CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE PROPHETS.

BEFORE we enter upon a description of the fulfilment of prophecies, we shall employ one chapter in a short sketch of the books of the Old Testainent, subsequent to that of Joshua. The latter part of the book of Judges, and the whole book of Ruth, may be considered as digressions; but both are confirmed by references made to them in the New Testament.

The general thread of the sacred history, is resumed in the first book of Samuel, which completes the government of the Judges; and it relates the choice and rejection of Saul, the first king of the Israelites, and the anointing of David in his stead; with a most interesting account of the early part of the life of David, and of the reign and death of Saul. The history of David is continued in the second book of Samuel; and both together give an account of the Israelites, during a period of about one hundred and fifty years.

It is expressly declared in the first book of Chronicles, that Samuel recorded, together with Nathan and Gad, the actions of David. Several very noble prophecies are contained in these books. Our Saviour refers pointedly to the first book when vindicating, on a particular occasion, the conduct of his disciples *.

The two books of Kings, which form only one book in the Hebrew canon, continue the history during nearly 430 years, to the Babylonian captivity. The prevailing opinion is, that they were compiled by Ezra, from the larger accounts of the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah, which were written by Nathan, Gad, and Ahijah, and the succeeding Prophets. In these books, many striking predictions are contained; and each of them is authoritatively cited by our Saviour.

The two books of Chronicles, originally regarded as one by the Jews, recapitulate the Jewish history, from the accession of Solomon to the return from the Babylonian captivity, being a period of 480 years. They confirm, by their agreement, the historical books of the scriptures already noticed, with the addition of various genealogical tables, and

many particulars not noticed in the other historical books of scripture. They contain occasional predictions, and have received undoubted sanction, by being quoted in the New Testament •.

"Ezra, the author of the book which bears his name, was of the sacerdotal family, being a direct descendant from Aaron; and succeeded Zerubbabel in the government of Judea. He relates the transactions of 79 years, commencing from the edict of Cyrus. The book is written in Chaldee from the 8th verse of the 4th chapter, to the 27th verse of the 7th chapter. It is probable, that the sacred historian used the Chaldaic language in this part of his work, because it contains chiefly letters and decrees written in that language, the original words of which he might think it right to record; and indeed the people, who were recently returned from the Babylonian captivity, were at least as familiar with the Chaldee, as they were with the Hebrew tongue.

Nehemiah professeth to be the author of the book which bears his name, and he uniformly writes in the first person. He was of the tribe of Judah, and was probably born in Babylon, during the captivity. He was so distinguished for his family and attainments, as to be selected for the office of

cup bearer to the king of Persia, a situation of great honour and emolument. Upon his own application, he was made governor of Judea, by Artaxerxes Longimanus, and he continued his administration during 36 years, to the reformation established by his order, after the return from the captivity".

The book of Esther is so called, because it con. tains the history of Esther, a Jewish captive, who, by her accomplishments, gained the affections of king Ahasuerus, and by marriage with him, was raised to the throne of Persia. She became an instrument in the hands of the Supreme Being, in which she was the means of a signal deliverance being wrought for her countrymen, when their destruction had been concerted by the offended pride of Haman. The fidelity of the narrative, is attested by the annual solemnity with which the Jews continued to celebrate the festival of Purim, a feast instituted in consequence of the deliverence they experienced, through the intercession of Esther, and which is observed by the Jews to this day.

The book of Job contains the bistory of Job, a man equally distinguished for purity and uprightness of character, and for honours, wealth, and domestic felicity; whom God permitted, for the

trial of his faith and patience, to be suddenly deprived of all his numerous blessings, and to be plunged into the most accumulated distresses. It gives an account of his eminent piety and resignation under the pressure of these severe calamities, and of his subsequent elevation to a degree of prosperity and happiness, greater than that which he had before enjoyed. Great variety of opinions have been entertained concerning the nature and author of this book.

That Job was a real, not a fictitious character, may be inferred by his being conjoined with Daniel and Noah, by the Almighty, when He declared, that these three men should deliver but their own' souls by their righteousness. And again: “Behold!" says the apostle James, "we count them happy which endurc. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." Job was an inhabitant of the land of Uz, and was probably descended from Uz, the eldest son of Nahor, Abraham's brother, from whom the country took its name. Elihu, in reckoning up the modes of Divine revelation, takes no notice of the delivery of the Mosaic law; nor does there seem to be any allusion to the Jewish history, in any part of his book.