Even before Samson began waging his personal warfare against the Philistines, another kind of Judge was ruling in Shiloh. Eli was the high priest of the nation as well as a Judge. He judged Israel for forty years (1145–1105 B.C.). He was followed in the judgeship by the prophet Samuel. His long judgeship of over forty years paved the way for the establishment of the monarchy. In terms of national history, the first seven chapters of 1 Samuel revolve
Page 247