years over the same two tribes. (B.C. 954-951.)

Their cotem

porary, who.

During the reign of these two kings, Jeroboam reigned over the other ten tribes, which had revolted and formed a separate kingdom.

this revolt.

The cause of The cause of the revolt was this: On the death of Solomon the people assembled before the new king with a petition for the redress of grievances.

petition.

Their chief Especially for a mitigation of the heavy taxes exacted by Solomon to carry on his magnificent buildings, and to support his regal state.

How they were

received.

Rehoboam insolently dismissed them; not only refusing their petition, but adding: "My father did chastise you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions!"

this answer,

What followed The people received this insolent answer with such indignation, that 10 out of the 12 tribes revolted, and resolved to set up a new kingdom.

A.C. 967.]

Whom they made leader.

For this purpose they chose Jeroboam for their leader; and from this time forth the dominion of David was divided into two separate kingdoms.

Under what

names.

One was called the kingdom of Judah, and the other the kingdom of Israel.

Name their capitals.

The capital of the former was Jerusalem; that of the latter was at first Shechem, and afterwards Samaria.

Shechem remained the capital of Israel about 130 years, when Omri transferred the seat of government to Samaria, about 32 miles north of Jerusalem.

Rehoboam.

Character of Rehoboam "did evil in the sight of the Lord," and sank into idolatry.

punished.

How he was God punished him by sending Shishak, king of Egypt, against him, who plundered the temple, and laid the country waste. (B.c. 967.)

This Schishak (or Sheschouk as he is termed in the hieroglyphic inscriptions) was the king who built the famous palace at Carnac, in Egypt.

JEROBOAM.

B.C. 971-950.

Jeroboam's

Arst care.

Jeroboam's first care was to

wean his subjects from the temple worship, and prevent their going to Jerusalem to keep the annual feast.

How he effect

ed this.

For this purpose he set up two golden calves, one at Dan and the other at Bethel, the two extremities of his kingdom. (B.C. 970.)

Object thereof.

The people were to offer their sacrifices and prayers before these calves, instead of going to the temple to do so.

Whom he made the High-priest.

As there were no Levites who would undertake to minister before these idols, Jerobo'am constituted himself to be high-priest, and made "the lowest of the people" his officiating

ministers.

By whom he

was rebuked.

He was rebuked for this pro

fane conduct by a prophet; and when

he attempted to seize the holy man, his hand withered.

reigned.

How long he Jeroboam reigned for 22 years, and is always mentioned in scripture as the man who made Israel to sin.

The next king of Judah was ASA, who reigned 41 years, and was renowned for his piety. He destroyed the idols, reformed the religious practices of his subjects, strengthened the army, and brought back the people of Judah to the service of God. (B.c. 951-910.)

During the reign of this pious king, Israel had four infamous sovereigns-viz., Nadab, Baasha, Elah, and Omri, of whom the only thing worth mention is the transfer of the seat of government from Sechem to Samaria by Omri. (B.c. 950-914.)

Y

[A.M. 3096.

884.

COTEMPORARY EVENTS.

The Olympic games instituted by Herculés, though not established as an epoch till B.C. 776.

850. Dido founded Carthage; the 23rd dynasty of Egypt began. Cotemporary Prophet, Elijah, &c.

Who succeeded

Asa, in Judah.

Jehoshaphat succeeded his

father Asa in the kingdom of Judah, and reigned well for 25 years.

How he began

his reign.

Not satisfied with the bare orders which his father had given to abolish the sacrifices of Baal, he struck the very root of the evil.