IN the very entrance, he beats back that vain confidence wherewith the Philistines were rashly puffed up: and in adding, thou whole, he signifies that all, how many soever, shall have their part in this calamity. As if he should say; That region shall not be spoiled in one place only, but there is not the least corner which shall not feel it: and as far as the land doth reach, so far shall the destruction and ruin thereof be perceived on all sides. As touching that which he addeth of the rod broken; some refer to Ahaz but besides the purpose; for he was overcome in all the wars which he had against the Philistines. And therefore it should rather be referred to Uzziah: and yet am I loth so to restrain it unto him, that it should not therewithal be understood of the whole body of the Jewish Nation. It is as much then as if he had said to Palestine, or Palestine; Thinkest thou to take thy rest, whilst the Jews which afflicted thee in times past, are destroyed? No, thou greatly deceivest thy self: for ere long thou shalt be vexed much more. This is the cause, as I have said, why I restrain not this to one particular person; but rather as I take it, under the person of one, he points out the whole body of the Jews. He forthwith adds the reason why Palestine should not rejoice; to wit, because the Jews shall be better able to annoy them then they were in former time. For if the Philistines received any detriment by the Jews before, they should feel it ten times more heavy hereafter. The which he sets forth by a very fit similitude: for the Cockatrice is more dangerous then the Adder, and the fiery Serpent more hurtful then the Cockatrice. But God be thanked we are not annoyed with these hurtful beasts in this Country. The Prophets meaning is nothing else then, but to show that the Philistines greatly beguiled themselves, in thinking that the Jews should not overmatch them. And therefore I consent not unto them, who refer the name of the Cockatrice, and flying Serpent, unto Hezekiah. For howsoever they have great show of reason for it, because Hezekiah conquered all that the Philistines held, even unto Gaza: 1yet the Prophet meant to stretch this promise further. Let us know then, that albeit we begin at Hezekiah, yet notwithstanding this favour appertains to all the Jews, as to the whole body.
IN the very entrance, hee beates backe that vaine confidence wherewith the Philistims were rashly puffed vp: and in adding, thou whole, he signifies that all, how many soeuer, shall haue their part in this calamitie. As if he should say; That region shall not be spoiled in one place onely, but there is not the least corner which shall not feele it: and as farre as the land doth reach, so farre shall the destruction and ruine thereof be perceiued on all sides. As touching that which he addeth of the rod broken; some referre to Ahaz but besides the purpose; for he was ouercome in all the warres which hee had against the Philistims. And therefore it should rather be referred to Vzziah: and yet am I loth so to restraine it vnto him, that it should not therewithall be vnderstood of the whole body of the Iewish Nation. It is as much then as if he had said to Palestina, or Palestin; Thinkest thou to take thy rest, whilest the Iewes which afflicted thee in times past, are destroyed? No, thou greatly deceiuest thy selfe: for ere long thou shalt be vexed much more. This is the cause, as I haue said, why I restraine not this to one particular person; but rather as I take it, vnder the person of one, hee points out the whole body of the Iewes. He forthwith addes the reason why Palestin should not reioyce; to wit, because the Iewes shall be better able to annoy them then they were in former time. For if the Philistims receiued any detriment by the Iewes before, they should feele it ten times more heauy hereafter. The which he sets forth by a very fit similitude: for the Cockatrice is more dangerous then the Adder, and the fierie Serpent more hurtfull then the Cockatrice. But God be thanked wee are not annoied with these hurtfull beasts in this Country. The Prophets meaning is nothing else then, but to shew that the Philistims greatly beguiled themselues, in thinking that the Iewes should not ouermatch them. And therefore I consent not vnto them, who refer the name of the Cockatrice, and flying Serpent, vnto Hezechias. For howsoeuer they haue great shew of reason for it, because Hezechias conquered all that the Philistims held, euen vnto Gaza: 1yet the Prophet meant to stretch this promise further. Let vs know then, that albeit we begin at Hezechias, yet notwithstanding this fauour appertaines to all the Iewes, as to the whole body.
- 12. Kin. 18.8
