Wesley Corpus

Than Agag - Than the King of the Amalekites, which King and people were famous and potent in that age, as may be guessed by their bold attempt upon so numerous a people as Israel. And it is probable, that Agag was the common name of the Amalekitish Kings, as Abimelech was of the Philistines, and Pharaoh of the Egyptians, and Caesar of the Romans. He lay down - Having conquered his enemies the Canaanites, and their land, he shall quietly rest and settle himself there. The Lord - Whose commands thou hast preferred before my desires and interest; and therefore seek thy recompence from him, and not from me. I shall see him - Or, I have seen, or do see the star, and sceptre as it here follows, that is, a great and eminent prince, which was to come out of Israel's loins, the Messiah, as both Jewish and Christian interpreters expound it, who most eminently and fully performed what is here said, in destroying the enemies of Israel or of God's church, here described under the names of the nearest and fiercest enemies of Israel: And to him alone agrees the foregoing verb properly, I shall see him, in my own person, as every eye shall see him, when he comes to judgment. Not now - Not yet, but after many ages. A star - A title often given to, princes and eminent persons, and particularly to the Messiah, Rev 2:28 22:16. A sceptre - That is, a sceptre - bearer, a king or ruler, even that sceptre mentioned Gen 49:10. The corners - The borders, which are often used in scripture for the whole country to which they belong. Of Sheth - This seems to be the name of some then eminent, though now unknown place or prince in Moab; there being innumerable instances of such places or persons sometime famous, but now utterly lost as to all monuments and remembrances of them. A possession - Which was also foretold, Gen 25:23, and in part fulfilled, 2Sam 8:14 1Chr 18:13, but more fully by Christ, Amos 9:12 Ob 1:18, who shall subdue and possess all his enemies; here signified by the name of Edom, as Jacob or Israel, his brother, signifies all his church and people. Seir - A part and, mountain of Edom. Out of Jacob - Out of Jacob's loins.