_A.M. 2579. B.C. 1425._ An angel reproves Israel, who bewail their sins, Judges 2:1. They served God during the life of Joshua and his cotemporaries, Judges 2:7. Their frequent revolts to idolatry, Judges 2:10. God stops their success, Judges 2:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
_An angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal_ This, no doubt, was the Angel of the covenant, the same divine being that appeared to Joshua near Jericho, Joshua 5:13; to whom the conduct of Israel out of Egypt into Canaan, and their conquests and success there, are frequently ascribed. He alone could sp... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye shall make no league_, &c. These express and frequently-repeated commands of God they had disobeyed. _Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out_, &c. That is, I have now taken up this peremptory resolution. _They shall be as thorns in your sides_, &c. This signifies what they were assured... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when Joshua_ It should rather be rendered, _Now when Joshua_, &c. For it does not relate to the preceding story, but is a repetition of what was declared Joshua 24:28, and is here recorded by way of introduction to the following account of the people's defection and punishment, contained in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers_ Not only those who had beheld the wonderful works of God in Egypt, and in the wilderness, but those also who had seen Jordan dried up, the walls of Jericho fall down, the sun stand still at the word of Joshua, and their enemies overwhel... [ Continue Reading ]
_The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord_ Which marks the heinousness and impudence of their sins, above other people's; because God's presence was with them, and his eye upon them in a peculiar manner, which also they were not ignorant of, and therefore were guilty of more contempt... [ Continue Reading ]
_They served Baal and Ashtaroth_ By _Baal_ or _lord_ here, it is probable, we are to understand the sun, and by _Ashtaroth_, the same, it seems, with _Astarte_, the moon, worshipped in different countries under the names _Juno_ and _Venus._ So that they had he-gods and she-gods, and gods of all kind... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sold them_ That is, delivered them up, as the seller doth his commodities, unto the buyer. _Whithersoever they went out_ That is, whatsoever expedition or business they undertook, which is equally signified by going out and coming in; _the hand of the Lord was against them for evil_ Disappointing t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless the Lord raised up_ By inward inspiration and excitement of their hearts, and by outward designation, testified by some extraordinary action. _Judges_ Supreme magistrates, whose office it was, under God, and by his particular direction, to govern the commonwealth of Israel by God's law... [ Continue Reading ]
_For it repented the Lord_ That is, the Lord changed his course and dealings with them, as penitent men use to do; removed his judgments, and returned to them in mercy. _When the judge was dead they returned_ To their former and usual course. _More than their fathers_ In Egypt, or in the wilderness.... [ Continue Reading ]
_That through them I may prove Israel_ That I may try and see whether Israel will be true and faithful to me, or whether they will suffer themselves to be corrupted by the counsels and examples of their bad neighbours.... [ Continue Reading ]