A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, Book 3 · Body of book · Chapter 12
Here the Map of Benjamin is to be inserted.
THE DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIBE OF BENIAMIN. CHAP. 12.
§ 1. BEnjamin youngest son of Iacob by Rachel, Ben-oni his name changed to Benjaminwas by his mother dying of him in child-birth named Ben-oni, that is, the son of sorrow, but by his Father called Benjamin, that is, the son aGen. 35. 18.of the right hand. Say not Iacob did ill in altering the Will of his wife, and revoking the name, the last legacy she bequeathed to her child, seeing the alteration was perfective, and for the advantage of the Legatee; not to say that Rachels pangs imposed that name, and might be presumed scarce compos mentis in what she did. But the main reason of the alteration was, because Iacob could not call his son, but must recall his lost wife to his mind, so that his very name constantly carried a coffin in the mention thereof. Highly he was beloved of his Father; and good reason; First, because begot in his old age. Secondly, because the youngest: and affection, which always descends, when it can goe no lower, settles it self. Thirdly, because he was motherless. Lastly, because brotherless, Ioseph being conceived dead, and so the portion of affection due to him, fell to Benjamin as the right heir thereof.
§ 2. Of this Tribe came out of Egypt bNumb. 1. 37.thirty five thousand four hundred,The dysaster and recru…t of Benjamin. all which dying in the wilderness, fourtycNumb. 26. 4. five thousand and six hundred of their children entred the land of Canaan. Afterwards an heavy dysaster befell this Tribe (of the cause and manner whereof hereafter) insomuch that no.dIudg. 21. 16. women and onelyonly six hundred men were left of Bemjamin. Yea none of Benjamin were left above ground, being destroyed from being visible on the face of the earth, and the six hundred remaining alleIudg. 20. 47. hid in the rock of Rimmon. Thus Benjamin was cut off from the body of Israel, and onelyonly hung dangling by one small sinew, which by the carefull Chirurgery of their brethren, and Gods blessing upon it, in short time recovered it self to be very considerable in Israel.
§ 3. Herein the words of the Psalmist deserve to be observed,The words of the Psalmist well to be weighed▪ There is little fPsal. 68. 27.Benjamin with their ruler. Little Benjamin: It was therefore no court-complement, or modest excuse, but a downright truth. Saul said unto Samuel, g1 Sam. 9. 21.Am I not a Benjami… of the smallest of the Tribes of …srael? It is added, with their Ruler: no Tribe (Iudah excepted) more trading in Commanders then Benjamin did. Hereof were Saul and Ishbosheth both crowned Kings, Ionathan the eldest son;hEsther 2. 5. Mordecai the Favorite, Esther the wife of a King;iIudg. 3. 15. Ehud the Judge, and Abner the Generall of Israel, with divers others. And among Ecclesiasticall Rulers, let not him be forgot, who had the care of all the k2 Chr. 11. 28.Churches, evenlPhil. 3. 5. Saint Paul the Apostle. But beside these Rulers, Benjamin bred some enemies to authority, Ziba that false cheater, Shimei that foul railer, Baanah andm2 Sam. 4. 2. Rechab privy traitours, Sheba a professed Rebell; so impossible it is, all should be good herbs which grow in great gardens.
§ 4. The lot of Benjamin came forthnIosh. 18. 11. betwixt the children of Iudah and the children of Ioseph. Benjamin placed between Ioseph & ….IfoMat. 10. 29. a sparrow falls not on the ground, surely ground falls not to any owner without Gods immediate providence. Benjamin joined with Ioseph to day the possession of Rachels children entire together; and joyned to Iudah, that vicinity of habitation might invite them to unity of Religion. And indeed commendable was the constancy of the Benjamites both to God and their King, following the house of David at the disloyall defection of the rest of the Tribes. Say not that little Benjamin was thus placed in the middle to be ground betwixt the mill stones of two potent Tribes; for it matters not who lies on our sides, so be it God dwells on our shoulders. Remember we the blessing Moses bequeathed to this Tribe,pDeut. 33. 12. The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him, and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders; particularly pointing at his habitation in Ierusalem built in the borders of Benjamin.
§ 5. Now though Benjamins mess,The smal comp…ss of this Tribe recompensed with the goodness of the ground. when he sate at Iosephs table, was qGen. 43. 34.five times as much as any of his brethren, yet here it happened his portion was less then all the rest: except any will say, that onelyonly Benjamins dish was less and meat more, because, though small the compass of ground allotted to him, yet fair and fruitfull the soile, many and memorable the cities contained therein, foreign, The lot of this Tribe was straightned (saithrAnti I…d li. 5. cap. 1. fosephus) because of the virtue of the soile thereof. Yet as little as the land of Benjamin was, it was big enough to be divided betwixt two kingdomes, the south-west part thereof belonging to the kingdome of Iudah, the north-east to Israel, with the cities of Gilgal, Iericho, and Bethel, as shall be made plain in the respective description of those places.
§ 6. Iordan is the eastern boundary of this Tribe*Iosh. 18. 20.: David returning victoriously from Mahanaim, Eminent act… ons on the banks of I…rdan.havings2 Sam. 19. …8. ferried over this water, partly brought thither, partly met here, a miscellaneous multitude, Barzillai and Shimei, Mephibosheth and Ziba, that is, loyalty and treachery, faith and falshood mingled together in the same Countrey. Here (once railing) now begging Shimei obtained pardon from him; because bringing along with him (the best argument in his excuse) a t2 Sam. 19. 17.thousand men of Benjamin. Some will say, David shewed Shimei too much mercy, and did Mephibosheth too litle justice, not righting him against the false accusations of Ziba, who better deserved a whole halter, then half of the lands of Mephibosheth. Such doe not seriously consider the present condition of David; who, had his hand struck with the sword of justice, before his feet (in his renewed kingdome) were firmely fastned on the throne of authority, it had been the ready way to have overturned him and his posterity. Hereu2 Sam. 20. 1. Sheba a Benjamite taking the advantage of the unseasonable contest betwixt Iudah and Israel, which should have most interest in David, with his trumpet blew rebellion into the eares and hearts of the people; had not the dangerous consequence thereof been seasonably prevented by the vigilancy and valour of David, and his servants.
§ 7. More south on the banks of the river the children of the Prophets straightned for dwellings,Pitifull provisions for a Colledge. went about to enlarge their habitations, but meanly provided for that purpose, if we consider the
1 Architect, a son of the Prophets, little skild (no doubt) in such employment.
2 Timber, green wood, and growing on the banks of Iordan.
3 Tools; a borrowed hatchet, the iron whereof fell into the river.
Alass, how comes it to pass, that when houses of the Prophets are to be built, the iron forsakes the handle, which sticks too stedfastly thereunto, when they break them downwPsal. 74. 6. with axes and hammers! But x2 King. 6. 6.Elisha made all things whole, the hatchet came unto the helve swimming above the water.
§ The alter Ed succeeds next,Controversies concerning the position of the Altar Ed. more south-ward on the river. Formerly we have placed it in the Tribe of Reuben on the east of Iordan, but others … it west of that river in this Tribe. Hear the arguments for both.
For Benjamin.
1 It*Josh. 22. 10. was set up in the borders of Iordan which are in the land of Canaan, which land strictly and properly taken was on the west of Iordan.
2 It was erected to shew the contesseration of their religions. And therefore most probable and proper on the west side of Iordan, in the main continent of the land, to claim right, or rather continue a title of those separatist-Tribes, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh in point of Gods worship with other Tribes.
3†In lo…is Heb. lit. E. Saint Hi…rome, and since him learned*In locum. Tostatus (to whose arguments in this controversie we refer the reader) with many other Commentators, are very positive in placing this Altar west of Iordan in the Tribe of Benjamin.
For Reuben.
1 It was set upyIosh. 22. 11. over against the land of Canaan. Which in proper construction imports it to be on the other side opposite thereunto.
2 It had been a meer trespass, for the two Tribes and an halfe in aliena Republica, to build an altar on the ground of other Tribes: and therefore no doubt, they did it on their own ground east of Iordan.
3 IosephuszAnti. Iud. l. 5. cap. 1. p. 143. saith foreign. Therefore the Tribe of Reuben and Gad going over the river &c.
4 AnotheraM. Ioseph M…de in his Sermon of the reverence of Gods house. Ioseph (though a modern, yet a learned writer) beleeveth, that in those elder times, that Countrey or territory was counted unhallowed, or unclean which had not a place set apart for Gods worship, and proveth from the words of Phinebas, that the altar was set up on their side, lest otherwise having no place consecrated, they might be concluded to live in an unhallowed habitation.
Thus as this altar caused a difference betwixt brethren, about the cause why it was erected: so hath occsioned a dissension amongst learned men, concerning the place, where the same was set up. The best is, the controversie is not of such moment, as to concern salvation. Let us take heed, we be not of that Generation bPsal. 78. 9.which set not their hearts aright, and then the danger is not great, though we set this altar on the wrong side of the river. However, as the devout Iews in the primitive times, when the Sabbath was newly changed into the Lords-day, kept both Saturday and Sunday holy, observing both ex nimia cautela, to be sure to keep the right day of Divine worship: so for more certainty we have erected two altars, one one each side of the river, leaving it to the discretion of the judicious Reader, to accept or refuse which of them he pleaseth.
§ 9.The Iewish Stone henge. Come we in the next place to thecIosh. 4. 20. twelve great stones set up by Ioshua in memoriall that there they passed over the river Iordan on foot Tremellius conceives probably, that these were the quarries in Gilgal mentioned Iudg. 3. 19. whence Ehud returned back, when he went to kill Eglon King of Moab. Others likewise conceive, that Iohn baptizing hereabouts, did particularly point at these stones, in that his expression to the Pharisees, dMat. 3. 9.God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. They were set up in the Countrey Gilgal, the city so called lying some five miles west of the river.
§ 10. Gilgal (rolling in Hebrew) was so called by Ioshua, Remarkables happening at Gilgal in the days of Ioshua.because the reproach of Egypt was there rolled away from the Israelites, and circumcision suspended during their travell, beingeJo…h. 5. 9. here administred, and the Passeover solemnly observed; here also Manna ceased, the Countrey affording plentifull provisions. Miracles and meanes never shine together in the same Horizon, but the former setteth, when the later ariseth. It will perchance be demanded, why Manna rained so long, seeing the Israelites long agoe were come into the plentifull Countrey of Canaan, all the while they had remained in the land of Reuben, ever since they came over the river of Arnon. It is answered, God hitherto continued his largess of Manna,
1 Because formerly they were only come into the skirts of the countrey, (unsufficient to maintain so numerous an Army) whereas now they were entred into the very heart and middle of the land.
2 The land of Reuben though very fruitfull,fNumb. 32. 1. was a place for cattell, fit for grazing, and better for beasts, then men to feed upon.
3 God to manifest his liberality, would not onelyonly have his provisions to meet even, but to lap over, continuing Manna till his people were otherwise plentifully provided for, both with new corn on the ground (coming hither ingAs may be collected by the overflowing of Iordan, and by comparing Iosh. 3. 15. with 1 Chr. 12. 15. the beginning of harvest) andhJosh. 5. 12. old in their Granary.
Thus the Iews did not begin house-keeping on …are walls, but were set up with full stock afore-hand: victualled in a manner, with two years provision, that with the good house-keeper iMat. 13. 52.they might bring forth out of their treasure things new and old.
§ 11. In the days of Samuel and Saul, Gilgall a Court or a Colledge.this was a place of principall credit, where Saul was solemnly invested with a crown, Come, let us goe up unto k1 Sam. 6. 14.Gilgal, and renew the kingdome there. Yet here at the same time to shew Gods displeasure with the people for their tumultuous desiring of a King,*1 Sam. 12. 18. Thunder in harvest (in Iudea Sommers thunder old mens wonder) exceedingly afrighted the hearers thereof. Afterwards Saul stained this place with a double deed of disobedience,
1 When in Samuels absence he presumed to offerl1 Sam. 18. 9. sacrifice. Once the proverb was, Is Saul also amongst the Prophets? Now it may be, Is Saul also amongst the Priests, invading the Sacerdotall function?
2 When contrary to Gods command, he spared and brought hither the best of spoile of Amalek, so that Samuel was fain to supply what justice was wanting in Saul, who hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in m1 Sam. 15. 33.Gilgal.
In after ages here was an Academy or Seminary of the sons of the Prophets,2 King. 4. 38. brought up here in learning preparatory to their profession. Acquired, are so far from hindering infused abilities, that the stock prepared by industry, is fittest to be graffed on by inspiration. Eliah and Elisha were successively the Presidents, or rather the Visitors of this Colledge, the latter being both food, and physick for the students therein:
1 Food, when with twenty smalln2 King. 4. 43. Barly loaves he fed an hundred of the children of the Prophets.
2 Physick, when his meal waso2 King. 4. 41. Antidote against the malignity of the wild gourd in their pottage.
It seems the sons of the Prophets were no expert Herbalists, whose learning moved in an higher and holier sphere, and they more skilfull to discern betwixt true doctrine and heresie, then betwixt pot-herbs and poison.
§ 12. Gilgal was afterwards a sinke of Idolatry,Gilgall a sink of Idolatry. and belonged to the Kings of Israel, as appears by the Prophets counsell, though thou Israel play the harlot, yet let not Iudah offend, and come yee not into pHos. 4. 15. & 9. 15.Gilgal &c. At Gilgal men multiplied qAmos 4. 4. & 5. 5.transgression, whereupon destruction was denounced against this place, and Gilgal was afterwards rolled up in her own ruines. To return to the river Iordan, which a little south-ward falls into therJosh. 18. 19. Salt-sea, the south boundary of this Tribe. The epithet Salt is not here superfluous, but emphaticall, partly to distinguish it from the sea of Cinneroth or Galilee, which was a fresh-water-sea; and partly because the water hereof was salt with a witness, fire-salt, as I may say. Let Philosophers demonstrate the cause of the brackishness of the Ocean, though it is to be feared, they wil be posed nearer home, how rivolets of teares which flow from their own eyes, come to be so salt. But a peculiar reason may be certainly assigned, why the water in this sea was transcendently salt above all others, whereof largely hereafter in the description of Iudah.
§ 13. Having done with the channell of Iordan, The south-bound of Benjamin.the certain and unmoveable bound of Benjamin on the east, come we now in our perambulation to surround the other three sides of this Tribe, and at first will onelyonly take notice of the limitary places, and so proceed from the rine to the core, from the marches to the middle of this countrey. The south of Benjamin ranged from Kiriath-jearim by the well sSee Josh. 18. 15. &c.of the waters of Nephtoah, to the valley of Hinnon, and so on the south of Ierusalem descended to Enrogell. All which places shall hereafter be presented in a peculiar map, and therefore no more for the present.
§ 14. Hence it went forth to Enshemesh, i. e. The fountain of the sun.the fountain of the Sun. Either so called from the clearness of the waters thereof, or because in Idolatrous days, when the hoste of heaven was tAct. 7. 42.worshipped (whereof the Sun the Generall) it was dedicated thereunto, or because the suns extraordinary influence thereon endued it with soveraign virtue. And now it is well remembred, that Bath in England is called byuCamd. Brit. in Summersetshire p. 233. Antoninus Aque solis or the waters of the Sun. Hence the bounds of Benjamin stretched to Geliloth nearwCompare Josh. 25. 7. with Josh. 18. 17. Gilgal (over against the going up to Adummim) and thence descended to the stone of Bohan the sonxIosh. 18. 17. of Reuben, so called no doubt from some memorable act by him there atcheived, for otherwise the Reubenites had no part of possession on the west side of Iordan. Hence this Tribe extended through Arabah to Beth-hoglah, i. e. asyIn locis Heb. lit. B. Saint Hierome interprets it, Locus gyri, or the place of a circle, because (as he will have it) in this place Ioseph with his brethren set in a round (the forme of mourners) bewailed the corps of Iacob brought hither out of Egypt.
§ 15. But leaving this as a conjecture,The Egyptians passionate bewail…ng of Iacob. most sure it is, that hereabouts was the floor of Atad, where so solemn a lamentation was made for Iacobs death, that the place long after did weare mourning in the name thereof, therefore calledzGen. 50. 11. Abel-mizraim, i. e. the sorrowing of the Egyptians. Strange, that strangers, beingaGen. 50. 7. the Elders of Pharaohs Court and kingdome, should so affectionately bemoan the death of a man no whit related unto them. Surely the Egyptians did not weep-Irish with faigned and mercenary teares, much less was their passion onelyonly State-sympathy and politick compliance, sighing and smiling with the sighs and smilings of Ioseph. Rather it was because the endearing disposition, and obliging goodness of old Iacob, living fifteen years with them in Egypt, had gained the generall love of the land. Besides, they lamented his loss as the death of their own grand-father, because he was Father to Ioseph, the Father, founder and preserver of them and theirs in the time of famin. If any demand why the Egyptians mourned for Iacob bGen. 50. 3.threescore and ten days, whilst Ioseph made a mourning for him but forcGen. 50. 10. seven days? I can tell the common answer, that the former ignorant of heavenly happiness lamented him totally lost, whilst Ioseph notd1 Thes. 4. 13. mourning without hope was more moderate in his lamentation. But whether this solution be sound in it self, or the question exactly conformable to the text, we remit it to the examination of others. I would rather know the reason why this solemnity of sorrow, was performed in this place, rather then at the cave of Machpelah forty miles hence, where the corps were interred; surely the Master of the Ceremonies in those days could give an account thereof.
§ 16. But here it will be objected, that Ioseph coming out of Egypt, had a nearer way by many miles to carry Iacobs corps to Hebron, then by going over Iordan. It is confessed, but this fetching a compass was conceived more for the state of the funerall. Unfitting it was, that the body of that worthy Patriarch (to whom all the land belonged by promise) should steale into that Countrey in a clandestine way, and privately enter in at the postern door, rather let it solemnly surround the Countrey, and be brought in at the broad gates. Thus the corps of men of quality, though the Chancell-door be nearer, are borne through the porch and middle-alley to the place of their interment.
§ 17. So much for the south-marches of Benjamin, The north borders of Benjamin.we come now to visite the north-limits thereof. Those began from Iordan (saith our English translation.) In divertigio Iardenis quo magis adhuc ad orientem divertit (saith Tremellius in his note on the place) i. e. in the winding of Iordan as it turns still more to the east; and we could wish, that this eastern flexure of that river, had been made a little more visible in our Maps. Hence they went up to the side eJosh. 18. 13.of Iericho, understand thereby the confluence of the waters afterwards running to Iericho (as appears by paralleling Iosh. 16. 1. with Iosh. 18. 12.) and so through the mountains westward,fJosh. 19. 12. the goings out thereof are at the wilderness of Beth-aven. Whence it turneth towards Luz which is Bethel, south-ward, which now I come to describe.
§ 18. Beth-el, Beth-el why so called.that is, Gods house, was so named by Iacob (for formerly it was called Luz) who here lying on a stone (it matters not how hard our bed, if so heavenly our dreams) saw agGen. 28. 12. Ladder with God on the top thereof, and Angels ascending and descending thereon. Going down to attend on Gods children according to their commission, and up to give an account of their attendance, and receive farther instructions. Here Iacob by vow indented with God solemnly to make this place his house, and to give to him at his safe returnhGen. 28. 22. with bread and water, the tenth of all his substance. But though God over performed his counterpart herein, Iacob neglected his promise, and when his staffe was swelled intoiGen. 32. 10. two bands, set down his staffe at Shechem, and turned there a purchaser of a parcell of ground, till God minded him of his former obligation, Arise kGen. 35. 1., goe up to Bethel, and dwell there &c.
§ 19. Most happy that man who runs the way of Gods commandements, Deborah buried near Beth-el.and next him he is the best, who answers the spur, and with Iacob goeth, when almost driven. Hither he comes (having first reformed his family oflGen. 35. 4. Idolatry) and here built an Altar called El-beth-el. During his abode here died Deborah Rebekahs nurse, venerable for her old age, having seen her nurse-childs childrens children, to the fourth generation. Surely she was well loved whilest living, because so much lamented when dead, buried undermGen. 35. 8. Allon Bachuth, or the oake of mourning. As if Iacobs children desired, that their eyes should return that moisture to her in teares, which her breasts had bestowed in milke on their grandmother. Thus, though the Hebrews did not so doate on their nurses, as the wild-Irish (who love them better then their ownnCamd. Brit. pag. 787. mothers) yet they had them in an high estimation.
§ 20. In the division of the land,…eth-el jointly belonging to Ephraim and Benjamin. Beth-el fell to the lot ofoJosh. 18. 22. Benjamin. Yet we finde that the house of Ioseph (understand the Tribe of Ephraim) wanpJudg. 1. 25. and possessed it. It seems the City was divided into two parts, the northern pertaining to Ephraim, the southern to Benjamin. In the days of Samuel we finde, howq1 Sam. 7. 16. he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all these places; which were all three in this Tribe, and in the heart of the Countrey, conveniently seated for Termers to resort hither from all parts thereof.
§ 21. Here Ieroboam set up one of his golden calves: and how busie was he about sacrificing unto it,Ieroboams calfe, set up in Beth-el. when a Prophet sent from God denounced the destruction of his Altar, which presently clave asunder, according to his prediction? An Altar, which (were it of brass or stone) was softer then the miracle-proof heart of Ieroboam, which neither was broken, nor bruised thereat; as also he was no whit moved to repent, with the drying up, andr1 King. 13. 6. restoring of his hand, which happened thereupon. Indeed he conceived, that his kingdome must have Idolatry for the pillars, which had Rebellion for the foundation thereof: and though Baalisme began and ended with the family of Ahab, Calfe-worship was rivetted into the Crown of Israel. As for the Prophet that foretold the future ruine of this place, a Lions1 Kin. 13. 24. slew him in his return, because he credited a pretended Revelation Parole unto another man, before a Commission from God to the contrary, solemnly signed and delivered unto himself. See Gods finger in the Lions paw, how rationally did the brute-beast work his Masters will, being sent not to prey, but to punish? He killed the Prophet, filled not himself, but with thet1 King. 13. 25. Asse; stood by the corps, if not as mourners for, as waiters about it. Behold his life spilled, whilest wickeduNum. 22. 33. Balaams was spared in journey, so uncertain it is for any to conclude Gods love wEccles. 9. 1.or hatred from outward events.
§ 22. Eliah and Elisha Children of Bethel why curled and killed by Elisha.often visited this City of Beth-el; the latter going up hither was mockt by the children thereof, for lacking the comely excrement of haire on his head, whereupon came two beares out of the wood, and tare two and forty of them. Some will say, Elisha had better have called for two rods, then two Beares out of the wood, therewith to drive out that folly which was bound up in the heart of these children. But his severity will appeare needfull herein, if all circumstances be considered,
1 Probably (though termed children) they were striplings of some bigness, who durst adventure out of the city by the wood-side.
2 No doubt the chickens crowed as the cocks had learned them, and followed the precedents of their Idolatrous parents.
3 The gemination of their offence, Goe x2 King. 2. 23▪up thou bald-head, goe up thou bald-head.
4 They mocked him as he was going up the way, and it is said, the Prophet turned back, so they continued their taunts whilest he came to them, yea till he was at them, yea when he was past them.
5 He looked on them, so that had any ingenuity or remorse been legible in their countenances, no doubt he would have suspended his sentence.
6 He cursed in the name of the Lord, not out of spight, but with Gods Spirit, and the judgement followed accordingly.
Probably some of them escaped to the City, and there might instruct their mothers and nurses, never more to fright children with fond tales of Bug-bears, but seriously to informe them of the truth of this sorrowfull accident.
§ 23. In this City Beth-el there was also a nursery of the Sonsy2 King. 2. 3. of the Prophets. A Colledge of Prophets at Beth-el.Alas, what heart had they to live here! Could the Stall of the golden calfe be a convenient place for them to study in? The frequent and abominable impieties here committed, they could neither behold with silence, nor reprove with safety. However, it seems, they were especially desirous of, and delighted in this place, where God had immediately manifested his gracious presence to Iacob: and we may charitably beleeve, by the privateness of their lives secured themselves both from pollution and persecution. But for the main, Beth-el was changed into Beth-aven, Scala coeli into Gradus inferni, the Devills then dancing for joy, where once Angels (those holy Agitators) went up and down betwixt heaven and earth. Yea in after-ages it was penal for any pious Prophet to approach this place, such the strictness of the prohibition herein,zAmos 7. 13. Prophecy no more at Beth-el, for it is the Kings Chappell, and it is the Kings Court. As if it were against the Law of the Verge for one to draw a sword (though of Gods word) within the bounds and precincts of the Palace of the idolatrous Kings of Israel.
§ 24. The last memorable mention that we finde of Beth-el, Iosiah burns the dead bones at Beth-el.was when Iosiah burnt the bones of the idolatrous people on thea2 King. 23. 16. Altar there. Some will say, he shewed little wisdome, and less valour therein, to encounter dead corps. Yea the living found more offence by the stinking, then the dead felt pain by the burning of these bones. Nor was the alteration thereby produced of so great moment, seeing otherwise it would have been dust to dust, and now was ashes to ashes. But we must know that Iosiah herein was not acted with principles of cruelty, but moved in obedience to Gods command, to fulfill that prophecy some hundred years before foretoldb1 King. 13. 2. of him. Whilest here they were ransacking the sepulchers, behold one solemn grave (the house of the dead) with a stone thereupon, (the door of that house) with an Epitaph on that stone, (the Porter of that door) wherein, on enquiry appeared, that Prophet lay interred, who long since forespake these passages now come to pass. His corps werec2 King. 23. 18 spared by special command, and with him quietly rested the old Prophet▪ so good is it, (as we havedHoly State cap. of Company. elsewhere observed) to keep good company both in life, and after death. So much of Beth-el, whence the border of BenjamineIosh. 18. 13. descended from Ataroth-Adar near the hill which lyeth on the south side of the nether Bethoron.
§ 25. In assigning the west border of this Tribe,Quere how Benjamin westward could boder on th… Sea. we meet with a churlish difficulty in the text, drawing the bounds thereof so, as to fIosh. 18. 14.compass the corner of the sea southward. Here the Quere ariseth, how any part of Benjamin could approach the sea, the Tribe of Dan being interposed betwixt it and the Mediterranean. Rabbi Solomon seeking to salve it, by Sea understands some great water in the west of this Tribe: and what he affirmeth, is proportionable enough to the Hebrew language, terming all watry confluences a Sea, as we have formerlygDescription of Gad num. 7. observed. And indeed what is our English word Mere used in the samesense more or less then Mare, or a Sea? I should be inclined to the opinion, that theh2 Sam. 2. 13. pool of Gibeon so eminent in Scripture, and styled by Ieremiah, theiIer. 41. 12. great waters which are in Gibeon, should be the Sea herein intended. Or if the words of the Text calling it the sea, without any other addition, must be understood of the best and biggest in that kinde, (and then can be no other then the Mediterranean sea) then I shall embrace the judgement of learned kVid. Macium in locum.Macius, interpreting … jam, not the Sea, but the west onelyonly; which the propriety of the tongue will well endure.
§ 26. From this western compass (aliàs Sea in other translations) the limits of Benjamin range to Kiriath-jearim, Vzzah slain for his presumption. 1 Sam. 7. 2.in the confines of this Tribe, where the Arke was Leiger for twenty years, and whence David in a new cart intended to convey it to Ierusalem. This kinde of carriage was butl1 Sam. 6. 7. Philistine divinity, and a Pagan precedent; not so ordered by Moses in the mount. When the Arke was removed from Shilo, it wasm1 Sam. 4. 3. set on the Levites shoulders; and I see no reason, why they now should be too good to beare it. Uzzah and Ahio drive the cart. The former with his hand held it from shaking, such his store of good intention, and shaked it with his holding, such his want of due qualification. God striketh himn2 Sam. 6. 7. with death, and David is startled thereat. Is this the Arke placed so near the Mercy-seat? Oh how terrible then is the throne of divine Justice! For a time therefore the Arke is set to sojourne in the house of Obed-Edom, where the Land-lord was blessed for go good a guest. Diuine ordinances, according as their subject receiveth them, are either cordials or poysons, and the Arke brought …ither a curse or a blessing, whithersoever it came.
§ 27. The place where the former dysast…r happened was called by David Perez-Uzzah, Iewish severall inventions to thresh out their grain.nigh*2 Sam. 6. 6. Nachons threshing-floor. We meet with many such places in the Bible, distant from Cities, where husbandmen housed, and beat out their grain, with severall inventions: namely,
1 With the feet ofoDeut. 25. 4. Oxen treading out the corn.
2 By thepProv. 20. 26. wheel running over them. Make them O Lord like &c.
3 With flailes, which having wooden handles, had their ends qAmos 3. 4.armed with iron.
But amongst all their devices, the lazy …rick of therCamd. Brit. p. wild Irish, never entred into their braines, who to save pains, burn the straw, so to part the grain from it.
§ 28. So much for the borders of Benjamin. Ierich… a pleasant place.Come we now into the middle thereof, and first we finde the waters of Iericho arising in the confines of Ephraim. The naughtiness of this water was m…raculously healed by Elisha putting salt into thes2 King. 2. 21. fountain thereof. I say miraculously, otherwise that ingredient would rather have made it more brackish, then less bitter.2 King. 2. 19. Hence those waters run south-ward to the City of Iericho; whose name (as Munster interprets) signifies having a good savour. Indeed so delicious the situation thereof (after the cure aforesaid wrought by Elisha) that, had Profit and Pleasure been disposed to solace themselves together, no fitter place could be found for that purpose. Fragrant the flowers, sweet the herbs hereabout; especially the garden of Balsame, which in the days of the Romans, occasioned a quarrell betwixt them and the Iews, who manfully defended it. Happy had the latter been, if as zealous for the substance, as for the shadow, losing their own lives to maintain the type, and taking away his life, who was the truth thereof. Then balsame intended by nature for the curing, was the causing of many wounds, such deadly blows passed betwixt them.
§ 29. Ioshua took this City with the sound of Rams horns,Miraculously taken. whereat the wall fell down to the ground. It troubleth me not to conceive, how the rest of the wall falling flat, Rahabs house built thereon should stand upright: seeing divine power, which miraculously gave the Rule, might accordingly make the Exception. A solemntIosh. 6. 16. curse was by Ioshua imposed on those who should rebuild the walls of Iericho, so to obliterate the monument of divine power and justice.
§ 30. But Iericho thus dismantled, maintained the reputation of a City,Iericho termed a city of Palmes and though not walled with stone for defence, was shaded with trees for pleasure. It is called theuDeut 34. 3. City of Palmes (wherewJudg. 3. 13. Ehud killed Eglon the corpulent King of Moab) growing so plentifully round about it. These Palmes, or Date-trees had scaly barks, and the boughs were generally used, in all combates of manhood, to crown the conquerour. For, asxVid Adagium, Palmam ferre. Erasmus observeth, though severall countries, on sundry occasions, had distinct garlands of victory, made of Laurell, Olive, Myrtle, Oake &c. yet the Palme-tree carried away the palme from them all, and was universally entertained as the Embleme of triumph. The worst I wish these trees is, that they may never want store of weight, seeing Naturalists observe, the more they are depressed, the more they flourish.
§ 31. But to return to Iericho; The walls of Ierich… unhappily built again.it is ill hollowing in the eares of a sleeping Lion, and worse awaking that dust, which God would have dormant in eternall obscurity. See this in the walls of Iericho, which Hiel the Bethelite affronting heaven built again: and according to Ioshua's execration,y1 Kin. 16. 34. laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his first borne, and set up the gates thereof in Segub his youngest son; that is, both the one and the other were then destroied by untimely deaths. Strange that seeing his first son drop away, he desisted not from that design; but such the precipice of bad projects, once step in, and seldome stop in the way of wickedness. Nor can Hiels presumption herein be excused, whatsoever is pretended in his behalf, being led to this act of contempt, by one of these considerations:
1 H… mistook Ioshua's curse rather for a patheticall expression, then propheticall prediction.
2 He conceived the virtue thereof worn out and antiquated, after five hundred years continuance.
3 He chose rather to bottome his memory on so famous a structure, then to build it on his posterity, as sooner likely to decay.
However Hiel got a curse, and Iericho walls thereby, which afterwards grew to be a potent, and populous City.
§ 32. When the twelve Tribes were divided into two kingdomes,Iericho first belonging to Israel, afterwards to Iudah. Iericho probably pertained to Israel, as may app…ar,
1 By the frequent conversing of Eliah and Elisha in this City, sufficiently known to have been subjects of the crown of Israel.
2 Because Hiel the Bethelite (Beth-el belonging to Israel) built the walls thereof.
3 Because that building bears date in thez1 …in. 16. 34. days of Ahab, and is not accounted according to the reign of Iehoshaphat, the contemporary King of Iudah.
Afterwards it was in the possession of the Kings of Iudah, because in the reign of Ahaz, the captives of Iudah are said to be brought back to Iericho unto theira2 Chr. 28. 15. brethren. When carried into Babylon, no more then threebEzra 2. 34. hundred fourty five of this City returned home, whose zealecNehe. 3. 2. was very forward in repairing the walls of Ierusalem.
§ 33. Here Christ cured blind Bartimeus; and Zacheus the Publican (one of more state then stature) dwelt in this City.Zac…eus converted at Iericho. Long had he wished for a sight of Christ: and curiosity in this kinde may sometimes open the door for devotion to enter in. But alass, he was so low, more likely in the crowd to loss himself, then finde his Saviour, till on a suddain he grows a proper man, by getting up into adLuke. 19. 4. Sycamore tree. Who dares say Sycamores are always barren? See one here loaden with good fruit. Christ seeing him invites himself to his house, and down he comes (with more speed no doubt then he gat up) to welcome his guest with good cheer, though the last-course he brought in, was the best; protesting a fourfold restitution of what he had wrongfully gotten, and giving the half of his remaining estate unto the poor.
§ 34. Iericho was surrounded with plains on every side.Plaines of Ieric…. Hither Kinge2 King. 25. 5. Zedekiah fled, and here was taken by the forces of Babylon. The high-way betwixt Iericho and Ierusalem is infamous for theeving, because of the covert the neighbouring wilderness affords; and great roads are the best rivers for robbers to fish in. Wonder not, that so short a way betwixt two such eminent Cities, was no better secured, seeing some hundred years since, little safer was the road betwixt London and Saint Albans: till an Abbot of that place, cut down the woods, that afforded them shelter. Reader, if thy occasion should call thee to goe from Iericho to Ierusalem, I wish thee well guarded; but if it be thy hard hap, with the man in the Gospell (be it history or parable) to be robbed and wounded with theeves, mayst thou meet with some good gLuke 10. 33.Samaritan, to convey thee to the Inne, and provide necessaries for thee.
§ 35. West of the waters of Iericho stood Ai, Ai at last taken by Ioshua.a small City, but great enough to give a check to the full speed of Israels victories. Their losse here was inconsiderablehIosh. 7. 5. in it self (no more then thirty six men) but dangerous in the consequence thereof. Such a flaw in their orient success, made them cheap in the worlds valuation; and the Canaanites (who hitherto had charactred them invincible in their apprehension) began hence to collect, and conclude a possibility of conquering them. Yet not valour too little, in such as fought, but sin too much in some who staid at home, caused this defeat. Achan was the man, who in fine proved no whit richer for the gold, or warmer for the garment he had stolen. Detected by lot, accused by his conscience, convicted by his own confession, condemned by Ioshua he (with hisiIosh. 7. 24. children and cattle) is stoned by the Israelites. The place of his execution was called, the vale of Achor, or the vale of trouble, both because Achan actively had troubled Israel with his sin, and because here he was justly troubled by them in his punishment. As for the promise of the Prophet in after ages, that the kHosea 2. 15.vale of Achor should be a door of hope, understand it mystically, that the most deplorable, and seemingly desperate estate of the Church, is capable of comfort, and may in Gods due time be changed into a prosperous condition. Achan thus punished, how active are the Armes of the Israelites, when freed from the fetters of Sacriledge! Ai is quickly conquered, the inhabitants thereof being trained by a dissembled flight of their foes, into their own destruction. Now although such ambushes are now adays unambushed, by the generall suspicion all have of them, yet in the infancy of the world, when battells were meerly managed by main might, and downright blowes▪ (men bringing all their forces above board) such lying in wait was an unusuall stratagem, and perchance may justly be referred to Ioshua, as the first inventor thereof.
§ 36. West of Ai, The melli…uous wood near Beth-aven.betwixt Bethel and Ai, was thelGen. 12. 8. mountain, where Abraham and Lot long lived lovingly together, until the contest betwixt theirmGen. 13. 9. heardsmen, when the land was grown too little for their substance. Poverty preserveth amity, when riches oft-times make rents among friends. Hard by was the City and wilderness of Beth-aven, which signifies the house of vanity. Strange, that any should impose on a place (except in derision) so ill, and unlucky a name. Yet, hath not Solomon in effect set the same on the whole world?nEccles. 1. 2. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. But Beth-aven seems emphatically so called, for some eminent Idolatry committed therein. Neer this placeo1 Sam. 14. 23. was the wood, wherein when it rained honey from heaven, the Israelites being in pursuit of the Philistines, wanted hands to receive it, having them bound up by Sauls adjuration, not to eat before night. I see neither piety, nor policy, but humour and headiness in Sauls resolution, the way to encrease their stomach, and not their valour. Might not a cursory meal been allowed them, in a running march, a snatch and away? Here Ionathans eyes were opened with tasting a little honey, and presently his eyes were opened again in a sadder sense, seeing himself liable to death for breaking his Fathers command. Nor was it his own innocence, and invincible ignorance of the law, but the peoplesp1 Sam. 14. 45. interposing, which preserved him alive. Yet will not this one good act of popular violence, make amends for those many mischiefs, which their impetuous exorbitances in other cases have produced.
§ 37. Still westward of Beth-aven stood Gibeon, Gibeo…ites overreach the Isr…lites.termed aqJosh. 10. 2. royall City in Scripture, that is, a fair and princely place; otherwise, in all the transactions, betwixt this City and the Israelites, we meet with no King thereof, which may almost perswade us to believe it a popular State. The inhabitants thereof with clouted old shooes, mouldy bread, and a lie farther fetched then their journey, (pretending their dwellings at great distance) deceived the congregation of Israel, then camped at Gilgal. For the smoke of those ovens, wherein their bread was baked, might almost be perceived from Gibeon to Gilgal, which space Ioshua marched over with his foot-army in onerJosh. 10. 9. night. However, hereby they saved their lives, onelyonly for their cheat were condemned to be Nethinims or Deodands, that is, people given to God, to hew wood, draw water, and doe the drudgery of the Tab…rnacle andsIosh. 9. 27. Temple, a condition which they gladly accepted of; so sweet is life in it self, though sawced with servitude.
§ 38. Afterwards Ioshua with a miraculous victory here conquered the five Kings of Canaan, which assembled themselves to besiege Gibeon, in revenge of their defection to the Israelites. Never had battell more of God therein; for, he himself brought up, or rather let down the train of Artillery, killing the Canaanites with hail-stones from heaven, as theytIosh. 10. 11. fled in the going down to Bethoron unto Azekah. Here Ioshua by his faithfull prayer stopt a Giant in his full career, as he was running his race, staying the Sun inuIosh. 10. 12. Gibeon, to attend his execution on his enemies. This was (as I may say) the Barnady day of the whole world, the very longest, which that climate ever did, or shal behold, when time was delivered of twins, two days joined together without any night interposed. How the heavens (this extraordinary accident notwithstanding) were afterwards reconciled to their regular motions, and how the expence of so much delay, was repaired by future thrift, (I mean this staying of the Sun made up in the years account, by his swifter moving afterwards) I leave to be audited, and cast up even by Astronomers. Mean time, the foresaid five Kings, were first hid, then stopt in the cave ofwJosh. 10. 16. Makk…dah, till Ioshua commanded them to be brought forth, and his souldiers to set their feet on their necks; and David in his expression many years after, reflecteth hereon, Thou xPsal. 8. 40.hast given me the necks of mine enemies &c. Then were those five Kings hanged by Makkedah a regall City of the Canaanites, which at that time was taken, and theyJosh. 10. 28. King thereof destroyed by Ioshua.
§ 39. To return to Gibeon▪ Gibeon the Cock-pit of war though a city belonging to the L…vites.it was afterwards one of the four Cities in this Tribe, which were allotted to thezJosh. 2…. 17. Levites, and yet we finde it the Theater chiefly of martial atchievements; for, by the great pool in Gibeon, in Helkath-hazzurim, or, th… field of strong men, was Abner with the host of Israel worsted by Ioab Generall for David; when Asahel like a wild Roe (wild for his rashness, Roe for his swiftness) would not be perswaded from pursuing of Abner, untill nigh the hill Amnah which a2 Sam. 2. 24.lieth before Giah, he taught Asahel the great difference between a nimble leg, a and vigorous arme, smiting him with his spear under the fifth rib.
§ 40. Under the same rib,Amasa basely murdered by I…ab. at the great stone b2 Sam. 20. 8.which is in Gibeon, Ioab jealous of Amasa his cousin-german (Ambition owns no alliance, and is onelyonly of kin to it self) bas…ly murdered him in this manner. Ioab had a sword hanging on his loines, and as he went it used toc2 S…m. 20. 8. fall out, as if it sought for another sheath, b…sides what it had already. Surely he had put his sword in this careless posture, thus to play at in and out, to cover his intended murder, under some pretence of casualty, as if in his embraces his weapon had hurt Amasa by unhappy accident. Vain excuse, for certainly his sword could not of its own accord have gone so quickly, and so deeply to Amasa's fifth rib, had not Ioab's steddy aime, both dispatched it on that errand, and directed it to that place. Amasa thus slain, all the people passing by make an halt at his corps, and every d2 Sam. 20. 12.one that came by him stood still, untill his body was removed. Where amongst so many gazing on his corps, it is hard, if the active thoughts of some did not light on this observation of divine justice, that he now was treacherously slain, whoe2 Sam. 17. 25. so lately had been the Generall to a Traitor.
§ 41. In the beginning of the reign of KingGibe…n a place of publick worship. Solomon, Gibeon was a publick place of divine worship, where part of the Tabernacle resided. Here two things are carefully to be observed:
1 The Arke it self. This being taken out of the Tabernacle at Shiloh, byf1 Sam. 4. 4. Hophni and Phinehas, never returned thither again. But from the land of the Philistines was brought back, first tog1 Sam. 6. 18. Bethshemesh, thence toh1 Sam. 7. 1. Kiriath-jearim, thence to the house ofi2 Sam. 6. 10. Obed-Edom, and at last fixed and setled by David in Zion under the cover of a Tentk2 Sam. 6. 17. which he had pitched for that purpose.
2 The Tabernacle of the Congregation, made by Moses in the wilderness, wherein the Priests attended about their publick sacrifices. This about Solomons time was translated from Shiloh to Gibeon l2 Chr. 1. 3.as a place of more eminency, and conveniency for divine service, because a City of the Levites.
Herein on the high place in Gibeon, Solomon offered to God a thousand burnt offerings, and (which was most acceptable) a zealous prayer requesting wisdome of God, who bestowed both it, and wealth, and honour upon him. Thus those who chiefly desire grace, receive it, the jewell, and at least a competency of outward provisions, for a cabinet to keep it in. Some hundred years after, by the great waters which are in Gibeon, Iohanan the son of Karcah, recovered the remnant of the poor Israelites (left in the land after the captivity of Babylon) from Ismael a Prince of the bloud royall, who had a design to carry them away captive unto the Ammonites.
§ 42. Next Gibeon, Gihea… distinct from Gibeon, a wicked city.we take the City of Gibeah into our serious consideration, not as nearest in situation, but in sound of like name, insomuch that some have unwarily confounded them, as the same place. Gibeah lay in the south-west part of this Tribe, whose inhabitants were bad men, but goodmJudg. 20. 16. markes-men, right shooters (at an haires breadth and faile not) but unrighteous livers. A Levite coming with his concubine, and servant from Bethlehem, declined to lie atnJudg. 19. 12. Ierusalem, because then an heathen City, and (though late) recovered this Gibeah for his lodging place. Alas, what was this, but from the fire into the furnace? so excessive hot was the lust of the people of this City. But charity therein was as cold, none inviting this Levite to his house, untill an old man (and he also no inhabitant, but a stranger of mount Ephraim) coming from his work oJudg. 19. 16.out of the field at even, (Industry is the fewel of hospitality) kindely entertained him in his house. In fine, the Levites concubine was by violence, and variety of lust of the men of this City abused to death. Oh the justice of divine proceedings! She had formerly beenpJudg. 19. 2. false to her husband.
Culpa libido fuit, poena libido fuit.
By lust she sinned, and 'twas just
She should be punished by lust.
This villany being declared to all Israel, a consultation thereon, and first in a fair way the offenders are demanded to justice, which denied and all the Tribe of Benjamin engaging themselves to defend the damnable deed of those of Gibeah, all Israel resolves in a nationall war, to revenge so foul a murder.
§ 43. Here let us stand still and wonder,Israel twice worsted by Benjamin. that an army united amongst thems…lves as one man, most in number, best in cause, wisest in counsell (as who had asked, and obtained the advice of God himself, to goe on in this war) should once, andqJudg. 20. again be defeated, by those who were weaker, and wickeder then themselves. I cannot challenge the army of Israel, for any eminent sin at this time, yet it is very suspicious, they were carnally confident of the conquest, as accounting the victory eleven to one on their side. However the next battel made amends for all, wherein all the raveno…s wolves of Benjamin, with their dams and whelps at home, were utterly destroyed, except sixrJudg. 20. 47. hundred, and those cooped up in a grate, and hid in the rock of Rimmon. Thus, what once was sadly said of Ioseph, was now more true of Benjamin, sGen. 41. 13.One is not. And the whole Tribe had finally been extinguished, had not provision been made to supply them with wives, as formerly hath beentDescription of Ephraim. observed.
§ 44. Afterwards this Gibeah Gibeah why surnamed of Saul.got the surname ofu1 Sam. 11. 4. Saul, because he was born, lived, and buried here. In this Gibeah w2 Sam. 21. 6.of Saul, five of his sons (amongst whom a Mephibosheth, but not the Mephibosheth) were in Davids reign hanged up on the hill before the Lord, to expiate Sauls murdering of the Gibeonites. How strangely was his zeale transposed, turning the back of his sword towards thex1 Sam. 15. 9. Amalekites, whom God commanded him to destroy, and using the edge thereof against the Gibeonites, whom by oath he was bound to preserve? Here Rizpah Sauls concubine, covered the corps of such as were executed, with sackcloth, to keep birds and beasts, from feeding upon them.
§ 45. Her kindness to the dead isy2 Sam. 21. 11. told to King David, Saul buried by David in Gibeah.who not onelyonly gave the hearing, but the practising of so good an example, and thereby is put in minde, to shew mercy to the bones of Saul, and Ionathan, which he fetched from Iabesh-Gilead, and buried hard by in Zelah, in the sepulcher of Kish his Father. Shewing thereby, that his former severity to Sauls sons, proceeded from a publick desire of his subjects good, no private design of revenge upon Saul, whose corps he so solemnly interred. Corpses, which were but wanderers, whilest hung up by the Philistines in their City ofz1 Sam. 31. 10. Bethshan; were but sojourners, when buried by the Gileadites in the land of Gad; but now became house-keepers, when brought home to the proper place of the sepulcher of their Fathers.
§ 46. Hard by Gibeah was Migron, Migron and Ramah.a small City, where Saul for some time abode with his men under aa1 Sam. 14. 2. Pomegranate-tree. Say not, that such a tree was a simple palace for a Prince, for in those hot Countreys, pleasant was the residence for some short time, under the shadow thereof. Yea, our Countrey-manbLib. 2. cap. 2. Bede can tell you, how in our cold climate Anno Domini 601. Augustine the Monke held a Synode under an Oake (called Augustines Ake in old English) which tree our learned cCamd. B…it. fol. 436.Antiquary placeth in the confines of Worcester-shire. Nor far from Migron is Ramah a City, built by Baasha (jealous that Israel would revolt to Iudah, d1 King. 15. 17on Asa's reformation of Religion) to stop all intercourse betwixt the two kingdomes. Not that the armes of so small a City, could reach seventy miles from the sea to Iordan, but because Ramah was greater in command, then compass, as advantageously seated on some roade, or pass of importance. But Baasha diverted by the invasion of Benhadad King of Assyria, desisted from his building; for which he had made so large preparation, that Asa afterwards repaired the neighbouring cities of Geba ande1 Kin. 15. 22. Mizpah, with the stones provided for the fortifying of Ramah.
§ 47. Mizpah now mentioned lay some eight miles hence, full north.Mizpah for a long time the seat of Ju…ice. When in the days of Samuel, the seat of justice was annuall for the time, and tripartite for the place, Mizpah had a fair share thereof,f1 Sam. 7. 16. Samuel went from year to year, in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, lying in a kinde of triangle, and judged Israel in all those places, and his return was to Ramah, for there was his house. State-affairs made not the good man to forget his family, spending three Terms abroad on the publick, and the Vacation at home, on his private occasions. At Mizpah was a generall reformation of the people, when conscious of their sins, and sensible of Gods anger, they drew *1 Sam. 7. 6.water, that is, plentifully powred forth tears before the Lord. Say not, that their weeping was a labour in vain, and such drawing of water (like the bottomless buckets of the Belides never to be filled) ineffectuall for the expiation of sin, because no sorrow for the same is sufficient, seeing, not the intrinsecall worth of their tears, but Gods gracious appretiation of the sincerity thereof, gave the value to their weeping. Afterwards atg1 Sam. 10. 17. Mizpah, Saul out of modesty, or policy, was hid among the stuffe; when found there, fetched thence, and presented to the people for their king, appearing so proper a person, that nature might seem to design him for supremacy, and mark him out to be theh2 Chr. 2. 18. Overseer of Israel, who was higher then any of the people, from the shoulders, andiSam. 10. 23. upwards.
§ 48. In the days of King Baasa, Asa Asa his pit in Mizpa… employed otherwise then it was intended.King of Iudah frighted with fear, made alIer. 41. 9. pit in Mizpah for his retreating place. No doubt though the entrance, and orifice thereof, did promise no more then a plain pit, yet it wasmSee our description of Asher. § 5. contrived into rooms, and fortified with substructions therein, fit for the receipt of a Prince. Wonder not, that he would prefer to trust his person here, rather then within the walls of his royall City Ierusalem; for surely this was not provided for a place of long residence, but for present privacy, and sudden safety, if extremity required it. After the Babylonish captivity, when Gedaliah was made governour of those poor Iews, which were left to till the land, he madenIer. 40. 6. Mizpah the seat of his short government. Thus have I often seen fishermen, when they have caught store of fish, cast the young fry (worth neither the keeping, nor killing) into the river again, to be breeders, in which consideration the King of Babylon preserved these poor Iews from destruction. Slight not Gedaliahs place, as disgracefull to be Prince of beggers, for they were in a thriving way, and probable to improve themselves to a considerable condition, had not Ismael (an unhappy name to persecute Gods children) a Prince of the bloud, killed him, with his followers, casting them into the midstoIer. 41. 9. of the pit that Asa made, now employed to bury the dead, but first intended to preserve the living. In the days of the Maccabees, whilest Ierusalem was possessed, and profaned by the heathens, they repaired top1 Macca. 3. 46 Mizpah, as a place formerly fortunate for that purpose, to fast, pray, and beg Gods blessing on their undertakings against their enemies.
§ 49. South of Mizpah lay the place called Eben-ezer, Different success of the Israel…tes at Eben-Ezer.that is, the stone of help, so named, by way of Prolepsis in Scripture, 1 Sam. 4. 1. for otherwise for the present, this place was no help, but an hindrance to the Israelites, who here were twice beaten in battell by the Philistines. At the second time they brought their Reserve, I mean theq1 Sam. 4. 4. & cap. 5. ver. 1. Ark, into the field, & carnally conceited, that victory would fly along with them, on the wings of the Cherubims over the Mercy…seat. But the sanctity of the Ark did not so much invite, as the profaneness of the managers (Hophni and Phinehas) did repell Gods gracious presence, from going along therewith; insomuch as the Ark it self was taken captive, and carried into the land of the Philistines. Some years after the Philistines again charge the Israelites in the same place, presuming on their former victories, that in so fortunate a place they might prescribe for conquest, but God turned the tide of their success. At the importunate suit of Samuel (whose prayers were more potent, then formerly the presence of the Ark, to obtain victory) the Philistines were routed, and smitten untill they came underr1 Sam. 7. 11. Bethcar. Whereupon Samuel set up a stone, between Mizpah and Shen, and called it Eben-ezer, the stone of help, to perpetuate so memorable a conquest.
§ 50. Hard by is Beeroth, Ionath…ns Scylla and Charybdis.once a City of thesIosh. 9. 17. Gibeonites (with Chephirah not far off) afterwards thet2 Sam. 4. 2. birth-place of Baanah and Rechab, the murderers of Ishbosheth. Gittaim, whither those of Beeroth u2 Sam. 4. 3.fled for fear of the Philistines (saith Tremellius when Saul was slain) and west thereof Bozer andw1 Sam. 14. 4. Seneh two famous rocks; which Ionathan, and his armour-bearer clambred up upon their hands andx1 Sam. 14. 13. feet. They found it more hard to come at, then to conquer their enemies, & yet whē on the top of the rock, they were but at the bottome, and beginning of their work. They lay about them, and kill many in a little space: so that they climbed not up the hill so slowly, but their enemies more swiftly ran down the same. Yet such as will justifie Ionathans act herein, for pious and prudent, must retrait to Divine inspiration, and plead, that his undertaking, as his success, was extraordinary; otherwise, his tempting of God, had been higher then the rock he climbed up, to adventure himself on such visible disadvantages.
§ 51. Anathoth Anathoth the Country-house of the High-priests.remains, lying hence south-east; a city of the Levites, yea of the Priests, yea of the High-priests, as a country-house, or retiring place for them out of the populous city of Ierusalem. Abiathar being deprived of the priest-hood, for practising with Ioab, without the privity of David, to promote Adonijah to the Crown, was sent hither by Solomon, and confined to livey1 King. 2. 26. privately on his own lands. Hence plainly appears the power of the Kings of Israel over the Priests; which on their misdemeanour in civill matters were subject to secular punishment. But Ieremy the Prophet was the honour of Anathoth, that man of mourning, famous for his book De Tristibus, or most poeticall Lamentations, (though therein not bemoaning his own, but the publick calamities) bornzIer. 1. 1. in this city. As here he drew his first; so he was likely to have drawn his last breath, by theaIer. 11. 21. conspiracy of the people against him, had not God frustrated their wicked designe. Herein the observation of our Saviour was verified,bMat. 13. 57. A Prophet is not without honour, save in his own countrey, and his own house. Afterwards, Ieremy at Anathoth, bought the ground of his uncl… Hanameel, with all the formalities of bargain and sale, mostcJer. 32. 10. sol…mnly passed betwixt them. Is a Prophet amongst the purchasers? commonly they are as clear from money, as the ApostlesdAct. 3. 6 were: but this was r…ally, yet mystically done, to fore…ell the future felicity of Israel, after the captivity of Babylon, that men should have setled estates, with good title to, and t…nure of their land therein.
§ 52. Michmash is still behinde, which we name last,The Philistines design to destroy smiths in Israel. because not entirely in this Tribe, but in the confines of Benjamin and Ephraim. It laye1 Sam. 13. 5. cast from Beth-aven, often mentioned in Scripture as the Rendesvouz, sometimes of the Israelites in the reign of Saul, and sometimes of the Philistines. The latter marched hence three severall ways, on design to extirpate all the smiths in Israel▪ Mark their motions,
1 One party went thef1 Sa…. 13. 17. way that leadeth to Ophrah, to the land of Shual, that is, north-east.
2 Another turned the way to Bethoron, that is, full west.
3 The third to the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim, that is, south-east.
Thus dividing themselves they compass their ends, and destroyed that necessary profession in all the land. For the musick of the harp may better be spared in a common-wealth, then the noise of an hammer. Indeed, I have heard, that ther… is an house on London-bridge, built entirely of wood, without any mixture of iron-nailes therein, therefore commonly called None-such, for the rarity of the structure thereof: but if any could shew a civilized State extant on earth, without the use of smiths therein, it deserveth the name of N…ne…such indeed. Yea, the very Philistines themselves, (though they suppressed the military use of smiths, for matter of Armes) permitted by way of lone their use to sharpen instruments ofg1 Sam. 13. 20. husbandry. This not their bounty, but policy suffered, as being confident, when the Israelites had ploughed, harrowed, & sown their ground, reaped, housed, and threshed their grain, then they at pleasure could come up, to take bake, and eate it themselves.
§ 53. So much for the cities in Benjamin, The massac…e of the Priests at Nob by D…g.of whose situation we have any certainty. A second sort succeeds, known by their conjecturall flags to be of doubtfull position. Amongst these Nob justly claimeth the precedency (made by us within the compass of Anathoth) a city of the Priests, where Ahimelech victualled David, and his men, withh1 Sam. 21. 4. shew-bread, and armed him with the sword ofi1 Sam. 21. 9. Goliah, there kept for a monument. Let others enquire, why Davids sling was not rather preserved for that purpose, seeing it overcame the other. A false brother was present, by name, Doeg; nation, an Edomite; office, master of the Kings heardsmen; who told al, and more then all to Saul, adding of his own head, that Ahimelech k1 Sam. 22. 10.enquired counsell of the Lord for him. Sure I am, Doeg enquired not of the Lord, when he told so damnable an untruth. Hereupon, Saul condemned the Priest to death, and others declining so savage a service, Doeg undertook it, killing fourscore and five persons, which wore a linen Ephod, besides women, children, sucklings, and cattel: so voracious was the appetite of his sword, and so active his cruelty, when in commission, and armed with authority.
§ 54. The Readers eye may easily discover such places of uncertain position, as remain;Zemaraim, the vale of Craftsmen, and Zeboim. and amongst them Zemaraim, so named in Hebrew, for plenty of wooll thereabouts, as Woollwich in Kent, and Woollton in Dorset-shire are so called, upon the same occasion. We set Zemaraim next Bethel because namedlIosh. 18. 22. next unto it, where some place themGen. 10. 18. Zemarites ancient inhabitants of Canaan, as we have formerlynLib. 1. cap. observed. Nigh this city was an hilo2 Chr. 13. 4. of the same name, whereon King Abijah stood, & made his excellent oration (wanting nothing but a better man to utter it) immediately before his miraculous victory, over the Army of Ieroboam. The Valley of Craftsmen, which though it sounds like a Countrey, yet, because going inpNehe. 11. 35. equipage with other cities, may be concluded a city it self. And what are Valladolit, or Vallis Olitana in Spaine, and Vale-royall in Cheshire, but the former a fair city & the latter (lately an Abby) now a village? I am almost of opinion, that this Valley of craftsmen, took its denomination from Solomons work-men, of whom weq1 King 7. 46. read, that in the plain of Iordan in the clay ground, they cast all the brasen vessels of the Temple, did not the position of that place, (whereof before) lie a little more north-ward. We conclude with Zeboim, not the same with that city, firstrDe…. 29. 23. burnt, then drowned in the Daed-sea, but another probably built not far thence, near the influx of Iordan into the dead-sea.
§ 55.s1 King. 4. 18. S…imei the son of Elah was Solomons Purveyor in Benjamin: A Wolfe Benjamins Armes.The Armes of Benjamin were Gules, a Wolfe salient argent, in allusion to Iacobs words, He shalltGen. 49. 27. ravin as a Wolfe, in the morning he shall devoure the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Surely the conformity hereof was not found in the person of Benjamin, who appears rather lamb-like, then wolvish, in that little left of him in Scripture. Some conceive, they have found the resemblance in the two Sauls of this Tribe, the one persecuting David, the other the Son of David (Christ in his members) with raging cruelty. But to wave the various Rabbinicall conceits hereof, certainly, this (as al other similitudes of this nature) is not to be sought, in the disgraceful, but commendable qualities of a Wolf. Thus, when God saith of himself,uRevel. 16. 15. Behold I come as a thief, it is not meant, injuriously, fraudulently, mischievously; but secretly, suddenly, irresistibly. This premised, though wolves and foxes generally hear ill in Scripture, yet the former excell in sight, descrying things at great distance; in sleight, of excessive agility of body; & in might, very strong, in proportion to the bulk thereof. All which properties discover themselves in the Benjamites, quick sighted, steadywIudg. 10. 16. handed (witness their good mark-men) and stout-hearted; in a word foreign, so that both their valour and success are foretold, in this blessing bestowed upon them.