Exodus 14:7

_AND IT WAS TOLD THE KING OF EGYPT THAT THE PEOPLE FLED: AND THE HEART OF PHARAOH AND OF HIS SERVANTS WAS TURNED AGAINST THE PEOPLE, AND THEY SAID, WHY HAVE WE DONE THIS, THAT WE HAVE LET ISRAEL GO FROM SERVING US?_ And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled. Since the intelligence must have been sent to him from Etham, which would occupy two days, and the muster, as well as the transit of his army, would require one or two more, it might be a week before he reached them. This seems to be a natural conclusion: for at Etham, 'which was on the edge of the wilderness,' the king's spies, who doubtless were employed to watch the movements of the Israelites, would expect them to engage in their intended solemnity. But observing that, instead of halting to make preparations for the sacred rites, they took this road, a suspicion that their secret purpose was flight was now confirmed...

1-9 Pharaoh would think that all Israel was entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. All men being made for the honour of their Maker, those whom he is not honoured by, he will be honoured upon. What seems to tend to the church's ruin, is often overruled to the ruin of the church's enemies. While Pharaoh gratified his malice and revenge, he furthered the bringing to pass God's counsels concerning him. Though with the greatest reason he had let Israel go, yet now he was angry with himself for it. God makes the envy and rage of men against his people, a torment to themselves. Those who set their faces heavenward, and will live godly in Christ Jesus, must expect to be set upon by Satan's temptations and terrors. He will not tamely part with any out of his service....

Verse Exodus 14:7. _SIX HUNDRED CHOSEN CHARIOTS, C._] According to the most authentic accounts we have of _war-chariots_, they were frequently drawn by _two_ or by _four_ horses, and carried three persons: one was charioteer, whose business it was to guide the horses, but he seldom fought the second chiefly defended the charioteer; and the third alone was properly the combatant. It appears that in this case Pharaoh had collected all the cavalry of Egypt; (see Exodus 14:17); and though these might not have been very numerous, yet, humanly speaking, they might easily overcome the unarmed and encumbered Israelites, who could not be supposed to be able to make any resistance against _cavalry_ and _war-chariots_....

SIX HUNDRED CHOSEN CHARIOTS - The Egyptian army comprised large numbers of chariots, each drawn by two horses, with two men, one bearing the shield and driving, the other fully armed. The horses were thoroughbred, renowned for strength and spirit. Chariots are first represented on the monuments of the 18th dynasty. By “all the chariots of Egypt” we are to understand all that were stationed in Lower Egypt, most of them probably at Rameses and other frontier garrisons near the headquarters of Pharaoh. CAPTAINS - The word שׁלישׁ _shâlı̂ysh_, literally “third or thirtieth,” may represent an Egyptian title. The king had about him a council of thirty, each of whom bore a title, Mapu, a “thirty man.” The word occurs frequently in the Books of Kings. David seems to have organized the Shalishim as a distinct corps (see...

EXPOSITION THE PURSUIT OF ISRAEL BY THE EGYPTIANS. A short respite from suffering was sufficient to enable Pharaoh to recover from his extreme alarm. No further deaths had followed on the destruction of the firstborn; and he might think no further danger was to be apprehended. The worst of Moses' threats had been accomplished- perhaps Jehovah had no more arrows in his quiver. At any rate, as he realised to himself what it would be to lose altogether the services of so vast a body of slaves, many of them highly skilled in different arts, he more and more regretted the permission which he had given. Under these circumstances intelligence was brought him of the change which the Israelites had made in their route, and the dangerous position into which they had Brought themselves. Upon this he resolved to start in pursuit, with suc

AND HE TOOK SIX HUNDRED CHOSEN CHARIOTS,.... The chief and best he had, war chariots, chariots of iron; perhaps such as had iron scythes to them, to cut down men as they drove along; these were taken partly for quickness of dispatch, that they might be able the sooner to overtake the Israelites, who had got several days' marches before them; and partly for their strength and the annoyance of their enemies with them: AND ALL THE CHARIOTS OF EGYPT: as many as could in so short a time be got together: for the words are not to be taken in the utmost latitude, but to signify a great number, and all that could be conveniently come at: the Greek version is, "all the horse", the cavalry, which better distinguishes them from the former: AND CAPTAINS OVER EVERYONE OF THEM: over everyone of the chariots, so that they must each of them have many in them, to have captains over them: and perhaps the...

Exodus 14:1 _And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth between Migdol and sea, over against Baalzephon: before it ye shall encamp by the sea_ It might have been sufficient for the pillar of cloud to move that way; but it was really such an extraordinary thing for the Lord to lead the people right down to the sea that he gave a special command as well as the movement of the cloud. That Moses himself might not be staggered by what would seem to him to be such strange guidance the Lord tells him what to say to the people and then gives him this explanation: Exodus 14:3. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh's he

CHAPTER 14 THE PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY AND REDEMPTION BY POWER _ 1. The coming of Pharaoh announced (Exodus 14:1)_ 2. The pursuit and Israel troubled (Exodus 14:5) 3. Moses speaks to the people (Exodus 14:13) 4. The Lord speaks to Moses (Exodus 14:15) 5. The passages through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:19) 6. The Egyptians overthrown (Exodus 14:23) 7. The great work accomplished ...

EXODUS 14. (Exodus 14:1 P, Exodus 14:5 f. J, Exodus 14:7 a(b) E, Exodus 14:8 P Exodus 14:9 a E, Exodus 14:9 (b)c - Exodus 14:10 a (afraid) J, Exodus 14:10 b E, Exodus 14:11 J,...

HE TOOK SIX HUNDRED CHOSEN CHARIOTS— These six hundred, most probably, were those which appertained to the king's guard, and were always ready to attend him, being the very choice and strength of his army. Besides these, it is said, he took _all the chariots of Egypt._ Chariots were very early, and especially in the eastern countries, used in war; we read of them as quite common in Homer: Xenophon says, they were usually drawn by four horses. Egypt was a plain country, and very fit for them; and accordingly we read that its strength consisted in them. 2 Chronicles 12:3.Isaiah 31:1. If these chariots were all drawn by four horses, the number required on this occasion must have been very great; and as it is said, ch. Exodus