as Judge-Misconduct of his Sons-The People demand a King-His Per-

plexity-His Address at Gilgal-His Relations with Saul-Revelations as

Prophet-Popular Reverence for him-His Parting with Saul-The First of

a Regular Succession of Prophets-Schools of the Prophets-The Spiritual

Father of David-His Death.....

PAGE

228

XVII.

SAUL.

THE FIRST HEBREW KING.

Unity of every Man's History-Pairs of Events occurring in Life-Is Saul among

the Prophets?-Stripping the Bible Narrative of its Mystical Character-This

not True Philosophy-An Invisible Agency at Work-God gave Saul to the

Hebrews as their King-The Search for the Asses-Saul Prophesies-Becomes

another Man-His Fall-Obedience better than Sacrifice-Fear and Jealousy

of David-An Evil Spirit from the Lord-Moral guilt or Madness?-Glimpses

of Light-Resorting to the Witch-His Death-David's Elegy.........................

237

XVIII.

JONATHAN.

THE UNSELFISH FRIEND.

Oldest Son of Saul-Name equivalent to Theodore-His Bow-Saul's Constant

Companion-A Glimpse of some Dark History-War with the Philistines-

Jonathan and his Armor-bearer-Ascent of the Cliff-Panic-Tasting the

Honey-A wild Revel-Romantic Friendship of David and Jonathan-

Pathos of the Narrative-Character of Jonathan-Fondness for Archery-

Minor Traits-Parting of the Friends-Dies with his Father in Battle......... 253

XIX.

DAVID.

THE ROYAL PSALMIST.

Diverse Opinions of David-Neither a Monster nor a Deity-Views of Hazlitt and

of Edward Irving-The Shepherd Boy-Bunyan's Pastoral-Slaying the

Lion and the Bear-The Giant and the smooth Sling-stone-The Cave of

Adullam-Reaches the Throne-His Fall-Passion, Poetry and Faith-His

Character Checkered-Establishes the Monarchy-His Martial Spirit, Accom-

plishments and Genius-Strong Affections-The Psalter-David's Harp-A

Bible within a Bible-Testimony of Augustine-Of Chrysostom, Melanchthon,

Locke and Luther-The Psalmist the Mouthpiece of the Individual Soul—

Naturalness and Joyousness of the Psalms-Lament over Absalom............... 259

XX.

JOAB.

THE CAPTAIN OF THE HOST.

Qidest of David's Nephews-Brought up with him as a Brother-Fills the second

Place in the History of David's Reign-Abner's Challenge-Fight of the

Twenty-four Champions-The Killing of Asahel-Murder of Abner-Anger

of David-Siege of Jebus-Becomes Commander-in-Chief-Founder of the

Jewish Empire-Campaigns and Battles-Addressed as "Lord "-Splendid

Country-seat-War against Ammon-Sacrifices Uriah at the desire of David-

Reinstates Absalom in the King's Favor-Stands by David in Absalom's Re-

volt-Kills the Traitor-Relieved from Command, and the Rebel Amasa put

in his Place-Kills Amasa-Crushes the Rebellion-Opposes the Census—

Favors the Succession of Adonijah to the Throne-David commands Solomon

to kill him-The Veteran Slaughtered with his Hands on the Altar.......

PAGE

270

XXI.

SOLOMON.

THE WISE MONARCH.

Magnificence of his Reign-Even his Sins on a large Scale-His Sufferings Co-

lossal-Pomp of his Establishment-Splendor of his House and Temple-

Widespread Commerce-His Wisdom greater than his Strength-Proved that

Peace has greater Triumphs than War-Framed a Rude Science-His Hour

and Power of Darkness-Sin begotten of Luxury-Suffering following in the

Track of Sin-The Pinnacle overhangs the Precipice-Majestic in his Ruins-

A Mysterious Envy in the Universe-A Didactic and Descriptive Poet-His

Fire calm and glowing-Still, Rich Pictures-Contrast with David-The Poet-

age of Israel-His Imagination and Intellect equal-The Proverbs collected

and Enlarged by him-Praise and Personification of Wisdom-Ecclesiastes

a Spiritual Biography-Compared with those of Bunyan and Carlyle-Solo-

mon's Song-Suffused with a Rich Light-Not Oriental Climate and Genius

Alone The Rose of Sharon-Beautiful Descriptions of Nature-Shake-

speare-Letters of Rutherford-The Glory of Solomon...........

277

XXII.

ELIJAH.

THE PROPHET OF FIRE.

Jezebel-Ahab a Tool in her Hands-Athaliah-Phoenician Worship in Ahab's
Court-The First Great Persecution-Hiding in Caverns-Appearance of
Elijah-Contrast with other Prophets-A Gileadite-His Shaggy Hair and
Sheepskin-Flight from Jezebel-Jonah his Companion-Vision at Ho-
reb-The Hurricane-The Earthquake-The Still, Small Voice-A Special

Message to Elijah-A Universal Message to the Church-A Revelation con-

cerning God-The Gospel of Elijah-Naboth's Vineyard-Ahab's Despondency

-Jezebel's Pledge-Lady Macbeth-Naboth and his Sons stoned to Death-

Ahab takes possession of the Garden-Confronted by Elijah-His Doom Pro-

nounced-Ramoth-Gilead-The King receives his Death Wound-Dogs lap

up his Blood-The Heights of Carmel-The Chariot of Fire-The Mount of

Transfiguration.........

PAGE

XXIII.

ELISHA.

THE WORTHY SUCCESSOR.

The Mantle thrown over him-Witnesses the Ascension of Elijah-Jericho-Its

Historical Associations-Its Capture by the Israelites-Elisha makes his

Residence here-Sweetening the Waters-The Cruse of Salt-Destruction of

the Youth-The War with Moab-The Ditches filled with Water-Panic and

Slaughter-A Poor Widow-The Pot of Oil-The Woman of Shunem-Life

from Death-Elisha at Gilgal-Death in the Pot-The Lost Hatchet-The

Great Famine-The Land Restored-Elisha's Death-A Corpse touches his

Bones-Excellence of his Character..........

311

XXIV.

NAAMAN.

THE LEPER.

Israel Overrun by the Syrians-Capture of a Hebrew Maiden-Her Sympathy

for her Master-His Resolve to visit Elisha-Hastens across Lebanon-

Carries a Letter to Jehoram-Approaches Elisha's Dwelling-The Prophet's

Command-Indignation of Naaman-Remonstrance of his Servants-Les-

sons of the Narrative-Naaman Washes, and is Cured-Is Converted from

Idolatry-The Prophet refuses his Money-The two Requests of Naaman-

Remark of Bishop Hall...........

XXV.

JEHU.

THE ZEALOT.

Ramoth-Gilead-The Council Interrupted-The Abrupt Message-Jehu

Anointed-The Messenger Vanishes-The Army declares for Jehu-He takes

his Cavalry and starts for the Capital-Wisdom and Energy-Furious Driv-

ing-The Lightning Strikes before it Thunders-Death of the Two Kings-

Tragic End of Jezebel-Seventy Sons of Ahab Murdered-Their Heads

Piled at the Gate of Jezreel-Slaughter of Ahaziah's Brothers-Massacre in

the Temple of Baal-Jonadab, the Son of Rechab-The Zeal of Selfishness-

Was Jehu a Good Man ?-Danger of Self-deception.........

333

348

XXVI.

JONAH.

THE PROPHET OF REPENTANCE.

Order of the Prophetic Books-Jonah thrice mentioned in Jewish Tradition-His

Wondrous Story-Song of Deliverance Incidents of the Narrative-Jonah

Sunk in Sleep-The Great Fish-The Prophet enters Nineveh-Power of

Units-Minorities-God spares the City-Anger of Jonah-The Booth-The

Gourd The Worm-"Better to Die than to Live"-Many have sat with Jo-

nah-Lessons of the Story......

PAGE

362

XXVII.

UZZIAH.

THE CONQUEROR.

Ascends the Throne at Sixteen Years of Age-Restores the Temple Worship-

Fortifies Jerusalem-Encourages Agriculture-Splendid Army-Philistines

Humbled-Arabians Defeated-Ammonites Pay Tribute-Great Plague of

Locusts-Earthquake-Uzziah's Sin-Awful Punishment-Shut up in the

Public Infirmary-His Grave.........

371

XXVIII.

ISAIAH.

THE GOSPEL PROPHET.

A Universal Teacher of Mankind-His Name a Household Word-A Statesman-

Attached to the Court-His Simplicity-His Call-Vision in the Temple-

The Flaming Altar-The Remnant-Sixty Years of Toil-Predictions of the

Messiah-His Task a Difficult One-His Name Significant-Often Cited in

the New Testament-In Advance of his Age............

375

XXIX.

HEZEKIAH.

THE GOOD KING.

A few Pious Sovereigns-A Happy Day when Hezekiah mounted the Throne--
Influence of a Good Mother-Opening the Temple-A Letter from the King
of Assyria-Hezekiah's Faith-His Sickness-His Sin-His Prayer-

XXX.

JOSIAH.

THE ROYAL REFORMER.

Began to Reign at Eight Years of Age-Did what was Right-Put Down Idcla-

try-Repaired the Temple-Book of the Law Discovered-Luther and the

Reformation Shaphan the Scribe-Huldah the Prophetess-Covenanting

with God-A Peaceful and Prosperous Reign........

XXXI.

JEREMIAH.

THE WEEPING PROPHET.

Contrast with Isaiah-Pathos of Jeremiah-His Diffidence-Charge Committed

to him-Unfriendliness of the People-Plots-Persecuted by the King and

Court-Destruction of Jerusalem-Book of Lamentations-Alleviating Cir-

cumstances-Favored at times by Zedekiah-Friendship of Ebed-Melech-

Jeremiah Drawn out of the Dungeon-The Prophet Baruch-Kindred Tem-

perament-Pitied by the Conquerors-His Courage-What a Prophet should

ΡΑΘΕ

386

390

XXXII.

EZEKIEL.

THE PROPHET OF THE CAPTIVITY.

Who can Claim Kindred with Ezekiel ?-Comparison of a Comet-Groundwork of

his Prophecy-A Record of Trances-Gigantic Scenery-Four Living Crea-

tures-Typical Acts-Ardent Temperament of the East-Boldness of Spirit-

Elegant Beauty-Practical Appeals-The Watchman-A Poet's Knowledge

of Man-Priest as well as Prophet-Amplification-His History-Picture of

the Prophet-Jewish Hymn in Babylon........
398

XXXIII.

DANIEL.

THE PROPHET AND PRIME MINISTER.

Contrast with other Prophets-A Great Prince-What are Dreams?--Daniel's

History-A Jewish Captive-Carried to Babylon-Educated in the Palace-

Progress in Learning-Nebuchadnezzar's Threats to his Wise Men-Daniel

Prays and Interprets the Dream-Declares the Decree of Heaven to the

King-Belshazzar-Handwriting on the Wall-Darius-Conspiracy against

Daniel-The Three Hours of Prayer-The Lion's Den-Delivered from

Death-Chief Counselor of Cyrus-His Integrity-Rest and Joy in Heaven. 407