=78.= The nomads of the forty years in the desert now became a settled, civilized, and agricultural people. Shiloh was the first permanent sanctuary; there the tabernacle constructed in the desert was set up, and became the shrine of the national worship.
=79.= Jewish History is properly divided into three periods:
I. From the Exodus to the establishment of the Monarchy, B. C. 1650-1095. (See Note, page 47.)
II. From the accession of Saul to the separation into two kingdoms, B. C. 1095-975.
III. From the separation of the kingdoms to the Captivity at Babylon, B. C. 975-586.
=80.= During the First Period the government of the Hebrews was a simple theocracy, direction for all important movements being received through the high priest from God himself. The rulers, from Moses down, claimed no honors of royalty, but led the nation in war and judged it in peace by general consent. They were designated to their office at once by revelation from heaven, and by some special fitness in character or person which was readily perceived. Thus the zeal and courage of Gideon, the lofty spirit of Deb´orah, the strength of Samson, rendered them most fit for command in the special emergencies at which they arose. The “Judge” usually appeared at some time of danger or calamity, when the people would gladly welcome any deliverer; and his power, once conferred, lasted during his life.
After his death a long interval usually occurred, during which “every man did that which was right in his own eyes,” until a new invasion by Philis´tines, Ammonites, or Zidonians called for a new leader. The chronology of this period is very uncertain, as the sacred writers only incidentally mention the time of events, and their records are not always continuous. The system of chronology was not settled until a later period.
Moses, liberator, law-giver, and judge, 40 years 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 ”