were, Pithon, and Melech, and ariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. Tarea, and Ahaz.

36 And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,

37 And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:

38 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and She

All these were the sons of Azel. 39 And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

LECTURE 646.

Of being edified by God's word.

The tribe of Benjamin, which had been previously referred to, Ch. 7. 6, is here set forth at great length, for the purpose of introducing the lineage and posterity of Saul. For it is from the death of Saul that these two books of Chronicles enter more minutely into the history of the times; and besides supplying important lists of names, tell us of many interesting particulars not related in the two books of Kings. Indeed it is probable, that no minute record of events was regularly kept by the Israelites until the kingly government commenced. For the book of Judges relates only a few principal events that took place in the commonwealth of Israel, during the course of several hundred years. Whereas of Saul's reign and of David's reign we have much more full accounts preserved in the two books of Samuel. And we afterwards meet with frequent mention of chronicles of the kings of Judah and of Israel; which shews us, that events were carefully recorded in their kingdoms, though these full records have long since been lost. We doubt not that God in his goodness has provided for our knowing as much of all these histories, as it would be really good for us to know. And in whatever form we find them, whether as brief notices, or as minute descriptions, whether as the bare record of facts, or as enriched with the reflexions of the writers, and with the characters of the chief parties whose acts are mentioned; let us in each case pray God to help us in deriving from every portion of his word that edification, which it is designed by Him to yield to us.

Grant, heavenly Father, that whatsoever we might profitably learn from each part of thy most holy word may be brought home to our hearts with power by thy Holy Spirit teaching us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions.

1 So all Israel were reckoned the son of Adiel, the son of Jahby genealogies; and, behold, zerah, the son of Meshullam, the they were written in the book of son of Meshillemith, the son of the kings of Israel and Judah, Immer; who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

The defeat and 1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

2 And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the

archers.

4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not: for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell upon it.

5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died. 6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.

7 And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

death of Saul.

8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.

10 And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.

11 And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

12 They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;

14 And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. LECTURE 648.

The wicked perish through their own fault.

After this account of the defeat and death of Saul, the history is chiefly occupied with David, and the kings of David's family who reigned in Jerusalem. This might probably be so ordered, because those who returned from the Babylonish captivity, for whose use the books of Chronicles were designed, were for the most part members of those tribes which formed the kingdom of Judah. And moreover after their renewed settlement in the land, their attention was much fixt on the promise of the Messiah, whom they hoped soon to see sitting on David's throne. And this same circumstance ought to give us a deep interest in

the history of David, and of his family; it is the history of that family, whence He, who is our Saviour and our King, vouchsafed to derive his earthly lineage.

Now in the very outset of David's promotion, we find that Saul had to be first removed, and his family displaced from all pretensions to the throne. And this is a common case in God's dispensations towards sinful men; few enjoying any distinguished blessing, except at the cost as it seems of some one else. The Canaanites were driven out of the land to make room for the Israelites. The Jews were cast off when the Gentiles were invited into the church of God. So Saul also was rejected from being king when David was taken from the sheepfolds to rule over God's people Israel. Still Saul was in no sense wronged by any one. He died, as we are here told, "for his transgression which he committed against the Lord." And by reason of his transgression he was rejected from being king. The wicked suffer through their own fault. And when the portion which they might otherwise have enjoyed is forfeited, we may well admire the bounty of that God who still offers it to such as will believe. When they that are bidden will not come to the feast which He has prepared for them, but begin with one consent to make excuse, He sends out to the highways and hedges, He invites the halt and maimed and blind, He does every thing which the case admits of, in order for his house to be full. See Luke 14. 23. This reflexion is fitted to reconcile our minds to the fearful sight, which we behold in looking out upon the world; where so large a portion of mankind seem as remote as possible from the kind of life which God would have them live here, and from any fitness for a life in heaven hereafter. And under the distress we feel, at the thought of seeing so many shut out from everlasting happiness, when we ourselves, as we trust, shall enter in, we may do well to reflect, that our gain is not so much which is taken from them, either by us, or by God for our sakes; but is so much which some have thrown away, foolishly and wickedly, and so much, which God, of his great mercy, and in default of others to accept it, is pleased to offer unto us. It was not the family of David that really displaced that of Saul, but it was Saul's own wicked conduct; it was Saul's not keeping the word which the Lord commanded him, and his asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, instead of enquiring of the Lord. It is not they who shall be saved that displace those who shall be lost, and shut against them heaven's gates; but it is their own unbelief and impenitence. God would have all men to be saved. And in nothing more than this are good men like to God, that they desire the salvation of all men. Only let us always remember, that in order to be saved men must cease from sin; and that if they persist in sinning wilfully, their end must be to perish miserably.