And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.

Ver 33. And they sat before him, &c.] He marshalled them in their right rank and degree; and this amazed them. He made them an absolute feast, such as Varro describes with these conditions; Si belli conveniant homines, si temporis sit habita ratio, si locus sit non ingratus, si non negligens apparatus. a This feast is of that sort in use among the Romans, that were called χαριστια, to which were invited none but kinsfolks, to continue love and seek reconciliation where had been any breach. b

a In Veter. Fragm.

b Val. Max., lib. ii. cap. 1.

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