ahe.11 not fear other gods (see the comment oMe (see 1 Chron. v. 20-22; x. 18: xiv, on ,,er. 35). 10-16; 2 Chron. xii. 1-12: xiii. 4-18: Ver. 38.-And the oovena.nt that I h&Ve xiv. 9-12; xx. 5-80, etc.). me.de with yon ye sh&ll not forget. The Ver. 40.-Howbeit they did not hearken. "covenant" intended is not the covene.nt The mixed race, with their mixed religion, of circumoision, which God made with though professing to be worshippers of Abraham (Gen. xvii. 9-14), but the cove- Jehovah, paid no attention to the warnings nant of protection and obedience made at and threatenings of the Law (ver. 84), which Sinai between God e.nd the entire people were to them a dend letter. But they did (Exod. xix. 5-8), e.nd most solemnly ratified after their former manner; i.e. they oon- by sprinkling with blood and by II covenant tia ued to maintain the synoretism described fenst, as related in Exod. xxiv. 8-11. This in vers. 28--33. was t.he covenant which Israel had been Ver. 41.--So these nations-i.e. the wnrn<'d so frequently not to "forget" (Dent. Babylonians, Cuthreans, H11mathites, Avites, iv. 23; viii. 11; xxvi. 18; Prov. ii. 17), yet and Sepharvites settled in Samario.-feared which they had" forgotten," or, at any rate, the Lord, and served their graven images. " forsaken," a.s already declared in ver. 15. The rabbinical writers tell us that Nergal Neither she.11 ye fear other gods. The writer was worshipped under the form of a cock, has probably a. practical object in his re- Ashima. under the form of a goat, Nibhaz iteration. He expects his words to reach nnder tbe form of a dog, Ta1·tak under that the ears of the mixed ra.ce inhabiting Sa- of nu ass, while Adrammelech and Anam- maria in his day, and wonld fain warn them melech were represented by a mule and a against their idolatrous practices, and point horse respectively. Not much confidence them to the pure worship of Jehova.h. It can be placed in these representations. The is plrn..sing to remember that ultimntely Babylonian gods were ordinarily figured in the mixed race was won to the true faith, human forms. Animal ones-as those of and that the Samaritans of our Lord's time the bull and the lion, generally winged e.nd were as true worshippers of Jehovah, and a.s human-headed, were in a few cases, but zealous followers of the Law, as the Jews only in a few, ueed to represent the gods themsehes. The interesting community at symbolically. Other emblems employed Nahlous still maintninB Sama.ritaa forms, were the winged circle for Asshur; the disc e.ad reads the Same.rite.a Penta.teach. plain or four-rayed for the male snn, six or Ver. 39.-llnt the Lord your God ye shall eight-rayed for the female sun: the crescent fear (comp. ver. 86); and he shall deliver you for tho moon-god Sin ; the thunderbolt for out of the ha.nd of all your enemies. This the god of the atmosphere, Vul or Rimmon: promise had been made repentedly (see the wedge or arrow-head, the fundamental Exod. xxiii. 27; Lev. :nvi. 7, 8; Deut. vi. element of writing, for Nebo. Images, how- 18, 19; xx. 4; xxiii. 14; xxviii. 7, etc.). ever, were me.de of all the gods, and were The writer of Chronicles aims at showing no doubt set up by the several "nations" in detail that the promise was literally in their respective "cities." Both their fulfilled in the hi.;;tory, victory in every case children, and their children's ohildren-i.e. declaring itself in favour of God's people, their descendants to the time of the w1·iter when thev were faithful and obedient, while of Kings-as did their fathers, so do they reverses always befell them in the contrary unto this day.
HOMILETICS. Vera. 1-4.-The unwisdom rj worldly craft and policy. Hoshea came to the throne at a time of great danger and difficulty. The Assyrian system of gradual expansion and annexation was settled and almost declared. The petty states upon her borders were first invaded and ravaged; then they were taken under her protection; finally they were absorbed. The process had been going on from the days of 'l'iglath- pileser L (about s.c.. 1130), and was still in operation. Damascus was a recent example of it. Under these circumstances, Hoshea could not but feel his throne precarious, and the independence of his country more than threatened. How would he act most wisely for his own security and that of his country? There were three courses open to him. I. HE HIGHT LOOK SOLELY TO TllE ASSYRIAN KING. Absolute submission, fidelity, watchful regard for the suzerain's interests, puncLual payment of the fixed tribute, liberal donations to the court officials aud the monarch beyond the sum appointed, genera.Uy secured to the 1•rotected state thf' continuance of its suzerain'.; favour, and a prolongation of its protected exi.;;tence. Hoshea might have adopted this policy. He mi&ht have bent all his efforts to the propitiation of the Aijsyria11 monarch, and 611, XVIT, 1-41.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS.