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in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burnt them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word (u) of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words. 17. Then he said, "What title "is that that I see?" And the men of the city told him, "It is the sepulchre of the "man of God, which came from Judah, "and proclaimed these things that thou "hast done against the altar of Beth-el." 18. And he said, "Let him alone, let no "man move his bones:" so they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet (x) that came out of Samaria. 19. And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. 20. And he slew all the priests of the high places that nwere there, upon the altars, and burnt mens bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem. 21. And the king commanded all the people, saying, “ Keep the passover (y) "unto the LORD your God, as it is ،، written in the book of this covenant." 22. Surely there was not holden such a passover, from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah : 23. But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem. 24. Moreover, the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied

(u) v. 16. “The word, &c." about 330 years before. See ante, 2 Kings xiii. 2.

(x) v. 18. "The prophet, &c." in whose sepulchre the prophet from Judah and himself were buried. See ante, 2 Kings xiii. 30. 31.

() v. 21. "The passover." The feast ordained to commemorate the preservation of the Israelites when all the first born of Egypt were destroyed. See ante, Exod. xii.

V.

(2) . 26. ، Great wrath, God's denuntiation by his prophets in the time of Manasseh was, "Behold I am bringing such evil upon "Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth "it, both his ears shall tingle: and I will "stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, "and the plummet of the house of Ahab: (i.e.

in the land of Judah, and in Jerusalem did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law, which were writter in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. 25. And like unto him was there no king before him, tha turned to the LORD with all his heart, an with all his soul, and with all his migh according to all the law of Moses; neithe after him arose there any like him. 26. N withstanding the LORD turned not f the fierceness of his great wrath (z), whis with his anger was kindled against Joh because of all the provocations that nasseh had provoked him withal. 27. A the LORD said "I will remove Judah a "out of my sight, as I have remov "Israel (a), and will cast off this city "rusalem, which I have chosen, and "house of which I said, " My name sh "be there." 28. Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronis of the kings of Judah? 29. In his d Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt went against the king of Assyria, to the re Euphrates and king Josiah went ag him, and he slew him at Megiddo, wie he had seen him (b). 30. And his vants carried him in a chariot dead from. Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own sepulchre an the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, and anointed him, and ma him king in his father's stead. 31. Jeho was twenty and three years old when began to reign, and he reigned three mont in Jerusalem: and his mother's name o

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amutal the daughter of Jeremiah of ibrah. 32. And he did that which was il (c) in the sight of the LORD, according all that his fathers had done. 33. And haraoh-nechoh put him in bands at iblah, in the land of Hamath, that he ight not reign in Jerusalem, and put e land to a tribute of an hundred talents silver, and a talent of gold. 34. And araoh-nechoh made Eliakim, the son of siah, king, in the room of Josiah his her, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, d took Jehoahaz away: and he came Egypt and died there. 35. And Jehoi

akim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh ; he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-nechoh. 36. Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. 37. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had

done.

CHAP. I.

PROVERBS.

HE proverbs of Solomon (d) the son of David king of Israel; 2. To ow (e) wisdom and instruction, to perive (e) the words of understanding; 3. To ceive (f) the instruction of wisdom, stice, and judgment, and equity; 4. To ve subtilty to the simple, to the young in knowledge and discretion. 5. A wise in will hear, and will increase learning: d a man of understanding shall attain

(c) v. 32. “Evil." Josiah lived about 14 ars after the great passover mentioned in rse 21. 22. 23. but as his sons and grandson, e only persons on the throne before the Babynish captivity was completely effected, did il in the sight of the Lord, there is no reason suppose that there had been a general national formation, such as according to Jer. xviii. 7. 8. ight be expected to avert God's vengeance. On the contrary, Jehoiakim, in whose reign the aptivity commenced, committed abominations. Chron. xxxvi. 8. And Zedekiah, in whose me it was completed, humbled not himself, - but stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart = from turning unto the Lord God of Israel: and all the chief of the priests and the people = transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen, and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem: and though the Lord sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending

unto wise counsels: 6. To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7. The fear (g) of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8. " My son, hear the in"struction of thy father, and forsake not "the law of thy mother: 9. For they "shall be an ornament of grace unto thy "head, and chains about thy neck. 10. My 66 son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou 11. If they say, "Come with us,

"not.

66

"them, because he had compassion on his peo"ple, and on his dwelling place, they mocked his messengers, and despised his word, and mis"used his prophets. 2 Chron. xxxvi. 12 to 16." Their conduct therefore called for the punishments which fell upon them.

(d) v. 1. "Of Solomon." Written about 1000 years before our Saviour's birth. They contain some admirable rules for human conduct, far surpassing any other system of morals before the times of the gospel.

(e) v. 2. "Know," or "teach;" "perceive," or "communicate ;" "cause meditation upon." The object is to point out the advantages these Proverbs are calculated to produce.

(f) v. 3. "Receive," or "bring."

(g) v.7. "The fear, &c." With what advice could he so well begin, as with recommending profound submission to God, attention to parents, and watchfulness against the inticement of sinners?

let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk "privily for the innocent without cause :

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12. Let us swallow them up alive as "the grave, and whole, as those that go "down into the pit: 13. We shall find "all precious substance, we shall fill our "houses with spoil: 14. Cast in thy lot among us, let us all have one purse:" 66 15. My son, walk not thou in the way "with them; refrain thy foot from their "6 path. 16. For their feet run to evil, "and make haste to shed blood. 17. Surely ❝in vain the net (h) is spread in the sight "of any bird. 18. And they lay wait for "their own blood (i), they lurk privily for "their own lives. 19. So are the ways "of every one that is greedy of gain: "which taketh (k) away the life of the "owners thereof." 20. Wisdom (1) crieth without, she uttereth her voice in the streets : 21. She crieth in the chief place of concourse (m), in the openings of the gates in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22. "How long, ye simple ones, "will ye love simplicity (n)? and the "scorners delight in their scorning, and "fools hate knowledge? 23. Turn you "at my reproof: behold, I will pour out "my spirit unto (0) you, I will make known "6 my words unto you. 24. Because (p) I "have called and ye refused, I have "stretched out my hand, and no man

(b) v. 17. "The net, &c." Probably a proverb. As a bird has so much sense as not to run into a net it sees spread for its destruction, what will be your folly, if you are drawn in by 'these inticements, which you are apprized will produce yours?

(i) v. 18. Their own blood, &c." Their own destruction will be the consequence of their misconduct: "their own blood," and "their own lives," will be the sacrifice.

(k) v. 19. "Taketh away the life of," i. e. "bringeth destruction upon."

(1) v. 20. "Wisdom, &c." Instead of listening to the allurements of sinners, attend to the calls of Wisdom: neglect will be fatal.

(m) v. 21. "Chief place of concourse;" "the openings of the gates," and "the city," the most public places. Her calls are open: she has no cause for concealment.

(n) v. 22. "How long, ye foolish ones, will 66 ye love folly? how long will the scorners, " &c."

fear

"regarded; 25. But ye have set at "nought all my counsel; and would none "of my reproof: 26. I also will laugh at "your calamity, I will mock when your "fear cometh; When your 27. "cometh as desolation, and your destruc "tion cometh as a whirlwind; when "distress and anguish cometh upon you "28. Then shall they call upon me, but i "will not answer; they shall seek "early, but they shall not find 66 29. For that they hated knowledge, ad "did not choose the fear of the L

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(0) 2.23. "Unto," or upon."

v. 24. "Because, &c." A spirited nunciation against those who reject the calls Wisdom. In the parable of the ten virg Matt. xxv. 1 to 12. our Saviour intimates, against those who have not made the due paration in the proper time, the door is ch for ever. His answer to their call is, " "I say unto you, I know you not."

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(g) v.32. Turning away," or "ac sliding," "wickedness," "Them," ie." "simple and fools, who reject my couns "they shall bring upon themselves their c "destruction."

(r) The advantages of pursuing true w dom, by securing God's favour, obtai Ideliverance from wicked men and wicke women, and ensuring temporal prosperity.

(s) v. 1." My," i. e." Wisdom's." was speaking in the preceding chapter, this is a continuation of her address.

(t) v. 3. "Criest after," and "liftest ✨

seekest her as (t) silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures: 5. Then shalt thou understand (u) the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge (x) of God. 6. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8. He keepeth the paths of judgement (y), and preserveth the way of his saints. 9. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgement, and equity; yea, every good path. 10. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11. Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12. To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things. 13. Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness: 14. Who rejcice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked. 15. Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths (z). 16. To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 17. Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20. That thou (a) mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 21. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it."

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My commandΜ

Y son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my

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"ments: 2. For length of days, and long "life, and peace shall they add to thee. 66 3. Let not mercy and truth forsake "thee: bind them about thy neck, write "them upon the table of thine heart. "4. So shalt thou find favour, and good "understanding in the sight of God and "man. 5. Trust in the LORD with all "thine heart; and lean not unto thine "own understanding. 6. In all thy ways. " acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7. Be not wise in thine own "eyes fear the LORD, and depart from ❝ evil. 8. It shall be health to thy navel, "and marrow to thy bones. 9. Honour "the LORD with thy substance, and with "the first-fruits of all thine increase. "10. So shall thy barns be filled with "plenty, and thy presses shall burst out "with new wine. 11. My son, despise "not the chastening of the LORD: neither "be weary of his correction. 12. For "whom the LORD loveth, he correcteth, 66 even as a father the son, in whom he delighteth. 13. Happy is the man that "findeth wisdom, and the man that get"teth understanding. 14. For the mer"chandize of it is better than the mer"chandize of silver, and the gain thereof "than fine gold. 15. She is more precious "then rubies: and all the things thou "canst desire, are not to be compared "unto her. 16. Length of days is in her

*

right hand and in her left hand riches. " and honour. 17. Her ways are ways of "pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. "18. She is a tree of life to them that lay "hold upon her; and happy is every one

ment. In the preceding verse, and in the latter branch of this, he is speaking, not of what God is in himself, but of what he does for the good.

(x) v. 15. "Whose ways are crooked, and "paths froward.”

(a) v. 26. "That thou mayest walk, &c." governed in construction by verse 11. The third effect of discretion and understanding. The first is deliverance from evil men, (verse 12 to 15.) the second from evil women, (verse 16. to 19.), and this is the third.

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*shall they be life unto thy soul, and

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grace to thy neck. 23. Then shalt thou "walk in thy way safely, and thy foot "shall not stumble. 24. When thou

liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep "shall be sweet. 25. Be not afraid of "sudden fear, neither of the desolation of "the wicked, when it cometh. 26. For "the LORD shall be thy confidence, and "shall keep thy foot from being taken.

27. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28. Say not unto thy neighbour, "Go and come "again, and to-morrow I will give;" when thou hast it by thee. 29. Devise not

evil against thy neighbour, seeing (b) he "dwelleth securely (c) by thee. 30. Strive "not with a man without cause, if he

have done thee no harm. 31. Envy "thou not the oppressor, and choose none "of his ways. 32. For the froward is

abomination to the LORD: but his se"cret (d) is with the righteous. 33. The "curse of the LORD is in the house of the

wicked: but he blesseth the habitation "of the just. 34. Surely he scorneth

the scórners: but he giveth grace unto "the lowly. 35. The wise shall inherit "glory, but shame shall be the promotion (e) of fools."

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CHAP. XI.

LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness deliver from death. 5. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wic shall fall by his own wickedness 6. Tr righteousness of the upright shall dels them: but transgressors shall be taken their own naughtiness. 7. When a wicked man dieth, bis expectation (f) shall perish. and the hope of unjust men perishe 8. The righteous is delivered out of troubit. and the wicked cometh in his stead. 9. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour but through knowledge sh the just be delivered. 10. When it g well with the righteous, the city rejouetí. and when the wicked perish, th shouting. 11. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overs thrown by the mouth of the wicked 12. He that is void of wisdom despiseth) his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13. A talebearer re vealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithfu spirit concealeth the matter. 14. no counsel is, the people fall: but in th multitude of counsellors there is safety. 15. He that is surety for a stranger smart for it and he that hateth suretys is sure. 16. A (b) gracious woman retaile eth honour and strong men retain riches 17. The merciful man doeth good to

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Where

(g) v. 12. Despiseth," or revie "reproacheth."

(b) v. 16. Read, " a gracious woman brog "eth honour to her husband, but she that "hateth righteousness, reproach. The ch "if slothful, shall come to poverty: but the "industrious shall retain his wealth." This warranted by the Greek, Arabic, and Syr and the verse as it now stands, has no antith it wants that opposition in the two branche the verse which runs throughout the chap See 1 Kennic Diss. 508.

I

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