They had not that quantity and variety of furniture, nor those accommodations of all sorts, with which we abound. It was convenient and even necessary for them, and it made an essential part in the building of a house, to furnish the inside of the several apartments with sets of spikes, nails, or large pegs, upon which to dispose of and hang up the several movables and utensils in common use, and proper to the apartment. These spikes they worked into the walls at the first erection of them, the walls being of such materials that they could not bear their being driven in afterwards; and they were contrived so as to strengthen the walls by binding the parts together, as well as to serve for convenience. Sir John Chardin's account of this matter is this: "They do not drive with a hammer the nails that are put into the eastern walls. The walls are too hard, being of brick; or, if they are of clay, too moldering: but they fix them in the brick-work as they are building. They are large nails, with square heads like dice, well made, the ends being bent so as to make them cramp-irons. They commonly place them at the windows and doors, in order to hang upon them, when they like, veils and curtains. " Harmer's Observ. i. p. 191. And we may add, that they were put in other places too, in order to hang up other things of various kinds; as appears from this place of Isaiah, and from Ezek. xv. 3, who speaks of a pin or nail, "to hang any vessel thereon. " The word used here for a nail of this sort is the same by which they express that instrument, the stake, or large pin of iron, with which they fastened down to the ground the cords of their tents.

We see, therefore, that these nails were of necessary and common use, and of no small importance in all their apartments; conspicuous, and much exposed to observation: and if they seem to us mean and insignificant, it is because we are not acquainted with the thing itself, and have no name to express it but by what conveys to us a low and contemptible idea. "Grace hath been showed from the Lord our God, "saith Ezra, chap. ix. 8, "to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place: " that is, as the margin of our Bible explains it, "a constant and sure abode."He that doth lodge near her (Wisdom's) house, Shall also fasten a pin in her walls." Ecclus. xiv. 24.

The dignity and propriety of the metaphor appears from the Prophet Zechariah's use of it:- "From him shall be the corner-stone, from him the nail, From him the battle-bow, From him every ruler together." Zech. x. 4.

And Mohammed, using the same word, calls Pharaoh the lord or master of the nails, that is, well attended by nobles and officers capable of administering his affairs. Koran, Sur. xxxviii. 11, and lxxxix. 9. So some understand this passage of the Koran. Mr. Sale seems to prefer another interpretation.

Taylor, in his Concordance, thinks dty yathed means the pillar or post that stands in the middle, and supports the tent, in which such pegs are fixed to hang their arms, &c., upon; referring to Shaw's Travels, p. 287.

But dty yathed is never used, as far as appears to me, in that sense. It was indeed necessary that the pillar of the tent should have such pegs on it for that purpose; but the hanging of such things in this manner upon this pillar does not prove that dty yathed was the pillar itself.

A glorious throne "A glorious seat"] That is, his father's house and all his own family shall be gloriously seated, shall flourish in honour and prosperity; and shall depend upon him, and be supported by him.

Is. 22:1-7 Why is Jerusalem in such terror? Her slain men are not slai with the sword, but with famine; or, slain with fear, disheartened Their rulers fled, but were overtaken. The servants of God, who forese and warn sinners of coming miseries, are affected by the prospect. But all the horrors of a city taken by storm, faintly shadow forth the terrors of the day of wrath.

Is. 22:8-14 The weakness of Judah now appeared more than ever. Now als they discovered their carnal confidence and their carnal security. The looked to the fortifications. They made sure of water for the city. But they were regardless of God in all these preparations. They did no care for his glory in what they did. They did not depend upon him for blessing on their endeavours. For every creature is to us what God makes it to be; and we must bless him for it, and use it for him. Ther was great contempt of God's wrath and justice, in contending with them God's design was to humble them, and bring them to repentance. The walked contrary to this. Actual disbelief of another life after this is at the bottom of the carnal security and brutish sensuality, whic are the sin, the shame, and ruin of so great a part of mankind. God wa displeased at this. It is a sin against the remedy, and it is no likely they should ever repent of it. Whether this unbelief works by presumption or despair, it produces the same contempt of God, and is token that a man will perish wilfully.

Is. 22:15-25 This message to Shebna is a reproof of his pride, vanity and security; what vanity is all earthly grandeur, which death will s soon end! What will it avail, whether we are laid in a magnificen tomb, or covered with the green sod? Those who, when in power, turn an toss others, will be justly turned and tossed themselves. Eliaki should be put into Shebna's place. Those called to places of trust an power, should seek to God for grace to enable them to do their duty Eliakim's advancement is described. Our Lord Jesus describes his ow power as Mediator, Rev. 3:7, that he has the key of David. His power in the kingdom of heaven, and in ordering all the affairs of that kingdom is absolute. Rulers should be fathers to those under their government and the honour men bring unto their families, by their piety an usefulness, is more to be valued than what they derive from them by their names and titles. The glory of this world gives a man no rea worth or excellence; it is but hung upon him, and it will soon dro from him. Eliakim was compared to a nail in a sure place; all his family are said to depend upon him. In eastern houses, rows of larg spikes were built up in the walls. Upon these the moveables an utensils were hung. Our Lord Jesus is as a nail in a sure place. Tha soul cannot perish, nor that concern fall to the ground, which is by faith hung upon Christ. He will set before the believer an open door which no man can shut, and bring both body and soul to eternal glory But those who neglect so great salvation will find, that when he shutteth none can open, whether it be shutting out from heaven, or shutting up in hell for ever __________________________________________________________________

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