So it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they didn’t fear the LORD. Therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 25. Lions. The Sam. Chronicle says the fruits, though beautiful to the eye, were of a poisonous quality; and Josephus, as usual, (ix. 14.) alters the text, saying that the people were afflicted with pestilence, and the oracle being consulted, told them to worship the High God; on which account, they desired the king to send them a priest. Calmet.—These nations had not been accustomed to fear the Lord in their own country; but God was more offended when they exercised their idolatrous worship in that land, which he had chosen in a particular manner for himself. Menochius.—He suffers wickedness and infidelity to prevail to a certain point; but when his patience is exhausted, ( Calmet.) all nature fights for him against the wicked. Bible.