Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face
of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
All the men, women, and children, that were in the world (except that were in the ark) died. Every man (Ge 7:21 and Ge 7:23), and perhaps they were as many as are now upon the face of the earth, if not more. Now,
(1.) We may easily imagine what terror and consternation seized on them when they saw themselves surrounded. Our Savior tells us that till the very day that the flood came they were eating and drinking (Lu 17:26,27); they were drowned in security and sensuality before they were drowned in those waters, crying Peace, peace, to themselves, deaf and blind to all divine warnings. In this posture death surprised them, as 1Sa 30:16, 17. But O what an amazement were they in then! Now they see and feel that which they would not believe and fear, and are convinced of their folly when it is too late; now they find no place for repentance, though they seek it carefully with tears.
(2.) We may suppose that they tried all ways and means possible for their preservation, but all in vain. Some climb to the tops of trees or mountains, and spin out their terrors there awhile. But the flood reaches them, at last, and they are forced to die with the more deliberation. Some, it is likely, cling to the ark, and now hope that this may be their safety which they had so long made their sport. Perhaps some get to the top of the ark, and hope to shift for themselves there; but either they perish there for want of food, or, by a speedier despatch, a dash of rain washes them off that deck. Others, it may be, hoped to prevail with Noah for admission into the ark, and pleaded old acquaintance, Have we not eaten and drunk in thy presence? Hast thou not taught in our streets? "Yes," might Noah say, "that I have, many a time, to little purpose. I called but you refused; you set at nought all my counsel (Pr 1:24, 25), and now it is not in my power to help you: God has shut the door, and I