made them houses] In this or the like expression, God often professeth favour to those he loveth: as 1 Samuel 2:35. 2 Samuel 7:11. 1 Kings 2:24. &chap. 11. 38. Which phrase importeth not so much the place of habitation, or abode, as the blssing of families with increase and prosperitie, as by a numerous, long lived, and prosperous off-spring: and the offspring (in the Hebrew Tongue) may be the rather called an House, because the word Ben, a sonne, is derived of the word Bana, which signifieth to build, for of children are families made up, as houses of the materialls, whereof they are composed. Hence some inferre, the officious lie of the Midwives was lawfull: but their act being a mixt act, consisting of Pietie to God, pitie to his people, and fallacie in lying to the King; the two first graciously accepted, and rewarded by God, the third was mercifully passed by and pardoned by him.