Joshua 2

Joshua 2:1

Rahab] Rahab, an Harlot, because at least she had been so, though now a beleeving Convert, ver. 9, 10, 11. Heb. XI. 31. Iames II. 25. She had her house on the wall of Iericho, ver. 15. which fell not when the rest of wall fell, Ch. VI. 20, 22.

In framing her excuses for the Spies sake, she bewrayes her infirmity, in making equivocations, or untruths rather, ver. 4, 5. In transacting with the Spies, some speeches seeme to passe between them after they were let down the wall, ver. 18.

In pleading for her family, she makes no mention of an Husband, ver. 13. and Ch. VI. 23.

She was after married to Salmon, eldest sonne of Nahshon, which Nahshon was great-grand-childe to Hezron or Esrom that went down with Iacob into Egppt, Gen. XLVI. 12. And was Prince of Iudah, at the numbring of the people, Num. I. 7. at the marshalling of the Camps, Num. II. 3. at the Dedication of the Altar, Num. VII. 12. and at the setting forward in their journeys, Num. X. 14. But died in the Wildernesse, Num.

XIV. 29. This marriage of Rahab to Salmon, now Prince of Iudah, is not recorded in the Old Testament: But mentioned, Matth. I. 5. in the Genealogy of our Saviour; wherein, as Rachab; so Thamar, Ruth, and Bathshebah, are mentioned. Now there being four hundred and eighty years from the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt to the Building of the Temple, in the fourth year of Solomon, 1 Kings VI. 1. whereof fourty years were spent in the wildernesse, and seventy in Davids life time, 2 Sam. V. 4. and four in Solomons reigne; The Remaining time between Rahabs receiving the Spies, and Davids Birth must be 366. which may, and must be made up in some such reckoning as this; viz. Supposing Rahab to be eighteen years old when she received the Spies; and sixty six when she did bear Boaz to Salmon; then of necessity must Boaz beget Obed, and Obed beget Iesse, and Iesse beget David, each about the age of 106.

Which well considered, evidenceth and evinceth these two things. 1. That the years of the six Oppressors in the times of the Judges, Ch.

III. 8, 14. and IV. 3. and VI. 1. and X. 8. and XIII. 1. which amount to 111. years, cannot be reckoned distinct and apart; But are to be included within the years of the Judges, and of the Rest of the Land. For otherwise the years between Rahabs receiving the two Spies, and Davids birth, would rise to 477. which cannot be true. And secondly, that the years 480. which is that famous Link of time, 1 King. VI. 1. cannot possibly be forced to any more then 480. much lesse to 580. as some learned men of late would have it; and contrary to that sacred text, 1 King. VI. 1. which never received any veris Lection; and contrary to the clear evidence and notation of pacular times set down in Scripture, which exacty make up that summe of 480. as was now shewed: viz. fourty in the Wildernesse; seventeen in Ioshuah’s Government; 299. in the Judges times, eighty in Eli, Samuel, and Sauls times; fourty in Davids; and four in Solomons.