The history is resumed (after the digression) in The Second Book of Samuel contains the history The First Book of Kings comprises a period of 4 The Second Book of Kings comprises a period of * See 1 Chron. xxix. 29, in which Samuel, Gad, and Nathan are In the Septuagint and Vulgate these two Books are called the Ezra, from public records, which were made by contemporary prophets. The two Books of Chronicles formed but one in the Hebrew canon. In the Septuagint they are called waρaλɩñoμɛva, " things omitted;" they were first called Chronicles by Jerome. They were probably written by Ezra. The contents of the first nine chapters of the First Book are genealogical tables, beginning with Adam. These were very valuable to the Jews, on account of the Messiah's descent. The tenth chapter contains an account of the death of Saul; from which, to the termination of the Book, there is a history of David's reign, and preparations for building the Temple. The Second Book of Chronicles comprises a period of 480 years. Its contents are-the Jewish history, from the accession of Solomon to the return from the Babylonian captivity. Many original facts are mentioned in these Books. The Book of Ezra comprises a period of 79 years. Ezra was of the sacerdotal family, and a descendant of Aaron; he succeeded Zerubbabel in the government of Judea. The first six chapters contain an account of the return of the Israelites from captivity (under Zerubbabel) which had lasted 70 years; their re-establishment in Judea; the re-building and dedication of the Temple. In the last 13 four chapters is the account of Ezra's appointment to the government of Judea, by Artaxerxes Longi- Between the sixth and seventh chapters an interval of 58 years occurs. The portion from the fourth to the seventh chapters (both inclusive) was written in Chaldaic*, with which language the Is- raelites, during their captivity, had become ac- The Book of Nehemiah comprises a period of 36 years. He was of the tribe of Judah, and held the distinguished post of cup-bearer to the king of Per- sia. He was born probably at Babylon, during the captivity, and was appointed governor of Judea by Artaxerxes Longimanus. It contains an account of his administration until B.C. 420, at which period the Scripture history closes; and consequently in the Books from Joshua to Nehemiah inclusive, is contained the history of the Jews, from the death of Moses, B.C. 1451, to the reformation established by Nehemiah, after the return from captivity, a period Esther was an accomplished Jewish captive, raised by her marriage with Ahasuerus to the throne * Probably because he wished to record the original words of the 20 years; by her interest with Ahasuerus she was the means of delivering the Jews from the destruction they were threatened with by Haman, in commemoration of which the feast of Purim * was established. Dean Prideaux has shewn, that by Ahasuerus Artaxerxes Longimanus is meant. Josephus is of the same opinion; and in the Septuagint Ahasuerus is translated Artaxerxes. The Book is variously ascribed, to Ezra, to Mordecai, to Joachim, and to the joint labours of the Great Synagogue. Job is not to be considered a fictitious character. He is alluded to by Ezekiel+ and by James ‡; by the former he is named along with real characters, namely, Noah and Daniel; and the latter cites him as an example of patience, and a proof of God's mercy, which he could not have done had Job been an imaginary or fictitious personage. Job was an inhabitant of Uz, in Arabia Deserta, south of the Euphrates, and was probably descended from Uz, the eldest son of Nahor, Abraham's brother. Elihu, in reckoning up the modes of divine revelation, takes no notice of the Mosaic law; hence we may infer that he was prior to, or contemporary with, Moses. This inference is supported by the great age to which he lived, for his life was prolonged For which see Part V. + Ezek. xiv. 14. James v. 11. 140 years after the trials of his patience *. It is uncertain who wrote the Book of Job, but it is supposed that he himself did in Hebrew; others have thought Moses the author; but Bishop Lowth thinks the style of the Pentateuch, and that of the Book of Job so different, that they could not have been written by the same author; and this objection becomes stronger the lower we descend from the time of Moses. Learned men consider it as written in metre. It is a work unrivalled for the magnificence of its language, and the sublimity of the images which it presents. The Psalms were written by various persons; but David composed most of them, and hence they are called the Psalms of David.' Some were written Babylonish captivity. by Moses; others after the David first introduced the practice of Psalms in public service; and Ezra is supposed to have selected the Psalms from a much greater number, and to have arranged them, when he restored the public worship. Their authority is acknowledged by the unvaried testimony of every age, but it rests chiefly on their intrinsic proofs of inspiration; for they contain very many illustrious prophecies, which were remarkably fulfilled; and we find the Evangelical *Job xlii. 16. |