PREFACE In my pastorate of a quarter of a century at the Capital of the Nation, I have taught the Old Testament in two of the educational institutions of the city. While thus teaching the historical books in 1894, I was impressed with the need of a harmony for the profitable study of the period of the kings of Israel and Judah. I made inquiries at the Congressional Library, and wrote to several theological professors for information concerning an Old Testament harmony, and could find none. I read a paper before the Presbyterian Association on the Peculiarities of Chronicles, the substance of which will be found in Appendix C, and was requested to prepare such a harmony for publication. I first prepared a harmony of the historical books, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. Later I enlarged the plan so as to include all parallel passages in the poetical and prophetical books narrating the history of the Monarchy from the first king to the return from exile. My double labor of preaching and teaching prevented me from typewriting it for publication. While thus delayed, two works appeared almost simultaneously, one in America, and one in England, * that were similar in plan to the two I had prepared, but in neither of the two was the harmony arranged in parallel columns so as to correspond line for line, the parallel parts being often on different parts of the page, and sometimes on different pages.' Having resigned my pastorate in 1898, I for the third time enlarged the plan of the book, and prepared, as I think, the first interwoven history of the period of the Monarchy, and combined with it the first harmony of parallel passages, which correspond to each other, and to the history on the opposite page, line for line. This Interwoven History, which comprises all of six consecutive books and parts of four others, does for the Old Testament what the several Interwoven Gospels do for the New Testament. It is presented in modern literary form, doing away with the arbitrary divisions of Chapter and verse, save for reference, The Scripture language is not changed, but there is a rearrangement of the • A HARMONY OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES. By William Day Crockett, A.M., New York, 1897. By Andrew Wood, A.M., London, 1896. narrative of the teachings, incidents, and events of each book, and combining and interweaving the narrative of different books so as to make a complete, comprehensive and connected e pluribus unum story of the Royal Houses of Israel and Judah that attracts and interests and helps to a clear view of the period, as the separated narratives can not do. Whenever and wherever there is more than one record of the same incident or event, there is an accurately arranged harmony of the parallel passages showing to the eye the likenesses or unlikenesses, the agreements or disagreements of the two records, and also the omissions or additions of either record. This correspondence of the parallel columns is made apparent 1, By blank spaces, which indicate the omission of either record. 2 By a parenthesis ( ), enclosing parts of passages in both columns which are similar in subject matter, but dissimilar in other respects. 3 By parentheses (( )) which indicate a difference, disagreement or discrepancy in the subject matter of the enclosed corresponding parts. The harmony thus arranged is put on the page opposite the history, and corresponds to it line for line, so that the history is explained and veritied by the harmony, and the harmony is unified and made available to the reader by the history interwoven from it. It is my hope that this first interwoven history of six consecutive books and parts of nearly as many other books of the Old Testament will furnish a ready reference for the busy clergyman, Sabbath School teacher and Bible reader, to obtain a complete knowledge of every incident, event or teaching recorded in one or more of the Scriptures of this period, and at the same time give a clearer understanding of the unified history as a comprehensive whole. G. O. L. SYNOPSIS OF SECTIONS PAGE I—THE ISRAELITES DEMAND A KING Elders Ask for a King—God's Consent-Protest and Warning of Samuel-Saul the Benja mite Designated and Anointed by Samuel-Elected King at National AssemblyJabesh-Gilead Delivered—Saul Inaugurated at Gilgal-Samuel's Address............ II–Saul's DOUBLE DISOBEDIENCE Saul Offers the Burnt Offering—The First Sentence for First Disobedience-Jonathan's Daring Exploit-Philistines' Discomfiture-Hasty Oath of Saul-Pursuit StoppedSaul's Wars–Second Disobedience and Sentence—The Kingdom Rent from Saul.... 7 III-DAVID'S VICTORY OVER GOLIATH David Privately Chosen and Anointed by Samuel-Introduced to the Court of Saul as a Harper—Goliath's Challenge—David Sent to His Brethren-David's Fight with Goliath-Jealousy of Saul Aroused by Women's Song.... ..... 13 IV-SAUL's INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE TO DAVID Saul's Two Artful Proposals for David's Marriage with His Two Daughters-Attempts on David's Life-Escape to Samuel-Flight to Jonathan—The Mutual Covenant—The Final Parting ........ ........ 18 V-DAVID A FUGITIVE AND OUTLAW David's Final Flight-Goes to Achish King of Gath-An Outlaw at Adullam-Psalms LXVI, XXXIV–Saul's Massacre of Priests of Nob by Doeg—Psalm LII—Keilah Saved-Philistines Smitten-David Betrayed by the Ziphites-Coming of New Warriors—Psalm LIV—David Spares Saul's Life at Engedi-His Interview and Covenant With Saul—Psalms LVII, CXLII-Death and Burial of Samuel-Nabal and Abigail-Second Betrayal by the Ziphites,Second Sparing of Saul's Life—Psalm LXIII ....... 22 VI-AN EXILE IN THE LAND OF THE PHILISTINES Second Flight to Achish King of Gath—Ziklag Assigned to Him-New Accessions-Con fidence of Achish–Suspicion of Rulers—David Sent Back-Ziklag Smitten and Burned-David's Pursuit, Rescue of Captives and Recovery of Spoil-Divison and Distribution of the Spoil. ...... ........... 32 VII—The Fall OF THE HOUSE OF Saul Saul's Visit to the Witch of Endor-Death of Saul and His Sons on Mount Gilboa—Report of Brought to David by an Amalekite-David's Dirge in Lamentation for Saul and VIII—The Rise of THE HOUSE OF DAVID David Anointed King of Judah at Hebron-Ishbosheth Made King of Israel at Mahanaim -Death of Asahel—The Civil War-Abner Offers to Bring Over Benjamin and Israel to David-Assassination of Abner and Ishbosheth-David's Lamentation for Abuer... 39 IX-DAVID MADE KING OVER ALL ISRAEL The Armed Men of the Tribes of Israel That Came to David at Hebron-David Elected and Anointed King Over All Israel at Hebron-Jerusalem Captured and Called the City of David-David's Wives and Sons—David's Heroes—The Thirty.............. 43 X-David's WARS WITH THE PHILISTINES Two Philistine Invasions Repelled-Exploits against Philistine Giants-Hiram King of Tyre Sends Messengers, Masons and Carpenters to David-David's Song of Thanks- XI—The Ark REMOVED FROM KIRJATH-JEARIM David Assembles the Chosen Men of Israel to Bring up the Ark into the New Capital- Uzzah's Error and Death-Ark Carried into the House of Obed-edom-David's In- structions to the Levites-Appointment of Singers-Ark Brought Up from the House of Obed-edom with Sacrifices-Set in the Tent David Had Pitched for It-Levites Appointed to Minister before It-David's Service of Song and Thanksgiving ........ 56 First Victory Over the Ammonites—Victory Over the Syrians—Second Victory Over the Ammonites-David's Double Sin-Death of Uriah-Marriage with Bath-sheba- ...... 64 XIII_FAMILY TROUBLES Amnon's Incest-Absalom's Revenge in Death of Amnon-Flight to Geshur-Joab and the Wise Woman of Tekoa-Absalom Recalled to Jerusalem-Absalom's Conspiracy and Rebellion-Flight of David and His Household—Hushai Sent Back-Ziba's Slander of Mephibosheth—The Rival Counsellors in Jerusalem-David at Maha- naim-Defeat and Death of Absalom-David's Grief for Absalom................... 76 David Recalled by Judah-David's Return-Sparing of Shimei—Mephibosheth Righted -Barzillai's Welcome-Israel Aggrieved with Judah-Rebellion of Sheba—Amasa Slain—Gibeonites Avenged-Numbering the People—Repentance and Punishment- Sacrifice at the Threshing Floor of Araunah-Chosen Place for Sacrifice and Site for XV-FINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TEMPLE Charge to Solomon-Command to Princes of Israel-Number and Service of the Levites -Twenty-four Courses of the Priests—Twenty-four Classes of Singers—Courses of Doorkeepers—Levites Over the Treasuries—Twelve Courses of the Army-Chiefs XVI-DAVID'S LAST WORDS AND ACTS Address to National Assembly,Address to Solomon-David Gives Pattern of the Tem- ple-Address to the Congregation-Blesses, Thanks and Praises the Lord-Congrega- tion Sacrifices and Offers Burnt Offerings—The Ideal Ruler—The Last Words of David–The Virgin Abishag Found for the Aged David-Adonijah's Rebellion- Solomon Twice Made King-Dying Charge to Solomon-David's Death. ............ 102 XVII—Solomon's ACCESSION TO THE THRONE Solomon Rights Past Wrongs-Joab's Death-Restriction of Shimei-Shimei's Death- Princes of Solomon-Marriage with Pharaoh's Daughter-Solomon's Prayer at Gibeon, God's Answer–Exhibition of Wisdom-Plans for Building of the House for Site Chosen on Mount Moriah in the Threshing Floor of Araunah—The Fabric-The Fittings and Contents—The Courts-Hiram and His Works—Two Pillars of Brass- The Molten Sea-Ten Bases and Lavers—Summary of Hiram's Works.............. 120 Ark Brought Out of Zion-Psalm CXXXVI—Solomon's Address-Prayer for David's House-Prayer for Israel in Time of Defeat, Drought, Famine, Battle, Captivity, Solomon's Blessing-Fire from Heaven-Three Houses of Solomon—The Lord's Second Appearance to Solomon at Gibeon-Blessing and Warning....... ......... 128 |