That the situation at the Conquest continued also during the period of the Judges appears from sundry considerations, (1) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the fact that all the surrounding nations, Moabites, Edomites, Amorites, Hittites, Mitannians, etc,, were literate nations with public archives would suggest continuance.

(2) The high state of organization under David requires an evolutionary background.

(3) Even the extreme (and quite untenable) theory that the Hebrews were illiterate wild Arab nomads and remained so for a long time would actually demonstrate the matter, for, as has been per-