable, and said, Ba-
laam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose
CHAPTER XXV.
1 Israel at Shittim commit whoredom and idolatry. 6 Phinchas kiUelh
eyes are open hath said Zimri and Cozbi. 10 (jrod therefore giveth him an everlasting priest-
16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, hood. 16 The Midianites are to be vexed.

and knew the knowledge of the Most High, which


saw the vision of the Almighty, falling i7ifo a
Israel abode in Shittim," and the people
began to commit whoredom with the daugh-
AND
trance, but having his eyes open ters of Moab.P:

17 I shall see him,'' but not now: I shall behold 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices
Psa. 45:5. » ch. 23:24. <1 Gen. l-'::]. = Neh. 1.3:2. (Rev destruction; 'Ey.oi.n-.U; \Sa.m. 15:3. i Gen. 15:19. 5 Heb. A'ain. I Or,
1:7. sRev 16. hPsa. 110:2. • Or, through the princes. iPsa. 60:8-12 Aoiotong-shallitbe ere. kMll.3:2. IDin. 11:30. m Gsn. 10:11. "Gen.
t Or, Ihe ua ! that warred against Israel: Exod. 17:8, 10. 1 Or, even (i 10:21,25. och. 33:49; Mic. 0:5. p ch. 31:16; ICor. 10:8.

8. Eat up the nations; overcome and destroy them. having thus foretold the perpetual triumph of God's peo-
14. Adfertise; iuform. ple and the overthrow of all their enemies, ceases and
15. Whose eyes arc open; to see and foretell many things departs.
that vriU hereafter take place. IXSTRUCTIOXS.
17. See him —
behold him.; the Star and the Sceptre that
I. The Lord men to see
will cause all that it is his un-
shall rise out of Israel. The reference is undouljtedly to changeable purpose to bless his people. Those who re-
the Messiah, but in such a way that it includes David's joice in it will be partakers of his joy, and those who are
kingdom also, which was perpetuated and received a spir-
grieved at it be filled with ever-growing sorrow.
itual form in Christ. Luke 1:32, 33. David's victories 4. However much men may know of God and his ways,
over the Moabites and other enemies of Israel were but and however much they may see of the blessedness of
anticipations and pledges of the final victory which Jesus
his people, if they do not love and obej' him, their know-
Christ, his son according to the flesh and sitting upon
ledge wiU but increase their guilt and aggravate their
his throne, should gain over all the enemies of Ilis people.
ruin.
See Psalms 2,110; Isa.U: 10-16. The children of Sheth; or,as 9. God will treat men in some measure as they treat his
many prefer, the children of tumult, the tumultuous war- people. The blessings which they bestow, or the curses
riors of Moab. So the word
explained, Jer. 48:45.
is
which they heap upou them, will return upon themselves.'
21. The Kenites; apparently a Midianitish peojjle dwell-
II. By refusing to please the wicked, men often fail of
ing in near connection with the Amalekites. 1 Sam. 15:6.
those worldly honors which by doing wrong they might
22. A.ishur; the Ass>Tians.
obtain.
23. Who shall live? who can escape destruction in the
13. Men may feel their dependence on God. that they
midst of such desolations ?
are under his control and cannot escape out of his hands,
24. Ships; armed forces coming in ships. The coast of without rejoicing in their dependence, receiving mercies
Chittim; the countries of the west lying on the Mediter-
with gratitude, or giving him the glory of what they enjoy.
ranean. This prophecy was fulfilled in the conquests of
23. A view of the future, while it awakens gladness in
the Greeks and Romans over the East. Eber ; the pos-
the righteous, fills the wicked with apprehension and dis-
terity of Eber living on the east of the Euphrates. To may.
this people and region Abraham belonged, and thence he
migrateii to the land of Canaan. To this country Balaam
CHAPTER XXV.
also belonged, so that he who was called to curse Israel 1. a place in the plains of Moab, east of Jor-
Shittim ;

was compelled to foretell the doom of " the children of his dan. Commit whoredom; this was in consequence of the
people." He also; probably, the power that comes from advice of Balaam. Chap. 31:15. 16; 2 Pet. 2:15, 16; Rev.
'Chittim, but some understand the words of Eber. Balaam 2:14.
203
;

Phindms kiUtth Zimri, Nl'.MIJKItS XWI. T/ie numhcring of Israef.

of their poilti:" nml the people did cat, and liowod


down to tlieir pxis.''
3 And Israel ji)iiR'<l himself unto Baai-pcor:'' and
the anirer of the Loitn was kindled ajrainst Israel.
4 And tlie Loud said nnlo Moses, Take all the
heads of the people, and iiang them up before the
Loiti) aL'ainst the sun,'' that the fierce anger of the
Loitn may be turned awaj- from Israel."
5 And -Moses said unto the judpres of Israel,
Slay ye every one his men tiiat were joined unto
Baal-peor.'
(1 "i And
behold, one of the eliiidren of Israel
came brought unto his bretliren a Midianitish
anil
woman in the sitrlit of Moses, and in tiie siirht of
all the congregation of tin; children of Israel, who
were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of
the congregation."
7 And when Phinehas,'' the son of Eleazar, the
son of Aaron tiie priest, saw it, he rose up from
among the congregation, and took a javelin in his
hand
8 Andhe went after the man of Israel into the
tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of
Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the
plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
y And those that died in the plague were twenty
and four tliousand.'
10 ^ And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of
Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away
from the children of Israel,^ while he was zealous
for my sake* among them, that I consumed not the
children of Israel in my jealousy."
12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my
covenant of peace :'
13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him,
even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood;™
because he was zealous for his God," and made an
atonement for the cliildren of Israel."
14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain,
even that was slain with the Midianitish woman,
was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief
house* among the Simeonites.
15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that
was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur ^ he was ;

head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.


16 IT And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
> Exod. 34:
: : : : ;. : : ;

The. numbering of Israel NUMBERS XXVI. in the plains of 3Toab.

ii
12 If The sons of Simeon after their fam-
r' i45i' and tiie names of the daugh-
sons, but daughters '

ilies:of Ncmuel,* the family of the Xemuelites: ters of Zelophehad were Mahlah,and Noah, Uoglah,
of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites of Jachin,* Milcah, and Tirzah.
:

the fomily of the Jachinites. 34 These are the families of Manasseh, and those
13 Of Zerah,* the family of the Zarhites: of that were numbered of them, fifty and two thou-
Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. sand and seven hundred.
1-4 These are the families of the Simeonites, 35 TI These are the sons of Ephraim after their
twenty and two thousand and two hundred. families of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthal-:

15 1 The children of Gad after their families: hites of Becher,^ the family of the Bachrites of : :

of Zephon,* the family of the Zephonites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the 36 And these are the sons of Shuthelah of Eran, :

family of the Shunites: the family of the Eranites.


16 Of Ozni,' the family of the Oznites: of Eri, 37 These are the families of the sons of Ephra-
the family of the Erites im according to those that were numbered of
17 Of Arod,' the family of the Arodites: of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred.
Areli, the family of the Arelites. These are the sons of Joseph after their fami-
18 These are the families of the children of Gad lies.
according to those that -were numbered of them, 38 IF The sons of Benjamin after their families:^
forty thousand and iive hundred. of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the
19 TT The sons of Judah ivere Er and Onan and family of the Ashbelites of Ahiram,' the family
:'* :

Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. of the Ahiramites


20 And the sons of Judah after their families 39 Of Shupham,^ the family of the Shuphamites:
were of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites of of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.
; :

Pharcz, the family of the Pharzites of Zerah, the : 40 And the sons of Bela were Ard* and Naa-
family of the Zarhites. man of Jird, the family of the Ardites and of
: :

21 And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
the family of the Hezronites of Hamul, the family
: 41 These are the sons of Benjamin after their
of the Hamulites. families: and they that were numbered of them
22 These are the families of Judah according to were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
those that were numbered of them, threescore 42 ^ These are the sons of Dan after their fami-
and sixteen thousand and five hundred. lies:'' of Shuham,^ the family of the Shuhamites.
are the families of Dan after their fami-
:"
23 "1 0/" the sons of Issachar after their families These
of Tola, the family of the Tolaites of Pua,* the lies. :

family of the Punites 43 All the families of the Shuhamites, accord-


24: Of Jashub,+ the family of the Jashubites of ing to those that were numbered of them were
:

Sliimron, the family of the Shimronites. threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
25 These are the families of Issachar according 44 1 0/" the children of Asher after their fami-
to those that were numbered of them, threescore lies:' of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of
and four thousand and three hundred. Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the
26 ? 0/the sons of Zebulun after their families :* family of the Beriites.
of Sered, the family of the Cardites of Elon, the 45 Of the sons of Beriah of Heber, the family
: :

family of the Elonites of Jahleel, the family of of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the
:

the Jahleelites. Malcbielites.


27 These are the families of the Zebulunites 46 And the name of the daughter of Asher was
according to those that were numbered of them, Sarah.
threescore thousand and five hundred. 47 These are the families of the sons of Asher
28 IT The sons of Joseph after their families were according to those that were numbered of them
Manasseh and Ephraim.'' who were fifty and three thousand and four hun-
29 Of the sons of Manasseh of Machir,'' the dred.
:

family of the Machirites and Machir begat Gil-


: 48 T 0/" the sons of Naphtali after their fami-
ead: of Gilead come the family of the Gilead- lies ) of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites of :

ites. Guni, the family of the Gunites:


30 These are the sons of Gilead of Jeezer,* the : 49 Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites of Shil- :

family of the Jeezerites of Helek, the family of lem,» the family of the Shillemites.
:

the Helekites 50 These are the families of Naphtali according


31 And q/'Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: to their families: and they that were numbered
and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites of them were forty and five thousand and four
32 And of Shemida, the family of the Shemida- hundred.
ites: and o/" Hepher, the family of the Hepher- 51 The.-e icere the numbered of the children of
ites. Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven
33 IT And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no hundred and thirty."
• Jr.nuul, Sen. 46 10: Exod. 6:15. t Jarii: I Chr. 4. -24. I Zohar: 36:11. « Btre'l: 1 Chr. 7:20. e Gen. 46:21; 1 Chr. 7:6. I Ehi; Gen
lien 46:10. » ZipAion. fien. 46:16. I Or, £i6on,- Gen. 46:10. ^ Arotli 46:21: Aluirali; lChr.8:I. ^ Muppim. and Hltppim ; Gen. 46:21. •Adder:
Gen. 46:16. » Gen. 3S:2-10; 1 Chr. 2:3, etc. i> Gen. 46:13; 1 Chr. 7:1 1 Chr. .":3. t> Gen. 46:23. t Or, Hushitn. i Gen. 46:17; 1 Chr 7.^1.
•Or, PAuTo/i. ^ Or. Job. » Gen. 46:14. J Gen. 46:2(1. e Josh. 17:1; 1 Chr. IGr-n. 46:24; 1 Chr. 7:1.}. 1 S/mWiim : I Chr 7:13. kchl:46.
7:14, 15. : CaUea Abitzer. .Tosh. 17.2; Judg. 6:11. 24. :!!. f ch. 27:1:
•20.5
The famUies of tht Invites. MMI'.KIJS XXVII. The law of in/ierilavees.

52 1 And the Lonn ?\mko unto Mosos, sayinp,


5:i Unto those the land sluill he divided for an
inlieritance accordintr to the number of names."
r)4 To many thou shall pive the more* iidieri-

tance, and to" few thou shall erivc the less* iiihcri-
tanee:'' to every one shall his inlieritivnce be
piven according to those that were numbered of
him.
5;j Xotwithstandinc: the land shall be divided by
lot: according to the names of the tribes of their
liithers they shall inherit.
5() According to the lot shall the possession
thereof lie divided l)Ctwcen many and few.
57 "l And these are they that were mnnliercd of
the liCvites after their families:'' of Gershoii, the
family of the Gershonitos: of Koiiath. tiie family
of the Kohathites: of Morari, the family of the
Merarites.
58 These are the families of the Levitcs: the
family of the Libuiles, the family of the Hebron-
itcs, ilic family of the Mahlites, the family of the
^lushites, the family of the Korathitcs. And Ko-
hath begat Am ram.
59 And the name of Amram's wife was Joche-
bed,'' the daughter of Levi, Avhom her mother hare
to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram,
Aaron and iloses and iliriam their sister.
60 And unto Adron was born Xadab and Abihu,
Eleazar and Ithamar."
61 And Nadab and Abihu died, when they of-
fered strange fire before the Lord.''
62 And those that were numbered of them were
twenty and three thousand, all males from a mouth
old and upward :-' for they were not numbered
among the children of Israel," because there was
no inlieritance given them among the children of
Israel.'
63 These are they that were numbered by
*i'

Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the


children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan
near Jericho.-*
6-1 But among these there was net a man of them
whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when
they nund)ered the children of Israel in the wil-
derness of Sinai."
65 For the Lord had said of them. They shall
surely die in the wilderness.' And there was not
left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephun-
neh. and Joshua the son of Nun.

"Josh. 11:23; 14:1


: : ; ::

Joshua is appointed leader. NUMBERS XXVIII. Offerings to be observe/!.

i'.v.'u^l 14 For yc rebelled against my command- ing made by fire which ye shall offer unto the
ment in the desert of Zin,'' in the strife of the con- Lord:" two lambs of the first year without spot
gregation, to sanctify me at the water before their day by daj,^ for a continual burnt-offering.
eyes that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in
: 4 The one lamb shalt thou ofler in the morning,
the wilderness of Zin." and the other lamb shalt thou ofler at even;*''
15 If And Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, 5 And a tenth pcu-t of an ephah of flour for a
16 Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all meat-offering,'' mingled with the fourth part of a
flesh,*^ set a man over the congregation,'' hin of beaten oil."
17 Which may go out before them, and which 6 It is a continual burnt-offering which was or-
may go in before them," and which may lead them dained in mount Sinai for a sweet savor, a sacri-
out, and whicli may bring them in; that the con- fice made by fire unto the Lord.
gregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have 7 And the drink-offering thereof shall be the
no shepherd/ fourth part of a hin for the one lamb in the holy :

18 1" And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured
Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the unto the LoRDybr a drink-offering.
spirit,' and lay thy hand upon him;'' 8 And the otlier lamb shalt thou offer at even
19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and as the meat-ofiering of the morning, and as the
before all the congregation and give him a charge drink offering thereof, thou shalt ofler it, a sacri-
;

in their sight.' fice made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.
20 And tliou shalt put some of thine honor upon 9 *i And on the sabbath-day two lambs of the
him,-' that all the congregation of the children of first year without spot, and two tenth-deals of
Israel may be obedient.'^ flour j'br a meat-offering, mingled with oil, and the
21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, drink-offering thereof:
who shall ask counsel for him' after the judgment 10 This is the burnt-offering of every sabbath,
of U rim before the Lord :'" at his word shall they beside the continual burnt-offering,' and his drink-
go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, offering.
and all the children of Israel with him, even all 11 "i And in the beginnings of your months" ye
the congregation. shall offer a burnt-offering unto the Lord ;'' two
22 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the
and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the first year without spot
priest, and before all the congregation 12 And three tenth-deals of flour for a meat-
23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and
liim a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand two tenth-deals of flour for a mcat-oflcring, min-
of Moses." gled with oil, for one ram ;

13 And a several tenth-deal of flour mingled


CHAPTER XXVIII. with oil for a meat-offering unto one lamb for a
burnt-ofl'ering of a sweet savor, a sacrifice made by
;

1 Offerings are to be observed. 3 The continual burnt-offering. 9 The


offering on the sabbatli, 11 on the new moons, 16 at the passover, *J0 fire unto the Lord :

in tlic day of first-t"ruits. 14 And their drink-offerings shall be half a hin


AND 2
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Command the children
of wine unto a bullock, and the third paii. of a hin
of Israel, and say unto a ram, and a fourth jjart of a hin unto a lamb
unto them. My offering, and my bread for my sac- this is the burnt-offering of every month through-
rifices made by tire,"yo?- a sweet savor unto me,* out the months of the year.
shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due 15 And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering
season. unto the Lord shall be offered,™ beside the con-
3 And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offer- tinual burnt-offei'ing," and his drink-offering.
a Ch. 20:10-12. b Exod. 17:7. t oh. 16:2-2; Heb. 12:9. d .Ter. 3:15. 1 Sam. 22:10; 23:9; 30:7. mEMd.2S:30. nver.19. ol,ev.3:ll. 'Heb.
« Beut. 31:2; 1 Sam. 8:20; 1S:13; 2 Chr. 1:10; John 10:9. < 1 Kings a savor of my rest, p Exod. 29:38. t Heb. m a doy. X Tie^,. between tht
2-2:17; Zech. 10:2; Matt. 0:36; 1 Pet. 2:2.5. B Gen. U:3i; Jadg. 3:10; two evenings, q Exod. 12:6. ' ch. 15:4; Lev. 2:1. » Exod. 29:40, etc.
11:29; 1 Sam. 16:13, 13; Dan. 5:11; Acts 6:3. h Deut. 34:9; Acts 6:6. t Ezek. 46:4. u ch. 10:10; 1 Chr. 23:31; 2 Chr. 2:4; Neh. 10:33; Isa.
i
Deut. 31:7. J 2 Kings 2:9, 15. t Josh. 1:10. 17. 1 Judg. 20:13, etc.; 1:13, 14; Ezek. 45:17; Col 2:16. » ch. 15:3-11. w ch. 15:24. i ver. 10.

14. Ye rebelled; chap. 20:8-13. the time will soon come when he must die, and leave all
16. Set a man over tlie congregation; to succeed MoseB as the concerns of this world to others.
their leader. 16. A
pious man earnestly desires the spiritual benefit
18. The spirit; the Spirit of God. Lay thy hand upon of those who may survive him, and will be much in prayer
him ; in token of liis being appointed as leader of Israel, that, after his decease, God wiU continue to bless them
;iiif1 endued with the Holy Spirit to fit him for his office. with all needed good.
23. Gave him a charge ; instructed him as to his duties, 21. Rulers who seek the teaching of the Holy Spirit,
:ind exhorted him to the faithful discharge of them. who know their duties,and are faithful in the discharge
of them, are great blessings to the 'people.
IXSTRUCTIOXS.
3. As the cause of every death and of all our evils is
CHAPTER XXYIII.
sui, all our suS'erings should lead us more and more to 2. In their due season; according to the wiU of God,
:ibhor and forsake it. heretofore or hereafter made known,
5. In all cases of difficulty w6 should look to God, and —
An ephah a hin; Exod. 29: 10.
."i.

seek that direction from him which we need. 10. Continual; diiily.
13. However much any one may he favored of God, 11. Months; these began with each new moon.
however useful lie may he, or however long he may live. 13. A several tenth-deal; one for each lamb. Vvr. ?1, 2!).
•JOT
1 ; : : ; ; ;; :: :

Tlu passiver, aiul first-fruits:. Kl' Ml; Kits XXIX, Offerings for the holy d t/i.

16 Ami day of the liist inontli ye shall do no servile work: it is a day ».c:fSi
in tlio fourtecnlli
is till" pussover of the LuUP." iif idiiwing the trumpets unto you.'

17 And ill tlie tifteenth day of lliis month is the 2 And ye shall offer a burnt-oflering for a sweet
fea-st: seven days sliail uideavened liiead 1)0 eaten. savor unto the Lord one young bullock, one ;

18 In tiie first day s/iaJI be a holy eonvoeation ram, and seven lambs of the' first year without
yc sliali do no manner of servile work therein: blemish
l\) 15ut ye shall oflcr a saerificc made l)y fire /or 3 And their meat-offering shall be of flour min-
a burnt-olleriiig unto the Lord; two young bul- gled with oil, three tenth-deals for a "bullock, and
locks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first two tenth-deals for a ram,
year: they shall be unto you without lileinish.'' 4 And one tenth-deal for one lamb, throughout
'20 And their meat-olForing s/iall In-
of Wmw min- the seven lambs:
irlcd with oil: three tenth-deals shall ye ofler for 5 And one kid of the goats /or a sin-offering, to
a bullock, and two tenth-deals for a ram make an atoneuKiiit for you:
21 A several tenth-deal shalt thou ofler for every 6 Beside the burnt-oflering of the month," and
lamb, throughout the seven lambs his meat-offering, and the daily burnt-oflering,''
22 And one goat /or a sin-oflTering,'' to make an and his meat-oflering, and their drink-offerings,
atonement for you. according unto their manner,' for a sweet savor,
23 Ye shall offer these beside the burnt-ofTering a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord.
in the moruiug, which is for a continual burnt- 7 IF And yc shall have on the tenth day of this
offering. seventh month a holy convocation ;J and ye shall
2-1: After this manner ye shall offer daily through- afliict your souls " ye shall not do any work therein :
:

out the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made <S But ye shall ofler a burnt-oflering unto the
by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord: it shall Lord for a sweet savor; one young bullock, one
be offered beside the continual burnt-offering, and ram, arid seven lambs of the first year; they shall
his drink-offering. be unto you without blemish.'
2.5 And on the seventh day ye shall have a holy 9 And their mcat-offcring shall be of flour min-
convocation; yc shall do no servile work. gled with oil, three tenth-deals to a bullock, and
26 *' Also in the day of the first-fruits,'' when yc two tenth-deals to one ram,
bring a new meat-offering unto the Lord, after 10 A several tenth-deal for one lamb, throughout
your weeks he out, yc shall have a holy convoca- the seven lambs
tion ye shall do no servile work
;
11 One kid of the goats /or a sin-offering; be-
27 But ye shall offer the burnt-offering for a side the sin-offering of atonement,"' and the con-
sweet savor unto the Lord two young bullocks, tinual burnt-offering, and the meat-offering of it,
;

one ram, seven lambs of the first year and their drink-offerings.
28 And their meat-offering of flour mingled with 12 1 And on the fifteenth day of the seventh
oil, three tenth-deals unto one bullock, two tenth- month ye shall have a holy convocation ;" ye shall
deals unto one ram, do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto
29 A several tenth-deal unto one lamb, through- the Lord seven days:
iiut the seven lambs 13 And ye shall offer a burnt-offering," a sacri-
30 Jlnd one kid of the goats, to make an atone- fice made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord :

ment for you. thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen
3 Ye shall offer them beside the contir.-ual burnt- lambs of the first year; they shall be without
oflering," and his meat-offering, (they shall be unto blemish
you without blemish,) and their drink-offerings. 14 And their meat-offering shall be of flour min-
gled with oil, three tenth-deals unto every bullock
CHAPTER XXIX. of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth-deals to each
1 1 he oiTering at the feast of trumpets, 7 at the day of afflicting their ram of the two rams,
15 And a several tenth-deal to each lamb of the
souls, 12 and on the eight days of the feast of tabernacles.

A ND in the seventh month, on the first day of fourteen lambs:


.Jx the month, ye shall have a holy convocation 16 And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering;
Ch. 9:3-, Exod. 12;6, IS; Lev. 23:5, 6; Ezek. 45:21.
•> b ver. i 15:11, 12; Ezra 3:4; 1 Cor. 14:40. j Lev. 10:29; 23:27. k Psa. .35:13;
29:8; Lev, •J2:20; Deut. 15:21; Mai. 1:1.3, 14; 1 Pet. 1:19. c y Isa. 58:5. 1 ch. 2S:19. ni Lev. 10:.3, etc. " Lev. 23:34; Deut. 10:13;
•1 Exod. 23:16; 34:22; Lev. 23:10, etc.; Deut. 16.10; Acts 2:1. t » Ezek. 45:25. o Ezra 3:4.
' Lev. 23:24; Psa. 81:3, 4. B ch. 23:11. t ch. 23:3; Heb. 10:1.

26. After your weeks ; after seven weeks from the second sons and the beginning of every day, month, and year,
;

(lay of the passover, when the feast of weeks, or Pente- should remind us of om- obligations to him, and lead us to
cost, was celebrated. devote ourselves anew to his service.
16. In all our religious exercises we should have refer-
IXf^TRUCTIOXS. ence to the atonement of Christ, and place our reliance on
2. No engagements for this world should induce us to him and what he has done for acceptance with God.
neglect the ordinaiice.s of religion, or to fail to observe, at
the proper time, the divinely appointed means of grace. CHAPTER XXIX.
9. While it is our duty daily to read the Scriptures and I. month; hey. 23:2^-43.
Tlie seventh
pray, as individuals and families, we should on the Sab- II.Beside the sin-offering of atonement ; that is, besides
bath give special attention to these duties, and also wor- the special sin-offerings ajipointed for this day,w-hich was
ship God in ptiblic with the assembly of his people. the great day of atonement. See Lev. 16 3, etc., compared
:

11. The Lord has appointed the sun and moon for sea- with \-er. 29-34.
208
: ::::
: : : ; : : ;

Of the feast of tabernacles. NUMBERS XXX. Vows not to be broken.

B.ailS" beside the continual burnt-offering, liis 32 1 And on


the seventh day seven bullocks,
meat-offering, and liis drinlv-offering. two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year
17 IT And on the second day ye shall offer twelve without blemish
young bullocks, two i-ams, fourteen lambs of the 33 And their meat-offering and their drink-offer-
first year without spot ings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the
18 And their meat-offering and their drink-offer- lambs, shall be according to their number, after
ings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the the manner
lambs, shall be according to their number, after the And one goat for a sin-offering beside the
34 ;

manner:* continual burnt-offering, his meat-offering, and his


19 And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering; drink-offering.
beside the continual burnt-offering, and the meat- 35 1 On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn
offering thereof and tlieir drink-offerings. assembly:"^ ye shall do no servile work therein:
20 1 And on the third day eleven buUocks, two 36 But ye shall offer a burnt-offering, a sacrifice
I'ams, fourteen lambs of the first year without made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord one :

blemish bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year


21 And their meat-offering and their drink-offer- without blemish
ings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the 37 Their meat-offering and their drink-offerings
lambs, shall be according to their number, after for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs,
the manner shall be according to their number, after the man-
22 And one goat for a sin-offering beside the ; ner:
continual burnt-offering, and his meat-offering, and 38 And one goat for a sin-offering beside the ;

his drink-offering." continual burnt-offering, and his meat-offering, and


23 1 And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two his drink-offering.
rams, a7id 39 These things ye shall do* unto the Lord in
fourteen lambs of the first year without
blemish your set feasts,'' beside your vows,'' and your free-
24: Their meat-offering and their drink-offerings will-offerings, for your burnt-offerings, and for
for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, your meat-offerings, and for your drink-offerings,
sha'l be according to their number, after the man- and for your peace-offerings.
ner: 40 And Moses told the children of Israel accord-
25 And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering ing to all that the Lord commanded Moses.
beside the continual burnt-offering, his meat-offer-
ing, and his drink-offering.
26 IT And on
the fifth day nine bullocks, two CHAPTER XXX.
rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without 1 Vows are not to be broken. 3 The exception of a maid's vow. 6 Of
a wife's. 9 Of a widow's, or her that is divorced.
sjiot
27 And their meat-offering and their drink-offer-
ings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the
ANDconcerning
Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes
the children of Israel,' saying,
lambs, shall be according to their number, after the Tills w the thing which the Lord hath commanded.
manner 2 If a man vow a vow unto the Lord,''' or swear
28 And one goat for a sin-offering beside the ; an oath to bind his soul with a bond;" he shall
continual burnt-offering, and his meat-offering, and not break ^ his word, he shall do according to all
his drink-offering. that proceedeth out of his mouth.'
29 "i And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two 3 If a woman also vow a vow unto the Lord,
rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's
blemish house in her youth
30 And their meat-offering and their drink-offer- 4 And her father hear her vow, and her bond
ings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father
lambs, shall be according to their number, after the shall hold his peace at her then all her vows shall ;

manner stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound


31 And one goat /or a sin-offering; beside the her soul shall stand.
continual burnt-offering, his meat-offering, and his 5 But if her father disallow her in the day that
drink-offering. he heareth, not any of her vows, or of her bonds
er.3,4,9,IO; ch. 15:12; 2S:7, 14. b Psa. 16:4; Joel 1:9, 13; 2:14. fch 1-4-16 sLev. 27:2; Deut. 23:21; Judg. 11:35,36; Psa. 15:4; Eccl.
. SJ;36; Jolm7:.37. •
Or,offtT. d Lev. 23:2, etc.; 1 Chr. 23:31; 2 Chi. 5-4. h Lev. 5:4; Malt. 5:33; 14:7-9; Acts 23.14. t Heb. profane; Psa.
Ezra3:5; Neh. 10:^3; Isi. 1:14. e Lev. 7:11,16; 22:21,23; Deut.l2:6. 55:20. Job 22:27; Psa. 22:25; 50:14; 06:13.14; 116.14, IS; Nah. 1:15.
i

INSTRUCTIONS. CHAPTER XXX.


The frequency with which the atonement of Christ
11.
is brought to view, in both the Old Testament and the He shall not break his word; provided the thing which
2.
New, shows its importance in the system of mercy which he vowed or promised to do is practicable, and not mor-
God has devised for the salvation of men, and the neces- but if the thing promised is wicked, he must
ally -wTong :

sity of relying upon it in order to obtain pardon and repent of his sin in promising for the sin in this ca^se is ;

eternal life. in the promise, and not in breaking it. Matt. 14:7-10;
39. True love to God will lead men not only to attend Acts 23:12.
habitually and conscientiously on the appointed means of 4. Shall stand ; be binding on her.

grace, but cheerfuUy to present to him freewill-offerings 5. The Lord shall forgive her; for not doing as she had

of prayer, alms, thanksgiving, and praise. promised.


14 209
1 ; — ;: 1

The law of tows. NUMBERS XXXI. The Mulid nitci spoiled.

wherewith slie lialh liouiul her soul, shall stand niandcd Moses, between a man and liis RrMill
;

and the Loitn shall iorfxive her, because her father wife, between the father and his daughter, being
disallowed her. yet in her youth in iicr father's house.
G Anil if siie had at all a husliaiid, when she
vowed,' or uttered autrht out of her lips, where- CHAPTER XXXI.
witli she liouiid her t^oul 1 Tlio Midianitea are Kpoilcd, and Balaam slain. 13 Mosei is wroth
7 Antl her husband heard if, and held his peace with tho oiKccrs, for »aring the women alive. 19 How
the soldieri,
wiUi their captives and spoil, are to be purified. 2.5 The proportion
at her in tlic day that he heard it ; then her vows whereby the prey
bo divided.
is to 48 The voluntary oblation unto
shall stand, ancl her bonds wherewith she bound the treasury of the Lord.

her soul sliall stand.


8 But if her husband disallowed licr on the daj-
AND 2
theLord spake unto Moses, saying,
Avenge the children of Israel of the Mid-
that he heard if," tlion he sliall make her vow ianites;'' afterward shalt thou be gathered unto
whit'li she vowed, and tiiat which she uticrcil with tiiy pcopk"."
her lijjs, wherewith she bound her soul, of none 3 And Moses spake unto the people, saying. Arm
efl'ect; and the Lord shall forgive her. some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go
9 But every vow of a widow, and of her that is against the Midianites, and avenge the Loud of
divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, Midian.
shall stand against her. 4 Of every tribe a thousand,* throughout all the
10 And if she vowed in her husband's house, or tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.
bound her soul by a bond with an oath; 5 So there were delivered, out of the thousands
1 And her husband heard it, and held his peace of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thou-
at her, and disallowed her not; then all her vows sand armed for war.
shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound 6 And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand
her soul shall stand. of every tribe, them and Phinchas the son of Elea-
12 But if her husband hatli utterly made them zar the priest, to the war, with the holy instru-
void on the day he heard t/mn ; then whatsoever ments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.''
proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or 7 And they warred against the Midianites, as the
concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand Loud commanded Moses; and they slew all the
her husband hath made them void ;'' and the Loud males.^
shall forgive her." 8 And they slew the kings of Midian,"* beside the
13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict them that were slain namely, Evi, and Re-
rest of ;

the soul, her husljaud may establish it, or her hus- kcm, and Zur, and Hur, and Keba, five kings of
band may make it void. Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew
14 But if her husband altogether hold his peace with the sword.
at her from day to day then he establisheth all
; 9 And the chlldi'en of Israel took all the women
her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took
he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks,
her in the day that he heard them. and all their goods.
15 But if he sliall any ways make them void 10 And they burnt all their cities wherein they
after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear dwelt,' and all their goodly castles, with fire.
her iniquity. 1 And
they took all the spoil,' and all the prey,
16 These are the statutes, which the Lord com- both of men and of beasts.
• Heb. her vows were vpan her; Psa. 56:12. » Gen. 3:10; Cor. h Josh. 13:21,
1 7:4;
14:34; Eph. 5:22-24. b 1 Cor. 11:3. ' ver. 5, 8; ch. 15:25, 2S. d ch.
2.5:17. c ch. 27:13. t Heb. A thousand of a tribe, a thousand of a tribe.

9. Shall stand ; because she had a right to bind herseK, men who make void the commandment of God through
and no one had a right to forbid it. their traditions. Matt. 15 3-6. :

to. If she vowed; if the widow or divorced wife vowed 15. No conjugal, parental, ecclesiastical, or civil author-
before her separation from her husband. ity can in any case bind a person to conmiit sin ; and if
l.i. Make them void; by hindering her from performing any attempt it, they rebel against the authority of God,
wh-at he had previously allowed her to promise. Bear her and expose themselves to his just indignation.
iniquity; be punished as the woman would have been if
she had wilfully broken her promise. CHAPTER XXXI.
INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Avenge—
of the Midianites; punish them
for tempting
2. A man may solemnlyengage to do a wicked thing, but Israelites to sin, and thus causing their destruction.
no engagement can lay him under any obligation to do it Chap. 25 1-9, 17, 18. :

and if he does it, it will bo at the peril of his soul. But if 3. Avenn;e the Lord; execute his just indignation.
the thing which he has engaged to do is not wicked, and 6. The holy instrummts ; what these were, aside from
is practicible, he must not break his engagement, even if the trumpets, is uncertain. Some propose to render,
the fulfilment of it should injure himself. Psa. 15 4. "with the holy instruments, even the ti-umpets."
:

_
8. It is the will of God that there should be in all fami- 7. Slew all the males; that is, all the adult males taken in
lies conjugal and parental government and conti'ol; and war. We cannot understand in this narrative a general
relative duties are so important, that no vows or cove- extermination of the Midianites, since we find them after-
nants into which any one can enter, can release him or wards warring against Israel. The slaughter seems to
her from obhgations to perform them. Those, therefore, have been confined to the five neighboring tribes that
who induce persons to shut themselves up in nunneries, were involved in the sin of Baal-peor. Other and distant
or to neglect relative duties, that they may control their tribes may have been left unmolested.
persons or their monev, are blind leaders of the blind 8. Balaam; chap. 22:5.
210
; : : ;

3Iosai divideth NUMBERS XXXI. thi Midianitcs' spoil.

30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt


tlio prey, andtlie spoil, unto Moses and Eleazar take one portion of fifty,'" of the persons, of the
the priest, and unto the congregation of tlie chil- beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks," of all man-
dren of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of ner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites,"
Moab," which are by Jordan near Jericho. which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the
13 IT And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all Lord."
the princes of the congregation, went forth to 31 And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the
meet them without the camp. Lord commanded Moses.
1-1 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the 32 And the booty, being the rest of the jircy
host, with the captains over thousands, and cap- which the.men of war had caught, was six hundred
tains over hundreds, which came from the battle." thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand
15 And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all sheep,
the women alive?'' 33 And threescore and twelve thousand beeves,
16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel,'' 34 And threescore and one thousand asses,
through the counsel of Balaam,'' to commit trespass 35 And thirty and two thousand persons in all,
against the Lord in the matter of Peer, and there of women that had not known man by lying with
was a plague among the congregation of the Lord." him.
IT Now therefore kill every male among the lit- 36 And the half which was the portion of them
tle ones, and kill every woman that hath known that went out to war, was in number three hun-
man by lying with him." dred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and
18 But all the women-children, that have not five hundred sheep
known a man by lying with him, keep alive for 37 And the Lord's tribute of die sheep was six
yourselves. hundred and threescore and fifteen.
19 And do ye abide without the camp seven 38 And the beeves were thirty and six thousand
days whosoever hath killed any person, and who- of which the Lord's tribute was threescore and
:

soever hath touched any slain,'*' purify both your- twelve.


selves and your captives on the third day, and on 39 And the asses were thirty thousand and five
the seventh day. hundred of which the Lord's tribute was three- ;

20 And purify all your raiment, and all that is score and one.
made of skins,* and all work of goats' hair, and all 40 And the persons were sixteen thousand of ;

things made of wood. which the Lord's tribute was thirty and two per-
21 H xlnd Eleazar the priest said unto the men of sons.
war which went to the battle. This is the ordinance 41 And Moses gave the tribute which uris the
of the law which the Lord commanded Moses Lord's heave-oifering, unto Eleazar the priest, as
22 Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the the Lord commanded Moses.''
iron, the tin, and the lead, 42 And of the children of Israel's half, which
23 Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall Moses divided from the men that warred,
make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean 43 (Now the half that pertained unto the congrega-
nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of tion was three hundred thousand and thirty thou-
separation:" and all that abideth not the fire ye sand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
shall make go through the water. 44 And thirty and six thousand beeves,
24 And ye shall wash your clothes on the sev- 45 And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,
enth day,' and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye 46 And sixteen thousand persons,)
shall come into the camp. 47 Even of the children of Israel's half,*" Moses
25 1^ And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast,
26 Take the sum of the prey that was taken,^ both and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the
of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, charge of the tabernacle of the Lord as the Lord ;

and the chief fathers of the congregation commanded Moses.


:

27 And divide the prey into two parts ;J between 48 1 And the officers which were over thousands
them that took the war upon them, who went out of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains
to battle, and between all the congregation. of hundreds, came near unto Moses:
28 And levy a tribute unto the Lord of the men 49 And they said unto Moses, Thy sei'vants have
of war which went out to battle :" one soul of five taken the sum of the men of war which are under
hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, our charge,'' and there lacketh not one man of us.
and of the asses, and of the sheep :' 50 We
have therefore brought an oblation for
29 Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the Lord, what every man hath gotten,* of jewels
the priest, ybr a heave-offering of the Lord. of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, cai--rings, and

» Ch. 22:1. • Hob. hoa of war. b Deut. 20:13; 1 Sam. 15:3. t oh. .30:24; Psa. a-:12. t Gen. 14:20; Josh. G:19; 2 Sam. 8:11, 12; Prov. 3:9,
25:1-3. d 2 Pet. 2:15; Rev. 2:14. e ch. 25:9. 1 Heh. a male, t Judg. 10. 1ver. 30.47; ch. 13:26. m ver. 42-47. I Or, goats. >> 1 Cor. 9:13,
21:11. ffch.5:2; 19:11, etc. 1 Heb. instrument, or vessel of shins, h ch. 14. och. 3:7, etc. Pch. ls:8, 19. <1 ver. 30. 1 Heb. /laiirf. 'Heb. found.
19:9, 17. > Lev. 11:25. i Heb. of the captivity. 1 Josh. 22:S; 1 Sam.

16. Through tlie coumel of Balaam cb. 25 1-3 2 Pet.


, : ; 2 15.: 50. All oblation ; an ofifering of gratitude for their pres-
18. Keep alive for yourselves; to be tbeir servants. ervation and success. To make an atonement ; tliis offer-
19. —
Purify yourselves; cbap. 19:11-22. ing of the officers prefigured tlie atonement of Christ, aud
23. The water of separation ; cbap. 8:7. showed their need of bis salvation.
211
: : — : : :

The Retibenites and Ga<lilcs NUMBERS XXXII. cl/iim t/irir inheritante.

tablet^, to make an atonement for our souls before 8 Thus did your father.', when I sent u.";SSI
the Lord." them from Kadc'sh-liarnea to see the land.'
51 And "iihifci^ and Kleazar the priest took the II For when they went up unto the valley of
golfl of them, crcn all wrouf^ht jewels. Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the
52 And all the gold of the offering" that they heart of the children of Israel, that they should not
ofTerod up to the Loitn, of the captains of thou- go into the land which th(' LouD had given them.
Bands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen 10 And the Lohd'.s anger was kindled the same
thou.<and seven hundred and (ifty shekels time,J and he sware, saying,

53 For the men of war had taken spoil," every 11 Surely none of the men that came up out of
man for himself. Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall
54 And iloses and Eleazar the priest took the see the land which I sware unto Aliraham, unto
gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not
and brought it into the tabcrnaclo of tlic congre- wholly followed me:*"
gation, /or a memorial for the children of Israel 12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenez-
before the Lord." ite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have
wholly followed tlie Lord.
CHAPTER XXXII. 13 And the Lord's anger was kindled against
Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness
1 The Reubenites and G-adites sue for their inheritance on the east of
Jordan. 6 Mnscs reproveth tliem. 16 They offer him conditions to forty years,' until all the generation, that had done
his content. 33 Moses assigneth thorn the hind. 39 They conquer it.
evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed.""

NOWGadof
the children of Reuben and the children
had a very great multitude of cattle
14 And behold, ye are risen np in your father's
stead, an increase of sinful men," to augment yet
and wlicn they saw the land of Jazer,* and the land the fierce anger of the Lord toward Israel."
of Gilcad,'' that, behold, the place was a place for 15 For if yc turn away from after him,'' he will
cattle;" yet again leave them in the wilderness;'' and ye
2 The children of Gad and the children of Reu- shall destroy all this people.
ben came and spake imto Moses, and to Eleazar 16 IT And they came near unto him, and said. We
the priest, and unto the princes of the congrega- will build sheep-folds here for our cattle, and cities
tion, saying, for our little ones
3 Atarotii, and Dibon,'' and Jazer, and Nimrah,* 17 But we ourselves will go ready armed before
and Heslibon,' and Elealch, and Shebam,^ and the children of Israel,"' until we have brought them
Nebo, and Boon,' unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell
4 Even tlie country which the Lord smote before in the fenced cities, because of the inhabitants of
the congregation of Israel,'' is a land for cattle, the land.
and thy servants have cattle 18 We
will not return unto our houses,' until the
5 Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace children of Israel have inherited every man his
in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants inheritance
for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. 19 For we will not inherit with them on yonder
6 T And Moses said unto the children of Gad side Jordan, or forward because our inheritance
;

and to the children of Reuben, Shall your breth- is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward.'
ren go to war, and shall ye sit here? 20 1 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do
7 And wherefore discourage'" ye the heart of the this thing, if ye will go armed before the Lord
children of Israel from going over into the land to war,"
which the Lord hath given them? 21 And will go all of you armed over Jordan

>Exod. 30:12, 16. •UA. heave-ofering. b Dent. 20:14. c Exod. 30:16. Jch.l4:ll,29; Deot.l:35. • lUh. fulfilled
after mt. k ch. 14:24, 30; Joah.
t Or, Jaazer; ver. a5; ch. 21:32; Josh. 13:25; 2 Sam. 24:5; Isa. 16:8, 9. 14:8,9. 1 ch. 14:33-35. m ch. 20:131, 65; 1 Cor. 10:5; Heb. 3:16-19.
d Jer. 50:19; Micah 7:14. e Gen. 13:2, 5
; 47:4. ' Isa. 15:2, 4. I Belk- o Psa. 78:57. » Neh. 13:1S: Isa. 65:6, 7. p Dent. 30:17; Josh. 22:16, 18;
MimmA; ver. 36. sjad". 11:26. i Shiimah; yer. 33. t BncU-mean; vet. 2 Chr. 7:19; 15:2. 1 ch. 14135. r Josh. 4:12, 13. sjosh. i:2:4. iver. 33;
33. bch. 21:21, 34. 1 Heb. 6rea4: Acts 21:13. i ch. 13:3-26; Deut. 1:22. Josh. 13:8. uDeut. 3:1S. etc.; Josh. 1:14, etc.; 4:12, 13.

INSTRUCTIONS. 28. We
should ever acknowledge God as the giver of
2. Vengeance belongetli unto God. It i.s his preroga- allour mercies, and a portion of aU we obtain by follow-
tive to punish the guilty ; and when he requires a magis- ing his directions should be devoted to his worship and
trate to put the guilty to death, it is not the wrath of the service.
magistrate which is manifested, but the wrath of God 47. God
is the rightful owner of all things, and in tak-

designed for a terror to evil-doers, and a protection and ing, at hiscommand, the possessions of tlieir enemies, the
encouragement to those who do well. Israeliteswere not guilty of robbery, but rightfully ob-
7. It is as really righteous in God to destroy wicked tained from God that portion of his property which he
men by the sword of the magistrate as by earthquake, was pleased in this way to give them. Psa. 44:3.
pestilence, fever, or any other calamity. 50. Special favors from God should be acknowledged
8. He who tempts men, or induces others to tempt men with special thanksgiving, and with hearty reliance on the
to commit sin, must expect a most fearful retribution. atonement of Christ as the meritorious cause of all our
Rev. 2:14. mercies.
17. In putting men to death, magistrates may be obey-
ing God and not to do it when he commands, is rebelUon
;
CHAPTER XXXII.
against him. 1. land of Jazer, and—nf Gikad; east of Jordan, be-
TTie
24. Our best services, even our most hearty obedience tween the rivers Arnon and Jabbok.
to God, are imperfect and polluted with sin and we need ; 8. Thus did your fathers; chap. 13:2-20.

in every thing the purifying influences of the Holy Ghost. 19. Yonder side; the west side.

212
: : :

Portion of Seuhcn and Gad. NUMBERS XXXIII. Journeys of the Israelites.

B."c!i«i' before the Lobd, until he hath driven out 34 1 And the children of Gad built Dibon,' and
his enemies from before him, Ataroth, and Aroer,^
22 And the land be subdued before the Lord;" 35 And Atroth, Shophan, and Jazer,* and Jog-
then afterward ye sliall return,'' and be guiltless behah,
before the Lord, and before Israel and this land ; 36 And Beth-nimrah,^ and Beth-haran, fenced cit-
shall be your possession before the Lord. ies;'' and folds for sheep.
23 But if yo will not do so, behold, ye liave sin- 37 And Reuben built Heshbon,'
the children of
ned against the Lord and be sure your sin will
: and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,
find you out." 38 AndNebo,"' and Baal-meon," their names being
24:Build you cities for your little ones, and folds changed, and Shibmah and gave other names unto
:

for your sheep and do that which hath proceeded


;
''
the cities* which they builded."
out of your mouth. 39 And the children of Machir the son of Ma-
25 And the children of Gad and the children of nasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispos-
Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants sessed the Amoritc which was in it.
will do as my lord commandcth." 40 And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son
26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all of Manasseh;'' and he dwelt therein.
our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead 41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took
27 But thy servants will pass over, every man the small towns thereof, and called them Havoth-
armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my jair."
lord saith.'' 42 And Nobah went and took Keuath, and the
28 So concerning them Moses commanded Elea- villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his
zar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the own name.
chief fathers of the tribes of tlie children of Israel
29 And Moses said unto them, If tlic children of
Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with CHAPTER XXXIII.
you over Jordan, every man armed to battle," be- 1 Two and forty journeys of the Israelites. 00 The Canaanites are to
be destroyed.
fore the Lord, and the land shall be subdued before
you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead THESE are the journeys of the children of
for a possession which went forth out of the land of
Israel,
30 But if they will not pass over with you armed, Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses
they sliall have possessions among you in the land and Aaron.
of Canaan. 2 And Moses wrote their goings out according
31 And the children of Gad and the children of to their journeys by the commandment of the
Reuben answered, saying. As the Lord hath said Lord and these are their journeys according to
:

unto thy servants, so will we do. their goings out.


32 "We will pass over armed before the Lord 3 And
they departed from Rameses in the first
into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our month,'' on tlie fifteenth day of the first month;'*
inheritance on this side Jordan may be ours. on the moi-row after the passover the children of
33 And Moses gave unto them, even to the chil- Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of
dren of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and all the Eg3'ptians.*
unto half tlie tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, 4 For tiie Egyptians buried all their first-born,
the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and which tlie Lord had smitten among them:" upon
the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with their gods also the Lord executed judgments.'^
the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of 5 And the children of Israel removed from
the country round about.'' Rameses, and pitched in Succoth.'"
1 Josh. 18:1. 1> Josh. 22:4, 9. = Gen. 4:7; 44:16; Psa. 90:8; 139:11; k ver. 24. ch. 21:27. m Isa. 40:1. nch. 22:41. IBeb. they called by names
I

Pro». 13:21; Isa. 59:12; 1 Cor. 4:5. d ver. 16,34, etc. e Josh. 1:13, 14. the names of the cities, over.3; Exod. 23:13; Josh. 23:7. P Josh. 13:29-31.
fJosh.4:12. sver.20. h ch. 21 24, 33
: Deul. 3:12-17; 29:S; .Tosh. 12:6.
: qjudg.l0:4. rExod. 12:37. » Exoil. 13:4. t Exod. 14:8. u Exod. 12:29.
i ch.
33:45, 46. JDeut.2::Jfl. • Oi, Jaazer ; yeises I, 3. 1 .Vimra/i; ver. 3. V Exod. 12:12; l3:ll; Isa. 19:1; Kev. 12:7-9. w Exod. 12:37.

23. Your sill will find you out; it will bring punishment and with good reasons, is an indication of sound judg-
upon you. ment, benevolent feeling, and an honest heart.
30. Among you; with the rest of the tribes on the west 23. The idea that men may be selfish and continue in
of Jordan. sin, and yet escape punishment, is vain.
Kingdom of Sihon; lying east of the Jordan near its
33. 27. In promoting the cause of God and of human wel-
mouth. Kingdom of Og; a country north of Gilead, and fare, all should be disposed to bear their proportion of
east of the sea of (jalilee. needful burdens, sacrifices, and labors.
33. When God in liis providence deprives one people
INSTRUCTIONS.
of their possessions and gives them to another, he only
4. In selecting a place of residence, men often regard
does what he will with his own. For all his deaUngs he
land, cattle, merchandise, and other earthly treasures,
more than religious privileges, the favor of God, and has the wisest and best reasons, and he never afflicts in-
dividuals or nations beyond what their iniquities deserve.
treasures in heaven.
15. By discouraging men from pursuing the path of
duty, persons may be the means of destroying not only CHAPTER XXXIII.
themselves, but multitudes of their fellow-men. 1. of the children of Israel; the places men-
Tlic journeys
18. Kind remonstrances and timely explanations remove tioned from the third to the forty-ninth verses of this
misunderstandings, and prevent multitudes of evils. Psa. chapter, are those tlirough which the Israelites passed
Ul:5; Prov. 10:17; 12:1; 13:18; 15:5, 10. 31, 32; 17:10. during their wanderings in the wilderness, and on their
22. Readiness to be satisfied with suitable explanations way irom Egypt to Canaan.
213
Record of the journey NUMBERS XXXIII. of I.iracJ out of Egypt.

6 And
they departed from Puccotli, and pitched 32 And they removed from Bene-jaakan, u.c.ml
in Ethain," which w in tiie edge of the wilder- and encamped at Hor-hagidgad.'
ness. 33 And they went from Ilor-hagidgad, and
7 And
they removed from Ethain, and turned pitched in Jotbathah.*
attain unto Pi-hahiroth, wliicii is before Baal-ze- 34 And they removed from Jotbathah, and en-
phon:'' and they ]iitched bclbre Migdol. camped at Elironah.
S And they dep;irted from before Pi-hahirotli, 35 And they departed from Ebronah, and en-
and passed through tlie midst of the sea into tiic camjied at Ezion-geber.'
wilderness,'' and went tliree days' journey in the 30 And they removed from Ezion-geber, and
wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah. pitched in the wilderness of Zin,'" which is Ka-
9 And they removed from Marali, and came unto desh.
Elim:'' and in Elira loere twelve fountains of wa- 37 And they removed from Kadcsh, and pitched
ter, and tiireescore and ten palm-trees and they ; in mount Hor, in tlie edge of the land of Edom."
pitched there. 38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount
10 And they removed from Elim, and encamped Ilor at the commandment of the Lord, and died
by the Red sea. there," in the fortieth year after the children of
11 Ami
they removed from the Red sea, and Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the
encamped in the wilderness of Sin." first day of the fifth month.
12 And they took their journey out of the wil- 39 And xVaron vas a hundred and twenty and
derness of 8in, and encamped in Dophkah. three years old wlicn lie died in mount Hor.
13 And they departed from Doplikah, and en- 40 And king Arad the Canaanite,'' which dwelt
camped in Alush. in the south in the land of Canaan, heard of the
14 And they removed from Alush, and encamped coming of the children of Israel.
at Ropliidim,' where was no water for the people 41 And they departed from mount Hor,'' and
to drink. pitched in Zalmonah.
15 And they departed from Repliidim, and pitch- 42 And they departed from Zalmonah, and pitch-
ed in the wilderness of Sinai.* ed in Punon.
16 And they removed from the desert of Sinai, 43 And they departed from Punon, and pitched
and pitched at Kibroth-hattaavah."" in Oboth.''
17 And they departed from Kibroth-hattaavah, 44 And
they departed from Oboth, and pitched
and encamped at Hazcroth.' border of Moab.*
in Ije-abarim,' in the
18 And they departed from Hazeroth, and pitch- 45 And they departed from lim, and pitched in
ed in Rithmah.-i Dibon-gad.'
And they departed from Rithmah, and pitch-
19 46 And they removed from Dibon-gad, and en-
ed at Rimmon-parez. camped in Almon-diblathaim."
20 And they departed from Rimmon-parez, and 47 And they removed from Almon-diblathaim,
pitched in Lilanah. and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before
21 And they removed from Libnab, and pitched Nebo."
at Rissah. 48 And they departed from the mountains of
22 And they journeyed from Rissah, and pitched Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by
in Kehelathah. Jordan near Jericho."'
23 And they went from Kehelathah, and pitched 49 And they pitched by Jordan, from Beth-jesi-
in mount Shapher. moth even unto Abel-shittim ^ in the jdains of
2-1 And they removed from mount Shapher, and Moab.''
encamped Haradah.in 50 1i And the Lord spake unto Moses in the
25 And they removed from Haradah, and pitch- plains of Moab by Jordan mar Jericho, saying,
ed in Makheloth. 51 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say
26 And they removed from Makheloth, and en- unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into
camped at Tahath. the land of Canaan;^
27 And they departed from Tahath, and pitched 52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants
at Tarah. of the land from before you,'' and destroy all their
28 And they removed from Tarah, and pitched pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and
in Mithcah. quite pluck down high places:
all their
29 And they went from Mithcah, and pitched in 53 And ye shall
dispossess the inhabitants of the
Hashmonah. land, and dwell therein for I have given you the
:

30 And they departed from Hashmonah, and land to possess it.


encamped at Moseroth.* 54 And ye shall divide the land by lot for an
31 And they departed from Moseroth, and pitch- inheritance among your families :" and to the more
ed in Bene-jaakan.'' ye shall give the more inheritance," and to the
> Exod. 13:20. b Exod. 14:2, 9. c Eiod. 14:29; 15:22, 23. Exod.
<1 rch. 21:10. IOr,HMpio/yl6arim. >ch. 21:11. tch. 32:34. »Jcr. 48:22;
15:27. eExod.l6:l. ' Exod. 17: 1
19:2. e Exod. 1G:1 19:1, 2. 'That
; ; Ezek. 6:14. v Bent. 32:49. "ch.22:l. ^Oi. Tkt plains of Shitlim. x ch.
is, TAl graves of lust. tch. 11:34. ich. 11:33. j ch. 12:16. t Mosem; 25:1; Josh, 2:1. r Deut. 9: 1 Josh. 3: 17. 2 Exod. 23:24, 33; 34:13; Dent.
;

Deut. 10:6. k 1 Chr. 1:42. : audgodah; Deut. 10:7. S Jotbath; Deut. 7:2, 5; 12:3; Josh. 11:11; Judg. 2:2. « ch. 20:5.3-55. Heb. multiply his
10:7. Deut. 2:8; 1 Kings 9:20; 22:48. » ch. 20:1; 27:14. n oh. 20:22,
1
inheritance.
23; 21:1. o ch. 20:25-2S; Deut. 10:0; 32:50. p ch. 21:1, sic. q ch. 21:4.

52. Pictures; sculptured figures used, as well as the '


molten images " or idols, for idolatrous purposes.
214
:

The borders of NUMBERS XXXIV. the promised land.

B.'c'usi'fewer ye shall give the less inheritance:* 6 And


western border, ye shall even
as for the
every man's inheritance shall be in the place where have the great sea for a border: this shall be
his lot falleth according to the tribes of your
; your west border.
fathers ye shall inherit. 7 And this shall be your north border from the :

55 But if ye will not drive out the inliabitants great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor:'
of the land from before you;'"* then it shall come 8 From mount Hor ye shall point out ycn/r
to pass, that those which ye let remain of them border unto the entrance of Hamath;^ and the
shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad:**
sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye 9 And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and
dwell. the goings out of it shall be at Hazar-ehan :' this
56 Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall shall be your north border.
do unto you, as I thought to do unto them. 10 And ye shall jioint out your cast border from
Hazar-enan to Sheplmm
11 And the coast shall go down from Shepham
CHAPTER XXXIV. to Riblah,J on the east side of Ain and the border ;

1 The borders of the land. 16 The names of the men which shall di- shall descend, and shall reach unto the side* of
vide the land.
the sea of Chinnereth eastward.''
AND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 12 And the border shall go do'wn to Jordan,
2 Command the children of Israel, and say and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea:
unto them. When ye come into the land of Ca- this shall be your land with the coasts thereof
naan this is the land that shall fall unto you for round about.
;

an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the 13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel,
coasts thereof: saying. This is the land which ye shall inherit by
3 Then your south quarter shall be from the lot, which the Lord commanded to give unto the
wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom,'' nine tribes, and to the half tribe:'
and your south border shall be the outmost coast 14 For the tribe of the children of Reuben ac-
=
of the salt sea eastward : cording to the house of their fathers, and the tribe
4 And your border shall turn from the south to of the children of Gad according to the house of
the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin and their fathers, have received their inheritance ; and
:

the going forth thereof shall be from the south to half the tribe of Manasseh have received their
Kadesh-barnea,'* and shall go on to Hazar-addar, inheritance:"
and pass on to Azmon: 15 The two tribes and the half tribe have re-
5 And the border shall fetch a compass from ceived their inheritance on this side Jordan near
Azmon unto the river of Egypt,' and the goings Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.
out of it shall be at the sea. IG H Ajid the Lord spake unto Moses, saying.
• Heb. diminish his inheritance. » Exod. 23:33; Josh. 23:12, 13; Judg. < ch. .33:37. s ch. 13:21; 2 Kings 14:25; Ezek. 47:46. b Ezek. 47:15.
1:21-36; Psa. 106:31-30; Ezek. 28;S*. b Josh. 15:1. etc.; Ezek. 47:13, etc. i Ezek. 47:17. J 2 Kings £1:33; Jet 39:5, 6. t Heb. shoulder, k. Dent.
« Gen. 11:3. d ch. 13:26; 32:S. e Gen. 15:18; 1 Kings S:63; Isa. 27:12. 3:17: Josh. 11:2; 19:35; Luke 5:1. 1 ver. 1 Josh. 14:2. '»ch..32:33.
;

55. Pricks —and thorns; sources of vexation and distress. miles a little west of south from the Dead sea. From
56. Do unto you, as I thought to do unto them; expel you this point the border turned westward, reaching the Med-
from your country and destroy you. iterranean at the river of Egypt, that is, the modern El-
Arish and ancient Wiinocolura, south-west of Gaza. See
INSTRUCTIONS. the maps of Palestine.
1. Human life is a journey from the cradle to the grave, 6. The western border; of Canaan, was the Mediterra-
and eacli day carries us one day nearer to our final, our nean, from the river of Egypt, in latitude about thirtj--one
eternal abode. degrees, to a point a little above Zidon, in latitude between
2. It is often useful to look back on the various stages thirty-three and thirty-four degrees north. Its average
of our past life, to recount the goodness of God, and some- length was about one hundred and sixty miles.
times to write down portions of our history for the benefit 7-9. Your north border; from the Mediterranean sea to
of others. mount Hor; supposed to be a summit or spur of mount
49. However long our journey, or whatever be our Lebanon. Hamath; a city and region of Syria on the
course through time, we shall soon come to its close and Orontes, which was approached on the south by a pass in
pass into eternity. the mountain called the entering in of Hamath. 1 Kings

52. Occasions of sin, temptations to evil, and whatever 8:65. — —


Zedad -Ziphron Hazar-enan; places further east.
tends to draw our hearts from God and unfit us for 10, 11. East border —
Riblah; on the Orontes, some dis-
heaven, should be carefully avoided. tance south of Hamath. Chinnereth ; the lake of Genues-
55. Our fleshly lusts and sinful habits of every kind aret, or sea of Galilee, which, with the river Jordan and
are to our souls what the Canaanites were to the ancient Dead sea, formed the eastern border. The land of Canaan,
Israelites. If we spare them, or continue to indulge them, upon an average, was about fifty miles wide. It lay be-
they will coutinue to torment us, and ultimately prove our tween thirty-four and thirty-seven degrees east longitude,
ruin. and contained about eight thousand square miles. por- A
tion of the northern part, as here marked out, was never
CHAPTER XXXIV. permanently possessed by the IsraeUtes.
?,. Fiiim the wilderness of Zin — Edom
; he begins with
the south-eastern border where the wilderness of Zin lay.
INSTRUCTIONS.
The outmost coast of the salt sea; rather, "from the outmost 2. God assigns and to nations the bounds
to individuals
coast of the Salt sea," that is, starting from the extreme of their habitation, and they possess no rights, privileges,
southern bay of the Dead sea. or blessings, but what they receive from him. They hold
4. Ascent of Akrahbim; a line of cliffs six or seven miles thera by his permission, and subject at all times to his
south of the Dead sea. Kadesh-barnea about twenty-six
; disposal.
215
;

CiiUsfor tht Lecitci. NUMBEllS XXXV Cities of refuge.

IT Tlicsc arc the nnnics of the men which sliall side two thousand cubits, and on the north -^i.^.; ^JJ;
divide tiie land unto you: Elcazar the priest, and side two thousand cubits; and the city sfuill be in
Joshua the iJon of Nun." the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of
IS And ye shall take one jn-inco of cvei-y tribe, the cities.
to divide the land by inheritance.'' G Aud amoii<r the cities which 3-e shall give unto
1;) And tiio names of the men are these: Of the the Levites //ure shall be si.\ cities for refuge,'^ which
tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneli. yc shall appoint for the manslaycr, that he may
20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, flee thither: aud to them ye shall add" forty and
Shemuel the son of Ammiliud. two cities.
21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of 7 So all the cities which ye shall give to the
Chislon. Levites shall be forty aud eight cities: them shall
22 And the prince of the tribe of the children ye give with their suburbs.''
of Dan, Bukki tiie son of Jogli. 8 Aud the cities which ye shall give shall be of
23 The prince of the children of Joseph, for the the possession of the children of Israel:'' from
tribe of the children of ilanasseh, Hanniel the them that have many ye shall give many but from ;

son of Ephod. t/tem that have few ye shall give few:' every one
24 And the prince of the tribe of the children shall give of his cities unto the Levites according
of Ephraim, KomucI the son of Slii])htan. to his inheritance which he inheriteth.*
2.5 And the prince of the tribe of the childi'en 9 ^ Aud the Lord spake unto Moses, sajnng,
of Zebulun, Elizaphan the sou of I'arnach. 10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say
2G And the prince of the tribe of the children unto them. When yc be come over Jordan into
of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan. the land of CanaaUiJ
27 And the prince of tlie tribe of the children 11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities
of Asher, Ahihud the son of Slielomi. of refuge for you ;" that the slayer may flee thither,
28 And the prince of the tribe of the children which killeth any person at unawares.*
of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of xVmmihud. 12 Aud they shall be unto you cities for refuge
29 These are they whom the Lord commanded from the avenger;' that the manslayer die not,
to divide the inheritance unto the children of until he stand before the congregation in judg-
Israel in the laud of Canaan.^ ment.
13 And of these cities which ye shall give, sLx
cities .shall ye have for refuge."'
CHAPTER XXXV. 14 Ye shall
give three cities on this side Jordan,
1 Eight and forty cities for the Levites with their suburbs, and
and three ye give in the laud of Ca-
cities shall
therL'of. G Six of them are to be cities of refuge. 9 The laws of naan, which shall be cities of refuge."
murder. 21 No satisfaction for murder.
15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both tor the
AND MoabLord spake
by Jordan
of
the unto Moses in the plains
near Jericho, saying,
children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for
the sojourner among them;" that every one that
2 Command the children of Israel, that they killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
give unto the Levites, of the inheritance of their IG And if he smite him with an instrument of
possession, cities to dwell in;'' and ye shall give iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the mur-
also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round derer shall surely be put to death.P
about them. 17 And if he smite him with throwing a stone,^
3 And the cities shall they have to dwell in; wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a mur-
and the sul)urbs of them shall bo for their cattle, derer: the murderer shall surely be put to
and for their goods, and for all their beasts. death.
4 And the suburbs of the cities, which yc shall 18 Or if he smite him with a hand- weapon of
give unto the Levites," shall reach from the wall of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a
the city aud outward a thousand cubits round murderer the murderer shall surely be put to
:

about. death.
5 And ye shall measure from without the city 19 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the
on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the murderer:'' when he meeteth him, he shall slay
south side two thousand cubits, and on the west him.
» Josh. 14;1; 19:51. bch.l:4-16. c ver. 18. d Josh. 14:3-5; 21:2, etc. heril
Ezek. 4.3, 1. etc.; 48:8, etc. e2Chr.ll:14. f ver. 13, 14; Dent. 4:41-4^:
Josli. 20:2-9; 21:3, 1:3. etc.; Psa. 02:7, 8; Heh. 6:1S. * Het>. aiove thrm
yeshallgm. s Josh.'21 :4l. h Josh. 21:3. i ch. 2(i:54. 1 lleh. titey in-

CHAPTER XXXV.
Suburbs ; the land around and near a city.
2.
4. A
thousand cubits; about fifteen hundred feet.
5. Two thmisand cubits; this may be best understood of
the extent of the sides of the suburb belonging to each
city.
C. Cities for refuge; cities to which he who had killed

a man might flee and be safe, till he could have a fair trial,
and it be proved whether or not he intended to kill the
man. If he did, he was to be put to death, ver. 30-33 if ;

216
; ; ; ;

Of iuurdcr and mar.sla.ughtcr. NUMBERS XXXVI. The inheritance of danghlers.

B.a iS- 20 But if he thrust him of hatred," or


hurl at him by laying of wait," that he die
21 Or in cmnity smite him with his hand, that he
die he that smote /mn shall surely be put to death
:

for he is a murderer the revenger of blood shall


:

slay the murderer, wlieu he mceteth him.


22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity,
or have cast upon him any thing Avithout laying
of wait,
23 Or with any stone, wherewith a man may
die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he
die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his
harm
2-4 Then the congregation shall judge between

the slayer and the revenger of blood according to


these judgments :
"^

25 And the congregation shall deliver the slayer


out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the
congregation shall restore him to the city of his
refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide
in it unto the death of the high-priest, which was
anointed with the holy oil/'
26 But if the slayer shall at any time come with-
out tlie border of the city of his refuge, whither
he was fled
27 And the revenger of blood find him without
the borders of the city of his refuge, and the re-
venger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be
guilty of blood:"
28 Because he should have remained in the city
of his refuge until the death of the high-priest but
:

after the death of the high-priest the slayer shall


return into the land of his possession.
29 So these things shall be for a statute of judg-
ment unto you throughout your generations in all
your dwellings.''
30 Wlioso killeth any person, the murderer shall
be put to death by the mouth of witnesses:' but
one witness shall not testify against any person to
cause him to die.
31 Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the
life of a murderer, which is guilty of death :* but
he shall be surely put to death.
32 And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that
is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come
again to dwell in the land, until the death of the
priest.
a Ge
:

Of the nuirritige }sUMBEltS XXXVI. of heiresses.

8 And every <laiigliter, that posscssctli an inheri- 11 For Mahlah,Tir7.ah. and IToglah, and Vomr
tance in any tril)e of the ehihircn of Israel," sliall and Noali, tlie daiij^iiters of Zelophchad,'
Mileaii,
be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her were married unto their father's brothers' sons:
father, that the chiklren of Israel may enjoy every 12 .find tiiey were married into the families" of
man the inheritanee of iiis fathers. llic sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their

!• Neither shall tiie inlieritanec remove fromonr inlieritance remained in the tribe of the family of
tribe to another trilje; l>ut every one of tiic tribes their father.
oi' the ehiklren of Israel shall keep himself to liis 13 These are the commandment.s and the judtr-
own inheritance. ments, which the Lord commanded, by the hand
10 Even as the Lord commanded Moses,'' so did of Moses, imto the children of Israel in the plains
the daughters of Zelophehad of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.''
il Chr. a'!:ft!. b 2 Clir. 30:12. tin famines. J ch. 2a;3; 33:50.
•.of

13. The judgments; decisions of the God concerning and as far as practicable, by the use of proper means, to
duties, rights, and privileges of his people. The plains of provide against them.
Monti ; on the east side of Jordan, over against Jericlio. 8.The regulations of the Jews, which were designed
The .Nfoabites had once possessed this country. It was to make and keep them a peculiar people, separate from
afterwards taken by tlie Amorites, and was now in tlie other nations, are in the Christian dis]ieMs;iti()n doiic> away.
]iosscs.sion of the Israelites, yet it still retained its ancient All nations now arc considered as oul- family; njarriago
name. Cliap. 22:1. and other connections maybe formed with the inhatiitants
of different countries, the gospel shoidd be preached to
INSTRUCTIONS. all, and individuals and nations do to others as they ought
5. It is well to foresee evils to which we are exposed, to wish that others should do to them.

218
; :

THE FIFTH BOOK OF MOSES,


CALLED

DEUTERONOMY.
Dedteronomy is a Greek word signifying second law, or repetition of the law. The book is so called
because it contains a summary by Moses of the precepts recorded iu the three preceding books, with
earnest exhortations to obedience, and the solemn denunciation of God's wrath as the penalty of disobe-
dience. The last chapter, which contains the record of Moses' death, was added after his decease, probar
bly by the hand of Joshua.

tli^ CHAPTER I. 6 The Lord our God spake unto us in Horcb,"


saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount
1 Moses' speech in the end of the fortieth year, briefly rehearsing the
7 Turn you, and take your journey,* and go to
story 6 of God's promise, 13 of giving tnem officers, 19 of sending
the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places
the spies to search the land, 34 of G-oJ's anger for their incredulity,
41 and disobedience. nigh thereunto,^ in the plain, in the hills, and in
THESE be the words which Moses spake unto the vale, and in the south, and by the seaside, to
all Israel on this side Jordan iu the wildcr- the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon,
ness,'"' iu the plaiu over against the Red* sea, be- unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
tween Paran, aud Tophel, aud Laban, and Haze- 8 Behold, I have set* the land before you go in :

roth, and Dizahab. and possess the land which the Lord sware unto
2 There are eleven dajs' journey from Horeb by your fathers,^ Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give
the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-liarnea. unto them and to their seed after them.
3 And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in 9 1 And I spake unto you at that time, saying,
the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, I am not able to bear you myself alone
:'^

that Hoses spake uuto the children of Israel, ac- 10 The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and
cording unto all that the Lord had given him in behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for
commandment unto them multitude.^
4 After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amo- 11 (The Lord God of your fathers make you a
rites,'' which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king thousand times so many more as ye are,^ and bless
of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei: you, as he hath promised you!)
5 On this side Joi-dan, iu the laud of Moab, be- 12 How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance,
gan Moses to declare this law, saying, and your burden, and your strife?'
Josh. 9:!, 10. • Or, Suph. b Num. 21;a4, 35; Josh. 13:12. c Exod. :1(>-1S; S6:3. 4; •2-J:1.3, 14. fExod. 18:18; Num. 11:14.
J Exod. 19:1; Num. 10:11. 1 Ueb. all his neigUors. i Heh. given. 1.15:5. ha Sam. 24:3. I Kings 3:7-9.

6. Horeb; the general name of the mountains of which


CHAPTER I. Sinai was one. Is^um. 10:11-13.
1. Ill the —
plain over against tlie Red sea Dizahab; "the 7. The mount of the Amorites; the mountainous region of
plaiu " is the long narrow valley extending all the way Canaan, which the Israelites, if obedient to God, would
from the sea of Galilee to the Red sea, in the lowest part have entered from its southern part near Kadesh. Num.
of which the Dead sea lies. The Israelites were in this 13:17. The Amorites were properly the inhabitants of
plain opposite Jericho. They are said to he "over against the mountains, but they are sometimes put in a general
the Red sea," because they are in the northern part of the sense for all the Canaanitish tribes. The plain; see note
plain opposite to the Red sea, which lay at the other end to ver. 1. Tlie hills; the mountainous part of Canaan. The
of that plain. This plain is then further described as lying vale; the level region on the Mediterranean. Tlie south;

between Paran the region about Kadesh on the west, — the southern part of the land bordering on the desert.

and Tophel on the east in the mountains of Moab. Several The seaside; the coast of the Mediterranean. Lebanon
places are then named which skirt the western border of Euphrates; the original grant extended thus far. Gen.
this plain called the Arabah, or of the sea of Akabah, at 15:18; but the northern and eastern part of this region
whicii its southern extremity terminates. See Robinson's was never permanently in the jiossession of the Israelites.
BibUcal Researches, second edition, vol. II, p. 187. 8. Unto your fatliers; Gen. 12:7; 13:14,15; 15:10; 17:7,8.

.4. Sihon—and Og; Num. 21:21-35. 9-18. Rulers over you; Exod. 18:17-26.
219
;

JMoscs' rehearsal of DEUTEllONOMV 1. the Israelite^ pilgrimage.

13 Take' you wise men, and undcrstamliiiff, and and walled up to heaven; and moreover H.crJ^J:
known ainonji your tribes, and I will make them we have seen the sons of the Anakim there."
rulers over you. 29 Then I said unto you. Dread not, neither be
14And ye answered me, and said, The thing afraid of them.
wliicli thou ha.~t spoken is goodybr us to do. oil The Lord your (Jod which gocth before you,

So 1 took till' fliicl'of your tribes," wise men,


1.5 ho sliiill fight for you," according to all that he
and known, and made * them heads over you, ca.\y did for you in Egypt lieforc your eyes;
tains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, 31 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen
and captains over iifties, and captains over tens, how that the Lord thy God bare thee,'' as a man
and ollicors among your tribes. doth bare his son, in all the way that ye went, until
10 And I charged your judges at that time, say- ye came into this place.
ing. Hear tlie causes between your brethren, and 32 Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord
judge righteously between every man and his your God,"
brother,"' and the stranger that is with him.'' 33 Who went in the way before you,' to search
17 Ye shall not resj)ect persons* in judgment;'' you out a place to pitch your tents in' in fire by
but ye shall hear tlie small as well as the great night, to show you by what way ye should go, and
ye sliall not be afraid of tlie face of man ;" for the in a cloud by daj'.
judgment is God's and the cause that is too hard
:
' 34 And the Lord heard the voice of your words,
for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. and was wroth, and sware,' saying,
18 And I commanded you at tliat time all the 35 Surely there shall not one of these men of
things which ye sliould do. this evil generation sec that good land, which I
19 "f x\.nd when we departed from Horeb,^ we sware to give unto your fathers,"
went through all that great and terrible wilder- 36 Save Caleb the son of Jephunncli he slmll ;

ness,'' which ye saw by the way of the mountain see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath
of the Amorites, as the Lord our God commanded trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath
us and we came to Kadesh-barnea.'
; wholly followed' the Lord.
20 And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the 37 Also the Lord was angry with me for your
mountain of the Amorites, which the Lord our sakes,^' saying. Thou also shalt not go in thither:
God doth give unto us. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth
21 Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee, he shall go in thither :'' encourage
before thee go u]) and possess it, as the Lord God
: him;^ for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, nei- 39 Moreover your little ones,-^' which ye said
ther be discouraged. should be a prey, and your children, which in that
22 1 And ye came near unto me every one of day had no knowledge between good and evil,^
you, and said. We
will send men before us, and they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give
they shall search us out the land, and bring us it, and they shall possess it.
word again by what way we must go up, and into 40 But as for you, turn you, and take your jour-
what cities we shall come. ney into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.*
23 And the saying pleased me well and I took 41 Then ye answered and said unto me.
; have We
twelve men of you, one of a tribe :' sinned against the Lord,"" wewill goupaud fight.ac-
24 And they turned and went up into the moun- cording to all that the Lord our God commanded us.
tain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and And when ye had girded on every man his weap-
searched it out. ons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.
25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their 42 And the Lord said unto me. Say unto them,
hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought Go not up, neither fight for I am not among you f ;

us word again, and said. It is a. good land which lest ye be smitten before your enemies.
the Lord our God doth give us. 43 So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear,
26 Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord,
rebelled against the commandment of the Lord and went presumptuously up*" into the hill.
your God:" 44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that moun-
27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Be- tain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees
cause the Lord hated us, he hath brought us forth do,'' and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Ilormah.
out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the 45 And ye returned and wept before the Lord ;

hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.' but the Lord would not hearken to your voice,
28 Whither shall we go up ? our brethren have nor give ear unto you.
discouraged^ our heart, saying. The people is 46 So ye abode in Kadesh many days," accord-
greater and taller than we ;™ the cities are great ing unto the days that ye abode tJiere.
• Heb. Give, a Exod. 18:45. t Heb. gave, t, ch. 16:18; John 7:24. 3:lH;Jude5. ' Exod. 13:21.
22. > Num. 10:33; Ezek. 20:6. I ch. 2:14,

t Lev. •2.1:22. 1 Heb. acknowledgt faas. d Lev. 19:15; Piov. 21:2.'!; Jai. 1.5. uNum. 14:22, etc. Heb fulfilhd to go afur. v ch. 3:23-28; 4:21 ;
I

2:1. ejer.l:n. r 2 Chr. 19:6. e Num. 10:12. h ch. 8:15; .32:10 ; Jer. 34:4; Num. 20:12; 27:13,14; Psa. 106:32. w Num. 14:30; 27:18:23. i ch.
2:6. i Num. 13:26. J Num. 13:3. etc. k Num. 14:1, etc. ; Psa. 10fi:al, 31:7,2:3. y Num. 14:31. J Rom. 9:11. » Num. 14:25. b Num. 14:40,
25. 1 oh. 9:28. i Heb. metled; Josh. 2:11. m oh. 9:1, 2. n Num. 1.1:28, etc. c Josh. 7:12 13. ^ Ueh. ye wer€ presumptuous and went up il Psa.
33. o Exod. 14:14, 25; Neh. 4:20; Rom. 8:37. P ch. 32:11, 12; E.xod. lls:12. eNum. 14:25; 20:1, 22; Judg. 11:17.
19:4; Isi. 40:11; 46:3; 63:9; Hos. 11:3; Acts 13:18. q Psa. 106:24; Heb.

19-21. Kadesh-barnea ; Num. 13:26. itish tribes. In Num. 14:45, they are called Amalekites
22-45. Ye wcndd not go up; Num. 14:2-4.5. and Canaanites.
44. Tlie Amorites; here a general name fcr the Canaan- 46. In Kadesh many days; Num. 20:1-22.
220
: :; 3 :

Biases contimietk the DEUTERONOMY II. story of thtir pilgrimage.

CHAPTER II, sion because I have given Ar' unto the children
of Lot /or a possession.'
;

1 The story is continued, that they were not to meddle with the Edom-
ites, 24 but
9 nor with the Moahites, 17 nor with the Ammonites, 10 The Emim dwelt therein in times past,'' a peo-
Sihon the Amorite was subdued by them. ple great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim;'
THEN wc turned, and took our journey into 11 Which also were accounted giants, as the
the wilderness by tlie way of the Red sea, as Anakim; but the Moabitcs call them Emim.
the Lord spake unto me:'' and we compassed 12 The Horim also dwelt in Seir beforetime;"
mount Seir many days. but the children of Esau succeeded them,* when
2 And tlie Lord spake unto me, saying, they had destroyed them from before them, and
3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough:" dwelt in their stead ;^ as Israel did unto the land
turn you northward. of his possession, which the Lord gave unto them.
4 And command thou the people, saying, Ye are 1 Nowrise up, said I, and got you over the brook
to pass through the coast of your brethren the Zcred." And we went over the brook Zcrcd.
children of Esau, which dwell in Seir ;•= and they 14 And the space in which we came from Ka-
^
shall be afraid of you take ye : good heed unto desh-barnea," until we were come over the brook
yourselves therefore Zered, was thirty and eight years until all the ;

5 Meddle not with them for I will not give you generation of the men of war were wasted out
;

*
of their land, no, not so much as a footbreadth from among the host,'' as the Lord sware unto
:

because I have given mount Seir unto Esau/o?- a thcm.i


possession.'^ 15 For indeed the hand of the Lord was against
6 Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye them,"' to destroy them from among the host," until
may eat and ye shall also buy water of them for they were consumed.
;

money, that ye may drink. 16 1 So it came to pass, when all the men of war
7 For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all were consumed and dead from among the people,
the works of thy hand :" he knoweth thy walking 17 That the Lord spake unto me, saying,
through this great wilderness: these forty years 18 Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast
the Lord thy God hath been with thee ;' thou hast of Moab, this day
lacked nothing. 19 And when thou comest nigh over against the
8 And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor med-
children of Esau,s which dwelt in Seir, through dle with them for I will not give thee of the land
:

the way of the plain from Elath,"" and from Ezion- of the children of Ammon any possession because ;

geVier, we turned and passed by the way of the I have given it unto the children of Lot for a
wilderness of Moab. possession.*
9 And the Lord said unto me. Distress not the 20 That also was accounted a land of giants:
Moabites,* neither contend with them in battle giants dwelt therein in old time and the Ammon-
;

for I will not give thee of their land/or a posses- ites call them Zamzummim ,*
a CI,. 1:1(1; I^um. 1-1:2.5. b ver. 7, 14 c, Num. 20:14. • Beh. even to lite them. S Or, room, i Or, valley. "Num. 21:12. o *um. 13:26. H Or. val-
treadhis of the sole of the foot, d Gen. 36:8; Josh. 24:4. e Psa. 90:17. hy. P Num. 14:32, 33; 26:64. q ch. 1:34, 35; N im. 14:35; Psa. 95:11;
I ch. 8:2-4; 29:.5; Neil. 9:21 ; Luke 22:35. f Judg. 11:18. h 1 Kings 9:20. Ezek.20:15. r Psa. 78:33; 100:26. »lCor.lO:5. Gen. 19:36-38. • Zu-
t Or. ['.•!. no hostilit,/ against Moab. Num. 21:23. J Gen. 1U:.3S, 37.
i zim; Gen. 14:5.
k Gen. 14:5. ch. 9:2; Num. 13:22,33.
1 m Gen. 14:6. 1 Hob. inherited

IXSTRUCTIONS. 45. lilen often weep in view of the evils they have

3. Men who havespent their Hfe in the service of God, brought on themselves, when it is too late to escape them.
as they draw near its close may often with great advan- They must trust in and obey God, if they would avoid deep
tage recount the goodness of God, and repeat his com- and unavaiUng sorrow.
mands to tliose aromid them.
11. As good men draw near to heaven, they possess, and
CHAPTER II.
often manifest an unusual degree of the spirit of heaven, 1. We turned ; from Kadesh-barnea. Mount
Seir ; a range
in earnest desires, fervent prayers, and benevolent efforts of mountains ruiming from near the south end of the Dead
for the good of others. sea, towards the eastern branch of the Red sea.
17. Magistrates are God's ministers to execute that part

3-8. Turn you northward passed by from our brethren —
of his government which concerns the temporal riglits of wilderness of Moab; at Kadesh-barnea, Moses requested of
men, and as such are bound to be candid and impartial the king of Edom permission to pass through his country
to decide and act in the fear and love of God, and accord- on the direct way to the plain of Jordan by Jericho. This
ing to truth and duty. would have greatly shortened the route. Being denied his
21. Great courage is needful in order to be willing, request, he marched south through " the plain," that is, the
under all circumstances, to obey God. —
valley of the Arabah see note to chap. 1:1 and passed —
30. None will have courage enough to obey God, except around between moimt Seir and the head of the eastern
those who put their trust in him. arm of the Red sea, on which Elath and Ezion-geber were
34. God is angry with those who are afraid to obey him. situated. Then he turned northward and skirted along
37. To please God, men must be careful not to boast of the desert east of mount Seir, here called " the wilderness
their own power or take the glory of what they do to
; of Moab."
themselves. As they have nothing good but what God 9. Ar; the capital of Moab, about twenty-five miles
gives them, the glory of their doing good all belongs to south of the river Arnon. Num. 21:13-15.
him. 10. Emim ; the ancient inhabitants of the country which
39. Little children are objects of God's peculiar kind- was afterwards possessed by the Moabites.
ness and care and though the sins of parents may occa-
; 14. Zered; a brook which empties into the south-east
sion them great trouble, yet by loving and obeying their part of tlie Dead sea.
Father in heaven they may be delivered from all sorrow, 19. Tlie children of Ammon ; on the east of Jordan, north
and inherit pure and everlasting joys. of the Moabites.
221
: : :

Muses eonlinueth the DEUTERONOMY 111. stury of their yilgrimage.

21 A people great, and many, and tall, as the


Anakim;" but the Loud destroyed them before
theiii ; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their
stead
22 As lie did to the children of Esau, wliirh
dwelt in Soir, when he destroyed the liorini fioiii
before them ;• and they succeeded them, uud dwelt
in tlieir stead even unto this day
23 And tlie Avim wiiich dwelt in Hazerim,"^ even
unto Azzaii,'' the Caphtorlm," which came forth out
of Capiitor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their
stead.
24 ^ Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over
the river Arnou:'' behold, I have given into thy
hand Sihon the Amoritc, king of Heshbon, and liis
land begin to possess it' and contend with him
:

in battle.
2.5 begin to put the dread of thee
This day will I
and flic fear of thee that are under
upon the nations
the whole licaven,^ who shall hear report of thee,
and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of
thee.
26 IT And I sent messengers out of the wilder-
ness of of Heshbon
Kedemoth unto Sihon king
witli words of peace,'' saying,
27 Let me pass through thy land:' I will go
along by the highway, I will neither turn unto
the right hand nor to the left.
28 Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I
may eat and give me water for money, that I may
;

drink only I will pass through on my feet


;

29 As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir,^


and the Moabites whicli dwell in Ar, did unto me:
until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which
the Lord our God giveth us.
30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us
pass by him :'' for the Lord thy God hardened his
spirit,' and made his heart obstinate, tliat he might
deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
31 And the Lord said unto me. Behold, I have
begun to give Sihon and his land before thee:
begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his
land.
aVer. 10. b Gen. 30:20. etc. ' Josh. 13:3.
; ;

The conquest of Bashan. DEUTERONOMY III. The petition of Moses.

Kc.'iSi: gates, aud bars; beside unwalled towns a 18 1 And I commanded you at that time, say-
great many. ing, The LoKD your God hath given you this land
G And we utterly destroyed them," as wc did unto to possess it: ye shall pass over armed before your
Sihou Iving of Heshbon, utterly destroying tliemen, brethren the children of Israel," all thMt are meet''
women, and children, of every city. for the war.
7 But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, 19 But your wives, and your little ones, and your
wo took for a prey to ourselves.'' cattle, (/or I know that ye have much cattle,) shall
8 And wc took at that time out of the hand of abide in your cities which I have given you
the two kings of the Amorites the land that was 20 Until the Lord have given rest unto your
on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also
mount Hermon [jossess the land which the Lord your God hath
9 JV/iich Hermon" the Sidonians call Sirion;'' given them beyond Jordan aud then shall ye re- :

and the Amorites call it Shenir;" turn every man unto his possession, which I have
10 All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, given you.P
and all Bashan,' unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of 21 1 And I commanded Joshua at that time,i say-
the kingdom of Og in Bashan. ing. Thine eyes have seen all that the Lord your
11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the God hath done unto these two kings so shall the :

remnant of giants ;° boliold, his bedstead ivas a Lord do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest.
bedstead of iron is it not in Rabbath of the chil-
; 22 Ye shall not fear them:'' for the Lord your
dren of Amnion?'' nine cubits was the length God ho shall fight for you.''
thereof and four cubits the breadth of it, after the 23 And I besought the Lord at that time, saying,
culnt of a mau. 24 Lord God, thou hast begun to show thy
12 And this land, which we possessed at that servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand:' for
time, f om Aroer.' which is by the river Arnon, what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can
and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave do according to thy works, and according to thy
I unto the Reubenites aud to the Gadites. might?"
13 And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being 25 I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good
the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of land that is beyond Jordan," that goodly moun-
Manasscli ' all the region of Argob, with all Ba- tain, and Lebanon.
shan, which was called the land of giants. 26 But the Lord was wroth with me for your
1-4 Jair the son of Mauasseh'^ took all the coun- sakes, and would not hear me :"' and the Lord said
try of Argob uuto the coasts of Geshuri and Maa- unto me. Let it suffice thee speak no more unto ;

chathi;' and called them after his own name, me of this matter.
Bashan-havoth-jair, unto this day. 27 Get thee up into the top of Pisgah,* and lift
15 And
gave Gilead unto Machir.
I up thine eyes westward, and northward, and south-
16 And
unto the Reubeuites and unto the Gad- ward, and eastward, and behold it with thine
ites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Ar- eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
non half the valley, and the border even unto the 28 But charge Joshua,'' and encourage him, and
river Jabbok, which is the border of the children strengthen him: for he shall go over before this
of Amnion '" ;
people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land
17 The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast t/wre- which thou shalt see.
of, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain," 29 So we abode in the valley over against Beth-
even the salt sea, under xVshdoth-pisgah* eastward. peor.^
a Ch. 2:34; Psa. 1:35:10-13; 13G:1&--J1. b Josh.11:12,14. cch. 4:48, 49. t Heb. sons of power. P Josh. 22:4. <1 Num. 27:22, 23. • Isa. 43:1, 2.
dPsa. 29:6. e 1 5:23; Ezek. 27:5. f
Clir. Josh. 12:5; 13:11. eAmos2:9. s ch. 1:30; 20:4; Exod. 14:14. t oh. 11:2. u Exod. 15:11; 2 Sam. 7:22:
li2Sam. 12:26. Josh. 12:2, etc.
i 13:9, etc. J Josh. 13:29.
; klChr.2;a2; Psa. 71:19; 86:8; 89:6, 8; Isa. 40:28; Dan. 3:29. » Exod. 3:8. " Num.
Num. 32:39.41. Josh. 13:13 2 Sam. 3:3; 10:6. m Josh. 12: 2, 3. n Num.
1 ; 20:12; 27:13, 14. t Oi, The hill, i ch. 1:3S; 31 :3, 7; Num. 27:18, 23. y ch.
34:11. • Or, under the springs of Pisgah, or the hill, o Num. 32:20, etc 4:46.

Mount Herman ; mount Lebanon consists of two nearly tion of others, and rush on in the same course of trans-
8.

parallel ranges, running over against the shore of the Med- gression, they may expect to come to the same di'eadful
iterranean north of Palestine the eastern of these ranges
; end.
is called Anti-Lebanon. Mount Hermon branches off 11. No human arm however sti'ong, if employed against
from the south end of the Anti-Lebanon range, near the God, can ultimately succeed. God may suffer his opposers
borders of Galilee. to prosper for a time, while he waits to be gracious but ;

11. Of giants; of the rephaim or giants here spoken of. if his goodness does not lead them to repentance, they
Nine cubits; thirteen and a half feet. Four cubits; six feet. will perish.
TIte cubit of a man ; this expression seems to mean, the aver- 18. However great the efforts of the people of God in
age fore-arm of a man from the elbow to the tip of the mid- obedience to his command, their successes are to be
dle finger for from this came the measure of the cubit.
; ascribed to him, not to their own wisdom, goodness, or
12-20. land— gave I; Num. 32 1-33.
Tilts power.
:

21. two kings; Silion and Og.


Tlicse 26. With such earthly good things as in the use of
26. Lord was wroth; Num. 20:7-12.
Tlie proper means God sees fit to bestow, we should be con-
27. Pisgaii; the top of Nebo, one of the summits of tent, and pray that such evils as our sins here bring upon
mount Abarim. Num. 27 12-14. : us, may wean us from the world, quicken us in duty, and
29. BetJi-peor ; meaning, house of Peor; a place in Moab prepare us for heaven.
noted for the worship of Peor, or Baal. 28. The good which we caimot do or enjoy, wc should
rejoice to have done and enjoyed by others and we should ;

INSTRUCTIONS. be ready in all proper ways to aid them in doing aud


3. When men refuse to take warning from the destruc- enjoying it
223
: :

Moses txhurttth the DEUTERONOMY IV. jicofk to obedience.

CHAPTER IV. 13 And he


declared unto you his cove- n.r.?5S:
M M(>sr5 appointclli the three cities of
nant, wiiich he commanded you to perform, even
1 An exhortation to obfdirni
ffugc I the t'»sl of Jordan. ten commandments;' and he wrote them upon
"VTOW therefore hearken, Israel, unto the two tables of stone."
J.\ statutes ami unto the juilpnicnts." wliioh I 14 1 And tiie Lord coinmanded me at that time
teacli voii, for to do f/icm'' that yc may live, and to teach you statutes and jiiduiiiciits,' tiiatye might
go in and jjossess the hind which the Loiw God of do them in the laud whither ye go over to pos-
your latlicrs givetli you. sess it.
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I com- 15 Take ye therefore goodhecd unto yourselves ;"
mand you, neither sliall ye diminish aug/it from it,'' for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that
that ye may keep the commandments of tlic Loud t!ie Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst ''
;
your God which I command you. of tlic fire
3 Your eyes iiavc seen what the Lord did he- Ifi Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a

cause of Baai-pcor :*'


for all the men tlmt followed graven image," the similitude of any figure, the
Baal-peor, the Loud thy God hath destroyed them likeness of male or female,"
from among you." 17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth,''
4 But ye that did cleave imto the Lord your the likcnessof any winged fowl that flieth in the air,
God are alive every one of you this day.*^ 18 The likeness of any thing that creepetli on
5 Behold, I have tauglit you statutes and judg- the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the
ments,''' even as the Loud my God commanded me, waters beneath the earth
that ye should do so in the laud whither yc go to 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven,^
possess it. and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the
6 Keep therefore and do them ; for this is your stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be
wisdom and your understanding in the sight of driven to worsliip them, and serve them," wliich
the nations," which sliall hear all these statutes, the Lord thy God hath divided* unto all nations
and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and under the whole heaven.
understanding people.' 20 But the Lord liath taken you, and brought
7 For what nation is there so great,^ who hath God you forth out of the iron furnace,'' even out of Egypt,
so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all to be unto him a people of inheritance,'' as ye are
things that we call upon him ybr tliis day.
.5*

8 And what nation is there so great, that hath 21 Furthermore the Lord was angry with me for
statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, your sakcs,'' and sware that I should not go over
which I set before you this day?'' Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good
9 Only take heed" to thyself and keep thy soul land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee /or an
diligently,' lest thou forget the things which thine inheritance
eyes have seen,™ and lest they depart from thy 22 But I must die in this land, I must not go over
heart all the days of thy life but teach them thy Jordan but ye shall go over, and possess that
; :

sons," and thy sons' sons; good land.


10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the 23 Take heed unto yourselves," lest ye forget the
Lord thy God in Horeb," when the Lord said unto covenant of the Lord your God, which he made
me. Gather me the people together, and I will with you, and make you a graven image, or the
make them hear my words, that they may learn to likeness of any thing, which the Lord thy God
fear me all tlie days that they shall live upon the hath forbidden thee.
eartli," and that tliey may teach their children. 24 For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire,^
11 And ye came near and stood under the moun- even a jealous God.*"'
tain; and the mountain l)urned with fire unto the 25 IF When thou shalt beget children, and chil-
midst* of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick dren's children, and ye shall have remained long
darkness. in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make
12 And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and
of the fire ye heard the voice of the words, but shall do evil in the sight of the Lord thy God, to
:

saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.*'' provoke him to anger;''


» Lev. 19:37; Psa. 119:4. b Ezek. 30:11 Rom. 10:5. c ch. 12:32; Rev.
;
30:21
22:IS, 19. d Num. 25:1-9: Psa. 106:a8. 29. e Num. 2fi:G4. t Josh. 23:8;
Acts 11:2.1. e Prov. 22:19, 20. h Job 29:23; Psa. 19:7; 111:10; Prov. 1:7.
i Psa. 119:99. J2Sam. 7:2;3. k Psa. 147:19. 20. 1 Prov. 4:23. m Prov.
3:1; 4:21. n ch. 6:7: 11:19; Psa. 73:5-7; Eph. 6:4. o Exod. chs. 19, 20.
P Eccl. 12:13. • Heb. heart, t Heb. save a voice, q 1 Kings 19:12; Isa.

CHAPTER IV.
1. Statutes —
and judgments; the laws which God gave
the Israelites concerning his worship and their social and
civil duties. Ver. 14.
3. What the Lord did ; Num. 25 1-9.
:

6. your wisdom and your understanding ; it would


This ts

promote their reputation for wisdom and understanding


among other nations.
10-13. In Horeb; Exod. 19, 20.
14. Statutes and judgments ; Exod. 21, 22, 23.
224
; : : ;

IVarning against idolatry. DEUTERONOMY IV. Tkree cities of refuge.

B.'"i^' heaven and earth to witness


26 I call out in his sight with his mighty power out of
against you this day," that ye shall soon utterly Egypt;"
perish from off the land whereunto ye go ovei* 38 To drive out nations from before thee greater
Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your and mightier than thou art,'' to bring thee in, to
days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. give thee their land fm- an inheritance, as it is
27 And the Lord shall scatter you among the this day.
nations," and ye shall be left few in number among 39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in
the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you. thy heart,'* that the Lord he is God in heaven
28 And there ye shall serve gods," the work of above, and upon the earth beneath:' there is none
men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, else.
nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 40 Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and
29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord his commandments," which I command thee this
thy God,'^ thou shalt find Aim, if thou seek him with day, that it may go well with tliee,'' and with thy
all thy heart and with all thy soul." children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong
30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God
things are pome upon thee,* even iu the latter days,'' giveth thee, for ever.
if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be 41 IT Then Moses severed three cities on this
obedient unto his voice side Jordan toward the sunrising
31 (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;*) 42 That the slayer might flee thither,'^ which
he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor should kill his neighbor unawares, and hated him
forget the covenant of thy fathers, which he sware not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of
unto them. these cities he might live
32 For ask now of the days that are past,'' which 43 JVamely, Bezer in the wilderness," in the plain
were before thee, since the day that God created country, of the Reubenites ; and Ramoth in Gilead,
man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashau, of the Ma-
heaven unto the other, whether there hath been nassites.
ajiy such thing as this great thing is, or hath been 44 IT And this is the law which Moses set before
heard like it? the children of Israel
33 Did ever people hear the voice of God speak- 45 These are the testimonies,^' and the statutes,''
ing out of the midst of the fire,' as thou hast and the judgments," which ISIoses spake unto the
heard, and live ? children of Israel, after they came forth out of
34 Or hath God assayed to go and take him a Egypt,
nation from the midst of another nation, by temp- 46 On Jordan, in the valley over against
this side
tations,J by signs," and by wonders, and by war, Beth-peor,'' in the land ofSihon king of the Amo-
and by a mighty hand,' and by a stretched-out rites, at Heshbon, whom Moses and the
who dwelt
arm," and by great terrors," according to all that children of Israel smote,"^ after they were come
the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before forth out of Egypt:
your eyes? 47 And they possessed his land, and the land of
35 Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites,
know that the Lord he is God there is none else ; which were on this side Jordan toward the sun-
beside him. rising ;

36 Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice," 48 From


Aroer,'' which is by the bank of the
that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he river Arnon, even unto mount Sion, which is
showed thee his great fire and thou hcardest his ; Hermon,''
words out of tlie midst of the fire. 49 And all the plain on this side Jordan east-
37 And because he loved thy fathers,'' therefore ward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the
he chose their seed after them, and brought thee springs of Pisgah.*^

«CK. 30:18. 10; Isa. 1:2; Micah6:2. b ch. 28:62-64; Lev. 26:33; Neh. 7:1; 9:1,2. » Isa. 1 :3; Hos. 7:2. t Josh. 2:11 1 Chr. 29:11. "Lev. 22:31.
;

l:S.fl. cJer.lU:13. d Lev. 26:30, 40; Jer. 3:12-14. eJoel2:12. • Heb. vch 5:16; Eph. 6:3. " ch. 19:4; Num. 35: 11. ijosh.20:8. rPsa.ll9:2.
/met found thee. fjcr. 23:20. e Psai. 116:5; Jonah 4:2. l'JobS:e. Exod. 2Psa.ll9:5. aPsa.ll9:7. l>ch.3:29. ' ch. 1:4; Num. 21:24, etc. dch.
19:18.19. J ch. 29:3. k Exod. 7:3. Exod. 13:.3. m Exod. 6:6. n ch.
1 2:36. tPsa. 133:3. tch.3:17.
34:12: o Hcb. 12:25. P oh. 10: 15; Jer. 31:3. q Exod. 13:3, 9. 14. • ch.

31. The covenant: Lev. 26:42-45; Gen. 15:14-21. dence that godliness with contentment is great gain. 1
34. Assayed; a.ttempted. Je7nj)?o(;o)is,- trials; the mighty Tim. 4:8: 6:G.
works of (iod. intended to prove the faith of his people. 6. Obedience to God is the height of human wisdom,

36. His great fire; Exod. 19:9-19. and all who neglect his commandments are guilty of the
41. Severed; set apart. greatest folly. Psa. 14: 1.

48. Sion ; called also Sirion, which was another name for 10. The object of God in the revelation of liimself, is
Hcrmon. Chap. 3:8, 9. not only to lead tlie present generation to love and serve
49. Sea of tlie plain; the Dead sea. Chap. 3: 17. him, but also to communicate a knowledge of his will to
their children and children's children, and thus perpetuate
INSTRUCTIOXS. to all generations a people to his praise.
1. Obedience to the laws of God is required by interest 16. jlen are strongly inclined to corrupt themselves by
as well as by duty. worshipping idols serving the creature and neglecting
;

3. AVe should take the testimony of God in his word as he the Creator.
has given it. and not be disposed in any respect to alter it. 22.True benevolence will teach a man earnestly to desire
4. God often makes a difference in this world between and diligently to labor, that blessings of which he is de-
tlu' ri<.'litcfinR and the wicked, and shows by his provi- prived may, if consistent, be given to others.
15 225
:

Mosu reJitarstlh DEUTEUONo.MV V t/ie ten commandments.

Cn.VPTER V. 12 Keep the sabbath-day to sanctify it," V";?Si:


1 The covrnint in llonl'. I'l Tin- Un
conimnndtnfnts. 22 At tlio pco- as the Lord thy God hatli commanded thee.
plfi rcqvir.-i Mo.-c» rccdvith the law from God. 13 days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work
Si.\ :

\ND jMoscs called all Israel, and said unto 14 Hut the seventh day wthe sabbath of the Lord
them, Hear, Israel, Ihc statutes and judir- thy God:' in il thmi shiilt not do any work, thou,
ments which I sjieak in your cars tills day, that ye nor thy son, nor thy daiighler, nor thy man-ser-
may learu them, and keep and do them.' vant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine
2 The Loud our God made a, covenant with us ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is
in Iloreh." within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy
3 The Loud made not this covenant witli our maid-servant may rest as "well as thou.'"
fathers, hut with us,"" even us, who are all of us here 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in
alive tliis day. the land of Kgyjit," and that the Lord thy (iod
4 Tlio Lord talked with you face to face in the brought thee out thence through a mighty hand
mount out of the midst of the lire,'' and l)y a stretclicd-out arm: therefore the Lord
5 (I stood between the Lord and you at that thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath-day,
time,'' to show you the w-ord of the Lord for ye ; IG 1i Honor thy father and thy mother," as the
were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy
into t!ie mount,) saying, days may be prolonged," and that it may go well
() ^ I am the Lord thy God, wliich brouirlit thee out with thee, in the land which the Lord tliy Goil
of the land of E2ry])t," from the liouse of bondaiie.^ giveth thee.
"
7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.' 17 Thou shalt not kill.''
8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image,' 18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.'
or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 19 Neither shalt thou steal.'
or that is in the earth bcacath, or that is in the 20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against
waters beneath tlie earth thy neighbor.'
9 Tliou shalt not bow down thyself unto thorn, 21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife,
nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jeal- neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his
ous God.'' visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon tield, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his
the children unto the third and fourth generation ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's."
of them that hate me,' 22 H These words the Lord spake unto all your
10 And showing mercy unto thousands of them assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
that love me and keep my commandments. of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great
11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord voice and he added no more. And he wrote them
;

thy God in vain :' for the Lord will not hold him in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me."'
guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 23 And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice

• Heb. ieep to do them. » Exod. 19:5-9; Heb. 8:9. b ch. 29:10-15. I Gen
' Exod. 19:9. 18, 19; 20:18-23. il Exod. 24:2.
3; Gal. 3:19. e Exod. 20:2-
17; Psa.81:10. t Heb. servants. I Matt, 4:10. E ch. 4:1.')-19. h Exod.
31:14. Exod. 31:7; Jer. .32:18; Dan. 9:4-9; .Malt. 23:35, 3G; Rom. 11:28,
i

29. J Lev. 19:12; Psa. 139:20; Jas. 5:12. k Isa. 58:13; Ezek. 20:12.

23 Men should be very careful to avoid every species


of idolatry, and all appearance of worshipping images, or
giving that lionor to them which belongs only to God.
26. However great the goodness of God to any people,
without obedience to his laws they cannot prosper, but
will become as distinguished for their calamities as they
have been for his favors.
,S1. However great have been
the iniquities of individ-
uals or nations, and however dreadful their sufferings, if
they repent and turn heartily to the Lord, he will have
mercy upon them and abundantly pardon, Isa. 55 7. :

37. The piety of parents is often the means of great


blessings to their children and if they are led to imitate
;

their parents in loving and serving God, their blessings


will be eternal.
40. All who wisely regard their own interest, or that
of their posterity, will hearken diligently to the voice of
God, and heartily obej' his commands.

CHAPTER A^
2. In Horeh; Exod. 19:3-6.
3. Our fathers; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

8. Any graven image, or any likeness; to bow down to,


adore, or worship.
11. In vain ; see note to Exod. 20:7.
12. As the Lord —
commanded; Exod. 20:8-11.
15. Tlierefore the Lord —
commanded; this was to the Isra-
ehtes a reason, in addition to that mentioned, Exod. 20: 11,
why they should keep the Sabbath and especially why ;

their servants should enjoy its rest and privileses.


2-2I)
:

TIte giving of the law. DEUTERONOMY VI, Exhortations to obediena.

S.c'u?? outoftIlemiclstoftllCc^arkness,"fortllemoun- 3 H Hear therefore, and observe to do


Israel,
taia did burn with fire, that je came near unto me, if; that it may be well with thee," and that ye
even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders
;
may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy
'24 And ye said, Beliold, the Lord our God hath fathers hath promised thee, in the land that flow-
showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have eth with milk and honey.''
heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we 4 Hear, Israel:'' The Lord our God is one
liave seen this day that God doth talk with man, Lord:'
and he liveth.'' 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
25 Now therefore why should we die?"^ for this all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
great fire will consume us if we hear* the voice : thy might.'
of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die. 6 And these words, which I command thee this
26 For who is there o/'all flesh, that hath heard day, shall be in thy heart:"
the voice of the living God speaking out of the 7 And thou shalt teach* them diligently unto thy
midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in
27 Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and
God shall say and speak thou unto us all that the
; when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
Lord our God shall speak unto thee i"* and we will 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy
hear it, and do it. hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine
28 And the Lord heard the voice of your words, eyes.'"
when ye spake unto me; and the Lord said unto 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of
me, I have heard the voice of the words of this thy house, and on thy gates."
]ieople, which they have spoken unto thee:'' they 10 And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall
have well said all that they have spoken. have brought thee into the land which he sware
29 Oh that there were such a heart in them, that unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to
they would fear me,'' and keep all my command- Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which
ments always,*^ that it might Idc well with them, thou buildedst not,^
and with their children for ever!" 11 And houses full of all good things, which thou
30 Go say to them. Get you into your tents again. filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst
31 But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and not, vineyards and olive-trees, which thou plant-
I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and edst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be
the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt full
teach them,' that they may do them in the land 12 Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which
which I give them to possess it. brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from
32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord the house of bondage.^
your God hath commanded you ye shall not turn : 13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God,'' and serve
aside to the right hand or to the "left.J him, and shalt swear by his name."
33 Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord 14 Yc shall not go after other gods," of the gods
your God hath commanded you," that ye may live, of the people which are round about you ;

and that it maybevreW with you,' and that ye may pro- 15 For the Lord thy God is a jealous God"^
long your days in the laud which ye shall possess. among you;'' lest the anger of the Lord thy God
be kindled against thee,"" and destroy thee from
CHAPTER VI. off the face of the earth.
16 H Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God,'' as
1 The end of the law is obedience. 3 An exhortation thereto.
ye tempted him in 5Iassah.°
^TOW these are the commandments, the stat- 17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments
J^>| utes, and the judgments, which the Lord of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his
your God commanded to teach you, that yc might statutes, which he hath commanded thee.''
do them in the land whither ye go* to possess it:"" 18 And thou shalt do that vhich is right and good
2 That thou mightcst fear the Lord thy God," in the sight of the Lord ;' that it may be well with
to keep all his statutes and his commandments, thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the
which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy good land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers.
son's son, all the days of thy life ; and that thy 19 To cast out all thine enemies from before
days may be prolonged." thee,^ as the Lord hath spoken.

»Exod. 20:13, 19. b ch. 4:ai; Judg. 13:22. »ch.)S:16. • W eh. add to 1 Heb. trhel, or T ch. 11:19; Psa. 7!-:4-0; Eph. 0:4. w Prov.
sharpen.
hear, d Heb. ia:19. e ch. 18:17. ' oh. 32:29-, I'sa. 81:13; Tsa. 48:18: 0:21; 7:3. « Hah. 2:2.
y Josh. 24: 13; Psa. 105:44. ! Heb. iondmen, or
Bzek.a3:31, 32; Matt. 23:37; Luke 19:42. Sch.ll:l. h ch. 4:40. Gal' i servants, z ch.
10:12, 20. a Isa. 65:16: Jcr. 5:2; 12:16. b Jer. 25:6.
3:19. J ch. 17:20; >S:14; Josh. 1:7; Prov. 4:27. k Psa. 119:6; Luke 1:0. ':Exod.20:5. •lAmos3:2. e ch. 7:4; 2 Chr.30:16. 'Matt. 4:7. E Exod.
IJer. 7:2:). 1 Heh. pass over, m Ezek. 37:24. » Eccl. 12:13. "Prov, 3:1, 17:2, 7; 1 Cor. 10:9 h Psa. 119:4. ch. 12:28; Exod. 15:26. J Num.
2. P Eccl. 8:12; Isa. 3:10. q Gen. 22:17. Mark 12:29-32; John 17:3; 33:52, 53.
ICor. S:4, 6. • 2 Kings 19: 15. > 2 Kings 23:25. u Prov. 2:1U, 11 3:3, 5. ;

CHAPTER VI. in the sense of, make yourselves familiar with them and
1. Commandments — —judc^ments statutes ; in this and some remember them.
other places, commandments seem to mean the moral law, 13. Swearname; in taking an oath on any proper
btj his
statutes the ceremonial, and judgments the judicial, or occasion, tliey were not to appeal to idols or false gods,
civil law. In other cases they have a more general mean- but onlv to Jehovah.
ing, and comprehend the whole of God's commandments. 14. The gods of tlie people; idols and imaginary deities.
8. Bind tliem for a sign—frontlets ; figurativclv spoken, IG. As >jc tempted him in Massah; Exod. 17:2-7.
227
:

irhy the Ctituianilts DEUTEllONOMV VII. are to he destroyed.

20 And when thy son askelh tliee in time to


come,' sayinL', Wlmt mean tlie testimonies, and tiic
statutes, an<i tlio iudirinents, which the Lord our
God iiath coiniiiaiidi'd you?"
21 Then thou slialt say unto thy son, Wo were
Pharaoh's bondineu in Egypt and the Loui) ;

brouglit us out of Hgypt with a mighty hand :

22 And tlic Loiti) showed signs and wonders,'' ]

•rreat and sore,' u])on Egyjit, upon Pharaoh, and


upon all his household, belbre our eyes:
28 And lie brought us out from thence, that he
might bring us in, to give us the land which he
sware unto our fathers.
24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these
statutes, to fear the Loud our God,'' for our good
always,'' that he miglit preserve us alive,'' as it is
at tliis day.
25 And it shall be our righteousness,*' if wc
observe to do all these commandments before the
LoKD our God, as he hath commanded us.

CHAPTER VII.
1 All communion with the nations is forbidden, 4 for fear of idolatry,
6 for the jioliness of the people, 9 for the nature of God in his mercy
and justice, 17 for the assuredness of victory which God will give over
them.

WHEN the Lord thy God shall bring thee into


the land whitlier thou goest to possess it,
and hath cast out many nations before thee,^ the
Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites,
and the Canaanitos, and the Perizzites, and the
Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater
and miglitier than thou;''
2 And wlien the Loud thy God shall deliver them
before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly
destroy them;' thou shalt make no covenant with
them, nor sliow mercy unto them
3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them ;'
thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor
his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
4 For they will turn away thy son from follow-
ing me, that they may serve other gods: so will
;

Obedience urged from DEUTERONOMY VIII. regard of God's mtrnes.

B.c'S' 15 And tliG Lord -will take away from


thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil
diseases of Egypt,* which thou knowest, upon thoe
but will lay them upon all them that hate tliee.
16 And thou shalt consume all the people which
tlie Lord thy God shall delivei- thee; thine eye
sliall have no pity upon them:'' neither shalt thou
serve tlieir gods for tliat will be a snare unto thee.*^
;

17 If thou slialt say in thy heart, Tlicse nations


are more than I liow can I dispossess them?
;

18 Tliou shalt not l)e afraid of them:'' but shalt


well remember what the Lord thy God did unto
Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;"
19 The great temptations which thine eyes saw,
and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty
hand, and the stretched-out arm, whoreliy tlie Lord
thy God brought thee out :' so shall the Lord thy
God do unto all the people of whom thou art
afraid. I"'

20 Moreover the Lord thy God will send the


hornet among them,'' until they that are left, and
hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.
21 Thou shalt not be affrighted at them for the
:

Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and


terrible.'
22 And the Lord thy God will put out* those
nations before thee by little and little:^ tliou may-
est not consume them at once, lest the beasts of
tlie field increase upon tliee.
23 But tlie Lord thy God shall deliver them unto
thee,+ and shall destroy them with a mighty de-
struction, until they be destroyed.
2-1 And he shall deliver their kings into thy

hand,'* and thou shalt destroy their name from un-


der heaven tliere shall no man be able to stand
:
'

before thee,"' until tliou have destroyed them.


25 The graven images of their gods shall ye
burn with iire:" thou shalt not desire the silver or
gold that is on them," nor take it unto thee, lest
thou be snared therein:" for it is an abomination
to the Lord thy God.
20 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into
tliy house,'' lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but
thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly
ablior it: for it is a cursed thine:.''
Tiifij must not trust in DEUTERONOMY IX. t/iiir own riglUtousness.

13 And when herds and thy flocks multiply,


tliy Loud thyGod hath cast them out from *,." u?k
nnd thy silver and thy pild is multiplied, and all before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Loud
that thou hast is multiplied; hath brought me in to possess tiiis land but for
:''

14 Then thy heart be lifted uj), and thou forget the wickedness of these nations the Loud dotii
tlic Loud thy Ood, which brouijiit thee forth out drive them out from before thee."'
of the land of H.irypt, from tiie house of bondat'o;" Xot for thy righteousness, or for the upright-
')

1") Who led tliee through that great and terrible ness of thy heart," dost thou go to possess their
wilderness, ichcrein were licry serpents,'' and scor- land: but lor the wickedness of lliese nations the
1lions, and drougiit,'' wlicre there was no water; Lord thy God doth drive them (nit from before
who brought thee forth water out of the rock of thee, and that he may perform the word which the
Hint;'' Lord sware unto thy fathers, Abraham,' Isaac,"
16 Who fed thee in tlic wilderness with manna,'' and Jacob."
which thy fathers knew not, that he might humljle Understand therefore, that the Lord thy God
thee,' and that he might prove thee, to do thee giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy
good at thy latter end ;'' righteousness for thou art a slifl'necked people."
;

17 And thou say in thy heart. My power and the 7 ^ Remember, and forget not, how tliou pro-
might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth.'' vokcdst the Lord thy God to wrath in the wilder-
18 But thou slialt remember the Lord thy God: ness: from the day that thou didst depart out of
for it is he that giveth thee |)ower to get wealth,' the land of Kgypt," until ye came unto this place,
that lie may estaljlish his covenant which he sware ye have been rebellious against tlu! Lord.
unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 8 Also in Iloreb ye provoked the Lord to wrath/
19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the so that the Lord was angry with you to have de-
Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and stroyed you.
serve them, and worship them, I testify against 9 When 1 was gone up into the mount to receive
you this day that ye shall surely perish.^ the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant
20 As the nations which the Lord destroycth which the Lord made with you, then 1 abode in
before your face, so shall ye perish;" because ye the mount forty days and forty nights;^ 1 neither
would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord did eat bread nor drink water:
vour God. 10 And the Lord delivered unto me two tables
of stone written with the finger of God;" and on
them was ivritten according to all the words which
CHAPTER IX. the Lord spake with you in the mount, out of the
Moses dissuadeth them from the opii of their own righteousness, by
I midst of the fire, in the day of the assembly.''
rehearsing their se al rebellions.
11 And it came to pass at the end of forty days
HEAR, Israel Thou art to pass over Jordan and forty nights, that the Lord gave me the two
:

this day,' to go in to possess nations greater tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant.*^
and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced 12 And the Lord said unto me. Arise, get thee
up to heaven, down quickly from hence; for thy people which
2 A
people great and tall, the children of the thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have cor-
Anakim, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou rupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside
hast heard say, "Who can stand before the children out of the way which I commanded them; they
of Anak ™ ! have made them a molten image.''
3 Understand therefore this day, that the Lord 13 Furthermore the Lord spake unto me," say-
thy God is he which goeth over before thee " as ing, I have seen this people, and behold, it is a
;

a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he stiifnecked people :'^


sliallbring them down Ijefore thy face: so shalt 14 Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and
thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly," as blot out their name from under heaven:^ and I
the Lord hath said unto thee." will make of thee a nation mightier and greater
4 Speak not thou in thy heart, after that the than they."
a Jer. 2:6. b Num. 21:6. c Hos 13:5. d N'um. 2(1:11; Psa.. 7S15, 16: 4:7.
114:-; 1 Cor. 10:4. e ver. 3. f ver. 2. e Lam. 3:26-:M; Heb. 12:10, 11.
''ch.9;4; 1 Cor. 4:7. Prov. 10:22; Hos. 2:8. j ch. 4:2lj; 30:18. k 3 Chr.
i

a;:ir), 17; Dan. 9:11,12. 1 Josh. 4:19. » Num. 13:2:^33. och. 31:3-6;
Josh. 3:11. o ch. 7:24. P Exod. 2-3:31. q ch. t:17; Rom. 111!.
2(1; 1 Cor.

14. Thy heart be lifted up; become proud and self-confi-


dent. Ver. 17.
INSTRUCTIONS.
2. One great object of God in all his dispensations, is to
try men and lead them to see and to manifest their true
character.
5. The Lord never sends trials because he delights in
them, but for the profit of his people that they may be ;

led to feel their dependence, and to exercise those feelings


towards him which shallheaven.
fit them for
10. In seasons of great prosperity we should feel under
special obligations to God, and acknowledge his goodness
with special thanksgiving.
14. Great prosperity is peculiarly apt to make men

230
Hldsex recoun/efh DEUTERONOMY X. their rehdiiims.

Raul?' 15 So I turned and camo down from the


mount," and the mount burned with lire:'' and the
two tables of the covenant icere m
my two hands.
16 And I looked, and behold, ye had sinned
against the Lord your God, and had made you a
molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of
the way which the Lord had commanded you.
17 And I took the two tables, and cast them out
of my two hands, and brake them before your
eyes.
18 And I fell down
before the Lord,'^ as at the
first, forty days and
forty nights I did neither eat
:

bread nor drink water, because of all your sins


which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight
of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot dis-
pleasure, wherewith the Lord was wroth against
you to destroy you.** But the Lord hearkened unto
me at that time also."
20 And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to
have destroyed him and I prayed for Aaron also
:

the same time.


21 And I took your sin,'' the calf which ye had
made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and
ground it very small, eveii until it was as small as
dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook
that descended out of the mount."^
22 And at Taberah,'' and at Massah," and at Kib-
roth-hattaavah,^ ye provoked the Lord to wrath.
23 Likewise when the Lord sent you from Ka-
desh-barnea,'' saying. Go up and possess the land
which I have given you then ye rebelled against
;

the commandment of the Lord your God, and ye


believed him not,' nor hearkened to his voice.
24 Ye have been rebellious against the Lord
from the day that I knew you."
25 Thus I fell down before the Lord forty days
and forty nights," as I fell down at the first; be-
cause the Lord had said he would destroy you.
26 I prayed therefore unto the Lord," and said,
Lord God, destroy not thy people and thine
inheritance,'' which thou hast redeemed through
thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out
of Egypt with a mighty hand.
: ; : ; ;

The jKojie are counsellal DEUTERONOMY XI. to fear and obey Cii.d.

8 IT At that time (he Lord separated the trilic 22 Thy fathers wont down into Egyyit 'lirfj)?;
of Levi,* to bear tlio ark of the eovenant of tlio with threescore and ten persons;* and now the
LoKD,"' to stand het'oro the LoiU)'- to minister unto Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of
iiim;' and to bless in his name,'' unto tiiis day. heaven for multitude.
'.tWherefore Levi hatli no i)art nor inheritance
with iiis bretlircn;' the Lord is his iniicritance,
accordinir a^* tlio Lord thy (!od jironiised him.
CIIArTER XI.
10 And stayed in the mount, aecordincr to the
I
1 An exhortation to obedience, 2 by their own experience of God's ^eat
worlis, 8 by promise of God'i great blcssinj^R, IG and by threatcnin;(s.
lirst time,* forty days and forty nights; and the IS A careful study is requireifin God's words. 2G The blewsing and
Lord hearkened unto me at that time also,^ and curRO is set before thcin.

the Luiu) would not destroy thee. THEREFORE thou shalt love the Lord thy
11 And the Lord said unto mo, Arise, take thy God, and keep
his charge, and his statutes,
journey before the people, that they may po in and
*
and his judgments, and his commandments, al-
possess the laud, which
swarc unto their fathers way.
I
to cive unto them. 2 And know ye this day: for / speak not Witli
12 And now. Israel, what doth the Lord thy your children which have not known, and which
'ii

God require of thee,'' but to fear the Lord thy have not seen the chastisement of the Lord your
God,' to walk in all his ways,J and to love him," God," his gi-eatness, his mighty hand, and his
and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart stretched-out arm,
and with all thy soul,' 3 And his miracles, and his acts, which he did
13 To keep the commandments of the Lord, and in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of
his statutes, wiiicli 1 command thee this day for Egypt, and unto all his land
thy good ?'" 4 And what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto
i4 Behold, the heaven" and the heaven of heav- their horses, and to their chariots how he made ;

ens is the Lord's thy God," the earth a.'w,'' with the water of the Red sea to overflow them as they
all that therein is. pursued after you,'' and how the Lord hath de-
l.'j Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to stroyed them unto this day;
love them, and he chose their seed after them, even 5 And what he did unto you in the wilderness,
you above all people, as it is this day. until ye came into this place;
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your G And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram,
heart,'' and be no more stifFnccked. the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods,'' and earth o])ened her mouth, and swallowed them up,
Lord of lords,' a great God, a mighty,' and a ter- and their households, and their tents, and all the
rible, wiiich regardeth not persons," nor takcth substance that was in their possession,* in the midst
reward of all Israel
18 He doth execute the judgment of the father- 7 But your eyes have seen all the great acts of
less and widow," and lovetli the stranger, in giv- the Lord whicli he did.
ing him food and raiment. 8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments
19 Love ye therefore the stranger -.^ for ye were which I command you this day, that ye may be
strangers in the land of Egypt. strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye
20 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God him shalt go to possess it
;

thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave," and 9 And that ye may prolong your days in the
swear by his name.^ land, which the Lord swarc unto your fathers to
21 He is thy praise,'" and he is thy God, that hath give unto them and to their seed, a land that
done for thee these great and terrible things,, floweth with milk and honey.
which thine eyes have seen. 10 1 For the land whither thou goest in to pos-
1 Num. 3;r;-9. b Num. "1:15. c Psa. 135;2. d ch. 18:5; 2 Chr. 29:11 Rom. 2:25. 29. ' Josh 22:22; Dan. 2:4 17:14; 19:10. I Neh.
Horn. 12:7. e ch. 21:5; Num. 6:2'i. f Num. IS:20, 24; Ezek. 44:2i. 'Or, 9:32. " 2Chr. 19:7; Job 34:19; Eph. 6:9. 68:5. w Lev. 19:33.
,

farmtTdai/s. e Kxo(I.3-2:l'l. t Heb. ffo in journey. •" Mic. 6:8. i oh. 6:1:); I Acts 11:23. y Isa. 45:23, 17:14. a Gen. 46:27. b ch. 8:5.
P-ii. 31:9. j ch. 5:3:3. t oh. 6:5; 11:13; 30:16, 20; Psa. 18:1; 145:20; c Exod. 14:23-31. 1 Or, livii substance which followed tlum, Heb. was
Mut. 22:37. I Job36:ll; Zeph.3:9; Rom. 1:9; Heb. 12:28. m ch.0:24. at thtir feel.
•Paa.llo:16. o Psa. 148:4. P Gen. 14:19; Psa. 24:1 ; 50:12. qjer.4:4;

8. At
that time; while they were at Sinai. Num. 3, 4. 8. It is the will of God that there should be an order of
16. —
Circumcise the foreskin of your heart; break off your men set apart to minister for him, conduct his worship,
Bins,and engage heartily in doing the will of God. Ver. 20. proclaim his will, and set before men the motives which
17. Regardeth not persons; does not regard men accord- he has revealed to induce them to do it.
ing to_ outward distinctions, or appearance merely, but 13. The fear and love of God which lead men cheerfully
according to their true character. and heartily to obey him, promote not only his glory, but
18. The judgment of the fatherless ; God decides and acts their highest good.
rightly, kindly, and graciously concerning them. He opens 17-19. God is no respecter of persons. He looks with
his hand and supplies their wants. tender compassion on the stranger, the widow, and the
21. He IS thy praise; the Giver of their mercies, whom fatherless. He delights to help them, and requires that
they ought to praise. all, in this, should imitate his example.

INSTRUCTIONS. CHAPTER XI.


4. The ten commandments express the will of God and Floweth with milk and honey ; is very fruitful.
9.
the duty of men, and the effect of divine grace is to lead Wateredst it with thy foot ; drawing up water from the
10.
men heartily to love them and strive in all things perfectly rivers and fountains by treadwheels, with great labor, to
to obey them. keep the land from drying up for want of rain.
232
: : :

Godh word to he regarded. DEUTERONOMY XI. A blessing and a curse.

kaubf: sess it, is not as the land of Egypt," from


whence ye came out, where thou sowedst tliy seed,
and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of
herbs
11 But tlie land, whither ye go to possess it, is
a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of
the rain of heaven :

12 A land which the Lord thy God careth* for


tlie eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it,''
from the beginning of the year even unto the end
of the year.
13 IT And it shall con»e to pass, if ye shall heark-
en diligently unto my commandments whicii I com-
mand you this day," to love the Lord your God,
and to serve him with all your heart and with all
your soul,''
14 That I will give you the rain of your land in
his due season,'' the first rain and the latter rain,'"
that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine,
and thiue oil.
15 And I willsend* grass in thy fields for thy
cattle," that thou mayest eat and be full.''
16 Take heed to yourselves,' that your heart be
not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other
gods, and worship thein;^
17 And then the Lord's wrath be kindled against
you," and he shut up the heaven, that there be no
rain,' and that the land yield not her fruit; and
lest ye perish quickly from o9' the good laud which
the Lord giveth you.
18 If Tlierefore shall ye lay up these my words
in your heart and in your soul,'" and bind them for
a sign upon your hand," that they may be as front-
lets between your eyes.
19 And ye shall teach them your children, speak-
ing of tlicm when thou sittest in thy house, and
when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest
down, and when thou risest up."
20 And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts
of thy house, and upon thy gates
21 That your days may be multiplied,'' and the
>Zech. 14:18. •
Keh. seehet/i. blKinss9:3. c ver. 22
: ;

Moses umlinutlh his DEUTEROXOMV XII, charf;e In the people.

CllAl'TF I! XII.
1 MonumcnU of idolatry nro to be dt-stroved. 5 The plar.o of God's
siTvioe 10 to be kept. l.'>, -'.'t Blood is'forbiddcn. 17, 20, ','C Holy
thinrs must be cateii in the liolv place. 19 The Lerite is not to be
rorea^en. 'JU Idoliilry is not to Le inquired after.

THESE are the statutes and judgments, which


to do in the land,
yc sliall i)liservc which the
Loun" (tod of tliy latlitM-.-i trivcth thee to ])ossess it,"
all the days that yc live upon tiic earth.''
2 Yc .•<liall utterly destroy all the places,*^ where-
in the nations which ye shall possess' served their
gods, upon the liigli mountains, and upon tiie iiiils,
and under every green tree:''
3 And yc shall overthrow^ their altars,'' and
break their pillars, and burn their groves witii
lire;'' and ye shall iiew down the graven images

of their gods, and destroy the names of them out


of that place.
4 Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God."
5 But unto tlie place which the Lord your God
shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name
tiiere,'' even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and

tiiither thou shalt come:


C And thither ye shall bring your burnt-offer-
iugs,' and your and your tithes,^ and
sacrifices,
lieave-oft'erings ofyour hand, and your vows, and
}'0ur freewill-offerings, and the firstlings of your
herds and of your (locks
7 And there ye shall cat before the Lord your
God, and yc shall rejoice in all that ye put your
hand unto," yc and your households, wherein the
Lord thy God hath blessed thee.
8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do
liere this day, every man whatsoever is right in
his own eyes.'
9 For ye are not
as yet come to the rest and to the
inheritance,'"which the Lord your God giveth you.
10 But lichen ye go over Jordan," and dwell in
the land which the Lord your God giveth you to
inherit, and lohen he giveth you rest from all your
enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety
; ; ; : ;

The place of God's service. DEUTERONOMY XIII. Enticers to idolatry-

Rc'S border," as he hath promised thee," and CHAPTER XIII.


thou shalt say, I will eat flesli, because thy soul 1 Enticers to idolatry, G how near soever unto thee, 9 are to be stoned
longeth to eat flesli thou mayest eat flesh, what-
;
to death. 12 Idolatrous cities are not to be spared.

arise among you a prophet,'' or a dream-


soever thy soul lusteth after.
21 If the place which the Lord tliy God hath
IFerthere
of dreams,' and giveth thee a sign or a
chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, wonder,''
then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass,*
which the Lord hath given thee, as I have com- whereof he spake unto thee, saying. Let us go after
manded thee, and tiiou shalt cat in thy gates what- other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us
soever thy soul lusteth after. serve them
22 Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten," 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that
so thou shalt eat them the unclean and the clean
: prophet, or that dreamer of dreams for the Lord :

shall eat of them alike. your God proveth you," to know whether ye love
23 Only be sure* that thou cat not the blood: for "the Lord your God with all your heart and with
the blood is the life
;''
and thou mayest not eat the all your soul.
life with the flesh. 4 Ye shall walk after the Lord your God,^' and
2i Thou shalt not eat it thou shalt pour it upon
; fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his
the earth as water. voice,''' and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."
25 Tliou shalt not eat it that it may go well with
; 5 And that prophet,^ or that dreamer of dreams,
thee," and witli thy children after tliee, when thou shall be put to death because he hath spoken to
;

shalt do thai ichich w right in the sightof the Lord.' turn you away from the Lord' your God, which
26 Only thy holy things which thou hast," and brought you out of the land of Egypt, and re-
thy vows, thou shalt take,"" and go unto the place deemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust
which the Lord shall choose: thee out of the way which the Lord thy God com-
27 And thou shalt oflTer thy burnt-offerings, the manded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the
fleshand the blood, upon the altar of the Lord evil away from the midst of thee.^
thy God:' and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be G % If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy
poured out upon the altar of the Lord thy God, son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom," or
and thou shalt eat the flesh. thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee
'^

28 Observe and hear words which I secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods,
all these
command thee,' that it may go well with thee, and which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers
with thy children after thee for ever, when thou 7 Mamdy, of the gods of the people which are
doest that u-hich is good and right in the sight of round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from
the Lord thy God. thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the
29 IT When the Lord thy God shall cut off the other end of the earth
nations from before thee," whither thou goest to 8 Thou shalt not consent unto him,'= nor hearken
possess them, and thou succeedest* them, and unto him neither shall thine eye pity him, neither ;

dwelleat in their land shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him
39 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared 9 But thou shalt surely kill him thy hand shall ;

by following them,*' after that they be destroyed be first upon him to put him to death,'' and after-
from before thee and that thou inquire not after wards the hand of all the people.
;

their gods, saying. How did those nations serve 10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he
their gods ? even so will I do likewise. die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away
""
31 Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out
:

for every abomination to^ the Lord which he hat- of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.^
eth have they done unto their gods for even their 11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear,'' and shall
;

sons and their daughters they have burnt in the do no more any such wickedness as this is among
lire to their gods." you.
32 What thing soever I command you, observe 12 \ If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities,'
to do it:" thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish which the Lord thy God hath g^ven thee to dwell
from it." there, saying.

'I Chr. 4:10. 2i:U, Exoil. 31:24. « ver. 1.5, 16. ' Heb. strong. 2918 q 1 Kin<^ 13:18; Isi. 9:15; Jer. S:13; 23:11; Ezek. 13:2, 3, 23;
d Lev. 17:11, 14 4:4U. ( Exod. lorM; 1 Kings 11:38; Ecol. 2:28. Zech. 13:4. r zlch. 10:2. ' Matt. -ZX-.-U 2Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13:14. t ch.
:

e Num. 5:9, 10. h Lev. 22:18, etc., . >...i,... ..^i--.,.


'
21-24. i
.Lev. ,..,,,,,
i.c.. 1:5,9, i-,
13| 18:22; Jer. 33:9; Matt. 7:22. "lCDr.ll:19. v2Chr.34:3l. wjer.7:23.
17:11. J Exod. 34:11; 2 Chr. 7:17; lEzek. 37:24; John 15:10, 14. k ch X ch. 10:20. y Zech. 13:3. I Heb. revolt against the 'Lov.v. z ch. 17:7;
19:1; Exod. 23:23: Joah. 23:4. t Heb. inherilest, or poisessest. 1 Heb. 1 Cor. 5:13. » ch. 28:54; Mic. 7:5. b 1 Sam. 20:17. « Prov. 1:10. i ch.
after Ihrm. 1 2 Kings 17:15; Psa. 100:34-38. m Exod. 21:2. « Heb. o/. 17:7. 1 Heb 6o«Jjne;i. ech. 19:20. fJosh.23:ll.
oLev. 18:21; Jer. 32:35; Ezek. 20:31 ; 23:37; Mic.C: 7. ojo3h.l:7. pRev.

19. What belongs to God and his ministers should not CHAPTER XIII.
be withheld or perverted to any other use. Proveth you; by suffering the false prophets to do
3.
25. Subjection of our desires lo the revealed will of God, some strange and wonderful things, and thus to tempt
with habitual obedience to his commands, is the way to them to forsake God and worship idols.
promote not only our own good, but that of all who come 5. Turn you awaij from the Lord; as he was the King of
after us or may feel our influence. the Jews, idolatry was treason, and punishable with death.
32. We should not wish to add to or take from what 9. Kill htm ; when proved to be guilty by legal process ac-

God has said but should take it as it is, and let it have
; cording to divine directions. Befirst upon h im ; the accusers
its proper influence on our hearts and lives. and witnesses were to cast the first stones. Chap. 17:7.
235
;

Idolatry to bt punished. DEUTERONOMY \IV Ofmtats clean and uncknn.

13 Certain men, the children of Belial," are gone


out from among yon, and have witlidrawn tlie
inhuhitants of their city," saying, Let us go and
servo other gods, which j-e iiave not known;
14 Tiien slialt thou inquire, and make search,
and ask diligently; and beliold, if it ic truth, and
tlie tiling certain, tliat such abomination is wrought
ainon'j you
15 Thou slialt surely smite the inhabitants of
that city with tlie edge of the sword, destroying
it utterly and all that w therein, and the cattle
,"*

thereof, with the edge of the sword.


10 And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into
the midst of the street thereof and shalt burn
with lire the city, and all the spoil thereof every
whit, for the Lord thy God and it shall be a :

heap for ever;*" it shall not be built again.


17 And there shall cleave naught of the cursed *
thing to thy hand:'' that the LoiiD may turn from
the fierceness of his anger," and show thee inercy,'
and have compassion upon thee,''' and multiply
thee,'' as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;'
18 When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the
Loun thy God, to keep all his commandments
which I command thee this day,J to do that which
is right in the eyes of the Lord thy God.

CHAPTER XIV.
1 God's chiltlren are not U> disfi^re themselves in mourning. 3 What
may, and what may not be eaten, 4 of beasts, 9 of fishes, 11 of fowls.
21 That which dieth of itself may not be eaten. 2'2 Tithes of divine
service. 23 Tithes and firstlinj^s of rejoicing before the Lord. 28 Tlie
third year's tithe of alms and charity.

YE are the children of the


shall not cut yourselves,'
Lord your God ye
nor make any bald-
:
"^

ness between your eyes for the dead.


2 For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy
God," and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a pe-
culiar people unto himself," above all the nations
that are upon the earth.
3 \ Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing."
4 These are the beasts which ye shall cat: the
ox, the sheep, and the goat,
5 The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow-deer.
• Or, naugkty men; Judg. 19:22; 1 Kmgs 2
22:20; Josh. 0:17, 24. c Josh. 8:28; Jer. 49:
; ; : : ; :

The. seventh year, DEUTERONOMY XY. or year of release.

name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy


Kc.'uit land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an
wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy inheritance to possess it:'
herds and of thy flocks that thou mayest learn
;
''
5 Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice
to fear the Lord tliy God always. of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all these
2-1 And if the way be too long for thee, so that commandments which I command thee this day.
thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be 6 For the Lord tiiy God blesseth thee, as he
too far from thee,'' which the Lord thy God shall promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many
choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy nations, but thou shalt not borrow;™ and thou
God hath blessed thee shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not
25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind reign over thee.
up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the 7 IT If there be among you a poor man of one
place which the Lord thy God sliall choose of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy
26 And thou shalt bestow that money for what- land whicli the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou
soever tliy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, shalt not harden thy heart," nor shut thy hand
or for wine, or for sti-ong drink, or for whatsoever from thy poor brother :

thy soul desireth :' and thou shalt eat there before 8 But thou shalt open thy hand wide unto him,"
the Lord thy God,^ and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need,
and thy household,'' in that which ho wantcth.
27 And the Levite that is within thy gates thou ; 9 Beware that there be not a thought^ in thy
shalt not forsake him for he hath no part nor
: wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year
'

inlieritance with thee." of release, is at hand and thine eye be evil


;

28 1 At
the end of three years thou shalt bring against thy poor brother,'' and thou givest him
forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year,' naught and he cry unto the Lord against thee,"*
;

and shalt lay it up within thy gates and it be sin unto thee."'
29 And the Levite, because he hath no part nor 10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thy heart
:'
inheritance with thee,*^ and the stranger,'' and the shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him
fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall
gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied bless thee in all thy works,' and in all that thou
tliat the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the puttest thy hand unto.
work of thy hand which thou doest.' 11 For the poor shall never cease out of the
land " therefore I command thee, saying, Thou
:

shalt open thy hand wide unto thy brother, to thy


CHAPTER XV. poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
1 The seventh year a year of release for the poor. 7 It must he no let 12 "ir And if thy brother,^' a Hebrew man, or a
of lending or giving. 12 A Hebrew servant, 16 except he will not
depart, must in the seventh year go forth free and well furnished. Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee
19 All firstling males of the cattle are to be sanctified unto the Lord. six years then in the seventh year thou shalt let
;

ATmake the end of every seven years thou shalt


a release.^
him go free from thee.
13 And when thou sendest him out free from
2 And this is the manner of the release Every : thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty
creditor^ that lendeth aught unto his neighbor 14 Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy
shall release it ; he shall not exact it of his neigh- flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy wine-
bor, or of his brother; because it is called the press of that wherewith tlie Lord thy God hath
:

Lord'.s release. blessed thee'" thou shalt give unto him.''


:^
3 Of
a foreigner thou mayest exact it again 15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a
1)ut that which is thine with thy brother thy hand bondman in the land of Egypt,-" and the Lord thy
sliall release God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee
4 Save when there shall be* no poor among this thing to day.
you for the Lord shall greatly bless thee in the
; 16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will
» b ch. l-.>:-21.
Ch. 15:19, 20. • Heb. asketh.
of thee. " ch. 12:7, 18. nl John 3:17. o Lev. 25:35-37; Gal. 2:10. iUeh.u-ord. I Heb. Belial.
'IKeel. 9:7. e ch. 1S:1. 2; Num. 18:2U. f ch. 211:12; Amos 4:4. Bver.S7; Pch. 3-!:54-5(i; Prov. 23:6; Matt. 20:15. q ch. 24:15; Exod. 22:23. 'Matt.
ch. 12:12. b Exod. 22:21-34; Job 31:10-32: Luke 14:12-14; Heb. 13:2. 25-41-15. s 2 Cor. 9:5-7. ' ch. 24:19: Psa. 41:1. 2: Prov. 11:25; 22:9;

i
ch. 15:10; Proy. 3:9, 10; 19:17; Mai. 3:10. j Exod. 2:1:10, 11; Lev. Heb. 13:16. u Matt. 26:11. ' Exod. 21:2; Lev. -25:39-11; Jer. 34:14.
33:2-1; Jer. 34:14-17. t Heb. master of the lending of his liand. k ch. «'Psa.6H:10. I Prov. 10:22; Acts 20:35. V ch. 5:15; 10:12; Isa. 51:1.
3i:20. t Or. To the end that there be. 1 ch. 2S:l-8, etc. "> oh. 23:12, 44.

26. TTiy soul desireth; in accordance with the revealed 29. The ministers of religion, the stranger, the widow,
will of God. the fatherless, and all who are destitute should be kindly
INSTRUCTIOXS. remembered, and share in the blessings which God gra-
2. The people of God are called in a peculiar manner to ciouslj- gives us.
lie holy, and should carefully avoid sinful conformity to

the world, and all those practices which tend to draw


CHAPTER XV.
them away from the word and ordinances of Jehovah. 3. Til II
brother ;an Israelite.
C. The Lord allows us freely to partake of all things which 9. Givest him naught; dost not lend to him what he
will not injure us, and which tend to our highest good. needs.
22. We
should endeavor to be truly honest and faithful 12. If thy brother —
be sold unto thee; be bound to serve
in devoting to God whatever he requires, and in using all thee for the payment of a debt, according to the custom
we possess according to his will, remembering that he is of that age.
the owner, and that we are stewards of what he intrusts 16. Because he is well with thee; because.in his estimation,
to our care. it would be better for him to stay than to go away.

237
Firstlings of the jlod: DEUTEHOXO.MV XVI, T/ic feast of the passorer.

not po away from thee because lie loveth thee


;"

and tliy hdu.-^e, lie is well with thee;


Ijoeausc
17 'liipii take
tlidu ^;llalt an awl, and tlinist it
throuirli his oar unto the door, and he shall lie thy
servant lor ever. And also unto thy maid-servant
thou slialt do likewise.
18 It shall not seem hard unto tlico,"' when thou
sendest him away free tVom tlice for he liatli licou
;

worth a double hired servant to tliee, in servinjj;


thee six years: and the Lord thy God shall bless
thee in all that thou doest.
19 '\ All tiie iir.stlinir males that come of thy
herd and of thy Hock tiiou shalt sanctify unto the
Loitn thy God:*^ thou siialt do no work with the
firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of
thy sheep.
20 Thou shalt cat it before the Lord thy God
j^ear by year in the place which the Lord shall
choose,' thou and thy household.
21 And if there be any blemish therein,'' as if it
be lame, or blind, or /lave any ill blemish, thou
shalt not sacrifice it unto the Lord thy God.
22 Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the un-
clean and the clean person shall cat it alike,' as the
roebuck, and as the hart.
23 Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof;
thou shait pour it upon the ground as water.

CHAPTER XVI.
1 The feast of the passover, 9 of weeks, 13 of taberna':les. IG Every
male must offer, as he is able, at these three feasts. 18 Of judges and
justice. 21 Groves and images are forbidden.

OBSERVE the month of Abib,"' and keep the


passover unto the Lord thy God for in the :

month of Aliib the Lord thy God brought tliec


forth out of Egypt by night."
2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover
unto the Lord thy God, of the flock and the herd,'
in the place which the Lord shall choose to place
his name there.^
Of the three, feasts. DEUTERONOMY XVII. Idditcrs to It stoned.

uJluif: and the fatherless, and tlie -widow, that


are among you, in the place which the Lord thy
God hath chosen to place his name there.
12 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a
bondman inEgypt:" and thou shalt observe and
do these statntes.
13 ^ Thou
shalt observe the feast of tabernacles
seven days,'' after that thou hast gathered in thy
corn and thy wine:'
14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast,'' thou,
and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-ser-
vant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, the
stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that
arc within thy gates.
15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast
unto the Lord thy God in the place which the
Lord shall choose:'' because the Lord thy God
shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the
works of thy hands, therefore thou shalt surely
rejoice.
16 H Three times in a year shall all thy males
appear before the Lord thy God in the place which
lie shall choose ;'' in the feast of unleavened bi'cad,
and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tab-
ernacles: and they shall not appear before the
Lord empty :'^

17 Every man shall give as he is able,*!^ accord-


ing to the blessing of the Lord thy God which
he hatli given thee.''
18 officers shalt thou make thee
T Judges and
which the Lord thy God giveth
in all tliy gates,'
thee, tliroughout thy tribes and they shall judge
:

the people with just judgment.


19 Tliou shalt not wrest judgment;^ thou shalt
not respect persons,'^ neither take a gift: for a
giftdoth blind the eyes of the wise,' and pervert
the words* of the righteous.
20 That which is altogether just^ shalt thou fol-
low,'" that thou mayest live," and inherit the land
wiiicli the Lord thy God giveth thee.
21 'i Thou slialt not plant thee a grove of any
trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God,"
which thou shalt make thee.
22 Neither shalt thou set thee up any image;'"'
which the Lord thy God hateth.''

» Ch. 15
;

DutUi of judgu and kings. DEUTERONOMY X\ III Dues nf the Levids.

wliich they of tluit plarc wliicli the Loui) shall the end that he may prolong his days in « r n','

clioosc shall show tlice; and tliou tihalt observe to his kingdom, he, anil his children, in the midst of
do accordinir to all that liicy inform thco: Israel.''
11 AecordinsT to the seiiteucc of the law which
tiiev shall tcacii thee, and according to llio jiidjr-
CIIAPTEIl X VIII.
inei'it which they shall tell thee, thou slialt do: thou 1 The Lord is the pnestg^ and Levitea' inlieriUince. 3 The priest'i duo.
6 The Levite's portion. 9 The abominations of tlic nationi are to bo
shalt not decline from the sentence which they avoided. 15 Christ tlie Trophet is to be heard. 20 The presunip
shall show thee, to the right hand, nor to the left. tuous prophet is to die.

\'l And the man that will do presumjjtously," n[^HE priests the Levites,'' and all the tribe of
and will not hearken' unto the priest that staiul- _L Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with
eth to minister there before the LoRn thy God,'' or Israel: they shall eat the ofl'eriugs of the Lord
unto the judge," even that man shall die:" and thou made by fire, and his inheritance.'
shalt put away the evil from Israel." 2 Therefore shall they have no inheritance among
13 And all the ])eople shall hear, and fear,'' and their brethren the Lord is their inheritance,' as
:

do no more presumptuously. he hath said unto them.


14 •[ When thou art come unto the land whicli tlie 3 1[ And this shall be the priest's due from the
Loud thy God givcth thee, and shalt possess it, and people," from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it
shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king be ox or sheep and they shall give unto the priest
;

over me."-' like as all the nations that are about me the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
1.') Tliou shalt in any wise set him king over 4 The iirst-fruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and
thee, whom the Loud thy God shall choose:'' one of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep,
from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over shalt thou give him."
tlice:' thou mayest not set a stranger over theo,^ 5 For the Lord thy God hath chosen him out of
wiiich is not thy brother. all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of
16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself,'' the Lord, him and his sons for ever."'
nor cause the peoi)le to return to Egypt,' to the G 1 And if a Levite come from any of thy gates
end that he should multiply horses: forasnuich as out of all Israel, where he sojourned," and come
tlic Loud hatli said unto you, Yc shall henceforth with all the desire of his mind unto the place
return no more that way."' which the Lord shall choose;^'
17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, 7 Then he shall minister in the name of the Lord
that his heart turn not away:" neither shall he his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which
greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. stand there before the Lord.
18 And it siiall be, when he sittcth upon the 8 They shall have like portions to eat,^ besides
throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.*
copy of this law in a book out of that which is 9 1i When thou art come into the land which the
before the priests the Levites: Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read do after the abominations of those nations.
therein all the days of his life ;° that he may learn 10 There shall not be found among you any one
to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through
of this law, and these statutes, to do them: the fire,'' or that useth divination, or an observer
20 That his heart be not lifted up above his of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
brethren, and that he turn not aside from the com- 11 Or a eharmer, or a consulter with familiar
mandment," to the right hand or to the left: to spirits, or a Avizard, or a necromancer.
' Num. 15:30; Ezra 10:3; Hos. 4:4. * Heb. not to hearken. I> Jer. 35:3, 13:17; Hos. 11:5. n 1 Kings 11:3. 4. o Josh. 1:S; Paa.
-.;. cch. 18:3, 7. d Heb. 10:23. e oh. 13:S. tch. 13:11. B 1 Sam. 8:5,
I'J, -Jl. h 1 Sam. 9:15-17; 10:12; 1 Chr. 22:10. i Jer. .30:21. j Jer. 2:25.
k IKmgs 10:25-23; P3l.2!):7; H03. 14:3. Usa. 31:1; Ezek. 17:15. mExoJ.

12. Do presumptuously ; refuse to comply with known


law, enacted by God, who was then the chief magistrate
of that people.
15. S'ialt tluM set Icing over thee; this did not require
them to set a king over them, or imply that it would be
right it only required, that if at any time they would do
;

it, these directions should be followed. 1 Sara. 8:4-22.


18. This lair; either the book of Deuteronomy, or more
probably the five books of Jloses, called the law, as con-
taining the laws of Jehovah for the government of Israel.
Matt, 5:17; 7:12; Luke 16:16; 24:44.
19. All tlte days of his life; daily, habituallj-.
20. Be not lifted up ; do not become proud.

INSTRUCTIONS.
1. The best we have belongs to God, and it should be our

delight cheerfully to render to him whatever he requires.


7. Idolatry in the Jewish commonwealth was treason,
and as such, when proved by two or more witnesses,
was punished with death; but great care was taken that
none should be punished except those who were really
guiltv.
240
;
; ; ;

The great Prophet. DEUTERONOMY XIX. Cities of refuge.

ilc'u™- 12 For all that do these things are an eth thee, and thou succeedest* them, and dwellcst
abomination unto the Lord and because of these : in their cities, and in their houses
abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them 2 Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the
out from before thee." midst of thy land,' which the Lord thy God giv-
13 Thou shalt be perfect" with the Lord thy God. eth thee to possess it.
14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess/ 3 Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the
hearkened unto observers of times, and unto divin- coasts of thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth
ers but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not
: thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer
suffered thee so to do.'' may flee thither.
15 thy God will raise up unto thee
T The Lord 4 And thisM the case of the slayer, which shall flee
a Prophet from the midst of thee," of thy breth- thither, that he may live Whoso killeth his neigh- :

reu, lilie unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;'' bor ignorantly, wJiom he hated not in time past;^
16 According to all that tliou desiredst of the 5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his
Lord thy God in Horcb in the day of the assem- neighbor to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a
lily,° saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the
Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire head' slippeth from the helve,' and lighteth upon'
any more, that I die not. his neighbor, that lie die he shall flee unto one of ;

17 And the Lord said unto me, They have well those cities, and live:
spoken that which they have spoken. G Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer,
18 I will raise them up a Prophet"' from among while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because
their brethren,' like uuto thee,'' and will put my the way is long, and slay him;* whereas he u'as
words in his mouth and he shall speak unto them not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him
;

all that I shall command him.' not in time past.*


19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will 7 Wlierefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt
not hearken unto my words which he shall speak separate three cities for thee.
in my name,' I will require it of him. 8 And if the Lord thy God enlarge thy coast,'' as
20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the
a word in my name, which I have not commanded land which he promised to give uuto thy fathers ;'
him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of 9 If thou shalt keep all these commandments to
other gods," even that prophet shall die.' do them, which I command thee this day, to love
21 And if thou say in tliy heart. How shall we the Lord thy God, and to walk ever in his ways
know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?'" then shalt thou add three cities more for thee,'
22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the beside these three:
Lord," if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, 10 That innocent blood be not shed in thy land,
that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, which the Lord thy God giveth theo for an inheri-
hut the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously tance, and so blood be upon thee.
thou shalt not be afraid of him." 111! But if any man hate his neighbor," and lie
in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite
CHAPTER XIX.
him mortally^ that he die, and fieeth into one of
1 The 4 The privilege thereof for the manslayer. 14
cities of refuge.
The not to be renioveil.
landiiinrk is 15 Two witnesses at the least.
these cities;
10 The punishment of a false witness. 12 Then the elders of his city shall send and
WHEN the
nations,!' -(^hose
Lord thy God hath cut off the
land the Lord thy God giv-
fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand
of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
"Rev. aj:!-). • Or. iipTig/U,OT sincere; Gen. 17:1; Jobl;l. t <Jt, inlierit. 19:2". n. 1 Juhn 4:1-3. " Isa. 41:22,23; .Ter. 2t:il. » Ptov. 20:2. p ch.
h Gen. 20:0; Psa. 147:19, aO; Acts 14:10. <:Johnl:45; 6:14; Acts :3:*J, 3). 12:29. 1 Heb. inhiritest, or possessest. q ch. 4:41, 42; Exod. 2l:l:i; Num.
<1Matt. 17:5; Heb. 1:1. 2; 2:1-3; 1 John 3:2:3. eExod. 20:19. t Isa. 9;0; 35:10,etc.; Josh. 20:2-7. i Heh. from yesterday l/ie l/iird dai/ I Heb. iron.

Zeoh. 6:12, 13; Mai. 3:1. S Luke 24:19. h Num. 12:6-S; Heb. 3:2-6. ^ Heb. wood. 'Tieb.Jindelh. 1 Heb. smite kirn in life, t Heb. from j/n-
John 4:25; S:-2i; 12:49,50; 15:15. j Mark 16: 10; Acts 3:22. 23; Heb. 2:3; terday Ihe third day. r Exod. 34:24. > Gen. I5:1S-2I. ' Josh. 20:7, t.
12:25. k ch. 13:1-5; Jer. 14:14, 15; Zech. 13:3. 1 Jer. 23:15-17; Rev. uGcn.9:fl; Exod. 21 : 12, etc.; Prov.2S:17. iHeb.inlife.

13. Be sincerely, heartily, and wholly devoted


perfect ; 12. Pretended intercourse with evil spirits, and all seeking
to God. Job 1:1; Matt. 5 43-48. : of information or any good from those who pretend to have
15. A
Prophet ; referring to Jesus Christ. Ver. 18, 19 such intercourse, are an abomination in the sight of God.
Acts 3:22, 23. Of thij brethren; one who shall have the 18. Moses was in various respects an eminent tj-pc of
same human nature with them. Compare Ileb. 2:11, 12, Christ, especially in acting as mediator between God and
14. Like unto me; standing, as Moses did, at the head of the people, and making known to them his will.
a new dispensation, and being, like him, a mediator be- 19. If he who rejected the testimony of Moses and de-
tween God and his people. Compare Heb. 3:2-G. spised his law died without mercy, of how much sorer pun-
IG. Thou desiredst; Exod. 20:19; Heb. 12:19. ishment will he be thought worthy who rejects the testi-
19. Require it of him; call him to account and punish mony of Christ and despises his commands? Heb. 10:28,29.
him for his neglect. 22. God has given to men, in the holy Scriptures, the
22. Speaketh in the name of the Lord; pretends to do it, means of judging, and bj' these they are bound to judge
and to foretell future events. whether those who profess to speak in his name, do or do
INSTRUCTIOXS. not declare his truth. Acts 17:11.
Often and in a variety of ways the Lord shows that,
5. CHAPTER XIX.
while it is not his will that his ministers should be rich, 2. Separate three cities; to be cities of refuge on the west

or engage in worldly business for gain, it is his will that side of Jordan, as he already had done on the east side.
they should receive a support for themselves and their Chap. 4:41-43.
families, and devote themselves cheerfully and faithfully 12. Deliver him into the hand of the avenger: after he had
to their appropriate work. been proved guiltv of murder.
Itl 241
; :

Tht law of vilnt-sses. DELTKltONU.MV \X. Laics observed in tear.

13 Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt approach day unto battle against your \^ fJJJ:
this
put away the f^uilt of iiinofont blood from Israel, enemies: let not your hearts faint,' fear not, and
that it may im wclfwitli thee. do not tremble,' neitlier be ye terrified because of
14 1 Tliou shalt not remove thy ncigiibor's land- tliem;'
mark,' wliich they of old time liave set in thine 4 For the Lord your God is lie that goeth with
inheritance, wiiich tliou shalt Inherit in the land you against your enemies, to save
you," to figlit for
that tlie Lnnn thy God friveth thee to possess it. you.
15 1 One witness shall not rise up acainstaman 5 1 And the officers shall speak unto the people,
for any inicjuity.'' or lor any sin, in any sin tliat saying. What man is there that hath built a new
he sinnotU: at tlie mouth of two witnesses, or at house, and hath not dedicated it?'' let him go and
the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be return to liis house, lest he die in tiic battle, and
established. another man dedicate it.
16 H a false witness rise up against any man
If (> And wliat man is he that hath planted a vine-

to testify against him that which w wrong;" yard, and hath not yd eaten of it?* let him also
17 Then botli the men, Ijctwoen whom the con- go and return unto his house,' lest he die in the
troversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the battle, and another man cat of it.
priests and the judges, which shall be in those 7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a
days wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and re-
18 And the judges shall make diligent inqui- turn unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and
sition: and behold, if the witness be a false wit- another man take her.J
ness, and hath testitiod falsely against his brother ;
8 And the officers shall speak further unto the
19 Tlicn shall yc do unto him, as he had thouglit people, and tiiey shall say. What man is there that
to have done unto his brother so shalt thou put is fearful and faint-hearted?'' let him go and re-
:*=

the evil away from among you. turn unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint'
20 And those whicli remain shall hear, and fear, as w^cU as his heart.'
and shall henceforth commit no more any such 9 And it sliall be, when the officers have made
evil among you. an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall
21 And thine eye shall not pity; but lik shall go make captains of the armies to lead the peoi)le.^
for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, 10 1^ When thou comcst nigli unto a city to fight
foot for foot.'* against it, then proclaim peace unto it.'"
11 And it shall be, if it make thee answer of
CHAPTER XX. peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all
I The priest's exhortation to encourage the people to battle. 5 The the people that is found therein shall be tributa-
officers' proclamation who are to be dismissed from the war. 10 How ries unto thee, and they shall serve thee."
to use the cities that accept or refuse the proclamation of peace. 16
What cities must be devoted. 19 Trees of man's meat must not be 12 And if it will make no peace with thee, but
destroyed in t!ie siege. will make war against thee, then thou shalt be-
WHEN thou goest out to battle against thine
enemies, and scest horses, and chariots,'^ and
siege
13
it:
And when
the Lord thy God hath delivered
a people more than thou, be not afraid of them it into thy hands, thou shalt smite every male
for the Lord thy God is with thee, whicli brought thereof with the edge of the sword:"
thee up out of the land of Egypt. 14 But the women, and the little ones, and the
2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil
the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak thereof,'' shalt thou take* unto thyself; and tliou
unto the people, shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies," which the
3 And shall say unto them, Hear, Israel, ye Lord thy God hath given thee.

»H»s. b 2 Cor. 13:1.


5:10. •
Ot, falling away. » Prov. 19:5, 9; Dan. 25, ch. 24:5.
i J ch. 28:30. k Judg. 7:3. I Heb. /(. I Xum, 32:9.
6:24. 21:19,20. ePsa. 20:7. t Heb. te le/iAr. i Tieh. make haste
! Lev. ,- 1 to be in the head of the reaple.
Heb. "» 2 Sam. 20: 19-22

Isa. 29:16. t Isa. 51:7, 8. 5 ch. 1:30; 3:22; Josh. 23:10; 2 Chr. 13:12; o Num. 31 :7-!l. P Josh. 6:2. * Heb. spoil. 1 Josh. 22:3.
32:7, 8. h JJeh. 12:27 ; Psa. 30, title. » Heb. made it common; Lev. 19:23,

13. Shall not pity him; ia any such way as to prevent his falsewitness and whether false accusers meet due pim-
:

execution. ishment or not in this world, continuing impenitent they


14.Landmark; that which showed the division line will not escapeit in the world to come.
between the property of one man and another.
15. One witness shall not rke; a man shall not be con- CHAPTER XX.
demned on the testimony of one witness only.
18. Inquisition;
Thine enemies; foreign nations who should make war
1.
inquiry.
upon the Israelites, or against whom God should call the
19. Do unto him; he shall receive the punishment which
Israelites to make war.
he sought to bring on another.
5. Dedicated it ; by acknowledging the goodness of God
INSTRUCTIONS. in giving it, feasting on the bounties of his providence,
7.Great care should be taken that men do not suffer and seeking his blessing.
for that ofwhich thoy are not guilty. 7. Betrothed a wife; engaged to marry her.
13. If men are proved to be guilty of murder, no pity or 8. Return unto his house; to free the army from all wlio
compassion should save them from'the punishment which were unwilling to go into the battle.
God requires to be inflicted on them. Proclaim peace; propose terms of peace. Vcr. 11.
10.
14. Every attempt of men to appropriate to themselves Smite every male; this was directed by God as a pun-
13,
what belongs to others is a sin against God, and exposes ishment for their sins, and was designed so t* weaken
those who are guilty of it to his wrath. the nation that they would not be hkely to make war upon
21. Few crimes are more offensive to God than beariiis the Israelites in future.
: ; : ; ; ;

Of murder, when the DEUTERONOMY XXI. shyer is unknown.

It. C- liiL eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's
which are very far off from thee, which are not of neck there in the valley.
the cities of these nations. 5 And the priests the sons of Levi shall come
16 But of the cities of these people, -which the near for them the Lord thy God hath chosen to
;

Lord thy God doth give thee_/br an inheritance, minister unto him,'' and to bless in the name of the
thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:* Lord;" and by their word^ shall every contro-
17 But thou shalt utterly destroy them namely, ;
versy and every stroke be tried.'^
the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, 6 And all the elders of that city, that are next
and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites unto the slain vian, shall wash their hands over the
as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee heifer that is beheaded in the valley :8
18 That they teach you not to do after all their 7 And they shall answer and say. Our hands have
abominations,'' which they have done unto their not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.
gods so should ye sin against the Lord your God.
; 8 Be merciful, Lord, unto thy people Israel,
19 ^ When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent
in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not blood unto thy people of Israel's charge."' And
destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against the blood shall be forgiven them.
them for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt
: 9 So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent
not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's blood from among you,' when thou shalt do that
life) to employ them* in the siege
+
: which is right in the sight of the Lord.
20 Only the trees which thou knowest that they 10 1 When thou goest forth to war against thine
be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut enemies, and the Lord thy God hath delivered them
them down and thou shalt build bulwarks against into thy hands, and thou hast taken them captive,
;''

the city that maketh war with thee, until it be 11 And seest among the captives a beautiful
subdued.' woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou
wouldest have her to thy wife ;'
12 Then thou shalt bring her home to thy house;
CHAPTER XXI. and she shall sliave her head,'^ and pare' her nails
1 The expiation of an uncertain murder. 10 The usage of a captive
taken to w-ife. 15 Tlie first-born is not to be disinherited upon private
1? And she shall put the raiment of her captiv-
affection. IS A stubborn son is to be stoned to death. 22 The male- ity from off her, and shall remain in thy house, and
factor must not hang all night on a tree.
bewail her father and her mother a full month:'
one be found slain in the land which the Lord and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be
IF thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the her husband, and she shall be thy wife.
field, aivl it be not known who hath slain him 14 xind it shall be, if thou have no delight in her,
2 Then thy elders and thy judges shall come then thou shalt let her go whither she will Init ;

forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which thou shalt not sell her at all for money,"' thou shalt
are round about him that is slain not make merchandise of her, because thou hast
3 And it shall be, that the city which is nest unto humbled her."
the slain man, even the elders of that city shall 15 If a man have two Avives, one beloved," and
"i^

take a heifer, which hath not been wrought with, another hated,'' and they have borne him cliildren,
and which hath not drawn in the yoke both the beloved and the hated and if the first- ;

4 And the elders of that city shall bring down born son be hers that was hated;
the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither 16 Then it sliall be, when he maketh his sons to
»Ch. 7:1-1; Nom. 21:2, .1.35; Josh. 11: 14. b ch. 12:.')0, 31; Exod. 2.-):a3; 10. eP.sa.ae.G; Matt.27:24. 1 Heb.
Psa. 106:31-10; 1 Cor. 15:33. * Heb. to go from before tliee. t Or, for, O
man, the tree of the field is to be employed in the siege. Jer. G:6.
<= I Heb.

comedown, a 1 Ch'r. 23:1:J. e Xiun. li: 22-27. 5 Heb. inout/i. 'eh. 17:8-

16. These people ; the Canaanites, who were by God de-


voted to destruction, and whose land the Israelites were
to possess.
19. Not destroy the trees; the fruit-trees. The tree — is
man's life; its fruit is the means of his support.
20. Not trees for meat; not fruit-trees.
INSTRUCTIONS.
I. Men should not go to war except when God requires
it ; and when he does, their dependence should be not on
themselves or their fellow-men, but on him and their ob- ;

ject not their own gratification or aggrandizement, but the


promotion of his glory and the highest good of mankind.
5. The Lord is disposed to gratif}' all the innocent and
useful affections of men, and not to call them to arduous,
self-denying, and dangerous duties, except when his glory
and their good require it.
II. Peace, wherever it can consistently be maintained,
is desired by God, and should be by all men. Matt. 5:9,
43--t8; Rom. 12:18; 14:19; Ileb. 12:14.
18. As it is wicked to kill any human being unless
God require it, so it is wicked to spare any whom he
requires to be slain. 1 Sam. 15:3, 8, 11, 23.
; :

The rcbeUious son. l)EUTEIiU^UMV XXII. Humane prcwpis.

inherit that wliicli ln^ lialli, that lio may not make
the son of the lielovoil lirst-liorn before tlie son of
tlie hated." irhicli is iiidad the first-born
17 IJiit he .<hall acknowledtre tlie son of the hated
for the first-born," liy giving him a double portion
"of all thathe hath,* for he is the lieginning of his
strength the right of the first-born is his.""
;

18 " If a man have a stubborn and rebellious


son, whieli will not obey the voice of his father, or
the voiee of his mntlier,'' and t/int. wlieu they have
chastened him.' will not hearken unto them;
19 Then shall iiis father and his mother lay liold
on him, and bring liim out unto the elders of his
city, and unto the gate of his place;
'20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city,"^

Tliis our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not


obey our voice;-' he is a glutton, and a drunkard.''
21 Andall the men of his city shall stone him with
stones, that he die:' so shall tiiou put evil away
from among you and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
;J

22 T And if a man have committed a sin worthy


of death," and he be to be put to death, and thou
hang him on a tree
23 His body shall not remain all night upon the
tree,' but thou slialt in any wise bury him that
day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God ;*)
that thy land be not defiled,'" which the Lord thy
God givetli thee/or an inheritance. •

CHAPTER XXII.
t Of humanity towards brethren. The sex is to be distinguished by
.'5

apparel. 6 The dam is not to be taken with her young ones. 8 The
house must have battlements. 9 Confusion is to be avoided. 12
Fringes upon the vesture. 13 The punishment of him thatslandereth
his wife. 20, 22 Of adultery, of rape, 28 and of fornication.
'2-'>
30
In^e^t.

THOU shalt not see thy brother's ox or his


sheep go astray," and hide thyself from them :°
thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy
brother.
« 1 Chr
; ; ; ; ; ::

Of a sjispedcd wife. DEUTERONOMY XXIII. Of adultery amd rapi>..

B.i-'iS' 13 IF If any man take a wife, and go in


unto her,'' and hate her,
14 And give occasions of speech against her,''
and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I
took tins woman, and when I came to her, I found
her not a maid
15 Then shall the father of the damsel, and her
mother, take and bring forth the fokp7is of the dam-
sel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate
IG And the damsel's father shall say unto the
elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife,
and he hateth her
17 And lo, he hath given occasions of speech
against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a
maid and yet these are the tokens of my daugh-
;

ter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth


before the elders of the city.
18 And the elders of that city shall take that
man and chastise him
19 And they shall amerce him in a hundred shek-
els and give them unto the father of the
of silver,
damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name
upon a virgin of Israel and she shall be his wife
;

he may not put her away all his days.''


20 But if this thing be true, and the tokens ofYir-
ginity be not found for the damsel
21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the
door of her father's house, and the men of her city
shall stone her with stones that she die because ;

she hath wrought folly in Israel,"" to play the whore


in her father's house :'^
so shalt thou put evil away
from among you.''
22 1[ If a raau be found lying with a woman mar-
ried to a husband," then they shall both of them
die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the
woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
23 1 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed
unto a husband,'* and a man find her in the city,
and lie with her
24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the
a
'; :

Laics concerning purity, DEUTERONOMY XXIV. usury, vows, aiid vinei/ards.

4 Because they met you not with bread and with gates, where it likcth him best:' thou shalt u.c.SS:
water iu the way," when ye came fortii out of Kjrypt not oppress him.'"
and because they iiired against tiice Bahxaui the son 17 "l There shall be no whore ^ of the daughters
of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse tliee.'' of Israel," nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel."
5 Nevertheless, tiie Louii thy God would not IS Thou shalt not firing the hire of a whore, or
hearken unto Balaam; but the Lono tliy God the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy
turned tiic curso into a blessing unto thee,"^ be- God for any vow for even both these are abomi- :

cause the Lord thy God loved thee. nation unto the Lord thy (Jod.
G Tiiou shalt not seek their peace nor their pros- I'J "I Thou upon usury to thy broth-
shalt not lend
perity' all thy days for ever,'' er f usury of money, usury (jf victuals, usury of any
7 1 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomitc for he is ; thing that is lent upon usury
thy brother thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian;
:'^^
20 L) nto a stranger thou niayest lend upon usury ;'•

because thou wast a stranger in his land,' but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon
8 The children that are begotten of them shall usury that the Lord thy God may bless thee in
:

enter into the congregation of the Lord in their all that thou scttest thy hand to iu the land whith-
third generation.'' er thou goest to possess it,''

9 ^ When the host goeth forth against thine ene- 21 ^ When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord
mies, then keep thee from every wicked thing,'' thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it:' for the
10 "i If there be among you any man, that is not Lord thy God will surely require it of thee ; and
clean by reason of uncleaimess that chanceth him it would be sin in thee.
by night,' then shall he go abroad out of the camp, 22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall he
he shall not come within the camp: no sin in thee.
11 But it shall be, when evening cometh on,* he 23 That wdiich is gone out of thy lips thou shalt
shall wash himself with water;-' and when the sun keep and perform;' even a freewill-oifering, ac-
is down, he shall come into the camp again. cording as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy
12 ^ Thou shalt have a place also without the God, which thou hast promised Avith thy moutii.
camp, whither thou shalt go fortli abroad: 24 If When thou comest into thy neighbor's vine-
13 And thou shalt liavc a paddle upon thy weap- yard, then thou niayest eat grapes thy fill at thine
on; and it shall bo, when thou wilt ease thyself* own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy
abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shall turn vessel,
back and cover that which cometh from thee: 25 When thou comest into the standing corn of
14 For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst thy neighbor, then thou mayest pluck the ears
of thy camp,'' to deliver thee, and to give up thine with thy hand ;" but thou shalt not move a sickle
enemies before thee therefore shall thy camp be
; unto thy neighbor's standing corn.
holy: that he see no unclean thing^ in thee, and
turn away from thee,
1 Of divorce. 5
CHAPTER
A
XXIV.
new married man goeth not to -war. 6, 10 Of
15 IT Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the pledges. 7 Of manstealers. 8 Of leprosy. 14 The hire is to be
servant which is escaped from his master unto thee :
given. 16 Of justice. 19 Of charity.

16 He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in


that place which he shall choose in one of thy
WHEN andman come her,
a
it
hath taken a wife, and married
to pass that she find no
«Ch. 2:20. b Num.
22:3. etc. c Mic. 6:5. • Ueh. good, d Ezra 9:12. good for him. » Exod. 22:21. ^ Or, sodmniless; Rom. 1:-X. "Lev
e Gen. 23:24-20; Obid. 10. 12; Mai. 1:2. f ch. 10:19; Exod. 22:21; 2:J:9;

Ley. 19:34. e Rom. 3:29, 30; Eph. 2:12. h Josh. 6:18. i Lev. 15:16.
t Heb. tiiTneth tmvard. i Lev. 15:5. I Heb. sittesl down, k Lev. 26:12;
2 Cor. 6:16. i V.iih. nakednesi of any tiling. 1 1 Sam. 30:15. 1 Heb. is

7. Brother ; relative, being descended like themselves


from Abraham and Isaac.
8. Sliall enter into the congregation; become entitled to all
the privileges of an Israelite, if they embrace his religion.
9. The host; the army of Israel.
lO-l-t. Wash himself; these regulations were designed
to promote cleanliness and a conviction of the necessity
of internal as well as external purity.
18. The hire; the wages of iniquity must not be offered
to the Lord, as was done by the heathen. A dog; a male
prostitute, a sodomite.
19. Usury; interest. This was designed to inculcate
and increase the habit of assisting and doing good to one
another as the people of God.
24. Eat grapes thy fill ; enough to satisfy present want.
Not put any in thy vessel; to carry it away.
25. Corn; grain. Matt. 12:1, 2.

INSTRUCTIONS.
Every thing should be avoided by parents which
2.
tends to deprive children of any of the privileges and
blessings of the people of God.
3. Sins committed by parents may, long after they are


dead, entail great evils on their children and sins com-
mitted by rulers, great evils on the people.
246
: ; : :

Laws concerning divorce, DEUTERONOMY XXIV. oppression, charity, etc.

b'c'iIl favor in his eyes, because lie hatli found 13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge
some uncleanness* in her; then let him write her again when the sun goeth down.J that he may sleep
a bill of divorcement/" and give it in her hand, in his own raiment, and bless thee:" and it shall
and send her out of his house. be righteousness unto thee before the Lord thy
2 And when she is departed out of his house, she God.'
may go and be another man's wife. 14 Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant that
3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write is poor and needy, wliether he be of thy brethren,

her a bill of divorcement, and givcth it in her or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy
hand, and sendcth her out of his house or if the ; gates
latter husband die, which took her to be his wife 15 At his day thou shalt give him his hire, nei-
4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may ther shall the sun go down upon it for he is poor, ;

not take her again to be his wife, after that she is and setteth his heart upon it lest he cry against
:
'

defiled ;• for that is abomination before the Lord : thee unto the Lord,™ and it be sin unto thee.
and thou shalt not cause the land to sin,"^ which the 16 The fathers sliall not be put to death for the
Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. children, neither shall the children be jiut to death
5 When a man hath taken a new wife,"^ he shall not for the fathers:" every man shall be put to death
go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any for his own sin.
business:' but he shall be free at home one year, 17 1 Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the
and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.'' stranger, nor of the fatherless;" nor take a wid-
6 *i Xo man shall take tlie nother or the upper ow's raiment to pledge
millstone to pledge for he takcth a man's life to
: 18 But thou shalt remember that thou wast a
pledge. bondman in Egypt,^ and the Lord thy God re-
7 1l If a man be found stealing any of his brethren deemed thee thence therefore I command thee to
:

of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise do this thing.


of him, or sellcth him; then that thief shall die;' 19 % When thou cuttest down thy harvest in thy
and thou shalt put evil away from among you.^' field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou
8 T[ Take heed in the plague of leprosy that i*"
shalt not go again to fetch it it shall be for the
:

thou observe diligently, and do according to all stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow:''
that the priests the Levites shall teach you as I : that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the
commanded them, so ye shall observe to do. work of thy hands.
9 Remember what the Lord thy God did unto 20 When thou beatest thine olive-tree, thou shalt
Miriam by the way,' after that ye were come forth not go over the boughs again:'' it sliall be for the
out of Egypt. stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
10 "d When thou dost lend^ thy brother any thing, 21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vine-
thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. yard, thou shalt not glean it afterward :' it shall
11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the
whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge widow.
abroad unto thee. 22 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a
12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep bondman in the laud of Egypt :'^
therefore I com-
with his pledge mand thee to do this thing.
• Huh. matter o/iiakediiess.
t Keb. cutting off.
a Matt. 5:31. 3J. b Jer. 112:9; 0^1.4:27; Jas. 2:15-23.
3:1. Lev. 13;'j5-'ii. d ch. 20:7. I heb. not any thing shall pass upon
e
him. Ptov. 5:18. f Exod. 21:10.
e e ch. 19:19. h Lev. clis. 13, H.
i Num. 12:10. i Heb. Uni the loan of any thing to. 1 Exod, 22:26, 27.
k Job 29:ll-;3; 31:19, 20; 2 Cor. 9:13, 14. 1 Gen. 15:6; Psa. 106:31;

of marriage. God always abhorred it. But on account


of the wickedness and liardness of their hearts it was for
a time suffered, and regulations were adopted to lessen
its evils. Mai. 2:14-16; Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:3-9; Mark
10:2-12.
5. Free at home one year; this was suited to increase and
render more permanent conjugal affection, and thus ren-
der the family state more useful and happy.
6. Nether; lower. A man's life ; that which was needful
to prepare his food, and thus enable him to live. Each
family then had a mill in their house, and ground their
grain by hand. Exod. 11:5; Matt. 24:41.
7. That thief shall die; he that stole an ox was to restore
double, but he that stole a man was to die so much more;

wicked was it to steal a man than an ox. Exod. 21:16;


22:4.
8. As I commanded ; Leviticus 13, 14.
10. Not go into his house; this was designed to protect
the poor debtor against the violence of the creditor.
12. Not sleep with hi.i pledge; it might be some covering
which at night the poor man would need.
13. It sliall be righteottsness ; doing what would be right;
and when done with right motives, accepted of God.
_
15. At his day; at the close of his day's service, or the
time he had agreed to work.
:

Of lite brcthtr's iciff Dia'TKllO.NUMV XXVI. Amalck to be destroyed.

(11 ATT Ell XXV.


I Stripn muit not cicrcJ forly. •! The oj i> not to be miizzU'il. !> Of

railing H'til unto n liroilirr. 11 Of llie inimodrst womsn. 13 Of un-


juit wcijjhti. 17 Till- memory of Anmlik is to be blotted ouL

[F there be a eontroversy between men," ami tliey


come unto juilfrmont, that the judges may jiuiirc
them tlien they shall justify the righteous, and
;

condemn the wicked."


2 And it sliall be, if the wicked man be worthy
to bo beaten,'" tliat tlic jiidffc shall cause him to lie
down, and to be beaten before his face, according
to his fault, by a certain number.
3 Forty stripes ho may give iiim, and not exceed
lest, if he should exceeti, and beat him above those
with many stripes, then thy brother should seem
vile unto thee.'*
4 'ii Tliou shalt not muzzle the ox when he trcad-
cth* out the corn."
5 IT If brethren dwell together, and one of them
die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall
not marry without unto a stranger her husband's :

brother* shall go in unto her, and take her to him


to wife, and perform the duty of a husband's
brother unto her.''
6 And it shall be, that the first-born wiiich she
beareth shall succeed''' in the name of his brother
which is dead,*" that his name be not put out of
Israel.
7 And if the man like not to take his brother's
go up to the gate
wife, then let his brother's* wife
unto the elders, and say. My husband's brother
refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in
Israel, he will not perform the duty of my hus-
band's brother:
8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and
speak unto him and if he stand to it, and say, I
:

like not to take her;


9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in
the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from
off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer
and say. So shall it Ijc done unto that man that
will not build up his brother's house.
10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The
house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
» Ch. 19:17;
; : : :

First-fruits and tithes. DEUTERONOMY XXVII. The Lord's covenant.

R r'i"i™ 3 And thou shalt go unto the priest that


siiall bo in those days, and say unto him, I profess
this day unto the Lord thy God, that 1 am come
unto the country which the Loud sware unto our
fathers for to give us.
4 And the priest shall take the basket out of thy
hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord
thy God.
5 And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord
thy God, A Syrian " ready to perish was my father \'"
and he went down into Egypt," and sojourned there
with a few,'' and became there a nation, great, migh-
ty, and populous
6 And the Egyptians evil-entreated us,° and af-
flicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage
7 And when we cried unto the Lord God of our
fathers, the Lord heard our voice,' and looked on
our affliction, and our labor, and our oppression
8 And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt
with a mighty hand," and with au outstretched arm,
and with great terribleucss, and with signs, and
with wonders:''
9 And he hath brought us into this place, and
hath given us this land, even a land that tioweth
with milk and honey.'
10 And now, behold, I have brought the first-
fruits of the land, which thou, Lord, hast given
me. And thou shall set it before the Lord thy
God, and worship before the Lord thy God :^
11 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thinfr
which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee,''
and unto tliy house, thou, and the Levite,' and the
stranger that is among you.
12 1l When thou hast made an end of tithing
all the tithes of thine increase the third year,'"
which is the year of tithing," and hast given it
unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and
the widow, that they may eat within thy gates,
and be filled
13 Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God,
I have brought away the hallowed things out of
my house, and also have given them unto the Le-
vite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and
:

Curses to ht pronounced. DEUTERONOMY XXVIII. liltssings for obedience.

3 And tlinu shall write upon tlicm all tlic words


of this law," wlien tliou art ])asscd over, thai thou
niavcsl (TO in unto tlio lan<l which the Loud thy
God srivcth thco, a iaiul that Howetli with milk and
honey as the Loiin God of thy fathers hath prom-
;

ised thee.
Therefore it shall 1)C when ye he gone over
•1

Jordan, l/iat ye shall set up these stones, whicii I


command you this day, in mount Ebal,'* and thou
shall plaster them witli jilaster.
5 And there shall tliou build an altar unto the
Loiii) tliy God, an altar of stones: thou shall not
lift up any iron too/ u])on them.

6 Tliou shall build liic altar of the Lord thy God


of whole stones and thou shall offer burnt-oflfer-
:

ings thereon unto the Lord thy God:


7 And thou shall oiTer peace-ofierings, and shall
eat there, and rejoice before the Lord thy God.''
8 And thou shall write upon the stones all the
words of this law very plainly.
9 li And Moses and Die priests the Levites spake
unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O
Israel this day thou art become the people of the
;

Lord thy God."


10 Thou shall therefore obey the voice of the
Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his
statutes,which I connnaud thee this day.
11 T And Moses charged the people the same daj-,
saying,
12 These shall stand upon mount Gcrizim to bless
the people, when yc are come over Jordan Sime-
;

on, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph,


and Benjamin
13 And these shall stand upon moimt Ebal to
curse;* Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun,
Dan, and Naphtali.
14 IT And the Levites shall speak," and say unto
all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
15 Cursed be the man that makcth any graven or
molten image,'" an abomination unto the Lord, the
work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it
in a secret place. and all the people shall answer
•'^

and say. Amen.


16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father
or his mother and all the people shall say, Amen.
:
'"

» Josh. S:3-2. b ch.


:

blessings for oledience. DEUTERONOMY XXVIIl. Curses for disoledkna.

B-aS" 1 The Lord 22 The Lord shall smite thee with a consump-
shall cause thine enemies
that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy tion, and with a fever, and with an inflammation,
face:'' they shall come out against thee one way, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword,''
and flee before thee seven ways.'' and with blasting,' and with mildew; and they
8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee shall pursue thee until thou perish.
in thy storehouses,* and in all tiiat thou settest thy 23 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall
hand unto ;° and he shall bless thee in the land be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be
which the Lord thy God giveth thee. iron.'"
9 The Lord shall establish thee a holy people 24 The Lord shall make the rain of thy land
unto himself,'^ as he hath sworn unto thee,'' if thou powder and dust from heaven shall it come down :

shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, upon thee,'' until thou be destroyed.
and walk in his ways. 25 The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten be-
10 And all people of the earth'' shall see that fore thine enemies:^ thou shalt go out one way
thou art called by the name of the Lord;'' and against them, and flee seven ways before them;
they shall be afraid of thee.'' and shalt bo removed' into all the kingdoms of
11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in the earth.''
goods,* in the fruit of thy body,* and in the fruit 26 And thy carcass shall be meat unto all fowls
of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground,' in the of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth," and
land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to no man sliall fray them away.
give thee. 27 The Lord will smite thee with the botch of
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treas- Egypt, and with the emerods,** and with the scab,
ure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in and with the itch, whereof thou canst notbe healed.
his season,J and to bless all the work of thy hand 28 The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and
and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou blindness, and astonishment of heart:"
shalt not borrow." 29 And thou shalt grope at noonday,'' as the
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not pros-
not the tail and thou shalt be above only, and thou per in thy ways and thou shalt be only oppress-
;
' :

shalt not be beneath if that thou hearken unto the ed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save
;

commandments of the Lord thy God, which I com- thee.


mand thee this day, to observe and to do them: 30 Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the shall lie with her:" thou shalt build a house, and
words which I command thee tiiis day,'" to the right thou shalt not dwell therein:'" thou shalt plant a
hand, or to the left," to go after other gods to serve vineyard, and shalt not gather* the grapes thereof.
them. 31 Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and
15 T But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be vio-
hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God,° to lently taken away from before thy face, and shall
observe to do all his commandments and his stat- not be restored* to thee: thy sheep shall be given
utes which I command thee this day that all these unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to
;

curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:" rescue them.
16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed 32 Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given
shalt thou he in the field.'' unto another people,^ and thine eyes shall look, and
17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. fail with longing for them all the day long: and
18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the there shall be no might in thy hand.
fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kiue, and the 33 The fruit of thy land, and all thy labors,
flocks of thy sheep. shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up ;'' and
19 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:
cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of
20 The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexa- thine eyes which thou shalt see.
tion,'' and rebuke," in all that thou settest thy hand 35 Tlie Lord shall smite thee in the knees, and
unto for to do,^ until thou be destroyed, and until in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed,
thou perish quickly ;' because of the wickedness of from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.'
thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. 36 The Lord shall bring thee, and thy king
21 The Lord shall make -the pestilence cleave which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which
unto thee," until he have consumed thee from off neither thou nor thy fathers have known ;' and
the land, whither thou goest to possess it. there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

» aSim. aa^'JS-tl. b Josh. 3:22; -J Chr. H:9-I.5. •


Ot, barm. cLev. "Jer. 21:10. > Amos 4:9. 10. I Or. drought, w Jer. 14:1-6.
2J:-Jl. d Psa. 87;5; 2Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 5:10. e ExoJ. 10:5. 0. (M3.13:ia. Job 18:15-21. y ch. 32:30. Mieh. /or a removing, z Jer. 15
r Dan. 9:1s, 19. >> ch. 11:25; 1 Chr. 14:17. t Ot, for good. I Heb. belly. 79:2; Jer. 7:.«3. I> Exod. 9:9, U; 1 Sam. 5:6, 12. c Jer. 4:9.
i Prov. 10:22. J Joel 2:23. k ch. 15:f.. llsa. 9:H, 15. mdi. 5::32. n Ua. Isa.59:10. eJer.S:10. ( Amos 5:11; Mio. 6:15. • Heh. profai
3U:21 o Lev. 28:14, etc. P Lam. 2:17. q Mai. 2:2. 'Isa. 2S;19. ska. as eommon meat, as ch, 20:6. t Heb. return, e 2 Chr. 29:9. h
30:17. S Heb, which Ihou wouldest do. t l Sam. 14:2(1; Zech. 14:13. 37; Jer. 5:17. ilsa. 1:6. J 2 Chr. 36:6. 17.

Seven; used for many.


7. 26. Tliy carcass shall be meat; many of their dead bodies
10. Called;Jehovah's people. would be left unburied, Frau ; frighten, scare.
23. Jie brass, —
and iron ; the heaven would not give any 27. Botch ; painful ulcers. Ver. 35.
more rain than if it were brass, nor the earth yield any 32, No 7niglit; no power to escape the evils or to pre-
more fruit than if it were iron. vent them,
251
: j

Curses provounced DEUTERONOMY XXVIII. for disolxditncf.

37 And thou slmlt liocomc an astonishniont, a shall be.«iege thee in all thy gates through- -5,^. fj!;j:

liroverl), and a liyword," among all nations wliitli- out all thy land, which tJie Lord thy God hath
LT the Loud s^hall lead tliir. given thee.
38 Thou sluilt carry muL-h seed out into tlic field, 53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own
;
and slialt gather but little in for the locust shall '' liody,' the flesh of thy son*; and of thy daughters,
consume it.' whicli the Lord tliy God hath given "thee," in the
3;) 'I'hou shalt jilant vineyards, and dress them, siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine ene-
but shalt neither drink q/' the wine, nor gather </te mies shall distress thee:
grapes : for the worms sliall eat thcra.'' 54 So that the man that is tender among you, and
40 Tliou shalt have olive-trees throughout all thy very delicate, his eye shall lie evil toward his broth-
coasts, liut thou shalt not anoint thyself with the er," and toward the wife of his bosom,* and toward

oil; for tiiine olive sliall cast his fruit. the remnant of his children which he shall leave:
41 Tliou shalt begot sons and daughters, but 55 So that ho will not give to any of them of the
thou shalt not enjoy them ;* for they shall go into flesh of his children whom he shall cat: liecause
captivity." ho hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the
42 All thy trees and fruit of thy laud shall the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress
locust consume.^ thee in all thy gates.
43 The stranger that is witliin thee shall get up 5() Tlie tender and delicate woman among }'0u,
above thee very high ; and thou shalt come down which would not adventure to set the sole of her
very low.'' foot upon the ground for delicateness and tender-
44 He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not ness, her eye shall lie evil toward the husband of
lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her
be tlie tail.'' daughter,
45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon 57 And toward her young one,' that cometh out
thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee,'' till from between her feet, and toward her children
thou be destroyed;' because thou hoarkenedstnot which she sliall lioar;™ for she shall eat them for
unto tiie voice of tlie Lord thy God, to keep his want of all things secretly in the siege and strait-
commandments and his statutes which he com- ness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee
manded thee: in thy gates."
46 And
they shall be upon thee for a sign and 58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words
for a wonder,J and u])on thy seed for ever. of this law that are written in this book, that thou
47 Because thou sorvedst not the Lord thy Goil may est fear this glorious^' and fearful name,'' THE
with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart," for LORD'' THY GOD;"
the abundance of all things :^ 59 Then the Lord will make thy plagues won-
48 Tlicrefore shalt thou serve thine enemies,"" derful,"and the plagues of thy seed, even great
which the Lord shall send against thee, in hun- plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sick-
ger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of nesses,and of long continuance.
all things:" and ho shall put a yoke of iron upon 60 Moreover, he will bring upon thee all the dis-
thy nock, until ho have destroyed thee." eases of Egypt,'' which thou wast afraid of; and
49 The Lord shall bring a nation against thee they shall cleave unto thee.
from far,P from the end of the earth, as swift as 61 Also every sickness, and every plague, which
the eagle flieth ;'' a nation whose tongue thou shalt is not written in the book of this law, them will
not understand;' the Lord bring* upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
50 A nation of fierce countenance,^ which shall 62 And ye shall be left few in number,' whereas
not regard the person of the old, nor show favor ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude;''
"
to the young : because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the
51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and Lord thy God.
the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed 63 And it shall come to pass, that as the Lord
which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, rejoiced over you to do you good, and to nniltiply
or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy you;^ so the Lord will rejoice over you to de-
sheep, until he have destroyed thee. stroy you. and to bring you to naught;'' and ye
52 And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates.* shall be plucked from off the land whither thou
until thy high and fenced walls come down, where- goest to possess it.
"
in thou trustedst, throughout all thy land : and he 64 And the Lord shall scatter thee among all

aP3i.44;14. '>Mic. 0:15; Hag. 1:6. cJoell:4. d Amos 7:1, 2. * Heb. 1 2 Kings 0:23. 29; Jer. 10:9; Lam. 2:20; 4:J0. " ch. 15:9; Matt. 20:15.
they sliall not ie thine, e 2 Kings 24:14; Lam. 1:5. t Or, po.<SMS. f Judf. vch. 13:0; Mio. 7:5. 1 Heb. aftcrt/rt/i. w Isa. 49:15. i ver. 53. y Neh.
2:11-15. ever. 12, 13. h ver. 15. i 2 Kings 17:20. J Ezek. 14:8; I Cor. 0:.5; Psa. 72:19. JPsa.lll:9. « Exod. 0:2, 3 ; Psa. 83:18. bExod.20:2;
10:11. kiVeh. 9:3.5-37. Ich. 32:1.5. m a Chr. 12:8; Jer. .5:19; Ezek. 17:3, Psa. 50:''; Isa. 41:10. c Dan. 9:12. dch. 7:15. ' "Reh. cause to asetnd.
7.12. l,am. 5:2-0. ojer. 2S:I4. p Jer. 5:15; 6:22, 23. q Lam. 4:19. e Neh. 7:4; Isa. 1:9. f Neb. 9:23. e ch. 30:9; Jer. 32:41. h Prov. 1:20
1 Heb. hear. ! Heb. strong of face: Prov. 7:13; Ecol. 8:1; Dan. 8:->3. Isa. 1:24.
r 2Chr. 3B:17; Isa. 47:0. > 2 Kings 25:1-4; Isa. 1:7; 82:8. I Heb. belli/.

40. Cast his fruit; it would drop off unripe. 57. She shall eat them; Josephus' Wars of the Jews, b. 5,
42. Thy trees; their leaves. c. 10, 8. 3 ; b. 6, c. 2, B. 4.
46. For ever ; so long as they should continue as a peo- 63.Plucked from off the land; they were by the Romans
ple to transgress his commands. carried off from their land and scattered among all nations ;

48. A
yoke of iron; them with grievous bondage.
afflict and were forbidden again to come within sight of Jeru-
49. Swift as tlie eagle; rapid in their conquests. salem.
252
: : ;;: : ; :

An exhortation to oh DEUTERONOMY XXIX. in view of the past.

ilc'iteL' people," from the one end of the earth even 3 The great temptations which thine eyes have
unto the other and there thou shalt serve other
; seen, the signs, and those great miracles;''
gods, which neither thou nor tliy fathers have 4 Yet the Lord hatli not given you a heart to
known, even wood and stone. perceive,' and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto
65 And among these nations shalt tliou find no this day.
ease,'' neither shall the sole of thy foot liave rest 5 And I have led you forty years in the wilder-
hut the Lord shall give thee there a trembling ness your clothes are not waxen old upon you,
:

lieart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot :'
06 And thy life shall hang in doubt before tlieo 6 Ye have not eaten bread,'' neither liave ye
and thou shalt fear day and niglit, and shalt have drunk wine or strong drink ;' that ye might know
none assurance of tliy life that I am the Lord your God.
67 In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it 7 And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the
were even! and at even tliou shalt say, Would king of Heshbon,"' and Og tlie king of Bashan,
God it were morning !*= for the fear of tliy heart came out against us unto battle, and we smote
wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the siglit of them
thine eyes which thou shalt see. 8 And we took their land, and gave it for an
68 And the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gad-
again witli ships,'^ by the way whereof I spake unto ites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh.
tliee, Tliou shalt see it no more again :° and there 9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and
ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen do them," that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you. 10 IT Ye stand this "day all of you before the Lord
your God;° your captains of your tribes, your el-
ders, and your officers, vnih all the men of Israel,
CHAPTER XXIX. 11 Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger
1 iloses exhorteth them io obedience, by the memory of the works they
that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood
have seen. 10 All are presented before the Lord to enter into his
covenant. 18 The great "wrath on him that fiattereth himself in his unto the drawer of thy water:"
wickedness. 29 Secret things belong unto G-od. 12 Tiiat thou shouldest enter* into covenant
THESE are the words of the covenant, which with the Lord tliy God, and into his oath,'' which
the Lord commanded Moses to make with the the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day
children of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the 13 That ho may establish thee to-day for a peo-
covenant which he made with them in Horeb.*^ ple unto himself,'' and that he may be unto thee a
2 T And Moses called unto all Israel, and said God, as he hath said unto thee," and as he hath
unto them. Ye have seen all that the Lord did sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham,' to Isaac"
before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pha- and to Jacob.''"
raoh,^ and unto all his servants, and unto all his 14 Neither with you only do I make this cove-
land: nant and this oath
» Jer. l(i:13; 5U:17; Ezek. ll:lti, 17. b Amoi 9:1. •:
.lob 7:4. ) Hos. 0:45, m Num. 21:23. n Josh. 1:7, 8. o 2 Chr. 23:16; 34:29-32; Neh. 8:2-
>j;13; 9:3. ech.l7:16. fch.5:3,3. eExoJ.^-12. hch.4:rj4. p Josh. 9:21,27 * Heb. pass, q Neh. 10:2!». t ch. 23:9. • Eiod, 6:7.

lU; 03:17; John 8:«. J ch. 8:4. t ExoJ. 16:33; Psa. 78:24, 25. t Gen. 17:7. "Gen. 26:3, 4. » Gen 2S: 13-15.

68. Ye shall be sold —and no man shall buy you ; many were hundred years demonstrates the truth of the predictions
sold into perpetual bondage, and many more were offered contained in this chapter, and conclusively proves that
for sale for whom their conquerors could not find a mar- in uttering them Moses spoke by the direction, and mider
ket, so great were their numbers and multitudes were
; the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
slain or left to perish. See Josephus, Patrick, Basnage,
Xe%vton, Keith, etc. CHAPTER XXIX.
INSTRUCTIONS. 1. JTte covenant ; the declarations of God with regard to
2. No tongue can express nor finite mind conceive the the duty of the Israelites, his blessings on the obedient,
niunber, greatness, variety, richness, or duration of the and his curses on the disobedient. In Horeb; Exod.
blessings which flow from obeying God. 19:3-5; 24:2-8.
15. The miseries comprehended in the curses which 2. Ye have seen; many of the older ones had seen, and
How from continued disobedience to God, as much sur- the rest had heard.
jiass all finite conception as the blessings which flow from 4. To perceive; the spii'itual beauty, excellence, and glory
his favor. of God, and the supreme blessedness of loving, believing,
24. As all the elements arc under the conti'ol of God, he and obeying him. This perception no one has without
can at any time ana them against his foes, and pursue receiving it from God. The great body of the Israelites
tliem with wrath till they perish. did not fcol their need of this, did not seek it, nor desire
28. Diseases of body and mind are God's servants. it, nor obtain it. They rebelled against God, and nearly
They go and come at his bidding, and fasten their deadly all who when they came out of Egypt were over twenty
fangs on such as he commissions them to torment and years old, died in the wilderness.
destroy. 5. Your clothes —
thy shoe; these God so provided and
32. Few calamities are more dreadful than to sec the preserved as to keep them from want.
misery of children and be unable to help them. 6. Not eaten bread, neither —
drtink wine; they lived on
45. What renders calamities vastly more dreadful is, a manna, and drank water from the rock.
conviction that we b}- our own wickedness have occa- 12. Enter into covenant; by engaging to obey him; on
sioned them. the fulfilment of which engagements he promised to blest-
57. The horrors of famine can be but faintly conceived them.
and if the sufferings occasioned by sin are so great in this Neither with you only ; God made this covenant not
14.
woidd, what must they be in the world to come ? only with them, but with their posterity and with all wlm
67. The liistorv of the .Jews for more than eighteen sho'uld obev him. Heb. G: 13-20.
25:^
8 :

Judgments on I /if <suilly. DEUTKllO.NO.MY XXX. ^hraj fuT the penitent.

15 But with him that ptamlotli here with us tliis


day belVir(> tin' Loiin our (iod, and also with him
that is not iiere witli us this day :"
Itj (For ye know liow wc have dwelt in the land
of Ep:y])t; mill how wc came tiirough the nations
wliich ye passed l)y ;

17 And yc have seen their abominations, and


their idols," wood and stone, silver and gold, which
were among them :)

1 Lest there should be among you man, or woman,


or family, or tribe, whose heart turnetii away this
day from the Lord our (Sod, to go and serve the
gods of these nations; lest there should lie among
you a root that beareth gall*" and wormwood ;°
19 And it come to pass, when he lieareth the
words of this curse, that he l)les3 himself in his
licart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk
in the imagination* of my heart, to add drunken-
ness to thirst:*''
20 The Lord will not spare him, but then the
anger of the Lord,'^ and his jealousy shall smoke
against that man,'' and all the curses that are writ-
ten in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord
shall blot out his name from under heaven.'-'
21 And the Lord shall separate him unto evil
out of all the tribes of Israel," according to all the
curses of the covenant that are written' in this
book of the law
22 8o that the generation to come of your chil-
dren that shall rise up after you, and the stranger
that shall come from a far land, shall say, when
they see the jilagues of that land, and tiie sick-
nesses which the Lord hath laid upon it;"'
23 .find that the whole land tliercof is brimstone,
and salt,' and burning, that it is not sown, nor
beareth,' nor any grass growelh therein, like the
overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and
;

Death and life are DEUTERONOMY XXXL set hefore the people.

B.' "il"'
return and gather tliee from all the nations,
whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee."
4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost
parts of heaven," from tlicnce will the Lord thy God
gather thee, and from thence vrill he fetch thee:
5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into
the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou
shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and
multiply thee above thy fathers.
6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thy
heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
that thou mayest live.
7 And the Lord thy God will put all these curses
upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee,
which persecuted thee.''
8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of
the Lord, and do all his commandments which I
command thee this day.
9 And the Lord thy God will make thee plen-
teous in every work of thy hand, in the fruit of
thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the
fruit of thy land, for good:'* for the Lord will
again rejoice over thee for good,*^ as he rejoiced
over thy fathers
10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the
Lord thy God,' to keep his commandments and
his statutes lohich are written in this book of the
law,'^ and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul.''
11 1[ For this commandment which I command
thee this day, it is not hidden from thee,' neither
is it far off.
12 It not in heaven, that thou shouldest say,
is
Who shallgo up for us to heaven,-' and bring it
unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou should-
est say. Who shall go over the sea for us, and bi'ing
it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
li But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy
mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
15 IT See, I have set before thee this day life and
good, and death and evil;"

» Jer. 32:37, etc.; Ezek. 36:2t. b Neh.


3

The people tneemraged. DEUTEUOXOMV XXXI. Their apostasy furelolil.

5 Anil tlic LniM) shall pivo (lioin up before your


ye niiiy do unto llicni iicfordinp unto all
I'acc," tluit
the (<ouininiitlmonts whioli I liavc coinniandcd you.
G He stroiii:'' and of a pood eourage,'' fear not,
nor lie alVaid of tlicin: for tlie Loiu) tliy God, lie

// that doth po with tlicc; he will not fail thee,


i.1

nor forsake thee.'"


7 " And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto
him in tiic .-ight of all Israel, Be stronp and of a
pood courage:'' for thou must po with this people
unto tiie land which the Loiii) hath sworn unto
tlioir fathers to pive them; and thou shalt cause
llii'iii to inherit it.

s And
Lord, lie it is that doth po before
tiie
tiiee:'' he will be with thee, he will not fail thee,
neither forsake thee:" fear not, neither be dismayed.
^ And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it
'.I

unto the priests tlie sons of Levi,'' which bare the


ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the
elders of Israel.
10 And Moses commanded them, sayinp, At the
end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the
year of release,' in the feast of tabernacles,^
11 When all Israel is come to ajjpcar before the
Loud thy God in the place which lie sliall choose,''
thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their
hearing.'
12 Gather the people together,"" men, and women,
and children, and thy stranger that is within thy
gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn,
and fear tlie Lord your God, and observe to do
all tlic words of this law:
1 And that their children," which have not known
any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord
your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye
go over Jordan to possess it.
14 M And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy
days approach that thou must die:" call Joshua,
and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the con-
gregation, tiiat I may give him a charge." And
Closes and Joshua went, and presented themselves
in tlie tabernacle of the congregation.
15 And the Lord appeared in the tabernacle in
a pillar of a cloud:'' and the pillar of the cloud
stood over the door of the tabernacle.
16 1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou
shalt sleep* with thy fathers; and this people will
rise up,'' and go a whoring aftei; the gods of the
» Ci
; ;

Thi people gathered. DEUTERONOMY XXXII. The song of Moses.

B "u™' have been rebellious against the Lord;" not the spot of his children:* t/icy are a perverse
and how much more after my death ? and crooked generation.
28 IT Gather unto me all the elders of yourtribes,*" 6 Do ye thus requite the Lord, foolish people
and your officers, that I may speak these words in and unwise ? is not ho thy father"" that hath bought
tlieir ears, and call heaven and earth to record thee?" hath he not made thee, and established
ajrainst them.*^ thee ?
29 For I know that after my death ye will utter- 7 % Remember the days of old, consider the years
ly corrupt yoursch'es,'^ and turn aside from the way of many generations :* ask thy father, and he will
wliicli I have commanded you and evil will befall ; show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
you in the latter days;' because ye will do evil 8 When the Most High divided to the nations
in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger their inheritance," when he separated the sons of
through the work of your hands. Adam,'' he sot the bounds of the people according
31) And Moses spake in the cars of all the con- to the number of the children of Israel.
gregation of Israel the words of this song, until 9 For the Lord's portion is his people;'' Jacob
they were ended. is the lot^ of his inheritance."'

10 Ho found him in a desert land, and in the waste


howling wilderness he led him about, he instruct-
CHAPTER XXXII. ed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye."
; '

1 Mases' song, which setteth forth God's mercy and vengeance. 4G


Ke exhorteth them to set their hearts upon it. 4S G-oI sendeth him 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, flutteroth
up to mount Nebo, to see the land, and die. over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, tak-
IVE ye heavens, and I will speak;
ear, eth them, bcareth them on her wings;'
C^ST and hear, earth, the words of my mouth.' 12 So the Lord alone did lead him, and there
2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech was no strange god with him.
sliall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the 13 He made him ride on the high places of the
tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass :^ earth," that he might cat the increase of the fields
3 Because I will publish the name of the Lord : and he made him to suck honey out of the rock,'
ascribe ye greatness unto our God.** and oil out of the flinty rock
4 He is the Rock,' his work is perfect;^ for all 14: Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat
his ways are judgment a God of truth and with-
:
"^
of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and
out iniquity, just and right is he.' goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou,
5 They have corrupted themselves,* their spot is didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

»Exoa.33:9. bGen.4D:l,a. 'oh.3-J:l. J JuJj;. 2: 19. oaChr.34:24. r/iittiren. that is their blot, nt Exod. 15:1G; 1 Co
' ch. 3li:19; Psa. 5U:4. e Fsa. Ti-d; Isa. H;
.55:1U, Mio. 5:7. h 1 Chr.
29:11; Rev. 7:11, 12. i I'sa. l.S:2. J Keel. 3:14. k Dan. 4:37. 1 Psa.
92: 15. • Heb. He hath corrupted to himself, t Or, that they are not his

21. Prosperity often leads men to forget God, turn from


him, and draw down upon themselves his desolating
judgments. But their own consciences will testify against
thein, and if they turn not to him will mar their enjoy-
ments and ere long make them wretched.
29. A good man knows that no trust can safely be
placed in the human heart that without the constant;

keeping of God, however great its mercies or trials, it will


show itself to be deceitful above all things and despe-
rately wicked and that there is no hope for the cause of
;

God and holiness on earth but in the riches of his grace.


CHAPTER XXXII.
1. Give ear —
hear; this mode of address was designed
to awaken attention, and impress on the hearers the im-
portance of the subject.
2. Drop as the rain; be copious and refreshing. Distil
as the (lew; be gentle, penetrating, and efficacious.
3. Publish the name ; proclaim those perfections by the

manifestation of which God makes himself known. As-


cribe ije greatness unto our God ; treat him according to his
true character.
4. The Rock ; this is the first time God is called a rock,

in the Bible. It expresses his durable and unchanging


perfection, and the safety of trusting in him and reposing
on him our hopes for eternity. Ver. 15, IS; Psa. 31:2, 3;
JIatt. 7:24, 25; 16:18. Judgment; just, and right.
5. Not do not possess their char-
the spot of his children
;

acter, nor appear as his people.


(i. Requite; repay, recompense. Thi/ father; one who
treated them as children. Bousht thee; by delivering
them from Egyptian bondage. Made thee; made them a
great people. Established thee ; as an independent nation,
with a regular and good government.
7. Remember the days qf old; what God has done for
your ancestors, and through them, for you.
17
The song of Moses, DEUTERONOMY XWII, fur the use of Israel.

"T But .losliunin waxed fat," and kicked thou :"'


15
art waxen fat, tliou art £rn>wn thick, tiiou art cov-
ered n'lth fiitmxs : then lie forsook God vltich made
him. and liu-Jitlv estoenii'dtlio Rock of his salvation.'
Iti They provoked iiini to jealousy with straufje
/r,x/v,'' with abomiuations provoked they hiin to
anafer.
17 They sacrificed unto devils," not to God;' to
s v.U whom they knew not, to new podsthat came
nmvlv ii]>. wiioin your fathers feared not.
IS Of tlic Rock tluit hcLMt tlic(> thou art uiiniind-
fiil. and hast forsjotten God tliat formed tiice.'
1',) And when the Lokd saw it, lie abhorred' tliem,
because of the provoking of his sous, and of his
daughters.
20 And he said. I will hide my face from them, I
will see what their end sha'l be: for they arc a very
froward generation, ciiiidrcn in whom /,« no laitii.
21 They have moved me to jealousy with that
which is not God they have ])rovoked me to anger
;

with their vanities: and I will move them to jeal-


ousy with those which are not a people ;'' I will pro-
voke them to anger with a foolish nation.
22 For a fire; is kindled in mine anger,'' and shall
burn' unto the lowest hell, and shall consume^ the
earth with her increase,' and set on fire the foun-
dations of the mountains.
23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend
mine arrows upon thcni.J
They shall be burnt with hunger, and devour-
2-1:

ed with burning heat, and with bitter destruc-


tion: I will also send the teeth of boasts upon
them, with the poi.son of serpents of the dust.''
: : :

Tht song of Moses. DEUTERONOMY XXXII. He is to view Canaan

kc:{-^: 37 And he shall say, Where arc their 46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto
gods, their rock in whom they trusted, all the words which I testify among you this day,
38 Which did eat tlie fat of their sacrifices, and which ye shall command your children to observe
drank the wine of their driuk-oiferings ? let them to do, all the words of this law.''
rise up and help you," and bo your protection.* 47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because
39 Sec now that I, even I, am he,** and there is no it is your life:' and through this thing ye shall
god with me: I kill, and I make alive I wound, prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over
;"=

and I heal neither is there any that can deliver Jordan to possess it.
:

out of my hand. 48 And the Lord spake unto Moses that self-
40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I same day, saying,
live for ever. 49 Get thee up into this mountain Abarim,^ unto
41 If I whet my glittering sword,'^ and my hand mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is
take hold on judgment I will render vengeance to over against Jericho and behold the land of Ca-
; ;

mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. naan, which I give unto the children of Israel for
42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood," a possession
and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with 50 And die in the mount whither thou goest up,
the blood of the slain and of the captives from the and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy
beginning of revenges upon the enemy. brother died in mount Hor,'' and was gathered
43 Rejoice, yc nations, with his people:* for unto his people
he will avenge the blood of his servants,' and will 51 Because ye trespassed against me among the
render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Ka-
merciful unto his land, and to people.^ liis desh,^ in the wilderness of Zin
;
because ye sanc-
'

44 IT And Moses came and


all the words spake tified me not in the midst of the children of Is-
of this song in the ears of the people, he, and rael.'"
Hoshea,* the son of Nun. 52 Yet thou shalt see the land before thee;'' but
45 And Moses made an end of speaking all these •thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I
words to all Israel give the children of Israel.
« Judj. 10: 14. •
Ileb. a hiding for 'Isa. -l.i:.?, l5, 22. c 3:1-4; Ezek. 4U:4. Lev. li:5; Trov. 4:
V. 1:17, IS. d Ezek. 21:9-15. e ;:5. t Or. Sing yr 2U:24-2U. 8 Or. Strife at Kadesh. 1 Nun
i pfopte, j/e nations, f Rev. 19:2. . 85:1. : Or,Jas'/iu a: 13. nch.34;l-4.

Their gods; false gods, in whom they had trusted.


37. work out their own salvation, and renders their elForts
38. Eat the fat of titeir sacrifices; idols to whom they had eflectual to their mounting up on wings as eagles, going
sacrificed. Let them rise ; it" they can but they caunot, ; from strength to strength and holding on their way, till in
and there is no help but in Jehovah. heaven they stand, trophies of grace, perfect before God,
42. From the beginning of revenges uponthe enemy; rather, to his infinite and everlasthig joy. So should parents and
from the head of the leaders of the enemy. ministers do, with regard to the young and if in this they
;

43. Witk his people ; in their repentance and deliverance imitate the divine example, or are as true to parental in-
from their oppressors, and in their restoration again in stinct as the eagle, they maj' hope that the objects of their
due time to the privileges of his chosen and redeemed affection will much oftener fly upward towards heaven, and
people. Zech. 12:10; Rom. 11:15. Others prefer to ren- not downward towards hell. Chap. G:7; Prov. 22:6.
der, Rejoice, yo nations who are liis people. 12. The tenderness of God to his people, his unceasing
47. Your life ; that on which their continuance and pros- care for them, and the variety and wisdom of the methods
perity would depend. he takes to lead them to himself, demand their gratitude
49. Abarim; Num. 27:12-14. and renewed devotion to his service.
50. Ill mount Hor ; Num. 20:22-29. 15. The facts that increasing prosperity so often occa-
51. Meribah-Kadesh; Num. 20:11-13. sions increasing wickedness, and that the more outward
blessings God bestows upon a people the more they for-
INSTRUCTIONS. get him and become worldly, proud, sensual, and devihsh,
1. instructions of God through his inspired ser-
The are conclusive proofs of the awful wickedness of the hu-
vants, as recorded in the Scriptures, are worthy of univer- man heart. Ver. 17, 18.
sal attention. 19. For those who have experienced most of God's
2. As the rain and the dew, so the truths of the Bible goodness, and especially for his redeemed people to rebel
are perfectly adapted to produce their appropriate effects. against him, is peculiarly wicked, and he will pursue them
Is:i. 55:10-13. with his indignation till they repent or perish.
4. Nothing could be added to or taken from the char- 29. God desires that men should consider what will be
acter of God, which would make it more perfect and no ; the end of their continuing in sin, and that they should
change in his dealings could make them in any respect turn from it and live. Ezek. 33:11; Matt. 23:37.
better. 43. The mercy of God to those who repent, and the
5. Men are the authors of all their own wickedness, and good which he bestows upon them, ought to occasion
they are wholly to blame for it. The more they have of universal joy, and will give joy to all the good through-
it the more unlike they are to God, and the more guilty out the universe.
in hia sight. 44. Instruction conveyed in poetry is often more im-
6. To live in sin, after all that God has done to deliver pressive, more easily remembered, and more extensively
us from it, is the vilest and basest ingratitude, and exposes useful, than when conveyed in prose. God has therefore
to the most fearful retribution. manifested his wisdom and kindness in using it so much
8. The consideration that God thought kindly and gra- in the Bible.
ciousl}' of us before we were born, and so ordered things 40. To-be benefited by God's communications, men must
that our wants of body and soul may all be supplied, is attend to them, treasure them up in their memories, and
suited to impress our obligation to love and serve him, apply them to the regulation of their feelings, thoughts,
and to show our utter inexcusableness and great guilt if words, and actions.
we neglect it. 47. On the manner in which men treat the commands of
11. God takes a variety of ways to influence men to God, and the book which contains them, depends their
259
TTie blessings of DEUTERONOMY XXXIII the twelve tribes.

C II APT Ell XXXIII. altar.™


'.
The m»je»ty of God. C Tho bleuingi of tlie twelve tribes. 26 The 11 Bless, Lord, his substance, and accept tho
eicellt'ncy of Ismel.
work of his hands:" smite through the loins of
wlicrcwith Moses the that rise against him. and of them that hate
VXD this
mail of
is tlie ltl«'.*.*inir,

God bles.sed the children of Israel


tiiein
that tiiey ri.-e not again.
liiiii,

before his death. 12 •] yi/irf of Benjamin he said. The beloved of


12 And
lie said. Tlic Loitn came from Sinai, and the Loiii) shall dwell in safety by him; and the
rose from Seir unto them;" lie shined forth LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he
iij)

from mount Paran, and he came witli ten thou- shall dwell between his shoulders.
sands of saints:'' from his right iiand went a fiery* 13 *f And of Joseph he said. Blessed of the Loun
law for tiieni. be his land, for the jirccious things of heaven, for
3 Yea, he loved the people;*^ all his saints are the dew," and for the deep that coucheth licneath,
in thy liand:'' and they sat down at thy feet; 14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by
every one shall receive of thy words." the sun, and for the precious things put* forth by
4 Moses commanded us a law, even the inheri- the moon,'
tance of the conffrecration of Jacob. 15 And for the chief things of the ancient moun-
5 And he was king in Jeshurun,' when the heads tains, and for theprcciou.s thingsof the lasting hills,
of the people and tlie tribes of Israel were gather- IG And for the precious things of the earth and
ed together. fulness thereof, andybr the good will of him that
C II Let Reuben live, and not die f and let not dwelt in the bush let the blessing come upon the : ''

his men be few. head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of
7 IT And this is the blessing of Judah and he him that was separated from his brethren.
:

said, Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring 17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock.^
him unto liis people: let his hands be sufBcient and his horns are /iVcc the horns of unicorns:^'' with
for him and be thou a help to him from his ene- them he shall push the people together to the ends
;

mies.'' of the earth:' and they air the ten thousands of


8 % And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and Ei)hraim, and they are the thousands of Manassch.
thy Urim be with thy holy one,' whom thou didst 18 1 And of Zebulun he said. Rejoice, Zebulun,
prove at Massah, and loitli wliom thou didst strive in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.
at the waters of Meribah; 19 Tliey shall call the people unto the moun-
9 Who said unto his ftither and to his mother, I tain;' there they shall ofl'cr sacrifices of righteous-
have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge ness:" for they shall suek of the abundance of the
his brethren, nor know his own children :' for they seas, and of treasures hid in the sand."
have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant." 20 f. And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that en-
10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and largeth Gad he dwelleth as a lion,^' and tcarcth :

Israel thy law: they sliall* put incense before the arm with the crown of the head.

» Exod. 19:ia au; Judg. .5:-!, 5; Hib. 3:3. b Psa. 6^:17; Gal 3.19. I Heb.
•Or. fire of. ' Hoj. 11:1; 1 John 4:19. d Sam. i; 9; Psa. 31:15 John
J ;

17:11-13. e 1 Thcss. 1:6. f E.iod. 18:10. 19. S Gen. 49::i. etc. h Psa.
Uli:.3. EsoJ. 2i:30. J Exod. 3-J:2j-2y. k Mai. 2:-5-7. t Or, (el Mem.
i
'

best good and that of their children, for this hfe and the
life to come.
oO. Death is always the fruit of sin. By one man sin
entered, and death by sin. But to tliose who forsake sin
and serve God, lie turns it into a blessing. Often, as death
approaches, tho land of promise, the heavenly city, opens
before them with a beauty, a grandeur, a glory which sur-
pass all conception. Earth and its glories they joyfully
relinquish, though to live on it were Christ because to ;

die and be with Christ, like Christ perfectly and for ever,
is unspeakable gain. Phil. 1:21 1 John 3:2. ;

CHAPTER XXXIII.
2. Came from Sinai— Seir — Paran; these mountains in
and around the Arabian desert are here taken collectively,
as the place whence God manifested himself in a special
manner, first to Moses, and afterwards to the whole peo-
ple. SawUs ; his ministering angels are meant. Psa. G8:17;
Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19. We may render more literally, He
came from the myriads of his holy ones that is. from his ;

secret dwelling-place, where he is surrounded by myriads


of angels.
3. All his .mints; all the holy ones of Israel his people.

i. Even the inheritance; the law is itself the inheritance


of God's covenant people.
I). Reuben; his posterity; the tribe of Reuben, which
had an ample and fertile territory on the east of the Jordan.
Siraeon is passed over in silence.
7. Bring him unto his people; bring him home safe from
260
:

Blessings of the tribes. DEUTERONOMY XXXIV. The death of Moses.

ilc'i^' 21 And he provided the first part for Pisgah,^ that over against Jericho: and the
is
himself,* because there, in a portion of the law- Lord showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,
giver, was he seated ;* and he came witJi the heads 2 And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim,
of the people, he executed the justice of tlie Lord, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the
and his judgments with Israel." utmost sea,
22 1i And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp 3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of
he shall leap from Bashau." Jericho, the city of palm-trees, unto Zoar.
2:? 1 And of Naphtali he said, Naphtali, satis- 4 And the Lord said unto him. This is the land
fied with favor,'' and full with the blessing of the which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto
Lord, possess thou the west and the south." Jacob," saying, I will give it unto thy seed I have
:

24 1 And of Asher he said. Let Asher be blessed caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt
with children; let him bo acceptable to his breth- not go over thither."
ren, and let him dip his foot in oil.' 5 1[ So Moses the servant of the Lord died there
2.5 Thy* shoes shall be iron and brass; and as in the laud of Moab, according to the word of the
thy days, so shall thy strength be.^ Lord.
26 1 There is none like unto the God of Jeshu- 6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of
run,'' who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and Moab, over against Bcth-peor but no man know-
:

in his excellency on the sky.' eth of his sepulchre unto this day.''
27 The eternal God is thy refuge,^ and under- 7 1 And Moses was
a hundred and twenty years
neath are the everlasting arms and ho shall thrust : old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his
out the enemy from before thee and shall sav. ; natural force abated.'"
Destroy them. 8 1 And
the children of Israel wept for Moses
28 Israel then shall dwell in safety"^ alone:' the in the plains of Moab thirty days:' so the days of
fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. 9 1 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the
29 Happy art thou, Israel :'" who is like unto spirit of wisdom;" for Moses had laid his hands
thee, people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy upon him :^' and the children of Israel hearkened
help," and who is the sword of thy excellency!" unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.
and thine enemies shall be found* liars unto thee; 10 1 And there arose not a projihet since in
and thou shalt tread upon their high places. Israel like unto Moses," whom the Lord knew face
to face,
CHAPTER XXXIV. 11 In all the signs and the wonders which the
Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pha-
1 Moses from mount Nebo vieweth the land. 5 He dieth there. 6 Hi.s
burial. 7 His age. 8 Thirty days' mourning for him. 9 Joshua raoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land.''
succeedeth him. 10 The praise of Moses. 12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the

A aNum.
ND Moses went up from the plains of Moab
unto the mountain of Nebo. to the top of
32;l,eto. • Heh. celleil. b Josh. 4: li l:i. c Jo,i,. !•!: j;. d Psa.
great terror which Moses showed in the sight of
all Israel.-^

u.
36:9; 9U:U; Jer. 31:14. c Josh. 19:3-2, etc. f Job 29:1). t Or, Under I/iy;
ch. 8:9. e Isi. 41:10; 1 Cor. 10:13. h Jer. 10:6. i Psa, 6^:4, 3.J. J Psa.
90:1; Isi. 4^:4. tjcr.23:6. INum.23:9. m Psa. 141:15. n Psa. 115:9-

21. The first part for himself; in the country which the
Israelites first conquered, on the east of Jordan. portion A
of tlie lawgiver ; that which Closes, their lawgiver, assigned
to them. He came with the heads of the people; went over
Jordan with the rest of the Israelites and assisted them in
the conquest of Canaan.
22. Leap from Ba-flian ; Bashan was a country east of
Jordan, between the mountains of Hermon and Gilead.
From this country the Danites made successful warlike
excursions. Josh. 19:47; Judg. 18:27:29.
23. West and —
south ; west and south of that which was
conquered by tlie Danites.
25. Thy slioes ; or, thy bars. Iron and brass ; invincible
to the power of the enemy. As thy days, so shall thy strength
be; thy strength shall endure as long as thy days. Some
render. As thy days, so shall thy quietness be.
27. The enemy; the Canaanites.
2.'*. Alone; not incorporated with other nations.
29. Be found liars unto thee; rather, shall crouch to thee
from fear shall be forced to submit themselves to thee.
;

IXSTRUCTIONS.
1. Ministers of God delight in proclaiming the blessings
which will come on his people and though in faithfulness
;

they must point out the destruction that will come on the
wicked, they do it with earnest desires that they may turn
from their wicked ways and live.
7. Those who have God for their helper will at last tri-

umph over all their foes.


THE

BOOK OF JOSHUA
Tnis book records the miraculous passage of Joshua and the people of Israel into Canaan through the
Jordan, the conquest of the land, and its division by lot among the several tribes. It closes with the
account of Joshua's death and burial.
In regard to the authorship of this book, there are difierent views. Tlie Jewish tradition ascribes it to
Joshua himself, with the exception of the some transactions which
last five verses. Hut since it records
occurred after Joshua's death, as the conquest of Hebron, (chapter 15:10-19, compared with Judges
1 12-15,) and the excursion of the Danites, (chapter 19 :47, compared with Judges 18,) we must suj)po.se
:

citlier that these passages were inserted by a later hand, or as some think, that the book was written

by some inspired Israelite unknown to us not many years after the decease of Joshua.

CHAPTER I. ard the going down of the sun, shall be b.cum:


1 The Lord appointeth Joshu.a to siirceed Moses. your coast.
The borders of the
,"!

promised laud. 5, 9 God promiseth to assist Joshu.a. 8 He giveth


5 There shall not any man be able to stand be-
him instructions. 10 He prepareth the people to pass over Jordan.
12 Joshua putteth the two tribes and a half in mind of their promise fore thee all the days of tliy life:" as I was with
to Moses. Ifj They promise him fealty.
Moses,' so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee,
"VTOW after the death of Moses" the servant of nor forsake thee.'''
_L >l tlie Loud it came to pass, that the Lord spake 6 Be strong and of a good courage for unto this :

unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister,'' say- people shalt thou divide for an inheritance* the
ing, land, which I sware unto their fathers to give
2 Moses my servant is dead now therefore arise, them.
;

go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous,'" that
the land which I do give to them, even to the chil- thou mayest observe to do according to all the
dren of Israel. law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn
3 Every place that the sole of j-our foot shall not from it lo the right hand or to the left, that
tread upon, that have I given unto you,"" as I said thou mayest prosper* whithersoever thou goest.
unto Moses. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even thy moutli but thou shalt meditate therein day ;

unto the great river, the river Euplirates,'' all the and night, that thou mayest observe to do accord-
land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea tow- ing to all that i.s written therein for then thou :

• Deot.34:5. bExod.24;13, c Deut. 11:34. d Gen. 15.18; Nam. .'M:-'- > Shalt muse this people lo inlicru. h Deut. 31:7, 23; Eph. 6:10; 2 Tii
e Dent. 7:-^. ' ch. J. 7; 6:27. g Deut. 31:6,8; Heb. 13:5. • Or, f Or, do wisely; Deut. 29:9.

INSTRUCTIONS. work on any of his servants, but they are constant!}' and
1. However long or faithfully the people of God may entirely dependent on him. He raises up one, fits him for
Berve him, they must die. As they approach that momen- his work, sustains him till it is accomplished, and then, in
tous and solemn event, the Lord can. and sometimes does his own way and time, removes him. With equal ease he
give them such views of the glorious things which he has can raise uj) others and fit them for what remains to be
promised, as not only to take away fear, but to lead them done, so that not one jot or tittle of what he has promised
in peace and with delight to yield up their spirit to Him shall fail, till all be accomplished.
who gave it. Moses was an example of true greatness. The more
10.
5. Though
ordinarily a blessing, when called to die.
it is we imitate him in meekness, humility, faith in God, cour-
to be surrounded with kind, sympathizing friends, yet if we age, and perseverance in duty, the more free will be our
die among strangers, or even alone, with no kind hand to access to God, and the greater our likeness to him the ;

smooth a pillow or wipe away a tear, God can so manifest more useful and blessed will be our life, the richer our
himself, that without aid from creatures we shall be filled prospect in death, and the more glorious our condition
to overflowing with the fulness of God. and inheritance in eternity.
8. When friends, especiaUy such as have been eminently

useful, die, it is proper to mourn ; hut it should be with CHAPTER I.


cheerful acquiescence in the will of God, deep loathing of Minister, assistant, agent.
1.
sin the cause of death, and earnest prayer that all the liv- The reilderness; of Zin, on the south. Lebanon ; on the
4.
ing rn vy be so saved from its power, that when absent north. Euphrates; on the east. Tlie great sea; the Medi-
from the body they shall be present with the Lord. terranean, on the west.
9. God is not dependent for the accomplishment of his 8. This book of the law; Deut. 17:18, 19; 31:26.

262
1 ^: 1

Rahal conaaleth JOSHUA II. the two spies.

b.'"i4sl' shalt make thy '"'ay prosporou?, and then the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came
thou shalt have good success.* into a harlot's house, named Rahab," and lodged^
9 Have not I commanded thee?'' Be strong and there.
of a good courage; be not afraid, neitlier be thou 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying.
dismayed:'' for the Lord thy God is with thee Behold, there came men in hither to-night of the
whithersoever thou goest.'' children of Israel to search out the country.
10 1i Tiien Joshua commauded the officers of the 3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, say-
people, saying, ing, Bring forth the men that are come to thee,
1 Pass through tlie host, and command the peo- which are entered into thy house for they be come :

ple, saying. Prepare you victuals for within three to search out all the country.
;

days ye shall pass over this Jordan,'' to go in to 4 And the woman took the two men, and hid
possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth them,' and said thus. There came men unto me,
you to possess it. but I wist not whence they were:
12 •[ And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, 5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting
and to half the tribe of Mauasseh, spake Joshua, of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went
saying, out whither the men went, I wot not pursue after
: :

13 Remember the word which Moses the servant them quickly for ye shall overtake them. ;

of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord 6 But she had brought them up to the roof of
your God hath given you rest, and hath given you the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax,
tills land." which she had laid in order upon tlie roof.""
li Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, 7 And the men pursued after them the way to
shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on Jordan unto the fords and as soon as they which :

this side Jordan but ye shall pass before your pursued after them were gone out, they shut the
;

brethren armed,* all the mighty men of valor, and gate.


help them; 8 1 And before they were laid down, she came
1.5 Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, up unto them upon the roof;
as kc hath give7i you, and they also have possessed 9 And she said unto the men, I know that the
the land which tiie Lord your God giveth them Lord hath given you the land, and that your ter-
then ye shall return unto the land of your posses- ror is fallen upon us," and that all the inhabitants
sion, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord's servant of the land faint' because of you.
gave you on tliis side Jordan toward the sunrising. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up
16 And they answered Joshua, saying, AH the water of the Red sea for you,° when ye came
i[

that thou commandest us we will do,*^ and whith- out of Egypt and what ye did unto the two kings ;

ersoever thou sendest us, we will go. of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jor-
17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in dan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.''
all things, so will we hearken unto thee only the : 1 And as soon as we had heard these things, our
Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. hearts did melt,*" neither did there remain^ any
18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy more courage in any man, because of you for the :

commandment, and will not hearken unto thy Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and
words iu all that thou commandest him, he shall in earth beneath.''
be put to death:'' only be strong and of a good 12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by
courage.' the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that
ye will also show kindness unto my father's house,'
CHAPTER II, and give me a true token:'
1 Rahab receiveth an concealeth the two spies sent from Shittim. 13 And that ye will save alive my father, and
The covenant bt-twe her and them.
L 2.3 Tlieir return and relation
my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and

A ND Joshua the son of Nun sent* out of Shit- all that they have, and deliver our lives from
tim two men to spy secretly,^ saying. Go view death.
• Oi, do wisehj ; ver. 7. " 1 Chr. 4-1:20; Hag. •24; Zech. 8:9. b Gen. 2:35.
2=:15; Psa. 27:1; Jer. 1:?^. ' Psa. 40:7; Isa. -l-!:!, 5. i oh. 3:2. e ch.
22:1-4; Num. 32:20-43. t Heb. marshaUtd by five ; Exod. 13:18. f Deut.
5:27. Ever. 5; 1 Sam. 20:13; 1 Kings 1:37. t Rom. 13: 1-5. i ver. 0, 7. 9;
1 Cor, 16:13. lOr, AodsoK. i Num. 13:2. t Matt. 1:3; Heb. 11:31; Jas.

13. Remember the word; Num. 32:1-42.


INSTRUCTIONS.
2. When the servants of God die and enter into rest,
those who survive should bo aroused to increasing efforts
to c;irry forward the good works which they had begun.
7. Tlie highest and noblest courage is shown by the

most faithful discharge of duty, and no real coward makes


it his great object to obey the known will of God.
8. The gran<l means of inspiring and increasing true

courage, is daily attention to the principles and precepts


of the Bible, for the purpose of understanding and obeying
them.
11. The certainty that God will bestow upon his people
the blessings he has promised them, does not in the least
:

Tilt spies return. .1 OS III: A III. Joshua Cometh to Jordnn.

14 Ami tlic men answered licr, Our life for your?,' CHAPTER III.
if ye utter not tiiis our business. And it shall lie,
when llie LoUD luitli given us the land, that wc
will deal kindly and truly with thoc."
15 Then siie let them down by a cord throuprh
the winilow:'' fur her house nas upon the town
wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
ll) And she said unto them. Get you to the moun-

tain, lest the pursuers meet you and hide your- ;

selves there tliroe days, until tlie pursuers be re-


turned and afterward may ye go your way.
:

17 And the men said unto her, will be blame- We


less of this thine oath which thou hast made us
swear.*^
18 Behold u-hcn we come into the land, thou shalt
bind this line of scarlet thread in the window
which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt
bring' thy father, and thy mother, and thy breth-
ren, and all thy father's household, home unto
thee.''
19 And it shall bo that whosoever shall go out
of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood
s/iali be upon his head, and we wUl be guiltless and :

whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his


blood shall be on our head,'' if any hand be upon
him.
20 And if thou utter this our business,' then we
will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made
ufi to swear.

21 And she said. According unto your words,


so be it.*"' And she sent them away, and they
departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the
window.
22 And they went, and came unto the mountain,
and abode there three days, until the pursuers were
returned: and the pursuers sought them through-
out all the way, but found them not.
23 1 So the two men returned, and descended
from the mountain, and passed over, and came to
Joshua the sou of Xuu, and told him all things that
befell them
24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord
hath delivered into our hands all the land for ;
''

even all the inhabitants of the country do faint'


because of us.
• Heb. instead of you to die. a Gen. 24:19; Judg. 1:2)
: : ;

The passage of Jordan. JOSHUA IV. Twelve stones set wp.

4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he


out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.' had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every
13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles tribe a man
of tlie feet of the priests that bear the ark of the 5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before
Loun,'' the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the the ark of the Lord your !od into the midst of (

waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone
be cut od' from the waters that come down from upon his shoulder, according unto the number of
above and they shall stand upon a heap.'^
; the tribes of the children of Israel:
1-1 1 And it came to pass, when the people re- 6 That this may be a sign among you, that when
moved from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and your children ask their fathers in time to come,*
the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before saying, What 7nean ye by these stones?''
7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters
;''
the people
15 iVnd as they that bare the ark were come unto of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the cov-
Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the enant of the Lord;' when it passed over Jordan,
ark were dipped in the brim of the water," (for the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these
Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of stones shall be for a memorial unto the children
harvest,)' of Israel for ever.""
16 That the waters which came down from above 8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua
stood and rose up upon a heap'"' very far from the commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the
city Adam, that is beside Zaretan;* and those midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua,
that came down toward the sea of the plain,'' cvin according to the number of the tribes of the chil-
the salt sea, failed, a7id were cut off: and the peo- dren of Israel, and carried them over with them
ple passed over right against Jericho. unto the place where they lodged, and laid them
17 And the priests that bare the ai'k of the cov- down there.
enant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the {) And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst

midst of Jordan,' and all the Israelites passed over of Jordan," in the place where the feet of the
on dry ground, until all the people were passed priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood
clean over Jordan. and they are there unto this day.
10 IT For the priests which bare the ark stood
in the midst of Jordan," until every thing was fin-
CHAPTER IV. ished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak
I Twelve men are appointed to take twelve stones for a memorial out
unto the people, according to all that Moses com-
of Jordan. 9 Twelve other stones are set up in the midst of Jordan.
10, 19 The people pass over. 14 God magnifieth Joshua. 20 The manded Joshua and the people hasted and passed
:

twelve stones are pitched in Qilgal. over.


AND it came to pass, when all the people were 11 And it came to pass, when all the people were
clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed
spake unto Joshua, saying, over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.
2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out 12 And the children of Reuben, and the children
of every tribe a man, of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over
3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence armed before the children of Israel," as Moses spake
out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where unto them
the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stoues,J and ye 13 About forty thousand prepared* for war pass-
shall carry them over with you, and leave them in ed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains
the lodging-place, where ye shall lodge this night. of Jericho.

4:2. bver. 13. l(i. c Psa. 7S;13. d Dent. SI:-*: Jer. .3: 1(1: Heb. ) Deut. 27:2. t Heb. k ver. 21; ExoJ. 13:14; Dcu' fi:2U; Psa.
ver. 13. f 1 Chr. 13:15; Jer. 12:5. 6 Psa. 114:3. •
Zarlanah. 41:1; 7S::!-S. I ch.3:13:l(i. m t am. 16:40; Psa. 111:4. n Kxod. 24:12;
4:12; Zarlkan, 1 Kings 7:46. h Deut. 3:17. i Exod. 14:29. 23:21; 1 Kings 1S:31. "ch. 3:13. P Num. 32:20-29. I Or. ready drmed.

12. Twelve men; these were to be selected for a special 10. However dark the path before us, God can make it
purpose. Chap. 4:2, 3. plain and however great the difficulties in the way of
;

13. Be waters below would separate from the


cut off; the duty, he can remove them, and cause us in obeying him
waters above, leaving the channel of the river dry. Ver. 10. to triumph.
1.'). The tune of harvest ; the people crossed on the tenth 13. Multitudes of things which are impossible with men
of tlie first month Abib, or early in April. Chap. 4:19. are possible with God. It is therefore reasonable and a
Then, as now, the harvest occurred during April and early duty to believe whatever he declares, and show that beUef
in >[ay, the barley preceding the wheat harvest by two by our conduct.
or three weeks. 16. Whatever difficulties may be in the way of believing

INSTRUCTIONS. God, living and strong faith will overcome thcin and ;

those who exercise it will in due time see the complete


1. They whoare earnest, diligent, and persevering in fulfilment of his declarations.
the discharge of their appropriate duties, may expect to
be rendered eminently useful, and advanced
guished honor and glory. Ver. 7.
to distin-
CHAPTER lY.
3. To follow the directions of God as indicated by his Prepared; previously selected. Chap. 3:12.
4.
word, his .Spirit, and his providence, is the way of safety, 6. A sign; a monument to commemorate the dividing of
happiness, and success. the river^Jordan, and to transmit the knowledge of it to
5. Sanctification of body and spirit is a preparation for future generations. Ver. 7.
seeing the glory of God, and experiencing the manifesta- 7. For ever; as long as tlie knowledge of this event
tions of his power and grace. should continue.
265
7%ey ctuamp in GUgal. JOSHUA V. Circurndsiun renewed.

H ^ On
that day the Loud macrnifiod Joslma westward, and all the kings of the Canaan- ^i. " m?:
in the sight of all L-Jrael ;" and they feared liiin, itcs, which mre by the sea,' heard that the LoHD

as they feared Moses,'' all the days of his life. had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the
1') And the Loud sjiake unto .Joshua, t^aying, children of Israel," until we were pas.sed over, that
111 Coninuind the ]>iiisls tiiat lirar the ark of the tlioir heart melted,' neither was there spirit in them

testimony,'' that lliry conic u]) out of Jordan. any more,'" because of the children of Israel.
17 Joshua therefore eoinnuinded the priests, say- 2 *i At that time the Lord said unto Joshua,
ins, Come ye up out of Jordan. Make thee sharp knives,' and circumcise again
18 And it came to pass, when the priests that the children of Israel the second time.
bare the ark of tlie covenant of the Lord were 3 And Joshua made him shar[) knives, and cir-
come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles cumcised the children of Israel at tlie hill of the
of (he priests' feet were lifted up" unto the dry foreskins.''
land, tliat the waters of Jordan returned unto 4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circum-
tlieir place, and ilowed* over all his banks, as cise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that
they did before.'' were males, even all the men of war, died in the
li) 1 And the people came up out of Jordan on wilderness by the way, after they came out of
the lentil day of the lirst month, and encamped in Egypt."
Giliral. in tiie east border of Jericho. 5 Now all the people that came out were cir-
20 .Vnd those tw(?lvc stones," which they took out cumcised but all the people that were born in the
;

of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Giljral. wilderness by the way as they came forth out of
21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, say- Egypt, them they had not circumcised.
ino:, When your children shall ask their fathers in 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years
time to come,* sayintr. What these stones?'' mmn in the wilderness," till all the people that were men
22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed,
Israel came over this Jordan on ilry land.'' because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord:
23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters unto whom the Lord sware that he would not
of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed show them the land,'' which the Lord sware unto
over, as the Lord your God did to tlie Red sea,'' their fathers that he would give us, a land that
which he dried up from before us, until we were (lowctii with milk and honey.
gone over. 7 And their children,'' whom he raised up in their
24 That all the people of the earth might know stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were un-
the hand of the Loud,' that it is mighty; that ye circumcised, because they had not circumcised them
might fear the Lord your God for ever.^ by the way.
8 And it came to pass, when they had done cir-

CHAPTER V. cumcising all the people," that they abode in their


places in the camp, till they were whole.
1 The Canaanites are afraid. 2 Joshua reneweth circumcision. 10
The passover is kept at G-ilgal. 12 Manna ceaseth. 13 An angel 9 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have
appcareth to Joshua. I rolled away the reproach'' of Egypt from off
A ND it came to pass, when all the kings of the you.'*Wherefore the name of the place is called
Jrx. Amorites, which loere on the side of Jordan GilgaP unto this day.
a Ch. .3;7. b ExoJ. 14::il ; 1 Sam. !-J:lSi 1 Kings S.-irf. « Exod. 2.5:l(j, 10:5. I Or, itna-Mo//i7!!.t,- Kxoil. 4:25 1 Or. Gibenli-lumralolk. n Num.
21. •
1 Ueb. went,
lleb. plucked up. d oh. 3:15. e ver. 8. 1 Heb. (o- 2IJ:04, 05. Num. 14:33; Deut. 1:3; 2:7, 14; B:4. P Psa. 95:10, 11 Heb.
;

mormc. fver. 6. Sch. 3:17. h Exod. 14:21. > 1 Kings S: 4-2, 4.1; 2 Kings 3:11. qNum. 14:31; Deut. 1:.39. • Heb. Hit people had made an rivl to U
19:19; P.^a. 100:8; Jer. 10:8, 7; Dan. 4:*t, 35. 5 Heb. alt days, j Num. circumrised. rOn..14:14; 1 Sam. 17:20. •cli.21:14- Ezek. 20:7,6; 23:3,
13:-.>9. kExoJ. 15:14, 1.3. 1 ch. 2:9, II Psa. 43:6; Ezek. 21:7. ml Kings
; ^. t That is, Rolling.

14. The Lord magnified Joshua j by the manner in whicli gladly, therefore, should each portion pursue the course
he led the Israelites over the Jordan. Chap. 3:7. which is best for the whole, and in so doing they will
19. The tenth day of tlie first month ; forty years, wanting subserve their own best interests.
five days, from the time they left Egypt, and on the day 14. They who most heartily and faithfully follow the
that the paschal lamb was to be set apart for sacrifice. directions of God, will in due time be most highly hon-
Chap. 5:10; Exod. 12:3-42. ored. Matt. 19:28.
20. Pitch; literally, rear up; that is, into a conspicuous 18. What are called laws of nature, are stated modes of
heap. God's operation, which he can continue or change, as he
23. Tlie Red sea; Exod. 14:21, 22. sees best.
INSTRUCTIOXS. 24. When God works wonders, they are not for any par-
All proper care should be taken to keep in mind the
3. ticular people or period merely, but for all people in all
mercies of the Lord and to transmit a knowledge of them
;
ages, and are designed and adapted to make known hia
to our children and all coming generations. character to the universe for ever.
6. wisely ordered that children should be inquisi-
It is
tive. It opens the way to communicate instruction in a CHAPTER V.
form most interesting and useful. Such opportunities 1. the Mediterranean.
Tlie sea ;
should be diligently improved by parents and all intrust- 2. The second time; not that any who had been cir-
ed with the education of the young. cumcised were to be circumcised again, but that the rite
10. When in obedience to God we have taken the place of circumcision, which had been neglected in the wilder-
and engaged in the service which he has assigned us, we ness, was to be, as it were, established a second time as
should patiently abide in it till he in his providence bids it had been the first time in Abraham's day.
us leave it, and then we should go to any other place and 8. Whole; healed.
engage in any other service to which he calls us. 9. The reproach of Egypt; according to some, the re-
12. The friends of God should rememlier that they be- proach of their having been bondmen in Egypt. Accord-
long to one family, and have one common cause. Most ing to others, the reproach cast upon them by the Egyp-
266
2
1

The. Captain of GmPs host. JOSHUA VI. Jericho is besic"-crJ.

M
A. jns',
^ ^YikI
the children of Israel encamped
"I Q And
ye shall compass the city, all ye men of
3
in Gilgal," and kept the passover on the t'our- war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt
teenth day of the month at even in the plains of thou do six days.
Jericho.'' 4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark
1 And they did eat of the old corn of the land seven trumpets of rams' horns:' and the seventh
on tlie morrow after the passover, unleavened day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the
cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. priests shall blow with the trumpets.™
1 1[ Aivl the manna ceased on the morrow after 5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make
they had eaten of the old corn of the land;'' nei- a long blast with the ram's horn," and when ye liear
ther had the children of Israel manna any more;'' the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout
but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan with a great shout;" and the wall of the city shall
that year. fall down flat,* and the people shall ascend up
13 IT And it came to pass, when Joshua was by every man straight before him.
Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and 6 1i And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests,
behold, there stood a man" over against him with and said unto them. Take up the ark of the cove-
his sword drawn in his hand:'' and Joshua went nan t,P and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of
unto him, and said unto him, Jirt thou for us, or rams' horns before the ark of the Lord.
for our adversaries? 7 And he said unto the people, Pass on, and com-
14 And ho said, Nay but as captain" of the host pass the city,'' and let him that is armed pass on
;

of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on before the ark of the Lord.
his face to the earth,*-' and did worship, and said 8 IF And it came to pass, when Joshua had spo-
unto him. What saith my lord unto his servant?*" ken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing
15 And the captain of the Lord's host said unto the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before
Joshua, Loose thy shoe from oS thy foot ;' for the the Lord, and blew with the trumpets and the ark :

place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua of the covenant of the Lord followed them.
did so. 9 And the armed men went before the priests
that blew with the trumpets, and the rearward^
CHAPTER VI. came after the ark,"' the priests going on, and blow-
ing with the trumpets.
1 Jericho is shut up. 2 G-od instructeth Joshua how to besiege it. 12
The city is compassed. 17 It must be accursed. 20 The walls fall 10 And Joshua had commanded the people, say-
down. 22 Rahab is saved. 26 The builder of Jericho is cursed. ing, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with
"\ TOW Jericho was straitly shut up* because of your voice," neither shall any word proceed out of
Jl> the children of Israel: none went out, and your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then
none came in. shall ye shout.
2 And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have 11 So the ark of the Lord compassed the city,
given into thy hand Jericho,^ and the king there- going about it once and they came into the camp, :

of,'^ and the mighty men of valor. and lodged in the camp.
>Ch.4;19. bExod. 12:6; Num. 9:5. c E.iod. 10:35; Neh. 9:20. d Rev. t Heb. dill sliut up, and was shut up. i ch. 2:9, 24; 8:1. k Deut. 7:21;
7:16,17. e Gen. :32:21; Exod. 23:2:3. f Num. 22:23; 1 Chr. 21 :27, 30. 'Or, Judg. 11:24. IJudg. 7:16. 22. m Num. 10:8. n 2 Chr. 20:21, 23. o 2 Chr.
Jirince; Exod. 2:3:20; Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Rev. 19:11-14. s Gen. 17:3; 13:14,15. t Heh. undtrit. P ch. 3:6. q ver. 3. i Heb. gathering host.
Num. 16:22. hi Sim. 3:9, 10; Isa.6:8; Acts9:6. iE.xod.3:5; AGts7:.i3. ' Num. 10:25. IHeb. your voice to be heard.

tians, as a race out of favor with God, and left by him to Reproach may for a season rest upon the people of
9.
wander in the wilderness. Compare Exod. 32:12; Num. God, but in due time it shall be done away, and they shall
14:13-16; Deut. 9:28. This reproach God had removed be crowned with honor and glory.
by receiving them again into covenant with himself by 12. When one source of support ceases, God opens an-
circumcision, and by giving them possession of the prom- other, and instead of leaving his people destitute, he will
ised land. Gilgal; that is, rolling away. abundantly supply them with all real good.
10. Fourteenth daij ; just forty years from the time of 14. Jehovah, who took the form of man, is the Captain
their keeping it on the evening before their departure of salvation to his people. Those whom he saves worship
from Egypt. Exod. 12:6-14. him on earth, and will for ever worship him in heaven.
13. A man; One in the form and appearance of a man. Matt. 14:33; Acts 7:59; Rev. 5:8-14.
He was that " Angel of the Lord " who showed himself to
be the Lord himself. Gen. 18. CHAPTER VI.
14. Captain; Heb. 2:10. Did worship; Matt. 4:10; Rev. 2. And the Lord said; this is a continuation of the nar-
19:10.
rativebegun in ver. 13 of the preceding chapter; the first
15. Loose thy shoe ; Exod. 3:5.
verse of the present chapter being thrown in simply by
INSTRUCTIONS. way of explanation. " The Lord " here is the same as
1. However much those who continue in sin may see of " the Captain of the host of the Lord," chap. 5:14, 15.
their own approaching ruin, they take no proper measures 3. Shall compass the city; this is a sign of its being given
to escape it. by Jehovah into the power of Israel. The number seven,
2. If under special and peculiar circumstances the ordi- here as elsewhere, denotes completeness.
nances of God have been for a time neglected, the earliest 8. Before the Lord ; before the ark, the visible manifesta-
opportunity should be embraced to observe them, and tion of his presence.
thus to secure the benefits they are suited to impart. 9. The armed men; the Hebrew term used here being
3. Whatever be the circumstances of men, it is safe, that which is repeatedly applied to the warriors of the
wise, .ind best for them to obey God. He can protect them tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh,
from all harm, or overrule what they may suffer for their some have thought that these warriors were designated
highest good. as those who should go before the ark, the rest of the
6. By the dispensations of his providence, God fulfils armed men following it. It was only the men of war that
the declarations of his word. compassed the city. Ver. 3.
2G7
; P :

Deslrudion of Jtrichn. .losiir.v VII, Rafuib is spared.

1 2 And Josliua rose oarly in tlio morning, and the city,' both man and woman, young and r^.i^;;?;
"'

the pricsU took uji the ark of tlic LoUD." old, and o.\, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of
i:{ And sevi-n [nicsls buariuL' seven trumpets of the sword.
ranjs' liorns before tlie ark of tlie Loud went on 22 JJut Joshua had said unto the two men that
continiiallv, and blew with the trumpets: and the had si)ied out the country, Uo into the harlot's
armed men wi-nt liefore them; but the rearward house, and bring out thence the woman, and all
came after the ark of the Loitn, t/te priexls going that she hath, a,s ye sware unto her.^
on. and blowing with the trumpets. 23 And the young men that were spies went in,
14 And tlic second day tiicy compassed the city and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her
once, and returned into the camj). So they did mother, and her brethren, and all that she had ;"
six days. and they brought out ail her kindred,* and left
1.5 And it came to pass on tiic seventh day," tliat them without the caiiip of Israel.
they rose early about the dawning of the day, and 24 And they burnt the city with fire,' and all
compassed the city after the same manner seven that vas therein only the silver, and the gold, :

times: only on that day they compassed the city and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into
seven times. the treasury of the house of the Lord.'"
li> And it came to pass at the seventh time, when 25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive,"
the priests blew with tiie trumjjets, Joshua said and her father's household, and all that she had;
unto the people, Shout ;'^ for the Loud hath given and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day ;" be-
you the city. cause she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent
IT "i And the city shall bo accursed,* even it, and to spy out Jericho.
all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the 2() If And Joshua adjured them at that time, .say-

harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in ing. Cursed be the man before the Lord, that ris-
the house, because she hid the messengers that we eth up and buildeth this city Jericho :'' he shall lay
sent.'' the foundation thereof in his iirst-born, and in his
18 And ye, in any -wise keep yourselves from the youngest so?i shall he set up the gates of it.
accursed thing," lest ye make yourselves accursed, 27 So the Lord was with Joshua;'' and his fame
when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the was twistd throughout all the country.
camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.'^
11) But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of

brass and iron, are consecrated* unto the Lord: VII. CHAPTER
they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.*-' 1 The Israelites are smitten at Ai. 6 Joshua's complaint. 10 God
20 So the people shouted when t/w priests blew instructeth him what to do. 16 Arhan is taken by the lot. 19 His
confession. 22 He and all he had are destroyed in the valley of Achor.
with thetrumpets: and it came to pass, when the
people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the children of Israel committed a tres-
people shouted with a great siiout, that the wall
T^UT the
!) pass in the accursed thing:* for Achan,' the
icll down flat,*'' so thai the people went up into son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi,^ the son of Zerah,
tlie city, every man straight before him, and they of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing
took the city. and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the
21 And they utterly destroyed all that u-as in children of Israel.
» Vcr. fl; Deut. 31:\.'5. b ver. 4. c ver. * Or. devoted,- Lev. 27:25;
.'">.
4.<:IU; Rev. 18:21. jch.2:14. k ch. 2:
MLc. .1:13, i oh. 'J:4. « ch. 71; neut. 7:20; 13:17; i Cor. 6:17. ' ch.
7:'25. i lleh. holiness. glKings7:51. t Heb. uiuierit. h ver. 5. i Deut.

7:-.>, 10; aij;10, 17; 1 Sam. 1,5:3, H; 1 Kings 2IJ:4-i; Psi. 137:8, 9; Jcr.

Accursed; wholly devoted to destruction in God's


17.
nam? and by liis authority. Jericho being the first>fruits
of the conquest of Caiuuiu, the Israel'tes were required to
dcviite every thing in it to God, reserving no spoils to
themselves. In the manner in whicli they obtained pos-
session of the city they were taught that it was by God's
miglit, not their own, that they were to conquer Canaan.
In t\v ntter devotion of the city and its spoils to Jehovah,
tliey were further taught that he was tlie sovereign pro-
prietor of tlie promised land, and liad an absolute riglit to
dispose of it and its wealth as he saw good.
13. Into the treasury of the Lord; to be employed in the
service of the sanctuary and the support of jiublic worship.
26. Adjured tliein ; commanded them, under the penalty
of a curse, not to build again the city of Jericho. In his
firsl-horn,and in his ynunsest son ; tliis is supposed to mean,
that all his sons would die while ho was building the city
his first-born when he laid the foundation, and his young-
est when he set up the gates. 1 Kings 16:34.

INSTRUCTIONS.
1. If men continue in known transgression, they will

bring themselves into difficulties and dangers from which


tliey cannot escape.
5. God gives success to his people in such a way as to
268
. :

Israel smitten at Ai. J SHUA V11 The sin of Ac/tnn.

5; 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to M, according to your tribes :" and it shall be, that the
a'us?'
which is beside Bcth-aven, on the east side of Beth- tribe which the Lord taketh shall come according
el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the to the families thereof;" and the family which the
country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. Lord shall take shall come by households and the ;

3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto household which the Lord shall take shall come
him, Let not all the people go up; but let about man by man.
two or three thousand men* go up and smite Ai; 15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the
and make not all the people to labor thither for accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all
;

they are but few. that he hath because he hath transgressed the :

4 8o there went up thither of the people about covenant of tiie Lord, and because he hath wrought
three thousand men; and they fled before the men folly in Israel.' '

of Ai." 16 1 So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and


5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of
and six men: for thej' chased them y?-om before the Judah was taken:
gate,'' even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the 17 And he brought the family of Judah; and he
going down:* wherefore the hearts of the people took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought
melted,'^ and became as water.'' the family of the Zarhites man by man and Zabdi ;

6 ir And Joshua rent his clothes,'' and fell to the was taken
earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord 18 And he brought his household man by man;
until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi,
"^

put dust upon their heads. the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
7 And Joshua said, Alas, Lord God, wherefore 19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give,
hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan,''' I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel," and
to deliver us into the hand of the Araorites, to de- make confession unto him ;" and tell me now what
stroy us? would to God we had been content, and thou hast done hide it not from me. ;

dwelt on the other side Jordan! 20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed
8 Lord, what shall I say,'' when Israel turneth I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and
their backs* before their enemies! thus and thus have I done:
9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of 21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Bab-
the laud shall hear of it,' and shall environ us ylonish garment,'" and two hundred shekels of sil-
round, and cut off our name from the earth:' and ver, and a wcdge^ of gold of fifty shekels weight,
what wilt thou do unto thy great name?" then I coveted them," and took them ;^ and behold,
10 IT And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent,
up wherefore liest^ thou thus upon thy face?
; and the silver under it.^
11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also trans- 22 11 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran
gressed my covenant which I commanded them:' unto the tent and behold, it was hid in his tent, ;

for they have even taken of the accursed thing,"" and the silver under it.
and have also stolen, and dissembled also," and 23 And they took them out of the midst of the
they have put it even among their own stuff. tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all
12 Therefore the children of Israel could not the children of Israel, and laid* them out before
stand before their enemies," but turned their backs the Lord.
before their enemies, because they were accursed:'' 24 lind Joshua, and all Israel with him, took
neitlier will I be with you any more, except ye Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the
destroy the accursed from among you. garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and
13 Up, sanctify the people, and say. Sanctify his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his
yourselves against to-morrow :'• for thus saith the sheep, and his tent, and all tliat he had: and they
Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in brought tlicm unto the valley of Achor.
the midst of thee, Israel thou canst not stand
: 25 And Joshua said. Why hast thou troubled us?-''
before thine enemies, until ye take away the ac- the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Is-
cursed thing from among you. rael stoned him with stones," and burned them with
14 In the morning therefore ye shall be brought fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
* Heb. about two thousand
jnen, or about three thousand men. a Lev. 10:19; 14: 3S^2. » Trov. 1U:33; Jonah 1 :7. I Or, wickedness. 'Gen. 34:7;
2G;17; Deat. aSi-iS. b Deut. 1:44. 1 Or, in Morad. c Lev. afi:30. d Psa. Judg.20:li; lSam.2li:21. ulSam.0:5; Jer. 13:16. »Nnm. 5:6,7; 2 Chr.
•i-2:H. e Gen. 37:29, 3). f 1 Sim. 4: 1'J: 2 Sam. 1 :> :13: 19; Neh. 9: 1 30:22; 33:12, 13; Ezra 10:10, 11; Psa. 32:5, 51:3; Jer. 3:12, 13; Dan.
;

Joba:12. SKxod. 5:221 2 Kings 3:10. liHab.2:l. 1 Heb. nfffa. i ExoJ. 9:4; Rom. 10:10; I John 1:8-10. w Prov. 2-J:22. ^ Ueh. tongue, i Hab.
32:12; Num. 14:13. j Deut. 32:20. 27; Psa. 83:4. k Ezek. 3():22, 23. 2:9; Rom. 7:7; 1 Tim. 6:10; Jas. 1:15. yMic.a;l. zlsa. 29:15. 'Heb.
i HAk fallest. Ich. 6:17, IS. m ver. 21. » Acts 5:1, 2. o Num. 14:45; poured, a 1 Chr. 2:7; Heb. 12:15. b Deut. 17:5.
JudL- 2:14. P ch. G:ltf; Ueut. 7:2G; Ilag. 2:13, 14. q oh. 3:5. r 1 gam.

2. Ai; a city north-west of Jericho; the same as Uai. God's disposal, and he has an absolute right to take them
Geu. 12:8; 13:3. when and how he pleases. In the present case he saw
5. Became as water; were utterly discouraged. good to direct that all Achan 's family, as well as liis jios-
C. Put dust upon their heads; in token of deep distress. sessions, should perish with him. We
may reasonably
9. What wilt thou do ? how would God secure his honor suppose that one design of this was to impress more
as faitliful to his promises and able to fulfil them. deeply upon the minds of the Israelites the malignant
14. The Lord taJceth; designates by lot as presently ex- nature of sin, and its tendency to involve in niin not only
plained. the transgressor himself, but all connected with him. For
19. —
Give glory to tlie Lord ; by confessing the truth. the administration of justice by human judges he gave a
24. His sons, and his daughters; the lives of all are at different rule " The fathers shall not be put to death for
:

269
:

TAt stratagttn by .lOSIIlA \ 111. which Ai is taken.

20 And
they raised over him a great heap of 8 And it shall be, when ye have taken u " unr
stones nnto liiis day." So the Lokd tui-ncd from the city, t/iat ye shall set the city on fire: accord-
till- tierccness of liis anger.'' Wiiereforc the name ing to the commandment of the Loud shall ye do.
of that place was called, The valley of Achor,* unto See, I have commanded you.''
this day." !) "I Joshua therefore sent tlnin forth; and they
went to lie in ambush, and abode between l!cth-cl
CHAPTER VIII. anil Ai, on tiie
ed that night anifing the jieople.
west side of Ai but Joshua lodg-
:

1 GoJ cncouragoth 3 The stratagem whereby Ai was (Aken.


Joshua.
29 The kiri^ thereof is hnnged. 30 Joshiln buildetli an altar, 32 10 And Jfisliua rose up early in the morning, and
writeth the faw on stones, 33 propoilnjeth blessingH and cursings. numbered the people, and went up, he and the
A ND
Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, nei-
the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
j^\. be thou disnuiyed: take all the people
tlier 11 And all the jieojile, ot/i t/u people of war that
of war with thee, iind arise, go up to Ai: see, I were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came
have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his before the city,' and jiitched on tlie north side of
people, and his city, and his land: Ai: now t/iere was a valley between them and Ai.
2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou 12 And he took about five thousand men, and
didst unto Jericho and her king:'' only the spoil set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai,
thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall yt; take for a on the west side of the city.*
prey unto yourselves f lay thee an ambush for the 13 And when they had set the people, even all
city beliind it. the host that was on the north of the city, and
1 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war,
3 their liers in wait^ on the west of the city, Joshua
to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty went that night into the midst of the valley.
thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away 14 IT And it came to pass, when the king of Ai
by night. saw it, that the}- hasted and rose up early, and the
4 And he commanded thcui, saj'ing, Behold, jc men of the city went out against Israel to battle,
shall lie in wait against the city,' even behind the he and all his pcojile, at a time appointed, before
city go not very far from the city, but be ye all
: the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in
ready ambush against him behind the city.-"
5 And I, and all the people that are with me, will 15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they
approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, were beaten before them, and fled by the way of
when they come out against us, as at the first,^ that the wilderness.
we will lioe before them, 16 And all the people that were in Ai were call-
G (For they will come out after us,) till we have ed together to pursue after them and they ]mr- :

drawn* them from the city; for they will say, sucd after Joshua, and were drawn away from
Thoy flee before us, as at the first: therefore we the city.
will flee before them. 17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-
7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and el, that went -not out after Israel and they left :

seize upon the city: for the Loed your God will the city open, and pur.sued after Israel.
deliver it into your hand. 18 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Stretch out
« Ch. 8:-29; 2 Sim. 13:17. b Deut. 13:17. • Tha,t is. trouble, c ver. 4. j Judg. 20:34, etc.; Eccl. 9:12; Isa. 19:11, 13;
24; Isa. 65:10; Hos. 2:1:3. d ch. 0:21. = Deut. 20:14. f Judi;. 20:29. etc.

e oh. 7:5. t Heb. Jil(«erf. 2 Sam. 13: 23. i ver. 5. 1 Or, o/j4i. 5 Heb.
li

the children, neither shall the children be put to death for indulged, however secretl.v, we cannot expect deliverance,
the fathers every man shall be put to death for his own
: or the protection and blessing of God.
sin." Deut. 24:16. 13. All iniquity is perfectly known to God, and it is a
26. Aclior; meaning trouble. solemn thing to stand before him and have it brought to
light and spread out before the sun,
INSTRUCTIONS. 15, The punishment which God sometimes brings upon

I, Sins known
only to those who commit them and to the workers of iniquity here, is a premonition of the more
God may occasion calamities to a nation, and be the means dreadfid woes which will come upon them hereafter,
of brin<;ing many to an untimely grave. 18. The idea of keeping sin a secret is vain: those who
3. Great prosperity often tempts men to be self-confi- commit it may be sure that, sooner or later, their sin will
dent, and leads them to neglect those means which are find them out. Num. 32:23; Matt, 10:26.
essential to their continued success, 21. I saw, I coveted, and I took, describes the course
4. Wlien men undertake plans in reliance on their own with regard to forbidden objects, of multitudes of trans-
judgment or that of others, without inquiring of God, or gressors and their condition, when their sins are brought
;

seeking his direction, they will be likely to fail, and to light, is in tot^il contrast to what they expected when
instead of success meet with speedy and sore disappoint- they committed them. Prov. 13:15; Jas. 1:15.
ment. 25. There are cases where God requires transgressors
5. Men are prone to go to extremes, and after being to be put to death, and his anger will not be turned away
highly elated, to sink into despair. from a people unless they execute this punishment. Gen.
7. In trouble we should humble ourselves on account of 9:G; Num. 35:16-21; Deut. 19:11:13.
our sins, and implore pardoning mercy especially inquir-
ing why it is that God contendeth with us, and seeking to
;

CHAPTER VIII.
know his will, that we may do it. 4. Ye wait; from ver. 12 below, it seems prob-
shall lie in
9. When we truly desire the honor of God, and wish for able that only five thousand of these were actually placed
success in our elforts that he may be glorified, our pray- in ambush between Bethel and Ai.
ers will be accepted and answered in rich mercy. 12. About Jive thousand; see above note to ver. 4.

II, The cause of all trouble is sin and so long as ; it is 16. All the people; the men of war. Ver. 24.
270
;

At is destroyed. JOSHUA IX. T/ie altar in. mount Ehal.

»; " 1™
the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai 29 And
the king" of Ai he hanged on a tree
for I will give it into thy hand. And Joshua until eventide:' and as soon as the sun was do\vii,J
stretched out the spear that /w had in his hand Joshua commanded that they should take his car-
toward the city. cass down from the tree, and cast it at the enter-
19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their ing of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a
place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched great heap of stones," that remaineth unto this day.
out his hand and they entered into the city, and
: 30 H Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord
took it, and hasted and set the city on fire. God of Israel in mount Ebal,'
20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, 31 As Moses the servant of the Lord command-
they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city as- ed the children of Israel, as it is written in the
cended up to heaven,'' and they had no power* to book of the law of Moses,"" an altar of whole stones,
flee this way or that way and the people that fled : over which no man hath lifted up any iron: and
to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. they offered thereon burnt-offerings unto the Lord,
21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the and sacrificed peace-oflcrings.
ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of 32 t And he wrote there upon the stones a copy
the city ascended, then they turned again, and of the law of Moses," which he wrote in the pres-
slew the men of Ai. ence of the children of Israel.
22 And the other issued out of the city against 33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers,
them so they were in the. midst of Israel, some on
; and their judges, stood on this side the ark and
this side, and some on that side and they smote on that side before the priests the Levites, which
:

them, so that they let none of them remain or escape."^


bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord," as well
23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and the stranger,'' as he that was born among them;
brought him to Joshua. half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half
24: And it came to pass, when Israel had made of them over against mount Ebal as Moses the ;

an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the servant of the Lord had commanded before,'' that
field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, they should bless the people of Israel.
and when they were all fallen on the edge of the 34 And afterward he read all the words of the
sword, until they were consumed, that all the Is- law,'' the blessings and cursings,'^ according to all
raelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the that is written in the book of the law.
edge of the sword. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses com-
25 And so it was, that all that fell that day, both manded, which Joshua read not before all the con-
of men and women, were twelve thousand, e^ien all gregation of Israel, with the women, and the lit-
the men of Ai. tle ones, and the strangers that were conversant*
26 For Joshua drew not his hand back,'' where- among them.
with he stretched out the spear, until he had ut-
terly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
27 Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel
CHAPTER IX.
took for a prey unto themselves," according unto the 1 The kings combine attains! Israel. 3 The Gibeonites by craft obtain
a league 13 for which they are condemned to perpetual bondage.
word of the Lord which he commanded Joshua.' ;

28 And Joshua burnt Ai,'' and made it a heap


for ever, even a desolation unto this day.

1 Exnd. 8:5. b G . 19:2s; Isa.. 34: lU. • Heb hand. : I


A ND it came to pass, when all the kings which
were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in
20:25. n Deut. 27:2, 3, S. o Deut. 31:U, 25; I Chr. 15:11-15. p Deut.
dExoJ. 17:11,12. e^ m.3l:22. a«. f ver. 2. e Dent- l:j: 16. hi 31:12. q Deut. 11:2D; 27:12. r Deut. 31:11; Neh. S:2, 3; 13:1. s Lev.
ich. 10:-i6. 27. J De . 21 :22, 23. k ch. 7:26. 1 Deut. 27:4-6. 20:3, etc. Deut. 27:15-26; 38; 29; 30:15-20. t Heb. walked.
;

Set the city on fire; they began the work of burning


19. 17. When themeasure of a people's iniquity is full, they
the city, but its destruction was not completed till after are given up, in hardness of heart and blindness of mind,
Joshuu and the men of war with him entered the city, to pursue a course which ends in their ruin.
spoiled it, and slew all its inhabitants. Ver. 24-27. 25. In punishing men for their sins, God uses such
29. As tlie sun was down i Deut. 21:22, 23. instruments as he sees best, and it was no more wrong
30. Mount Ehal; Deut. 11:29, 30; 27:2-8. for him to destroy the men of Ai by the hand of the Isra-
31. Whole stones; Exod. 20:25. elites, than it would have been to destroy them by pesti-
33. Mount Genzim; Deut. 27:12, 13. lence, famine, or an earthquake.
31. Alt the words of the law; Deut. chap. 27, 28. 29. Men of great influence, who have been leaders in

INSTRUCTIONS. transgression, will be distinguished in their punishment,


and the righteous Judge will award to all who persevere
1. When sin is heartily put away, and men are disposed
in iniquity according to their works.
to hear and obey God, there is no reason to be discouraged,
or to fear to undertake any service to which he calls them.
30. We
should ever feel and acknowledge that all our
blessings come through the atonement of Christ, and
2. By coveting what does not belong to them, and mak-
shoulil engage in nothing which will unfit us to acknow-
ing haste to be rich, men often bring themselves to an
ledge and adore him.
untimely end when, had they waited with patience and
;
35. The minds of all classes of people should be habit-
faithfully done their duty, they would in due time have had
ually directed to the will of God as revealed in the Scrip-
an abundance and been able to enjoy it.
tures, and all suitable means be perseveringly used to
8. If men would secure the blessings of the Lord, they
lead them to obey it.
must not shrink from any service to which he calls them.
13. To accomplish things which God has foretold, and
which are beforehand certain, it is as needful to use means
CHAPTER IX.
as it would be if they were not foretold, or their accom- This side Jordan; the west side, where the Israelites
1.

plishment depended wholly upon human efforts. then were. The great sea; the Mediterranean.
271
1

Th( liiiguf made loitk JOSHUA IX. the crafty Gibeonitu.

the valleys, and the coasts of the great sea


in all a league with them, to let them live:'' and I " Hm:
over airainst Lebanon," the Ilittite, and the Anio- the princes of the congregation sware unto them."
rite, the Canaanitc, tlie Tcrizzite, the Hivito, and 10 'i And it came to pass at the end of tlirce
the .lehusite, hi'ard t/icrcnf:'' days after tliey iiad made a h-ague with them, that
'2 That they fratliered "themselves together,'^ to tliey heard tliat they were their neighbors, aud that
figlif witli Jo:^liiiaan(l with Israel, with oneaccord.' they dwelt among them.
3 •; And when tlie inhabitants of Gibeon'' heard 17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and
what Joshua liad done unto Jericho and to Ai,' cnme unto their cities on the third day. Now
4 They did work wilily, and went and made as their cities tcere Gibeon,' and Chephirah, aud Bee-
if tlicy had been ambassadors, and took old sacks roth, and Kirjath-jearim.
upon their asses, and wine-bottles, old, aud rent, 18 And the children of Israel smote them not,
and liound up; because the princes of the congregation had sworn
5 And old siiocs and clouted upon their feet, unto them by the Lord God of Israel.' And all
and old garments upon tlicm and all the bread the congregation murmured against the princes.
;

of their provision was dry and mouldy. 19 But all the princes said unto all the congrega-
6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at tion, We
have sworn unto them by the LouD God
Gilgal.' and said unto him, and to the men of Is- of Israel now therefore we may not touch them.
:

rael, We
be come from a far country now therefore : 20 This we will do to them we will even let ;

make ye a league with us. them live, lest wrath be ujion us, because of the
7 And the men of Israel said unto tlio Ilivites,'' oath which we sware unto them.'
Peradventure ye dwell among us; aud how shall 21 And the princes said unto them. Let them
we make a league with yon?'' live; but let them be hewers of wood and draw-
8 And they said unto Josiiua, We
are thy ser- ers of water unto all the congregation;" as the
vants.' Aud Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? princes had promised them.^
and from whence come ye ? 22 IT And Joshua called for them, and he spake
'.)And they said unto him, From a very far coun- unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us,
tryj thy servants are come," because of the name saying, We
are very far from you; when ye dwell
of the Lord thy God for we have heard the fame among us ?
:

of him, and all that he did in Egypt, 23 Now therefore ye are cursed,"' and there shall
10 And all that he did to tlie two kings of the none of you be freed from being' bondmen, and
Amorites, that ivere beyond Jordan, to Sihon king hewers of wood and drawers of water for the
of Ileshbon, and to Og king of Baslian, which was house of my God."
at Ashtaroth.' 24 Aud they answered Joshua, and said. Because
1 Wherefore our eldei's and all the inhabitants it was certainly told thy servants, how that the
of our country spake to us,™ saying, Take victuals Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses to
with you* for the journey, and go to meet them, give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabi-
and say unto tliem, We
are your servants there- tants of the land from before you,-^' therefore we
:

fore now make ye a league with us. were sore afraid of our lives because of you,'' and
12 This our bread we took hotybr our provision have done this thing.
out of our houses ou the day we came forth to go un- 25 And now, behold, we are in thy hand :" as it
to you but oow, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy
; seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us. do.
:

13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, 26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them
were new and behold, they be rent and these out of the hand of the children of Israel, that
; :

our garments and our shoes are become old by they slew them not.
reason of the very long journey. 27 And Joshua made' them that day hewers of
14 And the men took of their victuals,* and asked wood and drawers of water for the congregation,
not counsel" at the mouth of the Lord." and for the altar of the Lord, even unto this day,
15 And Joshua made peace witii them, and made in the place which he should choose.**
» .Num. 34:0. b ExoJ. .3:17; S3;a3. ' 2 Chr. -211:1, etc.; I'fa. s:i::i, .'); 2 Sam. 21; 5:19. P ch. 11:19. q 2 Sam 21:2. r ch. 10:-2; lb:2S-28.
Isa. -:0. 10; M:15. • Heb. mouth, d ch. lU:i. e ch, 0:27. f ch. .5: 10. « I'sa. 15:4; Eccl. 5:6. 1 2 Sam. -21:1-0; Ezek. 17:12-21; Zech. 5:3,4;
Cch. 11:19. h ExoJ. a):.3a; Deut. 7:2; Judg. 2:3. iDeut.-2U:ll: 2Kin<;8 Mai. 3:5. « Deut. 29:11; 2 Chr. 2:17, Is. v vrr. 16. w Lev. 27:-2S-29.
10:5. J Deul. 20:15. k 1 Kincs 8:41 Isa. 55:5; Acts 8:27. I ch. 2:10;
; i Heb. not be cut off from you. i ver. 21, 27. y Exod. 23:32; Dent. 7:1, -2.
Kxod. 15:14; Num. 21:35. m Esther 8:17. : neb. in your hanil. 1 Or, zExnd. 15:14-16. « 2 Sam. 24:14; Isa. 47:fl. Heb. gave, oi delivered to
I

Mev received the men by reason of their victuals, n Num. 27:21 1 Chr. ; be; Ezra 8:20. b Deut. 12; 5; Psa. 132: 13, 14.
10:13. 14; Isa. 30:1, 2. o Judg. 1:1; 20:1.S. -i-i: 1 Sam. 2:1:10,11; 30:M;

3. Gibeon ; a large oity of the Hi vites, a few miles north- 8. A knowledge of the truth, the will, and purposes of
west of Jerusalem. Chap. 10:2. God, leads some to oppose and others to submit them-
4.Wiltly; craftily, deceitfully. Wine-bottles ; these were selves to him. Ver. 25.
made of the skins of animals. 14. If men do not ask counsel of God, and seek his
6. A league; an agreement not to destroy them. direction, they may expect to be habitually and grossly
18. Sworn unto them; that their lives should be pre- deceived.
served. Ver. 15, 20. 19. Solemn engagements to do things which are practi-
21. Hewers of -wood and drawers of water; especially for cable, and not wicked, should be sacredlj' observed. He
the services of religion. Ver. 23, 27. that changeth not, when he swcareth even " to his own
27. In the place which he shoiUd choose; for the sanctuary hurt," shall dwell in God's holy hill, and " shall never be
and for public worship. moved." Psa. 15:4 Eccl. 5:4-6. ;

IXSTRUCTIONS. 27. The sins of men are sometimes overruled for their
2. No
combination or power of wicked men, if they good but this does not lessen the evil of such sins, or the
;

continue in sin, will save them from ruin. guilt of those who commit them.
272
; :

The miracle at Gileon. JOSHUA X. The five lings hangel.

CHAPTER X, Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon,


1 Five kings war against Gibeon. 6 Josiiua rescueth it. 10 G-od
that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven
fighteth against tliem with hailstones. 12 The sun and moon stand upon them unto Azekah,J and they died they were :

stillat the word of Joshua. IG The five kings are immured in a cave.
23 They are brought forth, 24 scornfully used, 2G and hanged. 28 more which died with hailstones than they whom
Seven kings more are conquered. 43 Joshua returneth to Gilgal. the children of Israel slew with the sword.

NOW it came to pass,


of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had
when Adoni-zcdck king 12 T" Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day
when the Lord delivered up the Amoritcs before
taken Ai, and bad utterly destroyed it;" as he the children of Israel, and he said in the sight oi'
had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done Israel, Sun, stand thou still* upon Gibeon;" and
to Ai and her king;'' and how the inhabitants of thou, moon, in the valley of Ajalon.'
Gibeon had made peace with Israel," and were 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stay-
among them ed, until the people had avenged themselves upon
2 That they feared greatly,'' because Gibeon was their enemies. Is not this written in the book
a great city, as one of the royal cities,* and be- of Jasher?"" So the sun stood still in the midst
cause it was greater than Ai, and all the men of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a
thereof were mighty. whole day."
3 Wlierefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent 14 Andthere was no day like that before it or
unto Hoham king of Hebroii, and unto Piram king after that the Lord hearkened unto the voice
it,

of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel."
unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, 15 TI And Joshua returned, and all Israel with
4 Come up unto me, and help me, that we may him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
smite Gibeon for it hath made peace with Joshua
: 16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves
and with the children of Israel. in a cave at Makkedah. p
5 Therefore the five kings of the Amoritcs, the 17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five
king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, 18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the
gathered themselves together," and went up. they mouth of the cave,' and set men by it for to keep
and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, them
and made war against it. 19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your ene-
6 TT And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to mies,'' and smite the hindmost^ of them ; suifer them
the camp to Gilgal,'" saying. Slack not thy hand not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your
from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and God hath delivered them into your hand.
save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amo- 20 And it came to pass, when Joshua and the
rites that dwell in the mountains are gathered children of Israel had made an end of slaying
together against us. them with a very great slaughter, till they were
7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all consumed, that the rest which remained of them
the people of war with him, and all the mighty entered into fenced cities.^
men of valor. 21 And all the people returned to the camp to
8 IT And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them Joshua at Makkedah in peace none moved his :

not:^ for I have delivered them into thy hand; tongue against any of the children of Israel.'
there shall not a man of tliem stand before thee. 22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the
9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out
went up from Gilgal all night. of the cave."
10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel,'' 23 And they did so, and brought forth those five
and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon,' kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jeru-
and chased them along the way that goeth up to salem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth,
Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
Makkedah. 24 And it came to pass, when they brought out
11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all

" Ch. 8;-22-2S. 6 ch. 6:21. « ch. 9:15. li E.ioJ. 13: 14-16; Deut. 11:25. 12:12. I Or, The upright, rn 2 Sam. 1:1S. n Isa. 38:8. o Dent. 1-30.
• Ueh.cilits
of t/ie kingdom, e oh. 9:2; Isa. 8:9, 10 tell. 9:6. Ech.ll:6; P JuJe. 6:2; 1 Sam. 13:6; 24:.% 8. <1 Matt. 27:60. r Jer. 48:10. » Heb.
JuJg. 4:14, 15. hjadg. 4:15. i Isa. 25:21. i Kxod. 9:22-26; Psa. 18:13, cutoff Ihetail. » 2 Sam. 20:6: Jer. 8:14. IBxod.lI:7. u 1 Sam. 15-32.
14; Isa. aO:.^; Rev. 16:21. 1 Heb. 6c si&jK. k Job!):7: llah..^:! 1. 1Judg.

a collection of poems, referring to the wonderful events


CHAPTER X. in the history of Israel. 2 Sam. 1 IS.

:

flctron; south of Jerusalem. The other places named


3. 15. And Joshua returned to Gilgal; these words are re-
are south-west of Jerusalem, in that part of Canaan wliich peated in ver. 43. Tlie best explanation of them liere is,
afterwards fell to the tribe of Judali. that they stand at the close of a general summary of Josh-
10. 11. The way that goeth up to Beth-horon; literally, the ua's victory, to wliicli is immediately added a more partic-
way of the ascent of Beth-horon. The going down to Beth- ular account of the same proceedings. From verse 19, it is
horon; the descent of Beth-horon. There was an upper manifest that it was in the midst of the pursuit that the
and lower Beth-horon, north-west of Jerusalem and the ; report concerning tlie five kings was brought to Joshua.
pass between the two was called the ascent and the de- 16. Makkedah; south-west of Jerusalem.
scent of Beth-horon. Azekah; in the western plain of 19. The hindmost; such of them as they could overtalce.
Judah. 20. Fenced; fortified.
12. Ajalon; a town and valley west of Gibeon. 24. Upon the necks of these kings; in token of the complete
13. T/ie book of Jaslier; this is supposed bv many to be victory of the Israelites over them and over all their foes.
18
: ;

Makktdah, Lachish, Hebron, JOSHUA X. and iilhcr cities destroyed.

the men of Israel, ami said unto the rnptains of (ho 33 ! Then Uoramkingof Oezer came up u.":??:":
men of war wliicli went with liiin, Come near, \m\ to help Lachish; and .loshua smote liim and liis
your feet upon tlic necks" of these kings.** And people, until he had loft him iioiu' roniaiiiing.

they came near, and put their feet upon the necks 34 [ And from Lachish passed unto Eg-
.bishiia
of them/ lon,° and with him; and they encamped
all Israel
2.'> Ami .Tosliua said unto them, Fearnot, nor he against it, and fought against it:
dismaved,'" be strong and of pood courage:" for 35 And they took it on that day, and smote it
thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that
wiiom ye figlit.' were therein he utterly destroyed that day, accord-
20 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slow ing to all tiiat he had done to Laclii.sh.''
them, and hanged them on live trees:"-' and they 36 And .Joshua went up from legion, and all
were hanging upon the trees until the evoning.'' Israel with him, unto Hebron;'' and they fought
27 And it came to pass at the time of the going against it:
down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they 37 And they took it, and smote it with the edge
took them down off the trees, and cast tiiem into of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the
the cave wherein tlicy had been hid, and laid great cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein
stones in the cave's mouth, which remaiVi until this he left none remaining, according to all that he
very day. had done to Eglon ;" but destroyed it utterly, and
28 T And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and all the souls that were therein.
smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king 38 IT And Joshua returned, and all Israel with
thereof he utterly destroyed,' them, and all the him, to Debir f and fought against it:
souls that were therein; he let none remain: and 39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all
he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the the cities thereof; and they smote them with the
king of Jericho.J edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the
29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all souls that were therein; he left none remaining:
Israel with him, unto Libnah," and fouglit against as lie had done to Hebron,' so he did to Debir,
Libnah ami to the king thereof; as he had done also to
30 And the Loud delivered it also, and the king Libnah, and to her king.
thereof, into the hand of Israel and he smote it
; 40 1 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills,
with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that and of the south, and of the vale, and of the
were therein; he let none remain in it; but did springs, and all their kings he left none remain- :

unto tlie king thereof as he did unto the king of ing, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the
Jericho.' Lord God of Israel commanded."
31 ^ And Joshua passed from Libnah, and 41 And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea'''
all Is-
rael with him, unto Lachish,"' and encamped against even unto Gaza,'' and all the country of Goshen,^
it, and fought against it: even unto Gibeon.-'
32 And the Lord delivered Lachish into the 42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua
hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, take at one time, because the Lord God of Israel
and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all fought for Israel.^
the souls that were therein, according to all that 43 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with
he had done to Libnah." him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
> Isa. 26:5, 6; Mai. 4:3. b Psa. 18:40. ' Psa. 107:40; 149:8. 9. d ch. q ch. 14:13; 15:13; Judg. 1:10; 2 Sam. 5:1-5; l.'i:9, 10; 1 Chr. 12:23, 38.
1:9; Deut. 31:6. 8. e Eph. 0:10. f Deut. 3:21; 7:19; Rom. 8:37. e ch. rver.35. "ch. 15:15; Judg. 1:11. 1 ver. ,37. u Deut. 20:10, 17. v Deut.
8:29. h Deut. '21:23. Deut. 7:2, IB. j ch. 6:21. k ch. 15:42; 21 :13; 9:23. w Gen. 10:19; 1 Sam. 6:17. x ch. 11:10. y ver. 2, 12; 1 Kings 3:5.
2 Kings 8:22; ,19:8. 1 ver. 28. m Tcr. 3, 5. o ver, 30. o ver. 3. P ver. 32.

29. Libnah; a city south of Makkedah. 11. All the elements are under God's control, and when
31. Lachish; still further south. he directs will fight against his foes, as in the days of
33. Gezer; in the territory that afterwards fell to the Moses, Barak, etc. Exod. 14:21 Judg. 5:20; Job 20:14-
;

tribe of Ephraim, about fifteen miles north-west of Jeru- 29; Isa. 45:9; Heb. 2:3.
salem. 14. Those who take the side of God, and follow his
34. Egloti; a few miles west of Lachish. directions, will experience his aid, and through his grace
36. Hebron; a city east of Lachish, and twenty miles will ultimately triumph.
south of Jerusalem. 18. Places to which the wicked flee for safety may be-
38. Dehir ; southwest of Hebron. come their prisons; and measures which they take to
40. Country of the hills; the hill country of Judea and escape destruction, may be the occasion of bringing it
the southern part of Canaan. Luke 1 39, 65. : upon them.
41. Kadesh-harnea ; near the south-east border of Canaan. 22. Those who have been most distinguished by the
Gaza; near the Mediterranean and the south-west border means of doing good, but have employed them in doing
of Canaan. Goshen ; lying south, in the mountainous region be most distinguished in their pmiishmout. Luke
evil, will
of Judea. Chap. 15:51. 12:47,48.
30. Many things which are accomplished by human
INSTRUCTIONS. agency, are in the Bible ascribed to God. In one sense
4. When sinners desert the cause of Satan and join with man is the author, and in another sense God. Acts 2:23;
the people of God, those who continue to be Satan's slaves 3:18.
often unite against them, and would, if they could, utterly 40. By commanding the Israehtes to destroy the Canaan-
destroy them. ites and take possession of their country, God laid them
8.Those who oppose their fellow-men because they under obligation to do it; but no individual or nation, with-
join the cause of God, oppose him, and thus often bring out his command, is authorized to do as they did. Deut.
upon themselves utter ruin. 2:4-9, 19, 30-33.
274
Divers Jcinss overcome JOSHUA XI. at the waters of Merom.

CHAPTER XI.
1 Divers kings overcome at the waters of Merom. 10 Hazor is taken
and burnt. 16 All the country taken by Joshua. 21 The Anakim
cut off.

AND
had
it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor
licard those things, that lie sent to Jobab
king of Madon," and to the king of Shimron," and
to the king of Achshaph,
2 And to tlic kings that were on the north of the
mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth,'^
and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the
west,*
3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the
west, and to the Araorite, and the Hittife, and the
Pcrizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and
to the Hivite" under Hermon*' in the land of Miz-
peh.s
4 And they went out, they and all their hosts
with them, much people, even as the sand that is
upon the sea-shore in multitude,'' with horses and
chariots very man}'.
5 And when all these kings were met together,"
they came and pitched together at the waters of
Merom, to fight against Israel.
6 IF And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid
because of them:' for to-morrow about this time
will I deliver them up all slain before Israel thou :

shalt houghJ their horses,*" and burn their chariots


with fire.'
7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with
him, against them by the waters of Merom sudden-
ly:"' and they fell upon them.
8 And the Lord delivered them into the hand
of Israel," who smote them, and chased them unto
great Zidon,'' and unto Misrephoth-maim,* and unto
the valley of Mizpeh eastward and they smote ;

them, until they left them none remaining.


9 And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade
hini:° he houghed their horses, and burnt their
chariots with fire.P

aCh. 10:3. boh. 19:15. cNum. 34;11. dch. 17:11


; ;

TTit Analcim cut off. JOSIHA XII. Coasts of Si/ion and Og.

liiittlo, that ho niitrht destroy them utterly, and


that they niif;lit liavc no favor. l)ut that ho niiglit children of Aminon
ciostroy'tlioni, as the Loup commandcil Moscsi." 3 And from tiie phiin to the sea of rhirinerotli
21 • at that time came .losjiua, and cut off
And on the east, and unto tlie sea of the plain, (vcn the
the Anakiin fVoni tlic mountains,'' from Ilohron, salt sea on tJic east, the way to Betli-jeshimoth
IViini and from idl tlie moun- and from the south," under Aslidotli-jiisgah :*
Pi'liir. frnin Anal),
tains of Judah, and from
all the mountains of Is- 4 And the coast of ()g king of Bashan.J which
rael Joshua destroyed tliem utterly with tiu'ir vas of the remnant of the giants,'' that dwelt at
:

cities. Ashtarotii and at Edrei,'


2'2 There was none of the Anakini left in the land 5 And reigned in mount ITcrmon, and in Ralcah,
ijf tiu^ children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath," and in all Baslian, unto tiie border of the (!eshu-
and in Ashdod,'' there remained. rites and tiie Maachatiiites. and half Gilead, the
23 So Joshua took tlie wliole land, according to border of Sihon king of lleshbon."'
all that the Lord said unto Moses;'' and Josliua 6 Them did Moses the servant of the Lord and
gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according the children of Israel smite: and Moses the ser-
to their divisions by their tribes.'' And the land vant of the Lord gave it/or a possession unto the
rested from war.*' Reubenites, and tlic Gadites, and the half-tribe of
Manasseh."
CHAPTER 7 1 And these are the kings of the country whieli
XII.
1 Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this
The two kings whose countries Hoses took and disposed of. 7 The
one and thirtj' kin^ on the otiier side Jordan wliich Joshua smote.
side Jordan on the west, from Baal-gad in the val-
"\TOW these are the kings of the land, which the ley of Lebanon even unto the mount Ilalak, that
_L\ children of Israel smote, and possessed their goeth up to Seir which Joshua gave unto the ;

land on the other side Jordan toward the rising tribes of Israel ybr a possession according to their
4" the sun, from the river Anion unto mount lier- divisions;
inon,'' and all the plain on tlie east: 8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in
2 Sihon king of the Amorites,' who dwelt in the plains, and in the springs, and in tlie wilder-
ilcshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the ness, and in the south country; the llittites, the
bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the
the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the Hivites, and the Jebusites:"

» Deut. 20:16. 17. b ch. 15:13, 14; Num. 13:22, 33j Deut. 9:2. ' I Sam. 21:24; Deut. 3:8, 8. i
Deut. 2:33, 30; 3:6, 16. 17. •Oi.Teman. 1 Or, Tlie
17:4; 2Sim. 31:22; 1Chr.l'8:l. dch. 15:46; aChr.96:6; Neh. 13:23,24. springso/ Pisgah,0TThe hilli Deut. 4:49. J Num. 21 33-35. kDBut.3:ll.
:

' Num 34:2, etc. ' ch. 14-16; Num. 26:52-55. f ch. 21:44, 45. li Num. 1 Deut. 1:4. m Deut. 3:8-14. n Num. 32:29, 33. o Exod. 2.1:23.

i -iliment for flioir sins, to pursue their own chosen way to 20. When God has determined to desti-oy men, he lets
luin. Exod. 4:21. them pursue their chosen way of folly and sin to their
21. — —Anab; in the southern part of
Hebron Debir tlic ruin.
countrj'. 23. Perseverance in humble, hearty, courageous obedi-
Gaza— Gath — Ashdod;
22. of the Philistines the cities in ence to God, will end in sure and most glorious triumph.
south-west part of Palestine, and near the Mediterranean.
23. Took the whole land; not absolutely every city and
region of it, for there remained yet very much land to be
CHAPTER XII.
possessed, chap. J3:l; but he conquered the whole coun- 1. From the river Arnon; on the south. Unto mount Her-
try 80 as to be able to divide it by lot to the Israelites. mon; on the north. All the plain on the east; tliat is, the
eastern half of the valley through which the Jordan flows.
INSTRUCTIONS. 2, 3. Sihon —
Ashdoth-piagah ; tliese verses may be thus
I. The wicked in their distress often pursue courses rendered: Sihon, king of the Amorites, who dwelt in
which, instead of relieving them, hasten their destruction. Heshbon, ruling from Aroer, which is upon the bank of
6. However numerous the enemies within and without, the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river and ;

or however mighty the combinations against the people over half of Gilead, unto the river Jabbok, which is the
of God, if in obedience to him they rightly use the means border of the children of Ammon; and [over] the plain
which lie gives them, they have no reason to fear, for at [northward] to the sea of Chinneroth on the eastern side,
his appomted time he will cause them to triumph over all and [southward] to the sea of the plain, tlie salt sea, on
their foes. the eastern side, the way to Beth-jeshimoth, and, on the
7. The aid which God gives is not designed to super- south, under Ashdoth-pisgah.
sede or render needless human eiibrts ; but to encourage The upper Jabbok divided the kingdom of Sihon from
men to make efforts, and to render them successful. the Ammonites the lower Jabbok divided Gilead into two
;

9. The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain. parts. Beth-jeshimoth seems to have marked the soutli-
Even the briite creation suffer in consequence of the sins eastern corner of that part of the plain which belonged to
of men. Though these sufferings are under the direction Silion, and Ashdoth-pisgah its southern extremity.
of an infinitely wise, holy, and "benevolent God, they are 4. Ashtaroth and —
Edrei; places in Bashan.
the effects of sin, and a just expression of his indignation 5. Salcah; in the eastern border of Bashan. Geshuritea
:igaiiist it. —Maachatlutcs ; north of Bashan. Half Gilead; that half,
II. Men are often called to most self-denying duties, namely, that lay north of the Jabbok, the southern hall'
and those from which the most wise, holy, and benevolent belonging to the kingdom of Sihon, ver. 2.
minds would, if consistent, gladly be excused. Matt. 26: 39. 8. In the mountains valleys — —
plains ; in the original, these
15. Resolute, determined, and habitual obedience to
God's commands, is the only course of wisdom, safety,
words are in the singular number the mountain, tlic —
valley, the plain. "The mountain" is the mountainous
usefulness, and bliss. region of Palestine " the valley " is the low region bor-
;

18. We must not cease in our efforts to conquer the dering the Mediterranean; '-the plain" is the valley of
spiritual enemies of God and our own souls, till they are the Jordan and the Dead sea. Springs; or low places at
80 effectually subdued as never again to rise up against us. the foot of the mountains.
276
; ; ;; : ; ; ; + ; ; ;

One and thirty kings subdued. JOSHUA XIII. The bounds of the land.

9 The king of Jericho," one the king of 2 This is the land that yet remaineth:'' all the
v. a ito?'
;

Ai," which is beside Beth-el, one borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,'
10 The king of Jerusalem,"^ one the king of He- 3 From Sihor,^ which is before Egypt, even unto
;

bron, one the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted


Philistines ;" the
11 The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of La- to the Canaanite five lords of the :

chisli, one Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites,


Avites:'
12 The Iving of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the
one; 4 From the south, all the land of the Canaauites,
i;i The king of Debir, one; and Mearah,* that is beside tlie Zidonians, unto
the king of Geder,
one Aphek," to the borders of the Amorites:"
14 Tlie king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, 5 And the land of the Giblites,° and all Lebanon
one; toward the sunrising, from Baal-gad under mount
15 The king of Libnah, one; tlie king of Adul- Hermon unto the entering into Ilamath.''
1am, one 6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from
16 The king of Makkedah, one the king of Beth- Lebanon unto Misrephoth-maini,i ^^^^ a]i the Zido-
;

el,'' one; nians, them will I drive out from before the chil-
17 The king of Tappuah, one; the king of He- dren of Israel only divide thou it by lot unto the :""

pher,° one Israelites for an inheritance,'' as I have commanded


18 The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasha- thee.
ron,*one 7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheri-
19 The king of Madon, one the king of Hazor,'' ; tance unto the nine tribes, and the half-tribe of
one; Manasseh,
20 The king of Shimron-merou,^ one; the king 8 With whom the Eeubenites and the Gadites
of Achshaph, one have received their inheritance, which Moses gave
21 ThekiugofTaanach, one; the king of Megid- them beyond Jordan eastward, everi as Moses the
do, one; servant of the Lord gave them;'
22 The king of Kede3h,one the king of Jokncam ; 9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river
of Carniel, one; Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river,
23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one the ; and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;"
king of the nations of Gilgal, one 10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amo-
24 The king of Tirzah, one all the kings thirty : rites, which reigned in Hcshbon, unto the border

and one. of the children of Amnion


11 And Gilead," and the border of the Geshu-
rites and Maachathites, and all mount Hcrmou, and
CHAPTER XIII. all Bashan unto Salcah
1 The toiinds of the land not yet conquered. 8 The inheritance of the 12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reign-
t«-o tribes and a half. U, 33 The Lord and his sacrifice.s are the in- ed in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the
heritance of Levi, The bounds of the inheritance of Reuben. ^2
l-'i

Balaam slain. 24 The bounds of the inlieritance of Gad, 29 and of remnant of the giants for these did Moses smite,
:

the half-tribe of Manasseh. and cast them out."'

NOW
and
Joshua was old and stricken in years; 13 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled
the Lord said unto him, Thou art old not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites ^ but the :

and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the
very much land to be possessed. Israelites until this day.
:

JJteision of Ctln(Wl^ JOSHUA XIV. among the tribes.

14 Only unto tlio trilio of Levi lie gave none


iuIicriUincc ;" the sacrifices of the Lord God of Is-
rael made by
fire arc their inheritance,'' as he said
unto thorn.
15 % And Moses gave unto the tribe of the chil-
dren of Reuben inheritance according to their fam-
ilies.
IG And tlioir coast was from Aroer,"^ that is on
the bank of the river Arnon, and tlie city that is in
the midst of tliP river, and all the plain by Medeba;
17 Ileshbon,'' and all Inn- cities that arc in tlic
plain; Dibou, and Bamoth-baal, and 13ctli-baal-
meon,"
18 And Jahaza,'' and Kcdcmoth, and Mephaath,
19 And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zareth-sha-
liar in the mount of tiie valley.
20 And 13ctli-pcor, and Ashdoth-pisgah,* and
Beth-joshinioth,
21 And of the plain/ and all the
all the cities
kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which
reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the
princes of Midian,*-' Evi, and Rckem, and Zur, and
Hur, and Rel)a, which were dukes of Sihon, dwell-
ing in the country.
22 'i Balaam also the son of Beor,*" the soothsay-
er,* did the children of Israel slay with the sword
among them that were slain by them.
23 And the border of the children of Reuben was
Jordan, and the border thereof. Tiiis ivas the
inheritance of the children of Reuben after their
families, the cities and the villages tliereof.
24 And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of
Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to
their families.
25 And their coast was Jazer,' and all the cities
of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Am-
mon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah.^
26 And from Heshbon unto Ramath-mizpeh, and
Betonim ; and from Mahanaim unto the border of
Debir
» Oh. 14:3, 4. b Num. lb:-J0-i;4.
Caleb ohtaiiicth Heiron. JOSHUA XV. 7!^ borders of Judah.

B.'aiw?' For Moses had given the inheritance


3
of two tribes and a half-tribe on the other side
Jordan : but unto the Levites he gave none inher-
itanceamong tliem.
4 For the childrenof Joseph were two tribes,
Manasseh and Ephraim:" therefore they gave no
part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to
dwell in," with their suburbs for their cattle and
for tlieir substance.''
5 As tlie Lord commanded Moses,'' so the chil-
dren of Israel did, and they divided the land.
6 H Thenthe children of Judah came unto Josh-
ua in Gilgal and Caleb the son of Jephunneh tlie
:

Kenezite" said unto him, Thou knowest the thing


that the Lord said unto Moses*^ the man of God^'
concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea.
7 Forty years old tvas I when Moses the servant
of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy
out the land ;'' and I brought him word again as it
was in my heart.'
8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me
made the heart of the people melti^ but I wholly
followed the Lord my God."
9 And jMoses sware on that day, saying. Surely
the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be
thine inheritance,' and thy children's for ever, be-
cause thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.
10 And now, behold, tlie Lord hath kept me alive,™
as he said, these forty and five years, even since
the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the
children o/" wandered* in the wilderness and
Israel :

now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.


11 As yet I as strong this day as lu-as in the
ffl??i

day that Moses sent me as my strength was then,''


:

even so is my strength now, for war, both to go


out, and to come in.°
12 Now therefore give me this mountain, where-
of the Lord spake in that day ; for thou heardest
in that day how the Anakim were there," and that
the cities were great and fenced if so be the Lord:

"G
: :

The inhtritanct t,f .lOSlIlA XV. the tribe of Judah.

I And (he bonier wont up toward Dcliir from the i


18 And it came (o pass, as .«hc came unto n.^.\""
valley of Aehor," and so northward, looking tow- /lim, that she moved him to ask of her father a
ard (liljral,'' that is lictbre the going uj) to Adiini- held and she lighted off /icr ass ;i and Caleb said
:

niiin, wiiicii is on the s^outh side of the river and the : unto her, Wiiat wouldest thou?
liordcr passed toward tiic waters of Kn-shenicsh, 1'.) Wiio answered, fiive me a blessing ;' for thou

and tiie goings out tiiercof were at En-rogei :" hast given me a south land; give me also springs
8 And the border went up by the valley of tlie of water. And he gave her tlie upper springs, and
son of llinnotn'' unto tiie south side of tiic Jebu- the nether springs.
sitc ; the same is Jerusalem :° and the border went 20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the chil-
u]i to the to|) of the mountain that lidh before the dren of Judah according to their families.
vaHcy of llinnom westward, wliicii is at tlic cud 21 If And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the
of tin' valley of the giants northward i*^ children of Judah toward the coast of Edom .south-
9 And the liorder was drawn from the top of the ward were Kabzeel. and Eder, and Jagur,
hill unto tlie fountain of the water of Ne])htoah,'-' 22 And Kinah, and Dinionah, and Adadali,
and went out to the cities of mount Ephron and ; 23 And Kcdesli, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
the border was drawn to Baalah,'' which w Kirjath- 24 Ziph," and Telein, and Bealoth,
jearim:' 25 And Hazor, lladattah, and Kerioth, and Hez-
10 And the border compassed from Baalah west- ron, which is Hazor,
ward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the 26 Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,
side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the 27 And Hazar-gaddah, and Heshmon, and Beth-
north side, and went down to Bcth-shemesh, and palet,'
passed on to Timnah :' 28 And Hazar-slmal, and Beer-sheba, and Biz-
II And the border went out unto tlie side of jothjah,
Ekron northward:" and the liordcr was drawn to 29 Baalah," and lim, and Azem,^
Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalaii, and 30 And Eltolad, and Che.~il, and Hormah,
went out unto Jabnecl and the goings out of the
; 31 AndZikIag,™andiIadniannah,and8ansannah,
border were at the sea. 82 And Lcbaoth, and Shilhim, and Aiu,'' and Rim-
12 And the west border was to the great sea,' and mon all the cities are twenty and nine, with their
:

the coast thereof: this is the coast of the children villages.


of Judah round about according to their families. 33 1 Jl7id in the valley, Eshtaol,'' and Zoreah, and
13 T^ And unto Caleb the son of Jcphunnch he Ashnah,
gave a part among the children of Judah, accord- 34 And Zanoah, and En-gannim, Tappuah, and
ing to the commandment of the Lord to Joslma, Enam,
even tlio city of Arba" the father of Anak, which 35 Jarmuth, and Adullam,^ Socoh,-'' and Azekah,
city is Hebron. 36 AndSharaim,andAdit]iaim,andGederah,and^
14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Gederothaim fourteen cities with their villages: ;

Anak,'" Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the chil- 37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,
dren of Anak. 38 And Dilean, and Jlizpch,'' and Jokthcel,°
15 And he went up thence to the inhabitants of 39 Lachish," and Bozkath, and Eglon,
Debir :" and the name of Debir before icas Kirjath- 40 And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,
sepher. 41 And Gederoth, Beth-dagon, and Naamah, and
If) ^ And Caleb said. He that sraiteth Kirjath- Makkedah sixteen cities with their villages ;

sephcr," and takcth it, to him will I give Achsah 42 Libnah," and Ether, and Ashan,
my daughter to wife. 43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz.P the brother of 44 And Keilah,'' and Achzib,^ and Mareshah;
Caleb, took it and he gave him Achsah his daugh- nine cities with their villages
:

ter to wife. 45 Ekron,"" with her towns and her villages:


«Ch.7:-i6. bch. 5:9. » aSam. 17:17; 1 Kings l:fl. d ch. 18: 10: 2 Kings si Sam. 23:14, 24. 'Neh. 11:20. u vcr. 0. »lChr.4:29. wl Sam. 27:6.
21:10; Jer. 19:2, li. e ch. 18:J^; Judg. 19:10. f 2 Sara. 5: IS, 22. e cli. iNum. 3-1:11. y Judg. 13:25. » 1 Sam. 22:1 ; Mic. 1 : 15. alSam.l7:l.
I-<:13. h 2 Sam. 6:2; 1 Chr. 13:0. i Judg. 18:12. J Gen. 3S:13; Judff. tOr. or. b Gen. 31:48, 49. ':2KingsU:7. <l 2Kings 18:14. 17. «2Kings
HI. k 1 Sam. 5:10; 7:14; 2Kings 1:2,3, B, 16. 1 Num. 34:6, 7. •Or, 8:22. I 1 Sam. 23:1, elc. E Mic. 1 :14, 15. I> Amos 1:8: Zeph. 2:4; Zech.
Knjath-arba. » Num. 13:22; Judg. 1: 10, 20. n ch. 10:33. ojudg. 1:12, 9:5, 7.
13. pNum. 32:12. q Gen. 21:61; 1 Sam. 25:2.1. r Gen. 33:11 Dein. .13:7.
;

7. En-rogel; a well in the valley of Kidron


a little dis- 32. Ttventij and nine; tliirty-eight are mentioned; but
tance south of Jerusalem. nine, it is supposed, were given to Simeon, leaving twen-
8. Valley of the son
of Hinnom ; this valley begins on ty-nine for Judah.
the west of Jerusalem, and sweeps around its south-west 3C. Fourteen cities; fifteen names are mentioned, but two
corner— the ancient Zion— entering the valley of Kidron are supposed to belong to one city, or to it and its suburbs.
just helow the city. Tlius Jerusalem itself belonged not INSTRUCTIONS.
to Judah, but to Benjamin. Chap. 18: 10. 1. God will peculiarly bless those who are faithful in
15. Debir; a city west of Hebron, and south-west of his service, and bestow upon them all needed good.
Jerusalem. 13. God never forgets his promises, and in due time
19. A south land; one that was warm and comparatively those who trust in him will experience their fulfilment.
without water. The upper springs, and the nether ; high and 17. It is a great privilege to be connected in marriage
low grounds that were well watered. with pious families and where the wiU of God is duly
;

21-62. The places here mentioned lay in the south part regarded in forming this connection, it may be expected
of Canaan, in that portion which was alloted to Judah a ; to promote the respectability, usefulness, and comfort of
part of which was afterwards given to the tribe of Simeon. all concerned.
280
: :

The cities of Judah. JOSHUA XVII. Border of Ephraim and Manasseh.

B.'auS: 46 From Ekron even unto the sea, all that


lai/ near* Ashdod, with their villages:

47 Ashdod, with her towns and her villages;''


Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the
river of Egypt, and the great aea," and the border
thereof.
48 IT And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir,
and Socoh,
49 And Dannah, and Kirjath-sannah, which is
Debir,""
50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
51 And Goshen,'' and Holon, and Giloh; eleven
cities with their villages
52 Arab, and Dumah," and Eshean,
53 AndJanum,* andBeth-tappuali,and Aphekah,
54 And Humtali, and Kirjath-arba wliich is He-
bron,' and Zior; nine cities with their villages:
55 Maon,'^ Carmel," and Ziph, and Juttah,
56 And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zauoah,
57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with
their villages
58 Halhul, Beth-zur, and Gedor,
59 And Maarath, and Beth-anoth, and Eltekon;
sLv cities with their villages:
60 Kirjath-baal which is Kirjath-jearim,' and
Eabbah two cities with their villages.
;

61 *f In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, and


Secacah,
62 And
Xibshan, and the city of Salt, and Enge-
di ;' with tlieir villages.
six cities
63 1" As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Je-
rusalem, the children of Judah could not drive
them out: but the Jebusites dwell witli the chil-
dren of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.*"

CHAPTER XVI.
1 The general borders of the sons of Joseph. 5 The border of the inher-
itance of Ephraim. 10 The Canaanites not conquered.

AND the lotof the children of Joseph fell* from


Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho
on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from
Jericho throughout mount Beth-el,
2 xVnd goeth out from Beth-el to Luz,' and pass-
eth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,
3 And goeth down westward to the coast of
Japhleti, unto the coast of Beth-horon the nether,"
and to Gezer " and the goings out thereof are at
:

the sea.
* Heb. 6y the place of.
:

77it' cAUdren of Jcscph. JOSHUA -Will. Tilt talernacle sel up.

frivc us an inlicritaiice nnioiifrourbrctlircii." Tlicre- forasmuch as the Loni) liatli blessed nic u ?•
f^J;
tbrc, iU'cordin? to the foiniiianclinont of tlic Loui), hithertoVJ
he srave them aa iulieritauce aiuoug the brethrcu 15 And
Jo.shua answered them. If thou be a great
ot their father. people, then get tiieo up to the wood country, and
5 Ami tlierc fell ten portions to Manasseh, be- cut down for thyself there in the land of the Per-
sides tlic land of Gilead and Bashan, which ivere and of tiie
izzites giants,* if mount Ejihraim be too
on the otlier side Jordan; narrow for thee.
G Uecause the daughters of Manasseli bad an in- IG And the children of Joseph said, The hill is
lieritanee among his sons: and tlie rest of Manas- not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that
seh's sons liad the land of Gilead. dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of
7 'i And the coast of iSIanasseh was from Aslier iron," both they who are of lieth-shcan and her
to Michmethah," tbat Ikth before Shcchcni; and towns,' and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.""-
the border went along on the right hand unto the 17 And Joshua spake unto the house of Josej)!),
inhabitants of Enta])puah. even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying. Thou art
8 A'ow Manasseh had the land of Tappuah but a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt
:

Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to not liave one lot only:
the children of Ephraim ; 18 But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a
9 And the coast descended unto the river Ka- wood, and thou shalt cut it down and the outgo- :

uah,' southward of the river these cities of Ephra- ings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out
:

im are among the cities of Manasseh:'' the coast the Canaanites," though they have iron chariots,
of Manasseh also xvas on the north side of the and though they be strong.
river, and the outgoings of it were at the sea
10 Southward it was Ephraim's, and northward
it was Mauassch's, and the sea is his border and ;
XVIII. CHAPTER
1 The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh. 2 The remainder of the land is
they met together in Asher on the north, and in described, and divided into seven parts. 10 Joshua divideth it by lot.
Issachar on the east. 11 Tlie lot and border of Benjamin. 21 Their cities.

11 And Manasseh'' had in Issachar and in Asher


Beth-shean'^ and her towns, and Ibleam and her
AND
the whole congregation of the children of
Israel assembled together at Shiloh," and set
towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, up the tabernacle of the congregation there:'' and
and the inhabitants of Endor''and her towns, and the land was subdued before them.
the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and 2 And there I'cniained among the children of Is-
the inhabitants of Megiddo^ and her towns, even rael seven tribes, which had not yet received their
three countries. inheritance.
12 Yet the children of iranasseh could not drive 3 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel,
out the inhabitants of those cities;'' but the Ca- How long are ye slack to go to possess the land,
uaanites would dwell in that land. which the Lord God of your fathers hath given
13 Yet it came to pass, when the children of Is- you?''
rael were waxen strong, that they put the Canaan- 4 Give out from among you three men for each
ites to tribute ;' but did not utterly drive them out. tribe and I will send them, and they shall rise, and
:

1-1 And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, go through the land,'' and describe it according to
saying, Why hast thou given me hut one lot and the inheritance of them and they shall come again ;

one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, to me.


» Num. 27:6, 7. b ch. 16:6-8. • Or, 6roolc
of reeds, t ch. 16:9. '' 1 Chr 1:19:4:3. ilKings4:12. m 2 Kinjs 9:10, 37. n Deut. 20:1 Isa. 41:14-
;

7:29. e I Sam.31:10; 1 Kings4:12. f 1 Sam. 2S:7; Tsa. e3;10. B Zeoh. 16; Rom. 8:31, 37; Heb. 13:16. " ch. 19:51; Jer. 7:12. P Judg. lS;31j
12:11. t Judg. 1:27. 29. i ch. 16:10. J Gen. J9:2-.'-26; Num. 26:34-:37; 1 Sam. 1:3, 24; 4:3, 4. q Judg. 18:9. r ver. 8.
Deut. a3: 13-17. 1 Ot, Rephaim, Gen. U:5; 15:20; 2 Sam. 5:18, 22. k Judg.

5. Ten portions ; after the children of Machir had re- INSTRUCTIONS.


ceived Gilead and Bashan, there remained the six other 1. The various talents of men come from God, and he
sons to be provided for on tlie west side of Jordan. Five allots to them such situations as are suited to the duties
of these received one portion each and for the daughters
; to which he calls them.
of Zelophehad the son of Hepher were provided five por- 4. It is proper that daughters should have an inheri-
tions more, making ten in all. tance as well as sons, and so far as is consistent be pro-
9. The river Kanak; a small stream which formed the vided for according to their wants.
boundary between Manasseh and Ephraim, and empties 12. It is often said in the Bible that men "cannot" do
into the Jlediterranean south of Caesarea. that which they wiU not try to do, nor use the means by
11. In haachar —
Asher ; within the limits of those tribes. which, through the blessing of God, they can do it.
12. Could not ; for want of faith and the use of due means. 13. Through sloth and inactivity, men will often sac-
13. Tribute ; an aimual tax, in token of submission. rifice great future good for the sake of a Uttle present
14. One lot and one portion; they claimed a double por- ease.
tion on account of their number. 15. Men are often in want because they neglect to use
15. Get thee up ; take possession of those portions of the proper means to obtain relief, and the best way to help
country allotted to you, which have not yet been subdued. such persons is to put them in a way to help themselves.
16. The valley of Jczreel ; these words seem to include
both the large plain south-east of mount Oarmel, and CHAPTER XYIII.
south-west from mount Tabor, called by the Greeks Es- 1. Shiloh ; in the tribe of Ephraim, about twenty-five miles

draelon, and also the valley running down from this plain north of Jerusalem, and about fifteen south of Shechem.
to the valley of the Jordan. 2. Seven tribes; Simeon, Benjamin, Dan, Issachar, Zebu-.
18. The mountain ; the hilly country before spoken of. lun, A.sher, and Naphtali.
Drive out this they could do in reliance on God.
; 4. Give out; choose, or appoint.

282
: :

The rcmcdning land surveyed. JOSHUA XIX. The porlion of Benjamin.

Kirjath-jearim, and the border went out on the


parts: Jiidah shall abide in their coast on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Neph-
south," and the house of Joseph shall abide in toah:'
their coasts on the north." 16 And the border came down to the end of the
6 Ye shall therefore describe the land i7ito seven mountain that lieth before the valley of the son of
parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I Hinnom, a/id which is in the valley of the giants
may cast lots for you here before the Lord our God." on the north, and descended to the valley of Hin-
7 But the Levites have no part among you ;'' for nom,'" to the side of Jebusi on the south, and de-
the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance and : scended to En-rogel,"
Gad, and Reuben," and half the tribe of Manasseh, 17 And was drawn from the north, and went
have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on forth to En-shemesh, and went forth toward Geli-
the east, -which Moses the servant of the Lord gave loth, which is over against the going up of Adum-
them. mim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son
8 1 And the men arose, and went away and : of Reuben,"
Joshua charged them that went to describe the 18 And passed along toward the side over against
land, saying, Go and walk through the land,*^ and Arabah* northward, and went down unto Arabah
describe it, and come again to me, that I may here 19 And the border passed along to the side of
cast lots for you before the Lord in Shiloh. Beth-hoglah northward: and the outgoings of the
9 And the men went and passed through the land, border were at the north bay* of the salt sea at
and described it by cities into seven parts in a book,^ the south end of Jordan this was the south coast.
:

and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh. 20 And Jordan was the border of it on the east
10 IT And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh side. This ivas the inheritance of the children of
before the Loed :" and there Joshua divided the Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about, ac-
land unto the children of Israel according to their cording to their families.
divisions. 21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of
11 And
the lot of the tribe of the children of
IF Benjamin according to their families were Jericho,
Benjamin came up according to their families and : and Beth-hoglah, and the valley of Keziz,
the coast of their lot came forth between the chil- 22 And Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim," and Beth-
dren of Judah and the children of Joseph. el ,'i
^
12 And their border on the north side was from And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,"'
2.3
Jordan; and the border went up to the side of 2i And Chephar-haammonai, and Ophni, and Ga-
Jericho on the north side, and went up through the ba; twelve cities with their villages:
mountains westward ; and the goings out thereof 25 Gibeon,^ and Ramah,' and Beeroth,
were at the wilderness of Beth-aven. 26 And Mizpeli," and Clicphirah, and Mozah,
13 And the border went over from thence toward 27 And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,
Luz, to the side of Luz, which is Beth-el,' south- 28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi,^" which is Jeru-
ward and the border descended to Ataroth-addar,
; salem, Gibeath, and Klrjath fourteen cities with
;

near the hill that lieth on the south side of the neth- their villages. This is the inheritance of the chil-
er Beth-horon.' dren of Benjamin according to their families.
14 And the border was drawn thence, and com-
passed the corner of the sea southward, from the
hill that lieth before Beth-horon southward and ;
CHAPTER XIX.
1 The lot of Simeon, 10 of Zebulun, 17 of Issachar, 24 of Asher, 32
the goings out thereof were at Kirjath-baal, which of Naphtali, 40 of Dan. 49 The children of Israel give an inheritance
is Kirjath-jearim, a city of the children of Judah to Joslma.

this was the west quarter.


15 And the south quarter was from the end of
"Ch. 15:1, etc. bch. 16:1-1. c ver. 10; ch. 14:2. d ch. 1:3:3-3. ech. 13:8.
A ND the second lot came forth to Simeon, evc^i
for the tribe of the children of Simeon ac-

2Chr. 23:3; 33:6; Jer. 19:2; 32:35. nch.l5:7. och.l5:C. • Or, T/te plain.
' Gen. 13:17. r Acts 13:19. h Ezek. 47:22; 48:29. Gen. 28:19; lad". t Heb. (ongue, Isa. 11:15. p Gen. 10:18; 2 Chr. 13:4. 1 1 Kings 12:29, 32;
1:23. j eh. 16:3. k 1 Chr. 13:5. 6. lch.lo:9. ni ch. 15:8; 2 Kings 23: lU; rl Sam. 13:17. » I Kings 3:4, 5. IJer. 31:15. ujudg. 10:17. »ch. 15:8, 63.

5. TJieir coast; the place already assigned them.


9. In dividing estates, great care should be taken that
9. Described it by cities
_

in a book ; they gave a descrip- the boundaries be so fixed as to avoid aU future conten-
tion of the country, as divided by them into seven parts, one tion about them.
for each tribe that had not yet received its inheritance. 11.By the proper use of means, each individual may
11. Between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph; obtain that situation which is most suitable for him, and
Judah was on the south, and Ephraim on the north. Jeru- in which he may promote his highest good.
ealem was in Benjamin, and thus, as predicted of him, he 20. Families are the appointment of Jehovah, and for
dwelt in safety by the Lord. Deut. 33:12. them he provides w-ith infinite wisdom and goodness.
12-28. The places here mentioned were on the borders
They are designed and adapted to be sources of great
of Benjamin's inheritance, which was bounded by the Jor- enjoyment on earth and to be nurseries for heaven.
dan on the east and Dan on the west.
CHAPTER XIX.
INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Within the inheritance of —
Jxidah ; on the survey of the
X. The place for public worship should be central, and whole land, it was found that what had been allotted to
such as will best accommodate those who are expected Judah was too large for one tribe, ver. 9 the south-west
;

there to assemble. part of it was therefore allotted to Simeon. His inheri-


3. Men often long remain destitute of many things which tance was bounded on the north and east by that of Judah,
it is the will of God that they should enjoy, and which on the south by the desert of Zin, and on the west by the
with the right use of means they might enjoy. land of the Philistines.
283
;

The lots of Sinutiii, Zcbulun, .losiir.v MX. JssacJiar, As/ier, and Xaphlali.

rordinir to (lioir fiuiiilios: and their inlicritaiirc


was within tiic inheritance of the ciiildren of
.Indali."
2 And tlicy had in tlicir iuiioritancc Bcer-sheba''
or Slii'lm. and Moladah,
;5 And llazar-shual," and IJalali, and Azoin,
4 And Kltohxd, and Betiuii, and Jlornudi,''
5 And ZikUig,'' and Bcth-niarcaboth, and Hazar-
snsali,
6 Anil Beth-lebaoth, andSharuhen; thirteen cit-

iesand their viUages:


7 Ain. IJemmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cit-

ies and their villages:


8 And all tlie villages that wei-e round about
these cities to Baalatli-becr, Ilamath of the soutli.''
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the ciiildren
of Simeon according to tlieir families.
9 Out of the portion of tlio ciiildren of Judah
was the inheritance of the children of Simeon for :

the part of the children of Judah was too much for


them :s therefore tiie children of Simeon had their
inheritance within the inheritance of them."
10 *f And the third lot came up for the children
of Zobuluu according to their families: and the
border of their iuiioritancc was unto Sarid:
11 And their border went up toward the sea,'
and Maralah, and reached to Dabbasheth, and
reached to the river that is before Jokneam;-'
12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the
sunrisiug unto the border of Chisloth-tabor,'' and
then goeth out to Daberath,' and goeth up to
Japhia,
13 And from thence passeth on along on the east
to Gittahhephcr,'" to Ittah-kazin, and goeth out to
Renimon-methoar* to Neah
14 And the border compasseth it on the north
side to Hannathon and the outgoings thereof are
:

in the valley of Jiphthah-cl:


1.') And Kattath, and Nahallal," and Shimron,"
and Idalali, and Beth-lehem:'' twelve cities with
their villages.
16 This is the inheritance of the children of Zeb-
ulun according to their families, these cities with
their villages.
17 ^ And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for
the children of Issachar according to their families.
18 And their border was toward Jezreel,i and
ChesuUoth, and Shunem,''
:

The portion of Ban. JOSHUA XX. Tlie six cities nf refuge.

B.' c! S 37 And Kcdesh, and Edrci, and En-Iiazor,


38 And Iron, and Migdal-cl, Horem, and Beth-
CHAPTER XX
God commandeth, 7 and
1 tlie children of Israel appoint the six cities of
anatli, and Beth-slicmesli;" nineteen cities with refujje.

their villages.
39 Tliis is the inheritance of the tribe of the chil-
THE2 Speak Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying,
to the children of Israel, saying,
dren of Naphtali according to their families, the Appoint out for you cities of refuge," whereof I
citiesand their villages. spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
40 ^ And the seventh lot came out for the tribe 3 That the slayer tliat killeth any person una-
of the children of Dan according to their families. wares and unwittingly may flee thither and they :

41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah,'' shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
and Eshtaol,'^ and Ir-shemesh, 4 And when he that doth flee unto one of those
42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon,"^ and Jethlah, cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the
43 And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron," city,' and shall declare his cause in the ears of the
44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon,'' and Baalath, elders of that city, they shall take him into the
45 And Jchud,andBene-bcrak,and Gath-rimmon, city unto them, and give him a place, that he may
46 And Jlc-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border dwell among them."
before" Japho.^ 5 And if the avenger of blood pursue after him,"
47 And the coast of the children of Dan went then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his
out too little for them:" therefore the children of hand because he smote his neighbor unwittingly,
;

Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and hated him not beforetime.
and smote it with the edge of the sword, and pos- 6 And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand
sessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, before the congregation for judgment, and until
Dan, after the name of Dan their father. the death of the high-priest that shall be in those
48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the chil- days then shall the slayer return, and come unto
:

dren of Dan according to their families, these cit- his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city
ies with their villages. from whence he fled.
49 IT When they had made an end of dividing 7 ^ And they appointed* Kedesh in Galilee in
the land for inheritance by their coasts, the chil- mount Naphtali," and Shechemin mount Ephraim,''
dren of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the and Kirjath-arba which is Hebron i in the moun-
son of Nun among them tain of Judah.""
50 According to the word of the Lord they gave And on
the other side Jordan by Jericho east-
8
him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah ward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon
in mount Ephraim:*" and ho built the city, and the plain out of the tribe of Eeuben,* and Ramoth
dwelt therein. in Gilcad out of the tribe of Gad,' and Golan in
51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the Bashan out of the trilje of Manasseh."
priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads 9 These were the cities appointed for all the chil-
of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Is- dren of Israel," and for the stranger that sojourn-
rael,' divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh eth among them, that whosoever killeth any per-
before the Lord,-' at the door of the tabernacle of son at unawares might flee thither, and not die by
the congregation. So they made an end of divid- the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood
ing the country. before the congregation.'"'
aVer. 23. b 2 Chr. 11 ;10. cjujg. 18;2. d 1 Sam. 14:31. » 1 Sam. 5:10; 6:18. n Num. 35: 12, 25. > Huh. sanctified, o ch. 21:32; 1 Chr. 6:70. Pch.
.\mos 1:8. f 1 Kings 15:27. • Or, over against, t Or, Joppa, Acts 9:36. 21:21; 2 Chr. 10:1. q ch. 14:15; 21 :11, 13. r Luke 1:.30. «ch. 21:36;
g Judg. 18:1,27-29. h ch. 21:30. i ch. 14:1 Num. 34:17. J ch. 18:10;
; Deut. 4:43; 1 Chr. 6:78. t ch. 21:38; 1 Kings 22:3, 4, G. " oh. 21:27.
Gen. 49:10; Judg. 21:19, 21 1 Sam. 1:3; Psa. 78:00; Jer. 7:12-14. t Exod.
;
V Num. 35:15. w ver. 6.
21:13; Num. 35:6, 11, 14; Deut. 19:2,9. IRuth4:l,2; Prov.31:23. m Heb.

40. The children of Dan ; their inheritance was bounded


by Benjamin on the east, by Ephraim on the north, by the
CHAPTER XX.
2. Whereof I spake; Exod. 21:13; Num. 35:C-34; Deut.
Mediterranean and the Philistines on the west, and by
Judah on the south. 19:2-13.
3. Unwittingly; without design.
41-46. Places in or on the borders of Dan.
6. Judgment ; a fair trial and a righteous decision.
47. Leshem ; the same as Laish, a city near the foot of
7. Mount Naphtali ; the hilly region in the tribe of Naph-
mount Lebanon and the sources of the Jordan. Judg.
18:1-29. tali, in the north part of the country. Shechem ; this was
50. Timnath-serah ; a place iiithehilly country of the tribe in the central part, and Hebron in the south part of the
of Ephraim, called, in Judg. 2:9, Timnath-heres. It was country.
8. Sczer ; a city in the south part of the country, east of
liere that Joshua lived, died, and was buried. Ch. 24:30.
Jordan ; Ramoth was in the central, and Golan in the north
INSTRUCTIONS. part of the comitrv.
9. If through mistake persons have obtained more than INSTRUCTIONS.
rightfully belongs to them, they should, on its being known, 5. Our lives are always uncertain, and are liable to be
promptly and cheerfully restore it. suddenly taken away, either by design or through our own
40. Although the land of Canaan was divided by lot careles.sness or mistakes, or those of our feDow-men.
among the several tribes of Israel, yet their inheritance 6. As life may be destroyed through carelessness as

and condition were such as was predicted, and as it was well as by design, carelessness is a sin which should be
beforehand certain that they would be. most conscientiously avoided, and if it is not, should be
50. They who have been eminent benefactors of their visited with its appropriate punishment.
fellow-men, should bo remembered with gratitude, hon- 9. No person accused of murder should be acquitted or
ored, and if need be, provided for, by those whose inter- condemned till after a full and fair trial; nor should he
ests have been secured bv their sacrifices and efforts. suffi-r death unless proved to be guilty.
286
Eight and forty eilits JOSHUA XXI. allotted to the Lcvitcs.

CHAPTER XXI. IC) And Ain' with her .suburbs, and Jut- «." i"™;
tall with her subuibs, and Hi'tii-shemesh with her
1 Eijjtit and forty ritic« civ.n by \oU out of tlic other tribes, unto the
L«vitr>. I^t ''Oil (;ave nut unto the Iiravliti-s, accord-
llic lanil, niiil suburbs; nine cities out of tiiose two tribes.
ing to his promise. 17 And out of the tribt! of Hcnjamin, Gibeon
I'^IIEN came near the heads of the fathers of the with her suburbs, Geba' with her suburbs,
unto Elca/ar tlic priest, and unto
Levilt^s IS Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon^ with
Joshua llio son of Nun, and unto the heads of tlie her suburbs four cities.
;


fathers of the tribes of the ehiidren of Israel ly All the cities of the children of Aaron, the
2 And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the priests, ivere thirteen cities with their suburl)s.
land (if Canaan," sayinsr. The Lniu) commanded 20 •[ And the families of the children of Kohath."
liy tiio hand of Moses to ffive us cities to dwell in, the Levites wiiich remained of the children of Ko-
with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.' hath, even they had the cities of their lot out of
3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Lc- the tribe of Ephraim.
vitcs out of their iidieritance, at the commandment 21 For they gave them Shechem with her sub-
of tlie LoiiD, these cities and their suburbs. urbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for
4 And the lot came out for the families of the the slayer and Gezer with her suburbs,
;

Kohathitcs: and the children of Aaron the priest,'' 22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Beth-
which vcre of the Lcvites, had by lot out of the lioron with her suburbs; four cities.
tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, 23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with
and out of the tribe of JJcnJamin, thirteen cities. her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,
5 And the rest of the children of Kohath'' had 24 Ajalon with her suburbs, Gath-rimmon with
by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, her suburbs; four cities.
and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half- 2o And out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taa-
tribe of Manassch, ten'cities. nach with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her
6 And the children of Gershon'' had by lot out suburbs two cities.
;

of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of 2() All the cities were ten with their suburbs for
the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naph- the families of the children of Kohath that re-
tali, and out of the half-tribe of Manasseli in ]3a- mained.
shan, thirteen cities. 27 IT And unto the children of Gershon," of the
7 The children of iferari^ by their families had families of the Lcvites, out of the other half tribe
out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her
Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. suburbs," io be a city of refuge for the slayer, and
8 And the children of Israel gave by lot unto Beeshterah with her suburbs two cities. ;

the Levites these cities with their suburbs," as the 28 And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with
Lord commanded by the hand of Moses. her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,
9 IF And they gave out of the tribe of the chil- 29 Jarmuth with her suburbs, En-gannim with
dren of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children her suburbs four cities. ;

of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned* 30 And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with
by name, her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs,
10 Which the children of Aaron, being of the 31 Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with
families of the Kohathitcs, ivho were of the children her suburbs four cities.
;

of Levi, had for theirs was the first lot.


: 32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in
11 And they gave them the city of Arba*' the Galilee with her suburbs,"! to be a city of refuge
father of Anak,J which city is Hebron, in the hill for the slayer; and Hammoth-dor with her sub-
country of Judah," with the suburbs thereof round urbs, and Karfan with her suburbs three cities. ;

about it. 33 All the cities of the Gershonites according to


12 But the fields of the city, and the villages their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh 34 1 And unto the families of the children of
for his po3.?es3ion.' Merari,' the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe
13 t Thus they gave to the ehiidren of Aaron of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kar-
the priest Hebron with her suburbs," to be a city tah with her suburbs,
of refuge for the slayer, and Libnah with her 35 Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her
suburbs, suburbs; four cities.
14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa 36 And out of the trilje of Reuben, Bezer with
with her suburbs, her suburbs," and Jahazah with her suburbs,
15 And Holon* with her suburbs, and Debir with 37 Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath
her suburbs, with her suburbs four cities. ;

» Oh. 14:1; 17:4. b ch. 18:1. c Nnm. 35:2. a rer. 8, 19; ch. 24:33. 1d:.51.8 Aslian, ch. 15:42: 1 Chr. 6:50. I Uaba. ch. 1M:24. 1 Alcmeth.
e ver. 20. etc. ' ver. 37, etc. e ver. 34, etc. h ver. 3. • Heb. called, t Or, 1 Chr. 6:60. n Tcr. 5; 1 Chr. 6:06. o ver. 6; 1 Chr. 6:71. P ch. 20:,'-
Kirjath-arba; Gen.i3:-2. ilChr. 6:55. j ch. 15:13, 14. k ch. 20:7, etc.; Ich.SO:?. rver. 7; IChr. 6:77. !ch.a0:8.
Lukel:.39. 1 ch. 14:14. m
i chr. 6:56, etc. 1 Hiltn, 1 Chr. 6:53; ch.

5. Tlie rest; those of the family of Kohath who were not


CHAPTER XXI. priests. Ver. 20-26.
4. Judah — Simeon— Benjamin; thus the priests bad their 27 The children of Gershon; these were Levites, but not
r;ities in the tribes that were near to Jerusalem and the priests.
t"iii;ile. Ver. 9-19. 34. The children of Mcrari ; Levites, but not priests.
286
: :

The two tribes and a half JOSHUA XXII. luild an altar near Jordan.

B. c'lM? 38 And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth 5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment
in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge and the law,' which Moses the servant of the Lord
for the slayer; and Mahanaim witlx licr suburbs, charged you, to love the Lord your God,' and to
39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her walk in all his ways, and to keep his command-
suburbs; four cities in all. ments, and to cleave unto him,"' and to serve him
40 So all the cities for the children of Merari by with all your heart and with all your soul.'
their families, which were remaining of the fami- 6 So Joshua blessed them,'" and sent them away
lies of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities. and they went unto their tents.
41 All the cities of the Levites within the pos- 7 1 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manas-
session of the children of Israel were forty and seh Moses had given possession in Bashan but unto ;

eight cities with their suburbs.'' the other half thereof gave Joshua among their
42 These cities were every one with their sub- brethren on this side Jordan westward."" And
ui'bsround about them thus icere all these cities.
: when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents,
43 IT And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land then he blessed them,
which he sware to give unto their fathers ;'' and 8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with
they possessed it, and dwelt therein. much riches unto your tents," and with very much
44 And the Lord gave them rest round about," cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass,
according to all that he sware unto their fathers and with iron, and with very much raiment divide :

and there stood not a man of all their enemies the spoil of your enemies with your brethren. p
before them;'' the Lord delivered all their ene- 9 1 And the children of Reuben and the children
mies into their hand. of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned,
45 There failed not aught of any good thing and departed from the children of Israel out of
which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Is- Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto
rael;"^ all came to pass. the country of Gilead,'' to the land of their posses-
sion, whereof they were possessed, according to
the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
CHAPTER XXII. 10 ^ And when they came unto the borders of
1 The two and a half with a blessing are sent home. 10 They
tribes Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the chil-
build the altar of testimony in their journey. 11 The Israelites are dren of Reuben and the children of Gad and the
offended thereat. 21 They give them good satisfaction.
half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by
THEN Joshua called the
Gadites, and the half-tribe of
Reubenites, and the
Manasseh,
Jordan, a great altar to see to.''
Ill And the children of Israel heard say,' Be-
2 xind said unto them. Ye have kept all that hold, the children of Reuben and the children of
Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you,'^ Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an
and have obeyed my voice in all that I command- altar over against the land of Canaan, in the bor-
ed you:' ders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of
3 Ye have not left your brethren these many Israel.
days unto this day, but have kept the charge of 12 And when the children of Israel heard of it.
the commandment of the Lord your God. the whole congregation of the children of Israel
4 And now the Lord your God hath given rest gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go uji
unto your brethren, as he promised them there- : to war against them.
fore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, 13 And the children of Israel sent unto the chil-
ajid unto the land of your possession, which Moses dren of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and
the servant of the Lord gave you on the other to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of
side Jordan."" Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest.'
»Xum.35:7. b Gen. 12:7: 13:1.5; 15:13-21 28:3, 4; 28:4, 13. 14. = ch
; 6:18; Luke 2:31; 24:50. n ch. 17:5. « JJeut. 5:10-14.
1:10-14. p Nu
P i\um. 31:27:
11:23; 22:4. i Deut. 7:23,24. e ch. 23:14; Num. 23:19; 1 Kings 8:50 1 Sam. 30:21; Psa. 6i:12. q Num. 32:1, 20. 29. ' ch. 24:20. 27; Gen.
1 Cor. 1:9; Tit. 1:2. ( Num. 32:20-29; Deut. 3:16-20. s ch. 1:12-18! 28:18; 31:46-52. s Deut. 13:12, etc.; Judg. 20:1, 12. 1 E.\od. 6:25; Num.
liDeut.29:8. i Deut 6:6, 17; 11 :22; 1 Chr. 23:7, 8; Jer. 12:16. J Deut 25:7,11-13.
10:12. kActsll:*!. 1 ch. 24:14; 1! 'Gen. 47:7; 2S

41. Forty and eight cities; according to the direction of 5. There should be ministers of rehgion in all parts of
Moses, Niim. 35:7. the country, that aU the people may have the benefit of
Suburbs; adjacent territory to the extent of two
42. their good instructions and example.
thousand cubits on every side, according to the direction 41. The Lord in his providence appoints to ministers
in Num. 35:5. their various fields of labor, and wherever they are placed
43. Tlieij possessed it; they possessed all that they then it should be their great object to honor him and be most
needed ; ana the rest the Lord would give them, according useful to men.
to his promise, Esod. 23:30. 43. AVhatever may be the promises of God, and however
INSTRUCTIONS. great the difficulties in the way of their accomplishment,
3. It is not left merely to the inclinations of men whether in due time they will aU be fulfiUed.
they will provide for the comfortable support of the minis-
ters of religion, but it is the command of God that those who CHAPTER XXII.
preach the gospel should live of the gospel, and their hear- 1. T/ic Reubenites—Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh ;
ers cannot withhold from them needful support without de- their men of war, who had left their homes on the east
priving them of what is justly their due. 1 Cor. 9 13, 14. : side of Jordan to assist their brethren in the conquest of
4. It is a great convenience for the ministers of religion Canaan.
to live near the place of public worship, and generally it 7. Bashan; the north part of the counti-y possessed by
will be found to be most conducive to their good and the the Israelites on the east of Jordan.
good of the people. 10. liy .Jordan; on its east bank.
::

The altar of v it nets josinA xxii. beyond Jordan alloved

14 And of each cliiefliouf^e'


witli liiin ten prince?, between us and you, yo children of Reu- ar fi?<:
n prince the triljes of Israel; and
tliroutriii>ul all bun and children of Gad ye have no part in the
;

oudi one a liead of tlie house of their fathers


ivas LoiiD:'" so siiall your children make our children
anionir the thousands of Israel." cease from fearing the Loud."
15 1 And they came unto the children of Reu- 2i) Thoreforewc said. Let usnowprcparc to build

ben, and (o th(! children of Gad, and to the half- us an altar, not for burnt-offei'ing, nor for sacriUce
ti'ibc of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilcad, and 27 15ut that it may be a witness between us and
they si>akc with them, saying, you," and our generations after us, that we might
16 Thus saith the whole congregation of tlic do the service of tlie Lord before him with our
Lord. Wliat trespass is this that ye have commit- burnt-offerings,'' and with our sacrifices, and with
ted against the (!od of Israel, to turn away this our peace-offerings; that your children may not
day from following the Lonn, in that yc liave say to our cliildren in time to come, Yc have no
buikled you an altar, that ye might I'ebel this day part in the Loud.
against the Lord?" 28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they
17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us,'' from should so say to us or to our generations in time
wliich we arc not cleansed until this day, although to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern
there was a plague in the congregation of the Lori^ of the altar of the Lord,'' which our fathers made,
18 But that yc must turn away this day from fol- not for burnt-offerings, nor for sacrilices; but it is
lowing the Lord? and it wmU be, scci?}g yo rebel a witness between us and you.
to-day against the Lord,'' that to-morrow he will 29 God forbid that we should rebel against the
be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.'^ Lord,'' and turn tiiis day from following the Lord.
19 Notwithstanding, if the land of your posses- to build an altar for burnt-offerings, for meat-offer-
sion be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of ings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the Loud
the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord's our God that is before his tabernacle.
tabernacle dwelleth,'^ and take possession among 30 "i .Vnd when Phinehas the priest, and the prin-
us: but rebel not against the Loud, nor rebel ces of the congregation and heads of the thousands
against us, in building you an altar besides the of Israel which were vfith him, heard the words that
altar of the Lord our God. the children of Reuben and thechildren of Gad and
20 Did not Achan the son of Zerali commit a tres- the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.*
pass in the accursed thing," and wrath fell on all 31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest
tiie congregation of Israel? and that man perished said unto the children t f Reuben, and to the chil-
not alone in his iniquity. dren of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This
21 TThen the children of Reuben and the chil- day we perceive that the Lord is among us," because
dren of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh an- ye have not committed this trespass against the
swered, and said unto the heads of the thousands Lord: now^ ye have delivered the children of Is-
of Israel, rael out of the hand of the Lord.
22 The Lord God of gods," the Lord God of 32 ^i And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
gods, he knoweth,' and Israel he shall know ;' if it and the princes, returned from the children of Ren-
lie in rebellion,'' or if in transgression against the ben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land
Lord, (save us not this day,) of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children
23 That we have built us an altar to turn from of Israel, and brought them word again.'
following the Lord, or if to oifer thereon burnt- 33 And the thing pleased the children of Israel
ofTering or meat-offering, or if to offer peace-offer- and the children of Israel blessed God," and did
ings thereon, let the Lord himself require it:^ not intend to go up against them in battle, to de-
2i And if we have not rather done it for fear of stroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and
this thing, saying. In time to come* your children Gad dwelt.
might speak unto our children, saying, What have 3-1 And the children of Reuben and the children

yo to do with the Lord God of Israel? of Gad called the altar Ed:' for it shall be a wit-
25 For the Lord hath made Jordan a border ness between us that the Lord is God.
Hob. kouse ofthefathe. m. 1:4. b Lev. 17:8,9. » Num. 23:3, n.Nch.2:20. n 1 Kingg 12:27, 2.". o vcr. 34. p Dent. 12:.1, etc. 1 ExoU.

,
A .1
n.i.i^ 4:3."
Dent. <1
A 1? n
I?zra 9:1-3, 14. = Num. 16:82. f ch. 18:1. S ch. 7:1, 25:40; Ezek. 43:10, U. r Gen. 44:7, 17; 1 Sam. 12:23; 1 Kings 21:3; Roin.
flc. h Deut. 10:17: Psl. 95:3; 1.30:2; Dan. 2:47; 11:36. i 1 KinRS 8:39; 3:6. 1 Heb. tvai good in their eyes. ' Lev. 26:11, 12; Zech. 8:23; I Cor.

Job 3.3:10; Psa. 44:21: 139:1-12; Jer. 12:3; John 2:24, 25; 21:17; Acts 14:25. SHcb. t/iCTi. I Prov. 2.'): 13. u 1 Sam. 25:32, 33; I Chr. 29:20; Neh.
1:24; 2 Cor. 11: 11, 31; Heb.4:13; Rev.2:2.3. JMal.3:18. k 1 Sam. 15:23. 8:6; Dad. 2:19; Eph.l:3. I That is, a witness; ch. 24:27.
1Dcut. lj:19; 1 Sam. 20:16; 2Chr. 24:22. 1 Heb. (o-morrDm; Exod. 13:14.

16. Builded you an altar; to offer sacrifice in anj^ place 25. Make our children eeasefromfearing the Lord; by refus-
except at the tabernacle, was expressly forbidden. Lev ing to let them corae over the Jordan to worship him.
17:8,9. 28. A witness; that they had a right to go over Jordan
17. IniquitijofPenr; Num. 25:3; Deut. 4:3. and worship with the other tribes at the tabernacle.
19. If the land —
be unclean; if they thought it unclean 29. To build an altar; Deut. 12:13, 14.
lidcause there was in it no altar for sacrifice, and no place 31. Ye have delivered the children of Israel ; not exposed
l'.)r public religious worship, they were invited to come them to punishment as they feared, by sinning against the
i>ver and live on the west side of Jordan where was the Lord, but taken measures to perpetuate his worshiji.
taliernacle, rather than tn set up separate worship and 34. Ed ; a witness.
thus rebel against God.
20. Not alone; chap. 7:5, 24, 25. INSTRUCTIOKS.
23. Tlie Lord —
require; let him punish us, if we designed 2. Just commendation is due to those who do well, ;inil
to rebel against him. true gratitude should be exercised towards all who make

28S
;

Joshua's exhortation JOSHUA XXIII. before his dailh.

ic^Si^T CHAPTER XXIII. man hath been


day.
able to stand before you unto this
1 Joshua's exhortation before his death, 3 by former benefits, 5 by
promises, 11 and by threatenings. 10 One man of you shall chase a thousand :" for
AND came
Lord had
it to pass, a long time after that the
(riven rest unto Israel from all their
the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you,
as he hath promised you."
enemies round about," that Josliua waxed old* and 11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves,'
stricken in ao-e.*" that ye love the Lord your God.
2 And Joshua called for all Israel,'^ and for their 12 Else, if ye do in any wise go back,"" and cleave
ciders, and for their heads, and for their judges, unto the remnant of these nations, even these that
and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old remain among you, and shall make marriages with
and stricken in age: them." and go in unto them, and they to you:
3 And ye have seen all that the Lord your God 13 Know for a certainty that the Lord your God
hath done unto all these nations because of you will no more drive out any of these nations from
for the Lord your God is he that hath fought for before you:'' but they shall be snares and traps
you.'' unto you;' and scourges in your sides, and thorns
4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these in your eyes, until ye perish from ofl' this good
nations that remain,'' to be an inheritance for your land which the Lord your God hath given you.'
tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I 14 And behold, this day I am going the way of
have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.* all the earth and ye know in all your hearts and
:

5 And the Lord your God, he shall expel them in all your souls," that not one thing hath failed of
from before you,' and drive them from out of your all the good things which the Lord your God spake
sight and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord
: concerning you all are come to pass unto you, and
;

your God liath promised unto you.^ not one thing hath failed thereof.
6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and 15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all
to do all that is written in the book of the law of good things are come upon you, which the Lord
Moses," tliat ye turn not aside therefrom to the your God promised you; so shall the Lord bi'ing
right hand or to the left;' upon you ail evil things,^ until he have destroyed
7 That ye come not among these nations,' these you from off this good land which the Lord your
that remain among you neither make mention of
; God liath given you.
the name of their gods,'' nor cause to swear by 16 When ye have transgressed tlie covenant of
them} neither serve them, nor bow yourselves untothe Lord your God, which he commanded you, and
tlicm: have gone and served other gods, and bowed your-
y But cleave* unto the Lord your God,'" as ye selves to them then shall the anger of the Lord be ;

have done unto this day. kindled against you,''^ and ye shall perish quickly
9 For the Lord hath driven^ out from before from off the good land which he hath given unto
you great nations and strong: but as for you, no you.
aCh.U2:4. ''B.e\>. come into days. I>ch.l3:l. c ch. al;L; Deut. 31:28; 15:15. o Exod. 23:27. etc. « Heb. your souLi. p Psa. 135:6; ha. 1:4;
I Chr. 2i:l. i Psi. 44:3. e ch. 13:6,7; 1S:10. t Heb. at tlie sunset. Zeph. 1:6; Heb. 10:3S. 39; 2Pet. 2:20, 21. q 2 Cor. 6:14. r Judg. 2:2,3.
(Dent. 11:23; Psa. 44:9. sNura. 33:53. hch.l:7. iDent. 5:3-2. J Deut. ! 1 Kings 11:4. t 2 Kings 17:22, 23. n ch. 21:45. » Lev. 26:14, etc.;
7:2,3. kPsa. 16:4; Hos. 2:17. IZeph. 1:4-6. > Or, For if ye will rhare.
m ch. 2-2:5. ! Or, Then Ike LoED will drive. " Lev. 26:S; Judg. 7:19-22;

sacrifices, endure hardships, and perform labors for the 30. A


disposition to enjoy religious rights ourselves,
good of their fellow-raen. and them to coming generations, is pleasing to
to secure
4.Fidelity in obeying God's commands will receive his all and right-minded men, especially to pious
intelligent
approbation and blessing, and a glorious reward. rulers and ministers of the gospel.
5. The true greatness, glory, and blessedness of a peo- 33. Good men, enlightened by the Spirit of God, will
ple consist in their loving the Lord, observing his ordi- not make war upon others for maintaining their just rights,
nances, and walking in his ways. especially their right to hearken to the voice of God in
10. Suitable care should be taken, in providing against the Scriptures, to judge of his meaning, and to worship
future evils, not to awaken needless suspicions, nor occa- him according to his directions.
sion unnecessary anxiety and trouble to our fellow-men.
l(i. We
may be blamed, even by good men, for our lest 1
CHAPTER XXIII.
actions. But we should not be disconcerted, should listen 4. The great sea ; the Mediterranean, which formed the
to them with patience, and when we thoroughly understand western boundary of Canaan.
their mistakes, should endeavor kindly to remove them. 7. Neither make mention; the familiar mention of the names

19. "When those who are disturbed at the conduct of of idols would tend to lessen their abhorrence of them.
others, go to them and frankly state their difficulties, and 10. One man of you shall chase a thousand; however few
manifest a readiness to make sacrifices and even to give they might be, and however numerous their enemies, they,
up their own rights, rather than to have God dishonored in obeying God, would be able to overcome them.
or his cause injured, it may be expected that with reason- 11. Take good heed; be very careful.
able explanations they will be satisfied. 14. Going the way of all the earth; about to die. Gen.
22. A consciousness of being and doing right tends to 3" 19
prevent undue excitement under unjust accusations, and INSTRUCTIONS.
to lead to such explanations as will remove needless ap- 1. No fidelity to God, or usefulness to men, can keep off
prehensions and be satisfactory to all concerned. the approach of age, infirmity, or death. This should be
26. It is proper to take all suitable measures to guard borne in all to do with their might what
mind, and incite
our children against evils to which from the selfishness their hands knowing that in the grave, to which
find to do,
of men they will be exposed, and to enable them to know they are hastening, there is no work.
what are their rights, especially their religious rights, and 3. The aged may recount the mercies of the Lord with
successfully to maintain and permanently enjoy them. great advantage to themselves and to their fellow-men.
19 289
:

Joshua assembklh the .lOSIllA XXIV tribes at Shechem.

ClIAPTKi: XXIV
1 Joihua MwrnbUth llii- Iribos at Sli.chcm. 2 A brief history of Go.ls
beneliu from Tcrali. M He rcnewt'tli the covenant between tliem iinil
(j«l. 2(J A
»lono Ibe witiiens of the covenant. 29 Jo»liu:i'i! a;,'e,
death, anil buniil. 32 Joiiepli's bones are buried. 33 Eleaznr dietb.

AND Josliua gathered all the tribes of Lsrael


ami callod for the elders of Is-
to i^liccliein,
rael," and lor their heads, and for tlieir judges, and
for their oQiccrs; and they j)rc.sented themselves
before God.""
2 And Joshua said unto all tlic ]i(M)])le, Thus saith
the Loud God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the
other side of tiie flood in old time,'' eve/i Tcrah, tiie
father of Abraliam, and tiic father of Nahor: and
they served other gods.
3 And I took your fatlicr Abraliam from the
other side of the flood,'' and led hiiu throughout
all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed,
and gave him Isaae.*-'
4 And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau:'' and
I gave unto Esau mount Seir,'' to possess it; but
Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.''
5 I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued
Egypt,' according to that which I did among them
and afterward I brought you out.
6 And I brouglit your fathers out of Egypt: and
ye came unto the sea;^ aud the Egyptians pursued
after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto
the Red sea.
7 And when they cried unto the Lord, he put
darkness between you aud the Egyptians, and
brought the sea upon tliein, and covered them and ;

your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt


and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season."
8 And I brought you into the laud of the Amo-
rites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan and ;

they fouglit with you :' and I gave them into your
hand, that ye might possess their land; and I de-
stroyed them from before you.
9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab,
arose and warred against Israel, and sent and
called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:™
10 But I would not hearken unto Balaam;" there-
>Ch.a3:2. blSim.lO:l9. c Ben. 11:26,6
He reneweth the covenant. JOSHUA XXIV. His dentil and burial.

A.M. 2577. 20 If ye forsake the Lord, and serve heard all the words of the Lord which he spake
'
u27.°" strange gods," then he will turn and do unto us:' it shall be therefore a witness unto you,^
you hurt, and consume you,"* after that he hath lest ye deny your God.
done you good. 28 So Joshua let the people depart, every man
21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay but unto his inheritance. ;

we will serve the Lord. 29 If And it came to pass after these things, that
22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are wit- Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord,
nesses against yourselves" that ye liave chosen you died, being a hundred and ten years old.
the LoRD,'^ to serve him. And they said. We are .30 And they buried him in the border of his
witnesses. inheritance in Timnath-serah,'^ which is in mount
23 Now therefore put away, said he, the strange Ephraiui, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.
gods which are among you," and incline your heart 31 And Israel served tlie Lord all the days of
unto the Lord God of Israel.'' Joshua,' and all the days of the elders that over-
24 And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord lived' Joshua, and which had known all the works
our God will we serve, and his voice will we of the Lord, that he had done for Israel."
obey .8 32 ll And the bones of Joseph," which the chil-
25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people dren of Israel bi'ought up out of Egypt, buried
that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which
in Shechein. Jacob bought of tlie sous of Hanior tlie father
26 1 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of Shechem for a hundred pieces* of silver;" and
of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it became the inheritance of the children of Jo-
it up there under an oak,"" that was by the sanctu- seph.
ary of the Lord. 33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died and they ;

27 And Joshua said unto all the people. Behold, buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his
this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
a 1 Chi. 2.8:9; Ezra 8:2-2; Isa. (w:ll, 12. b Ezek. 18:24. c Deut. 26:i7. 1 JuJg. 2:7. • R&h. prolonged their days after, m Deut. 11:2, 7.
i Psa. 119:173. e Jndg. 10:15, 16; 1 Sam. 7:3. ' Prov. S:2; Heb. 12:38, 21). 50:25; Exod. 13:19; Heb. 11:22. t Or, lamis. o Gen. 33:19.
sDeut. 5:38, 29. hjudg. 9:6. iDeut. .32:1. i cli. 22:28, 34. kch. 19:50.

26. Tliese words; the eiigagemeuts into which the peo- Of course ministers should present to men the motives
ple had entered to serve the Lord. By the sanctuary; near which are best suited to lead them to do this, and to their
the place where the tabernacle stood. preaching should add the influence of their example.
27. It hath heard ; a strong figure of speech, expressive 19. As Jehovah is holy, it is impossible acceptably to
of the solemnity of the transaction, and of their guilt and serve him without becoming holy and as the cause of holi-
;

danger should tiiey break their engagements. ness in men is the influence of the Holy Spirit, all should
32. JVIiich Jacob bought ; Gen. 33:19; 50:25; Exod. 13:19. feel their need of this, and sincerely, heartily seek it.
21. Wherever there is a w-illing mind men can tridy
INSTRUCTIONS. serve God, and for Christ's sake be accepted in doing it;
good for all peojjle at times to appear before
1. It is and as a willing mind is the fruit of the Spirit, all who
God, look back on the way through which he hath led possess it should give to him the glory.
them, recount his goodness, renew their engagements to 23. It is the duty of men to incline their hearts to serve
serve him, and seek that grace which they need to do it the Lord. They should avoid those things which tend to
in spirit and in truth. hinder them, and do the things which tend to aid them in
2. Aged men may advantage give the young a
to great this.
history of God's dealings with past generations, point out 24. Persons may, and it is right that they should deter-
the instructions it affords and the duties it inculcates, and mine, resolve, and engage to serve the Lord and they ;

exhort all to fidelity in the service. may freely and heartily trust in him for what they need
6. Things accomplished by human instrumentality and rightly to do this, and to be accepted in it.
the persevering use of appointed means, are in the Bible 27. It is so perfectly reasonable that all to whom Jeho-
ascribed to God as really as if no instrumentality or means vah is known should love and obey him, and they are
had been employed. under such strong and indispensable obligations immedi-
10. Those measures which men take to injure God's ately to do this, that if they do not, all their mercies and
people and stop the progress of his cause, he often over- every thing around and within them will testify to their
rules for its advancement. ingratitude, baseness, and guilt.
13. The mercies by which the friends of God are dis- 31. Aged men and men of influence, especially rulers,
tinguished from his enemies, spring from his unmerited magistrates, and all in authority, are under peculiar obli-
goodness, and are given not as the fruit of their worthi- gations to serve God, and to sot holy examples. If they
ness, but of the abounding riches of his grace. do, many others will be likely to follow them and obtain
14. Peculiar mercies lay men under peculiar obligations eternal life. But if they do not, they will he instrumental
to put away all sin, and to perfect holiness in the fear and in bringing destruction not only on themselves, but on
love of God. multitudes of others.
15. True religion is a matter of choice with all who 33. Rulers and ministers of religion, as well as other men,
heartily embrace it, and no man ever does or can serve will soon die, but their influence for good or evil will live
God, in spirit and in truth, without choosing to do so. and go down to the end of time, and onward to eternity.

291
:

THE

BOOK OF JUDGES
The book of Jcdges contains the history of tlic Israelites undor tlio Jiulpfcs, from the death of Joshua
to tlie birth of Samuel. It records the successive oppressions to whicli the Israelites were subjected by
their enemies for their sins against Jehovah, and the successive deliverances which God granted them
through the Judges.

CHAPTER I.
1 The .lots Judah and Simeon. 4 Adoni-bezck jnstly requited. 8 Je-
of
rusalem taken. 10 Hebron taken. 11 Othniel hath Acbsah to wife
for taking of Debir. 16 The Kenites dwell in Judah. 17 Hormali.
Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron taken. 21 The acts of Benjamin. 22 Of
thehooseof Joseph, who take Beth-el. 30 Of Zebulun. 31 Of Asher.
33 0fNaphtali. 34 Of Dan.

ATOW after the death of Joshua" it came to pass,


l\| that tlie children of Israel asked the Lord,''
sayiiis:. Who shall o-o up for us against the Canaan-
itcs first, to fight again.-t themV
2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up :° behold,
I have delivered the land into his hand.
3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come
up with mc into my lot, that wo may fight against
the Canaauites and I likewise will go with thee
;

into thy So Simeon went with him.


lot.'^

4 And Judah went up and the Lord delivered ;

the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand


and they slew of them in Bezek" ten thousand men.
5 And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek: and
they fought against him, and they slew the Ca-
naanites and the Perizzites.
6 But Adoni-bezck fled and they pursued after ;

him. and caught him, and cut ofif his thumbs and
his great toes.
7 And Adoni-bezek said. Threescore and ten
kings, having their thumbs and their great toes'
cut off, gathered* their meat under my table: as
I have done,'' so God hath requited me. And they
brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
8 Now the children of Judah had fought against
Jerusalem,^ and had taken it, and smitten it with
the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
9 1[ And afterward the children of Judah went
down to fig-ht asiainst the Canaanites,'' that dwelt
» Josh. 24:29. b ch. 20:18; Num. 27:21. ' Gen. 40:K, 9. <1 v
:

The conquests of JUDGES II. several tribes.

A. M. 19 And the Lord was with Judah ;" and


i-o ites that dwelt in Gazer ;" but the Canaanites
u-i.
"
be drave out the inhabitants of the moun- dwelt in Gezer among them.
tain;" but could not drive out the inhabitants of 30 1 Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhalii-
the valley, because they had chariots of iron." tants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol;"
20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb,'' as Moses but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became
said:" and he expelled thence the three sons of tributaries.
Anak. 31 1 Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants
21 And the children of Benjamin did not drive of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ah-
out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem;" but lab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik,
the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin nor of Rehob:"
in Jerusalem unto this day. 32 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaan-
22 T^ And the house of Joseph, they also went up ites, the inhabitants of the land for they did not :

against Beth-el: and the Lord vms with them.'' drive them out.''
23 And the house of Joseph sent to descry Beth- 33 1 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabi-
el:^ now the name of the city before iras Luz:'' tants of Beth-shemosh,nor the inhabitants of Both-
24 And the spies saw a man come forth out of the anath;'' but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the
city, and they said unto him, Show us, we pray thee, inhabitants of the land nevertheless, the inhabi-
:

the entrance into the city, and we will show thee tants of Beth-shemesh and of Beth-anath became
mercy.' tributaries unto them."^
25 And when he showed them the entrance into 3-1 And the Amorites forced the children of Dan

the city, they smote the city with the edge of the into the mountain for they would not suffer them
:

sword but they let go the man and all liis family.
; to come down to the valley
2(j And the man went into the land of the Hit- 35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres
tites,-' and built a city, and called the name there- in Ajalon,' and in Shaalbim yet the hand of the :

of Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day. house of Joseph prevailed,* so that they became
27 % Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhab- tributaries.
itants o/" Beth-shean and her towns, nor Taanach 36 And the coast of the Amorites was from the
and her towns, nor the inhaliitants of Dor and her going up to Akrabbim,* from the rock, and upward.
towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns,
nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns:"
but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.'
CHAPTER II.
1 An angel rebuketh the people at Bochim. 6 The wickedness of the
28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, new generationafter Joshua. 14 Crod's anger and pity towards them.
that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did 20 The Canaanites are left to prove Israel.

not utterly drive them out.


29 •[ Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaan-
iVer.a; 2KingslS:7; Psi. 00:12; Eccl.9;ll. • Oi, possessed the moun-
A :11-13.
ND
1
an angeP of the Lord came up from Gil-
to Bochim,' and said, I made you to go

Rom. 7:21. m Josh. 16:10; 1 Kings 9:16. n Josh. 19:15.


tain, b Exod. 14:7. etc.; Josh. 17:16; Psa. 40:9. ' Josh. 14:9-14. d Num. .Tosh. 19:24-30. p Psa. 106:35. q Josh. 19:32-.;J9. r ver. 30; Psa. 1S:44.

Josh. 10:12; 19:42. t Heb. u-as heavy. 1 Or, Maaleh-Aerabbim, Josh.


14:24; Deut. 1:36. e Josh. 15:63; 1S:2S. f rer. 19; Gen. 49:34. e Josh.
l-.i. Ii Gen. 28:19. ' Josh. 2:12; 1 Sam. 3U:15. J 2 Kings 7:6. t Josh. 1:3; Num. 34:4. i Or. messenger. ' ver. 5.

19. Could not; because, terrified by the chariots, they The union of all classes of pious men in doing good,
3.

did not trust in God and use the proper means. is greatly promotive of success.
21. Jcrusahm; this city was on the border between Ju- 6.Pride and cruelty are forerunners of disaster and the ;

d;di and Benjamin, though in the division of the land it peculiar sins of men may often be read in their punishment.
was assigned to t.lie latter tribe. Josh. 15:63. 7. A
true conviction of the evil of sin will lead aU who
22. Home of Joseph ; that is, the tribe of Ephraim and the suffer to feel that their punishment is just.
half-tribe of Manasseli west of the Jordan, thougli what is 14. A wise and affectionate wife wishes the temporal
here said seems to pertain only to tlie territoiy of Ephraim. prosperit}' as well as the eternal good of her husband,
23. Descry; examine and ascertain the state of the city. and wiU use all suitable means to promote it.
Bethel; a place north of Jerusalem. Gen. 28:19. 15. A
wise and affectionate father will take great pleas-
27. Beth-shean ; a place in the valley of the Jordan near ure in complying, as far as may be consistent, with the
the east end of the valley of Jezreel. Taanach; on the requests of his children.
south border of the plain of Esdraelon. Bor ; on the sea, 19. Viewing difBculties with an eye of sense only, men
south of Carmel. Megiddo; near the Kishon. often despond, when, should they use proper means in
29. Gezer ; north-west of .Jerusalem. dependence on God, he would render them successful.
29-33. Towns within the bounds of the tribes, in con- 21. Love of ease, and aversion to great and self-denying
nection with whose names they are mentioned. efforts, often keep men from receiving the variety and
34. The valley ; the plain bordering on the Mediterranean, fulness of good which they might otherwise obtain, and
where the Amorites had chariots of iron. Compare ver. 19. leave them to suffer much evil which tliey might other-
35. Mount Heres ; the mountainous regions about Dor. wise avoid.
Ajalon ; a place between Jerusalem and Ekron. Ver. 18. 25. Assisting the people of God in doing his will, may
The house of Joseph ; his descendants. be the means of delivering us from many trials and bring-
36. The Amorites; these stand here for the Canaanites ing on us great blessings.
generally. Akrabhim ; a line of hills running across the When men neglect their duty, they may expect to
34.
valley al)Out eight mdes south of the Dead sea, here men- meet with trouble and if they are not led to repentance
;

tioned as the southern border of Palestine. Therock; prob- and reformation, their troubles will never end.
ably Petra, in the mountains of Edom. Upward; northward.
INSTRUCTIONS.
CHAPTER n.
1.However great may have been their past successes, 1. An^el of the Lord; supposed to be the same who ap-

the people of God should not rest till fully triumphant over peared \o Joshua, Josh. 5 13. Bochim ; meaning, the weep-
:

all their foes. ers, or place of weeping. Ver. 5.

293
:

Tht Israelites art rehukcil. JUDGES II. Thi'y foil into iduLitry.

up out of E^ypt, and you unto tlie


Ii.ivc broiinjht

land whii'li 1 swarc unto your fatlicrs; and I said,


1 will never break my covenant with you;*

2 And ye shall make no league with the inhab-


itants of this land;'' ye shall throw down their
altars:" but ye have not obeyed my voice;'' why
have yo done this?
3 Whcrcrore I also said, I will not drive them
out from before you but they shall be as thorns in
;

your sides,'' and their gods*^ shall be a snare unto


you."
4 And it came to pass, when the angel of the Loitn
spake those words unto all the children of Israel,
that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
5 And they called the name of that place Bo-
chim:' and they sacriliced there unto the Loud.
6 IT And when Joshua had let the people go, the
children of Israel went every man unto his inher-
itance to posscj^s the land.''
7 And the jieoplc served the Lord all the days
of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that out-
lived* Joshua, who had seen all the great works
of the Lord, that he did for Israel.
8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the
Lord, died, bring a hundred and ten years old.
9 And they buried him in the border of his
inlieritance in Tiinnath-heres,* in the mount of
Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
10 And also all that generation were gathered
unto their fiithers: and there arose another gen-
eration after them, whicli knew not the Lord,' nor
j'Ct the works which he liad done for Israel.
11 T And the children of Israel did evil in the
sight of the Lord, and served Baalim
12 And they forsook the Lord God of their
fathers,-' which brought them out of the land of
Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of
the people that were round about them, and bow-
ed themselves unto them,'' and provoked the Lord
to anger.
13 And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal
and Ashtaroth.
14 ^ And the anger of the Lord was hot against
» Gen. 17:7; Psa. fcO:34.
: ;

Notions left to prove Israel. JUDGES III. Othnkl and Ehud are Judges.

CHAPTER III,
1 The nations which were left to prove Israel. 6 By communion with
them they commit idolatry. 8 Othniel delivereth them from Chushan-
rishathaim 12 Ehud from Eglon
; 31 Shamgar from the Philistines.
;

~\TOW these are the nations which the Lord left,


JJN prove Israel by tlicm, even as many of Is-
to
rael as had not known all the wars of Canaan
'Z Only that the generations of the children of
Israel might know to teach them war, at the least
such as before knew nothing thereof;
3 JYamely, five lords of the Philistines, and all
the Canaanites, and the Zidonians, and the Hi-
vites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount
Baal-liermon unto the entering in of Hamath.''
•1 And they were to prove Israel by them, to
know whether they would hearken unto the com-
mandments of the Lord, which he commanded
their fathers by the hand of Moses.
5 T" And the children of Israel dwelt among the
Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites,
and Hivites, and Jebusites
6 And they took their daughters to be their
wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and
served their gods."
7 And the ciiildren of Israel did evil in the sight
of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and
served Baalim and the groves.
8 ^ Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot
against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of
Chushan-rishathaim^ king of Mesopotamia:' and
the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim
eight years.
y And when the children of Israel cried unto
the Lord,'' the Lord raised up a deliverer* to the
children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel
the son of Kenaz,'' Caleb's younger brother.
10 And the Spirit of the Lord came' upon him,''
and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and
the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of
Mesopotamia^ into his hand and his hand pre- ;

vailed against Chushan-rishathaim.


11 And the land had rest forty years: and
Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
12 1 And the children of Israel did evil again
in the sight of the Lord and the Lord strength-
:

ened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, be-


cause they had done evil in the sight of the Lord.
13 And he gathered unto him the children of

a .Tosh.
;
:

S/uimgar, aiul also Dcburtih JUDGES IV. end liitrak deliver Israel.

and the children of Israel went down willi him slion,' Sisera the captain of Jabin's army, a. m. nnn.
from the mount, and he before them. With his chariots and his inultiludc; and im.
28 And lie ^aid unto them. Follow after me: for I will deliver him into thy hand.
the LoKD hath delivered your cnemie.s the Moah- 8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with
ites intf) your hand." And they went down after me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me,
him, and toitk the fords of Jordan toward iloab, t/ioi 1 will not gy.
and sull'ered not a man to pass over. I) And she said, 1 will surely go with thee: not-
29 And tiiey slew of Moab at that time about withstanding the journey that tiiou takest shall not
ten thousand men, all lusty,' and all men of valor be for thine honor; for the Lord sliall sell Sisera
and there esca])ed not a man. into the liand of a woman.'' And Deborah arose,
3(1 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand and went with Barak to Kcdesli.
of Israel. And the land iiad rest fourscore year.s. 10 T And Barak called Zebuiun and Naphtali to
lU T And after iiim was Shamijar the son of Kcdesh;' and he went up with ten thousand men
Anatii," which slew of the Piiiiisfiiies si.x hundred at his feet: and Deborah went up with liim.
men with an oxs^oad:" and he also delivered 11 Now Heber the Kenite,'" w/ikh was of the
Israel.^ children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses,"
had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched
CHAPTER IV. his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim,* which is by
1 Debor-ih and Barak deliver Israel from Jabin and Sisera. IS Jael Kedcsh.
kiUeth Sisera.
12 And they showed Sisera that Barak the son
AND the children of Israel asrain did evil in
the sight of the Lord,'' when Ehud was dead.
of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
13 And Sisera gathered' together all his char-
2 And the Lord sold them into tiie hand of Ja- iots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the
bin king of Canaan,* that reigned in Ilazor;'' the people that v:ere with him, from Harosheth of the
captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Gentiles unto the river of Kislion.
Harosheth of the Gentiles.'' 14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this
'i And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord : is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sis-
for he liad nine hundred chariots of iron ;' and era into thy hand:" is not the Lord gone out
twenty years he mightily oppressed the children before thee? So Barak went down from mount
of Israel. Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
4 IT And Deborali, a prophetess, the wife of Lap- 15 And the Lord discomfited Sisera,'' and all /lis
idoth, she judged Israel at that time. chariots, and all his host, with the edge of tiie
5 And she dwelt under the palm-tree of Deborah,'' sword before Barak ;'' so that Sisera lighted down
between Kamah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim off his chariot,and fled away on his feet.
and the children of Israel came up to her for judg- IG But Barak pursued after the chariots, and
ment. after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles:
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of
Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto the sword and there was not a man' left.''
;

him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel command- 17 Howbcit Sisera fled away on his feet to the
ed, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for
and take with thee ten thousand men of the chil- there teas peace between Jabin the king of Hazor
dren of Naphtali and of the children of Zebu- and the house of Heber the Kenite.
lun? 18 ^ And Jael went out to meet Sisera,' and said
7 And I will draw unto thee,' to the river Ki- unto him. Turn in, my lord, turn in to mc; fear
» Cil. 7:'J, 15. • Hob.
fat: Psa. 17:10. b ch. 5:6. c ch. 5:8; 15:15; 5:18. mch. I:ie. n Num. 10:29. ! Zaannjmim. Josh. 19:33, 37. I Heb.
1 Sam. 17:47. t So part is called Israel, ch. 4:1, 3. etc. It seems to concern gathered by cry, or proclanuition. o Deut. 9:3; 2 Sam. 5:24; Pea. 68:7, 8;
only the country next to the Philistines, d ch. 2:19. 1 1 Sam. 1-2:9; Psa. Isa. 52: 12. P Psa. t8;9, 10; Josh. 10:10. 1 Heb. 11:32. t Heb. unto one.
Bi:!). It seems to concern only North Israel, e Josh. 11:1, lU. fTer.13,10. risa. 43:17. s2Kings6:19.
fob. 1:19. h Gen. 35:8. i Exod. 14:4. J ch. 5:21. k Ter. 18-21. 1 ch.

28. Fords of Jordan ; by which the Moabites in the land


of Israel must pass to reach their own land. Thus he cut CHAPTER IV.
off their retreat. 2. —
Hazor Harosheth; cities in the north part of Canaan
30. Fourscore; eighty. in and around which many of the remaining Canaauites
31. Oxgoad; a staff six or eight feet long, with a sharp lived. Josh. 11:1-11.
point of iron on one end for pricking the oxen, and a kind 5. hill country of Ephraim.
Mount Ephraim; the
of spade on the other for cleaning the plough. 6. Kedesh-naphtali ; so called to distinguish it from two

INSTRUCTIONS. other cities called Kedesh, one in Issachar and one in


5-7. Intimate connections with the wicked increase the Judah. Mount Tabor ; on the north-east border of the
temptation to adopt their sentiments and to imitate their plain of Jezreel.
example. Psa. 1:1; Prov. 1 1 0-19 1 Cor. 5:9-11.
: ;
7. 27te river Kishon ; which rises at the base of mount
8. The calamities which men suffer are expressions of Tabor, runs through the plain of Jezreel, and empties into
God's displeasure against sin and when they duly hum-
; the Mediterranean at the bay of Acre.
ble themselves before him, and seek his pardoning mercy, 9. Sell Sisera; ver. 21.
their trials while continued will be overruled for good, 10. Called Zebuiun and Naphtali; the men of war from
iind in due time will be removed. those tribes. Went up; to mount Tabor.
29. Though the wicked may for a time be successful, 11. Had severed himself; the Kenites lived in the south
;and even be used as instruments of correcting and pun- part of the country, but Heber had left them and removed
ishing the people of God, yet if they continue in their to the north. Chap. 1:16; Num. 21:1.
sins, they will come to a dismal end. Isa. 10:5-9. 10. Upon ; by.
296
Jael slayeth Sisera. JUDGES V. So7ig of Deborah and Barak.

A. ji not.
2709 And when he had turned 2 Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel,"
in unto her
\i'M.°" into the tent, she covered him with amantle.* when the people willingly offered themselves.'
19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, 3 Hear, ye kings ;^ give ear, ye princes; I,
a little water to drink for I am thirsty.
; And even I, will sing unto the Lord I will sing praise ;

she opened a bottle of milk," and gave him drink, to the Lord God of Israel.
and covered him. 4 Lord, when thou wentest out of Scir, wlicn
20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of thou marcliedst out of the field of Edom,'' the earth
the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come trembled,' and the heavens dropped, the clouds
and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man also dropped water.
here? that thou shalt say, No. 5 The mountains melted^ from before the Lord,J
21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Is-
tent, and took* a hammer in her hand, and went rael."
softly unto him, and smote the nail into his tem- 6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,' in
ples,'' and fastened it into the ground for he was the days of Jael," the highways were unoccupied,"
:

fast asleep and weary. So he died. and the travellers" walked through by-ways.''
22 And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael 7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they
came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that
and I will show tliee the man whom thou seekest. I arose a mother in Israel.
And when he came into her te?if, behold, Sisera 8 They chose new gods;" then was war in the
lay dead, and tlie nail was in his temples. gates: was there a shield or spear seen among
23 So God subdued on that day Jabiu the king forty thousand in Israel?"
of Canaan before the children of Israel." 9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel,
24 And the hand of the children of Israel pros- that offered themselves willingly among the peo-
pered, and prevailed* against Jabin the king of ple." Bless ye the Lord.
Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of 10 Speak,* ye that ride on white asses,"" ye that
Canaan. sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
11 They that are delivered from the noise of arch-
ers in the places of drawing water, there shall
CHAPTER V. they rehearse^ the righteous acts* of the Lord,'
The song of Deborah and Barak. even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his
THEN sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abin- villages in Israel then shall the people of the
oam on that day,** saying, Lord go down to the gates.
:

Oi, rug. or Uanket. a ch. 5;25, 20. t Heb. put. b Psa. 3;7. « Psi. 19:18. 1 ch. 3:31. m ch. 4:17. n Lev. 26:22. I Heb. tt'/l/ters c/ j)af/i,«.
18:47. 1 Heb. going, went and was hard. J E.xod. 1.5:1; Psa. 18, title, ^ Keb. crooked toays. o Deut. 32;17. p 1 Sam. 13:19, 22. q ver. 2. "Or,
e Dent. 32:43; Psa. 18:47. f 2 Chr. 17:18. E Psa. 2:10. b Psa. 68:7,8. meditate, rch. 10:4. spsa. 145:7. 1'Keh. righteousnesses, t] Sam. 12:7.
ia Sam. 22:8; Isa. 64:3; Hab.3:3, 10. 5 Heb./oiiierf, JPsa.97:5. k Exod.

21. Nail of the tent; a large spike or pin, which was CHAPTER V.
driven into the ground to fasten the cords of a tent. 2. Offered Ihemselvci ; to fight against their oppressors.
4. —
Wentest out of Seir Edom ; the mountains of Edom
INSTRUCTIONS. or Seir lay on the north-east of the peninsula of mount
Wlien restraint is removed,not\vithstanding all divine
1. Sinai, Paran on the north of it, and Horeb of which Sinai —
favors men will continue in sin, and often be guilty of the is a summit —
in its bosom. It was in the region which
grossest transgressions. these mountains represent that God first revealed himself
3. Oft-repeated iniquities bring upon their perpetrators to Moses, and afterwards to the children of Israel. Hence
greatly increased calamities. it is here considered as his dwelling-place, whence he
7. When men cry unto the Lord in their trouble, he can, now marches forth in majesty and glory, as he did of
and often does grant them relief; and in receiving it they old, when he came to deliver Israel from the Egyptians.
should hear his voice saying. Sin uo more, lest a worse Compare Deut. 33:2; Psa. 68:7, 8; Hab. 3:3. The heavens
thing come unto thee. John 5:14. dropped; God's presence is accompanied by tempests of
9. Want of confidence in God, and of readiness to un- rain, as well as by thunder and earthquakes. There may
dertake that to which he calls, brings dishonor, and de- be here an allusion to the storm which flooded the Kishon,
prives men of many blessings which they might otherwise and swept away the hosts of Sisera. Ver. 20, 21.
enjoy. C. Shamgar; chap. 3:31. The highways were unoccupied;
13. Men, from pride and the indulgence of wicked pas- on account of the danger of travelling.
sions, often engage in projects which God designs shall 7. The villages ceased; were deserted or, as some render,
;

be for their ruin. leaders ceased in Israel which agrees well with what fol-
;

Though men are the means, God is the author of


15. lows. And so in ver. 11.
success, and to him belongs the glory. 8. Netv gods; idols as objects of worship. Tlien was
21. When the enemies of God and the oppressors of war; as a punishmsnt for their idolatiy. A shield or spear ; •

his people say, Peace and safety, sudden destruction may of these the Israelites were very destitute.
come upon them from which there can be no escape. 10. White asses; the kind often used by judges. Sit in
23. Things which God in his providence accomplishes judgment; or sit upon garments or carpets, as is the man-
through the instrumentility of men, are in the Bible as- ner of oriental judges in administering justice.
cribed to him as really as if no agency but his had been 11. From the noise of archers; many prefer to render this
employed and they are also ascribed to men as really
; verse thus: At the noise [triumphal shout] of those tli:it
as if men alone had performed them thus showing that ; divide [the spoil,] at the watering-troughs, there shall
divine and human agency harmoniously cooperate, and they rehearse, etc. The places of drawing water, or water-
that men are workers together with God when they obey ing-troughs, are mentioned as places where the people
him and thus work out their salvation, he working in would natiirall_v assemble. Go down to the gates; into the
them to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Phil. gates of their own cities in peace, after celebrating their
2:12, 13. victory and deliverance.
291
The triumphal song JUDGES V. of Deborah and Barak.

12 Awake, awako," Dilmrali: awako, awako, ut-


tt'i-a song: aiisi", Barak, ami lead tliy captivity
cajitivo.'' thou son of Abinoam.
i;i Tiicii ho made him that remaincth liave do-

minion over tlie noliies amonji tlie people: the


lidiU) made me iiavc dominion over tlie niiLrlity.'
11 Out of Epiiiaim u-as l/ure a root of tiiem
against Amaiek; after liiec, Benjamin, among thy
)ieo])le; out of Macliir came down governors, and
out of Zcbulun they that handle' the pcu of the
writer.
15 Ami the princes of Issachar tvere with Deb-
orah even Issai-har, and also Barak: he was sent
;

on foot* into the valley. For' the divisions of


lveul)en tfitre were great thoughts' of heart.
16 Why abodcst thou among the shccpfolds, to
hear the bleatings of the flocks? For' the di-
visions of Reuben there were great searcliings of
heart.''
17 Gilcad abode beyond Jordan: and why did
Dan remain in ships? Aslier continued on the
sea-sliore,'' and abode in his breaches.*
18 Zebulun and Naplitali wcj-e a people t/int jeop-
arded* their lives unto tlio death" in the high

places of the field.


19 The kings came and fought; then fought the
kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Me-
"^

giddo they took no gain of money.


;

20 They fought from heaven i*^ the stars in their


courses* fought against Sisera.
21 The river of Kishon swept them away,*" that
ancient river, the river Kishon. my soul, thou
hast trodden down strength.'
22 Then were the horse-hoofs broken by the
»Psa.57:S. bPsa.flS:lS. cp.,a. -5:7.
; ;

Gideon is called to deliver JUDGES VI. Israel from the Midianites.

CHAPTER VI, and said unto him. The Lord is with thee,
him,'
man of valor.
thou mighty
1 The by Midian. 8 A prophet
Israelites for their sin are oppressed
rebukelh them. 11 An 13 And Gideon said unto him, O my Lord, if
angel sendeth Gideon for their deliverance.
17 Gideon's present is consumed with fire. '25 Gideon destroyeth
the Lord be with us,J why then is all tliis befallen
Baal's altar, and olfereth a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom.
us? and wliere be all his miracles which our fathers
26 Joash defendeth his son, and calleth him Jerubhaal. 33 Gideon's
army. 36 Gideon's signs.
told us of," saying. Did not the Lord bring us up

AND the children of Israel did evil in the sight from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsalcen us,
of tlie Lord:" and the Lord delivered them and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
into the hand of Midian seven years.'' 14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said. Go
2 And tlie hand of Midian prevailed* against in this tliy might,' and thou shalt save Israel from
Israel and because of the Midianites the cliildren the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
:

of Israel made them the dens which are in the 15 And he said unto iiim, my Lord, wherewith
mountains, and caves, and strong-holds.'^ shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor* in
3 And so it 'was, when Israel had sown, that the Manasseh, and I am, tlie least in my father's house.'"
Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the 16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will
children of the east, even they came up against be with thee," aud thou shalt smite the Midianites
them as one man."
4 And they encamped against them, and destroy- 17 And he said unto him, If now I have found
ed the increase of the earth,'' till thou come unto grace in thy sight, then show mo a sign that thou
Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither talkest with me.''
sheep,+ nor ox, nor ass. 18 Depart not hence,'' I pray thee, until I come
5 For they came up with their cattle and their unto thee, and bring forth my present,* and set it
tents, and they came as grasslioppers for multi- before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou
tude ;°yor both they and their camels were with- come again.
out number: and they entered into the land to 19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid,*
destroy it. and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the
6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because
he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a
flesh
of the Midianites ;and the children of Israel cried and brought
it out unto him under the oak,
pot,
unto the Lord.'' and presented it.
7 1 And it came to pass, when the children of 20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the
Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midian- flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon
ites, this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
8 Tliat the Lord sent a prophet' unto the chil- 21 *: Then the angel of tlie Lord put forth the
dren of Israel, which said unto them. Thus saith end of the staff that u-as in his hand, and touched
the Lord God of Israel, I brouglit you up from the flesh and the unleavened cakes and there rose ;

Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and
bondage the unleavened cakes."' Then the angel of the
9 Aud I delivered you out of the hand of the Lord departed out of his sight.
Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppress- 22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an
ed you, and drave them out from before you, and angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, Lord God!
gave you their land ;" for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face
10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your to face.'
God fear not the gods of tiie Amorites,** in whose
; 23 And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto
land ye dwell but ye have not obeyed my voice. thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.'
:

11 IT And there came an angel of the Lord, and 24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the
sat under an oak which ivas in Ophrah, that per- Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom:* unto this
taincd unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gid- day it is yet in Ophrah of tlie Abi-ezrites.
eon^ threshed wheat by the wine-press, to hide it* 25 1 And it came to pass the same night, that
from the Midianites. the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto bullock, even' the second bullock of seven years
aCh.3:19. bHeb.3:7. • Heb. was strong, c 1 Sam. 13:B. dI,ev.aG:10; 9:21. n ExoJ. 3:12. o
Deut.a^:.30. 1 Or, goat, e ch. 7:12; Jor. 4U:3:!. tHos..'5:15. IHeh.aman
a prophet, s Psa. 44:2, 3. h 2 Kings 17::).5-!9. i Gedeon; Heb. 1I:.32.
I Hfb. cause it to flee. ' ch. 13;3. J Gen. i'j;22. k Psa. 77:7-9; 89:49.
1 Heb. n::i2. • Heb. my thousand is the meanest; Mio. 5:i. m 1 Sam.

CHAPTER VI.
1. Midian; the Midianites lived cast of the south part
of Palestine.
3. Amalekites, and the children of the cast; neighboring

tribes to the Midianites. By "the children of the east"


Arabian tribes seem to be especially intended.
4. Gaza; a city of the Philistines in the south-west part
of Palestine, on the Mediterranean.
5. To destroy it; take away the means of sustenance.
Ver. 6.

10. Fear not the gods; not worship or serve them.


;

BddPs altar c/isl dawn. .iri)(;i:s vii. Gideon's JImcc wel, nvd dry.

olil, and llirow down llio altar of Baal tlmt thy eon,''and he blew a trumpet;'' and Abi- a.m. ros.
:"
fatliLT liatli, and cut down the grove that is l)y it ezer was gathered"' after Iiini. "'i!m/''°"'

'2Ci And build an altar unto the Loud thy God 35 And lie sent messengers throughout all Ma-
U|)()n the top of thi:< rock,' in the ordered place/ nassch; wlio also was gathered after him and ho :

and take tlie second bullock, and offer a burnt- sent messengers unto Asher, and unto ZcbuJun,
saerilice with the wood of the grove which thou and unto Naphtali; and they came uji to meet
shalt cut down. tiiem.
•27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, 36 IT And Gideon .said unto God, If thou wilt
and did as the Loito had said unto him and so save Israel by my hand, as thou liast said,
:

it was, because lie feared his father's houseiiold, 37 Beliold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor
and tiie men of the city, that he could not do il by and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry
day, that lie did it by night. upon all the earth beside, tlien shall 1 know that
28 1 And when the men of tlic city arose early thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as tliou hast said.'
in the morning, ))eliold, tlic altar of Baal Avas cast 38 And it was so: for lie rose up early on tiie
down, and the grove was cut down that iras by it, morrow, and thrust the fleece togetliei-, and wring-
and the second bullock was ofl'cred upon tlie altar ed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.*
t/iaf. ivas built. 39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine
"29 And they said one to another, Who hath done anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this
this tiling? And when they inquired and asked, once:"" let me prove, 1 pray thee, but this once
they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done tliis with the fleece; let it now be dry only u]ion the
thing. fleece, and upon all the gi'onnd let there be dew.
30 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, 40 And God did so that night:' for it was dry
Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the
hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he ground.
hath cut down the grove that was by it.
?)1 And Joash said unto allthat stood againsthim,

Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that


VII. CHAPTER
Gideon's army of two and thirty thousand is brought to three hundred,
will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst 1
y He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the barley-
it is yet morning if he be a god, let him plead for
: cake. 16 His stratagem of trumpets and lamps in pitchers. 24 The
himself, because one hath cast down his altar. Kphraimites take Oreb and Zeeb.

32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerub- THEN


Jerubbaal, who is Gideon,' and all the
people that were with him, rose up early, and
baal,*'' saying, Let Baal plead against him, because
he hath thrown down his altar. pitclied beside the well of Harod so that the host :

33 *i Then all the Midianites and the Amalek- of the Midianites were on the north side of them,
ites and the children of the east were gathered by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
together,'^ and went over, and pitched in the val- 2 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people
ley of Jezreel. that are with thee are too many for me to give
3-1: But the Spirit of the Lord came upon' Gid- the Midianites into their hands, lest Israek vaunt
» Dent. 7: J. •
H..-b. .sti-on? ptafc. t Or. nn orderly manner. I Thai is, m. 10:3. ^lleh. called, f Exod. 4:1, etc. 6 Isa. 35:7. h Gen. IB: 32.
Lei Baal p'.ead. b 1 Sam. 13:11 2 Sam. ll:ai, Jerubbeshelh, Ihat is, Let
; .107:33,35; Isa. 50:2. j ch t):32.
the sliame/ul thing plead; Hos. 9: 10. = ver. 3. 1 Heb. clothed, dch. 3: lU.

28. T/te grove; here, as often elsewhere, the Hebrew the most perilous services and fit them, notwithstanding
;

word rendered "grove" seems to mean a wooden image go on in his name and strength from con-
all difficulties, to
of Astarte fixed by a post in the ground. quering to conquer.
31. Joash .'said; though he seems to have been a wor- 18. God is ready to give evidence of his truth to all sin-
shipper of Baal, his views may have been changed by cere inquirers who wish to understand his will for the
what Gideon had told him. Whilst it is yet morning; for purpose of doing it.
lii.s folly in pleading for Baal, who, if really a Ged, ought 24. All the manifestations of God to his believing, obe-
to take care of himself. Joash said this to dissuade the dient people will lead them anew to adore and bless him.
people from their purpose. 25. Strong faith in God's word will be tried, and thus fit
32. Jeruhbaal ; that is, let Baal plead. the believer, by patient continuance in well-doing, to be
34. Abi-ezer ; the family of his father, and his relatives. made victorious and perfect.
31. Idolatry so debases men, and renders them so fool-
INSTRUCTIONS. ish, that they will worship, and sometimes try to help gods
1. Unless the grace of God prevent, men naturally incline that have no power to help themselves.
to sin, showing that in them, without the grace of God, 34. If are to be fitted for good, great, and noble
men
there is no spiritually good thing. deeds, must be through the influences of the Spirit of
it
4. Sin tends to misery, and all the calamities which men God. Wisdom, strength, courage, energy, and persever-
suffer are tokens of God's displeasure against it. ance are his gifts, and to him they should, by all who
7. The only hope of deliverance from sin and its conse- possess them, be heartily devoted.
quences is in the Lord and when men feel this, and cry
; 37. Evidence of the presence and favor of God, and a
unto him, he for Christ's sake often appears for their help. conviction of being engaged in his work, support the soul
10. When God is about to grant deliverance to his peo- under trials, arm it for conflicts, and prepare it, notwith-
ple, he first convinces them that sin is the cause of their standing aU difficulties and dangers, in his name to triumph.
troubles and leads them to forsake it.
12. Providence developes human character. Many who CHAPTER VII.
have been buried for a time in obscurity, have afterwards, 1. Jerubbaal; chap, fi 32. Harod; on the borders of Issa-
:

char, not far from mount Gilboa. Moreh; near the valley
-

by peculiar circumstances, been raised to elevated jjosi-


tions of influence, usefulness, and honor. of Jezreel.
14. A
look from the Lord can nerve the self-diffident for 2. Vaunt; boast.
300
:

Gideon's army reduced. JUDGES VII. The Midiamtcs routed.

A. M. themselves against me," savinEr, Mine own


2755.

12M. hand hath saved me.


3 Now thei'efore go to, proclaim in the ears of the
people, saying.Whosoever is fearful and afraid,''
let him return and depart early from mount Gil-
ead. And there returned of the people twenty and
two thousand and tliore remained ten thousand.
:

4 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people


are yet too many;'' bring tiiem down unto the
water, and I will try them for thee there and it :

shall be, that of whom


unto thee, This shall
I say
go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of
whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go
with thee, the same shall not go.
.5 So he brought down the people unto the water

and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that


lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lap-
peth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every
one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
6 And the numljcr of them that lapped, putting
their hand to their mouth, were three hundred
men but all the rest of the people bowed down
:

u])on their knees to drink water.


7 And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three
hundred men that lapped will I save you, and
deliver the Midianites into thy hand and let all :
''

the other people go every man unto his place.


8 So the people took victuals in their hand, and
their trumpets and he sent all the rest of Israel
:

every man unto his tent, and retained those three


hundred men and the host of Midiaa was beneath
:

him in the valley.


9 "iT it came to pass the same night,'' that
xlud
tlie said unto him. Arise, get thee down unto
Lord
the host; for I have delivered it into thy hand.'
ID But if thou fear to go down, go thou with
Phurah thy servant down to the host:
11 And thou shalt hear' what they say;'* and
afterward shall thy hands be strengthened to go
down unto the host. Then went he down with
Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed
men* that were in the host.
12 And
the Midianites and the Amalekites and
all the children of the east lay along in the val-
ley like grasshoppers for multitude and their ;
'

camels were without number, as the sand of the


seaside for multitude.
13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was
a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said.
» Deuc.S:17; Isa. 10:13; Rom. ll:ls; 1 Cor. I:'i9; 3 Cor. 4:7.
The enemy pursueil. .ll'DCKS VIII. Suceoth and Penuel punished.

of K])liraini gathered tlioiiiHclvcs together, and


took tlie waters unto Ik'th-barali and Jordan.'
U/J And tliey took two princes of tlie Midianites,
Orel) and Zeel);'' and they slew Oreb upon tlie
roek Orel), and Zeelj thry slew at the winepress
of Zii'li. and i)ursued .Nlidian, and broii<;lit the
heads of Ureb and Zecb to Gideou ou the other
side Jordan.

CHAPTER VIII.
1 GiJeon pacifieth Ephraimites. 4 Succoth and Penuel refuse t"
tlie

relieve Uulfon's 10 Zebah anJ Zalniunna are taken. 13 Suc-


army.
coth and Penuel are destroyed. 18 Gideon revengeth his brethren^
ih.-ath on Zebah and Zalmunna. 2*3 He rcfuseth government. 21
His epiiod cause of idolatry. 2S Midian subdued. 29 Gideons chil-
dren, and death. 33 The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude.

A ND the men of Ephraim'' said unto him, Why


X\. hast thou served us thus,* that thou ealledst
us not, when thou wentest to light with tlie Mid-
ianites? And they did chide with him sharply.*
2 And he said unto them, What have I done now
in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the
grajics of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-
ezer?
3 God hath delivered into your hands the prin-
ces of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I
able to do in eomparisonof you? -Then their anger*
was abated toward him,'' when he had said that.
4 'i And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed
over, he, and the three hundred men that were
pursuing t/iem.
witli him, faint, yet
5 And
he said unto the men of f^uccoth,'' Give,
I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that
follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing
after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
G And the princes of Succoth said, ^Ire the hands
of Zebah and Zalmunna noAV in thy hand, that we
should give bread unto tliine army?"^
a John has. bch. 8;3; Psa.83:ll. 12. c ch. 1
: :

Zebah and Zalmunna slain. JUDGES IX. Dtatk of Gideon.

A. M. 275,'i. 17 And he beat down the tower of Pe- 27 And Gideon made an ephod thereof,'"and put
^
nuel," and slew the men Ophrah and all Israel went
1243''""' :'^
of the city. it in his city, even in
18 IT Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, thither a whoring after it:^ which thing became
What manner of men were they whom ye slew at a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.''
Tabor ?" And they answered, As thou art, so 28 1 Thus was Midian subdued before the chil-
were they; each one resembled* the children of a dren of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads
IdniT. no more. And the country was in quietness forty
19 And he said. They were my brethren, even the years in the days of Gideon.
sons of my mother: as the Lord livcth, if ye had 29 IT And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and
saved them alive, I would not slay you. dwelt in his own house.
20 And he said unto Jether his first-born. Up, 30 And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of
and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword his body^ begotten:' for he had many wives.
for ho feared, because he was yet a youth. 31 And his concubine that was in Shechem, she
21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said. Rise thou, also bare him a son, whose name he called Abim- '

and upon us for as the man is, so is his elech.^


fall :

strensrth. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah 32 T And Gideon the son of Joash died in a
and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments* good old age,'' and was buried in the sepulchre of
that were on their camels' necks. Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
22 IF Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, 33 And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was
Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy sou, and dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and
thy son's son also for thou hast delivered us from went a whoring after Baalim,' and made Baal-
:

the hand of Midian. berith their god."'


23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule 34 And the children of Israel remembered not
over you, neither shall my sou rule over you: the the Lord their God," who had delivered them out
Lord shall rule over you.'^ of the hands of all their enemies on every side
2-1 And Gideon said unto them, I would de-
"i" 35 Neither showed they kindness to the house
sire a request of you, that ye would give me every of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon," according to all the
mau the ear-rings of his prey. For they had golden goodness which he had showed unto Israel.
ear-rings, because they were Ishmaelites.''
25 And they answered, will willingly give We CHAPTER IX.
them. And they spread a garment, and did cast
Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his
therein evei-y man the ear-rings of his prey. 1
brethren, is made king. 7 Jotham by a parable rebuketh them, and
20 And the weiglit of the golden ear-rings that foretelleth their rum. 22 G-aal conspireth with the Shechemitea
against him. 30 Zebul revealeth it. 3-1 Abimelech overcometh them,
he requested was a thousand and seven hundred and soweth the city witli salt. 46 He burneth the hold of the ^^od
shekels of gold; besides ornaments, and collars,* Berith. 50 At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone. 5G Jo-
and purple raiment that was on the kings of Mid- tham's curiae is fulfilled.

ian, and besides the chains that were about their


camels' necks.
aVer.9. bch.4:6: Psi. S9:l-2. Heb. according to the form of. t Or, orna-
'
A ND

t Psa. 106:39.
Abimelech
Shechem unto
h Deut. 7:1(
the son of Jerubbaal Tvent to
his mother's brethren,P aud

5 Heb. going out of his thigh.

mei:ts like the inooiij Isa. 3: 18. c 1 Sam. 8:7; 10:19; 12:12; Isa. 33:22; II Heb. sel. J ch. 9:13. k G 1.25:8; Job 5:26. 1 ch. 2:17, 19.
03:1'J. d Gen. 25:13; :!7:-25, fl^. \Qx^ sxocet jewels, ech. 17:5. fch. (i;24. n Psa. 78:11, 42; 106:13,21. 3 ch. 9:16-10. Pch. 8:31.

21. So is his strength; as his age was mature, so was his evil of sin, and of the horrible state of those who are
strength. abandoned power.
to its everlasting
23. The Lord shall rule; he was their chief magistrate, 16. Sin often brings misery in this world of mercy, as it
and Gideon would not be instrumental in changing that will, to all who continue in it, in the world of retribution.
form of government. 21. The dread which men have of a lingering and dis-
24. Ear-rings of his prey; those which they had taken honorable temporal death, should prompt them to imme-
from their enemies. Ishmaelites; the Midianites are some- diate, earnest, and persevering efl'orts to avoid the dis-
times confounded with Ishmaelites; they lived near, and grace and torment of that which is eternal.
often mingled together. Gen. 37 28. : 23. A wise man will not covet an increase of power, care,
27. An ephod; a very rich and costly garment, such as and responsibility nor, unless it appears to be manifestly
;

was worn by the high-priest. Exod. 28:4. A whoring the will of God, will he consent to receive it.
after it; it became a means of superstition and idolatry. 27. The consequences of men's actions may be very dif-
33. Baalim and— Baat-berith; idol-gods. ferent from what they anticipate they should not, there-
;

fore, at any time lean to their own understandings, but


INSTRUCTIONS. should in all their ways acknowledge God, that he may
1. Those who neglect their duty are often disposed to direct their paths.
cast the blame on others; and those who refuse to engage 31. A
departure from the design and wiU of God in the
in great and important services, are often most anxious to institution of marriage, has in some form ever been the
have the credit of them. easily besetting sin of men, and the source of innumerable
2. \ command of one's temper, and a disposition to and most distressing calamities.
give full credit to the worthy actions of others, are Ukely 33. No sooner are restraints removed, than men show
means of appeasing envy, abating wrath, and causing con- their wickedness by voluntarily engaging in known sin,
tentions to cease. and the manifestation of awful ingratitude towards both
(i. It is unwise to refuse aid to brethren in distress, and God and men.
foolish as well as wicked to upbraid them.
10. The multitudes who have fallen in wars by the CHAPTER IX.
hands of their fellow-men, and in the indulgence of the 1. Shechem ; a city in the tribe of Ephraim, lying between
must hateful passions, present an impressive view of the mount Gerizim on the south, and mount Ebal on the north.
303
conspiracy of Abimtkch. JUDGES IX, Revoll of the Shecliemiks.

cniiimunocl witli tlifin, and willi all the family of


tlie linuso of liis moilior'? fiUlior, sayiufr,
•1 you, in the cars of all tho men
S])(':ik, I juiiy

of Whoilior' is belter for you, eitlior


Slii'^'lioni.

that all tlic .sons of Jcrubhaal, vhkh arc tiireescure


anil ten person?," reign over you, or that one reign
over you? remember also that I am your bone and
voiir llesh."'

3 Ami his mother's brethren spake of him in the


ears of all tho men of Siieclieui all these words:
and their hearts inclined to follow* Abimelech;
for tlioy said. He is our brother.
4 And they gave him threescore and ten pieces
of silver out of the house of Baal-bcrith,"^ where-
with Abimelech hired vain and light persons,''
wliieh fi)llowcd him.
;")
And he went unto his father's house at Oph-
rali, and slew his brethren tiie sons of Jerubbual,*
beint'^ threescore and ten persons, \ipon one stone:

notwithstanding, yet Jotham the youngest son of


Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
G And all the men of Shochcm gathered together,
and all the house of Jlillo, and went and made
Abimelech king, by the plain' of the pillar that
M'fl? in Shechem.
7 *![ And when they told it to Jotham, he went and
stood in the top of mount Gcrizim,'' and lifted up
his voice, and cried, and said unto them. Hearken
unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may heark-
en unto you.
8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king
over them;'' and they said unto the olive-tree,
Reign thou over us.
9 But the olive-tree said unto them. Should I
leave my fatness,'' wherewith by me they honor God
and man, and go to be promoted over the trees'?^
10 And the trees said to the fig-tree, Come thou,
and reign over us.
11 But the fig-tree said unto them, Should I for-
sake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to
be promoted over the trees?
12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou,
and reign over us.
13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave
my wine, which cheeretli God and man,' and go
to be promoted over the trees?

• Hp
Abimekch taketh Sliccliem, JUDGES IX. and is slain at T/iebez.

A. M. 2T9S. ren,and went oyer to Shechem and the : 39 And Gaal went out before the men of She-
"
law' menofShecliemputtheirconfidonccinhim. chem, and fought with Abimelech.
27 And they went out into the fields, and gath- 40 And Abimelech chased hini, and he fled before
ered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and him, and many were overthrown and wounded,
made merry,* and went into the house of their god,'' even unto the entering of the gate.
and did eat and drink, and cursed Abinielech. 41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah and Zebul :

28 And G-aal tlie son of Ebed said, Wlio is Abim- thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should
elech, and who is Shechem, that we sliould serve not dwell in Shechem.
him?'' is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul 42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the
his officer? servo the men of Hamor tlie father of people went out into the field and they told ;

Siiechem:" for wliy should we serve him? Abimelech.


29 And wonld to God this people were under my 43 And he took the people, and divided them
hand!'' then would I remove Abimelech. And he into three companies, and laid wait in the field,
said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come and looked, and behold, the people were come forth
out. out of the city and he rose up against them, and
;

30 1 And when
Zebul the ruler of the city heard smote them.
the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anffcr was 44 And Abimelech, and the company that was
kindled/ with him, rushed forward, and stood in the enter-
31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech priv- ing of the gate of the city and the two other com-
:

saying. Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his


ily,* panies ran upon all the people that were in the fields,
brethren be come to Shechem; and behold, they and slew them.
fortify the city against thee. 4.5 And Abimelech fought against the city all

32 Now therefore np by night, thou and the that day and he took the city,' and slew the peo-
;

people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the ple that loas therein, and beat down the city," and
field: sowed it with salt."
33 And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon 46 1 And when all the men of the tower of She-
as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon chem heard that, they entered into a hold of the
the city and behold, ichen he and the people that
: house of the god Berith.'
is with him come out against thee, then mayest 47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men
thou do to them as thou shalt find^ occasion. of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
34 IT And Abimelech rose up, and all the people 48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zal-
that were with him, by night, and they laid wait mon,J he and all the people that were with him;
against Shechem in four companies. and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut
35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid
in the entering of the gate of the city and Aliim- : it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that

elcch rose up, and the people that were with him, were with him, What ye have seen me do,* make
from lying in wait. haste, and do as I have done.
36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to 49 And all the people likewise cut down every
Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put
top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him. them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon
Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they them so that all the men of the tower of Shechem
;

were men. died also, about a thousand men and women.


37 And Gaal spake again and said, See, there 50 1 Then went Abimelech to Thcbez, and en-
come people down by the middle of the land, and '
camped against Thebez, and took it.
another company come along by the plain of Me- 51 But there was a strong tower within the city,
onenim.^ and thither fled all the men and women, and all
38 Then said Zebul unto him, Whore is now thy they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them
mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, up "to the top of the tower.
that wo should serve him?" is not this the people 52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and
that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of
fiofht with them. the. tower to burn it with fire.

Or, songs; Isa. 18:9, 10; Jer. 25:30. a rer. 4. b 1 Sam. •25:10; 1 Kinss 9:10. I Heb. navel. 1 Or, The regarders of times; Hcut. 18:14. e
1-2:16. cGen. 34:3, 6. J -2 Sam. 15:4; Psa. 10::3. t Or, /lol. iTieh. craft- •28,29. fTer.'20. e -2 Kings 3:^25. h Dent. 29:23; Kzek. 47:11; Zeph.
ily, or to Tormah. i Heb. thy hand shall Jind; 1 Sam. 10:7; 95:8; Ecd. ich. 8:3.3. j Psa. 03:14. • Heb. /Aotrndon^.

have descended from Hamor the father of Sliechem, and Middle of the land; rather, height of the land that
37. ;

former prince of that country. Ver. 28 Gen. 31:2. ; is,from the high hills bordering Shechem. See note to
27. Their god; their idol-god. Chap. 8:33. ver. 1. The plain of Meonenim ; rather, the oak of Meone-
28. Who is Abimelech; that he should reign over the nim that is, in EngUsh, the enchanter's oak,
;

ancient and renowned city of Shechem. Zebul ; the gov- 41. Arumah; a place near Shechem.
ernor of Shechem
durina; Abimelech's absence. Ver. 30. 43. He; Abimelech. Took; had taken.
29. Said to Abimelech; that is. by messengers, for Abim- 45. Sowed it with salt; in token of its desolation.
elech himself was absent from the city. Increase come — 4S. Zalmon ; meaning shady supposed to be so called
;

out ; a challenge to Abimelech to make hi.i army as strong from its being covered wth forests.
as possible, and meet him on the field of battle. 50. Tliebez; a city of Ephraim.a few miles north-east of
31. Sent messengers —
privily; because he was not strong Shechem.
enough to offer direct resistance to Gaal, who had won hi. A strong tmcer; such towers in or near cities, to
over the people of the citv to his side. which the people fled in time of danger, were common.
20 305
:

Told and Jair are jutl/^rs. jri)(ii;s X. Israel oppressed for its sins.

/is And woman


cast a piece of a mill-
a cortain 2 And he judjred Israel twenty and three a.m. aci.
stone upon Al)imck'cli's head," and all-to brake his years, and died, and was buried in Shamir, naj'

skull. :$ "i And after him arose Jair, a Gilcadite, and


51 Then he called hastily nn(o llic youiitr man judjred Israel twenty and two years.
his armor-bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy 1 .\nd he had thirty sons that rode on thirty
sword, and slay me,'' that men say not of me, A ass colts,'' and they had thirty cities, which arc
woman slew him. And his younj^ man thrust him ealloil Havoth-Jair,' unto this day/ which arc in
Ihroufih. and he died. the land of (Jilead.
5.") And when the men of Israel saw that Abim- 5 And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.
elci'h was dead, they departed every man unto his 1l And the children of Israel did evil ajrain in

place. the sight of the Lord," and served Baalim, and


.')6 *! Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abim- .\slitarotli, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of
elech, wiiieh he did unto his father, ia slaying his Zidon,'' and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the
"
seventy brethren children of Amnion, and the gods of the I'hilis-
57 And all the evil of the men of Shcchem did tines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.
God render upon their heads: and ui)on them 7 And the anger of the Loud was hot again,st
came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.*' Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the
Philistines,' and into the hands of the children of
Amnion.
CHAPTER X. 8 And that year they vexed and opjjressed' the
1 Tola judgeth Israel in Shamir. Ja thirty sons had thirty
."?
children of Israel eighteen ycai-s, all the childien
:

cities. 6 The Philistines and Ammonites oppress Israel. 10 lii then


misery G-od sendeth them to their false gods. 15 Upon their repent-
of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the
ance lie pitieth them. land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.
after Abimclecli there arose to defend* 9 Jloreover the children of Amnion passed over
VXD
Israel, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, Jordan to light also against Judah, and against
a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim ; so
mount Ephraim. that Israel was sore distressed.^
i -2 Sam. ll;ai. b 1 Sam. :nA, c ver. -M; Job 31:3; Psa. <j4fi3; I'rov. 1 Sam. 12:9, 10. 1 lleb.
•>!• Matt 7:2; Gal. 8:7. J v.-r. 20, 45. • Hob. save, or deliver, e ch.
:IU; 12:14. 1 Or, T/ie villages of Jair; Num. :)-2A\. (Dout.3:14. 6 ch.

53. A
millstone; the upper stone of a hand-mill, in which to others, will ordinarily meet with others who will be
the women ground their grain. Matt. 24:41. All-to; an treacherous and cruel to them.
old English term meaning, wholly, entirely. 26. Men may rebel against one set of wicked rulers, and
.04. woman slew him; to be slain by a woman was con-
A yet choose another who are no better and, by so doing,
;

sidered disgraceful. may only increase their distress and hasten their ruin.
56. Rendered; requited or punished. Ver. 5, 18, 24. 27. Dissipation, rioting, and licentiousness are not true
57. The curse of Jotliam; ver. 20. liberty, and those who indulge in them can never enjoy it.
2S. Boasting, pride, and self-esteem are forerunners of
IXSTIU^CTIOXS. defeat, degradation, and contempt.
2. ilen who earnestly desire power, and flatter their
38. Those who pretend to despise their enemies when

fellow-men to obtain it, are not worthy to be trusted, and at a distance, are often afraid of them when tliey come
should not be chosen to rule over otliers. near and the most reproachful in time of safely, are often
;

.3. Men are easily flattered, and their judgment, feelings, most cowardly in time of danger.
4.5. The men who aid and exalt the wicked, are often
and conduct often biassed towards those who are related
to or connected with them. the men wlio are injured and destroyed by them.
Tain and light persons, the vicious and the worthless 46. The courses which wicked men take to secure their
4.
of descriptions, will prostitute their poHtical influence
all
safety not unfrequently accelerate their ruin; and often
to the support of those flatterers who like themselves arc by those whom they have aided in slaying others, they
vicious, and who will furnish them with money. are themselves slain.
62. Success often renders men reckless, and when they
5. Ambitious men, who are given up of God to the grat-
ification of their lusts, will commit any crime to secure are most confident they are nearest to destruction. They
their selfish objects. may escape the greatest apparent dangers, and then fall
6. When a people choose immoral men as their rulers, by such as are not thought of.
they will generally be made instruments of mutual pun- 54. Men, especially warriors, think much about an hon-
ishment to each other. orable death, and sometimes are peculiarly sensitive of
8. Parables may be a most clfoctive and useful method their reputationwhen sinking into shame and everlasting
of inculcating divine truth, and he who wisely employs contempt.
them li'^ an eminent benefactor of mankind. 56. Jehovah is a God that judgeth in the earth, and often
9. Wise men will not be anxious to leave here proclaims the sins of men in their punishment.
the safe, quiet,
and useful pursuits and enjoyments of private life, for the
sake of becoming rulers, especiallv over the wicked. CHAPTER X.
15. Those wlio arc most unfaithful and worthless in pri- 1. He dwelt in Shamir; after he became judge as ;
this
vate life, are often most anxious for promotion to public was a more central part of the country, and a more con-
life; and those who thus promote them, may expect venient place for a judge than any in his own tribe.
through them to reap the fniit of their folly. 3. A Gileadite; he" was the first judge from the cast
sidi'
19. Teachers of divine truth in all ages have maintained of Jordan.
that godliness is profitable unto all things, and that the 4. Havoth-jair ; the villages of Jair.
way of transgressors is hard that righteousness tendeth
; 7. Phdistines; they lived on the west of the Israelites,
to life, and that those who continue in wickedness do it and the cJiildren of Amman on the east.
to theirown death. 8. Tliat year; the oppression of both began about the
28. The wicked have no permanent bond of union, safety, same time. Tliat of the Ammonites lasted eighteen years,
or peace and those who have been treacherous and cruel
; and that of the Philistines forty. Chap. 13:1. Other; east.
30G
1

IxrpeiUance of Israel. JUDGES XI. Jejihthah becomes a judge.

Asy^a. 10 T And the cliildrcn of Israel cried


no'."" unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned
airainst tlicc, both because we have forsaken our
God, and also served Baalim.
1 And the Lord said unto the children of Israel,
Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians," and from
the Amorites,'' from the children of Ammon, and
from the Philistines?"
12 The Zidonians also,'^ and the Araalekites,'' and
the Maonites, did oppress you;'^ and ye cried to
me, and I delivered you out of their hand.
13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other
gods wherefore I will deliver you no more.
t'-'

14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have


chosen let thern deliver you in the time of your
;

tribulation.''
1.5 ir And the children of Israel said unto the

Lord, We have sinned do thou unto us whatso- :

ever seemeth good unto thee :*' deliver us only, we


pray thee, this day.
IG And they put away the strange gods* from
among them, and served the Lord :' and his soul
was grieved* for the misery of Israel.''
17 Then the children of Amnion were gathered^
together, and encamped in Gilead. And the chil-
dren of Israel assembled themselves together, and
encamped in Mizpeh.'
18 And
the people and princes of Gilead said one
to another,What man is he that will begin to fight
against the children of Ammon? he shall be head
over all the inhabitants of Gilead.

CHAPTER XI.
1 The covenant between Jephtliah and the Gileadites, that he should be
their head. T^ The treaty of peace between him and the Ammonites
is in vain. 29 Jepholiah's vow. 33 His conquest of the Ammonites.
34 He perfoi'meth his vow on his daughter.

OW
N I
Jephthah' the Gileadite was a mighty
man of valor," and he was the son of a har-
I

lot :' and Gilead begat Jephthah.


2 And Gilead's wife bare him sons and his wife's ;

sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and


said unto him. Thou shaltnot inherit in our father's
house; for thou art the son of a strange woman."
B ir Then Jephthah fled from* his brethren, and

' Exod. 14;30. b Num.


The embassy of Jephlhah. .ILDGES XI. His rash I'ow.

16 But when and but thou doest me wrong to war against


came up from Ejrypt, m zw.i
Israel

walked throuirli tlic wilderness unto the Red sea," me: tlie LoUD the Judge' be judge tins "o
.1
1 " ••>"' , Till • 1 •
.*

'

und came to Kadcsli;'' day between the children of Israel and the chil-
17 Tiien Israel sent messengers unto the kinj^ of dren of Animon.'"
Kdom. sayintr. Let me, I pray tlieo, pass throufrli 28 llowbeit the king of the children of Amnion
ihv land: but tiic king of Edom would not heark- hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah wiiich
en' //wnyo. And in like manner they sent unto the lie sent him.
2'.> *i Then the Spirit of the Lord" came upon
king of Moah: but he wc^uld not consent: and Is-
rael abode in Ivadesh. Jephthah," and he passed over Gilead, and Ma-
18 Tiien they went along through the wilder- nassch, and passed over Miz]peh of Gileail, and
ness, and compassed the land of Edom, and lie from Mizpch of Gilead he passed over tmto the
I

land of Moab,'' and came by tlie east side of tiie children of Amnion.
hmd of Moab, and pitclied on tlie other side of ?,() And Jephthah vowed avow unto the Lord,"

Arnon, but came not within tlie border of Moab :'' anil said, If thou slialt without fail deliver the
for Arnon was the border of Moab. children of Amnion into my hands,
19 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king 31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh
of the Amorifes, the king of Heshbon;" and Is- forth* of the doors of my house to meet me, when
rael said unto him. Let us })ass, we pray thee, I return in peace from tlie children of Amnion,
through tliy land into my place. shall surely be the Lord's,'' and* I will offer it up
20 But Siiion trusted not Israel to pass through for a burnt-offering.
his coast but Sihon gatlicred all his people togeth-
: 32 li So Jephthah passed over unto the children
er, and pitched in JaJuiz, and fought against Israel. of Ammon to fight against them and the Lord ;

21 And the Lord God of Israel delivered Sihon delivered them into his hands.
and all his people into the hand of Israel, and 33 And he smote them from Aroer, even till
they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land thou come to Minnith,'' even twenty cities, and un-
of the Amorites, tlie inhabitants of that country. to the plain of the vineyards, with a very great -^

22 And tliey possessed all the coasts of the Am- slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were sub-
orites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from dued before the children of Israel.
the wilderness even unto Jordan. 34 1 And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his
23 So now the Lord God of Israel hath dispos- house,' and behold, his daughter came out to meet
sessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, him with timbrels and with dances:" and she was
and shouldcst thou possess it? Ms only child beside her he had neither son nor ;

24 Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh*^ daughter.'


tliy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever 3.5 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that

the Lord our God*-' shall drive out from before he rent his clothes,* and said, Alas, my daughter!
us," them will we possess. thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one
2.5 And now art thou any tiling better than of them that trouble me for I have opened my :

Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab?' did he mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go Ijack."
ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight 36 And she said unto him, My father, if thou
against them, hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me
26 AVhile Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns,^ according to that which hath proceeded out of
and in Aroer and her towns,'' and in all the cities thy mouth forasmuch as the Lord hath taken ven- ;

that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hun- geance for thee of thine enemies," even of the chil-
dred years? why tliereforc did ye not recover dren of Ammon.
them within that time? 37 And she said unto her father. Let this thing
27 Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, be done for me let me alone two months, that 1 :

a Num.
14:25; Deut. 1:40; Josh. 5:6. b Num. 20:1, 14. etc. ' Num. 1:11 ; Bed. 5:2, 4. 5. t Heb. llmt which cmnrth forlk. u-lnth shall rome
21:4, et«. d Num
22:36. e Num. 21:21, etc.; Deut. 2:26, etc t Num. forth. P Lev. 27:2, 3; 1 Sam. 1:11,2?; Psa. 66: 13, 14. 1 Or. or. q Kzek.
21:28; 1 Kings 11:7; Jer. 4t:7. e Mic. 4:5. h Deut. 18:12; Psa. 78:55. 27:17. S Or, AM. ' ver, 11. « Exod. 15:20; I Sam. I&:6; Psa. 6,-<:25;
i
Num. 22:2, etc. J Num. 21:25. k Deut. 2:30. I Gen. 19:25; Psa. 75:7; 150:4 ; Jer. 31:4. I Or, he had not of his own either son or daughter; Heb.
EccI, 12:14. m Gen. 16:5; 31:51; 1 Sim. 24:12, 15. n ch. 3:10. • Jeph- of himself, t Gen. 37:29, 34. u Num. 3U:2j Psa. 15:4. v 2 Sam. IB: 19, 31.
•oah seems to have been judge only of North-east Israel, o Gen 23: 20 ; 1 Sam.
.

The coasts of tlie Amorites; the Amorites had dispos-


22. wisdom, courage, and aU needful qualifications to conduct
Bessed the Ammonites and taken their country, from Ar- the war. Over; through the places mentioned, to collect
non to Jabliok, before the children of Israel came out of his army.
Egypt and tlie Israelites took it not from the Ammonites,
; 31. Be the Lord's; devoted especially to his service.
as they now pretended, ver. 13, but from the Amorites. And; some liavo translated this, or; supposing that what
24. Chemosh; the idol-god of the Ammonites, to whom should come to meet Jephthah was to be a burnt-oflering,
they ascribed their successes. if it were an object which the law allowed for that pur-
25. Better than. Balak; had they any better claim to the pose and if not, that it was to be devoted to God in some
;

lands than had Balak, who was king of Moab when Israel other way.
took them? He did not take them back; and as the 33. Aroer; a town near the river Arnon. Minnith; a
Ammonites had not attempted it, but suffered the Israel- place north of Aroer, in the tribe of Reuben.
ites to possess it unmolested for three hundred years, it 35. Opened my mouth; made a vow. Ver. 30. Cannot
was evident that they had lost all title to it, and the Isra- go back; he could not, without breaking his engagement,
elites did not wrong them in possessing it. and thus, in his view, doing wrong.
27. The Lord —
be judge; decide, by giving the victoiy 37. My
virginity; that she was to live and die without
to those who were right. being married and having children, which Jewish women
29. ITie Spirit —
came upon Jephthah ; furnishing him with very much regretted. If, as some suppose, she was not
308
'; ;

The Ephraimltcs defeated. JUDGES XII. Ibzan, Elon, and Ahdon.

A. M. 2SM.may go up and down* upon the mountains, 4 Then Jephthah gathered together all the men
liu and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.
°"
of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim and the men :

38 And he said, Go. And he sent her away /or of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said. Ye
two montiis and slie went with her companions,
:
Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the
and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. Ephraimites, aiid among the Manassites.
39 And it came to pass at the end of two months, 5 And the Gileadites took the passages of Jor-
that slie returned unto her father, who did with her dan before the Ephraimites:'' and it was so, when
according to his vow which he had vowed :" and slie those Ephraimites which were escaped said. Let
knew no man. And it was a custom^ in Israel, mo go over, that the men of Gilead said unto him,
40 That the daughters of Israel went yearly* to Jlrt thou an Ephraimite? If he said. Nay;
lament'^ the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite 6 Then said they unto him. Say now Shibboleth :*
four days in a year. and he said Sibboleth for he could not frame to
:

pronounce it right. Then they took him, nnd slew


him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at
CHAPTER XII. that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thou-
1 The Ephraimites, quarrelling with Jephthah, and discerned by Shib- sand.
boleth, are slain by the Gileadites. 7 Jephthah dieth. 8 Ibzan, who
had thirty sons and thirty daughters, 11 and Elnn, 13 and Abdon, 7 And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then
who had forty sons and thirty nephews, judged Israel. died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in

AND the men of Ephraim gathered themselves


and went northward, and said
together,''
one of the cities of Gilead.
8 And after him Ibzan of Beth-leliem judged
unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to Israel.*
fight against the cliildren of Ammon, and didst 9 And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters,
not call us to go with thee? we will burn thy whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daugh-
house upon thee with fire. ters from abroad for his sons. And he judged
2 And Jephthah said unto them, I and my peo- Israel seven years.
ple were at great strife with the children of Am- 10 Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Beth-
mon and when I called you, ye delivered me not
;
lehem.
out of their hands. 11 t And
after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged
3 And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I Israel and he judged Israel ten years.
;+

put my life in n;y hands,'= and passed over against 12 And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was bur-
the children of Ammon, and the Lord delivered ied in Aijalou in the country of Zebulun."
them into my hand wherefore then are ye come : 13 1 And after him Abdou the son of Hillel, a
up unto me this day, to fight against me? Pirathonite, judged Israel.*

Heb, g-o ami go down. » ver. 31 ; 1 Sam.


1;*J. 2Ji 3:13. t Or, onl la; Isi. 37:13. • Beseems to h
ice. I Reh. from yearlo year, i Or. talk with; ch. 5:11. I Heb. Wfi North-east Israel, t A civil judg
t 1 Sam. lil:5; 2i:21; Job 1.3:14; Psa 119:109. d cl civiljudge also in North-east Isra
13:11. • Which a stream, o: fiooil ; I'sa. 69::
signifleth

literally offered to the Lord as a burnt-offering, it is plain, 27. A disposition in the use of proper means to commit
from the language of the sacred writer, that she was de- all our concerns to the guidance and disposal of God, is a
voted to God in such a way as required her to remain good preparation for obtaining his favor, and receiving
unmarried and childless. Fellows ; female companions. from him all needed aid.
3y. According to his vow ; he devoted her to tlic Lord in 31. We sliould be careful to promise nothing but what
a manner consistent with his promise, whatever that was. is practicable, lawful, and right, that all we promise may
She knew no man ; was never married, and had no children be faithfully performed.
a thing bewailed and lamented both by herself and her 35. This life is a mixed scene of trials and mercies.
companions. Great blessings are often followed by great distresses
40. Lament; this word in the original means, to cele- and if uncalled of God and without good reason we have
brate, or rehearse, and is so translated in chap. 5: 11. The brought them upon ourselves, tlie poignancy of them is
daughters of Israel, from j'ear to year, commemorated the thereby increased.
case of Jephthah's daughter.
CHAPTER XII.
INSTRUCTIONS. Went northward; towards Mizpeh, on the east side of 1.

2. As the sins Jordan, where Jephthah lived.


of parents may greatly injure and distress
their children, this should be a motive to induce them to 2. Ye delivered me not ; did not attempt itj
govern all tlieir appetites and passions, and to regulate 3. Put mi/ life in my hands; took on myself the work and

their whole conduct according to the revealed will of danger of attempting to obtain deliverance.
God. 4. Fugitives of Ephraim ; the Gileadites belonged to the

7. In prosperity men often despise and reject those to tribe of Manasseh. Josh. 17 1. The Ephraimites reproach :

whom in adversity they are glad to apply for help. them as a remnant who had fled Viefore themselves across
9. Arrangements in which different parties are con- the Jordan, and who were miworthy to be ranked with
cerned should be plainly and correctly stated beforehand, their brethren of Ephraim and Manasseh.
that there may be afterwards no misunderstandings and 6. Foi-ty and two thousand ; supposed by many to mean

contests about them. two thousand and forty, as the Ephraimites when numbered
12. For the wiclied courses which wicked men pursue amoimted only to thirty-two thousand five hundred. Num.
they can give no good reason and a correct statement of 26:37. But this reason cannot be regarded as conclusive,
;

facts shows that for their pretended reasons there is no since the numbering referred to took place three hundred
just foundation. years before.
21. The agency of God should never be excluded
our in 10. Bethlehem; there were two places of this name, one
contemplations of the affairs of men, and his goodness in Zebulun. and one in Judah where our Saviour was born.
should always be acknowledged as the source of all the 13. A Pirathonite; so called from Pirathon the place
blessings which we enjoy. where he lived.
309
;

The angtl of the Lird visits


JUDGES XIII. Manoah und Ids wife.

14 And lie liad forty sons and tliirty ncplicws,' '.» And God
liearkcned to the voice of a. m. 2>o.
tliut rodo on tlirecsi'oiT and ten ass colts :" and he Manoah and the angel of (jod came again nii"*"''
;

jiuliTi'd Israi'l ciirlit voars. unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Ma-
1
) And Alulon tlic'son of Hillel the Pirathonitc noaJi her husband ivas not with her.
died, and was Iniiiud in Piratium in the land of 10 And the woman made haste, and ran, and
E]iliraiMi. in tlir niounl of the Anialckites.'' showed her husband, and said unto him. Behold,
the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto
CHAPTER XIII. me the other day.
And Manoah
hand of ihe
11 arose, and went after his wife,
1 Iirael is in tlic Philistines. 2 An ixngcl appi'ardli to
Manonli's wile. 8 The an^al appptirfth to Manoal" \.> Jlanoahs and came to the man, and said unto him, Jlrt thou
Mcrilice, whereby the anjjel is iliscovereJ. 21 Samson is born. tiie man that gpakest unto the woman? And he
AND the children of Israel did* evil attain in
the sijjht of the Lord ;" and the Loiii) deliv-
said,
12
I am.
And Manoah said, Now let thy words come
ered thcni into the hand of the Philistines forty to pass. IIow shall we order* the child, and how
years.''' shall we do unto him?'
2 T And there was a certain man of Zorah," of the angel ol'tlic LoKD said unto Manoah, 13 And
the family of the Danites, -whose name icas Ihi- that 1 said unto the woman let her beware. Of all
noah; and his wife u-as barren,
and bare not. 14 She may not cat of any thing that comelh
3 And the anicl of the Loud apjicarcd unto tlie of tlie vine, neither let her drink wine or strong
woman,'' and said unto her. Behold now, thou art drink, nor cat any unclean thing:'' all that 1 com-
barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, manded her lot her observe.
and bear a son. 15 If And Manoah said unto the angel of the
4 Now therefore beware, 1 ]iray tliee, and drink Lord, 1 pray thee, let us detain tliec,' until wc
not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any un- shall have made ready a kid for^ thee.
clean thing: 16 And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah,
5 For lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son Though thou detain me, 1 will not cat of thy
and no razor shall come on his head :" for the bread and if thou wilt offer a burnt-oflering, thou :

child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the must offer it unto the Lord. For Manoah knew
womb:" and lie shall bcjiin to deliver Israel out not that he was an angel of the Lord.
of the hand of tiio Piiilistincs. 17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord,
6 Then the woman came and told her liusband, What /* thy name,'" that when thy sayings come
saying, A
man of God came unto me,' and his to pass we may do thee honor?
countenance was like the countenance of an angel IS And the angel of the Lord said unto him,
of God,-! very terrible: but I asked him not whence askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is Why
he was, neither told he me his name: secret?*
7 But he said unto mo. Behold, thou shalt con- 19 So Manoah took a kid with a meat-offering,
ceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine and offered it upon a rock unto the Lord :" and
nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: the angel did woudrously ; and ]\Ianoah and his
for the ciiild shall bo a Nazarite to God from the wife looked on.
womb to the day of his death. 20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up
8 1 Then Manoah entreated tlie Lord, and said, toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel
my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst of the Lord ascended in the (lame of the altar:
send come again unto us, and teach us what we and Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on
shall do unto tiie child that shall be born. their faces to the ground."
ans' sons, i ch. .5:10; 10:4. b oh. H. IKeb.
:): 13. 127; 5: atldrd of. I Oi. v;ha.t slMtt he do! Heb. what shall be A/.! wmri-? k ver.
: Rom. 2:0. » Jer. 13:23. I This seems a partial captivity. (i:!.-!. etc. 1 Heb. Uforg. m Gen. 3-J:-.». • Or, wonderful: Isa.
2:9 e Josh. 19:41. ' Luke 1 :11, etc. elSara. 1:11. h Vum. ch. 0:19-23. » Lev. 9:24; 1 Chr. 21:16. 26; Ezck. 1:2:;; Matt.
i
1 Kings 17:-21. J .Watt. 3S:3; Acts (i:1.5. S Heb. ll'Aat shallbc

14. Nephews; in the original, sons' sons, or grandsons. judgment, the great object of all should be so to live as
15. Mount of the Amalekites; supposed to be a place in to be iitted, through grace, to give up their account with
Ephiaim called by that name. Chap. 5:14. joy, and enter into that rest which reiiiains for the people
of God.
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. Personswho have refused to engage in great and
difficult services themselves, often most bitterly envy CHAPTER XIII.
those who liave successfully performed them. 1.Forty years; chap. 10:7.
3. Men are sometimes called, instead of depending on
2. Zorah; a city in the south part of the tribe of Dan.
others, to take themselves the responsibility, meet the 3. The angel of the Lord ; supposed to be the Angel-Je-
dangers, and iierform the labors of great and trying emer- hovah, in the form of man, and the same who api:)eared to
gencies. In such cases they should not shrink, but in Moses, Joshua, and Gideon. Ver. 21-23.
dependence on God go forward in duty, and leave the 5. Nazarite; for the law of the Nazarite, which Manoah 's
result to him. wife was herself to observe till the birth of the child, see
4. Family contentions are most bitter and disastrous. Num. 6:2-21.
The beginning of them should be most carefully avoided, 12. How slmll we order the child ? or, as in the margin. What
for when once begun no one can tell where they will end. shall be the manner of the child ? The question relaleg
6. Those who wickedly begin a quarrel, would often
to the motlier's deportment before his birth, as immedi-
be struck with horror should they foresee all its conse- ately explained by the angel.
quences. 18. Secret; wonderful; the same in the original as in
7. As death is to all persons near, and after death is the Isa. 9:6.
310
;

Samson marrklh i
JUDGES XIV wift of Iht I'hiUstir.es.

21 But tlie angel of the Lord did no more


A. M. 5SC3. 5 1 Samson down, and his father and
Tiien went
i»i°" appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then his mother, to Timnath, and came to tlic vine-
Manoah knew that he. was an angel of tiie Lord. yards of Timnath and beliold, a young lion roar-
:

22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall ed against liim.*


surely die," because we have seen God. 6 And the Spirit of the Lord came miglitily
23 But his wife said unto him, If tlie Lord were upon
him,'" and lie rent him as he would liavc rent
pleased to kill us, he would not have received a a kid," and he had nothing in liis hand but he :

burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands,'' told not his fatlier or his mother what lie liad done.
neither would he have showed us all tliese things, 7 And he went down, and talked with the wom-
nor would as at this time have told us such things an and she pleased Samson well.
;

as these. 8 % And after a time he returned to take her,


24 IT And the woman bare a son, and called his and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion:
name Samson := and the child grew, and the Lord and behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey
ble?sed him.* in the carcass of the lion.
25 And the Spirit of tlie Lord began to move 9 And he took tiiereof in his hands, and went
him" at times in the camp of Dan* between Zorah on eating," and came to his father and mother,
and Eshtaol.'^ and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told
not them that ho had taken the honey out of the
carcass of the lion.
CHAPTER XIV. 10 IT So his father went down unto the woman:
1 Sam; eth a wife of the Philistines. 5 In his journey he kiUeth and Samson made there a feast ;'' for so used the
a lion. S In a second journey he fiiijeth honey in tlie carcass. 10
Samson's marriage-feiist. r2 His riddle by his wife is made known. young men to do.
11 And it came to pass when they saw liim. that
19 He spoileth thirty Philistines. 20 His wife is married to another.

AND Samson went down to Timnatli,*' and saw they brought thirty companions to be with him.
a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the 12 1 And Samson said unto them, I will now
Philistines." put forth a riddle unto you:'' if ye can certainly
2 And ho came up, and told his father and his declare it me witliin the seven days of the feast,"^
mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Tim- and find it out, tiien I will give you thirty sheets,^
nath of the daugliters of the Philistines: now and thirty change of garments:'*
therefore got her for me to wife. 13 But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye
3 Then his father and liis mother said unto him, give me thirty sheets and thirty change of gar-
/* there nev'er a woman among the daughters of ments. And they said unto liim, Put forth thy
thy brethren," or among all my people, tliat thou riddle, that we may hear it.
goest to take a wife of tlie uncircumcised Philis- 14 And he said unto them. Out of the eater camo
tines?^ And Samson said unto his father, Get forth meat, and out of tlie strong came forth
her for me; for she pleasetli me well.* sweetness. And they could not in three days
4 But liis father and his mother knew not that expound the riddle.
it was of the Lord,'' that he sought an occasion 15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that
against the Pliilistines: for at that time the Phi- they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband,'
listines had dominion over Israel.' that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we
»ExoJ. 3:i:'0; Dent. 5:20. bPaa.a5:l4; >l:Vi, Pror. .3::)->; Jolin 15:15. I ch. r!:I. : Heb. iVi meeting him. m ch. 13:25; 1 ,?ain. 11:6. 1 Sam.
Hsb. ll:3J. d ISim. ••):19. « ch. 3:10. • Heb. ilaliant/i-dan. as ch. 17:34.35. "1 Ram. 14:25-30; Prov.2o:16. P Esth. 1 :5; 2:ls; Eccl. 10:19.
SAi. 'ch. 1S:11; Jo3h.l5::33. g Gen. .'!-i:13; Josil. 15: 10. h Gen. 34:1, qProv. 1:0; Ezek. 17:2; Luke 14-7. r Gen. 29:-27; 2 Chr. 7:8. S Or, shirU.
:. i Gen. 24:3, 4. J Gen. 34:14; Exod. 31:1-2, l(i; Dent. 7:3. t Heb. is • Gen. 45:22. > oh. 16:5; Prov. 1:10.
igkl in mine eyes, t Josh. Il:a0; aKing3fi:M; 2 Chr. 10:15; 22:7; -25:20.

In the camp of Dan ; or, as in the margin, in Maha-


25. subject; and if they would lead their children to obey
neh-dan, tlie name of a certain place, tlie origin of which him, they must be careful to set them the example.
is given in chap. 18:12. —
Zorak Eshtaol ; in the south 15. The mercies of God bestowed on our children should
part of Dan. increase our sense of obligation, and lead us to offer to him
IX.STRUCTIONS. the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving.
3. Our mercies anil our trials are perfectly known to 18. God manifest in the flesh is indeed, The Wonderful
God, and he can so adapt his favors as in the best way and while we should receive with implicit confidence all
and time to supply our wants. that he reveals -concerning himself, we should not seek to
4. Children are the gift of God, and parents should take know what we cannot and do not need to understand.
such a course as is best adapted to fit them for his service. 20. The Lord is wonderful, not only in his nature and
6. Husbands and wives should avail tliemselves of each perfections, but in his operations and they should inspire
;

other's counsel, and thus unite their efforts, especially in us not only with reverence and awe, but with admiration,
every thing pertaining to the temporal and eternal wel- confidence, and love.
fare of their children.
8. One of the most important and difficult duties of par- CHAPTER XIV.
ents is the right education of children and no one will ; I.Timnath; then held by the Philistines.
ever properly perform it, unless in the habit of daily seek- 4. Of the Lord; to overrule this transaction for aveng-
ing wisdom from God. ing the wrongs inflicted by the Philistines, and beginning
9. When parents ask direction from God how to treat to deliver the Israelites from their power. Chap. 13:5.
their children, in order most to honor him, to benefit them, II. Theij; the people of Timnath.
and make them useful to others, God is ready to hear and 12. Put forth a riddle; this was a common amusement on
to aid them in training their children in the way they such occasions. Thirty sheets; the word in the original
should go. means shirts or linen, worn next the body. Garments; the
13. To be successful in the right education of children, outer garments, worn over the shirts.
parents must give heed to the directions of God on this 15. Called us; invited us to the feast.
311
Samson vtitth and JUDGES XV. shiyHh the PliUistlnei.

burn thee and tliy fiitlior's house with fire:* liavc


yc called us to take that wc have?" is it not
CHAPTER XV. i..c*j:.?r

1 S.imjon i« denied liii wife, n


Il<- burneUi the Phililtinft' corn wilh
so'.' foxes and firebrand*. wife nnd her father are bnrnl by the
liii

16 And Samson's
wife wejit before liiin, and said, I'hilistinea. 7 Salmon iiniU'th liiein hip and ihii;h. 9 He ii bound

Thou dost but hate me, and lovest nic not:" tiiou
by the men of Jud:Ul, and delivered to the rhilistlnen. lie killelh M
Ihein with a jawbone. 18 God makctli the fountain Enhakkore for
hast put forth a riddle unto tiie children of my him in Lehi.
people, and hast not told it me. And he said
unto her, Behold, I iiuve not told it my father nor
BUT it carac to pass within a while after, in
the time of wheat-harvest, that Samson vis-
my motlier, andthee? shall I tell it ited his wife with a kid; and he said,I will go
IT And she wei)t before him the seven* days, in to my wife into the chamber. But her father
while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on would not suffer him to go in.
the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay 2 And her father said, I verily thought that
sore upon him:"" and she tohl the riddle to the thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore 1 gave
children of her people. her to thy companion is not her younger sister:'-'

IS And the men of the city said unto him on the fairer than she? take her,* 1 pray thee, instead
seventh day before the sun went down, What is of her.
sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than 3 "I And Samson said concerning thcnn. Now
a liou? And he said unto them. If ye had not shall 1 be more blameless than the' Philistines,
ploughed with my heifer, ye had not found out though I do them a displeasure.
my riddle. 4 And Samson w<'nt and caught three hundred
ly 1i And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him,'' foxes, and took firebrands,'' and turned tail to tail,
and he went down to Ashkelon. and slew thirty and put a firebrand in the miilst between two tails.
men of them, and took their spoil,' and gave ehaiigi! /) And when he had set the lirands on lire, he
of garments unto them which expounded the rid- let t/um go into the standing corn of the Philis-
dle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up tines,'' and burnt u]) both the shocks, and also the
to his father's house. standing corn, with the vinf^ards and olives.
20 But Samson's wife was given to liis compan- "^
6 Then the Philistines said, AVho hath done this?
whom he had used as his friend.
ion,'' And the}' answered, Samson, the son-in-law of the
» Ch. ISiG. * "Atiti. possess uSy or impoverish us. b ch. IC:15. t Or, iho fJer. 9:1; Mic. 7:5; John."JiaO. Sch.)J:SO. t \Uh. letlier be Ihine. I Or,
rest of the. ' Luke 11:8; 18:4, S. <1 vcr. C. I Oi, apparel, e ch. 15:2. iVoio shaU I be blameUss from the. 1 Or, torches, h 2 Sara. 14:30.

17. The seven days; that is, the rest of the seven days of 10. Marriage is a joyful occasion, and it is proper grate-
the feast that remained after the tliird. it by feasting. But in feasting there is
fully to notice
IS. Ploughed with my heifer; persuaded his wife to tell peculiar danger, not only of being betrayed into excesses,
them. but of forgetting God and sinning against him. All there-
lU. Ashkelon; a city of the Philistines, southwest of lore, when so exposed, should seek his protection and
Timnath and nortli'of Gaza. guidance.
20. His friend ; the person who had the direction at the 1 1. Virtuous companions are great blessings, and vicious
marriage-feast called by way of eminence the friend of ones are great curses.
;

the bridegroom. John 3:29. 12. When in company with the frivolous and wicked we
are tempted, especially after feasting, to become like them,
INSTRUCTIONS. and to engage in their frivolous or even wicked sports.
1. On no subject connected with human welfare does a But nothing should receive the sanction of our example,
young man need divine guidance more than in selecting a except what is moral in its nature and useful in its effects.
wife. 13. The pledging of property on contingencies the re-
2. It is ordinarily wise for a young man, before engag- sults of which we cannot foresee, and which render us
ing to marry any one, to consult his parents and avail him- liable to give or receive an amount without an equivalent,
self of the benefits of their advice. is wrong. By encouraging idleness, and leading ukmi to
3. All wise parents will desire that their children should the wide extremes of liigh expectation and sore disap-
marry those who are pious and who are connected with pointment, it tends greatly to injure them, and should be
religious families. conscientiously avoided.
4. While parents should advise their children and give 15. The hope of gain without laboring or rendering an
them good counsel on the subject of marriage, yet after equivalent, the fear of loss, and tlie desire to prevent it,
they become of age they should not undertake to control have tempted many to the commission of enormous crimes.
them. They do not know enough about the designs of 17. We
caimot be sure that others will keep a secret
God with regard to such connections, to render such con- which we cannot keep ourselves, as their temptation to
trol either safe or proper. divulge it may be greater than ours. If we would there-
5. When the course of children with regard to marriage fore not have a thing known, we should not reveal it.
is settled, parents should endeavor to make the best of it, 18. Intimate companionship with the wicked exposes to
and to render it as useful and comfortable as possible. the most disastrous results, and by it, from the highest
6. If a young man is under the direction of the Spirit of mirth, men may be plunged into the deepest sorrow.
God, and is aided by him, though he may meet with great 20. One wrong step opens the way for another, and
difBculties and dangers, he will be enabled to overcome when a woman betrays her husband, lie has no security
them. that she will not forsake him. There is no safety but in
8. It is often useful to review the scenes in which God avoiding the begiiming of evil.
has especially favored us and enabled us to overcome the
dangers to which we were exposed.
9. A generous mind does not wish to enjoy its blessings
CHAPTER XV.
alone, and its happiness is increased by imparting them 1 .time of wli^at-harvest ; in May.
Tlie kid ; as a present, A
to others, especially to parents, relatives, and friends but ; and in token of reconciliation.
there are some things the knowledge of which a wise man 4. Foxes ; the original word includes also jackals, which
will keep to himself and not impart to any one. are abundant in Palestine, and easily caught.
312
Works of Samson at JUDGES XVI. Lehi and at Gaza.

A. M. asfii. Tirnnite, because he had taken his wife,


'
I'uu."" and given her to his companion. And the
Philistines came up, and burnt lior and her father
witli fire.*
7 And Samson said unto them, Though ye have
done tiiis, yet will I be avenged of you, and after
that I will cease.
8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great
slaughter and he went down and dwelt in the
:

top of the rock Etam.


9 1 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched
in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.''
10 And tlie men of Judah said, Why are ye
come up against us? And they answered. To bind
Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath
done to us.
11 Then .three thousand men of Judah went' to
the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson,
Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers
over us?" what is this that thou hast done unto
us? And he said unto them. As they did unto
me, so have I done unto them.
12 And they said unto him. are come down We
to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the
hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto
them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon
me yourselves.
13 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but
we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their
Iiand but surely we will not kill thee.
: And they
bound him with two now cords, and brought him
up from the rock.
li ^l ^liid when he came unto Lehi, the Philis-
tines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the
Lord came mightily upon him,'' and the cords that
were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt
with tire," and his bauds loosed* from off his
hands.
15 And he found a new' jawbone of an ass, and
put forth ids hand, and took it, and slew a thou-
sand men therewith.
a Ch. 1 1:1.3. <> ver. 11). ' Hub. iveiu rioun. c cli. 14:4;
1 ; ;:;

iJtlUih's IrcJcJieri/. JUDGES XVI. Samson's ciplicily.

5 And tlif lords of the Philistines came up unto 1() And it camp to pass, when she press- a. m. 2bm.

licr. and said unto and sec wliere-


her. Entice liini," ed him daily with her words, and urged nm.
in hi-; "j^i'oat strenirtii liet/i. and hy wliat means we him, .so that his soul was ve.xed' unto death
may |irevail airainst liiin, tliat we may bind him 17 That he told her all his heart,' and said unto
to alllict* him: and we will }.nvc thee every one her. There hath not eoine a razor upon my head
of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. for 1 have been a Nazarite unto God from my
G • And Delilah said to Samson, Tell mc, Ipray mother's womb:'' if 1 be shaven, then my strength
thee, wherein thy great strength /(>//(, and where- will go from me, and 1 shall become weak, and be
with lliou mightcst bo bound to aflliet thee. like any otixr man.
7 And said unto her, If they bind mo
."^anison 1<S And when
Delilah saw that he had told her
witii seven green withs* that were never dried, all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of
llien shall I be weak, and lie as another' man. the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he
8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to hath showed me all his heart. 'J'hen the lords of
her seven green withs which had not been dried, the Philistines came up unto her, and brought
and she bound him with them. money in their hand.
9 Now men lying in wait, abiding
t/iere were 1!) And she made him sleep upon her knees;"

with her chamber. And she said unto him,


in the and she called for a man, and she caused him to
Th(( I'liilistines be upon thee, Samson. And he shave off the seven locks of his head and she be- ;

brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken gan to alllict him, and his strength went from him.
when it toucheth^ the lire. So his strength was 2U And she said. The Philistines be upon thee,
not known. Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said,
10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou I will go out as at other times before, and shake
hast mocked mo. and told me lies: now tell me, J myself.' And he wist not that the Loud was
jiray thee, wherewith thou mightcst be bound. departed from him.'^
1 And he said unto her, If they bind me fast 21 If But the Philistines took him, and put out*
Avilh new ropes that never were occupied,' then his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and
shall I be weak, and be as another man. bound him with fetters of brass ;'' and he didgrind
12 Delilah therefore took new ropes, and liound in the jirison-house.
liim tlierowith, and said unto him, The Philistines 22 Ilowlicit the hair of his head began to grow
be upon thee, i^ain-on. And f/iere were Hers in wait again after* ho was shaven.
abiding in the cliamixn-. And he brake them from 23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered
off his arms like a thread. them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto
13 And Delilah said unto Samson, Hitherto Dagon their god,' and to rejoice :J for they said,
thou hast mocked me, and told mc lies: tell me Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into
wherewith thou mightcst be bound. And he said our hand.
unto her, If thou weavest the seven locks of my 24 And when the people saw him, they praised
head with the web. their god :'' for they said, Our god hath delivered
II And she fastened it with the pin, and said into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of
unto him. The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. our country, which slew many of us.*
And he awaked out of his sleep, and went away 2-5 And it came to pass, when their hearts were
with the pin of the beam, and with the web. merry,' that they said. Call for Samson, that he
15 "i And she said unto him. How canst thou may make us sport."" And they called for Samson
say, I love thee, when thy heart is not with me?'' out of the prison-house and he made them^ sport
;

Tiiou hast mocked me those three times, and hast and they set him between the pillars.
not told me wherein thy great strength liefk. 26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him
» Ch. 14:15; ProT. 2:lli-I9; .'5:3-11; fi:J4--28; 7:-2\-27; 1 Cnr. 0:15-18. t Hos. 7:9. c Num. 14:42, 43; 1 Sam. 2i:l.'5. Heb. iorirrf oaf. h Jer.
• Or, humb't. t Heb. moist, or new cords. 1 Heb. ont. \ Heb. smelUth. 2:19. t Ot, as when. > 1 Sam. 5:2, etc. J Job .30:!!, 10; Psa. K:\5, 10;
I Heb. wkerewith work hatk not bun done, b ch. 14:10. H Heb. shortened. Prov. 24:17. IS. k Dan. 5:4. t Heb. and who muUiptied our slain. 1 ch.
<.
Frov. 1J:J:); iMic. 7:5. <1 cb. l:i:5; Num. 6:5. e Prov. 7:-'0; Eccl. 7:20. 9:27. "Heb. ll:3fi. i Heh. before Ihem.

5. Eleven hundred pieces of silver ; more than frv\-o thou-


sand dollars.
IXSTRUCTIOXS.
3. hi the chamber; in another apartment of the chamber. 1. Many men distinguished by special favors have fallen
10. Mocked; deceived. victims to the blandishments of vicious women, and from
13. Seven locks; braids or plaits in which his hair may their wiles none, without the keeping of God, can be safe.
have been arranged. Web; the cloth in the loom which 2. No one, when tempted to the commission of sin, can
Delilah was perhaps weaving. yield to the temptation without exposing himself to be
14. Pin of t lie beam; rather, pin of the braiding that is, ; destroyed.
to which the braided locks with the web were fastened. 3. The punishment of sin is often delaj'ed for a season

If I be shaven; in losing his hair, he would lose the


17. but in due time, if men repent not, it will come upon them,
badge of his Xazariteship and the strength connected and there will be no escape.
with it. 4. Yielding to temptation increases its power.
19. Her knee^; as his pillow. 5. Tempters to sin often become tormentors; and those
Did grind; this was done by turning round a stone
21. who yield to their enticements, may expect to partake of
with the hands, and was, for a man, a degrading employ- their plagues.
ment. 7. The farther men go in transgression, the greater the
25. Made them sport; was the subject of their sports. difHculties of escaping from it; and those who try to.
The pillars; two central pillars near to each other, on deceive others, tempt others to deceive them.
which the building mainly rested. 9. God is long-suffering, and often continues his favora
314
;;

Samson's death. JUDGES XVII. Micah and Ids ffcds.

And when
he had restored the eleven hundred
3
pillars whereupon the house standeth, that shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I
I may lean upon them. had wholly dedicated the silver unto the Lord
27 Now the house was full of men and women from my hand for my son, to make a graven image
;

and all the lords of the Pliilistiues iccre there and a molten image :" now therefore I will restore
and there were upon the roof about three thousand it unto thee.
men and women, and beheld while Samson made 4 Yet lie restored the money unto his mother;
sport. and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver,
28 And Samson called unto the Lord," and said, and gave them to the founder,'' who made thereof
Lord God, remember me,'' I pray thee, and a graven image and a molten image: and they
strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, God, were in the house of Micah.
that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines 5 And the man Micah had a house of gods, and
for my two eyes. made an ephod,' and tcraphim,^ and consecrated'
29 And Samson took hold of the two middle one of his sons, who became his priest.
pillars upon which the house stood, and on which 6 In those days there was no king in Israel,'' but
it was borne up,* of the one with his right hand, every man did that which was right in his own eyes.'
and of the other with his left. 7 If And there was a young man out of Beth-
30 And Samson said. Let me* die with the Phi- lehem-judah of the family of Judah,"' who was a
listines. And he bowed himself with a/l /lis might Levite, and he sojourned there.
and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all 8 And the man departed out of the city from
the people that ivere therein. = So the dead which Beth-lehem-judah to sojourn where he could find
he slew at his death were more than they which a place: and he came to mount Ephraira to the
he slew in his life. house of Micah, as he journeyed.^
31 Then his brethren and all the house of his 9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest
father came down, and took him, and brought him thou? And he said unto him, I a7n a Levite of
up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol'' Beth-lehem-judah, and I go to sojourn where I may
in the burying-place of Manoah his father. And find a place.
he judged Israel twenty years. 10 And Micah said unto him. Dwell with me,
and be unto me a father and a priest," and I will
give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a
CHAPTER XVII.suit of apparel,' and thy victuals. So the Levite
1 Of the money that Micah first stole, then restored, his mother maketh
imager 5 and he ornaments for them. 7 He hireth a Levite to be went in.
his rr.est. 11 And the Levite was content to dwell with
AND
name
there
Micah.
u-as
wasaman ofmountEphraini,'' whose the man ; and the young man was unto him as one
of his sons.
2 And he said unto his mother. The eleven hun- 12 And Micah consecrated the Levite ;° and the
dred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, young man became his priest,'' and was in the house
about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in of Micah.
mine ears, behold, the silver is with me I took it. 13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the Lord
;

And liis mother said, Blessed be thou of the Loed,' will do me good," seeing I have a Levite to my
my son. priest.

iiPsa. 1)1:15; Lam. 3:31, 3-J; Jon. 2:1,2, 7. 1> I'sa. 74:lP-23; Jer. 15:15. j Gen. 31:19, 30; Hos. 3:4.

Or, /u Uarud on thtm. t Heb. my soul. » Job 20:5; Psa. C2:3; Eccl.
£1:12. a ch. 13:25. e Josh. 17:14-13. f Gen. 1J:19; Ruth 3:1U; Neh.
13:25; 2John 11. s ExoJ. 20:4, 2:3; Lev 19:4. h ha. 40:0. i ch. 8:27.

to the guilty, not willing that they should perish, but that
they should come to repentance.
14. Though lying may relieve a man for a moment, yet
instead of getting him out of ti'ouble, or in the end bene-
fiting him, it will only plunge him into deeper sorrows,
IG.Importunity has great influence both with man and
with God, and much depends upon resolute, earnest, untir-
ing perseverance. Luke 11:8.
17, Those who persist in a course of sinning, will soon
find themselves weak, helpless, and undone.
20. Men without the aid of God, are not aware of their
helpless condition till they learn it by experience.
21. Those senses which have been the inlets of iniquity
often become the organs of punishment.
23. The fall of the professed friends of God greatly dis-
honors him, injures his cause, and gives the wicked occa-
sion to reproach and triumph.
27. The triumph of the wicked is short, and the lieight
of their joys is the prelude of their ruin. Psa. 73: 18-20.
28. Even the loss of eyesight, great as is the calamity,
may be to a man the means of uns])eakable good. If it
lead him to repentance of his sins and faith in Jesus Christ,
though his grave be with the wicked, his resurrection
will be with the just.
The upedUion of the JUDGES XVIII. Daniles as^aiiisl Laish.

CHAPTER XVIII.
I Thf nanito f..nJ five intn to stik out ;in inhcritnncr. 3 At ihc house
of Mic:ih tii.v cfiiKiik wiihJonaihan.aiiJnreencouragea in their -wny.
7 'Ih'V x'.ii' II l-'Xi-h. anil bring li:iclc news or good hope. II Six iiun-

drol iiK n ;tr.' v nl lo surjiri-e iu M In the wny they rob Micnh of l<is
pri.-.t nnJ hi> r..n»ecnil«l things. -'7 They win Lni>h, and call it Dm.

So They set up idolatry, wherein Jonathan inherited the priesthood.

ilays there in Israel:" and


was no king
JNintliosc
those days Danites souj^lit
tlic tribe of tiic

them an inheritance to dwell in;"* for unto liiat


day a!l their inheritance had not fallen unto tliem
amonsi tli(> tribes of Israel.
2 And the children of Dan sent of their family
five men from their coasts, men" of valor, from
Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and
to search it ;'^ and they said unto them, Go, search
the land: who when tiiey came to mount Ephraiin,
to the house of Micah. tiiey lodged there.
3 NVhcn thry icrre by the house of Micali, they
knew the voice of the younij man the Levite and :

they turned in thither, and said uuto liim, Who


brouirlit thee hither? and what makest thou in this
•place? and what
iiast tliou here?
4 And
he said unto them, Tlius and thus dcaleth
Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his
priest.
5 And
they said unto liim. Ask counsel,'' we pray
thee, of God, that we may know whether our way
which we go shall be prosperous.
6 And the priest said unto them. Go in peace :°
before the Lord w your way wiierein ye go.
7 *i Then the live men departed and came to
Laisii,* and saw the peo|)le tiiat luerc therein, how
they dwelt careless, after tlie manner of the Zido-
nians, tjuiet and secure; and there was no magis-
trate' in the land, tiiat migiit put them to shame
in any tiling and they were far from the Zidoni-
;

ans, and had no business with any man.


8 And they came unto their brethren to Zorah
and Eshtaol:'' and their brethren said unto them,
What say y el
9 And they said, Arise,^ that we may go up
against them for we have seen the land, and be-
:

hold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not


slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.

»c
:

The Daniies at Laish. JUDGES XIX. The Levile and his conculine.

A. M 2598.21 So tliey turned and departed, and put XIX, CHAPTER


'
liul"" the little ones and the cattle and the car-
1 A Levite goeth to Beth-lehem to fetrh home his wife. 16 An old
riauc before them. man entert^iineth him at l-fibea. 2*2 Tlie G-'.beonues abuse his concu-
22 1 ^ind when they were a good way from the bine to death. 29 He divideth her into twelve pieces, to send them
to the twelve tribes.
house of Micali, the men that were in the houses
near to Micah's house were gathered together, and
overtook the children of Dan.
AND
it came to pass in those days, when there
teas no king in Israel, that there was a cer-
23 And they cried unto the children of Dan. tain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Eplira-
And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, im, wlio took to him a concubine* out of Beth-le-
What ailcth thee," that thou comest* with such a hcm-judali.
company? 2 And his concubine played the whore against
24 And he said, Ye have taken away my gods him, and went away from him unto lier father's
whicli I made, and tlie priest, and ye are gone house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there four
away and what have I more? and what is this whole months.^
:

that ye say unto me. What ailcth tliec? 3 And her husband arose, and went after her, to
25 And the children of Dan said unto him, Let speak friendly unto her,' and to bring her again,""
not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry* fel- liaving his servant with iiim, and a couple of asses:
lows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with and she brouglit liim into her father's house; and
the lives of thy houscliold. when the father of the damsel saw him, he re-
26 And the chiklreu of Dan went their way: and joiced to meet him.
when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, 4 And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, re-
he turned and went back unto his house. tained him and he abode with him three days ;

27 And tliey took the things which Micah had so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
made, and the priest which he had, and came 5 ^ And it came to pass on the fourth day, when
unto Laisli, unto a people that were at quiet and they arose early in the morning, that he rose up
secure :" and thej^ smote them with the edge of tiie to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his
sword, and burnt the city with fire. son-in-law. Comfort' thy heart with a morsel of
28 And thei-e was no deliverer,'^ because it was bread,' and afterward go your way.
far from Zidon, and tliey had no business with a«y 6 And they sat down, and did eat and drink both
man and it was in tlie valley that lieth by Beth- of them together for the damsel's father had said
; :

rehob.'' And they built a city, and dwelt therein. unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry
29 And they called the name of the city Dan,'' all night, and let thy heart be merry.
after the name of Dan their fatlier, who was born 7 And when the man rose up to depart, his father-
unto Israel: howbcit the name of the city was in-law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.
Laisli at the first. 8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth
30 If And the cliildrcn of Dan set up the graven day to depart: and the damsel's father said. Com-
image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son fort thy heart, I pray thee. And they tarried
of Manasseh.heand his sons were priests to the tribe until afternoon,* and they did eat both of them.
of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.' 9 xVnd when the man rose up to depart, he, and
31 And they set them up Micah's graven image, his concubine, and his servant, his father-in-law,
which he made, all the time that the house of God the damsel's father, said unto him. Behold, now
was in Sliiloh.' the day draweth toward evening,^^ I pray you
' Gen. 21:17; aKingsG:'!?; Psa. 114:5; Isa. a>:l. •
Ueb. an gathered t Heb. a icoman a concubhie, t wife a concubine, i Or, a year, and
logetlur. 1 Heb. inter of soul; 2 Sam. 17:8. b ver. 7, lU; Deiit. .3:3:22. four months; Heb. days four Ihs. I Heb. to her heart, Gen. 34:3.
^ver.l,?. J Num. 13:21; 2 Sam.
10:6. e Gen 14:14; Josh. 19:47; 1 Kings h Jer. 3:1. H Heb. Strenq'tlien, u,
.^,. 8; Gen.
uc... 18:5.
au.„. Psa. 104:15.
i • Heb.

12:29, aO; 15:20. f 1 Sajn. 4:2, etc. ; Psa. 78:60. e ch. 19:18; Josh. 18:1. till the day declined. ^ Hah. is weak. J Luke 24:29,

21. The carriage; the baggage, consisting of such mov- that God approves of their conduct. He may in wrath
ables as men emigrating with their families must take suffer them to rob others, and that robbery may prepare
with them. Before tliem; in the front part of their train, the way for their own ruin.
that thus they might be secure against an attack ou the 14. Consideration and cool deliberate calculation in
part of Micah and Ms friends. iniquity increase its guilt, and manifest great hardness of
28. Z;(/on,- a populous city on the Mediterranean. Beth- heart.
rehoh; a place west of Laish. 17. Rebellion against God and injustice towards men go
30. Set up the graven image; thus idolatry was first pub- together, and no ties of relationship or experience of kind-
licly established in Israel. ness will lead the wicked ever to make it their object to
INSTRUCTIONS. do to others as they would that others should do to them.
2. If men were as sensible of their spiritual wants as they 20. The great object of false teachers is worldly good;
are of their temporal, and as earnest and persevering in the prospect of this, though by conniving at and sharing
providing for them, they might all be made rich for eter- in flagrant wickedness, makes them glad.
nity. Prov. 2:3-5. 24. Idols can afford theu" worshippers no help and ;

5. Wicked men often have some conviction of their were not the human mind a'svfully blinded, and the heart
dependence on God, and ask others to seek for them his besotted by sin, no one would expect it from them.
blessing. 25. Robbery prepares men for murder, and those who
7. Those who are without civil government are desti- feel and act as if might gave right, will commit any enor-
tute of the means which God has appointed to restrain mity.
the wicked and encourage the good, and to protect the 30. Satan, in his worship, is willing men should use
one from tlie aggressions of the other. robbery for burnt-offerings but Jehovah in his worship ;

9. Power to take possession of a good land does not abhors it. Idolatry begun by few may sjircad to many,
give men a right to it, nor is their success any evidence and ultimately prove the ruin of all.
311
1

The wiehdrusi of JUDGES XIX. the men nf (J ilea h.

tarry all day growelh to an which is with thy servants there is no want * m sm.
niplit: Itoliold, the :

end,'" lod^re licre, llmt thy heart may bo merry; of any tiling. nw.

and to-ni(irrow pet you early on your way, tliat 20 And llie old man said. Peace be with thee;*
thou niayest jro lioinc* howsoever, let all thy wants lie upon me; only
10 IJut the man wouhl not tarry tliat nijrht. but lodge not in the street.''
lie rose u|) and ih>iiart(>d, and eamc over airainst- 21 So he Virouglit him into his house,' and gave
Tclms,'' whicli is Jerusalem; and tlnre vrre with provender unto the asses: and they washed their
him two asses saddled, his couculiiue also was I'eot,^ and did eat and <irink.
witli him. 22 1 JVow as they were making their hearts
1 Jliid when tliey were by Jebus, the day was merry," behold, the men of the city, certain sons
far spent; and tlie servant said unto his master, of Belial,' beset the house round about,"" arid beat
Come, 1 |n-ay tlicc, and let us turn in into this city at the door, and spake to the niaslor of the house,
of the Jehusites, and lodije in it. the old man, saying. Bring forth tiio man that
12 And his master said unto him, We will not came into thy house;, that we may know him."
turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that 23 And the man, the master of the house, went
IS not of the children of Israel wc will pass over out unto them, and said unto them. Nay, my breth-
;

to Gibcah. ren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly seeing :

13 And he said unto his servant, Come, and let that this man is come into my house, do not this
us draw near to one of these places to lodge all folly."
niglit, in Gibeali, or in Ramah.'^ is my daughter a maiden, and
24 Behold, here
1-1 And tliey passed on and went their way: and them I will bring out now, and
his concubine;
the sun went down upon tliem when they were by humble ye them,'' and do with them what secmeth
Gibeah, which be/ongrfh to Benjamin. good unto you but unto this man do not so vile :

15 And they turned aside thither, to go in and a thing.'


to lodge in Gibcah and when he wont in, he sat
: 25 But the men would not hearken to him: so
him down in a street of the city: for there ivas no the man took his concubine, and brought her forth
man that took them into his house to lodging.'' unto them and they knew her, and abused her all
;

l(j ^ And l)cliold, there came an old man from the night until the morning: and when the day
liis w'ork out of the field at oven,'' which vms also began to spring, tliey let her go.
of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibcah 26 Then came the woman in the dawning of the
:

but tlie mon of the place were Bcnjamites. day, and loll down at the door of the man's house
17 And wiien he had lifted up his eyes, he saw where her lord uvs, till it was light.
a wayfaring man in the street of the city and the 27 And her lord rose up in the morning, and
:

old man said. Whither gocst thou? and whence opened the doors of the house, and went out to go
comest thou? his way: and behold, the woman his concubine
18 And he said unto him. We are passing from was fallen down at the door of the house, and her
Bethdehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephra- hands wei-e upon the threshold.
im; from thence a??i I: and I went to Botli-leliem- 28 And he said unto her, Up, and let us be go-
judah.but I am M0(« going to the house of tlioLoitn ;' ing: but none answered. Then the man took her
and there is no man that receiveth* mc to house. up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him
19 Yet there is both straw and provender for unto his place.
our asses and there is bread and wine also for
; 29 T And when he was come into his house, he
me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and
• Heb. it is Ihe piu/img time ofl/ie day. a Jer. 6:4. t Heb. lo thy tent. 43:2:3,21. h Gen. 19:2. i Gen. 24::i2. JGen. 1!-:1
MU\,. to ovr.r against, b Josh. 15:8, 63; 1S:28; 2 Sara. 5:6. t Josh. 18:-i5i
1 Sam. 7:17. d Matt. 25:43; Heb. 13:2. e Psa. 101:23. ' Josh. 18:1;
1 Sam. 1:.3, 7. S Heb. galhereth, ver. 15; Jolm 15:6. S oh. 6:2:3; Gen.

CHAPTER XIX.
12. A .stranger; the city was then inhabited
to a con-
siderable extent by Jebiisitcs, one of the nations of Canaan
that had not been driven out. Giheah; this was a few
miles north of Jerusalem, and on the way towards mouut
Ejihraim.
13. Ramah; a place near Gibeah.
15. To lodge; there were then no taverns, and travellers
were dependent for lodging on private hospitality.
18. The house of the Lord; this was in Shiloh, and prob-
ably not far from the place where the Levite dwelt.
19. A'o K'oraf except for lodging. He mentioned his pro-
,•

visions to show that he should not be burdensome to his


entertainer.
20. Peace be with thee; the usual salutation of kindness.
22. Sons of Belial; wicked, abandoned men.
28. None answered; she was dead.
INSTRUCTIONS. "

1. When
there is no regular, efficient civil government,
such is human
nature, that crimes of all descriptions will
:il)ound and the wicked triumph.
318
^ ;

The Israelites demand JUDGES XX. justice of the Bcnjamitei.

A. M divided her, together with her bones, into


iTOs 11 So all the men of Israel were gathered against
twelve pieces, and sent her into all the
1406.°"' the city, knit* together as one man.
coasts of Israel." 12 1 And the tribes of Israel sent men through
30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There all the tribe of Benjamin,™ saying. What wicked-
was no such deed done nor seen from tlio day that ness is this that is done among you?
the children of Israel came up out of tiie land of 13 Now therefore deliver %is the men, the' chil-
E.Q;yi)t unto this day consider of it,'' take advice,"
: dren of Belial," which are in Gibeah, that we may
and speak your minds. put them to death, and put away evil from Israel."
But the children of Benjamin would not hearken
CHAPTER XX. to thevoiceof their brethren the children of Israel:
1 The Levite in a gpneral assembly declareth his wrong. 8 The de- 14 But the children of Benjamin gathered them-
cree of the assembly. 12 Th^ Benjamites, being cited, make he.ad selves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go
against the Israelites. 13 The Israelites in two battles lose forty
thousand. 2G They destroy by a stratagem all the Benjamites, ex- out to battle against the children of Israel.
cept six hundred. li) And the children of Benjamin were number-

''T^IIEN all the children of Israel went out,* and ed at that time out of the cities twenty and six
the congregation was gathered together as
1 thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhab-
one man, from Dan even to Bcer-sheba,'= with the itants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hun-
land of Gilead, unto the Lord in Mizpeh.*^ dred chosen men.
2 And tha chief of all the people, fw?i of all the 16 Among all this people there were seven hun-
tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the as- dred chosen men left-handed:" every one could
sembly of the people of God, four hundred thou- sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss.
sand footmen that drew sword. 17 And the men of Israel, besides Benjamin, were
3 Now tiio cluldrcn of Benjamin heard that the numbered four hundred thousand men that drew
children of Israel were gone up to Mizpch. Then sword all these were men of war.
:

said the cliildreu of Israel, Tell us, how was this 18 I And the children of Lsrael arose, and went
wickedness?" up to the house of God,'' and asked counsel of
4 And the Levite,* the husband of the woman God,'' and said, Which of us shall go up first to
that was slain, answered and said, I came into the battle against the children of Benjamin ? And
Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin," I and my con- the Lord said, Judah shall go up first.
cubine, to lodge. 19 And the children of Israel rose up in the
5 And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and morning, and encamped against Gibeah.
beset the house round about upon me by night, 20 And the men of Israel went out to battle
and thought to have slain me: and my concubine against Benjamin and the men of Israel put them-
;

have they forced,* that she is dead. selves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
6 And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, 21 And the children of Benjamin came forth out
and sent her throughout all the country of the of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of
inheritance of Israel ;* for they have committed the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand
lewdness and folly in Israel."^ men.''
7 Behold, ye are all children of Israel give here 22 And the people the men of Israel encouraged
;

your advice and counsel.' themselves, and set their battle again in array in
8 "i And all the people arose as one man, saying. the place where they put themselves in array the
We will not any of us go to liis tent, neither will first day.
we any of us turn into his house. 23 And the children of Israel went up and wept
y But now tills shall be the thing which we will before the Lord until even, and asked counsel ol'
do to Gibeah we will go up by lot against it
;
the Lord,' saying, Shall I go up again to battle
10 And wo will take ten men of a hundred against the children of Benjamin my brother?
tliroughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred And the Lord said. Go up against him.
of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, 24 And the children of Israel came near against
to fetch victuals for the people, that they may do, the children of Benjamin the second day.
when they come to Gilieah of Benjamin, according 25 And Benjamin went forth against them out
to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel. of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down lo

«Ch. 20:6, 7; 1 Sam. 11:7. boh. 20:7. = Prov. 11 :14 '24:8. dver.ll;
; 7:15. I ch. 19:30. tHeb./eHoiM. m De 13:14; Josh. 22:13, etc. n
ch. 21:5; Josh. 22;12; I Sara. 11:7. e 1 gam. 3:20; 2 Sam. 3:10; 21:2. 1U:22. o Deut. 17:12. Pch. 3:15;lCh . 2:2. q ver. 23, 20; Joel 1:
' ch. 11:11; 1 Sam. 7:5; 10:17. ech.8:10. h ch. 19:2i-27. * Heb. I/i£ rch. 1:1; Num. 27:21. » (Jen !7; Hos. 10:9. t vet. 26.
27; Psa. K:
itmn the Levile. i ch. 19:15, etc. t Heb. /lamWerf. J ch. 1D:29. k .Tosh. Hos. 5:15.

wicked they will be; and apostate professors of religion, of Jordan. Mizpeh; a place south-west of Gibeah, ami
who become openly vicious, are among the worst of man- near the border of Judah and Benjamin.
kind. 11. Knit; united.
25. Habitual wickedness makes men inexpressibly cruel, 18. miich of v^ shall go np first ; they did not ask, as they
and none are so dead to pity and compassion as those who should have done, whether they should go up. This, in
;irc given up to its power. It is the spirit of hell, and those reliance on their own wisdom and strength, they had re-
who pursue it are ripening for that place of torment. Tsa. solved to do, and they only asked who should go first. The
Lord told them, but did not by this insure tlieir success.
25. Destroyed — —
of the chddrcn of Israel eighteen thousand;
CHAPTER XX. the Israelites had themselves been guilty of various crimes,
1. Dan; in the northern extremity of the land. Beer- and God saw fit thus to punish them before he used them
ihAa; in the southern extremity. Gilead; on the east side as instruments of punishing Benjamin.
;:

Dcnjamin dffeilol, anil JUDGES XX, vi'jiiy (housjnds dtslrcyed.

tlic LTouiul (if tin- c'liililroii of Israel ai^ain ciglitccn 37 And the liers in wait liastcd, and a. mst.!*.

tliciii-aiid tin'ii ;" all tlicso drew tlic sword. rushed upon (Jibeah; and the liers in wait im
'H\ • Then children of Israel, and all the drew t/icm.trims along,' and smote all the city with
all the
l>c<)]ili', went np, and came unto the iioiisc of God,'' the edge of the sword.
and we|it."" and sat there liefore the Loiui, and fast- 38 Now there was an ai)pointed sign' between
ed that day until even, and offered burnt-oflferings the men of Israel and' the liers in wait, that they
and peaee-olVerinjrs before the Loud. should make a great flame" with smoke rise up
27 And the children of Israel inquired of the out of the city.
LoKii. (for the ark of the covenant of God uas 3".) And when the men of Israel retired in the
there in those days,'' battle, !?enjamin began to smite, and kill* of the
28 And Phinehas,'' the son of Eleazar, the son of men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said,
Aaron, stood before it in those days,') sayincr, Shall Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the
1 yet airain pro out to battle against the children first battle.
of Iienjamiu my brother, or shall I cease? And 40 But when the flame began to arise up out of
the Lop.n said, Go u|i; for to-morrow I will de- the city with a ])illar of smoke," the Benjamites
liver them into thy haiul.*-' looked bcliiiid them, and behold, the (lame* of the
21) And Israel set licrs in wait round about city ascended up to heaven.
Gibeah." 41 iVnd when the men of Israel turned again,
30 And the children of Israel went up against the the men of Benjamin were amazed:' fpr they saw
children of Benjamin on the third day, and putthein- that evil was come upon' them.
sclves in array against Gibeah, as at other times. 42 Therefore they turned their backs before the
31 And the childrenof Benjamin wentout against moil of Israel unto the way of the wilderness but :

the people, and were drawn away from the city the battle overtook them;'" and them which came
and they began to smite of the people, and kill," out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of
as at other times, in the highways, of which one them.
goeth up to the house of God,* and the other to 43 Thus they inclosed the Benjamites round
Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel. about, and chased them, and trode them down with
32 And the children of Benjamin said, They are ease,' over against^ Gibeah toward the sunrising.
smitten down before us, as at the first. But the 44 And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand
children of Israel said. Let us flee, and draw them men all these tcere men of valor. :

from the city unto the highways. 4.5 And they turned and fled toward the wilder-

33 And all the men of Israel rose up out of their ness unto the rock of Rimmon :" and they gleaned
place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar of them in the highways five thousand men and
: ;

and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of pursued hard after them unto Gidoni, and slew
their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah. two thousand men of them.
3-1 And there came against Gibeah ten thousand 46 So that all which fell that day of Benjamin
chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was were twenty and five tliousand men that drew the
sore but they knew not that evil was near them.' sword
: all these icere men of valor. ;

35 And the Lord smote Benjamin before Israel 47 But si.x hundred men turned and fled to the
and the children of Israel destroyed of the Ben- wilderness unto the rock Rimmon," and abode in
jamites that day twenty and five thousand and a the rock Rimmon four months.
hundred men: all these drew the sword. 48 And the men of Israel turned again upon the
36 So the children of Benjamin saw that they children of Benjamin, and smote them with the
were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to edge of the sword, as well the men of every city,
the Benjamites,J because they trusted unto the liers as the beast, and all that came to hand :" also they
in wait which they had set beside Gibeah. set on fire all the cities that they came to.*

» Ver. a;, b ver. IS. M. • Heb. the womuhd. k Gen. 19:28; Joel 2:30. t Heb. whole eonsiimplion.
' Joel 2:12-1?. li Jo-^h. 18:1; 1 Sira. 4:3,4.
« Num. 45:7-13; Josh. •il:S3. f Deut. 1U:.9; 18:5. e 2 Clir. 20:17. hjosh. 1 ha. 13:8; 3:i:14. I Heh. lourhed. ""Lam. 1:3. I Or, from Menuthah.
b:1; 2 Sam. 5:23. • Hub. womided. ^ Or, Beth-el. i Jnsh. 8:14; Eccl. 1 Heb. unio over against, o Josh. 15:32; I Chr. 6:77; Zech. 14: 10. o ch.
»: 12; Ii3. 47:11 ; 1 Thess. 5:3. J Josh. 8:15, etc. 1 Or, made a long sound 21:13. ' Heh, was found. 1 Heb. were found.
with the trumpets; Josh. 0:5. iOx,tinu. 1 Heb. wilA. 1 Heb. e/cradon.

28. Phinehas —
stood before it in those days; this shows that Men should carefully inquire into the facts, and obtain
4.
these transactions took place not long after the death of fullproof of guilt, before they undertake to punish.
.Toslnia or the elders that outhved him. Chap. 17:1. Or When men, in reliance on their own wisdom and
8.
shall I cease ? this shows that tliey were now in Bome meas- strength, determine what they will do without asking di-
ure humbled, ready to commit themselves to the guidance rection of God or seeking his blessing, they should not
and disposal of God, and thus were better prepared for think it strange if he does not give them success. Deut.
success. I will deliver them; not without their use of 1:40-44.
means, but by such means. 12. Men who protect criminals and screen them from
33.Baal-tamar; a place near Gibeah. punishment, become partakers of their guilt, and often of
45. Rode of Rimmon; supposed to be a place north-east their woes.
of Gibeah. 17. The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle
47. In the rock ; in its fastnesses. to the strong. Men are dependent on God, and numbers
merely can never insure success.
INSTRUCTIONS. 23. Men may externally seek the Lord without forsaking
1. The sins of others, especially when great and aggra- their sins, and in righteous judgment he may suffer them
vated, may be condemned but without divine grace men
; to take a course which shall end in their ruin.
will not abhor and forsake their own. 28. A disposition to be governed in all things, not by
320
I

The Benjamilcs ohtain wires JUDGES XXI. from Jabesh and ^'hikh.

CHAPTER XXI,
1 The people bewail the desolation of Benjamin. 8 By the destruction
of Jabesh- ,'ilead they provide them four hundred wives. 16 They
advise them to surprise the virgins that danced at Shiloh.

NOW the men of Israel had sworn" in Mizpeli,''


saying, There shall not any of us give his
daujfliter unto Benjamin to wife.
2 And tlio people came to the house of God,°
and abode there till even before God, and lifted
up their voices,, and wept sore ;**
3 And said, Lord God of Israel, why is this

come to pass in Israel, that there should be to-day


one tribe lacking in Israel?
4 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the
people rose early, and built there an altar, and
offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings.''
5 And
the children of Israel said. is there Who
among all the tribes of Israel that came not up
with the congregation unto the Lord? For they
had made a great oath concerning him that came
not up to the Lord to Mizpch, saying, He shall
surely be put to death.
6 And the children of Israel repented them for
Benjamin tlieir brother,'' and said, There is one
tribe cut off from Israel this day.
7 How shall we do for wives for them that re-
main, seeing we have sworn by the Lord, that we
will not give them of our daughters to wives?
8 IT And they said. What one is there of the tribes
of Israel that cauie not up to Mizpeh to the Lord?
And behold, there came none to the camp from
Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.^
9 For the people were numbered, and behold, Mf/f
io«rpnoneofthe inliabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.
10 And the congregation sent thitiier twelve
thousand raeu of the valiantest, and commanded
them, saying. Go and smite the inhabitants of Ja-
besh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the
women and the cliildren.'"
11 And tills is the thing that ye shall do. Ye
shall utterly destroy every male, and every wom-
an that hath lain by man.*'
12 And tliey found among the inhabitants of Ja-
besh-gilead four hundred young virgins,* that had
known no man by lying with any male and they :

brought them unto the camp to Shiloh.J which is


in the land of Canaan.
13 And the whole congregation sent some to
»
:

THE

BOOK OF RUTH
Tms brief book has its name from Ruth a Moabitess, and daughter-in-law to Naomi, a Hebrew woman
of the tribe of Judah. From her marriage, after the death of her first husband, to Boaz, a kinsman of
Naomi, sprang Obed the grandfather of David. Thus the book connects itself innnediatcly with "the
hduse and lineage of David;" and may be regarded as supplementary to the history of his family. At
the same time it contains a charming picture of Hebrew life in the days of the Judges.

CHAPTER her; and they went on the way to return n.^.w


I.
'^'^
1
unto the land of Judah.
Elimelech driven by famine into Moab. dieth there. 4 Mahlon and
Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also. 8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-
6 Naomi returning
homeward, 8 dissuadeth her two daughters-in-law from going with
her.
law, Go, return each to her mother's house the
14 Orpah leaveth her. but Ruth with great constancy accom-
:

panieth her. Lord deal kindly with you,' as ye have dealt with
19 They two come to Beth-lehem, where they are gladly
received.
the dead, and with me.
NOW it came to pass in tlie days when the 9 The Loud grant you that ye may find rest,
judges ruled,'" that there was a famine in each of you in the house of her husband. Then
the laud. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah she kissed them and they lifted up their voice, ;

went to sojourn in the country of Moalj,'' he, and and ^ept.


his wife, and his two sons. 10 And they said unto her. Surely we will return
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and with thee unto thy peo])le.
the name of jiis wife Naomi, and the name of his 11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters
two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth- why will ye go with me ? are there yet any more
lehern-judali.'^ And they came into the country of sons in my womb, that they may be your hus-
Moab, and continued^ there. bands ?s
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and 12 Turn again, my daughters, go ymir way ; for
she was left, and her two sons. I am too old to have a husband. If I should say,
4 And they took them wives of the women of I have hope, if I should have' a husband also to-
Moab; and the name of the one was Orpah, and night, and should also bear sons;
the name of the other Ruth and they dwelt there : 13 Would ye tarry*^ for them till they were
about ten years. grown? would ye stay for them from having hus-
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of bands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me
them and the woman was left of her two sous much' for your sakes that the hand of the Lord
;

and her husband. is gone out against me.''


6 1i Then shearose withher daughters-in-law, that 14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept
she might return from the country of Moab for she again and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law but
: : ;

had lieard in the country of Moab how that thcLoKD Ruth clave unto her.'
had visited his people'' in giving them bread.'' 15 And she said. Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place back unto her people, and unto her gods :J return
where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with thou after thy sister-in-law.''
»Jua?. a:lG. bjudg. 17:8, I Heb. I have much bitterness, h Judg. 2:1.5; Job 19:21; Psa. 32:4;
Gen. 51): A); Exod. A:M Luke !:(«. e Psa. 132:15: Matt. fl;.'JI-34. 39:9,10. i Prov. 17:17. J Judg. 11:24. k Josh. 24:15.
J \
f 2 Tim. I: [iMt. e Gen. 9^:11 Deut. 25:5. 1 Or, were with. S Heb. hoTt.
;

often suffers them to do indirectly, and under circumstan- has occurred, and cannot be revoked, it is usually wise for
ces which greatly increase their guilt. friends cheerfully to acquiesce, and strive to make the con-
18. Men may be so blinded by sin as to think that the nection as useful as possible.
giving of one wife, with her own consent and that of her
parents, to one man is a crime and that being accessory
; CHAPTER L
by robbery and violence to the giving, without their con- 1. Tlie land; Palestine. Moab; a country south-east of
sent or that of their parents, two hundred wives to two Palestine.
hundred men, is a worthy deed. Surely, he that trusteth 2.Ephrathites ; Bethlehem was called Ephratah, and its
in his own heart is a fool. Prov. 28:26. inhabitants Ephrathites.
23. Persons may sometimes be married very improperly, Her gods; the
15. idols which her coimtrymen wor-
and without the consent of friends yet after their marriage
:
shipped.
^
322
IlulL at Bethlehem, IIUTII 11. glcandh in Boaz's fields.

AM IG And Rutli said, Entreat me not* to


2i»:

leave thee;' or to return from following


liii'"'"

after thee for whither tliou gocst, I will go and


: ;

where thou lodgcst, I will lodge thy people shall :

be my people, and thy God my God


:"

17 "Where thou diest, will 1 die, and there will


I be buried the Lord do so to me, and more also,"=
:

if aught but death part thee and me.*


18 When she saw that she was steadfastly mind-
ed* to go with her,'' then she left speaking unto her.
19 T So they two went until they came to Beth-
lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come
to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about
them, and they said. Is this Naomi?''
20 And she said unto them. Call mo not Naomi,*
call me Mara:§ for the Almighty hath dealt very
bitterly with me.
21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought
me home again empty:'' why then call ye me Na-
omi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me,
and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth tlie Moabitcss,
her daughter-in-law, with her, which returned out
of the country of iloab and they came to Beth- :

lehem in the beginning of barley-harvest.

CHAPTER II.
1 Ruth gleaneth in the fields of Bonz. 4 Boaz taking knowledge of
lier, 8 showeth her great favor. IS That which she got, she carrieth
to Naomi.

ANDa mighty
Naomi had a kinsman of her
man of
of wealth, tlie family of
husband's,''

Elimelecli and his name was Boaz."


;

2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let


me now go to the field, and glean oars of corn'
after hiiri in whose sight I shall find grace. And
she said unto her. Go, my daughter.
3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the
field after the reapers and her hap was'' to light
:

• Heh.Benotagaimlmt. ^-2 Kings '2: -2-6; Luke a4:&j, 29.


She ii faro red bi/ Jioiiz, KUTII III, arul itetk at his feet.

liaiiilniiiicl, fliougli I be not like unto one of tliy glean unto the end of barley -harvest and * >* »95
lianilniaideiis. nf wheat-harvest; and dwelt with her "ii
14 And Hiiaz said unto her, At meal-time come motiier-in-law."
tliou iiitlier, and oat of tiic bread, and di]i lliy
morsel in llie vineirar. And she sat beside the CHAPTEU 111.
reaiiers: and lie readied her jiarelied corn, and 1 By Naomi'» instruction, !i Ruth liitli at Bon?.'* fi-el. 8 Boai scknow.
she did eat, and was sulliced, and left." ledgeih the righl of a kinsman. 14 He iiciidt'lh hir away with >ix
iiiua^ures of barley.
15 And when slie was risen up to glean, ]]oaz
conunanded lli;^ young men, saying. Let her glean ''T'^HEN Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her,
even among the sheaves, and reproach' her not.'' L My
daughter, shall 1 not seek rest for thee,''
that it may be well with thee?
It) And let fall also some of the liandfuls of pnr-

p<ise for her, and leave them, that she may; glean 2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with
them, and rebuke her not. wliose maidens thou wast?' Behold, he winnow-
1 7 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat
eth barley to-night in the threshing-floor.
out tiiat she had gleaned: and it was about an 3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee,^ and
cphali of barley. put thy raiment npon thee, and get thee down to
IS '\ And she took it up, and went into the city;the floor: hut make not thyself known unto the
and her mother-indaw saw wliat she had gleaned man, until li(> shall have done eating and drinking.
:

and she brouglit forth, and gave to her that she 4 And it sliall be, when he lietli down, that thou
had reserved after she was sufficed. shalt mark tiie place where he shall lie, and thou
19 And her mother-indaw said unto her, Where shalt go in, and uncover^ his feet, and lay thee
hast thou gleaned to-day? and where wronghtest down and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.;

tiiou? blessed be he tiiat did take knowledge of 5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest
tliee.'' And she showed her mother-in-law with unto me I will do.
whom slic had wrought, and said. The man's name G *i And she went down unto the floor, and did
witli whom I wrought to-day is Boaz. according to all that her mother-indaw bade her.
20 And Naomi said unto her daugliter-indaw, 7 And when ]]oaz had eaten and drunk, and his
Blessed be he of the Lord,* who hath not left off heart was merry,'' he went to lie down at the end
his kindness to tlie living and to the dead." And of the heap of corn and she came softly, and un- :

Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto covered his feet, and laid her down.
us, one of our next kinsmen.^ 8 *i And it came to pass at midnight, that the
'1\ And Ruth tlie Moabitess said, He said unto man was afraid, and turned' himself: and behold,
me also. Thou shalt keep fast by my young men,*^ a woman lay at his feet.
until they have ended all my harvest. 9 AndhesaidjWiioar/thou? And she answered,
22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter-in- lam Ruth thyhandmaid: spread therefore thy skirt
law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with over thy handmaid ;' for thou art a near kinsman.^
his maidens, that they meet thee not' in any other 10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my
field. daughter for thou hast showed more kindness in :

23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, to the latter end than at the beginning,"" inasmuch as
"Psi.SiiS. • Ileb. .lAame. bjas.l;5. «Psa.41:l. il ch. 3:10; 2 Sam. S Or, lift up tlie dotlies tliat are an. k Judg. 19:6,9, 22: 2Sam. 13:2«; Ksth.
2:">; JobSi):13. eo Sam. 9:1. 1 Or. thai lialli right lo rtdeem/ Lev. 2.5:25. 1 :10-; Eccl. 8: 15; 9:7; 10: 19. I Or, took hold on. 1 Ezek. 10:8. 1 Or, ont
f.Song 1:7, 8. t Or, fall not upon thte. e Prov. 1:3:20; 1 Cor. 15:33. h ch. that Iiat/ia right to redeem; ch. 2:20. m ch. 1:8.
1:0; I Cor. 7:30; 1 •lira. 5:8. i ch. 2:8, 23. J 2 Sam. 14:2; Eccl. 0:8.

14. Vinegar; a kind of sour wine or sauce used in those proud and self-conceited. Thus the modest Ruth became
days. the wife of "a mighty man of wealth," and the ancestor of
17. An
cphnh; nearly a bushel. David and of Ilini who is greater than David. All this
20. One of our next kinsmen ; one who according to the earthly favor was but the earnest and jdcdge of that heav-
law had a right to redeem. Lev. 25:25. enly exaltation which is reserved for the meek and lowly
23. Wlicat-karvest ; in May. in spirit.

INSTRUCTIONS.
15. A generous mind will avoid reproaches and every
thing calculated to wound the feelings of the poor, and
True piety
2. will lead those who have
it to be indus- will delight to aid them in their efforts, by industry and
trious, and to engage in any honest, useful employment to economy, to provide for themselves and those dependent
which they may hi the providence of God be called. upon them.
3. With a fatherly kindness God watches over and 19. In answer to the prayers of the pious poor for bless-
directs tlie concerns of the poorest, most obscure, and ings on those who supply their wants, the rich often re-
defenceless of his people, and directs them in such a man- ceive treasures better and more abundant than all which
ner as to promote their highest good. they bestow.
4. Love to God inspires good-will to men, and promotes
22. When in a course which we find by experience to
kind affection and true politeness in all conditions and be safe and useful, and in which the Lord blesses us, it is
relations of life.
ordinarily wise to persevere and not he disposed to change.
Kindness to the destitute, especially to the stranger,
8.
This the aged and experienced feel more deeply than the
the widow, the fatherless, and those who have no earthly
inexperienced and young.
helper, is peculiarly pleasing to God and endearing to men.
11. Afiectionate regard to ])arent8 and other relatives,
and sacrifices for their benefit from love to God and his CHAPTER III.
cause, are always remembered by him, and often even in 1. Seek rest; bj' procuring a husband and a home for her.
this life receive a great reward. 9. —
Spread thyskirt; this was a request to him to redeem
13. The humble, who esteem others better than them- her husband's property and marry her, according to the
selves, are often exalted by God's providence above the directions in Deut. 25:5-10.
324
: :

The next of kin refusing, RUTH IV. Boaz marrleth Ruth.

A. M. a;92. tliou J ^ men, whether


followedst not younnr 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city,*"
'
U. about
('. . ,

iai2. pool" or rich. and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
11 And now, my daugliter, fear not; I will do 3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is
to tliee all that thou requirest: for all the city* of come again out of tlie country of Moab, sellcth a
my people doth know that thou art a virtuous parcel of land, which was our brother Elime-
woman." lech's
12 And now it isthy near kins- true that I am 4 AndI thought to advertise thee,* saying. Buy
man: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I." itbefore the inhabitants,' and before the elders of
13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morn- my ])eople.^ If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it:
ing, that if he will perform unto thee the part of but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I
a kinsman,'' well let him do tiie kinsman's jjart:
; may know for there is none to redeem it besides
:

but if he will not do tlie part of a kinsman to tliee, thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will
then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as redeem it.

the Lord liveth :'' lie down until the morning. 5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field
1-4 1[ And she lay at his feet until the morning of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of
and she rose up before one could know another. Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise
And he said. Lot it not be known that a woman up the name of the dead upon his inheritance."
came into the floor.'' 6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for
15 Also he said. Bring the veil* that thou hast myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem
upon thee, aud hold it. And when she held it, thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem
he measured six measures of barley, aud laid it on it.
her: and he went into the city. 7 Now this icas the manner in former time in Is-
16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, rael concerning redeeming and concerning chang-
she said. Who art thou, my daughter? And she ing,' for to confirm all things a man plucked off ;

told her all that the man had done to her. his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor aud this :

17 And she said. These six measures of barley was a testimony in Israel.
gave he me; for he said to me. Go not empty 8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it
unto thy mother-in-law. for thee. So ho drew ofl' his shoe.
18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter,uutil thou 9 1 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all
know how the matter will fall for the man will not the people. Ye are witnesses this day, that I have
: ''

be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. bougiit all that teas Elimelech's, and all that icas
Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of
CHAPTER
IV. Malilon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise
1 Boaz calleth into judgment the next kinsman. 6 He refuseth the up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that
redemption according to the manner in Israel. 9 Boaz buyeth the
inheritance. 11 He marrieth Ruth. 13 She beareth Obed the grand- the name of the dead be not cut oif from among
father of David. IS The generation of Pharez. his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye
THEX went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him
down there and behold, the kinsman of whom
:
are witnesses this day.
11 And all the i>eople that were in the gate, and
Boaz spake came by;''' unto whom lie said, Ho, the elders, said. We are witnesses. The Lord make
suclia one turn aside, sit
! down hei'e. Aud he the woman tliat is come into thy house like Rachel
turned aside, and sat down. and like Leah," which two did build the house of

Heb. gale. » Proi 12:4; 31:1(1. b ch. 4:1. c ch. 4:5; Deut. 25:5; ch. 3:13. 1 Deut.
Mitt. Hi-.M, 25. d Je . 4:2. e Rom. 14;1«; 1 Cor. 1U:32. t Or. s/itet, or
npron. I Psa. 37:3, 5. S ch. 3:12. h 1 Kings 21 :8. t Heb. / said I XL-ill

13. Perform — the part of a kinsman; redeem the property should also, as far as consistent, avoid all appearance of
and marry her. doing wrong, all occasions of misapprehension, and of
Let
14. it not be known; lest false reports should be having our good evil spoken of Rom. 14: IG; 1 Thess.
raised. 5:22.
15. Veil ; Ruth was in full dress, ver. 3, of which a veil
of large size constituted a part. CHAPTER IV.
INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Tlie gate ; towhich men resorted to transact business.
I. Wise and pious parents
will desire that their children 2. He took ten men; to witness the transactions. Ver.
should, the Lord open the way for it, be well settled in
if 9-11.
married as most conducive to their usefulness and
life, To
5. up the name of the dead; he nmst marry Kuth,
raise
comfort, antl that of those around them. as well as redeefn or buy the land.
5. The directions of parents should be followed by chil- C. Cannot redeem it; that is, upon the condition just
dren, even when they have arrived to mature years, so added bv Boaz, which would impose upon him the burden
far as they accord with the revealed will of God. Prov. of maintaining Ruth and Naomi, in addition to his own
1:8; 23:22. family.
II. A readiness promptly to comply with the known (. A lestimoni/; that the man who gave the shoe trans-

will of God, and to promote the highest good of men, ferred his right to the one who received it.
especially of the poor and needy, is peculiarly pleasing 10. Raise up the name of the dead; the eldest son would
in his sight, and prepares us for the reception of his inherit the estate, and thus the name and inheritance of
choicest blessings. the family would be preserved.
14. Many things may be proper in one country or gen- 11. Build the house ; had a numerous posterity. Ephra-
eration which would not be proper in another and while ; tah —Bethlehem ; different names of the place in which they
our great object should be in all things to do right, we lived.
3-25
J

The posterity of RUTH IV. J3oaz and Ruth.

Israel:" and do thou wortliily* iu Ephratah," and And Naomi look the child, and laid a. m. anra
IG
be fainous* in ncth-lcliein: it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 'uia
lli Ami let thy lioiise he like tlie lioiisc of Pliarcz, 17 And the women her neighbors gave it anamc,"
wliDiu 'ruiiKir h:iie unto Judali,'' of the seed wliich saying, There is a son born to Naomi ; and they
the Loui) slmll izivc thee of this young woman. called his name Obed he is the father of Jesse, :

13 "l So iioaz tooiv Kuth, and she was liis wife: the father of David.
and wlieu lie went in unto her, the LoKi) gave her 18 If Now these are the generations of Pharez:
coneeption, and she bare a son.'' Pharcz begat Hezron,''
14 And the women said nnto Naomi, Blessed be 19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat
the Lditu,'' which hath not left tlicc' this day with- Aniniinadab,
out a kinsman," that his name may bo famous in 2(1 And Aniniinadab licgat Nahshon,' and Nah-
Israel. shon begat Salmon,'
15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer o? thy 21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat
life,and a nourisher of thine old age:^ for thy Obed,
daughter-in-law, which loveth thee, which is better 22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat Da-
to tiice than seven sons,' hath borne him. vid,

,. chs. 29, 30. • Or, gel Ihee riches, or power, b Mic. 5:2. t Hcb. P«a.55:22. ^ )le\, thy gray hairs. flgam.l:8 sLnk»l:58. h Malt
Ithyn.jmf. c Gen. .)-f:29. il Gen. 20:17, IS; 33;o. e Rom. 12:1.'>. 1:3, etc. 1 Num. 1:7. • Or, Salmah. i 1 Chr. 8:15.
austd to cease unto, i Or, redeenur. i Heh. to nourish; Gen. 45:11;

12. Pliares; from whom Boaz and the Bethlehemites 6. It is not wise for a man to purchase more property
descended. than he can pay for. Nor, if he has one wife, is it right
14. A kinsman; one who should perpetuate the name for him to take another. If he does, he violates the orig-
and inliei'itanco of her family. inal law of marriage, and will find the way of transgres-
17. Obcd; meaning a servant, or one who would be ser- sors to be hard.
viceable. From him descended David and Christ. 11. Marriage is an ordinance of God, which should be
entered into in his fear, be solemnized before witnesses,
INSTRUCTIONS. and its duties so discharged that it may be a blessing to
1. Punctuality in the transaction of business, and a habit all concerned.
of having every thing done at the right time and in the 14. The birth of a child is a just cause of rejoicing, and
right way, are highly conducive to prosperity, usefulness, all interested should unite in supplication to God that it
and enjoyment. may live, be sanctified, and mailc a blessing to itself and
2. In the sale and conveyance of property, great care its friends, to the church of God and the world.
should be taken that the case be fairly stated and correct- 17. Those who honor God he will honor, and make them
ly understood by all concerned, that it be dul}' witnessed, blessings to all generations, even to the end of time and
and 80 conducted in all respects as to cut off all occasion onward to eternity. Blessed supremely, for ever blessed,
of future misunderstanding and coutcution. are all who trust in and obey him.

326
:

THE

FIEST BOOK OF SAMUEL,


OTHERWISE CALLED,

THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS.


The two books of one whole, the division having been made by the Greek
Sajittel originally constituted

translators as a matter of mere convenience, so as to close the first book with the death of Saul, and begin
the second with the accession of David to the throne. To the original work the name of Samuel was given,
because it opens with the history of his birth and labors and this name has been generally retained for
;

both parts since its division. The Greek Septuagiut, however, designates the books from their contents,
" The first and second
of Kings." They are a continuation of the history of God's covenant people from the
close of Eli's administration as judge to that of David's reign. Thus they embrace a most interesting
period, that of the change of the government to a kingly form, and the successi%'e inauguration of the first
two monarchs of Israel by God's immediate appointment. This change was so conducted as to manifest
in the clearest light God's absolute sovereignty over Israel. First He gave the throne to Saul but when ;

he refused to yield obedience to God's commands, he was set aside, and David appointed in his stead.
Nor was it till David's obedience had been fully tested, that God confirmed the throne to his family.
The author of these books is not known. We read, 1 Chron. 29 29, 30, " Now the acts of David the :

king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the
prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, with all his reign and his might, and the times that went over
him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries." Whoever was the author, it is reasona-
ble to suppose that he drew largely from the books here mentioned and since we find both Gad and ;

Nathan active at the close of David's reign, the work may have been completed by one of these two
inspired men.
That these books were composed after the death of David is manifest from the fact that they record
the years of his reign, 2 Sam. 5 4, 5 and also his last words, 2 Sam. 23 1. But it is remarkable that
: ;
:

they do not record his death, a circumstance that may perhaps be explained upon the supposition that
they were composed very soon after that event, when it was sufBcient to assume it as universally known,
without expressly mentioning it. The graphic style of the narratives contained in these books, and the
minuteness of their details, show that they were written by contemporaries and eye-witnesses.

B. <*;. about U71. CHAPTER I. teas Elkanah,*" the son of Jeroham, the son of
Elihu, the son of Tohu, the sou of Zuph,"= an Eph-
1 E Ikanah a Levi te, having two wives, worshippeth yearly at Shiloh. 4 He
cherisheth Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah. 9 Hannah rathite:
in grief prayeth for a child. 12 Eli first rebuking her. afterwards bless-
eth her. 19 Hannah having borne Samuel, stayeth at home till he be 2 And he had two wives ; the name of the one
weaned. 24 She presenteth him, according to her vow, to the Lord. teas Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah

NOW there was a certain man of Ramatha-


im-zophim,* of mount Ephraim, and his name
and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no
children.
>1 Sam. 1:19; 7:17; a5:l. bl Chr. 6:27, 34. » 1 Chr. 6:35.

suppose it have been the place now called Soba. a


to
CHAPTER I. sliort distance west of Jerusalem. Mount Ephraim; this
1. Of Ramathaim-zophim ; not the Eamah of Benjamin was probably a mountainous ridge that had its rise in
situated near Gibeah, a few miles north of Jerusalem. Ephraim, and was continued south through Benjamin un-
Judg. 19:13; Isa. 10:29; Hos. 5:8. It is probably the der the same name for Ramathaim-zophim seems to have
;

same as the Ramah where Samuel lived antt was buried. been south of the tribe of Ephraim. An Enhrathite; Sam-
1 Sam. 1:19; 7:17; 25:1. Its position is uncertain. Some uel was of Levitical descent, and belonged to the family
327
: :

Hannah prays for a son. 1 SAMUEL I. Samuel is barn.

3 Aiul (liis man -went up out of his citj' yearly'

to worsliipand to sacrilict.' unto tlic LoKi> of hosts


in Siiiloh.-' Ami tlio two sons of Eli,lloplmi and
of the LoiU), were tliere.
riiinc'lias, tlic ]iiiosts
4 ' Andwlien the time was tliat Ellianaii ofTer-
ed,** he fravc to I'eninnah his wife, and to all her
sons and her daui^hters, portions
5 Hut unto Hannah he gave a worthy* portion ;

for lie loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up


her wonili."^
And her adversary also provoked* her sore,''
for to make her fret, because the Loud had simt
uj) her womb.
7 And as he did so year by year, when she went
up- to the house of the Loun, so she provoked
her; therefore slic wept, and did not eat.
8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Han-
nah, why weepest thou? .and why eatest thou not?
and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to
thee than ten sons?"
9 ^ So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in
Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the
priest sat upon a scat by a post of the temple of
the Lord.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and pray-
ed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow,*^ and said, Lord of
hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of
thy handmaid,"-' and remember me,*" and not forget
thy handmaid, but wilt give unto thy handmaid a
man-child;^ then I will give him unto the Lord
all the days of liis life, and there shall no razor
come upon his head.'
12 And it came to pass, as sjie continued praying'
belore the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only
her lips moved, but her voice was not heard
therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her. How long wilt thou
be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
Heb. from year to year.
Samuel is lent to the Lord. 1 SAMUEL II. Hannah's song of praise.

A. M. 2S33. 25 And they slew a bullock, and brought


iih.the child to Eli.
26 And
she said, my lord, as thy soul liveth,
my lord, I am the womau that stood by thee here,
praying unto the Lord.
'27 For this cliild I prayed;" and the Lord hath

givui me my petition which I asked of him:''


2S Tiierefore also I have lent him to the Lord ;*
as long as he livetli he shall be lent* to the Lord.
And he worshipped the Lord there.

CHAPTER II.
1 Hannah's song in thankfulness. 12 The sin of Eli's sons. 18 Sam-
uel's ministry. '20 By Eli's blessing Hannah is more fruitful. 22
Eli reproveth his sons. 27 A prophecy against Eli's house.

AND Hannah joicetii in the Lord,''


prayed, and said.
my horn
My
is
heart re-
exalted in
the Lord;'' my mouth is enlarged over mine ene-
mies because I rejoice in thy salvation."
;

2 There is none holy .13 the Lord for there is :


'

none besides thee neither is there any rock like


:

our God.°
3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly let not ;

arrogancy* come out of your mouth :'' for the Lord


is a God of knowledge,' and by him actions are
weighed.
4 Tlic bows of the mighty men are broken,^ and
they tliat stumbled are girded with strength.
5 Tkey that ivere full have hired out themselves
for bread and they that were hungry ceased
; so :

that the barren hath borne seven;'' and she that


hath many children is waxed feeble.
6 Tlio Lord killeth, and maketh alive:' hebring-
eth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
7 The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich :™ he
bringeth low, and lifteth up."
8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and
>Phif4;G. b Psa. H5:l^. 19. •
Or. return^,! 1,1m.
;

A prapkeey apainst Eli's 1 SAMUEL II. house, for the puilt of his sons.

\S 1 But Samui'l niiiiistercd before the Lord, offerings made by fire of the children of a h ac9.

biinsra child, pinled with a linen cphod." Israel !' ims.

IK Moreover his niotiier made him a little coat, 2'.) Wherefore kick yc at my sacrifice and at
and brouiiht (7 to him from year to year, when she mine offering,'' which 1 have commanded in my
came iip with her husband to oiler the yearly habitation; and lionorost thy sons above me, to
sacriliee." make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the
20 • And Kli blessed Elkanah and his wife,my people?
and offerings of Israel
said. The Loud give thee seed of woman for
HO Wherefore the Loeid God of Israel saith, I
this
the loan which is lent* to the Lord. And they
said indeed t/iat thy house, and the house of thy
Went unto their own home. father, should walk before me for ever:' but now
21 And the Lord visited Hannah,'' so that she the Lord saith. Be it far from me;'" for them that
conceived, and l)arc three sons and two daughters. honor me 1 will honor," and they that despise me
And tlic child .'^aiuuel grew before the Loud. shall be lightly esteemed."
22 IT Now Eli was very old, and heard all that 31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off
his sous did unto all Israel and how they lay
; thine arm, and the arm of thy father's hous<\ that
with the women that assembled* at the door of there shall not be an old man in thy house.''
the taberuacic of the congregation. 32 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habita-
23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such tion, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel :'
things? for I hear of your evil dealings' by all and there shall not be an old man in thy house
"this people. for ever.
24 Nay, my sons for it is no good report that I
; 33 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut
hear yc make tlie Lord's people to transgress.^
: off" from mine altar, s/ialt be to consume thine eyes,
23 If one man sin against another, the judge shall and to grieve thy heart: and all tlie increase of
judge hiiu; but if a man sin against the Lord,'' thy house shall die in the flower of their age.''
who shall entreat for him?'' Notwithstanding, they 34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall
hearkened not unto the voice of their father, be- come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas
cause the Lord would slay them.' in one day they shall die both of them.''
26 And the cliild Sanmol grew on, and was in 35 And I will raise me up a foithful priest, that
favor botli with the Lord, and also with men.'^ shall do according to that whicli is in my heart
27 1[ And there came a man of God unto Eli, and in my mind:' and I will build him a sure
and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I house; and he shall walk before mine anointed
plainly appear unto the house of thy father," when for ever.
they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? 36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that
28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of is left in thy house shall come and crouch to him
Israel to he ray priest to offer u])on mine altar, to for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and
burn incense, to wear an ephod before me?' and shall say. Put* me, I pray thee, into one of the
did I give unto the house of thy father all the priests' offices,* that I may eat a piece of bread.
» Exod. 23:1. b ch. 1:3. • Or, ptlition wJiirk she asked, c Gen. 21:1. n Psi. 91:11; Prov. 3:9, 10. o Mai. 2:S, 9. P 1 Kings 2:27, 35. t Or, the
1 Keh, assembled by iroops; Exod. 3S:H, I Or. evil loords of you. 4 Or, cry afflictionof the tabernacle, for alt the wealth which God would have given
d Num. 15::iU; Psa. 51:4, 16. e l Tim. 2:5; Hob. 7;2.i. t Josh. 11:20.
0111. Israel. 1 Ileb. m,-n. 1 ch. 4:11. r Ezek. 44:15, 16. * Heb. Join, t Or,

sProv. 3:4; Luke 2:52. h Exod. 4: 14, 27. Exod. 2S:1, 4. JLev.7:7.8,
i somewhat about the priesthood.
34; Num. 5:9, 10; 18:S-19. 110001.32:15. Exod, 29:9. m Jer. 18:9, 10.
1

18. A
linen ephod; a garment like that which was worn 29. Kick; dishonor, by profaning them or suffering them
by the priests. to be profaned.
20. The loan ; chap. 1 : 28. Walk before me; Exod. 28:43; 29:9; Num. 25:10-13.
30.
24. Ye make the Lord's people to transgress; by tempting For ever ; to the end of the Jewish dispensation. Lightly
them to sin. esteemed; rejected and punished.
25. The judge shall judge him; if it were an offence of a 31. Cat off thine arm; cause his power and authority to
man against his fellow-man, he might be punished accord- cease.
ing to the law or by offering the appointed sacrifice, he
; 32. An enemy in my habitation; or, according to the mar-
might through faith in Christ be forgiven. But this was ginal reading, the atniction of the tabernacle, on account
a sin not only against men, but against God it profaned ; of the ark being taken by the Philistines, and other calam-
the sacrifice which typified the sacrifice of Christ, and ities.
there remained no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain 34. A sign; an evidence that all which he had foretold
fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation. would be accomplished. Chap. 4:11.
Such was probably the meaning of Eli, but he did not 35. A faithful priest;
Zadok, a descendant not of Eli, but
convey it with clearness and power to the minds of his of Eleazar. 1 Kings 2:27, 35; 1 Chron. 29:22. Build him
profligate sons. Nor did he, as he should have done, act a sure house; continue his posterity in the priesthood.
it out, by not only reproving them, but expelling them 3Iine anointed; the kings of David's line who would bo
from their office and visiting them with condign punish- anointed by him to their office, and from whom Christ
ment, as a warning to all of the guilt and danger of such would come. For ever; as long as the kings of Israel
wickedness. He was a judge as well as a father, and should continue.
should have been a terror to those evil-doers. But he 36. Li thy house; of Eli's descendants. Shall say; on
regarded his sons in this matter more than he did the account of their great poverty and degradation.
honor of God. Because; on account of their sins.
26. In favor —
with the Lord; God may have given him INSTRUCTIONS.
renewing grace in his infant years, in answer to the pray- 1. Whenever we receive new mercies, let who wiU be
ers of his niother. the instrument, we should feel that they come from God,
27. Appear unto the house of thy father; Eli descended and give him the praise.
from Aaron. Exod. 4 14, 27 28 1-4 Le v. 7 7-35.
: ; : ; : 3. A conviction of the constant, all-pervading presence of
330
;

God calkth Samuel, and 1 SAMUEL III. forctdleth Eli's woes.

CHAPTER III. 11 1 And


the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I
will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears
1 How the word of the Lord was first revealed to Samuel. 11 God
telleth Samuel the destruction of Klfs house. 1.5 S.amuel, though of every one that heareth it shall tingle."
loath, tellelh Eli the vision. 19 Samuel growcth in credit. 12 In that day I will perform against Eli all
AND the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord
before Eli. And the word of the Lord was
things which I have spoken concerning his house :°
when I begin, I will also make an end.*
precious in those days;" there was no open vision. 13 For I have told* him that I will judge his
;''
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli liouse for ever for the iniquity which he knowcth
ioas laid down in his place, and his eyes began to because his sons made themselves vile,^*-' and he
wax dim, that he could not see restrained them not."
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the tem- 14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house
ple of the Lord,'' where the ark of God was, and of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be
Samuel was laid down to sleep; purged with nor oflering for ever.**
sacrifice
4 That the Lord called Samuel : and he answer- 15 *i And Samuel
lay until the morning, and
ed, Here am I. opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And
5 And
he ran unto Eli, and said. Here am I; Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.
for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; 16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel,
lie down
again. And he went and lay down. my and he answered. Here am I.
son :

6 And
the Lord called yet again, Samuel and : 17 he said, What is the thing that the
And
Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said. Here am LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it
I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I not from me:' God do so to thee, and more also,'
called not, my son : lie down again. if thou hide a7iy thing* from me of all the things
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither that he said unto thee.
was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.* 18 And Samuel told him every whit,* and hid
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord -J
time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said. let him do what seemcth him good.
Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli per- 19 1 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with
ceived that the Lord had called the child. him, and did let none of his words fall to the
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: ground.''
and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba
say. Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So knew that Samuel was established* to be a prophet
Samuel went and lay down in his place. of the Lord.
10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called 21 And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh for :

as at other times, Samuel, Samuel.'^ Then Samuel the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by
answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. the word of the Lord.

» Psa. 74:9. b Exod. 27:20:21. * Or. Thus did Samuel before he knew 43, etc. I Ueb. frowned not upon them, h Num. 15:.30; Psa. 51:16; Isa.
the Lord, and before the word of the Lokd was revealed unto him. c ver. 22:14; Heb 10:4-10. iRuthl:17. H Heb. so add. • Or, word, t Heb. o/J
4,5.6,«. d 2Kings21:12; Jer. 19:.'). e ch. 2:20, etc. t Heh. beginning the things, or words, i Job 121; Psa. 39:9; Isa. 39:6. k oh. 9.6. I Or,
andemling. t Or, An'J I will tell. fEzek. 7:3. i Or. accursed, ech. 2:12, faithful.

God tends to keep us from sin, excite us to duty, and make the service of Christ, and continue in it to the end of life.
us humble, grateful, and better fitted for every good work. Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4.
Changes in the condition of individuals, families, and
6. 27. Great favors shown to any one lay him under great ob-
nations, though brought about by human instrumentality, ligations to be faithful in the discharge of his appropriate
are ordered by the Lord, and his agency in them should duties, and will aggravate his guilt if he neglect them.
always be acknowledged. 29. It is a great sin for parents to regard their children
9. However great the opposition of the wicked, theright- more than they do God, and the continued indulgence of
eous shall finally overcome, and the temporary successes this sin will bring upon them fearful punishment.
of the wicked will end in their final and everlasting defeat. 31. The sins of parents may deeply affect not only their
11. God is greatly pleased when little children devote children, but their distant posterity, even to the end of
themselves to his service and the smallest child who
; time and onward to eternity.
loves him has more true spiritual knowledge than the 34. When God makes declarations with regard to the
greatest and most learned man who neglects his service. future, he furnishes such evidence of the certainty of their
12. Men may be (Jailed priests, or ministers of religion, accomplishment as ought to produce universal conviction.
may conduct the forms of public worship, and have the 35. The providence of God is a commentary on his
best opportunities of knowing God, and yet hate him and word, and the more we see of the operations of the one,
be guilty of the most enormous wickedness. the more we shall see of the truth ofthe other.
17. A covetous, self-indulgent, and licentious ministry
is one of the greatest curses to the souls of men. It leads CHAPTER III.
multitudes to despise the ordinances of religion and sink 1. Precious; rare, uncommon. No open vision; literally,
into the darkness and pollution of infidelity. " vision was not spread abroad," that is, revelations from
20. A freewill-offering to the Lord, even of that which God were not common.
is his, he receives with dehght, and bestows upon the 7. Did not yet know the Lord; did not know him in the
ofterer an abundant reward. way of receiving revelations from him.
22. When those who have the right and the power to put 14. Not be purged; not so done away as to prevent the
licentious men
out of the ministry, neglect to do it, they threatened punishment.
become partakers in their sins, and will share their woes. 17. Do so to thee; punish thee.
26. Parents who
receive their children as the gift of 19. Let none ofht.'i words fall; let none of his predictions
God, and train them up in the way they should go, may fail of their accomphshment.
hope that, through the renewing and sanctifying influences 20. From Dan even to Beer-sheba; from one end of the
of the Holy Spirit, they will early devote themselves to land to the other.
831
Tht Philistines ortraimt. 1 SAMUEL IV. Israel at Ehen-tztr.

I
CH APT Ell
The IinwlitM »ro ovftcomc by
IV.
llic PhiliBtincj at Eben-mer.

fetch the lirk lo the Urror of the I'hili»lliie».


3 Tlicy
10 They liro «mitt<ii
L^
And
oitii
they understood that the ark of the
. , ,
was come mlo the camp.
7 And the Philistines were afraid for lliey said,
;
a. « swa
II. <•.
lui.
.tool

aj^in, the uric t.iken. niul Kophni and Phinehus arc slain. 12 Eli lit the
newi, fallinc backward, breakelh hii neck. 19 I'binehu' wife, du-
God is come into the canii). And they said. Woe
cuura^'ed in h'r imv.iiI with Ichahod, dieth. unto usl for there hath not been such a thing
\XD word of Piunucl came' to all I.-^rael. heretofore.'
(lie

Now Israel went out ajiaiiist the I'liili.-^tiney 8 Woe unto us! who .shall deliver us out of the
to battle, and pitched csidc Ebeu-czer: and th(5 hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods
1

Philistines pitciied in Ajiliek. that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in
"2 And the riiilistincs put themselves in array the wilderness.
!) Be strong, and quit yourselves
aifainst Israel: and when they joined battle,* Is- like men,''
rael was smitten before the Philistines: and they ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the
slew of the army' in the field about four thousand Hebrews, as they have been to you:'' quit your-
men. selves like mcn,^ and fight.
3 IT And when the people wore come into the 10 '', And the Philistines fought, and Israel was
camp, the ciders of Israel said, Whereroio hath smitten,'' and they Hod every man into his tent and :

the us to-day before :he Philistines?


LoKU smitten there was a very great slaughter; for there fell
Let us fetch* the ark of the covenant of the Loud of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among 11 And the ark of God was taken ;" and the two
us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. sons of Eli, Ilophni and Phinehas, were slain.'
4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might 12 T And there ran a man of Benjamin out of
bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with
Lord of hosts, which dwelleth bttu-an the cheru- liis clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.''

bim:'' and the two sons of Eli, Ilophni and Phiu- 13 And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by
ehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of the way-side watching: for his heart trembled for
God. the ark of God.^ And when the man came into
5 the ark of the covenant of the Loud
And when the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a 14 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying,
great shout, so that the earth rang again. he said. What intandh the noise of this tumult?
6 And when the Pliilistiues heard the noise of And the man came in hastily, and fold Eli.
the shout, they said, What imaneth the noise of lo Now Eli was ninety and eight years old and ;

this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? his eyes were dim,* that he could not sec.


Or. ram^ lopats; Heb. wax. t Heb. Ill', batlle wax spread. 1 Heb. l/ic
array, i Heb. take unto us. a Exod. 25:18. 'li; '2 Sam. f>:'i\ Psa. aU:l.
Xiieh. yeuerilay,ct the third day. b Cor. Ili: 13.
1 «Judg.l3:I. H Heb. 6e

INSTRUCTION'S. feeling that what God says must be true, and what ho
1. Those who are blessed with a fulness of divine in-
does must be right and good.
struction and with all the means of grace, but very faintly 19. When men follow the directions of God
so far as
realize tlie sad condition of such as are without them, they know thern, he will communicate to them an increas-
wandering in darkness and the shadow of death. ing knowledge of his will, and by experience they will
2. Eyesight is a great blessing, which should bo care-
acquire the habit of readily understanding and promptly
fully preserved and wisely employed that in case of its
;
obeying it.

loss, the mind, in rich stores of knowledge, may have


materials for useful and happy contemplation.
CHAPTER IV.
5. Cheerful readiness in clnldren to comply with the 1. The word of Samiwl ; that which God revealed to him.
wishes of parents and teachers, is an indication of great —
Eben-ezer Aphck ; Mizpeh, where Samuel judged Israel,
excellence of character, and of eminent usefulness in future is supposed to have been the modern Neby Samwil,
life. (Prophet Samuel,) a few miles north-north-west from Je-
7. God by his Spirit, in his word and his providence, rusalem. Eben-ezer, here named by way of anticipation,
sometimes repeatedly speaks to men before thej' are aware was in its vicinity. Chap. 7: 12. There were several places
of it. especially if they are young and have not been ac- that bore the name of Aphek. That named here can hard-
customed to distinguish his voice from that of others. ly have been the Aphek near Jezreel, where the Philistines
10. When men, and even children, manifest a readiness encamped before the overthrow of Saul, chap. 29 1, as that
:

to be instructed by God, he will communicate to them a is far distant from Eben-ezer. It seems rather to have
knowledge of his will and though it may be trying, yet
; been situated in the tribe of Judah, jierhaps south-west
in doing it they will be accepted of him and receive a of Eben-ezer on the road to Ashdod. Chap. 5:1.
great reward. 'i. Let lis fetch the ark; the emblem of the divine pres-
Vi. Parents, to please God and escape his indignation, ence. They hoped to receive from the emblem what
must not only pray with and for their children, and coun- could only come from God as many now hope, from the
;

sel and advise them, but must also govern them; and if image or figure of the cross, to receive what can come
they are disposed to be openly vicious, must inflict such only from Him who bled upon it.
punishment as will eftoctiially" restrain them. Nor must f. Between the cherubim ; the Shekinah, or visible glory
fear or favor hinder them from exercising the authority of God, was manifested over the mercy-scat between the
and power which God has given them for this purpose. cherubim, and that was regarded as his special dwelling-
Parents should encourage their children freely and
17. place.
fully to communicate with them on all things in which 8. Gods; God. Though this word in the original is in
they are interested, especially on the subject of religion the plural number, yet when applied to Jehovah, it should
and whatever pertains to the jierformance of duty. be, as it usually is, translated in the singular.
18. When the will of God is made known, true piety in 9. Quit yourselves; do your duty.
vigorous exercise will lead the soul to acquiesce in it, 12. His clothes rent; in token of great mourning.
332
The death of Eli. 1 SAMUEL V. Dagnn falls before the ark.

A.M .2WX 16 And the man said unto Eli, I am he 3 1 And when they of Ashdod arose early on
that came out of tlie army, and I fled to-
°ii4i'''°"' the morrow, behold, Dagon zoas fallen upon his face
day out of the army. And he said. What is there to the eartli before the ark of the Lord. And
done," my son? they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.'
17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel 4 And wlien they arose early on the morrow
is fled before the Philistines, and there liath been morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face
also a great slaughter among the people, and thy to the ground before the ark of the Lord and ;

two sons also, Hophni and Phinelias, arc dead, and the liead of Dagon and both tlie palms of his hands
the ark of God is taken." were cut off upon the tlireshold ;" only the stump
18 And it came to pass, when he made mention o/' Dagon" was left to him.
of the ark of God, that he fell from ofl" the seat 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor
backward by tlic side of the gate, and his neck any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the
brake, and ho died for ho was an old man, and thresliold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
:

heavy. And lie had judged Israel forty years.* 6 But tlie liand of the Lord was heavy upon
19 T And liis daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, them of Aslidod,'' and he destroyed them, and
was with child, near to be delivered:* and when smote them with emerods,' even Ashdod and the
she heard the tidings tliat the ark of God was coasts tiioreof.
taken, and that her fatlior-in-law and lier husband 7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it icas
were dead, she bowed herself and travailed for so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall
;

her pains came* upon lier. not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us,
20 And about the time of her death the women and upon Dagon our god.
that stood by licr said unto her. Fear not;" for 8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords
thou hast borne a son. But she answered not, of the Piiilistines unto them, and said. What shall
neither did she regard it.' we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And
21 And she named the child Ichabod,' saying. they answered. Let the ark of the God of Israel
The glory is departed from Israel because the be carried about unto Gath. And they carried
:

ark of God was taken, and because of her father- the ark of tlie God of Israel about thither.
in-law and her husband. 9 And it was so, tliat, after they had carried it
22 And she said. The glory is departed from about, the hand of the Lord was against the city
Israel := for the ark of God is taken. with a very gi-eat destruction :' and he smote the
men of the city, both small and great, and they
CHAPTER V. had emerods in their secret parts.
1 The Philistines having brought the ark into Ashdod, set it in the
10 11 Tlierefore they sent the ark of God to
house of Dagon. 3 D^on is smitten down and cut in pieces, and Ekron.'' And it came to pass, as the ark of God
they of Ashdod smitten with emerods. 8 So God dealeth with them
of (jath, when it was brought thither: 10 and so with tliem of Ekron,
came to Ekron, that tlie Ekronites cried out, say-
when it was brought thither. ing, Tliey have brought about the ark of the God

AND the Philistines took the ark of God, and of Israel to us, to slay us and our* people.
brouglit it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod.** 11 So they sent and gathered together all the
2 When the Philistines took tlie ark of God, lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the
they brought it into the house of Dagon," and set ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his
it by Dagon. own place, that it slay us not, and our* people:
• Heb. Ilie t/iing. ' cb. •2:'i'2. t He seems to have been a judge to do jus- e Judg. 10:21; 1 Chr. 10:10. ' Isi 19:1; 40:1, 2, 7. e Jer. 50:2; Ezek.
tice only,and that in South-west Israel. 1 Or, rri/ out. S Heb. roer^ turned. 6:4, B; Mio. 1:7. • Or. fishy part.I ver.7,11; Exod.9:3: Psa. 32:4; Acts
b Gen. SJ; 17. I Heb. set not her heart. 1 That, is, Where is the s:lory1 or, 13:11. iDeut. 28:27; Psa. 78:00. J :h. 7:13; 12:15; DeutI 2:15. k 2 Kings
There \s no glory, c Psa. 78:G1; 100:20; Jer. 2:11; Hos. 9:12. J ch. 7:12. 1:2. t Heb. me, to slay me. and my. I Heb. me not, and my.

18. He fell; Eli. 18. The dishonor of God, and his frown upon the peo-
21. Ichabod; uo glory. ple, are more distressing to good men than the death even
INSTRUCTIONS. of their nearest earthly friends.
(iod in liis word are often shown 21. The chief glory of a nation is the presence and favor
1. The declarations of
to be true by his providence, ami those who had disbe- of God, for the loss of which no earthly good can be an
lieved them are tluis made to see their truth. adequate compensation.
3. !Men often expect from the mere forms of religion

what can come only from its power: from senseless wood
CHAPTER V.
or stone they expect what can come only from the one 1.Ashdod; one of the cities of the Philistines.
living and true God. 2.Dagon ; from dag, signifying a fish. It was the namo
5. Ignorant and false zeal in immoral and wicked teach- of an idol, the upper jiart of which was in the form of a
ers is apt to be noisy and vain-glorious, to be fond of man, and tlie lower part in that of a fish.
show, and to abound in appeals to the senses and pas- 4. Only the .slump ; in the original, the dagon, that is, the

sions of men. fishy part of the idol.


5. Tread on the threshold; from superstitious reverence
7. All men who are in any measure enlightened have a
conviction of a power wdiich is above them, and which, towards it, as being the place where Dagon's body has lain.
on account of their sins, they have reason to fear. 8. Lords; rulers. Gath; another city of the Philistines.
10. Under wicked religious teachers the people also 9. Emerods; hemorrhoids, or a species of the piles.
become exceedingly wicked, and thus ripen for divine 10. Ekron ; the northernmost city of the Philistines.
judgments; and when ripe, others who are wicked are 11. Vcrij heavy; God smote them with sore judgments.

often suffered to bring those judgments upon them. INSTRUCTIONS.


13. The place where God dwells is precious to good 1. As a punishment to his people, God often suffers the
men, and they fear the loss of his presence more than that wicked for a time to triumph over them, and to take from
of any worldly good. them many precious blessings.
333
: ;

The rhUistines srnd hack 1 SAMUEL VI. the ark to Bilh-sAemuh.

for there was a tlcadly (1(\<I ruction tlirougliout all coast to Bclh-shemesh,'' thai he"' hath done a. m jwh.

tlio the liaiui of (_!od was very iieavy tlioro."


city :
us this greatevil :'i but if not, then we shall ii*o'

12 Anil the men tiiat died not were smitten with know that it is not his hand t/iat smoto us;'' it

the eincrods and the cry of the city went up to


: was a cliancc t/iat happened to us.
heaven.'' 10 T And the men liid so; and took two milch
kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their
calves at home:
CHAPTER VI. 11 And they laid the ark of the Loud upon the
1 After seven* months the Philistines take counsel how to send back the cart, and the cidVer with the mice of gold and the
Brk. 10 They bring it on a new cart with an offering unto Bith-»hc-
me-sh. 10 The people are smitten for looking into tlie ark. 'Jl They images of their emerods.
senii to them of Kirjath-jearim to fetch it. 112 And the kine took the straight way to the

AND the ark of the Lord was in the country


of the Philistines seven months.
way of Beth-shemcsh, a7id went along the highway,
lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the
2 And
the Philistines called for the priests and right hand or to the left and the lords of the
;

the diviners,'' sayin]i, What .shall we do to the ark Philistines went after Ihcm unto the border of
of the Loud? tell us wherewith we shall send it Beth-shemesh.
to his place.'' K3 And they o/" Beth-shemcsh vxre reaping their
3 And they said, If ye send away the ark of the wheat-harvest in the valley and they lifted up :

God of Israel, send it not empty ;" but in anj' wise their eyes, and saw the ark, ajid rejoiced to see it.
return him a trespass-offering:'' then ye shall be 11 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a
healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand Beth-shemite, and stood there, Mhere t/tere teas a
is not removed from you.''' great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart,
4 Then said they, Wliat«Aa//6e the trespass-offer- and offered the kine a burnt-offering unto the
ing wiiich we shall return to him? They answered, Lord.'
Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, accord- 15 And the Levites took down the ark of the
inp; to the number of the lords of the Philistines :'" Lord, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the
for one jtlague icas on you* all, and on your lords.' jewels of gold uxrc, and put t/um on the great
Wherefore ye shall make images of your em- stone and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt-
.'J :

erods, and images of your mice that mar the land offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day
;

and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel :' unto the Lord.
peradventurehewill lighten his hand from off you, IC) And when the five lords of the Philistines
and from off your gods, and from off your land.'' had seen ?V,' they returned to Ekron the same day."
6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the IT And these are the golden emerods which the
Egy]itians and Piiaraoh hardened their hearts ?' Philistines returned for a trespass-offering unto
when he had wrought wonderfully* among them, did the Lord for Ashdod one,'' for Gaza one,"' for
;

they not let the people* go, and they departed?"' Ashkclon one," for Gath one,-'' for Ekron one
7 Now therefore make a new cart," and take two 18 And the golden mice, according to the num-
milch kine, on wiiich there hath come no yoke, and ber of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to
tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of co.iutry
home from them villages, even unto the great .v/o?!eo/" Abel, 'where-
8 And take the ark of the Lord, and lay it upon on thej' set down the ark of the Lord: which stone
the cart and put the jewels of gold," which ye rcmaincth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the
;

return him ybr a trespass-offering, in a coffer by Beth-shemite.


the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go. 19 1 And he smote the men of Beth-shemesh, be-
9 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own cause they had looked into the ark of the Lord,''
a Ver. G
A fast hdd at Mizpeh. 1 SAMUEL VII. The Philistines discomfited.

A. M. 2.K.U.
even he smote of the people fifty thousand
'^uw!'""and threescore and ten men: and the peo-
ple lamented, because the Lord had smitten many
of the people with a great slaughter.
20 And tlie men of Beth-shcmesh said, Who is
able to stand before this holy Lord God?* and
to whom shall he go up from us?''
211 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants
of KirjatlKJearim,"= saying, The Philistines have
brought again the ark of the Lord come ye down, ;

and fetch it up to you.

,
CHAPTER VII.
1 They of Kirjath-jearim bring the ark into the house of Ahinadab, and
sanctify Eleazar his son to keep it. 2 After twenty years 3 the Isra-
elites, by Samuel's means, solemnly repent at Mizpeh. 7 While Sam-
uel prayeth and sacrificeth, the Lord discomfiteth the Philistines by
thunder at Eben-ezer. 13 The Philistines are subdued. 15 Samuel
peaceably and religiously judgeth Israel.

AND the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and


fetched up the ark of the Lord,'' and brought
it into the house of Abinadab in the hill," and
sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the
Lord/
2 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in
Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long for it was ;

twenty years and all the house of Israel lament-


:

ed after the Lord.^


3 IT And Samuel spake unto all the house of Is-
rael, saying. If ye do return unto the Lord with
all your hearts," then put away the strange gods
and Ashtaroth from among you,' and prepare your
hearts unto the Lord,^ and serve him only:'' and
he will deliver you out of the hand of the Phi-
listines.'
4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baa-
lim and Ashtaroth,'" and served the Lord only.
5 Xnd Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh,
and I will pray for you unto the Lord.
6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and
drew water, and poured it out before the Lord,"
"

7%< Israelites ask a laim. 1 SAMUEL VIII. T^ir import unity

ICi And lie wont from yoar to year in circuit' Lord unto the people that asked of liim a m jors

to Hpi1i-o1, and <!ilvai, and Mizpcli, and judjred a king. iim.

Israel ill all those ]ilai'Cs. 1 1 And he said, Tiiis will be the manner of the
17 And his return iras to Raniali ;" for there vas king tiiat shall reign over you lie will take your
:

bis house; and there he judged Israel; and there sons, and appoint t/inn for himself, I'or his chariots,
lie built an altar unto the Loud. and to be his horsemen and .lomc shall run Infore
;

his chariots.
CHAPTER VIII. \'2 And he will him captains over thou-
aii]ioint
1 By occ&aion of (he ill government of SamucPs sons, the Israelites ask a sands, and cajitains over liflies; and vill sd limn
kin'T. G Samuel praying in grief, is comforted by God: 10 he tell-
etli'the manner of a king. 1!) iJod willeth Samuel to yield mito the to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to
importunity of the people. make his instruments of war, and instruments of
AND it
tliat
came to pass, when Samuel was
he made his sons judges over Israel.
old, his chariots.
1:5 And he will take your daughters to be con-

2 Now the name of his first-born was Joel ;* and feetionarics, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.
the name of his second, Abiah: tlicy twn' judges 14 And he will take your fields, and your vine-
in Beer-slicba. yards, and your olive-yards,'-' even the best of them,
3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but and give them to his servants.
turned aside after lucre,'' and took bribes,"^ and 15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and
perverted judgment. of your vineyards, and give to his officers,^ and to
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered them- his servants.
selves together, and came to Samuel unto llamali, 16 And he will take your men-servants, and your
5 And said unto hiin. Behold, thou art old, and maid-servants, and your goodliest young men, and
thy sous walk not in thy ways: now make us a your asses, and put them to his work.
king to judge us like all the nations.'' 17 He will take the tenth of your sheep : and ye
6 1i But the thing displeased* Samuel, when they shall be his servants.
said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel 18 And ye day because of
shall cry out in that
prayed unto the Loud. your king which ye shall have clioscn you; and
7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the Lord will not hear you in that day.'
the voice of the people in all that they say unto 19 IT Nevertheless tlio people refused to obey the
thee for they have not rejected thee, but they have
: voice of Samuel ;J and they said. Nay but we will
;

rejected me,*" that 1 should not reign over tiiem. have a king over us;
8 According to all the works wiiich they liave 20 That we also may be like all the nations ;

done since the day that I brought them up out of and that our king may judge us, and go out before
Egyi)t oven unto this day, wherewith they have us, and fight our battles.
forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they 21 And Samuel lieard all the words of the peo-
also unto thee. ple, and lie rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord.
9 Now therefore hearken unto^ their voice: liow- 22 And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto
beit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show' them their voice, and make them a king.' And Samuel
the manner of tlie king that shall reign over them.*^ said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto
10 H And Samuel told all the words of the his city.
• Heb. ami hf r.ircuHed.
' ch. S:A. t Vashni: 1 Chr. 0:aS. b Exod. shou
19:31; I Tim. d Deut. 17: 1; Hos. 13: lU.
:!::). «Prov.2<J:4. 1 1 Heb. was

evil in the. Exod. VhS; ]\Iatt. l(i:4(). S Or. obey. I Or, notwith-
eyes of. e
standing when thou hast solemnly protested aizainst them, then thou shalt

IG. Betliel was nortli, and Mizpch (in the original Miz-
pah) north-west from Jerusalem.
17. Ramah; in Benjamin, generally supposed to be the
same as Ramathaim-zophim.
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. The ordinances of God will benefit all who rightly
observe them, but none who contimie to neglect them.
3. By the right use of means which God has provided,
men are bound to prepare their hearts for his service.
5. Penitent confession of sin, and humble prayer for
divine mercy, ara essential to forgiveness, and are a sure
preparation for the reception of divine favors.
8. All who have right views of God and of themselves,
will place a high value on the prayers of his people, and will
earnestly desire them. Esth. 4:16; Job 42 8, 9 Jas. 5:16. : ;

10. Humble, believing, earnest, persevering prayer has


great influence with God, and is instrumental of unspeak-
able good to men.
13. Rulers who are men of prayer, and who transact
their civil duties in the fear and love of God, are great
blessings to the people.

CHAPTER VIII.
Lucre; gain. Bribes; gifts to induce one wrongly to
3.
favor those who offer tliem.
336
Saul seeling his father's 1 SAMUEL IX. asses, is led lo Samuel.

of a shekel of silver t/tat will I give to the man


CHAPTER IX.
of God, to tell us our way.
:

6 by the counsel of his ser-


9 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to
1 Saul despairing to find his father's asses,
vant, 11 and direction of young maidens. 15 according lo God"s reve-
lation, 18 Cometh to Samuel. 19 Samuel enterta]neth Saul at the feast. inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us
'J5 Samuel, after secret communication, bringetii Saul on his way.
go to the seer for he that is now called a Prophet
:

"\TOW there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was beforetime called a Seer.^)
_LN sou of Abiel, the son of Zeror,
icas Kish," the 10 Then said Saul to his servant. Well said;""
the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiali, a Bcnja- come, let us go. So they went unto the city where
niitc,* a mighty man of power.* the man of God v-as.
2 And he had a son, whoso name ims Saul, a 11 IT JInd as they went up the hill to the city,*
choice young man, and a goodly and there tvas they found young maidens going out to draw wa-
:

not among the children of Israel a goodlier per- ter,"^ and said unto them. Is the seer here?
son than he: from his shoulders and upward he 12 And they answered them, and said. He is:
was higher than any of the people.'' behold, he is before you make haste now, for he :

'6 And the asses of Kisli Saul's father were came to-day to the city for there is a sacrifice* of ;

lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now the people to-day in the high place.J '

one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek 13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall
the asses. straightway find him, before he go up to the high
4 And he passed through mount Ephraim, and place to eat for the people will not cat until he :

passed through the land of Shalisha,'' but they come, because he doth bless the sacrifice and after- ;''

found them not: then they passed through the wards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get
land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he you up for about this time* ye shall find him.
;

passed through the land of the Benjamites, but 14 And they went up into the city: and when
they found them not. they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came
5 ./Ind when they were come to the land of Zuph, out" against them, for to go up to tlic high place.
Saul said to his servant that was with him. Come, 15 t Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear^
and let us return lest my father leave caring for
; a day before Saul came,' saying,
tlie asses, and take thought for us. 16 To-morrow about this time I will send thee
6 And he said unto him. Behold now, there is in a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt
this city a man of God," and he is an honorable anoint him to be captain over my people Israel,"'
man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass :" now that he may save my people out of the hand of
let us go thither peradventure he can show us
;
the Philistines: for I have looked upon my peo-
our wajf that we should go. ple, because their cry is come unto me."
7 Tiien said Saul to his servant. But behold, ifvre 17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said
go, what shall we bring the man'?' for the bread unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee
is spent in* our vessels, and there is not a present of this same shall reign over' my people."
1

to bring to the man of God: what have we?^ 18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate,
8 And the servant answered Saul again, and and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's
said, Behold, I have here at hand" the fourth part house is.

«Ch. 14:51. • Or. Ike son of a man of Jemini. f Or, substance. i> ch. • Heb. in the ascent
of the citi/. h Gen. 24:11. tOr./fa.!(. i
ch. lti:2; Gen.
10:23. c 2 Kings 4:42. d Deut. 33:1; 1 Kings 13:1. c ch. 3:19. 'Gen. 31:51. J 1 Kings3:2. k Mark 6:41; Luke 24:30. 1 Heb. to-dai/. t Heb.

43:11; Jodg. 0:18; 1 Kings 14:3; 2Kings8:8. t Heh. gone out of. JHeb. revealed the ear of Samuel ; ch. 20:2. lAraos3:7; Acts27:a3. mch.lO:!.
is wil/i us. I Heb. t/iere is found in viy hand, s 2 Sam. 24: U ; 2 Kings nElod. 2:2:1-25; Psa. 106:14. I Heh. restrain in. oAcls 13:21.
17:13; 2 Chr. 16:7, 10; Isa. 30:10; Amos 7:12. 1 Heb. T/iy Kord is good.

own fault; but when the government is hereditary, and would show that their will was wiser and better than his,
descends from parents to children, whether good or bad, as Satan tempts them to believe. Hence God, in vindica-
wise or foolish, it is often unjust and cruel, for wise and tion of his owncharacter, disappoints them.
good parents maj' be followed by foolish and wicked chil- 20. Men whoare enclianted with the trappings of roj--
dren. alty, and carried away by a thirst for military glory, are
5. When men in trouble follow their own judgment not safe guides for themselves nor their fellow-men.
merely, as to the way of getting out of it, they often take
a course which tends only to increase it and if they wiU ;
CHAPTER IX.
not be dissuaded from such a course, God in righteous 2. A choice young man; these words relate chiefly to his
judgment sometimes suffers them to pursue it, and thus personal appearance.
dreadfully to punish themselves. Jer. 2 19. : 4. Mmint Ephraim; see note to chap. 1:1.
5. When in new and difficult circumstances men go to 6. In this city; it has been commonly assumed that this
God for direction, choosing rather to be governed by his was Ramah, the home of Samuel. But Saul, on his return
will than their own, he will guide them, and in the proper home, passed by Rachel's sepulchre, which was south of
use of their own faculties will lead them to right decisions. Jerusalem near Beth-lehcm. This circumstance has led
9. God delights to communicate to men all needed infor- some to suppose that the city where Saul and his servant
mation, so that if they will follow his directions, they may fomid Samuel was not Ramali, but some place near Beth-
be saved from suffering, the fruits of their foil}-. lehem, whither he had gone in the discharge of his public
18. When men with their eyes open go on in wicked- duties.
ness, regardhig their feelings more than the testimony of 7. A present; such as it was then, and in the East is
Jehovah, and thus bring themselves into trouble, God now, customary to offer.
leaves them to endure it till they are convinced of their 8. A shekel; about fifty cents.
sin and turn to him, or sink into utter ruin. 12. Before you ; in the city to whicli thcj' were going. The
19. When men by word or deed say to God, Not thy high place; the eminence on which they offered sacrifices.
will, but mine be done, let them prepare for trouble, if 13. Tliey eat; that portion of the offering which was
in that way they should succeed and be finally blessed, it allowed them in the Levitical law.
S37
Samuel feasteth Saul, 1 SAMUEL X. and anoitUeth him.

19 And f^ainnol answered Paul, and said, I mn tlic CHAPTER X.


sccr: HI) up lirfori' mo unto the liiirli place; for vo
1 Snmucl anDintcth Ssul. 2 He cnnfirmctli him by prediction of three
shall eat wiili iiio to-day, and to-morrow 1 will let 8i;;iu. 9 Saul's heart i« cimnged, tind he pronhemeth. 14 He con-
theopo, and will tell thee all tiiat is in thy heart." critlcth the matter of the kmgdom from liis uncle. 17 Saul ia chosen
at Mizpeh by lot 2G The dilferrDt all'ectioni of hii aubjecls.
20 And as for thine asses tliat were lost three
days ago,"'' set not thy mind on tiiem for they are ; '"fllEN Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it

found. And on whom is all tiie di'siie of Israel'.'" 1. ujioii liis head,' and kissed liiiii,^ and said, Is

Is it not on thee, and ou all thy fatiier's house? not because the Loud hath anointed thee to be
it

21 And Saul answered and said. not I a Am


captain'' over his inheritance?'
Bcnjamite, of the smallest of tlie trihes of Israel ?'' 2 When tliou art departed from mc to-day, then
and my family the least of ail tlio families of tiic tliou shall iind two men by Kachel's sepulchre'" in
trilie of Benjamin?" wherefore then spoakest thou tiic border of Benjamin at Zel/.ah;" and tliey will

so to me?* say unto thee, The asses wliieh tiiou wentest to


22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and seek are found: and lo, thy father hath left the
brought them into the parlor, and made them sit care- of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying,
in the chicfest place among them that were bid- What shall I do for my son?
den, whicli were about thirty persons. 3 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence,
23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the and thou siialt come to the plain of Tabor, and
portion wliieh I gave thee, of whicli I said unto there shall meet thee three men going up to God
thee, Set it by tliee. to Beth-el,° one carrying three kids, and another
2-i And tiio cook took up the shoulder,*^ and that carrying three loaves of bread, and another car-
whicii tuas ujjon it, and set it before Saul. And rying a bottle of wine:
Samxiel said, Bciiold that whicli is left!* set it be- 4 And they will salute thec,^ and give thee two
fore thee, and eat: for unto tins time hath it been loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their
kept for thee since I said, I have invited the peo- hands.
ple. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. 5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God,^
25 T And when tiiey were come down from the where is the garrison of the Philistines:'' and it
high place into the city," Samml communed with sliall come to pass, when thou art come thither to
Saul upon tlic top of tiie house.'' the city, that thou shalt meet a company of jiroph-
26 And they arose early: and it came to pass ets coming down from the high jilace'' with a psal-
about the spring of the day, that Samuel called tery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before
Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I them;' and tiiey siiall prophesy:'
may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they 6 And the Spirit of tlie Lord will come upon
went out botii of them, he and Samuel, abroad. thee," and thou shalt prophesy with them, and
27 And as they were going down to the end of shalt be turned into another man.
the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass 7 And let it be," when these signs are come unto
on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee;* for God
a while,^ that I may show thee the word of God. is with thee.

» John4:-29. • ne^,. to-day three days, b ver. 3. cch. 12:13. li Judg. 7tc!.5s. oGen.2«:19. 1 Hub. a.«i 1A« o/'peact; Judg. 18:15. Pyer.lO. qch.
aO:46-4i; P.-;a.6S:27. ejudg. 6:15. ^ K^h. according to this loord. 'Lev. 13:3. rch.9:12. 'Exod. 15:20. liCor.l4:l. " ch. 16:13; Num. 11 :2S,
7:32, Ezek. 24:4. I Heb. reserved, e ver. 13. b Acts 10:9. 1 Heb. to-
3:j; 20. • Heb. it shall come to jiass that, t Heb. do for thet ai thy hand shall
day, ch. 9:16: 16:13: 2 Kings 9:.3, 6.
i j 2 Sam. 19:39: 1 Thcss. 5:26. find; Judg. 9:33.
k 2 Sim. 5:2. iPsa. 78:71. m Gen. 35:19, 20. n Josh. 19:28. I lleb. iKsi-

24. Left ; rather, as in the margin, reserved, in anticipa- 20. While men in their actions seek one object, God
tion of Saul's coming. often by them accomplishes another; and no one, when
25. The top of the house ; a retired place, to wliich they he performs any act, can tell what great results may be
often went for conversation, and where also they fi-e- connected with it.
quently slept. 22. Those who are selected by God as rulers should,

INSTRITTTOXS. for their office' sake, receive all due honors, and when
the wiU of (jod with regard to them is known, all should
2. A
sound mind and a well-ronned, healthy, and vigor-
acquiesce in it.
ous body are rich gifts of God, which lay those who pos-
27. Ministers should make known to rulers as well as
sess them under pecuhar obligations of distinguished use-
others the will of God, and none are ever so exalted as not
fulness in his service.
to be imder sacred obligations in all things to obey it.
3. All earthly possessions are liable to be lost and this ;

should lead us to seek those treasures which will he se- CHAPTER X.


cure, and which when obtained will be enjoyed for ever. 1. Poured it upon his head ; in token of his being set apart
5. As property value compared with life, it
is of little and furnished bv God to be king of Israel.
is foolisli, as well as wicked, for the sake of obtaining the 2. Rachel's sepulchre; Gen. 35:19,20. See note, chap. 11:6.
one to sacrifice the other. 3. Tahor ; or oak of Tabor not mount Tabor, but a jilace
:

6. If men were as anxious to be saved from sin as they apparently in the tribe of Benjamin. Men going up lo God;
are to find lost property, they would seek all needful to worship God.
information, and when they learned the waj' would let 5. Tlie hill of God; an eminence on which he was wor-
nothing liinder them from walking in it. Prov. 2:4, 5. shipped, and on which was a school of the prophets.
13. Those who eat, drink, and enjoy the good things of They sliall prophesy ; praise God, under divine inspiration,
life without thanking God or imploring his blessing, act with the voice and instruments of music.
in this respect like atheists, and the language of their 6. Prophesy with them; compare Exod. 15:21; 1 Chron.
practice is, No God. Psa. 14: 1 53: 1. ; 25:3. Turned into another man ; so changed by the influ-
15. The Lord makes known to those who do his will ence of God's Spirit as to be fitted to become king.
many things of which others are ignorant, and which no 7. As occasion serve; as he should judge best; or as cir-
one without obeying him will ever know. cumstances might require.
338
1 :

Siiiil propheskik 1 SAMUEL XI. lie is clioscn l'in<'.

A.M. 2909. 8 And tliou slialt co do'wn before me to 19 And ye have this day rejected your God,"
iiw'.""" Gilgal;" and behold, I will come down who himself saved you out of all your adversities
unto thee, to and to sacrifice and your tribulations;" and ye have said unto
offer burnt- oiferings,
seven days shalt thou him, Jfay, but set a king over us. Now there-
sacrifices of peace-offerings :

tarry," till I come to thee, and show thee what fore present yourselves before the Lord by your
thou shalt do. tribes,' and by your thousands.
9 H And it was so, that, when he had turned his 20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of
back* to go from Samuel, God gave* him another Israel to come near, the tribe of Ben jamin was taken.
heart and all those signs came to pass that day.
: 21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin
10 And when they came thither to the hill, be- to come near by their families, the family of Matri
hold, a company of prophets met him and the was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken
;

.Spirit of God came upon him,'^ and he prophesied and when they sought him, he could not be found.
among them. 22 Therefore they inquired of the Lord further,
1 And it came to pass, when all that knew him if the man should yet come thither. And the
bcforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among Lord answered. Behold, he hath hid himself
the prophets, then the people said one to another,* among the stuff.
What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? 23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and
Is Saul also among the prophets?'^ when he stood among the people, he was higher than
12 And one of the same place^ answered and any of the people from his shoulders and upward.^
said, But who is their father? Therefore it became 24 And Samuel said to all the people. See ye
a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none
13 And when he had made an end of prophesy- like him among all the people? And all the peo-
ing, he came to the high place. ple shouted, and said, God save the king.'
14 IT And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his 25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of
servant. Whither went ye? And he said. To seek the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it
the asses: and when we saw that they were no- up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the peo-
where, we came to Samuel. ple away, every man to his house.
15 And Saul's uncle said. Tell me, I pray thee, 26 H And Saul also went home to Gibeah ;^ and
what Samuel said unto you. there went with him a baud of men, whose hearts
16 And Saul said unto his uncle, ITe told ns God had touched.
jilainly that the asses were found. But of the 27 But the children of Belial' said. How shall
matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he this man save us? And they despised him, and
told him not. brought him no presents.'" But he held his peace.^
17 1 And Samuel called the people together
unto the Lord to Mizpeh;°
18 And said unto the children of Israel, Thus
XI. CHAPTER
1 Nahash oifereth them of Jabesh-gilead a reproachful condition. 4 They
saitli the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel send messsengers. and are delivered by Saul. 12 Saul thereby is con-
out of Pjgypt, and delivered you out of the hand firmed, and his kingdom renewed.

of the Egyptians, and out of the haud of all king-


doms, and of them that oppressed you:''
THEN
Nahash the xVmmonite came up," and
encamped against Jabesh-gilead," and all the
11:14, 15; 1.1:4. S. b ch.
13:3. * Heb. .WioifWer. t Heb. turned. 7:14, etc. J ch. 9 I Heb. Let the king lire; 1 Kings 1:25, 39; 2 Kings

;
oh. 11:6. I Heb. a man to his neighbor, i ch. 10:-2U-24; John Jl:12. k oh. 11:4 Deut. 13:13; 2 Chr. 13:7. m 2 Sam. 8:2; 1 Kings
5 Heb. from l/ienet. e ch. 7:5. 6. I JuJg 2:-2: 0:8. 9; Neh. 9:9, 4:21; 10:25: 2 Chr. 17:5; Psa. 72:10. 1 Or, was as t/iough lie liad teen
:h. P:7. 10; 1-.>:1'J. h Psa. 106:8-10; Isa. 03:9; Jpr. :!:-i'J.i Josh. deaf. nch. 12:12. Judg. 21 :g, etc.

9. Anollier heart; one tliat fitted liim to govern the people. willshow them what he would have them do, and furnish
11. h Saul also among the prophets? they were surprised them for the duties to which he calls them.
tliat, without having been instructed, he should be able 7. If men are under the guidance of God and seekliis glory,
thus tn join witli tliem. they will be able to judge, in view of all circumstances,
12. 3'//f(V/o?/icr; the father of the prophets. This was what should be done to render themselves most useful.
God, who eould endow whomsoever lie pleased with tlie 9. All the qualifications of men for the formation and
gift of prophecy. It ought not tlien to surprise tliem that accomplishment of great and useful plans come from God,
Saul was among tlie propliets. and lay them under increased obligations of devotion to
19. Rejected yoiir God; by insisting on a change in the his service but enlarged views and great talents may be
;

government which he had establislied. given, and men may join externally in the worship of God,
20. Benjamin was taken; they cast lots, and the lot fell without the renewing and sanctifying influences of his
upon the tribe of Benjamin. Spirit.
22. Should yet come thither; or, had yet come thither. 19. The reception from God of an object which is sought
Stuff; the baggage and other furniture of the assembled is no certain evidence of his approbation. He may give
people. it in wrath. Chap. 12:12, 13, 19. We
should therefore
. 23. Higher than any of the people; personal size and rely upon his wisdom rather than our own, saying. Not
strength were much valued by the ancients in their kings. my will, but thine be done.
God was pleased, in the iirst instance, to give the people 25. Kings, and men in authority, as well as in all other
a king after their own ideas, before he gave them one conditions of life, are bound to be acquainted with and
after his own heart. to be governed by the revealed will of God.
25. The manner of the kingdom ; the regulations which 27. The best way to treat difficulties often is, for a time
God had prescribed for its government. Dent. 17:14-20. at least, to say and do nothing about them.
26. Had touched; inclined by his Spirit to follow Saul
and support liis authority. CHAPTER XI.
INSTRUCTIONS. Jahesh-gilead ; a city in the tribe of Slanasseh, on the
1.

2. If men wait upon God and follow his directions, he cast side of Jordan.
339
;:

•S'(j«/ resairlh Jobts/i. 1 SAMIKL XII, S(unuers address to Israel.

iiionof Jabcsli saiil 1111(0 Xaliasli, Make a cove- 13 And Saul said, There shall not a man * /? »^
nant with lis," anil we will sorvo liice. be put to death tiiis day:" for to-day the i<«t

2 And Naha.^li tlio AiiiiiKMiitc answered them, Luiii) hath wrought salvation in Israel."
On will 1 maker; corcnanl witli you,''
tliisro;it//7(t<;i 14 Then said Samuel to the pi'ojile, Come, and let
that I may
thrust out all your ritrlit eyes, and lay us go to Gilgal,'' and leiiew liie kingdom there.
it for a reproaeh ujion all Israel.' \^i And all the people went to Gilgal; and there
3 And the elders of Jabesh said unto liim, Give they made Saul king before the Loiti) in Gilgal
us' seven days' res])itc, tliat we may send messen- and (here they sacriticcd sacrifices of peace-oll'er-
gers unto all the coasts of Israel and then, if //«'?«
: in.irs before the Loud; and there Saul aud all the

be no man to save us, we will come out to thee. men of Israel njoiced greatly.
4 ^ Then eaine the messengers to Gibeah of Saul,''
and told the tidings in the ears of the peojdc and
all the jjcoplc lifted up their voices, and wept.
:

CHAPTER XII.
Simucl testificth liis intcRrity. 6 He renroveth the people of in;r.nti-
5 And behold, Saul came after the herd out of
1

tude. IG He territieth Ihcrn wiili thunder in han'est-tinie. -0 He


the field and 8aiil said. What ailef/i the people
; roniforteth them in God's mercy.
that they weep?
of the men of Jabcsh.
And they told him the tidings ANDhaveSamuel unto
hearkened unto your
said all Israel,
voice in
Behold,
all
J

that
6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when ye said unto me,'' and have made a king over you.''
lie heard those tidings," and his anger was kindled 2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you
greatly. and I am old and gray-headed; and behold, my
7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them sons are with you: and I have walked before you
in pieces, and ^Qiii't/mn throughout all the coasts from my childhood unto this day.
of Israel by the iiands of messengers,'' saying, .3 IJehold, here I am: witness against me before
"Whosoever cometli not forth after Saul and "after the Lord, and before his anointed whose ox have :

Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen.'' And I taken ? or whose ass have I taken ?'* or whom have
the fear of the Loud fell on the people, and they I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose
came out with one consent.* hand have I received any bribe,* to blind mine eyes
8 And when he numbered them in Bezek,** the therewith?" and I will restore it you."
children of Israel were three hundred thousand, 4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us,
and the men of Judali thirty thousand. nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught
9 And they said unto the messengers that came. of any man's hand.
Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, 5 And he said unto them. The Lord is witness
To-morrow, by that time the sun bo hot, ye shall against you, aud his anointed is witness this day,
have help.* And the messengers came and showed that ye have not found aught in my hand.'' And
it to the men of Jabesh and they were glad.' ; they answered, He is witness.
10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said. To-morrow 6 1 And Samuel said unto the people, It is the
we come out unto you,J and ye shall do with
will Lord that advanced^ Moses and Aaron, and that
us all that seemeth good unto you. brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.
11 And it was so on the morroAV, that Saul put the 7 Now^ therefore stand still, that I may reason
people in three companies ;'' and they came into the with you before the Lord of all the righteous
midst of the host in the morning-watch, and slew acts* of the Loud,'"' which he did to* you and to
the Ammonites until the heat of the day: aud it your fathers.
came to pass, that they which remained were scat- 8 W^hen Jacob was come into Egypt, and your
tered, so that two of "them were uot left together. fathers cried imto the Lord, then the Lord sent
12 IT And the people said unto Samuel, Who is Moses and Aaron," which brought forth your fa-
he that said, Shall Saul reign over us?' bring the thers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this
men, that we may put them to death.™ place.
» Isa, 36:16; Ezek. 17:i;i, Prov. 1-2:10. c ch. 17:26. • Keh. Forbtar
1) 10:24; 11:14,15. > Num. 15:15; Acts 20:33; 2 Cor. 12: 14. 5 Heb. ransom.
us. lch.l5:.^^; 2Sam. 21:6. ech. 10:10. (Judg.I9:29. gjudg. 21:5-10. IOr. thai I should hide mint eyes at him. ' Deut. 16:19. < Exod. 22:4.
t Heb. one man; Judg. S0:1.
a,5 hjudg. 1:5. I Or. deliveranct. ch.
i >Acts 21: 16, 20. 1 Or. made. • Heh. righteousnesses, or btnejits ; Judg. 5:11.
:il:ll. iver.3. kjudg.7:l6. ch. 10:27.
1 m Luke 19:27. n ch. 14:45; "Isa. 1:18; Mio. 6:2, 3. 1 Heb, toilA. i Exod. 3:10.
2 Sim. 19:22. och. 19:5; Isa. 5:1:10. Pch. 10:8. q ch. B:S. 19. 20. r ch.

Gibeah; in Benjamin, where Saul lived.


4. 2. Great cruelty and bitter opposition to the people and
Tlie Spirit of God; awakened Saul's indignation and
0. cause of God generally go together.
inspired him with wisdom, courage, and all needful quali- 4. It is right that one portion of the human family should
ties to collect an army and lead them forth to victory. deeply sympathize with the sufferings of another, and do
7. The fear of the Lord ; that he would in his providence whatever may be consistent with truth and duty to afford
bring dreadful judgments upon them, if they should not them relief.
go forth to protect their brethren. 9. If gladness and joy are occasioned by deliverance
8. Bezek; a place between Sliechem and Jabesh-gilead. from temporal calamities, much more should they be by
11. The moriiing-tratch ; between two o'clock and sunrise. deliverance from those which arc eternal.
12. Who is he; chap. 10:27. 13. True courage and real greatness are manifested in
14. Remw the kingdom ; publicly proclaim Saul as king. forgiving personal injuries, not in avenging them.
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. If it is wise in men to make great sacrifices and sub-

mit to many hardships to save their lives, how much more


CHAPTER XII.
wise is it to sacrifice and suffer whatever may be needful .';. His anointed ; Saul. Chap. 10:1.
to save their souls. Matt. 5:29. 30. 4. Taken aughl ; any thing wrongfully.
340
:

Samuel's discourse 1 SAMUEL XIII. to the Israelites.

A. M. 2TO. 9 And when thoy forgat tlio Lord their


"' 109?°'"
God, he sold them into the hand of Hiscra,"
captain of the host of Hazor, and into tlie liand of
the Piiilistines," and into the hand of the king of
Moab," and they fought against them.
10 And they cried unto the Lord/' and said, We
have sinned, because we have forsaken tlie Lord,
and liave served Baalim and Ashtaroth:'' but now
deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we
will serve thee.
11 And the Lord sent Jerubbaal,'' and Bedan,
and Jcphthah,*^ and Samuel," and delivered you
out of the hand of your enemies on every side,
and ye dwelt safe.
12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of
the children of Ammon came against you,' ye said
unto me, Nay but a king shall reign over us when
;
:

the Lord your God loas your king.


13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have
chosen, and whom ye have desired and behold, !

the Lord a king over you.J


hatli set
14 If ye will fear the Lord," and serve him, and
obey his voice, and not rebel against the com-
mandment' of the Lord; then shall both ye and
also the king tliat reigneth over you continue*
following the Lord your God
15 But if ye will not obey tlie voice of the Lord,
but rebel against the commandment of the Lord ;

tiicn shall the hand of the Lord be against you,'


as against your fathers.™
it ina.i
1(5 ir Now
therefore stand and see this great
thing, wliich the Lord will do before your eyes.
17 Is it not wheat-harvest to-day? I will call
nnto the Lord," and he shall send thunder and
rain that ye may perceive and see that your wick-
;

edness is great, which ye have done in the sight


of the Lord, in asking you a king.
18 So Samuel called unto the Lord and the ;

Lord sent thunder and rain that day and all the :

people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel."


» .Tadg
; 8 : :

The PhUistints tear 1 SAMUEL XIV agai/isi the Israelites.

4 And all Israel heard say that Saul iiad siiiit- over his people, because thou hast not kept a. m. »ii.

ten a parrisoii of tin' PhilLstiiies. and that Israel that whicii the Lord commanded thee. iws.*

also was had in abomination' with the I'iiilistines. 1") And Samuel
and gat him up from Gil- arose,
And the iiet>i)le gal unln (Jibeah of Benjamin. And Saul number-
were called together al'ter Saul to
Gilgal. ed the peo])le that were present' with him, about
5 1 And the Philistines gathered themselves to- si.x hundred men.''
gether to fight with Israel, thirty thousand ehar- 16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the peo-
iots, ami six (Iiousand horsemen, and people as ple that rrerc present with them, abode in Gibcah'
the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude: of Benjamin but the Philistines encamped in
:

and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, cast- Michmash.


ward from Bcth-avcn.'' 17 *: And the spoilers came out of the camp of the
When the men of Israel saw that they were in Philistines in three companies: one company turn-
a strait,'' (for the people were distressed,) then the ed unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah,' unto the
peojjlc did hide themselves in caves, and in thick- land of Shual
ets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.*^ 1 And another company turned the way to Beth-
7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan horon:' and another company turned to the way
to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim
was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him toward the wilderness."
trembling/ 19 •[ Now there was no smith found throughout
8 IT And he tarried seven days, according to the all the land of Israel:' for the Philistines said,
set time that Samuel had appointed:'^ but Samuel Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears
came not to Gilgal; and the people were scatter- 20 But all the Israelites went down to the Phi-
ed from him. listines, to sharpen every man his share, and his
9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt-offering coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
to me, and peace-offerings. And he offered the 21 Yet they had a file" for the mattocks, and
burnt-offering. for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the
10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had axes, and to sharpen* the goads.
made an cud of offering the burnt-offering, behold, 22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that
Samuel came; antl Saul went out to meet him, there was neither sword nor spear found in the
that he might salute* him. hand of any of tiie jjcople that were with Saul and
Ill And Samuel said. What hast thou done? Jonathan :'" but with Saul and with Jonathan his
And Saul said. Because I saw that the people were son was there found.
scattered from me, and that thou earnest not with- 23 And the garrison' of the Philistines went out
in the days appointed, and that the Philistines to the passage of Michmash."
gathered themselves together at Michmash
12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come XIV. CHAPTER
down now upon me to Gilgal, and I liave not made 1 Jonathan, unwitting to his father, the priest, or the people, goeth and
supplication unto^ tiie Lord: I forced myself miraculously smiteth the Philistines' garrison, lo A divine terror
maketh them beat themselves. 17 Saul, not staying the priest's an-
therefore, and offered a burnt-offering. swer, setteth on them. 21 Tiie captivated Hebrews, and the hidden
13 And Samuel Thou hast done
said to Saul, Israelites, join against them.
eth the victory.
2^ Saul's unadvised adjuration hinder-
32 He restraineth the people from eating blood. 3-5
foolishly :' commandment of He buildetn an altar. 36 Jonathan, taken by lot, saved by the
thou hast not kept the is

tlic Loud thy God, which he commanded thee:*^ people. 47 Saul's strength and family.

for now would the Lord have established thy "XTOW it came to pass upon a day,^ that Jona-
kingdom upon Israel for ever. J_>l than the son of Saul said unto the young
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue the man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over
:

Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart,'-' to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other
and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain side. But he told not his father.
•'Heh. diJ slink; Gan. 34:30; ExoJ. 5:il > Josh. 7: -2.
.
b -J Sim. 24:14. 18:23. J Josh. 1(>;3. k Gen. 14:2; Neh. 11:34; Hos. 11:8. 1 2 Kings
= ch. 14:11; Judg. 6:2. t Heb. trembled after him. i ch. 10:8. t Heb. 24:14; Isa.54;l(i; Jer. 24:1. •
MA, .file with mouths t Heb. «(.
. "Judg.
bless, Huh. entreated the fare. eaChr. 10:9. f ch. 15:11, 38. e Psa.
ii
5:S. \0t. standing camp. njsa. 10:28. iOt, there was a day.
b9:20; Acts 13:2-2. IHeb./ounrf. hch. 14:2. 1 Heb. GeJo. ver. 3. i Josh.

7. Went over Jordan ; to escape from the oppression of INSTRUCTIONS.


the Philistines. 6.Those who rely on their own wisdom, trusting to
13. Thou liast done fool islily ; in offering sacrifices which man not to God, and expect to prosper, will be disap-
lie had no right to offer, and in not waiting for Samuel, as pointed, and troubles will come upon them, from which,
God had commanded. without returning to him, they cannot escape.
14. A man after his own heart David. ; 9. The expedients which men adopt to deliver them-
17. Camp of the Pkilistines ; who had their head-quarters selves from calamities, often only increase them.
at Michmash. Ophrak; north-east from Michmash. 13. No one can tell the evils which may result from a
18. The way to Beth-lmron ; toward the west. Toward single act of known disobedience to God.
the wilderness; on the east. la. For their sins, a people are often brought into op-
19. There was no smith; the Philistines had removed pressive and degrading bondage, when, had they obeyed
them to prevent the IsraeUtes from bemg fui-nished with God, they might have enjoyed liberty, peace, and pros-
implements of war. perity.
23. Went out to the passage of Michmash ; to its commence-
ment on the north side of the steep and difficult way that CHAPTER XIV.
led across the valley from Michmash to Geba. Saul and 1. On the other side; of the valley which lay between the
Jonathan were on the south side of the same valley. Israelites and the Philistines.
342
Jonathan smiteth the 1 SAMUEL XIV. Philistines' garrison.

A. M. 2917. 2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part


""'
1087. of Gibeah under a pomegranatc-trce which
is in Migron and the people that were with him
:

u'erc about six hundred men;"


3 And Ahiah,* the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's
brotlicr,'' the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the
Lord's priest in Shiloh, wearing an epliod."^ And
the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
•1 1 And between the passages, by which Jona-

than sought to go over unto the Philistines' gar-


rison,* there ivas a sharp rock on tlie one side, and
a sharp rock on the other side and the name of the :

one was Bozez, and tlie name of the other Seneh.


5 The forefront + of the one v:as situate north-
ward over against Michmasli, and the other south-
ward over against Gibcali.
6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare
his armor, Come, and let us go over unto the gar-
rison of tliese uncircumcised it may be that the :

Lord will work for us for there is no restraint


:

to the Lord to save by many or by few.^


7 And his armoi'-bearer said unto him, Do all
that is in thy heart: turn thee; behold, I am with
thee according to thy lieart.
8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, wo will pass over
unto these men,' and we will discover ourselves
unto them.
9 If they say thus unto us. Tarry* until we come
to you then we will stand still in our place, and
;

will not go up unto them.


10 But if they say thus. Come up unto us then ;

we will go up for the Lord hath delivered them


:

into our hand and this shall be a sign unto us."


;

11 And both of them discovered themselves unto


the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philis-
tines said. Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of
the holes where they had hid themselves.'"
12 And tiie men of the garrison answered Jona-
than and ids armor-bearer, and said. Come up to us,'
and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said
unto his armor-bearer. Come up after me: for the
Lord hath delivered them into tlie hand of Israel.-'
13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and
upon his feet, and his armor-bearer after him and :

they fell before Jonathan;'' and his armor-bearer


slew after him.
14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and
his armor-bearer made, was about twenty men,
within as it were a half acre^ of land, ichich a yoke
of oxen might plough.
» Ch. 13:15. • Called Ahimttfth, ch. 29:9, 11, 31.
: :

SauTs rash oath. 1 SA.MIKL XIV. Junalluin is rescutd.

Tliy father strnitly cliartrod the poo])lo with an 40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be yo a.m.wi:
'».<?. .tout
on one side, and1 J. andIt

.1 1
oath, sayiiisr, Curscii br the man (hat catotli any .Jonallian my son iu«.

tooil this liny. Anil the people were faint.* will be on the other side. And the people said
2".t Tiien said .lonatliaii. My father liath troubled unto .*^aul, Do what seemcth good unto thee.
the land .-Jee, I pray you, how mine eyes have been
: 41 Tiierefore Saul .'^aid unto the Ijmh God of
inliihtened, beeausel ta.<;ted a liltleof this honey. Israel, Give a jierfect"' lot.^ And Saul and Jona-
:{(l How much more, if haply the people had eat- than were taken: but the peo]ilc escaped."
en frei'ly to-day of tiie s])oil of their enemies whieli 42 And Saul said. Cast lots between me and Jon-
ihev found? for had there not been now a much athan my sou. And Jonathan was taken.
jrreater slaiijjiiter among the Philistines? 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, 'i'dl me what
:5I And they smote tlie Piulistines tliat day from thou hast done." And .lonathan lold him. and
Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very said, I did but taste a little honey wilii the end of
faint. tiic rod that ivas in my hand,'' and lo, I nmst die.

:]2 And the people flow upon the ppoil, and took 44 And Saul answered, God do so and more
sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew l/icm on the also:' for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.^
ground and the pcoplcdidcat tJiemw'ith the l)lood.
: 45 And th(> ]ieoj)Ie said unto Saul, Shall Jona-
33 •: Then they told Saul, saying, Dciiold, the than die, who hath wrought this great salvation
people sin against the Lord," in that they eat with in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there
the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed:^ shall not one hair fif his head fall to the ground;"
roll a great stone unto me tlus day. for he hath wrought with God this day.' So the
34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among people rescued Jonathan, that he died not."'
the people, and say unto them. Bring mo hither 46 Then Saul went up from following the Phi-
every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and listines: and the Philistines went to their own
slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the place.
Loud in eating with the blood. And all the peo- 47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and
*!l

ple brought every man his ox with him' that night, fought against all his enemies on every side, against
and slew t/icm there. Moab. and against the children of Ammon," and
3,5 And Saul liuilt an altar unto tlie Lord:"' the against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah,"
same was the first altar that he built unto the and against the Philistines: and whithersoever
LORD.^ he turned himself, he vexed them.
36 'I And Saul said, Let us go down after the 48 And he gathered a host/ and smote the Ama-
Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morn- lekites," and delivered Israel out of the hands of
ing light, and let us not leave a man of them. them that spoiled them.
And they said. Do whatsoever seemeth good unto 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and
thoc. Then said the priest, Let us draw near Ishui, and Melchi-shua:'' and the names of his two
hither unto God. daughters xrtre Ihcsc; the name of the first-born
37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go Merab, and the name of the younger Michal
down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them 50 And the name of Saul's wife ivas Ahinoam,
into the hand of Israel? But he answered him the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the
not that day.'= captain of his host was Abner,* the son of Ncr,
38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither,* all tlie Saul's uncle.
chief of the people; and know and see wherein 51 And Kish was the father of Saul ;" and Ner
this sin hath been this day the father of Abner teas the son of Abicl.
39 For, as the Lord liveth,"' which savcth Israel, 52 And there was sore war against the Philis-
though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely tines all the days of Saul and when Saul saw :

die. But there was not a man among all the peo- any strong man, or any valiant laan, he took him
ple that answered him. unto him."
• Or, WMry. " Lev. 3:17; 17:10; Deut. ia:23, 24;
Kzek. 33:25. t Or. iRiithl:!7. i»er.39. k 2.Sain. 14:1 1 ; I Kings 1 ;5a; Luke 21 : 18. 12Chr.
deall trear/teroiahj. t Heb. tn his hand. 1> » Heb. that altar he
Hos. 8:14. 19:11; Isa. I3:S; 2Cor.0:I; Phil. 2:12, 13. m Isa. 29:20, 21. i>ch. 11:11.
began to buiU unto the Lord. ' eh. 28:6. d ch. 10:1'J; Josh. 7:14, etc. 2 Sam. 10:6. t Or, wrought mightily. P ch. 15:3, 7. 1 ch. 31 :2; 1 Chr.
I Heb. corners; Judg. 20:2. ' 2 Sam. 12:5. 1 Or, Show the innocent. 8:33. 1 Heb. iliincr. roh. 9:1, 2. "ch. 8:11.
' Prov. 10::M; Acts 1:21. yleh. went forth, r Jon. 1:7-10. h ver. 27.

31. Aijalon ; in the tribe of Dan, towards the land of the hira, and expect, in following his directions, to meet with
PhilisUncs. success.
32. Did cat Ihcm with the blood; in a manner forbidden by 12. Right views of dependence on God will lead men to
their law. use means to obtain his blessing, and when it is obtained,
36. Draw near—unto God; inquire of him whether they to acknowledge his goodness and give him the glory.
should go after the Philistines or not. 20. When God sets himself against a people, he can
38. This sin; the sin which prevented the answer to his cause them to fall, not only before their enemies, but liy
inquiry. the hands of one another.
41. God do SO; inflict greater evil upon me, if I do not 24. There is neither wisdom nor piety in forbidding
put thee to death according to my oath. Ver. 24. men to partake of those bounties of providence the proper
47. Zobah ; a part of Syria north-east of Canaan. use of which is conducive to their comfort, and to the
48. Amalekites; south and south-east of Canaan. best discharge of their appropriate duties.
32. Forbidding men to do what God allows, increases
IXSTRUCTIONS. their temptations to do what he forbids, and thus to bring
6. When men in the fear and love of God engage in trouble not only on themselves, but upon all with whom
duties to which he calls them, they may safely trust in they are connected.
344
Saul, sent to destroy the 1 SAMUEL XV. AmalekUes, sparet/i some.

i^;^!-.S,079. CHAPTER XV. it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the


all night.
Lord
1 Samuel sendeth Saul to destroy Amalek. 6 Saul favorethtlie Kenites.
8 He sparelh A jag and the best of the spoil. 10 Samuel denounceth 12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in
unto Saul, commending and excusing himself, Ood's rejection of him
for his disobedience. 24 Saul's humiliation. 32 Samuel killeth Agag. the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul
34 Samuel and Saul part. came to Carmel,'' and behold, he set him up a place,
Sx\,MUEL also said unto Saul, The Lord sent and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down
me king over his people,
to anoint thee to be to Gilgal.
over Israel " now therefore hearken thou unto
:
13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said
the voice of the words of the Lord. unto him. Blessed be thou of the Lord:" I have
2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that performed the commandment of the Lord.''
which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid icait for 14 And Samuel said. What mcaneth then this
him in the way,** when he came up from Egj-pt. bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing
3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy of the oxen which I hear?
all that they have,"" and spare tiioni not;" but slay 15 And Saul said, They have brought them from
both-mau and woman, infant and suckling, ox and the Amalekites for the people spared the best of :

sheep, camel and ass. the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord
4 And Saul gathered the people together, and thy God ;'' and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand 16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will
footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night.
5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid And he said unto him. Say on.
wait* in the valley. 17 And Samuel said, When thou ivast little in
6 H And Saul said unto the Kenites,"^ Go, depart,"^ thine own sight,' uast thou not made the head of
get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee
destroy you with them for ye showed kindness king over Israel?
:

to all the ehildreu of Israel,^ when they came up IS And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and
out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among said. Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Ama-
the Amalekites. lekites, and fight against them until they be con-
7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah'' sumed.*
until thou comest to Shur,' that is over against 19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice
Egypt. of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst
8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites evil in the sight of the Lord?
alive,' and utterly destroyed all the people with 20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obey-
the edge of the sword." ed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way
9 But Saul and the people spared Agag.' and the which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag
best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fat- the king of Amakk, and have utterly destroyed
lings,* and the lambs, and all that iras good, and the Amalekites.
would not utterly destroy them but every thing 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and
:

that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed ut- oxen," the chief of the things which should have
terly. been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord
10 "[Then came the word of the Lord unto thy God in Gilgal.
Samuel, saying, 22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great de-
lilt repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be light in burnt-oflferings and sacrifices, as in obeying
king:'" for he is turnetl back from following me," the voice of the Lord?"' Behold, to obey is better
and hath not performed my commandments." And than sacrifice,""' and to hearken than the fat of rams.
»Ch.9:16. b Exod. 17:S, 14; Deut aS: 17-19. = Lev. aTiSS; Josh. B: 17, 13:13. Pi Kincs 18:42. qjudg. 17:2. r Prov. 2S:13; 30:13. ' ver. 9, 21.
21. <1 Num. -24:20 • Or, fought, e Jud». 1 :16; 4:11. tRev.l8:4. s Num. > ch. 9:21. 1 Heb. cojisume. u ver. 15. v Psai. 50:8, 9; 51 :!«. 17; ProT.
10:20-52; aTim. 1:16. Gen. 2:11; 23:18.
ii Gen. 10:7. J 1 KinRs 20: 30,
i 21:3; Isa.Ml-l': Jer. 7:22, 23; Mic. 6:6-8; Heb. 10:4-10. "Ecol.5:lJ
etc. kch. 30:1. ver. 3, 15.
1 : Or. second sort. >> ver. 35; Gen. C:C, 7; Hos. 6:6; Mark 12:*).
2Sim. 21:16; Jer. 1S:8. 10. n 1 Kings 9:6; Heb. 10:3S. o ver. 3, 9; ch.

35. Education, the goadings of conscience, the hope of procuring for them blessings which lay them under new
gain, and many other motives may lead men to attend to obligations to honor him, and to do good, as they have
some of the externals of religion, wlio never make it their opportunity, to their fellow-men.
great object in all things to obey God, and who have no
real love to his character or ways.
39. Those who axe least sensible of their own sins are
CHAPTER XY.
often most ready to denounce the sins of others, and while 2. Tltatwhich Amakk did; Exod. 17:8-16.
they openly disobey God's commands, to kill those who 4. Telaim ; supposed to be a place in the southern part
disobey theirs. of Judah.
44. Reckless zeal, profane swearing, and great cruelty, 6. Kenites; supposed to have been descendants of Je-
may all be united, and under cover of regard for truth thro. Ye showed kindness; Exod. 18:9-19; Number 10:29-
and duty, stille even natural affection and lead to the 32.
commission of the most abominable crimes. 7. From HavilaJi; in the east border of their country.
45. The most solemn engagements to commit sin can To Shur; in the west border.
never be binding on the conscience, and should never in Jll the people; all who fell into his hands.
8.
any case be fulfilled. The guilt in such cases is not in 11. It repenteth me; he would change his conduct tow-
breaking the engagement, but in making it and the fulfil- ; ards Saul on account of his sins, and would reject him
ment of it would only increase the sin. from being king. Ver. 23-28.
48. Civil government, though administered by wicked 12. To Carmel; a city in the south part of Judah. A
men, may be the means of protectmg God's people, and place ; a monument of his victorv.
'345
God rtjfctelh Saul. 1 SAMIKI. XVl, Sumutl seal to Btthrlehem.

23 For rebellion is as the pin of wilclicraft,' ami \


31 '1 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and * •« »^,
Ptuliliornncss is as iniiiuity and idolutry." Because Saul wenlu|ito his house toGibeali of Saul, '"t*

thou Imst rejceted the word of the LoHD, he lialh .And Samuel eunie no mine to see Saul until
:').')

also ii'Jeeted thee from buiii^ kinjr.'' theday of hisdt'ath ncvcrihi'ji'.-s Samuel mourned
:

fill- Saul :' and the Loud rcpcnlnl tiiat he had made
21 •! And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned :

for 1 have trans<rrcsscd the coiiiinandnient of tlie Saul king over Israel.
LoRH, and thy words: because 1 feared the pco-
jile,"

25
and obeyed their voice.
Now therefore, I pray thee, ]iardon my sin, and
CHAPTER XVI.
1 Samuel sentby God, under pretence of a sacrifice, cometh to Beth-
turn airain with ine. that 1 may worsliip the Loud. lulifin. C His Imiiiun judgment ift reproved. 11 lleanointetli David.

2(1 And Sanuiol said unto Saul, I will not return 1.'5 Saul sendeth for David to quiet his evil spirit.

with thee-/' for thou hast rejected the word of the A ND


the Lord said unto Samuel, long How
Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being j_ V
wilt tliou mourn for Sau!,^ seeing I have
king over Israel. rejected him from reigning over Israel?'' fill thy
27 Anil as Samue] turned about to go away, he horn with oil,' and go, I will send thee to Jesse
laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle,'^ and it rent. the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king
28 Anil Samuel said unto him. the Lord hath among his sons.'"
rent the kingdom of Israel from thee; tiiis day, and 2 And Samuel
said, IIow can I go? if Saul hear
hath given it to a neighbor of tiiiiie, that is better it,he will kill me. And the Lord said. Take a
than tiiou. heifer with thee,' and say, I am come to sacrifice
29 And also the Strength* of Israel will not lie to the Lord."
nor repent:' for he is not a man, that he should 3 And
Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will
call
repent. show thee what thou shalt do and thou shalt :

30 Then he said. I have sinned: yet honor me anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee."
now,= I pray thee, before the elders of my people, 4 And Samuel did that which the Lord spake,
and before Israel, and turn again with me, that 1 and came to Beth-lchcm. And the elders of the
may worship the Lord thy God. town trembled at his coming,*^ and said, Comest
31 So Samuel turned again after Saul and Saul thou peaceably?'' ;

worshipped the Loud. .5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacri-


32 • Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me fice unto the Lord sanctify yourselves,'' and come :

Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse
came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
Ihc bitterness of death is past. 6 II And it came to pass, when they were come,
33 And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made that he looked on Eliab," and said. Surely the
women childless," so sliall thy mother be childless Lord'.s anointed is before him.
among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces 7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on
before the Lord in Gilffal. his countenance, or on the height of his stature;''
• Heb. divination; Dent. 1»:1U. a 2 Cor, ():16; Gal. S-.-M); Rev. ; k ch. 15:2:!. 1 2 Kin;;.s 'J: m P..=a. 7^:70; SB: I'.l. -iO; I>a. 55:4. 1 Heb. in
1 .

2-2:15. b ch. 13;U. c Exod. 2:J:2; Prov. 29:25; Isa. 51:12; Gal. I:1U. Ihy hand, n ch. B:1J: 20:29. o Dcut. 17:15. » Heb. WKedng-. P 1 Kincs
<i2 John 11. e 1 Kings 11:30. 31. t Or, Eternity, or Victory. I Num. 2:!: lU; 2:13. q Exod. 19:10; Num. 11:18; Josh. 3:5; Job 1:5- 1 Cor. 11:28. I Call-
Ezek. 2J:U; 2 Tim. 2:l:|; Tit. 1:2. e Jo!in 5:44; 12:43. h Judg. 1:7, ed Elihu, 1 Chr. 27:18; ch. 17:13. r Psa. 147:10.
i ver. U; Psa. 119:130; Jer. 13:17. J ch. 15:35; Jer. 7:10; 11:14; 14:11

23. As the sin of witchcraft ; in its guilt. only external, and has extended only to a part of his com-
27. He laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle ; Saul laid hold mands. Ver. 20.
upon the skirt of Samuel's mantle, as if forcibly to detain 11. Facts often show the falsehood of men's professions,
liim. and that liowevcr high they nuy stand in their own esti-
28. To a neighbor; David. mation, they are rebels in the sight of God.
29. who had given Israel the
The Strength; Jehovah, 16. The Lord's messengers must point out and condemn
victory. Nor repent ; he would not reverse the sentence the sins of rulers as well as of people and let nothing ;

he had pronounced against Saul. hinder them from declaring with plainness and fidelity tho
32. Delicately; or, witli pleasure. Bitterness is past ; he — whole revealed will of God.
thought that as Saul had spared his life, he should not 21. Wicked men when convicted of sin often try hard
now be slain. to throw the blame of it on others.
22. No external attention, even to things whicli God
IXSTRUCTIONS.
has commanded, can be accepted as a substitute for an
1. The reception of special favors lays men under spe- obedient heart. He is a Spirit, and to be accepted, men
cial obligations to hearken attentively to the directions of
must obey him in spirit and in truth.
God, and in all things to follow them. 2.5. Multitudes are more anxious to stand well with
2. Though God may delay
for a time to punish the wick- their fellow-men than with God, and often look for pardon
ed, yet he does not forget their sins, and unless they re-
to them rather than to him.
pent, he will in due time punish them according to their 32. When
wicked men most confidently imagine that
deserts. all danger, they may be the nearest to
they have escaped
6. Intimate associations with the wicked are dangerous, ruin. There is and can be no security except in the
and we must separate ourselves from their sins, or we friendship and protection of Jehovah.
shall share in their punishment.
9. God requires that some men should be put to death ;
CHAPTER XVI.
and in sparing them we may as really rebel against him 1. The Beth-lehemite ; so called from his residing in Beth-

and expose ourselves to his wrath, as in taking the hfe lehem.


of those whom he requires to be preserved. Ver. 18. 4. Trembled at his coming; perhaps fearing that he had
13. Men often imagine that they have obeyed God and come to rebuke them for some neglect of duty.
are entitled to his favor, when their obedience has been 5. Sanctfy yourselves; Exod. 19:10-15.
346
:

Samuel anoinleth David. 1 SAMUEL XVII. David quietei/i Saul.

A. M. because I have refused him for (he LORD


2911. : matters,^' and a comely person," and the Lord is
""'
seeth not as man seeth " for man looketh with him."
;
m-j'

on the outward appearance,*'' but the Lord look- 19 1i Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse,
eth on the lieart.'= and said. Send me David thy son, which is with
8 Tlien Jesse called Abinadab, and made him the sliee]).
pass before Samuel. And be said, Neither hath 20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and
the Lord chosen this. a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by
9 Then Jesse made Shammah* to pass by. And David his son unto Saul.
he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 21 And David came to Saul, and stood before
10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass him " and he loved him greatly and he became
:
;

before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The his armor-bearer.
Lord hath not chosen these. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying. Let David,
11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found

thy children? And he said. There remaineth yet favor in my sight.


the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep.'' 23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him God was upon Saul," that David took a harp, and
for we will not sit down* till he come hither. played with his hand so Saul was refreshed, and
:

12 ho sent, and brought him in. Now he


And was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
was ruddy,'' and withal of a beautiful countenance,^
and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, CHAPTER XVII.
anoint him: for this is he.
1 The armies of the Israelites and the Philistines being ready to battle,
I 1.3 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anoint- 4 G-oliath Cometh proudly forth to challenge a combat. 12 David,
ed him in the midst of his brethren and the Spirit :sent by his father to visit his brethren, taketh the challenge. 28 Eliab
cliideth him. 30 He is brought to Saul. 32 He showeth the reason
of the Lord came upon David from that day for- of his confidence. 38 Without armor, armed by faith, he slayeth the
ward.' So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. giant. 5:J Saul taketh notice of David.

14 T But the Spirit of the Lord departed from


Saul,'' and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled'
NOW
the Philistines gathered together their
armies to battle, and were gathered together
him." at Shochoh," which belongeth to Judah,'' and pitched
15 And Saul's servants said unto him. Behold between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.*
now, an evil spirit from God troubletli thee. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered
16 Let our lord now command thy servants together, and pitched by the valley of El ah, and
which arc before thee, to seek out a man who is a set the battle in array* against the Philistines.
cunning player on a harp: and it sliall come to 3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on
pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the
that he shall play with his hand,' and thou shalt other side and there uas a valley between them. :

be well. 4 11 And there went out a champion out of the


17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath,
now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. whose height was six cubits and a span.
18 Then answered one of the servants, and said. 5 And he had a helmet of brass upon his head,
Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-le- and he was armed* with a coat of mail and the ;

hemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of
valiant man,-' and a man of war,'' and prudent in brass.

ilsi. 55:9, 9. "Heb. eyes, b 2 Cor. 10:7. « 1 Kings 8:39: 1 Ciir. 49:9; k 2 Sam. 17:8, 10. 1 Or, ,!peec/i. 12Sam. 14:20. m ver. 12. > oh. 18:12-14.
Psa. 7:9; Jer. 17:10; Rev. 3:-i5. t ShhiKali, 2 Sam. 13:3; Shimma. 1 Chr. oProv. 22:29. Pver.l4,l(i. q 2 Clir. 28: 18. rjosh. 15:35. ' Oi, Tiie toast
2:13. daSam. 7:8; Psa. 78:7U-72. 1 Heb. round. = ch. 17:42; SongS: 10. of Dammim; called Pas-dammim, 1 Chr. 11 : 13. f Heb. ranged tke bailie.

i Heb. fair of eyes. I ch. 10:6,9,10; JuJg. 11:29; 14:6. e Jadg. l(i:20; t'Heb. clothed.
Psa. 51:11. I Or, lerrijied. h oh. 18:10; 19:9. i ver. 23. 1 oh. 17:32-30.

11. Sit dou-n; to feast on the sacrifice. according to their real character, the great object of aU
13. of the Lord came upon David; to fit him to
TIte Spirit should be, not outward appearance or external accom-
become king of Israeh plishments merely, but internal purity and the exercise
14. Departed from Saul; thus he lost the qualifications of such feelings as are pleasing to God.
whicli God had before given him for tlie successful dis- 11. Those who are faithful in the duties of private life,
charge of pubhc business. An evil spirit from tlie Lord will be most likely to be so in the duties of public life.
troubled him ; the meaning seems to be that tjod gave him 17. expedients may for a time lessen one's sor-
Human
up to the power of an evil spirit, which from time to time row yet there is no permanent relief from the sad effects
;

assailed him, filhng him with melancholy suspicion and of sin but in heartily forsaking it, and believing in Jesus
ungovernable anger. Christ, who died, the just for the unjust, that he might
16. Thou sha/l be well; they hoped that music would bring us to God.
cheer up his spirits, and remove his difficulties.
CHAPTER XVII.
INSTRUCTIONS. 1. a place in Judah between fifteen and eigh-
Sliochoh ;

1. No sorrows should ever lead us to murmur at the teen miles south-west from Jerusalem, having a valley
dealings of God, or to neglect the duties to which he north of it. which is believed to be the ancient valley of
calls us. Elah. Azekah and Ephes-dammim were near to Shochoh.
2. When God requires men to engage in perilous ser- 2. Bfi the valley of Elah; on the north side of it.
vices, they need not fear if they trust in him and follow
; 4. Whose height was six cubits and a span; a cubit was
his directions, he will protect them and give them all about eighteen inches, and a span about nine inches.
desirable success. t>. Coat of mail ; in the original, a coat of mail of scales;
7. As God looks upon the heart, and judges of men that is, made of thin plates of metal overlapping each
347
;

Goliath dtfielh Israel. 1 SAMUEL XV 11, Davit! visile I h l/ic camp.

fi And
he had proavcs of bras? upon his legs, and
a tarircf of brass bi^twccn liis sliouldors.
7 And tlio stall' of liis spear iras like a weaver's
beam;" and liis spear's iiead wnsxhcd six liinidred
sliekels of iron : and one bearing a sliield went
before iiini.

8 And lie stood and cried unto the armies of

Israel, and said unto them, Wiiy are ye come out


to set 7/oi/r battle in array'/ am not 1 a Philistine,
and ye servants to Saul'/'' choose you a man for
you. and let him come down to me.
9 If ho be al)le to light with me, and to kill me,
then will we be your servants: but if I prevail
against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our
servants, and serve us.
It) And the Philistine said, 1 defy the armies of

Israel this day ;" give mc a man, that we may light


together.
11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words
of tlio Philistine, tiiey were dismayed, and greatly
afraid.
] 2 ^ Now David icas the son of that Ephratliite

of l>eth-le!ieui-judah, whose name teas Jesse;'' and


he had eight sons:'^^ aud the man went among men
for an old man in the days of Saul.
13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and
followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his
three sons that went to the battle tvcre Eliab the
first-born, and next uuto him Abinadab, and the
third Shammah.
14 And David wa.i the youngest: aud the three
eldest followed Saul.
15 But David went and returned from Saul to
feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.'
16 And the Philistine drew near morning and
evening, and presented himself forty days.
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now
for thy brethren an cphah of this parched corn,
and these ten loaves, aud run to the camp to thy
brethren
18 And carry these ten cliceses^ unto the cap-
tain of their thousand,* and look how thy brethren
fare," and take their pledge.
19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel,
icere in the valley of Elah, lighting with the Phi-
listines.
20 1 And David
rose up early in the morning,
and the sheep with a keeper, and took, aud
left
went, as Jesse had commanded him ; and he came
to the trench,^ as the host was going forth to the
fight,' and shouted for the battle.
21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the
battle in array, army against army.
22 And David left his carriage^ in the hand of
• Or, gorget
;

David fightclh with Goliath, 1 SAMUEL XVII. and slayelh him.

and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be Lord savcth not with sword and spear:' for the
A. M. 2911.
1063° ""
as one of tiieni, seeing he hath defied the battle is the Lord's,'" and he will give you into our
armies of tlie living God. hands.
37 David said moreover, The Lord that deliv- 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine
ered me ont of the paw of the lion, and out of the arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David,
])a\v of the bear," he will deliver me out of the that David hasted, and ran toward the army to
liand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, meet the Philistine.
Go, and the Lord be with thee." 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took
38 1 And Saul armed David with his armor," thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philis-
and he put a helmet of brass upon his head also tine in his forehead," that the stone sunk into his
;

he armed him with a coat of mail. forehead and he fell upon his face to the earth.
;

39 And David girded his sword upon his armor, 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with
and he assayed to go for he had not; proved it. a sling and with a stone," and smote the Philis-
And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these tine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the
for I have not proved t/mn. And David put them hand of David.
oil" him. 51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose Philistine, and took his sword,'' and drew it out
him five smooth stones out of tlie brook,* and put of the sheatli thereof, and slew him, and cut oft'
them in a shepherd's bag' which he had, even in his head therewith. i And when the Philistines
a scrip and his sling was in his hand and he saw iheir champion was dead, they fled."
; :

drew near to the Philistine. 52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose,
41 And the Philistine came ou and drew near and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until
unto David and the man that bare the shield thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron."
;

we?it before him. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto
saw David, he disdained him:'-' for he was but a Ekron.
youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance." 53 And the children of Israel returned from
43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled
dog,"" that thou comcst to me with staves? And their tents.'
the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 54 And David took the head of the Philistine,
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to and brought it to Jerusalem but he put his armor
;

me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the in his tent.
air, and to the beasts of the field.'' 55 IT And when Saul saw David go forth against
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of
comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and the host, Abner, whose son is this youth?" And
with a shield : but I come to thee in the name of Abner said, As thy soul liveth, king, I cannot
the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel,''' tell.

whom thou hast defied." 56 And the king said. Inquire thou whose son
4(3 This day will the Lord deliver thee^ into the stripling is.
my hand ; and I will smite thee, and take thy head 57 And as David returned from the slaughter of
from thee;' and I will give the carcasses of the the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him
host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his
the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth ;' that hand."
all the earth may know that there is a God in 58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou,
Israel."^ thou young man? ^Vnd David answered, / am the
47 And all this assembly shall know that the son of thy servant Jesse the Betli-lehemite.^"

» Psa. 11:1; 1S:17; 77:11; 2 Cor. 1:10; aTim. 4:17. 13. b ch. 20:13; Matt
1 Chr. a-3:ll. 10. ' KA.
rlolhed David uiUA his clothes. IOt, valley. 1 Heb.
i-M.«i. c Psi. 1^3:4; 1 Cor. 1:27-29. dch. 16:12. e 2 Sam. 3:8, 2 Kings
.'-:13. M Kings 20:10, 11. e 2 Sam. 22:33, 35; Psa. 124:8; 125:1 ; 2 Cor.
SS: Heb. 11:33. b ver. 10. i Heh. shut thee up. iver. 61. JDeut. a<:20;

39. Assayed; attempted. Not proved them ; not been ac-


customed to them, and could not readily use them.
45. In the name of the Lord; by his direction, with confi-
dence in him, and for the purpose of promoting his cause.
INSTRUCTIONS.
10. When distinguished strength and courage make men
proud, and lead them to trust in themselves and despise
others, they often become the occasion of their ruin.
17. Men in executing their projects often have no idea
of the ends which God by them will accomplish.
25. Men are induced to perform much labor, and make
many sacrifices, by the hope of reward and (jod gracious-
;

ly points us to the joy set before us, as a motive to deny


ourselves, take up the cross, and follow Christ. Rom.
8:24.
28. Men naturally en\-\- those who do better and are
Junathan's love for Diivid, I SAMCML XV nr. and SauVs jealousy of hint.

CHArTEU XV HI. Therefore .'^aul removed him from him, a.m »«


i;i

1 Jondlhin lovrih Pnvid. Saul .Tivirth lii» praise, 10 icclcfth to kill


.')
and made him his captain over a thousand iokT ;

him in Ins lury, fcnrcili Iniii Tor liis i-wA succiis. 17 oircrolh
I'.' and h(! went out and came in bel'ori; the people.
liiii>

his J»u;4hl<T» lor a snarf. >'J tliiviJ, pcrsuuleil to be the tune's »on-

in-l.itr. '^n-rih two humlrid furcskjiiH of the IMiilisi im-s for Michal's
14 \ni\ David behaved' himself wisely in all his
Jo« rv. 'JS Saul's hatred, and LlaviJ's jjlory increaseth. ways; and the Loud iras with him.
A XI) it came to pass, when he liad mailc an l;j Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved

_Z V (Mul of s]>eakin<i; unto Saul, tliat llic soul of himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
.fonatliaii was knit with the soul oi' David," and 10 Hut all Israel and Judah loved David, because
Joiiallian loved him'' as his own soul.'' he went out and caiue in hel'iire Iheiii.'"
2 And Suul took him that day, and would let 17 •! And Saul said to David, Behold my elder
him tro no more home to his father's liousc. daughter Merab," her will I give thee to wife;
3 Then Jonathan and David made a eovcnant, only be thou valiant^ for me, and light the Lord'.s
because he loved him as his own soul. battles." For Saul said, Let not my hand be upon
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the rolte him, but let the hand of the Philistines be ujion
that ims u])on him,'' and frave it to David, and his him."
garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and 18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I?'' and
io his irirdle. what is my life, or my father's family in Israel,
5 1 And David went out wliitlicrsocver Saul that I should be son-in-law to the king?
sent him, and behaved' himself wisely: and Saul 19 ]]iit it came to pass at the time when Merab
set him over the men of war, and he was accepted Saul's daughter should have been given to David,
in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight that she was given unto Adriel'' the Meholatliite'
of Saul's servants. to wife.
6 And it came to pass as they came, when David 20 And MichalSaul's daughter loved David;
was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine,^ and they and the thing pleased him.'
told Saul,
that the women came out of all cities of Israel, 21 And Saul said, I will give him her, that she
singing and dancing," to meet king Saul, with tab- may be a snare to him,' and that the hand of the
rets, with joy, and with instruments of music' Philistines may be against him." Wherefore Saul
7 And the women answered one another as they said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son-in-
phiyed, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, law in the one o/the twain.
and David his ten thousands.' 22 And Saul commanded his servants, saying,
1l

8 And Saul was very wroth,^ and the saying Commune witJi David secretly, and say, Behold,
displeased him;* and he said. They have ascribed the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants
unto David ten thousands, and to me they have love thee now therefore be the king's son-in-law.
;

aseriljed hit tliousands: and what can he Lave 23 And Saul's servants spake those words in
more Imt tiie kingdom?'' the ears of David. And David said, Scemeth it
y And Saul eyed David from that day and for- to you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law,^' see-
ward. ing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?"
10 T And it came to pass on the morrow, that 24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying.
the evil spirit from God came upon Saul,' and he On this manner spake David.
'^

prophesied in the midst of the house -J and David 25 And Saul said. Thus shall ye say to David,
played with his hand, as at other times and there : The king desireth not any dowry,-'' but a hundred
ivas a javelin in SauFs hand.'' foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the
11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will king's enemies.^' But Saul thought to make David
smite David even to the wall with it. And David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
avoided out of his presence twice.' 2G And when his servants told David these
12 IF And Saul was afraid of David, because the words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-
Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. in-law and the days were not expired.*
;

» Gen. 44;30. b ver. 3; ch. 19:2i 2U:17; -2 Sam. 1:26. c Deal. 13:6. 3:7. nch. 17:25. H Heb. oMn f>/wi/or. och.25;2j'. p ver. 21,2i; 2 Sam.
1 Gen. 41:42. • Or, prospered, ver. 14,
15, 30; Psa.l:3. t Or, P/ii/i'.t(ines. 12:9. 1 ver. 23; ch. 9:21; 2 Sam. 7:18. r a Sam. 21:.S. » JuJg. 7:22.
e Exod. 1.5:20; Judg. II :34. : Heb. three-slrin^ed inslrumenls. 'ch. 21:11. •
Ilet. Ktts right in his eyes, t Exod. 10:7; Prov. 29:5. u ver. 17. v l John
e Prov. 27:4; Eccl. 4:4. 5 Beb. was euil in Ins eyes, h ch. I.';:a3. i
ch. 3:1. w Psa. 119:141. t Heb. According to these words. « Exod. 22:17.
16:11. J ch. 19:24; Acts 15:16. k ch. !<):«, 10; 20:33. 1 Psa. .37:32. 33; ych. 14:24. fUeh. fulfilled.
Isa. 54:17. 1 Or, prospered ; ver. 5. ni Num. 27:17; 2 .''am. 5:2; 1 Kings

43. Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit 9. Said eyed David; he watched him with jealous feel-
before a fall. Prov. 16:18. ings.
46. One great design of Jehovah in all his dealings, is 10. Prophesied; under the influence of the evil spirit,
to make known his character, and show to the universe the king imitated the maimer of speaking that belonged
that there is no one but himself who governs and controls to the true prophets when they were under the inspira-
in the kingdoms of nature, providence, and grace. tion of the Holy Spirit. A javelin; a light spear pointed
51. The strongest as well as the weakest are dependent with metal.
upon God, and that expectation which rests on creatures 18. What is my life; what is my condition of life? or, as
is liable at any time to be disappointed. we sa_y. What are my circumstances? He intimates that
55. Services performed for men may by them be forgotten, they are too humble to allow him to think of such an
and those 'who render them pass out of mind but services ; alliance. Compare ver. 23.
done for God he always remembers, and will graciously 25. Dowry; among the Hebrews, and generally, in the
reward. East, a compensation or present made by the bridegroom

CHAPTER XVIII. to the father of the bride.


26. The days; previous to the time appointed for his
6. Tabrets; or timbrels : a sort of small drum. marriage.
350
;

Saul seeketh David's life. 1 SAMUEL XIX. David escapclh to Naioth.

A. M. 2941. 27 Wherefore David arose and went, lie and David went8 IT And there wars war again :

'1063° "
and liis men," and slew of the Philistines and slew them
out, and fought with the Philistines,
two hundred men and David brought their fore- with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.*
;

skins,*" and they gave them in full tale to the king, 9 And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon
that he might be the king's son-in-law. And Saul Saul," as he sat in his house with his javelin in his
gave him Michal his daughter to wife. hand: and David played with his hand.
28 IT And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was 10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the
with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved wall with the javelin but he slipped away out of ;

him. Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the


29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.''
and Saul became David's enemy continually.'^ 11 Saul also sent messengers unto David's house,''
30 Then the princes of the Philistines went to watch him, and to slay him in the morning and :

forth and it came to pass, after they went forth, Michal David's wife told him, saying. If thou save
:''

that David behaved himself more wisely than all not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain.
the servants of Saul f so that his name was much 12 1 So Michal let David down through a win-
set by.* dow:'' and he went, and fled, and escaped.'
13 And Michal took an image,^ and laid it in
CHAPTER
XIX. the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his
4 He per- bolster, and covered it
1 Jonathan discloseth his father's purpose to kill David.
with a cloth.
suadeth his fatlier to reconciliation. 8 By reason of David's good suc- 14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David,
cess in a new war, Saul's malicious rage breaketh out against him.
1
12 Michal deceivetli her father with an image in David's bed. 18
she said. He is sick.
;• David Cometh to Samuel in Naioth. 20 Saul's messengers sent to 15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see
take David, 22 and Saul himself, prophesy.
David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that
AND Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to
that they should kill David.
all his servants,
I may slay him.
16 And when the messengers were come in, be-
2 But Jonathan Saul's sou delighted much in hold, there uas an image in the bed, with a pillow
David /and Jonatlian told David, saying, Saul my of goats' hair for his bolster.
fatlier seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray 17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou
thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that
abide in a secret yj/ace, and hide thyself: he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul," He
3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in said unto me. Let me go why should I kill thee?""
:

the field where thou art, and I will commune with my 18So David fled, and escaped, and came to
1i

father of thee and what I see, that I will tell thee.


; Samuel to Eamah, and told him all that Saul had
4 1 And Jonathan spake good of David unto done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt
Saul his father,*^ and said unto him. Let not the in Naioth.
king sin against his servant, against David ;" be- 19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David
cause he hath not sinned against thee, and because is at Naioth in Eamah.
his works have been to thee- ward very good:' 20 And
Saul sent messengers to take David :^
5 For he did put his life in his haud,J and slew and when they saw the company of the prophets
the Philistine,'' and the Lord wrought a great sal- prophesying,^ and Samuel standing as appointed
vation for all Israel:' thou sawest it, and didst over them, the Spirit of God was upon the mes-
rejoice wherefore then wilt tliou sin against inno-
: sengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.-^'
cent blood,™ to slay David without a cause? 21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other
6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jona- messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And
than and Saul sware," Jls the Lord liveth, he
: Saul sent messengers again the third time, and
shall not be slain. they prophesied also.
7 And Jonathan called David, and Jouathanshow- 22 Then went he also to Eamah, and came to a
ed him all those things. And Jonathan brought great well that is in Sechu and he asked and
:

David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in said. Where Samuel and David? And one
are
times past.+° said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Eamah.
• Ver.l:). b2Sim.3:14. » Psa. 37:12, H. d 2 Sam. 11:1. ever.SiPsa. 16:21
119:99, Heb. predtms/ ch.'iH-.-iX; 2 Kings 1:13; Psa. 116:15; 1 Pel. 2:7.

'ch.l8:l. sProv.31:8,9. hGen. 43:22. i Psa. 35:12; 109:5; Prov. 17:13.


ich. 23:21; Judg. 12:3; I'sa. 119:109. k cb. 17:49,50. 1 ch. 11:13; 1 Chr.
11:14. m ch. 20::32. d Prov. 26:24, 25. 1 Heh. yesterday third day. o cb.

30. Went forth; to fight with Israel.

INSTRUCTIONS.
I. Real excellence of character forms the surest basis for
ardent and durable friendship, and those wlio rightly cul-
tivate it on earth may hope to enjoy it for ever in heaven.
5. The presence and favor of God are the grand source
of all true wisdom, and the surest guarantee of durable
success.
8. An envious disposition tends to torment him who
indulges it, and all who feel its influence.
II. There is no wickedness so great but the liuman
heart, uiu'estrained by divine grace, may commit it.
: :

Joiuilhan ami David 1 SAMIKL XX, rewic iheir covenant.

2:} Ami lie wont lliiliior lo Xaintii in Kaniali covenant of IheLnnn with thee:'' notwith- a, m ?<H2

iind till' of Goil was n])on liini also, ami lie


S|)ii-it standing, if there lie in me iniijuity,' slay i'»'

\v(Mit on. and itroithesicd, until he came to Xai(jUi me thvsclf; for whv shouldest thou bring me to
in {{ainali. thy father?
•1\ And stripped off liis clothes also," and
lie '.) And Jonathan said, Far beit from thee: for
pri)l>lii'sicd before Sanincl in like manner, and if I knew certainly that evil was deteimined by
lav' down naked all that day and all that night. mv father to come ujwu thee, then would not i
AVhcroforo they say, Is Saul also among the tell it thee?
proplicts?'' 10 Then said David to Jonathan, Who
shall tell
me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?
11 1 And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and
CHAPTER XX. let us go out into the field. And they went out
1 Darid consuUeth with Jonathan for In's safety. 11 Jonathan and both of them into the field.
P.avid renew their covenant by oath. IS Jonathan's token to L)avid.
24 Saul, niissinpf David, seckotli to kill Jonathan. 3-3 Jonathan lov- 12 And Jonathan said unto David, LoiiD God
ingly takctli his leave of I'avid. of Israel, when I have sounded' my father about
AND David
came and
fled from Naioth in Ramah, and
said before Jonathan, What have
to-morrow any time, or the thiid dai/. and behold,
if there he good toward David, and 1 then send
I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my not unto thee, and show it thee;*
sin before thy father, that he seeketli my life? 13 The Loud do so and much more to Jonathan
2 And he said unto him, God forbid thou shalt ; but if it please my father to do thee evil, then i
not die: bcliolil. my fallior will do nothing cither will show it thee, and send thee away, that thou
great or small, but that he will show it me:* and maycst go in peace: and the Lord be with thee,'
why should my father hide this thing from me? as he hath been with my father.''
it is not so. 14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live show
3 And David sware moreover, and said. Thy me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not:
father certainly knoweth that I have found grace 15 But also thou shalt not cut off" thy kindness
in thine eyc.^; and he saith. Let not Jonathan from my house for ever:' no, not when the Lord
know this, lest he be grieved: but truly, as the hath cut off the enemies of David every one from
Lord liveth, and as thy soul livcth, there is but a the face of the earth.
step between me and death." 16 So Jonathan made* a covenant with the house
4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever of David, saying, Let the Lord even require t7 at
thy soul desireth,* I will even do* it for thee. the hand of David's enemies.™
,.5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to-mor- 17 And Jonathtro caused David to swear again,
row is the new moon,'' and I should not fail to sit because he loved him:' for he loved him as he
with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may loved his own soul."
hide myself in the field unto the third day at even." 18 Then Jonathan said to David, To-morrow is
6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David the new moon :° and thou shalt be missed, because
earnestly asked kave of me that he might run to thy seat will be empty .^
Beth-lchem his city for there is a yearly sacrifice'
: 19 And when thou hast stayed three days, tfieu
there for all the family. thou shalt go down quickly,' and come to the place
7 If he say thus. It is well; thy servant shall where thou didst hide thyself when the business
have peace but if he be very wroth, then be sure
: was in hand,''' and shalt remain liy the stone Ezel.*
that evil is determined by him.'' 20 And 1 will shoot three arrows on the side
8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy ser- thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
vant;" for thou hast brought thy servant into a 21 And behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go,
»Isa.20:2. • Heb./e«; Num. 34:4. bch. 10:10, 12. tHeb.
wr; vcr 12;ch.9:ia. c ch. 27:1 ; 2 Cor. 1:9. 10. IHeb. speaktth. or think-
elk. S Or, Say what is thy mind, and I will da. <1 Num. 10: 10; aS: U. = eh.
10:2. I Or,/ea.i(,- ch. 9:12. t ch. 2.);17; Esth. 7:7. f Josh. 2:14. h ver.
Hi; ch. 13:3; 23:18. 2 Sam. U.Si. 1 Hcb. searched. • Heb.

24. His clothes; his outer garments. Naked; without his


upper garments.
INSTRUCTIONS.
En\-y indulged often leads to murder, and many are
1.

in heart guilty of this sin who are prevented from out-


wardly committing it. 1 John 3:15.
4. Real love will seek the good of the object beloved,
and if need be, perform labors, make sacrifices, and meet
dangers to promote it.
6. Sound reason and kind persuasion may for a time
overcome passion but without a change of heart, when
;

depravity is restrained in one direction it will break out


ill another.
10. When one is given up to the power of evil, not only
ingagements but solemn oaths will be disregarded, and
malignant passions will overcome all restraint.
17. Those who hate others, and treat them as enemies,
are apt to feel that others hate them and are their enemies.
3.52
The parting of 1 SAMUEL XXI. David and Jonathan.

A. M. 29K out tlic arrows. If I expressly say unto


fnirl
'
luia. the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side
of thee, take them then come thou for there is
; :

peace to thee, and no hurt;' as the Loud liveth."


22 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold,
the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the
Lord liatli sent thee away.
23 And as touching the matter which thou and
I have spoken of," Ijchold, the Lord be between
thee and me for ever.
24 1 So David hid himself in the field and when ;

the new moon was come, the king sat him down
to eat moat.
2.5 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other

times, even upon a seat by the wall and Jonathan :

arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's


place was empty.
26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that
day for he thought. Something hath befallen liim,
:

he is not clean; surely he is not clean.''


27 And it came to pass on the morrow, ivhich
was the second day of the month, that David's
place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan
his sou. Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to
moat, neitlier yesterday, nor to-day?
28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David ear-
nestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem :''
29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee for our ;

family liath a sacrifice in the city and my brother, ;

lie hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I


have found favor in thine eyes, let me get away,
I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he
Cometh not unto the king's table.
30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jona-
than," and he said unto him, Thou son ^ of the perverse
rebellious woman,* do not I know that thou hast
chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and
unto the confusion of th_y mother's nakedness?
31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon
the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy
kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him
unto me, for he shall surely die.^'
32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and
said unto him. Wherefore shall he be slain?- what
hath he done?
• Heb. not any Iking. > Jer. 4:2. b ver. 14, 15, 42
;,

David flath to yob, I SAMIKI. WII. til Giit/i, inul lu Aihdlum.

The kins coinmamlod mc a business, and lialli


Imtli
said unto ino, lii't im man know any tiling of tlic
business wiicri'ahoiit I send tiicf, and what 1 have j

coniniandfd tlicc: and iiave ajipointcd »iy sor-


I

vants to sudi and siifii a place. |

3 Now tliercforc wliat is under tiiy liand? jrivc


mc live loaves o/"liread in my iiand, or wliat tiiere

is present.'
4 And llie auswercd David, and said, Tkcrc
priest
is no common bread under my hand, l)ut there is
hallowed bread;" if tlic younir men have kejil
themselves at least from women.''
5 And David answered the jtriest, and said unto
him, Of a truth women have been kept from us
about these three days, since I came
out, and the
vessels of the young men arc and the bread
holy,''

is in a manner commou, yea, though it were sauc-


tilied this day in the vessel.*
6 So the priest gave him hallowed brcad:^ for
there was no bread there but the show-laread, that
was taken from before the Lord, to put hot bread
in the day when it was taken away.
7 Xow a certain man of the servants of Saul was
there that day, detained before the Loun and his ;

name was Doeg,° an Edoniite, the chiefest of the


hcrdmen that bclonfred to Saul.
8 Tf And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there
not here under thy hand spear or sword ? for I have
neither brought my sword nor my weapons with
me, because the king's business rc(iuired haste.
9 And the priest said, 'I'he sword of Goliath the
Pliilistine, whom thou slowest in the valley of
Elah,'' behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind
the ephod:'' if thou wilt take that, take it; for
there is no other save that here. And David said,
There is none like that give it mc.
;

10 ^ And David arose, and fled that day for fear


of Saul, and went to Acliish* the king of Gath.
11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is
not this David the king of the land?'' did they not
sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul

•H
Saul slaydh the pricsls. 1 SAMUEL XXIII. David rescudk Kulah.

A. St. 6 1 When Saul heard that David was


2912.

discovered, and the men that were with


liio:;.

him (now Saul abode in Gibeali under a tree in


;

Ramah," having his spear in iiis hand, and all his


servants inrc standing about liim;)
7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood
al)out liim. Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son
of Jesse give every one of you fields and vine-
yards," and make you all captains of thousands,
and captains of hundreds ;

8 That all of you luxve conspired against inc, and


there is none tliat showeth me+ that my son hath
nrade a league witli tlic son of Jesse,'' and there is
none of you that is sorry for me, or showetli unto
me that my son hath stirred up my servant against
me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
y •[ Then answered Docg the Edomite,'^ whieli
was set over tlio servants of Saul, and said, I saw
the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the
son of Aid tub.''
10 And he inquired of tlie Lord for him,'' and
gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of
Goliath the Philistine.
11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the
priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house,
the priests that were in Nob: and they camo all
of them to the king.
12 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub.
And he answered. Here I am,* my lord.
13 And Saul said unto him. have ye con- Why
spired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in
that tiiou liast given liim broad, and a sword, and
hast inquired of God for liim, that he should rise
against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said.
And who is so faithful among all thy servants as
David,'' which is the king's son-in-law ,» and goeth
at thy bidding, and is honorable in thy house?
15 Did I then begin to inquire of God for him?
be it far from me: let not the king impute any
thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my
father for thy servant knew nothing of all this,
:

less or more.^
16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die,
Alumelech, thou, and all thy father's house."
17 1 And tlie king said unto the footmen' that
stood about him. Turn, and slay the priests of the
Or. grove in a high place, a ch. 18:14. t Heb. uncoveret/t mine ea
David cscaptlh to Ziph. 1 SAMUEL XXIII. He is pursued by Saul.

down to Keilah ; for I will deliver the riiilistiucs


into tliy liaiid.
.")
So David and liis men went to Kcilali, and
foiiglit the riii!i.stines, and l)roiijrlit away
willi
their oattle.and smote tlicni with a great slaugiiter.
So David .•^aved the iidialjitanls of Keilaii.
(J And it came to jiass, when Ahiatljar the son
of Ahiinelech fled to David to Keilali," that he
eaine down icilh an cphod in ids liand.
7 "i And it was tolil Saul tliat David was come
to Keilaii. And Saul said, God hath delivered
him into my hand for he is shut in by entering
;

into a town that iiath gates and liars.''

8 And Saul called together to war,


all the ])eo|)le
togodowu David and his men.
to Keilaii, tobesiegi;
9 "y And David knew that Saul s-ecrctly i)rac-
tised mischief against him ;" and he said to Abia-
thar the priest. Bring hither the ephod.''
10 Tiicn said David, IjOud God of Israel, thy
servant hath certainly heard that Saul sccketh to
come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.''
11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into
his hand? Will Saul come down, as thy servant
iiath heard? Lord God of Israel, I beseech
thee, tell thy servant. And the Loku said, Ho
will come down.
12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah
deliver' me and my men into the hand of Saul?
And the Lord said. They will deliver t/iee uj).
13 *; Then David and his men,'' u-hich were about
•nix hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah,

and went whithersoever they could go. And it


was told Saul that David was escaped from Kei-
lah; and he forbare to go forth.
14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong-
holds, and remained in a mountain''' in the wilder-
ness of Ziph.'' And Saul sought him every day,
])ut God delivered him not into his hand.'
15 And David saw that Saul was come out to
seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of
Ziph in a wood.
16 'i And Jonathan Saul's son arose and went
to David into the wood, and strengthened^ his
hand in God.''
17 And he said unto him, Fear not for the hand :

of Saul my father shall not find thee;' and thou

,
'

David sparcth Saul's life. 1 SAMUEL XXIV. Saul cmifcsselh his fault.

S.^'2',f„oe, CHAPTER XXIV.


1 David in a cave at En-gedi, having cut off Saul's skirt, spareth his
life. 8 He showeth thereby his innocency. 16 Saul, acknowledging
his fault, taketh an oath of David, and departeth.

ANDfrom came it to pass, when Saul -was returned


following* the Philistines," that it was
told liim, saying. Behold, David is in the wilder-
ness of Eii-gcdi.
2 Then 8aul took three thousand chosen men
out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his
men'' upon the rocks of the wild goats.''
3 And he came to the sheopcotes by the way,
where was a cave and Saul went in to cover his
;

feet:'' and David and his men remained in the


sides of the cave."
4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold
the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold,
I will deliver thine enemy into thy liand,' that thou
mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee.
Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's
robe* privily.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's
heart smote him,^ because he had cut off Saul's
skirt.
6 And
he said uuto his men, The Lokd forbid
that should do this thing unto my master, the
I
L')Ud'8 anointed,'' to stretch forth my hand against
him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.'
7 So David stayed* his servants with these
words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul.-'
But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his
way.
8 1 David also arose afterward, and went out
of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying. My lord
the king. And when Saul looked behind him,
David stooped with his face to the earth, and
bowed himself.
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest
thou men's words,'' saying. Behold, David secketh
thy hurt?
io Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how
that the Lord had delivered thee to-day into my
hand in the cave and some bade me kill thee
:
:

but mine eye spared thee ; and I said, I will not


• Heb. after.
: :

Sitmuel d'uth at R.im..h. I SAMUEL XXV Nabiirs c/iurlishntss.

CHAPTER XXY. four hundred men : and two hundred abode * m ivu
1 Siunurl difth. r.iran jcnaelh lo Nsbil.
2 DaviJ 10 ProToked by by Ihe .sintl.'" lucu

Nnbsli churli3lini'«<. lie iiilflh to destroy him. 1-1 Abi^il iindcr-

tandin" tlierc-'f. IS tAkvth a prfscnt. 'S\ and by berwiRdoin lf2 paci


M •[ But one of the young men told Abigail,
fielh David. :W Nab.il lieanni; lli.T.of dlctli. SU David take tli Abigail
Nabal's wife, saying, Heiiold, |)avid sent messen-
nad Aliiiioam li bo his wives. -II Miclul is given lo Plialti. gers out of the wilderness to salute our master;
A XD Samuel ilicil; ami all the l.sraelites were and he railed ou^ them.
i, \_ i;atliereil together, and laineiiteJ him, ami 1.5 But tiie men were very good unto us, and wo

Iniriei liiiii in his hou.se at Hainah." Ami David were not Jiurt,'" neither missed we any thing, as
arcso. and went down lo tlie wilderness of Paraii.'' long as we were conversant with them, when wc
2 Anil i/icre mas a man in Maoii,'' wliosc po.sses- were in tlie fields.
sions' iccrc in Carinel and tlio man icas very great,
; U) Tiiey were a wall unto us both by night and
and he iiad three thousand slieep, and a tiiousaiul day," all tiie while wc were with tlicm keejiing
goats: and l>o was sliearing his siieep in Carmel. tlie slicep.

3 Now the name of tiic man was Nahai, and the 17 Now tliereforc know and consider what thou
name of iiis wife Abigail; and she was a woman wilt do; for evil is determined against our mas-
of good umlerslaiidiug,'' and of a beautiful coun- ter, and against all his houst-liold for he is sut/i :

tenance; but the man ?m.? ciiurlish and evil in his a son of Belial,'' that a ma?) cannot speak to him.
doings;" and lie ivas of the hou.se of Caleb. IS "[Then Abigail made haste, and took two
•4 T And David hoard in tlie wilderne.ss that hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and live
Nabal did shear liis sheep/ sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched
5 And David seat out ten young men, and David corn, and a hundred clusters* of raisins, and two
said unto the young men, Get you np to Carmel, hundred cakes of figs, and laid f/i(?n on asses.''
and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name :
^
19 And she said unto her servants. Go on before
6 And thus sliall ye say to him that livcth in me;'" behold, I come after you. But she told not
prosperity, Peace be botli to tlice, and peace be to her husband Nabal.
thy house, and peace be unto all tliat thou liast." 20 And it Avas so, as she rode on the ass, tiiat
7 And now I have heard tliat thou hast shearers she came down by the covert of the hill, and be-
now thy shei)herds wliich were with u.s, we hurt* hold, David and his men came down against her;
them not, neitiicr was tlicre aught missing unto and she met them.
them, all the while tlioy were in Carmel. 21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I
8 Ask thy young men, and they will show thee. kept all that this felloio hath in the wilderness, so
Wherefore let tlic young men find favor in thine that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto
eyes; for we come in a good day:'' give, I pray him; and he hath requited me evil for good."
thee,' wliatsoever comctli to tliy hand unto thy ser- 22 So and more also do God unto the enemies
vants, and to thy son David.J of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by
9 And when David's young men came, tliey the morning light any that pisseth against the
spake to Nabal according to all those words in wall.
the name of David, and ceased.^ 23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted,
10 And Nabal answered David's servants, and and lighted off the ass,' and kU before David on
said. Who is David?" and who is the son of Jesse? her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
there be many servants nowadays that break 2-1 And fell at his feet, and said. Upon me, my

away every man from his master. lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thy hand-
11 Shall I then take my liread,' and my watei-, maid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience,* and
and my flesh' tliat I have killed for my shearers, hear the words of thy handmaid.
and give it unto men, whom I know not whence 25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard^ this man
they be? of Belial, even Nabal for as his name is, so is he :

12 So David's young and Nabal' is his name, and folly w with him: but I
men turned their way,
went again, and came and told him all those sayings. thy handmaid saw not the young men of my lord,
13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on whom thou didst send.
every man his sword. And they girded on 26 Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth,
every man his sword and David also girded on and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath with-
;

his sword : and there went up after David about holden thee from coming to shed blood," and from
» Ch.2S:3; Num. 20:29; Beut. b Gen. 21:21; Num. 10:12; l.'):3,
3-1:9. mch. .30:24. t Hob./fw upon. • lleb. shamed, n ver. 7. o Exod. 14:2-3;
96. cch. 23:21. • Or, business, d Prov. 14:1; 31:2G, 30. f ver. 10, II, 17. Job 1:10; Jer. 15:20. p 2 Sam. 23:(). 7. t Or, lumps, q Gen. 32:13; Prov.
-'
Gen. 33:13; 2 Sam. 13:2:J. t Heb. ask him in my
name of peare ; ch. 1S:10; 21:14. r Gen. 32:10, 20. « Psa- 109:5; Prov. 17:13. 1 Josh. 15:18.

17:22. B 1 Chr. 12:1S; Luko 10:5. 1 Hcb. shamed; ver. 15, 21. I> Neh. ! Heb. ears, i Hc-b. fey i> to his heart. I That is. Foot. " ver. 33; Gen.
3:10-12; Esther 9:19. iEc<:1.11:2. jl.ukell:41. » Heb. rrsted. k Judg. 2;l:6.
fl:-i3; Psi. 73:7.8; l-i3:3, -1; I.sa. 32:5, 7. ' Judg. 8:0. I Heb. slaughter.

22. So and more also do God; this was a kind of oath


CHAPTER XXV. wliich David took that he would destroy every man be-
At Ramah; the place where he was born, and had
1. longing to Nabal.
lived. Paran; near the southern border of Judah. 24. This iniquity ; the blame belonging to her husband for
2. Carmel; a few miles south of Hebron. It should be dis- so basely treating David and his men. Audience; hearing.
tinguished from mount Carmel on the Mediterranean. 25. Nabal ; meaning folly.
8. Whatsoever cometli to thy hand ; what he had and could 2G. Hath withholden thee; by sending Abigail to persuade
conveniently spare. him not to do as he had intended. As Nabal; share his
16. A wall unto us; they protected us. miserable lot.
358
Abigail padftelh David. 1 SAMUEL XXV. He takclh her to wife.

A. M. 2944. avenging* thyself with thine own hand," 35 So David received of her hand that which
" enemies, and they that seek she had brought him, and said unto her. Go up in
liJeo.™ now let tiiino
evil to my lord, be as Nabal.'' peace to thy house ;™ see, I have hearkened to thy
27 And now this blessing* which thy handmaid voice, and have accepted thy person.
iiath brought unto my lord,'' let it even be given 36 T And Abigail came to Nabal and behold, ;

unto tlie young men that follow* my lord. he held a feast iu his house," like the feast of a
28 I pray thee, forgive the trespass of tliy hand- king and Nabal's heart was merry within him,"
;

maid: for" the Lord will certainly make my lord for he icas very drunken wherefore she told him
:

a sure house ;''


because my lord iighteth the battles nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
of the Lord," and evil hath not been found in thee 37 But it came to pass in the morning, when the
all thy days.' wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told
29 Yet a man
is risen to pursue thee, and to seek him these things, that his heart died within him,""
thy soul but the soul of my lord shall be bound
: and he became as a stone.
in the bundle of life with the Lord tliy God ,'^ and 38 And it came to pass about ten days after, that
the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, the Lord smote Nabal,'' that he died.
as out of the middle of a sling.^'' 39 IT And when David heard that Nabal was
30 And it shall come to pass, when the Lord dead, he said. Blessed be the Lord,'' that hath
shall have done according to all the
to ray lord pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand
good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and of Nabal," and hath kept his servant from evil;'
shall iiave appointed thee ruler over Israel; for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of
31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor Nabal upon his own head." And David sent and
offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath 40 And when the servants of David were come
avenged liimself: but when the Lord shall have to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, say-
dealt well witli my lord, then remember thy hand- ing, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him
maid.' to wife.
32And Daviil said to Abigail, Blessed be the
li" 41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face
Lord God of Israel.J which sent thee this day to to the earth, and said. Behold,let thy handmaid
meet me: be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of
33 blessed be thy advice,'' and blessed be my lord.^
And
thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to 42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon
shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after
own hand. her ;' and she went after the messengers of David,
34 For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel and became his wife.
liveth, which liath kept me back from hurting 43 David also took Ahinoara of Jezreel; and
thee,' except thou hadst hasted and come to meet they were also both of them liis wives."'
me, surely there liad not been left unto Xabal 44 IT But Saul had given Miehal his daughter,
by the morning light any that pisseth against the David's wife, to Phalti' the sou of Laish, which
wall. was of Gallim.'^
• iieh. saiiiig. a Rom. 12:19. b o gam. 18:32. tOz,present. c Gen. 141:5; Prov. 9:0. 1 ver. 21). m 2 Sam. !5:U; Luke 7:5U. n 2 Sam. 13:23.
3:5:11; 2 Kings 5:15. 1 Heb. walk at the feet of; ver. 42; Judg. 4:1U. o Prov. 20:1: Eccl. 10:19; Isa. 2S:3, 7. p Job 15:21; Prov. 2:3:29-35.
•1 2Sam. 7:11. 27; 1 Kings 9:3; Psa. 1^9:29. e ch. 18:17. t I Kings 15:5; q 2 Kings 1.5:5; Acts 12:23. r ver. 32. ' Prov. 22:33. t ver. 20, 34.
Psi. 119.1-3. E Mai. .3:17. 5 Heb. In the midst of the how of a slin?. " I Kings 2:44; Psa. 7:16. v Ruth 2:10, 13; Prov. 15:33. t Heb. at her
h Jer. KJ.IS. 1 Heb. sta^sering. or slumMins:. i Gen. 40:1'!; Luke 23:42. ftet; •iet.'a. w oh. 27:3. • Heb. P/mftiei; 2 Sam. 3:15. i Isa. 10:30.
J Gen. 24:27; Exod. 18:10; Ezra 7:27; Psi. 41:13; Luke 1:68. k Psa.

27. This blessing; the present she had brought. and profanely resolve to commit such enormous crimes as
28. Make my lord a sure house; estabHsh and prosjier would cover them with deserved and perpetual disgrace.
him ill his kingdom. 26. All the wisdom needful in conducting a difficult con-
29. ^ man Saul. Soul;\i{e. Bound in the bundle; Burely
; cern, and all the success of human efforts in accomplishing
be preserved. Sting out ; destroy or reject them. it, come from God, and lo him the wise and the good will

37. Hisheartdied; he was overcome and became senseless. give the glory.
30. When one is raised by God to a station of great
INSTRUCTIONS. influence, it is a source of much {pleasure to
power and
1. The removal by death of the wise and good be able to look back and see that he has not swerved from
is a just
cause of lamentation to the living, and should lead to fer- the path of truth and duty in order to obtain it.
vent prayer that God would raise up others to fill their 32. However great the blessings which come through
places, and carry forward his work. the instrumentality of creatures, we should not overlook
6. Kind feelings manifested in kind words and actions, the Creator, or fail to acknowledge his gracious agency in
even towards the evil and unthankful, are means of great the affairs of men; nor while we acknowledge him as the
good to those who indulge them, and tend to the good of source of all good, should we fail to be grateful to the
all who feel their influence. voluntary and benevolent instruments through which his
10. Unkindness and reproaches torment those who in- goodness is bestowed.
dulge in them, and often tempt others to commit sin. 34. None but God knows how many evils may be avert-
14. Servants are often wiser and better than their mas- ed from a foolish and wicked husband by a pious, prudent,
ters, arc more grateful for kindness, and more disposed to and energetic wife.
treat as it deserves.
it 36. A iierson when drunlc is ordinarily not in a cnmlition
15. A
iinidcnt wife is from the Lord, and may be the tobe benefited by conversation, and it is not usually wise,
means hands of unspeakable good to her husband.
in liis while he is iu that state, to attempt to converse witli him.
22. .Men who have nobly withstood great and sore temp- 38. Many a drunkard, after lying for a time as dead, has
tations, may meanly give way to those which are small, been smitten by the Lord, and in less than ten days has
359
David again spareih 1 SAMUEL XXVI. lU lift of the king

CHAPTEli XXVI.
1 Ssul, by the ili»co»rry of the Ziphitcn, comotli to Kscliilah njpiinst
DkviJ. S UnriJ coiniiiK into (Jlo trench Btayi'th Abialmi from killing;
Saul, but tAki'th hia apfar anJ cruse. 13 L>avid reprovetli Abnt-r,
18 anJ cxhorU'th Saul. 21 Saul Bcknowlcdgelli his lin.

AND camo unto Saul to Oibcah,"


tlic Zi])liitcs
not Haviil liiilo liinisell' in the
saviuir. Dotli
hill of Jhichilali, which w bcl'oie .losliinion?
2 Then Saul arose, and went down to the wil-
dcrncs.-^ of Zipli, having three thou.'^and chosen
men of Israel with hini, to seek David in the wil-
derness of Ziph.
:$ And Saul ])itched in the hill of Ilacliilah,
which is belbre Jeshimon, by the way. JJiit David

abiide ill tiic wilderness, and he saw that Saul came


after him into the wilderness.
4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood
tlial Saul was come in very deed.
.")
And David arose, and camo to the place
''.

where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the


[)laee where Saul lay, and Alincr tlie son of Ner,''
thecaptainof his host: and Saul lay in the trench,*
and the people pitched round about him.
6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelccli
the Ilittitc, and to Abishai the sou of Zcruiah,'^
brotiier to Joab, sayini::^^ Who will ufo down with
mc to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I
will go down with thee.
7 So David and Abishai came to the people hy
night: and beliold, Saul lay sleeping within the
trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his
bolster: but Abner and the people lay round
about him.
8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath deliv-
ered' thine enemy into thy hand this day: now
tlierofore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the
spear even to the earth at once, and I will not
smite him the second time.
9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not:
for who can stretch forth his hand against the
Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?'*
10 David said furthermore, ^i the Lord liveth,
the Loud shall smite him;" or his day sliall come
to die ;' or he shall descend into battle, and perish.'-'
11 The LoRoforbid that! should stretch forth my
hand against the Lord's anointed:'' but, I pray thee.
>Ch.
ISaul relarrielh home. 1 SAMUEL XXVIII. David amcna the Philistines.

AM smi. 22 And David answered and said, Bc-


iW"'" liold tlic Iving's speavl and let one of the
youno; men come over and fetch it.
213 The Loud render to every man his righteous-
ness and liis faithfidncss ;'' for the Lord delivered
thee into mt/ hand to-day, but I would not stretch
forth my hand against the Lord's anointed.
24 And beliold, as thy life was much set by this
day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in
the eves of the Lord, and let him deliver me out
of all" tribulation."
25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed he thou, my
son David: thou shalt botli do great things, and
also shalt still prevail." So David went on his
way, and Saul returned to his place.

CHAPTER XXVII.
1 Saul lie.iriii!; David seeketh no more for him. 5 David
to lie in G-ath,
beg^'ctli Ziltiag of Achisli. S He, invadmj; otiier countries, persuadeth
Acliish he fought against Judah.

AND David
one day by
ish*
said in his heart, I shall now per-
the hand of Saul:'' there is
nothing better for me than that I should speedily
escape into tlie land of the Philistines ; and Saul
shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any
coast of Israel so shall I escape out of his hand.
:

2And David arose, and he passed over with tiie


sis hundred men'= that were witli him unto Achisii,
tlie son of Maoch, king of Gath.''
3 And David dwelt witli Achish at Gath, he and
his men, every man with his household, even David
with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jczrcelitcss, and
Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife."
4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to
Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
.5 1 And David said unto Achish, If I have now

found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a


place in some town in the country, that 1 may
dwell tliere:" for why sliould thy servant dwell
in the royal city with thee?
» I'sa. 7:3;
Saul $(tkelh vnio 1 SAMUEL XXVIII. a wilJi at En-dor.

to David. TluToloiT will I make tlicc keeper nf


my head for ever.
3 "i N<i\v Saiiiiu'l was dead, and all Israel had
lamented him, and Imriccl jiim in Hainah, even in
his own cily." And Saul had
those that
|)ut away
iiad familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the
land."
4 And the Pliilistines jxathered themselves to-
gether, and eame and pitched in Sliunem:'' and
Said <ralhered all Israel together, and they piteii-
ed in diliioa.''
5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines,
he was and his heart fjreatly tremliled.
afraid,*'
6 And when Saul in(pnred of lie Loud, tlie Loud
t

answered him not,' neither by dreams," nor by


Urini.'' nor by ])ropliets.
7 *! Tlien said Saul unto his servants. Seek me
a woman tliat hath a familiar spirit, that I may
go to her, and inquire of her.' And his servants
said to liim. Behold, there is a woman lliat hath a
familiar sjjirit at En-dor.
8 And Saul di.ss:uised himself, and put on otiier
raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and
they came to the woman by night: and he said, 1
pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit,
and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto
thee.
9 And the woman said unto liiin, llehold, thou
knowest what Saul hath done, liow he hath cut
off those that have familiar spirits, and tiic wiz-
ards, out of the land:^ wherefore then layest tiiou
a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
10 And Saul sware to her by tiie Lord, saying,
.Is the Lord liveth, there sliall no punishment
hai)pen to thee for this thing.
11 Tlien said the woman, Whom
shall I bring
up unto thee? And he said. Bring me up Samuel.
;

David amonn- the Philistines. 1 SAMUEL XXIX. He is dismissed by Arhish.

A.M. 2148. for he had eaten no bread


all the day, 4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth
B. C. about n .11 1 i
lost). nor ail the night. with him; and the princes of the Philistines said
21 1 And the woman came
unto Saul, and saw- unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go
that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, again to his place \f hich thou hast appointed him,''
Behold, thy handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and and let him not go down with us to battle, lest
I have put my life in my hand," and have heark- in the battle he be an adversary to us :'^ for where-
ened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me. with should he reconcile himself unto his master?
22 Now therefore, I pray tliee, hearken thou also should it not be with the heads of these men?
unto the voice of thy handmaid, and let me set a 5 Is not this David, of Avhom they sang one to
morsel of bread before tiiee and eat, that thou another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands,
;

mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way. and David his ten thousands?"
23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But Then Achish called David, and said unto him,
his servants, together with the woman, compelled Surely, as the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright,
him and ho hearkened unto their voice. So he and thy going out and thy coming in with me in
;

rose from the earth, and sat upon the bed. the host is good in my sight:' for I have not
24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house found evil in thee since the day of thy coming
and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and unto me unto this day -J nevertheless the lords
kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof: favor thee not.'
25 And she brought it before Saul, and before 7 Wliercfore now return, and go in peace, that
his servants and they did eat. Then they rose thou displease not* tlie lords of the Philistines.
;

up, and went away that night. 8 And David said unto Achish, But what have
*\\

I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant

CHAPTER XXIX. so long as I have been with* thee unto this day,
1 David marching witli (lie Philistines, 3 is disallowed hy tlieir princes. that I may not go fight against the enemies of my
6 Achish disniisseth him, with commendations of Ins fidelity. lord the king?
NOW the Philistines gathered together all 9 And Achish answered and said to David, I
their armies'' to Aphek:'' and the Israelites know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel
pitched by a fountain whicli is in Jezreel. of God:" notwithstanding, the princes of the Phi-
2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by listines have said, He shall not go up with us to
hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his the battle.'
men passed on in the rearward with Aeliish. 10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning
3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What with thy master's servants that are come with
do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto thee and as soon as ye be up earlj' iu the morn- :

the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, ing, and have light, depart.
the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath 11 So David and his men rose up early to depart
been witli me these days,"* or these years, and I in the morning, to return into the land of the
Jiave found no fault iu him since he fell unto me Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jez-
unto this day?'' reel."

>Ch. 19:5. bch. a8:I,3. «ch.4:l. d oh. 27:7. f oh. 25:28; Dan. 6:5. in the eyes of. t lleb. before, k 2 Sam. 14:17; 19:27. li
I 1 Chr. 12:19. e ch. 14:21. h ch. 18:7. > 2 Sam. 3:2.i; 2 Kings 19:27.

J ver. 3. • Heb. tliau art not goodin the eyes of the lords, t Heb. do .lot evil

often commit sins which they once had earnestly opposed, now found himself in a very embarrassing situation. He
and go from one degree of iniquity to another, till they must accompany Achish to the war against Israel, and
become own destroyers.
their there either betray the man who had honored him with
10. Men who wish to commit crimes themselves are his highest confidence, or fight against his own country-
often ready to connive at them in others, and if need be, men. From this dilemma it pleased God to deliver him
to bind themselves by awful imprecations to secure them through the distrust of the lords of the Philistines a ;

from punishment. deliverance, however, on which he had no right to calcu-


15. If men continue iu sin, God will at length depart late.
from them, and they will then find no effectual help from 4. His place; Ziklag. His master; Saul. Jl'ith the heads
heaven, earth, or hell. of these men; by killing the Philistines.
19. Though none suffer except for their own sins, nor 8. That I may not go fight ; he seems to have said this
more than they deserve, yet ungodly parents may be the for the purpose of maintaining his reputation for loyalty
means of great distress to their children, and ungodly towards Achish. Thus one act of dissimulation led to
rulers of great calamities to their people. another.
22. Men may as well expect to have health and strength INSTRUCTIONS.
without eating, drinking, or sleeping, as to he blessed
2. The fact that men have so often been assembled by
here or hereafter without obeying God. They may say,
hundreds and thousands for the sake of destroying one
He is good, and he is almighty. This is true, but it will
another, shows the awful depravity of the human heart,
not save them from death, temporal nor eternal.
and the necessity of its being changed by the Holy Spirit
before men will love one another as they love themselves,
CHAPTER XXIX. or do to others as they would that others should do to
Aphek; in Issachar, not far from Gilboa.
1. them.
2. By hundreds, and by thousands ; that is, having the men 6. When men have brought themselves into difficulty,
under their charge arranged in divisions of hundreds and the Lord often graciously delivers them, and by means
thousands. Passed on in the rearward with Achish; by dis- which they never thought of, and for purposes wholly
simulation and falsehood David had ingratiated himself unexpected and when afterwards they see the ends
;

into the friendship and confidence of Achish, and been which he had in view, they behold new manifestations of
made keeper of his Ufc. The consequence was that he his wisdom, kindness, and grace.
363
;

T}ii Amaltlitts burn Ziklog. 1 SAMUEL XXX, David pursuelh Ihcm.

CHAPTER XXX.
I Thp Am»lckilcii «roil JCitln-. •! P^vicl mVin" counncl ii cncourngrd
by God to piirtur Uuin. II Kv thv iiuans ol n rt-virrd Ecyplinn ho
is brou^'lit to tliv fiiriiiii's, mill rccovcroUi ull iKu kpoil. '£1 L)avi(l'ii

law to (livjili' iJlc «i<«i1 fqiinlly bctM'ren tliiin that licht and thciii thnt
kri'P thr &iutr. 'JC lit' stndi-ih presents to his rricnus.

AND it came

were come
to pass, wlicn
to Ziiclag
David and
on the third day, that
liis men

tiic Amalekitcs hail invaded tlie soiitii,aiid Zilviae,

and smitten Zii<lair, and l)iirned it witli fire;


'1 Anil had taicen tiie women captives, tiiat ?«>•«
therein slew not any," either f^reat or small,
: tiicy
hut carried them away, and went on tlicir way.
3 *l So David and his men came to the city, and
hehold, it was burned with (ire; and their wives,
and their sons, and tlicir daughters, were taken
cajitives.
4 Then David and the people tliat were with
him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had
nt) more power to weep.

And David's two wives were taken captives,


Ahinoam tlio Jezreelitcss, and Abigail the Avifc of
\abal tiie Carmelite."
tj And David was greatly distressed; for the
pcopli' spake of stoning him,'= because the soul of
all the people was grieved,* every man for his
sons and for his daughters but David encouraged :

iiimsclf in the Lord his Gf)d.''


7 And David said lo .Vbiathar the priest, Ahim-
elecli's son, I ])ray thoo, bring nio hither the epliod.""
And Abiatliar lirongiit hither the cjjhod to David.
8 And David inquiivd at the Lord, saying, Shall
I pursue after tiiis troop? shall I overtake tiiera?

And he answered him. Pursue: for thou shalt


surely overtake them, and witliout fail recover all.
9 So David went, he and the six hundred men
that iccre with him, and came to the brook Besor,
where those that were left beliind stayed.
10 But David pursued, he and four hundred
men: for two hundred abode behind,'' which were
so faint that they could not go over the brook
Eesor.
11 \ And they found an Egyptian in the field,
and brought him to David, and gave him bread,
and he did eat and they made him drink water
;

12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs,


and two clusters of raisins: and when he had
eaten, his spirit came again to him:''' for he had
eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days
and three nights.
13 And David said unto him. To whom belon^est
thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a.
young man of Egypt, servant to an Araalekite
and mv master left me, because three davs agone
I fell sick.

» Psa. 76: 10. b


The Philistines slay 1 SAMUEL XXXI. Saul and Jo nc: then.

A H cojs. friends, saying, Behold, a present* for you


,""'
ib.w of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord ;

27 To them which and to them


icere in Bcth-el,
wliich were in south Ramoth,* and to them which
v)ere in Jattir,''
28 And to them which were in Aroer,'' and to
them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which
were in Eshtcmoa,''
29 And to them which were in Radial, and to
them, which were in the cities of the Jerahnieel-
ites,'' and to them which loere in the cities of the
Kenites,'
30 And to them wliich were in Ilormah,'' and to
them which loere in Chor-ashan, and to them which
were in Atliach,
31 Anil to them which were in Hebron," and to
all the places where David himself and his men
were wont to haunt.

CHAPTER XXXI.
1 Saul having army, and his sons slain, he and his armor-bearer
lost his
kill themselves.7 The Philistmes possess the forsaken towns of the
Israelites. 8 They triumph over the dead carcasses. 11 They of
Jabesh-gilead. recovering the bodies by night, burn them at Jabesli,
and mournfully bury their bones.

NOW the Philistines fouijht against Israel:'


and the men of Israel fled from before the
Philistines, and fell down slain* in mount Gilboa.J
2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul
and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jona-
than, and Abinadab, and Melchi-shua, Saul's sons."
3 And the battle went sore against Saul,' and
the archers* hit^ him; and he was sore wounded
of the archers.
4 Then said Saul unto his armor-bearer, Draw
Heb. bUss
;

THE

SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL,


OTIIERAVLSE CALLED,

THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS.


All that is needful to be said concerning this book is contained in the introduction to the first book
of Samuel, of which it was originally a part, as it is now in the Jewish canon.

CHAPTER I. me, and slay me for anguish is come upon u. ": iSm:
:

mc, because my* life is yet whole in me.


1 The Amalekite who brought tidings of the overthrow, and ivccuseJ
himself of Saul's death, is slain. 17 David's lamentation over Saul and 10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because
Jonathan.
I was sure that he could not live after that he was

NOW came
when David was
it to pass after the death of Saul,
returned from the slaugh-
fallen and I took the crown that uas upon his
:

head, and (ho bracelet that icas on liis arm, and


ter of the Amalckites,'' and David had abode two have brought lliem hither unto my lord.
days in Ziklag; 11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and
2 It cam3 even to pass o;i the third day, that rent them;" and likewise all the men that were
behold, a man came out of the cainp from Paul with him:
with his clothes rout, and earth upon his head :" 12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until
and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for
to the earth, and did obeisance. the people of the Lord, and for the house of Isra-
3 And David said unto him, Prom whence com- el because they were fallen by the sword. ;

est thou? And he said unto him. Out of the camp Vi 1\ And David said unto the young man that
of Israel am I escapsd. told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I
4 him, How went* the mat-
And David said unto am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
ter? I pray me. And he answered, that
thee, tell 14 And David said unto him, How
wast thoii
the people are fled from the battle, and many of not afraid to stretch forth thy hand to destroy the
the i)eople also are fallen and dead ; and Saul Lord's anointed ?''
and Jonilhan his son are dead also. 15 And David called one of the young men, and
5 And David said unto the young man that told said. Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote
him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan him that he died.
his son be dead? IG And David said unto him. Thy blood he upon
6 And the young man that told him said, As I thy head;'' for thy mouth hath testified again.^t
happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, thee,8 saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed.
Saul leaned upon his spear;'' and lo, the chariots 17 IT And David lamented with this lamentation
and horsemen followed hard after him. over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, 18 (Also he bade them teach the children of
and called unto me. And I answered, Here ajn I.* Judah the use o/"tho bow: behold, it is written in
8 And he said unto me. Who art thou? And I the book of Jasher:'*')
answered him, I am an Amalekite. 19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high
9 He said unto me again. Stand, I pray thee, upon places:' how are the mighty fallen I^
« 1 Sim. 30:17-26. b l Sam. 4;1-.', IB. •
Heb. What was, etc.: 1 Sam. 13:31. e 1 Sam. a):6; 26:9; P.sa. 105:1.5. f 1 Kings 2:32, 33, 37. g vcp
4:16. <: 1 Sam. :31:1.9, etc. t Heb. Behold me; 1 Sam. 23:12. 1 Or. nij 10; Luke 19:22. 5 Or, the upright, t Josh. 10:13. i Lam. 2:1. i Lani
coat ofmaily or my
emhroidered coat, hindereth me, t!iat my, etc. d ch. 3:31

18. The bow; some suppose this to be the title of tlin


CHAPTER I. poem which follows. The book of Jasher ; Josh. 10:13.
I. When David was returned; 1 Pam. 30:17-26. 19. Tlie beaiity of Israel is slain upon thy high places; or.
II. Rent them; in token of anguish. Thy beauty, Israel, is slain upon thy high jilaoes that ;

It. The Lord's anointed; him whom God had anointed is, Saul and .Jonathan, here called the beauty or glory of
to ))e kincr. Israel.
David's lamentation. SAMUEL II. David made king nf Judah.

f.c.ml not in Gatli," publish it not


20 Tell it
in the streets of Aslikelon; lest the daughters of
tlie Philistines rejoice,'' lest the daughters of the
uncircumcised triumph.
21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, kt there be no dew,
neither let there be rain, upon you," nor fields of
offerings;'' for there the shield of the mighty is
vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he
had not been anointed with oil."
22 From tlie blood of the slain, from the fat of
the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back,*^
and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23 Saul and Jonatlian were lovely and pleasant*
in their lives, and iu their death they were not
divided :" they were swifter than eagles, they were
stronger than lions.**
24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who
clothed you in scarlet, with other delights; who
put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
2.5 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of

the battle Jonathan, thou wast slain in thy


!

high places.
26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jona-
than very pleasant hast thou been unto me thy
: :

love to me was wonderful, passing the love of


women.'
27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons
of war perished !J

CHAPTER II.
1 David, by God's direction, with his company goeth up to Hebron,
where he is made king of Judah. 5 He commendeth them of Jabe^h-
gilead for their kindness to Saul. 8 Abner maketh Ish-bosheth king
of Israel. A mortal skirmisli between twelve of Abiier's and twelve
12
of Joab's men. IS Asahel is slain. 25 At Abner's motiorx Joab
souiideth a retreat. 32 Asahei's burial.

A NDit came to pass after this, that David

X \. inquired of the Lord,'' saying. Shall I go up


into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord
a
Abner slaytlh Asahtl. 2 SAMUEL II. The wir eontinufs.

13 And .loiib tlic under the fd"th r//*," that tlio spear came out am s^r
son of Zcrniali, an<l llic Hcr-
vuiits of l);i\iiJ, went mil, and mot toj^ctlior* hy lieliinil him: and lie fell down there, and luJ*

Itio pool of IJiln'on: and they sat down, tli(> one died in the siime jjlace: and it came to pass, t/ial
'

on tlic one side of llie pool, and tlie otlier on the iis nuuiy as came to the place where Asahel fell
other side of the pool. !ind died, stood still. down
14 And Aimer said to Joab, Let the yonni; men 21 .loab also and Abi.-hai pursued after Abner:
now arise, and play before us." And Joab said, and the sun went (hnvn when they were come to
Let th(Mn arise. the hill of Annnah, that liit/i before Giah by the
1.') Tiieii there arose and went over by number way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
twelve of IJenjaniin, whicii pertained to Isii-bosheth 2.5 * And the children of Benjamin gathered

tlie son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of Ihemselves together after Abner, and became one

David. troo]>. and stood on the to]) of a hill.


1() And tlicy caught every one his fellow by 21) Then AViner called to Joab, and said. Shall

the head, and t/inist his sword in iiis fellow's the sword tlcvour for ever?'' knowest thou not
side; so they fell down together: wherefore that that it will bo bitterness in the latter end?' how
place was called Helkatli-hazzurira,* wiiich is in long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people
Gibcon. return froiu following their brethren?
17 And there was a very sore battle that day; 27 And Joab said, JJs God liveth, unless thou
and Abner was beaten/' and the men of Israel, hadst spoken,' surely then in' the morning the
before the servants of David. people had gone up* every one from following his
18 And tliere were tlirec sons of Zcruiali there,
"li brother.
.loab, and Abishai, and Asahcl:'' and Asaliel was 28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people
as liglit of foot' as a wild roe.''' stood still, and pursued after Israel no more,
19 And Asahol pursued after Abner; and in neither fought thoy any more.
going lie turned not to the riglit hand nor to the 29 And Abner and his men walked all that night
left iVoni following' Abner. through the i)lain, and passed over Jordan, and
20 Then Al)ner looked behind liini, and said, went through all Bithron, and tlicy came to Maha-
Jlrt thou Asahol? And he answered, I am. naim.''
21 And Abner said to him. Turn tiioc aside to 30 And Joab returned from following Abner:
thy right hand or to tliy left, and lay thee hold and when he had gathered all the people together,
.'
on one of the young men, and take thee his armor there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and
Ibit Asahol would not turn aside from following Asahel.
of liim. 31 But the servants of David had smitten of
22 And Abner said again to Asahol, Turn thee Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hun-
aside from following me: wherefore should I smite dred and threescore men died.
thee to the ground? how then should I hold up 32 1 And they took up Asahel, and buried him
my face to Joab thy brother?' in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Beth-
23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and
Abner with the hinder end of his spear smote him they came to Hebron at break of day.
• Keh. thrm together. ajer.41:l2. b Prov. lO:*!. f That is. T/ie/fWo/ nfler. ^ Or, .:poil; Juig.M-.ia. fch.3:a7. S ch. 3:27: 4:6; 20:10. Iich.
strong men. cch.3:l. J 1 Clir. 2:IG. t lleb of his feel. ( iUb. as one Il:i5; Isi. 1:-.J0; Jer. 4U:10,14. i ver. 16; Prov. 17:14. JIsa.47:7. *
Heb.
of the roes thai \3 in the field, e 1 Chr. 1-2:S; Songs'2:17; S:H. I Ileb. from, t Or, awaij. k ver. 12.

14. Plaij before us; the meaning of this proposal was, ance, will see the path of duty, and in walking in it will
that a chosen number from each army should make a trial find great reward.
of their strength in fighting. 3.Those who have befriended and assisted us in ad-
16. Helkath-hazzuriin ; meaning, according to some, the versity, should be gratefully remembered and duly hon-
field of the strong men according to others, the field of
; ored by us in prosperity.
the swords. 5. Gratitude and kindness to benefactors are not only
18. Zeiitm/i. a sister of David. iChron. 2:1R.
,• but the surest means of securing gratitude and
right,
21. Take thee hia armor; he means to say, that if Asahel kindness in return, and thus promoting the good of all
is determined to fight, he should choose some one over concerned.
whom he could prevail. 8. Men who aspire to power, and grasp at the posses-
26. Bitterness in tlie latter end; the unrelenting persecu- sion of it without asking counsel of God or inquiring
tion of your brethren will exasperate them and drive tliem whether it is right, though they may for a time succeed,
to extremities, and thus bring great calamities on you as will in the end find it to be a source of vexation, bitter-
well as on them. ness, and sorrow.
27. Unless thou hadst spoken ; tliat is, according to some, 14. Warriors often treat the butchering of men as a
c;hallenged the young men to combat, ver. 14. Iladst thou matter of sport, and thus show themselves to be children
in the morning of to-day shown a disposition for peace, of him who was a murderer from the beginning, and who
my followers would have retired from thee in peace. as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may
Others suppose him to mean, Unless thou hadst now spo- devour. .Tohn8:44; 1 Pet. 5:8.
ken, the pursuit would not have ended till the morning of 21. Ambition to be distinguished as a warrior has often
to-morrow. Gone up; to the higher region of Hebron. proved a man's ruin, and from the height of expectation
29. Bithron ; a hilly country between the .Jordan and and effort he has fallen suddenly into an untimely grave.
Mahanaim. 26. Want of success in war often disposes men to peace,

INSTRUCTIONS. and leads them to speak very differently about the evils
of war from what they did when it began and though ;

1. Men who in all their ways acknowledge Ood. seek they have been the cause of their own troubles, they often
direction from him, and are disposed to follow his guid- try to throw the blame of them on others.
368
;

Abiicr deserts to David. 2 SAMUEL III. He is viurdcred by Joah.

CHAPTER III.
1 Durin'T the war David waxeth
stronger.
still 2 Six sons were born to
hirii in Hebron. 6 Abner, displeased with Ish-bosheth, 12 revolteth to
Daviil. 13 David requireth a condition to bring him his wife Michal.
17 Abner, having communed with the Israelites, is feasted by David,
and dismissed. 22 Joab, returning from battle, is displeased with the
kiu". and killeth Abner. 28 David curseth Joab, 31 and mourneth
for Abner.

NOW there was long war between the house


of Saul and the house of David but David ;

waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of


Saul waxed weaker and weaker."
:"
2 1 And unto David were sons born in Hebron
and his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam the
Jezreelitess;°
3 And his second, Chileab,* of Aliigail tlie wife

of Nabal the Carmelite; and tlie tliird, Ab,«alom


tlic son of Maacah'^ the daughter of Taluiai king
;"
of Gesliur
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;''
and the fiftli, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife.
These were born to David in Hebron.
G And it came to pass while there was war be-
'!i

tween tlie liouseof Saul and the house of David, that


Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul."
7 Saul had a concubine, whose name was
And
Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah and Ish-bosheth said :
''

to Aluier, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my


iatlier's concubine?
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of
Ish-bosheth, and said, Jim I a dog's head,' which
against Judah do show kindness this day unto the
house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to
his friends, and have not delivered thee into the
liand of David, that thou chargest me to-day with
a fault concerning this woman?-*
9 So do God to Abner, and more also," except, as
the Lord hath sworn to David,' even so I do to him
10 To translate the kingdom from the house of
Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel
and over Judah,"' from Dan even to Beer-sheba."
11 And lie could not answer Abner a word
again, because he feared him.
12 1 And Abner sent messengers to David on
his behalf saying. Whose is the land? saying also,
Make thy league with me, and behold, my liand shall
he with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13 Tl And he said, Well I will make a league ;

with thee but one thing I require of thee, that


:

is,* Thou shalt not see my face," excejit thou first

bring Michal Saul's daughter," when thou comest


to see my face.
1-4 And David
sent messengers to Isli-liosheth
Saul's saying, Deliver me my wife Miclial,
9on,''
which I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of
the Philistines.''
'Oh. -2:17; Job 17
:

Daviil moumetk fnr Ahntr. 2 SAMUEL IV. hh-hosluth is murdertd.

Ippor," or tli.1t Ii'aiictli on a stafT, or that fallcth on 2 And Saul's son had two mon l/iat were * m mm.
tlicswonl. or that hicki'th liroad. captains of bands: the iiaiiic of the one i"<"'

So Joal) and Aliishai liis brother slew Abncr,


3(1 was Baanah, and the name of the other' Rechab,
because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gib- the sons of Riminon a Heerothite, of the children
eon in the battle. of Iknjamiu: for Beerotli also was reckoned to
31 1l And David ?aid to Joab, and to all the Benjamin:"
people that ircrr with him, Rend your clothes,'' and 3 And the Bcerothites fled to Gittaim,' and were
gird you with sai'kcloth,'' and mourn before Abner. sojourners there until this day.
Anil kiutr Oavid //j/nsT//" followed the bier.* 4 And .lonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was
3"J And tiicy buried Abncr in Hebron: and the lame of his feet.'" He was five years old when the
king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezrecl,"
Abner; and all the people wei)t. and his nurse took him up, and lied and it came :

33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, to pass, as she made haste to (lee, that he fell, and
Died Abner as a fool diethV liecanie lame. And his name was Jlejihibosheth.'
34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into 5 And the sons of Riminon the Bcerothite. Re-
fetters as a man falleth before wicked men,* w fell-
: chab and Baanah. went, and came about the heat
est thou. And all the people wept again over him. of the (lay to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on
35 And when all the jieople came to cause David a bed at noon.
to cat meat while it was yet day,'' David sware, 6 And they came thither into the midst of the
saying. So do God to me, and more also, if I taste house, as though they would have fetched wheat;
bread, or aught else, till the sun be down.'' and they smote him under the fifth rib:° and Re-
36 And all tlie people took notice of it, and it chab and Baanah his brother escaped.
pleased them * as whatsoever the king did pleased
: 7 For when they came into the house, he lay on
all the people. his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him,
37 For all the people and all Israel understood and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his
that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner head, and gat them away through the plain all
the son of Nor. night.
38 And the king said unto his servants. Know 8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto
ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen David to Hebron, and said to the king. Behold
this day in Israel? the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine ene-
39 And I am this day weak,^ though anointed my, which sought thy life;'' and the Lord hath
king and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too
; avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and
hard for me:"^ the Lord shall reward the doer of of his seed.
iBvil according to his wickedness.'' 9 11 And David answered Rechab and Baanah
his brother, the sons of Rinimon the Beerothite,
and said unto them, Jis the Lord liveth, who hath
CHAPTER IV.
redeemed my soul out of all adversity,"
The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner, 2 Baanah and
10 When one told me, saying. Behold, Saul is
•X

Rechab slay Ish-bosheth, and bring his head to Hebron. 9 David


causeth them to be slain, and Ish-bosheth"s head to be buried. dead,"' thinking to have brought* good tidings, I

ANDdeadwhenHebron, son heard


hands were
in
Abner was
Saul's
and his
that
feeble,'
took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who
thought that I would have given him a reward*
all the Israelites were troubled.^ for his tidings

» Lev. n:2, etc. 1> ch. 1:2, 11; Josh. 7:0. c Gen. 37:34. • Heb. bed. 1 Sam. 29:1, II. H Or, MeWi-iaa/. 1 Chr. 8:34; 9:40. ocb.2:23. P 1 Sara.
4 Prov. 18:7; Jer. 17:11. tKeb.cliildrtnofiniquiUj. ech. 12:17. '.Tudg. .9:2, 10. 11; 23:15; 25:29; Psa. 63:9. 10; 71:24. 1 Gen. 48:16; 1 Sam.
20:26. illeb.-uias goodinlhiireyrs. iUeh. tender. ech.l9:6,7- h I Kinjs >6:24; 1 Kings 1:29; Psa. 31:7; 34:0, 7, 17. rch. 1:2-16. • Heb. At tool
2:.'), 6. 33: Psa. 7:10; 28:4; (52:12; 2 Tim. 4:14. Ezra 4:4; Isa. 13:7. '.n his own eyes as a bringer of. t Or, which was the reward I gave him.
i Matt, 2:3. I Heb. second, k Josh. 1»:25. ' Neh. 11:33. " ch. 9:3.

34. Sofellest thou; by the hand of an assassin. become our friends, them as such, yet wo
we may treat
39. Weak —
too hard ; David was not able then to punish cannot and ought not to repose full confidence in them
the murderers, on account of their great influence with till by their conduct.
their professions are verified
the army. 25. Men may appear very anxious to accomplish one
INSTRUCTIONS. object, when they are looking principally at another and ;

1. Though the accomplishment of divine promises may may denounce others for deception, while they are seek-
for a time be delayed, yet all things will conspire to their ing to practise it themselves.
ultimate fulfilment. power that they
39. None are so high in authority and

2. Men who
depart from the original constitution of God can commit murder with imiJunity. Though they should
with regard to marriage, will find the way of transgressors not be punished by men, the vengeance of God in duo
hard, and may expect, through life, to reap the sad fruits time will overtake them, and they will sink under his
of their folly. indignation. 1 Kings 2:5, 6, 32-34.
8. Men often revolt from the charge, and even from the
Buspicion of crime, who have no hesitation in commit- CHAPTER IV.
ting it. Beeroth; a city near Gibeon.
2.
12. Selfish and ambitious men when disappointed in 4. The tidings came; of the death of Saul and Jonathan.
one quarter will turn to another and in prosecuting their
;
6. v4.s though they would hove fetched wheat ; more literally,

objects will sell themselves to the highest bidder. fetching wheat. To conceal their guilty purpose they
18. Such is the wickedness of men, that they will often fetcheri wheat, as though this was their business.
act in opposition to what they know to be the revealed 7. Tlie plain ; the Jordan valley, which lay between Ma-
will of God. hanaim and Hebron.
20. When those who have been our enemies profess to 10. One told me; chap. 1:2-16.
310
.

David is made kins 2 SAMUEL V. over all Israel.

A. M 11 How much more, wlien wicked men


»v,. teth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites,
*'
loiahave slain a righteous person in liis own
"'"
and the lame and the blind, that are hated of
house upon his bed? shall I not tlicrefore now David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Where-
require his blood of your hand," and take you fore they said. The bliud and the lame shall not
away from the earth? come into the house.''
12 And David commanded his young men, and 9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the
they slew them," and cut off their "hands and their city of David. And David built round about from
feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. Millo and inward.
But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried 10 And David went on, and grew great,' and
it in tlie sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.'^ the Lord God of hosts it-as with him.
11 1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers
CHAPTER V. to David,'" and cedar-trees, and carpenters, and
1 The come to Hebron to anoint David over Israel. 4 David's
tribes masons:^ and they built David a liouse.
age. 6 He taking Zion from the Jebusites, dwelleth in it. 11 Hiram 12 And David perceived that the Lord had
sendeth to David. 13 Eleven sons are born to hirn in Jerusalem.
17 David, directed by God, smiteth the Philistines at Baal-pcrazim, established him king over Israel, and that he had
2'2 and again at the mulberry-trees.
exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
THEN came the tribes of Israel to David
all 13 1 And David took him more concubines and
unto Hebron,'' and spake, saying, Behold, we wives out of Jerusalem," after he was come from
are thy bone and thy flesh.'' Hebron and there were yet sons and daughters
:

2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over born to David.
us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest 14 And these be the names of those that were
in Israel:'' and the Lord said to thee, Thou slialt born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah,' and
feed my people Israel,'^ and thou shalt be a cap- Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
tain over Israel.'' 1.5 Ibhar also, and Elishua,"' and Nepheg, and

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king Japhia,


to Heln-on and king David made a league with
; 16 And Elishama, and Eliada," and Eliphalet.
them in Hebron before the Lord:' and they 17 But when the Philistines heard that they
*li

anointed David king over Israel. had anointed David king over Israel, all the Phi-
4 1 David was thirty years old when he began listines came up to seek David and David heard ;

to reign, and he reigned forty years.J of it, and went down to the hold."
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years 18 The Philistines also came and spread them-
and six mouths: and in Jerusalem he reigned selves in the valley of Rephaim.''
thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. 19 And David inquired of the Lord,i saying.
6 IT And the king and his men went to Jerusa- Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver
lem unto the Jebusites,'' the inhabitants of the them into my hand? And the Lord said unto
land: which spake unto David, saying. Except David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the
thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt Philistines into thy hand.
not come in hither: thinking, David cannot* come 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David
in hither. smote them there, and said. The Lord hath bro-
7 Nevertheless, David took the strong-hold of ken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the
Zion the same is the city of David.'
:
breach of waters. Therefore he called the name
8 And David said on tliat day. Whosoever get- of that place Baal-perazim.*

»(;en 9:3,6. bch.I:15. » ch. 3:32. dlChr.ll:!. ejudg.9:2. ( 1 Sam. the house. I Heh. going and growing, ml
Kings 5:1. i Hei. hewers of
18:13. e Psa. 73:70-72. Iilsa.55:4. 2 Kin?3 11 :17; Neh. 9:3ti. j 1 Chr.
i theslom of the wall, n Deut. 17:17; 1 Chr. 14:3. I Or. Shimea, 1 Chr.
29:27. k Josh. 15:03. • Oi, saying, David shall not. U Kings 8:1. t Or, 3:5. 1 Or, Elishama, 1 Chr. 3:6. • Or, Beeliada, 1 Chr. 14:7. o ch. 23:14.

Because they had said, even the blind and the lame. He shall not come into P Josh. 15:8; 1 Chr. 11:15. qjaines4:15. \ T\\z.t. is, The plain of breaclies

11. A righteous person; inuocent as to his murderers, mission of sin, wiU meet with sure and woful disappoint-
one who had done them no wrong. ment.

INSTRUCTIONS. CHAPTER V.
1. A common method by which God overthrows nations 1. Then came all the tribes; David had before reigned
and parties that oppose themselves to liis rigliteous cause, over only the tribe of Judah. Yer. 5.
is to take from them the wise and strong men to wliom 2. Feed my people; this is the first time a ruler is spoken

they trusted as leaders. of in the Bible under the emblem of a shepherd.


4. Many are the dangers of life and limb to which little 6. Jerusalem; a portion of this city had continued to be

children are exposed, and the kindness of God in their inhabited by the Jebusites. Except thou take the blind and —
preservation and comfort is constant and great. the lame ; rather thus Thou shalt not come in hither but
: ;

C. Rulers who depend for support only on soldiers, can the blind and the lame shall take thee away that is, though
;

never be safe many who for a time fight for them will,
; we had only the blind and lame, they could repel thee.
when they hope to be gainers, fight against them and 8. Tlie lame and the blind; the Jebusites themselves, with

even take their life. allusion to their boast, ver. 6.


8. Men often glory in iniquity, and speak of treason, 9. Millo; supposed to have been a part of the fortress

bloodshed, and murder as if they were pleasing to God. on mount Zion.


and entitled the perpetrators to the gratitude of their 11. Tyre; a city of the Phenicians on the Mediterra-
fellow-men. nean, near the northern border of Palestine.
9. Men who trust in God will not commit sin to accom- 17. The hold; a fortress, or fortified place.

plish his or their purposes nor wiU they reward it or


; IS. Rephaim ; a valley on the south-west of Jerusalem.

connive at it in others. 20. Banl-pcrazim ; meaning the plain of breaches ; it was


12. All who expect in the end to be gainers by the com- in the valley of Rephaim.
371
The ark brought up from 2 SAMUEL VI. Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem.

21 And tlii'ie lliov left (heir images, and David


and Ills men Imrncil tlicni.'

22 1^ And tlic riiilislincs came npyot aijain, and


spread tlieiiiselvos in (lie valley of Rcpliaiin.
23 And when David inquired of the Loud, lie
said, Thou .shalt not go up; but fetch a compass
behind them, and come upon them over against
the mulherry-trees.
24 And let it be, wlicn thou hearest the sound
of a goinjj in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that
then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then sliall the
Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the
Philistines.
25 And David did so, as the Lord had command-
ed him; and smote the Philistines from Gcba*
until thou come to Gazer.

CHAPTER VI.
1 David fetcheth the ark from Kiriatli-jt-arim on a new cart. 6 Uzzah
is smitten at Perez-uzzah. 9 G-od blesseth Obed-edom for the ark.
12 David bringing the ark into Zion with sacrifices, danceth before it,
for which Michal despiseth him. 17 He placeth it in a tabernacle
with great joy and fea-sting. '20 Michal reprovmg David for his relig-
ious joy. is childless to her death.

AGAIN, David gathered together


all the cho-
sen men
of Israel, thirty thousand.
2 And David arose, and went with all tlic peo-
ple that ivere with him from Baale* of Judali, to
bring up from thence tJie ark of God, whose name
is called by tlio name of the Lord of hosts* that
dwelleth between the cherubim.
3 And they set' the ark of God upon a new cart,
and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that
;

was in Gibeah and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of


''

Abinadab, drave the new cart.


4 And they brouglit it out of the house of Abin-
adab which was at Gibeah, accompanying* the ark
of God and Ahio went before the ark.
:

5 And David and all tlie house of Israel played


before the Lord on all manner of instruimnts
wade o/" fir-wood, even on harps, and on psalteries,
and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
• Or. took them away
: ;

Thu joy of the. people. 2 SAMUEL VII. God's promises to David,

and set it in his place," in the midst of the See now, I dwell in a house of cedar,'' but the ark
u.c.'iwl:
tabernacle that David had pitched* for it: and of God dwolleth within curtains.'
David offered burnt-oifcrings and peace-offerings 3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that
before the Lord." isin thy heart; for the Lord is wilh thee.
18 And as soon as David had made an end of of- 4 1 And it came to pass that night, that the
fering burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, he blesS' word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying,
ed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts." 5 Go and tell my servant David,* Thus saith the
19 And he dealt among all the people, even Lord, Shalt thou build me a house for mc to
among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to dwell in?™
the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, 6 Whereas I have not dwelt in avy house since
and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.^ the time that I brought up the children of Israel
So all the people departed every one to his house. out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked
20 1 Then David returned to bless his house- in a tent and in a tabernacle.
hold." And Michal the daughter of Saul came 7 In all the places wherein I have walked with
out to meet David, and said. How glorious was all the children of Israel" spake I a word with
the king of Israel to-day, who uncovered himself any of the tribes' of Israel, whom I commanded
to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his ser- to feed my people Israel," saying. Why build ye
vants,'' as one of the vain fellows shamelessly* not me a house of cedar?
uncovereth himself 1 8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my ser-
21 And David said unto Michal, It was before vant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took
the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and thee from the sheepcote, from following^ the sheep,
before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the to be ruler over my people, over Israel
people of the Lord, over Israel :'> therefore will I 9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou went-
play before the Lord. est,'' and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy

22 And I will yet be more vile tiian thus, and siglit,


*''
and have made thee a great name,'' like
willbe base in mine own sight: and of the .maid- unto the name of the great mc7i that are in the earth.
servants* which thou hast spoken of, of them shall 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my peo-
I be had in honor. ple Israel, and will plant tliem,^ that they may
23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had dwell in a place of their own, and move no more
no child unto the day of her death." neither shall the children of wickedness afflict
them any more,* as beforetime,
And the time that I commanded
CHAPTER VII. 11
judges
as since
over my people Israel, and have caused
to be
1 Nathin firstapproving the purpose of David to build God a liouse, 4
after by the word of Ood forbidaeili him. \2 He promiseth him bene- thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the
fits and blessings in liis seed. IS David's prayer and thanksgiving. Lord telleth thee that he will make thee a house."
AND it

house,'
came to pass, when the king sat in his
and the Lord had given him rest
12 *[[ And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou
shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed
round about from all his enemies ;' after thee," which shall proceed out of thy bowels,
2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, and I will establish his kingdom.
alChr.l6:l. • Hfsh. stretched, b I Kings 9:5. 63. » F.xod. 39:43; 1 Kings 23 14; 2Cor- 6:10. i Judges, I Chr. 17:6 o ch. 5:2; Psa. 78:71, 72; Jer.
8:55. d2Chr. 30:21; 35:7, 8, 1-2; Neh. 8:10. e Psi. 3(1, title; lUl :2. tver. 3:15; Matt. 2:0; Acls20:28; 1 Pet 5:2, 1 Heb. a//er. Poh,5:ld; 1 Sam.
14, IC; 1 Sim. 19:24. 1 Oi. openly. E 1 Sam. 13: 14; 15:28. I Or, of the 18:14. •Heb. from thy faee. q Psa. 18:37-42. r Gen, 12:2. » Psa. 44:2;
handmaids of my servants, h 1 Sam. l.i;35. 1 Chr. 17:1.
i > Fsa. 18, title. Jer. 24:6. I Ezek. 28:24 ; Ecv. 21:4. » 1 Kings 11:38. vlKings8:20;
n ch. 5:11. 1 Exod. 2li:l, etc.; 40:21. S Heb. to my servant, to David. Psa. 132:11,12.
n 1 Kings 5:3; 8:1G-19; 1 Chr. 22:8; 28:3, etc. " Lev. 26:11, 12; Deut.

20. Uncovered himself; he had laid aside his royal robes ion be disconnected from those of the family and the closet;
fur the ephod of the priests, ver. 14. but regular attendance on the one should be a prepara-
21. It was before the Lord; for the purpose of honoring tion for the conscientious and habitual performance of the
him. Will I play; or, I did play. other.
Those who know by experience the pleasure and
21.
INSTRUCTIONS. benefit of ferventlyworshipping God in spirit and in truth,
Rulers and people should without any unnecessary
2. will not be deterred from it by the sneers and scoffs of
delay establish the worship of God, and regularly attend, friends or foes; but will resolve in his strength, whatever
according to his will, upon all the ordinances of his ap- others may do, to be more and more devoted, for time
pointment. and eternity, to his service.
6. Irreverence and rashness in our approaches to God

and all disregard to his commands in our attendance on


his worship, are offensive in his sight and expose men to
CHAPTER VII.
his displeasure. Within curtains; in the tabernacle. Chap. C:l7.
2.
10. The displeasure of God against those who profane 7. The tribes; their rulers.
his worship, sliould not lead any to neglect it, for that will 11. Make thee a house; give him posterity to succeed him
also displease him while in properly attending upon it,
; on the throne of Israel.
they will secure his favor and receive a great reward. 12. /«•(// .let up thy seed after thee; the immediate refer-
lii Ardent love to God and engagedncss in his worship, ence is to Solomon, but in such a way that it includes
are thought by many to be suitable only for the weak and also the whole royal line, at the head of which, after Da-
ignorant; hut they are in reality exalting and ennobling. vid, Solomon stood and which terminated in Christ, the
;

and confer the hi.ghest and most durable honor upon per- son of David according to the flesh, to whom God gave
sons of all descriptions. the throne of his father David. Luke 1 32, 33. The com-
:

18. Acts of pitty should never be dissociated from those plete fulfilraent, therefore, of this prophecy can only be in
of charity and mercy nor should the public duties of relig-
; Christ's everlasting kingdom.
313
:

Davids s gratitude to God. 2 SAMUEL VIII. Jle subdtuth the Philistines.

13 Tie shall build a Imii^o for my name, and I pie Israel tohc a people unto thee for ever :'
u. ? JJ2;
will c'stalilisli tlio tindiif <it' his kinj^doin lor ever. and thou, LoitD, art liccmiic their God.'
14 I will l>i' his lallu'r, and ho shall be my son." l!5 And now, O Loud God, the word that thou
If he commit inii|uity, I will chasten him with the hast spoken concerning tliy servant, and concern-
rod of men, and with the stripes of the children ing his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou
of men. hast said.
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from 26 And let thy name be magnified for ever, say-
liim.'' as I took it from Saul, wliom I put away ing. The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel
before thee. and let the house of thy servant David be estab-
16 And thy hou.se and thy kingdom shall be lished before thee.
established for ever before thcc: thy throne shall 27 For thou, Lord of hosts, God of Israel,
be established for ever." hast revealed* to tliy servant, saying, I will build
17 According to all these words, and accord- thee a hou.se therefore hath thy servant found in
;

ing to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
David. 28 And now, Lord God, thou art that God,
18 *! Then went king David in, and sat before and thy words be true,'' and thou hast promised
the Lord, and ho said. Who am I, Lord Gon?'' this goodness unto thy servant:
and what is my house, that thou hast brought me 29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless* the
hitherto? house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever
19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, before thee;: for thou, Lord God, hast spoken
Lord God; but thou hast spoken also of thy it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy ser-
servant's house for a great while to come. And vant be blessed for ever.'
is this the manner* of man, O Lord God?
20 And what can David say more unto thee? for
thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant.
CHAPTER VIII.
David subdueth tlie Philistines and the Moabites. 3 He smiteth
21 For thy word's sake," and according to thine 1
Hadadezer, and the Syrians. 9 Toi sendeth Joram with presents to
own heart, hast thou done all these great things, bless hiin. II The presents and the spoil David dedicateth to God.

to make thy servant know them. 14 He putteth garrisons in Edom. 16 David's officers.

22 Wherefore thou artgrc^at, Lord God:'' for


there is none like thee, neither is there any God
ANDsmote after this it came to pass, that
the Philistines, and subdued them:"
David

besides thee," according to all that we have heard and David took Metheg-ammah* out of the hand
"with our ears. of the Philistines.
23 And what one nation in the earth is like thy 2 And
he smote Moab," and measured them with
people, even like Israel," whom God went to redeem a line, casting them down to the grotmd ;° even
for a people to himself, and to make him a name, with two lines measured he to jiut to death, and
and to do for you great things and terrible, for with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moab-
thy land, before thy people, which thou redeem- ites became David's servants," and brought gifts."
edst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and 3 ^ David smote also Hadadezer,' the son of
their gods? Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his
24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy peo- border at the river Euphrates.
» Psa. 89:20-37. 1 Kings 11
b 13, 34. c John 12:34; Heb. 1:8.
:
d Gen. bf thou pleased andbtess. 1 ch. 22:51. I Chr. 18:1. § Or, Tht bridle of

33:10: Eph. 3:8. Heb. toio. e Psi. 138:2; Ezek. 36:22. 32. fjer.
• 10:6, Ammah. n Num. 24:17. o ch. 12:31. 'ver. 6, 14. q 1 Sam. 10:27; Psi.
7. hPsi. 147:20. "Deut. 26:18. iPsi 48:14. t
5 Isa. 45:5. IS, 22. Ueb. 72:10. I Or, HaJareztr, 1 Chr. 13:3.
openedMe for; Ruth4:4; 1 .Sam. 9:15; Psa. 40:8. k John 17:17. 1 Heb.

14. / will he his fatlLcr, and he shall be my


son ; not the 12. God, in giving parents reason to hope that when
father of Solomon alone, considered as an individual, but they die their children will imitate their good example,
of the whole royal line from Solomon to Christ and tlie ; and execute the schemes of benevolence which they de-
father of Christ in a preeminent sense. With the rod of vise, greatly encourages thom to call upon him, and to
men; gently and for his good, as a kind father corrects devote themselves with increasing fidelity to his glory
his child. and the good of their fellow-men. Gen. 18:18, 19 2 Tim. ;

16. Thy throne shall be established; it should not be taken 1:4-6.


away, as it was from Saul but should continue in David's
; 18. When
the goodness of God leads men in hrnnble
family till the coming of Christ, who, as King of his peo- and devout thanksgiving to himself, il; shows that they
ple, will reign for ever. are ripening for increasing manifestations and experience
18. Sat before the Lord; before the ark of the tabernacle. of his goodness for ever.
21. For thy word's sake, and according to thine oivn heart; 24. To have Jehovah for their God, and to be governed
David ascribes all God's gifts to him and his family, not by his laws, is the best defence and highest glory, not only
to any goodness of his own, but to God's free promise, of individuals and families, but of states and nations.
made according to the counsel of His own will.

INSTRUCTIONS. CHAPTER VIII.


1. When men
employ their seasons of rest and retire- 1. Metheg-ammah ; meaning, the bridle of the metropo-
ment in reviewing the goodness of God, and in devising lis ; that is^ Gath and her towns. 1 Chron. 18:1.
plans for the promotion of his glory, much benefit may be 2. Casting them down to the ground; more literally, mak-

expected to result to them, to their children, and to all ing them to lie down upon the ground. The meaning
who may feel their influence. seems to be, that he compelled the captives to lie down
8. A faithful review of the goodness of God to us is upon the ground in regular order, and then measured off
suited to fill us with humility and self-abasement, and two portions of them to be slain, and one to be preserved.
also with adoring gratitude and praise. 3. Zobah; a part of Syria north-east of Palestine.
374
1 ; :

Syrians and Edomites subdued. 2 SAMUEL IX. Jonathan's son cherished.

B. c' lim 4 And David took from him* a thousand


chariots,^ and seven hundred liorsemen, and twen-
ty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the
chariot horses^ but reserved of them /or a hundred
chariots.
5 And when the S3'rians of Damascus came to
succor Hadadezer king of Zobah,"^ David slew of
the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damas-
cus and the Syrians became servants to David,
:

and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David


whithersoever he wcnt.'^
7 And David took the shields of gold that were
on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them
to Jerusalem.
8 And from Betah,* and from Berothai,* cities of
Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
9 *i WhenToi^ king of Hamath heard that David
had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
10 Then Toi sent Joram' his son unto king
David, to salute him,^ and to bless him, because he
had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him
for Hadadezer had wars with* Toi. And Joram
brought with him* vessels of silver, and vessels
of gold, and vessels of brass:
1 Which also king David did dedicate unto the
LoRD,'^ with the silver and gold that he had dedi-
cated of all nations which ho subdued
12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children
of AminoQ, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek,
and of the spoil of Hadadezer, sou of Rehob, king
of Zobah.
18 And David gat him a name when he returned
from smiting' of the Syrians^ in the valley of salt,^
being^ eighteen thousand men.
14 "[ And he put garrisons in Edom throughout
;

all EJi)m put he garrisons, and all they of Edom


became David's servants." And the Lord pre-
served David whithersoever ho went.'
15 And David reigned over all Israel and David
;

executed judgment and justice unto all his i)eople.'


16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah ivas over the
host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was
recorder;'"
17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahime-
•Or, o/- A.J
1 :

David defeateth tht 2 SAMUEL X. Ammonites and SyriaTU.

food to cat: l>iit Mopliilmslicth thy master's Bon TAnd whonthechiMrcnof Ammonsaw a.miwit.
sliall cat alway at my tabic." Now Ziba that tiicy stank bclorr liiivid.'' tJir children 'lo-v'""
bic;icl
had lit'lccn fioii'^ ami twenty servants.'' of Aniinon sent and hired the Syrians of Bcth-
11 Then said Zil)a unto the kinij, According to reliob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand
all that niy lord the king hath connnandcd liis footmen,' and of king Maacali a thousand men, and
servant, ."^o shall thy servant do. As for Mcpliilj- of Ish-tob* twelve thousand men.
oslieth, said the Icing, he shall eat at uiy table, as 7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and
one of the kini^'s sons. all the host of the mighty men.-'
12 .Vnd ^lopliiboshetli Iiad a young son, whose 8 And the children of Amnion came out, and
name was Miclia." And all tliat dwelt in tlie put the battle in array at the entering in of tin;
house of Ziba were servants unto Jlcphibosiicth. gate and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Kehob, and
:

13 So Mcphiboslicth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he Ish-tob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the
did cat continually at the king's table;'' aud was fleld.''
lame on both his feet. 9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle
was against him before and behind, he chose of
all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array
CHAPTER X. against the Syrians:'
David's messenjers, sent to comfort Hcvnun the son of Nahash, are \ril-
1
lanously entreated. 6 The Ammonites, strengthened by tlie Syrians,
10 And the rest of the people he delivered into
are overcome by Joab and AbisKai. \^i Shob-icb, makin^^ a new sup- the hand of Abishai his brother, that he miglit put
ply of the Syrians at H'jlam, is slain by David.
them in array against the children of Amnion.
AND it came to pass after this, that tiie king
of the children of Amnion died, and Hanun
1 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for
me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children
his sou reigned in his stead.'' of Amnion be too strong for thee, then I will come
2 Then said David, I will show kindness unto Ha- and helj) thee.
nun the sonofNaliash, as his father showed kindness 12 good courage,'" and let us play the men
IJe of
unto me. And David sent to comfort hiin by the for our people," and for the cities of our God
hand of his servants for his fatiicr. And David's ser- and the Lorti do that which scemeth him good."
vants came into the land of the children of Amnion. 13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that
3 And the princes of the children of Amnion were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians:
said unto Hanun their lord, Thiukest thou tiiat and they fled before him.''
David doth* iionor thy father, that he hath sent 1-1 And when the children of Ammon saw that
comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before
his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab re-
spy it out, and to overthrow it?' turned from the children of Ammon, and came to
4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and Jerusalem.
shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut 15 1 And when the Syrians saw that they were
off their garments in the middle, even to their but- smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves
tocks," and sent them away. together.
5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet 16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the
them, because the men were greatly ashamed and : Syrians that were beyond the river;* and they
the king said. Tarry at Jericho until your beards came to Ilelam and Shobach ^ the captain of the
:

be grown, and then return. host of Hadarezer went before them.


»Ver.7,l:!. bch. 10:17. c 1 Chr. 8:34. d 2 Kings 25:20. elOhr.IO:!. U::l,5. jch.23:M. k ver. G Josh. 8:21, 22. m Deut. 31 ;0; Josh, l:Ci, 7,
1

• Ueh In. thine eyes dotli David. ( Gen. 42:9. « Isa. 20:1; 47:2. i Gen. 9. Nch. 4:14. n 1 Sam. 4:9; 1 Cor. 10:13. o JuJg. 10:15; 1 Sam. 3:1?.
34;:i0; Exod. 5:21; 1 Sara. 13:4. ich.8:3,5. t Ot, Tlie men of Tot, ; J aig. PPsa. 0S:1, 12. I That is, £upAm(e». 1 Or, S/iop/mcA, 1 Chr. 10: 16.

sat at the king's tabic, he needed a suitable provision for of the East, the mutilating of the beard is considered a
his household. great disgrace.
13. Was tame; chap. 4:4. 5. Jericho; one of the first towns to which they came,

INSTRUCTIONS. after crossing the Jordan on their return.


6. Bcth-rehoh; on the northern borders of Palestine, in
True piety will be grateful, not only to God the author
1.
the valleys of Lebanon. Zoba; a part of Syria north-east
of good, but to those who imitate him, and through
all
of Palestine. Ish-tob; rather, as in the margin, "the men
whom his goodness is displayed and it will manifest ;
of Tob." The land of Tob was beyond Jordan, Judg. 11:3.
itself not only towards them, but when practicible tow-
ards others who are connected with them. King Maacah; or, the king of Maacah, ver. 8. Maacah is
7. The good character and conduct of parents, and their
supposed to have been at the foot of Hermon, near Geshur.
kindness, especially to the distressed, are often followed
Deut. 3:14.
8. The entering in ofthe^ate; the gate of Medeba, a city
by great blessings on their children.
in the tribe of Reuben, near the border of the Ammon-
8. A conviction of unworthiness, and true gratitude for
ites, and in their possession. I Chron. 19:7.
favors, tend greatly to increase the liberality and useful-
9. Before and behind; the Syrians on one side and the
ness of the giver, and also the happiness and benefit of
the receiver. Ammonites on the other. The Syrians; all the people
13. Bodily infirmities, though a present calamity to those
named in verse 6, as hired by the Ammonites.
IC. //arfare^cr; the king of Zoba. T/ie rit-er; Euphrates.
who suffer them, may be overruled for their highest good.
INSTRUCTIONS.
CHAPTER X. 3. Selfish men, who intend when they can to deceive
His father showed kindness unto me; this is supposed
2. others, are ever ready to suspect that others intentl to
to have occurred wliile David was persecuted by Saul. deceive them ; and those who hearken to such counsel-
4. Shaved off the one half of tlieir beards ; to the iiiiabitants lors, will be likely to be led by them into mischief.
376
David's adultery. 2 SAMUEL XI. Uriah is slain.

17 And when it was told David, he gath-


A. M. 2<«a.

ered all Israel together, and passed over


1036°"

Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set


themselves inarray against David, and fought with
him.
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David
slew the men o/" seven hundred chariots of tlie Syr-
ians, and forty thousand horsemen,' and smote Sho-
bach the captain of their host, who died there.
19 2Vnd when all the kings that were servants
to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before
Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served
them.* So tlie Syrians feared to help the chil-
dren of Ammon any more.''

CHAPTER XI.
1 While Joab besieged Rabbah, David committeth adultery with Bath-
sheba. 6 Uriah, sent for by David to cover the adultery, would not
go home neither sober nor drunken. 14 He carrieth to Joab the letter
of his death. IS Joab sendeth the nevre thereof to David. 26 David
taketh Bath-sheba to wife.

AND it came to pass, after the


pired,* at the time
year was ex-
when kings go forth to
battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with
that
him, and all Israel and they destroyed the chil-
;

dren of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah.'' But David


tarried still at Jerusalem.
2 1[ And it came to pass in an evening-tide, that
David arose from off his bed, and walked upon
the roof of the king's house and from the roof he:

saw a woman washing herself;" and the woman


was very beautiful to look upon."
3 And David sent and inquired after the woman.
And one said, Is not tliis Bath-sheba,* the daughter
of Eliam,8 the wife of Uriah the Hittite?'
4 And David sent messengers, and took her and ;

she came in unto him, and he lay with her;*-' for


she was purified from her iincleanness and she :
'^

returned' unto her house.


5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told
David, and said, I am with child.
6 IT And David
sent to Joab, saying, Send me
Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7 And wlieii Uriah was come unto him, David
demanded of him how Joab did,"' and how the
people did, and how tlie war prospered.
8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy
• Footm
: :

Davul marricth Balh-shchn. 2 SAMUEL XII. Nathan's parable of t/ie ewe-lamb.

21 Who smote Abiniclech (lie son of .TcniMip- anil i( grew up together with him, and with a. m z>:o.

shctli?'" did not a woiiiiiii cast a piece ofa iiiillslone his chihlrcii: it did eat of his own meat,' 'iu«'

upon him from the wall, that he died in Theljc/.V ami drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom,*'
whv went ye niirh the wall? Then say thou, Thy and was unto him as a daughter.
servant Uriah the Ilittite is dead also. 4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man,'
22 •. So the messenger went, and came and show- and he spared to lake of his own Hock and of his
ed David all that Joab had sent him for. own herd, to dress for the wayfai-ing man that
23 And the messenger said unto David, Purely was come unto him; but took the poor man's
the men prevailed against us, and eamc out unto lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come
us into the held, and wo were upon them even to him.
uuto the entering of the gate. 5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against
2-i And the shooters shot from off the wall upon the man and lie said to Nathan, Jh the Lord
;

thy servants and sonic of the king's servants be


; liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall
dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead surely die:''
also. G And he shall restore the lamb fourfold,^ be-
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus cause he did this thing, and because he had no
shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing dis- pity.
please thee,* for the sword devoureth one as well 7 1 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the
as another :*" make thy battle more strong against man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I
the city, and overthrow and encourage thou anointed thee king over Israel,'' and I delivered
it:'^^

him. thee out of the hand of Saul ;'


26 1 And when the wife of Uriah heard that 8 And 1 gave thee thy master's house, and thy
Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the
husband. house of Israel and of Judah ;'" and if that had been
27 And when the mourning was past, David sent too little, I would moreover have given uuto thee
and fetched her to his house, and she became his such and such things.
wife, and bare him a son.'' But the thing that 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the command-
David had done displeased* the Lord.'' ment of the Loun," to do evil in his sight?" thou
hast killed Uriah the Ilittite with the sword, and
CHAPTER XII. hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain
1 Nathan's parable of the ewe-lamb causeth David to be his own judge. him with the sword of the children of Amnion.''
7 David, reproved by Nathan, confesseth his sin, and is pardoned. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart
15 David mourneth and prayeth for the child, while it lived. ^4 Solo-
mon is born, and named Jedidiah. 26 David taketh Kabbah, and from thy house because thou hast despised me,
">
;

tortureth the people thereof. and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to
AND the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And be tliy wife.
he came unto him,' and said unto him,'^ There 11 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up
were two men in one city the one rich, and the evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will
;

other poor. take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives
herds in the sight of this sun."'
3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this
ewe-lamb, which he had bought and nourished up thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
• JeruMaat, laie.
6:3-2. "JudK0:53. 1 Heb. be evil in Mneeyes. I Heb. thy to die, or is a son of death; 1 Sam. 20:16. J Exod. 22:1 Luke 19:S.
;

io and
such, b Eccl. 9:2, 3, la. » ch. 12;26. i ch. 12:!); Deut. aai-iS. k 1 Sam. 16:13. 1 Psa. 18, title. n> ch. 5:5. « 1 Sam. 15:19. o Num.
iTl^i,. was
evil in the eyes of. elChr. 21:7. f Psa. 51, title. S ch. 14:5, 15:31; Isa. 5:2-1; Amos 2:4. P ch. 11: 15-27. q Amos 7:9; Matt. 26:52.
et«.; 1 Kings 20:35. 41; Isa. 5:1-7; Matt. 21:.33, etc.; Luke 15:11, etc.; rch. 16:22; Deut. 28:30.
16:19,etc. W.A.Tnorsel. h Prov. 5:18, 10. iGen.lS:2,7. 1 Or, is wor-

21. Jerubhesheth ; Jerubbaal, Gideon. Judg. 6:32; 8:35; from the guilt of shedding, with cool dehberation, a bene-
9:53. factor's blood.
25. This thing; the loss of his men. 25. Death-like moral insensibility is one of the fruits of
allowed and continued iniquity the soul under its influ- ;

INSTRUCTIONS. ence can contemplate with indifference, and attempt to


1. Great prosperity, while it increases the power of smooth over and even rejoice in the foulest transgres-
temptation, lessens the firmness of resistance, and is often sion. Let him tliat tliinketh he standeth, take heed lest
followed by the commission of the greatest crimes. he fall. He who trusteth in his own heart is a fool. Prov.
4. Neitlier mercies nor trials, privileges nor obligations, 28:26; 1 Cor. 10:12.
reputation nor usefuhiess, will keep back the human heart,
when left to itself, from the commission of the grossest CHAPTER
XII.
and most enormous wickedness. I. Nathan; a prophet of the Lord. Chap. 7:2.
6. The commission of one sin increases the temptation 6. Fourfold; Exod. 22:1.

to commit anotlier and another, and, without the grace of 9. Thou hast killed; a man is said to do, and is held

God, the soul will go on adding sin to sin for ever. responsible for doing, wliat he causes to be done.
8. All attempts to hide iniquity, and to prevent the final 10. The sword shall never depart; there would be war and
disclosure of it, are vain. They may for a time screen it various distresses in liis family to the end of his life.
from the view of men, but God will at length bring it all Ver. 11. Thoit hast despised me; by regarding his own
to light. Matt.lO:2C. sinful gratification more than tlie will of God.
14. The soul under the blinding, polluting, and harden- II. / untl take thy wives; chap. 16:21, 22.
ing power of sin, can plot the ruin of a most devoted and 12. I will do this thing; it would take place in the course
self-denying friend, and no generous emotion keep it back of God's providence,"through the wickedness of Absa-
378
1 :

David's child dieth. 2 SAMUEL XII. Rabbah is taken.

A. M. 13 And David said unto Natlian, I have


2070.
B. C. about
sinned against the Lord.'' And Nathan
1034.

said unto David, The Lord also hath put away


tliy sin;" thou shalt not die.
i4 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast giv-
en great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to
blaspheme,"^ the child also that is born unto thee
shall surely die.
15 1^ And Nathan departed unto his house. And
the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare
unto David, and it was very sick.
16 David therefore besought God for the child;
and David fasted,* and went in, and lay all night
upon the earth.*
17 Aad the elders of his house arose, and went
to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he
would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
IS And it came to pass on the seventh day, that
the child died. And the servants of David feared
to tell him that the child was dead for they said,
:

Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake


unto him, and he would not hearken unto our
voice: how will he then vex^ himself, if we tell
him that the child is dead!
19 But when David saw that his servants whis-
pered, David perceived that the child was dead
therefore David said unto his servants. Is the child
dead? And they said, He is dead.
20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed,
and anointed himself, and changed his apparel,
and came into the house of the Lord, and wor-
shipped:'^ then he came to his own house; and
wheu he required, they set bread before him, and
he did eat.
2 Then said his servants unto him. What thing
is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and
weep for the child, while it was alive; but when
the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
" Ch. 24:10
;:

Amnon forceth 2 SAMUEL XIII. Tamar his sister.

CHAPTER XIII.
1 Aninnn loving TBiiiar. liy counsel fi'igning himiclf •ick,
.Iiin.vliil)'ii

niriiihcih her. !.'> Hv iiiul Kliaint'fully lurncih her away.


Imicth lur,
lU Ali«alom cnltrtninotli concialtlh Ins purpose. '^3 At a
licr, niiil

shi'vp-shcanng, among all tliu kind's sons, he killctli Amnon. '.Hi

PaviJ grieving at the news is comforted by Jonadub. 37 Absalom


flwth to Tnlinai at Geshur.

AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom the

son of r^aviil liaJ a fair si.ster, wliose name vas


TiiiiKir;' and Aiiuiou tlie son of David loved her.
2 And Aniiioii was so vexed, that lie fell sick for
his sister Taniar ;'' for she was a virfrin and Amnon ;

thoujrht hard for him* to do any tiling to her.


it

3 Hut Amnon had a friend, whose name was


Jonadab, the son of Shimcah* David's brother:
and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
1 And he said unto him, Why nrf tliou, beivg the
king's son, lean* from day to day?" wilt thou not
tell mo? And Ainnon said unto him, 1 love Tamar,
my brother Absalom's sister.
5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on
thy bed, and make thyself sick and when thy :

father coraeth to see thoe, say unto him, I pray


thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give mc meat,
and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see -it,

and eat it at her hand.


6 1 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick
and when the king was come to sec him, Amnon
said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sis-
ter come, and make me a couple of cakes in my
sight,'^ that I may
eat at her hand.
7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now
to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress liim meat.
8 So Tamar went to her brother ximnon's house
and he was laid down. And she took flour,' and
kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did
bake the cakes.
9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before
him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said.
Have out all men from me. And they went out
every man from him.
10 And Amnon .said unto Tamar, Bring the meat
into the chamber, that I may eat of thy hand. And
Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and
brought them into the chamber to Amnon her
brother.
11 And when she had brought them unto him to

' I Ch
:

Absalom, killeth Anmcii, 2 SAMUEL XIV. and fleclh to G^shur.

A. M the king, I beseech thee, and his servants


2972 behold, there came much people by the way of the
1032.'°"
go witli thy servant. hill-side behind him.
25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, 35 And Jonadab said unto the king. Behold, the
let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto king's sons come: as thy servant said,^ so it is.
thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would 36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made
not go, but blessed him. an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons
Tlien said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my
2f> came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the
brotlicr Amnon go with us. And the king said king also and all his servants wept very sore."
unto him. Why should he go with thee? 37 1 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai,^ the
27 But Absalom pressed him," that he let Amnon son of Ammiliud,* king of Geshur. And David
and all the king's sOns go with him. mourned for his son every day.
28 1 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur,'' and
saying, Mark ye now when Amuon's heart is merry was there three years.
with wine,'' and when I say unto you. Smite Am- 39 And the soul of king David longed* to go
non; then kill him, fear not: have not I com- forth unto Absalom: for lie was comforted con-
manded you?* be courageous, and be valiant.^ cerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.'
2d And the servants of Absalom did unto Am-
non as Absalom had commanded." Then all the
king's sons arose, and every man gat him up*
CHAPTER XIV.
Joab, suborning a -H-idow of Tekoah, by a parable to incline the king's
upon his mule, and fled."^ 1
heart to fetch home Absalom, bringeth him to Jerusalem. 25 Absa-
30 IF And it came to pass, while they wore in the lom's beauty, hair, and children. 28 After two years, Absalom by
way, that tidings came to l)avid, saying, Absalom Joab is brought into the king's presence.

hath slain all the king's sous, and there is not one
of them left.
NOW
Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that
the king's heart icas toward Absalom."
31 Tlien the king arose, and tare his garments," 2 And Joab sent to Tekoah," and fetched thence
and lay on the earth/ and all his servants stood a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign
by with their clothes rent. thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourn-
32 And Jonadab,'^ the son of Shimeah David's ing apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but
brother, answered and said, Let not my lord sup- be as a woman that had a long time mourned for
jjose that they have slain all the young men the the dead
king's sons for Amnon only is dead for by the
; 3 And come to the king, and speak on this man-
:

appointment* of Absalom tliis hath been deter- ner unto him. So Joab put the words in her
mined" from the day that he forced his sister mouth.
Tamar. 4 IT And when the woman of Tekoah spake to
33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the king, she fell on her face to the ground," and
the thing to his heart,'" to think that all the king's did obeisance, and said. Help,* king.
sons are dead for ximnon only is dead.
: 5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee?
3-1 But Absalom fled.' And the young man that and she answered, I am indeed a widow woman,
kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and and my husband is dead."
Prov. aOra-l-ao. b Judg. 19:0, 9, '2i: Ruth 3:7; 1 Sam. a5:.3r),- Esth.
a settled,hch. 19:19. ver. 38. ^\{e\). according to the word of thy servant.
i

I:ID; Psa. 101:15; Eccl. 9:7; 10:19. *


Or, wilt younai, since I /i ave com- •
Heb. witk a great weejiing greatly, j ch. 3:3. t Or, Aimniliur. ^ ch.
manded you? Josh. 1:9. lUeh. sons of volar, c Prov. 29:12. tHeh. rode. 14:23. 1 Heb. roasconsa»Krf; Psa. 84:2. 1Gen. 37:35; 38:12. mch. 13:.39.
d 1 Kinss 1:33. ech.l:ll. f ch. 12:18. e ver. 3. i Keh. moulli. I Or, naChr. 11:6. olSam. 2U:41. » Heb. Sare. p ch. 12:1, etc.

Ta/ma; Absalom's grandfather. Chap. 3:3.


37. ,• 19. There are injuries inflicted which in this world can
Comforted concerning Amnon ; was less grieved at
39. never be repaired, and distresses which none but God
his death, than at the absence of Absalom. can assuage. Though he permits such injuries, he does
not forget them, nor does he fail in due time to visit their
INSTRUCTIONS. authors with his wrath. Ver. 29.
21. It is not enough for rulers to be angry at the foul
1. Great beauty, great honor, high station, and much
crimes of their subjects they should punish them, that ;

property, are often the occasion of ruin to the possessor.


They sliould tlierefore not be coveted. If bestowed, they others
may fear and be restrained from practising such
iniquities. Nor, while they remember with shame their
should be employed to the honor of God and the good of
injurious influence they may have ex-
men and if not bestowed, wo sliould be contented with- own sins, and the
;

erted on others, should they let natural affection or a sense


out them.
of their own guilt hinder them from doing their duty.
Were the power of men equal to their wickedness,
2.

virtue would be constantly outraged, and earth become Rom. 13:3, 4.


28. When rulers, whose office it is to punish crime,
an emblem of hell.
neglect their duty, the natural result is the commission
3. Wicked men in high stations are ordinarily surround-
of further crimes.
ed by subtle flatterers, who labor to secure their favor by
29. One wicked man, in the indulgence of his hateful
tempting them to the commission of sin, and thus become
passions, may be the instrument of executing not only his
the means of their destruction.
No
deception is so gross, and no wickedness so hor-
6.
own wrath, but the just indignation of God against another,
rible, that licentious men in high stations will not prac- and then in due time be himself punished, and that for
ever and ever. Chap. 17 14, 23 1 Kings 2 31-34.
: ; :

tise it with cool deliberation and determined purpose.


12. Natural affection, gratitude, and all kindly feelings,
the dictates of conscience, regard to consequences, and
CHAPTER XIV.
every thing which stands in the way of sinlul gratifica- The king's heart was toward Absalom ; he wished for
1.

tion, will be disregarded by those who surrender them- some pretext to bring him back.
Belvos to its power. 2. Tckoali ; in Judah, a few miles south-east of Bethlehem.

381
Joab's dtrirt to 2 SAMIKI. XIV. irin^' bade Ahsnlnm.

6 And thy liandmaid liad two son?, and tlioy two


strove togollicr in tlio tield, and tlurv was mmo to
Eart' them, but the one smote the other, and slew
im.
7 And behold, the whole family is risen apainst
thy liandniaid, and they said. Deliver him tliat
smote his l)rother, tliat wc may kill him," for the
life of iiis brother whom he slew and we will de-
:

stroy the heir also: and so they shall queiieh my


coal whieh is loft, and shall not leave to my hns-
band mither name nor remainder upon the earth.*
8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thy
house, and I will give cliarge coneerniug thee.
9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king.
My lord, king, the iniquity be on me, and on my
father's house:" and the king and his throne be
guiltless."^
10 And the king said, Whosoever saith aught
unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch
thee any more.
11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king re-
member the Lord thy God, that thou wouldest not
suffer the revengers of blood to destroy' any more,''
lest tlioy destroy ni)- son. And he said, As the
LoKD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son
fall to the earth.''
12 Then the woman said. Let thy handmaid, I
pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king.
And he said. Say on.
Vi And the woman said. Wherefore then hast
thou thought such a thing against the people of
God? for the king doth speak this thing as one
which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch
"^

home again his banished.


14 For we must needs die,*^ and are as water spilt
on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again ;

neither doth God respect any person ;'' yet doth he


devise^ means," that his banished be not expelled
from him.^
15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of
this thing unto my
lord the king, it is because tlie
people have made me afraid and thy handmaid
:

said, I will now speak unto the king it may be


;

that the king will perform the request of his hand-


maid.
* Heb. no deliverer
:;

Absalom is restored. 2 SAMUEL XV. He deviselh treason.

b.c.'mIi' ed the hair of his head at two hundred 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside
shekels after the king's weight. the way of the gate and it was so, that when any
:

27 And unto Absalom there were born three man that had a controversy came^ to the king for
sons/ and one daughter, whose name was Tamar judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said,
she was a woman of a fair countenance. Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant
28 1 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jeru- is of one of the tribes of Israel.
salem, and saw not the king's face.'' 3 And Absalom said unto him. See, thy matters
20 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab,to have sent are good and right but there is no man deputed of ;

him to the king but he would not come to him


; the king to hear tliee.*^
and when he sent again the second time, he would 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made
not come. judge in the land,'' that every man which hath any
30 Therefore ho said unto his servants, See, suit or cause might come unto me, and I would
Joab's field is near mine,* and he hatli barley there do him justice!
go and set it on fire."^ And Absalom's servants 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh
set the field on fire. to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand,
31 Thou Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto and took him, and kissed him.
his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel
servants set my field on fire? that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom
32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent stole the hearts of the men of Israel.'
unto thee, saying, Come iiither, that I may send 7 \\ And it came to pass after forty years, that
thee to the king, to say. Wherefore am I come from Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me
Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there go and pay my vow,J which I have vowed unto
still now therefore let me see the king's face
: and the Lord," in Hebron.
;

if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode
33 So Joab came to the king, and told liim and at Geshur in Syria,' saying, If the Loud shall bring
:

when he had called for Absalom, he came to the me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve
king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground the Lord.
before the king and the king kissed Absalom."
: 9 And the king said unto him. Go in peace. So
he arose, and went to Hebron.
10 IT But Absalom sent spies throughout all the
CHAPTER XV. tribes of Israel, saying. As soon as ye hear the sound
1 Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, stealeth the hearts of Israel.
of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigu-
7 Under pretence vow he obtaineth leave to go to Hebron. 10
of a
He niaketh there a great conspiracy. 13 David upon the news fleeth eth in Hebron. "^
from Jerusalem. 19 Ittai would not leave him. 2A Zadoic and Abi- 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men
atiiar are sent back with the ark. 30 David and his company go up
mount Olivet weeping. 31 He curseth Ahithophel's counsel. 32 out of Jerusalem, that were called and they went
;

Hushai is sent back with instructions. in their simplicity," and they knew not any thing.

AND came to pass after this," that Absalom


it
prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty
12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilo-
nite,David's counsellor," from his city, even from
men to run before him.' Giloh," while he oflered sacrifices. And the con-
a Ch. 18:18. bver. 34. • Heb. myplace, c Judg. 15:4, 5.
Luke 15:311. e ch. 13:11. Kings
f 1 1:5. t Heb. la come,
kcarlhee from the king downward, g Prov. 30:11, J7. hjudg

2. When great men and those in authority are set upon by mere external accomplishments, while the most beau-
accompUshing their selfish objects, they will generally find tiful form and graceful exterior may cover a polluted and
agents deceitful and wicked enough to aid them. murderous heart.
4. Flatterers and those who are engaged in artful projects, 30. Connivance at crime, or an utterly inadequate pun-
are often most complaisant and respectful to those whose ishment, tends to increase haughtiness, pride, and self-
favor they seek, and whom they are aiming to deceive. will in criminals, and to lead them on from one crime to
5. Compassion towards the distressed and desires to another till they perish.
grant relief should be regulated by correct knowledge 33. Parents who only kiss their children when they
and sound judgment. should punish them, have reason to fear that God, in
S. It is ordinarily unwise to decide a case on the testi- righteous judgment, will suffer their children by their
mony of one party, especially one that is interested and wickedness to become instruments of punishing their
likely to be strongly biassed in his own favor. parents. Chap. 16:11, 21, 22; 18:9, 14, 33.
13. After persons are committed on the wi-ong side,
those who are interested will endeavor to take adv'antage CHAPTER XV.
of that commitment to lead them still further into error 2. Tlie vaijofthe txate; where the people assembled/or
and transgression. judgment, or to obtain the king's decision of their cases.
14. Those who so sympathize with murderers as to try 3. No man deputed nf the king; he spoke as if David was
to screen them from the punishment which God has di- negligent of his duty in not appointing him or some one
reeled, often refer to his mercy as a reason why his direc- to hear them.
tions should not be followed as if his justice were at war
; G. Stole the hearts; led the people to admire him.
with his mercy, or as if they were more merciful than God. 9. Go in peace; he probably hoped that Absalom was
21. When rulers, through fear or favor, natural affection, becoming better.
or improper sympathy, fail to punish murderers, or par- 11. Called ; invited to go with Absalom, supposing his
don and receive them into favor, they take a course which object was, as he stated, a religious one.
tends to increase crime, and to bring upon themselves 12. Ahithophel; he had been a great friend to David, but
and others great distresses. now deserted him. Chap. 17:23. Giloh; in the moun-
25. Men are prone to regard and be greatly influenced tainous parts of Judah. Josh. 15:51.
383
;

David leatdh JerumUm. 2 SAMUEL XV Ziidok aiid Ilushai return.

spiracy was stioiip; for the people increased con- 2.5 And Iho king said unto Zadok, Carry l.^JSi:

tiiiualiy witli Absalom." back the ark of (Jod into the city: if 1 shall find
V.\ Ami there came a messenger to Pavid, say- favor in the eyes of the Lord, lu.' will bring me
inir. The hearts of the men of Israel arc after again, and show nie both it and his habitation:'
Absalom." 20 Hut if he thus say, I have no delight in thee ;""
It Ami David .«aid unto all his servants that i/Trt' behold, hire am I, let him do to nic as seemeth
with him at Jerusalem, Ari.se, and let us flee ," for good unto him."
we siiall not else escape from Absalom: make speed 27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Jlrt
to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and briii}^* not thou a seer?" return into and
tlie city in ]>eace,
evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of your two sons with you, Ahiniaai; thy son, and
the sword. Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
15 And the king's servants said unto the king, 28 See, I will tarry in the jdain of the wilder-
Behold, tliy servants are ready to do whatsoever ness," until there come word from you to certify inc.
my lord the king sliall appoint.* 29 Zadok therefore and Aliiathar carried the
iC) And the king went forth, and all his house- ark of God again to Jerusalem and they tarried :

hold after him.' And the king left ten women, there.
which were concubines,'' to keep the house. 30 % And David went up bythe ascent of mount
IT And the king went fortli, and all the people Olivet, and wept as he went up,^ and had his head
after him, and tarried in a place that was far ofl'. covered,'' and he went barefoot:'' and all the peo-
18 And all his servants passed on l)esidc liini ple that was with him cohered every man his head,'
and ail the Cherethites, and all the Pelothites,'' and they went up, weeping as they went up.'
and ail the Gittitcs, six hundred men wiiich came 31 * And
one told David, saying, Ahithophel is
after him from Gatii, passed on before the king. among the conspirators with Absalom." And
l'.>
• Tlieu said tiic king to Ittai the Gittite,'' David said, Loud, I pray thee, turn the counsel
Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy of Ahithophel' into foolishness.''
place, and abide with the king: for thou art a 32 1; And it came to pass, that when David was
stranger, and also an exile. come to the top of the jtunmt, where he wor.ship-
2(J Whereas thou earnest but yesterday, should I ped God, behold, Ilushai the Architc'' came to
this day make thee go up and down^ with us? meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his
seeing I go whither I may,''' return thou, and take head:-''
back tliy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 33 Unto whom David said. If thou passest on
21 And Ittai answered the king, and said. As the with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:^
Lord livcth," and as my lord the king livetli, surely 34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto
in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in Absalom, I will be thy servant," king as I have ;

death or life, even there also will tliy servant be. been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also
22 iVnd David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. be thy servant: then niayest thou for me defeat the
And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, counsel of Ahithophel."
and all the little ones that were with him. 35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and
23 And all the country wept with a loud voice,' Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that
and all the people passed over the king also him-
: what thing soever thou shalt hearout of the king's
self ])asscd over the brook Kidron,' and all the house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar
people passed over, toward the way of the wil- the priests.'^
derness.^ 36 Behold, they have there with them their two
24 ^ And lo, Zadok also, and all the Levites were sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abia-
with him, bearing tlie ark of tlio covenant of God:'' thar's son;'^ and by them ye shall send unto me
and they set down the ark of God and Abiathar every thing that ye can hear.
;

went up, until all the people had done passing out 37 So Hushai," David's friend,' came into the
of the city. city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

"Psa. 3:1,2. b ver. 6; Judg. 9:3. c oh. 19:9. ' U A. thrust, t Heb. 3:18. o 1 Sam. 9:9. P ch. 17:16. 1 Heb. going up. and weeping, q ch.
choos'. 1 Heb. o( Au /ij(. d ch. 12:11 ; 16:21, -ia. ech. B:18. f ch. 18:2. 19:4 Esther 0:12. r Isa 20:2, 4. • Jer. 14:3, 4. t Psa. 120:0. » Ter. 12.
I Heb. wander in going. S I Sam. 2:1:13. h Ruth 1:16. 17: Pro'- 17:17; vch. 10:23, 17:14,23, >»Job5:13. "Josh. 16:2. rch. 1:2. « ch. 19:35.
18:24; Matt. 8:19, 20; John 6:6li-6J; Acts 11:23; 21 :13; Rev. 2:10. Rom. i a ch. 16:19. b ch. i; :5-14. c ch. 17:15, 10. J ver 27. e ch. 16:16, 17.
12:15. I Called Cedron, John 18:1. job. 10:2. k Num. 4:15. Psa. 43:3,
1 f 1 Chr. 27:33.

4j 63:1, 2; Isa. 38:22. m ch. 22:20; Num. 14:9; 1 Kings 10:9. a 1 Sam.

19. Ittai; the commander of the Gittites. The king;


INSTRUCTIONS.
•Absalom, who had proclaimed himself king. Thou art a
stranger; the Gittites were from the Philistines, but had 1. Men of weak minds and depraved hearts are pecul-
become attached to David and his cause. iarly fond of personal decoration and external display,
23. Kidron; on the east side of Jerusalem,
Tfic brook while the truly worthy and noble seek principally internal
between the and the mount of Olives.
city excellence and those spiritual ornaments which alone are,
24. Abiathar; ho was high-priest at that time. in the sight of the Lord, of great price.
27. A seer; a prophet, or a wise and discerning man. 3. Familiarity and flattery, high promises of gratifica-
30. His head covered; in token of deep humiliation and tion, and strong expressions of regard for the people,
distress. He was reaping the fruit of kissing Absalom mark the efforts of heartless demagogues to delude the
when he should have punished him, and also tlie fruit of multitude and promote their own elevation to office.
his own sins in the matter of Uriah. Chap. 14: 33 11 2-27. ; : 5. Many a good cause has been betrayed, and many a
31. Turn the cowuel o/Ahitlmphcl into foolishness ; by pre- bad one promoted, by a kiss. Luke 22:48.
venting it from helping Absalom or injuring David. 7. Where godliness is respected, the most villanous

384
David deceived by Ziba, 2 SAMUEL XVI. and cursed by Shimei.

CHAPTER XVI.
1 Ziba, by presents and false suggestions, obtaineth his master's inher-
itance. 5 At Bahurim Shimei curseth David. 9 David with patience
abstaineth, and restraineth others, from revenge. 1.5 Hushai insinu-

ateth himself into Absalom's counsel. '20 Aluthophel's counsel,

AND when David Ziba a


the
little past tlio top of
-(vas
the servant of Mephib-
hill," behold,
osheth met hiixi,'' with a couple of asses saddled,
and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and
a hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred of
summer fruits, and a bottle of winc.'^
2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest
thou by these? And Ziba said. The asses be for
the king's household to ride on; and the bread
and summer fruit for the young men to eat and ;

the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness


may drink.'^
3 And the king said. And where is thy master's
son? And Ziba said unto the king. Behold, he
abideth at Jerusalem:" for he said, To-day shall
the house of Israel restore mo the kingdom of my
father.
4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are
all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba
said, I humbly beseech thee* that I may find grace
in thy sight,my lord, king.
5 IT And when king David came to Bahurim,
behold, thence came out a man of the family of the
house of Saul, whose name iDas Shimei. the son of
Gera he came forth, and cursed still as he came.* ^
:
'

6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the


servants of king David: and all the people and
all the mighty men were on his right hand and on
his left.
7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed. Come
out, come out, thou bloody man,* and thou man of
Belial:

a Ch. 15:30, Si.


° :
:

AhitAophePs eounsd is 2 SAMUEL XVII. overthrown hy Hushai.

17 And
Alisnlom paid to Ilufshai, Js this thy kind- f) Then said Ab.«alom, Call now Ilushai n
" itS'

ness to thy friend? why wcntcst thou not with thy the Architc also, and let us hear likewise what lie

friend?* saith.'
18 And Ilusliai paid unto Absalom, Nay; but tj And when Ilushai was come to Absalom, Ab-

whom till" LouK, and tliis peopU', and all the men
salom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath
of Israel, choose, his will 1 be, spoken after this manner: shall we do after his
and with him will
1 ai)ide. saying?' if not, speak thou.
19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not 7 And Ilushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that
serve in the |)resence of his son? as I have served Ahitlioplicl hath given' ii not good at this time.
in Ihy fatiier's presence, so will I he in thy ])rcson('(\ knowcst thy father and
8 For, said Ilushai, thou
121) "i Then said Absalom to Ahithophcl, Give his men, that they he mighty men, and they be
counsel amonfif you what we sliall do.'' chafed^ in their minds, as a bear robbed of her
21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in wiiel])s in the field:'' and thy father w a man of war,
unto tliy father's concubines, whicli he hath left to and will not lodge with tlie pcojile.
kco|) the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou 'J Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some

art abhorred of thy father:'' then shall the hands other place: and it will come to pass, when some
of all that are with thee be strong.*" of them be overthrown' at the first, that whoso-
22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top ever heareth it will say. There is a slaughter among
of the house and Absalom went in unto his father's
; tlie people that follow Absalom.
concubinos in the sight of all Israel. 10 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as
23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he coun- the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt:' for all
selled in those days, rcas as if a man had inquired LsracI knoweth that thy father is a mighty mau,^
at the oracle' of Goil so icas all the counsel of and they which he with him are valiant men.''
:

Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. 11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be gener-
ally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Bcer-
shcba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude ;'
CHAPTER XVII.
and that thou go* to battle in thin(> own person.
1 Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hushai's, according to God's
12 So sliall we come upon him in some jilace
appointment. 15 Secret intelligence is sent unto David. 23 Ahitho-
phel hangeth himself. S."} Ainasa is made captain. 27 David at where he shall be found, and we will liglit upon
Mahanaim is furnished with provision. him as the dew falleth on the ground and of him :

OREOVER Ahithophel said unto Absalom, and of all the men that are with him there shall
Let me now choose out twelve thousand not be left so much as one.
men, and I will arise and pursue after David this 13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then
night: shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we
2 And I will come upon him while he is weary will draw it into the river, until there be not one
and weak-handed,' and will make him afraid: and small stone found there.
all tlie people that are with him shall flee; and I li And Absalom and all the men of Israel said,
will smite the king only:^ The counsel of Hushai the Arcliite is better than
3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee tlie counsel of Aliithoplicl. For the Lord had
the man whom thou seeke.st is as if all returned appointed*'" to defeat" the good counsel of Ahith-
so all the people shall be in peace. ophel," to the intent that the Lord might bring
4 And the saying pleased^ Absalom well, and evil upon Absalom.
all the elders of Israel. 15 1l Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abi-
» Oh. 15:33, .34. b ch. 15:1-2. c l gam, S7:l-2. d ch. 2:7; Zeoh. 8:13. som;,- Judg. 18:25. h Prov. 17:12; Hos. 13:8. • Heb./a«en. i
Josh. 2:11.
' oh. 12:11, 12; 15:16: 20:3. • Heb. word, t ch. 16:14; Deut. 25:18. j 1 Sam. 18:17, Heb. 11:34. t Song 3:7. 1 Josh. 11:4; 1 Kings 20:10.
si Kings22:31; Zeoh. 13:7. Heb. was ris/it tn Ihe eyes of: lSim.l8:20.
1 i Heb. thy face, or presence go. I Heh. commanded, m ch. 15:31, etc. ojob
! Heb. IS in his mouth, i Heb. word. I Heb. counselled. 1 Heb. bitter of 5:12,1:). o Luke lli:3.

17. Thy friend; David. understood as meaning one thing or another according to
21. Thy father's concubines; c\ia.T[i.'l5:U. Abliorred of thy the situation of different parties, and which, in the sense
fatlier; for his
wickedness, so that his father woultl not in which they design to be understood, is positively false.
again be reconciled to him. Chap. 12: 12. 21. The wickedness of the wicked is made instrumental
by God in correcting and sanctifying his people, and thus
INSTRUCTIONS. in fulfilling his declarations of judgment and mercy con-
2. Sympathy and kindness under trials deeply affect the cerning them. Chap. 12:11, 12; Acts 2:23.
generous heart, and sometimes the pretence of them is
used to conceal the basest selfishness. CHAPTER XVII.
4. Hasty decisions under the influence of strongly ex- Pursue after David this 7Uf;ht ; with the intent of kill-
I.
cited feelings, without taking time for deliberation, or ask- ing him. He understood that the success of the conspir-
ing direction of God, are generally wrong and often are acy depended on a decisive stroke at the beginning, and
exceedingly unjust and cruel. that the death of David could alone make the throne sure
7. A mahgnant heart rejoices in the calamities of those to Absalom.
it hates, and is gratified in tormenting them. II. Tliat all Israel be —
gathered; Hushai proposed this
10. A penitent soul will never overlook the hand of God magnificent but foolish plan, which flattered the vanity of
in its trials,whoever and whatever may be the instru- Absalom, to gain time for David, and prevent the execu-
ments of them and when we heartily submit to his cor-
; tion of Ahithophel's purpose.
rections, without any wrong feelings towards the instru- 14. TIte Lord had appointed; he so ordered events that
ments of them, they will in the end promote our good. Absalom should prefer the counsel of Hushai to that of
ICi. Men who undertake to deceive others are strongly Ahithophel, and thus penitent, believing David be saved,
tempted to use language which is equivocal, and may be and impenitent, unbelieving Absalom be destroyed.
386
^ ;

David crosseth the Jordan. 2 SAMUEL XVIII. He ordereth his army.

u.c.hrS athar tlie priests, Thus and thus did Ahith-


ophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel
and thus and thus have I counselled.
16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David,
saying, Lodge not this night" in the plains of the
wilderness,'' but speedily pass over lest the king;

be swallowed up, and all the people that are with


him.
17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz'^ stayed by En-
rogcl;'' for they might not be seen to come into
the city: and a wench went and told them; and
they went and told king David.
18 Nevertheless, a lad saw them, and told Absa-
lom but they went both of them away quickly,
:

and came to a man's house in Bahurim," which had


a well in his court; whither they went down.
19 And the woman took and spread a covering
over the well's mouth,' and spread ground corn
thereon; and the thing was not known.
20 And when Absalom's servants came to the
woman to the house, they said. Where is Ahimaaz
and Jonatlian? And the woman said unto them.
They be gone over the brook of water. And when
they had sought and could not find th€7>i, they re-
turned to Jerusalem.
21 And it came to pass, after they were departed,
that they came up out of the well, and went and
told king David, and said unto David, Arise," and
pass quickly over the water for thus hath Ahith-
:

ophel counselled against you.


22 Then David arose, and all the people that were
with him, and they passed over Jordan: by tlie
morning light there lacked not one of them that
was not gone over Jordan.
23 •[ And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel
was not followed,* he saddled his ass, and arose,
and gat him home to his house, to his city,' and put
his household in order,* and hanged himself,J and
died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
24 Then David came to Mahanaim.'' And Absa-
lom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of
Israel with him.
25 IT And Absalom made Amasa captain of the
host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's
» ProT. 0:-l,5. 1> ch. 15:2J. c ch.
:

Absalom slain by Jixih. 2 SAMUEL XVIII. Tidings borne to David.

yonnir man. rrin witli Alisaloin. And nilIt) IThon.^aidAhimaazlhc.-oiiofZadok,


tlii> ]iPo- ^^S
jilr lii-anl when tlio kiiijr iJravc all Let me now run. and bear th<' king tidings, how
the captains
fliar^rt' •Knei'miiiir Ali.-aloiii." that the Ijohd hath avenged him' of his enemies.
t) ' So tlii> |if'f>iil<' went out into tlio field ajrainst 20 And Joab said unto him. Thou shall not bear
Israel: ami lie ii:itlli' was in the woodofKiiiiraiin;'' tidings* this day, but tiiou shalt liear tidings an-
t

7 Where the people of Israel were slain bi-forc other day but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, :

liie servants of David, and there was there a great because the king's son is dead.
slaipjrhter that day of twenty thousand mm. 21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king
8 For the liatlle was there scattered over the what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself
face of all the country: and the wood devoured* unto .Joab, and ran.
niitre |>eo]ilo that day than the sword devoured. 22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again
11 ' And Absalom met the servants of Itavid. to Joab, But howsoever,* let me, I jiray thee, also
And AI)salom rode upon a mule, and the mule run after Cushi. And Joalj said, Wherefore wilt
went under the thick Iwughs of a jjreat oak, and thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings
his head caught hold of thi^ oak, and he was taken ready?*
up between tlie heaven and tlie earth ;'^ and the 23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And ho
mule tiiat tons under him went away. said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and way of the jilain, and overran Cushi.J
said, Bciiold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. 2-1 And J)avid sat between the two gates: and

11 And Joab said unto the man that told him. the watchman went nj) to the roof over the gate
And Ijehold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou unto the wall,'' and lifted up his eyes, and looked,
not smite him there to the ground? and I would and behold a man running alone.
have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. 2.5 And the watchman cried, and told the king.
12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings
receive* a thousand sMcels of silver in my hand, in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
yet would I not put forth my hand against the 26 And the watchman saw another man running
king's son: for in our hearing the king charged and the watchman called unto the porter, and said,
thee and Abishai and Ittai,'' saying. Beware* that Behold anol/icr man running alone. And the king
none fourh tlu; young man Absalom. said, Ho also bringeth tidings.
13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood 27 xVnd the watchman said, Methinketh the run-
against mine own life for there is no matter hid ning^ of the foremost is like the running of Ahim-
:

from the king,'^ and thou thy.self wouldest have aaz the son of Zadok. And the king said. He is
set thyself against me. a good man, and coraeth with good tidings.'
14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus wifh- 28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king,
tliec. And he took three darts in his hand, and All is well.' And he fell down to the earth upon
thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the
he was yet alive in the midst- of the oak. Lord thy God,"" which hath delivered up^ the men
15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armor that lifted up their hand against my lord tlie king.
compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew 29 And the king said. Is the young man Absa-
him. lom safe?* And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab
16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw
returned from pursuing after Israel for Joab held a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
:

back the people. 30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, aiid
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap 31 And behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said.
of stones upon him ^ and all Israel fled every one Tidings,* my lord the king: for the LoRn hath
:

to his tent. avenged" thee this day of all them that rose up
18 IT Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and against thee."
reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's 32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young
dale;S for he said, I have no son to keep my name man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The
in remembrance:" and he called the pillar after enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise
his own name;' and it is called unto this day, against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young
Absalom's place. man w.p
»Ver. la. b Josh. 17:15, 18. • lieb. multiplied to devour, c Deut 21 r-i"!; t 2Kings 9:17; Isa. 21:11, 12; Ezek. 33:2-7. § Heb. / see
2,: 18. 20: Jobl<:S-10; 31:3; Psa. B:i:9, 10; i'rov. 20:20; Jer. 48:44. t Heb. 1 1 Kings 1:42; Prov. 25:13; Isa. 52:7. I Or, Peace be to Ihee; Heb. Peace.
meigh upon my liand. J ver. 5. 1 Heb. Beware wltosoever ye be of. ' ch. mPsa. 124:1). I Heb. jAudip; Fsa. 31:8. • Heb. Is there
Jjra«» t Heb.
14:19,20. i-Aah. before. I Heb. AcaM. fJo3h.7:26. BGen. 14:17. k ch. Tilting.^ is brought, n Psa. 144:7, 10; Luke 18:7, 8. o Psa. 124:2, 3. pjudg.
14:27. . Psa. 49:11. 1 Heb. judged him from the haiul, elc. • Heh. be a 5:31; Dan. 4:19.
man of tidings. 1 Heb. be lohat may. 'l Or, convenient, i John 20:4.

6. wood ofEphraim; on the east side of Jordan.


TIte Between tlie two gates; of the city Mahanaim. Cliap.
24.
8. The wood devoured; more perished in their flight 17 24. The roof; of the watchhouse.
:

through the wood.'!, than had been slain in the open field. / knew not wliat it was ; not having been entrnsted
29.
13. Wrought fatselwod ; acted in such a manner as to by Joab with the message concerning Absalom's death, he
endanger his own life. does not venture to communicate it, though he was fully
18. TAe Amg-'s da/e; near Jerusalem. Gen. 14: 17, 18. / aware of it, ver. 20.
have no son; he had had three scjns, who it is supposed 32. The enemies of my lord — be as that young man is; imply-
were dead. Chap. 14:27. ing that he was dead.
388
; ! :

David lamentdh for 2 SAMUEL XIX. Absalnm his

B.c' iS 33 1l And much moved, and fortably unto^ thy servants: for I swear by the
the king Tvas
went up to the chamber over tlie gate, and wept Lord, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry
and as he went, thus he said, my son Absalom, one witli thee this night: and tliat will be worse
my son, my son Absalom !" would God I had died unto thee than all tlie evil that befell thee from
for thee,'' Absalom, my son, my son thy youth until now.''
8 Tlien the king arose, and sat in the gate. And

CHAPTER XIX. they told unto all tiie people, saying, Behold, the
king doth sit iu the gate. And all tlie people
1 Joab causeth the king to cease his mourning. 9 The Israelites are
earnest to bring the King back. 11 David sendeth to the priests to came before the king: for Israel had fled every
incite them of Judah. 18 Shimei is pardoned. 24 Mephibosheth man to his tent."^
excused. 32 BarziUai dismissed, Chimham his son is taken into the
king's family. 41 The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing 9 IT Andthe people were at strife throughout
all
home the king without them. all the tribes of Israel, saying. The king saved us
AND it was told Joab, Behold, the king wcep-
eth and mourneth for Absalom.''
out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered
us out of the hand of the Philistines and now he
;

2 And the victory* that day was turned into is fled out of the land for Absalom.''
mourning unto all the people: for the people 10 And Absalom, wliom we anointed over us, is
heard say that day how the king was grieved for dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not
his son. a word' of bringing the king back?
3 And the people gat them by stealth that day Ill And king David sent to Zadok and to Abi-
into the city, as people being ashamed steal away Speak unto the elders of
atliar the priests, saying.
Avhen tiiey flee iu battle. Judah, saying. Why are ye the last to bring the
4 But the king covered his face,* and the king king back to his house? seeing the speech of all
cried witli a loud voice, my son Absalom ! Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
Absalom, my son, my son !" 12 Ye are my lu'cthren, ye are my bones and my
5 And Joab came wherefore then are ye the last to bring back
into the house to the king, flesh :'

and said. Thou hast shamed this day the faces of


the king?
all thy servants, which this day have saved thy 13 And say yo to Amasa, Jirt thou not of my
life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daugh- bone, and of my flesh ?^ God do so to me, and
ters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of more also, if thou be not captain of tlie host before
thy concubines me continually iu the room of Joab.
(3 In that thou lovest^ thine enemies, and hatest 14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of
thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that Judah, even as t/ie heart of one man ;'' so that they
thou regardest neither princes nor servants:* for sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all
this day I perceive, tliat if Absalom had lived, thy servants.
and all we had died this day, then it had pleased 15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan.
thee well. And Judah came to Gilgal,' to go to meet the
7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak com- king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
> Ch. 19:4. b Rom. 5:7, 8; 9:3. t Prov. 17:25. ' Heb. salvation, or de-
teranc€. d oh. 15:30. c ch. 1S:33. i Heh. By loving, t Ueb. lliat prin-

or servants are 7iot to tlut. § Heb. to the heart of; Gen. 31:3. f Prov.

33. Died for thee; instead of thee, iu thy place. 27. Our wishes have a great influence on our judgment,
and high expectations of good are liable to be followed
INSTRUCTIONS. by distressing accumulations of evil.
33. None fully know the sufferings of affectionate par-
3. All should consider in what way they can be most

useful, and be disposed to take that course in which they


ents iu the untimely and violent death of children, but
can do the greatest good. those who endure them and none but those who experi-
;

5. The love of parents to their children is ordinarily


ence it can imagine the blessedness, at such times, of in-
telligent, affectionate, childlike confidence in God, and a
much greater than that of children to their i)arents. Some-
times it overcomes their judgment, and leads them to act hearty commitment of all one's interests to his infinitely
in such a maimer as is exceedingly injurious to them- wise and good disposal.
selves, their children, and the community.
9. Though criminals may sometimes escape from their
XIX. CHAPTER
fellow-men, they cannot escape from God. However great 3. Gat them by stealth; secretly, privately, because the
their efforts, his judgment will in due time overtake and king appeared as if he was displeased at what they had
destroy them. done.
12. Though money is valuable and has great influence
6. Thou lovest thine enemies; Joab's meaning was, that
with men, yet it foolish to endanger one's life for it,
is
David by so moruning for Absalom acted as if he loved
and much more foolish to endanger one's soul. him more than he did his family and people, whose lives
14. One criminal is often made the means of punishing
had been saved by the death of Absalom.
another, and he may do it for an object and with a spirit 7. Speak comfortably unto thy servants; show thyself
which may justly draw down punishment on himself. pleased with their victory.
17. Children who rebel against and ill treat their par-
11. The speech of all Israel is come; expressing their de-
ents, are in special danger of coming to an untimely and
sire to have the king return.
miserable end. 12. My flesh; of tlie same tribe with him.
20. The immediate effect of joyful or mournful tidings 13. Amasa ; lie had been the commander of Absalom's
depends much on the manner in whicli they are commu- army. Chap. 17:25.
nicated. Care should therefore be taken to have it done 14. He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah; according
by such persons and in such a manner as will teud to to some, Amasa did this but others understand David as ;

produce the best results. doing it through his messages to Zadok and Abiathar.
389
David restortd to 2 SAMUEL XIX. his kingdom in peace.

1(> "^ And Phimoi Hip son of Gem." a Honjaniitc,


wliifli u-as of Haluiiiin, hastoil ami cainc down
\vitl\ flio nion of .Judali to moot king Daviil.

17 And //iirr virc a thousand mon of Honjaiiiin


Willi him, and Ziba tlio pcrvant of tlic house of Saul,''
and his liftoen sons and his twenty servants with
iiini: and they went over Jordan before the kin<r.
18 And there went over a ferry-boat to carry
over the king's household, and to do what lie
thouirht erood." And Shiniei the son of Gora fell
down before the king, as he was come over Jordan ;

I'.l And said unto the king, Let not my lord im-

pute iniquity unto me,° neither do thou remember


tiiat which thy servant did perversely'' tlie day
that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem," that
the king should tako it to his heart/
20 For thy servant doth know that I have sin-
ned therefore, behold, I am come the iirst this
:

day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet


my lord the king.
'Jl But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and
said, Shall not Sliimei be put to death for this,
because ho cursed the IjOrd's anointed?"
22 And David said, What have I to do with you,
ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be ad-
versaries unto me? shall tliere any man be put
to death this day in Israel?'' for do not I know
that I am this day king over Israel?
23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou
shalt not die' And tlic king swarc unto him.
24 *: And .Mephil)osheth the son of Saul came
down meet the king,* and liad neither dressed
to
his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his
clothes, from the day the king departed until the
day he came again in peace.
25 And it came to pass, when he was come to
Jerusalem to meet the king, tliat the king said
unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me,
Mephibosheth?"
26 And he answered, My lord, king, my ser-
vant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will sad-
dle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to
the king because thy servant is lame.
;

27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my


lord the king ;' but my lord the king is as an angel
of God:™ do therefore what wgood in thine eyes.
28 For all of my father's house were but dead
men* before my lord the king: yet didst thou set
tliy servant among them that did eat at thine own
table." What right therefore have I yet to cry
any more unto the king?
29 And the king said unto him. Why speakest
thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou
and Ziba divide the land.
;

Sheba's rebellion. 2 SAMUEL XX. Joab slayelh Amaxa.

RvwS: Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape
king, and wc have also more rig/it in David than us.^
ye why tlion did ye despise us,* that our advice
: 7 And there went out after liim Joab's men, and
should not be first had bringing back our king? the Ciioretliites, and the Pelethites,' and all the
in
And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to
than the words of the men of Israel." pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
8 When they were at the great stone which is in
CHAPTER XX. Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's
1 By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba maketh a party in Israel. 3 Da- garment that he had put on was girded unto him,
vid's ten concubines are shut up in perpetual prison. 4 Amasa, made and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon
captain over Judah, is slain by Joab. 14 Joab pursueth Sheba unto
Abel. 16 A wise woman saveth the city by Sheba's head. 23 Da-
his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went
vid's officers. forth it fell out.

AND there happened to be there a man of Be-


lial, wliose name icas Sheba, tlie son of Bich- my
9 And Joab said to Amasa, Jl^-t thou in health,
brother ? And Joab took Amasa by the beard
ri, a Bcujamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, with the riglit liand to kiss him.-'
We have no part in David, neither have we inher- 10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that
itance in the son of Jesse r** every man to his tents, icas in Joab's hand so he smote him therewith*^
:

Israel. in the fifth r?i,' and shed out his bowels to the
2 So every man of Israel went up from after ground, and struck him not again ;* and he died.
David,'' and followed Sheba the son of Bichri but : So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after
tlie men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jor- Sheba rhe son of Bichri.
dan even to Jerusalem.'' 11 And one of Joab's men stood by him, and
3 1[ And David came
to his house at Jerusalem said. He that favoreth Joab, and he that is for
and king took the ten women his concubines,"
tlie David, let him go after Joab.
whom he had left to keep tlie house, and put them 12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst
in ward,**^ and fed them, but went not in unto them. of the highway. And when the man saw that all
So they were shut up* unto the day of their death, tlie people stood still, he removed Amasa out of
living in widowhood.^ the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon
4 IF Tlien said the king to Amasa, Assemble' me him, when he saw that every one that came by
the men of Judah within three days, and be thou him stood still.
here present. 13 When he was removed out of the highway,
5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah t"^ all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after
but he tarried longer than the set time which he Sheba the son of Bichri.
had appointed him. 14 II And he went through all the tribes of Israel
6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba unto Abel, and to Bcth-maachah, and all the fie-
the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absa- ri tes :'" and they were gathered together, and went
lom: take thou thy lord's servants," and pursue also after him.
Heh. set us at tiglit. aJudg, b:1 Jas. 3:2-10. bch. 19;4.1i lKingsia:16;
; hoodofli/e. 1 Heb. Ca/i. Bch.l9:13. h ch. 11 :ll 1 Kings 1 :-33. 1 Ileb.
;

Lukel9:14. cPaa.6>:9. J oh. !9:41 2 Chr. 10: 17. e ch. 15:16; 16:2l,2->.
; deliver himselffrom our eyes, i I Kings l::la. JLuke 22:47. klKings2:5.
1 Heh. a house of ward, f Gen. 40:3, 4, ". IKeb.bound. S Heb. tn wirfoid- 1oh. 2:23. • Heb. doubled not his stroke, "n 2 Kings 15:20; 2 Chr. 10:4.

INSTRUCTIONS. of the future should be increasing, and their chief con-


2. Excessive sorrow unfits the soul for duty, displeases cern be for preparation to close their work on earth, and
God, and tends to injure all who indulge it or feel its influence. cuter the rest of heaven.
6. Rulers, as well as people, should be plainly told of 37. Aged benevolent men are pleased to have those
their duty, and such motives set before them as are suited who are younger jiartake of lawful innocent enjoyments,
to induce them to perform it. for which they themselves have no relish.
S. The approbation of rulers should be promptly and The kindness and fidelity of parents tlie Lord often
38.
cheerfully given to those who do right, and their disap- rewards in blessings on their children and children's chil-
probation manifested towards those who do wrong. Rom. dren thus showing mercy even to thousands of those who
;

13:3, i. love him and keep his commandments.


All prudent care should be taken to avoid coming
11.
evils, especially to prevent discord among brethren, and CHAPTER XX.
to lead them to cooperate for the public good. Li vard; in seclusion.
3.
13. When men
are strongly excited and set upon ac- Ahi.'iltai ; Joab may not have been at that moment
6.
complishing a favorite object, they are tempted to make present in Jerusalem, so that the charge was given to
rash promises, and to adopt measures which events show Abishai. But we find Joab with Abishai soon after, ver. 8.
to have been unwise. 8. Amasa %eent before them; or,came before them, metthem
19. If men confess their sina and appear to be penitent, on his return from assembling the men of Judah. It fell out;
it is ordinarily wise to treat them as if they were so. God it is probable that Joab so managed as to have the sword
alone knows the heart, and men ought not to judge of it, fall out as he approached Amasa. However this may be,
except so far as its character is manifested in the conduct. it is plain that he took it up with his iet'i hand, while he
24. True love will show itself in grief at the sorrows of extended his right hand to take Amasa by the beard.
those beloved, and in joy at the return of their joys. 10. He smote htm; as he had before smitten Abner, chap.
27. Slander is a common and aggravated sin, and the 3: 27 being angry because David had put Amasa over him.
;

slanderer, though he often escape punishment from men, 12. Stood stdt; to gaze, and were thus hindered from
is and ought to be regarded as among the basest of sinners. going forward to Joab and Abishai.
32. Kindness and active benevolence are peculiarlv 14. Ahel and —
Beth-maadtah ; called also Abel of Beth-
agreeable in the aged, and should ever be met with grate- maachah, to distinguish it from several other places that
ful and active kindness in return. As their tastes for the bore the name of Abel. It was on the east of the Jordan,
comforts of this life are diminishing, their desires for those at the foot of Anti-Lebanon.
391
: : : ;

Sheba is sLiin. 2 SAMUEL XXI. T/ic GibconUcs avenged.

I'j And canio ami bcsiofrod Iiim in Abel of


tlicy CHAPTER XXI.
Bolli-iiiaai'liali,ami they i"ist ii]i a l)aiik aL'aiiist 1 The three yean' famine for the Gibconit»-« cc-wetli, by hanging Bcvrn
tiio I'ity," ami it stood in the tn'ncli:* and all the of Stiul's H>ni. 10 Itizpah'i kinJncM unto ihu (lead. 12 David buri-
eth iho bonii of Saul and JonaUi:in in lii» fathcr'a sepulchre. 15 I'uur
pco|ilo tiiat wire with Joab battered' the wall, to
batllfM against the Phitiitinex, wherein four valianu of David slay
tlirow it ilown. four giants.

1() " Then cried a wise woman ont of the city, I^IIEN there was a famine in tiic days of David
Hear, hear pray you, unto Joab, Come near
; say, I _ three years, year after year; and David in-
hither, tliat I may sjieaic with thee. f|uiri'il* of the Loud. And the Loud answered, 7<
IT And when he was come near unto her, the is ibr iSaul,and for hin bloody house, because he
woman said, .Irt thou Joab ? And he answered, I slew the Gibeonites."
am he. Then slic said unto him, Hear the words 2 And the king called the Gibcouites, and said
of thy handmaid. And lie answered, I do hear. unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of tiic
IS Then she spake, saying, They were wont to children of Israel,'' Init of the remnant of the Amo-
sjieak ia old time, saying. They sliall surely ask rites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto
coumvl at Abel and so tiiey ended the matter.*
: them and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal
:

r.) I am om of them that are iicaecablc and faith- to the eliildren of Israel and Jiidali ;)
ful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a 3 Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites,
mother in Israel:'' why wilt thou swallow up the What do for you? and wherewith shall I
shall I
inheritance of the Loud? make the atonement, that ye may bless the inher-
20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far itance of the Lord?'
be it from me, that I should swallow up or de- 4 And the Gibeonites said unto him, will We
stroy. have no silver nor gold of Saul,J nor of his house ;

21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount neither for us shalt thou kill' any man in Israel.
Epiiraim, Hheba the son of Bichri by namc,^ hath And he said. What ye shall say, tJiat will I do for
lifted up his hand against tiic king, even against you.
David deliver him only, and I will depart from the
: 5 And they answered the king. The man tliat
city. And tlie woman said unto Joab, IJehoId, his consumed us, and that devised against us,^ that we
liead sluill be thrown to thee over tiie wall. should be destroyed from remaining in any of the
22 Then the woman went unto all the i)caple in coasts of Israel,
her wisdom:'^ and they cut off the head of iSheba 6 Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto
the sou of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he us," and we will hang them up unto the Lokd in
blew a trumpet, and they retired' from the city, Gibcah of Said,' who7n the Lord did choose.' And
every man to his tent. And Joab returned to the king said, I will give them.
Jerusalem unto the king. 7 But the king spared Mephiboslieth, the son of
23 1i Now Joab was over all the host of Israel :'' Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the Lord's
.and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cher- oath that was between them, between David and
ethites and over the Pelethites Jonathan the son of Saul."
24 And Adoram was over the tribute ^ and Je- 8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the
:

ioshaphat the sou of Ahilud was recorder:"' daughter of Aiah," whom she bare unto Saul,
25 And Sheva icas scribe and Zadok and Abi- Armoni and Mephiboslieth and the five sons of
:
;

.athar were the priests MichaP the daughter of Saul, whom she brought
2G And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler* up for Adriel* the son of Barzillai the Mehol-
about David. athite
* '3 Kings 19:3"i. ' Or, against the outmost
walL t Heb. inaTred to throw b Josh. 9:3-21. ich. 20:19. j Psa. 49:6, 7. 1 Or, It is jio( JiViicr nor g-o/d
down. X Ur, They ptainiy spake in the hcginning, saying. Surely they will that we have to do with Saul or his house, neither pertains it to us to hill, etc.
ask of Abel, and so make an end; Deut. 2U:11. b Judg, '5:7. | Heb. his i Ot, rut us off', k Ezek. 18:19. 1 1 Sam. 111:20. I Or, rAoKTt o/r/w: l.oHD.

nam,. » Keel. 9:11-10. I Heb. were scattered, d ch. 8:10-18. e 1 Kings m 1 Sam, 2U:1.5. n ch. 3:7. V Or, Michars sister. • lleb. bare to Adriel
f Kings 4:3. • Or. a prinee, ch. 8:18; Gen.
1 1 Sam. IS: 19.
sought the face; Num. iT-.il. e 1 Sam. 2-2:19.

15. /( stood in the trench; or, he (Joab) stood on the outer tion of a whole city, and the wisdom of one woman may
'Wall. This was a low wall with a trench, encomijassiug do more than all its men of war towards saving it.
the inner wall. 22. Magistrates, by putting to death one criminal, may
IS. To speak; in proverbs. Ask counsel at Abel; as a save the lives of many who are innocent.
place celebrated for wisdom. And so ; by listening to the
counsel of its wise men. T/iey ended the matter; brought CHAPTER XXI.
it to a successful termination. Joab ought not therefore In his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah; ho would
2.
to destroy such a city without a hearing. have destroyed them, not for any wrong act on their part,
19. A mother m
Israel; one of its chief cities. but simply because they were remnants of the Canaanites,
in direct violation of the oath of Joshua and the elders of
INSTRUCTIONS. Israel, Josh. 9 15-27. : The sin was therefore one of the
1. Many difficulties might be amicably settled, did not nation whom Saul represented, and God punished it by
some wicked man take occasion to fan the flame, and lead a national calamity.
on to acts of rashness destructive, it may be, to himself 3. Bless the inheritance ; that the famine might cease, and
and to his fellow-men. the Israelites have the blessings of harvests.
10. Many
a bold and successful warrior has the heart 7. Ilie Lord's oath; 1 Sam. 20: 15-17.
of an assassin, and will without scruple murder even his 8. Michal ; it was Merab, the sister of Jlichal, who mar-
own relatives who stand in the way of his advancement. ried Adriel the Meholathite, 1 Sam. 18:19. Some suppose
Chap. 3:27; i: 6. they are here called Michal's sons because she had the
15. The presence of one man may endanger the destruc- education of them.
392
1 : " ;

Philistine siants slain. 2 SAMUEL XXII. David's psalm of praise.

Kvum. 9 And he delivered them into the hands again a battle with the Philistines at Gob then :

of the Gibeouites, and they hanged them in the Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph,* which was of
hill before the Lord ^ and they fell all seven to-
: the sons of the giant. "^
gether, and were put to death in the days of har- 19 And there was again a battle in Gob with
vest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley- the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-
harvest. oregim,^ a Beth-lehemite, slew t/ie brother of Goliath
10 IT And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sack- the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a
clotli, and spread it for her upon the rock, from weaver's beam.
tlie beginning of harvest until water dropped upon 20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where
them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds was a man oi great stature, that had on every hand
of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts sis fingers, and on every foot si.x toes, four and
of the field by night. twenty in number and he also was born to the
;

1 And it was told David what Rizpah the daugh- giant.*


ter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. 21 And when he defied* Israel, Jonathan the son
1"2 1" And David went and took the bones of of Shimeah* the brother of David slew him.
Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the 22 These four were born to the giant in Gath,
men of Jabesh-gilcad,'' which had stolen them from and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand
the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had of his servants.
hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul
in Gilboa:
13 And he brought up from thence the bones of CHAPTER XXII.
Saul and the bones of Jonathan liis son and they ; A psalm of thanksgiving for God's powerful deliverance, and manifold
blessings.
gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
14 A:id the bones of Saul and Jonathan liis son
buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah,'^
AND David spake unto the Lord the words of
this song,'" in the day that the Lord had de-
in the sepulchre of Kish his father and they per- : livered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and
formed all that the king commanded. And after out of the hand of Saul :'
that God was entreated for the land.** 2 And he said. The Lord is my rock,^ and my
15 1 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again fortress, and my deliverer ;

with Israel; and David went down, and his ser- 3 The God of my rock in him will I trust he : :

vants with him, and fought against the Philistines is my shield,' and the horn of my salvation,™ my
and David waxed ftxint. high tower," and my refuge," my saviour; thou
16 And
Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the savest me from violence.
giant,* the weight of whose spear* weighed three 4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be
hundred s/wkels of brass in weight, he being girded praised so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
:

with a new sword, thought to have slain David. 5 When the waves ^ of death compassed me, the
17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, floods of ungodly men' made me afraid
and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then 6 The sorrows' of hell compassed me about; the
the men of David sware unto him, saying. Thou snares of death pi-evented me.
shalt go no more out with us to battle," that thou 7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and
quench not the light* of Israel.' cried to my God " and he did hear my voice out
:

18 And it came to pass after this, that there was of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears."
a I .Sim. 15;33. b| Sam. 31:11. c Josh. 19:3S. d ch. 24:33. • Or, fia- 16:9. hPsa. lli;:2. 3. i Psa. IS. title. J Dent. 32:4. kPsa. 01:2. 1 Gen.
jiha. t Heb. the staff, or tlie head, e ch. 18:3. I Heb candle, or lamp. 15:1; Psa. t>l:ll. "Luke 1:69. n Prov. 1S:1U. » P.=a. 46:1,^ II ; Jer.
t 1 Kings 11 :.36. 5 Or. Sippai. 1 Or, Kapha. S 1 Chr. 20:4. H Or, .Tair. 16:19. i Or, pangs, t Heb. Belial. ^ Or, cords, p Jon. 2:2. q Psa. 34:6,
* Or. Kapha, t Or, reproached; 1 Sam. 17:10, 35, -26. t Shammah, 1 Sam.

Barley-harvest; in March.
9. 14. The common blessings of life all come from God,
10. Water dropped upon them ; the rain was a token of and every new harvest lays men under new obligations
God's reconciliation. If it fell at the usual time, it was to love and obey him.
about the middle of October. 17. The life, health, and reputation of good rulers are
12. The boms of Saul; 1 Sam. 31:11-13. great blessings to the people, for the possession and con-
14. Was entreated for the land; removed the famine by tinuance of which they should earnestly pray, and, when
sending raiu. granted, be especially grateful.
17. Quench not the light; not deprive the nation of the 19. Great bodily strength and vigor are apt to be idol-
blessings of David's reign. ized, and when they are, often prove occasions of ruin to
their possessors.
INSTRUCTIONS.
Temporal calamities are the consequences of sin, and
1.
should lead those who suffer them to self-examination,
CHAPTER XXII.
rei)entance, and reformation. 2. Rock, and—fortress ; support and protection.
6. The wickedness of parents may bring great calamities 3. The God of my Shield; de-
rock; ver. 47
2 Cor. 1:3. ;

on their children, and the wickedness of rulers great calami- fence from enemies, /forn; the emblem of power. Tower;
ties on their people, long after such parents and rulers are source of security.
dead. Though the Lord delays, he docs not forget, and in 5. Waves of death ; calamities breaking in upon him like
due time will manifest his just indignation against sin. the waves of the sea, and threatening to destroy him.
10. The condition of children is often a source of great Floods of ungodly men ; this figure expresses both their
distress to parents, and occasions them troubles under multitude and their impetuous force.
which none but God can comfort, and from which none 6. Prevented; this word originally meant, to go before,

else can relieve them. so as to stop one's way.


393
:'

David's psalm of 2 SAMUEL XXII. thanksgiving to God.

8 Then tlic onrtli slionk and frcniblcil ;" the foun- and with the upright man thou wilt li."; iS5.
cifiil ;'

dations of licavcu moved and shook,'' because lie shiiw lliyself u])right.
was wrotli. 27 With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure;
9 Thoio went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and with the froward thou wilt show' thyself un-
and lire out of his mouth devoured:*' coals were savory.'
kindli'd liy it. 28 And the afllieted people thou wilt save: but
1(1 heavens also, and came down ;''
lie Itowed the thine eyes arc njion the haughty," that thou nuiy-
and darkness wax under his feet." est Ijriiig thim down.
11 And he rode mion a cherub, and did fiy / and 2',l For thou art my lamp,' Lord: and the
he was seen upon flie wings of tlie wind." Lord will lighten my darkness.
12 And he made darkness ])avilions round about 30 For by thee I have run' through a troop: by
him, dark waters.* and tluck clouds of tlio skies. my God have I leaped over a Avail.
1;J Tliroufjli the brightness before hiiii were coals 31 ./is for God, his way is perfect; the word of
of lire kindled. the Lord is tried:* he is a buckler to all them
14 The LoitD thundered from heaven,'' and the that trust in him.
Most High uttered his voice. 32 For who is God, save the Lord? and who is
15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them a rock, save our God? ;

lightning, and discomfited them. 33 God is my strength and power and he mak- ;

1(5 And the channels of the sea appeared,-' the eth' my way perfect.
foundations of the world were discovered, at the 34 He maketh^ my feet like hinds'/cf<,' and set-
rebuking of the LoiU), at the blast of the breath teth me upon my high places.
of his nostrils.* 35 He teacheth my hands to war ;* so that a bow
17 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me of steel is broken by mine arms.
out of many'* waters." 3C Thou hast also given me the shield of thy sal-
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and vation and thy gentleness hath made me great.' :

from them that liatcd me for they were too strong


: 37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so
for me. that my feet' did not slip.
19 Tliey prevented me in the day of my calam- 38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed
ity but the Lord was my stay.
: them and turned not again until I had consumed
;

20 He brought me forth also into a large place them.


he delivered me, because he deliglited in me.' 39 And I have consumed them, and wounded
21 The Lord rewarded me according to my them, that they could not arise: yea, they are
righteousness:™ according to the cleanness of my fallen under my feet."
hands hatli he recompensed me." 40 For thou hast girded me with strength to
22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord," and battle: thorn that rose up against me hast thou
have not wickedly departed "from my God. subdued'^ under me.''
23 For all his judgments were before me:'' and 41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine
as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. enemies,™ that I might destroy them that hate me.
24 I was also upright before him,' and have kept 42 They looked, but there teas none to save tvtn ;

myself from mine iniquity. unto the Lord, but he answered them not."
2-5 Therefore tiie Lord hath recompensed me 43 Then did I bent them as small as the dust of
according to my righteousness according to my the earth :' I did stamp them as the mire of the
;

cleanness in his eyesight.^ street,^ and did .spread them abroad.


26 With the merciful thou wilt show thyself mer- 44 Thou also hast delivered me from the striv-
» Judg..):4; Hab. :!:0, 10. bJoba6:ll. • Heb. Jy. Tsa. 07:3, 4. d Tsi.
<^
•Ot, wrestle. r'l.ev.iCy.-i'i. •Dan.4:.'!7. t Or, mnrf/c. X Or. broken, i Or,
64:1. ePsa. 07:2. f Ezek. 0:3. s Psa. 104:3. 1 HA. binjing of waters. refined, t lleh riddeth, or looseth. 1 Beb. equallelh. <Hab'. 3:19. * Hcb.
hPsa. 29:31 Isa. 30:30. '0601.32:23. j Nab. 1:4. t Or, o/i^-fr; Psi. 74:1. for the war. t Hsb. multiplied nu. t Heb. ankles, u Mai. 4:3. » Heb.
iOr.grmt. klsa.43:2. ch. 15:2e. m I Sam. 26:23. iiJobl7:9.
1 o Prov. causedtobow. vp..a.44:.5. w Gen. 49:8; Josh. 10:24. i Prov. 1:28; Wic.
b:32. p Psa. 110:30. I Heb. to him. 1 Heb. iefore his eyes. Malt. 5:7.
<l 3:4. y 2 Kings 13:7. zMic. 7:10.

8-16. A
highly poetical description of God's appearing 27. Show thyself unsavory ; he would contend with, op-
for the deliverance of his servant, and the destruction of pose, and punish them.
his enemies. 29. My
lamp; showing him the way in which he should
13. Through the brightness —
kindled; or, from the bright- go.
ness that was before him burning coals proceeded. 30. Run through; broken. Leaped over a wall ; scaled
16. Cliannek —
appeared, the foundations of the world irere the wall of the enemy.
discovered; the waters are represented as fleeing at God's 34. Like hinds' feet ; very swift, and able to stand in
presence, so that the deep channels of the sea are laid safety on the most dangerous places.
bare to human vision. 35. A bow of steel is broken; or, according to some trans-
17. Many waters; great afflictions. See note to ver. 5. lators, is bent; showing that God had given him great
19. Prevented; see note to verse 6. strength.
20. Into a large place; where I had freedom from my 36. Gentleness; condescending kindness and teaching.
enemies and the distresses they brought upon me. The 37. Enlarged my steps; given me full liberty and enabled
figure is taken from military life, where notliing is bo me to walk in safety.
dangerous as to be hemmed in among narrow defiles. 41. The necks of mine enemies; the meaning of the orig-
21. Righteousness—ckanness of my hands; his innocence inal is, Tliou hast caused mine enemies to turn their backs
of the sins charged upon him, and his hearty devotion to before me.
the service of God. 42. Answered them not; their cry to him was that of dis-
24. Upright; honest, sincere, and merciful. Mine ini- tress merely, after they were given up to ruin as a pun-
quity; that to which he was most tempted. ishment for their sins. Prov. 1:28.
394
;:

David's Inst words. 2 SAMUEL XXIII. His mighty men of war.

B.i''ioi^' ings of my people," tliou hast kept me to


be head of tlic heathen:" a people which I knew
not sliall serve me.
45 Strangers* shall submit themselves* unto me
as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto
me.
40 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be
afraid out of their close places.''
47 The Lord liveth and blessed be ; my rock
and exalted be the God of the rock of my salva-
tion.
48 It is God
that avengeth me,* and that bring-
eth down
the people under me,
49 And
that bringeth me forth from mine ene-
mies: tliou also hast lifted me up on high above
them that rose up against mo thou hast delivered
:

me from the violent man.''


50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee,
Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises
unto tliy name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king and :

showeth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to


his seed for evermore."

CHAPTER XXIII.
1 David, in his last words, professeth his faith in G-od's promises to be
beyond sense or experience. 6 The different state of the wicked. 8
A 'catalogue of David's mighty men.
ATO W these be the last words of David. David
_L\ the son of Jesse said, and the man %vho was
raised up on high,'' the anointed of the God of
Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel,!^ said,
»CK. 3:1| 19:9, 14; 20:1,2
1 ! ;

A attalogue of Darid's 2 SAMUEL XXIII. mighty men of war.

hand was weary, ami liis liaiul olave unto tlic (lipwn :ilsoand slew a lion iu the midst of u.JviSl
Bwortl: and the' liOHi) wroujrht a jri-oat victory a pit in time of snow.
that day and tlie ]iec)plc retuined al'lor him only
;
21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly maii:^
to spnil. and the l']gyptian had a spear in his hand hut he :

1 And was Sliammah the son of Agec


after liini went down to him with a stall", and jducked the
the llararito. And tlio Pliilistines were gathered spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him
tosrether into a troop,' where was apieceoff^round with his own spear.
full of leutiles: and the people fled from the Phi- 22 These </i/»i/fi- did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada,
li.-itiiH's. and had the name among three migiity men,
12 Hut he stood in the midst of the ground, and 23 lie was more honorable than the thirty,* but
defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the he attained not to the first three. And David set
LoKi) wrought a great victory. him over his guard.*
l:} And three of the thirty chief* went down, 24 Asahel the brother of Joab vas one of the
and came to David in the harvest-time unto the thirty Elhanan the son of Dodo of Belh-leheni,
;

cave of Adullam " and the troop of the Philistines


:
25 Shamniah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
pitched in the valley of R('|iliaini. 2() llelez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkcsh the

1-1 And David was then in a hold, and the gar- Tekoite,
rison of the Pliilistines was then in Bcth-lohcm. 27 Aliiezer the Auethothite, Mcbunnai the II u-
15 And David longed, and said. Oh that one shathitc,
woidd give me drink of the water of the well of 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netojiha-
Beth-lehem, which is by the gate thite,
IG And the three mighty men brake through the 29 Ileleb the son of Baanah, a Netophatliite,
host of the Philistines, and drew water out of Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the chil-
the well of Betli-lchem, that was by the gate, and dren of Benjamin,
took it, and brought it to David nevertheless he : 30 Benaiah tliePiratlionite,Hiddaiof the brooks*
would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto of Gaash,
the Loiu). 31 Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Bar-
17 And he said, Be it far from me, Lord, that hnmitc,
I should do this is not this the blood of the men
: 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonitc ; of the sons of Ja-
that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he shen, Jonathan,
would not drink it. These things did these three 33 Sliammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of
mighty men. Sharar the Hararite,
18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of 3-1 Eliphelct the son of Ahasbai, the son of the

Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted Maaehalhitc, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the
up his spear against three hundred, ajid slew* them, Gilonite,
and had the name among tliree. 35 Hczrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
19 Was he not most honorable of three? there- 36 Igal the sou of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the
fore he was their captain: howbeit he attained Gadite,
not unto the first three. 37 Zeiek the Ammonite, Nahari the Bcerothite,
20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of armor-bearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many 38 Ira an Ithrite,'' Gareb an Ithrite,
acts,^ he slew two lion-like men of Moab he went
' : 39 Uriah the Hittite:'' thirty and seven in all.

Or. for foraging, t Or, the three captains over the thirty, a 1 Sam.
• afjle among the thirty. 1 Or. over council; Hi'b. at kis command;
22:1. 1 Hcb. sfain. iUA.' great of a^ts. fRi-h. linns of Gad. H Heb. a 14. t Or, valleys, bch. 2U:26. c ch. 11:3, etc.
man of countenance, or sight; called, 1 Chr. llril, a man of great stature.

11, Lentiles; a species of pulse or pea. 4. Rulers who obey God and so rule as to please him, are

iX Atlallam; 1 Sam. 22:1. licpJtaim; chap. 5:18. great blessings to themselves, their families, and the world.
17. The blood of the men; water for which they had haz- 5. Parents, however exalted, cannot with certainty se-
arded their lives, cure the piety of their children, nor masters of their ser-
20. Kabzccl; in the south part of Judah. Josh. 15:21. vants, nor rulers of their people and even for their own ;

Lion-like; fierce, strong, courageous. piety and salvation they are dependent upon the rich grace
^
goodly man; one of warlike appearance, and of
21, of God in Jesus Christ. The everlasting covenant made
great strength and stature. 1 Cliron. 11 23, : with him and his people is their only security. In this
they delight, and the salvation it proffers they supremely
INSTRUCTIONS. desire.
1, The last words of good men often make
a deep im- 6. Though the wicked may here for a time prosper, and
pression on survivors, and their past labors, directed and the righteous be in ti-ouble, yet their condition will soon
aided bj' the Spirit of God, may to the end of time assist be reversed the righteous through grace will be com-
;

others in preparing for heaven. forted, and the wicked through their persevering wicked-
2, As the Spirit of God spoke by David, the words which ness will be tormented, Mai, 3:18; Luke 16:25.
under His guidance he uttered were the words of God 8. Different men have different talents, both in kind and
and Peter, in declaring that the Holy Ghost spoke by the degree but all their capacities and powers they receive
;

mouth of David, uttered nothing but what was true. Acts from God, and should employ in learning and doing his
1:16, will. They will thus best secure their own welfare, and
3, Parents, masters, magistrates, and rulers of every do the most good of which they are capable to others.
description, are under sacred obligations to be in all things 13-17, We
should ever be ready to deny ourselves and
strictly just ; they are forbidden by Jehovah to exercise endure privation, rather than jeopard the lives or injure
the least injustice towards any whom they govern. the souls of our feUow-men, 1 Cor. 8:9-13.
396
David numhtrcth Israel. 2 SAMUEL XXIV. He repenteth thereof.

klS CHAPTER XXIV.


1 David, tempted by Satan, forceth Joab to number the people. 5 The
captains, in nine months and twenty days, bring the muster of thir-
teen hundred tlwusand figlitmg men. 10 David, having three pKagues
propounded by Gad, repenteth, and chooseth the three days' pestilence.
1.5 After the death of threescore and ten thousand, David by repent-
ance preventeth the destruction of Jerusalem. 18 David, by (jad's
direction, purchaseth Araunah's threshing-floor; where having sacri-
ficed, the plague stayeth.

AND again the anger of the Lord was kindled


against Israel," and lie" moved David against
them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.''
2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the
host, wliich ivas with him, Go* now through all the
tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and
number ye the people, that I may know the num-
ber of the people.'^
3 And Joalj said unto the king, Now
the Lord
thy God add unto the people, how many soever
they be, a hundred-fold, and that the eyes of ray
lord the it: but why doth my lord
king may see
the king delight in this thing?
•i Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed
against Joab, and against the captains of the host.
And Joab and the captains of the host went out
from the presence of the king, to number the peo-
ple of Israel.
5 T And tliey passed over Jordan, and pitched
in Aroer,"* on the right side of the city that liefh in
:"
the midst of the river* of Gad, and toward Jazer
6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of
Tahtim-hodshi j^ and they came to Dan-jaan,*' and
about to Zidon,^
7 .\nd came to the strong-hold of Tyre, and to
all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaan-
ites and they went out to the south of Judah,
:

even to Beer-slieba.
8 So when they had gone through all the land,
they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months
and twenty days.
9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of
the people unto the king: and there were in Israel
eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the
sword and the men of Judah wei-e five hundred
;

thousand men.
10 "I And David's heart smote him after that he
had numbered the people." And David said unto
the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have
done:' and now, I beseech thee, Lord, take
away the iniquity of thy servant ;' for I have done
very foolishly.''
li For when David was up in the morning, the
aCh.
SacriJUts being offend, 2 SAMUEL XXIV. the plague is stayed.

2li All these //ii;i/r.? diil Araunali, as a kiiif^," give tho threshing-floor and the o.xen for fifty u.oim?:
unto the Ami
AiMiiiiali said uuto tlic king,
kiiiir. shekels of silver.
The aeeept lliee.''
L(iui) tliy (Jod 2.5 And David built
there an altar unto the Lord,
24 And the king said unto Araunali, Nay; l)ut and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings.
I will surely buy // of thee at a ))rice: uuilhor will So the Loud was entreated for the laud," and the
I offer burnt-oflerings unto the Lokd my God of plague was stayed from Israel.''
that whieh doth cost uic nothing. So David bought
:0. b Job 4i:8, 9; Ewk. 4():40, 41. JNum. 10:47,48; 21:7-0.

of silver; ho further paid him bIx hun-


24. Fi/ly shekels felt contrition,and lead hira to most earnest suppKcations
dred shekels of gold for " the place of the threshing-floor." to God mercy.
for
iChion. 21:22-25. 12. No degree
of penitence or faith in Jesus Christ will
INSTRUCTIONS. save the guilty in this world from many of the distress-
1. Rulers are often left to act very foolishly and wick- ing effects of their sins, nor can they bo sure that they
edly, and Satan is sufl'ered to tempt them to tlio conimis- will not be the occasion of bringing upou others endless
sion of sins, which occasion dreadful calamities as a pun- destruction.
ishment for the sins of the people. 14. The only resource for the truly penitent is in hearty
2. A
rapid increase of population and great prosperity submission to God, and unreserved commitment of all their
among a people may make not only them but their rulers interests to him.
proud, overbearing, and self-cohfideut, and may thus draw 16. Jehovah is a God of infinite compassion. lie has
down upon them the sore and desolating judgments of no pleasure in the ruin even of the most guilty, and pun-
heaven. ishes as few and as little as will possibly consist witli the
3. Even wicked men see with great clearness that the highest public good. In the turning of sinners from tho
course which Christians .sometimes aro disposed to take error of their ways, he has groat delight.
is morally wrong, and will end in trouble. They some- 17. Few things are more distressing to a truly ingenu-
times give warning and advice which it would be well ous and benevolent mind, than to have been the guilty
for Christians to follow. occasion of bringing distress upon others, and it often
4. Despotic power tends to blind the mind and harden wishes that the consequences of its own sins could bo
the heart. Those who possess it are often deaf to reason, borne only liy itself
and bent on a course which will bring great troubles on 2.5. There is no effectual and permanent relief from tho
themselves and others. sufierings which sin occasions, or from sin itself, but in
10. A good man's conscience, though it sometimes in hearty ;ipplication, according to the directions of God, to
his commission of sin seems to be dead, is nevertheless Ilim who (lied the just for the unjust, offering himself a
alive and it will sooner or later awake, condemn him for
; sacrifice for sin. and thus obtaining eternal redemption
his iniquity, fill him with pungent grief, and deep, heart- for all who put their trust in him.

398
THE

FIEST BOOK OF THE KINGS,


COMMONLY CALLED,

THE THIED BOOK OF THE KINGS.

The two books of the Kixgs, like the two of Samuel, properly constitute but one work. That they
were composed at one time and by one author is generally agreed. The division into two books was
first made bj' the Greek translators, who named them respectively, Second and Third Book of the Kino-s.

See the introduction to the first book of Samuel.


According to the tradition of the Jewish Talmudists, " Jeremiah wrote his own book " that of his
prophecies— " and the book of Kings and Lamentations." This tradition is not improbable, thouo-li we
cannot certainly say whether the work proceeded from him, or some other prophet who lived during the
Captivity. It comprises the history of Judah and Israel from the closing years of David's reign to the
death of Jehoiachin in Babylon that is, according to the common computation, through a period of more
;

than four hundred and fifty years. See the marginal dates. Evil-merodach, who released Jehoiachin
from prison, reigned, according to Josephus, two years. Whether Jehoiachin survived him and if so
how long, we have no means of determining.
The author of these books constantly refers, for the history of the kingdom of Judah, to " the book of
the Chronicles of the kings of Judah," except in the case of Solomon, where he names " the book of the
acts of Solomon." For the history of the kingdom of Israel, he
manner, to "the book of the
refers, in like

Chronicles of the kings of Israel" in such a way as to make


manifest that these were two separate
it

books of annals, from which he took such extracts as suited his purpose, while he referred the reader to
the works themselves for fuller details. These two books of chronicles must not be confounded with the
books of Chronicles contained in tlie sacred canon, which are of later date, and also themselves refer to
fuller annals. See the introduction to the books of Chronicles.
The exact character of the annals to which the author of the books of Kings so constantly refers, it
is not necessary that we should determine ; since it is certain that he was divinely illuminated, so as to
present the historic facts contained in these annals in their true light. His history faithfully and impar-
tially records alike the sins of the pious kings, and the acts of the wicked kings that were in their out-
ward form right and conducive to the prospcj'ity of the people. It goes below the surface of things, and
traces, as it should, the prosperity of God's people, and the calamities which befell them, to his blessing
and his curse, measured out to tlicm according to the immutable principles of the covenant made with
their fathers.
And since the general principles upon which God deals with nations are the same for aU ages and
countries, this histoi-y of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel is a clear mirror into which the rulers of the
present day and their people may look, if they will, It is only by
and see the destiny that awaits them.
righteousness and the fear of God that they can attain to true freedom and prosperity.
The idea that
by any increase of their outward power and wealth they can be made permanently happy and tranquil,
while they despise God's word, break his laws, and administer their governments upon unrighteous prin-
ciples, is a miserable delusion. They who indulge in it will sooner or later be awakened from their
foolish dream by the stern hand of God's providence, and made to understand, by their own bitter expe-
rience, that "righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people."
399
:

T?ie rebellion of Adonijah. 1 KINGS I, David's promise to Bath'shcba.

CHAPTER I, thy son shall reign after me, ami he shall n nlfj;
*'•

1 Abithsg cheriihfth l>»riJ in hi» citroinc nge. 5 Adonijah, Dsrid'n sit u])on my tlirone?^ why then doth Adonijah
darlini;. uiurpcUi Uie kingjom. II Uy tlio counsel of Nathnn. lO reign?
Bnth-ihcbs niovrtli ilu- kiuK, '-.>-.>
ruid Nathnn sccondelh hi-r. 2S iH-
TiJ rcnrwrlli his o^iih to lluili-sht'h.i.3..' St^lomon, by Davitl'a apimnit- 14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the
ment, bnn^ anoint^'d tiing by Zadolc and N;ithan, thu people triumph. king, 1 also will come in after thee, and conlirm*
41 Jonathan brinj^ing these news, Adonijah's guests fly. SU Adoni-
jah, tlyint; to thu horns of the altar, upon his good behavior is dis-
thy words.
missed by Solomon. 15 "il And Bath-shcba went in unto the king into
NOW kiiifT David was old and stricken inycars ;* the chamber and the king was very old and .\bi-
and they covered him with clothes, but he gat sliag the Shunammite ministered unto tlic king.
: :

no heat. 16 And Bath-sheba bowed and did obeisance


2 Wlierefore his servants said unto him, Let unto the king. And the king said, What wouldcst
there be sought* for my lord the king a young vir- thou?'
gin :' and let lier stand before the king, and let her 17 And she said unto him. My lord, thou swarcst
cherish^ him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that by the Lord thy God unto tiiy handmaid, saying,
my lord tlie king may get.heat. Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me,
3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout and he siuill sit upon my throne.
all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shu- 18 And now, behold, Adonijali reigneth and ;

nammite, and brought her to the king. now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not
4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished 19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and
the king, and ministered to him: but the king sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons
knew her not. of the king, and Abiatliar the priest, and Joab the
5 TT Then Adonijah the son of Haggith" exalted cajjtain of the host:'' but Solomon thy servant
himself,'' saying, I will be king:' and he prepared hath he not called.
him chariots and horsemen, and lifty men to run 20 And thou, my lord, king, the eyes of all
before liim." Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell lliem
6 And his father had not displeased him at any who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king
time^ in saying. Why hast thou done so? and he after him.
also icas a very goodly man; and his motlier bare 21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord
him after Absalom. the king shall sleep with his fathers,' that I and
7 And he conferred* with Joab the son of Zeru- my son Solomon shall be counted oifenders.'
iah,'^ and with Abiatliar the priest:" and they fol- 22 IT And lo, while she yet talked with the king,
lowing Adonijali helped him.^ Nathan the prophet also came in.
S But Zadok the priest, and Benaiali the son of 23 And they told the king, saying,Behold Nathan
Jehoiada, and Nathan tlie proiihct, and Shiraei,'' the propliet. And when he was come in before the
and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to king, he bowed himself before the king with his
David,- were not with Adonijah. face to the ground.
9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat 24 And Nathan said. My lord, king, hast thou
cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En- said, Adonijali shall reign after me, and he shall
rogel,* and called all his brethren the king's sons, sit upon my throne?
and all the men of Judah the king's servants: 25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain
10 But Nathan the prophet,'' and Beuaiah, and oxen and f\it cattle and sheep in abundance, and
the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he call- hath called all the king's sons, and the captains
ed not. of the host, and Abiathar the priest;™ and behold,
11 1 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba they eat and drink before him, and say, God save
the mother of Solomon, saying. Hast thou not heard, king Adonijah.""
that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and 26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the
David our lord knoweth it not? priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy
\'l Now tlierefore come, let me, I pray thee, give servant Solomon, hath he not called.
thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, 27 Is this tiling done by my lord the king, and
and tlie life of tliy son Solomon. thou hast not showed it unto thy servant, who
13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say should sit on the throne of my lord the king after
unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, king, swear him?
unto thy handmaid,' sayings Assuredly Solomon 28 1 Then king David answered and said, Call
^f^h. entered into days, t Heb. them seek. I lleh. a damsel, a virgin, etc. Or, the well Rogel; 2 Sara. 17:17. h 2 Sam. 12:1, etc.
1 ver. 30.
i

t Hub. be a rherMer unto, a 2 Sam. 3:4. l>Lukel4:]l. i Hub. reign. J 1 Chr. 22:(i-13. i Heb.jill up. I Heb. What to thee? k ver. 7-9. I ch.
c-JSam. lo:l. ^ H-h. from his days. • Heb. his words were, d ch. 2:23. 2:10. %Heb. sinners, ni yer. 19. • Heb. Let king Adonijah live, n 1 Sam.
« 2 Sam. 20:25. t Ueb. helped after Adonijah. t ch. 4: IS. s 2 Sam. 2:3:8,

12. Save thine own life, and the life of thy son; had Ado-
CHAPTER I. nijah succeeded, it would have been his policy to put
5.Ha^sith ; one of David's wives. Solomon, and probably his mother also, to death as the ;

6. Bare him after; he was next in age to Absalom, whose people knew that David intended that he should be his
mother's name was Maacah. 2 Sam. 3:3, 4. successor, and there would have been a strong party in
.S. Hhimei; supposed to have been Shimei the son of Elah, his favor. See ver. 21.
afterwards one of Solomon's officers. Chap. 4:18. 21. I and my son Solomon shall be counted offender.^; we
9. Ett-rogel; a fountain on the south-east of Jerusalem, shall be regarded and treated as persons deserving to
in the valley of Kedron. die-
400
Solomon is anointed kin^. 1 KINGS I. Adonijah is spared.

n.c.'m!:me Bath-sheba. And she came into the


king's presence,* and stood before the king.
29 And the king sware, and said, Jls tiie Lord
livcth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all
distress,"
30 Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God
of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall
reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in
my stead;" even so will I certainly do this day.
31 Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to "the
earth, and did reverence to the king, and said. Let
my lord king David live for ever."
32 % And king David said. Call me Zadok the
priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the
son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.
33 The king also said unto them. Take with you
the servants of your lord,** and cause Solomon my
son to ride upon mine own* mule, and bring him
down to Gilion:"
34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the
prophet anoint him there king over Israel:' and
blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king
Solomon.^
35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may
come and sit upon m}' throne for he sliall be king-
;

in my stead and I have appointed him to be ruler


:

over Israel and over Judah.


36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered
the king, and said. Amen:" the Lord God of my
lord the king say so too.'
37 As the Lord hath been with my lord the
king,J even so be he with Solomon, and make his
throne greater than the throne of my lord king
David."
38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet,
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cher-
ethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused
Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and
brought him to Gihon.
39 And Zadok the priest took a horn of oil out
of the tabernacle,' and anointed Solomon.'" And
they blew the trumpet and all the people said,
;

God save king Solomon."


40 And all the people came up after him, and the
people piped with pipes,* and rejoiced with great
joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
41 H And Adonijah and all the guests thsit were
with him heard it as they had made an end of
• Heb. before
1

DavuTs dying ehargf. 1 KINGS II riols of Adonijah.

CHAPTEU II. to do unto him; but his hoar head bring u.c wJJ;
thou down to the grave with lilood.
1 Darid, h.iring pvcn a r.lii»ri;r to Solomon, 3 of rcligiouintM, of .')

Jo«b, 7 of Banilliu, 8 of ShiimM, 10 JicUi.


1'2 Solomon luccotili'lli. lU So David slept with his fathers,' and was
13 AJonijiih, inovinjr lintli-nhtlia to sue unto Solomon for AbiilinK. '" buried" iu the city of David.'
put to (Iciith. -ti Abiivtiisr, Imving hii lifu given him, ii JepriveJ of
the prinlhood. 28 Joak lU'eing to the horn» of the altjir it tliure 1 And the days that David reigned over Israel
sinin. 3-'> Urnaiah in put in Joab a room, and S^adok in Abiathar's. 3ti
were forty years:" seven years reigned he in He-
Shimei. confined to Jeriualem, by occ&aion of going thence to Galh is
put to death. bron, and thirty and tlircc years reigned he in

NOW the ilays of David drew nigh tliat


should die;" and he charged Solomon
lie
lii.s
Jerusalem.
12 *i 'J'hcii sat Solomon ujion the throne of Da-
son, saving, vid his father;" and his kingdom was established
2 I way of all the earth :'' be thou strong greatly."-
Ro llic

therefore, and siiow thyself a man ;" 13 "I And Adonijah the son of Ilaggith came to
3 And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon. And she said,
walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his Comest thou peaceably?" And he said. Peaceably.
commandments, and his judgments, and his testi- 14 He said moreover, I have somewhat to say
monies, as it is written in the law of .Moses,'' that unto thee. And she said, Say on.
thou mayest i)rosper" in all that thou doest,'^ and 15 And he said. Thou knowest that the kingdom
whithersoever thou turnest thyself: was mine,^' and that all Israel set their faces on
4 That the Loud may continue his word which me, that I should reign howbeit the kingdom is :

ho spake concerning me, saying, If thy children turned about, and is become my brother's: for it
take heed to their way, to walk l)eforc me in truth was his from the Lord.''
with all their heart and with all their soul,' there 10 And now I ask one petition of thee, deny mc
shall not fail thee, said he, a man on the throne of not.' And she said unto him, Say on.
Israel.*^ 17 And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solo-
5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the mon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that
son of Zcruiah did to me,'' and what he did to the he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife."
two cajitains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the 18 And Batli-.sheba said, Weil; I will speak for
son of Ner,' and nnto Amasa the son of Jether,-' tliee nnto the king.
whom he slew, and shed* the blood of war in peace, 19 1j Bath-sheba therefore went unto king Solo-
and put the blood of war upon his girdle that teas mon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the
about his loins, and iu his shoes that were on his king rose up to meet her,"" and bowed himself unto
feet. her," and sat down on his throne, and caused a
6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom,'' and let seat to be set for the king's mother and she sat ;

not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.' on his right hand.''
7 But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai 20 Then she said, I desire one small petition of
the Gilcaditc,'" and let them be of those that eat thee / pray thee, say me not nay. And the king ;

at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled said unto her, Ask on, my mother; for I will not
because of Absalom thy brother." say thee nay.
8 And behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son 21 And she said. Let Abishag the Shunammite
of Gera," a Benjamite of Bahuriin, which cursed be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.
me with a grievous' curse in the day when I went 22 And king Solomon answered and said unto
to Mahanaim but he came down to meet me at
: his mother. And why dost thou ask Abishag the
Jordan,'' and I sware to him by the Lord, saying, Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the king-
I will not put thee to death with the sword. dom also for he is mine elder brother; even for ;

9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless « for thou him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the
:

art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest son of Zeruiah.'^

a Gen. 47:29; Deut. 31:14; Job 7:1. b Josh. 2.'J:14; Psa. S9:48; lUh. P 2 Sam. 19:18-2.3. q Exod. 20:7; Job 9:28. f ch. 1:21; Acts 13:36 'Acts
9:27. c Eccl. 12:13; 1 Cor. 10:13. d Deut. 17:16-20. • Or, do wisely; 2:29. t2Sam..'j:7. " I Chr. 29:27. v 1 Chr. 29:23; 2 Chr. 1 :1. "Psa.
1 Sam. 18:5, 14, 30. e Deut. 29:9. ' Psa. 1.32: 12. t Heb. be cut off from 72:8, etc. « 1 Sam. 16:4,5. ych. 1:5. ' 1 Chr. 22:9, 10; Jer. 27:5-S; Dan.
thee from the throne. saSam. 7:16. h 2 Sam. 19:5-7. i 2 Sam. 3:27. 2:21. I Heb. turn not away my face; Psa. 132:10. » ch. 1:3,4. 1> Lev.
c Exod. 20:12. <i Psa. 45:9. ech. 1:7.
I 2 Sam. 20:10. 1 Heb. put. k ver. 9. 1 ver. 31, 34; Gen. 42:38; 44:31. 19:32.
» 2 Sitn. 19:31-10. n2Sam. 17:27. o 2 Sam. 16:5, etc. 8 Heb. slrong-.

postponed, lest the opportunity of doing it be lost but ; David judged it jiroper, at the time when Shimei met him,

should be undertaken with promptness, and prosecuted to give him his oath that he would not put him to death ;

with energy till it is accomplished. but he felt that for the good of his kingdom such conduct
37. When God is duly acknowledged as the author of ought to bo punished with death, and Solomon was tree
all good, men may reasonably expect that their blessings to treat him according to his deserts.
will be increased. 10. The city of David; Zion. 2 Sam. 5:7.
49. The most sanguine projects of the wicked are des- 15. The kingdom was mine; his meaning was, that it be-
tined to disappointment; and from the heights of expec- longed to him as David's oldest living son. His second
tation they may suddenly be thrown into the depths of son Chileab, 2 Sam. 3:3, seems to have been already dead.
despair. 22. Ask for him the kingdom; by this Solomon intimated
to his mother, that, considering the relation Abishag had
CHAPTER II. sustained to David, Adonijah's request for her implied
Continue; more literally, establish; that is, continue
4. an assertion of his right to the kingdom; for this was,
to his promise, which was made conditional upon
fulfil according to the custom of those days, the way in which
the obedience of David's successors on the throne. an usurper proceeded in resisect to the concubines of his
9. With blood; put him to a violent death for his crimes. predecessor.
402
The death of Adonijah, 1 KINGS II. of Joab, and of Shimei.

B l-ml' 23 Then king Solomon sware by the Lord,


saying, God do so to me, and more also,'' if Adoni-
jah have not spoken this word against his own life.
24 Now therefore, as the Lord liveth, which hath
established me, and set me on the throne of David
mv father, and who hath made me a house, as he
promised," Adonijah shall be put to death this day.""
25 And king Solomon sent by the hand of Bena-
iah the son of Jehoiada and he fell upon him that
;

he died.
26 1 And unto Abiathar the priest said the king,
Cict thee to Anathoth,'' unto thine own fields; for
tliou art worthy of death :* but I will not at this
time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark
of the Lord God before David my father," and
because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my
father was afflicted.'
27 So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being
priest unto the Lord ; that he might fulfil the word
of the Lord, which he spake concerning the house
of Eii in Shiloh.s
28 1 Tiien tidings came to Joab for Joab liad
:

turned after Adonijah," though he turned not after


Absalom.' And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the
Lord, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.J
29 And it was told king Solomon that Joab was
fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord ; and behold,
he is by the altar ."^ Then Solomon sent Benaiah
the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.
30 And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the
Lord, and said unto him. Thus saith the king,
Come forth. And he said. Nay ; but I will die
here. And Benaiah brought the king word again,
saying. Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.
31 And the king said unto him. Do as he hath
said, and fall upon him, and bury him ; that thou
mayest take away the innocent bk)od,' which Joab
shed,"" from me, and from the house of my father.
32 And the Lord shall return his blood upon his
own head," who fell upon two men more righteous
and better than he," and slew them with the sword,
my father David not knowing thereof,''' to loit, Ab-
ner the son of Ner,'' captain of the host of Israel,
and Amasa the son of Jether,'' captain of the host
of Judali.
God appears to Solomon. 1 KINGS III. His wist cAoia.

privy to," Hint lliou diilst to David my


S And thy servant is in the midst of tliy Vr wm
fatlicr;
tlicrbforo (In- Liiiu) sliiill return tliy wickedness
people wiiich thou iiast chosen,^ a great jieoplc, that
upon tliinc own head :''
cannot l>e numbered nor counted for multitude.^

45 And kini; Soluiiioii s/iall he blessed,"" and tlic 9 Give tiierefore thy servant an understanding'
tlirone of David sliaii be cstablisiied before tiic heart'- to Judge thy people," that J may discern
Loni) for ever.'' between good and bad:'' for who is able to judge
46 So tlic kins connnandcd Bcnaiali the son of tills thy so great a jieoplc?
Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon iiini, that 10 And the s|ieccli ])leased the Lord, that Solo-
he died. And the kingdom was established in the mon had asked this thing.
hand of Solomon.*^ 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast
asked this tiling,'' and hast not asked for thyself
long life;* neither hast asked riches for thyself,
CHAPTER III. nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast
1 Solomon marrieth Pharaoh's daughter. 2 High places being in use, asked for thyself understanding to discern'' judg-
Solomon sacrificeth at Gibeon. 5 Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice
which (joJ gave him, preferring wisdom, obtainctli wisdom, riches,
ment ;

and honor. 16 Solomon's Judgment between the two harlots maketli 12 I3ehoId,I have done according to thy word :''
him renowned. lo, Ihave given thee a wise and an understanding
\ ND Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king heart so that there was none like thee before
;

Jrx. of Egypt, and took Pliaraoh's (Uuigiiter,' and thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto
brougiit iier into the city of David,*-' until ho had thee."
made an end of building his own house,'' and the 13 And I have also given thee that which thou
house of the Lord,' and the wall of Jerusalem hast not asked,'' both riches, and honor :^ so that
round about.-' there shall not be any among the kings like unto
'

'2 Ouly the people sacrificed in liigh places,'' thee all thy days."
becau.<e there was no house built unto the name 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep
of the Lord, until those days. my statutes and my commandments, as thy father
3 And Solomon loved the Lord,' walking in the David did walk, then I w'ill lengtlien thy days.'
statutes of David his father "' only he sacrificed
:
15 And Solomon awoke; and behold, it was a
and burnt incense in high places. dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and
there ;" for that was the great high place :" a thou- offered up burnt-offerings, and offered peace-offer-
sand burnt-offerings did Solomon otl'er upon that ings, and made a feast to all his servants.'
altar. IG IT Then came there two women, that were liar-
.5 1 1n Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon'' lots, unto the king, and stood before him.''
in a dream by night:'' and God said. Ask what 1 17 And the one woman said, my lord, I and
shall give thee.'' this woman dwell in one house and I was deliv- ;

6 And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto ered of a child with her in the house.
thy servant David my father great mercy,* accord- 18 And it came to pass the third day after that
ing as he walked before thee in truth, and in I was delivered, that this woman was delivered
righteousness,'' and in uprightness of heart with also and we were together f/ure was no stranger : ;

thee ' and thou hast kept for him this gi'cat kind- with us in the house, save we two in the house.
;

ness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his 19 And this woman's child died in the night;
throne," as it is this day. because she overlaid it.
7 And now, O Lord ray God, thou hast made 20 And she arose at midnight,' and took my son
thy servant king instead of David my father and from beside me, while thy handmaid slept, and
:

I am but a little child :" I know not how to go out laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in
or come in.^ my bosom.
»2Sam. Rom.
le:.';-^; 2:15; Ijohn3:a0. b Ezek. 17:19. cPsa. 72:17. 1 Heh. hearing, z Prov. 2:3-9; Jas. 1 :5. » Psa. 72:1. 2; John 5:30. b Heb.
i ver. 33. :51. e2Chr.l:l. f ch. 7:S; 9:21. e2Sam.5:7. lich.7:l. i ch. 5:14. t Rom. 8:26; Jas. 4:2: I Ueb. many days. iUeb hear, il ] John
B. Jch. 9:1.5,19. k ch. 23:43; Lev. 17:3. 5. 1 Deut. .)0:I(!, 2U: Psi. 31:23; 5:14. e ch. 4:29-31
5:12; 10:23, 24;
; Eccl. 1 l:i, 16. f Matt. 6:3:3; Eph.
:

.Matt. 22:37; Rom. 3:2-1. m ver. 6, 14; John 14:15, 21. n 2 Chr. 1:3, etc. 3:10. e ch. 4:21, 24; Prov. 3:16. I Or, hath not been, h ch. 10:23-29.
» 1 Chr. 10::39. Pch.9:2. q Num. 12:0 ; Matt. 1 20. r Matt. 7:7; John
: i Deut. 25:15; Psa. 21:4; 91:16; ProT. 3:2; 1 Tim. 4:8. J ch. 8:65; Esth.
I6:-24. • Or, bounty. " ch. 2:4; 9:4; 15:5. I 2 Kings 20:3; Psa. 15:2. 1:3; Mark6:21. kNum.27:3. 1 Job !M:16; Psa. 139:11.
•1 ch. 1:43. V 1 Chr. 29:1. w Psa. 121:8. » Dent. 7:6. y Gen. 13:18.

22. No filial respect or affection, and no promises or rificed, as here, to Jehovah, must be distinguished from
engagements, should ever lead men to do what is morally the high places devoted to the worship of idols. The law
wrong. of Moses required that all offerings should be made at the
No elevation or official sanctity should be permitted
26. tabernacle. Lev. 17:5; but previously to the building of
to cover the guilt of crime, nor should the openly criminal the temple this rule was not strictly observed, even by
or vicious be continued in any public employment. such eminent prophets as Samuel, 1 Sam. 9:12-14.
39. By a too eager desire that others should servo them, 5. A dream; before men had the Bible to guide them,
men may occasion their own ruin. God sometimes made known to them his will in dreams.
7. A little child; young and inexperienced. Go out or

CHAPTER III.
come in act as ruler in Israel.
,-

11. Diacern judgment ; judge rightly in cases that might


2. Only the peopk sacrificed; the word "only" implies come before him.
that in general the people were obedient to the law of 14. Lengtlien thy days; this and other promises made to
Moses, but that in this respect they did not comply with Solomon were on condition that he should continue to
it. In high places; the high places whore the people sac- obey God. Chap. 6:12.
404
::

Solomon^ wise judgment. 1 KINGS IV. His princes and officers.

k^lwu: 21 And
wlien I rose in the morning to
give my child suck, behold, it was dead but when :

I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was


not my son, which I did bear.
22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the liv-
ing is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this
said, No but the dead is thy son, and the living
;

is my son. Thus tliey spake before the king.


23 Tiien said the king. The one saith. This w my
son that livetli, and thy son is the dead and the :

other saith, Nay but thy son is the dead, and my


;

son is the living.


2J: And the king said. Bring me a sword. And
they brouglit a sword before the king.
25 And tiie king said, Divide the living child in
two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
20 Then spake the woman whose the living child
vns unto the king, for her bowels yearned* upon
her son," and she said, my lord, give her the
living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other
said. Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
27 Then the king answered and said. Give her
the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the
mother thereof.
28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which
the king had judged ; and they feared the king
for they saw that the wisdom of God v:as in him +
to do judgment.''

CHAPTER IV.
1 Solomon's princes. 7 His t«'elve officers for provision. 20, 24 The
peace and largeness of his kingdom. 22 His daily provision. 26
His stables. 29 His wisdom.

Solomon was king over


SO 2king Israel.
And these were the princes whicli he had
all

Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,*


3 Elihoreph and Ahia, the sons of Shisha, scribes ;^
Jehoshaphat tlie son of Ahilud," the recorder."
4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the
host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:''
5 And Azariah tlie son of Nathan was over the
officers and Zabud the son of Nathan was prin-
:

cipal officer, and the king's friend:"


• Heb. wert ho
Solomon's great wisdom. 1 KINGS V. Asrumenl with Hiram.

22 ^ And Solomon's provision' for one day was CHAPTER V,


thirty moasurcs' of line Hour, and threescore incus- 1 Hiram, eniline to concratulati; Solomon, i> certiRnl of hii purpose to
urcs of meal, . build the temple, And detired to rurniitti him with timber tnervto. 7
lliram, blessing God Tor Solomon, and rcqufsting food for his family,
23 Ten
fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of tlie pas- furnisheth him with tieea. 13 The nuniDcr of Solomon'a workmen
tures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and roe- and laborers.
bucks, and fallow-deer, and fatted fowl.
24 For he had dominion over all (he region on
AND
Hiram' king of Tyre sent his servants
unto Solomon; for he had heard that they
this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, had anointed him king in the room of his father:
over all the kings on tliis side the river: and he for Hiram was ever a lover of David."
had ]ioace on all sides round about him." 2 And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely,*" every 3 Thou knowest how that David my Either could
man under his vine and under his fig-tree,'^ from not build a house unto the name of Ihe Loud his
Dan even to Bccr-sheba, all the days of Solomon. God, for the wars which were aliout him on every
26 1 And Solomon iiad forty tiiousand stalls of side," until the Loud put them under the soles of
horses for his chariots,'' and twelve thousand horse- his feet.
men." 4 But now the Lord my God hath given me rest
27 And those officers provided victuals for king on every side,P so (ha( (here is neither adversary
Solomon, and for all tiiat came unto king Solomon's nor evil occurrent.
table, every man in his month they lacked nothing. 5 And behold, 1 purjiose^ to build a house unto
:

28 Barley also and straw for the horses and drom- the name of the Lord my God,'' as the Lord spake
edaries^ brought they unto the place where (he offi- unto David my father,'' saying, Thy son, whom 1
cers were, every man according to his charge. will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and under- a house unto my name.
*i\

standing exceeding mucli, and largeness of heart/ G Now therefore command thou that they hew
even as the sand that is on the sca-sliore. me cedar-trees out of Lebanon and my servants ;

30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom shall be with thy servants; and unto thee will I
of all the children of the east couuti'y,^ and all give hire for thy servants according to all that
the wisdom of Egypt."* thou shalt appoint:" for thou knowest that (here
31 For he was wiser than all men than Ethan ; is not among us any that can skill to hew timber
the Ezrahite,' and Heman,-' and Chalcol, and Dar- like unto the Zidonians.'*
da, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all 7 IT And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the
nations round about. words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs:" and said. Blessed be the Lord this day,' which hath
his songs were a thousand and live.' given unto David a wise son over this great
33 And ho spake of trees, from the cedar-tree people."
that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that spriug- 8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have
eth out of tlie wall he spake also of beasts, and
: considered* the things w'hich thou sentest to me
of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. for: and I will do all thy desire concerning tim-
3-i And there came of all people to hear the wis- ber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
dom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which 9 My servants shall bring (hem down from Leb-
had heard of his wisdom.™ anon unto the sea and I will convey them by sea
;

• Heb. briad. t Heb. cars. = I Clir. •Jrl:'3. 1 Hob. confidently, b Jer. 9: 1, 23; Isa. 2:2, 3; Col. 2:3. I Hitram, 2 Chr. 2:3; ver. 10, IH. o 2 Sam.
2!:6. c Mic. 4:4; Zcch. 3:10. d Deut. I7:lr5. c ch. 10:20; 2 Chr. 1:14. 5:11; Amos 1:9. « 1 Chr. 22:3; 28:3. p Psa. 72:7; Isa. 9:7. 1 Hfib. say.
• Or,inu/«,ors!«i/I4easU; Esth.8:14; Mic.l:13. ' ch. 3:13. eJobl:3; q 2 Chr. 2:4, etc. r a Sam. 7: 13; 1 Chr. 17:12. • Heb. ioy. »lCor.l2:14,
Matt. 2:1, 10. h Acts 7:22. i 1 Chr. 15:19; Psa. 89, title. J 1 Chr. 2:6; etc. 1 Dan. 2:20, 21. uProv. 13:1. t ITeb. /learrf.
6:33; Psa. 88, title, k Prov. 1. etc. ; Eccl. 12:9. Song 1:1, etc. >i2Chr.

Provision; for all his numerous household and the


22. be especially careful to select such as are distinguished
dependents of his palace. Tliirtij measures ; in the Hebrew, for wisdom and fidelity, and whose example and influence
thirty cors. The cor was ten ephahs. Reckoning the will be salutary to the j^eople.
ephah at one bushel and one twelfth, a cor would be a 21. Jehovah is a God of truth: when the word hath
little less than eleven bushels. gone out of his mouth it standeth for ever and though ;

24. This side the river; the west side. Tiphsah; a city the fulfilment of his promises may be long delayed, in due
on the Euphrates. Azzah; Gaza; on the south-west of time they will be accomplished. Gen. 15:18.
Canaan towards Egypt. 25. The true glory of rulers is not the extent of their
26. Forty thousand stalls of horses; Solomon had " a thou- conquests, nor the splendor of their establishments, but
sand and four hundred chariots," 2 Chron. 1 14, for which : the happiness and prosperity of their people.
four thousand stalls would be a suitable proportion, ac- 29. Jehovah has infinite fulness, and he can so replenish
cording to the number given in 2 Chron. 9: 25. It has been the minds and hearts of his people with knowledge, wis-
the opinion of some expositors from ancient times that dom, and grace, that they will shine as lights in the world,
this latter number was the original reading. and pour forth the richest blessings on all generations, to
Dromedaries; a species of camels, remarkable for
28. the end of time.
speed but others understand the original word of a breed
; 33. All the works of God manifest his infinite power, wis-
of swift horses. The place where the officers were; the words, dom, and goodness, and may suitably engage a measure of
"the ofBcers," were supplied by the translators. might We the thoughts and investigations of the wisest among men.
better render, either the place where they the horses and — CHAPTER

dromedaries were or, the place where Solomon was.
;
V.
1.Tyre; a city of the Phenicians on the Mediterranean,
INSTRUCTIONS. north of Canaan.
2. A
wise and good ruler, in the appointment of officers 6. TVif I/,- the subjects of Hiram. ZidontoTW,' inhabitants
to take part in the administration of his government, will of Zidon, a city north of Tyre.
406
Solomon raiseth a levy. 1 KINGS VI. lie Jjuilddh the temple.

B "ST in floats unto the place that thou shalt CHAPTER VI.
appoint* me, and will cause them to be discharged 1 The building of Solomon's temple. .5 The chambers thereof. 11 God's
there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt promise unto it. 15 The ceiling and adorning of it. 23 The clieru-
bim. 31 The doors. 36 The court. 37 The time of building
accomplish my desire, in giving food for my house- it.

hold."
10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar-trees and fir-
AND it came to pass in the four
eightieth year after the children of Israel
hundred and

trees according to all his desire. were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth
11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month
measures* of wheat /b;- food to his household, and Zif which is the second month, that he began to
twenty measures of pure oil thus gave Solomon : build' the house of tlic Lord.
to Hiram year by year. 2 And the house which king Solomon built for
12 And the Loud gave Solomon wisdom as he the LoRD,'^the length thereof tras threescore cubits,
promised him:'' and there was peace between Hiram and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the
and Solomon and they two made a league together.
; height thereof thirty cubits.
13 1[ xlnd king Solomon raised a levy* out of all 3 And the porch before the temple of the house,
Israel and the levy was thirty thousand men.
; twenty cubits u-as tlie length thereof according
14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand to the breadth of the house and ten cubits was the ;

a month by courses a month they were in Leba-


: breadth thereof before the house.
non, and two months at home: and Adoniram was 4 And for the house he made windows of nar-
over the levy."^ row lights.*"
15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thou- 5 % And against" the wall of the house he built
sand that bare burdens,'^ and foui'score thousand chambers* round about,^ against the walls of the
hewers in the mountains;" house round about, both of the temple and of the
16 Besides the cliief of Solomon's officers which oracle and he made chambers* round about.
:

were over the work, three thousand and tiiree hun- 6 Tiie nethermost chamber was five cubits broad,
dred, which ruled over the people that wrought and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third
in the work. was seven cubits broad: for without in the icall of
17 And the king commanded, and they brought the house he made narrowed rests ^ round about,
great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to that the beams should not be fastened in the walls
lay the foundation of the house. of the house.
18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders 7 And the house, when it was in building, was
did hew them, and the stone-squarers :^ so they pre- built of stone made ready before it was brought
pared timber and stones to build the house. thither:'' so that there was neither hammer nor
• Heb. semi. » Ezra 3:7; Ezek. 27:17| Acts 12:20. t Heb. rors. b ch. hout; or, skejreU and closed. * Or, upon,

3:12. 1 Heb. IrrtuJeof men. « ch. 4:0. d oh. 9:21. e Josh. 9:21. 5 Or, t Heb. /oor,!. f Ezek 41:6. t Heb. njs. 8 Heb.
GMiles: Ezek. 27:9. 1 Heb. built, f Ezek. oh. 40,41. 1 Or, windows Its. h ch. 5:17, IS; Deut. 27:5, 6.

11. Twenty thousand measures; in the Hebrew, twenty other, to rejoice in each other's prosperity, and seek each
thousand cors, and so also below, thirty thousand cors. other's good.
For the cor, see note to chap. 4:22. Peace is the gift of God. It should be received with
4.
13. Levy out of all Israel; this levy of thirty thousand gratitude, and employed by rulers and people in the pros-
men consisted of Israelites. ecution of such works, and such only, as will be for his

15. Threescore and ten thomond fourscore thousand ; these glory and their highest prosperity.
one hundred and fifty thousand men were of the remnants 9. The difference in the climate, soil, and productions
of the Canaanites, chap. 9 20 2 Chron. 2 17, 18. It should
: ; : of difi'erent countries, renders an interchange of commodi-
be borne in mind, (1) that every piece of timber had to be ties a mutual benefit and this should ever be so con-
;

carried chiefly, if not entirely by hand, from Lebanon to ducted as to benefit all concerned.
the sea; (2) that those hewers and bearers prepared and 13. The building of suitable houses for public worship
collected timber not only for the temple, but also for Solo- is essential to the highest prosperity of the community,
mon's own house, and for many other sumptuous edifices and all should be disposed to do their part towards the
which he was engaged in building. See chap. 9:15-23. It accomplishment of this work.
is reasonable to suppose that a portion of them were employ-
ed in hewing and transporting stones also, as well as timber.
16. Three thousand and three hundred ; the number of chief
VI. CHAPTER
officers set over the one hundred and fifty thousand men 1. Zif; the second month of their ecclesiastical year,

is here stated at three thousand three hundred while in answering to a part of April and May.
chap. 9 23, the chief officers over Solomon's work are
:
;

2. Threescore cubits —
tiventy cubits; the proportion of the
given as five hundred and fifty. The sum of these two length of the temple to its breadth was the same as that
numbers is three thousand eight hundred and fifty. In of the tabernacle but each dimension was twice as great. ;

2 Chron. 2 17, the chief officers set over the one hundred
: 4. Windows of narrow lights; or, windows with fixed
and fifty thousand are stated at three thousand six hun- lattices.
dred; while in 2 Chron. 8:10, the chief officers that bare 5. The oracle; the inner apartment of the temple, twenty
rule over the people are given as two hundred and fifty. cubits square, situated at its west end, and answering to
These two numbers again make three thousand eight hun- the holy of holies " in the tabernacle. The chambers
"

dred and fifty. It is evident that the apparent discrepancy were thus built around the house on its two sides and end,
between the two accounts, in Kings and in Chronicles, arises the front, wliich was towards the east, remaining open.
simply from different modes of classifying these oflicers. 6. The nethermost chamber; here put collectively for the

18. Stnue-sfjuarers; in the margin, Giblites; inhabitants whole lower range of chambers, of which there were three
of Gebal, a town near Zidon. Josh. 13:5; Ezek. 27:9. stories. — —
Five cuhils six cubits seven cubtts ; the walls of
the temple were thickest at the bottom, with ofisets on the
INSTRUCTIONS. outside, making horizontal ledges a cubit in width. On
1. Kings as well as subjects are bound to love one an- these ledges the timbers of the chambers rested on the
407
2 :

Hit construdion and 1 KINGS VI. ornaments of the temple.

axe nor any tool of iron licard in tiic house, while 22 And
the whole house he overlaid with \^. tlS:
it was in luiiiclins- gold, until he had linishcd all the house: also the
8 The middle chamber was in the
(hior tor llie whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid
risrht side* of the house: and they went up with with gold."
wintiinj^ stairs unto the middle c/iamlwr, and out 23 '! And within the orailc he made two cher-
of the middlo into the tiiird. ubim o/' olive-tree,"'' each ten cubits high.
So 111' liuilt tlic houso, and finished it; and cov-
'.) 24 And
live cubits was the om- wing of the cher-
ered till- house wilii heanis and boardsof cedar.* ub, and
five cubits the other wing of the cherub:
10 And //loi he built cliambers against all the fidiii the ntterinost part of the one wing unto the
house, five culnts higli: and they rested on the uttermost part of the other iccre ten cubits.
house with timber of cedar. 25 And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the
11 * And the word of the Lokd came to Foiomon, cherubim were of one measure and one size.
sayinir, 20 The height of the one cherub uas ten cubits,
1 Conrcrninr; this house which thou art in build- and ,so 2vas it of the other cherub.
hi^, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute 27 And he set the cherubim within the inner
my judgments, and keep all my connnandmcnts tu house: and they stretched forth the wrings of the
walk in tlicm ;" then will I my word with
perform cherubim,* ,so that the wing of the one touched the
thee, which I s])ake unto David thy father:" one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched
13 And I will dwell among the ciiildren of Is- the other wall and their wings touched one an-
;

rael,'' and will not forsake; my pco])lc Israel.'' other in the midst of the house.
14 So Solomon ])uilt the house, and liiiished il. 28 And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.
15 And lie built the walls of tiie house within 29 And he carved all the walls of the house
with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, round about with carved figures of cherubim and
and the walls* of the ceiling: and ho covered i/iem palm-trees and open* flowers, within and without.
on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of 30 And the floor of the house he overlaid with
liic house witii planks of lir. gold, within and witiiout.
10 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the 31 IT And for the entering of the oracle he made
house, both the floor and the walls with boards of doors o/" olive-tree: the lintel and side-posts were
cedar: he even built them for it within, even for a fifth part^ of the wall.
the oracle, even for the most holy place." 32 The two doors' also iwre o/" olive-tree ; and
17 And the house, that is, the temple before it, he carved upon them carvings of cherubim and
was forty cubits long. palm-trees and open^ flowers, and overlaid tliem
18 And the cedar of the house within was carved with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubim,
with knops* and open' flowers: all was cedar; and upon the palm-trees.
there was no stone seen. 33 So also made he for the door of the temple
1!) And the oracle he prepared in the house posts o/" olive-tree, a fourth part* of the wall.
within,' to set there the ark of the covenant of 34 And the two doors were o/" fir-tree: the two
the Lord. leaves of the one door were folding, and the two
20 And
the oracle in the forepart zcas twenty leaves of the other door iccre folding.'
cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, 35 And he carved thereon cherubim and palm-
and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he trees and open flowers: and covered them with
overlaid it with pure" gold; and so covered the gold fitted upon the carved work.
altar which was o/' cedar. 30 IT And ho built the inner court with three
21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.
pure gold and he made a partition by the chains of
: 37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the
*\\

goldbefore theoracle; andheoverlaid itwithgold. house of the Lord laid, in the month Zif
" Heb. skouktrr. t Or, the vault-beams and the ceilings with cetlar. * ch. f ver. 5. IG; Psa. 2-^:2. T Heb. shut vp. E Kxod. 30:
9:4. b 2 Sam.7:13. t Exod. 25:S; 2 Cor. (i: Iti; Rev. 21:3. dDeut. 31:6;
Heb. l:!:5. Or, from the floor of the house unto the walls, etc., and so, ver.
1

10. tch. 8:0; Exod. 2«:3:j; Ezek. 4.J;:). i Or, gourds. I Heb. openings of.

side towards tlie temple. Thus the necessity of letting


them into the wall was avoided. Narrowed rests; the
ledges i)roduoed by diminishing the tlaickness of the wall
on thfi outside.
8. For the middle chamber; the middle chamber of the
lower story on the south side. There seems to have been
but one entrance to the chambers. Unto the middle cham-
ber; the middle chamber of the second story.
10. And then he built ; the word " then" is not in the orig-
inal, and obscures the sense. We
might better render,
" And he built the chambers," etc. He goes on to describe
their height, which was five cubits, apparently for each
story, malting fifteen cubits in all. This would leave am-
ple room for the windows of the temple above them.
16. On the sides ; more exactly, in the hindermost part.
He is describing the holy of holies.
17. Before it; before the most holy place.
18. Knaps; or, as in the margin, gourds that is, orna- ;

408
; ;

The building 1 KINGS VII. of Sclomcii's house.

T Then he made a porch for tlie tlirone where


j^'c'S 38 And in the eleventh year, in the month 7
Bui, which is the eighth moutii, was the house fin- he might judge, even the porch of judgment and :

ished throughout all the parts thereof, and accord- it teas covered with cedar from one side of the

ing to all the fashion of it.* So was he seven floor to the other.'

years in building it." 8 t And house where he dwelt had another


his
court within the porch, ii;hich was of the like work.

Solomon made also a house for Pharaoh's daugh-


CHAPTER VII. ter, whom he had taken toivife," like unto this porch.

1 The tuililinn- of 2 Of the house of Lebanon. 6 Of


Solomon's house. 9 All these were of costly stones, according to
the porch of pillars. 7 Of the porch of judgment. 8 Of the house the measures of hewed stones, sawed with saws,
for Plu^raoh's daughter. 13 Hiram's work of the two pillars. 23 Of
the molten sea. '27 Of the ten bases. 38 Of the ten layers. 40 and within and without, even from the foundation unto
all the vessels. the coping, and so on tlie outside toward the great
building his own house thir-
r")UT Solomon was court.
)
teen years," and lie finished all iiis house. 10 And the foundation icas of costly stones, even
2 IF He built also the house of the forest of Leb- great stones, stones of ten cubits, and stones of
anon; the length thereof u-as a hundred cubits, eight cubits.
and tlie breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the lieight 11 xVnd above were costly stones, after tlie meas-
thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pil- ures of hewed stones, and cedars.
lars, with cedar beams upon the pillars. 12 And the great court round about icas with
3 And it ivas covered with cedar above upon the three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar
beams,* tliat lay on forty-five pillars, fifteen in a row. beams, both for the inner court of tlie house of the
4 And there u-ere windows »t three rows, and Lord, and for the porch of the house."
light u-as against light,» in three ranks. 13 i And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram*
5 And all the doors and posts ivere square,^ without of Tyre.
the windows and light was against light in three
: 14 He was a widow's son* of the tribe of Naph-
ranks. tali," and his father was a inau of Tyre, a worker

6 TT And he made a porch of pillars the length in brass and he was filled with wisdom, and un-
;
:''

thereof was fifty cubits, aud the brcadtli thereof derstanding, and cunning to work all works in
thirty cubits: and the porch icas before' them: brass.'' And he came to king Solomon, and wrought
and the other pillars and the thick beam were all his work.
before' them. 15 For he cast* two pillars of brass,'' of eighteen

Or, with all the appurLenancts thereof^ and with all the ordinance!! there-
' . 40. tHeb. t/ie son of a widow woman.
of. 1 ver. 1, 9. >> ch. li: lU; a Chr. S: I. t Heb. ribs. I Heb. sight against Exod.31:3, 4; 36:1. 1 Ueh. fashioned.
sight. 5 Or, spaces and pillars were square in prospect. 11 Or. according to. al; 2Kingsao:17; 2 Chr. 1:15, etc.; 4:ia, etc. ; Jer. 5a:a!, etc.
1 Heb. from floor to floor, c ch. 3:1; -J Chr. S:1I. d J„|in m.-a-, Acts

38. Tlte eighth rows of cedar pillars ; in accordance with the general style
month; answering to a part of October
and November. of oriental palaces, it is probable that it was constructed
INSTRUCTIONS. without of massive hewn stones, ver. 9-11, and ixsting
1. The successful accomplishment of a great and diffi- within on rows of cedar pillars, which were four in number,
cult undertaking depends much on the proper preparation arranged around the four sides of a hollow oblong area.
for it; and the time, money, and labor so spent are as 3. Beams; the Hebrew word here used is elsewhere

needful and as useful as those spent in any part of the rendered chambers, chap. 6:5, 6, and this seems to be the
work. preferable rendering here. We
may then render the whole
12. However much may be expended in building and verse thus: And it was covered with cedar above upon
ornamenting houses for the worship of God, none of the the chambers which lay on the pillars forty and five —
worshippers will be accepted but those who worship him [chambers,] fifteen to a row. may understand the We
in spirit and in truth. rows of chambers, as successive stories of fifteen cham-
19. Although Jehovah dwells not in temples made with bers each built round the open area.
hands, yet he is peculiarly present where his people as- 4. /)( three rows; that is, according to the above inter-

semble to acknowledge, adore, and praise him and there, pretation, three rows, one for each story. Light was against
;

by the proclamation of his truth, he will communicate to light; either the lights of the middle story were directly
them a knowledge of his will. above those, of the lower, and so of the third; or the
30. (.lold, although among the most precious things of lights on one side of the area were directly opposite to
earth, is nevertheless worthless and fit only to be trodden those of the other side.
under foot, compared with that holiness of heart and life 5. Square, icith the windows ; or, were squared with beams
without which no man can see the Lord. covered above with straight beams, bo as to make a square
37. That which is undertaken in the fear and love of and not a vaulted opening.
God, and is prosecuted according to his will, may be ex- 6. A porch of pillars; generally supposed to have been

pected in due time to be successfully and joyfully accom- in front of the structure just described. And the porch —
phshed. were before them ; or, and [another] porch was before them,
[the pillars of the porch of pillars,] and pillars and a
CHAPTER
VII. threshold before them.
2. He built also the house; literally. And he built the 9. All these; all these several structures that have been
house, etc. It is probable that verse 1 refers to the struc- described.
ture of Solomon's house as a whole, consisting of several 12. The great court round about ; plainly enclosing all the
divisions while the particular description of the parts various structures above described, which, taken as a
;

begins with ver. 2, thus And he finished all his house whole, seem to be what is meant by Solomon's house, ver.
:

and [as a part of it) he built the house of the forest of 1. Both for the inner court and for the porch; or, even ac- —
Lebanon, etc. This seems to have been in Jerusalem, cording to the inner court and according to the porch. —
and to have been so called from the multitude of cedar 14. Bnits; this term was ajiplied to various metals, com-
pillars and timbers employed in making it. Upon four posed chiefly or wholly of copper.
409
;
:

73« lico pillers, the multen 1 KINGS VII, sea, and the ten lavers.

ciiMts liijrh npiorr: and a line of twelve cubits diil 7irr; they had borders, and the borders were li.cvwS
compa.ss eithor of tliciii about. between till- ledges:

U) And li(> niadi! two chapiters o/" molten V)rass, 2'J And on the borders that ircre between the

to set ui)oii till' to])s of the i>iliars: tiie liei^iit of ledges were lions,'' o.\en,and cherubim :" and u])on
the one eliapiter u-as live cubits, and the height of the ledges //htc wa* a base jiliove: and beneath
the oliicr chajjiter xvas live cubits: the lions and o.xcn wrrc certain adilitioiis made of
17 ,'ind nets of checker-work and wreaths of thin work.''
chain-work, for tiie chapiters which ?cprf upon the 30 And every base had four brazen wheels, and
top of tiie jjillars seven for the one chapiter, and ]ilates of brass: and the four corners thereof had
;

seven for tlie other diapitcr. uiulersetters: under the laver tvcre undcrsctters
18 And he made the pillar.'?, and two rows round molten, at the side of every addition.
about upon the one network, to cover the chapi- 31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and
ters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was
and so did he for the other chapiter. round after the work of the base, a cubit and a
19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of half: and also upon the mouth of it M-cre gravings
the pillars iccrc of lily-work in the porch, four with their borders, fours(]uare, not round.
cubits. 32 And under the borders u'cre four wheels ;" and
20 And the chapiters upon the two pillars had the axletrees of the wheels were joined to the base :'
pomegranates also above, over against the belly and the height of a wheel icas a cubit and half a
which wox by the network: and the pomegranates cubit.
icere two hundred in rows round about upon the 33 And the work of the wheels was like the work
other cha])iter. of a chariot wheel their axletrees, and their naves, :

'2\ And he set up the pillars in the porch of the and their felloes, and their spokes, mre all molten.
temple :" and he set up the right pillar, and called 34 And fhirc vrre foiir undersetters to the four
the name thereof Jachin :* and he set up the left corners of one base: a7id the undersetters were of
pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.* the very base itself.
22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily-work 35 And in the top of the base vas there a round
:

so was tlie work of the jiillars finished. compass of half a cubit high and on the top of :

23 "1 And he made a molten sea," ten cubits from the base the ledges thereof and the borders there-
the one brim to the other :* it icas round all about, of mre of the same.
and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty 36 For on the plates of the ledges thereof, and
cubits did compass it round about. on the borders thereof, he graved cherubim, lions,
21 And under the brim of it round about there and palm-trees, according to the proportion' of
were knops compassing it," ten in a cubit, compass- every one, and additions round about.
ing the sea round about the knops were cast in
: 37 After this manner he made the ten bases: all
two rows, when it was cast. of them had one casting, one measure, and one
25 It stood upon twelve o.\en, three looking tow- size.
ard the north, and three looking toward the west, 38 IF Then made he ten lavers of brass:'' one
and three looking toward the south, and three laver contained forty baths and every laver was :

looking toward the east and the sea was set above four cubits and upon every one of the ten bases
: :

upon them, and all their hinder parts one laver. were in-
ward. 39 And he put five bases on the right side^ of
26 And it was a handbreadth thick, and the the house, and five on the left side of the house
brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, and he set the sea on the right side of the house
with flowers of lilies it contained two
: thousand eastward, over against the south.
baths. 40 1 And Hiram" made the lavers, and the shov-
27 1 And he made ten bases of brass four cu- els, and the basins.; So Hiram made an end of
bits was the length of one base, and four cubits doing all the work that he made king Solomon
the breadth thereof, and three cubits -the height for the house of the Loud :

of it. 41 The two pillars, and the tico bowls of the


28 And the work of the bases was on this man- chapiters that were on the top of the two pillars
« Ver. 12; ch. 6:3. • That is, He sliall eslahUsli. t That is, In it isslrengl/i. Heb. 9:5. t 1 Pet. 2:5. e Ezek. 1:15, etc. 5 Heb. in the base. 1 Heb.
b2Kins5-i-)::3. I Hfh. from his brim 10 his brim, t 2 Chr. 4::)-5. li Ezek. nakedness. ,1" 2 Chr. 4:6, etc. 1 Heb. shoulder. ' Heb. Hirom ; ver. 13.
1:1U; 1U;U; 41:19; Hos. 5:U; Rev 5:5. e Gen. 3:24; Exod. 25:18; 37:7;

16. Chapiters; capitals or heads of the cohimns. They from the description here given, any thing more than a
had a swel] in their central part called " the belly," ver. 20, general idea of their form and parts.
which was surrounded with checker-work and chain-work, 28. Borders; the word in the original seems to mean
ver. 17, with two rows of pomegranates around each, be- pannels, on the four sides, that were ornamented with fig-
sides an ornament of lily-work, ver. ]9, 22. ures of lions, oxen, and cherubs. Ledges; raised work
21. Jachin ; meaning, he shall establish, or make it stand. around the edges of the borders.
Boaz; in strength. 29. Certain additions made of thin work; the original
23. Molten sea ; a very large vat or basin for water. seems to mean, festoons of flowers hanging down.
26. Two thousand batlix; a bath is supposed to have been 30. Undcrsctters ; literally, shoulders, that is, projections.
about seven and a half gallons. 31. TAc mowrto/ /(/ of the laver. The mouth of the laver
27. Bases; tables or platforms for the vessels of water seems here, from its position, to be the lower part of the
to stand on. These bases were complicated in their struc- laver, through which its waters were discharged. The
ture and highly ornamented, so that it is difBcult to obtain, chapiter; the head of the base above described.
410
; ;

The tcmpk completed, 1 KINGS VIII. and dedicated to God.

n.llifm: and the two networks," to cover the two CHAPTER VIII.
bowls of the chapiters which were upon the top of I The feast of the dedication of the temple. 12, 54 Solomon's Messing.
the piUars 2'2 Suloiiion's prayer. 62 His sacrifice of peace-offerings.

42 And four hundred pomegranates for the two THEN


and
Solomon assembled the elders of Israel,**
networks, even two rows of pomegranates for one the heads of the tribes, the chief* of
all
network, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king
*
that irere upon the pillars ; Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up
43 And the ten bases, and ten lavcrs on the bases the ark of tlie covenant of the Lord' out of the
44 And one sea, and twelve oxen under the sea city of David,J which is Zion.
45 And the pots, and the shovels, and the basins :" 2 And all the men of Israel assembled them-
and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king selves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month
Solomon for the house of the Lord, were of bright Ethanim,'' which is the seventh month.
brass.* 3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the
46 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, priests took up the ark.'
in the clay-ground* between Succoth" and Zar- 4 And they brought up the ark of the Lord, and
than." the tabernacle of the congregation," and all the
47 And Solomon left all the vessels umveighed, holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those
because they were exceeding many :^ neither was did the priests and the Levites bring up.
the weight of the brass found out. ' 5 And king Sohnnon, and all the congregation
48 And Solomon made all the vessels that per- of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with
tained unto the house of the Lord the altar of him :before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen,"
gold,'' and the table of gold, whereupon the show- that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
bread was/ 6 And the priests brought in the ark of the cov-
49 And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on enant of the Lord unto his place," into the oracle
the right side, and five on the left, before the ora- of the house, to the most holy place, even under the
cle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs wings of the cherubim."
of gold, 7 For the cherubim spread forth their two wings
50 And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the ba- over the place of the ark, and the cherubim cov-
sins, and the spoons, and the censers' of pure gold ered the ark and the staves thereof above.
and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the 8 And they drew out the staves, that the ends*
inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the staves were seen out in the holy place^ be-
of the house, to wit, of the temple. fore the oracle, and they were not seen without:
51 So was ended all the work that king Solo- and there they are unto this day.
mon made for the house of the Lord. And Solo- 9 There ims nothing in the ark save the two
mon brought in the things which David" his father tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb,'
had dedicated f even the silver, and the gold, and when' the Lord made a covenant with the children
the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the of Israel,"^ when they came out of the land of
house of the Lord. Egypt.
»Ver 17,18. • Heh. upon tlu face of the piUars. b ExoJ. -27:3. t Heb. 12 Sam. 6:17. 12 Sam. 5:7-9. k Lev. 23:34. 1 Num. 4:15; 1 Chr. 15:14.
brass niade bright, or scoured. 1 Heb. in the thickness of the ground, c Gen. m 2 Chr. 1:3. n 2 Sam. 6:1:3. o Exod. 26:.53. P ch. 6:27. 1 Heb. heads.
33:17. d Josh. 3:16. % R^h. for the exceeding multitude. Heb. ifiarc/ierf; S Or, ark, 2 Chr. 5:9. 1 Exod. 25:21; 40:20; Deut. 10:2,5; Heb. 9:4.
1 Chr. 2S:U. e Exod. 37:-2.5. f Lev. 24:5-S. 1 Heb. ash-pans. • Heb. I Or, where. ' Exod. 34:27, 28.
holy things of David, s 2 Sara. 8:11. h 2 Chr. 5:2, etc. t Heb. princes.

46. Succoth and Zarthan ; places near the Jordan, and not should endeavor so to act as a steward of God, that when
far from Jericho. called to give up his account, he may do it with joy, and
INSTRUCTIONS. not with grief.
1. While convenient and comfortable dwellings are
blessings for which men should be grateful, their great CHAPTER VIII.
concern should be to secure a house not made with hands, 1. Bring up ark; from mount Zion in the south-west
the
eternal in the heavens. part of Jerusalem, where David lived, to the temple on
8. The more husbands and wives are united in their mount Moriah, an elevation in the east part of the city.
views, judgments, and efforts, dwelling together as heirs 2. The feast ; of tabernacles. Ethanim; answering to a
of the grace of life, the more happy they will be, and the part of September and October.
more useful to all who may feel their influence. 4. The tabernacle of the congregation ; as this was the pe-
14. All natural endowments, as well as all spiritual culiar name by which the tabernacle constructed by Moses
graces, come from God. He bestows them in different in the wilderness was known, it is probable that it had
measures upon different individuals, and in his service been brought from Gibeon, where it was at the beginning
requires of each according to that he hath, and not accord- of Solomon's reign— 1 Chr. 16:39; 21:29— to be deposited
ing to that he hath not. in the temple. Some, however, suppose that we are here
23. The method of divine worship prescribed under to understand the tabernacle which David had prepared
every dispensation, the preparations for it, the mode of for the ark when he brought it from the house of Obed-
conducting it, and the truths inculcated by it, have all edom. 2 Sam. 6:17.
tended to impress upon the worshippers a conviction of 6. Under the wings of the cherubim ; the two cherubim of
their moral pollution, and the necessity of spiritual puri- olive-wood that Solomon had placed in the holy of holies,
fication in order to preparation for heaven. chap. 6:23-28.
persons need
48. In order to the right use of wealth, all 8. The staves; those by which the ark was borne, Exod.
and should habitually seek wisdom from above. How 2.5: 13-15. They wore drawn partly out, so that their ends
much, or what proportion, is to be employed in one way, projected into the holy place. Unto this day; an expression
and what in another, in order most to honor God and do which the author of the books of Kings seems to have re-
good, he has not definitely prescribed. But each one tained from " the book of the acts of Solomon." Chap. 11 41. :

411
1 : ;

Solomon's prayer I K'INCS VIII, at the dedicalion.

10 And it came <o pass, when the priests wore in my sight" (o sit on the throne of Israel *;, "
TJUS: ;

coino (Pia of (lie hdly /jlticc, that the cloud tilled so that' thy ciiildreii take heed to their way, liiat
the house of the LoitD," they walk before mc as thou hast walked before
1 So that the priests could not stanjl to min- me.
ister lieeause of the cloud: for the fflory of the 2(j And now, God
of Israel, let thy word, I
LoitP hail filled the house of the Loui). pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto
'I'iieii spake Solomon, The LouD said tliat liiy servant David my father.''
'.'
I'l

ho would dwell in the thick darkness.'' 27 ]5ut will God indeed dwell on the earth?
13 1 have surely liuilt thee a house to dwell in,'' behold, the heaven and heaven of hea^ens can-
a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.*' not contain thee;"' how much less this house that
14 And the kin<^ turned his face about, and I have builded?
blessed all the conpjregation of Israel :*= and all 28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy
the conffre.ijation of Israel stood servant, and to his supplication, Lord my (iod,
15 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which
Israel/ which spake with his mouth unto David thy servant prayeth before thee to-day:
my father,''' and hath with his hand fulfilled it, 21) That thine eyes may be o]ien toward this

sayinir, house night and day, (vin toward the ])lace of


16 Since the day that I brought forth my people which thou hast said. My name shall be there:"
Israel out of Egypt, I chose uo city out of all the that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which
tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name make toward' this ])lace.
thy servant shall
might be therein; but 1 chose David to be over And
hearken thou to the siipjilication of thy
30
my people Israel." servant,' and of thy people Israel, when they shall
17 And it was in the heart of David my fiither pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven
to build a house for the name of the Lord God of thy dwelling-place: and when thou hearest, for-
Israel.' give.
18 And the said unto David my father.
Lord 31 1 If any man tresiiass against his neighbor,
Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house unto and an oath be laid upon him' to cause him to
my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart. swear, and the oath come before thine altar in
19 Nevertheless, thou shall not build the house; this house:
but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, 32 Then hear thouin heaven, and do, and judge
he shall build the house unto my name. thy servants," condemning the wicked, to bring
20 And the Lord hath performed his word that his way upon his head and justifying the right-
;

he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David eous,' to give him according to his righteousness.
my fatlier, and sit on tiie throne of Israel, as the 33 II When thy people Israel be smitten down be-
Lord promised/ and have built a house for the fore the enemy," because they have sinned against
name of the Lord God of Israel. thee, and shall turn again to thee," and confess thy
21 And I have set there a place for the ark, name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee
wherein is the covenant of the Lord," which he in^ this house:
made witli our fathers, when he brought tlicm out 34 Then hear thou in licavcn, and forgive the
of the land of Egypt. sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto
22 T And Solomon stood before the altar of the the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.
Lord in the presence of all the congregation of 35 T When heaven is shut up,-'' and there is no
:'
Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven rain, because they have sinned against thee; if
23 And he said. Lord God of Israel, there is no they pray toward this place, and confess thy name,
God like thee,"" in heaven above, or on earth be- and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them :

neath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy 36 Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the
servants" that walk before thee with all their sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that
heart:" thou teach them the good way wherein they should
21 Who
hast kept with thy servant David my walk,^ and give rain upon thy land, which thou
father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thy hand, 37 1 If there be in the land famine," if there bo
as it is this day. pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be
25 Therefore now, Lord God
of Israel, keep caterpillar if their enemy besiege them in the
;

with thy servant David my thou prom-


fatiier that land of their cities;' whatsoever plague, whatso-
isedst him,'' saying, There shall not fail thee a man ever sickness there he;
» Exod. 40:34; h-.Y. b a Chr. 6:1, etc ; I'sa.. 97:2; Isi. 45:1^.
16:'>. 06:1; Jer. 23:24; ActsI7:'i); 2 Cor. 12:2. ' Deul. 12:11. 1 Or, jn; Dan.
« 2 Sam. 7:1:3. a Psa. 132:14. e 2 Sam. 6:18. 'Luke 1:68. S 2 Sam. 7:5, Ii:lli. 12 Chr. 20:9. S Or, in,- Dan. 0:10. I ijeb. he require an oath of him ;
etc. h 1 Sam. 16:1. 1 Chr. 17:1, etc.
i
J 1 Chr. 2X:5, 0. k ver. 9; Deut. Exod. 22:11. u Exod. 34:7; Deut. 251. v Isa. 3.10; Rom. 2:13; 5:9.
31:26. IKxod. 9:33; Isa. 1:15. m Exnd. 15:11 ; 2 Sara. 7:22. nNeh.l:.!: w Deut. 2.8:25. x Lev. 20:411-42; Neh. 1:8. 9. 11 Or. toward. 1 Lev.
Dan. 9:4. o ch. 3:6. Pch. 2:4. • Hub. There shall not ke cut off unto thte 21:19; Deul. 28:23. • 1 Sam. 12:23; Psa. 25:8; 91:12. a Lev. 20:16,
a man from mysight, f Hsb. on/i/ i/. q Psa. 119:19. r 2 Chr. 2:6; Isa. etc.; Deut. 28:21. etc.; 2Chr.20:9. •
Or. iurisdirlion.

10. The cloud ; the symbol of God's presence, Exod. 19: 16 2G. Verified; shown to be true, by its fulfilment.
20:21; 40:34, 35; Isa. 6:4; Rev. 15:8. 29. May be open; look with favor. Toward; in, ver. 33.
22. Stood before the altar ; he presented himself before 31. An oath be laid upon him; this oath he was required
the altar, standing with his face towards the congregation, to take before the altar.
and then kneeled down and spread out his hands as he 33. /n,- toward, ver. 30. The word in the original means
prayed, ver. 54. in, or toward, accordinar to the connection.
412
; : ; ; : : ;
; : :

Solomon's prayer. 1 KINGS VIII. Tie blesseth Israel.

B.r'iSr 38 What prayer and


supplication soever they have transgressed against thee, and give them
be made by any man, or by all thy i)eople Israel, compassion before them who carried them captive,^
whicli shall know every man the plague of his own that they may have compassion on them
heart, and spread forth his hands toward this 51 For they be thy people,'' and thine inheritance,
house: which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from
39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, the midst of the furnace of iron :'
and forgive, and do, and give to every man ac- 52 That thine eyes may be open unto the suppli-
cording to his ways, whose heart thou knowest cation of thy servant, and unto the supplication
(for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all
the children of men ;)" that they call for unto thee.
40 That they may fear thee all the days that 53 For thou didst separate them from among all
thev live in the land which thou gavest unto our the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as
fathers." thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant,™
41 Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt,
of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far coun- Lord God.
try for thy name's sake 54 And it was so, that when Solomon had made
42 (For they shall hear of thy great name, and an end of praying all this prayer and supplication
"
of thy strong hand, and of thy stretchcd-out arm ;) unto the Lord, he arose from before the altar of
when he shall come and pray toward this house the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his
43 Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and hands spread up to heaven.
do according to all that the stranger calleth to 55 And he stood, and blessed all the congrega-
thee for that all people of the earth may know
: tion of Israel with a loud voice," saying,
thy name,* to fear thee, as do thy people Israel 56 Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest
and that they may know that this house, which I unto his people Israel, according to all that he
have builded, is called by thy name.* promised there hath not failed'' one word of all
:

44 T" If thy people go out to battle against their his good promise," which he promised by the hand
enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and of Moses his servant. p
shall pray unto the Lord toward the city* which 57 The Lord our God be with us, as he was
thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have with our fathers let him not leave us, nor forsake
:

built for thy name us:"


45 Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and 58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to
tlieir supplication, and maintain their cause.* walk in all his ways, and to keep his command-
46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man ments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which
that sinneth not,)''and thou be angry with them, he commanded our fathers.''
and deliver them to the enemy, so tliat they carry 59 And let these my words, wherewith I have
them away captives unto the land of the enemy,'' made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto
far or near the Lord our God day and night, that he maintain
47 Yet if they shall liethink themselves^ in the the cause of his servant, and the cause of his peo-
land whither they were carried captives, and re- ple Israel at all times,* as the matter shall require
pent, and make supplication unto thee in the land 60 That all the people of the earth may know
of them that carried them captives, saying. We
that the Lord is God,'' arid that there is none else.
have sinned,"^ and have done perversely, we have 61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the
committed wickedness Lord our God,' to walk in his statutes, and to
48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, keep his commandments, as at this day.
and with all their soul,'' in the land of their ene- 62 ^\ And the king, and all Israel with him,
mies which led them away captive, and pray unto offered sacrifice before the Lord."
thee toward their laud, which thou gavest unto 63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace-of-
their fathers," the city which thou hast chosen, and ferings, which he offered unto the Lord, two and
the house which I have built for thy name twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty
49 Then hear thou their prayer and their sup- thousand sheep. So the king and all the children
plication in heaven thy dwelling-place, and main- of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord.
tain their cause,' 64 The same day did the king hallow the mid-
50 And forgive thy people that have sinned dle of the court that wos before the house of the
against thee, and all their transgressions wherein Lord for there he offered burnt-offerings, and :

" Chr. aS:0; Psa. 11:4; Jer. 17:111; Heb. 4:12.


1 b Psa. 130:4. t Deut 29. 1
4 3t li
2 Kings 19:19; Psi. 6-:->; K«:I5. • Heh. thy name is calUd upon
tins house, t Heh. the uxiij of t/i'' cilti. lOr, rifAf. e Eccl. "-aO; Jas 3-2'
1 John 1:8, 10. f Deut. «;.')0. 64. i Heb. bring back to their heart. 6 Neh.
I ;6, etc.; Psa. 108:6; Dan. 9:.5, etc- b Jer. 29:l-'-14; Hos. 14:1, 2. i ver.

38. The plague o/"A/.s own heart; the sorrow that is his
own special burden, and which he feels to be the chas-
tisement from God for his sin.
41. For thy name's sa/ce ; on account of what he had heard
about God, and for the purpose of worshipping him and
sharing in the blessings of his people.
63. A sacrifice of peace-offerings —
two and twenty thousand

oxen twenty thousand sheep; certain prescribed portions of
Go^i antnant vith Solomon. 1 KINGS IX. The cities given to Iliram.

meat-oflTorinirs, iintl tlio fat of tlio pcaco-ofTcM-infrs : Then I will


f) establish the tiirono of thy "u",-^^
because altar lliat wax before the
llic lira/.i'ii Luuii kingdom upon Israel for ever, as 1 ])romis('d to
teas loo receive the burnt-ofl'eriugs, and David thy father," saying, Tliere shall not fail thee
little to
mcat-otVeriiiL'S, and the fat of the lieace-oflerings." a man ujion the throne of Israel.
65 And at that time Solomon held a feast,"* and 6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me,
all Israel with him, a great congregation, from ye or your children, and will not keep my com-
the entering in of llamath unto the river of mandments and my statutes which 1 have set be-
Egypt,"" before the Lord our God, seven daya and fore you," but go aud serve other gods, and wor-
seven days, even fourteen days. ship them;
66 On the eighth day lie sent the people away: 7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which
and they blessed* the king, and went unto tlieir I have given them ;' and this house, which I have
tents Joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my
that the Lokd had done for David his servant,'' sight;'' and Israel shall be a proverb and a by-
and for Israel his people. word among all people:""
8 And at this house, u/iich is high, every one
that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall
CHAPTER IX. hiss; and they shall say. Why hath the Loud done
1 God's covenant in a vision with Solomon. 10 Tiie mutual present3 of thus unto this land, and to this house?'
Solomon and Hiram, In Solomon's works the Qcntilts were
l.")
9 And they shall answer. Because they forsook
liis

bondmen, the Israelites honorable servants. 24 Pharaoh's dauijhler


removeth to her house. 'S) Solomon's yearly solemn sacrifices. :J6 the Loud their God,' who brought forth their fa-
His navy fetcheth gold from Ophir. thers out of the land of P'gyjit, and have taken

AND it eame to pass, when Solomon had fin- hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them,
ished the building of the house of the Loud,' and served them therefore hath the Loud brought :

and the king's house,' and all Solomon's desire upon them all this evil."
which he was pleased to do," 10 IT And it came to pass at the end of twenty
2 That the Lord appeared to Solomon the sec- years,''" when Solomon had built the two houses,
ond time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.'' the house of the Loud, and the king's house,
3 And the Loud said unto him, I have heard thy 11 (JVbt/j Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished
prayer and thy su])plication,' that thou hast made Solomon with cedar-trees and fir-trees, and with
Defore me I have hallowed this house, which thou gold, according to all his desire,) that then king
:

hast built, to put my name there for ever;^ and Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the laud
mine eyes aud my heart shall be there perpetu- of Galilee.
ally.^ 12 And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the
4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David cities which Solomon had given him; and they
thy father walked,' in integrity of heart, and in pleased him not.^
uprightness, to do according to all that I have 13 And he said, "What cities are these which thou
commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and hast given me, my brother? And he called them
my judgments ;'" the land of Cabul* unto this day.™

«2Clir. 4;1. b ver. 2. Num. »1:5, 8. 'Oi, thanked, d Psa, 106:4, 5;


<: 89:30, etc. PDeut. 4:20;
122:6-9. »2Chr. 7:11, etc. fch. 7.1. e2Chr. 8:6. boh. 3:5. i 2 Kings
20:5; 1 John 5:14. J ch. 8:29. kDeut. 11:12. 1 ch. 2:4; 6:12; 15:5.
» Proy. 10:9; 23:18. n 1 Chr. 22:9, 10; Psa. 132:12. » 2 Sam. 7 14 Psa.
: ;

65. The entering in of Hamath; on the north border of


Canaan.
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. The most
costly and splendid temple without the
presence and favor of God, is but a dead mass of useless
matter; and the most exact and gorgeous forms of wor-
ship, without love and faith in the worshippers, are no
more pleasing to him than sounding brass or a tinkling
cymbal. 1 Cor. 13:1.
10. "When the people of God have dedicated to him a
house, and assemble in it to worship him in spirit and in
truth, they may expect glorious manifestations of his pres-
ence, and rich spiritual joys.
17. To every sincere desire for the promotion of his
glory and the good of men, God is witness and whether ;

it can consistently be now granted or not, he will connect


itwith great results, and bestow upon it a gracious and
glorious reward.
22. Every ruler sliould be a man of prayer, and on suit-
able occasions should publicly set the example of acknow-
ledging and adoring God blessing him for his goodness,
;

and seeking of him those mercies which are needed for


rulers and people.
33. The public calamities of a people are caused by
their sins and repentance, reformation, and earnest sup-
;

plications to God are his appointed means for their re-


moval.
414
Sclomon^s xcorks arid sacrifices. 1 KINGS X. Ships sent to Opkir.

k?mP I'i And Hiram sent to the king sixscore offer burnt-offerings and peace-offerings upon the
talents of pjold. altar which he built unto the Lord, and he burnt
15 ir And this is the reason of the levy which incense upon the altar^ that was before the Lord.
king Solomon raised;" for to build the house of So he finished the house.
the Lord, and his own house, and Millo," and the 26 Tl And king Solomon made a navy of ships in
wall of Jerusalem," and Hazor,'' and Megiddo,'' Ezion-geber,'' which is beside Eloth,"' on the shore*
and Gczer/ of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.
16 For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and 27 And Hiram sent in the navy his servants,
taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the
Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it servants of Solomon.
for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife. 28 And they came to Ophir,'' and fetched from
17 And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon thence gold,' four hundred and twenty talents, and
the nether,^ brought it to king Solomon.
18 And Baalath,'' and Tadmor in the wilderness,
in the land,
19 And all the cities of store that Solomon had,
CHAPTER X.
1 The queen of Sheba admireth the wisdom of Solomon. 14 Solomon's
and cities for his chariots,' and cities for his horse- gold. 16 His targets. 18 The throne of ivory. 21 His vessels.
men, and that which Solomon desired" to build '24 His presents. 26 His chariots and horse. 20 His tribute.

in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land


of his dominion.
ANDfamewhenSolomon
queen Sheba heard
concerning
of
the
name
of
the
of the
of the
20 Jlnd all the people that were left of the Amo- LoRD,"she came to prove him with hard questions.''
rites, Hittites, Pcrizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, 2 And
she came to Jerusalem with a very great
which luere not of the children of Israel, train, with camels that bare spices, and very much
21 Their children that were left after them in gold, and precious stones and when she was come
:

the laiid,J whom the children of Israel also were to Solomon, she communed with him of all that
not able utterly to destroy,'' upon those did Solo- was in her heart.
mon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.' 3 And Solomon told her all her questions :^ there
22 But of the children of Israel did Solomon was not any thing hid from the king, which he told
make no bondmen:'" but they ivere men of war, her not.
and his servants, and liis princes, and his captains, 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solo-
and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. mon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
23 These were the chief of the officers that ivere 5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of
over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which his servants, and the attendance of his ministers,
bare rule over the people that wrought in the and their apparel, and his cup-bearers,' and his
work. ascent by which he went up unto the house of the
2-1 \ But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the Lord there was no more spirit in her.
;

city of David" unto her house which Solomon had 6 And she said to the king. It was a true report*
built for her;" then did he build Millo." that I heard in mine own land of thy acts* and of
25 IT And three times in a year did Solomon thy wisdom.
• eh. 5:13. basim5:9. cPsi. 51:18. d Josh. 19: Mi. = Josh. 17: II. o ch. 7:8. P ver. 15; ch. 11:27; 2 Chr. 32:5. t Heb. upon it. q 2 Chr.
' JosK. 16:10; Judg. ISO. B Josh. 18:3. h Josh. 19:44; i Chr. t-:4, 6, etc. S: 12, etc. 'Deut. 2:8. 1 Heb. //p. •ch. 10:11. I Job 22:24. "2 Chr. 9:1,
' ch. 4:-26. • H?b. the d^^sirc
of Solomon which he desired, i Judg. 3:1. etc.; Matt. 12:42. vProv. 1:5.6. J Heb. tt'ords. t^e^. standing. T Or,
k Josh. 15:63; 17:12. 1 Judg. 1:2S; Ezra, 2:58. m Lev. 25:39. » oh. 3:1. butlers. ' Heb. word, t Or, sayings.

levy of men, ver. 21, and chap. 5:1.5. Millo;


15. Levij; where God calls them, and be mutually serviceable to each
a part of the citeide! or fortifications of Jerusalem. Hazor; other.
in Naphttili. Megiddo; in Issachar. Gezer; in Ephraim. 18. The most opulent and the most splendid hu-
cities,
17. Beth-horon; in the tribe of Benjamin. Nether; lower. man works, are liable to become a heap of ruins. None
There were two places of this name, the upper and the should therefore set their hearts on them, but all should
lower, with a steep descent between, Jo.sh. 10:11; 16:3. secure durable riches and righteousness, treasures in the
18. Baulath; in the territory of Dan. Tadmor; supposed heavens which will never pass away.
to be the same as Palmyra, a city the ruins of which are 25. All who are distinguished by wealth, power, and
still to be seen in the desert east of Damascus. influence, should also be dislinguished for habitual devo-
26. Ezion-geber ; near the north end of the east branch tion to God, and regular, conscientious attendance upon
of the Red sea. his worship.
28. Ophrr; supposed to be some place either in Arabia, 26. As commerce is a source of wealth, and seamen are
or on tlie Indian ocean. exposed to numerous privations, hardships, dangers, and
vices, those who are benefited by their services should,
INSTRUCTIONS. in addition to .giving them suitable compensation and tem-
poral comforts, furnish them with the Bible and other
3. All sincere and hearty supplications to God will be
accepted, and all offerings presented in love to him receive
good books, and as far as practicable with all the means
of grace.
a gracious reward.
6. Continued obedience to God is needful in order to

the continuance of his favors and if those who have been


;
CHAPTER X.
distinguished by his mercies rebel against him, they will 1. supposed to have been a country in the south-
Slieba ;

be distinguished in their punishment. ern part of Arabia near the south end of the Red sea.
12. Different men have different tastes, which lead them Heard oftliefame; probably by the ships that went down
to follow different occupations and live in different places. from Ezion-geber. Prove hun ; ascertain whether he was
Some are attracted by the noise and bustle of cities, others as wise as he had been represented to be.
by the stillness and quiet of the country, and both may be 5. No more spirit; she was utterly astonished.
41.5
:

3Tt« quttn of SAeba. 1 KINGS X. Sdomon's wisdom and wealth.

7 llowbcit I believctl not tlif came,


wor(l.«,until 1

ami iniiiiM'ves liiul i^i'oii it: ami behold, the liaWwas


not tolil thy wi.^doiii
iiic: and i)rosj)crity exceed-
Otii* the iaiiie wiikli I heard.
8 llai)pv arc thy men, happy are these thy ser-
vants, wliieh stand continually before thee, and
that hear thy wisdom."
9 Blessed be the Lord thy God,"" which delight-
ed in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel
because the LoRn loved Israel for ever, therefore
made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.''
10 And
she gave the king a hundred and twenty
talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and
precious stones:'' tiicre came no more such abun-
dance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba
gave to king Solomon.
11 And
the navy <ilso of Hiram," that brought
gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great
plenty of almug-trccs,* and precious stones.
12 And the king made of the almug-trces pillars'
for the house of the Lord, and for tlie king's house,
harps also and psalteries for singers: there came
no sucli almug-trces, nor Avcrc seen unto this day.
13 And king Solomon gave unto the (jnoen of
Sheba all her desire, w'hatsoever she asked, besides
that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty.^
So she turned and went to her own country, she
and her servants.
14 1 Now the weight of gold that came to Sol-
omon in one year was six hundred threescore and
six talents of gold,
1.5 Besides t/iat he /iodof the merchant-men, and of

the traffic of tlie spice merchants, and of all the kings


of Arabia, and of the governors' of the country.
16 1 And king Solomon made two hundred tar-
gets of beaten gold : six hundred shekels of gold
went to one target.
17 And
he made three hundred shields o/" beaten
gold;'' threepounds of gold went to one shield:
and the king put them in the house of the forest
of Lebanon.""'
18 IT Moreover, the king made a great throne
' Heb. thou hast added wisdom and goodtuss to.
;

Snlomo7i's idolatrous works. 1 KINGS XI. God raiseth up adversaries.

CHAPTER XI.
1 Solomon's wives and concubines. 4 In his oU a;;e they draw him to
idolatry. 9 God threateneth him. 14 Solomon's adversaries were
Had:id, who was entertained in Eg^pt, 23 Rezon^ who reigned in
Ditnascus, '2G and Jeroboam, to whom Ahijah prophesied. 41 Solo-
mon's acts, reign, and death: Rehoboam succeedeth him.

BUT king Solomon loveddaughter


together
many strange 'women,
witli' Pharaoh,
the of
(viiinen of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites,
Zidonians, and Hittites
2 Of the nations concerning 'svhich the Lord said
unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to
them, neither shall they come in unto you for :

surely they will turn away your heart after their


gods:" Solomon clave unto these in love.
3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses,
and tliree hundred concubines and his wives :

turned away his heart."


4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old,
that his wives turned away his lieart after other
gods: and his heart was not perfect withtlie Lord
his Grod,'^ as toas the heart of David liis father.''
5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the god-
dess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom,^ the abom-
ination of the Ammonites.
6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord,
and went not fully after* the Lord, as did David
his father.
7 Then did Solomon build a high place' for Clic-
niosh the abomination of Moab,' in the hill that is
before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination
of the children of Amnion.
8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives,
which burnt ineease and sacrificed unto their gods.
9 'i And the Lord was angry with Solomon,*^
because his heart was turned from the Lord God
of Israel, wliich had appeared unto him twice,''
10 And had commanded him concerning this
tiling, that he should not go after other gods: but
he kept not that which the Lord commanded.
11 Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, For-
asmuch as this is done of thee,^ and thou hast not
kept my covenant and my statutes,' which I have
commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom
from thee,-' and will give it to thy servant.
"^

12 Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it


for David thy father's sake:' bui I will rend it
out of the hand of thy son.
13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the king-
dom ;'" but will give one tribe to thy son for David
my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which
I have chosen."
1-1 1l And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto

Solomon, Hadad the Edomite:" he was of the king's


seed in Edom.

:

Promists to Jtrohonm. 1 KINGS XII. Rdiohoam succeeds Solomon.

Aliijah tlio Shilonilo fcuiiul liim in tlio way;" and 40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jer- a.*i.»i24.
ho had chid hinisidl'wilh a new ganiiciit ; and tlicy olioam." And Jcroimani arose, and flod i«>'
two irrrr ahmi' in the field: into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Kgypt, and was
30 And Aiiijah i'aii,irhl tiic new garment that u-oi in Kgypt until the death of Solomon.
on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:'' 41 *] And the rest of iho ads' of Solomon, and
31 And he said to Jori)l)oaMi, Take thee ton all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not writ-
piceos: lor thus saith the LdiU). tiie God of Israel, ten in the Iwok of the acts of Solomon?"
Behold, I will rend the kinj^doni out of the liaud of 42 And the lime' that Solomon reigned in Jeru-
Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:" salem over all Israel vas forty years.
32 (But he shall have one tribe for iny servant 43 And Solomon slept with hi.s fathers, and was
David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city buried in the city of David his father: and Keho-
which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) boam* his sou reigned in his stead.
33 Because that they have forsaken mo, and have
•worshi|i]i('d Aslitoretli the p;odili'ss of the Ziiloni-
ans, Chemosh the goil of the Moabites, ami Mil-
XII. CHAPTER
com the god of the children of Ammon,'' and have 1 The Israelites, assembled at Shcchcm to crown Rehoboam, by Jero-
boam make a suit of relaxation unto him. G Rehoboam, refusing the
not walked in my ways, to do ihal which is right olJ men's counsel, by the advice of young men, unswcreth them rough-

in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judg- ly. 16 Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam to fl.'p.

'Jl Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah. 2.0 Jero-


ments, as (lid David his father. boam strengtheneth himself by cities, 26 and by the idolatry of the
34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom two calves.

out of his hand:'' but I will make him prince all


the days of his life for David my servant's sake,'
AND
Kehoboam went to Shechem:'' for all
Israel were come to Shechem to make him
whom I chose, because he kept my commandments king.
and my statutes 2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son
35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt,*" heard of it, (for
hand,' and will give it unto thee, cvc}i ten tribes. he was fled from the presence of king Solomon,
36 And unto his son will I give one tribe,'' that and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt,)
David my servant may have a light" alway before 3 That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam
nic in Jerusalem,' the city which I have chosen me and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake
to put my name there. unto Kehoboam, saying,
37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: ''now there-
according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt fore make thou the grievous service of thy father,
be king over Israel. and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter,
3S And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all and we will serve thee.
that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, 5 And he said unto them. Depart y at for three
and do that is- right in my sight, to keep my stat- days, then come again to me. And the people
utes and my commandments,J as David my ser- departed.
vant did; that I will be with thee," and build thee 6 "I And king Rehoboam consulted with the old
a sure house,' as I built for David, and will give men, that stood before Solomon his father while he
Israel unto thee. yet lived,^ and said, How do ye advise that I may
39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, answer this people?
but not for ever."" 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt
» Ch. 14:3. b 1 Sam. 15:27. c ver. 11-13. <1 ver. .'5-7; Jer. 2: 13; Ho.? t Or, words, or things. t> 2 Chr. 9:29-31. 1 Heb. days. » Called Roboam,
4:17. ePsa. 103:10. ' Isi. 55:3. e Exoii. 20:5, 6. I>ch. 12:17. • Heb.
Malt. 1:7. P aChr. 10:1, etc. q ch. 11:26, 40. r ch. 4:7: 9:15; 1 Sam.
iamp, or caiuiU. ch. 15:4; 2 Kings .S: 19; I'sa. 132: 17.
i i ch. 9:4, 5. k Josh. 8:11-18. "Job 12:12.
1:5, I 2 Sam. 7:11, 27. m Psi. S9:3U-3I; Lam. 3:31, :32. » Prov. 19:21.

38. Build thee a sure house; cause his posterity to reign away from God, and subjects the soul to his just indignation.
after him. No previous favors, and no fulness or variety of earthly
41. The bpok; a record which was kept of the transac- blessings, can then preserve it from trouble and sorrow.
tions of his reign. 25. The wickedness of rulers tends greatly to corrn])t

INSTRUCTIONS. their people, and often brings on them numerous long and
1. The union for hfe of one man with one woman, ac- dreadful calamities.
cording to t!ie appointment of God, is essential to the 31. When rulers and people become corrupt, public
highest excellence, usefulness, and happiness in life and ;
peace and prosperity will decline, and divisions, revolu-
the neglect or violation of the original institution of mar- tions, and bloodshed maj' be expected to follow.
riage is a source of many of the most direful evils to which 34. God is merciful and gracious, not willing that men
men on the earth are exposed. should perish, but that they should come to repentance ;

2. However great the blessings which any one may have and punishments are sometimes delayed, and children suf-
enjoyed, and however weh he may in times past have im- fered to live in the enjoyment of manifold blessings, out of
proved them, yet, if left to himself, he is liable to depart regard to the piety and faithfulness of parents.
from God, and to fall into the most abominable h-ansgres- 38. The promises of God are connected with obedience.
sions. If men walk in his ways, blessings will be granted, and
4. Licentiousness weakens the understanding, corrupts may go down increasing to their children. But if they
the affections, stupefies the conscience, hardens the heart, rebel against him, they forfeit his favor, and may deprive
and debases all the jiowers of tlie human soul. No talents, not only themselves, but their posterity, of his mercies.
acquisitions, or renown, can keep the soul which is under
its power from the practice of the most degrading and CHAPTER XII.
destructive sins. 1. Shechem ; Ephraim. Ver.
in the tribe of 25.
9. The practice of iniquity shows that the heart is turned 7. Be a servant; comply with their wishes.
418
: :

The ten tribes revolt. 1 KINGS XII. Golden calves of Jeroboam.

A. M. be a servant unto this people tins day,"


302<> 19 So Israel rebelled* against the house of David
B, C. about
1 Ml il i1 1
and wilt serve them, and answer tliein,
9.'.5 unto this day.'
and speak good words to them,'' then they will be 20 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard
thy servants for ever. that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and
8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, called him unto tlie congregation, and made him
which they had given him, and consulted with the king over all Israel there was none that follow-
:

young men were grown up with iiim, mid which


that ed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.""
stood before him 21 IF And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusa-
9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye lem," he assembled all the house of Judah, witli
that we may answer this people, who have spoken the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and fourscore
to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to
put upon us lighter? ,
fight against the house of Israel, to bring the
10 And the young men that were grown up with kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
him spake unto him, saying. Thus shalt tliou speak 22 But the word of God came unto Shemaiah
unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy the man of God, saying,
father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it light- 23 Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon,
er unto us thus shalt thou say unto them, Jly little
; king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah
finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people,
11 And now whereas my father did lade you with saying,
a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke my father 24 Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor
:

hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise fight against your brethren the children of Israel
you with scorpions." return every man to his house; for this thing is
12 T^ So Jeroboam and all the people came to from me." They hearkened therefore to the word
Rehoboam the tliird day, as the king had appoint- of the Lord, and returned to depart, according
ed, saying. Come to me again the third day. to the word of the Lord.
13 And the king answered the people roughly,*'' 25 IT Then Jeroboam built Shcchem in mount
and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave Ephraim,'' and dwelt therein; and went out from
him;'' thence, and built Ponuel.''
14 And spake to them after the counsel of the 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart. Now shall
young men,' saying. My father made your yoke the kingdom return to the house of David:
heavy, and I will add to your yoke my father 27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the
:

also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise house of the Lord at Jerusalem,"' then shall the
you with scorpions. heart of this people turn again unto their lord,
15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they fhall
people; for the cause was from the Lord,'' that he kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
might perform his saying, wliich the Loud spake 28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made
by Ahijah the Shilonito unto Jeroboam the son two calves of gold,^ and said unto them, It is too
of Nebat." much for you to go up to Jerusalem behold thy :

16 1 So when all Israel saw that the king heark- gods, Israel, which brought thee up out of the
ened not unto them, the people answered the king, land of Egypt.'
saying. What portion have we in David?' neither 29 And he set the one in Beth-el," and the other
have we inheritance in the son of Jesse to your put he in Dan."" :

tents, Israel now see to thine own house,


: 30 And this. thing became a sin :"" for the people
David. So Israel departed unto their tents. went to icorship before the one, (vin unto Dan.
17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt 31 And he made a house of high places, and
in the cities of Judah,J Rehoboam reigned over made priests of the lowest of the people, which
them. were not of the sons of Levi.^
18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram," who was 32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth
over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto
stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam the feast that is in Judali,^' and he offered upon
made speed* to get him up to his chariot, to flee the altar.^ So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing' unto
to Jerusalem. the calves that he had made and he placed in :

» Mirk lO;^, 44. bProv. 15:1. c Heb. terrf/y. d Trov.


Kzek. 2:6. *
15. pjudg.9:45. qjudg.8:17. r Deut. 12:5, 14. 2 Kings 10:29; 17:16.
10:11, 32; Eocl. 10:12; Jas. 3:17. e Prov. 13:20. ' 2 Chr. 22:4, 5. 6 uer. I Exod.32:4, t-. u Gen. 28:19. ' Judg. 18:29; Amos 8: 14. « ch. 13:34;
21; JuJg 14:4; 2 Chr. 22:7; 25:20; Amos3:B. h ch. 11:11, 31. 2 Sam. i
Deut.24:15. i Num. 3:10; 2 Kings 17:32; Ezek. 44:6-8. y Lev. 23:33, 34.
2U:1. J ch. 11:13. 3li. k ch. 4:(i; 5:14. t Heb. strengthened himself, § Or, went up to the altar. I Or, to sacrijice.
t Or, fell away. 1 2 Kings 17:21. ""Hob. 11:12. " 2 Chr. 11:1, etc. over.

15. The cause was from the Lord; he so ordered events in the supposed interests of his own family above the author-
his providence as to fulfil his declarations. Yer. 24. ity of God and the religious welfare of the people. Ttieu
IS. The tribute; the revenue of the kingdom. shall kill me; this was in direct contradiction to what God
25. Penucl ; east of Jordan, on the river Jabbok. had said, showing that he did not believe him. Ch. 11:38.
27. If this people go up to do .mcrifice ; according to the 29. Bcth-cl ; in the south part of his kingdom. Dan; in
Mosaic law all the males throughout Israel were required the north part.
to go up to Jerusalem three times a year to the national 31. A house of high places; a temple for the idolatrous
feasts. Jeroboam feared the influence of these annual worship at Dan, wliich the sacred writer first describes.
visits upon the people, and determined to prevent them 32. Ttic eighth month; called Bui, and answering to a part
by corrupting the public worship of God. Thus he sot of October and November. Like unto the feast; the feast
419
: :

Jeroboam's hand viihrrdh. 1 KINGS XIII. The disobedient prophet.

Botli-cl the pricrits of the liigli places which he of Cud. Kntreat now the face of the LORD ^j,",. ",!??:
hinl iniuli'." thy God,' and ])ray for nir, ijuit my hand may be
33 So lie ofTorcilwhicli he had
upon llie, altar' restored me again. And the iiiaii of God besought
made the liftecnfli day of the eighth
in Jicth-el the Loud,' and the king's hand was restored him
month, even in the month which he had devised again, and became as it vas before.
of his own heart;'' and ordained a feast unto the 7 And the king said unto the man of God, Come
children of Israel and he offered upon tlie altar,
: homo witii me, and refresh thyself, and 1 will give
and burnt* incense." thee a reward.'
8 And the man of God said unto the king. If
thou wilt give me half thy liouse,'' I will not go
CHAPTER XIII. in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink
1 Jeroboam^s hand, that offered violcnco to him that prophesied a^inst
his altnr at Beth-el, withereth, 6 and at tiie prayer of the propTiet is
water in this place:
restored. 7 The propitet, refusing the king's entertainment, departeth 9 For so was it charged me by the word of the
from Beth-el. 11 An old prophet, seducing him, bringetlt him back.
20 He is reproved by G-oa, 23 slain by a lion. 26 buried by the old
Lord, saying, Eat no bread,' nor drink water, nor
prophet, ^l who ronfinneth his prophecy. ,33 Jeroboam's obstin.icy. turn again by the same way that thou camest.

AND
Judah by
behold, there
the
came a man of God out of 10 Bo he went another way, and returned not
word of the Lord unto Beth-el by the way that he came to Beth-el.
and Jeroboam stood by the altar to iKirii' in- 11 If Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-
cense.'' el ; and came and told him all the works
his sons'
2 he cried against the altar in the word of
And that the man of God had done that day in Bethel
the Lord, and said, altar, altar, thus saith the the words which he had spoken unto the king,
Lord Behold, a cliild shall be born unto the
:
them they told al.=o to their father.
house of David, Josiah by name and upon thee ; 12 And their father said unto them. What way
shall he offer the priests of the high places that went he? For his sons had seen what 'way the
burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be man ot God went, which came from Judah.
burnt upon thee." 13 And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the
3 And he gave a sign the same day,' saying, This ass. So they saddled him the ass; and he rode
is the sign which the Loud hath spoken Behold, : thereon,
the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon 14 And went after the man of God, and found
it shall be poured out. him sitting under an oak and he said unto him.
:

4 And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah ?
heard the saying of the man of God, which had And ho said, I am.
cried against the altar in Beth-el, that ho put forth 15 'J'hen he said unto him. Come home with me,
his hand from the altar, saying. Lay hold on him.*'' and cat bread.
And his hand, which ho \)\\t fortli against him, 10 And he said, I may not return with thee, nor
dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to go in with thee neither will I eat bread nor drink
:

him. water with thee in this place:™


5 The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured 17 For it was^ said to me by the word of the
out from the altar, according to the sign which Lord," Thou shalt cat no bread nor drink water
the man of God had given by the word of the there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou
Lord.'' camest.
6 And the king answered and said unto the man 18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as
> Amos 7:l'3. •
Or, wenl up
to llie atlar. b Num.
6urn.
15:30. t Heb. (o 6:12. 1> ver. 3. i Exod. 8:8
cch. 1-J;1. lOr, o^er. 2 Kings 23:15-20. ' Isa. 7:14;
d ch. ia:3->, 33. e

39:7, 22; John 2:1^; I Cor. 1:22. S 2 Chr. 16:10; 18:25. etc.; 25:15, 16;
Pia. lOJ:!.?; .Ter. 20:2-1; Amos 7:10-17; Matt. 23:^0; John 13:20; Acts

of tabernacles, celebrated in Jerusalem a month earlier.


Lev. 23 39-44. So did he in Belh-el ; as he had done in Dan.
:

The writer now proceeds to describe the idolatrous insti-


tutions at Beth-el.

INSTRUCTIONS.
Governments should exist for the good of the people,
4.
and this should be sought in all their acts.
7. No enlightened and patriotic people can permanently
be governed by mere force or fear. Every wise ruler will
therefore endeavor to conciliate his people, and secure
their confidence and love. This, old men who have long
observed the course of events and are well acquainted
with human nature, feel much more deeply than young
men.
10. Young men, especially those who have grown up in
luxury and disjipation, without restraint, and under the
influence of bad examples, are ;ipt to be proud, self-confi-
dent, and overbearing not only fond of power, but of
;

making a display of it, and accomplishing their objects


not by truth, reason, and moral influence, but by force.
15. 'When God leaves a man, especially a ruler, to follow
pernicious counsels and his own wicked inclinations, it is
420
:

The prophet slain. 1 KINGS XIV. Jtroboam^s obstinacy.

K^vT' thou art: and an angel spake unto mo by


the word of the Lord, saying, Bring liim back
witli thee into thy house, that he may eat bread
and drink water. But lie lied unto him."
ID So he went back with him, and did cat bread
in his house, and drank water.''
20 IT Andit came to pass, as they sat at the
table, that the word of the Lord came uuto the
prophet that brought him back
21 And he cried uuto the man of God that came
from Judah, saying. Thus saith the Lord, Foras-
much as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the
Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which
the Lord thy God commanded thee,"
22 But earnest back, and hast eaten bread and
drunk water in the place,'' of the which the LORD
;"
did say to thee. Eat no bread, and drink no water
thy carcass shall not come unto the sepulchre of
thy fathers.''
23 T xVnd it came to pass, after he liad eaten
bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled
for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he
had brought back.
24 And when he was gone, a lion met him by
the way, and slew him:''' and his carcass was cast
in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also
stood l)y the carcass.
25 And behold, men passed by, and saw the car-
cass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the
carcass: and they came and told it in the city
where the old prophet dwelt.
26 And when the prophet that brought him back
from the way heard thereof, he said. It is the man
of God, who was disobedient unto the word of
the Lord therefore the Lord hath delivered him
:

unto the lion, which hath torn* him, and slain


him, according to the word of the Lord, which
he spake unto him.*"
27 And he spake to iiis sous, saying. Saddle me
the ass. And they saddled him.
28 And he went and found his carcass cast in
the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the
,
'

Jeroboams xcife risikth 1 KINGS XIV. the prophet Ahijah.

4 Aiitl JcrohoainV wife did po, and arofjp. and


wont to Sliiloli." iind oiiniL" to tlir liousc of Aliijali.
But Aliijuii could not see; for his eyes were set
bv reason of liis a,i;;e."''
", And the Loud said unto Ahijali, Behold, tlic
")

wife of Jerolioani coinetii to asiv a tiling of lliei; for


her son; for lie is sicic thus and tlius slialt tiiou
:

sav unto Jicr; for it sliall be, wiien siie conietii in,
tliaf she shall feiu'n herself /o hr unotlier icoman."
6 And it was so,when Aiiijah iieard the sound
of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he
said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam why fcigii- ;

est thou thyself /o be another? for I am sent to thee


tfit/iheavy* tidinfrg.
7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord God
of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from amoni^
the people, and made thee prince over my people
Israel,*"
8 And rent the kinirdom away from the house of
David, and gave it tlico:" and yd thou hast not
been as my servant David, who kept my com-
mandments, and who followed me with all his
heart, to do t/mt only which tvas right in mine
;
eyes
9 But hast done evil above all that wci-e before
thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other
gods, and molten images,'-' to provoke me to an-
ger,'' and hast cast me behind thy back:'
10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the
house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam
him that pisseth against the wall,^ and him that is
shut up and left in Israel," ^nd will take away the
remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man tak-
eth away dung, till it be all gone.
11 Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall
the dogs eat;' and him that dieth in the field shall
the fowls of the air cat: for the Lord hath spoken
it.

12 Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own


house and when thy feet enter into the city, the
:

child shall die.'"


13 And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury
»Ch. ll:Sa. •
H<-b. stood for his /wariness, b Gen. 27:1 ; Eccl
; ;

Jerusalem captured. 1 KIXGS XV. Reign of Ahijavi and Asa.

*
f,',;;'!' imanjes,' and groves,* on every high hill, not perfect with the Lord his God, as the heart
and niider every green tree.'' of David his father.'
24 And there were also sodomites in the land:'^ 4 Nevertheless for David's sake did the Lord
and they did according to all the abominations of his God give him a lamp^ in Jerusalem,J to set up
tlie nations which the -Lord cast out before the his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:
children of Israel. 5 Because David did that which was right in the
25 1 And it came to pass in the fifth year of king eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any
Rehoboam, that Shiskak king of Egypt came up thing that he commanded him all the days of his
:''
against Jerusalem life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Ilittite.

26 And he took away the treasures of the house 6 And there was war between Rehoboam and
of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house Jeroboam all the days of his life.
he even took away all and he : took away all the 7 Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all
shields of gold wliich Solomon had made." that he did, are they not written in the book of
27 And king Rehoboam made in their stead bra- the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there
zen shields, and committed thejii unto the hands was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
of the chief of the guard,* which kept the door of 8 And Abijam slept with his fathers and they ;

the king's house. buried him in the city of David and Asa his son :

28 And it was so, when the king went into the reigned in his stead.''
house of the Lord, that the guard bare them, and 9 H And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king
brouglit them back into the guard-chamber. of Israel reigned Asa over Judah.
29 1 Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and 10 And forty and one years reigned he in Jeru-
all tliat he did, are they not written in the book salem. And his mother's* name was Maachah, the
of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? daughter of Abishalom.
30 And there was war between Rehoboam and 11 And Asa did that which was right in the eyes
Jeroboam all their days.*^ of the Lord, as did David his father.
31 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and 12 And he took away the sodomites out of the
was buried with his fathers in the city of David. land, and removed all the idols that his fathers
And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammon- had made.
itess. And Abijam* his son reigned in his stead. 13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he
removed from bei7ig queen, because she had made
an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed* her idol,'
CHAPTER XV. and burnt it b}^ the brook Kidron.™
1 Abijam's wicked reign. 7 Asa succeedeth him. 9 Asa's good reign. 14 But the high places were not removed :" nev-
16 The war between Baasha and hiin causeth him to make a league
ertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord
with Ben-hadad. 23 Jehosiiaphat succeedeth Asa. 25 Nadab's wick-
ed reign. 27 Baasha conspiring against him executetii Ahijah's proph- all his days.
. ecy. 31 Nadab's acts and death. 33 Baasha's wicked reign.
And
he brought in the things* which his fa-
15
NOW king Jeroboam ther had dedicated, and the things which himself
in the eighteenth year of
the son of Nebat, reigned Abijain over Ju- had dedicated, into the house of the Lord, silver,
dah.^' and gold, and vessels.
Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And
2 16 'i And there was war between Asa and Baasha
his mother'sname was Maachah,^" the daughter of king of Israel all their days.
Abishalom.' 17 And Baasha king of Israel went up against
3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, Judah," and built Ramah," that he might not suffer
which he had done before him and his heart was any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.'
:

Or, standing images, or statues. » i Kings 17:9, 10.


• b Isa. 57:5: Jer. 11:20-22. I Absalom, 2 Chr. 11:21.i
ch. 11:4. 1 Or mndlc; ch. 11:36.
3:13. c Deut. '23:17; aKingsa;3:7. d aChr. 1-2:2, etc. e ch. 10:17. t Heb. j2 Chr. 21:7. k 2 Chr. 14:1, etc. • That is, grandmothtr's; ver. i. t Heb.
runners. I ch. 12:24; 15;«. t Abijall, 2 Chr. 12:1B; Abia, Matt. 1:7. cut off. 1 2 Chr. IS: 16, etc. m Exod. 32:20. n ch. 22:43. I Heb. holy.
S 2 Chr. 13:1, etc. i Micliaiak the daughter of Uriel, 2 Chr. 13:2. h 2 Chr. o2Chr. lti:l, etc. p Josh. lt::2-5. qch. 12:27.

ward from bad to worse, and the most higlily exalted by 13. 3Iade an idol in a grove; rather, an idol to Asherah,
privileges and blessings, when not restrained by divine that is, Ashtoreth. Kidron; a torrent-bed on the east side
grace, will become the most wretched and debased by of Jerusalem, between the city and the mount of Olives
their crimes. the same as Cedron, John 18:1.
14. The high places were not removed; of both Asa and
CHAPTER XV. Jehoshaphat his son it is said that they took away the
2. Maachah, the daughter of Abislialom; in 2 Oiron. 13:2, high places, 2 Chron. 14:3; 17:6; and yet it is said of both,
the mother of Abijam (Abijah) is said to be Michaiah, the that during their reign the high places were not taken
daughter of Uriel. This may perhaps be explained on away. See, besides the present verse, chap. 22:43; 2 Chr.
the supposition that Michaiah is another name borne by 15:17; 20:33. Some have supposed that in one case the
Maachah and that she was the granddaughter of Abisha-
; reference is to high places where idols were worshipped,
lom, and the daughter of Uriel. and in the other to high places for the worship of Jeho-
3. Perfect; sincerely devoted to God. vah. But perhaps the more probable meaning is, that
4. A lamp; continue to Iiim the kingdom. while these two kings did what lay in their power to
5. Turnal not aside from any thing; not in such a wicked remove the high places, they could not wholly extirpate
and notorious manner in any thing else and for that he ; them.
heartily condemned himself, and most sincerely repented. 17. Built Ramah; commenced the work of fortifying it.
Psa. 51. Ramah was in the tribe of Benjamin, a short distance north
10. His mother's name; that is, as we must necessarily of Jerusalem. Baasha's object in doing this was to com-
understand, his grandmother's name, ver. 2. mand the road to and from Jerusalem on the north.
423
Aia'i waneitA natisha. 1 KINGS XVI. Nadah ami Baasha.

18 Tlicn Asa took nil tlic >;ilvor and the pild he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he *ji" *™;
that urre left in llie trunsiuTS of the house of tlio left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until lie

Loun, and tlie treasures of tlic kiiit,''s liouse, and had destroyed him, according unto the saying of
tlie Loitii, which he spake by his servant Ahijah
delivered them into the hand of his servants: and
king Asa sent them to Hen-liadad, tlic son of Tab- the Shihniite:"
;50 Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he
rimon, tiio son of llezion, king of Syria, that
dwelt at Itaniascus," saying, sinned, and whidi he made Israel sin. by his jirov-
19 T/icrc is a league between nic and thee, and ocation wherewith he provoked the LuiiD God of
between my father and thy father: behold, 1 have Israel to anger.'
sent unto tiiee a present of silver and gold eome
311^ Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all
;

and break tiiy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he did, are they not written in the book of
that he may depart' from me. the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?
•20 So Ben-hadad liearkencd unto king Asa, and 32 And there was Avar between Asa and Baasha
sent the captains of the hosts wliieli he had against king of Israel all their days.'"
the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon,'' and l)an,'= and 33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah began
Abel-beth-maachah,'' and all Ciiinueroth, with all Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel
the land of Naphtali. in Tirzah, twenty and four years.
21 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard there- 34 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and
of, that he left off building of Ramah,
and dwelt walked in the way of Jeroboam," and in his sin
in Tirzab. wherewith he made Israel to sin."
22 Then king Asa made a proclamation through-
out all Judah none ivas exempted :* and they took
;

away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, CHAPTER


XVI.
wherewith Baasha had builded and king Asa built;

1, 7 Jfhu's prophecy against Baasha. 6 Elah succeedeth him. 8


with them Geba of Benjamin,'-' and Mizpah/ Zimri conspiring against Elali succeedeth hitn. 11 Ziinri executeth
23 The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his Jehu's prophecy. 15 Oinri, made king by the soldiers, forceth Zimri
desperately to burn himself. 21 The kingdom being divided, Omri
might, and all that he did, and the cities which prevaileth against Tibni. 23 Omri buildeth Samaria. 25 His wicked
he built, are they not written in tlie book of the reign. 27 Ahab succeedeth him. 29 Ahab's most wicked reign. 34
Joshua's curse upon Hiel the builder of Jericho.
Chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless
in the time of his oldage he was diseased iu his T^'IIEN the word of the Lord came to JehuP the
feet.« X son of lianani against Baasha,'' saying,
24 And Asa slept with his fathers, and was bur- 2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust,
ied with his fathers in the city of David his fa- and made thee prince over my people Israel ;" and
ther: and Jehoshaphat* his son reigned in his thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam," and hast
stead." made my people Israel to sin,' to provoke me to
25 IT And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to anger with their sins;
reign ^ over Israel in the second year of Asa king 3 Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baa-
of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years. sha, and the posterity of his house ;" and will make
26 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of
walked in the way of his father, and in his sin Nebat.
wherewith he made Israel to sin. 4 Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the
27 1 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house dogs eat;'' and him that dieth of his in the fields
of Issachar, conspired against him and Baasha shall the fowls of the air eat.
;

smote him at Gibbcthon,' which belonged to the 5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what
Philistines ;J for Nadab and all Israel laid siege he did, and his might, are they not written in the
to Gibbethon. book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
28 Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah 6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was
did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead. buried in Tirzah and Elah his son reigned in his:''

29 And it came to pass, when he reigned, thai stead.


>Ch. ll:ai, 24. 'Huh.goiip. b2Kingsl5:a8. c Judg. 18:29. daSam. 29; 13:3.3. 34. o ch. 14:16; Isi. 1:4. P ver. 7; 2 Chr. 19:2; i!0:34. q ch.
20:14. meh./ree e Josh. 21 17. f Josh. 13:26. E2Chr. 16:12. : Calkd
:
15::M. r ch. 14:7. » ch. 15:34. 1 Matt 5:19. o Tor. 11 ; ch. 21:21, 22.
Josaphal, -Mza.i-.S. h 2Chr. 17:1, etc. i Heb. reigntd. ich. 14:14 J ch. vch. 14:11. wachr. 16:1, etc. ich. 15:21.
10:15; Josh 21:23, t ch. 14:9-16. 1 ch. 14:22. m vcr. 16. n ch. 12:2S.

18. Damascus; the capital of Syria. 18. "When men, instead of trusting in God and doing his
20. Ijon — — —
Dan Abcl-heth-maadiah Chinncroth; places in will,apply to the wicked for help and devote to them what
the north part of Israel, next to Syria. should be devoted to him, though they may sometimes
27. Gibhethon; in the tribe of Dan, but occupied by the gain temporary relief, j-et it will in the end be very likely
Philistines. to increase their trouble.
29. The saying of the Lord; chap. 14:14. 23. However long any may live, and however much in
the providence and by the grace of God they may be
INSTRUCTIONS. favored, they are constantly liable to disease and death.
8. Sometimes very pious parents are followed by very Nothing should hinder them from being habitually ready
wicked children, and very wicked parents by very pious to close life, and enter upon the retributions of eternity.
children. Eccl. 8:G-13; 12:1.
13. No affection or regard for earthly relatives or friends, 29. One set of wicked men, in the prosecution of their
however exalted, should lead us to encourage or connive wicked objects, may without intending it bring on other
at their sins, or hinder us from using all proper means to wicked men punishments which God has denounced. Isa.
prevent their injurious influence. 44:28; 45:1-5; Dan. 5:30, 31.
424
:

Umist of Baasha destroyed. 1 KINGS XVI. Zimri, Omri, and Ahah.

ill:''.;''" 7 And also by tlie hand of the prophet treason tliat he wrought, are they not written in
Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the Lord the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?
against Baasha," and against hi^ house,'' even for 21 ^i Then were the people of Israel divided into
all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, two parts:" half of the people followed Tilmi (he
in provoking him to anger with the work of his son of Ginath, to make him king; and half fol-
hanils,'' in being like the house of Jeroboam; and
lowed Omri.
because he killed him." 22 But the people that followed Omri prevailed
8 1l In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king against the people that followed Tibni the son of
of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
over Israel in Tirzah, two years. 23 If In the thirty and first year of Asa king of
9 And his servant Zimri," captain of half his Judah began Omri to reign over Israel,'' twelve
chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tir- years: six yeai-s reigned he in Tirzah.
zah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza,*^ And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer
2-1

steward of* his house in Tirzah. two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and
for
10 And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed called the name of the city which he built, after
him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.*'
of Judah, and reigned in his stead. 25 If But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the
11 IT And it came to pass, when he began to Lord,'' and did worse than all that ivere before
reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew him.
all the house of Baasha ho left him not one that
: 26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam
pisseth against a wall,^ neither of his kinsfolks, nor the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith lie made
of his friends.* Israel to sin,' to jirovoke the Lord God of Israel
12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baa- to anger with their vanities.'
sha, according to the word of the Lord, which he the rest of the acts of Omri wliich he
27 Now
spake against Baasha by* Jehu the prophet,'' might that he showed, are they not
did, au,d his
13 For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings
Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which of Israel?
they made Israel to sin, in provoking the Lord 28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was bur-
God of Israel to anger' with their vanities.' ied in Samaria and Ahab his sou reigned iu his :

14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that stead.
he did, are they not written in the book of the 29 IT And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa
Chronicles of the kings of Israel? king of Judah began Ahab tlie son of Omri to reign
15 IT In tlio twenty and seventh year of Asa king over Israel and Ahab the son of Omri reigned :

of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah." over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.
And the people ivere encamped against Gibbethon, 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight
wliich belonged to the Pliilistines.' of the Lord above all that 7rcre before him."
16 And the people that were encamped heard say, 31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light
Zimri liath conspired, and hath also slain the king thing' for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam
wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the the son of Nebat," that he took to wife Jezebel'"
host, king over Israel that day in the camp. the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians,''
17 And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.''
Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. 32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the
18 xVnd it came to pass, when Zimri saw that house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
the city was taken, that he went into the palace 33 And Ahab made a grove f and Ahab did more
of the king's house, and burnt the king's house to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than
over him with fire,'" and died, all tiie kings of Israel that were before him."
19 For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in 34 T In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jer-
the sight of the Lord, iu walking in the way of icho he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram :

Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make his first-born, and set up the gates thereof in his
Israel to sin." youngest son Segub, according to the word of the
20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his Lord, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun."
» Ver. 1. Exod. 20:5. c ver, 13. d oh. 15:27-29. e a Kings n;.31.
t>
i Heb. Shomeron. qch. 13:32; 2Kingsl7:24i John 4:4; Acts8:5-*. r Mio.
f Nilium 1:10. • H.jb. wliirk was over,
s 1 Sim 25:22. Heh. was il a light
t Or. both his 0:16. s ver. 19. < ver. 13; Acts 14:15. " ver. 33. 1

kinsmen and his friends. I Heb. by the hand of. b ver. 3. ch. 15-30 i
thing. V Ezek. 6:17; 1C:47. » Deut. 7:3; Josh. 23:12, 13. « Jndg. 18:7.
j Deut. 32:21; 1 Sam. 12:21; Isa. 41:29; Jon. 2:8; Rom. 1:21-23: 1 Cor. « 2 Kings 13:0; 17:10j 21:3-
y oh. 21:25, 26; 2 Kings 10:13, etc.; 17:16.
B:4: 10;19. k ver. 8. ch. 15:27. m 2 Sam. 17:23; Psa. 9:16.
I
nch. 12:28- Jer. 17:1, 2. 'Ter. 30; oh. 21:25. b Josh. 6:26; Matt.24;3S.
15:2li, 34. o Frov. 23:2; Isa. 9:19-21 ; 19:2; Matt. 12:25. p 2 Chr. 22-2

dence which the people reposed in them were alike vain


CHAPTER XVI. and profitless. " The stock is a doctrine of vanities." Jer.
7. Kdhd not Jeroboam himself, but his posterity.
him ; 10:8.
Chap. 15:27-29, Though God had foretold, chap. 14:1-4, 24. TTie hill Samaria; a beautiful hill lying a few miles
that Baasha would do this, and it was beforehand certain north-west of Shechem, and compassed all round by a
that he would, yet he was just as wicked and guilty in deep broad valley. It was very suitable for the capit-al
doing it as if it had not been foretold, or had not been of the Israelitish kingdom, being a strong, as well as a
certain. central position. Calleil the name —
Samaria; in the He-
13. Vanities; here used, as often elsewhere, of the false brew, Shomeron, from Shemer.
gods which the people substituted for Jehovah the only 31. Ba/il; the chief idol of the Zidonians.
living and true God. The idols themselves and the confi- 34. Beth-elite; one who lived in Beth-el, where Jeroboam
425
Elijah ftd by ravens 1 KINCS xvir. Ticii miradts at Zartphath.

CIIArTER XVII
1 Elijkh, hnvini proplirtioJ nsniint Alinb, ii Bent lo Chcrilh, where
the
rarciH Ur-i hiiii. S He i« KMit lo the wiJaw of Znrephatli. 17 He
raitetli llie widow'i ton. '-ii The woiiwii kelicvcth him.

AND Elijali" the Tislibitc, who was of the in-


habitants of Giload, sail! unto Aliab, ./Is tlic
Li)Ui> Goil ol" Israel livoth," bi'Iore whom 1 stand,''
tiierc shall not be dew nor raiu liicsc years,"' but
aeeordinj^ to my word.
2 Andihewordol'the LoRDcameuntohim.saying,
3 Get thee lience, and turn tiiee eastward, and
hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before
Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the
brook ; and I have commanded the ravens to feed
thee there."*
5 So he went and did according unto the word
of the Lokd: for he w-ent and dwelt by the brock
Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6 And the ravens Ijrouuht him bread a:.d flesh
in the morning, and bread and flesh iu the even-
in'^;'' and he drank of the brook.
7 And it came to pass after a while,* that the
brook dried up, because there had been no rain iu
the land.
8 T And the word of the Lokd came unto him,
saying,
9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath,* which helongeth
to Zidon, and dwell there behold, 1 have com- :

manded a widow woman there to sustain thee.


10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And
wiicn he came to the gate of the city, behold, the
widow woman wns tliere gathering of sticks: and
he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee,
a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called
to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a moi'sel
of bread in thy hand.
12 And she said, Jis the Lord thy God liveth, I
Lave not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel.
• Heb. Elijahu; he is called £«a.t, Luk(
The famine in Israel. 1 KINGS XVIII. Ohadiah sent to A/iab.

A. M 30M. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought


"'910°"'°'"
him down out ol" the chamber into the
house, and delivered him unto his mother:" and
Elijali said, See, thy son liveth.
24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this
I know that thou aii a man of God," and that the
word of the Lord iu thy mouth is truth.

CHAPTER XVIII.
1 In the extremity of famine Elijah, sent to Aliab, mceteth good Oba-
diah. 9 Obadiah bringcth Ahab to Elijali., 17 Elijah, reproving
Aliab, by fire from heaven convmceth Baal's prophets. 41 Elijah, by
prayer obtaining rain, foUoweth Ahab to Jezreel.

ANDword came
it to pass after many days,'^ that the
of the Lord came to Elijah in the third
year, saying. Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I
will send rain upon the earth.''
2 And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab.
And t/m-e was a sore famine in Samaria.
3 And Ahab called Obadiah," which was the
governor f^f his house.* Now Obadiah feared the

Lord greatly
4 For it was so, when Jezebel* cut off the proph-
ets of theLord, that Obadiah took a hundred
and hid them by fifty in a cave,'' and fed
]irophets,
them with bread and water.''
.5 said unto Obadiah, Go into the
And Ahab
land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all
brooks pcradventure we may find grass to save
:

the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all


the beasts.^
6 So they divided the land between them to pass
throughout it Ahab went one way by himself,
:

and Obadiah went another way by himself.


7 1[ And as Obadiah was iu the way, behold,
Elijah met him and he knew him, and fell on his
:

face, and said, Jlrt thou that my lord Elijah?


8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord,
Behold, Elijah is here.
9 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou
wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of
Ahab, to slay me?
J
;

The trial at Carmd. 1 KINGS XVIII. BaoTs prophets slain.

follow liiin. And the people answered him not a j


said. Fill four barrels with water, and *»';|;^,
word. pour it on the burn t-j;acri lice, and on the !«>•'
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, etvn 1 wood.
only, remain a ])ioph«.'t of the Luitn ;° but Baal's 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And
prophets are four hundred and fifty men. they did the second time.
it And he .«aid, Do //
23 Let them therefore give u.s two bullocks; the third time. And they did it the third time.
ami let them choose one bullock for tiieuisclves, 35 And the water ran round about the altar;
and cut it in pieces, ami lay it on wood, an<l ]iut and he filled the trench also with water.''
no fire tinder: and I will dress the other bullock, 3G And it came to i)ass at the time of the offer-
and lay it on wood, and |)ut no lire uiidir: ing of the tvining sacrifice, thai Elijah the prophet
24 And call ye on the name of your floods, and came near, and said, Loiti) God of Abraham,
I will call on the name of the Loitn and the God : Isaac, and of Israel,' let it be known this day that
that answereth by fire,'' let him be God. And all thou art God in Israel,^ and that 1 am thy ser-
the people answered and said, It is well spoken.' vant, and that I have done all these things at
2.5 And Elijah said unto the prophets of 13aa], thy word.''
Ciioose you one bullock for your.selvcs, and dress 37 Hear me, Lord, hear me, that this people
it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of may know that thou art the Lord God, and that
your gods, but put no fire under. thou hast turned their heart back again.
26 And they took the bullock which was given 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell,' and consumed
them, and they dressed it, and called on the name the burnt-sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones,
of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O and the dust, and licked up the water that was in
Baal, hear* us. But there rm.s no voice,"" nor any the trench.
that answered.* And they leaped upon the altar-' 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on
wliicli was made. their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah God; the Lord, he is the God.'"
mocked them, and said. Cry aloud:' for he is a 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take^ the pro{ili-
god;'' eitlier he is talking,^ or he is pursuing," or ets of Baal let not one of them escape. And they
;

he is in a journey, or peradventure he slecpeth, took tliom and I]lijah brought tliem down to the
:

and must bo awaked. brook Kishon, and slew them there."


28 And
they cried aloud, and cut themselves 41 IT And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up,
manner with knives and lancets," till
after tlieir eat and drink; for there is a sound* of abundance
the blood gushed out upon them.^ of rain.
29 And it came to pass, when mid-day was past, 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And
and they prophesied until the ti?ne of the ofl'ering* Elijah went u]) to the top of Carmel and he cast ;

of the evening sacrifice, that i/iere icas neither voice, himself down upon the earth," and put his face
nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.^ between his knees,
30 And Elijah said unto all the people. Come 43 And said to his servant. Go up now, look
near unto me. And all the people came near unto toward the sea. And he went up, and looked,
him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that and said, There is nothing. And he said. Go
was broken down. again seven times.
31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that
the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out
unto whom the word of the Lord came,' saying, of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said. Go
Israel shall be thy name: up, say unto Ahab, Prepare^ thy chariot, and get
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the thee down, that the rain stop thee not.
name of the Lord: and he made a trench about 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that
the altar, as great as would contain two measures the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and
of seed. there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and
33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the went to Jezreel.
bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood,^ and 46 And the band of the Lord was on Elijah ,

"Ch. 10:10, 14. b iChr. 21:36; aChr. 7:1. 3. • Ueh. T/ie word is good. 1:0-8. tHeh.went. h ver 32, 38. i Exod. 3:0. jch. 8:43; 2Kings 19:19;
t Or, antxoer. c Pm. 115:5-9; Jer. 10:5; 1 Cor. 12:2. 1 Or, htaril. i Or, up Psa. 83:18; Ezek. 30:23; 39:7. k Num. 1U:'.'S. Lev. 9:24; Judg. 6:21:
I

and down at the altar. I Heb. witk a great voice, i Isa. 41 :23. t Or, med- lChr.21:26; 2Chr. 7:1. i>iver.24. 1 Or, Apprehend. > Deut. 13:5; 18:20;
' Heh. hath
itatetlt. a pursuit, e Lev. 19:29. t Heh. they poured out blood 2 Kings 10:23. • Or, o noise, o Jas. 5:17, 18. Mleb. Tie, ot Bind.
upon tktm. I Heb. aseending. i Heb. attention. ' Gen. 32:28. s Lev.

22. I only; he was the only prophet of Jehovah who was Acre near the foot of mount Carmel. Slew them ; according
present, or appeared before the people. command of God. Deut. 13:5; 18:20; Jer. 48:10.
to the
24. Let him be God; let him be acknowledged and adored Went up; from the brook Kishon to a place where
42.
as God. refreshments were provided for him.
26. Leaped; as was the custom with idolaters. 44. Get thee doum; from the mountain where he was, and
27. He IS a god ; spoken in irony, intimating the absurd- return to his palace at Jezreel.
ity of idol- worship. 40. The hand of the Lord was on Elijah; imparting to him
29. The time of the offering; about three o'clSok in the supernatural strength. Girded up his loms ; put a girdle or
afternoon, or between that and sunset. belt around his outer garments, as was the custom when
32. Two measures; a measure was about ten quarts. about to travel. Ran before Aliab ; after the manner of
37. 7'«rnc(i^/^ei)/l^a?•f, to worship Jehovah as the true God. royal attendants, that he might thus pubUcly honor him
40. The brook Ktshon; which emptied into the bay of as the king of Israel.
428
:

Elijah Jkdh to Horcb. 1 KINGS XIX. God appeareth to film.

A. M. 2ms. and he girded up his loins," and ran before 7 And the angel of the Lord came again the
°"'
m" Ahab to" the entrance of Jezrcel. second time, and touched him, and said. Arise and
eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went
CHAPTER XIX. in the strength of that meat forty days and forty
1 Elijah, threatened by Jezebel, 4 In the wilder-
fleeth to Bcer-sheba.
nights'' unto Horeb the mount of God.'
ness, beingweary of his life, he is comforted by an angel. 9 At Ho-
reb <Tod ;ippeareth unto him, sending him to anoint Hazael. Jehu, 9 IT And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged
and Elisha. 19 Elisha, taking leave of liis friends, foUoweth Elijah. there and behold, the word of the Lord came to
;

AND told Jezebel all that Elijah had


Ahab
done, and withal how he had slain all the
him, and he said unto him. What doestthou here,
Elijah? .

prophets with the sword." 10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, Lord God of hosts :^ for the children of Israel
saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also,'' have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine
;''
if I make not thy life as the life of one of them altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword
l)y to-morrow about this time.* and I, even I only, am left and they seek my life, ;

'6 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for to take it away.
his life, and came to Bcer-sheba, which helongeth 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the
to Jiulah, and left his servant there. mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord
4 IF But he himself went a day's journey into the passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the
wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper- mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before
tree and he requested for himself^ that he might
: the Lord;" but the Lord iras not in the wind:"
die; andsaid,Itisenougli; now, Lord, take away and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord
my life;'^ for I am not liettcr tlian my fathers.' icas not in the earthquake
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper-tree, 12 And after the earthquake a fire but the Lord ;

behold, then an angel touched him,'' and said unto was not in the fire and after the fire a still small
:

him. Arise and eat. voice.


6 And he looked, and behold, there teas a cake ba- 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he
ken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head.* wrapped his face in his mantle," and went out, and
And lie did eat and drink, and laid him down again. stood in the entering in of the cave. And behold.

'i Kings 4:29; 9:1; Job 38:3; Jer. 1:17; Eph. 6:14; 1 Pet. 1:13. • Heb. 1:14. I Heb. bolster. hExod. 34:28; Deut. 9:9, 18; Matt.4:a. iExod.3:l;
ill t/ioumnulo. bch, 18:40. c ch. 20:10; Ruth 1 17; -J Kings 0:31. < Psa.
: Mai. 4:4, 5. j Num. 25:11, 13; Psa. 09:9. k ch. 18:4, 13; Mic. 7:2; Eom.
)7;:W,:!3. t Heb. Ais/i/e. e Num. 11 15; Jon. 4:3, S.
: fPaa. 39:12. S Heb. 11:2-4. lExod. 24:12. mEzek. 1:4. nZeoh.4:(i. o Exod. 3:6; Isa. 0:2.

INSTRUCTIONS. pers, and often leads to the infliction of great bodily pen-
3. The fidelity and usefulness of truly religioijs persons ances and sufferings. Such sufferings please the torment-
sometimes lead very wicked men to employ them in pref- ors, but do the tormented no good and are an abomina- ;

erence to all others and good men should ever strive so


; tion to Jehovah, whose ways are ways of pleasantness,
to act as to show that godliness is profitable unto all things, and whose paths are paths of peace.
and that it renders those who possess it conscientiously 33. True religion has nothing to fear from experiment,
diligent and faithful in the discharge of all the duties of and from candid, thorough, and searching investigation.
life. It loves the fight, and seeks to diffuse it among all classes
4. Under the government of wicked rulers the Lord's of people, so that they may be able to judge of it them-
ministers are often persecuted, imprisoned, and dependent selves, and act intelligently with regard to it.
on charity for support, while Satan's ministers go at large, 37. Prayer, simple, earnest, and sincere, not in a foreign
and riot in luxury and abundance. tongue which is not understood, but in that which the
9. Even the people of God are sometimes afraid to do hearers themselves speak, is a powerful means of grace,
what he commands them, lest they should suffer but if ; and one by which God often convinces men of the truth
tliey are truly devoted to him, and desirous of doing their and leads them to embrace it.

duty, he will make it plain and enable them by his grace 43. Not only sincerity and earnestness, but persever-
to perform it. ance in supplication and obedience to God, are essential
17. Persecutors are apt to represent those who condemn to the highest success. However small the number or
them for their wickedness as disturbers of the public peace trying the condition of the friends of Jehovah, let them
and troublers of the people, and to contend that their lib- trust in him, seek of him what they need, and follow his
erty is inconsistent with the public good, and that they directions, and they shall in due time gloriously triumph
should be banished or put to death. over all their foes.
18. The troubles which come upon rulers and people
are a punishment from God on account of their sins. Not
CHAPTER XIX.
those who condemn these sins, but those who commit 2. So let the gods do to me; let them kill me, if I do not
them, are the real troublers of the country. kill thee.
21. As Jehovah has in various ways shown conclusively 4. Into the wilderness; which lay south of Canaan, and in

that he is the only living and true God, reason, interest, and which Israel had wandered forty years.
duty require that all to whom he is revealed should, with- 8. Forty days and forty nights; lieing miraculously sup-

out hesitation or reserve, love, worship, and obey him. ported. Horeb; where God appeared to Israel and gave
22. Which is the right way is not to be determined by them the l;iw. Deut. 1:6.
the numbers, wealth, and power of those who follow it. 10. Jealous for the Lord; desirous of honoring him by
God's friends may be few, poor, feeble, and despised, leadhig the people to obey him. I only; no other prophet
while Satan's may be many, rich, powerful, and respected. openly appeared to stem the torrent of iniquity.
It is better, in such cases, to be of the few than of the 11, 12. Tlie Lord was not in the wind earthquake fire; — —
many. Psa. 138:6; Prov. 3:34; 1G:19; 28:6. indicating that he would not reform Israel by terrific out-
27. The worship of images, and of all false, imaginary ward displays of his power, but by the quiet persevering
deities, is mean, base, and foolish. labors of his servants, under the invisible and silent influ-
28. "The worship of false gods is cruel to the worship- ences of his Spirit.
429
The caU of Elisha. 1 KINGS XX, The fugc of Samaria.

there caim a voii-cuiito liini, and saiii, Wliatdocst CHAPTER XX.


tlioii Ih'I-c, Klijali? 1 not content with Atnb's liointi;;f, bcsipgeth Samnria.
B(-'n.|iU(l(u], 13
1 1 Ami lie Niiii, I- have been very jealous for the Hy the dircolion of a projilict. tlif Syrwrm iirf »luin. '^i Ai the proph-
et forewarned Ahab, the Syriant, truHiiii}; in the valleyn, come aj;aintt
Lduh Goil of liost^ :" beeause the cliililren of L^rael
him in Aphek. 28 By tlie word of thi- prophet, and t>od'i judgment,
have for.rakeii tiiy coveiinnt, thrown down thine the Syrians are itmitten again. 31 The Syrians Hiibmittmg (hem-
prophets with the sword;'' selves, Ah:ib sendeth Ben-liadad away with a cnvnant. 30 I'lio
altars, and slain tiiy
prophet, under the parable of a priitoner. making Ahab to judge him-
and I, even I only, am lefi and they seek my life,
; sell,denounceth Crod's judgment agamst him.

to take
1.') And
it away.
tlie Loud said unto him. Go, return on
AND Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all
and l/iirc vtrr thirty ami
his host together:
tliy WMV wilderness of Damascus: and when
to the two kings with him, and horses, and chariots and :

thou anoint Hazacl to be king over Syria :'


L'onicst, he went up and besieged Samaria, and Marred
IG And Jehu the son of Nimshi sluilt thou anoint against it.
to he kin<>: over Israel:'' and Elisha' the son of 2 And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel
Shaphat of Abel-meholali slialt thou anoint to be into the city, and said unto him. Thus i^aith J5eii-
jtrophet in thy room. hadad,
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that 3 Thy silver and tliy gold is mine; lliy wives
escajjeth tlie sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay:'' also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.''
and liiin that escapcth from the sword of Jehu 4 And the king of Israel answered and said. My
shall Elisha slay.' lord, king, according to thy saying, I am thine,
18 Yet1 have left me* seven thousand in Israel,*-' and all that I have.
all knees w-hicii have not bowed unto Baal,
tlie 5 And the messengers came again, and said. Thus
and every mouth which hath not kissed him.'' speaketh Den-liadad, saying, Although I have sent
I'J •[ So he departed thence, and found Elisha unto thee, saying, Thou slialt deliver me thy silver,
the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing loith twelve and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children;
yoke of oxen before him, and he witii the twelfth : 6 Yet I will send my servants unto thee to-mor-
and Elijaii passed by him, and cast his mantle upon row about this time, and they shall search thy
him. house, and the houses of thy .servants and it shall ;

20 And ho left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, be, f/iat whatsoever is pleasant" in thine eyes, they
and said. Lot me, I pray thee, kiss my father and shall put it in their hand, and take it away.
my mother, and then I will follow thee.' xVud ho 7 Then the king of Israel called all the elders
said unto him. Go back again:' for what have I of the land,' and said, Mark, I pray you, and see
done to thee? how this ma7i sceketh mischief; for he sent unto
21 And he returned back from him, and took a mo for my wives, and for my children, and for my
yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.'
with the instruments of the oxeu,^ and gave unto 8 And all the elders and all the people said
the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and unto him, Hearken not imto him, ilor consent.
went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. 9 "Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Bcn-
• Ver.O.IU. l)Jor.aj:9. c 2 Kings 8: 1-2, I:), a -i Kingi 9:1-3. -Called 02. 1 Heb. Go, return. 12 Sam. 21:22, .10:13,14. i Hob. dMiraWe.
Elistm. Luke 4:27. e 2 Kings 9:14, etc.; 10:8, etc.; W-.J. t Hos. 0:5. 1 2 Kings 5: 7. « lleb, kept not back froi
t Or, wiUlmve. s Rom. 11:4. b Hos. ia:2. i Mitt. 8:21, 22.; Luke 9:61,

10. Ahd-meholah; a town in the plain of Jordan, between 10. Men are never more likely to boast of their past
Beth-sliean and Shechem. when they are neglecting their present duty;
labors, than
— — —
Hazael JeJiu and ElisJta; they would all be in-
17. nor ever more likely to complain, iind fault with others,
strumental in the punishment of idolatrous Israel. and sink into despair.
18. Seven tliousand; who were still worshippers of Jeho- 12. It is not always that wliich is most visible and tan-
vah. gible, or which makes the most noise, that is most effica-
19. Cast his mantle upon him; indicating that he should cious in doing good.
follow him. when fearful, discouraged, and
15. If the people of God,
20. Go back again; probably said to try the firmness of desponding, would get out of trouble, they must go to
his purpose. work what their hands find to do, they must do for the
;

21. Took a yoke of oxen ; to provide for himself and friends purpose of honoring God and doing good, committing
a feast before lie' left them. Ministered unto him ; waited themselves and all their interests to Lis guidance and
on and assisted hiin. disposal.
18. Some good men are at times tempted to think that
INSTRUCTIONS. there are none who labor in the right way to sustain
the cause of God but themselves, and that when they are
2. No miracles or means of grace will of themselves
lead persecutors and liaters of God to cease from their
gone it must sink. But he will show that it is not as
eflforts to overcome and destroy his people.
dependent on them as they thought it was.
20. God can at any time so touch the hearts of men that
3. However bold, courageous, and successful the people
they will voluntarily and cheerfully leave all for him and
of God may liave been under his influence, unless that is
continued they will become timid and cowardly, desert
his cause. But in doing this, he wiU not lessen their nat-
ural affection, or lead them to neglect any of the proper
their duty, and in despair even wish to die.
kindnesses and courtesies of life. 1 Pet. 3:8.
5. God knoweth the frame of his people and remember-
eth that they are dust. He compassionates their infirmi-
ties and sympathizes in their sorrows, and when they duly
CHAPTER XX.
feel their weakness and wants, appears for their relief. 1. Kings; rulers of cities and the adjoining districts of
9. Men are made not merely to be acted upon but to act, country.
and should never voluntarily go where they have nothing 4. lam thine; meaning, that he would be tributary to
to do, or can do nothing. the king of Syria.
430
:

Defeat of Bcn-hadad. 1 KINGS XX. He renews the war.

ac'w™ my
lord the king, All that
liadad, Tell and said unto him. Go, strengtlien thyself, and
thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I mark, and see what thou doest:'' for at the return
will do: but this thing 1 may not do. And the of the year the king of Syria will come up against
messengers departed, and brought him word again. thee.'
10 And Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said, The 23 And the servants of the king of Syria said
gods do so unto me, and more also," if the dust of unto him. Their gods are gods of the hills ;J there-
Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the peo- fore they Avere stronger than we; but let us fight
ple tluxt follow me." against them in the plain, and surely Ave shall be
11 And the king of Israel answered and said, stronger than they.
Tell /urn, Let not him that girdeth on his harness 21 And do this thing. Take the kings away,
boast himself as he that putteth it oif.'' every man out of his i)lace, and put captains in
12 And it came to pass, when Ben-hadad heard their rooms
this message,^ as he was drinking, he and the kings 25 And number thee an army, like the army that
in tlie pavilions,* that he said uuto his servants, thou hast lost,* horse for horse, and chariot for
Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves chariot: and we will fight against them in the
in array' against the city. l)lain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.''
13 IT And behold, there came' a prophet unto And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so.
Ahab king of Israel, saying, Tiius saith the Lord, 26 And it came to jiass at the return of the year,
Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, that Ben-hadad numbered the Syrians, and went
I will deliver it into thy hand this day ;° and thou up to Aphek,' to fight against Israel.*
shalt know that I am the Lord. were numbered,
27 And the children of Israel
II And Ahab said, By whom? And he said. and were
and went against them and all present,^ :

Thus saith the Lord, Even hj the young men'' of the children of Israel ]iitchcd before them like two
the pri.ices of the provinces. Then he said. Who little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the
shall order* the battle? And he answered. Thou. country.
15 Tlien he numbered the young men of the 28 T And there came a man of God, and spake
princes of the provinces,'' and they were two hun- unto the king of Israel, and said. Thus saith the
dred and thirty-two: and after them he numbered Lord, Because the Syrians have said. The Lord
all the iieoplo, fwe7i all the children of Israel, being is God of the hills, but he is not God of the val-
seven thousand. leys, therefore will I deliver all this great multi-
16 And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad tude into thy hand," and ye shall knoAV that I am
was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions,' he the Lord."
and the kings, the thirty and two kings that help- 29 And they pitched one over against the other
ed him.' seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh
17 And the young men of the princes of the day the battle was joined ° and the children of
:

provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, Israel slew of the Syrians a hundred thousand
and they told him, saying. There are men come footmen in one day.
out of Samaria. 30 But the rest fled to Aphek,'' into the city and ;

18 And he said, Whether they be come out for there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand
peace, take them alive or whether they be come of the men that ircre left.''
; And Ben-hadad fled,
out for war, take them alive. and came into the city, into an inner chamber.'
11) So these young men of the princes of the 31 If And his servants said unto him, Behold
provinces came out of the city, and the army which now, we have heard that the kings of the house
followed them. of Israel are merciful kings " let us, I pray thee, :

21} And they slew every one his man:" and the put sackcloth on our loins,^ and ropes upon our
Syrians fled and Israel pursued them and Ben- heads, and go out to the king of Israel peradven-
; : :

hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse with ture he will save thy life.
the horsemen. 32 So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and
21 And the king of Israel went out, and smote put ropes on tlieir heads, and came to the king of
the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with Israel, and said. Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I
a great slaughter. pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet
22 1 And the prophet came to the king of Israel, alive? he is my brother.
a Ch. 19:2. • Heb. ire at my feet; Exod. 11:8; Judg. 1:10. b I'rov. 27:1. 42:S. Heb. was fallen, k Psa. 10:3.
t 1 Sam. 4:1; 29:1
I 2 Kings 13:17.
;

^ Heb. word. \ Or, tents, t Or. Plar.e the engines: and titeii placfd engines. I war wiih Israel, i Or, victualled, m Isa. 37:29-')6. over. 13;
Heh.llie
I Heb. approached, c ver. 2S. 1 Or. servants. ' Heb. bind, or tie. d Jmig. Job 12:16-19. oPsa.lO:16. pPsa.l8:45 q Jer. 43:44; Luke 13:4. I Or,

/:-. 12; ch. 16:9; Prov. 21:2iK!-Ji Hos. 4:11. flsa. 54:15. « Judg.
c ver. from rliambcr to chamber; Heb. a chamber within a chamber; ch. 22:35.
7:21,22; Eccl. 9:11. h 2 Kings (J: 12. i2Sam. 11:1. J Psa. 115:2, 3; Isi. rjsa. 16:5. • Gen. 37:34.

10. If tlie dust of Samaria sliall svffice; meaning) that he the idea was, that different gods ruled over different pla-
would come with such a multitude of people that the sand ces, and that they must fight the Israelites in places where
of >Samaria would not give to each a handful. their gods did not govern.
11. Girdeth on his harness; puts on his armor for battle, 26. Aphek; in the tribe of Issachar. It seems to have
or begins a war. Putteth it off; victoriously closes it. been in the valley of Jezreel.
The young men ; those who waited upon the princes
14. ;
31. Go out to the king of Israel; as prisoners of war. lia-
their servants.The princes of the provinces; these seem to ble, according to the then prevalent custom, to be put to
have been the rulers who governed in the different dis- death.
tricts of the kingdom. 32. On their heads; about their necks. brother; auMy
23. Gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger tlian we; king.
431
AAab sparetA Ben-kid nd. 1 KINGS XXI. and cord el A N.iboth's nneyard.

33 Now the men diil (lili;ri'ntly ohscrvo wliedior I'J unto him. Thus saith the V'l.^ilU;
.Villi he .said
emy thin^ inm'.d come IVoiii him, and liiil liastily Loup, jjecauso thou hast let go out of thy Jiand
catch it: aiul thi-y .-^aiil, a man whom I ajijiointeil to
Tliy lirothiT Beii-hailaJ. utter destruction,
Then hu saiti, Go ye, bring him. Then JJen-iiaihid tluTeforc thy life shall go for his life,'"and thy
came Ibrtli to liim; and lie caused liim to come u]i people for his people.
into thi' chariot." 43 And the king of Israel went to his liouso
31 And Hi n-hadad said unto him, Tiic cities which heavy and displeased," and came to Samaria.
my father took from tliy fatiier," 1 will restore;
and thou shall make streets for thee in Danuiscus,
as my father made in iSamaria. Then said Jlhab, (' II A V T E II XXI.
I will send thee away with this covenant. So he 1 Ahab bein^ Jenii'il Nnbotli'i vinrytird
is grievej. 5 Jezebel wriling
made a covenant with liini," and sent him away. letters against Nabotli, he is condemned of blasphemy. 1.') AhaB

taketh possession of the vineyard. 17 Elijah denouneeth judgments


35 1 And a certain man of the sons of the proph- a^'iimst Ahab and Jezebel. U5 Wicked Ahab repenting, CJod defer-
ets'' said unto his neiglihor in tiie word of the rcth the judgment.

Loud,'' Smite me, I pray thee.'


fused to smite him.
And the man re- AND came
Naboth
it to pass after these things, that
the Jezreclitc had a vineyard, which
36 Then said he unto him. Because thou hast not iras- in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king
obeyed the voice of the Loud, beliold, as soon as of Samaria.
thou art departed from mo, a lion shall slay thee. 2And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying. Give
And as soon as he was departed from him, a lion me thy vineyard," that I may have it for a garden
found liira, and slew him.''' of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I
37Then ho found another man, and said, Smite will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or,
me, I i)ray thee. And the man smote him, so that if it seem good to thee,* I will give thee the worth
in smiting he wounded* him. of it in money.
38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the 3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid
king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes it me, that I should give the inheritance of my
upon liis face.'' fathers unto thee.''
39 And as the king passed by, ho cried unto the 4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and dis-
king:' and he said. Thy servant went out into the pleased because of the word which Naboth the
midst of the battle; and behold, a man turned Jezreelite had spoken to him:'' for he had said, I
aside, and brought a man unto me, and said. Keep will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers.
this man if by any means he be missing, tlien siiall And he laid him down upon his bod, and turned
:

thy life 1)0 for his life,J or else thou shalt pay* a away his face, and would eat no bread.
talent of silver. 5 % But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said
40 And as thy servant was busy here and there, unto him, "Why is thy spirit so sad,' that thou eat-
he was gone.* And the king of Israel said unto est no bread?
him, So shall thy judgment ie;" thyself hast de- 6 And he said imto her, Because I spake unto
cided it} Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him. Give
41 And he hasted, and took the ashes away from me thy vineyard for money or else, if it please ;

his face and the king of Israel discerned him that thee. I will give tlieo another vineyard for it: and
;

he was of the prophets. he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.


• 2Kings
10:ia; Acts 8i31. b ch. 15:-20. clsa..8:12. d 2 Kings 2:3, 5, 19:22. mch. 22:31 37. iich.21:4. '>lSam.8:14. iHeb. be gotxl in l/iine
ete. ech. 13:17, 18. fjer. 27:2; Eiek. 4:3. Bch. 13:24. * Heb. smKinff eyes. P Lev. 25:23; Num. 30:7; Ezek. 46:13. q Job 5:2; Hab. 2:9-12.
and wounding, h 2 Sim. 14:2. 2 Sam. 12:1, etc. i 2 Kings 10:24. t Heb.
weigk. I Heb. was not. t 2 Sam. 12: .'3-7. Job 15:0; Matt. 21 :41-13; Luke
I

35. In the word of the Lord ; by his command. very different from their object in doing it. They design
40. Tkijself hast decided ; tliat according to his own state- to promote their own glory, and he designs to show his
ment, which was designed to represent the case of Ahab, perfections and advance his cause.
he had forfeited his life. Ahab decided that he should be 16. Under the influence of intoxicating liquor, men are
put to death, and thus virtually condemned himself for self-confident and reckless, and they often speak and act
letting Ben-hadad go when he had him in his power. as if all things were under their control, and are urged on
42. Appointed to utter destruction ; required that he should by Satan and their own lusts from one crime to another
be destroyed. Thy life—for his life; Ahab would himself till they perish.
bo destroyed. Chap. 22:31-37. 22. God knows and can reveal what men will do before
they think of doing it, and yet leave them as free and ac-
INSTRUCTIONS. countable as if he had not revealed what they would do.
4. Wickedness persevered in not only prevents men 28. God hears all that wicked men say, sees all that they
from receiving any saving benefit from divine judgments do or intend to do, and can adapt his providence to meet
and mercies, but renders them mean, cowardly, base, and their cases, and make them the occasion of advancing his
contemptible. glory and the welfare of his people. None therefore who
6. Success in wickedness often increases men's pride, put their trust in him, and follow his directions, need to
arrogance, haughtiness, and rapacity, emboldens them in fear. Psa. 4 2. :

Bin, and thus ripens them for ruin. 35. No feelings or considerations should ever hinder
10. For men to boast of what they have done, is vain men from obeying God, and when they save from death
and foolish to boast of what they will do, presumptuous
;
those whom God requires to be slain, they incur his dis-
and wicked. It is glorying in the creature, and rebeUing pleasure, and expose themselves to be destroyed.
against the Creator.
13. The object of God in suffering wicked rulers to as- CHAPTER XXI.
semble great multitudes for war and go forth to battle, is 1 . The palace of Ahab king of Samaria ; see note to ver. 18.
432
;; :

Naboth is stoned to dtath. 1 KINGS XXI. His murderers denounced.

7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, which is in Samaria


iV"sia"''' behold, he is in the vineyard :''

Dost now govern the kingdom of Israel? of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
tliou
and eat bread, and let thy heart be merry:
arise, 19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying. Thus
I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jez- saith the Loud, Ilast thou killed, and also taken
reelitc.-' possession? And thou slialt speak unto him, say-
8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name,'' and seal- ing, Thus saitli the Loud, in the place where dogs
ed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy
elders and to the nobles that icere in his city, blood, even thine.'
dwelling with Naboth. 20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found
9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim me, mine enemy?'" And he answered, I have
a fast, and set Naboth on high among' the people found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work
10 And set two men, sons of Belial,'= before him, evil in the sight of the Lord."
to bear witness against him, saying, Thou- didst 21 Behold, 1 will bring evil upon thee," and will
blaspiieme God and the king.'' And then carry take away thy posterity, and will cut ofl" from
him out. and stone hini,'^ that he may die. Ahab him that pisselli against the wall,'' and him
11 And the men of his city, even the elders and that is shut up and left in Israel,
the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, 22 And will make thy house like the house of
did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was Jeroboam the son of Nebat," and like the house
•written in the letters which she had sent unto of Baasha the son of Ahijah,'' for the provocation
them. wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and
12 They proclaimed a fast,'' and set Naboth on made Israel to sin.
high among the people. 23 And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying,
13 And tiiere came in two men, children of Be- The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall* of Jez-
lial, and sat before him and the men of Belial
: reel.'*

witnessed against him,*-' even against Naboth, in 2-1 Him


that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs
the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did shall eat and him that dieth in the held shall the
;

blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried fowls of the air eat.
him forth out of tlie city, and stoned him with 25 \ But there was none like unto Ahab, which
stones, that he died.'' did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight
1-4 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is of the Lord,' whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.*"
stoned, and is dead. 26 And
he did very abominably in following
15 1 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard according to all things as did the Amorites,''
idols,
that Nab(itli was stoned, and was dead, that Jeze- whom the Lord cast out before the children of
bel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the Israel.
vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite,' which he re- 27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those
fused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not words, that he rent his clothes," and put sackcloth
alive, but dead. upon his flesh,'' and fasted, and lay in sackcloth,
16 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that and went softly.
Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down 28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the
to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take Tishbite, saying,
possession of it. 29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself be-
17 *i And the word of the Lord came to Elijah fore meV because he humbleth himself before me,"
the Tishbite,-' saying, I will not bring the evil in his days:" but in his
18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, sou's days will I bring the evil upon his house."
' Mic. -ia.a. b aSam. 11:11, 15; Esth. 3:1-2. 13. • Hub. in the top
of. 18:17. iiver.25; 2 Kings; 17:17; Isa. 50:1; 52:3; Rom. 7:14. " ch. ^4:10.
<:Deut. 13:l:J. d Bxod. -ii-.-iS; Lev. 2»:15,16| Matt. 26:59-68: Acts(i:ll. P Exod. 20:5, 0; 2 Kings 9:8. q ch. 15:29. r ch 10:3, II. f Or. itilch.
e LeT. 21:U. ( Isa. 58:4. 8 E.xod. 20:10; Psa. 27:12; Prov. 25:IS; Mai ' 2 Kings 9:36, 37. l ch. 16:30, 31 : ver. 20. t Or, innled. u Josh. 23:12,
3:5. li2KiiigsO:2(); Eocl. 4:1 Acts 7:57-59.
; Prov. 1 :ia-ll); 4: 17. J I'sa.
i
13; Ecol. 7:26. v Gen. 15: 16; 2 Kings 21 :11. w Joel 2: 12, 13. x Jon.
9:12. t ch. l.!:32; 2 Chr. 22:9. 1 ch. 22:3^; Psa. 7:10; Matt. 7:2. m ch. 3:0-10. y Exod 10:3. «Isa.60:2. > 2 Kings 20:19. b 2 Kings 9:25.

8. Wrote letters ; from Samaria. Scaled thetn with his seal INSTRUCTIONS.
this gave them the king's authority, and required all to 4. Covetousness is idolatry and if the heart be under
;

obey on pain of his displeasure. its power, and cannot obtain its wishes, it may at any time
9. Proclaim a fast; to make an impression that Naboth he rendered miserable. Even little things that cannot be
had committed some great wickedness, which required obtained, but are inordinately desired, may make a man
him to be put to death. wretched.
10. Sons of Belial ; wicked, abandoned men. Stone him; 7. Despotic power in the hand of man or woman under
stoning was the punishment which God commanded for the control of wickedness is a terrible curse, and liable
blasphemy, the crime of which Naboth was falsely accused. at any time to be employed in the commission of the most
Lev. 24:15, IG. outrageous and abominable injustice and cruelty.
16. To go down; from Samaria to .Tczreel. 9. No plans are so wicked that men who are disposed
18. Which i.i in Samaria ; whose customary residence is may not find some wicked enough to aid in executing
in Samaria. Samaria was the capital of Ahab's kingdom, them and no forms of injustice and cruelty are more
;

and his proper residence, ch. 22:37-39; but he had also execrable, and none will receive a deeper condemnation,
a palace at .Jezreel, and sometimes resided there. Ver. 1 than those which are perpetrated under the cover of relig-
2Chr. 22:6. ion and law.
20. Sold thi/self; abandoned himself to wickedness. 16. Men who have the power and the right to prevent
21. ShxU up and left; a proverbial expression originally crime, and yet suffer it for the sake of sharing its gains,
denoting bond and free, but put here to represent aU are partakers in the guilt of those who commit it, and will
classes of persons. share in their plagues.
28 433
Jduakapkat visits Ahah. 1 KlNliS XXH. rrediction of Micaiah.

CIIAPTEU XXI I
Loud, Willi these shait tli<.ii \n\A\ tlie Syr- •*iiVw:
thou have consuiiH'd them,
ians, until
I Ahab. MtlucrJ by UUe
prophrU, ncrordjti^' to the v.-or<l of Micaiah,
12 And all the pro|(hi'ls prophesied so,^ saying,
u (lain at Kaiiioih.'jilraJ. 37 The >lo;t» lick up hit blooJ, and Ahii-
iah •urcrrjt'th hinj. 41 Johoiimphai'a ^ooil reign. -IS Hia acu. Go u]) to Ranioth-gilead, and prosper:" for the
au ji'horaiii auccrctlolli him. 51 Ahaziah s evil reign. Loud
it into the king's hand,
shall deliver

AND tlu'voontiuuod three years without war


liotwocii Syria ami l.-^racl.
\'.\ And
mcs.senger that was gone to call
tiie

Micaiah sjiaUe unto him. saying, Hdioid now, the


2 And it came to pas.-; in tiic tiiird year, tliat words of the prophets dcclarr good unto tlii- king
Jelin.^haphat tiic kinij of Judali came down to tiic with one mouth let thy wonl, 1 pray thee, be like :

kiiiL' of l.-racl." the word of one of them, and speak that which is
3 And the kinsr of Is;rael said unto lii.s ?crvant?, good,'
Know ye that Ramoth in Ciilead is ours," and wc 14 And Micaiah said, As the Loun livcth, what
Af still, and take it not' out of the liand of the the Lord saith unto me, that will 1 speak,'"
kinir of Syria? 1.') ", .So he came to the king. And the king
4 And lie said unto .lehoshaphat. Wilt thou go said unto hiin, Micaiah, shall we go against Ra-
with me to Ijattlc to Ramoth-gilead'.'"' And Je- moth-gilcad to battle, or shall we forbear? An<l
hoshaphat .said to the king of Israel. I can as thou he answered him. Go, and prosper: for the Lord
art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy shnll deliver it into the hand of the king.
horses.'' 1() And the king said unto him, How many times

5 And .lehoshaphat said luito the king of Israel, shall 1 ailjurc thee that thou tell me nothing but
Inquire, 1 pray thee, at the word of tlu' Loud to- that which is true in the name of the Lord?
day." 17 And he said, 1 saw all Israel scattered upon
G Then the king of Israel gatliered the prophets the hills, as.slieep that have not a shepherd:" and
together,'' about four hundred men, and said unto the Lord said, These have no master: let them
them, Simll I go against Ramotli-gilead to battle. return every man to liis house in peace.
or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up ;'' for 18 And the king of Israel said unto Jeho.shaphat,
the LoKD shall deliver it into the hand of tiie Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no
king. good concerning me, but evil?
7 And Jehoshaphat said, h there not here a 19 And he said. Hear thou therefore the word
prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of the Lord 1 saw the Lord sitting on his throne," :

of him?" and all the host of heaven standing by him on his


8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, right hand and on his Icft.i'
There is yet one man, Mieaiali tiie son of Indah. 2(1 And t!ie Jjord said, AVho shall persuade'

by wiioMi wo may inquire of the Lord: liut 1 hate Ahab, tliat he may go up and fall at Ramoth-
him;' for he doth not prophesy good concerning gilead? And one said on tliis manner, and an-
me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the other said on that manner.
king say so. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood be-
9 Tiien the king of Israel called an officer,* and fore the Lord, and said, I will persuade him.
said. Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah, 22 And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith?
10 And tlie king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying
king of Judah sat eacii on his throne, having put spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he
on their robes, in a void place' iu the entrance said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also:
of the gate of Samaria and all the prophets proph- go forth, and do so.
;

esied before them, 23 Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a
11' And Zedekiah tlio son of Chenaanah made lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets,''
him horns of iron and he said. Thus saith the and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.
;

» 2Chr. Deat. 4:13; Jnsh. '^0:8. • Hcb silent from Inking


1S:'2, etc. b 24:13; Jer. 2.'!:28; Acts 20:27; Gal. 1:10. p Zech. 13:7; Matt. 9:35. "Ua..
it. » Pro». 1:10; aCor. 8:14. <1 3 Kings :l:7. e Prov. 3:G; Jer. 21:2. ' ch fi:l-3; Dan. 7:9,10. P Job 1:6; Psa. 103:21
; Malt. 25:31 Rev. 5:11. » Or,
;

1H:19. eJer. 5:)!. h a Kings :!:ll. 'Psa. 34:21. t Or. eimi/fA. 1 Heb. dmive. q Judg. 9:23; Job 12:10; Ezek. 14:9; 2 Thess. 2:10. 12.
floor. J Ezek. !:J:6-9: Mo. 3:11. kJ'>b'J:4. I tsa. 3U:10. m Num. 22:3.-<;

Sinners are apt to be enemies to those who. by the


20. family, and his kingdom very dreadful calamities. In con-
command of God, denounce his wratli against tliem, and sequence of the alliance between him and Ahab, he "felt
to feel as ifsuch persons were their enemies. But this is obliged to offer his services on the present occasion,
a great mistalco. Tliey hate their sins, and lament the though evidently with much misgiving.
ruin these occasion. Matt, 23:37, ti. Prophets; these were false prophets, probably con-
23. Ringleaders in transgression will be distinguished nected with the worship of the golden calves, who had
in their punishmoiit; and though external humiliation may not been present at mount Carmel when Elijah slew the
secure temporal favors, nothing short of real penitence prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth.
and hearty forsaking of sin will save from its endless con- 15. Go, ami prosper ; this was spoken ironically, and in a
sequences. manner that showed the king that Jlicaiah did not expect
him to prosper.
CHAPTER XXn. 17. I saw; a representation of what would take place at
3. Ramoth
a city of Gad. east of Jordan.
; the battle, upon Ahab's death. Ver. 36,
4. lam as thou art; I will act in concert with thee in all 19. I saif; a representation of what was then going on
things. Jehoshaphat had joined affinity with the king of for the deception and ruin of Ahab.
Israel by taking for a wife to his son Jehoram, Athaliah 23. The Lord put a lying spirit in the mouth of all
liath
the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. 2 Kings 8: 18 2 Chron. ; these thy prophets; an instance of the manner in which
18:1. By this wrong step he brought upon himself, his things that take place, in the providence and under the
434
;

Ahah slain hy a Syrian. 1 KINGS XXII. Ads of Jclwshaphat.

B.'
c'
24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanali
sIi't!"
'
37 T So the king died, and was brouglit* to
went near, and smote Micaiali on the elicck," and Samaria and they buried the king in Samaria.
;

said, Whieli way went tlie Spirit of the Loed 38 And 07ie washed the chariot in the jiool of
from me to speak unto thee? Samaria and the dogs licked up his blood and
; ;

25 And Micaiah said, Bcliold, thou shalt see in they washed his armor; according unto tiie word
that day, when thou shalt go into an inner cham- of tlic Lord which he spake.'
ber'" to hide thyself. 3'J Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all

2(i And tlic king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, that he did, and the ivory house which he made,J
and ('arry him back unto Amon the governor of and all the cities that he built, are they not writ-
tlie city, and to Joash tlic king's son ten in the book of tlie Chronicles of the kings of
27 And say, Tims saith the king. Put i\\K fellow Israel?
in tlie prison,^' and feed him Avitli bread of afflic- 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers and Ahaziah ;

tion and witli water of affliction,'' until I come in his son reigned in his stead.
peace. 41 IT And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to
28 And Micaiah said. If thou return at all in reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king
peace, tlic Lord iiath not spoken by me." And he of Israel.''
said, Hearken, peo])le,'' every one of you. 42 Jehoshaphat ivas thirty and five years old
29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty
king of Judali went up to Ranioth-gilead. and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother'.s
30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
I will disguise myself,* and enter into the battle; 43 And he walked in all tiic Avays of Asa his
but j)ut thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel father;' he turned not aside from it, doing that
disguised himself, and went into the battle.'' u'hich icas right in the eyes of tiic Lord never- :

31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty theless the high places were not taken away for :

and two captains that had rule over his chariots, the people ofl'ered and burnt incense yet in the
saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save high places.
only with the king of Israel. 44 And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king
32 And it came to pass, when the captains of of Israel."'
the chariots saw Jehosliaphat, that they said, Sure- 45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and
ly it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside his might tiiat he showed, and how he warred, are
to light against him and Jehoshaphat cried out. they not written in the book of the Chronicles of
:-'

33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the kings of Judah?


the chariots perceived that it icas not the king of 4(5 And the remnant of the sodomites, which
Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. remained in the days of his father Asa, he took
3-4 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture,* out of the land."
and smote the king of Israel between tiie joints 47 There icas then no king in Edom:° a deputy
of the harness :^ wherefore he said unto the driver ivas king.
of his chariot. Turn thy hand, and carry me out of 48 Jehoshaphat made ships* of Tarshish to go to
the host; for I am wounded.' Ophir for gold but they went not;'' for the ships :''

35 And the battle increased^ that day: and the were liroken at Ezion-geber.''
king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syr- 49 Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto
ians, and died at even and the blood ran out of Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy ser-
:

the wound into the midst' of the chariot. vants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would" not.
36 And there went a proclamation throughout 50 1[ Then Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers,
the host about the going down of the sun, saying. and was buried Avith his fathers in the city of
Every man to his city, and every man to his own David his father and Jehoram his son reigned in :

.^
country.'' his stead

Acts 23:3. * Or, from chamber to ckamfter; Hcb. a chamber


» iMatt. an:6S; t Heb. ascended. • Heb. bosom, h ver. 17, 39. t Heb. ear
ill a ckamber.
ch. 2U:30. b Jer. aa:0; Acts 5:18; Rev. •2:1U. = Deut. 1(>::!;
l.^a. 3U:-JU.Num. 16:29; Dent. l!J:20, 22. e Matt. 13:0,43. t Or, when
d
he was to disguise himself ' 2 Chr. 3.3:22.
. r Prov. 13:20. t Web. in his
simplicity, 2 Sam. 15:11. 4 Heb. and the breastplate. B Heb. made sick.

government of God, are ascribed to him he suffered those


;

false prophets to tell lies, and by their lies, as a punishment


of Ahab for his sins, to deceive him to his destruction.
25. Thou shalt see; know who speaks the truth, you or I.
27. Bread of affliction ; coarse and scanty fare.
30. Disguise myself; so array himself as not to be known
to be king.
At a venture ; shooting into tlie midst of the Israel-
34.
ites, without taking aim at any one.
38. According unto the word of the Lord; chap. 21:19;
2 Kings 9 25, 26. :

39. The ivory house; a house adorned with ivory, or pre-


cious ornaments made of elephants' tusks.
43. T/ie u-ays of Asa; cliap. 15:11-15.
44. Made peace; by making affinity with him. See note
to ver. 4.
Tfe evil reign of king 1 KlNdS XXII, Ahaziah, the sin of Ahnb,

51 *i Azahiah (ho son of Aliali Ijopan to reign of iiis mother, and in the way of Jerolioani *ii"c."J(S:

over Israel in Samaria llic soventecnlli year of the son of NeViat, who made Israel to sin i**

Jchosliajiiiat king ol'Judali, and reigned two years r)li For lie served Baal, and worsiiipped him,
over Israel." and ]n'ov()lved to anger the Ijoiii) God of Israel,
52 And he did evil in the siglit of the Lord,'' and according to all that his father had done."
walked in tlie way of his faiher," and in the way
X.-OSJ. t ell. 1G.3U, He. <1 cl,. l:.':i:-33; 'J Clil 11:11, IS. • JuJg. -2:11; ch. 21:23, -JU.

fine themselves to truth and duty and that it would be


; They who disbelieve the word of God, will learn
28.
better to go with the multitude, and do what is popular, the truth of his declarations by Uicir fulfilment.
especially with the ridi and j)o\verfuI. 30. No eiTorts of the wicked to C8ca|)c the evils which
18. True ininister.s will jiriiclaiin only the truth and will God intends to bring upon them will be successful.
of God. Of course they can jiroraise no good to those 34. Every arrow which flies is under the direction and
who continue in sin, and ou this account they aro often control of God, and —
though often without the intention
hated. —
of men alwaj's accomplishes his disigns.
23. As a punishment for their sins, God sometimes suf- 35. Animals, in following the instincts and appetites
fers wicked men to bo deluded by false teachers and evil which God has given tlu'ui, may bo instruments of his
spirits, and under that delusion to bo destroyed. 2 Pet. wrath against the wicked, and the means of fulfilling Ida
2:1-3, 18-22. declarations concerning them.

436
THE

SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS,


COMMONLY CALLED,

THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE KINGS.


See the introductory remarks to the first book of the Kings, of which this second book originally con-
stituted a part.

B.' C.'about S93, (j HA1 saith the Lord,' Is it not because there is not a
i £i It 1 .

1 Moab rebelleth. God in Israel, that thou sendest to inquire of Baal-


Baal-zebub, hath his judg-
2 Ahaziah, sending to
ment by Elijah. 5 Elijah twice bringeth tire from heaven upon
zebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not
them whom Ahaziah sent to apprehend liim. lu He pitieth the tiurJ
come down from that bed on which thou art gone
captain, and, encouraged by an angel, telleth the king of his death.
17 Jehoram succeedeth Ahaziah. up, but shalt surely die.''
THEN Moab rebelled against Israel after the
death of Ahab."
7 And he said unto them. What manner of man
was he'' which came up to meet you, and told you
2 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in these words?
his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was 8 And they answered him. He teas a hairy man,
sick and he sent messengers, and said unto them. and girt with a girdle of leather about his'loins.^
:

Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron," And he said. It is Elijah the Tishbito.
whether I shall recover of this disease." 9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty
3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the with his fifty. And he went up to him: and be-
Tishbito, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of hold, he sat on the top of a hill. And he spake
the king of Samaria, and say unto them. Is it not unto him. Thou man of God, the king hath said.
because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to Come down.
inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?'' 10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain
4 Now therefore tlnn saitli the Lord, Thou shalt of fifty, If I ie a man of God, then let fire come
not come down from that had on which thou art down from heaven," and consume thee and thy
gone up," but shalt surely die. And Elijah de- fifty. And there came down fire from heaven,'
parted. and consumed him and his fifty.'
5 M And when the messengers turned back unto 11 Again also he sent un(o him another captain
him, he said unto them. Why are yc now turned of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said
back? unto iiini, man of God, thus hath the king said.
Q And they said unto him. There came a man up Come down quickly.
to moot us, and said unto us. Go, turn again unto 12 And Elijah answered and said unto them, If
the king that sent you, and say unto him. Thus I 6e a man of God, let fire come down from heaven.

!.Sam. S:-2. b 1 Sam. .':in. ' ch. 8:9, 10; 1 Kings 14:3. was the manner of the t S Zech. l.'):4; Matt. 3:4. h Num. 16:35;
liMark :!:->3 • Heb. T/ie bed whit/ier Ihau art gone up, thou slialt not rome I.uke 9:54: Heb. 12:ti9. Kings 18:24; Dan. 3:25. j ch. 2:24; Acts
down from i = Isa. 41:J3, -21. ' 1 Chr. 10: l:J; Psa. 10:4. t Heb. IFAal 5:5,9.

CHAPTER I. INSTRUCTIONS.
1. Moab rebelled; tliey had before, from the days of Da- 2. The constant men to sickness and death
liability of
vid, been tributary to the Israelites. Chap. 3:4,"5. should lead all so to live, as to be at all times prepared
2. Lattice; or balustrade; a light fence, or not-work. for these events. They will then have no occasion for
Baal-:chub ; an idol god. Ekron ; a city of the Philistines. anxiety, and no inclination to turn away from Jehovah in
8. A hairy man; in his per.son probably also dressed ;
applying for help.
in a garment made of hair. Matt. 3:4. 3. "Applying to false gods, is acting as if Jehovah wcro
10. L'-t fire come down; this was designed to show that not the only living and true God anti is highly provoking
;

Jehovah was the only living and true God, and able to to Him, who will not give his glory to another, nor his
protect all who put their trust in him. praise to graven images.
437
Tkalh f Ahixlah.
II 2 KlXdS [I. lllijah talitn to heaven.

and roiisuino tliec and thy fifty. And llic iiro of


(iiid cainc down from lioavoii, and consumed him
and lii.s fd'ty.

lU H Ami
sent again a cajitain of tlic third
lio

liflv wilii ids fifty. And the third cajitain of fifty


wont up, and came and fell* on liis Icnees before
r]iijali," and licsonjjlit liim, and said unto liim,

num of God, 1 jiray lliee, let my life, and tlic lilc


of tlieso fifty thy servants, be precious in tliy sijrlit.''
14 J5ehohi, tlierc came fire down from heaven,
and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties
with tlicir fifties:'' tiicreforc let my life now be
precious in tliy siglit,
1.5 And llic angel of the Lord said unto Elijah,

Go down with him: bo not afraid of him. And


lie arose, and went down with liini unto the king.

16 And he said unto him. Thus saitii the Loud,


Forasnnicli as thou hast sent messengers to incjuirc
of Baal-zebul) the god of Eicron, is it not because
there is no God in Israel to ini]uire of his word?''
therefore thou slialt not come dowji oil' tliat l)ed
on whicli thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
17 \\ So he died according to the word of tiic
Lord which Elijah had spoken. And Jclioram
reigned in his stead, in the second year of Jeho-
rani the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah;* be-
cause he had no son.
15 Now the rest of tlic acts of Ahaziah which
he did, are they not written in the book of the
Chronicles of the kings of Israel?

CHAPTER II.
1 Elijah, taking his leave of Elisha, with his m.antlc dividcth Jord.ln,
9 and, granting Elisha his request, is taken Tip by a fiery chariot into
heaven. 1*2 Elisha, dividin;^ Jordan with Elijah's mantle, is acknow-
ledged his successor. 16 The voung propiiets, hardly obtaininjj leave
to seek Elijah, could not find liini. 19 Elisha with salt healeth the
unwholesome waters. 23 Bears destroy the children that mocked
Elisha.

AND it came to pass, when the Lord would


take up Elijah into lieaven by a wliirlwind,"
that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.''
2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I
pray thee for the Lord hath scut me to Beth-el.
;

And Elisha said unto him, Jls the Lord liveth,"


and as thy soul liveth," I will not leave thee. So
they w^ent down to Beth-el.
3 And the sons of the ])rophets that were at
Beth-el came forth to Elisha,' and said unto him.
• Heb
:;

Wonders wrought hy Elis/ui. 2 KINGS III. Rebellion of Moab.

i).
had smitton the waters, tlier parted hither
"sali"''
and cursed them in the name of the Loud.' And
and thither :' and Elislia went over. there came forth two she bears out of the wood,
15 And when tlie sons of tlie prophets which and tare forty and two children of them.
were to view at Jcriciio saw liiin,'' tlioy said, Tlie 25 And \w went from thence to mount Carmel,
spirit of Elijali doth rest on Elislia. And they and from thence he returned to Samaria.
came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the
ground before him.
16 1 And they said unto him, BehoUl now, there CHAPTER III.
b? with tliy servants lifty stroni;; men;' lot them I Jehoram's reign. 4 Me-sha rebelleth. 6 Jehoram with Jthoshaphat,
and the king of Edom, being distressed for want of w.ater, by Elisha
go. we pray thee, and seek (hy master: lest per-
obtainetli water, and promise of victory. 21 The Moabites, deceived
adventure the Spirit of th;; Lord hath taken him by the color of the water, coming to spoil, are overeome. 26 The
king of Moab, by sacrificing the king of Edom's son, raiseth the siege.
up," and cast him npon some mountain,* or into
some valley. And ho said, Yc shall not send. N"OW Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign
17 And when they urged him till he was ashamed, over Israel Samaria in the eighteenth
in
he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned
and they sought tliroc days, but found him not. twelve years.^
18 And when they came again to him, for he 2 And he wrought evil in the sight of the Lord ;

tarried at Jericho, he said unto them, Did I not but not like his father, and like his mother: for
say unto you. Go not? he put away the image^ of Baal that his father
19 1 And the men of the city said unto Elisha, had made.''
Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is 3 Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jero-
pleasant, as my lord seeth but the water is naught, boam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin ;'
:

and the ground barren.* he departed not therefrom.


20 And he said. Bring me a new cruse, and put 4 Tl And Mesha king of Moab™ was a sheep-
salt therein. And they brought it to him. master, and rendered unto the king of Israel a
21 And he went forth unto the spring of the hundred thousand lambs," and a hundred thousand
waters, and east the salt in there,'' and said, Thus rams, with the wool.
saith the Loud, I have healed these waters;" there 5 But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead,"
shall not be from thence any more death or bar- that the king of Moab rebelled against the king
ren land.^ of Israel.
22 So the waters were healed unto this day, 6 1 And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the
according to the saying of Elisha which he spake. same time, and numbered all Israel.
23 1[ And he went up from thence unto Beth-el 7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king
and as he was going up by the way, there came of Judah, saying. The king of Moab hath rebelled
forth little children out of the city,'^ and mocked against me wilt thou go with me against Moab :

hiui,'' and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as
go up, thou bald head. thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses
2'1 And he turned back, and looked on them, as thy horses.'"

aVer.8. b vcr. 7. • ileh. sonx of strength, c 1 Kings 18:1-2; Acts 8:39. e Job 19: 18 30: 1 , 8, etc. h Matt. 27:29,
; i
c. Gen. 9:25; JuJg. 9:20, it;
i

t Heb. 07U of the mountains. 1 Heb. causing to mismrry. d Lev. '2: n Malt.
; Lam. 3:G5. jch. 1:17. M:lc\j. statue, kl Cings 10:32. I I Kings l2:2S-:52.
o 13; Mirk 9:511. <=ch. 4:41; Exod. 15:25; Ez'ik. 47:S, 0. t Psi. 107::!3, 34. »>2Sara.«:2; Psa. 108:9, 10. nLsa.lG:!. »ch. 1:1; 8:20. PlKings22:4.

15. Bowed themselves; acknowledging him as their teach- 14. Though the wisest and best of men are removed
er in the place of Elijah. from earth, God can make their successors wiser and bet-
17. Was aslmmed; any longer to refuse. tor than they ; so that the light, not only of his ministers
19. Nauglit; bad. and individual Christians, but of his church, sliall be as
23. Little children ; young persons. Go up, thou bald head ; the light of the morning, growing brighter and brighter
an expression of tlie contempt of these young idolaters for to the perfect day.
the presence and office of the aged prophet. 16. The wisdom of age and experience cannot by any
24. Cursed them in the name of the Lord; this was intended methods of instruction be imparted to the young. There
to show God as the protector of his people and the pun- is much, very much, which they need to know, that noth-
isher of idolatry. ing but experience will effectually teach them. Job 15 8- :

INSTRUCTIONS. 10: 32:7.


19. There are many places and conditions which are
At whatever time or in whatever way men are re-
1.

moved from this world, it is God who removes them and externally very pleasant, and yet are internally barren
;

although his reasons may not be known by creatures, yet and bitter.
21. Divine kindness, power, and grace, can make a wil-
they are always the wisest and the best, and wo should
bow submissively and cheerfully to liis holy will. derness become like Eden, and a desert like the garden of
2. It is a great privilege to be with wise and holy men
God.
23. The wickedness of parents is often followed and
who realize that they are near the close of life, and who
are expecting soon to exchange earth for heaven. sometimes exceeded by that of their children, and the
8. No obstructions will meet a soul that is ripe for
curse of God on the children becomes the means of pun-
heaven, which true faith will not overcome. It can, when ishing the parents, till those who have been mutual and
called to do so, go through Jordan on dry ground, and rise
successful tempters become mutual and dreadful tor-
to God in a chariot of fire.
mentors.
9. It is right to desire a double portion of the spirit

which prepares good men for usefulness and for glory;


CHArTER III.
and attending upon their instructions, uniting with them 3.Cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam ; though he put away
in devotion, and ministering to their wauts, are fruitful the image of Baal, he still continued to worship the golden
means of obtaining such a blessing. calves. I Kings 12:28, 29.

439
:

EUsha obtaiwth water. 2 KINGS IV. The ^loahilts dtftatal.

8 And ho Faid, Which way shall wo po up? And and


wells of water, and mar* ^is'(''^
stop all
he answcii'd, '\\\c way llirouph tlic wilderness of every good pieci; of hmd with stones.
Eduin. lilt And it came to pass in the morning, when

9 So the kinp of Israol went, and the king of tlie mcat-odering was oiVered,'' that beiiold, there
Judah, and tiic kinj; of Edoni and tlicy fetclicd came water by the way of Edom, anil the country
:

a compass of seven days' journey and there was was iilled witli water.
:

no water for the host, and for the cattle that fol- 21 •: And when all the Moabites heard that the
lowed lliem.' kings were come uj) to fight against them, they
10 And the kinp: of Israel said, Alas, that the gathered' all that were able lo put on armor.*
Lord halh called these three kinjrs together, to and upward, and stood in IIk; liorder.
deliver tlicni into the hand of Moab! 22 And they rose up early in the morning, and
11 Hiit.Tehoshaphatsaid,/,s//if7Tnotherea proph- the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites
et of the Lord, that we may inijiiirc of the Lord by saw the water on the other side as red as Idood
him?" And one of the kin;;: of Israel's servants 23 And they said. This is blood the kings are :

answered and said, Here m Elisha the sou of Slia- surely slain,' and tliey have smitten one another:
phat, wliich ]iourcd water on tlie hands of Elijah." now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
12 And Jehoshaphat said. The word of the Loud 24 And when they came to the camp of Israel,
is with him. So the kins of Israel and Jehosha- the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so
phat and tlic king of Edom went down to him. that they fled before them: but they went forward
13 And Elislia said unto the kingof Israel, What smiting" the Moabites, even in their country.
have 1 to do with thee?'' get tliee to the ])ropiicts 25 And they b(!at tlowii the cities,' and on every
of thy father, and to the prophets of tliy inotiicr.'' good piece of land east every man his stone, and
And the king of Israel said unto iiim. Nay for : iilled it; and they stopped all the wells of water,'"
the Lord hath called those three kings together, and felled all the good trees: only in Kir-hara-
to deliver them into the hand of Moab. seth left they the stones thereof;'" howbcit the
14 And Elisha said, Jls the Lord of hosts liveth," slingers went about it, and smote it.
before wliom I stand, surely, were it not that I 26 1 And when the king of iloab saw that the
regard the ])resence of Jehoshaphat tiie king of battle was too sore for him, lie took with him seven
Judah,' I would not look toward tiiee, nor sec tliee. hundred men that drew swords, to break through
15 But now bring mc a minstrel.'"' And it came even unto the king of Edom but they could not. :

to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand 27 Then he took his eldest son that should have
of the Lord came upon him.'' reigned in his stead," and oflcred himybr a burnt-
16 And he said. Thus saitli the Lord, Make this ofl"eriiig upon the wall." And there was great
valley full of ditches.' indignation against Israel and they departed
:

17 For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see from him, and returned to their own land.'
wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley
shall be liiled with water, that ye may drink, both
ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
CHAPTER IV.
18 And this is hut a light thing in the sight of 1 Elisha muU.iplietli the widow's oil. 8 He giveth a son to the pood
Shunammite. 18 He r.iiseth .^a:un her dead son. 38 At Gilg.il he
the Lord he will deliver the Moabites also into
:
healetii the deadly pottage. 4'.^ He satislieth a hundred men witll

your hand. twenty loaves.

19 And ye shall smite every fenced city, and


every choice city, and shall fell every good tree,^
NOW there cried a certain woman of the wives
of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha,"'
• Heb. al their feet; Exod. 11:8. a 1 Kings ti:'. b Luke 2-';-.'(i; John k Exod. 29:39, 4(1. 1 Heb. were cried together. » Heb. gird himxelf with a
13-5,14; lTim.5:10. « Ezek. 11:3. d Judg. 1(1: 14 I Kings l.S: 19 Prov. girilU. I Heb. destroyed. 1 Or. smote in it. even smiling. ' Isa. 37:26.
t:-«i; Jcr. i-.-l-i. = oh. 5:16; 1 Kings 17:1.
:

f Fsi. 15:4.
;

S 1 .Sam 10:.i. " '


llfb. untiUie left the stones thereof in Kir-lmraselh. n Isa.
fc Ezek. 1::!; 3:14; 8:1. ich. 4:3. i Deut. 211:10, 2(1. t Hcb. grieve. :2:1. q Isa. .37::i7. r l Kings «0::}5.

The wilderness of Edom; south of the Dead sea.


8. ing God or seeking his direction, especially when they
Poured water; in washing one's hands, it was then
11. join the wicked in the prosecution of their plans, they
customary for an attendant to do this. may expect to be brought into trouble, and will have
14. Not look toward thee; not deign to notice him, or special reason for gratitude if they escape destruction.
regard his request, because of his idolatry. 11. In times of danger it is always safest to go to God.
15. A minstrel; one who could play on a musical instru- and ask counsel of him.
ment in praising God and thus aid in preparing the mind
; 14. From regard to his people, the Lord often bestows
of the prophet to be directed by him. 1 Sam. 10 :,5. great blessings not only on them, but on others with whom
18. A liglU thin^; only a small part of what God will do. they are connected and the wicked may thus receive
;

25. Kir-liarasetli ; a strongly fortified place in the land favors, which they would otherwise never obtain.
of Moab called also Kir-haresh. Isa. 16:7, 11.
; The stones 16. God requires men in their troubles, not only to seek
thereof; thatis, the stones of which the wall was built. his help, but to show by their actions that they believe
26. To break through ; through the forces of the king of him and are willing to follow his directions ; and unless
Edom, and so perhaps escape. they do this, they cannot reasonably expect that he will
27. Offered him; as a sacrifice to his idols, hoping in grant thorn relief.
that way to obtain their help. 23. Things often appear to the wicked to be very differ-
ent from ^vhat they really are and as they do not feel
;

INSTRUCTIONS. their need of divine guidance, and do not seek it, they
3. Men may
refuse to commit, or may break off some have no security against fatal deception.
Bins, and yet continue to practise others but without a ; 27. The devices of men to atone for their sins and obtain
heart to hate and forsake all known sins, they must perish. help from idols, are sanguinary and cruel. They leave the
7. When men engage in projects without acknowlcdg- heart wedded to its lusts, and arc utterly vain.
440
The widow's oil multiplied. 2 KINGS lY. The woman of Shunem.

u.c.m"^ T'ly servant my liusband is dead;


"fiyi'iffi

and tliou knowest that thy servant did fear the


Lord : and tiie creditor is come to take unto him
my two sons to be bondmen.''
2 And Elisha said unto her, Wliat sliall I do
for thee? tell nic, what hast thou in the house?
And she said, Thy handmaid hath not any thing
in tlio house, save a pot of oil.''
3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad
of all thy neighbors,'' even empty vessels; borrow*
not a few.
4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut
the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt
pour out into all those vessels,'' and thou shalt
set aside that which is full.
5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon
her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to
her and she poured out.
;

6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were


full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a
vessel. And ho said unto her. There is not a ves-
sel more. And the oil stayed.
7 Then she came and told the man of God. And
he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt,* and live
thou and thy children of the rest.
8 H And it fell on a day,* that Elisha passed to
Shunom,'' where ivas a great woman and she con- ;

strained him^ to cat bread. And so it was, that


as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to cat
bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now,
I perceive that this is a holy man of God,' which
passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on
the wall and let us set for him there a bed, and
;

a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it


shall be, when he cometh to us, that ho shall turn
in thither.'-'
11 And
it fell on a day, that he came thither,
and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 Aud
ho said to Gchazi his servant, Call this
Shunammite. And when he had called her, she
stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her,
Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all
this care ;" what is to bo done for thee? wouldest
thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain
of the host? And she answered, I dwell among
mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for
her? Aud Gchazi answered, Verily she hath no
child, and her husband is old.
15 And
he said. Call her. And when he had
called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said. About this season,' according
to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son.'
And she said. Nay, my lord, thoti man of God, do
not lie unto thy handmaid.^
» Lev.a5::M
2%e Shunammilf's son raised. '->
K N
1 ( i S \' Naaman the Sr>rvtv.

34 And ho wont up. and liiv upon llio ohild, and -13 And his servitor said, What, should *i," "!"'

put lii.s nututli upon his nioutli, and liis oyos upon I sot tills before a hundred men?'' JIo said again.
fcis ovcs. and liis hands upon liis liands: and In- (Jive the people, that they may cat: for thus saith
streti'hod hinisoir upon tlic cliiki ;" and tlic flosh of the Loud, Tlioy shall cat, and sliall leave t/ifnoJV
the cliild waxed warm. 44 So he set it before tlioni, and they did eat.
I

35 Then lie rotuincd. and walked in the house and left thereof, according to the word of the
to and IVo;* and went up, and strotohed himself LnUli.
upon him: and the ehild sneezed seven times, and
the child opened his eyes.
30 And he called Gehazi, and said. Call this
CHAPTER V.
Shunannnite. So he called iier. And when she 1 Naam.in, by the report of n csplive maiJ, ia sent to Samaria to be
cureii of his leprosy. 8 Elisha, sending him to Jordan, cureth him.
was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. IT) He refusinj; Nnanian's gifls, granletli him sonic of the earth. W
37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and Gehazi, abusing his master's name unto Naaman, is smitten with
K'prosy.
bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son,
and went out.'' "XTOW Naaman,"" captain of the host of the king
38 "i And Elisha came again to Gilgal:'' and XN
of Syria, was a great man with* his master,
there was a dearth in the land ;''
and the sons of and honorable,' because by him the Loui) had
the prophets" were sitting before him :' and he said given deliverance^ unto Syria: lie was also a
unto his servant. Set on the great pot, and seethe mighty man in valor, hut he was a leper.
pottage for the sons of the prophets. 2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies,
3!) And one went out into the field to gather and had brought away captive out of the land of
herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered there- Israel a little maid and she waited on" Naaman's
;

of wild gourds his lap full," and came and shred wife.
t/iem into the pot of pottage for they knew them
: 3 And she said unto her mistress. Would God
not. my lord were with* the prophet that is in Samaria !

40 So tliey poured out for the men to eat. And for he would recover him of his leprosy.
it came to pass, as they were eating of the pot- 4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying.
tage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of
God, there is death in the pot. And they could Israel.
not eat thereof. 5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and 1
41 But he said, Then bring meal.'' And he cast will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And
it into the pot and he said. Four out for the peo- he departed," and took with him^ ten talents of
;

ple, that they may cat. And there was no harm* silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten
in the pot. changes of raiment.
42 'i And tliere came a man from Baal-shalisha,' 6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel,
and brought the man of God bread of the first- saying. Now when this letter is coinc unto thee,
fruits,J twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant
corn in the husk thereof.* And he said, Give to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leji-
unto the people, that they may eat. rosy.

» Acta 20: 10. •


::

Naaman cured of his leprosy. 2 KINGS V. Sin and punishment of Gehazi.

A.M. .'.111).
7 And it came to pass, when the king pray thee, be given to thy servant* two mnles' bnr-
°"
'8W.° of Israel had read the letter," tliat he rent den of earth? for tliy servant will henceforth oiler
his clothes, and said, Jim I God,'' to kill and to neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice unto other
make that this man doth send nnto mc to
alivc,"^ gods, but unto the Loud.''
recover a man
of his leprosy? Wherefore con- 18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant,
sider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quar- that when my master goeth into the house of Him-
rel asainst me.'' mon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand,"
8 'i And it was so, wlion Elisha the man of God and I liow myself in the house of Rimmon when :

had heard that the king; of Israel had rent iiis I liow down myself in the house of Rimmon,' the

clotlics, that he sent to the king, saying. Where- Lord pardon thy servant in this thing."
fore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now 19 And he said unto him. Go in peace." So he
to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet departed from him a little way.^
in Israel.'' 20 IT But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man
9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his of God, said. Behold, my master hath spared Naa-
chariot, and stood at the door of the house of man this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that
Elisha. which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will
10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto liim, say- run after him, and take somewhat of him."'
ing. Go and wash in Jordan' seven times,-' and 21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And
thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shall when Naaman saw him running after him, he light-
be clean. ed down from the chariot to meet him, and said.
11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and Is all well?'
said. Behold, I thought,* He will surely come out 22 And he said. All is well. My master hath
to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come
his God, and strike* his hand over the place, and to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the
recover the leper." sons of the prophets give them, I pray thee, a :

12 Jire not Abana* and Pharpar, rivers of Damas- talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
cus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I 23 And Naaman said. Be content take two tal- ,''

not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned ents. And he urged him, and bound two talents
and went away in a rage. of silver in two bags, with two changes of gar-
13 And his servants came near, and spake unto ments, and laid them upon two of his servants;
him, and said. My father,' if the prophet had bid and they bare them before him.
thee do some great thing, wonkiest thou not have 24 And when he came to the tower,^ he took
ilone it ? how much rather then, when he saith them from their hand, and bestowed them in the
to thee. Wash, and be clean ?J house : and he let the men go, and they departed.
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven 25 But he went in, and stood before his master.'-
times in Jordan,'' according to the saying of tlie And Elisha said unto him. Whence earnest thou, Ge-
man of God: and his flesh came again like unto hazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.'
the flesh of a little child,' and he was clean.™ 26 And he said unto him. Went not my heart
15 H And he returned to the man of God, he and u-ith thee,'' when the man turned again from his
all his company, and came, and stood before him chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive
and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no money, and to receive garments, and olive-yards,
God in all the earth, but in Israel:" now there- and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men-ser-
fore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant." vants, and maid-servants?
16 Bat he said, ^is the Lord liveth,'' before whom 27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave
I stand, 1 will receive none.'' And he urged him unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever." And he
to take it : but he refused. went out from his presence a leper as lehite as
17 And Naaman said. Shall there not then, I snow.''

• Ua. 37:14. b Gen. .J0:2 c Beut. 33:39; 1 Sam. 2:6. d | Kings 20:7; Acts 20:33-35. r l Theas. 1 :9. • ch. 7:2. ' Exod. 20:5. u 2 Clir. 3U:IS. 19.
I.uke 11:54. « 1 Kings 18:36, .37; Ezek. 2:5; 33:3.3. t John 9:7. « Josh. » Mark 5: 34 Luke 7: 50. S Heb. fiece of ground, as fien 35: 6. " Hab.
; . 1

0:-l-IC. • Or, said with myself; Heb. said, t Heb. move up and down. 2:9; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10. I Heb. Is there place? » ch. 6:3. 1 Or, secret place.
• Heb. not hilktr or thitlttr.
h John 4:43. 1 Or, Amana. i cli. 2:12; Gen. 41:4.3. j I Cor. 1:21. 27. y Josh 7-21; Isa. 29:15. z Ezek. 3:3:31.
k Ezek. 47:1-9, Zech. 13:1; 14:S. m b Isa. 50:2, 3; Hos. 10:13. c ch. 15:5; Num. 12:10.
1 Job 33:25. Luke 4:27. n Dan. a Prov. 12:19, 22.
2:47; 3:29; 6:26, 27. oGcn.33:ll. Pch.3:14. q Gen. 14:23; Matt. 10:8;

15. A
blessing; a gift or present. and for the blessings they obtain by their own efforts, or
17. Two mit/cs' burden of earth; with this supposedit is those of others, they are indebted to God.
lio intended to build an altar or mound, on which to offer ?,. Servants may be the means of great blessings to their

.laorifices to Jehovah, considering the earth of Israel more masters and the good infiuenco even of a pious child may
;

sacred than that of his ovm country. be felt through a nation, and to distant countries and times.
18. Rimmon; an idol god. When I bow down myself; 6. Despotic rulers often feel and act as if ministers of
it has been supposed that he meant not as himself wor- Cod in the discharge of their duties were to be subject to
shipping the idol, but only in attending on, and perform- tlioir control.
ing a civil duty to the king. 10. Mini.sters who understand and do their duty, will
22. My master hath sent me; this was false. not be elated nor overawed by the presence of the rich and
25. Went no U'hither; another falsehood. great; but Avill make known to them with plainness and
26. Went not my heart ; did I not perceive. fidelity the will of God, whether they will hear or forbear.
27. For ever; as long as thev should live. 13. "Servants are sometimes wiser and better than their
INSTRUCTIOXS. masters, and give them advice which it would be well for
1. No honors or successes can secure men from trouble them tr. follow.
413
P ::

God's can of ElUha. 2 KINGS VI, Famine in Samaria.

CHAPTER VI. 1.') .And when the servant' of the man of


J
" »'"
Cioil was risen early, and gone forth, be- »«>.
1 Elitha, girins \n\-r to tlm vounj prophet* to rnlarjp their dwclline>,
e&uuth iron to awim. ^ Hi* diM^lou'th thif king of Syriii'i couiuvl. hold, a host compassed the city both with liorscs
13 Tho army, winch «'iu urnt to Uoihnn to a|ipri'hJnil Eliahit, is and chariots. And his servant said unto him.
mittfn with blinJmu. 1!) lii-ing brought into S.iimiria, thiy an-

durniMed in peace. 24 The rnmine in Samnria raiincth women to Alas, my master! how shall we do?
e»t their own cliilJren. 30 The kiii^ senJeih lo ^lay ICIisha. It) And he answered. Fear not: for they that he

AND the sons of the jirophets said unto Elislia,"


UelioKl now, the place wlicre \vc dwi-U willi
with us arc more than they that /)( with them.'
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Loud, I pray
thee is too strait for us. thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the
2 Lot us go, \vc pray thee, unto Jordan, ami take Loud opened the eyes of tlu; young man and he ;

thence every man a beam, and let us make us a saw: and behold, the mountain ico.v full of horses
place there, where wo may dwell. And he an- and chariots of lire round about Elisha."
swered, Go ye. 18 And when they came down to him, Elisha
3 And one said, Be content," I pray thee, and go prayed unto the Loud, and said, Smile this jicople.
with tliy servants. And he answered, I will go. 1 pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them
4 So lie went with them. And whcu tiiey came with Itlindness according to the word of Eiisha.'
to Jordan, they cut down wood. 19 \ And Elislia said unto them. This is not
'

5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head* the way, neither is this the city: follow me,^ and
fell into tho water: and he cried, and said, Alas, I will bring you to the man whom ye seek.™ But
master! for it was borrowed. he led them to Samaria.
6 And tlio man of God said,Where fell it? And 20 And it came to pass, when they were come
he showed him the place. And Ik; cut down a into Samaria, that Pllisha said. Lord, open the
stick, and cast it in thither ; and liie iron did eyes of these me?}, that they may see. And the
swim.'' Lord opened their eyes," and they saw; and be-
7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And hold, they n-cre in the midst of Samaria.
he put out his hand, and took it. 21 Anil tho king of Israel said unto Elisha, when
8 If Tlien the king of Syria warred against Israel, ho saw them. My father, shall I smite them? shall
and took counsel with his servants, saying. In such I smite them?
and such a place shall be my camp.* 22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them:
9 And the man of God sent unto the king of wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken
Israel, saying. Beware that thou pass not such a captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set
place; for thither the Syrians are come down. bread and water before them," that they may eal
10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which and drink, and go to their master.
the man of God told him and warned him of, and 23 And he prepared great provision for them
saved himself there,'' not once nor twice. and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was away, and they went to their master. So the
sore troubled for this thing ;'' and he called his bands of Syria came no more into the land of
servants, and said unto them. Will ye not show Israel.
me wliich of us is for the king of-Isracl? 24 \ And it came to pass after this, that Ben-
12 And one of his servants said. None,* my lord, hadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and
king: but Elisha, the prophet tiiat is in Israel,' went up, and besieged Samaria.
telleth the king of Israel the words that thou 25 And there was a great famine in Samaria
speakest in thy bed-chamber.'-' and behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head
13 1 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that was sold for fourscore picas of silver, and the fourth
1 may send and fetch him." And it was told him, part of a cab of dove's dung for iive pieces of sil-
saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.' ver."
14 Therefore sent ho thither horses, and chariots, 26 And as the king of Israel was passing by
and a great^ host and they came by night, and
: upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, say-
compassed the city about. ing, Help, my lord, king.

• Ch. 4:3-<. b ch. S;i3. • Heb. iron. ' ch. 2:21. t Or, cnmiiiping. .'!.-)

i aChr. 20:00. e Psi, 4t<:4, r,; Malt. 2:3, etc. 1 Heb. jYo. ' Amos 3:7.
« Psa. 1.39:1-1; Jer. 2:J;24. b I'sa. 37:32, 3:3; Jer. 30:2G; Acts 23:12-27.
i Gen. 37:17.
i Heb. heavy. I Oi, minister, j 2 Chr. 10:9; 32:7. 8; Psa.

14. Simply following the directions of God, however plain


and easy, is more efBcacious than the most sitilful, laborious,
and costly schemes of men. These tend to feed and strength-
en human pride; the other to exalt and glorify God.
16. Disinterested kindness, and doing good without ex-
pecting or wishing any earthly reward, is adapted to con-
vey to men a correct impression of true religion.
20. The unprincipled, selfish, and covetous think it wise
to take any course in which, without danger, they can get
money.
25. Men who will Bacrifico conscience for money, will
tell lies in order to keep it but the getting or keeping of
;

money by lying, instead of being in the end a source of


profit. wiE occasion most dreadful loss.
444
Eliska's prediction. 2 KINGS VII. Tke Syrian host Jleelh.

A. M. 3112. 27 And he said, If tlic Loud do not help


°"
s<J2.° thee,* whence shall I help thee?" out ol'

the barii-floor. or out of tlic wine-press?


2.S Ami the king said unto her, What aileth

thee? And she answered, This wouian said unto


me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day,
aud we will eat my sou to-morrow.''
29 So we boiled my son, and did cat him: and
I said unto her on tiic next* day. Give tliy son,
that wc may eat him: and she hath hid her son.''
30 % And it came to pass, when the king heard
the words of the woman, that lie rent his clothes ;"*
and he passed by upon the wall, and the people
looked, aud behold, he had saekclotii within upon
his flesh.
31 Then he said, God do so and more also to
the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall
me,'' if
stand on him this day.
32 But Elisha sat in his house, and the ciders
sat with him;' and the king sent a man from bo-
fore him but ere the messenger came to hini,'^ he
:

said to the cklers. See ye how this son of a mur-


derer hath sent to take away my head?'' look,
when the messenger cometh, simt the door, and
hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his
master's feet behind him?
33 And wiiile he yet talked with them, behold,
the messenger came down unto him and he said. :

Behold, this evil is of the Lord ;' what should I


wait for the Lord any longer ?J

CHAPTER VII.
1 Elisha prophesieth incredible plenty in Samaria. 3 Four lepers, ven-
turing on ihe host of the Syrians, bring tidniss of their flight, l^ The
king, iinjing by spies the news to be true, spoileth the tents of the
Syrians. 17 The lord who would not believe the prophecy of plenty,
having the charge of the gate, is trodden to death in tile press.

THEN Elisha
Lord thus
said.
saith the
Hear ye the word of the
Lord, To-morrow about
;

this time sha'J a measure of fine flour be sold for a


shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel,
in the arate of Samaria.''

Or, Lei not Ihe LoBD save ther.. a Psa. 1-27:1; 14fi;3,
: .

The s'uge is raised. 2 K I N G S \li I T/,e SJiunammile't suit.

no man tlirro, noithor voiro of man, lint horses Cn APT Ell VIII. ...-^..iLJ'yf:
lioii. and asses tied, and llic (ciils as llicy mrc. 1 Till- Shunnmmiti!, Imv'nir \rh licr coiinlry »<vi'n yciirii, to nvoij llie
11 And lie calliii llie |)oiti'is; and llicy told it fiiriwiirmd rmiiinr, for blialui'n iiiiriii'l< 'k »alir Ijntli licr Uiid rntorcd
hy the kin;-. 7 Haziu'l. Wiri^' »ini wiili » (.resent by Bin Irndnd to
to the kind's house witliin. I'.lialia lit Linmuciiii, nrtrr lie Imd heard llic propliecy, killelli liiii niiu.

ll! "j And the king arose in the nitrht, and said ti-r and miccefdelh liiin. 10 Jeliornin'ii wiollcd rci|,'n in Judiili. V.>0

Kdom and Libiiati revolt. y:j Aliiiziuli nucceedcih Jeliorain. 2.'»


nnto his servants, 1 will now show you what the Ahazialia wicked reign. 28 He vitiietli Jclioram wounded, at in-
Syrians have done to us. They know that we be
hungry; tlierofore are they gone out of the camp '"I^HEN spake Elisha unto the woman, whose
to hide themselves in the iield, saying, When they 1 son he had restored to life,' saying. Arise,
come out of tlie city, we vsliall calcli them alive, and go thou and thy household, and sojourn where-
and get into the city. soever thou canst sojourn : for the Loud hath called
13 And one of his servants answered and said, for a famimc;" and it shall also come upon the
Let some take, I pray tliee, live of the iiorses that land seven years.''
remain, which are left in tiie city," (behold, they '1 And the woman arose, and did after the say-
are as all tiie multitude of Israel tiiat are left in ing of the man of God: and she went with her
it: Ijcliold, / say, they arc even as all the multitude household, and sojourned in the laud of the Phil-
of tlic Israelites that arc consumed,) and let us istines seven years.
send and see. 3 And it came to pass at the seven years' end,
14 They took therefore two cliariot horses; and that tiie woman returned out of the land of the
the king sent after the host of the Syrians, saying. Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the
Go and see. king for her liou^e and for her land.
1.5 And
they went after them unto Jordan: and 4 And the king talked witii (ichazi the servant
Id, the way was full of garments and ves-
all of the man of God,' saying. Tell me, I pray thee,
sels, wliicli the Syrians had cast away in their all the groat things that Elisha hatli done.'
haste. And tiie messengers returned, and told 5 And it came to pass, as he was telling the king
the king. how he had restored a dead body to life," that be-
16 Anil the people went out, and spoiled the hoUl, the woman, whose son he had restored to life,
tents of the Syrians." So a measure of fine flour cried to the king for her house and for her land.
was so!d for a shekel, and two measures of bar- And Geliazi said. My lord, O king, this w the woman,
ley for a shekel, according to the word of tlie and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
Lord.'' And when the king asked the woman, she told
17 ^ And the king appointed tiic lord on whose him. .So the king appointed nnto her a certain
hand he leaned to have liic charge of tiie gate: officer,* saying. Restore all that my« hers, and all
and the people trode upon him in the gate, that the fruits of the field since the day that she left
he died, as the man of (lod had said, wiio spake the land, even until now.
when the king came down to him.'' 7 Ti And Elisha came to Damascus; and Ben-
18 And it came to pass as the man of God had hadad the king of Syria was sick and it was told ;

spoken to the king,"" saying, Two measures of bar- him, saying. The man of God is come hither.
ley for a shekel, and a measure of lino Hour for a 8 And the king said unto Hazael,' Take a ]ires-
shekel, shall be to-morrow about this time in the ent in thy hand,'" and go, meet the man of God,
gate of Samaria and inquire of the Lord by him," saying, Shall I
I'd And tiiat lord answered the man of God, and recover of this disease?
said. Now, behold, if the Lord should make win- 9 So Ilazael went to meet him, and took a pres-
dows in heaven, might such a thing be?. And he ent with him,* even of every good tiling of Damas-
said. Behold, thou slialt see it with thine eyes, but cus, forty camels' burdcm, and came and stood be-
shalt not eat thereof." fore him, and said. Thy son Ben-hadad king of
2t) And so it fell out unto him for the people : Syria hath sent mc to thee, saying. Shall I recover
trode upon him in the gate, and he died. of this disease?

•Heb.mi't. » Psa. n-i:ia; Isa.. :j:i:l,4, at. b ver. 1. c ver. a. d Gen. JMatt.a:8; Luke 0:9; S3;8; John 9:27. kch.4::W. t Or. t
18:14;Nam 11:«; a3:19. e Num. SU; 1-J Jcr. 17:5. 6; Heb. .1:10. t „h.
: 19:15. n. 1 Kings 14:3. n eh. 1 ->, C.
: I Heb. in Ai'i Aarid.

11:4, etc.e P»a.. 105;1U; Hasgii 1:11. h Gen. 41 :a7. ich. 5:30. 27.

13. Behold, theij are; or, they will be; the horses and to obtain it, men must use the means which God has ap-
horsemen will be exposed to no worse calamity in explor- pointed for that purpose.
ing the Syrian camp than that which awaits the besieged 9. When men are blessed with abundance, true wisdom,
in the city. They can but die, and death awaits them if as well as real gratitude, and even self-interest, require
they sit still. that they should desire others to enjoy it with them.
17. The people trade upon him ; in their haste to get food. IG. However great the improbability, or to human ap-
pearance the imiiossibility, the word of the Lord will in
INSTRCCTIOXS. due time be perfectly accomplished.
IS. The fulfilment of divine declarations is to some the
1. However great the calamities which any people suf-
fer, the Lord can remove them and interest as well as duty
;
means of salvation, and to others of destruction.
require all to wait upon him in the way of his appointment,
till they obtain relief.
CHAPTER VIII.
2. Disbelief of the promises of God cuts men off from The land nf the Philistines; on the Mediterranean,
2.
the blessings of their fulfilment. south-west of Canaan.
4. Though deliverance comes from God, it is ordinarily 7. Damascus; the capital of Syria.
granted through the instrumentality of human efforts and ; 8. Hazael; an officer of the king of Syria.
446
Ilazacl slaydh his master. 2 KINGS VIII. Fuign cf Jorc.m and Ahuziah.

Hc'S^' And
Elisha said unto liini, Go, say
10 20 In his days Edom revolted from under
1[

niito Inni, Thou mayest certainly recover :" liowbeit the hand of Judah,'' and made a king over them-
the Loud luitli showed me that he siiall surely die." selves."
11 And he settled his couiilcnancc steadfastly,* 21 So Joram went over to Zair, and all the
until he w;is ashamed and tlie man of God wept."^ : chariots with him and he rose by night, and smote
:

12 And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? the Edoinites which compassed him about, and the
And he answered. Because I know the evil that captains of the chariots: and the people fled into
thou wilt do unto the children of Israel:'' their their tents.
stronir-holds wilt thou set on lire, and their younj^ 22 Yet Edom revolted from under the !i;ind of
men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash Judah unto this day.' Then Libiiah revolted at
iheir children,'' and rip up their women with child.' the same time.''
13 And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a 23 And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all
don^, that he should do tliis p;''cat thinji'V" And that he did, are they not written in the book of
Elisha answered. The Lord hath showed nic that the Chronicles of the kings of Judah?
thou shall be kinj;' over Syria.'' 2'1 And Joram slept with his fathers, and was

14 So he dopai-ted I'roni Eli~ha, and came to his buried with his fathers in the city of David and :

uuister; who said to him, Wh;it said Elisha to Ahaziah-' his son I'cigned in his stead.'
thee? And he answered, lie told me thai thou 25 1( In the twelfth year of Joram the son of
shouldcst surely recover.' Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jeho-
15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he ram king of Judah begin to reign.
took a thick cloth, and dip|)cd it in water, and 2tJ Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when

spread it on his face, so that he died and Hazael he began to reign and he reigned one year in
: ;

rei(>-ued in his stead.J Jerusalem. And his mother's name wa.? Atlialiah,
1() 1 And in the fifth year of Joram the son of the daughter' of Oniri king of Israel.
Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat beingr then king 27 And he walked in the way of the house of
of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, as
of Jiidali began to reign.
*'^
did the house of Ahab lor he icas the son-in-law :

17 Thirty and two years old was he when he of the house of Ahab.
began to reigu; and he reigned eight years in 28 IT And he went with Joram the son of Ahali
Jerusalem. to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ra-
18 And he walked in the way of the kings of motli-Gilead and the Syrians wounded Joram." ;

Israel.' as did the house of Ahab; for the daugh- 29 And king Joram went back to be healtd in
ter of Ahab was his wife:'" aad he did evil in the Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had
sight of the Lord. given' him at Ramah,* when he fought against
19 Yet the Lord would not destroy Judah for Hazael king of Syi-ia. And Aliaziah the son of
David his servant's sake," as he promised him to Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram
give him always a light,* and to his children." the son of Ahab in Jezreel,^' because he was sick.^

> 1 Kini;- a-Jtla. b ver. 1.5. • Heb. aiid stt k. c Luke l'J:Jl. J ch. Ih.lB; 15:4; Psa. VVl-.r,. V Gen. 27:411. q 1 Kmps 22:47. ' ver. 20.
10:32; 12:17; 1:)::!, 7. e Psa. 137:d, !1; Amos
l;:i^. ( ch. 15:l(i; Hos. s Joshua 21: l:!. « Called JrnriaA, 2 ChT. 22:6; and J<r/ioaA<2=. 2Chr. 21:17;

13;ie; Amos l:l:j. s 1 Sam. 17:J:!. h Kin.is 19:15.


I ver. 10 j Mic. •iZ-.a. 1 2 Chr. -22: 1 etc. I Or, grandilaiiglitir, ver. la. u ch.'9;15. 1 Heb.
,

2:1. t Heb. rei>ii-rf. k -2 Chr. -il:.?. ere.1 1 Kings 2J:.W. S). ra ver. 2li. u'/iereicith thf Syrians had wounded. ' Called Ramot/t, ver. 2S. v ch. 9:16.
oJer. 3!:25, 2li; Hos. 11:9. t Heb. miulte, or lamp. o2Sim.7:13; 1 Kings t Heb. wounded.

10. —
Thou muijest recover; his disease was not in itself gone in alliance with Joram. Thus, by the providence of
mortal, and would not cause his death. He s'lalt surely die ; God, the king of Judah, being one of Ahab's descendants,
because, as the event showed, Hazael would Icill him. was brought to Jezreel. to meet his death there with Joram
Such is the common, and perhaps the preferable inter- at the hand of Jehu.
pretation of tliis passage. But the original Hebrew test IXSTRUCTIONS.
may be read, Go, say unto him, Tliou shalt sm-ely not AVhen the Lord is about to chastise a people for their
1.
recover; for the Lord hath showed me that lie shall surely sins, he remembers his children and supplies their wants
die. According to this reading, Hazael directly falsiiied or sanctifies their privations to their highest good.
the prophet's words. According to the common inter- 6. The goodness of God is often manifested tow;irds his
pretation, he suppressed the second part of them. people, by inclining those in authority to do them justice
11. He settled his countenance ; on Hazael. Until lie was and show them favor.
nshamel ; till Hazael was put out of countenance. Wept; 8. Men who in health pay no regard to God or his peo-
foreseeing tlie cruelties Hazael would commit. ple, in sickness or distress often them for help. apply to
13. But u-luit, is thy servant a dog; probably meaning, 10. Of many blessings which God would otherwise be-
What is thy servant, who is but a dog? that is, a man in stow, men are often deprived by the wickedness of their
a very humble position. This great thing; a work which fellow-raen.
could be performed only by one invested with royal power. i:}. A change of circumstances often shows that men
14. Tiiou s'lO'ildest surely recover; see note to ver. 10. are much more wicked than they imagined, and that noth-
15. He
; Hazael did. this.
took ing but the grace of God keeps them from the commission
21. the Edomites which compassed him about; this
Smote of the most enormous crimes.
seems have been not so much a decisive victory on the
to 14. A slight change in the words of a communication
jiart of .Ichoram, as an escape from destruction. Hence may entirely alter its meaning, and convey to the hearers
it is added in the next verse that the revolt of the Edom- a false impression.
ites was permanent. 18. A
man's character and conduct are greatly influenced
22. Libnah ; one of the cities of Judah. by his wife and no one should marry a woman who will
;

28. Ramoth-gilead ; east of Jordan, in the tribe of Gad. draw him away from the service of God.
29. Je^reel; west of the Jordan, in tlie tribe of Issachar. 27. The evil example of parents and those in authority

Ahaziah went down; from Ramoth-gilead, whither he had may extend its mischievous intluence not only to their
417
' ;

Jthu is anointed liiu;. 2 KINT.S IX. The house of Ahah judged.

CHAPTER IX. IJ So Jehu the son of Jclioshaphat the *i,"''»J


1 Elitha trnileth ft yoiin;; pmphft with inntrtictions to anoint Johu 5t son of Niinshi conspired against .Joram. (Now
Kainolti-mlrsJ. 4 Tlio pruplift liiivin;; dniu- lii« tncMago florth. II .lorani had kept Haniotli-gilead, he and all Israel,
Jdhu, bi-iiig iiijuli- Vmi ly tlio toMii-rs, kill.lli Joraiii ni iho fioia of
Naboth. *J7 Ahnxiftli is hinin at Our, and buried nl Jcrubalrtn. 30 because of Hazael king of Syria:
Proud Jnrbcl in Uirowii down out of a window, and eaU'n by dogv. 15 Hut king Joram' was returned to be healed
AND ilieri
Kiisliii tlic
ol' till!
prophet called one of the cliil-
piopiu'ls," and said unto him,
in .lezrecd of the wounds which ttic Syrians had
giveir* him, wiien he fought witli Ha'zael king of
(lird ii]i thy loins,'' and t-ake lliis box of oil iu thy Syria.)' And Jelui said. If it be your minds, then
liand, jro to Haniolli-Gilead i'^
and let none go fortii nor escape' out of the city to go
2 And
wlicn thou coniost thitiier, look out there to tell it in Jezreel.
Jehu the sou of Jchosliaphat the son of Niinshi, IG So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jez-
and go in, and make him arise up from among his reel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziaii king of
bretiircn,'' and carry him to an inner (•hamber;* Jiiilah was come down to sec Joram.
3 Tiien take tlie Ijox of oil,' and )innr // on his 17 And there stood a walchman on the tower
hcad,*^ and say. Tims saith tiicLoud, 1 have anoint- in Jezreel," and he spied the company of Jeiiu as
ed thcc king over Israel. Tlieu open the door, he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram
and flco, and tarry not. said, Take a horseman, and send to meet them,
4 'l So the young man, even the young man the and let iiim say. Is it peacc?^
proplict, went to llamoth-gilead. LS So there went one on horseback to meet him,
5 And when he came, bcliold, tiie ca]itains of the and said. Thus saith Ihc king. Is it jieace? And
liost were sitting; and he said, I liave an errand Jehu said, What hast lliou to do with peace? turn
to thee, captain. And Jehu said. Unto whicli thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying.
of all us? And he said. To thee, O captain. The messenger came to them, but he cometh not
6 And he arose, and went into tiie house; and again.
he poured tlic oil on his head, and said unto him, 19 Then he sent out a second on horseback,
Tlius saith tlie Lord God of Israel,''' 1 iiave anoint- which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king,
ed thee king over the people of the Lord, even Is it peace? And Jehu answered. What hast thou
over Israel." to do with peace? turn thee behind me.
7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy 20 And the watchman told, saying. He came even
master, that I may avenge the blood of my ser- unto them, and cometh not again: and the driv-
vants tiie propliots,' and the blood of all the ser- ing^ is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi
vants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel.J for he driveth furiously.*"
8 For the whole iiouse of Aliab shall perish: and 21 And Joram said. Make ready.* And his char-
I will cut off from Ahab iiim that pisseth against iot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel
the wall,'' and him tliat is sliuL up and left in Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his
:

9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met'
house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,'" and like the hiin in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.
house of B.ia?ha the son of Ahijah:" 22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu,
10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion that he said. Is it peace, Jehu ? And he answered,
of J.ezreel," and there shall be none to bury her. W'hat peace,^ so long as the whoredoms of thy
And he oponcd the door, and fled. mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?-''
11 IT Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his 23 And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and
lord and one said unto him. Is all well? wherefore said to Ahaziah, There is treachery,
: Ahaziah.
came this mxdfelloM to thee?!" And he said unto 24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength,'
theai, Ye know the man, and his communication. and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the
12 Anl tiiey said, /; is false; tell us now. And arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down '

he said, Tims and thus spake he to me, saying, in his chariot.


Tims saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king 25 Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain. Take
over Israel.'! up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Na-
13 Then they hasted, and took every man his gar- l)oth the Jezreelite for remember how that, when :

ment,'' and put it under him on the top of the stairs, I and thou rode together after Ahab his father,
and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.* the Lord laid this burden upon him;'
"1 Kinu's-JI)::)). b oh. 4:«J; Jer. :17. ' ch. K-.-ii. dyer. 5, 11. • Heb.
1 1.5:10. Heb. reigneth. ! Heb. Jelioram. ! Heb. smote. I ch. 8:38, 39.
t
chamWr ,a a chimier. t \ Kings H):10 ' 1 Sam. 10:1. r 2 Chr. •ii-.l. 1 Heb. no esmper go. u 3 Sam 18:34; Isa. 31:0. etc. v
let ] Sam. 16:4;
h Psa Tjifi; Dan. i:i\: 4:17. :3-i; .'5:30. 31. i Luke 18:7, 8: Rev. 6:9, 10. 17:33; Kings 3:13. 1 Or, marrhinf;. ' Heb. in mwlness. v liab. 1:6.
1
J 1 King* 1~:4; -^1:1.5. -21. k l Kings 14: 10. Dent. 33:30. m 1 Kings
1 t Heb. B/nrf. Heb./.iiinrf.
! » Isa. 48:33. y Rev. 2:20-33. J Hcb./Hed
15:30. "I Kings 10:5, II. o ver. :J5. 30; 1 Kings 31 :3:). P Jer. 89:30; ll.is his hand Willi a bow. i\{c\>. bowed, i 1 Kings 31:29.
9:7; John 1(1: ;u; Ans 30:31; 1 Cor. 4:10. q ver. 0. r.Matt.3l:7. '3Saiii.

children, but also to their distant posterity and long after ; belongs. His communication ; his discourse. As much as
they are dead be instrumental in ruining" their fellow-men. to say. When a prophet comes you expect him to dis-
course on religious duties. This was an attempt to evade
CHAPTER IX. their question, and they so understood it.
I. One of the
children of tlie prophets; a young man who 22. Whoredoms; this word is used in the Old Testament
was under the instruction of Elisha and preparing to be a to denote idolatry. —
Her witchcrafts many; expressive of
prophet of the Lord. the various superstitious and deceitful practices which
10. The portion of Jezreel ; the portion of land that had Jezebel used to draw the people into idolatry.
belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite, ver. 25. 25. Laid this burden; denounced this judgment against
II. Ye know the man ; that is, to what class of men he him and his family. 1 Kings 21:19, 29.
448
;

Ahaziah aiul Jczchcl slain. 2 K1N(JS X. 'J'Ac sons of Ahah slain.

».(•'««? 2G Surely have seen yesterday the


I CHAPTER X.
blood* of Nabotli, and tlic blood of his sons, saitli 1 Jehu, by his letters, cn,useth seventy of Ahab's cliiljren to be behead-
the Lord; and 1 will rci]uitc thee in this plat,*" ed. 8 He cxcu.seth the fact by the prophecy of Elijah. 13 At the
saith Mic Lord. Now therefore take and cast him
shearing-house he slayeth two and forty of Ahaziah's brethren. 15
He taketh Jehonadab into his company. 18 By subtlety he destroy-
into the plat of ground, according to the word of eth all the worshippers of Baal. 29 Jehu followeth Jeroboam's sins.
32 Hazael oppresseth Israel, 31 Jehoahaz succeedeth Jehu.
the Loud.
27 f But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw
this, he fled by tlie way of the garden-iiouse. And
ANDJehuAhab had
wrote
.
seventy sons in Samaria. And
letters, and sent to Samaria, unto
Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them
in the chariot. And they did so at the going up that brought up' Ahab's children, saying,
to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Me- 2 Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, see-
giddo,"" and died there. ing your master's sons are with you, and there are
28 And his servants carried him in a chariot to with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also,
Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with and armor;
his fatlicrs in the city of David. 3 Look even out the best and meetcst of your
29 And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of master's sons, and set him on his father's throne,
Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah.'^ and fight for your master's house.
30 1 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jez- 4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said,
ebel heard of it : and she painted her face,* and Behold, two kings stood not before him ;' how then
tired her head, and looked out at a window. shall we stand?
31 And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, 5 And he that was over the house, and he that
Had Zimri peace,'' who slew his master? iras over the city, the elders also, and the bringers
32 And he lifted up his face to the window, and up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy
said, AVho is on my side? wlio? And there looked servants,' and will do all that thou slialt bid us
out to him two or three eunuchs.^ we will not make any king do thou that irhich is :

33 And lie said. Throw her down. So they good in thine eyes.
threw her down: and some of her blood was 6 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them,
sprinkled on tlic wall, and on the horses: and he saying. If ye be mine," and if ye will hearken unto
trode her under foot. my voice, take ye the heads of the men your mas-
3-4 And when he was come in, he did eat and ter's sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to-morrow
•Irink and said, Go, see now this cursed xcoman, this time. Now the king's sons, being seventy per-
and bury her for she is a king's daughter .°
: sons, were with the great men of the city, which
35 And they went to bury her but they found : brought them up.
no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and 7 And it came to pass, when the letter came to
the palms oi her hands.' them, that they took the king's sons.'' and slew
36 Wherefore they came again, and told him. seventy persons,' and put their heads in baskets,"
And he said. This is the word of the Lord, which and sent him ttiem to Jezreel.
he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, say-
' 8 IF And there came a messenger, and told him,
ing, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the saying, They have brought the heads of the king's
flesh of Jezebel.^ sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at
37 And the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung the entering in of the gate until the morning.
upon the face of the field in the portion of Jez- 9 And it came to pass in the morning, that he
reel ;" so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. went out, and stood, and said to all the people.

Heh. Wood,!, t Or, portion. » 1 Kings 21:19 b Josh. 17:11; Judg. 21:23. h Psa. f3:10; Jer. 8:2; 16:4. T Heb. nimrisher.l. ch. 9:44, 27.
1:27; aChr.2-i:9. cch.8:35; 2Chr. 22:1,2. t Heh. pul lier eyes in patJit- J 1 Kings 20:4, 32. • lleh. for me. k 1 Kings 21:21. 1 Judg. 9:5, etc.
m?; Ezek. 23:40. d 1 Kings 16:9-20. i Or:, cliamierlaitts. = 1 KinRS l(i:31. mMatt. 14:8, 11.
f Keel. 6:3; Isi. 14:13-20; Jcr. 22:19; 36:30. iHeb by the hand of. e 1 Kings

27. Smite him also in the chariot ; Abaziah at first escaped it are laid under peculiar obligations to employ it accord-
to Samaria and concealed himself there. But being found, ing to his will.
he was brought to Jehu, and by his command slain at the 21. The declarations of God in his word are fulfilled in
ascent of Gur, by Ibleam. See 2 Chron. 22 9. : liis providence and though the fulfilment may be long
;

30. Painted Iter face, and tired her head; intending by her delayed, in due time it will be perfectly accomplished.
royal attire and demeanor to overawe Jehu. 27. Those who associate with the wicked are in danger
31. Had Zimri peace ; as much as to say. You may expect of partaking in their punishment.
Zimri's fate. See 1 Kings 21:19. SC. Men may have a conviction of the truth of divine
36. In tlte portion of Jezreel; Elijah had said, By the wall declarations, and even see their fulfilment in the destruc-
of Jezreel, 1 Kings 22:23, which was literally fulfilled, since tion of the wicked, and yet not forsake their sins, or floe
Ahab's palace stood by the wall at the entering of the gate, from the wrath to come.
ver. 31. As Naboth's vineyard was " Iiard by the palace
of Aliab." Jezebel's body may have been taken up and CHAPTER X.
cast into it, as Joram 's had been. Or Jehu may have
spoken of her as devoured by the dogs in the portion of 9. Said to nil the people.ye are in noway
Ye be righteous;
Jezreel, because he regarded this as simply a part of the concerned in my master's death, and are therefore impar-
royal establishment. tialjudges, in a condition to understand the meaning of
this transaction. He then proceeds in the next verse to
INSTRUCTIONS, show that it is a pledge of the fulfilment of all Jehovah's
8. God
claims and exercises the riglit of giving author- threatenings against the house of Aliab, 1 Kings 21 19- :

ity to such as lie choo.sos and all who arc intrusted with
: U.
449
H''ors/iippfTS of BimI slain. 2 KINCS X, IVideilness of Jehu.

Ye hr riu'litooiis: hdiolil. I conspirnl iitrainst, my 22 And he


said unto him thai vas over *»**, 'JS;
master, iiiid slow liim:' Imt. w lio slew nil liicsc? the vestry, J5riiig forth vi'slinouts lor all the wor-
10 Kmiw iinw that there shall fall unto the earth shipiters of Baal. And he brought them forth
nolhiiiir 111' the word ot' the LoiM),'' wliieh the Loud vestments.
sjpiike eoiieeniiiii,' the house ol' Ahab:"^ for the 23 And Jehu went, and Jelionadab the son of
Liiiii) hath done //(rtMvhich he spake by* his ser- Hecliab,' into the house of Baal, and said unto the
vant Klijali. worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there
So .leliu slow all that remained of the house b(; here with you noiu; of the servants of tiiC LoRD,
11
of Ahal) in.Ii'/ri'el. and all his irreat men, and his but the worshippers of Baal only."
kinsfolks,' and his i)riests,'' until he none
left liini 24 And when they went iu to ofl'er sacrifices
rcniaininur." and buriit-oll'erings, Jehu a])]iointcd fourscore men
12 ^ And he arose and de])arted, and cami^ to without, and said, (/"any of the men whom I have
Samaria. ..4rtd us he u-as at the shearing-house* brought into your hands cseafie, he that kitetli him
in the way, ff;o, his life shall be for the life of him.'
13 .lehu nict' with the hrcthren of Ahaziah king 25 And it came to jiass, as soon as he had made
of Judaii. and said, Who arc ye? And they an- an end of oilcring the burnt-offering, that Jehu saiil
swered. We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we to the guard and to the captains. Go in, and slay
go down to salute- the children of the king and them;" let none come forth. And they sniole
the eliildren of the qiUMMi. them with the edge'' of the sword and the guard ;

14 And he said, Take them they alive.'' And and the captains cast them out, and went to the
took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the city of the house of Baal.
shearing-house,' even two and forty men ; neither 2G And they brought forth the images' out of
left he any of them. the house of Baal,' and burned them.''
1.5"i And when he was departed thence, he light- 27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and
ed on^ Jehonadab'' the son of ilechab' coming to brake down the house of Baal, and made it a
meet him; and he saluted* him, and said to liiui. draught-house unto this day."
Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thy heart ? 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.
And "Jehonadab answered. It is. If it be, give me 29 *l ]lowbeit./;-o?n the sins of Jeroboam the son
thy hand.J And he gave him his hand and he ; of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed
took liim up to liim into the chariot. not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that
16 And he said, Uome with me, and see my zeal for wc7-e in Beth-el, and that ivcre in Dan.^
the Loud.'' So they made him ride iu his chariot. 30 And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou
17 And wlien he came to Samaria, he slew all hast done well in executing t/iat which is right in
that reuiained uuto Ahab in Samaria,' till he had mine eyes,^ a?id hast done unto the house of Ahab
destroyed hiiu, according to the saying of the according to all that ivas in my heart, thy chil-
Lord, whieii he spake to Elijah.'" dren of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne
18 •[ And Jehu gathered all the people together, of Israel."
and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little;" 31 But Jehu took no heed' to walk in the law
but Jehu shall serve him niucli. of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart:''
19 Now
therefore call uuto me all the prophets for he dcinirted not from the sins of Jeroboam,'"
of Baal," all his servants, and all his priests; let which made Israel to sin.
none be wanting for I have a great sacrifice to
; 32 1 In those days the Lord began to cut Israel
do to Baal whosoever shall be wanting, he shall short:" and Ilazael smote them in all the coasts
:

;''
not live. But Jehu did it iu subtlety," to the intent of Israel
that he might destroy tlie worshippers of Baal. 33 From Jordan eastward,* all the land of Gil-
20 And Jehu said. Proclaim* a solemn assembly cad, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the
for Baal. And they proclaimed it. Manassitcs, from Aroer, which is by the river
21 And Jehu sent tiirough all Israel: and all Arnon, even Gilcad and Bashan.*'*
the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all
not a man left that came not. And they came that he did, and all his might, are they not writ-
into the house of Baal;'i and the house of Baal ten in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of
was full from one end to another.* Israel?
»Ch.9;H,21. blSarn. 3:19; jRr. 14:-.'8, a), c l Kings ril: 10. etc. • Heb. 10:32. 1 Or, so full tliat they stood mouth to mouth, r ver. 15. » Matt.
by the hand of t Ot, acquaintance, tl Psa. 125:5; Prov. I;J:20. c 1 Kin^s
. 13:30, 41 25:32,3:1. t 1 Kings 20:39. " Exod. :)2:27; Deut. 13:6-11; Ezek.
;

14:10. i l\A. house


of sheplurds binding s.\iM-p. iUeh. found. I Heb. Me 9:.5-7. S Heb. moiir/i t UtA. statues, v 1 Kings U:23. w 2 Sam. 5:21;
feaceof. ' 1 Kings 20: la. E2Chr. 22:8. IHeb./ound. •> Jer. 35:0, etc. 1 Kings 15:13 «EzraO:ll; Dan. 2:5; 3:29. yl Kings 12:28. 29. « Ezek.
i 1 Chr. 2:55. • Heb.
blessed, i Ezra 10: 19. " 1 Kings 19:10; Prov. 27:2; 29:18-20 a ver. 35; ch. 13:1, 10; 14:23; 15:6-12. 1 Heb. observed not.
Ezek. 33:.31 Matt. 0:2, 5. 1 ch. 9:6i. m
; Kings 21 :21. n t Kings lG::il,
I bJohi.4:24. t I Kings 14:16. • Heb. to cut off the ends. •ich.B:12. t Heb.
32. 1 Kings 22:0. P Job 13:7; Prov. 29:5. t Heb. Sanrti/i/. 1 1 Kings toward the risingof the sun. 1 Or, even to Gilead and Bashan. c Amos 1:3.

1.5. h tliij do you favor my cause?


heart right; God, are often proud of their obedience and disposed to
17. The saying ofDie Lord; 1 Kings 21:21. proclaim it, that they may receive the praises of men.
27. A draught-house ; a house for the reception of filthy 19. The Lord often uses one wicked man in punishing
ordute. others, and afterwards punishes him for his wickedness.
INSTRUCTIONS. 30. External obedience to some of the known commands
6. The sins of parents are often tlie occasion of destruc- of God, is often rewarded witli external mercies; but that
tion to their children, and of various evils to all connected obedience only whicli springs from the heart, and has
with them. respect to the whole will of God, has the promise of eter-
15. Wicked men, who externally obey the commands of nal life.

450
Jelwash is crowned, 2 KINGS XI. and Athaliah slain.

kllSt' 35 And Jehu slept witli liis fiitlicrs: and


they buried liiui in rfauuxria. And Jclioaliaz his
son reigned in iiis stead.
36 And the time* tliat Jehu reigned over Israel
iu Samaria was twenty and eight years.

CHAPTER XI.
1 Jehoash, being saved by Jehosheba his aunt from Athaliali's massacre
of tlie seed royal, is hid six years in the liouse of God. 4 Jehoiada,
giving order to the captains, in the seventh year anointetli hnn king.
1 J Atii.aliah is slain. 17 .Telioiada restoreth the worship of G^od.

ANDsawwhen Athaliah was mother


her son
tliat
the of Ahaziah"
dead, she arose and
destroyed seed
all tlie
royal.^'^
2 But Jehoslicba,* the daughter of king Joram,
sister of Aliaziah, took Joash^ the son ofAliaziah,
and stole him from among tlie king's sons ivhich
were slain and tliey hid liim, even him and his
;

nurse, iu the bedchamber, from Athaliah, so that


lie was not slain.

3 And he was witli her hid in the iiouse of the


Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over
the land.
4 1 And Jehoiada sent and
the seventh year
over hundreds, with the captains
fetelicd tlie rulers
and tlie guard, and brought them to him into the
house of the Lokd, and made a covenant with
them, and took an oath of them in the house of
t!ic Lord, and .showed them the king's son.'^
.5 And he commaaded them, saying, Tliis is the
tiling that ye shall do: A third part of you that
cuter iu on the sabbath shall even be keepers of
the watch of the king's house ;'^
(j And a tliird part shall be at the gate of Sur;
and a third part at the gate behind the guard so :

shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not


broken down."
7 And two parts'' of all you that go forth on the
sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the
house of the Lord about the king.
8 And ye shall compass the king round about,
every man with his weapons iu his hand : and he
that coraeth within the ranges, let him be slain :

and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he


cometh in.
9 And the captains over the hundreds" did ac-
Jehoash pnrriJctA for 2 KINGS XII. the repair of the temple.

the captains, ami tlio fiuard, ami all tlio iipoplo of ance, but deliver it for the breaches of the ^u^;.'^.
the land; and thov liioiiglit down the king from house.
tlie house of tiio Loiin, and came by the way of 8 Ami
the priests consented to receive no inore
the pate of the iraard to the king's house. And money of the people, neither tO repair the breaches
he sat on tin" throne of the kings. of tlio house.
20 And all the people of the land rejoiced," and i) But Jehoiada the priest look a chest, and bored

the city was in rpiicl and they slew Athaliah with


: a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar,
the sword beside the king's house. on the right side as one cometh into the house of
21 Seven years old was Jehoash when he began the Loud: and the priests that kept the door' put
to reign. therein all the money that was brought into the
house of the Lord.
10 And was when saw that there was
CHAPTER XII. much money
it so, thej-
in the chest, that the king's scribe'
Jfho,vh rcigncth well the Jays of Jehoiada. 4 He givcth order
1 all
17 HazacI is diverted from Jerusalem
and the high-priest came up, and they put np* in
for tliu repair of the temple.
by a present of the hallowed treasuivs. 19 Jehoash being slain by bags, and told the money that was lound in the
his servants, Amaziah suceeedcth him.
house of the Lord.
the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to 11 And they gave the money, being told, into
INreign and forty years reigned he in Jerusa-
;''
the hands of them that did the work, that had the
lem. And his mother's name icas Zibiali of Beer- ovorsiglit of the house of liio Loiui and they laid :

sheba. it out* to the carpenters and builders, that wrought

2 And Jehoash did that which teas riglit in the upon the liouse of tiie Lord,
sight of the LoiU) all iiis days wherein Jehoiada 12 And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to
the priest instructed him. buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breach-
3 l>ut tlic high places were not taken away :" es of the house of the Lord, and for all that was
the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the laid out' for the house to repair it.

high places. llowbeit tliere were not made for the house
11!

4 ^ And Jehoash said to the priests, All the of the Lord bowls of silver, .snuflers, basins, trump-
money of the dedicated things' that is brought into ets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of
the house of the Lord, even the money of every one the money that was brought into the house of the
that passeth the areoitnf,'' the money that every man Lord :

is set at,* and all the money that eoiiiefh into any 14 But they gave that to the workmen, and re-
man's heart' to bring into the house of the Lord,' paired therewith the house of the Lord.
5 Let the priests take it to thcin, every man of 15 Moreover they reckoned not with the men,
his acquaintance: and let them repair the breach- info whose hand tiicy delivered the money to be
es of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.^
found. IG The trespass-money and sin-money was not
6 But it was so, that in the three and twentieth l^rought into the house of the Lord:'' it was the
year^' of king Jelioasli the priests had not repaired priests'.'
the breaches of the house. 17 Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and
7 Then king Jelioash called for Jehoiada the fought against Gath, and took it :' and Hazael set
priest,'' and the other priests, and said unto them, his face to go up to Jerusalem.
Why repair ye not the breaches of the iiouse? now 18 And Jelioash king of Judah took all the hal-
therefore receive no more money of your acquaint- lowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and
»Prov. 11:10; •»):2. 1> 2Chr. 21:1, etc. cch. 14:4; 1 Kings 15:14; 23:4:!; f 2Chr. 24:5. etc. I Heb. threshold. 1 Or, secretary. Heb. bound up.
Jer. 2:20. •
Or, Ao/y tilings; Heb. Aolinesses. i ch. 22:4; Exod. 30:1.3. t Heb. brought it forth, t Heb. went forth. B ch. 22:1 bLev. 5:15, 1?.
t Heb. of the souts of his estimation; Lev. 27:2. I Heb. aseeitdelh upon the iLev. 7:7; Num. 1S:9. Jch.8:l2.
heart of a man, eExoi. 35:5. iHeh. in the tttxntiet/i year atid third year.

Israel, to stimulate the people to give, and to receive their


CHAPTER XII. gifts and they would naturally go each to his own town
;

Wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him; after the and its vicinity.
2.
death of Jehoiada lie was seduced by the princes of Judah 8. Consented to receive no more money; tliey had before
into idolatry, as recorded in 2 Chron. 24:17, 18. received what was offered, but had not appropriated it to
4. Money of the dedicated things; literally, money of the the object for which it was given.
holy things that is, the various incomes immediately af-
; 10. And the high-priest; cither personally, or by his offi-
terwards specified. The money of every one tliat passeth the cer. See 2 Chron. 24 11. Told tlie money; counted it, and
:

actwint; this is generally understood of the half-shekel stated the amount.


that every Israelite who was numbered with the congre- 13. Were not made bou-ls —
trumpets; that is, as we learn —
gation was required to pay, and, as many think, annually. from 2 Chron. 24 14, not till the work of repairing the tem-
:

Money that every man is set at; the redemption money to ple was finished, when the rest of the money was devoted
be paid, according to the estimation of the priest, for per- to the making of these vessels.
sons dedicated to the Lord, as prescribed in the twenty- 17. Gath ; a city of the Philistines that had been taken
seventh chapter of Leviticus. Money that cometh into any and was in possession of the Israelites.
man's heart to bring; that is, freewill-offerings not pre- 18. Took all the Imllowed things ; this was after he had suf-
scribed by the law, but left to every man's choice. fered a severe defeat, as we learn from 2 Chron. 24:23, 24.
5. Everyman of h/s acipiaintance ; as there was a large
body of priests to receive, each would naturally take the INSTRUCTIONS.
above-named sums from those belonging to the circle of 2. Wlien young rulers select pious counsellors and give
bis acquaintance. Besides, as wo learn from 2 Chron. due heed to their instructions, they may expect to pros-
24:5. the priests and Levites were sent throughout all per, and be instrumental of great good to the people.
4.i2
:

Reign of Je/ioa/ias 2 KINGS XIII. EUsha's last prediclion.

A. M.31M. Ahaziab, his fathers, kinj^s of Judali, had


dedicated, and his own halk)\ved tilings,
wo"'"'"

and the gold that was fonnd in the treasures of


all
the house of the Lord, and in tlic king's house,
and sent it to Hazael king of Syria:-* and he went
away* from Jerusalem.
IS) !i And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all

that he did, are they not written in the book of


the Chronicles of the kings of Judah?
20 And his servants arose, and made a conspir-
acy,'' and slew Joash in the house of Millo,* which
goeth down to Silla.
21 For Jozachar' the son of Shimeath, and Je-
hozabad the son of Shomer,^ his servants, smote
him, and he died; and they buried him with liis
fathers in the city of David and Amaziah his son :

reigned in his stead.

CHAPTER XIII.
1 Jehoaha,z'swicked reign. 3 Jelioahiiz, oppressed by Hazael, is re.
licved by prayer. 8 Joash succeedetli him. 10 His wicked reign.
12 Jeroboam succeedeth him. 14 Elisha dyinL,s propilesieth to Joasll
tliree victories over the Syrians. '20 Tlie lloabites invading tlie land,
Elislia's bones raise up a dead man. '22 Hazael dying, Joash getleth
three victories over Ben-hadad.

the three and twentieth year' of Joash the


IN son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz the
son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Sama-
ria, and reigned seventeen years.
2 And he did that iMch ims evil in the sight of
the Lord, and followed"' the sins of Jeroboam the
son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin he de- ;

parted not therefrom.


3 1 And the anger of the Lord was kindled
against Israel," and he delivered them into the
hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand
of Beu-hadad the son of Hazael,'' all their days.
4 And Jehoahaz besought the Lord," and the
Lord hearkened unto him: for he saw the op-
pression of Israel,' because the king of Syria op-
pressed tliem.
5 (And the Lord gave Israel a savior,^ so that
they went out from under the hand of the Syrians
and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as
beforetime.*
6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins
of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin,
hut walked* therein and there remained* the grove
:

also in Samaria.)''
7 Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz
but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thou-
sand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroy-
"Ch. 18:15, 16; 1 Kings 1.5:19. •
',
,

Ifazotl oppressfs Israel. 2 KINGS XIV. T/if reign of Amnziah.

21 canio to pa??, ns thoy wore Imryinff a


And it

mm
\

man, that spied a liand nf


lidiolti. tlicy : and
they cast the man into the sepulehic of Klislia:
nnd when the man was let (h)wn," and tonchctl tlic
boues of Elislia. lie revived, and stood up on his
feet. I

22 t But Ilazael king of Syria oppressed Israel


nil the days of Jelioalmz."
And tlie Loud was gracious nulo them, and
23
Iiad rompassion on liieni, and had resjii'ct unto
tiiem,'' because of Ids covenant witii Abraham,
Isaac, and and would not destroy them,
Jacob,''
neitlicr cast lie tliemfiom Ids presence' as yet," j

24 So Hazael Icing of Syria died and lien-hadad


; i

his son reigned in his .stead.


2.5 And
.lehoash tiie son of Jelioaiiaz took again'
out of tiic hand of Bcn-hadad the son of Hazael
tiie cities, wliicli he had taken out of the hand of
Jehoahaz Ids father by war. Tiiree times did
Joash beat him,"' and recovered the cities of Israel.

CHAPTER XIV.
1 Amaziah's good reign. 5 His justice on the murderers of his father.
7 His victory over Kdom. 8 Amaziah, provoking Jehoash, is over-
come and spoiled. 15 Jeroboam succeeueth Jeho.-ish. 17 Amaziah
stain by a conspiracy, '.^l Azaiiah succcedeih him. 23 Jeroboam^s
wicked reij^n. 2S Za^^tiariah succeedcth him.
year of Joash son of Jehoahazking
INofthe secondreigned Amaziah
Israel,*^ sou of Joash
tiic
king of Judah.^
2 He was twenty and five years old when he
began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years
in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jcho-
addan of Jerusalem.
3 And he did that ir/iich teas right in tlie sight
of the Loud, yet not like David his father: he did
according to all tilings as Joash his father did.
4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away :"
as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense
on the high places.
• Heb. wen
?

Reign of Jeroboam. 2 KINGS XV. Azariah's sood reign.

iir a "u
14 And ho took all the gold and silver, out the name of Israel from under heaven :> but
>*2o and all the vessels that were found in tiie he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son
house of the Lord," and in the treasures of the of Joash.''
king's house, and hostages, and returned to Sama- 28 Now
the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and
1i

ria. all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and
15 1 Now
the rest of the acts of Jehoash which how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which
lie did, his might, and how he fought with
and belonged to Judah,' for Israel, are they not written
Ainaziali king of Judah, are they not written in the in tlie book of the Chronicles of the kings of
book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?" Israel
16 And Jehoasli slept with his fathers, and was 29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even
buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel and with the kings of Israel ; and Zachariah his son
;

Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead. reigned in his stead.^


17 T And Amaziah the son of Joash king of
Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Je-
hoahaz king of Israel fifteen years."^ CHAPTER XV.
18 And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they 1 Azariah's good reign. 5 He dying a leper, Jotham succeeJeth. 8
Zachariah, the last of Jehu's generation, reigning ill, is slain by Shal-
not written in the book of the Chronicles of the lum. 13 Shallum, reigning a month, is slain by Menahtm. 16 Men-
kings of Judah? ahem strengtheneth himself by Pul. 21 Pekahiah suoceedelli him.
23 Pekahiah is slain by Pekah. 27 Pekah is oppressed by Tiglaih-
19 Now they made a conspiracy against him in pileser. and slain by Hoshea. 32 Jotham's good reign. 36 Ahaz
Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish ;'' but they sent
:
succeedeth him.

after hiai to Lachish, and slew him there. the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king
20 And they brought him on horses: and he was
IN
of Israel began Azariah' son of Amaziah king
buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of Judah to reign.'"'
of David. 2 Sixteen years old was he when he began to
21 "f And all the people of Judah took Azariah," reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jeru-
•which was sixteen years old, and made him king salem. And his mother's name icas Jecholiah of
instead of his father Amaziah. Jerusalem.
22 Ho built Elatli,<= and restored it to Judah, 3 And he did that irhich was right in the sight
after that tiie king slept with his fathers. of the Lord, according to all that his father Ama-
23 IF In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of ziah had done;
Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash 1 Save that the high places were not removed :"
king of Israel began to reign in Samaria,^ and the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on
reigned forty and one years. the high places.
24 And he did that lohich was evil in the sight of 5 1 And the Lord smote the king," so that he
the Lord he departed not from all the sins of Jero-
: was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt
boam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.' in a several house. And Jotham the king's son
25 He restored the coast of Israel from the enter- was over the house, judging the people of the land.
ing of Hamath^ unto tlie sea of the plain,'' accord- 6 And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all
ing to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which that he did, are they not written in the book of
he spake by the hand of his servant Jonah,* the the Chronicles of the kings of Judah?
son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gath- 7 So Azariah slept with his father.^ and they ;

heplier. buried him with his fathers in the city of David:


26 For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.
it was very bitter for there was not any shut up,
: 8 ^ In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah
nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.' king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam
27 And the Lord said not that he would blot reiou over Israel in Samaria six months.*
»lKmgs7:51. I>ch.l3:l-J. = 2 Chr. 25.S5, etc. J Jnsh. 1U::31. * He is 30, etc.; 2 Chr. 26: 1 T This is the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam's part-
.

called Uzziah. ch. 15:13; 2Chr. 40:1. e ch. 1G:6. T Now he begins to reign nership in the kingdom with his father, who made him consort at his going
alone, f I King.5 12:43, etc.; Psa. 103:20. E Num. 34:S. hDeut. 3:17. 10 the Syrian wars. It is the sixteenth year of Jeroboam's monarchy, m ch.
1 Called Jonas, Matt. 12:30, 40; Jonah 1:1. i Deut. 32:36. JDeut.0:t4; 14:21; 2Cnr.26:l. n ver. 35. o2Chr.20:19. • There having been ao in-
Rom. 11:2, etc. k ch. 13:5. 1 2 Sam. 8:0; 1 Kings 11:24; 2 Chr. 8:3. terregnum for eleven years.
i After an interregnum of eleven years; ch. 15:S. i Called Uzziah, ver. 13,

14. Hostages; some of the prhicipal men of the city, as INSTRUCTIONS.


security that it would not again molest him.
3. External obedience will be followed by temporal ben-
19. Made a conspiracy against him; thus God, by the
efits ;but if it be merely external, it will have no reward
hand of wicked men, punished him for his disobedience. hereafter.
Compare 2 Chron. 25 27. Lachish ; in the south part of
:
8.That pride which leads to contention and bloodshed
Judah. is the fruit of wickedness, the cause of many calamities,
22. Elath ;head of the eastern branch of the Red
at the
and often the forerunner of ruin.
sea. The king; his father Amaziah. 25. The Lord may govern nations by means of wicked
25. //umaM a city north of Palestine. See note to Judg. rulers may enlarge their borders, and thus fulfil his word
,-

3:3. The sea of tlie plain; the Dead sea, at the south part and accomplish towards his people his own benevolent
of the country. Gath-Iiepher ; a tomi in the tribe of Zeb-
designs.
uluii.
28. Damascus, and Hamath; these cities, which were taken CHAPTER XV.
from the Syrians in the time of David and Solomon, 2 Chron. 5. Smote the king; for his pride and presumption in
8:3, 4, and had been retaken by the Syrians, were now attempting to burn incense to the Lord in the temple.
taken from them again by Jeroboam, and restored to 2 Chron. 26:16-20. A several house; a retired building,
Israel. where he was separated from the rest of the inhabitants.
455
1

Various kings of 2 KINGS XV. Judah and Israel.

9 Ami he did of dah, Pckahiah the son of Menalicm began ^ii"'?'!


that v/iir/i trnx ovil in tlic siirlit
the L()iti>. us his futlicis luid doiio: ho di'|>iiilf(i to reign over Israel in Saiiiai'ia, and reigned two
not I'loin the sins of Jeroboiini tho son of Mcijut, years.
wlio nuuk' Isna-i to sin. 24 And ho did that vhirh nu.i evil in the sight of
10 AikI Sliiillum the son of Jabcsh conspired tiie Loan: he de[iarted not from liie sins of .Jero-
ii>;ain-t him. and smote Idin before tiie peoi)le, and boam the son of Ncbat, wiio made Israel to sin.
»le\v him. and reij^ni'd in ids stead.* 2o But I'ekah tiie son of Kcmaiiali, a captain of
1 And liie rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, ids, conspired against iiim. and smote iiiin in Sama-
I hey arc written in tlic book of the Chronicles of ria, in the jialace of the king's iiouse, witii Argob
tiie kin.L's of Israel. and Aricli, and with him lilty men of tiie Giiead-
12 This was tlic word of the Lonn which he ites: and lie killed him, and reigned in his room.
spake unto Jehu, saying, Tiiy .sons shall sit on the 2() And tlie rest of tiic acts ol' I'ekaiiiaii.and all

throne of Israel unto the fourth generation.'^ And that he did, lieliold, they are written in the book
so it came to pass. of tiie Clironicles of tiie kings of Israel.
i:? *! Shallum tJie son of Jabc.«h began to reign 27 "i in tho two and fiftieth year of Azariah
in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah^ king of king of Judaii, Pekah the son of Penialiali began to
Judaii and he reigned a full month'' in Samaria. reign over Israel in Samaria,''' and reigned twenty
;

1-i For Mcnahem tlic son of Gadi went up from years.


Tirzah. and came to Samaria, and smote Sliallum 28 And he did that which was evil in the sight
tlie sou of Jabesli in Samaria, and slew him, and of theLoiii) he departed not from the siiisof Jero- :

reigneil in his stead. biiani the son of Xehat, who made Israel to sin.
15 And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his 29 In the days of Pi'kaii king of Israel, came Tig-
conspiracy winch he made, behold, they are written lalh-pilcser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and
in the book of tlie Chronicles of the kings of Israel. Abel-beth-maacliah, and Janoah, and Kcdesii,and
16 1 Tiien Menalicm smote TiphsaJi,'' and all Ilazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all tiie land of
that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tir- Naphtali,'' and carried tiicni captive to Assyria.
zah: bccau.se they opened not to him, therefore he 'iO And Ilosliea liie son of Klaii made a conspir-
smote it ; and all the women therein that were acy against Pekali tho son of Keinaliah, and smote
with child he ripped up.'' him, and slew him, and reigned in iiis stead,' in the
17 In tlie nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king twentietli year of Jotiiain the son of Uzziah.^
of Judaii began Menaliem tiie sou of (Jadi to reign 31 And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all
over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria. that he did, behold, they are written in the book
18 And lie did that which ivas evil in the sight of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel.
of tlie Lord he departed not all his days from the
: 32 *\ In the second year of Pekaii the son of
sins of Jeroboam the son of Ncbat, who made Ilemallah king of Israel, began Jotham the son
Israel to sin. of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.'
19 And Pul tlie king of Assyria came against 33 Five and twenty years old was he when he
tlie land:'' and Menalicm gave Pul a thousand tal- began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in
ents of silver,'' tliat liis hand iniglit bo with him Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerusha,
to eoiilinii tiie kingdom in liis liaud.'' the daughter of Zadok.
20 And Menaiiom exacted* tlie money of Israel, 34 And lie did that which was right in the sight
even of all the mighty men of wcaltii, of eacli man of the LoiiD lie did according to all that his fa- :

fifty shekels of silver, to give to tiie king of As- ther Uzziali liad done.
syria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and 35 Howbeit the high places were not removed:
stayed not there in the land. the people sacrificed and burned incense still in
21 •; And the rest of the acts of Menaliem, and the high places. He built the higher gate of the
all that lie did, are they not written in the book house of tiie Lord.
of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 36 1i Xow the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all
22 And Menahem slept with his fathers; and that he did, are they not written in the book of
Pekaliiali his son reigned in his stead. the Clironicles of the kings of Judah'?
23 1; In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Ju- 37 In those days* the Lord began to send
'
As prophesied, Amos 7:9. > ch. 10::)0. t Called Ozias ,
Matt. 1:8:9; forth. E Isa. 7:1. 4. 9. hlsa. 9:1. IAfler an anarchy for some years, c!
artoA. vet. 1. 1 HeD. a month of days, b 1 KinRS -1:2 ,
c ch 8:lj; '17:1; Hos. IU:.1, 7^ 15. 1 The fourth yearof Ahaz. Ihetnemieth after Jolha
QOs 1:13. i 1 Chr. 5:26. e Hos. B:9. f ch. 14:5. S Heb. catisiui to come had begun to reign. Usher, 2Chr. 27:1, etc. " At the end of Jotham'sreif
i

11. Zachariah; lie was the fourth of the descendants of writer here means, in the twentieth year from the time
Jehu. Ver. 12; chap. 10:30. when Jotham came to the throne Ahaz his successor not
:

14. Menahem ; supposed tohave been one of the gener- being named, because the history of his reign has not
als of Zachariah. Tirzah ; a city of the tribe of Ephraim, yet been reached. See the marginal note.
for a time the capital of the ten tribes. 1 Kings, chaps.
14-16. INSTRUCTION'S.
Tiphxah; supposed to have been in Ephraim. A
16. The sins of rulers and distinguished persons are often
9.
place of tliis name was situated on the Euphrates, and the means of destruction to their distant posterity, and to
was taken possession of by Solomon. 1 Kings 4:24. multitudes of others who imitate their wicked example.
29. Ijon —
Naphtali; the places here mentioned were in 29. When the people of God rebel against him, the
the north part of the land of Israel. wicked are sufferedto overcome and oppress them nor ;

30. The twentteth year of Jotham ; as Jotham reigned but without repentance and reformation can they escape de-
siiteen years, ver. 33, it has been supposed that the sacred struction.
456
:

IVidcd reign of Ahaz. 2 KINGS XVI. He spoikth the temple.

A. M. against Judah, Rezin the king of Syria,"


3-2f,2.

"'"
Jsi' tlie son of Remaliaii.''
and Pelvah
38 And Jotluim slept with his fathers, and was
buried with his fathers in the city of David his
father and Aliaz his son reigued in his stead.
:

CHAPTER XVI.
1 Ahaz's wicked reign. 5 Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hireth
Tiglatli-pilcser against them. 10 Ahaz, sending a pattern of an .altar
from Damascus to Urijah, diverteth the brazen altar to his own devo-
tion. 17 He spoileth the temple. 19 Hezekiah succeedeth him.

the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of


iNRemaliah, Ahaz the son of Jothain king of Ju-
dah l)Cgan to reign.''
2 Twenty years old ivas Ahaz when he began to
reign, Jerusalem, and
and reigned sixteen j^ears in
did not that which u-as right in the sight of the
Lord his God, like David his father.
But he walked in the way of the kings of Is-
3
rael, yea, and made his son to pass through the
fire," according to the abominations of the hea-
then," whom the Lord cast out from before the
children of Israel.
4 And he and burnt incense in the high
sacrificed
under every green tree.'
places, and ontlie hills, and
5 11 Then Rezin king of Syria, and Pekah son of
Remaliah king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to
war and they besieged Ahaz, but could not over-
:''

come him.
6 At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered
Elath to Syria," and drave the Jews from Elath:'
and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there
unto this day.
I
7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser+
king of Assyria,' saying, I am thy servant and thy
son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the
king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of
Israel, which rise up against me.
8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was
found in the house of the Lord,-' and in the treas-
ures of the king's house, and sent it for a present
to the king of Assyria.
9 And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him
for the king of Assyria went up against Damas-
cus,* and took it,^ and carried the people of it cap-
tive to Kir, and slew Rezin.
»Ch. 10:.5. I>ver. 27. c 2 Chr. SS: 1, etc. ! Lev
! : ;

hrad earritd cnplire 2 KINGS XVII. bp the Assyrian*.

CHAPTER XVI 1. 12 For they served idols, whereof the Lord '^j,*',-'?!!?
had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.'
1 Hothw'i wioknl reign. M Briii^; >utHlui.'J by Sliiilmnnrtcr, lie con- i;5 Yet the liOitD testified against Israel, and
pircUi againkt him wiih So kins of li{,7pt. •) Sanmria for tlioir »iii«
ii uptivalnl. 'J4 The triin;;p nnlioiii, which wore trantplitntrd into against .Jinlali, by' all the pro|iliets, and by all the
Saniiru, bring wiUi liout, iiiikc a iniituro of rcligioni.
pl.-itgOini
seers, saying. Turn ye from your evil ways, and
tlic twolflli year of Aliaz king of Jiidah, bc- keep my idinmaiidnienls and my statutes, accord-
I\paii llnslica tlio t^Dii of Klali lo rcifrn in Sama- ing to all the law which 1 c<iiiiiiiaiided your fa-
ria over Israel nine years.* thers, and which 1 sent lo you by my servants the
2 And lie iliil that which iras evil in the siglit of prophets.^
the Loitn, but not as the kings of Israel that were 14 Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but
before him. hardened their necks,'' like to tiie neck of their
3 'i Against liira came up Shalmancser king of fathers, that did not believe in the LoiMi their God,
Assyria;" and lloshca became his servant, and 15 And they rejected his statutes,' and his cov-
gave* him ])resonts.' enant that he made with their I'allieis,'" and his
4 And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in testimonies which he testified against them ;" and
Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king they followed vanity," and became vain,'' and went
of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of after the heathen that lare round about them, con-
Assyria, as he had done year by year therefor(; cerning wlioni the Lord had charged them, that
:

the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in they should not do like then'."
prison. IG And they left all the commandments of the
5 "i Then the king of Assyria came up througli- Lord their God, and made them molten images,"'
out all the land, and went up to Samaria, and be- ivin two calves,' and made a grove,' and wor-
sieged it three years. shipped all the host of heaven," and served I5aal.^
6 In the ninth year of IToshca, the king of As- 17 And they caused their sons and their (laugh-
syria took Samaria,'' and carried Israel away into ters to pass through the lire,"' and used divination
Assyria.'' and placed tiiem in Ilalali ami in Habor and enchantments.-'' and sold themselves to do evil
.^'
by the river of Gozan,'' and iu tlic cities of the in the sight of the Lord, to jirovokc him to anger
Medes. 18 Therefore the Lord was very angry with Is-
7 For so it was, that the children of Israel had rael, and removed them out of his sight: there
sinned against the Loud their God, which had was none left but the trilie of Judah only.'-
brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from 19 Also Judah kcjit not the conimandmcnts of
under tlie hand of Piiaraoh king of Egypt, and the Lord their God," Init walked iu the statutes
liad feared other gods, of Israel which Ihey made.
8 And walked in the statutes of the heatlien,'' 20 And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel,''
whom the Lord cast out from before the children and afflicted them, and delivered them into the
of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which tlicy hand of spoilers,"" until he had cast them out of
had made. his sight.
9 And the children of Israel did secretly those 21 For he rent Israel from the house of David;''
things that were not right against the Lord their and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king:
God,'- and they built them high places in all their and Jerolioam drave Israel from following the
cities, from the tower of the watchmen to tiic Lord, and made them sin a great sin.''
fenced city.*^ 22 For the children of Israel Avalked in all the
10 And they set them up images' and groves in sins of Jeroboam which he did they departed ;

every high hill,''' and under every green tree:'' not from them
11 And there they burnt incense in all the high 23 Until the Lord removed Israel out of his
places, as did the heatlien whom the Lord carried sight, as he had said by all his servants the proph-
away before them and wrought wicked things ets.' So was Israel carried away out of their own
;

to provoke the Lord to anger land to Assyria unto this day.^


After all iiiv.;iic^iiuiii,,ch.
'
uii. iu:.n'. io:y. 1 neo-
» oh. 18:9.
15:30. "ori. rcmJmd; i.: cam.
Heh. Teniirrfuf
i I Prov, 29:1: Isa. 4d:4; .ler. 7;2fi. 1 Jer. S:9. m Deut. 29:2.'), 26. • Dent.
S:2. : Or, Iriiule. S Foretold in Hos. 1.3:lfi; ch. 16:10. 11. 1> Lev. -Mi-.m, 8:17. 13; Jer. 44:2.-). oDeut. 32:21; ISam. 12:21; 1 Kings 16:13. pjonih
33; Dent. -.i:j:.>o,
2:1:38, o^
. 61; 2!):-i7,
xic-i/, -j-i.
; -if. c j1 unr. 5:28. u
Chr. o:*Jti. d ch. Hi::s\ Lev.
oh. 18:3; l-::j; Doul.
Liev. l-:3; Lieut. 2:8; Rom. 1:21. q Deut. 12:31), 31. r Exnd. :)2:4, H. 1 Kingi 12:28.
1S:0; Psa. 1U6::!5. eEzek.8:12. fch.IS:S. I Heb. .WnlBM. Sch.IG:!; 1 1 Kins 14:15, -23; 15:13. " Jcr. 8:2. v 1 Kings 16:31; 22:53. w ch.
Deut. 12:2; 1 Kings U:2:J: ha. 57:5. h Deut. 18:21: Mic .'5:14. i Jixnd. 16:3; Lev. 18:21 : Ezek. 21:37. x Deut. 1S:1U. y 1 Kings 21:21). « 1 Kingi
20:3, 4; Lev. 20:1; Deut. 4: 19; 5:7. .S. 1 Heh. ty the liand of. JTsa.Mli. 11:13, 32. » Jer. 3:.-*. b Jer. 6:30. « ch. 1.3:3; l.>:29; Neh. 9:27, 2e.
17; 53:7; Jcr.lS:ll; 25:3; :M:I5; EEek.lS:31; 2Pet.3:9. '06^.31:27; <l I Kings 11:11. e 1 Kings 12:2(1. 28. f 1 Kings 14:10. e ver. 0.

16. Wicked rulers have ordinarily been aided by wick- province situated on this river. Some, however, placo
ed ecclesiastics, and the corrupt projects of the one been Habor and Gozan farther east.
supported by the ready and zealous cooperation of the 9. From tower of the watchmen, to the fenced city ; that
tlic
other. is, from the least to the greatest of their dwelling-places,
the tower of the watchmen being a solitary building, where
CHAPTER XYII. only the watchman and his de])eiidents lived.
2. Not as the kings of Israel ; he did not so rigidly enforce 10. Groves; here, as often elsewhere, the original word
idolatry. means an image of Astarte. So below, ver. 16; chap.
6. Halah; probably one of the northern provinces of 18:4, etc.
Assyria. In Habor by the river of Gozan ; or, by Habor, l.*). Vanity; here used, as frequently elsewhere, to de-
the river of Gozan. Habor is generally thought to be the scribe idolatry.
ancient Chaboras, a river of Mesopotamia, which flows 18. The tribe of Judah only; comprehending at this time
into the Euphrates, (the modern Khabur,) and Gozan, a the tribe of Benjamin.
458
The idolatrous xhip 2 KINGS XVIII. of the Samaritans.

A. M. 24 1l And the king of Assj-ria brought


s.iai.
°
'
Kfi" men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and
"

from Ava," and from Hamath, and from Scphar-


vaim, and ])Iaccd thcvi in the cities of ?araaria
instead of the children of Israel:" and they pos-
sessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.''
25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwell-
ing there, that they feared not the Lord: there-
fore the Loud sent lions among them,'' which slew
some of them.
26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria,
saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and
placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the man-
ner of the God of the land therefore he hath sent
:

lions among them, and behold, they slay them, be-


cause they know not the manner of the God of the
land.
27 Tlien the king of Assyria commanded, say-
ing, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye
brought from thence and let them go and dwell
;

there, and let him teach them the manner of the


God of the land.
28 Then one of the priests whom they had car-
ried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-
el, and taught them how they should fear the Lord.
29 Howbeit every nation made gods of their
own,'' and put them in the houses of the high
places which tlie Samaritans had made, every na-
tion in their cities wherein they dwelt.
30 And the men of Babylon made Succoth-bo-
noth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the
men of Hamath made Ashima,"
31 Anil the Avitcs made Nibhaz and Tartak,''
and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire
to Adraramelech and Anammelcch, the gods of
Sepharvaim.^'
32 So they feared the Lord, and made unto
themselves of the lowest of them priests of the
high places," which sacrificed for them in the
houses of the high places.
33 They feared the Lord, and seuved their own
'

llcztkiah'S good reign. 2 KINGS Will. SennacJierib's invasion.

2 Twoiity and five years old was lie whfii lie unto Ilczi-kiah king of .Fiidah three hun- '^ii*','^?^';i

bcjrUn to icifrii; ami Im- n-i^nicd tws'iity and iiiiii; dif'd tah'nts of silver and thirty talents of iro],l.

years in Jcrusali'iii. His nmllicr's name also icas l.j And Hezekiah gave /lim all the silver that
Abi,' tiie dauiriiier of Zathariali. was found
in the house of the LuuD, and in the
3 And lie did titaf w/iich was rifjlit in tlie sight treasures of the king's house.''
of tlio Loud, according to all that David his father 10 At that time did Hezekiah cut olV (/le f^o/d
did. from the doorsof the tem|ileof the Lord, andyz-wn
4 " lie removed the high places, and brake the the pillars which Ilezekiah king of Judali had
imaires.' and cut down the groves, and brake in overlaid, and gave it* to the king of A.^syria.
pieces the lirazen serpent tiiat Mose^ liad made: 17 'i And the king of A.-syria sent Tartan' and
ibr unto tliosc days the children of Israel did burn Rabsaris and Rab-shakeh i'rom Lachisli to king
incense to it: and lie called it Nehnslitan.* Hezekiah with a great* host against Jerusalem:
5 He trnsted in the Lord God of Israel; so and they went up and came to Jerusalem. And
that after him was none like him anK)ng all the when they were come u]), they came and stood by
kings of Judaii,'' nor anij that were bcfoi-c him. the conduit of the njiper pool, which is in the high-
G Fov he clave to the Loito,'' and dc|)arted not way of the fuller's lield.'"
from following him,^ but kcjit his commandments, 18 And when they had called to the king, there
wliicli the LoKD commanded Moses. came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which
7 And the Lohd was with him;'' a?id he pros- teas over the household, and Shebna the scribe,*
pered wliitiiersoever he went fortii:'' and he re- and Joali the son of Asaph the recorder.
belled against the king of Assyria, and served 1!) And Rab-shakeh said unto them, Speak ye

him not.' now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the
8 He smote thcPiiilistines, even unto Gaza,' and king of Assyria, What coniidencc is this wherein
the borders thereof, from the tower of the watch- thou trustest?
men to the fenced city. 20 Thou sayest,* (but fhey are but vain words,')
9 M And it came to pass in the fourth year of / /lave counsel and strength ibr the war.^ Now
king Ilezekiah, which was the seventh year of on whom dost thou trust, that thou rcbellest
Hoshca sou of Elah king of Israel, f/ial Shalmane- against luc?
ser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and 21 Now, behold, thou trustest* upon the staff of
besieged it.^ this bruised reed," even upon Egypt, on which if a
10 And at the end of three years they took it: man lean, it will go into his hand and pierce it:
even in the sixth year of Ilezekiah, tliat is, the ninth so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust
year of Iloshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. on him.
11 And the king of Assyria did carry away Is- 22 But if ye say nnto me. trust in the Lord We
rael unto Assyria," and put them in Halah and in our God is not that he, whose high places and :

Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away," and hath
the Mcdes: said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship
12 Because they obeyed not tlie voice of the before this altar in Jerusalem?
Lord their God,' but transgressed his covenant, 23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges* to
and all that Moses the servant of tiie Lord com- my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver
manded, and would not hear them, nor do them. thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy
13 1l Now in the fourteenth year of king Heze- part to set riders upon them.
kiah did Sennacherib' king of Assyria come up 24 How
then wilt thou turn away the face of
against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took one captain of the least of my master's servants,
tlicm.' and put thy trust ou Egypt for chariots and for
14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king horsemen?
of Assyria to Lachisli, saying, I have oflendcd 25 ;
Am
I now come up without the Lord against
return from me: that Avhich thou puttest on me this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me,
will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed Go up against this land, and destroy it."
' Aiijali.-'Cttr.-XIA.
1 Heb. statues, a Num. 31:0. ITh-jt is, A pica of t/iem.
brass, boh. aivM. c Deut. 10:21); Josh. 2:):a i Heb. after /lim. ! 1 Sam.
ls:14; 2Cnr. I5:i e Psa 00: 1-2: Rom. 8:31. f ch. 1():7. I Hub. Azzah.
tch. 17:!, etc. h 1 Chr. 5: -.'B. i Neb. 8:26, 27; Psa. 107: 17; Dan. 0:0. 10.
1 Heb. Sanherib. i 2 Chr. 32:1. etc.; Isa. 36:1, etc. k ch. 16:M. * Heb.

CHAPTER XVIII.
2. Twenty anil five years old;
he was, accordingly, born
when Ahaz was eleven years old, or perhaps, making al-
lowance for portions of years, when he was twelve years
old. See chap. 1G:2. This is not impossible, though some
think an error of transcribing has found its way into the
account respecting either Ahaz or Hezekiah.
4. Neku-i'ttan; meaning a piece of brass.
9. In the fourth year of king Hezekiah ; if we suppose that

tlie fourth year of Hezekiah fell partly in the sixth and


partly in the seventh year of Hoshea, then the sixth year
of Hezekiah would coincide with the last part of the eighth
and the beginning of the ninth year of Hoshea.
460
: ;

Rabshakeh's llasplicmics. 2 KINGS XIX. His mcssai'c to Ilczckiak.

B.-c'Tm"'- 2G Then said Eliakim the son of Hilki- CHAPTER XIX.


ah, unto Rab-?liakoli, Speak,
and Shebna, and Joali,
1 Hezekiah mourning; sendeth to Isaiah to pmy for them. C Isaiah
I pray tlice, Syrian lan-
to tliy servants in the comforteth them. 8 Sennaciicrib, going to encounter Tirhakah, send-
eth a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah. 14 Hezekiah's pntyer. 20
guas^e; for wo understand it: and talk not with
Isaiah's prophecy of the pride and destruction of Sennacherib, and the
us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people good of Z:on. J.3 An angel shiyeth the Assyrians. 36 Sennacherib
is slain at Nineveli by liis own sons.
tliat arc on tlic wall.
27 But Rab-shakeh said unto tliom, Hath my
master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak
AND
it came to pass, when king Hezekiah
heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered
these words? hath he not sent me to the men which himself with sackcloth, and went into the house
sit on the wall, that they may cat their own dung," of tiie Lord.''
and drink their own piss* with you? 2 And he sent Eliakim, w/n'c/i was over the house-
28 Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried witli a loud hold, and Shebna tlie scribe, and the elders of the
voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah^ the
the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: prophet the son of Amoz.
29 Thus saith the king. Let not Hezekiah deceive 3 And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah,
you:'' for he shall not be able to deliver you out This day is a day of trouble,' and of rebuke, and
of his hand blasphemy :* for the children are come to the birth,
30 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the and there is not strength to bring forth.
LoiiD,'' saying. The Lord will surely deliver us, 4 It may be the Lord thy God will hear all the
and tliis city shall not be delivered into the hand words of Rab-shakeh,"' whom the king of Assyria
of the king of Assyria."* his master hath sent to reproach the living God ;"
31 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the and will reprove the words which the Lord thy
king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a God hath heard :" wherefore lift up thy prayer for
present,^ and come out to me, and then eat ye every the remnant that arc left.+P
man of his own vine, and every one of his fig-tree, 5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to
and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern * Isaiah. :

32 Until I come and take you away to a land 6 IF And Isaiah said unto them. Thus shall ye
like year own land, a land of corn and wine, a say to your master. Thus saith the Lord, Be not
land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil-olive afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with
and of honey that ye may live, and not die: and which the servants of the king of Assyria have
,"=

hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth^ blasphemed me.i


yoii, saying. The Lord will deliver us. 7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him,'' and he
33 Hathany of thegodsof the nations delivered at shall hear a rumor, and shall return to his own
all his land outof tliehand of the king of Assyria?'' land and I will cause him to fall by the sword
;

34: Where arc the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad ?" in his own land.'*
where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah ?' 8 IT So Rab-shakeh returned, and found the king
have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had
35 Who are they among all the gods of the coun- heard that he was departed from Lachish.'
tries, that have delivered their country out of my 9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of
hand,*" that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against
out of my hand ? thee;" he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah,
36 But the people held their peace, and answered saying,
him not a word for the king's commandment
:
' 10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of
was, saying, Answer him not. Judah. saying. Let not thy God in whom thou
37 Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which trustest deceive thee,^' saying, Jerusalem shall not
was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Heze- 11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of
kiah with their clothes rent,J and told him the Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them
words of Rab-shakeh. utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?

» Lam. 4:5; Ezek. 4:15. • Heb. l/ie water of titeir feet, b Psa. 73:S, 9. ilsa. 33:7. kisa. 37:1, etc. H Called £soia«, Luke 3:4. I Jer. 30:7. 'Or.
< Psa. 11:1; 2-2:7, 8; 12.5:1, 2. d 2 Thess. 2:4,8. t Or. Seek my favor provocation.
— _..„„-_,n
n> ch. 18:17.
.
Psa. 74:18.
,. .
o Psa. 50:21. t Heb. found.
Hab. Make with >m a blessing; Gen.32:2U; 33:11; Prov. 18:16. 1 Or. pi!, . _
35-37. t oh 1S:14. " l Sam.
t Deal. 8:7,8. i Or, deceivelli. fch. 19:12, 13; Isa. 10:10, 11. ejer. 49:23.
I Ava, ch. 17:34. h ch. 19:17, IS; Dan. 3:15. i Pro». 20:4; Amos 5:13.

27. Eat their own dung; in the extremity of the famine 35. Ascribing to creatures or to false gods what be-
which he threatened to bring upon them. longs only to Jehovah, and pretending that it is as vain
to trust in him as in them, is a sure way to provoke his
INSTRUCTIONS. wrath.

Confidence in God is tlie best safeguard in danger,


5.
and the surest means of all desirable prosperity and suc-
CHAPTER XIX.
cess. 3. Come —not strength bring forth
to the birth to ; it is a
12. The wickcil often succeed, not on account of their day of prolonged anguish, from which we have no strengtli
worthiness, but on account of the wickedness of those to deliver ourselves.
over whom they triumph. 7. A blast ; the originalmay mean either a wind, that is.
25. Success emboldens men in transgression, and they a pestilential blast to destroy his army, or a spirit, that
sometimes claim that they please God, because he sufFers is, of consternation, ver. 9.
them for a time to prosper in their sins. •S. Lihnnh; one of the fortified cities of Judah.
461
Isaiah's prophtcy. 2 KINGS XIX. SennaJierib's ruin.

12 lliivo the pods of tlio nations dclivi'ied tlicin (he tall' eedar-trees tliereof and the choice ^n'V'm
wliii'li my I'litlKTs Iimvc tic.-tmycil
;' as (io/an.and lir-trees thereof: and 1 will cntir into the lodgings

Uiiraii, and Ifozcpli, and tlic cliildrcn of Kden of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel. •

wliii'h were in 'riiclasar?'' 24 I have digged and drunk strange waters, and
i;{ Wliorc is the kinir of Hanialli, and tlic kinj? with the sole of my feet have 1 dried up all the
of Arpud. and tlii^ king of tiic city of Sci)iiarvaini, riv(>rs of besieged places.
2.'3 Hast thou not heard long ago hoio I have done
of UniM. and Ivah?.
It *i And Ili'zckiah received tlie lottor of llic it,'' a7id of ancient times that have formed it?
1

liand of llic ni('-;*on<rcrs, and read it: and lleze- now iiave I brought it to pass, that thou siiouldcst
kiuh went np into the iiouse of tlic Loud, and be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous lieaps.^
spread it before Lord. tlie 2(\ Therefore their inhabitants were of small

l.T And prayed before tlie LoiM).'' and


Ilezekiali power,* they were dismayed and confounded they ;

paid. LoiiD God of Israel, which dwellest 6c- were as the grass of the field, and as the green
(irri/tilie eherubiin,'' thou art the (lod, ivoi thou herb, as the grass on the house-tops,'' and as corn
alone, of all the kinirdoni.s of the eartii ;'' thou hast blasted before it be grown np.
nuulo heaven and earth.' 27 But I know thy abode,* and thy going out.
1() Loud, bow down thine ear, and hear :" o])en, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
Loud, thine eye?, and see:'' and hear the words 28 Because thy rage against me and thy tumult
of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put
the living God. my hook thy nose,'' and my bridle in thy lips,
in
IT Of a truth. Lord, the kings of Assyria have and I will turn thee back by the way by which
de.-troyed the nations and their lands, thou camest.
18 And have cast* their gods into the fire: for 29 And this shall be a sign unto tliee. Ye shall
they tcere no gods, but the work of men's hands, eat this year such things as grov^ of themselves,
wood and stone:' therefore they have destroyed and in the second year that which springeth of the
tlieni. same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and
ly Novr therefore, Loud our God, 1 l)cseech plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.
thee, save thou us out of his hand, tiiat all the 30 And the remnant that is e.-caped of the house
kingdoms of the eartli may know that thou art the of Judali* shall yet again take root downward,
LoKD God, even thou only.-" and bear fruit upward.
20 T Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to llezc- 31 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a rem-
kiah, saying. Thus saith tlie Loud God of Israel, nant," and they that escape^ out of mount Zion:
That whicli thou hast prayed to me against Sen- the zeal of the Loud of hosts shall do this.
nacherib king of Assyria I have licard." 32 Therefore thus saith the Loud concerning the
21 This is the word that the Lord hath spoken king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city,
concerning him: The virgin the daughter of Zion nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with
hath despised thee,' and laughed thee to scorn; the shield, nor cast a bank against it.
daugliter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall
thee.'" he return, and shall not come into this city, saith
22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? the Lord.
and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, 34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for
and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.'
Holy One of Israel." 35 T And it came to pass that night, that the
23 By * thy messengers thou hast reproached the angel of the Loud went out, and smote in the camji
Loud, and hast said. With the multitude of my of the Assyrians a hundred fourscore and five thou-
chariots I am come up to the height of the moun- sand and when they arose early in the morning, :

tains," to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down behold, they were all dead corpses."

« Ch. 1«:33, 34. b Ezek. 27:2:1. ' 2 Chr. .32:20. d 1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Clir. thou not heard Iiow / have made it long ago. and formed it of ancient tiniest
5:7.8. e Kins3l3:.39; Ua. 44:6.
1 ' Psi. 102:25. ePsa, 31:2. h 2 Clir. now firing it to be laid waste, and fenced cities to be ruinous heaps?
.'should I
«:40. •
lleh. given, i Psa. 115:4, etc.; Isa. 44:10, etc. J 1 Kini;s 2U:2a. •
Heh. short of hand, q P.-ia. 120:6. 1 Oi, silling. rEzek.:W:4. ! Heb.
kPsa.65:2. lLam.2:13. m Job lli:4: Lam. 2: 15. n Isa. 5:24; Jcr. 51:5. the escaping of the house of Judah that remaiiielh. » ver. 4. J Heb. the
t Heb. Bi/ Ike /land of. o Psa. 20:7. 1 Heb. the taltness. i Or. ihe forest escaping, t ch. 20:6. u 2 Chron. 32:21; Isa. 37:36.
and hisfruitfulfieU; Isa. 10:18. I Or, fenced, p Isa. 45:7. 1 Or, Hast

The daughter of Zion; the church of God that had


21. sessinghimself of the country, or waters unknown to others.
its centre in Jerusalem. All the rivers of besieged places; or, as we may render, all the
Cut down the tall cedar-trees ; the desolation of Leba-
23. canals of Egypt, which served for its defence.
non, the most conspicuous object of Palestine, figuratively 2.'5. / have done it ; the Lord had suffered him to accom-
represents the conquest of the -whole land, the desolation plish what he had done, and it was aU in the fulfilment of
of its fenced cities, and the subjugation of its king and the purposes of Jehovah.
princes. The lodgings of his borders ; or, its extreme lodges, 28. Will put my Itook in thy nose; as men tame ferocious
its most remote recesses. The forest of his Carmel; the beasts and lead them at their pleasure.
word Carmel here signifies a park of goodly trees, inter- 29. A sign unto thee; to Hezekiali and his people. This
spersed witli fertile gardens. —
year the second year; the land was possessed and deso-
24. Have digged —
dried up; neither the want of water, as lated by the enemy. Agriculture had been already inter-
in marching through deserts, nor its abundance, as in the rupted for more tlian a year. The present year there had
arms of the Nile, by which the cities of Egyptare defended, been no seed-time, so that there would be no harvest fur
can arrest my course. " Strange waters " are either wells the following year.
in foreign lands which he will dig for his armv, thus pos- 35. Tliey arose; those who were spared. They were all
462
IIczekiaKs siclcness and recovery. 2 KINGS XX. The CO plicily foretold.

B.aT^™' 3G SoSennaclieribkiiigofAssyriadopart- 8 T And Htizekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall


ed, aud went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh." be the sign that Ihe Luim) will heal me,'" and that
37 And it came to pass, as he was worsiiipping I shall go up into tlie house of the Lord the third
in the house of Nisroch his god, tliat Adraninic- day?
lech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the 9 And Isaiah said. This sign shalt thou have of
sword:'' and tliey escaped into the land of Arme- the Lord, tliat the Lord will do the thing that he
nia.* And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his hath spoken shall the shadow go forward ten
:

stead." degrees, or go back ten degrees?


10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing
CHAPTER XX. for the
let the
shadow to go down ten degrees nay, but
shadow return backward ten degrees.
:

I Hezelviah. having received a message of death, by prayer hath his life


lengthened. 8 The sun goeth ten degrees backward for a sign of that 11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord:
promise. 12 Beroda?h-baIad.an sending to visit Hezekiah because of and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward,"
the wonder, iiath notiee of iiis treasures. ]4 Isaiah unJersUanding
thereof foretelleth the Babylonian captivity. 20 Manasseh succeedetii by which it had gone down in the dial' of Aliaz.
Hezekiah. 12 At tiiat time licrodach-baladan,"^ the son of
tiioso days was Hezekiah sick unto death.'' Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a pres-
INAnd the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came ent unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Heze-
to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, kiah had been sick.°
Sot thy house in order for thou shalt die, and not
;'' 13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and
live. showed them all the house of his precious tilings,"
2 Then he turned his face to the wall, aud prayed the silver, and the gold, and the spices," and the
unto the Lord, saying, precious ointment, and all the house of his armor.'
3 I beseech tliee, Lord, remember*^ now how and all that was found in his treasures:'' there
I have walked before thee in truth and with a was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion,
perfect heart,' aud iiave done that which is good tiiat Hezekiah showed them not.
in thy sight.*^ And Hezekiah wept sore.* 14 1[ Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king
4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out Hezekiah, and said unto him. What said these
into the middle court,^ that the word of the Lord men? and from whence came they unto thee? And
came to him, saying, Hezekiah said. They arc come from a far country,
•5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of even from Babylon.
my people," Thus saith the Lord, the God of David 1-5 And he said. What have they seen in thy

thy father, I have heard thy prayer,' I have teon house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things
thy tear,?:' behold, I will heal thee:'' on the third that are in my house have they seen:"" there is
day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. nothing among my treasures that I have not
6 And I will add unto tliy days fifteen years; showed them.
and I will deliver thee and this city out of tlie 16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the
hand of the king of Assyria and I will defend word of the Lord.
;

this city for mine own sake, and for my servant 17 Behold, the days come, lliat all tiiat is in thy
David's sake.' house, and that which thy fathers liave laid up in
7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they store unto this day, shall be carried unto Baby-
took and laid it on the boil, aud he recovered. lon nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.
:**

19:34. m Judg. 6:17, 37; Isa. 7:11,14. n Josh. 10:12. I Heb. degrees.
? Ot, Meroctach-baladan. o Isa. 39:1, etc. ' Or, spicery.
P 2Chr. 32:27.
house; 2 Sam. 17:33. e Neh. 13:2i fGen. 17:1; 1 Kings 3:6. ech. 18:3- \ Or, jeioets; B.<ih. vessels, q Prov. 23:5. r ver. 13. » ch. 24:13; 25:1.1;
6. I K'ti. with a great weeping. % Or, city, h 1 Sam. 0:1G; 1U:1. ch.
i Lev. 26:19; Jer. 27:21 j 52:17.
19:20; Fsa. 6li:19, 20. J Psa. 39:12; 56:8; 126:5. k Deut. 32:39. 1 ch.

dead; those who had, the night before, been smitten by 25. The exploits of the wicked are onlj' a fulfilment of u
tlie angel of the Lord. part of the plan of Jehovah and when he sees fit he can
;

37. Ntsroch; an idol god. dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel, or cause them in
his own way and time to come to an ignominious and
INSTRUCTIONS. miserable end.
God 29. To his people God affords evidence that it is safe to
1. the unfailing resource of his people. In times
is
of trouble they repair to him, and find him to be a very trust in him, and to wait upon him in humble supplication :

present and all-sufficient helper. for in due time all his promises will be fulfilled.
4. Jehovah is a prayer-hearing God
35. Armies are as dependent on God as individuals he ;
and his people not;

only call on him themselves, but desire the prayers of keeps the breath in their nostrils, and can at any time
others, especially such as are distinguished by his pres- take it away and leave them all dead corpses.
ence and favor.
6. Those who trust in the Lord, and so fear as to obey
CHAPTER XX.
him, have no reason to fear any others, but may expect in 1. with a deadly disease.
Sick unto death;
due time his effectual aid. 7. The boil; with which Hezekiah was afflicted, and which,
12. Because the idols in which the wicked trusted have if God had not interposed, would have been mortal.
not delivered them, some conclude that Jehovah will not 9. The sliadow; the shadow on the sun-dial, ver. 11; Isa.
deliver his people, and treat him as if he could do no more, 38:8.
for or against them, than gods of wood and of stone. 13. Showed litem all tlie house of his preciom thitigs — all that
19. Jehovah will show tiiat he is the one only living and he was manifestly elated
um.<<fottnd in hix treasures; in this
true (Jod, and that those who exalt themselves he is able with vanity, and God accordingly forewarned him of the
to abase and will cfToctually protect and provide for all
; judgments that should come from Babylon upon his fam-
who trust in him. ily. Compare 2 Chron. 32:31.
163
;

Man/iistJi's grtat wicktdntss. 2 KINGS XXr. Preilicllons ai'aliist Jiidah.

18 And of tliy sons lliat sliall issue frnin Hipp, (> .Viid he made his son pass through
'^1
the .^.M. .•««:,

,, ,,, , , ,. ' U r .bo...

which thou shall Iicl'-cI. shall they lako away


and ol)served tunes, and used en- «&
;" and lire,'"
, ,

thev sliall he (ninuchs in tlio paiacc of the king of cliantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and
Babylon.'' wizards:" he wrought iiiiicli wickedness in the
1!) TliPu said Uezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the siglit of the LoitD, to provoke /lim to anger.

word of the Loun, which thou hast spoken." And 7 And he set a graven image of the grove that
he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be' in he had made in the lioiise, of which IIk; Lord said
my days? to Oavid," and to Solomon his son,'' in this house,
20 'And the rest of the acts of Uezekiah, and and in .Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all
all Ids niiLdit, and how he made a ])Ool,'' and a con- the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for cvci-:
duit, and brouirht water into the city," are liiey 8 Neither will I make the feet of Israel move
not wiiitiMi in the book of the Chronicles of the any more out of the land which gave their fa- I

kinjrs of .Iiidah? thers;'' only if they will observe to do according


'21 And Uezekiah slept with his fathers: and to all that 1 have commanded them, and according
Mauassch his son reigned in his stead. to all the law that my servant Moses commanded
them,
9 But they hearkened not: and Manas,sch se-
CIIAPTEIl XXI. duced them to do more evil than did the nations
I ManMSfh's reign. 3 His great idolatry. 10 His wiclicdncss causet!i whom the Lord destroyed before the children of
prophecies against Jiidah. 17 Amon succeedetli him. 19 Anion's
wiciied reign. 23 He being slain by liis servants, and those murder- Israel.''
ers slain by the people, Josiali is made king. 10 "i^ And the Lord spake by his servants the
]\ /rANASSEH twelve years old when he proiihcts, saying,
icas
J.V_L Itegan to reign, and reigned fifty and five 11 Becau.se Manasseh king of Judah hath done
years in Jerusalem.'' And his mother's name jvas these abominations," andhnth done wickedly above
Ilephzi-bah. all that the Amorites did,' which were before him.
2 And he did that rnhic/i was evil in the sight of and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen,*' 12 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel.
wliom the Lord cast out before the children of Behold, 1 am bringing svch evil upon Jerusalem
Israel. and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his
i5 For he built up again the high plaees whicli cars shall tingle."
Hezekiah his lather had destroyed ;" and he reared 13 And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line
up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Aliab of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of
king of Israel;' and worshipped all the host of Ahab:" and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wip-
heaven, and served them.' eth a dish,"' wiping it, and turning it upside
4 And he built altars in the house of the Lord,'' down.*
of which the Lord said, la Jerusalem will I put 14 And I will forsake the remnant of mine in-
my name.' heritance,'' and deliver them into the hand of their
.5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven enemies;* and they shall become a prey and a
ill the two courts of the house of the Lord. spoil to all their enemies
aCh.ai;12; SChr. 33:11. bDin.l:3. cJobl:21. • Or. Shall tliere not 27; 24:.3, 4: Jcr. 15:4. I ver. 9; 1 Kings 21:20, » 1 Sam. 3:11 :Jer. 19:3;
be peaceand truth? <INeh.3:16. c 2 Chr. 32:30. f 2 Chr. 33:1, etc. ech. Amos 3:2. " Isa. 1U:22; 34:11; Lam. 2:8; Amos 7:7,8. " I Kings 14:1«.
16:.). h ch. 1S:4. i 1 Kings 16:32. J eh 17: 16; Deut. 4:19; Job 31 :26. t Heb. fie wipeth and lurnelh it vpon the fate thtrtof. « Psa. 89::Jd, etc.;
"Jer. 32:34. lKings8:29. m ch. 16:3; 17:17; Micah 0:7. n Deut. 18:1U. Jer. 12:7; Amos 5:2. y Psa. 74:1-7.
o2Sam.7:13. PlKing59:3. q2Sam.7:10. rprov.29:12. » ch. 23:26,

IS. TAf/sojJs; that is, thy descendants. The threatening 19. However trying the dispensations of Providence,
was Utemlly fulfilled in the case of Daniel and his compan- pious men will submit to them; knowing that God has
ions, who were " of the king's seed." Dan. 1 3. : the best of reasons for all which he does, and doeth all
INSTRUCTIONS. things well.
In every situation men are liable to sickness and
I.
death. They should therefore have all their affairs so
CHAPTER XXI.
arranged, as to be habitually prepared to leave this world Observed times; or, practised divination. Divination
6.
and enter on the retributions of eternity. and witchcraft, in all their varied forms, were parts of the
5. Prayer is often a means of removing sickness which ancient system of idolatry, as they are of modern systems.
would otherwise prove mortal, and inducing the Lord to 12. Botit hif: ears sliall tingle; at the dreadfulness of the
continue life when he would otherwise have taken it away. judgments which God would bring upon them.
7. The fact that diseases are God's servants, and that 13. The line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of
they come and go at his bidding, should never supersede Altab; the line and the plummet are here the symbols of
the use of appropriate means, or lead us in any measure God's exact justice in the judgments he inflicts on the
to neglect them. wicked. Compare Amos 7:7-9. The meaning of the figure
II. The Lord gives abundant evidence of the truth of is, that God will execute upon Judah and Jerusalem the
his promises, that his people may trust his word without same righteous judgments that he has sent upon Samaria
fear of being disappointed. and the house of Ahab. Wipe Jerusalem; wipe out its
13. Even good men are liable to be elated with their inhabitants and its wealth, and utterly overturn it.
lilessings, to seek applause, and so display their acquisi-
tions as to displease the Lord. INSTRUCTIONS.
IC. The Lord will cifcctually humble the pride of his 2. Men from
religious families sometimes commit wick-
people, take off their hearts from transitory, uncertain edness far beyond others who have not had pious instruc-
riches, and lead them to trust alone in Him who giveth tion and example.
them richly all things to enjoy, and who can at any time 9. Those who break over the restraints of a pious edu-
take av.-av what he has given. cation and become abandoned in wickedness, often go to
464
:

Reigns of Anion and Josiah. 2 KINGS XXII. The hooli vf the law found.

A. M. 15 Because they have done that which


3?flG.

Ma* "
evil in my sight, and have provolced
was
me to anger, since the day their fathers came
forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.
16 Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very
much," till he had filled Jerusalem from one end
to another;* besides his sin wherewith he made
Judah to sin," in doing that which was evil in the
sight of the Lord.
17 1[ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and
all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are
they not written in the book of tlic Chronicles of
the kings of Judah?''
18 And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was
buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden
of Uzza and Araon his son reigned in his stead.
:

19 1 Amon was twenty and two years old when


he began to reign, and he reigned two years in
Jerusalem." And his mother's name was Meshul-
lemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
20 And he did that which was evil in the sight
of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did."
21 And he walked in all the ways that his father
walked in, and served the idols that his father
served, and worshipped them
22 And he forsook the Lord God of his fathers,
and walked not in the way of the Lord.*'
23 And the servants of Amon conspired against
him, and slew the king in his own house.
21 And the people of the land slew all them that
had conspired against king Amon and the people ;

of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.


2-5 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he

did, are they not written in the book of the Chron-


icles of the kings of Judah?
26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the gar-
den of Uzza and Josiah^ his son reigned in his
:

stead.

CHAPTER XXII.
1 Josiah's good reign. 3 He taketh care for the repair of the temple.
8 Hilkiah having found a book of the law, Josiah aendeth to Huldah
to inquire of the Lord. 15 Huldah prophesieth the destruction of Je-
rusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's time.

JOSIAH ivas eight years old when he began to


reign, and he reigned
and one years thirty
in Jerusalem.*"' And his mother's name was Jedi-
dah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.'"
2 And he did that which was right in the sight
of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David
his father, and turned not aside to the right hand
or to the left.'

»Jer. 2::H; I'J:4. • Keb. from moulh tomoulh. b 1 Ki


Josiah's pious rrii;n. 2 KIX(iS Will, lie (lislroydh ulolalry.

ir> «[ Anil plic said unto lliom, Tims snilli the


Loud God of Tell the man that sent you
l^'rilel,

to me.
IC Thus sailh the Loud, Bcliohl, I will briiifr
evil upon this jilacc, and upon the inhabitant-
thereof, urn all tiic words of the book which the
kiiiir of Jiulah hath read:
17 15ecaiise they liuve for.sakon me, and liave
burned incense unto other frods," that they niiy:lil
provoke me to anscer with all the works of their
hands therefore my wrath siiall be kindled against
;

this place, and shall not be (|ucnchcd.''


18 But to tiic kinLj of Judali which sent you to
inquire of the Loun, tiiu.s shall ye say to him,
Tims saith tlie Lord God of Israel, ^1s toiuhin<r
the words which tlioii hast heard;
1\) Because thy heart was tender,'^ and thou hast

humbled thyself before the Loud,'' wheu thou


heardest what I spake against this place, and
against the inhaliitants thereof, that they should
become a desolation" and a curse,' and hast rent
thy clothes,^' and wejjt before me;" I also have
heard t/iec, saitii the Lord.
20 Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy
fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave
in peace;' and tiiine eyes shall not see all the
evil which I will bring u])on this place. And they
brought the king word again.

CHAPTER XXIII.
1 Jo5i:ih causeth the book to be read in a solemn assembly. 3 He re-
newerh the covenant of the Lord. 4 He destroyeth idolatry. 15 He
burnt dead men's bones upon the altar of Beth-el, as was before prophe-
sied. 21 He kept a most solemn passover. 2-1 He put away witclies
and all abomination, 2G God's final wrath against Judah. 29 Jo-
siah, provoking Pharaoh-necho, is slain at Megiddo. 31 Jehoahaz,
succeeding him. is imprisoned by Pharaoh-necho, who made Jehoia-
kim king. 30 Jehoiakim's wicked reign.

AND the king sent, and they gathered unto him


the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem^
all
2 And the king went up into the house of the
Lord, and all the men of Judah and all the inhab-
itants of Jerusalem with liim, and the priests, and
the prophets, and all the people, both small and

»Deut. 29:2.5, etc.: Neh. 9:26,27; Dan.9;ll-M. b 1 Thess. 2:16.


Jusiah purge! k Judah. 2 KINGS XXIII. His fulcHly, aiul dcnih

is, r's™' but they did eat of the unleavened bread that were in the cities of Samaria,' whirh the kings
among their brethren." of Israel had made to provoke the LORD
to anger,
10 And lie defiled Topheth/' whicii is in the val- Josiah took away, and did to thein according to
ley of the children of Hinnoni,' tiiat no man miijlit all the acts that he had done in Betli-el.
make his son or his daughter to pass through the 20 And he slew' all the jiriests of the high places
lire to Molech.'' that we}-e there upon the altars,"' and burned men's
11 And he took away the horses that the kings bones upon them," and returned to Jerusalem.
of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in 21 If And the king commanded all the people,
of the house of the Lord, by tlie chamber of Na- saying, Keep the passover unto the Lord your God,
than-melech the chamberlain,* which ivas in the as it is written in the book of this covenant."
suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with 22 Surely there was not holdcn such a passover
fire. from the days of the judges that judged Israel,
12 And the altars that it-ere on the top of the nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of
upper chamber of Ahaz,*^^ which the kings of Judah the kings of Judah ;''
had made, and the altars which Manasseh had 23 But in th.c eighteenth year of king Josiah,
made in the two courts of the house of the Lord,' wherein this passover was holdcn to the Lord in
did the king beat down, and brake them down from Jerusalem.
thence,^ and cast the dust of them into the brook 2-1 H Moreover the ivorkers with familiar spirits,i
Kidron. and the wizards, and the images,* and the idols,
13 And the high places that were before Jerusa- and all the abominations that were spied in the
lem, which icere on the right hand of the mount of land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah jiut
corruption,^ whieli Solomon the king of Israel had away, that ho might perform the words of the law."'
builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zi- which were written in the book that Hilkiah the
donians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the priest found in the house of the Lord.
Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the 25 And like unto him was there no king before
children of Amnion, did the king defile.^ him,'' that turned to the Lord with all his heart,
14 And he brake in pieces the images,^ and cut and with all his soul, and with all his might.' ac-
down the groves," and filled their places with the cording to all the law of Moses;" neither after him
bones of men. arose there «?)?/ like him.
15 1 Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, and 26 11 Notwitlistanding, the Lord turned not from
the high place which Jeroboam the sou of Nebat, the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his
who made Israel to sin, had made,' both that altar anger was kindled against Judah, because of all
and the high place he brake down, and burned tiie the provocations* that Manasseh had provoked
high place, and stamped it small to powder, and him withal.*'
burned the grove. 27 And the Lord said, I will remove Judah also
16 And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the out of my sight,"" as I have removed Israel,^ and
sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have cho-
and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burn- sen, and the house of which I said. My name shall
ed them upon the altar, and polluted it, according be there.y
to the word of the Lord which the man of God 28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all
proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.J that he did, are they not written in tlie book of the
IT Then he said. What title is that that I see? Chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And the men of
the city told him, It is tlie sepul- 29 [ In his days Pharaoh-necho king of Egypt
chre of the man
of God, which came from Judah, went up against the king of Assyria to the river
and proclaimed these things that thou hast done Euphrates:'' and king Josiah went against him;
against the altar of Beth-el." and he slew him at Megiddo," when he had seen
IS And he said. Let him alone let no man move : him.
his bones. So they let his bones alone,' with the 30 And his servants carried him in a chariot
bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria. dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusa-
19 And all the houses also of the high places lem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And
» 1 Sam. 2:36. b Isa. 30:3.3; Jer. 7::31. = Jnsh. 15:8. <1 Lev. \^:i\; 22:20; 1 Kings 1S:4U. •2Chr. 34:5. oExod. 12:3. etc.; .Num. 9:2; Dent.
Deul. 1S:10; Ezek. a:3:37, 39. • Or, eunuch, or officer, e Jer. 19:13; Zeph. 16:2,etc. p 2Chr. 3o:lS. 19. q ch. 21 :6; Rev. 22:15 "
Or. (erapAi'm. Gen.
1:5. f ch. 21:5. 1 Or, ran from tlience. : That is. the mount of Olives. 31:19. 'Lev. 19:31: 20:27; Dent. 18:11. « ch. l--;5. I 1 Kings ?:4b; .ler.
Si Kings 11:7. i Keb. statues. Ii Exod. 23:24; Num. .33:.i2; Dent. 7:5. 29:13. " i\eh. 10:2!!. lUeb. angers. » ch. 21 ;11, 12; 24:3, 1; Jer. 15:1.
25; Mio. 1:7. 1 Kings 12:4^, 33. J 1 KinRS 13:2. k 1 Kings 13:30. 31. "ch. 21:13. ich. 17:1S, 20; 1S:11. y 1 Kings 9:3. » 2 Chr. 35:20. etc.
I Heb. to escape. 2 Chr. 34:6, 7. H Or, sacrificed, m ch. 11:18; Exod.
1 »Zech. 12:11.

10. of the children of Hinnom; a deep valley


Tlie valley country. Josiah found himself able to go through the cities
on the south-east side of Jerusalem, m
which idolaters of Samaria and destroy their idolatrous places without mo-
made their children pass through fire in honor of their lestation from the distant Assyrian monarchs, who were
idol gods. already falling before tlie rising Chaldean empire.
12. The altars —
of Ahaz; which had been erected to l(i. 'The man of God ; 1 Kings 13:1-32.

idols. 17. Title; or, monument.


13. Mount of corruption; supposed Such a passover; with such solemnity, and in such
to be the mount of 22.
Olives. Ashtoreth — Chemosh— Milcom ; idol gods. accordance with the law of Moses, a copy of which
strict
15. The altar that wits at Beth-el ; consecrated to the wor- had recently been found in the temple.
ship of the golden calf set up by Jeroboam the son of 29. Mcf;iddo ; near the Kishon, and on the border of the
Nebat, 1 Kings 12:29. The kingdom of Israel no longer great plain of Esdraclon. The highway from Egypt to
existed, but many of the IsraeUtes remained in their own Assyria led by this place.
467
Jthoahaz and Jrhoiahim. 2 KINCS XXIV. Jchifiachin carried captive.

the iK'oplo of flio liiml fofik Jolioaliaz tlic son nf


Jo.-iiiili, and anoinli'd liini, and made him kinfr in
his fatlier's stead."
:il "i Jehoahaz' was twenty and three years old
wiien he Ix'iran to rci.irn, and he reij^ned tlirec
inontiis in Jerusalem. And his motlier's name* u-as
Hamiital. the (huiirhfer nf Jeremiaii of Lil)naii.''
32 And he did that ic/iic/i was evil in the sight of
the LoKii.aceordiuir to all that his fathers had done
8:J Atid Pharaoli-neeho ]iiit him in bands at Rilj-
lah in the landof Hamatli," that he might not reign*
in Jerusalem and put the land to a tribute' of a
;

Inmdred talents of silver, and a talent of gohl.


8-t And Pharaoh-nccho made Eliakitn the son of
Josiah king in the room of Josiaii his father, and
turned his name to Jehoiakim;' and took Jehoa-
haz away and he came to Egypt, and died there.''
:

35 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold


to Pharaoh;' but he taxed the land to give the
money according to the commandment of Pha-
raoh he exacted the silver and tiie gold of the
:

people of the land, of every one according to his


taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-neclio.
36 T Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old
when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven
years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name teas
Zebudah, tlie daughter of Pedaiah of Rumali.
37 And he did t/iat which was evil in the sight
of the Loud, according to all that his fathers had
done.

CHAPTER XXIV.
1 Jehoiakim, firstsubdued by Nebucluidnezzar, then rebelling against
him, procureth his own ruin. 5 Jehoiachin succeedeth him. 7 The
king of Egypt is vanquished by the king of Babylon. 8 Jehoiachin's
evil reign. 10 Jerusalem is taken and carried captive into Babylon.
17 Zedekiah is m.ade king, and reigneth ill unto the utter destruction
of Judah.

his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon


INcame and Jehoiakim became his servant
up,'^

three years then he turned and rebelled against


:

him.
2 And Lord sent against him bands of the
the
Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of
the Moabites, and bands of the children of Am-
a2Chr. 30:1,
:

Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem. 2 KINGS XXV. Judah is carried captive.

B.cm^' smitlis:" none reir.ainocl, save the poorest about: and the king went the way toward the
sort of the people of the huid.'' plain.''
15 And he carried away Jehoiacliin to Babylon, 5 And the army of the Chaldees pursued after
and the king's mother, and tiie king's wives, and the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jer-
his officers,' and tiie mighty of the land, those car- icho and all his army were scattered from him. :

ried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. 6 So they took the king, and brought him up
16 And all the men of might, even seven thou- to the king of Babylon to Riblah;' and they gave
sand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all judgment upon him.*
that were strong and apt for war, even tiiem the 7 And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his
king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon. eyes, and put out the eyes of* Zedekiah,^ and
17 IT And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah bound liim with fetters of brass, and carried him
his father's brother king in his stead, and changed to Babylon.
his name to Zedekiah.'^ 8 IT And in the fifth month, on the seventh day
18 Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king
he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-
in Jerusalem.'' And his mother's name was Ha- adan, captain of the guard ,^ a servant of the king
mutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah." of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:
19 And he did that which ivas evil in the sight 9 And he burnt the house of the Lord,'' and the
of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and
done. every great man's house burnt he with fire.'
20 For through the anger of the Lord it came 10 And all the army of the Chaldees, that were
to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast with the captain of the guard, brake down the
them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebel- w^alls of Jerusalem round about.™
led against the king of Babylon.'' 11 Now the rest of the people that were left in
the city, and the fugitives that fell away' to the
CHAPTER XXV. king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multi-
tude, did Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard
1 Jerusalem is besieged. 4 Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put
out. 8 Nebuzar-adan defaceth the city, carrieth the remnant, except carry away.
a iew poor laborers, into captivity, 13 spoiletli and carrieth away the 12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor
treasures. 18 The nobles are slain at Riblah. 22 Gredaliah. who
was set over them that remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt. of the land to be vine-dressers and husbandmen."
27 Evil-merodach advanceth Jehoiachm in his court. 13 And the pillars of brass that wei-e in the house
AND it came to pass in the ninth year of his
month, in the tenth day
reign, in the tenth
of the Lord, and the bases, and the brazen sea
that ivas in the house of the Lord," did the Chal-
of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Baby- dees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them
Ion came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, to Babylon.
and pitched against it;" and they built forts 14 And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuff-
against it round about. ers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass
2 And the city was besieged unto the eleventh wherewith they ministered," took they away.
year of king Zedekiah. 15 And the fire-pans, and the bowls, and such
3 And on the ninth day of t\io fourth month the things as wei-e of gold, in gold, and of silver, in
famine prevailed in the city, and there was no silver, the captain of the guard took away.
bread for the people of the land. IG The two pillars, one^ sea, and the bases which
4 IT And the city was broken up, and all the Solomon had made for the house of the Lord the ;

men of war fled by night by the way of the gate brass of all these vessels was without weight.
between two walls, which is by the king's garden 17 The height of the one pillar was eighteen
now the Chaldees were against the city round cubits,'' and the chapiter upon it was brass: and

»Jer. 21:1. b ch. 45:1-2. • Or, eunuc/is. c Jer. .37:1, etc. d Jer. 5-2:1, 12:1:3, etc. i Or, rhiefmarsliat. k 1 Kings 9:8; Psa. 79:1; Isa. 64:10. 11.
etc. e ch. •2:i:3l. ' -2 Chr. 36:1.3; Ezek. 17:15. P 2 Chr. .36:17. etc.; Jer. lAmos'2:5. mNeh. 1:3; Jer. 5-2:14, etc. 1 Heb. /a/fen ait-oy och. 34:14;
34:-2. etc.; .39:1, etc.; 5-2:4. etc.; £zck. •24:-2. etc. Ezek. l'2:l-.
1> Jer.4U:7. o Exod. -27:3; Jer. '27:19, etc.; IKings 7. 15--27. PlKings7:47,
2.3:3.3. t Heb. spakr. judgment with hin Heb. made blind, i Ezek. 50. 1 Heb. the one. 1 I Kings 7:15.

16. Men of might ; the warriors. Seven tliousand a thoiir — required and those who are distinguished by outward
;

sand; the sacred writer specifies certain classes of the ten privileges and blessings, if they abuse them will be dis-
thousand beforenamed. The other two thousand may tinguished in their punishment.
have been nobles and other principal men. The number
of ten thousand includes onlj- adult males, the women and CHAPTER XXV.
children that accompanied them not being reckoned. —
Between Iwo tvalls Ini the Icing's jiarden; this gate was
4.
INSTRUCTION'S. in the southern part of the city, near tlie pool of Siloani,
2. The Lord is never at a loss for instruments to punish Neh. 3:15. The double wall here mentioned was proba-
his rebellious people and though the wicked act out
; bly built across the valley that lies between Zion and
their enmity to him in opposing them, yet through them Ophel, at the mouth of which valley is the pool of Siloam.
he fulfils his declarations and accomplishes his wise and 5. T/ic plains of Jericho; the deep valley through which

holy designs. tlie Jordan flows and in which the Dead sea lies.

10. TliC Lord sometimes permits one class of wicked 10. Brake down the units; to prevent the inhabitants of
men to prevail against his people, and at other times an- .lerusalem from giving the king of Babylon any further
other but their own sins are the cause of their troubles, trouble.
;

and whoever may be their oppressors, he never suffers 16. The two pillars sea — —
bases; see the description of
them to inflict evils greater than their iniquities deserve. these in 1 Kings 7 15-47. Witluntt weight ; in such abun-
:

lii. To whom much is given, of them much will be dance, that the quantitj- and its value were not estimated.
469
:

The cAief ctiplivfs sitiin. 2 KI\(iS XXV. JcJioific/iin at Babylon.

tlio lu'i^'lit of tlic rlmpitor llircp nihils; ami tlic

wiiMtlii'ii work, iiml ]ioinc!rraiiiitc's u|ion the cliap-


ili'r al>oiit, all oflirass: ami like unto tlav'^u
rmiiid
hail thr sfcond pillar with wrcatlu'ii work.
18 AntI tlio captain of the fruaril took Scraiah
*

the chief prie.-<t," aiuJ Zephaiiiah the second ju-icst,''


ami the tliiro kec|)ers of the door:"
111 And out of the city lie took an officer* that

was set over the men of war, and live men of Iheiii
that were in the kiu'j's presence.' which were found
in the city, and the pri-ncipal gcribe of the host,*
wjiich mustered the i)eo])le of tiie land, and threc-
^core men of tiie people of tlie land t/iat wire found
in the city
20 And Xebuzar-adan c;i])taiu of 1he<ruard took
these, and brouj^ht them to tlie king of Babylon
to Kiblah:
'2\ And the king of Babylon smote them, and

slew them at Kiblah in the land of llamatli. So


Judah was carried away out of their land."=
22 T And as for the ])cople that remained in the
land of Judah, whom Nebuchailnezzar king of Bab-
ylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah
the son of Aliikam, the son of f^haphan, ruler.''
23 And when all the captains of the armies,
they and their men, heard that the king of ]5aby-
Inn had made Gedaliah governor, there eame to
Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Neth-
aniah, and Johanau the son of Careah, and Seraiali
the son of Tauhumeth the Netophathitc, and Jaaz-
aniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
a 1 Chr
THE FIRST BOOK
OF

THE CHRONICLES
It is generally agreed that the two books of the Chronicles were written after the return of the Jews

from the Babylonish captivity by Ezra, to whom the Jews unanimously ascribe the completion and arrange-
ment of the canon of the Old Testament. In the Hebrew canon they stand last in order. Whatever use
Ezra may have made of the books of Samuel and Kings, it is plain that these were not his chief sources,
for lie records many things not found in them. He compiled his narrative from the public records of the
two kingdoms of Judah and Israel, the same, in part at least, that were used by the writer of the books
of Kings. How far the particular works mentioned by him the book of Samuel the seer, the book of —
Nathan the prophet, the book of Gad the seer, 1 Cliron. 29:29; the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite,
2 Chron. 9:29; the visions of Iddo the seer, mentioned under various titles, 2 Chron. 9:29; 12:15;
13 22 the book of Shemaiah the prophet, 2 Chron. 12:15; the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, 2 Chron.
:
;

20 34 the writings of Isaiah the prophet, 2 Chron. 26:22; 32 32 the sayings of Hosai, 2 Chron. 33 19—
: ; : ; :

how far the above-named works were incorporated into these public annals, it is impossible to determine.
That the book of Jehu was thus inserted is certain. Sec note to 2 Chron. 20 34. :

That there are a few discrepancies between the books of Kings and of Chronicles, arising from errors
in transcribing, is generally admitted. These relate, however, mainly to dates, and do not affect the
general integrity of the works. Most of the apparent disagreements, however, between the two histories,
arise from their brevity, and from the fact that the two authors frequently select from the same reign
different events, the one passing by in silence what the other records or that, where they record the ;

same event, various accompanying circumstances are omitted. See, for example, 2 Kings 9 27, com- :

pared with 2 Chron. 22 9, and the accompanying note. :

The first nine chapters of the present book are made up principally of genealogies, probably designed
to point out the descent and location of the different tribes and families before the captivity and thus to ;

enable those who returned from Babylon to regain their former inheritance, and to establish the worship
of God according to his appointment. They appear also to have been designed to show the origin of the
human race ; that all men sprung from one human pair according to the account in Genesis, and that
according to the prophecies contained in Scripture our Saviour was the son of David, of Judah, and of
Abraham. These and subsequent genealogies were kept by the Jews with great care, and have been
and still are important to the ends for which they were written. They first trace the descendants of
Adam to Abraham ;
David and to Christ. But as these
and then give the line of his descendants, to
chapters are occupied principally with names, and suggest inquiries more particularly interesting to the
learned and critical student than to common readers, we shall not further notice them. The recapitulation
of the history of the Israelites commences with the tenth chapter.

B. C. 40M, etc CHAPTER I, 3 Henoch, Methu?clah, Lamech,


4 Noah,'' Shem,'' Ham, and Japheth.
1 Adam's line to Noah. 5 The sons of Japheth. 8 The sons of Ham.
17 The sons of Shem. 24 Shem's line lo Abraham. 29 Ishmael's 5 IT The sons of Japheth;'' Gomer, and Magoor,
sons. 32 The sons of Keturah. 34 The posterity of Abraham by and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meslicch,
Esau. 43 The kings of Edom. 51 The dukes of fidom.
and Tiras.

A i
DAM,"

Gen.
Sheth. Enosh,
2 Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,

4:2.5, 26; 5:3, 0. b Gen. 9:1; 10:1. 10:21-31. d Ge


6 And the sons of Gomer; Asbchcnaz, and Ei-
phath,* and Togarmah.'

• Or, Diphath, 'Ezek. 27:14: 3!-:fi.

471
1

Genealogical 1 CHRONICLES II. tables.

7 And (ho .^on? of Javau ; Elisliah, and Tartiliisli, 37 The pons of Uimel ; Naliath, Zcrah, a m 21.M.

Kittini. and nodanim.' .^liaininali, and .Mi/zah. ihm

8 T TIr' soui cil" Ham; Cutih, and Mi/.raim, I'ut, 3.S And sons of Scir; Lotan, and Shobal,
th('

and Canaan. anil Zibeon, and Anali,and Dishon, and Ezar, and
9 And tlio sons of Cusli; St-lia, and llavilali, ami Di.-lian.
Sabta. and Raaniali, and Sabtoi-lia. And the sous 3'.l And the sons of Lotan Hori, and Homam:^ ;

of Uaaniali Slioba, and Dedan.


; and Timna was Lotan's sister.
10 And C^u.-h begat Nimrod: he began to be 40 The sons of Shobal; Alian,* and Manahath,
niiijlity upon the earth. and Ebal, Sliephi,* and Onam. And the sons of
1 And ilizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Zibeon Aiah, and Anah.
;

Lehabiui, and Naphtuhim, 41 The sons of Anah; Dishon. And the sons
12 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (of whom of Dishon; Amram,* and Eshban, and Ithran, and
came tlie Philistines,) and Caphtoriin." Cheran.
13 And Canaan begat Zidou his lirst-born, and 42 The sons of Ezcr Bilhan, and Zavan, and
;

Ileth. Jakan.^ The sons of Dishan Uz, and Aran. ;

14 The Jobusite also, and the Anioritc, and the 43 IT Now these are the kings that reigned in
Girgashite, the land of Edom before any king reigned over
15 And the Hivite, and the Arkitc, and tlio fin- the children of Israel Bela the son of Bcor and
; :

ite, tiie name of his city was Dinhabah.


1 C And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the 44 And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of
Hamathite. Zcrah of Bozraii reigned in his stead.
IT The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and
1i 45 And when Jobab was dead, Ilusham of the
Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, land of the Temanitcs reigned in his stead.
and Gethcr, and Meshech.* 46 And wlien Ilusham was dead, Hadad the .son
18 And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shclah be- of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of
gat Eber. Moab, reigned in his stead and the name of his :

19 And unto Eber were born two sons the name : city was Avith.
of the one was Peleg ;* because in his days the earth 47 And when Hadad was dead, Samlah of Mas-
was divided: and his brother's name was Joktan. rekah reigned in his stead.
20 And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, 48 And when Samlali was dead, Shaul of Echo-
and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, both by the river reigned in his stead.
21 Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah, 49 And when Shaul was dead, Baal-hanan the
22 And Ebal, and Abimael, and Shcba. son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
23 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All 50 And when Baal-hanan was dead, Hadad'
these were the sons of Joktan. reigned in his stead: and the name of his city
24 1 Shem," Arphaxad, Shelah, luas Pai ;^ and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the
25 Elier, Peleg, Reu, daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
26 Serug, Nahor, Terah, 51 1 Hadad died also. And the dukes of Edom
27 Abram;'^ the same is Abraham. were; duke Timnah, duke Aliah,* duke Jetheth,
28 The sons of Abraham ; Isaac,'' and Ishmacl." 52 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
29 1 These are their generations The first-born : 53 Duke Kcnaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,
of Ishmael,'^ Nebaioth ; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and 54 Duke ilagdiel, duke Iram. These are the
Mibsam, dukes of Edom.
30 Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad,' and
Tema,
31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are CHAPTER II.
the sons of Ishraael. 1 The sons of Israel. 3 The posterity of Judah by Tamar. 13 The
32 1 Now the sons of Keturah,^ Abraham's con- children of Jesse. 18 The posterity of Caleb the son of Hezron. 2i
Hezron's posterity by the daughter of Machir. 25 Jerameel's posteri-
cubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Me- ty'. 34 Sheshan's posterity. 42 Another branch of Caleb's posterity.
dan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And oO The posterity of Caleb the son of Hur.
the sons of .Jokshan Sheba, and Dedan. ;
THESE
are the sons of Israel + Reuben, Sim- ;

33 And the sons of Midian Ephah, and Epher, ; eon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,
and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these 2 Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad,
arc tlie sons of Kcturah. and Asher."
34 And Abraham begat Isaac.'" The sons of 3 1 The sons of Judah Er, and Onan, and She- ;

Isaac: Esau and Israel.' lah:' which three were born unto him of the
35 11 The sons of Esau Eliphaz, Reucl, and daughter of Shua the Canaanitess.
; And Er, the
Jeusli, and Jaalam, and Korah.J first-born of Judah, was evil in the sight of the
36 The sons of Eliphaz; Tcman, and Omar, Lord, and he slew him.
Zeplii,' and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Ama- 4 And Tamar his daughter-in-law bare him Pha-
lek. rez and Zerali.™ All the sons of Judah were five.

Or, Rodanim, according to some copies, a Dent. 2:*23. t Or. Mask, Gen. 36:23. t Or. Shtpho, Gen. 36:23. 1 Or, Hemdan, Gen. 36:26. J Or,
Gen. 10:2.3. 1 That is, ZMcijion; Gen. 10:25. b Gen. 11:10, etc. t Gen. Alcan, Gen. 36:27. I Or, Hadar, Gan. 36:30. 1 Or, Pau, Gen. 30:39.
17:5. dGen. 21:2,3. e Gen. 16:11, 15. 'Gen. 25:13-16. SOr, iforfar, Gen. Or, Alrah. t Or, Jaeoi. n Gen. 29:32, etc.; 30:5, etc.; 35:18, etc.; 46:8,
25:15. E Gen. 25:1, etc. h Gen. 21:2,3. Gen. 25:25, 28. j Gen. 3(i:9, etc 1 Genesis 3d:3, etc.; 46:12; Numbers 26:19. n> Genesis 38:29, 30j

etc. I Or, ZepAo, Gen. 36:11. 1 Or, Hemon, Gen. 36:22. • Or, Alvan, Matthew 1:3.

412
1 : :

Genealusncal 1 CHRONICLES II.

A. M. 2275.
B. V. 1729,
5 The sons of Pharez ;
'
Hezron, and Ha-
'
32 And the sons of Jada the brother of Sham-
, „
<"' mul." mai Jether, and Jonathan and Jether died with-
; :

6 And
the sons of Zerah; Zimri,* and Ethan, out cliildren.
and Hcman, and Calcol, and Dara:* five of them 33 And the sons of Jonathan Peleth, and Zaza. ;

in all. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.


7 And the sons of Carmi Achar,* the troubler
; 34 TT Now Siieshan had no sons, but daughters.
of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.'' And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose
8 And the sons of Ethan; Azariah. name was Jarha.
9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto 35 And Siieshan gave his daughter to Jarha his
him Jerahmeel, and Ram,^ and Chelubai.'
; servant to wife; and she bare him Attai.
10 And Ram begat Amminadab;" and Ammin- 36 And Attai begat Nathan, and Nathan begat
adab begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Zabad,"
Judah;"* 37 And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat
1 And Nahshon begat Salma,^ and Salma begat Obed,
Boaz, 38 And Obed begat Jehu, and Jehu begat Aza-
12 And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse. riah,
13 \\ And Jesse begat his first-born Eliab,'' and 39 And Azariah begat Helez, and Helez begat
Abinadab the second, and Shimma* the third, Eleasah,
14 Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, 40 And Eleasah begat Sisamai, and Sisamai be-
15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh gat Shallum,
16 Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. 41 And Shallum begat Jekamiah, and Jekamiah
And the sons of Zeruiah ; Abishai, and Joab, and begat Elishama.
"^

Asaliel, three. 42 IT Now the sons of Caleb" the brother of Je-


17 And Abigail bare Amasa:^ and the father rahmeel 7cere, Mesha his first-born, which was the
of Amasa ivas Jether the Ishmaelite.'' father of Zipli and the sons of Mareshah the fa- ;

18 "[ And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children tlier of Hebron.
of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are 43 And the sons of Hebron Korah, and Tap- ;

these Jeshcr, and Shobab, and Ardon.


; puah, and Rekem, and Shema.
19 And wlien Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto 44 And Sliema begat Raham, the father of Jor-
him Ephrath, which bare him Hur." koam: and Rekem begat Shammai.
20 And Hur begat Uri, and Uri begat Bezaleel.' 45 And the son of Shammai was Maon and Maon :

21 IT And afterward Hezron went in to the daugh- was the father of Beth-zur.
ter of Machir the father of Gilead,J whom he mar- 46 And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bare Haran,
ried' when he was threescore years old; and she and Moza, and Gazez: and Haran begat Gazez.
bare him Segub. 47 And the sons of Jahdai Regem, and Jo- ;

22 And Segub begat Jair, who had three and tham, and Geshan, and Relet, and Ephah, and
twenty cities in the land of Gilead. Shaapli.
23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the 48 Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bare Sheber. and
towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the Tirhanah.
towns thereof, even threescore cities." All these 49 She bare also Shaaph the father of Madman-
belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead. uah, Slieva the father of Machbenah, and the fa-
24 And after that Hezron was dead in Caleb- ther of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was
ephratali, then Abiah, Hezron's wife, bare him Achsa.""
Ashur the father of Tekoa.' 50 "S These were the sons of Caleb the .son of
25 ^ And the sons of Jerahmeel the first-born Hur, the first-born of Ephratah;^ Shobal the fa-
of Hezron were, Ram the first-born, and Bunah, ther of Kirjath-jearim,
and Oren, and Ozem, and Ahijah. 51 Salma the father of Beth-lchom, Harcph the
26 Jerahmeel had also another wife, whose name father of Beth-gader.
was Atarah she was the mother of Onam.
; 52 And Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim had
27 And the sons of Ram the first-born of Jerah- sons; Haroeh,' and half of the Manahetliites.^
meel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker. 53 And the families of Kirjath-jearim the Ith- ;

28 And the sons of Onam were, Shammai, and rites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and
Jada. And the sons of Shammai; Nadab, and the Mishraites of them came the Zareathites, and ;

Abishur. the Eshtaulites.


29 And the name of the wife of Abisliur was 54 The sons of Salma Beth-lehem, and the Neto- ;

Ablhail, and she bare him Ahban, and Molid. phatliites, Ataroth, the house of Joab,* and half of
30 And the sons of Nadub Seled, and Appaim ; the Manahcthitcs, the Zorites.
but Seled died without children. 55 And the families of the scribes which dwelt
31 And the sons of Appaim; Ishi. And the at Jabcz; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and
sons of Ishi Sheshan. And the children of She- Suchathites.
; These are the Kenites that came of
shan ;™ Ahlai. Hemath,i the father of the house of Rechab."'
> Genesis 46:12; Ruth 4:18. • Or, Zairfi, Joshua
7: 1
. f Or, Carrfo. I Or, 27:1. I Heb. look, k Numbers 32:41; Deuteronomy 3: 14 Joshua 13:.10.
;

I> Joshui 6:18; S Or, ylram, Matthew 1:.3. 4.


AeJian. 7:1,25. lOr.Cal/f,. lchap.4:5. inver.34.35. n chap. 11:41. over.9. p Joshua l.i: 17. » Or,
ver. l-. 42. ' Ruth 4:19, 20. i Numbers 1:7. 1 Or. Salmon, Ruth 4:2ll Ephralk, ver. 19. I Or, Kmio*, chap. 4:2. 1 Or, half of llie Mtnmhilts,
e 1 Samuel 16:6, etc. • Or, Sliammah, 1 Samuel 16:9. ' 2 Samuel 2IS. or Hatsibam-menuchoth. ' Or, Atarites,
or croif;i* of the house of Joab.
t 2 Sam. 17:25. t Ithra, an IsratliU. t ver. 50. i Exodus 31:2. J Num. q Judges 1:1G. r Jeremiah 35:2.

473
:

Gtntalogical 1 CHRONICLES IV. tables.

CIIAl'TER III. CHAPTER IV.


1 The MM of Pavid. 10 III- lino In ZiJekiah. 17 The 1,11 Tlio ponlority of JuJul. by Cakb Ih., k.ii of Hur. 5 Of A.l.ur the
J«oinoh. imitliuliiinis ton of ]{i-zrnn. Of hM-i. nn<l liii prayer. 21 The
l>osU'rity of Shi'lah. U-l The po«u-rilv una citit« of Simoon. 39 Their

NOW these were the sons of David, wliicli were


l)orn unto liiin in Ilpliron; tlie first-born
i-i.iitjucfct

''T'^HE
ofGeJor, and of the Aiimluuiit-s in mount Seir.

sous of Judah;'' I'harcz, Hczron, and


Amnnn," ol'AliiMnMni tlii- Jczroolitoi's:'' the second, J.. (Jarnii,^ and Hur, and Shobal.
Daniel,' of Alji^^ail the Carnielite.-^s :
2 And lleaiah' the son of Shobal begat Jahath ;

2 The tiiird, Alisaioin the son of Maaelmh the and Jahath begat Ahiiniai, and Lahad. These
of Talniai Icing of Gcsiiur: the fourtii,
daiiL'liter arc the families of the Zoratiiites.
Adoiiijah tlic son nf Ilairfrith :
3 And these were of the father of Etam ;
Jezrcel,
3 The fifth. Shejiiiatiah" of Abital: tlic sixtli, Itli-
and Lshma. and Idbash: and the name of their
ream by Eghiii his wife. sister was Ilazelelponi:
4 These six were born unto him in Hebron and 4 And Peiiuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the
;

tlierc he reigned seven years and six niontlis father of Iliishah. Tlu.'se are the sons of Hur, the
and in Jerusalem lie reigned thirty and tlirec iirst-born of Ephrataii, the father of Beth-lehem.
years.'= 5 '\ And Ashur the father of Tckoa had two
5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; wives, Helali and Naarali.
Shiniea,* and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, () And Naarali bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher,
four, of Bath-shua' the daughter of Aiiiniiel:-^ and Tenicni, and Haahashtari. These were the
6 Ibhar also, and Elishama,' and Eliphelet, sons of Naarali.
7 And Xogah, and Nc|)lieir, and Japhia, 7 And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezo-
8 And Elishama, and Eliada,^ and Eliphelet, ar, and Etlinan.
nine. 8 And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the
9 These were all the .sons of David, besides the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.'' 9 1i And Jabez was more honorable than his
10 If And Solomon's son %vas Reholjoam, Abia* brethren :' and his mother called his name Jabez,^
his son, Asa his son, Jchoshaphat his son, saying, Because 1 bare him with sorrow.
11 Joram his sou, Ahaziah* his sou, Joash his 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, say-
son, ing. Oh that thou wouldcst* bless me indeed, and
12 Amaziah his son, Azariah* his son, Jotham enlarge my coast, and that thy hand might be
his son, with mo. and that thou wouldcst keep me* from
13 Ahaz his son, Ilezekiah his son, Manasseh his evil, that it may not grieve me! And God grant-
son, ed him that which he requested.
14 Amon his son, Josiah his son. 11 tAnd Chelub the brother of Shuah begat
15 And the sons of Josiah were, the first-l)orn Mehir, which u-as the father of Eshton.
Johanan,^ the second Jelioialcim,' the third Zede- 12 And Eshton begat Beth-rapha, and Paseah,
kiah.' the fourtli Shalliim. and Tohinuah the father of Irnahash.* These are
16 And the sons of Jehoiakim; Jeconiah* his the men of Rechah.
son, Zedekiah his son. 13 And tlie sons of Kenaz Othniel, and Sera- ;

17 % And the sons of Jeconiah Assir, SalathieP iali: and the sons of Othniel; Hathath.
;

his son, 14 And Meonothai begat^ Ophrah: and Seraiah


IS Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, begat Joab, the father of the valley' of Chara-
Jecaiuiali, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. sliim;^ for they were craftsmen.*
19 And the sous of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, 15 And tlie sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh;
and Sliiinei and the sons of Zerubbabel Meshul- Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even
: ;

lain, and Hananiah, and Shclomith their sister: Kenaz.'


20 And Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and 16 And the sons of Jehaleleel Ziph, and Ziphah, ;

Hasadiah, Jushabiiosed, five. Tiria, and Asareel.


21 And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and 17 And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered,
Jesaiah the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, and Epiicr, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and
:

the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah. Siiammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
22 And the sons of Shechaniah Shemaiah and 18 And his wife Jehudijah* bare Jered the fa-
;
:

the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and ther of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho,
Bariah, and Ncariah, and Shaphat, six. and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these
23 And the sons of Neariah Elioenai, and Heze- are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh,
;

kiah,* and Azrikam, three. which Mered took.


24 And tlu! sons of Elioenai were.Hodaiah, and 19 And the sons of his wife Hodiah* the sister
Eliashib, and Pclaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and
and Dalaiah, and Anani, seven. E.shtemoa the Maachathite.
» 2 Samuel 3:2, etc. b 1 Samuel ISAi, 43. •
Or, ChiUnb. 2 Samuel 24:6; or Coniak, Jeremiah 22:24. t Heb. Shealliel. I Heb. Hiskijnhu.
3:3. c 2 Samuel 5:4, 14, etc. t Or. Stemmua, 2 Sam. 5: 14. i Or, Bntkshe- e Genesis 46: 12. 5 Or, Chelubni, chap. 2, 9; or Caleb, oh. 2: IS. I Or, Harc^
4ii,2Samuel 11:3. S Or, Etiam, 2 Samuel 11:3. I Or. Elixhiia, 2 S.imuel eA, chap. 2:5i f Genesis 34: IS). 1 That is, Sorro!«/u;. • \leh. If thou wilt.
6:15. ^ Or, Beeliada.ch.U-.T. li
2 Samuel 1.7:1. -Or Aiiinm Kings I t Heb. dame : Or, The city of Nahash S Or, Hathath, and Mconothai,
t Or, Azariah, 2 Chronicles 22:0 Jehoahaz. C ".2 :17. who begat. H Or, inhabitants of the valley. 1 That is. Craftumen. 5 Ne-
1 Or. Vzziah, 2 Kings 15:30. i Or, Jelioa. aKings2:!::ill. Or. Etinki: ! iah 11:35. • Or, Uknaz. 1 Or, The Jewess, t Or, /eAiidyo/i, mentioned
2 Kings 23:34. 1 Or, Maltaniah, 2 Kings 24: 17. Or, Jehoiachiiij 2 Kings
' I before
474
: : : ; :

Genealogical tables. 1 CHRONICLES V. Smis of Reube}i and Gad.

A M. 20 And the sons of Shimon ivere, Amnon,


2704. 42 And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon,
fiV. and Rinnah, Ben-lianan, and Tilon. And five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for
'

tlio sons of Ishi tverc, Zoheth, and Bcn-zoheth. their captains Pelatiah, and Ncariah, and Repha-
21 1 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, iah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of 43 And they smote the rest of the Amalekites
Mareshah, and the families of tiie house of them that were escaped,'' and dwelt there unto this day.
tluit wroun;ht fine linen, of the house of Ashbca,
22 And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Jo-
ash, and Sara])h, wlio had the dominion in Moab, CHAPTER V.
and Jashubi-lehem. And these are ancient things. 1 The line of Ucuben (wlio lost his birthright) unto the captivity. 9
Their habitation and conquest of the Hagarites. 11 The rhief men
23 These were the potters, and tiiose that dwelt
and habitations of Gad. IS The number and conquest of Reuben,
among plants and hedges there they dwelt with
: Gad, and the half of Manasseh. 23 The habitations and chief men of
the king for his work. that half tribe. 25 Their captivity for their sin.

24 1 The sons of Simeon were, Nemuel," and


Jamin, Jarib,* Zerah, and Shaul
NOW Israel
the sons of Reuben the first-born of
for he icas the first-born ;'' but, foras-
:

25 Shalluni his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his much as he defiled his father's bed,'' liis birthright
son. was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of
2G And the sons of Mishma; Hamuel his son, Israel and the genealogy is not to be reckoned
; ''

Zacchur his son, Shimei his son. after the birthright


27 And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daugh- 2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren,'^ and
ters but his brethren had not many children, of him came the chief ruler
; but the birthright ;
"

neither did all their family multiply, like to* the was Joseph's
children of Judah. 3 The sons, I say, of Reuben the first-born of Is-
28 And they dwelt at Beer-sheba, and Moladah, rael iccre, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.''
and Hazar-shual, 4 The sons of Joel Shemaiah his son, Gog his ;

2'J And at Bilhah,* and at Ezem, and at Tolad,' son, Shimei liis son,
30 And at Bethuel, and at Hormab, and at Zik- 5 Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son,
lag, 6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser' king
31 And at Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susim,' of Assyria carried away captive : he was prince of
and at Beth-birei, and at Shaaraim. These were the Reubenites.
their cities unto the reign of David. 7 And his brethren by their families, -when the
32 And their villages luere, Etam," and Ain, Rim- genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were
mon, and Tocheu, and Ashan, five cities the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
33 And all their villages that were round about 8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shenia,*
the same cities, unto Baal.^ These ivere their hab- the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer,' even unto
itations, and their genealogy.* Ncbo and Baal-meon
34 And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the 9 And eastward he inhabited unto the entering
son of Amaziah, in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates:
35 And Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the because their cattle were multiplied in the land of
son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, Gilead.^
36 And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, 10 And in the days of Saul they made war with
and Asaiah. and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah, the Hagarites,'' who fell by their hand and they :

37 And Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, dwelt in their tents throughout all the cast* la7id
the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of of Gilead.
Shemaiah ;
11 1l And the children of Gad dwelt over against
38 These mentioned ^ by their names were princes them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah:'
in their families: and the house of their fathers 12 Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and
increased greatly. Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan.
39 1 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, 13 And their brethren of the house of their fa-
even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pas- thers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba,
ture for their flocks. and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven.
40 And they found fat pasture and good, and 14 The.se are the children of Abihail the son of
the land icas wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the
t/ici/ of Ham had dwelt there of old. son of Michael, the son of Jesliishai, the son of
41 And these written by name came in the days Jahdo, the son of Buz ;

of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief
and the habitations that were found there, and of the house of their fathers.
destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt 16 And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan. and in
in their rooms:" because there was pasture thei'e her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon,™ upon
for their flocks.'' their borders.*

•Or, Jemuei, Genesis 46:10; Exodus6:I5; Numbers 26: 12, t Or. JufAm, d Genesis 29:32. e Genesis 35:22. f Genesis 48:15. s Genesis 49:8, 10;
Zo/inr. ! Helirow, uiilo » Or, B(i(a/i, Joshua ID;). I Or. Eilotorf, Joshua Psalm 60:7; Micah 5:2; Hebrews 7:14. I Or, prince, h Genesis 46:9;
10:1. 1 Or, Hiinr-JlwaA, Joshua 19:5. Or, £lAer, Joshua 19:7. t Or, Exodus 6:14; Numbers 26:5. 1 Or, Tiglath-piUser. 2Kings 15:29; 10:7.
i5(w^a//i';«r, Joshua 19:9. 1 Or, a* they divided themselves by nations among • Or, 5*«naiVi, ver. 4. Joshua 13: 16. J Joshua 22:9. k Genesis 25:12;
i

them, t Heh. coming. » 2 Kings 18:?', etc. 1> Numbers 32: 1-1. 'Exodus Psalm 8:1:6. t Heb. vjton all the fare of the east. Joshua 13:11. » chap. '

17:16; Deuteronomy 25:17, 19; 1 Samuel 15:S; 3U:I7; 2 Samuel 8:12. 27:29; Song 2:1. Hi^h. goings forth.
475
Israelites btiforul Jurdan. I ("imONICLES VI. T/if sons of Levi.

17 All tlii'sf wfiv rcckniicil l>y gcuciiloj^Mi's in (i And Uzzi liegatZerahiah,andZerahiali ^ »" koi.
tho (lays olMotliiun kiiii; ot'.ludali," and in the days begat Meraioth, iriui. iw.

of .Iciolioaiii kiiii: of Israel.'' 7 Meraioth begat Amariah, and Ainariah begat


is " The sons of Kculion, and the Gadiles, and Ahitub,
hair llic tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men,* men 8 And Ahitub begat Zadok,'' and Zadok begat
able to bear Imikler and sword, and to slioot with Ahimaaz,
bow. and skilful in war, iwrf four and forty tliuu- It And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, aud Azariah be-

sand seven hundred and threescore, that went out gat .lohanan,
to the war. 10 And .lohanan begat Azariah; he it is that
I'.t And they made war with the Ilagarites,'^ with executed the priest's oflice in the temple'' that
Jettir. and Nephish, and Nodab. Solomon built in Jerusalem:"
20 And they were helped against them, and the 11 And Azariah begat Amariah,'' and Amariah
Ilagarites were delivered into their hand,"' and all begat Ahitub,
that icerc with them: for they cried to God in the 12 And Ahitub begat Zadok, aud Zadok begat
battlc.*^^ and he was entreated of them; because Shallum,"
they put their trust in him.' 13 And Shallum begat Hilkiah,and Hilkiah be-
121 And they took away' their cattle; of their gat Azariah,
camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundi'cd 14 And Azariah begat Seraiah," and Seraiah
and lifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, begat Jehozadak,
and of men' a hundred thousand. 15 And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the
22 For there fell down many slain, because tho Lord carried away Jiidah aud Jerusalem by the
war was of God." And they dwelt in their steads hand of Nebuchadnezzar.'
until the captivity.'' 16 1 The sons of Levi; Gershom,' Kohath, and
23 1 And the children of the half tribe of Ma- Merari.
nasseh dwelt in the land they increased from
: 17 And these be the names of the sons of Ger-
Bashan unto Baal-Hermon and Scnii", and unto shom Libni, and Shimei.
;

mount Hcrmon. 18 And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and


24 And these were the heads of the house of Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Elicl, 19 The sous of Merari Mahli, and Mushi.
; And
aud Azricl, and Jeremiah, and Ilodaviah, and these are the families of the Levites according to
Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous mcu,^ and their fathers.
heads of the- house of their fathers. 20 Of Gershom ; Libni his son, Jahath his son,
2.5
•'
Andthey transgressed against the God of Zimmah his son,
their fathers, and went a whoringafter the gods 21 Joah* his son, Iddo^ his son, Zerah his son,
of tlie ))coj)Ie of the land,' whom God destroyed Jeaterai' his son.
before tliem. 22 The sons of Kohath Amminadab^ his son, ;

26 And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit Korah his son, Assir his son,
of Pul king of Assyria,J and the spirit of Tilgath- 23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and
pilnescr king of Assyria, and he carried them Assir his son,
away, even the Reubeuitcs, and the Gadites, and 24 Tahatli his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son,
the half tribe of Manasseh, aud brought them unto and Shaul* his son,
Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river 2.5 And the sons of Elkanah Amasai, and Ahi- ;

Gozan, unto this day." moth.


26 ./3s for Elkanah the sons of Elkanah Zo- : ;

phai' his son, and Nahath* his son,


CHAPTER VI. 27 Eliab his son, Jerohamhisson, Elkanah hisson.
1 The sons of Levi. 4 The line of the priests unto the captivity. Ifi
The families
28 And the sons of Samuel the first-born Yash- ;
of Gershom, Merari, and Kohath. 49 The office of
Aaron, and his line unto Ahimaaz. 54 The cities of the priests and ni,^ and Abiah.
Levites.
29 The sons of Merari Mahli, Libni his son,
;

THE sons
Merari.
of Levi;' Gershon,' Kohath, and Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his
2 And the sons of Koliath ; Amram, Izhar,"' and son.
Hebron, and Uzziel. 31 And these arc they whom David set over the
3 And the children of Amram ; Aaron, and service of song in the house of the Lord, after that
Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; the ark had rest."
Nadab aud Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar." 32 And they ministered before the dwelling-
4 1i Eleazar begat Phinehas," Phinehas begat place of the tabernacle of the congregation with
Abishua, singing, until Solomon had built the house of the
5 And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Lord in Jerusalem and t/ien they waited on their
:

Uzzi, office according to their order.

«2KiaKS 15:32. b a Kines 14:10. •Keh.sonsofralor. f ver. 10 d ver 8:17. ^ Heb. house, q 2 Chr. 26:17. ' Ezra 7:3. • Or. Meshullam. ch.
22. e 2Chr. 18:31. f 2 Chr. 14:11; Psa.
2>:4, 5; 84:11. 12. t Heb. led 9:11. 'Neh. 11:11. I 2 Kings 25:18. t Or, GjriAon, ver. 1. \ Or, Elhan,
aiplwe. 1 Heb. soi/iso/meii; as Num. 31:35. e Josh. 23:10, 2 Chr. 3a:8. ver. 42. Or, Adaiah, ver. 41.
5 I Or, Ethni, ver. 41. 1 Or, Jzhar. ver.
Ii
2 Kings 15:29; 17:B. iKeb. nun of names, i 2 Kings 17:7-18. J 2 Kinja 2, 18. •
Or, Zephaniah, Ai.aria/i, Joel, verso 35. t Or, Zupk, ver. 35-
p:19. k2Kingsl8:ll. ' Gen. 40:11 ,\um. 26:57. I Or, GcwAom, ver.
; 1 Samuel 1:1. 1 Toah, ver. 34. 8 CaUed also Joel, ver. 33; 1 Samuel 8:2.
16. "ver.22; Exod.6;21,24. n Lev. 10:1, 16. o Nam. 25:11, 13.
P 2 Sam. u chap. 16:1.
476
: :: :

The families of 1 CHRONICLES VI. the sons of Levi.

A. M. 2721 33 And
these are tliey that waited* with 58 And Hilen' with her suburbs, Debir with her
\-!ii).'"w. their children. Of tlie 8ons of the Ko- suburbs,
hathites, Heman a singer,'' the son of Joel, the son 59 And Ashan* with her suburbs, and Beth-she-
of Shemuel, mesh with her suburbs:
34 The son of Ellcanah, the son of Jeroham, 60 And out of the tribe of Benjamin Geba with ;

the sou of Eliel, the son of Toah,* her suburbs, and Alemeth* with her suburbs, and
35 The son of Zuph,* the son of Elkanah, the son Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities
of Mahath, the son of Amasai, throughout their families u-ere thirteen cities.
36 The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel,^ the son 61 And unto the sous of Kohath, v^fiich were left
of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, of the family of that tribe,' were cities given out
37 The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of
of Ebiasaph," the son of Korah, Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
38 The son of Izhar, the son of Kokath, the son 62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their
of Levi, the son of Israel. families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of
39 And his brother Asaph,"^ who stood on his the tribe of Ashcr, and out of the tribe of Naph-
right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the tali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan,
sou of Shimea, thirteen cities.
40 The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the 63 Unto the sous of Merari ^ were given by lot,
son of Malchiah, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reu-
41 The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah," the son ben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the
of Adaiah, tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
42 The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son 64 And the children of Israel gave to the Le-
of Sliimei, vites these cities with their suburbs.
43 The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the 65 And
they gave by lot out of the tribe of the
son of Levi. children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the
44 And their brethren the sons of Merari stood children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the
on the left hand Ethan ''' the son of Kishi,' the
: children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called
son of Abdi, the sou of Malluch, by their names.
45 The sou of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, 66 And the residue of the families of the sons of
the son of Hilkiah, Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe
46 The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of of Eiihraim."
Shamer, 67 And they gave unto them, q/"the cities of ref-
47 The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son uge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her sub-
of Merari, the sou of Levi. urbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
48 Their brethren also the Levites were appoint- 68 And Jokmcam with her suburbs,^ and Beth-
ed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle horon with her suburbs,
of the house of God.' 69 And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gath-
49 1 But Aaron and his sons ofiFered upon the rimmon with her suburbs
altar of the burut-ofl'ering." and on the altar of 70 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh Aner ;

incense,'* and were appointed for all the work of the with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs,
place most holy, and to make an atonement for for the family of the remnant of the sons of Ko-
Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of hath.
God had commanded. 71 Unto the sons of Gershom were given, out of
50 And these are the sons of Aaron;' Eleazar the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in
his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her
51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, suburbs
52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub 72 And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh
his son, with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. 73 And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem
54 ?[ Nowthesearctheir dwelling-places through- with her suburbs
out their castles iu their coasts, of the sons of 74 And out of the tribe of Asher Mashal with ;

Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites:^ for her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
theirs was the lot. 75 And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob
55 And they gave them Hebron in the land of with her suburbs
Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it. 76 And out of the tribe of Naphtali Kedesh in ;

56 But the fields of the city, and the villages Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her
thereof, they gave to Calel) the son of Jephunneh.'' suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities 77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were
of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and given, out of the tribe of Zobulun, Rimmou with
Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eslite- her suburbs. Tabor with her suburbs:
moa, with their suburbs. 78 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on


Heb. stood. « Psa. 88, title, t Naliath. ver. ?B. : Or, Zopliai. t S/iaul. fc Exodus 30:7. i ve'r. 4-8. J Joshua 21. k Joshua 14:13: 15:13. • Or,
Vzziak. Uriel, ver. al. Exodus 0:41. « Neliemiah 7:44; Psalm
1> 7.i, etc., Holon, Joshua 'Jl 15. t Or, Ain, Joshua 21 :16. I Or, Almon. Joshua 21 18.
: :

titles, i ver. il. I Called Jedulliun, chap. 8:11); -iSA. 3, 6. t Psalm ^(1, 1 ver. (iG. m Numbers 3:20. a ver. 61. 5 Joshua 21:21-35, where many of
title. 1 Or, KusAaiaA. chap. 15.17. ' Numbers 8:5-11. e Leviticus 1 9.: these cities have other names,
477
. :

Sons of Issadiar, Ufiijamin, 1 ("IIHONICLES VII. Manassch, Ephraim, aiid Asher.

llioOMst side of .lonliiii, mrv triim them, out of 14 •The sons of Manassch; Ashriel. }, »V f^'*"-
the liil)e of Heiilien. Jic/cr in ttic wil(ienics.s with whom she bare; (but iiis conculiine the "c

liiT suluirlis, anil .lali/.ali witii iier suljurbs," Arainitess bare Macliir tiie fatiier of (lilead
T'.l KeiieniDtli alsii witii her suburbs, and Mc- l.'j And Macliir took to wife the sister of lliijipiin

jiliaalliwith her siihurl)s: and Shuppim,' whose sister's naiiie«a.v Maaeliah ;)


SI) Anil out of the tribe of Gatl Ramoth in ; and the name of the second was ZelopLehad and :

(lileail with her t^uburbs,'' and Slahanaini with her Zelophehad had daughters.
suliurbs," 1() And Maachali the wife of Macliir bare a son,

,si And rieslibon with her s^ubuibs, and Jazcr and she called his name I'eresh and the name of ;

witii her suburbs. his lirother was Sheresh; and his sons wire Ulam
and Rakcra.
17 And the sons of Ulam; Bcdan.' These wwe
CHAPTEU VII. the sons of Gilead, the son of Macliir, the son of
1 The sons of Issschsr, 6 of Benjamin, 13 of Napluali, 14 of Manassch, Manasseh.
~' "
20, 24 and. of- Ephraim.
.
2\ The calamity ot Ephraim by the men
-

of Gath. 23 Beriah is born. 128 Ephraim's habitations. 30 Tlie 18 And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and
sons of Ashcr. Abiezer,' and Malialah.
Xy W tiie sons of Issachar jwre, Tola, and Puah,' 19 And the sons of Shemidah wei-e, Ahian, and
jL\ Jaslnib, and Siiimroii, four.'' Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
2 And Uzzi, and Rephaiah,
the sons of Toki ; 20 11 And the sons of Ephraim ;'' Shuthelah, and
and Jeriel, and and Jibsani, and Shemuel,
.Jahniai, Bered his son, and Taliath his son, and Eladali his
heads of their fatiier's liouse, to wit, of Tola: they sou, and Taliath his son,
wire valiant men of might in their generations; 21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthclah his son,
whose nunil)er was in the daj-s of David two and and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that
twenty tliousand and six Innidred.'' were born in that land slew, because they came
3 And tlie sons of Uzzi Jzrahiali: and the sons; down to take away their cattle.
of Izrahiali Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishi-
; 22 And Ephraim their father mourncil many
ali, five: all of them chief men. days,' and came to comfort him.'"
his brethren
4 And with tliem, by their generations, after the 23 T And when he went in to his wife, she con-
house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for ceived and bare a son, and he called his name Be-
war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had riah,^" because it went evil with his house."
many wives and sons. 24 (And his daughter was Sherali, who built
.5 And their brethren among all the families of Bcth-horon the nether, and the upper, and Uzzen-
Issachar were valiant men of might,*^ reckoned in shcrah.)
all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thou- 25 And Rcphah icas his son, also Resheph, and
sand. Telah his son, and Talian his son,
6 T The sn7is of Benjamin ;« Bela, and Becher, 26 Laadan his son, Aminihud his son, Elishama
and Jediael, three. his son,
7 And and Uzzi, and
the sons of Bela; Ezbon, 27 Non* his son, Jehosliuah his son.
Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the 28 \ And their possessions and habitations were,
Jiouse of their fathers, mighty men of valor and Beth-el and the towns thereof, and eastward Naa-
;

were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and ran,'' and westward Gezcr, with the towns* there-
two tliousand and tliirty and four. of; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto
8 And the sons of Becher Zemira, and Joash, Gaza* and the towns thereof:
;

and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jeri- 29 And by the borders of the children of Ma-
moth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. nassch,'' Beth-shean and her towns, Taanach and
All these are the sous of Becher. her towns, Megiddo and her towns. Dor and her
9 And the number of them, after their geneal- towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the
ogy by their generations, heads of the house of son of Israel.
tlieir fathers, mighty men of valor, was twenty 30 TT The sons of Asher ;" Imnah, and Isuali, and
thousand and two hundred. Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
10 Tiie sons also of Jediael Billian: and the sons 31 And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Mal-
;

ofBillian; Jeush,andBenjainin,aiid Eiiud,andClie- cliiel, who is the father of Birzavith.


naanali, and Zethan, and Tarshish, and Aliishahar. 32 And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer,^ and
11 All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads Hothain, and Shua their sister.
of their fathers, mighty men of valor,** were seven- 33 And the sons of Japhlet Pasaeh, and Bim- ;

teen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go hal, and Ashvath. These are the children of
out for war and battle. Japhlet.
12 Shuppim also, and Huppim,* the children of 34 And the sons of Shamer ;" Ahi, and Rohgah,
Ir,' and Hushim, the sons of Aher.^ Jehubbah, and Aram.
13 1 The sons of Naphtali Jahziel, and Guni, 35 And the sons of his brother Helem Zophah,
; ;

and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah. and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
" Deuteronomy 4:41-1.3. b ] Kings 22:3, etc. <: Ginesis
32:2; 2 Samuel S6:.30. k Numbers 26:35. 1 Genesis .37:34. m Job 2:11. T That is, /n
1T-J4. 27. • Pfiuvah. Job. ^l
Genesis 4«: 13; Numbers 28:2:1. e cliap. t?: 1 evil, n Genesis 3o;lS; 1 Samuel 4:21. o 2 Samuel 2.3:o. * Or, Nun,
'ciap. 12:32. s chap, b:!, etc. Genesis 46:91; h 2 Clironioles 17:13, etc.
. Numbers 13:8, 16. P Joshua 16:7. t Hebrew, daughters. I Or. Arlasa.
1 S/tiipham and Hupham, Numbers 26:39. J Or. Iri. verse 7. S Or. Alti- q Joshua 17:7, 11. r Genesis 46:17; Numbers 26:44. ! Shamer, verse 34.
ram. .Numbers 26: 3S. verse 12.
i
i 1 Samuel 12:11. I Jezer. Numbers I Shomci .32.
478
; ; : ; : ;

Sons of Benjamin. 1 CHRONICLES IX. Inhabitants of Jerusalem.

A. M 36 The sons of Zophah Suah, and Har-


23C0. ; 2.5 And Iphedeiah, and Pcneul, the sons of Sha-
'•'": nepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrali,
'
shak ;

37 Bezer, and Hod, and Sliamma, and Sliilshah, 26 And Shamshcrai, and Shehariah, and Atha-
and Itliran, and Beera. liali,

38 And tlie sons of Jether; Jepliunneh, and 27 And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons
Pispali, and Ara. of Jcroliam.
3U And
the sons of Ulla Arah, and Haniel, and ; 28 These were heads of the fathers, by their
Rozia. generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusa-
40 All these were the children of Asher, heads lem.*^
of their father's house, choice and mighty men of 29 And at Gibeon dwelt the father^ of Gibeon
valor, chief of the princes. And the number whose wife's name was Maachah
throughout the genealogy of them that were apt 30 And his first-born son Abdon, and Zur, and
to the war and to battle was twenty and six thou- Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
sand men. 31 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zachcr.'
32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah.' And these
also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over
CHAPTER VIII. against them.
1 The sons and chief men of Benjamin.
33 IT And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul,
33 The stock of Saul and Jon-
athan. and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-sliua, and
"\TOW Benjamin begat Bela his first-born, Ash- Abinadab," and Esh-baal.*
34 And the son of Jonathan was Mcrib-baal;*
J^ > liel the second, and .;\.harah the third,
2 Nohah the fourth, and Raplia the fifth.
and Mcrib-baal begat Micah.
35 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Me-
3 Ami the sons of Bela were, Addar,* and Gera,
lech, and Tarea,^ and Ahaz.
and Abihud,
4 And
Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah, 36 And Ahaz begat Jehoadah;' and Jehoadah
begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and
5 And
Gera," and Shephuphan,* and Huram.
And
these are the sons of Ehud these arc the
Zimri begat Moza
G :

heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, 37 And Moza begat Binea Kapha' was his son, :

Elcasah his son, Azel his son.


and they removed them to Manahath:''
38 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these,
7 And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he re-
moved them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud. Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and
Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of
8 And Shaharaim begat children in the country
Azel.
of Moab,"^ after he had sent them away Hushim ;

39 And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam


and Baara were his wives.
his first-born, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the
And he begat of Hodesh liis wife, Jobab, and
third.
Zibia, and Mesha, and ilalchani,
10 And Jeuz, and Sliai'hia, and Mirma. These
40 And the sous of Ulam were mighty men of
valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons,
were his sons, heads of the fathers.
a hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of
11 And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and El-
Benjamin.
paal.
V2, The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and
Shamed, who built Ono, and
thereof:
Lod,'' with the towns
CHAPTER IX.
13 Beriah also, and Shema," who were heads of 1 The original of Israel's and Judah's genealogies. 2 The Israelites,
10 the priests, 14 and the Levites, with Nethinim, which dwelt in
the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who Jerusalem. 27 The charge of certain Levites. 35 The stock of Saul
drove away the inhabitants of Gath and Jonathan.

14 And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth, all Israel were reckoned by genealogies and
15 And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, behold, they were written in the book of the
SO ;

16 And Micliael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons kings of Israel and Judah,M'/io were carried away
of Beriah to Babylon for their transgression.
17 And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, 2 1" Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their
and Heber, possessions in their cities ii-ere, the Isz'aelites, the
18 Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the priests, Levites,^ and the Nethinim.*"
sons of Elpaal 3 And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of
19 And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of
20 And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh ;'

21 And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the 4 Utliai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri,
sons of Shimhi;* the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children
22 And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, of Pharez the son of Judah.
23 And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, 5 And of the Shilonites Asaiah the first-born, ;

24 And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah, and his sons.


• Or, Arii, Genesis 4r.:2I. • Judijes .J;15. t Or, Slmpham, Numbers earn, chap. 9:3,S. • Ishui, 1 Samuel 14:40. tOr, Jshhosltelh. 2 Samuel 2:S.
26::i3; cliap. 7:12. 1> chap. 2;.53. = Ruth 1:1. <1 Ezra 2:33; Neheniiah ! Or, ilifpAiics/Ki/i, 2Samuel 4:4; 9:0, 10. § Or, Ta^rfo, chap. 9:41 .
I Jn-

6:2; H-.K. e vcr. 21. ! Or, .S7iemn. ver. 13. f Joshua 1^:23; Nehemiah rah, chap. 9:42. 1 Repliaiah, chap. 9:43. S Ezra 2:7U; Nehemiah 7:73.
11:1. S CalleJ Jehitl, chap, i).^l. I Or, Zechariah, chap. 9:37. 1 Or, Sltun- li Joshua 9:27; Ezra 2:43; Si;20, i Nehemiah 11:1,

479
; ; ; ; ; ;

JPrusIs and purtcrs. 1 CHRONICLES IX. S/iiil and Jvtuitliiin.

C And tin; uf ; Jcnel, sons of Zcrali and


of the gates of tlie house of the Loud, a. »i.»h their
brotliicn, six liiindiiMl and ninety. namely, the liouse of the tabernacle, by cu.'^'
7 And sons uf Ik'iijaniin; Haliu the son
of till' wards.
of Mcslinllaui, the son of lloduviaii, tiie son of 24 In four quarters were the jKjrters, toward the
IIuM'nuali, east, west, north, and south.
8 Ami IbiiL'iaii the son of .loroliani.and Khih tlie 25 And their bretiireu, which were in tlieir vil-
son of L'zzi, the son of Michri, and Mesiiiilhini tiie lages, were to come after seven days from time to
son of Siieplialiiiah, the son of Reuel, the son of time with theni.'-
Ibnijaii 20 For these Levites, tlie four cliief porters, were
9 And their brethren, accordino: to their genera- and were over the chambers*
iu their set office,'
tions, nine iuindred and fifty and six. Ail those and treasuries of the liouse of God.
men ircre chief of the fathers in the house of their 27 Aud they lodged round about the house of
fatlicrs. God, because the charge was upon them, and the
10 "i Andof the priests;" Jedaiah.and.Tehoiarib, opening thereof every morning pertained to them.
and Jachin, 28 And certain of them had the charge of the
U
And Azariah* the son of Hilkiah, the son of ministering vessels, that they should bring them
MeshuUani, the son of Zadok, the son of Jlerai- in and out by tale.*
oth, the sou of Aliitub, the ruler of the house of 29 Some of them also u-ere appointed to oversee
God ;
the vessels, and all the instruments' of the sanc-
And Adaiah the son of Jcroham, the son of
12 tuary, and the line flour, aud the wine, and the oil,
and Maasiai the sou
Pasluir, the son of Maluliijali, aud the frankincense, and the spices.
of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Me- 30 And some of the sons of the priests made the
shullaiu, the son of Meshilleniith, the son of Im- ointment of the spices.'
mer 31 And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was
1:5 And their brethren, heads of the house of the first-born of Shallum the Korahite, had the

their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and set office* over the things that were made in the
tlireescore very able men * for the work of the pans."*'
;

service of the house of God. 32 And other of their brethren, of the sons of
14 And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of the Kohathites, were over the show-bread,^ to pre-
Hasshub, the sou of Azrikain, tlic son of Hasha- pare it every sabbath.
biah, of the sons of Merarl 33 And these are the singers,*" chief of the fa-
15 And Bakbakkar, Hercsh, and Galal, and Mat- thers of the Levites, who remaining in the cham-
taniah the son of Micah, the sou of Zichri, the son bers v:ere free; for they were employed in* that
of Asaph work day and night.
1() And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of 34 These chief fathers of the Levites were chief
Galal, the son of Jeduthun, aud Bercchiah the son throughout their generations these dwelt at Jeru- ;

of Asa, the sou of Elkanah, that dwelt in the vil- salem.


lages of the Netophathites. 35 IT And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon,
17 1 Aud the porters were, .Shallum, and Akkub, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:'
aud Talmou, and Ahiman, aud their brethren: 36 And his first-born son Abdon, then Zur, and
Shallum icas the chief; Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab,
18 Who hitherto waited in the king's gate east- 37 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and
ward they were porters iu the companies of the Mikloth.
:

children of Levi. 38 And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also


19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of dwelt with tlieir brethren at Jerusalem, over
Ebiasaph, the sou of Korah, and his brethren, of against their brethren.
the house of his father, the Korahites, were over 39 And Ner begat Kish ;J and Kish begat Saul
the work of the service, keepers of the gates* of and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malehi-shua, and
the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
host of the Lord, were keepers of the entry. 40 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal and :

20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the Merib-baal begat Micah.
ruler over them in time past,'' and the Lord ivas 41 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Me-
with him. lech, and Tahrea, and Jihaz.^
21 And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was 42 And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat
porter of the door of the tabernacle of the con- Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri
gregation. begat Moza
22 All these which were chosen to be porters in 43 xlnd Moza begat Binea; and Eepbaiah his
the gates were two hundred and twelve. These son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
were reckoned hy their genealogy in their villages, 44 And Azel had six sons, whose names are
whom David and Samuel the seer* did ordain* in
*=
these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Shea-
their set office.' riali, and Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the
23 So they and their children had the oversight sons of Azel.
» Neiiemiah 11:10, et( • SeraiaM. Nehsmiih 11:11. t Hebrew, mighty out by tale, t Or, vessels.
f Exodus :3(l:a3, -W i Ol. trust. I Or, on flat

men nfvnlnr. 1 He^^re tkresholdf. b Numbers 31 0.


: » chap. SK: I. etc. plates, or sliees. e I,eviticus 2:^; G:'21 t Hebrew, '>renrf 0/ ordering;;
rf 1 Samtiel 9-9. i Hebrew. /oi/nrf^d. 1 Or. trust e 2 Kinc? il:.5. 1 Or. Leviticus 24:H. h chap. 0:31; '2.5:4. • Heblew, uyon them was. i chap,
trust. • Or, storehouses, t Hebrew, bring them in by tale, and carry them 8:29. J chap. 8:3-3. k chap. 8:35.
480
6'a ul is ovtrthrown.
1 CHRONICLES XI. David is viade kin

CHAPTER X. he committed'^ against the Lord, (vc7i against the


word of the Loud,'' which he kept not, and also
1 Saul's overtRrow ami death. S The Philistines triumph over Saul.
11 The idndnass of Jabesh-gilead towards Saul and his sons.
for asking counsel oi' 07ie that had a familiar spirit,
13
Saul's sin, for which the kingdom was translated from him to David. to inquire of it;"

NOW
and
the Pliilistines fouglit against Israel;"
men of Israel fled from before the
tlie
14 And inquired not of the Lord therefore he
slow him, and turned the kingdom unto David the
:

Philistines, and fell down slain" in mount Gilboa. son of Jesse.'*'


2 And the Philistines followed hard after Saul,
and after his sons and tiio Philistines slew Jon-
athan, and Abinadabjt and Malchi-shua, the sons
;
CHAPTER XI.
1 David by a general consent is made king at Hebron. 4 He winnetli
of Saul. the castle of Zion from the Jebusites by Joab's valor. 10 A catalogue
3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and of David's mighty men.

the archers* hit^ him, and he was wounded of the THEN all Israel gathered themselves to David
archers. unto Hebron,*-' saying, Behold, we are thy bono
4 Then said Saul to his armor-bearer, Draw thy and thy flesh.
sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest 2 And moreover in time past,* even when Saul
these uncircumcised come and abuse' me. But was king, thou wast he that leddcst out and
his armor-bearer would not for he was sore ; broughtest in Israel: and the Lord thy God said
afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. unto thee. Thou shalt feed*' my people Israel, and
5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel."
dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died. 3 Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the
6 So Saul died, and his three sous, and all his king to Hebron and David made a covenant wilh
;

house died together. them in Hebron before the Lord and they anoint- ;

7 And when all the men of Israel that ivere in ed David king over Israel, according to the 'word
the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and of the Lord by^ Samuel.'
liis sons were dead, then they forsook their cities,'' 4 1i And David and all Israel •went to Jerusa-
and fled: and tiie Philistines came and dwelt in lem, which is Jebus;^ where the Jebusites were,
them. the inhabitants of the land.
8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the 5 And the inhabitants of Jcbus said to David,
Pliilistines came to strip the slain, that they found Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David
Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa. took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.
9 And when tiiey had stripped him, they took 6 And David said. Whosoever smiteth the Jeb-
his head, and his armor, and sent into the land of usites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab
the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto the son of Zeruiah went first up, and -was chief.
their idols, and to the people. 7 And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they
10 And they put his armor in the house of their called it the city of David.'
gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Da- 8 And he built the city round about, even from
go n.= Millo round about: and Joab repaired* the rest
11 IT And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that of the city.
the Philistines had done to Saul, 9 So David waxed greater and greater :* for the
12 Tliey arose, all the valiant men, and took Lord of hosts was •with him.
away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, 10 IT These also are the chief of the mighty men
and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their whom David had, who strengthened themselves
bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven with him* in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to
days. make him king, according to the word of the
13 IT So Saul died for his transgression which Lord concerning Israel."
« 1 Sam. 31:1, wounded, t Or, ftAui. 1 Sam. 14:49. 1 Heb.
etc. • Or, etc. t Heb. both yesterday and the third day. I Or, rule, h Tsa. 78:71 Jer. ;

shooters with bows, Heb. found. I Or, mock, b Lev. 3f»;31


fi
« I Sam. 3:15. « Heb. by the hand of. 1 Sam. 10:1, 12. > iuig. 1:21; 10:1U.
:il:10. 1 Heb. transgressed, i 1 Sam. 13:13; 15:2:3. « 1 Sam. 28:7, etc. I Heb. head. II That is, Zion; 2 Sam. 5:7. * Heb. revived, t Heb. went
• Heb. Isai. ' 1 Sam. 16:1, 13; 23:17; 2 Sam. 3:9, lU; 5:3. S 2 Sam. 5:1, in going and increasing, t Or, held strongly with him. t 1 Sam. 16:1, 12.

have no hope in his mercy, are often very miserable when


CHAPTER X. they come to die ; and sometimes are ready to hasten their
"
1. Mount Gilboa; on the south of the valley of Esdraelon, death by their own hands.
sometimes called the valley of Jezreel. 14. To seek help from evil spirits is a great sin, ami
6. All his house; all the men belonging to his household exposes those who do it to the just judgments of God.
wlio were present at the battle. His son Ish-bosheth, Pretensions to intercourse with departed spirits dishonor
called Esh-baalin IChron. 8:33 and 9:39, survived him, and him and his word, and should be refrained from and dis-
also Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan. Ziba also, one of countenanced. Lev. 19:26, 31; 20:27; Deut. 1S:11; Isa.
the servants belonging to Saul's house, is mentioned in 8:19, 20.
2 Sam. 9:2, etc.
whose aid they
CHAPTER XI.
9. To carry tidings unto their idols; to
1. All Israel gathered ; this was after David had reigned
:iseril>ed their victory.
10 Fiiflciied his liead ; his body had been fastened to the over the tribe of Judah alone six years and three months.
wall in Btth-shan. 1 Sam. 31 10. :
2 Sam. 5:5. For the position of Hebron, see note to 2 Sam.
2:1.
12. Jdiesh ; on the east of Jordan.
4. Jebu.f ; the former name of Jerusalem.

^ INSTRUCTIONS, 6. Chief and captain; that is, over the host.


t. Those who have not chosen God as tlieir portion and 8. Milio; a fortified part of Jerusalem.
31 481
Darufs chief r/iplains 1 Cniio.NK'l.KS \l. and mighty men.

11 And lliis is ninnbor of llic mijriily iik'ii


llio

whom Havid liml ;a Uacliiiioiiilc,' iIk-


Jasliolicaiii, lini with his own spear.''
chk'l'ortlu' c'iii>liiiiis: lie lifk-d up liis spear against 24 These tilings did lk'nai:ih the son of .Jehoiada.
three liundri'ti slain hy him at one time. and had a name among the three mighties.
VI And alter iiim iras Eleazar the son of Dodo, 25 BeiioUl, he was honorable among the thirty,
the Aiiohite, who was one of tlie tlireo mighties. but attained )iot to the first three: and David set
13 He was with David at I'as-(himniim.' and him over his guard.
there the I'iiilistincs were gathered togoliier to 2tj 'l Also the valiant men of the armies were.

battle, wiiere was a parcel of ground full of liar- .Vsahel the brother of Joab, Elhanau the son of
ley ; and the ])eoplc lied from before the Philis- Dodo of Beth-lehem,
tines. 27 Bhammoth' the Harorite," Ilelcz the Pelu-
1-1 And themselves in the midst of that
tlicy set* nite,'
parcel, and delivered
it, and slew the Philistines; 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abi-czer
and tlie Loud saved Hum by a great deliverance.'^ the Antothite,
1.5 T[ Now tlirec of the thirty captains' went 29 Hibbecai"' the Hushatliite, Ilai* the Ahohito.
down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adul- 30 Maharai the Netophathite, lieled' the .-on of
1am ;" and the host of the PJiilistincs enc^ampcd Baanah the Netophathite,
in the valley of Rephaim.'' 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibcah, that per-
16 And David was then in the hold, and the tained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the
Philistines' garri.son was then at Bethdehcra. Pirathonite,
17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one 32 Ilurai* of the brooks of Gaasli, Abicl' the
would give me drink of the water of the well of Arbathite,
Bcth-lchem, that is at tiie gate!'' 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaal-
18 And the three brake through the host of the bonitc,
Philistines, and drew water out of the well of 34 The sons of Hashem- the Gizonite, Jonathan
Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and the son of Shage the Hararite,
brought it to David but David Avould not drink: 35 .\hiam the son of Sacar^ the Hararite, Eli-
of\i, but j)oured it out to the Loud,'' phal* the son of Ur,*
19 And said, My (lod forbid it me, that I should 30 Ilepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelo-
do this thing: shall 1 driidc tlie blood of these nite,
incn° that have put their livcs^ in jeopardy?' for 37 Hezro* the Carmelite, Naarai^ the son of
with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it: Ezbai,
therefore he would not drink it. These things did 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibliar the son
these three mightiest. of llaggeri,"
20 11 And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naliarai the Berothite,
chief of the three :» for lifting up his spear against the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
three hundred, he slew them, and had a name 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
among the three. 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
21 Of the three, he was more honorable than 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a cap-
the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he tain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
attained not to i\\Q first three. 43 Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat
22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a val- the Mithnite,
iant man of Kabzccl, who had done many acts;* 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the
he slew two lion-like men of Moab also he went sons of Hothan the Arocrite, :

down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. 45 Jediael the son of Shimri,^ and Joha his
23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great brother, the Tizitc,
stature,* five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's 4() Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai and Josha-

hand was a spear like a weaver's beam and he viah the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, ;

went down to him with a staff, and plucked the 47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.
' Or, son
of Hachmoni. 1 Or. Epiits-d/i in. 1 Si Shnmmali
S Or, salcation. I Or, three eapia' lliirly.
ch. 14:9. c psa. 107:5. i 1 Sim. 7:6. = Lev. 17:10,11: Psi. 7-2:14.
1 Keh. icith their lives, r .Tadg. 5:13; 9:17; 1 Sam. 19:5. r 2 Sam. 2:i:lS,
etc. • Ueb. great of deeds. : Keh. of measure, h 1 Sam. 17:51. 1 Or,

II. Lifted up his spear against three hundred; see note to


2 Sara. 23:8.
14. T/iey set tltemselves ; Eleazar and his associates. Ac-
cording to the opinion of some, his chief helper in tliis
exploit was Shammah, to whom this victory is ascribed in
2 Sam. 23: 11. A comparison of this list of David's heroes
with that given in 2 Samuel 23, shows several points
of difference, which a fulU-r knowledge of the history of
those times might help us to explain. They relate wholly
to namesor circumstanti;d details.
15. In of Rnpliaim; south-west of Jerusalem.
the valley
26. men of the armies; this list of David's
Tlie valiant
mighty men is fuller than that contained in the correspond-
ing list in the second book of Samuel.
482
; ; ;

The hosts that came 1 CHRONICLES XII. to tlie help of David.

B. <. nboul IOr«. CHAl illilt All. swered and said unto them, If ye be come peace-
1 The companies that came to DaviJ at Ziklag. 23 The armies that ably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit*
came to him at Hebron. unto you but if ye be come to betray me to mine :

ATOW these are they that came to David to enemies, seeing there is no wrong* in my hands,
±\i Ziklag," while he yet kejit himself close* be- the God of our fathers look theremi, and rebuke
cause of Saul the son of Kisli and they were among it.
:

the mighty men, helpers of the war. 18 Then the spirit came upon^ Amasai,' who was
2 They were armed with bows, and could use chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we,
both the right hand and the left in hurling stones David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace,
and shooting arrows out of a bow,'' even of Saul's peace be unto thee, and peace be to thy helpers
brethren of Benjamin. for thy God helpeth thee. Then David I'cceived
3 The chief ivas Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of them, and made them captains of the band.
Shemaah* the Gibeathite; and Jezicl, and Pelct, 19 And there fell some of Manasseh to David,
the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu when he came with the Philistines against Saul
the Antothite, to battle ' but they helped them not for the :

4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him
among the thirty, and over the thirty and Jere- away, saying. He will fall to his master Saul to
;

miah, and Jahaziel, and Johauan, and Josabad the the jeopardy of oiiv heads.'
Gederathite, 20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of
5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shcm- Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jcdiael, and
ariali, and Shephatiah the Haruphite, Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, cap-
6 Elkanah, S^nd Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, tains of the thousands that wwe of Manasseh.
and Jashobeam the Korhites, 21 And they helped David against the band^ of
7 And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jcro- the rovers:'^ for they were all mighty men of valor,
hara of Gedor. and were captains in the host.
8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves 22 For at that time day by day there came to
unto David into the hold to the wilderness men David to help him, until it was a great host, like
of might, and men of war\/5'^ for the battle, that the host of God.
could handle shield and buckler, whose faces u-ere 23 1 And these are the numbers of the bands*
like the faces of lions, and loere as swift as the roes that were ready armed to the war, arid came to
upon the mountains;**^ David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to
9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the him," according to the word of the Lord.
third, 24 The children of Judah that bare shield and
10 Mislimannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready
11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, armed* to the war.
12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor
13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the» eleventh. for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of 26 Of the children of Levi, four thousand and
the host: one of the least was over a hundred, and si.x hundred.
the greatest over a thousand.' 27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaron-
15 These are they that went over Jordan in the ites, and with him were three thousand and seven
first month, when it had overflown'' all his banks hundred ; "^

and tiiey put to flight all them of the valleys, both 28 And Zadok,' a young man mighty of valor,
toward tiie east, and toward the west. and of his father's house twenty and two cap-
16 And there came of tlie children of Benjamin tains.
and Judah to the hold unto David. 29 Andof the children of Benjamin, the kindred'
17 And David went out to meet them,* and an- of Saul, three thoussand for hitherto the greatest :

a I Sam -^7:3, 0. • Heh.hemg yet shul up. b J„dg. 2(i;l0. t Or, Hhj- G:34; Isa. 59:17. eSSam. 17:25. ' 1 gam. 20:2, 3. iHeh. on our heads.
1 Or, with a band, e 1 Sam. 3U: I-IO. * Or, captains, or men; Heb. heads.
manh. t Heb. of the host. 5 upon the mountains to make
Heb. as the roes
hasle. c 3 gani. 2:18; Song 8:14. 1 Or, one that was least coulj resist a h chap. 11:1. i Or. prepared. ' 2 Samuel 8:17. 1 Heb. ireMren/ Genesis

huniired, and the greatest a thousand. 1 Heb. Jilled over, d .To^h. :J:15. 31;2:i.
Heb. before them. 1 Heb. be one. I Or, violence, i Heb. clothed ; Jndg.

them not; David and his men helped not the Philistines
CHAPTER XII. against Saul.
Ziklag; the town assigned by Achish, king of Gath,
1. 20. Went to Ziklag; went back on his return from the
to David while lie sojourned among the Philistines, 1 Sam. army of the Phihstines. Tliere fell to him of Manasseh;
27: 6. It lay south-west from Jerusalem. these seven men seem to be the same as those of Manas-
2. Of Saul's brethren of Benjamin ; belonging to the tribe seh referred to in ver. 19.
of Benjamin, which was Saufs tribe. The list, verses 3-7, 21. The band of the rovers; the Amalekites who had
apparently includes some of the tribe of Judah, as the spoiled Ziklag, 1 Sam. 30.
Korhites, chapter 2:43, and those from Gedor, chapter 22. The liost of God ; very numerous and powerful. Com-
4:4. pare Psa. C5:9; 104:16.
15. Went over Jordan ; the Gadites dwelt on the eastern 27. The Aaronites; the priests of the house of Aaron.
side of Jordan. Many suppose that the event recorded in This consisted of two main branches, the family of Elca-
this verse took place when they were on their way to join zar, and that of Ithamar. Abiathar, tlic high-jiriest under
David in Ziklag. The valleys; tlie valleys that lined the David, was of the family of Ithamar Zadok, here mention-
;

Jordan on either side. ed as " a young man mighty of valor," and the successor
19. Cam: Kith the Philistines; 1 Sam. 23. Lul they helped of Abiathar the sou of Ahimelcch in the office of high-
483
h'ing David's army. 1 ClllioXIClJ.S XIII. Removal of the ark of God.

imrt' (if them liml kept llic ward of the house of


Saul."
:5(l Ami of tlio childivii nf Kpliraim twenty tliou-

suiul and ei'.'hl hmiilir.l, niiirlily men <if vahjr, fa-


inou<* thruULrhoiit tlif liuiiso of their fathers.
31 And of tlie lialf tribe of Maiiasseh eii!;litcen
tliou.sand, which were expressed l)y name, to come
and make Pavid kinir.
32 And of the ehihlren of Issaeliar, xohich were
nun that had understandini;- of the times,'' to know
what Israel (umlit to ih); the lieads of them vrre
two hundred and all their brethren ircrc at tiieir
;

commandment.
33 Of Zebulun, sueh a? went fortli to battle, ex-
jiert in war,' with instruments of war, fifty
all
thousand, which could keep rank:* they were not
of <lonble heart.'
34 And of Najilitali a thousand captains, and
with them with shield and spear thirty and seven
thousand.
35 And of the Danites expert in war twenty and
I'iu'lit thousand and six hundred.

3G And of Asher, sueh as went forth to battle,


expert in war,' forty thousand.
37 And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reu-
iienites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe
of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of
war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thou-
sand.
38 All these men of war, that could keep rank,
came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make
David king over all Israel and all the rest
:

also of Israel were of one heart to make David


king.
39 And there they were with David three days,
eating and drinking for their l)rethren had pre-
:

pared for them.


40 Moreover they that wore nigh them, even unto
Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread
on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on
oxen, and meat, meal.' cakes of figs, and bunches
of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep
abundantly for tliere was joy in Israel.
:


Heb.
: :

David ckfcaUlh the r/iilis tines. 1 CHRONICLES XV. lie. removctk the ark to Jerusalem.

tlifS: 12 And David was afraid of God that 12 And when they had left their gods there,
day, saying, How shall 1 bring the ark of God David gave a commandment, and they were burn-
home to me? ed with tire.
13 So David brought* not tlio ark hn?nc to liini- 13 And the Philistines yet again spread them-
self to tlic city of David, but cari-icd it aside into selves abroad in tlic valley.'^
the house of Obcd-edom the Gittito. 14 Therefore David inquired again of God and ;

1-1 And tlie ark of God remained with, the fam- God said unto him. Go not up after them turn ;

ily of Obcd-edom in his house three months. And away from them, and come upon them over against
the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all the mulberry-trees.
that he had." 15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound
of going in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then
CHAPTER XIV. thou shalt go out to battle for God is gone forth
:

before thee to smite the host of the Pliilistines.


1 Hiram's kindness fo David. 2 David's felicity in people, wives, and
children. S His two victories a^^ainst the Philistines. 16 David therefore did as God commanded him ;

NOW Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to


David," and timber of cedars, with masons
and they smote the host of the Philistines from
Gibeon' even to Gazer.
and carpenter.s, to build him a house. 17 And the fame of David went out into all
lands;' and the Lord brought the fear of him
2 And David perceived that the Lord had con-
firmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was upon all nations.'^

lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.


3 ir And David took morc+ wives at Jerusalem:
and David begat more sons and daughters.
CHAPTER XV.
1 David, having prepared a place for the ark. ordcreth the priests and
4 Now these a?-c the names of Am children which Levites to bring it from Obed-edom. 2-5 He performeth the solemni-
he had in .lerusalem;" Shammua, and Shobab, Na- ty thereof with great joy. 29 Mich:il despiseth him.

than,
5
and Solomon,
And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
AND
David, and prepared a place for the ark of
David made him houses in the city of

6 And Nogah, and Ncpheg, and Japhia, God, and pitched for it a tent.''
7 And Elishaina, and 15oeliada,* and Eliphalet. 2 Tiien David said. None ought to carry the ark
8 1 And when the Philistines heard that David of God but the Levites:* for them hath the Lord
was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philis- chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister
tines went up to seek David. And David heard unto him for ever.'
(if if, and went out against them. 3 And David gathered all Israel together to
i) And the Philistines came and spread them- Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord unto
selves in the valley of Rephaim.'' his place, which he had prepared for it.'

10 And David inquired of God, saying. Shall I 4 And David assembled the children of Aaron,
go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou de- and the Levites:
liver them into my hand? And the Lord said 5 Of the sons of Kohatli ; Uriel the chief, and
unto him. Go up ; for I will deliver them into thy his brethren* a hundred and twenty:
hand. 6 Of the sons of Merari
Asaiah the
; chief, and
came up to Baal-perazim and David
11 So they ; his brethren two hundred and twenty:
smote them there. Then David said, God hath 7 Of the sons of Gershom ; Joel the chief, and
broken in upon mine enemies by my hand like the hundred and thirty his brethren a
breaking fortii of waters therefore they called 8 Of thesonsof Elizaphan;" Shemaiah the
: chief,
the name of that place Baal-perazim.^ and his brethren two hundred
• Hfb. remomd. » ch. aU:5: Gen. .•3U;a7; Trov. 10:22. 2 Sam. 5;11,
1) aChr. 20:S; Psa 1S:44. S Deut. 2:a5; II :25. Heb. It is not
fXc. filnh. yet. c ch. 3:5, etc;. I Or, B/inda, 2 Sam. 5:1G. dch. ll:1j. to carry the ark of God, but for tke Levites. ' -15; Deut. 10:B;
JThit IS, .4p.'ofeo/4reoc/rM. « ver. 0. 1 Ge6n, 2 Sam. 5:25. f Josh. 0:27; 31:9. jch. 13:3; 1 Kings b:l. t Or, kinsmen. k Exod. 6:22.

Vi. The cit y of David ; Zion. 10. Go up; to the head-quarters of the Philistines, from

INSTRUCTIONS. which they spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.


11. Baal-perazim; near the valley of Rephaim on the
1. When those in pubUc stations propose to make
south.
changes, it is ordinarily wise to consult tlie leading men
16. Gibeon; in the tribe of Benjamin. Gazer; one of
and secure tlieir cooperation. This will open the way to
the cities of the Philistines.
bring the subject before the people generally, and thus to
unite them in it. INSTRUCTIONS.
8. Times of religious reformation are justly times of 2. temporal and spiritual, come from God.
All blessings,
rejoicing. The king and the beggar, if they love the Lord, When duly acknowledged, it honors him and pre-
this is
will nnite in praising him and rendering thanks for his pares the way for the increase and continuance of his
mercies. favors.
10. That reverential fear of God which leads to a careful 8. Great mercies are often followed by great trials but ;

regard to his commandments, is essential to secure his careful inquiry as to the will of God, and a readiness when
approbation, or avoid his displeasure. it is known to obey it, will secure his aid, and in due time
give deliverance from trouble, and victory over every foe.
CHAPTER XIV.
2. Lifted up on high; greatly strengthened and pros- CHAPTER XV.
pered. 5-7. Kohath —Merari— Gershom the three sons of Levi.
;

9. Tlic valley of Rephaim; near Jerusalem on the south- Exod. 6:lfi.


west. 8-10. Elizaphan — Hebron — Uzzicl Hebron and Uzziel ;

485
Dat'id's festival 1 CHRONICLES XVI. iind sacrifices.

9 Of (lie sons of IIclirDn;' Elicl tlie chief, and song:' he instructed about the song, bo- am sn
his lirt'lhron foursroro : cause he i/v(,v skilful. mz
10 Of thr sons of Tzzii'l; Annninsidiib tiiC chief, 211 And Bcrcchiah and Elkanah M'ere door-kcep-

anil Ills Itrolhren a Imndrod and twelve. crs for the ark.
U And David called for Zadok and Abiathar 24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nctli-
tiie priestH. and for the Levitcs, for Uriel, Asaiah, ancel. and Aniasai, and Zechariah, and Bcnaiah,
and .loci. Sheniaiali, and Elicl, and Aniniinadab. and Eliezcr, the jn-iests, did iilow with the trum-
12 said nnto them, Ve arc the ciiief of tlie
And pets iiefore the ark of God :" siiid Obcd-cdoni and
fatliers of the Levitcs: sanctify yourselves,'' both ye Jehiali were door-k<'Cpcrs for tiic ark.
and your iiretiiren, tliat ye may liring up the ark 25 "i So Daviil. ami the elders of Israel, and the
of the LoRP God of Israel unto the place that 1 ca|)taiiis over thousand.*, went to bring up the ark
have prepared for it.
)
of the covenant of the Loud out of the house of
13 For because ye did it not at tiic first, the Obcd-edoin with joy.'
LoiiD our God made a l)reacli u])on us,° for that 20 And it came to pass, when God helped the
we sought him not after the due order.'' Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the
1-i So tlic priests and tlic Levitcs sanctified them- LoKD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven
selves to bring up tlic ark of the Lord God of rams.
Israel. 27 And David icas clothed with a robe of fino
And tlic children of the Levitcs bare the ark
\i> linen, and all the Levitcs that bare the ark, and
of God upon their shoulders with the staves there- the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song*
on, as JIoscs commanded, according to the word with the singers: David also /tad upon him an
of the Lord." epliod of linen.
lf> And David spake to the chief of the Levites 28 Tiius all Israel brought up the ark of the
to appoint their brethren to he the singers with covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with
instrument.s of music, psalteriesand harps and sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with
cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and
joy.^ harps.'"
17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of 29 1 And it came to pass, as the ark of the cov-
Joel ;^ and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Bere- enant of the Lord came to the city of David, that
ehiah;'* and of the sons of Meruri their brethren, Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a win-
Ethan the son of Kusliaiah ;' dow saw king David dancing and playing;" and
18 And with tliem tlieir brethren of the second she despised hini in her heart."
degree, Zechariah, Hen, and Jaaziel, and Shemira-
nioth, and .Jchiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Bcnaiah,
!ind Maasciah, and Mattithiah, and Eli])helcli, and CHAPTER XVI.
Miknciah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the porters. 1 David's festival sacrifice. 4 He ordcreth a choir to sing tljanks'^ir-
19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, iiig. 7 Tlie psalm of thanksgiving. 37 He appoiiiteth minister?,
porters, priests, and musicians, to attend continually on the ark.
were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
20 And Zechariah, and Aziel,* and Shemiramoth,
and Jehiel, and L^nni, and Eliab, and Maasciah,
SOthetheymidst
brought the ark of God, and set in
of the tent that David had pitched
it

and Bcnaiah, with psalteries on jVlaraoth;^ for it and they offered burnt-sacrilices and peace-
:''

21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mik- ofl'eringsbefore God.


nciah, and Obod-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, 2 And when David had made an end of offer-
with harps on tlie Sheminith* to excel. ing the burnt-offerings and the peace-offerings, he
22 And Chenaniah. chief of the Levites, was for blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

«Exod.6:lS. b -2 Chr. 5:11 29:5; Ezek. 43:11. « ch. 13:9. 10; 2 Sam.
; riage
HI, a. d 2 Chr. 13:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:2; 14:40. e Exod. 25: 14; Num. 4:15;
7:9. f2Chr. 5:13. «oh. G:3.3. hch. 0:30. ich. 6:41 • JaaiiW, ver. 18.

J rsi. 4ii, title, t Or, eighth, to oversee: Psi- 0. title- 1 Or, was /or tlie ear-

were the .sons of Kohatli Elizaplian, or Elzaphan, was the


;

son of Uzziel, and tlie grandson of Kohath. Exod. 6: 18, 22.


11. Zadnk and Ahiathar ; Zadok mmistered as priest at
Gibeon, wlieie were tlie tabernacle, the brazen altar, and
the daily sacrifice. See chap. 16:39, 40. Abiathar was
the regular high-priest officiating at Jerusalem. See note
to chap. 12:27.
12. Sanctify iiou"selves; by cleansing themselves from all
ceremonial and moral pollution, and by the performance of
those duties which (Jod had prescribed for that purpose.
13. Made a breach upon vs; in the destruction of Uzzah.
2C. Helped the Levites; by enabling them to carry the ark
in safety to its place without suffering any calamity, such
as that which had befallen Uzzah.
29. She despised him ; she thought that he degraded him-
self, by thus joining with the priests and the people in
their expressions of religious joy.
IX.STPaCTIONS.
2. Our mistakes in times past should make us wiser in
486
: ; ; :

David's psalm of 1 CHRONICLES XVI. praise to Jehovah.

A M 2%2. 3 And
he dealt to every one of Israel, 23 Sing unto the Lord, all the earth;' show
'
iiiii.'"" both niau and woman, to every one a loaf forth from day to day his salvation.
of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagou 24 Declare his glory among the heathen his ;

of wine. marvellous works among all nations.


4 ^ And he appointed certain of the Levites to 25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be
minister before tlie ark of the Lokd, and to re- praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
(wrd," and to thank and praise the Lord God of 26 For all the gods of the people are idols "' but :

Israel the Lord made the heavens."


Asaph the chief, and next to liim Zechariah,
5 27 Glory and honor are in his presence strength ;

Jeiel,and Shemiranioth, and Jehiel, and Mattithi- and gladness arc in his place.
ah, and Eliab, and Benaiaii, and Obed-edom and : 28 Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the peo-
Jeiel with psalteries and with harps;* but Asaph ple, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
made a sound with cymbals ;
29 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his
Benaiah also and Jaliaziel the priests with
(3 name bring an offering, and come before him
:

trumpets continually before the ark of the cove- worship the Lord in tlie beauty of iioliness.
nant of God. 30 Fear before him, all the earth the world :

7 If Then on that day David delivered first this also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
psalm to thank the Lord into the liand of Asaph 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth
and his brethren.'' rejoice and let men say among the nations, The
:

8 Give thanks unto the Lord,"" call upon his Lord reigneth.
name, make known his deeds among the people. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let
9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
of all Ids wondrous works.'' 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at
10 Glory ye in his holy name let the heart of : the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to
tliem rejoice that seek the Lord. judge the earth.
11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face 3-i Oh give thanks unto the Lord;" for he is
continually. good for his mercy endureth for ever.
;

12 Remember his marvellous works tliat he hatli 35 And say ye. Save us, God of our salvation,
done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth and gather us together, and deliver us from the
13 ye seed of Israel his' servant, ye children heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy
of Jacob, liis chosen ones. name, and glory in thy praise."
1-1 He is tlie Lord our God; his judgments ai-e 36 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever
in all the earth. and ever."' And all the people said, Amen, and
15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the praised the Lord.""
word tckich he commanded to a thousand genera- 37 If So he left there before the aik of the cove-
tions; nant of the Lord Asaph and his brethren, to min-
l(j Eveji of the covenant which he made with Abra- ister before the ark continually, as every day's
ham,' and of his oath unto Isaac ' ;
work required:
17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a 38 And Obed-edom with their brethren, three-
law,s and to Israel ''_/br an everlasting covenant," score and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jedu-
18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of thun and Hosah to be porters :

Canaan, the lot*^ of your inheritance ;


39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the
19 When yo were but few,* even a few, and stran- priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord in the
gers in it.J higli place that was at Gibeon,*
20 And v;hen they went from nation to nation, 40 To oifer burnt-offerings unto the Lord upon
and from one kingdom to another people ;
the altar of the burnt-oflering continuallj' morn-
21 He suffered no man to do them wrong yea, ;
ing and evening,^' and to do according to all that
he reproved kings for their sakes," is written in the law of the Lord, whicli, he com-
22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my manded Israel
prophets no harm. 41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and

Heb. instrumentS-of jisalteries and harps, b 2 Sam.


» Psa. 3S, 70, titles. "
102:25; Isa. 40:26; 44:24; Rev. 14:7. » 2 Chr. 5:13; 7:3; Psa. 106:1;
22:1; 2:):1. c Psa. 105:1-15. i Mai. 3:16. e Gen. 17:2. ' Gen. 2G:.'i,
107:1; 11S:1; 13H:I. P Psa. 106:47, 48. ql Kings 8:15. rBeut. 27:15;
e Gen. 2S:13- 35:11. h Exod. 3:17; Josh. 24:11-1:3. iJcr.ll:2-7. t Heb. Neh.S:6; 1 Cor. 14:16. »2 Chr. 1:3. 13. i}l<ih. in the morning and in tke
cord. 1 Heb. mai of number, i Gen. 34:30. k Gen. 12:17: 20-3; Exoil. evening, t Exoil. 29:33; Num. 2S:3, 4.
7:15, etc. ' Psa. gs. m Lev. 19:4; Isa. 44.9, etc.; Jer. 10:10-14. > Psa.

30. The world also shall he .liable ; in the original, the same
CHAPTER XVI. as Psa. 93:1."The world also is established, that it cannot
This psalm ; composed by David, and now first given
7. be moved ;" wliere see note.
to the musicians to be sung in public worship. 33. To judge the earth; deal righteously with men accord-
12. T/ie judgments of his mouth ; those decisions and stat- ing to their character.
utes which he liad made known for the benefit of the people. 37. The ark; this was carried to Jerusalem; and a part
14. Ill all tlie earth; the Lord reigns among all people, of the priests resided there with David to niini.stfr before
and so manifests himself by bis providential dealings with it. Another part resided at Uibeou. where tlie tabernacle
men as to leave them without excuse if they do not love and brazen altar still remained, and where was offered the
and obey bim. daily sacrifice. Ycr. 39, 40, and chap. 21:29.
15. A thousand generations ; a definite for a long indefi- 41. With them; with Zadok and his brethren at Gibeon.
nite period. I See note to ver. 37.
4S7
:

(toiTs promisfs to Da viJ, ( IIKONICLKS WII. (i7ul Dand's l/rnvhsgivin"

tlic rest tliat were clio.-on, wlio wore exijrcsscd l)_v and will jjlant them,^ ami they shall dwell a.m ams.
°"
to jrivo timiiks to
ruiiiio, the Loud, because liis in their ]ilace, and shall
movetl no iimJbtr

inerev (itdtinllt for over;" more;'' m'ithor shall the children of wickedness
\1 Ami witli llioiii Heiiuiii ami Jedutliun witli waste lliein any more,' as at the beginning,
Irimiiiets ami oviiihals for tiioso that .-houki make 10 And since the time that 1 conimandcd judges
a soiiinl,'' ami with musieal instruinouts of God. lo be over my people Israel.'" Moreover 1 will
And the sons of Jedutliun xccrc porters.'*' subdue all thine enemies." Furthermore I tell
4:5all the people departed every man to his
And thee, that the Lord will build the(! a house.
iiouse and David returned to bless his house.''
:
11 •; And come to pass, when thy days
it shall
be expired that thou must go lo lie with thy fathers,
that I will rai.^e up thy seed after Ihcf. which shall
('llAPTi:it XVII. be of thy sons; and I will establish his kiiigihuii.
1 Nathan first approving the purpose of David U» build God a house, 3 12 He shall build me a house, and I wWi stablisli
.ifuT by (be word of God forbidderli him. 11 lie proiniRetb him
hlessin;r3 and benelils in iiis seed. IG David's prayer and thanksj^iv* his throne for ever.
13 will be his father, and he shall be my sfin :"
I

"\yOW iteamo David sat in iiis iionso, and I will not take my mercy away frcun him,'' as
to pass, as
L\ said to Nathan tlie pro|iiiet, Lo, I took it from /lim that was before thee
tliat David :

I dwell ill a house of cedars, lint tiie ark of the 14 ]>ut I will .«ettle him in my Iiouse and in my
covenant of the Lord rcmainrfh under curtains.'' kingdom for over and his throne shall be estab- :''

2 Tiien Nathan said unto David, Do all that is lished for evermore.''
in thy heart for God i"^
with thee. /.? 1.5 According to all these words, and according

3 •[ And it caino to pass the same night, that the to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
word of Go came to Nathan, saying,
1 10 •] And David the king came and sat before
4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith (he the Lord, and said. Who ajn I, Lord God,' and
Lord, Thou slialt not build inc a house to dwell in wdiat is my house, that thou hast brought mc hitli-

5 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day ei'to?'


that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have 17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes,
gone* from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle God for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's
;

to another. house for a great while to come, and hast regarded


6 Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, me according lo the estate of a man of liigli de-
spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, gree, Lord God.
whom I conmiandcd to feed my people, saying. 18 What can David .t;3fo/c more to theeforthehoii-
Why have ye not built nie a house of cedars? or of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.
7 Now therefore thus slialt thou say unto my 19 Lord, for thy servant's sake," and accord-
servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I ing to thine own heart,''' hast thou done all this
took thee from the sheep-cote," ei'en from follow- greatness, in making known all f/icse great things.^
ing' the sheep, that thou shouldest bo ruler over 20 Lord, t/iere is none like thee,'" neither w
my people Jsiael. t/m-e any God besides thee, according to all that
8 .\nd 1 have been with thee whithersoever thou we have heard with our ears.
hast walked," and have cut off all thine enemies 21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy
from before thee,' and have made thee a name like people Israel,'' whom God went to redeem to be
the name of the great men that arc in the earth. liis own ])eople, to make thee a name of greatness

9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and terribleness, by driving out nations from bc-
•Ver.al; l-;zr.i :J: 11P»i. 10:i;17; Jcr. 33: 1. b Psa. 15U:5.
; 1
• Heb. /br n Psa. is:. 1(1. etc.: 1 Uor. 1 2Sam. 7:14, 15. I> Psa. 69:28, etc. Isa.
;

. „.- o.,.,... t:._i. ...o


Hiegate. »Psa5l:IO. a Sam 0:19, -20.
li c aSam. 7:1. elc. aChr. G;7-9.; 55:3. q Luke 1:33.
l;33. rPsa.
' Psa. 72:17 ' Gen.-32:1U; Eph.S:,". I. Judg
ja6g 6:1
e-.W,.
' I Cor. Ueb. Uen. g 1 Sam. l(i:ll, 1-2
l:i:9. t Heb. after. 1 Gen. Ii " Isa. 3'I7::i'); 12:1; 49:5, fi; Dan. 9:17. vMatt. 11:2U. i lUh. grealnessi
2-i:13; 1 Sdin. l.-i:ll: 2 Sara. S:6. 14. Psa. IS, title. J Psi. 92:13; Isa.
i wDeut:. 33:20; Psa. 80:S; Eph. 3:20. x Deut 4:7, 32; 33:29.
61:i; Jer. -2^:6. k Rev. 3:12. 1 Ezek. !»:-2! Rev. •21:4. m Judg. 2:14-18.
;

43. Blex his house; instruct and implore blessings upon ment, it should never supersede, or be suffered to hinder
iiis houseliold, and engage with tliem in tlie worsliip of the regular observance of family duties.
God.
IXSTRUCTIOXS. CHAPTER XVII.
1. As David sat in his house; for the exposition of this
2. Love to God and generosity to men go well togctlier,
and mutually aid each other. chapter, see the notes on 2 Sara. 7.
7. Singing the praises of God and calling upon his name INSTRUCTIONS.
have ever formed an important part of his worship, and 1. A godly man is not content merely to receive bless-
arc well suited to the devotions of his people. ings himself, but wishes to do all he can for the honor of
15. The covenant which God hath made in Christ with (jod and the good of mankind.
his people, is an everlasting covenant, and its blessings 7. The elevation of rulers is from God; and the higher
are sure to all who put their trust in him. they are raised in power and influence, the greater is their
2.'S. Praising God for his salvation, and praying that all obligation to love and serve him, and the greater will be
may be made partakers of it, should form an important part their guilt, and the more dreadful their condemnation, if
of our daily duties. they rebel against him.
34. The mercy of God in Christ is the only ground of 16. The goodness of God to his people deeply humbles
hope for lost and guilty men. On this they should depend, them on account of their unworthiness, and leads them to
while they glory in him as their righteousness, wisdom, feel that for all their mercies they are indebted to the
and strength. riches of his grace.
43. While the public wor.'hip of God should not be neg- 24. The righteous wish to have the promises of God
lected, but statedly observed according to divine appoint- fulfilled, not merely that it may be well with them, but
488
; ;

David defeats l/ic rh'dhlines, 1 C 11 R N I C L E S XVIII. Moabiles, Syria ns, and Edomiks.

A. M. M;;2. thy people, whom tliou liast r cdcemed


foi-e help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the
out of Egypt V
i.Jii'"" Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thiue 6 Tlien David put p;an-isons in Syria-dainascus
own pi^oplo for ever;" and thou, Lord, becamest and tlio Syrians became David's servants, and
their God. brought gifts. Thus the Lord preserved David
23 Therefore now, Lord, let the thing that thou whithersoever he went.
hast s])oken concerning thy servant and concern- 7 And David took the shields of gold tluit wore
ing his house be established for ever,'' and do as on the servants of Iladarczcr, and brougiit them
tiiou hast said. to Jerusalem.
2-1 Lot it even be established, that thy name may 8 Likewise from Tibhath,' and from Chun," cities
be magnified for ever, saying, Tlie Lord of hosts of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass,
is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel ;= and wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea, and the
kt the house of David tliy servant be established pillars, and the vessels of brass."
before thee.'' 9 ^ Now when Tou* king of Ilamath heard how
25 For thou, my God, hast told thy servant* David had smitten all tlic liost of Hadarezer king
that thou wilt build him a house: therefore thy of Zobah
servant hatli founil in his heart to pray before thee. 10 He sent Hadoram* his son to king David, to
26 And now. Lord, thou art God, and hast prom- inquire' of his wellare, and to congratulate' him,
ised this goodness unto tliy servant: because ho had fought against Hadarezer, and
27 Now therefore let it please* thee to bless the smitten him (for Hadarezer had war' with Tou :)
;

house of tliy servant, that it may bo before thee and idth him all manner of vessels of gold and
for ever: for thou blessest, Lord, and it shall silver and brass.
be blessed for ever." 11 *! Tiiem also king David dedicated unfo the
Lord, with the silver and the gold that he brought
from all these nations ;" from Edom, and from jMoab,
CHAPTER XVIII. and from tlie children of Amnion, and from the
1 David subJueth tlie Philistines and the Moabites. 3 He smiteth Had- Philistines, and from Amalck.
arezer and the Syrians. 9 Tou sendeth Hjidorani with presents to
bles5 Divfid. 11 The presents and the spoil Darid dedicateth to God. 12 Moreover, Abishai* the son of Zeruiah slew
13 He putteth garrison-! in Edom. 14 David's officers.
of the Edomitcs in the valley of salt eighteen
NOW afterto pass, that David
this it
smote the Piiilistines, and subdued them,
came thousand.'
13 1[ And he put garrisons in Edom; and all
and took Gath and her towns out of the hand the Edomitesbecame David's servants. Thus the
of the Philistines.' Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.
2 And he smote Moab and the Moabites be- ; 14 'i So David reigned over all Israel, and exe-
came David's servants, and brought gifts. cuted judgment and justice among all his people.J
3 *r And David smote Hadarezer* king of Zobah 15 AndJoabthosonof Zeruiaii icasoxQv the host;
unto Hamath, as ho went to stablish his dominion and Jehoshaphat the son of Aliilud, recorder;*
by the river Euphrates. 16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimc-
4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, lech * the son of Abiathar, were the priests and ;

and .-icven thousand' horsemen, and twenty thou- Sliavsha^ was scribe;
sand footmen David also houghed all the chariot
: 17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over
horses, but reserved of them a hundred chariots. the Cherethites and the Pelethites and the sons ;

5 And when the Syrians of Damascus' came to of David were chief about the kins-. '

» ExoJ. igrS. 8; 1 .Sail. li:ii; Rom. 9:4, 5; 11:1, 3. etc. b Psa. 119:-I0; sa'.itle. I Heb. W«s. ^ Tieh. was the man of wars. hjnsli.6;l9. • Heb.
•Ter. « Hab. 8: 10; 11 :1«; JRev. -Jl ::j.
11:5. d I'sa. 9U:17. • l\eh. revealed
Abshai. i Sam. i-.Vi, 14; Psa. 00. J Gen. 18:19; 1 Kin"s 10:9; Psa.
'

tke earof thy seroxiit. t Or, it luilh pleased, e 14nm.ll:-29. f 2Sim..S:l, l^-.-ii; 69:14; l.=a. 9:7; 32:1. t Or, rtmembraneir. 1 Called Ahimeledl,

etc. I Or. Hadadezer.-'Si'n.S:^. f Seven /iimdred, -2 S3.ia. 8:4. I Hcb. i Sam. S:17. 8 Called Seraiah, 2 Sam. B:17; and SAi's/io, 1 Kings 4:3.
Darmesek. 1 Called Betah, ! Sim. 8:tf. • Called Berot/iai, i Sam. .<:S. I Heb. at the hand of.

tl Kings 7: 15, etc. t Or, rot, 2 Sam. 8:9. 1 Or. Jomm, -JSam. S: lU. « Or,

that he may be glorified, and multitudes be led to adore ber is given as twelve thousand. It may be that twelve
him for ever. thousand were slain in one decisive battle, and six thou-
sand more in one or more other engagements. When the
CHAPTER XVIII. events of a whole campaign are crowded into single sen-
tences, it is not surprising that in different narratives there
The narratives in this and the folio wini; chapter arc for
should be apparent (lisa.sreenients, which a full knowledge
substance the same as those contained in 2 Samuel, chap. 8
of ihe details wniiM (ii;il)le us to reconcile. "The valley
and 10, and the reader is referred to the notes on these
of salt" here nirnti<iniMl lies at the southern extremity of
chapters.
the Dead sea, where there is a salt mountain, and where
3.A^ he wsnt; the narrative leaves it doubtful whether
the streams are salt as brine.
it was David or Hadarezer who was on his way to the
river Euphrates. INSTRUCTIOXS.
12. AbiAai ; in 2 Samuel, the victory is ascribed to David, I. ^VTieu a man's ways please the Lord, he often makes
because whatever was done by his servants was done by his eneuiies to be at peace with him, or gives him the vic-
him. In the title of Psalm 80, .Joab is mentioned as flic tory over all his foes.
leader. Perhaps Joab was the commander-in-chief of Da- 8. The spoils of the enemies of the Lord when they
vid's forces, while Abishai led the division that gained come into the possession of his people, instead of being
this victory. Of tite Edomitc%; in 2 Sam. 8:1.3, they are used for their own aggrandizement, should be consecrated
called Syrians. Probably the Syrians and Edomites were to his service and to the good of mankind.
in alliance. Eifxhtecn thoiLvind ; in the title to Psalm fiO, 13. The preservation of the people of God amidst the
which seems plainly to refer to the same event, the num- dangers to which tliev arc exposed, and all the successes
489
1

Darui's mcsstncers abused. 1 CH 11 ' ^ X I < I, I . S X X .


TV"' -\niiiwiiilius ami Syrians defeated.

CHAPTER XIX. the lianil of Aiti.shai' his brother, and they


set l/irmsclir.i in array against the ciiildreii
f}*^-
nw-
1 D»ria'i iiHwnKeni, .cil lo c.rnforl ILinuii Ihc non of Nahiuli, «rc
TilUinouily rnlrciilnl. <« Tlir Ainni"niU«, »trcngllicn«l by tlii' Syr-
of Amnion.
iwu, >ra ovrrcuiiic by Juub and Abmhni. IC Shophacli, making a 12 And lie said, If the Syrians be too strong for
new lupply of the Syriuus. is "lain by David. me, then thou slialt hel]) me: but if the children
^'(>\V i( that Nahasli
caiiio to ]iiiss after tliis, of Ammon be too strong for thee, then 1 will help
the kiii-r of the children of Aininou died, and thee.
liis .<on reitrncil in liis stead." 1'5 Be of good courage,'' and let us lieiiave our-

•J And David said, 1 will show kindness unto I

selves valiantly for <iur people, and for the cities


llanun the son of Nahash, because his father |
of our God and let the Loud do l/iat which is good
:

siiowed kindness to nie. And David sent nicssen- in liis sight."


j^ers to eomfort him coueeniing his fatlier. Ho 1-1 So Joab and the ]ieoplc that were with him
l!i(! servants of David eanie into the land of the drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and
cliildrcn of Annuoii to llanun, to comfort him. they lied licfore him.''
3 Hut the princes of the children of Anmion said 15 And when the children of Ammon saw that
lo llanun, Tiiinkcst thou tiial David doth" honor the Syrians were lied, they likewise lied before
tliy fallier, tiial he hath sent comforters unto thee? Abishai his brother, and entered into the city.
are not his servants come unto thee for to search, Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
and to overtlirow, and to spy out the land?'' 10 f And when the Syrians saw that they were
4 AVherefore llanun took David's servants, and jiut to the worse before Israel, they sent messen-
shaved tliem, and cut otf their aarments in the gers, and drew forth the Syrians that w(re beyond
miilst hard by their buttocks, and sent tliem away." the river ;^ and Shophach' the captain of the host
Tlicn there went certain, and told David how
')
of Hadarezcr wait before them.
tlic men were served; and he sent to meet them: 17 And it was told David and he gathered all ;

for tiie men were greatly ashamed. And the king Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon
said. Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, them, and set the battle in array against them. So
and f/nn return. when David had jmt the battle in array against
• .\iid when the children of Ammon saw that
t) the Syrians, they fought with him.
they had made themselves odious* to David, Ha- 18 i>ut the Syrians lied before Israel and Da- ;

nun and tlie children of Ammon sent a thousand vid slew of the Syrians seven thousand mev which
talents of silver to hire them chariots and horse- fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen,
men out of Mesopotamia,'' and out of Syria-maa- and killed Shophach the captain of the host.
chali, and out of Zobah.'' 19 And when the servants of Hadarezcr saw
7 >So they hired thirty and two thousand char- that they were put to the worse before Israel,
iots, and the king of Maachah and his people; they made peace with David, and became his
who came and ])itched before Medeba. And the servants:' neither would the Syrians hel^) the
children of Ammon gathered themselves together children of Ammon any more.
from their cities, and came to battle.
8 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab,
CHAPTER XX.
and the host of the mighty men.
all
1 Rabbah is besieged by Joab. spoiled by David, and the people thereof
9 And the children of Ammon came out, and put tortured. 4 Three giants are slain in three several overthrows of the
the battle in array before the gate of the city: Piiilistines.

and the kings that were come were by themselves


in the field.
AND it came to pass, that after the year was
expired,* at the time that kings go out to
10 Now when Joab saw that the battle* was set battle,' Joab led forth the power of the army, and

against him before and behind, he chose out of all wasted the country of the children of Amnion, and
the choice^ of Israel, and put them in array against came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried
the Syrians. at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Kabbah, and de-
1 And the rest of the people he delivered unto stroyed it."

»a Sam. 10:1, etc. • Heh. In Ihine ei/ts dolk Dapid. b Gen. 42:3. = Psa. g JuJg. 10:15. Ii Jer. 40:15. 16. 1 That is. Euphrates. • Or, Sliobach,

03:12; im):4, 5. 1 Heb. lo .«mt. Gen. :i4::JU. li Psa. 40:9. c ch. IS:-'), i). J Sun. 10:10. Psa. 19:39, 44. i Beb. at the return of the year, j 2 Sam.
i

: ileh. face of the battle, i Or, young men. I Heb. AMiai. ' Neh 4:11. 11:1. k 2 Sam. 1-2:20, etc.

with which they are favored, come fioin him and lay ; ing friendship, may be made the occasion of enmity and
them under new obligations to love and obey him. strife.
13. In a good should be of good courage;
cause, men
and while they use with fidelity all appointed means, they
CHAPTER XIX. should feel their dependence on God, and commit the
16. The. river; Euphrates. result of their eflbrts to him.
18. All I'tVorts of the wicked to prevail against God and
INSTRUCTIONS. his people will in the end prove ineflectual, and be the
Gratitude sliorild ever be manifested for favors and
2. ;
means of hastening and aggravating their own ruin.
cannot be shown toward.s the benefactors themselves,
if it
itshould be towards their cliihlren or odiers who were CHAPTER XX.
connected with them. 1. Rabhali ; the capital of the Ammonites. Tarried at
3. Our best intentions may be misunderstood and mis- Jerusalem; that is, as explained in 2 Sam. 12:27, 28, till
represented evil may be returned for good, and that
; Joab sent for him, when he had nearly completed the
which sliould have been the means of forming and cement- conquest of the Ammonites.
490
Philistine sir.nts slain. 1 CHRONICLES XXI. David numlcrelh Isr'.el.

A. M. 2971. 2 And David took tl\e crown of tlieir king my lord the king, are they not all my lord's ser-
luM."" from ofl" his head, and found it to weigh* a vants? wliy then dotli my lord require this tiling?
talent of gold, and i/urc n-erc precious stones in it; why will he bo a cause of trespass to Israel?
and it was set upon David's head : and he brought 4: Nevortheh:'ss the king's word prevailed against

also exceeding much spoil out of the city. Joab.' Wherefore Joab departed, and went through-
3 And he brought out the people that tccre in out all Israel, and came to Jerngalem.
it, and cut f/iem with saws, and with harrows of 5 II And Joab gave the number of the
the sum of
iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David witli people unto David. And all they o/" Israel were
all the cities of tlie children of Amnion. And a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand men
David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. that drew sword: and Judah iva.f four hundred
4 ITxVnd it came to pass after tliis, tiiat tliere threescore and ton thousand men that drew sword.
arose* war at Gezcr* witli the Philistines;" at 6 But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among
which time Sibljcchai tiie Hushathite slew Sippai,^ them :^ for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
that was of tlio cliildrcn of the giant;' and tliey 7 And God was displeased with' this thing;
were subdued. therefore he smote Israel.
5 And there was war again with the Philistines ;
8 And David said unto God, I have sinned
and Elhanau the son of Jair' slew Lahmi the broth- greatly, because I have done this thing: but now,
er of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear-staff was like I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy ser-
a weaver's beam. vant;" for I have done very foolishly.'
And yet again there was war at Gatli,'^ where 9 * And the Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer,J
was a man of great stature," whose fingers and toes saying,
were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on Go and
David, saying. Thus saith the
10 tell
each foot: and he also was the son of tlic giant.* Lord, choose thee one
I offer thee^ three things:
7 But when he defied* Israel, Jonathan tiie son of them, that I may do it unto thee.
of Shimca,^ David's brother, slew him. 11 So Gad came to David, and said nnlo him,
8 These were born unto the giant in Gatli and Thus saith the Lord, Clioose thee* ;

they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand 12 Either three years' famine; or three months
of his servants. to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the
sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee : or else
CHAPTER XXI. three days the sword of the Lord, even the pesti-
I DaviJ, tempted by Satan, forceth Joab to number the people. 5 The lence, in the laud, and the augcl of the Lord de-
number of the people being brought, David repenteth of it. 9 David stroying tliroughout all the coasts of Israel.
having three plagues propounded by Gad, chooseth the pestilence. 11
Now
After the death of seventy thousand, David by repentance preventeth therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring
the destruction of Jerusalem. 18 David, by Gad's direction, purchas- again to him that sent me.
eth Oman's threshing-floor: where having built an altar, God giveth
a sign of his favor by fire, and stayeth the plague. 28 David sacri- 13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great
ficeth there, being restrained from Gibeon by fear of the angel.
strait:'' let me fall now into the hand of the Lord;'
A ND Satan stood up against Israel,'' and pro- for very great* are his mercies:™ but let mo not
Jtx. voked David to number Isi"ael.'' fall into the hand of man."
2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of 14 1 So the Lord sent pestilence upon Israel:"
the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
even to Dan and bring the number of them to
; 15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to de-
me, tiiat I may know if." stroy it: and as he was destroying, the Lord be-
3 And Joab answered, The Lord make his peo- held, and he repented him of the evil,'' and said
ple a hundred times so many more as they be: but, to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now

• Heh. the ireigM


of. t Ot, continued ; 'ileh. stooil. t Or, Gob. »2Sam. t Eccl. 8:4. tch. 27:24. I Heb. it was evil in the eyes of God c
•21:18, etc. « Or. ,Sap/i, 2 Sam. 21;I8. t (Jr. Kapha. 1 Called also Jaare- h2!5im. 12:13. 1 Sam. 2(i:ai,
i JlSam.9:0. ^ Heb. stretch out. "Heb.
ore^im, a Sam. 21: ly. b2 Sam. 21:20. • Heb. measure. 1 Ueb. born to Take to thee, k John 12:27. Heb. 10:31. t Or, many. » P.<a. fB:S, IS.
the giant, or Rapha, ver. 4. I Or. reproached. 5 Called Shamntah, 1 Sam. > 2Chr. 28:9; Prov. 12:10; Isa. 46:7; Lam. 5:2-15. o Num. 16:46^9.
10:9. = Job 1:U, etc. ; 2:1; Zeoh. 3:1. <1 2 Sam. 21:1, etc. « cli. 27:23. P Judg. 2: 18; Jonah 4:2.

3. Brought out the people; see note on 2 Sam. 12:31. 2. Beer-sheba — to Dan; one end of the land to the other.
4. Gezer; a city in the western part of the tribe of 3. A
cause of trespass to Israel ; a means of leading them
Ephraim, bordering upon the Philistines. into sin, and of thus bringing judgments upon them. Joab
6. Gath; a city of the Philistines. seems to have understood that David was influenced by
foolish pride in requiring this thing.
INSTRUCTIONS.
5. A thousand thousand and a hundred thmi-wnd; this sum
1. Reference to the sin of David in the matter of Uriah,
differs from that given in 2 Sam. 24 9. For some reason :

which took place while Joab was besieging Kabbah, is not explained, a portion of the armed men perhaps those
here entirely omitted and it is alw.ays proper to be silent already enrolled for military service before this number-
;


about the sins of others, unless the cause of God and of ing seem to be included in one account, and not in the
truth requires the mention of them. other. Four hundred threescore and ten thousand ; for which
4. This is a world of trial, and one trouble will succeed
we have, in 2 Sam. 24 9, tlie round number of five hundred :

uuother through the whole journey of life. Hut to those thousand.


who honor God in their trials, he will at last grant a com- 12. Three years' famine; in 2 Sam. 24:13, we read, seven
])lete and glorious deliverance. years of famine, wliich may be an error of the transcribers.
This miglit tlie more easily happen, as numbers were often
CHAPTER
XXI. indic;iled by letters.
1. Soor/ »/),• presented himself as an accuser. Provoked; liepenled him of the evil; he changed his course of
1.').

moved, excited. conduct.


491
OrnniCs thrtshing-ftoor. 1 ClIltOXKLF.S xxir. Mulcr'u.h fi r llie Icmjh

ihv Imiul." Anil tin- :injr<'l of llie Lkuii stood by


till- tlirt'sliin'.'-ll • nf OiiKiii' the Jobusilr.''
1*1 Anil I):ivi<i lil'lcil ii|> Ills ovt's, iiiid saw llio

!\ii'_'t'l of till' l.iiiM) sland hi'twet'U tlift osirtli uikI


the lu'avoii,' having a drawn sword in his liand
slretc'licd onl ovor Jerusalem. Tlien Uavid and
tlie ehlers of Imail, u-ho wire clothed in sackcloth,
fell upiiii their faces.
17 .\nd Kavid saiil unto God, Is it not I thai
coniinandcd the iieoplc to be numbered? even 1 it
is that liavo sinned and done evil indeed; but as

for those sheep,'' what have they done? let thy


haiiil, 1 pray thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and

on my father's house;'' but not on thy people, that


tliey should be ])lagu<'d.
l.S Then the angel of the Lord commanded
"i

Gad to say to David, that David .should go up,


and sot up an altar unto the Lord in the tliresli-
ing-lloor of Oman tiie Jebusitc.'
i'J And David went up at the saying of Gad,

whioli lie spake in the name of the Lord.


21) And' Oman turned Ijack, and saw the an-

gel and' his lour sons with him hid themselves.


;

Now Oman was threshing wheat.


21 And as David came to Oman, Oman looked
and saw David, and went out of the threshing-
floor, and bowed hims5elf to David wilii his face
to the ground.
22 Tlicn David said to Oman, Grant' nic the
place of this threshing-floor, tfiat I may build an
altar tiiereiu unto the Lord: thou slialt grant it
me for the full price: that the plague may be
stayed from tin; people.
23 And Oman said unto David, Take il to tliee,
and let my lord the king do that ivhich is good in
his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen a'so for burnt-
ofl'ei'iMgs, and the threshing instruments for wood,
and the wheat for the meat-oflering I give it all. ;

21 And king David saiij to Oman, Nay; but I


will verilybuy it for the full price:" for 1 will not
take that which is thine ff)r the Lord, nor oflcr
burnt-olVerings without cost.''
25 So David gave to Oman for the place six
huudred shekels of gold by weight.
» Psd. 7-.i-l. • Or, A mitnali. -J Sam. 24 : IS.
David's change to Solomon. 1 CHRONICLES XXIII. Distribution of the Levilcs.

as for me,it was in my mind to build a house"


unto name of the Lord my God:''
ttie

8 But the word of (he Lord came to me, sayin<?,


Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made
great wars:" thou shalt not build a house unto my
name, because thou hast shed much blood upon
the earth in my sight."
!) Behold, a son shall bo born to thee, wlio shall

bo a man of rest; and I will give him rest from


all his enemies round about: for his name shall
be Solomon,* and I will give peace and quietness
unto Israel in his days.''
10 He shall build a house for my name j^ and he
shall be my son, and I will be his father;^ and I
will establish the throne of his kingdom over Is-
rael for ever.
11 Now, my son, the Lord be with thee;" and
prosper thou, and build the house of the Lord thy
God, as he hath said of thee.
12 Only the Lord give thee wisdom and imdcr-
standing, and give thee charge concerning Israel,
that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy
God.'
13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed
to the statutes and judgments which the
fulfil
Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel :^ be
strong, and of good courage;"^ dread not, nor be
dismayed.
14 Now, behold, in my trouble^ I have prepared
for the house of the Lord a hundred thousand
talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents
of silver; and of brass and iron without weight;
for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have
I prepared and thou mayest add thereto.
;

15 Moreover, there arc workmen with thee in


jibundanee, hewers and workers of stone and tim-
ber,* and all manner of cunning men for every
manner of work.
16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the
> Ch. 17:1, etc.; S^ri, etc. b Deut- 1-2:5, 11. c 1 Kings
1 .

Duties of Iht Tycviles. I clIltONICLES XXIV. Courses of the priests.

9 Tho sons of Sliimoi; Slicloiiiilh, iind Ilazicl,


nnd Ilaiaii, tlm'O. Tlicsc urrc llie cliicf of llio
fallicrs of Ijaailaii.
10 Anil ho sons of Sliinici were, Jaliatii, Zina,"
I

and .leiisli, and Beriali. Tlicsc four nrre the sons


of Sliinici.
1 Jahatli was the cldcf, and Zizah llio sec-
And
ond Imt .loush and Beriah had not many sons:*
:

iIktc fciic thoy wen! in one reckoning, according


to //iclr futiier's iioiise.

12 "i The sons of Kohath; Anu-ani, I/.liar, He-


bron, and Uzziel, fonr.
13 The sons of Anu'ani; Aaron, and Moses: and
Aaron was separated," that he sliould sanctify tlie
most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to hum
incense before the Ldki),'' to minister unto him,
and to bless in his name for ever.''
1-1 Now concernin<j; Moses the man of God, his
sons were named of the tribe of Levi.
15 Tiie sons of Moses iverc, (lershom, and Eliezer
16 Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel* ivas the
chief.
17 And the sons of Eliezer ivere, Rehabiah the
cliief.^ And Eliezer had none
other sons; but the
sons of Ilchabiah were very many.'
18 Of the sons of Izliar Shelomith' tlie cliief.
;

I'J Of tiie sons of Hebron Jeriah tlie first, vVina-


;

riah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam


the fourth.
20 Of the sons of Uzziel Micali tlie first, and ;

Jesiah the second.


21 1[ The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Muslii.
The sons of Mahli Eleazar, and Kisli. ;

22 And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daugh-


ters and their brethren* the sons of Kish took
;

them.
23 The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and
Jeremoth, three.
24 TT These ivere the sons of Levi after the house
of their fathers even the chief of tiie fathers, as
;

they were counted by number of names by their


polls,'' that did the work for the service of the
house of the Loud, from the age of twenty years
and upward."
25 For David said. The Lord God of Israel
hath given rest unto his peoiilc,*' that they may
dwell* in Jerusalem for ever:
26 And also unto the Levites: they shall no
• Or, Ziia/i, ver. n. \ Heh. did not multiply sons. » Exod. 28:
:

The four and lucnty orders. 1 CHRONICLES XXV. Singers and oUier musicians.

B. C. 101 27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziali Bcno, and ;

the scribe, one of tlic Levites, wrote tliem before Slioiiam, and Zaccur, and Iliri.
the kiiifi^, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, 28 Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.''
and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before tlie 29 Concerning Kisli the son of Kish was Jc- :

chief of the fathers of tlic priests and Levites: rahmecl.


one principal houseliold* being- talvcn for Eleazar, 30 The sons also of Mushi Mahli, and Eder. ;

and one taken for Itiiamar. and Jerimoth. These were tlie sons of the Levites
7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the after the house of their fathers.
second to Jedaiah, 31 These likewise cast lots over against their
8 The tiiird to Ilarim, tlie fourth to Seorim, brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of Da-
9 The fifth to Malchijali, the sixth to Mijamin, vid the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the
10 The seventh to Ilakkoz, tlie eighth to Abijah," cliief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even
11 The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah, tlie principal fatiiers over against their younger
12 The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelftli to Jakim, brethren."
13 The thirteenth to Hiippah, the fourteenth to
Jeshebeal),
14 The fifteenth toBilgah,the sixteenth tolmmer, CHAPTER XXV.
15 The seventeenth to Ilezir, the eighteenth to 1 Tlie number and offices of the singers. 8 Their division by lot into

Aphses, four and twenty orders.

16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth ly /TOREO VER


David and tlie captains of the
to Jehezekel, _LVJ. host separated to the service of the sous of
17 The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and Asapli, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun,'' who
twentieth to Gamul, should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and
18 The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four with cymbals: and the number of the workmen
and twentieth to Maaziah. according to their service was
19 These were the orderings of them in their ser- 2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph,
vice to come into the house of the Lord,'' accord- and Nethaniah, and Asharelah,^ the sons of Asaph
ing to their manner, under Aaron their father, as under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied ac-
the Lord God of Israel had commanded him. cording to the order of the king."
20 IT And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: 3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of. Jeduthun Gedaliah, ;

Of the sons of Amram; Shubael:* of the sons of and Zcri,"^ and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Matti-
Siiubael Jehdeiah.
; tliiali, six,* under the hands of their father Jedu-

21 Concerning Rejiabiah of the sons of Keha-


: thun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks
biah, the first was Isshiah. and to praise the Lord.
22 Of the Izharitcs; Shclomoth:* of the sons of 4 Of Heman the sons of Heman Bukkiah, Mat- : ;

Slielomoth Jahath. ; taniah, Uzziel,* Shebuel,* and Jerimoth, Hananiah,


23 And the sons of Hebron: Jcriah the first, Am- llanani, Eliathali, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer.
ariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam Joshbeka-shah, Mallothi, Hothir, aiid Mahazioth:
the fourth. 5 All these icere the sons of Heman the king's
24 Of the sons of Uzziel Michah of tlie sons
; : seer in the words^ of God, to lift up the horn.
of Micliah Shamir.
; And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three
25 The brother of Michah was Isshiah of the : daughters.
sons of Isshiah; Zcchariah. 6 All these were under the hands of their father
26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi
"ii : for song in the house of the Lord, with cymbals,
the sons of Jaaziah Bono. ; psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house

•-Eeh. house of Ike father, a Neh. ia;4, 17; Luke 1 :5. bch.9:ia. 1 She-
6uei, ch. 23:10. \ SHclamitk, (-W. -ii:\a. t Exod. B:19. dch. a3:2-3. e ch.
25:8. f ch. 0:33, etc. S Otherwise ciUed .Tesarelah, ver. 14. I Heb. ii/ the

6. One — —
takenfor Eleazar, andone for Itiiamar ; onecourse in the place which God assigns them, attend with punctu-
of the house of Eleazar was drawn, and one of the house ality and perseverance to the duties of their oifice.
of Ithaniar alternately, till the latter house was exhausted,
when the remaining eight of Eleazar were drawn. But CHAPTER XXV.
Bome think that the original text implies that a double lot Asaph; he was descended from Gershon orGershom.
1.
was drawn for Eleazar to a single lot for Ithamar. the eldest son of Levi. Chap. 6:39-43. //fmajj , the grand-
19. Uader Aaron their father ; all the priests were con- son of Samuel, and a descendant of Kohath, Levi's second
sidered as successors of Aaron, and he is spoken of as son. Chap. 6:33-38. Jeduthnn ; supposed to be the same
their father. as Ethan, a descendant of Merari, the youngest of Levi's
20. Tae rest of the sons of Levi ; that is, who were not sons. Chap. 6:44-47. Jeduthun signifies " praising," or
priests. " celebrating," and seems to have been a name given him
31. Over against their brethren; that is, as the original from his office. •Prophcxy with harps cymbals; they not —
seems to imply, so that course answered to course, there only sung inspired songs, accompanying them with instru-
being twenty-four courses of the Levites, corresponding mental music, but themselves received, at times at least
with the twenty-four of the priests. T/ie principal fathers the spirit of prophecy. To Asaph, twelve psalms 50, —
over against their younger brethren ; so that no preference was and 73-83 —
are in all probability to be ascribed. Heman
given in casting the lots, to one division above another. is called " the king's seer," verse 5 and both Heman ;

INSTRUCTIONS. and Ethan (Jeduthun) were celebrated for their wisdom.


1. Order and regularity are important in all concerns, 1 Kings 4:31.
especially in those of religion and its ministers should all,
; 5. Lift up the horn; blow it loudly.
495
: : : : :

Divisians of the singrrs. 1 CIIKONICLKS XXVI. ]^ifi.iii/-n.i nf Ihe porters.

of Cioil, ncronlinir to tlic kiiifrV oidfi" to Asaph, :50 The three anil twentieth to Mahazioth, a.m.
11. t".
jwd.
Nbout
, . • 1 1
1
and Ins lirctlni'ii, mre twelve:
I 1

.Iciliitiinii. iind ilciiian. he, Ins sons, iuit>.

iil The four and twentieth to Ronianili-ozcr,


7 So tlic iiuiiiImt of tliom, with their brcthron hr,

thai wore iiistriu'lod iii tiie songs of the Lord, his sons, ami his brethren, were twelve.
vvm all that were eimning, was two liuiidred four-
score and eijjflit. CHAPTER XXVI.
8 •; And cast lots," ward against ward, as
liiev 1 The divisions of the porters, 1.1 The Kales nsKigiica by lot 20 The
well tli(! small as the great, liie teacher as the bcvitf.i thiit had chargp of the trta.«iiri«. L'O OIHcers and judges.

scholar."
/'
CONCERNING the divisions of the porters:
*.» Now the first lot came forth for Asiiiili to VJ Of the Korhites vas Mesheleniiah' the son
Joseph: ti>c second to Gedaliali, wlio
willi his of Kore, of the sons of Asa])li.''
brethren and sons ivere twelve: 2 And the sons of Jleshcleiniah tare. Zecliiuiali
It) The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his the first-born. .lediacl the second, Zcbadiah the
lirethreii, were twelve: third, .lathniel the foniili,
11 The fourth to Izri./ie, his sons, and his breth- '.^ Elani the fifth, Jehohanau the sixth, Elioenai
ren, icere twelve the seventh.
12 The fifth to Ncthaniah, he, his sons, and his 4 Jloreover the sons of Obed-edom were Shcma-
brethren, were twelve: Jchozabad the second, Joah the
iah the first-born,
13 The sixth to Bukkiah, Ite, his sons, and liis thiitl, and Sacar the fourth, and Ncthaneel the
brethren, were twelve: fifth,
14 The seventh to Jcsarclah, he, his sons, and 5 Aniniiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peul-
his bretiiren, wor twelve : tliaithe eighth:'' for God blessed him.'
15 The eighth to Jcshaiah, Jie, his sons, and his G Also unto Sheniaiah his son were sons born,
l)rethren, were twelve: that ruled throughout the house of their father
U> Tlic ninth to Mattaniah, he, liis sons, and his for they trere mighty men of valor.''
brethren, xvere twelve 7 The sons of Sheniaiah: Othni, and Rcphael,
17 The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his and Olied, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong
l)i'ethrcn, loere twelve: men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
18 Tlio eleventh to Azareel,* he, his sons, and S All these of the sons of Obed-edom: they and
his brethren, were twelve: their sons and their brethren, able men for strength
19 Tlic twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and for the service,'' were threescore and two of Obed-
liis brethren, icere twelve: edom.
20 The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and 9 AndMe.shelemiahhad sons andbrethren, strong
his brethren, icere twelve: men, eighteen.
21 The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and 10 Also Hosali, of the children of Merari, had
his brethren, were twelve : sons;' Simri the chief, for thoitgh he was not the
22 The fifteenth to Jeremotli, he, liis sons, and lirst-born, vet his father made him the chief;
his brethren, were twelve : 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zecli-
215 The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and ariah the fourth all the sons and brethren of Ho-
:

his brethren, were twelve: sah were thirteen.


24 The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, 12 Among these were the divisions of the porters,
and his l)rethren, leere twelve: even among the chief men, /(at'wg' wards one against
25 The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and another, to minister in the house of the Lord.
his brethren, were twelve 13 1[ And they cast lots, as well the small as the
26 The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and great,' according to the house of their fathers, for
his brethren, were twelve: every gate.
27 The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and 14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah.* Then
his brethren, were twelve: for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast
28 The one and twentieth to ITothir, Af, his sons, lots; and his lot came out northward.
and his brethren, ivere twelve 15 To Obed-edom southward; and to his sons
:

29 The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his the liouse of Asuppim.'^
sons, and his brethren, icere twelve 10 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth
• Heb. by Ike hands of the king, ver. 2. » ch. 24:5. b aChr. 2-5: 13. t Uz- 11:14. c Matt. 25:1.5; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; 2 Cor. 3:0; 1 Pet. 4:11. f ch, 16:38,
ziel.ver.i. t Or, SMemlah. ver. U. i Or, EimsnpA, ch. (i:!!7; 9:19. « ch. ^ Or, as %iieU for tlit smalt as for Iht great. ' Called Meslittemiah, ver. 1.
l.1:l=.-JI: 10:5. i- IThatia, Ot«;-edom,asch.l.'!:14; Psi.l2a:l,2. <lNeh.

7. All that were cunning; these two hundred and eighty- sons or daughters, the great object of parents should be

eight twelve times twenty -four were the teachers men- — to train them up for his service.
tioned in the following verse. The remainder of tlie four
thousand were the scholars. CHAPTER XXVI.
8. iVard; here put for a course of singers.
1. The porters; these had charge of the gates leading to

the temple. The temple was not yet built in David's day.
INSTRUCTIONS. but the porters wore assigned in anticipation of it; and
1. To praise God is one of the noblest services in which their offices arc here described as they existed under
men can engage and where it is done from the heart it is
; Solomon and onward.
acceptable to God, and raises the affections to him. 4. Obed-edom ; who took charge of the ark after the death
5. Children are the gift of God and whether they be ; ofUzzah. 2 Sam. 6:10-12.
496
:

Various officers of the lemp/e. 1 CHRONICLES XXVII. Tweke captains for each month.

A. M. 2989. westward, with the gate Shalleclieth, by


""
'
liii' the causeway of the going up, ward against
ward."
17 Eastward were six Lcvites, nor tli ward four a
day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim
two and two."
18 At Parbar westward, four at tlie causeway,
and two at Parbar.
19 These are tlie divisions of the porters among
the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
20 lAnd of the Levites, Aliijah ims over the
treasures of the house of God, and over the treas-
ures of the dedicated* tilings."
21 Jls concerning the sons of Laadan;^ the sons
of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fatliers, even of
Laadan the Gershonite, icere Jehieli.*
22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his
brother, which were over the treasures of the house
of the Lord.
23 Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the He-
bronites, and the Uzzielites
24 And Shcbuel the son of Gershom, the son of
Moses, was ruler of the treasures.''
25 And his brethren by Eliczer; Rehabiah his
son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his sou, and
Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son:"
26 Which Sheloinith and his brethren loere over
all the treasures of the dedicated things, which
David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains
over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of
the host, had dedicated.
27 Out of the spoils^ won in battles did they
dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord.*'
28 And all that Samuel the seer," and Saul the
son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab
the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated and whosoever ;

had dedicated any thing, it teas under the hand of


Shelomith, and of his brethren.
29 1 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons
were for the outward business over Israel, for offi-
cers and judges.''
30 Jind of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his
brethren, men of valor,' a thousand and seven
» 1 Kings 10:5; •_>
Chr. 9:4. t> Ter. 15. • Heb. holy.
: : : — : ::

Princes of the trtlfs. 1 CHRONIC Li:s XXVII r. King David's oncers.

after him : and in liis cour^iC were twenty and four aji:ainst Israel;' neitlier was' the number *,>> »^
tlli>us:ill(i. ])ut in the account of the Chronicles of luin-

.s The liftli c:i|itain for tlip fifth montli u-osSham- kini; David.
liiilhthe l/raliili': and in liis course were twenty 25 II And over the kinu:'s treasures was Azma-
and four tliousand. vcth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses
9 Tlie sixth iniilnin fnr tlic sixth month was Ira in the lields, in the cities, and in the vil]a;res, and
the son of Ikivt-'sli the Tekoitc:" and in iiis course in the castles, teas Jehonathan the son of Uzziah :

were twenty and four thousand. • 20 And over them that did the work of the lield
II) TlicscviMitli cajdtiin for tiic sovonth nionlli was foi- tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Che-

Uoluz llic Pelonitc, of the children of Epiiraini:'' lub


and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 27 And over the vineyards was Shimei tlie Ra-
11 The eighth captain for tiic oigiilh niontli was mathite over the increase of the vineyards* for
:

Sibbecai the Hushathite, of tiio Zariiites:" and in the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
his course were twenty and four tliousand. 28 And over the olive-trees and the sycamore-
12 The nintli captain for the ninth month was treesJ that were in the low ])lains iras Baal-hanan
Abiczor tlie Anetothite, of the ]>enjaniites:'' and the Gederite and over the cellars of oil was Joash
: :

in his course were twenty and four iJiousand. 29 Anil over the herds that fed in Sharon was
1:3 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Shitrai the Sharonitc: and over the herds t/mt
Maharai the Netophathite, of tlie Zarhitcs :° and were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai
in his course were twenty and four thousand. 30 Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmael-
1-i The eleventh captain for the eleventli month ite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Mcroii-
was Benaiah tlie Pirathonitc, of the children of otiilte:
E])hraim:'' and in his course were twenty and four 31 And over the flocks was Jaziz the Ilagerite.
thousand. All these were the rulers of the substance which
15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was was king David's.
lleldai' the N(!to])hatliite, of Othniel and in his : 32 Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsel-
course ivere twenty and four thousand. lor, a wise man, and a scribe and Jehiel the son :
'

16 1 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the of Ilachinoni^ was with the king's sons:
ruler of the llcubcnites was Eliezer the sou of 33 And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor:"
Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the sou ofand Ilnsliai the Archite was the king's companion :'
Maachali 34 And after Ahithophel vms Jehoiada the son
IT Of the Levitos, Hashabiah the son of Kemu- of Benaiah, and Abiathar :'" and the general of the
elr' of the Aaronitcs, Zadok : king's army ii:as Joab."
18 Of Judali, Elihu/ one of the brethren of Da-
vid: of Issacliar, Omri the son of Michael:
19 Of Zebuluu, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah of :
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel 1 David a solemn assembly having declared God's f.ivor to him, and
in
promise to his son Solomon, exhortetli them to fear God. 9, 20 He
20 Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son encourageth Solomon to build the temple. 11 He giveth him patterns
for the form, and gold and silver for the materials.
•of Azaziah of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel
:

the son of Fedaiah:


21 Of tlie half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo
AND David assembled all the princes of Israel,
the princes of the tribes," and the captains
the son of Zechariah: of Beiflamin, Jaasiel the of the companies that ministered to the king by
son of Abner course,'' and the captains over the thousands, and
22 Of Dan, Azarcel the son of Jeroham. These captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over
were the princes of the tribes of Israel. all the substance and possession" of the king,i and
23 IBut David took not the number of them of his sons,* with the officers,* and with the mighty
from twenty years old and under: because the men, and with all the valiant men,' unto Jerusalem.
Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the 2 Then David the king stood up u])on his feet,
stars of the heavens.'* and said. Hear me, my brethren, and my people
24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, As for me, I had in my heart to build a house of
but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it rest for the ark .of the covenant of the Loud,' and

»Ch.U:-2?. bch.ll:'2-. c di. 11 :-J9; 2Sarn. 21 :1S. dch. 11:38. « ch. secretary. 1 Or, Harlmonite. k 2 Sam. 15:12. 2 Sam. 1.5:37; 18:10.
1

11::)0; aSam. 23;-«». fch. ll::n. * Or, HcW, cli. 11 ::30. F ch. afitSO. nlKinpsl:7. "cli.lhe. och.27:16. Pch.27:l,2. • Or. m(«e. q oh.
h Gen. 15:5. ch. iJI :?; 2 Sam. ai: 15.
i I Heb. and lUs sons.
27:25. ^ Or, I Or, eunuclis. >•
ch. 11:10, etc. 2Sam.7:2;
IS of the vineyards. J 1 Kings 10:27. I Or, Psa. 132:2-7.

division, which retained the name of Asahel's division. safety, all should be willing to take part ; and as far as
When David —how early in his reign we are not informed consistent, these services should be so divided as to bear
divided the army into the twelve divisions here mention- equally upon all according to their ability.
ed, Asahel's came in as the fourth. 2a. It may sometimes be expedient and useful for the
23. From twenty years old and under; these being unfit people of a country to be numbered but this should be ;

for military service, an<l exceedingly numerous, he did not done for useful purposes, and not to gratify pride, or lead
attempt the labor <if numbering them. men to glory in their numbers, prosperity, or strength.
24. Began to number ; that is, to number the men of war 25. The division of labor, and the appointment of suit-
who were twenty years old and upward. able persons to superintend every department of business,
are essential to that regularity, diligence, and dispatch,
INSTRUCTIONS. which the highest prosperity and usefulness indispens-
1. In those services which are needful for the public ably require.
498
5 : : : : :

David's char'^e to Solomon. 1 CHRONICLES XXVIII. Materials for the temple.

A. M-^^89. and had made and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper
for the footstool of our God,"
1015° ready for the building: chambers thereof and of the inner parlors there-
3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build a of, and of the place of the mercy-seat,
house for my name, because thou hast been a niau 12 And the pattern'' of all that he had* by tlic
of war," and hast shed lilood.* Spirit,'^ of the courts of the house of the Lord, and
4 Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me be- of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries
fore all the house of my father to be king over of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the
Israel for eyer:"" for he hath chosen Judah to be dedicated things:^
the ruler;* and of the house of Judah, the house 13 Also for the courses of the priests and the
of my father;" and among the sons of my father Levites, and for all the work of the service of the
he liked me to make me king over all Israel house of the Lord, and for all the vessels of ser-
5 And of all my sons, for the Lord hath given vice in the house of the Lord.''
me many sons,'' he hatli chosen Solomon my son to 1-1 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold,

sit upon tlie throne of the kingdom of the Lord for all instruments of all manner of service silver ;

over Israel. also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all
G And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall instruments of every kind of service
build my house and my courts:" for I have chosen 15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold,
him to be my son, and I will be liis father. and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every
7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for candlestick, and for the lamps thereof:" and for
ever, if he be constant* to do my commandments the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the
and my judgments,
as at this day.' candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, accord-
8 Now
therefore, in the sight of all Israel the ing to the use of every candlestick.
congregation of the Lord,^ and in the audience of 16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of
our God,'' keep and seek' for all the command- show-bread, for every table; and likevnse silver
ments of the Lord your God;™ that ye may pos- for the tables of silver
sess this good land," and leave it for an inherit- IT Also pure gold for the flesh-hooks, and the
ance for your children after you for ever." bowls, and tiie cups:" and for the golden basins
9 IF And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the he gave gold by weight for every basin and like- ;

God of thy father,"* and serve him" with a perfect wise silver by weight for every basin of silver:
heart and witii a willing mind:*" for the Lord 18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by
searcheth all hearts," and understandeth all the weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot
imaginations of the thoughts:' if thou seek him, of the clicrubim,'' that spread out their irings, and
he will be found of thee ;" but if thou forsake him, covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord.
he will cast thee off for ever. 19 All this, said David, the Lord made me un-
10 Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen derstand in writing by his hand upon me, even all
the works of this pattern.*
thee to build a house for the sanctuary " be strong,
and do it. 20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong
Ill Then David gave to Solomon his son the and of good courage,'^ and do it: fear not, nor be
pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof. dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, vAll be
»Psa. 9D:3; Lam. a:!, b Kings 5:3.1 Heb. itood.i. c 1 Sam. 16:7-|:i. 1:9; Heb. 12:26. • 1 Sam. 16:7; Psa. 7:9; Jcr. 17: 10; Rev. 2:2). 1 Psa.
<i
oh. 5;a; Gen. 49:8, lU; Psa. 0IJ:7; 7S:6n; Heb. 7:14. e 1 Sam. lfi:l. 1.39:2. u2Chr. 15:2. ' ver. 6. w Exod. 31 :2. 3. t Heh. was with him.
f ch..3:l,etc. e ch. 2J:9, 10. h aSam. 7:13, 14. \ Keh. strong. ich.a2:l:!. I Exod. 25:40; Heb. 8:5. y ch. 26:20. « 1 Kings 7:13. etc. »Zech.4:2;
J Deal. 4:6: Matt. 5:14-16. k Deut. 29:10, 15. 1 Isa. 34:16; Acts 17:11. Rev. 1:13,20. b 1 Sam. 2:13, 14. ' Exod. 25:ls-22; 1 Sam. 4:4; I Kings
m Psa. 119:4, 10. n Deut. 6:1-3. > Ezra 9:12; Prov. 13:22. P Jer. 9:21; 6:23; Heb. 9:5. d ver. II, 12. e ch. 22:13; Deut. 31:7, 8; Josh. 1:6-9.
Johnl7:3. qjob 36:11, 12. r2Kings20:3; Psa. 101:2; JjhD4:24; Horn.

one. Elsewhere one table for show-bread is mentioned


CHAPTER XXVIII. 2 Kings 7:48; 2 Chron. 29:18. Perhaps the writer means
4. For ever; that is, in his posterity. David here refers the table of show-bread and the other golden tables con-
to the promise, " Thy throne shall be established for ever," nected with it. In 2 Chron. 4:8, ten tables are mentioned.
2 Sam. 7:1G, which has its perfect fulfilment in Christ. 18. Of the chariot of the cherubim ; or, " the chariot, the

See notes on 2 Sam. 12:16. cherubim ;" that is, the chariot of God consisting of the
7. If he be constant ; had Solomon and his successors cherubim. Compare Psa. 18:10. The reference is to the
been constant in God's service, he would have established two cherubim of olive-wood overlaid with gold, which
the earthly kingdom of David without interruption till it Solomon placed in the holy of holies, and under the shallow
should have been merged in Christ, of whom the angel of whose wings the ark was placed. 2 Chron. 3:10-13;
Gabriel said, " The Lord God shall give unto him the 5:7, 8.

throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the 19. In writing; what God showed David with regard to

house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall


;
the temple and its furniture, as related from verse 11, it is
be no end." lAike 1 32, 3i. But for their unfaithfulness
:
sup)iosed he wrote down and delivered to Solomon for his
the earthly successors of David were rejected for many guidance.
centuries before the advent of the Messiah. IXSTRUCTIOXS.
8. In the sight of alt Israel —
in the audience of our God; 1. As men draw near
the close of life, they should en-
supply, " I charge you." deavor to communicate such instruction from the word
12. By the Spirit; as divinely directed. and providence of God, as may be most useful to sur-
15. The candlesticks of gold ; of these there were ten, vivors.
2 Chron. 4:7. The candlesticks of silver were for uses 7. Fidelity to God is essential to the reception of those
less sacred, but which are not stated by the inspired blessings which, to the faithful, he has eng;igcd to inifMrt.
writer. 9. To be accepted of God, wliat men do they must do
16. Tables of shoiv-bread ; here, and in 2 Chron. 4:19, the hcitrtily as unto him, with a willing mind, for his glory
writer speaks of the tables of show-bread as more than and the best good of men.
499
Gifts for the temple. 1 CHRONICLES XXIX. Dm-i(l's thanksgiving and prayer.

with tlicc; ho will not fail tlioo, nor forsake thee," gave them to the treasure of the house of * /? „^,""
until thou hast tiiiisluHl all the work for the ser- the Lord, by the hand of .lehiel the Ger- loio!

vice of the house of the Lord. shonite.^


'21 And liehold, tiic courses of the priests and 9 Tlien the people rejoiced, for that they offered
the Levites,'' rvcn they shall be unth thee for all the willingly, because with perfect heart they offered
i-erviee of the house of God and there shall be with
: willingly to the Lord: and David the king also
thee for all manner of workmanship every willing rejoiced with great joy.''
skilful man/ for any manner of service: also the 10 II Wherefore David blessed the Lord before
princes and all the people will be wholly at thy all the congregation:' and David said, Blessed Ae
commuudnient.'' thou,'" Loud God of Israel our father," for ever and
ever.
11 Thine, Lord, is the greatness, and the pow-
CHAPTER XXIX. and the glory, and the victory, and the majes-
er,
1 David, by his example and entreaty, 6 causeth the princes and people
ty;" for all that is in the heaven and in the earth
to offer willingly. 10 Diivid's thanksgiving and prayer. 20 The
people, having blessed »>od, and sacriliced, make Solomon king. 26 is thine; thine is the kingdom, Lord, and thou
David's reign and dealli. art exalted as head above all.
FURTHERMORE David the king said unto 12 Both riches and honor come of thee,'' and thou
all the congregation, Solomon my sou, whom reignest over all and in thy hand is power and
;

alone God hath clioseu, is yet young and tender," might and in thy hand it is to make great,"" and
;

and the work is great: for the palace is not for to give strength unto all.''
man, but for the Lord God. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and
2 Now I have prepared with all my might for praise thy glorious name.
tlie house of my God the gold for things to be made 14: But who am I, and what is my people, that
of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the we should be able^ to offer so willingly after this
brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own'
and wood for things of wood onyx stones,'' and have we given thee."
;

stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers 15 For we arc strangers before thee, and sojourn-
colors, and all manner of precious stones, and mar- ers, as were all our fathers :' our days on the earth
ble stones iu abundance. are as a shadow," and there is none abiding.^
8 Moreover, because I have set my aifection to 16 Lord our God, all this store that we have
the house of my God, I have of mine own proper prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name
good, of gold and silver, which I have given to cometh of thy hand, and is all thine own.''
tiie house of my God, over and above all that I 17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the
have prepared for the holy house, heart," and hast pleasure in uprightness." As for
4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly
of Ophir,''' and seven thousand talents of refined offered all these things and now have I seen with :

silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal: joy thy people, which are present" here, to offer
5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for willingly unto thee.
things of silver, and for all manner of work to be 18 Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel,
made by the hands of artificers. And who then is our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination
willing to consecrate his service" this day unto of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and
the Lord? prepare^ their heart unto thee:''
6 1 Tiien the chief of the fathers and princes of 19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect
the tribes of Israel,'' and the captains of thousands heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimo-
and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's nies, and thy statutes, and to do all Me.se things,
work, offered willingly,' and to build the palace, ^or the which I have made
7 And gave, for the service of the house of God, provision.^
of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand 20 lAnd David said to all the congregation.
drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of Now bless the Lord your God." And all the
brass eighteen tliousand talents, and one hundred congregation blessed the Lord God of their fa-
thousand talents of iron. thers, and bowed down their heads, and worship-
8 And they with whom precious stones were found ped the Lord, and the king.

»Heb. 13:5. bch.a4-a6. c Exod. 35:25, 26; SB: I, 2; Rom. 13:1. <! Tit, 'Lsa. 40:29. 1 Kei. retain, or obtain streiii;lh. ilJeh.hnnd. » Rom. 11:36;
3:1. e
ch. -il-.i; 1 Kings 3:7; I'rov. 1:3. f Exod. 2H:2II; 39:15, etc.; Isa. 1 Psa. 39:12; Heb. 11:13; " Job 14:2; Psa. 90:9;
Jas. 1:17. 1 Pet. 2:11.
.14:11,12; Rev. 21 :1S. S 1 Kings 9:2»: Job 2o: 10. •
Ueh. fill '^i'^ hand 102:11; 114:4; Isa. 40:6-3; .las. 4:14. S Heb. trpertnlion. v Psa. 24:1.
bch. 27:1, etc. i2Cor.9:7. jch. 28:21. kProv. 23:15. 12Chr.2U:a6- "ch. 88:9. x Prov. 11:20. I Or,/oBBrf. ^ Or, stablisk, Fsa.. 10:17. y Prov.
• - Psa. H9:52; I Tim. 1:17; Rev. 5:12, 13. n Gen. 33:20. " Matt, 16:1. 2 ch. 22:14. > Psa. 145:1.
6:13. P "'"" "8:13;
" Deut. '" Prt
" 1:18; Eccl. 5:19; Rom. 11:36. q Psa. 75:6, 7,

19. The Lord will show his believing people all that the Israelites in David's time, but is employed by the
they need to know and in following his directions, how-
; author of the books of Chronicles, as a coin well known
ever great or difficult their work, they may undertake it to the Jews of his day.
with resolution and go forward with cheerfulness, expect- 9. Perfect heart
; sincere, upright, for the purpose of
ing that in due time he will give them success. honoring God. \'er. 17.
18. Keep this; this same disposition to offer willingly of
CHAPTER XXIX. their substance to the Lord.
7. Drams; or, as some prefer, darics, a Persian coin 20. The king; before whom they bowed, and thus paid
estimated at about three dollars. It was not iu use among civil obeisance.
500
:

Sclomon is magnified. 1 CHRONICLES XXIX. Death of David.

A.M.a)s9. 21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the him such royal majesty as had not been on any
11)15 Lord, and ofl'ered burnt-offerings unto the king before him in Israel."
Lord, on the morrow after that day, ewM a tliou- 20 1 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over
sand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand all Israel.
lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in 27 And the time that he reigned over Israel was
abundance for all Israel forty years ;' seven years reigned he in Hebron,
22 And did eat and drink before the Lord on and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusa-
that day with great gladness. And they made lem.
Solomon the son of David king the second time, 28 And he died in a good old age,'' full of days,
and anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief riches, and honor:" and Solomon his son reigned
governor," and Zadok to be priest. in his stead.
23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord 29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last,
as king instead of David his father, and prosper- behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the
ed and all Israel obeyed him.
; seer, and in the book* of Nathan the prophet, and
24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and in the book of Gad the seer,
all the sons likewise of king David, submitted 30 With all his reign and his might, and the
themselves unto* Solomon the king. times that went over him,*^ and over Israel, and
25 And the Lord magnified Solomon exceeding- over all the kingdoms of the countries.
ly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon

a 1 Kings 1:34, etc. * Heb. gave the liand under; Gen. 24:2; 47:39; 2 Chr. : Job 5:26. t Or, kistory ; Yleh. words. (Dan. 4:23,
30:8; Ezek. 17:18. b ver. 11, 12; 1 Sam. 2:30; Eocl. 2:9. " 1 Kings

22. King the second time ; his first anointing to tlie kingly its best affections and choicest treasures to the Lord, it is
office was on the occasion of Adouijah's attempt to usurp filled with gladness and exceeding joy.
the throne. 1 Kings 1 : 39. 11. None can offer any thing good and acceptable to
25. Magnified Solomon; caused him to appear great in God, except what they have first received from him. For
tlie eyes of the people. all blessings, and for a disposition rightly to use them,
men are indebted to his grace. To him belongs, and to
INSTRUCTIONS. him, so far as they feel right, they will give, all the glory.
1.The Lord chooses such as lie sees fit, to possess 17. Sensible that God looks upon the heart, and that
power and exercise authority among men on him they ; nothing is acceptable to him except what is done in sin-
are dependent, and to him they must give account for the cerity and truth, good rilen will seek from him a prepara-
manner in wliich they use the blessings with which they tion of heart not only for themselves, but for their children
are favored. and all who come after them.
3. If a man's affections are set on God and bis service, 20. However greatly men may be honored in being
he will willingly offer a portion of what God has given instrumental of good to others, the glory they will give to
him to establish and maintain his worship among men. the Lord, whose is the greatness, and the power, and the
9. Such is the nature of the human soul, that in offering victory, for ever. Amen.

501
THE SECOND BOOK
OF

THE CHRONICLES
The two books of the Chronicles originally constitutod but one history, the division into two parts
being simply a matter of convenience. The reader is referred to the introductory remarks prefixed to the
first book.

CHAPTER I.
1 The solemn offering of Solomon at Gibeon. 7 Solomon's choice of
unto David my father be established : for thou
wisdom IS blessed by God. 13 Solomon's strengtli .\nd wealth. hast made me king over a people like the dust of

VXD Solomon tho son of David was strength- multitude. tlie cartli^ in

ened iu kingdom," and the Lord his God


lii.s 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge,^ that
was witii him," and magnified liim exceedingly.'^ I may go out and come in before this people i"* for
2 Then Solomon spake uufo all Israel, to the who can judge this thy people, that is so groat?
captains of thousands and of liuudrcds,'' and to 11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was
tlie judges, and to every governor in all Israel, in tiiy heart,' and thou hast not asked riches, wealth,
the cliief of tlie fathers. or honor, nor the life of tliine enemies, neither yet
.3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and
him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon;'' knowledge for tliyself, that thou mayest judge my
for there was tlie taljernacle of tlie congregation people, over whom I have made thee king:
of God,'' which Moses the servant of the Lord had 12 Wisdom andknowledge wgranted unto thee;'"
made in the wilderness. and I will give tliee riches, and wealth, and honor,"
•4 But the ark of God had David brought up sucli as none of the kings have had that have been
from Kirjath-jearim, to the place which David had before thee, neither shall there any after thee have
prepared for it:'"' for he had pitched a tent for it the like."
at Jerusalem. 13 1 Then Solomon caxncfj-om his journey to the
5 Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezaleel the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from
son of Uri, the son of Hur, liad made,'' he put* liefore tlie taljcrnacle of the congregation, and
before the tabernacle of the Lord and Solomon reigned over Israel.
:

and the congregation sought unto it. 14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horse-
6 And Solomon went up thither to the brazen men:'' and he had a thousand and four hundred
altar before the Lord, which was at the taberna- chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whicli he
cle of the congregation, and oflered a thousand placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at
burnt-offerings upon it. Jerusalem.
7 *i In that niglit did God appear unto Solomon, 1-5 And the king made* silver and gold at Je-

and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. rusalem as plenteous as stones,'' and cedar-trees
8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed made he as the sycamore-trees that are in the vale
great mercy unto David my father, and hast made for abundance.
me to reign in his stead.' 16 And Solomon had horses brought^ out of
"1 Kings 2:40. b Gen. Mia. c i Chr. 29:25.
. dl
Chi. 27:1. e 1 Kings !l:22| Eccl.2:9; Jas. I:.?, n .Matt. (i:3.3. o Chr. 29:2.5. P 1 Kinps 1U:10,
1

3:4, etc. I I Chr. 16:39. e 1 Chr. 15:1, etc. h Exod. 33:1. 2. * Or, was etc. IMfih.gavt. q 1 Kings 10:27, etc. Job 22:24. ^Heh. t/ie going forth
;

Ihcre. 1 1 Chr. 23:5. t Heb. muth as tht dust of the earth, i PrOT. 4:7; of the horses which was Solomon's.
Jas. 1:5, 6. k Nam. 27:17; Deut. 31:2. 1 Prov. 2:3:7; Heb. 4: 12. "» ch.

Go and come in; discharge aright his public


CHAPTER I.
duties.
10. out

3. TTiere was the tabernacle and brazen


the tabernade; IG. Linen yarn; or, as some render, caravans or compa-
altar of burnt-offering made under the direction of Moses nies of horses.
in the wilderness remained at Gibeon, though the ark had
been carried to Jerusalem. See notes to 1 Chron. 16:37 INSTRUCTIONS.
;

22:1. 1. When the Lord is with his x^eople they wiU be strong,
502
Solomon^s contract with IIu,ram 2 CHRONICLES II. for lemj)/c matcri.is.

B r'lmT Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's mer- with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David
chants received the linen yarn at a price. my father did provide.'
17 And they fetched up, and brouglit forth out 8 Send me
also cedar-trees, fir-trees, and algum-^
of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of sil- trees, out of Lebanon for I know that thy ser-
:

ver, and a horse for a hundred and tifty and so vants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and
:

brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hit- behold, my servants shall he with thy servants,
titus, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.* 9 Even to prepare me timber in uluindunce: for
the house which I am about to build shall be won-
derful great.*
CHAPTER II. 10 And behold, I will give to thy servants, the
1, 17 Solomon's laborers for the buiUing of the temple. 3 His embas- hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures
sa;;e to Huram for workmen and provision of stuff. 11 Huram send- of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures
etii him a kind answer.
of barle}', and twenty thousand baths of wine, and
AND Solomon
name
determined
Loud, and
the of the
to build a house for
a house for his
twenty thousand baths of oil.
Ill Then Huram the king of Tyre answered
kingdom. in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the
2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten Lord hath loved his people,^ he hath made thee
thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore king over them.
thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thou- 12 Huram said moreover. Blessed be the Lord
sand and six hundred to oversee them. God of Israel, that made heaven and earth,'' who
3 lAnd Solomon sent to Huram^ the king of hath given to David the king a wise son, endued
Tyre," saying. As thou didst deal with David my with^ prudence and understanding, that might
father,'' and didst send him cedars to build him a build a house for the Lord, and a house for his
house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. kingdom.
4 Behold, I build a house to the name of the V.i And now I hare sent a cunning man, endued

Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn with understanding, of Huram my father's,
before him sweet incense,*" and for the continual 14 The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan,'
siiow-brcad,'' and for the burnt-offerings morning and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work
and evening, on tiie sabbatlis, and on the new in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone,
moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen,
God.'^ This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. and in crimson any manner of grav-
; also to grave
5 And the house which I build is great: for ing, and which shall be
to find out every device
great is our God above all gods.'' put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the
(3 But who is able' to build hlni a house,^ seeing cunning men of my lord David thy father.
the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain 15 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the
him?'' who am I tlien, that I should build him a oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of,
house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? let him scud unto liis servants:
7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work 10 And wc will cut wood out of Lebanon, as
in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, much as thou shalt need:* and we will bring it to
and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and tliat thee in floats by sea to Joppa;^ and thou shalt
can skill to grave' with the cunning men tliata?-e carry it up to Jerusalem.
Heb. hand, t (Jr. Hiram,

1 Kiiigi .3:1. » I Kings :i;-J. oic. 1 Ciir.
I> i 1 i

14:1. IKeh. incmseofspites. cyxoj. :JU:7. d ExoJ. i)::)!!; Lev. 41 :5-!l.


e Nam. 2S::J, etc. f I'sa. la.i:5; 1 Tim. 6: 1j. 4 Heb. katk retaiiifd. or ob-
tained strenglh. e Isa. 68:1, 2. !• ch. 6:13. I Heb. to grave gravings.

and by his word. Spirit, and providence be furnished for


every good work.
6. Communion with God and supreme devotion to him,

are a good preparation for the reception of all needed


blessings.
11. When men
desire that wisdom which is from above
more they desire wealth, power, or influence, they
tlian
may expect to receive it; and with it all things necessary
for their spiritual and everlasting good.

CHAPTER XL
Threescore and ten thousand men
2. three thousand and six —
hundred; for this passage, and verses 17 and 18 below, see
notes to the corresponding narrative, 1 Kings 5:15, 16.
6. Should build him a house; that is. a house that can

contain him. Save only to burn sacrifice before him ; he


wishes Iliram to understand that he does not propose to
build a house that shall contain God's majesty and glory,
according to the notions of the heathen respecting their
gods, but only a house that shall serve as a suitable place
for his public worship, which the burning of sacrifices
and incense here stands to represent.
8. Algum-trecs; these came in the ships that went to
Ophir under the joint management of Hiram's and Solo-
BaiUiing of the temple. 2 CHRONICLES IV. Its several portions.

17 T And
Solonioii mniihoroil iill tlif t;lningcrs' 9 And the weight of the nails was fifty i'!:'^
tliat were in the laiiil of Isiai'l," after tlic uuinlicr- shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper cham-
iii<r wliiTewith Uavid liis fatliiT had niiinl)('rc(l bers with gold.
tliein:'' ami tliev wen? found a liundi'cil and lifly 10 • And in the most holy house he made two
tlioiinand and tiiiei' llioiisand and .six iiundrcd. cherubim of image work," and overlaid them with
18 And lie set threescore and ten tliousand of gold.
tiiein to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thou- 11 And the wings of the cherubim ircre twenty
sand to he hewers in the mountain, and tiiree thou- cubits long: one wing of the one cherub «a.v live
sand and six hundred overseers to set the people cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the
aworii. other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to
the w-ing of the other cherub.
12 And 07ie wing of the other cherub uas five
CHAPTER III.
cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the
1 The place, and time of building the temple. 3 The measure and orna-
other wing wasiiwc cubits a/*o, joining to the wing
ments of tlie house. 11 The cherubim. 14 The veil and pillars.
of the other cherub.
'"P^IIEX Solomon began to build the house of 13 The wings of these cherubim spread them-
_L the Loud at Jerusalem'' in mount Moriah,'' selves forth twenty cubits: and they stood on
wliere t/ie LORD
a])iM'ared unto David his father,*'^
their feet, and their faces were inward.*
ill the place that J)avid lia<l jiroparedin the thresh-
14 1 And he made the veil of blue, and purple,
ing-lloor of Oman* the Jcimsitc.
and crimson, and fine lineu,^ and wrought* cher-
2 And he lici^an to build in the second day of the
ubim thereon.
second inontli, in the fourth year of his rei<rn.
1.5 Also he made before the house two pillars of
3 ^ Now these arc the things wherein Solomon was
thirty and five cubits high,"' and the chapiter that
instructed^ for the Imilding of the house of God.''
ii-as on the top of each of them teas five culiits.
The length by cubits after the first measure vms IG And he made chains, as in the oracle, and
threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty culiits.
put the7n on the heads of the pillars aud made ;

4 And the porch that was in the front of the


a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the
housed' tlie length o/'iYwa? according to the bread tli
chains.
of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was a
17 And he reared up the pillars before the tem-
liuiidred and twenty: and he overlaid it within
ple, one on the right hand, and the other on the
with pure gold.
left; and called the name of that on the right
•') And the greater house he ceiled with fir-tree, hand Jachiu,* aud the name of that on the left
wliich he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon
Boaz.'
pi Ira-trees and chains.
6 And he garnished' the house with precious
stones for beauty -.^ and the gold was gold of Par- IV. CHAPTER
vaim.
1 The altar of brass. 2 The molten sea upon twelve oxen. 6 The ten
7 He
overlaid also the house, tlie beams, the lavers, candlesticks, and tables. 9 The courts, and the instruments
posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors tliereof, of brass. 19 The instruments of gold.

with gold and graved cherubim on the walls.


; ]\/IOREOVER he made an altar of brass,'
8 And he made the most holy house,' the length i_V_L twenty cubits the length thereof, and twen-
whereof was according to the breadth of the house, ty cubits the breadth thereof, aud ten cubits the
twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty height thereof.
cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amount- 2 1 Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from
ins: to six hundred talents. brim to brim,^ round in compass,™ and five cubits
' Oi, toward the house. 1 Heh. caused to
• Heb. the men lite a ch. b:7, 8; 1 Kings O-.-X. 21.
alrangerx. b 1 Clir. oi movable work. J Exod. 26:31.

2-2:2. » 1 Kings 5:1, d


2->:2, 14.
etc. 1 Or, wIMi wai seen of Darid
Gen. asceiul. 1 Heb. long, k 1 Kings 7:15-21; Jer. 52:20, 21. 5 That is. He

his father. eIChr,21:18. 1 Or. ilroanaA, 2Sam. 24:18. iHeb./oMrfed. shall establish. lTh:kt is, In it is strength. 1 Exod. 27:1, 2: 2Kings 16:14;
' IChr. 23:11, f John 10:23; Acts 3:11 ; 5:12. I Heb. covered, b 1 Chr. Ezek. 43: 13-17. 1 Heb./rom his brim to his brim, m 1 Kings 7:23, etc.
29:2, S; Isi. 51:11, 12; Rev. 21 :1S-21. > Heb. 9:.3-9. 1 Or, is some think,

more abundant his labors and offerings for Him, the more Some have supposed that the height of each pillar was
humble will be his views of himself, and the more entire seventeen cubits and a half, with a base of half a cubit,
his sense of dependence on the riches of divine grace. making eighteen in all; and that here the joint height of
10. Not only the mutual exchange of kind offices, but both pillars is given. Five cubits; in 1 Kings 7:15, the
the exchange of the labor and productions of different height of the chapiters is given at three cubits. In Jer.
countries, may be of service to all. 52 22, it is stated at " five cubits, with net-work and pome-
:

17. With a proper division of labor and union of effort, granates upon the chapiters round about." It has been
and with the blessing of God on well-directed diligence supposed that, in Kings, only the tliree cubits below the
and perseverance, the most difficult undertakings may in net-work are reckoned.
due time be accompUshed.
INSTRUCTIONS.
CHAPTER III. 1. However great or difficult the work to which God
1. Mount Moriah; an elevation in the eastern part of calls men, in his name and strength they should undertake
Jerusalem. it,with confidence that he will give them all needed aid.
Parvaim; perhaps a general name for the eastern
6. To those who are disposed to learn and do their
3.
regions whence the gold came. whole duty, God will gr.ant all needful instruction; so
14. The veil; between the holy and the most holy place. that they will see not only what to do, but also how to
15. Thirty and five cubits ; inlKin^sT -.15, and Jer. 52:21, do it in order to meet his approbation, secure his blessing,
the height of these pillars is stated at eighteen cubits. and be made benefactors to mankind.
504
; ;

F'urnishhig of the temple. 2 CHRONICLES V. The ark of God brought in.

uil-un^lthe height thereof; and a line of thirty


cubits did compass it round about.
3 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which
did compass it round about: leu in a cubit, com-
passing the sea round about. Two I'ows of oxen
were cast, wlien it was cast.
4 It stood upon twelve oxen, thi-ee looking tow-
ard the north, and three looking toward the
west, and three looking toward the south, and
tliree looking toward the east: and the sea was
set above upon them, and all their hinder parts
ivcre inward.
5 And the thickness of it was a handbreadth,
and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a
cup, witli flowers of lilies;' and it received and
held three thousand batlis.
6 li He made also ten lavers, and put five on the
right hand, and live on the left, to wash in them:
such things as they oflercd for the burnt-offering*
they washed in them;" but the sea was for the
priests to wash in.
7 And he made
ten candlesticks of gold accord-
ing to and set t/icm in the temple, five
tlieir form,''
on the right hand, and five on the left.
8 tie made also ten tables, and placed them in
the temple, five on the riglit side, and five on the
left. And he made a hundred basins* of gold.
9 ^ Furthermorcliemade thecourtofthepriests,"^
and tlie great court, and doors for the court, and
overlaid the doors of them with brass.
10 And he set tlie sea on the right side of the
east end, over against the south.
11 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels,
and the basins.^ And Huram finished' the work
tliat he was to make for king Solomon for the
house of God
12 To ivit, tlie two pillars, and the pommels, and
the chapiters lohich were on the top of the two pil-
lars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pom-
mels of the chapiters which were on the top of the
pillars;
13 And four hundred pomegranates on the two
wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each
wreath, to cover tlie two pommels of the chapi-
ters which locre upon the'' pillars.
14 He made and lavers" made he
also bases,''
upon the bases
15 One sea, and twelve oxen xmder it.

: : :

Go<rs ploryfiUeth the trmpk. 2 CHRONICLES VI. luiij' Solomon blesselh God.

Also kin;; tSoloinnn. iiml all (lie conirrcffiition have built a house of habitation "u^
2 IJiit I
^
of Israel that were asseinlileil unto him ipct'onr the for thee, and a ))lace for iliy dwelling for ever.
ark, sacrilieed sheep ami oxen, wliieli coulil not ;J .Viid the king turned his lace, and blessed the

be told nor niiinliereil for multilmle. whole congregation of Israel:' and all the con-
7 And the |iriests broiifrht in the ark of (he cove- gregation of Israel stood.'"
nant of tlic Ijinw unto his place," to the oracle of 4 And he said. Blessed be the Loun God of Isra-
the house, into the most holy place, even under the el, who hath with his hands fuliillcd that which he
winirs of the cherubim :'• spake with his mouth to my father David," .•-aying,
8 Tor the cherubim pprcad forth t/ieir wings 5 Since the day that I brought forth my ]ieople
over tlie jjlaee of the ark, and the eliorubim cov- out of the land of Egypt 1 chose no city among all
ered the ark and the staves thereof above.'' the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my
;) And they drew out the staves ofl/te ark, that name might be there ;" neither chose I any man to
thc^ ends of the staves were seen from the ark bc- be a ruler over my ]ieople Israel:
Ibre the oracle; but they were not seen without. f) But 1 have chosen Jerusalem,'' that my name
And there it is* unto this day. might be there; and have chosen Havid to be
10 There wa.^ nothing in the ark save the two over my people Israel.''
tables whicli Moses put tlwrein at Horeb,'' when* 7 Now it was in the heart of David my father
the Loim made a covenant with the children of Is- to build a house for the name of the Lord God of
rael, when they caine out of Egypt. Israel.
Ill And it came to jiass, when the priests were 8 But the Lord said to David my father. Foras-
come out of tlie holy ^jfacc- (for all the ]ii-icsts that much as it was in thy heart to build a house for
vxrc present' were sanctified, and did not then wait my name, thou didst well in that it was in thy
by course :° heart
12 Also the Lcvites which were the singers,'' all 9 Notwithstanding thou shall 110 tbuild the house;
of them of Asaph, of Henian, of Jcduthun, with but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins,
their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in he shall build the house for my name.
white linen, having q^vmbals and psalteries and 10 The Lord therefore hath performed his word
harps, stood at the cast end of the altar, and with that he hath spoken for I am risen up in the
:

them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with room of David my father, and am set on the throne
trumpets:") of Israel,'* as the Lord promised,' and have built
13 It came even to pass, as the; trumpeters and the house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard 11 And in it have I put the ark," wherein is the
in praising and thanking the Lord;" and when covenant of the Lord, that he made with the chil-
they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and dren of Israel.
cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the 12 1 And he stood before the altar of the Lord
Lord, saying, For he is good for his mercy endur-
;
ill the presence of all the congregation of Israel,^

eth for ever that then the house was filled with
:
' and spread forth his hands
a cloud, even the house of the Lord ;
13 For Solomon had made a brazen scaftbld, of
14 Ho that the priests could not stand to minis- five cubits long,** and five cubits broad, and three
ter by reason of the cloud for the glory of the
: cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the
Lord had filled the house of God.J court: and upon it he stood,"' and kneeled down
upon his knees before all the congregation of Is-
rael, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,
CHAPTER VI. 14 And said, Lord God of Israel, there is no
1 Solomon, liaving blessed the people, blesseth God. 12 Solomon's God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth ;^
prayer in the consecration of tiie temple, upon the brazen scaffold. which keepest covenant,*' and showest mercy unto
THEN said Solomon, The Lord hath said that
he would dwell in the thick darkness.''
thy servants, that walk before thee with all their
hearts
» Psa. 13-2:8. b Exod. 37:7-9; Heb. 9:4, 5. c Exod. 37:15. • Or, they 1 Num. 6:23-27. m Neb. 8:5. n Luke 1 :0e^70. o Dent. 12:5, 11. p cb.
are tkere, as 1 Kings 8:S. d Deut. 10:2-5. t Or, xokere. 1 Heb. found. 12:13. ql Chr. 28:4. f 2 Sam. 7:2. etc. 1 Chr. 28:2. etc.
; 1 Chr. 29:23.
e ch. 3o:4. ' 1 Chr. 25:1. e 1 Chr. 15:24; Psa. 0d:25. h Rev. 5:8-14. <1 Chr. 17:11. »ch. 5:7, 10. » 1 Kings 8:22, etc. t Heh. the length there-
i 1 Chr. 10:34-41; Psa. 130. J ch. 7:2; E.\od. 40:35; Ezek. 10:4; Rev. of, eta. "Neh. 8:4. i Exod. 15:11 Deut. 4:39; 7:9. y Neh. 1:5; Dan.
;

15:8. k Lev. 10:2; 1 Kings 8:12, etc.; Psa. 18:11; Nah. 1:3; Heb. 12:18.

7. The cherubim ; the two cherubim of olive-wood over- their offerings, and give evidence of his approbation by
laid with gold. Chap. 3: 10-13. delightful manifestations of his presence and favor.
9. [/»(o this day; see note to 1 Kings 8:8.
10. Tlie two tables ; on which were engraved the ten com- CHAPTER VI.
mandments. 2. dwelling for ever; the place where he would per-
Tlitj
petually manifest his special presence.
INSTRUCTIONS.
5. Neither chose I any man; to establish in him and his
2. When a whole people assemble, and with united

hearts engage sincerely in the worship of God, they may posterity a hereditary authority, as he chose David.
expect that their service will be acceptable to him and INSTRUCTIONS.
greatly beneficial to themselves. 4. What God promises in his word, he will in his provi-
10. The ten commandments express the will of God, and dence and by his Spirit faithfully perfonn.
are the measure and the rule of human duty, under all 8. Those who wish to do good, may in such wishes be

dispensations, and in all ages. accepted of God, when it is not his will that they should
13. When the ministers of religion heartily unite in accomplish the particular object on which their hearts
praising and adoring God for his mercies, he will accept are set.
506
; : ;

Solomon's prayer at the 2 CHRONICLES YI. consecration of the temple.

n.c.S: 15 Thou whicli hast kept witli thy ser- 2G 1 When the heaven is shut up, and there is
vant David my father that which thou hast prom- no rain, because they have sinned against thee;''
ised him;" and spakest with thy moutli, and hast yet if tliey jiray toward this place, and confess thy
fullilled it witli thy hand,** as it « this day. name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost
1(3 Now therefore, Loud God of Israel, keep afflict them
with thy servant David my father that whicli thou 27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the
hast promised him,'' saying, There shall not fail sin of tliy servants, and of thy people Israel, when
thee a man' in my sight to sit upon the throne of thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they
Israel yet so that thy children take heed to their should walk
;
and scud rain upon thy land,' which ;

way to walk in my law,* as thou hast walked be- thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.
fore me. 28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be
"1[

17 Now then, Lord God of Israel, let thy word pestilence,'" if there be blasting or mildew, locusts
be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy ser- or caterpillars;" if their enemies besiege them in
vant David. the cities of their land ;* whatsoever sore, or what-
18 But will God in very deed dwell with men soever sickness there be;"
on the earth?'' Behold, heaven and the heaven 29 Then what prayer or what supplication soever
of heavens cannot contain thee;' how much less shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Is-
this house which I have built! rael, when every one shall know his own sore and
19 Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy his own grief," and shall spread forth his hands
servant, and to his supplication. Lord my God, in'' this house
to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy 30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-
servant ])rayeth before thee : place, and forgive, and render unto every man
20 That tliiue eyes may be open iipon this house according unto all his ways,'' whose heart thou
day and night,*"' upon the place whereof thou hast knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of
said that thou wouldest put thy name there to the children of men;) ;

hearken unto the prayer which thy servant pray- 31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways,
etli toward* this place. so long as* they live in*' the land which thou gavest
'Jl Hearken therefore unto the supplications of unto our fathers.

thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they 32 1; Moreover concerning the stranger,' which
shall make* toward this place: hear thou from is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far
thy dwelling-place, even from heaven ;''
and when country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty
thou hearest, forgive. hand, and thy stretched-out arm if they come and ;

22 T[ If a man sin against his neighbor, and an pray in this house


oath be laid upon him'* to make him swear, and 33 Then hear thou from the heavens, eve7i from
the oath come before thine altar in this house; thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that
23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people
judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by of the earth may know" thy name," and fear thee,'
recompensing his way upon his own head;' and as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this
by justifying the righteous, by giving him accord- house which I have built is called by thy name.'
ing to his righteousness. 34 If thy people go out to war against their ene-
24 1 And if thy people Israel be put to the mies by the way tliat thou shalt send them," and
worse' before the enemy, because they have they pray unto thee toward this city which thou
sinned against thee; and shall return and con- hast chosen, and the house which I have built for
fess thy name, and pray and make supplication thy name;
before thee in^ this house; 35 Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer
2.5 Then hear thou from the heavens,J and for- and their supplication, and maintain their cause.''*'
give the sin of thy ])eople Israel, and bring them 30 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man
again unto the laud which thou gavest to them which sinneth not,"') and thou be angry with them,
and to their fathers. and deliver them over before t/ieir enemies, and

»lChr.22:9. b rer. 4. c o g^n,, 7.i.j_i(;. x Kings 2:4; 6;12. • Heb.


o n Jnel 1:4, 11; 2:25. • Heb. land
of their enles. o ch. .32:84; Jas. 5:1.3.
manhecutoff. d Psi. 13-3:12. e Exod. 29:45, 40; Psa 6S:18. 'ch. 2:6; p Psa. 32:2-6; 142:1, 2. t Or, lownrrf. q Psa. 62:12. 1 Heb. aU Uiedays
Isa. 61i:l; Acts 7:49. ePsi. 121:4. t Or, ire. I Heb. pray, h ch. 39:27. whirh. i Heb. upon the faee of. ' Isa. 56::), 6. 7: .Tohn 19:10; Acts S:27-
S Heb. he require an oath of him. 2 Kings 9:26; Psa. 10:14; .ler. 2S:16,
i
39; Kph. 2:12. 13. » Psa. 46:10. t Jcr. 19:7. I Heb, thy name is railed
17; 51:56. I Or, .mlr(ttn. ^Or,loward. J Psa. 1(16:49-17. tl Kings ch. upon this house. « ch. 14:11, 12; 1.0:4, etc. 1 Or, right. ^ Psa. 9:3, 4.
17, la; Isa. 5:6. 1 Jer. 5:24; Ezek. 34:20; Hos. 2:21 22. m ch. 20:5-13. w Ecol. 7:29; }as. 3:2; 1 John 1:».

12. When we have finished a work, we should in earnest 28. Temporal calamities are God's servants and are ;

bcheving prayer commend it to the blessing of God, with- sent to remind men of their sins, and lead them to repent-
out which it will not accomplish any good. ance, that they may escape everlasting punishment.
D). The promises of God are often so connected with 32. God is no respecter of persons but the prayer of
;

the faithfulness of his people, that their conditions must the penitent, of whatever nation, kindred, or tribe, offered
be fulfilled, in order to obtain their blessings. Chap. in faith, he will hear and answer according to the riches
7:17-22. of his grace.
20. Prayer is a chief means of obtaining that forgiveness 34. The event of wars is in the hands of God: wlienhis
of sin, without which there can be no deliverance from its people rebel against him, he often suffers the wicked to
power. prevail against them but if thej' become penitent, and
;

24. Sin is the cause of all sorrow and unless it ; is con- turn heartily to him, he will deliver them and grant them
fessed and forsaken, it will cause sorrow eternal. his salvation. Chap. 7:14.
507
; ; 1

Firr faUtlh from haix-tn. 2 ClllKtNK I.KS \ 1 Sncrificts ami feasts.

tlicv carry tlu'in nway captives' unto a land fur and two thousand oxen, and a hundred and ),
*'
-JIJS:

off or near twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the
'.\~
Yd
if tlioy liclliink tlicnisclvcs* in tlio land
people dedicated the house of (iod.
t> And
wliitlicr tlicy aic c;iiric<l captive, and turn and the priests wailed mi their offices: the
prav iintu tliec in tlie ianii of tiicir captivity, say- Leviles also witli instruments of music of the
inir! We liave sinned, wo have done amiss, and Loud,' which David the king had made to praise
have dealt wickedly ;
the Lord, because his mercy nidureth for ever,
3S It'thev return to thee with all their heart and when David prai.sed by their ministry;' and the
with all tlieir soul in tiie land of tlieir captivity," jiriests sounded trumpets before them,'" and all

whitlier they have carried tlieni captives, and ]iray Israel stood.
tiiward their land, whicli tliou Liavest unto liieir Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the
7
failicrs.and toward tiiecity wliicii thou hast <'1ios(mi,'' that was before the house of the Loud: for
i:otirt

and toward tiie house wliich 1 iiave built for tliy tliero he oflcred burnt-offerings, and the fat of tlie
name: peace-offerings, because the brazen altar which
39 Then hear thou from the heavens, nrn from Solomon had made was not able to receive the
tiiy dwelling-place,' their prayer and their sup])li- burnt-offerings, and the meat-offering.s, and the
cations. and maintain their cause,' and forgive thy fat.
people which have sinned against thee. 8 I'Also at the same time Solomon kept tlie
40 Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very
be open, and /<>/ thine ears/jc atteut uuto the pray- great congregation, from the entering in of Ha-
er that is made in this place." math unto the river of Egypt."
41 Now therefore arise,'' Lord God, into thy 9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn^
resting-place,'' thou, and the ark of thy strength: assembly: for they kejit the dedication of the
let thy priests, O Lord (Jod, be clothed with sal- altar seven days, and th(! feast seven days.
vation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness/ 10 And on the three and twentieth day of the
42 Lord God, turn not away the face of thine seventh month he sent the people away into their
anointed remember the mercies of Uavid tliy ser-
: tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness
vant>' tiiat the Lord had showed unto David, and to
Solomon, ami to Israel his people.
1 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Loud,
C II A P T K 11 VII. and the king's house:" and all that came into
1 God having given testimony to Solomon's prayer by fire from heaven, Solomon's heart to make in the house of the
and glory in the temple, tlie people worship him. 4 Solomon's sol-
emn sacrifice. 8 Solomon having kept tlie feast of tabernacles, and
Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously ef-
the feast of the dedication of the altar, dismisseth the people. \'2 G-od fected.
appearing to Solomon giveth him promises upon condition.
12 lAnd the Lord appeared to Solomon by
NOW when Solomon had made an end of pray- night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer,
ing,'' the fire came down from heaven,' and and have chosen this place to myself for a house
consumed the burnt-ofifering and the sacrifices and ; of sacrifice.''
the glory of the Lord filled the house.J 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or
2 And the priests could not enter into the house if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if
of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had I send pestilence among my people;*
filled the Lord's house. 14 If my people, which are called by my name,"
3 And when all the children of Israel saw how shall humble themselves,'' and pray," and seek my
the tire came down, and the glory of the Lord face,' and turn from their Avicked ways ;° then will
upon the house, tliey bowed themselves with their I hear from heaven,^' and will forgive their sin,
faces to the ground upon the pavement, and wor- and will heal their land.
shipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears
good for his mercy endureth for ever."
; attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.*
4^ Then the king and all the people offered IG For now have I chosen and sanctified this
sacrifices before the JjORD. house, that my name may be there for ever and :

And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.
" Heb. thty that take
thtm captives carry them away, t Heb. bring bade to 103:17; 130:1; Heb. 7:24, 25. I 1 Chr. 15:16; Psa. 87:7. I Heb. Iiaml.
thfir heart. » Jer. -29:13-14. bDin. tj:IO. « Dan. 9:16-19. \ Or, rigkl. mch. 5:12. n Josh. 13:3, 5. ^ Hei. restraint, o 1 Kings 9:1. etc. p Deiil.
i nch. to the prayer of this place, d Psa. 132:S, etc. e 1 Chr. '23:2; Isa. 12:5. 11 ch. 6:26, 2S; Psa. 107:34. • Heb. upon whotn my name is called.
60:1. f Neh. 9:*); Psa. G5:4, 11; Zcch. 9:17. elEa.55:3. h 1 Kings 8:54, 'Jas.4:10. >Acts9:ll. t Isn, 45: 19; Lam. 3:40, 41. i'lsa.59:30. v ch.
etc. i Exod. -Xl-.n: Lev. 9:^4; Juci;;. B:'.'l; 1 Kings 13:38; 1 Chr. 21:«; (J
: 27, 30. t Heb. to the prayer of t/iis place.
Mil. 3:1, 2. jch. 5:1.3, 14; Kzek. 1U:3. 4. kch. 20:21; IChr. lfi:41; Psa

41. When tlio rainiBtera of God faithfully proclaim his 9. Tlie dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven
salvation, and show
its living power in their example, they days; the feast here referred to is the feast of tabernacles,
may expect that many will embrace it, and rejoice in it which began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month,
with exceeding joy. and lasted seven days, Lev. 23:34-36. The seven days of
the dedication of the altar preceded the seven days' feast
CHAPTER VII. of tabernacles. Compare 1 Kings 8:62.
IG. Sanctified tliis liouse; devoted it to a holy use.
Fire came don-n from heaven; this was evidence that
1.

Solomon and the people were accepted in their offerings. INSTRUCTIONS.


8. From the entering in of Hamath unto tlie river of Egypt 1. Tlie manner in which God shows his acceptance of

from the north to the south part of the land. his people is such as to fill them with awe of his justice,
508
Go(Vs promises to Solomon. 2 CHRONICLES VIII. His servants and sacrifices.

B.S'ff- IT And as for thee, if thou wilt walk


before me as David thy fatlier walked, and do
according to all that I have commanded thee, and
shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
18 Then v/ill I stablish the throne of thy king-
dom, according as I have covenanted with David
thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee* a man
to be ruler ia Israel.
19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes
and my commandments, which
have set before
I
you, and shall go and serve other gods, and wor-
ship them;"
20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out
of my land which I have given them; and this
house, which I have sanctified for my name, will
I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a
proverb and a byword among all nations.
21 And this house, which is high, shall be an
astonishment to every one that passcth by it so ;

that he shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus


\mtn this land, and unto this house?''
22 And it shall be answered. Because they for-
sook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought
them forth out of tlie land of Egypt, and laid hold
on other gods, and worshipped them, and served
them therefore hath he brought all this evil upon
:

them.

CHAPTER VIII.
1 Solomon's buildings. 7 The Gentiles which were left Solomon made
tributaries; but the Israelites rulers. 11 Pharaoh's daughter remov-
eth to her house. 12 Solomon's yearly solemn sacrifices. 14 He
appointeth the priests and Levites to their places. 17 The navy
fetcheth gold from Ophir.

AND it
years,
came to pass at the
wherein Solomon
end of twenty
liad built the house
of the Lord, and his own house,'^
That the cities which Huram had restored to
2
Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the
children of Israel to dwell there.
3 And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah,** and pre-
vailed against it.
4 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and
all the store-cities, which he built in Hamath.
5 Also he built Beth-horon tlie upper, and Beth-
horon the nether,'' fenced cities, with walls, gates,
and bars;
6 And Baalath, and all the store-cities that Sol-
• Heb. he cut ojf to thf:e.
:

Tht queen of Shebii's visit. 2 CIIIIOMCLKS l\ Solomon's royul state.

1" •. Then went Solomon to Ezion-gcdier," and


to Klolli,* at the sca.^idc in tlio land of Edoni.
IS And llnrain sent iiini, bv the hands of his
-crvants, siiips,and servants tliut had knowledge
111' llie and tiiey went with the servants of
sea:''
Sohnnoii to Opliir, and took tiienee four hundred
and tiftv talents of gold, and brought them to king
Solomon.'^

CHAPTER IX.
1 The queen of Shcba adinireth the wiwlom of Solomon. 13 Solomon's
15 His torgets. 17 The throne of ivory. 20 His vesaels. 2.3
S.ia.
i» presents. 25 Hi« chariot* and horse. 26 His tributes. 29 His
reign and death.

ANDfamewhen the queen of Plieba heard of the


of Solomon.'' she came to j)rove Solo-
mon with hard questions at .Jerusalem, with a
very great company, and camels that bare spices,
and gold in abundance, and precious stones and :

when she was come to Solomon, she comuiuucd-


with him of all that was in her heart.
2 And Solomon told her all her questions:'' and
there was nothing hid from Solomon which he
told her not.
){ And when the queen of Sheba had seen the
wis lorn of Solomon, and the house that he had
built,
And the meat of his table, and tiie sitting of
•4

his servants,and the attendance of his ministers,


and their apparel his cup-bearers* also, and their
;

ap|)arel and his ascent by which he went up into


;

the house of the Loed there was no more spirit


;

in her.
5 And she said to the king. It tvas a true report*
which I heard in mine own land of thine acts,*"

and of thy wisdom


G Ilowbeit T believed not their words, until I
came, and mine eyes had seen it: and behold, the
one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not
told me:'' for thou exceedest the fame that I
heard.
7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy
servants, which stand continually before thee, and
hear thy wisdom.
8 Blessed be the Lord thy God,''' which delight-
ed in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for
the Lord thy God because thy God loved Israel,
:

to (Establish them for ever, therefore made he thee


king over them, to do judgment and justice.''
9 And she gave the king a hundred and twenty
talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and

> 1 Kir
Death of king Solomon. 2 CHRONICLES X. Rehohonm repels the ten trihes.

A.M. presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom,


3012. old menJ that had stood before Solomon his father
°"'
992' that God had put in his heart. while he yet lived," saying. What counsel give ye
24 And they bi'ought every man his present, me to return answer to tliis people?
vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, 7 And they spake unto him, saying. If thou be
harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year kind to this people, and please them, and speak
by year. good words to them,' they will be thy servants
2.5 1 And Solomon had
four thousand stalls for for ever.
liorses and chariots, and twelve thousand horse- 8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men
men wliom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and
;
gave him, and took counsel with the young men
with the king at Jerusalem. that were brought up with him,'" that stood before
26 M And he reigned over all the kings from him.
the river* even unto tiie land of the Philistines, 9 And he said unto them, "What advice give ye
and to tiic border of Egypt." that we may return answer to this people, which
27 And the king made^ silver in Jerusalem as have spoken to me, saying. Ease somewhat the
stones, and cedar-trees made he as the sycamore- yoke that thy father did put upon us?
trees that are in the low plains in abundance.'' 10 And the young men that were brought up
28 And they brought unto Solomon horses out with him spake unto him, saying, Thus slialt thou
of Egypt, and out of all lands. answer the people that spake unto thee, saying,
29 II Now the rest of the acts of Solomon," first Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou
and last, are they not written in the book* of Na- it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say

than the prophet, and in the proi)hecy of Ahijah unto them, My little ^Hg-cr shall be thicker than
the Shilonite,'^ and in the visions of Iddo the seer my father's loins.
against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?" 11 For whereas my father put^ a heavy yoke
30 And Solomon reigned iu Jerusalem over all upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my fa-
Israel forty years. ther chastised you with whips, but I will chastise
31 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he you with scorpions.
was buried in the city of David his father: and 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Re-
Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead. hoboam on the third day, as the king bade, say-
ing.Come again to me on the third day.
13And the king answered them rouglily; and
CHAPTER X. king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old
1 The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam, by Jeroboam men,"
make a suit of relaxation unto him. 6 Rehoboiim, refusing the old
men's counsel, by the advice of young men answereth them roughly. 14 And answered them after the advice of the
16 Ten tribes revolting kill Hadoram, and m;ike Rehoboam to flee. young men, saying. My father made your yoke

A
king.«
ND Rehoboam went
Shechem were all Israel
to Shechem:*" for to heavy, but I will add thereto my father chastised

pions.
:

come to make him you with whips, but I uiil chastise you with scor-

2 And it came the son


to pass, when Jeroboam 15 So the king hearkened not unto the people:"
of Nebat, who was
whither he had fled
in Egypt,'' for the cause was of God,'' that the Lord might
from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, perform his word, which he spake by the hand of
that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.'
3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam 16 1 And when all Israel saw that the king
and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, would not hearken unto them, the people answered
4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now the king, saying, What portion have we in David?
therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servi- and wc have none inheritance in the son of Jesse;
tude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put every man to your tents, Israel:'' and now, Da-
upon and we will serve thee.
us, vid, see to thine own house. So all Israel went
5 And
he said unto them. Come again unto me to their tents.
after three days. And the people departed. 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in
6 IT And king Rehoboam took counsel' with the the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
• Tliat Eupkrates. a Gen. 15:18; 1 Kings 4:-21; Psa. 7d:P. t Heb.
is, 13. kPr
g^ve. 1:15-17; 1 Kings 10:27, etc.
li
ch, c 1 Kings 11:41-13. 1 Heb.

worils. Ill Kings


ll:-29. e eh. I->:15; 13:*2. t Gen. 37:12. 13; Julg. 9: 1.

e 1 Kings 12:1, etc. t I Kings 11:26, 40. i FroT. 12:15; 19:20. j Job 12:12,

24. Harness; tliat is, armor.


29. Book of Nathan of Ahijah — — of Iddo; books of Jewish
history, not now extant.
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. Those who know the vahie of true wisdom will seek
to obtain it; and one means of this is, familiar intercourse
witli those who
possess it. He that walketh with wise
men shall be wise.
8. All true wisdom comes from God, and habitual com-

munion with him is the best means of obtaining it.


A
truly wise man will delight not only in receiving,
12.
but imparting knowledge and by doing it will become
in ;

a benefactor to those around him.


;

Works of JitJioboam. 2CnR0NICLES XII. Jlis wires and idolatry.

18 Then kiii-r Hcliolionm pent Iladorain* that for Jerolioam and his sons had cast them '*it"-^:
u-as over tla- trilmte; and tin- children of Issnu'I ofl' from executing the jiriest's office unto the
him
stoni'd wiiii stones, that he died. But king LolU):^
Rehoboani made speed' to get him up to Aw char- 1.5 And he ordained him priests for the high
iot, to tleo lo Jerusalem. places,"and for the devils,' and for the calves

19 .\nd Israel rebelled against the house of Da- which he had made.'"
vid uulo this day." And after them, out of ;ill the tribes of Isra-
1(1

el,"such as set their hearts to seek the Loud God


of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the
C II A TIE 11 XI. Louu God of their fathers.
17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah,"
1 Rehoboum raising nn army lo subiluo Israel, is forbidden bjr Shem.^-
M\. C> Ho strongllicneth his kingdom with forts and provision. 13 and made Rchoboam the son of Solomon strong,
The priwits and Lcvites. and such as feared God, forsaken by Jerobo- three years: for tlirec years they walked in the •

am, strengthen the kmgdom of Judah. 18 The wives and children of


Rehoboam. way of David and Solomon.
wlien Rchoboam was como to Jerusalem, 18 1[And Rchoboam took him Mahalath the
VXn
he gathered of the house of Judah and J5eii-
daughter of Jerimotli the son of David to wife,
jamin a liundrod and fourscore, thousand cluisen and Aljihail the daughter of Eliab tlie son of Jesse
19 Which liarc him children; Jeush, and Sham-
nun, wliicli were warriors, to figlit against Israel,
ariah, and Zaham.
that he might bring the kingdom again to lleho-
20 And after her he took Maachali the daugliter
boam.''
Absalom;'^ which bare him Abijah, and Altai,
2 But the word of the Lord'' came to Shemaiah of
tlie man of God,'' saying,
and Ziza, and Shelomith.
21 And Rchoboam loved Maachah the daughter
3 Speak unto Relioboam the son of Solomon,
all his wives and his concu-
king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and of Absalom above
bines for he took eighteen wives, and threescore
:
Benjamin, saying,
4 Thus saith the Lord, Yc shall not go up, nor concubines and
begat twenty and eight sons, and
;

fight against your brethren:" return every man


threescore daughters.
to his house for this thing is done of me.*^ And
:
22 And Rchoboam made Abijah the son of Maa-
chief," to be ruler among his brethren:
they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned chali the
for he thought to make him king.
from going against Jeroboam.
5 And Reholjoam dwelt in Jerusalem, and 23 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his
1
built cities for defence in Judah.
children tliroughout all the countries of Judah
6 He built even B(!th-lehcm, and.Etam, and Te- and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he
koa,
gave them victuals in abmidancc. And he de-
7 And Bcth-zur, and Sooo, and Adullam,
sired many wives.'

8 And Gath, and jMareshah, and Ziph,


9 And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
10 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which
CHAPTER XII.
1 E,ehoboam, forsaking the Lord, is punished by Shishak. 5 He and
are in Judah and in Benjamin, fenced cities.
the princes, repenting at the preaching of Shemaiah, are delivered
11 And he fortified the strong-holds,^ and put from destruction, but not from spoil. 13 The reign and death of Reho-
captains in them,'' and store of victuals, and of oil b.«r,l.

and wine.
12 And in every several city he put shields and
AND it came to pass, when Rchoboam had
established the kingdom, and had strength-
spears, and made them exceeding strong, having ened himself he forsook the law of the Lord, and
Judah and Benjamin on his side. all Israel with him.""
13 And
the priests and the Lcvites that were
1[ 2 And it came to pass that, in the fifth year of
in all Israel resorted* to him out of all their coasts. king Rchoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up
1-4 For the Lcvites left their suburbs and their against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed
possession,' and came to Judah and Jerusalem: against the Lord,
• Adonimm, Kings J:G; 5:14. t Heb. sirengthened himself. » Tsa.
1 17-7
89:3U, etc. b l Kings 1-2:21, etc. cProv. 21:3U. d ch. 12:5. « Gen. 13;S.
' ch. 10:1.';; Psa. :i:i:ll. g Isi. 22: 1(1, 11. hch. 17:19. t Heh. presenltd
themselves. Num. 3o:2, etc. ich. 13:9. k 1 Kings 12:31 13:3:!. 'Lev.
;

Kindness in rulers often does more to secure obedi-


7.

ence from the people, than force and the longer men live,
;

and the more they see of their feUow-men, the deeper is


their conviction of this truth.
lil. Youth are reckless, and often plunge into coursefe

which bring distress and ruin upon themselves and others.


lr>. The hand of God is never to be overlooked in the

events of his providence, but is to be acknowledged even


in those calamities which the folly and wickedness of men
bring upon themselves.

CHAPTER XI.
15. Devils; demons, to which idolaters rendered relig-
ious worship. Compare 1 Cor. 10:20.
512
1

Judah invaded hy Skishali. 2 CHRONICLES XIII. T/w reign of Abijah.

h.
" oT?' 3 With twelvehundred chariots, and three-
score thousand horsemen and the people ivere with-
:

out number that came with hiui out of Egypt; the


Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians."
4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained
to Judali, and came to Jerusalem.
5 ITIicn came Shemaiah the prophet to Reho-
boam,'' and to tlic princes of Judali, that were
gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shi-
shak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord,
Yc have forsaken me,"^ and therefore have I also
left you in the hand of Shishak.
6 Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king
humbled themselves;'' and they said, The Lord is
righteous."
7 And when Lord saw that they humbled
the
tliemselves,'^ the word of the Lord came to Shema-
iah, saying, They have humbled themselves; there-
fore I will not destroy them,'' but I will graut them
some' deliverance ; and my wrath shall not be pour-
ed out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.
8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants;" that
they may know my service, and the service of the
kingdoms of the countries.'
9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against
Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the
house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's
house; he took all: he carried away also the
shields of gold which Solomon had made.'
10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields
of brass, and committed t/iem to the hands of the
chief of the guard,'' that kept the entrance of the
king's house.
1 And when the king entered into the house of
the Lord, the guard came and fetched them, and
brought them again into the guard-chamber.
12 And when he humbled himself,' the wrath of
the Lord turned from him, that he would not de-
stroy hi?!! altogether; and also in Judah things
went well.'^
13 ^ So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in
Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one
and forty years old when he began to reign, and
he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city
which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes
of Israel, to put his name there. And his moth-
er's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
:

Abijiih's tear tcith Jrrobanm. 2 ('III!()X1("IJ;S XIV. T/ie good reign uf Asa.

you priosts nftor the ninnnpr of the nations of


other liinils? so tlmt wliOMievi-r conicth to conse-
crate liinisclf" with n youii^r bullock anil sovon
rams, the same may be a priest of thcin that arc uo
gods.
10 But as for U3, the Loud m our God, and wo
have not forsaken him and the priests, whidi
;

minister unto tlic Loud, are the gons of Aaron,


and the Levitos wait upon their business:
11 And tiicy burn unto the LolU) every morning
and cverv cveninjf bunit-saci-iliccs and sweet in-
cen.-c:" tin' show-bread also set they in order u])on
the jmrc table;'' and the candlestick of jrold with
the lamps tiiereof, to burn every evening:"^ for we
keep the charsro of the Loud our God; but ye
have forsaken him.
12 And behold, God himself?.? with u?'' for our
captain.'' and his priests with sounding trunifiets
to cry alarm against you.' O cliiiilrcu of Israel,
fight ye not against the Lord God oi' your fa-
thers ;' for yc shall not prosper.
13 *i But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to
come about liehind them: so they were before
Judah, and the ambusliment was behind them.
14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the
battle was before and behind and they cried
:

unto the Loud, and the priests sounded witli the


trumpets.
l.j Then the men of Judali gave a shout: and

as themen of Judah siiouted, it came to pass, that


God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah
and Judah.''
16 And the children of Israel fled befoi'e Judah
and God delivered them into their hand.
17 And Abijah and his jjcople slew tiiem with a
great slaughter : so there fell down slain of Israel
live humlred thousand chosen men.
18 Thus the children of Israel were brought
under at that time, and the children of Judah pre-
vailed, because they relied upon the Lord God of
their fathers.'
19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and
took cities from him, 15eth-el with the towns there-
of, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and
Ephraim with the towns thereof.
• Heb. Jilt hia
1

The Ethiopians defeated. 2 CHRONICLES XV Asa's solemn covenant.

ii.ra^''three hundred chariots;" and came unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was
Mareshah.'' found of them."
lU Then Asa went out against him, and they set 5 And in those times tliere icas no peace to him
the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at that went out, nor to him that came in,P but great
Mareshah. vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the
1 And Asa cried unto the Lord his God,"^and countries.
Lord, it is nothing with thee to help,
said, whether 6 And nation was destroyed' of nation.^ and city
."
with many, or with tiiem that have no power:'' of city : for God did vex tliein with all adversity
help us, Lord our God; for we rest on thee, Be ye strong therefore,'' and let not your hands
7
and in thy name we go against this multitude." be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
Lord, thou art our God; let not man' prevail 8 And when Asa heard these words, and the
against thee. prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage,
12 So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and put away the aboniinalde idols' out of all the
and before Judah;'' and the Ethiopians fled. land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities
13 And Asa and the people that were with him which he had taken from mount Ephraim,' and
pursued them unto Gerar:"^ and the Ethiopians renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before
were overthrown, that they could not recover the porch of the Lord.
themselves; for they were destroyed^ before the 9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and
Lord, and before his host; and they carried away the strangers witli them out of Ephraim and Ma-
very much spoil. • nasseh, and out of Simeon:" for they fell to him
14 And they smote all the cities round about out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that
Gerar for the fear of the Lord came upon them
;
:''
the Lord his God icas with him.
and they spoiled all the cities for there was ex- 10 So they gathered themselves together at Je-
;

ceeding much spoil iu them. rusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year
15 They smote also the teuts of cattle, and car- of the reign of Asa.
ried away sheep and camels in abuudanee, and 11 And they offered unto the Lord the same
returned to Jerusalem. tiine,'^ of the spoil ichich they had brought, seven
^'

hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.


12 And they entered into a covenant'' to seek
CHAPTER XV. the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart
1 Asa with JuJah and many of Israel, moved by the prophecy of Azari-
and with all their soul;^
ah the son of Oded, make a solemn covenant witli God. 16 He put-
teth down Maachah his mother for her idolairy. IS He bringeth 13 Tiiat whosoever would not seek the Lord
dedicated things into the house of G-od, and enjoyeth a long peace. God of Israel should be put to deatli,^ whether
AND the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the small or great, whether man or woman.
sou of Oded:' 14 And they sware unto the Lord with a loud
2 And he went out to meet* Asa, and said unto voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and
him. Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benja- with cornets.
min The Lord is with you, while ye be with
: 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they
him ;' and if ye seek him, he will be found of you ^ had sworn with all their heart, and sought him
;

but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.' with their whole desire;'^ and he was found of
3 Now for a long season Israel hath been with- tiiem aud the Lord gave them rest round about. :

out the true God," and without a teaching priest," 10 IT And also concerning Maachah the mother*
and without law. of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen,"
4 But when thev in their trouble did turn unto because she had made an idoP in a grove: and
» Ch. 16:8. b Josh. lo;41, » ch. 13:14; Exod. 14:10; Psa. 1S:6; 120:1. 4:29; Psa. 100:44. Judg. 5:6; 1 Sam. 13:6.
p « Heb. beaten in pieces.
<11 Sam. 14:6. e 1 Sam. 17:45; Prov. 18:10. • Or, mortal man. I ch. q Matt. 24:7. 3:6. r Amos
s Josh. 1:7. 9; 1 Chr. 2S:20. I Heb. oiomiao-

1.3:15. f(5en.90:l. IHeh.broken. h ch 17:10; Gen. 35:5; Josh. 2:9. 24; tions. 1 ch. 13:19.
11:10. 5 Heb. in that day.
« ch. » ch. 14:13, IS.
Isa.3l:9. ch. 20:14; 24:20; Num. 24:2; Judg. :l:10. IHeb.*f/ore. j Jas.
i " ch. 34:31; Kmgs
23:3; Neh. 10:29.
2 x Acts 21:14, J Exod. 22:20;
4:8. k ver. 4. 15; ch. 33:12, 13; 1 Chr. 2^:9; Jer. 29:12. 13; Matt. 7:7, .8. Dcut. 13:5-15: 17:2-5. 2 ver. 12. * That i%, grandmother ; 1 Kings 15:2,
1 ch. 24:20; Heb. 10:3S. m Hos. 3:4. n Lev. 10: 11; Mai. 2:7. o Deut. lU. i 1 Kings 15: 13, etc. t Heb. horror.

Gerar; a city of the Philistines near the southern


1:5. Some suppose that tlie prophet is giving a general descrip-
border of Palestine. tion of the unsettled times of the judges " Now for a long :

li. Tkey smote all tlie cities round about Gerar ; probably season Israel was without the true God," etc. According
as being confederates with Zerah, as would naturally be to this interpretation, the third verse would describe the
the case if he was an Egyptian king. general ignorance of the people. The mass of them were
witliout the true knowledge of God and his law and, ;

INSTRUCTIONS. though there were regular priests, few resorted to them


Pious rulers are a great blessing to a nation and by
2. ; for instruction. Others suppose the reference to be to the
their efforts to reform the people and lead them to obey kingdom of Israel after its separation from that of Judah :

God, they prepare the way for him to bless them with all " Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true
needed earthly good. God," etc. The fourth verse will then refer to the pious
9. Although it is our duty in times of trouble to use all remnant among the ten tribes. Compare ver. 9.
suitable means to help ourselves, yrt our dependence for 7. Be ye strong therefore; he applies the past history of
deliverance should be upon God. He can save by few or God's people to the case of Asa and his kingdom. If they
by many, and is ready to help all who truly trust in him. will believe in God and serve him steadfastly they shall
be delivered, as their fathers have been.
CHAPTER XV. 8. Oded tite prophet; or, as in ver. 1, Azariah the eon of

3. God; the exact refer-


Israel hath been without the true Oded.
ence of this verse and the three following is doubtful. 16. Bscaust she had made an idol in a grove; rather, Be-
515
Asti's uiibeJief rrprotvd. 2 C\\\[nS\C\A.> Wll, Jlis illiwss and tlailh.

Asa out down lior idol, and stamped /7, aiid liunil liiou hast relied on the king of Syria, and *a',;."u?l;
ilat tlio lirook Kiilroii. not relied on the Loud thy God," therefore is
17 IJut ilio hiirli pliires were not taken away out the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy
of l.-;iael :•' ne\eitlieloss llic licart of Asa was pcr- hand.
fcft all his days. 8 Were not the Ethiojiians and the Lubim a
IS *.he liroujrht into the house of God the
And huge host,* with very many chariots and horse-
ihinjrs that his father had dedicated, and that he menV yet, because thou didst rely on the Loud,
himself had dedieated.silver, and gold, and vessels. he delivered them into thy hand.
19 And there was no more war unto the five and 1) For the eyes of the Loud run to and fi'o
thirtieth year of the reign of Asa. throughout the whole earth," to show himself
strong ill the behalf of them'' whose heart is per-
fect toward him. Herein thou lia-t done fool-
CHAPTER XVI. ishly: therefore from henceforth thou shall have
1 Asa, by the aid of the Syrinns, ilivcrteth B:i;is)ia from building of Ra- wars."
mah. 7 Being reproved thereof t>y Han.ini, he pultetil him in prison.
1 1 Among his other acts in his disease he scelceth not to God, but to 10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and ]iiit
the physicians. 13 His death and burial. him ill a prison-house;' for he was in a rage with
the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed'
TN Baasha king of Israel came up against Judali, some of the peoiile the same time.
and Imilt Raraah,'' to the intent that he might let Ill And behold, the acts of Asa, first and last,
none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah." lo,.they arc written in the book of the kings of
2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of Judah and Israel.
the treasures of the house of the Loun and of the 12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his
king's house, and sent to Ben-liadad king of Syria, reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease
that dwelt at Damascus,* saying, was exceeding great: yet iu his disease he sought
3 T/icre is a league between me and thee, as there not to the Lord, but to the physicians.
was between my father and thy father: behold, 1 13 If And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in
have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy the one and fortieth year of his reign.
league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may 14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres,
depart from mc. which he had made"' for himself in the city of
4 And Ben-iiadad hearkened unto king Asa, and David, and laid him in the bed which was iilletl
sent the captains of his armies* against the cities with sweet odors and divers kinds of spices jire-
of Israel ; and they smote Ijon, and Dan. and Abel- pared by the apothecaries' art: and they made u
maim, and all the store-cities of Nai)htali. very great burning for him.
.'i And it came to pass, when Baaslia heard it,
that he left off building of Bamah, and let his
work cease. CHAPTER XVII.
(> Then Asa the king took all Judali and they ;
1 Jehoshaphat, succeeding Asa, reigneth well, and prospereth. 7 He
sendeth Levites with the princes to teach Judah. 10 His enemies
carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber being terrified by God, some of them bring him presents and tribute.
thereof, wherewith Baaslia was building; and he 1- His greatness, captains, and armies.

(milt therewith Geba and Mizpah.


7 IT And at that time Hanani the seer came to
ANDandJehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead,^
strengthened himself against Israel.
Asa king of Judali,'' and said unto him, Because 2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities
>Ch. 14:3,5. blKingsl5:l7,etc. cch.l5:5. Ueh. Darmexek. t Heb. Prov. 5:21 ; 15:3; Jer. 16:17; 32:19; Zech. 4:10. i Or, stranghj to hold
mits which were his. i ch. 19:2; 1 Kings 1G:1. e Psi. 14(i:.'J, G; Isa. wilh them, b 1 Kings 15:32. i ch. 18:28; Jer. 20:2. I Heb. crushed.
:1; Jer. 1T:5. I Hcb. in abundance, t eh. 12:3; 14:9. e Job 34:21; 1 Heb. digged. J 1 Kings 15:24.

cause she had made an image of Astarte. Kidron ; a tor- vent us from taking decided measures to resist their evil
rent-bed between Jerusalem and the mount of Olives, influence.
which ran through the valley of Jehoshaphat into the
Bead sea.
CHAPTER XVI.
17. But the high places were not taken away ; see note to In the six and thirttetli year of the reign of Asa; Baaslia
1.
1 Kings 15:14. began to reign in the third year of Asa, and he reigned
19. Unto the five and tliirlieth year «f the reign of Asa; see twenty-four years. 1 Kings 15:33. Thus he died in the
note to chap. 16 1. : twenty-seventh year of Asa's reign. It has been supjiosed
INSTRUCTIONS. that an error has occurred in the number here given.

The Lord encourages those who seek him, with spe-


Numbers were anciently indicated by letters, whence mis-
2.
takes in transcribing them might more readily occur. Ba-
cial manifestations of his
warns tliose who forsake
presence and favor; while he
him, that he will forsake them,

asha built Ramah; see note on 1 Kings 15:17.
14. A very great burning; of sweet spices.
and leave them to that ruin which they deserve.
7. The certainty that if men engage and persevere in INSTRUCTIONS.
well-doing they shall be graciously and abundantly re- 2. When men in trouble rely upon their own efforts
warded, should make them steadfast, immovable, always merely, or look for help to their fellow-men instead of
abounding in the work of the Lord. trusting in the Lord, they dishonor him, and may expect
9. Evidence of the presence and favor of God will draw that ho will visit them with tokens of his displeasure.
together multitudes, of all classes who love him, to acknow- 10. Men, when reminded of their sins, instead of forsak-
ledge his goodness and render united thanks to his holy ing them, are sometimes angry with him who reminds
name. them, and persecute him for his fidelity. J!ut this in-
16. No natural afliection, or regard to relatives and creases their guilt, and ripens them for the just judgments
friends, should load us to connive at their sins, or pre- of God.
61G
;

Jekoshaphafs good reign. 2 CHRONICLES XVIII. Jlis affinity with Ahab.

A.M.a»o.
Qf ju(jaij^ and set garrisons in the land of
Judah, and in the cities' of Ephraim, which Asa his
father had taken.''
3 And the Lord was with Jchoshaphat, because
lie walked in the first ways of his father David,*
and sousiht not unto Baalim ;

4 But'sought to the LORD God of his father,


and walked in his commandments, and not after
the doings of Israel."
5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom
in his hand; and all Judah brought* to Jeliosha-
phat presents; and he had riches and honor in
abundance.
6 And his heart was lifted up* in the ways of
the Lord moreover lie took away the high places
:'^

and groves out of Judali.''


7 11 Also in the third year of his reign he sent
to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiali,
and to Zechariah, and to Nathaneel, and to Micha-
iah, to teach in the cities of Judah."
8 And with them he sent Levites,'' even Shemai-
ah, and Ncthaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and
Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and
Tobijali, and Tob-adonijali, Levites and with them ;

Elishama and Jehoram, priests.^'


9 And they tauglit in Judah, and had the book
of tlie law of the Lord with them, and went about
througiiout all the cities of Judah, and taught the
people.
10 1 And the fear of the Lord felP upon all the
kingdoms of the lands that were round about Ju-
dah," so that they made no war against Jchosha-
phat.'
11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jchosh-
aphat presents,^ and tribute silver; and the Ara-
bians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven
hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hun-
dred he-goats.
12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly
"ij

and he built in Judah castles," and cities of store.


13 And he had much business in the cities of
Judah -.^ and the men of war, mighty men of valor,
were in Jerusalem.
14 And these are the numbers of them according
to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the cap-
tains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with
him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand.
» Ch. l.i:8. • Or, of his fnlher and of David, b 1 Kings 12:30.
lificnbh's preJklion. 2 ( lIKdNlCI.KS Will, 'J'/i( /i-iiiff of Israel slain.

Fit'tl ^'ood unto mo, but always evil : tlie same is

Mii-aiuli. tlio sou of Imlii. Ami Jcliosliapiiat said,


Lot lint the sav so.
kiliir

8 And till' kinir of Israel called for one of his


odicers,* and said, Fetch* quickly Mieaiali the son
of Imla.
y And the king of Israel and Jelioshaphat king
of Judah sat eitlier of thciii on his throne, clothed
in l/icir roljes, and they sal in a void place,' at the
entering in of (lie gate of Samaria; and all the
propliets prophesied before them.
1(1 And Zedekiah the son of Chcnaanah had
made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the
Loi£D, With these thou shalt push Syria until they
be consimicd.*"
11 And all the jn-ophets prophesied so, saying,
Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the
Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah
spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the
firophets declare good to the king with one assent
;'

et thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of


theirs, and speak thou good.''
13 And .Micaiah said, .ds the Lord livcth, even
what my God saith, that will I speak."^
14 And when he was come to the king, the king
said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-
gilead to battle, or shall I forbear ? And he said.
Go yo up, and prosper, and tliey shall be deliver-
ed into your hand.
15 And the king said to him. How many times
shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the
trnth to me in the name of the Lord?
16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered
upon tlie mountains, as sheep that had no shep-
herd :'' and the Lord said. These have no master ;''
let them return therefore every man to his house
in peace.
17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat,
Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy
good unto mo, but evil?''
18 Again he said. Therefore hear the word of
the Lord 1 saw the Lord sitting upon his throne,'
:

and all the host of heaven standing on his right


hand and on his left.^'
19 And the Lord said, Who shall entice Ahab
king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ra-
moth-gilead? And one spake saying after this
manner, and another saying after that manner.
20 Then there came out a spirit,*" and stood be-
fore the Lord, and said, I will entice him.' And
the Lord said unto him. Wherewith?

JdwshafhaCs pietij. 2 CHRONICLES XX. The invasion of Judah.

5?«r CHAPTER XIX.


1 Jehoshaphat, reproved by Jehu, visiteth his kingdom. 5 His instruc-
tions to the judges, S to the priests and Lev'ites.

A ND Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned


x\. to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2 And Jehu the son of Ilanani the seer went
out to meet him," and said to Iving .Jehoshaphat,
Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love tiiem
that hate the Lord?'' therefore is wrath upon thee
from before the Lord.'^
3 Nevertheless, there are good things found in
thee," in that thou hast taken away the groves out
of tlie land, and hast prepared thy heart to seek
God."
4 And Jehosliaphat dwelt at Jerusalem and he :

went out again* through the people from I3eer-


sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back
unto the Lord God of their fathers.
5 T And he set judges in the land throughout
all the fenced cities of Judah,' city by city,
6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye
do for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord,'-'
:

who is with you in the judgment. *''


7 Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be
upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no in-
iquity with the Lord our God,' nor respect of per-
sons, nor taking of gifts.-'
8 •[ Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set
of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief
of the fathers of Israel," for the judgment of the
Lord, and for controversies, when they returned
to Jerusalem.
9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye
do in the fear of the Lord,' faithfully, and with a
perfect heart.
10 And what cause soever shall come to you of
your brethren that dwell in their cities, between
blood and blood, between law and commandment,
statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them
that they trespass not against the Lord,'" and so
wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren:"
this do, and ye shall not trespass.
11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over
you in all matters of the Lord;" and Zebadiah
the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Ju-
> Ch. 16:7
T.ic aumtis ij Judak JCIlKdMCI.KS XX destroy vne another.

10 And now,hohold, the children of Amman out before the army, and to say, Praise the ^i^r'aS;
and MoiiW and niouiil Soir, wliom thou wouldcst Lord;'' for Ids mercy cndureth for ever.''
not lit IsiMil invade," when they enmc out of the 22 *l And when' they began to sing and to
land of Klvi'I. ''"' *^''^y tui""cd from them,'' and jiraise,' the Lord set aiiiliiisimuMits against the

destrovfd lln'in not; children of Aiiimon, Moab, ami mount Heir, which
11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to conic were come against Judah and they weje smit-
;

to cast us out of thy possession," which thou hast ten."'

given us to itdii'ril. For the children of Aniinon and Moab stood


211
1'2 O our (iod, wilt thou not judge them? for up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly
we have no ndght against this great company that to shiy and destroy thtm:' and when they had
conictli against us; neither know we what to do: made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one
but our eyes are upon thee.'' heliied to destroy another.*
i;} And all Judah stood before the Lord, with 24 And when Judah came toward the watch-
tlieir little ones, their wives, and their ciuldren. tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the
14 ^ Then upon Jahazici the son of Zcchariah, multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies fallen
tlic son of Ueuaiali, the son of Jeiel, the son of to tiie earth," and none escaped.*

JIattuniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came 25 And when Jeiiosha]iliat and his people eamc
the Sjjirit of the Lord in the midst of the congre- to take away the spoil of them, they found among
gation;" them in abundance both riches with the dead
1,5 And he said. Hearken ye, all Judah, and l)odies, and precious jewels, which they stripped
ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Je- oft' for themselves, more than they could carry
hoshapluit, Thus saitli the Lord unto you, Be away
and they were three days in gathering of
:

not afraid nor disinayi^d by reason of this great the spoil, it was so mucli.'
multitude ;'^ for the battle is not yours, but 20 • And on the fourth day they assembled them-
God's. selves in the valley of Berachah;* for there they
16 To-morrow go ye down against them be- blessed the Loud: therefore the name of the same
:

hold, they come up by the cliff' of Ziz; and ye place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto
shall fincl them at the end of the brook,* before this day.
the wilderness of Jeruel. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and
17 Ye sliall not 7ieed to fight in this battle: set Jerusalem, and Jcliosliafihat in the fore-front* of
yourselves, stand ye st'd','^ and see the salvation of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy for the ;

the Loud with you, Judah and Jerusalem: fear Lord had made them to rejoice over their eue-
not, nor be dismayed to-morrow go out against mies."
;

tiiem for tiie LoRf) will he with you.**


: 28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries
18 And Jeliosliaphat bow(!d his head with his and harps and trumpets unto the house of the
face to tlie ground:' and all Judali and the inhab- Lord.
itants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord,J worship- 29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms
ping the Lord. of those countries,^ when they had heard that the
ly And the Levites, of the children of the Ko- Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.
hathitcs, and of the children of the Korhites, stood 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for
up to praise the Lord God of Israel" with a loud his God gave him rest round about.'"
voice on high.' 31 1[ And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he
20 "[And they rose early in the morning, and icas thirty and five years old when he began to
went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in
they went forth, Jehosluiphat stood and said. Hear Jerusalem.'' And his mother's name was Azubali
me, O Judah, and ye iuhabitauts of Jerusalem: the daughter of Shilhi.
Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be 32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father,
established believe his prophets, so shall ye pros- and departed not from it, doing that which was
;

per."" right in the sight of the Lord.


21 And when he had consulted with the people, 33 Ilowbeit the high places were not taken
he appointed singers unto the Lord," and that away:-" for as yet the people had not prepared
should praise* the beauty of holiness," as they went their hearts unto the God of their fathers.''

» Dcut. •J:4,9, 19. b Num. 20:31. cpsa. 83:12. d Psa. 12:): 1, 2. ' ch.
15:1, 2; 21:20; Num. 11:25, 26; 21:2; Isa. 65:24; Dan. 9:20. 21.
Pch. 7:3, 0. <1 Psa. 136. i Heh. in the time that. I Heb. m
f ch. praise. 1 Ox, smote one another, p Judg. 7:22; 1 Sam. 14:20. Heb. for
32:7, 8; txod. 14:13, 14; Deal. 1:29, 30; 31:0, 8; Isa. 43:1, 2. ' Heb.
the destruction. 'Bxod. 14:30: 1 Chr. 5:22; Isa. 37:36. t Heb. there was
ascent. MJ,, valUy. B Isa. 30:7, 15; Lam. 3:26. Ii Num. 14:9; Rom. 8:31. not an escaping, Ezra 9:14. > Ezek. 39:8-10. I That is. Blessing, i Heb.
iEiod.4:31. J Job 1:20; Psa. 95:0. k Neh. 12:42, 43. Psa. hi :1; 93:1,
1 head. " Neh. 12:43. » ch. 17:10. " ch. 15:15; Job 34:29. i 1 Kings
2. n Isi. 7:9; Heb. 11:6. n ch. 5:13. \ Keh. praism of. olChr. 16:29. 22:41, ych. 17:6. I ch. 12:14; 19:3; Deut. 29-4.

10. Mount
Seir ; a mnunt.ainous country south of the bushments cannot be clearly determined. Some have sup-
Dead by the Edomites.
sea, inhabited posed that they consisted of bands of angels others, that ;

16.Ziz; a pass at Engedi, by which the enemy would through the influence of a spirit of jealousy and discord,
go up to the interior of Judah. Brook; or ravine. one portion of the allied forces set ambushments against
20. Tekoa ; a place south of Bethlehem, on the border of the rest; others still, that, by a delusion sent upon them
the desert. It lay on the route from Jerusalem to Engedi, from God, the ambushments which they had set for Judah
and appears to have been connected with " the wilderness fell upon their own allies. Were smitten; rather, as in the
of Jeruel," ver. 16. margin, " smote one another."
22. The Lord set ambiidiments ; the nature of these am- 26. Berachah; that is, blessing.
520
;

WicJced reign of Jehoram. 2 CHRONICLES XXI. The Tprojphcc7j of Elijah.

R "s™"' 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehosha- 5 IT Jehoram was thirty and two years old when
phat, first and last, behold, they are written in the he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in
book* of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is men- Jerusalem.
tioned* in the book of the kings of Israel. 6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Is-
35 If And after this did Jelioshaphat king of rael, like as did the house of Ahab for he had :

Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, the daughter of Ahab to wife:*^ and he wrought
who did very wickedly: that v'/iich was evil in the eyes of the Lokd.
36 And he joined himself with him to make 7 Ilowljoit the Loud would not destroy the
ships to go to Tarshish " and they made the ships
:
house of David, because of the covenant that he
in Ezion-gcber. had made with David, and as he promised to give
37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah a light* to him and to his sons for ever.'''
prophesied against Jelioshaphat, saying, Because 8 f In his days the Edomites revolted from un-
thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord der the dominion'' of Judah, and made themselves
hath broken thy works."* And the ships were bro- a king.
ken, that they were not able to go to Tarsliish.'= 9 Then Jehoram went forth with his princes,
and all his chariots with him and he rose up by :

and smote the Edomites which compassed


night,
CHAPTER XXI. him in, and the captains of the chariots.
1 Jehoram, succeeding Jehoshaphat, slayeth his brethren. 5 His wicked 10 So the Edomites revolted from under the
reign. 8 E Jom and Libnah revolt. \2 Tlie prophecy of Elijah against
him writing.
ill 16 Philistines and Arabians oppress him. 18 His hand of Judah unto this day. The same time
incurable disease, infamous death, and burial. also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; be-

NOW Jelioshaphat slept with his fathers, and cause he had forsaken the Lord God of his fa-
was buried with his fathers in the city of thers.
David.'* And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. 11 Moreover he made high places in the moun-
2 And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshapliat, tains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Je-
Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zochariah, and Azariah, rusalem to commit fornication,'' and compelled
and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the Judah thereto.
sons of Jelioshaphat king of Israel. 12 1 And there came a writing to him from Eli-
3 And their father gave them great gifts of sil- jah the prophet, saying. Thus saith the Lord God
ver, and of gold, and of precious things, with of David thy father, because thou hast not walked
fenced cities in Judah but the kingdom gave ho in the ways of Jelioshaphat thy father, nor in the
:

to Jehoram;" because he was the first-born. ways of Asa king of Judah,


4 Now when Jehoram was risen up to the king- 13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of
dom of his father, ho strengthened himself, and Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants
slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers of Jerusalem to go a whoring,' like to the whore-
also of the princes of Israel. doms of the house of Ahab,J and also hast slain
• net,, words, t Yle\i. wtis made to ascend, i 1 Kings a-J: -IS, 4<J. b Josh 2 Kings 8:19. i Heb. /ian</. h ver. 13; Lev. 20:5; Rev. 2:20-22. i
Exod.
7:11, \-i\ Ptov. 13:20. » ch. 9:21. i I Kings 2J:.5II. e 2 Kings 8:16, etc. 31:13; Deut. 31:16; Jer. 3:8, 9. J 1 Kin;s 16:31-:33; 2Kings9:22.
' ch. 22:2. 1 Heb. lamp, or candle. 5 2 Sam. 7:12. 1.3; 1 Kings 11:30;

34. Wko is mentioned; or, who is brought into; that is, 12. The less we depend upon ourselves or creatures,
whose writings are inserted. and the more entire our dependence is on God, the more
go to Tarshish; in 1 Kings 22:4S, it is said
36. Skips to certainly will help come from him.
that Jehoshaphat " made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir 15. When God undertakes to fight for his people, how-
for gold." The ships were made at Ezion-gcber, on the ever numerous or powerful their foes, he will give his
eastern arm of the Red sea, which was tlie port fur Ophir. people the victory, and in such a manner as to manifest
It has been supposed that by "ships of Tarshish" are his own glory.
meant ships of a particular construction fitted for navi- 20. Faith in God is an earnest of success, and prepares
gating the open sea, such as tliose originally emplf)yed in the soul to liail his interposition with gladness and jo}-.
the trade with Tarsliish and that in process of time all
; 23. God can grant deliverance to his people, by leaving
ships of this form and size were called "ships of Tarshish," their enemies to fight against and destroy one another
without regard to their destination. But in the present so that while his people stand still, they see the salvation
passage the ships are made " to go to Tarshish." How of God.
this statement is to be reconciled with that in Kings is 29. The fear of the Lord is the best security of his peo-
not agreed. Some have assumed the existence of a sec- ple, and when he gives them rest and quietness none shall
ond Tarshish in the direction of Ophir; others, that the make them afraid.
fleet was expected to circumnavigate Africa, taking Ophir 35. Good men who unite with the wicked, dishonor God,
on its way, and returning by Tarshish in Spain. II is injure his cause, and bring disappointment, trouble, and
possible, however, that, in the days of tlie author of the distress upon themselves.
Chronicles, "Tarshish" had come to be an indefinite term
for remote regions that must be approached by sea. CHAPTER XXI.
1. TIic city of David; the of Zion, chap. 5:2.
hill
INSTRUCTIONS. 4. Slew ail his brethren; lest they should rebel against
This is a world of trials, and none in passing through
3. his authority.
it can escape them but if they, in despair of all human
; 10. Libnah; in the south-western part of Judah.
help, look to the Lord and depend upon him, he will in 12. A writing ; it is commonly supposed that Elijah pre-
due time appear for them and grant them relief. pared this awful message before his death by God's direc-
7. The past mercies of God should be remembered with tion, and left it to be communicated to .Ichonim at the
gratitude, and may be pleaded as reasons for the continu- proper time just as he fulfilled the command to anoint
;

ance of his favors and for the bcstowment of future bless- Jehu king over Israel and Hazael king over Syria, not in
ings. his own person, but by the ministry of others.
521
.IMoram'i wntcXtti end. 2 ( IIIIUNICKKS XXII. Al/rilii/i u^uryclli the thront.

tliy lircthron of thy fiitlier's house," whidi were Aliab: for his mother was his counsellor ^"c.'eaX:
belter thiiii thvsfll':
to ilo wickedly.'
4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord
14 Urhol.l. witli a t'lo.it phifruc' will the Lonn
smile tiiy ].eople, ami thy children, uud thy wives, like the lioiist; of Ahab: for they were his coun-
sellors, after the deatii of his father, to his destruc-
and all thv l' is:

15 And thoii sliii'.l have preat sickness liy disease tion.^

of thy Ixiwels," initil thy bowels fall out by reason .5 ^ He walked also alter their couusel,'' and went
of th(« sickness day by day. with Jehoram the son of Aliali king of Israel to
1(> ^ Moreover the Loui) stirred up against
Jo- war against llazael king of Syria at Kamoth-gil-
horam the spirit of the Philistines, and of the ead: and the Syrians smote .loram.
Aralii^iiis. that mrc near the Ethiopians:'-' And he returned to be healed in Jczreel be-
17 they cantc up into Jndaii, and brake
And cause of the wounds which were given him' atRa-
into it, and carried away* all tlic substance tliat mali, when he fought with llazael king of Syria.'

was fmind in the kin;^''s house, and his sons also, And Azariali' tiie son of Jehoram king of Judah
ami his wives; so that there was never a son left went down to see Jehoram the sou of Ahab at Jcz-
jiiui, save Jehoahaz,' the younsest of his sons. reel, because he was sick.

IS •] And after all this' the Lord smote him in 7 And the destruction' of Ahaziah was of God
his bowels with an incurable disease.** by coming to Joram:"' for when he was come, he
I'.l And it came to pass, that in process of time, went out with Jeiioram against Jehu the son of
after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by Nimslii," whom the Lord had anointed to cut off
reason of his sickness so he died of sore diseases.
:
Ahab.
the hou.se of
And his people made no burning for him, like the 8 Andcame to pass, that, when Jehu was ex-
it

burning of his fathers." ecuting judgment u])oii tlie jioiise of Ahab," and
20 Thirty and two years old was he when he be- found the princes of Judah, and tiie sons of the
pjan to reijrn, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight brethren of Ahaziali, that ministered to Ahaziah,
years, ami departed without being desired.^'' How- he slew them.''
bcit they buried him in the city of David, but not 9 And he souglit Ahaziah :'i and they caught liim,
in the sepulclu'cs of the kings. for he was hid in Samaria, and brought him to
Jehu: and when tiiey had slain him, they buried
iiim Because, said they, he is the son of Jeliosha-
:

CHAPTER XXII. phat,"' who sought the Lord with all his heart."
So tiie house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still
1 Ahaziah succeeding rci^neth wickedly. 5 In liis confederacy with
10 Athaliah, destroying
the kingdom.
Joram the son of Ah^b, he is slain by Jehu.
all the seed royal, save Joash, whom Jchoshabeath his aunt hid, usurp- 10 •} But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah
eth till- kingdom.
saw tiiat her son was dead, she arose and destroy-
AND the inhabitants of Jerusalem
ziah his youngest son king in
made Aha- ed
his stead :°
all the seed royal of the house of Judah.'
11 But Jchoshabeath,^ the daughter of the king,
for the band of men that came with the Ara- took Joash the sou of Ahaziah, and stole him from
bians to the camp had slain all the elders. So among the king's sons that were slain, and ]iut
Ahaziah the sou of Jehoram king of Judah him and his nurse in a bed-chamber. So Jeho-
reigned. slialieatli, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife
2 Forty and two years old icas Ahaziah when he of Jeiioiada the priest, (for she was the sister of
began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jeru- Ahaziah,) hid him from Atlialiah, so that she slew
salem. Uis mother's name also icas Athaliah the him not.
daughter of Omri.'" 12 And he was with fheiii hid in the house of God
3 He also walked in the wavs of the house of six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
» Vcr. -1. •\IA. stroke, b vt-r. Is, 19. c 1 Kings 11 :14,SJ; Isa. 10:5, B. whcrewillt they wounittd liitn. 2 King^ i):l.'i. ^ Called Ahaziah, ver. 1;
1

t Heb. mptive, cli. 'ii-.l. i Or, Ahaziah^ ch. '22;1; or, Azariah^ ch. 2d:G. and Je/iofl/ms. ch. 21 17. ' Hfh. tTeadingtioivn. mch. 10:15; Deut. 32:35;
:

•Iver. 15-, Aclsl-ii-it. ech.l6:14. 5 Heb. rfesire. fjer.22:18. Kch.21:17; Juds. 14:4; I Kings 12:15; Hos 14:9. n 2 Kings 9:21. o 2 Kings 9:6, 7.
T«. 0; 'JKingi 8:44, etc. h ch. 21:8. " Gen. 27:12. W; Deut. 7:9. 4; P 2 Kings 10:12-14. q 2 Kings 9:27. r 1 Kings 14:13. 'ch. 17:4. t 2 Kings
13:8-10; Matt. 10:37; Acts 4:19. J Prov. 12:5. k Miclh 6:16. I Heb. 11:1. etc. t Jebosheha, 2 Kings 11:2.

19. .Vo burning ; of sweet spices, as a mark of honor. two," which must be the right reading, since Jehoram his
20. Without being desired ; the people did not desire that father was but forty years old when he died. See chapter
ho should live, nor did they mourn his death. 21:20.
9. He was hid in Samaria; see note to 2 Kings 9:27.
IXSTRUCTIONS.
10. Destroyed all the seed royal; that they might not dis-
Divine grace is not inherited; and no parent c.in know
3.
turb her in reigning over the people.
what will be the state of his children after he is dead.
C. Intimate connections with the openly wicked tend to IXSTRUCTIOXS.
corrujit the heart, debase the character, and ripen the soul 3. Those parents who counsel their children to do wrong,
for the ven;;caiif-e of Hod. are often the means of their destruction, temporal and
12. Tht; wickedness of the wicked is all known to Jeho- eternal.
vah, and in <lue time he will punish it as it deserves. 5. Those who knowingly do wrong are not unfrequently
18. The effects of sin are often terrible in this world, and given up of God to pursue such courses as involve them-
dreadful warnings of the misery which awaits it in the selves and their connections in irretrievable ruin.
world to come. 10. The judgments of God upon the wicked, instead of
being improved as a warning against sin, are sometimes
CHAPTER XXII. made the occasion of greater transgressions, which bring
2. Forty and two; in 2 Kings 8:2C, we find " twenty and down heavier divine judgments.
;

Joash is made kins. 2 CHRONICLES XXIII. The. worship of God revived.

kl^- CHAPTER XXIII.


1 Jehoiatla, having set things in order, maketh Joasli kin^. 12 Atlialiah
is slain. 16 Jehoiada restoreth tlie worship of God.

AND the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened


ill

and took the captains of hundreds,


himself,''
Azariah the son of Jerohaiu, and Ishniael the son
of Jehohauan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and
Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the
son of Zichri, into covenant witli him.
2 And they went about in Judah, and gath-
ered the Levitcs out of all the cities of Judah,
and tiie chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came
to Jerusalem.
3 And all the congregation made a covenant
with the king in the house of God.'' And he said
unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as
the Lord hath said of the sous of David. "^

4 This is tiie thing that ye shall do A third part :

of you entering on the sabliath,of the priests and


of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;*
5 And a third part shall be at the king's house
and a third part at the gate of the foundation and :

all the people shall be in the courts of the house of


the Lord.
6 But let none come into the house of the Lord,
save the priests, and they that minister of the Le-
vites :•* they shall go in, for they are holy but all :

the people shall keep the watch of the Lord.


7 And the Levites shall compass the king round
about, every man with iiis weapons in his hand;
and whosoever else cometli into the house, he shall
be put to death i'' but be ye with the king when he
Cometh in, aud when he goeth out.
8 So the Levites aud all Judah did according to
all things that Jehoiada the priest had command-
ed, and took every man his men that Avere to come
in on the sabbath, witii them that were to go out
on the sabbath for Jehoiada the priest dismissed
:

not the courses.''


9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the
captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and
shields, that had been king David's, which v;ere in
the house of God."
1(3 And he set all the people, every man hav-

Inir his weapon in his hand, from the right side*


of the temple* to the left side of the temple, along
by the altar and the temple, by the king round
about.
11 Then they brought out the king's son, and

» -i Kill
TJ>c Umplc U repaired. 2 CII HO NICLES XX I V. Idolatry and dcUh of Joash.

CHAPTER XXIV. i;5 So the workmen wrought, and the

work was perfecleip by tlieni, and they


^hm'sS:
set the
1 } \>h r.ijn.'ti
* \rill :>!! (lie .!»)•« cf Jfhoiiuiiv. 'I Ho (pvtth order for
X
1,1 'JfhoiEulji'ft death and lioriornblo Liirinl. house of God in his slate, and strengtiiened it.
ry. .Iny.lh Z.-chiiri»li tin- ton of Ji-lioiads.
,

Syrmiii, and ilain by Zabad and Jvlioiabad.


14 Ami when tiiey had linisiicd it. they brought
the rest of the money before the king and Jehoi-
IOASli tills ^cveii years old wlicn lie began to ada, whereof were made vessels for the house of
ifijrii, ami lie reigned forty years in .lenisa- the Loitn, even vessels to minister, and to offer*
lein.* ills motiier's iiuuio also was Zibiali of Bccr- icithal, and s|ioons. and ve.^.sels of gold and silver.
slielia. And they olVen'd biirnt-oiVeiings in the house of
2 And Joash did that which vas right in tiic the Lord contiiiually all the days of Jelioiada.
sight of the LoKU all the days of Jchoiada the 15 1i But Jelioiada wa.xeil old, and was full of
priest.'' days when he died ; a hundred and thirty years
And Jelioiada took for him two wives; and
'.i old was lie when he died.
he liegat sons and daughters. 16 And they buried him in the city of David
4 ", .Vnd it eanic to |>ass after this, that Joasli among the kings, because he had done good in
was mindi'd to rejiair" the house of the Loud. Israel,'both toward God, and towanl his house.
.5 And he gatlierod together the priests and the 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the
Levitcs, and said to them, Go out unto the cities princes of .Judah, and made obeisance to the king."
of .ludah, and gatiier of all Israel money to repair Then the king hearkened unto them.'
the h<>u.-;e of your God from year to year, and see 18 And they left the house of the Lord God of
that yc hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites their fathers, and served groves and idols:™ and
hastened it not. wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this
(i And tiic king called for Jehoiada the chief, and their trespass."
said unto him, Why hast thou not rc(iuircd of the 19 Yet ho sent prophets to them," to bring them
Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jeru- again unto the Lord; and they testified against
salem the collection, according to the commandment them: but they would not give ear.P
of Moses tlic servant of the Lord,'' and of the con- 20 And tiie Spirit of God came upon' Zechariah
gregation of Lsrael. for tlie tab(;rnacle ol' witness?' the son of Jchoiada the pi-ic^st, which stood above
7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God,
had broken u)) the house of God;" and also all Why transgress ye the commandments of the
the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did Lord,'' that ye cannot prosper? because ye have
they bestow upoii Baalim.' forsaken the Loud, ho hath also forsaken you."
8 And at the king's commandment tliey made a 21 And they conspired against him," and stoned
(hcst, and set it without at the gate of the house him w'ith stones' at the connnandineiit of the king
of the Loud. in the court of the house of the Loud.
9 And they made a proclamation' through Ju- 22 Thus Joasli the king remcmljcrcd not the
dah and Jerusalem, to bring in to tlie Loud tiie kindness which Jchoiada his father had done to
collection t/iat Moses the servant of God laid upon him, but slew his son." And when he died, he
Israel in the wilderness.'^ said. The Lord look upon it, and require it.''
10 And
all the princes and all tlio people re- 23 li And it came to pass at the end of ^ the
joiced,''and brought in, and cast into the chest, year, that the host of Syria came up against him :"
until they had made an end. and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and de-
11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the stroyed all the princes of the j)eo])le from among
chest was brought unto the king's office by the the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the
hand of the Levitcs, and when they saw that thfre king of Damascus.*
was much money, the king's scribe and the high- 24 For the army of the Syrians came with a
priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and small company of men,'' and the Lord delivered a
took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus very great host into their hand,'' because they had
tiiey did day by day,' and gathered money in forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they
abundance. executed judgment against Joash.''
12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such 2.') And when they were departed from him, (for

as did the w^ork of the service of the house of the they left him in great diseases,) his own servants
Loud, and hired masons and carpenters to repair conspired against him for the blood of the sons of
tlie liDuso of the Lord, and also such as wrought Jehoiada the priest," and slew him on his bed, and
iron and brass to mend the house of the Lord" he died: and they buried him in the city of Da-
»-iKmgilI:'Jl; 12:1, etc. b ch. 28:5; I«a. 29:13. '
Heb. renru: c Exnd. 25:4; 20:5. P Psa. 95:7. fe; Acts 7:51. 1 Hcb. ctolAerf, Judg. G:.34. q Nam.
30:12-16. li Num 1:50; Acts 7:44. ech. 21:17. r Eiek. 16:17-10; Hos. H:41. r ch. 15:-'. > Jcr. H:I8. t Mitt. 21:.35; 23:3.5; Acts 7:58, 59.
2:8,13. tHcb. coiM. s ver. «. ho Cor. 9:7. i Cor. IB: 2. t Heb. (/i« 1 " I'rov. 17:l:l.» Psa. 10:14; Jer, 51 :56; Luke 11 :51 ; 2 Tim. 4:16. 1 Heb.
/lealing went up upon the icork. < Or, ptslits. i ch. 23; vcr. 2, 12, N. intliertvohuianof. w 2 Kings 12:17. • Heb. DnrmMcA". i Lev 26:37;
k I'rnv 26:y. iPro». 29:12. » 1 Kings 14:23. o ch. 28:13: 29:1:'; 3(!:I4- Dent. 32::!0; I,a. :)0:17. y Lev. 26:25; Deut. 28:25, 48. » ch. 22:8; Isa.
10; JuJs- 5:9; Hos. 5:10. 14; Zcph. l:4-<i; Eph. 5:0. o Jor. 7-2.5. 20: 10:5. >ver. 21,12.

and made entreaty unto him for the restoration of idolatry


CHAPTER XXIV. in Judah.
6. T/te commandment of Mones; Exod. 30:12-1B. 18. Groves; or images of Astarte.
Continually; thejdaily Ijurnt-offering prescribed in
14. 22. Require ; that is. punish it.
the law of Moses is referred to, 24. Executed jwlgment; thejustjudgmcnts of God against
'

17. Made obeisance to the kinsr rendered him homage, Joash for liis sins.
524
: :

Amaziah conqucrcih Edom, 2 CHRONICLES XXV. and worshippr.lh Us iduh.

K.v.:m!'' vid, but they buriod liim not in tlic sepul- able to go forth to war, that coukl handle spear
chres of tlic kings. and sliield.
2() And are they that conspired against
tliese hired also a hundred thousand mighty men
Gilo
iiini: Zabad' tlie sou of Sliimoatli an Aminonitess, of valor out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver.
and Jchozabad the son of Siiimrith* a Moabitcss. 7 But tiiere came a man of God to him, saying,
27 1^ Now concerning his sons, and tlie greatness king, let not the army of Israel go witii thee;
of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing* for the Lord is not with Israel, to wit, with all the
of the house of God, beliold, they arc written in children of Ephraim.
the story^ of the boolc of the Icings. And Ama- 8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for tlie
ziali his son reigned in his stead. battle God shall make thee fall before the enemy
:

for God hath power to help, and to cast down.'


9 And Amaziah said to the man of God, But
CHAPTER XXV. what shall we do for the hundred talents which I
1 Amaziah beginneth to reign well. 3 He executeth justice on the trai- have given to the army' of Israel? And the man
tors. 5 Having hired an army of Israelites against the Edomites, at of God answered. The Lord is able to give thee
the word of a prophet he loseth the hundred talents, and dismisseth
them. 11 He overthroweth the Edomites. 10, 13 The Israelites, dis- much more than this.*^
contented wilh their dismission, spoil as they return home. 14 Ama- 10 Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the
ziah, proud of his victory, serveth the gods of Edom, and despiseth the
admonitions of the prophet. 17 He provolceth Joash to his overthrow. army tliat was come to him out of Ephraim, to go
25 His reign. 27. He is slain by conspiracy. home again:* wherefore their auger was greatly
AMAZIAH was twenty and five years okl kindled against Judah, and they returned home in
.^
ichen he began to reign, and lie reigned great anger
twenty and nine years in Jerusalem." And his 111 And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led
mother's name ims Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. forth his people, and went to the valley of salt,
2 And he did that ivhich was right in tlic sight and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.
of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.'' 12 And other ten thousand left alive did tlie chil-
3 1 Now it came to pass, wlien the kingdom was dren of Judah carry away captive, and brought
established to him,' that he slew his servants that them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down
had killed the king his father. from the top of the rock, that they all were broken
4 But he slew not their children, but did as it is in pieces.
written in the law in the book of Moses," where 13 IBut the soldiers of the army* which Ama-
the Lord commanded, saying. The fathers shall ziah sent back, that they should not go with him to
not die for the children, neitlier shall the children battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria
die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of
own .sin.** them, and took much spoil.
5 Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together,
IT 14 1 Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah
and made them captains over thousands, and cap- was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that
tains over hundreds, according to the houses of he brought the gods of the children of Seir,'' and
their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin set them up to he his gods, and bowed down him-
and he numbered them from twenty years old and self before them,' and burned incense unto them.
above,'' and found tliem three hundred choice men, 15 Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kin-
• Or, Jozachnr, 2 Kings 12:21. t Shomer. t Heb. founding, i Or, . e Num. 1:3. t ch. 20:6; Psa. fi2:ll ;Eccl. 9:11. 1 Heb. band.
''Ommentary. a 2 Kings 14; I, etc. b 7t(:37; Isa. 29:13: Hos. IU:2; Jas. .24:1; Prov. t0:22; Phil. 4:19. • lUh. to thrir place, t Heb. Aeat o/
l:S; 4:S- iiich. conjirmed upon fiii •Deut. 24:10. d Jer. 31:30; Ezek. . iUeh. sons of the band. lich. 28:23. i Exod. 20:3, 5j Isa. 44:19.

27. Burdens; either burdens in the sense of heavy judg- their conduct that their appearance of religion sprung
by
ments from God, or as the same word is rendered in from regard to men, not to God.
chap. 17:11, burdens of tribute impcsed on him by the 19. Apostates who have cast off the fear of the Lord,
conquerors. are exceedingly averse to being reproved for their sins,
and often hate, persecute, and even kiU those who reprove
INSTRUCTIONS. them.
2. It is a great blessing for men, especially when young, 22. Though God sometimes suffers the wicked to kill
to be surrounded with wise and pious counsellors and his servants, and their punishment may be for a while
;

in following their advice they will find the ways of wis- delayed, it will, unless they repent, in due time overtake
dom to be ways of pleasantness and her paths to be paths them.
of peace. 24. With a very small company God can easily overcome
4. JIany are zealous in the externals of religion who and desolate the counti-y of those who rebel against him.
have no real piety; and wlio, when left to the Hattery of and show them, by their punishment, his wrath against
the wicked, will cast off the appearance of religion and be their iniquity.
guilty of the most abominable iniquity.
7. Wicked rulers, by their profane ti-eatment of sacred
CHAPTER XXV.
(hings, corrupt the hearts of the people and bring down 2. He did tliat wliicli u-as riglit ; extcrnalij', and for a time,
u|)on them the just judgments of (iod. He liired also n livndred titousand miglity men; to assist
(i.

10. When rulers and those in MUtlioritj' set the example him in a war which he proposed against tJie Edomites.
I'f outward respect for divine things, multitudes are ready 11. Children of Seir ; Edomites.
to follow and many will give of their .substance to repair
; 12. Unto tlie top of the rock; the word in the original for
and decorate houses of worshiji. who will not give their rock is Scia, the same as that used in 2 Kings 14:7. Sela
hearts to God. is generally considered to have been the same as Petra,
17. When pious persons who have been instrumental in (rock,) a celebrated city of Edom lying in ;i v:\lley sur-
keeping up public worship are removed by death, sur- rounded by precipices of rock, from which it received its
vivors who have no love for it often renounce it, and show name.
525
:

.\ma:i:ih's tear trilh Junsh. 2 CIIWONICLKS XXVI. Uzzuih succcalel/i him.

(llodncminst Amaziiili.nml hoscnt UIl(ollilnuflropll- God with Oiied-edotn, and the treasures *k', 'S:
.i. wliirli >:ii.i unto him, Why Imst thou HOUjrht of tlie king's house, the hostages also, and return-
after tho goils of \\\o pniph-. which coiilil not de- j
ed to Samaria.
liver their own iK-ojih- oiil 25 • And .\iiiaziah the son of Joasli king of Ju-
of thy hanii?" I

16 Anil it came with him,


to pass, asdah lived afler the death id' .loash son of Jehoa-
he talki'il

that the kinfr said unto iiini. Art tliou made of tlio haz king of Israel liftcen years."
kinir's counsel? forliear; why phouldest tliou bo 2(1 Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first

smitten? Then tho |iro|iliel forliare, and said, 1 an<l last, behold, are they not written in the book

know tliaf God hath delenninod* to destroy thee, of the kings of .ludah and Israel?
hecaiise tiiou iiast done this, and hast not iieark- 27 IT Nr)w after tiie time that Amaziah did turn
oned unto my counsel.'' away from following" the Lokd'' they made a con-
17 • Then Amaziah king of Jiidah took advice, s|)iraey' against him in Jerusalem and he lied to ;

jind sent to Joash, the son of Jehoaiiaz, the son of Lachish but they sent to Lachisli after him, and :

Jehu, king of Israel, saying. Come, let us see one slew him there.
anotlier in the face.'' 28 And they brouglit him upon horses, and buried
IS And .loash king of Israel sent to Amaziah him with his fathers in the city of Judah.'
king of .luilah, saying. The thistle* that was in Leb-
anon sent to tlie cedar that leas in Lebanon, say-
ing. Give thy daughter to my ,«on to wife: and
CHAPTEU XXVI.
I Uzziah succeeding, antl reijcning well in the days of Zechariah, pro»-
there passed by a wild beast* that was in Lebanon, pereth. !15 Waxing proud, lie invadetli the priest's ofiice, and is smit^

and trodo down the thistle. ten with leprosy. 22 He ciieth, and Jotham succeedeth him.

li) Thou sayost, Lo, thou hast smitten tlic Edom-


was sixteen years old, and made him king in
THEN
all the people of Judah took Uzziah,' who
ites; and thy heart lifteth thee up to lioast: abide
now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to f/iy the room of Ids father Amaziah.'
liurt. that thou shouldest iaU.,even thou, and Judah 2 Ho built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after
with thee? that the king slept with his fathers.
20 But Amaziah woidd not hear for it came of 3 Sixteen years old iras Uzziah when be began
;

God.'' that ho might deliver them into the hand of to reign, and he reigned lifty and two years in
t 'icir enemies, because they sought after the gods of Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah
Edom. of Jerusalem.
21 So Joash the king of Israel went up; and 4 And he did that which was right in tlie sight
they saw one another in the face, both ho and Ama- of tlie Lokd, according to all that liis father Ama-
ziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemcsh, which belong- ziah did.
ct/i to Judah. .5 And he souglit God in the days of Zechariah.'

22 And Judali was put to the wor.se'' before Is- who had understanding in the visions^ of God
rael, ami they fled every man to his tent. and as long as he sought the Lord, God made
2:5 And .loash the king of Israel took Amaziah hiin to prosper."
king of .ludali, the son of Joash, tlic son of Jehoa- 6 And he went forth and warred against the Phil-
iiaz," at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jeru- istines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the
salem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built
tli(! gate of Ephraim to the corner-gate,' four hun- cities about Ashdod,' and among tho Philistines.
dred cubits.' 7 And God helped him against the Philistines,'
24 And he took all the gold and the silver, and and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal,""
all the vessels that were found in the house of and the Meliunim.

• Vtr. 11, I2i Psa. Bfl;5. •


Heb. counselled, b 1 Sara. -i-.-H. ' i KitiRS • Heb M
II:S, etc. 1 Or, furze-iush, or thorn, t liei>. beast of the field, d ch. 2-2:7;
wr. IB; Kings 12:15.
1 i Heb. smitten, o ch. 21:17. I Ileb. gale of il

Ihallooketh. fch. 20:9. e 2 Kings 14:17, etc. ^ Veb. after, h ch. 15:2.

17. Let ii.% see one anotlier ; let us try our strength togetliiT
in battle.On tliis whole narrative, verses 17-24, see 2 Kings
14:8-14, and the notes upon that passage.

INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Many for a time do that externally which is right,
who have no supreme regard to God, and whose services
for this reason are not accepted of him.
5. When men engage in projects without asking coun-
sel of the I^ord, they may expect them to be sources of
trouble, if not of ruin.
7. >fen, out of regard to their own interests merely,
sometimes do externally as tho Lord directs, and thus
save themselves from many of the evils which would
otherwise come upon them.
9. Men are often very reluctant to do what is right, on

account of the pecuniary sacrifice it may involve; but


whatever be the sacrifice which obedience to God may
occasion, it is wise to make it, for God can give us much
more than we lose for his sake.
12. Apostasv and cruelty are often united. War tends
526
:

The leprosy of Isaiah. 2 CHRONICLES XXVII. Jcth':7n's sood reisn.

B.'c'sw'*' 8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uz- passed ; neither shall it he for thine honor from the
ziah:'' and his name spread* abroad even to the Lord God.J
entering in of Egypt: for he strengthened /w'otsp//" 19 Then Uzziah was wroth,'' and Aarf a censer in
exceedingly. his hand to burn incense and while he was wroth :

9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his
the corner-gate,'' and at the valloy-gate, and at the forehead before the priests in the house of the
turning of the wall, and Ibrtilicd* them. Lord, from beside the incense-altar.'
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and dig- 20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all tlie
ged many wells :* for he had much cattle, both in priests, looked upon him, and behold, he uas lep-
the low country, and in the plains husbandmen rous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from
;

a'so, and vine-dressers in the mountains, and in thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out,"' be-
Carmol:^ for he loved husbandry.' cause the Lord had smitten him.
11 Moreover Uzziah had a host of fighting men, 21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the
that went out to war by bands, according to the day of his death," and dwelt in a several* house,
number of their account by the hand of Joiel the bein^ a leper ;° for he was cut off from the house of
scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of the Lord and Jotham his son was over the king's :

Hananiah, one of the king's captains. house, judging the people of the land.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers 22 IT Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and
of the mighty men of.valor ircre two thousand and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.P
six hundred. 23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers,'' and they
13 And under their hand was an army,'' three buried him with his fathers in the field of the
hundred thousand and seven thousand and five burial which belonged to the kings for they said, ;

hundred, that made war with mighty power, to He is a leper and Jotham his sou reigned in his :

lielp the king against the enemy. stead.


li Ami Uzziah prepared for them throughout all
the ho.^t shields, and spears, and helmets, and ha-
bergeons, and bows, and slings, to cast stones.* CHAPTER XXVII.
15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented 1 Jotham reigning well prospereth. ij He siibdueth tlie Ammonites.
7 His reign. 9 Ahaz succeedeth him.
by cunning men, bo on the towers and upon the
to
bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. JOTHAM was twenty and five years old when
And his name spread* far abroad for he was mar- ; he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen
vellously helped, till he was strong. years in Jerusalem.'" His mother's name also was
16 *1 But when he was strong,"" his heart was lifted Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
up to Am destruction:'' for he transgressed against 2 And he did that which was right in the sight
the Lord his God, and went into the templeof the of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah
Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense."" did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him,' Lord. And the people did yet corruptly.
and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that 3 He built the high gate of the house of the Lord,
were valiant men and on the wall of OpheP he built much.
18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said 4 Moreover he built cities in the mountains of
v.nto him, // appertaiiieth not unto thee, Uzziah, to Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
burn incense unto the Lord,^ but to the priests the 5 TT He fought also with the king of the Ammon-
sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn in- ites, and prevailed against them. And the chil-
cense:" go out of the sanctuary ;' for thou hast tres- dren of Ammon gave him the same year a hundred
aCh. 17:11. -Heb.wenJ. b ch. 25:23; Neh.3:!3, 32; Zech. 14:1(1. t Or, J 1 Sim. 2:30. t ch. 23:16. 1 Num. 12:10; 2 Kings 5:27. m Esth. 6:12.
repaired. I Or, cut out many cisterns. % Or, fruitful jields. ilHeh. ground. i2Kingsl5:5. tUeh. free, o Lev. 13:46; Nom. 5:2; 12:15; 2Kings7:.3.
T Heb. the power of an army. ' Heb. stones of slings, t Heb. went forth. Pisa. 1:1. qlsi. 6:1. r 2 Kijlgs 15:32, etc. § Or, TAe (TO-er, ch. 33:14:
'^ch.->J:19; Deut..S:14; 32:15. il Prov. IC: 13. e o Kings 16: 13. 13. f 1 Chr. Neh. 3:26, 27.
0:10. s Num. 10:40; 1S:7. t Exod. 30:7, 8; Heb. 5:4. 1 Cor. 5:5.
i

14. Habergeons ; armor covering the neck and breast. and are angry at just rebukes, may expect to be visited
21. Several house; one separate from all others. with the sore judgments of heaven.
21. Sin is a source of great calamities here, and if not
INSTRUCTIONS. repented of, will cause endless misery hereafter.
Those who rightly seek the Lord will not want any
5.
good thing, hut may expect to prosper both for this life CHAPTER XXVIL
and the life to come. 2. He entered not into the temple; as Uzziah rashly did to
7. Help from God is needful in all human undertakings, burn incense. Chap. 26:16.
and those who receive it may hope to triumph over all 3. Ophel ; a ridge on the eastern side of Jerusalem run-
their foes. ning in a southern direction from Moriah, and terminating
10. Husbandry
is a most healthful, honorable, and use- at the junction of the valley of Hinuom with the valley of
ful ciii]iloymrntand one which has engaged the attention
; Jehoshaphat.
and some of the wisest and best of mankind.
tlie lalior.s of INSTRUCTIONS.
14. Dependence on God, when rightly viewed, will not 2. Men who imitate the virtues and avoid the vices of
prevent the diligent use of means, or hinder one from those who have gone before them, may expect the bless-
making all proper efforts to accomplish his ends. ing of God.
16. When men are greatly prosjiered, unless kept lium- 6. Those who in all their ways acknowledge God, and

ble by divine grace they will be lifted up with pride, and whatever they do, do it heartily from love to his name
in the gratification of it work out their ruin. and service, will rise to groat eminence in spiritual life,
19. Men who refuse to hearken to friendly warnings, be blessed in death, and glorious to eternity.
527
1

Hril rtign of Ahti:. L'CIIMOMCLES XXVill. Captins for Jiuhh re tared.

Uileiil.s of silver, ami t«'ii lliniisiiKi nifiisiin's of women, sons, ami daughters, and took also *ii"-.'?I?:
wlioal, anil ten thoii.-and of liaili'v. So' iiiucli did away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil
llio cliildrcn of Amnion pay unto liiin, Lotli the to Samaria.
."iiH-ond yt'ar, and tlu' third. Lord was there, whose
9 Hut a projihct of the
6 So Jothain licranif niijjhty," because lie pre- name u-as Oded and he went out before the host
:

imicd' his ways before the Loitl) his God.'' that came to Samaria, and said unto them. Behold,
7 * Now the rest of the acts of .Jothani, and all because tlie Louu God of your fathers was wroth
his wars, and hi.s ways, io, tliey are written in the with Judah, he hath delivered them into your
liook of the Jvinirs of Israel and .ludah. hand, and ye have slain them in a rage //<«/ reach-
S He was five and twenty years ohl wlien he eth u]) unto heaven.'
bepan to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jeru- 10 And now ye purpose to keep under the chil-
salem. dren of Judah and Jerusalem for liondmen and
;> * .\nd Jothain slept with liis fathers, and they bondwomen unto you:'" but are there not with
liiiiii'il him in tlie city of David and Aliaz his son : you, even with you, sins against the Lord your
roigned in his stead. God?"
1 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the
cajitivcs again," which ye have taken captive of
CHAPTER XXVIII. your brethren : for the fierce wrath of the Loiti)
1 Ahiz reining very wickedly is greatly alTlicted by the Syrians. C isupon you.''
.rud.-ih being made
captive by the Ismelitus, is sent home by the counsel 12 Then certain of the heads of the children of
of Oded tlie prophet. IG Ahaz sending for aid to Assyria is not helped
ihcrebv. 22 In his distress he groweth more idolatrous. 2G He dy- Ephraim, Azariali the son of Jolianan, Berechiah
ing, liezekiah succeedelh him. the son of Jlcshillemoth, and Jehiskiah the son
AHAZ wasandtwenty years old when he beiran
he reigned
reign, years Jeru- si.xteen in
to of Shalluin, and Amasa the son of Iladlai, stood
up against them that came from the war,
salem :" but he did not that which was right in the 13 And said unto them. Ye shall not bring in
sight of the Loud, like David his father: the captives hither: for whereas we have offended
2 For he wallccd in the ways of tlie kings of Is- against the Loud already, ye intend to add more
rael, and made also molten images'' for Baalim. to our sins and to our trespass for our trespass
'^
:

'd Moreover he burnt incense' in the valley of the is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.

son of IIinnom,'^and burnt his children in the lire," 14 So the armed men left the captives and the
after the abominations of the licathcu whom the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.
IjORI)had cast out before the children of Israel. 1.5 And the men which were expressed by name

4 IIo sacrificed also and burnt incense in the rose up,"" and took the captives, and with the spoil
high places, and on the hills, and under every green clothed all that were naked among them, and ar-
tree. rayed them, and shod them, and gave them to cat
Wherefore tlie Loud his God delivered him
5 and to drink,'' and anointed them, and carried all
into the hand of the king of Syria;'' and they the feeble of them upon asses," and brought tlieiii
smote him, and carried away a great multitude of to Jericho, the city of palm-trees,' to their breth-
tliein captives, and brought them to Damascus.^ ren then they returned to Samaria. :

And he was also delivered into the hand of the IG 11 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the
king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaugh- kings of Assyria to help him."
ter. 17 For again the Edomites had come and smit-
6 For Pckah the son of Remaliali slew in Judah ten Judah,^' and carried away captives.*
a hundred and twenty thousand in one day,' which 18 The Philistines also had invaded the citiea
were all valiant men;' because they had for.saken of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and
the Loiii) God of their fathers.^ had taken Beth-shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gede-
7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew roth, and Soco with the villages thereof, and Tim-
Maasciah the king's son, and Azrikam the gover- nah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the
nor of the house, and Elkanah that was next^ to villages thereof:"' and they dwelt there.
tlic king. 19 For the Lord brought Judah low because of
8 l^And the children of Israel carried away Ahaz king of Israel ;'' for he made Judah nakcd,^
captive of their brethren two hundred thousand," and transgressed sore against the Lord.
• Hfh. This. »ch. 20:5. 1 Or, eslaitished. b ch. 19:3. c -2 Kings 16i2, Isa. 10:5-7; 47:8; Jer. 50:17, 13: Ezek. 25:12-17; 26:2, 3: ObaJ. 10, etc.;
'tc. "lEiod.IU;!?; Lev. 19:4. » Judg. 2:11; Hos. a;^, 17. I Or, o/Tercrf Zech. 1:15; Rev. 18:5. m Lev.'25:39, etc. " Jer. 25:29: Matt. 7:2-J
MUTlfiee. l2KinEs23:10. s ch. 33:0; Uv. 18:21 Psa. 106::)7; Jer. :i-2:35;
; Isa. .18:6; .Ter. 31:14. p Jas. 2:1.3. q ver. 12. r 3 Kirgs 6:22; Prov.
Kr.ek. lfi:20, 21; Micah 0:7. h I<a. 7:1. ! Heb. BaTTtlesek. > 2 Kings 2.5:21,22; Luke 6:27, 35. sRom.l5:l. I Deut. 34:3; Judg. 1: 16. ''2Kings
1.1:27. I Heb. .tons of valor, i Deut. 31:16, 17; Jojh. 21:20; Isa. 1:2S; 16:7. V Obad. 10. 13. 14. •
Heb. a eaptivUy. " Ezek. 10:27, 57. « Psd.
Jer.I5:0. 1 Heb. Ilit second. kch.ll:4. Gen. 4:10; Ezra9:6:Psa. 69:20;
I 100:4:). y Exod. 32:2.3; Rev. 3:17, IS; 16:15.

tains a full history of all the events that took place. Each
CHAPTER
XXVIII. writer gives those incidents which he was guided by the
;;. Uinnom ; a valley commencing on divine Spirit to record, and the order in which they hap-
Valley of the son of
the western side of Jerusalem, sweeping round it to the pened cannot be certainly determined. It is probable,
.south, and so entering the valley of Jehoshaphat, which however, that the great slaughter recorded in verse 6 of
runs on the eastern side. this chapter took place before the attempt to besiege
5. The kinp; of Syria : who was confederate with Pekah Jerusalem mentioned in Kings and Isaiah.
king of Israel. 2 Kings 16:.^; Isa. 7:1, 2. Of the three 18. Cities of the low country; towns of Judah lying in the
ilifferent accounts which we have of this war 2 Kings — eastern part of the plain that borders on the Mediterranean.
in: 5-9, Is.i. 7:l-!i. and the present passage no one con- — 10. yalcerl ; weak and defenceless.
528
1 : : :

Idolatry and death of Akaz. 2 CHRONICLES XXIX. Ilczeldah restureih rdision.

B.c:\v& 20 And Tilgatli-pilneser king of Assyria vites, and gathered them together into the east
camo unto him, and distressed liim,* but strength- street,
ened him not. 5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanc-
21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the tify now yourselves,^ and sanctify the house of the
house of the Lord, and out of tlie house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the
king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king filthiness out of tlie holy place.^
of Assyria but he helped him not.
:
6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that
22 1' And in the time of liis distress did he tres- ichich u-as evil in the eyes of the Lord our God,'
pass yet more against the Lord this is that king and have forsaken him, and have turned away
:

Ahaz. their faces from the habitation of tlic Lord," and


23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus," turned their backs.*
which smote him and he said. Because tlie gods
: 7 Also they have shut u]> tlio doors of the porch,"
of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense
sacrifice to them, that they may help me.'' But nor offered bunit-offerings in the holy place unto

they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel." the God
of Israel.
24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of 8 Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was upon
tlie house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of Judah and Jerusalem," and he hath delivered them
the house of God, and shut up the doors of the to trouble,^ to astonishment, and to hissing,'' as ye
house of the Lord,* and he made him altars in see with your eyes.
every corner of Jerusalem. have fallen by the sword,"!
9 For, lo, our "fathers
25 And in every several city of Judah he made and our sons and our daughters and our wives are
high places to burn* incense unto other gods," and in captivity for this.
provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers. 10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant
26 1 Now the rest of his acts and of all his with the Lord God of Israel,'' that his fierce wrath
ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the may turn away from us.
book of the kings of Judali and Israel. 1 My sons, be not now negligent for the Lord :
'

27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they hath chosen you to stand before him,'' to serve him,
buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem but they ;
and that ye should minister unto him, and burn
brought him not into the sepidchresof the kings of incense.^
Israel and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
:
12 IThen the Levites arose, Mahath the son of
Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons
of the Kohathites:' and of the sons of Merari
CHAPTER XXIX. Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Je-
1 Hezekiah's good reign. 3 He restoreth religion. 5 He exhorteth the halelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of
Levites. \2 They sanctify themselves, and cleanse the house of Ciod.
20 Hezekiah otTereth
Ziinmah, and Eden the son of Joah
solemn sacrifices, wherein the Levites were more
forward than the priests. 13 And of the sons of Elizaphan Shimri, and ;

HEZEKIAH began to reign when he was five Jeiel and of the sons of Asaph Zechariah, and : ;

and twenty years old, and he reigned nine Mattaniah


and twenty years in Jerusalem.' And his mother's 14 AndofthesonsofHeman; Jchicl.and Phimei:
name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.*^ and of tlie sons of Jeduthun Shcniaiah, and UzzieL ;

2 And he did that which was right in the sight 15 And they gathered their brethren, and sanc-
of the Lord, according to all that David his father tified themselves," and came, according to the com-
had done. mandment of the king, by the words' of the Lord,
3 IT He in the first year of his reign,*" in the first to cleanse the house of the Lord.''
month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord,' 16 And the priests went into the inner part of
and repaired them. the house of the Lord, to cleanse it, and brought
4 And he brought in the priests and the Le- out all the uncleanness that they found in the tem-
a 2 Kings 15:i!9; 16:7-9. • Heb. Barme.wi. b Jer. 10:.5; 44; 17-4S. « Isa. modon, Deut. 2S:25. P 1 Kings 9:8; Jer. 1-<:15, 10; 25:9, 1*. 1 ch. a-i:5,
8, etc.; Lam. I Or, deceived. • Num. 3:0. 7; 18:2-6.
1:23; Hos. 13:9. d ch. 29:.3, 7. 1 Or, offer, e Jer. 11:1.3. 'a Kings 18:1, 5:7. r ch. 15:12.
s ch. 26:5. h Psa. 101:3; Gal. 1:16. H Or, offer sacrifice. ' JInm 4:2, etc. u ver. 5. • Or, in. tke business.
etc. i ver. 7. j ch 33:0; 1 Chr.
15:12. k Ezek. 8:3, 9, etc. I Neh. 9:10. m Jer. 2:27; Ezek. 8: 16. 1 Heb. » 1 Chr. 23:28.
gictn the luek. n ch. 28:24; ver. 3; Mai. 1:10. o oh. 24:18. § Heb. coin-

20. Distressed him; by the heavy tribute which he ex- sins, instead of leading them to repentance, wiU, if they
acted of him. are themselves, lead them to trespass more and
left to
INSTRUCTIONS. more, they being often reproved, and hardening their
till

hearts, are suddenly destroyed, and that without remedy.


3. The frequency with which God's ancient people for-
sook hira and imitated the lieathen. showed tliat tliey did
not like to retain him in their knowledge, and were there-
CHAPTER XXIX.
fore often given up to their own hearts' lusts, to work all 5. Sanctify now yourselves; they sanctified themselves
uncleanness with greediness. and the temple by performing the purifications and clcans-
5. When rulers and people imitate the heathen in their ings required by the law of Moses, all which represented
practices, they may expect the heathen to become instru- tliat inward purity of heart without which no ontn'ard
ments of their jiunishment, and executioners of divine worship or service is acceptable to God.
vengeance upon them for their sins. 6. T/ie habitation of the Lord; the temple, where the Lord
16. Xo application to the wicked and no dependence on manifested his presence.
creatures will help those who have God for their enemy, or 16. The brook Kidron; a deep valley on the east of Jeru-
deliver them from the effects of his wrath against their sins. salem, through which, as in the case of many other valleys
22. Distresses which come upon men on accovmt of their of Palestine, water flows only in the rainy season.
34 529
; :

llfztkiah offerrtk 2 CHRONICLES XXX. soUmn sacrifii-fs.

Loudinto (ho court of the liotisc of tlic with the trumpets,'' and with the instru- *ii"o.'?i5:
tie of the
.<»iin.* thf Li'viios took it, to carry it out
Ami incuts^ nrduimd by David king of Israel.
nliroiid into the l)rook Kiilron. 28 And all tiic congregation worshipped, and
17 Now tlii'v lifpiii on the first day of the first the singers' sang, and tiie truiii|)cters sounded:
niontli to .siiiiiiry, mul on tlie cij^lith day of the and all this contintud until the burnt-offering was
niontli came they to the porch of tlie Loud:'' so finished.
tlicy sanctified "tlie house of the Lokd in eight 2'J -Viid wiii'n they had made an end of offering,
davs; and in tiie sixteenth day of the iirst mouth tlie king and all that were present^ with liini
tliey made an end. bowed themselves,' and worshipped.
IS Then they wont Hezckiali tlie king, and
in to ?A) Moreover Ilezekiah the king and the princes
gaid, We have' cleansed all the house of the Lord, commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the
and the altar of buriit-offering, with afll the vessels Lord with the words of David, and of Asaph the
tliereof, and the show-bread table, with all the ves- seer. And tliey sang praises with gladness,'" and
sels thereof. they bowed their iicads and wor.-^hipped."
19 Moreover which king Ahaz in
all the vessels, 31Then Ilezekiah answered and said. Now ye
his reign did cast away in his transgression,'" have have consecrated yourselves* unto the Lord, come
we prepared and sanctified, and behold, they are near and bring sacrifices and tiiank-ofl'erings into
before the altar of the Loud. the house of the Lord." And tiie congregation
20 ?[ Then Ilczckiah the king rose early, and brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings; and as
gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the many were of a free heart, burnt-offerings.
as
house of the Loud. 32 And
the number of the burnt-offerings, which
21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven the congregation brought, was threescore and ten
rams, and seven lambs, and seven he-goats, for a bullocks, a hundred rams, a7id two hundred lambs
sin-offering for tlie kingdom, and for the sanctuary, all these icere for a burnt-offering to the Lord.
and for Judah.'' And he commanded the priests 33 And the consecrated things were six hundred
the sons of Aaron to offer tliem on the altar of the oxen and three thousand sheep.
Lord. 34 But the priests were too few, so that they
22 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests coulil not flay all the burnt-offerings: wherefore
received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar f their brethren the Levites did hclp^ them,'' till

likewise, when they had killed the rams, they the work was ended, and until the other priesta
sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were
also the lambs, and they sprinkled tlic blood upon more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than
the altar. the priests.''
23 And they brought forth* the he-goatsybr the 35 And also the burnt-offerings irere in abun-
sin-offering before the king and the congregation dance, with the fat of the peace-offerings,'' and
.and they laid their hands upon them: the drink-offerings for every burnt-offering.' So
24 And the priests killed tlicni, and they made the service of the house of the Lord was set in
reconciliation with tiicir blood upon the altar, to order.
make an atonement for all Israel for the king : 36 And Hezekiah rejoiced,' and all the people,
commanded that tiie burnt-offering and the sin- that God had prepared the people:" for the thing
offoring should be made for all Israel. was done suddenly.
2o And he set the Levites in the house of the
Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with
harps, according to the commandment of David,'
CHAPTER XXX.
Hezekiah proclainieth a solemn passover on the second month for Ju-
and of Gad the king's seer,"^ and Nathan the 1
dah and Israel. 1.3 The assembly, having destroyed the altars of
prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord idolatry, keep the feast fourteen days. 27 The priests and Levites
bless the people.
by' his prophets."*
2G And the Levites stood with the instruments
of David,' and the priests with the trumpets.-'
AND Hezekiah
and wrote
sent to all Israel and Judah,
letters also to Ephraim and Ma-
27 And
Hezckiali commanded to offer the burnt- should come to the house of the
nasseli, that they
offering upon the altar. And when* the burnt- Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the
offering began, the song of the Lord began also Lord God of Israel.
• Matt. ai:ia, 13. blKingse:3. c ch. 28:31. d Lev. J:3, 14. « Lev. fo,
e-.H, etc.; Heb. 0:21. • Heb. near. » ch. 8:14; 1 Chr. 16:4; 23:5; 25:1,
«tc. S aSim. 21:11. 1 n<>b. by the hand of. h oh. 3U:12. i 1 Chr. 23:5;
P»a. 8T:7; 150:-!-5; Isa. .3-J:20. J 1 Chr. 16:6. 1 Heb. in the lime, k ch.
23: IS; Pia. 137:3, 4. i Beb. haTidi of instruments. I Heb. Jonjr. T Heb.

17. Bep;an —
to sanctify; they began apparently with the
courts of the temple, and came to the temple proper on the
eij^hth day, occupying eight days more in cleansing it.
Tiie first month; Kisan, part of >[arch and April.
IXSTRUCTIOXS.
3. In entering on a new eituiition, it is of great impor-

tance to begin right for the first actions may have a lead-
;

ing influence upon all which follow.


5. Ministers of religion must themselves be holy, to be
instrumental of promoting holiness in others.
530
^ :

The passover proclaimed, 2 CHRONICLES XXX. and observed with joy.

B.' r-'l'' 2 For the king had taken counsel, and his
princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to
keep the })assover in the second month.
3 For tliey could not keep it at that time,'' be-
cause the priests had not sanctified themselves
sufficiently," neither had the people gathered them-
selves together to Jerusalem.
4 And the thing pleased' the king and all the
congregation.
5 8o they establislied a decree to make procla-
mation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even
to Dan, that they should come to keep the pass-
over unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem
for they had not done it of a long time in such sort
as it was written."*
6 So tiie posts went with the letters from* the
king and his princes throughout all Israel and
Judah, and according to the commandment of tlie
king, saying. Ye children of Israel, turn again
uuto the Lord God
of Abraham, Isaac, and Isra-
el,'' and he remnant of you,''
will return to the
that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of
Assyria.
7 And be not ye like your fathers,'^ and like
your brethren, which trespassed against the Lokd
God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up
to desolation,'' as ye see.
8 Now be ye not stiff-necked,*' as your fathers
were, but yield yourselves^ unto the Lord,^ and
enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sancti-
fied for ever: and serve the Lord your God, that
the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from
you.*
9 For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your
brethren and your children shall Jind compassion
before them that lead them captive,' so that they
shall come again into this land for the Lord your
:

God is gracious and merciful,'" and will not turn


away his face from you, if ye return unto him."
10 So the posts passed from city to city, through
the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even unto
Zcbulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and
mocked them."
•Num. 9
1: : ;

Zeal of tht pfitplf '-'<'IIi:n\lCLES X.\X[. against idolatry.

'22 And Iliv.ckiali spako coiiiforlalily iiiilo all' •1 Moreover he commanded the people *ii"'fS
Levitcs that laiiL'lit tlie piod kiiowJiMlfre of
till- that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the jHution of the
tiio LoiM':" ami lli<'_v diil cat tlirouirjidut the feast jiricsts and the Levilc.s.'' that they might bu en-
^^L•vl'll days, olloriuir jicaei'-olTcriiiirs, and making in the law of the Lord.' couraged
confostiioii to the Lmtn Godof (licir fatiit-rs.'' 5 1i And as .<oon as the commandment came
23 And liie whole usscni My took counsel to keep abroad,* the children of Israel brought in abun-
other seven days and they kept other seven days
: dance the first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and
with trl!>di>''''s. honey,* and of all the increase of the field ;J and
:;i For llezekiah king of Judah did give* to the the tithe of all M/zj^r.v brought they in abundantly.
congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thou- 6 And concerning the children of Israel and Ju-
sand sheep; and the princes gave to the congre- dah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also
gation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep," ai'id the
anda groat number of priests sanctified themselves. tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto
'2'i And all the congregation of Judah, with the the Lord tiieir God, and laid them by heaps.'
priests and the Levites, and all the congregation 7 In tlic third month tiiey began to lay the foun-
that came out of Israel, and the strangers that dation of the heaps, and finished them in the
came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in seventh month.'
Judah, rejoiced. 8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and
2G So there was great joy in Jerusalem for since saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord,"' and his
:

the time of Solomon the son of David king of Is- people Israel.
rael there was not the like in Jerusalem. 9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the i)ricsts
27 f Then the priests the Levites arose and and the fievitos concerning the heajjs.
lilessed the people: and their voice was heard, II) And Azariah the chief priest of the house of
and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling- Zadok answered him, and said, Hince the people he-
place,* even unto heaven. gan to bring the oficrings into the house of the
Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left
CHAPTER XXXI. plenty " for the Lord hath blessed his people
:

1 The people is for«-ard in Jestroviug iilolatry. 2 Hezekiah ordereth and that which is left is this great store.
the courses of the priests anJ Levites, and providelh for (heir work and 11 'i Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare
maintenance. 5 The people's forwardness in offerings and tithes. 1

Hezekiah appointeth officers to dispose of the tithes. 20 The sin- chambers^ in the house of the Lord; and they
cerity of Hezekiah. prepared them,
NOW when
were
was finished, all Israel that
all this
went out to the cities of Ju-
present ^
12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes
and the dedicated things faitiifuUy :" over which
dah, and brak(i the images' in pieces, and cut Cononiali the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his
down the groves,*^ and threw down the high places brother was the next.
and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in 13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Naliath, and
Ephraim also and Manassch,'' until they had utter- Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel,and
ly destroyed them all."' Then all the children of Ismachiah, and Mahatli, and Benaiah, were over-
Israel returned, every man to his possession, into seers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his
'

their own cities. brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the


2 T And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
pri(;sts and the JjCvites after tiieir courses,'' every 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the
inau according to his service, tlie priests and Le- porter toward the east, was over the freewill-oiier-
vites for burnt-offerings and for peace-offerings, iugs of God, to distribute the oblations of the
to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in L()RD,P and the most holy things.
the gates of the tents of the Lord.'' 15 And next him' were Eden, and Miniamin,
3 He appointed also the king's portion of his sub- and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Sheca-
stance for the burnt-ofterings, /o wit, for the morn- niah, in the cities of the priests," in their set ofBce,*
ing and evening burnt-oii'crings, and the burnt- to give to tiieir lirethren by courses, as well to the
oftcrings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, great as to the small
and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law 16 Besides their genealogy of males, from three
of the Lord." years old and upward, n^cn unto every one that en-
' \U\>.lolht hmTlofnll,U3..W:-2. a Deut. Miin. bEzralO:!!. t Heb. braki
Iffltdup.oTofftrt.t. I ne\>. the habitation
of his holinfss; Psa.OSiS. 1 Heb.
found. I Heb
statues, c 3 Kinffs ls:4. i ch. 311:11. 5 Heb. to mala an
end. « IChr. a3:(i; •>4;l,etc. f 1 Chr. S3:30. B jNuin. ch. 23. 29. h .Num.
l»:ti, etc.; Neh. l:i:IO-l:!. i
Mai. 2:7: 1 Cnr. 9:9-11; Gal '6:6. • Heb.

accepted of God, nevertheless need further instruction as


to liis character and will and minifiters should continue
;

to give such instruction, that their hearers may understand


the whole will of God.

CHAPTER XXXI.
1. In Ephraim also and Manas^eh ; in the weak and ruin-

ous condition of the kingdom of Israel, the patrons of idol-


atry were able to oppose no effectual resistance to the
destruction of their images and high places.
532
;

Sennacherib the Assyrian 2 CHRONICLES XXXII. invadttk Judah.

tv.vS^' tereth into the house of the Lord, his 5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all
daily portion for their service in their charges the wall that was broken,' and raised it up to the
according to their courses towers, and another wall without, and repaired
IT Both to tlie genealogy of the priests by the Millo in the city of David,J and made darts' and
house of their fathers, and the Levites from twen- shields in abundance.
ty years old and upward," in their charges by their G And he set captains of war over the people,
courses; and gathered them together to him in the street
18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to
their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, them,' saying,
through all the congregation for in their set of- : 7 Be strong and courageous," be not afraid nor
fice* they sanctified themselves in holiness: dismayed for the king of Assyria,' nor for all the
19 Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which multitude tiiat is with him for there he more with
:

icere inthe fields of the suburbs of their cities," in us than with him.'"
every several city, the men that were expressed 8 With him is an arm of flesh;" but with us is
by name," to give portions to all the males among the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our bat-
the priests, and to all that were reckoned by gen- tles." And the people rested * themselves upon the
ealogies among the Levites. words of Hezekiah king of Judah.''
20 1[ And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Ju- 9 1 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria
dah, and wrought that ivhich was good and right send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself
and truth before the Lord his God."* laid siege against Lachish, and all his power* with
21 And in every work that he began in the ser- him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all
vice of the house of God, and in the law, and in Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
tlie commandments, to seek his God, he did it 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria,
with all his heart," and prospered/ Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege*
in Jerusalem?
CHAPTER XXXII. 11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over
1 yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying,
Sennacherib invading Judah, Hezekiah fortifieth himself, and encour-
9 Against the blasphemies of Sennacherib, by mes-
agetft his people.
The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the
sage and letters, Hezekiah and Isaiah pray. 21 An angel destroyeth
hand of the king of Assyria?
the host of the Assyrians, to the glory of Hezekiah. '24 Hezekiah

praying in his sickness, God giveth him a sign of recovery. 2-5 He


12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his
waxing proud is humbled by God. 27 His wealth and works. 31
high places and his altars, and commanded Judah
His error in the ambassage of Babylon. 32 He dying, Manasseh suc-
ceedeth him. and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before
AFTER these things, and the establishment one altar, and burn incense upon it?
13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done
thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came,
and entered into Judah, and encamped against the unto all the people of other lands?'' were the gods
fenced cities,*^ and thought to win them* for him- of the nations of those lands any ways able to de-
self. liver tlieir lands out of my hand?
2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was 14 Who was there among all the gods of those
come, and that he was purposed to tight* against nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that
Jerusalem, could deliver his people out of my hand, that your
3 He took counsel with his princes and his God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?
mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains 15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you,
which were without the city:'' and they did help nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet be-
him. lieve him for no god of any nation or kingdom
:

4 So there was gathered much people together, was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and
who stopped all tlie fountains, and the brook that out of the haud of my fathers how much less shall :

ran" through the midst of the land, saying. Why your God deliver you out of my hand?"'
should the kings of Assyria come, and find much 16 And his servants spake yet inore against the
water? Lord God, and against his servant Hezekiah.
» 1 • Or, (rus(.
Chr- 23:a4, 27. b Lev. 25:34; Num. 35:2. t ver. 12-15. 9:24.
i 2Kings 20:3; John 1:47; Acts 24:l(i; 1 Thcss. 2:10; 3 John 5. e Psa.

1:2, 3. '26:5; Josh. 1:7, 8; Matt. 6:33; 7:21-27. e 2 Kings 18:13,


ch.
etc. Isa. 36:1, etc. t Heb. break them up. I Heb. his face was to ifar.
;

1" Isa. 22:9, II. i Heb. ovtrfloxced. i ch. 25:2.3. i 2 Sam. 5:9; 1 Kings

the performance of others and we should never


; grow
weary of well-doing, for in due time we shall reap if we
faint not.
3. In all our efforts for reformation, the word of God
should be our rule and a readiness to contribute liberally
;

of our substance to support the ministers and worship of


(Jod, will be an evidence of sincerity, and a preparation
for the reception of his blessings.
8. The bounties of providence and a disposition rightly
to use them are both from the Lord, and should be acknow-
ledged as his gifts with devout thanksgiving and praise.
Special care should bo taken of charitable contribu-
12.
tions, and faithful application made of them to the objects
for which they were given.
Tht ruin nf SfmHaehrrih. •1 CIIKONICU'S XXXIIl. ULnuissr/i's wicked reign.

17 Ho wrote iilso letters to rail on the LiiUD 2S Storehouses also for tlie increase of %", '-jJ:
Go.l of Ii«niel, aixi to speak a^'aiiist liiiii, sayiii<r, corn, and wine, and oil and stalls for all manner
;

As the jroilsof the nations of oZ/kt lainls have not and cotes for flocks.
of lieasts,

deiivereil tlieir people out of niv hand, so slnill 2!) Moreover he j)rovideil him cities, and pos-

in>t the (Joel of He/ckiah deliver his jieople out of sessions of flocks and herds in abundance:'' for
niyhnml!* God had given iiini substance very much.
is Then they eried witli a loud voice, in the liO Tills same Hezekiah also stopped the upper

Jews' speeeh. unto the people of Jerusalem that water-cour.se of Gihon,' and brought it straight
\trre on the wall, to alTrijijhl them,'' and to trouble down to the west side of tlie city of David. And
them: that they miirht take the city. Hezekiah prospcreil in all his works.
19 And they spake ai^ainst tiie God of Jerusa- 81 1 Howbeit, in the i«4w.Mo/" the ambassadors^
lem." as ajrainst the <^ods of the people of the of the princes of Jiabylon. who sent unto him to
earth, ichich uere the work of the hands of man. inquire of the wonder that was dove in the land,"
20 And for this cause Ilezckiah the king,** and God left him, to try him, that he might know all
the prophet Lsaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and that iras in his heart.'
cried to heaven.'' 32 It Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and
•Jl " And the LoRP sent an angel.^ which cutoif his goodness,' behold, they are written in the vis-
all the mighty men of valor, and tiie leaders and ion of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz," and
captains in the camp of the king of Assyria.'' So in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.^'
he returned with shame of face to liis own land. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they
Ami when he was come into the house of his god, buried him in the cliiefest* of the sepulchres of the
iliey that came forth of his own bowels slew him' sons of l):ivid and all Judah and the inhabitants
:

there with the sword. of Jerusalem did him honor at his death.'^ And
22 Thus tlie Loud saved FTezekiah and the in- Manasseli his son reigned in his stead.
habitants of tl(,'rusalem from the hand of Senna-
cherib the king of Assyria,'' and from the hand of
all others, and guided tliem on every side.'
XXXIIl. CHAPTER
1 Manas-seh's wicked reign. 3 He sctteth up idolatry, and w»uld not
23 And many brouglit gifts unto the Lord to be admonished. 11 He is carried into B.ibylon. 12 Upon his prayer
Jerusalem, anil presents* to Ilezekiah king of Ju- to God he is released, and puttcth do«-n idolatry. 18 His acts. 20 He
dyin^. Anion succeedeth liiin. 21 Amon reifying wickedly is slain
dali so that he was magnified in the sight of all
:
by his servants. 25 The niorderers being slain, Josi&h succeedeth
nations from thcncefortli. hnn.
24 1 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the ]\ rANASSEHuas twelve years old when he
death, and prayed unto the Lord:' and he spake l.V_L began and he reigned fifty and five
to reign,
unto iiim, and he gave him a sign.* years in Jerusalem:"
2-5 Hut Hezekiah rendered not again according 2 But did that which was evil in the sight of the
to the benefit done unto him;'' for his heart was Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen,^
lifted up:' tlierefore there was wrath upon him, whom the Lord had cast out before the children
and upon Judah and Jerusalem."" of Israel.
26 N'otwithstanding. Hezekiah humbled himself 3 1 For he built again' the high places which
for the pride^ of his heart, both he and the inhabit- Hezekiah his father had broken down,'' and he
ants of Jerusalem," so that the wrath of the Lord rcartMl up altars for Baalim, and made groves," and
came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah." worsliip[i('(l all the host of heaven,'' and served them.
27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches 4 Also he built altars in the house of the Lord,
and honor:!' and he made himself treasuries for whereof the Lord had said. In Jerusalem shall my
silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and name be for ever.
for .spices, and for shields, and for all manner of 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven
pleasant jewels;' in the two courts of the house of the Lord.
» 2 Kings 19:9, etc b Neh. 0:9. c ] Sam. 17:36; Job 15:25, 28; Psa. 21:19. P Prov. 10:22 Heb. in.<lni»im(s o/ (/e.iire. q Job 1 :3, 9; 42:11.
II

111:13, 14; 7:):8-ll; 139:19, 20. d la. 37:1. etc. e Psa. 50:15; 91:14, 15. r l«a. 22:0, 11. 1 Heb. inlerprelers. > 2Kings 20:12. etc.; Isa. 39: 1, etc.
'JS.irn.2):l8; Psa. 18:50; Dan. 3:25; fi:22. « Isa. 10:16-18; 42:8 *
H'-b ' Deut. 8:2, 16; Jas. 1 13.:
' Heb. kindnesses. " Isa. ch. 36-39. » 2 Kings
mi,U kirn fall, h P»a. 37:39, 40; Hosea 1:7. Psa. 48:14; 71:20. 21. ch. 18-20. 1 Or. highest. wProv. 1(1:7. x 2 Kings 21 1. etc. ych.2t-:3;
:

t W'h. frmaus things,


i 2 Kings 20:1, etc. ; Isa. 3S;1, etc. I Ot, torought Deut. 18:9. 12. t Heb. relurmd and built, z ch. 30:14- 31:1; 32:12.
a mirarlt far him. k Psa. 118:12. 1 ch. 26:16; Dan. 5:20, 23; Hab. 2:4. = Deut. 16:21. b Deut 17:3.
"ch.21:l-). IHeb. (i/lm? up, 2 Kings 14:10. > Jer. 2G:I8, 19. " 1 Kings

24. He gave him a sign; 2 Kings 20:4-11. 25. Even good men, if left to themselves when greatly
30. Gihon; a fountain ou the west side of Jerusalem. blessed of God, instead of rendering to him gratitude and
See note to ver. 3. praise, will be lifted up with pride, and thus draw down
31. The business of the ambassadors; 2 Kings 20: 12, 13. upon themselves his chastisements.
29. As all earthly substance comes from God, men should
INSTRUCTIONS. receive it as his gift, view it as his property, and use it
7.Those wlio have God for their helper have more for according to his will.
them than can ever he against them. 31. God often leaves men to themselves to try them,
10. ImpHcit confidence in God often appears to worldly that they and others may know what is in their hearts,
men foohsh and absurd and they expect no more from
; and to lead them to trust in him. They will then be as
him, than they do from the idols of the heathen. mount Zion that cannot be moved, and in seeking him as
16. Speaking against the Lord is a preparation for expe- their jjortion they will not want any good thing.
rienci:ig his wrath.
20. I'rayer to God in trouble is the never-failing resource CHAPTER XXXIIL
of his peopla 3. Groves; images of Astarte. See chap. 34:4.
534
:

PenUcna and release of Manassck. 2CHR0NICLES XXXIV. Anion is followed by Joskih.

B "ess* 6 And he caused his cliildrcn to pass 17 Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in
through the fire in the valh^y of tiio sou of iliii- the high phices,J yet unto the Lord tlieir God only.
nom:" also he observed times, and used eucliant- 18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and
ments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a famil- his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers
iar spirit, and with wizards he wrought much evil
:''
tliat spake to him in the name of the Lord God of
in the sight of tlie Lord, to provoke liini to anger. Israel, behold, they are written in the book of tiie
7 And he set a carved image, the idol which he kings of Israel.
had made, in the house of God, of which God had 19 His prayer also, and hmv God was entreated
said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, of him," and all his sins,' and his trespass, and the
and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all places wherein he built high places, and set up
tlie tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever groves and graven images, before he was hum-
8 Neither will I any more remove the foot of bled:"" behold, they are written among the sayings
Israel from out of the land whicli I have appointed of the seers.^
for your fathers so that they will take heed to do
; 20 So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they
all that I have commanded them, according to the buried him in his own house: and Amon his son
whole law and tlie statutes and the ordinances by reigned in his stead.
the hand of Moses. 21 1[ Amon was two and twenty years old when
9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jeru-
of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the hea- salem."
then, whom the Lord had destroyed before the 22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of
children of Israel. the Lord, as did Manasseh his father for Amon :

10 And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his sacrificed unto all the carved images which Ma-
people: but they would not hearken. nasseh his father had made, and served them;"
11 1l Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the 23 And humbled not himself liefore the Lord, as
captains of the iiost of the king" of Assyria, which Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but
took Manasseh among the thorns," and bound him Amon trespassed more and more.""
with fetters,* and carried him to Babylon.'' 24 And his servants conspired against him, and
12 And when he was in affliction, he besought slew him in his own house.
the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly 25 1 But the people of the land slew all them that
before the God of his fathers,'' had conspired against king Amon .'^ and the people
13 And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of the land made Josiah his sou king in his stead.
of him,' and heard his supplication, and brought
him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then CHAPTER XXXIV.
Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.'^ 1 Josiah's good reign. 3 He destroyeth idolatry. 8 He taketh order
14 Now
after this he built a wall without the for the repair of the temple. 14 Hilkiah h.aving found a book of the
law, Josiah sendeth to Huldah to inquire of the Lord. 23 Huldah
city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the
prophesieth the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's
valley, even to the entering in at the fish-gate, and time. 29 Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, renew-
eth the covenant with Grod.
compassed about Ophel,' and raised it up a very
great height, and put captains of war in all the JOSIAH
ivas eight years old when he began to
fenced cities of Judah. reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and
15 And he took away the strange gods, and the thirty years."'
idol out of the house of the Lord,"" and all the al- 2 And he did that ifliich was right in the sight of
tars that he had built in tlie mount of the house of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his
the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor
the city. to the left.'
16 And
he repaired the altar of the Lord, and 3 For in the eighth year oHiis reign, while he
*\\

sacrificed thereon peace-offerings and thank-offer- was yet young,' he began to seek after the God of
ings,' and commanded Judah to serve the Lord David his father and in the twelfth year he began :

God of Israel. to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places,"
» Ezek. 3J:37, 39. b Dent. )S:ll), 11. • Heb. ic/iic/i were the king's. 5- 16. >> Psa. 119:67. 71, 75. i Or, Homi. >
c Lim. 3:7. t Or, chains, d Psa. IU7: 111-14. e Hos. 5:15; 1 Pet. 5:6.
I 1 Chr. 5:'>0; Ezra 8:2:). C Psa. 9:16; Dan. 4:31, 35. 1 Or, the lower, ch.
27:3. liyer.3,5,7. iL«v.7:12. J 2 Kings 15:4. lilJohnl;9. 1 Rom.

11. Among the thorns; from a thicket of thorns in which


he had concealed himself. Compare 1 Siim. 13:6.
INSTRUCTIONS.
2. For wise reasons, God often suffers the wicked to
prosper for a time in their iniquity but if they continue,
;

they will find that judgment lingereth not, and damnation


slumbereth not.
10. To reject instruction, and turn a deaf ear to all warn-
inj-'.s, is an indication of approaching and speedy ruin.

12. Afflictions may be made the means of leading the


most hardened sinners to repentance, and thus preparing
them for the reception of divine mercy.
13. True repentance will show itself in earnest, affection-
ate, and persevering prayer in breaking off our sins by
;

righteousness, and our iniquities by turning unto the Lord.


:

Ji^uih Jindttk the book oflk Uur. L' ( II 1! ( ) X U' KK S X X X V 1 .


The prop/irn/ of Ilultliih.

aiiil tlio proves, and tlie tarvfd images, auU thf that was committed to* tliy ecrvants, they ^u^c^Sl
uiolic'ii iniagoy.* do it.

I Ami tiny brake down the altars of Baalim in 17 And they have gathered' together the money
his |ir»'si'nc(': and llio tare on liipli
iniugcs,* that that was found in the house of tlie Lord, and have
above llieni, he eut down
and tlio jrrovcs, and the
;
hand of the overseers, and to
delivei'i'd it into the

curved iinajres, and tlic molten images, he brake in the hand of the workmen.
|)ieees, and made dnst ttf l/icm,'' and strewed it upon 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, say-
the praves* of llicm that liad saerificed unto thcni. ing, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And
Ami lie burnt tlie bones of the jiriests upon
;"» Shaphan read it- before the king.
their altars,'' and cleansed Judah and .Jerusalem. And it came to pass, when tlie king had heard
1*J

C And Manassch, and


so did he in the cities of the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.''
Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with 20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahi-
their mattocks' round about. kam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon' the sou of
7 And when he had broken down the altars and Micah, and Shajihan the scribe, and Asaiah a ser-
the groves, and Iiad beaten tlie graven image.? into vant of the king's, saying,
jxiwder,^' and eut down all the idols tlirouglioul 21 Go, inquire of the Lord for me,' and for
all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. them that are left in Israel and in Judah,"' con-
8 *i Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, cerning the words of the book that is found for :

when he had purged the land, and tliehonse,he8cnt great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out
Siiaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the gov- upon us, because our fathers have not kept the
ernor of the city, and Joah tlic son f)f Joahaz the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written
recorder, to rcjtair the house of the Lord his God. in this book."
9 And when they came to Ililkiali the high-priest, 22 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had ap-
they delivered the money that was brought into pointed, went to lluldah the projjhetess, the wife of
the house of God,*^^ which the Levitcs that kept tlie Shalluin the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrali,'
doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and keeper of the wardrobe;'' now she dwelt in .Jeru-
Epiiraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of salem in the college;" and they spake to her to
all Judaii and Benjamin and they returned to Je-
; that effect.
rusalem. 23 Andshe answered them, Thus saith the Lord
"il

Ill And they put it in the hand of the workmen God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,
that had the oversight of the house of the Lord, 2-1 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil
and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in upon this place," and upon the inhabitants thereof,
the house of the Loud, to repair and amend the even all the curses that are 'written in the book
house: which they have read before the king of Judah
II Even to the artificers and builders gave they 25 Because they have forsaken me, and have
it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, burned incense unto other gods, that they might
and to floor' the houses which the kings of Judah provoke me to anger with all the works of their
had destroyed. hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out
12 And the men did the work faithfully Z and the upon and shall not be quenched.
this place,''
overseers of them were Jaliath and Obadiah, the 20 And
as for the king of Judah, who sent you
Levitcs, of the sous of Merari and Zcchariah and ; to inquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him.
.Meslmllam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it Thus saith the Lord God of Israel cemcerning the
forward; and other of the Levites, all that could words which thou hast heard;
skill of instruments of music. 27 Because thy heart was tender,'' and thou didst
13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens,
humble thyself before God,'' when thou heardest
and were overseers of all that wrought the work his words against this jilace, and against the in-
in any manner of service :- and of the Levites there
habitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before
were scribes, and officers, and porters.'' me, and didst rend thy clothes and weep liefore
14 H And when they brought out the money that me; I have even heard thee also,* saith the Lord.
was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah 28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and
the priest found a book of the law of the Lord thou shalt bo gathered to thy grave in peace,
given by^ Moses.' neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will
1.5 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of
the scribe, I have found the liook of the law in the same.' So they brought the king word again.
the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered 29 *i Then the king sent and gathered together
the book to Shaphan. all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem."
16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king,J 30 And the king went up into the house of the
and brought the king word back again, saying. All Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabi-
I-ev. 20:30.
/ Ike Or, sun iirajts, ch 11:5. b •> Kinrs -a-A. t lUh. face etc; Deut.2*:1.5.etc.; 29:18-23; 30:17-19; :Jl:16-22; 32:15-2.'); Rom. 1:18;
of graves. 'lKlng!.Ut:2. I O,. maul.1.
i Heh. lo make powder. 2:8-12. Or. Harhas. 2 Kings 22:14.
I V Heb. garments. ' Or, srhool, or
' 0, rafter, f ch. 31:12; Neh. 7:2; 1 Cor. second part, o Jer. 0:19; 19:3, 15; 35:17. P Isa. 42:25; Jer. 7:20; Lam.
A S"', K^^-o ,'J £'°u8'/^-„«-
2:4; 4:11. q ch. :J3:12, 13; Psa. 34:18; .51:17; Isa. 57:15; 60:2; Ezek.
Dcut_.l,:1.9.I9; Jo,h.l:». J Jer. 36:20,21. •

" lieh. to the hand of t Heb. 9:4. r Jas. 4:0. 10. Psa. 10:17; Isa. 66:24. t l Kings 21:29; 2 Kings
' 'Horn. 7:7. 9. « Or, >4c/i4or, 2 Kings 20:19. u 2 Kings 23:1, etc.
:.;2U:1. etc. m Isa. .37:4. nLev. 20:14,

12. T/iat could sii7/ of instruments of music; that were skilful iu playing upon the inatruments used in the temple.
536
Josiah obscrvtth 2 CHRONICLES XXXV. a sokmn passbver.

uaeli"' tants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and cording to the word of the Lord by the hand of
the Levites, and all the people, great and small :* Moses.
and he read in their ears all tlie words of the 7 And Josiah gave' to the people, of the flock,
book of the covenant that was found in the house lambs and kids, all for the passover-oiferings, for
of the Loud. all that were present, to the number of tliirty
31 And the king stood in his place,* and made a thousand, and three tiiousand bullocks these were :

covenant before the Lord," to walk after the Lord, of the king's substance.''
and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, 8 And his princes gave* willingly unto the jieo-
and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his ple, to the priests, and to the Levites: Ililkiah
soul," to perform the words of the covenant which and Zcchariah and Jchicl, rulers of the house of
are written in this book.'' God, gave unto the priests for the passover-ofier-
32 And he caused all that were present* in Je- ings two tiiousand and six hundred small cattle,
rusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the and three hundred oxen.
inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the cov- 9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel,
enant of God, the God of their fathers. his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Joza-
33 And Josiah took away all the abominations bad, chief of the Levites, gave* unto the Levites
out of all the countries that pertamed to the chil- for passover-offerings.five thousand small cattle,
dren of Israel,'^ and made all that were present in and five hundred oxen.
Israel to serve, even to serve the Loud their God. 10 So the service was prepared, and the priests
And all his days they departed not from following' stood in their place, and the Levites in their
the Lord, the God of their fathers.' courses,' according to the king's commandment.
11 And they killed the passover, and the priests
CHAPTER XXXV. sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Le-
vites flayed them.'
1 Josinh keepeth a most solemn passover. 20 He, provoking Pharaoh-
necho, is slain at Megiddo. 25 Lamentations for Josiah. 12 And they removed the burnt-offerings, that
MOREOVER, Josiah kept a passover unto the they might give according to the divisions of the
Lord in Jerusalem:^' and they killed the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as
passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.'" it is written in the book of Moses.^ And so did
2 And he set the priests in their charges,' and they with the oxen.
encouraged them to the service of the house of the 13 And they roasted the passover with fire ac-
Lord, cording to the ordinance :' but the other holy offer-
3 And said unto tlie Levites that taught all Is- ings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans,"
which were holy unto the Lord, Put the holy
rael,-' and divided thern^ speedily among all the people.
ark in the house which Solomon the son of David 14 And afterward they made ready for them-
king of Israel did build it shall not he a burden ; selves, and for the priests because the priests the
:

upon your shoulders:" serve now the Loud your sons of Aaron irere busied in offering of burnt-
God, and his people Israel, offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Le-
4 And prepare yourselves by the houses of your vites prepared for themselves, and for the priests
fathers, after your courses, according to the writ- the sons of Aaron.
ing of David king of Israel,' and according to the 15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in
writing of Solomon his son:™ their place,** according to the commandment of
5 And stand in the holy place according to the David,'' and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the
divisions of tiic families^ of the fathers of your king's seer and the porters icaited at evei'y gate ;^ ;

brethren the people," and after the division of the they might not depart from their service for their ;

families of the Levites." brethren the Levites prepared for them.


and sanctify yourselves,"
G So kill the passover, IG So all the service of the Lord was prepared
and prepare your brethren, that they may do ac- the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer

• Ueb. from great even to ach.6:l3; 3Kingsll:14. b Jer. 50:5.


small. n Psa. 134:1. ch. 30:3, 15;Ezra 6:20. 1 Heb. offered. P ch. 7:8-10;
c Psa. 119:111, ua. J Psa. IIU: 105. 1 Heb. found, el Kings 11:5. 1 Heb. 30:24. • Heb. offired. t Hub. offered, q Ezra 6:18. ' ch. 29:22, 34.
after, t Jer. 3: lU; Hos. 6:4. e 2 Kings 2:1:21. etc. i Exod. 12:6; Ezra » Lev. 3:3. I Exod. 12:8, 9: Deut. 10:7. u 1 Sam. 2:13-15. 1 Heb. made

0:19. ch. 2^:18. J oh. 30:22; Deut 3;i:10; Mai. 2:7.


i t 1 Chr. 2.3:26. them run. i\leb. station, v l Chr. 25:1, etc. w 1 Chr. 9:17.
1 1 Chr. ch. 23-26. " ch. 8: 14. S Heb. house. I Heb. sons of the peopU.

33. Made all— to serve ; made them conform externally to 21. All who truly believe the Bible, will be anxious to
what was required in the law of iloses. know what they must do to escape that wrath of God to
INSTRUCTIONS. which on account of their sins they are exposed.
2. Piety in early youth saves from many troubles, and 28. Although tlie true penitent shall not perish, he may
is a preparation for great enjoyment and usefulness in nevertheless be exjiosed to a violent death.
riper years. 31. When rulers t;ikc the lead in reformation, many may
5. True reformers will treat vice with abhorrence, and be expected to follow, and to continue externally in the
endeavor in all suitable ways to render it contemptible. ways of the Lord as long as those in authority set them
8. The preparation of suitable houses, and the regular the example.
establishment of public worship, is one of the essential
means of general and permanent reformation. CnAPTER XXXY.
14. If the Scriptures are lost, or the people are not in 3. hohjnrk inthe house; it is commonly suiipcsed
Put the
the habit of reading or hearing them, great degeneracy that some time before the reign of Josiah, the ark had been
and wickedness will follow; and there is no way of effect-
ually reclaiming men, but in bringing them to an acquaint-
removed from tlie most holy place perhaps because it

was out of rejiair and committed to the custody of the

ance with the word of God. Kohathites, as before the temple was built.
537
Dmth nf Jotiah. 2('iiH()M('LES xxxvr. llts three suettssors.

burnt-ofTorin7;» upon tlio nitnr nf tlio Lord, accord- CHAPTER XXXVI. VcTo:
iiiL' to the ((iiiiiimiiiltncnl of kiii^: .'"siali.
1 JelioAlmz •ucccfdiny in (Ji'poiieJ iiv I'har.i'ih, nnd carried into K^jj-pt.
17 And tlio oliildicn of Isniol that were present* r> Ji'hniiikim rt'i^iiing ill ii ciirnrd bound intn li.ihylon. 9 JrhoLv^hm
succeeding rci^rni'tli and i« brou;;tit into Babylon. 1 1 ZtNl<-kiab
kept the pns.-ioviT at tliat time, and llie feast of
uccvvdin^^
jll,

rt'igiH-tti ill, and deipisctli the prophfta, and rebfllcUl


unleaveiictl luead seven days. li^miM N<lut:li.idn.zz:ir. II Jeruwiliin, lor llit- iini of Uie pritiU
22 The proclamation of Cyriw. wholly
18 And was no passover like to that kept
there iiiul pfoplf, is dt-iitroyetl.

in Israel from tlie days of Samuel the prophet; ^"^IIEN the people of the land took Jehoahaz
neither did all the kings of Israel keep sueii a the son of Josiah, and made him king in his
.

passover as Josiali k(>pt. and the ]>riests, and the father's stead in Jerusalem."'
Leviti's, and all .hidali and Israel that were pres- 2 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when
ent, ami the inhaliitants of .It'rusaleni. lie began to reign, and he reigned three months

11) Jn the eighteentli year of the reign of Josiah in .Jerusalem.


was (his ])assover kept. 3 And the king of Egypt put him down' at .lerii-
20 i; After wiien Josiali had prepared
all this, salem, and condemned* the land in a hundred
the temple,* Xeclio king of Egypt eanic up to fight talents of silver and a talent of gold.
against Charchemish by Eujdiratcs: and Josiah 4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim liis
went out against hiin." brotiierking over Judah and Jerusalem, and
•Jl But he sent ainba.^sadors to liim, saying, What turned hisname to Jehoiakim. And Necho took
have I to do witli thee, thou king of Judah? / come Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.
not against thee this day, but against the house 5 1 Jeiioiakim was twenty and five years old
wherewith I have war \''
for God commanded me to when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven
make haste forbear thee from iiwddling with God,
: years in Jerusalem and he did that which was evil
:

who is with me, that he destroy thee not. in the sight of the Lord his God.
'I'l Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his faee C Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of
from him, but disguised iiimself, tiiat he might fight Babylon,"^ and bound him in fetters,* to carry him
witii him, and hearkened not unto the words of to Babylon.
Neclio from the mouth of God, and came to fight Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of
7
in the valley of Megiddo. the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them
23 And the archers sliot at king Josiah and the ; in Ids temple at Babylon.
king said to his servants. Have mc away; for I 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his
am sore wounded.* abominations which he did, and tliat which was
24 His servants therefore took him out of tliat found in him, behold, they are written in tlicbook
chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he of the kings of Israel and Judah. And Jelioia-
had and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he
; chin* his son reigned in his stead.
died, and was buried in one o/" the sepulchres' of 9 IT Jchoiachin was eight years old when he began
his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourn- to reign, and he reigned three months and ten
ed for Josiah. days in Jerusalem:'-' and he did that which was
25 ^ And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah:'' and evil in the sight of the Lord.
all the singing-men and the singing-women spake 10 And when the year was expired,' king Nebu-
of Josiah in their lamentations to this day.'^ and chadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon,
made them an ordinance in Israel:'' and behold, with the goodly vessels' of the house of the Lord,''
they are written in the lamentations. and made Zedekiah his brother* king over Judah
2(i Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his and Jerusalem.'
goodness,"' according to that which wis written in 11 *i Zedekiah teas one and twenty years old
the law of the Lord, when he liegan to reign, and reigned eleven years
27 And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are in Jerusalem.^
written in the book of the kings of Israel and 12 And he did that which teas evil in the sight
Judah. of the Lord his God, arid humbled not himself be-
• llpb./oumJ.
tHeb.AoKjs. » 2Kings a3:29. etc.; Jer. 46:2, etc. I Heb r 2King8 2t:l, etc. I Or, chain.':; foretold, Hab. 1:0, etc. ( Or, J«.
of my war. I Heb. made sick. Kings 22::M. I Or, among the seputrlires.
I 1 Chr. 3: IC; or, Coniah, Jet. .•-':24. S 2 Kings 24:8, etc. I Heb,
oZech. 1-.>;11; Lam. 4:2U c Matt. 9;2:J. d Jer. as-.an. T Heb. ii)id;ifS.t«, turn of the year. 1 Heh. vessels of desire, i'Dan. 1:1, 2; 5:2. • Or. Mat-
ch. 3i:3-i. t 2 King« 23:30, etc. • Heb. rinwvtd him. t Heb. mulctfj. laniali, his father's brother, 2 Kings 24:17. 37:1. jjer. 52:1, etc.

20. Ptepnred the temple; for the observance of divine hazardous to engage in any enterprise, without
22. It is
worship, according to the law of Moses and the command- firstasking counsel of God and obtaining his approbation.
ments of David and Solomon. Cliarchemish ; a strongly Many lament the removal cf great and good men,
25.
fortified city on the river Euphrates. who liave not given heed to their instructions while they
22. Valleij of Mci^iddo; near the river Kishon, in tlie were living, nor imitated their example after they were
tribe of Manasseh it formed a part of the great jjlain of
; dead.
EsdraeloQ.
INSTRUCTIONS. CHAPTER XXXVI.
2. Rulers should ever encourage good works ; and labor To carry him to Babylon ; either Nebuchadnezzar did
6.
to unite all classes, especially ministers of religion, in the not carry out his purposeof transporting Jehoiakim to Bab-
regular and habitual worship of God. ylon, or he restored him again to Jerusalem, and permitted
B. Due preparation is necessary to acceptable worship. liim to reign there as his tributary. See 2 Kings 24:6.
10. When those in authority set the example, and min- 9. Eifrht years old; in 2 Kings 24:8, he is said to have
isters of religion faithfully do their duty, many may be been eighteen years old. This latter is generally thought
e.xpected to engage in the service of God. to be the true reading.
538
:

Judah carried cajitire. 2 CHRONICLES XXXVI. Jerusalem dextrnyed.

iic'sia"' fore Jeremiah the prophet speaki from the Lord, and the treasures of the king, and of
the mouth of the Lord. his princes all these he brought to Babylon.
;

13 And he also rebelled against king Nebuchad- 19 And they burnt the house of God,^ and brake
nezzar," who had made him swear by God : but he down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the
stiffened liis neck,'' and liardened his heart from palaces thereof with lire, and destroyed all the
turning unto tlic Lord God of Israel. goodly vessels thereof.
14 1 Moreover all the chief of the priests, and 20 And them that had escaped from the sword'
the people, transgressed very much after all the carried he away to Babylon where they were ;

abominations of the heathen and ]iolluted the ; servants to him and his sons until the reign of the
house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jeru- kingdom of Persia
salem. 21 To fullil the word of the Lord by the mouth
15 And the Lord God of their fathers sent to of Jeremiah,'' until the land had enjoyed her sab-
them by' his messengers, rising up betimes,* and baths:' for as long as she lay desolate she kept
sending;" because he had compassion on his sabbath, to fulfil tlirecscore and ten years.
people, and on his dwelling-place: 22 If Now in the first year of Cyrus king of
16 But they mocked the messengers of God,'' Persia,J that the word of the Lord spoken by the
and despised his words,'' and misused his prophets, mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the
until the wrath of the Lord arose against his Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Per-
people, till there was no remedy.* sia,'' that he made a proclamation throughout all

17 Therefore he brought upon them the king of his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
the Chaldees,'' who slew their young men with the 23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the
sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of
compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, heaven given me and he hath charged me to build
;

or him that stooped for age he gave them all into : him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who
his hand. is there among you of all his people ? The Lord
18 And all the vessels of the house of God, his God be with him, and let him go up.
great and small, and the treasures of the house of
. .Wia; Ezek. 17:15, 18 b 2 Kings 17:14. * Heb. by the hand e Psa. 74:()-S; Isa. fi4:ll. 5 Heb. tlie remainder from the sword.
of.
{a,continuaUti aiul carefully. Jer. 25::J, 4; 35:15.
<= d Isa. '28:22. . 25:9-12; 26:0, 7; 2B:10. Lev. 20;y4, 43; Dan. 9:2. JEzral:!,
. l:2t-JU. t Heb. healing. I Deut. 23:49; 2 Kings 25:1, etc. ;Ezra kisa. 44:28; 45:1, etc.

13. Made him swear; swear allegiance to the king of succeeded by those who are foolish and wicked, it is a
Babylon. punishment of the people for their sins and where it ;

15. Betimes; often, seasonably, continually. does not produce reformation, it forebodes approaching
17. T/ie Chaldees; the Babylonians. destruction.
20. Until the reign of the kingdom of Persia; about seventy 7. God sometimes suffers the wicked to obtain great
years. power, that they may be scourges of his people on account
21. The word of the Lord; Jer. 25:9-11. Until the land of tlieir sins.
had enjoyed her sabbaths the sabbatical year occurred every
,- 12. No trials, without the grace of God, will humble and
sevt'iitli year. Lev. 25:2-7. In four hundred and ninety purify the human lieart, or lead men to forsake their sins
j'ears there would be seventj' sabbatical years. It has and turn to the Lord.
been supposed that the observance of the sabbatical year 16. When men mock the messengers whom God sends
had been omitted for about that space of time before the to reclaim them, and despise their words of mercy and
Babylonish captivity that is, from about the time of the
; love, they are ripening for wrath against which there will
establishment of the monarchy. be no remedy.
21. The providence of God manifests the truth of his
IXSTRUCTIOXS. word ; and shows that when a declaration has once gone
1. When wise and pious rulers are removed and arc out of his mouth, it will in due time be accompHshed.

639
; ;

EZRA.
Tnis book, of which Ezra was undoubtedly the author, gives a brief sketch of the history of the Jews
from their return to Palestine under Zerubbabel and Joshua till the time of his arrival at Jerusalem and ;

closes with an account of the reformation cflected by him in respect to the intermarriage of the Jews willi
their heathen neighbors. Certain portions of the book of Ezra, which arc mainly occupied with documents
respecting the rebuilding of the temple and the orderly arrangement of its service, are written in the
Chaldee language ; and chapter 7 12-26.
namely, eliapters 4 8 to 6
: : 18, :

In respect to the Persian nionarclis mentioned in this and the two following books, there is not an
entire agreement among learned men. Tlie f(jllowing table, formed in accordance with the view that
seems to be best supported, will be useful to the reader. It contains, arranged in three parallel columns,
first, tlie names of the Persian kings in their order of succession, as given by profane historians secondly, ;

their scriptural names thirdly, the dates of their accession to the throne, according to the received
;

chronology.
Cyrus, -- Cyrus, Ezra 1 : 1, etc., -B.C. 536
Ciimbyses, Ahasuerus, Kzra 4:6, - " 629
Smerdis,° - Artaxerxcs, Ezra 4 7-23, :
- " 522
Dnrhis llystajjpis, Uarius, Ezra 4:24 to 6: 15,t - " 521
Xerxes, Ahiusucrus, Esther throughout, J - " 485
Artaxerxcs Longimanus, Artaxerxcs, Ezra 7 :1, etc. Neh. 2:l,etc.,-
; - " 464

* He was a usurper who reigned less tlmn a year.


t But in Neh. 12:22, Darius Nothus, or Darius Codomannus must be referred to.
X Some suppose Darius, others Artaxerxcs, to have been the Ahasuerus of Esther.

CHAPTER I. ho sojoiiriieth, let the men of his place '^ii^c.^iS:


The proclamation
help iiini* with silver, and with gold, and with
of Cyrus for the building of the temple.
1 .O The

goods, and witli beasts, besides the freewill-ofl'cr-


people provide for the return. 7 Cyrus restoreth the vessels of the
temple to Sheshbazzar.
ing ibr the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
"VyOW in the fir.-st year of Cyrus king of Persia," 5 1l Then rose up tlie chief of the fathers of
j_\ tliat the word of the Lord by tlie raoutli of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Le-
Joreniiah might be fulfilled," the Lokd stirred up vites, with all t/ie}n whose spirit God had raised,"
tljo .'i])irit of Cyrus king of Pcr.sia,'' that lie made to go u}) to build the house of the Lord which is
a proclamation' throughout all his kingdom,'' and in Jerusalem.
put it also in writing, saying, G And all they that were about them strength-
2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord ened their hands' with vessels of silver, with gold,
God of heaven hath given mc all the kingdoms of with goods, and with beasts, and with precious
the earth ;" and he hath charged uic to build him things, besides all t/iat was willingly offered.
a house at Jerusalem,' which is in Judah. 7 if Also Cyrus the king brought forth the ves-
3 Who is tfierc among you of all his people? his sels of the house of the Lord,' which Nebuchad-
God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, nezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem,-' and
which is in Judah, and build the house of the Loud had put them in the house of his gods
God of Israel, (he is the God,*-') Avhich is in Jeru- 8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring fortli
salem. by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and luiin-
4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where bered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
'iChr.m:2i.-a. l>Jer. 23:12; 29;10; 33:7-13. c Prov. 21:1; Dan. 2:1. up. h Neh. 2:12; Prov. 10:1; Phil. 2:13; 3 John 11. 1 That :

* Heb. caused a voit tlopass. d ch. 5:l:), 14. e Dan. 2:21. f Isa. 44:2S; them. ich.S:14; 6:5. J 2 Kings 24:13; 2Chr.36:7; Dan. 5:2.
4S:l, 13. S Psa. 63 18; Isa. 45:.5; Jer. 10:10; Dan. 6.28. t Heb. lift him

Ulto « there ? tliat wishes to go up to Jerusalem.


CHAPTER I.
3.

Remaineth in any place where he sojourneth ; these words


4.
1. king of Persia ; he harl overthrown the kingdom
Ciini.'; seem to refer to the Jews, wlio were waiting in the place
of the ('hal<lees, and taken Babylon its metropolis. The of tlieir captivity for tlie means necessary to defray the
word nf the Lord; Jer. 25:12-14; 29:10; 33:7-13. expenses of their journey to Jerusalem.
2. He hulk charged me; Cyrus may have said this in
5. Rai.fed; stirred up ;the same word in the original as
consequence of a propliecy uttered concerning him, more was applied to Cyrus, verse 1.
than a liundred years before he was born. Isa. 44: 26-28 8. Sheshbazzar; afterwards called Zerubbabel, chap. 2:2.
45:1-6, 12, 13. He was the grandson of Jehoiachin king of Judah.
640
;:

Number of tkoxc. mho EZRA II. retuTTied from Babylon.

B.'"'.^^''9 And this is the number of them thirty : 13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty
chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, and six.
nine and twenty knives, 14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty
10 Thirty basins of gold, silver basins of a sec- and six.
ond sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a 15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and
thousand. four.
11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five 16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and
tiiousand and four hundred." All these did Shesh- eight.
bazzar bring up with them of the captivity' that 17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty
were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem. and tlirce.
18 The children of Jorah,* a hundred and twelve.
19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty
CHAPTER II.
and three.
1 The number that return, of the people, 36 of the priests, 40 of the 20 The children of Gibbar,* ninety and five.
Levites, 43 of tlie Ncthinim, 55 of Solomon's servants, 62 of the priests
;
which could not siiow their pedigree. 64 The whole number of^ them, 21 The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twen-
with their substance. 68 Their oblations. ty and three.

NOW these are the children of the province


that went up out of tlie captivity,'' of those
22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and
which had been carried away, whom Nebuchad- eight.
nezzar the king of Baliylon had carried away unto 24 The children of Azmaveth,* forty and two.
Babylon,"" and came again unto Jerusalem and 25 The children of Kirjath-arim, Chephirah, and
Judah. every one unto his city Boeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
2 Wliich came with Zerubbabel:* Jeshua, Nehe- 26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hun-
miah, Seraiah,^ Reelaiah,* Mordecai, Bilshan, Miz- dred twenty and one.
par,^ Bigvai, Rehum," Baanah." The number of 27 The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and
the men of the people of Israel two.
3 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hun- 28 The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred
dred seventy and two. twenty and three.
4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred 29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
seventy and two. 30 The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and
5 Tlie children of Arah,'' seven hundred seventy six.
and five. 31 The children of the other Elam,' a thousand
The
children of Pahath-moab. of the children
6 two hundred fifty and four.
of Jeshua and Joab,s two thousand eight hundred 32 The children of Harim, three hundred and
and twelve. twenty.
7 The children of Elam,'' a thousand two hun- 33 The children of Lod, Hadid,^ and Ono, seven
dred fifty and four. hundred twenty and five.
8 The children 34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty
of Zattu, nine hundred forty and
five. and five.
9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and 35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and
threescore. six hundred and thirty.
10 The children of Bani,' six hundred forty and 36 1i The priests the children of Jedaiah,J of the :

two. house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.


11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty 37 The children of Immer,'' a thousand fifty and
and three. two.
12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hun- 38 The children of Pashur,' a thousand two hun-
dred tweutv and two. dred forty and seven.
1 2Tim. 2:20, 21. • Heb. tmnfportciUon ; Matt. 1:11, 12. 1> Neh. 7:0. etc. Noh. 7: 13. • Or, Hariph, Neh. 7:24. t Or, Gibeon, Neh. 7:25. I Or. Bah-
<:
2 Kings -^1:14-16; 2 Chr. :3U:20; Lam. 1:3, S; 4:22; Zeph. 2:7. i Hag. n=mat«(A. Neh. 7:28. i ver. 7. i Or, ifan'i/, a£ it is in some copies J 1 Chi.
l;l,cto. t Or, /liarjaA. Neh. 7:7. I 0:. Raamiali. f Or, Mispent/i. 1 Or, 24:7. kl Chr. 24:14. U Chr. 9:12.
Nelium. ech. 4:8. 'Neh. 7:1U sKeh. 7:11. h ver. 31. ^ Or, Binnui,

INSTRUCTIONS. bors. The differences of names may be easily explained


1. The kings and all others are in the hand of from the fact that it was common for men to bear different
liearts of
the Lord, and he turncth them whithersoever ho will and titles, particularly if they were persons of distinction as,
;
;

whatever difficulties may, to human view, stand in the way for example, Daniel and Belteshazzar, Zerubbabel and
of the fulfilment of his declarations, they will in due time Sheshbazzar. It is not certain upon what principle the
all be accomplished. differences in numbers are to be explained. The sum
Tiiough the offers of mercy are freely made to all,
5. both catalogues is the same, namely, forty-two
total of
none will accejjt them and thus avail themselves of the thousand three hundred aud sixty from which it is plain ;

benefits, except those whose spirit God stirs up for that that the lists are in both cases partial, since neither of
purpose. them amounts to this sum. ' The sum of the mmibcrs, as
separately detailed, will correspond, if to the twenty-nine
CHAPTER II. thousand eight hundred and eighteen specified by Ezra, we
1. T/ie children of the province; those who had been car- add the seventeen hundred and sixty-five persons reckoned

ried away from Judca here spoken of as a province of liy Nehemiah which Ezra has omitted and, on the other ;


the Persian empire and their descendants, who now re- hand, to the thirty-one thousand and eighty-nine enumer-
turned. This catalogue is repeated in Neh. 7 C-C9, with ated by Nehemiah, add the four hundred and ninetj--four,
:

various difTerenccs, however, in respect to names and nuiii- which is an overplus in Ezra, not noticed by Nehemiah;
541
: ;

AWiiniM nnd Solomon't icrranls. KZKA II, Offerings of the dinf men.

39 The children of Ilurim," a thousand and seven- nion's .servants, trere three hundred ninety a m wo*.

teen. and two. »!


40 ^ The Lovites: the children of Jeshua and 5'.) .Vnd these trcrc they which went up from Tel-

Kadinu'l, of the children of llodaviah," seventy Tel-harsa, Cherub, .Vddaii,' and Ininier:
nielali.

and four. could not show their father's house, and


i)Ut tiiey

41 The sinpcrs: llie children of Asaph, a hun- their seed,' whether they were of Israel
dred twenty and eijrht. (JO The children of Dclaiah, the children of To-

4'J The cIiiliircM of the ])0rterH!: tlic cliildren of biah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and
Shalltiiii, the children of Ater, the children of Tal- two.
nioii. the children of Akkuli, the children of llatita, Gl T And of the children of the priests: the chil-
tlie children of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty and dren of Ilubaiah, the children of Koz, the children
nine. of Barzillai; which took a wife of the dauL'hters
•13 IThe Nothiniin:" the children of Ziha, the of Barzillai the Gileadite," and was called after
children of llasujiha, the children of Tuhbaoth, their name :

44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha,* ()'2 These sought their register ammig those that

the chihlren of I'adon, were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not
4') The children of Lebanah, tiic children of found :' therefore were they, as polluted, put from

Ilairabali, the children of Akkub, the priesthood.*


4(1 The children of llagab, the children of Shal- 63 And thcTirshatha' said unto them, that they
uiai.' the children of Hanan, should not cat of the most holy things,'^ till there
47 The children of Giddcl, the children of Ga- stood up a priest with Urini and with Thum-
har, tlie children of Ucaiah, mini.''
48 The cliildren of Rozin, the childrcnof Nckoda, ()4 IT The whole congregation together wo* forty

the children of Gazzani, and two thousand three hundred and threescore,'
49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseali, G5 Besides their servants and their maids, of
the children of Besai, whom there were seven thousand three hundred
50 The children of Asnah, the children of Me- thirty and seven : and there were among them two
huuini, the children of Neiiluisim,* hundred singing-men and singing-women.
.51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Ha- 66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and
ku])ha, the children of Harhur, si.x; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
52 The cliildren of Bazluth,' the children of Mc- 67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five
hida, the children of Harsiia, their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twen-
53 The children of BarkoSjtlie cliildren of Sisera,
the children of Thainah, 68 1 And so/nc of the chief of the fathers, when
54 The children of Neziah, the cliildren of Ha- they came to the house of the Loud which is at
tipha. Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to
55 \Thc children of Solomon's servants :"= the set it up in his [dace.^
children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the 69 They gave after their ability unto the treas-
children of Peruda,^ ure of the work threescore and one thousand drams
56 The children of Jaalali, the children of Dar- of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and
ken, the children of Giddel, one hundred priests' garments.''
57 The children of Shephatiah, the children of 70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of
Hattil, the children of Pocherctii of Zebaim, the the people, and the singers, and the porters, and
children of Ami.' the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel
58 All the Nethinim,'' and the children of Solo- in their cities.
a 1 Chr. 24:8. • Or, Jutlah, ch. 3:9; called also Hudevak, Neh. 7:4:). 1 Or
b ver is. 1 Or. Sia. I Or, Shamlai. ( Or, Nepkishesim. I Or, Baztilh,

Neh. 7:54. « 1 Kings 9:31. 1 Or, Perida, Neh. 7:57. • Or. Amon. Neh.
7:59. J Josh. 0:21, •-'7; 1 Chr. 9:2; Neh. 3:26. t Or, /((Won, Neh.' 7:01.

both writers including in the sum total ten thousand seven


hundred and seventy-seven of the mixed multitude, not
particularized in the individual detail," Grey's Key, as
quoted by Scott.
41,42. Tlie singers — chihlren of the porters ; see the ar-
rangement of the Levites, 1 Chron. 2r>, and 2G:1-19.
43. The Nethinim ; the word Nethinim means given ;
that is, devoted or consecrated. It is a term applied to the
servants of the sanctuary. These seem to have consisted
originally of the Gibeonftes, Josh. 9 27. At a later period :

it is probable that other persons were included in their


number.
from gentile nations,
55. Solomon's servants; he whom
had subdued and brought into bondage. 1 Kings 9 20, 21. :

59. could not show Iheir father's house, and their seed;
Tlieij
their names were not found in the genealogies or records
of Israel.
62. Put from the prie.'Uhood; because there was nothing
to show that they were descendants of Aaron
542
The. new (cmpk leg un. EZRA IV. The Jews' adversaries.

CHAPTER III. 9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his breth-
1 The altar is 3 Offerings frequented. 7 Workmen prepared.
set up.
ren, Kadmicl and his sons, the sous of Judah,* to-
8 liie foundations of the temple are laid in great joy and mourning. forward the workmen in the house
gether,* to set

AND when the seven tli month was come, and


the children of Israel tofre in the cities, the their brethren the Levites.
God
the sons of Henadad, with their sous and
of :

people gathered themselves together as one man 10 And when the builders laid the foundation of
to Jerusalem. the temple of the Lord,' they set the priests in
2 Then stood up Joshua" the son of Jozadak, and their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the
his brethren the priests, and ZcrubbabeP the son of sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord,
Sliealtiel,* and his brethren, and builded the altar after the ordinance of David king of Israel.-'
of the God of Israel, to ofl'er burnt-oflerings there- 11 And they sang together by course in praising
on, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of and giving thanks unto the Lord ; because he is
God." good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Is-
3 And they set the altar upon his bases ; for fear rael.'' And all the people shouted with a great
rcas upon them because of the people of those shout, when they praised the Lord, because the
countries and they offered burnt-oflerings thereon foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.'
:

unto the Lord, even burnt-offerings morning and 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief
evening. of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen
4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles,'' as the first house,'" when the foundation of this house
it is written, and offered the daily burnt-offerings was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice ;"
by number, according to the custom, as the duty and many shouted aloud for joy:"
of every day^ requii'cd;'^ 13 So that the people could not discern the noise
5 And afterward offered the continual burnt-offer- of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping
ing, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the people
:''
for the people shouted with a loud
of the Lord that were consecrated,'' and of every shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
one that willingly offered a freewill-ofi'ering unto
the Loud.
6 From the first day of the seventh month began
IV.CHAPTER
1 The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with
they to offer burnt-ofl'crings unto the Lord. But the Jews, endeavor to hinder it. 7 Their letter to Artaxerxes. 17
the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not The decree of Artaxerxes. 23 The building is hindered.

yet laid.'
7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to
NOW
when the adversaries of Judah and Ben-
jamin heard tiiat the children of the captiv-
tlie carpenters
;''
and meat, and drink, and oil, unto ity* builded the temple unto the Lord God of
them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar- Israel;'*
trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa," accord- 2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief
ing to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of of the fathers, and said unto them. Let us build
Persia.' with you for we seek your God, as ye do : and we ,•"'

8 1 Now in the second year of their coming do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-had-
unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second don king of Assur,'* which brought us up hither.
month, began Zerubbabel the sonof Shealtiel, and 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of
Jesliua the son of Jozadak,^ and the remnant of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them,
their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all Ye have nothing to do with us to build a house
they that were come out of tlie captivity unto unto our God;' but we ourselves together will
Jerusalem and appointed tlie Levites, from twentj' build unto the Lord God of Israel, asking Cyrus
;

years old and upward," to set forward the work the king of Persia hath commanded us."
of the house of the Lord. 4 Then the people of the land weakened the
Or, /osAiM, Hig. 1 1 2:ai Zech. .):!. t Called ZoroSaiei, Matt. 1:1-2;
• : ; 4:1U. J IChr. 6:31, etc. ; 16:4, etc.; 25:1, etc.; Neh. 12:24, etc. k 1 Chr.
Luke 3:27. 1 Called Sa(alAie(, Matt. 1;1:>; Luke3:-J7. a Num. W:.^, etc.; 10:31. 41; Psa. 136: 145:1-11; Jcr. 33:11. 1 Rev. 21:10-14. m Hag. 2:3.
Deut. 12:5,6. b Neh. 8:14, 17; Zech. 14:10. 5 Heb. Ihe matter of the day n Psa. ]-J6:6; Jer. 31:S. 9. « Psa. 5:11. P Judg. 2:5. 1 Heb. sons of the
in his day. c Exod. 29:3.-i. •> iNum. ch. 28, 29. 1 Heb. the temple of the transportation, q ver. 7-9. r 2 Kings 17:24, etc. » 2 Kings 19:37. 1 Neh.
LORD teas not yet founded. ^ Or. tmrkmen e 1 Kings 5:6, 9. f ch. 6:3. 2:-2U; AclsS:21; 3John9,10. uch.l:l-3.
ever. 2. I> 1 Chr. 23:24. • Or, HorfauiaA, ch. 2:40. t Heb. as on«. i Zech.

7. Money given for the establishment and sujiport of


CHAPTER III.
divine worship, instead of being lost, as some think, is
Jeshua; he was grandson of Seraiah, who was high-
2. most profitably used, and invested where it will yield an
priest at the taking of Jerusalem. abundant reward.
3. Fear was upon them ; and they put themselves under 11. Success in all good undertakings comes from the
the special protection of the Almighty by establishing Lord, and the glorv should be given to him. Compare
among them his worship. 1 Chr. 29:11-16; Psa. 12(i:l.
Afreewill-offcring; in addition to what was required
;").
by what they want, than
12. Jlen are often more atfected
in tlie law. with what they have and thus -\veep and lament, -n-hen
;

Jopna ; a seaport about forty miles west of Jerusalem.


7.
they ought to rejoice and render praise.
12. Irept ; at the remembrance of the glory of the former
temple, which was now in ruins. CHAPTER IV.
INSTRUCTIONS. 1. 77(1,' adversaries of Judah ; the Samaritans, composed

2. The establishment of and ordinances of of persons of various provinces -whom the king of Assyria
the worship
God is the surest safeguard against enemies, and the best had removed and ])laced in Samaria. Ver. 7-10.
preparation for all the dispensations of Providence. 2. Assur; Assyria.
543
;

JjelUr lo Artaitrits. I.ZKA V. The hu'ddinp hindertd.

hands of llip people of Jmlnh,* and trouMcd tlicni

in luiildinir.''
fi Ami liirod <-.)uii;=cllor.« atrainist llioni,'" to frii?-

tralr tlicir |>iiriMisi'. all tin- days ol' Cvnis king of


uii till lirrrigii of Uirius king of Persia.
roi>iu,i>v.'n I

fiAnrl in the rciirn of Aliasucrns," in the begin-


ning of his ii'ign, wrote they vnto him an accnsa-
tion against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusa-
lem.
7 .\nd in the days of Artaxcrxcs wrote Bish-
lani.'Milhroilath.Tabe(>I.anil the restof their eom-
panions,= nnto Arlaxcrxes king of Persia; and the
writing of the letter n-as written in the Syrian
tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
S Kehuni tlie ehancellorand Shiuishai the scribe^
wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxcs
the king in this sort:
9 Then wrote Reliuni the ehancellor, and Sliim-
shai the scribe, and the rest of their eompanions;'
the Dinaites,'' the Apharsathcliites, tlicTarpelites,
tlie Apharsites, the Archevites, the Jiabylonians,
the .^usanchites, the Dchavites, and the Elamites,
10 And the rest of the nations whom the great
and noble Asnapper brougiit over," and set in the
cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side
the river, and at such a time.^'^
11 T[ This is the copy of the letter tliat they sent
unto him,cfe« unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy ser-
vants the men on this side the river, aud at such
a time.
12 Be it known uuto the king, that the Jews which
came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem,
building the rebellious and the bad city,*-' and have
setup' t he walls ///rrfo/", and joined* the foundations.
13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this
city be builded, and the walls set up ap;ain, then
will they not pay* toll, tribute, and custom,'' and so
thou slialt endamage tlie revenue* of the kings.
1-4 Now because we have maintenance from the
king's palace,' and it was not meet for us to see the
king's dishonor, therefore have we sent and certi-
fied the king
15 That search may be made in the book of the
records of thy fathers so shalt thou find in the
:

book of the records, and know that this city is a


:

The work is resumed, EZRA VI. with the. consent of Darius.

v.c.'^f*' 2 Then
rose up Zerubhabel the son of
Shealtiel, and Jesliua the son of Jozadak, and be-
gan to build the house of God which is at Jeru-
salem: and with thein were the prophets of God
helping them.
3 IT At the same time came to them Tatnai, gov-
ernor on this side the river, and Sliethar-boznai,
and their companions, and said thus unto them,
Wlio hath commanded you to build this house,
and to make up this wall?
4 Then said we unto them after this manner,"What
are the names of the men that make" this building?
5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of
the Jews,* that they could not cause them to cease,''
till the matter came to Darius :and then they re-
turned answer by letter concerning this matter."
6 1 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor
on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his
companions the Apharsachites, which were on this
side the river, sent unto Darius the king
7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein* was writ-
ten thus Unto Darius the king, all peace.
:

8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into


the province of Judea, to the house of the great
God, which is builded with great stones,* and tim-
ber is laid in the walls, and tliis work goeth fast
on, and prospereth in their hands.
9 Then asked we those elders, and said imto
them thus, Who commanded you to build this house,
and to make up these walls?*
10 We asked their names also, to certify thee,
that we might write the names of the men that
were the chief of them.
11 And thus they returned us answer, saying.
We are the servants of the God of heaven and
earth,'' and build the house that was builded these
many years ago, which a great king of Israel
builded and set up.'
12 But after that our fathers had jirovoked the
God of heaven unto wrath,*^ he gave them into the
hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon,'' the
Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried
the people away into I5abylon.

Chald. build, a
: : ;

TV dfcrtr of Darius. r.ziiA VII. The lemple dediaUcd.

new tirnhcr: nnd let the expenses be given out of prophet ami Zochariali son of Iddo.J *i,"c'!!!j;
thi>

llii' kiiifr's liousc And tiicy liuildc(|, and linishcij


it, according to the

f) also let the polden and silver vessels of


And commandment of the Ciod of Israel, and accord-
tiie house of (iod," which Nchuchaduczziir look ing to the commandment' of t'yrus,'' and Darius,'
forth out of the ti'iiiplf which is at .lerusaloni, and and Artaxer.xes king of Persia.'"
brouirht unto Halivloii, 1m' ri'storcd, and brougiif If) And this house was finished on the third day

again inilo tlic temple wliich is at Jerusalem, every of the month Adar. which was in the sixth year of
one to ids place, and place l/iem in the house of the reign of Darius the king.
God. Itj "i And the children of Israel, the priests, and

6 Now governor beyond the


therefore, Tatnai,'' the Levitcs, and the rest of the children of the
river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions* the captivity,' kept the dedication of this house of
Apharsachites, wliich arc beyond the river, be yc God" with joy,"
far from thence 17 And offered at the dedication of this house
7 Let the work of this house of God alone " let of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams,
the gnvernor of the Jews and the elders of the four hundred lambs;'' and for a sin-ofTering for all
Jews build this house of God in his place. Israel, twelve lic-goats, according to the number
8 Moreover 1 make a decree' wliat yc shall do of the tribes of Israel.
to the elders of these Jews for the building of this 18 And they set the priests in their divisions,*"
house of God : that of the king's goods, even of the and the Levitcs in their courses,^ for the service
trii)ute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written*
given unto these men, that they be not hindered.^ in the Ixjok of Moses.'
9 And that which they liave need of, both young 19 And the children of the captivity kept the
bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for tlic burnt-offer- passover upon the fourteenth day oi' the iirst month.'
ings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, w'inc, and 20 For the jiriests and the Levitcs were purified
oil, according to the appointment of the priests together," all of them were pure, and killed the
which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day passover for all the children of the captivity, and
by day without fail:'' for their brethren the priests, and for them-
10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savors' selves.'''
unto the God of heaven," and pray for the life of 21 And the children of Israel, which were come
the king,"^ and of his sons. again out of captivity, and all such as had sepa-
11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever rated themselves unto them from the filthiness of
shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down the heathen of the land,"' to seek the Lord God of
from his house, and being set up, let him be hang- Israel, did eat,
ed^ thereon and let his house be made a dunghill
; 22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven
for this.'' days with joy: ^ for the Lord had made them joy-
12 And tlie God that hath caused his name to ful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria
dwell there'' destroy all kings and people, that shall unto them,^' to strengthen their liands in the work
put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of the house of God, the God of Israel.
of God which is at Jerusalem.' I Darius have
made a decree let it be done with speed.
CHAPTER
;

13 1i Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, VII.


Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according 1 Ezra goeth up to Jerasalem. 11 The gracious commission of Arta-
to that which Darius the king had sent, so they xerxes to Ezra. 27 Ezra blesseth G-od for his favor.

did speedily.
11 And the elders of the Jews buildcd,and they
New after these things, in the reign of Arta-
xerxes king of Persia,'- Ezra the son of Se-
prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the raiah," the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

• Oh. 1:7, 8; 5:14; Dan. 5:a. * Chald.


go. b ch. 5:3. t Child, iheir so- 7:5. o ser. 22: .\eh. 8:10; 12:43; r.^. 122:1. p ch. .S:35. ql Chr. 24:1.
mites, c Acts 5:3S, 39. I ChsM. ki/ nu a decree is made. 1 Child, marfc rl Chr. 23:0. I a>a.U. accoriling to the writing. Num. 3:0; 8:9. < Exod.
toeease. i Isi. 49:3). I Chald. of rest, e ch. 7:23; Jer. 29:7. I I Tim. 12:6. "2 Chr. 30:15. v 2 Chr. 35:11. wch. 9:11. » Exod. 12:15; 13:6;
i:l,l 1 Chald. (fcjiroyji. S Dan. 2:5; 3:39. h 1 Kings 9:3. i Psa. 137:8, 2 Chr. 30:21 ; 35:17; 1 Cor. 5:7, 8. J ver. G; Prov. 21:1. ' Neh. 2:1.
9; Chad. 10. Jch. 5:1, 2. • Chald. rftcree. k ver. 3. I ch. 4:24. m ch.
7:1. t Child, sons of Ihe transportation, ch. 4:1. » 1 Kings 8:63; 2 Chr.

6. Now therefore ; this is the direction of Darius to the who have bitterly opposed his cause may be led to unite
Samaritans, and others who had sympathized and acted with his people in promoting it; and thus by the labors
with them. of both, great and good works may be speedily accom-
11. Word; decree. plished.
14. Artaxerxes; one who succeeded Darius as king of 20. The holy character and conduct of ministers is inti-
Persia. mately connected with the prosperity of religion and the ;

22. Assyria ; Persia, of which Assyria then formed a p i rt. establishment of the worship and ordinances of God ac-
cording to his appointment, is, to his people of every coun-
IXSTRUCTIONS. try and name, an occasion of joy.
1. Diligence and fidelity in searcliing for and obtaining
a correct knowledge of facts, will show that opposition to
the people of God in the estaWishment of his worsliip, is
CHAPTER VII.
1. Artaxerxes ; Artaxerxes Longimanus, the second king
unreasonable and wicked. in order after Darius. He must not be confounded witli
6. As the hearts of kings and rulers are in the hand of the Artaxerxes mentioned in chap. 4:7, etc. See the intro-
the Lord, he can lead them to favor his people and use ductory remarks. Ezra; he was grandson of the high-
their power and influence to advance his cause. priest who was slain at the taking of Jerusalem, 2 Kings
13. Under the superintending providence of God, those 25:18-21, and was a descendant of Aaron.
546
; ;

Ezra comes to Jcrusakn EZRA VII. Decree of Artaxtrxcs.

4 ?S^f 2 Tlie son of Sliallum, the ?on of Zadok, money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat-offer-
the son of Aliitub, ings and their drink-offerings,'' and offer them upon
3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, tlie the altar of the house of your God which is in
son of Meraioth, Jerusalem."
4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son 18 And whatsoever sJiall seem good to thee, and
of Biikki, to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver
5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas," the and the gold, that do after the will of your God.'
son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest :" 19 The vessels also that are given thee for the
6 This Ezra went up from Babylon and he was ; service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou
a ready scribe in tlie law of Moses,'^ which the before the God of Jerusalem.
Lord God of Israel had given: and the king 20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for
granted him all liis request, according to the hand the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occa-
of the Lord liis God upon him.'' sion to Ijcstow, bestow it outrjf the king's treas-
7 And there went up some of the children of Is- ure-house.
rael," and of the priests, and the Levites, and the 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make
singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim,*^ unto a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond
Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the
king. scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall re-
8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, quire of you, it be done speedily,
which was in the seventh year of the king. 22 Unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a
9 For upon the first day of the first month began hundred measures* of wheat, and to a hundred
he to go up* from Babylon, and on the first day of baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, and
the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according salt without prescribing how much.
to the good hand of his God upon him.'' 23 Whatsoever is commanded' liy tlie God of
10 For Ezra had prepared his heart'' to seek the heaven," let it be diligently done for the house of
law of the Lord,' and to do it,' and to teach in the God of heaven:'' for why should there be
Israel statutes and judgments.'' wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
Ill Now this is tiie copy of the letter that the 24 Also we certify you, that, touching any of the
king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinim, or
scribe, even a scribe of the words of the command- ministers of this house of God, it shall not be law-
ments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel. ful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings,' unto Ezra the 25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God,
priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, that is in tliy hand, set magistrates and judges,"'
perfect peace,* and at such a time. which may judge all the people that are beyond
13 1 make a decree, that all they of the people the river, all such as know tlie laws of thy God
of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my and teach ye them that know them, not.'^
realm, which are minded of their own free will to 2fi And whosoever will not do the law of thy

go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. God, and the law of the king, let judgment be
14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king,* and executed speedily upon him, whether it he unto
of his seven counsellors,"" to inquire concerning death, or to banishment,^ or to confiscation of
Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy goods, or to imprisonment.
God which is in thy hand 27 IT Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers,^'
15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the which liath put such a thing as this in the king's
king and his counsellors have freely ofiered unto the heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is
God of Israel," whose habitation is in Jerusalem," in Jerusalem:^
16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst 28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the
find in all the province of Babylon,'' with the free- king," and his counsellors, and before all the king's
will-offering of the people, and of the priests, oftcr- mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the
ing willingly for the house of their God which is hand of the Lord my God was upon me,*" and I
in Jerusalem:'' gatliered together out of Israel chief men to go
17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this up with me.
a Num. a5;ll-13. b Heb. 5:4. e ver. 11, 12. SI. i vcr. 9; ch. 8:22, 31; 63:29; 76:11. o 2 Chr. 6:2; Psa. 9:11 26:S; 135:21. Pch.8:2S. 1 1 Chr.
;

Neh. 2:8, 18; Proir. 3:6. e ch. 8:1, 15, etc. f ch. 2:43. • Heb. was the 29:6,9. r Num. 15:4-13. • Dent. 12:5-11 t Eph. 5:17.
. 5 Chald. cor,!.
foundation of the gain? up. e ver. B. li2Chr.l9:3. Psi. 119:4.5. i DBut. I Heb. of the decree. » ver. IS. » Psa. 119:4. " Exod. 18:21. 22; Deul.
li;:la; Dan. 6:5. k Doul. 3:i:10; Mil. 2:7; Tilus 2:1, 15. I Ezek. 26:7; 16:18. X ver. 10; Rom. 10:14-17. 1 Chald. rooting out. y 1 Chi. 29:10.
Dan. 2:37. t Or, to Ezra the priest, a perfect snibe of the law of the God of ich.6:22. ach.9:9. b ver. 6; ch. 8:18.
heaven, ^ice, etc. t Ch3.U. from before' the king. mEslh. 1:14. of

6. Scribe in tlie law ; one skilful in writing the law and IXSTRUCTIONS.
in instructing tlie people in its meaninfc, ver. 10. 6. To be
scribes well instructed in the things of the
8. In the seventh t/ear of the king; consequently thirteen kingdom of God. and able to teach others, men must devote
j-ears before the mission of Nehemiali. Neh. 2:1. themselves to this work, and seek that preparation which
20. Bestow it out of the kind's treasure-house; from the comes from him onlj'.
tribute and customs paid into the king's treasury, by the 12. 'When rulers and those in authority are led to pro-
people west of the PiUphrates. Vcr. 25. mote the cause of God, his people should view it as the
27. Blesseii he the Lord God; the exclamation of Ezra in fruit of his grace, and render to him their tribute of grat-
view of what (Jod had done for him and the Jews, espe- itude and praise.
cially in inclining the king to favor them. 21. Rulers who not only favor the cause of God, hut use
547
: ; w ;

Hzrit'K companions in {./.[[. \ VIII. returning from Babylon.

(HA TIER VII I iddo the rhief at the place f'asipliia, and * «
n. .f I'/r. >' nun, frr.in lUl.vlon.
t.t, t. I He «pnd- I told Ihotn what they should say* unto
]•'• w"
•Jl Ho Iti-i-prlh B fiul. 'Jl Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethiniin, at tlie
Wf ,-,v ly of pricsUi. 'U From
till*

Ali»n ireiuuru ii weighnl in llic place Casipliia, that they should bring unto us
t«m|i! ' '
ministers for the house of our (iod.'
''T^ilESK are now the ciiicrof tlicir fatliors, and is And by the good hand of our Ood upon us
\. this is the L'enealojry of them that went up they brought us a man of understanding," of tlie
with nie from Babvlou, in the reign of Artaxcrxes sons of ^lahli, the son of Levi, th(( son of Israel
liie kiiijr. and Shercbiah, with his sons and his brethren,
2 Of the sons of Phinclias;" Gcrshom: of the eighteen.
}!nns of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; 19 And llashabiah, and with him .leshaiah of
llattu^h.'' the sons of Alerari, liis iirclhren and their sons,

3 Of the sons of Ifheclianiah, of tlic sons of Pha- twenty ;

rosh ;'' Zechariali and with liiin wore reckoned by


: 20 Also of the Nethinim,'' wlioin David and the
jrenealo'i'v of tlie males a hiinilicd anti fifty. princes had appointed for the service of the Lo-
4 Of the sons of Pahath-iiioalj; Elilioeiiai the son vites, two hundred and twruty Nethinim: all of
of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males. them were expressed by name.'
5 Of the sons of Siiechaniah the son of Jaha- : 21 ^ Tiien 1 jiroclaimed a fast there.' at the river
ziel. and with him three hundred males. of Aliava, that we might afflict ourselves before our
6 Of the sons also of Adin; Ehed the son of God," to seek of him a right way for us,' and for
Jonathan, and witii him fifty males. our little ones,'" and for all our substance.
7 And of the sons of Elani Jcshaiah the son of
; 22 For I was asliamed to require of the king a
Atlialiah, and with him seventy males. band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against
S And of the sons of Shephatiah Zebadiah the ; the enemy in the way:" because we had spoken
son of Michael, and with him fourscore males. unto the king, saying. The hand of our God is
9 Of the sons of Joab Obadiah the son of Jc-
; upon all them for good" that seek him;'' but his
liicl, and with him two hundred and eighteen males. power and his wrath is against all them that for-
10 And of the sons of Slieloniith the son of ; sake him.''
.losiphiah, and with him a hundred and threescore 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this:
males. and he was entreated of us.''
11 And of the sons of Bebai Zechariah the son ; 24 1 Tiien I separated twelve of the chief of the
of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males. priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their
12 And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son* brethren with them,
of Hakkatan, and with him a hundred and ten 2.5 And weighed unto them the silver, and the
males. gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house
13 And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose of our God,' which the king, and his counsellors,
names are these, Eliphclct, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and his lords, and all Israel there present had
and with them threescore males. oflered
14 Of the sons also of Bigvai Uthai, and Zab- 20 I even weighed unto their hand six hundred
;

bud,* and with them seventy males. and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels a hun-
15 *^
And 1 gathered them together to the river dred talents, and of gold a hundred talents
that runneth to Ahava; and there al)ode' we in 27 Also twenty basins of gold, of a thousand
tents three days and I viewed the people, and the drams; and two vessels of fine copper,' precious^
:

priests, and found there none of the sous of Levi." as gold.


16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for She- 28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the
maiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for LoHD;' the vessels are holy also;" and the silver
Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and and the gold are a freewill-offering unto the Lord
for Meshullam, cliief men also for Joiarib, and for God of your fathers.
;

Elnathan, men of understanding.'^^ 29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them
17 And 1 sent them with commandment unto before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and

* I Chr. 0:4, etc. b 1 Chr. 3::22. c ch. 2:3. ' Or, youngest son. t Or, 42:16
Zomir, M
lome read. XOt,pitehed. <lch.7:7. e IChr. 1-2:3J; Prnr. 20:5;
28:2. i Heb. / put words in their mouth,
2 Sam. 14:3. 19. f Tit. 1:5.
«*'«h, 8:7; 9:4, 5. hch. 2:43. iPhil. 4:.3. J 2 Cliron. 20:3. k Lev. 16:29;
23:29; Isa.5-J:3,5; Joel 2:13. lPEa.5:8; 143:8,10; ProT.3:6; l8a..'J0:21;

their influence to gain the cooperation of others, may ex-


pect a blessing on themselves and their fellow-men.

CHAPTER YIII.
15.Ahava; in Assyria, on a river of the same name,
which emptied into tlic P^uplirates. Ver. 21.
17. Casiphia; supposed to have been not far from Ahava.

INSTRUCTIONS.
15.Ministers are sometimes backward to engage in diffi-
cult and perilous services, and need, by the exhortation
548
£:ra mourncth the Jews' EZRA IX. affindy with heathen.

chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem,


A. M. SM7. 4 Then were assembled unto me every one that
'
457.
"
in the chambers of tlio house of the LoRn. trembled at the words of the God of Israel," be-
30 So took the priests and tiie Levitcs the weight cause of the transgression of those that had been
of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring carried away and I sat astonished until the even-
;

them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God." ing sacrifice.''


31 1[ Then we departed from tlie river of Ahava 5 1i And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from
on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto my heaviness;* and having rent my garment and
Jerusalem and the hand of our God was upon us,''
: my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out
and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, my hands unto the Lord my God,"
and of such as lay in wait by the way. 6 And said, O.my God, I am ashamed and blush
32 And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there to liftup my face to thee, my God for our iniqui- :''

three days."" ties are increased over our head," and our tres-
33 1 Now on the fourth day was the silver and pass* is grown up unto the heavens.'
the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of 7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a
our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of great trespass unto this day ;" and for our iniqui-
Uriah the priest;" and with him was Eleazar the ties have we, our kings, and our priests, been de-
sou of Phinehas and with them was Jozabad the
; livered into the hand of the kings of the lands,"
sou of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Le- to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to
vitcs ;
confusion of face, as it is this day.
34 By number and by weight of every one and : 8 And now for a little space* grace hath been
all the weight was written at that time. showed from the Lord our God, to leave us a rem-
35 ^ilso the children of those that had been car- nant to escape, and to give us a nail^ in his holy
ried away, which were come out of the captivity, place, that our God may lighten our eyes,'' and
oflcred burnt-olTerings uuto the God of Israel,*'
'^
give us a little reviving in our bondage.
twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, 9 For we wo-e bondmen / yet our God hath not
seventy and seven lambs, twelve he-goatsybr a siu- forsaken us in our bondage,^ but hath extended
ofiferiug: all this was a burnt-offering unto the mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia,
Lord. to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our
36 1 And they delivered the king's commissions God, and to repair' the desolations thereof, and
unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem."
on this side the river:'' and they furthered the 10 And now, our God, what sliall we say after
people, aud the house of God. this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
11 Which thou hast commanded by'' thy ser-
vants the prophets, saying. The land, unto which
CHAPTER IX. ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the
1 Ezra mourneth for the affinity of the people witli strangers. He pray- iilthiness of the people of the lands, with their
eih unto God with confession of sins. abominations, which have filled it from one end to
NOW when
came
these things
to me, saying, The people of Israel, and
were done, the princes another" with their uncleanness.
12 Now therefore give not your daughters unto
the priests, and the Levites, have not separated their sons, neither take their daughters unto your
;"
themselves from the people of the lands,"^ daing ac- sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever
cording to their abominations,'' ew?iof the Canaan- that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the
ites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your chil-
Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the dren for ever.
Amorites. 13 And after all that is come upon us for our
2 For they have taken of their daughters for evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that
themselves, and for their sons:' so that the holy thou our God hast punished us less than our iniq-
seed^ have mingled themselves with the people of uities deserve* and hast given us such deliverance
those lands:''yea, the hand of the princes and as this;"
rulers hath been chief in this trespass. 14 Should we again break thy commandments,'*
3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my gar- and join in affinity with the people of these abomi-
ment and my mantle,' and plucked off the hair nations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till
of my head and of my beard,"" and sat down aston- thou hadst consumed us," so that there should be no
ished." remnant nor escaping?
>Ver. 33. Iich.7:-J6. » Neh. 2:11. d ver. 20, 30. ech. 6:17. fch. 7:21. "0601.28:36,64. lUeb. morrunt. i Or, a pin: Ih^l h, a conslant and sun
ech. 0:21; Neh. 9:2; aCor.0:17. t Deut. 12:30, 31 Rom. 2:17-25. iExod.
; abode, U3L. ia-.-il. " Psa. 13:3. xPsa. 85:6. y Neh. 9:36. i Psa. 136:23;
34:16; Neh. 13:2:3. J Deut. 14:2; Isi. 6:13. k2Cor.6:14. 12KinEsl9:l. Ezek. 11:16. I Heh. set up. acli. 6:8, 14. 1B.eb. by the hand of. • Hcb.
m Isi. 15:2. n Psi. 60:3. o oh. 10:3; Psa. 119:130; Isi. 66:2; Ezek. 9:4. mouth to mouth, 2 Kings 21:16. b Dent. 23:6. t Heb. withheld beneath our
PBxod. 29:39. • Or,nfflirtion. q I Kings 8:22. "-Dan. 9:7, 8. Psa. 38i4. iniquities, c Psa. 103: 10. J John 5:14; 2 Pet. 2:20, 21. e Deut. 9:8.
f Or, guiltiness. ' 2 Chr. 28:9; Luke 15:21; Rev. 18:5. u Psi. 106:6.

6. Grown up unto the licai-en.'s; become exceedingly great.


CHAPTER IX. 8. A little space; from the time Zerubbabcl with his com-
3. / rent my garment; a token of great consternation pany arrived at Jerusalem, to the arrival of Ezra. A nail
and sorrow at the transgression of the people, in niinf;Uiig in his Itolij place; permanently established them at Jeru-
by marriage with the idolatrous nations around them. salem.
;). At the evenins; sacrifice; when the people assembled 9. A wall in Judah; the means of defence from their
for e\ening worship. enemies.
549
; 1

E:r,i rtformelk tht EZIIA X. marriages with strangers.

1") (1 Lord Goil of Isrnol, thou art rifrlitoous;" in three days. It was the ninth month, *i,*','5f,;:
for wc remain vol ( s(;i|ii'(i,'' as iV is tlii.s day : bc- on the twentieth day oi tlie mnntii and all the ;

liold, wc art before our trespasses;" lor tlioe in we I)eoplesat in the street of the house of God, Ireni-
cannot stand before ihco because of tiiis.'' iiling because of this matter,'" and for the great
rain.''
10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto
niAl'TKi! X. them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken'
1 Sh«^ . Kzra to r« T'Tm \hv Rtran;;r marriages. C strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.
'ii

Kir I.'lh tho people. 9 The people, al tile ellinr-


Uti
.

.ml promise amomlment. The care to per- 1 Now tluacforc make confession unto the Lonn
1.')

fonii.. -" ^ ol lliem which haJ niarrieJ strange wives.


;.'
God of your fathers," and do his pleasure: and
"VT W
when Ezra liad prayed, and wlieii he had separate yourselves from the people of the land,
i > confessed, weeping and easting iiinisclf down and from the strange wives.
beftM-e the iiouse of God," tiicre assembled unto 12 Then all the congregation answered and said
liim out of Israel a very great congregation of men with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
and women and children for the peoj)lc wept very : 13 But the jieople arc many, and it is a time of
sore." much rain, and we arc not able to stand witiiout,
2 And Shechaniah the son of Jchiel, one of the neither is this a work of one day or two: for wo
sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We are many that have transgressed' in this thing.
have trespassed against our God, and have taken 14 Let now our rulers of all the congregation
strange wives of the people of the land / yet now stand, and let all them which have taken strange
tiiere is hope in Israel concerning tiiis thing.'' wives in our cities come at ajipoiuted times, and
3 Xow tiiereforc let us make a covenant with with them the elders of every city, and the judges
our God'' to put away* all the wives, and such as thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this
are born of them, according to tlic counsel of my matter lie turned from us.*
lord, and of those that tremble at the command- 15 1i Only Jonathan the son of Asahcl and Ja-
ment of our God;' and let it be done according haziah the sou of Tikvali were employed* about
to the law.J this ^natter: and Meshullam and Sbabbethai th«
4 Arise; for this mmitcv helongeth m\io thee: wc Levite helped them.
also will be with thee be of good courage, and do it.
: 16 And tlie children of the captivity did so.
5 Then arose Ezra, and made the cliief priests, And Ezra the priest, tdth certain chief of the
the Levitcs,and all Israel, to swear that they should fathers, after the house of their fathers, and ail
do according to this word." And they swarc. of them by their names, were separated, and sat
G 1 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of down in the first day^ of the tenth mouth to cx-
God, and went into flic chamber of Jolianau the aniiiio the matter."
sou of Eliasliib: and vhtn he came thitlier, he did 17 And they made an end with all the men that
oat no bread, nor drink water:' for he mourned had taken strange wives by the first day of the
because of the transgression of them tliat had been first month.
carried away. 18 1 And among the sons of the priests there
7 And tiiey made proclamation throughout Judah were found that had taken strange wives :'' namdy,
and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captiv- of the sons of Je.shua the son of Jozadak, and his
ity, that they should gather themselves together brethren Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and ;

unto Jerusalem Gedaliali.


8 Andthat whosoever would not come within 19 And they gave their hands that they would
three days, according to the counsel of the princes put away their wives;" and being guilty, they of-
and the elders, all his substance should be for- fered a ram of the flock for their trespass.'
feited,* and himself separated from the congrega- 20 And of the sons of Immer ; Hanani, and Zeba-
tion of those that had been carried away. diah.
9 IT Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin 21 And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and
gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem with- Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
"Nch.9:.13; Dan. 9:14. b Lam. :J:-J-i, 2:!. c John 8;al, 2J; I Cor. 15:17, 1 John 1:9. 1 Or, have greatly offended. * Or, be turned from us till this
•|Pki.130:3. eachron.-i0:9. • \lA.agr,Mweepins. 'Neh. 13:27. f La. inaffcr be dispatched, t Heb. sfood. o Deut. 13:14; Job2i):16; John 7:51.
^••' < , .- ''i"- ^*-^^- ' Heb. brinpfonh. i cb. 9:4. J Deut. 7:2. .). P Jcr. 23:11; Mai. 2:8, 9. q 2 Kings 10:15; 1 Cbr. 29:24; 2 Chr. 30:8;
t iN.n. 5:12. 1 Deut. 9:18. I Heb. devottd. m I Sam. 12:18. S Heb. Lam. 5:0. r Lev. 5:15. 18; 6:4, 0.
ilxoxeera. I Hgb. caustd to
dwell, or have brought buck, n Prov. 28:13;

15. Thouart righteous; in the punishment he had inflicted 13. Eowever great the calamities which God inflicts on
on them for tlieir sins ; and their dehverance was all of his people, they feel that he is righteous, and that he pun-
grace. ishes them less than their sins deserve.
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. However great
the judgments of God on men for their
Sins, or hismercy in their deliverance, they are prone to CHAPTER X.
lorget him, and even to repeat the sins
for which they 14. Come at appointed times; to have their cases duly
liave been called to suffer. investigated and decided according to the truth.
2. Marriages with the openly
wicked have ever been a
powerful means of public corruption, and a fruitful
source INSTRUCTIONS.
of calamity to both rulers and people. Those who would lead others
1. to repentance, must
6. Ingenuous confession of sin, with
hearty supplication show that they are deeply affected with their sins, and
to God for pardon, is a more sure means
of relief than any earnestly desire their good.
application which can be made to creatures True repentance
3. will always be accompanied with
550
;

Names of those who EZRA X. put away strange wices.

22 Audof thesonsof Pashur;* Eliocnai,


r.'.c'i^^' Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bczaleel,
Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaucel, JozabaJ, aud Ela- aud Binnui, and Mauassch.
sah. 31 Aud of the sons of Harim Eliezer, Ishijah, ;

23 Also of the Levites ; Jozabad, and Shimei, and


Malchiah, 8heinaiah, Siiimeon,
Kelaiali, (the same is 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
Kelita,) Pethahiab, Judah,
and Eliezer. 33 Of the sonsof Hashum; Mattenai,Mattathah,
24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Sliimci.
porters; Shallum, and Teleni, and Uri. 34 Ofthe sons of Bani; Maadai,Amram,andUel,
25 Moreover of Israel of the sons of Parosh :35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,
Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, 36 Vaniah, Mercmoth, Eliashib,
and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiali. 37 Mattaniah, Mattcnai, and Jaasau,
26 And of the sons of Elam Mattaniah, Zecha- 38 And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,
;

riah.and Jeliiel,andAbdi,and Jeremot]i,andElia]i. 39 And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,


27 Andof the sons of Zattu Elioenai, Eliashib, 40 Machnadebai," Shashai, Sharai,
;

Mattaniah, and Jeremotli, and Zabad, aud Aziza. 41 Azareel, and Shelcmiah, Shemariah,
28 Of the sons also of Bcbai Jehohauan, Hana- 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
;

niah, Zabbai, and Athlai. 43 Of the sons ofNebo; Jciel, Mattithiah, Za-
29 Andof the sons of Bani; Meshullam,Malluch, bad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
and Adaiah, Jashub, and Slieal, and Ramoth. 44 All these had taken strange wives :'' and som£
30 And of the sons of Pahath-moab Adna, and of them had wives by whom they had children.
;

' Nehemiah 7:41. • Or, Mabnadebai. : copies, b Deuter- onomy7;3,4; Joshua 23:12, 13; Judges .'5:5-8; Proverbs 5:20.

thorough reformation ; and no sin they must not only resolve to do it, but with his help must
is repented of, that is
not heartily forsaken. carry their resolutions into effect; actually doing what
7. Those who undertake public reformations need en- they know and acknowledge to be their duty.
couragement from their brethren, and the cooperation of 17. Courage, resolution, activity, and perseverance, with
many will effect what no one can accomplish alone. dependence on God, will enable his people, for the good
9. If men would forsake their sins and turn to the Lord, of his church, to accomplish objects otherwise impossible.

5§L
THE

BOOK OF NEIIEMIAH.
This book, of wliich Nchcmiah was the author, chap. 1:1, continues the history of the Jewish people
from the time wlicn Nehemiah was connuissioncd by Artaxcrxce to go to Jerusalem in the capacity of
civil governor, that he might rebuild its walls, and regulate the affairs of the province. The last event
that it records is the expulsion from Jerusalem of one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the higli-
pricst, because ho had married the daughter of Sauballat. This occurred during Nchemiah's secoiul
administration, the duration of which is not known.

CHAPTER I. and night, for the children of Israel thy


'"«" ""
^J'jjf^^^,
1 Kehcmiah, untlerstanding by Hanani tlie misery of Jerusalem, mourn- servants, and confess the sins of the chil-
eUl, fasteth, and prayeth. 5 His prayer. dren of Israel,which wc have sinned against thee i*"
TITE words of Nehemiah the son of Ilaclialiah." both and my father's house have sinned.
1

And
it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in 7 Wehave dealt very corruptly against thee,'
the twentieth year, as I was in Shusiian the palace, and have not kept the commandments, nor the
2 That Ilauaui, one of my brethren, came, he statutes, nor the judgments, which thou command-
and certain men of Judali and I asked them con-
; edst thy servant Moses.-i
cerniniT the Jews tiuit had escaped, wliich were 8 Remember, 1 beseech thee, the word that thou
left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, //"ye trans-
3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are gress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations :"
left of the captivity there in the province are in 9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my com-
great affliction and reproach ;'' the wall of Jerusa- mandments, and do them though there were of ;

lem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven,'
bm"ncd with fire." yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring
4 •[ And it came to pass, when I heard these them unto the place that I have chosen to set my
words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned name there."'
certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the 10 Now these are thy servants and thy people,
God of heaven, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and
5 And said, I beseech thee, Lord God of by thy strong hand."
heaven, the groat and terrible God,'' that kcepeth 110 Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be
covenant and mercy for them that love him and attentive to the prayer of thy servant," and to the
observe his commandments:" prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy
6 Let thine car now be attentivc,'^ and thine name " and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this
:

eyes open,'^ that thou mayest hear the prayer of day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.
thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day For I was the king's cupbearer.''

• Ch.lO;l.b Psa. 137:1-3; Lam. 1:7; 3:B1; 5:1 2Kings25:10; Isa. 26:33, etc.; Deut. 4:25, etc.; 28:64. I 1
64:10,11. d Dan. 9:4, etc. «Esod. 20:6. flK 6. u. 23, 29; 2Chr. 6:40. 11:12; S6:S; Jer. 12:15; .TO:19, 20. » De;
»P»l. 34:15. h Psa. 32:5; 1 John 1:9 Psa. 106:0. JDeut. 23:15. t Lev. 86:6. Pisa. 26:8; Heb. 13:18. qch.2:l.

high in civil office and it leads them to take a deep inter-


CHAPTER I.
;

est in the welfare of the people and cause of God, in all


1. Chisleu; the ninth month, answering to a part of No- parts of the world, especially in the home of their ances-
vember and December. In the twentieth year; of Arta- tors and brethren.
xerxes' reign. Chap. 2:1. Shv.s!uin; a city in Persia, and 5. Pr;iyer to the God of heaven forms the best prepara-
the winter residence of the kings. tion for great and difficult undertakings, and is the surest
2. Came; from Jerusalem. means of securing complete and final success. Compare
9. Tlie place that I have chosen; Jerusalem. ch. 2:4-8; Ezra 7 : 6.
10. These are til y servants; the Israelites who had return- 7. Hearty confession of sin, and an expression of firm
ed to Judea. confidence in the promises of God, are traits of acceptable
11. Tliis man; the king of Persia. prayer, and open the way for answers of peace.
11. As the hearts of all men are in the hand of the
INSTRUCTIONS. Lord, application to him is the surest way of obtaining
2. True pietv is sometimes found among those who are favors from him.
552
;

Nehemiah sent to Jerusalem. NEHEMIAH II. He begins to rebuild 'U.

CHAPTER II,
1 Artaxences understanding the cause of Nehemiah's sadness sendeth
him with letters and commission to Jerusalem. 9 Nehemiah, to the
grief of the enemies, Cometh to Jerusalem. 12 He vieweth secretly
the ruins of the walls. 17 He incitetli the Jews to build in despite
of th,

AND it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the

twentieth year of Artaxerxes tlie king,'* that


wine n-as before him and I took up the wine, and
:

gave it unto the king."* Now I had not been be-


foretime sad in his presence.
2 Wherefore the king Kaid unto me, Wliy is thy
countenance sad, seeing tliou art not sick? this is
nothing else but sorrow of heart."^ Then I was
Tery sore afraid,
3 And said unto the king, Let the king live for
ever:* why should not my countenance be sad,
when the city,'' the place of my fathers' sepulchres,''
lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed
with fire?
4 Then the king said unto me. For what dost
thou make request? So I prayed to the God of
heaven.''
5 And
I said unto the king. If it please the king,
and thy servant have found favor in tliy sight,
if
that thou wouldest send mo unto Judali, unto the
city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.
6 And the king said unto me, (the queen* also
sitting by hiin,) For how long shall thy journey
be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased
the king to send me; and I set him a time."
7 Moreover I said unto the king. If it please the
king, let letters be given me to the governors be-
yond the river, that they may convey me over till
I come into Judah
8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the
king's forest, that he may give me timber to make
beams for the gates of tlie palace which appertained
to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for
the house that I shall enter into.' And the king
granted me, according to the good hand of my
God upon me.^
9 ^ Then
I came to the governors beyond the
river,and gave them the king's letters. Now the
king had sent captains of the army and horsemen
with me.
i>Ezr
1

.ViiM£f and ordtr of tkt NEllE.MlAll III builders of l/ie wall.

niAi'Tr.i: in built it, and set up the doors thereof, the ^"c.'ms:
locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
l.O But the gale of the fountain repaired Phallum
*
piIEN* Klia.-'liili llic liigh-priest ro.*c up witli his the son of Coi-hozeh,'' the ruler of jiart of Mizjiah ;

1. Itrc'tliion tlio prii'sL'^," and llicv built tlie sliccp- he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors
pito;'' tlicv sanclilifti it, and t^et uj) the duors of thereof, the loiks thereof, and the bars thereof,
it; ovfii iiiito till' towor of Mcaii they saactiliod it,'' and the wall of the pool of Siloali by the king's
unto the tower of llauaiieel.' garden,' and unto the stairs that go down from
2 And next unto iiim" buildcd the men of Jeri- the city of David.
cho.'' And next to tiieiu builded Zaccur the son IG jVfter him repaired Nehemiah the .^on of Az-
of Irnri. buk, the ruler of tlie half i)art of Bcth-ziir, unto the.
;j Hut tiic fisli-gate did the sons of IIas?enaah place over against the sejiulchres of David, and to
build/ who aho hvid tlie beams thereof, and set uj) the ])ool that was made,'" and unto the house of the
the door:? tiiereof, the locks thereof, and tiio bars mighty.
tliereof. 17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son
4 And next unto them repaired Mercmoth the of Bani. Next unto him rc})aired liashabiali, the
son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto ruler of the half part of Kcilah, in his part.
them repairi'(l Mcshiillam the son of Bcrecliiah, 18 After him reiiaired their brethren, Bavai the
the son of Meshezaboel. And next unto them son of llenadud, tlie ruler of the half part of Kei-
repaired Zadok the son of Baami. lah."
5 And next unto tlieni the Tekoites repaired; I'J And next to him repaired Ezer the son of
but their nobles put not their necks to the work Jesliua, the ruler of Miz])ali, another piece over
of tiieir Lord."-' against the going up to the armory at the turning
6 Moreover tlie old gate repaired Jehoiada the of tlie wall."
sonof Paseali,and MeshuUam the son ofBesodeiah; 20 After him Barucli the son of Zabbai^ earnest-
they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors ly repaired the other piece, from the turning of
thereof, and the locks tliereof, and tlie bars thereof. the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the
7 And next unto them repaired Melatiah the high-priest.
Gibeonite, and Jadon tlie Meroiiothite, the men of 21 After him repaired ilcremoth the son of Uri-
Gibcon, and of JIiz])ali, unto the throne of the jah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of
governor on this side the river.'' the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house
8 Next unto him repaired Uz/icl the son of Har- of Eliashib.
haiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also re- 22 And after him repaired the priests, the men
paired Ilananiah the son of on« of the ajiothecaries, of the plain.''
and they fortified* Jerusalem unto the broad wall.' 23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over
9 And next unto them repaired RepJiaiah the against their house. After him repaired Azariah
son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem. tlie son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by Lis
10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son house.
of Ilarumaph, even over against his house. And 24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad
next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hash- another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the
abniali. turning of the wall,'^ even unto the corner.
1 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the 25 Palal the son of Uzzai, over against the turn-
son of Pahath-moab, repaired the other piece,* and ing of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from
the tower of the furnaces. the king's high house, that ivas by the court of the
12 And next unto him repaired Shalhim the son prison."' After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.
of Ualohesh, the ruler of the half ])art of Jerusa- 20 Moreover the Nethinim'' dwelt in Ophel,"
lem, he and his daughters. uiito^ the place over against the water-gate toward
13 The valley-gate repaired Ilaniin, and the in- the east," and the tower that lieth out.
habitants of Zaiioali they Imilt it, and set up the
; 27 After them the Tekoites repaired another
doors thereof, the locks tliereof, and the burs there- piece, over against the great tower that lieth out,
of, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the even unto the wall of Ophel.
dung-gate.^ 28 From above the horse-gate repaired the
14 But the dung-gate repaired Malcliiah the sou priests,^ every one over against his house.
of Recliab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem ; he 29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer
"Ch.lailO. bJohnS:'. tch. 12:39. i Jer. 31:33; Zech. 14: 10. • Heb. 20:20; Isi. 7:3; 22:11. nl Sam. 23:1, etc.
nlAwAnnd. >!Ezn2:34. '2 Chr. 33:14; Zeph. 1; 10. e Jiide. 3:23; Jer.
;., 1 5; ICor. 1:2«; ITlm. 0:17, 18. b ch. 2:8. 1 Or, k/t. i ch. 12:38.
MU\>. Ktond mtasure. J ch. 2:13. kch. 2:14. 1 John 9:7. > 2 Kings

18. The history of God's dealings with his people affords


them encouragement to engage vinitedly and lieartily in
his work.

CHAPTER III.
1. The sheep-gate; in tlio eastern part of the city
near the
temple, where sheep were sold for the sacrifices. Com-
pare ver. 32; ch. 12:39; John :>:2, margin.
554
Plots of the enemies NEHEMIAH IV. of the Jews lujjlal.

H."«S^' over against his house. After him repair- sin be blotted out from before thee -J for they have
ed also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the provoked thee to anger before the builders.
keeper of the east-gate. 6 So built we the wall and all the wall was
_
;

30 After liim repaired Hananiah the son of Shel- joined together unto the half thereof: for the peo-
omiah, and Ilanim the sixth son of Zalaph, another ple had a mind to work."
piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of 7 1 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat,
Berechiah over against liis cliambcr. and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammon-
31 After liim repaired ilalcliiah the goldsmitli's ites, and the Ashdoditcs, heard that the walls of
son unto tlie place of the Nethinim/' and of the Jerusalem were made up,^ and that the breaches
merchants, over against tlie gate Miphkad, and to began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
the going up of the corner.* 8 And conspired all of them together to come
32 And between the going up of the corner unto and to fight against Jerusalem,' and to hinder it.'
tlie sheep-gate repaired the goldsmiths and the 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our
merchants." God,'" and set a watch against them day and night,"
because of them.
CHAPTER IV. 10 And Judah said. The strength of the bearers
of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish;
1 While the enemies scoff, N ehemiah prayeth and continueth the -work.

7 Understanding the wratli and secrets of the enemy, he setteth a so that we are not able to build the wall.
watch. 13 He armeth the laborers, 19 and j,'iveth military precepts. 11 And our adversaries said, They shall not

BUT it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard know, neither see, till we come in the midst among
that we builded the wall,'-' he was wroth, and them, and slay them," and cause the work to cease.
took great indignation,'' and mocked the Jews.'' 12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews
2 And he spake before his brethren and the army which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten
of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews?*^ times, From all places whence ye shall return unto
will they fortify themselves?* will they sacrifice? us^ they loill be upon you.
will they make an end in a day? will they revive 13 If Therefore set I in the lower places* behind
the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the
are burned? people after their families with their swords, their
3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he spears, and their bows.
said. Even that which they build, if a fox go up, 14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the
he shall even lireak down their stone wall.''' nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the
4 Hear, our God for we are despised :*'' and people. Be not ye afraid of them:^ remember the
;

turn their reproach upon their own head,' and give Lord, ivhich is great and terrible,'' and fight for
them for a prey in the land of captivity : your brethren, your sons, and your daughters,
5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their your wives, and your houses.'
» Ver. 26. • Ot, corner chamber, b yer 1. = ch. 2:10, 10. d Acts 5: 17. 50:15; 55:16-22. >Luke21:36; Acts4:24-29. o2Sam. 17:2: Aots23:12,
Heb. 11:36. f Zech. 12:8. \ Heh. leave to themselves, e 2 Kings 1S:2.3. 21. 1 Or, That from all-places ye must return to us. • Heb. /rom the lower
Heb. rfespi(€. 1> Psi. 123:3, 4. i Psa. 79:12; Prov. 3:34. j Psa. 09:27; parts of the place. P Deut. 1:29, 30; Matt. 10:28. q Dent. 10:17; Psa.
r. 18:23; 2 Tim. 4:14. k 2 Chr. 29:36; Psa. 110:3. 5 Heb. ascended. 00:3, 5; Nahuml:6, 7. r 2 Sam. 10:12.
Psa. 83:3-5. 1 Heb. make an error to it; Jer. 20:10; Dan. 0:4, S. oi Psa.

32. Tlie sheep-gate ; the place where they began to build. will they, by worshipping their God through sacrifices,
Thus they had surrounded tlio whole city. obtain such help from him as to finish the work in a single
INSTRUCTIONS. day ? But we may, perhaps, better render, " Shall they
sacrifice? shall they at this time make an end?" that is,
1. In works of public reformation and such as are re-
shall tliey be allowed to go on sacrificing to their God,
quired for the protection and prosperity of the church,
and building the walls, till they are completed ?
ministers of religion should take the lead, and set an ex-
6. Unto the half thereof ; that is, the half of its intended
ample which may be safely and usefully followed.
height.
5. Men of rank often excuse themselves from the per-
12. From all places whence ye shall return tinto us; ap-
formance of those labors which the public good requires,
parently meaning that the enemy are ready to assail them
and in which others are engaged and thus neglect the ;

from ail the roads which they employ in returning from


talents witli which they are intrusted, and set an example
Jerusalem to their several homes. The passage is difficult,
mischievous to all within their influence.
8. Persons of all trades and professions may assist in
and has been variously interpreted.
])romoting the cause of God, and each should endeavor INSTRUCTIONS.
faithfully to perform that which belongs to him, and which Opposers of religion often attempt to hinder its prog-
2.
his condition fits him to accomplish. ress by ridicule but if this excites the people of God to
;

12. When rulers and people of both sexes engage in


increased prayer, it will further, rather than hinder their
works of beneficence, all doing what is approjiriate to work.
their condition, the work of the Lord will prosper and the 6. ^Vhere there is a will there is a way. Whenever
highest good be effectually advanced. the people of God are disposed to work for him, he will
28. Division of labor, and assigning to each one that
open a way for them to be employed in his cause witli
which peculiarly belongs to him, and which he can most success.
readily perform, prevents confusion, promotes dispatcli, 6. Prayer to God, and a diligent use of all appropriate
and tends to the most speedy and thorough accomplish- means, will defend his people from the rage of their ene-
ment of every good work. mies, and carry them forward in their appropriate work
till it be accomplished.
CHAPTER IV. 14. It is sometimes right to fight for the protection of
2. Will theu fortify themselves? or," Will they leave it to our wives, children, property, and religious privileges,
them ?" that is, will the Persian governors permit them to rather than to have them taken away liy our enemies.

go on with the work? Sacrifice make an end in a day? 20. When men who are at work for God are called to
555
NKllKMlAll V. Tae usurers rtbuhul.
7%e pt"pl^ ualch and labor.

l."» Anil it nimc lo |i:iss, whoii our onoinies lirard


money for the king's tribute, a/id ///a/ upon '*ij"c'Mi

tliiit it wns known iiiilo us, and (iod had Imiufrlit. our lands and vineyards.
wo returned of T) Yet now our llesli is as the our breth- flesh of
their counsfl to naught," that all
ren," our children as their chililri'ii: mid lo. we
us to tlie wall, every one unto his work.
Iti And it came to pass from thai time forth,
bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to
Ma/ the half of mv servants wrouirhl in tiic work, be servants,and sotae of our daughters are lirought
luid the other half of them held both the spears, into bondage ainadi/:'' neither is it in our
power
the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; to redeem llitm ; for other men have our lands and
and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. vineyards.
17 'I'liey whieh builded on the wall, and they G *! And I was very angry when I heard their
that bare burdens, with those tiiat huled, every one cry and these words.
with one of his hamls wrought in the work, and 7 Then 1 consulted with myself,* and I rebuked

willi the other hand held a weapon.** the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them,
is For the builders, every one had liis sword Ye exact usury,' every one of his brother. And
_'irdi'd by his side,* and so builded. And he that 1 set a great assembly against them.
Hiunded the trumpet was by me. 8 And I said unto them. We, after our ability,
IK * And I .''aid unto the nobles, and to the have redeemed our brethren the Jews,* which were
rulers, and to the rest of the ])eoplo. The work w sold unto the heathen and will ye even sell your ;

great anil large, and we arc separated upon the brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then
wall, one far from another. held they their peace, and i'oiiud nothing to an-

20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of swer.


the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God 9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought
shall light for us.'-' ye not to walk in the fear of our God'' because of
21 ."^o we labored in the work and half of them the reproach of the heathen our enemies?'
:

held the spears from the rising of the morning till 10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants,
the stars appeared. might exact of them money and corn I pray yoti, :

22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the let us leave off this usury.
people. Let every one with his servant lodge within 11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day,
Jerusalem, tliut in the night they may be a guard their lands, their vineyards, their olive-yards, and
to us, and labor on the day. their houses, also the hundredth part of the money,
2ii ."^o neither I.'' nor my brethren, nor my ser- and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye
vants, nor the men of the guard which followed exact of them.
me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every 12 Then said they. We will restore them, and
one put them off for washing.* will require nothing of them so will wc do as ;

thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took


an oath of them,'" that they should do according to
CHAPTER V. this promise.
1 Tlie Jews compiain of their debt, mortg,ige, and bondage. 6 Nehe- 13 Also I shook my lap," and said, So God shake
miah rebukcth the usurers, and causeth them to make a covenant of
restitution. 14 He forbeareth his own allowance, and keepeth hospi- out every man from his house, and from his labor,
tality.
that performeth not this promise, even thus be he
AND there was a great cry of the people and of
their wives against their brethren the Jews.'
shaken out, and emptied.^ And all the congrega-
tion said. Amen," and praised the Lord. And the
2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and people did according to this promise. p
our daughters, are many: therefore we take up 14 "i Moreover from the time that I was appoint-
corn for l/iem, that we may eat, and live. ed to be their governor in the land of Judah,
3 Some also there wore that said. have mort- We from the twentieth year even unto the two and
gaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king," that is,
might buy corn, because of the dearth.' twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten
4 There were also that said, We have borrowed the bread of the governor.""
•Job5:la; P5a.a3:10: Lam. .):3T.3J. b I Cor. 10:13; Phil. 1:43. • Hcb. ransuUedinme; Psa.4:4. J Exnd. 22:25; Psa.l5:l,5; Elek. 22:12. JLev.
on Am /oini. c Ejoj I4.i4_ .2.5. Bem. 1:30; Zech. 14:3. ' 1 Cor. 15:10. 25:18. kver.15. 1 2 Sam. 12:14; Rom. 2:24 1 Pet. 2:12. in2King523:2,
;
t Or, ertrn out Went with Ais weapon
for water; Judg. 3:11 . ' Isa. 5:7. 3; Ezra 10:5; Jer. 34:8, U. n Mali. 10:14 Acts 13:51 18:6. » Heb. ^mply.
; ;

' L«v. -25:35-09; Deut. 13:7. s Isa. 55:7. hExod. 21:7. I lleb. mj, AMr( o Deut. 27:15, etc.
or void, P 2 Kings 23:3. qch. 13:0. f 1 Cor. 9:4, 15.'

contend with enemies, they may expect that he will fight derstood to mean a hundredth part per month, or twelve
for them and with God on their side they may both work
; per cent, interest per annum.
and fight without fear, till their work is done. 14. From the twentieth year —
unto the tu-o and thirtieth
year; these twelve years include the period of his first
CHAPTER V. a<lmii]istration. lie then returned to the Persian court,
2. Take up corn ; that is, upon usury, liaving no money and afterwards came back to Jerusalem and assumed the
with which to purchase it. Thus they brought themselves administration of the affairs of the Jews a second time.
into the power of their creditors. Chap. 13:6, 7. Tlie bread of the governor; the maintenance
4. The king's tribute; the taxes wliich they which the people whom he governed might, according to
were obliged
to pay to the king of Persia. established usage, have been required to furnish him. lie
5. We bring into bondage our sons ; by the had not required the people to support him, but had sup-
sore exactions
to which they were subjected in their poverty. ported himself
7. Uxury; interest. INSTRUCTIONS.
II. Thehundredth part of the money; this is generally un- The
1. rich, instead of relieving the poor, often taKe
556
Devices of the enciiiy NEHEMIAH VI. The wall completed.

kc.'Si^' 15 But the former governors that had the Jews think to rebel for which cause thou
:

been before me were chargeable unto the people, buildest the wall, that tiiou niaycst be their king,
and had taken of them bread and wine, besides according to these words.
forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants 7 And tiiou hast also appointed prophets to
bare rule over the people: but so did not I,''' be- preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying. There is a
cause of the fear of God.'' king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to
IG Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, the king according to the.se words. Come now
neither bought we any land: and all my servants therefore,and let us take counsel togelhcr.
luere gathered thither unto the work. 8 Then I sent unto him, saying. There are no
17 Moreover t/m-e were at my table a hundred such things done as thou sayest, but thou feiguest
and fifty of the Jews and rulers, besides those that them out of thine own heart.
came unto us from among the heathen that are 9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their
about us. hands shall be weakened from the work, that it
18 Now thai which was prepared for me daily be not done. Now therefore, God, strengthen
was one ox and six choice sheep also fowls were ; my hands.'
prepared for nie, and once in ten days store of all 10 Afterward I came unto the house of She-
sorts of wine yet for all this required not I the
: maiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel,
bread of the governor, because the bondage was who was shut up and he said, Let us meet to-
;

heavy upon this people." gether in the house of God, within the temple, and
19 Tliiuk upon me,* my God, for good, accord- let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will
ing to all that I have done for this people." come to slay thee yea, in the night will they come
;

to slay thee.™
11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee?"
CHAPTER VI, and who is there, that, being as I am, would go
1 Sanballat practiseth by craft, by rumors, by hired prophecies, to ter-
into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
rify lo The work is finished to the terror of the enemies.
Nehemiah.
17 Secret intelligence passeth between the enemies and the nobles of 12 And lo, I perceived that God had not sent
Ju,lah. him but that he pronounced this prophecy against
;

ATOW came to pass when Sanballat, and To- me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
it
_L 1 and Geshem" the Arabian, and the rest
biah, 13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be
of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, afraid, and do so, and sin,° and t/tat they might
and that there was no breach left therein (though have matter for an evil report, that they might
;
'

at that time I had not set up the doors upon the rcproacli me.''
gates;) 14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah and San-
2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, say- ballat according to these their works,'' and on the
ing. Come, let us meet together,^ in sojne one of prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets,
the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought that would have put me in fear.
to do me mischief.' 1.5 T So the wall was finished in the twenty and

3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am fifth day oi the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
doing a great work, so that I cannot come down 16 And it came to pass, that when all our ene-
:

why should the work cease, while I leave it, and mies heard thereof and all the heathen that were
come down to you? about us saw these things, they were much cast
4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this down in their own eyes: for they perceived that
sort and I answered them after the same manner.^
; this work was wrought of our God.''
5 Tlien sent Sanballat his servant unto me in 17 1 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah
like manner the fifth time with an open letter in sent many letters unto Tobiah,* and t]ie Utters of
Ids hand; Tobiah came unto them.
6 Wherein icas written, It is reported among 18 For there icere many in Judah sworn unto
the heathen," and Gashmu* saith it, that thou and him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah
' Prov. 16:6; 2 Cor. 11:9: 12:13. b ver. 9. » Psa. 37:31. 26. d Psa. 71:1. n> Job 24:16. o Psa. 11:1 112:6, »; Luke 13:31-a: Acts 20:24;
;

40:17; ch. 13:22. e Matt. 25:40; Mark 9:41. • Or, Gashmu, ver. 6. toh. 21:13. oJas.4:17. p Ezek. 13:17, etc. q ch. 13:29; Psa. 36:11. 12. r Psa.
2:10. 19; 4:1,7. S Prov. 26:24, 2.5. h 1 Chr. 8:12; ch. 11:3.5. iPsa.37:12, 126: 2 Acts 5:38, 39.
; I Heb. mulliplicd their tellers passing lo Tobiah.
32. J Prov. 14:15. kjer. 20:10. t Or. GesAem, ver. 1 I I Sam. 30:6; Psa.
.

advantage of their necessities to obtain their property, 19. Those who from love to God and to men have made
iind sometimes to bring them and their children into bond- pecuniary sacrifices for liis cause, will not in the end be
age thus violating the duty of doing to others as they
; losers but wiU receive from God a gracious and an abim-
;

should wish others to do to them. dant reward.


G. " Oppression maketh a wise man mad," and he will

without delaj', as far as may be in his power, devise and CHAPTER VI.
execute means to bring it to a speedy and perpetual end. 2. Hie plain of Ono; in the tribe of Benjamin.
ti. Those who oppress their brethren will have nothing Gash/nu; the same as Geshem.
II.

to answer when God shall call them to account. 7. The king ; the king of Persia.

U. Those who have wrongfully taken any thing from 9. Made us afraid; attempted to make us afraid.

)thers are bound to make full restitution, and always to 11. Being as lam; having a good conscience, and being
do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. engaged in the work of the Lord.
15. fear of God will often lead the rich to relinquish
The K;. W(ui wrought of our God; that he was with the peo-
what justly due to them, especially when those from
is ple and blessed them in their work.
whom due are poor, and unable to pay their honest
it is 18. Slieclianiah —
and —
Meshullam ; foreigners whose
debts without distressing themselves. daughters Tobiah and Jobanan had married.
557
; 1

Utntaln/^y of thou who NI.IIKMlAil \II, rcturnr/l from I3abyli>it,

tlx' soilof Aruh ami liis son Johiinnn lia<l taken


;
i» Tiic children of Shephatiaii, three hnn- ^"c'SS.
of Mrslnillnm tho son of Horrcliiah.
tlio iliuijrhtor tired seventy and two.
lit Also they roportrd his pood doeils bcforo inc. IK The children of Arab, six hundred fifty and
and uttcrod my words' to liini. .']iid Toliiuli sent two.
letters to |iut nio in fear. 1 The chililren of Pahath-moab, of the cliildreii
of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hun-
dred and eighteen.
CHAPTER VII. 12 The children of Elam, a thousaml two liun-
1 N<h«nii>h rommiliclh iho cliivrgs of Jrruulcm to Hannni and H»im-
nUh. A rf>;uUT of the gcnMlocy of them which came HI tho first
•'•
dreil fifty and four.
001 of IlBhrlon, 9 of the people, 39 of tho prirsti, 43 of tlie Levites. 13 Tho children of Zattu, eight hundred forty
46 of ill"- Seihinim. W
of Sulomon'a servnnta, C3 anil of the prieats
and five.
vhieh rnuM not lind their liedigree. 6G Tho whole number of tlicin,
with their lubilance. 70 Their oblations. 14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and
^TOW it came to pa.«s, when tlio Avail wasl)uilt, threescore.
S andset up tlic doors," and tiie porters
I had hundred forty 1.5 Tho children of Binnui,' six

antl the singers and the Levites were appointed, and eight.
2 That I gave my brother llanani, and Ilana- IG The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty
niah the rnler of (lie palace, charge over Jerusa- and eiglit.
li'iii for ho icas a faithful man,'' and feared God
: 17 'i'he children of Azgad, two thousand thre<'
above many.'^ hundred twenty and two.
3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Je- 15 The children of Adonikam, six hundred tlircf-
rusalem be opened until the sun bo hot and wliile scorc and seven. ;

they stand by, let tiieni shut the doors, and l)ar li) The children of Bigvai, two thousand three-

them: and aj)point •watches of the inliabitants of score and seven.


Jerusalem, every one in bis watch, and every one 20 The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and
to beover atrainst iiis bouse. five.
4 Xow the city icas large and great;* but the 21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety ami
people were few therein, and the houses were not eight.
builded. 22 The children of Hashum, three hundred twen-
5 H And my God put into my heart to gather ty and eight.
together the nobles,'' and tlie rulers, and th(> jieo- 23 Tlie children of Bezai, tlirco hundred twenty
ple, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. and four.
And I found a register of the genealogy of them 24 The children of Ilariph,' a hundred and
whicli came up at tlic first,'^ and found written twelve.
therein, The children of Gibeon,' ninety and five.
2.")

G These are the cliildrcn of the province, tliat 2G Tlie men of Bcth-lehem and Nctophah, a hun-
went up out of tho captivity.'' of those that Iiad dred fourscf)re and eight.
been carried away, whom Xcbuchadnezzar tlie king 27 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and
of Babylon liad carried away,^ and came again eight.
to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his 28 Tho men of Beth-azmaveth," forty and two.
city 29 Tlie men of Kirjath-jearim,* Chephirah, and
7 Who
came with Zerubbabel,'' Jeshua, Nehe- Becrotli, seven hundred forty and three.
miali, Azariah,* Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordccai, 30 The men of Ramah and Gaba, six hundreil
Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nchum, Baauah. The twenty and one.
number, / say, of the men of the people of Israel 31 Tho men of Michmas, a hundred and twenty
was this : and two.
8 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hun- 32 The men of Betli-cl and Ai, a Jiundred twenty
dred seventy and two. and three.
"Or, wioHwj. ach. 6:1. «> Acts 6:3, S. c Exod. 1S:21. t lleb. iroad in
ijxiat. i Em I .XI. e l Chr. 9:1, etc. fEzra2:l. S 2 Kings 24: 14-15.

INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Wlicn the efforts of •wicked men
to hinder the •work
CHAPTER VII.
of Godare disappointed in one •ivay, they are often tempt- 2. For he; Hananiah.
ed to try another. .S. Let not tlie gates of Jerusalem be opened; this was de-
9. Fear of men is unbecoming in the people of God, and signed to guard against enemies.
when threatened, they should look up to him for the cour- 4. Tlte city was large; the walls, having been built on

age, -wisdom, and strength which they need, go forward the old foundations, enclosed more than -was inhabited.
in duty, and let nothing hinder them from learning and 5. A re^ster; containing the names of those who came
doing his will, committing themselves and their cause to up from Babylon to Judea. For tho remainder of this
his wise and gracious disposal. chapter, see notes on Ezra 2.
Sometimes, if need he, it is proper in a good cause
II.
to endanger one's own life, but it is never proper to do INSTRUCTIONS.
wrong in order to save it; for he who tints saves his life 2. Power and authority should be committed to those
shall lose it, and he who lo.ses his life in doing right shall •who fear God, and will employ their talents for his cause.
keep it to life eternal. 3. AVc shotild sho-w our trust in God by the proper use
15. Sometimes (jod so manifestly appears in support of of means, and not tempt him by the neglect of them.
his cause, that even its enemies see his hand, and arc 5. Every good thought is from above; and while " '

convinced that their efforts to stop it will be unavailing. diligently improve it to tho best advantage, God shoull
558
Genealogy of those who NEHEMIAII VIII. returned from Balylon.

A. M. 3«8. 33 The men of the other Nebo, '


fifty
*'
and
B. C. about ,

536. two.
3-1 The children of the other Elam,^ a thousand
two luindred fifty and four.
35 The children of Harim, three hundred and
twenty.
36 Tlic children of Jericho, three hundred forty
and five.
37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven
hundred twenty and one.
3S The children of Senaah, three thousand nine
hundred and thirty.
39 II The priests: the children of Jedaiah," of the
house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and
two.
41 The children of Pashur,'' a thousand two hun-
dred forty and seven.
42 The children of Harim, a thousand and sev-
enteen.
43 1 The Lcvitcs the children of Jeshua, of
:

Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah,* seven-


ty and four.
44 The singers: the children of Asaph, a hun-
dred forty and eight.
45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the
children of Ater, the children of Talnion, the chil-
dren of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the chil-
dren of Shobai, a hundred thirty and eight.
46 1 The Nethinim the children of Ziha, the
:

children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,


47 The children of Keros, the children of Sia,*
the children of Padon,
48 The children of Lebana, the children of Ha-
gaba, the children of Shalmai,*
49 The children of Hanan, the children of Gid-
del, the children of Gahar,
50 The cliildren of Reaiah, the children of Re-
zin, the children of Nekoda,
51 The children of Gazzam, the children of Uz-
za, the children of Paseah,
52 The children of Besai, the children of Meu-
nim, the children of Xepliishesira,^
53 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Ila-
kupha, the children of Harhur,
54 The children of Bazlith,' the children of Me-
liida, the children of Harsha,
55 The children of Barkos, the children of Sise-
ra. the children of Taniah,
56 ThechildrenofNeziah.the children of Hatipha.
57 T^ The children of Solomon's servants the :

children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the


children of Perida,^
58 The children of Jaala, the children of Dar-
ken, the children of Giddel,
59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of
Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zcbaim, the
children of Amon.'

a Ver. 1
TV /()» is fullicly NEIIKMIAII VIII. rend and erpLinrd.

2 Anil K/.ni the jiriost lirouplit IIk' law bcroro (hiyIS holy unto our Lord: neither bo ye
•'
a.m. si-o.
O. •bull!
,t ,• p ., t . 11.

tho coiigri'L'iitioii lioili iif im-ii uiiil wonioii," and sorry; lor the joy of tho JiORD is your <«•

all tlmt could lii'iir Willi iinderstunding," upon the strength.''


lirst dav of tlio .^inciilh month.'' 11 So the Lcviles stilled all the people, saying,
3 And li« HMil therein iiel'orc the street that was Hold your peace, for the day is holy ; neither be
before the water-gate from the morning' until ye grieved.
middav, before the men anil the women, and those lli And all the ]icople went their way to eat,
that could understand; and the ears of all the and to drink, and to send ijortions, and to make
people irrre attcnlirc unto the book of the law. great because they had understood the
niirtli,''

4 .Vnd Kzra the scribe stood upon a jjulpit* of words that were declared unto them."^
wood, which they had made for the purpose; and 13 T And on the second day were gathered to-
beside him stood .Mattithiah, and Shema, and Ana- gether the chief of the fathers of all the people,
iah.and Urijah, and Ililkiali, and Maasciaii, on his the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe,
right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and even to understand^ the words of the law.
Mishael, and Malcliiah, and llashum, and Hash- 14 And they found written in the law which the
badana. Zechariah, and Mesliulhun. Lord h;ul commanded by i\losos, that the children
'

•J And Kzra opcni'il the bonk in the sight^ of all of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of tho
the people ;' for he was above all the ])eople; and seventh month:"
when he opened it, all the people stood up:'' 15 And that they should publish and proclaim in
t) And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God." all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying. Go forth
And all the people answered, Amen, Amcu,'^ with unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine
lifting up their hands:''' and they bowed their branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branch-
heails, and worshipped the Lord with tlieir faces es, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as
to tiiy ground.'' it is written.
7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Shercbiali, Janiin, 16 : So the people went forth, and brought them,
Akkub, Shabbethai, Ilodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, and made them.selves booths, every one upon the
.Vzariah, Jozabad, llanan, Pelaiali, and the Le- roof of his house,' and in their courts, and in tho
vites, caused the people to understand the law:' courts of the house of God, and in the street of
ami the people stood in their place. the water-gate, and in the street of the gate of
8 So they read in the book in the law of God Ephraim."
tlistinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them 17 And all the congregation of them that were
to umlerstand the reading.^ come again out of the captivity made booths, and
9 ^ -Ind Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha,' and sat under the booths for since the days of Joshua :

Vj'.yo. the priest the scribe, and the Levitcs that the son of Nun unto that day had not the children
taught the people, said unto all the people, This of Israel done so. And there was very great glad-
day is holy unto the Lord your God;" mourn not, ness."'
nor weep.' For all the people wept, when they 18 Also day by day, from tho first day unto the
heard the words of the law."' last day, he read in the book of the law of God."
10 Tiien he said unto them, Go your way, eat And they kept the feast seven days; and on the
the fat, and drink the sweet," and send portions eighth day was a solemn* assembly, according
unto them for whom nothing is prepared :" for this unto the manner.^
«Aotsl5:2l. ' Reb. understood in the hearing. bLev.23:2-l. flUh. light. .5:1. » E.«th 9:19, 22; Rev. 11:10. P Psa. 149:2; Isa. 12:2, 3; 35:1, 4;
neb. lower, t Hub. ei/es. e Luke 4:1S, etc. d Jade. 3:20; 1 Kings y:14. 61:10; Joel 2:23; Phil. 3:3. q Psa. 126:1-3. ' ver. 7, 8; Rom. 7:1, 8.
'2Chr.6:4. flCor. 14:16. s Psi. 63:4; Lam. 3:41 ; 1 Tim. 2:8. S Exod. ^ Or, that they might instruct in. • Heb. by the hand of. • Lev. 2J:34, 42;
12:27; 2Chr. 20:1S. i Deut. .'W:IU; 2Chr. 17:7-9; 30:22; Mai. 2:7. i Luke Deut. 10:13, etc. ' Deut. 22:8. " 2 Kings 14:13; ch. 12:37, 30. v 2 Chr.
21:27, 45; AoU 8:30, etc. I Or, governor, k Lev. 23:24; Num. 29:1. 30:21. w Deut. 31:10-13 t Heb. rcslraml. x Num. 29:35.
1 Deut. 16:14; Bed. 3:4; Isi. 01:3. m 2 Chr. 34:19, 21 ; Rom. 7:9. n Song

18. According unto the manner; as prescribed in the law


CHAPTER VIII. of Moses.
The seventh month ; Tishri, answering to a part of Sep-
2. TNSTm'CTIOXS.
toinber and October. On the first day of tliis month was 1. The reading and cxiiliiiiation of the Scriptures is one
kept the feast of trumpets. Lev. 23:23-25. of the most powerful means of reviving true religion and ;

3. The law; tlic law of Moses. when men desire to hear, ministers should ever be ready
8. Gave t/ie sense —
caused them to understand; this may to communicate to them a knowledge of the word and will
moan simply that they expounded to the people the mean- of God.
ing of what was read. But as it is certain that soon after 6. Proper attention to the word of God will lead a peo-
tlie captivity the old Hebrew ceased to be a living lan- ple to liless him for his goodness, and to worship him in
guage among tlie Jews, and the Aramsean or Clialdee took tho way of liis ajjpointment.
Its place, it is probable that for this reason all but the 9. Sorrow for sin, however great or long continued,
lietter educated among the Jews needed an interpretation should never prevent humble trust in God, or hinder any
of what was read. from using the bounties of Pro\'idence with cheerful grat-
JVr.sA<rf/Mi,- governor.
9. 77iepco;)/cK'cp(; invievtofthoir itude, ami imparting liberally to those who are destitute,
transgressions and tlie imnishnient which they deserved. that all may rejoice together.
14. In th£ feast of the scvenllt month; tho feast of taber- 13. Due attention to the word of God will lead men to
nacles. Lev. 23:34. have respect to all his commandments nor will attention ;

17. Made booths; in remembrance of their fathers' hav- to one set of duties prevent them from promptly engag-
ing dwelt in tents forty years in the wilderness. There ing in and faithfully performing others to which they arc
Ufa.'.- very great gladness; in view of their
being settled again called.
in Canaan, as there was in the days of Joshua, when they 17. Readiness to engage in all known duty, and fidelity
took possession of it. in the performance <if i(, fill the soul with gladness; and
50(1
The Lcvites' confession NEHEMIAII IX. at the solemn fast.

CHAPTER IX to give them light in the way wherein they sliould


1 A snlemn f;i3t, and repentance 4 The Levites make a
of the people. go."
13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai,
reli^nou3 confession of God's goodness, and tiieir wickedness.

NOW
month
twenty and fourth day of this and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest
iu the
tlie children of Israel were as.sembled them right judgments, and true laws,* good stat-
with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth upon utes and commandments:-^
them." 14 And madest known unto them thy holy sab-
2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves bath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes,
from all strangers,'^ and stood and confessed their and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. 15 And gavest them bread from heaven for their
3 And they stood up in their place, and read in hunger,'' and broughtest fortb water for them out
the book of the law of the Lord their God mie of the rock for their thirst," and promisedst them
fourth part of tlfe day " and another fourth part that they should go in to possess the land which
;

tliev confessed, and worshipped the Lord their thou hadst sworn^ to give them.
God. 10 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and
4 IT Then stood up upon the stairs,* of the Le- hardened their necks,*" and hearkened not to thy
vites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bun- commandments,
ni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Clienani, and cried with 17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful
a loud voice unto the Lord their God.'' of thy wonders that thou didst among them f but
5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, hardened their necks, and in their rebellion ap-
Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Sliebauiah, and pointed a captain to return to their bondage :'' but
Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the Lord your thou art a God ready to pardon," gracious and
God for ever and ever " and blessed be thy glo- merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and
:

rious name,' which is exalted above all blessing forsookest them not.
and praise.' 18 Yea, when they had made them a molten calf,'^
Thou, even thou, art Lord alone;'' thou hast and said, This is thy God that brought thee up
made heaven,' the heaven of heavens, with all out of Egypt, and had wrought great provoca-
their host, the earth, and all things that are there- tions ;

in,' the seas, and all that is therein, and thou pre- 19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest
servest them all;'' and the host of heaven wor- them not in the wilderness the pillar of the :'^

shippeth thee.' cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them
7 Thou art the Lord the God, who didst choose in the way neither the pillar of fire by night, to ;

Abram,"' and broughtest him forth out of Ur of show them light, and the way wherein they should
the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abra- go.
ham :" 20 Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct
8 And foundest his heart faithful before thee,° them,''' and withheldcst not thy manna from their
and madest a covenant with him to give the land mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and 21 Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in
the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girga- the •wilderness,'' so that they lacked nothing their ;

sliites," to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast per- clothes waxed not old, and tiieir feet swelled not.'
formed thy words ;i for thou art righteous: 22 Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and
9 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in nations, and didst divide them into corners: so
Egypt/ and heardest their cry by the Red sea;'* tliey possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of
10 And showed st signs and wonders upon Pha- the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of
raoh, and on all his servants, and on all the peo- Bashan.J
ple of his land for thou knewest that they dealt 23 Their children also multipliedst thou as the
:
'

proudly against them." So didst thou get thee a stars of lieaven, and broughtest them into the land,
name,^' as it is this day. concerning which tliou hadst promised to their
11 And thou didst divide the sea before them, fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
so that they went through the midst of the sea on 24 So the children went in and possessed the
the dryland;"' and their persecutors thou threw- land," and thou subduedst before them the inhab-
est into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty itants of the land,' the Canaanites, and gavest them
•waters. into their hands, with their kings, and the people
12 Moreover tliou leddest them in the day by a of the land, that they miglit do with tiiem as they
cloudy pillar and in the night by a pillar of fire, would.'
;

Sam. 4;|-J. • Heb. strange children, Psi. 144:11.


» 1 b Ezra 0:2; 10:11. ch. 14, 15. X Exod. 13:21. 22. 1 Ileb laws of truth. 7 E.xod. cii. 20. etc.
cch.8:7, 8. tOr, jOT/foM. Psa. 3:4. o Psa. LM:!, 2. f I Chr. 29:l:i. ' Exoil. 16:14, 15; John 0::il-.35. a Exod. 17:6; Nnm. 20:7-11. I Heb.
S Psa. lfi:2; 106:2. h Psa. 86:10; Isa. 37:16. i Ren. 1:1; Exod. 20:11. lift up Ihn hand; Nam. 14:.30. b Deut. 31:27; Psa. TS:S. etc. = Psa. b«:5,

j Deut. 10:14. k Psa. 3B:6. 1 Rev. 5:11-13. >" Gen. 12:1. n Geu. 17:5. lo. d Num. 14:4. I Heb. o/parrfonj. e Exod. 32:4. f 1 Sam. 12:22: Isa.

o Gen. 15:6. 18. P Psa. 105:S. q Josh. 2:3:11. r Exod. 3:7, 8. « Exod. 41:21. f Isa. 63:11. h Deut. 2:7. i Deut. 8:4. J Num. 21 :21, etc. k Num.
14:10. tExod.7-14. «Exod.l9:ll. » Isa. 6:1:12-14; Jer. 32:20. wExod. 14:31; Josh. 21:43. 45. iPsa. 44:2,3. fKeb. according lo their tciU.

through grace prepare it to rejoice for ever with j iv un- 13. Judgments; especially judicial decisions. Statutes;
speakable and fuU of glory. what he ordained.
17.Appointed a captain; resolved to do it. Num. 14:1—4.
CHAPTER IX. 20. Thy good Spirit to instruct them ; by tlie mouth of his
1. Tlds month Tishri, the seventh month servants. Ver. 30.
36 661
; ;

The IjtritcJ cunfestion. NEHEMIAIl X, Tilt cotciuinl scaled.

2'} Ami and a liit land,


tiloy (<'<>k Ptroiifr cilics,
anil possos.^eif of all goods, w<Ils' dig-
li(>ii.s<'s full

ged, vineyards, ami olive yards, and fruit-trees' in


abundance: si> tliey ditl eat, and were filled, and
bofamofat,' and delighted tlicm.-iclvcs in thy great
poodnes-.
2G XevtTtheless tlicy were disobedient, and re-
bclletl against thee,'' and cast thy law behind their
backs," and slew thy prophets which testified
against theni to turn them to tbee,'' and they
wrought great |)ro vocations.
27 Therefore thou deli vcrodst them into the hand
of their enemies,'' who vexed tiieni and in the time :

of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou


heardest t/icm from heaven and according to thy ;

manifold mercies thou gavest them saviors, who


saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
28 But after they had rest, they did evil again*
before tiiee: therefore Icftest thou them in the
hand of their enemies, so that they had the domin-
ion over them yet when tiicy returned, and cried
:

unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven and ;

many times didst thou deliver tlicin according to


thy mercies
29 And testifiedst against them, that thou might-
est bring them again unto thy law yet they dealt :

proudly, and hearkened not unto thy command-


ments, but sinned against tliy judgments, which
if a man do, he shall live in them and withdrew ;

the shoulder,* and hardened their neck, and would


not hear.
30 Yet many years didst thou forbear' them, and
testifiedst against them by tiiy Spirit in^ thy proph-
ets:' yet would they not give ear: therefore gav-
est thou them into the hand of the people of the
lands.
31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou
didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them
for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
32 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty,
and the terrible God, who kcepest covenant and

: ; ; " :

Nam-cs of the scalers. NEHEMIAH XI. Points nf the covenant.

B. c'ua. 33. For the show-bread,' and for the continual


7 Mesliullam, Abijah, Mijamin, meat-offering,'" and for the continual burnt-offer-
8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiali : these were the ing," of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the
priests. set feasts, and
and for the sin- for the holy things,
9 And the Levites both Jesliua tlie son of Aza- offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for
:

niah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmicl; all the work of the house of our God.
10 And tlieir brethren, Shebauiah, Hodijah, Ke- 34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the
lita, Pehxiah, Hanan, Levites, and the people, for the wood-oflering," to
11 Micha, Rcliob, ITashabiah, bring it into the house of our God, after the houses
12 Zacciir, Sherebiali, Sliebaniah, of our fathers, at times ai)poiutcd year by year,P
13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu. to burn upon the altar of the Lokd our God, as it
14 The chief of the people; Parosh," Pahath- is written in the law:''
nioab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani, 35 And to bring the first-fruits of our ground,
15 Bunui, Azgad, Bebai, and the first-fruits of all fruit of all trees, year
IG Adonijah, Bigvai, Adiu, by year, unto the house of the Lord :''

17 Atcr, Hizkijah, Azzur, 36 Also the first-born of our sons, and of our
18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai, cattle, as if is written in tlie law," and the firstlings
19 Hariph, Anatlioth, Nebai, of our herds aud of our flocks, to bring to the hou-^e
20 Magpiash. Mesliullam, Ilezir, of our God, unto the pi'icsts that minister in the
21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua, house of our God
22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 37 And that we should bring the first-fruits of
23 Hoshca, Hananiah, Hashub, our dough,' and our offerings, and the fruit of all
24 Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobck, manner of trees," of wine andofoil, unto the priests,
25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, to the chambers of the house of our God and the ;

26 And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan, tithes of our ground unto the Levites,^ that the
27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah. same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities
28 1 And the rest of the people, the priests,'' the of our tillage.
Levites, the porters, the singers, tlie Ncthinim, and 38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with
all they that had separated themselves'^ from the the Levites, when the Levites take tithes and the :

people of the lauds unto the law of God,* their Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto
wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one the house of our God, to the chambers into the
having knowledge, and having understanding f treasure-house."'
29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, 39 For the children of Israel and the children
and entered into a curse, and into an oath,' to of Levi shall bring the oflering of the corn, of the
walk in God's law,^ which was given by' Moses new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where
the servant of God, and to observe and do all the are the vessels of the sanctuary,^ and the priests
commandments of the Lord our Lord, and liis judg- that minister, and the porters, and the singers and :

ments and his statutes we will not forsake the house of our God.^
30 And that we would not give our daughters
unto the people of the land,** nor take their daugh-
ters for our sons
CHAPTER XI.
1 Tlie rulers, voluntary men, and the tenth man chosen by lot, dwell at
31 And people of the land bring ware or
//"the Jerusalem. 3 A catalogue of their names. 20 The residue dwell in
any victuals on the sabbath-day to sell,' that we other cities.

would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the A ND the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusa-
holy day: and that we would leave the seventh JrX- lem the rest of the people also cast lots,' to
:

year,J and the exaction of every debt.* bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy
32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
city,''

ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for 2 Aud the people blessed all the men, that will-
the service of the house of our God ingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.''
aEzra2:3. etc; ch.7:3, etc. bEzri2:36. « Ler. 20:31; Ezn lU:ll-li); 1 Lev.
ch. 9:2; 13:3. J Rom. 1:1. « ch. 8:2; Psa. 47:7. f Deut. 29: 1-2, 14; oh.
.1:1-2. 13; Psa. ll9:l(Hi. S 2 Chr. 34:31. * Heb. hy the liand of. h Exod.
31:16; Deut. 7:3; Ezra 9:12, 14. i Lev. 23:3; Deut. 5:12; ch. 13:15, etc.;
Isa. 5H:13, 14. J Lev. 2J:4. t Heb. hand, t Deut. 15:2; oh. 5:1-13.

29. Tliey clave to tlieir brethren consented by an oath to


,-

the same covenant into which their chief men had entered
to serve the Lord. See note to ver. 1.
37. Might have tlie tithes; rather, might give the tithes,
and so in verse 38 for the Levites gave to the priests a
;

tithe of the tithes which they received from the people.


See chap. 12:47.
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. All who know God should covenant to obey him,

and having solemnly recognizeil tlieir obligations to liim


should be careful to fulfil them. When tliis is done by
ministers of the gospel and leading men among a people,
multitudes will be ready to follow their example.
31. Abstinence from traffic and from all kinds of secular
:

The distribution NEHE.MIAII XL of the people.

3 If Now of the province tlint


those nrc tlio cliiof gin the thanksgiving in prayer:' and Bak- *ii"'m:
dwelt in Jeni^nlem: but in tlie cities of .ludah bukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda
dwelt every one in liis possession in tlieir cities, to the son of Shammua, the son of (jalal, the son of
trit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Jedutliun.
Netliiniin,* and the cliildri'n of .'Solomon's servants. IS All the Levites in the holy city were two liun-
4 And at Jcrusaleiii dwelt ctrlaiii of tiie eliiidren dr('(l foiirsciin; and four.'-'

of Jmlali. and of the children of Benjamin.'' Of 19 Moreover the jiortcrs, Akkub, Talmon, and
tln« children of .Fndali Athaiah the son of Uzziali,
; their brethren that kept the gates,*'' were a hun-
the son of Zechariah, the son of Aniuriah, the son dred seventy and two.
of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the chil- 20 1[ And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and
dren of I'erez ;* the Levites, tcere in all the cities of Judah, every
And Maasi'iah the son of Barueh, the son of
.") one in his inheritance.
Col-hozch, the son of Ilazaiah, the son of Adaiali, 21 But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel:" and Ziha
the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son and Gispa wire over the Nethinim.
of Shiloni. 22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusa-
6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem lem icas Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hasha-
xocre four hundred threescore andeightvaliantmen. biah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of
7 And these are the sons of Benjamin Sallu the ; the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the busi-
son of Mesliullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pc- ness of the house of God.
daiah. the son of Kolaiah, tlie son of Maaseiah, the 23 For it was the king's commandment concern-
son of Ithicl, the son of Jesaiah. ing them,^ that a certain portion^ should be for
8 And after him Uahbai, Sallai, nine hundred the singers, due for every day.
twenty and eight. 24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the
9 And Joel the son of Zichri u-as their overseer children of Zeiah" the son of Judah, nas at the
and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.''
city. 25 And for the villages, with their fields, some
10 Of the priests:'' Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, of the childi'en of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba,'
Jachin. and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in
11 Seraiah the son of Ililkiah, the son of Me- the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the
sliullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the villages thereof,
son of Aliitub, was the ruler of the house of C.od. 26 And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-
12 And tlieir lu-ethron tliat did tlie work of the phclet,
house iivrc eight hundred twenty and two: and 27 And at Ilazar-shual, and at Beer-slieba, and
Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, in the villages thereof,
the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the sou of 28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the
Pashur, the son of Malchiah, villages thereof,
i:} And iiis brethren, ciiicf of the fathers, two 29 And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jar-
hundred forty and two and Amashai the son of : muth,
Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshille- 30 Zanoah, Adullani, and in their villages, at
moth, the son of linmer, Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in
14 And their brethren, mighty men of valor, a the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-
hundred twenty and eight and "their overseer was : sheba,"' unto the valley of Hinnom."
Zabdiel, the son of one o/" the great men.* 31 The children also of Benjamin from^ Geba
15 Also of the Levites: Bhemaiah the son of Ha- du-elt at* Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-el, and in
shub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, their villages,
the son of Bunni; 32 ^ind at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiab,
16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of 33 Hazor, Raniah, Gitfaira,
the Levites, had the oversight of* the outward 34 Hadid, Zeboini, Neballat,
business of the house of God.'' 35 Lod, and (Jno, the valley of craftsmen."
17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha," the son of 36 And of the Levites were divisions in Judah,
Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to be- a7)d in Benjamin.

' Ezra 2:4:). M. b l Chr. 9:3, etc.


a sure ordinance. • Zara/i, Gen. 39:30. k 1 Chr. 18:17. IJcsh. 14:15.
t Or, Ha^gedolim. I Heb. m Gen. 26:33; Amos8:14. > Josh. 15:9; 2 Kings 23:10; Jer. 32:35. t Or,
\ "b '?^*,.,' '.9" "*' '^*-^\ Phil. i:li. s ver. L S Heb. at the gates. of. I Or, to. ul Chr. 4:14.
I-Psa. 84:X0. 0,,lhe lower,
\ i ch. 3:-a5. J Ezra 6:8, 9; 7: aj, etc. 1 Or,

tection of the citj-, therefore, with its temple and temple


INSTRUCTIONS.
services, it was necessary to require a certain portion of
1. It is a great blessing to dwell where spiritual privi-
the people to rcsiilc there, who, if left to themselves, leges are enjoyed; and many will commend those that
would have preferred some other place. It is probable choose such places for their residence, who will not imi-
that, alter taking the names of those who "
wilHngly offered tate theirexample.
themselves," ver. 2, they cast lots for the remainder of this 4. In selecting a place of residence, all should regard
tenth part.
primarily the will of God, and seek a place in which they
16. TIte outward business of the house of God; providing can most honor him, and secure the highest permanent
the sacrifices, and making all needful preparation for the benefit to themselves, their children, and their fellow-
worship which the priests performed in the temple. men.
24. Zerah—was at tlie king's hand; a commissioner
or 20. Wherever people are called to live, the worship of
agent to transact his business \vith the people.
God should be a part of their daily business and in seek-
;

564
; ; ; ; : ;;

Prii'sts and Lcvites. NEHEMIAH XII. Dedication of the leall.

g.?'„t^«6.
1
CHAPTER
The priests, S and the Levites, which came up with Zerubbabel. 10
XII.
The succession of high-priests. 22 Certain chief Levites. 27 The
solemnity of the dedication of the walls. 44 The offices of priests and
Levites appointed in the temple.

"XyO W these are the priests and the Levites that


J_>j went up with Zerubbabel the son of Sheal-
tiol," and Jeshua: Scraiah,'' Jeremiah, Ezra,
2 ximariah, Malluch,* Hattush,
3 8hechaniah,+ Rehum,* Meremoth,^
4 Iddo, Ginuetlio,' Abijah,"'
5 Miamiu," Maadiah,* Bilgah,
6 Sheinaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,
7 Sallu,* Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. Tliesc were
the chief of the priests and of their brethren in
the days of Jeshua.^
8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kad-
miel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattauiah,'^ which was
over tlie thanksgiving,' he and his brotliren.
9 Also Bakbukiah and LTnni, their brethren, were
over against thetn in the watches.
10 H And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also
begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,
11 And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan
begat Jaddua.
12 And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the
chief of the fathers of Seraiah, Meraiah of Jere-
: ;

miah, Hananiali
13 Of Ezra.Meshullam of Amariah, Jeliohanan; ;

l-l Of Melicu, Jonathan of Shebaniah, Joseph ;

15 Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Hclkai


IG Of Iddo,Zec]iariah; ofGiniiet]ion,Meslmllam;
17 Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah,
Piltai
18 Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Sliemaiali, Jehona-
than
19 And of Joiarib, Mattcnai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi
20 Of Sallai, Kallai of Amok, Ebcr :

21 Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah of Jedaiah, Nethaueel. ;

22 1 The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joia-


da, and Johanau, and Jaddua, were recorded chief
of the fathers also the priests, to the reign of
:

Darius the Persian.


23 The sons of Levi, tlie chief of the fathers,
were written in the book of the Chronicles,'' even
until the davs of Johanan the son of Eliasliib.
21 And tlie chief of the Levites Ilashabiali, :

Sherebiah, and Jeshua the sou of Kadinicl, with


their brethren over against them, to praise and
to give thanks, according to the commandment of
David the man of God,'' ward over against ward.''
25 Mattauiah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiali, Meshul-
» Kzra 2:1, 2. b ch. 1(1; 2-:*. * Or, Melku,
OJinrt III lh< templf. N Kill: Ml. Ml Xlll. Abuses reflijwd.

40 So Stood tlio two companies of tin in that franc was found written, the Aminonife and ^i", *?«:
tliat

tliaiiks in the lioupo of God, and 1, and llie iialf of the Moaliite should not come into the congrega-
tlif rnlors with \w. tion of God for ever:''
•II And the luicst^; Kliakiin,
Maasi'iali, Minia- 2 Hccaiisi' they met not tlu! children of Israel

inin, Mii'liaiaii. Kiioenai, Zccliariaii, aiul ilanauiali, witii bread and with water,' but hired Balaam

vith trunipi'ts; against them, that he .sliould curiae Iheni :' howbcit
42 And Mnaseiaii, and Slicinaiali, and Elcazar, our God turned the curse into a bles.sing.''
and Uz/i, and Jehohanan, ami Mak-hijali, and 3 Now it came to pass, wlicn thi'y had heard the
Elnm, and K/.or. And the singers sang loud,*" law, that tliey scparatcil from Israel all thenii.\ed
with Jezrahiali tfidr overseer. multitude.'
43 Also that d;iy they olViMcd great sacrifices, and 4 ^i And before this, Eliashib the priest, having
rejoiced; for God liad made them rejoice with the oversight of^ the cliamber of the house of onr
great joy: the wives also and the children re- allied unto Tobiah:
God, ims
joiced so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard
:
5 And ho had pre]iared for liim a great cliam-
even afar off.'' ber, where afoietime they laid the meat-oflering.s,
44 U And at that time were some appointed over the frankintieiise, and the vessels, and the tithes of
the chambers for the treasures," for the offerings, the corn, the new wine, and the oil,'" which was
for the iirst-fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into commanded to be given to the Levites,' and the
them out of the liclds of the cities the portions of singers, and the porters;" and (he oflerings of the
the law^ for the priests and Levites; for Judah priests.
rejoiced* for the priests and for the Levites that 6 But in all this time was not 1 at Jerusalem:
waited.' for in the two and tliii'tioth year of Artaxerxes
4o And
both the singers and the porters kept the king of IJubylon caino I unto the king," and after
ward of God, and the ward of the purifica-
their certain days" obtained 1 leave of the king:
tion, accordi ng to the commandment of David," and 7 And 1 came to Jernsalem, and understood of
of Solomon his son. the evil that Kliashil) did for Tobiah, in ])rej)ar-
46 For in tl>c days of David and Asaph of old ing him a chamber in the courts of the house of
there u-ere chief of the singers, and songs of praise God.
and thanksgiving unto God.' 8 And it grieved me sore therefore I cast forth
:

47 -Vnd ail Israel in the days of ZeruLbabel, and all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the cham-
in the days of Xelieniiah, gave tlic portions of the ber.
singers and the porters, every day liis portion :' and 9 Then
commanded, and they cleansed the
I
they sanctified' /loly things unto the Levites; and chambers and thither brought I again the vessels
:

the Levites sanctified them unto the children of of the house of God, with the meat-oflfering and
Aaron. the frankincense.
10 T And I perceived that the portions of the
CHAPTER XIII. Levites had not been given thim: for the Levites
1 Upon the reading of the law sppitration is made from the mixed mul- and the singers, that did the work, were fled every
titude. 4 Nehemiuh at his return causeth the chambers to be cleansed.
10 He
reformeth the offices in the house of God. 15 The violation ona to his field.
of the sabbath, 23 and the marriages with strange wives. 11 Then contended
I witli the rulers, and said.

o •
X
Hfb miuU
that day they read^ in the book of Moses
in the audience' of the people and therein
their voice lobe heard. » Psa. 81 : 1 ;
;'''

9^;4-<>. b Ezra 3:13.


Why

22:.5.
the house of God forsaken?

k
is And I gath-
ered them together, and set them in their place.''
Num. 1M:10; Deut. 23:5; Josh. 24:B, 10; Mic. 0:,'!. I ch. !l:2.
^ -h 13:1-2. 13. t That
oppoinled 6y («« /aw. > Hub. for Iht joy of Ju-
is. t Heb. being set over, m
a Chr. 31 11 ; ch. 12:44.
: 1 Heb. the rommandment
•lik. h Hub. stood, d 1e 2 Chr. '.'9:30. f Num. 1S:21, 20.
Clir. cli. -23, 20. iftheLevites.
uj t'lc i^,;i/(ico. n Num. lS:j;lj
- iiuiii. i^.i», 24.
iit. o till.
- 5:14.
ch. ,J. i Ueb. at the end of days.
Tliat i«. Ml apart. 1 Heb. there was read. '
Heb. tart, g Deut. 31 :11, U Or, / earrustly requested. 1 Heb. standing.
I-.': 2 KinjTi 23:2; ch. 8:3, 8. h Deut. 23:3, 4. Matt. 25:40. J .Num. i

Kept tlie ward of their God; discharged the duties


45. and be instrumental when he is in heaven of preparing
assigned to them in God's service. " Ward " is here used others for the same exceeding and eternal glory.
ill the sense of a charge committed to
one to keep. The
v:nrd of the purification; the charge committed to them in CHAPTER XIII.
respect to purification. Tliey were to see that nothing Tobiah; the Ammonite, mentioned in chap. 2:10 and
4.

unclean entered tlie sanctuary. elsewhere as an enemy to the Jews.


5. A great chamber ; in the courts of the temple, contrary
INSTRUCTIONS. to the command of God.
22. \X\im ministers of the gospel arc most faithful in 6. Was not I at Jerusalem ; Nehemiali had left Judc;i and
the discharge of their ajipropriate duties, they take the returned to Persia and the above-mentioned aliuscs are
;

best course, not only to honor God and advance the inter- supposed to have taken place during his absence. Came
ests of true religion, but also to secure a comfortable sup- I unto tite king; the king of Persia, who reigned also over
port for themselves and their families. Babylon, and is here called the king of I3Mii3'lon. Nche-
30. To be made instrumental in purifying others, minis- miah'g return was twelve years after he first left Persia
ters of the gospel must seek purification themselves, and and went to Jerusalem. Obtained I leave of the king ; leave
endeavor in all things to set before the people a safe and to go back again to Jernsalem. How long he now contin-
u.scful example. ued in Persia is not known, but from the account which
40. Thanks should be rendered to God at the conclusion he gives of the evil practices that had arisen during his
of every great and goo'l work and all the glory of success ; absence, verses 4, 5, 10, 15, etc., it is probable that his
by all classes should be given to him. absence was prolonged through several years.
45. The influence of good men is felt long after they are 10. Were fed; because they ilid not receive their sup-
dead and each one should be careful to set an example
; port. It is probable also that they were wanting in zeal
which will be useful as long as it shall be remembered, for God's service. Compare Mai. 1:10.
566
:

Sabbath viola t ion NEHEMIAII XIII. and xlranse wives.

A.M.3570. 12 Then brought all Judali the tithe of


'
«4. the corn and the new wine and the oil unto
the treasuries."
13 And 1 made treasurers over the treasuries,"
Slielomiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and
of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them* loas
Hauan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah
for they were counted faithful,'' and their ofBce
ivas^ to distribute unto their brethren.
14 Remember me, my God, concerning this,''
and wipe not out my good deeds* tliat 1 have done
for the house of my God, and for the offices'
thereof.
15 iriu those days saw I in Judah some tread-
ing wine-presses on the sabbath,'' and Itringing in
sheaves, and lading asses as also wine, grapes, and
;

figs, and all ma^frtpro/" burdens, which they brought


into Jerusalem on the sabbath-day f and I testified
against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which
brought iish, and all manner of ware, and sold on
the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Je-
rusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah,''
and said unto them. What evil thing is this that
ye do, and profane the sabbath-day?
IS Did not your fathers thus,' and did not our
God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city?
yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning
tiie sabbath.
19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of
Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath,''
I commanded that the gates should be shut, and
charged that they should not be opened till after
the sabbath and some of my servants set I at the
:

gates, that there should no burden bo brought in


on the sabbath-day.
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of
ware lodged vvithout Jerusalem once or twice.
'21 Then I testified against theui, and said unto

them. Why lodge ye about' the wall? if ye do so


: ;
;

THE

BOOK OF ESTHER
This book rclutcs the wonderful manner in wliich the plot of Ilaman the Agagitc, to destroy the Jews
tlinnij^houl the whole empire of Persia, was not only overthrown, but turned to their enlargement and hoixir.
Till- author, whose name is unknown, manifestly designs to represent this deliverance as eflccted by the prov-
idiMK-e of God in answer to the prayers of the Jews, though he refrains throughout from mentioning the
name of Jehovah, preferring, as it would seem, to let the facts narrated speak for themselves. For the
]ieri.Hl in Persian liistory to wliich this narrative belongs, see the introductory reniarkK to the book of Ezra.

CHAPTER I. women
in the royal house which belonged b.'?' «S
king Ahasuerus. '"
to
1 Ahiuuerus maketh royal feasts. 10 Vashti, sent for, refusetli to come.
13 Ahuuerus, by the counsel of Memucan, maketh the decree of men's 1 On the seventh day, when the heart of the
10
wvvr.ii;'")-- king was merry with wine,''' he commanded JIcliu-
AT OW it came
to pass in the days of Aliasuerus," nian, Biztha, Ilarboua," Bigtha, and Abagtha. Ze-
_L>| Ahasuerus which reigned from India
(this is thar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains^ that
even unto Etliiopia, over a hundred and seven and served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
twenty provinces,'') 11 To bring Vashti the (juecn before the king
2 That in tho.se days, when the king Aliasuerus with the crown royal, to show the people and
sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look
Shuslian the palace,'' on.'
3 In tlic third year of his reign, he made a feast 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the
unto all his princes and his servants;'' the power king's commandment by his chamberlains:* there-
of Persia and Media, the nobles and jirinces of the fore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned
provinces, being before him: in him.
4 Wlien he showed the riches of his glorious 13 Then the king said to the wise men,' which
"I

kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty knew the times,^ (for so was the king's manner
many days, even a hundred and fourscore days. toward all that knew law and judgment:
5 -Vnd when these days were expired, the king 14 And the next unto him was Carshcna, She-
made a feast unto all the people tiiat were pres- thar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and
ent' in Shushan the palace, both unto great and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media,"
small, seven days, in the court of the garden of which saw the king's face,' and which sat the first
the king's palace in the kingdom,)
6 Where were white, green, and blue* hangings, 15 What shall we do* unto the queen Vashti
fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to sil- according to law, because she hath not performed
ver rings and i)illars of marble: the beds were of the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the
gold and silver,'' upon a |)avement of red, and chamberlains?
blue, and white, and black marble.* IG And Memucan answered before the king and
7 And they gave t/mn drink in vessels of gold, the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong
(the vessels being diverse one from another,) and to the king only, but also to all the princes, and
royal wine'' in abundance, according to the state' to all the people that are in all the provinces of
of the king. the king Ahasuerus.
8 And the drinking was according to the law 17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad
none did compel :" for so the king had appointed unto all women, so that they shall despise their
to all the officers of his house, that they should do husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported,
according to every man's pleasure. The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen
9 Also Yashti the queen made a feast for the to be brought in before him, but she came not.
• Ezn4:6; Dan. 9;1. «> ch. fe:9; Dan. 6: 1. cNchlrl. •< r,en. W-.-iU; l:J:-2^; Eccl. 10:10. Iich.7:9. tOt.eunurlls. • nA. good of c
ch. 2;18; Mlrk0:->1. •Heb./ouiirf. t Or, r/Wel, ch, 8: 15. c Ezek. 2.-3:41 1 S,im. 25:3. t Heb. which was by the hand of his eunuchs, i Jer. 10:7.
Amos 6:4. 1 Or, 0/ porphyry, and marble, ami alabasln, and stmt of Hue JlChr. 12:32. k Ezra 7:14. I 2 Kings 25:19. I Heb. HAa< (o rfo.
color. \nt\,.u>mtof Ik', kingdom. I Heb. Aan/i. fHai>. 2:13. I! 2 Sam.

to gratify the caprice and vanity of the king and this the
CHAPTER I. king himself would have seen, had not his mind been
;

A)uisuerus; see introduction to the book of Ezra.


1. clouded liy the influence of wine.
8. Noite did compel; none were compelled to drink, but 13. Wliich knew the times; were acquainted with the his-
each one drank, or refrained, as lie pleased. tory and customs of the kingdom.
12. Vashti refttsed to come; it was felt by her to be an 16. Done virong
o to

- all tlte people; by sotting, as they
indignitj' to be siunmoned thus into the presence of men, alleged, a bad example
'

568
: ; ;

Vashti is deposed. ESTHER II. Esther in the kins's house.

B o'aS'
^^ Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem
'
519. Media say this day uuto all the king's prin- with the captivity which had lieen carried away
ces, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus witli Jcconiah* king of Judaii,' whom Nebuchad-
shall there arise too much contempt and wi'ath. nezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
19 If it please* 7 And he brought up* lladassah, that is, Esther,
tlie king-, let tliere go a royal com-
mandment from and let it bo written among his uncle's daughter for she had neither father
him.* :

the laws of the Persians and the Modes, that it be nor mother, and tlie maid was fair and beautiful ;'

not altered,* That Vashti come no more Ijcforc whom Mordecai, when her fatlier and mother were
king Ahasuerus and let the king give hor royal dead, took for his own daughter.
;

estate unto another* that is better than she. 8 1[ So it came to pass, when the king's com-
20 And when the king's decree, which he shall mandment and his decree was heard, and when
make, shall be published throughout all his em- many maidens were gathered together unto Shu-
pire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to shan the palace, to the custody of Hegai,''' that
their husbands lionor," lioth to groat and small. Estiicr was brought also uuto the king's house, to
21 And the saying pleased' the king and tlie the custody of Hcgai, keeper of tiie women.
princes and the king did according to the word
; y And tlie maiden pleased him, and she obtain-
of Momucan ed kindness of him;'' and he speedily gave her
22 For he sent letters into all the king's prov- her things for purification,' with such things'' as
inces,'' into every province according to the writ- belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were
ing thereof, and to every people after their lan- meet to be given her, out of the king's house and :

guage, that every man should bear rule iu his own he preferred* her and her maids unto the best place
house,'' and that it sliould be published according of the house of the women.
to the language of every people.'' 10 Esther had not showed her people nor her
kindred for Mordecai had charged her that she :

CHAPTER II. should not show itJ


11 Aud Mordecai walked every day before the
1 Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to be chosen. 5 Mordecai the
nursing father of Esther. 8 Esther is prelerred by Hegal before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther
rest. 12 The manner of purification, and going in to the Icing. 1.3
Esther best pleasing the king, is made queen. 21 Mordecai d did,* and what should become of her.
is recorded
I
m
the chronicles. 12 T Now when every maid's turn was come to
AFTER these things, when the wrath of king go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been
Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered twelve months, according to tlie manner of the
Vashti, and what she had done, and what was women, (for so were the days of their purifications
decreed against her.'^ accomplished, fot«'<, six months with oil of myrrh,"
2 Then said the king's servants that ministered and six montiis with sweet odors, and with other
unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought things for the purifying of the women,)
for the king: 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king;
3 And let the king appoint officers in all theprov- whatsoever she desired was given her to go with
inccs of his kingdom, that they may gather together her outof the house of the women unto the king's
all the fair young virgins unto Shushau the palace, house.
to the house of the women, unto the custody* of He- l-l In the evening she went, and on the morrow

ge* the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women she returned into the second house of the women,
and let tlieir things for purification be given them: to the custod}- of Shaashgaz, the king's chamber-
4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be lain, which kept tlie concubines she came in unto
:

queen instead of Vashti." And the thing pleased the king no more, except the king delighted in her,'
the king and he did so.
; and that she were called by name.""
5 1 JYow in Shushan the palace there was a cer- 15 IT Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter
tain Jew whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken
the sou of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the
• Heb be good with. 1 Heh. from before him. I Keh. pass jwt away ; ch, 2Kings24:C. f 2 Kings
8:8; Dan. 6:8-15. i Heb. her companion, a Kph. 5:.'i3: Col. 3:18. I Heb.
teas goodin the eyes of. bch. 8:9. = Eph. .'):i!-J-a4; 1 Tim. 2:12. 1 Heb.
one should publish it according to the language of his people, d ch. 1:19, 20.
'Heh.hand. t Or, Hegai, vm. 8. e Mm.
30:1(); 2-3:ll. t Or, Jehoiachin,

That it be not altered; it was then the established


19.
usage, that laws of the Medes and Persians, once passed,
could not be altered. No law of divorce such as this has
any divine sanction.
INSTRUCTIONS.
4. Great power, wealth, and influence, tend to increase
the pride of the human heart, and to lead men for the dis-
play of their own glory to scenes of festive and sensual
indulgence, which expose them to vexation and sorrow in
this world, and to endless woe in the world to come.
10. Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is raging. When
under its influence, reason is dethroned, and men often adopt
measures disgraceful to themselves and ruinous to other,'!.
15. Those who are clothed with authority sliould be
careful not to give commands which cannot consistently
;

littler it crovnrd ijuith. ESTH |[ III. Ifavuin ili.^piseil by Mordecai.

kiuL', slio loquiri'd notliinir Init what Ilocrai the CHAPTER III. ...e*..2„.ru.

kiiiL's cliainbcrlain, tho k<'oper oCtlic women, i\\y-


1 llnrnMi, lulvancfd by tho kinc, nntl aiiipi«ta by Mortl.cai, Bcolitili re.
jHiiiitcHl. Anil Kstlier olilained favor in the sight v.iiiji; iipun nil the Jiwii.
* He cnnlith lot». 8 He obtniiicth by
rniuiliniuUnn & ilccrrc ol the king to put the Jt'Wl^lo llratll.
of all them (hat luokeil upon lier."
li". So EsthiT was taken unto kinfi^Ahasncnis into AFTER
mote
these things did king Ahasuerus pro-
the son of Haminedatlia the
his house roval in the tentli 7niinth, wliieh is the Ilaman
month Telielh, in the sevcntii year of his reign. Agagite," and advanced liim, and set his scatabovc
17 And tiie king loved Eslher aliove all the all tlie princes that were with him.
women, nntl she obtiiined grace and favor' in his 2 Ami all the king's servants, that were in the
sifflil* more than all tlie virgins; so that he set king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Hainan:'' for
tlie royal erown uiion her head, and made her the king had so comniamleil concerning him. But
i|iiei'n instead of Vashti. Monlecai bowed not, nor did /mn reverence.'
IS Then the king made a great feast uuto all 3 Then the king's servants, whicii were in the
his [irinecs and his servants,'' (ven Esther's feast; king's gate, said nnto Morde(^ai, Why transgress-
and he made a release* to the provinces, and gave est thou the king's commandment?^
gifts,*" according to tho state of the king. 4 Now it came lo pass, when they spake daily unto
lit And when the virgins were gathered together him, and lie hearkened not unto them, that they told
the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's Ilaman, to see uhctlicr Jlonlccai's matters would
gate." stand for he hail told them that he was a Jew.
:

20 Esther had not yd sliowed her kindred nor 5 And wlicn ilaman saw that Mordecai bowed
her people, as Mordecai had charged her: for not, nor did him reverence," then was Haman full
Esther did the conniiandinent of Mordecai," like of wrath.'
as when she was brought uji with him. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Morde-
'21 " Inthoscdays,wliil(']\lord('caisatin the king's cai alone; for they had showed him the peojile of
gate, twi) of the king's ciiainlicrlains, Bigtlian* and Monlecai: wherefore Hainan sought to destroy
Teresh, of tiiose which kept the door,' were wroth, all the Jews that were tiiroughout the whole king-
and souglit to lay liand on the king Ahasucrus. dom of Ahasucrus, even the people of Mordecai.'"
"I'l And the thing was known to Mordecai, who 7 1 In the first mouth, that is, the month Nisan,
told it niito Esther the queen ;'^
and Estlier certi- in the twelfth year of king Ahasucrus, they cast
fied the king thereof \n Mordecai's name. Pur," that if, the lot, before Haman from day to
-'.] And when inquisition was made of the mat- day, and from month to month, to the twelfth 7ftOTi//j,
ter, it was found out; therefore they were both that is, the month Adar.
hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book 8 T And Haman said uuto king Ahasuerus, There
of the chronicles before the king. is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed

• S"ns«:9; ,S:10; Acts 7.10. * Or, kmJnesx. t Ueh. before him. b ch.
1:3. I llcb. rM(. eNoh.«:l'2. dch.3:a. ' Kf\\. O:\~1. i Or, Biglliana,
'

cb. fl:3. I Hcb. threshold. I ch. 0:1, 2. t Num. i4;7j 1 Sim. lo:S, :«.

l(i. Ill tlie seventli year ofliis reign; about four years after complishment of his own most wise and righteous coun-
the divorce of Vashti, cliap. 1 3. : sels. Thus the divorce of Vashti prepared the way for
18. A release; a remission of tribute. the elevation of Esther to the royal dignity, with all its
19. Were gathered together the second time; tho meaning important consequences to the Jewish people.
of Ihese words is not certain; they may refer to a second 17. When God sees best, he can give his people favor
gatliering of fair virgins from whom concubines for the king even v/ith those who rebel against him and all the influ-
;

wore to be selected, after that first gathering for tlic clioice ence he gives to any should be employed to promote his
of a queen. Sat in the king's gate ; tliose words imjjly that glory and the good of men.
he liad received an office in tlie lcing'.s jialace, and sat in his 21. While the wicked are devising wicked devices and
gate, according to the custom at tlio Persian court, ready seeking the ruin of others, God may be preparing to over-
to discharge whatever duties might l)e required of liini. rule it for their own destruction, and for the salvation of
21. .%'tg/ir(o/(((//(«nrfo»iMcAmg-; conspired against his hfe. his people.
23. The book of the chronicles ; the register of the affairs
of the kingdom, kept in the royal palace. Chap. 6:1. CHAPTER III.
INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Haman; supposed to have been an Amalekite, and a
descendant of one of their ancient kings. Esod. 17 : 14
1. What is done
in a passion is often a source of deep re- Deut. 25:17-19.
gret ;
and if men do not change
their conduct, but continue 2. Bowed not ; it was not contrary to the laws and usages
in sin andchoosing rather to do this than to aclcnow-
folly, of the .Tews that they should render to riders the custom-
ledgc their error, they must in the end be miseral)Ie,eat the ary marks of honor, even to prostration on the earth,
fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. where these would not be misunderstood. But Mordecai
1. Sin in prospect appears to those who love
it very seems to have felt that he could not, in the present cir-
different from wliat it does after it has been committed. cumstances, render homage to this vile favorite of the
It promises good; but at last, bites like a serpent and
king, without degrading his character and his religion
stings like an adder. before the eyes of the heathen.
7. Kindness to orphans is well-pleasing to God,
and he 4. He had told them that he was a Jew; he seems to have
often follows it with s])eeial manifestations of his favor. excused himself from bowing before Haman on the ground
10. Ability and disposition to keep
secret what should of his religion as a Jew.
nut be published, is a valuable trait of character,
bIk.mM be cultivated by all who are intrusted with great
and 7. Caxt Pur —
the lot; to determine the time when the
Jews sluuild be destroyed. This was done in accordance
and important concerns. with the heathenish idea that one day is more lucky than
10. God is able to overrule those actions of men that
another fcjr the accomplishment of an undertaking.
are in themselves neither wise nor rigliteous, for the
ac- 8. To suffer them ; suffer them to live.
570
^ ;

Hamnn plotteth to slriy ESTHER IV MorrJecni and all the. Jews.

^•i^ong tlie people in all theprovincesof thy sackcloth with ashes,'' and went out into tlie midst
B r'a'»ut
510. kingdom and their lawstrrediversefromall of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry ;"
;

people;" neither keep tliey the king's laws: there- 2 And came even before the king's gate; for
fore it is not for the king's profit" to suffer them. none might enter into tlie king's gate clothed with
9 If it please the king, let it be written that they sackcloth.
may be destroyed :* and I will pay* ten tliousand 3 And in every province, whithersoever the
talents of silver to the hands of those that have the king's commandment and his decree came, there
charge of the business, to bring it into the king's was great mourning among the Jews,' and fasting,
treasuries. and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sack-
10 And the king took liis ring from his hand," and clotli and ashes.^
gave it unto Hanian the son of Hammedatha tiie 4 ^ So Esther's maids and her chamberlains*
Agagite, the Jews' enemy. came and told 'it her. Then was the queen ex-
11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is ceedingly grieved and she sent raiment to clothe;

given to tiiee, the people also, to do with them as Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from
it seemeth good to thee. him but he received it not.J
:

12 Then were the king's scribes' called on the 5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the
tliirteenth day of the first month," and there was king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed * to
written according toall that Haman had command- attend upoai her, and gave him a commandment to
ed unto tlie king's lieutenants, and to the govern- Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
ors that were over every province, and to the rulers 6 So Hatacli went forth to Mordecai unto the
of every people of every province according to tlie street of the city, wliich wo? before the king's gate.
writing thereof, and to every people after their lan- 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had hap-
guage in the name of king Ahasuerus was it writ- pened unto him, and of the sum of tlie money that
;

ten, and sealed with the king's ring.'' Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasu-
13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the ries for the Jews, to destroy them.''
king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of
to perisli, all Jews, both young and old, little chil- the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy
dren and women, in one day, even upon the thir- them,' to show it unto Esther, and to declare it
teenth day of the twelfth month, which is tlic month unto her, and to charge her that she should go in
Adar, and to take tlie spoil of them for a prey. unto the king, to make supplication unto him,"' and
14 The copyof tlie writing for a commandment to to make request before him for her people.
be given in every province was published unto all 9 And Ilatach came and told Esther the words
people, that they should be ready against that day. of Mordecai.
15 The posts went out, being hastened by the 10 \\ Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave
king's commandment, and the decree was given in him commandment unto Mordecai
Siiuslian the palace. And the king and Haman sat 11 All the king's sci-vants, and the people of the
down to drink but the city Shushan was perplexed.'' king's provinces, do know, thatwhosoever, whetiier
;

man or woman, shall come unto the king into the


CHAPTER IV. inner court," who is not called, there is one law of
1 The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews. 4 Esther, under- his to put him to death," except such to whom the
standing ic, sendeth to Mordecai, who showeth the cause, and adviseth
her to undertake the suit. 10 She excusing herself is threatened by
king shall liold out the golden sceptre,'' that he
Mordecai. 1.5 She appointing a fast, undertaketh the suit. may live but I have not been called to come in
:

WHEN Mordecai perceived all that was done, unto the king these thirty days.
Mordecai rent his clothes,' and put on 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
a Ezra 4; 13; Acts 16:2Q. • Heb. mett, f Heb. todestroy tlitm. r,
or equal,
1 Heb. weigli. I> Gen 41:42; ch. 6:3, 8. 5 Or, oppressor, ch. 7:6. I Or,
sirretaries. » oh. 1^:11, etc. d 1 Kings 21:8. « Prov. 29:2. f2Sara.I:ll;
Jobl:2U. 6 Josh. 7:6; Ezek. 27::J0; Jon. 3:6. 1> Gen. 27:34. i Isa 22.4,

9. Tke charge of the business ; not the business of destroy-


ing the Jews, but the pecuniary matters of the king. Ilaman
offers to pay to the managers of the king's treasury this sum,
if the king will grant the decree intending, no doubt, to
;

collect it out of the spoils of the Jews. Compare chap. 4:7.


10. Took hi.s ring —
and gave it unto Haman ; his signet-ring.
Thus he gave liim authority to accomplish his wishes.
11. The silver is given to thee; by these words the king
releases Haman from the condition proposed by him, ver. 9.
1.5. Sliuslian was perplexed ; on account of the decree to

destroy the Jews.


INSTRUCTIONS.
1. Despots not unfrequentlj' advance to places of honor
an 1 power the most wicked
of their subjects.
?: When
rulers require their subjects to disobey God,
it is the duty of subjects to disobey them and though ;

this may expose them to the wrath of men, it will meet


the approbation of God.
G. A
man may be so wicked as to regard his own glory
more than he does the lives of his fellow-men.
Mordftai cJuirgttk Esther. ESTIIKi: V S/if gm'th before the king.

Tlion MDnltvuiiiirnmanilod to nnsworEstlier,


\.\

Think not willi tliy.-i'll' tlial tlum slialt escape in


the kinir's house, iiion' than all the .lews."
14 For if tlioii altoL'olher iioldest thy ]>caco at
this time,'' thin shall tiiere cnhirjreiuenf anil dcliv-
cranco arise to the Jews from another jilacc; but
thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed:
and who knoweth whether thou art come to the
kini^doiii for such a time as this?
1.") • Then Esther bade Hum return Mordccai
this answer,
1(( Go, gather together all the Jews that are pres-

ent' in Shushan, and fast ye for rae," and neither


eat nor drink three days, nigiit or day: I also
anil my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I
go in unto the king, which is not according to the
law and if 1 perish, 1 perish.''
:

So Mordecai went' his way, and did accord-


17
ing to all tiiat Esther had commanded him.

CHAPTER V.
1 Esther, adventuring on the king^s favor, obtaineth the prace of the
coMen sceptre, and inviteth the king and Hainan io a banquet. 6
She, being encouraged by the kin^ in her suit, inviteth them to an-
other banquet the next d.%y. 9 Hanian, proud of his advancement,
repincth at the contempt of Mordecai. 14 By the counsel of Zeresh
he buildeth for him a pair of gallows.

"\yOW it came to pass on the third day," tliat

jL > Esther put on hvr royal apparel, and stood in


the inner court of tiie king's house,' over against
the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal
throne in the royal house, over against the gate
of the house.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the
queen standing in tlic court, fhat she obtained favor
in his sight:- and the king hehl out to Esther the
golden sceptre that icas in his hand.'' So Estlier
drew near and touched the top of the sceptre.
3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou.
queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall
be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.'
4 And Esther answered, Hit seem good unto the
king, let the king and Haman come this day un-
• Pror. il:ll, 12.
: ;

Mordecai is honored. ESTHER VII. The quten's banquet.

I MO. CHAPTER VI. that they may array the man withal whom the king
delighteth to lionor, and bring him* on horseback
1 Ahasuerus, reading in the chronicles of the good service done by Mor-
d<.'cai, talceth care for his reward. 4 Haman, coming to sue that through the street of the city, and jtroclaim before
Mordecai miglit be hanged, unawares giveth counsel that he might him. Thus shall it be done to the man whom the
do hini honor. 12 Complaining of his misfortune, his friends tell him
of his final destiny. king delightetli to honor.''
10 Then the king said to Hainan, Make haste,
ON that night could not the Icing sleep,* and he
commanded to bring the book of records of and take tlie apparel and the horse, as tliou hast
said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that
the chronicles;" and they were read before the
sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail' of all
king.
that thou hast spoken.
2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had
11 Then look Haman the apparel and tlie horse,
told of Bigthana* and Teresh, two of the king's
chamberlains, the keepers of the door,* who sought and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horse-
to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. back through the street of tlie city, and proclaim-
3 And the king said, What honor and dignity ed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man
hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said whom the king delighteth to lionor.
the king's servants that ministered unto him, There 12 IT And Mordecai came again to tlieking's gate.
is nothing done for him."
But Haman hasted to his house mourning," and
"^

4 1 And the king said, Who is in the court ? Now having his head covered.
Hainan was come into the outward court of the 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his
king's liouse, to speak unto the king to hang Mor- friends every thing that had befallen him. Then
decai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him,
5 And the king's servants said unto him, Be- If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before

hold, Hainan standeth in the court. And the king- whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not pre-
said, Let him come in.
vail against him,'-' but shalt surely fall before him."
C So Haman came in. And the king said unto 14 And while they tt'f/c yet talking with liim, came
him, What shall be done unto the man whom the the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Ha-
king delighteth to honor?^ Now Haman thought man unto the banq^uet that Esther had j^repared.'
in his heart. To whom would the king delight to
do honor more tlian to mj'self 'F"^ CHAPTER VII.
And Haman answered
7 the king. For the man 1 Esther, entertaining the king and Haman, malteth suit for lier own
life and her people's. 5 She accuseth Haman. 7 The king in his
whom the king delighteth to honor,' anger understanding of the gallows which Haman had made for Mor-
8 Let the royal apparel be brought^ which the decai, causeth him to be hanged thereon.

king uset/i to wear," and the horse that the king O


the king and Haman came to banquet^ with
ridcth upon, and the crown royal which is set Esther tlie queen.
And
O
the king said again unto Esther on the
uiiDii Ills head 2
9 And let this a])parel and horse be delivered to second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy
tlie liaud of one of the king's most noble princes, petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted
• Ilib. the king's sleep fiul aimij. » oh. 3:2.3. t Or, Biglimn, ch. i-.il. ride, d Gen. 41:43; 1 Kings 1:33, 34. I Heb. suffer not a whitto

1 Hob. tlireskoU. b Heel. 9: ]5. S Heb. in whose honor the king delighteth? fall, e a Chr, 2G:20. ( 2 Sam. 15:30; Jer. 14:3, 4. S Job 15:24. h PrOT.
i:
Prov. IS: l->. 1 Heb. in pilose lionor the king delighteth. H Heb. then bring 23:18; Hos. 14:9. ich.5:S. i Heb. drini.
the royal apparel. ' Heb. wherewith the king clotheth himself, t Heb. cause

keep them of one mind as long as the good of bis people denness with which the king transferred his affections
requires. Cliap. 7:2. from one favorite to another, they surely gathered the
Though delays are often dangerous, yet sometimes they approaching
8. fall of Ilaman.
are essential to success and wisdom from above is needful
;
INSTRUCTIONS.
in order to judge rightly as to the time as well as the manner
of attempting to execute difficult and important designs. Sleep is a blessing which comes from God and when
1. ;

11. No favors of mere creatures can satisfy the wants permitted quietly and safely to enjoy it, we should recog-
of the soul, or keep it from being wretched while seeking nize his goodness and render him thanks for his mercy
supremely its own glor3', regardless of the glory of God and if kept awake during the night, we should so occujiy
and the good of mankind. our minds as to honor God, and advance our growth in
11. The measiu'es which men take for the destruction grace and our highest usefulness.
of others often prove the means of their own and while ; 3. Ingratitude is acomnKm sin, and we may perform for
they glory in anticipated victory, they sink into irretriev- others the most important services and yet receive from
able ruin. them no reward. But actions performed for God will
never be forgotten even the giving of a cup of cold water
CHAPTER VI.
;

for his sake to one of his discijiles will be acknowledged


That night could not the king sleep; God so ordered it,
1. and graciously rewarded before the assembled world.
to make him acquainted with what Mordecai had done. 4. The design of God in leading a man from one place
Tlie rJiroiiicles; the records of the kingdom. to another, may be very different from his own in going.
12. Having his head covered; a token of mortification, While his heart deviseth its way, the Lord directeth hia
chagrin, and disappointment. steps and though there be many devices in a man's
13. Be of the seed of the Jews —
shalt surely fall before him ;
;

heart, the counsel of the Lord that shall stand.


the more sagacious among the heathen had some general 6. When a man delights to honor himself supremely, he
knowledge of the wonderful dealings of Jehovah, " the thinks that others should do the same and if they do not,
;

God of heaven," towards his covenant people and the}' ; he often ready to overwhelm them in ruin.
is
had noticed the efficacy of his favor towards those who God in his providence taketh the wise in their own
13.
were his faithful worshippers perhaps, also, they were : craftiness, the counsel of the froward he carrieth head-
acquainted with the history of Daniel and his companions. long ; and he may so evidently work against a man, that
From all this, as well as from their knowledge of the sud- even worldly sagacity may foresee his downfall and ruin.
573
;: : : :

Uiimiin IS himgtii. ESTIlKi: VIII, Faror granted to the Jews,

tlu'c: and wluit is tliy rpquosf? niid it sliall bo anil ftdl down at Ins leet, and besought a. m.sim.

iMTriiniu'ii. rren to the liuir<>f tlic kiiijjrdom. liim with tears to jiut away
mischief »io tlic

:i 'riu'ii Kstlior tlic (|Uorn answcrt'd and said, Tf of Hainan the Apagite, and his device that lie
1 iiavo fomid fiivor in tiiy sijriit. O kinjr, and if it had devLsed against the Jews.
jilease tlie kin^', let niv lilV lie {riven nie at my 4 'J'lien the king held out the golden sceptre
IM'titinn, anil my |ici)|il(' at my rci|uest: toward Esther.'' So Esther arose, and stood be-
1 For we are sold. 1 and my jieoplc, to be de- fore tiie king,
stroyed, to jje slain, and to perish.*" liut if we had 5 And said. If it please the king, and if I have
been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had iield found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right
mv loiiiriie, altiioujih the enemy could not counter- before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let
vail the king's damage. it be written to reverse the letters* devised by

b • Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said Hamaii tlie son of Ilamiiiedatha the Agagite, which
unto Esther the (lueon, Who is he, and where is he wrote' to destroy the Jews which are iu all the
he, that durst presume in his heart' to do so? king's provinces
(> And Esther said. The adversary' and enemy 6 For how can I endure to see* the evil that
is this wicked Haman. Tiien Human was afraid shall come unto my people?' or how can I endure
before' the king and the queen." to see the destruction of my kindred?
7 ' And the king arising from the banijuet of 7 Ti Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther
wine in his wrath went into the palace garden the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I
and llanuin stood up to make request for his life have given Esther the house of Haman,'" and him
to Esther the queen for ho saw that there was they have hanged ujion the gallows, because he
;

evil determined against him by the king. laid his hand upon the Jews.
8 Then the king returned out of the palace gar- 8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it likcth you, iu
den into the place of the banquet of wine; and the king's name, and seal it w'ith the king's ring
Human was fallen u])Ou the bed whereon Esther for the writing which is written in the king's name,
i/v/.v. Tiien said the king. Will ho force the queen andsealed with the king's ring, may no manreverse."
also before' me in the house? As the word went out 9 Then were the king's scribes called at that
of the king's raoutli, they covered Hamau's face.*^ time in the third month," that is, the month Sivan,
y And Uarbonah,'' one of the chamberlains, said on the three and twentibtli day thereof; and it
before the king. Beiiold also the gallows^ fifty was written according to all that Mordecai com-
cubits high," which Haman had made for Mordc- manded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and
cai, who had spoken good for the kiug, standcth in the deputies and rulers of the provinces whicii arc
the house of Haman. Then the king said. Hang from India unto Ethiopia,'' a hundred twenty and
him thereon. seven provinces, unto every province according to
10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that the writing thereof, and unto every people after
he had prepared for Mordecai.' Then was the their language, and to the Jews according to their
king's wrath pacified. writing, and according to their language.
10 iVnd he wrote in the kiug Ahasuerus' name,
CHAPTER VIII. and sealed it with the king's ring,'' and sent letters
by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels,
1 Mordecai is advanced. 3 Esther maketh suit to reverse Haman 's let-
ters. 7 Ahasuerus granteth to the Jews to and young dromedaries
defend themselves. 15
Mordecai's honor, and tlie Jews' joy. 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which
0\ that day did the king Ahasuerus give the were in every city to gather tlicmselves together, and
house of ilanian tlic .Jews' enemy unto Esther to stand for tlieir life, to destroy, to slay, and to
the queen." And Mordecai came before the king cause to perish,'' all the power of the people and
for Esther had told what he was unto her.'' province that would assault them, both little ones
2 And the king took ofl" his ring,' which lie had and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king
And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.-' Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the
3 *! And Esther spake yet again before the king, twelfth month, which is tlie month Adar.^
• Heb. tlutt Uuy should destroy, and IciU, and cause a ch. 3:9; Tim
to perish,
4:7. 1 Heh. whose heart hath JUUU him. 1 iifth. The man adversary. S Or,
at the presenre of. b ProT. 1G:1J. I Heb. with, c Job 9:-li. i ch. 1:10.
1 Heb. (r<«. « ch. .5:H Psa. 7: 15, 16; 3.5:8; 141:10; Prov. 11:5. 0.
;
f Dan.
0:d4; Psa. 37:3.3,30. g Prov. 13:3i h ch. v>:7. ch. 3:10. J Psa. 37:34;
i

CHAPTER VII.
4. Hie king's damage ; by making so large a number of
his siil>jects slaves.
8. T/tey covered Haman's face; a token that he was con-
demned by the king.
LVSTRUCTIOXS.
4. Persecution is always detrimental to rulers and sub-
jects.
6. When the doings of the wicked are brought to light,
they see that they have reason to fear and that nothing ;

but mercy can save them from ruin. The fear of the
574
;

The Jews arc sucwrcd, ESTHER IX. atul their enemies slain.

A. >i.
B. C. about
3194.The copy
13
' ° for a com-
of tlic writinpr
.
, , 1

mandment to lie giveu iii every pi-ovince


,

510.

was published* unto all people, and that the Jews


should be ready against that day to avenge them-
selves on their enemies.
1-1 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels

went out, being hastened and pressed on by the


king's commandment. And the decree was given
at Shushan the palace.
15 IT And Mordecai went out from the presence
of tlie king in royal apparel of blue^ and white,
and with a great crown of gold, and with a gar-
ment of fine linen and purple and the city of Shu-
:

shan rejoiced and was glad.


1() The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy,

and honor."
17 And in every province, and in every city,
whithersoever the king's commandment and his
decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a
feast and a good day.** And many of tlie people
of the land became Jews j for the fear of the Jews
fell upon them.'^

CHAPTER IX.
1 The Jews (the rulers, for fear of Mordecai, helping them) slay their
enemies, with the ten sons of Haman. 1'2 Ahasuerus, at the request

of Esther, granteth another Jay of slaughter, and Hainan's sons to be


liatiged. 20 The two days of Purim are made festival.

NOW Adar,''
in the twelfth month, that is,

ou the thirteenth day of the same,


the month

when the king's commandment and his decree drew


near to be put in execution,'' in the day that the
enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over
them; though it was turned to the contrary, that
the Jews had rule over them that hated them
2 The Jews gathered themselves together in
their cities throughout alltheprovincesof theking
Ahasuerus,' to la}' hand on such as sought their
hurt:*' and uo man could withstand them for the ;

fear of them fell upon all people."


3 And
the rulers of the provinces, and the
all
lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the
king,* helped the Jews; because the fear of Mor-
decai fell upon them.
4 For Mordecai u-as great in the king's house,'
and his fame went out throughout all the provin-
ces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and
grekter.^
; :;

Tkt frnsl of Purim. KSTlir.lf X. Mordecai's advancement.

in tlif unwallt'il towns, nmdo tlio fonrlcenth ilay nf


tlu-montli Aiiiir a »%(>/ v'li>'l»''^!^'>"'l''™«''"ff"'"'<^
opu)il(liiv.iiii.i<il'>i'n(liiii:|(c)rti()n.-'()iK't()anotlior.''

•Jtl •(Monifciii wrote tlicse tliiufrs, ami sent


Ami
letters unto all the Jews that inre in all the jnov-
inees of the kimr Aiiasuerus. Mh
nigh ami I'ar,
Jl To e!;tat'li;'h M/.<niiii>iiirthem, that they should
keep the I'luirtecntli day of the month Adar, and
the lifteenth day of the same, yearly,
'I'l As the days wherein the Jews rested from
their enemies, and the month wliich was tnrnod
unto them from sorrow to joy,'= and from mourn-
ing into a good day that they should make them
:

days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions


cue to another, and gifts to the poor.
2:$ And the Jews undertook to do as they had

begun, and as Mordccai had written unto them


24 Because Haman the son of Jlummcdatiia, the
Agagitc, the enemy of all tlic Jews, had devised
against the Jews to destroy them,'' and had cast Pur,
that w,the lot, to consume* them, and to d estroy them
2.J But when Esther* came ])eforc the king, he
commanded by letters that his wicked device,
which he devised against the Jews," should return
upon his own head.'^and tliat he and his sons should
be hanged on the gallows.
2tj Wherefore they called these days Purim after

the name of Pur.* Therefore for all the words of


this letter,^ and which they had seen concern-
q/"//;rt<

ing this matter, and which had come unto them.


27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and
upon their seed, and upon all such asjoiucd them-
selves unto them,'' so as it sliould not fail,^ that they
would keep these two days according to their writ-
ing, and according to their appointed time every year
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