six thousand horses; and they pitched their camp at the city Michmash.** When Saul, the king of the Hebrews, was informed of this, he went down to the city Gilgal, and made proclamation over all the country, that they should try to regain their liberty, and called them to the war against the Philistines, diminishing their forces, and despising them, as not so great, but they might hazard a battle with them. But when the people about Saul observed how numerous the Philistines were, they were un der great consternation; and some of them hid themselves in caves, and in dens under ground; but the greater part fled into the land beyond Jordan, which belonged to Gad and Reubel. But Saul sent to the prophet, and called him to consult with him about the war, and the public affairs. So he commanded him to stay there for him, and to prepare sacrifices; for he would come to him within seven days, that they might offer sacrifices on the seventh day, and might then join battle with their enemies. So he waited, as the prophet commanded him to do. Yet did not he observe the command that was given him. But when he saw that the prophet tarried longer than he expected, and that he was deserted by the soldiers, he took the sacrifices, and offered them. At this juncture he heard that Samuel was come, and went out to meet him. But the prophet said he had not done well in disobeying the injunctions he had sent him; *1 Sam. xiii. 5.. Saul seems to have staid till near the time of the evening sacrifice, on the seventh day; which Samuel had appointed him; but not till the end of that day, as he ought to have done; and Samuel appears, by delaying. to come till the full time of the evening sacrifice on that* day, to have tried him (who seems to have been already for some time declining from his strict subordination to God, and his prophet; to have taken life-guards for himself and his son, which was an entirely new thing in Israel, and savored of a distrust of God's providence; and to have affected more than he ought that independent authority which the Pagan kings took to themselves:) Samuel, I say, seems here to have tried Saul, whether he would stay till the priest came; who alone could lawfully offer the sacrifices, or would boldly and profanely usurp the priest's office; which he venturing upon, was justly rejected for his profaneness. See Constitut. Apost. II. 27. And indeed since Saul had accepted kingly power, which naturally becomes ungovernable and tyrannical, as God foretold, and the experience of all ages has shewn ; the divine settlement by Moses had soon been laid aside under the kings, had not God, by keeping strictly to his laws, and severely executing the threatenings therein contained, restrained Saul and other kings in some degree of obedience to himself. Nor was even this severity sufficient to restrain most of the future kings of Israel and Judah, from the grossest idolatry and impiety. Of the advantage of which strictness, in the observing divine laws, and inflicting their threatened penalties. See Antiq. VI. 12. where Josephus speaks of VOL. 1.-NO. XI. and had not stayed till his coming; which being appointed according to the will of God, he had prevented him in offering those players and sacrifices that he should have made for the multitude; and that he therefore had performed divine offices rashly, and in an ill manner. Hereupon Saul made an apology for himself, and said, that he had waited as many days as Samuel had appointed; that he had been so quick in offering his sacrifice, upon account of the necessity he was in, and because his soldiers were departing from him, out of their fear of the enemies' camp at Michmash: the report being gone abroad that they were coming down upon him to Gilgal. Samuel replied, "Nay, certainly, if thou hadst been a righteous man, and hadst not disobeyed me, nor slighted the commands which God suggested to me concerning the present state of affairs, and hadst not acted more hastily than the present circumstances required, thou wouldst have been permitted to reign a long time, and thy posterity after thee.§ So Samuel being grieved at what had happened, returned home. But Saul came to the city Gibeah, with his son Jonathan; having only six hundred men with him: and of these the greater part had no weapons; because of the scarcity of iron in that country, as well as of those that could make such weapons: for as he shewed a little before, the Philistines had not suffered them to have such iron, or such workmen. Now the that matter. Though it seems at least in three instances, that good men did not always immediately approve of such divine severity. There seems to be one instance, 1 Sam. vi. 19, 20. Another, 1 Sam. xv. 11. And a third, 2 Sam. vi. 8, 9. Jos. Antiq. VI. 7. though they all at last acquiesced in the divine conduct, as knowing that God is wiser than men. By this answer of Samuel, and that from a divine commission, which is fuller in 1 Sam. xiii. 14. and by that parallel note in the Apostolical Constitutions, just quoted,. concerning the great wickedness of Saul in venturing, even under a seeming necessity of affairs, to usurp the priest's office, and offer sacrifice without the priest, we are in some degree able to answer that question, which I have ever thought a very difficult one: viz. Whether if there were a city or country of lay christians, without any clergymen, it were lawful for the laity alone to baptize, administer the sacrament, &c. or indeed whether they alone could ordain themselves either bishops, priests, or deacons, for the due performance of such sacerdotal ministrations; or whether they ought not rather, till they procure clergymen to come among them, to confine themselves within those bounds of piety and christianity which belong alone to the laity: such particularly as are recommended in the 1st Book of the Apostolical Constitutions, which peculiarly concern the laity, and are intimated in Clement's undoubted Epistle, § 40. To which Jatter opinion I incline. Philistines divided their army into three companies, and took as many roads; and laid waste the country of the Hebrews: while Saul and his son Jonathan saw what was done, but were not able to defend the land; as having no more than six hundred men with them. But as he, and his son, and Ahiah the high-priest, who was of the posterity of Eli, were sitting upon a pretty high hill, and seeing the land laid waste, they were greatly disturbed at it. Now Saul's son agreed with his armor-bearer, that they would go privately to the enemies' camp, and make a tumult, and a disturbance among them. And when the armor-bearer had readily promised to follow, whithersoever he should lead him, though he should be obliged to die in the attempt, Jonathan made use of the young man's assistance, and descended from the hill, and went to their enemics. Now the enemy's camp was upon a precipice, which had three tops, that ended in a small but sharp and long extremity: while there was a rock that surrounded them, like lines made to prevent the attacks of an enemy. There it happened, that the out-guards of the camp were neglected; because of the natural security of the place, and because they thought it altogether impossible, not only to ascend to the camp on that quarter, but so much as to come near it. As soon therefore as they came to the camp, Jonathan encouraged his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Let us attack our enemies and if when they see us, they bid us come up to them; take that for a signal of victory. But if they say nothing, as not intending to invite us to come up, let us return back again.* So when they were approaching to the camp, just after break of day, and the Philistines saw them, they said to one another, "The Hebrews come out of their dens and caves:" and they said to Jonathan, and to his armor-bearer, "Come on, ascend up to us, that we may inflict a just punishment upon you for your rash attempt." So Saul's son accepted that invitation; as indicative of victory, and immediately came out of the place whence they were seen by their enemies: so he changed his place, and came to the rock, which had none to guard it, because of its own strength. From thence they crept up with great labour and difficulty, and overcame by force the nature of the place, till they were able to fight with their enemies. So they fell upon them, as they were asleep, and slew about twenty of them; and thereby filled them with disorder, and surprise insomuch that some of them threw away * 1 Sam. xiv. 9, 10. This rash vow, or curse of Saul's, which Josephus says was confirmed by the people, and yet not executed, (I suppose principally because Jonathan did not know of it,) is very remarkable; it being of the essence of the obligation of all laws, that they be sufficiently known and promulgated. Otherwise the conduct of Providence, their armor, and fled; but the greatest part not knowing one another, because they were of different nations, suspected each other to be enemies ; (for they did not imagine that there were only two of the Hebrews that came up.) and so they fought one against another. And some of them died in the battle, and some as they were flying away were thrown headlong from the rock. w Now Saul's watchman told the king, that the camp of the Philistines was in confusion. Then he enquired, whether any body were gone from the army? and when he heard that his son, and his armor-bearer were absent, he bade the high-priest take the pontifical garments and predict what success they should have. The high-priest said, they should get the victory, and prevail against their enemies. So he went out after the Philistines, and set upon them, as they were slaying one another. Those also came running to him, who had fled before to dens and caves; upon their hearing that Saul was gaining a victory. When therefore the num ber of the Hebrews that came to Saul amounted to about ten thousand, he pursued the enemy, who were scattered all over the country. But then he fell into an action, which was a very unhappy one, and liable to be very much blamed. For whether out of ignorance, or whether out of joy for a victory gained so strangely, (for it frequently happens that persons so fortunate are not then able to use their reason consistently;) he was so desirous to avenge himself, and to exact a due punishment of the Philistines, that he denounced a curse on the Hebrews, to this purport. If any one put a stop to his slaughter of the enemy, and began eating, and left off the slaughter, or the pursuit before night came on, and obliged them so to do; he should be accursed." Now after Saul had denounced this curse, since they were in a wood belonging to the tribe of Ephraim, which was thick and full of bees; Saul's son, who did not hear his father denounce that curse, nor hear of the approbation the multitude gave to it brake off a piece of honey-comb, and ate part of it. But in the mean time, he was informed with what a curse his father had forbidden them to taste any thing before sun-setting: so he left off eating, and said his father had not done well in this prohibition; because had they taken some food, they had pursued the enemy with greater vigor and alacrity, and had both taken and slain many more of their enemies. ‡ as to the sacredness of solemn oaths and vows, in God's refusing to answer by Urim, till this breach of Saul's vow or curse was understood and set right, and God propitiated by public prayer, is here very remarkable: as indeed it is every where else in the Old Testament. See Scripture Politics, pag. 54-65. 1 Sam. xiv. 29, 30. When When therefore they had slain many ten thousands of the Philistines, they began spoiling their camp; bnt not till late in the evening. They also took a great deal of prey, and cattle, and killed them and ate them with their blood. The scribes therefore told their sovereign that the multitude were sinning against God, as they sacrificed; and were eating before the blood was well washed away, and the flesh was made clean. Then did Saul give order, that a great stone should be rolled into the midst of them, and he made proclamation that they should kill their sacrifices upon it, and not feed upon the flesh with the blood; for that was not acceptable to God. And when all the people did as the king commanded, Saul erected an altar, and offered burnt offerings to God. This was the first altar that Saul built.+ So when Saul was desirous of leading his men to the enemies' camp before it was day, in order to plunder it; and when the soldiers were not unwilling to follow him, but indeed shewed great readiness to do as he commanded them; the king called Ahitub the high priest, and enjoined him to know of God whether he would grant them permission to go against the camp, in order to destroy those that were in it. But the priest said, that God would not give any answer. Then said Saul. "It is not without some cause, that God refuses to answer what we enquire of him; while yet a little while ago he declared to us all that we desired beforehand and even prevented us in his answer. To be sure there is soine sin against him that is concealed from us, which is the occasion of his silence. Now I swear by himself, that though he that committed this sin should prove to be my own son Jonathan, I will slay hini; and by that means will appease the anger of God against us; and that in the very same manner as if I were to punish a stranger, and one not at all related to me for the same offence."+ So when the multitude cried out to him so to do, he presently set all the rest on one side, and he and his son stood on the other side, and he sought to discover the offender by lot. Now the lot appeared to fall upon Jonathan himself. So when he was asked by his father what sin he had been guilty of? and what he was conscious of in the course of his life that might be esteemed instances of guilt or profaneness ? his answer was this, "O father! I have done nothing more than that yesterday, without knowing of the curse and the oath thou hadst denounced, while I was in pursuit of the enemy, I * Here we have still more indications of Saul's affectation of despotic power, and of his intrenching upon the priesthood, and making and endeavouring to execute a rash vow or curse without consulting Samuel, or the Sanbedrim. In this view it is also that I look upon this erection of a new altar by Saul, and his offering of burnt tasted of a honey-comb." Saul immediately sware that he would slay him, and prefer the observation of his oath before all the ties of birth and of nature. But Jonathan was not dismayed at this threatening; but offering himself to it generously, and undauntedly, he said, "Nor do I desire you, father, to spare me. Death will be to me very acceptable, when it proceeds from thy piety, and after a glorious victory for it is the greatest consolation to me, that I leave the Hebrews victorious over the Philistines." Hereupon all the people were greatly afflicted for Jonathan; and they sware that they would not see him die, who was the author of their victory. By which means they snatched him out of the danger he was in from his father's curse ; while they made their prayers to God, also for the young man, that he would remit his sin. So Saul having slain about sixty thousand of the enemy, returned to his own city, and reigned happily. And he also fought against the neighbouring nations, and subdued the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, and Amalekites; as also the king of Zobah. He had three male children, Jonathan Ishui, and Melchi-shua, with Merah and Michal his daughters. He had also Abner his uncle's son for the captain of his host; that uncle's name was Ner, Now Ner and Kish the father of Saul were brothers. Saul had also a great many chariots and horsemen; and against whomsoever he made war, he returned conqueror, and advanced the affairs of the Hebrews to a great degree of success and prosperity, and made them superior to other nations. And he made such of the young men as were remarkable for tallness and comeliness his body guards. CHAP. VII. Of Saul's war with the Amalekites, and his conquest of them. NOW Samuel came unto Saul, § and said unto Now him, that he was sent by God to put him in mind, that God had preferred him before all others, and ordained him king: that he therefore ought to be obedient to him, and to submit to his authority; as considering, that though he had the dominion over the other tribes, yet that God had the dominion over him, and over all things. That accordingly God said to him, "Because the Amalekites did the Hebrews a great deal of mischief while they were in the wilderness, and when, upon their coming out of Egypt, they were making their way to offerings himself upon it, and not as any proper instance of devotion or religion. + Sam. xiv. 35. 1 Sam. xiv. 39. § About An. 1100, that that country which is now their own, I enjoin thee to punish the Amalekites, by making war upon them; and when thou hast subdued them, to leave none of them alive; but to pursue them through every age, and to slay them; beginning with the women and the infants: and to require this as a punishment to be inflicted on them for the mischief they did to our forefathers. To spare nothing, neither asses, nor other beasts; nor to reserve any of them for your own advantage and possession: but to devote them universally to God, and, in obe. dience to the commands of Moses, to blot out the name of Amalek entirely. * Saul promised to do what he was commanded; and supposing that his obedience to God would be shewn not only in making war against the Amalekites, but more fully in the readiness and quickness of his proceedings; he immediately gathered together all his forces. And when he had numbered them in Gilgal, he found them to be about four hundred thousand of the Israelites; besides the tribe of Judah: for that tribe contained by itself thirty. thousand. Accordingly Saul made an irruption into the country of the Amalekites; and set many men and several parties in ambush at the river; that so he might not only do them a mischief by open fighting; but might fall upon them unexpectedly in the ways, and might thereby surround, and kill them. And when he had joined battle with the euemy he beat them, and pursuing them as they fled, he destroyed them all. And when that undertaking had succeeded, according as God had foretold; he besieged the cities of the Amalekites, and took them by force; partly by warlike machines, partly by mines dug under ground, and partly by building walls on the outsides. Some they starved out with famine, and some they gained by other methods; and after all he betook himself to slay the women and the children, and thought he did not act therein either barbarously or inhumanly: first because they were enemies whom he thus treated; and in the next place because it was done by the command of God; whom it was dangerous not to obey. He also took Agag, the enemies' king, captive. The beauty and tallness of whose body he admired so much, that he thought him worthy of preservation. Yet was not this done according to the will of Godhut by giving way to human passions, and suffering himself to be moved with an unseasonable commiseration, in a point where it was not safe to * The reason of this 'severity is distinctly given, 1 Sam. xv. 18. Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites. Nor indeed do we ever meet with these Amalekites, but as very cruel and bloody people; and particularly seeking to injure, and utterly to destroy the nation of Israel. See Exod. xvii. 8-16. Numb, xiv. 45. Deut. xxv. 17, 18, 19. Judg. vi. 3, 6, vii. 12. x. 12. 1 Sam. indulge it. For God hated the nation of the Ama lekites, to such a degree, that he commanded Saul to have no piton even those infants which we by nature chiefly compassionate. Saul, however, preserved the king from the miseries which the Hebrews brought on the people; as if he preferred the fine appearance of the enemy to the memory of what God had sent him about. The multitude were also guilty, together with Saul; for they spared the herds and the flocks, and took them for a prey; when God had commanded they should not spare them. They also carried off the rest of their wealth and riches; but if there were any thing that was not worthy of regard, that they destroved.† When Saul had conquered all these. Amalekites that reached from Pelustum of Egypt, to the Red Sea; he laid waste all the rest of the enemies' country; but for the nation of the Sichemites, he did not touch them; although they dwelt in the very middle of the country of Midian. For before the battle, Saul had sent to them, and charged them to depart thence; lest they should be partakers of the miseries of the Amalekites. For he had a just occasion for saving them, since they were of the kindred of Raguel, Moses's father-in-law. Hereupon Saul returned home with joy, for the glorious things he had done, and for the conquest of his enemies; as though he had not neglected any thing which the prophet had enjoined him to do, when he was going to make war with the Amalekites; and as though he had exactly observed all that he ought to have done. But God was grieved that the king of the Amalekites was preserved alive; and that the multitude had seized on the cattle for a prey; because these things were done without his permission. For he thought it an intolerable thing, that they should conquer their enemies by that power which he gave them; and then that he himself should be so grossly despised and disobeyed, that a mere man that was a king would not bear it. He therefore told Samuel, he repented that he had made Saul king; while he did nothing that he had commanded him, but indulged his own inclinations. When Samuel heard that, he was in confusion; and began to beseech God all that night to be reconciled to Saul, and not to be angry with him. But he did not grant that forgiveness which the prophet solicited; as not deeming it a fit thing to grant for giveness of such sins at his entreaties; since injuries |