_THE PEOPLE BEWAIL THE DESOLATION OF BENJAMIN: THEY SEND TO JABESH-GILEAD, AND DESTROY THE INHABITANTS, EXCEPT FOUR HUNDRED VIRGINS, WHO ARE MARRIED TO SO MANY OF THE REMAINING BENJAMITES; THE REST OF WHOM AFTERWARDS CARRY OFF TWO HUNDRED VIRGINS FROM SHILOH, AND MARRY THEM._ _Before Christ 1426._... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY HAD MADE A GREAT OATH— See what has been said of this oath or anathema in the last note on the 19th chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY WOMAN THAT HATH LIEN BY MAN— This exception for the preservation of virgins was received in all nations, and was in time the source of the many prerogatives wherewith virgins were honoured; those which they received among the Romans were extraordinary. See Martin's Explication des Textes, p. 1... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THERE IS A FEAST OF THE LORD IN SHILOH YEARLY— The three great festivals were always to be held in the place where God fixed his habitation, which was now at Shiloh. Some have supposed, that this festival was that of the _passover;_ but, from the festivity attending it, it is much more reaso... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THOSE DAYS THERE WAS NO KING IN ISRAEL, &C.— The sacred writer, no doubt, repeats this observation to account for the disorders and enormities mentioned in the four preceding Chapter s, which, as they exhibit a most depraved state of things, so are they, we apprehend, by no means to be justified.... [ Continue Reading ]