151 



success, it would not have been omitted. Indeed, we arc 

 told, he slew more at his death than during his life, (^16. 30.) 

 and the numerical accura.cy of Scripture is so great, that it 

 affords us f/rt^« almost precise, to judge the terms of the pro- 

 portion; and it will be evident to every one considering 5o^/?, 

 that all his exertions were personal, and his success individual 

 and exclusive. It is, indeed, true, as Vignoles has remarked, 

 that Samson has obtained a privilege not accorded to altry other 

 of the'Judges of Israel, that of being specially prophesied by 

 Jacob, while declaring the future fortunes of his race, (Gen. 

 c.41. 16.) " Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of 

 Israel," Avhich the ancient Jews, St. Jerome, and most of the 

 moderns agree, is imiquely applicable to Samson, who was of 

 that tribe, (Jud. xiii. 2.) ; but I cannot see what his argument 

 will gain by this, for placing him (contrary to the express and 

 reiterated declaration of Scripture,) a/to- the coiiclusioTi of the 

 Philistine oppression, at the commencement of which, it should 

 seem, he was born. __ He most assuredly did judge or avenge 

 Israel, and he commenced their deliverance. He was as sin- 

 gularly distinguished by the peculiar election, attd designation, 

 of Heaven, from his birth, as by the earlier prophecy of Jaciob, 

 but he might as well commence the office of an avenger of his 

 country at 18 or 20 years, when his exertions were to be merely 

 personal, as at a more advanced age. David Avas chosen by the 

 Almighty about the same age, and had, likeSamsbn, received 

 evidence of the protection of Heaven, by liis destroying a lion 

 VOL. XI. X at* 



