Read Scripture In A Year: September 10

Passage 1: 2 Kings 16

(2Ki 16:1) The seuenteenth yeere of Pekah the sonne of Remaliah, Ahaz the sonne of Iotham King of Iudah began to reigne.

(Notes Reference) In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah (a) Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

(a) This was a wicked son of a godly father, as of him again came godly Hezekiah, and of him wicked Manasseh, save that God in the end showed him mercy. Thus we see how uncertain it is to depend on the dignity of our fathers.

(2Ki 16:2) Twentie yeere olde was Ahaz, when hee began to reigne, and he reigned sixteene yeere in Ierusalem, and did not vprightly in the sight of the Lord his God, like Dauid his father:

(2Ki 16:3) But walked in the way of ye kings of Israel, yea, and made his sonne to go through the fire, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.

(Notes Reference) But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to (b) pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.

(b) That is, offered him to Molech or made him pass between two fires, as the manner of the Gentiles was, (Lev 18:21; Deu 18:10).

(2Ki 16:4) Also he offred and burnt incense in the hie places and on the hilles, and vnder euery greene tree.

(2Ki 16:5) Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah sonne of Remaliah King of Israel came vp to Ierusalem to fight: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not ouercome him.

(Notes Reference) Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to war: and they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome (c) [him].

(2Ki 16:6) At the same time Rezin king of Aram restored Elath to Aram, and droue the Iewes from Elath: so the Aramites came to Elath, and dwelt there vnto this day.

(Notes Reference) At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered (d) Elath to Syria, and drave the Jews from Elath: and the Syrians came to Elath, and dwelt there unto this day.

(d) Which Azariah had taken from the Syrians and fortified, (2Ki 14:22).

(2Ki 16:7) Then Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath Pileser king of Asshur, saying, I am thy seruant and thy sonne: come vp, and deliuer me out of the hand of the king of Aram, and out of the hand of the King of Israel which rise vp against me.

(Notes Reference) So Ahaz sent (e) messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

(e) Contrary to the admonition of the prophet Isaiah, (Isa 7:4).

(2Ki 16:8) And Ahaz tooke the siluer and the golde that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the Kings house, and sent a present vnto the King of Asshur.

(Notes Reference) And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the (f) house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent [it for] a present to the king of Assyria.

(f) Thus he did not spare the temple of God from being spoiled to gain help from men and would not once lift his heart to God to desire his help or hear his prophet's counsel.

(2Ki 16:9) And the King of Asshur consented vnto him: and the King of Asshur went vp against Damascus. and when he had taken it, he caryed the people away to Kir, and slew Rezin.

(2Ki 16:10) And King Ahaz went vnto Damascus to meete Tiglath Pileser King of Asshur: and when King Ahaz sawe the altar that was at Damascus, he sent to Vriiah the Priest the paterne of the altar, and the facion of it, and all the workemanship thereof.

(2Ki 16:11) And Vriiah the Priest made an altar in al poyntes like to that which King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so did Vriiah the Priest against King Ahaz came from Damascus.

(Notes Reference) And Urijah the priest built an altar (g) according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made [it] against king Ahaz came from Damascus.

(g) We see that there is no prince so wicked that he cannot find liars and false ministers to serve his purposes.

(2Ki 16:12) So when the King was come from Damascus, the King sawe the altar: and the King drewe neere to the altar and offered thereon.

(Notes Reference) And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered (h) thereon.

(h) Either offerings for peace or prosperity, or thanksgiving as in (Lev 3:1) or else meaning the morning and evening offering, (Exo 29:38; Num 28:3) and thus he contemned the means and the altar which God had commanded by Solomon, to serve God after his own fantasy.

(2Ki 16:13) And hee burnt his burnt offering, and his meate offring, and powred his drinke offring, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offrings besides the altar,

(2Ki 16:14) And set it by the brasen altar which was before the Lord, and brought it in farther before the house betweene the altar and the house of the Lord, and set it on the North side of the altar.

(Notes Reference) And he brought also the brasen altar, which [was] before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the (i) north side of the altar.

(i) That is, at the right hand, as men went into the temple.

(2Ki 16:15) And King Ahaz commanded Vriiah the Priest, and sayde, Vpon the great altar set on fire in the morning the burnt offring, and in the euen the meate offring, and the Kings burnt offring and his meate offering, with the burnt offring of all the people of the lande, and their meate offring, and their drinke offrings: and powre thereby all the blood of the burnt offring, and all the blood of the sacrifice, and the brasen altar shalbe for me to inquire of God.

(Notes Reference) And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the (k) brasen altar shall be for me to enquire [by].

(k) Here he establishes by commandment his own wicked proceedings, and abolishes the commandment and ordinance of God.

(2Ki 16:16) And Vriiah the Priest did according to all that King Ahaz had commanded.

(2Ki 16:17) And King Ahaz brake the borders of the bases, and tooke the caldrons from off them, and tooke downe the sea from the brasen oxen that were vnder it, and put it vpon a pauement of stones.

(2Ki 16:18) And the vaile for the Sabbath (that they had made in the house) and the Kings entrie without turned he to the house of the Lord, because of the King of Asshur.

(Notes Reference) And the (l) covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD (m) for the king of Assyria.

(l) Or tent, in which they lay on the sabbath, who had served their week in the temple and so departed home.

(m) Either to flatter the king of Assyria, when he should thus see him change the ordinance of God or else that the temple might be a refuge for him if the king should suddenly assault his house.

(2Ki 16:19) Concerning the rest of the actes of Ahaz, which he did, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Iudah?

(2Ki 16:20) And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buryed with his fathers in the citie of Dauid, and Hezekiah his sonne reigned in his steade.

Passage 2: Ezekiel 6

(Eze 6:1) Again the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

(Eze 6:2) Sonne of man, Set thy face towardes the mountaines of Israel, and prophecie against them,

(Eze 6:3) And say, Ye mountaines of Israel, heare the worde of the Lord God: thus sayth the Lord God to the mountaines and to the hilles, to the riuers and to the valleis, Beholde, I, euen I will bring a sworde vpon you, and I will destroy your hie places:

(Notes Reference) And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the (a) mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, [even] I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

(a) He speaks of all the places where the Israelites accustomed to commit their idolaters, threatening them with destruction.

(Eze 6:4) And your altars shalbe desolate, and your images of the sunne shalbe broken: and I will cast downe your slaine men before your idoles.

(Notes Reference) And your altars shall be desolate, and your (b) images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain [men] before your idols.

(b) Read (2Ki 23:14).

(Eze 6:5) And I will lay the dead carkeises of the children of Israel before their idoles, and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.

(Notes Reference) And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their (c) idols; and I will scatter your bones about your altars.

(Eze 6:6) In all your dwelling places the cities shalbe desolate, and the hie places shalbe laide waste, so that your altars shalbe made waste and desolate, and your idoles shalbe broken, and cease, and your images of the sunne shalbe cut in pieces, and your workes shalbe abolished.

(Eze 6:7) And the slaine shall fall in the middes of you, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lord.

(Eze 6:8) Yet will I leaue a remnant, that you may haue some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when you shalbe scattred through the countreyes.

(Notes Reference) Yet will I leave a remnant, (d) that ye may have [some] that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.

(d) He shows that in all dangers God will preserve a few, which will be as the seed of his Church and call on his Name.

(Eze 6:9) And they that escape of you, shall remember me among the nations, where they shalbe in captiuitie, because I am grieued for their whorish hearts, which haue departed from mee, and for their eyes, which haue gone a whoring after their idoles, and they shalbe displeased in them selues for the euils, which they haue committed in all their abominations.

(Notes Reference) And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations to which they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their adulterous heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which play the harlot with their idols: and they (e) shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

(e) They will be ashamed to see that their hope in idols was in vain, and so will repent.

(Eze 6:10) And they shall knowe that I am the Lord, and that I haue not saide in vaine, that I woulde doe this euill vnto them.

(Eze 6:11) Thus saith the Lord God, Smite with thine hand, and stretch forth with thy foote, and say, Alas, for all the wicked abominations of the house of Israel: for they shall fall by the sworde, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

(Notes Reference) Thus saith the Lord GOD; (f) Smite with thy hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

(f) By these signs he would that the prophet would signify the great destruction to come.

(Eze 6:12) He that is farre off, shall dye of the pestilence, and he that is neere, shall fall by the sword, and hee that remaineth and is besieged, shall dye by the famine: thus will I accomplish my wrath vpon them.

(Eze 6:13) Then ye shall knowe, that I am ye Lord, when their slaine men shalbe among their idoles round about their altars, vpon euerie hie hill in al the toppes of the mountaines, and vnder euery greene tree, and vnder euerie thicke oke, which is the place where they did offer sweete sauour to all their idoles.

(Notes Reference) Then shall (g) ye know that I [am] the LORD, when their slain [men] shall be among their idols all around their altars, upon every high hill, on all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they offered sweet savour to all their idols.

(g) That is, all nations when you will see my judgments.

(Eze 6:14) So will I stretch mine hand vpon them, and make the lande waste, and desolate from the wildernes vnto Diblath in all their habitations, and they shall know, that I am the Lord.

(Notes Reference) So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, even, more desolate (h) than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

(h) Which was in Syria and bordered on Israel, or from the wilderness which was south, to Diblath which was north: meaning the while country.

Passage 3: Luke 2

(Luk 2:1) And it came to passe in those dayes, that there came a decree from Augustus Cesar, that all the world should be taxed.

(Notes Reference) And (1) it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the (a) world should be (b) taxed.

(1) Christ, the son of God, taking upon himself the form of a servant, and making himself of no reputation, is poorly born in a stable: and by the means of Augustus, the mightiest prince in the world, (thinking nothing of it) has his cradle prepared in Bethlehem, as the prophets foretold.

(a) As far as the empire of the Romans stretched.

(b) That is, the inhabitants of every city should have their names recorded, and their goods rated at a certain value, that the emperor might understand how rich every country, city, family, and house was.

(Luk 2:2) (This first taxing was made when Cyrenius was gouernour of Syria.)

(Luk 2:3) Therefore went all to be taxed, euery man to his owne Citie.

(Luk 2:4) And Ioseph also went vp from Galile out of a citie called Nazareth, into Iudea, vnto the citie of Dauid, which is called Beth-leem (because he was of the house and linage of Dauid,)

(Notes Reference) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the (c) city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

(Luk 2:5) To bee taxed with Marie that was giuen him to wife, which was with childe.

(Luk 2:6) And so it was, that while they were there, the daies were accomplished that shee shoulde be deliuered,

(Luk 2:7) And she brought foorth her first begotten sonne, and wrapped him in swadling clothes, and laide him in a cratch, because there was no roome for them in the ynne.

(Luk 2:8) And there were in the same countrey shepheards, abiding in the fielde, and keeping watch by night ouer their flocke.

(Notes Reference) (2) And there were in the same country shepherds (d) abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

(2) The angels themselves declare to poor shepherds (not at all regarding the pride of the mighty) the Godhead and office of the child lying in the crib.

(d) Living outside, and in the open air.

(Luk 2:9) And loe, the Angel of the Lord came vpon them, and the glorie of the Lord shone about them, and they were sore afraide.

(Notes Reference) And, lo, the angel of the Lord (e) came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

(e) Came suddenly upon them, when they were not at all thinking about such a matter.

(Luk 2:10) Then the Angel saide vnto them, Be not afraid: for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great ioy, that shalbe to all the people,

(Luk 2:11) That is, that vnto you is borne this day in the citie of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.

(Luk 2:12) And this shalbe a signe to you, Yee shall finde the babe swadled, and laid in a cratch.

(Luk 2:13) And straightway there was with the Angel a multitude of heauenly souldiers, praising God, and saying,

(Notes Reference) And suddenly there was with the angel (f) a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

(f) Whole armies of angels, who compass the majesty of God round about, just as soldiers, as it were.

(Luk 2:14) Glory be to God in the high heauens, and peace in earth, and towards men good will.

(Notes Reference) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, (g) good will toward men.

(g) God's ready, good, infinite, and gracious favour towards men.

(Luk 2:15) And it came to passe whe the Angels were gone away from them into heauen, that the shepheards sayde one to another, Let vs goe then vnto Beth-leem, and see this thing that is come to passe which the Lord hath shewed vnto vs.

(Luk 2:16) So they came with haste, and founde both Marie and Ioseph, and the babe laid in the cratch.

(Luk 2:17) And when they had seene it, they published abroade the thing, that was tolde them of that childe.

(Luk 2:18) And all that heard it, wondred at ye things which were tolde them of the shepheards.

(Luk 2:19) But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondred them in her heart.

(Luk 2:20) And the shepheardes returned glorifiyng and praising God, for all that they had heard and seene as it was spoken vnto them.

(Luk 2:21) And when the eight daies were accomplished, that they shoulde circumcise the childe, his name was then called Iesus, which was named of the Angell, before he was conceiued in the wombe.

(Notes Reference) (3) And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(3) Christ, the head of the Church, made subject to the law in order to deliver us from the curse of the law (as the name of Jesus well declares) being circumcised, ratifies and seals in his own flesh the circumcision of the flesh.

(Luk 2:22) And when the daies of her purification after the Lawe of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Hierusalem, to present him to the Lord,

(Notes Reference) (4) And when the days of (h) her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;

(4) Christ, upon whom all our sins were laid, being offered to God according to the law purifies both Mary and us all in himself.

(h) This is meant for the fulfilling of the law: for otherwise the virgin was not defiled, nor unclean, by the birth of this child.

(Luk 2:23) (As it is written in the Lawe of the Lord, Euery man childe that first openeth ye wombe, shalbe called holy to the Lord)

(Luk 2:24) And to giue an oblation, as it is commanded in the Lawe of the Lord, a paire of turtle doues, or two yong pigeons.

(Luk 2:25) And behold, there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon: this man was iust, and feared God, and waited for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Ghost was vpon him.

(Notes Reference) (5) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the (i) Holy Ghost was upon him.

(5) Simeon openly in the temple foretells the death of the coming of Messiah, of the casting out of the greatest part of Israel, and of the calling of the Gentiles.

(i) He was endued with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and this is said using the figure of speech metonymy.

(Luk 2:26) And it was declared to him from God by the holy Ghost, that he shoulde not see death, before he had seene that Anointed of the Lord.

(Luk 2:27) And he came by the motion of the spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought in the babe Iesus, to do for him after the custome of the Lawe,

(Notes Reference) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the (k) parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

(k) Joseph and Mary: and he says "parents" because that is what most of the people then thought.

(Luk 2:28) Then hee tooke him in his armes, and praised God, and sayd,

(Luk 2:29) Lord, nowe lettest thou thy seruaunt depart in peace, according to thy woorde,

(Notes Reference) Lord, now (l) lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy (m) word:

(l) Let me depart out of this life, to be joined to my Father.

(m) As you promised me.

(Luk 2:30) For mine eyes haue seene thy saluation,

(Notes Reference) For (n) mine eyes have seen thy (o) salvation,

(n) That is, for I have seen with my very eyes: for he saw before in mind, as it is said of Abraham, "He saw my day and rejoiced."

(o) That in which your salvation is contained.

(Luk 2:31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,

(Notes Reference) Which thou hast prepared (p) before the face of all people;

(p) As a sign set up in a high place for all men to look upon.

(Luk 2:32) A light to be reueiled to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

(Luk 2:33) And Ioseph and his mother marueiled at those things, which were spoken touching him.

(Luk 2:34) And Simeon blessed them, and saide vnto Mary his mother, Beholde, this childe is appointed for the fall and rising againe of many in Israel, and for a signe which shalbe spoken against,

(Notes Reference) And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is (q) set for the (r) fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a (s) sign which shall be spoken against;

(q) Is appointed and set by God for a mark.

(r) Fall of the reprobate who perishes because of their own fault: and for the rising of the elect, unto whom God will give faith to believe.

(s) That is, a mark, which all men will strive earnestly to hit.

(Luk 2:35) (Yea and a sworde shall pearce through thy soule) that the thoughts of many heartes may be opened.

(Notes Reference) (Yea, a sword shall (t) pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

(t) Will most keenly wound and grieve.

(Luk 2:36) And there was a Prophetesse, one Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser, which was of a great age, after she had liued with an husband seuen yeeres from her virginitie:

(Notes Reference) (6) And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

(6) Another witness besides Simeon, against whom no objection may be brought, inviting all men to the receiving of the Messiah.

(Luk 2:37) And she was widowe about foure score and foure yeeres, and went not out of the Temple, but serued God with fastings and prayers, night and day.

(Luk 2:38) She then coming at the same instant vpon them, confessed likewise the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Hierusalem.

(Luk 2:39) And when they had performed all thinges according to the lawe of the Lord, they returned into Galile to their owne citie Nazareth.

(Luk 2:40) And the childe grewe, and waxed strong in Spirit, and was filled with wisedome, and the grace of God was with him.

(Notes Reference) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, (u) filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

(u) As Christ grew up in age, so the virtue of his Godhead showed itself more and more.

(Luk 2:41) Nowe his parents went to Hierusalem euery yeere, at the feast of the Passeouer.

(Notes Reference) (7) Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

(7) The scribes and Pharisees are aroused to hear the wisdom of Christ in his time by an extraordinary deed.

(Luk 2:42) And when hee was twelue yeere olde, and they were come vp to Hierusalem, after the custome of the feast,

(Luk 2:43) And had finished the dayes thereof, as they returned, the childe Iesus remained in Hierusalem, and Ioseph knew not, nor his mother,

(Luk 2:44) But they supposing, that he had bene in the company, went a dayes iourney, and sought him among their kinsfolke, and acquaintance.

(Luk 2:45) And when they found him not, they turned backe to Hierusalem, and sought him.

(Luk 2:46) And it came to passe three dayes after, that they found him in the Temple, sitting in the mids of the doctours, both hearing them, and asking them questions:

(Luk 2:47) And all that heard him, were astonied at his vnderstanding and answeres.

(Luk 2:48) So when they sawe him, they were amased, and his mother said vnto him, Sonne, why hast thou thus dealt with vs? beholde, thy father and I haue sought thee with very heauie hearts.

(Notes Reference) (8) And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

(8) All duties which we owe to men, even though they are not to be neglected, so are they (according to the position in life which God has set us) not to be preferred before the glory of God.

(Luk 2:49) Then said he vnto them, Howe is it that ye sought me? knewe ye not that I must goe about my Fathers busines?

(Luk 2:50) But they vnderstoode not the word that he spake to them.

(Luk 2:51) Then hee went downe with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subiect to them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

(Notes Reference) (9) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

(9) Christ, very man, is made like us in every way except sin.

(Luk 2:52) And Iesus increased in wisedome, and stature, and in fauour with God and men.