The returned community, though consisting mainly of members of the two tribes, represented the entire people of Israel. The ground, however, which …

The leaders in the country.

And the residue of Israel, of the priests and the Levites ,
&c.]. All of them, besides those that dwelt at Jerusalem…

In all ages, people have preferred their own ease and advantage to the public good. Even the profe ors of religion too commonly seek their own, and…