like Leah.] Such a solemn benediction of those who were going to be married was very ancient, as we learn from Gen. xxiv. 60. The Jews continue the practice to this day; which, they say, is always in the presence of ten grave persons at the least, conformable to this example of Boaz, ver. 2, and the eldest of them pronounces the benediction, which is a sort of ratification of the engagement entered into. The elders here pray that the Lord may make her “like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel;” that is, fruitful as they, who were blessed with a numerous offspring. Bp. Patrick.

concern for her daughters, the reluctant departure of Orpah, the dutiful attachment of Ruth, and the sorrowful return to Beth-lehem, are very beautifully told. The simplicity of manners, likewise, which is shewn in the account of Ruth’s industry and attention to Naomi, of the elegant charity of Boaz, and of his acknowledgment of his kindred with Ruth, affords a very pleasing contrast to the turbulent scenes which have been described in the preceding book. The respect also, which the Israelites paid to the Mosaick Law, chap. iv. 5, 10, and their observance of ancient customs, chap. iv. 7, are represented in a very lively and animated manner. Dr. Gray.

THE FIRST BOOK OF # S A M U E L, OTHERWISE CALLED, # THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS. # INTRODUCTION.

THE two books of Samuel are styled, in the Vulgate or old Latin translation, the first and second books of Kings; as being two of those four books which contain the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. In the Hebrew, they are considered as forming only one book.

The Hebrews suppose that Samuel wrote the first twenty-four chapters of the first book; and that the rest were added by the Prophets Gad and Nathan. This opinion is founded on these words in the first book of Chronicles, chap. xxix. 29, “Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the Prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer;” and it is approved by many writers of considerable authority. We may therefore assent to this general opinion, that Samuel was the author of at least the greater part of the first book, and that he probably composed it towards the latter end of his life. Certain it is, that, from its admission into the canon, as well as from the predictions which it contains, the book was the production of a Prophet; not to mention that it is referred to by our Saviour in vindication of His disciples, Matt. xii. 3, 4.

The first book of Samuel opens with an account of the birth of Samuel. It describes his consecration to the ministry, and his appointment to the prophetical office; the capture of the ark, and the completion of God’s judgments on Eli’s house; the curse on those who possessed the ark; its return, and the signal punishment of those who daringly profaned its sanctity; the election of Saul to be king; the wars and evils, which arose, as had been foretold, in consequence of this change of government; the sins and rejection of Saul; the anointing of David, and the first display of his piety and heroism; the disinterested friendship of David and Jonathan; the ungenerous suspicions of Saul; the death of Samuel; the appearance of his spirit, denouncing God’s judgments against the impiety of Saul; in the accomplishment of which the book terminates, with the account of the miserable fate of Saul and his sons. The sacred writer illustrates the characters, and describes the events of his history in the most engaging manner. The weak indulgence of Eli is well contrasted with the firm piety of Samuel. The rising virtues of David, and the sad depravity of Saul, are strikingly opposed. The sentiments and instructions scattered through the work are excellent; and the inspired hymn of Hannah furnishes us with a grand prophecy of Christ, who is here for the first time in Scripture described as the Messiah, or the Anointed of the Lord. Dr. Gray.

Before CHRIST about 1171. # CHAP. I.

Chap. I. ver. 1. — his name was Elkanah.] It appears from this genealogy, compared with 1 Chron. vi. 33, that Samuel was by descent a Levite, of the branch of the Kohathites.

Ruth 4:2

2. — had two wives:] Hannah seems to have been his first wife; and, on her proving barren, his earnest desire to have children moved him to take another, as Abraham had done by Sarah’s consent. This practice

Ruth 4:12

12. — be like the house of Pharez.] Both Boaz and all the Beth-lehemites derived their original from Pharez, whose family was very illustrious in Israel; and therefore they could not have wished Boaz a greater blessing, than to have as noble an issue as he was to Judah. Bp. Patrick. This benediction was fulfilled in David and his royal progeny, and most eminently in the Messiah. Dr. Wells.

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14. — Blessed be the Lord, &c.] Now is Mars turned back again to Naomi; and Orpah, if she hear of this in Moab, cannot but envy at her sister’s happiness. O the sure and bountiful payments of God! Who ever came under his wing in vain? Who ever lost by trusting Him? Who ever forsooth the Moab of this world for the true Israel, and did not at last rejoice in the change? Bp. Hall.

Ruth 4:15

15. — which is better to thee than seven sons.] Which by her kindness and affection to thee contributes more to thy comfort and happiness than any number of sons, which are usually accounted the greatest blessings. Edit.

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17. And the women &c.] It did not belong to the neighbours, but to the father or mother, to give the name to the child: it seems they suggested to Naomi to call it by a name suitable to their foregoing discourse. Bp. Patrick. — he is the father of Jesse, &c.] The sacred historian points out to us in these words what appears to have been the principal design of this book: namely, to inform us of the origin of the family of David, and consequently of that of the Messiah; on which account the following genealogy is annexed. Lord Clarendon. This circumstance alone is sufficient to render this little history of inestimable value and esteem, that it delivers down to us the original of Christ according to the flesh, whose derivation was not only from such a particular tribe of Israel, Gen. xlix. 10, in confirmation of the indubitable prophecies concerning Him, but partly also from a virtuous Gentile woman; denoting that all nations were to share in Him and have just hopes in His mercy. Pyle. The generation of Pharez. Before CHRIST about 1312.

Ruth 4:21

21, 22. — Salmon — David.] Salmon married Rahab, and therefore lived at the time of the Israelites’ first entrance into Canaan. Now between this period, and the birth of David, are computed 366 years. Thus, as only four generations are mentioned, we must either suppose that some names of persons, who come between, are omitted, (for which we have no warrant,) or that, as is more probable, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, and Jesse, all had their children born to them at a very advanced period of their lives. Bp. Patrick.

The story related in this book is extremely interesting. The widowed distress of Naomi, her affectionate