attle with them, they slew a great many of the Ammonites, as
also their king Nabash. This glorious action was done by Saul, and was
related with great commendation of him to all the Hebrews; and he thence
gained a wonderful reputation for his valor: for although there were
some of them that contemned him before, they now changed their minds,
and honored him, and esteemed him as the best of men: for he did not
content himself with having saved the inhabitants of Jabesh only, but
he made an expedition into the country of the Ammonites, and laid it all
waste, and took a large prey, and so returned to his own country most
gloriously. So the people were greatly pleased at these excellent
performances of Saul, and rejoiced that they had constituted him their
king. They also made a clamor against those that pretended he would be
of no advantage to their affairs; and they said, Where now are these
men?--let them be brought to punishment, with all the like things that
multitudes usually say when they are elevated with prosperity, against
those that lately had despised the authors of it. But Saul, although he
took the good-will and the affection of these men very kindly, yet did
he swear that he would not see any of his countrymen slain that day,
since it was absurd to mix this victory, which God had given them, with
the blood and slaughter of those that were of the same lineage with
themselves; and that it was more agreeable to be men of a friendly
disposition, and so to betake themselves to feasting.

4. And when Samuel had told them that he ought to confirm the kingdom to
Saul by a second ordination of him, they all came together to the city
of Gilgal, for thither did he command them to come. So the prophet
anointed Saul with the holy oil in the sight of the multitude, and
declared him to be king the second time. And so the government of the
Hebrews was changed into a regal government; for in the days of Moses,
and his disciple Joshua, who was their general, they continued under an
aristocracy; but after the death of Joshua, for eighteen years in all,
the multitude had no settled form of government, but were in an
anarchy; after which they returned to their former government, they then
permitting themselves to be judged by him who appeared to be the
best warrior and most courageous, whence it was that they called this
interval of their government the Judges.

5. Then did Samuel the prophet call another assembly also, and said