Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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left his garment, as one escaping for his life. Note, It is better to lose a good coat than a good conscience.
13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in
her hand, and was fled forth,
14 that she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them,
saying, See, he hath brought in a Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:
Joseph's mistress, having tried in vain to make him a criminal, now endeavours to represent him as one; so to be revenged on him for his virtue. Now was her love turned into the utmost rage and malice, and she pretends she cannot endure the sight of him whom a while ago she could not endure out of her sight. Chaste and holy love will continue, though slighted; but sinful love, like Amnon's to Tamar, is easily changed into sinful hatred.
1. She accused him to his fellow servants (Ge 39:13-15) and gave him a bad name among them. Probably they envied him his interest in their master's favour, and his authority in the house; and perhaps found themselves aggrieved sometimes by his fidelity, which prevented their purloining; and therefore they were glad to hear anything that might tend to his disgrace, and, if there was room for it, incensed their mistress yet more against him. Observe, When she speaks of her husband, she does not call him her husband, or her lord, but only he; for she had forgotten the covenant of her God, that was between them. Thus the adulteress (Pr 7:19) calls her husband the good man. Note, Innocence itself cannot secure a man's reputation. Not everyone that keeps a good conscience can keep a good name.
2. She accused him to his master, who had power in his hand to punish him, which his fellow servants had not, Ge 39:17, 18. Observe,
(1.) What an improbable story she tells, producing his garment as an evidence that he had offered violence to her, which was a plain indication that she had offered violence to him. Note,