the course of the narrative. But, whether this were done in the text, or in notes, it must necessarily have caused so much interruption, and made so many inconvenient breaks in the history, that it has been judged most desirable to substitute, instead of such verbal elucidations, the accompanying chronological table, compiled from the highest authorities; which will, at a glance, afford the best attainable information on this abstruse subject; and, at the same time, constitute a tabular harmony of the history and religion of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel.

A SYNCHRONISTICAL TABLE OF REMARKABLE EVENTS IN THE KINGDOMS OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL.

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 emigrate 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 Deliverance 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 honors him-Belshazzar succeeds to the Throne-His Feast -The Handwriting on the Wall-Explained by Daniel-Belshazzar's Death-A Remarkable Fulfillment of Prophecy-Accession of Darius to the Throne of BabylonDaniel 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 Accession of Cyrus-His Decree-First Caravan of Hebrews return to Judea-The Altar of Burnt-offering restored-Foundation of the Temple laid-Opposition of the Samaritans-The Progress of the Building forbidden-Darius Hystaspes reigns-The Building resumedThe Temple finished-Ezra sent to Jerusalem-His Labors and Reforms-Nehemiah appointed 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 removes Disorder, and effects a social and religious Reformation-The History of Esther Her Influence upon the Welfare of the Jews-Chronological Table.

THE Condition of the Hebrews, in this part of their history, presents an entirely new aspect. From the period of the first elevation of the Israelites into the position of a separate and independent people, to the captivity, they had, in all the fluctuations of their public affairs, to a great degree retained the power of self-government, and the possession of the soil. Now, however, they were doomed to a condition the most abject and painful. We behold them not only completely subdued, and placed under the government of their tyrant conquerors, but deported from their own country, and, after a long and harassing journey, scattered through a strange land, to live as exiles and captives in the midst of a Heathen and dominant people.

This captivity must not, however, be regarded as having its commencement and accomplishment in the capture and destruction of Jerusalem. It may not improperly be observed, that, after the subversion of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the scattered remnant of all the tribes were regarded as one people.* The captivity,

We have a striking proof of this in the Book of Esther, in which all the Jews throughout the one hundred and twenty provinces of the Persian empire are placed on the same footing, and have the same privilege. Esther ix, 9-12, &c.

therefore, in its widest sense, began when the transjordanic tribes, together with those of Zebulon and Naphtali, were carried away into Assyria. 2 Kings xv, 29. This occurred about B.C. 740. Another deportation took place about twenty years afterward, when Samaria was taken, and the king, and all the most important of the remaining population of the ten tribes, were also carried away into Assyria.

It was a hundred years after the ruin of the kingdom of Israel, that the land of Judah was subjected to similar calamities. But the number and date of the several deportations from this part of the Hebrew family is not so easily ascertained. Two of these are described in the Book of Kings; Jeremiah speaks of three; and Daniel of a fourth.

The first, in the order of time, is that mentioned by Daniel, who states (chap. i, 1) that, "in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah," Nebuchadnezzar besieged and took Jerusalem, and carried away the vessels of the Lord's house, and several young members of the royal family and of the nobility, to Babylon. These captives, as they appear to have been few in number, may be regarded rather as hostages than a part of the national captivity. (See Appendix, note 96.)

The second transportation from the kingdom of Judah into Chaldea was in the year B.C. 598, when Nebuchadnezzar deposed Jehoiachin, and took him, and great numbers of the people, into captivity. The object of this deportation appears to have been to augment his armies, and to provide useful inhabitants for some newly-built or recently-conquered towns: for he took away "all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths." 2 Kings xxiv, 14.

The next compulsory emigration of Hebrews to Babylonia was on the capture and destruction of Jerusalem, when Zedekiah was taken, and punished by Nebuchadnezzar. This, as we have already seen, occurred about B.C. 586; and on this occasion the great body of the Jewish nation was transferred to Chaldea.

Jeremiah adds another deportation, which, he says, occurred five years after the last mentioned one. But of this we have no other information; and it is very probable, as indeed the prophet intimates, that this affected but a small number of persons.

Before we proceed with the history of the expatriated captives, it will be necessary to convey some information respecting the remInant which was left in the land.

Nebuchadnezzar, having executed his purpose on the Jewish nation by the entire ruin of the capital, and the total subversion of

the state, selected Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, and appointed him governor over the land. As far as our information extends, the appointment was judicious: Ahikam appears to have held an important position at the court of king Josiah. 2 Kings xxii, 12. He also possessed sufficient influence in the reign of Jehoiakim to protect Jeremiah from the cruelty of the king, and the violence of the people. Jer. xxvi, 24. Gedaliah fixed his residence at Mizpah, and proceeded to organize a government, inviting the people to settle down in subjection to the king of Babylon. Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, also delivered Jeremiah to the governor, giving him his choice, either to remain with Gedaliah in Judea, or to accompany the captain of the guard to Babylon. The prophet preferred remaining with his friend. Great numbers of the Jews also, who had, during the war, fled for refuge into neighboring countries, returned when they heard that Gedaliah was made governor at Mizpah. Several of the chiefs, with their men, followed this example, and came to the seat of government. To them the governor gave the most positive assurances of safety. But while these circumstances seemed to promise peace and comfort in the land of their fathers to the remnant that had escaped the sword and banishment, all these prospects were blasted by the assassination of Gedaliah.

This noble-minded man had been forewarned of the designs of Ishmael; but his generous spirit refused to believe the insinuation. At length the wicked purpose was effected; the governor was slain, and the assassin, having also cut off the Jews and Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah, attempted to carry away the captives, the king's daughters, and the residue of the people, into the land of the Ammonites, with whose king Ishmael was in league.

Johanan and other captains, who collected their men, and pursued the fugitives, succeeded in preventing this; for, having overtaken the party, all the people were recovered; Ishmael, with only eight attendants, effecting his escape. Alarmed, and apprehensive lest the Chaldeans would punish them for this massacre, Johanan and the rest of the people determined to flee into Egypt. Against this purpose Jeremiah lifted up his voice with more than his usual energy. But, having their own object in view, the chiefs who had recovered the captives from Ishmael, taking all the people with them, left Mizpah, and went to Chimham, near Bethlehem, that they might more conveniently carry their purpose into effect. While residing here, they made a formal application to Jeremiah, that he would pray for them, that they might be told what they should do, and where they should locate; pledging themselves to act accord