From verse 20, to 24. of this Chapter, we have an account of Solomons Prudence, in assigning unto these two sorts of men, the services most proper for them, and wherein they might most suitably serve for the good of the whole, they were both employed. Christ will make use of all within his visible Kingdom, some ⟨p. 7⟩way or other for his Glory, whether they be willing or no. Of the former of these, we read, verse 22. that he Levied of them a tribute of Bond-Service: they were put to the drudgery work, and the more Servile Employments of the State; as most proper for them. Whereas in this verse 22. we are told, that he found out a more honourable Service for them that were true born Israelites; they were not excused from business, but they were employed in such as was worthy of free Subjects. I shall not insist on the several Services that are here mentioned; it may suffice to observe that the thing is expressed, both negatively, he made no Bond men of them; and of this God himself had given an express prohibition, Lev. 25.39. And Affirmatively, where the first thing which is instanced in, is the subject that we have now under consideration; they were men of War, i. e. they were men Listed among the Soldiers, and Exercised or Trained in the Art Military. The word used for men, is not that noble word [Ish] which signifieth Virtue, and Valour, and is wont to be applied to persons of Renown; but that more contemptible word, Enosh, which signifieth Sorrowful, Sickly and Mortal; not with any design to reproach the Calling, but possibly to put Soldiers in mind of their frailty, to humble them, who, ⟨p. 8⟩when in their Plumes, are too apt to be lifted up over much in their minds: the word [War] comes of a root that signifieth to Eat or Devour; intimating the unhappy fruits of War; The Sword is therefore said to devour, 2 Sam. 2.26. giving us to understand that War is in its own nature an evil thing.
From verse 20, to 24. of this Chapter, we have an account of Solomons Prudence, in assigning unto these two sorts of men, the services most proper for them, and wherein they might most sutably serve for the good of the whole, they were both employed. Christ will make use of all within his visible Kingdom, some ⟨p. 7⟩way or other for his Glory, whether they be willing or no. Of the former of these, we read, verse 22. that he Levied of them a tribute of Bond-Service: they were put to the drudgery work, and the more Servile Employments of the State; as most proper for them. Whereas in this verse 22. we are told, that he found out a more honourable Service for them that were true born Israelites; they were not excused from business, but they were employed in such as was worthy of free Subjects. I shall not insist on the several Services that are here mentioned; it may suffice to observe that the thing is expressed, both negatively, he made no Bond men of them; and of this God himself had given an express prohibition, Lev. 25.39. And Affirmatively, where the first thing which is instanced in, is the subject that we have now under consideration; they were men of War, i. e. they were men Listed among the Souldiers, and Exercised or Trained in the Art Military. The word used for men, is not that noble word [Ish] which signifieth Vertue, and Valour, and is wont to be applied to persons of Renown; but that more contemptible word, Enosh, which signifyeth Sorrowful, Sickly and Mortal; not with any design to reproach the Calling, but possibly to put Souldiers in mind of their frailty, to humble them, who, ⟨p. 8⟩when in their Plumes, are too apt to be lifted up over much in their minds: the word [War] comes of a root that signifieth to Eat or Devour; intimating the unhappy fruits of War; The Sword is therefore said to devour, 2 Sam. 2.26. giving us to understand that War is in its own nature an evil thing.
