308 years. It gives account of the profligacy and idolatry of the people, the confusion and final destruction of the kingdom of Israel by the king of Assyria, and the captivity of the people. It also records the downfall of the kingdom of Judah, the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, and the carrying almost the whole nation into captivity at Babylon, where they continued for 70 years. The historical period embraced by these four books, is 547 years, extending from A. M. 2869 to A. M. 3416. The author is uncertain.

in some

5. The two BOOKS OF CHRONICLES, which were comprised in one book by the Jews, are, measure, a summary of Sacred History. The First Book gives a circumstantial account of the twelve tribes, and traces the genealogies back to Adam. It also contains the history of Saul and David, and the preparations for the building of the temple. The Second contains the history of Solomon's inauguration and reign, the building and dedication of the Temple, the rebellion of the ten tribes, and the history of the kingdom of Judah from its commencement to its overthrow by Nebuchadnezzar. These books comprise a period of 3468 years. The books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles, relate the same histories, and they should, in reading, be constantly collated or compared together. The author of the Chronicles is unknown. The Books of EZRA and NEHEMIAH were anciently reckoned, by the Jews, as one volume. They were written by the persons whose

names they bear. The book of Ezra contains the history of the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity under Zerubbabel (chap. i. – vi.), and an account of the great reformation which Ezra brought about among the people, vii. – X. The book of Nehemiah contains an account of the building of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, who superintended the work by permission of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, in whose favor he stood high. It also narrates the reformation wrought by him in the religion, morals, and manners, of the Jews. Nehemiah governed about 36 years, distinguished alike for his piety and the uprightness of his administration. The book of ESTHER is a narrative of the person whose name it bears, the events of which come in somewhere, in point of date, between the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra. It records the elevation of Esther, a Jewish captive, to the throne of Persia, and the deliverance, through her agency, of the Jews from the destruction prepared for them by Haman. These last named books bring down the Sacred History of the world to A. M. 3584, B. c. 420; and with them ends the general History of the Old Testament.

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER I.

[The figures refer to the corresponding paragraphs in the text.] 1.2. For what purpose was Moses raised up? By whom was he adopted, and where educated? How long had he been at the court of Pharaoh when God called

him? What is said of his performance of the work assigned him? Did he enter the Promised Land? Why not? (Numbers xx. 10–12. xxvii. 12-14.) At what age did he die, and what is said of him at this time? For what was he remarkable? What is said of the history of Moses, touching other nations? What are the first five books of the Old Testament called? and why? Name them. What is the meaning of Genesis? What number

of years does it give record of? What is the meaning of Exodus, and why is the second book so called? What period does it embrace? What are some of the principal events? Why is the next book called Leviticus? What are the most important particulars noted in it? What is the name of the fourth book, and why? When did these numberings take place? How many years' history does it record? What is the meaning of Deuteronomy? What is the substance of this book? What is said of the last chapter? Why do you think so? How far is the history of the world brought by the Pentateuch?

3. 4. What is said of the book of Joshua? For what was Joshua distinguished? Of what does the

book of What is What celebrated personage How nearly allied? What

Why is it so called?

Judges give an account? said of the book of Ruth? was a descendant of Ruth? is said of the books of Samuel and Kings? In more ancient times, how were they united? What is the history which they contain? The first book of Samuel contains a history of what? Of how long a period? The second book gives account of what? What is the history given in the first book of Kings? In the second book? What period is embraced in the history given in those four books? To what year of the world do they bring the history? What of the author?

5. What is said of the two books of Chronicles? Of

What are the

What num

what does the first book give an account? principal events related in the second book? ber of years are represented in those books? What is said of the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles? Who was the author of Chronicles? What is said of Ezra and Nehemiah? What does the book of Ezra contain? What history is contained in the book of Nehemiah? How long did Nehemiah govern? For what was he distinguished? What is said of the book of Esther? What are its contents? Who was Haman? To what period do these books bring down the Sacred History of the World? What further is said of them?

CHAPTER II.

Books and Authors of the Old Testament: ContinPoetical and Prophetical Books.

ued.

1. POETICAL Bоoks. The Рoetical Books are five in number, JOB, PSALMS, PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, and CANTICLES, or the SONG OF SOLOMON. The book of Job is regarded as one of the oldest pieces of composition extant. There is much division upon the question, whether Job was, or was not, a real personage,—whether the book is a narrative of actual events, or a drama, constructed with a view to set forth the excellency and value of virtue. The last seems to be the most probable. The author of the poem or drama, after the Eastern manner, seeks to convey instruction under the guise of fiction, a method sanctioned by the parables of our Lord. Accordingly he introduces Job as the hero, so to speak, of his poem, — he represents him as wealthy, prosperous, and happy, in every respect, —as a just, upright, and virtuous man, beloved of God, and honored of his fellows. Suddenly a change comes over him,- his riches are taken from him; his flocks and herds are stolen, his houses destroyed, his children dead, — and himself afflicted with the most grievous and painful diseases; of which evils, a fictitious personage,