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instance of the anticipating spirit of the sacred liistorians, or 

 of that adherence to tlic unity of narration, that induced thcni 

 sometimes to postpone the mention of an event prior in point 

 of period to the one they are relating, when tlie introduction 

 of it would interrupt the course, or aftect the completeness, of 

 the narration. In the eighth chapter of Samuel, the elders 

 of Israel are represented as demanding a king from Samuel, 

 and complaining of the government of his sons — " Behold, 

 now thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways, now 

 make us a king to judge us like all the nations." (v. 5. & seq.) 

 The two next chapters are taken up with the proceeding upon 

 their request, and the consequent election of a sovereign. It 

 appears, however, that, as is usual in elections, many of 

 the people were dissatisfied, and asked, in captious disquie- 

 tude, " How shall this man save us." (10.2?.) From what 

 evil ? we might reasonably demand : for, until this, there is 

 no mention of danger or oppressiouj nor is it alluded to in 

 the request of the elders. In the next chapter, the historian 

 fully informs us, both of the danger and of its cause. It was 

 the threatened invasion of Nahash, king of Ammon, that 

 induced the people to desire a king to judge and to lead 

 them; and Samuel himself, fully demonstrates this, in his 

 last address, to which I have formerly referred: (chap. 12. 12.) 

 " And when ye saw that Nahash, the king of the children of 

 Ammon, came against you, (or " was coming,") ye said unto 

 me, Nay : but a king shall reign over us; when the Lord your 

 God was your king." From this it will, I trust, be evident 



and 



