Read Scripture In A Year: September 15

Passage 1: 2 Kings 21

(2Ki 21:1) Manasseh was twelue yeere olde when he began to reigne, and reigned fiftie and fiue yeere in Ierusalem: his mothers name also was Hephzi-bah.

(2Ki 21:2) And he did euill in the sight of the Lord after the abomination of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.

(2Ki 21:3) For he went backe and built the hie places, which Hezekiah his father had destroyed: and he erected vp altars for Baal, and made a groue, as did Ahab King of Israel, and worshipped all the hoste of heauen and serued them.

(2Ki 21:4) Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, of the which the Lord saide, In Ierusalem will I put my Name.

(2Ki 21:5) And he built altars for al the hoste of ye heauen in the two courtes of the house of the Lord.

(2Ki 21:6) And he caused his sonnes to passe through the fire, and gaue him selfe to witchcraft and sorcerie, and he vsed them that had familiar spirits and were soothsayers, and did much euill in the sight of the Lord to anger him.

(Notes Reference) And he made his son (a) pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.

(a) Read (2Ki 16:3).

(2Ki 21:7) And he set the image of the groue, that he had made, in the house, whereof ye Lord had saide to Dauid and to Salomon his sonne, In this house and in Ierusalem, which I haue chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my Name for euer.

(2Ki 21:8) Neither will I make the feete of Israel, mooue any more out of the lande, which I gaue their fathers: so that they will obserue and doe all that I haue commanded them, and according to all the Lawe that my seruant Moses commanded them.

(Notes Reference) Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will (b) observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

(b) Therefore seeing they did not obey the commandment of God, they were justly cast from the land which they had only on condition.

(2Ki 21:9) Yet they obeyed not, but Manasseh ledde them out of the way, to doe more wickedly then did the heathen people, whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel.

(2Ki 21:10) Therefore the Lord spake by his seruants the Prophets, saying,

(2Ki 21:11) Because that Manasseh King of Iudah hath done such abominations, and hath wrought more wickedly then al that the Amorites (which were before him) did, and hath made Iudah sinne also with his idoles,

(2Ki 21:12) Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Beholde, I will bring an euill vpon Ierusalem and Iudah, that who so heareth of it, both his eares shall tingle.

(Notes Reference) Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I [am] bringing [such] evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall (c) tingle.

(2Ki 21:13) And I will stretch ouer Ierusalem the line of Samaria, and the plommet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Ierusalem, as a man wipeth a dish, which he wipeth, and turneth it vpside downe.

(Notes Reference) And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line (d) of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.

(d) As I have destroyed Samaria and the house of Ahab so will I destroy Judah.

(2Ki 21:14) And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliuer them into the hande of their enemies, and they shalbe robbed and spoyled of all their aduersaries,

(Notes Reference) And I will forsake the (e) remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;

(e) Meaning, Judah and Benjamin, which were the only ones left of the rest of the tribes.

(2Ki 21:15) Because they haue done euil in my sight, and haue prouoked mee to anger, since the time their fathers came out of Egypt vntill this day.

(2Ki 21:16) Moreouer Manasseh shed innocent blood exceeding much, till hee replenished Ierusalem from corner to corner, beside his sinne wherwith he made Iudah to sinne, and to doe euill in the sight of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Moreover Manasseh shed (s) innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.

(s) The Hebrews write that he slew Isaiah the prophet, who was his father-in-law.

(2Ki 21:17) Concerning the rest of the actes of Manasseh, and all that hee did, and his sinne that he sinned, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Iudah?

(2Ki 21:18) And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, euen in the garden of Vzza: and Amon his sonne reigned in his steade.

(2Ki 21:19) Amon was two and twentie yere olde, when he began to reigne, and hee reygned two yeere in Ierusalem: his mothers name also was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Iotbah.

(2Ki 21:20) And he did euill in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did.

(2Ki 21:21) For hee walked in all the way that his father walked in, and serued the idoles that his father serued, and worshipped them.

(2Ki 21:22) And he forsooke the Lord God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the (g) way of the LORD.

(g) That is, according to his commandment.

(2Ki 21:23) And the seruantes of Amon conspired against him, and slewe the King in his owne house.

(2Ki 21:24) And the people of the land slewe all them that had conspired against King Amon, and the people made Iosiah his sonne King in his steade.

(2Ki 21:25) Concerning the rest of the actes of Amon, which he did, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Iudah?

(2Ki 21:26) And they buried him in his sepulchre in the garden of Vzza: and Iosiah his sonne reigned in his steade.

Passage 2: Ezekiel 11

(Eze 11:1) Moreover, the Spirite lift me vp, and brought me vnto the East gate of the Lordes house, which lyeth Eastwarde, and beholde, at the entrie of the gate were fiue and twentie men: among whome I sawe Iaazaniah the sonne of Azur, and Pelatiah the sonne of Benaiah, the princes of the people.

(Eze 11:2) Then said he vnto me, Sonne of man, these are the men that imagine mischiefe, and deuise wicked counsell in this citie.

(Eze 11:3) For they say, It is not neere, let vs builde houses: this citie is the caldron, and wee be the flesh.

(Notes Reference) Who say, (a) [It is] not near; let us build houses: this [city is] the (b) caldron, and we [are] the flesh.

(a) Thus the wicked derided the prophets as though they preached only errors, and therefore gave themselves still to their pleasures.

(b) We will not be pulled out of Jerusalem, till the hour of our death comes, as the flesh is not taken out of the caldron until it is boiled.

(Eze 11:4) Therefore prophesie against them, sonne of man, prophesie.

(Eze 11:5) And the Spirite of the Lord fell vpon me, and said vnto me, Speake, Thus saith the Lord, O ye house of Israel, this haue ye said, and I know that which riseth vp of your mindes.

(Eze 11:6) Many haue ye murthered in this citie, and ye haue filled the streets thereof with the slaine.

(Eze 11:7) Therefore thus saith the Lord God, They that ye haue slaine, and haue layed in the middes of it, they are the flesh, and this citie is the caldron, but I wil bring you foorth of the mids of it.

(Notes Reference) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they [are] (c) the flesh, and this [city is] the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it.

(c) Contrary to their vain confidence he shows in what sense the city is the caldron: that is, because of the dead bodies that have been murdered in it, and so lit as flesh in the caldron.

(Eze 11:8) Ye haue feared the sworde, and I wil bring a sworde vpon you, saith the Lord God.

(Eze 11:9) And I will bring you out of the middes thereof, and deliuer you into the hands of strangers, and will execute iudgements among you.

(Notes Reference) And I will bring you out of the midst of it, and deliver you into (d) the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.

(d) That is, of the Chaldeans.

(Eze 11:10) Ye shall fall by the sworde, and I wil iudge you in the border of Israel, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of (e) Israel; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

(e) That is, in Riblah, read (2Ki 25:6).

(Eze 11:11) This citie shall not be your caldron, neyther shall ye be the flesh in the middes thereof, but I will iudge you in the border of Israel.

(Eze 11:12) And ye shall knowe that I am the Lord: for ye haue not walked in my statutes, neither executed my iudgements, but haue done after the maners of the heathen, that are round about you.

(Eze 11:13) And when I prophesied, Pelatiah the sonne of Benaiah dyed: then fell I downe vpon my face, and cryed with a loude voyce, and saide, Ah Lord God, wilt thou then vtterly destroy all the remnant of Israel?

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of (f) Benaiah died. Then I fell down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?

(f) It seems that this noble man died of some terrible death, and therefore the prophet feared some strange judgment of God toward the rest of the people.

(Eze 11:14) Againe the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

(Eze 11:15) Sonne of man, thy brethren, euen thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel, wholy are they vnto whome the inhabitants of Ierusalem haue said, Depart ye farre from the Lord: for the lande is giuen vs in possession.

(Notes Reference) Son of man, thy (g) brethren, [even] thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, [are] they to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Retire far from the LORD: to us is this land given in possession.

(g) They that remained at Jerusalem thus reproached them that were gone into captivity as though they were cast off and forsaken by God.

(Eze 11:16) Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God, Although I haue cast them farre off among the heathen, and although I haue scattered them among the countreis, yet wil I be to them as a litle Sanctuarie in ye countreis where they shall come.

(Notes Reference) Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the nations, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little (h) sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

(h) They will be yet a little church: showing that the Lord will ever have some to call on his Name, whom he will preserve and restore, though they are for a time afflicted.

(Eze 11:17) Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God, I will gather you againe from the people, and assemble you out of the countreis where ye haue bene scattered, and I will giue you ye land of Israel.

(Eze 11:18) And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the idoles thereof, and all the abominations thereof from thence.

(Eze 11:19) And I will giue them one heart, and I will put a newe spirit within their bowels: and I will take the stonie heart out of their bodies, and will giue them an heart of flesh,

(Notes Reference) And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the (i) stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

(i) Meaning, the heart to which nothing can enter and regenerate them anew, so that their heart may be soft and ready to receive my graces.

(Eze 11:20) That they may walke in my statutes, and keepe my iudgements, and execute them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

(Eze 11:21) But vpon them, whose heart is towarde their idoles, and whose affection goeth after their abominations, I will lay their way vpon their owne heades, saith the Lord God.

(Eze 11:22) Then did the Cherubims lift vp their wings, and the wheeles besides them, and the glorie of the God of Israel was vpon them on hie.

(Eze 11:23) And the glorie of the Lord went vp from the middes of the citie, and stoode vpon the moutaine which is towarde the East side of the citie.

(Eze 11:24) Afterwarde the Spirite tooke me vp, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Caldea to them that were led away captiues: so the vision that I had seene, went vp from me.

(Eze 11:25) Then I declared vnto them that were led away captiues, all the things that the Lord had shewed me.

(Notes Reference) Then I spoke to them of the (k) captivity all the things that the LORD had shown me.

(k) When Jeconiah was led away captive.

Passage 3: Luke 7

(Luk 7:1) When hee had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entred into Capernaum.

(Notes Reference) Now (1) when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

(1) Christ admonishes the Jews that for their obstinacy and rebellion he will go to the Gentiles, by setting before them the example of the centurion.

(Luk 7:2) And a certaine Ceturions seruant was sicke and readie to die, which was deare vnto him.

(Luk 7:3) And when he heard of Iesus, hee sent vnto him the Elders of the Iewes, beseeching him that he would come, and heale his seruant.

(Luk 7:4) So they came to Iesus, and besought him instantly, saying that hee was worthy that hee should doe this for him:

(Luk 7:5) For he loueth, said they, our nation, and he hath built vs a Synagogue.

(Luk 7:6) Then Iesus went with them: but when he was now not farre from the house, the Centurion sent friendes to him, saying vnto him, Lord, trouble not thy selfe: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter vnder my roofe:

(Luk 7:7) Wherefore I thought not my selfe worthy to come vnto thee: but say the word, and my seruant shalbe whole:

(Luk 7:8) For I likewise am a man set vnder authoritie, and haue vnder mee souldiers, and I say vnto one, Goe, and he goeth: and to another, Come, and hee commeth: and to my seruant, Doe this, and he doeth it.

(Luk 7:9) When Iesus heard these things, he marueiled at him, and turned him, and said to the people, that followed him, I say vnto you, I haue not found so great faith, no not in Israel.

(Luk 7:10) And when they that were sent, turned backe to the house, they founde the seruant that was sicke, whole.

(Luk 7:11) And it came to passe the day after, that he went into a citie called Nain, and many of his disciples went with him, and a great multitude.

(Notes Reference) (2) And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called (a) Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

(2) Christ openly affirms his power over death.

(a) Nain is the name of a town in Galilee which was situated on the other side of the Kishon, which runs into the sea of Galilee.

(Luk 7:12) Nowe when hee came neere to the gate of the citie, behold, there was a dead man caried out, who was the onely begotten sonne of his mother, which was a widowe, and much people of the citie was with her.

(Luk 7:13) And when the Lord sawe her, he had compassion on her, and said vnto her, Weepe not.

(Luk 7:14) And he went and touched the coffin (and they that bare him, stoode still) and he said, Yong man, I say vnto thee, Arise.

(Luk 7:15) And he that was dead, sate vp, and began to speake, and he deliuered him to his mother.

(Luk 7:16) Then there came a feare on them all, and they glorified God, saying, A great Prophet is risen among vs, and God hath visited his people.

(Luk 7:17) And this rumour of him went foorth throughout all Iudea, and throughout all the region round about.

(Luk 7:18) And the disciples of Iohn shewed him of all these things.

(Notes Reference) (3) And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

(3) John sends from the prison his unbelieving disciples to be confirmed by Christ himself.

(Luk 7:19) So Iohn called vnto him two certaine men of his disciples, and sent them to Iesus, saying, Art thou hee that should come, or shall we waite for another?

(Luk 7:20) And when the men were come vnto him, they said, Iohn Baptist hath sent vs vnto thee, saying, Art thou hee that should come, or shall we waite for another?

(Luk 7:21) And at that time, he cured many of their sickenesses, and plagues, and of euill spirites, and vnto many blinde men he gaue sight freely.

(Notes Reference) And (b) in that same hour he cured many of [their] infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many [that were] blind he gave sight.

(b) When John's disciples came to Christ.

(Luk 7:22) And Iesus answered, and saide vnto them, Goe your wayes and shewe Iohn, what things ye haue seene and heard: that the blinde see, the halt goe, the lepers are cleansed, the deafe heare, the dead are raised, and the poore receiue the Gospel.

(Luk 7:23) And blessed is hee, that shall not be offended in me.

(Luk 7:24) And when the messengers of Iohn were departed, hee began to speake vnto the people, of Iohn, What went ye out into the wildernes to see? A reede shaken with the winde?

(Notes Reference) (4) And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

(4) That which the prophets showed long before, John shows presently: and Christ himself presents it daily unto us in the gospel, but for the most part in vain, because many seek nothing else than foolish toys and vain glory.

(Luk 7:25) But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft rayment? beholde, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and liue delicately, are in Kings courtes.

(Luk 7:26) But what went ye foorth to see? A Prophet? yea, I say to you, and greater then a Prophet.

(Luk 7:27) This is he of whom it is written, Beholde, I sende my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

(Luk 7:28) For I say vnto you, there is no greater Prophet then Iohn, among them that are begotten of women: neuerthelesse, hee that is the least in the kingdome of God, is greater then he.

(Luk 7:29) Then all the people that heard, and the Publicanes iustified God, being baptized with the baptisme of Iohn.

(Notes Reference) And all the people that heard [him], and the publicans, (c) justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

(Luk 7:30) But the Pharises and the expounders of the Law despised the counsell of God against themselues, and were not baptized of him.

(Notes Reference) But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God (d) against themselves, being not baptized of him.

(d) To their own hurt.

(Luk 7:31) And the Lord saide, Whereunto shall I liken the men of this generation? and what thing are they like vnto?

(Notes Reference) (5) And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

(5) Whatever manner God uses in offering us the gospel, most men bring offences upon themselves: yet nevertheless a Church is gathered together.

(Luk 7:32) They are like vnto litle children sitting in the market place, and crying one to another, and saying, We haue piped vnto you, and ye haue not daunced: we haue mourned to you, and ye haue not wept.

(Luk 7:33) For Iohn Baptist came, neither eating bread, nor drinking wine: and ye say, He hath the deuil.

(Luk 7:34) The Sonne of man is come, and eateth and drinketh: and ye say, Beholde, a man which is a glutton, and a drinker of wine, a friend of Publicanes and sinners:

(Luk 7:35) But wisdome is iustified of all her children.

(Luk 7:36) And one of the Pharises desired him that hee would eate with him: and hee went into the Pharises house, and sate downe at table.

(Notes Reference) (6) And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

(6) Proud men deprive themselves of the benefits of the presence of Christ, even when he is at home with them in their houses; and these benefits the humble and base enjoy.

(Luk 7:37) And beholde, a woman in the citie, which was a sinner, when she knewe that Iesus sate at table in the Pharises house, shee brought a boxe of oyntment.

(Luk 7:38) And shee stoode at his feete behinde him weeping, and began to wash his feete with teares, and did wipe them with the heares of her head, and kissed his feete, and anoynted them with the oyntment.

(Luk 7:39) Nowe when the Pharise which bade him, saw it, he spake within himselfe, saying, If this man were a Prophet, hee woulde surely haue knowen who, and what maner of woman this is which toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

(Notes Reference) (7) Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: (e) for she is a sinner.

(7) Rashness is the companion of pride.

(e) The Pharisee respects the law, which holds that those who touch the defiled are defiled.

(Luk 7:40) And Iesus answered, and saide vnto him, Simon, I haue somewhat to say vnto thee. And he said, Master, say on.

(Notes Reference) (8) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

(8) To love Christ is a sure and perpetual witness of the remission of sins.

(Luk 7:41) There was a certaine lender which had two detters: the one ought fiue hundreth pence, and the other fiftie:

(Luk 7:42) When they had nothing to pay, he forgaue them both: Which of them therefore, tell mee, will loue him most?

(Luk 7:43) Simon answered, and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgaue most. And he said vnto him, Thou hast truely iudged.

(Luk 7:44) Then he turned to the woman, and said vnto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entred into thine house, and thou gauest mee no water to my feete: but she hath washed my feete with teares, and wiped them with the heares of her head.

(Luk 7:45) Thou gauest me no kisse: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kisse my feete.

(Luk 7:46) Mine head with oyle thou didest not anoint: but she hath anoynted my feete with oyntment.

(Luk 7:47) Wherefore I say vnto thee, many sinnes are forgiuen her: for she loued much. To whom a litle is forgiuen, he doeth loue a litle.

(Notes Reference) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; (f) for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.

(f) That is, says Theophylact, she has shown her faith abundantly: and Basil in his "Sermon of Baptism" says, "He that owes much has much forgiven him, that he may love much more". And therefore Christ's saying is so plain in light of this that it is a wonder to see the enemies of the truth so badly distort and misinterpret this place in such a thorough manner in order to establish their meritorious works: for the greater sum a man has forgiven him, the more he loves him that has been so gracious to him. And this woman shows by deeds of love how great the benefit was she had received: and therefore the charity that is here spoken of is not to be taken as the cause of her forgiveness, but as a sign of it: for Christ does not say as the Pharisees did that she was a sinner, but bears her witness that the sins of her past life are forgiven her.

(Luk 7:48) And he saide vnto her, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee.

(Luk 7:49) And they that sate at table with him, began to say within themselues, Who is this that euen forgiueth sinnes?

(Luk 7:50) And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saued thee: goe in peace.

(Notes Reference) And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; (g) go in peace.

(g) He confirms with a blessing the benefit which he had bestowed.