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with them in consequence, (ch. xix.—xxi.); the servitude of the eastern Israelites under Cushan Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, and their deliverance by Othniel, (ch. iii. 5—11.); their servitude under Eglon, king of Moab, and their deliverance by Ehud, (ch. iii. 12—30.); the deliverance of the western Israelites by Shamgar, (ch. iii. 31.); the servitude of the northern Israelites under Jabin, king of Canaan, and their deliverance by Deborah and Barak, with their triumphant song, (ch. iv. v.); the enslaving of the eastern and northern Israelites by Midian, and their deliverance by Gideon, (ch. vi.-viii.); the usurpation and death of Abimelech, (ch. ix.); the administration of Tola and Jair, (ch. x. 1—6.); the oppression of the Israelites by the Ammonites, and their deliverance by Jephthah, (ch. x. 7.—xii. 7.); the administration of Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, (ch. xii. 8—14.); the birth of Samson; the oppression of the Israelites by the Philistines, and their deliverance by Samson, and his death, (ch. xiii.-xvi.)*

The Book of RUTH contains an account of the sojourning and death of Elimelech and his two sons in the land of Moab; the return of his wife Naomi to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth, (ch, i.); the gleaning of Ruth in the fields of Boaz, by whom she is kindly treated, (ch. ii.); the conduct of Ruth, in consequence of the advice of Naomi, by which means she obtains a promise of marriage from Boaz, if a nearer kinsman should decline it, (ch. iii.); the marriage of Boaz and Ruth, the kinsman having refused it; the birth of Obed; with the genealogy unto David, (ch. iv.) †

The FIRST Book of SAMUEL contains an account of the birth of Samuel (ch. i.); with the thanksgiving song of Hannah, (ch. ii. 1—10.); the mal-administration of Eli's sons, (ch. ii. 11—36.); the call of Samuel, and the denunciation against Eli's house, (ch. iii.); the capture of the ark by the Philistines, and the completion of God's judgment against the house of Eli, (ch. iv.); the chastisement inflicted on the Philistines for retaining the ark, (ch. v.); its return, and the punishment of those who profaned its sanctity, (ch. vi.); the repentance of the people at Mizpeh, and the subduing of the Philistines, (ch. vii.); the election of Saul for a king, in consequence of the ill-advised desire of the Israelites, (ch. viii, -xii.); the wars of Saul with the Philistines, (ch. xiii. xiv.); his sins and rejection, (ch. xv.); the anointing of David, (ch. xvi.); his victory over Goliath, (ch. xvii.); his unjust persecutions by Saul, (ch. xviii. -xxvii.); the death of Samuel, whom Saul consults by means of the witch of Endor, (ch. xxviii.); the defeat, death, and burial of Saul and his sons, &c. (ch. xxix.-xxxi.) 1

The SECOND Book of SAMUEL comprises a period of nearly forty years, from A. M. 2949 to 2989; containing an account of David's receiving intelligence of the death of Saul and Jonathan, with his lamentation over

• Comprehensive Bible, Introd. to Judges.

+ Idem, Introd. to Ruth.

them, (ch. i.); his triumph over the house of Saul, and confirmation in the kingdom, (ch. ii.-iv.); his victories over the Jebusites and Philistines, (ch. v.); the bringing up of the ark to Jesusalem, (ch. vi.); the rejection of David's purpose for building a temple, with his prayer on the occasion, (ch. vii.); his victories over the Philistines, Ammonites, Syrians, &c. (ch. viii.—x.); his sin in the matter of Uriah; the divine judgment pronounced against him; his repentance and pardon; with the birth of Solomon, (ch. xi. xii.); his domestic troubles in consequence; the sin and fratricide of Amnon, (ch. xiii.); the rebellion and death of Absalom, and David's mourning on the occasion, (ch. xiv.-xviii.); the return of David, with the quelling of Sheba's insurrection, (ch. xix. xx.); his punishment of the sons of Saul, and last war with the Philistines, (ch• xxi.); his psalm of thanksgiving, his last words, and his mighty men, (ch. xxii. xxiii.); his offence in numbering the people; its punishment; with his penitence and sacrifice, (ch. xxiv.)*

The FIRST Book of KINGS comprises a period of 126 years, from A. M. 2989 to 3115; containing an account of the latter days of David, and inauguration of Solomon, (ch. i.); David's charge to Solomon, and death, (ch. ii. 1-11.); Solomon's reign to the building of the temple, (ch. ii. 12. -iv.); his dominion, and preparations for the temple, (ch. v.); the building of the temple, and Solomon's house, (ch. vi. vii.); the dedication of the temple, (ch. viii.); God's covenant with Solomon, (ch. ix. 1-9.); the transactions during the remainder of his reign, and his death, (ch. ix. 10. —xi.); the accession of Rehoboam, and division of the two kingdoms, (ch. xii. 1..19.); the reigns of Rehoboam over Judah, and Jeroboam over Israel, (ch. xii. 20.-xiv.); the reigns of Abijah and Asa, kings of Judah, and of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Ahab, kings of Israel, (ch. xv.-xxii. 40.); the reign of Jehoshaphat, (ch. xxii. 41. ad fin.)†

The SECOND Book of KINGS contains an account of the reigns of Jehoshaphat and of his associate Jehoram, kings of Judah, and of Ahaziah and Joram, kings of Israel; the translation of Elijah, and the designation of Elisha as his successor, and the miracles wrought by him, (ch. i.—viii. 2.); the reign of Jehoram alone, and of Ahaziah, kings of Judah, and of Jehoram, king of Israel, (ch. viii. 3—29.); the appointment of Jehu as king of Israel, who slays Jehoram, and reigns in his stead; the death of Ahaziah, king of Judah, and the usurpation of Athaliah, (ch. ix.—xi. 3.); the reign of Jehoash, king of Judah, and the reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash, kings of Israel; the death of Elisha, and the miracle performed at his grave, (ch. xi. 4.—xiii.); the reigns of Amaziah, Azariah, or Uzziah, and Jotham, kings of Judah, and of Jehoash, or Joash, Jeroboam II. Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah, kings of Israel, (ch. xiv. xv.); the reign of Ahaz, king of Judah; the termination of the interregnum in the kingdom of Israel by Hoshea, the last sovereign, in the ninth year of whose reign, the ten tribes are carried captive to Assyria,

* Comprehensive Bible, Introd. to Second Samuel.

+ Idem, Introd. to First Kings.

(ch. xvi. xvii.); the reign of Hezekiah; his war with the Assyrians; his recovery from a mortal disease; and his death, (ch. xviii.—xx.); the reigns of Amon and Manasseh, (ch. xxi.); the reign of Josiah, (ch. xxii.—xxiii. 30.); the reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah, the last king of Judah; the taking of Jerusalem, burning of the temple, and captivity of the Jews to Babylon, (ch. xxiii. 31.—xxv.) *

The FIRST Book of CHRONICLES comprises a period of 2989 years, and contains an account of the genealogies of the patriarchs from Adam to Jacob, (ch. i.); the sons of Jacob, with the genealogy of Judah to David, (ch. ii.); the posterity of David to Zerubbabel, (ch. iii.); a second genealogy of Judah, and the genealogy of Simeon, (ch. iv.); the genealogies, exploits, and captivity of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, (ch. v.); the genealogy of Levi and Aaron, with the offices and cities of the priests and Levites, (ch. vi.); the genealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher, (ch. vii.); the genealogy of Benjamin to Saul, with the children and descendants of Saul, (ch. viii.); the first inhabitants of Jerusalem, after the captivity, (ch. ix. 2—34.); the pedigree, defeat, death, and burial of Saul, (ch. ix. 35 —44. x.); the history and transactions of the reign of David, (ch. xi.-xxix.) †

The SECOND Book of CHRONICLES embraces a period of 469 years, from the accession of Solomon, A. M. 2989, to the return from captivity, A. M. 3468; containing an account of the piety, wisdom, riches, and grandeur of Solomon, (ch. i.); his erection and consecration of the temple, &c.; the remainder of his reign, and death, (ch. ii.—ix.); the accession of Rehoboam; the division of Israel; and the plundering of Jerusalem by Shishak, (ch. x,-xii.); the reigns of Abijah and Asa, kings of Judah, (ch. xiii.-xvi.); the reign of Jehoshaphat, (ch. xvii. -xx.); the reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah; the usurpation of Athaliah, (ch. xxi.-xxiv.); the reigns of Amaziah, Uzziah, and Jotham, (ch. xxv.—xxvii.); the reign of Ahaz, (ch. xxviii.); the reign of Hezekiah, (ch. xxix.-xxxii.); the reigns of Manasseh and Amon, (ch. xxxiii.): the reign of Josiah, (ch. xxxiv. xxxv.); the reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah; the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the temple; and the edict of Cyrus for the return from captivity, (ch. xxxvi.). ‡

The Book of EZRA contains a continuation of the Jewish history from the time at which the Chronicles conclude, to the 20th year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, a period of about 80 years; containing an account of the edict of Cyrus, granting permission to the Jews to return, and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, (ch. i.); the people who returned under Zerubbabel, with their offerings toward rebuilding the temple, (ch. ii.); the erection of the altar of burnt-offering, and the laying of the foundation

• Comprehensive Bible, Introd. to Second Kings.

+ Idem, Introd, to First Chronicles.

of the temple, (ch. iii.); the opposition of the Samaritans, and consequent suspension of the building of the temple, (ch. iv.); the decree of Darius Hystaspes, granting the Jews permission to complete the building of the temple and city, which they accomplish in the sixth year of his reign, (ch. v. vi.); the departure of Ezra from Babylon, with a commission from Artaxerxes Longimanus, (ch. vii.); his retinue and arrival at Jerusalem, (ch. viii.); his prayer on account of the intermixture of the Jews with heathen nations, (ch. ix.); the reformation effected by him, (ch. x.).*

The Book of NEHEMIAH contains an account of the departure of Nehemiah from Shushan, with a royal commission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and his arrival there, (ch. i. ii. 1—11); the building of the walls, notwithstanding the obstacles interposed by Sanballat, (ch. ii. 12.-vii. 4.); the first reformation effected by Nehemiah, with his return to Persia, containing a register of the persons who first returned from Babylon, and an account of the oblations at the temple, (ch. vii. 5—72.); the reading of the law, and the celebration of the feast of tabernacles, (ch. viii.); a solemn fast, with the renewal of the covenant with Jehovah, (ch. ix. x.); the names and families of those who dwelt at Jerusalem and other cities; and of the high-priests, Levites, and singers, (ch. xi. xii. 1— 26.); the completion and dedication of the walls, (ch. xii. 27—47.); occurrences at Jerusalem during Nehemiah's absence, (ch. xiii. 1—6.); Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem, and the second reformation effected by him, (ch. xiii. 7—31.). †

The history of the Book of ESTHER comes in between the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra, commencing about A. M. 3540, and continuing through a period of twelve years: it relates the royal feast of Ahasuerus; the disgrace of Vashti, (ch. i.); the elevation of Esther to the Persian throne; the essential service rendered to the king by Mordecai, in detecting a plot against his life, (ch. ii.); the promotion of Haman, and his purposed destruction of the Jews, (ch. iii.); the consequent affliction of the Jews, and the measures pursued by them, (ch. iv.); the defeat of Haman's plot, through the instrumentality of Esther, against Mordecai, (ch. v. vi. vii.); and also the defeat of his general plot against the Jews, (ch. viii. ix. 1—15.); the institution of the feast of Purim to commemorate this deliverance, (ch. ix. 16—32.); the advancement of Mordecai, (ch. x.). 1

The Book of JOB opens with an account of Job's piety and prosperity, the charge of hypocrisy and selfishness which Satan brings against him, and the permission he obtained from God to reduce him to the deepest distress, as a trial of his integrity, (ch. i. 1—13.); it proceeds to relate the first trial of Job, in the loss of property and children, and the declaration of his integrity, (ch. i. 14-22.); the second trial of Job, in the

Comprehensive Bible, Introduction to Ezra. + Idem, Introd, to Nehemiah.
I Idem, Introd. to Esther.

severe affliction of his person, and the visit of his three friends to console him, (ch. ii.); the complaint of Job on his calamitous situation, which is the ground-work of the following arguments, (ch. iii.); the speech of Eliphaz, in which he reproves the impatience of Job, and insinuates that his sufferings are the punishment of some secret iniquity, (ch. iv. v.); Job's reply, in which he apologizes for the intemperance of his grief by the magnitude of his calamities, prays for speedy death, accuses his friends of cruelty, and expostulates with God, whose mercy he supplicates, (ch. vi. vii.); the resumption of the argument of Eliphaz by Bildad, who reproves Job with greater acrimony, and accuses him of irreligion, (ch. viii.); the answer of Job, in which, while he acknowledges the justice and sovereignty of God, he argues that his afflictions are no proof of his wickedness, and in despair again wishes for death, (ch. ix. x.); the prosecution of the argument by Zophar with still greater severity, who exhorts Job to repentance as the only means to recover his former prosperity, (ch. xi.); the answer of Job, who retorts on his friends, censuring their pretensions to superior knowledge, and charging them with false and partial pleading against him, and appeals to God, professing his hope in a future resurrection, (ch. xii.—xiv.); the resumption of the argument by Eliphaz, who accuses Job of impiety in justifying himself, (ch. xv.); the reply of Job, who complains of the increasing unkindness of his friends, protests his innocence, and looks to death as his last resource, (ch. xvi. xvii.); the recapitulation of the former line of argument by Bildad, who applies it with increased asperity to Job, whose aggravated sufferings, he urges, are justly inflicted on him, (ch. xviii.); the appeal of Job to his friends, and from them to God; professing his faith in a future resurrection, he cautions his friends to cease from their invectives, lest God should chastise them, (ch. xix.); the retort of Job's appeal upon himself by Zophar, (ch. xx.); the reply of Job, in which he discusses at largé the conduct of Divine Providence, in order to evince the fallacy of Zophar's argument of the short-lived triumph of the wicked, (ch. xxi.); the resumption of the charge by Eliphaz, in which he represents Job's vindication and appeal as displeasing to God; contends that certain and utter ruin is the uniform lot of the wicked; and concludes with renewed exhortation to repentance and prayer, (ch. xxii.); the reply of Job, in which he desires to plead his cause before God, whose omnipresence he delineates in the sublimest language, urging that his sufferings are trials of his faith and integrity; and he shews that the wicked frequently escape punishment in this life, (ch. xxiii. xxiv.); the rejoinder of Bildad, who repeats his former proposition, that, since no man is without sin in the sight of God, consequently Job cannot be justified in his sight, (ch. xxv.); the answer of Job, who, having reproved the harsh conduct of Bildad, re-vindicates his own conduct with great warmth and animation, and concludes by repeating his ardent wish for an immediate trial with his

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