Read Scripture In A Year: September 2

Passage 1: 2 Kings 7

(2Ki 7:1) Then Elisha saide, Heare ye the worde of the Lord: thus saith the Lord, To morowe this time a measure of fine floure shalbe solde for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel in the gate of Samaria.

(Notes Reference) Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, (a) To morrow about this time [shall] a measure of fine flour [be sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

(a) The godly are always assured of God's help in their necessity, but the times and hours are only revealed by God's Spirit.

(2Ki 7:2) Then a prince, on whose hande the King leaned, answered the man of God, and saide, Though the Lord would make windowes in the heauen, could this thing come to passe? And he said, Beholde, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not eate thereof.

(Notes Reference) Then a lord on whose hand the king (b) leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, [if] the LORD would make (c) windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see [it] with thine eyes, but shalt not (d) eat thereof.

(b) To whom the king gave the charge and oversight of things as in (2Ki 7:17).

(d) Your infidelity will be punished in this when you see this miracle, and yet not partake of it.

(2Ki 7:3) Nowe there were foure leprous men at the entring in of the gate: and they saide one to an other, Why sitte we here vntill we die?

(Notes Reference) And there were four leprous men at the (e) entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

(e) For it was commanded in the law that they should dwell apart, and not among their brethren, (Lev 13:46).

(2Ki 7:4) If we say, We will enter into the citie, the famine is in the citie, and we shall die there: and if we sit here, we dye also. Nowe therefore come, and let vs fall into the campe of the Aramites: if they saue our liues, we shall liue: and if they kill vs, we are but dead.

(2Ki 7:5) So they rose vp in the twilight, to goe to the campe of the Aramites: and when they were come to the vtmost part of the campe of the Aramites, loe, there was no man there.

(2Ki 7:6) For the Lord had caused the campe of the Aramites to heare a noyse of charets and a noise of horses, and a noise of a great armie, so that they sayde one to another, Beholde, the King of Israel hath hired against vs the Kings of the Hittites, and the Kings of the Egyptians to come vpon vs.

(Notes Reference) For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a (f) noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

(f) Thus God needs no great preparation to destroy the wicked. Though they are many he can scatter them with a small noise, or shaking of a leaf.

(2Ki 7:7) Wherefore they arose, and fled in the twilight, and left their tentes and their horses, and their asses, euen the campe as it was, and fledde for their liues.

(Notes Reference) Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it [was], and (g) fled for their life.

(g) The wicked need no greater enemy than their own conscience to pursue them.

(2Ki 7:8) And when these lepers came to the vtmost part of the campe, they entred into one tent, and did eate and drinke, and caryed thence siluer and golde, and raiment, and went and hid it: after they returned, and entred into another tent, and caryed thence also, and went and hid it.

(2Ki 7:9) Then saide one to another, We doe not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we holde our peace. if we tary till day light, some mischiefe will come vpon vs. Nowe therefore, come, let vs goe, and tell the Kings housholde.

(2Ki 7:10) So they came, and called vnto the porters of the citie, and tolde them, saying, We came to the campe of the Aramites, and loe, there was no man there, neither voyce of man, but horses tyed and asses tyed: and the tents are as they were.

(2Ki 7:11) And the porters cryed and declared to the Kings house within.

(2Ki 7:12) Then the King arose in the night, and saide vnto his seruants, I wil shew you now, what the Aramites haue done vnto vs. They know that we are affamished, therefore they are gone out of the campe to hide them selues in the fielde, saying, When they come out of the citie, we shall catch them aliue, and get into the citie.

(Notes Reference) And the king arose in the night, and said unto his servants, (h) I will now shew you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we [be] hungry; therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, When they come out of the city, we shall catch them alive, and get into the city.

(h) He mistrusted the prophets words, and therefore could believe nothing, as they who are more prudent than godly always cast more doubt than is needed.

(2Ki 7:13) And one of his seruants answered, and said, Let me take now fiue of the horses that remaine, and are left in the citie, (behold, they are euen as all the multitude of Israel that are left therein: beholde, I say, they are as the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed) and we wil send to see.

(Notes Reference) And one of his servants answered and said, Let [some] take, I pray thee, five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city, (behold, they [are] as all the (i) multitude of Israel that are left in it: behold, [I say], they [are] even as all the multitude of the Israelites that are consumed:) and let us send and see.

(i) There are no more left, but they, or the rest are consumed by the famine, as the rest of the people.

(2Ki 7:14) So they tooke two charets of horses, and the King sent after the hoste of the Aramites, saying, Goe and see.

(2Ki 7:15) And they went after them vnto Iorden, and loe, all the way was full of clothes and vessels which the Aramites had cast from them in their hast: and the messengers returned, and told ye King.

(2Ki 7:16) Then the people went out and spoyled the campe of the Aramites: so a measure of fine floure was at a shekel, and two measures of barley at a shekel according to the word of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was [sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, (k) according to the word of the LORD.

(k) Which he spoke by the mouth of Elisha, (2Ki 7:1).

(2Ki 7:17) And the King gaue the prince (on whose hande he leaned) the charge of the gate, and the people trode vpon him in the gate, and he dyed, as the man of God had saide, which spake it, when the King came downe to him.

(Notes Reference) And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people (l) trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.

(l) As the people pressed out of the gate to run to the Syrian's tents, where they had heard meat and great spoil was left.

(2Ki 7:18) And it came to passe, as the man of God had spoken to the King, saying, Two measures of barley at a shekel, and a measure of fine floure shall be at a shekel, to morowe about this time in the gate of Samaria.

(2Ki 7:19) But the prince had answered the man of God, and saide, Though the Lord would make windowes in the heauen, coulde it come so to passe? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not eate thereof.

(2Ki 7:20) And so it came vnto him: for the people trode vpon him in the gate, and he dyed.

Passage 2: Lamentations 3

(Lam 3:1) I am the man, that hath seene affliction in the rod of his indignation.

(Notes Reference) I [am] the man [that] hath seen (a) affliction by the rod of his wrath.

(a) The prophet complains of the punishments and afflictions that he endured by the false prophets and hypocrites when he declared the destruction of Jerusalem, as in (Jer 20:1-2).

(Lam 3:2) He hath ledde mee, and brought me into darkenes, but not to light.

(Lam 3:3) Surely he is turned against me: he turneth his hand against me all the day.

(Lam 3:4) My flesh and my skinne hath he caused to waxe olde, and he hath broken my bones.

(Lam 3:5) He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall, and labour.

(Notes Reference) He hath (b) built against me, and surrounded [me] with gall and labour.

(b) He speaks this as one that felt God's heavy judgment, which he greatly feared, and therefore sets them out with this diversity of words.

(Lam 3:6) He hath set me in darke places, as they that be dead for euer.

(Lam 3:7) He hath hedged about mee, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chaines heauy.

(Lam 3:8) Also when I cry and showte, hee shutteth out my prayer.

(Notes Reference) Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my (c) prayer.

(c) This is a great temptation for the godly when they do not see the fruit of their prayers and causes them to think that they are not heard, which thing God uses so that they might pray more earnestly and often.

(Lam 3:9) He hath stopped vp my wayes with hewen stone, and turned away my paths.

(Notes Reference) He hath (d) inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.

(d) And keeps me in hold as a prisoner.

(Lam 3:10) He was vnto me as a beare lying in waite, and as a Lion in secret places.

(Notes Reference) (e) He [was] to me [as] a bear lying in wait, [and as] a lion in secret places.

(e) He has no pity on me.

(Lam 3:11) He hath stopped my wayes, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.

(Lam 3:12) He hath bent his bow and made me a marke for the arrow.

(Lam 3:13) Hee caused the arrowes of his quiuer to enter into my reines.

(Lam 3:14) I was a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.

(Lam 3:15) He hath filled me with bitternes, and made me drunken with wormewood.

(Notes Reference) He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunk with (f) wormwood.

(f) With great anguish and sorrow he has made me lose my sense.

(Lam 3:16) He hath also broken my teeth with stones, and hath couered me with ashes.

(Lam 3:17) Thus my soule was farre off from peace: I forgate prosperitie,

(Lam 3:18) And I saide, My strength and mine hope is perished from the Lord,

(Notes Reference) And I said, My strength and my (g) hope hath perished from the LORD:

(g) Thus with pain he was driven to and fro between hope and despair, as the godly often are, yet in the end the spirit gets the victory.

(Lam 3:19) Remembring mine affliction, and my mourning, the wormewood and the gall.

(Lam 3:20) My soule hath them in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

(Notes Reference) My soul hath [them] still in remembrance, and is humbled (h) in me.

(h) He shows that God thus uses to exercise his, to the intent that by this they may know themselves, and feel his mercies.

(Lam 3:21) I consider this in mine heart: therefore haue I hope.

(Lam 3:22) It is the Lordes mercies that wee are not consumed, because his compassions faile not.

(Notes Reference) [It is of] the LORD'S (i) mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

(i) Considering the wickedness of man it is a marvel that any remains alive: but only that God for his own mercies sake and for his promise will ever have his Church remain, though they are never so few in number, (Isa 1:9).

(Lam 3:23) They are renued euery morning: great is thy faithfulnesse.

(Notes Reference) [They are] new (k) every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.

(k) We feel your benefits daily.

(Lam 3:24) The Lord is my portion, sayth my soule: therefore wil I hope in him.

(Notes Reference) The LORD [is] my (l) portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

(l) The godly put their whole confidence in God, and therefore look for no other inheritance, as (Psa 16:5).

(Lam 3:25) The Lord is good vnto them, that trust in him, and to the soule that seeketh him.

(Lam 3:26) It is good both to trust, and to waite for the saluation of the Lord.

(Lam 3:27) It is good for a man that he beare the yoke in his youth.

(Notes Reference) [It is] good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his (m) youth.

(m) He shows that we can never begin too soon to be exercised under the cross, that when the afflictions grow greater, our patience also by experience may be stronger.

(Lam 3:28) He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it vpon him.

(Notes Reference) He sitteth alone (n) and keepeth silence, because he hath borne [it] upon him.

(n) He murmurs not against God, but is patient.

(Lam 3:29) He putteth his mouth in the dust, if there may be hope.

(Notes Reference) He putteth his (o) mouth in the dust; if there may be hope.

(o) He humbles himself as they who fall down with their face to the ground, and so with patience waits for comfort.

(Lam 3:30) Hee giueth his cheeke to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproches.

(Lam 3:31) For the Lord will not forsake for euer.

(Lam 3:32) But though he sende affliction, yet will he haue compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

(Lam 3:33) For he doeth not punish willingly, nor afflict the children of men,

(Notes Reference) For he doth not (p) afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

(p) He takes no pleasure in it, but does it of necessity for our amendment, when he permits the wicked to oppress the poor.

(Lam 3:34) In stamping vnder his feete all the prisoners of the earth,

(Lam 3:35) In ouerthrowing the right of a man before the face of the most high,

(Lam 3:36) In subuerting a man in his cause: the Lord seeth it not.

(Notes Reference) To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord (q) approveth not.

(q) He does not delight in it.

(Lam 3:37) Who is he then that sayth, and it commeth to passe, and the Lord commandeth it not?

(Notes Reference) Who [is] he [that] saith, and it cometh to pass, [when] the Lord (r) commandeth [it] not?

(r) He shows that nothing is done without God's providence.

(Lam 3:38) Out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth not euill and good?

(Notes Reference) Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not (s) evil and good?

(s) That is, adversity and prosperity, (Amo 3:6).

(Lam 3:39) Wherefore then is the liuing man sorowfull? man suffreth for his sinne.

(Notes Reference) Why doth a living (t) man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

(t) When God afflicts him.

(Lam 3:40) Let vs search and try our wayes, and turne againe to the Lord.

(Lam 3:41) Let vs lift vp our hearts with our handes vnto God in the heauens.

(Notes Reference) Let us lift up (u) our heart with [our] hands to God in the heavens.

(u) That is, both hearts and hands: for else to lift up the hands is but hypocrisy.

(Lam 3:42) We haue sinned, and haue rebelled, therefore thou hast not spared.

(Lam 3:43) Thou hast couered vs with wrath, and persecuted vs: thou hast slaine and not spared.

(Lam 3:44) Thou hast couered thy selfe with a cloude, that our prayer should not passe through.

(Lam 3:45) Thou hast made vs as the ofscouring and refuse in the middes of the people.

(Lam 3:46) All our enemies haue opened their mouth against vs.

(Lam 3:47) Feare, and a snare is come vpon vs with desolation and destruction.

(Lam 3:48) Mine eye casteth out riuers of water, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

(Lam 3:49) Mine eye droppeth without stay and ceaseth not,

(Lam 3:50) Till the Lord looke downe, and beholde from heauen.

(Lam 3:51) Mine eye breaketh mine heart because of all the daughters of my citie.

(Notes Reference) My eye (x) affecteth my heart because of all the daughters of my city.

(x) I am overcome with sore weeping for all my people.

(Lam 3:52) Mine enemies chased me sore like a birde, without cause.

(Lam 3:53) They haue shut vp my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone vpon me.

(Notes Reference) They have cut off my life (y) in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.

(y) Read (Jer 37:16) how he was in the miry dungeon.

(Lam 3:54) Waters flowed ouer mine head, then thought I, I am destroyed.

(Lam 3:55) I called vpon thy Name, O Lord, out of the lowe dungeon.

(Lam 3:56) Thou hast heard my voyce: stoppe not thine eare from my sigh and from my cry.

(Lam 3:57) Thou drewest neere in the day that I called vpon thee: thou saydest, Feare not.

(Lam 3:58) O Lord, thou hast maintained the cause of my soule, and hast redeemed my life.

(Notes Reference) O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my (z) soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

(z) Meaning, the reason his life was in danger.

(Lam 3:59) O Lord, thou hast seene my wrong, iudge thou my cause.

(Lam 3:60) Thou hast seene all their vengeance, and all their deuises against me.

(Lam 3:61) Thou hast heard their reproch, O Lord, and all their imaginations against me:

(Lam 3:62) The lippes also of those that rose against me, and their whispering against me continually.

(Lam 3:63) Behold, their sitting downe and their rising vp, how I am their song.

(Lam 3:64) Giue them a recompence, O Lord, according to the worke of their handes.

(Lam 3:65) Giue them sorow of heart, euen thy curse to them.

(Lam 3:66) Persecute with wrath and destroy them from vnder the heauen, O Lord.

Passage 3: 1 Corinthians 16

(1Co 16:1) Concerning the gathering for the Saintes, as I haue ordeined in the Churches of Galatia, so doe ye also.

(Notes Reference) Now concerning (1) the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

(1) Collections in ancient times were made by the appointment of the apostle appointment to be the first day of the week, on which day the manner was then to assemble themselves.

(1Co 16:2) Euery first day of the weeke, let euery one of you put aside by himselfe, and lay vp as God hath prospered him, that then there be no gatherings when I come.

(Notes Reference) Upon the (a) first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath (b) prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

(a) Which in times past was called Sunday, but now is called the Lord's day.

(b) That every man bestow according to the ability that God has blessed him with.

(1Co 16:3) And when I am come, whomsoeuer ye shall alowe by letters, them will I send to bring your liberalitie vnto Hierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] (c) letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

(1Co 16:4) And if it be meete that I goe also, they shall goe with me.

(Notes Reference) (2) And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

(2) The rest of the epistle is spent in writing of familiar matters, yet so that all things are referred to his purposed mark, that is to say, to the glory of God, and the edifying of the Corinthians.

(1Co 16:5) Nowe I will come vnto you, after I haue gone through Macedonia (for I will passe through Macedonia.)

(1Co 16:6) And it may be that I will abide, yea, or winter with you, that ye may bring me on my way, whither soeuer I goe.

(1Co 16:7) For I will not see you nowe in my passage, but I trust to abide a while with you, if the Lord permit.

(1Co 16:8) And I wil tary at Ephesus vntill Pentecost.

(1Co 16:9) For a great doore and effectuall is opened vnto me: and there are many aduersaries.

(Notes Reference) For a great door and (d) effectual is opened unto me, and [there are] many adversaries.

(d) Very fit and convenient to do great things by.

(1Co 16:10) Nowe if Timotheus come, see that he be without feare with you: for he worketh the worke of the Lord, euen as I doe.

(Notes Reference) Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you (e) without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also [do].

(e) Without any just occasion of fear.

(1Co 16:11) Let no man therefore despise him: but conuey him foorth in peace, that he may come vnto me: for I looke for him with the brethren.

(Notes Reference) Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth (f) in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

(f) Safe and sound, and that with every type of courtesy.

(1Co 16:12) As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him, to come vnto you with the brethren: but his mind was not at all to come at this time: howbeit he will come when he shall haue conuenient time.

(1Co 16:13) Watch ye: stand fast in the faith: quite you like men, and be strong.

(1Co 16:14) Let all your things be done in loue.

(1Co 16:15) Nowe brethren, I beseeche you (ye knowe the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruites of Achaia, and that they haue giuen themselues to minister vnto the Saintes)

(Notes Reference) I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of (g) Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have (h) addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

(g) Stephanas is the name of a man and not of a woman.

(h) Given themselves wholly to the ministry.

(1Co 16:16) That ye be obedient euen vnto such, and to all that helpe with vs and labour.

(Notes Reference) That ye (i) submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with [us], and laboureth.

(i) That you honour and revere them, be obedient to them, and be content to be ruled by them, as you properly should, seeing that they have bestowed themselves and their goods, and this to help you with them.

(1Co 16:17) I am glad of the comming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for they haue supplied the want of you.

(1Co 16:18) For they haue comforted my spirite and yours: acknowledge therefore such men.

(Notes Reference) For they have refreshed my (k) spirit and yours: therefore (l) acknowledge ye them that are such.

(k) My heart.

(l) Take them for such men as they are indeed.

(1Co 16:19) The Churches of Asia salute you: Aquila and Priscilla with ye Church that is in their house, salute you greatly in the Lord.

(1Co 16:20) All the brethren greete you. Greete ye one another, with an holy kisse.

(1Co 16:21) The salutation of me Paul with mine owne hand.

(1Co 16:22) If any man loue not the Lord Iesus Christ, let him be had in execration maran-atha.

(Notes Reference) If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema (m) Maranatha.

(m) By these words are meant the severest type of curse and excommunication that was among the Jews: and the words are as much as to say, "As our Lord comes". So that his meaning may be this, "Let him be accursed even to the coming of the Lord", that is to say, to the day of his death, even for ever.

(1Co 16:23) The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you.

(1Co 16:24) My loue be with you all in Christ Iesus, Amen. [The first Epistle to the Corinthians, written from Philippi, and sent by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timotheus.]