it was commanded concerning Samson, that no razor should come upon his head (Judges, xiii. 5).

1085. At Mahanaim (2 Sam. xvii. 24). This had some time before been the royal residence of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, and was probably a place of some strength.

1086. Barzillai the Gileadite, and others of the inhabitants of that part of the country, brought beds and other necessaries, with all kinds of provision, for the use of the king and the people that were with him (2 Sam. xvii. 27-29).

1087. A third part of the army was under the command of Joab, one third under his brother Abishai, and the rest under Ittai the Gittite (2 Sam. xviii. 2).

1088. Hushai the Archite; and he well deserved the title, from the very important services he rendered the king during the rebellion of Absalom, when he was the means of defeating the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Sam. xvii. 14).

1089. That they would observe the covenant, and rule according to the principles of the Mosaic law.

1090. Because the kingdom had been taken from Solomon's descendants, on account of his suffering the same thing to be done by his wives.

1091. As wicked shepherds (Isaiah, lvi. 11, and Ezek. xxxiv), being the misleaders and oppressors of the people, rather than their protectors and guardians.

1092. The prophets.

1093. It means 66 a thread," as the Jews have always understood it, being derived from the root n (patal)" to twist."

1094. Yes; for after he had been slain in battle, and the Philistines had fastened his body and those of his sons to the wall of Beth-shan, "when the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days" (1 Sam. xxxi. 11 -13).

1095. Three thousand (1 Kings, iv. 32). Many of these, however, have no doubt been lost, as there are not so many extant in the book of Proverbs.

1096. Hadoram, who was over the tribute (1 Kings, xii. 18).

1097. They refused to listen to his voice, and stoned him to death (ibid).

1098. He assembled a large army, to endeavour to recover the authority that he had lost (1 Kings, xii. 21).

1099. By Shemaiah the prophet, who informed him that these things had come to pass according to the word of the Lord (1 Kings, xii. 22-24).

1100. Because he joined with the wicked, namely with Ahaziah king of Israel. This misfortune befell him as it had been foretold by a prophet (2 Chron. xx. 35—37).

1101. On Mount Hor (Num. xx. 27,28), which is the highest summit of the mountains of Seir, and offers a commanding view over the plains and mountains below.

1102. It may be thus proved:-From Gen. vii. 11, and viii. 4, it appears that the waters prevailed five months, and in viii. 3, it is said that this period was one hundred and fifty days; consequently this would make thirty days for each month, as it is at present. Again, in Gen. vii. 11, it mentions that the flood came upon the earth in the six hundredth year of Noah's life; and Noah removed the covering of the ark on the first day of the six hundred and first year (viii. 13); and if we add the several periods mentioned in the same chapter, namely, ten months (ver.5), forty days (ver. 6), other seven days, making fourteen

days (ver. 10), and other seven days (ver. 12); all these together make up the period of twelve months, constituting a year; proving that the months and years of the antediluvian times were of the same length as they are reckoned at present.

1103. Certainly not that the whole of the six hundred thousand men among the Israelites should put their hands on the Levites. Some of the Jewish writers inform us that it was the first-born (in whose room the Levites were appointed) who were to put their hands on the Levites, each of the first-born on the head of his substitute. If this were not the case, it was probably the elders of the congregation who performed this action of setting apart the Levites to the service of the Lord.

1104. It was commanded respecting such persons that they should keep it on the fourteenth day of the second month, instead of the first, which was the proper season for this festival (Num. ix. 10, 11). This is one of the many instances of a wise attention to accidental circumstances presented to our notice in the Mosaic regulations, in which a prevailing spirit of gentleness and humanity may plainly be traced, notwithstanding the remarks that have been made to the contrary.

1105. Nearly a year, as appears from a comparison of Exod. xix. 1, with Num. x. 11.

1106. Immense flocks of quails. This however was given them not in kindness but in anger; for we read, that "while the flesh was yet between their teeth, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague" (Num. xi. 33).

1107. Num. xi. 29. "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them."

1108. It extended from the southern extremity of the Dead Sea southward to the Gulf of Akaba at the northern extremity of the Red Sea. It was bounded on the East by the mountains of Seir; and on the west, by a parallel but lower range of mountains, which separated it from the desert of Paran. Between these two ranges of hills, the average width of this desert is about five miles. It is entirely deprived of water, and altogether presents a most dreary and desolate appearance.

1109. Caleb and Joshua (Num. xiv. 6—9).
1110. Four thousand.

1111. The inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead.

1112. Egypt. (1 Kings, x. 28, Isaiah, xxxi. 1, etc.).

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