* he went out.
19:1,2 25:15,16 1Ki 20:13,22,42 2Ki 20:14,15
* Behold.
To this beautiful speech nothing can be added by the best
comment: it is simple, humane, pious, and overwhelmingly
convincing; and it is no wonder that it produced the effect
here described. That there was much humanity, as well as
firmness, in the heads of the children of Ephraim, who joined
with the prophet of Jehovah on this occasion, their subsequent
conduct, as detailed in the fifteenth verse, sufficiently
proves. They did not barely dismiss these most unfortunate
captives, but they took that very spoil which their victorious
army had taken, and with clothed, shod, fed, and anointed
these distressed people, set the feeblest of them upon asses,
and escorted them safely to Jericho! We can scarcely find a
parallel to this in the universal history of the wars which
savage man has carried on against his fellows from the
foundation of the world. The compliance also of the whole
army, in leaving both the captives and spoil to the disposal
of the princes, was really wonderful, and perhaps unparalleled
in history. Both the princes and army are worthy to be held
up to the admiration and imitation of mankind.
* because the Lord God.
5 Jud 3:8 Ps 69:26 Isa 10:5-7 47:6 Jer 15:17,18 Eze 25:12-17
Eze 26:2,3 Ob 1:10-16 Zec 1:15
* reacheth.
Ge 4:10 11:4 Ezr 9:6 Re 18:5
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