And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
Ver. 15. And he made in Jerusalem engines.] These were anciently much in use, but laid by ever since great guns were invented.
Invented by cunning men.] Heb., Excogitata excogitatione excogitantis, invented by the invention of the inventor. This is an emphatical Hebraism.
For he was marvellously helped (by God) till he was strong.] And then he served him a slippery trick, as we say. Hypocrites have God in admiration only for advantage; when they have what they would have, they start aside like a broken bow. Hos 7:16 2Ch 12:1