A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Volume 3 · Appendix · Chapter 1
NAHUM.
THIS Prophet Nahum gives a Narrative of the fatal and final fall of Nineveh after the Hiſtory of Jonah.
Remark the Firſt; His Name Nachum, Hebr. ſignifies a Comforter, for ſo he was in ſundry places of his Prophecy (as chap. 1. ver. 7, 12, 13, 15, &c.) to God's Church, propheſying that God would be good to her, a Sanctuary in Affliction, Deliverance from her old Aſſyrian Adverſary, would give liberty to exerciſe their Religion, both ordinary and extraordinary, and freedom from all fear of any farther Perſecution from that Monarchy of Aſſyria, that Empreſs of the Eaſt for a long time, Nineveh being the Imperial Seat of the firſt of the four Empires, which ſhe alſo held longeſt of any, even above thirteen hundred years, and therefore is call'd an old Fiſh-pool of ſtagnating and ſtanding Water, Chap. 2.8. God's emptying of which was much eaſe to Iſrael. This is the purport of this Prophecy of Nahum, that Nineveh was now fully Ripe for its full Ruine, and God was juſt now going to ſcour that filthy Pond of Sin, and to do to her as ſhe had done to his Church.
Remark the Second; Tho' Nineveh had before Repented at the Preaching of Jonah, as above, and therefore the Lord had likewiſe Repented of his Diſpleaſure againſt that City, and ſuſpended his Judgments he had threatned by Jonah to inflict upon thoſe notorious ſinners at the end of forty Days: Yet after this Reſpit and Divine Remiſſion, both that City, and the whole Aſſyrian Empire (whereof Nineveh was the Head) returned to a filthy Commiſſion of their former ſins, aggravating and encreaſing them with a Renewed Perſecution of the Church of God. Tho' the Ʋnclean Spirit ſeemed to be caſt out of the City by Jonah's ſingle Sermon; yet he returned ſoon after with ſeven worſe, and ſo their laſt State was worſe than the former, Matth. 12.45. The Bile of this People (being but half healed) breaks out again afterwards (as appeareth by this Prophecy) and proved to be the Plague of Leproſie, Lev. 13.18, 19, 20. ſo ſhut them out from receiving any more Mercy. Thoſe Apoſtates were turned aſide to their crooked paths, therefore the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of Iniquity, Pſal. 125.5. and God ſtirs up Nahum to tell them ſo; not only telling them of their ſins, but alſo foretelling them of their puniſhments; upon this account Nahum's Prophecy is call'd the Burden of Nineveh, chap. 1. ver. 1. writ in a Book, ſent to Nineveh; but Nahum himſelf went not to Nineveh, as Jonah had done; for now they were more ſealed down in their Impenitency; And this ſame Reaſon is rendred by ſome Rabbins, N.B. why that Threatning Letter which Elijah wrote before his Tranſlation, and left to be ſent unto Jehoram King of Judah, 2 Chron. 21.12. by Eliſha or ſome other Prophets who durſt not ſhew themſelves in Jehoram's preſence becauſe of his horrid Inſolency, and hardened Impenitency.
Remark the Third; Nineveh's Preſervation by their Repentance at Jonah's Preaching, proved but a Reſervation for utter Deſtruction, according to Nahum's Prophecy. As Jonah had denounced Nineveh's Deſtruction to be but forty days off in caſe they had not Repented; which was the Condition of their Declared Doom at that time; So Nahum now is raiſed up of God to denounce his laſt and Irrevocable Decree for deſtroying them by the Chaldeans, &c. and that about forty years or leſs after Jonah; and then was Nineveh deſtroyed indeed under that effeminate Emperor Sardanapalus (ſaith Dr. Lightfoot) ſo famous, or rather infamous in Heathen Hiſtories.
Remark the Fourth; Nahum is generally believed to have lived and propheſied in the days of Hezekiah, and was one of thoſe Prophets, who were commanded to be Comforters of Jeruſalem againſt its Affrightments from Aſſyria, Iſa. 40.1. And he plainly telleth what Evil Counſel Senacherib conceived againſt the Lord, and foretelleth Senacherib's Death in his Idol. Temple by his own Sons, as well as the prodigious Slaughter of his numerous Army by the ſtroke of an Angel, Nah. 1.11, to 15. wherein is intimated, (1.) His Peſtilent Counſel he gave to Jeruſalem, that they ſhould caſt off God, as unable to deliver them out of his hands, 2 Kings 18.19, &c. 2 Chron. 32.15, &c. Iſa. 36.15, to 20. (2.) Tho' Senacherib's Army was well diſciplined, and likewiſe many for number, ver. 12. yet God by his Angel will cut, or ſhear them, Hebr. with as much eaſe as Men ſhear a Sheep, mow down a Meadow, or ſhave off the feeble Hair with a ſharp Razour; alluding to that phraſe of Iſaiah (with whom he was Contemporary) Iſa. 7.10. 3. The breaking of the Aſſyrian Yoke, v. 13. no more Tribute to be paid by Hezekiah as had been in Ahaz's Time, &c. 4. The failure of Senacherib's Sons, ver. 14. He rebelled againſt his Father in Heaven, and his Sons rebelled againſt him their Father on Earth, and ſlew him in his Idol-Worſhip. This fact God is ſaid to command, becauſe he would have deſtroyed the true Worſhip of God; He loſt his two Sons by whom he loſt his Life; and tho' his Third Son ſucceeded him, yet ſoon after he loſt his Life and Kingdom by the Chaldees; ſo all the Royal Race of Aſſyria was Routed out.
Remark the Fifth; Nahum's Graphical Deſcription of Nineveh's Doleful Deſtruction for the Church's Comfort.
Mark 1. The Chief Efficient Cauſe of that Capital City's Ruine, together with the whole Aſſyrian Empire, (as Brand Mullerus maketh the Analyſis) was the everlaſting glorious and omnipotent God taking Vengeance of his Enemies, and gave out the Commandment, that this daſhing work ſhould be done, and that ſinful City and Empire be undone, chap. 1.14. and 2.13. and 3.5, 6. where the Lord of Hoſts (Commander in Chief of all his Creatures, both his higher and lower Forces) is ſaid to come againſt his Adverſaries, and commands them to be deſtroyed. The great God need ſay no more, for what he ſaith ſhall be done, as in the Creation of the World. Hence Jeremy pray'd [Lord, be not thou my Adverſary, then ſhall I the better bear what will beſide befall me from Men] Jer. 17.17. God's Adminiſtration is moſt paternal for pitying his Friends, but moſt powerful to puniſh his Foes.
Mark 2. The Meritorious procuring Cauſe of this Divine Diſpleaſure, was their manifold ſins; as, beſide their Perſecution of God's Church, chap. 1.9, 11. they added Fraud, Rapine and Robbery, hence compared to a Lion's Den, and the feeding-place of young Lions, chap. 2.11, 12. greedy Lions they were that could never have enough, Iſa. 56.11, 12. not enough to ſatiate them, but enough to ſink them, and Woe is denounced by Nahum againſt Nineveh for being a bloody City, and all full of lyes, chap. 3.1. Her violence filled her ſo with fraudulency and falſhood (which ſeldom are ſeen aſunder; the Fox's Skin Eeking out the Lion's Hide) that there was no Truth in her private Contracts, and no Truſt in her publick Tranſactions, &c. There were Whoredom, Witchcraft, and all kind of wickedneſs with a witneſs found in her, chap. 3, 4. and tho' ſhe ſeem'd to repent of her Luxury, Cruelty, &c. at the Preaching of Jonah, yet now is ſhe become as bad again, and worſe than ever. N.B. Let Paris and Rome, yea London remember what was the Ruine of Nineveh.
Mark 3. The leſs Principal or Inſtrumental Cauſe of Nineveh's Deſtruction, for her Inhumanity againſt Men, and her Idolatry againſt God, were the Chaldeans, &c. who are deſcribed by their Arms, Apparel, Launces, Chariots and Horſes, Chap. 2.1, 2, 3, 4. and 3.2. Theſe the Lord of Hoſts armed to daſh her in pieces, and to burn that Rod wherewith he had ſcourged his own Church and Children, though the Aſſyrians knew not ſo much, Iſa. 10.12, 13, &c. which Place explaineth, Nah. 2.2. God now (having no more uſe of the Rod of his Anger, the Aſſyrians to chaſtize Iſrael for their Sins, wherein they exceeded their Commiſſion in Cruelty, Zach. 1.15.) ſends the Maul of the whole Earth, Jer 50.23. the Chaldeans, to break Nineveh and the Aſſyrian Empire in pieces, as the great Hammer breaks the bardeſt Stones. N.B. Thus Cities, Countreys, Kingdoms and Empires have their Times and their Turns, their Riſe, Reign and Ruine: All this here was done by the great God, and ought not to be aſcribed to Blind Fate or Fortune, or any Neceſſity of Nature, as Pagan Politicians do dotingly Dream, &c.
Remark the Sixth, The Divine Decree for Nineveh's Deſtruction was inevitable, it could neither be averted nor avoided, the Aſſyrians were altogether unable to ſave themſelves either in City or Countrey, with all that Power whereby they had conquer'd all Nations.
Mark 1. This old, great, and ſtrong City, becauſe Bloody, &c. was run down by an over-running Flood, Chap. 1.8. as effectually and univerſally as the old wicked World was by the General Deluge, for the ſtouteſt of their Champions ſtumbled, Chap. 2.5. and none of their men of Might could find their Hands, as Pſalm 76.5, 6. becauſe God ſtruck them with a Terrour upon the firſt coming of the Chaldees. So that when Aſa…haddon (call'd Sardanapalus by Pagan Writers) King of Nineveh commanded his Captains, now or never to play the Men, ſeeing the Empire was at Stake; N.B. Yet ſo fearful and faint-hearted were they, as to flee away without looking back, Chap. 2.8. Their Hearts ſank into their Heels, and they had more Mind to ſave themſelves by a Cowardly Flight, than by a Couragious Fight. Yea their Martial Men in the midſt of the City (where they ſhould ſhew their Valour moſt, as Cocks on their own Dunghil) became Creſt-faln, and weak as Women, Chap. 3.13.
Mark 2. The Execution of the Divine Decree, 1. In cutting off the King, and all the Royal Race, Chap. 1.14. his Poſterity periſhed, which cannot but be grievous to proud Princes and Perſons, who Promiſe themſelves a kind of Immortality by their Poſterity on Earth, Pſalm 49.11. 2. In Captivating the Queen, Chap. 2.7. Huzzah with her Straglio of Women, or Maids of Honour, fall into the Hands of rude Soldiers, who hurried them away into a far Countrey ſore againſt their Wills, which made them go Moaning and Groaning all along for the greatneſs of their Griefs. 3. In that Plenty of Plunder both Gold, Silver, and pleaſant Furniture, the Chaldeans took in the City, when God gave them the Word of Command to fall on, Chap. 2.9, 10. where we have a moſt elegant Agnomination, [Bukah, Ʋmbukah, Ʋmbyllakah, Hebr.] far above the reach of our Engliſh Tranſlation for elegancy, rendring it only [empty, and void, and waſt] for the Deſtruction of it. 4. In the ſlaughter of all ſorts of Perſons, Princes and Peaſants, Gentle and Simple, Chap. 3.3. The heavineſs of Dead Carkaſes, Hebr. intimates, they lay ſo Thick, that the Earth ſeemed to groan under the heavy burden of them.
Mark 3. The Event and upſhot of this Execution: The nakedneſs of Nineveh, God ſhewed to all Nations, Chap. 3.5, 6, 7. So that all Spectators abhorr'd her, and caſt their ſcorn and contempt upon her, yea caſt abominable filth (as Piſs-pots, Rotten-eggs, and Dirt is caſt upon carted Whores) ſo that ſhe ſtank above ground like loathſome Carrion: The ſame diſmal Fate that befel populous No (now call'd Alexandria or Scanderoon) ſhall befal thee Nineveh, ſaith Nahum, Chap. 3.8, 9, 10, 11, 12. all that look upon thee ſhall loath thee, and all that have been oppreſs'd by thee ſhall inſult over thee, and rejoice at thy Ruine, ver. 19. they ſhall take up this Taunting Proverb againſt thee, ſaying, How is the Golden City ceaſed? &c. Iſa. 14.4, 5, 6, 7. which moſt men look'd upon as impoſſible, and never look'd to have ſeen ſuch a Day, but her wickedneſs was the cauſe of all this wretchedneſs: God make it a warning to all great Cities, &c.
THE fifth and ſixth Prophets (ſaith Dr. Lightfoot) were both Joel and Obadiah, that Propheſy'd at the ſame time, the former againſt Jacob, and the latter againſt Eſau: Thus God raiſed up a Generation of Prophets, far more than in former Ages at one time, and thoſe continued in a Succeſſion until the Captivity, leaving their Prophecies in Writing behind them, that nothing might be wanting on God's part to prevent their ruine.
The Second Part of 2 Kings Chapter 15th. concerns Jotham the Son of Ʋzziah, ver. 32, to ver. 38. whoſe Hiſtory takes up the whole twenty ſeventh Chapter of the ſecond of Chronicles.
Remark Firſt, Concerning Jotham, he like a right-dutiful Son, did not thruſt out his Father from his Title to the Throne, but ruled all under Ʋzziah, while he lived a Leper, as a Deputy only, and as a Subſtitute under him: This humble dutifulneſs of the Son, was doubtleſs ſome Comfort to the Diſconſolate and Diſeaſed Father. Ʋzziah Reigned ſtill to make up his Reign of fifty two Years, though he was a Leper, his Leproſie in the Forehead (where it was moſt conſpicuous) did not wholly remove his Crown from his Head: So (as hath been noted before.) N.B. If once we be of the Royal Generation, 1 Pet. 2.9. Our Leproſies of Sin may Deform us, but they ſhall not Dethrone us, we are kept in Chriſt, Jude v. 1. by the Power of God to Salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5.
Remark the Second, This King Jotham did that which was Right in the ſight of God, 2 Kings 15.34. and 2 Chron. 27.2. that is, both for Matter, Manner, Motive and End: For nothing is Recorded of him, that renders him ſo much as any ſuſpected Hypocrite, much leſs an open Apoſtate, as Joaſh, Amaziah and Ʋzziah ſtand branded upon Scripture Record: Joſephus accounts this Jotham a Juſt, Pious and a publick-ſpirited Prince, and one that wanted no Vertue; and Lavater ſaith the ſame [Probè & piè Regnavit]; ſome ſuppoſe his Mother promoted his Piety, being the Daughter of Zadok a Godly Prieſt, v. 33.2 King 15. N.B. For, in thoſe times, as Prieſts married Kings Daughters, 2 Chron. 22.11. So Kings might marry Prieſts Daughters, which was more bleſt than the Daughters of Forreigners, as is done by Princes in our Days, &c.
Remark the Third, Though it be ſaid of him [He did according to all that his Father Ʋzziah had done] ver. 34. yet this is reſtrained in 2 Chron. 27.2. (ſaith Piſcator) only to that which his Father did right, for ver. 2. excepts the incroaching of the Prieſts-Office by his Father, the Son durſt not enter into the Temple for any ſuch end, though no doubt, He entred daily thither to ſerve God: N.B. And therefore the Hebrews ſay, he was without blame, not having his Name for nought, ſeeing Jotham in Hebrew ſignifies perfect.
Remark the Fourth, He is commended for his good endeavours, for while the People doated upon the High-Places (which Practices he diſliked) he built the Higheſt Gate of God's Temple, ver. 35. and 2 Chron. 27.3. the Eaſtern Porch, ſaith Vatablus, call'd the New Gate, Jer. 26.10. and 36.10. ſixty Cubits high (ſaith Sir Walter Rawleigh) and therefore call'd Ophel for its heighth: He was victorious againſt the Ammonites, God proſper'd him, becauſe he proved (as good at laſt as at firſt): His good ways bleſt his Wars with ſucceſs, and then he died.
The Third Part of 2 Kings Chapter the 15th. gives an account of five Kings, that Reigned over Iſrael, from ver. 8, to ver. 31.
Remark the Firſt, Zachariah the Son of Jeroboam the ſecond ſucceeded, ver. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. who Reigned but ſix Months, ſo ſoon did God diſpatch him out of the way, and with him all Jehu's Generation, becauſe this fourth was as wicked as the firſt, all of them being Worſhippers of the golden Calves: Long continuance in the ſame Sin of Father, Grandfather, great-Grandfather, &c. is a great Aggravation of this Man's Sin, and did highly incenſe God's anger againſt him. So now, when God had made his Promiſe (Chap. 10.30.) good to Jehu, he ſuffers Shallum (ſome great Commander in the Army) to conſpire againſt him, and to cut him off as the laſt of Jehu. N.B. I find Lavater, and many learned Men ſay, that an inter-Reign cannot be denied in thoſe Times of the Kings of Iſrael and Judah, to make the Scripture-Computation currant. See Dr. Lightfoot's Chronology.
Remark the Second, Shallum, of another Family, cuts of Jehu's Family, out of his ambitious Aſpiring after the Crown of Iſrael, ver. 13, 14, 15. As this Zachary of Jehu's Race, had ſoon fill'd up the Meaſure of his Iniquity, Matth. 23.32. even in ſix Months Time; So this Shallum of another Race fill'd up his Ephah, Zech. 5.6. much ſooner, even in one Month's Time, who (as Cluverius well obſerveth) loſt his Kingdom the ſame way, that he had got it, and that before he was well warm in his Throne; for Menahem, another Captain of the Army, Retaliates upon him in the ſame kind, as he had done to Zacharias; Blood for Blood, writing his Sin upon his Puniſhment, even in legible Letters writ not with Black, but with Blood. N.B. Joſephus ſaith, this Menahem was King Zacharias's General of the Army that beſieged Tirzah, who hearing there of Shallum's murdering his Lord and Maſter, is ſaid [to go up from the Siege, to Samaria, where he likewiſe murder'd the Murderer, &c.]
Remark the Third, Menahem began his Reign in Blood, and carried it on in Blood, ripping ope the Women (with Child) of Tipſah, becauſe their Men would not ſet ope their Gates to him, as he paſſed along to Tirzah, ver. 16. Though this barbarous Cruelty was acted by him to terrifie his Oppoſers whom he doubtleſs feared, becauſe he came to the Crown by Treaſon, Murther, and Uſurpation; yet this Bloody Act did endanger him the more, ſo that he was forced to call in a Foreign Force to confirm the Kingdom to himſelf, ver. 17, 18, 19, 20. raiſing a vaſt ſumm out of his rich Subjects (getting no leſs of Curſes then of Coin) he hires Pul the King of Aſſyria to be on his ſide, whereby he Reigned ten Years, and then dies.
Remark the Fourth, His Son Pekahiah (thus brought by his Father into an Alliance with, and a Reliance on Aſſyria) makes a ſhift to Reign two Years more, ver. 23, 24, 25, 26. but Pekah one of his Captains ſlew him with the Aſſiſtance of Argob and Arieh, &c. his fellow Conſpirators, ſaith Vatablus, though Joſephus affirms, they were on Pekah's ſide, and were ſlain with him: However the King is cut ſhort by a Syllable, as call'd Pekah only, and no more Pekahiah.
Remark the Fifth, Now is Pekah King inſtead of Pekahiah, who Reigned twenty Years, but his Reign was troubleſome, for the Aſſyrians now infeſted Iſrael as the Syrians had done before, ver. 27, 28, 29. and at laſt as he had ſlain his Soveraign, ſo Hoſhea (one of his Subjects) ſlew him, ver. 30. of whom more in Chap. 17.
Mark 1. In one Year's time there were four Kings in Iſrael one after another, and thoſe dreadful Calamities (foretold by the Prophet Amos Chap. 7.9.) began to be fulfilled.
Mark 2. Ephraim is brought by Menahem to reſt upon Aſſyria; this they did to their utter undoing, as the Prophet Hoſea foretells them again and again, Hoſ. 5.13. and 7.11. and 8.9. and 9.3. and 11.5. Tiglathpileſer, Hebr. ſignifies a Remover of Captives, as he was, Chap. 17.6. unto Iſrael, &c.