Rulers and Judges of Israel.
Under the Theocracy.
Moses, liberator, law-giver, and judge,40years
Joshua, conqueror of Palestine, and judge,25”
Anarchy, idolatry, submission to foreign rulers,20 or 30”
Servitude under Chushan-rishathaim of Mesopotamia,8”
Othniel, deliverer and judge,40”
Servitude under Eglon, king of Moab,18”
{Ehud,
{Shamgar. In these two reigns the land has rest,80”
Servitude under Jabin, king of Canaan,20”
Deborah,40”
Servitude under Midian,7”
Gideon,40”
Abimelech, king,3”
Interregnum of unknown duration,—
Tola, judge,23”
Jair, judge,22”
Idolatry and anarchy,5”
Servitude under Philistines and Ammonites,18”
Jephthah,6”
Ibzan,7”
Elon,10”
Abdon,8”
Servitude under Philistines,40”
Samson, during last half of this period, rules south-western Palestine,20”
Eli, high priest, and judge in south-western Palestine,40”
Samuel, the last of the judges, arises after interregnum of,20”

81. Second Period. The Israelites at length became dissatisfied with the irregular nature of their government, and demanded a king. In compliance with their wishes, Saul, the son of Kish, a young Benjamite distinguished by beauty and loftiness of stature, was chosen by Divine command, and anointed by Samuel, their aged prophet and judge.

82. He found the country in nearly the same condition in which Joshua had left it. The people were farmers and shepherds; none were wealthy; even the king had “no court, no palace, no extraordinary retinue; he was still little more than leader in war and judge in peace.” The country was still ravaged by Ammonites on one side, and Philistines on the other; and under the recent incursions of the latter, the Israelites had become so weak that they had no weapons nor armor, nor even any workers in iron. (1 Samuel xiii: 19, 20.)

83. Saul first defeated the Ammonites, who had overrun Gilead from the east; then turned upon the Philistines, and humbled them in the battle of Michmash, so that they were driven to defend themselves at home, instead of invading Israel, until near the close of his reign. He waged war also against the Am´alekites, Mo´abites, E´domites, and the Syrians of Zobah, and “delivered Israel out of the hand of them that spoiled them.”

84. He forfeited the favor of God by disobedience, and David, his future son-in-law, was anointed king. Jonathan, the son of Saul, was a firm friend and protector of David against the jealous rage of his father. Even the king himself, in his better moods, was moved to admiration and affection by the heroic character of David.

85. In Saul’s declining years, the Philistines, under A´chish, king of Gath, again invaded the country, and defeated the Israelites at Mount Gilboa. Saul and all but one of his sons fell in the battle. Ishbo´sheth, the surviving son, was acknowledged king in Gilead, and ruled all the tribes except Judah for seven years. But David was crowned in Hebron, and reigned over his own tribe until the death of Ishbosheth, when he became ruler of the whole nation.