a Deut. 17:17 2 Of the nations, whereof the Lord had said unto 18 ¶ Then the King made a great throne of ivory,

a Deut. 17:17 2 Of the nations, whereof the Lord had said unto 18 ¶ Then the King made a great throne of ivory,

357 1 kings 11:14

17 And three hundred shields of beaten gold, three pounds of gold went to one shield: and the King put them in the dhouse of the wood of Lebanon. 18 ¶ Then the King made a great throne of ivory, and covered it with the best gold. 19 And the throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind, and there were 1stays on either side on the place of the throne, and two lions standing by the stays. 20 And there stood twelve lions on the six steps on either side: there was not the like made in any kingdom. 21 And all King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the wood of Lebanon were of pure gold, none were of silver: for it was nothing esteemed in the days of Solomon 22 For the King had on the sea the navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of 1Tarshish, and brought gold and silver, ivory, and apes and peacocks. 23 So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth both in riches and in wisdom. 24 And all the world sought to see Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart, 25 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, and armor, and sweet odors, horses and mules, from year to year. 26 Then Solomon gathered together echariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he placed in the chariot cities, and with the King at Jerusalem. 27 And the King 1gave silver in Jerusalem as stones, and gave cedars as the wild fig trees that grow abundantly in the plain. 28 Also Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and fine linen: 1the king's merchants received the linen for a price. 29 There came up and went out of Egypt some chariot worth six hundred shekels of silver: that is, one horse, an hundred and fifty. And thus they brought horses to all the Kings of the Hittites and to the Kings of Aram by their 1means. 11 3 Solomon hath a thousand wives and concubines, which bring him to idolatry. 14 His God raiseth up adversaries against him. 43 He dieth.

1 But King Solomon loved amany 1outlandish women: both the daughter of Pharaoh, and the women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and Heth, 2 Of the nations, whereof the Lord had said unto the children of Israel, bGo not ye in to them, nor let them come in to you: for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods, to them, I say, did Solomon join in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, that were 1princesses, and three hundred 2concubines, and his wives turned away his heart. 4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, so that his heart was not 1perfect with the Lord his God as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon followed cAshtoreth the god of the Sidonians, and 1Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord, but continued not to follow the Lord, as did David his father. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the 1abomination of Moab, in the mountain that is over against Jerusalem, and unto Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon. 8 And so did he for all his outlandish wives, which burnt incense and offered unto their gods. 9 Therefore the Lord was angry with Solomon, because he had turned his heart from the Lord God of Israel, dwhich had appeared unto him twice, 10 And had given him a echarge concerning this thing, that he should not follow other gods: but he kept not that, which the Lord had commanded him. 11 Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as 1this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my Covenant, and my statutes (which I commanded thee) fI will surely rent thy kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it, because of David thy father, but I will rent it out of the hand of thy son: 13 Howbeit I will not rent all the kingdom, but will give one 1tribe to thy son, because of David my servant, and because of Jerusalem which I have chosen. 14 ¶ Then the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, even Hadad the Edomite, of the king's 1seed, which was in Edom.

d 1 Kings 7:2

e 2 Chron. 1:14

chapter 11

a Deut. 17:17

b Exod. 34:16

c Judg. 2:15

d 1 Kings 3:5

1 Kings 9:2

e 1 Kings 6:12

f 1 Kings 2:15

10:19 1 As the chair bows, or places to lean upon. 10:22 1 By Tarshish is meant Cilicia, which was abundant in variety of precious things. 10:27 1 Or, he made silver as plenteous as stones. 10:28 1 Or, for the company of the King's merchants did receive a number at a price. 10:29 1 Hebrew, hands. 11:1 1 Which were idolaters. 11:3 1 Or, Queens.

2 To whom appertained no dowry. 11:4 1 He served not God with a pure heart. 11:5 1 Who was also called Molech, verse 7, read 2 Kings 23:10. 11:7 1 Thus the Scripture termeth whatsoever man doth reverence and serve as God. 11:11 1 That thou hast forsaken me and worshipped idols. 11:13 1 Because the tribes of Judah and Benjamin had their posses­ sions mixed, they are here taken as one tribe. 11:14 1 Of the king of Edom's stock.

1 kings 11:15 358

15 gFor when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host had smitten all the males in Edom, and was gone up to bury the 1slain, 16 (For six months did Joab remain there and all Israel, till he had destroyed all the males in Edom.) 17 Then this Hadad 1fled, and certain other Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt, Hadad being yet a little child. 18 And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran, and took men with them out of Paran, and came to Egypt unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, which gave him an house, and appointed him vittles and gave him land. 19 So Hadad 1found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, and he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, even the sister of Tahpenes the Queen. 20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of Pharaoh. 21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country. 22 But Pharaoh said unto him, What hast thou lacked with me, that thou wouldest thus go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing, but in any wise let me go. 23 ¶ hAnd God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which 1fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah. 24 And he gathered men unto him, and had been captain over the company, when David slew them. And they went to Damascus, and dwelt there, 1and they made him king in Damascus. 25 Therefore was he an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon: besides the evil that Hadad did, he also abhorred Israel, and reigned over Aram 26 ¶ iAnd Jeroboam the son of Nebat an Ephraimite of Zereda Solomon's servant (whose mother was called Zeruah a widow) lifted up his hand against the king. 27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king, When Solomon built Millo, he repaired the broken places of the city of David his father. 28 And this man Jeroboam was a man of strength

and courage, and Solomon seeing that the young man was meet for the work, he made him 1overseer of all the labor of the house of Joseph. 29 And at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way, having a new garment on him, and they two were alone in the field. 30 Then Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and 1rent it in twelve pieces, 31 And said to Jeroboam, Take unto thee ten pieces: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold, I will rent the kingdom out of the hands of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee. 32 But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem the city, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, 33 Because they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the god of the Sidonians, and Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites, and have not walked in my ways (to 1do right in mine eyes, and my statutes, and my laws) as did David his father. 34 But I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: for I will make him prince all his life long for David my servant's sake, whom I have chosen, and who kept my commandments and my statutes. 35 jBut I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even the ten tribes. 36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a 1light always before me in Jerusalem the city, which I have chosen me to put my Name there. 37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign 1even as thine heart desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. 38 And if thou hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments as David my servant did, then will I be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built unto David, and will give Israel unto thee. 39 And I will 1for this afflict the seed of David, 2but not forever. 40 ¶ Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam, and Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. 41 And the rest of the words of Solomon, and all

g 2 Sam. 8:14

h 2 Sam. 8:3

i 2 Chron. 13:6

j 1 Kings 12:15

11:15 1 Of the Edomites. 11:17 1 Thus God reserved this idolater to be a scourge to punish his people's sins. 11:19 1 God brought him to honor, that his power might be more able to compass his enterprises against Solomon's house. 11:23 1 When David had discomfited Hadadezer and his army. 11:24 1 To wit, the men whom he had gathered unto him. 11:28 1 He was overseer of Solomon's works, for the tribe of Ephraim and Manasseh.

11:30 1 By these visible signs the Prophets would more deeply print their message into their hearts to whom they were sent. 11:33 1 Or, to do that, that pleaseth me. 11:36 1 He hath respect unto the Messiah, which should be the bright star that should shine through all the world. 11:37 1 Hebrew, in all that thy soul. 11:39 1 For this idolatry that Solomon hath committed. 2 For the whole spiritual kingdom was restored in Messiah.

359 1 kings 12:22

that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the 1book of the acts of Solomon? 42 The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel, was kforty years. 43 And Solomon slept with his fathers: and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead. 12 1 Rehoboam succeedeth Solomon. 8 He refuseth the counsel of the Ancient. 20 Jeroboam reigneth over Israel. 21 God commandeth Rehoboam not to fight. 28 Jeroboam maketh golden calves.

make thou it lighter unto us: even thus shalt thou say unto them, My 1least part shall be 2bigger than my father's loins. 11 Now whereas my father did burden you with a grievous yoke, I will yet make your yoke heavier: my father hath chastised you with rods, but I will correct you with 1scourges. 12 ¶ Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had 1appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. 13 And the king answered the people sharply, and left the old men's counsel that they gave him, 14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke grievous, and I will make your yoke more grievous: my father hath chastised you with rods, but I will correct you with scourges. 15 And the king hearkened not unto the people: for it was the 1ordinance of the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord had spoken by dAhijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 So when all Israel saw that the king regarded them not, the people answered the king thus, saying, What portion have we in 1David? we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 17 Howbeit over the children of Israel, which dwelt in the cities of Judah, did Rehoboam reign still. 18 ¶ Now the king Rehoboam sent Adoram the receiver of the tribute, and all Israel stoned him to death: then the king Rehoboam 1made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19 And Israel rebelled against the house 1of David unto this day. 20 ¶ And when all Israel had heard that Jeroboam was come again, they sent and called him to the assembly, and made him king over all Israel: none followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah eonly. 21 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he 1gathered all the house of Judah with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand of chosen men (which were good warriors) to fight against the house of Israel, and to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 22 fBut the word of God came unto Shemaiah the

k 2 Chron. 9:30

chapter 12

a 2 Chron. 10:1

b 1 Kings 11:40

c 1 Kings 4:7

d 1 Kings 11:11

e 1 Kings 11:13

f 2 Chron. 11:2

1 And aRehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem, to make him king. 2 And when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (who was yet in Egypt, bwhither Jeroboam had fled from king Solomon, and 1dwelt in Egypt.) 3 Then they sent and called him: and Jeroboam and all the Congregation of Israel came and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4 Thy father made our cyoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous servitude of thy father, and his sore yoke which he put upon us, 1lighter, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that 1had stood before Solomon his father, while he yet lived, and said, What counsel give ye, that I may make an answer to this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be a 1servant unto this people this day, and serve them, and answer them, and speak kind words to them, they will be thy servants forever. 8 But he forsook the counsel that the old men had given him, and asked counsel of the young men that had been brought up with him, and waited on him. 9 And he said unto them, 1What counsel give ye, that we may answer this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke, which thy father hath put upon us, lighter? 10 Then the young men that were brought up with him, spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto this people, that have spoken unto thee, and said, Thy father hath made our yoke heavy, but

11:41 1 Which book as is thought, was lost in their captivity. 12:2 1 Or, return from Egypt. 12:4 1 Oppress us not with so great charges, which we are not able to sustain. 12:6 1 Or, had been of his ancient counselors. 12:7 1 They showed him that there was no way to win the people's hearts, but to grant them their just petition. 12:9 1 There is nothing harder for them that are in authority, than to bridle their affections, and to follow good counsel. 12:10 1 Or, little finger.

2 I am much more able to keep you in subjection than my father was. 12:11 1 Or, scorpions. 12:12 1 The people declare their obedience in this that they would attempt nothing before the king had given them just occasion. 12:15 1 Or, the Lord was the cause. 12:16 1 Though their cause were good, yet it is most hard for the people to bridle their affections, as these vile words declare. 12:18 1 Hebrew, strengthened himself. 12:19 1 By the just judgment of God for Solomon's sins. 12:21 1 For as yet he perceived not that the Lord had so appointed it.

1 kings 12:23 360

13 1 Jeroboam is reprehended of the Prophet. 4 His hand drieth up. 13 The Prophet is seduced, 24 and is killed of a lion. 33 The obstinacy of Jeroboam.

1man of God, saying, 23 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the remnant of the people, saying, 24 Thus saith the 1Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house: for this thing is done by me. They obeyed therefore the word of the Lord, and returned, and departed according to the word of the Lord. 25 ¶ Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein, and went from thence, and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam thought in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David. 27 If this people go up and do sacrifice in the house of the Lord 1at Jerusalem, then shall the hearts of this people turn again unto their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah: so shall they kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, 1It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: Behold, O Israel, thy gods which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other set he in Dan. 30 And this thing turned to sin: for the people went (because of the one) even to Dan. 31 Also he made an 1house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. 32 And Jeroboam made a feast the 1fifteenth day of the eighth month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and offered on the altar. So did he in Bethel and offered unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the Priests of the high places, which he had made. 33 And he offered upon the altar, which he had made in Bethel, the fifteenth day of the eighth month, (even in the month which he had forged of his own heart) and made a solemn feast unto the children of Israel, and he went up to the altar, to burn incense.

chapter 13

a 2 Kings 23:17

1 And behold, there came 1a man of God out of Judah (by the commandment of the Lord) unto 2Bethel, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to offer incense. 2 And he cried against the altar by the commandment of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord, Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, aJosiah by name, and upon thee shall he sacrifice the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and they shall burn men's bones upon thee. 3 And he gave a sign the same time, saying, This is the 1sign, that the Lord hath spoken, Behold, the altar shall rent, and the ashes that are upon it, shall 2fall out. 4 And when the king had heard the saying of the man of God, which he had cried against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand for the altar, saying, 1Lay hold on him: but his hand which he put forth against him, dried up, and he could not pull it in again to him. 5 The altar also clave asunder, and the ashes fell out from the altar, according to the sign, which the man of God had given by the 1commandment of the Lord. 6 Then the king answered and said unto the man of God, 1I beseech thee, pray unto the Lord thy God, and make intercession for me, that mine hand may be restored unto me. And the man of God besought the Lord, and the King's hand was restored, and became as it was afore. 7 Then the King said unto the man of God, Come home with me, that thou mayest 1dine, and I will give thee a reward. 8 But the man of God said unto the King, If thou wouldest give me half thine house, I would not go with thee, neither would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. 9 For so 1was it charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, 2Eat no bread nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.

12:22 1 That is, the Prophet. 12:24 1 Who of his just judgment will punish the trespasser, and of his mercy spare the innocent people. 12:27 1 He feared lest his people should have by this means been enticed to rebel against him. 12:28 1 So crafty are carnal persuasions of princes, when they will make a religion to serve to their appetite. 12:31 1 That is, a temple, where altars were built for idolatry. 12:32 1 Because he would the more bind the people's devotion to his idolatry, he made a new holy day, besides those that the Lord had appointed in the Law. 13:1 1 That is, a Prophet. 2 Not that that was called Luz in Benjamin, but another of that

name. 13:3 1 By this sign ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me. 2 Or, be poured out. 13:4 1 The wicked rage against the Prophets of God, when they declare them God's judgments. 13:5 1 Hebrew, mouth. 13:6 1 Though the wicked humble themselves for a time when they feel God's judgment, yet after they return to their old malice, and declare that they are but vile hypocrites. 13:7 1 Or, take sustenance. 13:9 1 Or, he charged me: to wit, an Angel. 2 Seeing he had the express word of God, he ought not to have declined therefrom neither for the persuasion of man nor Angel.

361 1 kings 14:1

10 So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel. 11 ¶ And an old Prophet dwelt in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the works, that the man of God had done that day in Bethel, and the words which he had spoken unto the king, told they their father. 12 And their father said unto them, What way went he? and his sons 1showed him what way the man of God went, which came from Judah. 13 And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. Who saddled him the ass, and he rode thereon, 14 And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God, that camest from Judah? And he said, 1Yea. 15 Then he said unto him, 1Come home with me, and eat bread. 16 But he answered, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place. 17 For it was charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, Thou shalt eat no bread, nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou wentest. 18 And he said unto him, I am a Prophet also as thou art, and an 1Angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him again with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water: but he lied unto him. 19 So he went again with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water. 20 And as they sat at the table, the word of the Lord came unto the Prophet, that brought him again. 21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, 1Because thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which the Lord thy God commanded thee, 22 But camest back again, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place (whereof he did say unto thee, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink any water) thy carcass shall not come unto the sepulcher of thy fathers. 23 ¶ And when he had eaten bread and drunk, he saddled him the ass, to wit, to the Prophet whom he had brought again, 24 And when he was gone, 1a lion met him by

the way, and slew him, and his body was cast in the way, and the ass stood thereby: the Lion stood by the corpse also. 25 And behold, men that passed by, saw the carcass cast in the way, and the Lion standing by the corpse: and they came and told it in the town where the old Prophet dwelt. 26 And when the Prophet that brought him back again from the way, heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who hath been disobedient unto the Commandment of the Lord: therefore the Lord hath delivered him unto the Lion, which hath rent him and slain him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake unto him. 27 ¶ And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him. 28 And he went and found his body cast in the way, and the ass and the Lion stood by the corpse: and the lion had 1not eaten the body, nor torn the ass. 29 And the Prophet took up the body of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it again, and the old Prophet came to the city, to lament and bury him. 30 And he laid his body in his 1own grave, and they lamented over him, saying, Alas, my brother. 31 And when he had buried him, he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, bury ye me also in the sepulcher, wherein the man of God is buried: lay my bones beside his bones. 32 For that thing which he cried by the word of the Lord against the altar that is in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places, which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass. 33 Howbeit after this Jeroboam 1converted not from his wicked way, but turned again, and made of the lowest of the people priests of the high places. Who would, might 2consecrate himself and be of the priests of the high places. 34 And this thing turned to sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to root it out, and destroy it from the face of the earth. 14 2 Jeroboam sendeth his wife disguised to Ahijah the Prophet, who declareth unto him the destruction of his house. 25 Judah is punished by Shishak.

1 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick.

13:12 1 Hebrew, looked. 13:14 1 Hebrew, I am. 13:15 1 This he did of a simple mind, thinking it his duty to declare friendship to a Prophet. 13:18 1 His fault is here double: first in that he suffereth not the Prophet to obey God's express commandment: and next, that he feigneth to have a revelation to the contrary. 13:21 1 God would reprove his folly by him, who was the occasion to bring him into error.

13:24 1 By this fearful example, God setteth forth how dangerous a thing it is for men to behave themselves coldly, or deceitfully in their charge whereunto God hath called them. 13:28 1 To declare that this was only the judgment of God: for if the Lion had done it for hunger, he would also have devoured the body. 13:30 1 Which he had prepared for himself. 13:33 1 So the wicked profit not by God's threatenings, but go back­ ward, and become worse and worse, 2 Tim. 3:13. 2 Hebrew, fill his hand.

1 kings 14:2 362

2 And Jeroboam said unto his wife, Up, I pray thee, 1and disguise thyself that they know not that thou art the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh: for there is Ahijah the Prophet, which told me athat I should be king over this people, 3 And take 1with 2thee, ten loaves and 3cracknels, and a bottle of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the young man. 4 And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah: but Ahijah could not see, for his 1sight was decayed for his age. 5 Then the Lord said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son, for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her: for when she cometh in, she shall feign herself to be 1another. 6 Therefore when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, Come in thou

12 Up therefore and get thee to thine house: for when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die. 13 And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found 1some goodness toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. 14 Moreover, the Lord shall stir him up a King over Israel which shall destroy the house of Jeroboam in that day: 1what? yea, even now. 15 For the Lord shall smite Israel, as when a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall weed Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the 1River, because they have made them groves, provoking the Lord to anger. 16 And he shall give Israel up, because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and 1made Israel to sin. 17 ¶ And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah, and when she came to the threshold of the house, the young man died. 18 And they buried him, and all Israel lamented him, according to the word of the Lord which he spake by the hand of his servant Ahijah the Prophet. 19 And the rest of Jeroboam's acts, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 20 And the days which Jeroboam reigned, were two and twenty years: and he 1slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead. 21 ¶ Also Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was one and forty years old, when he began to reign, and reigned seventeen 1years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there: and his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonite. 22 And Judah wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord: and they provoked him more with their sins, which they had committed, 1than all that which their fathers had done. 23 For they also made them high places, and images, and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree. 24 There were also Sodomites in the 1land, they did according to all the abominations of the nations,

chapter 14

a 1 Kings 11:31

b 1 Kings 21:21

2 Kings 9:8

1wife of Jeroboam: why feignest thou thus thyself to be another? I am sent to thee with heavy tidings. 7 Go tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Forasmuch as I have exalted 1thee from among the people, and have made thee prince over my people Israel, 8 And have rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and have given it thee, and thou hast not been as my servant David, which kept my Commandments, and followed me with all his heart, and did only that which was right in mine eyes, 9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee (for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and 1molten images, to provoke me, and hast cast me behind thy back.) 10 Therefore behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that b,1pisseth against the wall, as well him that 2is shut up, as him that is left in Israel, and will sweep away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man sweepeth away dung till it be all gone. 11 The dogs shall eat him of Jeroboam's stock that dieth in the city, and the fowls of the air shall eat him that dieth in the field: 1for the Lord hath said it.

14:2 1 His own conscience bare him witness, that the Prophet of God would not satisfy his affections, which was a wicked man. 14:3 1 Hebrew, in thine hand. 2 According to the custom when they went to ask counsel of Prophets, 1 Sam. 9:7. 3 Or, wafers. 14:4 1 Hebrew, eyes stood. 14:5 1 Then the wife of Jeroboam. 14:6 1 For God ofttimes discloseth unto his the craft and subtlety of the wicked. 14:7 1 Which wast but a servant. 14:9 1 To wit, two calves. 14:10 1 Every male even to the dogs, 1 Sam. 25:22.

2 As well him that is in the stronghold, as him that is abroad. 14:11 1 They shall lack the honor of burial in token of God's malediction. 14:13 1 In the midst of the wicked, God hath some on whom he doth bestow his mercies. 14:14 1 The Lord will begin to destroy it out of hand. 14:15 1 Meaning, Euphrates. 14:16 1 The people shall not be excused when they do evil at the commandment of their governors. 14:20 1 The Lord smote him that he died, 2 Chron. 13:20. 14:21 1 And died before Jeroboam about four years. 14:22 1 Or, besides all that their fathers had done by their sins. 14:24 1 Where idolatry reigneth, all horrible vices are committed, till at length God's just judgment destroy them utterly.

363 1 kings 15:20

which the Lord hast cast out before the children of Israel. 25 ¶ And in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, 26 And took the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the King's house, and took away all: so he carried away all the shields of gold cwhich Solomon had made. 27 And king Rehoboam made for them brazen shields, and committed them unto the hands of the chief of the guard, which waited at the door of the king's house. 28 And when the King went into the house of the Lord, the guard bare them, and brought them again into the guard chamber. 29 And the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in 1the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam 1continually. 31 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: his mother's name was Naamah an 1Ammonite: and Abijam his son reigned in his stead. 15 1 Abijam reigneth over Judah. 9 Asa succeedeth in his room. 16 The battle between Asa and Baasha. 24 Jehoshaphat succeedeth Asa. 25 Nadab succeedeth Jeroboam. 28 Baasha killeth Nadab.

7 The rest also of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the cbook of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? there was also war between Abijam and Jeroboam. 8 And Abijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. 9 ¶ dAnd in the twenty years of Jeroboam King of Israel, reigned Asa over Judah. 10 He reigned in Jerusalem one and forty years, and his 1mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. 11 And Asa did right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. 12 And he took away the Sodomites out of the land, and put away all the idols that his fathers had made. 13 And he 1put down eMaachah his mother also from her estate, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa destroyed her idols, and burnt them by the brook Kidron. 14 But they put not down the high places. Nevertheless Asa's heart was 1upright with the Lord all his days. 15 Also he brought in the holy vessels of his father, and the things that he had dedicated unto the house of the Lord, silver and gold, and vessels. 16 ¶ And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. 17 Then Baasha King of Israel went up against Judah, and built 1Ramah, so that he would let none go out or in to Asa king of Judah. 18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that was left in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hands of his servants, and king Asa sent them to

c 1 Kings 10:16

chapter 15

a 2 Chron. 11:12

b 2 Sam. 11:4

2 Sam. 12:9

c 2 Chron. 13:3

d 2 Chron. 14:1

e 2 Chron. 15:16

f 2 Chron. 16:2

1 And in the eighteenth year of King aJeroboam the son of Nebat, reigned Abijam over Judah. 2 Three years reigned he in Jerusalem, and his mother's name was Maachah the daughter of 1Abishalom. 3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father. 4 But for David's sake did the Lord his God give him a 1light in Jerusalem, and set up his son after him, and established Jerusalem, 5 Because David did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and turned from nothing that he commanded him all the days of his life, bsave only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. 6 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam as long as he lived.

fBen-Hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion king of 1Aram that dwelt at Damascus, saying, 19 There is a covenant between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: Behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold: come, break thy covenant with Baasha King of Israel, that he may 1depart from me. 20 So Ben-Hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts, which he had, against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel Beth Maachah, and all Chinneroth, with all

14:29 1 Which books were called the books of Shemaiah and Iddo the Prophets, 2 Chron. 12:15. 14:30 1 That is, all the days of Rehoboam's life. 14:31 1 Whose idolatry Rehoboam her son followed. 15:2 1 Some think that this was Absalom Solomon's son. 15:4 1 Meaning, a son to reign over Judah. 15:10 1 That is, his grandmother, as David is oft times called father of them, whose grandfather he was.

15:13 1 Neither kindred nor authority ought to be regarded, when they blaspheme God, and become idolaters, but must be punished. 15:14 1 For in that that he suffered them to worship God in other places, than he had appointed, it came of ignorance, and not of malice. 15:17 1 Of the same purpose that Jeroboam did, because the people should not go up to Jerusalem, lest they should follow Asa. 15:18 1 Or, Syria. 15:19 1 And vex me no longer.

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16 1 Of Baasha, 6 Elah, 9 Zimri, 16 Omri. 31 Ahab marrieth Jezebel. 34 Jericho is built again.

the land of Naphtali. 21 And when Baasha heard thereof, he left building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah. 22 Then king Asa 1assembled all Judah 2none excepted, and they took the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had built, and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah. 23 And the rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? but in his old age he was diseased in his 1feet. 24 And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his 1father. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead. 25 And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years. 26 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, walking in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. 27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against him, and Baasha slew him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines: for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon. 28 Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead. 29 And when he was king, he 1smote all the house of Jeroboam, he left none alive to Jeroboam, until he had destroyed him, according to the gword of the Lord which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite, 30 Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he committed, and wherewith he made Israel to sin, by his 1provocation, wherewith he provoked the Lord God of Israel. 31 And the residue of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel, all their days. 33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in 1Tirzah, and reigned four and twenty years. 34 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin, wherewith he made Israel to sin.

g 1 Kings 14:10

chapter 16

a 1 Kings 15:29

1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, 2 1Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee captain over my people Israel, and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me with their sins, 3 Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house, and will make 1thine house like the ahouse of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. 4 bHe that dieth of Baasha's stock in the city, him shall the dogs eat: and that man of him which dieth in the fields, shall the fowls of the air eat. 5 And the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his 1power, are they not written in the book of the cChronicles of the kings of Israel? 6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah, and Elah his son reigned in his stead. 7 And also 1by the hand of Jehu the son of Hanani the Prophet, came the word of the Lord to Baasha, and to his house, that he should be like the house of Jeroboam, even for all the wickedness that he did in the sight of the Lord, in provoking him with the work of his hands, and because he killed 2him. 8 ¶ In the six and twenty years of Asa king of Judah, began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and reigned two years. 9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah 1drinking, till he was drunken in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah. 10 And Zimri came and smote him, and killed him in the seven and twenty years of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead. 11 ¶ And when he was king, and sat on his throne, he slew all the house of Baasha, not leaving thereof one to piss against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends. 12 So did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord which he spake against Baasha by the hand of Jehu the 1Prophet, 13 For all the sins of Baasha, and sins of Elah his son, which they sinned, and made Israel to sin, and

b 1 Kings 14:11

c 1 Chron. 16:1

15:22 1 Or, make a proclamation. 2 Hebrew, none innocent. 15:23 1 He had the gout and put his trust rather in Physicians than in the Lord, 2 Chron. 16:12. 15:24 1 His great-grandfather. 15:29 1 So God stirred up one tyrant to punish the wickedness of another. 15:30 1 By causing the people to commit idolatry with his calves, and so provoking God to anger.

15:33 1 Which was the place where the kings of Israel remained. 16:2 1 Thus spake Jehu to Baasha in the Name of the Lord. 16:3 1 Meaning, the house of Baasha. 16:5 1 Or, valiantness. 16:7 1 That is, the Prophet did his message. 2 Meaning, Nadab Jeroboam's son. 16:9 1 The Chaldea text hath thus, Drinking till he was drunken in the Temple of Arza the idol by his house in Tirzah. 16:12 1 Both Hanani his father and he were Prophets.

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provoked the Lord God of Israel with their vanities. 14 And the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 15 ¶ In the seven and twenty years of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah, and the people was then in camp 1against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. 16 And the people of the host heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king. Wherefore all Israel made Omri the captain of the host, king over Israel that same day, even in the host. 17 Then Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged 1Tirzah. 18 And when Zimri saw, that the city was taken, he went into the palace of the king's house, and 1burnt himself, and the king's house with fire, and so died, 19 For his sins which he sinned, in doing that which is evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sins which he did, causing Israel to sin. 20 And the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 21 Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: for 1half the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath to make him king, and the other half followed Omri. 22 But the people that followed Omri, prevailed against the people that followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned. 23 In the one and thirty years of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, and reigned twelve years. Six years reigned he in Tirzah. 24 And he bought the mountain 1Samaria of one Shemer for two talents of silver, and built in the mountain, and called the name of the city, which he built, after the name of Shemer lord of the mountain, Samaria. 25 But Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did 1worse than all that were before him. 26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sins wherewith he made Israel to sin in provoking the Lord God of Israel with their vanities. 27 And the rest of the acts of Omri, that he did, and

his strength that he showed, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 28 And Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in 1Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead. 29 Now Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, in the eight and thirty years of Asa king of Judah, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria two and twenty years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did worse in the sight of the Lord than all that were before him. 31 For was it a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, except he took Jezebel also the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians 1to wife, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him? 32 Also he reared up an altar to Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made a grove, and Ahab proceeded, and did provoke the Lord God of Israel more than all the kings of Israel that were before him. 34 In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build 1Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his eldest son, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord which he spake 2by Joshua the son of Nun. 17 1 Elijah forewarneth of the famine to come. 4 He is fed of Ravens. 9 He is sent to Zarephath, where he restoreth his hostess's son to life.

chapter 17

a James 5:16,17

1 And Elijah the Tishbite one of the inhabitants of Gilead said unto Ahab, aAs the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I 1stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, but 2according to my word. 2 ¶ And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 3 Go hence, and turn thee Eastward, and hide thyself in the 1river Cherith, that is over against Jordan, 4 And thou shalt drink of the river: and I have commanded the 1ravens to feed thee there. 5 So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went, and remained by the river Cherith that is over against Jordan 6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening,

16:15 1 The siege had continued from the time of Nadab Jeroboam's son. 16:17 1 Where Zimri kept himself in hold. 16:18 1 Hebrew, burnt the King's house upon him. 16:21 1 That is, the people which were not at the siege of Gibbe­ thon: for there they had chosen Omri. 16:24 1 Or, Shomeron. 16:25 1 For such is the nature of idolatry, that the superstition thereof doth daily increase, and the older it is the more abominable it is before God and his Church. 16:28 1 He was the first king that was buried in Samaria, after that

the kings house was burnt in Tirzah. 16:31 1 By whose means he fell to all wicked and strange idolatry, and cruel persecution. 16:34 1 Read Josh. 6:26. 2 Hebrew, by the hand of Joshua. 17:1 1 That is, whom I serve. 2 But as I shall declare it by God's revelation. 17:3 1 Or, brook. 17:4 1 To strengthen his faith against persecution, God promiseth to feed him miraculously.

1 kings 17:7 366

his own bed. 20 Then he called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou 1punished also this widow, with whom I sojourn, by killing her son? 21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. 22 Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother, and Elijah said, Behold, thy son liveth. 24 And the woman said unto Elijah, Now 1I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is true. 18 1 Elijah is sent to Ahab. 13 Obadiah hideth an hundred Prophets. 40 Elijah killeth all Baal's prophets. 45 He obtaineth rain.

and he drank of the river. 7 And after a while the river dried up, because there fell no rain upon the earth. 8 ¶ And the 1word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 9 bUp, and get thee to Zarephath, which is in Sidon, and remain there: behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain thee. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath: and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow was there 1gathering sticks: and he called her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but even an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and behold, I am gathering 1a few sticks for to go in, and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and 2die. 13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not, come do as thou hast said, but make me thereof a little cake first of all, and bring it unto me, and afterward make for thee and thy son. 14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, 1The meal in the barrel shall not be wasted, neither shall the oil in the cruse be diminished, unto the time that the Lord send rain upon the earth. 15 So she went, and did as Elijah said, and she did eat: so did he and her house 1for a certain time. 16 The barrel of the meal wasted not, nor the oil was spent out of the cruse, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by the hand of Elijah. 17 ¶ And after these things, the son of the wife of the house fell sick, and his sickness was so sore, 1that there was no 2breath left in him. 18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son: and he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a chamber, where he abode, and laid him upon

b Luke 4:25,26

1 After many days, the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the 1third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth. 2 And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab, and there was a great famine in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah the governor of his house: (and Obadiah 1feared God greatly: 4 For when Jezebel destroyed the Prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took an hundred Prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and he fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all the fountains of water, and unto all the rivers, if so be that we may find grass to save the horses and the mules alive, lest we deprive the land of the beasts. 6 And so they divided the land between them to walk through it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. 7 ¶ And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah 1met him: and he knew him, and fell on his

17:8 1 As the troubles of the Saints of God are many, so his mercy is ever at hand to deliver them. 17:10 1 All this was to strengthen the faith of Elijah, to the intent that he should look upon nothing worldly, but only trust on God's providence. 17:12 1 Hebrew, two. 2 For there is no hope of any more sustenance. 17:14 1 God receiveth no benefit for the use of his, but he promiseth a most ample recompense for the same. 17:15 1 That is, till he had rain and food on the earth. 17:17 1 Or, that he died. 2 God would try whether she had learned by his merciful provi­ dence to make him her only stay and comfort.

17:20 1 He was afraid lest God's name should have been blas­ phemed and his ministers contemned, except he should have continued his mercies as he had begun them, specially while he there remained. 17:24 1 So hard a thing it is to depend on God, except we be con­ firmed by miracles. 18:1 1 After that he departed from the river Cherith. 18:3 1 God had begun to work his fear in his heart, but had not yet brought him to that knowledge, which is also requisite of the godly: that is, to profess his Name openly. 18:7 1 God pitieth oft times the wicked for the godly's sake, and caus­ eth Elijah to meet with Obadiah, that the benefit might be known to be granted for God's children's sake.

367 1 kings 18:34

face, and said, Art not thou my lord Elijah? 8 And he answered him, Yea, go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 9 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? 10 As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not here, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, if they had not found thee. 11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 12 And when I am gone from thee, the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee into some place that I do not know: so when I come and tell Ahab, if he cannot find thee, then will he kill me: But I thy servant 1fear the Lord from my youth. 13 Was it not told my lord, what I did when Jezebel slew the Prophets of the Lord, how I hid an hundred men of the Lord's Prophets by fifties in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here, that he may slay me. 15 And Elijah said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show 1myself unto him this day. 16 ¶ So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 And when Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel, but 1thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baal. 19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. 20 ¶ So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long 1halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him, but if Baal be he, then go after him. And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I only remain

a Prophet of the Lord: but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks, and let them choose the one, and cut him in pieces, and lay him on the wood, but put no fire under, and I will prepare the other bullock, and lay him on the wood, and will put no fire under. 24 Then call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the Name of the Lord: and then the God that answereth 1by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered, and said, It is well spoken. 25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you a bullock, and prepare him first, (for ye are many) and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26 So they took the one bullock that was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning to noon, saying, O Baal, hear us: but there was no voice, nor any to answer: and they 1leapt upon the altar that was made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a 1god: either he talketh or pursueth his enemies, or is in his journey, or it may be that he sleepeth, and must be 2awaked. 28 And they cried loud, and cut themselves as their manner was, with knives and lancers, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And when midday was passed, and they had prophesied until the offering of the evening sacrifice, there was neither voice, nor one to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come to me. And all the people came to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, (unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, aIsrael shall be thy name) 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the Name of the Lord: and he made a ditch round about the altar, as great as would contain two 1measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and hewed the bullock in pieces, and laid him in the wood: 34 And said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it upon the burnt offering and on the wood. Again he said, Do so again. And they did so the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they

chapter 18

a Gen. 32:28 2 Kings 17:34

18:12 1 I am none of the wicked persecutors that thou shouldest pro­ cure unto me such displeasure, but serve God, and favor his children. 18:15 1 By my presence I will declare that thou hast told him the truth. 18:18 1 The true ministers of God ought not only not to suffer the truth to be unjustly slandered, but to reprove boldly the wicked slan­ derers without respect of person. 18:21 1 Be constant in religion, and make it not as a thing indifferent, whether ye follow God or Baal, or whether ye serve God wholly or in

part, Zeph. 1:5. 18:24 1 By sending down fire from heaven to burn the sacrifice. 18:26 1 As men ravished with some strange spirit. 18:27 1 You esteem him as God. 2 He mocketh their beastly madness, which think that by any instance or suit, the dead and vile idols can help their worshippers in their necessity. 18:32 1 Hebrew, seahs, which some think contain about three pot­ tles and a third part a piece.

1 kings 18:35 368

19 5 Elijah fleeing from Jezebel, is nourished by the Angel of God. 15 He is commanded to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha.

did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar: and he 1filled the ditch with water also. 36 And when they should offer the evening sacrifice, Elijah the Prophet came and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day, that thou art the God of Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy commandment. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, and let this people know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart again 1at the last. 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the ditch. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces, and said, The Lord is God, the Lord is God. 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal, let not 1a man of them escape: and they took them, and Elijah brought them to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. 41 ¶ And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of much rain. 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink, and Elijah went up to the top of Carmel: and he crouched unto the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, and look toward the way of the Sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. Again he said, Go again 1seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the Sea like a man's hand. Then he said, Up, and say unto Ahab, Make ready the chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stay thee not. 45 And 1in the meanwhile the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Then Ahab went up, and came to Jezreel, 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins, and ran 1before Ahab till he came to Jezreel.

chapter 19

a Rom. 11:13

1 Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had slain all the 1prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, 1The gods do so to me and more also, if I make not thy life like one of their lives by tomorrow this time. 3 ¶ When he saw that, he arose, and went 1for his life, and came to Beersheba, which is in Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a Juniper tree, and desired that he might die, and said, It is now enough: O Lord, 1take my soul, for I am no better than my fathers. 5 And as he lay and slept under the Juniper tree, behold now, an Angel touched him, and said unto him, Up, and eat. 6 And when he looked about, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a pot of water at his head: so he did eat and drink, and returned and slept. 7 And the Angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Up, and eat: for 1thou hast a great journey. 8 ¶ Then he arose, and did eat and drink, and walked in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights, unto Horeb the mount of God. 9 And there he entered into a cave, and lodged there: and behold, the Lord spake to him, and said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10 And he answered, I have 1been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, broken down thine altars, and slain thy Prophets with the sword, aand I only am left, and they seek my life to take it away. 11 And he said, Come out, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord went by, and a mighty strong wind rent the mountains, and brake the rocks before the Lord: but the Lord was 1not

18:35 1 Hereby he declared the excellent power of God, who con­ trary to nature could make the fire burn even in the water, to the intent they should have none occasion to doubt that he is the only God. 18:37 1 Though God suffer his to run in blindness and error for a time, yet at the length he calleth them home to him by some notori­ ous sign and work. 18:40 1 He commanded them that as they were truly persuaded to confess the only God: so they would serve him with all their power, and destroy the idolaters his enemies. 18:43 1 As God's spirit moved him to pray, so was he strengthened by the same, that he did not faint, but continued still till he had obtained. 18:45 1 Or, here and there. 18:46 1 He was so strengthened with God's spirit, that he ran faster

than the chariot was able to run. 19:1 1 To wit, of Baal. 19:2 1 Though the wicked rage against God's children, yet he hold­ eth them back that they cannot execute their malice. 19:3 1 Or, whither his mind led him. 19:4 1 So hard a thing it is to bridle our impatience in affliction, that the Saints could not overcome the same. 19:7 1 He declareth that except God had nourished him miracu­ lously, it had not been possible for him to have gone this journey. 19:10 1 He complaineth that the more zealous that he showed him­ self to maintain God's glory, the more cruelly was he persecuted. 19:11 1 For the nature of man is not able to come near unto God, if he should appear in his strength and full majesty, and therefore of his mercy he submitteth himself to our capacity.

369 1 kings 20:11

20 1 Samaria is besieged. 13 The Lord promiseth the victory to Ahab by a Prophet. 31 The King of Israel made peace with Ben-Hadad, and is reproved therefore by the Prophet.

in the wind: and after the wind came an earthquake: but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake came fire: but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire came a still and soft voice. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering of the cave: and behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14 And he answered, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts, 1because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, cast down thine altars, and slain thy Prophets with the sword, and I only am left, and they seek my life to take it away. 15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return by the wilderness unto Damascus, and when thou comest there, anoint Hazael king over 1Aram. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint King over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah shalt thou anoint to be Prophet in thy room. 17 And bhim that escapeth from the sword of Hazael, shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu, shall Elisha slay. 18 Yet will cI leave seven thousand in Israel: even 1all the knees that have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth that hath not kissed him. 19 ¶ So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and was with the twelfth: and Elijah went towards him, and cast his mantel upon him. 20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, 1Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. Who answered him, Go, return: for what have I done to thee? 21 And when he went back again from him, he took a couple of oxen, and slew them, and sod their flesh with the 1instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat: then he arose and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.

b 2 Kings 9:1,3

c Rom. 11:4

1 Then Ben-Hadad the king of 1Aram assembled all his army, and two and thirty 2kings with him, with horses, and chariots, and went up and besieged 3Samaria, and fought against it. 2 And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel, into the city, 3 And said unto him, Thus saith Ben-Hadad, Thy silver and thy gold is mine: also thy women, and thy fair children are mine. 4 And the king of Israel answered, and said, My lord king, according to thy saying, 1I am thine, and all that I have. 5 And when the messengers came again, they said, Thus commandeth Ben-Hadad, and saith, When I shall send unto thee, and command, thou shalt deliver me thy silver and thy gold, and thy women, and thy children, 6 1Or else I will send my servants unto thee by tomorrow this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants: and whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall take it in their hands, and bring it away. 7 Then the King of Israel sent for all the Elders of the land, and said, Take heed, I pray you, and see how he seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I denied him not. 8 And all the Elders, and all the people said to him, Hearken 1not unto him, nor consent. 9 Wherefore he said unto the messengers of BenHadad, Tell my lord the king, All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first time, that I will do, but this thing I may not do. And the messengers departed, and brought him an answer. 10 And Ben-Hadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so to me and more also, if the 1dust of Samaria be enough to all the people that follow me, for every man an handful. 11 And the king of Israel answered, and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth his harness, boast himself, as he that 1putteth it off.

19:14 1 We ought not to depend on the multitude in maintaining God's glory, but because our duty so requireth, we ought to do it. 19:15 1 Or, Syria. 19:18 1 He declareth that wicked dissemblers and idolaters are not his. 19:20 1 Though this natural affection is not to be contemned, yet it ought not to move us when God calleth us to serve him. 19:21 1 He would not stay till wood was brought, so great was his desire to follow his vocation. 20:1 1 Or, Syria 2 That is, governors and rulers of provinces.

3 Or, Shomeron. 20:4 1 I am content to obey and pay tribute. 20:6 1 He would not accept his answer except he did out of hand deliver whatsoever he should ask, for he sought an occasion how to make war against him. 20:8 1 They thought it their duties rather to venture their lives, than to grant to that thing which was not lawful, only to satisfy the lust of a tyrant. 20:10 1 Much less shall there be found any prey that is worth any­ thing, when they shall be so many. 20:11 1 Boast not before the victory be gotten.

1 kings 20:12 370

12 And when he heard that tidings, as he was with the kings drinking in the pavilions, he said unto the servants, 1Bring forth your engines. And they set them against the city. 13 ¶ And behold, there came a Prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day, that thou mayest know, 1that I am the Lord. 14 And Ahab said, By whom? and he said, Thus saith the Lord, By the servants of the princes of the provinces. He said again, Who shall order the battle? and he answered, Thou. 15 ¶ Then he numbered the servants of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred, two and thirty: and after them he numbered the whole people of all the children of Israel, even seven thousand. 16 And they went out at noon: but Ben-Hadad did drink till he was drunken in the tents, both he and the kings: for two and thirty kings helped him. 17 So the 1servants of the princes of the provinces went out first: and Ben-Hadad sent out, and they showed him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria. 18 And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive: or whether they be come out to fight, take them yet alive. 19 So they came out of the city, to wit, the servants of the princes of the provinces, and the host which followed them. 20 And they slew everyone his 1enemy: and the 2Aramites fled, and Israel pursued them: but BenHadad the king of Aram escaped on an horse with his 3horsemen. 21 And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and with a great slaughter slew the Aramites. 22 (For there had come a Prophet to the king of Israel, and had said unto him, Go, be of good courage, and consider, and take heed what thou doest: for when the year is gone about, the king of Aram will come up against thee.) 23 ¶ Then the servants of the king of Aram said unto him, Their 1gods are gods of the mountains, and therefore they overcame us: but let us fight against them in the plain, and doubtless we shall

overcome them. 24 And this do, Take the kings away, everyone out of his place, and place captains for them. 25 And number thyself an army, like the army that thou hast lost, with such horses, and such chariots, and we will fight against them in the plain, and doubtless we shall overcome them: and he hearkened unto their voice, and did so. 26 And after the year was gone about, Ben-Hadad numbered the Aramites, and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 27 And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all 1assembled, and went against them, and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids: but the Aramites filled the country. 28 And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Because the Aramites have said, The Lord is the God of the mountains, and not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that 1I am the Lord. 29 And they pitched one over against the other seven days, and in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Aramites an hundred thousand footmen in one day. 30 But the rest fled to Aphek into the city: and there fell a wall upon seven and twenty thousand men that were left: and Ben-Hadad fled into the city, and came into 1a secret chamber. 31 ¶ And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard say that the Kings of the house of Israel are merciful Kings: we pray thee, let us put sackcloth about our 1loins, and ropes about our heads, and go out to the King of Israel: it may be that he will save thy life. 32 Then they girded sackcloth about their loins, and put ropes about their heads, and came to the King of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-Hadad saith, I pray thee, let me live: and he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother. 33 Now the men took diligent heed, 1if they could catch anything of him, and made haste, and said, Thy brother 2Ben-Hadad. And he said, Go, bring him. So Ben-Hadad came out unto him, and he caused him to come up into the chariot. 34 And Ben-Hadad said unto him, The cities which

20:12 1 Or, put yourselves in order. 20:13 1 Before God went about with signs and miracles to pull Ahab from his impiety, and now again with wonderful victories. 20:17 1 That is, young men trained in the service of princes. 20:20 1 Hebrew, man. 2 Or, Syrians. 3 Which them that were appointed for the preservation of his person. 20:23 1 Thus the wicked blaspheme God in their fury, whom not­ withstanding he suffereth not unpunished.

20:27 1 All they, which were in the battle of the former year, verse 15. 20:28 1 Who am of like power in the valley, as I am on the hills, and can as well destroy a multitude with few as with many. 20:30 1 Hebrew, from chamber, to chamber. 20:31 1 In sign of submission, and that we have deserved death, if he will punish us with rigor. 20:33 1 Or, and caught it of him. 2 He is alive.

371 1 kings 21:13

my father took from thy father, I will restore, and thou shalt make streets for thee in 1Damascus, as my father did in Samaria. Then said Ahab, I will let thee go with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and let him go. 35 ¶ Then a certain man of the 1children of the Prophets said unto his neighbor by the commandment of the Lord, 2Smite me, I pray thee. But the man refused to smite him. 36 Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the Lord, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall 1slay thee. So when he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him. 37 Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, and in smiting wounded him. 38 So the Prophet departed, and waited for the King by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face. 39 And when the King came by, he cried unto the King, and said, 1Thy servant went into the midst of the battle, and behold, there went away a man, whom another man brought unto me, and said, Keep this man: if he be lost, and want, thy life shall go for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. 40 And as thy servant had here and there to do, he was gone: And the King of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be: thou hast given sentence. 41 And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face: and the King of Israel knew him that he was of the Prophets: 42 And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, aBecause thou hast let go out of thine hands a man whom I appointed to die, thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people. 43 And the King of Israel went to his house heavy and in displeasure, and came to 1Samaria. 21 8 Jezebel commandeth to kill Naboth, for the vineyard that he refused to sell to Ahab. 19 Elijah reproveth Ahab, and he repenteth.

of Samaria. 2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, 1Give me thy vineyard, that I may make me a garden of herbs thereof, because it is nearby mine house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it is: or if it please thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. 3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord keep me from giving the inheritance of my father unto thee. 4 Then Ahab came into his house heavy and in displeasure, because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken unto him. For he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers, and he lay 1upon his bed, and turned his face and would eat no bread. 5 Then Jezebel his wife came unto him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad that thou eatest no bread? 6 And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money, or if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: but he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. 7 Then Jezebel his wife said unto him, 1Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Up, eat bread, and 2be of good cheer, I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. 8 ¶ So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the Elders, and to the nobles that were in his city dwelling with Naboth. 9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a 1fast, and set Naboth among the chief of the people, 10 And set two wicked men before him, and let them witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king: then carry him out, and stone him that he may die. 11 And the 1men of the city, even the Elders and governors which dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them: as it was written in the letters, which she had sent unto them. 12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth among the chief of the people, 13 And there came two wicked men, and sat before him: and the wicked men witnessed against Naboth

chapter 20

a 1 Kings 22:38

1 After 1these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king

20:34 1 Thou shalt appoint in my chief city what thou wilt, and I will obey thee. 20:35 1 Or, of the disciples. 2 By this external sign he would more lively touch the king's heart. 20:36 1 Because thou hast transgressed the commandment of the Lord. 20:39 1 By this parable he maketh Ahab condemn himself, who made a covenant with God's enemy, and let him escape, whom God had appointed to be slain. 20:43 1 Or, Shomeron. 21:1 1 Or, at this time. 21:2 1 Though Ahab's tyranny be condemned by the holy Spirit, yet

he was not so rigorous that he would take from another man his right without full recompense. 21:4 1 Thus the wicked consider not what is just and lawful, but fret inwardly, when they cannot have their inordinate appetites satisfied. 21:7 1 As though she said, Thou knowest not what it is to reign. Command and entreat not. 2 Hebrew, let thine heart be merry. 21:9 1 For then they used to inquire of men's faults: for none could fast truly that were notorious sinners. 21:11 1 Thus the worldlings contrary to God's commandment, who willeth not to consent to the shedding of innocent blood, obey rather the wicked commandments of princes than the just laws of God.

1 kings 21:14 372

in the presence of the people saying, Naboth did 1blaspheme God and the King. Then they carried him away out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned and is dead. 15 ¶ And when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, 1Up, and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but is dead. 16 And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he rose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. 17 ¶ And the word of the Lord came unto Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab King of Israel, which is in Samaria: lo, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to take possession of it. 19 Therefore shalt thou say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, 1Hast thou killed, and also gotten possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, 2In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick even thy blood also. 20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: for thou hast sold thyself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord. 21 aBehold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that bpisseth against the wall, as well him that is cshut up, as him that is left in Israel, 22 And I will make thine house like the house of dJeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of eBaasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked and made Israel to sin. 23 And also of Jezebel spake the Lord, saying, f The dogs shall eat Jezebel, 1by the wall of Jezreel. 24 The dogs shall eat him of Ahab's stock, that dieth in the city: and him that dieth in the fields, shall the fowls of the air eat.

25 (But there was none like Ahab, who did 1sell himself to work wickedness, in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife provoked. 26 For he did exceeding abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites did, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.) 27 Now when Ahab heard those words, he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon 1him, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went 2softly. 28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 Seest thou how Ahab is humbled before me? because he submitteth himself before me, I will not bring that evil in his days, but in his 1sons' days will I bring evil upon his house. 22 2 Jehoshaphat and Ahab fight against the King of Syria. 15 Micaiah showeth the king what shall be the success of their enterprise. 24 Zedekiah the false prophet smiteth him. 34 Ahab is slain. 40 Ahaziah his son succeedeth. 41 The reign of Jehoshaphat, 50 and Jehoram his son.

chapter 21

a 1 Kings 14:10

2 Kings 9:8

b 1 Sam. 15:22

c 1 Kings 14:10

d 1 Kings 15:29

e 1 Kings 16:3

f 2 Kings 9:33,36

chapter 22

a 2 Chron. 18:1,2

1 And athey continued 1three years without war between Aram and Israel. 2 And in the third year did Jehoshaphat the king of Judah 1come down to the king of Israel. 3 (Then the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye not that 1Ramoth Gilead was ours? and we stay, and take it not out of the hand of the King of Aram?) 4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle against Ramoth Gilead? And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, 1I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and mine horses as thine horses. 5 Then Jehoshaphat said unto the King of Israel, 1Ask counsel, I pray thee, of the Lord today. 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the 1prophets upon a four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I let it alone? And they said, Go up, for the Lord shall deliver it into the hands of the King.

21:13 1 Hebrew, bless. 21:15 1 This example of monstrous cruelty the holy Ghost leaveth to us, to the intent that we should abhor all tyranny, and specially in them whom nature and kind should move to be pitiful and inclined to mercy. 21:19 1 Dost thou think to have any advantage by murdering of an innocent? 2 This was fulfilled in Jehoram his son, as 2 Kings 9:25, 26. 21:23 1 Or, fortress, or possession. 21:25 1 By the wicked counsel of his wife he became a vile idolater, and cruel murderer, as one that gave himself wholly to serve sin. 21:27 1 Hebrew, his flesh. 2 In token of mourning, or as some read, barefooted. 21:29 1 Meaning, in Jehoram's time, 2 Kings 9:26.

22:1 1 Ben-Hadad the king of Syria, and Ahab made a peace which endureth three years. 22:2 1 To see and visit him. 22:3 1 The kings of Syria kept Ramoth before this league was made by Ben-Hadad: therefore he thought not himself bound thereby to restore it. 22:4 1 I am ready to join and go with thee, and all mine is at thy commandment. 22:5 1 He seemed that he would not go to the war, except God reproved it, yet when Micaiah counseled the contrary, he would not obey. 22:6 1 Meaning, the false prophets, which were flatterers and served for lucre, whom Jezebel had assembled and kept after the death of those whom Elijah slew.

373 1 kings 22:28

7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there here never a Prophet of the 1Lord more, that we might inquire of him? 8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man (Micaiah the son of Imlah) by whom we may ask counsel of the Lord, but 1I hate him: for he doth not prophesy good unto me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. 9 Then the king of Israel called an 1Eunuch, and said, Call quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah. 10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat either of them on his throne in their 1apparel in the void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets prophesied before them. 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him 1horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With these shalt thou push the Aramites, until thou hast consumed them. 12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the king's hand. 13 ¶ And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah, spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with 1,2one accord, let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good. 14 And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, whatsoever the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak. 15 ¶ So he came to the King, and the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall we leave off? And he answered him, 1Go up, and prosper: and the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. 16 And the king said unto him, How oft shall I charge thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the Name of the Lord? 17 Then he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that had no shepherd. And

the Lord said, 1These have no master, let every man return unto his house in peace. 18 (And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good unto me, but evil?) 19 Again he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord. I saw the Lord sit on his throne, and all the 1host of heaven stood about him on his right hand and on his left hand. 20 And the Lord said, Who shall 1entice Ahab that he may go and fall at Ramoth Gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. 21 Then there came forth a spirit, and 1stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? 22 And he said, I will go out, and be a 1false spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. Then he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt also prevail: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath appointed evil against thee. 24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, b,1When went the spirit of the Lord from me, to speak unto thee? 25 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thee. 26 And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah and carry him unto Amon the governor of the city, and unto Joash the king's son, 27 And say, Thus saith the King, Put this man in the prison house, and feed him with 1bread of affliction, and with water of affliction, until I return in peace. 28 And Micaiah said, If thou return in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And he said, 1Hearken all ye people.

b 2 Chron. 18:23

22:7 1 Jehoshaphat did not acknowledge the false prophets to be God's ministers, but did contemn them. 22:8 1 Whereby we see that the wicked cannot abide to hear the truth, but hate the Prophets of God and molest them. 22:9 1 Read Gen. 37:36. 22:10 1 In their kingly apparel. 22:11 1 The true Prophets of God were accustomed to use signs for the confirmation of their doctrine, Isa. 20:2; Jer. 7:2. Wherein the false Prophets did imitate them, thinking thereby to make their doctrine more commendable. 22:13 1 Hebrew, mouth. 2 This is the common argument of the wicked, who think that none should speak against a thing, if the greater part approve it, be they never so ungodly. 22:15 1 He speaketh this in derision, because the king attributed so much to the false prophets, meaning, that by experience he should

try that they were but flatterers. 22:17 1 It is better they return home than to be punished and scat­ tered, because they take war in hand without God's counsel and approbation. 22:19 1 Meaning, his Angels. 22:20 1 Or, persuade and deceive. 22:21 1 Here we see that though the devil be ever ready to bring us to destruction, yet he hath no further power than God giveth him. 22:22 1 I will cause all his prophets to tell lies. 22:24 1 Thus the wicked would seem that none were in the favor of God, but they, and that God hath given his graces to none so much as to them. 22:27 1 Let him be pined away with hunger, and be fed with a small portion of bread and water. 22:28 1 That when ye shall see these things come to pass, ye may give God the glory, and know that I am his true Prophet.

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41 ¶ dAnd Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign upon Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was five and thirty years old when he began to reign, and reigned five and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father, and declined not there from, but did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. Nevertheless, 1the high places were not taken away: for the people offered still, and burnt incense in the high places. 44 And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. 45 Concerning the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his worthy deeds that he did, and his battles which he fought, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 46 And the Sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he put clean out of the land. 47 There was then no King in Edom: the 1deputy was king. 48 Jehoshaphat made ships of 1Tarshish to sail to 2Ophir for gold, but they went not, for the ships were broken at Ezion Geber. 49 Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships, But Jehoshaphat would not. 50 And Jehoshaphat did sleep with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. 51 ¶ Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria, the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel. 52 But he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin. 53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked the Lord God of Israel unto wrath, 1according unto all that his father had done.

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will change mine apparel, and will enter into the battle, but put thou on thine apparel. And the king of Israel changed himself, and went into the battle. 31 And the king of Aram commanded his two and thirty captains over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only against the king of Israel. 32 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, Surely it is the king of Israel: and they turned to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat 1cried. 33 And when the captains of the chariots saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from him. 34 Then a certain man drew a bow 1mightily, and smote the king of Israel between the joints 2of his brigandine. Wherefore he said unto his chariot man, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host: for I am 3hurt. 35 And the battle increased that day, and the 1king stood still in his chariot against the Aramites, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. 36 And there were a proclamation throughout the 1host about the going down of the Sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country. 37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria. 38 And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (and 1they washed his armor) according cunto the word of the Lord which he spake. 39 Concerning the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he built, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

c 1 Kings 31:19

d 2 Chron. 20:31

22:32 1 That is, to the Lord for help. 22:34 1 Or, in his simplicity, and ignorantly. 2 Hebrew, and between the brigandine. 3 Hebrew, sick. 22:35 1 To wit, Ahab, king of Israel. 22:36 1 Of the Israelites. 22:38 1 Or, the harlots washed it. 22:43 1 Meaning, that he was led with an error, thinking that they might still sacrifice to the Lord in those places, as well as they did

before the Temple was built. 22:47 1 In the time of this king, Idumea was subject to Judah, and was governed by whom they of Judah appointed. 22:48 1 By Tarshish the Scripture meaneth Cilicia and all the sea called Mediterranean. 2 Josephus writeth that Ophir is in India, where the Egyptians and Arabians traffic for gold. 22:53 1 Or, in all points as his father did.

T h e s e c o n d b o o k

o f t h e k i n g s

1 2 Ahaziah by a fall falleth sick, and consulteth with Baal-Zebub. 3 He is reproved by Elijah. 10 The captains over fifty were sent to Elijah, whereof two were burnt with fire from heaven by his prayer. 17 Ahaziah dieth, and Jehoram his brother succeedeth him.

and girded with a girdle of leather about his loins. Then said he, It is Elijah the Tishbite. 9 Therefore the King sent unto him a captain over fifty with his fifty men, who went up unto him: for behold, he sat on the top 1of a mountain, and he said unto him, O man of God, the king hath commanded that thou come down. 10 But Elijah answered, and said to the captain over the fifty, If that I be a man of God, let fire come down from the heaven, and devour thee and thy fifty. 1So fire came down from the heaven and devoured him and his fifty. 11 Again also he sent unto him another captain over fifty with his fifty. Who spake, and said unto him, 1O man of God, thus the King commandeth, Come down quickly. 12 But Elijah answered, and said unto them, 1If I be a man of God, let fire come down from the heaven and devour thee and thy fifty. So fire came down from the heaven, and devoured him and his fifty. 13 ¶ Yet again he sent the third captain over fifty with his fifty. And the third captain over fifty went up, and came, and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my 1life and the life of these thy fifty servants be 2precious in thy sight. 14 Behold, there came fire down from the heaven, and devoured the two former captains over fifty with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight. 15 And the Angel of the Lord said unto Elijah, Go down with him, be 1not afraid of his presence. So he arose, and went down with him unto the king. 16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord,

1 Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab: 2 And 1Ahaziah fell through the lattice window in his upper chamber which was in Samaria: so he was sick: then he sent messengers, to whom he said, Go, and inquire of 2Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron, if I shall recover of this my disease. 3 Then the Angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, and go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, 1Is it not because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron? 4 Wherefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from the bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt die the death. So Elijah departed. 5 And the messengers returned unto him, to whom he said, Why are ye now returned? 6 And they answered him, There came a man and met us, and said unto us, Go, and return unto the king which sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, 1Is it not because there is no God in Israel, that thou sendest to inquire of Baal-Zebub the God of Ekron? Therefore thou shalt not come down from the bed, on which thou art gone up, but shalt die the death. 7 And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came and met you, and told you these words? 8 And they said unto him, He was an 1hairy man,

1:2 1 So that he was punished for his idolatry after two sorts: for the Moabites which were wont to pay him tribute, rebelled, and he fell down at a grate which was upon his house to give light beneath. 2 The Philistines which dwelt at Ekron, worshipped this idol, which fig­ ureth the god of flies, thinking that he could preserve them from the biting of flies: or else he was so called, because flies were engendered in great abundance of the blood of the sacrifices that were offered to that idol. 1:3 1 He showeth that idolaters have not the true God, for else they would seek to none but to him alone. 1:6 1 Ignorance is the mother of error and idolatry. 1:8 1 Some think that this is meant of his garments, which were rough and made of hair.

1:9 1 To wit, Carmel. 1:10 1 He declareth what power God's word hath in the mouth of his servants, when they threaten God's judgments against the wicked. 1:11 1 He spake this in mockery, and therefore provoked God's wrath so much the more. 1:12 1 Meaning, that God would show by effect whether he was a true Prophet or not. 1:13 1 Which humble myself before God and his servant. 2 That is, spare my life, and let me not die as the other two. 1:15 1 Thus the Lord giveth boldness to his, that they fear not the threatenings of tyrants, which otherwise of themselves are afraid to do God's message.

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he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went both together. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the Prophets went and stood on the other side a far off, and they two stood by Jordan. 8 ¶ Then Elijah took his cloak, and wrapped it together, and smote the 1waters, and they were divided hither and thither, and they twain went over on the dry land. 9 Now when they were passed over, Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee before I be taken from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let thy Spirit 1be double upon me. 10 And he said, Thou hast asked an hard thing: yet if thou see me when I am taken from thee, thou shalt have it so: and if not, it shall not be. 11 And as they went walking and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and did separate them twain. So Elijah went up by a whirlwind into 1heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof: and he saw him no more: and he took his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13 ¶ He took up also the cloak of Elijah, that fell from him, and returned, and stood by the bank of Jordan. 14 After, he took the cloak of Elijah, that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And so he also, after he had stricken the waters, so that they were divided this way and that way, went over, even Elisha. 15 And when the children of the Prophets, which were at Jericho, saw him on the other side, they said,

Because thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron, (was it not because there was no God in Israel to inquire of his word?) therefore thou shalt not come down off the bed, on which thou art gone up, but shalt die the death. 17 So he died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram began to reign in his stead in the second year of 1Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, because he had no son. 18 Concerning the rest of the acts of Ahaziah, that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? 2 1 Elijah divided the waters with his cloak. 11 He is taken up into heaven. 13 Elisha taketh his cloak and divideth Jordan. 20 The bitter and venomous waters are healed. 23 The children that mock Elisha, are rent in pieces with bears.

1 And when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah went with Elisha from 1Gilgal. 2 Then Elijah said to Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee: for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel. But Elisha said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came down to Bethel. 3 And the 1children of the Prophets that were at Bethel, came out to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take thy master from 2thine head this day? And he said, Yea, I 3know it: hold ye your peace. 4 Again Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee: for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. But he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 5 And the children of the Prophets that were at 1Jericho, came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou, that the Lord will take thy master from thine head this day? And he said, Yea, I know it: hold ye your peace. 6 Moreover Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here: for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. But

1The Spirit of Elijah doeth rest on Elisha: and they came to meet him, and fell to the ground before him, 16 And said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men: let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy 1master, if so be the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. But he said, 2Ye shall not send.

1:17 1 Jehoshaphat going to battle against the Syrians, made his son Jehoram king in the 17th year of his reign: and in the 18th year which was the second year of his son, Jehoram the son of Ahab reigned in Israel: and in the fifth year of this Jehoram Jehoshaphat died, and the kingdom of Judah was confirmed to his son. 2:1 1 Which was that place where the children of Israel were circum­ cised after they came over Jordan, and had been forty years in the wilderness, as Josh. 5:9. 2:3 1 So called, because they are begotten as it were anew by the heavenly doctrine. 2 That is, from being anymore thine head: for to be as the head, is to be the master, as to be at the feet, is to be a scholar. 3 For the Lord had revealed it unto him. 2:5 1 Not only at Bethel, but at Jericho and other places were there

Prophets, which had scholars, whom they instructed and brought up in the true fear of God. 2:8 1 To wit, of Jordan. 2:9 1 Let thy Spirit have double force in me, because of these dangerous times: or let me have twice so much as the rest of the Prophets: or thy spirit being divided into three parts, let me have two. 2:11 1 Thus God hath left a testimony in all ages (both before the Law, in the Law, and in the time of the Gospel) of our resurrection. 2:15 1 The Spirit of prophecy is given to him, as it was to Elijah. 2:16 1 Meaning, Elijah: for they thought his body had been cast in some mountain. 2 Because the fact was extraordinary, they doubted where he was become, but Elisha was assured that he was taken up to God.

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17 Yet they were instant upon him, till he was ashamed: wherefore he said, Send. So they sent fifty men, which sought three days, but found him not. 18 Therefore they returned to him, (for he tarried at Jericho) and he said unto them, Did not I say unto you, Go not? 19 ¶ And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, we pray thee: the situation of this city is pleasant, as thou, my lord, seest, but the water is naught, and the ground 1barren. 20 Then he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. 21 And he went unto the spring of the waters, and cast there 1the salt, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed this water: death shall no more come thereof, neither barrenness to the ground. 22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the word of Elisha which he had spoken. 23 ¶ And he went up from thence unto Bethel. And as he was going up the way, little children came out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Come up, thou bald head, come up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and

thousand rams with the wool. 5 But when Ahab was dead, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. 6 Therefore King Jehoram went out of Samaria the same season, and numbered all Israel, 7 And went, and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me to battle against Moab? And he answered, I will go up: for 1I am, as thou art, my people, as thy people, and mine horses, as thine horses. 8 Then said he, What way shall we go up? And he answered, The way of the wilderness of Edom. 9 ¶ So went the king of Israel and the king of Judah, and the 1king of Edom, and when they had compassed the way seven days, they had no water for the host, nor for the cattle that 2followed them. 10 Therefore the king of Israel said, Alas, that the Lord hath called these three kings, to give them into the hand of Moab. 11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a Prophet of the Lord, that we may inquire of the Lord by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered, and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which 1poured water on the hands of Elijah. 12 Then Jehoshaphat said, 1The word of the Lord is with him. Therefore the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom went down to him. 13 And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, 1What have I to do with thee? get thee to the Prophets of thy father, and to the Prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, 2Nay: for the Lord hath called these three kings, to give them into the hand of Moab. 14 Then Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, in whose sight I stand, if it were not, that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would 1not have looked toward thee, nor seen thee. 15 But now bring me a minstrel. And when the minstrel 1played, the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches.

1cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two bears came out of the forest, and tore in pieces two and forty children of them. 25 So he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria. 3 1 The reign of Jehoram. 6 He and Jehoshaphat go to war against Moab which rebelled. 13 Elisha reproveth him, 17 and giveth their hosts water. 24 The Moabites are overcome. 27 Their King sacrificeth his son.

1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria, the 1eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat King of Judah, and reigned twelve years. 2 And he wrought evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father nor like his mother: for he took away the image of Baal that his father had made. 3 Nevertheless, he cleaved unto the 1sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin, and departed not therefrom. 4 ¶ Then 1Mesha king of Moab had store of sheep, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred

2:19 1 Or, killeth the inhabitants. 2:21 1 Thus God gave him power, even contrary to nature, to make that water profitable for man's use, which before was hurtful. 2:24 1 Perceiving their malicious heart against the Lord and his word, he desireth God to take vengeance of that injury done unto him. 3:1 1 Read the annotation in the first chapter and seventh verse. 3:3 1 He sacrificed to the golden calves that Jeroboam had made. 3:4 1 This was done after that David had made the Moabites tribu­ taries to his successors. 3:7 1 Read 1 Kings 22:4. 3:9 1 Meaning, the viceroy, or lieutenant of the king of Judah, read

1 Kings 22:47. 2 Hebrew, that were at their feet. 3:11 1 That is, who was his servant. 3:12 1 He is able to instruct us what is God's will in this point. 3:13 1 He knew that this wicked king would have but used his coun­ sel to serve his turn, and therefore, he disdained to answer him. 2 The wicked esteem not the servants of God, but when they are driven by every necessity and fear of the present danger. 3:14 1 God suffereth his word to be declared to the wicked, because of the godly that are among them. 3:15 1 He sang songs to God's glory, and so stirred up the Prophet's heart to prophesy.

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17 For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall neither see wind nor see rain, yet the valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye and your cattle, and your beasts. 18 But this is a 1small thing in the sight of the Lord: for he will give Moab into your hand. 19 And ye shall smite every strong town, and every chief city, and shall fell every fair tree, and shall stop all the fountains of water, and 1mar every good field with stones. 20 And in the morning when the meat offering was offered, behold, there came water by the way of Edom: and the country was filled with water. 21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that was able 1to put on harness, and upward, and stood in their border. 22 And they rose early in the morning, when the Sun arose upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water over against them, as red as blood. 23 And they said, 1This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and one hath smitten another: now therefore Moab, to the spoil. 24 And when they came to the host of Israel, the Israelites arose up, and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them, but they 1invaded them, and smote Moab. 25 And they destroyed the cities: and on all the good field every man cast his stone, and filled them and they stopped all the fountains of water, and felled all the good trees: only in 1Kir Haraseth left they the stones thereof: howbeit they went about it with slings, and smote it. 26 And when the King of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew the sword, to break through unto the king of Edom: but they could not. 27 Then he took his eldest son, that should have reigned in his stead, and 1offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall: so that Israel was sore grieved,

and they departed from him, and returned to their country. 4 4 God increaseth the oil to the poor widow by Elisha. 12 He obtaineth for the Shunammite a son at God's hand. 18 Who dying, 32 he raiseth him up again. 40 He maketh sweet the pottage, 42 and multiplied the loaves.

1 And one of the wives of the sons 1of the Prophets cried unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant mine husband is dead, and thou knowest, that thy servant did 2fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take my two sons to be his 3bondmen. 2 Then Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou at home? And she said, Thine handmaid hath nothing at home, save a 1pitcher of oil. 3 And he said, Go and borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, empty vessels, and spare not. 4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and pour out into 1all those vessels, and set aside those that are full. 5 So she departed from him, and shut the door upon her, and upon her sons. And they brought to her, and she poured out. 6 And when the vessels were full, she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is no more vessels. And the oil 1ceased. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go and sell the oil, and pay them that thou art in debt unto, and live thou and thy children of the 1rest. 8 ¶ And on a time Elisha came to Shunem, and there a woman of great estimation constrained him to eat bread: and as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9 And she said unto her husband, Behold, I know now, that this is an holy man of God that passeth by us continually. 10 Let us make 1him a little chamber, I pray thee, with walls, and let us set him there a bed, and a table,

3:18 1 He will not only miraculously give you waters, but your ene­ mies also into your hand. 3:19 1 Though God bestow his benefits for a time upon the ene­ mies, yet he hath his seasons, when he will take them away to the intent they might see his vengeance which is prepared against them. 3:21 1 Hebrew, to gird himself with a girdle. 3:23 1 The sudden joy of the wicked is but a preparation to their destruction, which is at hand. 3:24 1 Meaning, they followed them into the towns. 3:25 1 Which was one of the principle cities of the Moabites, wherein they left nothing but the walls. 3:27 1 Some refer it to the king of Edom's son, whom they say he had taken in that skirmish: but rather it seemed to be his own son, whom he offered to his gods to pacify them: which barbarous cruelty moved the Israelites' hearts of pity to depart.

4:1 1 Read 2 Kings 2:3. 2 And therefore fell not into debt by unthriftiness or prodigality, but by the hand of the Lord. 3 Because I am poor and not able to pay. 4:2 1 Thus God suffereth his many times to be brought to extreme necessity, before he succor them, that afterward they may the more praise his mercy. 4:4 1 The Prophet declareth hereby unto her, that God never faileth to provide for his servants, their wives and children, if they trust in him. 4:6 1 To augment and increase in the vessels. 4:7 1 God here did not only provide for his servant, that his debts should be paid and so kept his doctrine and profession without slan­ der, but also for his wife and children. 4:10 1 Which should be separate from the rest of the house, that he might more commodiously give himself to study and prayers.

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and a stool, and a candlestick, that he may turn in thither when he cometh to us. 11 ¶ And on a day, he came thither and turned into the chamber, and lay therein, 12 And said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite: and when he called her, she stood before him. 13 Then he said unto him, Say unto her now, Behold, thou hast had all this great care for us, 1what shall we do for thee? Is there anything to be spoken for thee to the king or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I 2dwell among mine own people. 14 Again he said, What is then to be done for her? Then Gehazi answered, Indeed she hath 1no son, and her husband is old. 15 Then said he, Call her. And he called her, and she stood in the door. 16 And he said, aAt this time appointed, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Oh my Lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 17 So the woman conceived, and bore a son at that same season, according to the time of life, that Elisha had said unto her. 18 ¶ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father, and to the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, 1Mine head, mine head. Who said to his servant, Bear him to his mother. 20 And he took him and brought him to his mother, and he sat on her knees till noon, and died. 21 Then she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him and went out. 22 ¶ Then she called to her husband, and said, Send with me, I pray thee, one of the young men and one of the asses: for I will haste to the man of God, and come again. 23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him today? it is neither 1new moon nor Sabbath day. And she answered, 2All shall be well. 24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward: stay not for me to get up, except I bid thee. 25 ¶ So she went, and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And when the man of God saw

her 1over against him, he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, the Shunammite. 26 Run now, I say, to meet her, and say unto her, Art thou in health? is thine husband in health? and is the child in health? And she answered, We are in health. 27 And when she came to the man of God unto the mountain, she 1caught him by his feet: and Gehazi went to her, to thrust her away: but the man of God said, Let her alone: for her soul is 2vexed within her, and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told it me. 28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Deceive me not? 29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: 1if thou meet any, salute him not: and if any salute thee, answer him not: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. 30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. Therefore he arose, and followed her. 31 But Gehazi was gone before them, and had laid the staff upon the face of the child, but he neither spake nor heard: wherefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not waken. 32 ¶ Then came Elisha into the house, and behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. 34 After he went up, and 1lay upon the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands, and stretched himself upon him, and the flesh of the child waxed warm. 35 And he went from him, and walked up and down in the house, and went up and spread himself upon him: then the child sneezed 1seven times, and opened his eyes. 36 Then he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her, which came in unto him. And he said unto her, Take thy son. 37 And she came, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out. 38 Afterward Elisha returned to Gilgal, and a famine was in the 1land, and the children of the Prophets

chapter 4

a Gen. 18:10

4:13 1 Thus the servants of God are not unthankful for the benefits they receive. 2 I am content with that that God hath sent me, and can want nothing that one can do for another. 4:14 1 Which then was a reproach, and therefore he would that his master should pray to God for her that she might be fruitful. 4:19 1 His head ached sore, and therefore he cried thus. 4:23 1 For at such times the people were wont to resort to the Prophets for doctrine and consolation. 2 Hebrew, peace.

4:25 1 Or, far off. 4:27 1 In token of humility and joy that she had met with him. 2 Hebrew, her soul is in bitterness. 4:29 1 Make such speed that nothing may let thee in the way, Luke 10:4. 4:34 1 The like did Elijah to the widow's son at Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:21 and St. Paul, Acts 20:10, signifying the care that ought to be in them, that bear the word of God, and are distributors of the spiritual life. 4:35 1 Meaning, oftentimes. 4:38 1 That is, in the land of Israel.

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dwelt with him. And he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the children of the Prophets. 39 And one went out into the field, to gather herbs, and found as it were a wild vine, and gathered thereof 1wild gourds his garment full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew it not. 40 So they poured out for the men to eat: and when they did eat of the pottage, they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, 1death is in the pot: and they could not eat thereof. 41 Then he said, Bring meal. And he cast it into the pot, and said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat: and there was none evil in the pot. 42 ¶ Then came a man from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, even twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. 43 And his servant answered, How should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give it unto the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the Lord, They 1shall eat, and there shall remain. 44 So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left over, according to the word of the Lord. 5 1 Naaman the Syrian is healed of his leprosy. 16 Elisha refuseth his gifts. 27 Gehazi is stricken with leprosy, because he took money and raiment of Naaman.

and I will send a letter unto the King of Israel. And he departed, and 1took 2with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiments, 6 And brought the letter to the king of Israel to this effect, Now when this letter is come unto thee, understand, that I have sent thee Naaman my servant, that thou mayest heal him of his leprosy. 7 And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God to kill and to give life that he doth send to me, that I should heal a man from his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. 8 But when Elisha the man of God had heard that the King of Israel had rent his clothes, he sent unto the King, saying, 1Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a Prophet in Israel. 9 ¶ Then Naaman came with his horses, and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash thee in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be cleansed. 11 But Naaman was 1wroth and went away, and said, Behold, I thought with myself, He will surely come out, and stand, and call on the Name of the Lord his God, and put his hand on the place, and heal the leprosy. 12 Are not Abanah and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash me in them, and be cleansed? so he turned, and departed in displeasure. 13 But his servants came, and spake unto him, and said, 1Father, if the Prophet had commanded thee a great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14 Then went he down, and awashed himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again, like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 15 ¶ And he turned again to the man of God, he,

chapter 5

a Luke 4:27

1 Now was there one Naaman captain of the host of the King of Aram, a great man, and honorable in the sight of his lord, because that by him the Lord had 1delivered the Aramites. He also was a mighty man and valiant, but a leper. 2 And the Aramites had gone out by bands, and had taken a little maid of the land of Israel, and she 1served Naaman's wife. 3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the 1Prophet that is in Samaria, he would soon deliver him of his leprosy. 4 And 1he went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus saith the maid that is of the land of Israel. 5 And the king of Aram said, Go thy way thither,

4:39 1 Which the Apothecaries call colloquintida, and is most vehe­ ment and dangerous in purging. 4:40 1 They feared that they were poisoned, because of the bitter­ ness. 4:43 1 It is not the quantity of bread that satisfieth, but the blessing that God giveth. 5:1 1 Here appeareth that among the infidels God hath his, and also that the infidels have them in estimation which do good to their country. 5:2 1 Hebrew, she was before. 5:3 1 Meaning, Elisha. 5:4 1 That is, Naaman told it to the king of Syria.

5:5 1 To give this as a present to the Prophet. 2 Hebrew, in his hand. 5:8 1 The Prophet rebuketh the king because he did not consider that God was true in his promise, and therefore would not leave his Church destitute of a Prophet, whose prayers he would hear, and to whom others should have recourse for comfort. 5:11 1 Man's reason murmureth, when it considereth only the signs and outward things, and hath not regard to the word of God, which is there contained. 5:13 1 This declareth that servants ought to reverence and love their masters as children their fathers, and likewise masters toward their servants, must be affectioned as toward their children.

381 2 kings 6:10

and all his company, and came and stood before him, and said, Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the world but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a 1reward of thy servant. 16 But he said, As the Lord liveth (before whom I stand) I will not receive it. And he would have constrained him to receive it, 1but he refused. 17 Moreover Naaman said, Shall there not be given to thy servant two mules' load of this earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt sacrifice nor offering unto any other god, save unto the Lord. 18 Herein the Lord be 1merciful unto thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon, to worship there, and leaneth on mine hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I do bow down, I say, in the house of Rimmon, the Lord be merciful unto thy servant in this point. 19 Unto whom he said, 1Go in peace. So he departed from him about half a day's journey of ground. 20 And Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said, Behold, my master hath spared this Aramite Naaman, receiving not those things at his hand that he brought: As the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. 21 So Gehazi followed speedily after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, 1he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? 22 And he answered, All is well: my master hath set me, saying, Behold, there be come to me, even now from mount Ephraim two young men of the children of the Prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. 23 And Naaman said, Yea, take two talents: and he compelled him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and gave them unto two of his servants, that they might bear them before him. 24 And when he came to the 1tower, he took them out of their hands, and laid them in the house, and sent away the men: and 2they departed. 25 ¶ Then he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Ge-

hazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. 26 But he said unto him, 1Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is this a time to take money, and to receive garments, 2and olives, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and to thy 1seed forever. And he went out from his presence a leper white as snow. 6 6 Elisha maketh iron to swim above the water. 8 He discloseth the king of Syria's counsel to the king of Israel, 13 who sending certain to take him, were kept fast in Samaria. 24 Samaria is besieged, and endureth extreme famine.

1 And the children of the Prophets said unto Elisha, Behold, we pray thee, the place where we dwell with thee, is too little for us. 2 Let us now go to Jordan, that we may take thence every man a 1beam, and make us a place to dwell in. And he answered, Go. 3 And one said, Vouchsafe, I pray thee, to go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. 4 So he went with them, and when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. 5 And as one was felling of a tree, the 1iron fell into the water: then he cried, and said, Alas master, it was but borrowed. 6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. Then he cut down a piece of wood, and cast in thither, and he caused the iron to 1swim. 7 Then he said, Take it up to thee. And he stretched out his hand, and took it. 8 ¶ Then the king of Aram warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, and said, In 1such and such a place shall be my camp. 9 Therefore the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware thou go not over to such a place: for there the Aramites are come down. 10 So the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him, and warned him of, and 1saved himself from thence, not once, nor twice.

5:15 1 Hebrew, blessing. 5:16 1 So the Lord commandeth that they that receive freely, should give also freely. 5:18 1 He feeleth his conscience wounded in being present at idol's service, and therefore desireth God to forgive him, lest others by his example might fall to idolatry: for as for his own part he confesseth that he will never serve any but the true God. 5:19 1 The Prophet did not approve his act, but after the common manner of speech he biddeth him farewell. 5:21 1 Declaring thereby, what honor and affection he bare to the Prophet his master. 5:24 1 Or, fortress, or secret place. 2 Naaman's servants.

5:26 1 Was I not present with thee in spirit? 2 That is, money to buy possessions with: meaning, that it is detest­ able in the servants of God to have covetous minds. 5:27 1 To be an example to all such, as by whose covetousness God's word might be slandered. 6:2 1 Or a piece of wood fit to build with. 6:5 1 Or, the axe head. 6:6 1 God wrought this miraculously to confirm the authority of Eli­ sha, to whom he had given such abundance of his Spirit. 6:8 1 Meaning, that he would lie in ambush, and take the Israelites at unawares. 6:10 1 The wicked conspire nothing so craftily, but God can reveal it to his servants, and cause their counsel to be disclosed.

2 kings 6:11 382

11 And the heart of the king of Aram was troubled for this thing: therefore he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me, which of us bewrayeth our counsel to the king of Israel? 12 Then one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king, but Elisha the Prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel, even the words that thou speakest in thy 1privy chamber. 13 And he said, Go, and espy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And one told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. 14 ¶ So he sent thither horses, and chariots, and a

thy sword, and with thy bow? but set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master. 23 And he made great preparation for them: and when they had eaten and drunken, he sent them away: and they went to their master. So the bands of Aram came 1no more into the land of Israel. 24 But afterward Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathered all his host, and went up and besieged Samaria. 25 So there was a great famine in Samaria: for lo, they besieged it until an asses head was at four score pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's 1dung at five pieces of silver. 26 And as the king of Israel was going upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O King. 27 And he said, Seeing the Lord doth not succor thee, how should I help thee with the 1barn, or with the wine press? 28 Also the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow, 29 bSo we sod my son, and did eat him: and I said to her the day after, Give thy son, that we may eat him, but she hath hid her son. 30 And when the king had heard the words of the woman, he rent his clothes, (and as he went upon the wall, the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth 1within 2upon his flesh) 31 And he said, God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day. 32 (Now Elisha sat in his house, and the Elders sat with him.) And the King sent a man before him: but before the messenger came to him, he said to the Elders, See ye not how this 1murderer's son hath sent to take away mine head? take heed when the messenger cometh, and shut the door, and handle him roughly at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? 33 While he yet talked with them, behold, the

chapter 6

a 1 Chron. 32:7

b Deut. 28:53-57

1mighty host: and they came by night, and compassed the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early to go out, behold, an host compassed the city with horses and chariots. Then his servant said unto him, Alas master, how shall we do? 16 And he answered, 1Fear not: afor they that be with us, are more than they that be with them. 17 Then Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I beseech thee, open his eyes, 1that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he looked, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 18 So 1they came down to him, but Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will lead you to the man whom ye seek. But he led 1them to Samaria. 20 And when they were come to Samaria, Elisha said, Lord, open their eyes that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha when he saw them, 1My father, shall I smite them, shall I smite them? 22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: doest thou not smite them that thou hast taken with

6:12 1 There is nothing so secret that thou canst go about, but he knoweth it, and discovereth it unto his King. 6:14 1 Though it had been nothing in man's judgment to have taken Elisha, yet the wicked ever doubt, and think they are never able to prepare power enough, though it be but against one or a few. 6:16 1 For he was assured of God's help, and that millions of Angels camped about the godly to deliver them. 6:17 1 That he may behold how thou hast prepared an army to rescue us. 6:18 1 Meaning, the Syrians his enemies, which came down, think­ ing themselves sure of him. 6:19 1 Thus he did being led by the Spirit of God, and not because he sought his own revengeance, but only to set forth the glory of God. 6:21 1 The wicked use reverent and grave words toward the servants

of God, when they think to have any commodity by them, though in their heart they cannot abide them. 6:23 1 For this gentle entreaty and the miracle wrought by the Prophet, did more prevail for common quietness, than if they had been overcome in battle: for they returned no more at that time to fight against Israel, or in that King's days. 6:25 1 The Hebrews write, that they burned it in the siege for lack of wood. 6:27 1 Meaning, any kind of vittle, as corn and wine, etc. 6:30 1 Or, under his clothes. 2 Thus hypocrites when they feel God's judgments, think to please him with outward ceremonies, whom in prosperity they will not know. 6:32 1 Meaning, Jehoram Ahab's son, who killed the Prophets, and caused Naboth to be stoned.

383 2 kings 7:17

raiment, and went and hid it: after, they returned, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. 9 Then said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace. If we tarry till daylight, some 1mischief will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go, and tell the king's household. 10 So they came and called unto the porters of the city, and told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Aramites, and lo, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied and asses tied: and the tents are as they were. 11 And the porters cried and declared to the king's house within. 12 Then the King arose in the night, and said unto his servants, 1I will show you now, what the Aramites have done unto us. They know that we are famished, therefore they are gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city. 13 And one of his servants answered, and said, Let me take now five of the horses that remain, and are left in the city, (behold, they are even as all the 1multitude of Israel that are left therein: behold, I say, they are as the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed) and we will send to see. 14 So they took 1two chariots of horses, and the king sent after the host of the Aramites, saying, Go and see. 15 And they went after them unto Jordan, and lo, all the way was full of clothes and vessels which the Aramites had cast from them in their haste: and the messengers returned, and told the king. 16 Then the people went out and spoiled the camp of the Aramites: so a measure of fine flour was at a shekel, and two measures of barley at a shekel 1according to the word of the Lord. 17 And the king gave the prince (on whose hand he leaned) the charge of the gate, and the people 1trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man

messenger came down unto him, and said, Behold, this evil cometh of the Lord: 1should I attend on the Lord any longer? 7 1 Elisha prophesieth plenty of vittles, and other things to Samaria. 6 The Syrians run away and have no man following them. 17 The prince that would not believe the word of Elisha, is trodden to death.

1 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord: thus saith the Lord, 1Tomorrow this time a measure of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel in the gate of Samaria. 2 Then a prince, on whose hand the king 1leaned, answered the man of God, and said, Though the Lord would make 2windows in the heaven, could this thing come to pass? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not 3eat thereof. 3 Now there were four leprous men at the 1entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? 4 If we say, We will enter into the city, the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall into the camp of the Aramites: if they save our lives, we shall live: and if they kill us, we are but dead. 5 So they rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Aramites: and when they were come to the utmost part of the camp of the Aramites, lo, there was no man there. 6 For the Lord had caused the camp of the Aramites to hear a 1noise of chariots and a noise of horses, and a noise of a great army, so that they said one to another, Behold, the King of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians to come upon us. 7 Wherefore they arose, and fled in the twilight, and left their tents and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and 1fled for their lives. 8 And when these lepers came to the utmost part of the camp, they entered into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver and gold, and

6:33 1 So the wicked fall into a rage and desperation, if they find not sudden remedy against their afflictions. 7:1 1 The godly are ever assured of God's help in their necessities, but the times and hours are only revealed by God's Spirit. 7:2 1 To whom the king gave the charge and oversight of things, as verse 17. 2 He mocked at the Prophet's words, saying, that if God rained down corn from heaven, yet this could not come to pass. 3 Thy infidelity shall be punished herein when thou shalt see this miracle, and yet not be partaker thereof. 7:3 1 For it was commanded in the law that they should dwell apart, and not among their brethren, Lev. 13:46. 7:6 1 Thus God needeth no great preparation to destroy the wicked, though they be never so many: for he can scatter them with a small

noise, or shaking of a leaf. 7:7 1 The wicked need no greater enemy than their own conscience to pursue them. 7:9 1 Or, we shall be punished for our faults. 7:12 1 He mistrusted the Prophet's words, and therefore could believe nothing, as they which are more politic than godly ever cast more perils than needeth. 7:13 1 There are no more left, but they, or the rest are consumed with the famine, as the rest of the people. 7:14 1 Or, two horses of the chariot, which were accustomed to draw in the chariot. 7:16 1 Which he spake by the mouth of Elisha, verse 1. 7:17 1 As the people preased out of the gate to run to the Syrian's tents, where they had heard was meat, and great spoil left.

2 kings 7:18 384

of God had said, which spake it, when the king came down to him. 18 And it came to pass, as the man of God had spoken to the King, saying, Two measures of barley at a shekel, and a measure of fine flour shall be at a shekel, tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria. 19 But the prince had answered the man of God, and said, Though the Lord would make windows in the heaven, could it come so to pass? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not eat thereof. 20 And so it came unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died. 8 1 Elisha prophesieth unto the Shunammite the dearth of seven years. 12 He prophesieth to Hazael, that he shall be king of Syria. 15 He reigneth after Ben-Hadad. 16 Jehoram reigneth over Judah. 20 Edom falleth from Judah. 25 Ahaziah succeedeth Jehoram.

her land since the day she left the land, even until this time. 7 ¶ Then Elisha came to Damascus, and BenHadad the king of Aram was sick: and one told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. 8 And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go meet the man of God, that thou mayest inquire of the Lord by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 9 So Hazael went to meet him, and took the present in his hand, and of every 1good thing of Damascus, even the burden of forty camels, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-Hadad king of Aram hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10 And Elisha said to him, Go, and say unto him, Thou shalt 1recover: howbeit the Lord hath showed me, that he shall surely die. 11 And he looked upon him steadfastly, till Hazael was ashamed, and the man of God wept. 12 And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, because I know the evil that thou shalt do unto the children of Israel: for their strong cities shalt thou set on fire, and their young men shalt thou slay with the sword, and shalt dash their infants against the stones, and rent in pieces their women with child. 13 Then Hazael said, What? is thy servant 1a dog, that I should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath showed me, that thou shalt be King of Aram. 14 ¶ So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master, who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest recover. 15 And on the morrow he took a thick cloth and dipped in it water, and 1spread it on his face, and he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead. 16 ¶ bNow in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, and of Jehoshaphat King of Judah, 1Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began 2to reign. 17 He was two and thirty years old, when he began to reign: and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 18 And he walked in the ways of the Kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the 1daughter

chapter 8

a 2 Kings 4:35

b 2 Chron. 21:4

1 Then spake Elisha unto the woman, awhose son he had restored to life, saying, Up, and go, thou, and thine house, and sojourn where thou 1canst sojourn: for the Lord hath called for a famine, and it cometh also upon the land seven years. 2 And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God, and went both she and her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3 ¶ And at the seven year's end, the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines, and went out 1to call upon the king for her house and for her land. 4 And the King talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great acts, that Elisha hath done. 5 And as he told 1the king, how he had restored one dead to life, behold, the woman, whose son he had raised to life, called upon the king for her house and for her land. Then Gehazi said, My lord, O King, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. 6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him: so the King appointed her an Eunuch, saying, Restore thou all that are hers, and all the 1fruits of

8:1 1 Where thou canst find a commodious place to dwell, where as is plenty. 8:3 1 That is, to complain on them which had taken her possessions while she was absent. 8:5 1 God's wonderful providence appeareth in this, that he caused the King to be desirous to hear of him, whom before he contemned, and also hereby prepared an entrance to the poor widow's suit. 8:6 1 The King caused that to be justly restored, which was wrong­ fully holden from her. 8:9 1 Of all the chiefest and precious things of the country.

8:10 1 Meaning, that he should recover of this disease: but he knew that this messenger Hazael should slay him to obtain the king­ dom. 8:13 1 That I should be without all humanity and pity. 8:15 1 Under pretence to refresh or ease him, he stifled him with his cloth. 8:16 1 Read 2 Kings 1:17. 2 He was confirmed in his kingdom after his father's death. 8:18 1 The holy Ghost showeth hereby what danger it is to join with infidels.

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