Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 2 Samuel · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIV.
AGaine the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, that hee moved David to V. 1.say, goe and number Israel and Judah, 1 Chron. 21. 1. Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. By comparing these two together 1 Chron. 21,wee see, that by the fury of the Lord Satan is meant, whom hee used in his wrath to stirre up David to sinne, that hee might therefore bring a judgement upon the people, with whom hee was offended for their sinnes. Hee brought one judgement of a three years famine, 2 Sam. 21. for the sinne committed amongst them in the matter of the Gibeonites, now they had also greatly sinned otherwise, although it bee not here specified, for which hee brought the judgement of the Plague in this Chap. Martyr conjectureth, that after that famine plenty being restored, and the people living in peace they were much corrupted in their manners, as is usuall by such meanes: and wee may adde, that all their enemies being subdued, they most probably grew secure, and having such worthies, and they being so many, they trusted to their own strength, and hereby the Lord was provoked thus to abate their number. And whereas it may seem, that if their sinnes were the cause of this judgement, hee might have brought it upon them without Davids further stirring him up by numbring the people, it is true, but because they had greatly sinned against David also, whom he had chosen, by being so ready to follow other usurpers as Absalom and Shebah in rebelling against him; it seemed good unto the Lord to permit him thus Theodoret. Lyra.to offend, that through him they might be punished, who had alwayes forborn himself to take revenge upon them, that it might appeare, that God is the avenger of wrongs, and not avenge our selves, but commit it to him, as hee hath commanded. And that all may take notice, how farre stretching the sinne of a King is, and therefore pray for their wel-doing above all others, as 1 Tim. 2. 1. They were before judged for Sauls sinne, of which they were doubtlesse guilty by giving assent thereunto, and now they are judged againe for Davids sin, to which they were also accessary, by being together puft up by their great multitudes, and invincible forces. But if it were a sin in David to command the people to bee numbred, it may justly both bee inquired, wherein that sin Qu. lay, and also how God is said to move him hereunto, seeing hee is the author of all good, but not of any evill? To the first of these it is generally answered, that pride was his sin, for being puft up in beholding the catalogue of so many valiant men, which hee had, hee thought it would adde much to his glory to have a Register made of all his other men also throughout his whole kingdome. Some thinke that hee sinned, because in numbering the people, hee caused not the tribute to bee gathered of each man for the sanctuary, as Josephus.was commanded to bee done, when the people were numbred, that no plague Exod. 30. 12might bee sent amongst them, for the Lord would have this one end alwayes of numbring the people, that an oblation might bee made for them, for the reconciling of Gods favour towards them. And thus the heathen Romans, Titus Liviw.when the number of the people was taken, which was once in five years, ordained that a sacrifice should be offered for their health, of a sow, a sheep, and three bulls; and happily they learned this from the Hebrews. But David thought not upon this law, onelyonly hee would have the people numbred for no other end, but that hee might know the number of them to bee lifted up the more. And if he had propounded this end, viz. to raise a tribute for the sanctuary, saith R. Kimhi, unlesse hee had had some other lawfull end of numbring, it had not been justifiable, for God would not have his people oppressed R. Kimhi. Tostatus.with tributes. To the second, that God is not the author of any evill, as it is simply evill, but he suffereth it sometime to bee done for a punishment of precedent sinnes: as here, Satan by his suggestion moved David to number the people, as 1 Chron. 20. but the anger of God is said to have done it in this place, because hee being offended with Israel for sinne, permitted Satan to work thus in David and gave him not the grace to withstand such a sinfull motion: but of this see more at large in my comment upon Rom. 9. Touching the number V. 2.of the people, it is committed to Joab to bring it in, going through the whole land from Dan, which was north, to Beershebah, which was south. This V. 3.hee was unwilling to, as knowing it to come from vaine glory and therefore tending to the provoking of God to anger, but the King being resolute, hee did it, and in nine moneths brought in the number of all, that were able to goe to warre: whereby wee may gather, that none were numbred under 20. and none above 60. which happily might bee as many more. And that none under 20. were appointed to bee numbred is expresly said, 1 Chron. 27. 23. because the Lord had promised, that they should bee innumerable, as the starres of heaven. But it is said, that not onelyonly Joab, but the rulers of the people also were appointed to goe and number them, of which rulers it seemeth to be 1 Chr. 21. 2.spoken, 1 Chron. 27. 16. that they were 12. of each Tribe one; and 2 Sam. 24. 4. The Captaines of the hoast are said to have gone with Joab to number, which V. 5, 6.were 12. others, 1 Chron. 27. 1, 2. The way that Joab went with the Captaines was first over Iordan to begin with the Reubenites and Gadites first, which were farthest off eastward, then they came to Dan Iaan, and Zidon north; and lastly, V. 7.by the Cities of the Hivites and Canaanites westward to the south of Iudah and Beershebah. And they finished their numbring and brought in the number of all Israel 800000. and of Iudah 500000. at the end of nine moneths and twenty dayes to Jerusalem; but 1 Chron. 21. 5. of Israel 1100000, and of Iudah 470000. For the reconciling of which difference, it is to bee understood, that the divers Rulers of the Tribes had their severall books, into which the Tostatus.people numbred were written, and out of them they were againe all written, or should have been written into one book for the King: but because the fact 1 Chron. 27.seemed abominable to Joab, hee brake off from setting down all the numbers into the Kings book, and no more came in to that, but 800000 of Israel, as in this place; but the Writer of the book of the Chron: gathering the whole number out of those severall books without cutting off any, set downe 1100000. And whereas hee maketh fewer by 30000 of the Tribe of Judah, then 2 Kings 24. Tostatus thinketh, that so many were left out, because they were unfit for war, being not so valiant; and this is the more probable, because 1 Chron. 21. 5. to the men of Judah, the number of whom is there set downe, it is added, which drew the sword, but not 2 Sam. 24. Or it may be thought, that not onelyonly the men of Iudah, which came of Iudah, are numbred, 2 Sam. 24. but also Proselytes of other Countries dwelling amongst them and serving David, 1 Chro. 21. 5. they are left out, for there might be of these 30000. as Sallianus hath it. Sallianus. Peter Martyr.Peter Martyr thinketh, that Ioab gave up a lesse number to David, because the Tribe of Levi was left out of the number, and it may bee Ierusalem was not yet numbred, nor the Kings bands. But if so, the number of Iudah should rather have been increased, 1 Chron. 21. whereas it is made lesse, and it is said expresly of Israel, that they were 1100000. Levi and Benjamin not being numbred. Some thinke the difference to bee nothing, because the lesser number is contained in the greater, but who so being asked what number such a man mentioned, shall say 8. for 11. cannot bee justified. Some thinke, that so many of the Tribe of Judah were smitten by the plague, and so were left out, 1 Chron. 21. and some, that 500000. are mentioned, 2 Sam. 24. although there lacked 30000. ob rotunditatem numeri. Jerom resolveth it, that Joab found a greater number, but gave up a lesse to the King, that hee might bee the lesse puffed up. And when I consider Hieronym. in tradit hebr.seriously that 1 Chron. 21. 6. The Tribe of Levi and of Benjamin hee numbred not, it seemeth to me to bee spoken in this sense, hee put not the number of them into the booke exhibited to the King, the number indeed of all Israel, as it was taken in divers bookes, was 1100000. and of Judah 470000. but he cut off the Levites in that account and all Benjamin, which together might well bee 270000. that is, 300000. more to Israel, but 30000. lesse to Judah, because so many of the tribe of Levi might bee numbred amongst them, 2 Sam. 24. but 1 Chron. 21. put in their proper place, that is, amongst those of Israel. And the rather may wee rest satisfied in this resolution, because 1 Chron. 27. 24. it is said, that Joab began to number, but left off because of the Plague, neither was the number put into the Kings Chronicles, that is, the full number, as it goeth in the booke of the Chronicles.
Afterwards Davids heart smote him, when hee had numbred the people, &c. Nine V. 10, 11. Peter Martyr.moneths and twenty dayes were first past, saith Martyr, wherein hee lay in this sinne, which was double; 1 of pride, 2 of forgetting the Law of levying a tribute for the sanctuary. But now it repenteth him greatly, by what meanes hee was brought to this is not said, but that his heart smote him, the Spirit of God doubtlesse working in his conscience to make him consider his great vanity and to bee humbled for it, which when hee was doing this Note. thing hee considered not, as being a while left unto himselfe, to shew what the very best are, if they bee not continually assisted by the grace of God. In our new translation it is, Vers. 11. For when David was up in the morning the Prophet Gad came unto him, whereby it may bee gathered, that by his comming hee was put in minde of his sinne and repented. But in the Hebr. it is not for, but and. Some thinke, that hee was smitten by some inward terrour sent by the Lord to stirre him up. Howsoever, it is to bee noted, with what quietnesse of mind and immunitie from trouble and pleasure so ever, sinne is committed, trouble and perplexity will come for it afterwards, and this sweet Note. will end in bitternesse, for the conscience will not alwayes sleepe, but at length awake and smite the sinner, as it did our first parents also.
And David rose in the morning, and the word of the Lord came to Gad, Davids seer, V. 11.&c. that is, at the same time that hee caused Davids heart to smite him, that night he spake thus by vision to Gad, who came unto him the morning following, and not before, by his admonitions to bring him to repentance, as Josephus, who saith, that the Prophets admonished him of his sinne, and then hee Josephus.repented, and prayed for forgivenesse. And the Lord used Gad to speake unto him, and would not speake immediately to him, as before hee had used Nathan, although David also was a Prophet, to shew his anger the more, as a father being offended with his childe dealeth with him by interlocutors to humble him the more, when hee seeth his fatherly affection thus estranged from him. Whereas 1 Chron: 21. 7. it is said that God smote Israel and then David confessed his sinne, and Gad came to him, v. 8. it is Hysteron-proteron, or first in briefe it is shewed, that Israel was smitten, and then the order of Gods proceeding against them more at large.
Gad then offered to David to choose one of these three judgements, either to flee three months before his enemies, or to suffer by famin seven yeares, or by V. 13.a pestilence of three dayes. Now this offer was made in mercy upon Davids repentance, to lenifie the suffering the more, because when wee are constrained to endure misery it is more grievous, then when wee voluntarily suffer it. For seven yeares famin, 1 Chron: 21. 11. it is three yeares famin, which is by Junius and others thus reconciled, here because three yeares of famin had lately Junius.beene ch: 21. and now it was most likely was the fourth, wherein although God beganne to send raine, yet presently there followed not fruitfulnesse, seven yeares are spoken of, as including these and three more: but there because no mention had beene made of those three yeares famin before going, three yeares onelyonly are named. Martyr and Pellican say, that seven a certaine Peter Martyr. Pellican.number is put for an uncertaine, many being meant hereby. I preferre that of Junius, because although no such exact reckoning bee made, yet if three yeares more of famin had beene sent now so soone after the other, it had beene of seven yeares continuance reckoning from the beginning to the end. Moreover for a three dayes pestilence, 1 Chron: 21. 12. it is, three dayes the sword of the 1 Chr. 21. 12.Lord, even the pestilence in the land, the angell of the Lord destroying throughout all the Coasts of Israel, more expresly noting, of what nature the pestilence was, as in the execution of this judgement, is further declared, viz: destruction comming from the immediate hand of God and his Angels.
David being thus put to it, answereth, Let mee fall into the hands of God, for his mercies are great, and not into the hands of man, and hereby, as expositours generally V. 14.hold, hee meant, let us be smitten with three dayes pestilence, and not with famin or sword of the enemy, because although even destruction by enemies may bee said to be Gods hand, yet it is not so immediate, but men are used, as instruments; and although famins are sent by God, yet hereby occasion is given to seeke to men of other countries for reliefe, amongst whom the Jewes were likely to bee misused, as being of a religion differing from other Nations, and to heare their God reproachfully spoken of, as not able now any longer to sustaine them in the country, to which he had brought them. In answering thus, David is thought by Martyr to have shewed both piety towards God, Peter Martyr.and love to his country. For by any of the other two judgements there could not but bee danger of great dishonour to redound to God, by the blaspheming of enemies, and Kings commonly can provide well enough for the feeding of themselves in the time of famin, and for the safety of their owne persons in time of warre, and their Subjects onelyonly for the most part, and that the meaner sort are swept away by either of these judgements. But when the immediate hand of God smiteth, as in pestilences, the King is in danger as well as the Begger. Wherefore although his choice were given him, hee conceiving his sinne to be the cause, voluntarily submitted himselfe to such a judgement, as whereby he might be endangered as well as his people, a certaine token of a true penitent, patiently to beare even to the losse of life the Lords chastisement. And hee shewed also a great deale of confidence in Gods goodnesse, although hee had Note. offended him, that wee might learne to trust in Gods mercy, and hereby comfort our selves in our greatest miseries, for he preferred falling into Gods hands although hee saw that hee saw him, to be full of wrath against him.
But how doth this saying agree with that 1 Sam. 2. 25. if a man sinne against Qu. God, who shall plead for him, and Heb. 10. 31. It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of God? Answ: it is meant when God punisheth in wrath the obstinate sinner against the knowne will of God, not when the end of his punishing is mercy, as it is alwayes to the penitent, and this was Davids case.
So the Lord sent a pestilence, and there dyed from the morning to the time appointed 70000 men. Here because it is not said in three dayes expresly, but from the V. 15.morning to the time appointed, some gather, that it is meant, till the evening sacrifice, because the word foreign is commonly used to set forth that time, so the Hebrewes, and Vatablus, Rupertus, Comestor, Sa, Tostatus saith it is the common opinion, that although a pestilence of three dayeswas propounded, yet Vatablus. Rupertus. Tostatus.out of Gods mercy to the penitent it continued but one day, so likewise Martyr, and Lyra, yea some make the time lesse, saying that it continued but till dinner time, which was meant by the appointed time, so Josephus, and after him Origen, Theodoret and Ambrose, hereby extolling the mercy of God, who Joseph. l. 71. 10. Orig: Hom: 16. in Numer: The…dor: qu: ul… in 2 Reg: Ambr: in Psat: 37. Junius.abridged a plague of three dayes into six houres, which was but the 24 part thereof. But Junius will have three dayes meant by the appointed time, because that was the time set for this destruction, and Sallianus argueth strongly for this, and by our Collect for a time of plague it seemeth, that this appointed time was so understood by the compilers thereof.
For my part, I cannot but assent rather to the most, 1. Because at the entreaty of David God commanded the destroying Angel to stay his hand, therefore he suffered not the plague to destroy all the time that was set, for without bidding, the Angell would then have ceased. 2. Because Gad came to David the same day to bid him build an Altar, and to sacrifice, v: 18. that the plague might cease. For the shorter time stood for by Josephus, &c. there is no reason, because the word here used is never found to set forth any such time. If it bee urged against the other, and for the three yeares continuance, this was the time set, and if God varyed herefrom, he is mutable. Lyra answereth well, in Lyra.all threatnings it is to bee understood, that it shall be so, unlesse by repentance Gods wrath bee lenified, as towards Nineveh, yet alwayes temporall punishments are not averted, although there be repentance, as in another case of Davids sinning, 2 Samt 12. Moreover here was no absolute decree propounded of a pestilence to endure three dayes, but onelyonly it was put to Davids choice, and because he so humbly submitted to the stroake of God, and shewed himselfe to have so great confidence in his mercy, it was none other like, but that God would deale with him in mercy in abridging the time of this judgement. Now for the manner how the people were destroyed by this pestilence, Josephus Joseph. lib: 7. c. 10.saith, they were consumed divers wayes, some dying with vehement paine and bitter torment, some with lesse paine even in the hands of the Physitians, who went about to cure them, others, as it were, being choaked, and darkenesse comming upon their eyes, and others, even as they were burying their dead suddenly. It is said indeed, that an Angel was seene with a sword in his hand, but this vision or apparition, was only for a signe, to shew that they who died were slaine by Gods Angel, but not through the smiting of any visible sword, but of some mortiferous poison injected to their hearts, and presently killing them, as if they had beene thrust into the heart by a sword. So that this pestilence was not like other plagues, which come from the infection of the aire, but killed immediately by the ministry of Gods Angel.
For the number of 70000 said here to be slaine, the Hebrewes have 270000 to make good that their reconciliation of the different numbers before spoken of there being so many missing in Samuel of the number 1 Chr: …. that the cause of this difference was, that in Samuel such as dyed are left out, but in Chron: reckoned also, but they are herein contrary to all scripture, wherein, it is but 70000. And all these were men destroyed all over Israel, from Dan to Beershesheba, as the numbring had gone. The Hebrewes except Benjamin and Levi, of which Tribes, they say none were smitten, because they were not numbred, but seeing the numbring alone was not the cause of this evill, but the peoples sinnes, as was before shewed, it is not to be doubted, but that if these Tribes were guilty, some of them were destroyed also. If it be demanded, whether any besides wicked men were now destroyed? Martyr answereth, that happily some who fell amongst others, were not of the wicked, because all are subject to the Peter Martyr.stroake of death, but because Ezek. 9. the godly are marked to be spared, when Gods Angels destroyed others, I thinke it more probable, that the Angell was also now directed so, as that they were spared. And if it bee demanded whether all these were men onelyonly that fell, it is answered, yes, for both men onelyonly were numbred, and not women or children, and they onelyonly had formerly rebelled against their King.
And when the Angell stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented V. 16. 1 Chron. 21. 15.him of the evill, &c. 1 Chr. 21. 15. And God sent an Angell to Jerusalem to destroy it, and as hee was destroying, the Lord beheld, and repented, &c. Here it is not properly to bee understood, that God repented, for repentance is not incident unto him, 1 Sam. 15. 29. but it is said thus, after the manner of men, because when a man saith, that hee will doe any thing and doth it not, it is because he repenteth, as David against Nabal, so when God altereth his purpose upon the 1 Sam. 25.repentance of men, hee is said to repent per anthropopatheian, and this sheweth, that the pestilence threatned for three dayes continued not so long, but determined the first day, for otherwise how could God be said to repent of the evill, but that he suffered not the destruction to extend so long as he had threatned? Whereas it may seeme by the words here, that at the first comming of the Angell to Jerusalem to destroy, the judgement ceased and so Jerusalem escaped without any destruction, it is made plaine, 1 Chr. 21. 15. that the pestilence destroyed there also, for it is said, as the Angell was destroying there, the Lord repented of the evill, that is, to see so many cut off so suddenly, and although the men of Jerusalem rebelled not with Sheba, yet they rebelled with Absalom, and so were as worthy to bee punished. And it is added, v: 17. David spake unto the Lord when hee saw the Angell smite the people, so that the people in Jerusalem V. 17.were smitten also, 1 Chron: 21. 16. it is said before this. David saw the Angell of the Lord standing betweene heaven and earth with a sword stretched over Jerusalem, and hee and the elders of Israel being cloathed with sackcloath fell upon their faces, v: 17. then David said, Is it not I that commanded the people to bee numbred? it is I that have sinned, but these sheepe what have they done? let thy hand be against me, &c. He thought that God smote them onelyonly for his sinnes, and therefore hee speaketh thus of the people, as being innocent, but, as was shewed before, God tooke occasion onelyonly upon his numbring to send this judgement, but hee had beene provoked before to wrath by their sinnes which he now thus punished. It shewed Davids great love and tender affection over the people committed to his government, that he spake thus for them, and all Kings should from him take example to be likewise affected with the grievances and miseries of their people. But what is it, that he prayeth that Gods hand might bee against him and his fathers house? was not his fathers house nearest of all unto him? Answ. He meant if the striking of him would not suffice, his punishment should be aggravated in cutting off his kindred also, who being about him, were more accessary to this sinne then others; or he speake by an Hyperbole.
And Gad came that day to David, 1 Chron: 21. 18 The Angell of the Lord V. 18.commanded Gad to goe to David, and he came and said, Goe to the threshing floore of Ornan, here it is Araunah the Jebusite, and set up an Altar there, &c. the difference is nothing, God commanded by his Angell, or the Angell of God commanded, and the same man was called Araunab and Ornan. David must set up an Altar and sacrifice thereon, that the pestilence might cease, a propitiation for sinne being thus made, as sometime a plague consuming the people, Aaron tooke incense and went and stood with his censer betweene the living Numb. 16. 47.and the dead, and so the plague ceased. The Hebrewes say, that Zadok offered upon this Altar, but it is rather to bee thought, that it was Abiathar because Zadok ministred before the Tabernacle in Gibeon, but Abiathar before the Arke at Jerusalem. But what need was there of sacrificing now, when as the Lord had bidden the Angell before to stay his hand? Answ. It is to bee understood, the humiliation of David and the Elders being premised, this direction being first given and sacrifices being offered, then the destroying Angell was forbidden to smite any more, and not before, although it bee first placed, the historiographer making hast to write of the compassion wherewith God was moved, and then shewing by what meanes, and in what order.
But why must David goe to the possession of a Jebusite, an heathen, and one of the seven nations appointed to bee destroyed before Israel? Kimhi contendeth, that hee was none of these Jobusites, but of the kindred of Abimelech; howsoever, it seemeth that hee was a faithfull person, and a true hearted subject to David, and one, as some thinke, that holpe him to get the possession of Zion. Davids being sent to his floore, figured out the faith amongst the Gentiles Peter Martyr.to whom the Jewes must come by beleeving in like manner, if ever they will be saved, for he that beleeveth with the Gentiles in Christ, sets up an Altar amongst them, seeing the Altar served to figure out Christ, so Martyr, & the place, where Araunah his threshing floore was, being mount Moriah, the Lord did now shew, that hee would have his house built there, and that this was the place chosen for the Arke to rest in perpetually, 2 Chro. 3. 1. before David came to set up his Altar, 1 Chro. 21. 20. it is said, that Ornan saw the Angell of God, and his foure sons with 1 Chron. 21. 20.him hid themselves. Of the people of Israel it is not said, that any saw the Angell but David, only Ornans eyes and his sonnes were opened to see him, to shew, that the Gentiles should beinlightned to see the Angell of the new Covenant, Christ Jesus, but the eyes of the Jews should be held from seeing, except some few selected ones. His sonnes being terrified with the vision hid themselves, but it is said, that hee was threshing Wheat, and seeing David to come towards him hee went out of the floore to meet him; although some say, that both hee and his Sallianus.sonnes hid themselves; David then telling him the cause of his comming, viz. to buy the floore of him to build an Altar upon it to offer sacrifice thereon, that the Plague might bee stayed, hee offered to give it him, and Oxen for sacrifice, Vatablus.as a King. Hebr. Araunab, a King, whereupon Vatablus and others gather, that hee was King of the Jebusites, and now a tributary to David, and a Proselyte imbracing the true Religion. Some Hebrewes gather from this that David would not build an Altar upon his floore, but being first bought of him, that hee was an Idolater of the heathen, and this was the cause why he would needs buy it. But it is more probable, as was said before, that having lived so neare unto David now about 30. yeers hee was a convert, or otherwise, David would not have suffered him; moreover his liberall offer shewed his goodnesse and desire to further this service of God, which David came about for the good of the people, unto whom hee was united by imbracing the same Religion. And because David knew, that this floore must be perpetually used for the service of God and for the building of a Temple there, and not at this time onelyonly, there was good reason that hee should buy it. Moreover it is said, Prov. 3. 7. Honour God with thy substance, and Eccles. 34. 24. hee that sacrificeth of the substance of the poore, is as one that sacrificeth the sonne before the father. And it was for Davids sin and the peoples, that sacrifice was now to bee made, therefore it must bee his cost, and not a strangers. And it is said, that Araunah offered not onelyonly the floore, but the Oxen, that is, saith Junius, the Oxen, which Iunius.troad out the Corne which were at hand, and the threshing instruments, and other instruments of Oxen for wood, that is, the wood workes, wherewith the Corne was threshed, and which were used about the Oxen in this labour, for wood to burne the sacrifice withall, because they were both there ready and most apt to burne as being dry and seare, 1 Chron. 21. 23. it is added, and Wheat for the meat-offering, for besides burnt-offerings there were peace offerings, in which fine flowre was used.
So David bought the floore and the Oxen for 50. shekels of silver, therefore Vers. 23. these words, All these Araunah as a King did give unto the King, are to bee V. 24. Lyra.understood thus, hee offered to give them, 1 Chron. 21. 25. Hee is said to have given for the floore 600. shekels of gold. This by Lyra is thus reconciled, the price of the floore is not spoken of, 2 Sam. 24. but onelyonly of the Oxen, and 1 Chron. 21. the price paid for the floore onelyonly; so likewise Comestor, and Tostatus, who saith, it is the common opinion of all expositors; yet some say, that Tostatus. Schol. hist. Barradius. Arias Montanus. Kimhi. Villalpandus.the Oxen and floore, which were first bought to set up an Altar onelyonly, cost but 50. shekels, but afterwards all the ground about it for the Temple and Court was boought at 600 shekels of Gold. Some that the Tribes paid all but 50. shekels. And lastly some plainly against the Text, that the shekels, 2 Sam. 24. were shekels of Gold, and those, 1 Chron. 21. shekels of Silver, whereof 600. were no more then 50. of Gold. But I rest in the first and most commonly received. H. Bunting Patriarchs travails.For the value of 50. shekels in our mony counting 15 d. to the shekel, it was 3 l. 2 s 6 d. and 600. shekels, the shekel being counted 15. s. were in our money 450. l. all this money was given both for the floore and all the ground about it, which must needs bee very spacious for the Temple and all things pertaining to it.
Then an Altar being set up, David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and V. 25.the Lordwas entreated for the land and the Plague was stayed, 1 Chron. 21. 26, 27. he offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and called upon the name of the Lord, and hee answered him by fire upon the Altar, and the Lord commanded the Angel to put up 1 Chron. 21. 26.his sword into the sheath; all things being more fully set forth then before. Gods anger was pacified b… sacrifice, which alwayes had reference to Christ, who is the true propitiation for our sinnes. Of Gods acceptance of this service hee gave a signe by fire from heaven, as also afterwards when Solomon sacrificed in the 1 Joh. …. 1.Temple, which he had built. And hereby this place was declared to bee the place, which God had chosen to have an house built for his service, as David gathered, 1 Chron. 22. 1. and was long before intimated, when Abraham was Gen. 22.called in this place to offer up his sonne Isaac in sacrifice. Moreover, 1 Chron. 21. 28. it is added, When David saw that the Lord had answered him in the threshing 1 Chron. 21. 28. V. 29. V. 30.floore of Ornan, hee sacrificed there. For the Tabernacle, &c. was in Gibeon. And David could not goe thither to inquire, for he feared the sword of the Angel. Hee used now this altar and place for sacrificing and offering more oblations, for he was so weakened through feare of the Angels sword, whom hee had seene, that hee was not thenceforth able to goe to Gibeon any more, so Lyra. But I thinke rather, that the meaning is, hee having begun upon the occasion before said to offer sacrifice here, and finding it by the miraculous comming Lyra.downe of fire and by divine direction to bee the place which God had chosen, continued to offer in this place onelyonly from thence forward, and went no more to Gibeon, which is also further confirmed, 1 Chron. 22. 1.
A COMMENTARY UPON The first Book of the KINGS.
This Booke as Iunius noteth, conteineth an historie of 118 yeares, wherein reigned Salomon 40. and foure Kings of Iudah, Rehoboam 17. Abijam 3. Asa 41. and Iehoshaphat 17. in whose times reigned 8 Kings of Israel, Ieroboam 21. Nadab 1. Baashah 23. Elah 1. Zimri 7. daies. Omri 11. Ahab 21. and with Omri sometime Tibni.