CHAPTER II _An angel comes to the Israelites at Bochim, and gives them_ _various reproofs, at which they are greatly affected_, 1-5. _They served the Lord during the days of Joshua, and the elders_ _who succeeded him_, 6, 7. _Joshua having died, and all that generation, the people revolted_ _f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:3. _I WILL NOT DRIVE THEM OUT FROM BEFORE YOU_] Their transgressions, and breach of the covenant, were the reasons why they were not put in entire possession of the promised land. See note at the end of this chapter. _Clarke "_Judges 2:23_"_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:5. _THEY CALLED THE NAME OF THAT PLACE BOCHIM_] The word בכים _bochim_ signifies _weepings_ or _lamentations_; and is translated by the Septuagint Κλαυθυων or Κλαυθυωνες, _bewailings_; and it is supposed that the place derived its name from these lamentations of the people. Some think... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:6. _WHEN JOSHUA HAD LET THE PEOPLE GO_] The author of this book is giving here a history of the people, from the division of the land by Joshua to the time in which the angel speaks. Joshua divided the land to them by lot; recommended obedience to God, which they solemnly promised: a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:8. _JOSHUA - DIED_] See the notes on Judges 24:29; Judges 24:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:11. _SERVED BAALIM_] The word בעלים _baalim_ signifies _lords_. Their false gods they considered _supernatural rulers_ or _governors_, each having his peculiar district and office; but when they wished to express a particular בעל _baal_, they generally added some particular epithet, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:12. _WHICH BROUGHT THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT_] This was one of the highest aggravations of their offense; they forsook the God who brought them out of Egypt; a place in which they endured the most grievous oppression and were subjected to the most degrading servitude, from which t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:13. _SERVED BAAL AND ASHTAROTH._] In a general way, probably, _Baal_ and _Ashtaroth_ mean the _sun_ and _moon_; but in many cases _Ashtaroth_ seems to have been the same among the Canaanites as _Venus_ was among the Greeks and Romans, and to have been worshipped with the same obscene... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:14. _THE HANDS OF SPOILERS_] Probably _marauding parties_ of the Canaanites, making frequent incursions in their lands, carrying away cattle, spoiling their crops, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:15. _THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS AGAINST THEM_] The _power_ which before protected them when obedient, was now turned against them because of their disobedience. They not only had not God _with_ them, but they had God _against_ them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:16. _THE LORD RAISED UP JUDGES_] That is, leaders, generals, and governors, raised up by an especial appointment of the Lord, to deliver them from, and avenge them on, their adversaries. See the _preface_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:17. _WENT A WHORING AFTER OTHER GODS_] Idolatry, or the worship of strange gods, is frequently termed _adultery,_ _fornication_, and _whoredom_, in the sacred writings. As many of their idolatrous practices were accompanied with _impure rites_, the term was not only metaphorically but... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:18. _THE LORD WAS WITH THE JUDGE_] God himself was king, and the judge was his representative. _IT REPENTED THE LORD_] He changed his purpose towards them: he purposed to destroy them _because of their sin_; they _repented_ and turned to him, and he _changed this purpose_. The purpos... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:19. _WHEN THE JUDGE WAS DEAD_] It appears that in general the office of the judge was _for life_. _THEIR STUBBORN WAY._] Their _hard_ or _difficult way_. Most sinners go through great tribulation, in order to get to eternal perdition; they would have had less pain in their way to hea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:20. _THE ANGER OF THE LORD WAS HOT_] They were as _fuel_ by their transgressions; and the displeasure of the Lord was as a _fire_ about to _kindle_ and _consume_ that _fuel_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:21. _I WILL NOT HENCEFORTH DRIVE OUT_] As a people, they never had personal courage, discipline, or hardihood, sufficient to stand before their enemies: the advantages they gained were by the peculiar interference of God. This they had while obedient; when they ceased to obey, his str... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:22. _THAT THROUGH THEM I MAY PROVE ISRAEL_] There appeared to be no other way to induce this people to acknowledge the true God, but by permitting them to fall into straits from which they could not be delivered but by his especial providence. These words are spoken after the manner o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 2:23. _WITHOUT DRIVING THEM OUT HASTILY_] Had God expelled all the ancient inhabitants at _once_, we plainly see, from the subsequent conduct of the people, that they would soon have abandoned his worship, and in their prosperity forgotten their deliverer. He drove out at first as many... [ Continue Reading ]