London: C. J. CLAY AND SONS, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, AVE MARIA LANE. Glasgow: 263, ARGYLE STREET. Leipzig: F. A. BROCKHAUS. REGIUS PROFESSOR OF HEBREW AND CANON OF CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD. LONDON: C. J. CLAY AND SONS, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, AVE MARIA LANE. [All Rights reserved.] PREFACE. HE history of the Jewish Monarchy, as given in the Old Testament, THE is embodied in two narratives, compiled at different times and from different points of view. In the following pages they are combined. When two accounts of the same event are given, they are printed in parallel columns, so as to admit of comparison. When only one account is given, it is printed across the page in the usual way. I trust the book may be serviceable even to advanced Students, who wish to collate for themselves the two authorities; but it is intended primarily for use in Schools. The difficulty of following the history in two sometimes concurrent and sometimes divergent authorities, both bound up in the same Bible—and often in very small type-is apt to drive boys to 'Compendiums' and 'Manuals,' in which a clear narrative is given, but the dignity and beauty of the original are entirely lost. By re-arranging the text I hope to have made the study of this part of the Bible easier and more attractive. I wish to express my gratitude to the Joint Committee of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge for leave to print the text of the Revised Version. To Professor Driver, for most readily and kindly allowing me to reprint, as an Introduction, a passage from his 'Literature of the Old Testament,' my warmest thanks are due. HARROW, August, 1897. S. R. S. |