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Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; 10 and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias 11

cut off from the house of the Lord, and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land. 2 Ch. xxvi. 21. See 2 Ch. chap. xxvii.

Achaz.] Jotham slept with his fathers, and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead. 2 Ki. XV. 38. In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign. 2 Ki. xvi. 1. Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord his God, but he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and made his son to pass through the fire according to the abominations of the heathen, and he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 2 Ki. xvi. 2, 3. See 2 Ch. xxvii. 9. and xxviii. 1. And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah king of Judah, that Rezin king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. Then said the Lord to Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, and say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet, fear not. Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God. Ask it either in the depth or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And he said, Hear ye now O house of David, is it a small thing for you to weary men; but will ye weary my God also ? Is. vii. 1-13.

Ezekias.] And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead. 2 Ki. xvi. 20; xviii. and xx. See 2 Ch. xxviii, 27; xxix.-xxxii. Is. xxxvi.-xxxix. 10 Manasses.] And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead. 2 Ki. xx. 21. Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: for he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And the Lord spake by his servants the prophets, saying, Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done abominations: behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another. 2 Ki. xxi. 1-16. Surely at the commandment of the Lord came "this" ("the captivity" to Nebuchadnezzar), upon Judah to remove them out of his sight for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did. And also for the innocent blood that he shed (for he filled

Jerusalem with innocent blood); which the Lord would not pardon. 2 Ki. xxiv. 3, 4. Ahaz his (Jotham's) son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son. 1 Ch. iii. 13. 2 Ch. xxxii. 33. Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: but did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. He caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizzards: he wrought such evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people but they would not hearken. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers; and prayed unto him and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God. And he took away the strange gods; and he repaired the altar of the Lord. Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the Lord their God only. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh are written in the book of the kings of Israel. His prayer also among the sayings of the seers. 2 Ch. xxxiii. 1-19.

Amon.] Amon was twenty two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; he served the idols that his father served: and he forsook the Lord God of his fathers. And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house. And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon. 2 Ki. xxi. 19—24. See 2 Ch. xxxiii. 20—24.

Josias.] And he (the man of God out of Judah) cried against the altar (by which Jeroboam stood to burn incense), in the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name, and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places, that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee. 1 Ki, xiii. 2. He (Amon) was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead. 2 Ki. xxi. 26. See 2 Ki. xxii. and xxiii. to verse 30. The people of the land slew all them that conspired against king Amon: and the people 'of the land made Josiah king in his stead. 2 Ch. xxxiii. 25.; xxxiv. and xxxv.

begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were car12 ried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, 13 Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And

11 Jechonias.] Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. 2 Ki. xxiii. 31. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands in Riblah, that he might not reign in Jerusalem. And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim (the son of Josiah) king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt and died there. And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold (the tribute of the land) to Pharaoh. Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. 2 Ki. xxiii. 32-37. 2 Ki. xxiv. The sons of Josiah were; the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. And the sons of Jehoiakim; Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son. And the sons of Jechoniah; Assir, Salathiel, his son. 1 Ch. iii. 15-17. The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem. 2 Ch. xxxvi. 1, &c. Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him; but weep sore for him that goeth away, for he shall return no more, nor see his native country; for thus saith the Lord touching Shallum, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; he shall not return hither any more. Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol ? Is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? Wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not? xxii. 10, 11. 28.

Je.

About the time they were carried away, &c.] And he (Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths, none remained save the poorest sort of people of the land. And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land; those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 Ki, xxiv. 14, 15, &c. Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away. 2 Ki. xxv. 11. And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought "him" ("Jehoiakim") to Babylon, with the

goodly vessels of the house of the Lord, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah, and Jerusalem. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon, where they were servants to him and his sons, until the reign of the kingdom of Persia. 2 Ch. xxxvi. 10. 20. Thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the vessels which Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took not, when he took away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem. Je. xxvii. 20. Je. xxxix. 9. He (the king of Babylon) put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death. Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people: and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude. Je. lii. 11. 15. This is the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive. In the seventh year, three thousand Jews and three and twenty. In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons. In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons; all the persons were four thousand and six hundred. Je. lii. 28-30. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his (Nebuchadnezzar's) hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. Da. i. 2.

12 Jechonias.] It came to pass, in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison. 2 Ki. xxv. 27. See verse 11 under Josias.

And Salathiel.] Then (when the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem) stood up Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. Ezr. iii. 2. Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to

Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; 14 and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar 15 begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat 16 Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are 17 fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into

build the house of God, which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God helping them. Ezr. v. 2. Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua, &c. Ne. xii. 1. In the second year of Darius the king came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, unto Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech the high priest. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai, the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord. And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of Hosts their God. Hag. i. 1. 12. 14. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? In that day, saith the Lord of Hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and I will make thee as a signet, for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of Hosts. Hag. ii. 2. 23. (Juda) which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri. Lu. iii. 27.

16 Joseph the husband, &c.] See verse 1825. When they (the wise men) were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Mat. ii. 13. In the sixth month (after Elizabeth's conception) the angel Gabriel was sent from God, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. Lu. i. 26, 27. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And when they" ("Mary and Joseph") saw "him" ("Jesus" who remained behind them in Jeru

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salem), they were amazed (as they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, &c.), and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. Lu. ii. 4, 5. 48. Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed), the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli. Lu. iii. 23. And all (the people of Nazareth) bare him (Jesus) witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? Lu. iv. 22.

Of whom was born Jesus.] Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. Mar. vi. 3. Behold, thou shalt conceive (said the angel to Mary) in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus: he shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered, and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Lu. i. 31-35. And she (Mary) brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. said unto them" ("the shepherds," who were abiding in the field), Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people: for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Lu. ii. 7. 10, 11.

And the angel

Who is called Christ.] When they (the Jews) were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus, which is called Christ? They said Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ? They say unto him, Let him be crucified. Mat. xxvii. 17. 21, 22. The woman (of Samaria) saith unto "him" ("Jesus"), I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ. John iv. 25.

Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away 18 into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found 19 with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was 20 minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these

18 The birth of Jesus Christ.] See Lu. i. 27. to the end.

Of the Holy Ghost.] I will put enmity between thee and the woman (said God to the serpent), and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Ge. iii. 15. Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Job xiv. 4. What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Job xv. 14. Thus hath the Lord dealt with me (said Elizabeth) in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. And the angel answered, and said unto her (Mary), The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Lu. i. 25. 35. When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Ga. iv. 4, 5. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. He. vii. 26. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. He. x. 5.

19 Her husband.] See com. on A public example.

5.

A just man.] Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Ge. vi. 9. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion. Ps. cxii. 4, Herod feared John (the Baptist), knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him. Mar. vi. 20. Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. Lu. ii. 25. And they (the messengers from Cornelius) said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for "thee" ("Peter") into his house, and to hear words of thee. Ac. x. 22.

A public example.] It was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath

played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. Ge. xxxviii. 24. The man that committeth adultery with another man's wife; the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. Le. xx. 10. Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die; because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house. If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die. If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of the city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die. De. xxii. 21-24. "They" ("the scribes and Pharisees") say unto "him" ("Jesus"), Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned. John viii. 4, 5.

Was minded to put her away privily.] When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. De. xxiv. 1. "They" ("the Pharisees") said (unto Jesus), Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and put her (his wife) away. Mar. x. 4.

Ps. xciv.

20 While he thought.] Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way: the meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Ps. xxv. 8, 9. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul. 19. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. Ps. cxix. 125. Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning, for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto thee. Ps. cxliii. 8. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding: in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Pr. iii. 5, 6. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. Pr. xii. 5. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Is. xxvi. 3. Thine ears shall hear a word be

things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary

hind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Is. xxx. 21.

The angel of the Lord.] There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not: and the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God, which thou didst send, come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman, as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her. Jit. xiii. 2, 3. 8, 9. There appeared unto him (Zacharias, at the time of incense) an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense; and when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Whereby shall I know this? (said Zacharias). And the angel answering, said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee and, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed. And in the sixth month (after) the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth (to Mary). Lu. i. 11, 12, 13. 19, 20. 26. And there was in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night: and, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid and the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people: for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord: and this shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. Lu. ii. 8-14.

In a dream.] When "they" ("the wise men") were departed, behold the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.

When he (Joseph) heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee. Mat. ii. 13. 19. 22. The angel of God spake unto me (Jacob) in a dream (ordering him to get out from the land). Ge. xxxi. 11. If there be a prophet among you (said the Lord to Aaron and Miriam), I, the Lord, will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. Nu. xii. 6. A thing was secretly brought to me in thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake: then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: it stood still but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? &c. Job iv. 12-16. God speaketh in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose. Job xxxiii. 15, 16, 17. It shall come to pass, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Joel ii. 28.

Joseph thou son of David.] It was told the house of David (Ahaz king of Judah), saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim: and his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. And he (the prophet) said (unto Ahaz), Hear ye now, O house of David: is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God? Is. vii. 2. 13. Thus saith the Lord, If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them. Je. xxxiii. 25, 26. Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judah, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David.) Lu. ii. 4.

Fear not to take, &c.] And the angel answered, and said unto the women (Mary Magdalen and the other Mary), Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Mat. xxviii. 5. And he (God) said (unto Israel), I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt. Ge. xlvi. 3.

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