2 Samuel 18:24-272 Kings 9:17-20Isaiah 21:5-92 Kings 17:918:8Jeremiah 6:17Ezekiel 33:2-9Hebrews 13:17

The watches of the night were originally three in number, (1) "the beginning of the watches" (Lamentations 2:19 ); (2) "the middle watch" (Judges 7:19 ); and (3) "the morning watch" (Exodus 14:24; 1 Samuel 11:11 ), which extended from two o'clock to sunrise. But in the New Testament we read of four watches, a division probably introduced by the Romans (Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48; Luke 12:38 ). (See DAY .)