expected. The cultivation of the recently conquered land so
occupied the attention of the tribes that they came nigh forgetting
the man to whom chiefly they owed their possession of it. As a
punishment for their ingratitude, God, soon after Joshua's death,
brought also the life of the high priest Eleazar and of the other
elders to a close, and the mount on which Joshua's body was
interred began to tremble, and threatened to engulf the Jews. (57)

THE FIRST JUDGE

After the death of Joshua the Israelites inquired to God whether
they were to go up against the Canaanites in war. They were given
the answer: "If ye are pure of heart, go forth unto the combat; but
if your hearts are sullied with sin, then refrain." They inquired
furthermore how to test the heart of the people. God ordered them
to cast lots and set apart those designated by lot, for they would be
the sinful among them. Again, when the people besought God to
give it a guide and leader, an angel answered: "Cast lots in the
tribe of Caleb." The lot designated Kenaz, and he was made prince
over Israel. (1)

His first act was to determine by lot who were the sinners in Israel,
and what their inward thought. He declared before the people: "If I
and my house be set apart by lot, deal with us as we deserve, burn
us with fire." The people assenting, lots were cast, and 345 of the
tribe of Judah were singled out, 560 of Reuben, 775 of Simon, 150
of Levi, 665 of Issachar, 545 of Zebulon, 380 of Gad, and 665 of
Asher, 480 of Manasseh, 448 of Ephraim, and 267 of Benhamin.
(2) So 6110 (3) persons were confined in prison, until God should
let it be know what was to be done with them. The united prayers