JOHN C. HOLBROOK, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Vermont. EDITORIAL NOTICE. THROUGH the good hand of God' upon the Editor, and his valued assistants, (who have been the same in this vol. as the preceding jer another stage is reached, in this undertaking of great labor and high responsibility. Grateful to Gop and to the religious community, for the degree of favor accorded to the portions of the work already published, the Editor trusts, that the present volume will not be found less valuable in its preparation and accompaniments than the others. While it is not intended, as has been observed in the general Preface, to be a work of controversy, it could not but be, that, as a faithful exposition of God's Word, it should exhibit a distinct doctrinal character, for which, of course, no apology is offered. But that it should answer all the wishes of mere scholars could hardly be expected by any judicious, reflecting individual. The long and patient investigations of critical questions, in which many modern writers have meritoriously indulged, as they could be appreciated only by persons acquainted with exegetics, and the original languages of the SS. have been but rarely followed out; yet, it is hoped, are occasionally, and as the greatly limited space assigned could permit, so alluded to, the sources of further information so indicated, and the results of biblical research in such manner reported, as will accommodate the wishes and necessities of those classes of readers, for whom the plan of the work was originally designed, and who are found among its patrons and friends. That GOD may continue to bless the effort, and render it instrumental in promoting a more eager investigation of his Word, cause it to blend delight and interest with the inquiry, and glorify Himself in its usefulness, is, while he asks the continued prayers of the friends of Divine Truth, the hearty desire of the Editor, BOSTON, May 11th, 1836. WILLIAM JENKS. View of the present state of Ramah View of the present state of Sidon View of the walls of Jerusalem, and the ascent from the valley of Jeshoshaphat One sort of oriental veil,' or head mantle Arab maiden going out to draw water, 1 Sam. 10:3. Ruth 3:15. 1 Sam. 2:1. 1 Sam. 9:11. 1 Sam. 10:5. mane The above views are authentic, from sketches taken on the spot. Syrian lyre or harp' of the time of the Maccabees Ancient trumpet-pipe from Herculaneum (cornet ?) Arab mattock' Ancient Egyptian fork' Diagram of oriental method of furrowing Complete suit of ancient armor Ancient Samaritan helmet and shoulder piece, and scaly mail' completely covering the body even to the extremities 1 Sam. 10:5. Mediterranean fresh curd or cheese-baskets,' of green · 1 Sam. 19:9. Persian bowing, stooping with his face toward the earth'1 Sam. 24:8.. an early Egyptian king Oriental bier or funeral chariot' Ancient Egyptian four stringed instrument' Ruins of Tadmor (Palmyra), 2 Chr. 8:4. P. 298 1346 * 445 24 Ancient Egyptian flesh-hooks' 47 Oriental custom of submission' (giving the hand un- Solomon's brazen altar,' according to Calmet 50 'Molten sea,' according to Calmet Ancient Egyptian sculpture representing the service,' Portrait of king Rehoboam from Karnac temple 2 Chr. 14:2-5 455 2 Chr. 15:9. 456 Ancient Balista for throwing arrows 2 Chr. 26:14, 15. 481 Ancient steel bow for darts, used in sieges Ancient spring-machine for throwing rocks in sieges purpose Another ancient machine with metal spring for do. 2 Chr. 26:14, 15. 481 Oriental letters, ancient and modern - Ezra 4:7, 8. 517 521 Ezra, at end. 533 568 2 Sam. 6:13. 138 Figure dancing and playing the harp,' or lyre, from Ground plans of the ancient ruins (terrace, temple, pal- . Esth. 1:2-6. 572 581 Esth. 6:8-11. 583 2 Sam. 18:18. 175 Oriental stocks' Job 14:27. 633 'Hand,' or military standard of Mahomet 2 Sam. 18:18. 175 Ancient Egyptian 'storks' Ancient Egyptian priest, turning balla of incense, on a Ancient sculpture near Kermanshah (in ancient Media) 2 Sam. 22:35. 190 Javanese shield, with bosa, bosses' and spike Job 15:26. 638 Job 16:15. 640 220 Hieroglyphic name of an Egyptian king, contemporary - 1 K. 7:2-12. 221 221 1 K. 8:22. 227 Booth which the keeper' of crops buildeth' in Teha- with Moses (?) still existing on crude bricks of Egypt Job 24:16. 660 Job 26:5. 662 Job 27:18. 665 Broom plant, genista (juniper' (?) Heb.) 1 K. 10:18, 19. 238 Flying dragon,' draco volans, of zoologists 247 Ancient Syracusan grave or tomb; representing 'bars of Job 33:18. 683 Ancient oriental, and occidental zodiacs 251 Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics illustrating the phrase, Job 38:37. 700 Ancient Egyptian barbed 'fish-spears' Ancient Egyptian harpoons, with shaft, and metal blade Job 41:7. 707 Job 41:28. 708 290 Ancient Egyptian horn of plenty' (Keren-happuch, ?) Job 42:14. 711 726 Ps. 18:2. 748 Ps. 18:5. 748 Ps 20:5. 754 Ancient Egyptian eleven stringed 'harp' 344 'Bay tree' Ancient classical tear-bottles' or lachrymatories Ancient arrows' which cut in pieces' - Ps. 58:7. 840 Ps. 62:9. 846 The future volumes of the Comprehensive Commentary will be illustrated by numerous authentic views of places mentioned in the Scriptures, (including several of Petra, &c.) as they exist at the present day; from a large collection in the hands of the publishers. See a notice of BUSH'S ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCRIPTURE, (forming a companion to this work,) in this volume. Stereotyped by T. G. Wells & Co. Boston. 304 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, ERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM THE MANNERS, CUSTOMS, ANTIQUITIES, TRADITIONS, AND FORMS OF SPEECH, RITES, CLIMATE, WORKS OF ART, AND LITERATURE, OF THE EASTERN NATIONS; EMBODYING ALL THAT IS VALUABLE IN THE WORKS OF ROBERTS, HARMER, BURDER, PAXTON, CHANDLER, AND THE MOST CELEBRATED ORIENTAL TRAVELLERS EMBRACING ALSO THE SUBJECT OF THE FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY, AS EXHIBITED BY KEITH AND OTHERS. WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PRESENT STATE OF COUNTRIES AND PLACES MENTIONED IN THE SACRED WRITINGS, ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROUS LANDSCAPE ENGRAVINGS, FROM SKETCHES TAKEN ON THE SPOT. DITED BY REV. GEORGE BUSH, PROFESSOR OF HEBREW AND ORIENTAL LITERATURE IN THE NEW YORK CITY UNIVERSITY. Next in worth and importance to the possession, is doubtless to be esti- taken, which are natural properties and particular manners of the coun nated the correct interpretation of the sacred volume. Indeed, it is the tries to which they refer. I'discerned this in my first voyage to the atcer which gives its value to the former. A revelation not understood, Indies: for I gradually found a greater sense and beauty in divers not intelligible, is no revelation, as far as its recipients are concerned. passages of scripture than I had before, by having in my view the The position, therefore, that the meaning of the Bible is the Bible, we things, either natural or moral, which explained them to me; and in tors of the Bible had made, I observed that every one of them (to render consider as unquestionably true, and consequently any new accession of perusing the different translations which the greatest part of the translaight, which goes to clear up its obscurities, and cause its genuine sense stand forth in bolder relief upon the inspired page, is in reality enrich the expositions, as they thought, more intelligible) used such expressions agus with a larger amount of its treasures, and virtually bestowing upon as would accommodate the phrase to the places where they writ: and as added communications of the Divine will. In this view, the progressive which did not only many times pervert the text, but often rendered the mentators upon such kind of passages, I found very strange mistakes in etracidation of the scriptures, whether by the expository labors of critics, sense obscure, and sometimes absurd also. In fine, consulting the comAnd from these reflections I took a resoluthe researches of travellers, or the fulfilments of prophecy, may be compared to the gradual rolling away of the morning mist from a splendid them, and that they had long guessed at the sense, and did but grope (as fandscape. As the sun advances, the shades retire, and new and inter- in the dark) in search of it. suading myself that they would be equally agreeable and profitable for sting features of the prospect are continually opening upon the delighted tion to make my remarks upon many passages of the scriptures; peruse. And the learned, to whom I communicated my design, encouraged eye of the spectator. Or, it may be said to resemble the slow, but mome very much, by their commendations, to proceed in it: and more hentous process of unfolding the ancient papyri, which the ravages of Line and fire have spared among the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Here, as every successive word and letter, which can be redeemed from especially when I informed them, that it is not in Asia, as in our the crisp and crumbling texture of the blackened parchment, is noted Europe, where there are frequent changes, more or less, in the form down with the most scrupulous care, as forming a part of the continuous of things, as the habits, buildings, gardens, and the like. In the same manner as in the preceding ages; so that one may reasonably record, and going to make out its entire sense; so the sense of the sacred East they are constant in all things; the habits are at this day in the volume is gradually elicited, item by item, and needs only to be collected and treasured up with equal solicitude, in order to constitute a possession believe, that in that part of the world, the exterior form of things (as of infinitely more value than the choicest literary relics of antiquity. their manners and customs) are the same now as they were two thousand Perhaps it may safely be affirmed, that the materials are at this moment years since, except in such changes as have been introduced by religion, in existence, for the satisfactory solution of nearly every obscure passage which are, nevertheless, very inconsiderable."-(Preface to Travels in holy writ: but the great desideratum is to have them brought together- Persia, p. 6.) Morier, an eastern traveller, says, "The manners of the to collect them from their wide dispersion over a countless multitude of East, amid all the changes of government and religion, are still the writings, in various languages, which the great majority of Christians same; they are living impressions from an original mould: and at every can neither procure nor understand. It is only in this way that they can step, some object, soine idiom, some dress, or some custom of common be made really available to the great end which they are calculated to life, reminds the traveller of ancient times, and confirms, above all, the serve; and far from idle are the claims of any one who professes to beauty, the accuracy, and the propriety of the language and the histo bring from scattered sources a new quota to the general stock of biblical ry of the Bible." *** illustration. This steadfast resistance to the spirit of innovation and change, which thus remarkably distinguishes the nations of the East, will probably, in the providence of God, remain unsubdued, till it shall have answered all the important purposes of biblical elucidation, when it will give way to the all-pervading, all-regenerating influence of the Bible itself, borne upon the bosom of a new tide of civilization and improvement, which shall, ere long, set in upon the East from the nations of Europe, and the great continent of the West. As the Bible, in its structure, spirit, and costume, is essentially an Eastern book, it is obvious that the natural phenomena, and the moral condition of the East, should be made largely tributary to its elucidation. In order to appreciate fully the truth of its descriptions, and the accuracy, force, and beauty of its various allusions, it is indispensable that the reader, as far as possible, separate himself from his ordinary associations, In the mean time, while the inevitable doom of revolution and transforand put himself, by a kind of mental transmigration, into the very cirerastances of the writers. He must set himself down in the midst of oriental scenery-gaze upon the sun, sky, mountains, and rivers of Asia-mation that awaits the East, lingers, it behooves us to make the most, for go forth with the nomade tribes of the desert-follow their flocks-travel useful purposes, of that state of society which still exists, but which, ere with their caravans-rest in their tents-lodge in their khans-load and long, will have passed away. With this view, we have endeavored to unload their camels-drink at their watering-places-pause during the embody in the present volume a large mass of oriental illustration. The heat of the day under the shade of their palms-cultivate the fields with work is strictly of an eclectic character. Postponing the claims of their own rude implements-gather in or glean after their harvests-beat originality to those of practical utility, the Editor, after arraying before to the task of selecting and arranging the most valuable portions which out and ventilate the grain in their open thrashing-floors-dress in their him the amplest store of materials which he could command, set himself costume-note their proverbial or idiomatic forms of speech, and listen to the strain of song or story, with which they beguile the vacant hours. In he could bring within the limits of his plan. The kindred works of Hara word, he must surround himself with, and transfuse himself into, all mer, Burder, Paxton, Taylor's edition of Calmet, (five vols. 4to.,) scarcely As these works are not likely ever to be retransferred to our pages. the forms, habitudes, and usages of oriental life. In this way only can any of which are in common accessible to the majority of biblical stuhe catch the sources of their imagery, or enter into full communion with dents, have been diligently gleaned, and all their important contents the genius of the sacred penmen. printed in this country, there appeared no other way to arrest their progress to oblivion, and to secure a larger and wider circulation to the valuable matter which they contain. While, therefore, we readily concede the very high importance of critical and philological research in dissipating the obscurities of the scriptures, and fixing their exact sense, we cannot, at the same time, but think that the collateral illustrations derived from this source, are deserving of at least equal attention from the student of revelation. The truth is, the providence of God, which is never more worthily employed than about his Word, seems now to be directing the eyes of his servants, as with pointed finger, to the immense stores of elucidation constantly accumuThe tide of travel within a few years has ating from this quarter. Animated either by the noble spirit of turned remarkably to the East. missionary enterprise, of commercial speculation, of military adventure, or landable curiosity, men of intelligence and observation have made their way into every region on which the light of revelation originally ate; exploring its antiquities, mingling with its inhabitants, detailing Es manners and customs, and displaying its physical, moral, and political circumstances. From these expeditions they have returned laden with the rich results of their industry, and the labors of the pen and the pencil have made thousands partakers of the benefits of their toils. Little more than half a century ago, when the justly celebrated Observations of Harmer were given to the public, the range of materials to which he had access was comparatively limited. The travels of Chardin, Pococke, Shaw, Magndrell, Pitts, D'Arvieux, with Russel's Natural History of Aleppo, were his principal authorities-authorities, it is true, which have not yet been wholly superseded. But since his time, what an immense accession has the department of oriental travels received! The names of Volney, Niebuhr, Mariti, Clarke, Chateaubriand, Porter, Burckhardt, Buckingham, Morier, Seetzen, De Lamartine, Laborde, exhaust but a mall part of the list of eastern tourists, whose labors have gone to make familiarly acquainted with the land of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles. How desirable that the scattered gleams of illustrative light, which shine in their works, should be concentrated into one focus of This is the task which we have essayed in the present Einmination! In entering upon and advancing in this task, we have been more and more impressed with the remarkable fact of the permanence of eastern usages. To the question, therefore, whether the state of things in the East, as described by modern travellers, really coincides with that which existed at the time the scriptures were written, so that one may be cited a conveying a correct idea of the other; we may reply, in the words of Sir John Chardin, one of the most respectable and authentic of the mamber: The language of that divine book (especially of the Old Testament) being oriental, and very often figurative and hyperbolical, those parts of scripture which are written in verse, and in the prophecies, are full of figures and hyperboles, which, as it is manifest, cannot be well understood without a knowledge of things from whence such figures are But the range of selection has been by no means confined to the works now mentioned. So prolific has been the press within the last twenty or thirty years, of books of eastern travels, illustrative of manners, customs, and religion, that our resources in this department have been almost indefinitely multiplied. As the present work is designed to be marked by somewhat of the same Comprehensive character which distinguishes the other biblical works lately issued from the press of the Publishers, the illustrations bear The subject of the Fulfilment of Prophecy cannot well be lost sight of upon numerous other points than those relating to manners and customs. by any one conversant at once with the scriptures and the reports of modern travellers. The topographical descriptions of many of the most noted places of scripture, a department to which particular attention has been given in the ensuing pages, suggests at once the divine predictions bearing upon their future doom. The researches of tourists, both skeptics and Christians, have poured a flood of light upon this subject. It is perfectly astonishing, to one who has never examined the subject, to find how literally and minutely the prophetic declarations of scripture have been fulfilled, so that even infidel travellers and historians, as Volney and Gibbon, in their accounts of nations and countries, have unwittingly used for description, almost the words of scripture in which the events are foretold. Volney, particularly, (one of the bitterest opposers of Christianity.) in his published travels in the East, has afforded, unwillingly and unthinkingly, a wonderful attestation to the truth of the Bible, in the relation of facts which came under his own eye. There needs no better to examine and weigh this subject, and not be forced to feel that the witness. Indeed, it is impossible for the most determined infidel carefully Bible is divine: or, in the words of Bishop Newton, "he is reduced to Bible, and what he sees and observes in the world, or acknowledge the the necessity, either to renounce his senses, deny what he reads in the truth of prophecy, and consequently, of divine revelation." The re66 we confess that we have searches of travellers in Palestine have been abundant, and the prophecies thereby verified are numerous and distinct, so that the facts may be related literally in the language of the prophecy. To use the words of a late writer in the London Quarterly Review, felt more surprise, delight, and conviction, in examining the accounts which the travels of Burckhardt, Mangles, Irby, Leigh, and Laborde, have so recently given of Judea, Edom, &c. than we have ever derived from any similar inquiry. It seems like a miracle in our own times. Twenty years ago we read certain portions of the prophetic scriptures, the course of ages, been proved to be so, and we had an indistinct notion, with a belief that they were true, because other similar passages had, in there was a famine in the land: and a certain man of Beth-lehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah: and they came country of Moab, and into the * continued there. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. B. C.1 5 And Mahlon 1312. and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 6 Then she arose with her daughters-inlaw, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab, how that the LORD had visited his people min giving them bread. 7 Wherefore D she went forth out of the place where she was, b Gen. 12:10. 26:1. 43:1. Lev. 26:19. Deut. 28:23,24,38. 2 Sam. 21:1. 2. Kings 17:1-12. 18:2. 2 Kings 8:1 Ps. 105:16. 107:34. Jer. 14:1. Am. 4:6. e Judg. 17:8. 19:1,2. d 20. Gen. 35:19. 1 Sam. 1:1. 17:12. Mic. 5:2. Heb. were. f 2 Kings 4:1. Ps. 34:19. Heb. 12:6, 10,11. g Deut. 7:3. 23:3. 1 Kings 11:1,2. Matt. 1:5. i Deut. 32:39. Ps. 89:30-32. 19. Jer. 2: k Is. 49:21. Matt. 22:25-27. Luke 7: 12. 1 Gen. 21:1. Ex. 3.16. 4:31. 2:21. 12. 1 Sam. 1 Pet. 2 Ex. 16:4-6. Ps. 104:14,15. 111:5. 132:15. 145 18. 55:10. Luke 1:69. 19:44. m Gen. 28:20. 48:15. able to the state of Israel when the Judges ruled, think them well-principled, and armed against temptation, know not what they do, nor what will be the end thereof. It does not appear that the women they married, were proselyted to the Jewish religion, for Orpah is said to return to her gods, v. 15. It is a groundless tradition of the Jews, that Ruth was the daughter of Eglon king of Moab, yet the Chaldee paraphrast inserts it; but this and their other tradition, which he inserts likewise, cannot agree, that Boaz, who married Ruth, was the same with Ibzan who judged Israel 200 years after Eglon's death, Judg. 12. 1. God, at last, returned in mercy to his people; for He will not contend always. At length God graciously visited his people in giving them bread. Plenty is God's gift, and it is his visitation which, by bread, the staff of life, holds our souls in life. Though this mercy be more striking when it comes after famine, yet if we have constantly enjoyed it, and never knew what famine meant, shall we think it the less valuable? III. Their removal, v. 1, 2. It seems there was plenty in Moab, when there was scarcity in Israel. Common gifts of Providence are often bestowed in greater plenty on those that are stranV. The death of Elimelech and his two sons, gers to God, than on those that know and worship and the consequent disconsolate condition of Him. Moab is at ease from his youth, while Israel Naomi. Her husband died, v. 3. and her two is emptied from vessel to vessel; Jer. 48: 11. not sons, v. 5. soon after their marriage; the Chalbecause God loves Moabites better, but because dee says, Their days were shortened, because they they have their portion in this life. Thither Eli- transgressed the law in marrying strange wives. melech goes to sojourn during the dearth, as Abra- See here, we cannot expect to prosper when we ham, on the like occasion, to Egypt, and Isaac to go out of the way of duty. He that will save his the land of the Philistines. Now here, 1. Elim-life by any indirect courses shall lose it. One in elech's care to provide for his family, and his a family is taken away, and that affliction is not taking his wife and children with him, were, with- duly improved, therefore God sends another of the out doubt, commendable. If any provide not for same kind. Uncertain and transient are all our his own, he hath denied the faith. When in his enjoyments here. It is wisdom then to make sure straits he was not as the ostrich, Job 39: 16. he of those comforts that will be made sure, which did not forsake his house. But, 2. I see not how death cannot rob us of. But how desolate was the his removal into the country of Moab could be condition, and how disconsolate the spirit, of poor justified. Abraham and Isaac were only sojourn- Naomi! God alone has wherewithal to comfort. ers in Canaan, and it was agreeable to their con- V. 6-18. See here, I. The good affection dition to remove; but the seed of Israel were Naomi bore the land of Israel, v. 6. Observe, now fixed, and ought not to remove into the territories of the heathen. What reason had Elimelech to go, more than his neighbors? If by any ill husbandry he had wasted his patrimony, and sold his land, or mortgaged it, (as should seem, ch. 4: 3, 4.) which brought him into a more necessitous condition than others, the law of God had obliged his neighbors to relieve him; (Lev. 25: 35.) but that was not his case, for he went out full, v. 21. By those who tarried at home, 2. Naomi had often inquired of the state of her it appears the faniine was not so extreme, but people, and still the tidings were discouraging; that there was sufficient to support life; and his but, at last, she has good news of plenty in Bethcharge was but small, only two sons. But if lehem, and then she can think of no other than rehe could not be content with the short allow-turning in duty thither again. Note, Forced abance his neighbors took up with, nor live in hope, sence from God's ordinances, and forced presence nor wait with patience, it was his fault, and by with wicked people, are great afflictions, but when it he did dishonour God, and the good land He had the force ceases, and it is continued of choice, given them, weaken the hands of his brethren, with then it becomes a great sin. It should seem, she whom he should have been willing to take his lot, began to think of returning immediately on the and set an ill example to others. If all should death of her two sous: (1.) Because she looked do as he did, Canaan would be dispeopled. Note, upon that affliction to be a judgment on her famIt is an evidence of a discontented, distrustful, ily for lingering in the country of Moab. When unstable spirit, to be weary of the place in which death comes into a family, it ought to be improvGod hath set us, and to be for leaving it immedi-ed for the reforming of what is amiss in it: when ately, whenever we meet with any uneasiness or relations are taken away from us, we are put upon inconvenience in it. It is folly to think of escap- inquiry, whether, in some instance or other, we ing that cross, which, being laid in our way, we are not out of the way of our duty, that we may best of that which is, for it is seldom that chang- now become a melancholy place to her. It is ought to take up. It is our wisdom to make the return to it. (2.) Because the land of Moab was ing our place is mending it. Or, if he would re- with little pleasure she can breathe in that air in move, why to Moab? Probably he would have which her husband and sons had expired; or go found plenty in some of the tribes of Israel, those, on that ground in which they lay buried out of her for instance, on the other side Jordan, bordering sight, but not out of her thoughts; now she will ou Moab; if he had that zeal for God and his go to Canaan again. Earth is imbittered to us, worship, and that affection for his brethren, which that heaven may be endeared. became an Israelite, he would not have persuaded himself so easily to go to sojourn among Moabites. IV. The marriage of his two sons to two of the daughters of Moab after his death, v. 4. All agree this was ill done: the Chaldee says, They transgressed the decree of the Word of the Lord, in taking strange wives. Those that bring young people into bad acquaintance, and take them out of the way of public ordinances, though they may of provision.' PATRICK.-Bethlehem was formerly called Ephratha, Gen. 48: 7. likewise the land wherein Bethlehem lay, Micah, 5: 2. Hence Mahlon and Chilion (v. 2.) are called Ephrathites.' DUTCH ANN. 15. 146:7. Prov. 30:8. Matt. 6:11. 1 Tim. 6:8. n 2 Kings 8:3. Verses 4, 5. There is no reason to think, that either Orpah or Ruth was proselyted to the religion of Israel, before marriage; and consequently Mahlon and Chilion directly violated the divine law; for which some think their premature death without children was a punishment. (Lev. 20: 20, 21.) Probably Elimelech died soon after he came into the land of Moab, and his two sons followed him before ten years were expired; but it does not appear, how long after their marriage this took place. (4.) Ten years.] I. e. after their marriage.' SCOTT. II. The good affection of her daughters-in-law, one of them especially, and her generous return of their good affection. 1. They were both so kind as to accompany her, some part of the way at least, when she returned toward the land of Judah. If she was resolved to go home, they would pay her all possible civility and respect at parting; and this was one instance of it, they would bring her on her Verses 6-10. Perhaps Naomi had staid in Moab contrary to her inclination, from regard to her husband while he lived, and afterwards to her sons. She seems to have been a person of eminent faith and piety. SCOTT. (6.) It is imagined, not without probability, that Mahlon and Chilion are the same with Joash and Saraph, mentioned, 1 Chron. 4: 22.' Dr. A. CLARKE. (7.) Here we may learn that resolutions formed in grace lead to practice: effectual grace leads to effectual practice. The mere feelings of nature, originating only in nature, can never rise above their source. When the spring ceases to flow, the streams die away.' HAWKER. (8.) Return, &c.] 'It seems it was usual in Moab, as well as in Israel, for widows to dwell with their parents; and the women had WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, AND NOTES, ON THE BOOK OF RUTH. AS a practical comment on the genuine effect of the Mosaic institutions on human welfare, as illustrating their spirit, and showing to how much happiness they naturally and necessarily led when properly observed, this sweet picture of agricultural life is a rich oriental gem, sparkling with clear and beautiful lustre, far down to us, from the distant, mutalated, dark and bloody records of the early history of our race! How ill could we spare it! How could the view of the Mosaic polity have been perfect without it! Let us receive with thankfulness, into good and honest hearts, the hoarded wealth of instruction this little book conveys! Even the infidel Voltaire says, 'The history of Ruth is written with a natural and affecting simplicity. We know nothing in either Homer or Herodotus that goes to the heart like this answer of Ruth to her mother, "Whither thou goest, I will go," &c. (1: 16,17.) There is a sublimity in this simplicity. .... We have often said, that these times and manners have nothing in common with our own, whether good or bad, their spirit is not ours; their good sense is not ours. It is on this very account that the Pentateuch, the books of Joshua and Judges, are a thousand times more instructive than Homer and Herodotus.' ED. This short history of the domestic affairs of one particular family, fitly follows the book of Judges, (the events related here happening in the days of the Judges,) and fitly goes before the books of Samuel, because in the close it introduces David: yet the Jews, in their Bibles, separate it from both, and make it one of the five Megilloth, or Volumes, which they put together toward the latter end; in this order, Solomon's Song, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. Probably, Samuel wrote it. [And so the Talmudists think; which is most probable, and most generally received. GILL: SO GRAY, &c. SCOTT thinks Samuel wrote it after he had anointed David.'] It relates the afflictions first, and afterward the comfort, of Naomi; the conversion first, and afterward, the preferment, of Ruth. Many such events have happened, which perhaps we may think as well worthy to be recorded. But God saw fit to transmit the knowledge of these to us; and even common historians think they have liberty to choose their subject. The design of this book is, 1. To lead to Providence; to show us how conversant it is about our private concerns, and to teach us in them all to have an eye to it, acknowledging God in all our ways, and in all events that concern us. See 1 Sam. 2: 7, 8. Ps. 113: 7-9. II. To lead to Christ, who descended from Ruth, and part of whose genealogy concludes the book, out of which it is fetched into Matt. 1. Let us remember the scene is laid in Beth-lehem, where our Redeemer was born. HENRY. It is not easy to fix the chronology of these events, there being no evidence to determine exactly under which of the Judges they occurred. Scorr. The chief difficulty arises from the genealogical account of Matthew, which states that Boaz, the husband of Ruth, and great grandfather of David, was son of Salmon by Rachab; for if by Rachab we understand, as is usual, Rahab, the harlot, who protected Joshua's spies about A. M. 2552, it is difficult to conceive that only three persons, Boaz, Obed, and Jesse, should have intervened between her and David, who was not born till about 2919. We must however in this case conclude, either with the learned Usher, that the ancestors of David, as eminent for righteousness, or as designed to be conspicuous, because of the lineage of the Messiah, were blessed with extraordinary length of life, or else that the sacred writers mentioned in the genealogy only such names as were distinguished and known among the Jews. If, however, Boaz be considered as the grandfather of David, the history cannot by any computation be assigned to the time of Eli, under whose jurisdiction it is placed by Josephus, but at some earlier period, perhaps under Shamgar, agreeably to Usher, who places it in A. M. 2686, about 133 years after the conquest of Canaan. GRAY. The Jews thought it disgraceful to David to have derived his birth from a Moabitess, and with this they suppose Shimei reproached him. This book, therefore, contains intrinsic proof of its own verity, as it records a circumstance so little flattering to the sovereign of Israel. HEWLETT, and GRAY, after Jerome, and Calm. The principal design of the book is, to give the genealogy of David, whom Samuel had anointed to be king of Israel, and from whom the Messiah was to come, and who therefore may be said to be the aim and scope of it, as He is of all Scripture; and whereby it appears that He sprung both from Jews and Gentiles, and is the Savior of both, and there is a good foundation for both to hope in Him; and the call and conversion of Ruth the Moabitess may be considered as a shadow, emblem, and pledge, of the conversion of the Gentiles. [This interesting and instructive narrative] furnishes out examples of bearing afflictions patiently, of industry, courteousness, kindness to strangers, and young converts; and none can doubt of the divine authority of this book that considers the use made of it in the genealogies of Christ by Matthew and Luke. [So also Scott and Henry (in substance) &c.] GILL. A. M. 2882. B. C. 1322. Elimelech's widow, prepares to re CHAP. I. V. 1-5. In this ch. we have Naomi's afflictions, 1. as a distressed housekeeper, forced by famine to remove into the land of Moab; Elimelech induced by famine to sojourn 2. as a mournful widow and mother, bewailing Moab, dies there, 1-3. His two o, having married women of Moab, the death of her husband and her two sons; 3. as without children; and Naom, a careful mother-in-law, desirous to be kind to tam to barsel, 4-6. Orals and Rath, her two daughters, but at a loss how to be so, her daughters-in-law, propose to ac when she returns to her own country. Orpah she and Orpah returns back, 7-14. Roth parts with in sorrow, Ruth she takes with her in determines to gs with her, 15-18. fear. 4. As a poor woman sent back to the place They arrive at Beth-lehem, and Nae of her first settlement, to be supported by the kindness of her friends. All these things were melancholy, and seemed against her, and yet all were company her; she dissuades them, mi answers the inquiries of her neigt. bors, 19-22. working for good. NOW it came to pass, was born of Rahab, who received the spies in Joshua's time. Some think it was in the days of Ehud, others of Deborah; Patrick thinks it was in the days of Gideon, because in his days only we read of a famine, Judg. 6: 3, 4. While the Judges were ruling, some one city, and some another, Providence takes particular cognizance of Beth-lehem, and has an eye to a King, to Messiah Himself. Here is, I. A famine in that land flowing with milk and honey. This was one of the judgments God had threatened for their sins, Lev. 26: 19, 20. A fruitful land is turned into barrenness, to correct and restrain the luxury and wantonness of them that dwell therein. II. A particular family in distress; that of Elimelech, which signifies my God a King; agree were two Bethlehems, one in Judah, the other in Zebulon. They had their names from great fruitfulness, which argues this famine to have been very sore, that even in these places there was a scarcity there was d 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah: and they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; 'and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other h Ruth: and they dwelled there B. C. k about ten years. 6 Then she arose with her daughters-inlaw, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab, how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. 7 Wherefore • she went forth out of the place where she was, b Gen. 12:10. 26:1, 43:1. Lev. 26:19. Deut. 28:23,24,38. 2 Sam. 21:1.1 Kings 17:1-12. 18:2. 2 Kings 8:1, 2. Ps. 105:16. 107:34. Jer. 14:1. Am. 4:6. Ez. 14:13,21. Joel 1:10,11,16-20. e Judg. 17:8. 19:1,2. d 20. e Gen. 35:19. 1 Sam. 1:1. 17:12. Mic. 5:2. Heb. were. f 2 Kings 4:1. Ps. 34:19. Heh. 12:6, 10,11. g Deut. 7:3. 23:3. 1 Kings 11:1,2. i Deut. 32:39. Ps. 89:30-32. Jer. 2: 1 Gen. 21:1. Ex. 3.16. 4:31. 18am. 1 Pet. 2: Ex. 16:4-6. P's. 104:14,15. 111:5. 132:15. 145: 12. m Gen. 28:20. 48:15. Prov. 30:8. Is. 55:10. my amiable or pleasant one. able to the state of Israel when the Judges ruled, I think them well-principled, and armed against and the consequent disconsolate condition of V. The death of Elimelech and his two sons, Naomi. Her husbaud died, v. 3. and her two sons, v. 5. soon after their marriage; the Chaldee says, Their days were shortened, because they transgressed the law in marrying strange wives. See here, we cannot expect to prosper when we go out of the way of duty. He that will save his life by any indirect courses shall lose it. One in a family is taken away, and that affliction is not duly improved, therefore God sends another of the same kind. Uncertain and transient are all our enjoyments here. It is wisdom then to make sure of those comforts that will be made sure, which death cannot rob us of. But how desolate was the condition, and how disconsolate the spirit, of poor Naomi! God alone has wherewithal to comfort. V. 6-18. See here, I. The good affection Naomi bore the land of Israel, v. 6. Observe, 1. God, at last, returned in mercy to his people; for He will not contend always. At length God graciously visited his people in giving them bread. Plenty is God's gift, and it is his visitasouls in life. Though this mercy be more striking tion which, by bread, the staff of life, holds our when it comes after famine, yet if we have constantly enjoyed it, and never knew what famine meant, shall we think it the less valuable? III. Their removal, v. 1, 2. It seems there was plenty in Moab, when there was scarcity in bestowed in greater plenty on those that are stranIsrael. Common gifts of Providence are often gers to God, than on those that know and worship Him. Moab is at ease from his youth, while Israel is emptied from vessel to vessel; Jer. 48: 11. not because God loves Moabites better, but because they have their portion in this life. Thither Elimelech goes to sojourn during the dearth, as Abraham, on the like occasion, to Egypt, and Isaac to the land of the Philistines. Now here, 1. Elimelech's care to provide for his family, and his taking his wife and children with him, were, without doubt, commendable. If any provide not for his own, he hath denied the faith. When in his straits he was not as the ostrich, Job 39: 16. he did not forsake his house. But, 2. I see not how his removal into the country of Moab could be justified. Abraham and Isaac were only sojourners in Canaan, and it was agreeable to their condition to remove; but the seed of Israel were now fixed, and ought not to remove into the territories of the heathen. What reason had Elimelech to go, more than his neighbors? If by any ill husbandry he had wasted his patrimony, and ch. 4: 3, 4.) which brought him into a more nesold his land, or mortgaged it, (as it should seem, cessitous condition than others, the law of God had obliged his neighbors to relieve him; (Lev. 25: 35.) but that was not his case, for he went out full, v. 21. By those who tarried at home, 2. Naomi had often inquired of the state of her it appears the famine was not so extreme, but people, and still the tidings were discouraging; that there was sufficient to support life; and his but, at last, she has good news of plenty in Bethcharge was but small, only two sons. But if lehem, and then she can think of no other than rehe could not be content with the short allow-turning in duty thither again. Note, Forced abance his neighbors took up with, nor live in hope, sence from God's ordinances, and forced presence nor wait with patience, it was his fault, and by with wicked people, are great afflictions, but when given them, weaken the hands of his brethren, with it he did dishonour God, and the good land He had whom he should have been willing to take his lot, and set an ill example to others. If all should do as he did, Canaan would be dispeopled. Note, It is an evidence of a discontented, distrustful, unstable spirit, to be weary of the place in which God hath set us, and to be for leaving it immediately, whenever we meet with any uneasiness or inconvenience in it. It is folly to think of escaping that cross, which, being laid in our way, we ought to take up. It is our wisdom to make the best of that which is, for it is seldom that changing our place is mending it. Or, if he would remove, why to Moab? Probably he would have found plenty in some of the tribes of Israel, those, for instance, on the other side Jordan, bordering ou Moab; if he had that zeal for God and his worship, and that affection for his brethren, which became an Israelite, he would not have persuaded himself so easily to go to sojourn among Moabites. IV. The marriage of his two sous to two of the daughters of Moab after his death, v. 4. All agree this was ill done: the Chaldee says, They transgressed the decree of the Word of the Lord, in taking strange wives. Those that bring young people into bad acquaintance, and take them out of the way of public ordinances, though they may of provision.' PATRICK.- Bethlehem was formerly called Ephratha, Gen. 48: 7. likewise the land wherein Bethlehem lay, Micah, 5: 2. Hence Mahlon and Chilion (v. 2.) are called Ephrathites.' DUTCH ANN. 15. 146:7. Matt. 6:11. n 2 Kings 8:3. 1 Tim. 6:8. Verses 4, 5. There is no reason to think, that either Orpah or Ruth was proselyted to the religion of Israel, before marriage; and consequently Mahlon and Chilion directly violated the divine law; for which some think their premature death without children was a punishment. (Lev. 20: 20, 21.) Probably Elimelech died soon after he came into the land of Moab, and his two sons followed him before ten years were expired; but it does not appear, how long after their marriage this took place. (4.) Ten years.] I. e. after their marriage.' [6] SCOTT. then it becomes a great sin. It should seem, she the force ceases, and it is continued of choice, began to think of returning immediately on the death of her two sons: (1.) Because she looked upon that affliction to be a judgment on her family for lingering in the country of Moab. When death comes into a family, it ought to be improved for the reforming of what is amiss in it: when relations are taken away from us, we are put upon inquiry, whether, in some instance or other, we are not out of the way of our duty, that we may return to it. (2.) Because the land of Moab was now become a melancholy place to her. It is with little pleasure she can breathe in that air in which her husband and sons had expired; or go on that ground in which they lay buried out of her sight, but not out of her thoughts; now she will go to Canaan again. Earth is imbittered to us, that heaven may be endeared. one of them especially, and her generous return II. The good affection of her daughters-in-law, of their good affection. her, some part of the way at least, when she re1. They were both so kind as to accompany turned toward the land of Judah. If she was resolved to go home, they would pay her all pos sible civility and respect at parting; and this was one instance of it, they would bring her on her Verses 6-10. Perhaps Naomi had staid in Moab contrary to her inclination, from regard to her husband while he lived, and afterwards to her sons. She seems to have been a person of eminent faith and piety. SCOTT, (6.) It is imagined, not without probability, that Mahlon and Chilion are the same with Joash and Saraph, mentioned, 1 Chron. Dr. A. CLARKE. 4: 22.' |