but. From the preceding verses in this chapter let us learn,

1. That God, in his providence, sets up one and pulls down another, as he pleases.

2. That this world is full of wars and fightings, which result from the indulgence of the lusts of men.

3. That all the changes and revolutions of states were plainly and perfectly foreseen by the God of heaven.

4. That no word of God can fall to the ground, but what he has declared shall infallibly come to pass. For the elucidation of the historical parts of Scripture, it is advantageous to notice the writings of heathen authors: light is thus thrown on many passages of Holy Writ, by shewing the accomplishment of the prophecies therein contained, or customs elucidated, which, in the course of years, or in our more northern latitude, would be to us inexplicable. We have therefore reason to bless God for human learning, by which many have done great service to the readers of His blessed word.

Job 20:8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yes, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

Psalm 27:2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came on me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Psalm 37:36 Yet he passed away, and, see, he was not: yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Jeremiah 46:6 Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape; they shall stumble, and fall toward the north by the river Euphrates.

Ezekiel 26:21 I will make you a terror, and you shall be no more: though you be sought for, yet shall you never be found again, said the Lord GOD.