Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 9. And thou wentest to the king with ointment "And thou hast visited the king with a present of oil"] That is, the king of Assyria, or Egypt. Hosea, chap, xii. 1, reproaches the Israelites for the same practice:- "They make a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt." It is well known, that in all parts of the east, whoever visits a great person must carry him a present. "It is counted uncivil, "says Maundreg, p. 26, "to visit in this country without an offering in hand. All great men expect it as a tribute due to their character and author ity; and look upon themselves as affronted, and indeed defrauded, when the compliment is omitted. " Hence rw shur, to visit a person, is equivalent to making him a present; and hrwt teshurah signifies a present made on such occasions; as our translators have rightly rendered it, 1 Samuel ix. 7; on which Jarchi says Menachem exponit hrwt teshurah, quod significat oblationem sive manus, ut aliquis aspiciat faciem regis, aut alicuius magnatis. "Menachem expounds hrwt teshurah of an offering or gift which is presented in order to be admitted into the presence of the king or some great man."
Matthew Henry Commentary
- A charge to keep the Divine precepts. (Is. 56:1,2) Blessings promised (Is. 56:3-8) Reproof to the careless watchmen, the teachers and ruler of the Jews. (Is. 56:9-12)
Is. 56:1,2 The Lord tells us what are his expectations of duty from us Be honest and just in all dealings. Also strictly observe the sabbat day. To have the blessing of God upon employments all the week, make conscience of keeping the sabbath holy. Have nothing to do with sin Blessed is the man that keeps his hand from all things displeasing to God and hurtful to his own soul. Those who, through the Spirit, wai for the hope of righteousness by faith, will be found walking in way of holy obedience.
Is. 56:3-8 Unbelief often suggests things to discourage believers against which God has expressly guarded. Spiritual blessings ar unspeakably better than having sons and daughters; for children are care, and may prove a grief and shame, but the blessings we partake of in God's house, are comforts which cannot be made bitter. Those wh love the Lord truly, will serve him faithfully, and then his commandments are not grievous. Three things are promised. Assistance: will not only bid them welcome, but incline them to come. Acceptance and comfort: though they came mourning to the house of prayer, the shall go away rejoicing. They shall find ease by casting their care and burdens upon God. Many a sorrowful spirit has been made joyful in the house of prayer. The Gentiles shall be one body with the Jews that, as Christ says, John 10:16, there may be one fold and on Shepherd. Thanks be to God that none are separated from him except be wilful sin and unbelief; and if we come to him, we shall be accepte through the sacrifice of our great High Priest.
Is. 56:9-12 Desolating judgments are called for; and this severe rebuk of the rulers and teachers of the Jewish church, is applicable to othe ages and places. It is bad with a people when their shepherds slumber and are eager after the world. Let us pray the Great Shepherd to sen us pastors after his own heart, who will feed us with knowledge, tha we may rejoice in his holy name, and that believers may be daily adde to the church _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ותשׁרי7788 למלך4428 בשׁמן8081 ותרבי7235 רקחיך7547 ותשׁלחי7971 צריך6735 עד5704 מרחק7350 ותשׁפילי8213 עד5704 שׁאול׃7585
