130 



but supply an answer which we have ah'eady stated, against 

 the system of Marsham. 



The remaining numbers of the calculus present some nice 

 questions which we shall endeaivour to elucidate. "The Lord," 

 says the text, " delivered Israel into the hands of the Philis- 

 tines 40 years," and it proceeds to mention the circumstances 

 of the birth of Samson, of whom it was foretold by an angel, 

 '' he should begin to deliver Israel," and (c. 15. 50.) " he 

 judged Israel in the days of the Philistines, (c. 17- 31.) twenty 

 years. His birth, then, was foretold in the beginning of the 

 servitude, and he was, perhaps, about 16 or 18 years of age 

 when the spirit of the Lord began to move him, (14. 25.) in 

 the camp of Dan, which shews, that there was opposition to 

 the Philistine oppression, at least from his own tribe.* 



It does not appear that he led any army against the enemy. 

 His exertions were personal, and his country, during all his 

 life, oppressed, (c. 14. v. 4.) even so far that the tribe of 

 .Tudah endeavoured to deliver him to their enemies; so that 

 he is rather, like Shamgar, to be looked upon in the light of 

 an avenger than a Judge, or interpreter of the law. The 

 high priest, Eli, appears to have discharged the legislative 



functions 



• Bishop Patrick, (in loco,) and some other interpreters, 1 linow, understand the " camp 

 of Dan," mentioned in the text, as the name of a place called Mahaneh Dan, the same 

 tbatoccuis in another passage in this book (18. 12.); and the circumstances of its situa- 

 tion appear to warrant their opinion. But the other translation i&more generally received, 

 and whichever is adopted will be »f little consequence to the chronology of the period. 



