The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-25

which IA credible enough the murder was not
likely TO be known until after that Generals ex-
ecution in the succeeding reign, when II might
be published by his kinsmen. Doubtless the
hypothesis Of pure invention lie more probable.
On the other hand. Mr.. Heiprn docs not acquit
David OF completely In the murder OF lsh-
Bosheth and his cousin Abner, and he believes
that Benjaminite chroniclers have contrived to
infuse traces Of the truth into the narrative that
has come down to us. Throughout his reign It
is apparent that David is beset with fear OF
pretenders OF tho house OF Saul. and Is led to
commit series OF wrongs. the worst OF which
is the surrender OF seven OF Saul's descend
ants to the Gibeonltos for sacrifice. After this
review OF the Kings treatment OF Jonathan's
klnfok. the author thinks II unnecessary 10 ask
whether David can be deemed the writer OF the
eleRy on Saul and Jonathan.
As to the authorship Of the three or four score
Psalms attributed to David Mr.. Heilprin con-
siders the worthlessness OF these superscrip-
tions fully established Not single one OF these
sacred relics contains distinct illusions TO events
in David's life. and hardly any Of them agree
with tho character and disposition ascribod to
him in the historical books OF Samuel. Indeed.
the sentiments and religious views expressed
in all OF them are those OF q different
age. Our author examines tho Psalms
in much detail. and tho further he pro-
ceeds In the scrutiny tho moro striking
no finds the contrasts between the David Of
the historical narrative. n thorough soldier
rude and fierce. and OF vehement passions.
whose deeds give no sign OF profound religious
sentiment or extraordinary spiritual attain
ments. and the David OF the Book OF Psalms no
doubt mixture OF Characterization tho songs
are the productions OF many authors-but uni
formly God -fcaring. relying on divine MD and
mercy. delighting in righteousness and abhor-
rent OF sin. ialsehood. and arrogance. Similar
blindness guided the compilers. men OF very
late yet most uncrltcal age in assigning Psalms
to Moses. 10 Asaph. and to Solomon.
Mr.. Heilprln comedies however. that the tra-
dtlonal image OF David has boon so strongly
impressed upon the Imagination by tho tenor OF
the Psalms marked with his name-has become
so powerful a check upon right definition OF
his place I'm the ethical development OF his
natlon-that oven such critics no Ewald, Hi,zlg.
and Schrader still ascribe to him about dozen
Psalms. Among the very few accepted rs Da-
Vide by all Of the three scholars named Is tho
eighteenth. probably because this Psalm is in
corporated In H. samuel. Our author advances
some strong reasons for endorsing the judg
ment OF i. Meier. Kuencn and the Dutch school
OF criticism who reach the conclusion that not
n single poem in the whole collection is from
Dayid's hand.
An interesting fenturc Of this volume and an
impressive voucher OF the authors COM
petance to discuss the vexed and difficult
questions OF biblical criticism. is tho numer-
Gus original TRANSACTIONS Of Hebrew poetry,
including some Of the most striking lyrics that
have como down TO US. Among these may bo
cited his version OF Deborah's song. from
which our readers will doubtless be glad TO see
some extracts. This song. IL will be remem-
bered. according 10 the legend recited In the
Book OF Judges. was sung 10y Deborah and
Barak on the day when they had gone forth
from the mountains OF Ephraim against
Jnbin. King Of Canaan. and Sisera, his Captain,
and when the hand of Israel had continued to
prevail against Jabin until he was utterly de-
stroyed. This. We need not say. was one Of the
great war lyrics. cherished with peculiar fervor
in the northern kingdom. and doubtless
chanted by the hosts of Jeroboam when they
were threatened with chastisement by the
grandson Of David as well as in their age-long
struggle with the Assyrans.
Here. for instance are the lines which con-
trast tho patriotic outbreak OF the northern
tribes with the supineness Of those to the west
ward OF the Jordan. and OF those on tho frontier
OF Philistin. 1t will be observed that Judah Is
not 30 much us mentioned
Down came mere remnant
o. the peoples mobiles
Amons the heroes
Who's, root l. IN AmAck,
Behind thee, Benjamin,
With thy hosts
ffoni hatur
Leader Lad, r came;
Men welding commanders STAN
Tie uIinccs gi issachar
Ana a. I,saehsr so Barak
slrodv 10 tAe valley
ny the brooks Of Reuben
WHY safest thou between the sheeniclds
hestkening the piping q the hoeks'
And Dan why d,d he dwell on sAipst
Asher remained on the sea sAgTe-
lie abode by his inlcts
Af6stiG l { H away sSYkki iSe to death;
onthe heights Of the nold.
KINGS came and coiabawd-
Tue kiugs Of canaan fought;
NJ ranso,l money
Would they accept
Biest above women be Jael
Blest above women in 'ens
&c asked tor water
! MIA she gave;
she brought forth cream
G'is P@s SsEs nj S s'1: a.
she crushed lis Ieupiss
sAa 1Ss sT rSi ihT down
A. her leei be bent and aAnk;
| Where he bent
| There he fell DEF -smittea.
| Me-. Heiiprin assures us that outside OF this
poem there Is nothing that could persuade u:
to accept the story OF Deborah's victory anc
Siseras tragic fate a piece OF history. Joined
rs Il IL in the same narrative to a number o.
othor stories. on their face more or less fabu
lous. IL Is from the song alone that the account
OF these events given in the Book of Judge,
bOrrows look Of authenticity. lacking In mos
recitals Of the same work. AAd il appears tina
the great antiquity. and indeed tho contem
pOrarY origin OF the Deborah song. is voueheC
for by an overwhelming majority OF critics. ole
aud recent. conservative and destructive. From
tho most opposite view points. students OF tn
most varying tempers like Ewald. Hitaig. anC
Meier. like kuonen and Bernstein. concur II
pronouncing II the production OF poetess O
poet who Witnessed the charge OF Barak'
mOuntaineers or who at least. heard the de
tails from the lips OF patriots who fought by tn
waters OF MegiddO. NJ. w. H.