Moses. Strange perversity of the Israelites, and
their inveterate tendencies towards idolatry. Their
murmurings against the Divine will, and disregard
for its expounders. Examples of the frequent pun-
ishments they, in consequence, brought upon them-
selves. Nadab and Abihu, their case considered.
Family differences between Moses and Aaron. Be-
lief in the Divine unity.-III. Of the Jewish Taber-
nacle, &c. Description of that primitive sanctuary,
with observations on the services therein, showing
they were typical, and prefigured a second and more
comprehensive dispensation,

Sect. III.-Chap. I. FROM THE DEATH OF KORAH TO

THE ENTRANCE OF THE ISRAELITES INTO CANAAN:

History. Experiences of God's chosen people in

Idumea and other parts of the Arabian deserts, &c.

First hostilities against the enemies of Israel. Balak

and Balaam. The Israelites enticed into idolatry and

uncleanness by the women of Midian. This is terri

bly avenged by Moses, at God's command. Death and

character of Moses; Joshua and Eli being appointed

to succeed as conjoint leaders of the people, secular

and spiritual.-II. Objections answered, and Diffi

culties explained. The Divine dealings with Moses

considered. Character and functions of Balaam. Ma-

gicians and false prophets of early times; became

sometimes, consciously or unconsciously, true exposi

tors of the Divine will. Dealings of the Israelites

with antagonist populations considered and defended.

Plague that afflicted the Jews at this time, and the

means adopted of assuaging it; the exhibition of

"brazen serpent" not an idolatrous act.-III. On

the character and conduct of Balaam (supplemental).

Opinions of the Fathers of the early Church, also of

eminent modern divines and commentators, on the

character and acts of Balaam. That the probability

is, he was no accredited prophet, and only became a

temporary instrument in the hands of Providence, to

forward the wellbeing of the chosen race; as it was a

rule with the God of Jacob to display his supremacy

before it, by making all other deities and their agents
subservient to his will.-IV. Of the Profane History,
Religion, Government, &c., of such nations as the
Israelites had intercourse with during this period.
Retrospective notices of some kings of Egypt and
their people, illustrative of the position of the chil-
dren of Israel settled in that country. Origin and
history of the inhabitants of Canaan, &c.-V. On the
land of Canaan (supplemental). More particular ac-
count of Canaan, and the people who inhabited it,
previous to the Israelitish invasion and occupation,
deduced from intimations in Scripture, &c. Origin,
history, and fate of Tyre and Sidon. Topography of
Canaan; its early condition, its perfect correspondence
in all points to what might be expected as a "land of
promise" for allotment among the descendants of the
eleven sons of Canaan, namely, the twelve tribes of
Israel.-VI. (Supplemental.) On the Mountains of
Canaan. General character of the Holy Land. Habi-
tudes of its people in times past and present. Physical
topography of Palestine; its mountains, rivers, lakes,
&c. Mount Lebanon, and Libanian range. Cedars
of Lebanon. Mounts Seir, Carmel, Tabor. Hill of
Zion, Jerusalem, &c.-VII. (Supplemental.) On the
lakes and rivers of Palestine. Lake of Tiberias,
Mr. J. S. Buckingham's account of it, and the Lake
of Gennesareth. Lake Asphaltites, or the Dead
Sea, accounts of, by different travellers. The Jor-
dan the only considerable stream in the Holy Land.
-VIII. On the general Fertility of Palestine (sup-

PAGE

plemental). Promises to the Patriarchs of fruitful

earthly possessions. Testimonies of ancient historians

and geographers as to the fertility of the Holy Land.

Cavils of sceptics, and especially of Voltaire, con-

sidered and disposed of. Condition, in modern days,

of the country, and sufficient reasons given for

its comparative non-productiveness. A rocky coun-

try not necessarily unfruitful, as it may abound in

honey, wine, oil, &c. Peculiar cultivation of the

Holy Land by the Israelites one cause of its great

increase. Of the desert countries that encircled Ca-

naan,

BOOK V.

PAGE

313

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THINGS, FROM THE

ISRAELITES' ENTRANCE INTO THE LAND OF

CANAAN, TO THE BUILDING OF SOLOMON'S

TEMPLE.

Preliminary Observations. View, retrospective and pro-

spective, of the condition and destinies of the Jews as

a nation, and the people chosen of God. Judgeship

of Joshua; parallel between him and Jesus, the former

being a temporal, the latter a spiritual Saviour. Lead-

ing circumstances in the history of the Israelites while

in the wilderness. It is presumable that Christ fre-

quently appeared to their guides, in an incarnate

form, and that the school of prophets was instituted

during this period. Main design in raising up that

succession of monitors. Mission and character of

David; subjects and scope of his sacred odes and spi-

ritual outpourings. That it is certain the Psalmist

was an eminent type of Christ; the covenant of God

with man having been solemnly renewed, through

him, for the fifth time. Jerusalem, his capital, espe-

cially consecrated to the visible service of the Al-

mighty; for "out of Zion shall go forth the law and

the word," &c.,

361

Sect. I.-Chap. I. FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE IS-
RAELITES INTO THE PROMISED LAND, TILL THE DEATH
OF JOSHUA: History. Position of Joshua as leader of
the people; his encouragements derived from heaven.
Investment and siege of Jericho; manner of its fall,
and fate of its inhabitants. Failure of the attack of
Ai; its causes. Sin of Achan, and its punishment.
Second and successful assault upon Ai, and the terrible
vengeance exercised against its defenders. Terror of
the confederated kings of Canaan at the progress of
the Israelites. Stratagem of the Gibeonites to escape
destruction, which is successful so far, but does not
prevent their being reduced to bondage. The army
of the Canaanitish confederates defeated, partly by
miraculous intervention, and their kings slain after-
wards by Joshua. Second confederation of kings in
Canaan against the Israelites, which meets the same
fate as the first, and the whole of the country is, by
degrees, brought into subjection. Division of the con-
quered territory and spoils taken, among the twelve
tribes of Israel and their auxiliaries. Setting up of
the tabernacle, and consolidation of Jewish temporal
power. His work being perfected, Joshua is called to
receive his heavenly reward. Death, likewise, of
Eleazar.-II. Difficulties obviated, and Objections an-
swered. The after conquest of Canaan decreed in the
counsels of God, and foreshown, in the Song of Moses,
forty years before the event. Question raised whether

text.

PAGE

Rahab, who secreted the Jewish spies, was really

what we understand by the appellation "harlot."

Her conduct investigated, and judged upon the whole

to be commendable, according to the light thrown

upon the subject by the best expositors of the Sacred

Obstinate wickedness of the Canaanites the

real and only cause of their extirpation from the earth

they had defiled with their abominations. Miraculous

passage of the Jordan; its paralyzing influence upon

the enemies of Israel, it was so well calculated to

effect, plainly proving that the Spirit of God was

against them. Nature and aim of the rite of circum-

cision; whether or why its observance might be

neglected or postponed. Keeping the Sabbath holy a

precept of strict injunction, and generally observed

with rigour by the whole Jewish nation, before the

advent of Christ, under all circumstances. Specula-

tions on the physical means employed in reducing

Jericho; difficulties raised as to their inadequacy per-

fectly idle, seeing that they were backed by a com-

manding miraculous power. Ancient warlike arts;

examples illustrative of the subject cited from pagan

annals. Urim and Thummim; a consideration of the

difficulties standing in the way of those who would

expound the precise meaning of that compound term.

Opinions thereupon of various commentators; and of

the Hebrew doctors of the law. Upon the whole, a

conclusion come to that the Urim and Thummim

meant one and the same thing, and that it was of the

nature of an oracle, but not like those of the heathen,

being a soothful indicator, by its aspect, accompanied

or not by an audible voice, communicative on parti-

cular occasions of the immediate will of God, for the

direction of the consulting priests or others. In an-

other view, that it was the same oracle as that located

in the mercy-seat of the ark of the covenant. The

circumvention of the Israelites by the men of Gibeon

reviewed and commented on. That it arose from ne-

glect of previous Divine injunctions; but that once

protected by a solemn oath, no matter how obtained,

the exemption it involved behoved to be religiously

maintained, even upon heathen principles of moral

obligation. Commendable zeal of the Israelites for

the honour of God. Their penitence, when they

thought He, to whom they immediately owed their

valour and victories, had quite forsaken them. Con-

sideration of the offence of Achan and its punishment;

also, whether stratagems be lawful in war. Three

reasons pre-assigned, through Moses, why the Israel-

ites had to be wary in effecting their conquests in

Canaan. Doubt resolved regarding the location of

the ark of the covenant. Summary of the whole

objections brought against the narrative of the in-

spired penman, and some light thrown upon the sub-

ject from the events, real or fabulous, given by pagan

historians.-III. Of the shower of stones, and the

sun's standing still; examples of stony showers not un-

known to the pagan anuals, but in the present case

more probably hailstones, that is, the descent of

frozen rain so called, in masses of preternatural size.

Consideration of the passage, Josh. x. 12, &c., and an

explication of the true meaning of these verses, inter-

spersed with observations. Reality maintained of the

miracle of the sun's being stayed in his course by Jo-

shua; with this observation superadded, that all ac-

credited miracles are great, and none little, by their

very nature.-IV. Some of the objections to the credi-

bility of the Old Testament considered and answered

(supplemental). Review of the objections advanced

by infidels in general, against the credibility of the

PAGE

facts narrated in the Bible, and more especially of those

occurring in Mosaic times; as, 1. The Divine injunc-

tion, laid upon the Israelites, to root out the posses-

sors of Canaan, and enter upon its possession. A can-

did statement of facts given, and fair inferences drawn.

Archdeacon Paley's opinion upon the matter quoted

and approved of. 2. Mistranslations of the Sacred

text, leading to misapprehensions of its true import,

a frequent cause of raising difficulties seemingly in-

superable, and thus become a stumbling-block to the

simple, as well as a convenient handle to the sceptical;

the latter being, further, ready to assert that, 3. The

examples given of the aggressions of the Israelites

militate against the general moral sense of mankind;

this opinion briefly disposed of; as is likewise the

assertion that, 4. Revelation, in the historical parts

of the Old Testament Scriptures, is contradicted by

experiences derived from the researches of modern

science. Allusion to the epoch of the creation; and

to the miracles which accompanied the rise and pro-

gress of the children of Israel, till they became a

great nation,

363

Sect. II.-Chap. I. FROM THE DEATH OF JOSHUA TO

THE DEATH OF SAMSON: History. Successes and

vicissitudes experienced by the Israelites. They re-

lapse, generally or partially, into idolatry and tam-

perings with their and God's adversaries, and are

punished by being partly subjected by the latter,

and falling a prey to intestine divisions.

They find

a redoubtable enemy in the Philistines. Sisera, leader
of a host arrayed against Israel, privily slain by Jael.
Forty years of peace follow. Episode of Ruth and
Boaz. War between Israel and Midian; Gideon
defeats the Midianites by the help and under the
immediate direction of God. Magnanimity and self-
denial of Gideon. Jephthah, a famous leader in Is-
rael, signally defeats the Ephraimites, and other of
Israel's enemies, alien and native. He is succeeded
by other judges, or divinely chosen rulers, who secure
a twenty-three years' peace. The people having re-
lapsed into idolatry, the Philistines are allowed to
prevail against and oppress them; but they find a
champion and avenger in Samson for a time. His
brief career noted and commented on.-II. Difficulties
obviated, and Objections answered. The judges of Is-
racl, their ordination and functions. Character and
early career of Samson. The case of Ehud considered;
also that of Jael. The means used by Gideon to de-
liver Israel from the Midianites, and those employed
by Samson against the Philistines. The cavils brought
against the sacred narrative, in this regard, considered
and disposed of. Other acts of the leaders of Israel
detailed and justified when right, or shown to be ca-
pable of palliation when of disputable rectitude.-III.
Jephthah's rash vow; the incidents attending it given,
and the opinions of the best commentators on the text
passed in review, with a summary of the whole; con-
cluding with an admonition against taking ill-consi-
dered engagements.-IV. The same subject continued
(supplemental). Probabilities in favour of the belief,
held by many respectable commentators, that the ful-
filment of "Jephthah's rash vow" did not involve the
actual bodily sacrifice of his daughter. Character
and reported acts of that judge among the Israelites
considered. The case of the offered sacrifice of Isaac
was not parallel with that of her whose young fate
was lamented yearly by the daughters of Israel
(Judges xi. 38-40). Various general reasons assigned
for this, and the proper conclusions drawn from them.
Special philological reasons derived from an examin-

ation of the Hebrew text, adduced in support of the

conclusion, that Jephthah neither did sacrifice his

daughter, nor was under any obligation, from the na-

ture of his vow, to do so; and that she was merely

devoted to a life of celibacy and seclusion from the

world. Three objections, which have been brought
forward against this favourable view of the matter,
stated and obviated. Contrary opinion of Bishop
Warburton considered and fairly answered by an ob-
servation of Bishop Gleig's,

Sect. III.-Chap. I. FROM THE BIRTH OF SAMUEL TO

THE DEATH OF SAUL: History. Eli, the high-priest,

his good but feeble nature. Unexpected birth of

Samuel, and his early consecration to the priesthood.

Slackness of duty to God in Israel brings on invasion

and defeat, with temporary loss of the ark. Samuel

effects a reform among the people, and obtains a re-

newal of the Divine favour, which is followed by sig

nal advantages over the Ammonites. They demand

and obtain regal government, although warned that

they would fare all the worse for it. Saul appointed

king; achieves further successes, but incurs the Divine

disfavour through his selfish shortcomings; and the

kingly sceptre is destined to pass into another family.

David, son of Jesse, anointed as succossor to Saul, by

Samuel. David's early career, and decline of Saul's

glories. David defeats the Philistines and kills their

champion Goliath. Tyrannical and cruel acts of Saul;

become unreasonably jealous of David, he forces him

to expatriate himself. Death of Samuel. Episode of

Nabal and Abigail. David's magnanimity evinced a

second time in behalf of Saul. The latter, distrust-

ing his fortunes, and sinking under a double distem-

per of mind and body, consults an enchantress. Next

day his army is defeated, and he slain by the Philis-

tines.-II. Difficulties obviated, and Objections an-

swered. Regarding the capture of the ark; its cause

and consequences. Nature and end of the Jewish

theocratic system. Origin of monarchical govern-

ment generally, and reasons assigned why it was de-

sired by the Jews. Question mooted and disposed of

regarding the dispossession and slaughter of idolatrous

nations by the invading and avenging armies of Israel.

On the effects of music, and especially on Saul's per-

turbed spirit. Justification of such of the acts of

David as were based on the duty of self-preservation,

but some others, of culpable or questionable nature,

detailed and denounced. Conduct of Saul and David

contrasted. Collateral evidence, drawn from pagan

annals, adduced in confirmation of the sacred records

during the period treated of.-III. On the Jewish

theocracy (supplemental). Monotheism the funda-

mental principle of the Mosaic law; and, as a conse-

quence, it involved not merely the discountenancing,

nor yet even the prevention, but the actual proscrip-

tion of idolatry, and punishment of every tendency to

it, among the chosen people of God. Constitution of

the Jewish theocracy considered. Secular institutions

of the race under its sway; observation upon their

democratic nature. Functions of the judges and

rulers of the Israelites in ante-regal times. The Sanhe-

drim, or senate of seventy. High-priest long the real

visible head of the state; and even afterwards his

office and privileges, along with the reserved power of

the chiefs of tribes, inconsistent with the supposition

that Jewish regality was, or could be, an absolute

despotism, like that of the kings of the neighbouring

nations. Enumeration, from Bishop Warburton's

Divine Legation, of the legal functions and powers of

the kings of Judah and Israel. Opinions cited of that

PAGE

395

TAGK

prelate, and other learned biblicists, upon the vicis-

situdes the chosen people experienced at different

periods of their history, till their final rejection and

dispersion.-IV. On Samuel's appearing to Saul at

the witch of Endor's, the subject being divided as an

inquiry into these three questions, 1. Whether there

was a real apparition of the deceased prophet; 2. What

this apparition, if real, was; and, 3. By what means

and for what purpose it was effected.-V. On the

witch of Endor (supplemental). Opinion of the author

maintained that the apparition of the spirit of Samuel

was real, and not expected by her who was made an

instrument, through Divine ordination, in calling him

into temporary existence on earth. Bishop Gleig's

notice of ventriloquism and its experiences. Case of

the sorceress of Endor not unlike that of Balaam, both

having had that which they came to do either thwarted

or taken out of their hands. The opinion that it was

an evil spirit raised by necromantic arts, and not the

living form of Samuel, considered to be untenable.

Reasons assigned why a departed prophet should re-

visit the world, to intimate to Saul the doom his

crimes and misconduct had called down upon him and

his people,

. 433

Sect. IV.-Chap. I. FROM THE DEATH OF SAUL TO THE
DEATH OF ABSALOM: History. David succeeds to
Saul, but as king of Judah only, the other eleven
tribes adhering to the sway of Ishbosheth. A civil
war ensues, which is closed by the murder of the lat-
ter, when David becomes sole king in Israel. His
successes in war enable him to reclaim the ark of the
covenant. But the distinction of building a temple
for the worship of God is denied him. Farther suc-
cesses and increasing riches and power of David. He
commits the crime of sacrificing Uriah, and aggravates
the offence against God and man by contracting mar-
riage with the widow of the murdered, for which he
is reproved of God, and is punished, besides, there-
after. Rape of Tamar, which is cruelly avenged by
her brother Absalom. The latter, abusing David's
mercy and undue preference of him, organizes a re-
volt against his father and sovereign, but which ends
fatally for himself.-II. Difficulties obviated, and Ob-
jections answered. Weaknesses in David's character;
remarks on his and others' over-indulgence of their
children, with monitions as to its evil results. Con-
tracting family alliances, in early times, had a politi-
cal as well as social aim. Case of David's sacrifice of
Uriah stated; with an enumeration of all the aggrava-
tions attending it, including imputations, unfortun-
ately too well founded, against the king of perfidy, of
ingratitude, of hypocrisy, and of deliberation, obstin-
acy, and shamelessness in sinning. Reasons given for
placing on record all the wickedness thus committed
in the plainest terms; namely, that all may take heed,
seeing how low the greatest may sometimes fall. Ne-
cessity for watchfulness, in every one, against the first
promptings to indulgence in evil courses, and chari-
table allowance for our neighbours' weaknesses recom-
mended. Observations on David's conduct in regard
of Absalom's murdering his brother Amnon for the
rape of Tamar. Mosaic laws against ravishers and
man-slayers. Partiality of David for Absalom natu-
ral, and consistent with the approved sentiments of
the time and country. Worldly policy of David in
dealing with the slayer of his favourite son. Review of
the vengeance the Jews wreaked upon the Ammonites;
its severity admitted, but might be palliated, if not ex-
cused, from being retaliatory for cruelties formerly
perpetrated by those who now became victims in their

turn. And, furthermore, such outrages as were com-
mitted against the Israelitish ambassadors were held
to incur condign punishment among all the nations of
the old world, which, therefore, may have been partly
the cause of the hard measure dealt the Ammonites,
by way of example to other heathen neighbours of the
Israelitish people. Case of David and Ishbosheth
considered. Abner's conduct reviewed, and Hushai's
guilefulness partly justified on the principle, that a
strong regard for self-preservation, in a crisis immi-
nently dangerous, may sometimes be justifiable. Gene-
ral character of David being good, some allowance
fairly to be made for his exceptional deviations into
criminality. Fate of Uzzah adverted to, with a sugges-
tion of the probable causes of that signal act of Divine
vengeance. Of the signs given by God to his chosen
people, in Old Testament times, and especially of the
promised evidence of celestial aid in their combats
against the enemies of Heaven. Amended interpre-
tation of passages proposed regarding this matter and
others. David's great golden crown not intended for
wear, but suspended as a symbol of his regality. Ab-
salom's hair, its reported exuberance noted, and va-
rious opinions given as to the true interpretation of

PAGE

verse 26 of Samuel xiv.-III. Of the sacred chrono-
logy and profane history during the period under
review, extending to thirty-three years,

PAGE

. 476

Sect. V.-Chap. I. FROM THE DEATH OF ABSALOM TO
THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE: History. Another
civil war, caused by David's supposed partiality for
the men of Judah, which is soon suppressed. Divi-
sions in David's own family, and Solomon inaugurated
as his successor. Death of David, and beginning of
Solomon's wise and brilliant reign. Construction of
the temple.-II. Dificulties obviated, and Objections
answered. Of Saul's cruelty to the Gibeonites. Da-
vid's treatment of Mephiboseth examined. David's
numbering the people, contrary to the Divine will,
considered, and the conflicting accounts of Israel's
numbers noted. His preference of his youngest son
to succeed him justified, as of God's appointment
rather than his. Solomon's power and riches, with
some remarks on his dream, &c.-III. Of the ancient
Jerusalem and its temple. Salem probably identical
with Jerusalem. Site, boundaries, &c., of the holy
city, and notices of its environs. The temple, its
material glories enumerated.-IV. On the temple
(supplemental),

502