Some think Hamath to be Antioch in Syria: Arpad, that City whence people were taken to inhabit Damascus, and that Sepharuaim was situated in this country. If these things be so, then Rabshekeh recites here the ancient names of the Cities whence in times past many nations came forth: but afterward they not only lost their renown, but their proper names also, that such a change might the rather affect and move them. Howsoever it be, he expressly notes out the neighbour cities which were best known by name to the Jews, that the ruin of them might touch them the more near: neither do I doubt but these places were of Syria, and Israel. As if he should say, You see these two kingdoms subdued, which notwithstanding had so many gods and patrons, and do you think that your God can resist me? The expositors take the particle Chi for an interrogation in both places. Have the gods of the nations delivered them? Shall your God deliver you then? But that the sense might run the better, I had rather translate it thus, Let your God deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? This seems also to be spoken tauntingly, as if in scorn he should have said, Yea, I warrant you, your God will deliver you, as the gods of the Gentiles delivered those that worshipped them. Now this ignorance of the wicked proceeds from this, they know not that God punisheth mens sins when adversity befalls them. First of all then they deceive §1themselves by making an overthwart comparison: Oh, I have overcome this or that people, therefore it is I that am the efficient in this matter: for they know not that God by ⟨p. 363⟩their hands executes his wrath upon the people, whom he for their iniquities hath destinated to destruction. For though they will not utterly deny but they have received somewhat in their victories from him, howbeit it is but feignedly, because they neither see his will nor his justice therein.
SOme thinke Hamath to be Antioch in Syria: Arpad, that Citie whence people were taken to inhabit Damascus, and that Sepharuaim was situated in this countrie. If these things be so, then Rabshekeh recites here the ancient names of the Cities whence in times past many nations came forth: but afterward they not only lost their renowme, but their proper names also, that such a change might the rather affect and moue them. Howsoeuer it be, he expreslie notes out the neighbour cities which were best knowne by name to the Iewes, that the ruin of them might touch them the more neere: neither do I doubt but these places were of Syria, and Israel. As if he should say, You see these two kingdomes subdued, which notwithstanding had so many gods and patrons, and doe you thinke that your God can resist me? The expositors take the particle Chi for an interrogation in both places. Haue the gods of the nations deliuered them? Shall your God deliuer you then? But that the sense might runne the better, I had rather translate it thus, Let your God deliuer Ierusalem out of mine hand? This seemes also to be spoken tauntinglie, as if in scorne he should haue said, Yea, I warrant you, your God will deliuer you, as the gods of the Gentiles deliuered those that worshipped them. Now this ignorance of the wicked proceeds from this, they know not that God punisheth mens sinnes when aduersitie befalles them. First of all then they deceiue §1themselues by making an ouerthwart comparison: Oh, I haue ouercome this or that people, therefore it is I that am the efficient in this matter: for they know not that God by ⟨p. 363⟩their hands executes his wrath vpon the people, whom he for their iniquities hath destinated to destruction. For though they will not vtterly denie but they haue receiued somewhat in their victories from him, howbeit it is but fainedly, because they neither see his will nor his iustice therein.
