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- Author: William Bruce
- Publisher: James Speirs
- Publication Date: 1879
- Total Pages: 556
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The First Three Kings of Israel
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EXCERPT
INTRODUCTION
I have long desired, I have for some time intended, and I am now to attempt to explain that portion of the Israelitish history comprehended between the beginning of the reign of Saul and the end of the reign of Solomon.
I am well aware of the arduous, I had almost said hazardous, nature of this undertaking. Were my task limited to an elucidation of the historical sense, and a practical application of the historical circumstances, there might be little cause for apprehension. But without undervaluing this kind of instruction, yet as a minister of the internal Word my principal aim must be far higher than to supply it. Knowing, and addressing myself to those who know, that the Word contains a spiritual meaning within, and distinct frorn that of the letter, my primary aim must be to unfold and apply it. It is in attempting this that I have some just cause for anxiety. The Scriptures in their literal sense have received so much attention from learned expositors and pious commentators, that anyone who has to deal with that sense only can derive great assistance from the labours of others. Not nearly so much so he who undertakes the exposition of this part of the Word according to its spiritual sense. In the works of our great expositor we have, besides a minute explanation of the first two books of the Old Testament and the last book of the New, many any other passages of the Word incidentally elucidated. But of these, few comparatively belong to the historical books of the Old Testament, while, unlike the Prophets and Psalms, they have received from his matchless pen no summary exposition. True, we possess a key to the heavenly mysteries of the Word in the Science of Correspondence. This enables us to see the cloud of the letter radiant with the glory of the sun that shines in splendour behind it; while the explanations we possess of particular passages that lie scattered throughout these immortal works, like the sun's rays streaming through the opening clouds, connect with lines of light the heavens and the earth, and while they light up with peculiar brightness the favoured spots on which they fall, throw light at the same time on parts that lie beyond their direct influence. But with all these advantages it is not without some degree of hesitation that I approach the- present momentous and important subject. Anyone who has read but a small portion of the works to which I have referred, must be satisfied how much more is required than a mere knowledge of correspondence to enable one to unfold any part of the Divine Word; and how comparatively imperfect must be the results of the application of this science by any one possessing but an ordinary share of that enlightenment under which they were so evidently written.
I offer these remarks, not for the purpose of magnifying the difficulties of the subject, or of enhancing the value of the labour bestowed upon it, but with the view of showing you how much reason you have to be moderate in your expectations and charitable in your judgments.
Besides these reflections which apply to us as speaker and hearersand I may now add, as writer and readers-there are others that apply alike to us both. It becomes us all without distinction to approach the subject in a devout and reverent spirit. The place on which we stand is holy ground, and we require to tread it with holy fear and profound humility, In our eagerness to see this great sight we lllay turn aside too hastily from our ordinary thoughts and temporal interests, forgetful of the danger of corning into the more immediate presence of the Divine glory without first putting the shoes from off our feet, by removing from our minds the artificial covering which it assumes from sense and the world. Spiritual truth cannot be seen except in spiritual light, nor can its power be felt except under the influence of spiritual love. For these, therefore, we ought to look and pray.
Before entering on an examination of the particular events of this history, it luay be useful to view it in its relation to other portions of the historical Word with which it is connected, in order to ascertain the place it occupies in the typical history of which it forms a part, and to glance at its general scope and meaning.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS.
BOOK I.
THE REIGN OF SAUL.
INTRODUCTORY. PAGE
ISRAEL DESIRES A KING(I Samuel viii.) ............................. 3
CHAPTER I.
SAUL SENT IN SEARCH OF HIS FATHER'S ASSES (I Samuel ix.) .......... 10
CHAPTER II.
SAMUEL RECEIVES AND ENTERTAINS SAUL (I Samuel ix. 15-27) .......... 19
CHAPTER III.
SAUL ANOINTED KING, WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING (I Samuel x.) ............ 24
CHAPTER IV.
SAUL RELEASES THE INHABITANTS OF JABESH-GILEAD AND DEFEATS
THE AMMONITES (I Samuel xi.) ................................... 36
CHAPTER V.
SAMUEL'S ADMONITION TO ISRAEL RESPECTING THEIR KING
(I Samuel xii.) ................................................ 45
CHAPTER VI.
SAUL USURPING THE PROPHET'S OFFICE FORFEITS THE KINGDOM
(I Samuel xiii.) ............................................... 50
CHAPTER VII.
JONATHAN'S CAPTURE OF THE PHILISTINES' GARRISON, AND ROUT OF
THE PHILISTINE HOST (I Samuel xiv.) ............................ 61
CHAPTER VIII.
SAUL SENT TO DESTROY AMALEK (I Samuel xv.) ........................ 71
CHAPTER IX.
SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID KING OF ISRAEL (I Samuel xvi.) ............... 88
CHAPTER X.
DAVID'S VICTORY OVER GOLIATH (I Samuel xvii.) ..................... 97
CHAPTER XI.
THE FRIENDSHIP OF JONATHAN AND DAVID (I Samuel xviii.) ............ 111
CHAPTER XII.
JONATHAN VINDICATES DAVID FROM THE UNJUST SUSPICION, AND
MICHAL SAVES HIM FROM THE WRATH, OF SAUL (I Samuel xix.) ....... 118
CHAPTER XIII.
DAVID'S FLIGHT AND JONATHAN'S AID (I Samuel xx.) .................. 127
CHAPTER XIV.
DAVID, FLEEING FROM SAUL INTO PHILISTIA, RECEIVES FROM
AHIMELECH THE PRIEST SHOWBREAD AND THE SWORD OF
GOLIATH (I Samuel xxi.) ........................................ 134
CHAPTER XV.
DAVID IN THE CAVE OF ADULLAM; SAUL'S SLAUGHTER OF THE
PRIESTS (I Samuel xxii.) ....................................... 142
CHAPTER XVI.
DAVID RELIEVES KEILAH; IS PURSUED BY SAUL; HAS HIS LAST
INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN (I Samuel xxiii.) ...................... 148
CHAPTER XVII.
DAVID SPARES SAUL AND CUTS OF THE SKIRT OF HIS ROBE
(I Samuel xxiv.) ............................................... 155
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE THREATENED EFFECTS OF NABAL'S CHURLISHNESS ARE AVERTED
BY ABIGAIL'S PRUDENCE (I Samuel xxv.) .......................... 162
CHAPTER XIX.
DAVID PENETRATES SAUL'S CAMP AND TAKES HIS SPEAR
(I Samuel xxvi.) ............................................... 170
CHAPTER XX.
DAVID ESCAPES INTO THE LAND OF THE PHILISTINES (I Samuel xxvii.) .. 175
CHAPTER XXI.
SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR (I Samuel xxviii.) .................... 182
CHAPTER XXII.
PREPARATION FOR BATTLE. THE AMALEKITES SPOIL ZIKLAG. DAVID
RECOVERS ALL (I Samuel xxix. xxx.) ............................. 190
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE DEFEAT OF ISRAEL AND THE DEATH OF SAUL (I Samuel xxxi.) ....... 198
BOOK II.
THE REIGN OF DAVID.
CHAPTER I.
PRELIMINARY ........................................................ 215
CHAPTER II.
DAVID RECEIVES TIDINGS OF THE DEFEAT OF ISRAEL AND THE
DEATH OF SAUL (2 Samuel i. 1-16) ................................ 218
CHAPTER III.
DAVID'S LAMENTATION OVER SAUL AND JONATHAN (2 Samuel i. 17-27) ..... 222
CHAPTER IV.
DAVID IN HEBRON ANOINTED KING OVER THE I-lOUSE OF JUDAH (2
Samuel ii.) ..................................................... 233
CHAPTER V.
THE DEATH OF ABNER (2 Samuel iii.) ................................. 241
CHAPTER VI.
THE DEATH OF ISH-BOSHETH (2 Samuel iv.) ............................ 250
CHAPTER VII.
DAVID IS ANOINTED KING OVER ISRAEL, AND GOES UP AGAINST
JERUSALEM (2 Samuel v. 1-5) ..................................... 253
CHAPTER VIII.
DAVID TAKES THE STRONGHOLD OF ZION (2 Samuel v. 6-10) .............. 256
CHAPTER IX.
THE ARK OF GOD BROUGHT INTO THE HOLY CITY (2 Samuel vi.) ........... 264
CHAPTER X.
DAVID DESIRES BUT IS FORBIDDEN TO BUILD A HOUSE FOR THE ARK
OF THE LORD TO DWELL IN (2 Samuel vii.) ......................... 271
CHAPTER XI.
NATIONS OUT OF CANAAN CONQUERED AND MADE TRIBUTARY (2
Samuel viii.) ................................................... 275
CHAPTER XII.
DAVID CHERISHES JONATHAN'S SON (2 Samuel ix.) ...................... 283
CHAPTER XIII.
DAVID'S ILL-REQUITED FRIENDSHIP FOR THE KING OF THE AMMONITES
(2 Samuel x.) ................................................... 290
CHAPTER XIV.
DAVID'S GREAT SIN (2 Samuel xi.) ................................... 298
CHAPTER XV.
GOD'S MESSAGE AND NATHAN'S PARABLE (2 Samuel xii.) ................. 306
CHAPTER XVI.
AMNON AND TAMAR (2 Samuel xiii.) ................................... 311
CHAPTER XVII.
THE WIDOW OF TEKOAH'S PARABLE AND ABSALOM'S RETURN (2
Samuel xiv.) ................................................... 319
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE REBELLION OF ABSALOM (2 Samuel xv. 1-9) ........................ 323
CHAPTER XIX.
DAVID'S FLIGHT (2 Samuel xv. 10) ................................... 331
CHAPTER XX.
THE DEFEAT AND DEATH OF ABSALOM (2 Samuel xviii.) .................. 338
CHAPTER XXI.
DAVID'S RETURN TO JERUSALEM (2 Samuel xix.) ........................ 346
CHAPTER XXII.
THE REVOLT OF ISRAEL UNDER SHEBA (2 Samuel xx.) .................... 353
CHAPTER XXIII.
SEVEN MEN OF THE SONS OF SAUL GIVEN UP TO THE GIBEONITES
(2 Samuel xxi.) ................................................. 359
CHAPTER XXIV.
DAVID'S SONG OF THANKSGIVING (2 Samuel xxii.) ...................... 365
CHAPTER XXV.
THE LAST WORDS OF DAVID (2 Samuel xxii. 1-6) ...................... 375
CHAPTER XXVI.
DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN: THREE BRING HIM WATER FROM THE WELL OF
BETHLEHEM (2 Samuel xxiii. 8-29) ................................ 381
CHAPTER XXVII.
DAVID'S SIN IN NUMBERING THE PEOPLE, AND ITS PUNISHMENT (2
Samuel xxiv. 1-15) .............................................. 388
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE DESTROYING ANGEL COMMANDED TO SPARE JERUSALEM (2
Samuel xxiv. 16-25) ............................................. 394
CHAPTER XXIX.
ABISHAG THE SHUNAMMITE NOURISHES DAVID (I Kings i. 1-5) ............ 400
CHAPTER XXX.
ADONIJAH'S REBELLION (I Kings i. 5-31) ............................. 405
BOOK III.
THE REIGN OF SOLOMON.
CHAPTER I.
SOLOMON ANOINTED KING (I Kings i. 32-40) ........................... 413
CHAPTER II.
DAVID'S DYING CHARGE TO SOLOMON, AND HIS DEATH (I Kings
ii. 5-10) ....................................................... 419
CHAPTER III.
SOLOMON'S CHOICE (I Kings iii. 1-14) ............................... 429
CHAPTER IV.
SOLOMON'S FIRST AND WISE JUDGMENT (I Kings iii. 27) ................ 435
CHAPTER V.
THE PEACEFUL SECURITY ENJOYED UNDER SOLOMON'S REIGN (2
Kings iv. 21) ................................................... 442
CHAPTER VI.
PREPARATIONS FOR BUILDING THE TEMPLE (I Kings v.) .................. 445
CHAPTER VII.
SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ITS PRINCIPAL
DIVISIONS (I Kings vi.) ......................................... 452
CHAPTER VIII.
SOLOMON'S HOUSES (I Kings vii. 1-12) ............................... 458
CHAPTER IX.
THE VESSELS OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE, MADE BY HIRAM (I Kings
vii. 13-51) ..................................................... 464
CHAPTER X.
SOLOMON'S PRAYER AT THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE (I Kings
viii.) .......................................................... 471
CHAPTER XI.
SOLOMON'S SECOND OFFERINGS, AND THE LORD'S SECOND APPEARANCE
TO HIM (I Kings viii. 62-66) .................................... 478
CHAPTER XII.
CABUL (I Kings ix. 10-14) .......................................... 484
CHAPTER XIII.
SOLOMON'S CITIES: TADMOR IN THE WILDERNESS (I Kings ix. 16) ........ 489
CHAPTER XIV.
SOLOMON'S FAME: THE QUEEN OF SHEBA'S VISIT (I Kings x. 1-10) ....... 494
CHAPTER XV.
SOLOMON'S THRONE (I Kings x. 18) ................................... 504
CHAPTER XVI.
SOLOMON'S NAVY (I Kings ix. 26-28; x. 11-22) ....................... 509
CHAPTER XVII.
SOLOMON'S ARMY (I Kings x.) ........................................ 515
CHAPTER XVIII.
SOLOMON'S IDOLATRY (I Kings xi. 29-32) ............................. 520
CHAPTER XIX.
SOLOMON'S ADVERSARIES (I Kings xi. 14-27) .......................... 530
CHAPTER XX.
THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF SOLOMON (I Kings xi. 42, 43) ............... 534
CHAPTER XXI.
THE PREDICTED REVOLT OF THE TEN TRIBES (I Kings xi. 29-35) ......... 541
CHAPTER XXII.
THE TWO KINGDOMS OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL (I Kings xii.) ................ 548
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