Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 49:1

1 COncerning the Ammonites , thus saith the LORD, Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir ? why then doth their king inherit Gad , and his people dwell in their cities .

The Ammonites were the posterity of Ben-Ammi, Lots incestuous child, by his younger daughter Gen. 19.38. Their country was near the Iews country, the Iews in their journey from Egypt to Canaan to possess it, passed by their Country, but were by God forbidden to meddle with it because he had given it to the children of Lot, Deut. 2.19. but they proved bad neighbours to the Israelites when in Canaan. They assisted the King of Moab against them, Iud. 3.13. and made War against them Iudg. 10.9. and 11.4. Nahash their King made an inroad upon them, 1 Sam. 12.12. David fought with them in his time, 2 Sam. 8.12. and destroyed them, 2 Sam. 11.1. Iehosaphat also, and Iotham fought with them, 2 Chron. 20.1. and 27.5. During the long tract of time that there were Wars betwixt the Iews and Ammonites, the land of Gad and Reuben which lay beyond Iordan, fell into the hands of the Syrians, Moabites and Ammonites (whence it is that in the former Chapter we read of many Cities of Moab, which were upon the division of Canaan, in the Lot of Gad and Reuben.) This Prophesie cannot be well understood without a previous understanding this.

Hence it is that the Prophet saith, Hath Israel no Sons? God had given that country of Gilead to Manasses and Reuben and Gad, Num. 32.39. Ios. 13.29, 30.

and as mens Estates ought to descend to their Heirs, so this land should have continued and descended to the Posterity of these Tribes, but the Ammonites had by force taken away a part, and Melcom possessed it. Melcom is their King, or the name of their Idol to whom they gave the name of King, as other Heathens called their idol Baal, that is Lord.

And the people of the King of the Ammonites, or of Melcom the idol of the Ammonites dwelt in the Cities belonging to Gad, which was one of the Tribes of Israel.

Marginal references: Or, agai[illegible: 3 letters] ▪; Ezek. 21.[illegible: 2 letters] and 25.2. Zeph. 2.8, [illegible: 1 letter]; Or, Mel[illegible: 3 letters].; Ezek. 21.[illegible: 1 letter] ▪ and 25.2. Zeph. 2.8, [illegible: 1 letter]