221 



Heli, Ahitub ; from hence it is evident, that tlie one hnnclred 

 and twentij years of servitude are to be subducted, in order 

 that the series of the geirerations and the interval may agree." 

 This latter argument appeared so forcible to Syncellus, ths-t 

 lie endeavours to invalidate it. (p. 182.) " Sadoc," says he, is 

 reckoned tlie eighth high-priest after Aaron, by Eusebius, but 

 to the more correct computation, he is to be placed in the 

 eleventh generation, (sede undeciina reperitur) in this man- 

 ner — Aaron, Eleazar, Phinehas, Abiud, Bocha, Ozi, Heli, 

 Ahitub, Samuel, Abiathar, Zadoc." On this solution, I shall 

 only observe, that Eusebius is conformable to Josephus (An. 

 lib. 5. 12.) in his catalogue, and refer the reader to Spencerus 

 dc succcssione Pontif. who will amply prove to him against 

 Syncellus, that Samuel never was or could have been high- 

 priest, if indeed, it was not sufficiently evident from Scripture, 

 which represents Ahimelech, (Ahitub,) and his son as dis- 

 charging the duties of that office, during the prophet's life ; of 

 course, the answer attempted by Syncellus falls to the ground. 

 It is to be observed, he has not attempted to reply to the argu- 

 ment adduced from the succession in the house of David, 

 the compendious and summary mode invented b}' the learned 

 author, and which does equal credit to his sagacity and in- 

 vention, 

 « 



• I may here observe, that some chronologists lessen the difficulty, by supposing Obed 

 and Jesse had their children at a much hiter age than their predecessors. Vide Wall's 

 Critical notes on the genealogy of David, in the book of Ruth : this would increase the 

 numbers mentioned in the former note considerably. 



