14. Baalis--named from the idol Baal, as was often the case in
heathen names.
Ammonites--So it was to them that Ishmael went after murdering
Gedaliah
(Jer 41:10).
slay--literally, "strike thee in the soul," that is, a deadly
stroke.
Ishmael--Being of the royal seed of David
(Jer 41:1),
he envied Gedaliah the presidency to which he thought himself entitled;
therefore he leagued himself with the ancient heathen enemy of Judah.
believed . . . not--generous, but unwise unsuspiciousness
(Ec 9:16).
JFB.
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