141 



took advantage of his infirmities, and iigain had recourse to 

 hostilities, either to subjugate the Israehtes, or to shake off 

 the yoke of their dominion. (Soit pour Sfecouer le joug des 

 Israelites ou pour les subjuguer de nouveau.) The event of 

 this war was the taking of the ark, the death of Eli, and the 

 commencement of the twenty years of interregnum and sub- 

 jection, which was concluded by the government of Samuel. 

 (Vignoles. 79-) It would appear on the first inspection, that 

 this statement perfectly answers and explains all the various 

 conditions of legitimate interpretation: but, compared with 

 the strict letter of authority, examined with the light of Scrip- 

 ture, its defects will be quickly exposed and made evident. 



1st. It is, indeed, undeniable, that the Book of Judges 

 makes no mention of Eli, and that the Book of Samuel is 

 equally silent on the character, exploits, or jurisdiction of 

 Samson. But this will give us no argument or authority for 

 supposing an interregnum between them, any more than the 

 silence of either of the last Books of Kings or Chronicles 

 with regard to names or events recorded in the preceding, 

 should afford us grounds to suppose, that there was an hiatus 

 in the history. The Book of Judges does not speak of Eli, 

 because his separate jurisdiction did not commence until after 

 the death of Samson, because a new and unprecedented au- 

 thority was now established, viz. that of the priesthood; and 

 because the Book of Judges was principally intended as a 



record of the chiefs who had avenged Israel of their enemies, 



and 



