_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 ]