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(1 Sam. xiii. 20), as armorers (1 Sam. xvii. 5, 6), and as builders, if we may judge from the prolonged sieges which several of their towns sustained. Their images and the golden mice and emerods (1 Sam. vi. 11) imply an acquaint ance with the founder's and goldsmith's art. Their wealth was abundant (Judg. xvi. 5, 18), and they appear in all respects to have been a prosperous people. Possessed of such elements of power, the Philistines had attained in the time of the judges an important position among Eastern

surprised that they were able to extend their authority over the Israelites, devoid as these were of internal union, and harassed by external foes.

therefore supposed that the Philistines | attained proficiency in the arts of emigrated from that island, either di- peace; they were skillful as smiths rectly or through Egypt, into Palestine. This is rendered more probable by the mention of the Cherethites in the Philistine plain (1 Sam. xxx. 14), which name in its Hebrew form bears a close resemblance to Crete, and is rendered Cretans in the Septuagint. But whatever was their origin, we find these "strangers" settled in the time of Abraham; for they are noticed in his day as a pastoral tribe in the neighborhood of Gerar (Gen. xxi. 32, 34, xxvi. 1, 8); and this position accords with the statement in Deut. ii. 23, that the Avim dwelt in Haze- nations; we can not, therefore, be rim, i.e., in nomad encampments; for Gerar lay in the south country, which was just adapted to such a life. At the time of the Exodus they were still in the same neighborhood, but grown sufficiently powerful to inspire the Israelites with fear (Ex. xiii. 17, xv. 14). When the Israelites arrived, they were in full possession of the Shephelah, or maritime plain, from the "river of Egypt" in the south to Ekron in the north (Josh. xv. 4, 47), and had formed a confederacy of five powerful cities-Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron (Josh. xiii. 3). The interval that elapsed between Abraham and the Exodus seems sufficient to allow for the alteration that took place in the position of the Philistines, and their transformation from a pastoral tribe to a settled and powerful nation. The richness of the soil of the Shephelah has been in all ages remarkable, and the crops which it yielded were alone sufficient to insure national wealth. It was also adapted to the growth of military power; for while the plain itself permitted the use of war-chariots, which were the chief arm of offense, the occasional elevations which rise out of it offered secure sites for towns and strongholds. The Philistines had at an early period

The history of the struggles of the Israelites against these formidable foes has been narrated in the preceding chapter, and it was in order to resist them more effectually that the Israelites mainly desired a king. It was not till the latter end of David's reign that the Philistines were finally subdued, as will be told in its proper place. The whole of Philistia was included in Solomon's empire, the extent of which is described as being "from the river unto the land of the Philistines, unto the border of Egypt" (1 K. iv. 21; 2 Chron. ix. 26), and again "from Tipsah even unto Gaza " (1 K. iv. 24 ; A.V. “ Azzah”). The several towns probably remained under their former governors, as in the case of Gath (1 K. ii. 39), and the sovereignty of Solomon was acknowledged by the payment of tribute (1 K. iv. 21). There are indications, however, that his hold on the Philistine country was by no means established; for we find him securing the passes that led up from the plain to the central district by the fortification of Gezer and Beth-horon (1 K. ix.

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17), while no mention is made either dod, Ashkelon, and Gatn interchange of Gaza or Ashdod, which fully com- places. Each town possessed its own manded the coast-road. The division territory, and each possessed its deof the empire at Solomon's death was pendent towns or daughters" (Josh. favorable to the cause of the Philis- xv. 45-47; 1 Chr. xviii. 1; 2 Sam. tines, and they again appear as formi- i. 20; Ez. xvi. 27, 57) and its villages dable enemies to the kings of Judah (Josh. l.c.). The gods whom they and Israel. chiefly worshiped were Dagon, who With regard to the institutions of possessed temples both at Gaza (Judg. the Philistines our information is xvi. 23) and at Ashdod (1 Sam. v. 3. scanty. The five chief cities had, as 5; 1 Chr. x. 10; 1 Macc. x. 83); we have already seen, constituted Ashtaroth, whose temple at Ashkelon themselves into a confederacy as early was far-famed (1 Sam. xxxi. 10); as the days of Joshua, restricted, how- Baal-zebub, whose fame at Ekron was ever, in all probability, to matters of consulted by Ahaziah (2 K. i. 2–6). offense and defense. Each was un- Priests and diviners (1 Sam. vi. 2) der the government of a prince. Gaza were attached to the various seats of may be regarded as having exercised a worship. hegemony over the others; for in the lists of the towns it is mentioned the first (Josh. xiii. 3 ; Am. i. 7, 8), except where there is an especial ground for giving prominence to another, as in the case of Ashdod (1 Sam. vi. 17). Ekron always stands last, while Ash

It is a curious fact that the Philis. tines, the great enemy of the chosen people, have given their name to the whole of the Holy Land, for PALESTINE is merely another form of Huil istia. See p. 281.

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THE REIGN OF SAUL AND EARLY HISTORY OF DAVID.

1056.

B.C. 1095

§ 1. End of the Theocracy: the people desire a king. § 2. Saul: his character and family. § 3. His visit to Samuel, designation, anointing, and the signs of God's favor. § 4. His election as king by lot, acceptance by the people, and inauguration in the kingdom by Samuel. § 5. His relief of Jabesh-gilead from Nahash the Ammonite-Second inauguration of the kingdom, and retirement of Samuel, at Gilgal. § 6. Saul's second year-The "War of Michmash" with the Philistines-The first case of Saul's disobedience, and the first sentence of rejection-Jonathan surprises the camp of the Philistines-Their rout, and Saul's foolish Vow-Jonathan saved by the people-Other enemies subdued-Saul's kingdom fully established-His family, guards, officers, and regal state

§ 7. Second period of Saul's reign-His mission against Amalek, diso bedience, and final rejection-Samuel's last parting with Saul, and mourning for him. § 8. Samuel sent to Bethlehem to anoint DAVID the son of Jesse as the first true King of Israel-His lineage, character, and early life-Sources of information. § 9. The war of Ephes-dammini with the Philistines-David's visits to the camp: his character for courage and prudence-He soothes Saul's madness with his harp-Slays Goliath, and becomes Saul's armor-bearer--Beginning of his friendship with Jonathan, and of Saul's jealousy-David marries Michal, and be comes captain of the body-guard. § 10. Saul's open plots against David's life-David's flight to Ramah, to Achish, to the Cave of Adullam, and to the wilderness-His visit to Nob, and Saul's slaughter of the priests-Saul's pursuit of David: their two interviews-Death of Samuel-The story of Nabal, and David's double marriage to Abigail and Ahinoam-His final flight to the Philistines, and settlement at Ziklag. § 11. Gathering of the Philistines at Jezreel-Saul and the witch of Endor-David returns from the Philistine camp and avenges the sack of Ziklag. § 12. Battle of Mount Gilboa-Death of Saul and his sonsDavid's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan-The Psalms of this second period of David's history.

§ 1. THE Philistine yoke was broken, and the attacks of enemies on the other frontiers had ceased. Peace was restored to Israel under the wisest and holiest ruler they had had since Joshua, and it might have seemed that the theocracy was safely re-established.' And yet it is not surprising that the people should have thought less of their present security than of their past dangers, and that the season of tranquillity was used as an opportunity for obtaining what they deemed a stronger and more permanent government. The offer of the crown to Gideon proves that this desire had long been growing, from envy of the splendor and power of the surrounding monarchies, and from a bitter sense of the disorders of those times when "there was no king in Israel, and every man did what was right in his own eyes." And, just as we often see the effect of some inveterate evil reach its climax at the very moment when the cause itself seems to have been subdued, so the settlement of the government by Samuel failed to avert the revolution for which the misconduct of his sons gave the immediate occasion. The elders of Israel came to him at his house at Ramah, and pleading his own great age, and the evils growing up again, their sense of which would be the keener from the remembrance of Hophni and Phinehas, they plainly made the request, “Make us a KING, to judge us, like all the nations."

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Their idea of a king may be summed up in the three points threatening to recover the ascend. ency. 21 Sam. viii. 5. See especially v. 20.

The passage in 1 Sam. ix. 16, however, indicates a state of things in which the Philistines were always

of a leader always ready at their head in war, a judge pro vided without interruption by the law of hereditary descent, and a court. invested with dignity and magnificence. Their reference to the prophet proves that they wished to have the divine sanction to their desire.

It was a trying moment for Samuel, as a man, a father, and a prophet of Jehovah: "The thing was evil in the eyes of Samuel." At his age, and with his spirit, we can not suppose him to have been much concerned at the loss of his own pow er. The slight to his government was excused by the misconduct of his sons; and keenly as we see that he felt the implied rebellion against Jehovah, the case was beyond the reach of mere reproof, and the people would not have been contented with the simple reply of Gideon," Jehovah shall rule over you." Samuel applied himself to the resource that never failed him, he prayed unto Jehovah. His indignation was at once justified and chastened by the assurance, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected ME from reigning over them."

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These words are the key to the whole history of the Hebrew monarchy; but they must not be viewed as entirely words of anger. God pitied the infirmities of His people, even while He punished their self-will by granting their de sire. So Samuel is instructed to grant them their request, but not till he had first solemnly warned them of its immediate results, in the oppression which their king would exercise till they should cry out to Jehovah against the master of their own choice. The prophet's description of a self-willed king should be compared with the law laid down by Moses, in anticipation of the kingdom.' The expostulation had no ef fect; and, after once more laying before Jehovah their reply, "We will have a king over us," and again receiving the command to make them a king, Samuel sent them back to their cities, to await the man selected for them in the providence of God. We must not suppose that that man would be a ferocious tyrant, at once beginning to inflict the retribution of their folly. Like their own idea of a monarchy, he cover ed, under a fair exterior, great possibilities of good, and the seeds of still greater evil.

§ 2. SAUL, a name rendered memorable in the annals of the tribe of Benjamin and of the world, by the king and the apos

In ancient times and Eastern | stood by the Jews, is clear from the countries this notion was inseparable offer of the crown to Gideon (Judg. from royalty. That it was so under- viii. 22). 5 1 Sam. viii. 6. Deut. xvii. 16-20.

1 Sam. viii. 7-18.

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1 Sam. viii.

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