were then above twenty years of age, in number 603,550 should be dead, except Joshua and Caleb, who gave a faithful account in opposition to that of the other ten spies. B.C. Moses and Aaron, by partaking of the gene- 1491 ral impatience, and by assuming to themselves honour in procuring water from the rock at Kadesh, for the Israelites, were not permitted to enter the land of Canaan. The Israelites were forty years in the wilderness, but the transactions of the first two and the last are only recorded. In the thirty-third chapter of Numbers, however, are recorded the names of all the places where they pitched their tents during the whole time they were in the wilderness. Amongst various other things there is mention made of a brazen serpent (a type of Christ). It was fixed upon a pole by Moses, for the purpose of restoring those who had been bitten by the serpents, which God sent as a punishment when the Israelites murmured at Edom. There is also an account of Balaam, who was desired by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites; he however blessed them. It * Moses was ordered to speak only to the rock, and he struck it twice, and said, "Ye rebels, must we fetch you water," &c. may be observed that when the cloud appeared over the tabernacle the Israelites were stationary; when the fire appeared they marched. In taking possession of Canaan, they were to spare their brethren, the children of Edom, the Moabites and Ammonites, the descendants of Lot, whatever provocation they might give. B.C. Aaron died in the fifth month of the 40th year after their departure. In the 11th month Moses repeated the Law (Sevrepos voμos) summarily; deposited it in the tabernacle; ordered it to be read every seventh year publicly; appointed Joshua his successor; blessed the people, and died upon Mount Pisgah, aged 120 1451 years, after seeing Canaan from the top of the Mount. Joshua succeeded to Moses, and led the Is- 1451 raelites through Jordan, which was miraculously dried up, into the promised land opposite Jericho. All those who had been born in the wilderness were circumcised at Gilgal. Four days after their arrival in Canaan the Passover was kept, and the manna ceased. Joshua conquered Jericho, the walls miraculously falling down; and afterwards, in the space of seven years, subdued 31 kings, belonging to the Ca naanites, Hivites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebuzites, and Girgashites. These were, however, only petty princes. In the course of these transactions the miracle of the sun standing still for a whole day' is recorded. Joshua divided the land, though it was not yet all subdued. The tribe of Levi had no particular allotment, but forty-eight cities to dwell in, being priests, and receiving tithes of the whole country for their maintenance. The descendants of Joseph were divided into the two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, to complete the twelve divisions. Joshua died No person succeeded him in command, but governors, called Princes of the People, governed each tribe. B.C. 1426 The Israelites enslaved by Cushan, King of 1413 Mesopotamia, in consequence of mixing with the Canaanites in idolatry. Othniel, the first judge, delivered them........ 1405 The Judges were twelve in number, and continued nearly 309 years, not succeeding each other in regular order, but being appointed by God upon different great emergencies. During the period the Israelites were governed by Judges, they often relapsed into sin, especially into idolatry, and were successively enslaved by Eglon, king of Moab, Jabin, king of Canaan, and by the Midianites, Amorites, and Philistines. In the time of B.C. Eli, the last Judge but one, the ark was 1160 taken by the Philistines, but miraculously preserved, and brought back seven months afterwards. Samuel, the last Judge, when growing old, 1100 appointed his sons, through whose misconduct the Israelites were induced to desire a King. Up to this time the government of the Israelites, from their departure out of Egypt, had been a theocracy. God's glory resided, as it were, among them, and as occasion required, He issued his decrees, and signified his will from the tabernacle. To reject this was to reject God himself; therefore Samuel, by God's command, expostulated with them; but they persevering, he, by God's direction, Anointed Saul first king....... He reigned forty years; but on account of his disobedience, the kingdom was not allowed to remain in his family, and when he died David succeeded as king........ 1095 1055 He had been secretly anointed by Samuel as Saul's successor. He was of the tribe of Judah, and son of Jesse. God promised "to establish his house and throne for ever," an intimation that the Messiah was to descend from him*. When he drew near his death, by his order Solomon was anointed king B.C. 1015 The Temple built and consecrated upon 1004 Mount Moriah, an eminence of Mount Sion. David collected the materials, but was not allowed to build it, because "he had shed blood abundantly, and made great wars." It was seven years and a half in building, and was the most magnificent building in the world. The autographs of the Scriptures were removed from the tabernacle into it. In consequence of Solomon's falling into idolatry, God declared that he would afflict his posterity; and therefore when he died, and his son Rehoboam succeeded, ten Tribes revolted to Jeroboam. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained faithful to Rehoboam, and formed the kingdom * 2 Sam. vii. 13. 16. 975 |