TITLE PAGE
PREFACE
CHAPTER 1
- CLOSE OF DAVID’S REIGN Jewish view of the history of David
— Amnon’s crime — Absalom’s vengeance — flight of Absalom —
the wise woman of Tekoah — Absalom returns to Jerusalem —
his conspiracy — David’s flight
CHAPTER 2
- Ahithophel’s twofold advice — Hushai prevents imminent
danger — David is informed, and crosses the Jordan — the
battle in the forest — death of Absalom — mourning of David
— David’s measures — return to Gilgal — Barzillai and Joab
as representative men of their period — federal republican
rising under Sheba — murder of Amasa — death of Sheba.
CHAPTER 3
- APPENDIX TO THE HISTORY OF DAVID The famine — the
pestilence — the temple arrangements — David’s last hymn and
prophetic utterance.
CHAPTER 4
- REIGN OF SOLOMON Adonijah’s attempt to seize the throne —
anointing of Solomon — great assembly of the chiefs of the
people — dying charge of David — Adonijah’s second attempt
and punishment — execution of Joab and of Shimei.
CHAPTER 5
- Solomon marries the daughter of Pharaoh — his sacrifice at
Gibeon — his dream and prayer — Solomon’s wisdom — Solomon’s
officers and court — prosperity of the country —
understanding and knowledge of the king.
CHAPTER 6
- The building of Solomon’s temple — preparations for it —
plan and structure of the temple, internal fittings —
history of the temple — Jewish traditions.
CHAPTER 7
- Dedication of the temple — when it took place — connection
with the feast of tabernacles — the consecration services —
the king’s part in them — symbolical meaning of the great
institutions in Israel — the prayer of consecration —
analogy to the Lord’s prayer — the consecration —
thanksgiving and offerings.
CHAPTER 8
- The surroundings of the temple — description of Jerusalem
at the time of solomon — the palace of solomon — Solomon’s
fortified cities — external relations of the kingdom —
internal state — trade — wealth — luxury — the visit of the
queen of Sheba.
CHAPTER 9
- Solomon’s court — his polygamy — spread of foreign ideas
in the country — imitation of foreign manners — growing
luxury — Solomon’s spiritual decline — judgment predicted —
Solomon’s enemies: Hadad, Rezon, Jeroboam — causes of
popular discontent — Ahijah’s prediction of the disruption —
Jeroboam’s rebellion and flight into egypt — death of
Solomon.
CHAPTER 10
- REHOBOAM FIRST KING OF JUDAH Family of Solomon — age of
Rehoboam — his character — religious history of israel and
judah — the assembly at Shechem — Jeroboam’s return from
egypt — Rehoboam’s answer to the deputies in Shechem —
revolt of the ten tribes — the reigns of Rehoboam and of
jeroboam — invasion of judah by Shishak — church and state
in israel — Rehoboam’s attempt to recover rule over the ten
tribes — his family history — religious decline in israel,
and its consequences.
CHAPTER 11
- JEROBOAM, FIRST KING OF ISRAEL Political measures of
Jeroboam — the golden calves — the new priesthood and the
new festival — the man of Elohim from Judah — his message
and sign — Jeroboam struck by Jehovah and miraculously
restored — invitation to the man of Elohim — heathen view of
miracles — the old prophet — return of the man of Elohim to
Bethel — JUDGMENT on his disobedience — character of the old
prophet and of the man of Elohim — sickness of the pious
child of Jeroboam — mission of his mother to Ahijah —
predicted judgment — death of the child — remaining notices
of Jeroboam.
CHAPTER 12
- ABIJAH AND ASA, KINGS OF JUDAH Accession of Abijah — his
idolatry — war between Judah and Israel — Abijah’s address
to Israel and victory — deaths of Jeroboam and of Abijah —
accession of Asa — religious reformation in Judah — invasion
by Zerah the Ethiopian — victory of Zephathah — Azariah’s
message to the army of asa — great sacrificial feast at
Jerusalem — renewal of the covenant with Jehovah.
CHAPTER 13
- ASA, KING OF JUDAH — HADAB, BAASHA, ELAH, ZIMRI, TIBNI,
AND OMRI, KINGS OF ISRAEL Reign of Nadab — his murder by
Baasha — war between Judah and Israel — Baasha’s alliance
with Syria — Asa gains over Ben-Hadad — prophetic message to
Asa — resentment of the king — Asa’s religious decline —
death of Asa, death of Baasha, reign of Elah — his murder by
Zimri — Omri dethrones Zimri — war between Omri and Tibni —
rebuilding of Samaria.
CHAPTER 14
- ASA AND JEHOSHAPHAT, KINGS OF JUDAH - AHAB, KING OF ISRAEL
Accession of Ahab — further religious decline in Israel —
political relations between Israel and Judah — accession of
Jehoshaphat — Ahab’s marriage with Jezebel — the worship of
Baal and Astarte established in Israel — character of Ahab —
religious reforms in Judah — Jehoshaphat joins affinity with
Ahab — marriage of Jehoram with Athaliah, and its
consequences.
CHAPTER 15
- AHAB, KING OF ISRAEL Rebuilding of Jericho — the mission
of Elijah — his character and life — Elijah’s first
appearance — parallelism with Noah, Moses, and john the
baptist — Elijah’s message to king Ahab — sojourn by the
brook Cherith — Elijah with the widow of Sarepta — the
barrel of meal wastes not, nor does the cruse of oil fail —
lessons of his sojourn — sickness and death of the widow’s
son — he is miraculously restored to life