CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

THE HISTORY AND RELIGION OF THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE DIVISION OF THE HEBREWS INTO TWO INDEPEND-
ENT KINGDOMS Jeroboam, the first King of Israel, selects
Shechem for his Capital-Establishes the Worship of golden
Calves at Bethel and Dan--The Consequences of this Conduct
-Jeroboam rebuked by a Prophet-Miraculously punished
and restored-The Death of the King's Son, and the total
Ruin of the royal House, predicted by Ahijah-War with
Judah-Israel defeated-Nadab reigns-Is slain, and succeed-
ed by Baasha, who prosecutes the War with Judah successfully
-Israel invaded by the Syrians-Jehu the Prophet predicts
the Ruin of the House of Baasha-Elah succeeds his Father,
and is slain-A civil War between two rival Factions headed
by Omri and Tibni-The Death of Tibni-Omri reigns-
Ahab succeeds his Father-Marries Jezebel-Introduces Phe-
nician Idolatry-And persecutes the Worshippers of Jehovah
-Jericho rebuilt, and Joshua's Malediction verified-The
Prophet Elijah-The three Years of Drought and Famine-
Ruinous Condition of the Kingdom-Elijah meets Ahab-The
Miracle of Carmel-The Prophets of Baal slain-Rain given-
Elijah threatened with Death-Escapes-Is sent to anoint
Hazael King of Syria, Jehu King of Israel, and Elisha to be
Prophet Israel invaded by Benhadad-Delivered according
to the Word of a Prophet-The Invasion repeated the next
Year-And again' repulsed-The Death of Naboth-Prophecy
of Elijah-Fearful Doom of the House of Ahab-Jehoshaphat
unites with Ahab to war against Ramoth-Prophecy of Micaiah
-Death of Ahab-Ahaziah reigns-Fails in his Attempt to
restore the maritime Commerce with Ophir-Jehoram reigns
-Elijah translated, and succeeded by Elisha, who works
Miracles-Makes known the Counsels of Benhadad-And
defeats the Designs of the Syrians-Samaria besieged-Suffers
from a terrible Famine-Is divinely delivered-Hazael suc-
ceeds to the Throne of Syria-Jehu anointed King-Kills
Jehoram, Jezebel, and all the Children of Ahab-Destroys
the Prophets of Baal, and prohibits that Idolatry-Jehoahaz
succeeds to the Throne-Israel suffers from the Syrians under
Hazael-Joash reigns-Prospers in his War with Syria-Tri-

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umphs over Judah-Jeroboam II. reigns, and greatly increases

the Power of Israel-Hosea and Amos prophesy-Zechariah

reigns-Is killed by Shallum, who is destroyed by Manahem-

In his Reign Assyria invades Israel-Pekahiah reigns-Is

slain by Pekah, who succeeds, and forms an Alliance with

Syria-Vanquishes Judah-Hoshea reigns-Is dethroned, and

the Kingdom destroyed by the Assyrians. NOTES. The

Conduct of Rehoboam-The Divine Purpose in the Division

of the Kingdom-Peculiar religious Character of this History

-The Sin of Jeroboam-The Statutes of Omri--The Male-

diction of Joshua, and its Accomplishment on Hiel-The Case

of Hazael

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409

CHAPTER VII.

THE HISTORY AND RELIGION OF THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH.

REHOBOAM, preparing to subdue the revolted Tribes, is forbidden

by a Prophet-Relative Position of the Kingdoms-Judah

degenerates into Idolatry-Invaded, and Jerusalem plunder-

ed, by Shishak-Abijam succeeds to the Throne-He invades

Israel-Asa made King-Prohibits Idolatry-Repels the Ethi-

opian Invasion-Is harassed by the King of Israel-Obtains

Deliverance by a League with Syria-This Conduct condemn-

ed-The Prophet persecuted-JEHOSHAPHAT REIGNS-He pro-

hibits Idolatry-And issues a Commission for the Instruction

of the People-Marries his Son to the Daughter of Ahab-

Judah invaded by Moab and Ammon-Jehoshaphat seeks

Refuge in Jehovah-Is gloriously delivered-He attempts

the Revival of the Trade with Ophir, but fails-Jehoram

succeeds his Father-He massacres all his Brethren-HE

RESTORES THE GROVES AND HIGH PLACES Introduces the

Sidonian Idolatry, and enforces its Observance-Invasion of

the Kingdom by a combined Army of Philistines and Ara-

bians-Who carry off the royal Family and spoil the Palace

of the King-Jehoram dies miserably, and is succeeded by

Ahaziah-He begins to reign wickedly, and is slain by Jehu

---Athaliah usurps the Government-Destroys all the Seed-

Royal except one Child-And reigns six Years-Athaliah

slain-And Joash placed on the Throne when seven Years old

-He repairs the Temple-And reigns wisely until the

Death of Jehoiada-He then falls into Idolatry-Being re-

proved by Zechariah for his Impiety, he commands the Pro-

phet to be put to Death-Jerusalem spoiled by Hazael of

Syria Joash is murdered in his Bed, and succeeded by Ama-

ziah-He begins to reign well-Invades Edom-Is victorious

-Worships the Deities of Seir-Is rebuked by a Prophet

Whom he threatens-He provokes a War with Israel-Is de-

feated, and taken Prisoner-Uzziah succeeds to the Throne

----He reigns well-Humbles the Philistines, Ammonites, and

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Arabians-Strengthens the Army-Invents important mili-

tary Engines-HE INVADES THE PRIEST'S OFFICE, and, attempt-

ing to offer Incense, is smitten with Leprosy-The Nature

and Influence of the prophetic Office—Jotham reigns piously

---Micah prophesies-Ahaz reigns wickedly-Judah defeated

by Israel with great Loss-Isaiah divinely commissioned to

Ahaz-The King trusts in Assyria, and is disappointed---

Hezekiah reigns-He reforms Abuses-Destroys Idolatry-

And restores the Worship of Jehovah-Ceases to pay Tribute

to the King of Assyria-Is threatened by him-Hezekiah's

Sickness and Recovery-The Destruction of the Assyrian

Army-Nahum prophesies-Conduct of the King to the

Babylonish Ambassadors condemned-He is threatened-Ma-

nasseh succeeds to the Throne-He restores Idolatry-And

persecutes unto Death the Worshippers of Jehovah-Subdued

by the King of Assyria, and carried away Captive-He hum-

bles himself, repents, is restored to his Kingdom, and reigns

piously-He dies, and is succeeded by Amon-Judah invaded

by Assyria-Delivered by Judith-Josiah reigns well-A

Book of the Law found in the Temple-Josiah opposes the

King of Egypt-Is slain-Jeremiah raised up to prophesy-

Jehoahaz reigns wickedly-Is deposed by the King of Egypt,

who places Jehoiakim on the Throne-He also reigns wick-

edly, and is succeeded by Jehoiachin, who is deposed by Ne-

buchadnezzar, who appoints Zedekiah King-He also does

Evil-He is finally deposed, and Jerusalem destroyed-Chro-

nological Table. NOTES. Geographical Extent of the King-

dom of Judah-High Places-The Burning for Asa-The

Letter of Elijah-The Sacrifice of Children to Moloch-The

Promise of Immanuel-The Connexion of the sacred His-

tory with that of Assyria-The Language employed by the

Hebrews in speaking of Deity-The miraculous Destruction

of the Assyrian Army-Sacred Groves-The Chronology of

the Deliverance of Jerusalem by Judith-The Route of Pha-

raoh-Necho to Carchemish....

453

CHAPTER VIII.

THE HISTORY OF THE HEBREWS DURING THE CAPTIVITY.

PECULIAR CONDITION OF THE HEBREWS AT THIS PERIOD-The several

Deportations of Hebrews to the East-Gedaliah appointed

Governor-He is slain, and the Remnant of Hebrews emi-

grate to Egypt-The Prophecies and Death of Jeremiah-

Nebuchadnezzar's first Dream, declared and interpreted by

Daniel-The Prophet is promoted to be Chief of the Wise

Men-The Hebrews in their Captivity were treated with

Tolerance and Liberality-The golden Image-The Deliver-

ance of the three Hebrews-Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the

Tree-The Dream explained-And fulfilled-The Insanity of

the King-His Death-Evil-Merodach succeeds to the Throne

of Babylon-He delivers Jehoiachin from Prison, and ho-

nours him-Belshazzar succeeds to the Throne-His Feast-

The Handwriting on the Wall-Explained by Daniel-Bel-

shazzar's Death-A remarkable Fulfilment of Prophecy-Ac-

cession of Darius to the Throne of Babylon-Daniel his

Minister The Edict forbidding Prayer to God-Daniel in

the Den of Lions-Is delivered-His deep Interest in the

Religion of his People-Receives special Revelations from

Heaven-Preparation of the People for Restoration-The Ac-

cession of Cyrus-His Decree-First Caravan of Hebrews re-

turn to Judea-The Altar of Burnt-offering restored-Foun-

dation of the Temple laid-Opposition of the Samaritans-

The Progress of the Building forbidden-Darius Hystaspes

reigns—The Building resumed—The Temple finished—Ezra

sent to Jerusalem-His Labours and Reforms-Nehemiah ap-

pointed Governor of Jerusalem-The Walls of the City built

-Several religious and social Reforms effected-Nehemiah

goes to Babylon-And returns to Jerusalem-He again re-

moves Disorder, and effects a social and religious Reforma-

tion-The History of Esther-Her Influence upon the Wel-

fare of the Jews-Chronological Table. NOTES. The

Chronology of Daniel-Chronological Arrangement of Nebu-

chadnezzar's Dreams-The Death of Belshazzar...

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521

CHAPTER IX.

THE RELIGION OF THE HEBREWS DURING THE CAPTIVITY.

THE FALL OF THE HEBREW NATION A DIVINE INFLICTION on Account

of general Transgression-Idolatry introduced by Jehoram-

Fostered by succeeding Kings-And, notwithstanding the

Efforts of some pious Princes, becomes paramount in Influ-

ence The Extent of this Apostasy shown by Jeremiah-And

more fully detailed by Ezekiel-Those who continued to

worship Jehovah generally formal and insincere The Preva-

lence of Vice and Violence-THE PRESENCE OF JEHOVAH WITH-

DRAWN FROM THE TEMPLE-Lingers over the City-And

finally departs from the Mount of Olives-The idolatrous

and wicked Hebrews destroyed in the national Ruin-The

Pious preserved, and carried into Captivity-Effects of this

national Ruin upon the religious Opinions and Hopes of the

Hebrews-It did not destroy their Confidence in God's cove-

nant Mercy-Advantageous Position of the Hebrews at this

Time for acquiring just Views of their covenant Relation to

Jehovah, and of the Scheme of Redemption-MESSIANIC PRO-

PHECIES of Isaiah-Hosea Joel-And Micah-These Prophe-

cies were designed to support the Hebrews in their Affliction

--Check the Pride of their Enemies-And uphold the Ho-

nour of Jehovah-The Prophecies of Jeremiah-And Ezekiel

-Nebuchadnezzar's profane Assumption and Intolerance-

The Prophecies of Daniel-The Hebrews acquire a clear

Knowledge of the Doctrine of Satan. NOTES. The Vision

of Ezekiel-When were the Discourses of the Prophets writ-

ten and collected?-Prophetic Vision-The Rationale of the

golden Image The predicted Invasion of Persia by Greece-

Daniel's Notation of prophetic Time-The Knowledge which

the Hebrews obtained of the Personality and Influence of

Satan.....

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561

CHAPTER X.

THE HISTORY OF THE HEBREWS FROM THE RESTORATION TO THE

ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENCE.

JUDEA, after the Restoration of the Hebrews, a Province of the

Persian Empire, and subject to Syria-After Nehemiah, the

High Priest is invested with the civil Government-Joiada

High Priest-Succeeded by his Son Jonathan-Whose Bro-

ther, endeavouring to supplant him, is killed in the Temple-

Bagoses profanes the Sanctuary, and levies a Tax upon Sacri-

fices-Jaddua High Priest-Refuses to supply Food to the

Army of Alexander-Who threatens Jerusalem-The City

wonderfully saved from his Anger-And favoured by him-

On the Partition of the Macedonian Monarchy, Judea assigned

to Laomedon-Taken from him by Ptolemy-From whom it

is wrested by Antigonus Judea restored to Ptolemy, and

attached to Egypt-Simon the Just, High Priest-Succeeded

by Eleazar-Antigonus of Soccho President of the great Syna-

gogue-Manasses, Son of Jaddua, High Priest-Onias, the

Son of Simon the Just, succeeds to the High Priesthood-His

Covetousness perils the State-Which is saved by the Address

of his Nephew Joseph-Simon II. High Priest-The profane

Attempt of Philopater-Defeated-His Persecution of the

Jews Judea conquered by Antiochus, and again united to

the Kingdom of Syria-Onias III. High Priest-Factious Con-

duct of Simon, Governor of the Temple-Jason, by Treachery,

obtains the Deposition of his Brother, and is appointed High

Priest-He introduces Grecian Manners, and corrupts the

People-Is supplanted by Menelaus-Onias III. murdered-

Jerusalem stormed by Antiochus, and the Temple spoiled-

The Jewish Religion proscribed-And a bloody Persecution

begun Mattathias and his Sons resist this Tyranny-Matta-

thias, dying, is succeeded by Judas-Who, after long and

desperate Efforts, obtains Possession of Jerusalem-Purifies

the Temple, and restores holy Worship-Alcimus High Priest

-Judas slain-His Brother John cut off-Jonathan Macca-

beus conducts the War-He is seduced by Treachery, and

made captive-Simon Maccabeus succeeds as Captain-General