Works

CHAP. I.

DAVID heareth of the death of Saul, and lamenteth him: And chargeth the young men of Judah to learn the use of the Bow, that they might match the Philistines in Archery, and so be avenged on them for Saul's death; for by Archery they had slain him. The Story of the Amalekite to David, was not a lie to curry favor, or to obtain a reward, but it was a very and a real truth: Saul had fallen upon his own sword indeed [as was related in the preceding Chapter] but his Coat of mail had hindered that he had not given himself a wound so speedily deadly, but that the Philistines might come and catch him alive, and abuse him; and so he stands bleeding at that and at his other wounds leaning on his Spear, till this Amalekite came by: His Armor Bearer was dead already; and these words, When his Armor Bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell on his sword, and died also, are to be understood in this sense, That when he saw Saul had given himself so deadly a wound, he did the like, and died indeed. But Saul's wound was not so quick of dispatch, therefore he desireth the Amalekite to kill him out; For says he 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 My Coat of Mail hath withheld me so that my life is all this while in me. And thus Saul that had been so cruel to David, is now cruel to himself; and he that had spared the Amalekites, is now slain by one of that Nation.

CHAP. II.

[World 2950] [David 1] DAVID anointed King of Judah in Hebron, being 30 years old. Compair [David 2] Gen. 41. 46. Numb. 4. 3. Luke 3. 23. In Hebran, Abraham had had his [David 3] first Land and much residence: Here lay the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, [David 4] and their wives buried; and here was John the Baptist born, and our Savior [David 5] conceived. There is long busling between the House of David and the house of [David 6] Saul; Abner still striving to make a party strong enough to settle one of Saul's [David 7] Sons in the Kingdom. Thereupon is Ishbosheth anointed in Saul's stead: He is called Ishbaal, 1 Chron. 8. 33. for Baal was commonly called Bosheth or Shame, as Jerubbaal is called Jerubbosheth, 2 Sam. 11. 21. and Mephibosheth, 2 Sam. 9. 12. called Meribaal, 1 Chron. 8. 34. see also Jer. 11. 13.

Abner's vapouring causeth a desperate duel of twelve and twelve men; and so layeth the foundation of a continual War in an equal bloodshed. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 verse. 27. If thou hadst not said (saith Joab ) what thou didst say in the morning, let the young men rise and play before us, surely the people had gone away every man from his brother, even in the morning, and there had been never a blow struck; but thou didst provoke it.

CHAP. III.

DAVIDS six Sons born to him in Hebron, in his seven years and six Months reign there, are here reckoned together, that that Story and matter may be dispatched at once.

Abner upon discontent at Ishbosheth turneth to David, and confesseth that Kingdom, which hitherto he had willingly and wittingly opposed. But God will not suffer such a man, and upon such grounds, to be a promoter of David's throne; he is slain by Joab, even in a place of Judicature, and with a wound parallel to that that he had given Asahel.

CHAP. IV.

ISHBOSHETH slain by two Benjamites, brethren in evil: They came into the midst of the house, as if they would setch wheat, verse. 6. that is, with a sack in their hands, to put his head in, &c. Instantly before the Text falls upon the Story of Ishbosheth, it relateth the Story of Mephibosheth, because he was now all the stock left of Saul's house, but only Rizpahs children a Concubine, and Morahs a daughter.

CHAP. V. from beginning to Ver. 11. And I CHRON. XI. all.

[World 2957] [David 8] DAVID anointed King over all Israel at Hebron, and from thence brought by all Israel to Jerusalem, to settle him there, and to make that the Royal City. He reigned in all 40 years; in Hebron seven years and an half, and at Jerusalem 32 years and an half: And this latter was exactly the time of our Savior's life upon earth.

Joab after David's curse upon him for Abner's murder, is yet made Commander in chief for his taking of Jerusalem.

The prosperity of David at Jerusalem, and his building of it, is presently set down after the Story of the taking of the City; as beginning from that time, and continuing, and going along with the times of the following Stories, and so to be carried in mind.

Then doth the Book of Chronicles give account of David's Worthies: Which Catalogue is also mentioned by this Book of Samuel, but with this difference of place, that in the Chronicles it is set in the beginning of David's Reign, and in Samuel in the latter end: And both very properly and much like to the placing of our Savior's Genealogy in Matthew and Luke, the one giving it at his Birth, and the other at his Baptism, and both upon singular reason. And so here the Book of Chronicles reckons up these men as those that helped David to his settlement in the Kingdom, and therefore it mentions them in the beginning of his reign, and the Book of Samuel reckons them up at the latter end of his reign, as those that had stuck to him all the time of his reign, and helped to keep him in that settlement.

In both the Books there is first reckoned a Triumvirate, or three gallant men that were of a rank by themselves, and none were equal with them, or like unto them: And these were

• 1. Joab, whose chief Captain-ship is related presently before, upon the sacking of Jerusalem.
• 2. Adino the Eznite by name, called also Jashobeam by Office, that is, one that sat on the seat among the people as Judge: the immediate Son of Zabdiel, 1 Chron. 27. 2. but called a Hachmonite or the Son of Hachmoni for his former ancestry. He lift up his spear against eight hundred men at one time, and slew three hundred of them. His name differs but one letter from Jeroboams, the one promoted David's Kingdom, and the other opposed it.
• 3. Eliazar the Son of Dodo the Ahohite, 1 Chron. 27. 4. of Bethlehem.

After these first three brave men, both the Books reckon a second Triumvirate or three gallant men more, of an inferior rank to the former three, but of a superior to all others. These were

• 1. Abishai the brother of Joab, and nephew of David: he was the chief of this Triumvirate, but his story is handled in the second place, because of the likeness of the stories of Eleazar and Shamma, the one defending a field of Barley, and the other a field of Lentiles; and for this likeness their stories are laid together.
• 2. Shammah, The Book of Chronicles neither uttereth his name, nor mentioneth his defending a field of Lentiles against the Philistines: but it includeth that story in the story of the three men's breaking through the quarters of the Philistines to the Well of Bethlehem: for he was one of the three, and this act of his in defending the Lentiles was in that expedition, and therefore the Book of Samuel hath given a note that that expedition was in harvest: and the act was done in the valley of Rephaim.
• 3. Benaiah a Priest, 1 Chron. 27. 5.

After these two brave ranks of three and three, there were thirty gallant Captains and Comanders more, but yet that attained not to the dignity of either of these ranks.

The Book of Chronicles reckons many more names then the Book of Samuel, for it reckoneth some other valiant Commanders that helped forward David's settlement, but were not of the highest and eminentest places after.

1 CHRON. XII. from ver. 23. to the end.

A Catalogue of Commanders that came to David for his anointing King over Israel, the Galileans afford the greatest number.

And now there lieth a matter of some difficulty before us, because of a difference of order in the stories that ar • laid next in these two Books. The Book of Samuel bringeth next the story of Hirams kindness and respect to David, of David's Children, of two battles with the Philistines, and then it relateth the fetching up of the Ark. But the Book of Chronicles first relateth the fetching up of the Ark, and then those stories of Hirams kindness, David's Children, and the Philistines Battels: For the methodizing therefore of these stories into their proper time and order, they are to be taken up thus.

I CHRON. XIII. Ver. 1, 2, 3, 4.

DAVID consulteth with the Captains of thousands that had come to him to Hebron, and had gone with him to Jerusalem about the fetching up of the Ark. This was but a consultation and an agreement about the matter, but the thing is not yet done: for all Israel is first to be sent to about it, and a time appointed when they shall come in. Hereupon the Companies now present depart to their own homes till the time appointed for that purpose come.

CHAP. V. From Ver. 11. to the end. I CHRON. XIV. All.

WHEN Israel was departed everyone home, Hiram King of Tyre hearing of David's Coronation, and of the solemnity of it, and of the taking Jerusalem, he sends betimes to him to enter amity with him, and presents him with Cedar and workmen to build him an house: David's Marriages and Children reckoned up, which though born in several years, yet all mentioned here together, when the Text is relating David's settlement and prosperity.

In this space between the people's departing from David's Coronation, and their meeting again to fetch up the Ark, David being now left of those multitudes, and Jerusalem not yet fully fortified, the Philistines come once and again to the valley of Rephaim, which lieth under Jerusalem, to catch David, but he beats them sore both times.

CHAP. VI. From beginning to ver. 12. I CHRON. XIII. From verse. 5. to the end.

[David 9] THE people meet for the fetching up of the Ark [belike at some of the three Festivals] in a vast number, namely, 30000 of the Nobles, Magistrates, and chief men, and all Israel beside for the generality. David imitates the Philistines carrying up of the Ark on a cart, which the Lord is displeased at, seeing there were Priests to have carried it on their shoulders.

PSAL. LXVIII.

WITH the third Verse of 1 Sam. 6. read Psal. 68. which though in the title it tell not the occasion whereupon it was made, yet do the very first words of it show that it was made upon the removal of the Ark: For those words, Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered, were the words which were constantly used when the Ark removed, Numb. 10. 35. and the contents of the Psalm do speak to the very same tenor.

I CHRON. XV. From beginning to Verse 15.

THREE months was the Ark in the House of Obed Edom, and by the end of that time had David provided some houses for himself and servants, since Hiram sent him work-men, and he had made ready a place for the Ark: with the first verse of this Chapter read that part of 1 Sam. 6. 12. And it was told David, saying, God hath blessed Obed Edom, and all that he hath, because of the Ark of God.

PSAL. CXXXII.

UPON this removal of the Ark this Psalm seemeth to have been penned by David: wherein amongst other things he prayeth, that the Lord will fit and sanctify the Priests for the present and future service of the Ark, and that he will accept of the face of his anointed, so as that there may be no more breach amongst them, as there was in Perez Uzzah.

CHAP. VI. Latter part of verse. 12. to verse. 20. I CHRON. XV. Vers. 15. to end, and 16. all.

DAVID removes the Ark, seats it in it's place that he had prepared for it, and appointeth some Psalms for the Sanctuary.

PSAL. CV. & XCVI. & CVI.

THESE are the Psalms that he then appointed, viz. Psal. 105. & 96. & 106. ordinarily and well known and read in the Book of Psalms, when Ezra penned the Book of Chronicles, and therefore he giveth them so very short in that Book.

CHAP. VI. From verse. 20. to the end.

MICHAL mocketh David upon his return home, &c.

CHAP. VII. VIII. all. I CHRON. XVII. XVIII. all.

[David 10] THESE Stories following are of an uncertain date, but it is certain they [David 11] came to pass in these years. David intending to build God's House, God [David 12] promiseth to build his. He crowns his Throne with the promise of Christ; and from henceforth nothing can stand before it, and to rebel against it, is to rebel against Christ, Psal. 2. 6, 7. &c. Now the Kings command was to be kept, because of the Oath of God made to him, Eccles. 8. 2. David subdueth Gath, and her Towns called Metheg Ammah, or the bridle of Ammah, because there was a continual Garrison of the Philistines in the Hill Ammah, 2 Sam. 2. 25. which the [David 13] Philistines of Gath used as a bridle to curb those parts. He killeth Moab to a [David 14] third part, laying them on the ground, and measuring them with a cord, who [David 15] [David 16] should be slain, and who should live: This he calleth, The measuring of the Valley [David 17] of Succoth, Psal. 60. 10. He subdueth Hadadezer, and taketh from him 20000 [David 18] men, and 1000 Chariots, and 7000 Horsemen that attended them, seven men [David 19] to a Chariot: He spoils them all but 100 Chariots, and reserves 700 Horsemen [David 20] for them. Of Syria Damascus he destroys 22000 men.

PSAL. LX.

AFTER the 12 verse of 2 Sam. 8. the sixtieth Psalm is to be taken in; whose Title telleth that it was made by David, when he strove with Aram Naharaim, and with Aram Zobah, [that is with Hadadezer King of Zobah, when he went to fortify himself with Aram Naharaim, as 2 Sam. 8. 3. when Joab returned and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. ] Now this was a different victory from that which is mentioned in the very next verse, of Abishai slaying of Edom in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. For there is not only a visible difference between the persons Joab and Abishai, and between the numbers 12000 and 18000. But the Text relateth expressly, that before that victory of Abishai over Edom, David had taken spoil from Edom, and from Amalck, which were of Edom.

PSAL. CVIII.

AFTER the thirteenth verse of 1 Sam. 8. is Psal. 108. to be taken in being the very same in substance with the sixtieth: And as that doth tell in the Title that it was made upon Joab's Victory of 12000 Edomites; so may it be well conceived, that this was made upon Abishai's victory of 18000.

I KING. XI. ver. 15. to ver. 21.

HERE cometh in this Story of Hadad, &c. the reading of verse. 15. it helpeth to illustrate the matters mentioned next before.

CHAP. IX.

[David 21] IT was about this time that David requites Jonathan's kindness to his Son [David 22] Mephibosheth: Mephibosheth was five years old when his father died, 2 Sam. [David 23] 4. 4. and so he was 25 years old in the twentieth of David's reign; he hath a [David 24] son when David begins to own him, which is committed to Ziba, to be looked to and attended.

CHAP. X. I CHRON. XIX.

[David 25] HANUN basely abuseth David's Messengers. They came to mourn with him, and comfort him; and he instead of rent Garments, which was the garb of mourners, cuts off their Garments to their buttocks, and cutteth off half their beards; whereas it was abomination to them to have any cutting of their hair for the dead at all, Levite. 19. 27. Deut. 14. 1.

Hanun hireth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 1 Chron. 19. 7. Thirty two thousand men with Chariots; for so should it be rendered, since it is apparent by 2 Sam. 10. 6. that 20000 of this number were Footmen.

After the foiling of this Army, David again foileth Hadadezer, and slayeth of his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 1 Chron. 19. 18. Seven thousand men with Chariots; that is, 700 Chariots, 2 Sam. 10. 18. with ten men attending every Chariot. He slayeth also 40000 Horse-men, 2 Sam. 10. 18. which in the Book of Chronicles is expressed 40000 footmen; that is, so many men, Horse and Foot, which fought not in Chariots, or with them, but without.

CHAP. XI. all. I CHRON. XX. ver. 1. to this Clause, And Joab smote Rabbah, &c.

[David 26] DAVID adulterateth Uriah’s wife; maketh him drunk, and slayeth him: Uriah was a proselited Canaanite, some remnant of the sons of Heth about Hebron, see Gen. 23. 2, 3. Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam, 2 Sam. 11. 7. or Ammiel, 1 Chron. 3. 5. of Lodebar beyond Jordan, 2 Sam. 9. 5. & 17, 27.

CHAP. XII. To Vers. 15. and the first Clause of that verse; And Nathan went to his own house.

NATHAN the Prophet that had been sent to tell David of good things to his house, is now sent to tell him some bad. By an exquisite parable he bringeth him to condemn himself; and by a terrible threatening to confess his sin, &c.

PSAL. LI.

DEsire of pardon of sin is the fruit of pardon of sin. David had been just now told that his sin was forgiven; and now he doth earnestly apply himself to beg the forgiveness of it. The Title of the Psalm doth plainly speak for the time and place of it: David nameth one of his sons by Bathsheba, Nathan, after the name of the Prophet, 1 Chron. 3. 5. Zach. 12. 12. And this was that son, of whom Christ descended, Luke 3. 31. and thus David both shown his belief of the promise that Nathan had told him of, when he brought him good tidings, and his repentance for that sin that Nathan checked him for, when he brought him bad.

CHAP. XII. From verse. 15. And the Lord strake the child, &c. to verse. 24.

[David 27] THE child begotten in adultery dieth uncircumcised: David had been certainly told by Nathan that he should die. Yet he beggeth for his life.

CHAP. XII. from verse. 28. to the end. I CHRON. XX. verse. 1. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it, and verse. 2, 3.

JOAB taketh part of Rabbah, namely, that part where the Court lay: and David comes and takes the rest, and puts the Ammonites to exquisite tortures.

CHAP. XIII. all.

[David 28] AMNON defloureth Tamar his own sister. Compare this incest of David's eldest son, with that of Reuben, Jacob's eldest son, Gen. 35. 22. And this rape of Tamar, with the rape of Dinah, Gen. 34. And this Tamar incestuated by her own brother, with Tamar incestuated by her own father in Law, Gen. 38.

[David 29] Absalom calleth Amnon: Aminon scornfully, ver. 20. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hath Aminon thy brother been with thee?

Absalom murdereth Amnon. Here observe the hand and proceeding of justice: As David had committed adultery, made Uriah drunk, and then murdered him; so Amnon committeth incest, is made drunk, and then murdered. And as Amnon had committed his villainy at his meat, so at his meat he is met with punishment. Absalom upon the fact fled to Geshur to Talmai, who was his Grandfather. See 2 Sam. 3. 3.

CHAP. XII. verse. 24, 25.

[David 30] SALOMON born, and called Jedidiah, the Lord's beloved. The Story of his birth is joined to the Story of the child that died; that God's reconciliation to David might be shown instantly after the relation of his anger against him. His anger was shown in taking away that child that was conceived in adultery: His reconciliation is shown in the Lord's delighting in a child born in wedlock of the same woman. His birth is mentioned before the taking of Rabbah, though it were long after, because the Text having Bathsheba's story [David 31] in hand, it would conclude it altogether. Absalom in this year in exile at Geshur. Absalom still at Geshur.

CHAP. XIV. &c.

[David 32] ABSALOM still at Geshur; but this year begged home again by Joab, and by a suborned woman. Her speech to David is very obscure and intricate, if not very well looked into and considered. She first proposeth a story parable wise, of one of her sons murdering another, as Absalom had done Amnon, and the danger of the slayer for the fact, if the King should not remedy it. To this the King answers her, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning, thee, ver. 8. And the woman said unto the King, The iniquity be on me, and on my fathers house, and the King and his throne be guiltless, verse. 9. Her meaning in plain terms was this, Well, thou givest me such an answer and dispatch as may possibly bring the blood upon thine own head, and upon thy Throne; for thou sayest thou wilt give charge concerning me, to prevent the mischief which may chance be done before thou prevent it. And the King said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee anymore, ver. 10. She replies to this, Let the King remember the Lord thy God, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 because of the multitude of avengers of blood to destroy, and let them not destroy my Son. That is, Let the King for the Lord's sake, consider how many avengers of blood there are; and whilst I am bringing one to thee, another may chance kill him in the mean season. Then the King swears her son shall not die. And then she comes close up to her errand. And why, saith she, hast thou such thoughts towards the people of thy Kingdom, and thinkest not the like towards the people of thine own family, so as to bring thine own banished back? For we must indeed once die, and when we are dead there is no recalling of us anymore, no more then spilled water can be gathered again off the ground: But whilst the Lord doth not take away the life, he hath contrived ways and thoughts, that a banished man shall not be banished forever from him, &c.

[David 33] Absalom is at Jerusalem, but seeth not the Kings face. He takes upon him to be a Nazarite for the present, and under a vow, that he may the better pretend the paying of a vow at Hebron; yet is he forced to cut his hair before his vow [David 34] be paid; because it was a burden to him. He brings Joab to him, as God useth to bring men to him by affliction, he fires his field; and then comes Joab, and brings him to the King.

CHAP. XV.

[David 35] ABSALOM rebels at the end of forty years after David was first anointed by Samuel at Bethlehem, and puts David to flee for his life.

PSAL. III.

WITH the thirty second verse of this chapter, even with these words of it, And when David came to the top of the Mount where he worshipped God, read the third Psalm, made, as the title telleth, by David when he fled from his son Absalom, and poured out, as may well be supposed in this Prayer that he made on the top of Mount Olivet, where he worshipped God: He complaineth sadly in it of the multitude of his enemies that were against him, and of the multitude of his false friends, that durst not be for him; but yet assures himself of deliverance, and of his enemies destruction; and prophesieth of the very manner of the end of Absalom, and Achitophel, if you will take these words in the very letter, Thou hast smitten mine enemies on the cheek bone, Achitophel with the knot of the rope, and Absalom with the bough of the Oak: unless he allude to Samsons Victory with the jaw bone, and foresee that by small means, as that was, the Lord will bring him a great deliverance: Compare Christ's going up to mount Olivet, and there praying in the day of his bitterness with this type of David.

CHAP. XVI.

DAVID gives away and disposeth of Mephibosheth’s Land, when he hath not power to dispose of his own, Shimei flings curses and stones at David, and barks like a living Dog, though Abishai call him a dead one. The only unjust act that ever David had done against the house of Saul, he had but newly done, that was, giving away Mephibosheth’s Land, and here a man of the house of Saul is soon upon him.

PSAL. VII.

BEtwixt the thirteenth and fourteenth Verses of this Chapter cometh in the seventh Psalm, made by David upon these words of Shimei, and sung by him even in this extremity: He calleth him Cush by way of derision, as alluding to Kish the father of Saul's family [for Shimei was of the Family of Saul ] but turning it into Cush upon Shimei an accursed name, Gen. 10. and a Black-moor Nation, and of such a color were Shimei's conditions.

CHAP. XVII.

AHitophels cursed spleen against David; yet he as it is probable was Bathshebaes Grand-father: Hushai foileth his counsel.

PSAL. XLII. XLIII.

DAVID in his slight from Absalom stays not till he come close to Jordan, and there he rests; that if there be any necessity or danger he is ready to get over the water and be gone: and so is that to be understood in 2 Sam. 16. 14. And the King and all the people that were with him came weary, and refreshed themselves there: that is, a little beyond Bahurim, which was close by Jordan, and they had not staid nor refreshed themselves till they came there. As David lies thus upon Jordan banks, he makes the forty second Psalm, and from the land of Jordan remembers the Lord, ver. 6. and by the observing of the waters of Jordan he remembers his own misery. There he observeth the waves rolling one in the neck of another, and the deep making a noise here and there in its channels, and in its falls: And so, saith he, all thy billows and all waves tumble over me one after another, verse. 7. &c. The forty third Psalm seemeth also to have been made by him about the same time, compare the last Verses of the two Psalms together.

PSAL. LV.

BEtwixt the one and twenty and two and twenty Verses of this 17 Chapter of the second of Samuel, upon the relation how tidings came to David of Ahitophels counsel against him, take in the five and fiftieth Psalm, in which David deploreth his misery, caused by one of his guides, and acquaintance, and Counselors, ver. 13, 14. and prayeth bitterly against him: His prayer took effect instantly in Ahitophels death.

CHAP. XVIII. XIX.

ABSALOM hanged by the neck in the forked bough of an Oak: His high head is now in its proper exaltation, and his proud heart is darted through: David mourneth sadly for him, because of the desperate condition in which he died: Shimei is pardoned. He came down first of all the house of Joseph to meet the King, chap. 19. verse. 20. Here the house of Joseph is used for all Israel except Judah, and set in opposition to Judah: Joseph had been the prime family while the Ark was in Shiloh, and all Israel were named after it, as Psal. 80. 1. but then God refused Joseph, and chose Judah for the chief, Psal. 78. 68, 69. And there began and continued the difference and distinction betwixt Israel and Judah, Joseph and Judah, Ephraim and Judah; for by all these names are the rest of the Tribes styled in opposition to the Tribe of Judah.

CHAP. XX.

SHEBA the Son of Bichri rebelleth: a man of Benjamin by descent, ver. 1. but of the hill country of Ephraim by residence, ver. 21.

PSAL. XXX.

WITH the third Verse of this Chapter read the 30 Psalm, which seemeth to be made by David, when upon his return to Jerusalem after his flight, he purgeth and halloweth his own house which had been made a Stews by Absalom.

PSAL. IV.

WITH this Chapter also read the fourth Psalm, made as the style of it argueth upon this rebellion of Sheba, as the third Psalm was made upon the rebellion of Absalom. He checketh the people for despising his Kingdom, and hearkening after a Kingdom that was but vanity, as first Absalom's, and now Shebas, ver. 2. He adviseth Israel and Judah, not to sin in their anger, 2 Sam. 19. 43. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : Be angry, but sin not, ver. 4. He professeth in▪ ver. 7. that since the time, that corn, and wine, and other provision increased to him from Barzillai, Shobi, and Nahash, 2 Sam. 17. 27. &c. that his heart had received comfortable confidence and assurance of his restoring again, and therefore he would still trust and depend upon that goodness and providence that had delivered him out of the other trouble and wrought those good beginnings towards him.

CHAP. XXI. to Vers. 15.

[David 36] THree years famine lie upon the Land for the offense of Saul: He in a [David 37] zeal to Israel and Judah would expel the Amorites and destroy them [and [David 38] with them all Wizards and Witches] and with them he also falls upon the Gibeonites and destroyeth them, though Joshua had made a Covenant with them: That these three years famine began the next year after the year of Absalom's rebellion the Text seemeth to hint in the phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in verse. 1. The year after that year: for in all the Scripture wherein mention of famine is made, it only saith, There were seven years famine, or ten years famine, &c. and that is enough, and is used constantly, to denote that there was famine so many years together, and it never telleth that there was famine so many years year after year. And therefore this expression here seemeth rather to join the three years of famine to the story before, then to one another: However, we shall find a passage in the story of David's numbering the people, that directs us very well about the time of these years.

CHAP. XXI. Vers. 15. to end. I CHRON. XX. Vers. 4. to end.

THose Battels are of an uncertain date, and therefore since there is no direction where to place them, it is the safest way to take them in the order where they lie, especially since both the Books of Samuel and the Chronicles have laid them in this place. The Book of Samuel reckons four Battels, and the Chronicles but three: for that wherein David was in danger, and could not come off with honor and safety is omitted. The Book of Chronicles concealeth sometimes the dishonor of the Saints of God, as it mentioneth not the fact of David with Uriah and his wife, nor the Idolatry of Solomon, &c.

The Book of Samuel calleth Elhanan the Son of Jaare Oregim a Bethlehemite, and the Book of Chronicles calleth him the Son of Jair: Now there is mention of Elhanan a Bethlehemite the Son of Dodo, 1 Chron. 12. 26. and whether these were two men, or only one and the same may well be questioned. He is said to have slain Goliath, 2 Sam. 21. 19. that is, Lahmi Goliaths brother, as the Book of Chronicles expounds it, as by Michal is meant Michals Sister, in the same Chapter of Samuel, ver. 8.

CHAP. XXII. & PSAL. XVIII.

THere are two things that may seem to argue this not to be the proper place of this Psalm and Chapter, 1. Because it was most especially composed upon David's delivery from the hand of Saul, as the title showeth: In the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul, that is, especially out of the hand of Saul, as Josh. 2. 1. Go view the land and Jericho, that is, Jericho chiefly. 2. Because the next Chapter in Samuel beginning thus: And these are the latter words of David: showing, that these of Chap. 22. were uttered a good while before them: But howsoever this Song of deliverance might be penned by David many years a go, upon his clear deliverance from all trouble by Saul and his Family, yet is it most properly laid here, and repeated by David at this time, when now all his enemies had spit their venom, and he was delivered from them all▪ and now we hear of no more enemies of his stirring, but himself an enemy to himself in numbering the people. If any one will be so curious, he may read Psal. 18. at the end of 2 Sam. 4. when David is quit from the trouble of Saul's house: and he may read this, 2 Sam. 22. which is the same thing again here.

CHAP. XXIII.

HEre are some words of David of a latter date: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may be rendered Verba posteriora as well as Postrema: The reason of the recital of his Worthies in this place was observed before.

CHAP. XXIV. & I CHRON. XXI.

[David 39] DAVID numbereth the people, by the provoking of Satan, 1 Chron. 21. 1. and by the provoking of God, 1 Sam. 24. 1. the former tending to a sin in David, the latter tending to a punishment of Israel: the Lord was displeased at them for so little regarding David's Kingdom, as he had been at David for the matter of Uriah, and as he had been at Saul's house for the slaughter of the Gibeonites, and therefore he giveth up David to a covetous thought, to number the people, that he might lay a tax upon every Poll. Joab hath here more piety, at the least more policy then David, and declines the business till master'd by David's importunity: He is nine months and twenty days upon his counting, much near the counting-time of a woman with child, and at last he bringeth in the number; but here the account in the Book of Samuel doth differ exceedingly from the account in the Book of the Chronicles, the Chronicles saith, All Israel were eleven hundred thousand men: and the Book of Samuel saith, they were only eight hundred thousand men, here are three hundred thousand difference: and the Book of Samuel saith, that the men of Judah were five hundred thousand, but the Book of Chronicles saith, they were only four hundred and seventy thousand. Here is thirty thousand difference. Now for the reconciling of this great and double diversity, it is to be observed, That there were four and twenty thousand Soldiers and Officers that attended David monthly, so many every month, these make in all two hundred eighty eight thousand, 1 Chron. 27. These were as it were a standing Guard about the King every Month; and ready for any sudden expedition: There were besides these the Rulers of the Tribes, and Officers under them, and the Overseers and Rulers of the Kings employments, and Officers under them; but the number of these was not put into the account of the Chronicles of David, verse. 24. so that here is the resolution of the scruple, the whole number of men able to bear Arms in Israel, were eleven hundred thousand, and five hundred thousand in Judah, but of these there were three hundred thousand of Israel, and thirty thousand of Judah that were already listed, and in the constant service and employment of the King; and these Joab gave not in the account because their number and list had been known long, and because the King would not lay Taxes on his own servants. Amongst all this number Levi and Benjamin were not reckoned.

For before Joab came home to sum them (for he began furthest off first) a plague began among the people; and now the Lord began to cut off them that David had begun to make his pride, and intended to make his profit: The Lord proposeth to David three things; among the rest whether three years famine should come upon the Land, 2 Chron. 21. 12. which the Book of Samuel expresseth, Shall seven years famine come? verse. 13. that is, Shall three years famine come to make up those that have been already to be seven? There had been already three years famine for the Gibeonites, and this year of numbering the people was almost out, and shall three years famine more come to make up seven? And so we have a very good direction and guide about the order and times of the Stories that went last before, concerning the three years famine, and this joined to it; and this helpeth still to confirm that Series, in which we have laid them, or indeed rather in which they lie of themselves: Where Abraham had his knife unsheathed to slay his Son, but was stayed by command from Heaven: In the very same place had the destroying Angel his sword drawn to slay Jerusalem, but was restrained by the Lord; the place was a threshing floor on Mount Moriah, that belonged to Ornan or Araunah or Auranah, for it is twice so written in the Text: And by these several names, one near another, was he called: A man that was descended of the Royal blood of the Jebusites, and that now lived with, and was the chief among other Jebusites that enjoyed estates in and about Jerusalem under a Tribute. This place David purchaseth in two several parcels, and for two several sums. The very floor, and the Oxen and materials for sacrifice, he bought for 50 shekels of silver, 2 Sam. 24. 24. But the whole place of the Mount of the house, which was a very large compass, cost him six hundred shekels of gold, 1 Chron. 21. 25. There David builds an Altar, and sacrificeth, and the Lord answereth him by fire from Heaven, and from Heaven doth by this token point out the place where the Temple should be built.

I CHRON. XXII. Vers. 1. 2, 3, 4, 5.

[World 2989] [David 40] DAVID prepareth for the building of the Temple: He setteth Proselytes, or converted Gentiles a work to get stones for it. This was a Type of the spiritual Temple, to be built up by Gentiles under the Gospel.

CHAP. I. all.

DAVID in his old age is struck with a cold dead palsy, that no clothes can keep him warm, whereupon his Physicians persuade him to marry a young fresh Damzel, which proveth to be Abishag of Shunem, in the County of Issachar. Adonijah upon the Kings age and decrepitness, stands up for the Kingdom; the Kings darling, and like Eli's Sons, spoiled by his father for want of reproof; his next child to Absalom, by another woman, and like Absalom in beauty and rebellion. His aspiring to the Kingdom causeth David to anoint Solomon, to put the matter out of question. But here is a matter of some question about the time of Solomon's anointing, and about the order of this Chapter.

We find three times mention of Solomon's being made King, namely, twice in the Book of Chronicles, and once here, see 1 Chron. 23. 1. & 29. 22. Now the doubt lieth in this, whether he were three times made King indeed, and so all the three Texts that speak of it to be taken severally; or whether only twice, as 1 Chron. 29. 22. seemeth to settle, and then this Story to be concurrent with one of those relations in the Chronicles.

That that must give light in this obscurity, is this, That this anointing of Solomon mentioned in this 1 King. 1. upon this aspiring of Adonijah, was the first time that ever David shown, who should reign after him, see ver. 20, 27. and therefore it must needs be held concurrent or the same with that making Solomon King in 1 Chron. 23. 1. and the current of the Story will make it plain.

Only that scruple that lies yet in the way [that being supposed] is this: That David at this first unction of Solomon, should be in his chamber, and upon his bed, and exceedingly decrepit: And yet at his second anointing should be in the midst of his Princes and Commanders, and standing upon his feet, 1 Chron. 28. 2. But this also will be removed, if it be but considered, that David's present infirmity was not sickness, but coldness and benumbedness, and old age; he was heart whole, and head whole; but he was old and palsick, and therefore though his most common and most commodious posture and composure was to be in his chamber, and upon his couch; yet upon such an occasion as to Crown Solomon again before all Israel, he can come forth, and stand upon his feet, and make Orations, and give advice for things to come.

I CHRON. XXII. from verse. 6. to the end. And XXIII. verse. 1.

THE juncture of the Story here lieth plain and easy; David having caused Solomon to be anointed, because of the ambition of Adonijah, and that conspiracy being broken, he first giveth him in charge, the building of the House of the Lord, as the first thing to be looked after; And thus when David was old and full of days, he made solomon King, as is related in 1 King. 1. and so the first verse of 1 Chron. 23. and that Story doth speak but one and the same thing.

I CHRON. XXIII. from Verse 2. to end. And XXIV. XXV.

DAVID having that emergent occasion by Adonijah's Conspiracy, to anoint Solomon hastily and privately: When he hath so done it, he intendeth [World 2989] [David 40] a more solemn and public Coronation of him, and therefore he calleth together all the Heads and Rulers of the people about it. And as at the first platforming of the people of Israel into a Commonwealth in the Wilderness, they are numbered; the Levites appointed for Divine Service, and the Sanctuary framed; much like doth David here: The Levites are numbered, and distributed into their several offices and services, and the Priests into their courses, &c.

CHAP. I. all.

DAVID in his old age is struck with a cold dead palsy, that no clothes can keep him warm, whereupon his Physicians persuade him to marry a young fresh Damzel, which proveth to be Abishag of Shunem, in the County of Issachar. Adonijah upon the Kings age and decrepitness, stands up for the Kingdom; the Kings darling, and like Eli's Sons, spoiled by his father for want of reproof; his next child to Absalom, by another woman, and like Absalom in beauty and rebellion. His aspiring to the Kingdom causeth David to anoint Solomon, to put the matter out of question. But here is a matter of some question about the time of Solomon's anointing, and about the order of this Chapter.

We find three times mention of Solomon's being made King, namely, twice in the Book of Chronicles, and once here, see 1 Chron. 23. 1. & 29. 22. Now the doubt lieth in this, whether he were three times made King indeed, and so all the three Texts that speak of it to be taken severally; or whether only twice, as 1 Chron. 29. 22. seemeth to settle, and then this Story to be concurrent with one of those relations in the Chronicles.

That that must give light in this obscurity, is this, That this anointing of Solomon mentioned in this 1 King. 1. upon this aspiring of Adonijah, was the first time that ever David shown, who should reign after him, see ver. 20, 27. and therefore it must needs be held concurrent or the same with that making Solomon King in 1 Chron. 23. 1. and the current of the Story will make it plain.

Only that scruple that lies yet in the way [that being supposed] is this: That David at this first unction of Solomon, should be in his chamber, and upon his bed, and exceedingly decrepit: And yet at his second anointing should be in the midst of his Princes and Commanders, and standing upon his feet, 1 Chron. 28. 2. But this also will be removed, if it be but considered, that David's present infirmity was not sickness, but coldness and benumbedness, and old age; he was heart whole, and head whole; but he was old and palsick, and therefore though his most common and most commodious posture and composure was to be in his chamber, and upon his couch; yet upon such an occasion as to Crown Solomon again before all Israel, he can come forth, and stand upon his feet, and make Orations, and give advice for things to come.

I CHRON. XXII. from verse. 6. to the end. And XXIII. verse. 1.

THE juncture of the Story here lieth plain and easy; David having caused Solomon to be anointed, because of the ambition of Adonijah, and that conspiracy being broken, he first giveth him in charge, the building of the House of the Lord, as the first thing to be looked after; And thus when David was old and full of days, he made solomon King, as is related in 1 King. 1. and so the first verse of 1 Chron. 23. and that Story doth speak but one and the same thing.

I CHRON. XXIII. from Verse 2. to end. And XXIV. XXV.

DAVID having that emergent occasion by Adonijah's Conspiracy, to anoint Solomon hastily and privately: When he hath so done it, he intendeth [World 2989] [David 40] a more solemn and public Coronation of him, and therefore he calleth together all the Heads and Rulers of the people about it. And as at the first platforming of the people of Israel into a Commonwealth in the Wilderness, they are numbered; the Levites appointed for Divine Service, and the Sanctuary framed; much like doth David here: The Levites are numbered, and distributed into their several offices and services, and the Priests into their courses, &c.

1 CHRON. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. & XXIX. to verse. 26.

MOre Officers disposed of about the Temple, the chief heads of the people Commanders of the Army and Officers of the King are numbered and settled. And thus the chief Agents both in Church and State being fixed and determined, and now altogether they anoint Solomon a second time, &c.

1 KING. II. to ver. 12. and with ver. 10, 11. Read 1 CHRON. XXIX. ver. 26. 27, 28, 29, 30.

DAVID dying leaveth charge with Solomon about Joab, Shimei, &c. He dieth seventy years old, see Psal. 90. 10. and Isaiah 23. 15. A very glorious Type of Christ, in his birth in Bethlehem, in his Shepheardry, in his victory over Goliath, in his power over Saul's Devil. In his persecutions in his Kingdom, in his victoriousness over his Enemies, in his settling of Religion, and the service of God, &c.

The time of his reign is certainly fixed and determiend in a gross sum of forty years, but for particular passages to own them particular years there is very little certainty; or if there be certainty, it is very obseure: I want not ground for the times according to which I have laid them, though to avoid prolixity, I have avoided to express and to dispute them, I shall only here name one or two things that have swayed with me, to suppose of the particular times of David's reign, as I have laid them.

I was once of opinion, and I went not alone in it, but had abundance both of Jews and Christians that were of the same mind, that Saul reigned but three years in all, 1 Sam. 13. 1. and that the forty years mentioned at the breaking out of Absalom's rebellion, 2 Sam. 15. 7. were to be reckoned from the time of Saul's first anointing, or of Israel's asking a King, and so that that rebellion fell out in the seven and thirtieth year of the reign of David. But now having a second time as seriously as I can viewed the times, and finding so many things occurring betwixt the first anointing of Saul and the days of his death, as are not imaginable to have been acted in three years, especially it being said, that David was one whole year and four months in the country of the Philistines, after all his persecutions, and before Saul's death, 1 Sam. 27. 7. and it appearing also most probable according to the order, as the Chapters themselves lie, that the three years famine for the Gibeonites were after David's restoring to his Kingdom again after Absalom's rebellion; I cannot but upon these second thoughts retract my first, and conceive of these times according as I have laid them now, with these conceptions concerning them.

• 1. That David's numbering and settling the Officers of State, and the Priests and Levites, was in his fortieth year, 1 Chron. 26. 31.
• 2. That this was begun presently upon the Lord's designing the place of the Temple by fire from Heaven, 1 Chron. 22. 1, 2. which was in David's thirty ninth, 2 Sam. 24. 8.
• 3. That the year that David sinfully numbered the people, was the very next year after the three years famine, 2 Sam. 24. 13.
• 4. That the first of these three years famine was the year that next followed the year of Absalom's rebellion.
• 5. That the year of that rebellion was forty years after David's first anointing in Bethlehem.
• 6. That Saul reigned but three years before that anointing of David. And though he lived five years after, yet are not those years reputed of his reign, for now the Lord had cast him off, and he acted not now the part of a King but a Persecutor.

1 KING. II. from ver. 12. to ver. 39.

[World 2990] [Solomon 1] SOLOMON reigned: Adonijah slain for desiring his fathers wife: Abiathar of the line of Ithamar, put from the High Priesthood. Joab's blood shed at the Altar: Benaiah a Priest the Executioner, and made General of the Army: Shimei is confirmed. This year Solomon begetteth Rehoboam of a Lady of Ammon, see 1 King. 14. 21. &c.

2 CHRON. I. to verse. 14. 1 KING. 3. from ver. 3. to the end.

THE Story of the death of Shimei is anticipated and joined to the Story of his confinement, though it were three years after, that the Relation might have done with Shimei at once. So also is the Story of Solomon's marrying Pharaohs daughter, laid sooner then its Chronical time; for it was not before Solomon's going to Gibeon, and there begging wisdom, but it was after. But the reason of the placing of it before, is given by the Jews to be because he married not Pharaohs daughter before he had slain Shimei; and therefore the Stories of them are so laid together: But upon viewing well the scope of the Stories preceeding, about the death of Joab, and the exclusion of Abishai from the Priesthood, &c. the reason of joining Solomon's marriage with Pharaohs daughter will easily appear; namely, because the Text would lay the politick ways of Solomon for the establishing of his Kingdom close together; and those were these two, The taking away those that might disquiet it at home; and by making league and affinity with powerful Princes abroad: And then it cometh to tell the sure and divine way how to make it sure; and that it also expresseth to be two, namely, loving the Lord, and begging wisdom of him.

At Gibeon was the greatest Synagogue in the Land, for there stood the Tabernacle, and the brazen Altar that Moses had made; being brought thither as to the chief residence of the sons of Ithamar, who waited on the Sanctuary when Shiloh fell. There Solomon asketh wisdom of the Lord, and obtaineth it: And coming to Jerusalem, he showeth it in determining the doubtful case between the two Harlots. He was now but twelve years old.

1 KING. XI. ver. 21, 22.

THE very reading of ver. 21. doth plainly show, that it is proper to take in this Story of Hadads returning to his own Country here.

CHAP. IV, V. 2 CHRON. I. verse. 14, 15, 16, 17. And II. all.

[Solomon 2] THE matter of the fourth Chapter of Kings, and the conclusion of [Solomon 3] 1 Chron. 1. is not of a fixed and determinate date, tied to any one year, but it runneth through the story of many years; for it showeth the growth and continuance of Solomon's strength, establishment, and prosperity in his Kingdom, and the evidencing of his wisdom, all his time till his declining to Idolatry: And therefore as for the method and place of it, it might be laid even anywhere in the Story of all that time, this construction being made of it wheresoever it is laid. But the Holy Ghost hath laid it in the beginning of his History, that that general matter concerning his power and prosperity, might be concluded before the relation come to speak of particular actions. It is no doubt but the transfaction of business betwixt Solomon and Hiram King of Tyre, was very early in Solomon's reign, because he would not loose time towards the building of the Temple. But the Text would dispatch the other before, as a general thing, that particular Stories might be fallen upon, and receive no interruption.

Hiram or Hirom or H • ram, King of Tyre, [for all these ways his name is written] confesseth God the Creator, 2 Chron. 2. 12. maketh a Covenant with Solomon; supplieth him with necessaries for his building, and sendeth him a choice workman, Hiram. This Hirams father was of the Tribe of Naphtali, 1 King. 7. 14. but said to be a Tyrian because he dwelt there, [as Obed-Edom a Levite is said to be a Gittite ] his mother was of the Tribe of Dan, 2 Chron. 2. 14. the place of Idolatry.

Solomon setteth one hundred fifty three thousand six hundred Proselytes to frame materials for the Temple, seventy thousand to bear burdens, eighty thousand to be hewers in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred overseers, 2 Chron. 2. 18. that is, three thousand three hundred overseers of the one hundred and fifty thousand Workmen, 1 King. 5. 16. and three hundred overseers of them and all.

The Princes of Solomon at home, and his chief Officers for his household provision reckoned, 1 King. 4. Azariah the Son of Zadok, ver. 2. that is, the Son of Ahimaaz the Son of Zadok, 1 Chron. 6. 8, 9. is chief of the Sanhedrin. Zadok and Abiathar, are Priests ver. 4. though Abiathar was expelled by Solomon from the High Priesthood, Chap. 2. 26. Yet might he exercise the Function of a Priest at Gibeon, till the Temple was built. There were twelve Officers for the twelve Months 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 verse. 19. which the Rabbins interpret, And one Officer which was in the Land for the Leap-year, or for the thirteenth Month which befell every third year. Solomon had four thousand Stables of Horses and Chariots, 2 Chron. 9. 25. that is forty thousand Stalls of Horses for his Chariots, 1 King. 4. 2. one Horse in every Stall, and ten Horses to a Chariot, and in a Stable. So seven hundred Chariots, 2 Sam. 10. 18. is rendered seven thousand, 1 Chron. 19. 18. that is, seven thousand men with seven hundred Chariots, ten to a Chariot. Solomon is said to be wiser then Heman, and Ethan, and Chalcol, and Darda, that is, in human learning; for these men lived in Egypt in the time of Israel's affliction there, and it seemeth were singularly skilled in all the wisdom of the Egyptians: Yet Solomon went beyond them in Philosophy.

CHAP. II. from verse. 39. to the end. And CHAP. III. verse. 1, 2.

ABout the latter end of Solomon's third year, or beginning of his fourth, Shimei compasseth his own death, by breaking the bonds and bounds of his consinement. And as the Jews held; Solomon after that marrieth Pharaohs daughter. The time is uncertain, and the determination of it not much material. Solomon preferreth her before the rest of his wives, for they were of Nations that were his Subjects, but she the daughter of an entire King, and by this match he allieth that potent King to him, and secureth himself the better abroad; especially from Hadad his Enemy, who had married a Lady from the same Court, 1 King. 11. 19.

CHAP. VI. all. And VII. from verse. 13. to the end. 2 CHRON. III; IV.

[World 2993] [Solomon 4] THE foundation of the Temple laid on Mount Moriah, where Isaac had [Solomon 5] been offered: It is said, That the foundation of the house of the Lord was [Solomon 6] laid in Solomon's fourth year, in the month Zif, or the second month, and in the eleventh year in the month Bul (which is the eighth month) it was finished, and [Solomon 7] [Solomon 8] so was he seven years in building it. It was exactly seven years and six months [Solomon 9] in building, but the odd six months are omitted for roundness of the sum, as [Solomon 10] the six odd months are of David's reigning in Hebron. Compare 1 King. 2. 11 with 2 Sam. 5. 5.

Now the beginning of the seventh Chapter of 1 Kings relateth the Story of Solomon's building his own house, before it come to mention the furniture of the Temple: because the Holy Ghost would mention all Solomon's fabrics together: or the piles of his buildings before it come to speak of the furniture of any.

CHAP. VIII. all. 2 CHRON. V. & VI. & VII. to ver. 11.

[World 3000] [Solomon 11] THE Temple finished in the three thousand year of the world: and dedicated by Solomon with Sacrifice and Prayer: and by the Lord with fire from Heaven, and the cloud of glory. This dedication of the Temple was in the month Tisri, or Ethanim, the seventh month answering to part of our September, at which time of the year our Savior, whom this Temple typified, Joh. 2. 19. was born, and 29 years after Baptized.

And thus have we an account of three thousand years of the world, beginning with the Creation, and ending with the finishing of Solomon's Temple.

CHAP. VII. From verse. 1. to verse. 13.

[World 3001] [Solomon 12] SOLOMON after the building of the house of the Lord buildeth his [Solomon 13] own house in Jerusalem, and buildeth a summer house in Lebanon, and an [Solomon 14] house for Pharaohs Daughter and his own Throne, so sumptuous as there was [Solomon 15] not the like: And thus doth he take up twenty years in this kind of work in [Solomon 16] building the house of the Lord, and his own houses. His wisdom, power, [Solomon 17] [Solomon 18] peace, and magnificence exceeding all Kings upon earth, did make him not only [Solomon 19] renowned among all people▪ but also in these he became a type of Christ. [Solomon 20] Thus high in all eminencies and perfections that earth could afford did the [Solomon 21] Lord exalt him, and yet afterward suffered him so foully to fall, that he like [Solomon 22] Adam in happiness might exemplify, that no earthly felicity can be durable, and [Solomon 23] that here is nothing to be trusted to, but all things vanity, but the Kingdom [Solomon 24] that is not of this world.

CHAP. IX. From beginning to Vers. 10. 2 CHRON. VII. From Vers. 11. to the end.

SOLOMON hath an answer to his prayer, made in the Temple thirteen years ago: Then the Lord made a return to it, by fire and a cloud, and here he doth the like again by an apparition: this is the second time that the Lord appeareth to him. The first was when he was even entering and beginning upon his Kingdom, and this is, now he is come to the height of settlement, and prosperity in it.

CHAP. IX. From Vers. 10. to the end. 2 CHRON. VIII. all.

[Solomon 25] SOLOMON buildeth Cities up and down the Country, conquereth [Solomon 26] Hamath Zobah, settleth Pharaohs Daughter in the house he had built for her, [Solomon 27] setteth out a Fleet at Ezion-Geber for Ophir, is growing still more and [Solomon 28] more potent, rich and magnificent. Is constant still and forward in Religion, [Solomon 29] and offereth a constant rate of Sacrifices every day, and extraordinary ones at [Solomon 30] the solemn festivities.

1 CHRON. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. & XXIX. to verse. 26.

MOre Officers disposed of about the Temple, the chief heads of the people Commanders of the Army and Officers of the King are numbered and settled. And thus the chief Agents both in Church and State being fixed and determined, and now altogether they anoint Solomon a second time, &c.

1 KING. II. to ver. 12. and with ver. 10, 11. Read 1 CHRON. XXIX. ver. 26. 27, 28, 29, 30.

DAVID dying leaveth charge with Solomon about Joab, Shimei, &c. He dieth seventy years old, see Psal. 90. 10. and Isaiah 23. 15. A very glorious Type of Christ, in his birth in Bethlehem, in his Shepheardry, in his victory over Goliath, in his power over Saul's Devil. In his persecutions in his Kingdom, in his victoriousness over his Enemies, in his settling of Religion, and the service of God, &c.

The time of his reign is certainly fixed and determiend in a gross sum of forty years, but for particular passages to own them particular years there is very little certainty; or if there be certainty, it is very obseure: I want not ground for the times according to which I have laid them, though to avoid prolixity, I have avoided to express and to dispute them, I shall only here name one or two things that have swayed with me, to suppose of the particular times of David's reign, as I have laid them.

I was once of opinion, and I went not alone in it, but had abundance both of Jews and Christians that were of the same mind, that Saul reigned but three years in all, 1 Sam. 13. 1. and that the forty years mentioned at the breaking out of Absalom's rebellion, 2 Sam. 15. 7. were to be reckoned from the time of Saul's first anointing, or of Israel's asking a King, and so that that rebellion fell out in the seven and thirtieth year of the reign of David. But now having a second time as seriously as I can viewed the times, and finding so many things occurring betwixt the first anointing of Saul and the days of his death, as are not imaginable to have been acted in three years, especially it being said, that David was one whole year and four months in the country of the Philistines, after all his persecutions, and before Saul's death, 1 Sam. 27. 7. and it appearing also most probable according to the order, as the Chapters themselves lie, that the three years famine for the Gibeonites were after David's restoring to his Kingdom again after Absalom's rebellion; I cannot but upon these second thoughts retract my first, and conceive of these times according as I have laid them now, with these conceptions concerning them.

• 1. That David's numbering and settling the Officers of State, and the Priests and Levites, was in his fortieth year, 1 Chron. 26. 31.
• 2. That this was begun presently upon the Lord's designing the place of the Temple by fire from Heaven, 1 Chron. 22. 1, 2. which was in David's thirty ninth, 2 Sam. 24. 8.
• 3. That the year that David sinfully numbered the people, was the very next year after the three years famine, 2 Sam. 24. 13.
• 4. That the first of these three years famine was the year that next followed the year of Absalom's rebellion.
• 5. That the year of that rebellion was forty years after David's first anointing in Bethlehem.
• 6. That Saul reigned but three years before that anointing of David. And though he lived five years after, yet are not those years reputed of his reign, for now the Lord had cast him off, and he acted not now the part of a King but a Persecutor.

1 KING. II. from ver. 12. to ver. 39.

[World 2990] [Solomon 1] SOLOMON reigned: Adonijah slain for desiring his fathers wife: Abiathar of the line of Ithamar, put from the High Priesthood. Joab's blood shed at the Altar: Benaiah a Priest the Executioner, and made General of the Army: Shimei is confirmed. This year Solomon begetteth Rehoboam of a Lady of Ammon, see 1 King. 14. 21. &c.

2 CHRON. I. to verse. 14. 1 KING. 3. from ver. 3. to the end.

THE Story of the death of Shimei is anticipated and joined to the Story of his confinement, though it were three years after, that the Relation might have done with Shimei at once. So also is the Story of Solomon's marrying Pharaohs daughter, laid sooner then its Chronical time; for it was not before Solomon's going to Gibeon, and there begging wisdom, but it was after. But the reason of the placing of it before, is given by the Jews to be because he married not Pharaohs daughter before he had slain Shimei; and therefore the Stories of them are so laid together: But upon viewing well the scope of the Stories preceeding, about the death of Joab, and the exclusion of Abishai from the Priesthood, &c. the reason of joining Solomon's marriage with Pharaohs daughter will easily appear; namely, because the Text would lay the politick ways of Solomon for the establishing of his Kingdom close together; and those were these two, The taking away those that might disquiet it at home; and by making league and affinity with powerful Princes abroad: And then it cometh to tell the sure and divine way how to make it sure; and that it also expresseth to be two, namely, loving the Lord, and begging wisdom of him.

At Gibeon was the greatest Synagogue in the Land, for there stood the Tabernacle, and the brazen Altar that Moses had made; being brought thither as to the chief residence of the sons of Ithamar, who waited on the Sanctuary when Shiloh fell. There Solomon asketh wisdom of the Lord, and obtaineth it: And coming to Jerusalem, he showeth it in determining the doubtful case between the two Harlots. He was now but twelve years old.

1 KING. XI. ver. 21, 22.

THE very reading of ver. 21. doth plainly show, that it is proper to take in this Story of Hadads returning to his own Country here.

CHAP. IV, V. 2 CHRON. I. verse. 14, 15, 16, 17. And II. all.

[Solomon 2] THE matter of the fourth Chapter of Kings, and the conclusion of [Solomon 3] 1 Chron. 1. is not of a fixed and determinate date, tied to any one year, but it runneth through the story of many years; for it showeth the growth and continuance of Solomon's strength, establishment, and prosperity in his Kingdom, and the evidencing of his wisdom, all his time till his declining to Idolatry: And therefore as for the method and place of it, it might be laid even anywhere in the Story of all that time, this construction being made of it wheresoever it is laid. But the Holy Ghost hath laid it in the beginning of his History, that that general matter concerning his power and prosperity, might be concluded before the relation come to speak of particular actions. It is no doubt but the transfaction of business betwixt Solomon and Hiram King of Tyre, was very early in Solomon's reign, because he would not loose time towards the building of the Temple. But the Text would dispatch the other before, as a general thing, that particular Stories might be fallen upon, and receive no interruption.

Hiram or Hirom or H • ram, King of Tyre, [for all these ways his name is written] confesseth God the Creator, 2 Chron. 2. 12. maketh a Covenant with Solomon; supplieth him with necessaries for his building, and sendeth him a choice workman, Hiram. This Hirams father was of the Tribe of Naphtali, 1 King. 7. 14. but said to be a Tyrian because he dwelt there, [as Obed-Edom a Levite is said to be a Gittite ] his mother was of the Tribe of Dan, 2 Chron. 2. 14. the place of Idolatry.

Solomon setteth one hundred fifty three thousand six hundred Proselytes to frame materials for the Temple, seventy thousand to bear burdens, eighty thousand to be hewers in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred overseers, 2 Chron. 2. 18. that is, three thousand three hundred overseers of the one hundred and fifty thousand Workmen, 1 King. 5. 16. and three hundred overseers of them and all.

The Princes of Solomon at home, and his chief Officers for his household provision reckoned, 1 King. 4. Azariah the Son of Zadok, ver. 2. that is, the Son of Ahimaaz the Son of Zadok, 1 Chron. 6. 8, 9. is chief of the Sanhedrin. Zadok and Abiathar, are Priests ver. 4. though Abiathar was expelled by Solomon from the High Priesthood, Chap. 2. 26. Yet might he exercise the Function of a Priest at Gibeon, till the Temple was built. There were twelve Officers for the twelve Months 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 verse. 19. which the Rabbins interpret, And one Officer which was in the Land for the Leap-year, or for the thirteenth Month which befell every third year. Solomon had four thousand Stables of Horses and Chariots, 2 Chron. 9. 25. that is forty thousand Stalls of Horses for his Chariots, 1 King. 4. 2. one Horse in every Stall, and ten Horses to a Chariot, and in a Stable. So seven hundred Chariots, 2 Sam. 10. 18. is rendered seven thousand, 1 Chron. 19. 18. that is, seven thousand men with seven hundred Chariots, ten to a Chariot. Solomon is said to be wiser then Heman, and Ethan, and Chalcol, and Darda, that is, in human learning; for these men lived in Egypt in the time of Israel's affliction there, and it seemeth were singularly skilled in all the wisdom of the Egyptians: Yet Solomon went beyond them in Philosophy.

CHAP. II. from verse. 39. to the end. And CHAP. III. verse. 1, 2.

ABout the latter end of Solomon's third year, or beginning of his fourth, Shimei compasseth his own death, by breaking the bonds and bounds of his consinement. And as the Jews held; Solomon after that marrieth Pharaohs daughter. The time is uncertain, and the determination of it not much material. Solomon preferreth her before the rest of his wives, for they were of Nations that were his Subjects, but she the daughter of an entire King, and by this match he allieth that potent King to him, and secureth himself the better abroad; especially from Hadad his Enemy, who had married a Lady from the same Court, 1 King. 11. 19.

CHAP. VI. all. And VII. from verse. 13. to the end. 2 CHRON. III; IV.

[World 2993] [Solomon 4] THE foundation of the Temple laid on Mount Moriah, where Isaac had [Solomon 5] been offered: It is said, That the foundation of the house of the Lord was [Solomon 6] laid in Solomon's fourth year, in the month Zif, or the second month, and in the eleventh year in the month Bul (which is the eighth month) it was finished, and [Solomon 7] [Solomon 8] so was he seven years in building it. It was exactly seven years and six months [Solomon 9] in building, but the odd six months are omitted for roundness of the sum, as [Solomon 10] the six odd months are of David's reigning in Hebron. Compare 1 King. 2. 11 with 2 Sam. 5. 5.

Now the beginning of the seventh Chapter of 1 Kings relateth the Story of Solomon's building his own house, before it come to mention the furniture of the Temple: because the Holy Ghost would mention all Solomon's fabrics together: or the piles of his buildings before it come to speak of the furniture of any.

CHAP. VIII. all. 2 CHRON. V. & VI. & VII. to ver. 11.

[World 3000] [Solomon 11] THE Temple finished in the three thousand year of the world: and dedicated by Solomon with Sacrifice and Prayer: and by the Lord with fire from Heaven, and the cloud of glory. This dedication of the Temple was in the month Tisri, or Ethanim, the seventh month answering to part of our September, at which time of the year our Savior, whom this Temple typified, Joh. 2. 19. was born, and 29 years after Baptized.

And thus have we an account of three thousand years of the world, beginning with the Creation, and ending with the finishing of Solomon's Temple.

CHAP. VII. From verse. 1. to verse. 13.

[World 3001] [Solomon 12] SOLOMON after the building of the house of the Lord buildeth his [Solomon 13] own house in Jerusalem, and buildeth a summer house in Lebanon, and an [Solomon 14] house for Pharaohs Daughter and his own Throne, so sumptuous as there was [Solomon 15] not the like: And thus doth he take up twenty years in this kind of work in [Solomon 16] building the house of the Lord, and his own houses. His wisdom, power, [Solomon 17] [Solomon 18] peace, and magnificence exceeding all Kings upon earth, did make him not only [Solomon 19] renowned among all people▪ but also in these he became a type of Christ. [Solomon 20] Thus high in all eminencies and perfections that earth could afford did the [Solomon 21] Lord exalt him, and yet afterward suffered him so foully to fall, that he like [Solomon 22] Adam in happiness might exemplify, that no earthly felicity can be durable, and [Solomon 23] that here is nothing to be trusted to, but all things vanity, but the Kingdom [Solomon 24] that is not of this world.

CHAP. IX. From beginning to Vers. 10. 2 CHRON. VII. From Vers. 11. to the end.

SOLOMON hath an answer to his prayer, made in the Temple thirteen years ago: Then the Lord made a return to it, by fire and a cloud, and here he doth the like again by an apparition: this is the second time that the Lord appeareth to him. The first was when he was even entering and beginning upon his Kingdom, and this is, now he is come to the height of settlement, and prosperity in it.

CHAP. IX. From Vers. 10. to the end. 2 CHRON. VIII. all.

[Solomon 25] SOLOMON buildeth Cities up and down the Country, conquereth [Solomon 26] Hamath Zobah, settleth Pharaohs Daughter in the house he had built for her, [Solomon 27] setteth out a Fleet at Ezion-Geber for Ophir, is growing still more and [Solomon 28] more potent, rich and magnificent. Is constant still and forward in Religion, [Solomon 29] and offereth a constant rate of Sacrifices every day, and extraordinary ones at [Solomon 30] the solemn festivities.

CHAP. X. 2 CHRON. IX. From beginning to verse. 29.

[Solomon 31] THE Queen of Sheba cometh to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and so [Solomon 32] condemneth the Generation of the Jews that despised the wisdom of the [Solomon 33] Father, Matth. 12. 42. Solomon as is probable is yet flourishing in State, Power, [Solomon 34] and Religion: And is a Prince of admirable Peace at Salem: a figure of the [Solomon 35] King of Righteousness, and the King of Peace.

CHAP. XI. From beginning to verse. 41.

[Solomon 36] IN his old age Solomon is drawn away by his Idolatrous Wives to forget [Solomon 37] God: The wisest and the happiest man like Adam undone by women. [Solomon 38] Hereupon his prosperity and his happiness began to change.

CHAP. X. 2 CHRON. IX. From beginning to verse. 29.

[Solomon 31] THE Queen of Sheba cometh to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and so [Solomon 32] condemneth the Generation of the Jews that despised the wisdom of the [Solomon 33] Father, Matth. 12. 42. Solomon as is probable is yet flourishing in State, Power, [Solomon 34] and Religion: And is a Prince of admirable Peace at Salem: a figure of the [Solomon 35] King of Righteousness, and the King of Peace.

CHAP. XI. From beginning to verse. 41.

[Solomon 36] IN his old age Solomon is drawn away by his Idolatrous Wives to forget [Solomon 37] God: The wisest and the happiest man like Adam undone by women. [Solomon 38] Hereupon his prosperity and his happiness began to change.

1 KING. XI. Vers. 41, 42, 43. And 2 CHRON. IX. Vers. 29, 30, 31.

THE Book of Chronicles omitteth to mention the fall of Solomon, as he had omitted the fall of David.

[World 3029] [Solomon 39] Solomon dieth, having reigned forty years as his father David had done, and [Solomon 40] having had a great fall in his time as his father David had had: yet like him is recovered, pardoned and saved.

1 KING. XI. Vers. 41, 42, 43. And 2 CHRON. IX. Vers. 29, 30, 31.

THE Book of Chronicles omitteth to mention the fall of Solomon, as he had omitted the fall of David.

[World 3029] [Solomon 39] Solomon dieth, having reigned forty years as his father David had done, and [Solomon 40] having had a great fall in his time as his father David had had: yet like him is recovered, pardoned and saved.

Kingdom of JUDAH.

Kingdom of ISRAEL.

Kingdom of JUDAH.

1 KINGS XII. from beginning [Division. 1] to Vers. 25.

[World 3030] [Rehoboam. 1] [Jeroboam. 1] REHOBOAM through his folly and tyranny looseth the people by threatening them with a heavy yoke, Christ seeketh to regain them by promissing a light one, Matth. 11. 29, 30. Shechem once the stage of blood, Gen. 34. is now the scene of this unhappy division. Rehoboam was now one and forty years old, 2 Chron. 12. 13. yet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 childish and simple, 2 Chron. 13. 7. but of an haughty and oppressive spirit, and so proveth himself a very fool, Eccles. 2. 19. though he were the son of so wise a Father.

Kingdom of ISRAEL.

2 CHRON. X. all. And XI. [Division. 1] to Verse 5.

[World 3030] [Rehoboam. 1] [Jeroboam. 1] JEROBOAM of Ephraim draweth ten Tribes from the house of David, from the Temple that stood near it, and from the promise of Christ that was affixed to it. And this sudden rent of Solomon's Kingdom, did plainly teach, that the King and Kingdom promised to David was not of this world, but of another: which King and Kingdom the revolting Tribes have now forsaken, and by forsaking have lost Christ, have lost Religion, and have lost themselves: And here is a kind of an Antichristian faction now risen in the world before Christ's appearing. The very foundation of this revolt of the Tribes was laid in the blood of Adoram: Rehoboam seeketh to reduce the people with a strong hand, whom with a gentle he would not retain.

PSAL. II.

WITH the Story of the Apostasy of the ten Tribes, read the second Psalm, which was prophetically made by David, Act. 4. 25. upon this revolt and rebellion; and this is the first aim and intent of it, though in a second and more full it hits upon the greater rebellion which this but typified, and that is Judah's despising and crucifying the Lord of life, being indeed exhibited, as Israel despiseth him here, being promised. And as the Psalmist had touched in the first Psalm, upon the fall of Adam, who miscarried by walking in the counsel of the ungodly, the Serpent and the seduced woman; and had shown a way how to withstand and escape such counsellings, namely, by meditation and delight in the Law of the Lord. So doth he in this Psalm touch upon the fall of the ten Tribes, and how they miscarried by casting away the cords of obligation, which God had tied them in to the throne of David, and he giveth admonition to them to be wiser, and adviseth both them and the generation that put the Lord to death, and all ages to come, To kiss the Son by a loving and submissive obedience, as 1 Sam. 10. 1. and so to escape the wrath to come, Matth. 3. when the Lord's anger should be kindled, and destroy the people that had been his destroyers.

2 CHRON. XI. From ver. 5. to the end of the Chapter.

REhoboam fortifieth divers Cities [Rehoboam. 2] [Jeroboam. 2] [Division. 2] in Judah and Benjamin, [Rehoboam. 3] [Jeroboam. 3] [Division. 3] and Garrisoneth them; He entertaineth the Priests and Levites that out-ran Idolatry: for Jeroboam had expelled them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from having their liberty to go up to Jerusalem in the courses, and from exercising their functions in the several Cities of their abode, ver. 14. Three years do Rehoboam and his people of Judah well and uprightly, and walk in the ways of David and Solomon, verse. 17. Observe, the ways of Solomon, to be paralleled with the ways of David, and the ways of David and Solomon commended as patterns of holy walking; and this very place and passage may resolve, that Solomon was no more finally cast away for his Idolatry, then David was finally cast away for his Adultery and Murder.

Rehoboams Marriages are reckoned here, where the text is speaking of his establishment and prosperity, and so it would conclude all the particulars of that before it fall to the story of his declining; but the most of his Marriages were made before he came to the Kingdom, even in the life-time of his father Solomon, and he followed the humor of his father very much in desiring many wives. His son Abijam reigned but three years after his seventeen, and yet is he the father of eight and thirty Children, which makes it more then probable that he was born before his father was King, 2 Chron. 13. 21. One of Rehoboams wives is said to be Maholah 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Jeremoth the son of David, written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : possibly Tamar the Daughter of Absalom, she called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 because she was left his only Child, his three Sons being dead, 2 Sam. 14. 27. & 18. 18. and he called Jeremoth, partly to intimate his lifting up in pride when he rebelled against his father, and his lifting up in the Oak where he took his end, and partly to distinguish him from another Absalom, whose daughter also Rehoboam married, which was called Maachah.

1 KING. XII. From verse. 25. to the end of the Chapter.

[Rehoboam. 2] [Jeroboam. 2] [Division. 2] JEroboam in a hellish policy setteth up Idols in Bethel, [Rehoboam. 3] [Jeroboam. 3] [Division. 3] and Dan, to keep Israel from Jerusalem, least they should revolt to the house of David: And he ordaineth a feast of Tabernacles in the eighth month, like that at Jerusalem in the seventh 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And the people went after one of his calves to Dan, v. 30. for ere long Abijah the King of Judah had recovered Bethel, 2 Chron. 13. 19.