it is recorded that she dwelt in Israel (See Josh. vi. 25). In Ruth i. 1, the earliest times of the Judges seem to be meant, so that the verb DQ& (which might otherwise be supposed redun dant) may have an inceptive1 force, as in like manner "]ta2 often signifies he took the kingdom, or began to reign : and Naomi must have gone into Moab, before the Moabite domination mentioned in Judges iii. 12. Rahab might therefore have been, as she actually was, the mother of Boaz. He did not marry Ruth till he was far advanced in life (see Ruth iii. 10) ; and their grandson, Jesse, was very old (see 1 Sam. xvii. 12, 14), when he became the father of David. — Cf. concerning Jehoiada, 2 Chron. xxiv. 15.
6. Aau/<5 dt 6 jS«ff/Xgue, but David the King) The appellation o (3a.<ri}.fve; (the King), has been omitted by some early editors, but wrongly.3 The kingship of David is twice mentioned here, as is the Babylonian captivity afterwards. The same title is under stood, though not expressed, after the names of Solomon and his successors, as far as ver. 11. David is, however, called especially the King, not only because he is the first king mentioned in this pedigree, but also because his throne is promised to the Messiah. —See Luke i. 32.
7. iyewritt, begat) Bad men, even though they are useless to themselves in their lifetime, do not exist in vain ; since by their means the elect even are brought into the world.
8. 'lupu/j, 8s eyevvr)ffe rbv 'o£/av, but Joram begat Josiah) Ahaziah (who is the same as the Joahaz of 2 Chron. xxi. 1 7, and xxii. 1), Joash, and Amaziah (mentioned in 1 Chron. iii. 11, 12), are here passed over : so that the word eyiwr^et (begat) must be understood mediately* instead of immediately : as frequently happens with the word vi6$ (son), as in the first
1 Bengel means, that srt?£'f ? ttbw (translated in the E. V. the Judges ruled, marg. judged) ought to be rendered the Judges began to judge, so as to indicate with greater exactness the date of the event, at the commence ment of the era of the Judges (I. B.)
2 A?* "''"??• — (1) to reign, to be king ; (2) to become king, 2 Sam. xv. 10, xvi. 8 ; 1 Kings xiv. 2. — GESENIUS. — (I. B )
3 B, the best MSS. of Vulg., the Memph. and Theb. and Syr. Versions omit 6 fieun'hfvf. But Aac agree with Rec. Text and Beng. in retaining the words. — ED.
4 i.e.. There being mediate or intervening persons. — ED