Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter,
and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. The base cheat which Laban put upon him when he was out of his time: he put Leah into his arms instead of Rachel, Ge 29:23. This was Laban's sin; he wronged both Jacob and Rachel, whose affections, doubtless, were engaged to each other, and, if (as some say) Leah was herein no better than an adulteress, it was no small wrong to her too. But it was Jacob's affliction, a damp to the mirth of the marriage-feast, when in the morning behold it was Leah, Ge 29:25. It is easy to observe here how Jacob was paid in his own coin. He had cheated his own father when he pretended to be Esau, and now his father-in-law cheated him. Herein, how unrighteous soever Laban was, the Lord was righteous; as Jdg 1:7. Even the righteous, if they take a false step, are sometimes thus recompensed on the earth. Many that are not, like Jacob, disappointed in the person, soon find themselves, as much to their grief, disappointed in the character. The choice of that relation therefore, on both sides, ought to be made with good advice and consideration, that, if there should be a disappointment, it may not be aggravated by a consciousness of mismanagement.
24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for a
handmaid.
25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and
he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? Did not I serve with thee for Rachel? Wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
26 And Laban said, it must not be so done in our country, to give the
younger before the firstborn.
The excuse and atonement Laban made for the cheat. 1 The excuse was frivolous: It must not be so done in our country, Ge 29:26. We have reason to think there was no such custom of his country as he pretends; only he banters Jacob with it, and laughs at his mistake. Note, Those that can do wickedly and then think to turn it off with a jest, though they may deceive themselves and others, will find at last that God is not mocked. But if there had been such a custom, and he had resolved to observe it, he should have told Jacob so when he undertook to serve him for his younger daughter. Note, As saith the proverb of the