Now for a long season Israel [hath been] without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
Ver. 3. Now for a long season.] For about thirty years.
Israel.] The ten revolted tribes.
Hath been without the true God.] So were our ancestors the old Britons, whose idols were portenta diabolica, saith Gildas, pene numero Aegyptiaca vincentia, monstrous idols.
And without a teaching priest.] No wonder, therefore, that they were "without God in the world," stark atheists, sine lege, sine rege, sine fide, "without law, king or fidelity" as the Brazilians are said to be.