The history is resumed (after the digression) in
the First Book of Samuel. It contains the comple-
tion of the government of the Judges, Eli and Samuel
being the last two; the anointing of Saul first king,
1095 years before Christ; his rejection; the anoint-
ing of David; his early life; the reign and death of
Saul. Samuel is supposed to have written the first
twenty-four chapters, and Gad and Nathan the re-
mainder *.

The Second Book of Samuel contains the history
of David for 40 years after Saul's death, probably
written by Gad and Nathan †.

The First Book of Kings comprises a period of
126 years, including the time from the death of Da-
vid to the death of Jehoshaphat.

4

The Second Book of Kings comprises a period of
300 years. Its contents are the history of Israel and
Judah's kings, to the destruction of the city and
temple of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, 584 years
before Christ. These two books form only one in
the Hebrew canon, and were probably compiled by

* See 1 Chron. xxix. 29, in which Samuel, Gad, and Nathan are
said to have written David's life.

In the Septuagint and Vulgate these two Books are called the
First and Second Books of Kings, whilst the books which we call by
that name, are styled the Third and Fourth Books of Kings.

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

manus.

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-

quainted.

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

of 1031 years.

Esther was an accomplished Jewish captive,

raised by her marriage with Ahasuerus to the throne
of Persia, B.C. 518, and the history comprises

* Probably because he wished to record the original words of the
decrees which those chapters contain.

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.