his banners they had often marched to victory; but, infected with the example of other nations, they despised the remonstrances of the prophet; and the king whom they anointed to reign over them seems equally to have slighted the law of God, the wise instructions of Samuel, and the rights of his people. In all these important events, we behold much for instruction, correction, and reproof. Happy those who learn wisdom from hence, and are followers of them, who, through faith and patience, are now inheriting the promises.

1

A

COMPLETE

HISTORY

OF THE

Holy Bible.

BOOK THE FIFTH.

TH 'HE first memorable exploit of Saul, the new monarch of Israel, was against Nahash, king of the Ammonites, in consequence of an application for aid from the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead, to whom Nahash had refused to grant reasonable conditions. Saul dispatched his messengers throughout Israel, commanding all, on pain of death, to come to the relief of Jabesh. The Israelites readily obeyed, and in a very short time an army of three hundred thousand Israelites, besides thirty thousand of the tribe of Judah, was collected. This army Saul divided into three parts, and by break of day surprised the careless Ammonites. The action continued till noon; the victorious Israelites bearing down all before them. This glorious success, heightened much by the greatness of the deliverance from so insulting an enemy, afforded no small satisfaction and encouragement to Saul and his friends, some of whom, calling to mind the reflections thrown upon Saul at his election, demanded to have his opposers brought to condign punishment: but the king, with equal generosity and policy, replied, that he would not suffer that day of general joy to be clouded with the death of a single Israelite.

Upon this signal victory, Samuel, earnestly desirous of reconciling all parties, and of giving an opportunity to those who had opposed Saul, now to recognize him, proposed a general meeting at Gilgal, to confirm his election, which they accordingly did, in the most unanimous manner; and having sacrificed peace-offerings to the Lord, both the king and people celebrated their meeting with much joy. But lest any intemperance in their mirth should make them forget God, Samuel took occasion there to remind them of their former transgressions, in slighting his administration, and changing the government; challenging them to convict him, if they could, of any injury he had done them. Of which they unanimously acquit him. Then, repeating the many deliverances which God had given to their forefathers and themselves, and setting before them their last transgression in rejecting the government of God, and desiring a king, he assures them, that notwithstanding all this, if they would serve and obey the Lord, both they and their king should continue under the care and protection of God; but if they would' not, that then the hand of the Lord should fall in judgment upon them and their princes. And to convince them that he uttered not this of himself, nor from any prejudice against them, but merely by the Divine suggestion, he assured them that the Lord himself would confirm what he had said by a great storm of thunder and rain. Accordingly, upon Samuel's praying, there fell such a storm of thunder and rain, as af frighted the Israelites into a sense of their former trans, gression; and made them intreat Samuel to pray to God for them, acknowledging that they had sinned in desiring a king. Samuel continued his exhortation, advising the people to serve God, assuring them that he would not only pray for them, but that he would always be ready to teach them their duty; at the same time threatening them with destruction if they disobeyed, both them and their king,

After the victory obtained by Saul over the Ammonites, he dismissed his large army, retaining only three thousand men; two thousand of whom he kept with him at Michmash and on the mountains of Bethel, while the other

thousand was placed under the command of his son Jonathan at Gibeah. Jonathan being a brave young prince, and ambitious of renown, cut off the garrison of the Philis tines at Geba, which was a sort of signal to both sides to prepare for war. The Philistines soon received notice of this; and in order to revenge it, raised a vast army; which, beside a great number of foot, consisted of three thousand chariots, and six thousand horse, with which they came and encamped at Michmash. Saul, by sound of trumpet, collected what force he could raise to oppose them, and ordered the rendezvous to be at Gilgal; where he encamped, daily expecting the arrival of Samuel. Disappointed, however, in this, the people were utterly discouraged, and generally deserted their new and muchdesired king, every one shifting for himself, some hiding themselves in the rocks, and others, not thinking themselves safe, passing the river Jordan.

Saul, finding himself thus forsaken, and despairing of Samuel's coming, called for a burnt-offering and a peaceoffering, and offered the burnt-offering: Which he had no sooner done, than the approach of the prophet was announced; upon which he went out to meet him. Samuel asking him what he had done, Saul told him all, adding, as an apology for his conduct, That seeing the people deserted him for want of his presence, and the near approach of the enemy, he was afraid they would attack him before he could address himself to the Lord for success, and therefore he had offered a burnt-offering

Three. This is, by the neglect of transcribers, rendered thirty thousand. But it is not likely that the Philistines had thirty thousand chariots of war, since Shishack, the most powerful of all the kings of Egypt, had but twelve hundred, 2 Chron. xii. 3, and since Pharaoh had but six hundred, and all the other princes, whose equipage is related in Scripture, fewer still, as may be seen in many places. 'For which reasons the Syriac and Arabic versions have given the Philistines but three thousand chariots. To these considerations we may add, that the cavalry was always more numerous than the chariots of war, and yet they had no more than six thousand horsemen.

before he came. Samuel sharply reproved him, and charged him with a breach* of God's commandment, by which he had forfeited his kingdom, and which God had now transferred to another. Upon this, Samuel left Gilgal, and went to Gibeah, whither Saul and Jonathan, with about six hundred men, and those very ill provided, followed. For the Philistines, to prevent the Israelites from arming, had taken care that they should have no smith; so that they were forced to make use of their working tools, such as plough-shares, mattocks, axes, and coulters, instead of military weapons.

While this little army lay at Gibeah, the vanguard of the Philistines, in three bodies, sallied out to ravage the country; but their main body continued in the straits of Micmash. Jonathan observing their position, and inspired with a more than ordinary courage, privately withdrew from the camp, attended only by his armour-bearer, to whom he had imparted his design, and who promised to stand by him. Being come near the out-guards, the Philistines discovering them, took them to be some of the Israelites who had skulked about the rocks, and in ridicule called them to come near. way by which they were to pass was steep and narrow, having a sharp rock on each side, so that Jonathan and his servant were obliged to climb up on their hands and feet. As soon however as they reached the summit, they laid about them so furiously, that, in a short space of time, they slew twenty Philistines. This bold attempt of two men only, on a whole army, occasioned a general panic, the natural effect of which was so great a disorder, that

The

Breach. What that breach was is hard to guess; for according to the text it is plain, 1 Sam. xiii. 8, that Saul tarried seven days for Samuel, but he came not. Though his impatience might shorten the last day, and that Samuel deferred his coming to the last, to try Saul's obedience. Some will have it that Saul himself offered the burnt-offering, which can hardly be supposed; for the Ark of the Lord being with them, they could not want a priest to do that office. But whatever the cause was, Saul was guilty of that which cost him his kingdom, almost in the beginning of his reign.