Judges 18

Judges 18:1

AND n those dyes] Presently after the death of Joua The Tribe] The portion which fll to the Tribe of Dan under J〈…〉ua, Joshua 19:47. being too little; one part, of it which was not yet provided for, resolved to goe sek some new countrey, Js. 9. 47.

Judges 18:2

From Zorah] These Cities were of Dans first lot, Jos. 19 41.

Judges 18:3

The voyce] Either by reason that they had knowne him elsewhere, or because they heard him do some Ecclesiasticall office, of prayer, or praise Thither] Where they had heard the Levites voyce.

Judges 18:5

Aske Councell] Not that this Levite, whether he were Priest or no, had any power, or promise to give a true answer, being not ordained by God, nor having the breast-plate of judgement, Exodus 28:15. Numbers 27:21. But this people being infected with Idolatry believed he might: and the Levite answereth of his owne accord: or else God out of his superabundant grace, and of his owne free will inspired him to give an answer from him Shall bee prospherous] or whether he will cause it to prosper.

Judges 18:6

Before the Lord] He will favour it, and hath taken it into his care to provide for it.

Judges 18:7

To Laish] This is the same City as Leshem, Joshua 19:47 Zidonians] Who by reason of the strength of their countrey which lay upon the sea-coast, and by reason of their might, were not molested by any No magistrate] but they lived in the manner of a free Common-wealth Farre from] and therefore could hope for no suddain relief from them, v. 28.

Judges 18:12

Mahanch-Dan] That is to say, the encamping of Dan. See Judges 13:25 Behind] On the back of it, towards the North.

Judges 18:14

What ye have to doe] Whether you will take them away, or no.

Judges 18:24

What have I more] That is, worth so much, or can equall it.

Judges 18:27

Burnt] Which might come to passe, either in the fury of the assault by chance, or done purposely in detstation of the Pagan uncleannesses, o blot out all marks thereof, and purisie the city.

Judges 18:30

Ionathan] Which was the name of the fore-sayd Levite Gershom] The Jewes, and many of the Ancients have touht it was the sonne of Moses, Exodus 2:22. and that the name of Moses was transformed into that of Manasses, by the small addition of a letter, in honour of that great Prophet, whose grandchild was become a Minister of lolaty. But of this tre is no certainty Of the captivity] and it is not knowne wha captivity is meant here: it may be that though this olaty were abolished in the dayes of Samuel and David, the psterity of this Levite might yet remain amongst the Danites in some office belonging to the Levites, unl the changes which happened throuh the Assyrans.

Judges 18:31

Al th time] Umllah. Ake which was setled in Siloh, Jos, 18. 1. was taken; and then ouried to Kiriath-Jeasim, 1 Samuel 7:1. at which tim the whl countrey was purged from idolatry by Samuel, 1 Samuel 7:3.