Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ben-Hadad, King Of Syria, And Ahab, King Of Israel.
Dr . Clarke observes , with great force , upon this mode of propitiating by humility , the kindness of the conqueror , and illustrates his position by the unfortunate but brave defenders of Calais , who in after times appeared thus humbled before Edward the Third , whose arms they had so nobly withstood ; The Freemason , hoivever , who will take the trouble to examine into the past , and the Hebrew brother , who ivill reflect upon some peculiar
customs , will see in this a peculiar illustration : and even in our own day have not signs of distress , made in the act of imploring mercy , arrested the impending sword!—and are not these signs differently given , according to the custom of the country in which we may chance to reside?—but to continue . " So they girded sackcloth on their loins , and put ropes on their heads , and came to the King of Israel , and said , ' thy servant , Ben-hadad ,
saith , I pray thee , let me live ; ' and he said , ' is he yet alive?—He is my BROTHER . ' " Now let the private feelings , the secret motives of the two kings be considered . In the 18 th verse , Ben-hadad , even when he has been compassing vengeance against Ahab and his troops , hesitates , and announces his will that they shall be taken alive . Ahab , on seeing the messengers from Ben-hadad so garbed , first inquires if he is alive , and then says , " he is my Brother . " At this moment the interest increases , and assumes its most important character .
" Noiv the men did diligently observe whether anything would come from him , and DID HASTILY CATCH IT ; and they said , ' THY BROTHER , Ben-hadad ! ' Then he said , ' Go ye , bring him . ' Then Ben-hadad came forth to him , and he caused him to come up into the chariot . " Dr . Clarke here simply observes , that they were watching for something by which they might draw a favourable omen , and that the term brother gave them encouragement .
But , had the words no other import than that of hopeful encouragement , would the men have brought their king from his concealment into peril?—The WORDS were an ASSURANCE of protection ; the men had most intently xeatclied what came from Ahab ; they CAUGHT them , and Ben-hadad freely came forth . The kings then conferred together , and Ahab said to Ben-hadad" I will send thee away with the covenant—so he made a covenant
with him , and sent Mm away . " That Ahab was afterwards reproved for his clemency does not impugn the- validity of the construction of this passage . It merely proves the fallibility of human nature . FIDUS .
FROM THE GERMAN . Thou say ' st he has no shame ; and yet he blushes , Y > hen to his cheek the grapy current rushes : — And still perhaps thou ' rt right—the wine disdains , And shows if does , to circle iu his veins .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ben-Hadad, King Of Syria, And Ahab, King Of Israel.
Dr . Clarke observes , with great force , upon this mode of propitiating by humility , the kindness of the conqueror , and illustrates his position by the unfortunate but brave defenders of Calais , who in after times appeared thus humbled before Edward the Third , whose arms they had so nobly withstood ; The Freemason , hoivever , who will take the trouble to examine into the past , and the Hebrew brother , who ivill reflect upon some peculiar
customs , will see in this a peculiar illustration : and even in our own day have not signs of distress , made in the act of imploring mercy , arrested the impending sword!—and are not these signs differently given , according to the custom of the country in which we may chance to reside?—but to continue . " So they girded sackcloth on their loins , and put ropes on their heads , and came to the King of Israel , and said , ' thy servant , Ben-hadad ,
saith , I pray thee , let me live ; ' and he said , ' is he yet alive?—He is my BROTHER . ' " Now let the private feelings , the secret motives of the two kings be considered . In the 18 th verse , Ben-hadad , even when he has been compassing vengeance against Ahab and his troops , hesitates , and announces his will that they shall be taken alive . Ahab , on seeing the messengers from Ben-hadad so garbed , first inquires if he is alive , and then says , " he is my Brother . " At this moment the interest increases , and assumes its most important character .
" Noiv the men did diligently observe whether anything would come from him , and DID HASTILY CATCH IT ; and they said , ' THY BROTHER , Ben-hadad ! ' Then he said , ' Go ye , bring him . ' Then Ben-hadad came forth to him , and he caused him to come up into the chariot . " Dr . Clarke here simply observes , that they were watching for something by which they might draw a favourable omen , and that the term brother gave them encouragement .
But , had the words no other import than that of hopeful encouragement , would the men have brought their king from his concealment into peril?—The WORDS were an ASSURANCE of protection ; the men had most intently xeatclied what came from Ahab ; they CAUGHT them , and Ben-hadad freely came forth . The kings then conferred together , and Ahab said to Ben-hadad" I will send thee away with the covenant—so he made a covenant
with him , and sent Mm away . " That Ahab was afterwards reproved for his clemency does not impugn the- validity of the construction of this passage . It merely proves the fallibility of human nature . FIDUS .
FROM THE GERMAN . Thou say ' st he has no shame ; and yet he blushes , Y > hen to his cheek the grapy current rushes : — And still perhaps thou ' rt right—the wine disdains , And shows if does , to circle iu his veins .