Jonathan. The inspired author then records the fall of David; and exhibits a sad proof of the unconscious wickedness to which the noblest minds may be seduced by passion. He represents to us God's anger softened, but not appeased, by David's repentance, who was soon after punished by the death of the child, and by many domestic calamities. The transgression of Amnon was the first consequence of his bad example ; "the sword did not depart from his house," and "evil rose up against him [E]," in the ambitious intrigues and rebellion of Absalom. The troubles which he personally suffered, only commenced a long train of afflictions; we soon behold him a degraded and fugitive sovereign, reviled by his meanest subjects; and severely punished for his conduct towards Uriah, by the incestuous outrage of his son [F]. The submissive repentance, however, and restored virtues of David, procured his pardon and reestablishment on his throne; which he dignified by the display of the greatest moderation, justice, and piety. If in the exultation of his recovered prosperity, God suffered him [G] to be betrayed into an ostentatious numbering of the people, "his heart smote him" to immediate repentance, and he piously threw himself on God's mercy, and intreated that he only might suffer from the indignation which he had provoked.

The vicissitude of events which the book describes;

[E] Nathan's prophetic threat, chap. xii. 10, 11.

[F] Chap. xii. 10–12. xvi. 21, 22.

[G] Chap. xxiv. 1. and 1 Chron. xxi. 1.

the fall and restoration of David; the effects of his errors, and his return to righteousness, are represented in the most interesting manner, and perpetuate valuable lessons to mankind. The author, in the concise style of sacred history, selects only the most striking features of character, and the most important incidents in those revolutions of which he treats On a collective view of the scattered particulars which are disclosed, we perceive that the character of this chosen servant of the Al

mighty, exhibits the model of a sovereign [H], in reverence to which succeeding sovereigns were instructed to walk [1]; who considered the glory of God as the principal object of his regard, looking to the ark as to the most sacred and nearest concern [K], and making every preparation for the temple which it was reserved for Solomon to build [1]. Among the conspicuous beauties of the book, we can never sufficiently admire the feeling lamentation over Saul and Jonathan [M]; the expressive parable of Nathan ; and the triumphant hymn of David.

The prophecies contained in the book are, first,

[H] Chap. viii. 15.

[1] 1 Kings xv. 3-5, 11. 2 Kings xiv. 3, &c.

[K] Chap. vi. 13—19.

[L] Chap. vii. 5, &c.

[M] This song is supposed to have been sung at the funeral of Saul and Jonathan; it being customary among the Jews to solemnize the obsequies of their friends with dirges accompanied by music. 2 Chron. xxxv. 24. Matt. ix. 23. Joseph. Antiq. Lib. III. c. 9. Maim. c. xiv. sect. 23.

that which blended temporal and spiritual blessings in the promises relative to Solomon and the Messiah; the building of the Temple [N], the perma nency of David's throne, and the perpetuity of that kingdom which it prefigured [o]. Secondly, the predictive denunciations of Nathan [P]; and, lastly, the figurative descriptions in the Psalm of David [9]; by whom the "spirit of the Lord spake,” assuring him of an "everlasting covenant [R]."

This book, likewise, as well as the former, contains other intrinsic proofs of its verity. By describing, without disguise, the misconduct of those characters, that were highly reverenced among the people, the sacred writer demonstrates his impartial sincerity; and by appealing to monuments that attested the truth of his revelations when he wrote, he brought forward indisputable evidence of his faithful adherence to truth. The Books of Samuel connect the chain of sacred history by detailing the circumstances of an interesting period. They describe the reformation and improvements of the Hebrew church established by David; and as they delineate minutely the life of that monarch, they point out his typical relation [N] Chap. vii. 13.

[0] Chap. vii. 12, 16. Heb. i. 5. David seems to have apprehended the great extent of God's promises, and in consequence to have burst out in rapturous acknowledgment of his goodness. 2 Sam. vii. 19-21. 1 Chron. xvii. 17.

[P] Chap. xii. 10, 11.

[Q] Chap. xxii.

[R] Chap. xxiii. 2, 5.

to Christ; and likewise illustrate remarkably his inspired productions, which are contained in the Book of Psalms. His triumphs over the enemies of his country were, in some measure, figurative of spiritual victories over the adversaries of the church; while, at the same time, they contributed to the accomplishment of God's promises, by the extension of the dominion of the Israelites to the utmost limits which had been holden out to Abraham [s]; thereby affording a pledge of the future completion of the Divine assurances with respect to the universal establishment and glory of the Christian church. Heathen authors have borrowed from the books of Samuel, or have collected from other sources many particulars of those accounts which he gives [T]. This remark will equally apply to the Books of Kings; and, indeed, to all the books of sacred history [u].

[s] Gen. xv. 18. xvii. 8. compare with chap. viii. 1-15. [T] Eupol. ap. Euseb. Præp. Lib. IX. c. 30. Nic. Damasc. ap. Joseph. Antiq.

[U] Joseph. Antiq. Menand. Theophr. Lib. III. ad Autol Euseb. Præp. Lib. IX. Clem. Alex. Strom. I.

OF THE

FIRST BOOK OF KINGS.

THIS and the following Book [A] were in the Hebrew canon reckoned but as one. They cannot be positively assigned to any particular author, though some have ascribed them to Jeremiah [B], and some to Isaiah. There are many, likewise, who contend that they are the production of Ezra ; and probably this opinion is most just, for they appear to be a collection, or historical abridgment, selected from the memoirs and books of the prophets; which are herein frequently referred to [c], as records, doubtless, of contemporary prophets. Thus "the Book of the Acts of Solomon," is mentioned in this very book [D], and was probably written by Nathan, Ahijah the Shilonite, and Iddo

[A] The Jews call them the Third and Fourth Book of Kings. In the time of Origen, they denominated them from the first words" 175," and the King David. Orig. ap. Euseb. Præp. Lib. VI. c. xi.

[B] Bava Bathra, Grotius, Isidore, Procopius, Kimchi, &c. [c] Diodor. in 1 Sam. ix. 9. Theodor. Præf. in Lib. Reg. Huet. Propos. iv. p. 161. Edit. Par. 1679.

[D] Chap. xi. 41.