- 17 Arise, walk through the land | tent, and came and a dwelt in the in the leng h of it and in the plain of Mamre, breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

18 Then Abram removed his

Hebron, and built
unto the LORD.

which is in there an altai

a ch. 14. 13. b ch. 35. 27. & 37. 14.

of Mamre.- - And came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre. It is probable that a somewhat extended period of time, perhaps the lapse of one or two or more years, is embraced in the first two clauses of this verse. It seems to

ass and a colt the foal of an ass;' i. e. word in the original is not the same even a colt, &c. Thus probably, Rev. with that usually rendered remove 19. 19, 'And I saw the beast, and the (y) in reference to tents, but the kings of the earth;' i. e. even the kings same as that used v. 12, of Lot's fixing of the earth; intimating that the sym- his habitation towards Sodom, and bolical beast' is but another name for probably kindred to the term occurring the aggregate body of despotic rulers, Is. 13. 20, Neither shall the Arabian within the limits of the apocalyptic pitch tent (yahel) there.' It is a 'earth.' -¶For ever. Heb general expression, implying that Abraunto eternity; a period of very long, but ham. still following his nomadic mode indefinite duration. Subsequent facts of life, and in virtue of the permission in the history of the chosen people above mentioned, selected a station, show that this promise was to be now here and now there, where he understood conditionally, as they might spread his tent and abode for a time, by transgression forfeit the possession and so continued journeying at interof this covenanted region, as was actu- vals, till at length he came and pitchea ally the case, Lev. 26. 33. Is. 63. 18. his tent more permanently in the plain If, however, the Jews are to be hereafter restored to the land of their fathers, as many interpret the prophecies respecting them, these words will receive a still more exact accomplishment than they have hitherto done. Even now, it is common to speak of the Jews ob- be implied that after making the cirtaining possession of their own land, cuit of the country, agreeably to the as though their title had never been divine monition above mentioned, he extinguished. See Note on ch. 17. 18. finally selected a location in the neigh17. Arise, walk through the land, &c.bourhood of Hebron, which is not more Heb. make thyself to walk, traverse the land to and fro. The form of the original conveys the idea of what Ewald terms 'zealous spontaneity,' and has an emphasis which cannot well be transferred into English. It was a command or permission to Abraham, not as a lonely individual, but with all his establishment to travel over and sojourn in any portion of the country that he pleased, and that too as a pledge of its finally becoming the perpetual inheritance of his seed.

18. Then Abram removed his tent. Heb. and pitched tent. The

It un

than eighteen hours' journey from the
site of Beth-el, his former station. The
remark made in the note on ch. 12. 6,
on the original of the word plain (
alon) is applicable here also, as the
Hebrew term is the same.
doubtedly denotes a trec, or grove, or
plantation of trees of some kind, but
whether of oaks or terebinths cannot
be determined. Mamre is the name of
the person described ch. 14. 13, as an
Amorite, one of three brothers who
were friends of Abraham and confeder-
ates with him in the expedition against
the four kings, and the plain was prob

1

ably so called from him as its first jarring of interests; but when their opowner or occupant.- - Which is in | ulence increased, occasions of jealousy Hebron. That is, by or near Hebron; arose; their servants quarrelled, and in the region in which Hebron is situa- the masters could no longer remain toted. This place did not obtain the gether. They that will be rich fall name of Hebron till it came into the into temptation and a snare.' Through possession of Caleb, several years after covetousness thousands 'have erred the death of Moses. Josh. 15. 14. Its from the faith, and pierced themselves former name was Kirjath-arba. It is through with many sorrows.' to be presumed, therefore, that the name in the present passage was in-cultivate peace, especially by cutting serted by Ezra or some other person who revised the sacred canon in after ages. For an account of Hebron, see Note on Gen. 23. 2. ¶ And built there an altar unto the Lord. See Note on Gen. 12. 7.

REMARKS.-(1.) We learn from the incidents here recorded the disadvantages, if not the dangers, of wealth. Wealth is almost universally considered as a source of happiness, and in that view is most eagerly sought. That it may conduce to our happiness in some respects, especially when improved for the relief of our fellow-creatures, we admit; but it is much oftener a source of trouble and vexation than of satisfaction and comfort. 'If goods increase,' says Solomon, they are increased that eat them.' A multitude of servants augments our care. Their disagreements among themselves, or disputes with the servants of others, frequently become an occasion of disquiet to ourselves. The envy also and jealousy that are excited in the breasts of others, operate yet farther to the disturbance of our own peace. In how many families have contentions arisen from this source! How many who have spent years together in love and harmony, have been distracted by feuds and animosities as soon as ever a large estate came to be divided between them Even piety itself cannot always prevent the discord that arises from this source. Abraham and Lot had lived together in perfect amity, while their circumstances were such as to preclude any

(2.) The children of Abraham should

off the occasions of strife. 'The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water;' the breach however small at first, being quickly widened by the stream that rushes through it, will speedily defy all the efforts of man to prevent an inundation. Let us therefore learn the important lesson leave off contention before it be meddled with.' When it is once begun, no man can tell when or how it shall terminate.

to

(3.) External advantages of place or situation are no sure criterion of the favour of God. The sinners of Sodom dwelt in a fertile and delightful region; Abraham and his family among the mountains. But this paradise was turned into the likeness of hell by the sinners that dwelt there. How much happier was Abraham and his pious household in the mountains!

(4.) Let us often turn our thoughts to the promised blessings of Heaven in order to strengthen our faith and hope. Let us dwell much upon the prospect of our glorious inheritance. Let us survey the heavenly Canaan 'in the length of it, and the breadth of it.' Such a believing anticipation will cheer and refresh us when those whom we have loved and cherished here, and in whose society we have delighted, are separated from us by distance or death. In the darkest hour of this world's vicissitudes, let us listen to the soothing voice of the Spirit saying to us as he did of old to Abraham, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place

CHAPTER XIV.

b

Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, AND it came to pass, in the Chedorlaomer king of Elam, days of Amraphel king of and Tidal king of nations;

a ch. 10. 10. & 11. 2.

where thou art;' cease to dwell upon your present privations, disquietudes, and losses; sorrow not as men without hope; look from the place' where sin has tainted every comfort and blighted every prospect, and let the eye of faith cast its glances of hope and joy to the inheritance prepared for us. For all the land which thou seest to thee will I give it.'

CHAPTER XIV.

b Is. 11. 11.

he made of it was to restore whatever had been taken to its rightful owners.

1. And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar. Gr. V ry Baride in the reign or reigningtime. From the extreme antiquity of the event here recorded, and the little light which is elsewhere thrown, either by sacred or profane history, upon the persons and places designated, great obscurity necessarily attaches to several parts of the narrative. It is The next important incident detailed clear that Chedorlaomer was the chief in the life of Abraham, differs remark- personage concerned in this expedition, ably from all that have preceded it. but whether he or Amraphel was at The patriarch was pre-eminently a man this time the supreme potentate of the of peace, who, as we have seen, was East, or in other words, whether Perwilling to sacrifice every worldly advan- sia (Elam) or Assyria (Shinar) had the tage rather than interrupt that harmo- ascendancy, is very difficult to be deny which he knew to be so essential termined. As it is a matter of mere to the honour of his religious profession, historical interest, but slightly affecting and so entirely in accordance with the the practical lessons which we are more will of God. On the present occasion, anxious to deduce from the record, we however, we find him assuming the shall glance but briefly at this view of character of the warrior, placing him- the subject.-As the countries about self at the head of a numerous body of the Euphrates and Tigris were that his servants, and waging a short but part of the world where the sons of successful conflict with the confederate Noah began to settle after leaving the princes who had invaded Canaan from ark, it was there that population and the East. Much as the pious heart power would first naturally accumulate, must dislike the very name of war, and and lead to the establishment of desutterly unchristian and unjustifiable as potic governments. The families and it will consider every species of offen- tribes emigrating from these regions sive warfare, yet we cannot withhold our would be considered in the light of colapprobation from this truly heroic and onies, which ought to be subject to the disinterested action of the patriarch. To parent state. Such it appears probasuccour the weak, to relieve the distres- ble were the ideas of the four Eastern sed, to liberate the captive, were his kings here mentioned, and we may suponly motives, and the comfort of an pose that it was with a view of enfor approving conscience his only reward; cing this subjection, which after having for we find that after having been fa- been twelve years acknowledged, was voured with the most signal success at length thrown off, that the present instead of turning the fruits of his vic-invasion was planned. In what rela tory to his own advantage, all the use tion the four kings had previously stood

2 That these made war with | king of Admah, and Shemeber Bera king of Sodom, and with king of Zeboiim, and the king of Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab Bela, which is a Zoar.

c Deut. 29. 23. d ch. 19. 22.

different tribes, and put themselves under the conduct of one who would gratify their love of adventure or hope of spoil.

to each other, is uncertain; but they now combined as allies, and marched with their forces, which we have no reason to think were very large, to the land of Canaan. Indeed, it is very im- 2. That these made war, &c. This portant to bear in mind that the term is the first war expressly recorded in 'king,' in this and other early applica- the annals of the human race, and it is tions, is far from carrying with it the evident that it sprung from the same import which our modern ideas of roy- causes that have given rise to the thoualty are apt to connect with the title. sands of wars, which, from that day to The kings of those primitive times were this, have wasted the family of man mere petty chieftains, answering to the and drenched the earth in blood-vainArab sheikhs of latter days, ruling over glorious pride and grasping ambition. a single town and the surrounding dis-Nor can we hope for a cessation of the trict, or acting as the heads of tribes barbarous practice till the general prevmore or less numerous, and totally un-alence of Christianity, in the power of like the potent sovereigns of modern times. This will be evident from the fact that each of the little cities of the plain, which lay within a few miles of each other, is said to have had its distinct king, all of whom united on this occasion in opposing their common invaders.-The whole narrative is to be considered as entirely subordinate to the history of Abraham, and introduced here mainly for the purpose of illustrating a new and interesting feature of his character, and of displaying new aspects of that kind Providence which watches with such constant vigilance over the welfare of his servants.- Tidal king of nations. Heb. D. The Heb. 7 goyim is usually rendered Gentiles, and though the majority of commentators are of opin-haps beyond that river. The expediion that Tidal's dominions lay in Upper Galilee, which was in aftertimes called 'Galilee of the Gentiles,' (or Galilee of the nations), Is. 9. 1. Mat. 4. 15, yet we think it more probable that the title denotes the head of a mixed multitude of people, who had flocked together to his standard from different regions and

of its peaceful spirit, shall have extinguished the flames of these unhallowed passions, and taught men to regard each other as brethren, who cannot, if they conceived aright of their mutual interests, have any conflicting objects that should drive them to deeds of violence. This earliest account of an act of warfare is very remarkable, and its difficulties will be best elucidated by a reference to existing practices among the Arab tribes. It is indeed by no means unlikely, that although we have supposed the invading kings such monarchs as the kings of the plain are ascertained to have been, they were in fact nomade chiefs or sheikhs, inhabiting the country between Canaan and the Euphrates, and some of them per

tion has the whole appearauce of an Arab incursion. Their apparently rapid sweep, like a whirlwind, over the countries indicated-their return with captives and spoil-and the ultimate night-surprise and easy overthrow by Abraham and his friends-are all cir cumstances strikingly analogous to