These men [are] peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters.
Ver. 21. These men are peaceable, &c.] Nothing more ordinary, with politicians, than to cover private ends and respects, with pretence of public good: as Jeroboam told the people, it was too much trouble for them to go up to Jerusalem to worship; they should take a shorter cut to Dan and Bethel. So Jehu, in all his reformations, had a hawk's eye to a kingdom; his main end was, to settle the crown upon his own head. The Turkish Janizaries, desirous to be rid of their Sultan Osman, pretended, and persuaded the people, that he was Jaour, that is, an infidel; and that he endeavoured to betray the Turkish Empire to Christian dogs, May 18, 1622. a
a Parei, Hist. Profan. Medal., 1176.