Do not. He did right in forbidding this assassination, which could never be authorized, even to prevent a similar crime. Godolias should have taken precautions: but he was too open, (Calmet) like Eumenes. (Grotius) CHAPTER XL. Month; Tisri, the third of which is still observed as a fast by the Jews. (Calmet) --- Godolias had given a supper to the traitors, and had drunk plentifully. They set upon him while he and the people were retired to rest. (Josephus, Antiquities x. 11.) --- This happened two months after the burning of Jerusalem, chap. xxix. 2. Nabuchodonosor soon after punished this perfidy of the Ammonites. (Calmet) --- Bread: feasted. (Haydock) --- Such tragedies are usually performed with the show of friendship. (Worthington) Second, or next day. All had been slain in the night but some captives. (Calmet) Rent, as people mourning. Literally, "dirty." Hebrew and Septuagint, "cut." (Haydock) (Chap. xvi. 6., and Leviticus xix. 28.) --- Lord, Masphath, were people performed their devotions, as well as they could, Judges xx. 1., and 1 Machabees iii. 46.) Jeremias had probably ordered an altar to be erected, as Samuel had done, 1 Kings vii. 6. (Calmet) --- Others think that these people went thither for a priest, to offer what they had brought on the altar of Jerusalem, Baruch i. 10. (Tirinus) --- Masphath lay to the south. (Calmet) --- It seems many of the people about Samaria were true believers, and even more affected at the destruction of the temple. (Haydock) --- Their city had been demolished by Salmanasar (Calmet) long before, and many fresh inhabitants introduced, who adhered to idols. (Haydock) He . Septuagint, "they." Yet Hebrew intimates that Ismahel feigned tears. (Calmet) --- He did not weep sincerely. (Worthington) Into. Literally, "slew them about the," &c. (Haydock) --- The pit was not full of water, but had been intended by Asa for a reservoir, (ver. 9., and 3 Kings xv. 20.; Calmet) when he built Maspha. (Worthington) Field. It was usual to cover them up carefully. (Chardin.) --- Avarice sometimes will set bounds to cruelty, when nothing else will. (Worthington) King's; Sedecias, (Calmet) or some of his predecessors, as all the women were taken, (chap. xxxviii. 22, 23.) unless those had escaped before. (Haydock) Johanan. He and the rest of the fugitives thus shewed that they were clean. (Worthington) Gabaon, famous for the battle of Abner, 2 Kings ii. 13. Eight. He had brought ten, ver. 1. CHAPTER XLI. Eunuchs; officers of Sedecias, who had escaped, chap. xl. 9. As. Hebrew, "at the station or inn of Chamaam," the son of Berzellai. (Chaldean) Perhaps our Saviour was born in this (Calmet) "inn," (Eusebius, Dem. vii. 4.) which was then deserted. (Haydock) --- Egypt. These poor wretches find no repose. (Calmet) Pray; consult, ver. 4., and chap. xxxvii. 3. (Haydock) --- Few; comparatively, though there was a great number, chap. xliii. 5. Witness. Jeremias knew their fickle temper. They will obey, only if God comply with their desires. (Calmet) --- They began with piety, but soon refused to obey the directions given, chap. xliii. 2. (Worthington) Good or evil. That is, agreeable or disagreeable. (Challoner) --- It would have been well for them if they had been sincere, (ver. 10.; Haydock) and determined to comply whether the prophet announced prosperity or the reverse. (Worthington) Days. The Spirit breathes where he will, and the prophets must wait his good time. Jeremias prayed for ten days in that place. He now resumes his discourse, chap. xl 1. Appeased. Hebrew, "comforted." Septuagint, "at rest." I forget (Calmet) or pardon (Haydock) the past. And will. Hebrew, "and he will." The king will take pity on you. --- Dwell. Septuagint, "return;" which is less correct. Faces; obstinately, ver. 17., and chap. xliv. 12. CHAPTER XLII. Kindled. Hebrew, "hath dropped," 2 Paralipomenon xii. 7. --- Curse. People can wish no greater misery to their enemies. (Calmet) --- They shall be execrated, Isaias lxv. 15. (Worthington) Deceived. Septuagint, "done ill in your souls." Your intention was bad. You thought that I should speak conformably to your wishes. (Calmet) --- He saw by the prophetic light, or by their deportment, that they were bent on going. (Haydock) --- They were doubly guilty in neither observing their promise nor obeying God's decree. (Worthington) Proud and headstrong. (Calmet) --- Sinful people easily become worse. They are guilty of calumny, and comply not with their promise, chap. xlii. 5. (Worthington) Baruch. He had been at Babylon, and was liberated with Jeremias, always speaking with moderation of the king of Babylon, and exhorting the people to submission. This was enough to make the populace suspect. They are incapable of reasoning. And Baruch, by compulsion. (Worthington) (Calmet) --- Hence God did not cease to speak by their mouth. (Haydock) Taphnis, or Daphn\'e6 Pelusi\'e6, sixteen miles from Pelusium, (Antonin.) the Hanes of Isaias, (xxx. 4.) and key of Egypt. It was a royal city. Wall; kiln, or court. (Hebrew) Justice was administered at the gate, and the magnificent throne of Solomon was placed in the court or porch, 3 Kings x. 18. (Calmet) --- The prophet preaches by facts, laying great stones in the chief city, chap. xix. 10. (Worthington) Servant. The greatest monarchs only execute God's decrees. Temples. Hebrew also, "the palaces of the princes," as temples occur below. --- Captives. The idols share the fate of their votaries, chap. xlviii. 7. --- Array; or Hebrew, "cover with soldiers the land." Septuagint, "he shall cleanse (Calmet) or destroy." (Bochart) Sun. Septuagint, "of Heliopolis," where the largest temple of the sun was seen. Egypt was famous for its obelisks, erected by Pheron, successor of Sesostris. Some have been removed to Rome. --- Fire. History does not specify the particulars: but we may judge how the conqueror would treat these temples, &c., from what Xerxes and Ochus did afterwards. (Calmet)