The Bible History, Old Testament

Volume IV

by

Alfred Edersheim


Table of Contents

TITLE PAGE

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1 - Purport and Lessons of the Books of Samuel - Eli - Hannah's Prayer and Vow - Birth of Samuel - Dedication of the Child -Hannah's Song

CHAPTER 2 - The Sin of Eli's Sons - Eli's Weakness - A Prophet's Message -Samuel's First Vision - His Call to the Prophetic Office

CHAPTER 3 - Expedition Against the Philistines - The Two Battles of Ebenezer - Death of Eli's Sons, and Taking of the Ark - Death of Eli - Judgment on the Philistine Cities - The Return of the Ark

CHAPTER 4 - Samuel As Prophet - The Gathering at Mizpeh - Battle of Ebenezer; Its Consequences - Samuel's Administration-The Demand for a King

CHAPTER 5 - The Calling of Saul - Occasion of his Interview with Samuel -Samuel Communes with Saul - Saul is Anointed King - The Three "Signs" - Their Deeper Significance

CHAPTER 6 - Saul Chosen King at Mizpeh - His Comparative Privacy -Incursion of Nahash - Relief of Jabesh-gilead - Popular Assembly at Gilgal - Address of Samuel

CHAPTER 7 - Saul Marches against the Philistines - Position of the two Camps - Jonathan's Feat of Arms - Saul Retreats to Gilgal -Terror among the People - Saul's Disobedience to the Divine Command, and Rejection of his Kingdom

CHAPTER 8 - Camps of Israel and of the Philistines - Jonathan and his Armor-bearer - Panic Among the Philistines, and Flight - Saul's Rash Vow - The "Lot" cast at Ajalon - Cessation of the War

CHAPTER 9 - The War Against Amalek - Saul's Disobedience, and its Motives -Samuel Commissioned to announce Saul's Rejection - Agag Hewn in Pieces

CHAPTER 10 - Samuel Mourns for Saul - He is directed to the house of Jesse -Anointing of David - Preparation of David for the Royal Office -The "Evil Spirit from the Lord" upon Saul - David is sent to Court - War with the Philistines - Combat between David and Goliath - Friendship of David and Jonathan

CHAPTER 11 - Saul's Jealousy, and Attempts upon David's Life - David marries Michal - Ripening of Saul's Purpose of Murder - David's Flight to Samuel - Saul among the Prophets - David Finally leaves the Court of Saul

CHAPTER 12 - David at Nob - Observed by Doeg - Flight to Gath - David feigns Madness - The Cave of Adullam - Shelter in Moab - Return to the land of Israel - Jonathan's Last Visit - Persecutions by Saul

CHAPTER 13 - Saul in David's Power at En-gedi - The Story of Nabal - Saul a second time in David's power

CHAPTER 14 - David's Second Flight to Gath - Residence at Ziklag -Expedition of the Philistines Against Israel - Saul at Jezreel He resorts to the Witch at Endor - Apparition and Message of Samuel - David has to Leave the Army of the Philistines -Capture of Ziklag by the Amalekites - Pursuit and Victory of David

CHAPTER 15 - The Battle on Mount Gilboa - Death of Saul - Rescue of the bodies by the men of Jabesh-gilead - David punishes the false Messenger of Saul's Death - David king at Hebron -Ish-bosheth king at Mahanaim - Battle between the forces of Abner and Joab -Abner Deserts the cause of Ish-bosheth - Murder of Abner - Murder of Ish-bosheth

CHAPTER 16 - David anointed King over all Israel - Taking of Fort Zion -Philistine Defeat - The Ark brought to Jerusalem - Liturgical Arrangements and Institutions

CHAPTER 17 - David's Purpose of Building the Temple, and its Postponement -The "Sure Mercies" of David in the Divine Promise - David's Thanksgiving

CHAPTER 18 - Wars of David Great Ammonite and Syrian Campaign against Israel - Auxiliaries in turn Defeated - The Capital of Moab is taken -Edom subdued - Record of David's officers - His Kindness to Mephibosheth

CHAPTER 19 - Siege of Rabbah - David's great Sin - Death of Uriah - Taking of Rabbah - David's seeming Prosperity - God's Message through Nathan - David's Repentance - The Child of Bathsheba dies -Birth of Solomon