_ELISHA PROPHESIETH INCREDIBLE PLENTY IN SAMARIA; FOUR LEPERS GO TO THE CAMP OF THE ASSYRIANS, WHICH THEY FIND DESERTED: THEY RETURN TO THE CITY WITH THE NEWS. THE PEOPLE RUSH FORTH FROM THE GATES OF THE CITY, AND ALL THOSE THINGS HAPPEN WHICH ELISHA HAD FORETOLD._ _Before Christ 892._... [ Continue Reading ]
A MEASURE— The word סאה _saah_ which we render _a measure,_ implies a quantity equal to six cabs, and contained, according to some, six quarts; according to others, a peck, or a peck and two quarts of our measure. The shekel was much about our three shillings, and though to have a peck of fine flour... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WERE FOUR LEPROUS MEN AT THE ENTERING IN OF THE GATE— The Jews are of opinion, that these four lepers were Gehazi and three of his sons. Leprous persons were not permitted to converse with other men, and by the law of Moses, while the Israelites lived in tents, were to be excluded the camp, Nu... [ Continue Reading ]
WE DO NOT WELL, &C.— It is an infallible sign of great calamity to a nation, when the people have not a true delight in the public concernments; when there is not such a sympathy of affections, as that subjects rejoice at the prosperity of their princes. When the sins are national which draw down Go... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THEY ARE AS ALL THE MULTITUDE OF ISRAEL, &C.— _It will not happen otherwise to them than to all the multitude of Israel, which now remains, or to all the multitude of Israel, which now perishes:_ that is to say, "Whatever happens to them, they will be in the same condition with us; for if th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND, LO, ALL THE WAY WAS FULL OF GARMENTS AND VESSELS, &C.— Saladine's army, which was defeated by Baldwin IV. near Gaza, being in like manner vigorously pursued till night came on, and as far as a certain standing water surrounded with reeds twelve miles off, were continually cut off in great numbe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE WENT OUT AND SPOILED THE TENTS OF THE SYRIANS— Thus did the Lord work a double miracle for his people; at once delivering them from the Syrians, and giving them an unexpected and sufficient supply for their necessities; fulfilling exactly the predictions of his prophet, and thus giving th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SO IT FELL OUT UNTO HIM— The unbelieving lord suffers the doom denounced upon him. He was appointed to command at the gate which led to the camp, in order to prevent tumults; but the people were so eager to get to the spoil, and satisfy their hunger, that they paid no regard to authority; but, e... [ Continue Reading ]