The Lord forbid — For God had expressly, and for divers weighty reasons forbidden the alienation of lands from the tribes and families to which they were allotted. And although these might have been alienated 'till the jubilee, yet he durst not sell it to the king for that time; because he supposed,... [ Continue Reading ]
Dost thou govern — Art thou fit to be king, that hast not courage to use thy power.... [ Continue Reading ]
A fast — To remove all suspicion of evil design in Ahab, and to beget a good opinion of him amongst his people, as if he were grown zealous for God's honour, and careful of his people's welfare, and therefore desirous to enquire into all those sins which provoked God against them. On high — On a sca... [ Continue Reading ]
Blaspheme God and the king — Indeed his blaspheming God would only be the forfeiture of his life, not his estate. Therefore he is charged with treason also, that his estate may be confiscated, and so Ahab have his vineyard.... [ Continue Reading ]
Stoned him — And it seems his sons too, either with him or after him. For God afterward says, (2 Kings 9:26) I have seen the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons. Let us commit the keeping of our lives and comforts to God; for innocence itself will not always be our security.... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying — Thou hast murdered an innocent man; and instead of repenting for it, hast added another piece of injustice and violence to it, and art going confidently and chearfully to reap the fruit of thy wickedness. Thy blood — The threatening was so directed at first; but afterwards, upon his humilia... [ Continue Reading ]
Hast thou found — Dost thou pursue me from place to place? Wilt thou never let me rest? Art thou come after me hither with thy unwelcome messages? Thou art always disturbing, threatening, and opposing me. I have — The hand of God hath found and overtaken thee. Sold thyself — Thou hast wholly resigne... [ Continue Reading ]
By the wall — Or, in the portion, as it is explained 2 Kings 9:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
Him that dieth, &c. — Punishments after death are here most insisted on. And these, tho' lighting on the body only, yet undoubtedly were designed as figures of the soul's misery in an after state.... [ Continue Reading ]
Was none — None among all the kings of Israel which had been before him. Whom Jezebel — This is added to shew, that temptations to sin are no excuse to the sinner.... [ Continue Reading ]
Softly — Slowly and silently, after the manner of mourners, or those who are under a great consternation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Humbleth himself — His humiliation was real, though not lasting, and accordingly pleasing to God. This discovers the great goodness of God, and his readiness to shew mercy. It teaches us to take notice of that which is good, even in the worst of men. It gives a reason why wicked persons often prospe... [ Continue Reading ]