THE LAND JUDGED BY IBZAN, ELON, AND ABDONTHE HISTORY OF SAMSON. A CONSIDERABLE interval of peace followed the death of Jephthah, during which Israel was ruled by Judges from the north-eastern districts. Ibzan of Bethlehem, in Ephraim, ruled for seven years; Elon, a Zebulonite, for ten; Abdon, also of Ephraim, for eight years. That the land was at peace, and prospered during this period, is evident from the pomp with which the numerous family of Abdon appeared in public. In those days, and in that country, the riding on one of the beautiful asses of the land was a mark of rank. Josephus's account is, that Abdon is only recorded to have 42 SERVITUDE TO THE PHILISTINES. [B. C. been happy in his children, for the public affairs were then so peaceable, and the country in such security, that he was not called upon to attempt any glorious action. Surely the most glorious actions are not those of warfare or bloodshed, but those which are performed to promote the peaceful welfare of society. In prosperous times Israel was ever prone to forget. the Lord their God; we find them again doing evil, and the Philistines permitted again to bring them into bondage. These enemies overspread the country from the west; their yoke must have been most sensibly felt by the tribes of Israel nearest to them. From one of these, the tribe of Dan, a deliverer was raised up. The particulars of the birth and actions of this deliverer are minutely described in Scripture, therefore we may be sure that they are written for our instruction. The promise of deliverance was given at an early period of the servitude, even before the birth of the deliverer, by whom indeed the deliverance was only begun; it was not fully accomplished till many years had elapsed. It is recorded, that the Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah, a Danite, and promised her a son, directing that he should be a Nazarite from his birth; that is, separated from the people at large, by observing the rules prescribed in Numb. vi. She, at that time, "sat in the field; " from Josephus it would appear to have been in a place for prayer, to which Manoah and his wife frequently resorted. The woman was affrighted at something inspiring awe, in the appearance of the personage who spoke to her, and she told her husband. He appears to have been a man of habitual piety, and, perceiving that there was something extraordinary in the matter, prayed for further instruction. The prayer of faith never is left unanswered; speedy attention often is vouchsafed. It was so now: probably on the same day, for the word "other" is not in the original, the Angel appeared again to the wife, who called her husband. The per 1220.] A DELIVERER PROMISED. 43 sonage most likely resembled a prophet in his form and garb; yet evidently there was somewhat more than human in his appearance, and Manoah inquired the name by which he should be addressed. This the wife had omitted to do. The answer is very remarkable. A refusal to tell the name was given, with a direct declaration, that "it is secret," or rather, "it is Wonderful;" which is expressly stated, in Isa. ix. 6, as one of the titles of Christ. And our Saviour is indeed "wonderful and secret," excepting as revealed in his word and shown in his work, the great work of salvation for sinful man. Manoah proffered refreshment, but was told to offer a burnt offering to Jehovah; when this was done, on a rock in the field, the Angel ascended towards heaven in the flame of the sacrifice. The wondrous sight struck Manoah and his wife with surprise. The short discourse that followed is instructive. Manoah showed great fear. His mind was overcome by the superstitious feeling common among the Jews, that the appearance of a Divine personage was a certain indication of the approach of death to the beholder. His wife showed great faith. She at once referred to the gratifying fact, that their sacrifice had been accepted; and argued, that this proved that God could not design to make them suffer from his wrath. He had promised that they should be parents of a deliverer, and his promise must be fulfilled. Well is it when man and wife are thus found helpful to each other, strengthening each other as circumstances may require, and relying upon the Divine promises as good and sure. The Angel that appeared on this occasion was the second Person of the Trinity, for Manoah and his wife spake of him as such, and no censure upon their so doing is recorded. We may here remark, that there is no account of any Divine appearance between the time mentioned, and that to Gideon; there was no open vision during an interval of about 150 years, the word of God was seldom set forth to the people. 44 BIRTH OF SAMSON. [B. C. The extraordinary child was born in due time, and named Samson, probably from a word signifying "a little sun." In this, many suppose there is some reference to "the Sun of righteousness," and they regard Samson as a type of Christ. We have not space to examine the question at length, nor is it needful to do so. Certainly some events in the history of Samson have a strong analogy to events in the history of our Saviour, who was peculiarly typified by the Nazarites; but it is equally certain, that the life of Samson was in very many respects widely different from that of Jesus. It was far short of the degree of holiness manifested, for the most part, even by those mere men who are considered as personal types of Christ. While we cannot but trace some points emblematical of the Saviour, we are shown the wide difference between Him who is the Lord our righteousness, and him who was but a created being. Yet Samson is illustrious in sacred history, and is enumerated among the worthies recorded in the epistle to the Hebrews. As the child grew, he was influenced by the Divine Spirit, and we are not to doubt, that the events which led to his relieving Israel from the yoke of the Philistines were under the direction of Divine Providence. Nor are we to be stumbled by the circumstances in his conduct, which to us appear weak or evil. Our course of life is plainly pointed out by the Divine precepts; it is best for us not to attempt inquiries into particulars on which the Scriptures are silent. We are assured that all will be made clear in the end. We read that no razor was suffered to come upon the head of Samson, and that he abstained from wine. In the words of Milton, "Wherever fountain or fresh current flow'd 1202.] SAMSON'S MARRIAGE. -Oh madness, to think use of strongest wines, And strongest drinks, our chief supports of health! 45 The first event related of Samson's life in maturer years, is the seeking a wife from among the Philistines, which we are expressly told was of the Lord. This was the occasion of his first contest with them: from the remonstrance made by his parents we may conclude, that the prohibition against marriages with the heathen, was then generally observed. It should further be noticed, that he did not marry without consulting his parents, which is the more to be remarked, as we read that his proceedings in respect to this marriage were under the Divine guidance. On the way to Timnath, his prodigious strength was shown by his tearing a young lion as easily as a kid. A swarm of bees having lodged themselves within the carcase or skeleton of the lion, suggested to Samson a riddle, which he proposed to the guests at his marriage feast, and made the subject of a wager with thirty young men, who had been invited in the character of companions, but more probably were intended as a sort of a guard upon the Hebrew youth. Marriages in the east still are seasons of festivity prolonged through many days, and numerously attended by guests, and riddles are often proposed for the amusement of festive companies. The ancient Greeks considered a readiness to solve riddles, to be a proof of having received a liberal education. A swarm of bees hiving within the skeleton of a beast, lying exposed on the ground, is by no means uncommon in those countries. The result was, that Samson found his wife more inclined to favour her own friends and relatives, than to attend to his interests or wishes. It has been noticed, in reference to his case, that a worldly wife will be as an enemy in the camp to a true Israelite; let the pious female be equally cautious not to entrust her |