BS 
 
 1335 
 
 D294n 
 
 ■^>.'r«<;«^.- 
 
 : 
 
 
 ^x$ 
 
 SCBIPTO; 
 
 Notes ON I. King 
 
 il6
 
 ATLASES, MAPS, & CLASS-BOOKS, 
 
 PUBMSIItD BY 
 
 George Philip and Son. 
 
 SERIES OF SCHOOL ATLASES, 
 
 ■DITED BT V?ILIiIAU UCOHES, F.B.O.S. 
 
 PHILIPS' PREPARATORY ATLAS, containing i. d. 
 1 6 Maps. Crown 4to, full colored, in neat cover ... o 6 
 
 PHILIPS' PREPARATORY OUTLINE ATLAS. 
 
 i6 Maps. Crown 4to, in neat cover o 6 
 
 PHILIPS' PREPARATORY ATLAS OF BLANK 
 
 PROJECTIONS. 1 6 Maps. Crown 4to, in neat cover o 6 
 
 PHILIPS' STANDARD ATLAS, 24 Maps, colored. 
 
 Foolscap 4to, in neat cover ... o 6 
 
 PHILIPS' ELEMENTARY ATLAS. 16 Maps, full 
 
 colored. Small 4to, in neat cover o 6 
 
 PHILIPS' ELEMENTARY OUTLINE ATLAS. 
 
 16 Maps. Small 410, in neat cover ... o 6 
 
 PHILIPS' INITIATORY ATLAS FOR YOUNG 
 
 LEARNERS. 12 Maps. i6mo, plain, 3d.; colored... o 6 
 
 PHILIPS' FIRST SCHOOL ATLAS. New and en- 
 larged edition. Containing 24 Maps, full colored, 
 bound in cloth ... i o 
 
 PHILIPS' SHILLING ATLAS OF MODERN GEO- 
 
 GRAPHY. 12 Maps. Imp. 410, illustrated cover ... i o 
 
 PHILIPS' ATLAS FOR BEGINNERS, New and im- 
 proved edition, with Index. Crown 4to, cloth 2 6 
 
 PHILIPS' HANDY SCHOOL ATLAS. 32 Maps, with 
 
 Consulting Index. Crown 8vo, cloth, lettered 2 6 
 
 PHILIPS' YOUNG SCHOLAR'S ATLAS. New edition. 
 
 Containing 24 Maps. Imperial 410, bound in cloth ... 2 6 
 
 PHILIPS' YOUNG STUDENT'S ATLAS. New edition. 
 
 Containing 36 Maps. Imperial 4to, bound in cloth ... 3 6 
 
 PHILIPS' INTRODUCTORY SCHOOL ATLAS. 18 
 Maps, with Consulting Index. New edition. Imperial 
 8vo, bound in cloth ... ... ... ... 3 6 
 
 George Philip and S.on, Publishers, London and liverpool.
 
 George Pliilip and Son, Putlisli6]*s, London and LiYerpooL 
 
 SERIES OF SCHOOL ATLASES-Continued. 
 
 PHILIPS' SELECT SCHOOL ATLAS. 24 Maps, with 1. d. 
 Consulting Index. New and improved edition. Imperial 
 8vo, boimd in cloth 5 o 
 
 PHILIPS' STUDENT'S ATLAS. Containing 38 Maps, 
 
 with Index. Imperial Svo, strongly bound in cloth ... 7 6 
 
 PHILIPS' COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL ATLAS, 
 containing 37 Modem and 7 Ancient Maps, with Index. 
 Imperial Svo, strongly half-bound, cloth sides 10 6 
 
 PHLIIPS' PPIYSICAL ATLAS FOR BEGINNERS. 
 
 12 Maps. Crown 4to, in stiff cover i o 
 
 The same Book, bound in cloth, lettered i 6 
 
 PHILIPS' SCHOOL ATLAS OF PHYSICAL GEO- 
 GRAPHY. Imperial Svo, bound in cloth 10 6 
 
 HUGHES' TRAINING SCHOOL ATLAS, a series of 
 
 16 Physical Maps. Med. fol., cloth, lettered 15 o 
 
 PHILIPS' SCHOOL ATLAS OF SCRIPTURE GEO- 
 GRAPHY, 12 Maps. Crown 4to, stiff cover i o 
 
 The same Book, bound in cloth, lettered i 6 
 
 PHILIPS' SMALLER SCRIPTURE ATLAS. 12 Maps, 
 
 illustrated cover, 6d. ; cloth, lettered i o 
 
 PHILIPS' SCHOOL ATLAS OF CLASSICAL GEO- 
 GRAPHY, 18 Maps, with Consulting Index of Ancient 
 and Modem Names. Med. 4to, cloth S o 
 
 PHILIPS' HANDY CLASSICAL ATLAS. Containing 
 
 i8 Maps. Med. Svo, bound in cloth ... ... ... 2 6 
 
 PHILIPS' SCHOOL ATLAS OF AUSTRALIA. Crown 
 
 4to, bound in cloth 2 o 
 
 PHILIPS' SCHOOL ATLAS OF NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Crown 4to, cloth ... 2 o 
 
 PHILIPS' IMPERIAL ATLAS OF OUTLINE MAPS. 
 
 Two Series, each containing 12 Maps, in cover, each ... 1 o 
 
 I'HILIPS' IMPERIAL ATLAS OF BLANK PRO- 
 JECTIONS. Two Series, each containing 12 Maps, in 
 cover, each ... ... ... ... ... ... ... J o 
 
 PHILIPS' OUTLINE ATLAS FOR BEGINNERS. 
 
 Two Series, each containing 16 Maps, neat cover, each i o 
 
 PHILIPS' BLANK PROJECTIONS FOR BEGIN- 
 
 NERS. Two Series, each containing i6 Maps, cover... i o 
 
 George PMlip and Son, PuUisliers, London and Liverpool
 
 -hi 
 
 Ui 
 
 The Library 
 
 ; California, Los Angeles 
 
 romthe' 
 Collection i 
 
 The gift of Mrs. Cummings, 1963
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 BY 
 
 J. DAVIES, • 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, 
 
 Author of " Manuals " of Genesis, St. Matthew, <i:c. ; 
 
 the Church Catechism, and the Book of Common Prayer; and 
 
 the Eistoi-y and Literature of the Stuart Period, 
 
 the Tudor Period, iScc. &c. 
 
 ■:o:- 
 
 LONDON: 
 GEORGE PHILIP & SON, 32, FLEET STREET. 
 
 LIVERPOOL: CAXTON BUILDINGS, SOUTH JOHN STREET, and 
 49 & 51, SOUTH CASTLE STREET. 
 1875.
 
 i 
 
 Rev. S. Rudnitzky | 
 
 57 St. Clements A 
 
 Oxford England 
 
 u ..^yssKS^^.-^-^^- -^v^
 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 In the Hebrew Scriptures, this Book and the following 
 make but one, — named, iu Jewish fashion, by the first 
 words, which are translated in our version, '■'■ Now King 
 David." 
 
 The Septuagint calls it the Third Book of Reigns, — the 
 Vulgate, the Third Book of Kings, — and the Arabic, the 
 Book of Solomon, (he being the most important of the 
 monarchs whose reigns it recounts). 
 
 The exact date of the compilation of the Book is not, of 
 course, known ; but, if it was, as we think, the work of 
 Ezra, it may be safely supposed to have been written by 
 him after his return from Babylon, with the second cai'avau 
 of Jews, 458 b.c. 
 
 The authorship of the work is more disputed than that 
 of any of the historical books of the Bible. — The Jews 
 ascribe it to Jeremiah; — some believe that David and 
 Solomon wrote the accounts of their reigns ; — while others 
 imagine that the book was written in portions by the 
 prophets who lived under the respective Kings ; and that 
 the complete work was compiled thence, and from the 
 national records kept by the sciibes, by one person, (proba- 
 bly Ezra). 
 
 This last view seems correct, for, 
 
 1. We read, in I. Kings, and II. Chron., of the " acts " 
 of different monarchs being recorded in the "books" 
 of various prophets, (such as Nathan, Ahijah, 
 Shemaiali, and Iddo), and in "the book of the 
 Chronicles of the kings of Judah," and "of Israel." 
 
 2. The uniformity of style in Kings shews them to 
 have been the collation of one person, — and tliat 
 this individual was, most probably, Ezra, is gathered 
 from tlie one fact, amongst others, that the last 
 part of Kings reaches to the Captivity, and that we 
 
 fr 
 
 '^o{y^[y\l
 
 4 NOTES ON L KINGS. 
 
 know of no Jew living at the time so likely as Ezra 
 to have recorded the events connected with that 
 period. 
 
 The title of the book is, of course, derived from the fact 
 that it deals with the reigns of certain Kings of the Single, 
 and of the Divided, Monarchy. 
 
 I. Kings extends from the last year of David's reign, 
 1015, B.C., to the accession of Jelioram as sole monarch of 
 Judah, 889 B.C. 
 
 It narrates the concluding scenes of David's life; and 
 the reigns of Solomon, (as sole monarch), — of Eehoboam, 
 Abijah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat, over Judah, — and of Jero- 
 boam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Tibni, and Ahab, 
 over Israel. 
 
 It admits of three divisions: — 
 
 1. The latter part of David's reign. 
 
 2. From the accession of Solomon to the Schism of the 
 kingdoms of Judah and Israel. 
 
 3. The history of the Divided Monarchy to the close 
 of the reigns of Jehoshaphat and Ahab, respectively. 
 
 PART I. 
 THE CONCLTTSIOK OF DAVID'S REIGN. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 1-4. 
 
 Abishag ministers to David, in his old age. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 5-end. 
 
 Adonijah, aided by Joab and Abiathar, prepares 
 to seize the throne: — Bath-sheba and Nathan 
 bring the news to David : — he causes Solomon 
 to be anointed, and proclaimed King. — 
 Jonathan carries intelligence of Solomon's 
 accession, to Adonijah and his guests, who 
 separate in alarm: — Adonijah takes refuge 
 at the Altar, whence he is brought by order 
 of Solomon, who pardons him, and allows 
 him to retire to his house.
 
 NOTES ON 1. KINGS. 5 
 
 V. 5. "-fl^e prepared . . . before him." — This was a 
 regal retiuue, aud exactly the same as that assumed by 
 Absalom when he began to take measures to dethrone his 
 father in his own favour. 
 
 v.Q. '■^ Had not displeased . . . done so?" — z.c, had 
 never taken him to task for his faults. He seems to have 
 been a great favourite with his father, and it appears cer- 
 tain that David would not have nominated Solomon as his 
 successor, but for the Divine command to that effect. 
 
 " Goodly" — well-grown, and handsome. 
 
 "^2S mother bare him after Absalom." — This does not 
 mean that the mother of Absalom and of Adonijah was 
 one and the same pereon, — but merely that the latter was 
 bom after the former. Absalom's mother was Maachah, — 
 and Adonijah's, Haggith. 
 
 V. 7. "Abiathar" — son of Ahimelech. He was the only 
 one who escaped the slaughter of the priests at Nob, 
 ordered by Saul. He had then fled to David, who received 
 him cordially, and afterwards made him High-Priest. 
 
 V. 8. " Benaiak" — captain of Da^'id's Body-Guard. 
 
 "Shimei," — could scarcely be the person of that name 
 who cui-sed David when the latter was fleeing from Absa- 
 lom : rather, he would seem to be the Shimei mentioned 
 hereafter as one of Solomon's ofiicers. 
 
 " The mighty men," — wiU be treated of hereafter. 
 
 V. 9. ^^En-rogel"= foot-fountain; the Targum interprets 
 it '■'Fuller^ Fountain," because the fullers used to tread 
 the clothes there with their /ee^. 
 
 Some think it is the same as the Pool of Siloani, at the 
 S.E. comer of Jerusalem; others find in it the Well of 
 Nehemiah, or, as the natives caU it, the Well of Job, which 
 lies just below the Pool of Siloam, at the junction of the 
 YaUey of Hinnom with that of Jehoshaphat. The latter 
 seems the correct position. 
 
 Adonijah's holding his festival, and asserting his claim, 
 so near the city, was quite unlike Absalom's conduct, for he 
 went to Hebron to set up the standard of revolt. Adonijah 
 and his supporters seem to have been over-sauguine of 
 success. The rebel's feast was quite in the Oriental fashion, 
 — a gigantic open-air pic-nic, with hot viands! 
 
 r. 13. '■'■ Didst not thou . . . thine handmaidP — The 
 occasion on which David made this promise is nowhere 
 recorded.
 
 6 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 V. 20. " That thou shouldst . . . on the throne." — It 
 was evidently within the power of the Hebrew kings to 
 choose which of their sons should succeed tliem, — the right 
 being merely another form of that by which a father could 
 transfer the birth-right of the eldest son to a younger 
 one, (which frequently occurred, as in the case of Jacob's 
 depriving Reuben of the privileges to which liis priority of 
 birth would otherwise have entitled him). 
 
 Eastern kiugs still enjoy this prerogative. 
 
 At the same time, the claims of primogeniture were held 
 in high regard by the Jews,- whicli greatly accounts for the 
 support Absalom bad received, and partly explains the 
 adhesion of David's old and faithful servants, Joab and 
 Abiathar, to the cause of Adonijah. These two were, 
 however, doubtless, actuated by revenge. David had 
 systematically ill-treated Joab, and Abiathar was doubtless 
 aggrieved at having to share his office with Zadok, — and 
 they could not have adopted a better plan of venting their 
 spleen on the old king than by depriving of the suc- 
 cession Solomon, whom David had nominated as his 
 successor. They adhered to David at the time of Absalom's 
 Kevolt ; but that was, probably, because his attempt seemed 
 unnatural, since his father was alive and well: had he 
 postponed his attempt at usurpation, as Adonijah did, till 
 his father was on his death-bed, Joab and Abiathar would, 
 no doubt, have lent him their support. 
 
 V. 27. The terms of Nathan's question shew how intimate 
 he was witli tlie King, and what authority his position as 
 prophet gave him over David. 
 
 V. 33. '■^Mine own mule." — Mules had, in David's reign, 
 replaced asses as the animals on which the noble and 
 wealthy rode. The king's mule would be conspicuous by 
 its trappings. 
 
 " Bring him dovm to Gihon." — Gihon was a fountain just 
 below, and opposite to, En-rogel, — whence its selection as 
 the place of Solomon's anointing. 
 
 It is generally supposed that Gihon is the same as Siloam. 
 
 V. 35. " That he may . . . my throne." — It was, and 
 still is, a frequent practice for Eastern kings to cause their 
 destined successor to be proclaimed, and made partaker of 
 the throne, in order to secure the succession. There are 
 many instances of the same kind recorded in European 
 history.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 7 
 
 V. 38. " The Cherethites and the Pelethites" — David's 
 Body Guard. Who aud what they were will be fully ex- 
 plained hereafter. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 1-11. 
 
 David, drawing near Mts end, charges Solomon 
 to keep the Law, — to find a pretext for 
 slaying Joab, and Shimei, — and to deal 
 kindly with Barzillai's sons. — David dies, 
 and is buried. 
 
 EPITOME OF THE LAST DAYS OF DAVID, AS GIVEN 
 IN I. CHRON. 
 
 In prospect of death, Da^^d summons the National As- 
 sembly, — tells them how he had desired to build a Temple, 
 and why he had not done so, — assures them that God has 
 chosen Judah, his (David's) house, and himself, as the 
 tribe, family, and iudi\ddual, in whom the kingly office 
 should be vested, — that Jehovah has fixed upon Solomon 
 to succeed him, has promised to establish his throne, aud 
 has api^ointed him to build the House. 
 
 He urges upon the " Elders," the keeping of God's com- 
 mandments, as the only condition on which they can hope 
 to continue in possession of the Land. 
 
 Tiuniug next to Solomon, he earnestly begs him to 
 
 1. Serve God faithfully. 
 
 2. Build the Temple. 
 
 He tells him that he has, Divinely directed, prepared a 
 plan of the future Temple, set aside abundant materials 
 towai'ds its erection, and drawn up an arrangement of its 
 worsliip, — and hands to him a written schedule of all these 
 matters. 
 
 Again addressing the Congregation, he reminds them 
 that Solomon is very young, and the work arduous. — He 
 urges, then, that it will be necessary to afford the young 
 prince sympathetic aid, especially in the matter of seeing 
 that he shall not be distressed for want of means. — He 
 announces how largely be himself has contributed towards 
 the undertaking, — and asks them what they will give. — 
 They respond most generously. 
 
 I
 
 8 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 David then blesses God, in that noble ode, " Thine, 
 Lord! is the greatness" &c., — and calls upon the Congrega- 
 tion also to bless Jehovah, which they do, bowing, and 
 worshipping. 
 
 The next day, the Congregation oflPer 1000 bullocks, 
 1000 rams, and 1000 lambs, for burnt-offei-ings, accom- 
 panied by drink-offerings, — and a grand Sacrificial Feast 
 follows. 
 
 The narrative adds that Solomon was anointed King, 
 and Zadok priest, — and ends, as far as David's life is con- 
 cerned, in the declaration that he died at "a good old age." 
 
 v."4. ^^His word which he spake concerning me." — This 
 promise was made to David, through Nathan, when the 
 latter was sent to inform him that God would not have 
 him to build a House for Him. 
 
 V. 5. " What Joah . . . did to me," — refers to Joab's 
 disregard of David's injunction to spare Absalom, and to 
 the share he took in Adonijah's Eevolt. 
 
 " And what he did . . . unto Abner, the son of Ner." 
 — Some regard Abner as Saul's uncle, — others, as Saul's 
 cousin : the former seems the correct view, according to 
 I. Chron., which gives the following genealogy : — 
 
 Jehiel, («Abiel"inSam.) 
 \ 
 
 I ^1 
 
 Kish, Ner, 
 
 (3rd. son.) (5th son.) 
 
 Kish. Abner. 
 
 Saul. 
 
 Another pedigree is given in II. Sam., which seems to 
 make Abner, Saul's cousin ; but this genealogy is recon- 
 cileable with that in Chron. It is not necessary, however, 
 in this place to harmonize the two. 
 
 Abner was commander-in-chief of the army under Saul ; 
 but he is scarcely noticed until after that monarch's death. 
 
 He then embraced the cause of Saul's son Ish-bosheth, 
 and, by his influence, set him on the throne of Israel. 
 During the "long war" between David and Ish-bosheth,
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 9 
 
 Abaer's, and Joab's, forces met at Gibeon, — Abner was 
 defeated, and fled, and being pursued by Asahel, Joab's 
 brother, slew him, (after urging him to turn back), with 
 the hinder end of his spear. 
 
 Subsequently, Abner quarrelled with Ish-bosheth, — 
 went to Hebron to negotiate with David the bringing over 
 of all Israel to his standard, — and, having satisfactorily 
 arranged the matter, started on his return, to effect his 
 purpose. Joab, who was absent at the time of his visit, 
 declared to David that Abner had come merely as a spy, 
 and blamed him for letting him depart in peace, (Joab's 
 real motive being, of course, chagrin that he had lost 
 an opportunity of slaying him). Tiie unscrupulous " son 
 of Zeruiah" then sent, (as if from the kiug), to call 
 Abner back. He returned, — and was treacherously slain 
 by Joab in the gate of Hebron. 
 
 " And unto Amasa." — Amasa was son of Abigail, David's 
 sister, (jDrobably /ja(/'-sister), by Jether, (or Ithra), an 
 Ishmaelite. 
 
 His name does not occur before Absalom's rebellion. 
 David utterly neglected him, and, consequently, he went 
 over to Absalom, who made him generalissimo of the rebel 
 forces. After the death of Absalom, David, (with a view 
 to induce him to use his influence to bring the revolted 
 tribes back to their allegiance, — to punish Joab for slaying 
 Absalom, — and to assure the late insurgents of the proffered 
 amnesty), promised to make him commander-in-chief, in 
 place of Joab, — and he, accordingly, succeeded in persuad- 
 ing the people to invite the King's return. 
 
 He was entrusted with the assembling of forces to put 
 down Sheba's revolt, but proved unable to collect them in 
 time. ■ The pursuit was then committed to Abishai, who, 
 with Joab, set out after the rebel. Amasa met the brothers 
 at Gibeon, and was there treacherously assassinated by 
 Joab. 
 
 With regard to the three reasons urged by David for 
 the execution of Joab by Solomon : — 
 
 1. What he had done to the king: — 
 
 Joab's conduct in re Absalom, far fi'om being criminal, 
 was right and necessary, — for Absalom richly merited his 
 fate, and his death was imperatively called for, in order to 
 end the rebellion. 
 
 His conduct in re Adonijah was certainly most treason-
 
 10 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 able, for not only had the king the power to alter tJuts 
 succession, (ulIcss Jehovah forbade), but he had acted on 
 Divine command in naming Solomon as successor. 
 
 But Joab had received a free and full pardon for that 
 offence, so that no punishment could be justly inflicted on 
 him for it at any future time. 
 
 And not only had not David any just cause, personally, 
 against Joab, — he was actually a debtor to him for most 
 valuable services, (besides that of putting down Absalom's 
 ■revolt), — e.g., Joab had captured Jerusalem, — remained 
 loyal to David when Absalom, his intimate friend, re- 
 volted, — saved David's popularity, by causing him to cease 
 mourning, and shew himseK to the people, after Absalom's 
 death, — attempted to dissuade the King from numbering 
 the peojile, — and even acted as the pander to David's vices 
 in the matter of Uriah. 
 
 Never, in fact, was there a more devoted servant ; yet 
 David constantly treated him rudely, and ungratefully, 
 and, as we see in the text, finally left orders for his execu- 
 tion by Solomon. The causes of his antiiJathy were, 
 probably, jealousy and resentment,— jealousy, at his being 
 a greater captain, and keener-sighted politican than him- 
 self ; resentment, on account of the independent and dicta- 
 torial tone and manner which Joab assumed towards the 
 king, and which he was enabled to do on account of his 
 superiority to David in military and state affairs, and of 
 his knowledge of the secret of Uriah's death. 
 
 2. His murder of Abner was, in truth, a shameful and 
 deathworthy deed. His excuse for it was that he was 
 but avenging his brother Asahel. 
 
 But, though tlie law of Blood-Revenge is supposed to 
 have sanctioned the next of kin in slayiug him by' whose 
 hand a relative fell even on the battle-field, Joab had no 
 right to put the law in practice on this occasion, for 
 
 (Ij. Abner slew Asahel reluctantly, after vainly warning 
 him to return, and to save his own life,^under which 
 circumstanceH no claim for Blood Vengeance could lie. 
 
 (2). Had Abner rendered himself open to retaliation, 
 not Joab, but Abishai, his elder brother, was the next of 
 kin, and, therefore, the proper Avenger. 
 
 The true motive tliat induced Joab to do this murder 
 was evidently jealousy of Abner, who, he saw, would 
 sujjplant him in David's favour, and in office.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 11 
 
 3. His murder of Amasa was even moi-e criminal tlian 
 that of Abner, for, in the former case, he had not the 
 smallest excuse on the ground of any injury done him. 
 
 This act was, also, prompted solely by jealousy. 
 
 But, though Joab was worthy of death for slaying 
 Abner, and Amasa, it was most monstrous and insincere 
 for David to urge the two assassinations as grounds for 
 executing Joab, for 
 
 1. He was himself an Adulterer and Murderer. 
 
 2. Joab was as guilty of murder in the case of Uriah, 
 as in the other two, — but David does not urge that 
 as a reason for putting him to death, since he would 
 thus be condemning himself. 
 
 3. He ought, if Joab %vere worthy of death, to have 
 himself executed him, instead of delegating the 
 task to Solomon. 
 
 The whole matter may be thus summed up : — 
 David hated Joab, and desired to be revenged upon 
 him, by putting him to death. 
 
 This he would not do himself, because 
 
 1. He felt ashamed to act so towards one to whom he 
 owed so much. 
 
 2. He had a selfish regard for his own popularity, 
 which, he knew, would be greatly shaken, were he 
 to sLiy his faithful Chief Captain, (who might, 
 moreover, before he was executed, disclose David's 
 conduct in re Bath-sheba, and Uriah !) Accord- 
 ingly, he leaves his vengeance as a legacy to Solo- 
 mon, (upon whom Joab had no claim of gi-atitude, 
 but rather the reverse, since he had tried to sup- 
 plant him by Adouijah), assigning, with meanest 
 deceitfulness, as justification for putting the great 
 General to death, deeds of his which David himself 
 had rivalled, while keeping silence as to one murder 
 in which he and Joab had shared ! 
 
 V. 8. "Shimei . . . Mahanaim." — This occurred when 
 David was fleeing from Jerusalem, on the occasion of 
 Absalom's EebeUion, (read carefully II. Sam. xvi. 5-13, 
 inclusive). 
 
 " lie came down . . . the sword." — This occurred on 
 David's journey back to Jerusalem, after Absalom's defeat 
 anvl death, (read II. Sam. xix. 16-23). 
 
 V. 9. "Hold him not guiltless." — i.e. — "Punish him as
 
 12 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 guilty of a crime for whicli I have solemuly sworn he 
 should not die !" 
 
 " Thou art a wise man . . . unto him"-— i.e. — " Your 
 wisdom will enable you to hit upon some scheme by which 
 to accomplish his death, without letting the true cause 
 appear 1" 
 
 In the matter of Shimei, David's directions are, if 
 possible, more disgraceful, than in the case of Joab. He 
 had solemnly sworn, in public, to Shimei, that he should 
 not die in punishment for his disloyalty. Now, however, 
 he craftily says, in effect, to Solomon, — "I promised / 
 would not put him to death ; but I did not pledge myself 
 that you should not : yet, as it will not do to execute him 
 for cursing me, for which I swore he should not suffer, 
 manage to slay him on some other pretext." 
 
 In these instructions as to Joab and Shimei, (which 
 make one shudder, as being given on his death-bed), we 
 see David as the despotic, implacably revengeful, crafty, 
 deceitful, and unscrupulous Eastern potentate, — not as the 
 humble, sincere, generous, and magnanimous Christian 
 monarch. 
 
 V. 7. '"'■ BarzillaiP — For the provisions, &c., which he 
 brought David, — his accompanying the King, on his return, 
 as far as the Jordan, — David's urgent entreaty that he 
 would go with him to court, — his refusal, — and his success- 
 ful commendation of his son, Chimham, rea/1 carefully II. 
 Sam. xvii. 27-29, and xix. 31-40. 
 
 V. 10. " The city of David," — that part of Jerusalem built 
 on Mount Zion, which was formerly called, " The Strong- 
 hold of the Jebusites." 
 
 V. 11, '•'■ Seven years . . . in Jerusalem!^ — Some re- 
 present David as reigning the seven years, (or rather '■'■ seven 
 years and six months" as II. Sam. has it), over Judah only : 
 but the more probable view is that he reigned at Hebron 
 two years as king of Judah alone, and five and a half years 
 as king of all Israel, — and that then, having taken Jeru- 
 salem, he reigned there thirty-three years. 
 
 EPITOME OF DAVID'S LIFE, &c. 
 
 David = beloved. 
 
 Eighth, and youngest, son of Jesse of Beth-lehem.
 
 NOTES ON I. KIAGS. 13 
 
 (Only seven sons are given in the pedigree of Jesse, as 
 found in Chron., but I. Sam. says that seven of Jesse's sons 
 passed before Samuel, when he went to anoint David, and 
 that David was tlien sent for, from keeping the sheep ; and, 
 in another place, the same Book distinctly states, that 
 Jesse "had eight sons," . . . ''And David was the 
 youngest.") 
 
 Pedigree of David, (and Joab, &c.):— 
 
 Jesse. 
 Sons. I Dauojhters. 
 
 1. Eliab. ] 
 
 2. Abinadab. Abigail, 
 
 3. Shammah,or Shimeah, (Shimnia, (married Jesher, or 
 
 in I. Chron.) Itlira.) 
 
 4. Nethaneel. | 
 
 5. Raddai. Zeruiah. Amasa. 
 
 6. Ozem. | 
 
 7. (Name unknown). | | . | 
 
 8. David. Abishai. Joab. Asahel. 
 
 The descent of David, from Judah to Jesse, on the 
 father's side, was by the following steps : — 
 
 Judah, Pharez (by Tamar), — Hezron, — Eam, — Ammin- 
 adab, — Nashon, " prince of the children of Judah" — Sal- 
 mon, (or Salma), — Boaz, (by Eahab "the harlot"), — Obed, 
 (by Ruth), — Jesse. 
 
 It will be seen hence, that — 
 
 1. David, (as, of course, Christ), was descended from 
 one of tlie most noble families of Judah. 
 
 2. Three of his ancestresses (Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth), 
 were Gentiles, — a significant fact as regards our 
 Saviour, in whom Jew and Gentile would be alike 
 blessed. 
 
 David was born 1085 b.c. 
 
 The Psahnisfs Life may be divided into 
 five portions : — 
 
 1. SHEPHERD LIFE, (1085-1063). 
 
 During most of this period he remained at home, tending 
 his father's flocks.
 
 14 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 B.C. 
 
 1067. Anointed, at Beth-lehem, by Samuel. 
 
 1063. Sent for, by Saul, to relieve his melancholy, by 
 
 playing on the harp, — restores him, — and returns 
 
 home to his former duties. 
 (He himself tells us he slew a lion, and a bear, 
 
 that attacked his flocks, while he was a shepherd : 
 
 this, probably, happened after his visit to Saul). 
 1063. Goes up to the Hebrew camp, with provisions for his 
 
 brethren, — slays Goliath,— is formally presented to 
 
 Saul, who lets him "go no more home," — Jonathan 
 
 conceives a deep affection for him. 
 
 2. COURTIER LIFE, (1063-1062). 
 
 1063. Saul sets him over his "men of war;" but has his 
 
 i'ealousy roused, by the song of the women, " Saul 
 lath slain his thousands," &c., — casts a javelin at 
 David, while playing before him : and removes him 
 from his immediate presence, giving him a lower 
 military rank, as " Captain of a thousand." 
 Saul promises Merab to David, — gives her to 
 another. 
 
 Michal loves David, — Saul promises her to him, on 
 craftily-devised terms, — David fulfils them, and 
 receives Michal's hand. 
 
 Saul commands his officers, and Jonathan, to slay 
 David, — Jonathan remonstrates with his father, 
 who repents, vows that no harm shall happen to 
 David, and restores him to his presence. 
 David defeats the Philistines, — Saul's ' jealousy re- 
 kindled, — he again casts a javelin at David, — the 
 latter escapes to his house, — Saul sends thither, to 
 take him, — Michal lets her husband down through 
 a window, and deceives her father's messengers by 
 a stratagem. — David escapes to Samuel at Naioth, 
 and resides with him there. — Saul sends three suc- 
 cessive companies thither to take David, — they all 
 begin to prophecy, — Saul himself goes, — is overcome 
 by the Divine afflatus, and prophesies. 
 1062. David leaves Naioth, and returns secretly to Gibeah, 
 — has an interview with Jonathan; — they arrange 
 for David to test Saul's feelings towards him, by 
 absenting himself from the king's table at the New
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 15 
 
 Moon, — decide upon a sign by which David, in his 
 hiding place, shall know how matters have gone, — 
 and make a solemn covenant with each other. 
 Saul notices David's absence, — Jonathan gives him 
 a fictitious explanation, — the king's wrath is kindled, 
 — in his rage, he shews his real feelings towards 
 David, — orders Jonathan to fetch him that he may- 
 be slain, and so prevented ascending the throne, — 
 and, on his son's remonstrance, hurls a javelin at 
 even him.. 
 
 Jonathan gives David an unpropitious signal,— the 
 latter quits his hiding-place, takes leave of Jonathan, 
 and enters upon his wanderings as an outlaw. 
 
 3. OUTLAW LIFE, (1062-1056). 
 
 1062. David comes to Nob, with a few followers, —Ahime- 
 lech, the high-priest, not knowing of the rupture 
 with Saul, feeds the band with shew-bread, and 
 gives David the sword of Goliath. — David passes on 
 to Achish, who being suspicious, and menacingly 
 unfriendly, he feigns madness, and so escapes pro- 
 bable death. 
 
 Takes refuge in the Cave of Adullam, where h*- 
 is joined by "his brethren, and all his father's 
 house," and a horde of outlaws, consisting of those 
 in poverty, and in debt, and malcontents, (to the 
 number, in all, of 400) . 
 
 He passes over into Moab, — advised by God, he 
 returns to Judah, leaving his parents in the care of 
 the king of Moab, — comes to the Forest of Haresh. 
 Doeg tells Saul of Ahimelech's succouring David, — 
 Saul sends for him, and the rest of the priests, from 
 Nob, — Ahimelech explains his conduct, by shewing 
 that he was unconscious of the breach between the 
 king and Da^ad, — Saul orders Doeg, and the " foot- 
 men," to slay the priests, — Ahimelech, and all the 
 other priests at Nob, are slaughtered, to the number 
 of eighty-five, Abiathar alone escaping, — Nob, with 
 its inhabitants, (and oxen, asses, and sheep,) de- 
 stroyed, — Abiathar, with the Ephod, flees to David, 
 with whom he remains. 
 
 1061- David defeats the Philistines, and compels them to 
 raise the siege of Keilah, — consulting God, he learns
 
 16 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 that the people of Keilah intend to. betray him to 
 Saul, — he therefore escapes thence to the wilderness 
 of Ziph, where he and Jonathan have a secret inter- 
 view, and renew their friendship, and covenant. 
 The Ziphites betray, to Saul, David's whereabouts, 
 and lead him to the outlaw's lair, to find him fled to 
 the wilderness of Maon, — Saul follows, — when he is 
 one side of the mountain, and David on the other, 
 (both ignorant that they are so near together,) a 
 message is brought to Saul of a Philistine invasion, 
 — he ceases the pursuit of David, and returns to 
 battle with his old enemies. 
 
 David takes refuge in the fastnesses of En-gedi. — 
 Saul, having defeated the Philistines, renews his 
 persecution, and traces David to En-gedi. — David 
 finds the King asleep in a cave, — saves his life ; but 
 cuts ofi" his skirt, — announces from a distance what 
 he has done, — Saul confesses his wickedness, — asks 
 David's forgiveness, — exacts from him a promise to 
 spare his house, after his death, — and returns home. 
 
 1060. David demands supplies from Nabal, — being refused, . 
 he sets out to revenge himself, — Abigail meets, and 
 appeases, him, — Nabal dies, — David marries Abigail. 
 The Ziphites again betray David's whereabouts. — 
 Saul, with 3,000 men, goes to seek him, and pitches 
 on the hill of Hachilah, while David remains in the 
 wilderness of Ziph, — he enters Saul's camp, — takes 
 his spear and cruse ; but spares his life, — proclaims, 
 from a hill opposite, what he has done, — Saul again 
 repents, — and returns home. 
 
 1058. David again flees to Achish, — is now well received, — 
 Achish gives him Ziklag to dwell in. 
 (David remains sixteen months at Ziklag, — spoils 
 the S. Geshurites, the Amalekites, and other foreign 
 tribes, while pretending to Achish that it is against 
 the S. tribes of Israel his mai-audiug expeditious are 
 directed, and so making the Philistine "lord" believe 
 that he is abhorred of the Hebrews, and, therefore, 
 bound to him for ever). 
 
 1056. The Philistines make war with Israel, and assemble 
 their forces at Aphek, — David, with his followers, 
 accompanies Achish, as if to aid against his own 
 countrymen. — the other Philistine " lords," suspect-
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 17 
 
 ing he will prove a traitor to them in battle, demur 
 to David's presence, — Achish, accordingly, sends him 
 back. 
 
 David, on reaching home, finds that the Amalekitea 
 have bui-ned, and spoiled, Ziklag, and carried off all 
 the females, during his absence, — Divinely directed, 
 he pursues, and overtakes, the Amalekites, — slays 
 all but 400, who escape, — recovers all the captives 
 and goods, taking large spoil in addition, — sends 
 presents to the elders of numerous cities. 
 
 (All the particulars up to this point are from I. Sam.) 
 
 1056. Tidings of the battle of Mount Gilboa are brought 
 to David, at Ziklag, by an Amalekite, who professes 
 to have given Saul his coup de grace, — David causes 
 the messenger to be slain, — he laments for Saul and 
 Jonathan. 
 
 1055. Divinely directed, David goes up to Hebron, with 
 his wives and followers, — and is there anointed King 
 over the house of Judah. 
 
 (David's settled life, at Ziklag, as " a legitimate chief 
 with fixed possessions," was a transition-state between his 
 outlaw, and his king, life.) 
 
 4. KING-LIFE AT HEBRON, (1055-1048.) 
 
 ? David thanks the men of Jabesh-Gilead, for burying 
 Saul and his sons. 
 
 War with the house of Saul. 
 
 ? Battle of Gibeon : Abner defeated : Asahel killed. 
 David marries four additional wives, and has sis sons 
 born to him. 
 
 War with Ish-bosheth continues, to the advantage of 
 David, whose cause gains ground. 
 
 1053. Abner quarrels with Ish-bosheth, — ofi"ers to bring 
 Israel over to David,— the latter demands, and ob- 
 tains, (as the condition of entertaining the proposal), 
 the restoration of Michal. 
 
 Abner consults with the " elders of Israel," — goes to 
 Hebron, and arranges with David the transfer to 
 him of the allegiance of the eleven tribes, — returns 
 to effect his purpose. — Joab, learning what has hap- 
 
 B
 
 18 NOTES ON L KINGS. 
 
 pened, denounces David's conduct, — and sends, (as if 
 from the King), to call Abner back. — Abner i-eturns, 
 — and is slain by Joab, in the gate of Hebron. — 
 David makes lamentation over the murdered man. 
 Ish-bosheth slain, — his assassins put to death by 
 David. 
 
 All the tribes assemble at Hebron, and offer David tlie 
 crown of the Entire Kingdom, — he is atioitited, and 
 takes a Coronation Oath, as King over all Israel. 
 5. KING-LIFE AT JERUSALEM, (1048-1015.) 
 
 1048. Jerusalem taken, and made David's capital, — he 
 extends the city, — and builds a house for himself 
 on Mount Zion, Hiram sending workmen, and 
 cedar-wood. 
 
 (David takes fresh wives, and has eleven children 
 born to him, at Jerusalem). 
 
 1043. David defeats the Philistines, twice, in the Valley 
 of Eephaim. 
 
 1042. Assembling the chief men of all Israel, David 
 removes the Ark from Kirjath-jearim, — Uzzah 
 smitten, — the Ark taken aside, and left in the house 
 of Obed-edom. 
 
 Hearing that its presence has pi'oved a blessing to 
 Obed-edom, David is encouraged to accomplish liis 
 design, — the Ark safely brought to Jerusalem, and 
 placed in the tent prepared for it, — Michal taunts 
 her husband, &c. 
 ? David announces to Nathan his intention of building 
 a Temple, — the prophet first encourages him, — after- 
 wards, Divinely directed, forbids his design, and 
 announces that it shall be Solomon's work ; but 
 promises that David's kingdom shall be established, 
 — David utters a Thanksgiving Prayer. 
 
 1040. David conquers, and subjects, tlie Philistines, (taking 
 "Gath and her towns"), and Moab, — conquers Zobah, 
 and Damascus, (reducing Damascus to vassalage), — 
 Toi, of Hamath, sends his son with congratulations 
 and presents to David, — Mephi-bosheth adopted, 
 and Ziba made his steward. 
 
 1037. An embassy sent to Hanun, king of Ammon, who 
 shamefully treats them, — David accordingly, com- 
 mences war with the Ammonites. — These unite with 
 Eehob, and Zobah, — the allies are defeated.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 19 
 
 1036. nadadezer forms, against David, a Syrian league, 
 wliich is overcome, — the Syrian states dejiendent uu 
 Hadatlezer ask for terms, and accept vassalage. 
 ? Edomites defeated by David, Joab, and Abishai, in 
 the Valley of Salt, — their country wasted, and garri- 
 soned, — they are reduced to subjection. 
 
 1035. Eabbah of Aramon besieged by Joab, David remain- 
 ing at Jerusalem. 
 
 David commits adultery, and murder, — takes Bath- 
 sheba for wife, — she bears him a son. 
 
 1034. Nathan convicts the King, by a parable, of tlie 
 enormity of his guilt, and denounces God's judg- 
 ments u[)on him, in consequence, — David repents, 
 — Bath-sheba's child is smitten with sickness, and 
 dies. 
 
 1033. Eabbah captured, and Ammonites subjected, — Solo- 
 mon born. 
 
 1032. Amnon outrages Tamar. 
 
 1030. Absalom slays Amnoii, and flees to Geshur. 
 
 1027. Absalom's return to Jerusalem effected by Joab, 
 through the Tekoite woman. 
 
 1025. Absalom recalled to his father's presence and favour. 
 (Absalom smooths the way to revolt). 
 
 1023. Absalom obtains permission to go to Hebron, — ami 
 sets up his standard there. 
 David flees, — Absalom enters Jerusalem. 
 Ahithophel's advice, to follow David immediately, 
 not taken, — he hangs himself. 
 
 David crosses the Jordan, to Mahanaim, and is 
 hospitably received, — Absalom's troops, under Ama- 
 sa, follow. 
 
 Defeat, and death, of Absalom, — David inconsolable 
 at the loss of his son,— is rebuked by Joab. — David 
 sends to Zadok, and Abiathar, urging them to \n'i)- 
 cure his recall, — wins over Amasa, by a promise of 
 his superseding Joab. 
 
 Judah, and part of Israel, unite to welcome back 
 their king, wlio returns to Jerusalem. 
 
 1022. The men of Israel (ijuarrel with those of Judah, — 
 and revolt, under Sheba, — Amasa ordered to quell 
 the rebellion; but fails to collect troops witliiii 
 the appointed time, — Abishai entmsted with the 
 task, — Joab joins him, — and slays Amasa, at Gibeou,
 
 20 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 — Slieba besieged in Abel, — bis Lead cut off, and 
 thrown to Joab. 
 
 1022-1019. Three years bad harvests, on account of Saul's 
 slaughter of the Gibeonites, who now demand seven 
 of Saul's " sons " to crucify, — David consents, — 
 Eizpah watches the bodies,— David at last buries 
 them, (with the ashes of Saul, aud his sons killed at 
 Gilboa), in the sepulchre of Kish, — the dearth then 
 ceases. 
 
 1018. David's Last Philistine War, — four battles, in each 
 of which a giant is killed, one of them being on the 
 point of slaying David, in the first conflict. 
 (David utters a Song of Thanksgiving, when God 
 had thus delivered him from all his enemies, — and 
 speaks his "last words"). 
 
 1017. David determines to number the people, — when the 
 Census is almost done, God, through Gad, expresses 
 his anger, and offers David the choice of three evils, 
 — the result of the kings choice is a fearful Pestilence 
 of Three Days, which, after smiting 70,000, is stayed, 
 at Arauuah's threshing-floor. — David goes up thither, 
 — buys the floor, oxen, aud implements, — and ofi'ers 
 sacrifices. — God accepts them, and the plague is 
 finally stayed. 
 
 (This is the limit of David's reign as related in II. Sam.) 
 
 The remaining events of his life, as narrated in I. Kings, 
 and Chron., all occurred in 1015 B.C. As they have just 
 been studied, there is no need to recapitulate them here ; 
 the student can himself make an Ejjitome of them, and add 
 them in this place, if caUed upon to sketch David's life, 
 
 DAVID'S CHARACTER. — Of much personal strength, 
 vigour, and activity; capable of undergoing great hard- 
 ships. 
 
 As a warrior. — Brave, skilful, energetic, magnanimous. 
 
 As a ruler. — Wise, far-seeing, and essentially patriotic. 
 Constitutional and just in the early part of his reign, the 
 latter portion of it was, unfortunately, marked by despot- 
 ism, gi-owing chiefly out of the large standing army which 
 he kept. 
 
 hi religion. — Cherished firm faith in God, attributing 
 all blessings and deliverances to him alone, — zealous in
 
 KOTES ON I. KINGS. 21 
 
 support of the national worship,— and devoutly pions in 
 liis own feelings and general conduct, — above all, implicitly 
 obeying Jehovah, (in this respect forming a perfect contrast 
 to Saul). 
 
 In private life. — ^5 a rule, a fond and devoted parent, — 
 a faithful friend, — temperate in habits, — warm-hearted, 
 and impulsive, (traits leading him into much trouble), — 
 generous, — and clement, {e.g., in his sparing Saul). 
 
 The great blots on kis fame are — 
 
 1. llis proposed assassination of Nabal. 
 
 2. Jlis ingratitude to Joab. 
 
 3. His Adulter}/, and the murder of Uriah. 
 
 4. His numbering the people, without consulting God, 
 and with a view to foreign conquests, (a thing 
 utterly opposed to Jehovah's will). 
 
 5. His injunctions to Solomon to find some excuse for 
 slaying Shimei and Joab, (both of whom he had 
 personally for^dven). 
 
 It will be seen that these errors, and crimes, sprang, 
 mainly, from his natural impulsiveness, — and from the 
 spirit of the age in which he lived, (when monarchs con- 
 sidered it no sin to appropriate any woman they fancied, 
 and regarded human life as of no account). 
 
 David's chai'acter seems to have sadly deteriorated in 
 the latter part of his reign. As early as the jDeriod of his 
 Adultery, a slothful supineness seems to have stolen over 
 him, for, instead of himself leading his army against 
 Eabbah, he remained at Jerusalem. 
 
 The numerous harem he kept must have tended to this 
 lowering of moral, and physical, tone. 
 
 After his double crime, he seems to have been haunted 
 by a remorse that paralyzed him, body and mind : he 
 ceased to attend in the gate to administer justice, and 
 shewed himself foolishly weak in connection with Ab- 
 salom's rebellion. 
 
 At the same time, the despotic power he had established, 
 united to the preceding causes, rendered him capricious, 
 so that he was frequently guilty of injustice, and cruelty. 
 
 This change in his character, and his tyranny, had so 
 alienated his subjects' affections, that his own tribe joined 
 in Absalom's Eebellion, and such an insignificant personage 
 as Sheba was able to rouse Israel against him.
 
 22 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 After the crushing of these revolts, however, a great 
 portion of the enthusiasm felt for him, at the commence- 
 ment of his reigu, returned, wliile, having learned a bitter 
 lesson, he seems to have henceforth returned, in a con- 
 siderable degree, to his old, and better, self. 
 
 In spite of all drawbacks, however, David's reign was 
 really beneficial to the country :— 
 
 "He had succeeded to a kingdom distracted with civil 
 dissension, environed on every side, or occupied by, 
 powerful and victorious enemies, without a capital, almost 
 without an army, without any bond of union between the 
 tribes. He left a compact and united state, stretching 
 from the frontier of Egypt, to the foot of Lebanon, from 
 the Euphrates, to the sea. He had crushed the power of 
 the Philistines ; subdued, or curbed, all the adjacent king- 
 doms ; he had formed a lasting, and important, alliance 
 with the great city of Tyre. He liad organized an immense 
 disposable force," . . . . "at the head of which were 
 officers of consummate experience, and, what was more 
 liighly esteemed, in the warfare of the time, of extra- 
 ordinary personal activity, strength, and valour." 
 
 "He had also given especial attention to the management 
 of public worship, as the most efficacious means of pro- 
 moting religion and morality, and, consequently, obedience 
 to the invisible. Supreme, Monarch." 
 
 His reign is "the great critical era in the history of the 
 Hebrews. It decided tliat they would have, for nearly 
 live centuries, a national monarchy, a fixed line of priest- 
 hood, and a solemn religious worship, by music, and 
 psalms of exquisite beauty ; it finally separated Israel 
 from the surrounding heathen, and gave room for pro- 
 ducing those noble monuments of Sacred "Writ, to the in- 
 fluence of which over the whole world no end can be seen." 
 The real work of establishing Israel as lord over the 
 whole soil of Canaan was left for David, though initiated, 
 and partially accomplished, by Joshua. 
 
 The declaration, on Jehovah's part, that David was " a 
 man after his own heart" (which has been a favourite 
 weapon of infidelity), does not mean what enemies repre- 
 sent it as doing: it is no justification of his crimes, for 
 these we find God severely denouncing, and punishing. 
 
 The expression is intended to apply to the earnest zeal 
 he almost always displayed to learn and execute God's will,
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 23 
 
 in the acts of his administration, — to his efforts on behalf 
 of religion, — and to his not followiug " strange gods." 
 
 At the same time, too, we must remember, (as has been 
 before intimated), that his vices were the fault of the age, 
 rather than the man,^ — tliat, in comparison with other 
 AVestern monarchs, his faults were light, — that his ruling 
 anxiety, and aim, were to do right, — and that, though he 
 i-inned, his repentance was always bitter. No one who 
 has read the Psalms he wrote can doubt his deep, ardent, 
 and habitual piety. 
 
 David was a notable type of Christ, in — 
 
 1. His descent from the same tribe, and family. 
 
 2. His being anointed king over Israel, (as Christ is 
 
 the Messiah of liis Israel, the Church). 
 
 4. His sufferings, and trials, at the hands of his 
 
 enemies. 
 
 5. His betrayal by Absalom and Ahithophel, (fore- 
 
 shadowing Christ's, by Judas). 
 G. His final triumph over all his foes. 
 7. His extensive kingdom. 
 
 David's writings. — It is a matter of keen debate, how 
 many of the Psalms were written by David. 
 
 It is not within our scope to discuss the question. All 
 tliat is needed for the student is the knowledge that, out 
 of the 150 Psalms, tJte Hebrew Text attributes to David 73 ; 
 and the Septuagint 84. 
 
 There were, doubtless, besides the Psalms of David 
 which we possess, large numbers of poetical compositions 
 })enned by him, but not extant : of this we have evidence 
 in the fact that the account of his life contains rythmical 
 jiieces, e.g., — David's Lament over Said and Jonathan; part 
 of his Lament over Abner; and his "Last Words." 
 
 David's writings are usually sweet, elegant, and musical, 
 with a plaintive undertone pervading them, (as we might 
 expect from the colour of his life) ; but at times they rise 
 to the most gigantic, and magnificent, sublimity, or rush 
 on in a torrent of scathing invective, and denunciation. 
 They embody every possible phase of the Christian pil- 
 grimage, from the summit of the " Delectable Mountains," 
 down to the " Valley of the Shadow of Death."
 
 24 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 DAVID'S INSTITUTIONS,— RELIGIOUS, 
 CIVIL, MILITARY: AND HIS PERSONAL, 
 AND HOUSEHOLD, ESTABLISHMENT. 
 
 The account of these is taken from II. Sam., and I. Chron. 
 
 They nearly all existed in the same form under Solomon. 
 The student will be able to tell tvhich of them were modified, 
 or abolished, \mder that monarch, when his reign has been 
 considered. Wherever no change is indicated, it must be 
 understood that David's, and Solomon's, Institutions were 
 identical, so that questio7is asked about those of the latter 
 must be answered in exactly the same manner as if put con- 
 cerning the former. 
 
 I. RELIGIOITS INSTIIUTIONS, AND AFFAIRS. 
 
 David found the religious condition of the people at a 
 low ebb, to which it had long been sinking, from the death 
 of Joshua. Under the Judges, every man did what seemed 
 right in his own eyes, — most of the Judges were impious, 
 and some of them scandalously vicious, — and the very 
 priesthood grew corrupt, {e.g., Eli's sons). Saul, instead 
 of upholding the national religion, slaughtered, and other- 
 wise ill-used, the priests, until wearing an ephod was 
 regarded as almost a crime; while his own impious ex- 
 ample was most detrimental to his subjects' character. 
 
 The supremacy of the Philistines, too, was extremely 
 destructive of the national worship. 
 
 Finally, the original Tabernacle, with the Altar of 
 Burnt-Otfering, was at Gibeou, while the Ark was at 
 Kirjath-jearim, so that thei^e was no rallying-point for 
 sacrifice aud worship. The priests and Levites, no longer 
 called upon to perform their proper duties, or receiving 
 their due support, ceased to regard themselves as a separate 
 class, and engaged in civil aud military afiairs, like those 
 of other tribes. 
 
 As soon as David's rule over the whole country was 
 assured, he took steps to restore the worship of Jehovah. 
 Determining to make Jerusalem the religious, as well as 
 political, centre of the Tribes, he first of all fetched up the 
 Ark from Kirjath-jearim, and jjlaced it in the tent which 
 he had prepared as its temporary abode, until he should 
 have raised iox it the temple he contemplated buildiug.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 25 
 
 This act established the Priests in direct service before 
 the Ark. Having been forbidden himself to construct 
 God's House, he set to work, with a noble and generous 
 self-abnegation, and pious zeal, to do all he could towards 
 preparing ample material for the task to be accoraplislied 
 by Solomon, — and towards organizing, and ordering, the 
 worship and service of the as yet unbuilt temple. 
 
 The '^ Relizious Instihitions',' &c., of 
 
 David include the Priests, the Levites, and the Prepara- 
 tions made /or buildiug the Temple. 
 I. The Priests. 
 
 1. THE HIGH-PRIEST:— 
 
 During David's reign there were two high-prietts, (Abia- 
 thar, son of Ahimelech ; and Zadok, son of Ahitub), — a 
 phenomenon thus explained :— 
 
 Aaron's two elder sons, Nadab and Abihu, being slain 
 by Jehovah, the High-priesthood fell to the family 
 of Eleazar, Aaron's third son. It continued in 
 that line, until Eli's time, when, for no recorded 
 cause, the office was taken from the family of 
 Eleazar, and transferred to that of Ithamar, 
 Aaron's youngest son, — Eli being the first high- 
 priest of the new line. 
 "When Jehovah denounced the misconduct of Eli's sons, 
 He declai-ed that He would deprive the family of the 
 High-priesthood, adding, — 
 
 "And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do 
 according to that which is in mine heart, and in my mind : 
 and / will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before 
 mine anointed for ever." 
 
 The office, however, continued in the line of Ithamar, 
 until the reign of Saul, when Ahiuielech, of that family, 
 being Chief Pontiff, was slain with all his house, save 
 Abiathar, his son. Saul then gave the office to Zadok, son 
 of Ahitub, of the famib/ of Eleazar: tluis God's message 
 was almost fulfilled, — the office being partially restored to 
 the right line, and Zadok continuing all his life to prove 
 himself "a faithful priest." 
 
 Meanwhile, Abiathar having fled, with the Ephod, to 
 David, the latter received him, and, at his succession to 
 the throne of Judah, made him High-Priest over that
 
 23 A'OTBS ON I. KINGS. 
 
 kingdom. Meanwhile, Zadok performed the duties of liis 
 office in Israel. 
 
 On becoming sole king, David, knowing that prophecy 
 was fulfilled in Zadok, and that he was a good and true 
 man, did not interfere, — but allowed him, and Abiathar, to 
 occupy the post together. There is no record of how they 
 shared the duties of the office : but we find both remaining 
 faithful to David, until Abiathar's joining Adonijah's 
 conspiracy. 
 
 When Solomon degraded Abiathar from his office, as will 
 be found ]jresently, Zadok became sole Pontiff, — and his 
 descendants continued to occupy the High-priesthood, and 
 advise the monarchs of Judah, until the (Captivity. Thus 
 was Jehovah's prediction completely fulfilled, — for ^^ a faith- 
 ful priest" (not of the line of Eli, and Ithamar), tcore the 
 tiara, — his '■'"house" was a '''"sure" one, — andhe andhis family 
 ^' vjalked before" the Kings of Judah, (God's "anoiyited"), 
 "for ever," (i.e., as long as the kingdom of Judah endured). 
 
 (Both in II. Sam., and I. Chron., instead of "Abiathar, 
 tJie son of Ahimelech," we read, '"'' AJamelech, the son of 
 Abiathar." Also, in Mark, we find Christ representing 
 '■'■Abiathar" as '■'■the Uiglt-Priest," who gave JDavid the 
 shew-bread; whereas he is called "Ahimelech" in the 
 account of the occurrence given in I. Sam.) 
 
 Now, the New Test, words are fairly explainable, by 
 understanding them as meaning "Abiathar, vjho after- 
 xcards became High- Priest," — for the event did happen in 
 Abiathar's days, though he was not High-Priest at the time. 
 
 But this does not explain the Old Test, readings. "We 
 can, however, bring them into accord with that in Mark, 
 by simply supposing, (as was, and is, not rare, in the E.), 
 that both the High-Priest, usually called "Ahimelech," and 
 his son, usually called "Abiathar," had each two names, 
 being called, indifferently, either Ahimelech, or Abiathar. 
 
 This seems the correct solution; if it be not so, we must 
 conclude that the Old Test, scribes have made a most 
 clumsy and careless error, in transcription. 
 
 2. THE OEDINARY PEIESTS:— 
 
 David assembled these, before his death, and divided 
 them into 
 
 Twenty-four C07l7^ses,— each to officiate, in turn, 
 one week at a time, the course being changed every Sabbath.
 
 I^^OTES ON I. KINGS. 27 
 
 Twenty-four Heads of Families were ap- 
 pointed to preside over the Courses. 
 
 (These, witli the theu high-priest, and those who had 
 served as such, cousliLute the '''' chief priests" of the New 
 'lest.) 
 
 The heads of the Courses were chosen, and the order of 
 service fixed, by lot. 
 
 The reasons for David^s dividing the priests, (and Levites), 
 seem to have been, that 
 
 1. The number of the tribe was so large, that they 
 could not possibly all minister together. 
 
 2. The duties of the Temple would prove more various 
 than those of the Taberuacle had been, and, tliere- 
 fore, it was necessary to appoint a distinct class for 
 each office. 
 
 3. The woi-k of the Temple would be far heavier than 
 in the Tabernacle days, and would, consequently, be 
 more exliausting. By dividing into Courses, — 
 only one of which served at a time, — overwork, with 
 its consequent fatigue, was avoided. 
 
 {Only four of the courses returned from tlie Captivity; but 
 these were anew diWded into twenty-four, which assumed 
 tlie same names as David's Courses. 
 
 Thus, the eigiith course, of which Abijah was head, did 
 not return from the captivity ; yet we i-ead that Zacharias, 
 father of John the Baptist, was "o/i/ie course of Abia." 
 
 After the return, the number of Priests increased so 
 greatly, that it was found impossible for the whole of a 
 course to minister at once : consequently, each of the twenty- 
 Jour was divided into six sub-courses, or families, — one of 
 which ministered a da>i at a time on each of the lirst six 
 days of the week of their attendance, while all united oil 
 the seventh day in offering the sacrifices. 
 
 Each member of every sub-course had his own special 
 duty, fixed by lot: thus we find it w;is the turn of 
 Zacharias to burn incense). 
 
 II. The Levites. 
 
 It had been customary for the Levites to commence their 
 duties at tliirty years of age : David, however, altered this 
 I'egulation, and made them eligible for their office from 
 twenty years old, and upwards.
 
 28 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 He found that there were 38,000 of the tribe, whose age 
 fulfilled the required conditions. 
 
 These lie divided into four classes, the first having the 
 same duties tliat had ever been the Levite's lot, and the 
 other three being set aside for special services which the 
 Temple would demand. 
 
 Three of the four classes were divided, by "David, into 
 courses. 
 
 The four classes of the Levites were — 
 
 1. THE GENERAL ASSISTANTS,— 24,000 in number,— 
 divided into tvKnt>/four Courses, — officiating in turns, 
 probably a week at a time. 
 
 Their general dtlhes were the same as those 
 originally ascribed to the whole body of Levites, under 
 Moses. 
 
 2. THE OFFICERS AND JUDGES,— 6000 in number,— 
 
 no division into Courses given. 
 
 The Duty of the Officers was, probably, the 
 
 administration of the written, (as opposed to the oral), Law. 
 
 The Judges seem to have been inferior magistrates, 
 performing, in a lower degree, the same functions as the 
 Officers. 
 
 Some, however, (and that with a considerable shew of 
 reason), make the Judges superior to the Officers, and repre- 
 sent the latter as merely scribes, clerks, or assessors, to the 
 Jormer. 
 
 3. THE PORTERS, — 4000 in round numbers, — divided 
 into twenty-four Courses, each serving a week at a time, in 
 rotation, — their order, quarter of service, and duties, being 
 fixed by lot. 
 
 There were fotcr chief Porters over the 
 
 twenty-four Courses. These appear to have remained on 
 service always, lodging in the Temple so as to be close at 
 l)and to open, and shut, the gates. 
 
 Twenty-four Porters were to officiate 
 
 daily, — slxontheE.; fourontheN.; eight on the S.; six 
 on the W. 
 
 The duties of the Porters appear to have been 
 to open, and shut, the gates of the Temple ; to keep the peace
 
 NOTES OX L KINGS. 29 
 
 in its precincts ; to prohibit the entrance of any unclean, or 
 otherwise ineligible persons ; and to act as night-patrols. 
 
 4. THE MUSICIANS, (Vocal and Instrumental), 4,000 in 
 mimher, — divided into twentij-j'our Courses, serving in 
 rotation. 
 
 The whole musical arrangements were 
 tinder the directio:i of three ''fathers of the 
 Levites" viz., 
 
 (1.) Heman, a Kohathite, who conducted those who per- 
 formed on the "hor7i," {i.e.,-pvoh?ih\y,ioind instruments gen- 
 erally), and had, doubtless, partial direction of the singing. 
 
 (2.) Asaph, a Gershonite, who conducted those who viere 
 to '■'■prophesy" (used here in its literal sense of speaking 
 forth), "to the order of the king," {i.e., probably, to perform 
 whatever Psalms David might entrust to them). 
 
 He appears to have been at the head of the vocal depart- 
 ment, as well as to have led those who performed on the 
 cymbals, and other instruments, — and, with his band, stood 
 on Heman^s right hand. 
 
 (3.) Ethan, (or Jeduthun), a Merai'ite, who conducted 
 those that "■prophesied" on the harp, {i.e., probably, stringed 
 instruments generally), — and, doubtless, partly directed the 
 singing. He, with his band, stood on Heman^s left hand. 
 
 The sons of Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, 
 with their children, formed a select body of 
 highly -trained mttsicians, to the mmiber oj 
 
 288, who, with the three heads of soug, seem to have 
 been always on duty, and to have lived within the Temple 
 pi'eciucts. 
 
 These 288 were divided into twenty-four minor Courses, 
 (of twelve each), one of which seems to have been included 
 in, and to have led, each of the larger courses into which 
 the 4,000 were divided. 
 
 III. David's Preparations for building the Temple. 
 
 1. He drew the plan of the House, and organized 
 its worship, and service, — being inspired by Jehovali 
 in both these tasks, (just a.s Moses was Divinely instructed 
 with regard to the Tabernacle).
 
 30 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 2. Having calculated the gross amounts of various 
 materials required, he proceeded to provide them, 
 
 from tbe following sources : — 
 
 (1.) Tyre and Zidon, — Cedar-wood. 
 
 (2.) Various Parts of Palestine, — Timber; Marble, ax\>\ 
 other heivii stones, "iu abundance." 
 
 (3.) The "Dedicated Things,"— G'o^ 100,000 talents, 
 Silver, 1,000,000 talents ; Iron, and Brass (native 
 copper), " without weight ; " Precious Stones, 
 (" onyx," &cO 
 
 (4.) His own private Eesourees, — Gold, " of Ophir," 
 3,000 talents ; Silver (relined), 7,000 talents. 
 
 (5.) The Freewilling Offerings of Princes of the Tribes, 
 and the other Heads of " The Congregation," — 
 Gold, 5,000 talents, and 10,000 "drams," (probably 
 the Persian "daric," with which the captivity 
 made the Jews tamiliar, so that they employed it 
 as a standard of value, after their return. The 
 golden "daric"=25s. English); Silver, 10,000 
 talents ; Brass, (native copper), 18,000 talents ; 
 Iron, 100,000 talents ; Precious Stones of various 
 kinds. 
 
 3. He calculated the amount of materials needed 
 for each purpose where metal was to be employed, and 
 set the respective weights aside. 
 
 4. He assembled, for the work, the most skilful 
 artizans, (stone-masons, carpenters, wood-carvers, lapid- 
 aries, &c.) 
 
 Ml this labour David performed cheerfully, and heartily, 
 — being guided by a desire to do all he possibly could, 
 (short of building the Temple), towards his cherished 
 design; and by the fact that Solomon was "young and 
 tender." _ 
 
 The gold and silver contributed from the preceding 
 sources would, (taking the Hebrew "talent" as the one 
 meant, and regarding it as equal to about 125 lbs. Troy), 
 come to the enormous total of 140,625,000 lbs. Troy ! while 
 the value, (taking the gold = ^4, and the silver=5s. per 
 oz.), would be about £1,029,375,000 sterling ! ! ! Adding 
 to this the value of the copper, iron, gems, timber, and 
 hewn stone, we reach a sum that is simply fabulous, —
 
 NOTES ON 1. KINGS. 31 
 
 sufficient, (Prideaux says), to have constructed the Temple 
 of solid silver. 
 
 There must be a great error somewhere. The different 
 
 7.vays out of the difficulty^ offered by authorities, 
 are these : — 
 
 (i). To take the 7xading of Josephtts, — 
 
 viz., 10,000 talents of gold, and 100,000 talents of silver, 
 as the quantity of those metals appropriated from the 
 "dedicated things," (accepting the other figures as they 
 stand). This, computed in English money, however, gives 
 a total of 97^ millions stei'ling, — far too high a figure stilt! 
 
 (2). To take the Arabic Version, which gives 
 
 1000 talents of gold, and 1000 talents of silver, in place of 
 100,000, and 1,000,000 talents respectively. This, (leaviuir 
 the other figures as in our text), however, gives a total uf 
 ^60,752,490, sterling,— si;7^ too high ! 
 
 (3). To regay'd the " talent" as the Baby- 
 lonish standard of that 7ianie, which was only a 
 
 little more than one-half the Jewish. Then, taking the 
 number of talents in our text, in Josephus, and in the 
 Arabic Version, respectively, we obtain these values : — 
 
 Our text,—£mO,AQS,'JbO. 
 
 Josephus,— £88,593,750. 
 
 Arabic text,— £35,437 ,500. 
 All these seem still too high! 
 
 (4). To look 2ip07i the ''talent'' as the 
 Syriac standard of that name, which was only 
 
 one-fifth of the Babylonish. Then, taking the number of 
 talents in the three different authorities, we arrive at these 
 amounts : — 
 
 Our text,— £110,093,750. 
 
 Josephus, — ,£17,718,750. 
 
 Arabic text,— £7,087,500. 
 
 Neither of the last tico estimates is impossible; but, when 
 we consider what a large amount has still to be added as 
 the value of the other materials, the sum derived fro7u 
 following Josephus is improbable, and we are limited to the 
 conclusion that there is an error in transcription in the 
 Hebrew text, — that 1000 Syriac talents of gold, and the
 
 32 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 same of silver, were given hy David out of the " things 
 devoted" and that the tota). value of the precious metals 
 contributed icas £7,087,500, sterling ! 
 
 Prophets during David's reign. 
 
 (These did not of course form part of the ^^ Religious In- 
 stitutions " of the reign ; but this seems the most suitable 
 place in which to notice them). 
 
 (1.) Gad, — probably a pupil of Samuel, — joined David 
 at the Cave of Adullam, — employed by Jehovah to offer 
 the King one of three alternative punishments, for number- 
 ing the people, and to order him to sacrifice at Araunah's 
 threshing-floor,— died, jDrobably, about 1017. 
 
 Gad seems to have composed a narrative of David's 
 reigUj — " Now the acts of l)avid . . . are written in 
 . . . the book of Gad, the Seer," (I. Chron. xxix., 29.) 
 
 (2. ) Nathan, — first mentioned as approving, and then, 
 (after a Divine revelation), as forbidding, the Kiug|s in- 
 tention to build Jehovah a house, — denounced David, in 
 re Bath-sheba and Uriah,— commissioned, by Jehovah, to 
 call Solomon, '' Jedidiah,"—greaXlY aided in thwarting 
 Adonijah's scheme of seizing the throne,— supposed to have 
 superintended the training of Solomon, and to have died 
 early in that king's reign. 
 
 Nathan's son, Zabad, was Solomon's "principal officer, 
 and '■'■friend:" and another of the prophet's sons, Azariah, 
 was, in the same reign, " over the officers." 
 
 Nathan is mentioned, in connection with Gad, (in the 
 passage already quoted), as writing a book containing the 
 
 acts of David, t, • 7 , 
 
 Nathan was of the same house, m Judah, as David, and, 
 indeed, belonged to an older branch of the family, for while 
 David was descended from Ram, second son of Hezron, 
 Nathan sprang from Jerhameel, Hezron's eldest son. The 
 steps of the prophet's pedigree, are as follows :— 
 
 Judah, — Pharez, — Hezi-on, — Jerhameel, — Onam,— 
 Nadab,— Appaim,— Ishi,— Sheshan,— Sheshan's daughter, 
 ne having no sons, (m. Jarha, an Egyptian),— Attai,— 
 Nathan. 
 
 One of David's sons was named " Nathan," probably m 
 
 honour of the prophet.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 33 
 
 (3) Zadok,— Though David styles him " a seer," (when 
 he ordei's him, and Abiathar, back into the city, with the 
 Ark), no instance of his acting as a prophet is recorded. 
 
 CIVIL INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 T. David's Cabinet, or Ministry. 
 
 There is no doubt that Da^ad had a Cabinet, consisting of 
 the heads of Religion, Law, Civil Administration, Military 
 Affairs, and the King's Household, — together with a few 
 of his personal intimates. 
 
 Of these Ministers, or Advisers, four lists are given, — 
 two in II. Samuel, and two in I. Chron. 
 
 These Lists differ so much in order of arrangement and 
 in other respects, that it is impossible to say how the 
 individuals ranked in order of importance ; the only 
 classification feasible rests upon their respective depart- 
 ments in the State. Adopting this, the following seems to 
 be a correct 
 
 List of David's ministers, according to 
 their Offices: — 
 
 1. Ministers ofWorsliip,— Zadok, and Abiathar. 
 
 2. „ ,, War, — Joab, and Benaiah. 
 
 3. „ ,, Finance,— Adoram, (or Adoniram). His 
 special office was " over the tribute," i.e. he was Receiver- 
 (Jeaeral of Taxes. 
 
 4. Secretary of State, and Chief Law Officer,— Seraiah, 
 (called also " Sheva," " Shisha," and " Skavsha.") 
 
 He is designated "the scribe;" but the title did not, at 
 this time, include the same functions as in the time of 
 Christ. 
 
 5. Keeper of Records, and Public Annalist, — Jehoshaphat. 
 He is styled "recorder," and, in the margin, "remem- 
 brancer." 
 
 6. The King's Private Secretary, — Jonathan. 
 
 The above title is, doubtless, meant by that of " scribe " 
 as applied to him. • 
 
 Three of those named in the lists seem to have been the 
 intimate friends and confidential advisers of the Kii:;:.
 
 34 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 They may be styled 
 
 7- Tlie Privy Council, ( Jonathan, "a coumdler." 
 
 including . > • \ Ahithophel, " the king's counseller." 
 I Hushai, " the king's companion." 
 
 8. Comptroller of the King's Household, — Ira, " a chief ruler 
 about David." 
 
 He is called a ^^Jairite" i.e., a member of the house of 
 Jair. 
 
 9. Tutor, or Guardian, of David's Sons, — Jehiel, 
 
 10. " Chief Rulers," — " David's Sons." 
 
 lu -what their duties cousisted, it is impossible to affirm 
 with certainty : it seems most probable that they acted as 
 their father's deputies, or vicegerents, each supervising 
 some special department of government, just as Ira had 
 the general superintendence of the household. 
 
 Some, however, regard the expression " chief rulers" as 
 meaning " Ecclesiastical counsellors, or chief church lawyers." 
 
 11. The Princes of the Tribes. 
 
 (The original Princes were the eldest sons of the founders 
 of the different Tribes ; afterwards it would appear that 
 the post became elective). In rank and function, these offi- 
 cers seem to have resembled our Lords-Lieutenant of counties. 
 
 In the List of these Princes, in I. Chron., it is noteworthy 
 that 
 
 (1). Gad and Asher are not named. 
 
 (2). Levi appears coordinate with the other Tribes. 
 
 (3). The Aaronites, who xoere only a family of the Levites, 
 are represented as a distinct Tribe, — while Zadek, is 
 mentioned as their " Prince." 
 
 From this we gather, then, that the Priests and Levites 
 were not altogether debarred from Civil status, and office. 
 
 It is clear, also, that neither were the Tribe of Levi shut 
 out from military functions, for we find Zadok distinguished 
 as a mighty man of valour, while Benaiah, the heroic Cap- 
 tain of the Life-guard, was son of Jehoiada, a High-priest. 
 
 MILITARY INSTITUTIONS. 
 
 Until the time of Saul, the Hebrews had no standing 
 army; but all the males between 20 and 50 were liable to 
 service in time of war,— the number called out depending 
 upon the force of the enemy.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 35 
 
 Sau^, liowever, early iu his reign, founded a standing 
 force of 3000 wai-riora. 
 
 David, building upon the basis laid by Saul, constructed 
 a complete and admirable military organization, the three 
 great features of which were The National Militia, (or Army), 
 —The Eoyal Liife-Guard,— and the "Mighty Men." 
 
 1. The National Militia, or Army: — 
 
 A /I the male population liable to service 
 
 seem to have been divided into twelve equal 
 
 portions, each of which, in rotation, stipplicd 
 
 a legion of 24,000 m&n, who served for one month 
 at a time, in the course of the year. 
 
 There were thus, ahoai/s, 24,000 men under arms, and 
 available for war, while, in cases of emergency, any addi- 
 tional portion, or even the whole, of the national force, 
 Tiiiglit be called out. 
 
 The Officers of the Natiofial Militia were 
 
 (1.) Joab, the generalissimo. 
 
 (2.) The Commanders of the Twelve Legions, who were 
 chosen from the " chief fathers, {i.e., the heads of tribes and 
 clans), and corresponded to the modern Generals of Division. 
 
 (3.) The Captains of Thousands, — corresponding to our 
 Colonels, — the Thousand being equivalent to our Regiment. 
 
 (4.) The Captains of Hundreds. — corresponding to our 
 Captains, — the Hundred being equivalent to our Company. 
 
 This organization would appear not to have survived 
 the Schism, for, under Jehoshaphat, we find the army 
 divided into five unequal portions, each under a separate 
 commander. 
 
 2. The Royal Life guard, or Body-Guard, 
 
 consisting of the 
 
 Cherethites and Pelethites, under the command of 
 
 Benaiah, sou of Jehoiada. 
 
 It is generally admitted that these formed David's body- 
 guard, but ivho and what they respectively were, beyond this, 
 IS a m,uch-debated point. 
 
 The following are the differ ejit views taken 
 by various authorities : —
 
 36 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 1. Some regard th6 terms as Proper Names: — 
 
 These take the term ChevetJlltes to mean Philistines, 
 since it is so employed in three passages in the Old Testa- 
 ment; but they are divided between two opinions as to 
 the application of the word in tlie present ciise; thus, 
 
 (1.) One set of critics assert that they were actuallij 
 Fhilistines, mercenaries of David. 
 
 (2.) The other set make them to have been those of 
 David^ s followers, during his exile, who dwelt with him in the 
 
 Philistines^ countrij, and assumed the title of ClievetJlltes 
 in commemoration of their devotion to the king during that 
 period of his career. 
 
 With regard to the PeletJlltes, all agree to under- 
 stand those followers of David who joined him at Ziklag. 
 Amongst these an individual named Pelet, or Peleth, is 
 mentioned ; it is suggested that he became captain of this 
 band, and that from him it took its appellation. 
 
 2. Some regard the terms, not as Proi^er Names, but 
 as Common Nouns, indicating the functions of the two bands. 
 Of these critics 
 
 (1.) Part follow the Targum, and translate "archers," 
 instead of " Ckc7^etkltes^' — and "slingers," instead of 
 
 '' Pelethites," 
 
 (2.) Others would read, " headsmen," (or executioners,") 
 
 ior'' Cheretkiics," —imdi "couriers," for ''Pelei/utes." 
 
 They derive the two words from Hebrew verbs meaning, 
 respectively, to cut of, and to run sioiftly, and regard the 
 Clwrethltes as analagous to the Roman lictors, and the 
 Pelet Jlites as royal messengers. 
 
 Now, it is remarkable that, with the exception of the 
 theory that the CkerelklteS were David's original fol- 
 lowers, who assumed the name from their residence with 
 him at (Jath, all these different interpretati.ons may be made 
 to harmonize, thus : — 
 
 a. In re the CheretJlites. — Eegarding them a*- 
 Philistines, they would certainly be " archers," for the nation 
 was famous for its skill in the use of the bow ; while there 
 is no reason why they should not have acted as " headsmen."
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 37 
 
 b. In re ike Pe/e^/li^es.—TiegaixVmg them as those 
 Israelites who joined David at Zikfag, we find tliat these 
 were mostly Bevjamites, and that theij were "armed with 
 l)Owa, and could use both the right hand and the left in 
 hurling stones, and shooting arrows out of a bow." Thus 
 the PeletJliteS actually were skilful "slirgers ; " while 
 there is no reason to oppose the view that, active as the 
 Benjamites are represented, they should have been also 
 royal "couriers." 
 
 Summing up restclfs : — 
 
 1. The Cherethites were Philistine Mercenaries,— skilled, 
 (as all the nation were), as ^^ archers" and prohahly, having 
 for one of their main functions to execute capital and other 
 punishments ordered by the king. 
 
 2. The Pelethites were those Israelites who joined David at 
 Ziklag,— were skilful archers and '■^slingers" and were, 
 probably, employed as king's "couriers." 
 
 3. The Mighty Men, or Heroes, {Heh. "Gibborim"). 
 
 These were a Military Order, including all warriors who 
 specially distinguished themselves, — numbering at first thirty- 
 six individuals, — and divided (like our own Orders of 
 Knighthood), into grades, of which there were three: — 
 
 1. The three ''Chief of the Mighty Men" 
 
 — Adino, (Captain of the three), Eleazar, and Shammah. 
 
 2. Three '' Mighties," (ranking next to the first 
 three), — Abishai, (Captain of these three), Benaiah, and a 
 
 third whose name is not given. 
 
 3. The " Valiant Men of the Armies I' — 
 
 (forming the lowest rank of the Order). 
 
 These were at first styled " The Thirty I' from that 
 being their original number, which, however, increased, as 
 fresh acts of bravery brought other heroes into notice, and 
 . won them a place in this Legion of Honour. 
 
 In I. Sam. 37 ^^ Mighty Men" are mentioned : in I. Chron. 
 more than double that number are given, — thus shewing 
 that the order was always increasing. 
 
 The establishment, by Da%nd, of a thorough national 
 military organization, is owing, doubtless, to the observa-
 
 38 2!0TES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 tions made by him whilst amongst the Philistines, -who 
 were the most accomplished warriors bordering upon the 
 Hebrews. 
 
 The Hebrew forces were, at David's succession, composed 
 entirely of foot-soldiers. It had been strictly commanded 
 by Jehovah, when He foretold, through Moses, that the 
 people would hereafter insist upon having a king,— "He 
 shall not multiply horses to himself," (the reason given for 
 the prohibition being lest he should "cause the people to 
 return to Egypt"). 
 
 This prohibition seems to have meant, however, to 
 extend only until the Hebrews had become firmly settled 
 in the country, which they may be regarded as having 
 done only in David's reign. 
 
 Be this as it may, we find David reserving, of the horses 
 taken by him from Hadadezer sufficient for 100 chariots. 
 Many authorities represent these as being intended for 
 state-equipages only, — an utterly unlikely thing! There 
 is no doubt that he introduced chariots into the National 
 Army, otherwise, it is simply incrediUe, (unless we regard 
 them as miracles), that he should have won so many 
 battles, against serious odds, and in conflict with foes 
 themselves possessing vast numbers of chariots. 
 
 For the transit of baggage, stores, &c., &c., it does not 
 appear that horses were used ; camels were, most probably, 
 the animals so employed, (the tribes E. of Jordan having 
 taken 50,000 of these from the Hagarites). 
 
 The formation of a standing army that should be a 
 token, and an engine, of despotism, had been predicted by 
 Samuel as part of the evil to come in the train of the 
 appointment of a monarch : — 
 
 "He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, 
 for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some sliall 
 run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains 
 over thousands, and captains over fifties." (I. Sam. viii. 
 
 11, 12.) =.^=^ 
 
 DAVID'S PERSONAL ESTABLISHMENT. 
 
 I. Certain Members of the Cabinet, (whose functions 
 have been previously described uuder " Civil Inst it at cons").
 
 NOTES ON L KINGS. SO 
 
 These were — 
 i. The Private Secretary.— Jonathan. 
 
 2. The Comptroller of the Household, — Ira. 
 
 3. Guardian, or Tutor of the Princes, — Jehiel. 
 
 II. Twelve " Rulers of David's Substance," (who 
 may be termed '■'■ Royal Bailiffs"). 
 
 DAVID'S COMMERCE. 
 
 David was more of a warrior, than political economist, 
 and seems, accordingly, to have taken little trouble to de- 
 velop the commercial resources and opportunities of the 
 kingdom. 
 
 With Hiram, King of Tjre, (and also with Zidon), there 
 was considerable trade ; but this was owing to the sagacity 
 of that monarch, not to David. 
 
 After the reduction of Edom, the ports of Ezion-geber, 
 and Elah, on the Red Sea, were in the power of David ; 
 but he appears to have made no commercial use of them. 
 The same may be said of the trade of the Euphrates, 
 which was open to him. 
 
 It must be allowed, however, in fairness, that this ap- 
 parent neglect must, in great measure, have been owing to 
 David's not possessing mounted forces wherewith to protect 
 the merchants who would have carried on the commerce 
 with the ports on the Arabian Sea, and with the Euphrates. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 FROM SOLOMON'S ACCESSION TO THE 
 
 SCHISM, (1015-975, B.C.) 
 
 CHAPTER XL 12. 
 
 Solomon succeeds his father : his throne is 
 established. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 13-35. 
 
 Adonijah induces Bath-sheba to ask Solomon 
 to give him Abishag for his wife, — the King 
 pronounces sentence of death upon Adonijah,
 
 40 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 and causes him to be slain by Benaiab : — 
 Abiathar is degraded from the High-priest- 
 hood : — Joab takes sanctuary at the Altar, 
 and is there slain, by Solomon's orders, by 
 Benaiah, whom Solomon appoints to succeed 
 Joab as Commander-in-chief, while Zadok 
 becomes sole High-Priest. 
 
 V. 15. " The kingdom was mine" — i.e., by right of primo- 
 geniture. 
 
 V. 22. '■'■Ask for him the kingdom also." — In the East, a 
 monarch always succeeds to his predecessor's wives, and 
 concubines. The Hebrews seem about this time to have 
 borrowed the custom from the surrounding states, (though 
 they did not long retain it), and to have regarded the 
 taking possession of the harem, by a new king, as " an 
 essential part of the ceremony of assuming the throne." 
 
 Consequently, the appropriation by anyone but the right 
 heir of any member of a deceased king's female establish- 
 ment was regarded as a tacit assertion of his claim to the 
 Throne. Thus we find Ish-bosheth quarrelling with 
 Abner, because the latter appropriated Rizpah, one of 
 Saul's concubines, — and Absalom taking his father's con- 
 cubines, in order to shew the people that he considered 
 himself king. 
 
 Solomon, then, might naturally regard Adonijah's asking 
 for Abishag as a reassertion of his claim to the Throne. 
 
 " And for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab." — These men 
 had supported Adoiiijah in his former endeavour to secure 
 the Crown ; but we have no proof that they had acted as 
 advisers to him on this occasion. However, as Solomon 
 was anxious to find an excuse to proceed to extremities 
 against them, he assumed for the furtherance of his purpose, 
 that they were Adonijah's co-plotters in the matter. 
 
 V. 25. " lie died," — justly, if his design were what 
 Solomon represented it as being, — for at the time of his 
 attempted usurpation Solomon had pardoned him condition- 
 ally in these words, " If he will shcio himself a worthy man, 
 there shall not an hair of him fall to the ground; but if 
 wickedness^ {i.e., treachery), shall be found in him, he shall 
 die."
 
 I^^OTES ON I. KINGS. 41 
 
 Supposing him to have had a sinister motive in asking 
 for Abishag, " wickedness " had been " found in him," and 
 lie was deathworthy. 
 
 It is possible, however, that he was innocent of any evil 
 intent, and desired Abishag from pure love. If so, he did 
 not merit his fate. 
 
 The fact is that Solomon, like Eastern despots generally, 
 had not forgiven his rival for the Tlirone, and his sup- 
 porters, and was only too glad of a chance to put them to 
 death. Consequently, he did not stay to enquire into 
 Adonijah's conduct ; but at once assumed him guilty, and 
 ordered his execution, — so that, in any case, he is charge- 
 able with culpable injustice in executing a mau without 
 ascertaining his criminality or innocence. 
 
 V. 26. " Anathoth," — one of the priest's cities, in Ben- 
 jamim. 
 
 " Thou art worthy of death" — No new oflfence had been 
 proved against Abiathar. Solomon regards him as guilty, 
 merely to have a pretext for punishing him for his old, 
 pardoned offence. 
 
 V. 28. " Joab Jled . . . the Altar,"— The Altar vra.3 
 then in the Tabernacle at Gibeon, whither, therefore, Joab 
 must have fled. 
 
 The practice of raan-slayers taking sanctuary in temples 
 was ancient, and general, but was not allowed amongst the 
 Hebrews, the command given them being, " If a man 
 come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him 
 with guile," (as Joab had done), "thou shalt take him from 
 mine Altar, that he may die." (Ex. xxi. 14.) 
 
 Joab's action in this instance is regarded by some as 
 a proof of conscious guilt, as a fellow-conspii-ator with 
 Adonijah ; but it would rathe*- seem that it arose from his 
 plainly foreseeing that Solomon would take advantage of 
 circumstances, and include him in Adonijah's fate. 
 
 V. 31. " That thou mayest take aioay the innocent blood" 
 — alluding to a command frequently found in the Law, 
 e.g., — "Ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for 
 blood it defileth the land : and the land cannot be cleansed 
 of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him 
 that shed it." (Numb. xxxv. 33.) 
 
 V. 32. This is, as it was when employed by David in 
 instructing Solomon to slay Joab, a mean and paltry 
 excuse to palliate an act of unscrupulous despotism, by
 
 42 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 whicli tlie young kiug fulfilled bis father's dying behest, 
 and at the same time revenged himself on one who had aided 
 in Adouijah's attempt to deprive him of the Throne, and 
 who might hei-eafter prove a most formidable opponent. 
 
 Solomon had alleged, {v. 26), Abiathar's share in David's 
 afflictions as one of the two reasons why he spared him : 
 in this he must have been insincere, for Joab had been 
 worth fifty Abiathars to the dead sovereign, — yet Solomon 
 does not allow the great Captain's numerous and faithful 
 services to plead for him. 
 
 His true reason for sparing the High-Priest, and slaying 
 Joab, seems to have been that he feared the latter, but had 
 nothing to dread from the former, when he had deprived 
 him of office. He may, however, have been influenced 
 also, as he declares, in not slaying Abiathar, by the fact 
 that he was a Priest ; but whether, if this consideration 
 affected him, it was because he regarded the office as 
 sacred, or because he dreaded the obloquy the deed would 
 cause, is a debateable point. 
 
 EPITOME OF LIFE OF JOAB. 
 
 Joab = Ood-fathered. 
 
 Second son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and, therefore, 
 David's nephew: Abishai was his elder, and Asahel, his 
 younger, brother. 
 
 B.C. 
 
 ? Born. 
 
 Accompanied David through his exile, and was 
 
 appointed general-in-chief of his army, when he 
 
 became Kiug of Judah. 
 ? Defeats Abner, at Gibeon ; Abner slays Asahel. 
 1053. Slays Abner. 
 1048. Takes the " Fortress of the Jebusites," and _ so, 
 
 according to David's promise, becomes. Generalissimo 
 
 of the Hebrew Army. 
 1037. Defeats, in conjunction with Abishai, the Syro-Am- 
 
 monite League. 
 ? With David, and Abishai, defeats the Edomites in 
 
 the Valley of Salt ; devastates their country. 
 1035. Besieges Eabbah,— aids David in murderiug Uriah. 
 1033. Sends to David to invite his presence at the Taking 
 
 of Eabbah. Fall of that city.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS, 43 
 
 1"027. Procures Absalom's return from Gesliur. 
 
 1U25. Compelled by Absalom, procures the hitter's return 
 to his father's Court. 
 
 1023. Defeats, and shiys, Absalom, — chides David for his 
 unseemly grief, and compels him to appear in public. 
 
 1022. Superseded by Amasa ; joins, (as a volunteer), 
 Abishai's forces against Sheba ; slays Amasa ; as- 
 sumes the chief command of tlie expedition ; besiege.'^ 
 Sheba, in Abel ; the rebel's head being thrown to 
 him, he raises the siege. 
 
 1017. Eemonsti'ates with. David against numbering the 
 People. 
 
 1015. Joins the plot to place Adonijah on the throne, — 
 not punished ; but retires into private life. 
 David, on his death-bed, urges Solomon to find a 
 pi'etence for putting Joab to death. 
 
 1014. Solomon professing to believe him privy to Adoni- 
 jah's asking for Abishag, Joab flees, in alarm, to 
 the "horns of the Altar," and, refusing to com^i 
 forth, is there slain by Solomon's orders ; is carried 
 to his domain in the Wilderness of Judah, and there 
 buried. 
 
 CJiavClcteV. — Brave, vigorous, active, ardent, — with a 
 powerful military genius. 
 Cruel and unscrupulous. 
 His great redeeming qualitn was fidelity to his king. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 36-end. 
 
 Solomon orders Shimei to build himself a house, 
 at Jerusalem, and to remain a close prisoner 
 therein, on pain of death : — Shimei goes, after 
 three years, to Gath, to recover two runaway 
 servants : — Solomon sends for him, on his 
 return, and causes him to be slain, by 
 Benaiah. 
 
 vs. 36, 37. " The tyrannical restriction " laid by Solomon 
 on Shimei's " innocent liberty, by which a pretence for his 
 death was found, is far less respectable than simple vio-
 
 44 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 leuce ;" (as employed in the case of Joab) " and almost 
 makes David's public forgiveness of him, and solemn oath" 
 that he would not punish him "appear like an ostentatious 
 catching at popularity, which concealed implacable resent- 
 ment." 
 
 Solomon calculated, when he forced this compact upon 
 Shimei, that the latter would be sure to infringe it, either 
 through forgetfulness, or through lapse of time robbing it 
 of its fatal significance. It was, in fact, a trap wherein to 
 catch the unfortunate man whose death David had urged 
 Solomon to compass, and was so cunningly baited that the 
 young king fully justified his father's words, "Thou art a 
 wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him." 
 
 V. 37. " The brook KidronP — It is generally represented 
 that Solomon forbade Shimei to cross this stream, because 
 over it lay the way to his old home at Bahurim ; but this 
 is not likely, for he is ordered not only not to pass the 
 Kidron, but, also, not to '■'■go forth . . . am/ whither." 
 
 It would rather appear that SoloiJion meaiit that Shimei 
 might go in aw/ directio'ii as far as the Brook Kidron was 
 from his house, but no further. 
 
 V. 39. "■Achish," — adynasticnameof the kings or "lords" 
 of Gath. It was an Achish before whom David feigned 
 madness, and who afterwards gave him Ziklag. 
 
 V. 42. '■'■Did I not make thee to swear hy the Lord"'? It 
 is not recorded, (v. 38), that Shimei did take such an oath ; 
 but it is evident that he did so, for Solomon here asserts it 
 to be so, and Shimei does not deny the statement. 
 
 V. 43. '■^The oath of the Lord" — i.e., ^'the oath made 6y 
 you to the Lord." 
 
 How Shimei came to break his promise is not stated. 
 He must either 
 
 1. Have forgotten it at the time, in his anger against 
 his slaves, — or 
 
 2. Have calculated that Solomon would not hear of 
 his journey,— or, as hinted before, 
 
 3. The lapse of time had robbed the compact of its 
 dread import to him. 
 
 V. 44. The speech of Solomon recorded in this verse is a 
 distinct declaration on his part that he put Shimei to death 
 for his pardoned offence of cursing David. 
 
 Shimei's prohibition from leaving home dates in 1014 
 B.C., — and his death, in 1011 B.C.
 
 NOTES ON L KINGS. 45 
 
 CHAPTER III. 4-15. 
 
 Solomon offers 1000 burnt-offerings, at Gibeon : 
 — God there appears to him, at night, in a 
 vision, and asks what He shall give him; 
 Solomon, in response, begs for " an under- 
 standing heart to judge " the " people : " — 
 Jehovah lauds his choice, promises to grant 
 his desire, and to add thereto "riches and 
 honour," and, (if he prove obedient), length 
 of days. — Solomon awakes, — returns to Jeru- 
 salem, — offers burnt-offerings, and peace- 
 offerings, before the Ark, — and celebrates a 
 Sacrificial Feast. 
 
 II. Cliron. 2-12 narrates the same incidents. It adds to 
 the account in the text that 
 
 1. Solomon invited all the "chief of the fathers " of 
 the nation to accompany him to Gibeon, and that 
 they accepted his invitation. 
 
 2. The Mosaic Tabernacle and the "brazen altar" 
 were at Gibeon, — but the Ark, at .Jerusalem. 
 
 3. It was during the night succeeding the sacrifices that 
 God appeared to Solomon. 
 
 It omits that 
 
 1. God promised Solomon long life, on condition of 
 his obedience. 
 
 2. That he otiered sacrifices, and celebrated a Sacrificial 
 Feast, on returning to Jerusalem. 
 
 V. 4. " That aUar"— the Brazen Altar of Burnt-ofTeriug, 
 which stood before the Mosaic Tabernacle in Gibeon. 
 
 V. 7. " / am hut a little child" — is spoken figuratively. 
 This event occurred, probably, in 1014 B.C., after the death 
 of Joab and Abiathar, and Shimei's being ordered to 
 seclude himself. If this date be correct, Sulomou was ID 
 years of age when be thus sppke.
 
 46 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 " I know not how to go out, or come in.^' — Solomon liere 
 keeps up the figure of a little child, ^^ unable to walk alone, 
 and ignorant of all things." 
 
 V. 9. " Judge " - rule. Judging was so important a part 
 of an Eastern monarch's duties, that the two words "Judge," 
 and '^rule," are used synonymously in the Bible and 
 elsewhere. 
 
 V. 14. "If thou wilt . . . lengthen thy days."— 'Solo- 
 mon did not walk in God's ways as did David his father, 
 and, consequently, Jehovah did not fulfil this conditional 
 promise, — for David lived 70 years, man's allotted span, 
 while Solomon reached only 58 ! 
 
 V. 15. "A dream," — rather "a vision," i.e., something 
 actually occurring, but occurring during sleep. 
 
 " A feast," — i.e., a Sacrificial Feast, which was allowed 
 by the Law to follow Peace-offerings. 
 
 Of these there were three descriptions, — the Thank- 
 offering, the Freewill-oflferiug, and the Vow. The animal 
 offered might be taken from the herd or the flock, might 
 be either male or female, and must be accompanied by a 
 meat-offering. 
 
 The victim was brought to the Brazen Altar, — the oflferer 
 laid his hands on its head, and slew it, — the priest sprinkled 
 the blood on the altar, divided the animal, burnt on the 
 altar the caul, the great lobe of the liver, the kidneys with 
 their fat, and, if the victim were a sheep, the fat of the 
 tail. He then cut out the right shoulder and breast, waved 
 them before the Lord, and took them as his own portion, — 
 and returned the rest of the sacrifice to the offerer, who, with 
 his family, provided they were ceremonially clean, feasted 
 together on it. If the sacrifice were a Thank-oflPeri'ng, the 
 fetist must be on the same day, and any flesh remaining on 
 the morrow must be burned ; in the case of a Freewill- 
 offering, or a Vow, the festivities might List two days, and 
 the remnant must be liurned on the third day. 
 
 This Sacrificial Feast was a season of great rejoicing. 
 It was intended to intimate that, by the preceding sacri- 
 fices, full atonement had been made for the sin that had 
 separated between God and the offerer, and that the latter 
 was now welcomed to the table of Jehovah.
 
 NOTES OX I. KINGS. 47 
 
 CHAPTER III. 16-en(l. 
 
 Solomon's Divinely-bestowed Wisdom mani- 
 fested in his method of settling the opposing 
 Claims of two Women to the same child. 
 
 V. 21. " Considered it" — i.e., scrutinized it thoroughly. 
 
 V. 25. ^^ Divide the living child in tioo." — Solomon calcu- 
 lated, (wisely and correctly, as the issue proved), that the 
 real mother would rather allow the woman who had stolen 
 her child to retain it, than let it be j)ut to death. 
 
 The success of the experiment depended entirely upon 
 the women believing that the king could, and would, slay 
 the child. That they did so believe is evident from the 
 leal mother's interposition, and hence we gather a proof of 
 the despotic character of the Hebrew monarchs : it is 
 evident, from this incident, that in judicial matters there 
 was absolutely no limit whatever to their power. 
 
 V. 27. '■'■Jler." — Solomon means, of course, the first speaker. 
 Doubtless the word '■'■her" was accompanied by a gesture 
 that indicated the woman whom he considered to be the 
 mother. 
 
 V. 28. " Theif sato . .' . judgment." — In modern 
 times, in civilized countries, a judge must draw his con- 
 clusions /ro?«, evidence based 07i facts, — and on that alone ; 
 but, in ancient times, the quality most needed, and valued, 
 in a judge was the power of sifting the truth out, in spite 
 of perjury, or in the absence of witnesses, by some ingenious 
 expedient. Of this we have abundant instances in the 
 ^^ Arabian Nights" and in many classical authors, — e.g., 
 Diodorus relates that three men claimed, respectively, to be 
 the son and heir of the king of the Kimmerians, — that 
 Ariophanes, king of Thrace, being appointed umpire in the 
 matter, ordered the three to shoot each an arrow into the 
 dead monarch's body,— that two of the claimants obeyed 
 without hesitation, while the third refused, — and that 
 Ariophanes declared the latter to be the real heir. 
 
 " Judgment "= justice. 
 
 Chapters III. 1-3 ; IV. ; V. ; VI. ; VII. ; VIII. ; IX. 
 10-end; X. 11, 12, 14-end, contain the narrative of the 
 greater portion of the reign of Solomon, and consist almost
 
 48 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 entirely of pai-ticular3 concerning the Eeligious, Political, 
 Commercial, &c., Affairs of the Kingdom, recorded with 
 very little attention to chronological order. Accordingly, 
 the contents of these Chapters, instead of following here, 
 in order, are collected, and placed under appropriate 
 headings, at the end of this part of the work. 
 
 The concluding portion of the reign, as found in Chapter 
 XI., together with parts of Chapters IX. and X., admits, 
 like the early part of the Book, of our usual style of 
 treatment. 
 
 To Chapters IX., X., and XI., we accordingly proceed. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 1-9. 
 
 At the conclusion of Ms work, Jehovali appears 
 again to Solomon, — declares that He has ac- 
 cepted his prayer, and hallowed the Temple, 
 — promises to establish his throne, on con- 
 dition of his. keeping His statutes, as his 
 father had done; but threatens, in case of 
 Israel's idolatry, to cut them off from the 
 land, and cast the Temple out of His sight, 
 so that Israel and the Temple shall become 
 " a proverb, and a byword." 
 
 II. Chron. makes Jehovah utter much the same words, 
 with this addition: — 
 
 "I . . . have chosen this place to Myself for an 
 house of sacrifice. 
 
 ^'■If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command 
 the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestiletice among 
 my people; — if my people, which are called by my name, 
 shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and 
 turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, 
 and will forgive their sin, and will heal their laiid. 
 
 ^'■Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto 
 the prayer that is made in this place." 
 
 V. 3. ^^ My name." — ^'Name" here indicates that by which 
 Jehovah should be known, (for it is by their naines that men
 
 NOTES ON L KINGS. 49 
 
 are known), and refers especially to Tlis Presence, which 
 manifested His favour to Israel, and was recognized by the 
 tjhechiuah resting above the Mercy-Seat. 
 
 The threats denounced in tlie text by God against Israel 
 and the Temple have been rigidly fulfilled, and all in con- 
 sequence of the nation's idolatry. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 1-10, 13. 
 
 The Queen of Sheba comes to ''prove" Solo- 
 mon "with hard questions," all of which he 
 answers: she expresses her astonishment at 
 his wisdom, works, wealth, &c. — she ex- 
 changes- presents with the King, — and re- 
 turns home. 
 
 II. Chron. narrates the Visit of the Queen of Sheba as 
 it is related in the text, with only one small diflerence, 
 which will be found noted. 
 
 V. 1. ^^ Sheha." — Two Shebas are mentioned in the Bible, 
 one being, evidently, in the S. of Arabia, — the other being 
 Abyssinia. 
 
 " 'Ihe Queen of Sheba" was, probably, sovereign of 
 Abyssinia, for 
 
 1. That country produced the commodities mentioned 
 as being brought by her to Solomon, — whereas 
 Arabian Sheba did not produce them. 
 
 2. Josephus holds this \aew. 
 
 3. The country's traditions declare her to have been ao. 
 
 4. There is no existing nation which resembles the 
 Jews so much, in ideas, customs, laws, and religion, 
 as the Abyssinians, — which is to be accounted foi 
 by tlie tradition, firmly believed amongst the in- 
 habitants of the country, and related liereafter, of 
 a colony of Jews having settled in the country. 
 
 So7ne authorities make the '■^ Queen of Sheba" to have 
 ruled over both Ethiopian and Arabian Sheba, (or Sabea). 
 This may be correct, and certainly removes all contra- 
 dictions ; but we think it unlikely.
 
 60 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 The Queen heard of Solomon, doubtless, by means of his 
 commei'ce with the Eed Sea, on the African shore of which 
 her dominions were situated. 
 
 The route she took may have been 
 
 1. Through Egypt. 
 
 2. Up the Red Sea to Suez, or Ezion-geber, and thence, 
 on camels, to Jerusalem. 
 
 3. Across the Red Sea, into Arabian Sabea, and thence, 
 on camels, to Jerusalem. 
 
 V. 3. ^'■Solomon told her all her questions." — These 
 " questions " were, probably, enigmas, in which the ancients 
 took peculiar delight. Rabbinical tradition records some 
 of the trials to which the Queen subjected Solomon's wisdom, 
 e.g. — They say that she shewed him a bouquet of real, and 
 another of artificial, flowers, exactly alike, and asked him 
 to discriminate between them, — and that Solomon caused 
 the lattice to be thrown open, upon which the bees flew 
 in, and settled upon the natural flowers, which he was thus 
 enabled to point out. 
 
 ^'^ Bis ascent by which . . . the Lwd." — "The Palace 
 of Solomon was below the Temple platform, and, in laying 
 the solid foundations of Millo, provision had been made 
 for a double passage from the Palace to the Temple, about 
 250 ft. long and 42 ft. wide, formed of bevelled stones, and 
 risiug by a gentle incline to one of the gates of the Inner 
 Temple. This marvellous subterranean approach, impreg- 
 nable from its nature to the ravages of time, still remains, 
 tliough painfully disfigured ; it is called to this day the 
 Temple of Solomon." 
 
 " There ivas no more spirit in her," — i.e., she was over- 
 whelmed with amazement and admiration. 
 
 V. 13. '■^Beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal 
 bounty." 
 
 II. Cliron. has, — '^Besides that which she had brought 
 unto the King." 
 
 Collating the passages, we get the true meaning, — viz., 
 that Solomon gave the Queen " of his royal bounty " pre- 
 sents equal in value to "that which she had brought unto 
 the King," — and, over and above these, granted her also 
 whatever else struck her fancy. 
 
 '■^ She turned . . . country." — Abyssinian historical 
 traditions relate that she stayed a considerable time in 
 Judea to acquaint herself with the Jewish religion, customs,
 
 IJOTES ON L KINGS. 51 
 
 &c., and with Solomou's mode of government, — that by 
 Solomon she had a son, wliom she took back witli lier, but 
 sent, when older, to be educated at Jerusalem, — and that 
 he finally returned with a colony of priests, and other 
 learned men, who instructed the people in the Hebrew 
 leligion, customs, and laws, and settled the government on 
 1 lie model of Solomon's. They further state that Solomon's 
 son succeeded his mother, the Queen of Slieba, and that 
 tlieir royal line is traceable in unbroken descent from the 
 wise monarch of Israel. 
 
 As has been already hinted, there is much in the present 
 state of Abyssinia to corroborate the greater portion of 
 these traditions, — and they are further strengthened by 
 the fact that we find the treasurer of Candace, queen of 
 Ethiopia, to-have been of the Jewish religion, — to have been 
 up to Jerusalem to worship, — and to have been reading 
 Isaiah, when met, and converted, by Philip. (Acts viii.) 
 
 Christ thus alludes to the visit of tlie Queen of ISheba to 
 Solomon: — 
 
 " The Queen of the South shall rise up in the judgment 
 with the men of this generation, and condemn tlieni : for 
 she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the 
 wisdom of Solomon ; and, behold, a greater than Solomon 
 is here." (Luke xi. 31.) 
 
 Christ calls her " Queen of the South," because either 
 
 1. ''Sheba"^South, or 
 
 2. Slie was queen of the Southern part of African 
 Ethiopia. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 1-13. 
 
 Solomon takes heathen women, for wives and 
 concubines: — in his old age, his pagan con- 
 sorts turn away his heart from the worship 
 of Jehovah, to that of their false gods, for 
 whom he builds "high places." — Jehovah's 
 anger is kindled against Solomon, and He 
 announces to him that He will rend all the 
 kingdom, but "one tribe," from his son, and 
 give it to his "servant," (i.e., Jeroboam).
 
 52 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 V. 1. " Ilittites," — one of the Canaanitisli tribes that 
 dwelt in the lantl before the Hebrews occupied it. Their 
 locality was Hebron and its neighbourliood. 
 
 V. 2. The prohibition contained in this verse is found in 
 Exodus and Deutei'onomy. 
 
 V. 3. " He had 700 loives, princesses, andZOO concubines." 
 — This is by no means a large female establishment in 
 comparison with those of many Oriental monarchs, — e.g., 
 Khoosroo, king of Persia, is said to have had 12,000 ladies 
 in his harem. 
 
 In countries where polygamy is practised, a multiplicity 
 of wives is regarded as the great luxury of riches, and the 
 most proper appendage of royalty. But, however large a 
 monarch's female household may be, only a very few are 
 actually his wives, — the remainder being mei'ely a part of 
 his state. Solomon, no doubt, followed the example of the 
 sovereigns around him, both in forming a seraglio, and in 
 ordering it, — so that, judging from the analogy of other 
 Oriental potentates, we may suppose his "wiVes" and 
 " concubines," {i.e., secondary, inferior wives), to have been 
 thus classified : — 
 
 1. The principal wife, with the actual rank of Queen, — 
 PharaoKs daughter. 
 
 2. Some special favorites; actually wives, but not 
 queens. 
 
 3. The rest of the ^^ wives." 
 
 4. The " concubines." 
 
 It is probable that Solomon never even saw any of 
 classes 3, and 4. 
 
 " Princesses" — i.e., as Josephus explains, not only females 
 of royal descent, but also daughters of eminent personages. 
 
 V. 5. " Ashtoretk," {or Astarte),{ = Star), — was the chief 
 female Phoenician, Syrian, and Philistine deity, and seems 
 to have been the same as the Moon. She corresponded to 
 the Grecian Venus. Her worship was introduced into 
 Israel under tlie .Judges, and was put down by Josiah. 
 
 ''Milcom," (called also Molech, and MoIoch)=^ King,— the 
 national god of the Ammonites, and identical with the 
 Phoenician and Canaauite /Jaal. The chief feature of the 
 worship paid to this idol was the sacrificing, by fire, of 
 children. The Israelites were acquainted with the rites 
 of this deity wliile they were yet in the wilderness, but 
 Solomon first formally established them. From his days
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 63 
 
 onward the worship of Molech was carried on on the 
 Mount of Olives, and in Toi)het in the Valley of Hiunom, 
 Josiah temporarily destroyed this idolatry, but Jehoahaz, 
 his successor, restored it, and it continued until the Cap- 
 tivity. After the Eeturn from Captivity, we read nothing 
 further of it. 
 
 V. 7. " Build an high place"— i.e., " build (a temple on) 
 a high place." 
 
 ^^Chemosh," — the national god of Moab, worshipped also 
 by the Ammonites. The etymology of the name is un- 
 known, and the relation of this deity to others is obscure. 
 There a]jpears, however, to be a resemblance between 
 Chemosh and Arabian idolatry. Jewish tradition declares 
 that he was Avorshipped under the symbol of a black star. 
 Probably he represented the planet Saturn. The rites of 
 this god were tillhy in the extreme. 
 
 " The hill tliat is before JervsaJcm" — the Mount of Olives. 
 
 V. 13. " One tribe:' — Two tribes, Judah and Benjamim, 
 were left to Solomon's descendants ; but so close was their 
 connection, (owing in great measure to their common 
 ])roperty in Jerusalem), that the two tribes are frequently 
 sjioken of as one, and included together under the single 
 name Judah. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 14-40. 
 
 Jehovali " stirs up " three " adversaries " 
 against Solomon : 
 
 1. Hadad, who " reigned over Edom." 
 
 2. Kezon, of Syria. 
 
 3. Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, " Solomon's servant." 
 
 In consequence of Solomon's learning tliat the 
 prophet Ahijah has revealed to Jeroboam 
 God's purpose to make him King over the 
 Ten Tribes, at Solomon's death, the latter 
 seeks to slay him, — and Jeroboam, in con- 
 sequence, flees to Egypt. 
 
 V. 14. " The King's seed"— i.e., the seed-ro?/a?. 
 vs. 15, 16.— II. Sam., I. Chron., and Ps. Ix., being col- 
 lated with the text, we learn that, (probably immediately
 
 64 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 after David's defeat of the Syrian league), himself, Joab, 
 and Abishai, invaded Edom, and slew 18,000 Edomites in 
 the Vallei/ of Salt, — that Joab and Abishai remained in 
 the country, slaughteriog and wasting, for six months, — 
 that Hebrew garrisons were placed in its towns, — and 
 that it became subject to David. 
 
 V. 25. " He abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria." 
 
 "He" here refers to Hadad, not Rezon. 
 
 ^^ Abhorred Israel" — because of David's cruel butchery 
 of the Edomites. 
 
 "Syria," — should be, (as the Septuagint has it), "Edom." 
 
 It is probable that Pharaoh, who was Solomon's father- 
 in-law, employed his interest with the latter monarch to 
 induce him to allow Hadad, (who was, of course, now 
 connected with Solomon, by mari'iage), to rule over Edom 
 as a tributary prince, and that towards the end of Solomon's 
 reign he asserted his independence. 
 
 " The mischief that Hadad did," — was, probably, not 
 by border warfare, as some represent, but by cutting off 
 Solomon's communication with the Elanitic Gulf. 
 
 V. 23. " Rezon," — or Hezion. He was, of course, a Syrian. 
 
 V. 28. " Hadadezer, King of Zobah." — In David's reign, 
 Syria was divided into numerous petty kingdoms, of which 
 Zobah was the most powerful, and held many of the others 
 in vassalage. 
 
 Tiie tribes E. of the Jordan having i-eached the Euphrates, 
 treuclied on the E. boundary of Hadadezer's kingdom. 
 Thereupon, he made war upon David, but was severely 
 worsted. He afterwards, with other Syrian states, joined 
 the Ammonites, and was again defeated by the Hebrew 
 army. Lastly, he formed a grand Syrian League against 
 Israel, and was once more unsuccessful, — Shobach his 
 captain being slain, and all his tributary Syiian states 
 submitting to David. 
 
 V. 24. " He gathered . . . hand," — i.e., became, like 
 ■ Jephtha and David had been, captain of a lawless band of 
 marauders. 
 
 " Whe7i David slew them of Zobah." — This may mean 
 either after David's fii'st defeat of Hadadezer, or, (as is 
 most likely), after the crushing of the Syrian League. 
 
 " They went . . . Damascus." — Damascus was one 
 of the petty Syrian states when David made war upon 
 Hadadezer, Its king, according to Josephus, was then
 
 NOTES ON I. KINOS. 55 
 
 named Hadad. He came to the aid of Zobah, after Hadad- 
 ezer's first defeat, and was conquered, with the loss of 
 22,000 men, — after which his Kingdom became subject and 
 tributary to David, and received Hebrew garrisons for its 
 towns. 
 
 Rezon's seizing upon the town of Damascus, and reestab- 
 lishing a small kingdom so named, occurred, no doubt, in 
 the latter part of Solomon's reign, — for his " adversaries " 
 were evidently raised up as a punishment for his idolatry, 
 which did not commence till the closing years of his life. 
 
 V. 25. " He loas an adversary to Israel," — not because he 
 had, (like Hadad), any grievance against the Hebrew 
 monarchy, — but because he wished "to aggrandize himself 
 at its expenses" 
 
 Ho showed himself " an adversary" to Solomon, probably 
 by interfering with that monarch's commerce with Tadmor 
 and the Euphrates. 
 
 '■'■All the days of Solomon" — i.e., all the days of Solomon 
 during which he {Rezon) reigned at Damascus. 
 
 V. 26. '■'■ Ephrathrite" = of the tribe of Ephraim. 
 
 " Zereda" — in Ephraim ; exact position unknown. 
 
 V. 27. '•'•Millo" — was, probably, the rampart of the citadel 
 of David. 
 
 V. 28. " Rxder over all the charge of the house of Joseph," 
 — i.e., collector of the taxes from Ephraim and Manasseh. 
 
 V. 26. " Ee lifted up his hand against the King," — i.e., 
 by stirring up the ten tribes, (and especially Ephraim), to 
 revolt. Jeroboam evidently had ao treasonable intentions 
 till Ahijah's prophecy was delivered to him. Then, doubt- 
 less, he took advantage of his position as overseer of works, 
 and collector of taxes, to excite discontent and ill-will 
 against Solomon, by pointing out to the tribes how com- 
 pulsoiy labour was laid upon them, and how heavily 
 Solomon taxed them. 
 
 '■^ For Jerusalem's so.ke" — because the Temple, wherein 
 God had "set" His "name," was there. 
 
 V. 40. " Shishak" — Sheshonk I., the Sesonchosis of Mane- 
 tbo.
 
 56 NOTES ON I KINGS. 
 
 CHAPTER XL, 41-end. 
 
 Solomon dies, — and is buried : Eehoboam his 
 son succeeds Mm. 
 
 V. 41. " The hook of the acts of Solomon," — was either 
 
 1. His autobiography, — or 
 
 2. The history of his life as recorded by contemporary 
 prophets, — or 
 
 3. The narrative of his reign as recorded in the Na- 
 tional Annals. 
 
 CHAPTER XII., 1-20. 
 
 Eehoboam goes to Shecbem, where the people 
 are assembled to crown him: — The "Congre- 
 gation," headed by Jeroboam, beg for their 
 burdens to be lightened; Eehoboam takes 
 three days in which to consider their request; 
 he asks the advice, first, of the "old men," 
 who urge him to compliance, — and, then, of 
 the "young men," who recommend increased 
 severity; he follows the counsel of the latter, 
 and, at the end of the three days, answers 
 "the people roughly," in the insultingly cruel 
 words of the "young men." 
 
 Israel, (excepting Judah and Benj^mim), 
 revolt, — and make Jeroboam king: — Eeho- 
 boam sends Adoram to collect "the tribute;" 
 the revolted Tribes stone him; Eehoboam 
 returns, in haste, to Jerusalem. 
 
 V. 1. ^^All Israel were come to Shechem to maJce him 
 king." — Rehoboam seems to have succeeded his fatlier 
 peaceably enough at Jerusalem; but he was evidently 
 aware of the disaffection amongst the Tribes, and, there- 
 fore, naturally wished for a general recognition of himself
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 57 
 
 as king. Hence this assembling of " all Israel," (i.e., all 
 the heads of Israel, in their collective capacity as the 
 Legislative Assembh/ of the Nation). That the place of 
 gathering should be in Ephraim was no doubt arranged 
 by Rehoboam with a view to propitiate the powerful and 
 jealous house of Joseph, — and that iShechem should be 
 selected as the place of meeting was only natural, ou 
 account of its being 
 
 1. In the centre of the Tribe, (and of the Land.) 
 
 2. The most important city in Ephraim. 
 
 3. The ancient capital of the Tribes in the time of 
 Joshua, and under the Judgeship of Abimelech. 
 
 V. 4. " Thi/ father made our yohe grievous^^ — by 
 
 1. Heavy taxes. These wei'e rendered necessary by 
 his costly household, luxurious habits, and vast 
 works. 
 
 These taxes were peculiarly hateful to the Hebrews, not 
 only on account of their enormous amount, but also because 
 they were levied 
 
 (1). Systematically and regularly, — a method most 
 
 repugnant to Orientals. 
 (2). Directlji., upon the produce of their herds, flocks, 
 and fields, — thus appearing more oppressive than 
 if derived indirecth/, from articles of consumption. 
 
 2. Compelling the Hebrews to labour at his various 
 works. 
 
 V. 6. '"''That stood before Solomon" — i.e., that acted as 
 Solomon's ministers and counselloi-s. 
 
 V. 7. "7/ thou wilt he a servant unto this people this da}/, 
 and wilt serve them," — i.e., "Jf you will yield to their 
 demands." 
 
 II. Chron. has, — "If thou he kind to this people, and 
 please them," (i.e., in what they demand). 
 
 V. 8. " Young men." — " Young" by comparison with the 
 " old men " who had been Solomon's advisers. Eehoboam, 
 himself, was over 40, and as they had been brought up 
 with him, these "young men" must have been of an 
 approximate age. 
 
 '•'■That were grown up with him." — It was customary 
 amongst ancient nations, especially in the East, for princes 
 to be brought up and educated with youths of rank and 
 station, who, it might be naturally expected, would here- 
 after become the leading men in the State ; and it generally
 
 58 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 happened that these youthful associates remained the 
 closest friends and most confidential advisers of the prince 
 with whom they had grown up. Of this we have striliing 
 instances in the cases of Cyrus, and Alexander. 
 
 V. 11. '■'■Whips" — "scorpions." — Here we have a contrast 
 between a simple scourge, and a more pain-inflicting 
 instrument of flagellation. 
 
 The '■'scorpion" seems to have been composed of thongs 
 studded with thorns, or iron spikelets, — and owed its 
 name to the agony caused by it resembling the sting of a 
 scorpion. 
 
 The expression, "J/y/ai/ier Aa^A . . . scorpiojis" is 
 merely a figurative repetition of the preceding clause, 
 " My father did lade . , . add to your yoke." 
 
 The reasons of the advice given by these foolish counsellors 
 were, doubtless, 
 
 1. A spirit of opposition to the opinion of the "old 
 men." 
 
 2. Contempt and disregard for the people, — springing 
 partly from the pride of birth and station, and 
 partly from their having been accustomed, at 
 Solomon's court, to a system of grinding despotism, 
 and supercilious unconcern for the national welfare. 
 
 3. A selfish feeling that Rehoboam would, if he 
 granted the people's demands, be so reduced as to 
 income, that the luxurious life to which they had 
 been accustomed could no longer be maintained. 
 
 Rehohoam's reasons for following the advice of his com- 
 panions were, doubtless, of the very same nature as those 
 just ascribed to the "young men." 
 
 Beyond this, however, there is no doubt that he felt 
 greatly insulted at the fact that " the Congregation " had, 
 in order to frighten him into compliance, placed at their 
 head Jeroboam, whose pretensions to the Crown were 
 patent, and who was an abomination to the House of 
 David. 
 
 This offensive manner of making their demands some- 
 what palliates Rehoboam's refusal, but nothing can excuse 
 his madly silly threat of yet severer oppression. His un- 
 wise answer made a revolution inevitable. 
 
 V. 15. "■ Tlie cause was from the Lord . . . hy Ahijah 
 the Shilonite." — Jehovah, of course, did not cause Eehoboam 
 to reply as he did, — so as to ensure the fulfilment of His
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 59 
 
 declaration by Ahijah. But as nothing can happen witliout 
 the allowance of God, the Scriptures frequently represent 
 Him as the actual cause of what He merely permits. 
 
 It is in this sense we must take the declaration of the 
 text. 
 
 V. 16. ^^ All Israel" — excepting Judah and Benjamira. 
 
 " yo your tents, (i.e., homes), Israel"! — was the 
 watchword of revolt amongst the Hebrews. 
 
 V. 20. ^^The tribe of Judah only," — including Benjamim, 
 of course. 
 
 V. 18. "Sent Adoram," — to collect the taxes, as usual. 
 
 '^Adoram," — has already had his office explained, under 
 "David's Cabinet." 
 
 The Schism hetween Judah and Israel was a Divine punish- 
 ment upon the House of David for the Apostasy of Solomon, 
 {vid. ch. X. 9-13.) 
 
 The Immediate Cause of it was Rehoboam's brutal reply 
 to the demands of the people for a redress of the grievances 
 under which they had laboured during Solomon's reign. 
 But tlus only hastened a sejiaration which was inevitable. 
 
 The Origin of the Schism was the jealous rivalry between 
 Judah and Ephraim. This rivalry began from the partition 
 of Canaan, wherein the " royal tribe " received the 
 "lion's share." Judah, which possessed the promise of 
 the "Sceptre," was, from the first settlement of the 
 country, regarded as the chief tribe, and acted always for 
 itself ; but the central position of Ephraim, the Jong-con- 
 tinued authority of Josliu;\, (who behmged to this tribe), 
 and the fact that Sliiloh, (the dwelling-place of the Ark 
 for many generations), was in Ephraim, made all the tribes, 
 excepting Judali, (and, generally, Benjamim), look up to 
 it as their liead. 
 
 Being humbled by Jephthah, who slew 42,000 of them 
 for their insolence to liim, Ephraim .submitted to the 
 judgeship of Samuel, though exercised in Benjamim, and 
 having thus become accustomed to that tribe's su])i-emacy, 
 otfered no resistance to tlie kingship of Saul. But, at his 
 death, when David of Judah, was accepted by his tribe as 
 king, the old jealousy flamed forth again, and Ephraim 
 accordingly joined Ish-bosheth, and, of course, used tlieir 
 great influence over the other ti'ibes, to bring "all Israel" 
 over to the side of David's rival. 
 
 After Ish-bosheth's death, the men of Ephraim, with the
 
 m NOTES ON L KINGS. 
 
 rest of " Israel," submitted to David, and remained loyal, 
 until Solomon's oppression aroused the old feeling of oppo- 
 sitiou, wliicli Jeroboam skilfully inflamed. Having, how- 
 ever, during Solomon's reign, '' no constitutional organ to 
 express their discontent, they waited sullenly, until the 
 recognition of a successor to the crown should give them 
 the opportunity of extorting a removal of burdens which 
 could not permanently be endured." 
 
 EPITOME OF SOLOMON'S LIFE. 
 
 o 
 
 Solomon - 'peaceful: called also, by God's command, 
 
 y edidiah = beloved of the Lord. 
 
 Son of David, by Bathsheba, wife of Uriah the Hittite. 
 He was, however, born after Uriah's death, aud after 
 David had taken Bathsheba to wife. 
 
 B.C. 
 
 103.3. Bom at Jerusalem. 
 1015. Adonijah's Revolt, — Solomon crotoned. 
 Receives his father's dying charge to 
 (1). Walk in God's commandments. 
 (2). Build the Temple. 
 
 (3). Punish Joab and Shimei, and shew kindness 
 to the family of Barzillai. 
 Succeeds his father on the throne. 
 1014. Adonijah asks for Abishag, and is, in consequence, 
 executed, — Abiathar dejirived of his High-priesthood, 
 and banished to Anathoth, — Joab slain, — Shimei 
 ordered to seclude himself. 
 , 1 Solomon manies the daughter of Pharaoh, and 
 makes affinity with that monarch. 
 ? Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon, —God there appears to 
 
 him, and jjromises him wisdom, riches, &c. 
 ? Solomon judges between the two women who both 
 
 claim the same child. 
 ? Solomon makes a league with Hiram. 
 
 1011. Shimei slain. 
 
 1015-1012. Preparations are made for building the Temple, 
 
 and Solomon's other structures. 
 1012-992. The Temple, and other structures, are built. 
 
 1012. The Temple commenced.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 61 
 
 1005. The Temple finished, and dedicated. 
 
 ? God appears the second time to Solomon, — accepting 
 the Temple, and prouiisiug to establish liis throne 
 "upon Israel for ever," ou condition of his, and 
 Israel's, obedience. 
 992. Solomon gives Hiram 20 cities. 
 ? The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon. 
 
 Solomon takes numerous '■'■strange" ( = foreign, 
 heathen) women as wives and concubines, who lead 
 him into gross idolatry, — God appears to him, the 
 third time, and announces the approaching Schism 
 as the penalty of his sin. 
 
 Hadad, Eezon, and Jeroboam, vex Solomon in his 
 last years, — he attempts to slay Jeroboam, who 
 thereupon flees into Egypt, 
 975. Death of Solomon. 
 
 Character, &c. — Wise, peaceful, learned, enterprizing, and, 
 at tlie commencement of his reign, pious, devoted to the 
 worship of Jehovah, and obedient to tlie Law. 
 
 The commencement of his reign was full of promise, — 
 but the hopes he then inspired were utterly disappointed, 
 and the very blessings God heaped upon him, in consequence 
 of His rich promises made to him in recognition of his 
 asking only wisdom, were made by him the means of 
 sinning against his benefactor. He violated every principle 
 " of the kingdom as laid down by the great Lawgiver of 
 his nation," — encouraging idolatry, multiplying wives, 
 wealth, chariots and horses, and fearfully oppressing the 
 people. 
 
 His reign was certainly outtoardly glorious. — The country 
 remained at peace, none daring to attack it, — commerce 
 flourished, — the Temple and other grand piles adorned 
 Jerusalem, and the magnificence and wisdom of Solomon 
 commanded for his kingdom a dazzling, and world-wide 
 reputation. 
 
 But the nation did not benefit by all this. — The army, 
 not being needed for service, was allowed to fall into 
 inefficiency, through the monai'ch's sloth, — the vast profits 
 made by trading found their way into the king's coffers, — 
 Ids great works were built by compulsory labour, and, 
 (excepting the Temple), by means of heavy taxes. 
 
 Solomon alone wospered during the period of his reign, 
 — the kingdom was in its decadence.
 
 62 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 David had left a thriving, contented, and united people, 
 with a territory reaching the utmost limits promised by- 
 Jehovah, and with all the tributary, and subject, nations 
 under firm rule. Solomon left an impoverished, dis- 
 contented, divided people, ten tribes of whom were eager 
 to quit tlieir allegiance to his dynasty, — while the extent 
 nf the nation's territory was lessened by the loss of Da- 
 mascus, and Edoni. 
 
 After his first years of rule, he became simply a vain- 
 glorious despot, and gross and selfish sensualist, caring for 
 neither the honour of God, nor the welfare of his subjects ; 
 but anxious only to impress and awe other nations by his 
 own grandeur and sagacity, — and to surround himself with 
 everything that could minister to his vices, in the gratifi- 
 cation of which, and to support his dazzling state, he 
 scrupled not to prey upon the vitals of his people until he 
 finally reduced them to a condition of absolute privation. 
 
 In truth, no more disgusting character than Solomon 
 ever disLiraced a throne. Nero, Claudius, Henry VIII., 
 George IV., Louis XV.,— each, and all, may hide their 
 diminished heads in presence of a monarch who robbed his 
 country of wealth and prosperity only that he might exalt, 
 aggrandize, and pamper, himself. 
 
 The saddest feature of Solomon's case is that, though there 
 must have been a time, (as Ecclesiastes shews), when he 
 felt sated with the life of luxurious sloth which he led, we 
 have no record that he ever repented, or sought and received 
 pardon of Jehovah. 
 
 It is remarkable that II. Chron., in its account of thu 
 vionarch's reign, omits all the unfavourable features of his 
 life, — viz., his idolatrjj, poh/gamij, oppression, and enemies. 
 
 The explanation generally given of this phenomenon is 
 that the Levites, (whose scribes wrote the Chronicles), had 
 extremely tender feelings towards him on account of his 
 building the Temple, and, consequently, suppressed all 
 that was unlovely in his reign. 
 
 "We now proceed to consider, under appropriate heads, the 
 remaining matters connected with Solomon, and his reign, 
 
 N.B. Unless it is othericise indicated, there will be no 
 need to study any of the Biblical narrative from which the 
 succeeding information has been drawn. This will be found 
 of great assistance to the student, especially in the case of 
 the DescripAion of the Temple.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 63 
 
 RELIGIOUS AND ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 
 
 Until the Temple was built, Solomon and the people 
 " sacrificed in higk places, because there was no house built 
 unto the name of the Lord." 
 
 " High places," i.e., natural or artificial eminences, were, 
 (with "groves"), the earliest places of worshi]) and sacrifice 
 amongst the nations of antiquity, — being selected for the 
 purpose because considered to be nearer to the gods. 
 From the time of Noah, to the going down into Egypt, the 
 patriarchs worshipped in "high places," without being 
 Divinely proliibited. But, after the Exodus, and in view 
 of entering Canaan, the Law commanded the Israelites to 
 destroy the "high places," {i.e., the altars thereon), and 
 " groves," in the Promised Land, and to confine themselves, 
 for sacrifice, to one altar, near which no trees were to be 
 I)lanted. The reason of the Jews being thus forbidden to 
 worship in spots like those which their forefathers used, 
 was that, the Canaanites having fallen into the grossest 
 idolatry, there was every reason to fear that, if the Israelites 
 used the "high places" and "groves" which had been the 
 scenes of heathen rites for their own religious purposes, 
 the associations connected with these spots would speedily 
 draw them away into paganism. 
 
 The sacrificing on "high places" which Solomon coun- 
 tenanced before the building of the Temple was a violation 
 of the Law, but was justified by circumstances, since the 
 Tabernacle at Gibeon was no longer a regularly-constituted 
 place of worship, — containing only the Brazen Altar, while 
 the Ark was at Jerusalem. Besides, great latitude seems 
 to have been allowed by Jehovah as to the place of sacrifice 
 and offering, before the building of the Temple, — for all 
 the authorized instances of the breach of the Law in this 
 respect, (with the exception of that of Elijah), took place 
 before the erection of that structure. 
 THE TEMPLE. 
 
 Almost immediately upon his accession, Solomon turned 
 his attention to this great work. 
 
 P^^eparations for the Btiilding. — 
 
 L David had accumulated vast stores, (described be- 
 fore), a7id provided Solomon with the plan of the
 
 64 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 building, — the general model being that of the 
 Egyptian and Syrian temples. 
 
 2. Solomon seyit to Hiram, (or Huram), King of Tyre, 
 stating that he was about to build a "great" house 
 to " the 7iavie " of Jehovah, and asking him 
 
 (1.) To provide him with cedar^fir — and algum-wood, 
 out of Lebanon, — promising to send workmen to 
 aid Hiram's labourers in this work. 
 (2.) " Send me now therefore a man cunning to work 
 in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, 
 and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that 
 can skill to grave with the cunning men that are 
 with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David 
 my father did proviile." 
 In return for the timber, and the workmen's services, 
 Solomon promised, (and sent), yearly, to Hiram, 
 
 20,000 cors, (or homers), of wheat; (the dry cor- 
 
 31 pks. 1 gal. 6 pts.) 
 20,000 cors of barley. 
 20,000 baths, (or ephahs), of wine. (The hath = l gals. 
 
 4 pts.) 
 20,000 baths of oil. 
 Hiram, on receiving Solomon's message, thanked God 
 that he had "given xmto David a wise son" to rule over 
 Israel, and accepted his proposals, — arranging for his 
 servants to convey the timber from Lebanon to the coast, 
 and thence to send it " in floats by sea to Joppa" (the 
 port of Jerusalem), — and sending Solomon, as the desired 
 ^'■cunning man" Hiram, or Huram, the son of a Tyrian 
 father, by a Hebrew woman of eitlier Dan or Naphtali, 
 who, at the time of her son's being sent to Jerusalem, was 
 a widow. 
 
 Thi.s Hiram was superintendent of all the various parts 
 of the Temple works, and was himself the chief artificer. 
 
 3. Solomon made " a levy " of 30,000 Israelites, — 
 divided them into three courses of 10,000 each, — 
 and sent each course, in its turn, to fell, and heiv, 
 in Lebanon, for a month at a time. Adoram, or 
 Adoniram, was general superintendent of this levy, 
 and under him were 550 overseers. 
 
 4. Having numbered the Canaanitish people remaining 
 in the land, Solomon found there were of them 
 153,600 able-bodied males. These he made boiid-
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 65 
 
 servants,— appointing 80,000 of them to quarry stone 
 " in the mountains" 70,000 to convey the stones to 
 Jerusale7n, and 3,600, (I. Kings has 3,300), to act as 
 overseers. 
 Hiram sent stone-masous to aid Solomon's labourers in 
 quarrying and dressing the stones for the House. 
 
 Where the '■'■mountains" were from which the stone was 
 obtained is not stated. It is generally supposed that they 
 were quarried in Lebanon, — but this is scarcely likely, 
 when it is considered how immense would be the labour 
 of conveyance thence to Jerusalem, and seeing that exactly 
 the same kind of stone that formed the strata of Lebanon 
 abounded throughout the country. Moreover, there is no 
 mention of anything but timber in the agreement between 
 Hiram and Solomon. 
 
 The preparation of the requisite material having occupied 
 Solomon three years. 
 
 The Temple -was commenced oxv the second day 
 
 of the second month, Zif, (corresponding, in the main, to 
 our May), in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, 1012 B.C., 
 ^and in the four hundred and eightieth year after the 
 Exodus. 
 
 All the wood and stone was ready hewn, and shaped, 
 "so that there teas neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool oj 
 iron heard in the house, ivhiie it was in building." 
 
 It was completed va. the eighth month, Bui, (corre- 
 sponding, in the main, to our JSIovember), of the eleventh 
 year of Solomon's reign, 1005 B.C. 
 
 During the course of the work, " the word of the Lord''' 
 came to the King to this etfect :— 
 
 '■' Coiicerning this house which thou art in building, if thou 
 wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and 
 keep all m,y commandments to walk in them; then will I 
 perform my word ivith thee, which I spake unto David thy 
 father: and I will divell among the children of Israel, and 
 will not forsake my people Israel." 
 
 The Site of the Temple was Mount Moriah, where 
 Abraham had typically offered Isaac, and where stood the 
 threshing-floor of Arauuah, at which spot Jehovah stayed 
 the plague attendant upon David's numbering the people. 
 
 This place David knew was to be the site of the Temple, 
 
 -for he had bought it of Arauuah, (or Oman), fur GuU 
 
 E
 
 66 NOTES ON 1. KINGS. 
 
 shekels of gold, and it distinctly says in I. Kings that 
 " Solomon began to build the house of the Lord . . 
 in the place that David had prepared." 
 
 Josephus informs us that, as the summit of Moriah was 
 too small for the base of the Temple and its Courts, Solomon 
 levelled the top, — faced its precipitous E. and S. sides with 
 a perpendicular wall of squared stones, strongly mortised 
 together, and to the rock, — and filled up the intervening 
 space with earth, thus securing an ample base. 
 
 This preliminary work was, probably, performed during 
 the tliree years of preparation. 
 
 Description of the Temple. 
 The Courts, — were tico in number, open, and quadrangular, 
 — each being enclosed by a wall : — 
 
 1. The Outer Court, or Great Coiirt. — 
 
 This was entered by doors overlaid with brass. 
 
 2. The Inner Court, or Court of the 
 Priests, or Court before the Te7nple,—Qin a 
 
 higher level than the preceding one, and containing 
 
 I. THE MOLTEN SEA,— in which the Priests per- 
 formed their ablutions, — standing "o?i the right side 
 of the house Eastward, over against the South." 
 it was of ^ molten brass," — 30 cubs, in circumference, 
 10 cubs, in diameter, 5 cubs, deep, and a hand- 
 breadth, (3| inches), thick. Its rim was ornamented 
 with " ilowers of lilies," and under the rim, running 
 round the ".S'ea," were two rows of '^ knops," {i.e., 
 knobs), representing the heads of oxen, 300 in each 
 row. 
 
 It rested on twelve oxen, — 3 of which faced to each 
 point of the compass ; and, as Josephus says, on a 
 central pillar, 1 cub. in diameter. 
 The Molten Sea probably closely resembled The 
 Fountain of the Lions in the Alhambra at Granada, 
 — indeed the latter is said to have been built in 
 imitation of the fonner, and the following descrip- 
 tion of the Fountain may be accepted as applying 
 also to Solomon's ^^ Sea," — substituting "oxen" for 
 " lions," and leaving out the fountain in the bason, 
 which Scripture does not mention. The whole 
 structure consists of a large bason, containing a
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 67 
 
 fountain, — resting on 12 lions and a central pillar, 
 
 — and, like fountains generally, discharging its 
 
 superfluous water into a hollow base, whence there 
 
 are outlets for the waste. 
 
 The bason is a dodecagon, having one of the 12 
 
 animals under each side, — and resting on 12 small 
 
 hollow pillars, which communicate .between the 
 
 bason and tlie hinder ]iarts of the lions. 
 
 The water rises from the fountain, — runs into the 
 
 bason, — flows thence into the animals' bodies, and is 
 
 dischai'ged in streams from their mouths. 
 
 The "Sea" contained 200 baths of water. II. Chron. 
 
 says 3000 baths. It is probable that the bason 
 
 held 200 baths, and the foot 1000. 
 
 The best Jewish authorities inform us that the 
 
 water in the "Sea" was brought, by pipes, from 
 
 the well Etam, and was kept continually flowing. 
 
 The Priests would wash at the streams always 
 
 running from the mouths of the oxen, and would 
 
 bathe in the hollow foot or base. 
 
 2. TEN LAYERS, — of brass ; for washing "such things 
 as they offered for the burnt-offering"- — each 4 cubs, 
 deep, 4 cubs, in diameter, and containing 40 baths. 
 They stood on 
 
 3. TEN BASES of brass, — each 4 cubs, square, and 
 3 cubs. high. 
 
 They were mounted on brazen wheels, four to each 
 
 base, and were adorned with figures of palm-trees, 
 
 cherubim, oxen, and lions. 
 
 No doubt each base contained a hollow wherein to 
 
 receive whatever water might fall from the Laver 
 
 above. 
 
 There seems also to have been a short, ornamented, 
 
 pillar connecting the Laver to the Base ; but the 
 
 description of these Bases, though the longest and 
 
 most elaborate given of any portion of the Temple 
 
 and its furniture, is so puzzling, that the above is 
 
 aU that is clear about them. 
 
 Five Lavers, with Bases, were on the right side of 
 
 the Court, and five on the left. 
 
 4. THE GREAT BRAZEN ALTAR, or ALTAR OF 
 BURNT-OFFERING,— 20 cubs, long, 20 culw. 
 broad, and 10 cubs, high, — standing, it is said, 
 exactly on Araunah's threshing-fl.oor.
 
 68 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 Enclosed ■within the Court of the Priests was 
 
 The Temple proper, — built on the plan of the Mosaic 
 
 Tabernacle, and consisting of the Porch, ^^the Holy Place" 
 
 and the Oracle., or Holy of Holies. 
 
 Its length, including the Porch, was 70 cubs., — its 
 
 breadth 20 cubs., — and its height 30 cubs., excepting the 
 
 Holy of Holies, which was only 20 feet high, itself. 
 
 1 . T/ie Povchy — faced E., — and was 10 cubs, deep 
 from E. to W., 20 cubs, wide from N. to S., and 120 cubs, 
 high, (rising above the rest of the structure as our spires do). 
 
 (N.B. — Wherever the cubit is mentioned in coiuiection 
 with the Temple, 21 inches must be understood.) 
 
 On either side of the Porch were two hollow pillars of 
 brass, {i.e., native copper), — that on the right hand being 
 named Jachin (-— it shall stand); and that on the left, 
 Boaz — in strength. 
 
 Each pillar was 18 cubits high, and 12 cubits in circum- 
 ference, — and was surmounted by a capital of ^^ molten 
 brass" 5 cubits high, ornamented with network, wreaths 
 of chainwork, and pomegi'anates. 
 
 These pillars Hiram cast. 
 
 Nebuchaduezzar took them to Babylon. 
 
 The Porch was overlaid, within, with gold. 
 
 It seems to have contained other pillars, whose capitals 
 were ornamented with lily-work. 
 
 There are other pillars of algum-wood mentioned; but 
 their position is not defined. 
 
 2. The Holy Place,— AO cubs, long, 20 wide, and 
 30 high, being double the dimensions of the corresponding 
 portion of the Tabernacle. 
 
 Its walls were built of hewn stone, — covered with cedar- 
 boards ornamented with carvings of cherubim and then 
 overlaid with gold, {i.e., either covered with thin laminos 
 of the metal, or burnished). 
 
 The door was of cedar, boarded over with fir, and then 
 overlaid with gold. 
 
 The ceiling was of cedar, (beams and boards), planked 
 over with fir, (or cypress), — ornamented with palm-trees, 
 and wreaths of chainwork, — and then overlaid with gold. 
 
 ".4nc? he garnished the house with precious stones for 
 heautn ; and the gold was gold of Parvaim," {i.e., ^^ Eastern 
 gold," — from Sanskrit piin;a= eastern).
 
 NOTES ON L KINGS. 6!) 
 
 Tlie Holy Place had "windows of narrow lights," (pro- 
 bably latticed windows). These were for ornament, rather 
 than use, for the candlesticks sufficiently illuminated the 
 interior. 
 
 The Entrance to the Holy Place was by means of two 
 folding-dooi-H, of fir-wood, each having two leaves, and 
 being fixed, by golden hinges, to posts of oleaster, or wild 
 olive. 
 
 These doors occupied one-fourth of the front wall in 
 which they were placed. They were ornamented with 
 carved cherubim, palm-trees, and open flowers, all overlaid 
 with gold. 
 
 The Ilohi Place contained: — 
 
 (I). THE ALTAR OF INCENSE, overlaid with gold, 
 
 (2). TEN TABLES OF SHEW-BREAD,— overlaid with 
 gold, — five on the right side, and five on the left. David 
 y)rovided silver for tables : we have no record of tliese being 
 made. Perhaps they were constructed, and employed in 
 tlie priests' apartments. 
 
 (3). TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS, —five on the 
 rigiit hand, and five on the left. 
 
 They were, probably, branched, like the Candlestick in 
 the Tabernacle, and had ornamented stems, for mention is 
 made of their "flowers" and 
 
 Their ^^ lamps" — i.e., hollows at the ends of the branches, 
 wherein the lights burned. 
 
 " Snvffers" or "tongs," of gold were provided for these 
 candlesticks. These were a kind of ttoeezers, which were 
 used to draw up and trim the wick. They were not 
 formed like our snuff"ers, but made of a metal rod twisted 
 somewhat like a pair of sugar-tongs. 
 
 It is recorded that David provided silver for candlesticks 
 of that metal ; but we have no record of any being made. 
 If there were any cast, they would, probably, be for the 
 use of those priests and Levites who dwelt in the Temple 
 precincts. 
 
 3. T/ie Holy of Holies, or (9r^^/^,— formed a 
 
 perfect cube, 20 cubits every way. 
 
 Its walls were of hewn stone, covered with cedar, on 
 which were carved cherubim, palm-trees, and open flowers, 
 all overlaid with gold. 
 
 The floor was of cedar, overlaid with gold.
 
 70 I^'OTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 The entrance to tlie Holy of Holies was by means of 
 doors of olive-wood, occupying one-fifth of the wall, and 
 ornamented with carved cherubim, palm-trees, and open 
 llowei'S, all overlaid with gold. The hinges of these doors 
 were of gold, and fifty shekels' weight of gold nails was 
 used within the Oracle, (for what purpose is not stated). 
 
 The Holy Place being 30 cubs, in length, and the Holy 
 of Holies only 20, it is geuei-ally supposed that there were 
 rooms above the latter, — indicated in the text thus, '■'■And 
 he overlaid the upper chambers with gold." 
 
 Behind the door hung the 
 
 VAIL, — "of blue, and puq^le, and crimson, and fine linen, 
 and wrought cherubim, (of needlework), thereon." 
 
 The Holy of Holies contained: — 
 
 (i). THE ORIGINAL ARK, brought from the tent at 
 Jerusalem in which David had placed it, 
 
 (2). THE TWO GIGANTIC CHERUBIM,— of olive- 
 wood, overlaid with gold,— each 10 cubits high, — standing 
 "on their feet,"' at either end, N. and S., and facing 
 each other. Each had two wings, 5 cubits long, — out- 
 stretched so that one wing of each cherub met above the 
 Ark, and the other touched the wall. 
 
 Eound the two sides and the end of the Temple were 
 
 Three GallerieSy — one above another. The lowest 
 was level with the basemeilt, and was 5 cubs, broad,— the 
 middle one was 5 cubs, high, and 6 cubs, broad, — and the 
 highest, 5 cubs, high, and 7 cubs, broad. These galleries 
 were supjjorted on "■narrow rests round about, that the 
 beams should not he fastened in the walls of the house." 
 
 " The door for the middle chamber was -in the right side 
 of the house: and they went up with winding-stairs into the 
 middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third." 
 
 These galleries gave "majesty of appearance" to the 
 building, " which might have appeared naked without such 
 accompaniments." 
 
 " Various buildings and apartmeiits " existed 
 
 within the Temple area, being em))loyed as storehouses, and 
 lodgings for those priests and Levites who resided within 
 the House. Of these 
 
 The Magazines for wine, oil, corn, wood, &c., are supposed
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 71 
 
 to have been within a colonnade running round the inner 
 side of the outer wall of the Oreat Court, — and 
 
 The Priestly and Levitical apartments, and storeJiouses 
 for what was needed for the iinmediate service of the Temple, 
 {e.g., robes, utensils, and lambs for the Daily OfFeriug), 
 were, probably, within another colonnade running round 
 the inner side of the outer wall of the Court of the Priests. 
 
 VavioUS utensils were made for the services of the 
 Temple : — 
 
 Of gold, — there were "bowls," "spoons,'' "censers," "100 
 basons," '■'■Jlesh- hooks," and "cups." 
 
 David provided silver for "basons" of that metal,— 
 but we are not told that they were actually made. 
 
 Of "bright, (probably = burnished), brass," — Hiram made 
 '^shovels,'' "basons," "pots," a.nd "Jlesh-hooh." 
 
 The casting of the brazen vessels, lavers, "Sea," &c., 
 was done " in the plain of Jordan. . . . in the clay- 
 ground between Succoth and Zarthan," (or, in II. Chron., 
 " Zeredaihah"), — i.e., Zereda, a cit^ of Mauasseh, near 
 Beth-shau. 
 
 The vessels of "brass" were so numerous that Solomon 
 did not take the trouble to ascertain their weight. 
 
 What became of the original Bnizen Altar, Altar of 
 Incense, Laver, Table of Shewbread, and Golden Candle- 
 stick, of the Mosaic Tabernacle, we have no means of 
 ascertaining with certainty. The Jews believe that they 
 were all preserved, and that they occupied places of 
 honour in Solomon's Temple. 
 
 We are inclined to think, however, that all the original 
 furniture of the Tabernacle, excepting the Brazen Altar, 
 some of the vessels, (and the Ark, of course,) was lost long 
 before. 
 
 When the Temple was finished, Solomon caused to be 
 brought into it " the things xohich David his father had 
 dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels did 
 he put among the treasures of the Iwuse of the Lord." 
 These " dedicated things " consisted of the spoils David 
 had taken from the King of Zobah, and others of his 
 vanquished enemies.
 
 72 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 The Dedication of the Temple. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 1-21. 
 
 Solomon assembles tlie heads of Israel, with 
 the Priests and Levites, for the purpose of 
 dedicating the Temple: — the Ark is placed 
 within the "Oracle," after innumerable sheep 
 and oxen have been offered: — the Shechinah 
 fills the House: Solomon blesses the people, 
 and praises Jehovah for fulfilling His promise 
 to David concerning the building of the 
 Temple. 
 
 V. 1. ^'■Elders of Israel" — here = the heads of Families. 
 " Ihe heads of the tribes" = t\\& Princes of the Tribes, 
 and heads of Clans. 
 
 " The ArJc of the Covenant," — so called because coutaiuiug 
 the Two Tables, on which were engraven the terms of the 
 Covenant between Jehovah and Israel. 
 
 V. 2. '■'■At the Feast" — i.e., of Tabernacles. 
 
 TheTemple was not completed, and its services thoroughly 
 ordered, until the 8th month ; but Solomon celebrated the 
 Dedication of the building in the 7tli month, so that the 
 festival might be contemporaneous with 
 
 The Feast of Tabernacles, or of Ingathering, — which was 
 instituted by Jehovah to 
 
 1. Celebrate the ingathering of the harvest and the 
 vintage. 
 
 2. Commemorate the Israelites having dwelt in tents 
 during their wanderings. 
 
 It commenced on the 15th of the month, and lasted seven 
 days, the first of which, and the following eighth day, were 
 to be days of Holy Convocation. During the continuance 
 of the Feast, the people dwelt in booths constructed with 
 branches of olive, palm, &c. It was the most joyous of 
 the Jewish festivals, and during its celebration more 
 Bacrifices were offered than at any other sacred season.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 73 
 
 The two grandest and most extensive celebrations of 
 lliis Feast were the one narrated in the text, and one after 
 the Captivity, (narrated by Ezra and Nehemiah). 
 
 There was a remarkable fitness in Solomon's making the 
 Dedication of the Temple synchronize with the Feast of 
 Tabernacles, — for the latter recalling to mind Jehovah's 
 dwelling in a Tent during the Wanderings, the Israelites 
 would be filled with devout exultation when they looked 
 upon the magnificent abode now prepared for Him. 
 
 ^'' Ethanini" — corresponding, mainly, to our October. 
 
 7!. 4. " The tabernacle of the congregation," — the original 
 Mosaic Tabernacle, now brought from Gibeon. 
 
 Where it was placed in the Temple, and what became of 
 it, we are not told. The "vesse/s" that were now trans- 
 ferred from it to the Temple were probably employed, 
 with the new ones, in the service of the House. 
 
 V. 8. ^^And they drexo out . . . not seen without," — 
 ■i.e., the staves were drawn out so far as to allow the Ark 
 to be placed close against the back wall, but not far enough 
 to protrude into, and be seen in, the Holy Place. 
 
 V. 9. " There xcas nothing in the ark save the two tables 
 of stone." 
 
 These had been in the Ark from the time of its con- 
 struction. There had also been placed within the Ark a 
 golden vase containing manna, Aaron's rod, and a copy of 
 the Book of the Law. Paul thus mentions them, — 
 
 "The ark of the covenant . . . wherein was the 
 golden pot that had manna, and AaronHs rod that budded, 
 and the tables of the Covenant." (Heb. ix. 4.) 
 
 Some say that these three articles were never placed in 
 the Ark, but only laid up beside it; but Paul's testimony 
 is clearly against this view, — and so are the words of the 
 text, which evidently indicate that there had formerly been 
 other things in the Ark besides the Two Tables, but that 
 the latter alone remained when the sacred coflfer was 
 placed in the Temple. 
 
 (In connection with the passage just quoted, Paul speaks 
 of a " Golden Censer" being part of the furniture of the 
 " Holiest of All" ; but it is not mentioned in the Penta- 
 teuch, nor have we any record of anji^hing of the kind in 
 Solomon's Oracle. Doubtless it loas in the Holy of Holies 
 of the Mosaic structure, and, remembering that Solomon 
 furnished his House in imitation of the Tabernacle, we may
 
 74 NOTES OF 1. KINGS. 
 
 suppose that the "Golden Censer" used by the High Priest, 
 when he entered the presence of Jehovah on the Great 
 Day of Atonement, was kept in the Inner Sanctuary ) 
 
 V. 10. " The cloud" — the Shechinah. The same kind of 
 manifestation took place at the Consecration of the Taber- 
 nacle as at the Dedication of the Temple, (read Lev, ix. 
 22-24 : and Exod. xl. 34, 35.) 
 
 The Shechinah rested, like a cloud, between the 
 Cherubim, above the Mercy-Seat. It was the visible 
 token of God's presence, and had led the Israelites through 
 their journeyings, as "a pillar of cloud by day, and a 
 pillar of fire by night." 
 
 It appeared again to the Shepherds, at Christ's birth, — 
 to Paul, going to Damascus, — and to the three Apostles, 
 at the Transfiguration. 
 
 From the parallel account of the Dedication found in 
 II. Chron., we learn, in addition to the details in the text, 
 that 
 
 1. All the priests at once, and not one of the Courses, 
 officiated on the occasion. 
 
 2. The singers and players, under Asaph, Heman, and 
 Jeduthun, all arrayed in fine linen, stood at the E. 
 end of the Altar, together with 120 priests with 
 trumpets, — that the singers lifted up their voices in 
 glad concert with the trumpets, cymbals, psalteries, 
 and harps, singing, "For He is good: for His 
 mercy endujreth for ever." 
 
 3. That it was while this anthem of praise was 
 ascending that the Shechinah filled the House. 
 
 V. 12. " The Lord said . . . darkness." 
 
 " And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy 
 brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place 
 within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the 
 ark ; that he die not ; for / will appear in the cloud upon 
 the mercy seat." 
 
 From the expression in the text it seems clear that the 
 Holy of Holies had no inlet for light, — the Shechinah 
 alone illuminating it. 
 
 V. 20. ^^ Room" —place.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 75 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 22-53. 
 
 Solomon's Prayer of Dedication. 
 
 Epitome of the Prayer. 
 
 1. Invocation of Jehovah, as a covenant-keeping God in 
 fultiUiug the promises made to Da\"id as to the Temple, — 
 iiud supplication that He will, on condition of obedience, 
 redeem His pledge to David that thei'e should not fail him 
 a man to sit on the throne of Israel. 
 
 2. An expression of awed astonishment that God should 
 condescend to dwell on earth, — with a humble petition, that 
 since He does so condescend, He will hearken to the prayers 
 presented in tlie Temjale. 
 
 3. Prayer that Jehovah will " hear in heaven" forgive, 
 and remove his chastening hand, in case of Israel's being 
 jjunished for their sins by 
 
 (1.) Being smitten before their enemies. 
 (2.) Being dejuived of the usual seas(mable rains. 
 (3.) Being afflicted with famine, pestilence, blasting, 
 mildew, locust, or " caterpiller." 
 
 4. Prayer that Jehovah will " hear in heaven" and 
 answer, the petitions of any stranger who, hearing of His 
 '''great name," shall '■^come and prai/ towards" the Temple. 
 
 5. Prayer that Jehovah will hear Israel calling upon 
 Him when going out to battle, and grant them victory. 
 
 6. Prayer that, if Israel be carried captive into a strange 
 land, on account of their sins, and if they repent, and 
 " pray toivard" the Temple, Jehovah will " hear in heaven," 
 " and forgive," and grant that their ojii^ressors may have 
 compassion on them. 
 
 7. An earnest pleading, (as the ground of granting tlie 
 favours asked), of the fact that Israel are Jehovah's chosen 
 ''■people" and " inheritance." 
 
 V. 31. "And an oath . . . thine altar in this house." — 
 It would hence appear that the Jews, like other nations of 
 antiquity, were in the habit of taking solemn oaths before, 
 or upon, the Altar. Probably, the method of doing was 
 to lay the hand on the Altar, and swear by " the nanie of 
 the Lord." 
 
 V. 37. " Caterpiller" — either the larva of the locust, — 
 or a full-grown locust of a pai'ticular, but by uatui'alisLa
 
 T6 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 iindiscrimated species, — or, more probably, a coleopterovs 
 insect of the cockchafer kind. 
 
 V. 44. '■'•Shall pray . . . huilt for thy name." — Tlie 
 Jews, like other ancient natious, were iu the habit of 
 directing "their faces, when at prayer, towards some 
 particular point where the presence of their deity was 
 supposed to be more particularly manifested, or which was 
 the holiest place which the religion recognized." 
 
 The Eastern nations called this point the Kehla. 
 
 Jerusalem and the Temple were, and are, the Kehla of 
 the Jews. For this cause, the door, or, (if there be more 
 than one entrance), the principal door, is always situated 
 as nearly as possible opposite to the site of Jerusalem, so 
 that the worshipper on entering may face the Holy City. 
 
 II. Chron. adds to the account in Kings of Solomon's 
 Prayer of Dedication, that 
 
 1. Solomon's position dtiring the ceremony was on a 
 " brasen scaffold" 5 cubs, long, 5 cubs, broad, and 
 3 cubs, high, set in the middle of the Court, {i.e., 
 the Court of the Priests). 
 
 2. He kneeled during his Prayer. 
 
 3. He ended his Prayer by ejaculating, " Noiv, there- 
 fore, arise, Lord God! into thy resting-place, thou, 
 and the ark of thy strength : let thy priests, Lord 
 God! be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints 
 rejoice in (thy) goodness. Lord God! turn not 
 away the face of thine anointed: remember the 
 mercies of David thy servant." 
 
 4. When Solomon's Prayer was iinisherl, ^'fire came 
 down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering 
 and the sacrifices," and the Shechinah was again 
 manifested in all its glory, so that ^Hhe priests could 
 not enter into tlie house." 
 
 5. All the assembled Israelites, seeing the fire and the 
 Shechinah, '■'■bowed themselves with their faces to the 
 ground, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, 
 saying," (in echo of the song of the Levites), ^'' For 
 He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever"
 
 ^OTES ON I. KINGS. fl 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 54-end. 
 
 Solomon's Prayer being ended, lie rises, — a 
 second time blesses "the Congregation," — 
 and praises God for giving rest unto Israel, 
 according to His promises made to Moses: — ■ 
 lie prays that G-od may be with Israel as in 
 old times, inclining their hearts to serve 
 Him, — and that Jehovah will hear his sup- 
 plications, so that all the earth may know 
 "that the Lord is God, . . . none else": — 
 finally, he exhorts the people to obedience. — • 
 Solomon and "all Israel" sacrifice holocausts 
 of victims. — A great Sacrificial Feast follows, 
 — and, at last, the people are dismissed, 
 blessing Solomon, and praising God. 
 
 V. 61. '■'■Perfect" — z.e., in purpose and endeavour. 
 
 V. 63. " Txoo and twentjj thousand oxen, and an hundred 
 and twenti/ sheep." — Tliese were not sacrificed at once, but 
 during the whole time the Feast lasted. The greater portion 
 of the sacrifices consisted, doubtless, of peace-ofterings, — • 
 for it was these that mu.-t have supplied the material for 
 the Sacrificial Feast, and the provision required must have 
 been immense, since it is represented that there was a 
 general gathering of the people to Jerusalem from '■^Hamath" 
 (i.e., the extreme N. of the kingdom), to " the river of Egijpt" 
 (the extreme S. boundary). 
 
 V. 65. '■'Seven dai/s and seven days, even fourteen dai/s." 
 
 II. Chvon. hcis ''Solo}no7i kept ike feast seve7i dai/s. . . . 
 And in the eighth daij they made a solemn assembly ; for 
 they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and tlie feast 
 seven days. And on the three and twentieth day of the 
 seventh month he sent the people axcay." 
 
 Collating these parallels, it is evident that Solomon 
 commenced the dedication festival seven days before the
 
 78 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 commencement of the Feast of Tabernacles, and that the 
 combined celebrations lasted another week, — so that the 
 ceremony and rejoicinjjs occupied in all a fortnight, ending 
 with the Holy Convocation prescribed for the eighth day 
 after the Commencement of the Feast. 
 
 II. Chron. adds to this portion of the narrative, that the 
 choir and band of Levites, and the priest-trumpeters, 
 ^'■waited on their offices" throughout the whole of the 
 festival. 
 
 After the Dedication, Solomon sacrificed regulai ly on 
 the Brazen Altar, at the times appointed in the Law ; and 
 at the three great Feasts, (of the Passover, of Pentecost, 
 and of Tabernacles), he sacrificed burnt-offerings and peace- 
 offerings, and burnt incense before the Lord on the Altar 
 of Incense. 
 
 Subsequent History of Solomon's Temple. 
 
 B.C. 
 
 970. Plundered by Shishak. 
 
 856. Repaired by Joash. 
 
 740. Ahaz uses its treasures to buy the aid of Tiglath- 
 pileser against Israel and Syria. 
 Afterwards, he removed the Brazen Altar, and re- 
 placed it by one built upon a heathen model he had 
 seen at Damascus. Finally, he plundered the Temple, 
 — broke its vessels — and closed it altogether. 
 
 726. Hezekiah reopens and purifies it, and restores its 
 worship. 
 
 713. Hezekiah bribes Sennacherib to leave his territory, 
 by means of the Temple treasures. 
 
 (198. Manasseh sets up idols, and altars to them, in the 
 Courts of the House. 
 Afterwards he repented, and removed them. 
 
 624. Josiah repairs the Temple, and rehabilitates the 
 priesthood. 
 
 606. Nebuchadnezzar despoils it, for the first time, in the 
 reign of Jehoiakim. 
 
 T)'dQ. Nebuchadnezzar's second despoliation, in the reign 
 of Jehoiachin. 
 
 588. Nebuchadnezzar completely destroys it, in the reign 
 of Zedekiah.
 
 NOTES OX I. KINGS. 79 
 
 THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES 
 
 "Were divided, and ordered, under Solomon, in the manner 
 already described at the end of David's reign. 
 
 The sole High-Priest, after Abiathar'a disgrace, was 
 
 Zadok, who predeceased David, 
 
 PROPHETS. 
 
 Nathan, — particulars of whom have been already given. 
 
 Ahijah, the Shilonite, {i.e., a native or inhabitant of 
 Shiloh), — by Divine direction, announced to Jeroboam 
 Jehovah's intention to rend the Kingdom from Solomon, — 
 wrote some of the affairs of the latter's reign. 
 
 SOLOMON'S OTHER WORKS. 
 
 1. HIS OWN PALACE,— having walls built of three 
 courses of " hewed stones," and one course of ^^ cedars." 
 
 In front of this Palace, Solomon constructed 
 
 The Porch of Judgment,— where he should sit to 
 administer justice. 
 
 It was 50 cubs, long, and 30 cubs, broad, — was lined 
 with cedar, — and contained a 
 
 ^^ Great Ivoiy Throne j^ — concave at the back, 
 and having a '■^ stay" {i.e., rest, like the arm of an easy- 
 chair), on each side, flanked by the image of a lion. It 
 had a golden footstool, and stood at the top of six steps, 
 upon which were twelve lions, one at each end of each stejx 
 
 The whole structure was overlaid with gold. 
 
 This Throne was on the Egyptian model, but, for 
 magnificence, '"'■ there was not the like made in any kingdom.'" 
 
 Up to the time of Saul's accession, it was the custom to 
 transact public business, and to try causes, at the gates of 
 towns. Of this we have numerous instances in tlie Old 
 Testament, — e.g. Abraham's bargain for the field of Ephron, 
 and the transference to Bo;iz of Ruth's next kinsman's 
 obligations to her, were both settled in the gate. 
 
 The reasons of this i>ractice seem to have been : — 
 
 1. That all might have easy access to the court. 
 
 2. That, as the gate was a place where numbei-s of 
 persous passed and assembled, plenty of witnesses 
 might be obtained to transactions. This was im-
 
 80 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 portant, because there were then few written 
 records. Thus we hud Boaz saying to elders aud 
 people, " Ye are witnesses this day." 
 
 3. That this public administration of justice might 
 inspire confidence in the judges' integrity. 
 
 4. That the Hebrews being engaged chiefly in agri- 
 culture, and going in the early morning to tlieir 
 work, it was most convenient for them to have 
 their causes settled on their way out. 
 
 David administered justice in the room over the gate of 
 his palace : Solomon imitated his father's example as far 
 as holding his Court at the Palace-gate was concerned ; 
 but his justice-room was on the ground-floor, not on the 
 first storey. 
 
 2. THE HOUSE OF THE FOEEST OF LEBANON,— so 
 
 called either because so large a quantity of cedar was em- 
 ployed in its construction, or, as is more likely, because its 
 numerous pillars gave it a fanciful likeness to a forest. 
 
 It was 100 cubs, long, 50 cubs, broad, and 30 cubs, high, 
 — and had a roof of cedar supported by beams resting on 
 three rows of pillars, fifteen in each row. 
 
 It was lighted by three rows of windows on each side. 
 
 Solomon caused to be made, and placed in this House, 
 
 (1). 200 targets of beaten gold, — each consisting of 
 600 shekels of the pure metal. 
 (^he shekel — \oz. Troy.) 
 
 (2.) 300 shields of beaten gold, — each consisting of 
 300 shekels of pui'e metal, (according to Chron.) 
 — Kings has 3 lbs. of gold in each shield. 
 
 3. A PALACE FOE PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER.— This was 
 the residence, also, of the whole of Solomon's female estab- 
 lishment. 
 
 It was built of " hcwti stone," lined with cedar, aud 
 supported on pillars. 
 
 Until this house was built, Pharaoh's daughter resided 
 in the City of David, — in the latter's old palace. In Chron. 
 the motive attributed to Solomon for building his queen a 
 new house is that he had a pious objection to her residing 
 in the house of David, because the Ark had passed through 
 it! (Itead 11. Chron. viii. 11.) This delicate scrupulous- 
 ness was manifested before his lapse into idolatry.
 
 1^'OTES ON I. KINGS. 81 
 
 The stones used in tliese buildings were "hewed stones" 
 "costly stones" — as were also those employed in the founda- 
 tions," which were, moreover, "great stones, stones of ten 
 ciihits, and stones of eight cubits." As the stones used for 
 the foundation of the Temple are also characterized as 
 "great stones" we may safely infer them to have been of 
 much the same size as those referred to in the text, — 
 indeed, some of the stones in the existing wall of Jerusalem 
 are 15 and 16 feet long, 4 broad, and 4 deep. 
 
 It would appeal', judging by the Analogy of Oriental 
 Palaces generally, that The House of Solomon, The House 
 for Pharaoh's daughter, and The House of the Forest of 
 Lebanon, were not three distinct piles, but were merely 
 different parts of the same building. 
 
 This view is supported by II. Chron. viii. 1, — "And it 
 came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon 
 had built the house of the Lord, and his own house." 
 
 Now Solomon had, at the end of twenty years, built 
 also the Palace for his Queen, and the House of the Forest ; 
 therefore it is evident that these two buildings, and Solo- 
 mon's Palace, are here included under the designation 
 "his own house," and that they should be so included is 
 almost proof positive that they were but parts of one 
 structure. 
 
 It is believed that a fairly correct idea of the relative 
 situations, &c., of different portions of the pile may be 
 formed from the appended
 
 k
 
 NOTES ON T. KINGS. 83 
 
 ExplanatioJl of Plan. — The wliole pile is en- 
 clused by a wall, round which, on the inside, are built the 
 apartments of the Court Officers. 
 
 Passing through the entrance on the left, a Court is 
 reached. In this Court is the Palace t^eneral, consisting of 
 The Porch of Judgment, which opens into 
 The House of the Forest of Lebanon :— 
 Solomon's House, — represented by the square on the 
 
 right : — and 
 The House of Pharaoh's Daughter, (and general Harem), 
 — represented by the square on the left. 
 Entrance to these last two is obtained through the 
 House of the Forest. They consist of a square, central, 
 open, Court, — surrounded by a colonnade, under all the 
 sides of which, save those nearest to the House of the 
 Forest, are the apartments of the occupants. 
 
 (A Plan of the Temple has not been given, because all 
 those in existence differ mater ialh/ from one another, and 
 the Author's ideas on the subject are at variance with everi/ 
 authority he has consulted. The student must, if required 
 to construct a Flan of Solomon's Temple, forin one for 
 himself from the verbal description given in these pages, 
 unless the teacher supplij one.) 
 
 The time occupied by Solomon in building his Palace and 
 pile is stated to have been thirteen years, and we learn, 
 also, that it was finished twenty years after his accession : 
 consequently, it must have been commenced after the com- 
 j)letion of the Temple. 
 
 4. MILLO, which had been begun by David, was com- 
 pleted by Solomon, after his Pahice was built. 
 
 It has been already_ stated that Millo is generally sup- 
 posed to be the rampart of the citadel of Jerusalem, on 
 JMount Zion, " the city of David." 
 
 The name Millo is from the Heb. mala — to be full, and 
 was, probably, applied to this work because it was con- 
 structed partly on a surface formed by filling up the 
 Valley between the Upper, and the Lower, City, (which 
 David evidently began, and Solomon finished). 
 
 We learn, in II. Kings, that Joash was slain by Con- 
 spirators in the '^ house of Millo," (where he had evidently 
 gone to meet his Council). Most critics imagine a con-
 
 84 NOTES ON l RINGS. 
 
 nection between this building and the fortifications of the 
 Citadel, and, consequently, represent it as a strong fort, 
 or arsenal, forming a portion of the rampart, or situated 
 near it, and used by the Kings as a senate-house wherein 
 to confer with the heads of the nation. 
 
 There is no need of any such explanation. The " house 
 of Millo " was, undoubtedly, the national Council-chamber, 
 but it need not have been near the Citadel, or strongly 
 built, — for there seems no question that in this case the 
 name " Millo " was bestowed upon it because it was JiUed 
 with tlie senators. 
 
 Millo appears to have been the most burdensome and 
 costly work in which Solomon engaged, and the one that 
 most roused the national discontent. 
 
 5. "THE WALL OF JERUSALEM ROUND ABOUT,"— 
 enclosing Mount Zion only, it would appear. Two other 
 walls were constructed at a later period. Doubtless Jeru- 
 salem was a w^alled city when David took it, — so that we 
 must regard Solomon as extending and strengthening the 
 wall, rather than constructing it afresh. 
 
 6. NUMEROUS CITIES WERE BUILT.— These were 
 
 1. Store cities. (Some are mentioned as being in 
 Hamath, and seem to have been commercial dep6ts fur 
 the trade in that direction.) 
 
 2. Cities for his chariots, and his horsemen. 
 
 3. "Tadmor in the wilderness,"— i.e., in the Syrian 
 *' wilderness." 
 
 Tadmor was subsequently called also Palmyra, which 
 name, as well as " Tadmor" refers to the palm-trees growing 
 there at that time. 
 
 The ruins of the city shew that it was situated on an 
 oasis in the midst of a vast desert, through which passed 
 the caravans conveying the produce of Eastern Asia from 
 the Persian Gulf and Babylon to Phoenicia, Syria, and Asia 
 Minor. The presence of water on the site of Tadmor had, 
 doubtless, constituted the spot a regular halting-place for 
 the caravans. Solomon, availing himself of these circum- 
 stances, built Tadmor, and so secured to himself the 
 monopoly, or control, of the traffic, while at the same time 
 the city,"being doubtless fortified, was a strong safeguard 
 of his territory. 
 
 7. CERTAIN CITIES WERE REPAIRED AND FORTIFIED. 
 The text has that Solomon " haiU " them, but, as they were
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 85 
 
 in existence before, the expression must be taken in the 
 sense of restoring and strengthening : — 
 
 1. Hazor, — near Lake Merom, and belonging to Naph- 
 tali, — the capital of Jubin whom Joshua defeated, and of a 
 second king of that name conquered by Barak, after which 
 time the place remained in possession of Israel. 
 
 Solomon fortified it to defend the passage into Canaan 
 from Syria and Assyria. 
 
 2. Megiddo, — belonged to Manasseh, but was in Issa- 
 char. David repaired and fortified it, because it was an 
 important station of the caravans between Damascus and 
 Egypt, and guarded the Plain of Esdraelon. 
 
 Gezer, — between the Lower Beth-horon, and the coast. 
 The Canaanites were not expelled from it at the Conquest ; 
 for in I. Kings we read that Phavaoli, Solomon's father-iu- 
 law, (when, or why, it is not stated), " had gone up, and 
 taken Gezer, and burnt it vnthfire, and slain the Canaanites 
 that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present, {i.e. dowry), 
 tmto his daughter, Solomon's wife." 
 
 Perhaps, as Solomon was averse from war himself, he 
 had engaged his father-in-law to reduce Gezer for him. 
 
 4. Upper Beth-horon, and Lower Beth-horon,— both 
 in the S. of Ephraim. 
 
 5. Baalath, — in South Dan. (Some, however, though 
 incorrectly, make it to be the modern BaaWec, and classical 
 Jlieropolis). Baalath is distinctly named in Joshua as one 
 of the towns in the territory alloted to Dan. 
 
 Gezer, and Baalath, were fortified by Solomon, because 
 they defended the country on the side of tlie Philistines, 
 — the Beth-horons, because the road on which they were 
 situated was the main approach to central Palestine from 
 Egypt, Philistria, Moab, and Aramou ; against whom it 
 was, therefore, necessary to guard, in case of hostilities 
 breaking out. Moreover, commercial reasons urged Solo- 
 mon to putting the Beth-horons in good condition, for the 
 road in which they lie is the great line of comnuinication 
 .and heavy transport between Jerusalem and the sea-coast. 
 Ill the construction of all his works Solomon employed 
 the '■'■leinf of Israelites, and, probably, the bond-servants 
 of the Canaanitish tribes.
 
 86 ■ NOTES ON 1. KINGS. 
 
 POLITICAL AND CIVIL AFFAIRS. 
 
 EXTENT OF THE KINGDOM. 
 
 (The whole question is treated here, instead of partly 
 under David's reign, and partly under Solomon's.) 
 
 The extent of the kingdom of Israel at Saul's 
 death was gi-eater only on the E. of Jordan than it had 
 lieen at his accession. He conquered the Philistines, 
 Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and the King of Zobah, 
 and almost exterminated the Amalekites ; but he does not 
 appear to have reduced any one of these to submission, or 
 to tribute. 
 
 The Hebrew territory, accordingly, included, at David'.^ 
 accession to the throne of Juda/i, and aJso of "Israel" : — 
 
 1. The land apportioned, hy Joshua, to the Twelve 
 Tribes,— excepting the following peoples, states, and cities, 
 which the tribes had failed to conquer : — 
 
 In the N. — Geshur, — Beth-shau, Endor,Taanach, Meggido, 
 and Dor, — Kitron, and Nahalal, — Maachath- 
 ites, — Beth-shemesh, and Beth-anatli,- — Accho, 
 Ahlab, Achzib, Helbah, Apliek, and Eehob. 
 
 In the N.N.E.—'' The Land of the GiUites." 
 
 In the N. W. — The Phoenicians. 
 
 In the W. — Amorites of Mount Heres and Shaalbim, — 
 unconquered, but tributary. 
 
 In the S. — The Geshurites. 
 
 In the S. TF.— The Philistines. 
 
 In the central parts of Palestine. — The Jebusites of Jeru- 
 salem, — Gezer. 
 
 2. Tlie territori/ of the Hagarites, or Ilagarenes, (so called 
 after Hagar), a tribe of Ishmaelites E. of the portions of 
 Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, beyond Jordan. These three 
 tribes defeated the Hagarites, (through the assistance of 
 Jehovah, who listened to their cry in battle) ; — took their 
 cattle, 50,000 camels, 2.50,000 sheep, 2,000 asses,— and 
 100,000 men (!) as prisoners, (this last being, evidently, 
 an error) ; — '■'■and dioelt in their steads until the captivity." 
 (I. Chron. v. 10; 19-22.) 
 
 David seems to have determined to extend the bound- 
 aries of his empire to the limits that it had been foretold 
 it might occupy.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 87 
 
 The chief passages bearing on this point are as follows : — 
 
 To Abraham, God had declared, — "Unto thy seed have 
 1 given this laud, from the river of Egypt unto the great 
 river, the river Euphrates : the Kenites, and the Keniz- 
 zites, and the Kadmouites, and the Hittites, and the 
 Perizzites, and the Bephainis, and the Amorites, and the 
 Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites," 
 
 To Moses God had said, — 
 
 1. — ^*' And I -will set thy bounds from the Eed Sea even 
 unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto 
 the river." 
 
 " The Sea of the Fhilistines" was the Mediterranean, — 
 " the desert," that to the S. of Palestine, — and " the river," 
 the Euphrates. 
 
 2. — " Go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the 
 places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the 
 vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of 
 the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, 
 the river Euphrates." 
 
 "The Mount of the Amorites," — in S. of Judah. 
 
 ^^The Canaanites" — the Canaanites proper, on the sea- 
 coast. 
 
 3. — " From the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, 
 the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea," {i.e., 
 the furthest S.W. part of the Mediterranean). 
 
 " The land of the Canaanites," — the Canaanites proper. 
 
 To Joshua, the boundaries were thus prescribed : — 
 
 " From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the 
 gi'eat river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hit- 
 tites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the 
 sun, shall be your coast." 
 
 "The wilderness," — the same as "the desert," ;is before 
 explained. 
 
 Collating these passages, we find the foretold extent of 
 the Hebrew territory to have been as follows: — 
 
 From the Eiver of Egyjit on the S.W., to the E. arm of 
 the Red Sea, (including portions of that arm, and of the 
 S. desert), — thence E. to the Euphrates, — thence following 
 the Euphrates N.W. till opposite Lebanon, — past Lebanon, 
 to the coast of the Mediterranean, which formed the W. 
 limit, — and from this point Southwards along the coast to 
 the River of Egj'pt again. 
 
 All this territory, however, was not included in the
 
 88 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 ^^ Promised Land" i.e., in the country whicli God bad al- 
 lotted to be divided amongst the tribes : this was to reach, 
 on the E., to the Jordan only. 
 
 It was only their own hostile conduct that led Moses to 
 make war upon the kings E. of Jordan ; but, having con- 
 quered their territory, he bestowed it on those tribes 
 having the most flocks and herds. 
 
 But though the Joi'dan was to be the boundary of the 
 land to be divided, it is clearly indicated that, if the Israel- 
 ites chose, they might extend the limits of their territory 
 as far E. as the Euphrates. 
 
 The tribes E. of Jordan took the country of the Hagarites, 
 during Saul's reign, thus making a great step towards 
 reaching the utmost foretold E. boundary. 
 
 The extent of the kingdom at David's death, and 
 
 Solomon's accession, was that just indicated as '■'■the 
 foretold extent of the Hebrew territory." 
 
 But though David had conquered the Jebusites, and 
 taken their city, — held Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, 
 and nearly all Syria, under tribute, — and was acknowledged 
 by Hamath as its liege; yet the Phoenicians, and other 
 native tribes and cities, remained, as far as Scripture in- 
 forms us, independent under David, and at Solomon's 
 ascent of the throne. 
 
 With respect to the E., (or rather right-hand), limit 
 reached under David, the maps make it a line running 
 from the E. arm of the Gulf of Akaba, to touch the 
 Euphrates E. of Rezeph, and then make the river the 
 boundary for a short distance N.W. of Tiphsah. 
 
 This we believe to be altogether wrong f We have shewn 
 how the tribes E. of Jordan made a great step directly E., 
 to the Euplirates, under Saul, — we find them, under David, 
 reaching that river on the N.E., and so bringing Hadadezer 
 upon them " to recover his boundary," — and, at the same 
 time, I. Chron. distinctly states that the Eeubenites, who 
 were the most southerly tribe E. of Jordan, "inhabited 
 eastwards unto the entering in of the wilderness from the 
 river Euphrates." Taking this to have occurred under 
 David, (as we have good reason to do), we find in his reign 
 the kingdom reaching eastward as far as the Euphrates, 
 and accordingly extending there, as it did N., W., and S., 
 to the utmost limits foretold; nor do we find that any
 
 NOTES Oy I. KINGS. 89 
 
 serious attempt was ever made to advance E. of the 
 Euphrates. 
 
 The right-hand boundary-line, tlien, of the kingdom at 
 the death of David will be the Euphrates from a little N. 
 AV. of Tij)iisah, to h;df-way between Orchoe and Babylon. 
 
 At the same time, the limit given in the atlases generally 
 should he got up. 
 
 Solomon added to his territory Hamath-Zohah. He also 
 reduced to bond-service the Canaanites remaining in the 
 land, and who had hitlierto been independent. 
 
 Solomon left the Kingdom less than he found it: — 
 Rezon hail seized Damascus, and, probably, the greater part 
 of Syria which had been subject to Israel, — and Edom, 
 though still nominally a vassal of the Hebrew State, had 
 been made, by Hadad, virtually independent. 
 
 The W. boundary of Solomon's kingdom, when it was 
 undiminished, is stated to have been 
 
 ^^ Azzah" — i.e., Gaza, — and the N.E. limit, 
 
 " Tiphsah" (= a ford), — the classical Thapsacus. The 
 possession of this place was greatly important to Solomon, 
 for the land-traffic between E. and W. passed through it, 
 (in consequence of its possessing the lowest ford on the 
 Euphrates, and a bridge), and it was the spot where goods 
 were embarked for carriage down the river; or landed, 
 after conveyance up the river, to be forwarded by land to 
 their destination. 
 
 SOLOMON'S CABINET. 
 
 1. Minister ofWorsMp, — Zadok. 
 
 It states in the list of Solomon's officere, that " Zadok 
 and Abiathar were tlie priests." This list, then, must have 
 been drawn up previous to Abiathar's disgrace, or else we 
 must suppose that, though deprived of actual office, he 
 retained the title of High Priest. 
 
 2. Minister of "War, — "Benaiah, the so)i of Jehoiada, was 
 over the host," having succeeded joab in that capacity. It 
 is not stated whether he retained also his former post of 
 Captain of the Body Guard, or whether another took that 
 post on his elevation. 
 
 3. Minister of Finance, — Adoniram, (or Adoram), "50?i of 
 Abda."
 
 DO NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 4. Secretaries of State,— Elihoreph, and Ahiahj "sous of 
 Shis7ta'"l^who held the office under David). 
 
 5. Keeper of Eecords, and Public Annalist,— :Jeh. 08hapIiat, 
 t/ie son of Aldlud. 
 
 6. Comptroller of the Household, — ^Abishar. 
 
 7. "Over the officers," {i.e., proBaHy, the 550 officers 
 '■'■ that hare rule over the people" engaged in Solomon's 
 works), — Azariah, '■■son of Nathan." 
 
 _ 8. "Principal officer," (perhaps Prme Minister), — Zabad,. 
 "son of Nathan." 
 
 He is called also "^Ae^m^'s/n'enc?," — i.e. his confidential 
 adviser. 
 
 Azariah. " so7i of ZadoTc the priest " is also mentioned ; 
 but no office is assigned to him. 
 
 N.B. All further necessari/ explanation as to the duties, 
 cSc, of Solomon's ministers will be found under " David's 
 Cabinet," many of whose members served Solomon in the 
 same capacity/ that they occupied under his father. 
 
 The above Ministers are called in I. Kings " the princes 
 which" Solomon '''■had." — ''Princes" here evidently means 
 principal ojicers. 
 
 CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 "And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hit- 
 tites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of 
 the children of Israel, their children that were left after 
 them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were 
 not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy 
 a tribute of bondservice unto this day. But of the children 
 of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but theii were 
 men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his cap- 
 tains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen." 
 
 "And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under 
 his vine and under his Jig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, 
 all the days of Solomon. Judah and Israel were many, 
 as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and 
 drinhinq, and making merry." 
 
 "Amorites," — between the Hittites and the Dead Sea, 
 
 " Hittitcs," — about Hebron. 
 
 "Perizzites," — on the table-lands under Carmel. 
 
 " Hivites," — about Gibeon, and near Mount Hermon. 
 
 ^'Jebusites" — in Jerusalem.
 
 NOTES ON 1. KINGS. 91 
 
 *^ Of the children of Israel . . . no bondmen," — but 
 he laid compulsori/ tvork upou them, and thus, thou<,di they 
 may have Leen well paid for it, he reduced them to a state 
 of virtual boudage. 
 
 '^I)ut the!/ were men-of-war . . . and his horsenen." 
 — The " but" seems iuteuded to give to the narrative this 
 force, " He not only did not make slaves of the Hebrews, — 
 he even raised them to honorable posts," (such as '"'■ men-oj- 
 war," '"servants," &c. 
 
 This must have been written by a partizan of Solomon, — 
 for the people were compelled to till the offices named, and, 
 far from their being honorable, they actually formed part 
 of the evil consequences which Jehovah declared, (through 
 Samuel, when the people desired a King), should follow 
 the establishment of a monarchy, [vid. I. Sam. viii. 11-17, 
 the perusal of which will shew that under Solomon the 
 nation experienced all the tyranny and oppression tlierein 
 predicted.) 
 
 '■'Every man . . . fig tree," — alludes to the Eastern 
 custom of securing a grateful shade and shelter in the court- 
 yard of houses by ]jlauting a tree, or trees, in the centre, 
 and by training vines over trellis- work, so as to form an 
 arbour. The expression in the text was proverbial of peace. 
 ''Eating and drinking, and making inerrji." — This was in 
 the first part of the reign, before grinding oppression had 
 turned plenty into straitness, and joviality into stern and 
 bitter discuutcut. 
 
 SOLOMON'S HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS. 
 
 His Harem has been already treated of. 
 
 The Comptroller of the Household was, as before 
 stated, Abishar. 
 
 Solomon's Daily Provision for his Household consisted 
 of 30 measures, (cors), of line flour, — 30 measures of meal, 
 {i.e., a coarser kind of flour, — 10 fat, (stalled), oxen, — 20 
 oxen out of the pasture, — 100 sheep, — with "harts," (deer 
 proper), "roebucks," (gazelles), "fallow-deer," (oryges), and 
 " fatted Mul." 
 
 Solomon's Victualling Officers. 
 
 "And Solomoti had twelve officers over all Israel, whieh 
 provided victuals for the king and his household; each man
 
 92 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 his month in a year made provision. And those officers 
 provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came 
 unto king Solomon's table, every man in his mouth : they 
 lacked nothing. Barley also, and straw for the horses and 
 dromedaries, brought they unto the place where the officers 
 were, every man according to his charge." 
 
 " Twelve officers . . . made provision." — The explan- 
 ation of this arrangement is, doubtless, as follows : — 
 
 The national taxes were paid in the produce of the 
 people's flocks, herds, and fields. To facilitate the col- 
 lection of this portion of the revenue, Solomon divided his 
 dominions into twelve districts, and set an officer over each 
 to gather the royal dues. Each of the twelve officei-s was 
 compelled, out of what he collected, to maintain the King's 
 household for a month. The surplus, probably, the gover- 
 nor was alJOAved to keep as his salary. The appointments 
 must have been very lucrative, since they were filled, as 
 will be seen shortly, l)y men of rank. 
 
 "■Straio" — chopped fodder. 
 
 " Droraedaries," — not the animal usually so nimed, but 
 a superior kind of camel, employed for riding. 
 
 The Twelve Officers, and their districts, were :— 
 
 Ben-Hur, (iu the text " The son of Hur"), — in Mount 
 Ephraim. 
 
 Ben-Dekar,— in Makaz, ShaalMm, Beth-shemesh, and Elon- 
 beth-hanan. 
 
 Ben-Hesed,— in "Arnboth," (i.e., the plains): 'Ho him 
 2~>ertained Sochob, and all the land o/'Hepher." 
 
 Ben-Abinadab, — ^^ all the region of Dor." He "had," 
 (later on than the time at which the list of officers was 
 drawn up), "Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife." 
 
 Baana, 'Uhe son of Ahiliid," — to whom "pertained 
 Taanacb and Megiddo, and a'l Beth-sbean, which is bi/ 
 Zartatmh, beneath Jezreel,from Beth-shean to Ahel-meholah, 
 unto bei/ond Jokneam." 
 
 Abinadab, "son of Tddo,"—" had TS.a.h.a.uB.im." 
 
 Abimaaz, (who afterwards married Basmath, Solomon's 
 daughter, — iu Napbtali. 
 
 Baanab, "son of JIushai,"—m Asher, and in '"Aloth," 
 (i.e., the terebinth-woods in that district). 
 
 Jeboshaphat, " so7i of Paruah," in Issacbar. 
 
 Sbimei, " son of Elah," in Benjamim.
 
 NOTES ON L KINGS. 03 
 
 Geber, '^ Son of Uri" — "m the conn ir?/ of Gi]ea.i, in the 
 (vuntrij of Sihoa king of the Ainorites, and of Og king of 
 Bashan; and he was the only oficer which xras in the land." 
 
 Ben-Geber, (son of the above Geber), — " iVi Ramoth-gilead ; 
 to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, 
 which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of 
 Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities lui'th icalls 
 and hrasen bars." 
 
 It is stated that Geber "?/'a5 the onh/ officer ivhich was 
 in the land" and yet that his sou also was officer in part 
 of the same district. It seems pretty clear tliat Geber 
 was chief officer E. of Jordan, and that Ben-Geber acted 
 under him. 
 
 FOREIGN ALLIANCES. 
 
 1. "WITH EGYPT,— cemented by marriage with Pharaoh's 
 daughter, and sought by Solomon for commercial purposes, 
 since " the friendship of that power must have been of 
 extreme importance to him in the dangerous navigation of 
 the Eed Sea." Pharaoh, Solomon's fathei'-iu-law, remained 
 on friendly terms with him throughout his reign ; but 
 after Pharaoh's death, (and, probably, that of Solomon's 
 iineen), Shishak displayed gi'eat hostility to Israel and its 
 king. 
 
 2. WITH PH(ENICIA,— a commercial treaty. 
 
 The harmony between Solomon and Hiram, (who was 
 son of Abi-Baal, and gi-andson of the Hiram who was 
 contemporary witli David), was undisturbed, save once, 
 when Solomon gave him, in exchange for 120 talents of 
 gol-d, 2(» cities which he had conquered "wi the land of 
 Galilee.'" When Hiram came to see the cities, he found 
 them, evidently, in a dilapidated state, " and they pleased 
 him not. And he said, ' What cities are these which thou 
 hast given me, my brother?'" And as one of them was 
 called Cabid, which in Phoenician = displeasure, Hiram 
 gave that name to all of the cities. He must have altogether 
 refused to accept them, for it is recorded that " the cities 
 tvhich Hiram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built, (i.e., 
 restored), them, and caused the chVdren oj Israel to dwell 
 there:'
 
 94 NOTES ON 1. KINGS. 
 
 MILITARY AFFAIRS. 
 
 The only warlike exploit of the reic^n was that 
 "Solomon went to Hamath-Zobah, and prevailed 
 against it." 
 
 In David's reign Zobah had been under Hadadezer, an 
 enemy, — and Haniath under Toi, an ally. Whether we are 
 to understand from the name Hamath-Zobah that, under 
 Solomon, the two kingdoms formed but one, or whether 
 the term means merely Hamath near Zobah, is uncertain. 
 
 Under what circumstances Solomon made war upon 
 Haraath-Zobah is not recorded. With this exception, " he 
 had peace on all sides round about him." He does not seem 
 to have taken any offensive measures against Eezon, or 
 Hadad. 
 
 It has been stated that, doubtless, the army became 
 rusty for want of use in this reign. 
 
 " Solomon gathered together chariots and horse- 
 men: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, 
 and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities 
 for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. . . . And 
 . . . forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots." 
 
 SOLOMON'S WEALTH AND COMMERCE. 
 
 SCLOMON'S REVENUE was derived from 
 
 1. Taxes in kiud levied on the Israelites. 
 
 2. Tribute from the subject nations. 
 
 "And they brought every man his present, vessels 
 of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and 
 armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year 
 by year." 
 
 3. Presents from foreign princes. 
 
 4. (and chieHy), — Profits on commerce with other 
 nations, of which he had a monopoly. 
 
 ^. The produce of his flocks, herds, and fields. 
 
 SOLOMON'S WEALTH was enormous,— as may be judged 
 from the following statements: — 
 
 "And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, 
 and cedars mafle he to be as the sycamore trees that are in 
 the vale, for abundance. And all king Solomon's drinking 
 vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of tlie house of the
 
 NOTES ON T. KINGS. 'J5 
 
 foi-est of Lebanon were of pure gold ; none 7rero of silver: 
 it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon." 
 
 "Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one 
 year was six hundred and threescore and six tidents of 
 gold ; beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. 
 And all the kings of Arabia and governore of the country 
 brought gold and silver to Solomon." 
 
 " Sycwnore trees" — the Ficus sycamorus. 
 
 " In the vale." — These are the sycamores " m the Io70 
 plains^' mentioned in I. Chron. as being under the care 
 of one of David's Royal Bailiffs. 
 
 There is no doubt that David and Solomon possessed 
 large tracts of land in the country. Some might be the 
 family inheritance, — the rest must have consisted of re- 
 claimed waste lands, (which were reckoned as the property 
 of the one who first cultivated them), and of the estates 
 of persons convicted of treason, which were forfeited to 
 the King. 
 
 SOLOMON'S COMMEECE was carried on with 
 
 1. Phoenicia. — The Scrijiture narrative states that 
 Hiram supplied Solomon with timber of cedar, fir, and 
 alraug, and the services of artizans ; and received, in return, 
 wheat and oil. 
 
 Thus each country supplied what the other needed. 
 It is not likely that Solomon continued to receive wood 
 from Hiram, or to employ his workmen, after the great 
 undertakings of his reign were completed, — so that after 
 these were done, this branch of the commerce between 
 the countries must have been placed upon a new footing. 
 Under the fresh arrangement, Hii'am seems to have still 
 received his yearly quantum of wheat, &c., — and to have 
 given, in exchange, gold, and the services of ship-builders 
 and sailors. 
 
 Besides the commerce mentioned in the Bible, there is no 
 doubt that, in the trade with Tyre, Solomon 
 
 Exported, — materials for manufacture, various sorts 
 of raw produce, and merchandise of all kinds to 
 sell again, — and 
 Imported,— manufactured stuffs, (e.g., Tyrian purple), 
 and " acceptable luxuries " of various kinds. 
 
 2. Ophir.— 
 
 "And king Solomon made a. navi/ of ships in Ezion- 
 geher, which is beside Eloth, on the whore of the Ked sea,
 
 9G ^'OTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 in the land of Edom. And Hiram sent in the navy h's 
 servants, shipmeu that had knowledge of tlie sea, with the 
 servants of Solomon. And they came to Ophir, und fetched 
 from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and 
 brought it to king Solomon." — I. Kings ix. 26, 27, 28. 
 
 "And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from 
 Ojjhir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of ahnug trees, 
 and precious stones. And the king made of the almug 
 trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king's 
 house, harps also and psalteries for singers : there came no 
 such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day. The king 
 had at sea a navij of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram : 
 once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing 
 gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks." — T. Kings 
 X. 11, 12, 22. 
 
 " For the king's ships went to Tarshkh with the servants 
 of Huram : every three years once came the ships of Tarshish 
 bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks." — 
 (II. Chron. ix. 21). 
 
 "Made a navy of ships." — II. Chron. states that Hiram 
 sent David ships. It would appear that the ships were 
 constructed, ready for putting together, at Tyre, and then 
 conveyed overland to Ezion-geber. "i/arfe," then, must 
 here be regarded as equivalent to "formed" not "built." 
 There was no wood near Ezion-geber that could have been 
 employed in ship-building. 
 
 "Ezion-geber" " Eloth" (Elath), — at the head of ihe 
 Eastern fork of the Eed Sea, 
 
 "His servants." — Further on we find the Ophir fleet 
 called "^/(C navy of Hiram." Altogether, it would appear 
 that the squadron consisted of vessels belonging partly to 
 -Solomon and partly to Hiram, and that the two monarchs 
 shared the profits of tlie commerce, (Solomon taking, 
 doubtless, the " lion's share.") 
 
 Solomon's own ships were manned partly by Israelites, 
 and partly by the " servants " of Hiram mentioned in the 
 text, — without whose experience in navigation the trade 
 could not have been carried on. 
 
 "Ophir," — variously represented as being the S. of 
 Arabia ; Sofala, on the E. of Africa ; the shores of tlie 
 Persian Gulf ; and India. 
 
 Most careful and rigid examination of authorities leads 
 us to believe that
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 97 
 
 OpTiir does not denote any specific locality, — but, " like 
 'Thule'" aud other uames, designates simply "a certain 
 region of the World, like the names ' East,' or ' West, 
 Indies,' in modern geography " ; — aud " may be understood 
 as a general name for the rich south country, including the 
 shores of Arabia, Africa, and India." '■'■(Jphir" signitiea 
 in Ax-abic " the rich countries." 
 
 ^^ Fetched, from thence," — i.e., yearly. 
 
 "Almug, (or algum), trees." — Judging from the wood 
 being employed in making musical instruments, it is most 
 likely that the algum was a kind of pine. The algum 
 wood obtained in Lebanon was not of so fine a quality as 
 that of Ophir, the latter being probabl}' the Pinus deodara 
 of India. The wood of that tree is extremely fragrant 
 and hard, and beautifully veined. 
 
 "/'i7^a?-5,"— rather " raiYs, props": II. Chron. has "ter- 
 races," — rather ^'■stairs:' Probably, it was to construct 
 balusters for the stairs and terraces that the wood was 
 used. 
 
 " A navy of Tharshish." — Tharshish, {i.e., the important 
 Phceuician colony of Tartessus, near Cadiz, in Spain), was 
 the fui-thest port to which the Phoenicians traded, and, 
 consequently, the vessels employed in the traffic thither 
 were larger and stronger than the general laiu of ships. 
 They were, moreover, distinguished by other peculiarities 
 of structure. 
 
 On account of their destination these craft were called 
 " ships of 7'arshish," jii&t as we name " Indiame7i" those 
 vessels which are devoted to the traffic with India. In 
 course of time the designation naturally came to be applied 
 not only to ships actually trading with Tartessus, but also 
 to any vessel of the same build as those sailing to that port. 
 This is the meaning of " a navy of Tharshish,^' — viz., a fleet 
 of ships of like construction with those carrying on the 
 PhKidcian commerce with Tharshish. 
 
 "Once in three years." ^^ Every three years" (should be 
 ^^ every third year.")— These expressions do not necessarily 
 indicate that the voyage occupied three years. They may 
 also signify either a period over two years but not amounting 
 to three, (which condition would be answered by two years 
 and one day even!), — or, (since the Hebrews counted parts 
 of years and days as whole ones), a space less than two 
 years ; for, if the fleet left at the close of one year, stayed 
 
 Q
 
 98 NOTES ON L KINGS. 
 
 away the whole of the second, and returned early in the 
 third, they would be said to return in the third year. Or, 
 indeed, the meaning may be merely that the voyage was 
 made once in three years, without any reference to the 
 time it occupied. 
 
 " Ivory" — rather elephants^ tusks. 
 
 " Apes" — species not indicated. 
 
 " Peacocks" — some think ^arro^s are meant ; but the text 
 seems correct as it is. 
 
 It would appear that Solomon instructed his sailors to 
 collect specimens of the animals of the countries which 
 they visited, in order to the prosecution of his studies in 
 Natural History. Doubtless, other creatures besides " apes " 
 and ^''peacocks" were brought home by the fleet, and it 
 seems probable that Solomon may have established a 
 Zoological Garden, or Museum, at Jerusalem. 
 
 " 7'Ae king's ships went to Tarshish." — From this passage, 
 it is generally represented that Solomon shared with Hiram 
 the rich Phoenician trade with Tartessus, and it is further 
 stated that the voyage occupied three years. 
 
 Our opinion, cautiously formed, is, that Solomon never 
 had any share whatever in the trade with Tartessus, — and 
 that this fleet which is represented in Chron. as going to 
 Tarshish was one and the same with the fleet that went to 
 Ophir. The chief reasons for this opinion are that 
 
 1. The Phoenicians most jealously guarded their com- 
 merce from the knowledge and participation of 
 other nations. They were evidently very ready to 
 share in the new trade opened up by Solomon ; but 
 to have admitted him to partake in their lucrative 
 Spanish commerce was altogether repugnant to 
 their ideas and practice. 
 
 2. I. Kings, xxii.,48, has, — " Jehoshaphat made ships 
 of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold : but they went 
 not, for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber." 
 
 II. Chron., xx., 35,36, has, — Jehoshaphat "joined 
 
 himself with " the king of Israel " to make ships to 
 
 go to Tarshish: and they made the ships at Ezion- 
 
 geher . . . And the ships were broken that 
 
 they were not able to go to Tarshish." 
 
 These two passages refer to the same incident. In the 
 
 first we have ships of Tharshish, {i.e., ships of the kind that 
 
 trafficked with Tartessus), being equipped at Ezion-geber 
 
 to go to Ophir. This is plain enough, for from Ezion-geber
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 99 
 
 down the lied Sea was the proper route to the districts 
 wliich have been described by us as Ophir. In the second 
 passage, however, we have ships being equipped at Ezion- 
 geber to go to Tarshish. 
 
 Now Tarshish here cannot mean Tartessus in Spain, for 
 it is simply ridiculous to suppose vessels would sail down the 
 Red Sea to reach the Mediterranean. They might do so by 
 doubling the Cape of Good Hope, and passing up the W. 
 of Africa, — returning home vicL the Mediterranean. But 
 there is conchisive evidence that they did not round the 
 Cape. 
 
 The fleet referred to in both these passages was preparing, 
 as Kings has it, to go to Ophir. 
 
 The explanation of the statement that Solomon sent ships 
 to Tarshish, and that Jehoshaphat prepared vessels to go 
 there, is to be found in one of two alternatives : — 
 
 1. Tliere is an error in Chronicles, (which is nearly 
 always in fault when it differs from Kings on im- 
 portant points), the expression " to Tarshish " being 
 erroneou?]y put for " ships of Tharshish." 
 
 2. Tarshish being the longest voyage the Phoenicians 
 made, the expression "to Tarshish" came to be 
 applied, and is applied in Chronicles, to any far- 
 distant country to which "ships of Tharshish" 
 voyaged. 
 
 This seems the correct solution. 
 
 Eeviewing what has been said upon the Ophir trade, it 
 appears that Solomon's and Hiram's fleets, composed of 
 '•ships of Tharshish," voyaged once every three years to 
 the coasts of S. Arabia, E. Africa, and India, which being, 
 like Tartessus, far distant, the squadron is said to have 
 gone to Tarshish. 
 
 It will be seen that all the productions named as being 
 brought from Ophir, viz., gold, almug trees, precious 
 stones, silver, elephants' teeth, apes, and peacocks, could 
 be obtained from the districts which we regard as con- 
 stituting Ophir. 
 
 We are not informed what goods the Ophir fleet carried 
 out to give in barter for the rich stores it brought back. 
 It is most likely that where it had civilized tribes to deal 
 with, articles of use and luxury, such as wheat, oil, wine, 
 rich manufactured stufi's and robes, &c., were exchanged, 
 — but where savage nations were encountered, {e.g., in 
 Africa), a few bales of cloth, and a small store of trinkets,
 
 100 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 would suiEce to secure immense amounts of gold-dust, 
 elephants' tusks, gems, spices, &c. 
 
 It would appear that Solomon and Hiram did not keep 
 all the proceeds of their Ophir traffic, — but rathei that 
 they re-exported much of them to Europe, at, of course, a 
 handsome profit, so that their commerce in tliis quarter 
 was partly a carrying-trade. 
 
 Solomon's commerce l;)y means of the Red Sea was, 
 doubtless, greatly injured by Hadad, towards the close of 
 the reign. 
 
 3. Egypt. — The Egyptians, though restrained by their 
 religion, and their exclusiveness, from embarking upon com- 
 merce without the bounds of their own country, were ready 
 to purchase from those who brought goods which they 
 needed into their territory, and to sell these merchants, or 
 give them in exchange, the peculiar produce of their land. 
 
 Solornon imported from Egypt 
 
 1. Horses, — for which the country was celebrated. 
 Solomon's traders paid 150 shekels of silver for each 
 animal. 
 
 Some of the horses Solomon kept for his own use, — but 
 he drove, besides, a lucrative trade in re-selling them, for, 
 having a monopoly of the traffic, he could get his own 
 price for them. 
 
 We read in Kings that it was " the Kings of the Hittites " 
 and "the Kings of Syria," that were the main purchasers 
 of horses from Solomon. 
 
 How "Kings of the Hittites" should remain independent, 
 after Solomon had subjected the remnant of that tribe to 
 bond-service, is inexplicable. 
 
 2. Chariots, — the price paid to the Egyptians for each 
 being 600 shekels of silver. 
 
 It is possible that by " a chariot " in this case is meant 
 the horses belonging to a chariot. If this be so, four horses 
 must have been yoked to one chariot, since 600 shekels is 
 just four times the amount paid for a single horse. 
 
 I. Kings has, in addition to horses and chariots, "Linea 
 yarn" as being sold to Solomon. Egypt was celebrated 
 for this article, produced from the flax which grew in 
 abundance in the Valley of the Nile ; but it is certain 
 that " li7ieji yarn " is in this text a mistranslation. 
 
 Our Version has, — "And Solomon had horses brought 
 out of Egypt, and li)ien yarn: the king's merchants re- 
 ceived the linen yarn at a price."
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 101 
 
 Tlie Septuagint and Vulgate make the word loa, tran- 
 slated linen yarn, a proper name, so that, following thera, 
 we may read, — "And Solomon had horses brought out 
 of Egypt axxd from Koa: the king's merchants received 
 them jrom Koa at a stated price." lliis does not seem to be 
 correct, — for no such country as Koa is known. 
 
 The right eolution seems to lie in translating ^^Koa" (as 
 is done elsewhere in Scripture), by " a gathering," or ^^col- 
 lection," and in understanding that the horses purchased 
 by Solomon's agents icere collected by them from large 
 numbers brought together,hy the vendors, for that purpose. 
 
 Another aliei'native is to translate ^^ Koa" by "strings 
 of horses," — that being the method in which the animals 
 are taken to market. 
 
 Solomon exported to Egypt, — chiefly, jjrobably. Wine, 
 which was totally wanting in that country, and was 
 plentiful in Palestine. 
 
 4. Babylon, India, and tlie shores of the Persian Gulf, — by 
 the Euphrates, and caravans. 
 
 Of tliis trade we have no particulars. 
 
 5. Arabia, — by means of caravans. 
 
 "All the kings of Arabia . . . brought gold and 
 silver to Solomon." 
 
 From tins quarter he would obtain, also, spices, incense, 
 and gems. 
 
 Goods from Arabia intended for Solomon's Phoenician 
 allies would be brought by the caravans to Gezer and 
 Eeth-horou, and thence carried to Joppa for transportation 
 by sea to Tj're. 
 
 SOLOMON'S WISDOM, AND WRITINGS. 
 
 " And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the 
 childreji of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 
 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, 
 and Heman, and ChaJcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: 
 and his fame was in all nations round about. And he 
 spake three thousand proverbs : and his songs were a thousand 
 and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that 
 is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that spriugeth out of 
 the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of 
 creeping things, and of fishes." 
 
 ^^ All the children of the East country," — probably the 
 Chaldteans. 
 
 '■^AU the wisdom of Egypt." — Egypt was regarded by other
 
 102 IfOTES ON 1. KINGS. 
 
 nations as the cradle and chief abode of the Arts and 
 Sciences, — and "wise men" from other lands were wont to 
 resort thither to study. Stephen speaks of Moses as 
 '^learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." 
 
 " Wiser than all men" — i.e., than all men past, present, 
 or to come, {vid. c. iii., 12). Some Rabbins say that the 
 word here translated ^^men" should be '•'■Adam." 
 
 " Ethan . . . Mahol." — The men here named were, it is 
 tolerably certain, four men contemporaneous with Solomon, 
 and celebrated for their wisdom. Some would make them 
 to have been four of the Temple musicians, — because au 
 Ethan, and a Heman, were two of the three leaders of the 
 musicians appointed by David, and because '■^ Mahol" = 
 music, or poesy ; but it is not safe to identify them thus. 
 
 It is remarkable that Zerah, son of Judah, had four sons 
 bearing the same names as the four persons mentioned iu 
 the text. It may be that Zerah was named also Mahol, — 
 and that his four sons, haviug a traditionary I'eputation 
 for wisdom, are the individuals meant. 
 
 The Rabbins who put ^^Adam" instead of "men" say 
 that Ethan was Moses, — Heman, Abraham, — and Chalcol, 
 Joseph. 
 
 " 2,000 proverbs" — more than the BooJc of Proverbs con- 
 tains. 
 
 "His songs were a thousand and five," — of which only 
 Canticles, or Solomon's Sonq, remains, — with, perhaps, Ps. 
 cxxvii., which many attribute to him. 
 
 "He spake of trees," &c. — These treatises on Natural 
 History are lost : probably, less care was taken to preserve 
 them than his surviving works, owing to their not being of 
 a sacred character. 
 
 " Hyssop," — probably the caper-plant. 
 
 The Extant Works of Solomon are 
 
 1. The Book of Proverbs, — part only of which he seems to 
 have composed, — the rest being collected by him from va- 
 rious sources, especially, it is thought, from sayings current 
 in his days amongst the Jews. From c. xxv. to end was 
 written out, after Solomon's death, by order of Hezekiah. 
 
 2. Canticles, or Solomon's Song, or the Song of Songs. — 
 Ecclesiastes, and the deutero-canonical Wisdom of Solomon, 
 have been, by a number of authorities, erroneously attributed 
 to Solomon. They both belong to a much later age.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 103 
 
 PART III. 
 
 THE HISTORY OF THE DIVIDED MONARCHY, 
 —FROM THE SCHISM, B.C. 975, TO THE 
 ACCESSION OF JEHORAM, AS SOLE MON- 
 ARCH OF JUDAH, B.C. 889. 
 
 It is, of course, at the Teacher's, or Student'' s, option, whether the 
 reigns of the monarchs of Judah shall he first gone through, and 
 then those of the kings of Israel, or whether the history of the tivo 
 kingdoms shall be studied contemporaneously. 
 
 All Bates henceforth are B.C., unless otherwise indicated. 
 
 JTIDAH. 
 
 Rehoboam, 975—957. 
 
 Prophets— Iddo and 
 Shemaiah. 
 
 Tlie Kingdom of Judah in- 
 cluded the territory of Judah, 
 Benjamim, and the tribe of Levi, 
 together with large numbers of 
 the piously-inclined from all 
 the other nations. Afterwards 
 there was added the territory 
 of Simeon and Dan. 
 
 The subject nations were 
 the Philistines, and the Edomites 
 (whose homage was, however, 
 merely nominal). 
 
 The advantages of Judah 
 over Israel were its possessing 
 "the religious sanction, the 
 legitimate descent," the poli- 
 tical capital, and the treasures 
 of Solomon. 
 
 The kingdom of Judah lasted 
 until the Babylonish Captivity, 
 588. 
 
 ISEAEL. 
 
 Jeroboam, 975—954. 
 
 Prophets. — Ahijah ; and the 
 Disobedient "Man of God" 
 sent to Bethel to cry against 
 the altar. 
 
 The kingdom of Israel in- 
 cluded the territory of Efhraim, 
 Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, 
 Asher, Naphtali, Reuben, Gad, 
 and, at first, Simeon and Dan. 
 
 The subject nations were 
 Moab, and what of Syria Rezon 
 had not wrested from Solomon : 
 Ammon became independent. 
 
 The advantages of Israel 
 over Judah consisted in its 
 larger population and territory, 
 —the latter being nearly three 
 times that of Judah. 
 
 The kingdom of Israel lasted 
 until the Assyrian Captivity. 
 721.
 
 104 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 21-24. 
 
 Eehoboam assembles an 
 army to bring Israel 
 back to their allegiance, 
 but is commanded, by 
 Jehovali, to desist. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 21-end. 
 
 Eeboboam and Ms people 
 lapse into idolatry. — 
 Sbisliak takes Jerusa- 
 lem, stripping th e Temple 
 and the king's palace of 
 their treasures, 970. — 
 War with Jeroboam. — 
 Eehoboam's death. 
 
 V. 23. "Images,'" — statuary 
 images. 
 
 " Groves," — a mistranslation: 
 the original indicates images of 
 AsJdoreth. 
 
 V. 25. " ShishaJc," — is sup- 
 posed to have been the first of 
 the twenty-second, or Diospo- 
 litan, dynasty, of Egyptian 
 kings, and to have seized the 
 throne from Pharaoh, Solomon's 
 father-in-law, by aid of the 
 military caste. He is said to 
 have been an Ethiopian. 
 
 In the Temple of Kamak is 
 a bas-relief representing Seson- 
 chis, carrying to the feet of 
 three gods a number of con- 
 quered chiefs, to the figure of 
 each of which is attached an 
 oval, indicating the town or 
 district which he represents. 
 One of the figures is decidedly 
 of Jewish cast, and has on its 
 oval an inscription meaning 
 " Kingdom of Judah." Now, if, 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 25-ena. 
 
 Jeroboam makes Shechem 
 his capital, and fortifies 
 it and Penuel. — He sets 
 up two golden calves. 
 
 V. 25. "£uiZ«,"— i.e. fortified. 
 
 "Shechem," — was chosen by 
 Jeroboam as his capital for the 
 reasons which led Rehoboam 
 to select it as the place where 
 he met the chiefs of the nation 
 at his accession, — and, also, 
 because the people had there 
 declared in his favor. 
 
 "Penuel," — was fortified to 
 protect Jeroboam's territory 
 against Syria, commanding, as 
 it did, the Succotb fords, and 
 being in the caravan route over 
 Gilead to Damascus. 
 
 V. 27. "// this people go up 
 to do sacrifice." — The males 
 would go up to the three great 
 Annual Festivals, and the 
 Priests and Levites to fulfil 
 "the order of" their "course." 
 As long as this lasted, Jero- 
 boam's power would be practi- 
 caUy nil, and there was no 
 doubt that, before long, the 
 revolted tribes, uniting in com- 
 mon Tvorship, would feel drawn 
 by a desire for complete and 
 renewed national unity to give 
 in their allegiance to the house 
 of David. To obviate this cata- 
 strophe, Jeroboam determined 
 upon setting up rival religious 
 attractions in his o^vn kingdom, 
 under the pretence that the 
 journey to Jerusalem was too 
 long and tedious. 
 
 V. 28. " Two calves of gold." 
 These were not meant for idols,-
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 105 
 
 as is almost certain, Sesonchis 
 be Shishak, we have, in this 
 fact, striking confirmation of 
 the Scripture narrative. 
 
 V. 29. " The hook of the . . . 
 Judah," — not the books we call 
 Chronicles; but the national 
 annals. 
 
 r. 30. " There was war . . . 
 days"- — of which wars we have 
 no account ; but doxibtless the 
 invasion of Shishak was under- 
 taken at the instillation of 
 Jeroboam, whom the Egyp- 
 tian king had sheltered from 
 Solomon. 
 
 II. Chron. adds to the ac- 
 count of Eehoboam's reign, as 
 given in Kings, that 
 
 1. He fortified the following 
 fifteen cities near Jerusalem, 
 and in the S. and S. W. of his 
 kingdom, storing them with 
 provisions and arms, and set- 
 ting commanders over them : 
 — Beth-lehem, Etam, Tekoa, 
 Beth-zur, Shoco, Adullam, 
 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Ado- 
 raim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, 
 Aijalon, and Hebron. 
 
 2. The Priests and Levites, 
 when cast out of ofiice by 
 Jeroboam, flocked into Judah, 
 together with large numbers of 
 pious persons from the other 
 tribes, who desired to worship 
 Jehovah at the place appointed 
 by Him, — and that they 
 "strengthened the kingdom of 
 Judah, and made Rehoboam . 
 . . strong, three years: for 
 three years they walked in the 
 way of David, and Solomon " 
 (i.e., Solomon's "way" in hia 
 younger days !). 
 
 but for symbols of Jehovah This 
 is clear from the fact that they 
 were made to accommodate 
 worshippers of the true God, 
 who alone would be at the 
 trouble of going to Jerusalem. 
 
 These calves were, doubtless, 
 figures like those of Apis, or 
 Mnevis, with whose worship 
 Jeroboam must have become 
 familiar in Egypt. 
 
 In setting up these images, 
 Jeroboam broke Command- 
 ment II., — since they were 
 " graven images," in ' ' the like- 
 ness of" something " in the earth 
 beneath." 
 
 V. 29. "Bethel," "Dan,"— 
 were chosen by Jeroboam, 
 because, while conveniently 
 situated for the people, (one in 
 the N., and the other in the S. 
 of his dominions), they were the 
 seats of former sanctuaries. 
 
 V. 31. "An house of high 
 places," — i.e., temples on the 
 summits of high places. 
 
 " Of the lowest of the people, " 
 — should be, " of any of the 
 people." 
 
 The tribe of Levi remaining 
 faithful, Jeroboam was com- 
 pelled to accept the services, as 
 priests, of any persons out of 
 the other tribes who would 
 accept the office. 
 
 vs. 32,33. " Offered upon the 
 altar," — should be, " loent up to 
 the altar." 
 
 V. 33. "In the mouth . . . 
 heart." — He changed the time 
 of the Feast of Tabernacles, — 
 making it begin on the 15th of 
 the 8th month, instead of on 
 the 15th of the 7th month.
 
 106 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 3. Rehoboam had, in all, 
 eighteen wives, sixty " concu- 
 bines," twenty-eight sons, and 
 sixty daughters. 
 
 4. His first wife was 
 Mahalath, daughter of Jeri- 
 
 moth, son of David, — his second, 
 
 Abihail, daughter of Eliab, 
 son of Jesse, who bore him 
 
 Jeush, Shamariah, and Za- 
 ham. 
 
 He then married his favorite 
 wife, 
 
 Maachah, who bore him 
 
 Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and 
 Shelomith. 
 
 In II. Chron. Maachah is 
 called Michaiah, which is mere- 
 ly a variation of Maachah, not 
 another name. 
 
 I. Kings makes Maachah 
 the daughter of Absalom, or 
 A bishalom (which is a variation 
 of Absalom) : II. Chron. calls 
 her " the daughter of Uriel, of 
 Gibeah." To reconcile these 
 statements, it is necessary to 
 remember that ^^ daughter," in 
 Hebrew, is applied to one's 
 child, or niece, or grand- 
 daughter, or even great-grand- 
 daughter. We may, then, 
 suppose that Maachah was 
 daughter of Uriel, and grand- 
 daughter of Absalom, David's 
 son. It may be that Uriel 
 married Absalom's " fair 
 sister," Tamar. 
 
 5. Having fixed upon Abijah 
 to be his successor, (whence it 
 is clear that, unless Jehovah in- 
 terfered, the reigning monarch 
 could settle the succession), he 
 distributed his other sons as 
 rulers over the most important 
 "fenced cities" in the kingdom, 
 — probably giving them each 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 A Prophet comes to Bethel 
 out of Judah, — cries 
 against Jeroboam's al- 
 tar, — is seduced into 
 disobedience by the "old 
 prophet,"— and is slain 
 by a lion as a punish- 
 ment—Jeroboam con- 
 tinues his idolatrous 
 career. 
 
 V. 1. " A man of God," — not 
 ascertainable who he was. 
 
 " Jeroboam stood . . . in- 
 cense," — on occasion of the 
 newly-appointed Feast of Taber- 
 nacles. The mingUng by Jero- 
 boam of the kingly and priestly 
 functions was another idea 
 gained by him from his Egyp- 
 tian experience. 
 
 V. 2. " Josiah by name," — a 
 marvellously definite predic- 
 tion ! (Another instance occurs 
 in the Bible wherein a person 
 is mentioned by name in pro- 
 phecy before his birth, — viz., in 
 Daniel, where the taking of 
 Babylon by Cyrus is foretold). 
 
 The fulfilment of this predic- 
 tion, together with Josiah'a 
 sparing the sepulchre of the old 
 prophet and his victim, is nar- 
 rated in II. Kings, xxiii., 15-20, 
 (which must be carefully got 
 up at this point), and occurred 
 624 B.C., 350 years after its 
 delivery. 
 
 V. 3. "Ashes," — of the sacri- 
 fices. 
 
 V. 4. "Dried up," — i.e., be- 
 came instantly stiff with para- 
 lysis.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 107 
 
 the government of a city, and 
 the surrounding country. In 
 this he is said to have "dealt 
 wisely," i.e., to have shewn a 
 deep policy, for the step was 
 calculated to strengthen and 
 support himself and dynasty, 
 and " to keep in check the 
 power of the old hereditary " 
 nobles — the ' chiefs of fathers,' 
 and ' princes of tribes,' — which 
 has always been found danger- 
 ous to reigning dynasties in 
 the East, wherever the principle 
 of clanship operates." 
 
 6. Shishak came up against 
 Israel " because they had trans- 
 gressed aqainst the Lord,'"'' — that 
 he had 1,200 chariots, 60,000 
 horsemen, and an innumerable 
 host of infantry, amongst whom 
 were the ' Lubims " = Libyans 
 ofN.E. Africa; the "Sukkiims" 
 = the Troglodytes of the W. 
 coast of the Red Sea ; and the 
 ^'Ethiopians,'" — and that he 
 took the "fenced cities" which 
 Kehoboam, (evidently in antici- 
 pation of an invasion from 
 Jeroboam's Egyptian ally), 
 had fortified. 
 
 7. While Shishak was be- 
 sieging Jerusalem, Jehovah sent 
 Shemaiah to announce to Ee- 
 hoboam and his chief men, " Ye 
 have forsaken me, and therefore 
 have I aho l/ft you in the hand 
 of Shishak," — that they re- 
 pented, — and that the Lord 
 promised to restrain the injury 
 Shishak should do, within mo- 
 derate bounds. 
 
 8. Rehoboam's acts were 
 "written in the Book of She- 
 maiah the Prophet, and of Iddo 
 the seer concerning genealogies. " 
 
 At the end of Abijah's reign, 
 
 V. 9. "Eat no ]>read, nor dnnk 
 water." — To eat and drink with 
 a person was, amongst the Jews 
 and other Orientals, a token 
 and pledge of peace and friend- 
 ship. Hence the Divine pro- 
 hibition of the " Man of God " 
 from refreshing himself in the 
 wicked city, — with which, in- 
 deed, he was to regard himself 
 as so utterly unfamiliar that 
 he was even forbidden to return 
 home by the way that he had 
 come. 
 
 V. 11. " An old prophet," — of 
 the Balaam species ; a true 
 prophet, but a bad man, — for 
 we find him winking at Jero- 
 boam's sins, allowing his sons 
 to attend the calf-worship, and 
 telling a deliberate falsehood 
 in order to induce the " Man 
 of God " to return with him. 
 
 " We may conclude that his 
 object in seducing back the 
 strange prophet was to weaken 
 any impression which his mes- 
 sage might have produced on 
 the mind of Jeroboam and 
 others, by affording them room 
 to suspect that he was not an 
 authorized messenger, since he 
 had himself neglected that 
 which he had avowed to have 
 been part of the Lord's com- 
 mand." 
 
 V. 21. "//e cried," — prophe- 
 sying, as Balaam did, by Divine 
 impulse which he could not 
 resist. 
 
 V. 24. " .4 lion met him by the 
 way." — The animal came, pro- 
 bably, from that very wood, 
 near Bethel, whence rushed 
 the two she-bears that devoured 
 the young men who mocked at 
 Elisha.
 
 108 
 
 NOTES ON 1. KINGS. 
 
 in II. Chron., it states that 
 "the rest of the acts of Abijah 
 and his ways, and his sayir^gs, 
 are xvritten in the story of the 
 Prophet Iddo." ''Story" fihovtli 
 be translated " Exposition," 
 which is to be regarded as the 
 name Iddo himself gave to the 
 work. He wrote then, doubt- 
 less, an independent narrative 
 of the reigns of Jeroboam and 
 Abijah, — though by some he is 
 considered to have merely aided 
 in keeping the public roUs 
 under those two kings. 
 
 Josephus, and many modern 
 authorities tale Iddo to have 
 been the Disobedient Prophet sent 
 to Jeroboam. But this could 
 not have been, for he was alive 
 long after that occurrence. 
 
 Abijam, or Abijah, 
 957—955. 
 
 Prophet,— Iddo. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 1-8. 
 
 Alii jam reigns wickedly, — 
 wars with Jerotoam. 
 
 V. 2. " AbisJialom," i.e., Ab- 
 salom. 
 
 v.S. Father, i.e., ancestor: 
 David was his great-grand- 
 father. 
 
 V. 4. " For David's sal-e . . . 
 in Jerusalem" — as promised to 
 Jeroboam, through Aliijah, 
 (c. xi. 36). 
 
 V. 5. " Uriah the JTittite"— 
 whom David planned with 
 Joab to cause to be slain before 
 Ilabbah of Ammon. in order 
 that the King might conceal 
 
 The judgment inflicted on 
 the Disobedient Prophet was 
 not only a punishment for his 
 breach of God's commands, 
 but was necessary also " to 
 vindicate the character of the 
 message, which had been com- 
 promised by his disobedience." 
 
 V. 28. " The lion had not eaten 
 the carcase nor torn the ass." — 
 Neither did it attack the " old 
 prophet," or the passers-by ! 
 This marvellous circumstance 
 shewed plainly that the death 
 of the "man of God" was no 
 accident, but must have been 
 a specific visitation of the 
 Almighty, — and, consequently, 
 testified most strongly to the 
 authority of the message which 
 the stranger had brought. 
 
 vs. 30, 31. The "old pro- 
 phet," by giving the betrayed 
 visitor honorable sepulture in 
 his ovra tomb, and ordering his 
 sons to bury him " beside the 
 victim of his own deceit, pre- 
 served, in Jeroboam's new 
 rehgioiis capital, a silent wit- 
 ness against the idolatries there 
 practised." 
 
 V. 33. " Whoci-er u-otdd, he 
 consecrated him" — provided the 
 candidate sacrificed "a young 
 bidlock and seven rams," (as we 
 gather from Aliijam's speech 
 to Jeroboam, before the Battle 
 of Mount Zemaraim, given in 
 II. Chron.)
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 109 
 
 from him his adultery with 
 Bathsheba. 
 
 Additional ■particulars of 
 Ahijali's reign, from II. Chro- 
 nicles : — 
 
 1 . His mother was Michaiah, 
 daughter of Uriel of Gibeah — 
 already explained. 
 
 2. Hefought with Jeroboam 
 on Mount Zemaraim, in Mount 
 Ephraim, defeated him, and 
 took Bethel, Jeshanah, and 
 Ephrain, with their "towns" 
 (i.e., surrounding villages). 
 
 (Read carefully the account 
 of tliis battle, which probably 
 occurred in 957, in II. Chron., 
 xiii. 2-20. In v. 5 is the ex- 
 pression " a covenant of salt,'" 
 which means a faithful cove- 
 nant, salt being an emblem of 
 fidelity). 
 
 3. He had fourteen wives, 
 twenty-two sons, and sixteen 
 daughters. 
 
 4. The "rest of" hia "acts," 
 " his ways," " and his sayings, 
 are written in the story of the 
 prophet Iddo. " 
 
 Asa, 955—914. 
 
 Prophets — Azariah, and 
 Hanani. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 9-24. 
 
 Asa does right in the eyes 
 of the Lord,— suppresses 
 idolatry, — wars with 
 Baasha, and hires Ben- 
 hadad I. to attack him, 
 —dies. 
 
 V. 10. " Mother's," — i.e , 
 grrawd-mother's. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV., 1-20. 
 
 Jerohoam's son Ahijah he- 
 ing sick, he sends his 
 wife in disguise, to ask 
 Ahijah what will be the 
 issue of the illness.— 
 Ahijah, Divinely in- 
 structed, recognizes the 
 Queen, — foretells the 
 youth's death,— and de- 
 nounces Sod's judg- 
 ments upon the house 
 of Jerohoam. 
 
 V.3. " Cracknels."— A kind 
 of seed biscuit is intended. 
 
 " Cruse,"— rather " bottle." 
 
 It was the rule, when going 
 to ask a prophet's opinion, to 
 carry him a present, which, in 
 accordance with Oriental cus- 
 tom, usually consisted of pro- 
 visions. 
 
 V. 10. " Him that is shut up 
 and left in Israel," — all that 
 should be left of Jereboam'a 
 house, however closely they 
 might shut themselves up for 
 the sake of concealment. 
 
 V. 13. " In him there is found 
 . . of Israel."— The Rabbins 
 make this ''good thing" to have 
 been his disapproving of his 
 father's calf-worship, and per- 
 suading him to withdraw the 
 guards which he is said to have 
 stationed on the frontier to 
 prevent the people of Israel 
 from going up to the Feasts at 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 V. 14. " The Lord shall raise 
 him . . . that day." — Baasha 
 was the king destined for this 
 task, (read c. iv. 29, 30.)
 
 110 
 
 NOTES ON L KINGS. 
 
 V. 13. " Queen," — i.e., queen- 
 inother. 
 
 Asa came to the throne 
 BO young that Maachah acted 
 as regent, until thus deposed 
 for her idolatry. 
 
 V. 14. "■ Hvjk 'places,''^ — used 
 for the worrihip of Jehovah. 
 
 V. 17. '^ Ramah," — in Benja- 
 mim. Baasha, fortified this town 
 to cut ofif, not only emigration 
 from Israel into Judah, but 
 abo Asa's communication with 
 central Israel, and to form 
 an offensive base, whence 
 to make incursions into his 
 enemy's territory. 
 
 V. 18. " Tfiat were left;'— 
 after Shishak's sack of the 
 Temple and the Palace. 
 
 " Benkadad" — Benhadad I. 
 " Ifezion" — son of Rezon, 
 who had founded the new 
 kingdom of Damascus. 
 
 V. 19. " There is a league" &c. 
 should be, — "Ze< there be a 
 league between me and thee; 
 and (let it be as if there had 
 been a league,) between my 
 father and thy father." There 
 certainly had been no league 
 between Asa's and Benadad's 
 fathers, but, on the contrary, 
 Syria had been in alliance with 
 Israel. 
 
 " This is the first instance of 
 a Hel/rew King courting an 
 alliance with a heathen power 
 in a great cri-sis of the national 
 fortunes," — and thus began 
 those wars between Israel and 
 Syria which were, for a long 
 time, the safety of Judah, and 
 which ended only by the 
 alliance of Rezin and Pekah 
 against Ahaz. 
 
 v. 20. " A bclbeth- Maachah," 
 
 V. 15. " Smite,"—shon\d be 
 " Shake." 
 
 " The river, " — Euphrates. 
 
 V. 16. " Who made Israel to 
 sin," — by setting up the calves. 
 This terribly denunciatory 
 phrase is nearly always attached 
 to Jeroboam's name, as though 
 to mark the enormity of his 
 guilt in seducing the people 
 from the worship of Jehovah. 
 
 V. 17. " Tirzah," — seems to 
 have become Jeroboam's capi- 
 tal, in place of Shechem. 
 
 It was an ancient Canaan- 
 tish city, and very pleasantly 
 situated. It is usually placed 
 in Manasseh ; but would seem 
 rather to have been in Ephraun, 
 not far from, and to the N. of, 
 Shechem. 
 
 -y. 19. " Hoxo he warred." — 
 The only one of his wars nar- 
 rated is that with Judah, which 
 is related in II. Chron., and 
 ■vvill be found under the reign 
 of Abijam of Judah. 
 
 Additional particulars of 
 Jeroboam's reign from II. 
 Chron. — 
 
 1. The Priests and Levites 
 refused to minister before the 
 calves, and were, accordingly, 
 degraded from their ofiSce by 
 Jeroboam, — whereupon they 
 left their possessions in Israel, 
 and flocked into the territory 
 of Judah. 
 
 2. He was defeated by Abi 
 jah, of Judah, (as related under 
 that king's reign). 
 
 3. " The Lord struck him, 
 and he died." This striking 
 refers, probably, to the severe 
 blow inflicted upon him in the 
 death of his son Abijah.
 
 NOTES Oy L KINGS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 — called in Chron. ''Abel- 
 Malm." 
 
 " Cinneroth," — the district 
 round the town of that name, 
 Avhich was on the N.W of the 
 Lake of Cinneroth. 
 
 ''All the land of Naphtali," 
 — in Chron., " all the store cities 
 of Naphtali." 
 
 V. 21. "And dwelt in Tir- 
 zak," — whence it would seem 
 that Baasha had intended to 
 make Ramah his capital. 
 
 V. 22. "Made a proclama- 
 tion" — ordering a general 
 " levy," after Solomon's style, 
 to build, (i.e. fortify), Geba 
 and Mizpeh. 
 
 V. 23. " He was diseased in 
 his feet," — i.e. had the gout. 
 
 Additional particulars of 
 Asa's reign, in II. Chron. — 
 
 1. He built "fenced cities'^in 
 Judah, during the first ten 
 years of his reign, which proved 
 a time of peace. 
 
 2. He levied an army, con- 
 sisting of 300,000 men of Judah 
 " that hare targets and spears" 
 and 280,000 men of Benjamim 
 " that bare shields and drew 
 bows." 
 
 3. " Zerah the Ethiopian," — 
 with an army of Ethiopians, 
 and Lubim, came out against 
 him with 100,000 men and 300 
 chariots, (about the year 945), 
 — Asa met him in the Valley of 
 Zephathah, at Mareshah, (in 
 the low country of Judah), — 
 and, having cried to Jehovah 
 for help, smote his host unto 
 Gerar, and spoiled the cities 
 round about that place. 
 
 Nadab, 954—952. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 25-27, 31. 
 
 Eeigns tadly, worshipping 
 the calves, — besieges 
 Gibbethon, and is there 
 slain by Baasha. 
 
 V. 27. " Oibbethon,"—3. town 
 allotted to Dan, and then given 
 to the Levites. 
 
 Baasha, 952—923. 
 
 Prophet — Jehu. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 28-30, 32-34. 
 
 Baasha destroys the house 
 of Jeroboam,— wars with 
 Asa,— reigns badly, wor- 
 shipping the calves. 
 
 v. 32. "There was war between 
 Asa and Baasha," — which, as 
 far as is recorded, is narrated 
 under Asa's reign, and must be 
 transferred thence to that of 
 Baasha, if an account of the 
 latter's life be required to be 
 given. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 1-7. 
 
 Jehovah sends Jehu to pre- 
 dict to Baasha the de- 
 struction of his house, 
 on account of his sin- 
 ning like Jeroboam. 
 
 V. 7. "And because he killed 
 him," — i.e., killed him, and 
 reigned no better himself : had
 
 112 
 
 NOTES ON /. KINGS. 
 
 "Zerah," — probably OsorJcon 
 II., successor of Shishak. 
 
 4. On Asa's return from this 
 victory, he was met by the 
 prophet Azariah, son of Oded, 
 who, Divinely directed, pro- 
 mised him and the people 
 prosperity as long as they 
 should continue to serve the 
 Lord. 
 
 5. Thereupon Asa was en- 
 couraged to continue his reli- 
 gious reforms, — called an 
 assembly of Judah, Benjamim, 
 and large numbers from Eph- 
 raim, Manasseh, and Simeon, 
 whom his prosperity had at- 
 tracted into his dominions, — 
 and made a new National 
 Covenant with Jehovah, in the 
 3rd month of the 15th year 
 of his reign, the Covenant 
 being accompanied with sacri- 
 fices, shoutings, music, and 
 solemn vows on the part of the 
 people to be loyal to Jehovah 
 and their monarch, and to put 
 to death any that should prove 
 unfaithful to the Lord. 
 
 6. The war with Baasha 
 broke out in the S6th year of 
 Asa's reign. This should be 
 2C>th year, i.e., 929, for we learn 
 that Baasha died in the 26th 
 year of Asa, and he could not 
 Lave been fighting ten years 
 after his own decease. 
 
 7. Hanani the seer was sent 
 to rebuke Asa for seeking aid 
 from Syria, and to tell him 
 that, as his penalty, he should 
 have perpetual wars, (of which 
 we have no account, however). 
 — Asa was wroth and put 
 Ilanani in prison, and "op- 
 j/rcssed some of the people " (i.e., 
 
 he ruled in the fear of the Lord, 
 whose instrument of destruc- 
 tion he was made to the house 
 of Jeroboam, Jehovah would 
 have established his dynasty. 
 
 Elah, 928—928. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 8-10, 13, 14. 
 
 Reigns evilly, worshipping 
 tEe calves,— assassinated 
 by Zimri. 
 
 Zimri, 928, (7 days). 
 
 CHAPTER XVI., 11-13, 
 
 15-20. 
 
 Destroys the house of 
 Eaasha, — reigns hadly, 
 worshipping the calves. 
 — Omri, heing pro- 
 claimed by the army he- 
 fore Gibbethon, marches 
 upon Tirzah, and there 
 besieges Zimri, who 
 thereupon sets fire to 
 the palace, and expires 
 in the flames. 
 
 Anarchy, 928—924: 
 Omri and Tibni contend- 
 ing for the crown. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 21, 22.
 
 I^^OTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 113 
 
 probably, for siding with the 
 
 prophet.) . J , • • 
 
 8. His disease seized him in 
 the 39th year of his reign, 
 " until his disease was exceeding 
 ^,.ea(;'_[should be "^until his 
 disease moved upward," (as gout 
 often does.)] 
 
 9. " In his disease he sought 
 not to the Lord, bat to the 
 physicians;' {i.e., to foreign 
 magicians, who pretended to 
 cure diseases by charms, incan- 
 tations of idols, &c.) 
 
 This is the first instance in 
 which physicians are named in 
 Scripture as a distinct class. 
 
 V. 10, " They buried him in his 
 own sepulchre, which he had 
 made for himself in the city of 
 David, and laid him in the bed 
 which was filled with sweet 
 odours and divers kinds of 
 spices prepared by the apothe- 
 caries' art: and they made a 
 very great burning for hirn,.'" 
 
 Omri, 924—917. 
 
 Jehoshaphat, 914—889. 
 
 Prophets.— Jehu, Eliezer, and 
 Jahaziel. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 41-50. 
 
 Jekostapiiat reigns in the 
 fear of God, — makes 
 peace "with Ahab, — 
 builds, to go to Ophir, a 
 fleet which is "broken" 
 at Ezion-geber, — Aha- 
 ziah proposes that his 
 " servants " shall go 
 with Jehoshaphat's " in 
 the ships," hut Jehosha- 
 phat refuses. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 23-28. 
 
 Builds Samaria, and makes 
 it the capital of Israel,— 
 worships the calves, and 
 reigns more evilly than 
 all his predecessors. 
 
 V. 24. "Samaria,'' — should 
 be "Shomr6n," — city of She- 
 mer: ShomrCn was corrupted 
 into the Chaldee, Shemrin, and 
 this into the Greek, Samaria. 
 
 ' ' No better site for a capital 
 could have been selected in the 
 lengthand breadth of Palestine, 
 combining a strong position, 
 rich environs, central situation, 
 and an elevation sufficient to 
 catch the cool healthy breezes 
 from the sea." " Situated on 
 its steep height, in a plain itself 
 girt in by hills, it was enabled, 
 not less promptly than Jeru- 
 salem, to resist the successive 
 assaults made upon it by the 
 Syrian and Assyrian armies. 
 The first were baified alto- 
 gether, the second took it only 
 after a three years' siege, that 
 is three times as long as that 
 which reduced Jerusalem. " 
 
 V. 25. " Omri did worse than 
 all that were before him," — inas- 
 much ashe not only worshipped 
 the calves, but married his son 
 Ahab to Jezebel, thus in- 
 directly introducing actual 
 idolatry into the country. 
 
 We gather, also, from c. xx. 
 34, that he aUied himself with 
 Benhadad I., surrendered to 
 him some border towns, and
 
 114 
 
 NOTES ON L KINGS. 
 
 V. 43. " The Iii(/h places were 
 not taken away.'' — II. Kings 
 has the same statement, but 
 also the apparently contradic- 
 tory one, ' ' He took away the 
 high places and groves out of 
 Judah." The reconciliation of 
 the.se passages is to be found in 
 understanding that he destroyed 
 the heathen, altars in the high 
 places, and burned the groves 
 wherein the idolatrous rites of 
 Ashtoreth were celebrated ; 
 but that he did not put a stop 
 to the practice of worshipping 
 ,/eAoz;aA in the " high places." 
 
 V. 47. "A deputy," — a no- 
 minal vassal. Edom was vir- 
 tually independent / 
 
 V. 48. — Study 11. Chron. 
 XX., 35-37. 
 
 V. 49, — must be understood 
 as meaning that, after the first 
 failure, Ahaziah suggested a 
 second attempt to build a fleet, 
 but Jehoshaphat refused. Their 
 aim was, of course, to emulate 
 Solomon's commerce with 
 Ophir. 
 
 allowed a Syrian quarter to be 
 established in Samaria. 
 
 Additional particulars, from 
 II. Chron., of JehoshaphaVs 
 reign, up to his alliance with 
 Ahah : — 
 
 1. He strengthened himself 
 against Israel, placing garrisons 
 in the '^fenced cities" of his 
 kingdom, and "in the cities of 
 Kphraim which his father Asa 
 had taken. " 
 
 2. He organized a system of 
 religious instruction for his 
 people, sending two Priests, 
 nine Levites, and five Princes, 
 throughout his kingdom, to 
 teach the Law. 
 
 3. In consequence of his 
 
 Ahab, 917-897. 
 
 Prophets. — Elijah, Micaiah, 
 
 and three whose names 
 
 are not given. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI., 29-end. 
 
 A]iab does " evil atove all 
 that were before him," 
 marrying Jezebel, and 
 establishing the worship 
 of Baal and Ashtoreth 
 in Israel— Hiel builds 
 Jericho. 
 
 V. 30. Ahab excelled all his 
 wicked predecessors, inasmuch 
 as he actually established the 
 open worship of Baal and Ash- 
 toreth in Israel. 
 
 r. 31. ^'Jezebel "= not inha- 
 bited. — She introduced real 
 idolatry into Israel fas her 
 daughter Athaliah did into 
 Judah). The worship of the 
 calves had been intended to 
 honor Jehovah ; but Jezebel 
 and Ahab instituted the wor- 
 ship of "foreign and strange 
 gods,"— thus violating both the 
 1st commandent, and the 2nd. 
 Jezebel was a vile, but excep- 
 tionally clever, woman. Her 
 conduct shews that she de- 
 tested the Jewish system of 
 religion, (doubtless on account 
 of what "seemed to her its 
 intolerance, and its anti-social 
 tendencies"), — and, accord- 
 ingly, her whole policy was
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 115 
 
 obedience, Jehovah established 
 his kingdom, and gave him 
 " inches and honour" the 
 nations round about being 
 afraid to attack him, (so that 
 he had no war), — the Philis- 
 tines bringing him tribute of 
 silver and other ^^ presents," 
 and the Arabians presenting to 
 him 7,700 rams, and the same 
 number of he-goats, (i.e. yearly). 
 
 4. He built " store cities" and 
 "castles" (=pala£es), in his 
 kingdom. 
 
 5. He had " men of war, 
 mighty men of valour" in Jeru- 
 salem, viz : — 
 
 Of Judah, 
 300,000 men under Adnah. 
 280,000 „ „ Jehohanan. 
 200,000 ,, ,, Amasiah. 
 
 Of Benjamim. 
 200,000 „ „ Eliada. 
 180,000 „ „ Jehozabad. 
 
 6. He "joined affinity with 
 Ahab," marrying his son Jeho- 
 ram to Athaliah, daughter of 
 Ahab and JezebeL 
 
 The reason for this league 
 was, that Jehoshaphat was 
 alarmed at Benhadad's inva- 
 sions of Israel, and saw that, if 
 the latter fell, Judah would 
 follow her. Accordingly, we 
 find that he cordially joined 
 Ahab in the attack on Ramoth- 
 G-ilead. The alliance between 
 the two kingdoms lasted until 
 the power of their common 
 enemy was broken ; after this 
 war recommenced between 
 them, and ended in the plunder 
 of Jerusalem by Jehoash : after 
 this there was no more alliance 
 between the kingdoms. 
 
 directed to crush it, and to 
 establish her country's worship 
 in its stead. Ahab being ex- 
 tremely weak-minded, Jezebel 
 gained complete empire over 
 him, and was thus enabled to 
 rule at will, and carry out her 
 infamous designs. 
 
 ^' Eth-baal." — In his name 
 and his daughter's, Jezebel, the 
 name of the Baal of the 
 Syrians is incorporated. 
 
 This Baal was the Melkart 
 of the Phoenicians, and was 
 the incarnation of the Sun. 
 The Greeks called this deity 
 the Hercules of Tyre. 
 
 ^^ King of the Zidonians," 
 i.e. — of Phcenicia. 
 
 V. 32. " The house of Baal," 
 — was destroyed by Jehu. 
 
 V. 33. ".4 grove." — An 
 image of Ashtoreth is here 
 signified. 
 
 V. 34. When Jericho waa 
 destroyed by Joshua, he uttered 
 this curse, to prevent its being 
 re-built. '* Cursed be the man 
 before the Lord, that riseth up 
 and buildeth this city Jericho ! 
 with the loss of his first-born son 
 shall he lay its foundation, and 
 with the loss of his youngest son 
 shall he set up its gates." This 
 implied that the man should 
 lose all his sons during the 
 undertaking, which, doubtless, 
 Hiel did.
 
 116 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 I. KINGS, C. XXII. 1-36. 
 
 Jehoshapliat visits Ahab, 
 and is persuaded by him 
 to go up with him 
 against Raxoth-Gilead, 
 where Ahab is mortally 
 wounded, while the king 
 of Judah escapes, (897). 
 
 r. 2. '^ In the third year,'" -i.e. 
 after Benhadad's second defeat. 
 '■ CarM down to the king of 
 Israel," — and, as II. Chron. 
 tells us, was received with dis- 
 tinction, " sheep and oxen in 
 abundance" being slain for him 
 and those with him. 
 
 V. 3. " Ramoth inOilead," — 
 had been taken from Omri by 
 Benhadad I. 
 
 V. 6. " The prophets"— i.e., 
 the prophets of Baal. 
 
 " The Lord shall deliver it 
 into the hand of the king." - 
 Leaving out " it" which is not 
 in the original, it vrill be seen 
 that this prediction is as vague 
 as any of the heathen oracles, — 
 for it does not state what (or 
 whom) the Lord should deliver, 
 nor into which king's hands the 
 unexpressed something should 
 be delivered. The prophecy 
 could be proved true whether 
 Ahab and Jehoshaphat, or the 
 Syrians, should triumph. 
 
 V. 10. " Void," — rather 
 ^' floor," i.e., an open, flat, 
 Bpace. 
 
 tJ. 11. "Made him horns of 
 iron."— Horns signifying power, 
 iron horns would mean over- 
 whelming power or force. In 
 acting thus, Zedekiah imitated 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Elijah predicts to Ahah an 
 approachingdrought, (as 
 a punishment for his 
 sins),— dwells by the 
 Brook Cherith, till it 
 dries up,— goes to Zare- 
 phath, and lodges during 
 t'le rest of the period of 
 drought with a widow, 
 whose meal and oil are 
 miraculously caused to 
 hold out, and whose son 
 Elijah restores. 
 
 V. 1. "Elijah the Tishbite, of 
 the inhabitants of Gilead," — 
 should be, "Elijah the Tish- 
 bite, from Tishbe of Oilead." 
 The position of this Tishbe, 
 (or Thesbon, according to Jose- 
 phus), is unknown. Elijah 
 appears as suddenly as he dis- 
 appears, and, as in the case of 
 Melchizedek, we know nothing 
 of his origin. Some specula- 
 tions make him to be Phinehas, 
 grandson of Aaron ; others, an 
 incarnated angel. 
 
 "Said unto Ahab,"— most 
 likely in the monarch's palace, 
 at Samaria. 
 
 " These years,"— 3 years, 
 and 6 months, as appears from 
 the following passages : — 
 ' ' Many widows ivere in Israel 
 in the days of Elias, when the 
 heaven was shut up three years 
 and six months, when great 
 famine was throughout all the 
 land ; but unto none of them 
 was Elias sent, save unto So-
 
 NOTES OJ 1. KINGS. 
 
 11? 
 
 the practice of the true pro- 
 phets, who used to imitate 
 "by flymboHcal action the 
 purport " of many of their 
 messages. 
 
 V. 15. " Go, and prosper/ . . 
 of the King,"— spoken ironi- 
 cally, and meaning, " What's 
 the use of asking me ? If I 
 speak the truth, you won't 
 believe me ; so go up, as these 
 heathen prophets advise you : 
 you are certain to succeed, 
 since they say you will." 
 
 V. 16. The King detects the 
 prophet's irony, which he feels 
 now not for the first time, as 
 the text would seem to shew, 
 and, being in the presence of 
 the pious Jehoshaphat, pre- 
 tends an anxiety to hear the 
 real will of Jehovah in the 
 matter. 
 
 t;. 19. " All the host of heaven," 
 — i.e., heavenly intelligences of 
 aU degrees. 
 
 7>. 20 . " Persuade, "—should 
 be *' deceive." 
 
 V. 21. "A spirit," — the 
 Devil. This vision must be 
 regarded as merely figurative, 
 and as teaching the lesson that 
 nothing can happen without the 
 consent of Jehovah, and that 
 even devils may be made by 
 him instruments in carrying 
 out his purposes. (Read here 
 Jobi., 6-12 ; ii., 1-5). 
 
 V. 27. " Bread of affliction, 
 and water of affliction," — i.e., 
 prison-fare. 
 
 1). 30. ^^ Put thou on thy 
 robes. — Here Ahab appears as 
 a coward, and treacherous 
 friend. Alarmed by Micaiah's 
 prophecy, he disguises himself 
 that he may not attract at- 
 
 repta, a city of Sidon, unto a 
 woman that was a widow." — 
 (Luke iv. 25-26 ) 
 
 '■'■ Elias was a man subject to 
 like passions as we are, and he 
 prayed earnestly that it might 
 not rain : and it rained not on 
 the earth by the space of three 
 years and six months. And he 
 prayed again, and the heaven 
 gave rain, and the earth brought 
 forth her fruit." (James v. 17- 
 18.) 
 
 V. 3. " The brook Cherith,"— 
 position unknown ; but most 
 likely to have been a brook 
 falling into the Jordan, on its 
 left bank, a few mUes below the 
 ford near Beth-shan. 
 
 V. 4. " Havens" — Some 
 think this should be " Arabi- 
 ans," or else '' people of 
 Arabah," (a city near Beth- 
 shan), but there is no need of 
 attempting to explain away 
 the miracle of the birds feeding 
 Elijah. 
 
 V. 9. " Zarephath,"—a, Phoe- 
 nician village on the coast, 
 between Tyre and Sidon. 
 
 V. 15. " Many days."— The 
 marginal reading has the cor- 
 rect rendering, " a full year." 
 
 ti. 18. "My sin," — doubtless 
 her idolatry, for which she 
 feared Elijah had come to 
 punish her, just as he had been 
 sent to pronounce judgment 
 against Ahab. 
 
 vs. 19-23. Elisha performed a 
 similar miracle, (read II. Kinga 
 8-37). In the present case, 
 however, the widow's son does 
 not seem to have been actually 
 dead, but at the point of death.
 
 118 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 tention, and be made a special 
 aim, — while he urges Jehosha- 
 phat to keep on his royal robes, 
 doubtless with the hope and 
 expectation that the King of 
 Judah wiU be taken for him- 
 self, and all chance of his be- 
 ing recognized be thus re- 
 moved. 
 
 r. 32. " Jehoshaphat cried 
 out,^' — II. Chron. adds, " And 
 the Lord helped him ; and God 
 movedthem todepart from him.'''' 
 
 V. 34. '^ Ataventure," — in the 
 marginal reading better trans- 
 lated , "in his simplicity . " The 
 meaning is thai, he aimed at 
 Ahab, but did not know who 
 he was. 
 
 Tradition states that it was 
 Naaman who shot Ahab ! 
 
 " Joints of the harness''^ (i.e. 
 armour), — should be " Joints 
 of the breast-plate.'''' 
 
 V. 35. " Was stayed 7ip" — 
 i.e., was kept standing, in order 
 that the people might not be 
 discouraged. 
 
 This act of endurance was 
 the last and best act of Ahab's 
 life! 
 
 Additional particulars of Je- 
 hoshaphaVs reign after the Battle 
 at Ilamoth-Gilead ; as found in 
 II. Kings, and II. Chron., — 
 
 1. On returning to his house 
 at Jerusalem, Jehu, son of 
 Hanani, met him, and de- 
 nounced him for aiding Ahab. 
 
 2. He went throughout his 
 kingdom, endeavouring to bring 
 aU the nation back to the 
 worship of Jehovah. 
 
 3. He appointed Judges in 
 all the "fenced cities," — those 
 in Jerusalem being of the 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Elijah sent to Ahab by- 
 Jehovah, — meets him, 
 through Obadiah's agen- 
 cy,— rebukes him for his 
 idolatry, and demands a 
 trial by fire between 
 God and Baal. Ahab 
 consents. — The trial 
 takes place on Mount 
 Carmel, and ends trium- 
 phantly for Elijah, who 
 then causes the prophets 
 of Baal to be slain.— 
 Elijah prays for rain,— 
 a rain- cloud rises, — 
 Ahab returns to Jezreel, 
 Elijah running before 
 him. 
 
 r. 3. " Obadiah " = servant 
 of Jehovah. 
 
 V. 4. ''By fifty,'"— i.e. fifty 
 in one cave, and fifty in an- 
 other. 
 
 V. 10. " Took an oath .... 
 thee not," — i.e. made the people 
 swear they were not harbour- 
 ing Elijah. It would seem that 
 Ahab must have sought the 
 prophet in Phoenicia, amongst 
 other countries ; but Jehovah 
 effectually guarded him. 
 
 V. 18. "Baalim," — iaisegods 
 in general. 
 
 V. 19. " The prophets of the 
 groves," — i.e. of Ashtoreth. 
 These 400 are not mentioned 
 as being present at the trial, 
 or as slain by Elijah, — con- 
 sequently, it is probable that 
 Jfczebel refused to let them go.
 
 NOTES ON L KINGS. 
 
 119 
 
 Priests, Levites, and "chief of 
 the fathers," ji mar iaA the High- 
 Priest acting as Chief Justice 
 in religious and ecclesiastical 
 suits, Zcbadiah in crown cases, 
 and the Levites as inferior 
 judges of civil cases. 
 
 4. He defeated a confederacy 
 of Moabites, Ammonites, and 
 Edomites, (896). His un- 
 successful expedition against 
 Kamoth-Gilead seems to have 
 encouraged the attack. 
 
 (Read the account of this 
 event in II. Chron. xx. 1-30. 
 By "neio court" in v. 5 is 
 meant, not a freshly-built Court 
 additional to those already ex- 
 isting, but the old Court of 
 Solomon repaired.) 
 
 5. He allied himself with 
 Jehoram of Israel, (who suc- 
 ceeded Ahaziah), to bring back 
 to its allegiance Moab, (which 
 had revolted during Ahaziah 's 
 reign.) 
 
 ^Read the account of the 
 events of this expedition in II. 
 Kings iii. 4-27.) 
 
 6. Jehoram, or Joram, Je- 
 hoshaphat's son, was Pro-rcz 
 in Judah (from 898 to 892),— 
 and (in 892) became Co-nx 
 with his father (from 892 
 to 889). 
 
 7. Jehu, the son of Hanani, 
 wrote an account of Jehosha- 
 phat's reign. 
 
 V. 20. " Unto Mount Car- 
 mel," — i.e. to the extreme E. 
 point of the range. The spot 
 where the trial took place is 
 stiU pointed out, and bears 
 proof of its authenticity in its 
 name, ' ' 2'ke place of sacrifice." 
 
 "It is a glade overlooking 
 the plain, somewhat in the 
 sliape of an amphitheatre, and 
 completely shut in on the north 
 by ... . well-wooded 
 cUffs. 
 
 No place could be conceived 
 more adapted by nature to be 
 that wondrous battle-field of 
 truth. In front of the principal 
 actors in the scene, with the 
 king and his courtiers by their 
 side, the thousands of Israel 
 might have been gathered on 
 the lower slopes, witnesses of 
 the whole struggle to its 
 stupendous result." 
 
 V. 22. " /, even I . . . 
 the Lord," — vid. c. xix. 18. 
 
 V. 24. " The God that an- 
 swer eth by fire." — Trials of 
 power between different Gods 
 were familiar to the heathen : — 
 hence the ready consent of 
 Ahab, the priests, and the 
 people. That ' ' answering hy 
 fire" should be made the test 
 was very appropriate, for 
 
 1. Baal was regarded as pre- 
 siding over that element. 
 
 HISTORY OF ISRAEL ALONE. 
 
 2. Jehovah had been accus- 
 tomed to answer by fire,^as, 
 £.(/., when he burned up Abel's, 
 Gideon's, and Manoah's offer- 
 ings, that of David at Arau- 
 
 nah's floor, and Solomon's at 
 the Dedication of the Temple. 
 The people, though sunk in 
 idolatry, knew this, and would, 
 therefore, regard tlie appear-
 
 120 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 ance of fire as a proof of the 
 true God's presence. 
 
 r. 26. "Leaped upon," (ra- 
 ther "about"), — i.e., they 
 performed round the altar their 
 reHgious dances. 
 
 V. 27. These taunts of Elijah 
 have peculiar force when we 
 remember that he represents 
 Baal just as the worshippers of 
 the false gods believed them to 
 be, — partly human, and engag- 
 ing in earthly pursuits. 
 
 "i^or he is a god," — should 
 be " though he is a god." 
 
 " Talking," — or "musing." — 
 Homer represents the gods as 
 great talkers and disputers; 
 and the Hindoos say that Siva 
 once fell into a fit of musing 
 that lasted for ages, during 
 which the Universe was left to 
 shiit for itself. 
 
 "Pursuing," — i.e., "hunt- 
 ing," which was represented as 
 a favorite diversion of the 
 heathen deities, (e.g., Diana, 
 and Apollo.) 
 
 " On a journey." — We have 
 plenty of instances of Jupiter 
 not being " at home." 
 
 " Sleepeth." — Jupiter and the 
 other deities are represented as 
 often sleeping. Elijah meant 
 to suggest that, as it was noon, 
 Baal had retired to enjoy his 
 $iesta / 
 
 How powerfully this lan- 
 guage must have impressed the 
 people, who had been taught 
 that their God neither slumbered 
 nor slept, and that the heaven 
 of heavens could not contain 
 Iliml 
 
 V. 28. " Cut themselves," — a 
 common act in the East to 
 show grief, love, and devotion. 
 
 The idea of the act, in worship, 
 was that it was a testimony of 
 excited feeling, and, therefore, 
 acceptable to the gods. 
 
 '^Knives and lancets" — used 
 in their sacrifices : the " lancets" 
 would be stabbing instruments, 
 and the "knives" for flaying, 
 jointing, &c. 
 
 V. 29. "Prophesying," — here 
 means speaking forth in prayer. 
 
 V. 30. " The altar of the 
 Lord," — one of those erected 
 on "high places" for the wor- 
 ship of Jehovah. 
 
 " That was broken down," — 
 by Jezebel, no doubt. 
 
 ^|. 31. "Israel shall be thy 
 name," — read Gen. xxxii. 24- 
 28; XXXV. 9, 10. 
 
 " Israel " — a prince mik 
 God." 
 
 V. 32. " He built an altar,"— 
 a breach of the Law justified 
 by the fact that Elijah was 
 acting under a commission from 
 Jehovah, who could, of course, 
 when He pleased, set aside a 
 law which derived its force, 
 not from any principle of duty, 
 but merely from the Divine 
 command. 
 
 The circumstances of the 
 case would, without Jehovah's 
 commission, have justified 
 Elijah's conduct,— for the sa- 
 crifices could not have taken 
 place at Jerusalem, where was 
 the authorized altar. 
 
 V. 33. " Water," — not ob- 
 tained from the sea, as is gene- 
 rally represented, but from a 
 perrenial fountain which is still 
 to be seen just beneath the spot 
 pointed out as the site of the 
 trial. 
 
 V. 40. ' ' Take — apprehend.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 121 
 
 " Brought them 
 Kishon." — Just below the site 
 of the sacrifices, and on the 
 banks of the Kishon, is "a 
 small, flat-topped, green knoll," 
 called " The Mound of the 
 Priests," and thus marking; the 
 place where the priests of Baal 
 were slain. 
 
 Their slaughter was in ac- 
 cordance with the Law, " // 
 there arise among you a prophet 
 . saying, ' Let us go 
 after other gods,'' that prophet 
 shall he put to death." For 
 this reason alone, even had he 
 not received a commission from 
 God, Elijah was perfectly jus- 
 tified in putting the idolatrous 
 ministers to death. 
 
 V. 41. " Get thee up ! eat and 
 drink /" — means that Elijah 
 now invited Ahab to accom- 
 pany him up the mountain, and 
 join in a Sacrificial Feast. 
 
 V. 42. '^Elijah ivent up," — 
 t. e. , left Ahab feasting, and 
 went higher up the mountain. 
 
 V. 42. '^ Put his face between 
 his knees," — The expression is 
 intended to convey the idea 
 that he was praying (for rain). 
 
 V. 43. "Go up," — i.e., to the 
 very summit of the mountain, 
 Elijah having, evidently, not 
 ascended to that point. 
 
 " The sea,"- the Mediter- 
 ranean. 
 
 V. 44. " That the rain stop 
 thee not." — Ahab's road lay 
 across the bed of the Kishon, 
 which, when swollen, carried 
 all away in its course, — conse- 
 quently, as heavy rain was at 
 hand, haste was necessary. 
 
 V. 46. " He guided . 
 ofJezreel." — " This conduct of 
 
 Elijah, when rightly under- 
 stood, was full of important 
 instruction. As God's minis- 
 ter he had overwhelmed the 
 king with shame and confusion 
 in the presence of his subjects. 
 The natural tendency of this 
 would be to lower him in their 
 eyes, and lessen their respect 
 for his authority. It was not 
 the intention, however, to 
 weaken the government, nor 
 to encourage rebellion. The 
 prophet was, therefore, divinely 
 directed to give a testimony of 
 respect and honour to the king, 
 as public and striking as from 
 necessity had been the opposi- 
 tion and rebuke to his idolatry " 
 The mode of doing honour to 
 Ahab, by running before his 
 chariot, was in accordance 
 with the customs of the East, 
 even to this day. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Elijali flees from Jezebel 
 into the wilderness. — 
 An Angel succouring 
 him, he journeys to 
 Horeb, where Jehovah 
 appears reprovingly and 
 reassuringly to him, and 
 sends him to aimoint 
 Hazael over Syria, Jehu 
 over Israel, and Eiisha 
 as his successor. — 
 Elisha's call. 
 
 V. 3. " lie arose and went for 
 his life." — In thus acting, 
 Elijah seems to have been 
 actuated by the idea that since 
 this last great effort of his, on 
 Carmel, to reform Israel, had
 
 122 
 
 NOTES ON 1. KINGS. 
 
 proved futile, it was no use 
 labouring any further to 
 accomplish that end. This idea 
 was the fruit of both wounded 
 pride, and deficient faith, — 
 while his flight displayed sad 
 cowardice. 
 
 V. 4. " The wilderness," — to 
 the S. of Judah. 
 
 " Juniper - tree, " — some 
 species of broom. 
 
 V. 6. " Head, " — rather, 
 " boUter:' 
 
 V. 8. " Forty days and forty 
 nights," — the time that Moses 
 was on the Mount, and that 
 Christ fasted. 
 
 " The Mount of God,"— so 
 called because there God 
 
 1. Appeared to Moses in the 
 Burning Bush 
 
 2. Gave the Law. 
 
 V. 11-13. This conduct on the 
 part of Jehovah was intended 
 to teach the prophet that He 
 works as Jle will in bringing 
 about his designs, and that 
 frequently what seem to men 
 the hkeliest means of attaining 
 a certain end are just the ones 
 Jle does not use, and vice versd. 
 Just as He was not in the wind, 
 the earthquake, or the fire, but 
 in the still small voice, so, 
 though the great miracles and 
 judgments whose non-result 
 had disappointed Elijah had 
 not had their desired effect He 
 uould eventually effect his 
 designs, by means of quieter, 
 and, to man's view, inad- 
 equate, agencies. 
 
 V. 15-16. " A noint Uazael to 
 le King over Syria ; and Jehu 
 , . . over Israel." — These two 
 commissions were not per- 
 formed by Elijah personally : 
 
 Elisha announced to Hazael his 
 coming accession to the throne, 
 - — and, " one of the children of 
 the prophets" instructed by 
 Elisha anointed Jehu, (read II. 
 Kings, viii, 7-15 ; ix. 1-10.) 
 But, as he doubtless in- 
 structed Ehsha how to proceed 
 in these matters, Elijah may 
 be regarded as carrying out 
 Jehovah's commands in these 
 two matters. 
 
 V. 17, — means that Hazael, 
 Jehu, and Elisha, should exe- 
 cute God's judgments on Israel. 
 Hazael oppressed Israel, and 
 took the whole country E., and 
 part of that W., of the Jor- 
 dan. 
 
 Jehu destroyed the house of 
 Ahab, and the worshippers of 
 Baal. 
 
 Eiisha gave God's commis- 
 sion to Hazael and Jehu, and 
 brought 7 years' famine on the 
 laud. 
 
 Jehovah thus rebukes 
 Elijah's petulance and pride, 
 and comforts and strengthens 
 him by shewing him that He 
 has other chosen instruments 
 wherewith to work out His 
 judgments. 
 
 V. 18. — A further rebuke 
 and encouragement for Elijah. 
 He thought himself to be the 
 only worshipper of Jehovah 
 left in Israel. 
 
 V. 18. "Kissed him," — not 
 actually '^kissed" the image, 
 but "thrown kisses" at it, or 
 at the Sun, which Baal repre- 
 sented. 
 
 V. 19 "Cast his mantle." — 
 By this act, Elisha became 
 invested vidth the prophetic 
 oflSce, and was appointed Eli-
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 123 
 
 jab's successor. This practice 
 Btill exiata amongst the doctors 
 of the East. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Benhadad II. besieges Sa- 
 maria, and is defeated, 
 {circ. 901).— He comes 
 again in the succeeding 
 year, and is defeated 
 near Aphek, wliitlier he 
 flees with the remnant 
 of his host, 27,000 of 
 whom are slain by the 
 falling of the city wall. 
 — Benhadad sends mes- 
 sengers to Ahah to sue 
 for his life,— Ahah grants 
 it, and enters into a 
 covenant with him, for* 
 doing which he is de- 
 nounced by a prophet. 
 
 r. 1. " Thirty-and-tuv Kings," 
 — vassal chiefs of petty 
 Fyrian states, independent of 
 Benhadad in time of peace, 
 but forced to aid him with 
 contingents in case of war. 
 
 vs. 3, 4. Benhadad's demand 
 was, at first, only that Ahab 
 would own himself his vassal, 
 by formally declaring that all 
 he had belonged to the King 
 of Syria. 
 
 vs. 5, 6. Seeing that his first 
 demand was so readily com- 
 plied with, Benhadad now goes 
 fur, her, and declares his inten- 
 tion of actually carrying off 
 whatever might please him of 
 
 all that Ahab had formally 
 acknowledged to be his. 
 
 V. 13. ".4 prophet," — name 
 unknown. 
 
 V. 14. "The young men of 
 the princes of the provinces," — 
 the attendants of those local 
 governors, (or "princes,") who 
 upon the approach of the king 
 of Syria had taken refuge ui 
 Samaria. 
 
 V. 16. "Pavilions," — booths 
 of boughs and brushwood in 
 which the Syrian chiefs lodged 
 in camp. 
 
 D. 19. " The army which 
 followed them," — tlie 7,000 
 men mentioned in v. 1 5. 
 
 V. 22. "TAe prophet," — 
 mentioned in v. 13. 
 
 " The return of the year" — 
 in the spring. 
 
 V. 23. " Their Gods . . . 
 stronger than u-e." — The 
 Syrians, like aU ancient heathen 
 nations, believed in/ocaZdeities, 
 ■whose powers extended re- 
 Bj)ectively over mountains, 
 valleys, woods, — over various 
 cities and towns, — and even 
 over different portions of the 
 same place 
 
 They considered the " gods " 
 of the Hebrews to be "gods 
 of the hills," not only becau>e 
 they had been vanquished in 
 attacking the lofty-sited Sam- 
 aria, but also because Palestine 
 was a mountainous country, 
 and, perhaps, because they had 
 heard that the Jewish Law 
 had been delivered from a 
 mountain. 
 
 V. 24. " Take the Kings 
 away" — because, probably, 
 they had been the first to flee 
 in the former fight.
 
 124 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 V.2Q. " ApTieh,"—\ii Man- 
 asseh, E. of Jordan. 
 
 V. 27. '' Allpresent^—TaXh&T 
 " victualled." 
 
 V. 28. "A man of God,"— 
 name not mentioned. 
 
 V. 30. " A wall fell upon . . 
 left." — Doubtless this cata- 
 strophe was caused by an earth- 
 quake. It does not state how 
 many were slain, but Oriental 
 fortifications are so massive 
 that the fall of the whole city 
 wall by an earthquake might 
 easily kill the whole 27,000 ! 
 Moreover, Aphek's being built 
 in a crescent form, round the 
 base of a hill, would greatly 
 aid the fatality. 
 
 V. 32. " On their heads,"— 
 i e , round their necks, the act 
 BjTnbohzing their presenting 
 themselves as captives, (who 
 used to be dragged before a 
 conqueror by a rope passing 
 round all their necks, and so 
 stringing them together), and 
 placing their lives in Ahab's 
 power. 
 
 V. 33. " The chariot," — in 
 which Ahab evidently went 
 out to meet Benhadad's mes- 
 sengers, and that monarch 
 himself. 
 
 V. 34, — has been explained 
 xmder Omri's reign. 
 
 ''Make streets," — i.e. estab- 
 lish a Jewish quarter. In 
 Kastem cities each religion and 
 nationality dwells apart and 
 distinct in a quarter, ot ^''streets," 
 of its own. 
 
 V. 35. It is not mentioned 
 who the prophet here men- 
 tioned was. 
 
 V. 38. " -4 jAea,"— rather "a 
 headrhandage." 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Ahab coYets Naboth's vine- 
 yard—Jezebel obtains it 
 tor liiin by causing Na- 
 both to be stoned for 
 blasphemy— Elijah de- 
 nounces Jezebel and 
 Ahab for their crime; 
 but, on the latter's re- 
 penting, the judgment 
 upon him is deferred. 
 
 V. 1. '^ It came to pass . . . 
 a vineyard," — does not mean 
 that it was after the events 
 just narrated that Naboth had 
 his vineyard: it is a Hebrew 
 form of stating that Naboth 
 had a vineyard, and that 
 ''after these things" Ahab 
 coveted it. 
 
 " In Jezreel, hard by the 
 palace of Ahab." — Ahab spent 
 his time chiefly in gratifying a 
 taste for architecture, — built 
 several cities, — and made Jez- 
 reel his recreation-ground, ad- 
 orning it with a magnificent 
 palace and grounds, (to add to 
 which he coveted Naboth's 
 portion). 
 
 Jezreel = the seed-plot of God, 
 a name indicating the rich 
 f ertihty of the neighbourhood : 
 it was a most beautiful city. 
 
 V. 3. The Israelites were for- 
 bidden by the Law to part 
 with the inheritance of their 
 fathers, (read Lev. xxv. 23 ; 
 JS'umb. xxxvi. 7, 8.) 
 
 V. 8. " Letters," — i. «. a war- 
 rant.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 125 
 
 " Seal.'' — Seals of this kind 
 had the name of the monarch 
 engraved on them, and their 
 impression was thus the same 
 as a signature. 
 
 Ahabs was probably a 
 Phoenician seal, — a stone 
 shaped like a beetle, with a flat 
 under surface. 
 
 V. 9. " Proclaim a fast." — 
 Fasts were observed at seasons 
 of great distress or calamity. 
 Jezebel orders one in this in- 
 stance, to give an air of import- 
 ance, solemnity, and even 
 sanctity to the mock trial. 
 
 V. 10. " Two men " — The 
 Law required at least two wit- 
 nesses to prove a person guilty 
 of a crime. 
 
 " Tkou didst hlaKpheine God 
 and the King." — Blasphemy 
 against Jehovah was punishable 
 by stoning, (read Lev. xxiv. 10- 
 16). It was also forbidden to 
 curse a judge or ruler, (read 
 Exod. ixii. 28), but the death- 
 penalty was not affixed to the 
 crime, in the Law. But 
 blasphemy against the Kings of 
 Judah and Israel, who were 
 all nominally, and many ac- 
 tually, '■'■the Lord's anointed" 
 vice-gerents, might be regarded 
 as committed against Jehovah 
 himself, and so deserving of 
 death. 
 
 But, as it was sufficient to 
 cause Naboth's death to prove 
 against him that he had 
 blasphemed Jehovah, Jezebel 
 evidently had another motive 
 for accusing him of the same 
 offence against the King also. 
 This motive is to be found in 
 the fact that in Israel it 
 had become tlit practice for 
 
 the estates of all con}-ict€d of 
 treason to be forfeited to the 
 Croicn / 
 
 Thus, by accusing him of 
 blasphemy against God and 
 the King, Jezebel made sure 
 of Naboth's death, and secured 
 his vineyard for her husband. 
 
 Her vile and unscrupulous 
 character appears in blackest 
 colours in this incident. She 
 makes use of the very system 
 of laws which she hated and 
 had almost crushed out of use 
 to bring about the death of an 
 innocent man, in order that 
 her husband might possess 
 dishonest gains, — and to secure 
 her end violated several of the 
 main commands of the very 
 Law for a pretended breach of 
 which Naboth perished. 
 
 In this transaction, Ahab 
 directly broke Commandments 
 10 and 8, and was party to the 
 breach of 9 and 6 : Jezebel 
 directly infringed Command 
 ment G, was party to the viola- 
 tion of 10 and 8, and instigated, 
 and caused, a breach of 9 . 
 
 Christ was condemned to 
 death by the Sanhedrin on a 
 charge of blasphemy supported 
 by two false witnesses, as in 
 Naboth's case. 
 
 V. 11 , — shows how corrupted 
 the people must have been at 
 this time, since even these 
 elders did not hesitate to carry 
 out Jezebel's request. 
 
 V. 13. "Him," — and his 
 sons, (read II. Kings ix. 26). 
 
 " The place of execution was 
 by the large tank or reservoir, 
 which still remains on the slope 
 of the hill of Samaria, imme- 
 diately outside the walls."
 
 126 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 Xaboth's possession waa at 
 Jezreel ; but he resided, and 
 was tried and executed, at 
 Samaria. 
 
 V. 19. "In the place . . . even 
 thine." — The fulfilment of this 
 is found in c. xxii. 37, 38. 
 
 V. 21. " Will take away thy 
 posterity " — fulfilled in Jehu's 
 destroying the house of Ahab, 
 (read II. Kings ix., x. 1-17, 
 ■which includes the account 
 of Jezebel's fate as predicted 
 in V. 23 of the present chapter). 
 
 v.'AQ " Amorites," — The 
 Amorites proper lay between 
 the Hittites and the Dead Sea ; 
 but here the term is intended 
 to include the Canaanitish 
 tribes generally. 
 
 V. 27. " Went softly," — s.n 
 exquisite description of the 
 subdued and humble manner 
 of a penitent ! 
 
 V, 29. "In his son's days 
 . house." — The destruc- 
 tion of Ahab's house took place 
 under Jehoram, son of Ahab, 
 who succeeded his brother 
 Ahaziah. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 37-40. 
 
 Ahab's works, and deatL 
 
 V. 39-. " The ivory home," — 
 a palace, probably in JezreeL 
 
 Ahab's alliance with Jeho- 
 shaphat of Judah — their goino- 
 up together against Kamoth- 
 Gilead, — and Ahab's death, 
 will be found imder the reign 
 of Jehoshaphat. 
 
 Ahaziah, 897—896. 
 
 Prophet. — Elijah. 
 CHAPTER XXII. 51-53. 
 
 Reigns evilly, -wrorshipping 
 the idols of Phoenicia, 
 and the calves, {vid. V. 
 52). 
 
 The rest of the reign of 
 Ahaziah is found in II. Kings 
 c. i., which should be carefully 
 got up. 
 
 EPITOME OF LIFE OF ELIJAH. 
 
 EHjclJi — God-Jehovah. 
 
 Native of Tishbe in Gilead. 
 
 Parentage and eaily life unknown. 
 
 Prophesied 910-896, in the reigns of .Ahab and Aha:dah. 
 910. Predicts a drought, lasting 3^ years, during which 
 he is first fed Ly ravens at the Brook Cherith, and 
 then boards and lodges with the widow of Zarephath, 
 whose meal and oil he miraculously causes to hold 
 out, and whose eon he restores.
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 127 
 
 906. The trial between God and Baal, on Carmel, — 
 slangliter of Baal's prophets, — the drought ended, — ■ 
 Elijah flees from Jezebel, to Horeb, where Jehovah 
 rebukes and reassures him, and commissions him to 
 anoint Jehu, Hazael, and Elisha. 
 ? 899. Denounces Ahab and Jezebel, for Naboth's murder. 
 896. Predicts Ahaziah's death, and burns up two captains 
 and their fifties, whom Ahaziah sends to take him. 
 — Translated in a chariot of fire. 
 In Mai. iv. 5, God declares, " / will send you Elijah the 
 prophet before the co'ming of the great and dreadlul day of 
 the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the 
 children, and the heart of tlie children to their fathers." 
 
 The Jews were taught by the Eabbins to take this 
 passage literally, and to expect a second coming of Elijah, 
 as Christ's forerunner. 
 
 The use of the great prophet's name is in this case, 
 liowever, figurative, and is explained by the words of the 
 Angel to Zacharias, when predicting the birth of John 
 the Baptist, {vid. Luke i. 17, which is partly a direct 
 quotation from the passage in Malachi.) 
 
 John came " in the spirit and power of Elias" inasmuch 
 as lie came Divinely-commissioned to restore Israel to the 
 worship of Jehovah, by stern and severe means. 
 
 Christ declares John to be "Elias which was for to come," 
 and discourses of him in Matt. xi. 14; xvii. 10-13, — the 
 latter passage having a parallel in Mark, and being uttered 
 as our Lord and the three Apostles were descending the 
 Mount after the Transfiguration. 
 
 Elijah ^cas a type of John the Baptist in his 
 
 1. Personal appearance, (compare II. Kings i. 8, and 
 Matt. iii. 4.) 
 
 2. Solitary and austere habits. 
 
 3. Sudden appearance on the stage. 
 
 4. Stern calls to repentance, and severe denunciation 
 of God's judgments. 
 
 5. Being the predecessor of the milder and more 
 merciful ministry of Elisha, — who was a type of 
 Christ.
 
 128 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 
 
 Name. 
 Eehoboam. 
 
 Descent. 
 
 TABLE OF KINGS OF JUDAH. 
 
 Dates of 
 Keign. 
 Son of Solo- 975-957. Mahalath, 
 mon, by . Abihail, Ma- 
 
 Kaamah. achah, and 
 
 15 others. 
 14 wives. 
 
 Married. Prophets. 
 
 Shemaiah, 
 Iddo. 
 
 Abijam or Son of Re- 957-955. 
 
 Abijah. hoboam.by 
 
 Maachah. 
 Asa. Son of Abi- 955-914. Not stated. 
 
 jab. 
 Jehoshaphat. Sunof Asa. 914-889. Not stated. 
 
 Iddo. 
 
 Azariah, 
 Hanani 
 Jehu, Eli- 
 ezer, Jaha- 
 ziel. 
 (All the Kings of Judah were descendants of David, through 
 Rehoboam, so that, as long as the kingdom lasted, God fulfilled 
 his promise to David as to establishing his throne.) 
 
 TABLE OF KINGS OF ISRAEL. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Descent. 
 
 i^aies 01 
 Reign. 
 
 Married. 
 
 Prophets. 
 
 Jeroboam 
 
 Son of Nebat, 
 by Zeruah. 
 
 975-954. 
 
 Not stated 
 
 .Ahijah, and 
 the "Dis- 
 obedient 
 Prophet." 
 
 Nadab 
 
 Son of Jeroboam 954-952. 
 
 do. 
 
 
 Baasha 
 
 Son of Ahijah. 
 
 952-929. 
 
 do. 
 
 Jehu. 
 
 Elah 
 
 Son of Baasha. 
 
 829-928. 
 
 do. 
 
 
 Zimri 
 
 Not stated. 
 
 928. 
 
 do. 
 
 
 Omri, & \ 
 
 Tibni was son 
 
 928-924. 
 
 do. 
 
 
 Tibni / 
 
 of Ginath. 
 
 
 (as to Tibni). 
 
 Omri 
 
 Not stated. 
 
 924-917. 
 
 do. 
 
 
 Ahab 
 
 Son of Umri. 
 
 917-897. 
 
 .Jezebel. 
 
 Elijah, Mi- 
 caiah, and 
 3 others. 
 
 Abaziab 
 
 Son of Ahab. 
 
 897-896. 
 
 Not stated 
 
 . EUjah. 
 
 Jeboram 
 
 Son of Ahab. 
 
 896-884. 
 
 do. 
 
 Elijah, Eli- 
 sha. 
 -4 of which 
 
 (Israel was ruled, in all, by 
 
 9 distinct 
 
 dynasties, - 
 
 are includec 
 
 in the above list, 
 
 — thus : — 
 
 
 
 1st Dynasty — Jeroboam, Nadab. 
 
 
 
 2nd „ 
 
 — liaasha, Elah 
 
 
 
 
 3rd „ 
 
 — Zimri. 
 
 
 
 
 itk „ 
 
 — Omri, Ahab, 
 
 Ahaziah, Jehoram. 

 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS. 129 
 
 GEOGRAPHY OF IL. KINGS 
 
 \ 
 
 The Student must be able to drawjrom memory an outline 
 of the Kingdom when at its greatest extent under David and 
 Solomon, and to Jill in everything in the appended list. 
 
 Seas. — Mediterranean, Red. 
 Mountains. — Lebanon, Carmel, Ephraim. 
 Rivers. — Joi'dan (and its lakes), Brook Kedron, Brook 
 Cherith, the Kishoii, River of Egypt. 
 Plain of the Jordan. 
 
 THE TWELVE TRIBES, WITH APPENDED 
 CITIES.— 
 
 W. of Jordan : — 
 
 Simeon. — Beer-sheba. 
 
 Judah. — Bfiiltshemesli, Sqcoh, HebrgS.' 
 
 Ban (S;). — Shaaibim, Joppa (Japho), Baalath, Gi bbetho n. 
 
 Dan (N.).— Dan (Laish^ 
 
 Benjamim. — Jerusalem, Bahurim, Gibeon, Bethel, 
 Anathoth, Ramah,' Geba, Mi^peh, Jericho. 
 
 Ephraim. — Gezer, Upper Beth-horou, Lower Beth 
 boron, Shecheru, Shiloh, Tirzah. 
 
 Manasseh. — Dor, Zereda, Samaria, Abel-meholah. 
 
 Issaehar. — Shunem, Jezi-eel, Taanach, Megiddo, Beth- 
 shan, (the last three belonging to Manasseh). 
 ' ^ebulun. — Jokneam. 
 
 Asher. — Cabul. ' • 
 
 Naphtali. — Hazor, Abel-beth-Maachah, Ijon. 
 E. of Jordan :— 
 
 Manasseh. — Apbek. 
 
 Gad. — Mabanaim,' Ramoth-Gilead, Succoth, Penuel. 
 
 Reuben. ' "^ 
 
 TRIBES, DISTRICTS, CITIES, &C., NOT HEBREW.— 
 
 N.E. — Zobah, Damascus, Tiphsah. 
 
 N. — Phoenicia (with Tyre, Sidon, and Zarephath), N. 
 Hivites, Hamath. 
 
 E. — Gilead, Bashan (with Argob), Tadmor, Ammonites. 
 
 aS.^.— Moabites. 
 
 S. W. — Philistia (with Gath, and Gaza), Edom, Paran, 
 Midian, Ezion-geber, Elath. 
 
 Inland. — Hittites, Perizzites, S. Hivites.
 
 LIVERPOOL : 
 GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, PRINTERS, SOUTH JOHN STREET.
 
 PHILIPS' 
 
 EDUCATIONAL CATALOGUE 
 
 J^TXjiLSES. 
 
 Philips Comprehensive School Atlas 
 
 Of Ancient and Modern Geography, comprising Thirty-seven 
 Modern and Seven Ancient Maps, constructed from the latest 
 and best authorities. The Maps carefully printed in colors. 
 Edited by W. Hughes, F. R. G.S. Accompanied by a Con- 
 sulting Index, carefully compiled. New and improved edition. 
 Imperial 8vo, strongly half-bound, los. 6d, 
 
 Philips Student'' s Atlas, 
 
 Comprising Thirty-eight authentic Maps of the principal Countries 
 of the World. The Maps carefully printed in colors. Edited 
 by William Hughes, F. R. G.S. With a copious Consulting 
 Ind'-x. Imperial 8vo, strongly bound in cloth, 7s. 6d. 
 
 Philips Select School Atlas, 
 
 CCjTiprising Twenty-four authentic ^faps of the Principal Countries 
 of the World. The Maps carefully printed in colors. Edited 
 by William Hughes, F.R.G.S. With a copious Consulting 
 Index. Imperial 8vo, new and cheaper edition, strongly 
 bound in cloth, 5s. 
 
 Philips Introdiictory School Atlas, 
 
 Comprising Eighteen Maps of the Principal Countries of the World, 
 clearly engraved, and carefully printed in colors. I'-dited by 
 W. Hughes, F.R.G.S. Accompanied by a consulting Inde.x. 
 New and cheaper edition. Imperial 8vo, bound in cloth. 
 ^s. 6d. 
 
 Philips' YoiLug Student's Atlas, 
 
 Comprising Thirly-six Maps of the Principal Countries of the 
 World, printed in colors. Edited by W. Hughes, F.R.G.S. 
 Imperial 4to, bound in cloth, 3s. 6d.
 
 GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 Philips A tlas for Begimiers, 
 
 Coniprisin<j Thirty-two Maps of the Principal Countries of the 
 World, constructed from the best authorities, and engraved in 
 the best style. New and enlarged edition, with a valuable 
 Consulting Index, on a new plan. Edited by W. Hughes, 
 F. R.G.S. The Maps beautifully printed in colors. Crown 
 quarto, strongly bound in cloth, 2s. 6d. 
 
 This favourite Atlas, which is in use in most of tlie Principal Si'honls in Great 
 Britain and the Colonies, contains all the Maps that are required by a Junior 
 Clas.s i.f Learners, and may be used conjointly with any Elementary Bonic on 
 Geofrraphy. It is, however, more especially de.si^'ned as a Companion to 
 Hu^'hes' " Klementary Class- Book of Modern Geography," every name contained 
 in which work will be found in the Maps comprised in this Atlas. 
 
 Philips Handy A tlas of General Geography, 
 
 Containing Thirty-two Maps, with a Consulting Index. Edited 
 by William Hughes, F. R.G.S. Crown bvo, strongly bound 
 in cloth, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Philips Young Scholar s Atlas. 
 
 New and enlarged edition, containing Twenty-four Maj)S. printed 
 in colors. Edited by W. Hughes, F. R.G.S. Imperial 4to, 
 bound in cloth, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Philips First School Atlas. 
 
 New and enlarged edition, containing Twenty-four Maps, full 
 colored. Crown quarto, bound in cloth, is. 
 
 Philips' Shilling Atlas, 
 
 Containing Twelve Imperial quarto Maps of Modern Geography, 
 constructed from the most recent authorities, carefully printed 
 iu colors. Imperial 4to, in illustrated cover, is. 
 
 Philips Preparatory Atlas, 
 
 Containing Sixteen Maps, full colored. Crown quarto, in neat 
 cover, 6d. 
 
 Philips Preparatory Outline Atlas. 
 
 Sixteen Maps. Crown quarto, printed on fine cream-wove p.iper, 
 in neat cover, 6d.
 
 32, FLEET STREET, LONDO N; AND LIVERPOOL. 
 
 Philips Preparatory Atlas of Blank 
 Projections. 
 
 Sixteen Maps. Crown quarto, printed on fine cream-wove paper, 
 in neat cover, 6d. 
 
 Philips Elementary Atlas for Yomig 
 Learners. 
 
 Sixteen Maps. Full colored. Small quarto, in neat cover, 6d. 
 
 Philips Ele^nentary Outline Atlas. 
 
 Sixteen M.ips. Small quarto, printed on fine cream-wove paper, 
 in neat cover, 6d. 
 
 Phitips Initiatory Atlas for Young Learners, 
 
 ContainnifT Twelve Maps, constructed from the best authorities. 
 Imperial i6mo, neat cover, 3d. ; with the Maps colored, 6d ; 
 cloih limp, 8d. ; stronj^ly bound in cloth, is. 
 
 Philips Atlas of Wales, 
 
 Comprising Twelve .Maps of the separate Counties. Drawn and 
 enijraved by John I artholomew, F. K.G. S. Beautifully printed 
 
 m CO 
 
 lore. Crown 4to, neat cover, 6d. 
 
 Philips Atlas of the British Empire 
 thronghotit the World, 
 
 A series of Sixteen Maps, with Explanatory and Statistical Notes, 
 by John Bartholomew, F. !<.(.. S. New edition, corrected to 
 aate. Imperial 8vo, bound in cloth, 3s. 6d. 
 
 Philips School Atlas of Austi'alia, 
 
 Comprising Maps of the separate Colonies, including a General 
 Map of Australia, and Maps of New Zealand and Tasmania, 
 constructed and engraved by John Bartholomew, F.R.G.S. 
 The Maps carefully printed in colors. Crown quarto, bound 
 in cloth, 2s.
 
 GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 Philips School Alias of New Zealand, 
 
 Comprising Eleven Maps, constructed by William Hughes, F.R.G.S. 
 The Maps carefully printed in colors. Crown quarto, bound 
 ia cloth, 2s. 
 
 Hughes's Training School Atlas, 
 
 A Series of Maps illustrating the Physical Geography of the Great 
 Divisions of the Globe. The Maps carefully printed in colors. 
 New and enlarged edition. 13y William Hughes, F.R.G.S. , 
 author of a "Class-Book of Physical Geography," &c., &c. 
 Medium folio, cloth lettered, 15s. 
 
 The Traiiiing-Scliool Atlas is a work altogether distinct in character from anj 
 of those previously descril)ed. It consists of a series of Maps (sixteen io 
 number) designed to illustrate, on a scale of large size, and in a strictly cleat 
 and methodical manner, tlie leading features in the Physical Geography— 1st, 
 of the World at large ; 2ndly, of the Great Divisions of the Globe (Europe, &c.); 
 3rdly, of the British Islands ; and lastly, of the Holy Land. The Political 
 Divisions of the earth at the present time are embodied upon the information 
 thus affiirdcd, but in such a manner as not to interfere with its clear and 
 distinct exposition. 
 
 Philips School Atlas of Physical Geography, 
 
 Comprising a Series of Maps and Diagrams illustrating the Natural 
 Features, Climates, Various Productions, and CJhief Natural 
 Phenomena of the Globe. Edited by W. Hughes, F.R.G.S. 
 Imperial 8vo., strongly bound in cloth, los. 6d. 
 
 *„* This Atlas is intended as a companion volume to Hughes's "Class-book 
 of Physical Geography." 
 
 Philips Physical A tlas for Beginners, 
 
 Comprising Twelve Maps, constructed by W. Hughes, F.R.G.S., 
 and adapted for use in Elementary Classes. The Maps very 
 clearly engraved, and beautifully printed in colors. New anf' 
 cheaper edition. Crown quarto, stiff cover, is. ; cioth 
 lettered, is. 6d. 
 
 ,», This Atlas is intended to accompany " Philips' Elementary Class-Book of 
 Physical Geography." 
 
 Philips School Atlas of Classical Geography, 
 
 A Series of Eighteen M.nps, constructed by William Hughes, 
 F.R.G.S., and engraved in the first style of the art. The 
 Maps printed in colors. A carefully compiled Consulting 
 Index accompanies the work, in which is given the modem as 
 wrcll as the ancient names of places. Medium quarto, bound 
 in cloth, 5s. 
 

 
 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON ; AND LIVERPOOL. 
 
 Philips Handy Classical Atlas. 
 
 A series of Eighteen Maps, constructed by W. Hughes, F.R.G.S. ; 
 clearly and distinctly engraved, and beautifully printed in 
 colors. Medium 8vo, cloth lettered, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Philips School Atlas of Scripture Geography, 
 
 A Series of Twelve Maps, constructed by William Hughes, 
 F.R.G.S., and engraved in the best style. The Maps care- 
 fully printed in colors. New and cheaper edition. Crown 
 4to, in stiff cover, Is.; cloth lettered, is 6d ; with a valuable 
 Consulting Index, and strongly bound in cloth, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Philips Smaller Scrip tiire Atlas, 
 
 Containing Twelve Maps, constructed by William Hughes, F.R.G.S. 
 The Maps beautifully printed in colors. Imperial l6mo, 
 illustrated cover, 6d.; cloth lettered, is. 
 
 Philips Atlas of Outline Maps, 
 
 For the use of Schools and for Private Tuition Printed on fine 
 Drawing Paper. Size — ii inches by 13 inches. Three Series, 
 each containing Thirteen Maps, stitched in a neat cover, 3s. 
 
 Philips Atlas of Blank Projections. 
 
 With the Lines of Latitude and Longitude, intended for the use of 
 Students learning to construct Maps. I'rinted on fine Drawing 
 Paper. Size— 11 inches by 13 inches. Three Series, each 
 containing Thirteen Maps, stitched in a neat cover, 3s. 
 
 Htighess Atlas of Outline Maps, 
 
 With the Physical Features clearly and accurately delineated ; 
 consisting of Eastern Hemisphere — Western Hemisphere- 
 Europe— Asia — Africa — North America — South America — 
 Australia— The British Islands— England and Wales — Scot- 
 land — Ireland — France — Spain — Germany— Italy — Greece — 
 India — Palestine. Size — 21 inches by 17 inches. Medium 
 folio, bound in cloth, 7s. 6d.
 
 GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 Hughes s Atlas of Biajik Projections, 
 
 Containing the same Maps as in the "Outline Atlas," and corre- 
 sponding in size and scale. Size — 2i inches by 17 incaes. 
 Medium folio, bound in cloth, 7s. 6d. 
 
 Pliilips Imperial Outline Atlas. 
 
 Size — II inches by 13 inches. Printed on Drawing Paper. Two 
 Series, each containing Twelve Maps, stitched in neat cover, is. 
 
 Philips' Imperial Atlas of Blank Projections. 
 
 Size — II inches by 13 inches. Printed on Drawing Pajier. Two 
 Series, each containing Twelve Maps, stitched in neat cover, is. 
 
 Philips' Outline Atlas for Beginners, 
 
 Being Outlines of the Maps in Philips' "Atlas for Beginners." 
 Size — 10 inches by 8 inches. Printed on fine Drawing Paper. 
 Two .Series, each containing Si.xteen Maps, demy quarto. 
 Stitched in neat cover, is. 
 
 Philips' Atlas of Blank P7'ojcctio7is for 
 Beginners, 
 
 Uniform in size and scale with the "Outline Atlas." Size — 10 
 inches by 8 inches. Printed on fine Drawing Paper. Two 
 Series, each containing Sixteen Maps, demy quarto, stitched in 
 neat cover, is. 
 
 Philips Outline Atlas, 
 
 For Students Preparing for the Oxford or Cambridge Local Fx> 
 aminations. In neat cover. Junior Classes, IS-. 6d. ; for Senior 
 Classes. 2s.
 
 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON ; AND LIVERPOOL. 
 
 JBlDTJG.A.'rXOl^T jP^IL, 1%/LJ^lPS. 
 
 Philips' Series of Large School-room Alaps. 
 
 with the Physical Features boldly and distinctly delineated, and 
 the Political Boundaries carefully colored. Size — 5 feet 8 
 Inches by 4 feet 6 inches. Mounted on rollers and varnished 
 Constructed by William Hughes, F.R.G.S. 
 LIST OF THK MAPS. 
 Price Sixteen Shillings each. 
 
 THE WORLD IN HEMI- 
 SPHERES. 
 EUROPE. 
 ASIA. 
 AFRICA. 
 
 NORTH AMERICA. 
 SOUTH AMERICA. 
 
 AUSTRALIA. 
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 ENGLAND AND WALES. 
 
 SCOTLAND. 
 
 IRELAND. 
 
 PALESTINE. 
 
 INDIA. 
 
 Price Twenty -one Shillings each. 
 
 THE WORLD ON MERCA- 
 TOR'S PROJECTION. 
 
 THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 
 
 NEW ZEALAND, by Dr. 
 Hector and Thos. A. Bow- 
 den, B.A. 
 
 OCEANIA, on a Scale of two 
 degrees to an inch, shewing 
 the situation of New Zealand 
 and the Australian Colonies 
 relatively to the shores of 
 Asia and North America, 
 with the intervening Islands. 
 
 Supple7ncntary Maps to the Series. 
 
 SCHOOL WALL MAP OF THE WORLD, ON GALL'S 
 CYLINDRICAL PROJKCTION. Drawn and engraved by 
 John Barlhulomew, F.R.G.S. Size— 6 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 
 7 inches. Mounted on rollers and varnished, ;i{^i 5s. 
 
 PHILIPS' INDUSTRIAL MAP OF ENGLAND AND 
 WALES, with part of SCOTLAND; showing the Lines of 
 Railway, the Seats of the Principal Manufactures, and the 
 Districts of Mines and Minerals; distiiii^uishing Canals and 
 Navigable Rivers, tracing the Tracks of Foreign and Coasting 
 Steam Vessels, marking the Position of Lighthouses, ^c. 
 Constructed from the most authentic sources, and revised by 
 William Hughes, F.RG.S. Size— 6 feet by 4 feet 9 inches 
 Mounted on rollers and varnished, £,\ 55.
 
 GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 Philips Smaller Series of School-room Maps. 
 
 Size — 3 feet by 2 feet 6 inches. Mounted on rollers and varnished, 
 
 each 1%. 6d. 
 
 LIAT or TBI MAra. 
 
 Eastern Hemisphere. Australia. 
 
 Western Hemisphere. 
 
 Europe. 
 
 Asia. 
 
 Africa. 
 
 North America. 
 
 South America. 
 
 New Zealand. 
 England and Walea. 
 Scotland- 
 Ireland. 
 Palestine. 
 Wanderings of the Israelites. 
 
 The above are reductions of the largre ieries, constructed by Willlanj Hughes, 
 F.K.O.S., and are desifrned (or use in Private Schools and Families. They ar« 
 clearly and distinctly engraved, and embody an amount o( luiormation not t« 
 be bad in any similar series of Maps. 
 
 Philips New School Maps of the Counties 
 of England. 
 
 Prepared expressly for use in Public Elementary Schools, to meet the require 
 ments of the New Code ; the Physical Features are boldly delineated, and the 
 style of Kni^raving Is clear and distinct; the Railway System La a prominent 
 feature, and tvery necessary detail has been carefully triven. 
 
 LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. Size— 5 feet 8 inches by 4 feet 
 6 inches. Reduced from the Ordnance Survey. Drawn and 
 engraved by John Bartholomew, F.R.G. S. Scale — 1| mile to 
 one inch. Mounted on rollers and varnished, 16$. 
 
 LANCASHIRE. Size — 37 inches by 54 inches. Reduced from the 
 Ordnance Survey. Drawn and engraved by John Bartholomew, 
 F.R.G.S. Scale i| mile to one inch. Mounted on rollers and 
 varnished, los. 6d, 
 
 TORKSHIRE. Size — 37 inches by 54 inches. Reduced from the 
 Ordnance Survey. Drawn and engraved by John Bartholomew, 
 F.R.G.S. Scale — 3 miles to one inch. Mounted on rollers 
 and varnished, los. 6d. 
 
 CHESHIRE. Size — 33 inches by 44 inches. Reduced from the 
 Ordnance Survey. Drawn and engraved by John Bartholomew, 
 F.R.G.S. Scale — 1| mile to one inch. Mounted on rollers 
 and varnished, 7s. 6d. 
 
 STAFFORDSHIRE. Size— 354 inches by 54 inches. Reduced 
 fr(jm the Ordnance Survey. Drawn and engraved by John 
 Bartholomew, F.R.G.S. Scale — 2\ miles to I inch. Mounted 
 on rollers and varnished, 1 2s. 
 
 *,* Other Counties in Preparation.
 
 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON; AND LIVERPOOL. 
 PHILIPS' 
 
 Series of Reading Books 
 
 POK USB IX 
 
 Public Elementary Schools. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 JOHN G. CROxMWELL, M.A., 
 
 PRINCIPAL OF ST. mark's COLLKQK, CUKLSISA. 
 
 Specially adapted to the requirements of the New Code 
 
 B. D, 
 
 PRIMER 80 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 6 
 
 FIRST BOOK— Part I. 96 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 6 
 
 FIRST BOOK— Part II 96 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 6 
 
 SECOND BOOK 160 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 9 
 
 THIRD BOOK 208 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 1 
 
 FOURTH BOOK 288 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 1 4 
 
 FIFTH BOOK 320 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 1 9 
 
 SIXTH BOOK 352 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 2 
 
 POETICAL READING BOOK 352 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 2 6 
 
 FIRST POETICAL BOOK 160 pp., strongly bound in cloth... 1 
 
 The present entirely New Series of Reading Books has been prepared with 
 ranch care and labour umler the personal supervision of the Kditor ; and it is 
 believed everything h.as been done which experience in teaching could suggest 
 to ad.apt theni to the educational requirements of the present time. 
 
 The special aim of the Publishers has been to produce thoroughly good 
 and ilural)le books : they >lirect the attention of Teachers and School Managers 
 to the streivjlh of the sewing and firmness of the binding, both important 
 features, which cannot fail to recommend them for use in Elementary 
 SuhouU.
 
 GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 CL^^SS BOOISiS, tScc. 
 
 A Class-Book of Modejit GeograJipy, 
 
 With Examination Questions, by William Hughes, F. R.G.S. 
 The Examination Questions are drawn from the result of much 
 experience in tuition on the part of the Author, and will be 
 found to add considerably to the value of the work, as a class- 
 book for popular school use. New edition, 1875. Foolscap 
 8vo., cloth, 3s. 6d. 
 
 *,* "Philips' Comprehensive School Atlas" is designed to accompany this 
 work. 
 
 An Elementary Class-Book of Modern 
 Geography. 
 
 By William Hughes, F. R.G.S. This volume is abridged from the 
 larger class-book, and is designed for the use of less advanced 
 pupils. New edition, 1875. I^oolscap 8vo., is. 6d. 
 •»* " I'hilips' Atlas fur Beginners" is designed to accompany this work. 
 
 A Class-Book of Physical GeograpJiy. 
 
 With numerous Diagrams and Examination Questions, by William 
 Hughes, F. R.G.S. This volume has been prepared for popu- 
 lar school use, and exhibits, in a clear and methodical manner, 
 the ])nncipai facts respecting the Natural Feature.s, Productions, 
 and Phenomena of the Earih. — New edition, entirely re-written 
 and e.\ten(ied, with a Map of the World. Foolscap 8vo., 
 clotli, 3b. 6d. 
 
 *»* " Philips' School Atlas of Physical Geography" is designed to accompany 
 this work. 
 
 An Ele7nentary Class Book of Physical 
 GeograpJiy. 
 
 With Diagrams, by William Hughes, F. R.G.S. Intended as a 
 Companion Text I>ook to " Philips' Physical Atlas for Begin- 
 ners." Foolscap 8vo., cloth, is. 
 
 An Elementary Treatise on Arithmetic 
 
 For Schools and Colleges. By Thomas W. Piper, Normal Master 
 and Lecturer in the National Society's Training College, 
 Battersea, author of "Mental Arithmetic," &c. Crown 8vo,, 
 cloiii, pp. 160, Is. 6d. 
 22
 
 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON; AND LIVERPOOL. 
 
 A dva need A rithmetic 
 
 For Schools and Colleges. By Thomas W. Piper, Normal Master 
 and Lecturer in the National Society's Training College, 
 Batlersea, author of " Mental Arithmetic for Training Col- 
 leges," &LZ, Crown 8vo., cloth, pp. 336, price 3s. 6d. 
 
 A Class-Book of Inorganic Chemistry. 
 
 with Tables of Chemical Analysis, and directions for their use ; 
 compiled specially for Pupils preparing for the Oxford and 
 Cambridge Middle-Class Examinations, and the Matriculation 
 Examinations- of the University of London. By D. Morris, 
 B.A., Teacher of Chemistry In Liverpool College. Crown 
 8vo., cloth, 2s. 6d. 
 
 Bible Readitig Lessons, 
 
 For Secular and other Schools. Edited by Thomas A. Bowden, 
 B.A.Uxon, Foolscap 8vo., cloth. In Three Parts, each is, 
 
 Bowden s Manual of New Zealand 
 GeograpJiy, 
 
 With Eleven Maps and Examination Questions. By Thomas A. 
 Bowden, B.A., late Government Inspector of Schools, a>sisted 
 by J. Hector, M. D., F.R.S., Geologist to the New Zealand 
 Government. Two parts In One Vol., Foolscap 8vo., cloth, 
 3s. 6d. 
 Part I. — Containing the General Geography of the Colony, with 
 
 a sketch of its History and Productions. 
 
 Part 2. — Containing a descriptive account of each Province or 
 Principal Division. 
 
 Bowden s GeograpJiical Outlines of New 
 
 Zealand, 
 
 With Two Maps, and Examination Questions. By Thomas A. 
 Bowden, B.A.Oxon. Foolscap 8vo., cloth, is. 
 
 Brewer s Manual of English Grammar^ 
 
 Including the Analysis of Sentences, with copious Exercises. 
 Foolscap 8vo., cloth, is.
 
 GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 Brewer s Elemeittmy English Grammar, . 
 
 Including the Analysis of Simple Sentences. Foolscap 8vo, stiff 
 cover, 4d. 
 
 Brewe7's Outlines of English History, 
 
 For the use of Students preparing for Examination. Foolscap 
 8vo, cloth, 6d. 
 
 Crawley's Historical Geography^ 
 
 For the use of Pupil Teachers, Students in Training Colleges, and 
 Pupils preparing for the Civil Service Examinations. New 
 Edition, by W.J. C. Crawley. Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 
 
 PHILIPS' SCRIPTURE MANUALS. 
 
 Designed for the use of Pupils preparing for the Oxford and Cam- 
 bridge Local Examinations. Uniformly printed on Foolscap 
 8vo, bound in cloth. 
 
 BY THE RET. HENRY LINTON, M.A. 
 
 THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH, with Explanatory Notes and 
 
 Appendices. Foolscap 8vo, cloth, is. 6d. 
 THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH. Part I., Historical Chapters, 
 
 wiih Notes and Appendices. Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 
 
 BY THE LATE JAMES DA VIES. 
 
 NOTES ON GENESIS - Is. 
 NOTES ON EXODUS - Is. 
 NOTES ON ST. MARK Is. 
 NOTES ON ST. LUKE Is. 6d. 
 NOTES ON THE ACTS OF 
 
 THE APOSTLES - Is. 6d. 
 NOTES ON THE GOSPEL 
 
 OF ST. MATTHEW- 2s. 
 NOTES O.N ST. JOHN - 2s. 6d. 
 
 Uniform with above, 
 
 MANUAL OF THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 
 containing the Order for Morning and Evening Prayer; the 
 Litany ; the Ante-Communion Service ; the Order of Confirma- 
 tion, and the Outlines of the History of the Book of Common 
 Pr.iyer ; with a full explanation of the differences between the 
 Old and the New Lectionary. Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 
 
 NOTES ON JOSHUA - Is. 
 
 NOTES ON JUDGES - Is. 
 
 NOTES ON I. SAMUEL Is. 
 
 NOTES ON IL SAMUEL Is. 6i 
 
 NOTES ON I. KINGS - Is. 6d. 
 
 NOTES ON II. KINGS- Is. 6d. 
 
 NOTES ON EZRA - - Is. 
 MANUAL OF THE CHURCH 
 
 CATECHISM- - - Is.
 
 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON ; AND LIVERPOOL. 
 
 Davies Historical Mamials, 
 
 Designed for the use of Pupils preparing for the Oxloid and 
 Cambridjje Local Examinations. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM 
 THE DEATH OF EDWARD THE CONFES.SOR TO 
 TliE DEATH OF KING JOHN (1066-1216). Foolscap 
 8vo, clotn, 2S. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM 
 THE ACCESSION OF HENRY HI. TO THE DEATH 
 OF RICHARD IIL (1216-1485). Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF 
 THE TUDOR PERIOD (1485-1603) to the accession of 
 James VI. of Scotland. 256 pp. Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF 
 THE STUART PERIOD, to the accession of William HI. 
 and Mary 11.(1603-1689). i6opp. Foolscap 8vo, cloth, is. 6d. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM 
 THE REIGN OF CHARLES L TO THE END OF 
 THE COMMONWEALTH (1640- 1660). Fookcap 8vo, 
 cloth, IS. 6d. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM 
 THE RESTORATION OF CHARLES II. TO THE 
 REVOLUTION ( 1660- 1 688). Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM 
 THE ACCESSION OF JAMES L TO THE BATTLE 
 OF THE BOYNE, (1603-1690). Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM 
 THE REVOLUTION OF 1688 TO THE DEATH OF 
 QUEEN ANNE, 1714. Foolscap 8vo, cloth, is. 6d. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM 
 THE ACCESSION OF WILLIAM HI. TO THE 
 ACCESSION OF GEORGE III. (1689-1760), and the 
 Outlines of English Literature during the same period- 
 Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 6d. 
 
 MANUAL OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM 
 THE ACCESSION OF GEORGE IIL TO THE B.ATTi.E 
 OF WATERLOO (1760-1815 a.d.) Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 
 2s. 6d. 
 
 MANUAL OF ENGLISH LITERATURE (1760-1815), FROM 
 THE ACCESSIUN OF GEORGE III. TO THE BATTLE 
 OF WATERLOO. Foolscap 8vo, cloth, 2s. 
 26
 
 GEORGE PHILIP AND SON, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 Hutton s Class-Dook of Elementajy Geology. 
 
 By F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. Extra foolscap 8vo., cloth, is. 6d. 
 
 jfones Spelling Book for Beginners^ 
 
 With Memory Exercises. Foolscap 8vo., cloth, 6d. 
 
 yoncs Essentials of Spellino^y 
 
 \A'ith Rules for Spelling;, and Exercises thereon. Third Edition. 
 Foolscap 8vo. , cloth, Is. 
 
 LazvsoJis Outlines of Geography, 
 
 For Schools and Colleges. By William Lawson, P'.R.GS., St. 
 Mark's Collei;e, Chelsea. New luiition, entirely rewriilen and 
 extended. Foolscap Svo., cloth, 3s. 6d. 
 
 This work may also be had in parts — 
 
 Part I.— TKK 1'.RI IISII ISLANDS, 6d. 
 Part H.— THK BRITISH COLONIES, 6d. 
 I'AKT III.— EURO PK, 9d. 
 Pakt IV.— ASIA, AFRICA, & AMERICA, is. 
 
 2Lawso7is Geography of River Systems, 
 
 Foolscap Svo., cloth, is. 
 
 Law son s Geography of Coast Lines. 
 
 Foolsca]) Svo., cloth, is. 
 
 Lawsons Youno^ Scholar s Geography. 
 
 A simple book forYovin^ Learners. Foolscap Svo., stilT cover, 6d.; 
 bound in cloth, gd. 
 
 Martins Handbook of Ens^lish Etymology, 
 
 Prepared for the use of Pupils in the Upper Standards of our Kle- 
 meutary Schools, by [ames Martin, formerly Normal Master, 
 Trainniji College, Baltersea. Foolscap Svo, stiff cover, price 3d.
 
 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON; AND LIVERPOOL. 
 
 Martin s Elements of End id. 
 
 Containing the First Six Books, chicily from the text of Dr. Simson, 
 with a selection of Geometrical Problems for Solution, to which 
 are added the parts of the Eleventh and Twelfth Books which 
 are usually read at the Universities. By James Martin, Head 
 Master of the Endowed School, Wedgwood Institute, Burslem. 
 Crown Svo., cloth, 3s. 6d. 
 
 Mar tills Euclid, Book /., 
 
 With a selection of Geometrical Problems for Solution. Crown 
 8vo., cloth, IS. 
 
 Martijis Enclid, Books I. and II., 
 
 With a selection of Geometrical Problems for Solution. Crown 
 8vo., cloth, IS. 6d. 
 
 Martins Graduated Course of Problems on 
 Practical Plane and Solid Geometry, 
 
 Together with Mipcellaneous Exercises in Practical Plane and Solid 
 " Geometry, Etymology of Geometrical Terms, &c. By Jnmes 
 Martin, Author of " Elements of Euclid," &c. Crown 8vo., 
 cloth, 3s. 6d. 
 
 Piper s Mental Arithmetic, 
 
 For Pupil Teachers and Students in Training Colleges, containing 
 Rules and Exercises founded on Examination Papers. By 
 Thomas W. I'iper, Normal Master and Lecturer on Mental 
 Arithmetic in the National Society's Training College, Bat- 
 tersea. Foolscap Svo. , cloth, is. 6d. 
 
 Piper s Introductory Mental Ai^thmetic, 
 
 For Pupil Teachers and the Advanced Pupils of Middle Class and 
 Elementary Schools ; being a Short Exposition of the uses of 
 Mental Arithmetic, with Illustrative Examples, and a great 
 number of New and Original Exercises. By Thomas W. Piper. 
 Foolicap Svo., stiff cover, 6d. 
 
 Rivimers Architectural Drazuing- Studies. 
 
 Intended as a Simple Guide to the knowledge of .Ancient Styles of 
 Architecture. By Alfred Kimmer ; with an Introduction by the 
 Rev. J. S. Howson, D.D., Dean of Chester, imperial 410., 
 boards, 2s 6d. ; bound in cloth elegant, gilt edges, 5s. 
 30
 
 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON ; AND LIVERPOOL. 
 
 Taylor s Choice Secular School Songs, 
 
 With an Introduction for the use of Teachers, on how to teadi 
 Music in Elementary Schools. Crown 8vo., stiff cover, 3(L 
 
 Taylors Child's First Catechism of Music, 
 
 Adapted to the Lower Standards of Elementary Schools. Foolscap, 
 8vo., stiff cover, 2d, 
 
 Taylor s Student's Text- Book of the Science 
 
 of Mtisic, 
 
 For use in Colleges and Schools, and for purposes of Self-Instruction. . 
 Crown 8vo, cloth, 6s. 
 
 Tablet Lessons. 
 
 For use in the School-room or Nursery. The Set, comprising ig 
 royal broadside sheets, in cover, with millboard back and 
 wooden ledge to hang up, 3s. 6d. ; the separate sheets, each 2cL 
 
 ''What shall I Teach Next?'' \ 
 
 A Series of Subjects for Lessons in Religious Knowledge, Reading, 
 Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography, and Dictation, for 
 Four Years, progressively arranged in Daily Portions. By 
 \V. C. Sparrow. Crown 8vo., cloth. Is. 6d. 
 
 Whitworth' s Exercises in Algebra, 
 
 To Simple Equations inclusive. With an Introductory Lesson on 
 Negative Numbers. For the use of Elementary Schools 
 (Government Standards IV., V., and VI.) By W. Allen 
 Whitworth, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, 
 author of " Modern Analytical Geometry," Cvic. Foolscap 
 8vo., stiff cover, 6d. ; or bound in cloth, gd. 
 
 Worthington s Spelling Card, 
 
 For all Standards, a collection of One Thousand Words which are 
 often mis-spelt. On a card (5 x 74 in.) price id. 
 
 Worthi7zo-ton s A rithvietical Cards. 
 
 o 
 
 Arranged in Six Sets, each containing 24 Cards, with Sheet of 
 Answers, adapted to the Six Government Standards. Each 
 Set of 24 Cards, with Answers, gd. 
 S6
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 
 \ 
 
 — C-120
 
 George PMlip and Son, Publishers, London and LiYerpool. 
 
 I 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL CLASS BOOKS. 
 
 A CLASS-BOOK OF MODERN GEOGRAPHY, with *. d. 
 Examination Questions, by VViUiam Hughes, F.R.G.S. 
 Foolscap 8vo, cloth... ... ... ... ... ... 3 6 
 
 AN ELEMENTARY CLASS-BOOK OF MODERN 
 GEOGRAPHY, by William Hughes, F.R.G.S. Fools- 
 cap 8vo, cloth ... I 6 
 
 A CLASS-BOOK OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, with 
 numerous Diagrams and Examination Questions, by 
 \Villiam Hughes, F.R.G.S. Foolscap 8vo, cloth ... 3 6 
 
 AN ELEMENTARY CLASS-BOOK OF PHYSICAL 
 GEOGRAPHY, with Diagrams, by William Hughes, 
 F.R.G.S. Intended as a Companion Text Book to 
 " Philips' Physical Atlas for Beginners." Foolscap 8vo, 
 cloth, lettered 1 o 
 
 ELEMENTARY GEOGRAPHY OF EUROPE, with a 
 Map. By William Hughes, F.R.G.S. Imperial 32mo, 
 neat cover, 2d., or in cloth .. ... ... ... ... o 3 
 
 ele:vientary geography of England and • 
 
 WALES, with a Map. By William Hughes, F.R.G.S. 
 -Imperial 32mo, neat cover, 2d., or in cloth ... ... o 3 
 
 ELEMENTARY GEOGRAPHY OF SCOTLAND AND 
 
 IRELAND, with Maps. By William Hughes, F.R.G.S. 
 
 Imperial 32mo, neat cover, 2d., or in cloth o 3 
 
 OUTLINES OF GEOGRAPHY, FOR SCHOOLS AND 
 
 COLLEGES, by William Lawson, St. Mark's College, 
 
 Chelsea. Foolscap 8vo, cloth ... .. ... ... 3 6 
 
 THE Gi:OGRAPHY OF RIVER SYSTEMS, by William 
 I Lawson, St. Mark's College, Chelsea. Foolscap 8vo, cloth i o 
 
 THE GEOGRAPHY OF COAST LINES, by William 
 
 Lawson, St. Mark's College, Chelsea. Foolscap 8vo, cloth i o 
 1 HE YOUNG SCHOLAR'S GEOGRAPHY, by William 
 
 Lawson. Foolscap 8vo, stiff cover, 6d., cloth ... ... o 9 
 
 A MANUAL OF HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY, for 
 
 the use of Civil Service Students, Training Colleges, &c, 
 
 By W. J. C. Crawley, B.A. Foolscap Svo, cloth ... 2-0 
 
 George PMlip and Son, PuT)lisliers, Locdon and LiYerpool.
 
 iverpool. 
 
 George Philip 
 
 EI 
 
 PHILIPS' SERIES OF LARGE SCHOOL-ROOM 
 
 \Vith the Physical Features boldly and distinctly delineated, and the 
 Political Boundaries carefully colored. Size — 5 feet 8 inches by 4 
 feet 6 inches. Mounted on rollers and varnished. Constructed 
 by William Hughes, F. R.G.S. 
 
 LIST OF THE MAPS. 
 
 Price 16s. each. 
 
 THE WORLD, IX HEMI- 
 SPHERES 
 
 EC ROPE 
 
 ASIA 
 
 AFRICA 
 
 NORTH AMERICA 
 
 SOUTH AMERICA 
 
 AUSTRALIA AND NEW 
 ZEALAND 
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES 
 
 PHILIPS' SMALLEl 
 
 Size— 3 feet by 2 feet 6 inches. 
 
 Mounted 011 rollers and varnished, each 7t. 6d. 
 
 LIST OF THE MAPS. 
 
 ENGLAND AND WALES 
 
 SCOTLAND 
 
 IRELAND 
 
 PALESTINE 
 
 INDIA 
 
 Price 2IS, each. 
 THE WORLD, ox MERCA- 
 TOR'S PROJECTION 
 UC SOUTHERiM RFGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 EASTERN HEMISPHERE 
 
 WE.STERN HEMISPHERE 
 
 EUROPE 
 
 ASIA 
 
 AFRICA 
 
 NORTH AMERICA 
 
 SOUTH AMERICA 
 
 AUSTRALIA 
 
 NEW ZEALAND 
 ENGLAND AND WALES 
 SCOTLAND 
 IRELAND 
 PALESTINE 
 
 WANDERINGS OF THE 
 ISRAELITES 
 
 The above are reductions of the large series, constructed by William Hughes, 
 F.R.G.S., and are designed for use in Private Schools and Families. They are 
 clearly and distinctly engraTcd, and embody au amount of information not to 
 be had in any similar tse^it'^ of Maps. 
 
 George PMlip and Son. PuMshers, London and Liverpool.
 
 wmmmmmmmmmmmmmtm 
 i 
 
 \immmnmmfiilmimmmTmammmtimm mammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm*- 
 
 is