J 09 



after the period of Shamgar's jurisdiction; that there was 

 no resistance opposed to the invaders, and that thelsraehtes 

 to concihate their enemies, had adopted the idolatry and 

 worship they professed ; that therefore the servitude under 

 Jabin is to be included in the repose of 80 years after the 

 conquest of ^loab ; and that the duties of the avenging de- 

 liverer are often distinct and separate from those of the legal 

 maoistracy, or authorized Judges of the state, as we shall 

 afterwards explain more particularly, under the article ot 

 Samson. Deborah expressly mentions those " that sit m 

 jodc^ment," as distinct and separate from the conquering 

 chieftain, who had led the tribes to victory, (v. 10.) In e& , 

 feet, the first Judges, as they are denominated, appear to be 

 rather leaders to deliver Israel from her oppressors, than le- 

 gislators to expound the law, or to dispense judgment aniong 

 the people. We have seen a woman exercising this ofhce, 

 and Israel bowing to her jurisdiction. The text informs us 

 she was a Prophetess, which perhaps explains the nature of 

 her authority and intluence. She was resorted to from her 

 supposed knowledge of the law of Moses, derived from the 

 nature and suuerioritv of the qualifications with winch she 

 was endowed. It was the legitimate empire ot science and 

 reason she possessed ; and the spontaneous submission ot her 

 countrvmen is the most honourable testimony to the value ot 

 these acquis-.tions ; in like mamicr, we find Iluldah, the Pro- 

 phetess, appealed to, even under the established government 



