Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other prophets who flourished in the | to reconcile them. This clearly demonstrates his fidelity, Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, undertook the office of histo- exactness, and integrity. In other places some reflections or ographers. We know that several of the prophets wrote illustrations are inserted, which naturally arise from his subthe lives of those kings who reigned in their times; for the ject; this shows him to have been fully master of the matter names and writings of these prophets are mentioned in seve- he was discussing, and that, being divinely inspired, he was ral places in the books of Kings and Chronicles; which also not afraid of intermixing his own words with those of the cite or refer to the original annals of the kings of Israel and prophets, whose writings lay before him. Judah, of which those books have transmitted to us abridg ments or summaries. Thus, in 1 Kings xi. 41. we read of the acts of Solomon, which acts were recorded in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer (2 Chron. ix. 29); which Iddo was employed, in conjunction with Shemaiah the prophet, in writing the acts of Rehoboam. (2 Chron. xii. 15.) We also read of the book of Jehu the prophet, relating the transactions of Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. xx. 34. 1 Kings xvi. 1.); and Isaiah the prophet wrote the acts of king Uz-hundred and twenty-six years, from the anointing of Solomon ziah (2 Chron. xxvi. 22.), and also of Hezekiah (2 Chron. xxxii. 32.); and it is highly probable that he wrote the history of the two intermediate kings Jotham and Ahaz, in whose reigns he lived. (Isa. i. 1.)` It is evident, therefore, that two descriptions of writers were concerned in the composition of the books of Kings:first, those original, primitive, and contemporary authors, who wrote the annals, journals, and memoirs of their own times, from which the authors of our sacred history subsequently derived their materials. These ancient memoirs have not descended to us; but they unquestionably were in the hands of those sacred penmen, whose writings are in our possession, since they cite them and refer to them. The second class of writers consists of those, by whom the books of Kings were actually composed in the form in which we now have them. The Jews ascribe them to Jeremiah; and their opinion has been adopted by Grotius and other eminent commentators: others again assign them to the prophet Isaiah. But the most probable opinion is, that these books were digested into their present order by Ezra. The following are the grounds on which this opinion is founded and supported :1. The general uniformity of style and manner indicates that these books were written by one person. 2. The author evidently lived after the captivity of Babylon: for, at the end of the second book of Kings, he speaks of the return from the captivity. (2 Kings xxv. 22, &c.) 3. He says that in his time the ten tribes were still captive in Assyria, whither they had been carried as a punishment for their sins. (2 Kings xvii. 23.) 4. In the seventeenth chapter of the second book of Kings, he introduces some reflections on the calamities of Judah and Israel, which demonstrate that he wrote after those calamities had taken place. Compare 2 Kings xvii. 6—24. 5. He almost every where refers to the ancient memoirs which he had before him, and abridged. 6. There is also every reason to believe, that the author was a PRIEST or a prophet. He studies less to describe acts of heroism, successful battles, conquests, political address, &c. than what regards the temple, religious ceremonies, festivals, the worship of God, the piety of princes, the fidelity of the prophets, the punishment of crimes, the manifestation of God's anger against the wicked, and his regard for the righteous. He every where appears greatly attached to the house of David. He treats on the kings of Israel only incidentally; his principal object being the kingdom of Judah, and its particular affairs. Now, all these marks correspond with Ezra, a learned priest, who lived both during and subsequently to the captivity, and might have collected numerous documents, which, from the lapse of time and the persecutions of the Jews, are now lost to us. Such are the reasons on which Calmet has ascribed the books of Kings to Ezra, and his opinion is generally received. There are, however, a few circumstances that seem to militate against this hypothesis, which should be noticed, as not agreeing with the time of Ezra. Thus, in 1 Kings viii. 8. the ark of the covenant is represented as being in the temple "to this day:" and in 1 Kings xii. 19. the kingdoms of Israel are mentioned as still subsisting. In 1 Kings vi. 1. 37, 38. the author mentions the months of Zif and Bul, names which were not in use after the captivity. Lastly, the writer expresses himself throughout as a contemporary, and as an author who had been an eye-witness of what he wrote. But these apparent contradictions admit of an easy solution. Ezra generally transcribes verbatim the memoirs which he had in his possession without attempting The divine authority of these books is attested by the many predictions they contain: they are cited as authentic and canonical by Jesus Christ (Luke iv. 25—27.), and by his apostles (Acts vii. 47. Rom. xi. 2—4. James v. 17, 18.), and they have constantly been received into the sacred canon by the Jewish and Christian churches in every age. Their truth and authenticity also derive additional confirmation from the corresponding testimonies of ancient profane writers.2 III. The FIRST BOOK OF KINGS embraces a period of one and his admission as a partner in the throne with David, A. M. 2989, to the death of Jehoshaphat, A. M. 3115. It relates the latter part of David's life; his death, and the accession of Solomon, whose reign comprehended the most prosperous and glorious period of the Israelitish history; and prefigured the peaceful reign of the Messiah; Solomon's erection and consecration of the temple at Jerusalem (the beauty and perfection of which was a type of the beauty and perfection of the church of God); his awful defection from the true religion; the sudden decay of the Jewish nation after his death, when it was divided into two kingdoms,-under Rehoboam, who reigned over the kingdom of Judah, comprising the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and under Jeroboam, who was sovereign of the other ten tribes that revolted from the house of David, and which in the Sacred Writings are designated as the kingdom of Israel; the reigns of Rehoboam's successors, Abijam, Asa, and Jehoshaphat; and those of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Tibni, the wicked Ahab, and Ahaziah (in part), who succeeded Jeroboam in the throne of Israel. For the particular order of succession of these monarchs, and of the prophets who flourished during their respective reigns, the reader is referred to the chronological table inserted in Appendix II. to this volume. The first book of Kings may be divided into two principal parts; containing, 1. The history of the undivided kingdom under Solomon; and, 2. The history of the divided kingdom under Rehoboam and his successors, and Jeroboam and his successors. PART I. The History of Solomon's Reign (ch. i.—xi.) contains a narrative of, SECT. 1. The latter days of David; the inauguration of Solomon as his associate in the kingdom, and his designation to be his successor. (i. ii. 1-11.) SECT. 2. The reign of Solomon from the death of David to his undertaking the erection of the temple. (ii. 12—46 iii. iv.) SECT. 3. The preparations for building the temple. (v.) SECT. 4. The building of the temple (vi.) and of Solomon's own house, together with the preparation of the vessels and utensils for the temple service. (vii.) SECT. 5. The dedication of the temple, and the sublime prayer of Solomon on that occasion. (viii.) SECT. 6. Transactions during the remainder of Solomon's reign:-his commerce; visit from the queen of Sheba; the splendour of his monarchy; his falling into idolatry, and the adversaries by whom he was opposed until his death. (ix. x. xi.) PART II. The History of the two Kingdoms of Judah and Israel. (ch. xii. xxii.) SECT. 1. The accession of Rehoboam, and division of the two kingdoms. (xii.) SECT. 2. The reigns of Rehoboam king of Judah, and of Jeroboam I. king of Israel. (xiii. xiv.) SECT. 3. The reigns of Abijam and Asa kings of Judah, and 1 The consideration that these books were digested from memoirs, written by different persons who lived in the respective times of which they wrote, will help to reconcile what is said of Hezekiah in 2 Kings xviii. 5. that, after him none was like him of all the kings of Judah, with what is said of Josiah in chap. xxiii. 25. that, like unto him was there no king be fore him; for, what is said of Hezekiah was true, till the eighteenth year of Josiah, when that pious sovereign began the reformation of which so much is said in the sacred history. Mr. Reeves, Pref. to Books of Kings. 2 Josephus, Antiq. Jud. lib. viii. c. 2. Eusebius, Prep. Evang. lib. x. Grotius de Veritate, lib. iii. c. 16., and Allix, Reflections upon the Books of the Old Testament, chap. ii. have collected several instances of the confir mation of the sacred historians from profane authors. On this subject also consult the testimonies given in Vol. I. pp. 69–78. supra. the contemporary reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, and the commencement of Ahab's reign. (xv. xvi.) SECT. 4. The reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and of his contemporaries Ahab and Ahaziah (in part), during which the prophet Elijah flourished. (xvii.—xxii.) IV. The SECOND BOOK OF KINGS continues the contemporary history of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah, from the death of Jehoshaphat, A. M. 3115, to the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, a. M. 3416, a period of three hundred years. The last three verses of the preceding book have been improperly disjoined from this. The history of the two kingdoms is interwoven in this I. book, and presents a long succession of wicked sovereigns in the kingdom of Israel, from Ahaziah to Hoshea, in whose reign Samaria was captured by Shalmaneser king of Assyria, and the ten tribes were taken captive into that country. In the kingdom of Judah, we find some few pious princes among many who were corrupt. Sixteen sovereigns filled the Jewish throne, from Jehoram to Zedekiah, in whose reign the kingdom of Judah was totally subverted, and the people carried into captivity to Babylon. During this period numerous prophets flourished, as Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Joel, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Daniel, Ezekiel, &c. The second book of Kings comprises twenty-five chapters, which may be divided into two parts; containing, 1. The history of the two monarchies, until the end of the kingdom of Israel; and, 2. The history of Judah alone to its subversion. PART I. The Contemporary History of the Kingdoms of Israel SECT. 2. The contemporary reigns of Jehoram king of Judah mercy; at the same time they mark most clearly the vera city of God, both in his promises and in his threatenings, and show the utter vanity of trusting in an arm of flesh, and the instability of human kingdoms, from which piety and justice are banished. SECTION VII. ON THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES. Title.-II. Author and date.-III. Scope-IV. Analysis of the two books of Chronicles.-V. Observations on them. I. THE ancient Jews comprised the two books of Chronicles in one book: but in the Hebrew Bibles, now printed for their use, they have adopted the same division which is found in our Bibles, apparently (Calmet thinks) for the purpose of conforming to our mode of reference in concordances, the use of which they borrowed from the Romish church. The Jews entitle these books 'D' 1727, DİBREY HaJaмIM, that is, The Words of Days, or Annals; probably from the circumstance of their being compiled out of diaries or annals, in which were recorded the various events related in these books. In the Septuagint version they are termed ПAPAAEПOMENA (Paraleipomena), the things that were left or omitted; because many things which were omitted in the former part of the sacred history are here not only supplied, but some narrations also are enlarged, while others are added. The Greek translators of that version seem to have considered these books as a supplement, either to Samuel and to the books of Kings, or to the whole Bible. The appellation of Chronicles was given to these books by Jerome, because they contain an abstract, in order of time, of the whole of the sacred history, to the time when they were written.2 II. These books were evidently compiled from others, which were written at different times, some before and others after the Babylonish captivity: it is most certain that the books of Chronicles are not the original records or memorials of the transactions of the sovereigns of Israel and Judah, which are so often referred to in the books of Kings. Those ancient registers were much more copious than the books of Chronicles, which contain ample extracts from original documents, to which they very frequently refer. SECT. 3. Jehu appointed king over Israel; Jehoram put to death by him; the reign of Jehu; death of Ahaziah king of Judah, and the usurpation of Athaliah. (ix. x. xi. 1—3.) SECT. 4. The reign of Jehoash king of Judah, and the contemporary reigns of Jehoahaz and his son Jehoash kings of Concerning the author of these books we have no distinct Israel; the death of the prophet Elisha; and the miracle information. Some have conjectured that he was the same performed at his grave. (xi. 4-21. xii. xiii.) who wrote the books of Kings: but the great difference, SECT. 5. The reigns of Amaziah, Azariah, or Uzziah, and Calmet remarks, in the dates, narratives, genealogies, and Jotham, kings of Judah, and the contemporary reigns of proper names,-together with the repetitions of the same Jehoash, or Joash, Jeroboam II., Zechariah, Shallum, Mena- things, and frequently in the same words, strongly militates hem, Pekahiah, and Pekah. (xiv. xv.) against this hypothesis. The Hebrews commonly assign the Chronicles to Ezra; who, they say, composed them SECT. 6. The reign of Ahaz king of Judah; interregnum in after the return from the captivity, and was assisted in the kingdom of Israel after the death of Pekah terminated this work by the prophets Zechariah and Haggai, who were by Hoshea the last sovereign, in the ninth year of whose then living. This opinion they endeavour to support, first, reign Samaria his capital was taken by the king of Assyria, from the similarity of style (the last three verses of the sewhither the ten tribes were taken into captivity; the sub-cond book of Chronicles corresponding very nearly with the version of the kingdom of Israel; and the mixture of religion introduced by the Cuthites who were transplanted to Samaria. (xvi. xvii.) PART II. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Kingdom of Judah. (ch. xviii. xxv.) SECT. 1. The reign of Hezekiah; his war with the Assyrians; SECT. 2. The reigns of Manasseh and Amon. (xxi.) V. The two books of Kings, particularly the second, abound with impressive and lively narrations; and the strict impartiality with which the author of each book has related events and circumstances dishonourable to his nation, affords a convincing evidence of his fidelity and integrity. They delineate the long-suffering of God towards his people, and his severe chastisements for their iniquitous abuse of his first three verses of Ezra), from the recapitulations and general reflections which are sometimes made on a long series of events:-secondly, the author lived after the captivity, decree of Cyrus, which granted liberty to the Jews, and he since, in the last chapter of the second book he recites the also continues the genealogy of David to Zerubbabel, the chief of those who returned from the captivity: thirdly, these books contain certain terms and expressions, which they think are peculiar to the person and times of Ezra. However plausible these observations may be, there are other marks discernible in the books of Chronicles, which tend to prove that Ezra did not compose them. In the first place, the author continues the genealogy of Zerubbabel to the twelfth generation: but Ezra did not live to that time, and, consequently, could not have written the genealogy in question:-secondly, the writer of these books was neither a contemporary nor an original writer; but compiled and registers, and other works which he frequently quotes, and abridged them from ancient memoirs, genealogies, annals, from which he sometimes gives copious extracts, without 1 In the first volume of Bishop Watson's Collection of Tracts (pp. 134138) there are some admirable reflections on the moral causes of the Babylonish captivity, and the propriety of that dispensation, which will amPly repay the trouble of perusal. 2 Calmet's and Dr. Clarke's Prefaces to the two Books of Chronicles. changing the words, or attempting to reconcile inconsistencies. It is evident, therefore, that the author of these books lived after the captivity, and derived his materials from the memoirs of writers contemporary with the events recorded, and who flourished long before his time. The authenticity of these books is abundantly supported by the general mass of external evidence; by which also their divine authority is fully established, as well as by the indirect attestations of our Lord and his apostles.1 III. The principal SCOPE of these books is to exhibit with accuracy the genealogies, the rank, the functions, and the order of the priests and Levites; that, after the captivity, they might more easily assume their proper ranks, and re-enter on their ministry. The author had further in view, to show how the lands had been distributed among the families before the captivity; so that the respective tribes might on their return obtain, as far as was practicable, the ancient inheritance of their fathers. He quotes old records by the name of ancient things (1 Chron. iv. 22.), and recites four several rolls or numberings of the people;— -one taken in the time of David, a second in the time of Jeroboam, a third in the time of Jotham, and a fourth in the time of the captivity of the ten tribes. In other places he speaks of the numbers which had been taken by order of king David, but which Joab did not finish. Hence we may perceive the extreme accuracy affected by the Jews in their historical documents and genealogies: the latter, indeed, could not be corrupted formerly (for most of the people could repeat them memoriter); although, from frequent transcription, much confusion has been introduced into many of the names, which it is now, perhaps, impossible to clear up. It is, however, most evident that the basis of the books of Chronicles was a real history and real genealogies: for such particulars of names and other circumstances would never have been invented by any person, as no imaginable purpose could be answered by it; and the hazard of making mistakes, and being thereby exposed when they were first published, would be very great. IV. The Chronicles are an abridgment of all the sacred history, but more especially from the origin of the Jewish nation to their return from the first captivity. The FIRST Book traces the rise and propagation of the people of Israel from Adam, and afterwards gives a circumstantial account of the reign and transactions of David. In the SECOND BOOK the narrative is continued, and relates the progress and dissolution of the kingdom of Judah, to the very year of the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity: as very little notice is taken of the kings of Israel, it is not improbable that this book was chiefly extracted from the records of the kingdom of Judah. The period of time embraced in the books of Chronicles is about 3168 years; and they may be commodiously divided into four parts; viz.-1. The genealogies of those persons through whom the Messiah was to descend, from Adam to the captivity, and to the time of Ezra ;-2. The histories of Saul and David;-3. The history of the united kingdoms of Israel and Judah under Solomon'; and, 4. The history of the kingdom of Judah after the secession of the ten tribes from Rehoboam, to its utter subversion by Nebuchadnezzar. PART I. Genealogical Tables from Adam to the time of Ezra. (1 Chron. i.-ix. 1—34.) SECT. 1. Genealogies of the patriarchs from Adam to Jacob, and of the descendants of Judah to David, and his posterity to Zerubbabel, from whom the Messiah was to descend. (1 Chron. i.—iii.) SECT. 2. Genealogies of other descendants of Judah by Pharez, and of the remaining eleven sons of Jacob. (iv,-viii. ix. 1.) SECT. 3. Genealogies of the first inhabitants of Jerusalem, after their return from the Babylonish captivity. (ix. 2—34.) This long series of genealogies is a signal testimony to the origin and preservation of the Jewish church among mankind; and of the fulfilment of the divine promises to Abraham, that his seed should be multiplied as the sand upon the sca-shore. (Gen. xxii. 17.) These genealogies are also of very great importance, as exhibiting the detail of the sacred line, through which the promise of the Messiah was transmitted: so that "when in the fulness of time this promised Mediator was revealed in the flesh, the church and the people of God might infallibly know that this was that very promised seed of the woman, the son of Abraham and the son of David." In perusing the Hebrew genealogies, it will be necessary to remember that the terms "father," "son," "begat," and "begotten," which are of such frequent occurrence in them, do not always denote immediate procreation or filiation, but extend to any distant progenitor. Compare 1 Chron. xxiii. 13. with Heb. v. 4. and xxiv. 10. with Luke i. 5: 2 Chron. ix. 1. with Matt. xii. 42. and Luke xi. 31.; and 2 Chron. xxiv. 21. with Matt. xxiii. 35. and Luke xi. 51. 1 • Roberts's Clavis Bibliorum, p. 105. Thus in Gen. xxix. 5. Laban is called the son of Nahor, though, in fact, he was only his “grandson" by Bethuel. Similar instances are often to be found in the Scriptures. It is further to be observed, that "these genealogical tables are exceedingly brief. Nothing is to be found of the tribe of Dan. That of Benjamin is twice introduced. (1 Chron. vii. 6—12. and viii.) The genealogies of the priests and Levites are given most in detail, and terminate with the destruction of Jerusalem. They are, however, very far from being complete: even those of the high-priests, extending through one thousand years, comprehend only twenty-two successions, where thirty might be expected. (1 Chron. vi.) Those of the tribe of Judah are pretty copious (1 Chron. ii. 3-17. iv. 122.), and the register of David's descendants runs down to the fourth century before Christ. (1 Chron. ii.) All these tables relate to distinguished families and individuals: they occasionally contain many important historical notices, which prove that historical matters were occasionally introduced in the original tables. See 1 Chron. iv. 9, 10. v. 19-22. and vii. 21-23."4 PART II. The Histories of Saul and David. (1 Chron. ix. 35— 44. x.-xxix. 1—22.). SECT. 1. The pedigree of Saul and his death. (1 Chron. ix. 35-44. x.) SECT. 2. The history and transactions of the reign of David; including, § i. His inauguration; list of his worthies, and account of his forces. $ iii. The victories of David over the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, § iv. David takes a census of the people; a plague inflicted, which is stayed at his intercession. (xxi. 1—27.)' § v. An account of David's regulations for the constant service of the temple-His preparations and directions concerning the building of it (xxi. 27-30. xxii. xxiii. 1.); regulations concerning the Levites (xxiii. 2-32.); the priests (xxiv.), singers (xxv.), and porters or keepers of the gates. (xxvi.) § vi. Regulations for the administration of his kingdom; list of his mili tary and civil officers. (xxvii.) § vii. David's address to Solomon and his princes concerning the building of the temple (xxviii.); the liberal contributions of David and his subjects for this purpose, and his thanksgiving for them. (xxix. 1-22.) PART III. The History of the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah under Solomon. (1 Chron. xxix. 23-30. 2 Chron. i.-ix.) SECT. 1. The second inauguration of Solomon:-Death of David; the piety, wisdom, and grandeur of Solomon. (1 Chron. xxix. 23-30. 2 Chron. i.) SECT. 2. Account of the erection and consecration of the temple, and of some other edifices erected by him. (2 Chron. ii. -viii. 16.) SECT. 3. The remainder of Solomon's reign to his death. (viii. 17, 18. ix.) PART IV. The History of the Kingdom of Judah, from the secession of the Ten Tribes, under Jeroboam, to its Termination by Nebuchadnezzar. (2 Chron. x.—xxxvi.) SECT. 1. The accession of Rehoboam to the throne of the united kingdom; its division; Jerusalem plundered by Shishak. (2 Chron. x.-xii.) SECT. 2. The reigns of Abijah and Asa kings of Judah. (xiii. -xvi.) SECT. 3. The reign of Jehoshaphat. (xvii.-xx.) SECT. 4. The reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah; the usurpation of Athaliah. (xxi. xxii.) SECT. 5. The reign of Joash. (xxiii. xxiv.) SECT. 6. The reigns of Amaziah, Uzziah, and Jotham. (xxv. -xxvii.) SECT. 7. The reign of Ahaz. (xxviii.) SECT. 8. The reign of Hezekiah. (xxix.-xxxii.) SECT. 11. The reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, the destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple. (xxxvi.) • Jahn's Introduction by Prof. Turner, p. 260. The last two verses of the second book of Chronicles are evidently the beginning of the book of Ezra, which follows next in the order of the canon; and must have been copied from it before the transcriber was aware of his error: but, finding his mistake, he abruptly broke off, and began the book of Ezra at the customary distance, without publishing his error by erasing or blotting out those lines which he had inadvertently subjoined to the book of Chronicles. This copy, however, being in other respects of authority, has been followed in all subsequent copies, as well as in all the ancient versions. This circumstance affords a proof of the scrupulous exactness with which the copies of the canonical books were afterwards taken. No writer or translator would take upon himself to correct even a manifest error. How then can we think that any other alteration, diminution, or addition, would voluntarily be made by any of the Jewish nation, or not have been detected if it had been attempted by any person? Dr. Kennicott, Diss. i. pp. 491-494. Dr. Priestley, Notes on Scripture, vol. ii. p. 94. SECTION VIII. ON THE BOOK OF EZRA. Title and author.-II. Argument, scope, and synopsis of its contents.-III. Observations on a spurious passage ascribed to Ezra. I. THE books of Ezra and Nehemiah were anciently them into the first and second books of Ezra. The same direckoned by the Jews as one volume, and were divided by vision is recognised by the Greek and Latin churches: but the third book, assigned to Ezra, and received as canonical by the Greek church, is the same, in substance, as the book which properly bears his name, but interpolated. And the fourth book, which has been attributed to him, is a manifest forgery, in which the marks of falsehood are plainly discerneither by the Greek or by the Latin church, although some ible, and which was never unanimously received as canonical of the fathers have cited it, and the Latin church has borrowed some words out of it. It is not now extant in Greek, and never was extant in Hebrew. V. Independently of the important moral and religious instruction to be derived from the two books of Chronicles, as illustrating the divine dispensation towards a highly favoured but ungrateful people, the second book is extremely valuable in a critical point of view; not only as it contains some histo- I. rical particulars which are not mentioned in any other part of the Old Testament, but also as it affords us many genuine readings, which, by the inaccuracy of transcribers, are now lost in the older books of the Bible. The discrepancies between the books of Kings and Chronicles, though very numerous, are not of any great moment, and admit of an easy solution, being partly caused by various lections, and partly arising from the nature of the books; which being supplementary to those of Samuel and Kings, omit what is there related more at large, and supply what is there wanting. It should further be recollected, that, after the captivity, the Hebrew language was slightly varied from what it had formerly been; that different places had received new names, or undergone sundry vicissitudes: that certain things were now better known to the returned Jews under other appellations, than under those by which they had formerly been distinguished; and that, from the materials to which the author had access (and which frequently were different from those consulted by the writers of the royal histories), he has selected those passages which appeared to him best adapted to his purpose, and most suitable to the time in which he wrote. It must also be considered, that he often elucidates obscure and ambiguous words in former books by a different mode of spelling them, or by a different order of the words employed, even when he does not use a distinct phraseology of narration, which he sometimes adopts. As the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles relate the same histories, they should each be constantly read and collated together; not only for the purpose of obtaining a more comprehensive view of Jewish history, but also in order to illustrate or amend from one book what is obscure in either It is evident that the author of the book of Ezra was personally present at the transactions recorded in it, the narrative being in the first person. It also bears upon the face of it every character of natural simplicity, and contains more particulars of time, persons, and places, than could have been introduced by any other individual. That the last four chapters of this book were written by Ezra himself there can be of the seventh chapter, and likewise frequently introduces no doubt, as he particularly describes himself in the beginning himself in the subsequent chapters. The Jews, indeed, ascribe the whole of this book to Ezra, and their opinion is adopted by most Christian commentators. of the first six chapters appears, from ch. v. 4., to have been at Jerusalem in the reign of Darius Hystaspes, and it is evident from the beginning of the seventh chapter that Ezra did not The following table of the more remarkable parallel pas-go thither until the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus (a dissages of the books of Chronicles and those of Samuel and Kings will assist the reader in his collation of these books :3 of the others. 1 Sam. xxxi. 2 Sam. v. 1-10. . 1 Sam. xxiii. 8-39. 2 Sam. v. 11-25. 2 Sam. vii. But as the writer tance of sixty years), some persons have ascribed the first six chapters to a more ancient author. This, however, does not necessarily follow: and we apprehend it will appear that these chapters were written by Ezra as well as the last four: In the first place, from the intimate connection of the sixth chapter with the seventh for the diversity of speech and narration observable in them may readily be accounted for by the circumstance of Ezra's having copied, or extracted from, 2 Sam. xi. 1. xii. 30. et seq. the authentic memoirs, which he found on his arrival at Jeru 2 Sam. viii. 2 Sam. x. 2 Sam. xxi. 18-22. 2 Sam. xxiv. 1 Kings iii. 4-14. 1 Kings x. 26-29. 1 Kings v. 15-32. 1 Kings vi. vii. 1 Kings viii. 1 Kings ix. 1-9. 1 Kings xi. 15-28. 1 Kings x. 1-13. 1 Kings x. 14-29. 1 Kings xii. 1-21. 1 Kings xiv. 25-28. 1 Kings xv. 17-22. 1 Kings xxii. 2-35. 1 Kings xxii. 41-50. 2 Kings viii. 17-24. 2 Kings viii. 26-29. 2 Kings xi. 2 Kings xii. 1-16. salem, of the transactions that had happened since the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity. Secondly, the same method of narration prevails in both parts: for, as in the second part (ch. vii. 12-26.), the royal decree is inserted, entire, in the Chaldee dialect; so, in the first part, the edict of Cyrus, the epistle of the Samaritans to the Pseudo-Smerdis, and his reply to them, together with part of the fourth chapter, are also given in Chaldee. And, lastly, in the third place, it is not likely that a short historical compendium, like the book of Ezra, should be the work of more than one author: nor ought we to assign it to several authors, unless we had either express declarations or internal evidence that they were concerned in it; all these evidences are wanting in the book of Ezra. This book is written in Chaldee from chapter iv. 8. to 2 Kings xiv. 1-14, 19, 20. chapter vi. 18. and chapter vii. 12-26. As this portion of 2 Kings xiv. 21, 22. 2 Kings xv. 33. 35. 2 Kings xvi. 2-4. 2 Kings xviii. 2, 3. 2 Kings xxi. 1-10. 2 Kings xxii. 2 Kings xxiii. 1-20, 1 The above remark will be clearly illustrated by comparing 2 Kings xxiv. 6. with 2 Chron. xxxvi. 6. and Jer. xxxvi. 30. ; 1 Kings xv. 2. with 2 Chron. xv. 19.; 1 Kings xxii. 44. with 2 Chron. xvii. 6.; 2 Kings ix. 27. with 2 Chron. xxii. 9. See also Professor Dahler's learned Disquisition "De Librorum Paralipomen auctoritate atque fide historica" (Svo. Argentorati et Lipsiæ, 1919); in which he has instituted a minute collation of the books of Chro nicles with the books of Samuel and of Kings; and has satisfactorily vindi cated their genuineness and credibility against the insinuations and objections of some recent sceptical German critics. 2 Calmet's Dictionary, article Chronicles, in fine. This table is copied from Prof. Turner's and Mr. Whittingham's translation of Jahn, p. 272. note. Ezra chiefly consists of letters, conversations, and decrees, expressed in that language, the fidelity of the historian probably induced him to take down the very words which were used. The people, too, having been accustomed to the Chaldee during the captivity, were in all probability better acquainted with it than with the Hebrew; for it appears from Nehemiah's account that they did not all understand the law of Moses as it had been delivered in the original Hebrew tongue. II. The book of Ezra harmonizes most strictly with the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah, which it materially elucidates. (Compare Ezra v. with Hagg. i. 12. and Zech. iii. iv.) It evinces the paternal care of Jehovah over his chosen people, whose history it relates from the time of the edict issued by Cyrus, to the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus,-a period of about seventy-nine or, according to some chronologers, of one hundred years. This book consists of two principal divisions: the first contains a narrative of the return of the Jews from Babylon under the conduct of Zerub babel; and the second gives an account of the reformation of | for by supposing it either to have been added by some subse religion under Ezra. PART I. From the Return of the Jews under Zerubbabel to the quent author, or, perhaps, by the authority of the great synagogue: for it seems to be unconnected with the narrative of Nehemiah, and, if genuine, must ascribe to him a degree of longevity which appears scarcely credible.2 SECT. 1. The edict of Cyrus, permitting the Jews to return into Judæa and rebuild the temple; account of the people who of Levi, but, in the opinion of others, of the royal house of II. Nehemiah, according to some writers, was of the tribe first returned under the conduct of Zerubbabel, and of their Judah: as the office he held in the Persian court (that of offerings towards rebuilding the temple. (i. ii.) On this cup-bearer) was a post of great honour and influence, it is joyous occasion it is probable that the hundred and twenty-certain that he was a man of illustrious family; and of his sixth psalm was composed. SECT. 2. The building of the temple commenced, but hindered by the Samaritans. (iii. iv.) integrity, prudence, and piety, the whole of this book presents abundant evidence. He arrived at Jerusalem thirteen years after Ezra, with the rank of governor of the province, and SECT. 3. The temple finished in the sixth year of Darius Hys-vested with full power and authority to encourage the retaspes, by the encouragement of the decree issued in the building of the walls of that city, and to promote the welfare second year of his reign. (v. vi.) of his countrymen in every possible way. The history contained in the book of Esther should be read after these two chapters, as it relates to this period of Jewish history. PART II. The Arrival of Ezra at Jerusalem, and the Reformation made there by him. (vii.—x.) SECT. 1. The departure of Ezra from Babylon with a commission from Artaxerxes Longimanus. (vii.) SECT. 2. Account of his retinue and arrival at Jerusalem. (viii.) SECT. 3. Narrative of the reformation effected by him. (ix. x.) The zeal and piety of Ezra appear, in this book, in a most conspicuous point of view: his memory has always been held in the highest reverence by the Jews, who consider him as a second Moses: though not expressly styled a prophet, he wrote under the influence of the Divine Spirit, and the canonical authority of his book has never been disputed. He is said to have died in the hundred and twentieth year of his age, and to have been buried at Jerusalem. Having governed Judæa for twelve years (Neh. xiii. 6.), Nehemiah returned to his royal patron (ii. 6.), and after a short time he obtained permission to return to his country, where he is supposed to have spent the remainder of his life. His book may be conveniently divided into four parts; viz. PART I. The Departure of Nehemiah from Shushan, with a Royal Commission to rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem, and his first Arrival there. (ch. i. ii. 1—11.) PART II. Account of the Building of the Walls, notwithstanding the Obstacles interposed by Sanbaltat. (ii. 12—20. iii.— vii. 4.) PART III. The first Reformation accomplished by Nehemiah; containing, SECT. 1. A register of the persons who had first returned from Babylon, and an account of the oblations at the temple. (vii. 5-72.) SECT. 2. Account of the reading of the law, and the celebration of the feast of tabernacles. (viii.) SECT. 3. A solemn fast and humiliation kept; and the renewal of the covenant of the Israelites with Jehovah. (ix. x.) SECT. 4. List of those who dwelt at Jerusalem, and of other cities occupied by the Jews that returned; register and succession of the high-priests, chief Levites, and principal singers. (xi. xii. 1-26.) The completion and dedication of the wall. (xii. 27-47.) III. In Justin the Martyr's conference with Trypho the Jew, there is a very extraordinary passage respecting the typical import of the passover, cited by that father: in which Ezra, in a speech made before the celebration of the passover, expounds the mystery of it as clearly relating to Christ; and which, Justin concludes, was at a very early day expunged from the Hebrew copies by the Jews, as too manifestly favouring the cause of Christianity, The passage may be thus translated :-"And Ezra said unto the people, THIS PASSOVER is our SAVIOUR and our REFUGE; and if ye shall understand and ponder it in your heart, that we are about to hum- PART IV. The Second Reformation accomplished by Nehemiah ble HIM in this sign, and afterwards shall believe on HIM, then on his second return to Jerusalem, and his Correction of the this place shall not be made desolate for ever, saith the Lord of Abuses which had crept in during his Absence. (xiii.) hosts. But if ye will not believe on HIM, nor hear HIS preaching, ye shall be a laughing-stock to the Gentiles." As this pas-governor, truly zealous for the good of his country and for In Nehemiah we have the shining character of an able sage never existed in the Hebrew copies, and is not now to the honour of his religion: who quitted a noble and gainful be found either in them or in any copies of the Septua-post in the greatest court in the world; generously spent the gint version, it is the opinion of most critics that it originally riches he had there acquired for the public benefit of his fel crept into the Greek Bibles from a marginal addition by some low Israelites; and waded through inexpressible difficulties early Christian, rather than that it was expunged from the with a courage and spirit, which alone could, with the divine later copies by the Jews. blessing, procure the safety and reform the manners of such an unhappy and unthoughtful nation. The administration of this pious and truly patriotic governor lasted about thirtysix years, to the year of the world 3574 according to some chronologers, but Dr. Prideaux has with more probability fixed it to the year 3595. The Scripture history closes with SECTION IX. ON THE BOOK OF NEНЕМІАН. I. Title and author.—II. Argument and synopsis of its con- the book of Nehemiah. tents. I. THE book of Nehemiah, we have already observed, is in some versions termed the second book of Ezra or Esdras, from an opinion which anciently obtained, and was adopted by Athanasius, Epiphanius, Chrysostom, and other eminent fathers of the church, that Ezra was the author of this book. SECTION X. ON THE BOOK OF ESTHER. contents. In the modern Hebrew Bibles it has the name of Nehemiah I. Title.-II. Author.-III. Argument.—IV. Synopsis of its prefixed to it, which is also retained in our English Bibles. The author of this book was not the Nehemiah who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon with Zerubbabel. That Nehemiah, whose name this book bears, and who was cup-bearer to Artaxerxes Logimanus, was the author of it, there cannot be any reasonable doubt: the whole of it being written in his name, and, what is very unusual when compared with the preceding sacred historians, being written in the first person. The insertion of the greater part of the register in chap. xii. 1–26. (which is supposed to militate against this generally received opinion) may be accounted Justin. Martyr. Dial. cum Tryphone, pp. 292, 293. edit. by Thirlby, or vol. ii. p. 196. ed. Oberther. Mr. Whitaker (Origin of Arianism, p. 305.) advocates its genuineness; and concludes that the passage in question origmally stood in Ezra vi. 19-22., probably between the 20th and 21st verses. Dr. Grabe, Dr. Thirlby, and after them Archbp. Magee (Disc. on Atone nt, vol. i. p. 306. note), doubt its genuineness. Dr. A. Clarke is disposed to believe it authentic. (Disc. on Eucharist, p. 83.) VOL. II 2 F I. THIS book, which derives its name from the person whose history it chiefly relates, is by the Jews termed Megillah Esther, or the volume of Esther. The history it contains comes in between the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra: its authenticity was questioned by some of the fathers in consequence of the name of God being omitted throughout, but it has always been received as canonical by the Jews, who hold this book in the highest estimation, placing it on the same level with the law of Moses. They believe that whatever destruction may attend the other Sacred Writ 2 Prideaux, Connection, sub anno 458, vol. i. p. 296. et seq. 8th edition. 3 Pyle's Paraphrase on the Old Testament, vol. iv. p. 642. On this account, Professor De Wette, who objects to all the other books of the Old Testament, their theocratico-mythological spirit, condemns this for its want of religion! (Prof. Turner's Translation of Jahn, p. 259.) Such is the consistency of neologian critics! |