Asa succeeds Abijah Circumstances of his bringing up-Re-
ligious condition of Judah on his accession-Asa's reformation-
Maachah, the Queen-mother, degraded-Attempt made to uproot
idolatry, not wholly successful-Military organization-Invasion
of Zerah, and its results-Asa encouraged by Oded-His great
festival and renewal of the Covenant-His war with Baasha-
Asa, rebuked by Jehu, son of Hanani, imprisons him-Op-
presses some of the people-Asa's general character-His illness
and death.
Want of materials for a biographical sketch of Nadab-He is
murdered by Baasha after a reign of a few months.
Baasha's humble origin-His courage and daring-He murders
Nadab, and is accepted as king-He exterminates the house
of Jeroboam, yet continues Jeroboam's religious system-His
military policy, aggressive-Alliance with Benhadad and attack
on Judæa-Seizure and fortification of Ramah-Asa successfully
counterplots him-He is denounced by a prophet-His death.
Elah a shadowy figure in the sacred history-Comparison of his
reign with that of Nadab-Compared with Nadab, he shows to
advantage--He is murdered at a drinking-bout by Zimri.
Accession of Zimri-His destruction of Baasha's relatives and
friends-Revolt of the army under Omri-Zimri besieged in
Tirzah-Tirzah taken-Zimri sets the royal palace on fire, and
perishes in the flames-Zimri's character.
Reign of Omri-His struggle with Tibni, son of Ginath - His
removal of the capital to a new site-Site of Samaria described-
Meaning of the name-War of Omri with Moab-His war with
Syria of Damascus-His religious policy-Length of his reign.
Accession of Ahab-His ability-Importance of his religious
revolution-Description of the Phoenician worship introduced by
him-Political motive of his marriage with Jezebel-Character of
Jezebel, and her relations with her husband-The "First Great
Persecution "-Elijah and Jezebel-Elijah's appearance-His
prophecy of a drought-His challenge to the Baal prophets and
contest with them on Carmel-His vengeance-Wrath of Jezebel
and flight of Elijah-War of Ahab with Benhadad-Prosperity
of Israel during his reign-Story of Naboth-Attempt of Ahab
to recover Ramoth-Gilead in conjunction with Jehoshaphat-
Scene with Micaiah, the son of Imlah-Battle of Ramoth-Gilead-
Ahab's death.
Defensive preparations of Jehoshaphat-Court paid to him by
neighbouring nations - He joins affinity and makes alliance with
Ahab-Attack made upon him by the combined forces of Moab,
Ammon, and Edom-His miraculous deliverance-He joins
Jehoram of Israel in an attack on Moab-Partial success of the
expedition-Jehoshaphat's religious policy-His administration
of Justice-Prosperity of Judæa in his reign-His death.
Ahaziah of Israel, a shadowy personage-Shortness of his reign
He does very wickedly' His commercial alliance with
Judah-His unfortunate war with Moab-His accidental fall from
a window, and consultation of the god of Ekron-Fire called
down from heaven by Elijah on his messengers-His death pre-
dicted-His character.
Ahaziah of Israel succeeded by Jehoram, his brother-Jehoram's
pseudo-reformation-His expedition against Moab, and its poor
result-His war with Syria-Frustration of his plans through
Elisha's foreknowledge-Attempt to seize Elisha's person fails-
Brief cessation of hostilities-Renewed attack and siege of
Samaria-Siege raised-Jehoram recovers Ramoth-Gilead, but is
wounded-Jehu, anointed to succeed him by the command of
Elisha, hastens to Samaria, and, taking him by surprise, slays
him.
Date of Jehoram's accession-Probably associated in the kingdom
by his father-His sole reign-Unsuccessful war with Edom-
Revolt of Libnah-Jerusalem plundered by the Philistines and
Arabs-Baal-worship introduced into Judah through the influence
of Athaliah-Character of Jehoram-Warning reaches him from
Elijah-His sickness and death.
Ahaziah's age at his accession-Influence exercised over him by
Athaliah-Results of this influence--Ahaziah joins Jehoram of
Judah in his expedition against Ramoth-Gilead-Visits Jehoram
at Jezreel, and is involved in his fate-His body conveyed to
Jerusalem.
Jehu's the most important of the Israelite dynasties-His early
life-His rise to the high position of "Captain of the host "-
Elisha has him anointed as king-His acceptance by the army--
His rapid march to Jezreel and murder of Jehoram-His other
bloody deeds-Murder of Jezebel-Of Ahaziah of Judah-Of
Ahab's seventy sons-Of his partisans in Jezreel-Of forty-two
princes of Judah-Of the Baal-worshippers in Samaria-His
destruction of the Baal-worship-His character-His internal
government-His relations with foreign powers--Tribute paid by
him to Assyria-His death and burial.
Athaliah destroys the seed royal, and seizes the throne-Pushes
the Baal-worship to the front, and builds a temple to Baal in
Jerusalem-Joash, preserved by Jehosheba, and brought up
secretly by Jehoiada-Made king in his seventh year-Death of
Coronation of Joash followed by solemn renewal of the Cove-
nant-Destruction of the temple of Baal and abolition of Baalism
-Re-establishment in proper form of the Temple services by
Jehoiada, and renovation of the Temple itself by Joash-Sup-
posed "malversation" of the Levites not borne out by the
narrative-Death and funeral of Jehoiada-Partial restoration of
idolatry-Murder of Zechariah-Legend with respect to his
blood-Judæa invaded by Hazael-Gath taken-Jerusalem pur-
chases its safety-Illness of Joash-His murder by some of his
household-His burial.
Jehoahaz allows idolatry-His reign a series of disasters-Cruel
inroads of Hazael and loss of towns to him-Constant in-
cursions of Ammon and Moab-Disappearance of Elisha from
the history-Repentance of Jehoahaz unsatisfactory-Relations
of the two Hebrew kingdoms at the time.
Partial recovery of Israel under Joash-His character-His visit
to Elisha and the prophecy given him-His three victories
over Benhadad and their result-He is challenged to fight by
Amaziah-His reply and defeat of his antagonist-His early
death.
Amaziah punishes his father's murderers, but spares their sons-
His character-He makes preparations for the conquest of Edom,
and hires Israelite mercenaries-Rebuked by a prophet, he dis-
misses them-Their conduct-Amaziah's successful war against
Edom-His challenge to Joash-His defeat and later inaction-
His strange idolatry-Conspiracy formed against him-He flies
to Lachish, but is pursued and killed-His burial.
Significance of Jeroboak's name-His connexion with the pro-
phet Jonah-His wars-With Syria of Damascus-With Ha-
math-With Moab and Ammon-His long reign-Prosperity of
Israel under him-Result of the prosperity, general corruption-
Jeroboam's worship of the calves denounced by Amos-The
general wickedness denounced by Hosea-Results of Jeroboam's
reign-His death.
Uzziah made king by the popular choice-His greatness both in
war and peace-His occupation of Elath-His war with the
Philistines-His conquest of the Arabs of Gur-Baal and of the
Maonites-Submission to him of the Ammonites-His measures
for home defence-His patronage of husbandry-General cha-
racter of his reign-His great sin-His deposition and death.
ZACHARIAH, SHALLUM, AND MENAHEM.
Corruption of Israel under the dynasty of Jehu-Six months'
reign of Zachariah, its last prince-Thirty days' reign of Shallum—
Accession of Menahem-His expedition against Tiphsach-Its
importance-Change in the condition of Assyria-Accession of
Tiglath-Pileser, or Pul-His invasion of Palestine-Menahem
submits to him-Ransoms Samaria-Becomes an Assyrian
tributary-Dies.
Accession of Pekahiah-His murder by Pekah-Pekah's ability-
He crushes his domestic foes-Designs a confederacy to resist
Assyria-Joins with Rezin in an attack on Ahaz-Called in by
Ahaz, Tiglath-Pileser conquers Damascus, and brings the reign
of Pekah to an end-Pekah murdered by Hoshea.
Jotham, regent for his father, Uzziah, succeeds him as king of
Judah-Doubts concerning the length of his reign-He maintains
Uzziah's policy-Fortifies Jerusalem and builds fortresses-
Crushes the revolt of Ammon--Suffers attack from Pekah and
Rezin--Advance of corruption in Judæa during his reign-His
Accession of Ahaz-His character-Difficult circumstances under
which he came to the throne-His war with Pekah and Rezin-
Attacks made on him by Edom and Philistia- He invokes the aid
of Assyria, and becomes an Assyrian feudatory-Visits Tiglath-
Pileser's court at Damascus-His numerous idolatries, and
desecration of the Temple and its vessels-His persistency in
wickedness, and his early death.
Accession of Hoshea in Israel-His difficulties-Tiglath-Pileser
succeeded by Shalmaneser-Troubles in Assyria-Phoenicia
revolts-Hoshea allies himself with So (Sabaco), king of Egypt--
Shalmaneser invades Israel-Arrest of Hoshea-Massacre of
Beth-Arbel-Siege of Samaria-Capture and treatment-Du-
ration of the kingdom of Israel.
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