The whole genuine and complete works of Flavius Josephus ... Translated from the original in the Greek language. And diligently revised and compared with the writings of contemporary authors, of different nations, on the subject. All tending to prove the authenticity of the work. ; To which is added various useful indexes ... ; Also a continuation of the history of the Jews, from Josephus down to the present time ... By George Henry Maynard, LL.D. ; Illustrated with marginal references and notes, historical, biographical, classical, critical, geographical, and explanatory. By the Rev. Edward Kimpton, author the the Compleat universal history of the Holy Bible. ; Embellished with upwards of sixty beautiful engravings, taken from original drawings of the Messrs, Metz, Stothard, and Corbould, members of the Royal Academy, and engraved by American artists.

FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS ON THE ANTIQUITIES OF THE JEWS. BOOK V. [INCLUDING A PERIOD OF ABOUT THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN YEARS.]

CHAP. I.

Joshua succeeds Moses. Sends spies into Canaan. They are protected by a woman called Rahab. Jericho be|sieged, and laid waste by the Hebrews. Joshua forms a league with the Gibeonites. Obtains a complete conquest over the Canaanites. Divides their lands among the different tribes. Lot of each tribe. Death and character of Joshua.

AFTER the accustomed ceremonies were over▪ and the last duty paid to the memory of Moses,* 1.1 Joshua ordered the people to get themselves in readiness for marching, and, in the mean time, dispatched certain persons to Jericho, in order to learn the strenght of the place, and the disposition of the inhabitants On this occasion he convened the leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Menasses: the latter of whom had been promised to settle in the country of the Amorites, which includes a seventh part of the land of Canaan.

* 1.2When these leaders were assembled together, Jo|shua reminded them of the promises they had made to Moses, and earnestly intreated them▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 only for his sake, but also for their own, to fulfil•• their en|gagement. They chearfully complied with Joshua's request, and immediately joined his army with a body of 50,000 men.

* 1.3Joshua having received this assistance, marched with his whole army about sixty furlongs towards the banks of the river Jordan. They had scarce pitched their tents, before the spies, who had been sent to Jericho, arrived, and gave the following ac|count of what had happened to them during their stay in that city.* 1.4

That the inhabitants, considering them as stran|gers come to gratify their curiosity, permitted them to perambulate the city without interruption; in consequence of which they had the opportunity of viewing the walls, ramparts, and other fortifica|tions raised for the defence of the city. That, to|wards the close of the day, they retired to a house, situated near the wall of the city, where they re|freshed themselves, and intended leaving the place early the next morning. While they were at this house, information had been given the king, that there were spies in the city from the Hebrew camp, and that they were concealed in the house of a woman named Rahab; in consequence of which an order was issued for apprehending them; and that, if they did not confess who they were, and on what business they came, they should be put to the tor|ture. As soon as Rahab was informed of this, she communicated the intelligence to the spies, and taking them to a retired part of the house,* 1.5 con|cealed them, by covering them over with a large quantity of flax. That when the officers of justice came in search of them, Rahab told them, there had, indeed, been strangers there, but that, after supper, they departed; and as the time was but short since they went, if they were the dangerous people suspected, she did not doubt but, by immediate endeavours, they might be easily taken. The ho|nesty of the woman's countenance, and the simple manner in which she expressed herself satisfied the officers, and they immediately left the house to go in quest of the spies; but after travelling some way, and finding no likelihood of succeeding they desisted from their pursuit, supposing they had effectually made their escape. That when the con|fusion which the alarm occasioned, had in some degree subsided, Rahab uncovered them, related what had passed, and pointed out the great danger to which she had exposed herself and family for their protection; as a return for which she exacted from them an oath,* 1.6 that when the city should be invested, and rendered desolate by the Hebrews, (for she told them it had been revealed to her by the Almighty that it should), they should pre|serve her and her relations from the general destruction. That they had faithfully promised the protection she required, to effect which they had

told her, that, when she found the city attacked, to shut herself up, together with her relations, in her house; and that, in order to distinguish it from the rest, she must affix red strings to the door, which signal should be communicated to the ge|neral, who would no doubt, give such directions, as to secure her from all danger.* 1.7 That after this agreement was made between them, they departed, being assisted by Rahab, who, for that purpose, had got a rope, and fastened it to the top of one part of the house, by means of which they made their escape unperceived.

When the spies had given the relation to Joshua, and the principal officers of the army, a consulta|tion was held with Eleazar, the high-priest, and the elders, whether the promise made by the spies to Rahab ought to be strictly observed; which was agreed to by those sages, and the obligation rati|fied.

* 1.8The Hebrews were on the opposite side of the river to that of Jericho, and the great difficulty was to pass the river, the current being exceeding rapid, and no method to be projected that could facilitate their design. These reflections gave great un••••••••ness to Joshua; but his troubles were soon removed by a Divine revelation from the Almigh|ty, who assured him, that those obstacles should be removed, and that the river should be rendered so fordable, that the army might pass it with the greatest safety.

* 1.9This Divine promise was fulfilled two days after it was made, and the whole army passed the river in the following order: first, the priests bearing the ark, who were followed by the Levites, carrying the tabernacle and the holy vessels. After these marched the whole army, divided into ranks, ac|cording to the order of their respective tribes. The women and children were placed in the center of the army, that they might be the better secured from the violence of the current. When the priests entered the river the rapidity of the stream abated, and the water gradually sunk, till the bottom be|came quite dry; so that the whole multitude passed over without the least apprehension of danger. The priests were the last who quitted the bed of the river, which they had no sooner done, than the waters returned, and resumed their natural course; and thus was the promise made by the Almighty amply fulfilled.

After passing the river, the whole army proceeded immediately on the march, and encamped within ten furlongs of the city of Jericho. On this spot Joshua erected an altar, consisting of twelve stones, which, by his order, had been brought by twelve princes of the several tribes from the bottom of the river.* 1.10 This altar was raised by Joshua, to per|petuate the remembrance of the miraculous sepa|ration of waters; and on it he offered sacrifices, and celebrated the feast of the passover * 1.11.

While the Israelites were on the other side the river Jordan,* 1.12 they had, for some time, laboured under great difficulties from the manna, which had been their principal subsistence during forty years in the wilderness, having failed them; but when they came on that side of the river next Jericho, these inconveniencies were removed. It happened to be at the time when the harvest of the Canaan|ites, was ripe, and the country well stocked with cattle and other kinds of provision; all which they had the power of enjoying without interruption.

From the apparent pusillanimity of the Canaan|ites, in suffering the Israelites to ravage their coun|try at discretion and at the same time keeping themselves secured within the walls of the city, Jo|shua was convinced he should not be able to bring them to action,* 1.13 and therefore determined to lay siege to the place, and put all the inhabitants to the sword.

Having formed this resolution, on the first day of the Feast of the Passover he ordered a procession to be made round the wall of the city, the manner of which was this: first, a certain number of priests, carrying the ark surrounded by a considerable body of the troops:* 1.14 these were followed by seven other priests, each blowing a horn, or trumpet; to animate the soldiers; and the whole was closed by the elders. In this manner they marched round the walls of the city, and then returned to their camp.

This ceremony was repeated for six successive days; during which time not a single person of the Canaanites was seen without the walls of the city. On the seventh day Joshua addressing himself not only to the army, but the people in general, told them, that, on that day the city of Jericho should be delivered into their hands, and that without any efforts being made on their parts to effect it; for that the very walls would fall of themselves, and the city would be rendered totally defenceless. He strictly charged them to confine attention to the destruction of the inhabitants, all of whom they should put to the sword, except Rahab and her family, that the oath might be strictly performed which had been given by the spies, when they were on the other side the river Jordan. He likewise told them that whatever gold or silver they should find to lay it in a heap on the spot, for it should be dedicated to God as the first fruits of a victory ob|tained over the Canaanites.

Joshua, after delivering these instructions to the army and people, marched towards the city, and proceeded round the walls of it in the same man|ner, and with the same ceremonies, as before men|tioned in the Feast of the Passover; but,* 1.15 as they were passing the seventh time, they made a halt, when the wall suddenly gave way, and the whole fell to the ground.

This surprising and unexpected event threw the Canaanites into the utmost consternation,* 1.16 insomuch that they had not power to attempt the least resist|ance. In consequence of this the Israelites imme|diately entered the city, and to obey the instruc|tions previously given them by Joshua, put all to the sword * 1.17, except Rahab and her family; the former of whom being brought before Joshua, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rewarded her in the most ample manner for the ser|vices she had done him.

To make a final destruction of the city of Je|richo, the Israelites, after murdering the inhabi|tants, set it on fire, and the whole was reduced to an heap of ashes. A prophetical curse * 1.18 was likewise denounced against any person who should ever after attempt to rebuild it; that whoever should take upon him to lay the first stone might be punished by the loss of his eldest son; and who|ever should finish the work, his youngest. In the city were found great quantities of gold, silver,* 1.19 and brass, the whole of which was of immense va|lue, and being gathered together, as Joshua had ordered, he presented it to the priests to be depo|sited in the sacred treasury.

Notwithstanding the caution Joshua had taken to prevent private plunder, yet one Achar, the son of Zebedee, and of the tribe of Judah,* 1.20 made a breach on the injunction, by concealing the cloak of the king of the Canaanites, which was not only rich in itself, but had about it as much gold as weighed two hundred shekels. He argued with himself, that as he had hazarded his life to obtain it, he thought he had a right to enjoy it, and that it would be ridiculous to offer that to God which

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Engraved for the AMERICAN EDITION of MAYNARD's Josephus.

The falling of the Walls of JERICHO, burning the City and destruction of the Inhabitants by the ISRAELITES.

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Engraved for the AMERICAN EDITION of MAYNARD's Josephus.

The BATTLE of AIN, the DESTRUCTION of the CITY by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of JOSHUA.

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Engraved for the American Edition of MAYNARD's Josephus

ACHAR confessing his SACRILEGIOUS THEFT and delivering up his plunder in presence of the multitude previous to his being STONED to DEATH Published by William Durell N•• 19 Queen Street

was only designed for the use of man. He there|fore dug a pit in his tent, and there hid the cloak; supposing that it would be equally hidden from God, as it was from his companions.

The army of the Israelites was at this time en|camped at a place called by them Gilgal, which signifies liberty; intimating, that they now thought themselves secure from any future danger, and that they should never again be sensible of the like mis|fortunes they had experienced during their resi|dence in the wilderness.

* 1.21A short time after the destruction of Jericho, Joshua sent out a detachment of 2000 men to in|vest Ain, another city, situated at a small distance from the former. In this attack the Israelites met with a warm repulse: thirty-six of them were slain, among whom were several persons the relations of distinguished characters, and the rest were obliged to seek their safety by flight. The news of this defeat greatly dispirited the whole army of the Is|raelites, who from the promises made them by Divine revelation, had set it down for granted, that whatever project they engaged in,* 1.22 it would infal|libly prove successful. From this disappointment, and the reflection of its consequences, they cloath|ed themselves with sackcloth, and spent the day in fasting and prayer. The mind of Joshua was like|wise particularly impressed with despair; and pro|strating himself on the ground, in the most fervent manner addressed the Almighty in words to the fol|lowing effect:

* 1.23Lord (said he) we came not hither rashly, or unadvisedly, to reduce this country under our power and dominion, but from a pure deference and respect to the persuasion of thy servant Mo|ses, to whom thou didst promise the possession of this country, and that we should be victorious over all our enemies. The sudden change which has taken place, in the disappointment of our hopes, and loss of our friends, greatly alarms us, and the more so, lest we should prove equally unsuccessful in any future attempts. Do thou, therefore, O Lord, who alone art able to give us relief, help and preserve us. Vouchsafe unto us comfort and victory; and be graciously pleas|ed to give us future hopes, by removing the de|spair under which we at present labour.

When Joshua had finished his prayer, God com|manded him to rise,* 1.24 and to purge the army from a pollution it had acquired by a sacrilegious theft, and which was the real cause of the mischief that had befallen them. That there should be lots cast to find out the criminal, who should be made an ex|ample of for his perfidiousness; and that after|wards, whatever they undertook should be attended with success.

Joshua immediately communicated these instruc|tions and assurances to the people; and calling to him Eleazar, the high-priest, and the princes of the tribes, he ordered that lots should be first cast to discover the tribe to which the thief belonged. This was accordingly done, when it fell upon the tribe of Judah; in consequence of which lots were again cast among the several families of that tribe. On examination it appeared that the lot fell on Achar,* 1.25 who belonged to the family of Zaccharis. He was accordingly taken into custody, and being conscious of his iniquity, confessed the fact, and delivered up the plunder in presence of the multi|tude. Upon this he was immediately put to an ig|nominious death, and his body denied the accustom|ed ceremonies of interment.

When Joshua had purged his army, agreeable to the Divine command, he marched towards the city of Ain; and planting a body of men in ambus|cade the preceding evening, he the next morning presented himself in sight of the enemy with his main body. The Ainites were so elated with their former success, that, as soon as they saw the Isra|elites, they immediately advanced in the most furi|ous manner to give them battle. On this Joshua feigned a retreat, till, having drawn the Ainites a considerable distance from the city, he made a stop, and gave a signal (which had been previously a|greed on) to the troops in ambush. Agreeable to this signal they immediately entered the city, where they met with little opposition; the greater part of the inhabitants having planted themselves on the walls to see the action, in full confidence, from the success they had met with before, that the Israelites would be totally overthrown. These detached troops made themselves masters of the city, and put the inhabitants to the sword; while the grand army engaged that of the Ainites,* 1.26 and totally de|feated them. The greater part were killed in the action; and the remainder fled for protection to the city, not suspecting that it was already in the hands of their enemies; but when they discovered its situ|ation, and the grea•• danger they were in, they had immediate recourse to flight, and concealed them|selves in the wilds and deserts. The booty taken on this occasion was of immense value, consisting of great quantities of plate, costly furniture, gold, silver, coined money, and other articles, all which were divided among the soldiers, as a reward for their past, and an encouragement for their future, conduct.

The great success of Joshua against the cities of Jericho and Ain, and the slaughter made among the inhabitants, had struck such a panic in the kings of the respective provinces on that side the river Jordan, that they confederated together, and entered into a league for their mutual defence. But the Gibeonites,* 1.27 foreseeing the destruction that a|waited them, and being apprehensive that all re|sistance would be in vain, consulted with their neighbours, the inhabitants of Cephirah and Keri|athjearim, among whom it was agreed, that endea|vours should be used to obtain a peace with the Israelites: but as they knew that could not be ef|fected should it be known they were Canaanites, they had recourse to the following stratagem. They selected a certain number of artful men,* 1.28 who were instructed to feign themselves ambassadors come from a very distant country, in order to obtain a league with the people of Israel. To make this story appear plausible, they were dressed in tattered garments with worn-out shoes on their feet;* 1.29 and the bread they took with them in their bags was so musty as to be entirely useless. In this situation they arrived at Gilgal * 1.30, the place where Joshua was encamped, to whom being introduced, they told him, that from the many miracles which God had wrought for them in the land of Egypt, and the wonderful successes wherewith he had blessed their arms, against every power that had opposed them in their coming to that place, their states and rulers had sent them from a very remote coun|try, to form a league of friendship with them, and that on such conditions as were customary with their forefathers. They then pointed to their gar|ments, which they solemnly assured Joshua were quite new when they sat out on their journey; but that the great length of it had reduced them to the state in which they then appeared.

This plausible tale gained such credit with the Israelites, that they entered into an amicable alli|ance with them; and Eleazar, the high-priest, with the princes of the respective tribes, solemnly rati|fied the treaty, the whole multitude assenting to the oaths made by their leaders.* 1.31 When the business was over, the ambassadors took their leave, and hasted to the Gibeonites with the glad tidings of their distinguished success.

A few days after the departure of the ambassa|dors the whole was discovered;* 1.32 when it appeared that the Gibeonites were inhabitants of Canaan, and that they resided at a small distance from Jerusa|lem.

This discovery greatly alarmed Joshua, who sent for the governors, and reproached them for having practised such a deception; to which they replied, that they were compelled to do it in their own defence, as they had reason to think they should otherwise share a similar fate with the inha|bitants of Jericho and Ain. Joshua was desirous of having the league cancelled; but as it was con|firmed by a solemn oath, this could not be done without incurring the Divine displeasure. It was therefore resolved,* 1.33 in order to appease the people, that, as a punishment for the imposition, the Gi|beonites should ever after be kept in a state of bon|dage.

When the confederate princes (who were five in number,* 1.34 the principal of whom was the king of Jerusalem) heard of the separate treaty made by the Gibeonites, and the artful manner in which it was obtained, they resolved to be revenged on them for desertion of the common cause. Accordingly they joined all their forces, and marched towards their city, with a determined resolution of laying siege to it. When they came within a small distance of the place they pitched their tents, intending to begin the attack early the next morning. In the mean time the Gibeonites dispatched a messenger to Jo|shua,* 1.35 imploring his immediate assistance, as they must otherwise inevitably fall into the hands of the Canaanites. Joshua lost no time in complying with the request of the Gibeonites, and marching his army the whole night, he, the next morning, ar|rived at the spot where the enemy were encamped. He immediately led on his troops to action; and the Canaanites,* 1.36 finding all resistance was likely to prove ineffectual, fled, but were pursued by the Is|raelites to a place called Beth-hora. In this expe|dition God had all along encouraged Joshua, by promising him success; and therefore, as the con|federate forces were endeavouring to escape, and save themselves by flight, he suffered▪ ••iolent storm of hail * 1.37 to fall,* 1.38 the stones of which were so large that more people were destroyed by them than what fell by the sword. As a farther proof of Divine in|terposition, a circumstance occurred on that day, the like of which never happened either before or since; namely,* 1.39 the sun itself stood still * 1.40 in the firma|ment, that the Israelites might not want day-light to complete the victory. This last circumstance is most expressly attested in the Holy Scriptures, ac|cording to the copies preserved in the temple.

The confederate kings, finding themselves so closely pursued, and likely to be either slain or made captives, concealed themselves in a cave at a place called Makkedah; intelligence of which being given to Joshua, he ordered the cave to be blocked up, and a guard placed over it. After he return|ed from pursuing the enemy,* 1.41 he ordered the cave to be opened, and the kings being brought forth, they were hung upon trees till the evening, when their bodies were taken down, and thrown into the cave: so that the place they had pitched on for a sanctuary became their sepulchre.

After this defeat, Joshua proceeded to the south|ern parts of Canaan; where, having destroyed the inhabitants and seized their most valuable pos|sessions, he returned with his army to the camp at Gilgal.

Though the great destruction made by the army of the Israelites had struck a terror in most parts of Canaan, yet it had not that effect on the princes of the north, who, instead of being intimidated, formed the resolution of boldly attacking Joshua.* 1.42 They accordingly drew their forces together, and pitched their camp at Berotha••, a city of the Upper Galilee, not far from the waters of Merom * 1.43. Their army consisted of 300,000 foot, 1••,000 horse, and 2000 chariots.

When the Israelites understood what a formi|dable army was raised against them by the Canaan|ites, they became greatly dispirited; and even Joshua himself was almost sunk into despair.* 1.44 But they were dispelled, on Joshua's receiving assurances from God that they should overcome their ene|mies; and, to make their conquest complete, he was commanded to kill their horses, and burn their chariots.

Encouraged by this Divine protection, Joshua immediately marched his army against that of the Canaanites. On the fifth day he came within sight of their camp, and ordering his troops to advance with all possible dispatch,* 1.45 they fell so sud|denly on the enemy, that they were immediately thrown into disorder. Those who attempted resist|ance were all slain on the spot: and such as fled, being pursued, were overtaken and slain. Their horses were also all killed, and their chariots com|mitted to the flames.

The success of this day made Joshua absolute master of the country. He pursued his rout to a considerable distance, plundering every town he came to, and putting all the inhabitants to the sword. In short,* 1.46 the whole country was one con|tinued scene of desolation, and the inhabitants of it totally extirpated, except a small number who had accidentally escaped, and secured themselves in places of great strength. Such was the desola|tion made in the land of Canaan during a war of on|ly five years.

Joshua having thus reduced the Canaanites, re|turned with his army to Gilgal; from whence, after a short time,* 1.47 he removed to the mountainous part of the country and fixed the holy tabernacle in the city of Shiloh. The situation of this place was exceeding delightful; and here it was that Joshua intended, when circumstances would per|mit, to build a temple.

From Shiloh Joshua removed, with all his peo|ple, to Shechem, where he erected an altar,* 1.48 as had been some years before appointed by Moses. He then divided his army, one half of which was placed on Mount Garizim, and the other half on Mount Gebal. At the latter place he erected another altar on which the priests offered sacrifices;* 1.49 and when they had denounced the malediction before recited, and engraved them upon the altar, they returned to Shiloh.

At this place, a short time after,* 1.50 Joshua con|vened a general assembly of the people; and, after reminding them of the great success they had met with through the assistance of the Divine protec|tion, he observed that the Canaanites had still many cities in their possession, which were rendered so strong by nature and art together, as to be almost

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AN ACCURATE MAP of the HOLY LAND with the ADJACENT COUNTRIES By Tho•• Bowen

impregnable. That as it must consequently be a work of time to subdue them, he thought it ad|viseable,* 1.51 in the first place, that those tribes who came with them from the other side of Jordan, and had assisted them with such fidelity in destroying their enemies, should be dismissed, with suitable acknowledgements for their services. And, se|condly, that a proper person should be chosen out for every tribe, who should act as commissioners for taking an exact survey of the captured land, a pro|per state of which should be laid before another assembly convened for the purpose.

* 1.52These propositions being universally approved of by the people, commissioners (one out of each of the tribes, who were to partake of the division of the country) were accordingly chosen; and a certain number of men, distinguished for their su|perior knowledge in surveying, were appointed to assist them. As some parts of the country were re|markable for their richness and fertility of the soil, while others were almost barren, they had instruc|tions to take the admeasurement agreeable to the quality;* 1.53 so that though one part might be much more extensive than another, yet the whole divisions might be, on an average, of equal value.

These commissioners, with their assistants, having executed the business on which they were sent, re|turned, at the expiration of seven months, to Shi|loh, which was at that time the seat of the taberna|cle.* 1.54 On their arrival Joshua convened another assembly, consisting of Eleazar, the high-priest, to|gether with the elders, and the princes of the re|spective tribes.* 1.55 When the state of the admeasure|ment was laid before them, Joshua divided the whole country * 1.56 between the nine tribes and the half tribe of Menasses,* 1.57 proportioning the shares to the number of families in each tribe. The differ|ent allotments were as follow:

To the tribe of Judah was assigned all the Up|per Judea, extending, in length, to the city of Je|rusalem, and, in breadth, to the lake of Sodom▪ in which compass were included the cities of As|calon and Gaza.

The tribe of Simeon had that part of Idumaea which borders on Egypt and Arabia.

To the tribe of Benjamin was allotted all that part of the country, which extends, in lenth, from the river Jordan to the sea, and▪ in breadth, from Jerusalem to Bethel. This district is exceeding small in proportion to the rest; but the quality makes amends for the quantity, more especially as it contains the two cities of Jericho and Jerusalem.

The tribe of Ephraim had, for their lot, that part of the country which reaches, in length, from Jor|dan to Gadara, and, in breadth, from Bethel to the Great Plain.

To the half tribe of Menasses was allotted that track of land which reaches, in length, from the river Jordan to the city of Dora, and, in breadth, to the city of Bethsana, since known by the name of Scythopolis.

The tribe of Issachar had, for their lot, all that part of the country which reaches, in length, from the river Jordan to Mount Carmel, and, in breadth to Mount Itabyr.

* 1.58To the tribe of Zebulon was assigned all that track of land which borders on Mount Carmel and the sea, and stands as far as the lake Genesareth.

The tribe of Asser had, for their lot, all the country behind Mount Carmel, opposite to Sidon; in which district was included the city of Aric, otherwise called Actipus.

* 1.59To the tribe of Naphthali was allotted the Up|per Galilee, and the eastern parts of the country, including the city of Damascus, Mount Libanus, and the head of the river Jordan, which takes its rise from that side of the mount belonging to the city of Arce.

The tribe of Dan had, for their own share,* 1.60 all the vallies lying to the west between Azotus and Doran, together with the cities of Jamnia and Gittah, with the whole country from Aceron, where the portion allotted to the tribes of Judah com|mences.

Thus did Joshua divide, among the nine tribes and a half, the six provinces of the Canaanites, which received their names from so many of the sons of Canaan. The seventh province (named Amorrhoea, from another of the sons of Canaan) was not at his disposal, it having been long before granted by Moses to the other half tribe of Me|nasses, and the two tribes of Reuben and Gad. Those parts of the country which belonged to the Sidonians, Arucaeans, Ainathaeans, and Arithaeans, being, at the time the above division was made, un|inhabited, were totally excluded.

Joshua, being now far advanced in years, and fearful, from the natural infirmities of age, he should not be able, much longer, to hold the reins of government,* 1.61 called together the heads of the different tribes, to whom he gave a strict charge, that they would be particularly diligent in using their utmost endeavours to destroy the Canaanites, and not suffer any to reside in the land they pos|sessed, and which had been divided amongst them by lots. He told them that a strict attention to this request would be in conformity to the will of their late legislator Moses, and that it was fully consistent both with their laws and religion. He likewise strictly charged them to deliver up to the Levites the remaining thirty-eight, out of the forty-eight, cities assigned them by Moses; they being already in possession of the other ten, situated in Amorrhaea, on the other side the river Jordan. Three of these cities he assigned as places of refuge, being earnestly solicitous that nothing should be neglected which Moses had ordained. The first of these cities was Hebron, belonging to the tribe of Judah;* 1.62 the se|cond Shechem, belonging to the tribe of Ephraim; and the third, Ceden, in Upper Galilee, belonging to the tribe of Naphthali. These regulations were received by the people with universal applause, they being very willing to pay a strict attention and re|verence to the ordinances of Moses.

After Joshua had laid these injunctions on the people, he proceeded to divide the plunder,* 1.63 which had been taken from the Canaanites, among his soldiers. It consisted of cattle and flocks innume|rable, together with great quantities of money, plate, furniture, and other articles; so that though the number of people was great, each person had a very considerable booty.

A few days after Joshua had made these regula|tions, he assembled together the auxiliaries (namely, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, with the half tribe of Menasses, consisting of 50,000 men) who had come with him from the other side the river Jor|dan, and had assisted him with fidelity during the whole course of the war against the Canaanites. When these people were assembled together▪ Joshua addressed them in words to the following effect:

Friends and Brethren,* 2.1

Seeing it hath pleased God not only to esta|blish us in this country, but to promise a perpe|tual possession of it to our posterity; and since God has been likewise pleased to accept your proffered service in assisting us to subdue our ene|mies, it is but reasonable that you, who have shared so great a part in the dangers and difficul|ties of the war, should now share a part also in the comforts and blessings of a common peace.

To this end we think it but justice to discharge you from any farther attendance at present, not doubting but, if occasion should require it, you will readily contribute your assistance at any fu|ture period. For the services you have already done us, accept our most grateful acknowledg|ments; and we hope that the sense of good of|fices gone and past, may be improved into a mu|tual and inviolable league of friendship for the time to come, remembering that we stand in|debted for the advantages already received, next under God, to the force of this reciprocal alli|ance. Your services have not gone unrewarded, so far, at least, as an inestimable booty may be con|sidered as a recompence. Be assured you will ever find in me a most sincere friend, being sufficiently satisfied that you have paid a strict attention to the last will of Moses, and that you have done every thing in your power that was consistent with his ordinances. I now give you full liberty to depart to your respective homes, and most sin|cerely wish you to enjoy the advantages you have received from our great success in war. Let no distance of place, no interposition of rivers, set limits to our friendship, or divide our affections; for, however seperated, we are all Hebrews still. It was from one and the same God that Abraham, and all our forefathers, received their being; and it is that God we are all to worship, according to the ordinances, and institutions left us by Moses. So long as we stand firm to our religion, we may be assured of the favour and protection of that God for our comfort: but should you deviate from your religious principles, and embrace ido|latry, depend upon it the God of your fathers will desert and forsake you.

* 2.2When Joshua had finished his speech, he took a solemn and distinct leave, first of the princes, and then of the people;* 2.3 and they immediately departed for their own country. The other tribes accompa|nied them a considerable way; and when they parted, the latter testified their affection by tears and lamentation.

* 2.4As soon as the disbanded tribes arrived on the other side the river Jordan, they erected an altar near the place where they and their brethren mira|culously passed over; not for any religious use, but as a memorial to succeeding generations, that, though they were parted by the river, they were of the same descent and religion, and held an equal right to the tabernacle at Shiloh, and to the worship of God performed there, as their brethren on the other side the river. The latter, either from being misinformed, or misapprehending the intent of this altar being erected, fell into a violent rage against them,* 2.5 as apostates from the true religion; and im|mediately took up arms in vindication of the worship and religion of their forefathers, and to avenge the cause of God upon the heads and chief authors of this defection. But, before they proceeded to these extremities, their rulers advised them to suspend the execution of their wrath till they had sent a deputation,* 2.6 in order to know their reason for build|ing such an altar. This being agreed to by the people, they made choice of Phineas, the son of Eleazar, with ten other persons of eminent distinc|tion, to go on the embassy. As soon as these com|missioners arrived on the other side the river Jor|dan,* 2.7 they convened an assembly of the people, when Phineas addressed them as follows:

* 2.8We are very sensible that the crime charged on you at present is of too heinous a nature to be pu|nished by words only; but we have not rashly taken up arms to execute vengeance in propor|tion to the degree of iniquity committed. We have considered that you are in alliance with us, and hope that, on serious reflection, and a proper admonition from us, you will be made sensible of you 〈…〉〈…〉 brought to a proper sense of your duty. We desire that you will frankly and ho|nestly inform us, upon what motives, and with 〈…〉〈…〉. If it was 〈…〉〈…〉 with the religion of Moses, we are not angry with you; but if you are gone over to a false worship, we must draw our swords in defence of that religion you have so sacrilegiously violated. We most sincerely hope the latter is not the case: for we cannot think it possible that a people so well acquainted with the laws of Gods, our friends and allies, from whom we have so lately parted, can be so insensible and ungrateful, as to abandon the holy tabernacle, the ark and the altar, and the worship of your forefathers, to join with our enemies, the Cana|anites, in the worship of false gods. Should this unfortunately be the case, we intreat you to re|pent, and return to that reverence you owe to the laws of God and your country, and you shall be again received: but if you obstinately persist in your error, we must compel you to obedience by force of arms. Do not imagine that, because you are seperated from us by a river, you are therefore out of the reach of God's power; for you are under his jurisdiction wherever you exist. If the temptations of the place in which you live are too powerful for you to withstand, remove to a distant country for depend on it, if you con|tinue here, and 〈…〉〈…〉 in your error, destruction will be the conseq••••nce. Take advice in time, relinquish your apostacy, and adore the true God, who will ever protect you, as he has hitherto done your forefathers. Consider well what is now said to you; and do not put us to the necessity of com|mencing a war that will be exceeding disagr••••a|ble to us, and infallibly destructive to you. You have still your choice left, either to continue friends, by returning to your duty, or otherwise to become enemies; in the latter of which cases no distinction will be made between apostate Israelites, and professed Canaanites.

When Phineas had finished his speech, one of the rulers of the assembly, in the name of the whole multitude, addressing himself to the deputies, re|turned the following answer:

The accusation you have laid against us is ill-founded.* 2.9 We have not made the least breach in the alliance so happily formed with our brethren on the other side Jordan; nor have we been guilty of any affection or novelty in erecting this al|tar. We know but one God, who is the God of all the Hebrews; and but one altar, which is the brazen altar before the tabernacle. With respect to the altar in question, it was never intended for any religious use, but only as a memorial to pos|terity of our mutual friendship and alliance; and rather to keep us steady in our antient religion, than to be any ways instrumental to the violation of it. God is our witness that this, and this only, was the occasion of the altar being erected; whence we intreat you to lay aside those suspicious you have entertained, and not impute to us what would render any part of the posterity of Abra|ham, who should be guilty of such conduct, de|serving of immediate death.

This answer gave great satisfaction to the depu|ties, who immediately returned to Joshua,* 2.10 and an assembly being called, related to them the particu|lars of all that had passed. Not only Joshua, but the princes of the tribes, and, in short, all the peo|ple, rejoiced at the result of this embassy;* 2.11 for which they offered sacrifices of thanksgiving to God. When this was done, Joshua dismissed the people, and retired to Shechem.

No particular occurrence took place from this period till the death of Joshua, which happened about twenty years after He was at this time far advanced in years, and finding his dissolution near at hand, he convened an assembly of the leaders of the tribes, the elders, magistrates,* 2.12 and as many of the common people as could be gathered together. When the whole appeared before him, he harangued them in a pertinent discourse on the great benefits and protection they had received from the hand of Providence. He pointed out to them in wh••t manner he had preserved them even in the midst of dangers:

and that he had not only relieved them in all their wants and distresses, but had raised them from the most abject to the most prosperous situation in life. For these great and distinguished benefits he strictly enjoined them to be always diligent and attentive to their religious duties; and, if they would wish to preserve the favour of their great benefactor, to live in the fear and love of him, and in the obser|vance of his commandments. He told them, that as this would, in all probability, be the last time he should have the opportunity of addressing himself to them, he hop•• what he had said would remain impressed on the•••• minds, and that in remembrance of him, and their great legislator Moses, they would conduct themselves in such a manner, as to obtain happiness in this world, and everlasting felicity in the next.

When Joshua had finished his address, he dismis|sed the assembly,* 2.13 a short time after which he paid the debt of nature. At the time of his death he was in the 11••th year of his age, 40 of which were spent under the direction of Moses, whom he succeeded in the administration, and in which office he con|tinued 26 years.

* 2.14He was a man who possessed great prudence, and had a manner of expressing his thoughts that gave pleasure to all who heard him. He was brave and indefatigable in war; and in times of peace he con|ducted himself in such a manner as to acquire the universal good-will and affection of the people. His remains were deposited at Thamna, a city be|longing to the tribe of Ephraim.

* 2.15About the same time that Joshua died, Eleazar, the high priest, also paid the debt of nature, and was succeeded in the priest-hood by his son Phi|neas. His remains were deposited in the city of Gabatha.

CHAP. II.

The government of the Israelites vested in the tribe of Judah. Their success against the Canaanites. Jeru|salem besieged. The people become disobedient. The Benjamites maltreat the wife of a Levite. A civil war between them and the other tribes. The Benjamites defeated, after which a peace is made, and they are restored to their former privileges.

AFTER the death of Joshua the people had a consultation with Phineas, relative to the far|ther prosecution of the war against the Canaanites; when it was resolved that it should be carried on with the greatest vigour, and that the chief com|mand and direction of it should be committed to the tribe of Judah, who should be assisted by the tribe of Simeon.* 2.16

The Canaanites were at this time exceeding strong, and receiving intimation of the intentions of the Israelites, they gathered together a great army un|der the command of Adonibezec, and encamped themselves near the city of Bezec. Their principal expectations of success were built on the loss of Joshua;* 2.17 but they soon found themselves deceived; for when the two tribes of Israelites attacked them, they fell on with such resolution, that the Canaanites immediately gave way, and upwards of 10,000 were killed on the spot. Great numbers took to flight, but being close pursued by the Israelites, few of them escaped. Adonibezec▪ their leader, was taken prisoner, and being brought before the leaders of the two tribes, they ordered his thumbs and great toes to be cut off, in like manner as he had done to no less than seventy little kings or princes; so that the similitude of punishment made the tyrant reflect on his own cruel disposition, and acknowledge the justice of God in what he had brought upon him.

The two united tribes, after the conquest of Be|zec, pursued their route farther into the country, plundered the respective towns through which they passed, and put the inhabitants to the sword. They at length laid siege to Jerusalem, and soon made themselves masters of the suburbs;* 2.18 but finding the city itself too strongly fortified both by nature and art, they gave up all thoughts of attempting to reduce it.

From Jerusalem the Israelites proceeded to He|bron, which they entered by assault, and after plun|dering the inhabitants, put them all to the sword. This place was given to the Levites,* 2.19 with a part of the land round it to the amount of 2000 cubits. The other part which belonged to it was given to Caleb, who was one of the spies employed by Moses to make discoveries in the land of Canaan. A di|vidend was also given to the posterity of Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, because they had left their native country, and bore a part with the Hebrews in the war.

After the reduction of Hebron the two tribes marched in search of farther conquests;* 2.20 and took many cities, both on the mountains and on the plains, near the sea. They had some thoughts of laying siege to the two cities of Gaza and Ascalon, but as they were strongly fortified, and the inhabi|tants had great numbers of chariots, they thought proper to relinquish the design.

Having now amassed considerable wealth by the conquests already made, the two enterprising tribes of Judah and Simeon resolved, for the present,* 2.21 to lay aside all farther prosecution of the war against the Canaanites. They therefore broke up their camps, and retired to their respective habitations.

The tribe of Benjamin, to whose lot the city of Jerusalem fell▪ compounded with the inhabitants,* 2.22 and suffered them to live in peace, in consideration of their paying an annual tribute for the indul|gence The like measures were also taken by se|veral of the other tribes.

While the united tribes of Judah and Simeon were at war with the Canaanites, the tribe of Ephra|im undertook the conquest of Bethel. They laid before the place a considerable time without being able to make an attack, from the great strength of the walls and the different fortifications. But at length, they affected by treachery, what they could not obtain by force. Meeting with a native of the town, who had been to get provisions for his family, they seized him, and made an agreement with him, that if he would contrive to let them secretly into the city, both he and all his relations should be se|cured from any danger.* 2.23 The man strictly fulfilled the engagement, and the Ephraimites entering the city put all the inhabitants to the sword, except the man and his family, whose lives they had promised to preserve.

The advantages obtained by the different tribes, from their great success against the Canaanites. threw them into a state of dissipation, and, instead of prosecuting the war, as they had been commanded, they indulged themselves in luxury. For this ne|glect they were chastised by the Almighty,* 2.24 who gave them to understand, that, for their disobedience, they should be persecuted by the very people they had been commanded to extirpate. They were, at first, greatly startled at this revelation; but they had become so depraved from the possessions they had already got, and even so elated at the annual tributes paid by the Canaanites, that they suffered the enjoyment of the luxuries of life to take the pre-eminence of their duty to their Maker. In short, the whole system of government was over|turned, and both civil and religious authority to|tally annihilated.* 2.25 During this course of dissipa|tion, a circumstance occurred of a very singular nature, and which occasioned the breaking out of a civil war; the particulars of which were as follows.

In the tribe of Ephraim was a certain Levite of mean extraction, who had married a woman of

the city of Bethlem, belonging to the tribe of Judah * 2.26.* 2.27 The woman was exceeding handsome, and her husband passionately fond of her; but, from some unknown cause, she slighted his affection, and, within four months after their marriage, left him, and returned to her parents. The husband no sooner missed his wife than he hasted to her father, by whom he was received with great tenderness; and the umb••age which the daughter had taken against her husband, was adjusted to the satisfaction of all parties. After staying five days, the man and his wife departed for their own home, attended by one servant, and taking with them an ass for the better convenience of the woman. When the servant advised them not to proceed any further till the next morning, as it would be dangerous tra|velling in the night through an enemy's country; and that, even among friends, those who travelled after day-light were considered as suspicious persons. The man refused to take this salutary advice from his servant, and prosecuting his journey, it was so late when they came to the city of Gibeah, be|longing to the tribe of Benjamin, that they could not obtain a lodging * 2.28, or find any place to get refreshment. While they were in this dilemma, they met with an ancient man belonging to the tribe of Ephraim, who asked them from whence they came, and what occasioned them to be out at so unseasonable an hour? The man replied, He was a Levite, that he belonged to the tribe of Ephraim, and that he was going home with his wife. As the old man belonged to the same tribe, and was na|turally of an hospitable disposition, he took them with him to his house, and gave them every re|freshment that laid in his power. It happened that in their way to the old man's house they had been observed by some young men belonging to the town, who, being captivated with the appearance of the woman, repaired to the house, knocked at the door, and demanded the woman to be delivered up to them. Both the old man and the husband expostulated with them on the impropriety of their conduct; but all the answer they received was,

Deliver up the woman, and no farther trouble shall ensue.

Finding that all remonstrances were ineffectual, the old man, as the last effort, offered to deliver up his own daughter instead of the stranger; but this was of no avail, for they threat|ened, that if he did not immediately deliver up the very woman they requested, death should be his portion. The old man, being impelled to give her up, they took her away to their own quarters, and after having, for the whole night, treated her with every degree of indecency, they dismissed her. The woman immediately returned to the old man's house,* 2.29 loaded with such confusion, between shame and indignation, that, when she saw her husband, she had not power to speak, but immediately fell on the ground, and died. The husband preserved great presence of mind on this alarming occasion. When his surprise had a little subsided, he placed the body of his dead wife on the ass, and, after thanking the old man for the civility with which he had treated him, he departed. As soon as he ar|rived at his own house, he divided the body into twelve parts,* 2.30 and sent one to each of the twelve tribes, with a proper relation, by the respective bear|ers, of every particular that had attended this cruel and unprecedented transaction.

When the several tribes had investigated the heinousness of this action among themselves, they were fired with indignation, and the principals of each tribe immediately assembled together at Shi|loh, with a determined resolution of laying siege to Gibeah. They would immediately have put their design into execution, but were restrained from their purpose by the interposition of one of the elders, who told them, that it would be very indiscreet to wage war with their allies, without first making a strict enquiry into the merits of the case. He therefore proposed that proper persons should be appointed to go to the principal people of Gibeah, and demand the criminals who had been guilty of such violence. If they readily delivered them up, they might punish them at discretion; but if they refused, he thought they had a right to do them|selves justice by force of arms.

This advice being cordially received by the peo|ple, the messengers appointed went to Gibeah,* 2.31 and demanded the persons who had committed so flagrant a violence on the Levite's wife. The in|habitants of Gibeah absolutely refused to give them up, saying, they did not think it honourable to be directed by other people; that they wanted nei|ther courage, skill, or numbers; and that they were determined to stand by each other in the cause of a common defence.

When the messengers returned with the answer,* 2.32 the Israelites were so enraged, that they all took an oath not to intermarry with any of the tribe of Benjamin; and it was resolved that a war should be carried on against them with the like vigour as had been done by their forefathers against the Canaan|ites. In consequence of this the Israelites took the field with an army of 400,000 men. The army of the Benjamites consisted only of 25,600, among whom was 500 slingers, particularly distinguished for their abilities as marksmen. The two armies met near Gibeah, when a dreadful encounter imme|diately took place: the Israelites were routed with the loss of 22,000 on the spot;* 2.33 and the slaughter would have been much more considerable, had not night parted them. The next morning each party resumed the action with equal violence, when the Israelites again proved unsuccessful; their loss, on the spot, amounting to at least 18,000 men. These two disasters so intimidated them, that they broke up their camp, and retired to Bethel, a city near Gibeah, where they spent the day in fasting and prayer, beseeching the Almighty that he would interpose in their behalf, and once more take them under his Divine protection.

Having received assurance by the mouth of Phi|neas * 2.34 that their prayers were heard, and that their future attempts would be attended with suc|cess, they determined to make another attempt on the city of Gibeah. They accordingly divided their army into two bodies, one half of which was planted in ambuscade, near the city, late in the evening; and early the next morning the other part marched to attack the army of the Benjamites. On the first charge the Israelites gave way, and re|treated a considerable distance, which step being considered by the Benjamites as a mark of timidity, not only the army, but the greater part of the in|habitants, closely followed them, not doubting but

they should have equal success as before. When the army of the Israelites had got that of the Ben|jamites at such a distance from the city as to be within reach of those in ambuscade, they made a sudden stop, and fell on the front of the Benjamites with great impetuosity, while the ambuscades, by a proper signal given, fell on those in the rear. The Benjamites were so surprised at this unexpected manoeuvre, that they were immediately thrown into confusion. A select body of 600, who were distinguished for their great courage and strength, broke their way through the enemy's troops, and escaped to a lofty mountain, while the rest fled with great precipitation to a deep valley, where, being closely surrounded by the Israelites, they all pe|rished, the whole number amounting to 25,000 men. After this the Israelites burnt the city, and put all the inhabitants to the sword. They likewise destroyed several other cities belonging the Benjamites, and particularly wreaked their vengeance on the inha|bitants of Jabes,* 2.35 a city of Gilead, for having re|fused to assist them against the Benjamites. They first burnt the city to the ground, and then put every creature to the sword, except four hundred virgins, whom they brought away with them. Such were the dreadful consequences that took place from the ridiculous obstinacy of the Benjamites, in not delivering up the people who had committed so flagrant a violation on the person of the Levite's wife.

When the Israelites began to reflect on the seve|verity with which they had treated the Benjamites, and that the whole tribe were, in a manner, cut off from the main body, they repented of what they had done, and heartily wished for a reconciliation. To effect this they sent commissioners to invite back the six hundred men that had fled to the mountains, where they found them on the rock call|ed Rhoa,* 2.36 or Rimmon. These commissioners, af|ter condoling with them on the misfortunes that had befel them, not only in the loss of their relati|ons and friends, but that of almost the whole tribe, advised them to return, and not suffer themselves to be totally extirpated by withdrawing from the fellowship. They likewise told them that all their lands, cattle, and every thing else that belonged to them, should be restored, and that they should be placed in the same situation as before the rupture broke out. The Benjamites confessed they had acted very wrong, and acknowledged the righteous judgment of God in what they had suffered. They thanked the commissioners for their advice, accept|ed the invitation, and immediately returned to their own tribe.

When the commissioners informed the Israelites of the issue of their embassy, they were greatly pleased; and, in order to restore the tribe of Benja|min,* 2.37 they sent the four hundred virgins, brought from the city of Jabes, as wives for that number out of the six hundred. They then deliberated in what manner to provide for the remaining two hundred, the Israelites having bound themselves by oath, before the war, not to intermarry with the tribe of Benjamin. It was the opinion of some that the oath might be rendered void, from its hav|ing been taken in the heat of passion; and that as it was to restore an almost lost tribe, it would not be displeasing to the Almighty. This proposition was entirely objected to by the elders, who would not, upon any consideration whatever, listen to a matter that had in it the least appearance of per|jury. At length one of the senators stated a pro|position in words to the following effect:

We have (says he) a public festival held three times a year in Shiloh, at which it is customary for our wives and daughters to be present.* 2.38 On this occasion let us permit the Benjamites to seize as many of the virgins as are wanted for the two hundred men. If the parents should appeal for justice, they must be told, it was their own faults in not taking more care of their daugh|ters; and that it would be indiscreet to force them from the Benjamites, as dissentions with those people had already produced the most dread|ful consequences.

This proposition was highly approved of by the people, in consequence of which the plan was com|municated to the Benjamites. Accordingly, on the morning of the festival, the two hundred men, who wanted wives, concealed themselves in the most private places near the city, and, as the unsuspect|ing virgins passed by, each seized his mate, and fled with her to his home. This, for some time occasion|ed great confusion; but when the elders told the parents the impropriety of attempting to regain their daughters by force, they were appeased.

The six hundred Benjamites, being thus provid|ed with wives, applied themselves diligently to their respective callings, and by their industry and prudence,* 2.39 from the most wretched and forlorn con|dition, the tribe soon became again considerable, both in number, wealth and power. Such was the conclusion of this war.

CHAP. III.

The Danites persecuted by the Canaanites The Israel|ites, being totally addicted to luxury and dissipation, incur the displeasure and provoke the just vengeance of the Almighty. Are reduced to slavery, and kept in a state of subjection by Chusarth, king of the As|syrians.

THE Israelites having for some time laid aside martial discipline, and instead thereof, directed their attention only to husbandry, and other do|mestic occupations, the Canaanites took advantage of it, and entered into a conspiracy against them. They accordingly raised a considerable army, built a great number of chariots, and trained up all the young people to martial discipline. They were farther animated to prosecute their inten|tions, by having brought over to them Ascalon and Accaron, from the tribe of Judah, as also the inhabitants of several cities in the plains.

The first attack they made was on the tribe of Dan, whom they forced to leave their possessions,* 2.40 and retire into the mountainous parts of the coun|try. The Danites were so circumstanced that they could not think of revenging themselves by war, and, in their then situation, there was not a suffici|ency of land for them to subsist on in a state of peace. They therefore sent five people into the in|land part of the country, in order to find out a proper spot where they might six their residence. After travelling one day, these commissioners ar|rived at the wide and open country about Sidon, not far from mount Libanus * 2.41, and the springs

of the Lesser Jordan. Finding it a rich, fruitful soil, and in every respect formed for the intended purpose, they returned, and gave a particular de|scription of it to their countrymen. In conse|quence of this the whole tribe marched to the spot, and,* 2.42 being perfectly satisfied with it, they built a city, and called it Dan, from one of the sons of Jacob of that name, and from whom the whole tribe received their appellation.

The Israelites were at this time in a very deprav|ed state. They had given a loose to all the vices of the Canaanites;* 2.43 had neglected every religious duty, and pursued a life of debauchery and dissi|pation. This conduct greatly displeased the Al|mighty, who, as a punishment, took from them, for a time, his Divine protection, and left them exposed to the power of their enemies.

The first stroke they received was from Chusarth, king of the Assyrians, who marched against them with a considerable army. This monarch was so powerful that he drove all before him. Great numbers of the Israelites fell by the sword; and many of their towns and cities were seized by the conqueror. The captured Israelites were now sub|ject to a most tyrannical monarch, who oppressed them by heavy taxes, and treated them with the most contemptible indignities.

CHAP. IV.

The Israelites are delivered from their subjection to the Assyrians by Othniel, the son of Kenaz.

IN this deplorable situation did the Israelites re|main for eight years when they were delivered out of the hands of their oppressors in the follow|ing manner.* 2.44 A person, named Othniel, the son of Kenaz, of the tribe of Judah, a man of great cou|rage and discernment, having received a secret im|pulse from heaven to interpose in behalf of the wretched Israelites, he communicated the matter to some of his particular friends,* 2.45 whom he knew to be men of courage and integrity, and who were greatly dissatisfied with the state of public affairs. After considering what measures were most proper to take,* 2.46 it was at length resolved to make a sudden attack on the king's guards, and to put every man to the sword. This scheme being attended with success, it brought over great numbers to the in|terest of Othniel, who, in a short time, marched at the head of them to give the Assyrians battle. The encounter was at first doubtful,* 2.47 but the Israel|ites soon became conquerors: great numbers of the Assyrians were slain, and the rest saved them|selves by passing the Euphrates. Thus, at the in|stigation of the brave and intrepid Othniel, were the Israelites again restored to their liberty; in ac|knowledgment for which they presented him with the government; and in this situation he conti|nued during the remainder of his life, which was a course of forty years.

CHAP. V.

The Israelites are subject to the Moabites during the term of eighteen years, and then delivered by one Ehud, who retained the government eighty years.

ON the death of Othniel, the Israelites, being without a leader returned again to a dissolute way of living, neither paying respect to the laws of their country or their duty to God. This conse|quently produced confusion in their public affairs, which being taken notice of by Eglon king of the Moabite••,* 2.48 he marched against them with a consider|••••le army. Several battles took place, in all which th•• Israelites were worsted; and their army being at length totally subdued, they became tributary to, their conqueror, who erected a palace at Jericho, and kept them in the most abject state upwards o•• eighteen years.

At the expiration of this time the Israelites were rescued from the hands of their oppressors by the following singular occurrences. In Jericho lived a young man named Ehud, the son of Geron of the tribe of Benjamin. He was of an enterprizing dis|position, remarkably handsome in his person, and had great bodily strength.* 2.49 He had not only ingra|tiated himself into the favour of the king, by mak|ing him repeated presents, but had also many friends at court; so that he had free access at dis|cretion and this gave him the opportunity of exe|cuting the project he had laid for relieving the dis|tressed Israelites. Being one day to make a present to the king, he went in his usual dress, attended by two servants, taking with him a dagger, which he secreted on his right side, having the greatest strength in his left arm. On his arrival at the pa|lace, he was admitted, as usual, to the presence of the king; and after complimenting him with the present told him he had a matter to relate to him, that demanded privacy. On this the king ordered his attendants to withdraw, and seating himself on his throne, waited for the expected intelligence. Ehud told him he had a dream to impart to him by command of the Almighty, at the sound of which the king, impatient to hear, suddenly arose from his seat, when Ehud drew the dagger from his side, and plunged it into his heart. In this situation he left the king, immediately quitted the palace, and hastened with all expedition to Jerusalem.* 2.50 The attendants of the palace supposing the king to have composed himself to sleep, did not presume to enter the room for a considerable time after the departure of Ehud, till at length, fearing something parti|cular was the occasion of not seeing or hearing him, they ventured to open the door of his apartment, where they found him laying in his gore In the mean time Ehud having related to his countrymen what had happened, and advised them to take ad|vantage of it, they immediately dispatched proper persons to different parts of the country with horns (as was the custom on such occasions) to call toge|ther the people. They accordingly assembled in great bodies and proceeding with the greatest ex|pedition to the palace, fell on the guards, all of whom they killed on the spot: the rest of the army, amounting to about 10,000 men, made for the river towards the country of Moab; but the Israelites, having previously secured all the passes, intercept|ed their flight and the whole body were cut to pieces. Thus was the Israelites extricated out of the hands of the Moabites;* 2.51 and as Ehud was the principal in|stigator of their deliverance, they bestowed on him the government, which he enjoyed upwards of eighty years. He was a person of the most distin|guished merit, and conducted himself in such a man|ner, as to deserve what was universally bestowed on him, namely, the good-will and affection of the people he governed. He was succeeded by Sham|gar, the son of Anath, who died in the first year of his government.

CHAP. VI.

The Israelites are enslaved under different 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Canaanites, and at length delivered by 〈…〉〈…〉 De|borah.

THE Israelites not in the least amending their lives,* 2.52 or taking warning from the calamities they had experienced, but still continuing not to worship God, or obey his laws, were again brought to subjection by another monarch, namely, Jabin, king of the Canaanites. This prince, originally came from the city of Azor, situated near the lake Samachonitis. He kept an army consisting of 3••••,••••0 foot, 10,0•••• horse, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chariots, the grand command of which was given to ••isera, who was next in dignity to the king. This general soon

[figure]

Engrav•••• for the AMERICAN EDITION of MAYNARDS Josephus

GIDEON's SACRIFICE consumed by ••ire on being touched by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Angel 〈…〉〈…〉

reduced the Israelites, brought them to subjection, and made them pay tribute to his master.

In this state of servitude did the Israelites conti|nue for twenty years, when they began to reflect that their miseries were certainly inflicted on them by God, as a just punishment for their contempt of the laws of their forefathers. In this state of contri|tion they went to a famous prophetess * 2.53,* 2.54 named Deborah, (which, in the Hebrew tongue, signifies a bee), and implored her to intercede in their behalf, that God would be pleased to forgive them their past faults, and rescue them out of the hands of their cruel persecutors. Deborah complied with their request; and the Almighty being pleased to promise them a deliverance, he made choice of Barak of the tribe of Naphtali, to effect it. Ac|cordingly Deborah sent for Barak, (which, in the Hebrew language,* 2.55 signifies lightning), and ordered him immediately to raise an army of 10,000 men, and march with all expedition against the Canaan|ites. Barak, at first, objected to take the command of so small a number against so large a body as that of the enemy; but Deborah informed him, that God had said the number was sufficient. Notwith|standing this, he still refused the command, unless she would go with him and take a part; at which Deborah replied with indignation,

Would you give to a woman part of that honour, which God hath assigned for thee alone? However, I will not refuse it.

They accordingly drew out their army,* 2.56 and pitched their tents on Mount Tabor; while Sisera, general of the Canaanites, by the king's orders, marched to give them battle. When the two armies came within sight of each other, the Israelites were struck with horror at the great mul|titude of the enemy, and were inclined to make a precipitate retreat: but Deborah prevailed on them to stand a battle,* 2.57 assuring them it was the cause of God, and that he would assist them in conquer|ing their enemies. The truth of this was soon manifested to the Israelites; for no sooner were the two armies engaged, than there fell a most dread|ful shower of rain and hail, attended with a violent wind, which blowing full in the faces of the Ca|naanites, obliged them to shut their eyes, so that their bows and slings were rendered entirely useless: besides which their nerves were so contracted by the cold, that they were not able to handle their arms. The Israelites seeing the disadvantages under which the Canaanites laboured, fell on them with great impetuosity; and their whole army was bro|ken, dispersed, and cut to pieces. Great numbers tell by the sword; many were trampled to death by the horses; and the few that attempted to save themselves by flight, were made prisoners; so that this prodigious army was,* 2.58 in effect, totally destroy|ed. When Sisera, the Canaanitish general, saw the destruction of his army, he leapt from his chariot, and fled to the house of one Jael, a Kenite * 2.59, who received him with apparent hospitality. Being greatly fatigued, he asked her for some refreshment, which, having received, he laid himself on the ground,* 2.60 and soon fell fast asleep. While he was in this situation, Jael took a large iron nail, and sud|denly driving it through his temple fastened him to the floor, just at the time the Israelites arrived at her house in search of him. This fully com|pleted the victory; after which Barak marched with his army to Azor, and laying siege to the place,* 2.61 slew the greater part of the inhabitants, toge|ther with Jabin, their king; and, in order totally to extirpate them, he burnt the city to the ground. After this victory, Barak kept possession of the government during the space of forty years.

CHAP. VII.

The Israelites are conquered by the Midianites, in con|junction with the Amalekites and Arabians, and held in vassalage.

ON the death of Barak,* 2.62 which happened about the same time with that of Deborah, the Mi|dianites, Amalekites, and Arabians, entered into an alliance against the Israelites, and so powerful were their arms, that they conquered wherever they went destroying the fruits of the ground, and carrying with them every thing that was valuable. They continued these hostilities with such violence, that the wretched Israelites were obliged to fly to the mountains for refuge, where they dug caverns, in which they hid themselves, and the little property they could save, from their merciless enemies. They remained in this state seven years, during which time their enemies permitted them to cul|tivate their land in the winter; but it was only to serve their own purposes, for they made themselves masters of the greater part of the produce when it was fit for removal. The small quantity, therefore,* 2.63 the Israelites could obtain for themselves, was scarce sufficient to enable them to preserve their existence; besides which they were in the most extreme distress, so that finding themselves likely to perish from want, they made their supplications to God, in the most fervent manner, desiring him that he would be pleased to deliver them from the wretched state into which they had fal••••••.

CHAP. VIII.

Gideon musters the tribes to advance against the Mi|dianites. Receives an omen of success. Chuses a select few for the expedition. Obtains a complete victory. Rules the people with integrity and justice, for forty years.

WHILE they were in this deplorable situation, as one Gideon, the son of Joas, a leading man of the tribe of Manasseth, was thrashing a little corn at a wine press, not daring to do it on the floor, for fear of being discovered by the enemy, an angel appeared to him in the likeness of a young man, who told him,

He was a happy man and beloved of God.

To which Gideon answered,

It is no great sign of favour, since I am obliged to use my wine-press instead of a threshing floor.

The angel bade him be of good courage, and direct his attention to arms, whereby himself and his country|men might be restored to their liberty.

Alas!* 2.64 (says Gideon) it is impossible for me to under|take so great a thing: we have not a sufficiency of men in our tribe to make such an attempt; neither am I a proper person to conduct so important a design.

The angel answered, that all his defi|ciences would be supplied by the Almighty;* 2.65 and that if he would but take upon him the command of a body of men the Israelites should obtain a com|plete victory over their enemies.

Gideon requested of the angel that he would not depart till he had prepared a sacrifice on the occasion; which being complied with, he made ready a kid, with unleavened cakes, and having brought them before the angel,* 2.66 he ordered Gideon to lay them on a rock. This was immediately complied with, when the angel touching it with a staff, fire issued out of the rock, and the whole was consumed; after which the angel disappeared.

When Gideon had a little recovered himself from the surprize into which he was thrown from this sin|gular occurrence, he related the particulars to some of the most considerable of the Israelites, who had such faith in the revelation, that they immediately raised an army of 10,000 men,* 2.67 fully resolved to ha|zard a battle with the tyrannical Midianites. But, before they took the field, the Divine agent again appeared to Gideon, and spoke to him to this effect:

It is too common for mankind to claim that me|rit to themselves which belongs to God alone; and such is the disposition of the people you have gathered together and are about to lead against the Midianites:* 2.68 but to shew you that victory is influenced from above, and not to be obtained by the strength of man without Divine assistance, take your army to the river Jordan in the heat of the day, and observe the manner in which the soldiers drink the water. Those who take it up with their hands, and lap it, you may depend on be|ing men of courage; but such as lie down and drink at leisure, are not to be trusted.

Gideon obeyed the Divine command and found only three hundred men that lapped the water from their hands which he immediately detached from the rest. With this small number God commanded him to march against the enemy, and to attack them in the night. He accordingly advanced to the head of his chosen men, and encamped near the river Jordan, resolving to pass it the following day. But Gideon was still doubtful of success, and the more so from being com|manded to attack the enemy in the night. However, these fears were removed by the interposition of the Almighty, who, the preceding evening, told Gi|deon to take with him one of his soldiers, and go privately to the camp of the Midianites, from whom he should hear something that would animate and give him courage. In obedience to this injunction he went, taking with him a servant, named Phuran. They arrived at the camp unperceived, and ap|proaching one of the tents, heard a soldier relating the following dream to his comrades: "Me thought (said he) I say a barley loaf (the coarsest of all grains,* 2.69 and not fit for man to eat) come rol|ling into the camp, and having passed through the king's tent, and thrown it down, it afterwards en|tered all the other tents, and did the like." This dream was interpreted by one of the soldier's com|rades who said it denoted the total destruction of the army. "The barley (says he) is, as you say, the coarsest of grains; and the Israelites are the vilest and most abject of all the people in Asia. Gideon is now at the head of an army against us; and, I am afraid the barley loaf overthrowing our tents im|plies, that we shall be totally destroyed by the Israelites.

When Gideon had heard this dream, and its in|terpretation,* 2.70 he was inspired with new courage, and immediately returning to his people, and acquaint|ing them with it, he ordered them to prepare them|selves, with all expedition, to march against the enemy. Accordingly, about the fourth watch * 2.71, Gideon drew out his men,* 2.72 and divided them into three companies, of an hundred each. Every man had a burning torch secreted in a long pitcher, and in his right hand, a ram's horn, by way of trumpet. The enemies camp took up a large space of ground, having in it a great number of camels; and the people were more dispersed than usual on account of their belonging to different nations. The Israelites had received instructions, that as soon as they came near the camp of the Midianites, on a signal given, they should break their pitchers, display their torches, sound their horns, and immediately begin the attack. These orders they strictly obeyed, when the Midianites were immediately thrown into the utmost consternation. A great slaughter ensued: but more were destroyed by the hands of their own people, than by the Israelites for it being dark, and they of different nations, they could not un|derstand each other, so that every man took the person next him for an enemy. In short the whole was one scene of confusion,* 2.73 of which the Israelites took proper advantages. A great number of the Midianites were slain on the spot; and the remainder for the present saved themselves by slight. The troops which Gideon had left behind, hearing of his success, immediately marched to all the difficult passes, in order to cut off the retreat of the enemy. They came up with a great body of them in a flat part of the country, when immediately surrounding them, they put every man to the sword, and, among them, two of their kings, named Oreb and Zeb.* 2.74 In the mean time Gideon marched with his three hun|dred men against the remainder of the enemy, amounting to about 10,000, who had fixed them|selves on a spot at a considerable distance, under the command of their proper officers. When Gideon came near them he was joined by the rest of his troops, and a general engagement ensued, in which the whole army of the Midianites were cut to pieces, and two of their princes,* 2.75 named Zebin and Hezar|bon, taken prisoners. The number of the enemy killed in these encounters amounted to 12••,000. Thus did the Israelites gain a complete victory over their enemies; besides which, they greatly enrich|ed themselves with plunder, consisting of gold, sil|ver, rich stuffs, camels, asses, &c.

Gideon, having executed the business on which he was sent by destroying the Midianites,* 2.76 returned to Ephraim, where he put to death the two captive kings. The tribe to which he belonged through envy of his great success, and glorious atchieve|ments appeared displeased with him for engaging in a public act of hostility without their approbation; and their anger arose to such a pitch, that they were just on the point of making war with him.* 2.77 But this was prevented by the prudence of Gideon, who told them it was not his war but God's, by whom he was commanded to act as he had done, and that therefore he did not claim any merit to himself.

This answer perfectly satisfied the people, and they joined with the rest in desiring Gideon, as he had redeemed his countrymen from slavery, that he would accept the government. Gideon, at first, begged to be excused; but finding the people de|termined, he at length complied,* 2.78 and ruled them forty years, during the whole of which time his conduct was such as merited universal appprobation. He lived to a very great age; and, when he died, his remains were deposited at Ophrah, the place of his nativity.

CHAP. IX.

Abimelech obtains the government wickedly, and rules tyrannically, and is at length slain in an extraordi|nary manner. The Israelites apos••atizing again, are oppressed and enslaved by the Philistines and the Am|monites. Jephtha vested with the government of Israel. Makes a p••••uliar vow. Defeats ••he Ammonites. Sup|presses an insurrection among the Ephraimites. His death.

GIDEON, at the time of his death, had no less than seventy sons, all born in wedlock,* 2.79 be|sides one by Druma, his concubine, named Abi|melech. This last, immediately after his father's decease, made use of the most horrid means to ob|tain the government. He went to the relations of his mother at Shechem▪ and told them that, as his father was dead, it would certainly be better for the people to be governed by one person than seventy,

meaning his legitimate brothers. This was approv|ed of by his relations, who furnishing him with a considerable sum of money, he returned to his fa|ther's house, bringing with him a set of men, whom he knew to be infamous in disposition, and willing to engage in any enterprize, however inconsistent with laws, either human or divine.

* 2.80The first step Abimelech took, after returning to his father's house, was, to murder all his bro|thers, except Jotham, who happily saved himself by flight; and, notwithstanding the cruelty of the action, it answered the wishes of Abimelech, no one objecting to his taking upon himself the go|vernment. The people, however, had soon reason to wish they had not been so pliant, for he ruled them with such tyranny, that they were little better situated than when in the hands of their enemies. He followed no other law than that of his own will, and even professed himself an enemy to com|mon justice.

Some time after Abimelech had thus usurped the government, a day of solemnity was kept at She|chem, on which occasion a prodigious concourse of people were assembled. Before the festival be|gan, Jotham, the brother of Abimelech, who had till now concealed himself, appeared on the top of Gerizim, which overlooks Shechem, and calling aloud to the people, he addressed them in words to the following effect:

* 2.81There was a time, says he, when the trees * 2.82 had meetings together in order to regulate the government of the vegetable part of the crea|tion, and to appoint one to rule the whole. In a council held on this occasion, the major part of the plants were for having the fig-tree to govern; but the fig-tree declined the honour, being suffi|ciently satisfied with the esteem bore for its fruit. On this the trees applied to the olive and the vine, both of which likewise refused, for the same reason as had been given by the fig-tree. At length they applied to the bramble, who said, If you are in earnest, I'll willingly take upon me the government; but remember, you must rest quietly under my shadow. If you prove refractory, there shall come a fire out of me that shall destroy you. This, said Jotham, is not a tale to divert you, but to make you re|flect on your absurd conduct, in violating your sacred obligations to Gideon, by suffering Abi|melech, the murderer of the children of your de|liverer, to usurp and tyrannize over you. This Abimelech is the very fire I have told you in the fable * 2.83.

After Jotham had thus delivered himself to the people, he retired, and fled to the mountains, where he concealed himself till the death of his cruel brother Abimelech.

* 2.84The speech made by Jotham opened the eyes of the Shechemites, who not only dethroned Abime|lech, but forced him out of the city; upon which Abimelech, and those who accompanied him, vow|ed revenge on the inhabitants.

It happened at this time to be the season for ga|thering in the grapes; but the people had such ter|rible apprehensions of the cruelty of Abimelech, that they durst not go into the fields to reap their vintage. In this distressed situation they applied to one Gaal, (a prince of the country, who had lately come to Shechem with a band of armed men),* 2.85 to protect them, who readily complying with their reques••, they strengthened his force by adding to them a troop of their own soldiers. Thus secured, they reaped their fruits, and carried them home in safety; and when elated with liquor,* 2.86 they took the freedom of aspersing the characters of Abimelech and his relations. They placed abuscades in dif|ferent parts round the city, and taking many of the guards belonging to Abimelech, put them all to the sword.

While matters were in this situation, one Zebul, a principal man among the Shechemites, and a great friend to Abimelech, sent him the particulars of Gaal's conduct, and the disposition of the peo|ple. He advised Abimelech to plant soldiers in ambush near the city; and told him, that he would persuade Gaal, to come out and engage him, whereby he would have the opportunity of getting his enemy into his own power; and that he did not doubt but he should soon be able to reinstate him in his regal dignity.

In consequence of this information, Abimelech, after the day was closed, placed a number of men in different parts at some distance from the city. Gaal and Zebul were parading the suburbs during the night as usual; but when the morning opened, and Gaal saw men in armour approaching, he called aloud to Zebul, telling him, that an army in battle array was marching towards the city.* 2.87 Zebul said he was mistaken, for that what he saw was nothing more than the shadow of the moun|tains. But Gaal, on their nearer approach, insist|ed they were no shadows, but a real company of armed men. To which Zebul answered,

Didst thou not say that Abimelech was a slothful and cowardly prince? Now shew thyself what a man thou art in engaging with him.

Gaal accord|ingly marched against the enemy, and received the first shock; but finding himself too weak, and having lost several of his men, he retreated, and fled into the city.

Zebul took advantage of this,* 2.88 by prejudicing the minds of the people against Gaal, whom he re|presented as a coward; and, in consequence of Ze|bul's influence, Gaal was expelled the city.

In the mean time Abimelech, being informed by Zebul, that the citizens intended to prosecute the gathering of the vintage, placed several ambuscades near the city in order to surprise them. Accord|ingly, on their first coming out, he detached a third part of his army to take possession of the gates of the city, and by that means to cut off the retreat of those who had left it. When the ambus|caders thought it a proper time they made their ap|pearance, which so terrified the defenceless Sheche|mites, that they attempted to save themselves by flight, but being closely pursued, the greater part fell by the sword. In the mean time the rest of Abimelech's army laid siege to the city, which they took on the first assault, the inhabitants immedi|ately consulting their own safety by flight, though, in the attempt, many were slain. After Abimelech had thus routed the Shechemites,* 2.89 and made him|self master of the city, he ordered it to be levelled with the ground; and, as the last insult of triumph, had salt * 2.90 sown on those parts where the walls had stood.

The wretched Shechemites, who had escaped the rage of Abimelech by flight, gathered themselves into a body, and finding a place on a rock which was rendered strong by nature, they formed the resolu|tion of fixing themselves on this spot,* 2.91 as a place of refuge; and, to increase its natural strength, they fortified it in the best manner they could. Intima|tion of this being given to Abimelech, he marched against them with his army, and getting within the wall, he ordered his men to raise a pile of wood and faggots round the buildings, which was no sooner done, than fire was immediately set to it, and every soul perished in the flames. Such was the fate of the wretched Shechemites, who suffered unlament|ed, for their ungrateful treatment of the posterity of Gideon. It was a lesson to the Israelites to be|ware of falling into the same hands, left they should share the same fate.

* 2.92Abimelech, not yet satiated with revenge, marched with his army against Thebes, and took the outer town by assault. The garrison retreated into a strong castle; and Abimelech, pushing the attack up to the very gates, resolved either to take the city, or destroy it by fire. But his cruel intentions were happily frustrated by means of a woman, who, while he was standing near the wall giving directi|ons to his men, threw down a large piece of a mill|stone * 2.93,* 2.94 which falling on Abimelech's head, struck him to the ground. When he came a little to him|self, and found the wound was mortal, he called for his armour-bearer, whom he desired immediately to dispatch him, that it might not be said he fell by the hands of a woman. The officer performed his com|mands;* 2.95 and thus was Abimelech punished for his cruelty to his brethren, and his inhumanity to the Shechemites. When the soldiers found their leader was no more they dispersed, every man retiring to his own habitation.

After the death of Abimelech, and the re-esta|blishment of the Shechemites, one Tolah, the son of Puah, an eminent man of the tribe of Issachar, was appointed leader of the people, in which office he continued for twenty-three years. He dwelt, during the whole time of his government, on mount Ephraim, near the centre of the country, that the people might, with the greater convenience, resort to him for judgment * 2.96.

* 2.97On the death of Tolah the government fell into the hands of one Jair, a Gileadite, of the tribe of Manasseh. He was a man not only happy in his worldly acquisitions, but also in his family. He had no less than thirty sons, all of whom were men of courage, and with their father, universally esteemed by the people. Jair held the government twenty-two years, when he died at an advanced age, and was buried at Camon, a city of Gilead.

During the life of Jair, the Israelites payed a proper attention both to the civil and ecclesiastical laws of their country;* 2.98 but after his death they de|generated in their manners, giving themselves up to every kind of vice, and disregarding every re|ligious duty.

The Ammonites and Philistines, understanding the manner in which the Israelites lived, determined to take advantage of their negligence. They accord|ingly raised a powerful army, with which they marched into their country, laying every thing waste wherever they came; and, not satisfied with this, they resolved to prosecute their ravages, till they should make a thorough conquest of the coun|tries on both sides the river Jordan.* 2.99

The Israelites began now to reflect on their past conduct, and to consider that the distressed situa|tion in which they were again involved, arose from their disobedience to the laws of their great legis|lator Moses. They therefore offered up prayers and sacrifices to God, beseeching him to interpose in their behalf and to remove from them their pre|sent troubles. Their prayers were not offered in vain, the Almighty being pleased to promise them his Divine assistance.

The Ammonites having entered the country of Gilead with a large army, the inhabitants took up arms in order to oppose them; but they were at a loss how to act for want of a leader. At length they bethought themselves of one Jephtha, a man of sin|gular courage and conduct,* 2.100 who resided at a place called Tob, and maintained an army under him at his own expence. To this person the Gileadites sent messengers, with a promise, that if he should assist them against the Ammonites, they would confer the government on him during his life. Jephtha, at first, refused to comply with their request; but the Gileadites continuing to press him with repeated importunities, he at length complied;* 2.101 but not be|fore he had made them take oaths of fidelity to him as their general:

This matter being adjusted, Jephtha joined his army with that of the Gileadites, and, after giving some necessary orders,* 2.102 marched with the whole body to Mispeh. From hence he sent ambassadors to the king of the Ammonites, to demand the reason of his invading the country of the Gileadites. His an|swer was, that the land was his; that the Israelites, in their passage from Egypt, had taken it from his ancestors, and that he was now determined to reco|ver it. In consequence of this Jephtha sent other am|bassadors to tell the king of Ammon, that, if either conquest or prescription conferred a title, they had a just right to the country they possessed, since they took it not from them, but the Ammonites; that they had quietly enjoyed it upwards of three hun|dred years; and that they were determined to op|pose any monarch, however powerful, that should attempt to infringe on their property.

This peremptory declaration put an end to their treaty; and immediate preparations were made on both sides to determine the contest by the sword. But before Jephtha took the field, he prayed to God, in the most fervent manner, to grant him suc|cess; and made a solemn vow, that,* 2.103 if he proved victorious, he would offer up to him, in sacrifice, the first living creature he should meet on his re|turn to his family.

With this resolution Jephtha attacked the enemy, and, in a short time, obtained a complete victory; great numbers being slain and the rest put to flight. He pursued and killed the fugitives as far as the city of Maniah;* 2.104 from whence he proceeded the country of Ammon, where he destroyed many cities, and divided the spoil among his army. Thus did Jephtha totally subdue his enemies, and redeem the Israelites from a state of slavery, under which they had laboured upwards of eighteen years.

The war being over, Jephtha returned to his fa|mily, when, lo! instead of receiving that satisfac|tion he expected after so long an absence, a circum|stance occured that pierced him to the heart: On approaching his house the first object that presented itself, was his only daughter, who was flying with eager joy to receive and bid him welcome. When Jephtha saw his daughter, his soul almost sunk with|in him, and, for some time, he was unable to speak. Having a little recovered himself, he looked at her with tears trickling from his cheeks; and, after blaming her for her officiousness in coming to meet him, told her the vow he had made, by which he had obliged himself to offer her to God as a sacri|fice. The innocent devotee did not appear the least alarmed at this melancholy intelligence; but, with

great coolness, replied that, if the loss of her life would secure his honour, and the liberty of her country, she would willingly part with it. She only requested he would indulge her with two months, that she might have an opportunity of taking a pro|per farewell of all her acquaintance; and that, af|ter that time was expired he might fulfil his vow. Her father granted her request; and, at the expira|tion of the two months,* 2.105 she was made a sacrifice, which was the consequence of the rash vow made by Jephtha, the fulfilment of which was neither con|formable either to law or justice.

The success of Jephtha against the Ammonites gave great umbrage to the Ephraimites, who told him he had engaged in the late expedition, without consulting them from ambitious motives, and that he might reserve not only the booty, but the glory of the action to himself.* 2.106 Jephtha told them, they were not insensible of the oppression under which their allies laboured; and that they had been ap|plied to for their assistance, but refused to give it. That they had acted with great injustice, and that if they did not content themselves and be quiet, he would compel them to it by force.

Jephtha finding the Ephraimites paid no attention to his remonstrance, but, on the contrary, had raised an army to oppose him, he immediately marched against them, when a dreadful battle ensued, in which the Ephraimites were totally defeated, and 20,••00 were killed on the spot.

* 2.107Having thus reduced the refractory Ephraimites, Jephtha returned to Teb, where be died, and was buried at Sebeth, in Gilead, the place of his nati|vity.

After the death of Jephtha, the government was vested in the hands of Absan, a citizen of Bethle|hem, and of the tribe of Judah. He ruled only se|ven years, when he died at an advanced age, and was buried at Bethlehem.

Absan was succeeded by Elon, of the tribe of Zebulon, who governed ten years, during which time nothing material occurred.

Elon was succeeded by Abdon, the son of Heliel, of the tribe of Ephraim. He was universally be|loved by the people, and died at a very advanced age, l••••ving behind him a numerous progeny. He was b••••••••ed with great funeral pomp in the city of P••••rat••••on, the place of his nativity.

CHAP. X.

T•••• birth, life, exploits and death of Samson.

AFTER the death of Abdon, the Israelites, not ha••ing a proper leader, were greatly persecu|ted by the Philistines who subdued them in most parts o•• the country, and kept them in a very ser|vile st••••e upwards of forty years, when they were happily relieved by the following means.

There was a certain man, named Manoah, of the family of the Danites, who, without exception, was esteemed the best and principal person of his tribe. He had a most beautiful woman to his wife, and was exceeding fond of her; but his happiness was greatly curtailed by her not bearing children. In conse|quence of his uneasiness on this account, he fre|quently walked with his wife to a retired spot near the suburbs of the city, when he offered up supplica|tions to God, that he would grant him a lawful heir to succeed him. On one of the days Manoah went on this errand, he left his wife for a short time alone, when an angel appeared to her in the likeness of a tall,* 2.108 handsome man, telling her, "He brought her glad tidings: for that by the favour of God, she should bring forth a son, who should prove re|markable for his strength, and humble the pride of the Philistines; charging her not to cut his hair, nor suffer him to taste any drink stronger than water; for so God had enjoined." After saying this, the angel disappeared.

When Manoah returned to his wife, she related to him the particulars of all that had passed,* 2.109 and de|scribed the person of the messenger with such an ap|parent secret satisfaction, that Manoah was touched with jealousy, and intimated his suspicions, that an illegal intercourse had taken place between them. The woman, seeing the uneasiness of her husband, and desirous of removing his suspicions, fell on her knees and earnestly prayed to God, "That he would again vouchsafe to send his angel, that her husband might also behold him." Her prayers were heard and granted; the angel appeared a second time to her alone; whereupon she prevailed on him to stay till she should fetch her husband.* 2.110 When Manoah came, he asked the angel to repeat what he had be|fore said to his wife in private. The angel replied, "It was sufficient that his wife had been made ac|quainted with the things he had told her." Ma|noah then asked the angel to tell him who he was, that he and his wife might make some return for the news he had brought them when the child should be born. The angel replied, "He did not stand in need of any reward, nor was it from any lucra|tive motive he had brought him the intelligence." Manoah then entreated the angel to stay and take some refreshment, which he at first refused, but at length agreed to. Manoah then slew a kid, and or|dered his wife to dress it with all expedition. When it was ready, the angel, told the woman to put the flesh, together with the bread, on a rock. This be|ing done, the angel touched the meat with a rod he had in his hand, when immediately a flame of fire burst from the rock,* 2.111 and consumed both meat and bread; and the angel in the sight of Manoah and his wife, ascended in the smoak.

When Manoah beheld this, he was struck with fear, thinking it portended some great evil to come: but his wife endeavoured to remove his apprehen|sions, by saying, "If God had been displeased with them, he would neither have accepted their sacri|fice, nor imparted to them the knowledge of such good tidings."

A short time after this the woman became preg|nant; and when the child was born, it proved to be a son, whom they named Samson,* 2.112 which signifies robust, or strong. The woman strictly observed the orders she had received from the angel; and as the child grew up he discovered the most manifest signs of his becoming what had been foretold previous to his birth.

When Samson was arrived to the age of maturity, he fell in love with the daughter of a Philistine, who lived at Timnath; and though his parents did not approve of the match, because she was sprung from an idolatrous family, yet such was their af|fection for their son, that they indulged his passion, and went with him to Timnath to treat about the marriage. As they were on their journey, and Sam|son was str••ggling a small distance from the com|pany, all on a sudden he discovered a young lion running towards him with open mouth.* 2.113 Samson was not in the least intimidated at this sight: and, when the lion approached, he seized him by the throat, and strangled him with as much ease as if he had been a kid; after which he threw the body into a thicket. A short time after, as he was travelling on the very same road, he went out of his way to look at the carcase of the lion; when, to his great surprize,* 2.114 he found a swarm of bees working in the breast of the beast. He took out three of the honey combs, which he presented to his bride; but did not tell her in what manner he had obtained it.

The nuptials being now to be solemnized, (the ceremony and entertainments of which lasted seven days), the relations of the bride brought with them thirty of the stoutest and handsomest young men they could select, not out of compliment and re|spect to Samson, as they pretended, but as a guard over him, lest from his great strength, he should, when in his cups, do some particular mischief. In the course of the first day, when harmony uni|versally appeared among the company, Samson addressed himself to the thirty young men, telling

them he had a * 2.115 riddle to propound to them, and if they would explain it before the expiration of the seven days,* 2.116 he would give to each man a shirt and a coat. The Philistines accepted the proposal, and desired Samson to state the question; which he did as follows: "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." The Philistines laid their heads together to expound this riddle; but, after three days, finding their endea|vours fruitless, and despairing to accomplish it be|fore the expiration of the time,* 2.117 they went to the new bride, and threatened her, if she did not get the secret from her husband, and reveal it to them, they would burn her to death. Intimidated at those threats, the woman sat about the business, and, after great difficulty, obtained from Samson, the parti|culars of his killing the lion, and of the honey|combs he had found in the carcase, and brought to her; all which she privately communicated to the Philistines. Towards the close of the seventh day, which was the time appointed for solving the rid|dle, the Philistines assembled, one of whom, ad|dressing himself to Samson, said,

Nothing is stronger than a lion, or sweeter than honey.

"No," (replied Samson),

nor falser than the wo|man who has enabled you to expound the riddle.

Samson was greatly irritated at this imposition, but determined to fulfill his engagement with the thirty men. To do this, he went, in the heat of his passion, to the city of Askalon * 2.118, belonging to the Philistines,* 2.119 where having slain thirty men, he brought away their shirts and coats, and delivered them to those who expounded the riddle. Fired with resentment at the treachery of his wife, Samson left her; and she, in revenge, married a young man who had been one of Samson's principal compa|nions during the wedding week.

Samson was so enraged at the treatment he had received from his wife, that he determined not only to wreak his vengeance on her but the whole coun|try of the Philistines; and an opportunity soon offered, which enabled him to put his design into execution. It happened to be near the time of har|vest, and the corn being ripe on the ground, Sam|son hit upon a project for destroying it, and thereby distressing the Philistines by famine.* 2.120 He got toge|ther three hundred foxes * 2.121, and tying them two and two by their tails, with a lighted torch between each pair, he turned them loose, when running into the fields, they not only destroyed all the corn, but likewise the vines and olive trees, so that the whole country for a time, appeared in one continued blaze.

When the Philistines understood that Samson was the author of this destruction, and that he had been induced to take such a step in revenge for the treatment he had received from his wife's family, they sent a number of people, with proper officers, to Timnath, who seizing Samson's wife, with her father and relations, burnt them all alive, as being the special cause of so great a calamity.

Samson continued to commit various depredations in different parts of the country belonging to the Philistines; till at length,* 2.122 being apprehensive of danger, he retired, for security, to a rock * 2.123 near Etam, belonging to the tribe of Judah.

When the Philistines knew where Samson had se|creted himself,* 2.124 they sent ambassadors to the inhabi|tants of Etam, with orders that they should deliver him into their hands. In consequence of this they went with an armed force to Samson's retreat, and,* 2.125 after expostulating with him on the danger to which they were exposed on his account, begged he would give himself quietly up to the Philistines.

Samson not only complied with their request, but submitted himself to be bound with cords, on con|dition that they would do him no farther hurt than delivering him into the hands of the enemy. Accordingly be came from the rock, and being brought to the ambassadors, they conducted him to the camp of the Philistines, who no sooner saw him at a distance, than they ran in considerable bodies to meet him, exulting at their conquest over so daring an invader. But Samson soon convinced them of the impropriety of their imaginations. As soon as they came near him, he suddenly snapped the cords with which he was bound, and seeing the jaw-bone * 2.126 of an ass lying on the ground,* 2.127 he took it up, and falling on the Philistines he flew one thou|sand on the spot, which so intimidated the rest, that, instead of making any resistance, they betook them|selves to flight Samson exulted beyond bounds at this victory instead of ascribing it as he ought, to the assistance of the Divine Power.

Fatigued with this encounter,* 2.128 and being excessive thirsty, he sought for water, but found himself in a place where no such refreshment was to be had. In this distressed situation he made his application to God, who immediately caused a stream of delicious water to flow from an hollow rock adjoining to the spot where Samson had slain the Philistines; from which circumstance the place was ever after known by the name of the Jaw.

After this singular conquest Samson looked upon the Philistines with contempt; and not fearing any hurt they could do him, he went openly into one of the cities called Gaza, where he took up his resi|dence in a house of public entertainment. The governor of the town being informed of Samson's situation, placed guards without the gates of the city, during the day, to prevent his leaving the place. But Samson, having received intelligence of this, totally baffled the governor's intention. He rose about midnight, and taking the two gates * 2.129, to••gether

[figure]

ENGRAVED for the American Edition of MAYNARD's Josephus

SAMSON laying the PHILISTINES with the Jan lo••e of an Ass.

[figure]

Engraved 〈…〉〈…〉 of MAYNARDS Josephus

〈…〉〈…〉 be ••raying 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into the hands of the Philistines

with the posts,* 2.130 bars, bolts, and chains, he laid them on his shoulders, and carrying them to a hill, called Mount Hebron, there left them.

Some time after this a circumstance happened, which, in the end, proved fatal to Samson. Being naturally of an amorous disposition,* 2.131 he fell in love with a common prostitute of the Philistines, named Delilah, with whom he was so infatuated as not to pay the least attention to his own safety. The prin|cipal leader of the Philistines observing Samson's ungovernable passion for this woman, determined to take advantage of it. They accordingly sent for her, and, when she came, they promised her, if she would learn of Samson, and discover to ••hem, what was the cause of his wonderful strength, and how he might be deprived of it, they would reward her with a considerable sum of money.

* 2.132The treacherous Delilah undertook the task, and used all the art she was mistress of to obtain from Samson the important secret. For some time he amused her with fictions, and made her believe his strength consisted sometimes in one thing, and some|times in another; first, that binding him with bands made of green withs;* 2.133 then that tying him with se|ven ropes never before used; and again, weaving his hair into tresses, and filleting them up, would bereave him of his strength. Delilah tried all these maxims; but finding them of no effect, she up|braided Samson for his falseness, and told him his apparent affection was all deceit, otherwise he would not hesitate to tell her a matter she was so anxiously desirous to know. At length, by daily importu|nities, did the treacherous Delilah prevail on Sam|son to divulge the important secret,* 2.134 viz.

That in the preservation of his hair lay all his strength and security.

From the manner in which Sam|son told this, Delilah believed he spoke truth; and soon after tried the experiment, by cutting off his hair as he lay sleeping with his head in her lap. When she found him divested of his strength, and no longer able to defend himself,* 2.135 she delivered him up to his enemies, who, after putting out his eyes, and leading him about the streets as a public spec|tacle to the people, sent him to prison.

In process of time Samson's hair grew again, and with it returned his strength. This, however, was not thought of by the Philistines, and Samson, when an opportunity offered, took advantage of it, to the destruction of great numbers of his enemies. On a certain day was held a feast, at which were present the greater part of the princes and nobility among the Philistines. The feast was held in a very elegant and spacious building, the roof of which was supported by only two pillars.* 2.136 In the height of their Jollity they sent for blind Samson, and for some time made him the sport of the company. Samson was vexed to the heart at this treatment, and knowing his strength, resolved to return it on his persecutors. He complained of being greatly fatigued with standing so long, and desired the boy that led him to the place, to let him lean against one of the pillars to rest himself. The boy com|plied with his request,* 2.137 when Samson, grasping the pillar with his arm (after a short ejaculation to God for the restoration of his former strength) gave it such a shake that the whole building * 2.138 immedi|ately fell to the ground; and Samson, with about three thousand men, were buried in the ruins.

Such was the end of Samson, after having held the goverment of Israel twenty years. He was a man remarkable not only for his great strength, but his distinguished magnanimity, and pursued, to the last moment of his life, his revenge on the enemies of his country. When his relations heard of his death, they took his body to Sarasa, the place of his nativity, and there deposited it in the sepulchre of his ancestors.

CHAP. XI.

Eli succeeds Samson in the government. Boaz marries Ruth, from whom came Obed, the grandfat•••••• of David. The birth of Samuel. The Israelites en|gage with the Philistines, are defeated, and their ark taken by the enemy.

AFTER the death of Samson the government of the Israelites fell to Eli, the high priest, during whose time there happened a most dreadful famine.* 2.139 To avoid the consequences of this calamity, one Abimelech, a citizen of Bethlehem, and of the tribe of Judah, removed, with Naomi, his wife, and his two sons, named Mahlon and Chellion, to the land of Moab. After living very happily at this place for some time, Abimelech married his sons to two women of the country, named Orpha and Ruth; the former being espoused to Chellion, and the lat|ter to ••ahlon.

At the expiration of ten years, Abimelech and his two sons died, within a short time of each other. Naomi was inconsolable for the loss of such near relatives, for whose sake she had quitted her native country. She therefore formed the resolution of returning to Bethlehem;* 2.140 on which the wives of her two sons, who had a great affection for her, and were unwilling to be separated, importuned her to take them with her. Naomi advised them to con|tinue in their native place, and wished they might be happier with their next husbands than they had been with her sons. She told them it was not in her power to give them any assistance, and that it would be imprudent for them to risque so long a journey, for no other purpose than that of condo|ling with a wretched mother-in-law. Orpha listened to Naomi's remonstrance, and staid behind; but Ruth being resolute, she and her mother-in-law set out on their journey.

When they entered the city of Bethlehem,* 2.141 some of the people, who recollected the features of Na|omi, with surprize said, Art thou not Naomi, the wife of Abimelech? To which she replied, Call-me not Naomi, but rather Mara; (the former, in the Hebrew, signifying happiness, and the latter sorrow.)

It was now the time of harvest, and Ruth, in order to obtain sustenance for herself and mother-in-law,* 2.142 begged she would let her go into the fields to glean. Naomi assenting, Ruth went on the bu|siness; and, after being some little time in the fields, was accosted by a servant of Boaz, (the master of the land, and a kinsman of Abimelech, Naomi's deceased husband), with whom she had some con|versation. Some time after Boaz came into the field

himself, and seeing Ruth, enquired of his servant who she was, and from whence she came. The servant, who had learned from her the particulars of her life and present situation, related the whole to Boaz, who was so pleased with her for the respect she shewed her mother-in-law, that he ordered his servant to tell her, she was not only at liberty to glean in his fields, but to gather what she thought proper, and that she should be allowed both food and drink in common with the reapers. Ruth re|served a part of her allowance for her mother-in-law, and, in the evening, carried it home with her corn, when she related to Naomi the occurrences of the day.

When Naomi understood who was the person that had been so great a benefactor to Ruth, she told her he was a ••ear kinsman, and being a man of a pious and li••••••al disposition, he might pro|bably extend his benevolence to their mutual ad|vantage. She therefore advised Ruth to prosecute h••r labours, and to attend in the fields with the servants of Boaz, during the remainder of the harvest.

The harvest being over, Boaz was very diligent in threshing his corn; and being one day greatly fatigued, he laid himself on the flo••r and fell asleep, in which situation he was left by the people who had attended him. Information of this being given to Naomi,* 2.143 she advised Ruth to go to the barn, and lay herself gently at his feet, imagining that when Boaz should wake and discover her, it m••••ht pro|duce something to her advantage.

Ruth, thinking it her duty to comply with the orders of her mother-in-law, immediately went, and getting into the barn, laid herself at the feet of Boaz. About the middle of the night Boaz awoke, and perceiving a woman lying by him, asked who she was. Ruth immediately discovered herself, and begged he would permit her to lie by him as one of his handmaids, which Boaz granted, and again fell asleep. Early in the morning, before the ser|vants were come to their work, Boaz desired Ruth to get up, and, after taking as much corn as she could carry, go immediately to her mother-in-law, that she might not be seen by any of the servants; for though nothing had taken place between them of a criminal nature, yet it was prudent to avoid calumny, which would certainly arise should she be found with him.

But (says Boaz) before you go, I have this to say to you. There is a person of much nearer kin to you than I am. I will ask him if he chuses to marry you: if he consents you must go with him; but if he refuses, I will marry you myself.

Ruth then departed; and when she got home, related all that had passed to her mother-in law, who was highly pleased with her success, and the expectations of so profitable an alliance.

* 2.144About the middle of the day Boaz went into the city, and convened an assembly of the elders. As soon as they were met, he sent for Ruth and the kinsman nearest allied to her, both of whom ap|pearing, Boaz addressed himself to the man as fol|lows. If I am not mistaken, you are at present

in possession of the inheritance of Abimelech and his sons.

To which he replied,

I am, and the law has put me in possession of it, as being near|est of blood

Boaz answered,

The same law that gives you one part obliges you to take the other. Before you stands the widow of Mahlon, and you are bound by the law * 2.145 either to marry her, or quit the inheritance.

The man said he could not marry her, having already a wife and children. He therefore resigned the woman and estate to Boaz, who was the next in kindred to the deceased. In consequence of this declaration, Ruth was commanded to unloose the shoe * 2.146 of the man, and spit in his face, agreeable to the custom used on such occasions.

A few days after Boaz took Ruth to wife,* 2.147 and as the expiration of a year she was delivered of a son. The boy was placed under the care of Naomi, who called him by the name of Obed, signifying, i•• the Heb••••w language, service or assistance, whi•• she expe••••ed from him in her more advanced yea•••• From Obed came Jesse, the father of David, in whose family th•• government continued one a•• twenty generations. I have been thus particular in my accounts of Ruth, to shew the power and wise dispensations of Providence, who can raise charac|ters to the most elevated dignity on earth, however insignificant the objects from whom they are de|scended.

The Israelites grew exceeding indolent under the government of Eli, which being observed by the Philistines, they determined to take advantage of it. The general dissipation of the people arose from the precedent set them by the two sons of Eli,* 2.148 named Hophni and Phineas, who was mere libertines. They domineered over the men, and violated the women at their devotions; and so far where they from being content with the portions which God had allotted them as priests, that they forced from the people (even before they had made their obla|tions) what part of the sacrifice they pleased; which gave so general a disgust, that religion grew into contempt, and the worship of God was almost to totally disused.

The Almighty was pleased to chastise them f•••• their remissness, and to forewarn them of the event by the prophet Samuel; of whose birth the follow|ing are the particulars:

In the city of Ramah, belonging to the tribe of Ephraim, lived a man named Elkanah, who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.* 2.149 He went three times a year to Shiloh, to offer up his usual sacrifice, and, as he was a pious and religious 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he ge|nerally took his two wives with him, that they in like manner, might make their oblations. Hannah had not any children, notwithstanding which she was Elkanah's favourite; and at every feast, on the peace-offering, he usually sent her a separate mess, and of his choicest meat. Peninnah, being highly offended at the particular attention being paid to Hannah, vented her resentment by upbraiding her with sterility, or want of children. This greatly affected Hannah, insomuch that all her husband said could not assuage her grief. As soon as she arose from table, she hastened to the tabernacle, and there prayed to God, in the most fervent manner, that he would be pleased to bless her with a son, for which favour she promised to make him a Na|zarite, and solely to devote him to his service. Her prayers were heard, and, in a proper time,* 2.150 she con|ceived, and brought forth a son, whom she called Samuel, that is to say, Asked of God. Hannah, as she had promised, went to the tabernable at Shiloh, and after offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving for the birth of her son, and paying the tenths according

to custom, she delivered him to Eli, who cloathed him with a proper habit, that he might attend on the service of the tabernacle. After this Hannah had several other sons, and three daughters, by her husband Elkanah.

* 2.151When Samuel had attained to his thirteenth year, God was pleased to make him his agent, by inspiring him with the power of prophecy. As Samuel was one night asleep, God called him by his name, which he taking for the voice of Eli, immediately ran to him to know his pleasure, when he told him that he was mistaken, for that he had not mention|ed his name. O•• this Samuel retired, and went again to rest▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he was repeatedly disturbed by the 〈…〉〈…〉; upon which he again went to Eli, and 〈…〉〈…〉 how distinctly he had been several times 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and that he thought it to be his voice. Eli sa••d it was not him, but the voice of God. He then told Samuel to retire again to rest, and when he heard the voice again, to say,

Here I am, Lord; speak, for thy servant heareth, and is ready to obey thee.

Samuel did as Eli had or|dered; and, when he again heard the voice, an|swered,

Here I am, Lord, ready to do whatso|ever thou should command.

The voice replied,

Know,* 2.152 then, that calamities hang over Israel, greater than have been hitherto known. The two sons of Eli shall be cut off in one day, and the priesthood shall be taken from him, and given to the family of Eleazar: for Eli•• preferred his children to my honour and worship.* 2.153

Samuel was unwilling to relate these melancholy tidings to Eli; but being at length urged to it, he gave a particular account of the whole revelation, which Eli received with a mind apparently resigned to the Divine will.

The time was now come when Samuel's prophecy was to be fulfilled, and the displeasure of the Al|mighty manifested to the disobedient Is••••elites. The Philistines had raised a powerful army,* 2.154 with which they marched against the Israelites, had en|camped at Aphek, a city of Judah. Finding no opposition, they advanced farther, and, at length, meeting the army of the Israelites, a desperate bat|tle ensued, in which 4000 of the latter were slain, and the remainder put to flight.

This defeat greatly alarmed the Israelites, some of whom imputed it to arise from the want of the ark in the army, which, as the symbol of God's presence, they said would be a sure means of success. Accordingly a messenger was dispatched to Hophni and Phineas, to bring the ark, which no sooner arrived in the camp, than the people testified their joy by the loudest acclamations. When the Philistines first heard that the ark was brought to the camp of the Israelites, they were greatly dis|pirited; but at length taking courage, and ex|horting each other to perseverance, they prepared themselves to oppose the enemy. The Israelites,* 2.155 not doubting of success, attacked the Philistines with great fury; but they were soon repulsed, with the loss of 30,000 men, among whom were Hophni and Phineas. The rest of the army were glad to save themselves by flight, so that the ark of the Lord fell into the hands of the Philistines.

CHAP. XII.

The Israelites lament the loss of the ark. Death of Eli, the high priest.

THE melancholy news of this defeat was car|ried to Shiloh on the same day it happened, by a soldier of the tribe of Benjamin, who had made his escape from the field of battle. As soon as it was known, an universal outcry and lamentation prevai••••d throughout the city; and when Eli came to unders••••••d what was the cause of it, he sent for the man to know the particulars. The soldier told him, the Israelites we•••• ••outed, his two sons slain, and the ark of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 taken by the enemy. Eli heard the defeat of the army, and the death of his sons, without appearing in the least agitated; but when he was told the ark of the Lord had fallen in|to the enemy's hands, his spirits forsook him,* 2.156 he fell from his chair, and instantly expired, in the 98th year of his age, and 40th of his government.

When the wife of Phineas (who was at this time with child, and near her time) heard of the deaths of her husband and father, and (what was worst of all) of the captivity of the ark, she imme|diately fell in labour, and being shortly deli|vered of a son, she had just strength enough to name him ••chabod, which signifies shams and ignominy before she died; because the ark, which was the glory of Israel, was departed from them.

Eli was the first of the family of ••thamar (another of the so•••• of Aaron) th•••• exercised the function of high priest; for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Eleazar officiated in that capacity first, 〈…〉〈…〉 still receiving 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ho|nour from the fach••••▪ Eleazar bequeathed•••• to his so•• Phineas, he to his son Abie••er, from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to his son B••••••ja••, and thence to his son 〈◊〉〈◊〉. After, when Eli, of whom we have been speaking,* 2.157 had the priesthood, which was returned in his li••e until the reign of king Solomo▪ when it rever••••d to the posterity of Eleazar.

END OF THE FIFTH BOOK.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.2

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.3

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.4

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.5

  The spies are pro|tected by Rahab.
• * 1.6

  Rahab ex|acts an oath of protection from the spies in re|turn.
• * 1.7

  Rahab con+veys the spies away ••n safety.
• * 1.8

  The He|brew army pitch their tents on the borders of the river Jordan.
• * 1.9

  A miracu|lous passage. opened for the Hebrews over the ri|ver. Order in which they passed.
• * 1.10

  Joshua e|rects an al|tar of 12 stones, and consecrates by sacrifi|ces.
• * 1.11

  This was the third time of their celebrating that festival. The first was at their departure out of Egypt, and the second at their erect|ing the tabernacle at the foot of Mount Sinai.
• * 1.12

  Hebrews l••bour un|der a dearth of manna.
• * 1.13

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• * 1.14

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• * 1.15

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• * 1.16

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• * 1.17

  Here we may observe, that whenever any of the public enemies of the Jews had been, for their wickedness, solemnly devoted to de|struction according to the Divine command, as were generally the seven wicked nations of Canaan, and those sinners the Amalekites, it was ut|terly unlawful to permit those enemies to be redeemed; but they were to be all utterly destroyed. See Numb. xxi.2. &c.
• * 1.18

  The words of Joshua's execration in the text are as follow: "Cursed be the man before the Lord that raiseth up and buildeth the city Jericho; he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first-born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gate•• of it." Josh. vi.26.
• * 1.19

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• * 1.20

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• * 1.21

  ••srael|••ie re|•• in ••ttack Ain.
• * 1.22

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 fast ••mble ••selves 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God
• * 1.23

  ••a e••|••••l••tes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God. ••e••|••es a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.24

  〈…〉〈…〉 direct|•••• the 〈…〉〈…〉 out offen|••
• * 1.25

  ••ar is ••e••ed ••he lots. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to ••gnomi|••••••••s death
• * 1.26

  Joshua taken Ain, ••ays it waste, and then distri|butes am|ple re|wards in p••under to the sol|diers. Josh viii.
• * 1.27

  The Gibe|onites are alarmed at the success of Joshua in the re|duction of Jericho and Ain.
• * 1.28

  They dis|parch an embassy to Joshua.
• * 1.29

  Artifice practised by the am|bassadors.
• * 1.30

  This place received its name from the rite of circumcision, which was there renewed by the Israelites. It lay about two miles to the east|ward of Jericho; and St. Jerome tells us that it was, in his time, held in great veneration by the inhabitants of the country.
• * 1.31

  The am|bassadors depart.
• * 1.32

  Their a••|tific•• dis|covered.
• * 1.33

  The Gibe|onites sub|je••t•••• to public drudgery.
• * 1.34

  The king of Jerusalem enters into a league with four neighbour|ing kings and makes war with the Gibeo|nites.
• * 1.35

  The Gibeo|nites apply to Joshua for a•••• against the confede|rates.
• * 1.36

  Joshua h••|stens with his army to their relief and puts the enemy to flight.
• * 1.37

  The propriety and intent of the miracles performed this day are thus explained by a learned Divine: "All nations had at that time their several tutelary deities, to whose protection they committed them|selves and their country, and of whose power they judged by their suc|cesses in war. Now the three principal deities whom the inhabitants of Canaan adored were the sun, the moon, and heavens or air. To con|vince them, therefore, in their own way▪ that the gods in whom they trusted were subject to the God of Israel, and to punish them, at the same time, for the worship they paid them, the Lord showered down great hail-stones from the heavens or air, which slew vast numbers of their powerful army, and then stopped the two great laminaries in their course which gave the Israelites time and opportunity to complete their victory over the remainder."
• * 1.38

  A dreadful tempest.
• * 1.39

  The sun stands still.
• * 1.40

  The de••s••s have greatly cavilled at this miracle, on account of its not being recorded by heathen writers. But that it should not be mentioned by them is not in the least to be wondered at, when we con|sider that Homer, who wrote above a thousand years after Joshua, is their oldest writer now extant. Letters were not then known among the heathens, and therefore it is no wonder that such a circumstance should have been forgotten.
• * 1.41

  The confe|derate kings are taken, and put to death by order of Joshua.
• * 1.42

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• * 1.43

  Some of the learned are of opinion, that by the Waters of Merom are meant the lake Semechon, which lies between the head of the river Jordan and the lake Genesareth But others imagine that these waters were somewhere about the brook Kishon, there being a place of that name mentioned in the account of the battle against Sisera. J••dges v.21. It is, however, more resonable to think, that the confederate kings advanced as far as the brook Kishon, and to a pass which led into the country, to hinder Joshua from penetrating it, than to imagine they waited for him in the midst of their own country, leaving all Galilee at hi•• mercy, and the whole track from the brook Kishon to the lake S••mechon. See Well's Geography of the Old Testament.
• * 1.44

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• * 1.45

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• * 1.46

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• * 1.47

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• * 1.48

  〈…〉〈…〉 Sh••
• * 1.49

  A•• 〈…〉〈…〉 C••
• * 1.50

  Jo•• 〈…〉〈…〉 pe•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 th•• the 〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 f••
• * 1.51

  •• rates 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dis|•• of ••be•• ••me ••e|•• ••or|•• ••nd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••nent ••mis|•• to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ••y.
• * 1.52

  ••'s ••al ••sally ••e, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••e|••
• * 1.53

  〈…〉〈…〉 ••he 〈…〉〈…〉 ••he 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.54

  ••as|•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.55

  ••nd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••es 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ti|•• he 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.56

  The measures Joshua took, on this occasion, were exactly ••onfor|mable to the orders which God had given to Moses. Unto th••se shall the land be divided for an inheritance, according to the number of names. To many thou shalt give the more inheritance; and to few thou shalt give the l••sser inheritance. Notwithstanding the land shall ••e divided by lo•••• according to lot shall the possession thereof 〈…〉〈…〉 and few. See Numb. xxvi.13, &c.
• * 1.57

  ••by 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.58

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• * 1.59

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• * 1.60

  Dan.
• * 1.61

  Joshua ••onvenc•• the heads of the dif|ferent tribes, and enjo••ns them ut|terly to ex|t••p••te the Ca|naan••tes.
• * 1.62

  Cities of sancturary Hebron, Shechem, & Ceden.
• * 1.63

  Joshua di|vides the s••o••l, which was immense, amongst the sol|diers.
• * 2.1

  Joshua xxi•• Joshua dis|mi••••••s the troops in an eloquent speech.
• * 2.2

  Josh••a's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o••|ders.
• * 2.3

  The peo|ple weep at the dep••r|ture of the••r b••e|thren.
• * 2.4

  An altar, erected near the place of passage over the 〈…〉〈…〉 the river.
• * 2.5

  The erect|ing of the 〈…〉〈…〉 & 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 2.6

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• * 2.7

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• * 2.8

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• * 2.9

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• * 2.10

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• * 2.11

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• * 2.12

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• * 2.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 2.14

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• * 2.15

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of ••ar, ••igh|••.
• * 2.16

  〈…〉〈…〉 of Ca|••••••nites, ••ances 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ••entes. ••ges 1.
• * 2.17

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ca|••••••nites routed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their ••der 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pri|••er.
• * 2.18

  Jerusalem besieged▪ Lower town ta|ken; out the upper being found im|pregnable, the siege is raised.
• * 2.19

  Hebron taken by force.
• * 2.20

  Many other places of the Ca|naan••tes reduced by the Is••••••l|ites.
• * 2.21

  Tribes of Judah and Simeon retire from war, and cultivate the arts of peace.
• * 2.22

  The Israel|ites spare the Ca|naanites on condition of their paying them tri|bute.
• * 2.23

  Bethel is betrayed to the Ephrai|mites by treachery.
• * 2.24

  God is dis|pleased with the Israelites for dis|obeying his com|mand for the extir|pation of the Ca|naanites, and threat|ens them with ven••geance.
• * 2.25

  Depr••v•••• of the Israel••t••••.
• * 2.26

  Josephus's early date of this history before the beginning of the Judges, or when there was no king in Israel, (Judges xix.1.) is strongly confirmed by the large number of Benjamites▪ both in the days of A••i•• and Jehosaphat; 2 Chron. xiv.8 and xvii.17. Commentators on sacred writ besides are generally of opinion, that this transaction happen|ed between the death of Joshua and the appointment of the first Judge. Some observe, that the reason why Samuel, or whoever was the author of the Book of Judges, places it at the close of it, is, because he was unwilling to interrupt the thread of his story by intermixing these mat|ters with it, but reserved them to be related apart by themselves.
• * 2.27

  History of the Le|vite's wife, a••••us;ed or the inhabi|tants of Gibeah.
• * 2.28

  The laws of hospitality were, in antient times, held exceeding sa••••ed; ••hat the men of Gibeah, as they were grossly abandoned in vice, so were the•• wholly defective in this virtue, suffering these travellers to remain in the streets, without any invitation; which, at length, they received from a poor man, who was himself only a sojourner amongst them. It must be remembered that then, as well as at present, there was no such things as Inns in these countries; so that travellers usually took with them (especially on long journies) not only provisions and other necessaries for themselves, but likewise their beasts.
• * 2.29

  The Gibeo|nites shameful treatment of the Levite's wife affects the woman to such a degree as to cause her to fall on the ground, and die.
• * 2.30

  The Levite cuts the body into twelve parts which he sends to the twelve tribes to excite their dete••••ation of the fact. Judge. xx.
• * 2.31

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• * 2.32

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• * 2.33

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• * 2.34

  This was the same Phineas who had signalized his zeal for the glory of God on a former occasion. Had this war been after the death of Samson (as placed in the Book of Judges) Phineas must have been up|wards of 300 years old; but, as we have before remarked, its epocha was certainly between the death of Joshua and the appointment of the first Judge.
• * 2.35

  ••urnt 〈…〉〈…〉, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in|••nts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ex|••ur ••ed 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 2.36

  ••srael|•• ••lent, ••ecall ••00 fu|•• Ben|••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ••••ains
• * 2.37

  Israel|•• ••ebate ••eliver|•• ••p the captive ••ns for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Benja|••••••••••.
• * 2.38

  Permit the 200 Benja|mites to 〈…〉〈…〉 so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vir|gins by surprise.
• * 2.39

  The war with the Benjamites concluded.
• * 2.40

  The Dan|ites are forced to take refuge in the mountains
• * 2.41

  Mount Libanus separates Syria from Palestine. It forms a kind of horse shoe in its length, beginning at three or four leagues distance from the Mediterranean above Smyrna, and going from north to south towards Sidon, from thence bending from west to east, from Sidon towards Damascus; and at last returning from the south, northward, from the streights of Damascus as far as Laodicea Scabiosa. The west|ern part of this chain of mountains is what we properly call Libanus. The other part, which is opposite to it eastward, and extends from south to north, is called by the Greeks, Anti-Libanus. Between these two mountains is a long val••••y, called C••••••o-Syria, or Hollow-Syria; in Joshua (xi.17) the valley of Lebanon. Mount Libanus is about an hundred leagues in circumference, having Mesopotamia to the east, Armenia to the north, the Holy Land to the south, and the Mediterra|nean to the west. It is composed of four enclosures of mountains, which rise one upon the other: the first of which is very fertile in grain and fruit; but the second is barren: the third, though higher than this, enjoys almost perpetual spring; there the trees always look green, and the orchards are filled with fruit; but the fourth is so high that it is almost always covered with snow, and consequently uninhabitable by reason of the excessive cold.
• * 2.42

  The Danites build the city Dan.
• * 2.43

  A total de|generacy prevails among the Israelites.
• * 2.44

  Othniel in+terposes in behalf of the Israel|ites. Judge, iii.
• * 2.45

  Surprizes and cuts to pieces the Assyrian guards.
• * 2.46

  Totally vanquishes and over|comes the Assyrians.
• * 2.47

  The Israel|ites chuse ••••m for the••r go|vernor.
• * 2.48

  The 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 2.49

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• * 2.50

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• * 2.51

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• * 2.52

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• * 2.53

  The words prophet and prophetess, in the Old Testament, some|times denote pers••••s en••ued with special, though not miraculous gifts or graces, for the better understanding and explaining the word of God; and of this sort were the sons of the prophets, or such as were brought up ••n the schools of the prophets As, therefore, we read of no mira|culous action that Deborah did, she was, perhaps, only a woman of e••••nent business, prudence and knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, by which she was singularly qualified to judge the people: that is to determine causes and controversies among them according to the word of God.
• * 2.54

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• * 2.55

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• * 2.56

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• * 2.57

  ••••rael|•• Ca|•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 The 〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 2.58

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• * 2.59

  These Kenites, though they were profelytes, and worshipped the true God, according to the Mosaic law, yet, being strangers by b••rth, and therefore having no right or title to the land of Canaan, they held it best policy, in these troublesome times, to observe a neutrality, and main|tain peace as well as they could, both with the Israelites and Canaanites. It was upon this footing, that there was peace between king J••bin and the family of Heber, the Kenite; and that gave confidence to Sisera in his distress, to fly to Heber's tent for protection,
• * 2.60

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• * 2.61

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 falls 〈…〉〈…〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who ••ards the ••ment 〈◊〉〈◊〉 years.
• * 2.62

  Deaths of Deborah and Barak▪ Amalekites and Arabi|ans, enter into a league against the Israelites, and reduce them to ab+solute sub|jection.
• * 2.63

  Distresses of the Israel|ites aggra|vated by a famine They have recourse to prayer and supplica|tion.
• * 2.64

  A vision appears to Gideon.
• * 2.65

  Gideon assured that, thro' the Divine and, he should be the delive|rer of his country
• * 2.66

  Judges ••
• * 2.67

  〈…〉〈…〉 men.
• * 2.68

  An extra|ord••nary revelation.
• * 2.69

  A dream of one of the Midianite soldiers, portending victory to Gideon 〈…〉〈…〉 ••hou••d by him, and told to his fellow sol|d••ers Judges vii.
• * 2.70

  G••deon 〈…〉〈…〉 dream.
• * 2.71

  Though the Romans, in after-ages, divided the night into four w••tc•••••• (Mat••h. x••v.25) yet in the eastern parts, and in more an|cient times, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ree, whereof the first began at 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and 〈…〉〈…〉. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was therefore called the middle watch 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beg••n at ten; so that we may suppose it was some time after this that Gideon alarmed the Midianitish camp; and the reasons why he chose this part of the night to do it in are obvious, because the trumpets would then seem to sound louder, and the lights to shine brighter, and thereby both increase the consternation of the enemy, and conceal the smallness of his own army.
• * 2.72

  G••deon 〈…〉〈…〉 the enemy.
• * 2.73

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• * 2.74

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• * 2.75

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• * 2.76

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• * 2.77

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• * 2.78

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• * 2.79

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• * 2.80

  ••ech 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 2.81

  ••m ••ngues ••ti|•• and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a ••ab••e
• * 2.82

  The Greeks pretend to have been the inventors of the use of fables; but there is nothing more absurd than their vanity in this respect. A long time before Aesop, and every other author known to their nation, the Orientals, and particularly the Hebrews, made use of this ingenious manner; for the doing of which two reasons may be as|••••••ed. 1. Because men would suffer themselves to be reprehended under this gui••e, when they would not digest plain words. And adly, Because they heard them with delight and pleasure, and remembered them better th••n any grave or common discourse.
• * 2.83

  The words of this fable carry a lively image of Abimelech's ostentations spirit, and menaces to take severe vengeance on the nobles of 〈…〉〈…〉 had been chiefly instrumental in his promotion, in case they should desert him. The whole intent and meaning of it was to convince the Sheckemites of their folly in chusing a man for their king, who was no more able to protect them, than a bramble was to cover other trees that should resort to it under the shadow of its branches.
• * 2.84

  ••elech ••raced a 〈…〉〈…〉 of ••hem.
• * 2.85

  The ••he|chemites apply for protection to 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪
• * 2.86

  Many of Abime|lech's sol|diers ta|ken, and cut off▪ by stratagem.
• * 2.87

  Zebul be|trays the Sheche|mites.
• * 2.88

  Zebul ca|lumniates Gaal as a coward, & causes the people to drive him out of Shechem.
• * 2.89

  Abimelech levels the city, and destroys the inhabi|tants with fire and sword.
• * 2.90

  The strewing of salt was an old custom used on those cities whose inhabitants had been guilty of treachery. Not that the strew|ing of salt could be supposed to have been done to dry up or render the soil barren, there being no occasion for that in an inhabited town, but to shew the detestation in which the inhabitants were held for their conduct; and that the place, on that account, should never after be re|built, but remain unp••••pled and desolate.
• * 2.91

  Those of the She|chemites that escap|ed from the city, take shelter on a ••••ck, wh••••e by order of Abimelech they are d••••troyed by fire.
• * 2.92

  Abimelech surpri••es the city of Thebes; ••••tacks the garrison.
• * 2.93

  It was common in that age, as well as in latter times, before the invention of gun-powder, to have large round stones kept within castles, which were thrown over upon the enemies who approached the walls; and the stone tumbled down by this woman seems to have been one of them.
• * 2.94

  Is smitten by a piece of a mill|stone, thrown up on him by a woman.
• * 2.95

  Slain by his armour|bearer at his own re|quest.
• * 2.96

  Though there is not much recorded of this person, yet it may be reasonably supposed he was a prudent and peaceable man; that he remo|ved abuses from among the people, endea••••••••••ng to suppress idolatry, appeased tumults, and healed those wounds which had been 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the state during the usurpation of Abimelech.
• * 2.97

  The go|vernment ••••••olves to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a Gi|leadite.
• * 2.98

  The Israe|li••••s, given ••••to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and immo|rality of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de|••, 〈…〉〈…〉 to the ••ustin 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Am|monites.
• * 2.99

  Distresses occasion them to re+pent, and solicit the Divine in|terposition in their be|h••••f.
• * 2.100

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• * 2.101

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• * 2.102

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• * 2.103

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• * 2.104

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• * 2.105

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• * 2.106

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• * 2.107

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• * 2.108

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• * 2.109

  She re|counts the promises to her hus|band, who is affected with jea|lousy thereby.
• * 2.110

  He is re|prehended by the an|gel.
• * 2.111

  The angel vanishes.
• * 2.112

  Birth of Samson.
• * 2.113

  He gives the first proof of his extra|ordinary strength by ••ending a lion with his hands.
• * 2.114

  Discover•• a swarm of bees in the breast of the lion.
• * 2.115

  It was a very ancient custom for the masters of feasts to propose enigu••as to their guests, in order to exercise their wit, and enliven con|versation instead of passing their whole time in downright eating and drinking. The Greeks derived this custom from the Orientals, and they generally proposed a reward to those who expounded the riddle.
• * 2.116

  Propounds a riddle to his ••o com|panions at the celebra|tion of his nuptials Judges xiv.
• * 2.117

  The new bride, ter|rified by threats, persuades Samson to to explain his riddle to her▪ ••nd discovers it to the Phi|listines.
• * 2.118

  This city was situated between Azoth and Gaza, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, about 520 furlongs distant from Jerusalem. It is said to have been of great no••e among the Gentiles, in ancient times, for a temple dedicated to Dicreto, the mother of Semiramis, here wor|shipped in the form of a mermaid; and for another temple of Appollo, where Herod the father of Antipater, and granfather of Herod the Great, served as priest. It had, in the first times of Christianity, an episcopal see; and in the course of the holy war, it was beautified with a new wall and many fair buildings, by Richard I. king of England.
• * 2.119

  Samson slays thirty men, strips off their garments, and gives the promi|sed reward. Dese••ts h•••• bride, who is bestowed on one of his nuptial compani|ons.
• * 2.120

  Practises a stratagem, and burns the stand|ing corn of the Philis|tines, who therefore burn the woman and her ••••mily.
• * 2.121

  Foxes, it is well known, are very apt to do a great deal of mis|chief wherever they abound; and therefore Samson might have this farther design in collecting so many, viz. that thereby he might clear his own country of such noxious animals; and, at the same time, he very well knew, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 creature could be more convenient for his purpose of an ••••ying and detrimenting his enemies: for, as those creatures are very ••••ise of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and have a natural dread of fire, they could not fail, when once the•• were turned into it, of setting the standing corn in a blaze: and then, as they were tied in couples tail to tail, this would make them draw one against the other; and being thereby retarded in their flight, and staying longer in a place, they would give the fire more time to spread itself, and at length occasion an universal conflagration.
• * 2.122

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• * 2.123

  This rock was so formed by nature as to be accessible only to one path, and that so narrow as not to admit two people to walk a breast; by which it was, perhaps, one of the most desensible places that could be met with.
• * 2.124

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• * 2.125

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• * 2.126

  It may appear strange to some that a single person, with no other instrument than the jaw bone of ass, should be able to slay so many peo|ple dead at his feet; but all wonder will cease, when we properly at|tend to the words of the sacred text, that at the time, "the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him." The Philistines, no doubt, were asto|nished to see the cords fall so suddenly from his hands, and he advancing with the greatest fury against them: but the whole must be ascribed to the power of God, who can increase our strength in all respects, to what degree he pleases; and at the same time enseeble the spirits of those who oppose his designs in such a manner, that they should not have power to help themselves.

  From this singular atchievement the place was afterwards called Ra|Math-Lehi, which, in the Hebrew language, signifies the listing up of the jaw-bone.
• * 2.127

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• * 2.128

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• * 2.129

  He did not stay to break open the gates, but plucked the posts out of the ground, with the doors hanging upon them fall barred; which extraordinary action so astonished the guards, that they had not power to ••••low him.
• * 2.130

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 up 〈…〉〈…〉, carries 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a 〈…〉〈…〉 xvi.
• * 2.131

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 with 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 2.132

  ••lilah en|••vours ••earn ••m Sam|•• in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his ••ength ••isted.
• * 2.133

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 preva|••les 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her ••so••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 2.134

  〈…〉〈…〉 her ••ign.
• * 2.135

  ••elilah di|••sts him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his ••ength. 〈…〉〈…〉, and 〈…〉〈…〉 Sam|••••n's hair 〈◊〉〈◊〉 strength turn 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 2.136

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• * 2.137

  Over|••h•••••• the 〈…〉〈…〉 ••imself and the whole 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 2.138

  The building in which this transaction happened was formed in the shape of an amphithearte, and solely adapted for the purpose of festivity on particular occasions. It may appear strange to some that the strength of a man should be able to shake so great a fabric; but their wonder will cease when they consider the nature of its construction; the most clear description of which is thus given by that great architect Sir Christopher Wren.

  In considering (says he) what this fabric must be, that could at one pull be demolished, I conceive it was in oval amphitheatre, the scene in the middle, where a vast roof of cedar|beam••,resting round upon the walls, centered all upon one short architrave, that united two cedar pillars in the middle: one pillar would not be sufficient to unite the ends of at least one hundred beams that rended in the center; therefore, I say, there must be a short architrave resting upon two pillars, upon which all the beams ••ending to the center of the amphitheatre might be supported. Now if Sam|son, by his miraculous strength pressing upon these pillars, moved them from their bases, the whole roof must of necessity fall.

  The supposition, therefore, that the ends of the beams were united in a circle in the middle will remove any difficulty that may arise from considering that no less than 3000 persons were spectators of Samson's ill treatment from the roof; for this manner of construction must naturally afford a sufficient convenience for the purpose.

  Pliny mentions two theatres built at Rome by Cains C••rio, which were large enough to contain the whole Roman people, ••nd yet of so singular a construction, as to depend on a single hinge 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And in Tacitus we read of great destruction being made by the fall of a theatre similar to this occasioned by Samson.
• * 2.139

  Ruth i. Abimelech goes into the land of Moab with his wife Na|omi, on account of a famine.
• * 2.140

  Naomi re|returns to her own country with her daughter-in-law Ruth.
• * 2.141

  Boaz en|tertains Naomi & Ruth in an hospitable manner Ruth ii.
• * 2.142

  Ruth goes into the fields to glean.
• * 2.143

  Naomi con••••••er•• how ••he may pre|vail w••th Boaz to marry Ruth.
• * 2.144

  〈…〉〈…〉 kinsm••••
• * 2.145

  The reason of this seems to be grounded upon the law, by which the first-born of such marriage was to bear the name of the woman's former husband, in order to keep up his name in Israel; so that if this kinsman had ma••r••ed Ruth, and should have had but one son by her, that son being not to bear his name, but the name of her former hus|band, he himself would have no son to keep up his name in Israel: so that not being willing to run this hazard, he declined the purchase.
• * 2.146

  There was a manner of confirming bargains, sales, exchanges, and discu••••ions, among the Israelites. It consisted of two sorts; the first of which was penal, as when a man refused to marry the wife of his brother, who died without issue: in this case the law commanded that the woman should take off his shot, and spit in hi•• face, at the same time using these words:

  Thus shall it be done to the man that refuseth to raise up issue to his brother's family.

  The second was cessionary, or in token of resignation, and did not extend to the compelling of the kins|man in the second, third, or fourth degree, to marry the wic••••, but he might transfer his right to any other of the kindred: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ign of his cession or translation of his right, he took off his shoe, and delivered it to that kinsman who would marry the widow in the presence of the elders.
• * 2.147

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• * 2.148

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• * 2.149

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• * 2.150

  〈…〉〈…〉 service of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 2.151

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• * 2.152

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• * 2.153

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 2.154

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• * 2.155

  The He|brews ar••|••ga••n over thrown by the Phil••s|tines, the sons of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are sla•• & the ark come•• into the posses|sion of the enemy.
• * 2.156

  Eli empires on hearing of the loss of the ark.
• * 2.157

  The priest|hood trans|lated them one family to another.