PAGK

BOOK VI.

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THINGS, FROM THE

BUILDING OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE TO THE BABY-

LONISH CAPTIVITY."

Preliminary Observations. Period under review, about

400 years in all, according to Dr. Hales, 422 years

from the foundation of the Temple; and, of course,

414 years and 6 months from its being finished. The
Sacred Books containing this part of the history of
Israel, are intituled in the Authorized Version of
the Old Testament, the "First and Second Book of
Kings," but formerly ranked as the Third and Fourth
of Kings; the two preceding books (1 Samuel, 2 Sa-
muel), being intituled 1 Kings, 2 Kings. Author of
the former not certainly known, but their authen-
ticity indisputable. Duration of the First Kingdom
of Israel about 250 years. Building and Consecra-
tion of the Temple. Typical import of that institu-
tion, and the service therein maintained. Constant
care of God in upholding the true religion among
his chosen people. Apostasies and calamities of the
period. Miraculous preservation and isolation of the
Tribe of Judah, whence the Redeemer, first of Israel,
and next of all mankind, was to come. Succession
of the prophets, with notices of their writings, espe-
cially those of the evangelical seer, Isaiah,

Sect. I. Chap. I. FROM THE FINISHING OF THE

TEMPLE TO THE REIGN OF JEHOSHAPHAT: the His-

tory. Completion of the Temple, and attendant cir-

cumstances. Adoration of Solomon in the Sacred

presence. Feasts of the Dedication and of Taber-

nacles. Luxurious tastes of Solomon. Hiram, king

of Tyre, the ally of Solomon. Prosperity of Israel in

those days, through the policy of their greatest ruler.

Visit of the queen of Sheba. Decline in the wisdom

and rectitude of Solomon's later career. Divine warn-

ings given him of the evil that would thence accrue

both to him and his people. Review of the revolts

and troubles that ensued during his days, which were

only the precursors of greater ills to come, in those of

his immediate successors. Reigns of the latter: Reho-

boam, his wrong-headedness; causes ten tribes to re-

volt, and thus the two separate and often antagonistic

kingdoms of Judah and of Israel are set up. Acces-

sion and reign of Jeroboam. Idolatries of the king

and people of Judah: their punishment. Death of

Rehoboam, and accession of Abijah; he signally

defeats the Israelites, but his wicked career soon

cut short by death, and he is succeeded by Asa,

who reigns righteously and prosperously for a time.

Baasha, a murderer and usurper, king of Israel; his

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wars against Asa; at his death Elah succeeds; he is

murdered by Zimri, who becomes king of Israel

for seven days only, and is succeeded by Omri, an

idolatrous tyrant, who makes Samaria his capital.

Omri dies, and is succeeded by Ahab.-II. Difficul-

ties obviated, and Objections answered. Tradition of

the Jewish doctors regarding Rehoboam; his idola-

trous tendencies. Finding of the Book of the Law.

Bovine worship, by the early Jews, probably derived

from Egypt, where it prevailed for many ages. Early

importance of Gezer, in Canaan. Marriage portions

in early times. The contemporary Pharaohs. The

queen of Sheba, whence she came: opinions of Jose-

phus and others upon this point. Wisdom of Solo-

mon, its nature. Number of his women; evil influ-

ence which some of them had upon his character.

His lapse into idolatry; question as to his fate in

another world, when he left this. From what point

of view we ought to observe the conduct of the per-

sonages who figure in the Sacred chronicles of those

times; and how diffident, with our imperfect means of

judgment, it behoves us to be in appreciating God's

dealings with man, in this passing state of existence.

-III. Of Solomon's riches, and his trade to Ophir.

Wealth accumulated by David, and augmented by
Solomon; probable sources whence it was derived;
its amount estimated, and its application noted.
Sites of Ophir and Tarshish; opinions and conjectures
of Josephus and others on this subject. Early com-
merce of the Jews. General trade of the world in
Solomon's days, and afterwards,

⚫ 535

Sect. II.-Chap. I. FROM THE REIGN OF JEHOSHA-

PHAT TO THE SIEGE OF SAMARIA: the History. Good

reign of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and the blessings

it brought to his subjects. Contrast in the character

and conduct of Ahab, king of Israel. Elijah, the

great prophet of Israel, events in his career. Jezebel,

the wicked consort of Ahab. Elisha the prophet; be-

comes Elijah's servant and coadjutor. Benhadad's in-

vasion of Israel; his discomfiture by Ahab. Naboth

and his vineyard. Naboth sacrificed by Ahab and

Jezebel. Fate of his two slayers and spoilers sternly

foretold by Elijah. Ahab's temporary repentance.

Alliance of Ahab and Jehoshaphat. Guileful policy

of the former, and its fruitlessness. His death, and

verification of the prophecy of Elijah regarding it.

Divine interposition in favour of Jehoshaphat and

his people. Death and character of that generally

good king. Jehoram succeeds as king of Judah; his

cruel policy at his accession. Retribution consequent

thereupon, as foretold by Elijah. The Edomites

throw off their allegiance. After many other cala-

mities to Judah, Jehoram dies, and is succeeded by

Jehoahaz. Ahaziah, king of Israel, after a short un-
righteous reign, dies, and is succeeded by his brother.
Elijah, his latter days on earth, and ascent to heaven.
Elisha, recognized as his successor, proves his Divine
mission by signal miraculous acts. Reign of Jehoram,
king of Israel; his alliance with Jehoshaphat, king of
Judah. Their victory over the Moabites, partly by
Divine aid, through Elisha. Other miracles wrought
by the latter.-II. Difficulties obviated, and Objections
answered. Elisha and Naainan, general of the Syri-
ans; opinions of the Rabbins and commentators re-
viewed, regarding the transaction between them.
Divine vengeance against the mockers of Elisha con-
sidered and justified, as being a terrible warning to
others, as well as a punishment awarded to them.
The like reasoning applies to Elisha's calling down
fire from heaven, to destroy God's enemies; all judg-
ments of this kind, for the protection of true prophets
and heavenly messengers, the immediate appointment
of Providence. Carnal shortcomings of Elisha excus-
able, if not worthy of perfect justification, from
the formidable opposition and deadly enmities he had
to encounter. Parallel drawn by the Jews between
Moses and Elijah; how far it holds or applies. Vin-
dictive rancour of Ahab against Elijah. The prophet,
when in extremity, fed by ravens. Two exceptions
to Elijah's conduct disposed of. Ahab's repentance
proved to be imperfect and unsatisfactory. God's
judgments against disobedience sure, even if post-
poned; Divine punishment of Hiel, the Bethelite,
cited in proof of this. Primitive notions of mankind,
and of the early Jews in particular, regarding the
person and attributes of the Creator. Prophetic dis-
course of Micaiah (1 Kings xxii. 8-28) entirely para-
bolical, and similar in nature to other events predicted
in Scripture, and which have already been or will
yet be realized. Punishments of prophets for remiss-
ness. Reformation in conduct of Jehoshaphat. In-
stitution of synagogues. Prosperity of Jehoshaphat's
latter reign noted and accounted for. Miracle of
the destruction of the Syrians at Aphek explained.-
III. Of the translation of Enoch and Elijah. Words
of the Sacred text regarding the former few and of
uncertain signification; but in regard to the latter,
full and explicit, that he was certainly rapt to heaven
without passing through the portals of death. Refer-
ence, in the Wisdom of Solomon, to Enoch's passage
from earth. Testimony (Heb. xi. 5) to the reality of
Enoch's translation considered. Opinion of St.
Austin on this subject. Site of the "Schamajim,"
or celestial paradise. Probably the "third heaven"
into which the apostle Paul was called up (2 Cor. xii.
2, &c.) Our Saviour's Transfiguration on the Mount.
Reported circumstances attending the ascension of
Elijah and of Jesus; how they are to be interpreted.
Superior merits of Elijah the cause of the signal ex-
ception made in favour of a nature merely human.
A visible proof of a second and heavenly existence
might also be needed to reprove and admonish a de-
generate and materialist generation. Conclusion:
some citations from the Book of Revelation, helpful
to a better understanding of the subject,
Sect. III.-Chap. I. FROM THE SIEGE OF SAMARIA, BY
BENHADAD, TO THE DEATH OF Uzziah, king of Ju-
DAH: the History. Ungrateful enmity of the Syrian
king against Israel and its chief prophet. Sufferings
of the people when besieged in Samaria; their deliver-
ance by Divine intervention, through Elisha. The
four lepers. Hazael recognized as the future king of
Syria, by Elisha; the seer predicting at once his
future greatness and crimes, beginning with the

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murder of his master, Benhadad, and the usurpation
of his crown. Elisha anoints Jehu as king of Israel,
who slays Jehoram, his predecessor. Death of
Ahaziah, and usurpation of his throne by Athaliah.
Jezebel undergoes literally the doom foretold by the
prophet. Jehu roots out the family and chief adher-
ents of Ahab; also slays forty of Ahaziah's relatives,
and all the priests of Baal. Yet Jehu soon deviates
into idolatry, for which he is punished by the invasion
of his territories. The Syrians also invade Israel,
slay many of its people, and abase their king. Affairs
of Judah: Athaliah murders all the children of the
blood-royal, except Joash, who escapes through the
loyalty of Jehoshaba. Revolution in Judah; deposi-
tion and death of Athaliah. Succession of Joash, who
at first reigns well, but soon countenances idolatry,
and murders the son of his greatest benefactor: as a
punishment, his kingdom is invaded by the Syrians,
and himself sorely humiliated. Finally, he is mur-
dered by two of his servants, and is succeeded by his
son, Amaziah, who, like his father, begins his reign
well, but soon slides into idolatry and other crimi-
nalities. He defeats the Edomites, but is in turn
vanquished, and his capital, Jerusalem, taken and
dismantled by the people of Israel, subjects of king
Joash. He becomes contemptible, and is murdered
to get him out of the way. Affairs of the Israelitish
kingdom. Sickness and death of Elisha; the miraculous
power he had in life still attaching to his body when
a corpse. Long reign of Jeroboam II. in Israel,
followed by an interregnum, during which the prophet
Jonah is sent to Nineveh, to call the king and people
of that great city to repentance. Circumstances at-
tending his mission, with their results. Affairs of
Judah: prosperous reign of Uzziah, while that king
is counselled by Zechariah. He afterwards becomes
an insulting idolater, and is punished with leprosy, in
which humiliating state he dies, and is succeeded by
his son Jotham. Predicted afflictions of the country
verified during the reign of the latter. Succession
of prophets in Judah and Israel.-II. Difficulties
obviated, and Objections answered. St. Paul cited on
the successful propagation of the gospel, by seemingly
inadequate means in the estimation of the world.
Submission of the Ninevites; God's warnings to them
by Jonah; nature of the gift of prophecy; limits of
its influence on the human nature. The final destruc-
tion of Nineveh, although delayed by the timely re-
pentance of its people, nevertheless realized in due
season. Elisha's directions to Benhadad's men, al-
though intended to mislead them, were not in nature
sinful, being justified by the law of self-preservation,
which becomes a right for nations as well as indivi-
duals. His striking the enemies of God's people with
temporary blindness no less justifiable, for the same
reason. Hazael merely a selfish usurper, and not the
anointed of God, by the hands of his prophet. Criti-
cal examination of the words of the Sacred text re-
garding Elisha's dealings with Hazael and Benhadad.
Misapprehensions regarding Zechariah and Zacharias
corrected. Jehoiada, the high-priest, a good as well
as potent personage of the time. Imprecations of
evil against enemies, though many are reported of
individuals under the Old Dispensation, are alien to
the nature of the New. Character of Jehu not to be
commended, far less are the vengeful acts of such
a bold bad man to be imitated in any age; though
parts of his conduct may be extenuated. Apparent
dissonance in the two accounts of Amaziah's death
reconciled. Truculence of Jehoram restrained by
Elisha. Distinction noted between the prophets,

PAGE

priests, and servants of Baal, &c.-III. Of Jonah's
mission to Nineveh, and abode in the whale's belly.
Cavils advanced, in times past and present, against
the narration given in the Book of Jonah, and more
particularly in regard to the most remarkable inci-
dent contained therein. Power and magnificence of
Nineveh. God's care extended to all his creatures, as
well as his chosen people, in every age, and to the
utmost limit of the world. Probable designs of
Providence in forewarning the Ninevites; conjectures
regarding Jonah's reluctance in executing the Divine
injunctions. Question raised whether the Hebrew
word dag-godal, "large fish," was a whale or not.
Objection obviated regarding the time the prophet
remained in the animal's stomach. Other difficulties
raised on the subject, examined and disposed of.-
IV. On Jonah's mission to Nineveh, &c. (supplemen-
tal). The author's reasonings enforced by additional
illustrations, drawn from various sources, and espe-
cially from the works of recent physiologists. The
reported conduct of Jonah, after he had unwillingly
executed the Divine orders, noted and accounted for, 591

Sect. IV.-Chap. I. FROM THE DEATH OF UZZIAH TO

THE DEATH OF JOSIAH, KING OF JUDAH: the His-

tory. Interregnum of twenty-two years, in the king-

dom of Israel, terminated by placing Zechariah on

the throne; who, after a reign of six months, is suc-

ceeded for one month by Shallum, and he, in turn,

by Menahem. Invasion of Israel by the Assyrians.

Death of Menahem; accession of Pekahiah; who,

after reigning two years, is murdered, and succeeded

by Pekah. Israel again invaded by the Assyrians;

Pekah murdered by his successor, Hoshea. Third

Assyrian invasion of Israel; its capital demolished,

its king made captive, and its people expatriated.

Abortive attempts of the Assyrian monarch, Shal-

maneser, to repeople the land: and thus ends the

Israelitish kingdom. Apocryphal notices of a refugee

family given in Tobit i., &c. Death of Uzziah, king

of Judah, and accession of Jotham his son, who reigns

with such rectitude that he never incurred any blame;

he dying in peace amid his people, whom he suc-

cessfully protected against the Moabites and their

allies, but who partially prevailed during the reign

of his son and successor, Ahaz. Patriotism of the

prophet Isaiah. Degrading and cruel idolatries,

practised by Ahaz, deservedly punished by invasion

and its attendant calamities, which, instead of chas-

tening the king's spirit, and turning his heart towards

the true God, hardens him in obstinate wrong. At

length he dies, and is succeeded by his son Hezekiah,

a prince of an opposite character, who effects a total

reformation in the land in spiritual things, for which

he is rewarded by great ameliorations in its secular

wellbeing. Expeditions of Sennacherib against Ju-

dah, and their final discomfiture by miraculous agency.

Latter career and death of Hezekiah, and accession

of his unworthy son Manasseh, who runs a course of

idolatry and impiety, which brings on him and his

subjects invasion and captivity; from these being

released, his ways become amended, he reigns in

peace, dies aged, and is succeeded by his son Amon;

the latter, after two years of evildoing, is murdered

by his domestics. His son, Josiah, a minor, his

successor, being in good tutelage, is trained in the

ways of godliness, and accredits his teaching by a

thorough reformation of religious service in his hither-

to idolatrous kingdom, by reparation of the dilapi-

dated Temple, and resuming the observance of the

passover. His career of welldoing is, however, sud-

denly cut short, he being slain while resisting an

Egyptian army while violating his territories. This
event, so calamitous to his people, forms the subject
of the first "Lamentation of the prophet Jeremiah,"
a sacred production that has not come down to us.
-II. Difficulties obviated, and Objections answered.
Book of Tobit; some particulars in it noted and ex-
plained; guardian angels, demons, &c. Jerome's
judicious decision regarding minor controverted points
in the canonical and Sacred Scriptures. What we
are to understand by "the book of the law." Im-
portant distinction in meaning noted, between the
Hebrew words JEHOVAH and Elohim. Policy of
Joash, at the close of his reign, brought under review.
Distemper and death of Hezekiah. Dial of Ahaz;
horology of the ancients. When difficulties arise, in
human estimation, regarding authenticated miracles,
natural philosophy, however sound, must bow to the
authority of Divine revelation. Forewarnings of
Isaiah, and the symbols that accompanied them, con-
sidered.-III. On the Dial of Ahaz (supplemental).
Suggestion advanced that a natural phenomenon,
miraculously occurring, might have produced the

effect recorded in Isaiah xxxviii. 8, without any de-

rangement of the order of the universe.-IV. Of the

transportation of the ten tribes, and their return.

Constant vicissitudes of the sovereignties of the Jews;

even their independence, as a people, was in frequent

abeyance in Old Testament times. Fate of the ten

tribes problematical. Various accounts regarding

them reported and commented on. Anticipations of

their final restoration along with the existing race,

visibly scattered abroad, and living apart among all

the civilized communities of the present generation

of mankind,

PAGE

Sect. V.-Chap. I. FROM THE DEATH OF JOSIAH TO

THE BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY. Reigns of Jehoahaz

and Jehoiakim. Invasions and desolation by the

Assyrians, as foretold by Jeremiah, whose unwelcome

warnings nearly cost him his life. The Jewish king

becomes an abject tributary of Nebuchadnezzar; who,

not content with this abasement of Jewish nation-

ality, invades the country, spoils its capital, and

carries off the king and most of his chief men into

captivity. Zedekiah set upon the vacant throne, as

a vassal of Nebuchadnezzar. Prophetic and patriotic

labours of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, as comforters of

Israel in its depressed state. Book of Judith; episode,

the death of Holofernes, and deliverance of Israel.

Invasion of Judea by the Chaldeans. Siege of Je-

rusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, who takes that city,

razes its walls, plunders the temple, and drives the

surviving inhabitants captive to Babylon: in ever-

lasting memory of which desolation of the Holy City,

there remains to us the mournful poem called the

"Lamentations of Jeremiah."-II. Objections an-

swered, and Difficulties obviated. That the Book of

Judith is no parable, but an authentic history, is

manifest from internal evidence. Collation of con-

temporaneous narrations in different canonical books

of Scripture. Various customs of the time, observed

among nations, neighbours of Judea, noted and con-

sidered. Character of Judith; review of the circum-

stances attending her immolation of the leader of her

country's enemies. Discrepancies natural to all his-

torical records. Dissidence in the prophetical effusions

to be expected, but those which have been most de-

nounced perfectly easy of explanation; as it would

also be unfair to read them, in all cases, literally.

Instances wherein a figurative sense must be given

them, especially where symbolical illustration was

resorted to by Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and others.

622

Vision of St. Peter. Hosea's symbolical espousals
considered. God's commands laid on Ezekiel and on
Isaiah on certain occasions, probably meant to be only
partially observed, in accordance with the prophetic
style, which is very imperfectly understood by us.-
III. Of the Sacred Chronology and Profane History
during this period. Examination of the passage,
Ezek. iv. 5, 6. Incidental lights thrown on the sub-
ject by profane authors. The Greek Olympiads.
Era of the foundation of Rome. Dissolution of the

Assyrian monarchy, a memorable event, supposed to
be prefigured in the visions of Daniel,

BOOK VII.

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THINGS, FROM THE

BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY TO THE BIRTH OF

CHRIST.

Preliminary Observations. The events of this period,

586 or 588 years, more the subject of prophecy than

those of the preceding. Revolutions of empires dur-
ing its duration; as the Babylonian, Greco-Macedo-
nian, and Roman dominations. Preservation of the
people especially chosen for the service of God, amid
the changes going on among their temporal masters.
Jewish captivity in Babylonia turned to spiritual
account by Ezekiel, Daniel, and Ezra, in showing
forth the approaching advent of the Messiah,

Sect. I.-Chap. I. FROM THE CAPTIVITY IN BABYLON

TO THE DEATH OF CYRUS: the History. Emigration

of Jews into Egypt, against the advice of Jeremiah,

who prophesies its evil results. Daniel at Babylon:

Nebuchadnezzar's first dream, and its interpretation.

Miracle of the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar's second

dream interpreted, as the preceding, by Daniel.

Abasement of the king of Babylonia to the brutish

nature; followed by his repentance and death. Re-

lease of the king of Judah, but who is soon murdered.

Belshazzar, last king of Babylonia, deposed and killed

by Cyaxeres (Darius), sovereign of Media, who ap-

points Daniel chief provincial governor. Miracle of

the den of lions. Accession of Cyrus the Great, as

sovereign of Persia, Media, and Chaldea. He restores

to the Jews their own land, and aids them to rebuild

their capital and the temple of the Lord. Envy

and opposition of the idolatrous Samaritans.-II.

Difficulties obviated, and Objections answered. Charac-

ter and acts of Daniel. Review of the book of Scrip-

ture that bears his name. His powers as a diviner

and worker of miracles considered. Magical arts of

the time. Imputed errors of Daniel's nomenclature

accounted for. His writings esteemed canonical in

all ages of the church. Omission of his name in Ec-

clesiasticus fortuitous only. Remarks on some of the

Apocryphal Scriptures. Strictures cited regarding

Daniel's style as a narrator and a prophet, and

reasons assigned for their peculiarities. Question of

the "seventy weeks" discussed. Books of Macca-

bees; character of Cambyses, the enemy of the Jews.

Some minor difficulties disposed of.-III. On the

history of Cyrus, and the taking of Babylon (supple-

mental). Ancient Babylon, its splendour and cor-

ruptions. Chaldea, its fertility, prosperity, power,

and wickedness of most of its rulers. Prophecies in

the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah against it and them.

Policy of Cyrus as a conqueror. Siege and capture

of Babylon by the Persians. Utter desolation of the

PAGE

site of that greatest city of the olden world, in con-

formity with the predictions of the inspired Jewish

writers.-IV. Of the pride and punishment of Nebu-

chadnezzar. Foundation and progress of Babylon.

Particulars of its magnificence, as given by ancient

historians. Impious vainglory of Nebuchadnezzar.

Circumstances of his humiliation, by Divine agency,

reviewed and explained. Experiences of St. Paul,

of abasement in mind and body, cited in illustration

of the subject, .

PAGE

680

Sect. II.-Chap. I. FROM THE DEATH OF CYRUS TO

THAT OF NEHEMIAH: the History. The conqueror

of Babylon, and greatest hero of his time, dies, and is

succeeded by Cambyses (Ahasuerus), who reigns seven

years only, during which time, and that of his succes-

sor, the rebuilding of the Temple is often interrupted,

and finally at a stand-still. Resumption of the work,

at the instance of the prophets Zechariah and Haggai,

and by the favour of Darius, in the sixth year of whose

reign it is finished, and the service of God resumed.

Death of Darius, and accession of Xerxes, an unfor-

tunate prince, who, baffled in war, was murdered by

his subjects. To him succeeds his son Artaxerxes

(Ahasuerus), spouse of the ever-eminent daughter of

Israel, Esther. Analysis of the book which bears

her name, with an illustrative commentary. Book of

Ezra ;

character and functions of its author. Course

of events, as recorded by him. Book of Nehemiah,

successor of Ezra in the government of Judah and

Jerusalem. Further particulars regarding the re-

construction of Jerusalem and the reconsecration of

the Temple. Repression of various disorders among

the people by Nehemiah.-II. Objections answered,

and Difficulties obviated. Jewish laws regulating

mixed marriages; how far they are to be adopted by

Christians. Time taken in building the Temple con-

sidered; also the duration of Nehemiah's stay at the

Persian court. That himself was author of the

book so called, is presumable, if not quite certain;

nor has its authenticity ever been disputed. Paral-

lel, in certain circumstances, between Nehemiah

and the apostle Paul. Rank and position of Ezra :

uncertainty as to the authorship, in whole or part,

of the book which bears his name. Opinions differ-

ing also, as to the writers of the Book of Esther.

Review of the incidents contained therein, with illus-

trative remarks. Concluding reflections, from Bishop

Patrick's admirable commentaries on this part of

Sacred Writ. Of Ezra's edition of the Holy Scrip-

tures, and the institution of synagogue worship.

Valuable labours of Ezra in this vital matter. Ques-
tion raised, Was Ezra the introducer or inventor
of the Hebrew vowel-points? Change in the lan-
guage of the Jews, after the Babylonish Captivity,
and adoption of Chaldean characters. Masoretic
scribes and Rabbinical schoolmen. Origin of Jewish
synagogues: silence of the Old Testament regarding
any such places of worship, raises a strong inference
that they are of comparatively modern use, certainly
posterior to the time of Ezra, and possibly became
needful through the provision he made for supplying
expositors of the law to the people. Interior distribu-
tion of a synagogue; account of the ministrations per-
formed therein. Attachment to the Mosaic law more
constant after the Captivity; reasons assigned there-
for. Meek conformity of our blessed Saviour to the
outward rites of the Old Testament dispensation. The
devotion of the heart alone acceptable to God,

Sect. III.-Chap. I. FROM THE DEATH OF NEHEMIAH

TO THE DEATH OF ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES: the His-

tory. Samaritan and orthodox Jews. Judea becomes a

716