1672. And the kings that were with him. That this signifies the apparent truth which is of that good, is evident from the signification of “kings” in the Word. “Kings,” “kingdoms,” and “peoples,” in the historical and the prophetical parts of the Word, signify truths and the things which are of truths, as may be abundantly confirmed. In the Word an accurate distinction is made between a “people” and a “nation;” by a “people” are signified truths, and by a “nation” goods, as before shown (n. 1259, 1260). “Kings” are predicated of peoples, but not so much of nations. Before the sons of Israel sought for kings, they were a nation, and represented good, or the celestial; but after they desired a king, and received one, they became a people, and did not represent good or the celestial, but truth or the spiritual; which was the reason why this was imputed to them as a fault (see 1 Samuel 8:7-22, concerning which subject, of the Lord’s Divine mercy elsewhere). As Chedorlaomer is named here, and it is added, “the kings that were with him,” both good and truth are signified; by “Chedorlaomer,” good, and by “the kings,” truth. But what was the quality of the good and truth at the beginning of the Lord’s temptations has already been stated.

7019. 'And Jehovah said to Moses in Midian' means enlightenment and corroboration received from the Divine in that state. This is clear from the consideration that Jehovah was saying to Moses that he should return to Egypt, when in fact Moses had been commanded previously to do so by Jehovah, in Chapter 3:10 and following verses and Chapter 4:12 and following verses, and Moses had already prepared himself, as he had been commanded, for the journey. From this it becomes clear that the command given now means enlightenment and corroboration received from the Divine. The fact that this enlightenment and corroboration was received in that state, that is to say, in a state of truth that goes with simple good, is meant by the detail that Jehovah said what He said to Moses 'in Midian', 'Midian' being truth that goes with simple good. See 3242, 4756, 4788, 6777.