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BOOK VIII

Arrangement of the Book. Book VIII falls into two main sections: the reign of David (sections 1 to xvii), the succession and reign of Solomon (sections 18 to 33). The sections further group themselves as shown below.

I to 8. The consolidation of the kingdom under David. Relations with the house of Saul (1 and 8) - capture of Jerusalem, and inauguration of the capital and the Divine service (2, 3, 5, 6) Philistine and general wars (4 and 7).

Pages 12, 13: footnotes. These are two sentences isolated from the narrative: the first, apparently, is suggested by the mention of Ishbosheth as Saul's son without any notice being taken of children of Jonathan; the second seems to be interjected to explain how a Beerothite can be mentioned among the children of Benjamin.

9 to xii. This group of sections deals with the history of the royal family. The affair of Bath-sheba brings a curse upon David in his household, which culminates in the elaborately narrated rebellion of Absalom. The Ammonite war is related here, and not with the other wars of the reign, because the murder of Uriah is the circumstance which gives it its chief importance.

13 to xvii. Here we have memoirs of the reign of David not specifically dated. The poetical sections are in Antique Metre. (See Genesis volume, page 153.)

18 to 20. The succession and marriage of Solomon. 21 to 23. A general view of Solomon on the throne: including the wisdom which is his great distinction among the kings. 24 to 26. Solomon's great achievement of the Temple. His intercourse with Hiram of Tyre is clearly connected with this.

27 to 29. Another view of Solomon in the fulness of his splendour, including the wisdom which is now famous enough to bring the distant queen of Sheba.

30 to 31. Solomon's fall; followed (32, 33) by the revolt of the ten tribes.

BOOK IX

Arrangement of the Book. The arrangement of this complex book has been fully discussed in the Introduction, pages ix-xiii. In accordance with the plan there outlined the sections should be grouped as follows:

Sections 1 to 12: House of Jeroboam and worship of

the calves of Beth-el, and various successors.

Sections 13 to 42: House of Omri, with the Baal wor

ship of Ahab and Jezebel and the ministry of Elijah and Elisha, the whole culminating in the conspiracy of Jehu.

Sections 43 to 63: Partial restoration of Judah, and Fall of Israel.

xix. It is to be noted that at this period Elisha appears as rophet of Syria, as well as of Israel.

BOOK X

Arrangement of the Book. The arrangement of this book is simple and straightforward, and no difficulties of a literary

nature occur.

3, 4. Section is substantially identical with a portion of the Book of Isaiah, relating the invasion of Sennacherib. The following section is largely the same as a portion of Isaiah; which however gives in addition the song of thanksgiving of Hezekiah after his recovery.

13. Considerable portions of this section are identical with portions of the Book of Jeremiah.

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INDEX

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REFERENCE TABLE

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