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Passage 1: 1 Chronicles 5

(1Ch 5:1) The sonnes also of Reuben the eldest sonne of Israel (for he was the eldest, but had defiled his fathers bed, therefore his birthright was giuen vnto the sonnes of Ioseph the sonne of Israel, so that the genealogie is not rekoned after his birthright.

(Notes Reference) Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he [was] the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the (a) sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

(a) Because they were made two tribes, they had a double portion.

(1Ch 5:2) For Iudah preuailed aboue his brethren, and of him came the prince, but the birthright was Iosephs)

(Notes Reference) For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came] (b) the chief ruler; but the birthright [was] Joseph's:)

(b) That is, he was the chiefest of all the tribes according to Jacob's prophecy, (Gen 49:8), and because Christ would come from him.

(1Ch 5:3) The sonnes of Reuben the eldest sonne of Israel, were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.

(1Ch 5:4) The sonnes of Ioel, Shemaiah his sonne, Gog his sonne, and Shimei his sonne,

(1Ch 5:5) Michah his sonne, Reaiah his sonne, and Baal his sonne,

(1Ch 5:6) Beerah his sonne: whom Tilgath Pilneeser King of Asshur caryed away: he was a prince of the Reubenites.

(Notes Reference) Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria (c) carried away [captive]: he [was] prince of the Reubenites.

(c) That is, in the time of Uzziah king of Israel, (2Ki 15:23).

(1Ch 5:7) And when his brethren in their families rekoned the genealogie of their generations, Ieiel and Zechariah were the chiefe,

(1Ch 5:8) And Bela the sonne of Azaz, the sonne of Shema, the sonne of Ioel, which dwelt in Aroer, euen vnto Nebo and Baal meon.

(Notes Reference) And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in (d) Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:

(d) These places were beyond Jordan toward the east in the land given to the Reubenites.

(1Ch 5:9) Also Eastwarde he inhabited vnto the entring in of the wildernes from the riuer Perath for they had much cattel in the land of Gilead.

(1Ch 5:10) And in the dayes of Saul they warred with the Hagarims, which fell by their hands: and they dwelt in their tentes in all the East partes of Gilead.

(Notes Reference) And in the days of Saul they made war with the (e) Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east [land] of Gilead.

(e) The Ishmaelites who came from Hagar Abraham's concubine.

(1Ch 5:11) And the children of Gad dwelt ouer against them in the land of Bashan, vnto Salchah.

(1Ch 5:12) Ioel was the chiefest, and Shapham the second, but Iaanai and Shaphat were in Bashan.

(1Ch 5:13) And their brethren of the house of their fathers were Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Sorai, and Iacan, and Zia and Eber, seuen.

(1Ch 5:14) These are the childre of Abihail, the sonne of Huri, the sonne of Iaroah, the sonne of Gilead, the sonne of Michael, the sonne of Ieshishai, the sonne of Iahdo, the sonne of Buz.

(1Ch 5:15) Ahi the sonne of Abdiel, the sonne of Guni was chiefe of the houshold of their fathers.

(1Ch 5:16) And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in the townes thereof, and in all the suburbes of Sharon by their borders.

(Notes Reference) And they dwelt in Gilead in (f) Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.

(f) Both the whole country and one particular city were called Bashan.

(1Ch 5:17) All these were rekoned by genealogies in the dayes of Iotham King of Iudah, and in the dayes of Ieroboam King of Israel.

(1Ch 5:18) The sonnes of Reuben and of Gad, and of halfe the tribe of Manasseh of those that were viliant men, able to beare shield, and sworde, and to draw a bowe, exercised in warre, were foure and fourtie thousand, seuen hundreth and three score, that went out to the warre.

(1Ch 5:19) And they made warre with the Hagarims, with Ietur, and Naphish, and Nodab.

(Notes Reference) And they made war with the Hagarites, with (g) Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.

(g) These twelve were the sons of Ishmael, (Gen 25:15).

(1Ch 5:20) And they were holpen against them, and the Hagarims were deliuered into their hande, and all that were with them: for they cryed to God in the battel, and he heard them, because they trusted in him.

(Notes Reference) And they were (h) helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that [were] with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.

(h) That is, by the Lord who gave them the victory.

(1Ch 5:21) And they led away their cattel, euen their camels fiftie thousand, and two hundreth, and fiftie thousand sheepe, and two thousand asses, and of persons an hundreth thousand.

(1Ch 5:22) For many fel downe wounded, because the warre was of God. And they dwelt in their steads vntill the captiuitie.

(Notes Reference) For there fell down many slain, because the war [was] of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the (i) captivity.

(i) Meaning, the captivity of the ten tribes under Tiglath Pileser.

(1Ch 5:23) And the children of the halfe tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land, from Baashan vnto Baal Hermon, and Senir, and vnto mount Hermon: for they increased.

(Notes Reference) And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto (k) Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.

(k) Otherwise called Baal-gad.

(1Ch 5:24) And these were the heads of the housholds of their fathers, euen Epher and Ishi, and Eliel and Azriel, and Ieremiah, and Hodauiah, and Iahdiel, strong men, valiant and famous, heades of the housholdes of their fathers.

(1Ch 5:25) But they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the lande, whome God had destroyed before them.

(1Ch 5:26) And the God of Israel stirred vp the spirit of Pul king of Asshur, and the spirite of Tilgath Pilneeser king of Asshur, and he caryed them away: euen the Reubenites and the Gadites, and the halfe tribe of Manasseh, and brought them vnto Halah and Habor, and Hara, and to the riuer Gozan, vnto this day.

(Notes Reference) And the God of Israel (l) stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

(l) Thus God stirred up the wicked and used them as instruments to execute his just judgment against sinners, although they were led by malice and ambition.

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Passage 2: Ezekiel 18

(Eze 18:1) The worde of the Lord came vnto me againe, saying,

(Eze 18:2) What meane ye that ye speake this prouerbe, concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers haue eaten sowre grapes, and the childrens teeth are set on edge?

(Notes Reference) What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, (a) The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

(a) The people murmured at the chastising of the Lord, and therefore used this proverb meaning that their fathers had sinned and their children were punished for their transgressions. See Jer 31:29

(Eze 18:3) As I liue, sayth the Lord God, ye shall vse this prouerbe no more in Israel.

(Eze 18:4) Beholde, all soules are mine, both the soule of the father, and also the soule of the sonne are mine: the soule that sinneth, it shall die.

(Eze 18:5) But if a man be iust, and doe that which is lawfull, and right,

(Eze 18:6) And hath not eaten vpon the mountaines, neither hath lift vp his eyes to the idoles of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbours wife, neither hath lyen with a menstruous woman,

(Notes Reference) [And] hath not eaten (b) upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a polluted woman,

(b) If he has not eaten flesh that has been offered up to idols, to honour them by it.

(Eze 18:7) Neither hath oppressed any, but hath restored the pledge to his dettour: he that hath spoyled none by violence, but hath giuen his bread to the hungry, and hath couered the naked with a garment,

(Eze 18:8) And hath not giuen foorth vpon vsurie, neither hath taken any increase, but hath withdrawen his hand from iniquitie, and hath executed true iudgement betweene man and man,

(Eze 18:9) And hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my iudgements to deale truely, he is iust, he shall surely liue, sayth the Lord God.

(Eze 18:10) If he beget a sonne, that is a thiefe, or a sheader of blood, if he do any one of these things,

(Eze 18:11) Though he doe not all these things, but either hath eaten vpon the mountaines, or defiled his neighbours wife,

(Eze 18:12) Or hath oppressed the poore and needy, or hath spoyled by violence, or hath not restored the pledge, or hath lift vp his eyes vnto the idoles, or hath committed abomination,

(Eze 18:13) Or hath giuen forth vpon vsurie, or hath taken increase, shall he liue? he shall not liue: seeing he hath done all these abominations, he shall die the death, and his blood shall be vpon him.

(Notes Reference) Hath given forth upon interest, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; (c) he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

(c) He shows how the son is punished for his father's sin: that is, if he is wicked as his father was and does not repent, he will be punished as his father was, or else not.

(Eze 18:14) But if he beget a sonne, that seeth all his fathers sinnes, which he hath done, and feareth, neither doeth such like,

(Eze 18:15) That hath not eaten vpon the mountaines, neither hath lift vp his eyes to the idols of ye house of Israel, nor hath defiled his neighbours wife,

(Eze 18:16) Neither hath oppressed any, nor hath withholden the pledge, neither hath spoyled by violence, but hath giuen his bread to the hungry, and hath couered the naked with a garment,

(Eze 18:17) Neither hath withdrawen his hand from the afflicted, nor receiued vsurie nor increase, but hath executed my iudgements, and hath walked in my statutes, he shall not die in the iniquitie of his father, but he shall surely liue.

(Eze 18:18) His father, because he cruelly oppressed and spoyled his brother by violence, and hath not done good among his people, loe, euen he dyeth in his iniquitie.

(Eze 18:19) Yet say ye, Wherefore shall not the sonne beare the iniquitie of the father? because ye sonne hath executed iudgement and iustice, and hath kept all my statutes, and done them, he shall surely liue,

(Eze 18:20) The same soule that sinneth, shall die: the sonne shall not beare the iniquitie of the father, neither shall the father beare the iniquitie of the sonne, but the righteousnes of the righteous shall be vpon him, and the wickednesse of the wicked shall be vpon him selfe.

(Eze 18:21) But if the wicked will returne from all his sinnes that he hath committed, and keepe all my statutes, and doe that which is lawfull and right, he shall surely liue, and shall not die.

(Notes Reference) But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my (d) statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

(d) He joins the observation of the commandments with repentance; for none can repent indeed, unless he labour to keep the Law.

(Eze 18:22) All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned vnto him, but in his righteousnes that he hath done, he shall liue.

(Notes Reference) All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned to him: in his (e) righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

(e) That is, in the fruit of his faith which declares that God accepts him.

(Eze 18:23) Haue I any desire that the wicked should die, sayth the Lord God? or shall he not liue, if he returne from his wayes?

(Notes Reference) (f) Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?

(f) He speaks this to commend God's mercy to poor sinners, who rather is ready to pardon than to punish, as his long suffering declares, (Eze 33:11). Though God in his eternal counsel appointed the death and damnation of the reprobate, yet the end of his counsel was not their death only, but chiefly his own glory. Also because he does not approve sin, therefore it is here said that he would have them turn away from it that they might live.

(Eze 18:24) But if the righteous turne away from his righteousnes, and commit iniquitie, and doe according to all the abominations, that the wicked man doeth, shall he liue? all his righteousnes that he hath done, shall not be mentioned: but in his transgression that he hath committed, and in his sinne that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

(Notes Reference) But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live? All his (g) righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

(g) That is, the false opinion that the hypocrites have of their righteousness.

(Eze 18:25) Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equall: heare now, O house of Israel. Is not my way equall? or are not your wayes vnequall?

(Notes Reference) Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not (h) equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

(h) In punishing the father with the children.

(Eze 18:26) For when a righteous man turneth away from his righteousnes, and committeth iniquitie, he shall euen die for the same, he shall euen die for his iniquitie, that he hath done.

(Eze 18:27) Againe when the wicked turneth away from his wickednes that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawfull and right, he shall saue his soule aliue.

(Eze 18:28) Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that hee hath committed, he shall surely liue and shall not die.

(Eze 18:29) Yet saith ye house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equall. O house of Israel, are not my wayes equall? or are not your wayes vnequall?

(Eze 18:30) Therefore I will iudge you, O house of Israel, euery one according to his wayes, sayth the Lord God: returne therefore and cause others to turne away from all your transgressions: so iniquitie shall not be your destruction.

(Eze 18:31) Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye haue transgressed, and make you a newe heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

(Notes Reference) Cast away from you all your transgressions, by which ye have transgressed; and make (i) you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

(i) He shows that man cannot forsake his wickedness, till his heart is changed which is only the work of God.

(Eze 18:32) For I desire not the death of him that dyeth, sayth the Lord God: cause therefore one another to returne, and liue ye.

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Passage 3: Luke 15

(Luk 15:1) Then resorted vnto him all the Publicanes and sinners, to heare him.

(Notes Reference) Then drew near unto (1) him (a) all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

(1) We must not give up on those who have gone out of the way, but according to the example of Christ we must take great pains for them.

(a) Some publicans and sinners came to Christ from all areas.

(Luk 15:2) Therefore the Pharises and Scribes murmured, saying, Hee receiueth sinners, and eateth with them.

(Luk 15:3) Then spake hee this parable to them, saying,

(Luk 15:4) What man of you hauing an hundreth sheepe, if hee lose one of them, doeth not leaue ninetie and nine in the wildernesse, and goe after that which is lost, vntill he finde it?

(Luk 15:5) And when he hath found it, he laieth it on his shoulders with ioye.

(Luk 15:6) And when he commeth home, he calleth together his friendes and neighbours, saying vnto them, Reioyce with mee: for I haue founde my sheepe which was lost.

(Luk 15:7) I say vnto you, that likewise ioy shall be in heauen for one sinner that conuerteth, more then for ninetie and nine iust men, which neede none amendment of life.

(Luk 15:8) Either what woman hauing ten groates, if she lose one groate, doth not light a candle, and sweepe the house, and seeke diligently till shee finde it?

(Luk 15:9) And when shee hath found it, shee calleth her friendes, and neighbours, saying, Reioyce with me: for I haue found the groate which I had lost.

(Luk 15:10) Likewise I say vnto you, there is ioy in the presence of the Angels of God, for one sinner that conuerteth.

(Luk 15:11) He sayde moreouer, A certaine man had two sonnes.

(Notes Reference) (2) And he said, A certain man had two sons:

(2) Men by their voluntary falling from God, having robbed themselves of the benefits which they received from him, cast themselves headlong into infinite calamities: but God of his singular goodness, offering himself freely to those whom he called to repentance, through the greatness of their misery with which they were humbled, not only gently receives them, but also enriches them with far greater gifts and blesses them with the greatest bliss.

(Luk 15:12) And the yonger of them sayde to his father, Father, giue mee the portion of the goods that falleth to mee. So he deuided vnto them his substance.

(Luk 15:13) So not many daies after, when the yonger sonne had gathered all together, hee tooke his iourney into a farre countrey, and there hee wasted his goods with riotous liuing.

(Luk 15:14) Nowe when hee had spent all, there arose a great dearth throughout that land, and he began to be in necessitie.

(Luk 15:15) Then hee went and claue to a citizen of that conntrey, and hee sent him to his farme, to feede swine.

(Luk 15:16) And hee would faine haue filled his bellie with the huskes, that the swine ate: but no man gaue them him.

(Luk 15:17) Then he came to him selfe, and said, Howe many hired seruaunts at my fathers haue bread ynough, and I die for hunger?

(Notes Reference) (3) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

(3) The beginning of repentance is the acknowledging of the mercy of God, which encourages us to hope expectantly.

(Luk 15:18) I wil rise and goe to my father, and say vnto him, Father, I haue sinned against heaue, and before thee,

(Notes Reference) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against (b) heaven, and before thee,

(b) Against God, because he is said to dwell in heaven.

(Luk 15:19) And am no more worthy to be called thy sonne: make me as one of thy hired seruants.

(Luk 15:20) So hee arose and came to his father, and when hee was yet a great way off, his father sawe him, and had compassion, and ranne and fell on his necke, and kissed him.

(Luk 15:21) And the sonne sayde vnto him, Father, I haue sinned against heauen, and before thee, and am no more worthie to be called thy sonne.

(Notes Reference) (4) And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

(4) In true repentance there is a consciousness of our sins, joined with sorrow and shame, and from this springs a confession, after which follows forgiveness.

(Luk 15:22) Then the father said to his seruaunts, Bring foorth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feete,

(Luk 15:23) And bring the fat calfe, and kill him, and let vs eate, and be merie:

(Luk 15:24) For this my sonne was dead, and is aliue againe: and he was lost, but he is found. And they began to be merie.

(Luk 15:25) Nowe the elder brother was in the fielde, and when he came and drewe neere to the house, he heard melodie, and dauncing,

(Notes Reference) (5) Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

(5) Those who truly fear God desire to have all men join them in fearing him.

(Luk 15:26) And called one of his seruaunts, and asked what those things meant.

(Luk 15:27) And hee sayde vnto him, Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatte calfe, because he hath receiued him safe and sound.

(Luk 15:28) Then he was angry, and would not goe in: therefore came his father out and entreated him.

(Luk 15:29) But he answered and said to his father, Loe, these many yeeres haue I done thee seruice, neither brake I at any time thy commadement, and yet thou neuer gauest mee a kidde that I might make merie with my friends.

(Luk 15:30) But when this thy sonne was come, which hath deuoured thy good with harlots, thou hast for his sake killed the fat calfe.

(Luk 15:31) And he said vnto him, Sonne, thou art euer with me, and al that I haue, is thine.

(Luk 15:32) It was meete that we shoulde make merie, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is aliue againe: and hee was lost, but he is found.