his daughter Sara half his goods, servants, cattel and money, Tob. 10. 10. See Exod. 22. 17, &c.

69. The Marriage-Song was called Hillalim, Praises, and the house it self Beth-hillula, the House of Praise, Psalm. 78. 63. Their Maidens were not given to marriage; the Chald. Paraphras. reads, Are not celebrated, with Epithalamiums. So Arias too, and Aquila, ovx vμvýnσav.

70. See Gen. 29. 22. Tob. c. 7. Esth. 2. 18. Luke 14. 1. Judg. 14. 17. Арос. 19. 9.

71. The custom seems to have been for the Bridegroom to carry home the Bride to his house, 2 King. 11. 27. Judg. 12. 9. Gen. 24. 67. Cant. 3. 4. but because Michol was a Princess, and David not likely to have any Palace of his own at that time, I chose rather to bring them to one of the Kings houses assigned to them by the Dowre.

72. The Bride when she was delivered up to her Husband, was wont to cover her self with a Vail (called Radid from Radad, to bear rule) in token of her subjection, Gen. 24. 65, &c.

73. See the Parable of the Virgins, Mat. 25.

74. The time of the Marriage-feast appears clearly to have been usually seven days. See Judg. 14. 10. and [Gen.] 29. 27. Fulfil her week, &c. It was a Proverb among the Jews, Septem dies ad convivium, & Septem ad Luctum.

THE

CONTENTS.

Moab carries his Guests to hunt at Nebo, in the way falls

into discourse with David, and desires to know of him the reasons of the Change of Government in Israel, how Saul came to the Crown, and the story of Him and Jonathan. Davids Speech, containing, The state of the Commonwealth under the Judges, the Motives for which the people desired a King; their Deputies speech to Samuel upon that subject, and his reply. The assembling of the People at the Tabernacle to enquire Gods pleasure. Gods Speech. The Character of Saul, his Anointing by Samuel, and Election by Lot; the defection of his people. The war of Nahas King of Ammon against Jabes Gilead; Saul and Jonathans relieving of the Town. Jonathans Character, his single fight with Nahas, whom he slays, and defeats his Army. The confirmation of Sauls Kingdom at Gilgal, and the manner of Samuels quitting his office of Judge. The war with the Philistins at Macmas, their strength, and the weakness of Sauls Forces, his exercising of the Priestly function, and the judgment denounced by Samuel against him. Jonathans discourse with his Esquire; their falling alone upon the enemies out-guards at Senes, and after upon the whole Army, the wonderful defeat of it; Sauls rash vow, by which Jonathan is to be put to death, but is saved by the People.

DAVIDEIS.

The fourth Book.

Hough state and kind discourse thus rob'd the Night
Of half her natural and more just delight,

Moab, whom Temp'erance did still vig'orous keep, And regal cares had us'd to mod'erate sleep, 1 Up with the Sun arose, and having thrice With lifted hands bow'd towards his shining rise, And thrice to'wards Phegor, his Baals holiest Hill, (With good and pious prayers directed ill) Call'd to the Chase his Friends, who for him stay'd; The glad Dogs barkt, the chearful Horses neigh'd. Moab his Chariot mounts, drawn by four Steeds, 2 The best and noblest that fresh Zerith breeds, 3 All white as Snow, and sprightful as the Light, With Scarlet trapt, and foaming Gold they bite. He into it young David with him took, Did with respect and wonder on him look Since last nights story, and with greedier ear,

The Man, of whom so much he heard, did hear.
The well-born Youth of all his flourishing Court

March gay behind, and joyful to the sport.

Some arm'd with Bows, some with strait Javelines ride; 4 Rich Swords and gilded Quivers grace their side. Midst the fair Troop Davids tall Brethren rode,

5 And Joab comely as a Fanci'ed God;

They entertain'd th' attentive Moab Lords,
With loose and various talk that chance affords,
Whilst they pac'ed slowly on; but the wise King

David

Picture effect of

telling

M relates

What h

heard.

Did Davids tongue to weightier subjects bring.
Much (said the King) much I to foab owe,
For the fair Picture drawn by him of you.
'Twas drawn in little, but did acts express
So great, that largest Histories are less.

I see (methinks) the Gathian Monster still,
His shape last night my mindful Dreams did fill.
Strange Tyrant Saul with Envy to pursue
The praise of deeds whence his own safety grew!
I'have heard (but who can think it?) that his Son
Has his lifes hazard for your friendship run;

His matchless Son, whose worth (if Fame be true)
Lifts him 'above all his Countrymen but you,
With whom it makes him One; Low David bows,
But no reply Moabs swift tongue allows.

And pray, kind Guest, whilst we ride thus (says he)
6 (To gameful Nebo still three leagues there be)
The story of your royal friend relate; Jon.
And his ungovern'd Stres imperious fate,

7 Why your great State that nameless Fam'ily chose,
And by what steps to Israels Throne they rose.

He staid; and David thus; from Egypts Land
You 'have heard, Sir, by what strong, unarmed hand
Our Fathers came; Moses their sacred Guid,
But he in sight of the Giv'en Country dy'd.
His fatal promis'd Canaan was on high;
And Joshua's Sword must th' active Rod supply.
It did so, and did wonders.

8 From sacred Jordan to the Western main,
From well-clad Lib'anus to the Southern Plain
Of naked sands, his winged Conquests went;
And thirty Kings to Hell uncrown'd he sent.
Almost four hundred years from him to Saul,
9 In too much freedom past, or forreign thral.
Oft Strangers Iron Scepters bruis'd the Land
(Such still are those born by a Conquering Hand)
Oft pity'ing God did well-form'd Spirits raise,
Fit for the toilsome business of their days,
To free the groaning Nation, and to give
Peace first, and then the Rules in Peace to live.

Deut. 34.

Josh. 1. 4.

Josh. 12.

But they whose stamp of Power did chiefly ly
In Characters too fine for most mens Ey,
Graces and Gifts Divine; not painted bright
With state to awe dull minds, and force t'affright,
Were ill obey'd whil'st Living, and at death,
Their Rules and Pattern vanisht with their breath.
The hungry Rich all near them did devour,
Their Judge was Appetite, and their Law was Power.
Not want it self could Luxury restrain,

For what that empti'd, Rapine fill'd again.
Robbery the Field, Oppression sackt the Town

;

What the Swords Reaping spar'd, was glean'd by th'Gown.
At Courts, and Seats of Justice to complain,
Was to be robb'd more vexingly again.
Nor was their Lust less active or less bold,
Amidst this rougher search of Blood and Gold.
Weak Beauties they corrupt, and force the strong;
The Pride of Old Men that, and this of young.
You 'have heard perhaps, Sir, of leud Gibeahs shame,
Which Hebrew Tongues still tremble when they name,
Alarmed all by one fair strangers Eyes,

As to a sudden War the Town does rise
Shaking and pale, half dead e're they begin
The strange and wanton Trag'edy of their sin,
All their wild Lusts they force her to sustain,
Till by shame, sorrow, weariness, and pain,
She midst their loath'd, and cruel kindness dies;
Of monstrous Lust th' innocent Sacrifice.
This did ('tis true) a Civil War create
(The frequent curse of our loose-govern'd State)
All Gibea's, and all Jabes blood it cost;
10 Near a whole Tribe and future Kings we lost.
Firm in this general Earthquake of the Land,
How could Religion, its main pillar, stand?
Proud, and fond Man, his Fathers worship hates,
Himself, Gods Creature, his own God Creates.
Hence in each Houshold sev'eral Deities grew,
And when no old one pleas'd, they fram'd a New.
The only Land which serv'd but one before,
Did th' only then all Nations Gods adore.

Judg. 19.

Judg. 20. and 21.