"And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth." This "place of hearing" was probably some large apartment in the palace where Festus lived, set apart for the governor to receive, and give audience to, all persons who came to him on business. This we must remember was no _trial_ of St. Paul; he could now have no further trial till he reached Rome: there were now no Jews present to make accusations against him; it was, in fact, only a private examination of St. Paul's opinions, for the gratification of king Agrippa. If the Apostle had now refused to speak, he could not have been held guilty of disobedience; but he was always ready and willing to give an account of the faith which was in him, and probably he was particularly glad to have an opportunity of speaking of "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified," before Agrippa, who, as a Jew, had learnt from the prophets to expect the Messiah. When all was ready, Festus opened the business, and explained the matter to the assembly; who, with the exception of king Agrippa, and perhaps a few of his attendants, were all heathens. "And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord." (That is, no crimes or offences to give, as a reason for his being tried at all.) "Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently." Agrippa having been brought up in Jerusalem, when his father Herod Agrippa lived there as king of Judæa by permission of the Emperor Caligula, had been well instructed in the Jewish law and customs; and at this time the Emperor Nero had entrusted to him the government of the temple, and the care of its treasury: he was also allowed to nominate the High Priest. St. Paul, conscious of his own innocence, was glad to speak before one so well able to judge of the truth of his words. Having bespoken a