1G2 



borrow and retort his arguinent, and defence, against the 

 principle, I combat — fas est et ab hoste doceri. 



7tli. But I ina}' be asked, what then shall we understand 

 by the contested verse, (Saml. 7- 2-) to which Codoman has so 

 long since, (above 220 years), directed the attention of chro- 

 nologists. " Hie lectorem obiter abhortor ut diligenter con- 

 sideret cur mansionis 20 annorum area Dei in Kirjathjearim 

 nientio fiat. (Cod. Chron.) I have already given my reasons 

 Avhy it docs not appear to me to be made synonymous with 

 the Philistine oppression, or Israel's idolatry; and having de- 

 termined that, it bears little on my subject, or supputation, to 

 enquire, or to speculate. — But I may offer a supposition. 



The ark had remained unremoved at Shiloh since the time 

 of the conquest. (Saml. 4. 7-). The place, the name, and the 

 antiquity of this residence had almost rendered it consecrated 

 as the scat of religious worship; Shiloh was only a day's 

 journey from the scene of the action, in which the ark was 

 taken, (Saml. 14. 12.) and was most probably abandoned to 

 the enemy ; at least we find that Samuel, who had remained 

 at Shiloh during the life of Eli, removed to Ramah, which 

 continued to be his residence during his jurisdiction and till 

 the period of his death, (7. 17- 15. 1.); a removal only to 

 be accounted for on the supposition of the approach of the 

 Philistines, in consequence of their victory. The Israelites 

 lamented (S. 7- 2.) then, the loss of the holy city, the conse- 

 crated seat of religion, and of its symbols. This city was 



probably 



