narratives; but the most remarkable details are the early histories of Samuel and David. The apostacy of Saul from the sincere worship of God,-his misguided and bitter persecutions of David, and his own fatal overthrow and death, with the ruin of his family, are deeply affectand instructive to the young. ng What a contrast do we behold between the characters of Eli's sons and Samuel! between Saul and David! How vast the difference which genuine godliness produces in the principles and habits of men! We see, in the sons of Eli, in Saul, and in Nabal, that disgrace, misery, and death are the bitter fruits and hard-earned wages of sin. David has always been considered an illustrious type of Christ, in the various persecutions he endured on his way to the throne, and in his final exaltation above all his enemies. May we confide in the Son of David, our adorable King and Lord, and enjoy the blessings of his eternal kingdom. References in 1 Samuel. The second book of Samuel embraces a period of about forty years: it is a continuation of the national records of Israel under David, who was elevated to the throne on the death of Saul, as king over the tribe of Judah, and seven years afterwards as king over the whole people, on the assassination of Ishbosheth, Saul's son. The book is divided into thirty-four chapters, and it contains three principal sections. Section I. Relates the triumphs and prosperity of David's government, ch. i.-X. Sec. II. The troubles of David, occasioned by his sinning against God, after having been favoured with the most distinguishing manifestations of the divine kindness, ch. xi.-xix. Sec. III. The re-establishment of David on his throne after his sincere repentance before the Lord: and a record of the last years of his extended reign, ch. xx.— xxxiv. The most remarkable things recorded in the second book of Samuel, are, David's sinning against God in the affair of Uriah and his wife; his deep repentance and humiliation; the unnatural rebellion of Absalom, the favourite son of David, and the ignominious death of that. young prince, while seeking to take away the life of his indulgent and affectionate father! In the dreadful fall of David we see the power of human corruption, even in holy men of God, unless kept by his almighty hand, and the sovereign efficacy of divine grace in his renewal and restoration. The books of the Kings contain the national records of the Israelites, continued during the reigns of their sovereigns, and embracing a period of about 426 years, from the anointing of Solomon to the destruction of Jerusalem. They describe the glory of Israel under Solomon; the division of the nation under Rehoboam; the decline of the two kingdoms; the total destruction of Israel, and the subversion and captivity of Judah. It is supposed that David, Solomon, and Hezekiah wrote the histories of their own reigns; that the prophets Nathan, Gad, Isaiah, Iddo, and others, were the historians of their respective times; and that the whole were arranged in their present form and order by the inspired prophet Ezra. 1 KINGS. The first book of Kings comprises the history of the Israelites for about 126 years, from the anointing of Solomon, 1015 years B. C. to the death of Jehoshaphat, 889 years B. C. It is divided into twenty-two chapters, Section I. Contains a detailed account of Solomon's succession to the throne of Israel while David his father was yet living; and of his great prosperity and magnificence as sovereign of Canaan, ch. i.—xi. Sec. II. The division of the people of Israel into two kingdoms, through the weak pride and foolish conduct of Rehoboam, son of Solomon; with the history of both kingdoms until the death of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, ch. xii.-xxv. In the first book of Kings there are many remarkable things recorded; among which are especially to be noticed, 1. The building and dedication of Solomon's temple, erected in the most sumptuous manner, according to a pattern given directly from God, and under the direction of superior workmen, specially endowed with suitable abilities for the work. 2. The flourishing reign of Solomon, which was typical of the peaceful and prosperous reign of the Messiah. 3. The division of the nation into two kingdoms. 4. The speedy fall of the grandeur of Israel, when the city of Jerusalem was taken by Shishak king of Egypt; and the temple and the royal palace were pillaged of their gold and treasures. This calamity happened when Rehoboam had reigned only five years; and it was appointed by the holy, sin-avenging God, as a righteous punishment for his wickedness and abomination in forsaking the worship of Jehovah, and setting up of idolatry, 1 Kings xiv. 21. 28. 2 Chron. xii. 1-9. 5. The extraordinary ministry of the prophet Elijah, and the slaughter of the idolatrous priests of Baal. 2 KINGS. The second book of Kings is a continuation of the national records of the Israelites, embracing a period of about 300 years, from the death of Jehoshaphat, 889 years B. C. to the destruction of Jerusalem and its splendid temple by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, 588 years B. C. It is divided into twenty-five chapters, which include two chief sections. Section I. Contains a continued history of the two nations, Israel and Judah, until the kingdom of Israel was destroyed in a total captivity of the people by the Assyrians, ch. i.-xvii. Sec. II. The remaining history of the kingdom of Judah, until the conquest of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar, and the destruction of Jerusalem; when the surviving people, except some of the peasantry, were led away captive into Babylon, ch. xviii.-xxv. The most remarkable things recorded in the second book of Kings are, 1. The close of the ministry of Elijah by his translation to heaven in a chariot of fire. 2. The ministry of Elisha the prophet. 3. The total ruin of the kingdom of Israel on account of its irreclaimable wickedness. 4. The destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem. 5. The captivity of the Jews in Babylon on account of their forsaking the true God to worship idols, and committing the abominations of the heathen. It is also worthy of the most serious remark, that the nation of the ten tribes had nineteen sovereigns, all of whom were irreligious and wicked men. Through their impious policy the national guilt was increased, and at length the people was brought to ruin. Judah also had many wicked sovereigns; but there were several of their kings who truly feared the Lord; and by their endeavours to reclaim and reform the people, the divine judgments were for a time averted. The two books of Chronicles are registers of the times, which their title signifies; they were compiled by Ezra from the national records. These registers contain an abstract, in order of time, of the whole sacred history, and records of the whole Bible, from the creation down to the Babylonish captivity, embracing a period of 3468 years. The design of the Chronicles is to furnish a continued course of ancient authentic history; and to supply many important matters relating both to persons and things, which are omitted in the other inspired historical books. They afford an affecting illustration of the dispensations of God towards his highly favoured, yet ungrateful people: they show the unspeakable advantages to nations arising from pious sovereigns, as seen in the cases of David, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah, and the dreadful evils of national depravity and irreligion. The two books of Chronicles contain four principal {ections. Section I. Contains genealogical tables from Adam down to the time of Ezra, 1 Chron. i.-ix. Sec. II. Histories of Israel under their first kings, Saul and David, ch. x.-xxviii. Sec. III. The history of the united kingdom in its flourishing state under Solomon, ch. xxix. to 2 Chron. ix. Sec. IV. The history of Judah under its several kings, from the succession of the ten tribes to the Babylonish captivity, 2 Chron. x.—xxxvi. The things most remarkable in the books of Chro nicles are the genealogical tables, particularly those which show that Jesus Christ was of the seed of Abraham. |