God evidently intended to make of Israel a great nation, living immediately under his divine government and bound together by invincible faith in him. But the people proved unworthy of a theocratic government, for they disobeyed God, fell into idolatry and lost the power and glory manifested under Moses and Joshua and during the early years of Samuel.

I. CAUSES LEADING TO THE KINGDOM.

1. The Wickedness of Samuel's Sons (1 Sam. 8:1-3).— When Samuel became old he appointed his two sons to assist in the Judgeship over Israel; but their wicked conduct produced dissatisfaction among the people; they saw no hope for their nation, should these corrupt sons succeed Samuel.

2. The Ambition of Israel (1 Sam. 8:5).— Forgetting that God was their king, and unwilling to work out their peculiar destiny, they yearned for a king to rule over them like other nations, to found a secular kingdom and conquer a great empire for themselves.

3. The Danger of Invasion.— There was at this time a need for a military ruler. On the west the Philistines had again begun to rise, and on the east the Ammonites threatened the cities of Israel.

II. THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM.

1. A Limited Monarchy. — Nearly all the nations in that age were ruled by absolute monarchs whose word was unchangeable law: but in the Kingdom of Israel the rights of the people were respected and the power of the king was limited by a written constitution (1 Sam. 10:25). Many of the kings no doubt violated (68) the constitution and disregarded the rights of the people, which was contrary to the spirit of the kingdom; and God sent prophets to check the power of the king and to plead the rights of the people.

2. The Theocratic Kingdom. — The divine ideal for the Israelite kingdom was that God should be the Supreme Ruler, and the king should be his human agent to act in accordance with his will. The king who failed to recognize God as the real King over Israel lost his throne, and finally the kingdom was destroyed because it was no longer Theocratic.

III. THE REIGN OF SAUL. 1095-1055 B. C.

1. The Selection of Saul (1 Sam. 9:1-10:27).— The people's demand for a king displeased Samuel; it was contrary to God's command and wish. Samuel convened an assembly and faithfully described the despotic rule of the king and the miseries of the people under the rule of the king. But the people refused to hear his advice and God bade him hearken to their voice, and shortly after Samuel had returned to Ramah he privately anointed as king, Saul, the son of Kish, a Benjamite.

The new king having been thus chosen of God still needed a a public confirmation, and at Samuel's command the people assembled at Mizpah, and the lot fell upon Saul as the chosen of God. The people then went their ways and Saul returned to Gibeah to await the time to assume the duties of king.

2. The Victories of Saul.

(1) Over the Ammonites (1 Sam. 11:1-12:25).— Saul was first called to display his military talents in delivering Jabeshgilead from the Ammonites, who, under Nahash had laid siege to the city. The people of Jabesh-gilead had offered to make peace with him, and Nahash consented on condition that he might put out their right eyes, thus rendering them unfit for war. They requested seven days' respite, and during this time they sought aid of their brethren west of the Jordan, and Saul with about 330,000 soldiers went to their aid and defeated the Ammonites. This great victory rallied the people about Saul, and Samuel summoned them to Gilgal where the kingdom was renewed and Saul was inaugurated into his office. Samuel bade farewell to the people he had ruled, asking whether they had any charge of fraud or unfaithfulness against him and giving them some parting counsels and exhortations; then he left the government in the hands of Saul.

(2) Over the Philistines (1 Sam. 13:1-14:46).— The Philistines soon began to renew their hostilities against Israel, and Saul, after he had reigned two years, gathered an army of two thousand soldiers and took his station at Michmash, placing Jonathan at Gibeah with a thousand soldiers. Jonathan routed the Philistine garrison at Geba, and soon the Philistines came up in vast numbers. The soldiers of Saul were panicstricken and many of them fled and hid in caves and dens. The oppressions of the Philistines became very severe, and at length Jonathan determined to strike another blow. He and his armor-bearer fell upon the Philistine garrison at Michmash and slew twenty men. A general panic seized the Philistines, and the Israelites, taking new courage, rose up on every side and completely drove out their oppressors.

(3) Over the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15:1-7).— After this signal success over the Philistines, Saul carried on offensive wars with great success against Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Zobah. Then Samuel bade him undertake an expedition against the Amalekites to avenge the hostilities they had shown toward Israel when coming out of Egypt. Saul gathered his forces and smote the Amalekites, from Havilah to Shur.

3. The Rejections of Saul.

(1) The First Rejection (1 Sam. 13:8-14).— While making preparations to go against the Philistines Saul tarried at Gilgal, waiting for Samuel to come and offer sacrifice as he had promised. But the seven days passed and still Samuel did not come. Seeing the warriors were deserting him, Saul could no longer control his impatience, and offered the sacrifice himself. While in the act of doing this Samuel appeared, sternly rebuking him and declaring that his kingdom should pass from his family to another.

(2) The Second Rejection (1 Sam. 15:8-35).— Samuel had expressly bidden Saul to destroy both man and beast of the Amalekites, but, contrary to these orders, he spared the best of the spoil, and Agag, the king. Having set up a monument of his victory atCarmel, Saul returned to Gilgal where Samuel confronted him and asked him what the lowing of the cattle and the bleating of the sheep meant. Saul tried to shift the blame upon the people, but Samuel was not deceived. Sternly rebuking Saul for his disobedience he once more declared that God had rejected him from being king. Saul confessed his sin and implored Samuel to worship with him. Samuel did so, and after hewing Agag to pieces before the Lord, he returned to Ramah to mourn for Saul, whose career, once so promising, was now ruined.

(3) The Final Rejection (1 Sam. 28:1-25).— The successful part of Saul's career closed with his second rejection. The Lord withdrew his presence from him and an evil spirit came upon him. David played his harp, and for a season the evil spirit would leave him. The Philistines gradually made inroads into his kingdom, and had it not been for young David's valiant exploits against them Saul might have lost his kingdom much sooner. But Saul was filled with envy against David and finally banished him from his court, and for about seven years spent most of the time seeking his life. Meanwhile the Philistines had been gaining strength, and at length they gathered in great numbers about the Mountain of Little Hermon. Saul and his army were encamped just opposite on Mt. Gilboa. Saul was filled with the utmost alarm at the sight of his foes, and there was no one to advise him how to proceed. Samuel was dead, he had murdered the priests, and the Lord refused to answer him. At length he decided to consult a woman who had a familiar spirit, and finding the witch of Endor he requested her to call back Samuel. She did so, and there appeared the form of Samuel. Saul poured out his tale of deep distress, but Samuel only replied that because he had disobeyed God the Lord had taken away his kingdom and given it to David. On the morrow Saul and his three sons were slain in battle, and the Philistines had control over nearly all of Palestine.

IV. THE REIGN OF DAVID.— 1055-1015. B. C.

Israel was never in a worse condition than when David came to the throne. There seemed to be little hope for the nation; the country was under heavy tribute to the Philistines, the tribes were divided among themselves and the religious life had sunk to a low ebb. David's reign was the most brilliant period in the history of the nation.

1. His Relations with Saul.

(1) His Life at Saul's Court (1 Sam. 16:14-23). — After Saul's second rejection, God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint another king, whom the Lord would choose. Samuel went to the house of Jesse, as directed, and seven of the sons of Jesse passed before him, but not one of them was chosen for king. Upon inquiry Samuel learned that the youngest, David, was keeping sheep. They sent for him, and Samuel anointed him in the midst of his brethren. The Spirit of God came mightily upon David, but an evil spirit troubled Saul so much that his servants advised him to seek a skillful player on the harp to soothe his troubled spirit. David came to Saul's court and by the sweet strains of music from his harp Saul's spirit was quieted. Saul learned to love David and made him his armor-bearer. When the malady abated David returned to Bethlehem to care for his father's sheep.

(2) His Victory Over Goliath. (1 Sam. 17:1-58). The Philistines again rose in arms against Israel, and Goliath, a giant of Gath, openly defied one of the Israelites to combat with him. No one dared meet the giant, and all were dismayed. Finally David appeared on the scene and declared that he was ready to encounter the giant. Armed with a sling and five smooth stones, David crossed the ravine and went boldly forth amid the curses of the giant, and with a single stone smote the Philistine in the forehead, so that he fell dead. The sight of their dead champion filled the Philistines with terror and they began to flee; but the Israelites pursued them and slew many of them. On account of the bold feat Saul received David into his service and made him chief of his men of war.

(3) His Flight from Saul (1 Sam. 18:1-29:11).— David wrought many victories over Saul's enemies, but his successes filled Saul with bitter jealousy and he several times attempted to slay him with his javelin. He sent him on expeditions against the Philistines, and although he made him captain of his bodyguard and gave him his daughter to wife, he did not hesitate to suggest that he should be killed, and was prevented from doing so only by the earnest intercession of his son Jonathan. David at length escaped to Ramah and there took refuge with Samuel in the School of the Prophets. Saul pursued him, but was so overcome with the prophetic impulse that he promised to spare David's life. But David Knew that Saul would soon seek his life again, so after marking a covenant of eternal friendship with Jonathan he left the royal court and began his wandering in southern Palestine. He first found refuge with the priests at Nob, who gave him showbread and the sword of Goliath, and then escaped to the court of Achish, king of Gath, where he feigned madness to procure his release. He fled to the cave of Adullam, where a band of four hundred men and a number of relatives joined him. He took his parents to Moab for protection, but by the advice of the prophet Gad he returned first to the forest of Hareth and then to Keilah, where he gained a victory over the Philistines. Learning of their plot to surrender him to Saul, he removed to the wilderness of Ziph. But Saul pursued him with vigorous zeal, and at one time only a mountain was between them. David was saved by the inroads of the Philistines upon Saul's territory, and Saul was obliged to discontinue his pursuit. David found his next hiding place at Engedi, and hither Saul pursued him with three thousand men. While David and his men were hiding in a cave, Saul unwittingly came into the same cave, but David graciously spared his life. David once more returned to Maon, where he met Nabal and Abigail. At this place he had the second opportunity to slay Saul, but he stayed his hand from harming the Lord's anointed. David was fully convinced that Saul's hatred toward him had not grown less, and once more he sought refuge 'among the Philistines. Achish, the king of Gath, gave him the city of Ziklag where he and his six hundred men lived unmolested until David began his reign over Judah.

2. His Reign Over Two Tribes.

(1) His Removal to Hebron (2 Sam. 2:1-11). — After the death of Saul, David, under the direction of the Lord, removed to Hebron, where the men of Judah came to anoint him king over them. Abner, the captain of Saul's host, had already established Ish-bosheth, the only remaining son of Saul, on the throne at Mahanaim, east of the Jordan.

(2) The Last Conflicts with the House of Saul.

(a) The Battle of Gibeon (1 Sam. 2:12-17).— The forces of the rival kings met at the pool of Gibeon and by mutual agreement twelve picked champions from each side engaged in mortal conflict, and all fell dead together. Then followed a battle in which the force of Ish-bosheth was utterly routed.

(b) The Murder of Abner (1 Sam. 3:12-39).— A fatal quarrel broke out between Ish-bosheth and Abner, and Abner went over to David, who agreed to receive him on condition that Michal, his former wife, be restored. Abner returned with the intention of gathering all Israel to David, but Joab, David's commander-in-chief, in order to avenge his brother's death, murdered him.

(c) The Death of Ish-bosheth (i Sam. 4:5-12).— Hoping to win the approval of David, two men of Ish-bosheth's bodyguard, murdered him and brought his head to David in Hebron. David sternly rebuked them and ordered their immediate execution, while he buried the head of Ishbosheth with royal honors in the tomb of Abner.

3. His Reign Over all the Tribes.

(1) Jerusalem made Capital (2 Sam. 5:1-12). — David's rival was now out of the way; hence after he had reigned seven years at Hebron representatives from all the tribes came to offer him the crown, and for the third time David was anointed king. Saul had cared little for a central city, but David immediately resolved to give the nation a new capital. He therefore attacked the stronghold of Jebus, which had been deemed impregnable, and in spite of all the taunts of the Jebusites the city was captured. David improved the city and built himself a palace and made it the capital.

(2) David's Conquests (2 Sam. 8:1-10:19). — The great mission of David was to conquer the land which God had promised Abraham (Gen. 15:18-21). He therefore divided his army into three divisions. The great standing army of 24,000 men was under the direction of Joab, the royal bodyguard under Benaiah, and the heroes under Abishai. With an army so well organized, David, within ten years, was able to subdue his territory and extend his dominion until it included 60,000 square miles. His conquests were as follows:

(a) The Philistines (2 Sam. 8:1).

(b) The Moabites (2 Sam. 8:2)

(c) The Syrians (2 Sam. 8:3-13).

(d) The Edomites (2 Sam. 8:14).— This conquest made him master of the eastern arm of the Red Sea and of commerce in Arabia.

(e) The Ammonites (2 Sam. 10:1-19). — The Ammonites made a stern resistance against David, but after undergoing several sieges they were compelled to serve Israel.

(3) David's Calamities. — David's conquests had been successful and his kingdom had reached the limits that had been divinely foretold. But from this time dark clouds began to gather about him and the doom foretold by the prophet Nathan, as punishment for his sin, fell upon him (2 Sam. 12:7-14).

(a) The Rebellion of Absalom (2 Sam. 13:1-19:43). — Absalom avenged the sin against his sister by slaying his brother Amnon, and then fearing David's anger escaped to Geshur, where he remained in exile for three years. Through the influence of Joab, Absalom was finally brought back to Jerusalem and reconciled to his father. He retired to Hebron on the pretense of worship, and gathering about him about two hundred chief men rebelled against David. When the news reached David he quickly withdrew from Jerusalem. A number of the most prominent men of the kingdom, including the priests went with David. They crossed the Jordan and made their headquarters at Mahanaim, where Joab and Abishai mustered the forces and prepared for battle. Absalom with his army soon pursued them, and the battle took place in the forests near Mahanaim. David had enjoined his captains not to slay Absalom, but Joab, finding him suspended by his hair from a tree, slew him, and the rebellion was at an end. David gave way to the most violent grief when he heard of the death of his son, but at length returned to his Capital at Jerusalem.

(b) The Rebellion of Sheba (2 Sam. 20:1-22). — Sheba, a Benjamite, led a number of the men of Israel in rebellion against David, but Joab pursued him and Sheba was slain by his own followers and the people quickly came back to serve David.

(c) The Pestilence (2 Sam. 24:1-25). In the hour of his prosperity David yielded to the temptation of pride and numbered the people. For this sin he was punished. The Lord gave him the privilege to choose from three punishments and David chose the pestilence. Seventy thousand of the people died; but when the angel of destruction was about to lift his hand against Jerusalem, David interceded for the guiltless ones and the city was spared.

(d) The Rebellion of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5-53).— David's three oldest sons were dead and Adonijah, being the fourth, resolved to claim the kingdom. Abiathar, the high priest, and Joab joined this rebellion. While the conspirators were feasting at En-rogel David was informed of their intentions and so he bade Zadok and Nathan anoint Solomon king immediately. When the conspirators heard the shout of joy over Solomon's anointing they fled, and Adonijah laid hold of the horns of the altar and refused to leave until Solomon assured him of safety as long as he proved worthy.

(4) David's Religious Work.

(a) Removal of the Ark (2 Sam. 6:1-19). — David's first care after he had established his capital was to bring the Ark out of its hiding place and set it up in a new tent. A series of sacrifices was then offered and the religion of Jehovah was again established in the nation.

(b) Organization of the Priesthood (1 Chron. 23:1-24:31). — David organized the priests and Levites and assigned each some special duty in the service of the tabernacle. The priests were divided into twenty-four courses,— sixteen of the house Eleazar, and eight of Ithamar. These different courses took their turns in serving at the altar. The Levites who were instructed in the songs of the Lord were divided into twenty-four orders to praise the Lord with cymbals, psalteries and harps. Others of the Levites were appointed to keep the gates of the tabernacle, and others had charge of the treasures of the house of God.

(c) David's preparation for the Temple (2 Sam. 7:1-29).— Although David himself was not permitted to build the temple, he made extensive preparations of material and left the charge of building to his son Solomon.

(d) David's Psalms.— Most of the Psalms in our present Book of Psalms are ascribed to David. David was as great a poet and musician as he was a warrior and statesman. His Psalms are the outgrowth of his deep religious experiences, and they express the universal experiences of the human heart. They were used as Psalms of praise and devotion in the Tabernacle and Temple, and are still used and appreciated by Christian people.

V. THE REIGN OF SOLOMON. 1015-975 B. C.

David had made preparation for a most brilliant reign when his son should inherit the throne. By his wise policy at home and his successful conquests abroad, Solomon began his royal career in a blaze of glory. But his sin soon clouded the glory, and at his death the kingdom was enshrouded in darkness and despair.

1. Solomon's Establishment on the Throne.

(1) The Divine Decree (1 Chron. 28:5-7). — God chose Solomon to be king as the fittest among David's children.

(2) The Will of David (1 Kings 1:28-31). — Solomon was not the oldest son, and by right of primogeniture he was not heir to the throne, but by David's royal decree he came to the throne.

(3) Punishment of Offenders (1 Kings 2:22-46). — In order to make his right to the throne secure he punished those who had conspired against him and who might become rivals to the throne.

(a) Adonijah had twice attempted to secure the throne, and Solomon at length ordered his execution (1 Kings 2:22-25).

(b) Abiathar the priest had joined Adonijah in the conspiracy, and Solomon deprived him of his priesthood (1 Kings 2:26, 27).

(e) Joab, David's commander-in-chief, had also joined Adonijah's conspiracy, and Solomon ordered him put to death (1 Kings 2:28-34).

(d) Shimei, a remnant of Saul's house and a dangerous rival to the throne, was ordered to remain in Jerusalem. But in three years he went out of the city and returned again. When Solomon heard of it he put him to death (1 Kings 2:36-46).

2. The Extent and Influence of His Kingdom (1 Kings 4:21-24). — His empire extended from the Mediterranean to the river Euphrates, and from the borders of Egypt and the Red Sea to Tiphsah in the extreme north on the border of Mesopotamia. Besides his own dominion he made alliances with many of the surrounding nations.

(1) Tyre (1 Kings 5:1-12).

(2) Egypt (1 Kings 10:28,29).

(3) Arabia (1 Kings 10:1-15).

(4) Ophir (India) (1 Kings 9:26-28).

(5) Tarshish (Spain) (1 Kings 10:22).

3. His Wisdom.

(1) His Choice of Wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-14). — The Lord appeared to Solomon in a vision at Gibeon arid bade him ask what he would. The young king was yet humble in his own sight and, impressed with the responsibility, he asked for wisdom that he might direct the affairs of the kingdom aright. The Lord was pleased because he had asked nothing for himself and assured him that temporal blessings should be added unto him.

(2) The Tests of Wisdom (1 Kings 3:16-28; 10:1-10). — Soon after receiving this gift, Solomon was called upon to give proof of his sagacity in judicial cases. He displayed his wisdom in deciding the case of the two women claiming the living child. Later in his reign the Queen of Sheba, having heard of his great wisdom, came to prove him with hard questions, and he was able to answer them all.

(3) His Literature (1 Kings 4:29-34).— He is the author of three thousand proverbs, of which a number are preserved in the book of Proverbs; and songs a thousand and five, of which the Song of Solomon alone remains. He wrote also on botany and zoology, and manifested superior knowledge of trees and animals.

4. His Buildings.

(1) The Temple (1 Kings 5:1-6:38).— Remembering the charge of his father, Solomon employed vigorous measures for building the Temple. He spent three years in collecting the material, the king of Tyre furnishing the cedar wood, and in the fourth year of his reign the foundation was laid on Mt. Moriah. Every stone had been hewn and every beam cut before being brought to the place, and the whole Temple was erected without the sound of a hammer. In seven years the temple was completed and Solomon arranged a great dedication feast (1 Kings 8:1-66). Twenty-two thousand oxen and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep were sacrificed. God gave a sign of his favor by sending fire from heaven to consume the offerings and by the glory of Jehovah filling the temple. The Ark was taken from the tent. and placed in the Holy of holies in the temple.

(2) The Royal Palace (1 Kings 7:1-8).— He built his own house and also the house of the forest of Lebanon with porches of cedar. He also built a palace for his wife, Pharaoh's daughter.

(3) Idol Temples (1 Kings 11:7, 8).— These temples to strange gods and palaces for his strange wives Solomon built in the latter part of his reign.

(4) Fortifications (2 Chron. 8:1-6).— Solomon fortified Baalath, Gezer, and Beth-horon on the way to the sea-coast. Hazor to the entrance of his realm into Syria, Megiddo to defend the Plain of Jezreel, Tadmor, and Tiphsah, in the Euphrates to protect his eastern border.

(5) Pools (Eccl. 2:6).— He built reservoirs about Jerusalem in order to furnish the city with water.

5. His Sins.

(1) Polygamy (1 Kings 11:1-4).— Solomon thought by marrying these foreign wives he could strengthen his political alliances, but when he grew old these heathen wives turned away his heart, and idol altars were built even in Jerusalem. Polygamy was the first step toward Solomon's ruin and the nation's downfall.

(2) Idolatry (1 Kings 11:5-13).— His foreign alliances, marriages with heathen wives, soon led into idolatry. Even in the Holy City, under the very shadow of the temple ascended the

smoke from the heathen altars. The chosen nation of Jehovah had forsaken the true God and begun to worship idols.

(3) Oppsession (1 Kings 12:4).— Solomon's extensive building and luxurious court life, with his immense harem, would naturally demand taxation, and heavy taxes always means oppression to the poor.

QUESTIONS.

• Give the dates that open and close the kingdom.

• Name causes leading to the kingdom.

• What was the trouble with Samuel's sons?

• What was the nature of the kingdom?

• How were the rights of the people limited?

• Who was to be the Supreme Ruler?

• Why was Samuel displeased when they asked for a king?

• Where was Saul anointed and publicly confirmed?

• What victories did Saul gain?

• Who was Nahash, and what was his demand?

• What did Samuel ask when giving farewell to the people?

• Who was Jonathan, and what did he do in delivering Israel from the

• Philistines? Against what nations did Saul make wars?

• Why was Saul rejected?

• What did Samuel do when Saul acknowledged his sins?

• How was Saul affected when he was rejected? '

• What was his last effort to get advice?

• What word did he receive?

• What was the condition of Israel when David was made king?

• Name his relations under Saul?

• Who anointed David and where?

• Who quieted the evil spirit in Saul and how?

• Give description of victory over Philistines.

• Why did he flee from Saul?

• What opportunities had David to slay Saul?

• Where was David hid?

• How long did David reign at Hebron?

• Who were the rival kings?

• What was Abner's purpose?

• How were those punished that murdered Ish-bosheth?

• What was his first work after leaving Hebron?

• What was David's great mission?

• Name the men at the head of each army. W

• hat were his conquests? What were his calamities?

• What was Absalom's purpose?

• Give cause of the pestilence?

• What was David's religious work?

• What was the outgrowth of the Psalms?

• Condition of nation when Solomon was made king?

• Who chose him king?

• What offenders were punished and why?

• What was the extent of the kingdom?

• What shows Solomon's wisdom?

• Give the test presented.

• What literature did he produce?

• What were his buildings?

• Give an account of the dedication service.

• What were his sins?

• Condition when he closed the kingdom?

REVIEW.

I. Causes Leading to the Kingdom.

1. Wickedness of Samuel's Sons.

2. The Ambition of Israel.

3. The Danger of Invasion.

II. The Nature of the Kingdom.

1. A Limited Monarchy,

2. The Theocratic Kingdom.

III. The Reign of Saul.

1. The Selection of Saul.

2. The Victories of Saul: (1) Over the Ammonites, (2) Over the Philistines, (3) "Over the Amalekites.

3. The Rejection of Saul: (1) The First Rejection, (2) The Second Rejection, (3) The Final Rejection.

IV. The Reign of David.

1. His Relations with Saul: (1) His Life at Saul's Court, (2) His Victory over Goliath, (3) His Flight from Saul.

2. His Reign over Two Tribes: (1) His Removal to Hebron, (2) His last Conflict with the House of Saul: (a) The Battle of Gibeon, (b) The Murder of Abner, (c) The Death of Ish-bosheth.

3. His Reign over All the Nation: (1) Jerusalem made Capital, (2) David's Conquests: (a) The Philistines, (b) The Moabites, (c) The Syrians, (d) The Edomites, (e) The Amorites. (3) David's Calamities, (a) The Rebellion of Absalom, (b) The Rebellion of Sheba, (c) The Pestilence, (d) The Rebellion of Adonijah. (4) David's Religious Work: (a) Removal of the Ark, (b) Organization of the Priesthood, (c) David's Preparation for the Temple, (d) David's Psalms.

V. The Reign of Solomon.

1. Solomon's Establishment on the Throne:

(1) The Divine Decree,

(2) The Will of David,

(3) The Punishment of Offenders:

(a) Adonijah,

(b) Abiathar,

(c) Joab,

(d) Shimei.

2. Extent and Influence of his Kingdom:

(1) Tyre,

(2) Egypt,

(3) Arabia,

(4) Ophir,

(5) Tarshish.

3. His Wisdom:

(1) His Choice of Wisdom,

(2) The Tests of Wisdom,

(3) His Literature.

4. His Buildings:

(1) The Temple,

(2) The Royal Palace,

(3) Idol Temples,

(4) Fortifications,

(5) Pools.

5. His Sins:

(1) Polygamy

(2) Idolatry,

(3) Oppression.