A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, Book 3 · Body of book
The third Book. THE TRIBE OF GAD.
§ 1. GAd eldest Son of Iacob by Zilpah, so increased in Egypt, that*Numb. 1. 14, 25. forty five thousand six hundred and fifty males of twenty years old and upward of this Tribe were numbred at Mount Sinai: all which falling in the wilderness for their tempting of God with this disobedience, a new generation of forty thousand*Num. 26. 18. and five hundred entred the Land of Canaan. This Tribe affordeth very martiall men. For such of them as repaired to David in Ziglag are described,a1 Chr. 12. 8. Men of war, fit for the battell, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like to the faces of Lyons, and were as swift as the Roes upon the mountaines. Yet I meet not with any publick Magistrate extracted from Gad, though thebSee Speeds genealogy of Gad extracted from M. Broughtons. Genealogists rank Iehu with four of his Posterity successive Kings of Israel amongst the Gadites; but on no other ground, then because at the first time he is found mentioned in Scripture he wasc2 King. 9. 1, 2. imployed a Commander at the siege of Ramoth Gilead a City*Josh. 20. 8. in this Tribe. It seems that as the English-law makes a charitable provision for children left by their parents, that the Parish wherein they are first taken up, must maintain them: so Genealogists, the better to methodize the pedegrees of the Iews in Scripture, reduce Persons of unknown Parentage, to those respective Tribes, in whose grounds they first light on the mention of them. But let Iehu pass for a Gadite: the rather because so puisant a Prince, will prove a credit, rather then a charge to that Tribe to which he is related.
§ 2. The land of this Tribe was of a double nature. For what lay north of the river Iabbok was anciently the possession of Og King of Basan. But what lay south of the river, had its property more intricate and incumbred with often exchange of her owners, and on the right understanding thereof depends no less, then the asserting of the innocence of the Israelites, the confuting of the cavill of the Ammonites, and the reconciling of a seeming contradiction in Scripture; Take it thus briefly.
1t. It was the Land of certain Giants calleddDeut. 2. 20. Zamzummims.
2ly. It was possessed by theeSeriously peruse Iosh. …3. 25. Ammonites, who destroied those Giants, and this Countrey was accounted a moity or one half of their dominion.
3ly. It was subdued byfCompare Num. 21. 26. with Iudg. 11. 21. Sihon King of the Amorites, who cast out the Ammonites (when also he destroied the Moabites) such as were south of Iabbok, and dwelt in their stead.
Lastly, after the overthrow of Sihon, Moses gave it to the Tribe of Gad, for their inheritance. Thus God by ringing the Changes of successive Lords in this Land made musick to his own glory.
Behold we here what the PsalmistgPsal. 80. 9. saith, Thou hast brought a Vine out of Egypt, thou preparest room before it; the method and manner of which preparation is most remarkable. First, God in his providence foresaw that the Countrey of the Canaanites was without other addition too narrow, to receive the numerous people of Israel. Secondly, God in his goodness resolved out of love to righteous Lot, that his posterity should not totally lose their possession, nor would he suffer the Israelites their kinsmen to deprive them of any parcell thereof; giving them a flat command to the contrary.hDeut. 2. 9. 19. Lastly, God in his justice permitted Sihon King of the Amorites should win part of the Countrey from Moab and Ammon; and suddenly sends the Israelites to conquer the conquerour; and now lawfully to inherit, what the other had wrongfully taken away: And thus he prepared room for his Vine.
§ 3. By this time we plainly perceive, that in the Ammonites demand to Iephtha, there was some truth blinded with more falshood, that the countenance of the former might pass the latter unsuspected.iIudg. 11. 13. Israel took away (saith the King) my Land when they came out of Egypt from Arnon even unto Iabbok, and unto Iordan; now therefore restore these Lands again peaceably. True it was, that this Land was once theirs (and so it is plainly called Ioshua 13. 25.) but most false, that ever the Israelites took Inch of ground from them, save onelyonly mediately and at the second hand, taking it from Sihon, who took it from the Ammonites. We report the rest to Iephtha's answer (who first with a fair ambassie, and then with a famous victory confuted the Ammonites antiquated title to this territory) pleading that the Israelites had threekIudg. 11. 26. hundred years peaceably possessed the same. Now, if upon a strict account, some years fall short of that sum, the matter is not much, because souldiers love to fill their mouths with a round number, and too hundred fifty and odde with a good sword may well be counted three hundred years currant, though not compleate.
§ 4. The Tribe of Gad had the kingdome of Ammon on the east, the half Tribe of Manasseh on the north, Reuben on the south, and the river Iordan on the west. The length thereof from Aroer to Iordan may be computed thirty five miles: and the breadth thereof from Mahanaim to Dibon, falls out a little less. A Tribe inferiour to none for fair rivers, fruitfull Pastures, shady woods: superiour to most for populous Cities, and memorable actions atchieved therein. As for Balme or Balsame, it was a peculiar commodity of this Countrey. Thus the Prophet betwixt grief, anger, and pity demands, IslIer. 8. 22. there no balme in Gilead? and again, Goe up into Gilead, and takemIer. 46. 11. balm O virgin. In describing this Countrey we will follow the streams of Arnon, Iabbok, and Iordan, which (with some little help lent us besides) will afford us the conveniency to behold all remarkable mounts in this Countrey.
§ 5. In the eastern part of this Tribe the rivers of Arnon and Iabbok (though running contrary ways) arise not far asunder: according to the exact observation ofnforeign. Iosephus, who saith that the land of Sihon King of the Amorites, lay in nature and fashion like an Island, betwixt the three rivers of Iordan, Arnon, and Iabbok, so near are the fountains of the latter together. The heads of their springs are found in a mountainous and rocky soil, affording great plenty of Iackalls; mungrell creatures of equivocall extraction, deriving cruelty from the Wolves their sires and craft from the Foxes their dams. These Iackalls are meant by our translatours Psalm 63. 10. Let them fall by the edge of the sword, that they may be a portion for Foxes: not for ordinary Foxes, which indeed are so dainty mouthed, that they will not feed on any carkasse, but what they kill themselves: but for these Iackalls (which may pass for Foxes, because so by the surer side) so ravenous, that they will not onelyonly feed on carion above ground, but even dig holes into the earth, fetch forth, and feed on dead bodies of men, if not deeply interred.
§ 6. The river Arnon running full south passeth by*Num. 32. 34. Aroer, a fair City whereof frequent mention in Scripture, but in no other notion, but onelyonly as the eastern boundary of Canaan. Here Arnon entertaineth a river from the west, called the river ofo2 Sam. 24. 5. Gad, because rising, running, and falling within the compass of this Tribe.
§ 7. This river of Gad had formerly received into it another stream called the waters of Nimrim, threatned by thepIsa. 156. Ier. 48. 34. Prophets to be dried up: on the banks whereof Bethnimrah a City was seated. At the conflux of these two, the Sea of Iazer is found, being no other then a Lake (about our Whittlesey Meer in Hungtingtonshire, for greatness) as the Iews call the meetings of all waters, whether fresh, or salt, Seas. Nor let their language herein be challenged for impropriety, having a warrant from God himself,qGen. 1. 10. who at the creation, called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas. Conformable hereunto is the expression of the modern Dutch; for in Helvetia a Province of Germany, yea in Argow (as I may say) a County ofrSee Mercators Atlas in Helvetia. Helvetia, I have told above sixteen Seas, Zugersee, Thuner-see, Ober-see, Rot-see, &c. though the biggest of them but lakes in effect. Yea the Iews did so far extend, or rather, so straitly contract the word Sea, that, that capable vessell of brass, used as a Lavatory for the sacrifices in the Temple, was tearmed thes1 King. 7. 23. Molten Sea. Iazer, which gave name to this Sea, was atJo…h. 21. 39. City of the Levites hard by, whereat some sad accident had happened, though the particulars thereof are not discovered in Scripture, for theuJer. 48. 32. weeping of Iazer passeth in the Prophet as the expression of great lamentation.
§ 8. Hence the river of Gad passeth by Civitas interammis, or the City in the midst of the river, wherewith on all sides it is environed, never mentioned in Scripture but with the company ofwDeut. 2. 36. & Josh. 13. 9. Aroer: a clear evidence both of their distinction and vicinity. Hereabouts Ioab x2 Sam. 24. 5.pitched his tent, when sent to number the people. Wonder not that having the convenience of three Cities so near to receive him, he preferred rather to reside in a tent during that imployment. For (besides that such movable habitations comply best with military men) it was fittest for the work in hand; where the people to be reckoned might have full and free accesse in open aire; both wholsomer for the persons, and speedyer in dispatch, then when pent within the streets and walls of a City. Nothing else memorable remains in the southeast corner of this Tribe, save Dibon, a City sometimes assigned toyIosh. 13. 17. Reuben, and sometimes tozNum. 32. 34. Gad. To reconcile this, some make them different and distant Cities; which in my apprehension is rather to set up two marks then to hit the right one. For seeing these two Tribes confine together, and both lay claim to Dibon (like the two mothers challenging the living childe) we have onelyonly, in stead of a sword, made use of pricks, setting it equally in the bounds of both. Here we advise the Reader (not out of distrust of his skill, but desire of his good) to beware, neither to confound this Dibon in Gad, withaNum. 33. 45. Dibon-Gad, the thirty ninth station of the Israelites as they came out of Egypt; nor with anotherbNeh. 11. 25. Dibon, which seems to be in Iudah, wherein the Iews dwelt after their captivity.
§ 9. The river of Iabbok arising out of the aforesaid stony countrey, first runs directly northward, and strengthened with an acce…ion of waters from the Kingdome of Ammon, turns his stream full west. In which course ere long he cometh to the ford which Iacob with his family passed over: and where we crave the Readers leave for a while to discontinue our discourse of this river, and to attend that worthy Patriarch in his travels through this Tribe, which in form of a Belt crossed Gad athwart from northeast to southwest. Iacob first entring into this Tribe came to Nahanaim, that is, the two campes, because there thecGen. 32. 2. Angels digested into two armies (probably behind and before him) appeared to Iacob. Now asdGen. 2. 19. Adams naming the Creatures argued his dominion over them; so the Patriarchs naming of places in Canaan, was an Earnest that their posterity should possesse them. Who no doubt, as curious to enquire, so were carefull to continue those names which their Ancestors had given them. Mahanaim was afterwards aeIosh. 21. 38. City of the Levites, and in the reign off2 Sam. 2. 8. 12 Ishbosheth the son of Saul, it was made the chief City of his kingdome. But with hisg2 Sam. 4. 7. life within three years expired the Metropolisship of Mahanaim, which afterwards afforded refuge and residence to h2 Sam. 17. 24.David, when flying from Ierusalem for fear of Absolom. Hither the news of Absoloms death was brought to King David (joyfull to the King, but dolefull to David) which caused his patheticalli2 Sam. 18. 33. lamentation over the gate, till the heat ofk2 Sam. 19. 7. Ioabs anger dryed up Davids teares; perswading him with cheerfull looks to countenance the conquerours.
§ 10. From Mahanaim, let us goe fairly, and softly on with an easie pace in the company of Iacob (not overdriving his children and cattell to the above namedlGen. 32. 22. fords of Iabbok) and thence to Peni…l, where Iacob (the youngest warriourmGen. 25. 22. fighting before he was born, and the strongest Conquerour) prevailed with God appearing like an Angell. Who in admonition to Iacob, that he overcame not with his own striving, but his opposites yeelding, gave him a gentle touch, being pleased, where he could have broken the bone, onelyonly to shrink the sinew, whereupon Iacob carried an upright heart, and lame leg to his grave. Indeed learnednIn Genesin ex…rcitatione 139. Rivet is of opinion, that God presently healed his halting, chiefly grounding it, because Esau at his meeting took no notice of his lameness: but doth not the negative follow with more probability, because the Scripture takes no notice of his curing? Besides, had the cure come so quick, the hurt had never left so deep and long lasting impression in the practise of the Israelites, abstaining, for that cause, from eating theoGen. 32. 32. sinew in the thigh. Yea modern Iews (oh that they were as observant of the substantiall as ceremoniall parts of the old Testament!) not certain which sinew it was (so many meeting in the thigh) refrain from feeding onpRivet ut supr… ex Rabbinis. all Nerves in the hinder parts of a beast.
§ 11. From Peniel going southwest Iacob being to meet Esau his brother, thus marshalled his company. In the forefront his Concubines with their children, next Leah with hers, Rachel and Ioseph, first in his love and last in place, because furthest from danger; before all, like a valiant Commander taking the worst service on himself, marched Iacob in person, having sent before him his presents to Esau, and dispatched before them his prayers to God. See what gifts & good words, a fair tongue and full hand can doe. Esau in stead of killing falls aqGeu. 33. 4. kissing him. Behold how they hug! being now more twins, then in their mothers womb: for there they strove, but here they embraced. From Peniel Iacob travelled torGen. 33. 17. Succoth, in English Boothes, because there he erected tents for himself and his cattell: and so he went over Iordan, into the Tribe of Ephraim to the City of Sichem; whither (God willing) hereafter we will follow him. And now seeing the way which we have come is both plain and pleasant, let me request the Reader not to begrutch his pains to goe some part of it back again, onelyonly exchanging the company of plain dealing Iacob, for valiant Gideon: who in his march traversed this Tribe from the west to the east thereof.
§ 12. Gideon pursuing the flying Midianites with his souldiers, as faint as few for want of victualls, coming to Succoth, desired food from the inhabitants thereof. The Succothites were so far from granting him provision, they would not give him good words, not more niggardly of their victualls then prodigall of theirsIudg. 8. 6. taunts unto him. Wherefore Gideon in his return (not then at leasure, that his wrath should hinder his work) with briars and thorns of the wood hard by, tare their flesh in pieces. The originall saith, he taught them with thorns, or made them to know, namely their own folly and his power. Dull Scholars must have sharp …eachers: or rather like unto like, churlish crabbed dispositions, and prickly crooked thorns well agree together. Hence Gideon marched to Peniel, whose Citizens (neighbours to Succoth both in place and peevishness) churlishly entertained him; which cost them at his return the breaking down of theirtIudg. 8. 17. tower, which was afterwardsu1 King. 12. 25. reedified by King Ieroboam. From Peniel Gideon went forward, by the way of them that dwelt inwIudg. 8. 11. tents, on the east of Nobah and Iogbehah against the Midianites, unto Karkor, which being out of the Tribe of Gad, we shall hear more of it in our description of Midian.
§ 13. The mention of those that dwell in tents, puts me in mind, that it is as much my duty here to tender my conjecture to the Reader, as it is his liberty to receive or reject it. There was a Countrey, undoubtedly in this Tribe, called thex2 Sam. …4. 6. Land of Tahtim-hodshi, that is, newly inhabited, where Ioab made his second station, when sent to number the people. Now may not this in probability be the very place, where the Israelites formerly dwelled in tents, and in Davids victorious reign were reduced to more stability, and incouraged to turn their tents into houses, more certain and solid habitations?
§ 14. To return now to the river Iabbok, half impatient for our long deserting it, save that running westward, it glides cooly and calmly under the shade of the forest of Ephraim, so called, as learned men conjecture, (for otherwise Ephraim possessed not any thing on this side Iordan) because thereyIudg. 12. 4. Iephtha defeated the Ephraimites for their insolent mutiny against him. But afterwards a greater slaughter happened in the same place, when Ioab, Abishai, and Ittai Generalls for David, routed Absaloms army, andz2 Sam. 18. 8. when the wood devoured more then the sword. Wonder not that sticks had a mouth more voracious then steel, understand it that some were devoured by beasts, others famished as lost in the labyrinths of the forest, and some staked on sharp piles in the fierceness of their flight. Well might such sad fate befall the common souldiers, which happened to Absalom himself. This was he that boasted how upright he would be when made aa2 Sam. 15. 4. Judge, whereas now, if the length of his hair conduced any thing to his execution, it was the best, yea onelyonly piece of justice performed by him. Yet more probable it is, that running in hast (not so minding which way to goe, as to be gone) he was snatched up by the neck in a forkedb2 Sam. 18. 9. bough: How did the officious Oake act three parts, being the Gallows, Halter, and Hangman for a traitour? But this accident rather occasioned then caused his death: the Oake was rather his Gaolor then his Executioner. It was Ioab that dispatched him with three darts through hisc2 Sam. 18. 14. heart. Wherein through a treble orifice were discovered Disobedience to his Parent, Treason to his Prince, and Hypocrisie to his God, pretending ad2 Sam. 15. 7. Sacrifice and intending Rebellion.
§ 15. Hard by was Absoloms Tombe, consisting of a greate2 Sam. 18. 17. pit to hold, and a great heap of stones to hide a great Traitour under it. May they there lie hard and heavy on his Corpes, and withall (if possible) sink down his rebellious example for ever having a resurrection. No methodicall monument but this hurdle of stones was fittest for such a causer of confusion. Indeed in his life time he had erected a statelyf2 Sam. 18. 18. Pillar near Ierusalem, intending it no doubt for the place of his buriall. But just it was that his dead carkass should be deprived of his own grave, who endevoured to dispossess his living Father of his kingdome.
§ 16. And now a little to acquaint the Reader with the adjacent Countrey, two severall ways led hence to the City of Mahanaim. The one through the mountains, shorter but harder, which Cushi chose: The otherg2 Sam. 18. 23. by the way of the plain, which the furthest about was the nearest way home. Ahimaaz took this as the most ready Road, who being a messenger volunteer, would confess to David no more news then what he knew would be welcome, whilest Cushi a prest Post must relate the full of his message. And now the river Iabbok, who hitherto may seem to run slowly, as attending in suspence the issue of the Battell, certified of the success thereof hastens with all possible speed to fall into the river Iordan.
§ 17. Iordan had now some distance of miles escaped out of the sea of Kinneroth or Sea of Galilee: the edge whereof Iosh. 13. 26. is assigned for the utmost border of this Tribe. Through this lake (as Tacitus observeth) this river kept his ready course, preserving his stream intire from incorporating with the waters of the Lake. A thing no whit incredible to those Welshmen in Merioneth-shire, who have beheld how the river Dee running throughhCamdens Brit…n. in Merioneth shire. Pimble-meer continueth his channell without mixing with the Meer. On the east side of this Sea stood the City of Gadara; (the first syllable whereof is argument enough to place it in this Tribe) where the Legion of Devills cast out of the man entred into the herd of Swine: where a threefold difficulty appeareth in the relation of the story.
1 Whilest otheriMar. 5. 1. & Luke 8. 27. Gospells mention but one, SaintkMat. 8. 28. Matthew makes two men possest with a Devill.
2 The same tearmeth them Gergasens whom other Gospells name Gadarens.
3 Seeing Swine till killed, return their owners no profit, and then their flesh was forbidden to the Iews to eate, how came the Gadarens, being undoubtedly Iews (otherwise Christ would not have conversed with them) to keep such a company of useless cattell?
But these difficulties accept of their severall solutions.
1 Though two were possest, one of them being Paramount in torture and unruliness eclipsed the mention of the other, the second not being named in the presence of the principall.
2 Gadara and Gerazen, though distinct, were neighbouring Cities, and so might have joint commonage of cattell betwixt them.
3 They kept Swine to truck and barter with other nations. Though their flesh was unclean in the mouths, yet their money was clean in the purses of the Iews. But if any conceive they kept Swine not onelyonly ad usum but ad esum, such must acknowledge the drowning of them to be the owners just punishment for their breaking Gods commandements.
But when those Hogs were sunk in the sea, a greater herd of them remained in the City: swinish people, who preferred to wallow on the dunghill of their own wealth, rather then to possess the pearl of Christs presence, whom they requested to depart out of their coasts. So much of the Gadarens, and their neighbours the Gergasens, onelyonly let me adde, that from the affinity of sound some have collected, the Girgashites anciently to have inhabited this countrey, (as we have formerly observed) and therefore in the title of every leafe we have divided this Tribe betwixt them and the Amorites, as the old possessors thereof.
§ 18. Strabo *G…og. lib. 16. col. 764.reports how there is a little Lake near to the City of Gadara infected with such malignant and pestiferous qualities, that it scaldeth off the skin of whatsoever is cast into it. This may seem an effect of the Devills in the hogs, (Satan when he departs useth to leave such perfumes behind him) and semblably the possessed man stripped himself of all his clothes and went naked. But seeing the Scriptures say expresly that the hogs ran into the Sea, and not into this petty Lake, I dare not assign this as the cause of those mischievous waters.
§ 19. Iordan having got out of the aforesaid Sea of Galilee is presently crossed over with a stately Bridge. I conceive it of no great antiquity (no stone thereof appearing in the Scripture) but Mercators Maps take notice thereof. And a moderate Iesuite tells us (observe it Reader against the time thou travellest into those parts) that the way over this bridge, though somewhat further about and less frequented, is an easier and safer rode from Damascus to Ierusalem, then what is commonly gone over Iacobs bridge in the Tribe of Naphtali, whereof God willing hereafter.
§ 20. And now Iordan being enriched with the tributary waters of Iabbok g…ows fair and large, yet not so deep but that it is fordable, especially at that place so fatall to thelIudg. 12. 6. Ephraimites, where fourty two thousand of them were by Iephthah put to the sword. Four-sold was the offence of these Ephraimites.
1 They neglected on seasonablemJudg. 12. 2. summons to assist Iephthah against the Ammonites.
2 They falsly retorted the fault on Iephthah, and being wilfully deaf at his call accused him for dumbe not calling them.
3 They gave the Gileadites reproachfull language, calling them nIudg. 12. 4.Runnagates.
4 They menaced to burn Iephthah and his house with fire.
Hereupon Iephthah defended himself, and defeated them in a memorable overthrow. The Ephraimites being routed fled to these fords of Iordan, so hoping to recover their own countrey on the other side. But all in vain. Iordan indeed might here be waded over; but no passage over the swelling Surges of their enemies anger▪ How willingly would those who called others Runnagates have been now Runnaways themselves; but could not be permitted? The Gileadites pursued, yea prevented them, and arraigned them all for their lives. Shiboleth is their neck-word (and as ratling in the throat is generally to sick men) so lisping of their tongues was a certain Symptome of their death.
§ 21. Some will accuse Iep…thah of cruelty, that not contented with the honour of the Conquest he followed the Chace so furiously, as to suffer his sword not onelyonly to drink to mirth, but to swill to drunkenness in the bloud of his brethren. But haply this execution without order from him might be done by the Gileadites in heat of anger: Souldiers in the Precipice of their passion being sensible of no other stop but the bottome. If done by Iepthah's command, surely his own security enforced this severity, as a dolefull, but needfull, a sad, but safe way to prevent the growth of another war, the seeds whereof Iephthah foresaw in the revengefull disposition of the Ephraimites. However some actions in the old Testament as they may not be imitated, so they must not be condemned, whose Actors might have immediate commission of divine inspiration.
§ 22. From hence Iordan casteth a glancing eye at the fair City of Iabesh-Gilead, sweetly seated at the bottome of Balm-bearing mountains. The Inhabitants hereof ingaged not with the rest of Israel against the Benjamites, for which offence they were all slain save four hundred youngoIudg. 21. 12. Virgins, which were given to the Benjamites to wife. Thus the Benjamites being Gileadites by the mother side, it was not onelyonly protection to his subjects, but also love to his kindred which invited Saul to succour this City, when Naash the Ammonite besieged it. Painfull and shamefull were the conditions of Peace which Naash offered them, namelyp1 Sam. 11. 2. if he might thrust out their right eyes, which was to render their Souldiers stark blind in effect. For whereas the Iews were wont to wear in war broad shields on their left arme, which as it sheltered their body, so it hindred their sight on that side) when their right eye was put out by their enemies sword, and the left blinded by their own shield, they were, during the fight, deprived of the best fence of their body. But q2 Sam. 11. 11.Saul saved all this harm by a speedy march, suddenly surprizing the Ammonites, and delivering the City of Iabesh-Gilead.
§ 23. Gratitude to Saul for so great a benefit probably did afterwards put the people of this City on that honourable, but dangerous designe to rescue Saul and his sons bodies from the wall of Bethshan, where the r1 Sam. 31. 10.Philistines had hanged them up. It was no pleasant prospect to these men of Iabesh, Bethshan being opposite on the other side of Iordan over against them, some eight miles off. (Loialty hath a quick sight and a tender heart, at a distance to behold and bemoan affronts to her Soveraign) Did Saul preserve their right eyes to this end, contentedly to behold his body abused? Out march all the valiant men in the City in the night over Iordan: Sauls and his sons corps they took down from Bethshan, bring them home, burn the flesh, and bury the bones thereof under as1 Sam. 31. 13. tree neare the City. The Iews generally interring their dead under some Oak, pleased perchance with the parallel, that as those plants seemingly dead in winter, have every spring an annuall resurrection: so mens dry bones shall have new sap put into them at the day of Judgment.t2 Sam. 21. 14. David afterwards removed the bones of Saul and Ionathan, & buried them in the sepulchre of Kish their father in Zelab in the Countrey of*Josh. 18. 28. Benjamin.
§ 24. From the fords of Ephraim, Iordan taketh his course by the Cities ofuNum. 32. 34. Ataroth andwJosh. 13. 26. Debir, of which we can say neither more nor less, but that they are called Ataroth and Debir. For these places (letxNum. 32. 35. Ataroth-shophan, yNum. 32. 36.Beth-haran &c. march in the same rank) are so short-lived in Scripture, that they live onelyonly to be named, and presently vanish away, without any more mention of them. Not long after Iordan leaving this Tribe runneth into Reuben.
§ 25. More inland in Gad lay the large and fruitfull Countrey of Gilead, whereof more fitly and fully in the next Tribe. For though this Tribe of Gad had South-Gilead in her borders; yet under favour I conceive that North-Gilead (which belonged to Manasseh) was the firstand best Countrey of that name. Now whereas we read inzJosh. 13. 25. Scripture, that Gad had all the Cities of Gilead, and few verses after, that Manasseh had half aJosh. 13. 31.Gilead; know that Gilead is taken restrictively in the former, and generally in the latter acception.
§ 26. Ramoth-Gilead (called alsobIosh. 13. 26. vide Tremellium in locum. Ramo…h-mizpeh) was metropolis of Gad-Gilead. It belonged to the Levites, and was also a City ofcIosh. 20. 8. refuge, afterwards won by the King ofd1 King. 22. 3. Aram. Then, (alas) that city, which so often had saved others from the pursuit of their enemies, could not preserve it self from the sword of the Syrians. Here it was verified, Quod non capit Christus,e2 Chr. 11. 14. rapit fiscus. For upon Ieroboams introducing of Idolatry, the pious Levites were outed of their possessions, and now the pagan Syrians, revenging their quarrell, ejected Israel out of this City, wrongfully wrested from the Levites.
§ 27. However not long after Ahab and Iehoshaphat with joint forces besieged it, when the army of the Syrians bad them both battell. Iehoshaphat at Ahabs f1 King. 22. 30.perswasion (pretending his honour, but intending therein his own safety) appeared in his Princely equipage, whilest the other disguised himself in the army. Now the Syrians having received speciall orders, g1 King. 23. 31.to fight neither against small nor great, save onelyonly with the King of Israel, mistake Iehoshaphat for the King of Israel, directed in their conjectures unto him by the lustre of his royall Robes. Bravery betrays men to danger, and not onelyonly sets up a fair mark, but giveth malice the right ground to throw at it. And was it not just with God, that Iehoshaphat, who in complement had profest to Ahab, I amh1 King. 22. 4. as thou art, should in realty be taken to be the same indeed? But upon his crying out the Syrians apprehend their errour, and desist from further pursuing him.
§ 28. But divine Justice continues the chace of Ahab. Guilt cannot hide it self in a croud, and there is no way for a notorious sinner, to disguise himself from Gods eye, but by his sincere repentance. A man draws a bow ati1 King. 22. 34. adventures, and all-seeing providence guiding blind chance to the joints of Ahabs armour, mortally wounds him. It seems not onelyonly the Corselet, but also the putting on thereof must be of proof to fence death out, which otherwise will creep in at a small cranny. Yet Ahab was staid up in his chariot til even, & then the Sun & his life set together. Some years after King Iehoram Ahabs son at the same place receivedk2 King. 2. 14, 15. wounds of more honour and less danger, when forcibly he recovered this Ramoth-Gilead from the Kings of Syria. But of all Iehorams hurts here received, none went so near his heart, as that in thisl2 King. 9. 1. City, a son of the Prophets sent by Elisha, did anoint Iehu, a Captain of the Hoste, to be his successour and King of Israel.
§ 29. We had wholly forgotten (no shame to confess and amend our faults) the small Countrey of Sharon in the north-east partm1 Chr. 5. 16. of this tribe. It seems it was parcell of the demeans of the Crown in the days of King David, where his heardsn1 Chr 27. 29. were fed under the care and charge of Shetrai the Sharonite. David we see was not onelyonly a good man, and good King, but also a good husband, stocking this his land to his best profit, knowing full well, soon would the State of his Court-hall be abated, if the thrift in his countrey Kitchin were not preserved. Nor was Sharon a place less pleasant then profitable, where plenty of fragrant roses grew, to which Christ (the Churches spouse) is pleased too… say 35. 2. Cant. 2. …. resemble himself; not for any fading condition, but fair sight, sweet smell, and cordiall vertues wherein he excelled.
§ 30. Here some will inquire, In what capacity did David hold his land in Sharon (and elsewhere) where his cattell was grased,*1. Chron. 27. 25, 26. &c. seeing being Iesse's youngest Son, little land was left him from his Father, and none at all in the Tribe of Gad. The difficulty is increased, because in so pent and populous a countrey, scarce a foot thereof, but related to some owner not having power to alienate it from his heires, to whom at the farthest it was to revert at the year of Iubilee when all dead possessions had a resurrection to their proper owners. We conceive David held this land by one of the following Titles.
1 By the fundamentall establishment of the Crown. For sure when that Kings were made, publick provision was made for their Princely support, who (as Lords of Manors have commonage sance number amongst their Tenants) might feed their cattell any where in their own dominions.
2 By improvement of wast grounds, which fell to the King as Lord of the Soile. Yea seeing God made provisionary Laws for the Kings behaviour, (*Deut. 17. 15, 16. four hundred years before any King was in Israel) why might not a reserve of land be also left, at the partition of the countrey by lot, for their Kings future maintenance?
3 By mutuall compact: some subjects on valuable consideration, (as perchance the relaxing the tribute due from every person to his Prince)*1 Sam. 17. 25. might part (not with the propriety, but) present profit of their land for the Kings conveniency.
4 By attainder of Traitours: whose lands it seems were (at least for some term of time) at the Kings disposall; witness Davids granting all*2 Sam. 16. 4. Mephibosheth had unto Ziba.
5 By conquest, as most probable it is this Sharon was won from the Ammonites, when*2 Sam. 1…. 29. Rabba was taken from them.
However we may prefume that Davids title (though unknown to us) was undoubted in it self, free from the least suspicion of injustice, according to his own counsell:*Psal. 65. 10. Trust not in oppression, become not vain in robbery. Otherwise his tender conscience would as wel have smote him for cutting off a lap of his subjects ground, as of his*1 Sam. 24. 5. Soveraigns garment.
§ 31. We have finished the description of this Tribe and all places therein mentioned in Cononicall Scripture, onelyonly there remains behind some Cities which we finde in the Apocrypha, in onep1 Maccab. 5. chapter whereof we may spring a whole Covey of Cities, namely these following:
1 Dathema, a fortress.
2 Bosora.
3 Bosor.
4 Alema.
5 Chasphor.
6 Mached.
7 Carnaim.
8 Ephron.
The generall character given of these places consisteth principally in these particulars.
1q1 Mac. 5. 26. All these were Cities strong and great.
2 Situated al in ther1 Mac. 5. 25. Land of Gilead, yea in this Tribe of Gad, Carnaim onelyonly excepted, whereof more properly in our next description.
3 Inhabited by Iews, and threatned by the pagan Hoste under Timotheus, that they would take and destroy them all ins1 Mac. 5. 27. one day.
From which last clause we collect that these Cities must be placed somewhat near together, otherwise, how could an army probably propound to dispatch them all in one day? And though the Pagans might mingle much pride with their malice in projecting things high and hard to effect, yet surely they mixed some policy with their pride, not to propound to themselves meer impossibilities. But the seasonable coming of Iudas Maccabeus with his host frustrated all the Pagans designes.
§ 32. But the City of Ephron deserves serious consideration, for the singular situation thereof. For in Maccabeus his return from Carnaim this strong City stood so in his way, that he could not turn from it either to the right hand or to the left, t1 Mac. 5. 46.but must needs pass through the midst of it. A place in so tyrannicall a position may seem an affront to mans naturall liberty. Yet such was the situation thereof near theuVide tabulas Adrichomii. confluence of Iabbok and Iordan (where perchance the way railed with Morasses on either side) and being a pass of importance, Maccabeus was onelyonly free to go this or no way. The Ephronites sen…ible of their advantage undiscreetly deny him passage. Surely if a flying enemy deserve a bridge of gold to be given him, a potent foe seriously proffering peaceably to depart, may merit a bridg of silver to be lent him. But Maccabeus being denyed forced his way through the city w1 Mac. 5. 51.over them that were slain.
§ 33. In the partition of the Land of Canaan into severall moneths for Solomons provisions the Tribe of Gad fell under three Purveyer-ships.
1 Of Gebar the son of Uri, who ranged over most of that land, once the kingdome*1 King. 4. 19. of Sihon.
2 Of the Son of Geber, to whose jurisdiction*1 King. 4. 13. Ramoth-Gilead did belong.
3 Of Abinadab the Son of Iddo, *1 King. 4. 14.to whom Mahanaim did pertain.
By Mahanaim here I understand not onelyonly the Levites City so named, (poor purveying for victualls within the walls of that alone) but a large Territory of the same name round about it. And although to us it is unknown how far the bounds thereof extended, yet they must be concluded either very large or extraordinary fruitfull, acquitting it self as a twelfth part of the Kingdome, and affording Court fare for one monethmonth of the year. In the passage to this Mahanaim on the south (to retreive a place which otherwise had escaped us) lay Bithron, a petty Countrey it seems, through which Abner passed*2 Sam. …. 29. when by night he fled from Ioab.
§ 34. It will here be demanded, that seeing the land was by Gods own appointment formerly divided into twelve parts, (the twelve Tribes) adequate to the twelve moneths of the year, why did not Solomon rather make use of this partition, which was jure divino, then make a new modell out of his own fancy. It is answered, this later division of the land, was found most convenient for house-keeping, and so more subservient to this particular end for which it was ordained.
If that any urge me to give a reason why in this division into Purveyerships Ramoth-Gilead distanced some miles off, was added to the jurisdiction of the Son of Geber, who was overseer in Manasseh, thereby mangling and mutilating the intireness of the Countrey; let such first satisfie me, why so many shreds and parcells of land (especially in Worcester *See Camdens & Speeds Maps.& Hereford shires) are cut off from those Countreys in situation, (yea are surrounded with other shires) yet belong unto them in jurisdiction as accounted members thereof. In all these Querees an ordinary eye might at the first institution discover an apparent reason of such fractions, though now, because long since time out of minde, the quickest sight cannot perceive the cause thereof.
§ 35. The Armes usually assigned to Gad are Gules on a Banner erected argent a Lion rampant sable: grounding their fancy (I can afford it no better term) on Moses his blessing;xDeut. 33. 20. Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad, he dwelleth as a Lion &c. Bu… how to accommodate the prophecy of Iacob to this Tribe of Gad,yGen. 49. 19. a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at last, much imployeth the industry of Divines. Most apply it to the situation of this Tribe, much exposed to the incursion of the Ammonites their vexatious neighbours, till at last underzJudg. 12. 11. Iephthah, a1 Sam. …1. 11.Saul, and chieflyb2 Sam. 12. 31. David freed from forein foes, they possessed their countrey in peace. Others in a mysticall meaning make Gad the embleme of Gods children, who after many intermediate frights, fights and failings, come off with the conquest at last; I say at last, a word which fully recompenseth its long delays in coming, when come with eternity of continuance.