We may also
remark that the contrast of historical and unhistorical is
obviously inapplicable to this case, and, moreover, is
unessential for the end we have in view. Only it may stand
as a general principle, that the nearer history is to its
origin the more profane it is. In the pre-Deuteronomic narratives,
the difference is to be recognised less in the _kind_ of piety than
in the _degree_ of it.
VII.II.
VII.II.1. The comprehensive revision which we noticed in the Book
of Judges has left its mark on the Books of Samuel too. As, however,
in this case the period is short, and extremely rich in incident,
and really forms a connected whole, the artificial frame- and
net-work does not make itself so much felt. Yet it is by no
means wanting, as the dates of themselves indicate, whose place in
the chronological system was shown above. It is worthy of notice
how very loosely these are fitted into their context. In 1Samuel
iv. 18 seq. we read:
"And when the messenger made mention of the ark of God, Eli fell
backwards off his seat, and his neck brake, and he died, for he
was an old man and heavy, and _he judged Israel forty years_;
and when his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, who was with
child, heard the tidings," etc.
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