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tlie final contest; but this is merely a continuance of the an- 

 cient state of the Jewish republic, and not by any means an 

 introduction of a new one. The same mean of interpretation 

 might be extended to David's conquest of Moab and Edom, 

 and we might, on this principle, state, that Ehud only com- 

 menced the deliverance of Israel, which Avas finally consum- 

 mated by David. The text, indeed, (2Saml.v.8.) which Vig- 

 noles produces, does state, that David was designed to be the 

 deliverer of Israel from the Philistines, but we are to recollect, 

 this is spoken by Abner, during the division of the kingdom 

 between Ishbosheth and David, and after the great defeat in 

 Gilboa, in which Saul was slain. We are to suppose this de- 

 feat was productive of signal consequences, and that the king- 

 dom of Israel must have suffered in loss of territory or in sub- 

 jection to tribute. This is the oppression from which Abner 

 expects and predicts David will emancipate them. The re- 

 union of the kingdom under one head; an accomplished war* 

 rior, and the chosen anointed of Heaven; appears to be the 

 best means of securing this desirable object; and the crafty 

 politician, meditating treachery against his sovereign, urges 

 such arguments as will be most likely to influence the pride, 

 the patriotism, or the religious feelings of his countrymen. 

 (2 Saml. 3. 18.) Agreeably to this, we find that Samuel, in his 

 last solemn address to the people assembled to renew the king- 

 dom, on the defeat of the Ammonites, (S.xii.) after recounting 

 the several instances of rebellion and idolatry of which they 



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