[1] The Ten Tribes had already suffered many an affliction;
their political organisation had often been broken up by
civil wars and foreign invasions, as the house of unburnt
brick dissolves into mud before the rain, and the flower of
the people had been cut down as lavishly as men cut down
the cheap sycamores; but with that stoutness of heart, that
obstinate toughness which in all ages to the present has
marked this race, the men of Ephraim and Samaria seem to
rise superior to every calamity; like Solomon, they will
change the sycamores for cedars, and they will replace the
brick with hewn stones. The conversion of Damascus from an
ancient enemy into an ally encouraged them in their hopes;
but Jehovah will confound their policy by bringing the
conquerors of Damascus upon them.--_Strachey._
[2] A man under God's affliction is like a bird in a net; the
more he strives, the more he is entangled.--_Bishop Hall._
[3] When the monster-taming Hercules overcame all in the
Olympics, Jupiter at last, in an unknown shape, wrestled
with him: the victory was uncertain, till at length Jupiter
descried himself, and Hercules yielded. No striving with
supreme powers: we must submit ourselves unto the mighty
hand of God, acknowledge our offences, call to Him for
mercy. If He strike, as it is with them that are wounded
with the spear of Achilles, He alone must help.--_Burton._