THE

CONTENTS.

NTRODUCTION.

INT

CHAPTER I.

xiii

DAVID goes to Hebron, and is elected King

by the Tribe of Judah

CHA P. II.

Page I

Abner afferts Ifhbofheth's Claim to the

Crown. The Battle of Gibeon

CHA P. III.

9

Children born to David in Hebron.

Abner

18

revolts to him, and is flain by Joab

CHA P. IV.

-A

Ifhbofheth's Murder A Militia of a

most excellent Model inftituted by David.

Mr. Bayle's Cenfures upon David's In-

trigues with Abner, confidered: 35

CHAP.

David inlarges Jerufalem. His Alliance

with Hiram. He builds a Palace, and

marries more Wives

CHA P. VIII.

72

A Digreffion, containing a short Defcription

and Account of Jerusalem

CHAP. IX.

83

The Philistines and neighbouring Nations

invade Ifrael, and are defeated in two

Battles

CHAP. X.

94

David attempts to remove the Ark to Sion:

and at last fucceeds

CHAP. XI.

114

The Conclufion of the Proceffion of the Ark.

Mr. Bayle's Cenfure of David's Dancing

and Drefs, confidered

CHAP. XII.

132

A Digreffion, containing a fhort Inquiry, in

what Part of the City of David the Ark

was depofited

156

CHAP.

CHA P. XIII.

A Differtation upon Dancing, in which

David's Dancing before the Ark is exa-

mined and vindicated

CHAP. XIV.

page 162

David defigns to build a Temple, but is for

bidden. GOD's Promises to his Pofterity.

David's Thanksgivings

CHAP. XV.

183

David invades Philiftia, and takes Gath, &c.

He then invades and fubdues Moab

CHAP. XVI.

200

David conquers the Syrians and Edomites.

Hadadezer proved to be the Hadad of

Nicolaus Damafcenus. Some Difficulties

in the Sacred Text cleared

CHAP. XVII.

A Short Account of David's Minifters.

His Cherethites and Pelethites

CHAP. XVIII.

213

237

David inquires after Saul's Pofterity, and

finds Mephibofheth, a furviving Son of

Jonathan's, whom he treats as his own 247

CHAP.

CHA P. XIX.

David's Embassadors abused by the Ammon

ites. A War enfues

-

CHA P. XX.

The Syrian War finished.

page 258

David's Felici-

-This

272

ties during this Period fummed up.

Book ends.

INTRO

INTRODUCTION.

H

ITHERTO the life of DAVID bath led the reader through a

great variety of furprifing Scenes, and interefting events; events the more interefting, because many of them were fuch as are incident to every man alive: inafmuch as all men are within the reach of malice; and very few placed beyond the reach of power and oppreffion. We have feen an obfcure young man fgnally diftinguifbed by the favours of Heaven, and made the inftrument of deliverance to a diftreffed people; and in that deliverance, a fignal infrance of humility, and trust in the Divine Providence, triumphing over pride and felf-fufficiency. We have

seen