Judges 18

Judges 18:1

IN those dayes] That is, soon after the death of Joshua, before God raised up Judges extraordinarily to deliver and govern the people.

no king] See Chap. 17. 6. and 21. 25. And this is prefixed as a reason, why the Danites were put to provide an inheritance for themselves, whereas whilest the whole people were under any government, the tribes assisted one another. Chap. 2. 3. Joshua 22:2-3. Numbers 32:21.

had not faln] That is, they had not an inheritance large enough for their numerous tribe, as appeareth, Joshua 19:47. And the Amorites also did drive them out of part of that which fell to their lot, Judges 1:34.

Judges 18:2

men] Heb. sons.

Zorah] See Chap. 13. 2.

Eshaol] See Chap. 13. 25.

Iodged there.] In that place where Micah had a house.

Judges 18:3

knew the voice] By his pronunciation they perceived that he was not an Ephramite, but of Judah.

Judges 18:6

priest said] To wit, after that he had enquired of his idoll, by whom it is like the devill gave this answer, or else himself feigned it to humour them in their course

before the Lord] That is, the eyes of the LORD watch over you, to favour, direct, and prosper you in your journeyes; and thus he abuseth the LORDS holy Name, to countenance his idolatrous courses.

Judges 18:7

Laish called also Leshem] See Joshua 19:47.

carelesse] That is, quiet and secure (in their opinion) from all danger of surprise. See v. 28.

manner of the Zidnians] That is, using their customes and laws, who were alike secure, trusting to their strength, and the situation of their countrey.

no magistrate] Heb. possessour, or, heir of restraint, That is, either none at all, or none hereditary and perpetuall, but during their pleasure, from yeer to yeer, who did let them live as they list, for fear of displeasing them; and so all things became lawfull, and nothing that pleased them accounted dishonest.

put them to shame] That is, were so far from punishing them according to their demerits, that they would not so much as disgrace or discountenance their vices and faults.

from the Zidonians] Who did lie farre west from them, and therefore could not on a sudden send them any ayds.

no businesse] No league or commerce, but lived of themselves pleasantly and securely.

Judges 18:8

to their brethren] That is, to the Danites, who were of their tribe.

Judges 18:9

and are ye still?] That is, not replying to our relation any thing, and losing time and opportunity in not present setting upon the conquest. So Exodus 14:14.

Judges 18:11

appointed] Heb. girded.

Judges 18:12

Kirjath-jearim] Or, Kirjath-Baal, Joshua 15:60. situate upon a hill on the borders of Juda and Dan, northward.

Mahaneh-dan] That is, the camp or leaguer of Dan. See Chap. 13. 25.

it is behinde] That is, on the west-side; for as the east part is called the fore part, so the west, the hind part. So Joshua 1:4. and Joshua 13:5.

Judges 18:14

Then answered] That is, they began to speak; so this phrase is usually taken in the Scriptures, as 1 Samuel 14:28. Ezra 10:2. Matthew 11:25. Acts 5:8.

Do ye know] That is, we would have you to know.

in these houses] That is, in one of these houses.

consider] That is, Whether it be not expedient, that we take all these along with us, or no, to make the like use of them, that we have done before.

Judges 18:15

And they turned] To wit, after they had resolved to do as they advised.

saluted him] Heb. asked him of peace.

Judges 18:19

lay thine hand] That is, refrain from speaking any thing against our proceedings. So Joshua 21:5. and Joshua 40:4. Exodus 30:32.

Judges 18:20

went in the midst] To wit, that they who pursued them, might not recover the things stoln.

Judges 18:23

that thou comest with such a company] Heb. that thou art gathered together.

Judges 18:24

what have I more?] That is, What have I worth the having, in comparison of my idolls and priest, which you have taken away?

Judges 18:25

angry fellows] Heb. bitter of soul, That is, imbittered and incensed with thy clamours. So 2 Samuel 17:8.

Judges 18:28

far from Zidon] i. e. Laish lay far from Zidon eastward, hard by mount Lebanon, and therefore they could have no help from thence in this sudden surprise, though there (as it seemeth) was their chiefest hope.

it was] To wit, the city Laish.

Beth-rehob] A part of Syria Trachonitis: of which, see 2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8.

Judges 18:29

Dan] Joshua 19:47.

their father] Their great grandfather, or the father of their tribe, Genesis 30:6.

unto Israel] i. e. Unto Jacob. See Genesis 32:28.

Judges 18:30

and Jonathan] See Chap. 17. v. 7.

of the captivity] Which followed (as most of the learned think) upon that great defeat of the Israelites, when the ark of God was taken, as the next verse seemeth to imply. See 1 Samuel 4:10-11. and Psal. 78. 60, 61.

Judges 18:31

all the time] For afterwards, when Samuel came to govern, and the ark was carryed to Kirjath-jearim, 1 Samuel 7:1. he destroyed all the idolls of the land, and this, no doubt, among the rest, 1 Samuel 7:3.