JEW, a name derived from the patriarch Judah, and given to the descendants of Abraham by his eldest son Isaac, who for a long time possessed the land of Palestine in Asia, and are now dispersed through all nations in the world.
The history of this people, as it is the most singular, so is it also the most ancient in the world; and the greatest part being before the beginning of profane history, depends entirely on the authenticity of the Old Testament, where it is only to be found.—To repeat here what is said in the sacred writings would both be superfluous and tedious, as those writings are in every person's hands, and may be consulted at pleasure. It seems most proper therefore to commence the history of the Jews from their return to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the rebuilding of their city and temple under Ezra and Nehemiah, when the scripture leaves off any farther accounts, and profane historians begin to take notice of them. We shall, however, premise a
chronological list of their judges and kings down to the captivity.
The Israelites had no king of their nation till Saul. Before him, they were governed, at first by elders, as in Egypt; then by princes of God's appointment, as Moses and Joshua; then by judges, such as Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, Eli, Samuel; and last of all by kings, as Saul, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, &c.
A List of the Judges of Israel in a Chronological Order. The Numbers prefixed denote the Years of the World.
2570. THE death of Joshua.
2585. The government of the elders for about 15 years.
2592. An anarchy of about 7 years. The history of Micah, the conquest of the city of Laish by part of the tribe of Dan, and the war undertaken by the 11 tribes against Benjamin, are all referred to this time.
2591. The first servitude under Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia began in 2591, and lasted eight years to 2599.
2599. Othniel delivered Israel in the 40th year after peace established in the land by Joshua.
2662. A peace of about 62 years, from the deliverance procured by Othniel, in 2599, to 2662, when the second servitude under Eglon king of the Moabites happened. It lasted 18 years.
2679. Ehud delivers Israel.
After him Shamgar governed, and the land was in peace till the 80th year after the first deliverance procured by Othniel.
2699. The third servitude under the Canaanites, which lasted 20 years, from 2699 to 2719.
2719. Deborah and Barak deliver the Israelites: from the deliverance procured by Ehud to the end of Deborah and Barak's government, were 40 years.
2768. Abimelech the natural son of Gideon is acknowledged king by the Shechemites.
2771. He died at the siege of Thebez in Palestine.
2772. Tola after Abimelech governs for 23 years, from 2772 to 2795.
2795. Jair succeeds Tola, and governs 22 years, from 2795 to 2816.
2799. The fifth servitude under the Philistines, which lasted 18 years, from 2799 to 2817.
2817. The death of Jair.
2817. Jephthah is chosen head of the Israelites beyond Jordan; he defeated the Ammonites, who oppressed them. Jephthah governed six years, from 2817 to 2823.
2823. The death of Jephthah.
2830. Izban governs seven years, from 2823 to 2830.
2840. Elon succeeds Izban. He governs from 2830 to 2840.
Abdon judges Israel eight years, from 2840 to 2848.
2848. The sixth servitude, under the Philistines, which lasted 40 years, from 2848 to 2888.
2848. Eli the high-priest, of the race of Ithamar, governed 40 years, the whole time of the servitude under the Philistines.
2849. The birth of Samson.
Jews. 2887. The death of Samson, who was judge of Israel during the judicature of Eli the high-priest.
2888. The death of Eli, and the beginning of Samuel's government, who succeeded him.
2909. The election and anointing of Saul, first king of the Hebrews.