Sepulchre. Heb. "sepulchres," as there were many separate apartments in the same cavern. C. --- Asa had prepared one cell, as David and Solomon had done. M. T. --- Odoriferous Such as harlots delight in, (Proverbs vii. 16,) to entice the sensual. D. --- Heb. zenim, may be derived from zana, fornicari. It denotes a mixture of perfumes. M. --- But here the Vulgate read zunim. D. --- Heb. and Sept. "they laid him on a bed, and filled it with aromatical spices, and with various sorts of perfumers' ointments, and they made him a very great funeral, or (H.) burning." Protestants --- It is not clear whether the body was placed on a bed of state, and these perfumes were used to remove every disagreeable smell, or the body itself was rather consumed along with them, a practice which seems to have become more common since the days of Asa, Jeremias xxxiv. 5., 1 K. xxxi. 12., and Amos vi. 10. Joram was deprived of this honour, C. xxi. 19. C. --- Sanctius adduces many examples, to prove that the spices were burnt only near the body; (T.) and the Hebrews generally preferred to inter the corpse. Corpora condere quam cremare e more \'c6gyptio. Tacitus, Hist. v. CHAPTER XVI. Israel. In consequence of the civil broils, which ensued after the death of Baasa. The two kingdoms had been nearly equal. Num., who were kept on foot; probably as in the days of David. First. Before his fall: some copies add, "and last," (La Haye) as the Gothic MS. used by Mariana does, agreeably to the Scripture style. D. --- David began and ended well. H. Presents, as was customary, (1 K. x. 27,) or tribute. C. When. Heb. "And his heart was elevated in the ways of the Lord." He was endued with courage to undertake the great work of banishing all abuses out of his dominions, seeing that the people were well affected, and the Lord urged him forward. H. --- He trusted no so much to his great army or riches, as to a good conscience, (T.) which made him fear no difficulties; (1 John iii. 21,) doubting not but God would grant him success, as he endeavoured to keep his laws. C. --- Groves of idols, (M.) though he tolerated the high places, which had been consecrated to God, C. xx. 33., and 3 K. xxii. 43. H. --- Good works, rewarded by God, encouraged people to proceed in virtue. W. Princes. Political, (T.) to see that all paid attention to the proper teachers; (Malachias ii. 7.; C.) and thus to partake in that good work. M. --- The princes might also give instruction by word (C.) and example. H. Book. The Pentateuch, or its abridgment, the book of Deut., (M.) which they read and explained. C. --- People. It was not sufficient to destroy idolatry, (M.) unless the people were taught how to serve the true God. H. War. They had witnessed the fruitless attempt of Zara, C. xiv. 15. H. Philistines. Though they had been reduced by David, they had sometimes proved remiss in the payment of tribute. --- Arabians, who lived near the Ethiopians, and the Dead Sea, C. xxi. 19. They had been subdued by Solomon, (3 K. x. 15.) and were rich in cattle, Ezechiel xxvii. 21. The name is not so comprehensive as we generally make it. C. Houses. Prot. "castles." Heb. biraniyoth. Birah is properly a Chaldean word, and is added after susan, to imply that it was a royal castle, (C.) or palace. (H.) Esdras i. 1. --- Sept. often use baris in the same sense. C. --- It became a provincial word in Palestine, for a place shut up on all sides and built like a tower. S. Jerom ad Princep. --- David calls the temple a palace (habbirah) for God, 1 Paralipomenon xxix. 1. C. --- Josaphat employed his immense riches in beautifying the country, and erecting storehouses, v. 5. --- Walled. Prot. "cities of store." H. See C. xv. 4. CHAPTER XVII. Ednas was the chief of the five generals, who had under their command 1,160,000, (C.) besides the garrison soldiers, v. 19. H. --- So great power and riches had not been seen in Juda since the days of Solomon. C. --- They were not all on duty at the same time, but were able to bear arms (M.) when called out. Consecrated. Heb. "a volunteer of the Lord," (H.) serving at his own expence, (T.) or with remarkable zeal. C. --- Perhaps he was of the tribe of Levi, (M.) or had taken the vows of the Nazarites, &c. After. Heb. and Sept. "And of Benjamin, Eliada, a valiant man of the army." H. --- It seems all were not chosen from Juda. M. King, at different times. Sept. "waiting upon" him, (H.) like the companies which David had appointed, (C.) but far more numerous. H. --- The dominions of Juda were now pretty extensive, and well cultivated. The population must have amounted to near six millions, for whose support recourse must have been had to commerce. Rome had once almost four million inhabitants, and Cairo is said to contain seven millions, while China has two hundred millions. C. --- We must reflect that many from the other tribes had taken refuge in the kingdom of Juda. T. --- It would be too bold to suppose, with Kennicott, that so many numbers have been corrupted. H. C. xiii. 3. Affinity, taking Achab's daughter for his son's wife. T. C. xxi. 6., and 3 K. xxii. War. Josaphat was too complaisant. He was rebuked by the son of Hanani, as Asa had been by his father; (chap. xvi. 7.) and, not long after, Eliezer reproached him for joining in alliance with Ochozias, C. xx. C. --- He acted without an ill intention, and was more easily pardoned. W. Hands. He ironically (C.) alludes to the declarations of the false prophets. H. Ye. In 3 K., he addresses his discourse chiefly to Achab. C. CHAPTER XVIII. Said. See 3 K. xxii. The Rabbins pretend that the spirit of Naboth came forth. But it was satan, or an evil spirit. T. So. The Lord permits evil, but he does not approve of it. C. --- Homer makes Jupiter send a deluding dream to Agamemnon. Iliad B. --- The delusive predictions of impostors, are one great source of calamities. D. Amelech. Sept. and Syriac, "to Joas, the commander, son of the father. H. --- He had perhaps the government of affairs at Samaria, during his king." Achab's absence. T. People. Mark what I say. The event will quickly prove whether I am a prophet or an impostor. H. Dress. Prot. "disguised himself, and they went." See 3 K. xxii. 30. Turned. Heb. "moved them from him." They felt that he was under God's protection; and discovered that he was not the king of Israel. H. Thou. Sept. "O king Josaphat, if thou helpest the sinner; or, wilt thou befriend one hated by the Lord?" Prot. "shouldst thou....love them that hate the Lord?" H. --- The Donatists hence inferred, that it was not lawful to converse with sinners. But S. Augustine (contra ep. Par. ii. 18.) replied, that Josaphat was blamed for aiding Achab in the contempt of the true prophet, and for going to battle conformably to the predictions of impostors. Both kings offended, but in a different degree. W. --- We must also keep at as great a distance as possible from the notorious enemies of God, as their conversation is dangerous. T. --- Evil communications corrupt the best of manners. See Psalm cxxxviii., &c. Works. Sept. "words." Prot. "things." H. --- The merit of Josaphat screened him from punishment. T. --- Prepared. Sept. "directed." M. --- Syriac, "disposed." Faith teaches that we can do no good of ourselves, but that we have free will to choose either good or evil. Ephraim. This was the northern boundary, as Dan or Emath had been under David and Solomon. C. And whatsoever. Heb. "who is with you in the judgment." The Lord will confirm you just decisions, and punish your injustice. H. --- God stood in the synagogue of gods, or judges, Psalm lxxxi. 1. Judges ought not so much to regard man as God, when they pass sentence. C. --- How then will the Anabaptists deny that a man may sit in judgment? T. Gifts. The contrary is the source of so much corruption. H. --- It would be proper to inscribe this sentence on the walls of all courts of judicature, or rather on the hearts of all in office. T. --- None but the true religion can produce such maxims. C. And the. Heb. "of the Lord, and for disputes among the people among themselves, (H.) and they returned, (v. 4) or dwelt at Jerusalem." C. --- Sept. "to judge the inhabitants of," &c. Josephus (ix. 1.) says, "he returned." Syriac, "And being returned....he exhorted." Cities. He addressed the judges of the capital, to whom appeals might be made. C. M. --- Kindred, with respect to inheritances and matrimonial cases. Heb. "blood," or murder, whither casual or wilful. Amarias, (1 Paralipomenon vi. 11.) or rather Azarias, the father of Johanan, 1 Paralipomenon v. 9. --- Office, in civil matters. C. --- Here is a plain distinction between the spiritual and temporal authority, instituted by God, Deut. xvii., and Num. xxvii. W. T. --- Masters. Heb. shoterim, to execute the sentence; (D.) or "officers." --- You. Prot. "with the good." H.