was spent ; but the servant answere 1, that he had still the fourth part of a shekel, and he would present him with that; for they were mistaken out of ignorance, as not knowing that the prophet received no such reward. So they went to him; and when they were before the gates, they met with certain maidens that were going to fetch water, and they asked them which was the prophet's house? They shewed them which it was, and bade them make haste before he was set down to supper, for he had invited many guests to a feast, and that he used to sit down before those that were invited. Now Samuel had gathered many together to feast with him on this very account; for while he every day prayed to God to tell him beforehand whom he would make king, he had informed him the day before, that he would send him a certain young man out of the tribe of Benjamin about this hour; and he sat on the top of the house in the expectation of that time being come; and when the time was completed he came down, and went to sopper, so he met with Saul, and God discovered to him that this was he who should rule over the people. Then Saul went up to Samuel, and saluted him, and desired him to inform him which was the prophet's house; for he said he was a stranger, and did not know it. Samuel told him that he was himself the person, and led him into supper, assuring him that the asses were found which he had been to seek, and that the greatest of good things was assured to him. Saul replied:" Sir, I am too inconsiderable to hope for any such thing, and of a tribe too small to have kings made out of it, and of a family smaller than several other families. But thou tellest me this in jest, and makest me an object of laughter, when thou discoursest with me of greater matters than what I stand in need of." However, the prophet led him unto the feast, and made him sit down, him and his servant that followed him, above the other guests that were invited, which were seventy in number. And he gave order to the servants to set the royal portion before Saul. But when the time of going to bed was come, the rest rose up, and every one of them went home; but Saul and his servant stayed with the prophet, and slept with him.

As soon as it was day, Samuel raised up Saul out of his bed, and conducted him homeward; and when he was out of the city, he desired him to cause his

* Of this great mistake of Saul and his servant, as if a true prophet of God would accept a gift or present for foretelling what was desired of him, see the note on IV. 6.

It seems not improbable that these 70 guests of Samuel, as here and in the Septuagint, with himself at the head of them, were a Jewish Sanhedrim, and that hereby Samuel intimated to Saul, that these 71 were to be his constant counsellors, and that he was to act not like a sole VOL. I.-NO. X.

servant to go before, but to stay behind himself, for that he had somewhat to say to him, when nobody else was present. Accordingly Saul sent away his servant that followed him. Then the prophet took a vessel of oil, and poured it upon the head of the young man, and kissed him, and said, "Be thou a king, by the ordination of God, against the Philistines, and for avenging the Hebrews for what they have suffered by them. Of this thou shalt have a sign which I would have thee notice: As soon as thou art parted hence, thou wilt find three men upon the ad, going to worship God at Bethel: the first thou wilt see carrying three loaves of bread; the second carrying a kid of the goats; and the third will follow them, carrying a bottle of wine. These men will salute thee, and speak kindly to thee, and will give thee two of their loaves, which thou shalt accept and thence thou shalt come to a place called Rachel's Monument, where thou shalt meet with those that will tell thee thy asses are found: after this, when thou comest to Gabatha, thou shalt overtake a company of prophets, and thou shalt be seized with the divine spirit,§ and prophesy along with them, till every one that sees thee shall be astonished, and wonder, and say, Whence is it that the son of Kish has arrived at this degree of happiness? And when these signs have happened to thee, know that God is with thee, then do thou salute thy father, and thy kindred. Thou shalt also come when I send for thee to Gilgal; that we may offer thank-offerings to God for these blessings." When Samuel had said this, he sent the young man away: and all things fell out to Saul according to the prophecy of Samuel.

But as soon as Saul came into the house of his kinsman Abner, he was asked by him concerning his journey, and what accidents happened to him therein; and he concealed none of the other things from him, no, not his coming to Samuel the prophet, nor how he told him the asses were found; but he said nothing about the kingdom, || and what belonged thereto; which he thought would procure him envy, and when such things are heard they are not easily believed. Nor did he think it prudent to tell those things to him, although he appeared very friendly, and one whom he loved above the rest of his relations, considering, I suppose, what human nature really is; that no one is a firm friend, neither among our intimates, nor of our kindred; nor do they preserve that kind disposition when God ad

vances men to great prosperity, but they are still illnatured and envious at those that are in eminent stations.

Then Samuel called the people together to the city Mispeh; and spake to them by the command of God, in the words following: "When God had granted

you

state of liberty, and brought your enemies into subjection, you became unmindful of his benefits, and rejected him, that he should not be your king; not considering that it would be most for your advantage to be presided over by the best of Beings; for God is the best of Beings: but you chuse to have a man for your king; though kings will use their subjects as beasts, according to the violence of their own wills and inclinations, as wholly carried away with the Just of power but will not endeavor so to preserve the race of mankind, as their own workmanship and creation; which for that very reason, God would take care of. Since, however, you have come to a fixed resolution, and this injurious treatment of God has quite prevailed over you, dispose yourselves by your tribes, and cast lots."

When the Hebrews had so done, the lot fell upon the tribe of Benjamin; and when the lot was cast for the families of this tribe, that which was called Matri was taken; and when the lot was cast for the single persons of that family; Saul the son of Kish was taken for their king. When the young man knew this, he prevented their sending for him, and immediately went away and hid himself. I suppose it was because he would not have it thought that he willingly took the government upon him. Nay he shewed such a degree of command over himself, and of modesty, that while the greatest part are not able to contain their joy, even in the gaining of small advantages, but presently shew themselves publicly to all men; this man did not only evince nothing of that nature, when he was appointed to be lord over so many and so great tribes, but crept away, and concealed himself from those he was to reign over, and made them seek him with a good deal of trouble. So when the people were at a loss, and solicitous, because Saul disappeared; the prophet besought God to shew where the young man was, and to produce him before them. So when they had learned the place where Saul was hidden, they sent men to bring him; and when he was come, they set him in the midst of the multitude. Now he was taller than all of them, and his stature was very majestic.

Then said the prophet, "God gives you this man to be your king. See how he is higher than all your people, and worthy of this dominion.* So as soon as the people had made acclamation, "God save the

* Sam. x. 24.

Take here Theodoret's note, cited by Dr, Hudson; "He that exposes his shield to the enemy with his left

king," the prophet wrote down what would come to pass, in a book, and read it in the hearing of the king, and laid up the book in the tabernacle of God; to be a witness to future generations of what he had foretold. So when Samuel had finished this matter, he dismissed the multitude; and came himself to the city Ramah, in his own country. Saul also went to Gibeah, where he was born: and many good men there were who paid him the respect that was due to him; but the greater part were ill men, who despised him and derided the others who neither brought him presents, nor attempted in affection, or even in words, to please him.

CHAP. V.

Of Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites, and his signal victory over them.

AFTER one month, the war which Saul had

with Nahash king of the Ammonites, obtained him respect from all the people. For this Nahash had done a great deal of mischief to the Jews, that lived beyond Jordan; by the expedition he had made against them, with a great and warlike army. He also reduced their cities into slavery, and that not only by subduing them for the present, which he did by force and violence; but weakening them by subtilty and cunning, that they might not be able afterward to get clear of their slavery, for he put out the right eyes of those that either delivered themselves to him upon terms, or were taken by him in war; and this he did that when their left eyes were covered with their shields, they might be wholly useless in war. Now when the king of the Ammonites had served those beyond Jordan in this manner, he led his army against those that were called Gileadites; and having pitched his camp at the metropolis of his enemies, which was the city Jabesh, he sent ambassadors to them, commanding them either to deliver themselves up, on condition to have their right eyes plucked out; or to undergo a siege, and to have their cities overthrown. He gave them their choice whether they would cut off a small member of their body, or universally perish. However the Gileadites were so affrighted at these offers, that they had not courage to say any thing to either of them; neither that they would deliver themselves up, nor that they would fight him. But they desired that he would give them seven days respite, that they might send ambassadors to their countrymen, and intreat assistance; and if they came to assist them they

hand thereby hides his left eye, and looks at the enemy with his right eye, He, therefore, that plucks out that right eye, makes men useless in war."

would

would fight: but if that assistance were impossible to be obtained, they would deliver themselves up to suffer whatever he pleased to inflict upon them.*

Nahash, contemning.the multitude of the Gileadites, and the answer they gave, allowed them a respite, and gave them leave to spend to whomsoever they pleased for assistance. So they immediately sent to the Israelites, city by city; and informed them what Nahash had threatened to do, and what great

distress they were in. Now the people fell into tears and grief, at the hearing of what the ambassadors from Jabesh said; and the terror they were in, permitted them to do nothing more. But when the messengers were come to the city of king Saul, and declared the danger in which the inhabitants of Jabesh were, the people were in the same affliction as those in the other cities: for they lamented the calamity of those related to them. And when Saul was returned from his husbandry, into the city, he found his fellow-citizens weeping; and when, upon enquiry, he had learned the cause of the confusion and sadness they were in, he was seized with a divine fury, and sent away the ambassadors from the inhabitants of Jabesh, promising to come to their assistance on the third day, and to beat their enemies before sun-rising; that the sun, upon its rising, might see that they had already conquered, and were freed from the fears they were under. But he bade some of them remain to conduct him the right way to Jabesh.

So being desirous to excite the people to this war against the Ammonites by fear of the losses they should otherwise undergo; and that they might the more suddenly be gathered together, he cut the si. news of his oxen; and threatened to do the same to all such as did not come with their armor to Jordan the next day, and follow him and Samuel, the prophet, whithersoever they should lead them. So they came together, out of fear of the losses they were threatened with, at the appointed time. And the multitude were numbered at the city Bezek. And he found the number of those that were gathered together, besides that of the tribe of Judah, to be seven hundred thousand; while those of that tribe were seventy thousand. So he passed over Jordan, and proceeded in marching all that night thirty furlongs; and came to Jabesh before sun-rising. So he divided the army into three companies, and fell upon their enemies suddenly and unexpectedly on every side; and joining battle with them, they slew a great many of the Ammonites, together with their king Nahash. This glorious action was performed by Saul, and was related with great commendation of him to all the Hebrews and he thence gained a wonderful reputation for his valor. For although there were

some that contemned him before, they now changed their minds, and honored and esteemed him as the best of men. For he did not content himself with having merely saved the inhabitants of Jabesh; but he made an expedition into the country of the Ammonites, and laid it all waste, and took a large prey, and then returned to his own country triumphantly. So the people were greatly pleased at these excellent performances of Saul, and rejoiced that they had constituted him their king. They also made a clamor against those who pretended he would be of no advantage to their affairs: and they said "Where now are these men? let them be brought to punishment:" + with all the like things that multitudes usually say, when elevated with prosperity, against those that lately had despised the authors of it. But Saul, although he took the good will and the affection of these men very kindly, yet did he swear that he would not see any of his countrymen slain that day; since it was absurd to mix this victory which God had given them, with the slaughter of those that were of the same lineage with themselves: and that it was more agreeable to be then of a friendly disposition, and to betake themselves to feasting.

When Samuel had told them that he ought to confirm the kingdom to Saul by a second ordination of him, they all came together to the city Gilgal; for thither did he command them to come. So the prophet anointed Saul with his holy oil, in sight of the multitude, and declared him to be king the second time, And so the government of the Hebrews was changed into a regal government. For in the days of Moses, and his disciple Joshua, who was their general, they continued under an aristocracy. But after the death of Joshua, for eighteen || years in all, the multitude had no settled form of government, but were in an anarchy. After which they returned to their former government; they then permitting themselves to be judged by him who appeared to be the best warrior, and most courageous; whence it was that they called this inter. val of their government the Judges.

Then did Samuel call another assembly also, and said to them," I solemnly adjure you by God Almighty, who brought those excellent brethren, I mean Moses and Aaron, into the world; and delivered our fathers from the Egyptians, and from the slavery they endured under them; that you will not speak what you say to gratify me, nor suppress any thing out of fear of me, nor. be overborn by any other passion; but say what have I ever done that was cruel or unjust? or what have I done out of lucre or covetousness, or to gratify others? Bear witness against me if I have taken an ox, or a sheep, or any such thing; which yet, when they

are taken to support men, it is esteemed blameless. Or have I taken an ass for mine own use, of any one, to his grief? Lay some one such crime to my charge now we are in your king's presence." But they unanimously exclaimed, that no such thing had been done by him; but that he had presided over the nation after a holy and righteous manner.

When this testimony had been given him by them all, Samuel said, "Since you grant that you are not able to lay any ill thing to my charge hitherto, come on now, and hearken while I speak with great freedom to you. You have been guilty of great impiety against God, in asking you a king. It behoves you to remember, that our grandfather Jacob came down into Egypt by reason of a famine, with seventy souls only of our family, and that their posterity multiplied there to many ten thousands, whom the Egyptians brought into slavery, and hard oppression; that God himself, upon the prayers of our fathers, sent Moses and Aaron, who were brethren, and gave them power to deliver the multitude out of their distress, and this without a king. These brought us into this very land which you now possess. And when you enjoyed these advantages from God, you betrayed his worship, and religion: nay, when you were brought under the hands of your enemies, he delivered you, first by rendering you superior to the Assyrians, and their forces; he then made you to overcome the Ammonites, and Moabites, and last of all the Philistines. And these things have been achieved under the conduct of Jephtha and Gideon. What madness therefore possessed you to fly from God, and to desire to be under a king? yet have I ordained him for king whom he chose for you. However, that I may make it plain to you that God is angry and displeased at your choice of regal government,, I will so dispose him, that he shall declare this very plainly to you, by strange signals; for what none of you ever saw here before, I mean a winter storm in the midst of harvest, I will intreat of God, and will make it visible to you." Now as soon as he had said this, God gave such strange signals by thunder and lightning, and the descent of hail, as attested the truth of all the prophet had said; † insomuch that they were amazed and terrified, and confessed they had sinned, and had fallen into that sin through ignorance; and

besought the prophet, as one that was a tender and gentle father, to render God so merciful as to forgive this sin, which they had added to those other offences whereby they had affronted him and transgressed against him. So he promised that he would beseech God, and persuade him to forgive them their sins. However, he advised them to be righteous, and ever to remember the miseries that had befallen them on account of their departure from virtue; as also to remember the strange signs that God had shewed, and the body of laws that Moses had given them; if they had any desire of being preserved and made happy with their king. But he said, if they should grow careless of these things, great judgments would come from God upon them, and upon their king. And when Samuel had thus prophesied to the Hebrews, he dismissed them to their own homes; having confirmed the kingdom to Saul the second time.

CHAP. VI.

Of an expedition of the Philistines against the Hebrews, and its ill success.

NOW + Saul chose out of the multitude about

three thousand men, and took two thousand of them to be his own body guards, and abode in the city Bethel; but he gave the rest of them for guards to Jonathan his son, and sent him to Gibeah, where he besieged and took a certain garrison of the Philistines, not far from & Galgal. For the Philistines of Gibeah had beaten the Jews, and taken their weapons away; and had put garrisons into the strongest places of the country, and had forbidden them to carry any instrument of iron, or to make use of any iron in any case whatsoever. And on account of this prohibition it was that the husbandmen, if they had occasion to sharpen any of their tools, whether it were the coulter, the spade, or any other instrument of husbandry, they came to the Philistines to do it. Now as soon as the Phi listines heard of this slaughter of their garrison, they were in a rage about it; and looking on this contempt as a terrible affront offered them, they made war against the Jews, with three hundred thousand footmen, thirty thousand chariots, and

one, if not in both places, the decads are wanting. Nor is it fit to invent idle excuses, and far fetcht interpretations, in order to evade such difficulties; as the learned and judicious. Dr. Wall has frequently observed, in his very valuable, but posthumous critical notes on the Old and New Testament. If the text be at all genuine, it might be written at first thus: Saul was 21 or 31 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 2 years.

This was Galgal by Michmas and Bethel, not the famous Galgal or Gilgal near Jericho.