1. They were the first that enemy-like set upon Israel, after their escape out of Egypt through the Red Sea. This Balaam acknowledgeth where he saith, Amalek was the first of the nations, meaning (as our last English Translators have noted in the margin of that place) The first that warred against Israel.
2. They could not long keep in their malicious mind against Israel: for before the third month of their being in the wilderness they assault them.
3. They set upon Israel without any cause, or provocation on Israels part. Israel had not as yet taken arms 1against any.
⟨p. 184⟩4. What they did they did most basely. For they laid 2wait for Israel in the way when he came up from Egypt: and smote the hindmost of them: even all that were feeble behind them, when they were faint and weary.
5. Notwithstanding that they were here discomfited by Israel, yet after this they take advantage against them: and when some of Israel went up to the top of the hill without Moses their guide, and the Ark their confidence, the Amalekites with the Canaanites smote them, and discomfited them 3even to Hormah.
6. They joined with the King of Moab, and with the children of Ammon, and went and smote Israel.4
7. They joined with the Midianites, and with the children of the East to spoil Israel, leaving them no sustenance, nor sheep, nor ox, nor ass.5
8. The answer which God made to Israel in these words, 6The Zidonians, and the Amalekites, and Maonites did oppress you, &c. And this phrase which Samuel useth to 7Agag, thy sword hath made women childless, imply many mischiefs which Amalek did to Israel.
9. In Davids absence, and while the Israelites are in camp against the Philistines, the Amalekites invade Ziklag 8that belonged to David, and burn it, and take the women captive, and go away with all the spoil thereof.
10. Haman that cruel enemy of the Jews, who sought utterly to root out the whole nation, was an Amalekite. For 9their Kings were called Agag, as the Egyptian Kings, Pharaoh. Hereupon is Haman styled an Agagite, who was an Amalekite.
11. The Psalmist putteth them into the Catalogue of Israels implacable enemies.10
12. Gods oath against them giveth evidence of their malicious 11mind against Israel.
13. So do the many charges which God giveth for their 12utter destruction: and Gods displeasure against Saul for sparing them.
1. They were the first that enemie-like set upon Israel, after their escape out of Egypt thorow the Red Sea. This Balaam acknowledgeth where he saith, Amalek was the first of the nations, meaning (as our last English Translators have noted in the margin of that place) The first that warred against Israel.
2. They could not long keepe in their malicious mind against Israel: for before the third moneth of their being in the wildernesse they assault them.
3. They set upon Israel without any cause, or provocation on Israels part. Israel had not as yet taken armes 1against any.
⟨p. 184⟩4. What they did they did most basely. For they laid 2wait for Israel in the way when he came up from Egypt: and smote the hindmost of them: even all that were feeble behind them, when they were faint and weary.
5. Notwithstanding that they were here discomfited by Israel, yet after this they take advantage against them: and when some of Israel went up to the top of the hill without Moses their guide, and the Arke their confid•nce, the Amalakites with the Canaanites smote them, and discomfited them 3euen to Hormah.
6. They joyned with the King of Moab, and with the children of Ammon, and went and smote Israel.4
7. They joyned with the Midianites, and with the children of the East to spoile Israel, leaving them no sustenance, nor sheep, nor oxe, nor asse.5
8. The answer which God made to Israel in these words, 6The Zidonians, and the Amalakites, and Maonites did oppresse you, &c. And this phrase which Samuel useth to 7Agag, thy sword hath made women childlesse, imply many mischiefs which Amalek did to Israel.
9. In Davids absence, and while the Israelites are in camp against the Philistines, the Amalakites invade Ziklag 8that belonged to David, and burne it, and take the women captive, and go away with all the spoile thereof.
10. Haman that cruell enemy of the Iewes, who sought utterly to root out the whole nation, was an Amalakite. For
- 1Exo 19. 1.
- 21 Sam. 15. 2. Deut. 25. 18.
- 3Num. 14. 45.
- 4Judg 3 12, 13.Iudg 3 12, 13.
- 5Judg 6. 3, 4.Iudg 6. 3, 4.
- 6Judg. 10. 12.Iudg. 10. 12.
- 71 Sam. 15. 33.
- 81 Sam 30 1, &c
- 9Est. 31.
- 10Psal. 83. 7.
- 11Exo. 17. 16.
- 12—14. Deut. 25. 17. 1 Sam. 15. 3, 26 —28. 18.
