V / A ': I, A r A Di-i.w;i .V: I'.i.i;.' I'v ^li.-n,.:.u .V SnUI'.i.^.Y. FAMILY BIBLE CONTAINING THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS BRIEF NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS, BY REV. JUSTIN^EDWARDS, D. D. INCLUDING THE REFERENCES AND MARGINAL READINGS OF THE POLYGLOT BIBLE. VOLUME I. GENESIS TO JOB. PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, NEW YORK: 150 NASSAU-STREET; BOSTON: 28 CORNHILL . The object of this work is to assist common readers to understand the meaning of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, and to draw from it such instructions as they may need. The second volume, to include the remainder of the Old Testament, is in preparation. The New Testament is already issued. Enteiied according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S53, by 0. R. Kingsbury, in the Clerk's office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. NAMES AND ORDER ALL THE BOOKS THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS WITH THE NUMBER OF CHAPTERS IN EACH BOOK. THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. No. Cliap. GENESIS 50 EXODUS 40 LEVITICUS 27 NUMBERS 3G DEUTERONOMY 34 JOSHUA 24 JUDGES 21 RUTH 4 I. SAMUEL 31 II. SAMUEL .......... 24 I. KINGS . . ...'..,..■.. 22 II. KINGS ...*■■;...... 25 I. CHRONICLES 29 II. CHRONICLES • . 36 EZRA 10 NEHEMIAH 13 ESTHER 10 JOB 42 PSALMS 150 PROVERBS 31 No. Chap. ECCLESIASTES 12 SONG OF SOLOMON 8 ISAIAH 66 JEREMIAH 52 LAMENTATIONS . 5 EZEKIEL 48 DANIEL . . . . , 12 HOSEA 14 JOEL 3 AMOS 9 OBADIAH 1 JONAH 4 MICAH 7 NAHUM 3 HABAKKUK 3 ZEPHANIAH 3 HAGGAI 2 ZECHARIAH 14 MALACHI 4 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN THE ACTS EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS I. CORINTHIANS . . . . II. CORINTHIANS . . . GALATIANS EPHESIANS PHILIPPIANS COLOSSIANS I. THESSALONIANS . . , II. THESSALONIANS . . THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. I. TIMOTHY ir. TIMOTHY .... TITUS 3 PHILEMON 1 TO THE HEBREWS 13 EPISTLE OF JAMES 5 I. PETER 5 II. PETER 3 I JOHN II. JOHN III. JOHN JUDE 0 1 1 1 REVELATION 22 THE FIRST BOOK OF MOSES, GENESIS. CHAPTER I. 1 The creation of heaven and earth, 3 of the light, 6 of the firmament, 9 of the earth separated from the ■waters, 11 and made fruitful, 14 of the sun, moon, and stars, 20 of fish and fowl, 24 of beasts and cattle, 26 of man in the image of God. 29 Also the ap- pointment of food. AnnoMun. -r]\j ^|^g abe£tinnin£; God *> created the heaven and the earth. the world Before Christ » t i • i 4004. 2 And the earth "was without form, and void ; and darkness ivas upon the face of the deep. And the ''Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water.s. 3 And God "said, Let there be "^light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it luas good : and God divided * the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the slight Day, and the darkness he called Night. tAnd the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 If And God "^ said. Let there he at firma- ment in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the ' firmament, and di- vided the waters which tvere under the firmament from the waters which ivere aboveJ the firmament : and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. 9 *[[ And God said, ^ Let the waters under the heaven he gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear : and it was so. « Prov.8 23 ; John 1 : ,2; Heb.l 10. b Job 38 4; P6a.33 •6; Is a. 40 : 26 ; .ler. 51:16, Zech. 12 : ; Acta 14 : IS Rom. 1 : 20; r 3l. 1 : 16. c .Tob 26: T.- .ler. 4 : 23. <1 Job 26:13 Pfla. 104 30. e P8.->.33:9 Mat. 8: 3. 2Cor.4:6 Eph. S : 14. * Heb. between Ch e liffht, and betioeen the darkness B Psa. 74: 6; Isa. 45 :7. CHAPTER 1. Geiiesis ; the generation, origin, or beginning. This book is so called because it describes the ori- gin or beginning of the world. 1. Tlie hegitming : the beginning of time,- or of the period -which God here speaks of. Created; made or caused what before did not exist. Heaven, — earth ; created the matter out of -which these, as described, -were afterwards formed. 2. Witho'itt form ; the materials e.xisted, but the different kinds had not been separated or put into shape. Void ; empty, and destitute of the vege- tation and living creatures which were afterwards brought forth. How long the earth remained so, God has not revealed, and we do not know. The deep; the mass of unformed matter. Moved ; in 10 And God called the dry land Earth ; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas : and God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, Let the 'earth bring forth ^ grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-tree '"yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth : and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed u'as in itself, after his kind : and God saw that it was good. 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day. 14 IT And God said. Let there "be lights in the firmament of the heaven, to divide the II day from the night ; and let them be for signs," and for seasons, and for days, and years : 15 And let them be for lights in the fir- mament of the heaven, to give light upon the earth : and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights ; the greater light *to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night : he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to Prule over the day and over the night, and to divide tlie light from the darkness : and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. f Heb. and the evening teas, and the morning was t Heb.' expansion, i Jer. 10: 1-2. j Prov.8: -28. h Job 37: 18. k Job .38:8. 1 Mat. 6:30. ^ Heb. tender ijrass. m Luke 6: 44. B P.sa. 1 36 : 7. H Heb. between the day, arid between the night. * Heb. fur the rule of the dan. P Jer. 31 : 35. o Psa. 104:19. the original, brooded or hovered over the mass of matter, and thus prepared it to bring forth, at the command of God, various productions. 6. Firinaineiit ; in the original, expansion, above and around the earth. Divide the waters; the waters in the clouds from the waters on tlie earth. 9. Waters — dryland; the earth and water had before been mixed together, but now they were sep- arated. 11. Yielding seed; to perpetuate by natural growth the same kind. 14-19. Lights; light and heat had been made before, on the" first day, v. 3-5; but now there were two great bodies in the heavens to occasion, through the m.otions of the earth, day and night, summer and winter, seed-time and harvest. 1 27u' creation. GENESIS II. The first Sabbath. 20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the •moving creature that halh ^lifc, and ^fowl that may fly above the earlli in the * open firmament of heaven. •2\ And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly af- ter their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind : and God saw that it icas good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. 24 Tf And God said. Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind : and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind : and God saw that it was good. 2G ^ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness : and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon tlie earth. 27 So God created man in his own "im- • Hch. rrrcping. IKinc", * : ^■t■ t Heb. a liviniitoiil. ver. :!0 ; Hcrl. S:!!l. tlU\, Ut/owt/ly. ^Hyh.faccoflhejirmamtnlofheavrn. »er. 7, M. • KccL 7 : ••'<> ; F.pli. ^ : .!4 ; Col. 3 : 10. |j Heb. creepeth. 20, 21 . Life ; vogetable life, as that of plants and ;r'■' 'I adore him, are with- .. ]• . ^.- ••. l;..in. 1: -JO. '! 1.1 ;lit exi.st* independently of the sun, as in • •■'.r. i*y. lit,'htnin;j. and fire. God caused the li)(ht to shine out of d.irkness, and he can shine into dark hearlJi, and give them the light of the knowledge of hill glory in the face of Jesus (Jhrist. 2 l>or. 4 :6. 10. In separating or combining the elenient«, as- signing to carh ita appropriate place, and uphold- ing it tliorc. no less really than in its creation. God showed his infinite power, wisdom, and goodiie.ss. He spake, and it was done; he comiiianded. and it »tood fast. I'sa. 3:3 : 0 ; Heb. 1:3. him ; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multipl)^, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that !i moveth upon the earth. 29 H And God said. Behold, I have given you every herb * bearing seed, which i.? upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed ; to you '' it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is tlife, / have given every green herb for meat : and it was so. 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. CHAPTER II. 1 The first sabbath. 4 The manner of the creation. 8 The planting of the garden of Eden, 10 and the river thereof. 17 The tree of knowledge only forbidden. 19, 20 The naming of the creatures. 21 The mak- ing of woman, and institution of marriage. THUS the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And "^ on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made ; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. P8a.fi9:3-I. * Heb.»«dmj7S«rf. b chap. 2: 16; 9:3; Job36: 31; Acta 14: 17. \ neh. a livins soul. c Ex. 20:11; Isa. 58:13; Heb. 4:4. 12. In the continuance of the great law which God at first gave, that each seed should produce its kind in allfuture time, we have evidence that he sees and gov- erns throughout the vegetable creation — is of one mind, and none can turn him. Job 23: 13; Isa. 46: 10. 18. The sun, moon, and stars are bright m.mifes- tations of the wisdom, power, and goodness of God. We can see and enjoy them without being able to understand their nature, or how they produce their effects. So we can believe truths, and enjoy the benefits of faith, without comprehending how those truths exist, are related, or operate so usefully on us. 28. The fear of man manifested by fishes, fowls, and beasts, testifies to his dignity as the represent- ative of his Makers and by yielding to him to whom God gave dominion, they acknowledge God's au- thority, and thus honor him. They also suiter in consequence of man's sin. Gen. 6:7; Rom. 8 : 20. 31. All that God does is very good; like its Au- thor, perfect. Nothing could be better ; and in our treating all tilings according to his will there is great reward. CHAPTER rt. 1. Thus ; as described in the previous ch.apter. 2. llested ; not in the sense of weariness, or eiise from fatigue ; God is never weary. Isa. 40 : 28. But he ceased from the work of the six days. He rested, a.s men should, after six days of labor; and as the friends of God, who rightly understand their duly, will. Having made man in his ov\-n image, he now sets him an example. Tke garden of Eden. GENESIS II. The making of woman. tc.'iiai. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it ; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created* and made. 4 T[ These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew : for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there ivas not a man to till the ground. 6 But t there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the Lord God formed man J of the "dust of the ground, and ''breathed into his "^ nostrils the breath of life ; and man*^ became a living soul. 8 ^And the Lord God planted" a gar- den eastward in Eden ; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food ; the ""tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the stree of knowledge of good and evil. 10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden ; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. 1 1 The name of the first is Pison : that is it which compasseth the Avhole land of ''Havilah, where there is gold ; 12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx-stone. * Heb. created to make. f Or, a mist which went up from. X Heb. dust of the grottnd. a chap. 3:1!) Paa. 103:14; Isaiah 64:8; 1 Cor. 15:47. b .lob.TT 4. c Isa. '. :■:■.'. i 1 Cor. 15:4S. e Kiek. 31:8,9. f chap. .T: -Ji ; Prov. 3:18 Kev.2:7. B ver. 17. h chap. 25: 18. % Heb. Cttsh. i Dan. 10: 4. II Or, tastxoard to 3. The seventh day ; that which succeeds the six working days ; and which was made to be a day of rest from secular employments and of devotion to religious duties. Sanctified it; set it apart from other days for sacred employments. 4. Tlie generations; the true history of the origin of the heavens and the earth. Lord; in the origi- nal, Jehovah. This is the first time this word is used in the Bible. It is the peculiar name of Him, who is, and was, and is to come, the Almighty; and im- plies eternal, independent, unchanging self-exist- ence, and infinite perfection. When the word Lord in the Bible is printed in small capitals, it is in the Hebrew, Jehovah. 5. Before it was in the earth — before it greiu ; things did not at first grow gradually from the earth by natural laws, as they did afterwards ; but God formed them in a state of maturity and perfection. Not a man to till the ground; it did not, at first, produce by cultivation, but spontaneously, by the power of God. 7. Formed man; chap. 1:27. He was not born as men now are, and did not grow up gradually; but as other things were formed by the power of (3rod at once, he was created full-grown and perfect. 8. Eden ; a country east or north-east of Pales- tine, near the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. 9. The tree of life ; whose fruit would be to 1 3 And the name of the second river is Gihon : the same is it that compasseth the whole land of ^ Ethiopia. 14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel :' that is it which goeth II toAvard the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. 15 And the Lord God took * the man, and J put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying. Of every tree of the garden thout mayest freely cat : 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and ^ evil, thou shalt not eat of it ; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou t shalt surely die. 18 TfAnd the Lord God said. It is not good that the man should be alone : ' I will make him a help ^meet for him. i 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and "'brought them unto II Adam to see what he would call them ; and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name there- of. 20 And Adam * gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field ; but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him. 21 And the Lord God caused a "deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept ; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof : 22 And the rib, which the Lord God had Assyria. * Or, Adam, j ver. 8. f Heb. eating thou shatt eat. k chap. 3:1.3,11,17; Romans fi:23; 1 Cor. 15:, W. t Heb. dying thou shall die. I 1 Cor. 11:9; 1 Tim. 2 : 13. % Heb. an before him. m Psa. 8:6. || Or, the man. * Heb. called, n chap. 15:12. man, if obedient, a pledge of endless life. Tree of knowledge ; by man's treatment of which his character would be known ; and concerning which he knew by express revelation the will of God : by obeying that will, he would know good and good only ; and by disobeying, he would know evil, and tran.smit it to his posterity. 10. Four heads ; four different streams, some of which it is difficult to identify. 13. Ethiopia ; in the Hebrew, Gush ; not the Ethiopia in Africa, hut a country in Asia, inhabited by descendants of Gush the son of Ham, and father of Nimrod. Gen. 10 : 6, 8. 14. Hiddekel ; supposed to be the river Tigris, which empties into the Euphrates. Euphrates; a river which rises in Armenia and flows south into the Persian Gulf. 1-5. Dress; cultivate. 16. Of every tree; except the tree of know- ledge, v. 17. 17. Tliou shalt 7iot eat of it; this was a test of his obedience to the known will of God. Surely die; in the original, dying thou shalt die. He would lose the moral image and the favor of God ; become mortal and exposed to endless sinfulness and misery. 18. tIZows; without a human companion. ]\[eet for him ; suited to his nature, condition, and wants. 3 The serpent deccivcth Eve. GENESIS III, Man's shameful fall . taken from man, ' made he a woman, and brought* her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, '■and flesli of my flesh: she shall be called t Woman, because she was taken out of » Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave ''his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife : and they shall be one flesh. "2.5 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. CHAPTER III. 1 The verpont deceivcth Eve. 6 Man"s shameful fall. 9 Go. fcuiWfrf. • Prov. I8:;5. bKiili. 5:na f Heb. /«Aa. t Hch. /,\'\f, nnist soon return to dust, our chicfroni': ' ' I'.r the soul; that it may be filtrd, wIm . body, to enter into the pres- ence, ami • .r of God. l'). Piligiiicf 111 l.iisincss during the six working days, as well as rest from it on the Sabbath, was needful to man in a slate of innocence. He was made for employment; and no man can indulge in idleness or sloth, without committing sin. 18. As God has told us that it is not good for man to live unmarried, those who contend that it is best for ministers of the gospel to live unmarried, set up their wisdom in opposition to his, deprive them- selves of many blessings, and set an evil example to their fellow-men. 5 For God doth know, that in the bc'.tom: day ye cat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened; and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree ivas good for food, and that it was pleasant II to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat ; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were open- ed, and they knew that they were ' nalc ed ; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves * aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the tcool of the day : and Adam and his wife Jhid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the gar- den. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him. Where art thou ? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I wa,s afraid, ''because I was naked ; and I hid myself. 11 And he said. Who told thee that thou u'ast naked ? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat ? K Heb.orfcjiVf. ichap.2:2S. ' Or, things to girdabout. f Htb. inind. j Jer. 23 : 24 ; Amoa 9:2,3. k IJolin, 3 : 20. 23. The manner in which, and the object for which woman was made, show that the husband and wife should love each other with tender affection; culti- vate union of views, interest, and effort ; and mu- tually seek each others highest good. 24. Marriage, according to the will of God, is a union for life of one man with one woman, and with one only ; and the fact that it is a divine institution, shows that men should enter into it for the glory of God in the promotion of their own happiness and usefulness. CHAPTER III. I. iS«ir, goals, b Lev. 3:16. 17. c Heb. 11:4. \\ Or, Marr Ihr rmlltnty. \\:h. • Hi!b Lemech. f Or, Not; tlint l9 , rett, or, nmfart. k rlisp. 3:17 ; H.ll. cimp. R.'IO; 7:13; 1 Cliron. l:-i-3'». * clinp. 1 ■J8. • Job 31 : r ti CULT: 3, ■«; Ezra 9:2: St^;7; aror.rt: H. 1 NpI .0 30 :*•. M 10; Jer. I Peter, 3 :'J0. k P«ll.78: •w. t PWL M J; 53 2; Horn. 24. Waited with God ; was cordially reconciled to liiin. Amos '.i:[\\ Boiijjiit his . Noah; si^'nifyins: rest, comfort; expressive of the liope and expectation that he would be a great bleHNing. .TJ. Japheth ; he was the eldest ; but Shem is mentioned first, because from iiim would descend tlie MeEsiah. TNSTRVCTIONS. 24. To walk with God is the highest duty, the greatent honor, excellence, and blctsedness of man. Jnde 14, 13; Heb. 11:5,6. IK). ParenU often hope for great comfort from their cliildren ; and if children are pious, especially if they become preacher* of rijihteousness, and are instrumental in the salvation of men, parents have reason to rejoice with great joy. CHAPTER VI. 2. Sons of God ; his visible people; professors* of true religion. Of men ; the visibly and openly wicked. All which they chose ; being governed 3 And the Lord said, eMy Spirit ''ri.'2;JSS: shall not always strive with man, for that he also i.s flesh :'' yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. 4 There were giants in the earth in those days ; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them : the same became mighty men, which were of old, men of renown. 5 T[ And God saw 'that the wickedness of man urns great in the earth, and that every -imagination J of the thoughts of his heart iva.'i only evil ^ continually. 6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth ; H both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air ; for it rcpcntcth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 9 T[ These arc the generations of Noah : Noah was a just man and * perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth Avas filled with a^o- lence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt ; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah, ''The end of all flesh is come before mc ; for the earth is filled with violence through 3:0. i Or, the what', imagination : The Hebrew word signifies not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires, j chap. 8:21; Dent. 29:19; Klek. 8 : 9, 12 ; M:.t. 1.5:19. i Heb. every dan. II Heb. from man unto beast. * Or, upright, k 1 Peter, 4:7. in this matter by their own wills, not by the will of God. 3. Strive with man; to bring him to repent- ance and salvation. Is Jlesh ; corrupt, John 3 ; 6. A hundred and twenty years; so long would God wait before he would destroy the world. 4. Giants; men of great stature and wickedness. Men of renown ; famous for their deeds of rapine. 6. Repented the Lord — grieved h ini ; he would change his conduct towards men, as men change their conduct when sorry for what they have done ; and instead of continuing them on the earth and granting them his favors, as he had done, he would destroy them. 7. See Instruction, chap. 1 : 28. 8. Found ^race ; was truly pious, and graciously accepted as righteous. Heb. 11:7. 0. Perfect ; not in the sense of being sinless ; but in t!ie .sense of being sincere, upright, and truly devoted to God. 11. Filled with violence; cruelty, oppression, robbery, murder, and other kinds of wickedness. 12. All Jlesh ; the whole human family ; though grace, in cases like that of Noah, had produced a change. 1 Cor. 1.5 : 10. Noah buildcth an ark. GENESIS VII. The deluse cometh. tc.'nm: them ; and behold, I will destroy them * with the earth. 14 T[ Make thee an ark of gopher-wood : rooms t shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 1.5 And this is the fashion which thovx shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. 16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above ; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof: with lower, sec- ond, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17 And behold, I, even I, *do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven ; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant ; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two ""of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee : they shall be male and female. 20 Of fowls-after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind ; two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep therii alive. 21 And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee ; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. 22 Thus did Noah; "= according to all that God commanded him, so did he. * Or, from the earth, f Heb. nests, a Psa. 93 : 3, 4 ; Amos 9:6. b chap. 7 : 8, 9. c Heb. U : 7. J 1 Peter, 3 : iO ; 'i Peter, 3 : .S. 14. Gopher; a species of resinous wood; sup- posed to be the cypress. 1.5. Length ; about four hundred and fifty feet. Breadth ; seventy-five feet. Height ; forty-five feet: proportions according to vrhich the best ships are now built. 17. All flesh ; except what should be in the ark. 18. My covenant ; his engagement for the pres- ervation of Noah and his family, when the rest of the world should be destroyed. INSTRUCTIOXS. 2. Intimate connections with the wicked are sources of great moral corruption and danger. 7. When God, instead of preserving and blessing men, turns against and destroys them, he is said in the Bible to repent, because he changes his conduct as men do when they repent. Not that he alters his purposes, or does what he did not always intend to do. In this sense he is of one mind, and none can turn him, Job 23 : 13 ; he is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent. Num. 23 : 19. There is no contradiction in these texts ; they refer to different things, and express dif- ferent truths. In studying the Bible, we should not regard simply the sound of the word.s, but become CHAPTER VII. 1 Noah, with his family, and the living creatures, enter into the ark. 17 The beginning, increase, and con- tinuance of the flood. AND the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark ; for "^thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. 2 Of every "^ clean beast thou shalt take to thee by ^ sevens, the male and his fe- male ; and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. 3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female ; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. 4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights ; and every living substance that I have made will I * destroy from off" the face of the earth. 5 And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him. 6 And Noah was six hvxndred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. 7 H And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, 9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And it came to pass, H after seven days, that the waters of the flood Avere upon the earth. 1 1 ^ In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth ' Lev. ch. U. X Heb. wtiere «iieM. % Heb. 6/i/« out. || Or, on the seventh day. acquainted with and believe their meaning. In no other way can we receive benefit from them. 9. The cause of the difference between a good man and the openly wicked is, not their natural dis- position, but divine grace ; and the fruits of this grace are piety towards Grod, integrity, uprightness, and benevolence towards men. 12. The corruption of men proceeds from them- selves ; they are the authors of all their wickedness, and the cause of their own ruin. Prov. 1 : 31 ; Ho- sea 13 : 9 ; James 1 : 14. 22. That faith in Grod which he accepts, and which is the means of justification and salvation, leads those who exercise it to obey his commands. CHAPTER VII. 2. Clean beast ; suitable for sacrifice. 10. After seven days ; on the seventh day it be- gan to rain. 11. The second month ; the year began in Sep- tember : and the second month, called Marchesvan, answered to the last part of October and the first part of November. Fountains of the great deep — windows of heaven ; the waters rushed up from below and poured down from above. 9 The mountains covered. GENESIS VIII. The waters assuage. day of the month, the same day were all the ' fountains of the sreat deep broken up, and the * windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nitihts. 13 In the self-same day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, '' into the ark ; 14 They, and every beast alter his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thins that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every tsort. 1 5 And tlicy went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. 16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had com- manded him : and the Lord shut him ''in. 17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth : and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth. 18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth ; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed exceeding- ly upon the earth ; ""and all the high hills that were under the whole heaven were covered. 20 Fifteen cubits upward did Hie waters prevail: and the mountains "were cov- ered. 21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every "^man : 22 All in whose nostrils u'as ^ the breath of life, of all that iras in the dry huul, died. 23 And every living substance was de- stroyed wliich Avas upon the face of the • rlinp. 8:2: Pn.v. 11:28: Mnt.2<:38; 1 TliPs.i r. : 3. *0r, Aoodgattt. kclnip.fi: la \ WrXt.wing. <■ Doiil.:t:):27; Pi)a.4fi:2; tU:»; rrov,:i :•::!. il .lob 12: Ki; 1'i.n. 101:11; 2 IVlnr,3:«. e Jer. 3 : «l. » J(.b J." : I .-.- 1 7. % lleb. tht breath itf the ipirU (if life. ( Ewk. I4:M, 2U: Miil.3:l7, 18. hchnp. 8:3. i cbnp. I'J : 20 ; 20. Fifleen cubits; about twenty-two and a half feet. 2-1. A hviulred and fifty tlays; so long, it is supposed, the watcri" did not scniiibly abate. INSTRICTIONS. 1. It is not neccKsary for a msin to be wicked be- cause otliers around him are wicked. Anyone may, if he will, be righteous, even in the midst of abound- ing iniquily. And cvrry one whom God sees to be ri^teou.s tlirou^jh failli, will be saved when the wicked are destrfyrd. T). If men would be saved, thry must not only be- lieve G(x1"k derlnrationM, but also make it their great object to obey all his coiuni.-inds. \^^. God h.is power not only over men, but also over beast*, and all the works of his hands. Ho can inllu- ence, direct, and control them, us seemclli liim good. Ifi. Those who believe God"s declarations and obey his commands, will receive his ciroctual pro- tection and care. 10 ground, both man, and cattle, and *b.?:23«: the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven ; and they were destroyed from the earth : and Noah e only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. 24 And ""the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days. CHAPTER VIII. 1 The waters assuage. 4 The ark resteth on Ararat. 7 The raven and the dove. 15 Noah, being com- manded, 18 goeth forth of the ark. 20 He buildeth an altar, and ofTercth sacrifice, 21 which God accept- eth, and promiseth to curse the earth no more. AND God 'remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the J cat- tle that was with him in the ark : and God made a wind '' to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged ; 2 The fountains 'also of the deep, and the windows'" of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained ; 3 And the waters returned from off the earth * continually : and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. 4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of ° Ararat. 5 And the waters H decreased continu- ally until the tenth month : in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen. 6 ^[And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noali opened ° the Avindow of the ark which he had made : 7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth *to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. 8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground ; 9 But the dove found no rest for the sole Ex. 2:24; Psa. 10fi:4. jPsa.3<>:P. kE.T.H:2l. irr; Jobl.'>:14; .Ter.l7:9; Rom.I:21. f chap. 9: II, 16. IJ neh. as yet all the days of the earth, g Isa. 54:9; Jer. 33:20,08. li ver. 7, 19; chap. 10:32. fore, yet God would not again interrupt the regular course of the seasons, and of day and night, to the end of time. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. However great or long-continued the trials of God's people, he never forgets them; nor does he continue those trials any longer than will promote his glory and their highest good. Let them place implicit confidence in him ; in due time all his prom- ises 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 revo- lutions 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 sacred duties. This di- vision 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 con- tinue to be wicked ; 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 me- morial of the truth of Jehovah ; that when the word hath gone out of his mouth it standeth for ever. Num. 23:19; Mat. 24:35. 11 God's covenant with man. GENESIS IX. Noah fallcth into sin. 2 And the fear of you, 'and the dread of you, shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that inovcth upon the earth, and upon all the fi.«hes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. 3 Every '' moving thing that livcth shall be meat for you ; even as the "^ green herb have I given you ''all tilings. 4 But flesh "with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. 5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require : at the hand of every beast will I require it, "^and at the hand of man ; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, ^by man shall his blood be shed : ''for in the image of God made he man. 7 And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply ; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. 8 ^ And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9 And I, behold, I establish ' my covenant with you, and with your seed after you ; 10 And J with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you, from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 1 1 .\nd I will establish my covenant with you ; neither shall all flesh be cut ofi" any more by the waters of a flood ; neither shall there any more be ""a flood to destroy the earth. 12 And God said, This is the token 'of the covenant wliich I make between me and you, and every living creature that 15 with you, for perpetual generations : 13 I do set ""my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant be- tween me and the earth. . P.K.Hifi; Ho.,-,>:ig; Jn/..3:7. b Dcut. 12:15; 14:4, etc.; Artiiin:H-14; ITiin. 1::i,4. cclinp.l:29. ■IRom.l4:» « Lev 17:10-M; l«:M; DeoL12:K(; 1 .Snm. 14 :34. (Kl. 21:li2« f I.«>r. ■.'4;17; 1 King", 2: B, R, 32. b clinp. 1 : 27. I:9. k 2 Peter, 3:7. 1 rlmp 17!ll. n Eiek.UW: npr.4:3: 10:1. ■ Lev. 2H: 42, 45; Dent. 7:B; I Kiiig».8:a3; Neb. 9:32; P.n. 106:45; Eiek. 1 li : 00 ; Luke CHAPTER IX. 2. Into your hatul; tliey sliall be subject to you, to be Hied for your benefit. 3. Brr.ry iiioviiig thing ; that is good to eat. 4. Thf hlood — shall ye uot eat ; it would not be unefiil, and it was to typify the blood which was to be offered to God as an atonement for tlie sins of men. 5. At the hand of every brast will I require it ,• this was to impress upon them the sacredness of human life, and thus prevent one man from kill- ins another. Ex. '21 : '28, 29. 6. If is hlood he shed; the murderer of man should by man be put to death. This was designed to be another safeguard of human life. The mur- deier w,v die, to prevent others from committing murder. In the image of God; a rational, ac- countable, mor;il, and immortal being; to exercise by God's appointment a portiort of his authority; 12 14 And it shall come to pass, ^B.asm when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud : 15 And "I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh ; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may re- member "the everlasting covenant be- tween God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 17 And (jod said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant which I have es- tablished between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. 18 If And the sons of Noah that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth : and Pllam is the father of Canaan.* 19 These are the three sons of Noah: "iand of them was the whole earth overspread. 20 And Noah began to be a husband- man, and he planted a 'vineyard : 21 And he drank of the wine, ' and was drunken ; and he was uncovered within his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw *the nakedness of his father, "and told his two brethren without. 23 And Shem and Japheth took a gar- ment, and laid it upon both their shoul- ders, and went backward, ^'and covered the nakedness of their father : and their faces ivere backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. 24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. 25 And he said, "Cvxrscd be Canaan ; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. 1:72. o rh.ip. 17:l:l, I!l; 2Sam. 2.1:5; Isni«h.55:3; .Ier..32:40; Heb. 13:20. p cbnn. 10 : 1 , 6. * Ueh Chenaan. qrbnp.lD:32; ICbroii. 1:4. r I)eilt20:6; 28:30; Prov, 24:30; C;int.l:6; lCor.!):7. • Prov. 20:1; Luke2l:34; I Cor 10: 12 ; Titus 2:2. I Hab.2:15; Rev.3:18. u Pan. .15: 20; 40: 1.5 : 70:3; Ob. 12, 13. » Exoilus 20:12; Gnl.ll:l; lPeter,4:8. w Deut. 27:16; Josh. 9:2.1,27; Ju>lg. 1:28,30; 2 Chron. 8: 7,8. and with a right to life, till God. or some one in obe- dience to or in accordance with liis will, should take it away. 9. Establish my covenant ; confirm a solemn promise or engagement. 13. My bow; the rainbow. A toI:en; a vis- ible assurance of the certain fulfilment of what God promised, and bringing it to remembrance. 15. I will remember m7i coveiiaut ; the rain- bow was to be a means of leading men in all ages to remember God's covenant, and to feel that he re- members it, and that what he has promised, he will accomplish. 19. Overspread; repeopled with inhabitants. 20. A hiishaiiilmaii ; a cultivator of the earth. 2-j. Cminaii ; he was the son of ILim, and fa- ther of the Canaanites, whom, as a just punishment for their sins, God in after-ages directed the Israel- 27(c generations of Noah. GENESIS X, The sons of Ham. kc.'^l' 26 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem ; and Canaan shall be * his servant. 27 God shall t enlarge Japheth, "and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem ; and Canaan shall be his servant. 28 IfAnd Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. 29 And all the days of Noah were '' nine hundred and fifty years : and he died. CHAPTER X. 1 The generations of Noah. 2 The sons of Japheth. 6 The sons of Ham. 8 Nimiod the first monarch. 21 The sons of Shem. IVrOW these are the generations of the _L\ sons of Noah : Shem, Ham, and Ja- pheth ; and unto them were sons born after the flood. 2 The "sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and ]Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. 3 And the sons of Gomer ; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 And the sons of Javan ; Elishah, and Tai'shish, Kittim, and + Dodanim. 5 By these were the isles'' of the Gen- tiles divided in their lands ; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. 6 11 And the sons of Ham ; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. 7 And the sons of Cush; '^Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtali, and Raamah, and Sabtecha : and the sons of Raamah ; Sheba, and Dedan. " Or, servant to them, f Or, persuade, a E))!]. 2 : 13. b chap. fi:,=i. c ver. 21. f Or, qs some reiul it, Jioilanim. rt Jer. 2: 10; Zeph. 2:11. e Pea. 72:10. fMic-ali5:0. gMicah7:2. % Gr. ites to destroy. Ex. 34 : 10-14 ; Deut. 7 : 17-24. Servant of servants ; the meanest of servants. 27. Enlarge Japheth ; greatly extend the ter- ritory of his descendants. Divell in the tents of Shem; partake of the blessings enjoyed by him. The Jews came from Shem. The chief civilized and Christian nations of modern Gentiles are from Japheth. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. With the increase of the human family by the marriage of one man with one woman, God is well pleased, that all parts of the earth may be inhab- ited, cultivated, and filled with his praise. 3. The fear of man in beasts, birds, and fishes, is evidence of the truth and goodness of God. With- out his permission we should have no right to use them for food; and all wanton destruction of them, or putting them to pain, is sinful. 6. God is the riglitful disposer of human life, and as he directs that the murderer shall by man be put to death, it is morally wrong for government not to do it. It is a violation of duty to God and to men. lo. Whenever we see the rainbow we have evi- dence of the truth of God"s declarations, and that he remembers them ; and we should feel that not one jot or tittle of what he has said will fail, but that all will be fulfilled. 21. Wine is an intoxicating liquor. Those who, at home or abroad, on ordinary or on festive occa- 2 8 And Cush begat ''Nimrod : he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter s before the Loud ; wherefore it is said, Even as Nim- rod the mighty hunter before the Lord. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was ^ Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 1 1 Out of that land H went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and *thc city Rc- hoboth, and Calah, 12 And Rcsen between Nineveh and Calah : the same is a great city. 13 And Mizraim begat Ludim, and An- amim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, 14 And Pathrusim, and ''Casluhim,(out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim. 1 5 ^ And Canaan begat t Sidon his first- born, and Heth, 16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite, 17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, 18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite : and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. 19 And the border 'of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto +Gaza; as thou goest unto Sodom and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Laslia. 20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations. 21 ^Unto Shem also, the father of all Babylon. (( Or, he toent out into Assyria. * Or, the streets of the city, h 1 Chron. 1 : 12. f Heb. Tzidon. i chap. 15: 18, 21 ; Num. 3-« : 2, 12 ; Josh. 12 : 7, 8. X Heb. Azzah. sions, drink it, are in danger of becoming drunken ; nor is piety towards God, nor benevolence to men, nor a long course of successful resistance of temp- tation, a sure safeguard against it. All, therefore, who think they stand, should take heed lest they fall ; praying, '■ Lead us not into temptation," and show- ing the sincerity of their prayers by their conduct. CHAPTER X. 5. The isles of the Gentiles ; countries which from Palestine were bej'ond the waters ; including Asia Minor and Europe. 9. Mighty Itunter before the Lord; distin- guished for his bold and successful exploits, in over- coming and controlling beasts and men. 10. Babel; afterwards called Babylon, a city on the river Euphrates. The land of Shinar; a country between Mesopotamia and Persia, through which ran the river Euphrates. It was six or seven hundred miles east of Canaan. 11. Asshicr ; from this came the name Assyri.a. Nineveh; a city on the river Tigris, about three hundred miles north of Babylon. 11). Sidon; acity in the north-west corner of Ca- naan on the Mediterranean sea. Gerar — Gazn ; cities of the Philistines. Sodom — Gomorrah — Ad- mah — Zeboim; cities in the valley of Siddim,whic!i afterwards, on account of the wickedness of the in- habitants, were destroyed by fire. Chap. 19 : 21, 2-5. 13 The sotis of Shcm. GENESIS XL The confusion of tongues. the children of Ebcr, the brother of , unto heaven; andlet us make us a Vsv"""" JaphcTh the elder, even to him were chil- dren born. 22 The children of Sheni ; Elam, and Asshiir, and 'Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. 23 And the children of Aram ; Uz, and llul, and Gether, and Mash. 24 And Arphaxad begat t Salah ; and Salah begat Ebcr. 25 And unto Eber » were born two sons : the name of one was Peleg,* for in his days was the earth divided ; and his brothcr\s name was Joktan. 26 And Joktan begat Almodad, and She- leph, and Hazarmavcth, and Jcrah, 27 And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, 28 And Obal, and Abimacl, and ^ Slieba, 29 And Ophir, and llavilah, and Jobab : all these were the sons of Joktan. 30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as tliou gocst unto Scphar, a mount of the east. 31 These are the sons of Shcm, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations. 32 These arc the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations : and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood. CHAPTER XI. 1 One lui^a'e in the world. 3 The huilding of Babel. 5 Th« confiision of tongues. 10 The generations of Shem. 27 The generations of Terah the father of Abrain. 31 Terah goetli from Ur to Haran. AND the whole earth was of one * lan- guage, and of one II speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they jour- neyed from the 'cast, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. 3 And t (licy said one to anotlicr. Go to, let US make brick, and -burn them thor- oughly. And they had brick for stone, iuid sliine had they for mortar. 4 And tlicy said. Go to, let u.s build us a city, and a tower, "^ whose top may reach ' Hi'b. Arpaehihad. . divuhn. W fhnp. thranj, f Hph. a mai a burnina. e Dpitt. I f Hrk Shtl„h. > 1 Cliron. 1:19. J Thnt \::\. \Hvh. lip. || Hpb. nwrrf». * Or, laid lo hit nrighhar. ^ Heb. bum them .'H. i I'xn.H'.lMI-IS; I'rov. 10:7; Dnn. 25. Pelep; nie.inin;;divi.sion. The eartkdivid- ed; nmon;; thodifrercnt Irihcsof men. Chap. 11:8. 30. A 7noiiiit of the. east ; supposed to ue in or near Armenia. INSTRUCTIONS. 32. A« all n.itions hatl one common orijjin and sprung from one family, tht-y should all love each oiher as brethren, and seek to promote each other's good ; doing in all things to others as they ought to wish that others should do to them. CHAPTER XI. 3. Go to ; come now. Slime — for mortar ; bitumen ; a glutinoiu substance which tlu-y used for cement. 14 name,'' lest we be scattered "= abroad '• '^- ^'■ upon the face of the whole earth. 5 And the Lord came down '"to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the Lord said, Behold, the peo- ple is one, and they have all one lan- guage ; and this they begin to do : and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have s imagined to do. 7 Go to, let us go down, and there con- found "^ their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth : and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel,^ bceau.se the Lord did there con- found the language of all the earth : and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face 'of all the earth. 10 T[ These are Jthe generations of Shcm : Shcm ivas a hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood: 11 And Shem lived after he begat Ar- phaxad five hundred years, and ''begat sons and daughters. 12 And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and 'begat S.ilah : 13 And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. 14 And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Ebcr : 1 5 And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and dnughtcrs. 16 And Ebcr lived four and thirty years, and begat liPeleg: 17 And Ebcr lived after he begat Pcleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters. 18 And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat * Reu : 19 And Peleg lived after he begat Reu ■4:30. t vpr.9; re.i.(i::9; Liikel:5l. f clinp. 18:21. (:l'9a.2:l. h P8H.6.5:!t; Acl'-2 Ps.llm H3 9; Luke I: 30. f cl.ap. 1 2: 1. % ver. 32; 26. Lived seventy years ; and after that, be- gat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; but not, it is supposed, in this order. Haran was the first-born, and Abram was the youngest. He is mentioned first as Shem was. chap. 5:32, because from him was to spring the Messiah. See chap. 5, and Mat. 1. 28. JJr of the Chaldees ; a pl.aoe it is supposed between the Tiijris and Euphrates, about four hun- dred miles north-east of Canaan. This is the first time the Chaldees are mentioned in Scripture. They lived in the north part of Mesopotamia, now Koor- distan. Afterwards they went south into the land of Shinar, which was afterwards called Chaldea and babylonia. Chap. 10 : 10. 29. Sarai — Milcah ; these are both supposed to have been daugjiters of Haran, the elder brother of Abram and Nalior. If so, these two brothers mar- ried their nieces; but it seems that Haran and Abra- ham, though both sons of Terah, had not the same mother. Chap. 20 : 12. 31. Into; towards. Canaan; a country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean sea. Ha- ran ; a place in Mesopotamia between the rivers Euphrates and Chebar. It is called in the New Testament, Charran. Acts 7: 4. INSTRUCTIONS. 4. It is natural for men to seek to be distinguished, and as natural to seek it in a wrong way and for a from ^Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan ; and they came unto Haran,^ and dwelt there. 32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years : and Terah died in Haran. CHAPTER XII. 1 God calleth Abram, and blesselh him with a promise of Chri.st. 4 He departe4:h with Lot from Haran . G He jounieyeth ttiroush Canaan, 7 which is promised him in a vision. 10 He is driven by a famine into Egypt. 11 Fear maketh him feign his wife to be his sister. 14 Pharaoh, having taken her from him, by plagues is compelled to re.store her. "IVrOW the Lord had said sunto Abram, -LN Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee : 2 And I will make of thee a great ■• na- tion, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great ; ' and thou shalt be a bless- ing : 3 And I will bless them J that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee : and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.'' 4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him ; and Lot went with him : and Abram teas seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran ; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan ;' and into the land of Canaan they came. 6 ^ And Abram passed through the land Charran. g chap. 11:31; I.t:7; Neh. 9:7; Isa. 41:2; Acts 7:3; Heb. 11:8. h chap. 17:6; 24:35. i chap. 18: 18; 28 : 4. j Num. 24:9. k Psa. 72:17; Acts3:25; Gal.3:8. lHeb.ll:8. wrong end. In doing this they will be disappointed. Would they be truly great, and permanently honored, which they may and ought to desire, they must seek these blessings, not in the indulgence of selfish grati- fication, but in learning and doing the will of Grod. 9. The effects of the confusion of tongues are seen down to the present day, in the variety of lan- guages which are spoken, and in the diliiculty tlius occasioned of holding intercourse and communicat- ing freely the knowledge which multitudes need, and without which they are exposed to perish. 31. The statements of the Old Testament are in various ways confirmed by the New, and thus they mutually support and illustrate e.ach other; while both throughout have special reference to, and in nu- merous ways proclaim the dignity and show forth the glory of Jesus Christ. CHAPTER XII. 1. Abram; this is composed of two Hebrew words ; Ah, signifying fiither, and ram, meaning high or distinguished. 2. 13e a blessing: by his faith, and his being a progenitor of Jesus Christ. 3. Be blessed ; especially in his seed, which is Christ. Gal. 3 : $-16. 6. Sichem; called also Shechem ; and in the New Testament, Sychar. John 4: 5. It L%y between 15 Abrmn sojourncth in Ei;ypt, GENESIS XIII. and in the south country. unto the place of •Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the '' Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the Loud " appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy .seed will I give ''this land: and there builded he an "^altar unto the Lord, -svho appeared unto him. 8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of ""Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-cl on the vest, and " Hai on the east : and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called s upon the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed, t going on still toward the south. 1 0 % And there was a famine in the land : and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there ; for the famine was griev- ous in the land. 1 1 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife. Behold now, I know- that thou art a fair woman to look upon : 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say. This is his wife : and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 1 .3 Say, I pray thee, thou art my '' sister : that it may be well with me for thy sake ; and my soul shall live because of thee. 14 ^ And it came to pass, that when Abram wa.s come into Egypt, the Egyp- tians beheld the woman that she ivas very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commciuled her before 'Pharaoh: and the woman was J taken into Phara- oh's house. ■ DcuL II :3n; Juil/;. 7:1. k rlinp. 10: 18, 19. cclinp.l7:I: 18:1. i rlmn.l3:lA; 17:8; 86:3; 28:13; Psalm 1 Or.: 9-11 ; Hnni.9:8; Gl>l3:ir.: 4:28. e clinp. 13:4, 18 ; gfi:.2.5; Xi:iO. f chiip. 48: 19. ♦ Hrb. y*l; Jo»li. 7:«. 8 chiip. 21 :.33. f Heb. in ffninff and Journeying. h chap. 20:2; 2G:7. i Mat. .t: 28. C. J921. and for her sake : and he had sheep oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and camels. 17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said. What is tliis that thou hast done unto me ] "^ Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife 1 19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister'? so I might have taken her to me to wife : now therefore, behold thy M'ife, take her, and go thy way. 20 And Pharaoh commanded 'his men concerning him ; and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had. CHAPTER XIII. 1 Abram and Lot return out of Egypt. 7 By disagree- ment they part asunder. 10 Lot goeth to wicked Sodom. 14 God renevveth the promise to Abram. 1^ He removelh to Hebron, and tiiere buildeth an altar. AND Abram w^ent up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the '"south. 2 And Abram was very rich "in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bcth-cl and Hai ; 4 Unto the place of the "altar, which he had made there at the first : and there Abram called Pon the name of the Lord. 5 11 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. j rs:u 10.-.: H; Prn V. (i : 2rt ; Heb. 13:4. k chap. 20 : 1 0 ; 20 : 1 0 ; Exa 'roverbs21:I. m chap. 12: 9, etc. n chap, .lob 1:10; Psalm 112:3; Proverbs 3:9, 10; 24 : .^'i ; 1 Sam. 2 : 7 10:22; Mat.K:a3. o chap. 12:7, 8; Psa.42:I,2; 84:10. V Psa. 115:17; 143:18. mount Ebal on the north, and G-erizim on the south. It is now called Naplonse or Nabnhis, and is about forty miles north of Jerusalem. Phitii.; the origi- nal word means terehintli, a turpentine \i-»e or grove. 8. Urthel ; the meaning of this word is house of G-od. This name was afterwards given to this place by Jacob. Chap. 28:19. The city was before called Luz. and is about thirty miles south of Shechem. Ilai ; called Aj, Josh. 8: 1; a few miles east of Bethel. 10. Eeypt ; n country two or three hundred miles south-west of Canaan, through which ran the river Nile. 1.3. Sister; this term is used in the Bible, not only as now for the daughter of one's parents, but aUo for a niece, or near female relative: as brother is used for a nepliew or n^ar male relative. Chap. 11:11. My soul shall live; my life shall be spared. 17. Plagued Pharaoh; showed him by some calamity that it w.-w wrong for him to keep Sarai, for she was Abram's wife. INSTRUCTIONS. 3. Though God calls his peojile to make great sacrifices for his sake, he promises th greater than those they relinquish ; and in believing and obeying him, they will find abundant reward. 8. When called to remove from one place to an- other, it is a great comfort to take with us our friends. Wherever we are we should worship God, and commit ourselves and our friends to his merci- ful guidance and care. 10. Though obedience to God will not, in this world, secure us from trials, it will prepare us to meet them, make them blessings, ana fit us, when we leave this world, to be freed from all trials and receive uuiningled and everlasting joys. 12. The best of men are far from being faultless ; they do many things in which it is neither wise, nor safe, nor right for us to imitate them ; and whenever we trust to hum.an expedients instead of trusting in God, we may expect to be punished for our folly. l-'3. Great beauty is a source of gre;it danger, and often the means of great evil to its possessor. 20. The Lord watches over his people for good, and takes much belter care, of them than they do of themselves. them blessings 1. CHAPTER XIII. The south ; the south part of Canaan. Mram and Lot separate. GENESIS XIV. The battle of the kings. S.aira- 6 And the land was not able Mo bear them, that they might dwell togeth- er : for their substance Avas great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle, and the herd- men of Lot's cattle : and the Canaanite 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 he * brethren.'' 9 Is not the whole land before ''thee'? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me : if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right ; or if thori depart to the right hand, then I will go to the '"left. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and be- held all the plain of Jordan, that it ivas well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed s Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the '■garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto ' Zoar. 1 1 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan ; and Lot journeyed east : and they separated J themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Ca- naan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom ivere wicked and sinners ''before the Lord exceedingly. 14 T[And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, « cliap. 36:7. b chap. 34:30. c Phil. 2:14; Hebrews 12:14. * Heb. men brethren, d chap. 11; 27. e rbap. 20: 1:). f ] Peter, 3:8-1-2. 6 rhap. 19:2S; 1 .lolin, 2 IS. h chap. 2:10; Isa. Bl : 3 ; Joel 2: 3. iclia^. H:2. j Prov. 27:10. k chap. 18:20; Ezek. 6. Not able to bear them ; the pasturage was not sufficient for their flocks. 7. Dwelled tlieii in tJie land; and the quarrels of the herdmen would make a bad impression on them. 8. Brethren ; near relatives, and professors of the same religion. 10. Jordan ; rising near mount Lebanon, and run- ning south into the Dead sea. The plain of Jordan was the region bordering on the river. Sodom — Go- tnorrah — Zoar ; cities in the south of Canaan, and near the Jordan. Garden of the Lord; the scenery of p.aradise may harbor a population ripening for hell. 1.5. To thee will I gice it ; not to him person- ally, but to his descendants. Acts7:5. Forever; for a perpetual inheritance, should they continue to obey him. 16. As the dnst of the earth ; very numerous. IS. Plain; chap. 12:6. Hebron; a city about twenty miles south of Jerusalem, called originally Kirjath-Arba, or the city of Arba, a famous giant who lived there. Josh. 11: 1.5. INSTRUCTIONS. 4. Habitual communion with God is essential to a life of faith ; and necessary in order rightly to use the blessings, meet the trials, and discharge the duties of life. 6. Increasing riches may part old and tried friends. 7. Contentions among the friends of God, the members of their families, or persons in their em- ployment, are e.xceedingly injurious to his cause; Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward : 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and 'to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the du?t of the earth : so that if a man can num- ber the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it ; for I will give it unto thee. 18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the t plain of "" Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord. CHAPTER XIV. 1 The battle of four kings against five. 12 Lot is taken prisoner. 14 Abram rescueth him. 18 Melohizedek blesseth Abram. '20 Abram giveth him tithe. '2'i The rest of the spoil, his partners having had their portions, he restoreth to the king of Sodom. AND it came to pass, in the days of Amraphel king °of Shinar, Arioch king of EUasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations ; 2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Go- morrah, Shinab king of °Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is PZoar. 3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, •• which is the salt sea. 16:49; 2 Peter, 2:7, 8. I chap. 12:7. \ Yleh. plains, m chap. 3.t:27. n chap. 11:2; Isa. 11: 11; Zech. .1: II. o Dent. 29:23 ; Hoseall:8. p chap. 19:22. q Deut. 3 : 17; Josh. 3: 16. they tend to prejudice men ag.ainst religion, and to prevent their salvation. 9. A wise and good man will be kind, accommo- dating and peaceful ; will seek to avoid strife, es- pecially with his relatives ; and will often relinquish his rights rather than contend for them. 13. When men, in selecting their place of abode, regard the opportunities for making money more than they do the means of intellectual and moral improvement, they commit sin, and will have reason to be grateful if they escape ruin. 1.5. God requires faith in promises, the fulfilment of which is future and distant. 18. Men who, from regard to God, make sacri- fices for peace, will be kept from many evils into which others will fall. They will receive much good themselves, and be instrumental in communi- cating much to others. CHAPTER XIV. 1. Shhiar ; chap. 10 : 10. EUasar; supposed by some to be in Arabia, and by others in Media. Elam ; Persia. 2. King of Sodom; the word king is used in the Bible for the ruler of a city or small district ; and for the chief of a clan or tribe, as well as for the ruler of a nation. 3. Joined together; assembled their forces. Vale of Siddim ; the southern part of the valley of the Jordan, in which were the cities above men- tioned, and where is now the Dead sea. 17 Lot taken captive, GENESIS XIV. and released by Abram. 4 Twelve years llicy served Chedorlao- mer, and in the thirteenth year they re- belled. 5 And in the fourteenth year came Che- dorlaoiner, and the kings tiiat were with liim, and smote "the llcphaims ''in Ash- terotii-karnaini, and nhe Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in *8haveh Kiriathaim, 6 And tiie Horites in their mount Seir, unto t El-paran, '' which is by the wilder- ness. 7 And they returned, and came to En- mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, tliat dwelt ''in Hazezon- tamar. 8 And there went out the king of Sod- om, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, (the same is Zoar ;) and they joined battle witli them in the vale of Siddim ; 9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Am- raplicl king of Sliinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with live. H) And the vale of Siddim icas full of slime-pits ; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there : and they that remained lied "^to the mountain. 1 1 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12 And they took Lot, Abram's broth- er's son, who dwelt ^\\\ Sodom, and his goods, and departed. 13 II And there came one that had es- caped, and told Abram the Hebrew ; '' for he dwelt in tlie plain of Mamre the Am- orite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. »cllnp.l^:^0. b Jonli. IQ:-!. e Deut.3: lO.'JO. * Ox. the plain of Kiriuthnitn. \ Or, plnin of Paran. d clmp. 21 :S1 ; Num. 1-2 : Iti. • jriiroii. iO:«. f rlinp. I»:l7,;i0. I cbrip. 13: li; Num. l(i:-26; ITim.S;!!. brlmp. I3;18. ^Or.Udforth. TiOr.imtnicred. i DeuU 14 And when Abram heard that *B.c:m3: his brother was taken captive, he i armed his drained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them 'unto Dan. 15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and J smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16 And he brought back ''all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. 17 T[ And the king of Sodom 'went out to meet him (after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him,) at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's "'dale. 18 And " iNIelchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine : and he was the ° priest of the most Phigh God. 19 And he blessed him, and said. Bless- ed be Abram of the most high God, i pos- sessor of heaven and earth : 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him ''tithes of all. 21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the H persons, and take the goods to thyself. 22 And Abram said to the king of Sod- om, I 'have liflcd iip my hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the 'possessor of heaven and earth, 23 That "I will not take from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich : 24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre ; let them take their "portion. 4. Served Chedorlaomer; by paying him trib- ute. Rebelled; refused lon-jer to pav tribute. .'). Asliteroth — Ham — Shaveh kiriathaim; places east of the JorJiin. G. Mount Seir; goutli of the Dead sea. El- para/i ; west of mount Seir. 7. liii-mishpat — Ilazezou-tamar ; places be- tween the Jordan and the south-east part ol the Med- iterranean bea. 10. Slime-nilg ; places wliere bitumen, a glu- tinous and inllammahle subst^ince, oozed out of the pround, or where bitumen hail been du^ out to be used for mortar. Chap. 11 : ;i. Fell there ; ^vere mired, or were overcome, ami many perished. 13. The Jlehrew ; a name ^iven lo Abram, as some suppose, because lie descended from Eber, or Heber ; and as others think, because he came from beyond the river Euphrates; the word signifying one wlio h.is p;uised over. Plain of Mamre; chap. I'i.Ct. Confederate with Abram; united with him in opposing his enemies. 18 34:1. i l8H.41:-2,3. k 1 Sam. 30:8. 18. I 1 Sum. 18:6. ni iSiUii. 18:18. iiHeb.7:l. o Psa. 1 10:4: Hel).5:fi; 7:3. 1 1. vMicalifi:K. 1 ver.M; I'8a.-24:li r>0:10. rHcb.7:l-I0. || Heb.»nu/«. • E.x. 6:8. I TIT. 19; rbap. -21:33. n Ksth. 9: 16, IB. vlTim.S:I8. 14. Brother; here used for nephew. Chapter 12 : 13. Ban ; a place in the north part of Canaan, first called Laish. Judg. IS : 7-29. 1;1. Jjefthand; to the north. Damascus; the capital of ancient Syria; on a plain east of Anti- Lebanon. 17. Shaveh — dale; a valley near .Terus.^lem. 18. Melchizedek; aname meaningKing of right- eousness Salem; meaning, in Hebrew, peace, Heb. 7:2; supposed to iiave been the place after- wards called Jerusalem. 20. He gave him tithes ; Abram gave to Mel- chizedek a tenth part. lleb. 7:1-17. This was done as an e.xpression of gratitude to tjrod, whose priest Melchizedek was. 21. Persons and — goods; which Abr.%m had taken from the enemy. 22. Lifted up my hand ; taken an oath, or made a solemn promise. 21. Auer, Eshcol, and Mamre ; the confeder- ates of Abram, mentioned v. 13. God encourascth Abram GENESIS XV. with the promise of a son. CHAPTER XV. 1 God encourageth Abram. 2 Abram complaineth for ■want of an heir. 4 God promiseth liim a son, and a multiplying of his seed. 0 Abramis justified by faith. 7 Canaan is promised again, and confirmed by a sign, 12 and a vision. AFTER these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a "vision, saying, ""Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield,'^ and thy exceeding "^ great reward. 2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go "^childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus ? 3 And Abram said, Behokl, to me thou hast given no seed : and lo, one born in my house ""is mine heir. 4 And behoki, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir ; but he that shall come forth out of thine s own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, ''if thou be able to number them: and he said vmto him, 'So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the Lord ; and he countcdJ it to him for righteousness. 7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee ''out of Ur of the Chal- dees, to give thee this land to inherit it. a chap. 46:2; Num. 12;6; Diin. 10:1; Acts 10:11,22. 1) I-uke \:13. c Dent. .%■! : 29 ; Psa. 3 : 3 ; 84:11; 91:4; 119:114; Trov an-.r,. <1 Psa. 142:.'j; Lam. S:24; Heb. I3:.S. e cliap. .30: 1 ; Isa .W : 5 ; Acts 7 : .=>. fProv. 29:21. g chap. 17: 16. h Deut. 1 : 10 Heb. 11:12. i Rom. 4:18. j Rom. 4:3, 6, etc.; Gal. 3 :6; .liis INSTRUCTIONS. IL Erer since tlie apostasy, there have been men who acted as if might gave right; who, if they could, would rob others ; and, to obtain their property, put them to death : sins as odious and hateful, when committed by rulers and nations, as when commit- ted by private individuals. 12. When men, for worldly purposes, choose to dwell in places distinguished for wickedness, they expose themselves to share in the calamities which that wickedness brings upon the people. 16. When men have been robbed of what .justly belongs to them, those who are right-minded will abhor the crime, and be disposed, when they can, to take right and elfectual measures, that what has been taken away may be restored. 20. Though Grod often suffers wicked men to take possession of what does not belong to them, such possession gives theiu no just title to it; and when, in his providence, lie restores it, his goodness should be acknowledged, and the praise given to him. 23. (.rood men, who do right, will be careful to avoid the reality and the appearance of covetous- ness, and of every thing selfish, niggardly, and mean. CHAPTER XV. 1. Shield; protection. 2. Give me; as a token that the promises will be fulfilled, or to show me how they will be accom- plished. Chap. 12 : 1-3 ; 13 : 14-17. Steward of tny house; his head-servant. 3. Born in -riiy house ; a house-servant. 5. So shall thy seed be ; exceedingly numerous. Chap. 13:16. 6. Counted it to him for righteonsness ; ac- 8 And he said, Lord God, 'whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it 1 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 tiirtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided "them in the midst,-and laid each piece one against another : but "the birds divided he not. 1 1 And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep "fell upon Abram; and lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them ; and they shall afflict Pthem four hundred years ; 14 And also that nation whom they shall serve, will I ijudge: and afterward shall they come out with great ■'substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace ; thou shalt be buried in a good old " age. Ifi But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again : for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet 'full. 2:23. kchap.l2:l. ! Judg. 6: 17 ; 2 Kings, 211:8 ; I.uke 1 : 1". m .Jer. 34 : 18, 19. n Lev. 1:17. o chap. 2:21; 1 Sam. 26 : 12 ; .Toh 4:13. pEx.l2:40. qEx.6:B. rEx.l2:36. »chap.25:8; Job 5 : 26. t Mat. 23 : 32 ; 1 Tlicss. 2 : 1 6. cepted him as righteous, through faith, or the exer- cise of that confidence in God which led him to fol- low his directions. Rom. 4 : 4, 21, 22 ; Gal. 3 : 6-9, 29 ; James 2 : 21-24. 7. Ur of the Chaldees ; chap. 11:31. Give thee this land ; not him personally, but his pos- terity. Acts 7 : 5. 8. Whereby shall I know ; by what token or visible sign. 10. One against another ; the carcass was di- vided lengthwise, and each half placed opposite the other, with a space wide enough for those who in this way made a covenant, to pass between them. They approaoiied at opposite ends and met in the middle, where they took the oath of the covenant. 11. Fowls ; ravenous birds, accustomed to feed upon flesh. 12. Great darkness ; emblematical of the afflic- tion which would come upon his posterity in Egypt. 13. Fo7ir hundred years ; this is suppcsed to extend from about the time Isaac was mocked, or as the apostle calls it, persecuted by Ishmael, to the time when the Israelites left Egypt. This event was lour hundred and thirty years from the time the prom- ise was first made to Abraham ; about half of which his posterity spent in Canaan, and the rest in Egypt. Gen. 12 : 1-3 ; Ex. 12 : 40, 41 ; Gal. 3 : 17 ; 4 : 29. 14. Judge; visit with judgments, in punishment of their sins. Substance; riches. Psa. 105:37. 16. In the fourth generation ; after four hun- dred years from the time above mentioned ; or the fourth generation from the time they went into Egypt, Moses and Caleb being the fourth genera- tion from Levi and Judah. Amorites ; one of the principal nations that was to be destroyed by the 19 The promise confirmed. GENESIS XVr Hagar Jlcclh from Sarai. 17 And it came to pass, that when the j slie conceived : and when she saw *b.?;^: sun wont down, and it was dark, behold that she had conceived, her mistress was a smokintr furnace, and 'a burning lamp | despised"' in her eyes. 5 AndSaraisaiduntoAbram, My wrong be upon thcc : I have given my maid into thy bosom ; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge ''between me and thee. 6 But Abram said unto Sarai, e Behold, thy maid is in thy hand ; do to her i as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai ^ dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. 7 H And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilder- ness, by the fountain in the way to '' Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence earnest thou ? and whither wilt thou go? And .'^he said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her. Return to thy mistress, and 'submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I Avill multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multi- tude. 1 1 And the angel of the Lord said unto her. Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael ;ll because the Lord hath heard thy afilietion. 12 And he. will be a wild Jman; hi.'? hand will he against every man, and every man's hand against him ; and he shall dwell ''in the presence of all his brethren. tliat jtassed between those pieces. 18 In the same day the Loud made a covenant witli Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Esypt unto the great river, the river Euidirates : 19 The Kcnites. and the Kenizzites, and the Kadinouites, 20 And tiie Hittites, and the Terizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Aniorites, and the Canaan- ites,andtheGirgashites,andthcJebusites. CHAPTER XVI. 1 Sarai, being barren, giveth Hagar to Abram. 4 Ha- par, being afflicted for despising her mistress, runneth away. 7 An angel sendeth her back to submit her- self, 11 and telleth her of her child. 15 Islunael is bom. "VrOW Sarai, Abram's wife, bare him _L\ no children : and she had a hand- maid, !tn "Esvptian, whose name was Hagar." 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord "^hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, ''go in unto my maid ; it may be that I may t obtain chil- dren by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3 And Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar her maid the Eayptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be liis wife. 4 1[And he went in unto Hagar, and ' Ur\,.a lamp !•/ fire. • clii(. b Gal. 4: '24. < ,«; l*rov. e 1 Peter, 3:7. t Heb. tlmt wliicli is good her. h chap. 23: 18. il Peter, 2: j cli^p. 21 : '.'0. k cliap. 2.'>: 18. Israelites, after tliey should leave Eg)'pt. Deut. •JO: 17; Josh. 3:10; 10:5-11; 2-1:15. 17. A smoking furnace., and a burning lamp; indications of the divine presence. IH. River of Egypt; supposed to be Sihor, whicli einplicd into the Mediterranean between Gaza and the eastern branch of the Nile. Num. J}t:5; Josh. 13:3; 1 Chron. 13:5. Its preseni name is El-Arish. Euphrates; Gen. 2:11. 19-21. Keiiites — Jebiisites ; tribes that dwelt in Canaan. Cliap. 9 ; 25-27. INSTRrCTlON.S. 1. Tliose wlio are protected by God have no rea- son to fear, and those who receive his gracious re- ward will not want any good thing. 6. That confidf-nre in God which Ic.ids men to believe and oliey him is counted to them for right- eousness ; and those who exercise it will, for Christ's sake, be jiistitied, sanctified, and saved. Rom. -1:3; James 2: 2 1-21. 13. God graciously communicates to his people as iiiurh knowledge of the future as will best fit them for the discharge of their duty; and what would not be useful to them he kindly withholds. IH. When ''od in his providence has given to a people a good land, and they abuse his mercicii. break his laws, .and live in rebellion against him, he may justly take it from them and give it to others. 20 CHAPTER XVI. I. A handmaid; a female servant. 3. His vife ; this was a violation of the great Law of marriage, and was followed by great domes- tic troubles. Mat. 19 : 5-9. 5. My wrong be iipo7i thee ; thou art the cause of this evil, and thou oughtest to prevent it. 7. The Angel of the Lord; supposed to be the Messenger of the covenant, the Messiah. Mai. 3:1; Luke 1 : 76. Shnr ; the wilderness or desert between Canaan and Egypt. 9. Retnr/i to thy mistress ; she would be more exposed to hardship, suffering, and death, in going forward, than in going back. II. Ishmael; a Hebrew name, meaning God will hear ; it was given as a memento that God had heard and gr.anted her relief, and an encour.Tgemeiit to her and others to call upon him. Psa. 50 : 15. 12. He will he a ivild man ; his posterity would be rude, unsubdued, and opposed to the restraints of city life; as the Arabs in their native country always have been. His hand — against every man ; they would be robbers and plunderers of such as should fall in their way. Direll in the presence ; though opposed to all nations, they would never be exterminated or dispossessed ; and they have contin- ued to inhabit Arabia down to the present day. God reneu-eth the covenant. GENESIS XVII. Tlie seal of circumcision. B. c-mo.' 1 3 And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou ^ God seest me : for she said, Have I also here looked after him that sceth me 1 14 Wherefore the well was called Beer- lahai-roi:* behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 1 5 1[ And '' Hagar bare Abram a son : and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. 16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram. CHAPTER XVII. 1 God reneTS-eth the covenant. 5 Abram his name is changed in token of a greater blessing. 10 Circum- cision is instituted. 15 Sarai her name is changed, and she blessed. 17 Isaac is promised. i23 Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised. AND when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, •= I «?n the Almighty God ; walk •* before me, and be thou t perfect. 2 And I will make my •= covenant be- tween me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face : and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be ""a father of many t nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but ^thy name shall be Abraham ;^ for '' a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruit- ful, and I will make ' nations of thee ; and kings shall come out of thee. a Prov. 5 : 21. * Tli.it ie, the well of him that liveth ami secth me. !> cliap. 2fl:12. c ohap. 18:14; Ex. 6 : 3 ; Dan.4:3,T: Kph..3:'20. A chap.48:1.5; 1 King.s, 2 : 4 : 2Kinss,20:3. t Or, upright, or, sin- cere. cliap.6:9; Deut. 18:13; Job 1:1. o rliap. 9:9; Psalm in.i:8, II ; Gal.3:17, 18. f chap. 13: Ifi; 22 : 17. f Heh. multi- tude of nations, g Neh. 9:7. % Tliat is, father of a great multi- 13. The Lord ; in the original, Jehovah, "who spoke to her. 14. Beer-lahai-roi ; the ■vrell of the livinp; one who seetii ine. Kadesh and Bered ; places about forty miles south of Hebron. 16. Fourscore ; eighty. INSTRUCTIOXS. 2. Abraham was not perfect. In all things he came short, and in many things offended. It is not wise, safe, or right for us to imitate any mere man in all things. There is hut one perfect example. 6. Such is human nature, that irresponsible power is very likely to be abused ; and nothing but the grace of God will teach masters and mistresses so to treat servants as to fulfil the great law of lore. Mat. 7:12. 11. The Lord tenderly sympathizes in the afflic- tions of servants as well as of masters. His ears are ahvays open to the cries of those who heartily call upon him, and he is ready to help them. 15. Mementos of divine kindness are highly prop- er, and may be very useful. They remind us of the unmerited goodness of G-od, tend to awaken new gratitude, and lead to increasing devotion to his service. 7 And I will establish my covenant be- tween me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlast- ing covenant; Jto be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land II wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting ''possession; and 'I will be their God. 9 Tf And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee, in their genera-* tions. 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. 1 1 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 circumcised among you, every man- child in your generations, he that is born in° the house, 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 circumcised : and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlastiiig coA^enant. 14 And the uncireumcised man-child, whose flesh of his foreskin is not circum- cised, that soul shall be cut oft' ° from his people ; he hath broken my covenant. 15 T[And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah+ shall her name be. tude. hRom.4:17. i ver. IK, 20; diap. a'):ll. j cliap. 2S: 13; Lev. 2(i:12; Heb. 11:16. i| Heh. of thv sojoumingt. k cliiip. 48 : 4 ; Deut. 32 : 8. I Exodus 6:7; Jer. 24 : 7 ; Eiek. 37 : 23 ; Rev. 21:3. mActo7:8; Roman84:ll. * Heb. a son of eii/ht days. n Exodus 12 : 44. o Exodus 4: 24; Joshua 5. 2, etc. f Tlwt «, CHAPTER XVII. I. Almighty God ; one who is infinitely pow- erful, and can do all his pleasure. Perfect; sin- cere, upright, wholly and perseveringly devoted to the service and glory of God. f). Abram; this word means a high or distin- guished father. Gen. 12:1. Ahraham ; by this change in the Hebrew word, it means a father of great multitudes. 7. Thy seed; Gal. 3:7,29. 8. Everlasting possession ; perpetual ; to the end of time, if perseveringly obedient to God. 10. This is my covenant ; the token or seal of it which they should continue to observe. Ver. 11 ; Rom. 4:11-22. II. Circumcise ; this word means, to cut around. 13. My covenant; the token or sign of it. Ev- erlasting covenant ; its spiritual blessings to the obedient would be without end. Gal. 3: 14-17. 14. Cut off; by wilfully neglecting God"s cov- enant, they would be cut off from the privileges of his people. Brolcen my covenant ; refused to com- ply with its conditions. , 1-5. Sarai ; meaning my princess. SaraJi; princess of a multitude. Ver. 16. 21 Abraham is circutnriscd^ GENESIS XVIir. and visited by three angels. 16 And I will bless her, 'and give thee a son also of her : yea, I will bless her, and * she shall be a mother of nations ; kinus of people shall be of her. 17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and '•lauahcd, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hun- dred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear ? 18 And Abraham said unto God, 0 that Ishmael might live before thee ! 19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall icar thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac : and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee : Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly : "^ twelve princes shall he be- get, and i will make him a great nation. 21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time ''in the next year. 22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. 23 ^And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house ; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the self-same day, as God had said unto liim. 24 And Abraham ivas ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 2') And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. • dup. 18 :10. * Heb. the ihalt become natioi ~ II ; Oiiliitiiin»4i 2«-.1l ; IPel-r ,1:K. b rlmp. 18:12 2 ■fi c rb iM:13, etc. <• rli up. 21 : 2. • rhnp. ir):18; M: a. f chap. 19: t ; Heb. 13:2: 1 I'eter, 4:9. k cbap 2.1 :7; 33:. 3 -7; 17. Laughed; expressing his gratitude and joy. IS. Miplit live ; pro.sper and be blessed in his person and posterity. 11*. Isaac; meaiiinK l.-uighter — joy in view of the blessings bestowed on him. 2i. God ; the visible token of liis presence. INSTHUCTION.S. 1. Though the fulfilment of divine promises may be long delayed, yet in due time they will all be ac- complished ; for God is almighty, he can do all his pleasure ; and none who continue patiently to trust in, and obey him, will in the end be disappointed. 10. Circumcision wa.H a seal of the rightoousiie.ss of fnitli ; a visible sign that by failh man may be justified, snnctilied, and saved. It was designed to impress en the mind the nece.ssity of obeying God, not outwardly merely, but in heart; of serving him who is a Spirit, in spirit and in truth. Rom. 2:2.V,'0; 4 : 11 ; Phil. 3: 3. 1.3. It is the will of God that servants, as well as masters and their children, should have the means of grace, be instructed in the way of lifr. and be treated in all respects as rational, accountable, and immortal bein^, for whom Christ died, and who, 22 26 In the self-same day was Abra- b.c.'iJSS: ham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him. CHAPTER XVIII. 1 Abraham entertaineth three angels. 9 Sarah is re- proved for laughing at the strange promise. 17 The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham. "23 Abraham maketh intercession tor the men thereof. AND the Lord appeared unto him in the * plains of Mamre : and he sat in the tent-door in the heat of the day ; 2 And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, ''three men stood by him : and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent-door, and showed himself toward the ground, 3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, '■ pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant : 4 Let a little 'water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree : 5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and t comfort ye your hearts ; after that ye shall pass on : for therefore t are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, ^ Make ready quick- ly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man ; and he hasted to dress it. 8 And he took J butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it 43:26,28; 44:14; Kiitb2:lO; 2 Kiiiga, 2: 15. h Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter, 4:9. i rbap. 43 : 24. f Heb. itay. ^ Heb. you have pasted. \ Heh. Hatten. j Juilg. 5:2A. through faith in him, may shine as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars for ever. Ex. 20:9-11. 18. As God is the author of parental afTection, he delights in its exercise, and in answering the hearty, fervent prayers of parents for their children. 2.3. True and lively faith not only trusts the prom- ises of God, but yields prompt, implicit, and hearty obedience to Gods commands. It thus shows itself by works, and by works is faith made perfect. James CHAPTER XVIII. 1. The Lord; Jehovah. Plat us of Mamre ; chap. 14: 13. 3. Ml/ Lord ; a token of respect, addressed to one who appeared to be chief. 4. Wash 7/011 r feet ; as the feet were then pro- tected only with sandals, or soles fastened on with straps, it was customary with travellers, when they stopped, to wa.-ih their feet. ■). Therefore are ye come ; intimating that they h.id been providentially directed there, that he might thus entertain them.' Abraham interccdcth GENESIS XVIII, with God for Sodom. S: "S' before tliein ; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. 9 ^And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife ? And he said, Behokl, in the tent. 10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee '^ according to the time of life ; and lo, ''Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent-door, which v:as behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah vcre '^old and well stricken in age ; and it ceased to be with Sarah '' after the manner of women. 12 Therefore ''Sarah laughed within herself, saying. After I am ^waxed old shall I have pleasure, sniy lord being old also ? 13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old ? 14 Is any thing too hard for the '' Lord 1 At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of 'life, and Sarah shall have a son. 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not ; for she was afraid. And he said. Nay ; but thou ■' didst laugh. ■ 1 6 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom : and Abraham went with them to bring them on the ""way. 17 1[And the Lord said, Shall I 'hide from Abraham that thing which I do ; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall '"be blessed in him 1 19 For I know him, that he will com- mand his " children and his household aver.H; 2Kin.TS, 4: 16. li chap. 17 : 19, 21; Rom.9:9; Gal. 4:23. cnom.4:'i9; Heh. II : 1 1, 1-2. d cliap. 31 : 35. e chap. 21:6; Psa.l'26:2. f Luke 1: IS. gl Peter, 3: 6. hNum. ll:-23; Jer.:i2:17; Mat. 19:26. i 2 Kings, 4 : Hi. j Psa. 44 : 21 ; Prov. 12:19. k Acts l.'>;3: Homnns 15:24; 3.ToIin, 6. IPsa. 25:14; Amos3:7; .lohn 15:15. m chap. 12:3; 22:18; P8a.72:I7; Acts 3:25; Gal.3:8. n Deut.4:9,10; 6:7; Psa. 78:5-8; Eph.6:4. 10. / will — return ; he here speaks as if he had made, and would fulfil, the promise mentioned chap. 17 : 16-21. According to the time of life ; sup- posed to mean the usual time from the conception to the birth of a child. 12. Sarah laughed; as if the thing promised ■was impossible. 13. The Lord ; Jehovah. 16. Lioohed toward Sodom ; as if they would go that way. Tohrivgthcmou theway ; assist them on their journey. Rom. 15:24; ICor. 16:6; 3John.6. 20. The cry of Sodom ; tlieir sins, crying to God for vengeance. G-en. 4:10; Jas. 5 : 4. 21. I will knoiv ; act with knowledge, and treat them as their case may require. 22. The men ; the two beings in human form, who accompanied Jehovah, and who at evening en- tered Sodom. Chap. 19:1. The Lord; Jehovah, who had been speaking to Abraham. Ver. 13-20. INSTRUCTIONS. 5. A pious mind is accustomed to recognize the hand of God in all the events of providence, and to glorify him by doing good to men. after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment ; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of °him. 20 And the Lord said, p Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21 I willgo down*! now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me ; and if not, 'T will know. 22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom : but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. 23 lyAnd Abraham 'drew near and said. Wilt' thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked 1 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city : wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein 1 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked ; and that the righteovis should be as the wicked, that be far from "thee : Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the Lord said, "If I find in Sod- om fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken \ipon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but "dust and ashes : 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous : wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five 1 And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. a lSani.2:30. p chap. 13:13; 19:13. q chap. 11:5; Kx.3:8. r ,7oshua22:22; P8ahnl39:l; Jer. 17:10; I.nke 16:15. « Jer. .30:21; Heb. 10:22; Jas. 5:17. t Numbers 16: 22. i>Joh8:3; 34:17; Psalm .58: 11 ; 94:2. v Isaiah 10: 22 ; .ler. 5 : 1 ; E7.ekicl 22:30. w chap. 2:7; 3:19; .lob 4: 19; Psa. 8:4; 144:3; Ei-cl. 12:7; Isaiah 6:5; 64:8; Luke 5:8; 1 Cor. 15 : 47, 48 ; 2 Cor. 5:1,2. ■8. We should not be forgetful to entertain stran- gers, for thereby some have entertained angels, and also the Lord of angels ; and acts of kindness done for his sake, even to 'the least of his disciples, he will remember and reward, .is if done to himself. Mat. 10:42; 25:40; Heb. 13:2. 15. The commission of one sin makes way for the commission of another; and the disbelief of God's word is a fruitful source of manifold and aggravated transgressions. 19. Family religion is peculiarly pleasing to God, and he requires that parents not only counsel and advise, but command their children to keep the way of the Lord; and there is an intimate connection between their doing this, and his bestowing upon them and their children the richest spiritual and temporal blessings. 24. Those who love God love their fellow-men, and earnestly supplicate for them the mercies which they need. 32. Prayer has great influence with God ; and those who rightly ofier it are eminently benefactors of mankind. From regard to them, God may delay 23 Tiro angih visit Lot, GENESIS XIX. 071(1 bring him mtt of Sodom. 29 And he spake unto him yet an;ain, and said, Pcrad venture there shall be forty found tlicre. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. 30 And he said vnfo him, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak : Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find tliirty tlierc. 31 And he said. Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord : Peradventure there sliall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. 32 And he said. Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once :' Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's ''sake. 33 And the Loud went his way, as soon as he liad left communing with Abraham : and Abraham returned unto his place. CHAPTER XIX. 1 Lot entertaineth tn-o anjrels. 4 The vicious Sodom- ites are stricken with blindness. 12 Lot is sent for safety into the mountains. I'i He obtaineth leave to go into Znar. 24 Sodom and Gomorrah are de- str-yed. 20 Lot's wife is a pillar of salt. 30 Lot dwelloth in a cave. 31 The incestuous original of Moab and Ammon. AND there = came two angels to Sodom at even ; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom : and Lot, seeing them, rose up to meet tlicm; and lie bowed himself with his face toward Ihe ground. 2 And lie said, Pciiold now, my lords, turn'' in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all nigiit, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, •'Nay ; but wc will abide in the street all night. 3 And he pressed upon fhem greatly, and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house ; and he made them a feast,'' and did bake unleavened bread, and they did cat. . . 4 1[But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the mcTi of Sodom, com- passed the house round, both old and younir, ail (he people from every quarter : 5 .\iid llii'v called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where nrc Ihe men which came in to thee this night? «bring them out unto us, tliat wc may know (hem. • .Iii.lEr. «.:).(. ti .lol, ;i"»:i-l. e Hinn. 18:M. ilHvb. 13:9. ' l.uk' ;4 : 'in. r chap. lH:fl-H; ai:H; Luke I, : 19 ; Joliill2:2; Hi'li. 1.1 :i. ( rlmp. 4:1 ; !.«.». 1(1:M; 50:l:i; Juilr. Ill ■•.•J- Un. \:9; S:i»; .lrr..1:3; judge : now will we deal worse with thee than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, cve7i Lot, and came near to break the door. 10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with ''blindness, both small and great : so that they wea- ried themselves to find the door. 12 T[And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides ? son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and what- soever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place : 13 For we will destroy this place, be- cause the 'cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and ""the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, which marrictl his daugh- ters, and said, "Up, get you out of this place ; for the Lord will destroy this city : but he seemed as one that "mocked unto his sons-in-law. 15 T[ And when the morning arose, then the angels liastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters which * are here, lest thou be consumed in the t iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters ; the Lord being p merciful unto him : and they brought him forth, and set him wi(hout the city. 17 ^f And it came to pass, when (hey had brought them forth abroad, that he said, 1 Escape for thy life ; ■'look not be- 6; 9-11 Jude 7 Iloin. 3 8. j ExcmIii «2:14; 2 Peter. 2 : 7, 8. k 2 Km g», 8:18 A 'ta 13 : 1 1 1 clinp. 18: •20. in 1 Chroii. 21:15; Nu 11. lli:28 Jcr. 61:6; lev. 18 4 0 Ex . !l:il: 2Cliron. 3fi:l6; )<. 1. 2«:22; Luke 17:28 ; 24:11. ' H •1>. are fuund. t ; Isa. 13:19; .Jer. 49:18; M-.W; I.am. 4:6; Ezek. 16:49; 22. I cminot do any thing; not for -want of power, but because it would not be best. Zoar ; little. It was called Zoar, as a memento of this event. Its name before was Bela. Chap. 14 : 2. 26. A pilhir of salt ; as a monument of the wrath of God against her for breaking his com- mand. Ver. 17. 27. Where he stood ; on the day before. Chap. 18:22. INSTRUCTIOXS. •1. Though God bestow upon men a good land, and surround them with unnumbered mercies, if left without his grace they will grow worse and worse, till they become too wicked longer to live 8. Of two natural evils, it is often proper to choose the least ; but of two moral evils we should choose neither, and should never commit sin to avoid any supposed evil, or obtain any supposed good. . The only course of wisdom and safety is to trust in God and do light. Amo9 4:ll ; Zeplianiali 2:9; Mat. 1 1 : 23 ; 2 Peter, 2 : 6 ; .1 lule 7. h Psalm 107:. 34. i I.uke 17 .32. i rhap. 18:22. k Rev. 19:3. 1 P8a..l4.i:20. m ver. 17, 19. n Prov. 23: 31-3.3. »Lev.l8:6,7; Hab. 2:15. p Deut. 2:9, 19 23:3. q Keli. 13:1; Isa. 11:14; Zi^pb. 2:9. 11. AM men are dependent upon God. With him for their protector his people will be secure, and his enemies, in perseveringly opposing them, will be de- stroyed. 14. Faith in God is needful to salvation; and when he foretells the destruction of the wicked, if they do not believe him and escape, they will perish. 16. God is more merciful to his people than they are to themselves ; if he were not, they would all perish. 21. From regard to one righteous man, though he be imperfect, God may save many from destruction. 2 Peter, 2 : 7-9. 2.5. Jehovah is a God of justice as well as mercy ; and tliough he bear long with transgressors, if they turn not from their sins, he will in due time bring upon them overwhelming destruction. 26. One act of wilful disobedience to God may prove the occasion of immediate and irretrievable ruin. 25 .ibiahain clcniclh his iv'/c- GENESIS XX. Abimckch rcstorcth Sarah. CHAPTER XX. 1 Abraham Bojourneth at Gerar, 2 dcnieth his'wife, and lo»*th her. U Afiimi-'lecli is reproved for her in a dream. 9 He r''l>iik«>th Abraham, 14 restoreth Sarah, Ki and rcproveth her. 17 He is healed by Abraham's jirayer. AND Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and " Shur, and sojourned in ''Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah liis wife, She "is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But ''God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him. Behold, tliou art but a dead man, for the woman wiiieh thou hast taken; for she is * & man's wife. 4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said. Lord, "wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? 5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said. He is my brother: In the t integrity ■" of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. 6 And God said unto him in a dream. Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also ^ with- held tlioe from sinning '' against me : there- fore suffered I thee not to touch her. 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife ; for he is a prophet, and he 'shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that tiiou shalt surely die, thou and all that arc tliinc. 8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears : and the men were sore afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and rl, «li. 16:7. Pm. 105 4. b rlinp. :«:ti. c .ll p. li: i:i: i fi: 7. ll .Job m ■Ah 14 • HH. tnat-ritd to a hutband « ICliron. ■Jl :17 t."r.. imptieilv, or , itnce ritv. ( S Kings, 50 3; 2 Cor. '•' 1^; 1 Tim. 1 : 13. 1 rliap. SI: 7 as-.r,. h run. 51 :4 i 1 Snm. 29. It is a great blessing to have pious relatives, and to be the subject of their prayers, from how many evils ihi.y iiave been and inay be the means of saving us, none but God can tell. 3G. In solitude we are often more exposed to temp- tation, niul in greali-r danger of complying with if, than in the crowded city ; and the use of intoxicat- ing drinks exciti-s to the greatest abominations. CHAPTER XX. 1. From theuee ; the groves of Hebron, where he had for some time resided. Chap. 13:18; 18:1. Gerar ; a city of the Phiiisiineg. n. A dcdil m'nii ; he would be, should he not re- turn Sarah to Jut husband. 4. A ri^htniiti nation ; one that was not giiiltv in this matter. 7. Shalt surrly die; this shows God's abhor- rence of the crime of adultery, and his indignation against those who commit it. 9. Brought on me and on my kingdom; ex- posed us lo commit a great sin. 26 said unto him, What hast thou done ^b. o^ leS- unto us ■? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom J a great sin ? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not ''to be done. 10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? 1 1 And Abraham said. Because I thought, Surely the fear of ' God is not in this place ; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. 12 And yet indeed she is ""my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother : and she became my wife. 13 And it came to pass, when God cavtsed me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her. This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me ; at every place whither we shall come, say of me. He is my brother. 14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and women-servants, and gave them unto Abraham, and re- stored him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech said. Behold, "my land is before thee: dwell t -where it pleaseth thee. 16 And unto Sarah he said. Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver : behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes unto all that are with thee, and with all other : thus she was ° re- proved. 17 It So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maid-servants ; and they bare children. 18 For the Lord Phad fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelecliy because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. 7: Job 4-2 8 .Ir me S: Itl. J K \. s: : CI .loah 7 in. k cli >!'• 14 7 1 Nel .r. • 1,5 : P ,ilm3< :l ; 1 roverh.s 16: fi. m chap. II: M. n l> up. 47 : h t Heh as is ffnod in thine eyes. o Pruv 12 1; 25 ' i; KfV. 3: h(. P cli.ip. i: 17 1 S,-\in. :6. 12. Sister; niece. Daughter ; granddaugh- ter, or de.scendant. Not of my onother ; Terah, Abraham's father, is supposed to have had two wives ; Haran. Sarah's father, to have been a son of Terah's first wife, and Abraham to have been a son of the second ; jo that Sarah was his niece, and grand- daugiiter of his father, but not of his mother. The term sister w:is then often given to a niece, and brother to a nephew, uncle, or near relative, ver. 5, 13 ; chap. 11 : 29 ; yet this use of these terms, in this case, was designed to deceive, and was wrong. 1(5. She vas reproved; for her deception, and instructed to appear henceforward, wherever she went, not as the sister, but as tlie wife of Abraham. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. The best of men are entirely dependent for perseverance in holiness, for integrity, uprightness, and even external morality, upon the {jrace of God. If left to themselves they will distrust Jehovah, give way. to temptation, commit sin, and bring disgrace on religion, and distress, if not destruction, on them- selves and others. Isaac is born. GENESIS XXI. Ha gar sent forth. tc-S.- CHAPTER XXI. 1 Isaac is bom. 4 He is circumcised. 6 Sarah's joy. 9 Hagar and Ishmael are cast forth. 15 Hagar in distress. 17 The angel comtbrteth her. 2'2 Abime- lech's covenant with Abraham at Becr-sheba. AND the Lord * visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah a'S ""he had spoken. 2 For Sarah '^conceived, and bare Abra- hani 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, whom Sarah bare to him, ''Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his soii Isaac, being eight days old, as God had commanded "^him. 5 And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. 6 ^ And Sarah said, God hath made me to ''laugh, 50 thai all that hear will laugh with me. 7 And she said, Who would shave said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have borne him 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 1[And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the *" Egyptian, which she had borne unto Abraham, mocking. 10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bond-woman and her 'sou : for the son of this bond- woman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 1 1 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's J sight, because of his son. 12 TfAnd 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 : for ''in Isaac shall thy seed be called. a 1 Sam. 2:21; Luke 1:68. b cUap. 17: 19; 18: 10, 14. c Heb. 11:11. d chap. 17:19. e Exodus 12 : 48; Lev. 12:;); Acts 7 : 8. f Psa.l2fi:2; Isa.54:l. g Num. 2.'!: 23; Pan. 86:10; Epli.3:20. h cliap. lfi:l,15; Gal. 4:22. iGaI.4:30. j chap. 17: 18. k Rom. 9:7,8; Heb. 11:18. 1 ver. 18; chap.l6 : 10. m John8: 33. n E^. 3. Before men had the Bible to guide them, God often made known his will in dreams ; but now we have no reason to expect a revelation of his will in this way. as all needful directions in duty may be obtained from prayerful study of the scriptures. 7. Adultery is a sin which exposes all who com- mit it to the wrath of God, both in this world and in the world to come. 13. The guilt of sin is greatly increased when it is made a part of a settled plan, or committed with forethought, deliberation, and fixed purpose; and were it not for the boundless grace of (.rod. those wlio so sin would never be brought to repentance, but would inevitably perish. 16. The conduct of worldly men is often a re- proof to professed Christians ; such as ought to make them ashamed, and arouse them to greater confi- dence in God and greater devotion to his service. Luke 16:8. 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 wan- dered 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 him, a good way off, as it were a bow-shot : for she said. Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against hivi, and lifted up her voice, and wept. 1 7 And ° God heard the voice of the lad ; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her. What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear "not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thy hand : for pI will make him a great nation. 19 And God opened her "leyes, and she saw a well of water ; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. 20 And God was with the ''lad ; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an 'archer. 21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran :* and his mother "took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. 22 ^Aiid it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief cap- tain of his host spake unto Abraham, say- ing, God is with "'thee in all that thou doest : 23 Now therefore '^ swear unto me here by God, *that thou wilt not deal falsely 3:7. 0 P.salm 107:4,6. p ver. 13. q N inibera 22 : 31 ; 2 King.s, 6:17,20; Luke 24: 16.3I. r chap. 1 7 : 2(1. s chap. 25 : 27 ; 27 : .3. t Num. 10:12. »chap.24:4; 27:46; 28:2. Tch.-ip.2fi:2.'<; -if!: In; 39 : 2 ; Josh. 1 : .■>, 9. •* chap. 24 : 3 ; Josh. 2:12. »Heb. i/rtu« Shalt lie unto me. CHAPTER XXI. 2. At the set time; chap. 17 : 19-21 ; IS : 10. M. 4. As God had comma nded ; chap. 17:10-12. 6. To laugh ; in token of joy. 9. Itlockivg ; opposing, afflicting, and persecut- ing Isaac. Gal. 4 : 29. 11. His sou ; Ishmael. 12. I^i Isaac; from him was to proceed the Messiah, to bless all nations. Chap. 12 : 3. 14. A bottle ; the skin of some animal was then generally used for this purpose. Beer-sheba ; this means, the well of the oath, ver. 31. It was in the south-west part of Canaan. 17. The 071 gel of God; chap. 16:7. 19. Opened her eyes ; showed her. 20. With the lad ; to bless and prosper him. 21. The unlderness of Paran ; a desolate re- gion south of Canaan. 22. Abimelech ; chap. 20 : 2. 27 Covenant with Abimchck. GENESIS XXIL Mraham' s faith tried. witli me, nor with my son, nor ^A"ith my sou's son : but according to tlie kindness that I have done unto thee, thou slialt do unto me, and to the land -wherein thou hast sojourned. 24 And Abraham said, I will swear. 2'i And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abime- Icch's servants " had violently taken away. 26 And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to- day. 27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech ; and both of them '■made a covenant. 28 And Abraham set seven ewe-Iambs of the flock by themselves. 29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What "^mean these seven ewe-lambs, which thou hast set by themselves 1 30 And he said, For these seven ewe- lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be ''a witness unto me that I liave digged this well. 3 1 Wherefore he called that place Beer- shcba;* because there they sware both of them. 32 Thus they made a covenant at Beer- sheba : then Abimelech rose up, and Phi- clinl the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. 33 ■[ A nd Abrnhnm planted a t grove " in Bcer-sheba, and '^callcd there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting sGod. 34 And Abraham sojourned in the Phi- listines' land many days. • rlinp. 20: 15-22. h clmp. SI :44; I Sam. 18:3. c chap. 13:8. <1 (■liap.ni:4a; Joi.li.B2:27. " ■nmlm.lliewtll o/the oalh. t Or, tree, e Dent in:2l; .liidg. 3 : 7 ; 2 Kinsn, 17 : Ifi. f chap, i : 26. 21. Swear ; covenant to deal truly and kindly with Aliimelech and his people. •2C. Wot; know. 'J7. Ma/le a covenant ; to treat each other kind- ly, and that each sliould have wliat rightfully be- lon;;ed to him. 30. A vitiiess ; evidence which should te.stify ftf^inst Abimelech and his people, should they lay claim to that well. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. To prevent all doubt, evidence is often repeated that however long God may delay to fulti} his prom- isen, at the set time they will be perfectly accom- plished, and not a jot or titlle of whal he has said fail till it all comes to pass. 5-8. God's way and time of fnlfiUinjj his prom- ises are such as to bring the hi>,'hest glory to him- self, and the greatest good to his people. 11. Seasons of great joy are ofti-n followed by season.s of great aiigui.sh, and our choicest comfort's may prove the occision of j)eculiar sorrow. II. In cheerful and prompt obedience to God, and hearty roumiitment of ourselves and our friends to him, he will keep us in peace, and provide for us according to all our wants. 18. God hears and tenderly sympathizes not only with the voice of supplication, but with that of dis- tress. Not a groan, a tear, or a si^;!! escapes his no- 2S CHAPTER XXII. *.^:=^f[ I Abraham is tempted to offer Isaac. 3 He giveth proof of his faith and obedience. 11 The angel stayeth him. 1.3 Isaac is exchanged with a ram. 14 The place is called Jehovah-jireh. 15 Abraham is bless- ed again. 20 The generation of Nahor unto Rebekah. AND it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt ''Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham : And he said, - Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy sonjlliine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into tlie land of 'Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 % And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men. Abide ye here with the ass, and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering, and J laid it upon Isaac his son ; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife ; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said. My father : and he said, ^ Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood : but where is the II lamb for a burnt-offering'? (!r8a.90:2; Isa. 40:28. li neut.S:2; iChron. 32:.^l ; Prov.l7:3; Heb.ll:I7;.Iaa.l:12; 1 Peter,l:7. i Heb.neholdme. i 2 Chroii. 3:1. j John 19: 17. ^ H^b. Belwld 7ne. || Or, Airf/ ver. 2, 8, 13. tice, or fails to reach his heart. He hears the young ravens when tliey cr)', and delights to feed them. Job 38 : 41 ; Ps». 117 : 9 ; Lnke 12 : 24. 2G. They who would lire in peace should not only avoid contention themselves, but e.xercise a diligent supervision and a wi.se control over those under their care, lest wrong and injury should be done of which they are ignorant. When injured, it is wise to go directly and kindly to those who can give redress, rather than publish the injury to others. CHAPTER XXII. 1. Te7npt Abraham ; try him ; prove the genu- ineness and strength of his faith. 2. The land of Moriah ; in which Jerusalem and the temple were afterwards built. Offer h im — for a It irr lit -offer ill g ; kill hiiTi, and consume his bo«ly with fire. 3. Clave the ivood ; which he intended to use in burning the body of Isaac. Went unto the place : towards it. 5. / and the lad will — come again; he thought that God would raise Isaac fiom the dead. or in .some way restore him, even if oflered as a sac- rifice. Heb. 11:17-19. 7. Where is the lamb; Lsaac it seems knew that Abraham was going to ofl'er a burnt-offering, but did not know that he intended to sacrifice him. A sacrifice provided. GENESIS XXIII. The death of Sarah. B. C. 1S71!. will provide himself a *lainb for a burnt- offering : so they went both of them to- gether. 9 And they came to tlie place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound ''Isaac his son, and "-"laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 1 1 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham : ''and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said. Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto "him : for now I know that thou fcarest "^God, seeing thou hast not with- held thy son, thine only son, from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, behind Jiim a ram caught in a thicket by his s horns : And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place *Jehovah-jireh : as it is said to this day. In the mount of the Lord it shall be ''seen. 15 ^And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of 'heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I J sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son : 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the ''stars of the heaven, and as a .lolinl;-2il: Rev.5:i;. b rsa.U8:i7; Joli U0:17,l.s. c Heb. 11:17; .las. -Ziil. d Ex.3:4; 1 Siim.3: lU. e M tab 6:7,8. f cli,ip. ■2li:5; I Siim. 15 : 2-2 : I'sa. 25:1-2; U7 : 1 1 ; M.-iI. 4 -2. g 1 Co .10:13; •2 Cor. 1 : 9, 10. * That is, the Lobd will see. o , provide. h I'sa. 22:4,5; Dan. 3 : 17, etc-.; 2 Cor. 1 : 9, 10. ■ ver 11. j Vm 105:9; 12. Now I know ; it had been made evident that Abraham regarded G-od more than he did Isaac, or any creature. Let God command what he might, Abraham \Yould obey. 14. Jeliovah-jireh ; meaning, the Lord will provide. It uliall be seen ; that God will provide. Hence the proverb, "Man's extremity is God's op- portunity." 15, IC. A ns,el of the Lord — By myself have I su-orn ; Heb. 6 : 13-20. 17. As the savd ; exceedingly nvtmero-as. Pos- sess th e gate ; ultimately be victorious over all their Toes. 18. Th?/ seed; Chnst. Gal. 3:16. 20. Nahor; chap. 11:27. 23. Rebekah ; her father was Abraham's neph- ew, and cousin to Isaac whom she afterwards mar- ried. Chap. 24 : 15, 67. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The children of (rod, while in this M-orld, must expect trials ; and often, the most severe come last. But they need not despond. If they trust in God, he will sustain them and caiise them to triumph. Rom. 5:3-5- Jas. 1:2-4; 1 Peter, 1 : 6-9. 3 the sand which is upon the t sea-shore ; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies ; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be 'blessed; because thou hast "'obeyed my voice. 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men ; and they rose up, and went to- gether to Beer-sheba ; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba. 20 T[ And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying. Behold, Milcah, she hath also borne children unto thy brother Nahor ; 21 Huz" his first-born, and "Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash. and Jidlaph, and Bethuel. 23 And Bethuel P begat ^Rebekah: these eight did Milcah bear to Nahor, Abra- ham's brother. 24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Ga- ham, and Thahasli, and JMaachah. CHAPTER XXIII. 1 The a^e and death of Sarah. 3 The purchase of Machpelah, 19 where Sarah was- buried. AND Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years old : these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died in i Kirjath-arba ; the same is ■'Hebron in the land of Canaan ; And Abraham canie to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. 3 If And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Ileth. saying, 4 I am, a " stranger and a sojourner with Isa.-15:23; Luke 1:73; Heb. ei : 13, U. k Deut. 1 :10; Jer. 33:2-:. \ Heb. Hv. 1 chap. 12::!. m 1 S:iin. 2 ::10 ; .Ier.7:23. n .Iobl:l, o .lob 32: -2. p cUap.24:15.' i Rehecca. Rom.9:10. q .Josh. 14:15 : ludg. 1:10. r chap.l3:18; ver.l9; 2S:im.5:3. s 1 Chron.-2y: 15 . Ps,-l..39:l-2 106:12; Heb. 11:9; 1 Peter, 2:11. 2. As God is the giver and preserver of life, he has a perfect right to direct when and how it shall be taken away. Though to take life in oppositioi\ to his known will is murder, and subj"cts the mur- derer to his curse, to do it in obedienf i to his com- mand is a duty, and will receive fro;ii him a gra- cious and glorious reward. 5. To believe heartily and fully the divine decl.a- rations, and expect their fulfilment, it is not neces- sary to know, or be able to conceive, how they can be accomplished. 8. A permanent conviction that God will pro- vide, is an anchor to the soul, sure and steadf;v.st. Under its influence, though the winds rage and the tempests roar, men may outride the storm, and ia due time calmly and joyfully enter the port. 18. Fidelity vinder great trials is peculiarly plo.i-s- ing to God and useful to men. It will receive spe- cial tokens of divine favor, and be followed by a rich and lasting reward. CHAPTER XXIIl. 3. Heth ; the son of Canaan, and grandson o{ Ham. His descendants were called Hittites. 2'J Abraham purrhaseth GENESIS XXIV. the cave of Machpelah. you : give me a possession of a burying- place with you, that I may 'bury my dead out of my sight. 5 And tlic children of Ilcth ansAvered Abraham, saying unto him, fi Hear us, my lord; thoua>7 *a mighty prince'' among us : in the choice of our scpiilclircs bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. 7 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth. 8 And he communed with them, say- ing. If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, 9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field ; for + as much money as it is worth he shall give it me, for a pos- session of a burying-place among you. 10 And Ephron dwelt among the chil- dren of Heth. And Ephron the Ilittite answered Abraham in the t audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the "^gate of his city, saying, 1 1 Nay, my lord, hear me : the Held 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 thee : bury thy dead. 12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land. 1.3 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, say- ing, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me : I will give thee ^ money for the field : take it of me, and I will bury my dead there. 14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto liim, l.*) My lord, hearken unto me : the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; • Ait-.7:fi. *H.-\,.apimet„/Gud. b cliap. 13 :2; 14 : 14. iHr\>./ull money. | Hi-li.«ar>. c cliii|i. 34:20. «. d C Sam. '4 : 24. • clinp. •;.'.: ■!; 4'i;30; 60: 13; A<-t»7:lii. f .ler. SJkIO. % Heb. 9. Mtic/ipt 'ah ; a tr.-ict of land owned by Epliron, in wliicli was a. cave. Ver. 17-20. 10. Aiiilieiicf ; hearing. 12. Bowed down ; nsed the customary forms of politeness. IT). Four hundred shclcis ; about two hundred dollar.s. 16. Weighed — I he silver; that was the way, in those days, of determining; the value of money. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The longest life must come to an end, the dearest connections be sundereil, and the most inti- mate friends part to meet no more on earth. A. The bodies of (liose we most love must soon be buried out of our sight. 'J. A burial-place, as a memento of the evil of sin, should lead us to abhor sin, and by believinp; in Him who is " the resurrection and the life," to obtain de- liverance from its power. John 11 rS."), 26. 12. True politeness, and a courteous, gentlemanly 30 what is that betwixt me and thee ? b. c- iwo^ bury therefore thy dead. l(j And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron, and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hun- dred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. 17 1[And the field of ''Ephron, which ii:ns in Machpelah, which ^cas before Mamre, the field, and the cave which icas therein, and all the trees that u-ere in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure 18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, be- fore all that went in at the gate of his city. 19 And after this, Abraham buried Sa- rah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre : the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. 20 And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made '^sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place by the sons of Heth. CHAPTER XXIV. 1 Abraham sweareth his servant. 10 The servant's journey: 12 His prayer: 14 His sign. 15 Rebekah meeteth him, 18 lulfilleth his sign, '22 receiveth jew- els, 23 showeth her kindred, 2.5 and inviteth him home. 26 The servant blesseth Ood. 29 Laban en- tertaineth him. 34 The servant showeth his mtssage. 50 Laban and Bethuel approve it. 58 Rebekah con- senteth to go. 02 Isaac meeteth her. AND Abraham was old«)u/ ^ well strick- en in age : and the Lord had blessed Abraham s in all things. 2 And Abraliam said unto his eldest servant'' of his house, that ruled 'over all that he had. Put, J I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: .3 And I will make thee ''swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shah not 'take a Qone into dnvt. g cliap. 1:1:2; vcr.35; PBa.ll2:l-3. h cbRp.lS:'2. i ver. 10; liiap. 3<):5. j chap. 47: 29; I Cliron. 29:24. k DeuL 6:13. 1 cliap. 6:2, etc.; Deut.7:3; 2Cor.6:14. demeanor are the indispensableduty of all, especial- ly of the friends of God ; and the more distinguished men are. the greater is the importance of their being patterns of discretion, propriety, and good manners. 16. Perfect honesty in making bargains, and strict punctuality in fulfilling them, .are duties sacredly binding upon all ; and those who do not thus act, violate the first principles not only of morality, but of religion. 20. All conveyances of property from one person to another should, at the time, be made sure, and thus occasion of contention be prevented. CHArTER XXIV. 1. Was old ; aged one hundred and forty years. 2. Eldest servant; supposed to be Eiiezer. Chap. \!S: 2. Under my thigh ; a form of mak- ing solemn engagements, (jhap. 47 : 29. .3. Make thee swear ; put thee under oath, or make thee enter into a s,icred engagement. Abraham sendeth his servant GENESIS XXIV. to seek a wife for Isaac. B. C. 1857, of the Canaanites among whom I dwell : 4 But thou slialt go unto my ''country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. 5 And the servant said unto him, Per- adventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land : must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou earnest? 6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou, that thou bring not my son thither again. 7 The Lord God of ''heaven, which took me "^from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land: he shall send his angel ''before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. 8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be "^ clear from this my oath : only bring not my son thither again. 9 And the servant put his hand ixnder the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter. 10 ^ And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed ; (* for all the goods of his master loere in his hand ;) and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia,'^ unto the city of s Nahor. 1 1 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water, at the time of the evening, even the time that t women go out to draw ^ water. 12 And he said, 0 Lord God of my master 'Abraham, I pray thee, send me good J speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I stand here by the ''well of water ; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water : 14 And let it come to pass that the dam- sel to whom I shall say. Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink ; and she shall say. Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also : let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac ; and ' thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master. • ehap.lI:2o,etc; 2i:-20; 28:2. 1> Ezra 1 :2: Dan.2:44; Jonah 1:9; Rev. 11:13. c chap. 12:1,7; lS:l.i: Deut.l:8; 34:4; Arts 7 : a. i T.x. 2.3 : 23 ; 33 : 2 ; Psalm 34 : 7 ; Isaiah 63 : 9 ; Heh. 1 : 1 4. « Josh. 2 : 17-20. ' Or, and. f Deut, 23 : 4 ; Judg. 3 : 8, 1 0 ; Acts 2:9. R chap. 11:31. f Heh. that women which draw vi:iteT go forth, h E.T.2:I6; 1 Sam. 9: 11. i ver. 27; chap. 26:24; Ex. 3: 6; 4. My country ; Mesopotamia. Kindred ;rel- a. lives. 7. Send his an.^cl ; make thv ■way prosperous. 10. The city of Nahor; Haran'. Chap. 11 :27-3-2. 11. Kneel down; the posture in which camels take their rest. 15 If And it came to pass, before he had done ""speaking, that behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's bro- ther, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel teas +very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her : and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said. Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. 18 And she said. Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw tuater for thy camels also, "until they have done drinking. 20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man, "wondering at her, held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ^ ear-ring of half a shekel weight, and two p bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold , 23 And said. Whose daughter art thou ? tell me, I pray thee : is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in ? 24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of i Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. 25 She said, moreover, unto him. We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 26 And the man ''bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord. 27 And he said, 'Blessed he the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of 'his mercy and his truth : I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren. 28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things. 29 lyAnd Rebekah had a brother, and his name u-as " Laban : and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. Mat22:32. i Neh. 1 : II ; Prov.3:6. k ver. 43. IJudg. 6: 17,37; lSam.2n:7. m Isa.65:24; Dan.fl:2l. XHeh.goodnfcnunlenance. nlPeter,4:9. o Luke 2: 19, .-il. \ Or, Jeicrl for the /orduad. P Ezek. 16:11. 12; 1 Peter, 3:3. q chap. 22:2.3. rverS2;Kx. 4:31; 34:8; Neli.8:6; P».a.93:6. » Exodus 18:10; Kuth4:14. t chap. 32:10; Psa.98:3; Luke 1:68. <" chap. 29:.'5. 12. Send me good speed ; prosper me m my un- dertaking. lo. Rehelali; chap. 22:23. 21. Wondering at her ; to see how exactly his prayer was answered. To wit ; to know, from the indications of Providence. 31 The servant is prospered, GENESIS XXIV. and obtaineth Rebekah. 30 And it came to pass, when he saw the ear-ring, and bracelets upon liis sis- ter's hands, and when he heard the words ol'Hebekali his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto mc ; tliat he eame unto the man, and behold, he stood by the camels at tlie well. 31 And he said. Come in, Hhou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without ■? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. 32 H And the man came into the house : and he uniiirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. 33 And there was set meat before him to eat : but he said, ''I will not eat until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. 34 And lie said, I am Abraham's servant. 35 And the Lord hath ■= blessed my mas- ter greatly, and he is become "^ great : and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and camels, and asses. 36 And Sarali, my master's wife, bare a son to my master when she was old : and unto him hath he given all that he hath. 37 And my master made "me swear, saying. Thou shall not lake a wife to my son of tiie daughters of the Canaanites, in wliosc land I dwell : 38 Hut thou shall go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. 39 And 1 said unto my master, Perad- venture the woman will not follow me. 40 And lie said unto me. The Lord, be- fore whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way ; and thou shah take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house. 41 Tlien shall thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kin- dred ; and if they give not thee o?ic, thou shall be clear from my oath. 42 And I came tliis day unto the well, and said, () Lord "^(iod of my ma.stcr Abraham, if now thou do ^ prosper my way whieli I go : 43 Behold, I stand by the well of water ; and it shall conne to pass, that when the • cli»p. «6 : W i JuJjc. 17:9; Kutli3:in; Prinlm I IS: IS. b P«a. LMrS-ft: Jolin<:n4: Epli.6ift-7. e vcr. I ; clinn. 1!."2: 13:2; Prov. 10:M:M:4. "I P"nlm IH: ;10. • Trrne X f ver««- 1 J. I! clinn. 32. IJe iiiigirded ; that is, Lnban. 4.5. SpeaAiiig in my heart; offering silent prayer. 48. Brother^s daughter ; slie was the daughter i>f Abraham's nephew. 32 and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink ; 44 And she say to me. Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels ; let the same be the woman whom the Lord hath appointed out ''for my master's son. 45 And before I had done speaking in my 'heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder ; and she went down unto tlie well, and drew water : and I said unto her, Let mc drink, I pray thee. 46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said. Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also : so I drank, and she made the camels drink also. 47 And I asked her, and said. Whose daughter art thou 1 And she said. The daughter of Bethuel, Nahors son, wliom Mileah bare unto him : and I put the ear-ring upon her ■" face, and the bracelets upon her hands. 48 And I bowed down my ''head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right 'way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son. 49 And now if ye will "'deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me : and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. 50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, and said. The thing proeeedeth from the Lord:" wc cannot "speak unto thee bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken. 52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, lie worshipped the PLord, boiving himself io the earth. 53 And the servant brought forth "jew- els of silver, and i jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave ihcni to Rebekah : he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious ■■ things. 54 And they did cat and drink, he and the men that tvcre with liim, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morn- ing, and he said, Send mc away unto my master. k Ter.Sa 1 Panllli:i2:8; 4H:14; 107:7: Prov.3:fi; 1»«.'(8:17. B chnp.H7:20: .1o»ll.S:14. n P«n. 1 1 8 : 2.1. o rlinp. 31 : « ; 2Slim. 13:2.;; Acti 11:17. f vcr. 2B, 48 ; Pnnim 9.'> : 6. ' Heb. veMtcJt. q F.xoilu»3:22; 11:2; 12:35. r Deut. 33: 13-16; 2 Clirun. 21 :.1; 1 l:fi. 49. Deal kiiuUy ; in permitting Rebekah to be- come Isaac's wife. 52. lie u'orshipped the Lord ; as tlic author of hi.1 succos.s. 5i. Scud mc away ; permit mc to go. Juaac mccteth Rcbekah GENESIS XXV. Children of Abraham. t: c.'mi.' 55 And her brother and her moth- er said, Let the damsel abide with us * a few days, at the least ten ; after that she shall go. 56 And he said unto them, Hinder *me not, seeing the Lord hath ''prospered my way : send me away, that I may go to my master. 57 And they said. Wo will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth. 58 And they cSlled Rebekah, and said unto her. Wilt thou go with this *^man? And she said, I will go. 59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her '^ nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men. 60 And they "blessed Rebekah, and said unto lier. Thou art our sister ; be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. 61 TfAnd Rebekah arose, and her dam- sels, 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 the south country. 63 And Isaac went out t to ^ meditate in the field at the eventide : and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and behold, the camels ^vere coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she *" lighted off the camel. * Or, fl fitll year^ or, ten months, a cliap. 45:9. *> ,Toph. 1:8: Isa. -18:1.=.. cP8a.45:10. d chap. 35 : 8. f chap. 22: 17 : Kulh <:11,I2. f chap. 16:14; 2S: 11. f Or, topray. g.Tosh.l:8; I'salm 1:2; 77: 12; 119:1.5; 14^:5. h Josh, l.i: 18; Judg. 1 : 14. SO. Her nurse ; Deborah. Chap. 3.5 : 8. 60. Possess the gate; be victorious over their enemies. C'2. Lahai-roi ; chap. 16 : 14. South couiitri/ ; Ihe country south of Canaan. 65. Covered herself; according to the custom in that country. 67. SaraWs tent ; which was hers when living, she having been dead about three years. INSTRUCTIONS. 4. A wise parent will take a deep interest in the marriage of his children, as aflecting not only their usefulness and happiness, but that of their po.sterity. V2. Those wlio in all the ir ways acknowledge '.rod .Tnd seek iiis blessing, may expect that he will make plain before them the path of duty, and enable them successfully and gratefully to walk in it. 14. Industry, kindness, economy, and beneficence are virtues which every prudent man will seek in a wife, as upon these the happiness, respectability, and usefulness of families very much depend. 21. Believing prayer is often so speedily and abun- dantly answered as to astonish those who offer it, and lead them in every thing by prayer and suppli- cation witli thanksgiving, to make known their re- quests unto Grod. Isa. 6.5 : 24 ; Phil. 4 : 6. 27. All the kindness which we receive from men, and all our success in business, we should acknow- ledge as coming from God. and be excited by it to new iidelitv in learning and doing his will. 65 For she had said unto the servant. What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us ■? And the servant had said. It is my master: therefore she took a 'veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into his moth- er Sarah's J tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife ; and he loved her : and '' Isaac was comforted after his moth- er's death. ' CHAPTER XXV. 1 The sons of Abraham by Keturah. 5 The division of his goods. 7 His a^e, and death. 9 His burial. 12 The generations of Ishmael. 17 His a^p, and death. 19 Isaac prayeth for Rebekah, bein-r barren. 22 The children strive in her womb. 24. The birth of Esau and Jacob. 27 Their difference. 29 Esau selleth his birthright. THEN again Abraham took a wife, and her name was 'Keturah. 2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jok- shan, and Medan, and "Midian, and Ish- bak, and "Shuah. 3 And Jokshan begat "Sheba, and p De- dan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshu- rim, and Letushim, and Leummim. 4 And the sons of Midian ; lEphah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and El- daah. All these xoere the children of Keturah. 5 T[ And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. 6 But unto the sons of the concubines which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, i 1 Timothy, 2:9. ich,ip. 18:6. k chap. .18: 12 ; 1 Tlie»s. 4 : 13. I 1 Chron. 1 : 32. m Num. 22:4; 25: 17; Judg. 6. n Job 2:11. o 1 Kings, 10 : 1 ; Psa. 72 : 10. p Jer. 25 : 23. q Isa. 60 : 6. 33. A faithful man will regard his appropriate business as more important than his personal grati- fication, and will endeavor so to conduct it as shall be most likely to insure success. For this purpose, while he will habitually pray for the divine blessing, he will use all suitable means that his prayers may be answered. 48. When we have learned, by experience, the right way to secure the divine guidance and bless- ing, and G-od has given us success, it is proper to make kno^^•Tl this way to others, tliat they may be induced to do likewise. .52. New favors will draw forth from a grateful heart new thanksgivings, till the habit become fixed of giving thanks always, for .all things, unto G-od. E ph. 5:20. 58. It is happy, when one's inclinations and the indications of providence coincide ; and a readiness promptly to do right, and make any sacrifices which duty requires, is a good preparation to be blessed, and to become a blessing. 63. Stated and devout meditation upon the char- acter, works, and ways of God, communion with him, and commitment of our interests to his care, are of- ten followed by his special favors. Prov. IS : 22. CHAPTER XXV. 6. Concribines ; Hagar and Keturah. 1 Chron. 1 : 32. East country ; Arabia, which lay south- east of Canaan. 33 Death of Mraham. GENESIS XXV. Birth of Esau and Jacob. and sent them "away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, ""unto the east country. 7 And tlicse arc tlic days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, a hun- dred threescore and (ificcn years. 8 Then Abraham i,'ave up the ghost, and died in a "^good old age, an old man, and full of years ; and was "'gathered to his people. t) And his sons Isaac and Islimacl buried him in the cave of Machpclah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hit- titc, which 25 before Mamre ; 10 The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of "^ llcth : there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. 1 1 *\ And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac : and Isaac dwelt by the well La- hai-roi. 1 2 T[ Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the P2gyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham. 1.3 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations : The first-born of Ish- mael, Ncbajoth ; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, 1 4 And INIishma, and Dumali, and Massa, 15 Iladar,* and Tenia, Jctur, Naphish, and Kc'dcmah : 16 These arc the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles ; "^twelve princes ac- cording to their nations. 17 And these arc tiic years of the life of Ishmael, a liundred and thirty and seven years : and he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people. 18 And they dwelt from sHavilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria : and he t died in the pres- ence of all his brethren. 19 HAnd these are the generations of • Pm. 17:H. b .ludg.ri:X c cliiip. 15:15; -19:29; Job»:2fi. d clm|)..^^: 29; 49:33. » rhnp. 23 : 1(1 » Or, i/adod. 1 Cl.ron. 1:00. r rliiip. 17:20. ltlSam.l5:7. f Hrb./«/;. k rliKp. 2'< : S7. I clinp. 28:5. i I SomucI, I : II ; Luke I : 13. k I Cliron. 5 : 20 ; 2Chron.33:l3; Eira H:2;i; l>riii.HS:l9; rroT.10:»; Koni.9:10. 7. T/trfcscore and Jifteeu; seventy-five. This was ttiirty-tiyht vcars .-li'ii-r tlio death of Sarah, and thirty-five after tnc niarria;^e of Isaac. 9. Cave of Machiielah; chap. 2.3 : 11-20. 11. Lahni-roi; chap. 10:11; 21:62. 16. Tirelve princes ; rliap. 17:20. 18. They ; the desccndaiit.s of Ishmael. From Ilavilahunto Shur; thocomitrv between tlie Per- sian {jiilf and the Red sea. In the presence of all his hrithrcn; chap. 16: 12. 20. Pddan-arnm ; meaning the plains of Aram, one of (lie Ilrbrew names of Mesopotamia, more es- pecially the level part of it. 23. Tiro 7iations ; those from whom shonid de- scend two nations, the Edomites and the Israelites. 34 begat Isaac : 20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to ''wife, the daughter of 'Betliuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. 21 And Isaac entreated the Loud Jfor his wife, because she %vas barren : and the Loud was entreated of ''him, and Re- bekah his wife conceived. 22 And the children struggled together within her : and she said. If it he so, why 07/1 I thus? And she went to 'inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said unto her. Two nations are in thy womb, and two man- ner of people shall be separated from thy bowels : and the one people shall be stron- ger than tlic other people ; and the elder shall"' serve the younger. 24 *[[ And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment : and they called his name Esau. 26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's "heel ; and his name was called .lacob : and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. 27 And the boys grew : and Esau was a cunning "hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob icas a plain man, p dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau, because the did eat of his i venison: but Rebekah loA^ed Jacob. 29 1[ And Jacob sod pottage : and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, ^with that same red pottage; for I am faint : therefore was his name called II Edom. 31 And Jacob said. Sell me this day thy birthright. 1 ISnm. 22:15; E7.ck. 20:31; 36:37. ni cli.ap. 27 : 29 ; Psn.fin:8; Isa. r>3 :!-(<; Obadmli 1-lR; Mill. 1 : 3-1 ; Rnin. 9: 10-12. n Ho:.22: 13 ; 1 Cor. 1.1: 32. itclK'(l his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well. 26 •[ Then Abimcleeh went to him from Gcrar, and Ahuzzatli one of his friends, and'' I'hiehol the chief captain of his army. 27 And Isaac said unto them, Where- fore come ye to me, seeing ye hate ''me, and have ""sent me away from you? 28 And they said, II We saw certainly tliat tlie Lord was with thee : and we 5aid, Let there bo now an ""oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee : 29 That * thou wilt do us no hurt, as * H.-li. (ir(ji^. i Thai 'u,ciinUntwn. tThnlir.hatred. » Tlint i»,ti>om. • l'B»lini7:l.»; Isniah 41:10; fil:12. b di.ip. 35 : 1 <■ fhnp. ei : 22. a .ludg. 1 1 : 7. • ver. Hi. || Heb. Setinf we tmo. I rlnp. '.■! : ■»■ * Heb. If Ihcnuhalt, etc. t clia)). 21 : 31 ; P«,llm 2.'J. Ih^er-shcha; ver. 33; chap. 21 : 14, 22-31. 20. Went to him ; to make with him a covenant of pcafc and friendship. M. ITe viaile them a fedft ; showing that he was willing to live in peace with them. 31. Hvarc uiie to another ; entered into a sol- emn eii:;;it:ement with e:ich other to live in peace. :n. fihehah : Beer-sheha. Chap. 21 : 311 31. The llitlite ; the Hittites were descendants of Hfth the son of Canaan, and one of the nations that were afterwards to be destroyed. Chap. 23:3. INSTRI'CTIOX.S. lO. As great blessings often come upon children in consequence of the piety ami faithfulness of p.irents, hv the exercise of like piety and faithfulness children sfionid endeavor to confer similar blessings on their posterity'. 10. The Bible describes men as they are; records not only their virtues but their vices, and often witli- cnt commending the one or condemning the other. Whether an action is right or wrong must be de- 36 we have not touched thee, and as *b.c:^; we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace : thou art now the ^blessed of the Lord. 30 And he made them '' a feast, and ihey did eat and drink. 31 And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another : and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32 And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came and told liirn con- cerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water. 33 And he called it t Shebah : therefore the name of the city is +Beer-sheba unto this day. 34 T[And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and 'Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite : 35 Which were ^a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah. CHAPTER XXVII. 1 Isaac sendeth Ksau for venison. 6 Rebekah instruct- eth .lacob to obtain the blessinisf. 15 Jacob under the person of Esau obtaincth it. liO Esau bringeth veni- son. 3.3 Isaac trembleth. .31 Esau coraplameth, and by importunity obtaineth a blessing. 41 He threat- eneth Jacob. 42 Rebekah disappointeth it. AND it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were ' dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son : and he said unto him. Behold, lierc am I. 2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know '' not the day of my death : 3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and II take me some venison ; 4 And make me savory meat, such as I loA-e, and bring it to me, that I may eat ; ii.<; Ifi. li c-hnp. 19 3; 31 :54. t TIlR ia. an oath. % That ia, the tvell of the 01 th. 1 cl an. .■(« Eccl. ■-•• » Heb. hittemest of tpirit. 1 rl np. 48: 10; 1 Sam 3:2; •::3. k I'roverba 27 : 1; Lnke 12: 10; Jkh. *:\\ II Heb. hunt. termined not from the fact of its being recorded in the Scriptures, but from its agreement or disagree- ment with the requirements of G-od. 14. God deals with men in this world not accord- ing to their sins, but according to the greatness of his mercy ; and every new blessing lays them under new obligations to love and obey liim. 22. Men who cannot live near each other without contention, luod better separate and live further .apart. There is room enough for all ; and let all do to others as they ought to wish that others should do to them, and all m.ay live in peace. 31. A wise man, when he has ^een injured, will not be disposed to take revenge, but will be ready to overlook and forgive past transgressions. CHAPTER. XXVII. 1. Old: about one hundred and thirty-six years, .3. Qiiifcr ; a case or sheath for arrows. ■I. Stironj nieat ; seasoned with spices and other things to give it a ple;u?ant taste. Jacob obtaincth GENESIS XXVII. his father s blessing. fore I die. 5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esavx went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. 6 ^And R,ebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, 7 Bring me venison, and make me sa- vory meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord, before my death. 8 Now therefore, my son, ""obey my voice, according to that which I com- mand thee. 9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats ; and I will make them savory "^meat for thy father, such as he loveth : 1 0 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, tliat he may eat, and that he may bless Ihee before his death. 1 1 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a '' hairy man, and I am a smooth man : 12 My father peradventure will ^feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver ; and I shall bring a ""curse upon me, and not a blessing. 13 And his mother said unto him, s Upon me be thy curse, my son ; only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. 14 And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother : and his mother made savory ''meat, such as his father loved. 15 And Rebekah took * goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which icere with her in the house, and put them upon Ja- cob her younger son : 16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck : 17 And she gave the savory meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into Ihe hand of her son Jacob. 18 11 And he came unto his father, and said, My father. And he said, Here am I ; who art thou, my son ? 19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy ' first-born ; I have done accord- ing as thou badest me : arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. a ver ■25; cbap. 48: 9; 49 :28; Deut 33:1. b ver 13. c ver. 4. J chap. 25 : 25. e ver ■22. f chap 9:25; Deut. 27 18. 5 1 Sam. ■:.T : 'M : 2 Sum 14:9: Mat. 27:25: h chap 25 : -28 Prov ■23 : 3 ; I.uke -2 :34. * Heb desh able. 1 Kings, 13: 18; 14:2; •28:15; Zech. 13:4. 1 JEx 20:7; Job 13:7 t H »b. bc/t 13. Th7/ curse ; the evil that would come in con- sequence of Jacob's deceiving his father. 19. I am Esau ; anutteranddeliberatef;ilsehood. '20. Tlie Lord tJiy God broitght it ; this was an aggravation of his falsehood, implying that God had countenanced him in his deception. 'l\. He said, I am ; a repetition of his sin per- severed in. 20 And Isaac said unto his son. How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said. Because Jthe Lord thy God brought it tto me 21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may ^ feel thee, my son, whether thou he my very son Esau, or not. 22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and sa-id. The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. 23 And he discerned him not, because his 'hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands : so he blessed him. 24 And he said. Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, '"I am. 25 And he said, Bring 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 eat : and he brought him wine, and he drank. 26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. 27 And he 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 Avliieh the Lord hath p blessed: 28 Therefore God give thee of i the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine . 29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee ; be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons ''bow down to thee : cursed he every one that curseth 'thee, and blessed he 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 presence of Isaac his father, that Esau 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 father. 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 flri thou 1 And he said, I am thy son, thy first-born, Esau. 33 And Isaac t trembled verv exceed- t ver. 2. 1 ver. 16. .. Sar n. 14:5 Prov. 13: 19,22 F.
  • to do in serving him, we should do with our might ; for in the grave, to which we are hastening, there is no work. 38 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 tell- ing of a second; and that to a third. The begin- ning 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 benev- olent designs, causing even the evil which is com- mitted 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 calam- ities to other men's sins rather than to their own, and to exercise pride, envy, and revenge, rather than humility, repentance, and forgiveness. 40. The foretelling of wickedness which men will commit does not force them to commit it; nor does it lessen their power or obligation to refrain from it, or iheir guilt in committing it. 41. There is an intimate connection between ha- tred and murder, and the indulgence of the one often produces the intention to commit the other. 46. To commit known sin and tempt others to commit it, is the way to make life a burden ; and those who lead their children into sin, must expect through their children to be punished. Journey to Padan-aram. GENESIS XXVIII. Vision of the ladder. B.aim CHAPTER XXVIII. 1 Isaac blesseth Jacob, and sendeth him to Padan-aram. 6 Esau marrieth Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael. 10 The vision of Jacob's ladder. 18 The stone of Beth-el.' 20 Jacob's vow. AND Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him. Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of ''Canaan. 2 Arise, go to '' Padan-aram, to the house of "^Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a -wife from thence of the daughters of "Tjaban thy mother's brother. 3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be * a multitude of people ; 4 And give thee the •'blessing of Abra- ham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land t where- in thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham. 5 And Isaac sent away Jacob : and he went to Padan-aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebek- ah, Jacob's and Esau's mother. G H When Esau saw that Isaac had ""bless- ed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan- aram, to take him a wife from thence ; and that as he blessed him, he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not tp-ke a wife of the daughters of Canaan ; 7 And that Jacob s obeyed his father, and his mother, and was gone to Padan-aram ; 8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan ^ pleased not Isaac his father ; 9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives Avhich he had, * Ma- halath the daughter of Ishmael, Abra- ham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife. 10 1[And Jacob'' went out from Beer- sheba, and went toward II Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set : and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. « cliHp. •24:ri. b Hosen 12: 1-2. c clinp. 25: -20. (1 clKip. 24: 2;). * tlvh. amemblij of people, e rliap.l2;2. f Heb. iOHth ; after all the flocks had arrived. Ver. 8. 7. Iliizh tiny ; early in the day. 12. Her father's hrotlier ; Jacob was Laban's sister's son; of course not his brother in our sense of the word, but his nephew. Ver. 15. 14. My hone and my flesh ; my near relative. 2.3. He took heah ; it was then cu.stoinary for a bride to be Uikcn at night to her husband covered with a veil. Children of Leah, GENESIS XXX. Bilhnh, and Zilpah b.c'i7m!' 25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it teas Leah : and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me 1 did not I serve with thee for Ilacliel 1 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 shall serve with me yet seven other years. 28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her M'eek : and he gave him Rachel his daugh- ter to wife also. 29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daugh- ter, *" Bilhah his handmaid, to be her maid. 30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also •= Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet scA'cn other years. 31 TI And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he "* opened her womb : but Rachel teas "barren. 32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son ; and she called his name t Reuben : for she said. Surely the Lord hath "^ looked upon my affliction ; now therefore my liusband will love me. 33 And she conceived again, and bare a son ; and said, Because the Lord hath heard that I 2oas hated, he hath therefore given me this son also : and she called his name t Simeon. 34 And she conceived again, and bare a son ; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have borne him three sons : therefore was his name called ^ Levi. 35 And she conceived again, and bare a son : and she s*iid. Now will I praise * Heb. p/a«. ■ Judg. 14 : 12. b c-hap. 35:2-3 : 37: 3. ever. 20; Deut. 21 : 15. il Psa. 127 : 3. e chap. 30 : 1. f Tl'-it is, tee a son. fDeut.26:7; I Samuel, 1 : 20; Luke 1:25. J That is, /learinjj. i^Tliat is, joined. Num. 18; 2, -J. || That is, j>fa(K. " Heb. stood 25. Beguiled ; imposed on, deceived. Jacob had deceived liis father, and now his ^yife■s father deceived him. 27. Fiiljil her weelc ; a week of feastin";, accord- ing to the custom at weddinjrs, after which Rachel would be given to him. on condition of his serving Laban seven years more. 31. Was hated; regarded les.s than Rachel. JIal. 1:3; Rom. 9 : 13. .32. Reuben ; meaning, see a son. The Lord hath seen my affliction and given me a son. 33. Simeo?? ; that is, hearing. 34. Levi; joined — thinking that her husband would now be joined in affection to her, as he was to Rachel. 3-'J. Judah ; praise — she being disposed to praise the Lord for his goodness. INSTRUCTIO>fS. 4. A kind and courteous behavior is most likely to receive kindness in return; and a disposition to be useful, most likely to make a man welcome, and give him success. the Lord : therefore she called his name Judah,ll and * left bearing. CHAPTER XXX. 1 Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, giveth Bilhah her maid unto Jacob. 5 She beareth I)aii and Xaphtali. 9 Leah giveth Zilpah her maid, who beareth Gad and Asher 14 Reuben findeth mandrakes, with which Leah buyeth her husband of Rachel. 17 Leah bear- eth Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. 22 Rachel bear- eth Joseph. 25 Jacob desireth to depart. 27 Laban stayeth him on a new covenant. 37 Jacob's policy, whereby he became rich. AND when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no ^children, Rachel '' envied her sister ; and said unto Jacob, Give me children,' or else I die. 2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel ; and he said. Am I in God's stead, who hath J withheld from thee the fruit of the womb ? 3 And she said. Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also + have children by her. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her ''hand- maid to wife : and Jacob went in unto her. 5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. ' 6 And Rachel said, God hath 'judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son : therefore called she his name t Dan. 7 And Bilhah, Rachel's maid, conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. 8 And Rachel said. With ^ great wrest- lings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed : and she called his name Naphtali.il 9 When Leah saw that she had left bear- ing, she took Zilpah, her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. 10 And Zilpah, Leah's maid, bare Jacob a son. from bearing, g chap. 29:31. h 1 Cor. 3:3; Jas. 4:.5. i Joh .5:2. j ISam. 1:.5. f Heb. be built by her. k cUap. IB : :t. 1 Psa. 35:24; 43:1; Lam. 3:59. % TbaX ie, judging. % Heb. wrestlings of God. \\ That is, my wrestling. 11. Men sometimes weep' for joy, and few things are more affecting to a truly thankful heart, than the great goodness of God. 15. Our relatives, as well as otjiers, should be fairly paid for their services ; and we ought not to wish any to labor for us without receiving a just compensation. Col. 4 : 1. 20. One of the most prompt, cheerful, pleasant, and persevering springs of action, is love. Under its influence, labor, sacrifices, and self-denials often give great delight. 25. Those who have wickedly deceived others, should not wonder if others deceive them, and they experience the evils of it through life. Is.-v. 33: 1. 3-5. God often regards those whom men wrong- fully disregard, and graciously bestows such favors upon them as to fill their hearts widi gratitude, and open their mouths in praise. CHAPTER XXX. 2. Jacob's anger teas I: indled ; because Rachel seemed to find fault, not with him only, but also with God. 41 Rachd bcareth Joseph. GENESIS XXX The change of wages. and 1 1 And Leah said, A troop cometh she called his name * Gad.* 12 And Zilpah, Leali's maid, bare Jacob a second son. 13 And Leah said, t Happy am I, for the dausliters'' will call nic blessed : and she called his name +Asher. 14 ^ And Reuben went in the days of wheat-harvest, and found mandrakes in tlie field, and brou2;ht them unto his mot lie r Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's 'man- drakes. 1 5 And she said unto her. Is it a small matter"* that thou hast taken my husband 1 and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also 1 And Rachel said. There- fore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes. 16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said. Thou must come in unto me ; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night. 17 And God *= hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, andbarc Jacob the fifth son. 18 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband : and she called his name Issachar.^ ^ 19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son. 20 And Leah said, God hath endowed me with a good dowry ; now will my husband dwell with ^me, because 1 have borne him six sons : and she called his name HZcbulun. 21 .And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name * Dinah. 22 Ij And God '' remembered Rachel, and God hearkened lo her, and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived, and bare a son ; and said, God hath taken 'away my re- proach : 24 And she called his name t Joseph; and said. The Lord shall add to me an- other son. 25 •; And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Josepli, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send nic 'away, that I may go unto mine own ''place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children. » Tlint in, a trottp, 1 r, company . clmp. <» l'.». \ Hrh In fiappinest h Ca/it. li 9: I.tik c 1 : M. II Tim \n, dwetlintj. ' Tll.1t Ik Judgment. h Cl..ip. 'i!t Ul ; 1 Snm. 1 M9. 1 1S« m. 1 :(i; 14. Mandrakes ; pi. My country ; tiie hind of Ciinaan. 30. House ; family. 33. So shall my righteousness austver for vie; by his having none in his possession, except I 42 let me go : for thou knowest my 'service which I have done thee. 27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found '"favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by expe- rience that the Loud hath blessed "me for thy sake. 28 And he said. Appoint me thy ° wages, and I will give it. 29 And he said unto him, Thou know- est how I have served Pthee, and how thy cattle was with me. 30 For it ivas little which thou hadst be- fore I came, and it is now t increased unto a multitude ; and the Lord hath blessed thee * since my coming: and now, when shall I provide for mine own "5 house also? 31 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said. Thou shalt not give me any thing : if thou wilt do tliis thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock : 32 I will pass through all thy flock to- day, removing from thence all the speck- led and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats : and of such shall be my Miire. 33 So shall °my righteousness answer for mc II in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face : every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goafs, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me. 34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. 35 And he removed that day the he- goats that were ring-streaked and spotted, and all the she-goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hands of liis sons. 36 And he set three days' journey be- twixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Lnban's flocks. 37 ^1 And.Jiicob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut- tree ; and pilled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which rvas in the rods. 38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering-troughs when the flocks Ismail 4:1. f Thnl i«, adding. j clmp. 24 : B4. k clmp. SI : .Vi. I cliiip. 31 : 6. i»Ex..T:2l; IVeli. 1 : U ; Pnniel I : 9 ; Arti 7 : 10. n limp. :«l : 3, 6 ; Psiilm 1:3; Isa. 61 : 9. o clmp. 2!) : 15. p MaU 24:4'. ; Titus 2:10. i Heb. broken forth. l^ Hvh. at mv fool. 1 I Tim. r. : 8. r rh.ip. 31 : 8. • Paalni 18: 24 ; 37 :6. \[ Heb. to- morroiu. Kxoduii 13: 14. such as Laban had agreed to give him, it would be seen that he was honest. Erery one that ?'.< itot speckled— shall be coujited stolen; should Jacob have any of one color in his possession, it would be seen that they did not belong to him. Jacob deparleth GENESIS XXXI. with his household. *„.^a!"'°"' came to drink, that they should B. c. 1745. conceive when they came to drink. 39 And the flocks conceived hefore the rods, and brought forth cattle * ring- streaked, speckled, and .spotted. 40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ring-streaked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban ; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle. 41 And it came to pass whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. 42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in : so the feebler were La- ban's, and the stronger Jacob's. 43 And the man "^ increased exceedingly, and had much "^ cattle, and maid-servants, and men-servants, and camels, and asses. CHAPTER XXXI. 1 Jacob upon displeasure departeth secretly. 19 Ra- chel stealeth her father's images. 22 Laban pursu- eth after him, 26 and complaineth of the wrong. 34 Rachel's policy to hide the images. 36 Jacob's com- plaint of Laban. 43 The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Gaieed. AND he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that ivas our father's ; and of that which ivas our father's hath he gotten all this ''glory. 2 And Jacob beheld the ^countenance of Laban, and behold, it tvas not "^toward him * as before. 3 And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred ; and I will be ^with thee. 4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock. " chap. 31 : 8-12. b ver. 30. c chap. 13:2; 24: 35 ; 26: 13, H ; .loh 42 : 12. i Ps.-u 49 : 16 ; Eccl. 4:4:1 Tim. fi : 4. o chap. 4 : 5. f Ueut.28:54. * Heh. as yesterday and the day before. K chap. 28:1.=!. hver.2,3. iver.41. j ver. 41 ; Num. 14: 22; Neh. 4: 13; 43. The man ; Jacob. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Grief at another's prosperity is a n^reat sin, and a source of torment to all who indulge it. Prov. 14 : 30. S. Those who are discontented with their condi- tion, often take wicked measures to change it; and if successful, they are tempted to justify their course. But success in iniquity is no proof of divine ap- probation. 13. Success in iniquity tempts to its repetition; and desired objects obtained blind the mind to the guilt of wrongfully seeking them. 18. The reasons which men assign for the dispen- sations of Providence, are often very different from tiie true ones. 24. Events anticipated with joy are often the oc- casion of e.\quisite sorrow. Chap. 35 : 16-20. 27. Men of the world are often convinced that true piety is profitable, and employ pious persons to | promote their own temporal advantage. i 5 And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before : but the God of my father hath been with ""me. 6 And ye know that with all ray power I have 'served your father. 7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my J wages ten times ; but God sufl'ered him not to hurt ''me. 8 If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages ; then all the cattle bare speckled : and if he said thus. The ring- streaked shall be thy hire ; then bare all the cattle ring-streaked. 9 Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. 10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the t rams which leaped upon the cattle U'ere ring-streaked, speckled, and 'griz- zled. 1 1 And tne angel of God " spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob : And I said, Herg am ° I. 1 2 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ring-streaked, speckled, and grizzled : for I have "seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. 13 lam the God of p Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vow- edst a vow unto me : now arise, get thee out from this land, and return "Junto the land of thy kindred. 1 4 And Rachel and Leah answered, and said unto him. Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house 1 1 5 Are we not counted of him strangers "? for he hath sold ''us, and hath quite de- voured also our money. 16 For all the riches which God hath Job 19:3; Zech. 8 : 23. k chap. 20 : 6; Job 1 : 10; Ps;ilm 37 : 28; 10.t:14. ^ Or,he-goats. 1 chap. 30: 39. m chap. 48: Hi. iiEx.3:4; ISam. 3:4, etc.; Isa. .W:9. o Ex. 3:7; Psa. 139:3; Eccl. 5:8. P chap. 28:18. q ver. 3 : chap. .32 : 9. r chap. 29: 27; Neh. 5: 8. .30. Those who have families should use all suit- able means comfortably to provide for them ; and while they daily seek the blessing of God, they should wisely and diligently use proper means to obtain it. 43. Persons who have been wronged by others need not, and should not, do wrong to obtain redress. Property, and all earthly blessings, are the gifts of God, and he will grant all that will in the end be a blessing to such as continue to obey him. CHAPTER XXXI. 2. Not toicard him ; not favorable, but mani- fested dislike and opposition to him. 7. Ten times ; meaning very often. 8. All the cattle ; the great portion of them. 9. God hath taken — and given them to me; so ordered things in his providence that Jacob ob- tained them. 13. The God of Beth-el ; he who there appeared to him. Chap. 28 : 13-22. 43 Laban piirsueth and GENESIS XXXI. overtake th him. taken from our father, tliat is ours, and our children's : now Ihcn, "whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do. 17 ^ Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon "camels; 18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padan-aram ; for to go to Isaac his ''father in the land of Canaan. 19 And Laban went to shear his sheep : and Uachel had stolen the 'images "^that were her father's. 20 And Jacob stole away t unawares to Laban (he Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. 21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the ''river, and set his "^ face toward the mount Gilead. 22 And it was told Laban on the third day, that Jacob was fled. 23 And he took his brcthen with him, and pursued after him seven days' jour- ney ; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. 24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a "^dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either + good or bad. 25 ^ Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount : and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 26 And Labau said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away un- awares to me, and carried away my daugh- ters, as captives ^ taken with the sword? 27 Wherefore didst thou flee away se- cretly, and ^ steal away from me, and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with ''songs, with tabret, and with harp? 28 And hast not suffered me to 'kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt : but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed tlint thou speak not to Jacob cither good or bad. 30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after • eliap. 21 ; 10. b clinp. '28;-21. * Heb./fro;>/iim. r .Tutlg. 17:5; ISam. l>.l:l:1i HOKO.'IIIH. \ \it\t. the heart of l.aban. 3 clinp. l.i:li*. • cimp. ir,:!!8i QKins«, r2:17; Luke9:r>l. fclinp.W;'l. Job33:15. f Hcb. fiom good to had. t 1 Snin.30:2. ^ Hati.hatt 19. linages; idols that her father worshipped. Ver. 30. 20. Stole away ; departed privily. 21. Orrr the river; Euphrates, which lay be- tween Padan-aram and Canaan. Mount Gilead ; a rang(! of high land east of the Jordan and south of Biishan. 21. Good or had ; or, as in the margin, from good 44 thy father's house, yet wherefore *B.c:K?i hast thou J stolen my gods ? 31 And Jacob answered and said to La- ban, Because I was afraid : for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me. 32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not ''live : before our breth- ren discern thou what /.s thine with me, and take (7 to thee : for Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. 33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maid-servants' tents ; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. 34 Now Rachel had 'taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban II search- ed all the tent, but found them not. 35 And she said to her father. Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up '"before thee ; for the custom of women is upon rae. And he searched, but found not the images. 36 T[ And Jacob was "wroth, and chode with Laban : andJacob answered, and said to Laban, What is my trespass ? what is my sin, that thou hast so hot ly pursued after me ? 37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stutf, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff"? set it here before my brethren, and thy brethren, that they may judge" betwixt us both. 38 This twenty years have I been with thee ; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. 39 That which was torn of beasts, I brought not unto thee ; I bare the loss of it; of Pmy hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40 Thus I was ; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night , and my sleep departed from mine eyes. 41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house : I served thee i fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ''ten times. 42 Except "the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the "Fear of Isaac ttnUnme. h .lob 21 : 1 1, 1-2. i 1 Kinji, 1<1:20. j ver. 19; .luJj. I8:'2J. k cbiip.4J:!l. I ver. 19. || Heb./ [upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this ' day ; because he touched the hollow of ; Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank. I Mfuioriiinj/ ~n~Lukel8:l; l^or.lA:.^8. o cUnp^TiS; 10; ikingn, 17:.1<. » Heb. a princt of Gud. p Hnwa l'2:3. 4. n clinp. Sl.W; .13:4. r .ludg. 13: 18. \ IhnX'w, the face of God. • F,.T 24:11: 33:20; Dent. fi:24; 34:10; Judaea 6:32; J3:S2,'23, Isa.e:6; John 1:18; Cnl. I:IA; Heh. 11:27. 21. A vian ; one in the form of a man. 28. Israel ; meaning, a princely prevailer with God. 30. Peiiicl; meaning', the fivoe of God. This .Ta- oob says he had seen, showinij that the one with whom lie h.ad wrestled was ig : his present as a token of his kindness and desire to promote Esau's good. 12. He; Esau. 13. He; Jacob. All the floclc ; the young, and those tliat could not bear the fatigue. had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. I 11 Take, I pray thee, my 'blessing that is brought to thee ; because God hath I dealt graciously with me, and because I 1 have * enough: J and he urged ''him, and ■ he took it. 12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. 1 3 And he said unto him. My lord know- eth that the children are ' tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me ; and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. 14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant; and I will lead on softly, II according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to en- dure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir." 15 And Esau said. Let me now * leave with thee some of the folk that are with me : And he said, t What needeth it"? Let me find grace in the "sight of my lord. 16 1[So Esau returned that day on his way vxnto Seir. 17 And Jacob journeyed to "Succoth, and built him a house, and made booths for his cattle : therefore the name of the place is called t Succoth. 1 8 T[ And Jacob came to p Shalem, a city of ^ Shechem, which is in the land of Ca- naan, when he came from Padan-aram ; and pitched his tent before the city. 19 And he ^ bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of II Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred * pieces of money. 20 And he erected there an 'altar, and called it t El-Elohe-Isracl. according to the foot of the children, m chap. 32 : 3. ' Heh. tet, itr.place. \ Heb. Wherefore is this ? n chap. 34 : U ; Ruth2: 13; 2S:ini.lfi:4. o Josh. 13: 27; .ludg. 8:3. t Tbalift, booths, r John 3 : 23. \ called, Act« 7 : Ifi. Sychem. q chap. 23 : 17 ; Josh. 24 : 32. || called, Acts 7:lh,Bm'nor. * Or, lamia. rchap.35:7. f That IS, God the God of Israel. 15. Let me find grace; be permitted to pro- ceed without any of Esau's men to accompany him. 17. House; or tent. Chap. 27:15. Booths; shelters, coverings. Succoth. ; tents ; a place east of the Jordan, and south of the Jabbok. 18. Shalem; on the west of Jordan, and north- east of Shechem. Shalem means peace ; and some have rendered this, he came in peace to the city of Shechem. Shechem; or Sychar, John 4 : 5, about forty miles north of Jerus.ilem, in the part of Ca- naan afterwards called Samaria. 20. El-Elohe-Israel ; God the God of Israel. Chap. 32 : 24-30. INSTRUCTIONS. 4. A soft answer turneth away wrath ; and vield- ing pacifieth great offences. Prov. 15:1; 'Eccl. 10:4. 11. Men who feel and act right, will in all their ways acknowledge God, and adore him as the giver of all their mercies. In so doing, they may liope for wisdom to .idopt such measures as he will crown with success. Prov. 3:6; Psa. 25 : 9. 47 The Shechcmiles GENESIS XXXIV. arc circicmcised. CHAPTER XXXIV. 1 Dinah is ravished br Shpchom. 4 He supth to marry her. 1.3 The sons of Jacol) oiler the condition of cir- cumcision to the Shecheiiiitf s. 20 Hamorand She- chem persuade them to accejit it. 3-> The sons of Jacob upon that advanta<;e slay them, 27 and spoil their city. .30 Jacob reproveth Simeon and Levi. AND "Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to ""see the daughtcr.s of tlie land. 2 And when Shechcm the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her,"^ he took her, and lay with her, and deliled'* her. 'i And liis soul "'clave unto Dinah the daughter of .Jacob, and he loved the dam- .•1 •24 2.1; Kwk.ea: 10, 11. d Ruth :H; l.Snin. IS:1 t Hctj, «u tilt hea '/ of the dttnuct. 2a ini. 19:7; 2Clirrin.a):22; \n. HO: 2. • .1 lA- 14:2. fl.Sam. 10 27 iSttin .13:22. » clinp Vi 7. h Joul . 7: 1.5; .ludg. 20:6: 20. When GoJ, in fulfilint'nt of iiis promises, be- .stow.s on men speci:il favor.s, thiy should render spe- cial thanksgiving; and wherever they reside, should have a place consecrated to public worship. CHAPTER XXXIV. 13. Deceitfully : pretending one thing and mean- ing another. And said ; to justify the crime they were plotting. 4S Shechem and Hamor his father"' de- ^B.ciirm: ceitfuUy, and said. Because he had defiled Dinah their sister : 14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a '"re- proach unto us : 15 But in this will we consent unto you : If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be "circumcised; 16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daugh- ters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. 17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to bo circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone. 18 And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem Hamor's son. 19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had "delight in Jacob's daughter : and he icas more p hon- orable than all the house of his father. 20 T[And Hamor and Sliechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and com- muned with the men of their city, saying, 21 These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein : for the land, behold, it is large enough for them : let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters. 22 Only i herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us> to be one people, if every male among us be cir- cumcised, as they are circumcised. 23 Shall not their cattle, and their sub- stance, and every beast of Uheirs he ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us. 24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that 'went out of the gate of his city ; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city. 25 1[And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Di- nah's brethren, took each man his sword, and 'came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. 2.S lin. 13. 12. 1 ncut.23 :17. jcl ap. 13:9. V Ex.22 17 1 Pr<.T. 2B •.'fi. ni .lost). 5 9. n Gh1.4:12 clinp. ; 2Ki 29:. 30. p r mp. 4 : 9 : 41 •20 N imbera 2 •:1:-.: 1 Kin^, 2 :2- ng», fi : I ; I.S R. :l : 'A-h ; fi: 3; 2:! 8,!1; A ■t!l 13 ftO; 17: 2. q ver . 15, 17. r Proverb* 1: ■2, 13. • cli.ip. 23:18. t cli.ip. 49: 6-7. 14. TT'c cainwt ; this shows the mannei in whicii tlie word cannot is often used in the Bible, referring, not to power, but choice. Ifi. Then will we g-ive ; tliis was false, and designed to deceive Hamor and Sheciiem. 19. Brfrrred not ; did not hesitate to do what they proposed. 20. Simeoji, niid Levi ; they were the leaders, thougli others in:iy have assisted them. God scndeth Jacob to GENESIS XXX^. Bclhcl. and blcssclh him. Sliechem his son with the *edge'' of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. 27 The 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 their asses, and that which luas in the city, and that which ivas in the field, 29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house. 30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have "^ troubled me to make me to stink ''among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites, and the Perizzites : and I being ^few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me ; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. 31 And they said. Should ho deal with our sister as with a harlot ? CHAPTER XXXV. 1 God sendeth Jacob to Beth-el. -2 He purgeth his house of idols. 6 He buildeth an altar at Beth-el. 8 Deborah dieth at AUon-bachuth. 9 God blesseth Ja- cob at Beth-el. 16 Rachel travaileth of Benjamin, and dieth in the ■n'ay to Edar. '2-2 Reuben lieth with Bilhah. 23 The sons of Jacob. 27 Jacob oometh to Isaac at Hebron. 2a The age, death, and burial of Isaac. A ND God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up XjL to Beth-el, and dwell "^ there : and make there an altar unto God, that ap- peared unto thee when thou sfleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. 2 Then Jacob said unto his ''household, and to all that were with him. Put away the strange 'gods that are J among you, and be '^clean, and change your garments : 3 And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el ; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the 'day of my dis- tress, and was with ""me in the way which I went. 4 And they gave unto Jacob all the * Heb. mouth. « Deut. Si : 42. b cliap. 49 : 7. c .Josh. 7 : Jo. J Ex.5:2l: lSam.lS:4: 27:12. eDeut.4:27; Psalm Itti: 12. fPsa.47:4. B chap. 27: 4:i; 28: 13, 19. h chap. 18: 19. i .losh. 24:15; Psa. 101:2-7. j chap. 31:19; Josh. 24:23; 1 Sam. 7 : 3. k E.xodus 19:10. 1 chap. 32 : 7, 24 ; Psa. 107 : ti. m chap. 2.S : 20 ; 29. T/ie hoji.^e ; the houses of the Shechemites. 30. Stink ; become odious, hateful. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Ne.vt to the fear and love of God, (he guardi- anship of parents is the great safeguard of children. 5. In this life, trials often succeed trials like the waves of the sea ; the passing away of some being quickly followed by the coming of others. 13. The deceitfulness of parents is often dread- fully punished by the deceitfulness of their children. 24. Pecuniary considerations have great influence with men. and they will readily submit to much ^elf-denial for the sake of making money. 29. Deceit, hypocrisy, and a profane use of divine ordinances, blind the mind, harden the heart, sear strange gods which were in their hand, and all their " ear-rings which were in thei r ears ; and Jacob hid them under the oak which tvas by "Shechem. 5 And they journeyed : and the terror of PGod was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pur- sue after the sons of Jacob. 6 H So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Beth-el, he and all the people that were with him. 7 And he built there an altar, and called the place t El-beth-el ; because there God appeared 1 unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. 8 But Deborah, Rebekah's nurs^e, died, and she was buried beneath Beth-el, un- der an oak : and the name of it was called Allon-bachuth.t 9 T[ And God appeared unto Jacob again when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him. 10 And God said unto him. Thy name is Jacob : thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name ; and he called his name ■■ Israel. 1 1 And God said unto him, " I am God Al- mighty : be fruitful and multiply ; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins. 12 And the land which I gave * Abra- ham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. 13 And God went up from "him in the place where he talked with him. 14 AndJacob set up a^pillar inthe place where he talked with him. even a pillar of stone : and he poured a drink-offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. 15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Beth-el. 16 Tf And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there w-as but ^ a little way to come to Ephrath : and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor. 17 And it came to pass when she was 31:3.42. n Ex.3 !:3.4; Ho sea2:13. « .1 ud" 9 : 6. f That P Ex. 23 : 27 ; Dent. 11 :25; .los 1. 2 : 9 ; 2Cbron. 14: 4. is, the G«d of BetheL q chap. 28:13. t That 18, th oc * of weepine. r cbap. 32:28. 1 chap. 17 1 ; 48 3,4 ;Ex.6:3. c ap.l2:7; 13: l.i 28:l:i. u chap. 7 : 22. » chap. 28: 18. 4 Heb « litlU piece ofyro unit. the conscience, and prepare the \A-ay for the most abominable crimes. CHAPTER XXXV. 1. Beth-el; chap. 12:8; 28:19-22. 2. Strange gods ; idols. Be clean ; cleanse or purify yourselves. 3. The day of onij distress; chap. 28:20; 32:7, 24-28. 7. EI-beth.el; God of Bethel. 8. Deborah; chap. 24:59. Allon-hachnth ; the oak of weeping. l."). Beth-el; house of God. Chap. 28: 19. Tfi. Epiirnth, afterwards called Bethlehem, about si.\ miles south of Jerusalem. Ver. 19. 49 Death of Rachel and Isaac. G'ENESIS XXXVI. Generations of Esau. ill hard labor, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; *thou shalt have this son also. 18 And it came to pass, as her ''soul was in departing, (for she died,) that she called his name * Ben-oni : but his father called him t Benjamin. 19 And Rachel "^ died, and was buried in the way to ■' Ephrath, which 2s Beth-lehem. 20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave : that is the pillar of Rachel's " grave unto this day. 21 11' And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the 4ower of Edar. 22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that « Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concu- bine : and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were "^ twelve : 23 The sons of Leah ; Reuben, Jacob's first-born, and Simeon, and Levi, and Ju- dah, and Issachar, and Zebulun : 24 The sons of Rachel ; Joseph, and Benjamin : 25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid ; Dan, and Naphtali : 26 And the sons of Zilpali, Leah's hand- maid ; Gad, and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padan-aram. 27 % And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto 'Mamrc, unto the city of J Ar- ba, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. 28 And the days of Isaac were a hun- dred and fourscore years. 29 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was ''gathered unto his people, being old and full of days ; and his sons Esau 'and Jacob buried him. I CHAPTER XXXVI. 1,.?;sS. 1 Esau's three wive«. 6 His removing to mount Seir. i) His sons. 1.5 The dukes which descended of his sons. 20 The sons and dukes nf Seir. '24 Anah find- eth mules. .'Jl The kings of Edom. 40 The dukes that descended of Esau. "IVrOW these are the generations of Esau, -L\ who is ™Edom. 2 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan ; "Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daugh- ter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, 3 And Bashemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth. 4 And Adah bare to "Esau, Eliphaz ; and Bashemath bare Reuel ; 5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaa- 1am, and Korah : these arc the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan. 6 And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the + per- sons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance which he had got in the land of Canaan ; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. 7 For their riches were more than that they might dwell together : and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear Pfhcm, because of their cattle. 8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount i Seir : Esau 15 Edom. 9 *\ And these are the generations of Esau the father of * the Edomites, in mount Seir : 10 These are the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz "■ the son of Adah the wife of Esau ; Reuel the son of Bashematli the wife of Esau. « rhap. 30 : 24 i 1 Sam. 4 : 20. b I.nin. 2 : 1 2. * That is, tht ton of my lorrmo. f Tlint is, the ton of the right hand, c cliap. 48 : 7. eut.S:S. \Heb. 1 ; SI). t Heb. touts, p chap. 13:6, Edom. r ver. 3, 4 ; I Chron. 1 : ?6. . 19. Not a thought, word, or action escapes the notice of God, or ever passes from his remembrance. Give me children, said Rachel, or else I die. Chap. 30: 1. God gave her children, and she died. More wise, more safe, more blessed is it to say. Not my will, but thine be done. Mat. 26:39-42; Luke 22 : 42. 29. The death of a parent should ever awaken new .affection and kindness in children ; and while they unite in paying respect to his memory, they should be grateful for his virtues, and so far as he obeyed God, imitate his example. CHAPTER XXXVI. 1. Generatiims of Esau; a notice of his de- scendants. Edom; chap. 35:30. 2. Esau took his vdves; chap. 2G:. 34; 2.8:9. In the different .accounts his wives and their parents are called by different names, more than one name being often applied to the same person. 7. Could not hear them ; they needed more pas- turage for their flocks. 8. Mount Seir; chap. 32:3. The sons of Seir. GENESIS XXXVI The dukes of Edam. B.c.'nw*: 11 A.iid the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, * Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz. 12 And Timna was concubine to Eli- phaz, Esau's son ; and she bare to Eli- phaz, *Amalek: these were the sons of Adah, Esau's wife. 13 And these are the sons of Reuel ; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Miz- zah : these were the sons of Bashemath, Esau's wife. 14 ^And these were the sons of Aho- libamah, the daughter of Anah the daugh- ter of Zibeon, Esau's wife : and she bare to Esau, Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah. 15 Tl These were dukes of the sons of Esau : the sons of Eliphaz the first-born son of Esau ; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz, 16 Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek : these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom : these were the sons of Adah. 17 ^ And these are the sons of Reuel, Esau's -son ; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah : these are the dukes that came of Reuel, in the land of Edom : these are the sons of Bashe- math, Esau's wife. 18 i[ And these are the sons of Aholi- bamah, Esau's wife ; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah : these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife. 19 These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes. 20 '[[These are the sons of '•Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land ; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, 21 And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan : these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom. 22 And the children of Lotan were Hori and t Hemam ; and Lotan's sister was Timna. 23 And the children of Shobal ivere these ; + Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho,^ and Onam. 24 And these are the children of Zibe- on ; both Ajah, and Anah : this was that Anah that found the mules in the wil- derness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father. 25 And the children of Anah «"ere these ; * Or, Zephi. 1 Cliron. 1:36. • Ex. 17:8, 14; Numbers 24 : -20 ; I Samuel, l.T : 2. b chan. 14: 6; Deut. -2 : 12, M. f Or, Homam. i Or, Alian. % Or, Shephi. || Or, Amram. * Or, Jakan. 1.5. Dukes ; leaders, or princes. 20. Sons of Seir ; these were the former in- habitants, called Horites. INSTRUCTIONS. 7. In this world, as to temporal things, God treats the righteous and the wicked in many respects alike. Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah. 26 And these are the children of Dishon ; Hemdan,ll and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. 27 The children of Ezer are these ; Bil- han, and Zaavan, and * Akan. 28 The children of Dishan are these ; Uz, and Aran. 29 These are the dukes that came of the Horites ; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah, 30 Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Di- shan : these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes iu the land of Seir. 31 ^And these arc the kings that reigned in the land of "^ Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel. 32 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom : and the name of his city xcas Dinhabah. 33 And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. 34 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead. 35 And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead : and the name of his city ivas Avith. 36 And Hadad died, and Samlah of Mas- rekah reigned in his stead. 37 And Samlah died, and Saul of ^ Re- hoboth bij the river reigned in his stead. 38 And Saul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead. 39 And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and tHadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city loas Pau ; and his wife's name ii'as Mehetabel, the daugh- ter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 40 And these are the names of the ^ dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names ; duke Timnah, duke t Alvah, duke Jetheth, 41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon, 42 Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar, 43 Duke Magdiel, duke Iram : these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession : he 15 Esau the father of ^ the Edomites. c 1 Chron. 1 : 43. d chap. 10: U. f 1 Chron. 1 : 50. Hadad Pa,. After his death w.is an aristocracy. « Exodus 15 : 15. t Or, Aliah. % Heb. Edom. He makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends his rain on the just and on the unjust. But in the future world, each will receive according to his works. 43. Enough of the history of Esau's descendants is given in the Bible to show that tlie promises of God concerning him were accompli.sheil. 51 Joseph^s two dreams. GENESIS XXXVII. He visits his brethren. CHAPTER XXXVII. 2 Joseph is hated of his brethren. 5 His two dreams. i:i Jacob sendeth him to visit his brethren. IS His brcthrea conspire his death. 21 Reuben saveth him. 26 They sell him to the Ishraaelites. 31 His father, deceived by the bloody coat, mourneth for him. 36 He is sold to Potiphar in Kgypt. AND Jacob dwelt in the land * wherein his father was *a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph being seventeen years old, was feediiii; the flock with his brethren ; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives : and Joseph brought unto his father ''their evil report. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he wa.? the "^son of his old age : and he made him a coat of many t colors.'^ 4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his breth- ren, they •" hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. 5 ^ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren : and they hated him yet the more. 6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed : 7 For behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright ; and behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance "^ to my sheaf. 8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign sovcr us? orshaltthou indeed have dominion over us ? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. 9 1[ And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Be- hold, I have dreamed a dream more : and behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made ''obeisance to me. 10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren : and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed * lieh. of hi* /ather^t tojourningi. a cli.ip. 17:8: 2.1:4; 28-4: n6:7; Hcb. ll:i>-lfi. b 1 Sam. 2:M--24 ; 1 Cor. 1:11; fi:!; II : 18. c chap. 44: M. f Or, pUcei. 4 Judg.f.: 30 ; 2Snm. 13 : 18; Ezek. 16:16. • chnp. 49:23; Pen1m38:iy; 69:4; Titu(..'):3. r clian. 42:6-9; 43:2«; 44: 14. i: Pun. 118:22; I.iike 19: 14,27. k cliap. 44:14:46:29:60:18. I chnp. 27 :29. jAct»7:9. kl)an.7:28: CHAPTER XXXVII. 2. Sonj of Bilhah, ayid — Zilpah ; Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. Chap. 30 : 4-13. Their rvtl report ; Joseph made known to Jacob their evil conduct. 3. Coat of mavy colors ; a mark of distinction, and an expression of his father's love. 4. Contd not ; for want of disposition, not of power ; they chose not to do it. 7. Made obeisance ; bowed down; a common mode of expressing subjection. 52 come to bow 'down ourselves to a":?™: thee to the earth? 1 1 And his brethren J envied him ; but his father ''observed the saying. 1 2 T[ And his brethren went to feed their fathers flock in Shechem. 13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the jloclc in Shechem? Come, and I will 'send thee unto them. And he said to him. Here am I. 14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see t whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks ; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of '" Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 15 ^ And a certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field : and the man asked him, saying. What seekest " thou ? 16 And he said, I seek my brethren: "tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks. 17 And the man said. They are depart- ed hence ; for I heard them say. Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in p Dothan. 18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto tJiem, they conspired 1 against him to slay him. 19 And they said one to another, Behold, this ^ dreamer cometh. 20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, ""and cast him into some pit, and Ave will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him ; and we shall see what will become of his dreams. 21 And Reuben heard it, and he deliv- ered him out of their hands ; and said, Let us not kill him. 22 And Reuben said unto them. Shed no 'blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him ; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. 23 ^ And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped 'Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many H colors" that was on him ; 24 And they took him, and cast him T.iikc2:19,5l. 1 1 Sam. 17: 17; I-uke 20: 13. t Hfh. tte the peace of thy brethren, etc. m chnp. 3ft : 27. n Juilp.4: 22 ; 2Kiiipi,li: 19. oCant.l:7. P 2King«,6: 13. q Psa. 31 : 13; 37: 12,32 ; 94:21 ; Mat. 21:38; 27:1; .Iohnll:63; Acl,t23:12. % Heb.malter of dreamt. r Prov. 1:11,16; 27:4. • chap. 42: 52. I Mat, 27: 28. \\Or,piecet. n verse 3. 9. Sun — moon and — eleven stars; supposed to refer to Joseph's father, mother, and eleven brethren. 11. Ohserved the saying; remembered it. and reflected much upon its meaning. 12. Shechem; chap. 33:18. 17. Dotha7i ; twelve or fifteen miles north of Shechem. 22. That he mi ght rid him out of their haiid.i; prevent their killing him, and restore him again to his father. Joseph is sold GENESIS XXXVIII. to the Ishmadites. Re's*' into a *pit : and the pit ivas empty, 1 there was no water in it. 1 25 And they sat down to eat ''bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a company of "^ Ishmaelitcs came from Gilead, with their camels bear- ing spieery and '^balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. 26 And Judah said unto his brethren. What profit is it if we slay our brother, and '^conceal his blood'? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ish- maelitcs, and let not our ''hand be upon him ; for he is our brother and our flesh : and his brethren *were content. 28 Then there passed by sMidianites, merchant-men ; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold ''Joseph to the Ishmaelitcs for twenty pieces of sil- ver : and they brought Joseph into Egypt. 29 1[ And Reuben returned unto the pit ; and behold, Joseph teas not in the pit ; and he 'rent his clothes. 30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said. The J child is not ; and I, whither shall I go 1 31 And they took Joseph's ''coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood ; 32 And they sent the coat of /»««?/ coloi's, and they brought it to their father ; and said. This have we found : know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. 33 And he knew it, and said. It is my son's coat; an evil 'beast hath devoured him ; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. 34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth'" upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. a P ,aln i:!5:7i T.ain .4 : 20. h Pi o: r.0 : 20 ; An- 09fi 6 t ver. M, •M d .ler. 8 ■2-: e chap. 4: 10 : . nb Ifi: R. 1 Sam 18 17; 2S ni 12 :9. " Hfh h, arkened E ludg. 6 ::). h Ps a. Ids 17; Zee li. 11 : 1-2; M: t. 97 H Acts 7 9 i Num. Hrti ; .In I" II :«; .l(ib 1 iO .Toel 2 :13. J rhup. 4 ''•■■ 13 a>; .Je r. M . 15. k ver 2:!. 25. Ishmaelites ; descendants of Ishmael. Gil- end: ch.-ip. 31 :21. 26. Slay our brother ; by leaving liiin to die in the pit. 29. Midiaiiites ; descendants of Midian, Abra- ham's fourth son by Keturah. They and descend- ants of Ishmael were probably in tlie same com- pany. 29. Rent his clothes; a common way of e,\- pressing grief. 30. TliP child is not ; Reuben was probably ab- sent when they sold Joseph. 33. Joseph is — rent in pieces ; Jacob, who de- ceived his father, is now himself wofully deceived by his children. 34. Sackcloth ; a kind of coarse cloth worn by mourners. mSTRUCTIOXS. 3. Parents in the treatment of their children need ■wisdom from above, and should carefully avoid making invidious distinctions between them. 8. Children who are especially favored need much wisdom, in order not needlessly to increase 35 And all his sons and all his "daugh- ters rose up to comfort him ; but he re- fused to be comforted; and he said. For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. 36 And the Midianitcs sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an t officer of Pha- raoh's, and t captain of the guard. CHAPTER XXXVIII. 1 Judali tegetteth Er, Onan, and Phelah. C Ermarrl- eth Tamar. 8 The trespass of Onan. 11 Tamar stayethfor Shelah. 13 Shedeceiveth Judah. 27 Slie beareth twins, Pharez and Zarah. A ND it came to pass at that time, that J_A- Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain AduUamite, whose name tvas Hirali. 2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name iras Shu- ah ; and he took her, and went in unto her. 3 And she conceived, and bare a son ; and he called his name "Er. 4 And she conceived again, and bare- a son ; and she called his name PQnan. 5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son ; and called his name '' Shelah : and he was at Chezib when she bare him. 6 And Judah took a wife for Er his first- born, whose name was Tamar. 7 And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the Lord ; ''and the Lord slew him. 8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto "thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his : and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 1 chap. 44 : 28. m 2 KiiiKS. 19:1; K.sther 4:1; Isa. .•i2 : 1 1 : .lonah :i:^. n 2 Sam. 12:17. t Heh. eunuch, chamf/erlain, or, courtier, Esth. 1:10. f Or, chief marshal. Heh. chief of the slaughtermen OT executioners, ochap. 4fi:12. p chap. 4fi : 12. qver. U,2t>. r 1 Chron. 2 : 3. » Deut. iti : ri : Mat. 22 : 24. the difficulty which the partiality of parents occa- sions. 11. God's dealings with children are full of in- struction, and worthy of being carefully observed and seriously pondered by parents. 18. Envy tends to make men hard-hearted and cruel, to root out even natural affection, and awak- en the most malignant and murderous passions. 24. Great favors of Providence are often accom- panied or followed by great trials. 2 Co.-. 2:7; Heb. 12 : 6. 32. Under the influence of envy or covetousness, men may sell even their own brother into perpetual bondage, and rend the heart of an affectionate fa- ther with exquisite anguish. But in doing it, they are preparing for exquisite anguisli themselves. CHAPTER XXXVIII. 1. Advllamite; belonging to Adullam, a place north of Hebron, and south-west from Jerusalem. 2. Shiiah; the name, not of the daughter, but of her father. Ver. 12. 9. Give seed to his brother; Deut. 25:5, 6. 53 Tamar dereiveth GENESIS XXXIX. her father-in-law. 1 0 Ami the tliini!; whicli he did * displeas- ed the Lord ; wherefore he slew him also. 1 1 Then said Judah to Tamar his daugh- ter-in-law, Remain a widow at thy fa- thers house, till Shelah my son be grown : for he said, Lest peradvcnture he die also, as his brethren did: and Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. 12 TfAnd tin process of time the daugh- ter of Shuah, Judah's wife, died ; and Ju- dah was eomforted, and went up unto his sheep-shearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the AduUamite. 13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Be- hold, thy father-in-law goetli up *to Tim- nath to shear his sheep. 14 And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her w"ith a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in -an open place,*" which is by the way to Timnath ; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. 1 5 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot ; because she had covered her face. . 16 And he turned unto her by the way, and said. Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee ; for he knew not that she 7/v;.'; his daughter-in-law : and she said. What wilt thou give me, that thou may- cst come in unto me ? 17 And he said, I will send thee ^a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give mc a pledge, till thou send if? 18 And he said. What pledge shall I give thee? And she said. Thy "^signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thy hand : and he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. 19 And she arose, and went away, and laid by her veil from her, and put on the garments'' of her widowhood. 20 And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the AduUamite, to receive his pledge from the woman's hand : but he found her iiot. 21 Then he asked the men of that place, saying. Where is the harlot that was openly H by the way-side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place. * H.-b. U)a. : 10: Jliili;. U: 1- t Hfb. th e door of eyee. () ,of Ennjim bPr ov. :12. %H.b. a kill ^fthegontt. cv»*r. 2.'i. d .•.S.iln. U:i n. II Or in Enaiim. • H. b. becoin e n contempt. • Prov.s.st: R(>in.A:2l; Kpli. />: 12. f Ji (Ig. 19: I: Ho«-n.1:3. 12. Timnath; south-west of Jerusalem. I.'). Covered her face; as was the custom of harlots. 18. Signet; seal. Bracelets; ornaments for the wrists. S.*?. Let her take it ; let her keep the pledjje. 26. More righteous ; less wicked. INSTRITCTIONS. 2. Although it is ordinarily best for young men to said, I cannot find her ; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place. 23 And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we * be * shamed : behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her. 24 T[And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, say- ing, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the "^harlot ; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be s burnt. 25 When she u-a.'s brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying. By the man whose these are. am I with child : and she said, '' Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the 'signet, and bracelets, and staff. 26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said. She hath been more J righteous than I ; because that I gave her not to '' Shelah my son. And he knew her again no ' more. 27 T[ And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that behold, twins were in her womb. 28 And it came to pass when she trav- ailed, that the one put out his hand : and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying. This came out first. 29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out ; and she said, t How hast thou broken forth ? this breach be upon thee : there- fore his Utame was called tPharez."" 30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand ; and his name was called Zarah. CHAPTER XXXIX. 1 Joseph advanced in Potiphar's house. 7 He resisteth his mistress' temptation. 13 He is falsely accused. 20 He is cast in prison. 21 God is with him there. AND Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and "Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyp- tian, bought him of the hands of the Ish- maelites, which had brought him down thither. t I.ev.21:9; l)eut,22:'21 ; JS.im.lirS. b clisp. 37 : 3-2. i vrr.l«. J 1 Sum. J-*:!?, k ver. U. I Ji.b 3-1 : 31, 32; Koni. 13: i: ; Tilu» 2:11,1-2. t Or, MTierefore hatt thou made tliin breach ngaimt thee f X Thai is, a breach, m Numbers 26:20; 1 Cbton. 2:4; Mat 1:3. n cliap. 37:3S: I'ea. lOS: 17. without earnest prayer to God for his guidance and blessing, that the connection may be a source of happiness and usefulness. 10. Secret as well as open sins are all known to God, and unless repented of and forgiven, will be visited with his curse. 20. Judah had been instrumentiil in deceiving his father, and now he is himself deceived. 24. Those who are most guilty themselves are married early in life, ytt it should not be done j often most ready to denounce vengeance on others. 51 Joseph is advanced, GENESIS XXXIX, and cast into prison. B.'^ira/' 2 And the Lord was with »Jo- seph, and he was a prosperous man ; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord luas with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to ''prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found "^ grace in his sight, anc^ he served him : and he made him overseer** over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's •■ house for Joseph's sake ; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the "^house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand ; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a e goodly person, and well- favored. 7 1[ And it eame to pass after these things, that his master's wife ea.st her '' eyes upon Joseph ; and she said, 'Lie with me. 8 But he J refused, and said unto his master's wife. Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand ; 9 There is none greater in this house than I ; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife : how then can I do this great wickedness,'' and 'sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by ""day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 1 1 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business ; and there icas none of the men of the house there within. 1 2 And she caught ° him by his garment, « ISiim. IB: IS; 18: U, 28; Acti 7:«. b Josh. 1 : T, 8; I Chron. 2:: l:i; Psa. 1:3. c ver.il ; 1 Sam. IB: OJ. li cli.ip. 24 : 2. e chap. ■50:'-'7. f Deut. 28 : .3-H. s 1 Sam. Ifi : 12 ; 17 : 42. "h Job 31 : 1 ; P8a. 119:37. i2Snm. 13:11. j Prcnerbs 1 : 10. lcLev.20:10; Prov. tj: 29,32. 1 2Sam. 12: 13; Psa. 51 : 4; Jer. 28: 16. m Prov. CHAPTER XXXIX. 2. A 2>rosperoits man; succeeded well in his business, and thus promoted his master's inter- ests. 1^ 4. Grace ; favor. 6. lie knew not aught ; he did not take the care of any thing himself, but left all to Joseph. Good/// — irefl-favored ; beautiful in person. 8. Wotteth ; knoweth. 12. Got him out ; escaped out of the house. 20. In the priso)! ; chap. 41 : 14 ; Psa. 10") : IS. 22. He va.f the doer; he gave directions, and things were done accordingly. INSTRUCTIONS. 5. The Lord vi-ill not forsake any who put their trust in him; and fidelity in the discharge of duty saying. Lie with me : and he left his gar- ment in her hand, and " fled, and got him out. 13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, 14 That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying. See, he hath brought in a Hebrew unto us to mockP us ; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a * loud voice : 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. 1 6 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 17 And she spake unto him "i according to these words, saying, The Hebrew ser- vant which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me : 18 And it "came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. 19 And it came to pass, when his mas- ter heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying. After this manner did thy servant to me ; that his wrath "■ was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the ''prison, a place where the king's prisoners iverc bound : and he was there in the prison. 21 H But the Lord was with Joseph, and t showed him mercy, and gave him favor' in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison com- mitted to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison ; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that uvi.s- under his hand ; be- cause the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord " made it to prosper. 22:14 2.3 : 27 n Proverb.s 7 1.3. o F.c cl. 7 :2fi. P F.iek. 22 : .1. ■^ Heb tjreat. q ExoJus -23: ; ',sa. .17 14 I.'O 3: Prov 12:19. r Vrm .6:34, 15 ; Cant 8 : r>. cl ap.41: 4; Psa. 10.-,: 18. t Heb. extended kindness unto him. 1 Ex. 12 3H Pna . 106:41) ProT lt>:7; Dan. 1 9; Acts 7: 10. " ' er. 2, 3 in lower situations is the best preparation for. and the surest way of advancement to those that are higher. 9. The fear of the Lord is the surest pledge of fidelity, the best safeguard .against temptation, and the most powerful means of promoting all the great interests of men. 13. Tempters to sin will turn accusers, and when they have power, will become persecutors and tor- mentors. 21. No evils which men can inflict can shut out the presence and favor of God from those who trust in him ; and a servant in a dungeon m.ay be more happy than a king on his throne. Though he may suffer for righteousness' sake, in due time he will be delivered, and his sorrow turned into joy. '55 Pharaoh's butler GENESIS XL. and baker in j)rison. CHAPTER XL. 1 Thp biitler and baker of Pharaoh in prison. 4 Joseph hath charge of Ihem. 5 He interpreteth their dream.s. '■Ht They come lo pas* accnr'ling to his interpretation. 23 Tlio ingratitude of the butler. AND it came to pas.s after these things, lliat the "butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was ** wroth against two of his oflicers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the ba- kers. 3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into tlie "^pris- on, the place where Joseph rvas bound. 4 And the captain of the guard charged .Joseph with them, and he served them : and they continued a season in ward. 5 1 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man liis ''dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler tynd the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. 6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and be- hold, they ^t'erc "sad. 7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that luere with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore * look ye so sad- ly '^to-day'? 8 And they said unto him, \Vc have dreamed a dream, and there is no e inter- preter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations ^belong to God? tell mc them, I pray you. 9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my 'dream, l)ehold, a vino was before mc ; 10 And in the vine ivcrc three branches : and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth ; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes : 1 1 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand : and I took the grapes, and pressed them • N.'li. 1:11. b Proir.l(i:14; 19:19. c rhnp.39: i0,2.1. d .lob 3.1: I.VI7. «I)nn.4:5. • Heb. are vour/ Dan.2: 11,28. i .)ii(l?.7:l:l. j ilinp.41 :-2/-.; D:in. S:»i. tOr,rM*un. k 2Kiiigi.,2.'i:27: .Tcr..V2:31. i Heh. retntmbcr mewiUithee. I lSam.2n: M, ll>; lKing<<,2:T; Luke2U:'«'j. n 1 S.tm. CHAPTER XL. 1. Jiiitler ; a cnp-bearer; one who preisented to the king his wine. Baker; the one who furnished the kini{ iiis bresul, or h;ul the direction of others who did it. 3. Ward; prison. 4. Charged Joseph ; ^ave him the care of them. Served tliem ; supplied their wants. 5. According to the interpretatio7i ; answer- ing to the events which Joseph explained them to mean. 6. Sad; looking .sorrowful and trouhled. 8. Interpreter; one who could tell the menning of the dream. 12. Three branches are three days ; not liter- 56 cup into Pharaoh's hand. 12 And Joseph said unto him. This is the interpretation of J it : The three branches are three days : 13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh liftt up thy ''head, and restore thee unto thy place ; and thou shalt deliver Pha- raoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler. 14 But -think on me when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, 'I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of tliis house : 15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews : and here also have I done "' nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. 16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Jo- seph, I also was in my dream, and behold, I had three Hvhite baskets on my head: 17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of H bake-meats for Pha- raoh : and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my liead. 18 And Joseph answered and said. This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets" are three days: 19 Yet within "three days shall Pharaoh lift* up thy head from off thee, and shall hang tliee on a tree ; and the birds Pshall eat thy flesh from off thee. 20 T[ And it came to pass the third day, ivhich urns Pharaoh's i birthday, that he made a feast Tinto all his servants : and he t lifted up the licad of the eliief butler and of the chief baker amon^ his servants. 21 And he restored tlic chief butler un- to his butlership nsain, and he gave the cup' into Pharoah's hand; 22 But he lianged the chief baker, as Joseph had "interpreted to them. 23 Yet did not the chief butler remem- ber Joseph, but 'forgat him. 21:11; Psii. ■>9:3,4; Dan.fi: W. % Or. full of holet. || Heh.ment n/Pharaoli.theworko/n linker, orcook. n rliR|>.41 :2fi. >> ver. 13. * Or, reckon thee, and take tliv "(Bee from thee, p 1 Sam. 17:44; 2Satn.21:in. q M:it. 14:rt; .Mark fi:21. ^ Or, reckoned, r Neh. 2:1. ■ ver. 19. t Pga. 31 : 12 ; Errl. 9: 1.1, 16; Amos 6:6. ally, hut they represent or mean three days. Ver. 18 ; Mat. 26 : 26. 13. Lift lip thy head ; take thee out of prison. 14. T/ii.i house ; the prison. 15. Stole?! ; his brethren, in selling him, took what was not theirs, and appropriated it to their own use. This, Joseph called ste:iling. 16. Good; favorable, ple.isant. 23. Did not — rememher Joseph ; did not so re- member as to comply with his request. INSTRl'CTIOXS. .3. The present condition of men is no certain in dication of their character. In the same dungeon may be very different men, and from very different causes — men who are serving different masters, ;ti.J preparing to dwell for ever iu different places. The two dreams GENESIS XLI. of Pharaoh. B:c.\Xft CHAPTER XLI. 1 Pharaoh's two dreams. 25 Joseph interpreteth them. 33 He giveth Pharaoh counsel. -iS Joseph is ad- vanced. 50 He begetteth Manasseh and Ephraim. 54 The famine beginneth. AND it came to pass at the end of two full years, that * Pharaoh dreamed: and behold, he stood by the river. 2 And behold, there came up out of the river seven well-favored kine and fat- fleshed ; and they fed in a meadow. 3 And behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill-favored and lean-fleshed ; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. 4 And the ill-favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he slept and dreamed the second time : and behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, * rank and good. 6 And behold, seA'cn thin ears and blast- ed with the east wind sprung up after them. 7 And the seven thin cars devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 And it came to pass in the morning, that his '' spirit was troubled ; and he sent and called for all the *= magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pha- raoh told them his dream ; but there ivas none that could ''interpret them unto Pha- raoh. 9 % Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day : 10 Pharaoh was "^ wroth with his ser- vants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both mo and the chief baker : 1 1 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he ; ""we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. 12 And there iras there with us a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard ; and we told him, and he in- » Esther 6:1; D.in. 2:1. * Heb. fat . h D:.n. 4:.'i,19; 7:28; 8::7. c Ex. 7:11; Isa.-2i»:14: Dan i:-2 . d ICor. 1:19. e chap. 4(1 : -2. f cha)). 40 : 5. f Heli. made hii J >iin. e 1 Samuel, 2:8; P.'.a. 105 : 20. h I>.,a. 2.". : 1 4 ; Dan 5 : 1 (j. t Or, when thou henrcU 8. Those who receive their blessings as the gift of God, and gratefully acknowledge him, will sympathize in the distresses of others, and be disposed, as far as may be consistent, to relieve them. 12. To insist on a literal interpretation where the meaning is evidently figurative, is a gross perver- sion of Scripture. 1-3. The selling of a brother into bondage is not only palpable dishonesty, but aggravated theft. Ex. 21:16. 2-3. In prosperity men are apt to overlook and for- get those who have aided tliem in adversity, and thus to show that their hrarts are deceitfiil and despe- ratelv wicked. Jer. 17 : 9. terpreted to us our dreams ; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. 1 3 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was ; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged. 14 11 Then Pharaoh sent and called Jo- seph, and they t brought him hastily out of s the dungeon: and he shuved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said unto '■Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it : and I have heard say of thee, that t thou canst 'understand a dream to interpret it. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, say- ing, It is not in me : God shall give Pha- raoh an answer of peace. 17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the J river : 18 And behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well- favored ; and they fed in a meadow : 19 And behold, seven other kin
  • spake concerning the house of Ahab : for the Lord hath done that which he spake ^by his servant Elijah. 1 1 So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his H kinsfolks,'' and his priests, ' until he left him none remaining. 12 T[ And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing-house* in the way, 13 Jehu t met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said. Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah ; and we go down to ^salute the children of the king and the children of the queen. 14 And he said. Take them ""alive. And they "took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing-house, even two and forty men ; neither left he any of them. 1 5 T[ And when he was departed thence, he ^ lighted on "Jehonadab the son of p He- chab coming to meet him : and he '! saint- ed him, and said to him. Is thy heart right, as my heart is with tliy lieart? And Jehonadab answered. It is. If it be, givei me thy hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. 16 And he said, Come with me, and see my 'zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in hi-s chariot. 17 And when he came to Samaria, he slew ' all that remained unto Ahab in Sa- maria, till he had destroyed him, accord- ing to tlie saying of the Lord, which he spake' to Elijah. 18 IT And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, "Ahab served Baal a little; bat Jehu shall serve him much. 19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets' of Baal, all his servants, and haute of thepherda hinding sheep, t Heh. found. % Helt. the peace of. m 1 Kings, M : 18. n 2 Chron. 22 : 8. % Heb. /..Kiid. " .ler. 35:6, etc. p 1 Clinm. 2 : .■>>. || Heb liltsted. i V.zn 10:19. r IKings, 19:10; l'rov.27:2; Er.ek lei 3:1 : 31 ; Maltlievr 6:'l.h. irliap. 9:8. t 1 Kings, 21 : 21. ■ 1 Kings, Hi : 31, 33. » I Kings, 22:6. 15. Is thy heart right? do you favor my cause ? 17. The sayitig of the Lord; 1 Kings, 21 : 21. 4S5 Worshippers of Baal slain. II. KINGS, XI. Wickedness and death of Jehu. all his priests ; let none be wanting ; for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal : whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not Jive. But Jehu did // in * subtlety, to the intent that he might destroy the wor- shippers of Baal. 20 And Jehu said, *Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. 21 And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the ''house of Baal ; and the house of Baal was t full from one end to another. 22 And he said unto him that ivas over the v6stry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. 23 And Jehu went, and*^ Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the '^worshippers of Baal only. 24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu ap- pointed fourscore men without, and said. If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that lettctk him go, his " life shall be for the life of him. 25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt- offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains. Go in, and ^slay them ; let none come forth. And they smote them with the ^edgc of the sword ; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. 26 And they brought forth the ^ images^ ontof the house of Baal, and ''burned them. 27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and 'made it a draught-house unto this day. 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. 29 H Howbeit,/rom the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. • Job 13:7; I'rov. 2'.I:S. • Heb. Saiiclify. b 1 Kings, lH:3-2. f Or, so /utt timt tliey Bt»iod mouth to mouth, c ver. \h. d Mnt. 1.1:30. 41 : 2o: 3-2, :i.T e 1 Kingn, 20 : IW. f Kxoilua 32: 27; I)eut I3:B-Il; E»ek.9:5-7. J Hcb l/lowfA \Heh.itatutl. i: I Kings, 14:23. k 3Snm. 5:21; IKingK, l.'i:l:). i Kira 6 : II ; Dan. 2: 5; 3:2». j I Kings, 12 : 2«, 29. k Eiek. 29 : 18-20. 1 ver. :» ; clinp. 27. A draught-house ; a place to which they carried the filth of the city. INSTRUCTION.S. G. The sins of pari'iits are often tlie occasion of destruction to their children, and of various evils to all connected with them. 15. Wicked men, who externally obey the com- mands of God, are often proud of tlicir obedience and disposed to proclaim it, that tliey may receive th'- praises of men. J 9. The Lord often uses one wicked man in pun- 4SG Jehu departed not from after them, *B"c.'e84: to u'it, the golden J calves that were in Beth-el, and that icere in Dan. 30 And the Lord said unto Jehu, ''Be- cause thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, thy 'children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. 31 But Jehu 11 took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his "^'lieart: for he departed not from the "sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin. 32 1[In those days the Lord began *to cut Israel short : and ° Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel ; 33 From Jordan teastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reuben- ites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, -even Gilead P and Bashan. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel 1 35 And Jehu slept with his fathers : and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead. 36 AndUhe timethat Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria u'as twenty and eight years. CHAPTER XI. 1 .Tehoash, being saved by Jehosheba bis aunt from Athaliah's ma.ssaore of the seed royal, is hid six years in the house of God. 4 .Tehoiada, giving order to the captains, in the seventh year anointeth him king. 13 Athaliah is slain. 17 jehoiada restoreth the wor- ship of God. AND"! when Athaliah the "^mother of 2\haziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed ail the Usecd royal. 2 But "Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took tJoashthe son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons u'hich ivere slain ; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bed-chamber, from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. 13:1,10; 14:2.1; 15:8-1-2. || Heh. olistrvcd not. m .lolin4:'24. n 1 Kings, 14 : 16. " Heb. to cut off the endt. o ./. fttinoset. crh lt«.22:4: Ex. SO: 13. t Hell. o/Wi»»ol<'*"/Ai tcti 'miitii'it ,ev 11:1 4:H«I> utcendeth upon the hea ■t of a man d r.x. •.Sh-.h. 4 Hel>. nthrtwr nliethyetiy 20. When rulers receive their authority as from God, and u.se it according to his will, quietness, peace, and prosperity may be expected throughout the land. CHAPTER XII. 8. Consented to receive no more moiieii ; they had before received what w.as otlercd, but had not appropri.'ited it to the object for which it was given. 10. Told the money ; counted it and stated the amount. 17. (ratli ; a city of the Philistines that ha' delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen : for they dealt faithfully. 16 The ^trespass-money and sin-money was not brought into the house of the Lord : it ''was the priests'. 17 HThen 'Ilazacl king of Syria went up, and fougli^t against Gath, and took it : and Hazael set his face to go up to Jeru- salem. 18 And Jchoash king of Judah 'took all the hallowed things that Jehoshnphat, and Jehoram, and Aliaziah, his fathers, kings of Judnh, had dedieatcd, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that ira.s found in the treasures of the liouse of the Lord, and in the king's house, and sent?7 to Hazael king of Syria: and he went II away from Jerusalem. 19 H And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, arc they not written and third near. ' 'ICIir. 24:.';,eti-. II Hell. MiM/(t>/rf. ' Or.trcre- tary. f Hvlt. bound ttp. ^Hel). ftro ut/htilfoith, ?iUeb went/otlh. r rlinp. 52:7. C I.pv. ."i: 1.5, l.«. h Lev. 7:-; Num. 18:9. i clinp. 8:12. i olmp 18:1.";, 16: 1 Kings, lr.:18. II Hel.. up. expect to prosper, and be instrumental of great good to the people. 8. Ministers of religion should cither avoid re- ceiving money for pious and charitable uses, or ex- ercise the most conscientious fidelity in the appro- priation of it. ]•'). All money received should be kept with care, and faithfully appropriated to the persons to whom it belongs, and tor the objects for which it was given. 18. Though an enemy may sometimes be pacified by pecuniary contributions, it is ordinarily unwise to attempt to procure peace in that way; it may lead to increasing demands, till the whole is required to satisfy the rapacious invader. Reign of Jehoahaz. II. KINGS, XIII. Elisha's last, prophecy. B u'sm'"' ill the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah ? 20 And his ^servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in * the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla. 21 For t Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of tShomcr, his servants, smote liim, and he died ; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David : and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XIII. I Jehoahaz's wicked reign. 3 Jehoahaz, oppressed by Hazael, is relieved by prayer. 8 Joash succi'cdeth him. 10 His wicked reign. 1'2 Jeroboam siicceed- eth him. 14 Elishadying, prophesieth to Joasli three victories over the Syrians. 20 The Moabites invad- ing the land, Elisha's bones raise up a dead man. '2-2 Hazael dying, Joash getteth three victories over Ben-hadad. IN * the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Jn- 1 dah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to ' reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and li followed the sins , of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin ; he departed not therefrom, i 3 1[And ''the anger of the Loud was kindled against Israel, and he delivered ] them into the hand of "^Hazael king ofj Syria, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, all their days. 4 And Jehoahaz^ besought the Lord, and the Lord hearkened unto him : for he saw" the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. 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, but twalked 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 thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by '' threshing. 8 T[ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, arc they not written in tlie book of tlie Chron- icles of the kings of Israel ? « .Imp. 14 : .V * Or, Bcthmilla. f Zahad. 2 Chron. 54 : 2fi. t Or, Shimrith. J Hd). tin lictnlitlh ycnr nnd third year. II H^l>. walktd after. b .liiilges 2 : H. c rliap 8:1-2; i::17. .1 ISiilin 78:;i4. « cliap. 14 : 2K ; El. 3:7. f Ter. 25. *Hel). yettcrday and third day. f Heb. he tcalked. X Heb. tlood CHAPTER Xm. 0. A savior ; Joash the son of Jehoahaz. II. The chariot — and the horseoieit ; he who \t;v.s the defence of Israel. 9 And Jehoahaz slept with his fathers ; and they buried him in Samaria : and Joash ^ liis son reigned in his "stead. 10 If In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign *over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years. 1 1 And he did that ichich was evil in the sight of the Lord; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the sonof Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein. 12 And 'the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might where- with he J fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 13 And Joasli slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. 14 If Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, 0 my father, iny father I the '' chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. 15 And Elisha said unto him. Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. . 16 And he said to the king of Israel, Putt thy hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it : and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands. 17 And he said. Open the window east- ward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said. Shoot. And he shot. And he said. The' arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria : for thou shall smite the Syrians in '"Aphek, till thou have consumed thiin. 18 And he said. Take the arrows. And he look them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. 19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smit- ten five or six times ; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but "thrice. 20 ^ And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. ic I Kings, in : Xt. b Amos l:X 5 Jehoath. ver. 10. || Alone. * In concert with his father, chap. 14: 1, i chapter 14: ir., ih. i chnp. 14:9, etc.; 2Cliron.2.T: I7,etc. k chap. 2: 12. f H. went <1 .wii. a ver 3; cll.ip. 8 12. b Exc J 11 J 2 : 24, 25. c <; <-n. 17:2-5; ix. 32: 13; Np 1. 9 : 32 ; Psalm 106 45 t Heb. ra« . d Genesis 6:3. X W eb. •eturncd and tuuk. e er. 1«, 19 f <■! ap. 13 : 10. g 2 Chroil. 2.T: I, etc. h cli.li.. 1- ::i 1 chap. 12: 20. j Deut 24 : Ifi. k K7 ekiel 18 : 4, 20. 5 Or the rock. 21. A band; of the Moabites. He revived; showing that God was with Eiisha after his death, as really as before. IXSTRUCTIONS. 2. The sins of transgressors may be imitated long after they are dead, and be instrumental in the de- struction of their distant posterity. 4. Cries to the Lord for help may be the means of deliverance from evil and of the reception of tem- poral good, even where the heart is not right with him, nor the life devoted to his service. 11. No temporal favors, without the grace of God, will induce men to break off their sins, or lead them to walk in the ways of the Lord. 14. The expected removal of the righteous is often lamented even by the wicked, under the conviction that their pious lives are a great blessing to man- kind. 18. Strong confidence in God is needful in order to the reception, to the fullest extent, of his favors. 21. The presence of God with his people is not 490 not taken away : as yet the people did sac- rifice and burnt incense on the high places. 5 T[ And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his 'servants which had slain the king his father. 6 But the children of the murderers he slew not : according unto that which is written J in the book of the law of ]Moses, wherein the Lord commanded, saying. The ''fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers ; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin. 7 He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took ^ Selah by war, and called the name of it 'Joktheel unto this day. 8 T[ Then ""Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us "look one another in the face. 9 And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying. The thistle" that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying. Give thy daughter to my son to wife : and there passed by a wild beast thatwa^ in Leba- non, and trode down the thi.stle. 10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thy heart hath ^lifted thee up : glory of this, and tarry Hat home : for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall,i even thou, and Judah with thee? 11 But Amaziah would not hear. There- fore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at ^Beth-shemesh, which helongeth to Judah. 12 And Judah was *put to the worse Obad. .3. I Josh. l!i : 38. ni 2 Chrmi. ■-'.'i : 17, etc. n 2 Siiin. 2 : 14. o Judges 9 : 8, etc. p Dent. 8:14; 2 ("lironicles, 32 : 2fi ; Ezek. 28:2, 5, 17; Hab. 2:4. \\ Heh. at thy houie. q Proverbs 3 : 30; 13:1»; 26:8. r Joshua 19 : 38; I S.-imueI, 6 : 9, etc. * Heb. smitten. confined to this life ; and in answer to their prayers while here, he may after they are dead, bestow great blessing on his people. 23. Wicked men are often spared in life and made the recipients of many great and precious blessings, in consequence of the piety and benevolence of those who have gone before them. CHAPTER XIV. 3. That ifhich was right ; externally; indoing, at tlie commencement of his reign, many things which God had commanded. 6. That which is v.-ritten ; Deut. 24 : 16. 7. The valley of salt : near the south end of the Dead sea. Selah ; a city of Edom, supposed to be Petra the capital of Edom. Joktheel; signifying obedience to God. 8. Look one another in the face ; engage in battle. 9. The thistle; representing the kingdom of Judah. The cedar ; tne kingdom of Israel. Atnnziah defeated and slain. II. KINGS, XV Reign of Jeroboam. s.c.'k™' before Israel ; and they fled every man to their tents. 13 And Jehoash king of Lsrael took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Je- hoasli the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-she- mesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate" of Ephraim unto the ''corner gate, four hundred cubits. 14 And he took all the "^ gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and re- turned to Samaria. 1 5 T[ Now "• the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the Chron- icles of the kings of Israel ■? 16 And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel ; and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead. 17 ^ And ® Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash sou of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years. 18 And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 19 Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to "^La- chish ; but they sent after him to Lachish, and slew him there. 20 And they brought him on horses : and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David. 21 1[And all the people of Judah took Azariah,* which ivas sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. 22 He built sEIath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. 23 *\ In the fifteenth year of tAmaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to • Neh. 8:16. lijer.31:38; Zecli. 14 : 10. c 1 Kings, 7 : 51. i chap. 13: 1-2. o 2 Cliron. 25 : M, etc. f Josli. 10:31. « He is called C/izia/i.cliap. 16:13; 2Chron. -26: 1. t cinp. Ifi:6. t Now lie begins to reign alone. h l Kings, 12 : 28, etc. ; Psa. 10fi:-:0. iNum.34:8. jDeut,3:I7. J Jonali 1 : 1 ; called Jonnj, Mat. 12:39,40. kDeut.32:36. 1 Deut.9: 14; Rom. 11 : 2,etc. m chap. 14. Hostages ; some of the principal men of the city, as security that it would not again molest him. 19. Lachish; in the south part of Judah. 22. Elath; at the head of tne eastern branch of the Red sea. S-*). The entering ofHamath ; a province north of Palestine. The sea of the plain; the Dead sea, at the south part of the country. Gath-hc- pJier ; a town in the tribe of Zebulon. 2S. Damasctis and Hamath ; these cities, which were taken from the Syrians in the time of David, and had been retaken \)y the Syrians, were reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years. 24 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not from all the ''sins of Jeroboam the son of Ne- bat, who made Israel to sin. • 25 He restored the coast of Israel from the entering of 'Hamath unto the Jsea of the plain, according to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant t Jonah, the son of Amitt^i, the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher. 2() For the Lord saw the aflliction of Israel, that it was very bitter : '' for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel. 27 And the Lord said 'not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but "'he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28 ^ Now the rest of the acts of Jero- boam, and all that he did, and liis might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, U'hich "belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel 1 29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel ; and Zaclia- riah his son ^ reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XV. 1 Azariah's good reign. 5 He dying a leper, Jotham succeedeth. 8 Zachariah, the last of Jehu's genera- tion, reigning ill, is slain by Shallum. 13 Slialluin, reigning a month, is slain i)y Menahem. Ki i\Iena- hem strengtheneth himself by Pul. 21 I'ekahiah succeedeth him. '2.'5 Pekahiah is slain by Pekali. '27 Pekah is oppressed by Tiglath-p.ileser, and slain by Hoshea. 3"2 Jotham's good reign. 36 Ahaz suc- ceedeth him. IN ° the II twenty and seventh year of Jer- oboam king of Israel began* Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. 2 Si.vtcen years old was he when he be- gan to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jccholiah of Jerusalem. 3 And he did that ichich ivas right in the 13 : n. n 2 Sam, 8:6; 1 Kings, U : 24 ; 4 Cliron. 8:3. ? After nn interremum of eleven years ; chap. l.'>:8. o chap. 14:21 ; 2Cliron. 2(5: 1. Tl This is the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam*8 partnersliip in the kingdom with his father, wlio mHde him consort at his going to the Syrian wars. It is the sixteenth year of Jeroboam's mon- archy. " Called U^ziah, ver. 13, 30, etc.; 2 Cliron. 26: 1. now taken from them again by Jeroboam and re- stored to Israel. INSTRUCTIOXS. 3. External obedience will be followed by tem- poral benefits; but if it be merely external, it will have no reward hereafter. S. That pride which leads to contention and blood- shed is the fruit of wickedness, the cause of many calamities, and often the forerunner of ruin. 2.'). The Lord may govern nations by means of wicked rulers ; may enlarge their borders, and thus fulfil his word and accomplish towards his people his own benevolent designs. 491 Various kings of II. KINGS, XV. Judah and Israel. sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done ; 4 Save "that the high places Avere not removed : the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. 5 HAnd ''the Lord smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And .Jotham the king's son u-as over the house, judging the people of the land. 6 And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 7 So Azariah slept with his fathers ; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David : and Jotham his son reigned in his stead. 8 1[ In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did *Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months. 9 And he did tJiat u-hich was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done : he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 10 And Shallum the son of Jabesh con- spired against him, and smote him before the people, and tglew him, and reigned in his stead. 11 And the rest of the acts of Zacha- riah, behold, they a>'e written in the book of the C'hronicles of the kings of Israel. 1 2 This was the word of the '^ Lord which he spake unto Jehu, saying. Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass. 1.3 TI Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziaht king of Judah; and he reigned a^ full month in Samaria. 14 For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzali, and came to Samaria, and smote Shaliuin the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead. 1.5 And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, be- hold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel. 16 If Then Menahem smote ''Tiphsah, and all that u-ere therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah : because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it: and all « ver. r«. b aChron. 26: lit. * T num for eleven ycnrfl. f As* prnplu 10 : :iO. t Calleil Oziai, Mnt. \:X,'.i pre linvinj; heen lin interre^- kietl. Amos 7:9. c rlinptf.'r Azui-iah^ verse I. \ Heh. CHAPTER XV. o. A arveral house : a retired building, where he was separated from the rest of the iiihiibitants. 11. Zachariah ; he was the fourtli of the de- scendants of Jehu. Ver. 12 ; chap. 10:. 10. 14. Menahem ; supposed to have been one of tiie 492 the'' women therein that were with *8"c.'ml child he ripped up. 17 In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria. 18 And he did that which icas evil in the sight of the Lord : he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 19 And Tul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem «gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be Avith him to ''confirm the kingdom in his hand. 20 And Menahem II exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of sil- ver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. 21 ^ And the rest of the acts of Mena- hem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel 1 22 And Menahem slept with his fathers : and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead. 23 T[ In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years. 24 And he did that which luas evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 2.5 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites : and he killed him, and reigned in his room. 26 And the rest of the acts of Peka- hiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel. 27 H In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, 'Pekah (he son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years. 28 And he did that u'hich was evil in the sight of the Lord: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. ,1 mnnth «/ itiiv. << I Kin^s, 4 :':i. eriinp. 8:12; Amos I : H. f 1 Cliron. i) : iK. it Hosp:i H ; '.). Iiiliap. U:fi. || Heb. <■« u«rf /u come forth, i I.sa. 7 : 1, 4, «. generals of Zachariah. Tirzah ; a city in the tribe of Ephraim, for a time the capital of the ten tribes. 1 Kings, chs. 14-16. 16. Tiphsah ; supposed to have been in Ephraim. A place of this name was situated on the Euphrates, •and was taken po.ssession of by Solomon. 1 Kings, 4 : ■:4. Fckah and Joiham. II. KINGS, XVI. Wicked reipi of .ihaz. B.ai^f 29 In the days of Pekah king of Is- rael, came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of* Naph- tali, and carried them captive to Assyria. 30 And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and *reigned in his stead, in the ttwen- tieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. 31 And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel. 32 T[ In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel, began ''Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign. 33 Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. 34 And he did that ichich ivas right in the sight of the Lord : he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. 35 Howbeit the high places were not re- moved : the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the Lord. 36 ^ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah ■? 37 In those -days the Lord began to send against Judah, "= Rezin the king of Syria, and '' Pekah the son of Remaliah. 38 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father : and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XVI. 1 Ahaz's wicked reiwn. 5 Ahaz, assailed by Rezin and Pekah, hireth Tiglath-pileser against them. 10 Ahaz, sending a pattern of an altar from Damascus to Uri- jah. diverteth the brazen altar to his own devotion. 17 He spoileth the temple. 19 Hezekiah succeedeth him. IN *the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jo- tham king of Judah began to reign. 2 Twenty years old icas Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years a Isaiali 9:1. ^ After an anarrliy for eome years, rliap. 17:1; Hosea 10:3, 7, l."*. f The fourth year of Ahai, the twentieth after .Totliam had he^un to reign. Usher, b '2 Chron. 27: 1, etc. i At the end of Jotham's reign, c chap. 1 6 : S. d verse 27. c 2 Chron. 28:1, etc. f Lev. 18:21; Psa. 106 : 37, 3S. B Deut. 29. IJo7i — Naphtall ; the places here mentioned were in the north part of the land of Israel. IXSTRUCTIOXS. 9. The sins of rulers and distinguished persons are often the means of destruction to their distant posterity, and to multitudes of others who imitate their wicked example. 29. When the people of God rebel against him, ^9 in Jerusalem, and did not that U'hich was right in the sight of the Lord his God, like David his father. 3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to ''pass through the fire, « according to the abom- inations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of IsraeL 4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the liigh places, and ''on the hills, and under every green tree. 5 ^ Then ' Rezin king of Syria, and Pckali son of Remaliah king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him. 6 At that time Rezin king of Syria re- covered JElath to Syria, and drave the Jews from ^ Elath : and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day. 7 So Ahaz sent messengers to II 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 treasures 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 *Damascus, and t took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Ptezin. 10 ^ And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus : and king Ahaz sent to LTrijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof. 1 1 And Urijah the priest "' built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus : so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus. 12 And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered ° thereon. 13 And he burnt his burnt-offering and his meat-offering, and poured his drink- 12:31; Psa. 106:3.'>. li Dent. 12:2; 1 Kings, 1< : 23. i l9a.7:l, etc. j chap. 14 : 22. % Heb. Eloth. || Tilgnlh-pilnestr, 1 Chron. 6:2ii. Tilynlh-pilnrser, iC\\xon.i»:iO. k ch.Tp. l.i: 29. I fhap. 12:18. * Heb. J5iimmMffc f Foretold. Ainos 1 : 5. m Psahn 106 : 39. B Num. 18 : 3 ; 2 Chron. 26 : 16, 19. the wicked are suffered to overcome and oppress them ; nor without repentance and reformation, can they escape destruction. CHAPTER XVI. 9. Kir; a place in upper Media, west of the Caspian sea. 10. An altar; dedicated to idol gods. 493 Hi zckiah and Hoshea. II. KINGS, XVII. Great sins of Israel. offering, and sprinkled the blood of *his peace-offerings upon the altar. 14 And he brought also the brazen altar," which u-as before the Lord, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the Lord, and put it on the north side of the altar. 15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the ''morning burnt-offering, and the evening meat-offering, and the king's burnt-sacrifice, and his meat-offering, with the burnt-offering of all the people of the land, and their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings ; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt-offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice : and the brazen altar shall be for me t(5 inquire by. 16 Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded. 17 ^ And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the "^ bases, and removed the laver from off them ; and took down the sea from off the brazen oxen that tcere under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones. 18 And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the Lord for the king of Assyria. 19 11" Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and ''was buried with his fathers in the city of David : and Hczekiah his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XVIl. 1 Hoshea's wicked reign. 3 Being subdued by Shal- maneser, he conspireth again.st him with So king of Egypt. 5 Samaria for their sins is captivated. 24 The strange nations, which were transplanted into Samaria, being plagued with lions, make a mixture of religions. IN the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, began t Iloshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years. 2 And he did that which was evil in the * Heb the peaecoffrringi which were hii. « 2 Chronicles, 4:1. V Ex. 2y:.3«-4l. c I Kings, 7:2.1, 28. il 2 Chron. 28 : 27. t After an interregnum, clinp. l."! : 30 e cli.ip. 18 : 9. % Heh. rendered. 2Sam. 8:2. \ Or, Irihule. || cli.ip. 18: 10, 11 ; Foretold, Hoaea 13 : 1«. f Lev. 5f> : M, XI ; Deut 28 : .16, 64 ; 29 : 27, 28. g 1 Chron. 18. Covert for the sabbath ; supposed by some to have been a canopy or covering, under vrhich the king and his attendants went to the temple on the sabbath-day- INSTRUCTIONS. 3. No advantages without the grace of God will overcome the wickedness of the human heart, or keep men from practising the vilest transgressions. 7. The wicked ■will often bow in the most abject submi-ssion to their fellow-men, and give up their choicest trea.sures to obtain help from them, when they will not humble themselves before God for their sins, and seek effectual help from him. 10. The trappings of idol-worship, and splendors 4 'J I sight of the Lord, but not as the *b"c.'^: kings of Israel that were before him. 3 ^Against" him came up Shalmancser king of Assyria ; and Hoshea became his servant, and -gave him ^presents. 4 And the king of Assyria found con- spiracy in Hoshea ; for he had sent mes- sengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year : therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. 5 T[ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. 6 In II the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria, and "^ carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in s Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7 For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 8 And ''walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. 9 And the children of Israel did 'se- cretly those things that 7irre not right against the Lord their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the J tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. 10 And ''they set them up *images and groves' in every ""high hill, and under every green tree : 11 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the Lord carried away before them ; and wrought wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger : 12 For they served idols, whereof the Lord had "said unto them. Ye shall not do this thing. 5:2K. h (Imp. 16:3; Leviticus 18:3: Deut. 18:9; P«n. I0f>:.1.i. i Ezekiel8: 12. jcliap. 18:8. k I Kin^, 14 : 23; Is»iall57:S. * Hvb. staliiei. 1 Deut. 16 : 21 ; Micali.^:14. m rhap. Ifi : 4 ; Deuteronomy 12:2. n Exodus 20 : 3, 4 ; Lev. 26: 1 ; Deut. 4:19; 6 : 7, 8. of heathen idolatry, have sometimes more attrac- tions for the human heart, than the pure and simple worship of Jehovah ; and there have been not only kings, but priests and professed ministers of religion, who would exchange the one for the other. 16. Wicked rulers liave ordinarily been aided by wicked ecclesiastics, and the corrupt projects of the one been supported by the ready and zealous coop- eration of the other. CHAPTER XVII. Q. Not as the ii/iffs of Israel ; he did not so rigidly enforce idolatry. 6. Halah and — Ilabor ; cities of Media. Israel carried captive. II. KINGS, XVII, Idolatry of the Samaritans. B.c.'if^' 13 Yet the Lord testified against Is- rael, and against Judah, *by all the proph- ets, and by all the seers, saying, *Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my com- mandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. 14 Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but '' hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not be- lieve in the Lord their God. 15 And they * rejected his statutes, and his ''covenant that he made with their fathers, and his ^ testimonies which he testified against them ; and they followed vanity ,*^ and became ^ vain, and went after the heathen that luere round about them, concerning whom the Lord had ''charged them, that they should not do like them. 1(5 And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten' images, even two J calves, and made a ''grove, and worshipped all the host of 'heaven, and served '"Baal. 17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to "pass through the fire, and used divination and "enchantments, and Psold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. 18 Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none leffbut the tribe of Judah only. 19 Also 'Judah kept not the command- ments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. 20 And the Lord ' rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and ' delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 21 For "he rent Israel from the house of David ; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king : and ^'Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin. 22 For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did ; they departed not from them; 23 Until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight, as he had "said by all his servants the prophets. So "was Israel * Heb. fcy the hand of. • Isai.ih 1 : 1 6, 17 ; S5 ; 7 ; Jer. 1 8 : 1 1 ; 2S:S; M:I5; Elek. 18:31; 2Peter,3:9. b DeuU ni : -27 ; Prov. 29 ; I ; Isaiali <8 : 4 ; .ler. 7 : 26. c .ler. 8 : 9. i Deut. 29 : 25, 2li. e neut.6; 17, 18; Jer. 44:23. f Deut. 32 : 21 ; 1 Samuel. 12:21; 1 Kin-a. Ifi: 13. b .Tonali 2 : 8 ; Rom.l:21. I> Deut 12 : 30, 31. i Ex. 32:4, a. i 1 Kin?!., 12 : 28. k 1X10^8,14:1.^,23: l.'i:ia IJer.8:2. m 1 Kings, lri:3l ; 22 :53. n cli.ip. 1«: 3; Lev. 18: 21 ; 18. TIte tribe of Jiitlah only ; comprehending at this time the tribe of Benjamin. 24. Cuthah — Ai-a — Ilamath — Sepharvaim ; countries north of Babylon, far nortli-east of Palestine. 26. T/ie manner of the God; the proper way of worshipping him. carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. 24 1[ And ^'the king of Assyria brought men from ^Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from tAva, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed thon in the cities of Samaria instead of the cliildreu of Israel : and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. 25 And .so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the Lord : therefore the Lord "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 manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land. 27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, 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 carried 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 thcni in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt. 30 And the men of *= Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Ncrgal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima, 31 And ""the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvitcs ^ burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, 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 s feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations ^whom they carried away from thence. E7ek. 23:37. ol)eut.l«:10. p 1 Kings, 21 :20. q 1 Kings, II : 13,32. rJer.3:8. •Jer.6:3n. I chap. 13 : 3; 15: 29 ; Neh. 9: 57, 2». u IKinga, 11:11. r 1 Kings, 12:20.28. w 1 Kings, 14: Ifi. iver.6. J Ezra 4: 2, 10. iver.30. t ^""^.^liap- 18: 34. • 1 Kings, 13: 2t); Jer. 5:6; Ezek. 14:21. b Micali 4:6. c ver. 24. il Eira 4 : <1. e Dent 12:31. f 1 Kings, 12:31. e ver. 41; Zepll. 1:6. J Or, who carritd them axcay from thence. 30, 31. Succoth-benoth — Nergal — Ashima — Nibhaz aJid Tartak' ; names of different heathen gods. 32. They feared the Lord; with that slavisli fear which made them dread liis wrath, but not with that filial fear which would lead them to ohev him. 495 The good reign II. KINGS, XVIII. of Hezekiah- 34 Unto this day they do after the former manners : they fear not the Loud, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and command- ment which the Lord commanded the chil- dren of * Jacob, whom he named Israel; 35 With whom the Lord had made a covenant, and charged ''them, saying. Ye shall not fear other gods, nor "^bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them : 36 But the Lord, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great '' power and a stretched-out arm, him *" shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. 37 And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ""ye shall observe to do for evermore ; and ye shall not fear other gods. 38 And the covenant that I have made with you ye ^shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods. 39 But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. 40 Howbeit'' they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. 41 So 'these nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children : as did their fathers, so do they unto this day. CHAPTER XVIII. 1 Hezeklah's good reign. 4 He destroyeth idolatry, and prospereth. 9 Samaria is carried captive for their sins. 13 Sennacherib invading Judah is paci- fied by a tribute. 17 Rab-shakeh, sent by Senna- cherib again, revileth Hezekiah, and by blasphemous persuasions soliciteth the people to revolt. "IVTOW it came to pass in the third year J_\ ofHoshea son of Elah king of Israel, • Gen..'?-2:28. b .Iuilg.6:in. c El. 20:5. 10:20. f Deut. .1 : 32. 8 Heut. 4 : 2). h Jc ' 2Cliron.28:27; 2H:1. He is called Em*i« 2Chroii.29:l. i Heb. statuet. j Num. 21 i E.T.6:H. e Deut . 13 : 23. i ver 32, ?,3. , Mat. 1:9. f Jbijah, 9. % That is, a piece 34. Tket/ fear not the Lord; not with that fear which influences them to keep his laws. This people are supposed to have been the ancestor.s of the Samaritans mentioned in the New Testament. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Some sinners are less atrociously wicked than others ; yet none are so innocent as not to deserve all the evils they suffer in this world, and still more dreadful evils in the world to come. G. Though God bears long with giiilty nations, if they repent not of their iniquities he will eventually destroy them. 9. Wicked as are the outward actions of men, their secret conduct is often much worse, and has greater influence in drawing down upon them the just judgments of heaven. 13. Men do not go to destruction without warn- ing from G-od, and their disregard of him and his threatenings is among the chief causes of their ruin. 496 t}iat "Hezekiah the son of Ahaz ^b*'^.^: king of Judah began to reign. 2 Twenty and five years old was ho when he began to reign ; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was t Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. 3 And he did that which U'as right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did. 4 11 He removed the high places, and brake the t images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the J brazen serpent that Moses had made : for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it : and he called it ^ Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel ; so ''that after him was none like him among all the. kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6 For he 'clave to the Lord, and de- parted not from H following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses. 7 And the Lord was "with him ; and he "prospered whithersoever he went forth : and he rebelled against the king of "Assyria, and served him not. 8 He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza,* and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. 9 ^And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of .Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that p Shalmaneser king of As- syria came up against Samaria, and be- sieged it. 10 And at the end of three years they took it : even in the sixth year of Heze- kiah, that is, the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. 11 And "J the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them ofln-asn. k cli.ip 23:2.1. 1 Deut 10:20; Josh. 2.'i : .S. || Heb. nflrr him. m 1 Samuel, 18 : 14 ; 2 Cliron. 16 : 2. » Psa. (i0:12: Horn. 8:31. och.ap. 16:7. * Heb. ^ZJoA. p chap. 17 : 3, etc. 17. No wickedness is so great that it may not be committed by those who have light, but reject it ; who know the will of God, and yet refuse to do it. 25. Even the heathen, though not as guilty as sinners under the gospel, know, or have the means of knowing, enough of God to render them guilty in not obeving him. 29. Though unconverted heathen may be brought to pay a kiiiTl of reluctant outward homage to Je- hovah, yet without his grace their hearts will cleave to their idols, and they will still make and worsjiip the gods to which they have been accustomed. 40. No instruction in the knowledge and worship of God will of itself lead men to love and obey him, or prevent them from practising those sins which provoke him to destroy them. CHAPTER XVIII. 4. Nehnshtaii ; meaning a piece of brass. Sennacherib invades Judea. II. KINGS, XVIII. Rab-shakeli' s blasphemies. B."'??!^ ill Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities o^tlie Medes : 12 Becau.se *they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant, a)ul all that Moses the ser- vant of the Lord commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them. 13 ^Now ''in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did * Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. 14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended ; return from me : that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 And •-'Hezekiah gave him all the sil- ver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house. 16 At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord, and/;-om the pillars which Hez- ekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave t it to the king of Assyria. 17 T[And the king of Assyria '^sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rab-shakch from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great t host against Jerusalem : and they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the ^highway of the fuller's .field. 18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which icas over the house- hold, and Shebna the ^ scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder. 19 And Rab-shakeh said unto them. Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest 1 20 Thou II sayest, (but they arc but *vain words,) t/ have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me 1 21 Now, behold, thou t trustest upon the staff of this bruised ""reed, even upon , tieh. q:2fi 57; P«a 107: 17: Dan. 9 6, 10. h aCliron 32:1, p.tc , Isa :ifi : , etc Heb Sank rih. c clmp. 16 : 8. Heb. Ihr n. d Tsa. ' 0:1. t Hpb. Senvy. e 1 w. 7 : .1. 4 Or, tfc ■etary. II 0 r, tnlkest. • Heb. word of the tips. t Or But counsel and stre nglh are/. r the wa, ■ t Heb. t rustegt thee. ( Kz.ek. -i 1 : H, 7. 14. Lachish; a fortified city in the south part of Judah. 2.5. The Lord said to me ; this assertion was false. 27. Eat their own dung ; in the extremity of tJie famine which he threatened to bring upon them. INSTRUCTIONS. -5. Confidence in God is the best safeguard in Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it : so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. 22 But if ye say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God : is not that he, whose highs places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem"? 23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges^ to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them. 24 How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen 1 25 Am I now come up without the Lord against this place to destroy if? The ''Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it. 26 Then said Eliakim the son of Hil- kiah, and Shebna, and Joah, nnto Rab- shakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy ser- vants in the Syrian language ; for we understand // .• and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall. 27 But Rab-shakeh said unto them. Hath my master sent me to thy mas- ter, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that 'they may eat their own dung, and drink II their own piss with you ? 28 Then Rab-shakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: 29 Thus -i saith the king. Let not Heze- kiah deceive you : for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand': 30 Neither ''let Hezekiah make you trust 'in the Lord, saying. The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 31 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, * Makeaji agree- ment with me by a present, and come out e ver .4 ■ICh ron 31: 1. % Or, hostages. b Is R. 10 R, fi; Aino.4 3:fi; .lo in I'l 10 11. ■ 1 nm. 4 ,->; E7.ek 4 : l.\ II He b. the water oflh irfectf 1 Vm 73 8.9. k 2Tl.e. ■) 2:4, 8. Ps.i. 11:1: 22:7 8; l.'S; ,2 Or . Seek myfat-nr Heb Make with me a blessing. Gen. 32 20; 33 11; P rov. 18:1 rt. danger, and the surest means of all desirable pros- perity and success. 12. The wicked often succeed, not on account of their worthiness, but on account of the wickedness of those over whom they triumph. 25. Success emboldens men in transgression . and they sometimes claim that they please G-od, because he sufl'ers them for a time to prosper in their sins. 35. Ascribing to creatures or to false gods what 497 Hezekiah sends to Isaiah. II. KINGS, XIX. He appeals unto God. to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig-tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern :* 32 Until I come and take you away to a land "like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and A'iue- yards, a land of oil-olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die : and heark- en not unto Hezekiah, when he t persuad- eth you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. 33 Hath ''any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of ' Hamath, and of Arpad] where are the gods of Sephar- vaim, Hena, and tlvah? have they de- livered Samaria out of my hand ? 35 Who ^are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand 1 36 But the people held their peace, and answered him '^not a word : for the king's commandment was, saying. Answer him not. 37 Then came Eliakim the son of Hil- kiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to '^Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rab-shakeh. CHAPTER XIX. 1 Hezekiah moumingsendeth to Isaiah to pray for them. 6 Isaiah comforteth them. 8 Sennacherib, going to encounter Tirhakah. sendeth a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah. 14 H np. 18:33 34. 1 Ezek. 27 2.3. u ■2 Cliron. .34 :20. T ISam. ■4:4 2 Chron .5:7, 8. w IKi nfr« 18 39; UmvC.> 44:6. I Pa;.. 1^2: 2S. J P» 1.31 ■2. 8, Libnah , CHAPTER XIX. one of tlie fortified cities of J udah. Isaiah'' s prophecy. II. KINGS, XIX. Sennacherib's ruin. u.c't^^' open,* Lord, thine eyes, and see : and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. 1 7 Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed tlie nations and their lands, 18 And have *cast their gods into the fire : for they were no gods, but the '' work of men's hands, wood and stone : there- fore they have destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, 0 Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may <=know that thou art the Lord God, evea thou only. 20 T[Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have '^ heard. 21 This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him: The "virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn ; the daughter of Jerusalem hath "^shaken her head at thee. 22 Whom hast thou reproached and blas- phemed ? and against whom hast thou ex- alted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? eue/i^against the Holy One of Israel. 23 By t thy messengers thou hast re- proached the Lord, and hast said. With the multitude of my ''chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down ^ the tall cedar-trees thereof, and the choice fir-trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into ^ the forest of his Carmel. 24 I have digged and drunk strange wa- ters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of l!bcsieged places. 25 Hast* thou not heard long ago how I liave 'done it, and of ancient times that I have formed if? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps. 26 Therefore their inhabitants were tof small power, they were dismayed and confounded ; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the a aChroii. 6M0. * Heb. given, b Psa. 115:4, etc.; Isa. 44: 10, etc. c IKinss. 20:28 d Psa. 66 : 2. e Lam. 2 : 13. fJoblfi:4; I.am. 2:15. B Isa. 5 : 24 ; Jer. 51 : 5. t Heb. By the hand of. h Psa. 20:7. X Heh.the tallnets. \ Or.lheforett und hit /ruit/uljield. Isa. 10:18. H Or, fenced. * Or, Hutt thou not heard hovr f have made it long ago, and formed it of ancient times T thoutd I now 21. The daughter of Zion ; the church of God in Jerusalem. 23. Cut down the tall cedar-trees ; overcome all obstructions and desolate the whole land. 24. T)ru))k strange ivaters ; such as he had digged for, and tound himself. Dried up all the rivers ; the waters on which the besieged had de- pended for supply. 25. I have done it ; the Lord liad suffered him to accomplish what he had done, and it was all in fullilment of the purposes of Jehovah. grass ' on the house-tops, and as corn blast- ed before it be grown up. 27 But I know thy t abode, and thy go- ing out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. 28 Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my '' hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest. 29 And this shall he a sign unto thee. Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same ; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof. 30 And Hhe remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 31 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a 'remnant, and ilthey that escape out of mount Zion : the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this. 32 Therefore thus saith the Lord con- cerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord. 34 For ""I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. 35 T[ And "it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred fourscore and five thousand : and when they arose early in the morn- ing, behold, they iccre all dead corpses. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria de- parted, and went and returned, and dwelt at "Nineveh. 37 And it came to pass, as he was wor- shipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote P him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of 'Armenia. And Esar-haddon his^son reigned in his stead. bring it to be laid watte, ami fenced citiet to be ruinous heaps f ilsa. 45:7. S K^h. short of hand, j Psa. 1 20 : fi. t Or. fi/rmy. k Kzek. S8: 4. \ Heb. the escaping of the house of Judah that remaineth. I verse 4. || Heb. the escaping, m chapter 20 : H. n 2 Chron. 32 : 21 ; Isa. 37 : 36. o Gen. 10:11; Jonah 1:2; 3:2, etc. p ver. 7. * Heb. Ararat, q Ezra 4:2. 29. A sign unto thee; to Hezekiah and his people. 3-5. r/tey o-rojc,- those who were spared. They were all dead ; those who had, the night before, been smitten by the angel of the Lord. 37. Nisroch ; an idol god. INSTRUCTION.^. 1. G-od is the unfailing resource of his people. In times of trouble they repair to him, and find him to be a very present and an all-sufficient helper. 4. Jehovah is a prayer-hearing God : and his 499 HezekiaK's sickness. II. KINGS, XX. prayer and recovery. CHAPTER XX. 1 Hezekiah, having received a message of death, by prayer hath his life lengthened. 8 The sun goeth ten degrees backward for a sign of that promise. 12 Berodach-baladan sending to visit Hezekiah because of the wonder, hath notice of his treasures. 14 Isaiah understanding thereof foretelleth the Babylonian captivity. "20 Manasseh succeedeth Hezekiah. IN "those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isiiiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, *Set thy house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 3 I beseech thee, O Lord, ''remember now how I have '^ walked before thee in truth'' and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept tsore. 4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle i court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain'' of my people. Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard "^ thy prayer, I have seen thy ^tears : behold, I will ''heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. 6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of As- syria; and 'I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant Da- vid's sake. 7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump "b^c^J; of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8 ^ And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the J sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day? 9 And Isaiah said. This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken : shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees'? 10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten de- grees : nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. 1 1 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and ''he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the * dial of Ahaz. 12 HAt 'that time il Berodach-baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah : for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and showed '"them all the house of his precious* things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious oint- ment, and all the house of his t armor, and all that was found in his "treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not. • iChron. 3'2:24,etc.; I«a. .18:l,etr. ' Heh. Gire iharsie cun- S9 : 12: 56 : 8; 1-26 : 5. h Deut. 32 : 39. ichsp. 19:34. i Judg. ccrning thi/ haute, i Sam. U: ■23. b Nell. 13 : 22. c ch;ip. IS : 3-6. 6: 17, 37 ; Isa. 7 : 11, 14. k Josh. 10:12. ^ Heb. dtfreei. I Isa. ■t Gen. 17:1; 1 Kings,3:6. ^ Heb. 7iiith a drral wcepinn. J Or, 39 : 1, etc. \\ Or, Meiodnchbaladitn. m 2 Cliron. 32: 27. ''Or, cil!/. 1 lSam.9:16; 10:1. f cliap. 19 :;0 : Psa. Il6: 19,20. B I's.a. spicrri/. f Or, jewels ; Heh. vtsttU. iiProv.23:5. people not only call on him themselves, but desire the prayers of others, especially such as are distin- guished by his presence and favor. 6. Those who trust in the Lord, and so fear as to obey him, have no reason to fear any others, but may expect in due time his effectual aid. 12. Because the idols in which the wicked trust- ed have not delivered them, some conclude that Je- hovah will not deliver his people, and treat him as if he could do no more for or against them, than gods of wood and of stone. 19. Jehovah will show that he is the one only living and true God, and that those who exalt them- selves he is able to abase ; and will effectually pro- tect and provide for all who trust in him. 25. The exploits of the wicked are only a fulfil- ment of a part of the plan of Jehovah ; and when he sees fit he can dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel, or cause them in his own way and time to come to an ignominious and miserable end. 29. To his people .ler. 32 : 34. n 1 King.«, 8:29. 0 chap. 16:3; IT: 17; Miiah6:7. pDeut.l8:10. q 2SRm. CHAPTER XXI. 6. Ohservedtimes ; seasons for worshipping idols, after the manner of the heathen. 12. Botit his ears shall tingle ; at the dread- fulness of the judgments which God would bring upon them. 1.3. T/ie line of Samaria; he would visit Je- rusalem with such judgTnents as lie liad Samaria. Wipe Jerusalem ; purify it from idolatry by the captivity and destruction of its wicked inhabitants. made a grove, as ''did Ahab king of Is- rael; and 'worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4 And he built altars in ""the house of the Lord, of which the "Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 And he made his "^son pass through the fire, and observed p times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Loud, to provoke Jiim to anger. 7 And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the Lord said to i David, and to Solomon"' his son. In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever : 8 Neither ''will I make the feet of Is- rael move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses com- manded them. 9 But they hearkened not: and 'Manas- seh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroy- ed before the children of Israel. 10 T[And the Loud spake by his ser- vants the prophets, saying, 11 Because "Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the ^' A mo- rites did, which iferc before him, and halh made Judah also to sin with his idols: 12 Therefore thus saith the Loud God of Israel, Behold, "I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that who- soever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. , 13 2\.nd I will stretch over Jerusalem the *line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab : and I will wipe Jerusalem ''as a man wipeth a dish, wiping t it, and turning it upside down. 7:13. rlKing9,9:3. • 2 Sam. 7 : 10. t J'rov. 29: I 2. o chap. 23:26,27; 24:3,4; .lerfimmh I.t: 4. Tver. 9; I Kings, 21 : 26. «r ISam. 3:11 ; Jer.lft:3; Ainns3:2. x Isaiah 10: 22 ; 34:11; I.am. 2:8; Amos 7 : 7, 8. y I Kinjs, 14 : 10. t Heb. he wipeth and turneth it upon the face thereof. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Men from religious families sometimes commit wickedness far beyond others who have not had pious instruction and example. 9. Those who break over the restraints of a pious education and become abandoned in wickedness, often go to greater lengths in iniquity than even the heathen, and ripen for more agKra-^-ite'l ru^n- 21. The wickedness of fathers will be likely to be imitated by their children, and that of rulers by tbeir 501 Anion's evil reign. II. KINGS, XXII. Josiah's good reign. 14 And I will "forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their ''enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies ; 15 Because they have done that u-hich rcas evil in my sight, and have provoked 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 Jeru- salem *from one end to anotlier ; besides liis sin wherewith ''he made Judah to sin, in doing that tvhich was evil in the sight of the Lord. 17 UNow nhe rest of the acts of Ma- nasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, arc they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah'? 1 8 And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead. 19 ^ Amon ^ was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reign- ed two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. 20 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, s as his father Ma- nasseh did. 21 And he walked in all the way 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 liouse. 24 And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon ; and tlic people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead. 25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judali? 26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza : and t Josiah his son reigned in his stead. ~ Psnlm 89 : 38 etc.; Jf-r. 1-2 T; Amon A ; 'i k Piinlin 74 : 1-7. c .1 .^r. 2 34; 19: ■1. * Hik A om mouth to mouth. tq/" : J7. <1 Jas. 1 : K-iS. t 2 Cliron. 34 : 22, Tikvalh. ^ Or, Hasrah. \\ Heb. garmcntt. * Or, in Me second part. « Deut. '29 : 25, etc. ; Neli. 9 : 26, 27 : Dan.9:ll-I4. f 1 Thess. 2 : 16. 5 Psalm ,il : 17 ; Isaiah 57 : I."). INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Though children may be expected generally to imitate their parents, a wicked child sometimes arises from a very pious family, and a pious child from a very wicked family ; thus showing the power and the sovereignty of Orod in the bestowment of his grace. 3. True piety will manifest itself in efforts to promote the salvation not only of him who has it, but of all who may feel his influence. ]"2. A real belief of the threatenings of God aijainst sin, will lead to the most earnest desire and diligent efforts to escape his wrath, and obtain his everlasting favor. me ; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. 20 Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and "" thou shalt be gath- ered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again. CHAPTER XXIII. 1 Josiah causeth the book to be read in a solemn assem- bly. 3 He reneweth the covenant of the Lord. 4 He destroyeth idolatry. 15 He burnt dead men's bones upon the altar of Beth-el, as was fore-prophe- sied. 21 He kept a most solemn passover. 24 He put away witches and all abomination. 26 God's final wrath against Judah. 29 Josiah, provoking Pharaoh-necho, is slain at Megiddo. 'SI Jehoahaz, succeeding him, is imprisoned by Pharaoh-necho, who made Jehoiakim king. 36 Jehoiakim's wicked reign. AND ■' the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the ciders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, tboth small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found" in the house of the Lord. 3 IfAnd Pthe king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant. 4 And the king commanded Hilkiah the high-priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of tlie Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the i grove, and for all the host of heaven : and he burned them without Jerusalem in the tields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el. 5 And he +put down Hhe idolatrous b IKin p'».2 1:29. ■ I.e 1^.26:31,32. Je r.26:6; 44:2 1. krer. 11. 1 Neh. I :4. m !■ a. 37 37; l8a.57: ,2 Jer. 22 :I0 a 2Chr 34:29, etc. f H eb. /r om small eve 1 unto great o rl, ip. 22 •«. p cliap II : 14, 17. q chapter 21 : 3 7. X Heb caused to etc fr % Heb CACT. innm. Hos ■a 10 : .S ; foretold Zeph. 1 :4. 16. The piety of an individual, though it will avail to his salvation and his deliverance from many temporal evils, will not save others who con- tinue in their sins, or avert from them ultimately the judgments of heaven. '20. Death, though the consequence of sin, is through the grace of God sent in mercy to his peo- ple, and made the means of delivering them from the evils of this world, and introducing them to the perfect unending joys of the world to come. CHAPTER XXIII. 4. FitldsofKidroii; ontheeastsideof Jerusalem, through whicii ran the brook of that name. Ver. 6. 503 Josiah dcstroycth idolatry. II. KINGS, XXIII. A solemn passover kept. priests, whom the kings of Judah had or- dained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the * planets, and to all the host of heaven. 6 And he brought out the grove from the house of the Lord, without Jerusa- lem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the "graves of the children of the people. 7 And he brake down the houses of the sodomites,'' that were by the house of the Lord, where the "^ women wove thangings for the grove. 8 And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned in- cense, from ^ Geba to Beer-sheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. 9 Nevertheless the "priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened ^brcad among their brethren. 10 And he defiled ^Topheth, which is in the ''valley of the children of Hin- nom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to 'pass through the fire to Molech. 1 1 And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the Lord, by the chamber of Nathan-mclech the ^chamberlain, which ivas in the sub- urbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. 12 And the altars that were on the Uop of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which '' Manassch had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord, did the king beat down, and ^ brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron. 13 And the high places that 7. 5 Or, ran from t/icnce. || Tlint i», tlie mount of 8. Geha ; in the north p,%rt of Judea. Beer- sheha ; in the south part of .ludca. 10. T/ie valley of I lie children of Iliin/om; of lithe mount of corruption, which VcisS: Solomon' thekingof Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidoni- ans, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for jNlilcom the abomi- nation of the children of Ammou, did the king defile. 14 And he '"brake in pieces the *imagcs. and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men. 15 TT Moreover the altar that icas at Beth-el, and the "high place which Jero- boam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove. 16 And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that u'ere there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the "word of the Lord which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words. 17 Then he said, What title is that that I seel And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of PGod, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Beth-el. 18 And he said. Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones talone, with the bones of the proph- et that came out of Samaria. 19 And all the houses also of the high places that were lin the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bcth-el. 20 And he +slew 'all the priests of the high places that icere there upon the altars, .and burned men's "bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem. 21 ^And the king commanded all the people, saying. Keep the passover unto the Lord your God, as it is 'written in the book of this covenant. 22 Surely "there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah ; Olives. I 1 Kings, 11:7. 7 :ft, 25; Micah 1 : 7. m Exodus 23:24; Num. .ti : 5.' ; Dent. Heb. slntuts. n 1 Kings, 12:28, ;1.3. 4 : .», *it , iuiunii 1 : I. jiiirw. «tii(uca. « i jiiii^.-., i* . .o, ..... » lKing8,13:2. p 1 Kings, 13:30,31. \ Keh.toetcape. q 2 f hr. 34:fi, 7. i Or, tncrificed. r rliap. II : 18 ; Ex. 22:20; lKins», 18:40. • 2 Cbron. 34 : ft. I Ex. 12 : 3, etc. ; Num.9:2; DeuU 16 : 2, etc. 12. Th e altars — of Ahaz ; which had been erect- ed to idols. 13. Mount of corrnption ; that is, the mount a place south-east of Jerusalem, in which idolaters ' of Olives. Ashtoreth — Chemosh — Milcom ; idol made their children pass through fire in honor of gods. their idol gods. , 16. The man of God ; 1 Kings, 13: 1-32. 504 Death of Josiali. II. KINGS, XXIV. Reign of Jehoiakim. B.^e^f • 23 But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, ivherein this passover was holden to the Lord in Jerusalem. 24 1[ Moreover "the workers with famil- iar spirits, and the wizards, and the * im- ages, and the idols, and all the abomina- tions that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law,'' which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord. 25 And "^like unto him was there no king before him, that ^ turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, "according to all the law of Moses ; neither after him arose there any like him. 26 TT Notwithstanding, the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, '^because of all the t provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal. 27 And the Lord said, I ^will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed'' Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of 'which I said, My name shall be there. 28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah'? 29 ^In Jhis days Pharaoh-necho king of Egypt went up against the king of As- syria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him ; and he slew him at ''Megiddo, when he had seen him. 30 And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And 'the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead. 31 ^ Jehoahaz t was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reisned three months in Jerusalem. « chap. 21 :6; Uev. 2J: 15. * Or, teraphim, Genesi.'i 31 : 19. b Lev. l!l:.'!l; W-.n; Deut 18:11. c clmp. 18:5. i IKiiigs, 8 : 43 ; .Ter. 29 : 13. c Nell. 10 : 29. f cliap. -21:11,12; 24 : 3, 4 ; Jer. 15 : 4. t Heb. angers, e chap. 21 : 13. h chap. 17 : 18, -.'O; 18:11. ilKings,9:3. j 2 Ch roil. .35 : 20, etc. k Zech. 12 : 11. 1 2 Chron. ;I6: l.etc. % Calle.l Shallum, 1 Chron. 3: 15; .leremi.ih 29. Megiddo ; in the valley of the river Kishon. IXSTRUCTIOXS. .3. No repentance is genuine which does not lead to external reformation ; and no reformation is ac- cepted of Grod, but such as springs from the heart, and i-s persevered in to the end. C. Tilings which have been used as instruments, and wliich operate as incentives to evil, should be eflectually removed, and either destroyed or so treat- ed tliat their evil inflnence shall be done away. 16. Though the fullihnent of divine declarations And his mother'.? name tvas ""Ilamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnali. 32 And he did that ichich was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. 33 And Pharaoh-necho put him in bands at "Riblah in the land of Hamath, that^ he might not reign in Jerusalem; and II put the land to a tribute of a hun- dred talents of silver, and a talent of gold. 34 And Pharaoh-necho made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Jo- siah his father, and "turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away : and heP oume to Egypt, and died there. 35 And Jehoiakim gave the i silver and the gold to Pharaoh ; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the com- mandment of Pharaoh : he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxa- tion, to give it unto Pharaoh-necho. 36 ^ Jehoiakim teas twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name icas Zebudah, the daughter of Pcdaiah of Rumah. 37 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. CHAPTER XXIV. 1 Jehoiakim, first subdued by Nebuchadnezzar, then rebelling against him, procureth his own ruin. 5 Jehoiachin succeedeth him. 7 The king of Kgypt is vanquished by the king of Babylon. 8 Jehoia- chin's evil reign. 10 Jerusalem is taken and carried captive into Babylon. 17 Zedekiah is made king, and reigneth ill unto the utter destruction of Judah. IN '"his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim be- came his servant three years : then he turned and rebelled against him. 2 And ^ the Lord sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands ot the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by* his servants the prophets. Or, 22:11. m chap. 24:18. n ch.-ip. 2ft : fi; .Ieremi.ih ,'>2 : 27. i hecauge he reigned. \\ Heb. set a mulct upon the land. 2 C 3li : 3. o chap. 24 : 17 ; Gen. 41 : 4.5 ; Dan. 1:7. p Jer. 22 : 11, 12 Ezek. 19:3, 4. q verse 33. r 2 ChrOTL 36 : 5, etc. •Jer.'25:9 32 : -28 ; Ezek. 19:8. * Heb. bi/ the hand of. may be long delayed, and many may conclude that they will never be accomplished, not one jot or tittle of them will fail to come to pass. 25. No penitence on the part of individuals, and no external reformation of those over whom they have influence, can save guilty nations who have sinned away their day of grace, from meeting the retribution which they deserve. 29. Though pious men may, through their own fault or the wickedness of others, come to an un- timely and violent death, it will be well with them at last. 505 Jehoiachin carried' II. KINGS, XXV. captive to Babylon. 3 Surely at tlie commandment of the Lord came thix upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for "tlie sins of Ma- nasseh, according to all that he did; 4 And also for the innocent '"blood that he shed : for "^he lilled Jerusalem with in- nocent blood, which the Lord would not pardon.'' 5 T[ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoia- kim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah ? 6 So " Jehoiakim slept with his fathers : and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. • 7 And "^the king of Egypt came not again any more ovit of his land : for the king of Babylon had s taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt. 8 T[ Jehoiachin* was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name rvas Nehushta, the daugh- ter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. 9 And he did that tvhich ivas evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. 10 TI At '' that time the servants of Neb- uchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city t was be- sieged. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Baby- lon came against the city, and his ser- vants did besiege it. 12 And 'Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his ^officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. 13 And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Loud, as the J Lord had said. 14 And 'he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand cap- tives, and all the craftsmen and smiths : • cliap.23:26; Ex.!0:S. b cliap.21 : 16; Heut. 19: 10; .Ier.2: 34; 19:4. cPda. 106:3a d Exek. a3 : 25. o .Ter. 42 : 18, 19. f Jer. 37:6,7. i!Jer.46:-2. * CalleiU«onia/i,l Cliron.3:lB; Jer. 24: 1 ; anJ Coni'oA, Jer. 2'2; 24, 28. hDnn. 1:1,2. i Heh. came into liei/e. CHAPTER XXIV. n. Out of his sight ; from the land where he had manifested his special presence and favor. 16. Menof^night; of property and influence. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. The Lord is never at a less for instruments to punish his rebellious people ; and though the wicked act out their enmity to him in oppo-sing tliem, yet through them he fulfils his declarations and accom- plishes his wist) and holy designs. 50G none remained, save the 'poorest *b'*6'^2?; sort of the people of the land. 15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his ^officers, and the mighty of the land, tliose carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. 16 And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that ttere strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon. 17 IfAnd ""the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah. 18 Zedekiah" teas twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reign- ed eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name icas "Hamutal, the daugh- ter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 19 And he did that which ivas evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 20 For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his pres- ence, that Zedekiah p rebelled against the king of Babylon. CHAPTER XXV. 1 Jerusalem is besieged. 4 Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out. 6 Nebuzar-adan defacetU the city, carrieth the remnant, except a few poor laborers, into captivity, 13 spoileth and carrieth away the treasures. IS The nobles are slain at Riblah. 22 Gedaliah, who was set over them that remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt. 27 Evil-mero- dach advanceth Jehoiachin in his court. AND lit came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebu- chadnezzar king of ]5abylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. 2 And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 3 And on the ninth day of ihe fotirth month the famine prevailed in the city, and tlicrc was no bread for the people of the land. 4 Tl And the city was broken up, and all the men of war^c(/by night by the way of iJer.29:I,2. ^ Or, eunuchs, i rliip. 20: 17. kjer.24:l. Uh.lp. 2S:12. i Or. eunuchs, m Jer. 37:1. n Jer. S2 : 1 . etc. o ciinp. 23:31. p 2Cliron. 3B:13; F.zek. H:!."!. q 2Clir()n. .36: 17, etc. ; Jer 34 : 2, etr. ; 3M : 1 , etc ; .W : 4, etc. : Kiek. 24 : 2, etc. 10. The Lord sometimes permits one class of wicked men to prevail against his people, and at other times another; but their own sins arc the cause of their troubles, and whoever may be their oppressors, he never suffers them to inflict evils reater than their iniquities deserve. 16. To whom much is given, of them much will be required ; and those who are distinguished by outward privileges and blessings, if they abuse them will be distinguislied in their punishment. Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem. II. KINGS, XXV, Judah is carried captive. B.c'i^!'' the gate between two walls, which ix by the king's garden : now the Chaldees 7i'ere against the city round about : and the king'' went the way toward the plain. 5 And the army of the Chaldees pur- sued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho : and all his army were scattered from him. 6 So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to ** Riblah ; and they *gave judgment upon him. 7 And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and tput out the eyes of Zedekiah,*^ and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon. 8 H And in the fifth month, on the sev- enth day of the month, which is the nine- teenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-adan, +captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Bab- ylon, unto Jerusalem : 9 And '' he burnt the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and ^ every great ma)Vs house burnt he with fire. 10 And all the army of the Chaldees, that ivcre U'ith the captain of the guard, brake down"^ the walls of Jerusalem round about. 1 1 Now the rest of the people that u-ere left in the city, and the 5 fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzar- adan the captain of the guard carry away. 12 But the captain of the guard left of the Spoor of the land to be vine-dressers and husbandmen. 13 And ''the pillars of 'brass that were in the house of the Lord, and the bases, and the brazen sea that u'a.s in the house of the Lord, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon. 14 And the J pots, and tlie shovels, and the snviffcrs, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they minis- tered, took they away. 1 5 And the^re-pans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away. 16 The two pillars, II one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the Lord ; the brass of all these vessels was without weight. • Ezek. 12 : 12. b chap. 23 : 33. » Heb. ipake judgment with him. fHeh. made blind, c Eiek. 12: 13,etc. J Or,f/n>/m-i>»/iu/. d lKhig9,9:8; P8a.79:l; Isa.M:10,ll. e.tnios2:5. fNeh.l:3; Jer. 52: 14, etc. % Heh./ullen away. R chap. 24: 14; Jer. 40:7. li.Ier.2r:19,etc.; IKin^s. 7: 1.5-27. iEx.27:3. j 1 Kings,7:47,aO. CHAPTER XXV, 6. Riblah ; a town in the land of Hamath, north of Palestine. 10. Brale doicji the u-alls ; to prevent the in- habitants of Jerusalem from giving the king of Bab- ylon any further trouble. 17 The '•height of the one pillar ivas eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it ica.s brass : and tiic height of the chapiter three cubits ; and the wreathcn work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass : and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathcn work. 18 TI And the captain of the guard took Seraiah' the chief priest, and '"Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the * door : 19 And out of the city he took an toffi- cer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that + were in the king's presence, which were found in the city, and the * principal scribe of the host, which mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that trerc found in the city : 20 And Nebuzar-adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah : 21 And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So "Judah was carried away out of their land. 22 T[ And" «.s- /or the people that remain- ed in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchad- nezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gcdaliah the son of Ahi- kam, the son of Shaphan, ruler. 23 And when all the captains of the ar- mies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah gov- ernor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachalhite. they and their men. 24 And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them. Fear not to be the servaifts of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Baby- lon; and it shall be well with you. 25 But Pit came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, tlic son of Elishama, of the seed H royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gcdaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah. 26 And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies. II Heb.MsoMt. k lKing9,7:l5. 1 I Chron.6: 14; Eirn7:l. >» Jer. 21:1; 2'l : vV., 29. " Heb. threthold. f Or, eunucti. % Heb. law the king's face. Est 1:14. \ Or, tcrilie of the captain of the hutt. iiclin|..23:27: Lev. 26:3:); Dent. :8:3rt,fi4: Eiek. 12:2«-2S; 24:14. o Jer. 40:5, etc. p Jer. 41 : l.etc. || Heb. of the kingdom. 16. Without weight; in such abundance, that the qu.antity and its value were not estimated. 21. Slew them at Riblah ; as special friends of Zedekiah and men of influence among the people. 25. Mizpah ; supposed to be a town in tlie tribe of Benjamin. 507 Evil-merodacK' s I. CHRONICLES, I. kindness to Jchoiackin. arose, and came to ' Egypt : for they were afraid of the Chaldees. 27 ^ And ''it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Je- hoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the montli, that Evil-merodacli king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift ""up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison ; 28 And he spake *kindly to him, \''c'"^,. and set his throne above the throne of the kings that ^iccre with him in Babylon; 29 And ^changed his prison garments: and he did ""eat bread continually before him all the days of his life. 30 And his allowance ivas a continual allowance given him of the king, a « daily rate for every day, all the days of his life. THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. CHAPTER I. 1 Adaiin's line to Noah. 5 The sons of Japheth. 8 The sons of Ham. 17 The sons of Shem. 24 Shera's line to Abraham. 29 Ishmael's sons. 32 The sons of Keturah. 34 The posterity of Abraham by Esau. 43 The kings of Edom. 51 The dukes of Edom. ADAM,"" Sheth, Enosh, 2 Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered, 3 Henoch, Methuselah, Lantech, 4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 5 T[ The 'sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tu- bal, and JNIeshech, and Tiras. 6 And the sons of Gomer; Ashchenaz, and t Riphath, and Togarmah. • .Ipr. 43 : 4, 7. b Jer. .5'2 : 31, etc. c Gen. 40: 13, 20. * Heb. pood thitiff! with him. d Dan. '2 : 37; 6: 1«, 19. e Isaiah 61 : .3. r2Sam.9:7. e Nell. 11:23; Dan 1:6; Mat.fi:ll; Aot36:l. 28. The kings ; those who had been conquered by the Babylonians, and who were kept as prisoners at Babylon. INSTRUCTIONS. 3. No human power or skill can avail against the providence of Goa ; and when he undertakes to pun- ish gtiilty individuals or nations, without repentance and reformation there is no escape. 7. The obstinate wickedness of parents is often the occasion of ruin to their children ; and those senses which have been inlets of iniquity, become inlets of torment. 9. As a punishment to his people, the Lord sometimes suffers the wicked to abolish the ob- servance of his own ordinances, and to carry away or destroy what has been most solemnly devoted to his service. 18. Those most intimately associated with the wicked in crime, are most exposed to be partakers with them in punishment. 24. Supreme power is often greatly coveted, and no crimes are so base as not to be perpetrated to obtain it. But the greater the power which is ob- tained by iniquity, the greater curse it will be to those who receive it. 27. The hearts of kings, and of all others, are in the hands of the Lord ; and he can at any time in- cline them to favor even the most abject and dis- tressed, and thus show them and others that they 508 7 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and + Dodanim. 8 T[ The sons of Ham ; Gush, and Miz- raim. Put, and Canaan. 9 And the sons of Cush ; Seba, and Ha- vilah, and Sabta, and Raamah, and Sab- techa. And the sons of Raamah ; Sheba, and Dedan. 10 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth. 1 1 And Mizrairn begat Ludim, and Ana- mim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, 12 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (of whom came the Philistines,) and JCaph- torim. h Gen. 4 : -25, S6; 6 : 3, 9. i Gen. 10 : 2, etc. f Or, Diphath, as it is in some copies. % Or, Rodanim^ according to some copies, j Deut -2 : 23. who truly seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. L CHRONICLES. This book and the one which follows are supposed to have been written by Ezra. The first nine chap- ters, which are made up principally of genealogies, were 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 ap- pointment. 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 con- tained 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 ; and then give the line of his descendants, to David and to Christ. But as these chapters are occupied principally with names, and suggest inquiries more particularly in- teresting to the learned and critical student than to common readers, we shall not farther notice them here, but proceed to the recapitulation of the his- tory of the Israelites which commences with the tenth chapter. Ge7icalo^ical I. CHRONICLES, II. tables. Bc'i'if' ^^ ^'^^ Canaan begat Zidon his ""• ' first-born, and Heth, 14 The Jebusite also, and the AmQxite, and the Girgashite, 15 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, 16 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. 17 1[ The sons of Shem ; Elam, and As- shur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and *Me- sheeh. 18 And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eb«r. 19 And unto Eber were born two sons : the name of the one ivas t Peleg ; because in his days the earth was divided : and his brother's name loas Joktan. 20 And Joktan begat Almodad, and Shc- leph, and Hazarmavcth, and Jerah, 21 Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah, 22 And Ebal, and Abimael, and Slieba, 23 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these tcere the sons of Joktan. 24 H Shem," Arphaxad, Shelah, 25 Eber, Peleg, P>,eu, 26 Serng, Nahor, Terah, 27 ABram ;•• the same is Abraham. 28 The sons of Abraham; "^ Isaac, and Ishmael."* 29 1[ These are their generations : The first-born'^ of Ishmael, Nebaioth ; then Ke- dar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, 30 Mishma, and Dumah, JNIassa, tHa- dad, and Tema, 31 Jetur, Naphish,andKedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael. 32 1[ Now the sons of ""Keturah, Abra- ham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and ]\Icdan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jok- shan ; Sheba, and Dcdan. 33 And the sons of INIidian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hcnocli, and Abida, and El- daah. All these arc the sons of Keturah. 34 And e Abraham begat Isaac. The sons'" of Isaac; Esau and Israel. 35 T[ The 'sons of Esau; Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah. 36 The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, ^Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek. 37 The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerali, Shammah, and Mizzah. 38 And the sons of Seir; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Di- shon, and Ezar, and Dishan. 39 And the sons of Lotan; Hori, and Homam :ll and Tirana was Lotan's sister. ~ *'c>7^Math, Geiu 10 : -23. f That ia, Diviiion. Genesis 10 : C5. « Gen. 1 1 : 10, etc. bGen.ITi.i. cGen.21:i,3. <• Gen. Ifi: 1 1, 15. e Gen. 2.-. : 13-16. t Or. Hadar, Gen. 25 : 15. t Gen. 2.i : I , etc. s Gen. 21:2,3. h Gen.25:2.">,26. i Gen.3S:<>, etc. T^Or, Zeplio, Gen. 36: 11. U Or, //f man, Gen. 36:2.'. * Or, /*/M>r, Geii. 36: 2-3. 33 40 The sons of Shobal ; *Alian, and Ma- nahath, and Ebal, tShephi, and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon ; Aiah, and Anah. 41 The sons of Anah; Dishon. And the sons of Dishon; ^Amram, and Eshban. and Ithran, and Cheran. 42 The sons of Ezer; Bilhan, and Za- van, and Uakan. The sons of Dishan ; Uz, and Aran. 43 ^ Now these are the kings that reign- ed in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel ; Bcla the son of Beor : and the name of his city ivas Dinhabah. 44 And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. 45 And when Jobab was dead, llusham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead. 46 And when llusham was dead, Iladad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead : and the name of his city icas Avith. 47 And when Iladad was dead, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead. 48 And when Samlah was dead, Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead. 49 And when Shaul was dead, Baal- hanan the son of Aehbor reigned in his stead. 50 And when Baal-lianan was dead, Hadad H reigned in his stead : and the name of his city was *Pai; and his wife's name ivas Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 51 ^Iladad died also. And the dukes of Edom were ; duke Timnah, duke Aliah,t duke Jetheth, 52 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon, 53 Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar, 54 Duke Magdiel, duke Iram. These arc the dukes of Edom. CHAPTER II. 1 The sons of Israel. ."3 The posterity of .Tudah by Ta- mar. 1.3 The children of Jes::e. 18 The posterity of Caleb the son of Hezron. 21 Hezron's posterity by the daughter of Machir. 2-5 Jeraraeel's posterity. •'J4 Sheshan's posterity. 42 Another branch of Ca- leb's posterity. 50 The posterity of Caleb the son of Hur. THESE a/e thesonsof Hsrael; Reuben, Simeon,J Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, 2 Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naph- tali, Gad, and Ashcr. 3 ^ The sons of ''Judah ; Er, and Onan, and Shelah : which three were born unto t Or, Shephn, Gen. 36 : 2.1. t Or. Iltmdan, Gen. 3fi : 2fi. \ Or, jlkan. Gen. .36 : 27. || Or, Iludar, Gen. :16 : 39. 'Or, Pau, Gea. 36:39. ^Or.Alvah. t Or, Jno'b. j Gen. S9 : 32, etc. ; 30 : fi. etc. : 35 : 18, etc. ; 46 : 8, etc. k Genesia 33 : 3, etc. ; 46 : 1 2 ; Num. 26 : 19. 509 Genealogical I. CHRONICLES, II, tables. him of the daughter of Shua the Canaan- itess. And Er, the first-born of Judah, was evil in the sight of the Lord ; and he slew him. • 4 And *Tamar his daughter-in-law bare him Pliarez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five. o The ""sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul. 6 And the sons of Zerah ; *Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara:t five of them in all. 7 And the sons of Carmi; +Acliar, the troublcr*^ of Lsrael, who transgressed in the thing accvirsed. 8 And tlie sons of Ethan ; Azariah. 9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born vinlo him; Jerahmeel, and ^Ram, and llChelubai. 10 And Ram ''begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon, "prince of the children of Judah ; 1 1 And Nahshon begat * Salma, and Salma begat Boaz, 12 And Boaz begat Obcd, and Obed begat Jesse. 1 3 *[[ And ""Jesse begat his first-born Eli- ab, and Abinadab the second, and Shim- mat the third. 14 Ncthaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, 15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh: 16 Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Ab- igail. Andthe^sonsof Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three. 17 And Abigail bare ''Amasa: and the father of Amasa luas + Jether the Ishma- elite. 18 1[ And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jeri- otli : her sons are these ; Jeshcr, and Sho- bab, and Ardon. 19 And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him 'Ephrath, which bare liim Hur. 20 And Hur begat Uri, and Uri begat Bc^aleel.J 21 ^ And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of ''Machir the father of Gilcad, whom he ^ married wlien he was threescore years old; and she bare him Segub. 22 And Segub begat Jair, who had three and twenty cities in the land of Gilead. 23 And 'he took Gcshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from Ihcm, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even three- score cities. All these hrlnnsccd to the sons of Machir the father of Gilcad. • Gen. 3S:2!), nO; MnL l:n. b Gm. <6: 13: Rntfl < : IR. * Or, Zahdi, .Io«b. 7:1. f Or, Dnrdn. t Or, Achan. c .Io»li. r, : 18 ; 7:1, -.'.V % nr,y*TOni,Miil. 1 :^.4. II ()r,C«/e'),vcr. IR.j:. K Kiitli 4:19,20. oNum.l:7. * Or, .Sii/muH, Kutll 1: Jl. f 1 S.iiii. IC: fi.ctc. 010 24 And after that Hezron was a. m-j£33. dead in Caleb-ephratah, then Abi- u"- ah, Hezron's wife, bare him ""Ashur the father of Tekoa. 25 1[And the sons of Jerahmeel the first-born of Hezron were, Ram the first- born, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, and Ahijah. 26 Jerahmeel had also another wife, whose name was Atarah; she icas the mother of Onam. 27 And the sons of Ram the first-born of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker. 28 And the sons of Onam were, Sham- mai, and Jada. And the sons of Sham- mai ; Nadab, and Abishur. 29 And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bare him Ahban, and Molid. 30 And the sons of Nadab; Selcd, and Appaim : butSelcm died without children. 31 And the sons of Appaim ; Ishi. And the sons of Ishi; Sheshan. And the chil- dren of "Sheshan; Ahlai. 32 And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai; Jether, and Jonathan: and Je- ther died without children. 33 And the sons of Jonathan ; Peleth,and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel. 34 1[ Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name ivas Jarha. 35 And Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant to wife; and she bare him Attai. 36 And Attai begat Nathan, and Nathan begat "Zabad, 37 And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed, 38 And Obed begat Jehu, and Jehu be- gat Azariah, 39 7\nd Azariah begat Helez, and Helez begat Elcasah, 40 And Eleasaii begat Sisamai, and Sis- amai begat Shallum, 41 And Shallum begat Jekamiali, and Jekaniiah begat Eli.shama. 42 *\\ Now the sons of p Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel tccrc, jNIesha his first-born, which was the father of Ziph ; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron. 43 And the sons of Hebron ; Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema. 44 And Shema begat Raham, the father of Jorkoam: and Rckcm begat Shammai. 45 And the son of Shammai was INIaon : and Maon ivas the father of Bcth-zur. 46 And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bare t Or, 5'/ili. I3::». m cli;ip. 4:5. n ver. 31, :!5. o clinp. II : 41. p ver. 'J. Gcncalos;ical r. CHRONICLES, III, IV. tables. A.M. 2533. Haran, and Moza, and Gazez : and "c' ' Haran begat Gazez. 47 And the sons of Jahdai ; Regem, and Jotham, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaapli. 48 Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanali. 49 She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Mach- benah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was "Achsa. 50 ^ These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the first-born of * Ephratah ; Shobal the father of Kirjath-jearim, 51 Salma the father of Beth-lehem, Ha- reph the father of Beth-gader. 52 And Shobal the father of Kirjath- jearim had sons ; t Haroeh,a?it/ thalf of the Manahethites. 53 And the families of Kirjath-jearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhitcs, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites ; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulitcs. 54 The sons of Salma; Beth-lehem, and the Netophathites, ^ Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half bf the Manahethites, the Zorites. 55 And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez ; the Tirathites, the Shim- eathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites'' that came of Hemath, the father of the house of "^ Rechab. CHAPTER III. 1 The sons of David. 10 His line to Zedekiah. 17 The sucoessor.s of Jeconiah. 'IVrOW these were the sons of David, _LN which were born unto him in He- bron ; the'^first-born Amnon,of "Ahinoam the .lezreeiitess : the second, H Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: 2 The third, Absalom the son of Maa- chah the daughter of Talmai king of Gc- shur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Hacgith : 3 The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital : the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. 4 These six were born unto him in He- bron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and '^in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years. 5 And these were horn unto him in .lerusalem; *Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of t Bath- shua the daughter of +Ammicl: 6 Ibhar also, and * Elishama, and Eliph- elet, 7 And Nogah, and Nephcg, and Japhia, a .losh. I.SrlT. * Or,E;>AloM, ver. I<). t Or, ««.\.sfim. 40 And they found fat pasture and B C. about 1111 -1 '16 good, and the land icas wide, and quiet, and peaceable ; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old. 41 And these -written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote'' their tents, and the habitations (hat were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was ''pasture there for their flocks. 42 And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. 43 And they smote the rest of the ""Ama- lekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day. CHAPTER V. 1 The line of Reuben (who lost his birthright) unto the captivity. 9 Their habitation and conquest of the JIagarites. 11 The chief men and habitations of Gad. 18 The number and conquest of Reuben, Gad, and the half of Manasseh. 23 The habitations and chief men of that half-tribe. 25 Their captivity for their sin. IVTOW the sons of Reuben the first-born X\ of Israel, for ''he icas the first-born; but, forasmuch as he ^defiled his father's bed, his birthright was ''given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be redkoned after the birthright: 2 For sJudah prevailed above his breth- ren, and of him came the chief * ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's : 3 The '■ sons, / say, of Reuben the first- born of Israel tvere, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 4 The sons of Joel ; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5 Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son, 6 Beerah his son, whom t Tilgath-pil- ueser king of Assyria carried away cap- tive: he was prince of the Reubenites. 7 And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariali, 8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the sou of Shema,t the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer,' even unto Nebo and Baal-meon : 9 And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates : because their cattle were multiplied in the land of JGilead. 10 And in the days of Saul they made war with the ''Hagarites, who fell by • 2King8, lfi:8, etc. b Num. .1: : 1-4. cEl.l7:l6; Deut. 85-17, 11; ISam.lStS; ?0:n: 2Snin.R:i:. ■< Gen. 'ifl : W. • Gen. 35 : 22. f Gen. 4S : 1.1. f Gen. 4>i ; 8, 10 ; Pm. fiO ; 7 : Micjli 6-2; Heb.7:14. * Or. prince, h Gen. 46:9: Ex.5: 14; N'lim. rtiiS. f Or Tii,lnt>ipiltscr,iK\nf;s,lBr29: 16:7. t '>r.5Atmnm/i. ver 4. i Josh. 13:16. J Jush. 22 : 9. k Gen. 25: 12; Psa. 83:6. % Heb. their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout^ all the east land of Gilead. 11 lIAnd the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of 'Bashan unto Salcah : 1 2 Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan. 13 And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshul- 1am, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven. 14 These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; 1.5 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers. 16 And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of "'Sharon, upon their H borders. 17 All these were reckoned by geneal- ogies in the days of "Jotham king of Ju- dah, and in the days of "Jeroboam king of Israel. 18 T[ The sons of Reuben, and the Gad- itcs, and half the tribe of Manasseh, * of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, icerc four and forty thou- sand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. 19 And P they made war with the Hagar- ites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. 20 And 1 they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and -all that trcrc with them : for they ''cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; 'because they put their trust in him. 21 And they ttook away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, an(f of ^men a hundred thousand. 22 For there fell down many slain, 'be- cause the war u'as of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the "captivity. 23 ^And the children of (he half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they in- creased from Bashan unto Baal-hermon and Senir, and unto mount Hcrmon. 24 And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hod- aviah, and Jahdicl, mighty men of valor, famous 5 men, and heads of the house of their fathers. upan all the fncr nf the eott. I .losliun 13:11. ■> rlinp tftflfi Cant.3:1. II Heh.|»,.inj)j/'>iM. n 2KingK, I.'5:32. » 2K:ngii,t-l:I& * Hel). font of valor, p ver. 10. q ver 22. r 2riin)n. 1«:.1I. • 2rljr. 14:11 ; Psa. 22:4.5: 84: 11 ,12. t Heb UdeapHre. | Heh. touho/men: n- .Vum. 31 : 35. t .Tosliiia 23 : 10;. J CUron. 34: 8. o 2Kinse, 13:29; 17;a } Heb. men of namri. 513 The children I. CHRONICLES, VI, of Levi. 25 1[ And* they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them. 26 And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of ''Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilncser king of Assyria, and he carried thein away, even the Reu- benites, and the Gadites, and the half- tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Ilalah,*^ and Ilabor, and Kara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day. CHAPTER VI. 1 The sons of Levi. 4 The line of the priests unto the captivity. IG The families of Gershom. Merari. and Kohath. 49 The office of Aaron, and his line unto Ahimaaz. 54 The cities of the priests and Levites. THE "'sons of Levi; *Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 And the sons of Kohath ; Amram, Izhar," and Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 And the children of Amram ; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron ; ^Nadab and Abiliu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 4 ^ Eleazar begat ^Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua, 5 And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi, 6 And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zera- hiah begat Meraioth, 7 Meraioth begat Amariah, and Ama- riah begat Ahitub, 8 And ''Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz, 9 And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan, 10 And Johanan begat Azariah; he it is that 'executed the priest's office in the templet that Solomon built in Jerusalem : 11 And Azariah begat J Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub, 12 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat i Shallum, 13 And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hil- kiah begat Azariah, 14 And Azariah begat ''Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak, 15 And Jchozadak went into captivity, when' the Lord carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebu- chadnezzar. 16 H The sons of Levi; ^Gershom, Ko- hath, and Merari. 17 And these be the names of the sons of Gershom ; Libni, and Shimei. 18 And the sons of Kohath were, Am- ram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. • JKiniB, 17:7-1R. ksKinRK 4(i:ll; Num. 26:57. » Or, G, 6:il,24. r I,ev. 10: I, 16. K Nu i 2Clirr.n. 26: 17. + H.-b. ho\ clirip. "I: II. I Neh. 11:11. vcr. I. II Or,/';/'i : 1 , 3, 6. « Psalm 89, title. f Or, Kushaiah, cimp. 15 : 17. b Numbers 8: .1-11. c I.ev. 1 : 9. dEx.30;7, o ver.4-8. f Josh. ch.ip. 31. c Josh, U: 13; 15: 13. 62 And to the sons of Gershom through- out their families out of the tribe of Issa- char, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphlali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. 63 Unto the sons of 'iMerari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 64 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs. 65 And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of .ludah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names. 66 And ^the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim. 67 And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechcm in mount Ephra- • im with her suburbs ; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs, 68 And *Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs, 69 And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs : 70 And out of the half-tribe of Manas- seh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath. 71 Unto the sons of Gershom were give7i, out of the family of the half-tribe of Ma- nasseh, Golan in Bashan with lier sub- urbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs: 72 And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedcsh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs, 73 And Bamoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs : 74 And out of the tribe of Asher; Ma- shal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs, 75 And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs : 76 And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjath- aim with her suburbs. 77 Unto the rest of the children of Mer- ari u-erc given, out of the tribe of Zebulun. Rimmon with her suburbs. Tabor with her suburbs : 78 And ''on the other side .Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them, out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs, t Or, Holon, ,Io.sli. CI : 15. 5 Or, Jin, Josh. 21 : Ifi. || Or, Jlmon, Joali. 21:18. bver.6S ij;um.:!:20. i vtr.BI. » Josh 21 : 21-35, where many of these cities have other names, k Deut. 4:'I1-I3. (315 Genealogical. I. CHRONICLES, VII. tables. 79 Kedemoth also with her suturbs, and Mephaath with lier suburbs: 80 And out of the tribe of Gad; *Ra- moth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaiin'' with her suburbs, 81 And Hcshbou with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs. CHAPTER VII. 1 The sons of Issachar, 6 of Benjamin, 13 of Naphtali, 14 of Manasseh, 20, 'J4 and of Ephraiin. '21 The calamity of Ephraim by the men of Gath. "23 Beriah is born. 28 Ephraim's habitations. 30 The sons of Asher. ■]\TO\V the "^sons of Issachar u-cre, Tola, J_\ and *Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four. 2 And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Reph- aiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shcmuel, heads of their father's house, to icit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose ''num- ber was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred. 3 And the sons of Uzzi ; Izrahiah : and the sons of Izrahiah ; Michael, and Oba- diah, and Joel, Ishiah, five : all of them chief men. 4 And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons. 5 And their brethren among all the fam- ilies of "Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealo- gies fourscore and seven thousand. 6 If The sons of "^Benjamin ; Bela, and Bechcr, and Jediael, three. 7 And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, Ave; heads of the house oi their fathers, mighty men of valor; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four. 8 And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezcr, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and An- athoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Beeher. 9 And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house oftheir fathers, mighty men of valor, was twenty thousand and two hundred. 10 The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan : and the sons of Bilhan; Jcusli, and Ben- jamin, and Ehud, and ('hcnaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar. 1 1 All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, « mighty men of valor, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for am iwo. , , ,., ° B. <;. 14M. war and battle. ^to. 1 2 Shuppimt also, and Huppim, the chil- dren of ^ Ir, aHr/Hushim,the sonsof ^Aher. 13 1[ The .'tons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jczcr, and Shall urn, the sons of Bilhah. 14 HThe sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: {hut his concubine the Aramitess bare Maehir the father of Gil- ead: 15 And Maehir took to wife the sister of Huppim'' and Shuppim. whose sister's name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelo- phehad had daughters. 1 6 And Maachah the wife of Maehir bare ason, and she called his name Peresh ; and the name of his brother icas Sheresh ; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 17 And the sons of Ulam; 'Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Maehir, the son of Manasseh. 18 And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and HAbiezcr, and ^lahalah. 19 And the sons of Shemidah were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam. 20 1[And the Jsons of Ephraim; Shu- thelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son, 21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle. 22 And Ephraim their ''father mourned many days, and his brethren 'came to comfort him. 23 % And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bare a son, and he called his name *Beriah, "'because it went evil with his "house. 24 (And his daughter ivas Sherah, who built Beth-horon the nether, and the up- per, and Uzzen-sherah.) 25 And Rephali was his son, also Re- sheph, and Telah his son, and Tahau his son, 26 Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27 Nont his son, Jehoshuah his son. 28 1[ And their possessions and habita- tions luere, Bcth-el and the towns tliTrcof, and eastward "Naaran, and westward Gezer, Avith the * towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto ^Gaza and the towns thereof: » I Kingn, 22:3, etc. b Gen. 32 : 5 ; 2. Sam. 17 : 24. 27. c C.en. Num. ifi: .3«. k vcr. 12. ilS»m. 12:11. || y^io, Num. 26: 30- 46:13; Num. 2«: 2.3. * Fhuvah. Job. J rlin|<. 27 : I. e . dauflittri. \Ot,A. ellutlil:!. r Ezra2: W; NVh. 6:2; II :3.'). e Ter 21. || Or, I Slicma, \et. 13. b Joshua 18: S8; Neb.ll:!, * Called JcAi'c', I chap, 9:43 9 And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jo- bab, and Zibia, and ISIesha, and iMalcham, 10 And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of tbe fathers. 11 And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. 1 2 The sons of Elpaal ; Eber, and Mi- sham, and Shamed, who built ^Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof: 13 Beriah also, and ^Shema, who ivere heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: 14 And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremolh, 15 And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Adcr, 16 And Michael, und Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah ; 17 And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber, 18 Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jo- bab, the sons of Elpaal; 19 And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, 20 And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, 21 And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shim- rath, the sons of UShimhi; 22 And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, 23 And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, 24 And Hananiah, and Elani, and An- tothijah, 25 And Iphedeiah, and Peneul, the sons of Shashak ; 26 And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah, 27 And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. 28 These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief 77je;i. These dwelt'' in Jerusalem. 29 And at Gibeon dwelt the 'father of Gibeon; whose wife's name tvas Maa- chah : 30 And his first-born son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, 31 And Gedor, and Ahio, and tZacher. 32 And Mikloth begat tShimeah, And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them. 33 ^[And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi- shua, and ^Abinadab, and HEsh-baal. 34 And the son of Jonathan was *Merib- banl ; and I\lerib-baal begat Micah. 35 And the sons of Micah icerc, Pithon, and Melech, and tTarca, and Aliaz. 36 And Ahaz begat l.lehoadah ; and Je- hoadah begat Alcmctli, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Ziinri begat Moza; 37 And Moza begat Binea: * Rapha «'as his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. cliap, M : r>.1. t Or, Zechariah. cliap. •) : 37. ± Or. Shimtnm, ihnp. 9:38. 4 /»/ii/i, 1 Samuel, 14 : 4R || Or, /M6ni*f//i, 2 S.inmel, 2:8. ♦ Or. Mtphihnthtth. 2 .«amiiel, 4:4; 9:8,10. f Or, ToArrn, chapter 9; -11. J yoin'i, chapter 9: 42. \ Rrphaiah, 517 Families dwelling I. CHRONICLES, IX. in Jerusalem. 38 And Azcl liad six sons, whose names ' are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ish- , mael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azcl. 39 And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his first-born, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin. CHAPTER IX. 1 The original of Israel's and Judah's genealogies. 2 The I.-raelites, 10 the priests, 14 and the Levites, with Nethinim, which dwelt in Jerusalem. 27 The charge of certain Levites. 35 The stock of Saul ind Jonathan. SO all Israel were reckoned by geneal- ogies ; and behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Jndah, U'ho were carried away to Baby- lon for their transgression. 2 U Now" the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the ''Nethinim. 3 And in '^Jerusalem dwelt of the chil- dren of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephra- im, and Manasseh ; 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the sou of Bani, of the children of Pharcz the son of Judah. 5 And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the first-born, and his sons. 6 And of the sons of Zcrali ; Jeucl, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety. 7 And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of McshuUam, the son of Hoda- viah, the son of Hascnuah, 8 And Ibnciah the son of Jerohnm, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and ]Mcsluillam the son of Shcphatiah, the son of llcuel, the son of Ibnijah; 9 And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fa- thers in the liouse of their fathers. 10 •' And of the ''priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and .lachin, 11 And *Azariah the son of Ililkiah, the son of Meshnllam, the son of Zadok, the son of Mcraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God ; 12 And Adaiah the son of .Tcroham, the son of I'ashur, the son of MaU-hijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jah- zerah, the son of McshuUam, the son of Meshillcmith, the son of Inimcr; 13 And their brethren, heads of the • F.Jir.l 2 : TO ; Neli. 7:73. k JoMmn « : 07 ; KzrxSMS; 8 : 'JO. «N<-li. 11:1. <1 NMl. II: in.elc. * ^Vrola/i, Ncli. II : II. f Heb. miehtij men K/volitr. f Heb. Ihytiholdt. « Num. 31:6. f cliup. 518 house of their fathers, a thousand a m 2iu4. and seven hundred and threescore ; "= veryt able men for the work of the service of the house of God. 14 And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari ; 15 And Bakbakkar, Ileresh, and Galal, and INlattaniah Ihe son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph ; 16 And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites. 17 ^And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief; 18 Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward : they ivere porters in the companies of the children of Levi. 19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, u'ere over the work of the ser- vice, keepers of the -gates of the taberna- cle : and their fathers, being over the host of the Lord, icere keepers of the entry. 20 And "Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the Lord teas with him. 21 And Zcchariali the son of Meshele- miali teas porter of the door of the taber- nacle of the congregation. 22 All these tchich u-ere chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David "^ and Samuel the ^seer Mid ordain in their H set office. 23 So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the Lord, namely, ihc house of the tabernacle, by wards. 24 In four quarters were the porters, toward the cast, west, north, and south. 25 And their brethren, u-hich were in their villages, were to come "^ after seven days from time to time with them. 26 For these Levites, the four chief por- ters, were in their 'set otlice, and were over the tchambcrs and treasuries of the house of God. 27 And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge icas upon them, and the opening thereof every xaor lixng fcrtaincd to them. 28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should t bring them in and out by tale. 26:l,otc » I Samuel, « ; 9. % Hel., /,.«> 1> 2Kingii, II :fi. » Or, Iriitt. r Or, tto'eho them in fry fa/r, and cany them out by taU. II n,,„u.t. % Heb. bring Israel is defeated. I. CHRONICLES, X, Saul and his sons slain. A.M. 2804. 29 Some of them also were ap- B. C. 1*200 ^ "c. ' pointed to oversee the vessels, and all the * instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices. 30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ^ointment of the spices. 31 And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who ivas the first-born of Shallum the Korahite, had the t set office over the things'" that were made +in the pans. 32 And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the show-bread,* to prepare it every sabbath. 33 And these arc the '^singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in tlie chambers tvere free : for H they were employed in that work day and night. 34 These chief fathers of the Levites U'cre chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem. 35 ^ And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah i"* 36 And his first-born sou Abdon, tlien Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, 37 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecha- ri'ah, and Mikloth. 38 And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren. 39 And "Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul ; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Mal- chi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal. 40 And the son of Jonathan ivas Merib- baal : and Merib-baal begat Micah. 41 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and INIclech, and Tahrea, and ^Ahaz. 42 And Ahaz begat Jarah : and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zim- ri ; and Zimri begat Moza; 43 And Moza begat Binea; and Repha- iah his son, Eieasah his son, Azel his son. 44 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ish- maei, and Sheariah, and Obadiali, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel. CHAPTER X. 1 Saul's overthrow and death. 8 The Philistine.s tri- umph over Saul. 11 The kindnpss of Jabesh-silead towards Saul and his sons. 13 Saul's sin, for wliioh the kingdom was translated from him to David. "IVrOW the s Philistines fought against _LN Israel; and the men of Israel fled * Or, i'«K/i. « Ex. rtO:'i1, ■». trtr.trutt. b Lev. 2:^; 6:il. f Or, on Jtiit platti, or tticet. I Heb. tntaJ of ordering. Lev. ■M:S. c ch.ip. B::!l; 2.i : 4 || Heb. upon them was. <1 (fliap. 8:-2H. » ihap. 8:33. f cliap. 8 : J.'). 8 I Sam. 31 : 1, etc. * Or, CHAPTER X. ]. l\Tonnt Gilhoa ; on the south of the valley of Esdraelon, sometimes called the valley of Jez- reel. 3. Archers ; who fought with bows and arrows. 4. Armor-bearer ; who carried his weapons. from before the Philistines, and fell down slain* in mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines followed liard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonatlian, and tAbina- dab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and tlie + archers * hit him, and he was wounded of the arcliers. 4 Then said Saul to his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and tiirust me through therewith ; lest these uncircumeiscd come and 'I abuse me. But liis armor-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died. 6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together. 7 And when all the men of Israel that luere in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their ''cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them. 8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, tliat tliey found Saul and liis sous fallen in mount Gilboa. 9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people. 10 And 'they put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. 11 ^And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 Tiiey arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days. 13 ^ So Saul died for his transgression which he 'committed against the Loud, even J against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking ^covnsd oi one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it: 14 And inquired not of the Lord: there- fore he slew him, and 'turned the king- dom unto David the son of t Jesse. tooumled. \ 0 .Uku t. ISam. U:*9. t Heb. thootert with boxef. % Heb. found. lOr.r nock, b Lev. tfi. 31. 1 1 Sam 31:10. » Heb. '.rantgressed. j ISarr . 13:13; 15 : i1. k 1 Sam. 2S : 7. etc. 1 1 Sam. 16:1. 13: :8: 17 ; 2Sam. 3:9, 10 ft : 3. t Heb. Itai. 10. Faste7ied his head ; his body had been fast- ened to the wall in Beth-shan. 1 Sam. 31 : 10. 12. Jabesh ; on the east of Jordan. INSTRUCTIOXS. 4. Those who have not chosen God as their por- tion and have no hope in his mercy, arc often very '519 David crowned at Hebron. I. CHRONICLES, XI, His mighty men. CHAPTER XI. 1 David by a gpiieral consent is made king at Hebron. 4 He winneth the castle of Zion from the Jebusites by Joab's valor. 10 A catalogue of David's mighty men. THEN *all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Be- hold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2 And moreover *in time past, even when Saul was king, thou icast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel : and the Lord thy God said unto thee, Thou shall tfced my people ''Israel, and thoix shall be ruler over my people Israel. 3 Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron ; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord tby "^Samuel. 4 TfAnd David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is ^ Jebus ; where the Jebusites n'c/r, the inhabitants of the land. 5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David. 6 And David said. Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be * chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief. 7 And David dwelt in the castle ; there- fore they called II it the city of David. 8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired* the rest of the city. 9 So David t waxed greater and greater : for the Lord of hosts teas with him. 10 II These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened* themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make hi!n king, according to the "word of the LoRn concerning Israel. 1 1 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, *a Hachmonite, the chief of flie captains: he lifted np his spear against three hun- dred slain by him at one time. 12 And after him tvas Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohitc, who tras one of the three mightics. • U.S.iiii. ,5:1, etr. * Hcb. holli yttterilav nnd lite Ihhd day. t Or. rule, b Pm. 7R : 71 ; .Ter. 3: Ifi. % HpIi. Iiy the hiind of. c 1 Sam l(i; I, \i. il Jur, lield tlrunqlg with him. o 1 Sam. l>i: I. !■;. j Or, ion of Huchmoni. || Or, Epheidammin. I S.imiiel, 17: 1. mi.ser.aHe when they come to die; and .sometimes are re.ady to hasten their death by their own hands. 14. To seek help trom evil spirits is a i;reat sin, and exposes those who do it to the just judfjirients of G-od. Pretensions to intercourse with, departed spirits dishonor him and his word, and should be refrained from and discountenaneed. Lev. 19:2G, 31 ; 20 : 27 ; Dout. 18 ■ 11 ; Isa. 8 : 19, 20. 520 13 He was with David at H Pa.s- Vc/im?: dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. 14 And they *set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines ; and the Lord saved them by a great t deliverance. 15 If Now t three of the thirty captains went "^down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.e 16 And David v:as then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Beth-lehem. 17 And David ''longed, and said. Oh that one would give me drink of the wa- ter of the well of Beth-lehem, that is at the gate ! 18 And the three brake througli the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that ii'as by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David : but David would not drink of it, but poured 'it out to the Lord, 19 And said. My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the bloodJ of these men Mhat have put ''their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it: therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three miglitiest. 20 H And 'Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three. 21 Of the three, he was more honorable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the J?r.v7 three. 22 Bcnaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, II who had done many acts; he slew two lion-like men of Moab : also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. 23 And ho slew an Egyptian, a man of* great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam ; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear * r\t,ttonrt. t Or, sa/vrition. J Or, three coitlaint over the Ihirly. f ■! Slim. M: 1.1, etc. e €lm|>. 14 : 9. h I'sn. 107 : S. ilS«m.7:fi. j I.VV. 17 : 10. I I i P»li. 72 : 14. % Heli. icrM their livrt. k .ludg. »: 18; 9:17: 1 .Snm. IM:."!. I 2 Sam. 23: 18, etc. \\ Hth. great of deed: * Heh. of meaiure. CHAPTER XI. 1. ITehiOH ; about twenty-seven miles south of Jerusalem. 4. Jehvs ; the former name of Jerusalem. 8. Millo ; a fortified part of Jerusalem. 13. Pa.i-fianimim : in the tribe of Judah. l-l. A/liiltam — valley of Repliai III ; in .Tudah. 23. Five cubits ; about seven and a half feet. The mighty men I. CHRONICLES, XII. of David's host. u.u'io^?"' out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with 'his own spear. 24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighties. 25 Behold, he was honorable among the thirty, but attained not to the Jirst three : and David set him over his guard. 26 ^[ Also the valiant men of the armies irerc, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Beth-lehem, 27 Shammoth* the t Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,^ 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abi-ezer the Antothite, 29 Sibbecai* the Hushathite, « Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai the Netophathite, * Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32 Ilurait of the brooks of Gaash, AbieU the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 The sonsof Ulashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Ilararite, 35 Ahiam the son of II Sacar the Ilara- rite, * Eliphal the son of t Ur, 36 HephcrtheMecherathite, Ahijah the I'elonite, 37 Hezrot the Carmelite, ^Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the II son of Haggeri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reuben- ite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnitc, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeliiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite, » iSam. 17 fil * Or, Shammah, t Or, Harodite, 1 Sam. 2:! : 25. t Or, 1' iltite. ■! S am. -1% : ifi. % Or. Mcbunnui. 1] Or, * 0 r, Helch. t Or. Hiddui. X Or, Aliiiilbon \ Or, 2 Sam 23 :3J,33. II Ot, Sham : * Or.EUvhtlci ■ Or, Ahtttha . * Or, Htzrai 5 Or, Paarai the Arbitt. \\ Or the INSTRUCTIONS. 1. When the time comes, all persons and tilings •-onspire, as far as maybe needful, to advance those who are selected of G-od for stations of honor and responsibility, and to fulfil his designs of love and mercv witli regard to thcni. 9. The presence and favor of God will overcome all obstructions in the way of the advancement of those whom he delights to honor. 13. Though deliverance from evil comes from G-od, yet he works by means, and men must em- 45 Jediael the * son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizilc, 46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, and Ith- mah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jasicl the Mes- obaite. ■CHAPTER XII. 1 The companies that came to fiavid at Zildag. 23 The armies that came to him at Hebron. "IVrOW ''these arc they tliat came to Da- _L\ vid to Ziklag, t while he yet kept liimself close because of Saul the son of Kish : and they tcerc among the mighty men, helpers of the war. 2 They ivere armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the '^left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin. 3 The chief was Ahiczcr, then Joash, the sons of ^Shemaah the (iibcathile; and Jeziel, and Pelct, the sons of Azmaveth ; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite, 4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thir- ty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Jo- lianan, and Josabad the Gederathite, 5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Ha- ruphite, 6 Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam the Korhites, 7 And Joclah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. 8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of* war fit for the battle, that could han- dle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and icere II as swift as the ""roes upon the mountains; 9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10 iNIishmanuah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 1 1 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, Haggerite. * Or, Shimrite. b 1 Snm. 27 : 2, 6. t Heb. being yet shut up. c Ju.lg. iO.lS. t Or, Hiumauh. ^Ur\t.a/lhehatt. II Heb. rt* the roes upon the mvuntaint to make hatte. d 2 Sum. 2:18; Cant. 8: 14. ploy them according to his appointment in order to receive his help. 19. A generous man will not encourage others! to expose their lives for bis gratification, but will rather deny himself than be the means of such exposure to his fellow-men. CHAPTER XII. 1. Ziklag; south-west from Jeru.salcm, in the tribe of Simeon. 8. hike the faces of lions; bold, fierce, and courageous. Rocx ; a .species of hart or deer. 521 "Die companies 13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machhanai the eleventh. 14 These tfcre of the sons of Gad, cap- tains of the host: *one of the least ivas over a hundred, and the greatest over a thousand. 1.5 These are they that went over Jor- dan in the first month, when it had t over- flown all * his hanks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west. 16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. 17 And David went out tto meet them, and answered and said unto them. If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall ^be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no II wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. 18 Then the spirit *came upon ''Ama- sai, ivho was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are tve, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse : peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thy helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. 19 And there fell some of Manasseh to David, " when he came with the Philis- tines against Saul to battle; but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying. He will fall to his master Saul tto the jeopard ij of o*ir heads. 20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jcdiael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and P^lihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thou- sands that were of Manasseh. 21 And they helped David -against the band"* of the rovers: for they u'cre all mighty men oflvalor, and were captains in the host. 22 For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God. 23 ^[ And these are the numbers of the bands ^ that toere ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to *turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord. I. CHRONICLES, XII. of David's army. '^ Or, one that wiu Ua«t couKi resist a hundred, and the greatest n thauiand. f Heb. filled over. • Josli. 3 : IR. t Heb. lie/ore Ihem. 4 Heb. be one. || Or, violence. * Heb. clothed. .Iiijg. li::M; 1m. 5^1:17. b 2 Sam. 17: 2S. o 1 Sam. 2!) : 2, 3. f Heb. on our heads, f Or. withal/and. il I Sam. 30: 1-10. ^Or, captains, nr men ; HkU. heads. • chap. 11:1. H Or, prepared, r 2 Sum. 22. The host of God; very numerous and pow- erful. 33. Doiihlc heart ; wavering, inconstant. 38. Perfect heart ; united, single, and firm in their purpose to make David king. 522 24 The children of Judah that '^bI!:?^-^: bare shield and spear u'frc six thousand and eight hundred, ready Harmed to the war. 25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. 26 Of the children of Levi, four thou- sand and six luuidred. 27 And Jehoiada urns the leader of the Aaronites, and with him ti:ere three thou- sand and seven hundred; 28 And "^Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty and two captains. 29 And of the children of Benjamin, the * kindred of Saul, three thousand: for ^hitherto tthe greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul. 30 And of the children of Ephraim twen- ty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, + famous throughout the house of their fathers. 31 And of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king. 32 And of the children of Issachar, which^ icere men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hun- dred ; and all their brethren ivere at their commandment, 33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, * expert in war, with all instru- ments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep II rank : they were * not of double heart. 34 Andof Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand. 35 And of the Danitcs expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hun- dred. 36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, t expert in war, forty thousand. 37 And on the other side of Jordan, of tiie Reubenites, and the Gaditcs, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all man- ner of instruments of war for the battle, a hundred and twenty thousand. 38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Is- rael: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. 8:17. * Hih.lirethren. C,fn.:M:Z3. s '2 S,im. 2: 8, 9. f Heb. a multitude. X Hfh. men of names. h Esther I : 13 ; Isa. 33: 6 : Miciih6:'J; .7ame83:13, 17. % Ot, rangers o/bnttle, arranged in battle. \\ Or, set the battle in arrav. * H^h. without a heart and a heart. Psa. 1-2:2. f Or, keeping their rank. vcr. 3:) ; Joel 2: 7. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The hearts of all are in the hand of the Lord. He endows them with qualities which fit them for the work to which they are called, and when he has need of them, uses them in advancintc his cause. Removal of the ark. I. CHRONICLES, XIV. Death of Uzzah. i "S 39 And there they were with Da- vid three days, eating and drinking : for their brethren had prepared for them. 40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebnlun and Naph- tali, brought bread on asses, and on cam- els, and on mules, and on oxen,«/if/ *meaf, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly : for there ivas joy in Israel. CHAPTER XIII. 1 David fetcheth the ark with great sftlemnity from Kirjath-jearim. 9 Uzzah being smitten, the ark is left at the house of Obed-edom. AND David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 And David said unto all the congrega- tion of Israel, \i it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord our God, let us t send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are 'left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites u'hich are in t their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us : 3 And let us bring ^ again the ark of our God to us: for ''we inquired not at it in the days of Saul. 4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. .5 So "^ David gathered all Israel together, from ^ Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim. 6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah," that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thenec the ark of God the Lord, that '^dwellcth between the cherubim, whose name is called on it. 7 And they II carried the ark of God in * Or, f>c(«a/o/mea(. f Hel). 4rfa«:/mM anil scjirf. • 1 Srtm 31 : 1 ; 3 Sam. 6:1-11. t Heb. the citirt of their luliurbt. % Hel) a/iout. b ISam. 7:1,2. «2.»- — "■■ — ■' '• ' '-■•■■ '— 2:18. e Josh. 1.5:9, W). f 1 .? _.eto. il Jr.lO:2. \ThMie. the breachof Uzzah. U Heh. removed. k cliap. ?6 : 5 ; Gen. 30 : 27 ; Prov. 10 : iJ. 1 2 Sam. 5:11, etr. S. Played; danced, as an expression of his joy and gratitude to God. Chap, lo : 29 ; 2 Sam. 6 : .5," 14, 20. 10. He put his hand to the ark ; this was con- trary to the divine command. Num. 4 : l.')-20. 13. The cittj of David ; Jerusalem, or Zion. JXSTRl'CTIONS. 1. When those in public stations propose to make changes, it is ordinarily wise to consult the leading men and secure their cooperation. This will open the way to bring the subject before the people gen- erally, and thus to unite them in it. 8. Times of religious reformation are justly times of rejoicing. The king and the beggar, if they love the Lord, will unite in praising him and rendering thanks for his mercies. 10. That reverential fear of God which leads to a careful regard to his commandments, is essential to secure his approbation, or avoid his displeasure. CHAPTER XIV. 2. Lifted up on high ; greatly prospered. Ci'23 David's victories. I. CHRONICLES, XV, The ark again removed. 3 "[And David took * more wives at Jerusalem : and David begat more sons and daugliters. 4 Now tlicse are the names of Ai.s "chil- dren which he had in Jerusalem ; Sham- mua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, 5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet, 6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 7 And Elishama, and tBecliada, and Eliphalet. 8 ^[ And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. 9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves'' in the valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, saying. Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said unto him. Go up; for I will deliver them into thy hand. 1 1 So they came up to Baal-perazim ; and David smote them there. Then Da- vid said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by my hand like the breaking forth of waters : therefore they called the name of that place t Baal-perazim. 12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with tire. 13 And the Philistines yet "^ again spread themselves abroad in the valley. 14 Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said unto him. Go not up after them ; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mul- berry-trees. 15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle : for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. 16 David therefore did as God com- manded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from ^ Gibeon even to Gazer. 17 And the ■'fame of David went out into all lands; and the Lord "brought the fear of him upon all nations. * HHi. yet. • r, Eliada, •! Sam. ii : 16. b cliap 11:15. t Thalia, a place of lirrnches. ever.!). '^ Geha, 2 S.im. r. : JS. J .losh. fi : 27 ; '2 Cliron. ifi : 8 : Pan. 18:44. o Deut. 1:45; ll:i->. fclinp.ir.:!. \\Heli. lUnnot tocirrytliciirko/God, 9. Til r, valley of Rephaim ; near Jerusalem. 1 1 . Bnal-jierazim ; near the valley of Rephaim. IG. ff/heon; in the tribe of Benjamin. Gazer; one of the cities of the Phili.stincs. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. All blessings, temporal and .spiritual, come from 'jod. When this is duly .acknowledged, it honors him and prepares the way for the increase and continuance of his favors. 8. (rrcat mercies are often followed by great trials ; but careful inquiry as to tlie will of God, 524 CHAPTER XV. \'l;'Zr 1 David, having prepared a place for the ark, ordereth the priests and Levites to bring it from Obed-edom. 25 He performeth the solemnity thereof with great joy. 29 Michal despiselh him. AND David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.f 2 Then David said, II None bought to carry the ark of God but the Levites : for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. 3 And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring '" up the ark of the Lord unto his place, which he had pre- pared for it. 4 And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites: 5 Of the sons of Koliath ; Uriel the chief, and his * brethren a hundred and twenty : 6 Of the sons of Merari ; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty : 7 Of the sons of Gershom ; Joel the chief, and his brethren a hundred and thirty : 8 Of the sons of 'Elizaphan ; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred : 9 Of the sons of J Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore : 10 Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren a hundred and twelve. 1 1 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 And said unto them. Ye arc the chief of the fathers of the Levites: ''sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a 'breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due '"order. 14 So the priests and the Levites sanc- tified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. butfii ■thr hcviUs. g Nun, 4 •2- .i; Dei.t. 10. 8: 11 9. h limp. l.'Jif); IK ngs, 8 : . • Or k< nsm tn i K «. 6 22. 1 K X. 6:18. k iJChron 5:11; 29:5: Ei pk 48 II 1 r l.ip i:i :» 10 2 Sam. 6:7,8 m 2 Cliron 13:17-20; I Cor. 11 3 ; 14: 4I>. and a readiness when it is known to obey it, will secure his aid, and in due time give deliverance from trouble, and victory over every foe. CHAPTER XV. 12. Sanctify yo7irseh)es ; by cleansing them- selves from all ceremonial and moral pollution, and by the performance of those duties which God had prescribed for that purpose. -, 13. Made a breach upon us ; in the destruction of Uzzah. Removal of the ark I. CHRONICLES, XVI. to Jirimnlcm. ic'io«'- 15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders ■with the staves thereon, as "Moses com- manded, according to the word of the Lord. 16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sound- ing, by ''lifting up the voice with joy. 17 So the Levites appointed '^Ileman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, '' Asaph the son of Bereehiali; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, '"Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaa- ziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiali, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphcleh, and iNlik- neiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the porters. 19 So the singers, Ileman, Asaph, and Ethan, u-ere appointed to sound with cym- bals of brass ; 20 And Zechariah, and *Aziel, and She- miramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eli- ab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on ""Alamoth; 21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obcd-cdom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the t Shcminith to excel. 22 And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, icas t{or >^song: lie instructed about the song, because he was skilful. 23 And Berechiah and Elkanah rccrc door-keepers for the ark. 24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethancel, and Amasai, and Zech- ariah, and Benaiah, and Eliczer, the priests, did ^blow with the trumpets be- fore the ark of God : and Obed-edom and Jehiah irere door-keepers for the ark. 25 IT So •• David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obed-edom with joy. . 26 And it came to pass, when God help- a Ex. 25:H; Num. 4:15; 7:9. b iClirm 1. 5:13. c cliap.fi::13. cl cliap. 6 : 39. ' cliap. 6: -H. * Jaazirl. ve r. I«. f Psa. 4H, title. t Or, cig/U/i to oversee. Van. fi, title, t Or. vfnn/or the carriage: he instructed nhoitC the cnn-iuqe. ^ Heh. lifting up. c Num. 10:Si Psalm 81:3; Joel i : 1, I."), h JS.imii »1, 6:1.S, et.-.; 1 Kings, ed the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. 27 And David tva.; 98:4-fi; I.VI::l-.'i. i Prwlm 149:3; Ecclc»iiiste»3:4. k Psalm «9 : 7-9. I i Samuel, I!: 17-19. ■» Psalms as, 70, titles. * Heb. initrumenli of ptalteriet and harpt. 29. She despised him : she thought that lie de- gr.aded himself, by thus joining with the priests and the people in their expressions of religious joy. INSTRUCTIO.NS. 2. Our mistakes in times past sliould make us wiser in future ; should lead us to avoid tlic errors into which, from presumption, ignorance, or inat- tention, we may have fallen; and should engage, us in the performance of all duties which we have . neglected. 12. Peculiar sanctity becomes the ministers of religion, and especially when engaged in religious 34 duties ; they .should be watchful not to indulge in any thing offensive to God, or that tends to unfit them for liis holy ser\-ice. 16. Singing is a.n important part of divine wor- ship, and when rightly performed is ,icccptable to God, Those who engage in it should never forget that God looks upon the hc.irt, and requires that those who worship him should worship him in spirit and in truth. 28. Thougli that fervor of devotion which the Holy Spirit inspires, and which is manifested by those who are und-?r his influence, is often despised and treated 525 DavicTs psalm I. CHRONICLES, XVI. of tlianksgivitig. with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of (jod. 7 1i Then ''on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LojiD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. 8 Give *" thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk'^ ye of all his wondrous works. 10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 1 1 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. 12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 13 0 ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is the Lord our God; his judg- ments are in all the earth. 15 Be ye mindful always of his cove- nant; the word ichich he commanded to a thousand generations; 16 Even of the covenant which he made with ''Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac ;^ 17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob "^ for a law, and to s Israel for an everlasting ''covenant, 18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the *lot of your inheri- tance ; 19 When ye were but tfcw, even a few,' and strangers in it. 20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people ; 21 He suffered no man to do them w^rong; yea, he reproved J kings for their sakes, 22 Sayinp;, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 23 Sing ''unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. 24 Declare liis glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. 25 For great is the Lord, and greatly • 2 Snra .22:1:23:1. b I'sa. KB : 1-15. cMnl. 3:16. d Gen. 17. -2. e Gen.56::i. f Gen. 28 : 13; 35: 1 1. K Kx. 3 : 17; Josli. 24:11-13 b Jer. 11:2-7. * Heh. card, t Heb. men of number. i Gen. M 30. j Gen. 12:17; 20:8; Ex. 7: l.->, etc. k Pa,"!. 96. as degradiiirf, especially to tlie rich, the great, and tlie powerful, this will not prevent true Christians from being zealous in the service of G-od. CHAPTER XVI. 7. This psalm ; composed by Diivid, and now first given to the musicians to be anw^ in imlilic worsliip. 12. The judgments of his nioitlh ; those de- cisions and statutes which he had made known for the benefit of the people. 14. /// all the earth ; the Lord reijins among all people, and makes known so much of his will, as to leave them without excuse if they do not love and obey him. 52G ed above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the people are idols:' but the Lord made the '"heavens. 27 Glory and honor are in his pres- ence; strength and gladness are in liis place. 28 Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 29 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name : bring an offering, and come before him : worship the Lord in the beavity of holiness. 30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations. The Lord reigneth. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he Cometh to judge the earth. 34 Oh "give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good ; for his mercy endureth for ever. 35 And say ye, "Save us, 0 God of our salvation, and gather us together, and de liver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. 36 IBlcssed ^be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And lall the people said. Amen, and praised the Lord. 37 1[So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark con- tinually, as every days work required: 38 And Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obcd-cdom also the son of Jedutliun and Hosah to he porters : 39 And Zadok the priest, and his breth- ren the priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place that icas at Gibeon,'' 1 Lev. 19:4; laa. 44 : 9, etc. ; .Ter. 10 : 10-14. m Psn. 102 : in: Isa. 40:26; 44:24; Kev. 14:7. B 2 Chron. n : 13 ; 7 : 3 ; I'.sa. 1 0(i : 1 : 107:1; 118:1; 136:1. o Psnlm 106 : 47, 4«. p lKings,8:13. H Deut.27;l.T; Ntli.8:6; lCor.l4:16. r 2 Cliron. 1:3, 13. \o. A thonsaud generations ; a definite for a long indefinite' period. 30. The world also shall be stable ; that fear of the Lord wliich le.ads men to obey him, tend.- to the most perfect stability^ prosperity, and enjoy- ment. 33. To judge the earth ; decide righteously upon the character and condition of men. 37. The ark; this was carried to Jerusalem, and a part of the priests resided there with David to minister before it. Anotlier part resided at Gib- eon, wliere the tabernacle and brazen altar still re- mained, and where was ofl'ered the daily sacrifice. Ver. 39, 40. God's promises I. CHROx\ICLES, XVII. itnio Darid. B. C. 10-12. the Lord upon the altar of the burnt-offer- ing continually * morning "and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the Lord, which he command- ed Israel ; 41 And with them Hcman and Jcdu- thun, and the restihat were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the Lord, ''because his mercy endurelh lor ever ; 42 And with them Ileman and Jedu- thun with trumpets and *= cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were t porters."* 43 And ''all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house. CHAPTER XVII. 1 Nathain first approving tliR purpose of David to huild (rod a house, 3 after by the word of God forbiddeth hira. 11 He promlseth him blessings and benefits in his seed. IG David's prayer and thanksgiving. IVTOW Ht came to pass, as David sat in _lN his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedai-s, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord rcmaineik under curtains. 2 Then s Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thy heart ; for God is with thee. 3 \i And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 Go and tell David my servant. Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me a house to dwell in : 5 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have +gonc from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. ■^ Hfh. in the rniiriiinff and in Iht eitning. • Kx ■29:»8; Num. ':.S.-^.4. IJ ver.34; E7.r.i3:ll; I'sa. 103:17; Jer. Xi:]l. c Ps.i. ir.0:5. f Hell/ay l/,t gate. APsx8i:\0. « iSam. fi: 13, iO. f -Z Sam. 7 : 1, etc.; -2 Clirnn. fi : 7-9. B 1 Cor 1»:M. t Heb. /letn. h 1 Sam. lfi:ll, 12. i, Heb. afltr. i Gen. iS: l.") : 1 Sam. IS : 14; 43. Bless /lis house ; in.struct and implore bless- ings upon his household, and engage with them in the worship of God. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Love to God and generosity to men go well together, and mutually aid each other. 7. Singing the praises of God and calling upon his n;ime have ever formed an important part of his worship, and are well suited to the devotions of his people. 1-3. The covenant which God hath made in Christ with his people, is an everlasting covenant, and its blessings are sure to all wiio put their trust in him. 2-3. Praising God for his salvation, and praying that all may be made partakers of it, should form an important part of our daily duties. 34. The mercy of God in Christ is the only ground of hope for lost and guilty men. On this they should depend, while they glory in him as their righteous- cess, wisclom, and strength.-' 43. While the public worship of God should not I 6 Wheresoever I have walked M-ith all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying. Why have ye not built me a house of cedars'? 7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the ''sheep-cote, even from ^following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel ; 8 And 'I have been with thee whither- soever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine J enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth. 9 Also I will ordain a place for my peo- ple Israel, and will ^ plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved' no more; ""neither shall the chil- dren of wickedness Avaste them any more, as at the beginning, 10 And since the time that I command- ed "judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine "ene- mies. Furthermore I tell thee, that the Loud will build thee a house. 1 1 IT And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me a house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. 13 I Pwill be his father, and he shall be my son : and il will not take my mer- cy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee : 14 But ''I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom for ever: and 'his throne shall be established for evermore. 15 According to all these words, and 2 Sam 8:6. U. j r ia. 8, title. k Psa . !I2 : 1.1 Isa. 61 : 3 .ler. 24 : n. 1 1 i-v. 3:12 1. Ezck. '28 : -24 . Itev. -2 1 ;4 n .7 ,l,-.-. 2:14- .1. 0 I'sn. 18 40 etc. ; 1 Conntl an.«, \r, 3o. P 2 Samuel. 7:14, IS. q Tsalm 8!l :28, etc. la-oi Il A5:3. r Luke ;;ti » P,-al ni 7-2 : 17. be neglected, but statedly observed according to divine appointment, it should never supersede, or be suffered to hinder the regular observance of family duties. CHAPTER XVII. 1. Under curtails ; in a tabernacle or tent. 7. S/i ceji-cote ; the fold or place where siieep were kept. y. Shall be moved iio more ; unless they should forsake the Lord and worship idols. 10. Build thee a house : give him a numerou.'s and prosperous posterity. Ver. 12, 17, 23, 2-5. 27. 12. Stablish his throne for ci-er : provided the occupant should continue to obey God. Ver. 17, 22, 23. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. A godly man is not content merely to receive blessings himself, but wishes to do all he can for the honor of God and the good of mankind. 7. The elevation of rulers is from God ; and the higher they are raised in power and influence, the David's thankssiviiit I. CHRONICLES, XVIII. His vidorici according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. 16 H And David the king came and sat before the Lord, and said, ^'Who ain I, 0 Lord God, and what is my ''house, that thou liast brought ine hitherto? 17 And yd this was a small thing in thine eyes, 0 God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, 0 Lord God. 18 What can David speak more to thee for the honor of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant. 19 0 Loud, for "^thy servant's sake, and according to thine ''own heart, hast Ihou done all this greatness, in making known all these * great things. 20 0 Lord, ^ there is none like thee, neither is there any God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our cars. 21 And "^what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terrible- ness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt? 22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine ^own people for ever; and thou. Lord, becamest their God. 23 Therefore now, Lord, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy ser- vant and concerning his house be ''estab- lished for ever, and do as thou hast said. 24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying. The Lord of hosts is the God of Israel, even a ' God to Israel : and let the house of David thy servant be 'established be- fore thee. 25 For thou, 0 my God, hast ttold thy servant that thou wilt build him a house : therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee. 26 And now, Lord, tliou art God, and ha.st promised this goodness unio thy servant: 27 Now therefore +let it please tliee to bless the house of thy servant, that it > Gen. 32:10: Kpli. 3:& bJuilg.fi:IR. t Un.V -.Or'; Ai:l ; 49:5, 6; Dan 9:17. d MnU 1 1 : 2'>. " Heh. oreatntttei. e Dent. 33:«6j P^n. B«:H; Epli. 3:20. f Deill. 1 : 7, :12 ; :« : Jft « Ex. 19:S.rt; I S.im. 12:22: Kiim. 9: •!. «: 11 : 1, -2, etc. b Paa. 119: ^'•; Jer.ll:(>. i Heb. K : in ; II : 16; nor.2l : 3. jP»ii.90:l7. t Heb. revealed the trtr of thy set-vant. ^ Ot^ it hath pleated. V Uoin. greater is their obligation to love and serve him, and the greater will be their guilt, and the more dreadful their condemnation, if they rebel against him. 16. The goodness of God to his people deeply humbles them on account of their unworthiness, and leads them to Teel that for all their mercies they are indebted to the riches of his grace. 528 may be before thee for ever: for *B."^i thou blcssest, 0 Lord, and ^it shall be blessed for ever. CHAPTER XVIII. 1 David subilueth the Philistines and the Moabites. '■! He smiteth Hadarezer and the Pj-riaiis. 9 Tou send- eth Hadoram with presents to bless David. 11 The presents and the spoil David dedicateth to God. )'i He puttetli garrisons in Edom. 14 David's officers. "iVrOW 'after this it came to pass, that _l\ David smote the Philistines, and sub- dued them, and took Galh and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he smote Moab ; and the Moabites became David's servants, a/u/ brought gifts. 3 ^And David smote Uladarezcr king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Eu- phrates. 4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and I! seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen : David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them a hundred chariots. 5 And when the Syrians of* Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria- damascus; and the Syrians became Da- vid'.s servants, and brought gifts. Thus the Lord preserved David Avhithersoevcr he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 Likewise from t Tibhalh, and from Chun,- cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith '"Solomon made the brazen sea, and tlic pillars, and the vessels of brass. 9 TfNow when J Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah ; 10 He sent II Hadoram his son to king David, to * inquire of his welfare, and to congralulatet him, because he had fought agninst Hadarezer, and smitten him ; (for Hadarezer * had war with Tou ;) and witJi him all manner of vessels of gold and sil- ver and brass. 1 1 : 29. 1 2 .Sntn. 8 : 1 . etc. J Or, Hadndear, 2 Sam. 8 : .■!. (| teren hundred. 2 Sam. 8:4. * Heb. Dnrmerek. t Called Betah. i Snin. 8:8. | Calleil Ilernthai, 2 Sam. S : K. ml Kings, 7:16, ctr. ?nr, Tni, 2 .Sam. 8:9. II Or, Jmam, 2 Sam. 8:10. * Or, lalule Heb. blen. t Heb. rva$ the mon of war: 24. The righteous wish to have the promises of God fulfilled, not merely that it may be well with them, but that he may be glorified, and inultitud>'s be led to adore him for ever. CHAPTER XVIII. 3. Zobah ; a part of Syria north of Damascus. Hamath ; a kingdom bordering on Zobah. DaviaCs messengers to I. CHRONICLES, XIX. Ilanun are ill-i(sed. cated unto the Lord, with the* silver and the gold that he brought from all these na- tions ; from Edom, and from INToab, and from the children of Amnion, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12 Moreover, *Abishai the son of Zerii- iah slew of the ''Edomites iu the valley of salt eighteen thousand. 13 H And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the Lokd preserved Ehi- vid whithersoever he went. 14 HSo David' reigned over all Israel, and '^executedjudgment and justice among all his people. 15 And ,loab the son of Zeruiah icas over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, t recorder; 16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abiinelcch i the son of Abiathar, u'cre the priests; and ^Shavsha was scribe; 17 And Benaiah the son of Jchoiada teas over the Cherethitcs and the Peleth- ites ; and the sons of David ivere chief about II the king. CHAPTER XIX. 1 David's messengers, sent to comfort Ilanun the son of Nahash, are villanously entreated. 0 The Ammon- ites, strengthened by the SjT-ians, are overcome by Joab and Abishai. IG Shophach, making a new sup- ply of the Syrians, is slain by David. IVTOW ''it canle to pass after this, that _l\ Nahash the king of the children of Animon died, and his son reigned in his stead. 2 And David said, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Ilanun, to comfort him. 3 But the princes of the children of Am- mon said to Hanun, *Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto tiiee'? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to "spy out the land? a .losli. fi:lSI. " Hel). Ahthai. h 2 Sam. 8 i:t U; I'b.i. 60. c r.er . 18 : 19 : 1 Ki nss. 10: 9; I'ja 7K:" i: 8;t: M I .1.9:7; .12:1. t Or remetnhrancer. t Called jihimeUch,iS nil) 8 17 k Called .V trai nh, 2 Sam. 8 : 17; nnd Shisha , 1 K in<;a, -4 :;) 11 Heb. at the A ,nd of. J 2 Sam 10:1, etc. « Hel) In Ml "' eye* doth David. 12. Valley of salt ; south east of the Dead sea. 17. Cheretltitesaiid — Peletliites ; David'sbody- guard. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. "When a man's w.ays please the Lord, he often makes his enemies to be at peace with him, or gives him the victory over all his foes. 8. The spoils of the enemies of the Lord when they come into the possession of his people, instead of being used for their own aggrandizement, should be consecrated to his service and to the good of man- kind. 4 Wherefore Hlanun took David's ser- vants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their but- tocks, and sent them away. .5 Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served ; and he sent to meet them : for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said. Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. 6 H And when tlie children of Am- mon saw that tiiey had made themselves odious t to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of sil- ver to hire them ^ chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria- maachah, and out of ''Zobah. 7 So they hired thirty and two thou- sand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Am- mon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8 And wlien David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 9 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city : and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field. 10 Now when Joab saw that the + battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the ^choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11 And the rest of the people he de- livered unto the hand of H Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me : but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee. 13 Be 'of good courage, and let us be- have ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God : and J let the Louu do that which is good in his sight. 14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled ''before him. e Gen. 42:9. t P8«.3.'i:12; 109:4, S. t Heb. to Wilt*. Geli. 34: no. tl'sa. 46:9 h rliap. IS: 5, 9. % Wch face «/ the hattlr. % Or, young men. || Heb. Abthai. i Neli. 4:14. j Ju.lg. 10 : l.V k Jer. 46 : 1!>, 16. 13. The preservation of the people of God amidst the dangers to which they are exposed, and all the successes with which they are favored, come from him ; and lay them under new obligations to love ami obey him. CHAPTER XIX. 4. Shaved them ; this was then deemed a great disgr.ice. (5. Mesopotamia — Suria-inaachah, and — Zo- bah ; countries east and north of Palestine. 7. Medeha ; a cit)' east of the Jordan, in the tribe of Reuben. 029 The Ammonites defeated. I . CHRONICLES, XXI. 15 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they like- wise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16 TfAnd when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that icere beyond the * river : and Shophaclit the captain of the host of Ha- darezer xvent before them. 17 And it was told David ; and he gath- ered all Israel, and passed OA-er Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18 But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fovght in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host. 19 And ""when the servants of Hadare- zer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with Da- vid, and became his servants: neither Avould the Syrians help the children of Ainmon any more. Sons of the giants sJaiti. CHAPTER XX. 1 Rabbah is besieged by Joab, spoiled by David, and the people thereof tortun;d. 4 Tliree giants are slain in three several overthrows of the Philistines. AND ''it came to pass, that t after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the coun- try of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And ''Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it. 2 And David took the crown of their king from off his liead, and found it Ho weigh a talent of gold, and there were * Tlmt is, Euvhrntcs. \ Or, Shobnclt, 2 S.iin. 10: Ifi. • P.t.n. 18:39, 44. b 2 Sam. 11:1. t Heb. nt Ihe rclurn of the yenr. e 2 Sam. 1-2 : 2fi, etc. 5 Heh. the wrifht of. >1 t ^■Mn. 21 : 18, etc. II Or, continvrd; Hel). ttood. * Or, Gol>. f Or. i'ap/i, 2 Sam. 16. The river ; Euphrates. IXSTRLICTIOXS. 2. Gratitude should ever be manifested for favors ; and if it cannot he shovm towards the benefactors themselves, it sliould be towards their children or others who were connected with them. .3. Our best intentions maybe misunderstood and misrepresented ; evil mav he returned for good, and that which should have Dcen the means of forming and cementing friendship, may be made the occa- sion of enmity and strife. 13. In a good cause men sliould be of good cour- age ; and wTiile they use with fidelity all appointed means, they should feel their dependence on God, and commit the result of their efforts to him. IS. All efforts of the wicked to prevail against God and his people, will in the end prove ineffec- tual, and be tlie means of hastening and aggravat- ing their own ruin. 530 upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city. 3 And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. 4 TTAnd ''it came to pass after this, that there II arose war at * Gezer with the Philistines; at whieli time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew tSippai, that icas of the children of ^^the giant: and they were subdued. 5 And tliere Avas Avar again with the Philistines ; and Elhanan the son of Uair slcAv Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, Avhose spear-stafl" -was like aweav- er's beam. 6 And *■ yet again there was Avar at Gath, where was a man oi great II stature, Avhose fingers and toes were four and tAventy, six on each hand, and six on each foot : and he also Avas *the son of the giant. 7 But Avlicn he t defied Israel, Jonathan tlic son of t Shimca, David's brother, sIcav him. 8 These Avcre born unto the giant ia Gath ; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his serA'ants. CHAPTER XXI. 1 David, tempted by Satan, foiceth Joab to number the people. 5 The number of the people being brought, Davidrepenteth of it. 9 DaTid having three plagues propounded Hy Gad, choosetli the pestilence. H After the death of seventy thousand, D.avid by repentance preventeth the destruction of Jerusalem. 18 David, by Gad's direction, ^lurchaselh Oman's threshing- floor : where having built an altar, God giveth a sign of his favor by fire, and stayeth the plague. 28 David .saorificeth there, being restrained from Gibeon by fear of the angel. ND "^Satan stood up ^ against Israel, and proA'oked DaA'id to number Is- A rael. 21 : 18. f Or. Kapha. J Called al«o Jame-oreyim, 1 Snm. ?1 : 19. t 2Sam. -21 :iO. [I Heh. menture. * Heh. born to the giant, or Raphn, ver. 4. f Or, reproached. J Called SAaximak, I Sam. 16:9. f 2 Sum. 24:1, etc. r Job 1 : fi, etc. ; 2: 1 ; Zcih. 3: 1. CHAPTER XX. 1. Rnbhah ; the capital of tjie Ammonites. 4. Gezer ; a city in the western part of the tribe of Epliraim, bordering upon the Philistines. 6. Gath; a city of the Philistines. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Reference to the sin of David in the matter of Uriah, which took place while Joab Avas besieging Rabbah, is here entirely omitted ; and it is always proper to be silent about the sins of others, unless tfie cause ofGod and of truth requires the mention of them. 4. This is a world of trial, and one trouble will succeed another through the Avholc journey of life. But to those who honor God in their trials he will at last grant a complete and glorious deliverance. CHAPTER XXI. 1. Stood lip ; presented himself as an accuser. Provoked ; moved, excited. David numbcreth Israel. I. CHRONICLES, XXI. Oman's threshing-floor. ic.,^: 2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan ; and * bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. 3 And Joab answered. The Lord make his people a hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants'? why then doth my loi'd require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? 4 Nevertheless the king's word ''pre- vailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab de- parted, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. 5 Tl And Joab gave the sum of the num- ber of the people unto David. And all thcij of Israel were a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand men lliat drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. 6 But "^Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them : for the king's word was abominable to Joab. 7 And * God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. 8 And David said unto God, I have sin- ned greatly, because I have done this thing : but now, I beseech thee, '^ do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very ''foolishly. 9 ^And the Lord spake unto Gad, Da- vid's "^seer, saying, 10 Go and tell David, saying. Thus saith the Lord, I t offer thee three tJiing.s: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. 11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, t Choose thee 12 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me. 13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great ^ strait: let me ''fall now into the • chap. -27 : £1. b Eocl 8 : <. c clmp. -27 : H. * Heb. i7 wal evil in the eves of Goit concerniha. A ■; Sam. IJ: 13. c 1 Sam. 2ti:-21. fl Sam. 9:9. \ neh. stretch out. ^ Heb Tuic << lua 5: 13, H P Pi.nl m 44:11. 4 .lolin 10 >>i 12. r verse l.i » Or When t Or , then lie and. t Heb. Gi «e. 8. I hare sinned; he had indulged his pride in numbering the people. 15. Repented him of the evil ; he clianged his course of conduct. 17. These sheep; the children of Israel, the peo- ple generally. 531 Materials for the temple. I. CHRONICLES, XXII. David^s charge to Solomon. the oxen aho for burnt-offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and tlie wheat for the incat-offering; I give it all. 24 And king David said to Oman, Nay ; but I will verily 'buy it for the full price : for I will not take that which is thine for the LoKD, nor offer burnt-offerings with- out ''cost. 25 So David gave to Oman for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight. 2G And David built there an altar unto the Loud, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and called upon tlie Lord ; and ""he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering. 27 And the Lord commanded the angel ; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof. 28 ^ At that time when David saw that the Lord had answered him in the thresh- ing-floor of Oman the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. 29 For the tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses ^ made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt-offering, were at that season in the "high place at Gib- eon. 30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God : for he was ''afraid be- cause of the sword of the angel of the Lord. CHAPTER XXII. • 1 David, foreknowing the place of the temple, prepar- eth almnJance for the building of it. C He instruct- etli Solomon in God's promises, and his duty in build- ing the temple. 17 He chargeth the princes to assist his son. THEN David said, sThis is the house of the Lord God, and tliis is the altar of the burnt-offering for Israel. 2 And David commanded to gather to- gether the "' strangers that were in the land of Israel ; and he set masons to liew wrought stones to build the house of God. 3 And David 'prepared iron in abun- « Cien. 2:?:13. b Deut.l6:l7. c Lev. 9:«; .ludg. 8:21; 1 King«, 18:24, 38; 2Cliron.7:l. i Kx. 40. e cb.ip. 16:39 ; 1 Kingn, 3:4,etc. -f Psa. 90:11; Jer. 5:22; 10:7; Heb. 12:28, 29; Kev. In:-). B clmp. 21 :28; Deut. 12 : .5 ; 2 Chroa. 3 : 1. hi Kiligii,9:2l. I ver. H. j 1 King», 7 : 47. k 1 King.s, 5 : 6. ll 26. By fire ; the fire descended from God and burnt up tlie s;icritice, in token of his acceptance of David and his offering. 28. He sacrificed there; continued to make that a place of sacrifice. 30. Could not go before it ; he feared to do so, in the circumstances above narrated. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Whenever the people of God are left to tliem- selvcs. Satan stands ready to tempt them to the commission of sins which will bring distress, if not ruin, on tliemselves and others. 8. Though the people of God may discover their sins, be deeply fiumbled on account of them, and be forgiven, yet if ilicir sins have been open and brought scandal upon the cause of religion, the Lord will manifest his displeasure against them. 13. The penitent soul in all its difficulties will 532 the gates, and for the joinings ; and brasij in abundance ■> without weight; 4 Also cedar-trees in ^abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar-wood to David. 5 And David said, Solomon my son is young' and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be ex- ceeding '"magnifical, of fame and of glory througliout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. 6 1[ Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel. 7 And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it "was in my mind to build a liouse° unto the name of the Lord my God: 8 But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ^Thou hast shed "^ blood abun- dantly, and hast made great wars : thou shalt not build a house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upou the eartli in my sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be 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 un- to Israel in his days. 10 lie 'shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my *son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel 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 Loud ^give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God. Kings, 3:7. m Ezra 3:12: Isa. 64 : 1 1 ; Ezek. 7 : 20 ; Hag. 2 : 3. n chap. 17: 1, etc. ; 28 : 2, etc. o Deut. 12 : .1, 1 1. I> 1 Kings, 6:3. q Num. 31:19. ' r\int i». ptaceablc. r l Kings, 4:2S ; Psa. 72 : 7. '2 Sam. 7 : 13. t Psa. 89 : 26 ; Heb. 1:5. « ver. 16. T 1 Kings, 3 : 9. 12 ; P.sa. 72 : 1 ; Prov. 2 : 6, 7 ; James 1 : 5. submit to the Lord, and commit itself and its inter- ests to his merciful care and disposal. 17. The ingenuous soul mourns deeply, not only on account of its sins and the sulTerings they bring upon itself, but for the evils they bring upon others whom they love, and whom they wish to benefit. 26. When the soul is duly penitent for its sins, submits to the judgments of God, and is ready to follow his directions, he is ready to forgive and grant manifestations of his mercy and love. CHAPTER XXn. 1. This is the house of the Lord; the place where the temple would be built, and the worship of God be established. 9. Solo/noil ; meaning, peaceable. 10. For ever ; so long as he should continue to obey God. Ver. 12, 13, 19. Solomon is made king. I. CHRONICLES, XXIII. The LcL'ites numbered K.L.'mi.' 13 Then "shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judu;mcuts which the Loud charged ^Moses with concerning Israel: be '' strong, and of good courage ; dread not, nor be dis- mayed. 14 Now, behold, in my * trouble I have prepared for the house of the Loud a hun- dred thousand talents of gold, and a thou- sand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weiglit; for it is in abundance : limber also and stone have 1 prepared; and thou mayest add thereto. lo ^loreover, there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and tworkers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work. 16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the •= Loud be with thee. 17 ^I David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 18 /.>; not the Loud your God with you'? and hath he not given you ''rest on every side'? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the Loud, and before his people. 19 Now "set your heart and your soul to "^seek the Loud your God; arise there- fore, and build ye the sanctuary of tlie Loud God, to ^bring the ark of the cove- nant of the Loud, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Loud. CHAPTER XXIII. 1 David ill his old age maketh Solomon king. 2 The number and distribution of the Levites. 7 The fam- ilies of the Gerslionites. 1"2 The sons of Kohath. 21 The sons of Merari. 24 The office of the Levites. SO '•when David was old and full of ,^ days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel. • -2 Cliron. M : iO ; Psa. 1 lil : fi. b DeuL 31:7,8; Josli. 1 : t^'J. * Or, poverty, f Thnt is, minons nnit carpetittrt. c ver. 1!. i cUiip. -n : 25 ; l>eut. 1-2 : 10 ; Josli. i-: -.-i; i S;iiii. 7.1. e -2 Tliron. ■:0:.1. fPsa. -27:4. B 1 Kinsa, .S: li, '1. h cli.i|i. iSiS; 1 Kings, 2 IT And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Lcvites. 3 Now the Lcvites were numbered from the age of 'thirty years and upward : and their number by their polls, man by man, was tliirty and eight thousand. 4 Of whicli, twenty and four thousand li'ere to - set forward the work of the house of the Loud; and six thousand ift/e' offi- cers and judges : 5 ^Moreover four thousand were porters ; and four thousand praised tlie Loud with the ''instruments which I made, said Da- vid, to praise therewith. 6 And David divided them into ^courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohatli, and Merari. 7 ^ Of the Gerslionites were II Laadau, and Shimei. 8 The sons of Laadan ; the chief icas Jchicl, and Zetham, and Joel, three. 9 The sons of Sliimei; Shelomith, aud Hazicl, and Haran, three. Tliesc were the chief of the fathers of Laadan. 10 And the sons of Shimei itc re, J ahaih, Zina,* and Jcusii, and Bcriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 1 1 And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Bcriah + liad not many sons ; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to //«■//■ fatiier'siiouse. 12 *] The sons of Kohath; Amram, Iz- har, Hebron, and Uzziel, four, 13 The sons of Amram; Aaron, and Moses: and 'Aaron was separated, tliat he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to '"burn incense before the Loud, to minister unto him, and to "bless in his name for ever. 14 Now concerninr. r,i»>.t. c-iuip. 6: 17. « Or. Zis/iA, ver. 11. t HcL. ilid nut 1 ijl. 2S : 1 , eti-. ; Hcl). .i : 4. m Num. Iti : 40. • .Vu «u7ip. Iiiahlti multiplird. I SUelomolli,i\\i«f. U-.il. II Or, *i>um«i. • Num. 10 : 17, il. II vfr. •:? ; K7.rn 3 r R. c clm|i. ij : 1«. * Or, anil he tlwtllrlli. t HhIi. niimhert. * ver. 3, H. t Hfh. llalUm w.is at the hitiid ,/, Nell. 11:4. eEj.er>:30. fr,ev.(i:2H. « Lev. •• : 4-7. :3». 5. Children are the gift of God; and whether they be sons or daughters, tlie great oliject of parents should be to train them up for his service. 03G II Or, a» toell/m- the tmall at for tht ureal. * Cnllcil Metkele- miah,veT. 1. t Hr\>. falJieringt. « 1 Kings, 10: S; 2 rliri.!). «): 4. f ver. ir.. t Hinli. ix-.l-! : Mnl. 3: 10. t Hell. hull/. % Or, I,i6»il, cliHp.6:17. 11 Gr.yeAiW, ciinp. 23:8; 2'):8. CHAPTER XXVI. 4. Obed-e/lovi ; who took charge of the ark after the death of Uzzah. 2 Sam. 6 : 10-12. Kccpcrsof the treasures. I. CHRONICLES, XXVII. Til c m Hit a ry force . b' "10°^' 23 Of the Amramites, and the Iz- harites, the Hebroiiitcs, (ind the Uzziclites : 24 And ''Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, icas ruler of the treas- ures. 25 And his brethren by Eliczcr; Reha- biah his son, and .Teshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith'' his son : 26 Which Shelomith and his brethren wrre over all the treasures of the dedi- cated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thou- sands 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 Zeruiali, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it vas under tiie hand of Shel- omith, and of his brethren. 29 1[ Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for "^officers and judges. 30 And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, "^men of valor, a thou- sand and seven hundred, ivere tofficers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the Lord, and in the service of the king. 31 Among the Hebronites was sjerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, ac- cording to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at '■ Jazer of Gilead. 32 And his brethi-en, men of valor, H'cre two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and + affairs' of the king. • cliaji. ■:.•?: in. bch.ip.M: IS. C.I03I1. fi : 19. * Heh.bnIl/esnnrI spoilt. illSam.9:9. e cli.ip.23:4. fver.6. i Heh. avirtlit charge. 8 cliri)i. iT.-lS. h Josh. 21:. 39. J Hcb. Minjr. i 2 Cliroii. IM: U. 28. Whosoever had dedicated any thing ; it had been customary for those who Iiad property, to dedicate a portion of it to the Lord. INSTRUCTIOXS. 4. Those who treat the ordinances of G-od with reverence, and are faithful in his service, may ex- pect ihat he will prosper them and their children after them, and make them blessings to mankind. 1 .'3. In the service of God, each one should stand in his lot. and be ready to perform his portion of labor. 20. The treasures witn which any one is intrusted should be guarded with care, and faitlifully appro- priated to the objects for which they are given. 27. As all our treasures come from God. a suita- ble portion of them should be devoted to the support CHAPTER XXVII 1 The twelve captains for every several month. ]fi The princes of the twelve tribes. 23 The number- ing of the people is liindered. 25 David's several officers. "jVTOW the children of Israel after their _LN number, to icif, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their otficers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out i month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand. 2 Over the first course for the first month teas ''.lashobeam the son of Zab- diel : and in his course ivere twenty and four thousand. 3 Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month. 4 And over the course of the second month wa.s ^ Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course jca.s Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise iccre twenty and four thousand. 5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Je- hoiada, a II chief priest : and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 6 This is that ' Benaiah, who iras mighty a/?!0»g- the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course 7ras Ammizabad his son. 7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was '"Asahcl the brother of Joab, and Zcbadiah his son after him: and in his course rcere twenty and four thousand. 8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izraliite: and in his course iccre twenty and four thousand. 9 The si.\th captain for the sixth montli iL'as "Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tckoite: and in his course tfere twenty and four thousand. 10 The seventh captain for the scventli month iras "Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course iverc twenty and four thousand. 11 The eighth captain for the eighth j 1 Kinpi, 4 : 7, 27. k cimp. 11: 1 1. J Or. Darfo, 2. Sam. 23: 9. || Or. principal (iff<:er,lKixisa.4,Fi. 1 clmp. 1 1 : 22-24; 2 Sam. 2.1 : 20, K. "»cliap.ll:26;2Snm. 2: 18-23; 2.1: 24. nclinp.ll :28. orliap.ll:27. of his worship, and the spread of a knowledge of his truth and will throughout tlie world. CHAPTER XXTH. 1. Tirenti/ and four thousand; these wen- kept constantly under military discipline, and were changed for as many others once a month. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. In those services wliich are needful for the pub- lic safety, all should be willing to take part : and as far as consistent, thev should be so divided as to bear equally upon all according to their ability. 23. It may sometimes be expedient and useful lor the people of a country to be numbered; but this should be done for useful purposes, and not to gratify 537 Princes and officers. I. CHRONICLES, XXVIII. David's oration. month ivas "Sibbecai tlic Ilushathite, of the Zarhites : and in his course u-cre twenty and four thousand. 12 The ninth cnplain for the ninth month vas ''Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamilcs : and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 13 The tenth captain for the tenth month u-a.s "^jMaharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 14 The eleventh captain for the elev- enth month ivns ''Benaiah the Pirathon- itc, of the children of Ephraim : and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month U'as * Heldai the Netophathite, of Othnicl: and in his course tcere twenty and four thousand. 16 T[ Furthermore over the tribes of Israel : the ruler of the Reubenites ica.s Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeon- ites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah: 17 Of the Levitcs, ^Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok: 18 Of Judah, tElihu, one of the breth- ren of David : of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael : 19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah : of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel : 20 Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah : 21 Of the haU-tribe of Manasseh in Gil- ead, Iddo the son of Zechariali: of Ben- jamin, .laasiel the son of Abner: 22 Of Dan, Azarcel the son of Jeroham. These iccre the princes of the tribes of Israel. 23 1[But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under : be- cause the Lord had '"said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the licavens. 24 Joab the son of Zcruiah began to number, but he finished not. because there fell ^\vrath for it against Israel; neither twas the number put in the ac- count of the Chronicles of king David. 25 If And over the king's treasures u'a.'; Azmaveth the son of Adiel : and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah : • chap. 11 :1!); 2S.im 21: 18. b rhnp. 1 1 : SS. c .linl.. 11 :nO; 2Sam.M:2«. •! rlmp. II : 31. * Or, //<:/«/, clinp. 1 1 : 30. e cliiip- 2r>::U1. t -K'!"*, I Siim lfi:R. f fJcn.l.l: r.. |[ i linp.2l : 7; 2Sam. 2^: 1.5. t Hi-li. ateeniled. \ Hcli that which wns nf Iht vine- 1/ariU. h 1 Kii«s, -20:27. \S Or, secreliny. * Ot, Hiichmonite. pride, or lead men to glory in their numbers, pros- perity, or strength. 2-'). The division of labor, and the appointment of suitable persons to superintend every department of business, are essential to tliat regularity, diligence, 538 26 And over them that did the V".!^ work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri tlie son of Chelub : 27 And over the vineyards icas Shimei the Ramathite: over Hhe increase of the vineyards for tlie wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite : 28 And over the olive-trees and the sycamore-trees'" that were in the low plains icas Baal-hanan the Gcderite : and over the cellars of oil u-as Joash : 29 And over the herds that fed in Sha- ron was Shitrai the Sharonite : and over the herds that icere in the valleys ivas Shaphat the son of Adlai: 30 Over the camels also teas Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jeh- deiah the Meronothite: 31 And over the flocks u'as Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which ivas king David's. 32 Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a II scribe: and Jehiel the *son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons : 33 And 'Ahithopheln-a.s the king's coun- sellor: and J Hushai the Archite u-as the king's companion : 34 And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Bcnaiah, and '' Abiathar: and the genera] of the king's army teas 'Joab. CHAPTER XXVIII. I David in a solemn assembly havipg declared God's favor to him, and promUe to his Fon Solomon, ex- horteth them to fear God. 9, 20 He encourageth Solomon to build the temple. 11 He giveth him patterns for the form, and gold and silver for the materials. AND David assembled all the princes of Israel, the "princes of the tribes, and the captains of the "companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the "stewards over all the substance and t possession of the king, tand of his sons, with the ^ officers, and with the p mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. 2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said. Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for v\e, I '^had in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Loun, and for tlie footstool ' of our God, and had made ready for the building: i 2S:im. 15:12. j 2Sam. 16: 37 ; l« : Iti. k 1 Kin^s, 1 : 7. 1 ilinp. ll:t>. m l-li.np. 27 : Itl n clinp 27 : 1 , 2. o clliip. 27 : 2ri. \ Or. cnttfe. t Or, and his fonti. ^ Or, etmuchs. p clinp. II : Id, etc q 2 Sam. 7 : 2'; Vm. 132 : 2-7. r Psa. 99 : 6 ; Lam. 2 : I. and dispatch, which the highest prosperity and use- fulness indispensably require. CHAPTER XXVIII. 2. Footstool; the peculiar earthly dwelling. Charge to Solomon. I. CHRONICLES, XX VI 11, Gold for the temple. shalt not build a house for my "name, be cause thou hast been a inaii of war, and hast shed * blood. 4 Howbeit the Lord God of Israel chose me'' before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever; for he hath chosen "^Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the ''house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: 5 And of all my sons, "for the Loud hath given me many sons, he hath chosen "^ Solo- mon my son to sit, upon the throne of the kingdom of the Loud over Israel. 6 And he ssaid unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his fatiier. 7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, '"if he be t constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day. 8 Now therefore, in the 'sight of all Is- rael the congregation of the Lord, and in the J audience of our God, ''keep and 'seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God ; '" that ye may possess this good kind, and "leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. 9 ^ And thou, Solomon my son, "know thou the God of thy father, and p serve him with a perfect i heart and with a will- .ing mind: for the Lord 'searcheth all hearts, and Hinderstandeth all the imagi- nations of the thoughts: 'if thou seek him, he will be found of thee ; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee ofl'for ever. 10 Take heed now; "for the Lord hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanc- tuary : be strong, and do it. 11 ^Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers there- of, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy-seat, 12 And the "pattern of all that the had by the "'Spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the « 1 Kinss. 8 : 3. * Heb 6/..i>((j. h 1 S.iiii. If.: 7-13. c <-liap. ."i : C; Gea 49:ii, 10; Pso.fin:?; "8 : fiS ; Hi-li. 7 : 14. d 1 Sam. Iti: 1. e cliap. 3: 1, etc. f chap. 2-2:9, 10. B 2 Sam. 7 : 13, M. b rhap. 22: 13. t Heb. »/)o>li;. i Pent. 4:6; Mat S: 14-lfi. i Deut. 21:10,1.';. k Psa. 119:4,10 I I.sa. 34 : 16; Acts 17: II. m Dent. 6:1-3. n Eira 9:12: Prov. 13:2:. o Jer. 9:24; Jobn 17:3. p Job 36:11.12. q 2 Kings, 20:3; Psa. 101 : 2; John 4 : 24 ; Rom. 1 : 9; 4. For ever; permanently in his posterity, if obedient, to the end of the Jewish state. Ver. 7, 8. 9. A perfect heart ; sincere. upri£;ht, faithful. 13. By the Spirit : as divinely directed. 19. /// writing ; what (-rod showed David with j reg.^rd to the temple and it^ furniture, as related from verse 11. it is supposed he wrote down and delivered to Solomon for his guidance. house of God, and of the "treasuries of the dedicated things: 13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levitcs, and for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and for all the y vessels of service in the house of the Lord. 14 He tc.; Ii.il. fi^ : M , 1'2 ; Rev. Jl : 1«. « 1 Kings. !l : 28 : Job 28 : Iti. * Hfb. /ill hit hand. H cliap. 27 : I , elr. c 2 Ciir. 9:7. f cli.in. 26 : 21. It Prov. 23: 15. h 2 Cliron. 20:20-28. iP»R.8<»:M: ITim. 1:17; Rev. 5: 12. 13. j G^n. 33:20. k Miit fi: 13. 1 Deut. 8: 18; Prov. 8.18; Kcrl. f):HI; Rom. ll:3fi. '" I'sii. 7.'): 6, 7. n Isn. 40:29. 9. To fee accepted of G-od, what men do they must do heartily as nnto him. with a willing mind, for his (.dory and the best q^ood of men. If). The Lord will show his believinnj people all that they need to know; rind in following his direc- tions, however great or diflipiilt their work, they may- undertake it with resolution and go forward with 510 9 Then the people rejoiced, for *n 11 I^ that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also e rejoiced with great joy. 10 ^[Wherefore David*" blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, 'Blessed be thou. Lord God of J Is- rael our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, ''O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine : thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both 'riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thy hand is power and might; and in thy hand it is to ""make great, and to give strength ° unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my peo- ple, that we should t be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, °and of thine +own have we given thee. 15 For Pwe are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as ivcre all our fathers : ouri days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none 5 abiding. 16 0 Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thy holy name cometh of thy hand, and is all thine ""own. 17 I know also, my God, that 'thou tri- est the heart, and hast ^pleasure in up- rightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which arc II present here, to offer willingly unto thee. 18 0 Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and * prepare "their heart unto thee : 19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the * which I have made provision. t Heb. retain, or ahtain ttrtnath. o Kom. 11 : 3fi : .Th.... 1:17. JHcb./innd. p Psa. 39: 12; Heb. 11 : 13; 1 Peter,":!!, q .loh 14:2; Ps.n. 90: 9 ; 102: 11 ; 144:4; l»a 40:6-8; .Tns. 4: 14. % He!i. expectation. rP»a.24:l. irbnp.2S:9. tl'rov.ll:20. || Or. found. * Or, j/aWi«A, Ps.llm JO: 17. a Prov. 16: 1. v ch.Tp. 22 : ! 4. cheerfulness, expecting that in due time he will give them success. CHAPTER XXIX. 9. Perfect heart ; sincere, upright, for the pur- pcse of honoring God. Ver. 17. ]S. Keep t/ii.s; (liis same disposition (o ofT'r willingly of their substance to the Lord. Solomon is magnified. 11. CHRONICLES, I. Death of David. tc\^: 20 ^And David said to all the congregation, Now *bless the Lord your God. And all the congregation ble.s.sed the Lord God of their father.s, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the Lord, and the king. 21 And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord, and offered burnt-offerings imto the Lord, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thou- sand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink-offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel: 22 And did eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of Da- vid king the second time, and ''anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief gover- nor, and Zadok to be priest. 23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. 24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, 'submitted themselves unto Solo- mon the king. 25 And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed"^ upon him .such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. 26 ^ Thus David the son of Jesse reign- ed over all Israel. 27 And ■'the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years ; seven years reign- ed he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. 28 And he "^died in a good old age, ""full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. 29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the tbook of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, 30 With all his reign and his might, and the «timcs that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries. THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES, CHAPTER I. 1 The solemn offering of Solomon at Gibeon. 7 Solo- mon's choice of wisdom is blessed by God. 13 Solo- mon's strength and wealth. AND *> Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord' his God icas with him, and J mag- nified him exceedingly. a I'sa. 14.". :1. b I Kings. 1 ::M, etc. * Heb. ju under. Gen. 24: -2; 47: -29; 2 Clircm. 30: 8 ; E 2:9. d I Kings, 2:11. « Gen. 2.1:8 llie hiind c Keel. f Job 6 : 2i>. for, hiitory ; 20. Tiu king; before whom they bowed, and thvis paid civil obeisance. 2-5. Mag7iifted Solomon ; caused him to appear great in the eyes of the people. INSTRUCTIONS. I. The Lord chooses such as he sees fit, to possess power and exercise authority among men ; on him they are dependent, and to him they must give ac- count for the manner in which they use the blessings with which they are favored. 3. If a man's affections are set on God and his service, he will willingly ofler a portion of what G-od has given him to establish and maintain his worship among men. 9. Such is the nature of the human soul, that in offering its best affections and choicest treasures to the Lord, it is filled with gladness and exceeding joy. II. None can offer any thing good and acceptable 35 2 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the ''captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers. 3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, 'went to the high place that was at Gibeon ; for '"there was the taber- nacle of the congregation of God, which Hell. io0r,a eNum. •27 : 17 ; Deiit. .11 : i. f I'rov. 23 : 7 : Hcb. 4:1-2. c chap. >) : 2-2 ; Keel. 2:9; .laa. 1 ;fi. hM;itG:3:). i 1 Cliron. '29 : jr.. j 1 Kin-s, 10: Jfi, etc. k 1 Kin^s, 10:27, etc i Joli 22:24. tHeh.gavf. ^ Heh. tlie going forth of the horses tvJtich wna Sotamon*s. |j Heb. hand. 10. Go out and come in ; discharge aright his public duties. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. When the Lord is with Ws people they will he strong, and by his word, Spirit, and providence be furnished for every good work. 6. Commuiiion with God and supreme devotion 542 Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, *b.c.iois: and cedar-trees made he as the sycamore- trees that arc in the vale for abundance. 1 6 And 5 Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn : the king's mer- chants received the linen yarn at a price. 17 And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Eg^'pt a chariot for six hun- dred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty : and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their H means. CHAPTER II. 1,17 Solomon's laborers for the building of the temple. 3 His emba.«sage to Iluram for workmen and pro- vision of stuli". \l Iluram sendeth him a kind an- swer. AND Solomon determined to build a house for the name of the Lord, and a house for his kingdom. 2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the moun- tain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them. 3 1[And 'Solomon sent to * Huram the king of Tyre, saying. As thou didst deal with "'David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him a house to dwell therein, eve7i so deal n-ith mc. 4 Behold, I build a house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it \oh'\m, and to "burn before him tgweet incen.'ic, and for the continual "show-bread, and for the burnt-ofFeringsP morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. 5 And the house which I build is great: for 1 great is our God above all gods. 6 But 'who +is able to build him a house, 'seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain hiinl who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn sacrifice before him ? 7 Send me now therefore a man cun- ning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill Ho grave with the cunning men tliat are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom' David my father did provide. I 1 KinsB, ,1:2, etc • Or, //iVom, I Kings, B: I. m I Cliron. ]4: 1. hEx. :K):7. i Heh. incense nf spices, o Ex. 25: 30; Lev. 24 : 5-9. P Num.:.'!: 3, etc. q Paa. 1:15:5; lTim.6:1.5. r Ian. fifi: 1, 2. ^ Heb hath retained, mt ohiained strength. • chap. 6:18. 5 Heb. to grave gravings. t 1 Cliron. 22 : 15. to him, are a good preparation for the reception of all needed blessings. 11. When men desire that wisdom which is from above inore than they desire wealth, power, or influ- ence, they may expect to receive it ; and with it all things necessary for their spiritual and everlasting good. HiiraTti's kind answer. II. CHRONICLES, III. T7(C temple Imilt. B.c.'w^: 8 Send me also cedar-trees, fir- trees, and *algum-trees, out of Lebanon : for I know that thy servants can skill to exit timber in Lebanon ; and behold, my servants shall be with thy servants, 9 Even to prepare me timber in abun- dance: for the house which I am about to build shall he twonderful great. 10 And behold, I will give to thy ser- vants, the hewers that cut timber, twen- ty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil. 1 1 ^ Then Huram the king of Tyre an- swered in writing, which he sent to Solo- mon, ''Because the Lord hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over tliem. 12 Huram said moreover, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, that made *" heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, ^endued with pnulcnce and understanding, that might build a house forthe Lord, and a house for his kingdom. 13 And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Hu- ram my father's, 14 The "^son of a woman of the daugh- ters of Dan, and his father teas a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in sil- ver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father. 1.5 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto liis servants : 16 And wc will cut wood out of Leba- non, * as much as thou shalt need : and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea • Or, almuogim, 1 Kings, 10:11. ) Hvb. great ami laandcr/vl. « 1 Kins'". ^0:'.>; Psa. 7.! : 17. b Ps!i.3.3.«; Jer. 10:10,11: Acta 14 : 1,1 ; Rev. 10 : fi f Heb. kwminv. c 1 King.1, 7 : 13, H. } Heb. according to all thy need. || Heb. JV/p/in, Josli. IS: 4rt ; Art«9:.'!fi. >1 chap. 8 : 7, 8 ; 1 Kings, 9 : -20, CI. ' Heb. the men the strangers. CHAPTER II. 16. Joppa ; the nearest seaport on the Mediter- ranean, about forty miles west of Jerusalem. 18. Threescore and ten ; seventy. IXSTRUCTIOXS. 3. The establishment and support of the worship of Grod according to his appointment, and the spread of a knowledge of his s.-ilvation, is the most honor- able and noble work in which the kings of the earth can engage ; by it they not only honor God, but promote their own highest good and the good of the people over whom they are placed. 0. The more exalted a good man's views of God, and the more abundant his labors and offerings for Him, the more humble will be his views of himself. and the more entire his sense of dependence on the riches of divine grace. to II Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem. 17 If And ''Solomon numbered all *the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the * numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them ; and they were found a hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and si.x hundred. 18 And he set threescore and ten thou- sand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people awork. CHAPTER III. 1 The place, and time of building the temple. 3 The measure and ornaments of the house. 11 The cheru- bim. 14 The veil and pillars. THEN f Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount KJMoriah, t^Yhere the LORD ''ap- peared unto David his father, iik the place that David had prepared in the thresh- ing-floor of 'Oman the Jcbusite. 2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. 3 T[ Now these are the things irherein Sol- omon was instructed 'for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure teas threescore cu- bits, and the breadth twenty cubits. 4 And the 'porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it teas according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the lieight teas a hundred and twenty : and he overlaid it witiiin with pure gold. 5 And the greater house ho ceiled with fir-tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm-trees and chains. 6 And he I' garnished the house with precious ''stones for beauty: and the gold icas gold of Parvaim. 7 He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the e 1 Cliron. 2i:2. f 1 Kings, 6: 1, etc. It Gen. S2:'2, M. t Or. ichich was seen of David his /other. b 1 Chron. 21 : 18. i Or, Araunah,1 Sam. it: IS. 1^ Heb. founded. i 1 Chron. ;«: 11. j .lolin 10:23; Arti3:ll ; ,1:12. \\ Hfb. covered. k 1 Cbron. 29:2,8; l»n.M:ll,l2; Rev. 21 : lfU2I. 10. Not only the mutual exchange of kind offices, but the exchange of the labor and productions of different countries, may be of service to all. 17. With a proper division of labor and union of effort, and with tlie blessing of God on well-directed diligence and perseverance, the most dilTicult under- takings may in due time be accomplished. CHAPTER HI. 1. Mount Moriali ; an elevation in the south- eastern part of Jerusalem. 3. Threescore cubits; about ninety feet. INSTRUCTION?. 1. However great or dilBcult the work to which God calls men, in liis name and strength they should undertake it, with confidence that he -will give them all needed aid. 543 The furnilnre II. CHRONICLES, IV. of the temple doors thereof, with goUl ; and graved cher- ubim on the walls. 8 And he made the most =holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits : and he overlaid it with fine gold, ainounting to six hundred talents. 9 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the up- per chambers with gold. 10 H And in the most holy house he made two cherubim *of image work, and overlaid them with gold. 11 And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long : one wing of the one cherub teas five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. 12 And one wing of the other cherub was five (jubits, reaching to the wall of the house: and the other wing loas five cubits also, joining to the wing of the other cherub. 13 The wings of these cherubim spread themselves forth twenty cubits : and they stood on their feet, and their faces were inward. t 14 T[ And he made the ''veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and 5; wrought cherubim thereon. lo Also he made before the house two pillars "= of thirty and five cubits Uiigli, and the chapiter that icas on the top of each of them teas five cubits. 16 And he made chains, as in the ora- cle, and put them on the heads of the pil- lars; and made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains. 17 And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand H .lachin, and the name of that on the left *Boaz. CHArTEIl IV. 1 The altar of brass. 2 The molten sea upon twelve oxen. 0 The ten lavers, candlesticks, and tables. 9 The courts, and the instruments of brass. 19 The instruments of gold. MOREOVER he made an ^altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof. • Heb. 9:^1-8. * Or, ns bomc tUinW, nP movttltle wnrk. f Or, towiird tht houtc. b Kx. 2H:31. % He\). aiuttil to ascend. c I KintK, 7:15-'21 ; Jer.ft'J:20,2l. % Hell. fnnp. || Tlial is. /le ihall Citahliih. * 1]\n\,'n,inU nitrtngth. A Kx. 27: 1,2 ; 2 KingK, 3. To those who are disposed to learn and do their whole duly, God will grant all needful in- struction ; so that they will see not only what to do, but also how to do it in order to meet his ap- probation, secure liis blessing, and be made bene- factors to mankind. 511 2 "[Also he made a molten' sea of arf^l ten cubits tfrom brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height there- of; and a line of thirty cubits did com- pass it round about. 3 And under it icas the similitude of o.xen, which did compass it round about; ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast. 4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three look- ing toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking tow- ard the south, and three looking toward the east : and the sea icas set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were in- ward. 5 And the thickness of it was a hand- breadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, twith flowers of lil- ies ; and it received and held three thou- sand baths. 6 If He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: Jsuch things as they offered for the burnt-offering they washed "^iu them ; but the sea was for the priests to wash in. 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their Rform, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left. 8 He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made a hundred I! basins of gold. 9 T[ Furthermore he made the ''court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass. 10 And he set the 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 t the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God; 12 To wit, the two pillars, and the pom- mels, and the chapiters which ivere on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which tecre on the top of the pillars; 13 And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegran- ates on each wreath, to cover the two to Ifi: H; E7.ek.4:):13-I7. e 1 Kin»s,7:2:!,etc. \ Heh.from hit hr hithrim. % r)T,likt a lilt/flowtr. % Heli. Ihewotknflmrntxfftring. r Hub. 9:2.3. e Kx. '.'o :3l-J0 ; 1 rliron.28: 12-19; Heb. 8:6. || Or, bowli. h I Kiiifn,6:3a » Or, ftuic/j. \ Ue'b. finished to make. CHAPTER IV. 2. Molle?!- sea ; a large metal vessel to hold water for the priests to M-ash in. Ver. 6. 5. Three tlioiisaud baths; a bath was about seven and a half gallons. C. Lavers ; vessels to w:ush in. The golden vessels. II. CHRONICLES, V. Tfu ark brought in. B.'"'S pommels of the chapiters which were upon the *pillars. 14 He made also "bases, and tlavers made he upon the bases ; 15 One sea, and twelve oxen under it. 16 The pots also, and the shovels, and the flesh-hooks, and all their instruments, did Huram"" his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LoRD,of -bright brass. 17 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the ^clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah. 18 Thus Solomon made all these ves- sels in great abundance: for the weight of the bra.ss could not be found out. 19 ^ And Solomon made all the vessels that ii'crc for the house of God, the gold- en altar also, and the tables whereon the show-bread*^ va.s sd : 20 Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should ''burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold ; 21 And the *" flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that H perfect gold ; 22 And the snuffers, and the *basins, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold : j and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold. CHAPTER V. 1 The dedicated treasures. 2 The solemn induction of the ark into the oracle. 11 God being praised giveth a visible sign of his favor. THUS ""all the work that Solomon made for the house of the Lord was finish- ed : and Solomon brought in n// the ^things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the in- struments, put he among the treasures of the house of God. 2 ^Then '' Solomon assembled the elders ^Heh/nccn/the. • I Kings, 7 : 27, 4.1. \ CtT.cilihons. b 1 Kiiis», 7 : 1 4, 4:>. i Heb. made brinht. iir tcoured. % Heb thicknttsti a/ the ground. cKx.25::;0. d Ex. -27: ■.•". -'1. « Kx. i5:31. eti-. || Heh. retfeetimnofgold. * Or, hnwit. f I Kings," :5I. g I Cliron. 2i: H. 14. Bases; foundations on which the lavers or basins were to stand. 17. Succoth a/id ZererUtthaJi ; places in the tribe of Gad east of the Jordan. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. The ordinances of divine appointment have ever been such as to impress upon men a conviction of their moral pollution, and the necessity of being washed in that fountain which Jesus Christ has opened to purify them from sin and all unclean- ness. 7. Men are naturally in spiritual darkness ; and will never view things aright, unless the Holy Spirit shine into their minds and give them the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ. 21. Treasures devoted to the service of God are by no means lost, but are safely invested where they will yield thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold. of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark' of the covenant of the Loud out of the J city of David, which is ''Zion. 3 Wherefore all the men of Israel as- sembled themselves unto the king in the feast' which was in the seventh month. 4 And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark. 5 And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that icere in the taber- nacle, these did the priests and the Le- vites bring up. 6 Also king Solomon, and all the con- gregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and o.xen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude. 7 And the priests brought ""in the ark of the covenant of the Loud unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim :" 8 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the "staves thereof above. 9 And they drew out the staves of the ark, that tiie ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And tthere it is unto this day. 10 There teas nothing in the ark save the two tables which p Moses put therein at Horeb, twhen the Lord made a cove- nant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. 1 1 ^ And it came to pass, when the priests were come ou toft he holy jj/rt*.- (for all the priests that were * present were sanctified, and did not then wait bv ''course: h 1 KingH. 8: , etc. 1 Num. I0:S1 :!«. j -J S.im K: \'.. IPm. «:«; K7 : ■! : l.iJ : l.T -17. rl nn. 7 :8-ra m P»a. i:l. :». i> Ex. 37 :7-9; Heb. <):4,R. o Kx. ri7 15. t Or. Ihey are the re. ns 1 Kin;:* ,R:& P neuL 10:2- -'■■ t Or whc -'■ 4 Heb found q clmp. V< : «. CHAPTER V. 2. Zio)i ; this was in the south part of Jerus.ilem, and south-west from Moriah. tlie site of the temple. 3. Sei'eiitli- moHtli. ; Tishri, part of September and October. 10. The tu-o tables; on which were engraved the ten commandments. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. When a whole people assemble, and with uniU ed hearts engage sincerely in the worship of God, they may expect that their service will be accept- able to him and greatly beneficial to themselves. 10. The ten commandments express the will of God, and are the measure and the rule of human duty, under all dispensations, and in all ages. 13. When the ministers of religion heartily unit« in praising and adoring God for his mercies, he will accept their offerings, and give evidence of his ap- probation by delightful manifestations of his pres- ence and favor. 545 Solomon's prayer at II. CHRONICLES, VI. the consecration. 12 Also "the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heinan, of Jeduthun, with their sous and their brethren, being arrayed iu white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with Ihem a hundred and twenty priests sounding'' with trumpets:) 1.3 It came even to pass, as the trum- peters and singers ivere as one, to make one" sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lift- ed up (heir voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, ^ For he is good ; for his mercy cndureth for ever : that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; "for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. CHAPTER VI. 1 Solomon, having blessed the people, blesseth God. 1'2 Solomon's prayer in the consecration of the tem- ple, upon the brazen scaffold. THEN ''said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkncss.E 2 But I have built a house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. 3 And the king turned his face, and blessed'' the whole congregation of Israel : and all the congregation of Israel 'stood. 4 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, 'who hath with his hands fuHilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying, 5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city amo^g all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that ''my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel : 6 But I have chosen 'Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David'" to be over my people Israel. 7 Now "it was in tlie heart of David my falhcr to build a house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 8 But the Lord said to David my fa- ther, Forasmuch as it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, Ihou didst well in that it was in thv heart: a I Cliron. 25 : 1. b I Cliron. I."): J-1 ; P»n. M : W. e Rev. 5 : H_U. d 1 Chron. 16:34-41 ; Pm. inti. c clinp. 7:5; Kx. W-.'-iR; Elek. 10:4: Rev. 15:8. f I Kingf". 8 : 1-2, etc. J Lrv. IB:!! ; Pbh. 1«: II ; Kail. 1:3; Heb. IJ: 18. h Num. 6: ■;3-'27. INeli. 8:5. i I.iike 1 : 68-70. k Deut. 1-2 : !>, 1 1. I ilinp. 12 : 1.1. in 1 Cliron. '28 : 4. " 2 Sam. 7: 2, etc.; I Cliron. '28: «, etc. o 1 Cliron. 49: »3. p 1 Cliron. CHAPTER VI. 2. Thy dii-eU ill g for ever ; the place where he would pfrpttniillv manifest his special presence. 1. With his hands; by his providence. 516 9 Notwithstanding thou shalt not '^j.ci^SSS: build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name. 10 The Lord therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken : for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am ° set on the throne of Israel, as the Lord Ppromised, and have built the house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 1 1 And in it have I put the ^ ark, where- in is the covenant of the Lord, that he made with the children of Israel. 12 HAnd "^he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congrega- tion of Israel, and spread forth his hands : 13 For Solomon had made a brazen scaf- fold, of five cubits *long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood,' and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven, 14 And said, 0 Lord God of Israel, there is * no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which "keepest covenant, and showest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts : 15 Thou which hast kept with thy ser- A-ant David my father that which thou hast ^promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and "" hast fulfilled it with thy hand, as it is this day. 16 Now therefore, O Lord God of Is- rael, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast "promised him, saying. There shall not tfail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel ; yet ^so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. 17 Now then, 0 Lord God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David. 18 But will God in very deed ^ dwell with men on the earth? 'Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot con- tain thee; how much less this house W'liich I have built ! 19 Have respect therefore to the prnyer of thy servant, and to his supplication, 0 Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant pray- eth before thee: 17:U. q chap. .i>:7, 10. r 1 Kingii, 8:2-2. etc. * Weh. tht Irnalh tlitrtof. etc. • Nell. 8:4. I Kx. 16: II ; Dent. 4 : W : 7 :!>. u N«li. l:A;Dnn.9:4. yICIiron.M:9 w ver. 4. t 2 Sam. 7: 12-lfi ; 1 Kiii-[i<,2:4; 6:12. f Heh. a man be cut nff. y Psa. l:tj: 12. I Exralim 39:46,46; Pnaln. 68:18. >clinp.2:6; leuiuhefi:!; Acto7!49. 5. Neither chose I any man; to establish in him and his posterity an hereditary authority, as he chose David. 17. Verified; fulfilled. Solomon s prayer II. CHRONICLES, VI. at the dedication. B.c'im'' 20 That thine eyes may be "open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there ; to hearken unto the prayer whieh thy servant pray- eth *to\vard this place. 21 Hearken therefore unto the suppli- cations of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall t make toward this place: hear thou from thy ''dwell- ing-place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive. 22 H If a man sin against his neighbor, and + an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house ; 23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by '^recompensing liis way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness. 24 T[ And if thy people Israel be * put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee I'in this house; 25 Then ''hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers. 26 T[ When the heaven is shut up, and there is no *rain, because they have sin- ned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost af- flict them ; 27 Then htur thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send ""rain upon Ihy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance. 28 ^ If there be ^dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting or mildew, ''locusts or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege them in the *citics of their land ; whatsoever ' sore, or what- soever sickness there be ; 29 Then what prayer or what supplica- tion soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know ' his own sore and his own aPsa. 121:4. * Or. in. f Heb pmy. b chap. .TO : '27. J H«b. he require an oalh of him. c i Kins». 9 : -'« i Psn. 10: M: Jer. 2,S: Iti. I7;5I :nO. \i1t,tmillen. \\ Or. tonnird. il P.«n. 10*i:<(M7. « 1 Kings, ch. 17, IS; l.s.i. 5:a f Jer. 5:24; Eiek. 34:'2ri; Hosan S : -21 . 2.'. I! chap. 20: f<-\X b Joel 1 : 4, 1 1 i 2 : 2.V " Heb. land ,.f their gate$. 1 chap. 32 : 24 ; Jna. .1 : 13. j P»a. a2:S-6; 142: 1,2. ^ Or, lincard. kPsa.62:l2. ^ Heh. all the day \chich. ^ Heb. grief, and shall spread forth his hands in^ this house : 30 Then hear thou from lieaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and ''render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the chil- dren of men ;) 31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, +so long as they live ^in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. 32 TI Moreover concerning the 'stran- ger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched-out arm; if they come and pray in this house; 33 Then hear thou from the heavens, eveii from thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger callcth to thee for; that all '"people of the earth may know thy name, and "fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that II this house which I have built is called by thy name. 34 If thy people go out to "war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, ami they pray unto thee tow- ard this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name ; 3.5 Then hear thou from the heavens Iheir prayer and their supplication, and maintain P their *cause. 36 If they sin against thee, {iot'^thcrc is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies) and ^thcy carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; 37 Yet ?/ they + bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying. We have sin- ned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly ; 38 If 'they return to thee with all their lieart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have car- ried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fa- thers, and toward tJie "city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name : 39 Then 'hear thou from the heavens. even from thy dwelling-place, their pray- er and their supplications, and maintain upon the /ace of. I l»a. .v;:.1. fi, 7; JohnlO:18: Aria »:27-.1V . F.ph. 2:12, l;). ni P!..ilni4tj:l'l. » Jer. 10:7. (| Hcb. «» Miii»f u called upon Ihit houte. o rhnp. 1 4 : 1 1 , 1 2 ; 20 : 4. etc. r Pmlm 9::1.4. " Or. >!>*<. q F.rcl.7;20: J«m^s3:2; lJoiln,l:^ t Heb. rAry that take them eaptivet carry them, airaf. f Heb. bring back to their heart. r Jer. M: 12-14. • Uanial 6:10. t Daniel 9: 16-19. 20. That thive eyes may be open ; that he mi'fht view with favor. i 23. Justifying; acquitting. His righteous- ness; innocence of the charge brought against him. 547 Fire from heaven. II. CHRONICLES, VII. Sacrifices and feasts - their *cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned again.st thee. 40 Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent ^unto the prayer that is viade in this place. 41 Now therefore * arise, 0 Lord God, into tiiy ''resting-place, thou, and tlie ark of thy strength: let thy priests, 0 Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in "^goodness. 42 0 Lord God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the ''mer- cies of David thy servant. CHAPTER VII. 1 God having given testimony to Solomon's prayer by fire from heaven, and glory in the temple, the people worship him. 4 Solomon's solemn sacrifice, b Solo- mon having kept the feast of tabernacles, and the feast of the dedication of the altar, dismisseth the people. 12 God appearing to Solomon giveth him promises upon condition. "OW = when Solomon had made an end praying, the '^fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the ^glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon tlie house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worship- ped, ajid praised the Lord, saying, For he is good ; for ''his mercy cndureth for ever. 4 II Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 1\ of * Or, right. ^ Yleh. to the prnyer of thi» place. aPsa. 132:8, etc. I) 1 Chron. 28:-2; Isa. G6: 1. c Nell. 9: 2.5; Pea. 65 :4, 1 1 i Zecll. 9:17. d Isa. .1.'):3. e 1 Kings. 8 :.M, etc f Ex. 29:43; Lev. 9:24; Ju(iges6:21; 1 Kings, 18:38; 1 Cliron. 21:26; Mai. 41. Thy resting-place ; the temple, where he manifested his special presence. INSTRUCTIONS. 4. What God premises in his word, he will in his providence and by his Spirit faithfully perform. 8. Tliosc who wish to do good, may in such wishes be accepted of God, when it is not his will that they .should accomplish the particular object on which their hearts are set. 12. ^Vhen we have fini.?lied a work, we should in earnest believing prayer commend it to the blessingof God. without whicli it will not accomplish any good. 10. The promises of God are often so connected with the failhfulnes.s of his people, that their con- ditions must be fulfilled, in order to obtain their blessings. Chap. 7 : 17-22. 20. Prayer is a chief means of obtaining that forgiveness of sin, without which there can be no deliverance from its power. 24. Sin is the cause of all sorrow; and unless it is confessed and forsaken, it will cause sorrow eternal. 28. Temporal calamities are God's servants ; and are sent to remind men of their sins, and lead them to repentance, that they may escape everlasting punishment. 518 rifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 6 And the priests waited on their ofli- ces : the 'Levites also with instrumenis of mtxsic of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord, be- cause his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ^ministry ; and the priests' sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the mid- dle of the court that ivas before the house of the Lord: for there he offered burnt- offerings, and the fat of the peace-offer- ings, because the brazen altar which Sol- omon had made was not able to receive the burnt-offerings, and the meat-offer- ings, and the fat. 8 T[Also at the sametime Solomonkeptthe feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the enter- ing in of ''Hamath unto the river of Egypt. 9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn^^ assembly : for they kept the ded- ication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 10 And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the Lord had siiowed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. 1 1 Thus ' Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to 3:1,2. scliap. .'S:13, 14; Eiek. 10:3, 4. h chap. 20:21 ; 1 Cliron. 16:41; P.s;i. 103 : 17 ; 136: 1 ; Heb. 7 :24, 2.i. i 1 Cliron. l.i : 16; Psa. 87 : 7. t Heb. hand, i cliap. 6:12. k Josli. 13 : 3, 5. % Heb. restraint. I 1 Kings, 9 : 1, etc. 32. God is no respecter of persons ; but the prayer of the penitent, of whatever nation, kindred, or tribe, offered in fiiitli, lie will hear and answer according to the riches of his grace. 31. The event of wars is in the hands of God : when his people rebel against him, he often suffers the wicked to prevail against them ; but if they become penitent, and turn heartily to him, he vi-ill deliver them and grant them his salvation. Chap. 7 : 14. 4) . When the ministers of God faithfully proclaim his salvation, and show its living power in their ex- ample, they may expect that many will embrace it, and rejoice in it with exceeding joy. CHAPTER VII. 1. Fire came down from heaven; this w.os evidence that Solomon and the people were accepted in their offerings. 5. Dedicated the house of God ; set it apart for his worship. 7. Hallowed; treated as sacred. 8. The fti.tering in of Hamath nvto the river of Egypt ; from the north to the south part of the land. God appeareih II. CHRONICLES, VIII, b;"'ioti°' make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. 12 Tf And the Lord appeared to Solo- mon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and *have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice. 13 If ""I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, * which are called by my name, shall ''humble themselves, and pray,"* and "seek my face, and "^turn from their ■wicked ways; then ^will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent tunto the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and sancti- fied this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. 17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have com- manded thee, and shalt observe my stat- utes and my judgments ; 18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have cove- nanted with David thy father, saying. There shall not +fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. 19 But'' if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship 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 sanc- tified 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 liigh, shall be an astonishment to every one that • Deut 1-2:5. b cliap. 6: Cfi, 28 ; Psa. 107 : .'M. ' Heb. upon whom my name it cnllcil. ejas. 4:10. d Acts 9: 11. els.T. 4.'>:1U; Lam. 3:40, 41. f Isa. 59 : -.'0. 6 ilinp. «:i7. .10. f Hcb. to the praytr of this place. X Heb. At cut off to thee. k Lev. 16. Sanctified this house ; devoted it to a holy use. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The manner in which God shows hi.? accept.ince of his people is such as to fill them with awe of his justice, as well as adoring njratitude for his mercy, and b'nd them in willing oEedience to his service. 6. Praise is the spontaneous e.xpression of truly grateful hearts ; and is well-pleasing to God, and most useful to men. 10. True devotion of heart to God, manifested in such acts of public religious worship as he has ap- pointed, is a source of great joy to his people, and prepares them to return to their families and en- gage in the duties of life with new cheerfulness and success. again to Solomoti. passeth by it; ho that he shall say, 'Why hath tlie Lord done thus unto this land, and unto this house'? 22 And it shall be answered. Because they forsook the Lord God of their fa- thers, which brought tliem forth out of the 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 removeth to her house. 1"2 Solomon's yearly solemn sacrificp.s. 11 lie ap- pointeth the priests and Levites to their places. 17 The naT)- fetcheth gold from Ophir. AND Jit came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Sohjtnon had built the house of the Lord, and his own house, 2 That the cities which Huram had re- stored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there. 3 And Solomon went to ^Hamath-zo- bah, and prevailed against it. 4 And he built Tadmor in the wilder- ness, and all the store-cities, which he built in Ilainath. 5 Also he built 'Beth-horon the upper, and Beth-horon the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars; 6 And Baalath, and all tlie store-cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot- cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all 'that Solomon '"desired to biiiki in Jerusalem, and in " Lebanon, and through- out all the land of his dominion. 7 % As for all the people tluit icere left of the Hittites, and the Amoritcs, and the Perizzites, and the llivitcs, and the Jeb- usites, which ircre not of Israel, 8 But of their children, who were left after tliem in the land, whom the ciiil- dren of Israel consumed not. them did Sol- omon make to pay "tribute until this day. •2fi : 1 4, etc. ; Dcut. 2« : 3«. i .IiT. -22 : 8. 'J. JlKin; , « : 10, etc. k Nuni..'H:«; -2 33111.8:3. 1 .lo»h. 16: 3,5; 1 Cliron. 7 : .4. i Hrb. » 1 Kings, the Jetiie of Solomon which he. m Eccl. 2 : 4, etc. 7:2; Cant. 4:S. o .losli. 16: 10 ; 17 : 13. 13, No evil comes upon individuals or nations without the permission and control of God ; and he is able and ready, when they are duly humbled, to remove it and manifest towards them new tokens of his favor. CHAPTER VIII. 3. Hamath-zobah; a country north and east of Palestine. 4. Tadmor; a city in the ^reat Syrian desert, between Damascus and the Euphrates. It was afterwards called Palmyra, and has long been in ruins. 5. Beth-horon the upper. a>id— the nethrr; on the border of Ephraim and Benjamin. 6. Banlath ; a city within the territory of the tribe of Dan. 549 Solomon's works. II. CHRONICLES, IX. The qxiccn of Sheba. 9 But of the children of Israel did Sol- omon make no servants for his work ; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen. 10 And these iverc the chief of king Sol- omon's officers, even *two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people. 11 "[And Solomon brought up the daughter'* of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that, he had built for lier: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Is- rael, because the places are *holy, where- unto ilic ark of the Lord hath come. 12 T[ Then Solomon oflercd burnt-ofTcr- ings unto the Loud on the altar of the Loud, which he had built before the porch,'^ 1 3 Even after a certain rate every '' day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on tHe new moons, and on the solemn feasts, * three times in the year, even in the feast of un- leavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. 14 ^ And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the '^courses of the priests to their service, and the Le- vites to their charges, to praise and min- ister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the ^porters also by their courses at every gate: for so thad David the man of God commanded. 15 And they departed not from the com- mandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures. 16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of tiie house of the Loud, and until it was finished. So the house of the Lokd was perfected. 17 ^ Then ''went Solomon to Ezion-ge- ber, and to tElolh, at the seaside in the land of Edom. 18 And ' Huram sent him, by the hands of his servants, ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went « 1 Kinj,'s. 9 : iX. h I Kinga, 3 : 1 ; 7 : 8. * Heb. hullntat. c .lohn lO:-2:t. l, 10. B 1 Kins". 7:2. J Heb Annrfj. || HpIi. »/iu/ M/.. »■ Or, there wm no silver in tliem. t Or, clepliantt' leeth. h 1 Kinsn, 3 : U, !3 j 14. Chapmen ; sellers, market-men. 21. Tarshish ; some suppr>se that there was one place of this name to flif east and another to the west of Jiulea. To visit the one they would sail from Ezion-gcber, 2 Chron. 20 : 36 ; and to visit the other, from Joppa. Jonah 1 : 3. 29. Book of Nathati—of Ahijah—of Lido; uninspired books of .Jewish history, not now extant. IN^JTRUCTION".^. 1. Those vi'ho know the value of true wisdom will in the chariot-cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 26 If And he 'reigned over all the kings from the driver even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. 27 And J the king hnade silver in Jeru- salem as stones, and cedar-trees made he as the sycamore-trees that are in the low plains in abundance. 28 And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands. 29 ^1 Now the '' rest of the acts of Solo- mon, first and last, are they not written in the il book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of 'Ahijah the Shilon- ite, and in the visions of "'Iddo the seer against Jeroboam Ihe son of Nebat? 30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. 31 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reign- ed in his stead. CHAPTER X. 1 The Israelites, assembled at Shechein to crown Reho- boam, hy Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him. 6 Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, by the advice of young men answereth ihein roughly. 16 Ten tribes revolting kill Hadoram, and make Re- hoboam to flee. ND "Rehoboam went to "Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king. 2 And it came to pass, when ^Jerobo- t Tint i». A 4:M,etr, I Gen. 1.1: 18 : 1 Kinis, 4: Euvhratet. j rlinp. I : l.'>-17 ; I King: k 1 King!", 1 1 : 41-43. || Heli. irnrr/*. 1-: : l.\ ; 13 :22. n I Kin^s, 15 : I, etc. 9: I. P I Kings, 11:56,40. 10:27,^11-. \ He I Kins», 11 :2!>. m fhnp. o Gen. 37: 12, 13; Jinl-ea seek to obtain it ; and one means of this is, familiar intercourse -with those who posse.«s it. He that walketh with wise men shall be wi.se. S. ,\11 true wisdom comes from God. and habit- ual communion with him is the best means of ob- taining ii. 12. A truly wise man will delight not only in re- ceivins;. but in imparting knowledj,'e : and by doing it willbeoome a bencfnctor to those around him. 20. Silver and gold are a bliissm.:: or a curse ac- 551 Ten tribes revolt ^t II. CHRONICLES, XI, from Rehoboam. am the son of Nehat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him. So .Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying, 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous : now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the peo- ple departed. 6 ^ And king Rehoboam took * counsel with the ""old men that had .stood before Solomon his *= father while he yet lived, saying. What counsel give ye me to re- turn answer to this people"? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and '' speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and ''took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. 9 And he said unto them. What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us? 10 A nd the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying. Thus shall thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us ; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be tliicker than my father's loins. 1 1 For whereas my father *put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke : my fatherchastised you with whips, but I irill chastise you with scorpions. 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying. Come again to iric on the third day. ■ Prov. 12: 15; 19:20. b .loli li : 12, 13. f I'rov. 27 : 10. d Prov. 16:1. elmi.:M1:l. * Hell. («; Isn. IS: 14. > I Kings, II :;)!. j2.'Siim. cording to the use that i.s made of them. A wise man, therefore, will not be so anxious to obtain more, as he will be to use what he has to the glory of the Giver. CHAPTER X. 1-5. Bif thehaiidof; by means, or by the mouth of. 1 Kings. 11:29-3-3. 17. Rfliohoam rfiigved ov'T them; and also over the tribe of Benjamin, which was joined to that of Judah. TX.«TRi:CTTOX8. 4. When rulers engaj^e in expensive undertakings it necessarily brings heavy burdens on the people, 052 13 And the king answered them *b c.*9?5: roughly ; and king ■'Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, j\Iy father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I u-ill chastise you with scor- pions. 15 So ethe king hearkened not unto the people: ""for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he 'spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shi- lonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 ^[And when all Israel smc that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, 'What portion have we in David? and ive have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, 0 fcrael : 071(1 now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent tHadoram that u'as over the tribute ; and the chil- dren of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam '^made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 1 9 And ''Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. CHAPTER XI. 1 Rehoboam raising an army to subdue Israel, is for- bidden by Shemaiah. 5 He strengtheneth his king- dom with forts and provision. 13 The priests and Levites, and such as feared God, forsaken by Jerobo- am, strengthen the kingdom of Judah. 18 The wives and children of Rehoboam. AND 'when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Re- hoboam. 2 But '"the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah" the man of God. saving. ;n:l. f .^rf.miiom. 1 Kings, 4:fi; 6: M. t Heb. tirtngthencd himtelf. k Psa. 89: :!0, etc. 1 1 Kings, 12:21, etc. ro Prov. 21 : 3a n clmp. 12:6. under which they become uneasy, and from whicli they wish to be delivered. 7. Kindness in rulers often docs more to secure obe- dience from the people, than force ; and the longer men live, and the more they see of their fellow-men, the deeper is their conviction of this truth. 10. louth are reckless, and often plunge into courses which bring distress and ruin upon them- selves and others. I.'). The hand of God is never to be overlooked in the events of his providence, but is to be acknow- ledged even in those calamities which the folly and wickedness of men bring upon themselves. Works of Rehoboain. II. CHRONICLES, XII, Invasion by Shishak. K.c'^' 3 Speak unto Ptehoboam the sou of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Is- rael in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 4 Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against "your brethren : re- turn every man to his house; ""for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam. 5 II And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. 6 He built even Beth-lehem, and Etam, and Tekoa, 7 And Beth-zur, and Soco, and Adullam. 8 And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph, 9 AndAdoraim.andLachish, andAzekah, 1 0 And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamiii, fenced cities. 11 And he "^fortified the strong-holds, and put "'captains in them, and store of victuals, and of oil and wine. 12 And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them ex- ceeding strong, having Judah and Benja- min on his side. 13 T[ And the priests and the Levites that u'ere in all Israel *resorted to him out of all their coasts. 14 For the Levites left their ''suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem : for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them "^ofi' from executing the priest's office unto the Lord : 15 And she ordained him priests for the high places, and for the ''devils, and for the 'calves which he had made. IG And after them, out of Jail the tribes of Israel, such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusa- lem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of their fathers. 17 So they ''Strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon. 18 ^ And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse ; a Gen. 13:8. b cliap. 10: 15 ; Psa. 33 : 11. c Isn. CJ: 10, 1 1. d fliap. 17:19. " Heh. preicnted tlumselvei. e Num. 35: -2, etc. f cliap. 13:9. B IKins9,12::!l; 13:33. h Lev. 17 : 7 ; I)eiiU3-2 : 17 ; I Cor. 10 : 20. i 1 Kings, 12 : 28 ; 14:9; Hosca 13 : 2. j cli.ip l.i : 9 ; 30 : 1 1, CHAPTER XI. 1-5. Devils ; idols. 23. He dealt wisely ; in placing his children in different parts of the country, so that they should not unite against Abijah, whom he appointed as ruler over them. INSTRUCTIONS. 4. Things which take place under the directing and controlling providence of God, are spoken of in the Bible as done by him. 19 Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaharn. 20 And after her he took 'Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelo- mith. 21 And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines : for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and three- score daughters. 22 And Rehoboam "'made Abijah the son of IVlaachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king. 2.3 And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the coun- tries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city : and he gave them victuals in abundance. And he desired tmany wives. CHAPTER XII. 1 Rehoboam. forsaking the hord, is punished by Shi- shak. 5 lie and the princes, repentin" at the preach- ing of Shcmaiah, are delivered from destruction, but not frona spoil. 13 The reign and death of Reho- boam . AND it came to pass, when Rehoboam had "established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, " he p forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. 2 And it came to pass that, in the fiftli year of king Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt eame up against Jerusalem, be- cause they had transgressed against the Lord, 3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen : and the people were without number that came with him out of Esypt; the iLubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. 4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. 5 ^Thcn came "'Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, 'Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the liand of Shishak. 6 Whereupon the princes of Israel and It) P a. m : 5-7. k chap. 12 :1. 1 1 K ing« 1.1:2. .She is called Micl.a all the dau ghter i.r Urie , chap 13 2. r It chap 12:1 r> ; Dent 21 Ifi- 17. tHel> a muttitutU of wives. nrh \p. II: 17. 0 1 Kill;:*, 14 22 P Deut. 3 1 : LI, 18. q <1 ap. 16 8. rcha Ml:-. . .cl :ip.l5:2. 15. The worship of images is treated in the Bible as worship offered to devils. 1 Cor. 10 : 20. 17. As long as nations walk in the way of the Lord, they may e.xpect that he will give ihem prosperity ; but when they forsake liiiii, they take a course adapted to bring ruin on themselves. CHAPTER XII. 3. Liibini — Siiiiiim — IZthiojiians; people liv- ing in countries bordering upon Eg)-pt. Abijah rcigncth, and 11. CHRONICLES, XIII, warrelh with Jeroboam. the king "humbled themselves; and they said, ""The Loud is righteous. •'' 7 And "=wheu the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the -word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves ; ^therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them *some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shisliak. 8 Nevertheless they shall be ^his ser- vants ; that they may know my service, and the serviceof the'^kingdoinsofthe 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 e which Solomon had made. 10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the ''chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house. 11 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 destroy him altogether ; tand also in Judah things went well. 13 Tl So king Rehoboam strengthened hi m- .self in Jerusalem, and reigned : for Reho- , boam iras 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 Is- rael, to put his name there. And his moth- er's name vns Naamah an Ammonitess. 14 And he did evil, because he t pre- pared not his J heart to seek the Lord. 15 Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, arc they not written in the ^ book of Shemaiah'' the prophet, and of 'Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there • Jer. 13:1S, 18; Jaa. 4:6, 10. bEx.9:37. c i Kings, -21 : 58, 29. J Lev. 2R: 4 1, 42. * Or, a little while, e Neli. 9: 36, 37 ; Is.t. 26:13. r Dent. 28 : 47, 48. g clinp. 9: 15, 16. h 2 Sam. 8: 18. i chap. 33:12, 13; I«a.57:15: 1 Peter, .5 : B. f Or. and yet in Judah there were pood Ihingt, Gen 18:24; 1 Kings, 14:13; cliap. 12. Things u: 14, IS. h Num. 10:8; Josh, fi: 13-20. i Job 9 : 4 ; Jer. iW : 24 ; Acts S : 3<>. i clmp. 14:12. k. 1 Chron.5:20; Ps,i.22:.';; Daii.3:28; Nah. 1:7. I Psa. who have the Lord for their helper and trust in him for defence. 20. Life and death are in the hand of the Lord ; and when he smites, the most mighty fall before liiiTi, However mtmerous their attendants, they can give them no respite and afford them no relief. 18:37,38 m 1 Sam. 25 : 38. j Or, commenlory. » rhap. 15: 1.S. o 1 Kings, 15:8, etc. p chap. 15:17; lKinSi,ll:7. | Heb. ttatutl. q Ex. 31 : 13. J Meh sun imagrt. r Joshua tl : I. • Ps-alm 105:3,4; Jeremiali 39 : 13. t chap. Ifi:! ti JoshlU 15:44. CHAPTER XrV. 3. The groves; where they had -srorshipped idols. 6. Fenced cities; cities that he fortified. 9. Mnreshah; in the western part of Judah near the Philistines. 555 Ethiopians defeated. II. CHRONICLES, XV. jlsa's solemn covenant. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and I they set the battle in array in the valley of Zcphathah at Mareshah. 11 And Asa "cried unto the Lord his God, and said. Lord, it is nothing Avith thee to help, ''whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, 0 Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy " name we go against this mul- titude. 0 Lord, thou art our God; let not *man prevail against thee. 12 So the Lord "'smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. 13 And Asa and the people that icere with him pursued them unto "= Gerar : and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves ; for they were tdestroyed before the Lord, and before his host ; and they carried away very much spoil. 14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar: for the "^fear of the Lord came upon them : and they spoiled all the cities ; for there was exceeding much spoil in them. 15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and rctui-ncd to Jerusalem. CHAPTER XV. 1 Asa with Judah and many of Israel, moved by the prophecy of Azariah the son of OdeJ, make a solemn covenant with God. IG He pntteth down Maachah his mother for her idolatry. 18 He bringeth dedicate things into the house of God, and enjoyeth a long peace. AND the e Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: 2 And he went out tto meet Asa, and said unto him. Hear ye mc, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin : ''The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and 'if ye seek him, he will be found of you ; but if ye J forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 Now ''for a long season Israel hath been wilhout the true God, and without a 'teaching priest, and without law. 4 But '"when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 5 And in those "times ilurc teas no peace to him that went out, nor to him that • l.h!»p. 13: H; Kx H: 10; Ph.i. 18:H; i;0:l. blSam. H:6. c 1 Snin. 17 Mi) : Tniv. 18:10. " Or, murttil mnn. i Hi.ip. l;i: ]f: • Gen.M:l. j HKb. bioktn. r iliap. 17 : 10: Gen ;(B:5; .losli. S:il, M; Ih.i. 3I:H. I! rlinp. W:14; •24:»; Num. Jl:-:; .Iildscs 3:)0. j: Heb. ftf/uj-f. I. .I,i».4:H. i ver. 4, 1.5: cliap..-):! : 1-2. 13; 1 Cliron. JK : !l ; .ler. 2<1: 12, 1:1 ; M:it7:7.S. > cliap. '24: -.'O: Heh. 10 : 3«. k Ho»ea 3:4. I I.cv. 1(1 : 1 1 ; Mnl. 2:7. m Dent. 4 : -29 ; 13. Clerar: then a city of the Philistines near the southern border of Palestine. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Pious rulers are a great blessing to a nation ; and by their efforts to reform the people and lead tbcin to obey God, they prepare the vav for him to bless them with all needed earthly good. 9. Allliou^h it is our duty in times of trouble to use all suital)le means to help ourselves, yet our 556 B. C. »41. upon all the inhabitants of the countries. 6 And nation was ^destroyed of "nation, and city of city : for God Pdid vex them with all adversity. 7 Be ye i strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. . 8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the ''abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had ''taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that icas before the porch of the Lord. 9 And he gathered all Judah and Ben- jamin, and the ^strangers with them out of Ephraim and INIanasseh, and out of Simeon : for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, Avhen they saw that the Lord his God icas with him. 10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. 1 1 And they offered unto the Lord *the same time, of the 'spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep. 12 And they entered into a "covenant to seek the Lord God of ''their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That "whosoever won Id not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. 14 And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole "desire ; and he was found of them : and the Lord gave them rest round about. 1 6 T[ And y also concerning Maachah the mother t of iVsa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an tidol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. r».i. 10ii:44. n .Iuil{:us.'j:B; ISam. 13:fi. ^ Hub. heuttn in pirrrt. "Mai. -24:7. I> Amos 3:6. 1 Josli. 1:7,9; 1 Cliron. iRrM. U HKb. alMtninaliont. r diap. 13 : I!). • chap. II : IB. * Hel). Inlhatdav. I chap. 14: 13, 15. u chap. :t4 :31 : 2 King.i, 23 : 3; Neh:10:2i the Lord. 9. Evidence of the presence and favor of God will draw together multitudes, of all classes who love him, to acknowledge his goodness and render united thanks to hi.s holy name. 1(). No natural affection, or regard to relatives and friends, should lead us to connive at their sins, or prevent us from taking decided measures to resist their evil influence. 36 Baasha was building; and he built there- with Gcba and Mizpah. 7 ^ And at that lime ''Hanani tlic seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said un- to him, *■ Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on tlie Loud thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand. 8 Were not the ''Ethiopians and the Lu- bim + a huge host, with very many char- iots and hoftiemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thy hand. 9 For the scyes of tlie Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. Ho show himself strong in thebehalf of //joh whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolislily : therefore from hence- forth thou shall have ""wars. 10 Then Asa was wrotii with the seer, and put him in a 'prison-house ; for he iras in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa II oppressed so7)ie of the people the same time. 11 H And behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease iras exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. 13 If And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. 14 And they buried him in his own sep- ulchres, which he had *made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and divers kinds of .-tpices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him! 1.5 : 3 ; Jer. Ifi : 17 ; 3: : 19 ; /.ecli. 4:10. J Or, itronghj lo hnid with them, h 1 Kings, 15 : 3i. i cUap. 18 : 26 ; Jer. 20 : 2. || Hfli. a'ushcti. * Heb. diyged. CHAPTER XVL 1. Ramah; north of Jerusalem, and near the border between Judah and Israel. 4. Ijon, a till Dan, and Abel-maim ; cities in the north part of Palestine. 6. Gcba and Mizpah ; in the tribe of Benja- min. 7. Seer; prophet. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. When men in trouble rely upon tlieir own ef- forts merely, or look for help to their fellow-men instead of trusting in the Lord, they disiionor hin^ and may expect that he will visit them witli tokeni of his displeasure. 10. Men, wlien reminded of their sins, instead of forsaking them, are sometimes angry with him who reminds them, and persecute him for his fidelity. But this increases their guilt, and ripens them fo, the just judgments of Goa. 557 The good reign IT. CHRONICLES, XVIII. of Jehoshaphat- CHAPTER XVII. 1 Jehoshaphat, succeeding Asa, reigneth well, and pros- pereth. 7 lie sendeth Levites with the princes to teach Judah. 10 His enemies being terrified by God, some of them bring him presents and tribute. 12 His greatness, captains, and armies. A NT) * Jehoshaphat his .sou reigned in J\. his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the citfcs of Ephra- im, which ''Asa his father had taken. 3 And the Loud was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways *of his father David, and sought 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 t he king- dom in his hand ; and all Judah ^brought to Jehoshaphat presents ; and he had rich- es and honor in abundance. 6 And his heart iwas lifted up in the ways'' of the Lord: moreover'" he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. 7 *^ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zeehariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to "^tcach in the cities of Judah. 8 And with them he sent s Levites, even Sliemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Sliemiramotji, and Jchon- athan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and 'I'ob-adoiiijah, Levites; and with them ]'"lishama and Jehoram, ''priests. 9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with tlicm, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. 10 ^And the 'fear of the Lord ? fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that J they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 1 1 Also .some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat ''presents, and tribute silver ; and the Arabians brought him flocks, sev- "1 1 Kings. 1S:24. b rlinp. ir.:8. * Or. o/hit/ot/itr and of ntivitl. c 1 Kinja, 12:30. f Heh. j;aii e. t Tli.itis, too. ur- ogeil. d P»a. IH:-21,2-2. o Hmp. 19 3; 20:3.3. f rliop. l.^iiS. i! tliap. »5 : 3 ; Nell. 8 : 7. li Mnl. 2 : 7. i l:ll!ip. M: M. % ^eb. CHAPTER XVII. 6. TJfted lip; encouraged, strengthened. 7. To track; teach the people the will of G-od. 10. The fear nf the hard; a great dread, so that they did not dare to war against his servant. 19. Fenced; fortified. INSTRt'CTION.''. 3. A .suoeession of pious rulers is a great bless- ing to a people, and opens the way for permanent peace .and prosperity. 7. The te.aching of the word and will of God to all the people, is the grand means of leading them to obey him. and thus securing his favor. en thousand and seven hundred *»"c.'S?^; rams, and seven thousand and seven hun- dred he-goats. 12 Tf And Jehoshaphat waxed great ex- ceedingly ; 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 nvimbers of them according to the house of their fathers : Of Judah, the captains of thousands ; Ad- nah the chief, and with him mighty men of valor tliree hundred thousand. 15 And *next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. 16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who "'willingly olTered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hun- dred thousand mighty men of valor. 17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thou- sand. 18 And next him u'as Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thou- sand ready prepared for the war. 19 These waited on the king, besides ihoae whom the king put in the fenced cities" throughout all Judah. CHAPTER XVIII. 1 .Jehoshaphat, joined in affinity with Ahab, is per- suaded to go with him against Ramoth-gilcad. 4 Ahab, seduced by false prophets, according to the word of Micaiah, is slain there. IVrOW "Jehoshaphat had riches and hon- _LN or in abundance, and Pjoined affinity with Ahab. 2 And t after certa/« " "i years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abun- dance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead. 3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Je- hoshaphat king of Judah, ^Vilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he an- wnt. i Ex. M : CI ; Prnv. Hi: 7. k verse 6 ; 2 Sam. 8:2. || Or, paltices. 1 cliap. 2ti :10, 1.-,; ICIir on.27:2,->-3l. » Hvh.iithi! hnnd. in Judges 5:2.9; '. Vm.a-.h. n •ersc 2. 0 cl ap. 17:6. P 2 Kins*, 8:18; aCor.C:)!. t H at the t ndofi/eurt. q 1 Kings, 22:2, etc. 10. When a man's ways please the Lord, he inak- eth his enemies to be at peace with him ; and they who seek Jehovah as their chief good, will not want any ggod thing. CHAPTER XVin. 1. Joined affinity ; Jehoshaphat's son married Ahab's daughter. 2. Samaria ; the capital of the kingdom of Is- rael. 3. Ratnoth-gilead ; a town within the territory of Gad, but at this time held by the Svrians. Deut. 4:43; Josh. 20 : 8 ; 1 K ings. 22 : X League with Ahah. II. CHRONICLES, XVIII. Micaiah's ■prediction. B. "'ea'"' swered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war. 4 1[ And JehOvshaphat said unto the king of Israel, * Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lokd to day. 5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Pia- moth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And ""they said, Go up; for God -will de- liver it into the king's hand. 6 But .Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lokd 'besides, that we might inquire of him? 7 And the king of Israel said unto Je- hoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the Lord : but I "^hate liim ; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is ^liea- iah the .son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. 8 And the king of Israel called for one of his tollicers, and said, 5^ Fetch quickly ilicaiah the sou of Imla. 9 And the king of Israel and Jehosha- phat king of Judah sat either of them on his thi'one, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a H'oid place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chcnaanah had made him horns of iron, and said. Thus'' saith the Lord, With these thou shall push Syria until Hthcy be consumed. 11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying. Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and pro.s- per : for the Lord shall deliver it into the linnd of the king. 12 And the messenger that went to call ."\Iicaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one *assent; let *thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. 13 And Micaiah said, As the Lord liv- eth, '"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 « I Sam. 2.3:2, 4.<);2Sain. 2:1. b.Ier.M: H;98:l,eti-. ' Hcb. yet.ormore c Psn. .34 :21 ; ft5:3 ; fit: 14 ; Trov. 3<( : 10 ; Amos .-.:10; Luke6:32. i Or, cunuchn. t Heh. llatten. \Ot,ftoor. 2 Sum. •5. Prophets ; false prophets. 12. Declare good; they promised him success in the war, as he desired. 14. Go ye up, and prosper ; it is supposed that this was spoken ironically ; and that Ahab so under- stood, it. Hence his reply, ver. 15. 16. These, have tio master ; this was a mode of foretelling that Ahab would be slain. forbear? And he said. Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand. 15 And the king said to him. How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the Lord ? 1 6 Then he said, I did see all Israel scat- tered « upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd; 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 Jehosh- aphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, tbut evil? 18 Again he said. Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I 'saw the Lord sit- ting 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 Ramoth-gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. 20 Then there came out a ''spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice' him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? 21 And he said, I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his proph- ets. And the LORD said. Thou shall entice him, and thou shalt also prevail : go out, and do even so. 22 Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put"" a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil" against thee. 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaa- nah came near, and "smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said. Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak untu thee ? 24 And ^licaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go -into an* inner chamber to hide thyself. 25 Then the king of Lsracl said. Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son ; 26 And say, Thus saith the king. Put :7; 2 Kings, 10:3. f Or, for evil. i lsa.fi: l,rtc; H«n. 7:9,10; Alts 7 : 5.% fi6 ; .Rev. 1 : 10, 12, etc. j Gen. 32:2; P»«. ia3:2l.' k Job 1:6. I.lnbl2:l6; 2 Tlieu. 2 : II, 12. •• ran. in: 14; Ezek. 14:9. n Jcr. 18 : 11 i Micnli 2 :.3. ojef.20:«: Mark 14 : fiS ; Ai-ts 23 : 2. X Or, /ram chamber la chamber. ( Heb. chamber in a chamber, 1 Kings, 20: 30. 22. The Lord hath put a lying spirit ; he suffered the false prophets to lie to Ahab and thus, as a punishment for his sins, help him delude him- self to his own destruction. 23. Which icay ireut the Spirit of the Lord'' this was spoken in derision of what Micaiah h.id said. 24. To hide thyself; from fear of the enemy. 5.5'J Death of Jhab. II. CHRONICLES, XIX. Jehoshaphaf s piety. \hh^ fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace. 27 And Micaiah .said, ^ If thou certainly return in peace, "then hath not the Lord .spoken hy me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people. 28 So the king of I.«rael and Jehosha- phat the king of Judah went up to Ra- moth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said unto Je- hoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle ; but put thou on thy robes. So ^the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had command- ed the captains of the chariots that nrrc with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel. .SI And it came to pass, when the cap- tains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said. It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to tight: but .lehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord •" helped him ; and God moved them to depart from him. 32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from *pursuing him. 33 And a certain man drew a bow tat a venture, and smote the king of Israel be- tween the joints tof the harness: there- fore he said to his chariot man, Turn thy hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host ; for I am hvounded. 34 And the battle increased that day: howbcit the king of Israel stayed himself a chap. Id: 10. b Amo.%!): 10. c Num. lfi:29. i chap, li : 12 ; 31. It is the ling of Israel ; so they thought from his being dressed like a king. 33. The harness ; the armor he wore to shield himself from danger. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Great wealth is a source of great temptations, and among them is th.it of forming intimate con- nections with the rich and great, though they are enemies to the truth and will of G-od. 3. When good men yield to the enticements of the wicked, and unite in their plans, without in- quiring as to the will of God. or m opposition to it when known, they are preparing for trouble. 5. False teachers are numerous ; and those who reject the testimony of God, are suffered to be de- ccivod bv them to their ruin. 7. Faitliful ministers promise no good to the wicked, and on this account are often hated and rejected by them; while the friends of God desire to know his will. V\ Worldly minded men think those the best preaclur.-', who best please their hearers ; and that no mes.^age can be good which they dislike and re- ject. 20. Satanis the faJlrer of lies, and will, if suffered, be &, lying spirit in the mouth of all false teachers, 060 up in his chariot against the Syr- *b"c.'697: ians until the even : and about the time of the sun going down he died. CHAPTER XIX. I Jehoshaphat; reproved by Jehu, visiteth his kingdom. 5 His instructions to the judges, 8 to the priests and liftvites. AND Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of ^Ilanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldcst thou help the ungodly, and slove them that hate the Lord? therefore '"25 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 the land, and hast Jprej^arcd thy heart to seek God. 4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem : and he I!went out again through the peo- ple from Bcer-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 ""/.v 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 "iniquity with the Lord our God, nor "respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. 8 H Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehosh- 17 :4,f . i Hk, 1.30:1^1; K/.ra 7 : 10 1 Mel. returned and fcent out. k Dent ifi IS, 1 Deut. : 17. n » I'aa 82:1: Eccl.5:8 *Heb.?nor- ley o/j iti(jt nen . n Deu .3-2:4; Uoin. 3 : 5, e ; 9: 14. 1) DeUt.lO: 17; Job 34 m Acts 10:34 : Rom 2:11 ; Kpl, 6:9; I Peter, 1:17. and deceive those who follow them to their destruc- tion. 27. Though men may by falsehood be deceived for a time, the final event, as all faithful teachers know, will effectually undeceive them. 31. Though good men by their owni folly and wick- edness may bring themselves into great trouble, yet if they turn heartily to God he will so order events in his providence that they shall escape. 33. A bow dra\vn at a venture, and an arrow sent at random, so far as the agency of man is concerned, may be so guided by G-od as to fulfil his predictions and manifest to all the truth of his word. CHAPTER XIX. 2. Seer; prophet. 7. Gifts; bribes. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Intimate connections with the openly ungodly are displeasing to God, and dangerous 'o men. 6. Magistrates are Good's ministers, and should by impartial and just decisions approve themselves to him, and guard the rights of all their fellow-men. 11. True courage is essential to obedience to God ; and none who do not regard him more than men, will ever be accepted of him. Judah invaded. II. CHRONICLES, XX. Jehoshaphat' s prayer. 5 "w^r aphat set of the "Lcvitos, and of the priests, and of the chief of tlie fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Loud, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the ''fear of the Lord, faith- fully, 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 judg- ments, ye shall even "^warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and .50 wrath come** upon you, and upon your brethren : this do, and ye shall not trespass. 11 And behold, A mariah the chief priest is over you in all •= matters of the Loud; and Zebadiah the son of Ishinao!,the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levitcs shall be olliccrs before you. * Deal courageously, and the Lord'" shall be with the good. CHAPTER XX. 1 .Telioshaphat in hisfearproclaimetha fast SHispray- er. 14 The prophecy of Jahaziel. 20 Jehoshaphat exhorteth the people, and setteth singers to praise the I/ord. '22 Tlie great overthrow of the enemies. 2() The people, having blessed God at Berachah. return in triumph. 31 Jehoshaphaf's reign. .'35 His con- voy of ships, which he made with Ahaziah. according to the prophecy of Eliezer, .unhappily perished. XT came to pass after this also, that the chil- dren of Moab, and the children of Am- mon,and with them o/Acrbesides the Am- monites, came against Jehoshaphat tobattle. 2 Then there came some that told Je- hoshaphat, saying. There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and behold, they be in s Ilazazon-tamar, which is ''En-gedi. .3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set thim- self to 'seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast' throughout all Judah. 4 And Jvidah gathered themselves to- gether, to ask help of tiie Lord : even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 5 T[ And Jehoshaphat stood in the con- gregation of Judah and .Icrusalcm, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 And said, 0 Lord God of our fathers, art not thou Cod in ''heaven'? andrulest jio/ thou over all the ' kingdoms of the heathen? and in thy hand is there not jiowerand might, so that none is able to withstand thee'? • Dent. 17 :«.!). Ii J Sum. -.M: fi. oK7.ek.3:18. d Num. Ifi: 46. e 1 Cliron. 'ifi : TO * Heli. Take cnurnge and iln. f ch.ip. 1.5 : 2 ; Eccl.2:-m );G.>n.l4:7. h .losli. l.'i.lH. f Hfli. A*/«M. i clinp. 19:3. i V.zrn S : -21 ; .ler. 3B : !l i D.in. M : :! : .T.icl i : I.S, etc. ; Jonah 3:5. k Deut.4:39; Josli.2: Hi P.sn. 115:3. I Diiii.4 : 17,-ai. J Heb. thou, m Ps.T. 44 : 2. n Isa. 41:8. o .Jaine.'. 0 : 23. |> rlinp. B : 28-30. CHAPTER XX. 2. The .'tea ; the De-dd. sea,. Eu-gedi ; a, city of Judah. 7 Art not thou our God, iu-ho didst drive out '"the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the "seed of Abraham thy friend "for ever? 8 And they dwelttherein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9 If, Ziehen evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presenee,i (for thy ^name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our aflliction, then thou wilt hear and lielp. 1 0 And now, behold, the children of Am- mon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest "not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but Mhey turned from them, and destroyed them not; n Behold, I sat/, how they reward us, to''c6me to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12 0 our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our 'eyes are upon thee. 1 3 And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 ^[Then "upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariaii, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the ^Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; 1.5 And he said. Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, ^ Be not afraid nor dismnyed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 To-morrow go ye down aiainst them: behold, they come up by the ^ cliff of Ziz ; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook. I before the wilderness of Jerucl. 17 Ye shall not need to figlit in this bat- tle: set yourselves, * stand ye .''till, and sec the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem : fear not, nor be dismayed; to-morrow go out against them: 'for the Lord will be with you. 18 And Jehoshaphat ''bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Ju- dah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem "^fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, of the children of ■1 .Mat. 18:20. rrliap. «:20. • Dent 2: 4. 0, IM. INuin.20:21. u l"»ii. H3: 12. r P«a. 1 2:1 : 1 , 2. w Ian. «: 24i Dan. H: 20, 21. J cli.ip. I.S : 1 , 2 ; 24 : 20 ; Num. 1 1 : 2.5, 2fi ; 24 : 2. r chap. 32 : 7, 8: Kjc. I4:l:t, 14; Deut. 1:2<1. 30; 31 ;«, 8: I»a.43:I,2. J Heli. aictiit. l\ Or, ivillesi. • I»n. 30 : 7, 1.5 : I.am. 3: Cfi. aNum. 14:9: Uoin.8:3l. l>E.'t.4:31. e Job 1 : 20 ; Psa. 9.5 : 6. 10. Mount Seir: a, mountainous country south of the Dead se.a, inhabited by the Edomites. 16. Ziz : a pass between the Dead sea and Je- rusalem, lirook ; valley. 561 The enemies of Judah II. CHRONICLES, XX destroy one another. the Kohathites, and of the children of the' Korhites, stood up to ° praise the Lord God , of Israel with a ''loud voice on high. 20 HAnd they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Te- koa : and as they went forth, Jchoshaphal stood and said, Hear me, 0 Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem : Believe'^ in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established ; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed ''singers unto the Lord, and *fhat should praise the 'beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, "^Praise the Lord; for his s mercy cndnrcth for ever. 22 ^And twhen they began J to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Amnion, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah ; and they ^ were smitten. 23 For ""the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them : and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one help- ed II to destroy another. 24 And when Judah came toward the watch-tower in the wilderness, they look- ed unto the multitude, and behold, they were 'dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none* escaped. 25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for them- selves, more than they could carry away : and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it^was so much. 26 ^ And on the fourth day they assem- bled themselves in the valley of tBerachali ; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day. • Nrl .12 ^^ ^3. I Psa. 81 : 1 ■):•>: I ■2. t 1«H. 7 •9; Heb. ll:fi. i rh.ip 5:13. • Heh prait frg. e 1 Vh ron. 16:29. f cliaii. 7:3, H. e Paa. 136. t Heb. in the tl me that, t Heb. IM singing and praise. « Or,.n nntt one a not/ rr. k Tn(i"r s7:2 •■. ISatn. 14 20. 11 Hei../,..- tl edelt ■uct on. 1K.T 14:30 ;1CI. »n.o ■n; I8a37:.36. *Heb.tliere 20. Tr.koa; a city south of Bethlehem on the border of the desert. 22. Were smitten ; smote one another. 2G. Berachah ; that is, blessing. 30. Ezioi-^eber ; at the head of the eastern branch of the Red sea. INSTRUCTIONS. 3. This is a world of trials, and none in passing through it can escape them ; but if they, in despair of all human help, look to tlie Lord and depend upon him, he will in due time appear for them and grant them relief. 7. The past mercies of God should be remembered with gratitude, and may be pleaded as reasons for the continuance of his favors and for the bestowmcnt of future blessings. 12. The less we depend upon ourselves or crea- 562 27 Then they returned, every man *Bc.'bS2. of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the ^fore-front of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; ''for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trvimpets unto the house of the Lord. 29 And the 'fear of God wa.s on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet : for ""his God gave him rest round about. 31 T[And "Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daugh- ter of Shilhi. 32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing thai which was right in the sight of the^ Lord. 33 Howbeit "the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not ^prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehosha- phat, first and last, behold, they are Avrit- tcn in the ^book of Jehu the son of Ilana- ni, who lli.s menlioned in the book of thf kings of Israel. 35 iy And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join liimself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly : 3(5 And ihe joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarsh/sh : and they made the ships in Ezion-gebcr. 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehosha- phat, saying, 'Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath bro- ken thy works. And the ships were bro- ken, that they were not able to go to Tarshi.sh.* WJI8 not t n esenping, Kzra i>: U. i Kwk. .W.-8-10 f Tli.it i.«, hiessing. t Heh.heail. V Nell. 12:43. 1 chap. 17:10. ni olinp \h: 15; .1 oli34:-2!l. n 1 Kiiij?., -22 : 41, etc urliap.l;:6. p iliap. 1-2: U; 1' :i; Dfiit. 29:4. J Heb.iwi/*. \\ HfAulcatmaeletciisrrnrt ■:'2:4S,49 r Josii. 7 : 1 1 . 1 2 ; Prnf. 13 : -.'a •rhi\p,6. ^ Heb.i:np(ii'r,dinp.'.>2 : 1. || Or.Jliitztalt, chap. 22 : 1 ; or, Jzaiiali, chap. 22 : l>. k verse 1.5 ; AcU 12 ; 2a 1 chap. 16:14. ' Heb. deiire. m Jer. 22 : 18. 20. Without being desired ; the people did not desire that he should live, nor did they mourn his death. INSTRUCTIONS. 3. Divine grace is not inherited ; and no parent can know what will be the state of his children after he is dead. 6. Intimate connections with the openly wicked tend to corrupt the heart, deba.se the cjiaracter, and ripen the soul for the vengeance of God. 12. The wickedness of the wirkcd is all known to Jehovah, and in due time he will punish it as it de- serves. 563 Ahaziah slain. II. CHRONICLES, XXIII. Joash preserved. CHAPTER XXII. 1 Ahaziah succeeding reigneth wickedly. 5 In his confederacy with .Toram the son of Ahab, he is slain by Jehu. 10 Athaliah, destroying all the seed royal, save Joash, whom Jehoshabeath hjs aunt hid, usurp- eth the kingdom. ANDtlie inhabitants of .lerusalem made Ahaziah" his youngest son king in his stead : for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the oldest. So Ahaziah the son of Je- horam king of Judah reigned. 2 Forty and two years old icas Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was ''Athaliah the daughter of Omri. 3 lie also walked in the ways of the liou.se of Ahab : for his '^mother was his counsellor to do wickedly. 4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab : for they were his ^counsellors, after the death of his father, to his destruction. 5 1[ He *■ walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Rainoth-gilead : and the Syr- ians smote Joram. 6 And Hie returned to be healed in Jez- reel because of the wounds *which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And ^Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick. 7. And the - destruction of Ahaziah ? was of God by coming to Joram : for when he was come, '' he went out with Jehoram against Jehu tJie son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. 8 And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was 'executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and 'found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them. 9 And ''he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, for he was hid in Sarnaria, and brought him 1o Jehu : and when they liad slain him, they buried him : 'Because, • chap. 21 :7; verse 6; aKinjis, R: -.M.etc. ti cliiip. 21 : 6. c Oen. 27: 12, V.i; Deut. 7;. 1,4; l;i:(W10; .M;it. 10: :;7 : ArU4:l<». -1 Prov. 12:5. <■ Micnli fi : i(i. f 2 Kings, SI: l.",. * Heh. whtretvitli lliei/ wounded him. f Ciille*) Ahazinh^wr^ti I ; anJ./f/i('»/m2,cliap.2l : 17. X Huh. treading diium. B rimp. in:ir): Deiil. 3-2 : 3ru Judges IS. The effects of sin are often terrible in this ■world, and dreatlfiU warnings of the misery which awaits it in the world to come. CHAPTER XXII. 10. Destroj/ed all the srerl royal; tliat they might not disturb her in reigning over the people. INSTRUCTlOiNS. 3. Those parents who counsel their children to do wrong, arc often the means of their destruction, tem- poral and eternal. 504 phat,who '"sought the Loud with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. 10 II But "when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah. 11 But * Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, look Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole liiju from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and liis nurse in a bed-chamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Je- hoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. 12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years : and Athaliah reigned over the land. CHAPTER XXIII. 1 Jehoiada, having set things in order, maketh Jca-^h king. 12 Athaliah is slain. 16 Jehoiada restoreth the worship of God. AND °in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundred.s, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the sou of Jehoha- nan, and Azariah the son of Obcd, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elisha- phat the son of Zicliri, into covenant with him. 2 And they Ment about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 And all the congregation made a p cov- enant with the king in tlie house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the Lord hath 'said of the sons of David. 4 This is the thing that ye shall do: A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the H doors ; 5 And a third part sluiUbe 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. M :4; 1 Kine.H, 2:1.5 Ho>ea M.Si. h 2KinK.s,') 21. • 2Ki 'S». 0 •',7 j 2 Kin K"i '0 12-14. k 2K ns», !1 : 27. 1 Kins K, 14 13. ni clin ..17:4. 1.2 K ings. U :l.etc. ^ Jehiokeha, 2 Kil r», 1 : 2. 0 2Kin£«, 11:4 eto. p 2Sa 11. .1:^. q ilian. 21 7; 2Sa m.7 1«, lb ;1K ing(*,9:5 I'sn. 69:2!1. II Heh.thrtihoidl. 5. Those who knowingly do wrong are not unfre- quently given up of God to pursue such courses as involve themselves and their connections in irre- trievable ruin. 10. The judgments of God upon the wicked, in- stead of being improved a.s a warning against sin, arc sometimes made the occasion of greater trans- gressions, which bring down heavier divine judg- ments. CHAPTER XXm. 3. The kitig's sou ; Joash the son of Ahaziah. Joash is crowned, II. CHRONICLES, XXIV. and ^ihaliah dain. For the priest said, Slay her not in the hou.se of the Lord. 15 So they hiitl liands on her; and when she was come (o the entcrinsof the ''liorse- gate by the king's house, they slew 'her there. 16 TfAnd Jehoiada made a ""covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that "they should be the Lord's people. 17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his cording to all things that .lehoiada the ' altars and his images in pieces, and ".slew priest had commanded, and took every INIattan the priest of Baal before the altars, man his men that were to come in on the 18 Also Jehoiada appointed the ofliccs sabbath, with them that were to go out on , of the house of the Lord by the hand of the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dis- the priests the Levites, whom David had missed not the ''courses. distributed p in the house of the Lord, to 9 INIorcovor Jehoiada the priest deliver- offer the burnt-oflcrings of the Lord, as ed to the captains of hundreds spears, and it is i written in the law of Moses, with of the Lord, save the priests, and they that minister* of the Levites ; 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 his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else Cometh ''into the house, he shall be put to death : but be ye with the king when he Cometh in, and when he goeth out. 8 So the Levites and all Judali did ac- bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, ''which were in the house of God. 10 And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right *side of the ttemple 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 put upon him the crown, and gave him the ''testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anoint- ed him, and said, +God save the king. 12 11 Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the Lord: 1 3 And ^she looked, and behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land ^ rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the ''singers with instruments of music, and such as taught to singpraise. Then 'Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, ^Treason, treason. 14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them. Have her J forth of the ranges: and whoso fol- loweth her, let him be slain with the a I Cliron. 23 : 28, 29. b Num. 3 : 10, 38. c 1 Cliroo. cll. 24, 25. .1 2 Sam. 8:7.* Heb. $hnuldcr. f H<;b. hnute. • Deiit 17 : ls-20. f Heb. Let the king live, f Psn. U : S. e Prov. 11:10. hi Cliron. 2.t:6-8. iEccl. 9:12. % Heb. C<>Fi»piracy. j Ex. 21 : U. k Neb. 3:28. 1 Psa. 5:6; .15:23; Jaine,«2:l:). ni DeuL 29 : 1-15. n Deut. 14. Ranges; ranks of guards around the temple. INSTRUCTFOXS. 1. Revolutions in human governments are some- times needlul ; and those who are most distinguished by wisdom, integrity, and influence, arc tiie best fitted to take the direction of them, and to conduct them to successful results. 8. Power to select rulers is with the people, and in doing it they should regard the word and will of G-od ; selecting such persons and conducting in such a manner as will meet his approbation. rejoicing and with singing, as it was or- dained II by David. 19 And he set the ''porters at the gates of the house of the Lord, that none whicli teas unclean in any thing should enter in. 20 And he took the 'captains of hun- dreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the Lord: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. 21 And all the people of the 'land re- joiced : and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword. CHAPTER XXIV. I Joash reifrneth well all the days of Jehoiaila. 4 He givi-th order for the repair of the temple, lo Ji>hoi- ada's death and honorable burial. 17 Joasli. falling to idolatry, slayeth Zeohariah the son of J<>hoiada. 23 Joash is spoiled by tlie Syrians, and slain by Za- baJ and Jehozabad. 27 Amaziah siicccedeth liiin. JOASH '^tcas seven years old when he began to reigii, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beer-shcba. 2 And Joash did thai which rcas right in the sight of tlie Lord all the ^days of Jehoiada the priest. 26:17-19. « Deut. 13:9. i> I Cliron.rb.23,24. q Num. fli.28. || Heb. hyl/ie hnnilt of. r 1 Cliron. 26; I, etc. • 2 Kinfrs, II : 19. i Pun. fW : 10, 1 1 ; Rev. 18 : 20 ; 19 : 1 , 3. « 2 Kings, 11:21; 12 : 1, etc. " ch:is will use it to tin ^ i and the good of mankind. 18. Whatever be the form of govertlnient and who- ever is called to administer it. it should be carried on in accordance with the reveahd \«ill of Grod ; and should protect all in their just rights, especially the 5C5 The temple repaired. 11. CHRONICLES, XXIV, Idolatry of Joask. 3 And Jehoiada took for him Uro wives ; and he benat sons and daughters. 4 •; And it came to jmss after this, that Joash was minded to *repair the house of the Lord. 5 And he gathered together the priests and tlic Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Le- vites hastened it not. set the house of God in his state, ^k^u.'JS; and strengthened it. 14 And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister, and ^ to offer iritlial, and spoons, and vessels of gold and sil- ver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of .Jehoiada. 15 II But Jehoiada waxed old, and was 6 And the king called for Jehoiada the full of days when he died ; a liundrcd and chief, and said unto him. Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the col- lection, according to the '■commandment of ]Moses the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Isi'ael, for the ''tabernacle of witness'? 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wick- ed woman, had ""broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated ''things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim. 8 And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the Lord. 9 And they made atproclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the Lord the '"collection that Moses the ser- vant of God laid upon Israel in the wil- derness. 10 And all the princes and all the peo- ple "^ rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end. 11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much mon- ey, the king's scribe and the high-priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did ^day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also such as wrouglit iron and brass to mend the house of the Lord. 13 So the workmen wrought, and ^the work was perfected by them, and they » H'-b. riMtia. • Kx. HO : 1-2-16. h Num. 1 : 60 : Arts 7 ; 44. t rlii.p. -21 : 17. * Kiek. Ifi ; 17-19 ; Honei. i : X, n. t Heb. voict. rvPr.K. r.>ror.9:7. B I Cor. 16:1!. t Hv\>. Ihe hralind went up upon Ihr tvmk. % Or, ;«-«/i7l. h clinp. «; v.-rse-2: 1-2, M. 1 Prov. 26 : X. i Prov. 29 ; 1 2. k 1 Kin(^. U : 2:t. I ilmp. 28 : 1 :l ; 2'.l : 8 ; 3fi: U-I6; .IuilgesS:8; HoseaS: 10, M; Zepli. I : 4-6; Epli.5:ti. right to worship their Maker according to the dictates of coiLSoience. CHAPTER XXrV. 0. T/ie commandment of Moses; Exodus 30:1?- 16. 566 thirty years old xcas he when he died. 16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done ''good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house. 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made ' obeisance to the king. Then the king J hearkened unto them. 18 And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and ''served groves and idols: and wrath 'came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. 19 Yet "'he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but "they would not give ear. 20 And the Spirit of God I'came upon Zcchariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them. Thus saitli God, "Why transgressye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ''ye have forsak- en the Lord, he hath also forsaken you. 21 And they i conspired against him, and ■■ stoned him with stones at the com- mandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord. 22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but "slew his son. And when he died, he said. The Lord look upon it, and 'require it. 23 11 And it came to pass *at the end of the year, that the "host of Syria came up against him : and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of tDamaseus. m .)er. 7 : 'JS, M ; '25 : 4 ; 26 : B. n P»a. ft'i : 7, 8 ; Art* 7 : ol . \\ Heb. clothed, .IuU?i-» fi : .'M. » Num. 14:41. p clinp. 15 : i. q Jer. 18:18. r Mnttlie\v2I:35; 2:t:35; Actii7:58, 59 • Proverln 17:1.3. I Psulm 10:14; .Ier.5l:56; Lukell:51; 2 Tlmotliy, 4 : 16. * Htb. in lUc revolution of. u 2 Kings, 12 : 17. t Heb. Darmtftk. 14. ContinitaUy ; daily. 17. Aladr obeisance ; rendered homage, and made entreaty for the restoration of idolatry. 22. tiook upon it ; will look upon it, atid re- quire, that is, punish it. Joash is slain. II. CHRONICLES, XXV. R c ign of Am a z ia h S; u'sS^' 24 For the army of the Syrians came witli a ^small company of men, and the Lord ''delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they exe- cuted "^judgment against Joash. 25 And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of '' Jelioiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died : and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings. 26 And these arc they that conspired against him : *Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of tShimrith a INIoabitess. 27 T[ Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the ^repairing of the house of God, behold, they arc written in the ^story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XXV. 1 Amaziah beginnetli to reign well. 3 He executeth justice on the traitors. 5 Having hired an army of Israelites against the Edomites, at the word of a prophet he loseth the huTidred talents, and dismisseth them. 11 He ovcrthroweth the Kdomites. 10, 13 The fsraelites, discontented with their dismission, spoil as they return home. 14 Ariiaziali, proud of his victory, serveth the gods of Edom, and despiseth the admonitions of the prophet. 17 He provoketh Joash to his overthrow. 25 His reign. 27 He is slain by conspiracy. AMAZIAH ''ivas twenty and five years old when lie began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jeru- salem. And his mother's name ircis Je- hoaddan of Jerusalem. 2 And he did that which was right in the « Lev. 2H : 37 ; Deut 32 : 30 ; Isb. 30 : 17. b Lev. 26 : 2.n ; Deut ?8:25,48. c cliap.22; 8 ; Isa. 10 : .1. it verses 2 1, 22. " Or, Joz- orAai-, 2 Kings, 12:21. t O', Shotnei: t Ueb. founding, j Or, commentary. e 2 Kings, 14 : 1. etc. f Psa. 78 r 37 ; Isa. 2!1 : 13 ; 24. Exeviited'jiidgment ; the just judgments of God against Joash for his sins. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. It is a great blessing for men, especially when young, to be surrounded with wise and pious coun- sellors ; and in following their advice they will find the ways of wisdom to be ways of pleasant nes-i and her paths to be paths of peace. 4. Many are zealous in the externals of religion who have no real piety ; and who, when left to the flattery of the wicked, will cast off the .appearance of religion and be guilty of the most abominable iniquity. 7. \Vicked rulers by their profane treatment of sacred things, corrupt the hearts of the people and bring down upon them the just judgments of G-od. 10. When rulers and those in authority set the example of outward respect for divine things, mul- titudes are ready to follow; and many will give of their substance to repair and decorate houses of worship, who will not give their hearts to God. 17. When pious persons who have been instru- mental in keeping up public worship, are removed sight of the Lord, but ""not with a perfect heart. 3 T[ Now it came to pass, when the king- dom was II established to him, tliat lie slew his servants that had killed the king his father. 4 But he slew not their children, bul did as it 15 6 written in the law in the book of Moses, Avhere the Lord commanded, say- ing, '■ The fathers shall not die for tiie chil- dren, neillier shall the children die for the fathers, but every man sliall die for his own sin. 5 1[ Moreover Amaziah gathered Judali together, and made them captains over thousands, and captains over luindreds, according to the liouscs of their fathers, throughout all Judah and Benjamin: and he numbered them from 'twenty years old and above, and found them three hun- dred thousand choice men, able to go forth to war, that could handle spear and shield. 6 He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver. 7 But there came a man of God to him, saying, 0 king, let notthearmy of Israel go with thee ; for the Loud is not with Israel, to w'it. icifh all the children of Ephraim. 8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the 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 what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the *army of Israel? And the man of God answer- ed. The Lord is ''able to give thee much more than this. 1 0 Then Amaziah separated them, to irit. Hosea 10:2: James 1 :8; 4:8. \\ Heb. confirmed upon him. eDeut.24:l6. b Jer. 31 : 30 ; Kick. 1 8 : 20. iNum.l:3. j rhnp, 20:t>; Psalme2:ll ; Eccl.9: II. ' Ve\>. band, k Psalm 24 : 1 ; Prov. 10:22; Phil. 4:19. by death, survivors who have no love for it often renounce it, and show by their conduct that their appearance of religion sprung from regard to men, not to God. 19. Apostates who have cast off the fear of the Lord, are exceedingly averse to being reproved for their sins, and often hate, persecute, and even kill those who reprove them. 22. Though God sometimes suffers the wicked to kill his servants, and their punishment m.iy be for a while delayed, it will, unless they repent, in due time overtake them. 24. With a very small company God can easily overcome and desolate the country of those who rebel against him, and show them, by their puni.sh- ment, his wrath against their iniquity. CHAPTER XXV. 2. He dill that which was right ; externally and for a time. C He hired also a hundred thousand mighty men ; to assist him in a war which he proposed aoTiinst the Edomites. 567 AmaziaVs idolatry II. CHRONICLES, XXV. and doumfall. the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go *hoine again : wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in tgreat anger. 1 1 1[ And Amaziah strengthened him- self, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand. 12 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces. 1 3 1[ But the isoldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth- horon, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil. 14 1[ Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought *the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to he his gods, and ''bowed down himself be- fore them, and burned incense unto them. 15 Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said un- to him. Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, "= which could not de- liver their own people out of thy handl 16 And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten'? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath ^determined to de- stroy thee, ''because thou h.ast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel. 17 •[ Then ''Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the sou of Jeho- ahaz, the son of Jeliu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face. 1 8 And Joash king of Israel sent to Am- aziah king of Judah, saying, The lUhistle that?ra.s- in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daugh- * Heb. to their place. f Heb. heat of anger. J Heb. font of the band. • cliiip. 2K: 23. li Kx itO : ;), ft ; Isn. 44 : 19. c vereee II, 12; P»il.9B:S. ^ Heh. eountelled. d 1 S.im. 2 : 25. e 2 Hints, 14:8, etc. \\ Or, furzehuth, or thoin. " Hvh. beast of the Jield. 11. Children of Seir ; Edomites. 17. Let Its see one another ; engage in battle. 27. Lachish ; in the south-west part of Judah. 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 counsel of the Lord, they may expect them to be sources of trouble, if not of ruin. 7. Men, out of regard to their own interests merely, sometimes do externally as the Lord directs, 5C8 ter to my son to wife : and there *'B"t\!46 passed by a *wild beast that was in Leb- anon, and trode down the thistle. 19 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the P^domites; and thy heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? 20 But Amaziah would not hear; ""for it came of God, that lie might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom. 21 So Joash the king of Israel went up ; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah. 22 And Judah was tput to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent. 23 And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of^Jchoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the +corner-gate, ''four hun- dred cubits. 24 And he took all the gold and the sil- ver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria. 25 1[ And 'Amaziah the son of Joash king of Jndah lived after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years. 26 Now the rest of the act.s of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel ? 27 H Now J after the time that Amaziah did turn away from Hollowing the Lord they II made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there. 28 And they brought him upon horses, and buried liim with his fathers in the city of *Judah. f chap. 22:7: verse IB; 1 Kings, 12: IS. f Heb. tmilten. « Hinp. 21:17. ^ Heb. gate of it that luokelh. h chap. 2K : >). i 2 Kin^s, 14:17, etc. j cbnp. 1.t:2. % Heh. after. [| Hvh. contpireil u compiracy. * That is, the city of David; 2 Kings, 14 : 20. 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 obe- dience to God may occasion, it is wise to make it. for God can give us much more than we lose for . his sake. 12. Apostasy and cruelty are often united. W.-tr tends to the production and increase of both, and is a source of innumerable evils to mankind. 14. That men who know the true God and have received special blessings from him, should renounce Uzziali's prosperity, II. CHROxMCLES, XXVI. sin, and punishment. tlut CHAPTER XXVI. 1 Uzziah succeeding, and reigning well in the days of Zechariah, prospereth. Ki Waxing proud, he invad- etli the priest"s office, and is smitten with leprosy. 2'i He dielh, and Jotham succeedelh him. THEN *all the people of Jiulah took Uzziah,* who was sixteen ycar.s old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. 2 He built Eloth, and restored it to ,Iudah, after that the king slept with his fathers. 3 Sixteen years old ?i'«.s- Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also teas Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did that ichich was right in the sight of the Lord, aecording to all that his father Amaziah did. 5 And he sought God in the days ''of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visionst of God : and as '^ long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. 6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities -about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. 7 And God helped liim ''against th€ Philistines,'^ and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mchunim. 8 And the Ammonites gave ''gifts to Uz- ziah ; and his name s spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt ; for he strength- ened himself exceedingly. 9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Je- rusalem at the s corner-gate, and at the valley-gate, and at the turning of the wall, and i fortified them. 10 Also he built towers in the desert, and 'digged many wells : for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the jilains ; husbandmen also, and vine-dress- ers in the mountains, and in tCarmel: for he loved ^husbandry. 1 1 Moreover Uzziah had a host of fight- ^ ing men, that went out to war by bands,; aecording to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maa- seiah the ruler, under the hand of Hana- niah, one of the king's captains. » i Kinss, 14:21, 'ii; 15: 1, etc. * Or, Azariah. k chap. 2-« : 2 ; Gen. 41 : I."*, 38 ; Dan. 1 : 17 ; 10 : 1. t Heb. seeinff. c I Cliron. 2-2:13. J Or, m the country <)/ A/irfod. d lChron.5:20; Isa. I4:2f'. ' chap. 21 : 16. f chnp. 17:11. \ Heb. wtnt. f chap. 25:2;!; Neh. 3:13, 32; Zocli. 14:10. n Or, repairtd. "Or, ctil out muny citterns. \ Oz, fruitful Jteldi. X Hih. ground. liis service, bow down to idols, and expect to be trainers by it, shows that the heart is deceitful above ;ill thin£;s and desperately wicked. 16. \^'hen men persevere in rejecting the coun.se! of G-od. it is evidence that he intends to destroy them. 17. As a punishment for their sins, God otten suf- fers the wicked, in gratification of their pride, to engage in projects which occasion their ruin. 'Si^ Turning away from the Lord is often followed by great troubles from men, who, though they mean not so, neither does their heart think so, are yet 12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valor loere two thousand and six hundred. 13 And under their hand u-us ^an army, three hundred thousand and seven thou- sandand five hundred, that madewarwith mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. 14 And Uzziah prepared for them through- out all the host shields, and .spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings II to cast stones. 15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name *spread far abroad ; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. 1 6 ^ But '■when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his 'destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and J went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. 17 And^ Azariah the priest went in af- ter him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men : 18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto hitn, It appcrtainvth 'not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are '"consecrated to burn in- cense: go "out of the sanctuary ; for thou hast trespassed; ncither.v/i(i//j7 6c for thine honor" from the Lord God. 19 Tlien L^zziah was Pwroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while") he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the inccnsc-altar. 20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and be- hold, he xi'as leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself"^ hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. 21 And 'Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a + several 'house, being a leper; for he % HfiXt. the power of an army. \\ Heh. ttonei of ttinpt. * Heb went forth, h chap. 25: 1<(; Deiit. 8: 14: 32: 1."). i I'rov. IB: IS i 2 Kings, 16:12, 13. k 1 Cliron. 6: 10. 1 Num. 16: 40: 18 : <. n> Ex. :!0:7, 8; Heb. 6:4. n l Cor. ft : .1. ol Sam. 2:30. p chap. 25:16. 1 Num. 12:10; 3Kinga,6:27. r E!ither6: 12. •2King«, 15:6. fWeb.free. t Lev. 13 : 46; Nuni.6: 2 ; 12: 16; 2 Kingi>,7:3. instrumental in executing the wrath of God upon those who rebel against him. CHAPTER XXVI. 7. Mehtini >7i ; a people in Arabia. 10. Carmel ; a fertile region in Judah. 14. Habergeons ; armor covering the neck and breast. 21. Several house : one separate from all other.*!. INSTRUCTIONS. 5. Those who rightly seek the Lord will not want 569 Jothams good reign. II. CHRONICLES, XXVIII. Evil reign of Aha was cut off from the hoii.se of the Lord: aiul .lotham his sou icas over the king's house, judging the people of the land. 22 ^ Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did "Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write. 23 So '' Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him M'ith his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said. He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTEll XXVII. 1 .Totham reigning well prospereth. 5 He siibdueth the Ammonites. 7 His reign. 9 Ahaz succeedeth him. JOTHAM *= U'as twenty and five years old Mhen he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also teas Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok. 2 And he did that u-hich was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father LTzziah did : howbeit he entered not into the temple of the Lord. And the people did yet corruptly. 3 He built the high gate of the house of the Lord, and on the wall of *Ophel he built much. 4 Moreover he built cities in the moun- tains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. ') *[] He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. .Vnd the children of Ammou gave him the same year a hundred talents of sil- A'er, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. tSo much did the children of Amnion pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. 6 So .lotham became ''mighty, because ''he preparedt hiswaysbefore the Lord his God. 7 1[ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they arc written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was five and twenty years old when lie began to reign, and reigned six- teen years in Jerusalem. 9 ^ And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David : and Aliaz his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XXVIII. 1 Ahaz reigning very wickedly is greatly afflicted by the Syrians. 6 Judah being captivated by the Israel- ites is sent home by the counsel of Oded the prophet. 16 Ahaz sending (or aid to Assyria is not helped thereby. 2'2 In his distress he groweth more idola- trous. 20 He dying, Hezekiah succeedeth him. A H AZ ^ icas twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned six- teen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which vas right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father: 2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also ^molten images for ''Baalim. 3 Moreover lie ^^ burnt incense in the valley' of the son of Hinnom, and J burnt his children in the fire, after the abomi- nations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 5 Wherefore'' the Lord his Cod delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria ; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought ihcm to "Damascus. And he was also de- livered info the hand oF the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. 6 For ' Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, icJiich ivere all *valiant men; because '"they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. a Isa. 1:1. b Isa. 6:1. c 2 Kinpi, 16 :3-2, etc. * Or, tlie /ou!. c Gen. 4: 10; Eira»:fi; Rev. IS:.!!, d Lev. 2n : :13, etr. 0 Jer. 2S : 2H ; Mat 7 : 2-4. < Is«. .W : 6 ; Jer. S4 1 1 4. f Jiw. .•:13. b verse 12. i 2 Kings, B:22 ; Prov. 2.=i:21, 22; Luke 6:27, 8. Samaria ; the capital of Israel. 9. A rage that rcacheth np unto heaven; a very great and wicked rage. ' 19. Naked ; weak and defenceless. INSTRUCTION'S. .3. The frequency with which God's ancient peo- ple forsook him and imitated the heathen, showed that they did not like to retain him in their know- 17 For again the ""Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives, t 18 The "Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth-she- mesh, and Aijalon, and Gedcroth, and Soco with the villages thereof, and Tim- nah with the villages thereof, (limzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there. 19 For the Lord brought "Judah low be- cause of Ahaz king of Israel : for he made JiidahPnaked, and transgressed sore against the Lord. 20 And iTilgath-pilneser king of As- syria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened liim not. 21 For Ahaz took away a portion o"/ of the house of the Lord, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave jVunto the king of Assyria : but he helped him not. 22 *\\ And in the time of his di.strcss did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, t which smote him : and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may Mielp me. But they were the "ruin of him, and of all Israel. 24 And Ahaz gathered together the ves- sels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and 'shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 And in "every several city of Judah he made high places to ^burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers. 26 Tl Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem : but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel : and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead. 3S. jKom.lSrl. k Deut, 94: 3 ; Judgirs I : 16. 1 2 Kin:pi. Hi: 7. in Ob.nl. 10. 13, 14. t Yi'-h. a oiptimtv. ■> Eickiel 16:J7, .".7. o Pan. 106:4.3. p Ex. 32:;S; Rev. 3: 17. I.« ; Ifi: IB. <1 2 Kingit, 15:2y: 16:7-9. J Heb. DofmfK*. r.ler. 10: ."i; 44: r7-2« • 1«. 1:28; Hos. 13:9. i diap. 2!) : 3, 7. o Jer. 1 1 : 1:1 \Ot,«ffcr. ledtre, and were therefore often given up to their own hearts' lusts, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 5. When rulers and people imitate the heathen in their practices, tliey may expect the heathen to hecome instruments oi their piinifhinc^it, and exe- cutioners of divine venge.ince upon them for their sins. 071 Hezekiah's good reign. II. CHRONICLES, XXIX. I7te temple cleansed. CHAPTER XXIX. 1 Hezekiah's good reign. 3 He re.storeth religion. 5 He exhorteth the Levites. I'i They sanctify them- selves, and cleanse the house of God. '.W Hezekiah offerelh solemn sacrifices, wherein the Levites were more forward than the priests. HKZEKI All" began to reign ivhen he zcas five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Je- rusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of'Zechariah. 2 And he did that ichich v-as right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. 3 "i" He in the ■= first year of his reign, in the first month, ''opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them. 4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street, 5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Le- vites,''sanctify now yourselves, and sanc- tify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the ""holy place. 6 For Sour fathers have trespassed, and done that ichich teas evil in the eyes of the Lord our God, and have forsaken him, and have'' turned away their faces from the habi- tation of the Lord, and * turned thcir'ba.cks. 7 Also they have 'shutuplhedoorsofthe porch, and put out the lamps, and have not iDurned incense nor offered burnt-offerings iu tlic holy place unto the God of Israel. 8 Wherefore J the wrath of the Lord was upon Judah and .lerusalem, and he hath delivered them to ttroublc, to astonishment, and to '' hissing, as yc see with your eyes. 9 For, lo, our fathers have ' fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for tiiis. 10 Now it i.'i in my heart to make a cove- nant'" with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. 1 1 My sons, be not now ^negligent : for the Lord hath "chosen you to stand before « 2King8, 18:1, etc. b cliap.26:.5. c Pea. 101 : ."i ; Gal. 1:16. il verse 7. o clinp. 3.5: fi; 1 Cliron. 15: 12. f Kzek. S:."). 9, etc. I! Nell. 9: 1«. h Jer. 2:27; Ezek. 8:16. * Heh. given the neck. i r1inp.C8:24; ver.ie 3; Mai. 1:10. j cliap.24:in. t Heb.com- msd'on, Deut.28:2/>. k lKings,9:8; Jer. 18: 16, 16; 25:9, 18. 16. No application to the wicked and no depend- ence on creatures will help those who have God for their enemy, or deliver them from the eflVcts of his wrath against their sins. 2Q. Distresses which come upon men on account of their sins, instead of leading them to repentance, will if they are left to themselves lead them to tres- pass more and more, till they beinn; often reproved and hardening their hearts, are suddenly destroyed and that without remedy. CHAPTER XXIX. T). Srr7icfifi/; cleanse. G. The ha))itatio)i. of the Lord ; the temple, where the Lord manifested his presence. IG. The brook ICidroii ; on the east of Jerusa- lem. him. to serve him, and thatyeshould ^b^b.^: minister unto him, and ^burn incense. 12 HThen the Levites arose, •jNIahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the " Kohathites : and of the sons of ^Nlcrari; Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehale- lel : and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah : 13 And of the sons of Elizaphan ; Shim- ri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zeehariah, and Mattaniah : 14 And of the sons of Heman ; Jehiel, and Shimei : and of the sons of Jeduthun ; Shemaiah, and Uzziel. 15 And they gathered their brethren, and P sanctified themselves, and came, ac- cording to the commandment of the king, byli the words of the Lord, to ''cleanse the house of the Lord. 16 And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord, to cleanse it, and brought "^out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron. 17 Now they began on the first r/a?/ of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the' porch of theLoRD : sotheysanctificdlhehouscofthe Lord in eight days ; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end. 18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, and the altar of burnt- offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the show-bread table, with all the ves- sels thereof. 19 Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did 'cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanc- tified, and behold, they are before the altar of the Lord. 20 H Then Hezekiah the king rose early, %: I cliap. 28:5, 8, etc.; Lam. 5:7. ™ clinp. 15: 12 n Num. 3 : 6, 7 ; 18 : 2-B. % Or, offer tna-ijice. p verse 5. \\ Or, in the businest. <| 1 Chron 23 : 28. r Mat 21:12,13. al Kings, 6:3. I chap. 28 : 24. 17. The first mo7ith; Nisan, part of MaTch and April. INSTRUCTIONS. 3. In entering on a new situation it is of great Importance to begin right ; for the first actions may have a leading influence upon all which follow. .5. Ministers of religion must themselves be holy, to be instrumental of promoting holiness in others. 8. All troubles are the consequences of sin, and should lead men to repentance and to newness of life. 1.5. In reformations, ministers of the gospel and civil rulers should take the lead, go before the people in every good work, and set examples which all may safely and usefully follow. 25'. Hearty turning unto the Lord is a source of Hezekiah offereth ir. CHRONICLES, XXX, solemn sacrifices. J.":'^- and gathered Ihc rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the Lord. 2 L And they brought seven bullocks, and scA^en rams, and seven lambs, and seven he- goats, for a sin-offering *for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the Lord. 22 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and ''sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar : they killed also the lamb's, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar. 23 And they brought *forth the he-goats for the sin-offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them : 24 And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood up- on the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel; for the king commanded that the burnt-offering and the sin-offering should be made for all Israel. 25 And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and witii harps, '^accordingtothecommand- ment of David, and of "^ Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet : '"for so was t lie com- mand ment of the Lord tby his prophets. 26 And the Levites stood with the '^in- struments of David, and the priests with the strumpets. 27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt-offering upon the altar. And when"^ the burnt-offering began, the ''song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the * instruments ordained by David king of Israel. 28 And all the congregation worshipped, and the i!singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; a)id all this continued until the burnt-offering was finished. 29 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were 'pres- ent with him ' bowed themselves, and worshipped. 30 JMoreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sins praise unto the Lord with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And Ihey sang praises \Aith 'gladness, and they bowed'' their heads and worshipped. 31 Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have tconsecrated yourselves un- to the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices j and 'thank-offerings into the house of the Lord. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings ; and as many Jaswere of a free heart, burnt-offcring.s. I 32 And the number of the burnt-offer- ings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, a hun- ;dred rams, and two hundred lambs; all I these u'crc for a burnt-offering to the Lord. 33 And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. , 34 But the priests were too few, so tliat they could not flay all the burnt-ofrering.s : wherefore their brethren the Levites +did help"' them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified them- selves ; "for the Levites ircre more °up- [ right in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. 35 And also the burnt-ofTerings n-ere in abundance, with the Pfat of the peace-of- ferings, and the ''drink-oflcrings {or every burnt-offering. So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order. 30 And ■'Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had 'prepared the peo- ple ; for the thing was done suddenly. CHAPTER XXX. 1 Hezekiah proclaimeth a solemn passover on the sec- ond month for Judah and Israel. 1.3 The assembly, having destroyed the altars of idolatry, keep the feast fourteen days. 27 Tlie priests and Levites bless the people. AND Hezekiah sent to all Israel and .lu- dah,and wrote letters alsoto Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel. 2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in •Icrusalem, to keep the passover in the second' month. 3 For they could not keep it at that time," because the priests had ^ not sanc- tified themselves sufiiciently, neither had the people gathered themselves togetlier to .Icrusalem. 4 And the thing * pleased the king and all the congregation. 5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throuirhout all Israel, from Beer-shcba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem : for they liad not done it of a long time in such sort as it was "written. » r.cv. 4:3, H. b I.ev.S: 14, etc.: Hel).i>:2l. ' Heb. near. c c1i:ip 8: 14; 1 Cliron. 16:4; 2:!:."!; ■» : I, etc. ^ 5 Sam. 24: II. • cliR >. OT: 12. t Heh. /.v the hand nf. I I Cbnin. 2:) : 5 ; P.. 2.1: 18; Ps.i. 137:S. 4. h Heh. handt of iiutnt- vicnts. WiXeh.simg. * Hch. found, i clmp. 20: 18; r»«.72:ll. n-radncss and joy; ."aid as it conies from God and is tfie fruit of lii.s Spirit, it should be acknowledged vrith adoring gratitude and praise. 37 j Pan. Il»l:2. k r..n. H-i-il. f Or, Jillrd fow knnd, chap. iX-.t. I Lev. 7:12. $ Heh. ttrenglhtntd. m rli»p. .•» : 1 1. ■ rlmp. 30:fl. o Psn. 2ii:6: W: Ift. pl.ev.S:!!;^ q Num. l.'i:5-in. rEi™fi:22. • P»,T.'lO: 17; Pror. 1«: I. t Num. 9: 10. 11. ■ Fl. 12:6. m. r ch.ip. 2fl : 34. \ Hcb. tcnl tight in the tytl iff. w I>cut. 12 : 32 ; 1 Cnr. 11:2. • CHAPTER :XXX. 5. As it was ifritloi ; vniiten and required in the law of Moses. 573 The passovcr proclaimed, II. CHRONICLES, XXX. and kept with joy. 6 So the posts went with the letters from* the king and his princes through- out all Israel and Jndali, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, *turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the ''rem- nant of you, 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, u-ho therefore gave them "'up to desola- tion, as ye see. 8 Now The ye not ""stifr-necked, as your fathers li'ere. but ^ yield '^yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever : and serve the Lord your God, that the s fierce- ness of his wrath may turn away from you. 9 For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find 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 returnJ unto him. 10 So the posts passed from city to city, through the country of Ephraim and Ma- nasseh, even unto Zebulun : but '' they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. 11 Nevertheless, 'divers of Ashcr and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled them- selves, and came to Jerusalem. 12 Also in .Tudah the hand of ""God was (o give them one heart to do the com- mandment of the king and of the princes, by "the word of the Loud. 13 ^And there assembled at "Jerusa- lem much people to keep the feast of un- leavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. 14 And they arose and took away the altars? that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast than into the brook Kidron. * Heb. from the hand of. i Jer. 4:1; Lnni. B : 21 ; Joel 2 : 13, H. blcn.fijn. e E7.ek. 20: 13. etc.; Heb. .1:7-11. « cliap. 29:8. t H*th. harden not yuurnecks. e Dent, 10: 16; Rom. 10:21. % HvI'. five the Itand; 1 Clirnn.M:':4 : Kxra 10: 1'l. f Uom. H:13-I9- S rlmp. 29; 111. h Pjn. lOBHR. > Ex. 3) :fi; Nell. 9: 17, :;l ; Pea. 111:4; Joimh 4:2. j I'rov. 28 : 13 ; Isii. 55 : 7. k chap. 6. Kings of Assyria ; Piil and Tigla th-pileser. 14. The allars ; idolatrous altars which they had •auBcd to be erected. l."). Kilted the passover ; animals slain for the .)ocasion. Were ashamed ; to see the people go before them in the good work of reformiition. 17. Not sail etified; by the performance of those ceremonicK which were roquirecl by tlie law of Moses. 20. Healed the people ; pardoned and accepted them, because they were' sincere in his service, not- withstanding their ceremonial uncleanness. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The true friends cf God are exceedingly desir- 574 15 Then they killed the passover ^"c^i. on the fourteenth r/rtj/of the second month : and the i priests and the Lcvites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt- offerings into the house of the Lord. 16 And they stood in their ^ place after their manner, according to the law of !\Io- ses the man of God : the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Lcvites. 17 For there were many in the congre- gation that were not sanctified : therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the Lord. 18 For ■'a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and ISIanasseh, Issa- char and Zebulun, had not 'cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hez- ekiah prayed for Ihcm, saying. The good Lord pardon every one 19 That 'prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purifi- cation of the sanctuary. 20 And the Loud "hearkened to Heze- kiah, and healed the people. 21 And the children of Israel that were presentll at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness : and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, .tinging with *loud instruments unto the Lord. 22 And Hezckiah spake tcomfortably unto all the Levites that "taught tlie good knowledge of the Lord : and they did eat throvghout the feast scA'cn days, offering peace-offerings, and "making confession to the Lord God of their fathers. 23 And the whole assembly took coun- sel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah +did give to the congregation a thousand bul- locks and seven thousand sheep; and the .3R:16. 1 clinp.JI :16:ver8CS 18, 21. m Jer. 24 : 7 ; Er.ck. S6 : 26 ; Phil. 2:13. n chap. 20:25. o Psn. 84 : 7. p chap. 28:24. q chap. 2<):.34. ^ Wv\i. tlandhig. r verse 11. • Num. 9: 10, etc. t chop. 19:.3. u jHUie.'>.'i: I.'.. || Hfb. /",.««(/. * Heh. inslrumenll of strength. t Heb. to the hnnl :\f all, Isa. 40 : 2. t Deut. 33 : 10. w Kzra 10: 11. % Heb. lifted up, or offered. ous that all. brethren and strangers, friends and foes, should unite in worshipping him and .attending, ac- cording to his requirements, on his ordinances. 6. If those wliit are suffering for their sins heartily forsake them and turn unto the Lord, he will have mercy upon tliem, turn from tlie titrccness of his anger, and do them good according to tlie riches of his grace. 10. When the offers of mercy are made to men, some treat them with scorn and contempt; others who feel their need of mercy, joyfully accept tliem, humble themselves before God, and devote their bodies and souls to his service. Zeal of the people II. CHRONICLES, XXXI, against idolatry. t'.c.'rS^' princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep : and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. 25 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the con- gregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem : for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there ivas not the like in Jerusalem. 27 T[ Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came vp to *his holy dwelling-place, even unto heaven. CHAPTER XXXI. 1 The people is forward in destroying idolatry. 2 Hez- ekiah orderelh the courses of the priests and Levites. and provideth for their work and maintenance. H The people's forwardness in otlerings and tithes. 11 Hezekiah appointeth officers to dispose of the tithes. 20 The sincerity of Ilezekiah. "VrOW when all this was finished, all _Ln Israel that were tpresent went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the tim- ages in * pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars'" out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and jNIanasseh, until Hhey had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. 2 *[[And Hezekiah appointed the '^courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his ser- vice, the priests and ''Levites for burnt- offerings and for pcace-ofTerings, to min- ister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord. 3 //. fh hahittttiim of his U, Hness V* 1. w .-.. t Heb found. f Heb. statues, a •> Kin;; ,18:4. li iliilp :>,» : H. \ Heb. to t nakean 1 CI ron. 23:6; :4: l,etc . d 1 CI. rnn. Ji.m. • N um., rli. 28, -29. fNuti 1.1 8. -8, etc. Neli.l:): ia-i3 s M;ll. 2:7; 1 Cor. H : 9-1 1 ; 18. The proper prep.Tration of the heart is more important in the sij^lit of God. when attending on liis ordinances, than any mere outward observance ; and inability to attend on what is external, should not lead to the neglect of the heart. 2"^. They -who attend on ordinances sincerely and are accepted of God, nevertheless need lurther in- struction as to his char.acter and will ; and ministers shoukl continue to give such instruction, tliat their hearers may understand the whole -will of God. CHAPTER XXXI. 7. The third month ; Sivan, part of May and dwelt in Jerusalem to give the '"portion of the priests and the Levites, that t iiey might be encouraged «in the law of the Lord. 5 IfAnd as soon as the commandment came Habroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the ''first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil,and*honey, and of all the increase of the field ; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 6 And conceniing the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Ju- dah, they also brought in the 'tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things wiiich were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them tby iicaps. 7 In the third month tlicy began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they ^blessed the Lord, and his people Israel. 9 Then Ilezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered liim, and said. Since the people began to bring the offer- ings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have 'left plenty : for the Lord hath blessed his people ; and that which is left i.-; this great store. 1 1 1[ Then Ilezekiah commanded to pre- pare ^chambers in the house of the Lord ; and they prepared thctn, 12 And brought in the offerings and tlic tithes and the '"dedicated things faithful- ly: over which Cononiah the Lcvite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next. 13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Na- hath, and Asahel, and Jerimotli, and Joz- abad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Ma- hath, and Bcnaiah, ivcre overseers hinder tlie liand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, nt the commandment of Heze- kiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God. 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Le- vite, the porter toward the east, teas over Gal. fi: fi. II Heb. hrakt fotth. h F.j. ■:; : W. « Or, datit. 27 : 30 : Dent. 14: 58. t Heb. heaps, heaps. i Lev. ^^^^. k 1 Cbrnn. 29 : 14 ; K».ri\ 7 : -27 ; 2 Cor. 8 : Ifi ; Phil. 4 : 10, l» 1: 10. i Or, storrhouses. m S Kings, 1'2: lii. \ Heb. at. i Lev. Ifi, etc. IMiiL June. The sevetith month ; Tishri, part of Sep- tember and October. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The finishing of one duty should be a prepara- tion for the performance of others ; and we should never grow weary of well-doing, for in due time wc 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 lib- erally of our substance to support the ministers and worship of God, will be an evidence of sincerity, and a preparation for the reception of his ble.ssings. 8. The bounties of providence and a disposition 575 Offerings and tithes. II. CHRONICLES, XXXII. SennaeheriV s invasion. the freewill-oneriiigs of God, to ^distrib- ute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy tilings. 15 And 'next him li'c/cEden, and Mini- amin, and Joshua, and Shemaiah, Ama- riah, and Shecaniah, in the '' cities of the priests, in tlicir tset olHce, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: 16 Besides their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses ; 17 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Le- vitefi from "^twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses; 18 And to the genealogy of all their lit- tle ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congre- gation : for in their Jsct office they sanc- tified themselves in holiness: 19 Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the '^fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that w^ere expressed by "=name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites. 20 1' And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that ichich teas good "^ and right and truth before the Lord his God. 21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the^law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and ''prospered. CHAPTER XXXII. 1 Sennacherib inYading Jiidah, Hezekiah fortifieth him- self, and encourageth his people. 9 Against the blas- phemies of .Sennacherib, by message and letters, Hez- ekiah and Isaiah pray. 21 An angel destroycth the host of the Assyrians, to the glory of Hezekiah. 24 Hezekiah praying in his sickness, God givelh him a sign of recovery. 2-5 He waxing proud is hum- bled by God. 27 His wealth and works. .31 His error in the ambassage of Babylon. 32 He dying, Manasseh succeedeth him. AFTER 'these things, and the estab- lishment thereof, Sennacherib king of « Nell. 13:13. * Heh. nl hit hand, b .1o»li. 21:9. f Or, liiirt, I Cliron. 9:M. e 1 Cliron. M; ■2^, 27. ^ Or, lru$l. d Lev. '25:34; Num. ^'i:2. • verses 1-2-1.".. » -2 Kings, '20: 3; .lolm 1 : 47 ; Acts -24 ; IB: 1 Tliess. •2:10: 3 .Tohn, .^ K Ps:ilm I : 2, 3. Ii chap.i26:fi; Josll. 1 :7. 8 ; Mnt fi::l3; T: 24--27. i 2 Kiil^ls.lS: 13, etc. ; Isn. 3 : .10 ; Tim. S : W : fi:2'. * Vleb made him /all. j Psnim 37 : 39, 40 ; Hosca 1 : 7. k Psa 4S:I4: 71:20,21. t Heh.prccinut lliinfft. I iKingn, CO: I, etc ; Isa. 31: l,etc. X Or, wought a mitaele far him. n. Pb« l-"). How much less; as if Jehovah vrere less powerful than idols. 21. //« fffive hima si^ii; SKino^s, 20:4-11. 31. Th e business of the arnhassatlors ; 2Kings, 20 : 12, 13. IXSTRTTTTONf!. 7. Those who have God for their helper, have more for them than can ever be against them. the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and ^guid- ed them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and tprcsenls to Hez- ekiah king of Judah : so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth. 24 If In ' those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord : and he spake unto him, and he ^gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah ""rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was "lifted up: "therefore there was wrath upon him, and npon Ju- dah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwitlistanding, Hezekiah hum- bled himself for the ^ pride of his heart, both ^ he and the inhabitants of Jerusa- lem, iso that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. 27 i[And 'Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor : and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of ''pleasant jewels ; 28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. 29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him sub- stance very much. 30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper*water-courscof(iihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31 If Howbeit, in the bu.'sine.i.'! of the ambassadors* of the princes of Babylon, who "sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to ''try him, that he might know all that icns in his heart. 32 ^ Now the rest of the acts of Heze- kiah, and his tgoodness, behold, they are written in the vision of "Isaiah the proph- et, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings* of Judah and Israel. 116:12. n rlnp. 26: 16; D.nn. S : 20, 23 : H^ib. 2 : 4. o rtnp. 24 : IR. J Hel). Ii/Hnt up. 2 King*. 14:10 p .Irr. 56: IK, 19. q I Kin»!<,21 : 19. r Prov. 10:22. || Heh. intlrymeitll n/ iltlirt. < .lob I :3,9: 42: II. I Isa. 22:9. 1 1. ' HrU. inlrffrl'"- «2Kirn», 20:12, etc.; Isa. 39: I. etc. » Peut »; 2, 16 : .Inm'K 1 : IX f Heb. kindnetiei. w Is*, cb. 36-39. n 2 King., ih. 16-20. 10. Implicit confidence in God often appears to worldly men foolish and absurd ; and they o.xpect no more from him, than they do from the idols of the heathen. 16. Speaking against the Lord is a preparation for experiencing his wrath. 20. Prayer to God in trouble is the never failing resource of his people. 577 Reign of Manasseh . II. CHRONICLES, XXXIII. His captivity. 33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, they will take heed to do all that ^b^c.^: and they buried hini in the *chiefest of I have commanded them, according to the sepulchres of the sons of David : and : the whole law and the statutes and the all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusa- ordinances by tlie hand of Moses. lem did him honor *at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. CHAPTER XXXIII. 1 Manasseh's wicked reign. 3 He setteth up iJolatry, and would not be ailmnnished. 11 He is carried into Babylon. l"i Upon his prayer to God he is released, and putteth down idolatry. 18 His acts. 20 He dy- inS< Amon succeedeth him. '21 Amon reigning wick- edly is slain by his servants. 25 The murderers be- ing slain, Josiah succeedeth him, MANASSEH '' was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reign- ed fifty and five years in Jerusalem : 2 But did that tvhich was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the 'abomi- nations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 TTFor he tbuilt again the high places which Hezekiah his father ''liad broken down, and he reared up altars for Baa- lim, and made *" groves, and worshipped alF the host of heaven, and served them. 4 Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said. In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 And she caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Ilinnom: also ''he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar sj)irit, and with wizards : he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. 7 And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the Iiouse of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son. In tliis house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever : 8 Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so tliat 9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, ami to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10 And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people : but they would not hearken. 11 ^Wherefore the Lord brouL^ht upon them tlie captains of the host * of the king of Assyria, which took jNlanasseh among the 'thorns, and J bound him with Metiers, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and ''hum- bled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him : and 'he was entreated of him, and heard his supplica- tion, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then ■" Manasseh knew that the Lord he teas God. 14 Now after this he built a wall with- out the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish-gate, and compassed about Ophel,ll and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. 15 And he took away the "strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. 16 And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace-offer- ings and "thank-olTerings, and command- ed Judah to serve the Lord (iod of Israel. 17 Nevertheless Pthe people did sacri- fice still in the high places, yet unto the Lord their God only. 18 UNow the rest of the acts of :Ma- nasseh,and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the Lord God of Israel, * Or, hinhrtt. «Prov. 10:7. b 2 Kings, 21 ; 1, etc. crimp, j Pan. 107 : 10-14, 28 : 3 ; Peiit 1 8 : 9. 1 2. f H»!b. telurned anil huilt. il iliap. 30 : U ; ' 3I:I;32.I2. t Deut. Hi : -21. fDeut.l7:3. B Eiek. 2:i : 37, 30. h Deut. 18: 10, II. t Hfl). which were Ihe king'i. I I.nm. 3: 7. 25. Even good men, if left to themselves when greatly blessed of G-od, instead of rendering to him gratitude and praise, will be lifted up with pride, and thus draw down upon theiTLselves his chastise- ments. 29. As all earthly substance comes from God, men should receive it as his gift, view it as his property, and use it according to his will. 31. ijod often leaves men to themselves to try them, that they and others may know what is in their hearts, and to lead them to trust in him. Thev will then be as mount Zion that cannot be moved, % Or, cha I 1 Cliron. ,1:50; E7.rn«:2.3. II Or. the /oiwr, ch«p. 27:3. p i Kings, l,'S:4. ini. k Hn.«ea 5:1.'>; I Pet. « : fi. n, Psalm 9:16; Daniel 4 : 34, Sft. a versesS, S, 7. o Lev. 7:li. and in seeking him as their portion they will not want any good thing. CHAPTER XXXIII. 6. Pass through the fire; a mode of devoting them to idols. 10. The Lord spake : bv his prophets. l\STRrC'i'IOX.S. 2. For wise reasons, Lrod often suffers the wicked to prosper for a time in their iniquity ; but if they continue, tlicy will find that judgment lingereth not and damnation slumbcreth not. Manasseh and ^mon. II. CHRONICLES, XXXIV. Josiah's good reign. of the kings of Israel 19 His prayer also, and how God was entreated" of him, and ''all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, "^before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the say- ings of *the seers. 20 1[ So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house; and Anion his son reigned in his stead. 21 U Anion'' v:as two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem. 22 But he did that which icos evil in the sight of the Lord, as did Manasseh his father: for Anion sacrificed unto all the carved" images which IManasseh his fa- ther had made, and served them; 23 And humbled not himself before the Lord, as Manasseh his father had hum- bled himself; but An^ou ^trespassed Onore and more. 24 And liis servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own liouse. 25 H But the people of the land ^slew all them that had conspired against king Anion: and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead. CHAPTER XXXIV. 1 Josiah's good reign. 3 He destroyetti idolatry. 8 He taketh order for the repair of the temple. 14 Hilkiah having found a book of the law, .losiah sendeth to Huldah to inquire of the Lord. 23 Huldah prophe- sicth the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Jo.siah's time. 29 Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, reneweth the covenant with God. JOSIAH'' ira.9 eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Je- rusalem one and thirty years. 2 And he did that u-hich ims right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither' to the right hand, nor to the left. 3 T[For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet J young, he began to seek after the God of David his father : and in the twelfth year he began to '' purge ^ 1 .Tolin 1:9. b Uoni S lA. P»a 119:67, l,7.i. * Or, }J. ■ni. d 2 Kinw. 2 :I9, etr Is n. 4J l:l etc. t Heb. m Ultl- j}fit d trespass, f .ler. 7:26. 1! ieji .V B; .N itn .Vi : 31 33. hiK ns», ■2-2. 1 , etc. i Deut. 5 .•Mi n 11 •M ; ii«: 14 Josh 1:7. j I rov. 10. To reject instruction, and turn a deaf ear to all warnings, is an indication of approaching and speedy ruin. 12. Afflictions may be made the means of leading tlie most hardened sinners to repentance, and thus preparing them for the reception of divine mercy. ]:5. True repentance will show itself in earnest, aflVctionate, and persevering prayer; in breaking oir our sins by rijrhteousness, and our iniquities by turning unto the Lord. Ui. The true penitent will endeavor, as far as possible, to undo the mischiefs which in his days of Judah and Jerusalem from the 'high pla- ces, and the groves, and the carved ima- ges, and the molten images. 4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the + images, that U'ere on high above them, he cut down ; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of '"them, and strewed // upon the ^graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. 5 And he "burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. 6 And so did he in the cities of Manas- seh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even un- to Xaphtali, with their H mattocks round about. 7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images *into "powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. 8 T[ Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his (iod. 9 And when they came to Hilkiah the high-priest, they p delivered tlie money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem. 10 And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the Lord, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the Lord, to repair and amend the house : 1 1 Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to t|loor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed. S:I7: Errl. 1-2: 1. kLev.2fi:30. 1 clinp. 33 : 17, 2i 1 Or. mn imnatl, rliii|.. M : .1. ■» i Kiiisx, 23 : -1. \ H.-l>./.i« of the frai-ti. n 1 Kings, 13:2. |( Or, iihim'«. ' Hvh. ti makt poutlfr. o I>ful. 9:21. p J Kings, 12 : •». t Or, rafter. impenitence he has occasioned, and to reclaim to the love and service of Crod those whom his former vices have led astray. 22. Many imitate their parents and superiors in wickedness, who do not imitate them in their re- pentance : and though they may be their sucrcwsors in this world, they will have no connection or fellow- ship with them in the world to come. CHAPTER XXXrV. 6. Mat tods ; implements of husbandry, used iu digging. ^^^ The book of the law. II. CHRONICLES, XXXIV HtddaWs prophecy. 12 And the men did the "work faithful- ly : and the overseers of them v:cre Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechaiiah and IMeshullam, of the sons of the Koliathites, to set it for- ward; and other 0/ the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of music. 13 Also they were over the ''bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of ser- vice : and of '^the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters. 14 ^And Avhen they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a ""book of the law of the Lord given *by INIoses. 15 And Ililkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan. 16 And Shaphan "carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying. All that was committed tto thy servants, they do it. 17 And they have J gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen. 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath giv- en me a book. And Shaphan read ^it before the king. 19 And it came to pass, when the king had *^heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. 20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdonil the son of Mieah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, 21 Go, s inquire of the Lord for mc, and for them that arc ''left in Israel and in .Tudah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for 'great z.? the w^rath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, be- cause our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book. 22 And Hilkiah, and ihcij that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the proph- etess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tik- vath, the son of *Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe ;t now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the ^college; and they spake to her to that effect. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me, 24 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, J I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, eve7i all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah : 25 Because they have forsaken me, and haA-e burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke mc to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured ''out upon this place, and shall not be quenched. 26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, so shall ye .say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel covicerning the words which thou hast heard ; 27 Because thy heart Avas 'tender, and thou didst "'humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and agai^ist the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep be- fore me; I have even heard ^thee also, saith the Lord. 28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fa- thers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, "neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again. 29 Tl Then Ptlie king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Je- rusalem. 30 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, ^great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the Lord. 31 And the king 1 stood in his place, and made a ''covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his 'testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to 'perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. 32 And he caused all that were Upres- ent in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to tlie covenant of God, the God of their fathers. • chap. 31 :12; Nell. 7:2; 1 Cor.4;I. t> dinp.S: |g; Ne)i.4:IO. //Aw/c«n/n.mo«. . i cli.ip. 8 U. j l'3.l .134:1 t He b.houtc. t Heh.toH$ of Ihc people. k chnp. 33. Made all — to serve; made tliem conform ex- ternally to what was required in the law of Moses. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Piety in early youth saves from many troubles, and is a preparation for great enjoyment and use- fulness in riper years. .5. True reformers will treat vice with abhorrence, and endeavor in all suitable ways to render it con- temptible. S. The preparation of suitable houses, and the regular establishment of public worsiiip, is one of the essential means of general and permanent ref- ormation. 14. If the Scriptures are lost, or the people are not in the habit of reading or hearing them, great de- generacy and wickedness will follow ; and there is no .30 : 3. 15 : Exrn 6 : 20. % Heb. cifftred. I cbnp. 7 : 8-IU ; :i(i : .'t. \\\\f\,. offered. » Heb.nJVifd. iiiEzrafi:l8 « chnp. ■: i i oI.ev.3:3. P Ex. 12 : 8,SI ; Deul 16: 7. <| 1 S«m.2: 13-l.V ■ \\ mif. /tinduMjM. cliap. 32::w. f2Kiii(;», .<6 : 2, etr. f Heh. of m;/ war. \ Huh, maile tick;] Km^a,22:A4. 2:i:30, etc. i Heb. rtmovrd him. f Heb. jnuMtd. g 2 Kins», \\ Or, a inaiiff tilt lepulclnct. c Zecli. 12 : U : Lnin. 4 : 20. <1 Mnt. 24: I, etc. % Or, c/ioim; foretolj, Hab. 1 : 6, etc. 20. Prepared the temple; for the observance of divine worship, according to the law of Moses and tlie commandments of David and Solomon. Char- chemish ; a stroiijjly fortified city on the river Eu- phrates. 21. Valley of Me siddo ; near the river Kishon. in the tribe of Manasseh ; it formed a part of the great plain of Esdraelon. I.X.STRUCTIONS. 2. Rulers should over encourage good works ; and labor to unite all classes, especially ministers of religion, in the regular and habitual worship of God. 582. 6. Due preparation is necessary to acceptable worship. 10. When those in authority set the example, and ministers of religion faithfully do their duty, many may be expected to engage in the service of G-od. 22. It is hazardous to engage in any enterprise, without first asking counsel of God and obtaining his approbation. '2'). Many lument the removal of great and good men, who have not given heed to their instructions while they were living, nor imitated their cxarriple after tlit-y were dead. Zedckiahh reign. 11. CHRONICLES, XXXVI, Jerusalem destroyed. B.c''6«r they are -writteu in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. And *Je- hoiachin his son reigned in his stead. 9 Tf Jchoiachin* was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem : and lie did iliat which teas evil in the sight of the Lord. 1 0 And twhen the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the t goodly "^ves- sels of the house of the Loud, and made Zedckiah^ "^his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. 11 Tl Zedekiah "^ ira.t one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet spenkiug from the mouth of the Lord. 13 And he also ''rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God : bnt he ''stiflencd his neck, and hardened his heart from turning un- to the Lord God of Israel. 14 T[)\Ioreoverallthechief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen ; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. 15 And sthe Lord God of their fathers sent to them H by his messengers, rising up " betimes, and sending; because lie had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling-place : 16 But they ''mocked the messengers of God, and 'despised his words, and mis- used his prophets, until the wrath of the Loud arose against his people, till there was no tremedy. 17 Therefore Jhe brought upon them * 0 T.Jeamiah,lCht( n. 3:16 or, Cu niah.ier.i 4. »2Kin;rfl, 24 :S, etc. t Hoh. at the rttur lofth near. ± Hell, vetscfs ■f h Uiiniel 1:1, 2; h:% i Or, Miitlaniah hitfathe brotht r, 2 Kinss, 24 : 17 c .Tcr. 37:1, i Jer, hi 1, etc. e .Jer. f.-.> : :i ; Kiek. 17:15.18. f 2Kii S».17: 14. RJer. i.'i .%4;3S: .'). CHAPTER XXXVI. 1.3. Made him, sicear ; swear allegiance to the king of Babylon. lo. Betimes; often, seasonably, continually. 17. The Chahlees; the Babylonians. 20. Until the reign of the kingdom of Per- sia ; about seventy years. 21. The word of the Lord; Jer. 25: 9-11. IN.STRUCTIONS. 1. When wise and pious rulers are removed and are succeeded by those who are foolish and wicked, it is a punishment of the people for their sins ; and where it does not produce reformation, it forebodes approaching destruction. the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compas- sion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age : he gave thcnt all into his hand. 18 And all the vessels of the liouse of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treas- ures of the king, and of his princes ; all ihe-ie he brought to Babylon. 19 And ^they burnt the liouse of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 20 And +thcm that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: 21 To fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of 'Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her "'sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years. 22 T[ Now "in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the month of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of "Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also In writing, say- ing, 23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth halii tlie Lord God of heaven given me; and ho hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, wliieh is in Juilah. \\ ho is there among you of all his peoiile? The Lord his God be with him, and let him go up. II Heb. by the hand of. * Th.il in. ttiHtinuully and earrfully. Iila:i, 28:K. > Prov. I : 24-.W. t Huh. htalint. i T)eut.:«:4'.t; 2 Kins', -25: 1, etc. : Elrn!1:7. k Piw. 74 : frJI : lon-W :11. J Heb. Ihtremaindtf/romlhenmrd. 1 Jer. ■2,1: 9-1-2 ; ««: fi, 7 : 29: 10. m Lev.26:.34,43; niin.9:2. « Eim I ; I.etc. o Im.44 :2S;*i: I.etc. 7. God sometimes suffers the wicked to obtain jrreat power, that they may be scourges of his peo- ple on account of their sins. 12. No trials, witliout the grace of God, will humble and pjirify the iiuman heart, or lead men to forsake ihi-ir sins and turn to the Lord. 10. When men mock the messengers whom God sends to reclaim them, and despise their words of mercy and love, they are ripening for wrath .aguiiuit which there will be no remedy. 21. The providence of God manifests the truth of his word ; and shows that when the decl.-vrntion has once gone out of his mouth, it will in due time be accomplished. 583 EZRA. CHAPTER I. 1 The proclamation of Cyrus for the building of the temple, a The people provide for the return. 7 Cyrus restoreth the vessels of the temple to Shesh- ba.zzar. "jVTOW *in the first year of Cyrus king _L\ of Persia, that the word of Hhe Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be ful- filled, the Lord "^stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he *made a proclamation"* througliout all his king- dom, enid put it also in writing, saying, 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, "^ The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and ""he hath charged me to build him a house at Je- rusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Who is there among you of all his peo- ple? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Lsra- el, (he s/a- the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojournefh, let the men of his place thelp him w ilh silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the freewiil-oflcring for the house of God that /.'; in Jerusalem. 5 H Tlien rose npthe chief of Ihc fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spir- it God ''had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in .Terusalem. 6 And all they that iccre about them strengthened* their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. 7 lIAlso Cyrus the king brought fortli the vessels of the 'house of the LoRD,which NebuchadnezzarJ had brought forth out « 2 Cliron.3H:Ji,2.1. b .ler.-ifi: ]::■:«: 10: :i:t: 7-13. cPr(iv.-2l:l: D.in.2:l. ' He\> cauttU « vuiee ti) pats. >l rliiip. .5 : 1.1 u. r T)iin 2:21. f I«n.^^:■^R:^.^:l, n. c Psn. ».-):I8: laa. •|-.:.n:.ler. 10:10; nan. 6 : 2ti. t Hrb. li/l him up. I. Neli 2:12; I'riiv. Ifi: 1 ; I'lill. 2:13; SJnlin, II. t Thai is, /iW/ir,/ M«m. f chni,. 6: 14 ; 8 fi. CHAPTER I. 1. The word of the Lord; Jer. S.j : 1-2-11 ■ 'J9 • 10- 33:7-1.1. 2. He hath charged me ; Cyrus may liave said this in consequence of a prophecy uttered concern- ing hirn, more than a hundred years before he was born. Isa. W : 20-28 ; 4o : 1-0, 12, 13. 3. Who is thcYe ? that wishes to go up to Jeru- salem. 5. liaised; stirred up; the same word in the original as is applied to Cyrus, verse 1. 8. ShesMuzzar ; afterwards called Zerubbabel. Chap. 2:2. He was the grandson of Jehoiachin king of Judah 084 of Jerusalem, and had put them ^b^c.'S in the house of his gods ; 8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithrcdath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. 9 And this i.s the number of them : thir- ty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives, 10 Thirty basins of gold, silver basins of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. 11 All the ''A'cssels of gold and of sil- ver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the * captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem. CHAPTER II. 1 The number that return, of the people. .36 of the priests, 40 of the Levites, 43 of the Nethinim, 55 of Solomon's servants, G"i of the priests which could not show their pedigree. 64 The whole number of them, with their substance. 68 Their oblations. IVrOW 'these arc the children of the _LN province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been car- ried away, "'whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; 2 Which came with "Zerubbabel : Jcsh- ua, Nehemiah, "Seraiah, *Reelaiah, Mor- decai, Bilshan, tIMizpar, Bigvai, -Rehum, Baanah." The number of the men of the people of Israel: 3 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two. 4 'J'he children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. 5 The children of PArah, seven hun- dred seventy and five. 2 Kings, 24: l:!; 2 rlimn. 36: 7 ; Diin.S; 2. k 4 Tim. 2: Xl. 21. % Heb lyantpn'tntiim. Mat. I : II, 12 I Nell. 7 : 6, etc. m 2King«, 24:14-16; 2Cliron.:l(i:20i l.am 1 :.1, ft; 4: 22 ; Zt-pli. 3:7. n H.ig. 1:1, etc. II Or, v*ili 7:7. ' Or, Raiimiali. f Or, Mitptrtth. % Or, Nchum. ocliR|i.4:R. pNrli. 7:10. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The hearts of kings and all others are in the hand of the Lord, and he turneth them whitherso- ever he will ; and whatever difficulties may, to human view, stand in the way of the fulfilment of his declarations, they will in due time all be accoiTiplished. .'). Though the offers of mercy are freely made to all. none will accept them and thus avail themselves of the benefits, except those whose spirit God stirs up for that purpose. CHAPTER 11. 1. The chihlreti of the province ; those who liad been carried away from Judea and their de- scendants, who now returned Number of those who EZRA II. returned from Babylon. B;c'-5lf ■ 6 The children of "Pahath-moab, of the children of Joshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve. 7 The children of ''P^lani, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. 8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five. 9 The children of Zaccai, seven hun- dred and threescore. 10 The children of *Bani, six hundred forty and two. 11 The children of Bebai, si.x. hundred twenty and three. 12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two. 13 The children of Adonikam, six hun- dred sixty and six. 14 The children of Bigvai, two thou- sand fifty and six. 15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four. 16 The children of Ater of llezekiah, ninety and eight. 17 The children of Bezai, three hun- dred twenty and three. 18 The children of tJorah, a hundred and twelve. 19 The children of Hashum, two hun- dred twenty and three. 20 The children of iQibba/T, ninety and five. 21 The children of Beth-lehem, a hun- dred twenty and three. 22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six. 23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight. 24 The children of ^ Azmavcth, forty and two. 25 The children of Kirjath-ariin, Che- phirah, and Ikeroth, seven hundred and forty and three. 26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one. 27 The men of ]Michmas, a hundred twenty and two. 28 The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three. 29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two. 30 The children of Magbish, a Uundred fifty and six. 31 The children of the other "=Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. 32 The children of Harim, three hun- dred and twenty. 33 The children of Lod, "Iladid. and Ono, seven hundred twenty and live. 34 The children of Jericlio, three hun- dred forty and five. 35 The children of Senaah, three thou- sand and six hundred and thirty. 36 If The priests: the children of "^Je- daiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hun- dred seventy and three. 37 The children of ''Immer, a thousand fifty and two. 38 The children of Tashur, a thousand two liundred forty and seven. 39 The children of « Harim, a thousand and seventeen. 40 M The Levites : the cliildren of Jesh- ua and Kadniiel, of the children of *Ilod- aviah, seventy and four. 41 The singers: the ciiildrcu of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight. 42 Tlic children of the porters : the chil- I dren of ISlialhnn, the children of Ater, the I children of Talmon, the children of Ak- j kub, the children of Hatita, the childrcii j of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty and nine. 43 11 The "'Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Ilasupha, the chil- I dren of Tabbaoth, 44 The children of Keros, tlic children of ^Sialia, the cliildren of Padon, 45 The children of Lebanah, the chil- dren of Ilagabah, the children of Akkub, 46 The children of Hagab, the cliildren of iSlialmai, the children of llanan, 47 The children of Giddel, tlic children of Gahar. the children of Reaiah, 48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of (Jazzain, 49 The children of I'zza. tlie children of Paseah, the children of Besai, 50 The children of Asnah, the children of ]Meliunim, the children of sXophusim, 51 The children of Bakbuk, the cliil- dren of llakupha, the children of Ilarhur. 52 The children of ilBazlutli, the chil- dren of Mehidn, the children of llnrsha, 53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tliamah, 54 Tlii^ children of Xeziali, the children of Hatipha. 55 II The children of 'Solomon's ser- vants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the cliildren of 'Pcruda, 56 Tlic children of Jaalali, the children of Darkon, the children of (Jiddel. 57 The children of Shopliatiah. llie chil- dren of Hattil, the children of Pocliercth of Zebaim, the children of tAmi. 58 All the JNctliinim, and the childrcH of Solomon's servants, trerc three hundred ninety and two. » Neh.T:!!. b verse SI. * Or, Binni/i.-Neli. 7 : IS. f Or, Hiiriph, Nell. 7 : 24. t "f . Gili'on, Nell. T : if> 4 Or, Btth-,i-.- mavelli, Nell. 7 : M. c verse 7. || Or, Harid, a« it is in some copies, d 1 Cbron. -24 : 7. « I Cliron. '24 : 14. f 1 Chron. 0 : 1-2. I 1 Cliron. 55. Solomon's servants; from gentile nations, whom he had subdued and brought into bondage. 5S5 S4 : R. * Or, Judah, cliap. 3 : « : cnlW nUo HfHtrnh Nell. 7 : 4X h verse nf>. ^Or.Sia. t Or. Shnmlni. % Or. .NrpAlVA» •im. I| Or. B..:Wi, .Veil. T.:iV4. i 1 Kill;l». !> : -21. 'Or.Pcrida. Nth. J : 67. t0r,.). c Lev. 2-2 : 10, U. day required; 5 And afterward offered the continual burnt-offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set '' feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill-offering unto the Lord. 6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to ofl'er burnt-offerings unto the Lord. But Hhe foundation of tlie temple of the Lord was not yet laid. 7 They gave money also unto the ma- * called Zurahnhel, Mat 1 : 12; Liike 3:27. f Called Salathirl, Mat. 1:12; LMke3:27. h Num. 28 : 3, etc. ; Dent. 12 : 8. B. i .Neh. 8:H,I7; Zecll. 14: Hi. t He\i. llie mutter of the day in his dnv. jEx.29:3S. k Num., cli. 28,29. \Heh. the temple of the LORD wtit not yet/ounded. cannot with conliJence determine the true character of individuals, bu t must leave it to Him who searches the heart, and will render to all according to their works. 6S. Those who are made partakers of the grace of God, will ofl'er willingly of their substance for the establishment and support of his worship, and labor to extend its benefits to all around them. CHAPTER III. 2. Jeshua ; he was grandson of Seraiah, who was high-priest at the taking of Jerusalem. 3. Fear was upon them; and they put them- selves under the special protection of the Almighty by establishing among them his wor.ship. 5. Afrcftcill-offering; in addition to what wa.s required in the law. 7. Joppa ; a seaport about forly miles west of Jerusalem. T7ic new temple. EZRA IV. The Jews'' adversaries. tc'bst' sons, and to the *carpcnfers ; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto tlieni of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar-trees from ''Lebanon to the scaof Joppa, accord- ing to tlie "^ grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. 8 II Now in the second year of tlieir coming unto the house of God at .Jerusa- lem, in the second irionth, began "^Zerub- babel the son of Shcaltiel, and Jeshua the sou of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from ''twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord. 9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of tjudah, ^ together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, rrith their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10 And when the ""builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set "^ the priests in their apparel with trum- pets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 1 1 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because s he /.s good, for his mercy cndiir- tth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the '' foun- dation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But 'many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, n7?o tcere ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid be- fore their eyes, J wept with a loud voice; and many ''shouted aloud for joy : 1.3 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the ' weeping of the people : for the peo- ple shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. CHAPTER IV. * Or, workmen. • 1 K injs, 5 : 6. 9. h chap. 6 : 3. c verse 2. d 1 Cliron. !■): 24. f Or. Hodavinh, (Imp. -2 :4a % Heh. ai one. e Zech. 4:10. / I Clirim. fi : :tl, etc. : lii : 4. etc. ; 2.i : I, etc. : Neli. 12:24, etc. B 1 Chrnn. 16: :i4.41 ; Ps:ilm IW; 145:1-11 ; .Ier.3:t:ll. b Kev. 21 : 10-14. i Hiig. 2 : S. i Ps;l. 126:6; .ler. :!1 :8,'J. k Ps.-u 12. Wept; because they thought this temple would be much inferior to that which had been destroyed. INSTRUCTIONS. I. The establishment of the worship and ordi- nances of G-od, is the surest safeguard against ene- mies, and the best preparation for all the dispensa- tions of Providence. 7. Money given for the establishment and support of divine worship, instead of being lost as some think, is most profitably used, and inyested where it will yield an abundant reward. II. Success in all good undertakings comes from the Lord, and the glory should be given to him. 12. Men are often more atfectcd by what they I The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, endeavor to hinder it. 7 Tlielr letter to Artaxerxes. 17 The decree of Ar- taxerxes. '£i The building is hindered. "VrOW when the ""adversaries of Judah J_\ and Benjamin heard that the ? chil- dren of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for "we seek your God, as ye do ; and we do sac- rifice unto liim since the days of "Esar- haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of I.^racl, said unto them, pYc have nothing to do with us to build a house unto our God; but M'C ourselves together will build un- to the Lord God of Israel, as i king Cyrus the king of Persia hatli commanded us. 4 Then the people of the land ^veaken- ed the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled' them in building, 5 And hired 'counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. 6 And in the reign of HAhasucrus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhajfitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7 % And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam,* Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their ^companions, unto Artaxerx- es king of Persia; and the writing of the letter iras written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tonsue. 8 Kehum the chancellor and Shimshai the + scribe wrote a letter again.st Jeru.sa- lem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: 9 Then /c/o^cBehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions;* the "Dinaites, the Aphar- sathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsitcs, the Archcvites, the B.abylonians, the Su- fi : 1 1. I Juilses S : S. m stntn T-U. \ Hcb. lont oftht : tation. c 2Kin»», 17:24,etr. o 2 Kinjti, li<:3". p Nell. .' 8:21 : 3 John. M. ' Or. in reoee. tlir. focietie*. X Or. tea-etary. ^ Ch.lW. societies, u 2 KifljO*. 1" : :*^', ^'. want, than with what they have ; and thus weep and lament, when they ought to rejoice and render praise. CHAPTER IV. 1. The adversaries of Judah ; the Samaritans, composed of persons of various provinces whom the king of Assyria had removed and placed in Samaria. Ver. 7-10. 2. Assur; Assyri.a. 6. Aha.iiterus; king of Persia, between Cyrus and Darius. 7. Arta.rer.res: who also reigned between Cyrus and Darius. Bishlam, Mit/iredat/i, Taberl ; rul- ers among the Samaritans. 587 Letter to Artaxerxcs. EZRA V. The building hindered. sanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elam- ites, 10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and "noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of JSamaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at* such a ''time. 11 ^ This is (he copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. 12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the '^rebel- lious and the bad city, and have tset up the walls thereof, and ^^ joined the foundations. 13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not ^pay toll, tribute,'' and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the ''revenue of the kings. 14 Now because we *have maintenance from the king'' s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor, there- fore have we sent and certified 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 rebellious city, and ''hurtful unto kings and prov- inces, and that they have tmoved sedition withiui the same of old time: for which cause was this city "^destroyed. 16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. 1 7 ^ Then sent the king an answer unto Rchum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their ^com- panions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. 18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. 19 And III commanded, and search hath • Rom. 13:7. * Cl.iild. Chcenelh. l> verses II, 17; cliap.7: 1-2. c Kzek \7-A-2-n. iOr.finMetl. t Cha]d.aewedloget/ic>: % Cliald. give. ■! cli.ip. 7; 2^. II f>r, Urtngth. ' Cliald. me tnlltd with the lalt of the palace, e Entlier :i : «. f CliaUl. windc. % C\m\i. in the 9. D indites — E/amites ; who came into Israel from the dilTerent Assyrian provinces. 10. The river; the Euphrates. ■20. Beyond the river; west of the Euphrates. lKin;rs. 4:21. 24. Darius; who had Ruccceded Artaxcr.xes, as king of Persia. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Worldly men are often disturbed at the pros- perity of the church; and if it does not promote their own selti.sh purposes, they endeavor to prevent its proj^ress. 11. One way in which wicked men attempt to hinder the progre.ss of the church, is to represent it as injuriou.s to the interests of the state; and tlius 5SS been made, and it is efound that *b'"c.'^: this city of old time hath *made insurrec- tion against kings, and tliat rebellion and sedition have been made therein. 20 There have been mighty kings also o.ver Jerusalem, which ''have ruled over all countries 'beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them. 21 Givet ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me. 22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this : why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings'? 23 T[Now when the copy of king Arta- xerxes' letter was read before Rehuni, and Shimshai the scribe, and their compan- ions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by +force and power. 24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. CHAPTER V. 1 Zerubbal^el and Jeshua, incited by Haggai and Zech- ariah, set forward the building of the temple. .3 Tat- nai and Shethar-boznai could not hinder the Jews. 6 Their letter to Darius against the Jews. THEN the prophets, J Haggai the proph- et, and ''Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jcshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the houseof God which is at Jerusalem : and with them were the prophets of God helping them. 3 ^ At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this s-ide the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their compan- ions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? midit thereof . r 2King.'<,24:-20; -.'.i: l,-4. J Cli.nM. loritfiM. || Cliald. hy me a decree t> set. i: -2 Kings, 18:7. * Cliald. lifted up itself. h 1 Kings, 4: 21, -24: Pe.ilm72:8. i Gen. IS: 18: Josh. I : .1, 4. \ ChaW. Make a deaee. J Cliald. oi-m. i Hag. I: I. kZecli. 1:1. to enlist civil rulers against it, and open the way to put it downi by force. 14. Opposers of the church often represent them- selves as special friends of the state, and express great concern lest the increase of religion should conflict with the interests of civil rulers. 17. Rulers who depend upon the representations of others, are often deceived as to facts ; and take such courses as are subversive of the rights, and injurious to the interests of their fellow-men. CHAPTER V. 1. Trophesied nnto the Jetcs ; exhorting them to proceed with the building of the temple. 3. Governor on this side the river; of the As- syrian provinces west of the Euphrates. The work is resumed. EZRA VI. nolwillistandivg opposition. Rc'o^r' 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 "^returned answer by letter concerning this matter. 6 ^ The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and She- thar-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, twherein was written 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 i great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands. 9 Then ^ asked we those elders, and said unto 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 mere 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 pro- voked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave ''them into the hand of Nebuchad- nezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. 13 But 'in the lirst year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. 14 And the vessels also of gold and sil- ver of the house of God, which' Ncbu- «■ Chald.dKiW. »cliap.7:6,38; P«a.32:8; 3:l:18;34:15: 76:10. bPsn. l«:2-5. cch.B:«. ^ C\\!M.inthcmi,httchcreof. % C\\M. stonei o/rolling. A veraes 3, 4. e D^a. 3 : 26 i Acts 27 : 23 ; Itom. 6:16. flKin^s, 6:1. s 2 Cliron. 3S : IH, 17. h 2 Kings, 24 : 2 ; 4. What are the names? this question it seems wasputbyTatnai the governor, to the Jews. Ver. 10. 10. Since that time ereii until now ; with the exception of the time that it had been neglected in consequence of their having been forced to cease. Chap. 4 : 23. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. When the people of G-od needlessly neglect his work, he will reprove them, and by his ministers and his providence convince them of their sin, and lead them to engage anew in the di.scharge of their duty. ;■). Those who attempt, in dependence on God, to do what they can for the promotion of his cause, will find him ready to assist them ; and with him for their guide and helper, the elTorts of enemies to stop their proiirress will be in vain. 38 chadnezzar Uook out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Baby- lon, and they were delivered unto ^one, whose name ivas Sheshbazzar, whom he had made * governor; 15 And said unto him. Take these ves- sels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place. 16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and 'laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and ""rjct it is not finished. 17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be "search made in the king's treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter. CHAPTER VI. 1 Darius, finding the decree of Cyrus, maketh a new decree for the advancement of the building. 13 By the help of the enemies, and the directions of the prophets, the temple is finished. 10 The feast of the dedication is kept, 19 and the pasiover. THEN Darius the king made a decree, and "search was made in the house of the II rolls, where the treasures were laid* up in Babylon. 2 And there was found at tAchmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein u-as a rec- ord thus written : 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, the same Cyrus the king made a p decree concerning the house of God at Jerusa- lem, Let the house be builded, tiie i place where they offered sacriliccs, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; 4 Jl'ith Uhree rows of great stones, and 2,'i:«-Il. i clinp. 1 : 1-8. jJiT.ft2:l9. k Hug. 1 : 14 ; 2:2, 21. »0r. drpulji. I cli;iii 3:8, la m rli«p. 6 : 1.%. d chap. 6:1,2. o rbap. h:\l. 11 Cli.ild. Aoofai. " ChvM mailt lodoctnd. i Or.Ecbatana. or in n coffer, p 2 Cliron 36: 22,2:1. q Psa. 122 : 4. r 1 Kings,6:36. 11. Open and frank acknowled^ent of our at- tachment to God and his cause, oi our sins against him. and of his justice in our punishment, is the surest way of securing his continued smiles. 17. A true statement of facts as they are, will ordinarily show the integrity of the people of God, and that in those trans.-iotions in which the wicked have most opposed them, they have .icted with fair- ness, uprightness, and fidelity. CHAPTER VI. 1. The house of the rolls; the place in which the records were kept. 2. Achmriha : ttie same as Ecbatana; a chief city of Media, and the summer residence of the Persian kings. 589 The decree of Darius. EZRA VI, The temple dedicated- a row of new timber : and let the expenses \ be given out of the king's house : 5 And al«o let the golden and silver vessels" of the house of God, which Neb- uchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and *brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God. 6 Now therefore, ""Tatnai, governor be- yond the river, Shethar-boznai,and tyour companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence : 7 Let "^the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place. 8 Moreover +1 make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God : that of the king's goods,eccH of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given un- to these men, that they be not * hindered. 9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt-offerings of the God of heav- en, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be ''given them day by day without fail : 10 That ^they may offer sacrifices II of sweet savors unto the God of heaven, and pray for the Hifeof tlieking, and of his sons. 1 1 Also I have made a decree, that who- soever shall alter this word, let timber be ])ullcd down from his house, and being set up, let him be * hanged thereon; and let his s house be made a dunghill for this. 12 And the God that hath caused his name'' to dwell there 'destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done wilh speed. 13 ^ Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their com- • chap. 1 : 7, 8 ; 6 : M ; Dan. R : '2. * C\m\A. go. b cl)ap. 6 : 3. t Cliald. their socictiet. c Acts 5 : 38, 39. J Cliald. Ay me a decree it vutde. a C\\7i\A. made to ceate. d Isn. 49 : 23. e clian 7; -23; .Jer. 29:7. \\ C\\»\A. of rett. riTim.2:l,2. * ChM- de'lfoyed. (! nan. 2:S; 3:29. bl Kings, 9: 3. i Psa. 137 : 8. 9; Obad. 10. J clinp.6:l,2. \ C\\tM. decree, k verse 3. 1 clinp. 4:'S4. ni chap. 6. xiow therefore; this is the direction of Darius to the Samaritans, and others who had sympathized and acted with them. 11. Word; decree. 14. Artaxer.ces ; one who succeeded Darius as king of Persia. 22. Assyria; Persia,ofwhieh Assyria then form- ed a part. I.VSTRUCTIONS. 1. Diligence and fidelity in searching for, and ob- taining a correct knowledge of facts, will sliow that oppcsition to the people of God in the establishment of his worship, is unreasonable and wicked. 51*0 riusthe king had sent, so they did speedily. 14 AndJ the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophe- sying of Haggai the prophet and Zecha- riahthesonof Iddo. And they builded. and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to tlic commandmentt of ''Cyrus, and 'Darius, and Artaxerxes '"king of Persia. 15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16 ^And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the J children of the captivity, "kept the dedication of this house of God with "joy, 17 And I' offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs ; and for a sin-oftering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the i priests in their di- visions, and the ''Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jeru- salem; ^as it is ^written in the book of Moses. 19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the 'fourteenth day of the first month. 20 For the priests and the Levites were purified " together, all of them were pure, and ^killed the passover for all the chil- dren of the captivity, and for their breth- ren the priests, and for themselves. 21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the'^'filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel, did eat, 22 And kept the "feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy : for the Lord had made them joyful, and turndd the heart -^ of the king of Assyria unto them, to stren'gthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. 7:1. ^ amiH. sons of the transportntion, chap. 4:t. n 1 Kincs, 8:fi3; 2 Chron. 7 : .1. o ver.'ie 22 ; Neli.8:10; 12:43; P.-n. I'.'2:l p chap. 8:35. q 1 Chron.24:l. r 1 Chron. 23 : 6. J Chnlil. oc- cording to the writing. • Num. 3: 6i 8 : 9. tEjt. 1-3:6. n 2 C'linuL 30:1.'). T 2 Chron. 3h: 11. wchap.9:11. n Ex. 12 : 16 ; 13 : t> ; 2 Chron. 30 : 21 ; 3?> : 17 ; 1 Cor. 5 : 7, 8. y verse 6 ; Prov. 21:1. 6. As the hearts of kings and rulers are in the hand of the Lord, he can lead tliem to favor li's people and use their power and influence to advanc' nis cause. 1,3. Under the superintending providence of God. those who have bitterly opposed nis cause, may be led to unite with his people in promoting it ; and thus by the labors of both, great and good works may be speedily accomplished. 20. The holy character and conduct of ministers is intimately connected with the prosperity of relig- ion ; and the establishment of the worship and ordi- nances of God according to his appoiiitiiuiit. is to Ezra reaches Jerusalem. EZRA vir. Decree of Arlaxcrxes. CHAPTER VII, 1 Ezra goeth up to Jerusalem. 11 The gracious com- mission of Artaxerxes to Ezra 27 Ezra blesseth God for his favor. nVTOW after these things, in the reign Jl-N of * Artaxcrxes king of Persia, Ezra the sou of '' Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of llilkiah, 2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 The son of Amariah, the son of Aza- riah, the son of Meraioth, 4 The son of Zcrahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5 The son of Abishua, the son of "^ Phin- ehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of '' Aa- ron the chief priest : 6 This Ezra went up from Babylon ; and he was a ready "^scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, '^accordiug to the hand of the Lord his God upon him. 7 And e there went up some of the chil- dren of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the ''Nethinim, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. 8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which v:as in the seventh year of the king. 9 For upon the first day of the first month * began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, 'according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had J prepared his heart to seek'' the law of the Lord, and to 'do it, and to ""teach in Israel statutes and judg- ments. 11 1[Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, ci'e;i a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel. 12 Artaxerxes, "king of kings, tmitoEzra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. 13 I make a decree, that all tliey of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own free will to go up to Jerusa- lem, go with thee. J 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent + of the iking, and of his "seven counsellors, to 1 inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, I according to the law of thy God which is I in thy hand; 15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the ^king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose iliabilation is in Jeru.salem, 16 And "'all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill-offering of tiie people, and of the priests, 'offering will- ingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem : 17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their 'mcat-olferings and their drink-of- ferings, and offer them upon the "altar of the house of your God which is in Jeru- salem. 18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that ^do after the will of your God. 1 9 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatsoever more shall be need- ful for the house of lliy God, which thou shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure-house. 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that what- soever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall- require of you, it be done speedily, 22 Unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred hneasnrcs of wheat, and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hun- dred baths of oil, and salt without pre- scribing hoic much. 23 Whatsoever is "commanded "by the God of heaven, let it be * diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 24 Also we certify you, that, touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, I porters, Nethinim, or ministers of this liouse of God, it shall not be lawful to im- pose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. • Neli.i.l. !• I Cliron. fi : H. c Num. in: 1 1-13. d Heb. .1 : 4. e verses 1 1 , 1-2, 21. < verse 9 ; clmp. 8 : 22, 31 : Neli. 2 : 8. IS ; Prov. 3:6. ; rhan. 8:1, l,'i,«tc b cban. 2 : <:t. * Heb. was the f, tun- dntionoflht going tip. i ver. 6. J 2 Cliron. 19: :!. l Pi-a. 119: 4fi. I Deut. 16:1.': Dan.fi:5. m Deut.3:f:IO: Mai. 2 : 7 ; Titus2:l, I ;,. n Kzek. 26 :.7 ; Dan. 2 : 37. t Or, /o Ezra the priett. a per- his people of every country and name, an occasion of joy. CHAPTER VII. 1. Ezra; he was grandson of the high-priest who was slain at the talcing of Jern.^alcm. 2 Kings, 2-3: 18-2], and was a descendant of Aaron. ftct tcrihe of the law oj the GmI r/hearr /rom liefitre the king. :39. * Or, iijliction. f IKings, 8:22. lDan.9:7,8. kPaB.38:4. i Or, guiltiness. i 2 Chron. 28:9; Luke 15: 21 ; Rev. 18 : 6. j Psa. 106: 6. k Deut. 28::)8, B4. | Heb. mi.mtnt. !l Or, a pin : tUnt ia, a constant and sure abode, Ua. 22: 23. iPsa. 13:3. mPsa. 85:6. »Neli. 9:Si;. CHAPTER IX. 3. I re7it iny garment ; a token of great con- sternation and sorrow at the transgression of the people, in mingling by marriage with the idolatrous nations around them. .'). At the evening sacrifice ; when the people assembled for evening worship. G. Grown vp unto the heavens ; become ex- ceedingly great. S. A little space ; from the time Zerubbabel with his company arrived at Jerusalem, to the ar- rival of Ezra. A nail in his holy place ; perma- nently establish them at Jerusalem. 9. A wall in Jiiclah ; the means of defence from their enemies. 15. Thou art righteous ; in the punishment he 594 servants the prophets, saying, The *b"c.^7: land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filtliiness of the people of the lands, with their abomina- tions, which have filled it from tone end to another with their uncleanness. 12 Now therefore give not your daugh- ters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, i nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. 13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great tres- pass, seeing that thou our God hast ^ pun- ished us ''less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this ; 14 Should *we again break thy com- mandments, and join in affinity witli the people of these abominations? wouldcst not thou be angry with us till 'thou hadst consumed i(s, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? 15 OLoRD God of Israel, "thou a// right- eous ; for we remain yet "escaped, as it is this day : behold, we are before thee in our "trespasses; for we cannot "stand be- fore thee because of this. CHAPTER X. 1 Shechaniah encourageth Ezra to reform the strange marriages. 6 Ezra moiiniing assembleth the people. 9 The people, at the exhortation of Ezra, repent, and promise amendment. 15 The care to perfonn it. IS The names of them %vhich had married strange wives. IVrO W when Ezra had prayed, and when _L\ he had confessed, weeping and cast- ing himself down ^before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and wom- en and children : for the people wept Wery sore. 2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said o Psalm I3fi:i.i; K7.(k. 11 : ifi. || Heh. set up. p chap. 6 : 8,ri. * Hell, by the hand of. f Heb. movth to mouth, 2 KiTi^'s. •.'1: 16 cx- er themselves together unto Jerusalem; amine the matter. 8 And that whosoever would not come, 17 And they made an end with all the within three days, according to the coun- men that had taken strange wives by the sel of the princes and the ciders, all his first day of the first month, substance should be t forfeited, and him- 18 1[ And among tlie sons of the 'priests self separated from the congregation of there were found that had taken strange those that had been carried away. 'wives: namcli/. of the sons of Jeshua the 9 1[Then all the men of Judah and Ben- ' son of Jozadak, and his brethren : Maa- jamin gathered themselves together unto seiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Geda- Jerusaletn within three days. It teas the ! liah. ninth month, on the twentieth f/rtj/of the' 19 And they 'gave their hands that they month; and all the people sat in the street i would put away their wives; and bring of the house of God, trembling i" because ' guilty, they ""offered a ram of the flock for oHhis matter, and for the great train. ^ their trespass. 10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and 20 And of the sons of Immer; Hanani. said unto them. Ye have transgressed, ' and Zebadiah. and have Haken strange wives, to in- j 21 And of the sons of Harim; Maase- crease the trespass of Israel. II Now therefore make confession 'un- to the Lord God of vour fathers, and do • Nell. 13:27. Ii Isr. /» : H,7. c iCIirnn. 3^ : HI. " Hfh.hrinp/nrlh. d cImP 9:4. e nmit. 7:2, .-«. f NVIi. .=i : 1 2. t Peut. !) : IS. f Hpb. devKted. h I S:ini I.': 18. tVleh thon-trt. 5 Heh. i rfiw//, or have brought hack, i Pror. 28: 13; 1 .lolin, 1 : ». ||Or, /ini'f CHAPTER X. 14. Come at appointed times; to have their case.s duly investigated and decided according to truth. n>(STRL-CTIONS. 1. Those who would lead others to repentance, must show that they are deeply afTccted with their sins, and earnestly desire their good. 3. True repentance will always be accompanied with thorouirfi reformation ; and no sin is repented of, that is not heartily forsaken. 4. Those who undertake public reformations need iah, and Elijah, and Shcmaiah, and Je- hiel, and Uzziah. 22 And of the sons of Pashur; Elioe- iirtatly (tffended. ' Or, bt turned from u$ till Ihi r matter tie lie- spntclied. t Hfb.ltnod. i Tttut. 13: 14 : Job 2>) : f.; John 7: 111 I Jer. 23: 11; Mai. 2: 8,9. 1 aKmjs.lO: l.i; 1 Cbrrm. ■■l;:4;2Cbroo 30:8; Lain.r>:ti. m Lev. 5: 15, Irt: 0: 4,6. •.Neb. 7:41. encouragement from their brethren, and the cooper- ation of many will effect what no one can accom- plish alone. 9. If men would forsake their sins and turn to the Lord, they must not only resolve to do it, but with his help must carry their resolutions into effect ; .actually doing what they know and acknowledge to be their duty. 17. Courage, resolution, activity, and persever- ance, with dependence on God, will enable his peo- ple, for the good of his church, to accomplish ob- jects otherwise impossible. o9d The prayer XEHExMIAiri. of Nchcmiah. nai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Joza- bad, aud Elasah. 23 Also of the Lcvites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. 24 Of the singers also ; Eliashib : and of the porters ; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri. 25 Moreover of Israel : of the sons of Parosh ; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Mal- chiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. 26 And of the sons of Elam; INIattani- ah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah. 27 And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza. 28 Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehoha- nan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. 29 And of the sons of Bani; Meshul- 1am, Mallach, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth. 30 And of the sons of Pahath-moab ; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, ^b^c.^^i?; and Manasseh. 31 And o/ the sons of Harim ; Eliezer, Ishijah, ]Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, atid Shemariah. 33 Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, JNIanasseh, and Shimei. 34 Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Am- ram, and Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chellvih, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasan, 38 And Bani, and Binniii, Shimei, 39 And Shelemiah, aud Nathan, and Adaiah, 40 Machnadebai,* Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. 43 Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Matti- tliiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah. 44 All tliese had taken * strange wives : and some of them had wives by whom they had children. THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH CHAPTER I. 1 Nehemiah. understanding by Hanani the misery of Jerusalem, mourneth, fasteth, and prayeth. 5 His prayer. THE words of ''Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislcu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the cap- tivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in "^ great adliction and re- proach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken'' down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 Tf And it came to pass, when I licard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, * Or, Mabnadehaif nccoriiing to Bonie copies. ■ Prov. fi;20. keliap.lO: 1. c Psiilm 137 : 1-3 ; Lnm. 1 : 7 ; :t:61 ; 5 : I. "liKiiign, 'U: 10; IsainliGI: lU, 11. e Daniel 9 : 4, etc. r Kxotlus 20: (i. CHAPTER L 1. Chisleu ; the ninth month, answering to a 596 5 And said, I beseech ^thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth "^covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his com- mandments : 6 Let s thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes ''open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess' the sins of the children of Is- rael, which we have sinned against thee : both I and my father's house have sin- ned. 7 We J have dealt very corruptly against thee, and liavc hot ^kept the command- ments, nor the statutes, nor the judg- ments, which thou conimandedst thy ser- vant Moses. 8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou comniandedst thy servant Mo- ses, saying, '//" ye transgress, I will scat- ter you abroad among the nations : It 1 Kings, 8:'28,2i)i iChron. 6M0. b r/inlm.14 : l.i. 1 P»n. .1i : ."i ; I .lulin, 1 ; !1. j Psnim 106:0. k Deut 28: 1ft. 1 Lev. 26 : 33, etc. ; DeuL4:25,etc.;28:64. part of November and December. Shiisha?i ; a city in Persia, and tlie winter residence of the kings, 2. Came; from Jerusalem. Artaxerxes sendeth nehp:miaii ii, Kchemiuh to Jerusalem sl'^t 9 But if ye tiini unto mc, and 6 And the king said unto me, (the 'queen keep my commandments, and do them;! also sitting by him,) For how long sliall though nhere were of you cast out unto thy journey be? and when wilt thou rc- the uttermost part of the heaven, j/ci wilH turn? So it pleased the king to send mc ; I ^gather them from thence, and -vvill and I set him a "time, bring them unto the place that I have] 7 Moreover 1 said unto the king, If it chosen to set my name there. i please the king, let letters be giv'cn me 10 Now "^ these a/-e thy servants and thy , to the governors beyond the river, that people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy j they may convey mc over till I come great power, and by thy strong hand. into Judali ; 11 0 Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine 8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper ear be ''attentive to the prayer of thy ser- of the king's forest, that ho may give me vant, and to the prayer of thy servants, t timber to make beams for the gates of the who *= desire to fear thy name: and pros- palace which appertained to the house, per, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and for the wall of the city, and for tiie and grant him mercy in the sight of this : house" that I shall enter into. And the man. For ''I was the king's cupbearer, king granted me, p according to the good CHAPTER II hand of my God upon me. I Artaxerxes understandinf; the cause' of Nehemiah-s ^ ? "^''^'^ ^ '^'^'"'^ ^0 t'l<^ governors bc- sadiies-; sendeth liim witli letters and commission to yOUd the riVCr, and gaVC thcm tllC kins'.S Jerusalem. 9 Nehemiah to the grief of the enemies, letters. Now the king had sent captains Cometh to Jerusalem. 12 He vieweth secretly the ' r 41 j , • , ' ruins of the walls. 17 He inciteth the Jews to build I ^I tUC army and liorscuicn With mo. in despite of the enemies. 10 When Sanbalhit tlic lloronite, and A ND it came to pass in the month Ni- Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard irL san, in the twentieth year of sArta- to/ it, it igricved tliem exceedingly that xerxes the king, that wine ivas before there was come a man to seek the wel- him : and I took '"up the wine, and gave fare of the children of Israel. it unto the king. Now I had not been' 11 So ''I came to Jerusalem, and was beforetiiiie sad in his presence. there three days. 2 Whereforethekingsaiduntome, Why 12^ And I arose in the night, I and /.vtliy countenance sad, seeing thou (n< not some few men with me; neither told I sick? this is nothing else but 'sorrow oi any man what my God had 'put in my lieart. Then I was very sore afraid, heart to do at Jerusalem : neither wa.t 3 And said unto the king, J Let the king ^/tc/-c any beast with me, save the beast live for ever: why should not my coun- that I rode upon. tenanee be sad, when the ''city, the place ' 13 And I went out by nitiht by the of my fathers' 'sepulchres, lieth waste, gate' of the valley, even before the drag- and the gates thereof are consumed with j on-well, and to tiie duns-port, and view- lire? ed the walls of Jerusalem, which were 4 Then the king said unto me. For what ^ broken" down, and the gates thereof were dost thou make request? So I '"prayed to 1 consumed with lire. the God of heaven. j 14 Then I went on to the gate of the o And I said unto the king. If it please I fountain," and to the king's pool: but the king, and if thy servant have found there was no place for the beast that was favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest under me to pass, send me unto Judah, unto the city of my lathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. » Deut. :10: bPsn. I47:'2; Isx. II : Ij ; hH:S; Jer.l'2:l5 : 11, ■.'(). c Dent. 9:29; D»n. 9:lfi, etc. arsa.8fi:6. « I«n :S; Heb.I3:l8. fehap.'2:l. gK;.n\7:l. bcli»p.l:ll •rov. 15:13. j I Kiugs, 1 : 31 ; Dan. ■-•: 4. k clmp. I : 3. liChron 15 Then went I up in the night by the brook," and viewed the wall, and turned •21::0; S8:-27; 32:33. ■» Prov.3:6; Pbil.4:(>. • 11- n cli.ip.fi:l4: I3:n. »rlinp.3:7. I> Bini S : A ; t rr. 1- 1 11-2:10; Ktek.3r>:i>-8. r Ex. 8:3-2. 'PniLRl : IR ; 1-2. : <>. 1 . • 2rt:9. ucliap 1:3. » clnp. 3 : 1.1. w-: Sam. 15l -23 ; .)«T 9. The place that I have cAo^fw;, Jerusalem, firm confidence in tlie promises of trod, arc 10. These are thy ser cants ; the Israelites who acceptible prayer, and open the way for a had returned to Judea. 11. This man ; the king of Persia. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. True piety is soinetimes found anion"^ those who are high in civil otliee ; and it leads them to t;ilce a- deep interest in the welfare of the people and cause of G-od, in all parts of the world, espec- ially in the home of their ancestors and brethren peace. 11. As the hearts of all men are in the hand of the Lord, application to him is the surest way of obtaining favors from them. 1. Thi CHAPTER II. ilh i^lsfin : this wvs about four Prayer to the God of heaven forms the best i months after Nehemiah inquired about the Jew.* preparation for great and difficult undertakings, j and engaged in special prayer in their behalf, and is the surest means of securing complete and j A. So I prayed to the Gexl of liraven ; in silent final succe.ss. prayer that he might be directed, and tho king b<" 7. Hearty confession of sin, and an expression of j led to favor him. 597 Names and order of the N EH EMI AH III. builders of the wall. back, and entered by the gate of the val- ley, and .vo returned. 16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did ; neither had I as yetj told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. I 17 ^ Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem Ueth * waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a ''reproach. 18 Then I told them of the "^hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken un- to me. And they said. Let us rise up and build. So they ''strengthened their hands for this good icork. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed" us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye "^rebel against the king? 20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, ^ he will pros- per us; therefore we his servants will arise and build : but '' ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in 'Jerusalem. CHAPTER III. The names and order of them that builded the wall. THEN JEliashib the high-priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the '' sheep-gate ; they sancti- fied it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the Mower of Mcah they sanctified it, unto the '"tower of Ilananecl. 2 A)ul *next unto him builded the men of "Jericho. And nc.\t to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. 3 But the ° fish-gate did the sons of Ilas- senaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. 4 And next unto them repaired Mere- • Lam. 2 : 2, 8, 9. b clia|i. 1:3; Pan. 44 : 13 : 79 : 4, 13 ; .Icr. 24 : 9 i Kll-k. 5:14, 15; 22:4. « ver. R. il 2 Sain. 2 : 7 ; E7,r« 6:M. e P«n. m:6. fc!iiip.fi:6. g Paa. 102: i:i, 14 : Ercl. 7; 18. liEzrii4:3. 1 I»a.Bfi:6. j rliiip. 12 : l(i. kJolm5:2. I cliiip. 12:39. m .Ter. 18. The hand of my God ; how God had favored liim. 19. Sa7ihallat — Tohiah — Geshem; governors, or chief men in provinces west of the Euphrates. INSTRUCTIONS 4. Silent ejaculatory prayer slioulj be intermin- gled with all our einployin"nts ; and the liabit of asking the guidance and blpssing of God in all our concern.s, is honorable to iiiin and liighly useful to ourselves. • 7. While we first seek the blessing of God on our endeavors to do good, we should use all suitable means to secure the aid and cooperation of men; especially of those in authority, and such as have influence witli others. 598 moth the son of Urijah, the son *b"c'^ of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Bereehiah, the son of Meshezabcel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana. 5 And next unto them the Tekoites re- paired; but their p nobles put not their necks to the iwork of their Lord. 6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoi- ada the son of Paseah, and iSIeshullam the son of Besodeiah ; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. 7 And next unto them repaired Mcla- tiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Mero- nothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Miz- pah, unto the ''throne of the governor on this side the river. 8 Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of ofco/ the apothecaries, and they + for- tified Jerusalem unto the broad 'wall. 9 And next unto them repaired Repha- iah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem. 10 And next unto them repaired Jeda- iah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah. 11 INIalchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moab, repair- ed the tother piece, and the tower of the furnaces. 12 And next unto him repaired Shal- lum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daugh- ters. 13 The 'valley-gate repaired Ilanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah ; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thou- sand cubits on the wall unto the -dung- gate. 14 But the dung-gate repaired INIalchiah the son of liechab, the ruler of part of Beth-hacccrem ; he built it, and set up 31:38; Zee. 14:10 » Hell, at his lianit. n Eir.i 2 :34. u 2 Chron. 33: 14; Zepli. 1: 10. r Jer S,4,.S; 1 Cor. 1 : 2fi: 1 Tiio. ti: 17, 18. r.r.>rn« 12 .17. 1 2 Ktngn, 11: Irti Jrr.3l ¥). ID ven»e 2fi. ehumtier. n ver. 1 • chap.?: to 19. P AcUft:l7. q Heb.ll 3fl. r Zccl . 12:8. Ij Ueb. horrid themtelvet. 8. Persons of all trades and professions may assist in promoting the cause of God. and each should en- deavor faithfully to perform that which belongs to him, and which his condition fits him to accompli.sh. 12. When rulers and people of both sexes engage in works of beneficence, all doing what is appropri- ate to their condition, the work of the Lord will pros- per and the highest good be circctually advanced. 28. Division of labor, and a-ssigning to e.ich one that which peculiarly Belongs to him, and which he can most readily perform, prevents confusion, pro- motes dispatch, and tends to the mast speedy and thorough accomplishment of every good work. CHAPTER IV. 1. Snithallat ; governor of the Samaritans. 2. Maie an etid ; finish their wall and works of defence. 599 The people pray, NEHEMIAH IV. watch, aiid labor. fy themselves? ■svill they sacrifice? -svill; they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which arc burned? 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, * Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. 4 Hear,** 0 our God ; for we arc *despis- ed : and "^turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity : 5 And ''cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin* be blotted ovit from before thee: for they have provoked thee to an- ger before the builders. 6 So built wc the wall ; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a '^mind to work. 7 ir But it came to pass, that when San- ballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem t^vcre made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, 8 And "^conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to i hinder it. 9 Nevertheless we made our sprayer unto our God, and '' set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. 1 1 And our adversaries said, ' They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, ^ From all places whence ye shall relurn unto us they tcill be ripnn yoi(. 13 ^Therefore set I II in the lower places behind the wall, «??r/ on the higher places, I even set the people after flieir families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. ■ 2 Kings, 18: M. !■ Pan. lOS : 3, 4. * Hob. despite, c Ps.i. 79:12; Prov.3:34. i P«alin «» : 27 ; Jer.l8:2.'5; 2Tim.4;U. e 2 Cliron. 2>J : :lii ; Psa. 1 10 : .1. f Hel). atceiirletl. I P»n. 8:) : 3-5. t Heh. make on ennr til it.. 1i-T.iO:\0; naM(!:4.fi. sP.snlm ftO: Ifi; fi.i: IH-22. li l.iike 21 : :Mi ; Art* 4 : •.M-2M. i 2S.im. 17 : 2 : Acts 23 : 12, il. 5 Of. That/rum nil placet ye mutt return to ut. IXSTRUCTIONS. 2. Opposers of rclij,'ion often attempt to hinder its progress by ridicule; but if thi.s excites the peo- ple of (rod to increased prayer, it will further, rather than hinder their work. fi. Where there is a will there is a way. When- ever the people of G-od are disposed to work for him. he will open a way for them to be employed in his cause with success. 9. Prayer to God, and a diligent use of all appro- priate means, will defend his people from the r.age 600 14 And I looked, and rose up, *i"6.^5ii and said unto the nobles, and to the rul- ers, and to the rest of the people, J Be not ye afraid of them : reiueniber the Lord, which is ''great and terrible, and 'fight for yourbrcthren,your sons, and your daugh- ters, your wives, and your houses. 15 And it came to pass, when our ene- mies heard that it was J Nehemiah rebuketh the usurers, and causeth them to make a covenant of resiitulion. 14 He for- beareth his own allowance, and keepetli hospitality. A ND there was a ^'j^rent cry of the peo- JA. pic and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. 2 For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many : there- fore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. 3 Some also there were that said. We have '' mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. 4 There were also that said. We have borrowed money for the king's tribute. and that vpon our lands and vineyards. 5 Yet now our "^llesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their chil- dren : and lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our "^ daughters are brought into bondage alrcadi/: neitlier i.f it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. 6 ^And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7 Then * I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them. Ye exact ® usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against tliem. 8 And I said unto them. We, after our ability, have "^ redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held i this wall, neither bought wc any land: they their peace, and found nothing /o j and all my servants jrc/c gathered tliitlicr answer. \ unto the work. 9 Also I said. It is not good that ye do : j 17 Moreover there were at my tabic a ought ye not to walk in the sfear of our hundred and lifty of the Jews and ruler.'«. God because of the ''reproach of the hea- besides those that came unto us from then our enemies? among the heathen that are about us. 10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn : I pray you, let us leave off this usury. 11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive-yards, and their lioiiscs, also the hundredth part of tlie money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. 12 Then said they. We will restore them, and will require nothing of them ; so will we do as thou saycst. Then I called the priests, and 'look an oath of them, that they sliould do according to this promise. 13 Also J I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and t emptied. And '' all the congregation said. Amen, and praised the Loud. And the ' people did according to this promise. 14 1[ Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and tliirticth '"year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not "eaten the bread of the governor. 15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea. even their servants bate rule over the people: but ° so did not I, because of the fearP of God. 16 Yea, also I continued in the work of . Is.l .t:7. h I,e •. JS : 35-439 Deut. 15:7. c IsR.68:T. d Kx. 2 :7. » Heh . mi/ heart conttlUed I n me, P» 1.4 :4. 'Ex. 22:ii; P »a. l.S 1,."): Eiek. 22:1-2. 1 .ev 2.^:48. 1! ■er. I ft. b 2 Sam. I- :14; Uom. 2 : -24 ; 1 Pet. 2:1-. . i 2 Kings 23 2, 3 : Eira 10:5; CHAPTER V. 3. Dearth ; scarcity of food. 4. The hug's tribute; the taxes which they were obliged to pay to the king of Persia. 5. We bring into bondage our sous; by the sore exactions to which they were subjected in their poverty. 7. V-^'uri/ ; exorbitant interest. 11. The huJidredth part ; that which they had wrongfully taken. Ki. Amen; be it so. 11. A'oi eaten the bread of the governor; not required the people to support him, but h.ad sup- ported himself. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The rich, instead of relieving the poor, often take advantage of their necessities to obtain their property, and sometimes to bring them and their r.»4:8,(). j Mat.lO:14: Arts 1:1:51; IH:ti f Hrh. emptf. void, k Deut 27: 15, etr. I SKinf>,2n:3. m rliilp.l3:K. iror.9:'l,l&. <> Proverbs 16:6; 3 CorinlhiaiM, 11:9; 1:1:13 children into bondage ; thus violating the duty o\ doing to others as they should wish others to do to them. 6. '■ Oppression maketh a wise man mad." and he will without delay, so far as may be in his power, devise and execute means to bring it to a speedy and perpetual end. 8. Those who oppress their brethren will have nothing to answer when God shall call them to account. 11. Those who have wrongfully taken any thinji from others are bound to make full restitution, and always to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. lo. The fear of God will often lead the rich to relinquish what is justly due to them, especially when those from whom it is due are poor, ami un- able to pay their honest debts without distressing themselves. 601 Devices of the enemy. NEHExMIAH VI. The wall completed. 18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep ; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this retiuired not I the bread of the governor, because the *bond- ago was heavy upon this people. 19 Think'' upon me, my God, for good, according'^ to all that I have done for tliis people. CHAPTER VI. 1 Sanballat practiseth by craft, by rumors, by hired prophecies, to terrify Neliemiah. 15 The work is fin- ished to the terror of the eueraie.s. 17 Secret intelli- fence passeth between the enemies and the nobles of udah. "jVTOW it came to pass when ^ Sanballat, _L\ and Tobiah, and *Geshem the Arabi- an, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein ; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates :) 2 That Sanballat and ^ Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet to- gether, in some one of the villages in the plain of ''Ono. But ^they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am. doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort ; and '" I answered them after the same manner. 5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; 6 Wherein was written, It is 'reported among the heathen, and tGashmu saith it, that i\\o^x and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayestbe their king, according to these words. 7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying. There is a king in Judah : and now shall it be reported 1o the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. • I's^.-ITj-SLM. b Ps.i. 40:17; clinp. IS: i2. c Mnf J.-i : <0 ; Miirk I'rov. 2(i:24, 45. f I Cllron. 8 : 1-2 ; cliap. II : 35. r 1'.h;l 37 : 12.32. h I'lov. 14: 1.5. ijpr. 20:10. \ Or, G«/iem, ver. 1. i I Sum. 19. Those who from love to God and to men liave made pecuniary sacrifices for his cause, will not in the end be losers ; but will receive from God a gra- cious and an abundant reward. CHAPTER VI. 2. The plain of Ono ; in the tribe of Benjamin. 0. Gashmn; the same as Geshem. 7. The king ; the king of Persia. 9. Made its afraid; attempted to make us afraid. 602 8 Then I sent unto him. saying, Vc.^"!!^ There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of tliine own heart. 9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now there- fore, 0 God, J strengthen my hands. 10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Alehetabcel, who was shut up; and he said. Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee: yea, in the ^ night will they come to slay thee. 1 1 And I said, ' Should such a man as I flee 1 and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. 12 And lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me : for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired liim. 13 Therefore ira.s- "'he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and " sin, and that they might have matter for an evil re- port, that they might reproach me. 14 My God,' "think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. 15 li So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. 16 And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, llicy were much cast down in their own eyes: for Pthcy perceived that this work was wrought of our God. 17 H Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah +sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. 18 For there iccre many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shcchaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jolianan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. X):(\: l'8a.7l:l. k.Iob24:lt>. I Pan. 11:1: ll-2:6,8; I.nke 13:31-3.3; Acts '20: 24 ; 21 : 1 3. m K7.ek. 13: 17, etc. n Jamen 4 : 1 7. oclwj). 13:C!l; P»a. 3H : 11,12. p Psn. 12« : -2 ; Acts .ii : 38, 39. t Heb. multtplied their Utterf passinp to Tobiah. 11. Bei)ig as I am; having a good conscience, and being engaged in the work of the Lord. 10. Was irroiiglit of our God ; that he was with the people and blessed them in their work. 18. Shcchaniah — and — Meshnllam ; foreign- ers whose daughters Tobiah and Johanan had mar- ried. INSTRUCTION!?. 2. When the efforts of wicked men to hinder the work of God are disappointed in one way, they are often tempted to try another. Register of NEHEMIAH VII. genealogy. u.c.-^^- 19 Also they reported his good deeds before ine, and uttered my * words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear. CHAPTER VII. 1 Nehemiah committeth the charge of Jerusalem to Hanani and Hananiah. 5 A register of the geneal- ogy of them which came at the first out of Babylon, 9 of the people, 39 nf the priests, 43 of the Levites. ■IG of the JS'ethhiim, 57 of Solomon's servants, 03 and of the priests which could not find their pedigree. 66 The whole number of them, with their substance. 70 Their oblations. "jVrOW it came to pass, when the wall XN was built, and I had set up the doors," and the porters and the singers and the Levites were ai)pointed, 2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: ""for he was a faithful man, and "^ feared God above many. 3 And I said luito them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot ; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Je- rusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house. 4 Now the city was t large and great : but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. 5 *[] And my God ^put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that Ihey miglit be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register'' of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein. 6 These ^are the children of the prov- ince, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whoms Nebuchadnezzar tlie king of Bab- ylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto , his city ; 7 Who came with •'Zcrubbabcl, Jcshua, Nehemiah, ^Azariah. Uaamiah, Nahama- ni, INIordecai. BiLshan. Mispereth, Bigvai. Nchum, Baanah. The number, I saij. of the men of the people of Israel was this: 8 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventv and two. ht\nnl in spaces. ■ Kxod. 18:21. t Hch. : l.cu-. f Ezra i: I. 9. Fear of men is unbecoming in the people of Ha:.l:l. t Or.Sfini.iA.Eim C:-;. } Or.Bn...- WOt.Jora. * Or. Gil'liar. ^ (^r. .Umavtlk. % Or, Kvjallt.nrim 16. Sometimes G-od so manifestly .appears in .sup- port of his cause, that even its enemies see hi.« hand, and are convinced that their efforts to stop it will be unavailing. CHAPTER MI. 3. Let not the galcf of Jerusalem be opeiieA ; this wa.<; designed to guard against enemies. -I. The city vos large; the walls, liaving been built on the old foundations, enclosed more than was inhabited. 5. A register; containing the names of those who came up from Babvlon to Judea. co:i Genealogy of those NEHEMIAH VII. returning J'rom Babylon- 33 The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two. 34 The chiklren of the other "Elarn, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. 35 The children of Harim, three hun- dred and twenty. 36 The chiklren of Jericho, three hun- dred forty and five. 37 The children of Lod, Iladid, and Ouo, seven hundred twenty and one. 38 The children of Senaah, three thou- sand nine hundred and thirty. 39 ^ The priests: the children of '■Je- daiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hun- dred .seventy and three. 40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. 41 The children of "^Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. 42 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen. 43 1[ The Levites : the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of * Hodevah, seventy and four. 44 The singers : the children of Asaph, a hundred forty and eight. 45 The porters: the children of Shal- lum, the' children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkuh, the chil- dren of Hatita^ the children of Shobai, a hundred thirty and eight. 46 *j, The Nethinim : the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the chil- dren of Tabbaoth, 47 The children of Keros, the children of tSia. the children of Padon, 48 The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of JShalmai, 49 The children of IIanan,the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, 50 The children of Rcaiah, the children of Rezln, the children of Nekoda, 51 The children of (lazzam, the chil- dren of Uzza, the children of Pascah, 52 The children of Bcsai, the children of Mcunim, the children of* Nephishesim, 53 The children of Bakbuk, the chil- dren of llakuplia, the children of Harhur, 54 The children of il Bazlith, the chil- dren of Mehida, the children of Harsha, • ver.1'2. b I Cliron. 21 :7,i'lr r 1 rlir.m H:I2. * Ot, Jlndamali, F.7.rn'2:*0;nr,Juilah.F.7.r.\^:% fnr.Siahu. fClr, Xhnmlai. 5 Or, Nephutim. II Or, Biizlullt. " (tr,Peni.K:9. ■ I.ev.7: 19,20. jEx. 28:30. Ilsa.l4:l,9 3. We should show our trust in God by the proper use of means, and not tempt him by the neglect of them. 5. Every good thought is from above; and while we diligently improve it to the best adv.intage, God should be acknowledged as the giver of all good, •ind the glory of all be rendered to liim. 70. \Vlu'n God, in addition lo all his other mer- cies, gives men a disposition to employ what they have to his glory, it is evidence of his peculiar favor, and should be acknowledged with peculiar gratitude and joy. The laiv is read NEHEMIAH VIH, and explained. n.c.'^T- TO li And *some of the chief of the fathers gas^e unto the work. The Tir- shatha "gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments. 71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two liundred pounds of silver. 72 And that which the rest of the people gave U'as twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pounds of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments. 73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nctliinim, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and ''when the seventh month came, the children of Israel tccre in their cities. CHAPTER VIII. ] The religious manner of reading and hearing the law. 9 They comfort the people. l:J The forwardness of them to hear and be instructed. 16 They keep the feast of tabernacles. AND " all the people gathered them- selves together as one man into the street that u'a.s before the ''water-gate; and they spake unto Ezra the "^scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the '^congregation both of men and W"omeii, and all that t could hear with understanding, ^upon the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read therein before the street that n-as before the water-gate from the morning f until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could un- derstand; and the ears of all the people icerc attentive unto the book of the law. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit* of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mat- titliiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uri.jah, and Hilkiah, and JNIaaseiah, on his right hand ; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Misliael, and Malchiah, and Ilashum, and Ilashbadana, Zecha- riah. and Menhullam. .5 And Ezra ''opened the book in the sight il of all the people; for he was above 'Heh.iwrt. • cli. « :9. b Ezra 3: 1. c Kini:l: l.tlr. J cli. S.-IB. e Ezra ":«; Isn. .^-l : IR. rAflsl5:2I. i Heb. understimd in hear- inn s I.ev. Q3 : -24. j Heb. /i>At ^ H to eat. and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great 'mirth, because "they had "understood the words that were de- clared unto them. 13 ^ And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the father.'* of all the people, the priests, and the Le- vites, unto Ezra the scribe, even • to un- derstand the words of the law. 14 And they found written in the law which the Lonnhad commanded 'by Mo- ses, that the children of Israel should dwell in * booths in the feast of the seventh month : 15 And that they should publisli and proclaim in all their cities, and in ,loru- salcm. saying. Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olivebranches,and pincbraneh- es. and myrtle branches, and palm branch- 24 : 27, 4.'i : Acti B : M, ctr. * Ot,f ovtmor. f \jrr. £1 : i* : Num. 29:1. q DeutIR:M: Kprl3:4; I««.61:3. r srl.ron 34 :1: 1.4; fil : 10; Joel2 : 13; Phil.3:3. • Pmi. IW: I-S. w Rom. 7 : I. K. X viT. 7. 8. t Or. that Ihty mifKI initmct in. X Ueb.bylhtkandaf. y r.»T. 23 : 34,42; Dput. Ifi: n,«lr. 7. Caused the people to understand ; shoved them the meaning of what was read. 9. Tiishalha ; governor. All the people ipept ; in view of their transgressions ami the punishment which they deserved. 14. In the feast of the seventh month ; the feast of tabernacles. Lev. 21 : 31. 605 Joy of the people. NEHEMIAII IX. The solemn fast. es. and branches of thick trees, to make boolhs. as it is written. 16 ^ So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the*roof of his housC; and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the .■direct of the water-gate, and ''in the street of the gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths : for since the days of .Joshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great "^gladness. 18 Also ""day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a * solemn assembly, according unto the "" manner. CHAPTER IX. 1 A solemn fast, and repentance of the people. 4 The Levites make a religious confession of God's good- ness, and their wickedness. "IVTOW in the twenty and fourth day of J_\ this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclolhcs, and '^earth upon them. 2 And the seed of Israel sepnrated^thcm- selves from all t. strangers, and stood and eonfessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place, and read'' in the book of the law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God. 4 1[ Then stood up upon the ^ stairs, of (he Levites, Jeshua. and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni. Sherehiah, Bani, aiid Chenani, and 'cried with a loud voice unto tVie Lord their God. 5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kad- > De uL23 8. b 2 Kings 14: l:!; cimp. 12: :i7,.W c 2 Cli ron. no.ii. d DeulSl : 10-1:!. * Heb. restraint. « Num. 2it :«. f 1 Sim 4: \i f Ezra it: 2: 0:11. t Heb strange childri n, P«a. 144:11 hell. p. 8:7,8. t Or , scaffold, i P9a.3:4. ) I'sa. ISo: ,'i- k 1 Clir on. W l:i. 1 I'sa-lC. 2; 10(1:2. m I'sa «6: IO;I.sa :!7 in. 17. Made booths; in remembrance of their fa- thers" having dwelt in tents, forty years in the wil- derness. There was very threat gladness; in view of their being settled again in Canaan, as tliere was in the days of Jo.siiua, when they took possession of it, 18. According unto the mamier ; as prescribed in the law of Moses. , INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The reading and explanation of the Scriptures is one of the most powerful moans of reviving true religion; and when men desire to hear, ministers should ever be ready to communicate to them a knowledge of the word and will of God. G. Proper attention to the word of God will lead a people to bless him for his goodness, and to wor- ship him in the way of his appointment. 60G micl, Bani, Ilashabniah. Sherebi- "ah^'^a. ah, Hodijah. Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, 'Stand up and bless the Lord your God forever and ever; and 'blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted 'above ail blessing and praise. 6 Thou, even '"thou, art Lord alone; thou ha.'it ° made heaven, the heaven of heavens," with all their host, the earth, and all things that arc therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Pthou pre- servest them all; and the ihost of heav- en worshippeth thee. 7 Thou artWie Lord the God, ''who didst choose Abram, and broughtcst him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the ^'name of Abraham ; 8 And foundest his heart 'faithful be- fore thee, and madest a "covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites. the Amorites, and the Pcriz- zitcs, and the Jebusites, and the Gir- gashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast ^performed thy words; ti)r tliou art righteous ; 9 And didst "see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by "the Red sea; 10 And showed.st 'signs and w^onders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land ; for thou knewest that they dealt 'proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name,* as it is this day. 11 And ''thou didst divide the sea be- fore them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters. 12 Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy '"pillar: and in the night by a pillar of tire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. 13 Thou earnest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heav- n Gen. 1:1; K.\. 21) : 11. oDeut. 10:14. r Piia. :)fi : 8. q Rev. .i: 11-13. r Gen. 12:1. >Gen. 17:.5. t Gen. 15 :«, 18. u IV-a. in.'i:8. V .loah.2:!: 14. w Ex. 3 : 7, 8. x Ex. 14 : !0. J Ex. chnp. 7-14. « Ej. 18: 11. a ls« 63: 12-14 : .ler .12 :20. k Ex. cliatt. 14,15. c Ex. 13:21,22. 9. Sorrow for sin, however great or long continued, should never prevent humble trust in God. or hinder any from using the bounties of Providence with cheerful gratitude, and imparling liberally to those who are destitute, that all may rejoice together. 13. Due attention to the word of God will lead men to have respect to all his commandments ; nor will attention to one set of duties prevent them from promptly engaging in and faithfully performing oth- ers to which they are called. 17. Readiness to engage in all known duty, and fidelity in the performance of it, fill the soul with gladness; and through grace prepare it to rejoice for ever with joy unspeakable and full of glory. CHAPTER IX. 1. This month; Tishri, the seventh month. The LevitciP confession NEHEMIAH IX. at thf solemn fast. B."«r' en, and gavcst "them riglit judg-Ifore them the inhabitants of the land.tlic ments, and *truc laws, good statutes and | Caiiaanitcs, and gavcst them into their commandments: hands, witli their kings, and the pooide 14 And madest known unto them thy of tiie land, that thcv might do with holy sabbath, and commandedst them pre eepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant : 15 And gavest them ''bread from heav- en for their hunger, and broughtest forth •= water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst t sworn to give them. 16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and '' hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, 17 And refused to obey, ''neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion "^appointed a cap- them ^ as they would. 25 And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and po.sscsscd houses full of all goods, wells'l digged, vineyards, and olive-yards, and "fruit-trees in abundance ; so tiiey did cat, and were filled, and became "fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness. 26 Ne vert hclcss they were P disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy lawibeliind their backs, and ^«lcw thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations. 27 Tlierefore 'thou delivercdst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of tlicir tain to return to their bondage: but thou ' trouble, when tliey cried unto thee, thou art a God t ready to pardon, gracious and i heardest them from heaven ; and accord- merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not. 18 Yea, when ethey had made them a molten calf, and said. This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations; 19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest"* them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not frotn ing 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 thee : therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them : yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest tlicm from lieaven ; them by day, to lead them in the way ; and many times didst tliou deliver tlicm neither the pillar of fire by night, to j according to thy mercies; show them light, and the way wherein they should go. 20 Thou gavcst also thy 'good Spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst. 21 Yea, J forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing ; their '' clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not 29 And testifiedst against them, thai thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and heark- ened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgnu-nts, which if a man do, he shall live in them ; and * with- drew the shoulder, and hardened tlieir neck, and would not liear. 30 Yet many years didst thou * forbear them, and 'testifiedst against tiiem bv ihv 22 .Moreover thou gavest them king- j Spirit H in thy prophets : yet would tliey doms and nations, and didst divide them not give ear: therefore gavest tliou tliem into corners: so they possessed the land of j into the hand of the people of the lands. Sihon,' and the land of the king of Ilcsh- 31 Nevertheless for tliy great mercies" bon, and the land of Og king of Bashan. sake thou didst not utterly consume 23 Their children also mullipliedst thou] them, nor forsake tliem : for thou art a as the stars of heaven, and broughtest . gracious and merciful God. them into the land, concerning which | 32 Now tlierefore, our God, the groat, thou hadst promised to their fathers, that j the mighty, and the terrible (Jod, who they should go in to possess it. keepest covenant and mercy, let not all 24 So the '"children went in and pos- the 'trouble seem little before thee, that sessed the land, and thou "subduedst be- hath t come upon m. on our kings, on our • Ex^clT "0 eU- *^Heb. /.iii'»o//rii//i. >• Ki.ir>:H,l.i; Jolin accnrdinf to Ihcir will. || Or, ciitfut. ' Hrb.titrt .//....; fi-3l-.'i3 c Ex 17fi; Num. ■.'0:7-11. t Hcb. ;i^» up My Aanrf, o n<-iit. 3.' : 1.1. p Jii.lg. .' : II, W ; >:««-k. •:«; il. iP»..1, etc. e i;,a. 8«:.1, l.i. r 1 Kinff., 18:4 : Arl.l 7: .V;. . P.«In. 106:41. \ H<-h ,„u, nr.i VurnH4 ± Heb o/ W'rfon*. eEx.3J:4. ii \S.\m.\-i: -22 ;] to da evil. % Hfh.theji )ave a tetlhiraicmf ik.oiUtr, Ar.U , i\ Isa 44-2r "i Isa.63':ll. i Dent. -2 : 7. kDet kmnd <■/. 21:-21,et<-. m Num. 14 : 31 ; Josli. 21 :+I, 43. u Pan. 44 : •-•, 3. 4 Heb. j » Hrb. lcenrinr/». f Hch./oumil. 20. Thy good Spitit to instruct them; by the mouth of his servants. Ver. 30. 27. Saviors; men raised up in providence to deliver tliem. 607 13 Judgment/: ; especially judicial decisions. Statutes; what he ordained. 17. Appointed a captain; resolved to do it. Num. 14 : 1-4. A covenant sealed. NEHEMIAH X. Aamcs of the sealers. princes, and ou our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the "time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. 33 Ilowbcit thou arl ''just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done ri^ht, but "^^ we have done wickedly: 34 Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor '' hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst ''testify against them. 35 P'or '^they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and 8 fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works. 36 Behold, we ai-e ''servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good therebf, behold, we are servants in it: 37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the 'kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins : also they have do- minion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. 38 And because of all this we 'make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, *sea.l unto it. CHAPTER X. 1 The names of them that sealed the covenant. 29 The points of the covenant. "IVTOW t those that sealed were, Nehe- _LN miah, the + Tirshatha, the son of Jlachaliah,'' and Zidkijah, . 2K "1 , 17 3. b Psa. 119: 137 H.'; :I7 Dan. 9:.^- 14. c Psa. I0< .•6. Jer 29 19. e Deut. 31-21, 2K l|gs, 17:1.T f Deut, M 47. i: Deut. 3 ■.'20. 1> E7.r n 9 9. D.. ut. 28 : 3.3. J 2 Kings, an 3; 2C1 ron. •2H: 10; chap, in :2<) * Hell are at the staling, or 36. We are servants ; in l>ondage to the king of Persia. 37. Doviin ion over our bodies ; to employ tliem in war.s and other services, at their pleasure. 38. Wc make a sure eoveiiant ; a covenant, in all sincerity, with the Lord to obey him. INSTRUCTIONS. 3. Due attention to the word of God will lead to humble confession of sin, and hearty devotion to his worship and service. 5. Though the Lord is exalted above all human conception, yet he is pleased with the praises of his people, and glorified by all who worship him in spirit and in truth. 8. Ijod is faithful to his promises, and never dis- appoints the well-grounded hopes of those who trust in liim. 13. The laws of Jehovah are all right and good ; and suited to promote not only his glory, but the excellence, usefulness, and happiness of all who obey them. 1(3. No mercies are so numerous, great, or long- continued as to lead men, without the grace of God, to obey liim ; but the greater and more constant 608 2 Seraiali,' Azariah, Jeremiah, */c.'m? 3 Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah, 4 Hattush, Shebaniah, JNIalluch, 5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, 6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Barucli. 7 MeshuUam, Abijali, ]Mijamin, 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, iShemaiah : these were the priests. 9 And the Levites : both Jcshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadiniel; 10 And their brethren, Shebaniah, Ho- dijali, Kelita, Pelaiali. Ilanan, 11 Micha, Rehob, Hasliabiah, 12 Zaccur, Sherebiaii, Shebaniah, 13 Hodijah, Bani, Bcninu. 14 The chief of the people; '"Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam. Zatthu, Bani, 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, 16 Adonijah. Bigvai. Adin, 17 Ater, Ilizkijah, Azzur, 18 Hodijah, Hashuni, Bezai, 19 Hariph. Anathoth, Nebai, 20 ]\]agpiash, MeshuUam, Hezir, 21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua, 22 Polatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub, 24 Hallohesh, Pilcha, Sliobek, ' 25 Rehum, Hashabnah. JNIaaseiah, 26 And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan, 27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah. 28 IT And "the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinim, and all they that had "separated themselves from the peo- ple of the lands unto the P]aw of God, their wives, their sons, and their daugh- ters, 1 every one having knowledge, and having understanding : sealed. f Hel). at the scalin/js, chap. 9:38. f Or, govet-nor, cliap. 8:9. V chap. 1:1. 1 chnp. 1-2:1. etc. m Ezra 2 : 3, etc. ; chap. T:«, etc n K7.ra 2 :36. o I,cv. -:0 : ■-'•I : Ezra 10: 11-19; chap. 9:2; 13:3. p Roni. I : 1. q chap. 8; 2; Psa. 47 : 7. their mercies, the greater will be their ingratitude, till thev ripen for ruin. 20. The Lord, by his Spirit, often admonishes and instructs even the most rebellious; and for a long time waits to be gracious, doing them good and using all suitable means to lead them to repent- ance and salvation. 24. Children who inherit great blessings through the instrumentality of their parents and others, not unfrequently abuse them to their own destruction. 28. Life often consi.-^ts much in a contest between the goodness of God and the ingratitude and rebel- lion of men; and though, in answer to their cries, he often delivers them from their troubles, they as often forget his mercies and trample on his com- mands. 33. Sin is the cause of all trouble : and God is holy, just, and good in all the judgments he brings upon those who commit it. CHAPTER X. 1. Tho.'-e that sealed ; that set their seal to the covenant mentioned at the close of the last chap- ter. Points of the covenant. XEIIEMrAH XI, Loiitlion rf the people. B.a ^«''- 29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an » oath, to ''walk in God's law, which was given *by Moses the servant of God, and to obs:erve and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, :in'l his judgments and his statutes; 30 And that we would not give our daughters <= unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons : 31 And ?/the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the "'sabbath- day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the * seventh year, and the "^ exaction of every tdebt. 32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God ; 33 For the ^show-bread, and for the continual ''meat-offering, and for the continual' burnt-offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offer- ings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. 34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, Jfor the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by '' year, to burn upon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is 'written in the law: 35 And to bring the "Mirst-fruits of our ground, and the first-fruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the Loud : 36 Also the first-born of our sons, and of our cattle, as it /.s" written in the law, and the firstlings of our lierds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God. unto the priests that minister in the house of our God: 37 And that we should bring the first- fruits of our "dough; and our offerings, and the p fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the • Deut. -29 : li, H ; clia|>. n : 1 J, 13 : I>s.i. I W : 1«. t> i Climn. .34 : 31. * H^ib. Ay the hand of. c Kx. S4 : 16 ; Ueut 7 : S ; Erra 9 12 14. d Lev. 2:1 : :i : Deut .t: 12; ciinii. 13: IS, etc. ; I.iHinli 68i:)14. eLev.ao:4. f Deut. 1.5:2 : cliap. S: 1-13. f Heb. Aand. ■ B L«-. 24 : 5. I> Num clinp. V, SI. 13:31 ; Isa. 40: Ifi. k Heb. 10: :»-7. I 1.. i Heb. 10: II. 1 clinp. ■- •• .23: I 5 Or. Mer„ i..W, V or l.V II Or, G HHllho 16. * Jhi J, L ,ke 1 : .-.. t o amtn. ver. 1 7. t Or Aua.H 17. ll Or, .yu(/M :W, «. • rlmplrr :i : IS. • Nui.i 10:8.8. went the other way with Nehemiah. They mpt on the opposite side of tho city, and went tn^»'tli»T to the temple and offered their sacrifices of thankx- giving and praise, for h.ivin:^ been eiialded to finish the rebuilding and fortifying of the i-itv. Vi-rMes 40-43. INSTRUCTIONS. 22. WTien ministers of the gospel arp most faith- ful in the discharge of their appropriate duties, they 611 Officers in the temple. NEHEMIAII XlII Abuses rectified. Jonathan, the ron of Shcmaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph : 36 And his brethren, Sheinaiah, and Azaracl, Mihilai, Gilahii, Maai,' Nethan- cel, and Judah, Hanani, Avith the music- al "instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. 37 And at the ''fountain-gate, -svhich ■was over against them; they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water-gate east- ward. 38 And the "^ other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall ; 39 And from above the gate of "^Ephra- im, and above the old gate, and -above the fish-gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep-gate : and they stood still in the prison-gate." 40 So stood the two eompanics of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and [, and the half of the rulers with me : 41 And the priests ; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniarniu, INIichaiah, Elioenai, Zeeha- riah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 And Maaseiah, and Shcmaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers *sang "^loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. 43 Also that day they offered great sac- rifices, and rejoiced ; for God had made them rejoice with great joy : the wives also and the childi-en rejoiced : "so that the joy of Jerusalem was « heard even afar off. 44 1[ And at that time were some ap- pointed over the "' chambers for the treas- ures, for the offerings, for the first-fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions oft the law for the priests and Levites ; • 1 Cliron. 2.) : S. b rli«|i.3 : l.".,ftr. c ver. 31. d 2 Kinga, 14: I:); chap. 8: IG. e .'er. 32 : '2. * Heh. made llieir voice to /« heard. r P»a. m : I ; iW : 4-K. I! Eira 3 : 1 2. h rliiin. 13: 12, 13. fTIiatis, appainUd by the law. % Hcl). fur the ii>v of Judah. % Hel). stood. i I Cliron. cli. •2.1,26, J 2 Clirou. 2y : 30. k Num. 18 : 21,2(1 || That is. take the best course, not only to honor G-od and advance tlie interests of true religion, but also to secure a comfortable support for themselves and their families. 30. To be made instrumental in purifying others, ministers of the gospel must seek purification them- selves, and endeavor in all things to set before the people a safe and u.seful example. 41). Thanks should be rendered to God at the con- clusion of every great and good work; and all the glory of success by all classes should be given to him. 012 fort Judah rejoiced for the priests Vc.^iS and for the Levitcs that Svaited. 45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their (lod, and tlie word of the purification, according to the 'com- mandment of David, and of Solomon his son. 46 For in the days of David and i Asaph of old there icerc chief of the singers, nisd songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerul - babel, and in the days of Nclicmiah, gave the portions of the singers and tlie por- ters, every day his ''portion: and they sanctifiedil holy thing.t unto the Levitcs ; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. CHAPTER XITI. 1 Tpon the reading of the law separation is made from the mixed multitude. 4 Nehemiah at hi.'; return caus- eth the chambers to be cleansed. 10 He reformeih the offices in the house of God. 1.5 The Tiolation of the sabbath, 2;^ and the marriages with strange wives. ON that day *they 'read in the book of Mose« in the t audience of the peo- ple ; and ""therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Rloabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever ; 2 Because "they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired" Balaam against them, that he should curse them: Phowbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they ''separated from Israel all the mi.xed multitude. 4 ^ And before tliis, Eliashib the priest, havingt the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, tvas allied unto Tobiah : 5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, ''where aforetime they laid the meat-olTerings, the frankincense, and tlie vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was ^com- manded "to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters ; and the of- ferings of the priests. set apart. ■« H Mat. 2.1 40. o Nutl . 2 !:fi, V N 1: III : Deut 2 ):6; .losh 24 n, 10 : M <'i.h fi:5. q rh. 0:2. t Hp b. he ng set o :er. r 2Chron.3l:ll; rh 12:44 % Hob the c ndment of th Levites. ■ Nl m, IK:21 ,24. 45. The influence of good men is felt long after they are dead ; and each one should be cartful to set an example which will be useful as long as it shall be remembered, and be instrumental when he is in heaven of preparing others for the same exceed- ing and eternal glory. CHAPTER XIII. 4. Tobiah; an Ammonite, and an enemy to the Jews. 5. A great chamber; in the courts of the tem- ple, contrary to the command of G-od. Sabbath violations, NEHEMIAH XIII. and strans:e wives. b;c''4m'.° 6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem : *for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I vmto the king, and * after certain days obtained t I leave of the king : 7 And I came to Jerusalem, and under- stood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. 8 And it grieved me sore : therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of To- biah out of the chamber. 9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers : and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat-offering and the frankincense. 10 ^And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God for- saken ? And I gathered them together, and set them in their t place. 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the ^ treasuries. 1 3 And I made treasurers over the treas- uries,'' Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah : and II next to them iras Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah : for they were counted '^faithful, and *their ofhce was to distribute unto their brethren. 14 Remember ""me, 0 my God, concern- ing this, and wipe not out my good tdeeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the t offices thereof. 15 T[ In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine-presses on the * sab- bath, and bringing in sheaves, and lad- ing asses ; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, ''which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbatli- day : and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also there- in, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. »chap.5:14 " Ugh. al the end n/ din/s. t Or, I rarnetthj re- questtd. % Heh. stnniiing. \ Or, stmchouscs, yi.x\.Z: \0. b cIj. 12 : 44 ; ver 5. || Hfb. at their hand. e Acts 6 : 3 ; 1 Tim. .T : lu. * Hell, it was up^m them. .1 Psa. IM :fi-9; Heb. K: 10. f Heb. kindnentet. f Or. o/itervatiom. eETOdMrlO. f chap. 10:31. B ver 11 ; Prov. 2S : 4. b Jer. ITtil-a iLev.23:32. Heb. dt- 6. Was not I at Jerusalem ; Nehemiah had left Judea and returned to Persia; and the above mentioned abuses are supposed to have taken place durinjr his absence. Came I unto the i'i>ig ; the king of Persia, who reigned also over Babylon, and is here called the king of Babylon. Nehemiah's return was twelve years after lie first loft Persia and went to Jerusalem. Obtained I leave of the king ; leave to go back again to Jerusalem. How long he now continued in Persia is not known. 17 Then sj contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them. What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath-day"? 18 Did not your fathers ''thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet yc bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sab- bath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark 'be- fore tlie 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, thai there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath-day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them. Why lodge ye * about the wain if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites, that they should J cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify tlie sabbath-day. Remember me,'' 0 my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the H greatness of thy mercy. 23 1[ In those days also saw I Jews that had * married 'wives of Ashdod, of Amnion, and of Moab : 24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and t could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of teach people. 25 And "'I contended with them, and cursed^ them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them "swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 26 Did not "Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Pyet among many na- tions was there no king like him, who was beloved 1 of his God, and God made him ftre. j cliap. l-2:.30. kver.l4, 31. ^ Or. mullituile. || Heb. made to dwelt vilh them. I E7.r;l ;* : •*. ■*" Heb. they diicerned not to tpeak. f H^h. people and people. m ver. 11,17. X Or, r^- viVfrf, Psalm IS : 4. n Ezra 10:. 'i; chapter 10: -29. .W. o i Kings, 11: 1, etc. p 1 Kings, 3:13; 2 Chronicles, 9: M. <\ 2 Samuel, 12:24. 10. Were fled; because they did not receive their support. VI. The tithe ; a tenth part of their produce, for the support of the ministers of religion. 1.3. Treading u-i/ie-presses ; to press the juice out of grapes, which was the usual manner of mak- ing wine. 23. Ashdod — Ammo?t — Moab; heathen nations. 2o. Pliicki'il off tlitir liair ; a token of disgrace. 26. Outlandish ; heathen. 613 Ahasucriis makdh ESTHER I. a royal feast- king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives ? 28 And one of the sons of *Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high-priest, was son- in-law to Sanballat the Horonite : there- fore I chased him from me. 29 Remember'' them, 0 my God, *be- liood, and the " covenant of the priestliood, and of the Levites. 30 Thus cleansed I them from all stran- gers, and appointed the '' wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business ; 31 And for the wood-offering at tin.'cs appointed, and for the tirst-fruits. lic- membcr "-'me, 0 my God, for good. THE BOOK OF ESTHER. CHAPTER I. 1 Ahasuerus maketh royal feasts. 10 Vashti, sent for, refuseth to come. I'J Ahasuerus, by the counsel of Memucan, maketh the decree of men's sovereignty. "JYpOW it came to pass in the days of _L\ "^jiVhasucrus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over^ a hundred and seven and twenty provinces,) 2 Tkat in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his king- dom, which was in '' Shushan the palace, 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a 'feast unto all his princes and his ser- vants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him : 4 When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his a cli. 1-2: lO.ii. bell. H: 14. * Huh. for the dfjilingt. c Mai. 2:4,10. T,villlet, i\y.l\<. S: 15. j Ezek. M : 4l ; Arnos 6:4. ^ Or. of porphyry, and miu-hle, and alahatter, and stone of blue color. \\ Wvh. %vine of the kingdom. * Hcb. Auiirf. tion of other secular business, on the Sabbath, are highly ofl'ensive to God ; and tend to bring down upon individuals and the community, his wrath and curse. 19. As servile or secular labor on the Sabbath is inconsistent with the temporal welfare of the com- munity, as well as the eternal good of individuals, it is the duty of tiie government by penal sanctions to prevent it. and if men will violate the law, to visit them with punishment ; and when transgress- ors find the government and the people resolutely set against them, and that they cannot trample on the Sabbath with impunity, they will be likely to abstain from it. 28. Those who set at open defiance the laws of G-od and man. and whose continued presence is incon- sistent with the welfare of the community, should not be permitted to live in it; and in all wise and good ellorts to prevent their pestiferous influence, men may expect the aid of the enlightened, patri- otic, and good, and the blessing of God. CHAPTER I. 1. Ahasiienis ; supposed by some to be the same as Xerxes. He reigned at Siiushan, in Persia to wiiich the seat of empire had been transferred from Babylon. Vashti is deposed. ESTHER II. Counsel of Memucan. B.c'0'9^' law; none did ^compel : for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do accordinji; to every man's pleasure. 9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 10 ^ On the seventh day, when the heart'' of the king was "^ merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, ''Har- bona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the .seven *ehamberlains that serv- ed in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 1 1 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty : for she ivas t fair to look on. 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment tby his chamberlains: therefore was Ihe king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 13 ^ Then the king said to the "wise men, which "^knew the times, (for so teas the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment : 14 And the next unto him was Carshe- na, Shethar, Admatha, Tai-shish, INIeres, Marsena, an(/ Memucan, the » seven prin- ces of Persia and Media, '" which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom,) 15 What* shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains'? 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The • H,lb.2:l5. H -2 Sam. LI: M. cEccl.lO:19. d cliau. 7 : ». » Or, ruiiuclis. i Heh.ff""d n/counUnance, l!ixm.'2r,:n. J Heb. teliich was Ay the hand of his eunuclit. « .ler. 10:7. f 1 Cliron. 1'2::J2. gEzr;l-:U. h 2 Kings, ii: 1>). % Heb. JTAo* fo rfo. |j Heb. bt good with. * Heb. f rum lie/ore him. f Heit pan not aivnu, 8. None did compel; none were compelled to drinli. but each one drank, or refrained, as he pleased. 1"2. Vashti refused to cojne ; it was felt by her to be an indignity to be summoned thus into the presence of men, to gratify the caprice and vanity of the king. l.'l Which knew the times; were acquainted with the history and customs of the kingdom. Ki. Done n-ro//g — to all the people ; by setting a bad example. 10. That it be not altered; it was then the establi.shed u.sage, that laws of the Medes and Per- sians, once passed, could not be altered. No law of dis'orce 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 king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. 19 If it li please the king, let there go a royal commandment * from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Per- sians and the iNledes, that it t be not altered. That Vashti come no more be- fore king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto t another that is better than she. 20 And M"hcn the king's decree, which he shall make, shall be published through- out all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands 'hon- or, both to great and small. 21 And the saying * pleased the king and the princes; and the king did ac- cording to the word of Memucan : 22 For he sent J letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear ''rule in his own house, and that H it should be published according to the language of every people. CHAPTER II. 1 Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to be chosen. 5 Mordecai the nursing farher of Esther. S E.-^ther is preferred by Hegai before the rest. ]'2 The man- ner of purification, and going in to the king. 15 Es- ther best pleasing the king is made queen. '21 Mor- decai discovering a treason, is recorded in the chroni- cles. AFTER these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was 'decreed against her. 2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him. Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: cliap. 8:8; Dan.6:)<-13. t Heh. her companion. iKpli5:33; Col. 3:18. ^ Heh. wat good in the enet of. jihap. 8:>'. )^ Kpli. ! ft : c:--24 ; 1 Tim. i : 12. || Heb. one thould publith it according la \ the language of his people. I chap. 1 : 19, '20. men for the display 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 others. 15. Those who are clothed with authority should be careful not to give commands which cannot con- sistently be complied with, which can neither be obeyed nor disobeyed witliout involving others in distress and ruin. 19. As human laws are more or less imperfect, and are at times palpably unjust, the idea that they are never to be altered is the offspring of self-suffi.. ciency and pride. 615 Choice of a queen. ESTHER II, Esther is crowned. 3 And let the king appoint ofTicers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather togetlier all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody* of t Hcgc the king's chamber- lain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4 And let the maiden which plcaseth the king be* queen instead of Vasliti. And the thing pleased the king: and he did so. 5 •[ Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew whose name teas Mor- decai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite : 6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the ''captivity which had been carried away with -Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he ^ brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid ivas H fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 ^ So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were "^gathered togetlier unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought _also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained ''kindness of him; and he speed- ily gave her her things for ''purification, with *such' things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he + preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 10 Esther had not showed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged Hier that she should not show it. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know t how Esther did, and what should become of her. 12 ^ Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, ac- cording to the manner of llic women, (for bO were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of ^myrrh, and six months with sweet * Hvh. hand. t Or, Ufdiil, vcr« 8. • Mnt. M:l«: 2> : H. b 2 Kjiibm.M: H, ISl .ler. J<: I. % nr, JihoiaMn.l Kings, 24 : 6. 4 Hell, nourMitil. Epli. 0:J. || Heh. fair iif /«. Afr ;.,.>•■ tion: f Hvb. cliiingtd. I ver. iO. ^ Hub. Ihe peuee o/ Bslher, CHAPTER II. 7. Hadassah ; this was her Jewish name, called Esther by the Persians. 61G [ odors, and with other things for the Vc.^: purifying of the women,) I 13 Then thus came ere/?/ maiden unto 'the king; whatsoever she desired was I given her to go with her out of the house ! of the women unto the king's house. 14 In the evening she went, and on jthe morrow she returned into the second [house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz. the king's chamberlain, which jkept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, ''except the king de- lighted in her, and that she were called by 'name. 15 1[ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Morde- cai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she re- quired nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained J favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 1 6 So Esther was taken unto king Ahas- uerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and ^ favor II in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen in- stead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great ''feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast ; and he made a *re- lease to the provinces, and gave 'gifts, according to the state of the king. 19 And when the virgins were gather- ed together the second time, then Mor- decai "'sat in the king's gate. 20 Esther had not yet showed her kin- dred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her: for "Esther did the com- mandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. 21 1[ In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's cham- berlains, tBigthan and Teresh, of tiiose whicli kept the ^door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to I\lor- decai, wlio "told it unto Esther the queen ; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordccai's name. G*-!!. .17: 11; 1 .Snm. 17: 18. « Pror. 7: 17 : I«ninli 67:!». k Gen. 31 : 19; Deul. ■;! : H; l«n.fi2:4,Ii. il«n.4:<:l. jCnnl.K:!': «: 10; Acta 7: in. ^ Or, kimllittt. ]\ »eb. Iirfore him. k rli.ip. I:S « HHi. irW. I N.-I1. 8: l». m ,|in|i :!: •:. i> Kpli. «: l-:i. i Or, Hit/lhnna, ili]i|i. <\ : -i. i Hi-b, Ihreiliold. « v Mem. J HKh. weigh. j Gen. 41:42: chap. 8:2, «. % Or, .ipjirc Mm-, rliap. 7 : ti. k cliap. K;0,etc. \\ Or, sraetaiiet. I 1 Kings., -21 : 8. acter, and should be cultivated by all wjio are in- trusted with great and important concerns. 17. When G-od sees best, he can give his people favor even with those who rebel against him ; and all the influence he gives to any should be employed to promote his glory and the good of men. '2\. While the wicked are devising wicked de- vices and seeking the ruin of others, God may be preparing to overrule it for their own destruction, and for the salvation of his people. . CHAPTER III. 1. Haman; supposed to have been an Amalek- ite, and a descendant of one of their ancient kings. E.X. 17 : 14 ; Deut. 25 : 17-19, 8. To suffer litem ; suffer them to live. 10. Took his ring — and gave it unto Haman, this was a token that he gave him authority to accomplish his wishes. 617 Tlic Jews Diourn. ESTHER IV Morihtai ihargclh Esther. 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's coniuiandment, and the de- cree was given in Shushau the palace. And the king and llaman sat down to drink; but the *city Sliushan was per- plexed. CHAPTER IV. \ The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews. 4 Ksther, understanding it. sendeth to Mordecai, wlio showeth the cause, and adviseth her to undertake the suit. 10 She excusing herself is threatened by Morde- cai. 15 She ap])ointing a fast undertaketh tlie suit. "YTT^HEN Mordecai perceived all that V V' ^va.s done, Mordecai '' rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ■= ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a ^ bitter cry ; 2 And came even before the king's gate ; for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there icas great ^mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing : and * many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 T[ So E.sther's maids and her tcham- berlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him : but he ^ received it not. 5 Then called P^sther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had J appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it ivas. 6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which teas before the king's gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the ^sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the kings treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. • Prov. 2>):2. b 2 Snin. I : II ; Job I :20. c.losli. 7:6: Ezek. 27 : 30 ; .loniili 3 : fi. d Ocn. 27 : 34. e Isa. 22 : 4, .5 ; 37 : 1-3. "• Helj. tackcloth and iishct were laid under many, Isa. 58:5; Dan. 9 : 3. t Hcb. tunucht. I I'sa. 77 : 2. J Heb. set before, g chap 3 : 9. 15. Shnsha7i was perplexed ; on account of the decree to destroy tlie Jews. INSTRUCTIONS I. Despots not unfrequently advance to places of honor and power the most wicked of their subjects. 3. When rulers require tlieir subjects to disobey God, it is the duty of subjects to disobey them ; and thougli tliis may expose fhcm to the wrath of men, it will meet the approbation of God. (). A man may be so wicked a.s to regard liisown glory more than he does the lives of his fellow-men. 7. The lot may be cast into the lap, but the dis- posal will be of God ; and lie may so order it as to prevent the end it was intended to subserve. II. For the gratification of a worthless favorite, a monarch will sometimes sacrifice the happiness, and even the lives of thousands of his subjects. 15. The triumph of the wicked is short; and 618 8 Alsohegaveliim thecopy ofthe ^b^c.^i^j! writing'' of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make' supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 ^ Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mor- decai ; 1 1 All the king's servants, and the peo- ple of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the dinner court, who is not called, there is ''one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold 'out the golden scep- tre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esthers words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to an- swer Esther, Think ""not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14 For "if thou altogether boldest thy peace at this time, then shall there ^en- largement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place ; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed : and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this ? 15 1[ Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are I! present in Shushan, and "fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day : I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I Pperi.sh, I perish. h clm|. :l: M,lf). i Nrli. 2: 4 : Prov. 21 : 1. icliap. B:l. k Dan. 2:9. I rbap.5:2;8:4. m Prov. 24 : 1 1, 12. n Num. 23 : 2.3 ; I Sam. 12:29; I»a. fi4: 17. i, lieh.retpiratian,Job9: 18. \\Hrb./uund. 0 Jan:ili 3 : 4-9. p Gin. 43:14. while Providence for a tinj.e seems to favor them, and they glory in their expected success, they may be working out their own destruction. CHAPTER IV. 3. Great vioiiniiiig — and fasting, and it-eep- ing ; they humbled themselves deeply before God. Chap. 9:31; Jonah 3:8,9. 14. The7i. shall — enlargement — ar>.^e to the Jews from another place ; by this Mordecai show- ed his confidence in GckI. and his expectation that He would in some way grant them deliverance. IG. 7 also and my maidens vill fast ; this fast of Esther and her people was doubtless attended with earnest supplications that the Most High would interfere in their behalf. INSTRUCTIONS. 3. This is a state of trial, and great calamities Esther obtaindh ESTHER V the king's favor. a-c-'^t 17 So Mordecai *\vcnt his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. CHAPTER V. 1 Esther, adventuring on the king's favor, ohtainetli the grace of the golden sceptre, and inviteth the king and Haman to a banquet. (! She, being encouraged by the king in her suit, invilelli thein to another ban- quet the next day. 9 Haraan, proud of his advance- ment, repineth at the contempt of Mordecai. 14 By the counsel of Zeresh he buildeth for him a pair of gallows. "jVTOW it came to pass on the * third day, _LN| that Estlier put on Aer royal apparel, and stood in the '' inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house : and the king sat upon his royal throne ui the royal house, over against the gate of the house. 2 And it was so, when the king saw Es- ther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained '^ favor in his sight: and the king held ^ out to Esther the golden sceptre that icas in his hand. So Esther drew near and touched the top of the sceptre. 3 Then said the king unto her. What wilt thou, queen Esther 1 and what is thy request] it ""shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. 4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. 0 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 *i[ And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, '^What is thy peti- tion ? and it shall be granted thee : and what is thy request? ^even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed Heb. passed. a chap. 4:16. I) cli.np. 4 : U ; 6 : 4 • neo. passea, » cii 1:11; 2:4, etc. ; Prov. 2 f fliap. 7:2; 9: 12. E „.,. - Neh. fi ; Mark 6 : 2.3. 1:1. d cU.ip. 8:4. ever.fi; Mark 6 : :er. 3. t Heb. rto. li chap. 3 : 5 ; D may come upon us when we least expect them. Our interest and duty both require that we should so live as to be prepared at all times to meet such events ; and when they come, instead of sinking in despair, we should look to God for help. 5. Diligent inquiry into the sufferings of others for the purpose of relieving them, well becom'^s those ■who are at ease ; as they know not how soon they also may need sympathy and assistance. 8. It is proper to make application to men, if they have the power to help us ; but while so doing, we should also make supplication to God, that he would incline men to use tlieir power in such a manner as to afford needed relief. It. Strong confidence in God, and e.xpectation that he will in his own time and way appear for those who put their trust in him, is a preparation to experience his salvation. 16. Show good men the path of dutv. and though it be at the hazard of all earthly things, even of life itself, they will walk in it. committing themselves and all their interests, mortal and immortal, to Him who ruleth over all and who doeth all things well. 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is ; 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to t perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the ban- quet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king Jiath said. 9 T[Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw JNlordecai in the king's gate, that he ''stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against INIor decai. 10 Nevertheless 'Haman refrained him- self: and when he came home, he sent and -called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. 11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children,' and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and '' how he liad advanced him above the princes and ser- vants of the king. 12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13 Yet 'all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. 14 T[ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him. Let a ^gallows be made'" of fifty cubits high, and to-morrow speak" thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the tiling pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be "made. 3:1&-I9; Mat,4:I6. ■ 2Sani. 13:22. J Heb. raunn/ to came. jcll.9:l2,13. kcll.3:l. I I Kinpi,2I :4; Job 15: 20. % Heb. tree, m chap. 7 : 9. n chap. 6: 4. " Psa. 37: 14, 32. CHAPTER V. 13. All this availeth me nothing ; it did noth- ing towards making him happy, or satisfying the wants of his soul. 14. Fifty cubits high; about seventy-five feet. Go thou in merrily ; as if nothing unusual had taken place. INSTRUCTIONS. 3. God often favors his people, not only equal to, but beyond their expectations ; doing for them ex- ceeding abundantly above all tiiat they ask or think ; and the surest way of obtaining the favor of men, is first to secure the favor of God. 6. Although men are prone to change, and but little dependence can be placed upon their promises, God can keep tliem of one mind as long as the good of his people requires. Chap. 7 : 2. 8. Though delays are often dangerous, yet some- times they are essential to success ; and wisdom from above is needful in order to judge rightly as to the time as well as the manner of attempting to execute diflicult and important de.=;igns. 11. No favors of mere creatures can satisfy the G19 Mordccai honored. ESTHER VI. Banquet of the queen- CHAPTER VI. 1 AhasiiPtus, reading in the chronicles of the good ser- vice done by Mordecai, taketh care for his reward. 4 Ilanian, coming lu sue that Mnrdecai might be hang- ed, unawares giveUi counsel that he might do him honor. 12 Complaining of his misfortune, his friends tell him of his final destiny. ON that niglil *could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the *book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2 And it wa.s found %vritten, that INIor- decai had told of t Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keep- ers of the -door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this ? Then said the kings servants that ministered unto him, There is ''nothing done for him. 4 1[ And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Ilaman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang iNIordccai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5 And tlie king's servants said unto him, Behold, Ilaman standetli in the court. And the king said. Let him come in. 6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man ^ whom the king delighteth to honor? Now •^ Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself? 7 And Haman answered the king. For the man H whom the king delighteth to honor, 8 Let *the royal apparel be brought which t the king iiscth to wear, and the horse that tlie king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head : 9 And let this apparel and horse be de- livered to the hand of one of the king's * Heh. lilt Una's tUtp fled ntmiv. ' clmp. C : il. f Or, Big- than, vSm^.i: 21. % Hi:\, lhyeSlie accus- eth Haman. 7 The king in his anger understand- ing of the gallows which Haman had made for Mor- decai, causeth him to be hanged thereon. O the king and Haman came to II ban- , quet with Esther the queen. s t Hell, laherewilh the king clothelh himself. t Heb. cnliie himtn ride, il Gen. 41 :43 : 1 Kings, 1 : S:!, :i4. % Heb. suffer nnt a li-hit to full, e 2 Chron.-:fi:20. f 2 Sam. \5:Z0; .ler. H : S, 4. I! .Job \f,:-2\. h I'rov.M: 18; Hos. H;9. irh:ip..S;8. || Heb. (/rid*. and advance our growth in, grace and our highest usefulness. 3. Ingratitude is a common sin. and we may per- form for others the most important services and yet receive from them no reward. But actions per- formed for God will never be forgotten ; even the giving of a cup of cold water for his sake to one of his disciples, will be acknowledged and graciously rewarded before the assembled world. d. The design of God in leading a man from one place to another, may be very dill'erent from his own in going. While his heart deviseth its way. the Lord directeth his steps ; and though then- be many devices in a man"s lieart, the counsel of i\i<^ Lord that shall stand. C. When a man delights to honor himsi If su- premely, he thinks that others should do the same ; and if they do not, he is often ready to overwhelm them in ruin. , 13. God in his providence taketh the wise in their own craftiness, the counsel of tlie froward he carrielh Human is hanged. ESTHER Vlir Esthcr^s petition. tv',f'- 2 And the king said again unto Estlier on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Es- ther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be per- formed, even to the half of the kingdom. 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 4 For * we are sold, I and my people, *to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, al- though the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. 5 ^Then the king Ahasuerus answer- ed and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he,t that durst pre- sume in liis heart to do so? 6 And Esther said, + The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman w"as •" afraid ^ before the king and the queen. 7 1[And the king arising from the ban- quet of wine in his wrath ivent into the palace garden : and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen ; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. 8 Then the king returned out of the pal- ace garden into the place of the banquet of wine ; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also II before me in the house ? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they "^covered Ha- man's face. 9 And ■'Harbonah, one of the chamber- lains, said before the king. Behold also the *gallows '"fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in tlie house of Hainan. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 10 So they hanged Haman on the gal- lows that he had '^prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. CHAPTER VIII. • ch tp. :i : W ; -i :7. »• H« b. that thru should destroy, c nd kill. and a to per «/.. t Heb. whose heu rt 1 ath filled him. ± Heb. The m an odvey b Pr ov. If, : U. ll Or, at the pres e,,ee of. II Heb Willi. e .lob 9 ■24. i cliap. 1 10. » Heb. tree. p cliap. 6: 14; Ps ».7:1S IB; M ■•8; 141:10; P rov. 11 r.Sfi. f Da n. 6 : 24 ; heaJlong ; and he may so evidently work against a man, that even worldly sagacity may foresee his downfall and ruin. CHAPTER VII. 4. The king's damage; by making so large a number of his subjects slaves. 8. They covered Hanifins fac.e; a token that he was condemned by the king. INSTRUCTIONS. 4. Persecution is always detrimental to rulers and subjects. 6. When the doings of the wicked are brought to 40 1 Mordecai is advanced. 3 Esther maketh suit to re- verse Haman's letters. 7 Ahasuerus granteth to the Jews to defend themselves. 15 Mordeoai's honor, and the Je%v.s' joy. ON that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto e Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king ; for Es- ther had told what ''he was unio her. 2 And the king took off his 'ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And ' Esther set Morde- cai over the house of Haman. 3 ^f And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought t him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king held ''out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, 5 And said. If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I he pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the t letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which ^ he wrote to destroy the Jews which arc in all the king's provinces : 6 For 'how can I H endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred ? 7 ^ Then the king Ahasuerus said un- to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, '"I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. 8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring : for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, "may no man re- verse. 9 Then ° were the king's scribes called Psa.37 •Sb 36 B Prov. 13 : 22. ch p. 2: 7. chap. i:in. i Ps.! 37 : .M ; Vt. 11. 2 : 48. t Heb. she i ^ept and besought h m. k cliap. 4 : 1 1 ; ."i -.1 t Heb. device. \ Or , who tarote. 1 Nell 2:3; chap. 7:4. Heb. he able that I Tnay see. m ver. 1. n cbap. \:\9; Dan. 6 8. 1-2, 5. o cbap. 3: 12. light, they see that they have reason to fear ; and that nothing but mercy can save them from ruin. The fear of the wicked conieth upon him. He is taken in his own net, and entangled in his own de- vices. 9. When men begin to fall, many who have before favored them turn against them and unite to hasten their ruin. . CHAPTER VIII. 2. Tlie king took off his ri)ig — and gave it itnto Mordecai ; a token of the power with which the king invested him. 621 Jlie Jews are succored. ESTHER IX. and their enemies slain. at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twen- tieth day tliereof ; and it was written ac- cording to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are "from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, un- to every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their lan- guage. 10 And he ''wrote in the king Ahasue- rus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on liorse- back, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: 11 Wliereiu the king granted the Jews which ivere in every city to gather them- selves together, and to stand for their life, to "^destroy, to slay, and to cause to per- ish, all the power of the people and prov- ince that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth'' day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13 The copy of the writing for a com- mandment to be given in every prov- ince U'as *published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 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 ^ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal appal-el of bluet and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen • clinp.I:!. b 1 Kings, '21: 8. c Pb.i. 37 : 14, 15; (« : « : l:!7 : 8 ; 149:6-9; E7,ck.ai:10. d (Imp. 3 : 13, etc. ; 9:1. « Heb. if- veaUtl. f Or, violet, chap. 1:8. • Psa. 18 : 28 ; 30 : 5-1 1 ; 07 : U ; Prov. 11 : 10; Isa. »0:2<). r clmp. <1 : 19, 22. 5 Exod. I.'i: 16; Tlevit. and purple : and the city of Shu- '^s^c.^ii: shan rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had "^ light, and gladness, and joy, and honor. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithensoever the king's command- ment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a "^good day. And many of the people of the land be- came Jews ; for the fear ^ of the Jews fell upon them. CHAPTER IX. 1 The Jews (the ruler.s, for fear of Mordecai, helping them) slay their enernieB, with the ten sons of Ha- man. 1'2 Ahasuerus. at the rcqnest of Esther, grant- eth another day of slaughter, and Haraan's sons to be hanged. 20 The two' days of Purim are made festi- val. "IVrOW ''in the twelfth month, that is, J_\ the month Adar, on tlie thirteenth day of the same, when the king's 'com- mandment 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 •* to- gether in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on ''such as sought their hurt : and no man could withstand them; for the fear' of them fell upon all people. .3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and otRcerst of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of JMordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai t^'a.v ■" great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces : for this man Mordecai waxed "greater and greater. 5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaugh- ter, and destruction, and did 5 what they would unto those that hated them. 11. To stajid for their life ; in self-defence, and to destroy those who should attempt to destroy them. 15. 7m royal nppnrel ; in token of his being clothed, as prime-minister, with royal authority. INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Men cannot tell what will become of their riches and honors after they are dead. The wealth of the wicked is often laid tip for the just; and when the good of his church requires, G-od can cause the one to give pl.we to the otiicr. .3. The mischief which men do while they live, often continues long after they are dead; and were it not for the overruling providence of God, would contintie to the end of time. 6. The exposure of our relatives and friends to destruirtion, is peculiarly distressing: and should 022 2:26: ll:2.'i; cll. 9:2. hcl,. 8:12. i cli. 3 : 13. j cli. 8: 11 ; ver. 16. k Psa. 71 : 13, 24. 1 Gea 35 : 5 ; iliap. 8: 17. J Heb. tkose which did the hiitii-.ets that belonged ^i the kino, m P»;l 18 : 43. "2 Sam. 3 : 1 ; I Cliron. 11:9; Prov. 4:18. J Heh. accn-ding to their will. lead us earnestly to seek and fervently to pray for their salvation. 10. Willi the utmost practicable haste, the way of salvation should be made known to all people, and they be urged to embrace it and live. 1-5. Sudden changes await the people of God ; and as sudden await those who oppose them, or neglect the great S.alvation. L.azarus may one day lie at the rich man's gate full of sores, and tiie next day be in glory ; wliile the rich man, who is one day clothed in purple and fine linen, m.ay the next be in torment. The hope of the wicked shall perish ; while light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Chap. 9 : 22, 25. CHAPTER IX. 2. Lti]/ hatid on; destroy. Ver. 5, 16. ^ The cnimies of ESTHER IX. the Jews are slain. B.c'sox"' 6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7 AndParshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Arida- tha, 9 AndParmashta, and Arisai, and Arid- ai, and Vajczatha, 10 The ten *sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they ; ''but on the spoil laid they not their hand. 11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was* brought before the king. 12 ^And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroy- ed five hundred men in Shushan the pal- ace, and the ten sons of Haman ; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces ? now what is thy petition ? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done. 13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which arc in Shushan to do to-morrow also ac- cording unto this day's decree, and tlet Haman's ten sons be *^ hanged upon the gallows. 14 And the king commanded it so to be done : and the decree was given at Shu- shan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. 15 For ''the Jews that irere in Shushan gathered themselves together on the four- teenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan ; but® on the prey they laid not their hand. 16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves to- gether, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar ; and on the fourteenth day J of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews that U'cre at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth daij of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. a chap. 6: II ; Job 18; 19: 27: IS-l.'i; Psa. 21:10. b chap. 8: U. » Hel). cnme. f Heb. let men hang. <= DeuL 21 : 23 ; 2 Snin. 21 : 6, 9 ; Gal.3:l:!. d ver. :, 13. e ver. 10. i Heh. in it. f Deut- 16: 11, H ; chap. 8:17. gver. 22; Neb. 8:10-12. h Psa. 30: 11. i chap. 13. The gallows ; the one, it is supposed, which Haman had prepared for Mordecai, and on which he was himself hanged. 21. Fourteenth day of the month Adar; this 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, tl^at dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of "^ gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending s portions one to another. 20 T[ And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasucrus, both nigh and far, 21 To establish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 As the days wherein the Jews rest- ed from their enemies, and the month which was ''turned unto them from sor- row to joy, and from mourning into a good day : that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to tlie poor. 23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them ; 24 Because Haman the son of Hamme- datha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had 'devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to ^ consume them, and to destroy them ; 25 But when ^Esther came before the king,, he J commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should ''return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of *Pur. Therefore for all the words of this 'letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, 27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon tlieir seed, and upon all such as joined '"themselves unto them, so as it should not tfail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year ; 28 And that these days shovid be re- membered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city ; and that these days of Purim should not tfail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them ^perish from their seed. 29 Tlieu Esther the queen, the daugh- 3:6,7. % Heb. rruj/i. || Heb. the. j chap. 8:3, 11. k P«a. 7:16. "Thatis, ;u«. 1 ver. 2a m chap. 8:17; I«a.Sfi:S,6; Zech. 2:11. \ Heb. pott, f Heb.patl. \ , Heb. lie ended. month answered to part of February and March. The feast of Purim, or the lots, thus instituted, is observed by the Jews to this day. 26. Purim ; meaning lots. G23 Th c yeast of Pu rim . ESTHER X. Mordccai's greatness. ter of Abiliail, and ^lordecai the Jew, wrote with all + authority, to confirm this second' letter of Puriin. 30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, 31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mor- decai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for Hhemselves and for their seed, the matters of the ''fastings and their cry. 32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim ; and it was writ- ten in the book. CHAPTER X. ' Heb. itrenfth. a chap. 8: 10 ; ver. 20. f Heb. lAirir *««;». b ch. n, 16. c Luke 2:1. il Gen. 10: 6; Pssi. 72: 10: IsH. 24:15. J Heb, 30. Withivordsofpeaceancltnith; kind words of truth according to the will of God. 31. Tkcfastuigs; to keep in mind those observed by Esther and the Jews. Chap. 4 : 16, 17. Their cry ; for deliverance from the machinations of their enemies. 32. In the book ; the records of the acts that were passed on this occasion. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The triumph of the wicked is short, and their most confident expectations will come to naught. Prov. 11:7. 3. Many are more influenced by the fear of man than by the fear of God ; and when rulers are on the side of right, many will externally follow their example. 10. The wickedness of parents may prove the occasion of destruction to their children ; and efforts to destroy the church of God may ruin not only those who make them, but all who are induced to follow their example. Ver. 25 ; chap. 3 : 6. 10. One man, by his wickedness, may be instru- mental in the destruction of thousands. Ex. 7-14. 19. With the people of God, darkness may endure for a night, but light cometh in the morning. ''Let those that sow in sadness wait Till the fair harvest come ; They shall confess their sheaves are great, And shout the ble.ssings home." 28. Special mercies demand special thanksgiv- ings to the Author and Finisher of all good, and call us to imitate the Saviour's example in doing good as we have opportunity and ability, to those who may need and feel our influence. A. M. saw. B. c.4au. 1 Ahasuerus' greatness. 3 Mordecai's advancement AND the king Ahasuerus laid a '^ trib- ute upon the land, and upon the isles'* of the sea. 2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of ^lordccai, whcreunto the king II advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was ^next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, s seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. made him (real, Dan. 2 : 48. e Gen. 41 : 40 ; Dan. 6 : J6, 29. I Rom. 14:8. g Nell. 2:10; Ps». 122:6-9; Rom. 10 : 1. CHAPTER X. 1. A tribute ; a tax to be paid into the king's treasury'. 2. Tlie book of the chronicles ; the book that contained the records of the kingdoms of Media and Persia. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. As civil government is an ordinance of God and a great blessing, all should be willing to bear their part in supporting it ; and taxes which are needful for tliat purpose .should be paid with cheer- fulness and fidelity. 2. Records of the acts of governments sliould be fairly and faithfully kept, for the benefit of th^i present and future generations. 3. The names of rulers who are acceptable to the people, who seek their peace and prosperity, and who adopt such measures as are best suited to promote them, will be handed do\\Ti with honor to posterity. They are special gifts of God, and should call forth devout gratitude to him from all who enjoy the benefits of their administration. Although in the book of Esther the name of God is not mentioned, yet we here see most illustrious and striking displays of his character and govern- ment : that he ruleth over all ; maketh the wrath of man to praise him and restraineth the remainder thereof; that the greatest and the smallest events are under his control, and are all so directed by him, as to promote the salvation of his people and the destruction of their and his enemies. 624 THE BOOK OF JOB B.aS CHAPTER I. 1 The holiness, riches, and religious care of Job for his children. 6 Satan, appearing before God, by calum- niation obtaineth leave to tempt Job. 13 Understand ing of the loss of his goods and children, in his raouni' ing he blesseth God. THERE was a man intheiand of *Uz, whose name was^Joh ; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared*^ God, and eschewed evil, 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His *substance also was seven thou- sand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household ;t so that this man was the greatest of all the -men of the east. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day ; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and off'ered burnt-ofi'erings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and ''cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job ^continually. 6 T[ Now there was a ""day when the sons of God "^came to present themselves before the Lord, and !l Satan came also among* them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou "? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From ^ going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou t considered my servant Job, that a I Chron. 1 : 17,42; Lam 4:21. b Ezek. 14: 14, 30. c Prov. 16:6 * Or. cattle, f Or, husbandry, t Heb. sum. <1 Lev. 24: 1.5, Ifi. \ Heb. all the driys. e chap. '•: I.etc. f 1 KiiiKS, iZ : 19; chap. 3S: 7. || Heb. the adversary, I Chron. 21 :1 ; Zech. ■ CHAPTER I. 1. Uz ; a district in Arabia, east of Palestine. Perfect and upright: sincere, honest, pious. Feared God; with childlike, reverential, holy fear. Eschetced ; departed from, avoided. 4. Every one his dai/ ; by turns. 5. Sent a>id saiictifiiil them; reminded them of the duty of devcffing their hearts and lives to God, and offered prayer and sacrifices for them. Cursed God in their Itearts ; dishonored him by unwor- thy and wicked thoughts of him. Contninally ; habitually, or constantly after each feast. there is none like him in the earth, a per- fect and an upright man, one that fear- eth God, and eschewcth evil 1 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught 1 10 Hast not thou made a ''hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side'? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance t is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch ' all that he hath, 'and he will J curse thee to thy face. 12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Be- hold, all that he hath is in thy Upower; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. 13 11 And there was a ''day when his sons and his daughters icere eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house : 14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said. The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feeding beside them : 15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he u'as yet speaking, there came also another, and said, *Thc fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am es- caped alone to tell thee. 17 While he ivas yet speaking, there came also another, and said. The Chal- deans made out three bands, and t fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with :1; Re».|-2:9. 10. * Heb. in the midst «/ them. ? .Mat 12:43; Peter, .5:8. t Heb. set thy heart un. h Psa. 34 : 7. t Or. cat i ch. 19 : 21 i Heb. if he curse thee not. i Ua. » : 21. 1) Heb. t - ■ - - hand. Gen. 16:6. i Eccl. 9:12 atjire. f Heb. rushed. 6. Sons of God ; supposed to mean angels. 9. For naught ; without being paid for it. 10. Blessed the rcork of his ha}ids ; rewarded him abundantly for his seeming piety. 11. Touch all that he hath; take it away, or make it the occasion of trouble to him. Curse thee, to thy face; with daring impiety rebel against thee. 12. Upon himself put not forth thy hand; not injure him personally. 15. Sahcans ; a wandering Arab tribe. 17. Chaldeans ; a trcop of pillagers from near the Euphrates. C25 Job is sorely afflicted, JOB 11. yet doth not murmur. the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18 While he iras yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drink- ing wine in their eldest brother's house : 19 And behold, there came a great wind *from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose, and *rent his t man- tle, and shaved his head, and ''fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, ''Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the ''Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; ''blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In ""all this Job sinned not, nor charged t God foolishly. CHAPTER II. 1 Satan appearing again before God obtaineth further leave to tempt job. 7 He smiteth him with sore boils. 9 Job reproveth his wife, moving him to curse God. 11 Hi.? three friends condole with him in silence. AGAIN s there was a day when the sons of God came to present them- selves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself be- fore the Lord. 2 And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thoul And Satan an- swered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, aper- * Heb./ro;n u»irfe. aGcn.37:211. j Or, robe, b 1 Peter .5 : «. cl Tun. 6:7. i I.am. 3 : 3?. e Psa. 89 : 38, 62. f chap. 2: 10. t Or, attributrd /oil}/ to God. g chap. I : 6, etc. t chap. 27: 6, 6 ; 20. Re7it his mantle, and shaved his head ; in token of deep mourning. 21. Return; to the earth. INSTRUCTIONS. 1. God sometimes bestows upon his children great wealth, numerous friends, and abundance of earthly blessings, and thus increases their obligations to love and serve him. 4. It is proper to partake of the bounties of Provi- dence with gratitude and joy ; and pleasant when brothers and sisters love one another, rejoice in each other's society, and together celebrate the goodness of God. .'). Seasons of feasting are seasons of peculiar danger. While men partake freely of God's gifts they are tempted to forgot or in .some other way to dishonor the giver, and tints they need his pardon- ing mercy through Jesus Christ. 9. Those who contend that all religion is selfish, and ihat good iiicn serve God only because he does them good, resemble Satan and take part with him in promoting his cause. 12. Satan, if permitted by God. may not only tempt men to sin, but bring upon them great and sore calamities. 626 feet and an upright man, one that n c ?5^o: feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his ''integrity, althougli thou niovedst me against him, to ^destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said. Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he ' give for his life. 5 But put forth thy hand now. and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; H but save his life. 7 T[ So went Satan forth from the pres- ence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal ; and he sat down among the J ashes. 9 T[ Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What! shall ''we receiA'c good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job 'sin with his lips. 11 T[ Now Avhen Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place ; Eliphaz the "" Tcmanite, and Bil- dad the "Sliuhitc, and Zophar the Naa- mathite: for they had made an appoint- ment together to "come to mourn with him, and to comfort him. 12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted Psa. 26 : 1 ; 41 : 1-2. % Heb. swallow him up. > Mat. 6 : 2.i. f| Oi only, j Mat 11 :21. k .Tames .5 : 10, II. 1 Psa. 39: 1. m Gen. 36: II .7er.4P:7. n Gen. 25:2. o Rom. 12 : 1.1. 20. Good men will not overlook God's hand when calamities come upon them, nor fail to humble them- selves beiore him. 21. Nothing so sustains the soul in the day of severe trial, as the thought that God sends it. CHAPTER II. 3. He holdeth fast his integrity; persevered in yielding obedience to God, notwithstanding his calamities. 4. S/nn for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life : Satan here contended that Job was supremely selfish — that he would give up even his own children to save himself; but should God afflict him personally, he would renounce his allegiance to him. and blaspheme his name. To show the falsehood of tliis, exhibit the nature of true religion, and prepare Job for greater good in the end, God permitted Satan to try it. 8. Potsherd ; a piece of earthen ware. 10. Shall ve not receive evil? though Satan was the instrument, yet Job viewed liis trials a-s coming from God ; and as such, he humbly sub- mitted to them. 12. Knew him not ; he was so altered by his disease, that at first they did not recognize him. Job curseth the JOB III. day of his birth- b."'i5m!' up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled "dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13 So they ''sat down with him upon the ground ''seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. CHAPTER III. 1 Job curses th.e day and services of his birth. 13 The ease of death. 20 He complaineth of life, because of his anguish. AFTER this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. 2 And Job *spake, and said, 3 Let ■'the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man-child conceived. 4 Let that day be darkness ; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. 5 Let darkness and the shadow of death t stain it ; let a cloud dwell upon it ; let- the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be >^ joined unto the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months. 7 Lo, let that night be solitary; let no joyful voice come therein. 8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who"^ are ready to raise up II their mourn- ing. 9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but Aarc none; neither let it see the ^dawning of the day : 10 Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. 11 Why died I not from the womb? a Sell. 9:1; Lam. 2 : 10. b Ezra 9 : 3-n. c Gen. oO : 10. * Heb. answered d chap. 10 : 18. etc. : Jer. M: 14 ^ Or, challenge, j: Or, let them terrify it, as those \y\ia liave a bitter dnv, Amos 8:10.