Local Examination Manual. NOTES ON JUDGES (INCLUDING RUTH). BY J. DAVIES, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, AUTHOR OF "MANUALS" OF GENESIS, EXODUS, JOSHUA, ST MARK, ST LUKE, GEORGE PHILIP & SON, 32 FLEET STREET. 1871. 101. g 379 (2) д NOTES ON JUDGES. THIS book takes its name from the fact that it narrates chiefly the deeds of the Judges of Israel. Samuel is generally allowed to have written it. Of this there is the following evidence :-It was composed after the establishment of the monarchy, for the author repeatedly employs the expression, "In those days there was no king in Israel," showing that there was a king when he wrote. It was composed before the taking of Jerusalem by David (in the eighth year of his reign),-for, from c. i. 21, it is clear that when the book was written Jerusalem was still in the hands of the Jebusites. Hence we must assign it to either the reign of Saul, or the first seven years of David's rule; and we know of no one living during this period, excepting Samuel, likely to have written it. The period embraced by Judges extends from the death of Joshua, B.C. 1426, to the death of Abdon, the thirteenth Judge, B.C. 1112. The book may be divided into two parts: (1.) An account of conquests after Joshua's death, and of the gradual lapse of the nation into idolatry,— with the incidents of Micah's images, of the Danites' migration, and of the war made by the other tribes on Benjamim. (2.) The history of the Judges. The form of government during this period was, as under Moses and Joshua, a Theocracy,-God revealing His will through the High Priest, or to the Judges whom He raised up. The government, from the settlement of the tribes in their inheritance, until Saul was made king, is called, also, the Federative Republic, because each tribe was governed by its princes, and heads of clans and houses, while all were united in their common laws and worship. PART I. CHAPTERS II. 6-23; III. 1-4. An Introductory Epitome of the Subjects of the Book, including a Retrospective Mention of the Settlement of the Land, and of Joshua's Death. C. ii. v. 9. "Timnath-heres,”—is called Timnath-serah in Joshua. "His inheritance." At the division of the land amongst the tribes, Joshua had Timnath-serah, (with, doubtless, the surrounding district), in his own tribe, Ephraim, given him as his special portion. v. 10. "Knew not,"-i.e., had no regard or affection for. The new generation must have been brought up with some knowledge of the Law, and have learned the " noble deeds" that God had done for their ancestors; but this knowledge had no effect on their heart and conduct. = v. 11. "Baalim" lords. The plural here indicates that they served various false gods. v. 13. Baal," was the chief male deity of the Phonicians, and seems to have been the same as the Sun. The name came to be applied, as it is constantly in Scripture, to idols generally. Ashtaroth," the plural of Ashtoreth,-here means female deities in general. Ashtoreth, (or Astarte), was the chief female Phoenician and Philistine deity, and seems to have been the same as the Moon. She corresponded to the Grecian Venus. v. 14. "Sold,"-into slavery, as a creditor would a debtor unable to pay. v. 16. "Judges." The Hebrew word, Shophetim, is the name applied to the ordinary magistrates. It is naturally given to those specially-appointed rulers of whom this book treats, because the chief employment of Eastern governors is to judge. The Judges of Israel were extraordinary officers appointed by God, or by the people, to assume the chief authority in great emergencies. After they had com pleted the work to which they had been called, they seem to have continued to govern for the rest of their lives. They had not the power to make laws, or to impose taxes; but they could declare war, and their settlement of causes was final. The office was not hereditary at first, but there was a gradual tendency in this direction, until we find Samuel appointing his sons to succeed him. All the Judges were not raised up to perform military exploits. "Eli and Samuel were not military men; Deborah judged Israel before she planned the war against Jabin; and of Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, it is at least uncertain whether they ever held any military command." The only ones directly appointed by God were Gideon and Samson. v. 18. "It repented the Lord,"-.e., God changed His method of dealing with the Israelites. In Psalms, we have a sketch of the declension and punishment of the Israelites, much resembling that given in this chapter : "They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them; but were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols, which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry and he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies" (Ps. cvi. 34-38, 40-45). v. 22. "Prove," ie., try their fidelity, (as God had done in Abraham's case). C. iii. vs. 1,2. In c. ii. 21, 22, we find it stated, "I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the |