Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/237



O long  as  that  generation  of  the  Israelites  lived  who  had eaten of  the  manna  in  the  desert,  and  who  had  seen  the wonders of  the  Lord  wrought  for  them,  both  in  the  wilderness and in  the  taking  of  Chanaan,  they  did  not  depart  from  the  way of the  Lord;  but  their  children,  having  intermarried  with  the pagan nations  around  them,  contrary  to  the  express  command  of God,  began  to  adore  the  idols  which  their  wives  worshipped. Then the Lord  delivered  them  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies.

They afterwards  repented  and  turned  again  to  the  Lord  their God. In this  manner,  falling  into  idolatry  and  returning  again  to the  worship  of  the  true  God,  they  went  on  for  several  generations. Whenever they  humbled  themselves  before  God,  and  showed  signs of true  repentance,  the  Lord  hastened  to  their  relief. From time to time  He  raised  up  among  them  brave  and  pious  men,  who smote the  enemy  with  a strong  hand. These men  were  called Judges. Amongst them  were  Barac,  Jephte,  Samson — who  was famous for  his  great  strength — and  the  pious  Samuel.

But the  most  renowned  of  all  the  Judges  was  Gedeon,  the son of  a common  Israelite,  who  lived  at  the  time  when  God  had