And [when] king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took [some] of them prisoners. Ver. 1. _And took some of them prisoners._] A sore affliction, worse than any of those outward crosses that Job suffer... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities._ Ver. 2. _And Israel vowed a vow._] This is the way to prevail with God, as Jacob found it, Gen 28:20 who is therefore called, the father of vows. Concern... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah. Ver. 3. _Delivered up the Canaanites._] This King Arad, heartened with his former success, might - as Guicciardini saith of C... [ Continue Reading ]
And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. Ver. 4. _Discouraged because of the way._] So are many in their voyage towards heaven, which is an afflicted way, τεθλιμμενη η οδος, Mat 7:14... [ Continue Reading ]
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for [there is] no bread, neither [is there any] water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. Ver. 5. _This light bread._] _See Trapp on "_ Num 11:6 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Ver. 6. _Fiery serpents._] Heb., Seraphim; from their burning heat, whereby these ungrateful Israelites, that causelessly cried out of thirst, had somewhat given them to cry for. Their tongue... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. Ver. 7. _Pray unto the Lord._] Prayer is the best lever at a dead lift. _ Make thee a fie... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon, Ver. 14. _In the book of the wars of the Lord._] This book here cited by Moses, is now either lost, or at least latent. It was not any part of the Canon, - for God hath provided, that n... [ Continue Reading ]
And from thence [they went] to Beer: that [is] the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Ver. 16. _And I will give them water._] Now that they murmured not, they might have anything. Psa 34:10 Only we must be content to wait God's time (is i... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: Ver. 17. _Then Israel sang this soug._] A sign of that Christian joy. Isa 12:3-4... [ Continue Reading ]
The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by [the direction of] the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness [they went] to Mattanah: Ver. 18. _The princes digged the well._] Called therehence Beerelim, _i.e.,_ the well of the mighty ones. Isa 15:8 _Nunquam vilior... [ Continue Reading ]
Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink [of] the waters of the well: [but] we will go along by the king's [high] way, until we be past thy borders. Ver. 22. _Let me pass._] _See Trapp on "_ Num 20:17 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. Ver. 23. _And Sihon would not._] He durst not trust them: men muse as they use: God had also ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared: Ver. 27. _Wherefore they that speak in proverbs._] Or, Bywords; by way of derision, as Deu 28:17 Habakkuk 2:5. Ballad makers, petty poets, that penned popular songs, such as this was.... [ Continue Reading ]
We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which [reacheth] unto Medeba. Ver. 30. _We have shot at them._] Great swelling words of vanity, uttered by the conquering Amorites. How much better our Henry V, who, after his victory at Agincou... [ Continue Reading ]