In the lot of Benjamin, there falleth out nothing greatly needful to be noted, but that it being a little tribe, is preferred before others. I confess indeed, that in respect of the fewness of the people, it was shut up within narrow borders, for it obtained but six and twenty cities: yet was this an honourable thing of it self, to receive their inheritance before other more populous tribes. Add hereunto, that by this means, they were made neighbours & borderers upon the sons of Joseph, with whom they were next of kin. For they were placed in the middest, between Ephraim and Manasseh on the one part, and the tribe of Judah on the other part. This was also a singular honour, that among other cities Jerusalem also fell to their lot, so that afterward they might grant it, as it were by licence, to the sons of Judah, to be the seat of the kingdom. But seeing they obtained so quiet a dwelling place, it is marvel, they lead not a quiet life in all humanity and gentleness, with their neighbours. But we remember the prophecy of Jacob, Benjamin is a ravening wolf: In the morning he shall ravish the prey, 1& at even he shall divide the spoil. Wherefore it seemeth, that either they were too covetous & seditious by nature, or else they were ⟨image 87⟩driven by some necessity, which at this day is unknown to us, to give them selves to spoiling. As touching the city Luz, the other name is added (This is Bethel,) because that name which was given to it by the Patriarch Jacob, was there received in use and custom. Not far off was Beth-aven, whose name because it was infamous and reproachful, was translated to Bethel her self, after it was corrupted and defiled with ungodly superstitions. It is like that Kiriath-baal was called Kiriath-jeharim, that the name of the idol might be taken away, which had been a spot in true godliness, if it had remained. And surely, it had been a foul and shameful thing, that such a patron as was enemy to the only GOD, should have been spoken of in the peoples mouth.
In the lot of Beniamin, there falleth out nothing greatly needfull to be noted, but that it being a litle tribe, is preferred before others. I confesse indeed, that in respect of the fewnesse of the people, it was shutte vp within narrowe borders, for it obteined but sixe and twentie cities: yet was this an honourable thing of it selfe, to receiue their inheritaunce before other more populous tribes. Adde herevnto, that by this meanes, they were made neighbours & borderers vpon the sonnes of Ioseph, with whom they were next of kin. For they were placed in the middest, betweene Ephraim and Manasse on the one parte, and the tribe of Iuda on the other parte. This was also a singular honour, that among other cities Hierusalem also fell to their lot, so that afterward they might graunt it, as it were by licence, to the sonnes of Iuda, to be the seate of the kingdome. But seeing they obteined so quiet a dwelling place, it is meruell, they lead not a quiet life in all humanitie and gentlenesse, with their neighbors. But we remember the prophesie of Iacob, Beniamin is a rauening wolfe: In the morning he shall rauish the prey, 1& at euen he shall diuide the spoile. Wherefore it seemeth, that either they were too couetous & seditious by natur•, or else they were ⟨image 87⟩driuen by some necessitie, which at this day is vnknowne to vs, to geue them selues to spoyling. As touching the citie Luz, the other name is added (This is Bethel,) because that name which was geuen to it by the Patriarch Iacob, was there receiued in vse and custome. Not farre off was Beth-auen, whose name because it was infamous and reprochfull, was translated to Bethel her selfe, after it was corrupted and defiled with vngodly superstitions. It is like that Kiriath-baal was called Kiriath-ieharim, that the name of the idol might be taken away, which had bene a spotte in true godlinesse, if it had remained. And surely, it had bene a foule and shamefull thing, that such a patrone as was enimie to the onely GOD, should haue bene spoken of in the peoples mouth.
- 1Gen. 44. 27.
