shopher, and the connection shows that they were the same instruments as those mentioned in verse 4, viz., the crooked trumpets. There are no more references to music in the book of Joshua. All of the allusions to it are to the crooked trumpet, although silver straight ones had been made before that time. The latter, however, were considered as sacred, and were used in the temple and on religious occasions, while the former were employed principally in war. THE BOOK OF JUDGES. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. THIS book contains the history of the Israelites from the death of Joshua, 1443 B. C., to the time of Eli, about 1146 B. C., comprising a history of nearly 300 years (some make it a few years longer) under the administration of thirteen judges, whom God raised up on special occasions to deliver his people from their enemies, and to direct their civil and ecclesiastical polity. The Judges frequently acted by divine suggestions, and were endowed with preternatural strength and fortitude (cf. Judg. ii. 18; vi. 14, 34; xi. 29; xiv. 6, 19), though they sometimes abused those endowments. The preternatural gifts of God we believe are as liable to abuse as those which he bestows in the ordinary course of nature. There is some difference of opinion in reference to the time when this book was written; but it was evidently composed before David captured Jerusalem (cf. II Sam. v. 6, with Judges i. 21). The prophet Samuel, the last of the judges, was probably the author. There are in the book several allusions to music, though no new instruments are mentioned. JUDGES iii. 27. And it came to pass when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. It appears that Ehud, of the tribe of Benjamin, had delivered the Israelites from the tyranny of Eglon, king of the Moabites, by taking the life of that haughty monarch. Ehud then fled to Seirath, and blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim. It seems that the blowing of that instrument was a signal for the Israelites to revolt. They immediately assembled, and determined to follow their leader. They did so, and conquered the Moabites. The trumpet which that revolutionary chieftain blew was doubtless the crooked, war-trumpet. JUDGES V. 1-31. 1 Then sang Deborah, and Barak, the son of Abinoam, on that day saying, 2 Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, When the people willingly offered themselves. 3 Hear, O ye kings; Give ear, O ye princes: I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel. 4 Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, 5 The mountains melted from before the Lord, Even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel. 6 In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, In the days of Jael, The highways were unoccupied, And the travelers walked through by-ways. 7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, They ceased in Israel, Until that I, Deborah, arose, That I arose a mother in Israel, 8 They chose new gods; Then was war in the gates: Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? 9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, That offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the Lord. 10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, Ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way. 11 They that are delivered from the noise of arch ers In the places of drawing water, There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord. Even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: Then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates. 12 Awake, awake, Deborah: Awake, awake, utter a song: Arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, 13 Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: The Lord made me have dominion over the mighty. 14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; After thee, Benjamin, among thy people; Out of Machir came down governors, And out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. 15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; Even Issachar, and also Barak: He was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. 16 Why abodest thou among the sheep-folds, To hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: And why did Dan remain in ships? And abode in his breaches. 18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeop arded their lives unto the death In the high places of the field. 19 The kings came and fought, Then fought the kings of Canaan in Taamach by the waters of Megiddo; They took no gain of money. 20 They fought from heaven; The stars in their courses fought against Sisera. 21 The river of Kishon swept them away, That ancient river, the river Kishon. |