Read Scripture In A Year: July 12

Passage 1: 1 Samuel 25

(1Sa 25:1) Then Samuel dyed, and all Israel assembled, and mourned for him, and buried him in his owne house at Ramah. And Dauid arose and went downe to the wildernes of Paran.

(Notes Reference) And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his (a) house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

(a) That is, among his own kindred.

(1Sa 25:2) Now in Maon was a man, who had his possessio in Carmel, and the man was exceeding mightie and had three thousand sheepe, and a thousand goates: and he was shering his sheepe in Carmel.

(Notes Reference) And [there was] a man in (b) Maon, whose possessions [were] in Carmel; and the man [was] very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

(b) Maon and Carmel were cities in the tribe of Judah. Carmel the mountain was in Galilee.

(1Sa 25:3) The name also of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail, and she was a woman of singular wisdome, and beautifull, but the man was churlish, and euil conditioned, and was of the familie of Caleb.

(1Sa 25:4) And Dauid heard in the wildernesse, that Nabal did shere his sheepe.

(1Sa 25:5) Therefore Dauid sent tenne yong men, and Dauid said vnto the yong men, Go vp to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and aske him in my name how he doeth.

(1Sa 25:6) And thus shall ye say for salutation, Both thou, and thine house, and all that thou hast, be in peace, wealth and prosperitie.

(Notes Reference) And thus shall ye say (c) to him that liveth [in prosperity], Peace [be] both to thee, and peace [be] to thine house, and peace [be] unto all that thou hast.

(1Sa 25:7) Behold, I haue heard, that thou hast sherers: now thy shepherds were with vs, and we did the no hurt, neyther did they misse any thing all the while they were in Carmel.

(1Sa 25:8) Aske thy seruants and they wil shew thee. Wherefore let these yong men finde fauour in thine eyes: (for we come in a good season) giue, I pray thee, whatsoeuer commeth to thine hand vnto thy seruants, and to thy sonne Dauid.

(Notes Reference) Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever (d) cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.

(d) Whatever you have ready for us.

(1Sa 25:9) And when Dauids yong men came, they tolde Nabal all those wordes in the name of Dauid, and helde their peace.

(1Sa 25:10) Then Nabal answered Dauids seruantes, and sayd, Who is Dauid? and who is the sonne of Ishai? there be many seruantes nowe a dayes, that breake away euery man from his master.

(Notes Reference) And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who [is] David? and who [is] the (e) son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

(e) Thus the covetous wretches instead of relieving the needs of God's children, reviled their persons and condemned their cause.

(1Sa 25:11) Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I haue killed for my sherers, and giue it vnto men, whom I know not whence they be?

(1Sa 25:12) So Dauids seruants turned their way, and went againe, and came, and tolde him all those things.

(1Sa 25:13) And Dauid said vnto his men, Girde euery man his sword about him. And they girded euery man his sworde: Dauid also girded his sworde. And about foure hundreth men went vp after Dauid, and two hundreth abode by the cariage.

(1Sa 25:14) Nowe one of the seruantes tolde Abigail Nabals wife, saying, Beholde, Dauid sent messengers out of the wildernesse to salute our master, and he rayled on them.

(1Sa 25:15) Notwithstanding the men were very good vnto vs, and we had no displeasure, neither missed we any thing as long as we were conuersant with them, when we were in the fieldes.

(Notes Reference) But the men [were] very good (f) unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:

(f) When we kept our sheep in the wilderness of Paran.

(1Sa 25:16) They were as a wall vnto vs both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping sheepe.

(1Sa 25:17) Nowe therefore take heede, and see what thou shalt doe: for euill will surely come vpon our master, and vpon all his familie: for he is so wicked that a man can not speake to him.

(1Sa 25:18) Then Abigail made haste, and tooke two hundreth cakes, and two bottels of wine, and fiue sheepe ready dressed, and fiue measures of parched corne, and an hundreth frailes of raisins, and two hundreth of figs, and laded them on asses.

(1Sa 25:19) Then she said vnto her seruants, Go ye before me: beholde, I will come after you: yet she tolde not her husband Nabal.

(Notes Reference) And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her (g) husband Nabal.

(g) Because she knew his crooked nature, that he would rather die than agree to her enterprise.

(1Sa 25:20) And as shee rode on her asse, shee came downe by a secret place of the mountaine, and beholde, Dauid and his men came downe against her, and she met them.

(1Sa 25:21) And Dauid said, In deede I haue kept all in vaine that this fellow had in the wildernesse, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained vnto him: for he hath requited me euill for good.

(1Sa 25:22) So and more also doe God vnto the enemies of Dauid: for surely I will not leaue of all that he hath, by the dawning of the day, any that pisseth against the wall.

(Notes Reference) So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that [pertain] to him by the morning light any that (h) pisseth against the wall.

(h) Meaning by this proverb that he would destroy both small and great.

(1Sa 25:23) And when Abigail sawe Dauid, she hasted and lighted off her asse, and fell before Dauid on her face, and bowed her selfe to the ground,

(1Sa 25:24) And fel at his feete, and sayd, Oh, my lord, I haue committed the iniquitie, and I pray thee, let thine handmayde speake to thee, and heare thou the wordes of thine handmayde.

(1Sa 25:25) Let not my lorde, I pray thee, regard this wicked man Nabal: for as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and follie is with him: but I thine handmayde sawe not the yong men of my lord whom thou sentest.

(1Sa 25:26) Now therefore my lord, as the Lord liueth, and as thy soule liueth (the Lord, I say, that hath withholden thee from comming to shedde blood, and that thine hand should not saue thee) so now thine enemies shall be as Nabal, and they that intend to doe my lord euill.

(Notes Reference) Now therefore, my lord, [as] the LORD liveth, and [as] thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to [shed] blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own (i) hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

(i) That is, that you should not be revenged by your enemy.

(1Sa 25:27) And now, this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought vnto my lorde, let it be giuen vnto the yong men, that follow my lord.

(1Sa 25:28) I pray thee, forgiue the trespasse of thine handmaide: for the Lord will make my lorde a sure house, because my lord fighteth the battels of the Lord, and none euill hath bene found in thee in all thy life.

(Notes Reference) I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a (k) sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee [all] thy days.

(k) Confirm his kingdom to his posterity.

(1Sa 25:29) Yet a man hath risen vp to persecute thee, and to seeke thy soule, but the soule of my lorde shall be bounde in the bundel of life with the Lord thy God: and the soule of thine enemies shall God cast out, as out of the middle of a sling.

(Notes Reference) Yet (l) a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the (m) bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, [as out] of the middle of a sling.

(l) That is, Saul.

(m) God will preserve you long in his service, and destroy your enemies.

(1Sa 25:30) And when the Lord shall haue done to my lord al the good that he hath promised thee, and shall haue made thee ruler ouer Israel,

(1Sa 25:31) Then shall it be no griefe vnto thee, nor offence of minde vnto my lord, that he hath not shed blood causelesse, nor that my lorde hath not preserued him selfe: and when the Lord shall haue dealt well with my lorde, remember thine handmaide.

(Notes Reference) That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath (n) avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.

(n) That he did not avenge himself, which would have tormented his conscience.

(1Sa 25:32) Then Dauid said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meete me.

(1Sa 25:33) And blessed be thy counsel, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from comming to shed blood, and that mine hand hath not saued me.

(Notes Reference) And blessed [be] thy advice, and blessed [be] thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to [shed] blood, (o) and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

(o) Read (1Sa 25:31).

(1Sa 25:34) For in deede, as the Lord God of Israel liueth, who hath kept me backe from hurting thee, except thou haddest hasted and met mee, surely there had not bene left vnto Nabal by the dawning of the day, any that pisseth against the wall.

(Notes Reference) For in very deed, [as] the LORD God of Israel liveth, (p) which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

(p) He attributes it to the Lord's mercy, and not to himself that he was stayed.

(1Sa 25:35) Then Dauid receiued of her hande that which she had brought him, and said to her, Goe vp in peace to thine house: beholde, I haue heard thy voyce, and haue graunted thy petition.

(1Sa 25:36) So Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he made a feast in his house, like the feast of a King, and Nabals heart was merie within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore shee tolde him nothing, neither lesse nor more, vntil the morning arose.

(Notes Reference) And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart [was] merry within him, for he [was] very drunken: wherefore she told him (q) nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

(q) For he had no reason either to consider, or to give thanks for this great benefit of deliverance.

(1Sa 25:37) Then in the morning when the wine was gone out of Nabal, his wife tolde him those wordes, and his heart died within him, and he was like a stone.

(Notes Reference) But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became [as] (r) a stone.

(r) For fear of the great danger.

(1Sa 25:38) And about ten dayes after, the Lord smote Nabal, that he dyed.

(1Sa 25:39) Now when Dauid heard, that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord that hath iudged the cause of my rebuke of ye hand of Nabal, and hath kept his seruant from euil: for the Lord hath recompensed the wickednesse of Nabal vpon his owne head. Also Dauid sent to commune with Abigail to take her to his wife.

(Notes Reference) And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to (s) take her to him to wife.

(s) For he had experienced her great godliness, wisdom and humility.

(1Sa 25:40) And whe the seruants of Dauid were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake vnto her, saying, Dauid sent vs to thee, to take thee to his wife.

(1Sa 25:41) And she arose, and bowed her selfe on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmayde be a seruant to wash the feete of the seruants of my lord.

(1Sa 25:42) And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode vpon an asse, and her fiue maides folowed her, and she went after the messengers of Dauid, and was his wife.

(1Sa 25:43) Dauid also tooke Ahinoam of Izreel, and they were both his wiues.

(1Sa 25:44) Now Saul had giuen Michal his daughter Dauids wife to Phalti the sonne of Laish, which was of Gallim.

Passage 2: Jeremiah 2

(Jer 2:1) Moreover, the woorde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

(Jer 2:2) Goe, and crie in the eares of Ierusalem, saying, Thus sayeth the Lord, I remember thee, with the kindenes of thy youth and the loue of thy marriage, when thou wentest after me in the wildernes in a lande that was not sowen.

(Notes Reference) Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the (a) kindness of thy youth, the love of thy espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, (b) in a land [that was] not sown.

(a) According to that grace and favour which I showed you from the beginning, when I first chose you to be my people, and married you to myself, (Eze 16:8).

(b) When I had delivered you out of Egypt.

(Jer 2:3) Israel was as a thing halowed vnto the Lord, and his first fruits: all they that eat it, shall offend: euil shall come vpon them, saith the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Israel [was] (c) holiness to the LORD, [and] the firstfruits of his increase: all (d) that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.

(d) Whoever challenged this people, or else annoyed them, was punished.

(Jer 2:4) Heare ye the word of the Lord, O house of Iaakob, and all the families of the house of Israel.

(Jer 2:5) Thus sayeth the Lord, What iniquitie haue your fathers founde in mee, that they are gone farre from mee, and haue walked after vanitie, and are become vaine?

(Notes Reference) Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they have gone (e) far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become (f) vain?

(e) That is, fallen to vile idolatry.

(f) Altogether given to vanity, and are become blind and insensible as the idols that they serve.

(Jer 2:6) For they saide not, Where is the Lord that brought vs vp out of the lande of Egypt? that led vs through the wildernesse, through a desert, and waste land, through a drie land, and by the shadow of death, by a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

(Notes Reference) Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD that brought us out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of (g) the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?

(g) Where for lack of all things needed for life, you could look for nothing every hour but present death.

(Jer 2:7) And I brought you into a plentifull countrey, to eat the fruit thereof, and the commodities of the same: but when yee entred, yee defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

(Notes Reference) And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit of it and the goodness of it but when ye entered, ye defiled (h) my land, and made my heritage an abomination.

(h) By your idolatry and wicked manners, (Psa 78:58, Psa 106:38).

(Jer 2:8) The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that should minister the Lawe, knewe me not: the pastours also offended against me, and the Prophets prophesied in Baal, and went after things that did not profite.

(Notes Reference) The priests said not, (i) Where [is] the LORD? and they that handle the (k) law knew me not: the (l) rulers also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by (m) Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.

(i) They did not teach the people to seek after God.

(k) As the scribes, who would have expounded the law to the people.

(l) Meaning, the princes and ministers: signifying, that all estates were corrupt.

(m) That is, spoke vain things, and brought the people from the true worship of God to serve idols: for by Baal, which was the chief idol of the Moabites, are meant all idols.

(Jer 2:9) Wherefore I wil yet plead with you, saith the Lord, and I will pleade with your childrens children.

(Notes Reference) Wherefore I will yet (n) plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.

(n) Signifying that he would not as he might, straightway condemn them, but shows them by evident examples their great ingratitude that they might be ashamed and repent.

(Jer 2:10) For goe ye to the yles of Chittim, and beholde, and sende vnto Kedar. and take diligent heede, and see whether there be such things.

(Notes Reference) For pass over the isles of (o) Chittim, and see; and send to (p) Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there is such a thing.

(o) Meaning, the Grecians and Italians.

(p) To Arabia.

(Jer 2:11) Hath any nation changed their gods, which yet are no gods? but my people haue chaged their glorie, for that which doeth not profite.

(Notes Reference) Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their (q) glory for [that which] doth not (r) profit.

(q) That is, God who is their glory, and who makes them glorious above all other people, reproving the Jews that they were less diligent to serve the true God, than were the idolaters to honour their vanities.

(r) Meaning the idols who were their destruction, (Psa 106:36).

(Jer 2:12) O yee heauens, be astonied at this: bee afraid and vtterly confounded, sayeth the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Be astonished, O ye (s) heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.

(s) He shows that the insensible creatures abhor this vile ingratitude, and as it were tremble for fear of God's great judgments against the same.

(Jer 2:13) For my people haue committed two euils: they haue forsaken mee the fountaine of liuing waters, to digge them pittes, euen broken pittes, that can holde no water.

(Notes Reference) For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me (t) the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

(t) Signifying that when men forsake God's word, which is the fountain of life, they reject God himself, and so fall to their own inventions, and vain confidence, and procure to themselves destruction, (Jon 2:8; Zec 10:2).

(Jer 2:14) Is Israel a seruaunt, or is hee borne in the house? why then is he spoiled?

(Notes Reference) [Is] Israel a (u) servant? [is] he a homeborn [slave]? why is he laid waste?

(u) Have I ordered them like servants and not like dearly beloved children? (Exo 4:22) therefore it is their fault only, if the enemy spoil them.

(Jer 2:15) The lions roared vpon him and yelled, and they haue made his land waste: his cities are burnt without an inhabitant.

(Notes Reference) The young (x) lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without (y) inhabitant.

(x) The Babylonians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians.

(y) Not one will be left to dwell there.

(Jer 2:16) Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes haue broken thine head.

(Notes Reference) Also the children of (z) Noph and Tahapanes have (a) broken the crown of thy head.

(z) That is, the Egyptians, for these were two great cities in Egypt.

(a) Have grievously vexed you at various times.

(Jer 2:17) Hast not thou procured this vnto thy selfe, because thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when he led thee by the way?

(Notes Reference) Hast thou not procured this to thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he (b) led thee by the way?

(b) Showing that God would have still led them correctly, if they would have followed him.

(Jer 2:18) And what hast thou now to do in the way of Egypt? to drinke the water of Nilus? or what makest thou in the way of Asshur? to drinke the water of the Riuer?

(Notes Reference) And now what hast thou to do in the way of (c) Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the (d) river?

(c) To seek help from man, as though God was not able enough to defend you, which is to drink from the puddles and to leave the fountain, (Isa 31:1).

(d) That is, Euphrates.

(Jer 2:19) Thine owne wickednes shall correct thee, and thy turnings backe shall reprooue thee: know therefore and beholde, that it is an euil thing, and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my feare is not in thee, sayeth the Lord God of hostes.

(Notes Reference) Thy own wickedness shall (e) correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

(e) Meaning, that the wicked are insensible, till the punishment for their sin waken them as in (Jer 2:26; Isa 3:9).

(Jer 2:20) For of olde time I haue broken thy yoke, and burst thy bondes, and thou saidest, I will no more transgresse, but like an harlot thou runnest about vpon al hie hilles, and vnder all greene trees.

(Notes Reference) For of old time I have broken thy yoke, [and] burst thy bands; and thou saidst, (f) I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

(f) When I delivered you out of Egypt, (Exo 19:8; Deu 5:27; Jos 24:16; Ezr 10:12; Heb 8:6).

(Jer 2:21) Yet I had planted thee, a noble vine, whose plants were all natural: howe then art thou turned vnto me into the plants of a strange vine?

(Jer 2:22) Though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much sope, yet thine iniquitie is marked before me, sayeth the Lord God.

(Notes Reference) For though thou shalt wash thee with (g) lye, and take thee much soap, [yet] thy iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

(g) Though you use all the purifications and ceremonies of the law, you cannot escape punishment.

(Jer 2:23) Howe canst thou say, I am not polluted, neither haue I followed Baalim? beholde thy waies in the valley, and know, what thou hast done: thou art like a swift dromedarie, that runneth by his waies.

(Notes Reference) How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not (h) gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: [thou art] a swift (i) dromedary traversing her ways;

(h) Meaning that hypocrites deny that they worship the idols, but that they honour God in them, and therefore they call their doings God's service.

(i) He compares the idolaters to these beasts, because they never cease running to and fro: for both valleys and hills are full of their idolatry.

(Jer 2:24) And as a wilde asse, vsed to the wildernesse, that snuffeth vp the winde by occasion at her pleasure: who can turne her backe? all they that seeke her, will not wearie themselues, but wil finde her in her moneth.

(Notes Reference) A wild (k) donkey used to the wilderness, [that] snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her (l) month they shall find her.

(k) He compares the idolaters to a wild ass: for she can never be tamed nor yet wearied: for as she runs she can take her wind at every opportunity.

(l) That is, when she is with foal, and therefore the hunters wait their time: so though you cannot be turned back now from your idolatry, yet when your iniquity will be at the fall, God will meet with you.

(Jer 2:25) Keepe thou thy feete from barenes, and thy throte from thirst: but thou saidest desperately, No, for I haue loued strangers, and them will I follow.

(Notes Reference) Withhold thy foot from (m) being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

(m) By this he warns them that they should not go into strange countries to seek help: for they should but spend their labour, and hurt themselves, which is here meant by the bare foot and thirst, (Isa 57:10).

(Jer 2:26) As the theefe is ashamed, when he is foud, so is the house of Israel ashamed, they, their kings, their princes and their Priests, and their Prophets,

(Notes Reference) As the (n) thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,

(n) As a thief will not acknowledge his fault, till he is taken with the deed, and ready to be punished, so they will not confess their idolatry, till the plagues due to the same light on them.

(Jer 2:27) Saying to a tree, Thou art my father, and to a stone, Thou hast begotten me: for they haue turned their back vnto me, and not their face: but in ye time of their troble they wil say, Arise, and help vs.

(Notes Reference) Saying to a tree, Thou [art] my (o) father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned [their] back to me, and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

(o) Meaning, that idolaters rob God of his honour: and where as he has taught to call him the father of all flesh, they attribute this title to their idols.

(Jer 2:28) But where are thy gods, that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can helpe thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the nomber of thy cities, are thy gods, O Iudah.

(Notes Reference) But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made for thyself? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according (p) to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

(p) You thought that your gods of blocks and stones could have helped you, because they were many in number and present in every place: but now let us see whether either the multitude or their presence can deliver you from my plague, (Jer 11:13).

(Jer 2:29) Wherefore wil ye pleade with me? ye all haue rebelled against me, sayeth the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Why will (q) ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.

(q) As though I did you injury in punishing you, seeing that your faults are so evident.

(Jer 2:30) I haue smitten your children in vaine, they receiued no correction: your owne sworde hath deuoured your Prophets like a destroying lyon.

(Notes Reference) In vain have I smitten your children; they have received no correction: your (r) own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

(r) That is, you have killed your prophets, that exhorted you to repentance, as Zechariah, Isaiah, etc.

(Jer 2:31) O generation, take heede to the worde of the Lord: haue I bene as a wildernesse vnto Israel? or a lande of darkenesse? Wherefore sayeth my people then, We are lordes, we will come no more vnto thee?

(Notes Reference) O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a (s) wilderness to Israel? a land of darkness? why say my people, We are lords; (t) we will come no more to thee?

(s) Have I not given them abundance of all things?

(t) But will trust in our own power and policy.

(Jer 2:32) Can a maid forget her ornament, or a bride her attire? yet my people haue forgotten me, daies without number.

(Jer 2:33) Why doest thou prepare thy way, to seeke amitie? euen therefore will I teach thee, that thy waies are wickednesse.

(Notes Reference) Why trimmest thou thy way to (u) seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.

(u) With strangers.

(Jer 2:34) Also in thy wings is founde the bloud of the soules of ye poore innocents: I haue not found it in holes, but vpon all these places.

(Notes Reference) Also in thy (x) skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

(x) The prophets and the faithful are slain in every corner of your country.

(Jer 2:35) Yet thou saiest, Because I am giltles, surely his wrath shall turne from mee: beholde, I will enter with thee into iudgement, because thou saiest, I haue not sinned.

(Jer 2:36) Why runnest thou about so much to change thy waies? for thou shalt be confounded of Egypt, as thou art confounded of Asshur.

(Notes Reference) Why dost thou go about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, (y) as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

(y) For the Assyrians had taken away the ten tribes out of Israel and destroyed Judah even to Jerusalem: and the Egyptians slew Josiah, and vexed the Jews in various ways.

(Jer 2:37) For thou shalt goe foorth from thence, and thine hands vpon thine head, because the Lord hath reiected thy confidence, and thou shalt not prosper thereby.

(Notes Reference) Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thy hands upon (z) thy head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

(z) In sign of lamentation, as in (2Sa 13:19).

Passage 3: Matthew 13

(Mat 13:1) The same day went Iesus out of the house, and sate by the sea side.

(Mat 13:2) And great multitudes resorted vnto him, so that he went into a ship, and sate downe: and the whole multitude stoode on the shore.

(Notes Reference) (1) And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

(1) Christ shows in putting forth this parable of the sower, that the seed of life which is sown in the world does not do as well in one as in another, and the reason for this is that men for the most part, either do not receive it, or do not permit it to ripen.

(Mat 13:3) Then he spake many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sowe.

(Mat 13:4) And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the foules came and deuoured them vp.

(Mat 13:5) And some fell vpon stony grounde, where they had not much earth, and anon they sprong vp, because they had no depth of earth.

(Mat 13:6) And when the sunne was vp, they were parched, and for lacke of rooting, withered away.

(Mat 13:7) And some fell among thornes, and the thornes sprong vp, and choked them.

(Mat 13:8) Some againe fel in good ground, and brought forth fruite, one corne an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and another thirtie folde.

(Mat 13:9) He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

(Mat 13:10) Then the disciples came, and said to him, Why speakest thou to them in parables?

(Mat 13:11) And he answered, and said vnto them, Because it is giuen vnto you, to know the secretes of the kingdome of heauen, but to the it is not giue.

(Notes Reference) (2) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

(2) The gift of understanding and faith is given only to the elect, and all the rest are blinded through the just judgment of God.

(Mat 13:12) For whosoeuer hath, to him shalbe giuen, and he shall haue abundance: but whosoeuer hath not, from him shalbe taken away, euen that he hath.

(Mat 13:13) Therefore speake I to them in parables, because they seeing, doe not see: and hearing, they heare not, neither vnderstand.

(Mat 13:14) So in them is fulfilled the prophecie of Esaias, which prophecie saieth, By hearing, ye shall heare, and shall not vnderstand, and seeing, ye shall see, and shall not perceiue.

(Mat 13:15) For this peoples heart is waxed fat, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes they haue winked, lest they should see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and should vnderstand with their hearts, and should returne, that I might heale them.

(Mat 13:16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your eares, for they heare.

(Notes Reference) (3) But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

(3) The condition of the Church under and since Christ, is better than it was in the time of the fathers under the law.

(Mat 13:17) For verely I say vnto you, that many Prophets, and righteous men haue desired to see those things which ye see, and haue not seene them, and to heare those things which ye heare, and haue not heard them.

(Mat 13:18) Heare ye therefore ye parable of ye sower.

(Mat 13:19) Whensoeuer any man heareth the woorde of that kingdome, and vnderstandeth it not, that euil one commeth, and catcheth away that which was sowen in his heart: and this is he which hath receiued the seede by the way side.

(Notes Reference) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his (a) heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

(a) Though there is mention made of the heart, yet this sowing is referred to as hearing without understanding. For whether the seed is received in the heart or not, yet he that sows, sows to the heart.

(Mat 13:20) And hee that receiued seede in the stonie grounde, is he which heareth the woorde, and incontinently with ioy receiueth it,

(Mat 13:21) Yet hath he no roote in himselfe, and dureth but a season: for assoone as tribulation or persecution commeth because of the woorde, by and by he is offended.

(Mat 13:22) And hee that receiued the seede among thornes, is hee that heareth the woorde: but the care of this worlde, and the deceitfulnesse of riches choke the word, and he is made vnfruitfull.

(Mat 13:23) But he that receiued the seede in the good ground, is he that heareth the worde, and vnderstandeth it, which also beareth fruite, and bringeth foorth, some an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and some thirtie folde.

(Mat 13:24) Another parable put hee foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a man which sowed good seede in his fielde.

(Notes Reference) (4) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

(4) Christ shows in another parable of the evil seed mixed with the good, that the Church will never be free and rid of offences, both in doctrine and manners, until the day appointed for the restoring of all things comes, and therefore the faithful have to arm themselves with patience and steadfastness.

(Mat 13:25) But while men slept, there came his enemie, and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his waie.

(Mat 13:26) And when the blade was sprong vp, and brought forth fruite, then appeared the tares also.

(Mat 13:27) Then came the seruaunts of the housholder, and sayd vnto him, Master, sowedst not thou good seede in thy fielde? from whence then hath it tares?

(Mat 13:28) And hee said to them, Some enuious man hath done this. Then the seruants saide vnto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them vp?

(Mat 13:29) But he saide, Nay, lest while yee goe about to gather the tares, yee plucke vp also with them the wheat.

(Mat 13:30) Let both growe together vntill the haruest, and in time of haruest I will say to the reapers, Gather yee first the tares, and binde them in sheaues to burne them: but gather the wheate into my barne.

(Mat 13:31) Another parable he put foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a graine of mustard seede, which a man taketh and soweth in his fielde:

(Notes Reference) (5) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

(5) God begins his kingdom with very small beginnings so that by its growing (even though men neither hope nor expect it to) his mighty power and working may be displayed all the more.

(Mat 13:32) Which in deede is the least of all seedes: but when it is growen, it is the greatest among herbes, and it is a tree, so that the birdes of heauen come and builde in the branches thereof.

(Mat 13:33) Another parable spake hee to them, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto leauen, which a woman taketh and hideth in three pecks of meale, till all be leauened.

(Mat 13:34) All these thinges spake Iesus vnto the multitude in parables, and without parables spake he not to them,

(Mat 13:35) That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, and will vtter the thinges which haue beene kept secrete from the foundation of the worlde.

(Mat 13:36) Then sent Iesus the multitude away, and went into the house. And his disciples came vnto him, saying, Declare vnto vs the parable of the tares of that fielde.

(Mat 13:37) Then answered he, and saide to them, He that soweth the good seede, is the Sonne of man.

(Notes Reference) (6) He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

(6) He expounds the first parable of the good and evil seed.

(Mat 13:38) And the field is the worlde, and the good seede are the children of the kingdome, and the tares are the children of that wicked one.

(Mat 13:39) And the enemie that soweth them, is the deuill, and the haruest is the end of the worlde, and the reapers be the Angels.

(Mat 13:40) As then the tares are gathered and burned in ye fire, so shall it be in the end of this world.

(Mat 13:41) The Sonne of man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which doe iniquitie,

(Mat 13:42) And shall cast them into a fornace of fire. There shalbe wailing and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 13:43) Then shall the iust men shine as ye sunne in the kingdome of their Father. Hee that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

(Mat 13:44) Againe, the kingdom of heauen is like vnto a treasure hid in ye field, which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for ioy thereof departeth and selleth all that he hath, and buieth that field.

(Notes Reference) (7) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

(7) Few men understand how great the riches of the kingdom of heaven are, and that no man can be a partaker of them but he that redeems them with the loss of all his goods.

(Mat 13:45) Againe, the kingdome of heauen is like to a marchant man, that seeketh good pearles,

(Mat 13:46) Who hauing found a pearle of great price, went and solde all that he had, and bought it.

(Mat 13:47) Againe, the kingdom of heauen is like vnto a drawe net cast into the sea, that gathereth of all kindes of things.

(Notes Reference) (8) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

(8) There are many in the Church who nevertheless are not of the Church, and therefore at length will be cast out: but the full and perfect cleansing of them is deferred to the last day.

(Mat 13:48) Which, when it is full, men draw to lande, and sit and gather the good into vessels, and cast the bad away.

(Mat 13:49) So shall it be at the end of the world. The Angels shall goe foorth, and seuer the bad from among the iust,

(Mat 13:50) And shall cast them into a fornace of fire: there shalbe wailing, and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 13:51) Iesus saide vnto them, Vnderstand yee all these things? They saide vnto him, Yea, Lord.

(Notes Reference) (9) Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

(9) They ought to be diligent, who have to be wise not only for themselves, but who have to dispense the wisdom of God to others.

(Mat 13:52) Then sayd hee vnto them, Therefore euery Scribe which is taught vnto the kingdome of heauen, is like vnto an householder, which bringeth foorth out of his treasure things both newe and olde.

(Mat 13:53) And it came to passe, that when Iesus had ended these parables, he departed thence,

(Mat 13:54) And came into his owne countrey, and taught them in their Synagogue, so that they were astonied, and saide, Whence commeth this wisdome and great woorkes vnto this man?

(Notes Reference) (10) And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?

(10) Men not only sin because of ignorance, but also knowingly and willingly they lay stumbling blocks in their own ways, that when God calls them, they may not obey, and so most plainly destroy and cast away themselves.

(Mat 13:55) Is not this the carpenters sonne? Is not his mother called Marie, and his brethren Iames and Ioses, and Simon and Iudas?

(Mat 13:56) And are not his sisters all with vs? Whence then hath he all these things?

(Mat 13:57) And they were offended with him. Then Iesus said to them, A Prophet is not without honour, saue in his owne countrey, and in his owne house.

(Mat 13:58) And he did not many great woorkes there, for their vnbeliefes sake.