Josiah Destroys Idolatry. 9 KINGS, XXIII. He Defiles the High Places. faith, penitence, and pious zeal for the divine glory | embroidered hangings, and in which they gave themand worship which, in his public capacity, and with his royal influence, he had displayed. CHAPTER XXIII. 1-3. JOSIAH CAUSES THE LAW TO BE READ. 1. the king sent and gathered all the elders - This pious and patriotic king, not content with the promise of his own security, felt, after Huldah's response, an increased desire to avert the threatened calamities from his kingdom and people. Knowing the richness of the Divine elemency and grace to the penitent, he convened the elders of the people, and placing himself at their head, accompanied by the collective body of the inhabitants, went in solemn procession to the temple, where he ordered the book of the law to be read to the assembled audience, and covenanted with the unanimous concurrence of his subjects, to adhere steadfastly to all the commandments of the Lord. It was an occasion of solemn interest, closely connected with a great national crisis, and the beautiful example of piety in the highest quarter would exert a salutary influence over all classes of the people in animating their devotions and encouraging their return to the faith of their fathers. 2. he read in their ears-i.e., caused to be read. 3. all the people stood to the covenant-i.e., they agreed to the proposals made; they assented to what was required of them. 4-28. HE DESTROYS IDOLATRY. 4. the king commanded Hilkiah, &c. i.e., the high priest and other priests, for there were not a variety of official gradations in the temple. all the vessels, &c.-the whole apparatus of idol worship. burned them without Jerusalem -The law required them to be consigned to the flames Deuteronomy, 7. 25.). in the fields of Kidron - Most probably that part of the valley of Kidron, where lies Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. It is a level, spacious basin, abounding at present with plantations. ROBINSON.] The brook winds along the east and south of the city, the channel of which is throughout a large portion of the year, almost, or wholly dry. except after heavy rains, when it suddenly swells and overflows. There was emptied all the impurities of the temple (2 Chronicles, 29. 15, 16,) and the city. His reforming predecessors had ordered the mutilated relics of idolatry to be thrown into that receptacle of filth (1 Kings, 15. 13; 2 Chronicles, 15. 16; 30. 14.), but Josiah, while he imitated their piety, far outstripped them in zeal: for he caused the ashes of the burnt wood, and the fragments of the broken metal, to be collected and conveyed to Bethel, in order thenceforth to associate ideas of horror and aversion with that place, as odious for the worst pollutions. 5. put down the idolatrous priests -Heb., Chemarim, "scorched," i.e., Cuebres,or fire-worshippers, distinguished by a girdle (Ezekiel, 23. 14-17,) or belt of wool and camel's hair, twisted round the body twice, and tied with four knots, which had a symbolic meaning, and made it a defence against evil. them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, &c.-or Baal-Shemesh-for Baal was sometimes considered the sun. This form of false worship was not by images, but pure star-worship, borrowed from the old Assyrians. and-Rather, even to all the host of heaven. 6. brought out the grove-i.e., Asherah, the mystic tree, placed by Manasseh in the temple, removed by him after his conversion, and replaced in the sanctuary by his wicked son Amon. Josiah had it taken to Kidron, burnt the wood, ground the metal about it to powder, and strewed the ashes on the graves of the children of the people." The poor were buried in a common on part of the valley of Kidron. But reference is here made to the graves "of those that had sacrificed" (2 Chronicles, 34. 4.). 7. brake down the houses of the sodomites-not solid houses, but tents, called elsewhere Succoth-benoth, the booths of the young women who were devoted to the service of Asherah, for which they made 10. selves to unbridled revelry and lust. Or, the hangings might be for Asherah itself, as it is a popular superstition in the East to hang pieces of cloth on trees. 8. he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places, &c. -Numbers of the Levitical order, finding in the reigns of Manasseh and Amon the temple worship abolished, and the tithes and other offerings alienated, had been betrayed into the folly of officiating on high places, and presenting such sacrifices as were brought to them. These irregularities, even though the object of that worship was the true God, were prohibited in the law (Deuteronomy, 12. 11.). Those who had been guilty of this sin Josiah brought to Jerusalem, and, regarding them as defiled, debarred them from the service of the temple, but gave them an allowance out of the temple revenues, like the lame and disabled members of the priesthood (Leviticus, 21. 21, 22.). from Geba to Beer-shela-the most northern and the most southern places in Judah-meaning all parts of the kingdom. the high places... which were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua-The governor's house and gate were on the left of the city gate, and close by the entrance of that civic mansion-house were public altars, dedicated, it might be, to the true God, but contrary to his own ordinance of worship (Isaiah, 57. 8.). Topheth-so called from Toph-a drum-the prevailing opinion among Jewish writers being that the cries of the terrified children made to pass through the fire in that place of idolatrous horror were drowned by the sound of that instrument. 11. took away the horses which the kings of Judah had given to the sun - among the people who anciently worshipped the sun, horses were usually dedicated to that divinity, from the supposed idea that the sun himself was drawn in a chariot by horses. In some cases these horses were sacrificed; but more commonly they were employed either in the sacred processions to carry the images of the sun, or for the worshippers to ride in every morning to welcome his rise. It seems that the idolatrous kings, Ahaz, Manasseh, and Amon, or their great officers, proceeded on these horses early on each day from the east gate of the temple to salute and worship the sun at his appearing above the horizon. 12. the altars that were on the top of the upper chambers of Ahaz - altars were reared on the flat roofs of houses where the worshippers of "the host of heaven" burnt incense (Zephaniah, 1. 5; Jeremiah, 19. 13.). Ahaz had reared altars for this purpose on the oleah, or upper chamber of his palace, and Manasseh on some portion of the roof of the temple. Josiah demolished both of these structures. 13. the high places... which Solomon had builded -(see on 1 Kings, 11. 7.). the right hand of the mount of corruption - The mount of Olives is a hilly range on the East of Jerusalem. This range has three summits, of which the central one is the mount of Corruption, so called from the idol temples built there, and of course the hill on the right hand denotes the southernmost peak. Josiah is said not to have destroyed, but only defiled "the high places on the hill of Corruption." It is most probable that Hezekiah had long before demolished the idolatrous temples erected there by Solomon; but as the superstitious people continued to regard the spot as consecrated ground, Josiah defiled it. 14. filled their places with the bones of men-Every monument of idolatry in his dominions he in like manner destroyed, and the places where they stood he defiled by strewing them with dead men's bones. The presence of a dead carcass rendered both persons and places unclean in the eyes both of Jews and heathens. Moreover, the al ar that was at Beth-el, &c.-Not satisfied with the removal of every vestige of idolatry from his own dominions, this zealous iconoclast made a tour of inspection through the cities of Samaria and all the territory formerly occupied by the ten tribes,destroying 15-20. Jehoiakim Procures His Own Ruin. 2 KINGS, XXIV. 8,9. JEHOIACHIN SUCCEEDS HIM. 8. Jehoiachini. e.. God appointed, contracted into Jeconiah and Coniah (Jeremiah, 22. 24.). eighteen years old when he began to reign-At the age of eight his father took him into partnership in the government (2 Chronicles, 36. 9.). He began to reign alone at eighteen. 9. he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord-Untaught by experience, and deaf to the prophetic warnings, he pursued the evil courses which had brought so many disasters upon the royal family as well as the people of Judah. This bad character is figuratively but strongly depicted (Ezekiel, 19. 6-7.). Jerusalem Taken by Nebuchadnezzar. the altars and temples of the high places, consigning | to be taken into account, and therefore is no way conthe Asherim to the flames, putting to death the priests tradictory to the prophetic menace denounced against of the high places, and showing his horror at idolatry his father (Jeremiah, 36. 30.). 7. the king of Egypt-i.e., by ransacking the sepulchres of idolatrous priests, and Pharaoh-Necho. strewing the burnt ashes of their bones upon the altars before he demolished them. according to the word of the Lord, which the man of God proclaimed, &c.-In carrying on these proceedings, Josiah was prompted by his own intense hatred of idolatry. But it is remarkable that this act was predicted 326 years before his birth, and his name also was expressly mentioned, as well as the very place where it should be done (1 Kings, 13. 2.). This is one of the most remarkable prophecies contained in the Bible. 17. What title is that that I see? The king's attention, it is probable, had been arrested by a tomb-stone more conspicuous than the rest around it, bearing on an inscription the name of him that lay beneath: and this prompted his curiosity to make the inquiry. the men of the city-not the Assyrian colonists-for they could know nothing about the ancient transactions of the place,-but some of the old people who had been allowed to remain, and perhaps the tomb itself might not then have been discoverable, through the effects of time and neglect, had not some "Old Mortality" garnished the sepulchre of the righteous. 21-23. the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the Lord your God, &c.-It was observed with great solemnity, and was attended not only by his own subjects, but by the remnant people from Israel (see on 2 Chronicles, 35, 1-19.). Many of the Israelites who were at Jerusalem might have heard of, if they did not hear, the law read by Josiah. It is probable that they might even have got a copy of the law, stimulated as they were to the better observance of Jehovah's worship by the unusual and solemn transactions at Jerusalem. 26. Notwithstanding, the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his wrath, &c.-The national reformation which Josiah carried on was acquiesced in by the people from submission to the royal will; but they entertained a secret and strong hankering after the suppressed idolatries. Though outwardly purified, their hearts were not right towards God, as appears from many passages of the prophetic writings: their thorough reform was hopeless; and God, who saw no sign of genuine repentance, allowed his decree (ch. 21. 12-15,) for the subversion of the kingdom to take fatal effect. 29. In his days Pharaoh-nechoh-(see 2 Chronicles, 35, 20-27.). 10-16. JERUSALEM TAKEN. 10. at that time-Within three months after his accession to the throne; it was the spring of the year (2 Chronicles, 36. 10.); so early did he indicate a feeling hostile to the interests of his Assyrian liege-lord, by forming a league with Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar sent his generals to besiege Jerusalem, as Jeremiah had foretold (22. 18; 24. 30,), and soon after followed in person. Convinced of the hopelessness of making any effectual resistance, Jehoiachin, going to the camp of the besiegers, surrendered (v. 12,, in the expectation, probably, of being allowed to retain his throne as a vassal of the Assyrian empire. But Nebuchadnezzar's clemency towards the kings of Judah was now exhausted; so that Jehoiachin was sent as a captive to Babylon, according to Jeremiah's prediction (22. 24.), accompanied by the queen-mother (the same who had held that dignity under Jehoahaz, ch. 23. 31,), his generals, and officers. This happened in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, computing from the time when he was associated with his father in the government. Those that were left consisted chiefly of the poorer sort of people, and the unskilled workmen. The palace and the temple were ransacked. The smaller golden vessels had been taken on the first capture of Jerusalem, and placed by Nebuchadnezzar in the temple of his god as tokens of victory, and used by Belshazzar at his impious feast, for the purpose of rewarding his army with these trophies, amongst which were probably the golden candlesticks, ark, &c. (cf. 2 Chronicles, 36. 7; Daniel, 1. 2.). Now the gold plating was torn off all the larger temple furniture. 13. as the Lord had said-(cf. ch. 20. 17; Isaiah, 39. 6; Jeremiah, 15. 13; 17. 3.). The elite of the nation for rank, Ver. 1-7. JEHOIAKIM PROCURES HIS OWN RUIN. 1, usefulness, and moral worth, all who might be useful in Nebuchadnezzar-The son of Nabopolassar, the founder Babylon, or dangerous in Palestine, were carried off to of the Chaldee monarchy. This invasion took place in Babylon, to the number of ten thousand (v. 14.). These the fourth year of Jehoiakim's, and the first of Nebu- are specified (v. 15, 16,) warriors, 7000; craftsmen and chadnezzar's reign (Jeremiah, 25. 1; cf. 46. 2.). The smiths, 1000; king's wives, officers, and princes, also young king of Assyria being probably detained at home priests and prophets (Jeremiah, 29. 1; Ezekiel, 1. 1,), on account of his father's demise, despatched, along 2000; equal to 10,000 captives in all. with the Chaldean troops on his border, an army composed of the tributary nations that were contiguous to Judea, to chastise Jehoiakim's revolt from his yoke. But this hostile band was only an instrument in executing the Divine judgment (v. 2.) denounced by the prophets against Judah for the sins of the people; and hence, though marching by the orders of the Assyrian monarch, they are described as sent by the Lord (v. 3.). 2. the Lord would not pardon-(see on ch. 23. 26; Jeremiah, 15. 1.) 6. Jehoiakim slept with his fathers-This phraseology can mean nothing more than that he died; for he was not buried with his royal ancestors; and whether he fell in battle, or his body was subjected to posthumous insults, he was, according to the prediction (Jeremiah, 22. 19,), not honoured with the rites of sepulture (Jeremiah, 36. 30.). Jehoiachim his son reigned in his stead - The very brief reign of this prince which Ja ted only three months, during which he was a ble vassal of the Assyrians, is scarcely deserving CHAPTER XXIV. 17-20. ZEDEKIAH'S EVIL REIGN. 17. the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead-Adhering to his former policy of maintaining a show of monarchy, Nebuchadnezzar appointed the third and youngest son of Josiah (1 Chronicles, 3. 15,) full brother of Jehoahaz, and uncle of the captive Jehoiachin. But according to the custom of conquerors, who changed the names of the great men they took captives in war, in token of their supremacy, he gave him the new name of Zedekiah, i. e., "The righteousness of God." This being a purely Hebrew name, it seems that he allowed the puppet king to choose his own name, which was confirmed. His heart towards God was the same as that of Jehoiakim, impenitent and heedless of God's word. 20. through the anger of the Lord... he cast them out of his presence-i. c., in the course of God's righteous providence, his policy as king would prove ruinous to his country. Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon-Instigated by ambassadors Jerusalem again Besieged. from the neighbouring states who came to congratulate | iel had foretold, he did not see (Jeremiah, 32. 5; Ezekiel, him on his accession to the throne (cf.Jeremiah, 17.3,with 29. 1.). and at the same time get him to join them in a common league to throw off the Assyrian yoke. Though warned by Jeremiah against this step, the infatuated and perjured (Ezekiel, 17.13,) Zedekiah persisted in his revolt. CHAPTER XXV. 12. 13; 17. 16.). 8-18. on the seventh day of the month.. came Nebuzar-adan-(cf. Jeremiah, 52. 12.). In attempting to reconcile these two passages, it must be supposed either that, though he had set out on the 7th, he did not arrive in Jerusalem till the 10th, or that he did not put his orders in execution till that day. His office as Ver. 1-3. JERUSALEM AGAIN BESIEGED. 1. Nebu- captain of the guard (Genesis, 37. 36; 39. 1,), called him chadnezzar . came... against Jerusalem, and pitched to execute the awards of justice on criminals; and against it-Incensed by the revolt of Zedekiah, the As- hence, although not engaged in the siege of Jerusalem syrian despot determined to put an end to the per- (Jeremiah, 39. 13,, Nebuzar-adan was despatched to fidious and inconstant monarchy of Judea. This raise the city, to plunder the temple, to lay both in chapter narrates his third and last invasion, which he ruins, demolish the fortifications, and transport the inconducted in person at the head of an immense army, habitants to Babylon. The most eminent of these were taken to the king at Riblah (v. 27,) and executed, levied out of all the tributary nations under his sway. as instigators and abettors of the rebellion, or otherHaving overrun the northern parts of the country, and taken almost all the fenced cities (Jeremiah, 34. 7.), wise obnoxious to the Assyrian government. In their he marched direct to Jerusalem to invest it. The date number were Seraiah, the high priest, grandfather of of the beginning as well as of the end of the siege is Ezra (Ezra, 7. 1,) his Sagan or deputy, a priest of the second order (Jeremiah, 21. 2; 29. 25, 29; 37. 3.). the three here carefully marked cf. Ezekiel, 24. 1; Jeremiah, 39. 1; 52. 4-6,); from which it appears, that, with a brief keepers of the door-not mere porters, but officers of interruption caused by Nebuchadnezzar's marching to high trust among the Levites (ch. 22. 4; 1 Chronicles, 9. oppose the Egyptians who were coming to its relief, but 26.). 19. five men of them that were in the king's presence who retreated without fighting, the siege lasted a year.e., who belonged to the royal retinue: it is probable and a-half. So long a resistance was owing, not to the that there were five at first, and that other two were superior skill and valour of the Jewish soldiers, but to found afterwards (Jeremiah, 52. 25.). 22-26. Nebuchadthe strength of the city fortifications, on which the king nezzar... made Gedaliah ruler-The people permitted to too confidently relied (cf. Jeremiah, 21.; 37.; 38.). pitched remain were, besides the king's daughters, a few court against it, and... built forts-Rather, perhaps, drew attendants and others (Jeremiah, 40.7,) too insignificant to be removed, only the peasantry who could till the lines of circumvallation, with a ditch to prevent any land and dress the vineyards. Gedaliah was Jeremiah's going out of the city. On this rampart were erected friend Jeremiah, 26. 24,), and having, by the prophet's his military engines for throwing missiles into the city; counsel, probably fled from the city as abandoned of 3. on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed God, he surrendered himself to the conqueror (Jere -In consequence of the close and protracted blockade, miah, 38. 2, 17,), and being promoted to the government the inhabitants were reduced to dreadful extremities; of Judea, fixed his provincial court at Mizpah. He was and, under the maddening influence of hunger, the most well qualified to surmount the difficulties of ruling at inhuman atrocities were perpetrated (Lamentations, 2. such a crisis. Many of the fugitive Jews, as well as 20, 22; 4. 9, 10; Ezekiel, 5. 10.). This was a fulfilment of the soldiers of Zedekiah who had accompanied the king the prophetic denunciations threatened on the apostasy in his flight to the plains of Jericho, left their retreats of the chosen people Leviticus, 26. 29; Deuteronomy, (Jeremiah, 40. 11, 12,) and flocked around the governor; 29.53-57; Jeremiah, 15. 2; 27. 13; Ezekiel, 4. 16.). who, having counselled them to submit, promised them on complying with this condition, security on oath, that they would retain their possessions and enjoy the produce of their land (Jeremiah, 40. 9.). 25. Ishmael 4-30. ZEDEKIAH TAKEN. 4. the city was broken up -.e., a breach was effected, as we are elsewhere in formed, in a part of the wall belonging to the lower city (2 Chronicles, 32. 5; 33. 14.1. the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden-The king's garden was (Nehemiah, 3. 15, at the Pool of Siloam, i.e., at the mouth of the Tyropeon. A trace of the outermost of these two walls appears to be still extant in the rude pathway which crosses the mouth of the Tyropa on, on a mound hard by the old mulberry tree, which marks the traditional spot of Isaiah's martyrdom. [ROBINSON.] It is probable that the besiegers had overlooked this pass. the king went... toward the plain-i.e., the Ghor, or valley of Jordan, estimated at five hours' distance from Jerusalem. The plain near Jericho is about eleven or twelve miles broad. 6. they took the king and brought hiin... to Riblah-Nebuchadnezzar, having gone from the siege to oppose the auxiliary forces of Pharaoh Hophra, left his generals to carry on the blockade, he himself not returning to the scene of action, but taking up his station at Riblah in the land of Hamath (ch. 23. 33. they gave judgment upon him-They, i.e., the council Jeremiah, 39. 3, 13; Daniel, 6, 7, 8, 12,), regarding him as a seditious and rebellious vassal, condemned him for violating his oath, and neglecting the announcement of the Divine will as made known to him by Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah, 32. 5; 34. 2; 38. 17.). His sons and the nobles who had joined in his flight were slain before his eyes (Jeremiah, 39. 6; 52. 10.). In conformity with Fastern notions, which consider a blind man incapable of ruling, his eyes were put out, and being put in chains, he was carried to perpetual imprisonment in Babylon Jeremiah, 52. 11,) which, though he came to it, as Ezek of the seed royal came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah-He had found refuge with Baalis, king of the Ammonites, and he returned with a bad design, being either instigated by envy of a governor not descended from the house of David, or bribed by Baalis to murder Gedaliah. The generous governor, though apprized of his intentions, refused to credit the report, much less to sanction the proposal made by an attached friend to cut off Ishmael. The consequence was, that he was murdered by this same Ishmael, when entertaining him in his own house (Jeremiah, 41. 1.). 26. and all the people came to Egypt-in spite of Jeremiah's dissuasions (Jeremiah, 43. 7, 8,), and settled in various cities of that country (Jeremiah, 44. 1.). 27. seven and twentieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin-corresponding with the year of Nebuchadnezzar's death, and his son Evilmerodach's ascension to the throne. Evil-merodach did lift up the head of Jehoiachin, and spake kindly-gave him liberty upon parole. This kindly feeling is said to have originated in a familiar acquaintance formed in prison, in which Evil-merodach had lain till his father's death, on account of some malversation while acting as regent during Nebuchadnezzar's seven years' illness (Daniel, 4. 32, 33.). But doubtless the improvement in Hezekiah's condition is to be traced to the overruling providence and grace of Him who still cherished purposes of love to the house of David (2 Samuel, 7. 14, 15.). 29. he ate continually before him - i. e., according to an ancient usage in Eastern courts, had a seat at the royal table on great days, and had a stated provision granted him for the maintenance of his exiled court. THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. CHAPTER I. 1-3. ADAM'S LINE TO NOAH. 1. Adam, &c.—" Begat" must be understood. Only that one member of the family is mentioned, who came in the direct order of succession. 4-23. Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth-The three sons of this patriarch are enumerated, partly because they were the founders of the new world, and partly because the fulfilment of Noah's prophecy Genesis, 9. 25-27,) could not otherwise appear to have been verified. 12. Casluhim, (of whom came the Philistines, and Capthtorim-Better rendered, "And Casluhim, of whom came the Philistim and Caphtorim," they were brethren, the sons of Casluhim, and at first dwelt together, whence their names are used interchangeably; and the Caphtorim are described as inhabiting Azzah, or Gaza, the seat of the Philistines. 14. the Jebusites, &c.-From this verse to v. 17, the names are not those of individuals, but of people who all sprang from Canaan; and as several of them became extinct or were amalgamated with their brethren, their national appellations are given instead of the personal names of their ancestors. 17. Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech -Or Mash; these were the children of Aram, and grandsons of Shem (Genesis, 10. 23.). 18. Arphaxad begat Selah -Cainan, the father's name, is omitted here (see on Luke, 3. 36.). 19. Peleg (see on Genesis, 10, 25.). 22. Ebal-Or Obal (Genesis, 10. 28.). 24-28. SHEM'S LINE TO ABRAHAM. 24. Shem, &c. This comprises a list of ten, inclusive of Abraham. 29-31. SONS OF ISHMAEL. 29. These are their generations- The heads of his twelve tribes. The great northern desert of Arabia, including the entire neck, was colonized by these tribes; and if we can recover, in the modern geography of this part of the country, Arab tribes bearing the names of those patriarchs, i.e., names corresponding with those preserved in the ori ginal catalogue of Scripture, we obtain at once so many evidences, not of mere similarity, but of absolute identification. [FORSTER.] Nebaioth-Gave rise to the Nabathæans of the classic, and the Beni Nabat of Oriental writers. Kedar-The Arab tribe, El Khedeyre, on the coast of Hedgar. Abdeel-Abdilla, the name of a tribe in Yemen. 30. Demah-Dumah and Tema, the great Arab tribes of Beni Teman. Thus this writer [HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF ARABIA,] traces the names of all the heads of the twelve tribes of Ishmael as perpetuated in the clans or tribes of the Arabs in the present day. 32, 33. SONS OF Keturah. 32. sons of KeturahThese became founders of nomadic tribes in the north of Arabia and Syria, as Midian of the Midianites (Genesis, 36. 35; Judges, 6. 2.). and Shuah-From whom Bildad sprang (Job, 2. 11.). 34-42. POSTERITY OF ABRAHAM BY ESAU. 36. sons of Eliphaz-The tribe Adites, in the centre county of the Saracens, so called from his mother, Adah (Genesis, 36. 10.). Teman-Gave rise to the land of Teman, near the head of the Red Sea. Omar-The tribe Beni-Amma, settled at the northern point of Djebel Shera (Mount Seir.). Zephi-The tribe Dzaf. Gatam-Katam, inhabited by the tribe Al Saruat, or "people of Sarah." Kenaz -The tribe Aenezes, a tribe whose settlement lies in the neighbourhood of Syria. Amalek-The Beni Malak of Zohran, and the Beni Maledj of the Shat el Arab. 37. .Reuel-A powerful branch of the great Aeneze tribe, the Rowalla Arabs. Shammah-The great tribe Beni Shammar. In the same way, the names of the other 'kings and dukes are traced in the modern tribes of Arabia. But it is unnecessary to mention any more of those obscure nomads, except to notice that Jobab (v. 44,), one of the kings of Edom, is considered to be Job, and that his seat was in the royal city of Dinahab (Genesis, 36. 32,), identified with O'Daeb, a well-known town in the centre of Al Dahna, a great northern desert in the direction of Chaldea and the Euphrates. [FORSTER.] CHAPTER II. Ver. 1, 2. SONS OF ISRAEL. Ver. 3-12. POSTERITY OF JUDAH. 3. The sons of Judah-His descendants are enumerated first, because the right and privileges of the primogeniture had been transferred to him (Genesis, 49, 8,), and because from his tribe the Messiah was to spring. 6. Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Carcol, and Dara-these five are here stated to be the sons of Zerah, i.e., of Ezra, whence they were called Ezrahites (1 Kings, 4. 31.). In that passage they are called "the sons of Mahol," which, however, is to be taken not as a proper name, but appellatively for "sons of music, dancing," &c. The traditional fame of their great sagacity and acquirements had descended to the time of Solomon, and formed a standard of comparison for showing the superior wisdom of that monarch. Jewish writers say that they were looked up to as prophets by their countrymen, during the abode in Egypt. 7. the sons of Carmi-He was the son of Zimri, or Zabdi, as he is called (Joshua, 7. 1.). Achar-or Achan (Joshua, 7. 1. This variety in the form of the name is with great propriety used here, since Achar means "troubler." 13-17. CHILDREN OF JESSE, 15. David the seventhAs it appears (1 Samuel, 16. 10; 17. 12.) that Jesse had eight sons, the presumption is from David being mentioned here as the seventh son of his father, that one of them had died at an early age, without leaving issue. 17. Jether the Ishmeelite-(cf. 2 Samuel, 17. 25.). In that passage he is called Ithra an Israelite: and there seems no reason why, in the early days of David, any one should be specially distinguished as an Israelite. The presumption is in favour of the reading followed by the Sept. which calls him "Jetra the Jezreelite." The circumstance of his settling in another tribe, or of a woman marrying out of her own tribe, was sufficiently rare and singular to call for the statement that Abigail was married to a man of Jezreel. 18-55. POSTERITY OF CALEB. 18. Caleb the son of Hezron-The notices concerning this person appear confused in our version. In v. 19 he is said to be the father of Hur, whereas, in v. 50 he is called "the son of Hur." The words in this latter passage have been transposed in the copying, and should be read thus, "Hur the son of Caleb." begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth-the former was his spouse, while Jerioth seems to have been a secondary wife, and the mother of the children whose names are here given. On the death of his principal wife, he married Ephrath, and by her had Hur. 21. of Hezron... daughter of Machir, father of Gilead-i.e., chief of that town, which with the lands adjacent was no doubt the property of Machir, who was so desirous of a male heir. He was grandson of Joseph. The wife of Machir was of the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers, 26. 29.1. 22. Jair, who had three and twenty cities in the land of Gilead-As the son of Segub and the grandson of Hezron, he was of the tribe of Judah; but from his maternal descent he is called (Numbers, 32. 41; Deuteronomy, 3. 14.) "the son of Manasseh." This designation implies that his inheritance lay in that tribe in right of his grandmother; in other words, because his maternal and adopting great-grandfather was Machir the son of Manasseh, and Posterity of Caleb. 1 CHRONICLES, II. David's Line to Zedekiak. Jair, inheriting his property, was his lineal representa-posed to be another name of Michal, who, though she tive; and accordingly this is expressly stated to be the had no son after her mockery of David for dancing case: for the village-group of "Havoth-Jair," was award- before the ark, might have had one previous to that ed to him in that tribe, in consequence of his valiant time. She has the title of wife appended to her name, and patriotic exploits. This arrangement, however, because she was his proper wife; and the mention of her took place previous to the law (Numbers, 36.), by which name last, probably arose from the circumstance that, it was enacted that heiresses were to marry in their having been withdrawn from David and married to own tribe. But this instance of Jair shows that in the another husband, but afterwards restored, she had in case of a man obtaining an inheritance in another tribe reality become the last of his wives. 5. four, of Bathhad required him to become thoroughly incorporated shua the daughter of Ammiel-Or Bathsheba (2 Samuel, with it as a representative of the family through which 11. 3,), and there her father is called Eliam. Of course the inheritance was received. He had been adopted Solomon was not her "only son," but he is called so into Manasseh, and it would never have been imagined (Proverbs, 4. 3,), from the distinguished affection of that he was other than "a son of Manasseh" naturally, which he was the object, and though the eldest, is had not this passage given information supplementary named the last of Bath-sheba's children. 6. Elishama to that of the passage in Numbers. 23. he took-rather and Eliphelet-Two sons of the same name are twice "he had taken." This statement is accounting for mentioned (v. 8.). They were the children of different his acquisition of so large a territory; he got it by right mothers, and had probably some title or epithet apof conquest from the former possessors, Kenath-this pended by which the one was distinguished from the place, along with its group of surrounding villages, other. Or, it might be, that the former two were dead, was gained by Nobah, one of Jair's officers sent by him and their names were given to sons afterwards born to capture it (Numbers, 32. 1, 2,. all these belonged to to preserve their memories. 8. nine-The number of the sons of Machir-In their number Jair is included as David's sons born after his removal to Jerusalem, was having completely identified himself by his marriage eleven (2 Samuel, 5. 14,), but only nine are mentioned and residence in Gilead with the tribe of Manasseh. here: two of them being omitted, either in consequence 24. Caleb-ephratah-so called from uniting the names of of their early deaths, or of their leaving no issue. husband and wife (v. 19,), and supposed to be the same as was afterwards called Bethlehem-ephratah. Ashur, the father of Tekoa-(2 Samuel, 14. 24.). He is called the father, either from his being the first founder, or perhaps the ruler, of the city. 34. Sheshan had no sons, but daughters either he had no sons alive at his death, er his family consisted wholly of daughters, of whom Ahlai (v. 31,) was one, she being specially mentioned ou account of the domestic relations about to be noticed. 35. Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant to wife-The adoption and marriage of a foreign slave in the family where he is serving, is far from being a rare or extraordinary occurrence in Eastern countries. It is thought, however, by some, to have been a connection not sanctioned by the law of Moses. [MICHAELIS.] But this is not a well-founded objection, as the history of the Jews furnishes not a few examples of foreign proselytes in the same manner obtaining an inheritance in Israel; and doubtless Jarha had previously embraced the Jewish faith in place of the grovelling idolatries of his native Egypt. In such a case, therefore, there could be no legal difficulty. Being a foreign slave, he had no inheritance in a different tribe to injure by this connection; while his marriage with Sheshan's daughter led to his adoption into the tribe of Judah, as well as his becoming heir of the family property. 42. the sons of Caleb (cf. v. 18, 25.). The sons here noticed were the fruit of his union with a third wife. 55. the families of the scribes-either civil or ecclesiastical officers of the Kenite origin, who are here classed with the tribe of Judah, not as being descended from it, but as dwelling within its territory, and in a measure incorporated with its people. Jabez-a place in Judah (ch. 4. 9.). Kenites that came of Hemath-who settled in Judah, and were thus distinguished from another division of the Kenite clan which dwelt in Manasseh (Judges, 4. 11.). 10-16. HIS LINE TO ZEDEKIAH. 10. Solomon's son was Rehoboam, &c.-David's line is here drawn down to the captivity, through a succession of good and bad, but still influential and celebrated monarchs. It has rarely happened that a crown has been transmitted from father to son, in lineal descent, for seventeen reigns. But this was the promised reward of David's piety. There is, indeed, observable some vacillation towards the close of this period-the crown passing from one brother to another, and even from uncle to nephew-a sure sign of disorderly times and a disjointed government. 15. Zedekiah-is called the son of Josiah (cf. Jeremiah, 1. 3; 37. 1,), but (2 Chronicles, 36. 19,) be is described as the brother of Jehoiachin, who was the son of Jehoiachim, and consequently the grandson of Josiah. Words expressive of affinity or relationship are used with great latitude in the Hebrew. Shallum -No king of this name is mentioned in the history of Josiah's sons (2 Kings, chaps. 23. & 14.) but there is a notice of Shallum the son of Josiah (Jeremiah, 22. 11,). who reigned in the stead of his father, and who is generally supposed to be Jehoahaz, a younger son, here called the fourth, of Josiah. 17-24. SUCCESSORS OF JECONIAH. 17. the sons of Jeconiah, Assir-Rather, "Jeconiah the prisoner, or captive." This record of his condition was added to show that Salathiel was born during the captivity in Babylon (cf. Matthew, 1. 12.). Jeconiah was written childless (Jeremiah, 22. 30,) a prediction which (as the words that follow explain,) meant that this unfortunate monarch should have no son succeeding him on the throne. 18. Malchiran also-As far as Jeconiah, everything is plain; but there is reason to suspect that the text in the subsequent verses has been dislocated and disarranged. The object of the sacred historian is to trace the royal line through Zerubbabel-yet, according to the present reading, the genealogical stem cannot be drawn from Jeconiah downwards. The following Ver. 1-0. SONS OF DAVID. 1-3. Now these were the arrangement of the text is given as removing all diflisous of David which were born unto him in Hebron-It is culty. [DAVIDSON'S HERM.] v. 17. And the sons of of consequence for the proper understanding of events Jeconiah the captive, Salathiel (Shealtiel, Ezra, 3. 2; in the domestic history of David, to bear in mind the Nehemiah, 12. 1; Haggai, 1. 12, 14; 2. 2, his son; v. 18. place and time of his sons' birth. The eldest son, born And the sons of Salathiel; Zerubbabel and Shimei; after his father's accession to the sovereign authority, And the sons of Zerubbabet; Meshullam, Hananiah, is, according to Eastern notions, the proper heir to the and Shelomith their sister. v. 19. And Hashubah, and throne. And hence the natural aspirations of ambi- Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushab-hezed. tion in Amnon, who was long unaware of the aliena- 20. And Malchiram, and Rephaiah, and Shenazar, tion of the crown, and could not be easily reconciled to Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. 21. The sons of the claims of a younger brother being placed above his Hananiah; Pelatiah and Jesaiah; the sons of Rephaiah; own (see on 2 Samuel, 3, 1-5.). 3. Eglah his wife-Sup- I his son Arnan, his son Obadiah, his son Shecanial CHAPTER III |