The promise of God to Abraham made the subjugation of the nations within the prescribed territory a religious duty War with the Philistines: their subjugation - War with Moab and conquest of the country Syria subdued, and a garrison placed in Damascus David's triumphant return: his Psalms of praise New coalition against David in the east Revolt of the Edomites, and their union with Syria Having insulted David, Nahash forms a union with Syria A Hebrew army under Joab defeats the allied forces - Nahash forms an alliance with Syrians of the East He endeavours in vain to deceive Uriah He then plots his death, and secures his object Absalom takes refuge in Geshur three years Is allowed to return, but not received at court for two years Absalom might think himself hardly used He assumes unusual state and splendour Where he is proclaimed king, and followed by great numbers He sends back Hushai, to counteract Ahithophel The king rudely assailed by Shimei Absalom's scandalous conduct, on the advice of Ahithophel - 276 Progress of the pestilence arrested An altar built on the threshing-floor of Ornan The sacrifice consumed by fire from heaven Adonijah prepares to assume the sovereignty - David commands Solomon to be anointed king HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND REIGN OF DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL. CHAPTER I. THE POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS STATE OF THE HEBREW TRIBES, PRIOR TO THE ACCESSION OF DAVID. THE accession of David to the throne of Israel is the most important event in the history of the Jewish nation. His reign raised his country from a state of servitude and obscurity to great wealth, distinction, and power. And this appears to have resulted mainly from the vigour and energy of his mind, his daring courage, and the maturity of judgment which he evinced even in early life. But in order that we should comprehend the real greatness of his character, the importance of his conquests, and the happy results of his administration, it is necessary that we should have a tolerably complete acquaintance with the social state of the people previous to his accession, should know something of the manner of their government under the judges, and should have a correct idea of their religious condition. The state of the Hebrews at this time, and the B circumstances which led to the elevation of David, cannot, however, be clearly set forth without a reference to their early history and their peculiar civil and religious institutions. Unlike that of every other ancient people, the progress of the Israelites from a family to a nation, ist not shrouded in myth, legend, and fable, but is clearly set forth in the sacred record, if not with all the fulness of detail that could be wished, yet in a connected form, and with undoubted truthfulness. The personal history of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as given in the Book of Genesis, shows the origin of the Hebrews as a people. The rapid multiplication of their descendants in Egypt, notwithstanding the rigorous service they were compelled to perform, exhibits their development; and the miraculous exodus from that house of bondage, presents them to our view as an independent people. By the independence of the Hebrews, however, must be understood their freedom from the authority or domination of any other nation or temporal power. Their dependence upon God was absolute and unlimited. And this, not merely in the sense in which all the human family depend on the Author and Preserver of their being. By Divine intention and dominant purpose they were placed, immediately after their deliverance from Egypt, in a desert wilderness, without the means of subsistence, or the possibility of procuring it by any labours or efforts of which they were capable; and thus their very existence was made to depend on the daily and continual interpositions of God on their behalf. But, even in those circumstances, all their wants were miraculously supplied. Manna was given them from heaven; water issued from the rock; their way was directed and their |