The Phœnicians, Aramæans, Philistines, Idumæans--Their Customs and Mythology--The Moabites and Ammonites--Intercourse of the Israelites with their Neighbours and Adoption of their Manners-- Disintegration of the Tribes--Consequent Weakness--Temporary Deliverers _page_ 53 CHAPTER IV. THE JUDGES. Animosity of the Idumæans--Othniel, a Deliverer--Eglon, King of Moab--The Canaanite King, Jabin--Sisera, his General--The Prophetess and Poetess Deborah--Barak--Victory near Tabor-- Early Hebrew Poetry--Sufferings through Nomads--The Hero Gideon Jerubbaal--Victory in the Plain of Jezreel--Commencement of Prosperity--Abimelech--Feud with the Shechemites--Jair the Gileadite--Hostilities of the Amalekites and the Philistines-- Jephthah--Samson--Zebulunite Judges _page_ 60 CHAPTER V. ELI AND SAMUEL. Importance of the Judges--Public Feeling--Sanctuary in Shiloh-- Eli and his Sons--Defeat by the Philistines--Capture of the Ark--Destruction of Shiloh and the Sanctuary--Flight of the Aaronites and Levites--Death of Eli--The Ark in Philistia and in Kirjath Jearim--Prophecy re-awakened--Samuel in Ramah--The Order of Prophets or Singers--Popular revulsion--The tribe of Judah--Repeated attacks of the Philistines--Meeting at Mizpah-- Samuel's activity--Nob as a place of Worship--Increase in the power of the Philistines and Ammonites--The Tribes desire to have a King--Samuel's course of action _page_ 68 1100?-1067 B. C. E. CHAPTER VI. THE APOGEE. Establishment of a Kingdom--Saul--His Position and Character-- His secret Election at Mizpah--Humiliating Condition of the Nation under the Philistines--Declaration of War--Assemblage in Gilgal--Battle of Michmash--Defeat of the Philistines-- Severity of Saul--Victory over the Ammonites--Saul's Election as King confirmed--His Court and Attendants--His Officers and Standing Army--Victory over the Amalekites--Disputes between Saul and Samuel--Saul's Attacks on the neighbouring People--War with the Gibeonites--Place of Worship in Gibeon--War against the Philistines in the Valley of Tamarinths--Goliath and David-- Meeting of Saul and David--Saul's Jealousy turns into Madness-- The Persecution of David--Saul's last Battle against the Philistines--Defeat and Death _page_ 82 1067-1055 B. C. E. CHAPTER VII. DAVID AND ISHBOSHETH.