SEVENTH STUDY

Hints to the Teacher

1. Let the map be drawn by the teacher in presence of the class, and each part carefully taught, while the class also draw the map in their notebooks.2. Then erase the map from the board, and call upon one scholar, in presence of the class, to draw the lines representing natural divisions: another the river and lakes, etc., etc.3. If chalk of different colors can be used for the different departments of the map, coast line and Jordan line one color, mountain lines another, it will add to the interest.

1. Let the map be drawn by the teacher in presence of the class, and each part carefully taught, while the class also draw the map in their notebooks.

2. Then erase the map from the board, and call upon one scholar, in presence of the class, to draw the lines representing natural divisions: another the river and lakes, etc., etc.

3. If chalk of different colors can be used for the different departments of the map, coast line and Jordan line one color, mountain lines another, it will add to the interest.

Blackboard Outline

I.Na.Ca. Isr. Jud. Pal.II.Dim.Ca. 6,600. Pal. 12,000. C. L. 140. ToJor.25. To D. S. 60. Jor. L. 155.III.Wat.Med. Jor. L. Me. S. Gal. D. S.IV.Nat. Div.M. P. Sh. M. R. J. V. E. T.-L.

Review Questions

Why is a knowledge of the land of Pal´es-tine important? Give and explain the four different names of this land. What is meant by "Ca´naan" proper? How large is Ca´naan? How large was the domain of the Twelve Tribes? How long is the coast line? How far is the Jor´dan distant from the coast near its source? How far is the Dead Sea from the coast? What is meant by the Jor´dan line? How long is the Jor´dan line? Name the most important waters of Pal´es-tine. Describe the river Jor´dan, sources, elevations, length, etc. Describe and locate Lake Me´rom. Describe the Sea of Gal´i-lee. Describe the Dead Sea. What are the five natural divisions of Pal´es-tine?

Part Two

V. Pal´es-tine is a land ofMountains, among which we notice only a few of the most important, beginning in the north.

1.Mount Her´mon, is near the source of the Jor´dan, on the east, and is the highest mountain in Pal´es-tine.

2.Mount Leb´a-non, west of Her´mon, was famous for its cedars (1 Kings 5. 6; Psa. 29. 5).

3.Mount Ta´bor, the place of Deb´o-rah's victory, is southwest of the Sea of Gal´i-lee (Judg. 4. 6).

4.Mount Gil-bo´a, where King Saul was slain, is south of Ta´bor (1 Sam. 31. 1; 2 Sam. 1. 21).

5.Mount Car´mel, the place of E-li´jah's sacrifice, is on the Med-i-ter-ra´ne-an, due west of the Sea of Gal´i-lee (1 Kings 18. 20, 42; Isa. 35. 2).

6.Mount E´bal, "the mount of cursing," lies in the center of the land (Deut. 11. 26).

7.Mount Ger´i-zim, "the mount of blessing," is south of E´bal (Josh. 8. 33; John 4. 20).

8.Mount Zi´on, on which Je-ru´sa-lem stood and still stands, is due west of the head of the Dead Sea.

9.Mount Ne´bo, where Mo´ses died, is directly opposite Zi´on, on the east of the Dead Sea (Deut. 34. 1).

VI. We note a few of the most important places, selecting only those connected with Old Testament history; and we arrange them according to the natural divisions of the land.

1. On theSeacoast Plainwere:

1.)Ga´za, on the south, the scene of Sam´son's exploits and death (Judg. 16. 21).2.)Jop´pa, principal seaport of Pal´es-tine (2 Chron. 2. 16; Jonah 1. 3).3.)Tyre, just beyond the northern boundary of Pa´les-tine, a great commercial city of the Phœ-ni´cians (Josh. 19. 29).

1.)Ga´za, on the south, the scene of Sam´son's exploits and death (Judg. 16. 21).

2.)Jop´pa, principal seaport of Pal´es-tine (2 Chron. 2. 16; Jonah 1. 3).

3.)Tyre, just beyond the northern boundary of Pa´les-tine, a great commercial city of the Phœ-ni´cians (Josh. 19. 29).

2. In theMountain Regionwere:

1.)Be´er-she´ba, in the southern limit of the land (Gen. 21. 31, 33; 1 Sam. 3. 20; 1 Kings 19. 3).2.)He´bron, burial place of the patriarchs (Gen. 23. 19; 49. 29-31).3.)Beth´le-hem, the birthplace of Da´vid (1 Sam. 17. 12).4.)Je-ru´sa-lem, "the city of the great king," which stands due west of the northern point of the Dead Sea (2 Sam. 5. 6-9).5.)Beth´el, nine miles north of Je-ru´sa-lem, the place of Ja´cob's vision (Gen. 28. 19).6.)She´chem, between the twin mountains Ger´i-zim and E´bal, in the center of the land (1 Kings 12. 1).7.)Sa-ma´ri-a, the capital of the Ten Tribes (1 Kings 16. 24).

1.)Be´er-she´ba, in the southern limit of the land (Gen. 21. 31, 33; 1 Sam. 3. 20; 1 Kings 19. 3).

2.)He´bron, burial place of the patriarchs (Gen. 23. 19; 49. 29-31).

3.)Beth´le-hem, the birthplace of Da´vid (1 Sam. 17. 12).

4.)Je-ru´sa-lem, "the city of the great king," which stands due west of the northern point of the Dead Sea (2 Sam. 5. 6-9).

5.)Beth´el, nine miles north of Je-ru´sa-lem, the place of Ja´cob's vision (Gen. 28. 19).

6.)She´chem, between the twin mountains Ger´i-zim and E´bal, in the center of the land (1 Kings 12. 1).

7.)Sa-ma´ri-a, the capital of the Ten Tribes (1 Kings 16. 24).

3. In theJor´dan Valleywere:

1.)Jer´i-cho, near the head of the Dead Sea (1 Kings 16. 34).2.)Dan, at one of the sources of the Jor´dan, the northernmost place in the land (Judg. 18. 28; 20. 1).

1.)Jer´i-cho, near the head of the Dead Sea (1 Kings 16. 34).

2.)Dan, at one of the sources of the Jor´dan, the northernmost place in the land (Judg. 18. 28; 20. 1).

Blackboard Outline

I.Na.Ca. Isr. Jud. Pal.II.Dim.Ca. 6,600. Pal. 12,000. C. L. 140. To Jor. 25. To D. S. 60. Jor. L. 155.III.Wat.Med. Jor. L. Me. S. Gal. D. S.IV.Nat. Div.M. P. Sh. M. R. J. V. E. T.-L.V.Mtns.Her. Leb. Tab. Gil. Car. Eb. Ger. Zi. Ne.VI.Pla.1.Sea. Pl.Ga. Jop. Ty. 2.Mtn. Reg.Beer. Heb. Beth. Jer. Bet. She. Sam. 3.Jor. Val.Jer. Da.

Review Questions

Name nine mountains on the map of Pal´es-tine. State the location of each mountain. State a fact for which each mountain is celebrated. Name and locate three places on the Maritime Plain. Name and locate seven places in the Mountain Region. Name and locate two places in the Jor´dan Valley.

The Conquest of Canaan

I. Let us notice theCa´naan-ites, the peoples who were dispossessed by the Is´ra-el-ites.

1. They were ofone stock, according to the Scriptures, belonging to the Ham´ite race, and all descended from the family of Ca´naan (Gen. 10. 15-19).

2. They were divided intovarious tribes, from seven to ten nations, arranged mainly as follows: 1.) On the seacoast plain, the Phi-lis´tines on the south, the Ca´naan-ites in the middle, and the Phœ-ni´cians, or Zi-do´ni-ans, on the north of Mount Car´mel. 2.) In the mountain region, the Am´or-ites in the south, the Jeb´u-sites around Je-ru´sa-lem, the Hi´vites in the center of the land, and the Hit´tites in the north. 3.) The Jor´dan valley was held by the Ca´naan-ites. 4.) On the eastern table-land, the Mo´ab-ites east of the Dead Sea, the Am´or-ites east of the Jor´dan, and the Ba´shan-ites in the north.

3. Theirgovernmentwaslocal. Not only was each tribe independent, but each little locality, often each city, had its own "king," or chief. There was no unity of government, and scarcely any combination to resist the invasion of Is´ra-el, a fact which made the conquest far less difficult.

4. They wereidolatrousand, as a result, grosslyimmoral. Idolatry is always associated with immorality; for the worship of idols is a deification of sensuality. Ba´al and Ash´e-rah (plural Ash´to-reth) were the male and female divinities worshiped by most of these races (Judg. 2. 13).

5. They had beenweakenedbefore the coming of the Is´ra-el-ites either by war or by pestilence. The allusions in Exod. 23. 28; Deut. 7. 20; and Josh. 24. 12, have been referred to an invasion before that of Israel, or to some plague, which destroyed the native races.

II.The Campaigns of the Conquest.These may be divided as follows:

1.The Campaigns Eastof the Jor´dan. These were during the lifetime of Mo´ses, and gained for Is´ra-el all the territory south of Mount Her´mon.

CAMPAIGNS OF THE CONQUEST

1.) The conquest of Gil´e-ad was made at the battle of Ja´haz, near the brook Ar´non (Num. 21. 21-31). In one battle the Is´ra-el-ites gained the land of Gil´e-ad east of the Jor´dan.

2.) The conquest of Ba´shan was completed at the battle of Ed´re-i, in the mountainous region (Num. 21. 33-35).

3.) The conquest of Mid´i-an (Num. 31. 1-8) was led by the warrior-priest Phin´e-has, and by smiting the tribes on the east protected the frontier toward the desert. The land won by these three campaigns became the territory of the tribes of Reu´ben, Gad, and the half tribe of Ma-nas´seh (Deut. 32).

2.The Campaigns West of the Jor´danwere led by Josh´u-a, and showed great tactical skill and resistless energy of action. Josh´u-a led his people across the Jor´dan and established a fortified camp, the center of operations during all his campaigns, at Gil´gal (Josh. 4. 19).

1.) The first invasion was ofCentral Pal´es-tine, beginning with Jer´i-cho (Josh. 6), taking A´i on the way (Josh. 8), and ending withShe´chem, which apparently fell without resistance (Josh. 8. 30-33). This campaign gave to Is´ra-el the center of the land and divided their enemies into two sections.

2.) Next came the campaign againstSouthern Pal´es-tine. At this time was fought the battle of Beth-ho´ron (Josh. 10. 10), the most momentous in its results in all history, and one over which, if ever, the sun and moon might well stand still (Josh. 10. 12, 13).[9]After this great victory Josh´u-a pursued his enemies and took the towns as far south as He´bron and De´bir (Josh. 10. 29-39).

3.) Lastly, Josh´u-a conqueredNorthern Pal´es-tine(Josh. 11). The battle in this campaign was near Lake Me´rom (Josh. 11. 7), and, as before, it was followed by the capture of many cities in the north. Thus in those marches Josh´u-a won all the mountain region of western Pal´es-tine.

3. There were certainsupplementary campaigns, partly in Josh´u-a's time, partly afterward.

1.) Caleb´s capture of He´bron, which had been reoccupied by the Am´or-ites (Josh. 14; Judg. 1. 10-15).

2.) The Ju´dah-ites' capture of Be´zek, an unknown place between Je-ru´sa-lem and the Phi-lis´tine plain (Judg. 1. 1-8).

3.) The Dan´ites' capture of La´ish, in the extreme north, which afterward bore the name of Dan (Judg. 18).

But, after all these campaigns, a large part of the land was still unsubdued, and the war of the conquest did not end until the days of Da´vid by whom every foe was finally placed under foot.

III.General Aspects of Is´ra-el at the Close of the Conquest.

1. With regard to thenative races. They were not destroyed nor driven away, as had been commanded.[10]They remained as subject people in some places, as the ruling race on the seacoast and in the Jor´dan valley. We see their influence, always injurious, throughoutall Is´ra-el's history (Exod. 23. 31-33; Deut. 7. 1-5); and some think that the present inhabitants of the country belong to the original Ca´naan-ite stock.

2. TheIs´ra-el-itesdid not occupy all the country. They possessed most of the mountain region, but none of the seacoast plain on the Jor´dan valley. They were like the Swiss in modern times, living among the mountains. Even in the New Testament period the lowlands were occupied mainly by Gen´tiles.

3. Thelanded systemwas peculiar.Estateswere inalienable. They might be leased, but not sold; and on the year of jubilee (every fiftieth year) all land reverted to the family originally owning it. Thus every family had its ancestral home, the poor were protected, and riches were kept within bounds.

4. Thegovernmentwas a republic of families without an executive head, except when a judge was raised up to meet special needs. Each tribe had its own rulers, but there was no central authority after Josh´u-a (Judg. 21. 25). This had its evils, for it led to national weakness; but it had its benefits: 1.) It kept Is´ra-el from becoming a great worldly kingdom like E´gypt and As-syr´i-a, which would have thwarted the divine purpose. 2.) It promoted individuality and personal energy of character. There would have been no "Age of Heroes" if Is´ra-el had been a kingdom like E´gypt.

5. Thereligious systemwas simple. There was but one altar at Shi´loh for all the land and for all the tribes, and the people were required to visit it for the three great feasts (Deut. 12. 11, 14; Josh. 18. 1). This was the religious bond which united the people. If it had been maintained they would have needed no other constitution, and even its partial observance kept the people one nation.

6. Thecharacterof the people was diverse. Throughout the history we trace the working of two distinct elements: There was the true Is´ra-el—the earnest, religious, God-worshiping section, the Is´ra-el of Josh´u-a and Gid´e-on and Sam´u-el. Then there was the underlying mass of the people—secular, ignorant, prone to idolatry, the Is´ra-el that worshiped Ba´al and Ash´to-reth, and sought alliance with the heathen. One element was the hope of the nation; the other was its bane. We shall constantly see the evidences of these two elements in the story of the Is´ra-el-ites.

Blackboard Outline

I.Can.1. One st. 2. Var. tri. 1.) S. P. Phil. Can. Phœ. 2.) M. R. Am. Je. Hiv. Hitt. 3.) J. V. Can. 4.) E. T.-L. Mo. Am. Bash. 3. Gov. loc. 4. Idol. imm. 5. Weak.II.Camp. Conq.1. Camp. Eas. Jor. 1.) Gil. Jah. 2.) Bash. Ed. 3.) Mid.2. Camp. Wes. Jor. 1.) Cent. Pal. Jer. Ai. She. 2.) Sou. Pal. Beth-hor. 3.) Nor. Pal. L. Mer.3. Supp. Camp. 1.) Cal. cap. Heb. 2.) Jud. cap. Bez. 3.) Dan. cap. Lai.III.Gen. Asp. Isr. at Clo. Conq.1. Nat. rac. sub. 2. Isr. in mtn. reg. 3. Land. sys. 4. Gov. rep. fam. 5. Rel. sys. 6. Char. peo.

Can.1. One st. 2. Var. tri. 1.) S. P. Phil. Can. Phœ. 2.) M. R. Am. Je. Hiv. Hitt. 3.) J. V. Can. 4.) E. T.-L. Mo. Am. Bash. 3. Gov. loc. 4. Idol. imm. 5. Weak.

Gen. Asp. Isr. at Clo. Conq.1. Nat. rac. sub. 2. Isr. in mtn. reg. 3. Land. sys. 4. Gov. rep. fam. 5. Rel. sys. 6. Char. peo.

Questions for Review

To what race did the Ca´naan-ite tribes belong? What were their tribes, and where located? What was their government? What was their worship? What was the effect of their worship on their character? What had taken place shortly before the coming of the Is´ra-el-ites? What campaigns of conquest were made before the death of Mo´ses? What battles were fought in these campaigns? What tribes took possession of this territory? On which side of the Jor´dan were Josh´u-a's campaigns? What traits as a military leader did he show? What places were captured on the first of Josh´u-a's campaigns? What was the effect of this campaign on the enemies? Against what section was Josh´u-a's second campaign? Where was the great battle fought? What is said to have taken place at this battle? What cities were captured at this time? Where was the third campaign of Josh´u-a directed? Where was the battle fought in this campaign? What were the three supplementary campaigns? What city was conquered by Ca´leb? What city was occupied by the tribe of Dan? What king, long after Josh´u-a, completed the conquest of Ca´naan? What was the condition of the native races after the conquest? What was the result of their continuance in the land? What portion of the country was occupied by the Is´ra-el-ites? What modern analogy is given to them? What was the system of land tenure among the Is´ra-el-ites? What were some of its benefits? What was the form of government? Wherein was the system defective? What were its excellences? What was the religious system of the Is´ra-el-ites? What was the effect of this system? What was the religious character of the people? What was the condition of the mass of the Is´ra-el-ites?

The Age of the Heroes

From the death of Josh´u-a to the coronation of Saul the Twelve Tribes of Is´ra-el were without a central government, except as from time to time men of ability rose up among them. It was not, as some have supposed, an "age of anarchy," for anarchy is confusion; and during most of the time there were peace and order in Is´ra-el. It was rather an "age of heroes," for its rulers were neither hereditary nor elective, but men called forth by the needs of the hour and their own qualities of leadership.

I.The Condition of Is´ra-el during This Period.This was partly favorable and partly unfavorable. Thefavorableelements were:

1.The Mountain Locationof Is´ra-el. The tribes were perched like Switzerland in the Alps. There was a desert on the south and on the east, while on the west lay the plain by the sea, the great route of travel between E´gypt and the Eu-phra´tes. Great armies passed and repassed over this plain, and great battles were fought by E-gyp´tians, Hit´tites, and As-syr´i-ans, while Is´ra-el on her mountain peaks was unmolested. This mountain home left Is´ra-el generally unnoticed, and, when attacked, almost inaccessible.

2.The Racial Unityof Is´ra-el. The two finest races of the world, the Greek and the Is´ra-el-ite, were both of pure blood. The Is´rael-ites were one in origin, in language, in traditions, in aspirations. This national unity often brought the tribes together in times of distress, though not always when the union was needed.

3.The Religious Institutions.In Greece every town had its own god and its own religion; hence the many parties and petty nationalities. But in Is´ra-el there was in theory but one altar, one house of God, one system of worship, with its annual pilgrimage to the religious capital (1 Sam. 1. 3). Just to the measure in which these institutions were observed Is´ra-el was strong against all foes, and as they were neglected the land became the prey of oppressors (Judg. 2. 7-14; 1 Sam. 7. 3).

But there were alsounfavorableelements in the condition of Is´ra-el, which threatened its very existence. These were:

1.The Native Races.These were of two kinds: the subject people left on the soil, more or less under the domination of the conquerors; and the surrounding nations, Am´mon, Mo´ab, Syr´i-a, and the Phi-lis´tines. There was danger from their enmity, a rebellion of the subject tribes, allied with the enemies around, for the destruction of Is´ra-el. And there was far greater danger from their friendship, which would lead to intermarriage, to idolatry, to corruption of morals, and to ruin (Judg. 3. 1-7).

2.Lack of a Central Government.Is´ra-el was in the condition of the United States at the close of the Revolution, from 1783 to 1789, a loose confederation with no central authority. There were twelve tribes, but each governed itself. Only under some great chieftain like Gid´e-on or Sam´u-el were all the twelve tribes united. Most of the judges ruled only over their own district of a few adjoining tribes. Often the northern tribes were in peril, but we never read of Ju´dah going to their assistance; and in Ju´dah´s wars with the Phi-lis´tines the northern tribes stood aloof.

3.Tribal Jealousy.Until the establishment of the American republic the world never saw, for any length of time, a league of states on an equal footing. In Greece the strongest state claimed thehegemony, or leadership, and oppressed its allies. In Italy the Ro´mans reduced all their neighbors to subjection. In Europe it now requires an army of more than a million men to maintain the "balance of power." So in Is´ra-el there was a constant struggle for the leadership between the two great tribes of Ju´dah and E´phra-im. During the period of the judges E´phra-im was constantly asserting its rights to rule the other tribes (Judg. 8. 1-3; 12. 1-6). We trace this rivalry through all the reign of Da´vid; and at last it led to the division of the empire under Re-ho-bo´am.

4.Idolatrous Tendencies.We note constantly "the two Is´ra-els"—a spiritual minority and an irreligious, idolatrous mass. For many centuries the greatest evil of Is´ra-el-ite history was the tendency to the worship of idols. Causes which operated to promote it were: 1.) The natural craving for a visible object of worship, not altogether eradicated from even the Christian heart; for example, Ro´mish images and the use of the crucifix. 2.) The association of Is´ra-el with idolaters on the soil or as neighbors. 3.) The opportunitywhich idol worship gives to gratify lust under the guise of religion. As a result of these forces we find idol worship the crying sin of the Is´ra-el-ites down to the captivity in Bab´y-lon.

II.The Judges of Is´ra-el.These were the heroes of that age, the men who in turn led the tribes, freed them from their enemies, and restored them to the service of God.

1.Their Office.It was not generally to try legal cases between man and man or between tribe and tribe. It might be regarded as a military dictatorship blended with a religious authority. The judge was a union of the warrior and the religious reformer.

2.Their Appointment, not by election, nor the votes of the people. The Orientals have never chosen their rulers by suffrage. The judges were men whom the people recognized as called of God to their office (Judg. 2. 16; 3. 9; 6. 11-13).

3.Their authorityrested not on law, nor on armies, but on the personal elements of integrity and leadership in the men, and on the general belief in their inspiration. They spoke to the people with the authority of a messenger from God. They arose in some hour of great need, and after the immediate danger was over held their power until the end of their lives.

4.The Extent of Their Rulewas generally local, over a few tribes in one section. Deb´o-rah ruled in the north (Judg. 5. 14-18); Jeph´thah governed only the east of the Jor´dan (Judg. 11. 29). Often more than one judge was ruling at the same time; probably Sam´son and E´li were contemporaneous. Gid´e-on and Sam´u-el alone ruled all the twelve tribes.

Blackboard Outline

I.Cond. Isr.Fav.1. Mtn. Loc. 2. Rac. Un. 3. Rel. Inst.Unfav.1. Nat. Rac. 2. Lac. Cent. Gov. 3. Tri. Jeal. 4. Idol. Ten.II.Jud. Isr.1. Off. 2. App. 3. Auth. 4. Ex. Ru.

Cond. Isr.Fav.1. Mtn. Loc. 2. Rac. Un. 3. Rel. Inst.Unfav.1. Nat. Rac. 2. Lac. Cent. Gov. 3. Tri. Jeal. 4. Idol. Ten.

Review Questions

Between what events was this period? What were its traits? What were the conditions favorable to Is´ra-el during this period? How did their location aid the Is´ra-el-ites? Wherein were the Is´ra-el-ites one people? How did their religious institutions keep them together? What were the unfavorable and dangerous elementsin the condition of Is´ra-el? How were they in danger from the native races? What was lacking in the government of Is´ra-el? What two tribes were in rivalry? What was the effect of this jealousy? What analogy is found in ancient history? How was the same principle illustrated in modern times? What evil tendency was manifested in Is´ra-el through nearly all its history? What causes are assigned for this tendency? What was the office of a judge in Is´ra-el? How were the judges appointed? What was their authority? How widely did their rule extend?

III.The Oppressions and Deliverers.During these centuries the influences already named brought Is´ra-el many times under the domination of foreign power. The story was always the same: forsaking God, following idols, subjection, reformation, victory, and temporary prosperity. We notice the seven oppressions. Some of these were undoubtedly contemporaneous.

1.The Mes-o-po-ta´mi-an Oppression(Judg. 3. 7-11). Probably this was over the southern portion, and the invaders came by the east and around the Dead Sea, as earlier invaders from the same land had come (Gen. 14. 1-7). The deliverer was Oth´ni-el, the first judge, and the only judge of the tribe of Ju´dah.

2.The Mo´ab-ite Oppression(Judg. 3. 12-30). Over the eastern and central section, including E´phra-im (verse 27); deliverer, E´hud, the second judge; battle fought at the ford of the river Jor´dan (verse 28).

3.The Early Phi-lis´tine Oppression(Judg. 3. 31). Over the southwest, on the frontier of Ju´dah; deliverer, Sham´gar.

4.The Ca´naan-ite Oppression(Judg. 4). Over the northern tribes; deliverer, Deb´o-rah, the woman judge; battle at Mount Ta´bor.

5.The Mid´i-an-ite Oppression(Judg. 6. 1-6). Over the northern center, especially Ma-nas´seh, east; the most severe of all; deliverer, Gid´e-on, the greatest of the judges (Judg. 6. 11, 12); battle, on Mount Gil-bo´a (Judg. 7), followed by other victories (Judg. 8).

6.The Am´mon-ite Oppression(Judg. 10. 7-9). Note an alliance between the Am´o-rites and Phi-lis´tines, which is suggestive; mainly over the tribes on the east of Jor´dan; deliverer, Jeph´thah[11](Judg. 11); victory at A-ro´er (verse 33).

7.The Phi-lis´tine Oppression(Judg. 13). This was the most protracted of all, for it extended, with intervals of freedom, for ahundred years; embraced all the land, but was most heavily felt south of Mounts Car´mel and Gil-bo´a. The liberation was begun by Sam´son (Judg. 13. 5), but he was led astray by sensual lusts and became a failure. Freedom was later won by Sam´u-el at the battle of Eb-en-e´zer (1 Sam. 7. 7-14); but the oppression was renewed in the time of Saul, and became heavier than ever (1 Sam. 13. 17-20). Finally the yoke was broken by Da´vid, in a succession of victories, ending with the capture of Gath, the Phi-lis´tine capital (2 Sam. 5. 17-25; 1 Chron. 18. 1).

Note with each oppression: 1.) The oppressor. 2.) The section oppressed. 3.) The deliverer. 4.) The battlefield.

IV.The General Aspects of the Period.

1. It was an age ofindividuality. There was no strong government to oppress the people, to concentrate all the life of the nation at the court, and to repress individuality. Contrast Per´sia with Greece; Rome under the emperors with Rome as a republic. As men were needed they were raised up, for there was opportunity for character. Hence it was an age of heroes—Oth´ni-el, E´hud, Sham´gar, Gid´e-on, Jeph´thah, Sam´son, Sam´u-el, etc. Free institutions bring strong men to the front.

2. It was an age ofneglect of the law. During all this period there is no allusion to the law of Mo´ses. Its regulations were ignored, except so far as they belonged to the common law of conscience and right. The laws of Mo´ses were not deliberately disobeyed, but were ignorantly neglected. Even good men, as Gid´e-on and Sam´u-el, built altars and offered sacrifices (Judg. 6. 24; 1 Sam. 7. 9) contrary to the letter of the law of Mo´ses, but obeying its spirit.

3. Nevertheless, it was an age ofprogress. There were alternate advancements and retrogressions; yet we see a people with energy, rising in spite of their hindrances. By degrees government became more settled (1 Sam. 7. 15-17), foreign relations arose (1 Sam. 7. 14; Ruth 1. 1), and the people began to look toward a more stable system (1 Sam. 8. 4-6).

Hints to the Teacher

1. See that the outline is thoroughly committed to memory, and test the pupil's knowledge by calling upon him to read at sight the Blackboard Outline below.2. Draw on the board an outline map of Pal´es-tine, and indicate upon it in succession the portions occupied in each of the oppressions.

1. See that the outline is thoroughly committed to memory, and test the pupil's knowledge by calling upon him to read at sight the Blackboard Outline below.

2. Draw on the board an outline map of Pal´es-tine, and indicate upon it in succession the portions occupied in each of the oppressions.

Blackboard Outline

I.Cond. Isr.Fav.1. Mtn. Loc. 2. Rac. Un. 3. Rel. Ins.Unfav.1. Nat. Rac. 2. Lac. Cent. Gov. 3. Tri. Jeal. 4. Idol. Ten.II.Jud. Isr.1. Off. 2. App. 3. Auth. 4. Ext. Ru.III.Opp. and Deliv.Opp.Sec.Deliv.Batt.-fie.1. Mes.Sou.Oth.2. Moab.Ea. cen.Ehu.For. Jor.3. Ea. Phil.So.-wes.Sham.4. Can.Nor.Deb.Mt. Tab.5. Mid.Nor. cen.Gid.Mt. Gil.6. Amm.East.Jeph.Aro.7. Phil.All.Sams. Saml.Eben.Dav.Gath.IV.Gen. Asp. Per.1. Ind. 2. Neg. Law. 3. Prog.

Review Questions

What resulted from these evil tendencies in Is´ra-el? How many oppressors were there? Who were the first oppressors? Over what part of the country was the first oppression? Who delivered Is´ra-el from it? What was the second oppression? What part of the country suffered from it? Who was the deliverer? Where was the battle fought? What was the third oppression, and where? Who delivered Is´ra-el? What was the fourth oppression? Where was it? Who was the deliverer? Where was the victory won? What was the fifth oppression? Over what part of the country was it? Who delivered Is´ra-el from it? What was the sixth oppression? Over what part of the land was it? Who delivered from it? What was the last oppression? How did it differ from the others? What three names are associated in the deliverance from its power? What are the three general aspects of this period?

The Rise of the Israelite Empire

Part One

The coronation of Saul marks an epoch in the history of Is´ra-el. From that point, for five hundred years, the chosen people were under the rule of kings.

I.The Causes Leading to the Monarchy.The kingdom was not an accidental nor a sudden event. There had been a gradual preparation for it through all the period of the judges.

1. Notice thetendency toward settled government. In the time of Gid´e-on the people desired him to become a king (Judg. 8. 22, 23). His son attempted to make himself a king, but failed (Judg. 9). We find judges setting up a semi-royal state, and making marriages for their children outside of their tribe (Judg. 12. 9, 13, 14); and associating their sons with themselves (Judg. 10. 4; 1 Sam. 8. 1, 2). All these show a monarchical trend in the time.

2. Another cause was theconsolidation of the surrounding nations. In the days of the conquest there were few kings in the lands neighboring Pa´les-tine. We read of "lords" and "elders," but no kings, among the Phi-lis´tines, the Mo´ab-ites, the Am´mon-ites, and the Phœ-ni´cians (Judg. 3. 3; 1 Sam. 5. 8; Num. 22. 7). But a wave of revolution swept over all those lands, and very soon we find that every nation around Is´ra-el had its king (1 Sam. 21. 10; 12. 12; 22. 3; 2 Sam. 5. 11). The movement of Is´ra-el toward monarchy was in accordance with this spirit.

3. There was adanger of invasion, which impelled the Is´ra-el-ites to seek for a stronger government (1 Sam. 12. 12). They felt themselves weak, while other nations were organized for conquest, and desired a king for leader in war.

4. Then, too, therule of Sam´u-elled the Is´ra-el-ites to desire a better organization of the government. For a generation they had enjoyed the benefit of a wise, strong, and steady rule. They feltunwilling to risk the dangers of tribal dissension after the death of Sam´u-el, and therefore they sought for a king.

5. But underlying all was theworldly ambitionof the people. They were not willing to remain the people of God and work out a peculiar destiny. They wished to be like the nations around, to establish a secular state, to conquer an empire for themselves (1 Sam 8. 5-20). It was this worldly spirit, whose results Sam´u-el saw, which made him unwilling to accede to the wish of the Is´ra-el-ites. But the very things against which he warned them (1 Sam. 8. 11-18) were just what they desired.

II.The Character of the Is´ra-el-ite Kingdom.When men change their plans God changes his. He desired Is´ra-el to remain a republic, and not to enter into worldly relations and aims. When, however, the Is´ra-el-ites were determined God gave them a king (1 Sam. 8. 22); but his rule was not to be like that of the nations around Is´ra-el. We ascertain the divine ideal of a kingdom for his chosen people:

1.It was a theocratic kingdom.That is, it recognized God as the supreme ruler, and the king as his representative, to rule in accordance with his will, and not by his own right. Only as people and king conformed to this principle could the true aims of the kingdom be accomplished (1 Sam. 12. 13-15). And if the king should deviate from this order he should lose his throne. Disobedience to the divine will caused the kingdom to pass from the family of Saul to that of Da´vid (1 Sam. 13. 13, 14; 15. 26).

2.It was a constitutional kingdom.The rights of the people were carefully guaranteed, and there was a written constitution (1 Sam. 10. 25). Nearly all the Oriental countries have always been governed by absolute monarchs, but Is´ra-el was an exception to this rule. The people could demand their rights from Re-ho-bo´am (1 Kings 12. 3, 4). A´hab could not take away nor even buy Na´both's vineyard against its owner's will (1 Kings 21. 1-3). No doubt the rights of the people were often violated, but the violation was contrary to the spirit of the monarchy.

3.It was regulated by the prophets.The order of prophets had a regular standing in the Is´ra-el-ite state. The prophet was a check upon the power of the king, as a representative both of God's will and the people's rights. He spoke not only of his own opinions, but by the authority of God. Notice instances of the boldnessof prophets in rebuking kings (1 Sam. 15. 16-23; 2 Sam. 12. 1-7; 1 Kings 13. 1-6; 17. 1; 22. 7-17). The order of prophets was like the House of Commons, between the king and the people.

III.The Reign of Saul.

1. This may be divided into two parts: 1.) Aperiod of prosperity, during which Saul ruled well, and freed Is´ra-el from its oppressors on every side (1 Sam. 14. 47, 48). 2.) Then aperiod of decline, in which Saul's kingdom seems to be falling in pieces, and only preserved by the prowess and ability of Da´vid. After Da´vid's exile the Phi-lis´tines again overran Is´ra-el, and Saul's reign ended in defeat and death.

2. We observe that Saul's reign wasa failure, and left the tribes in worse condition than it found them. 1.) He failedin uniting the tribes; for tribal jealousies continued (1 Sam. 10. 27), and at the close of his reign broke out anew in the establishment of rival thrones (2 Sam. 2. 4, 8, 9). 2.) He failedin making friends. He alienated Sam´u-el, and with him the order of prophets (1 Sam. 15. 35); he alienated Da´vid, the ablest young man of his age and the rising hope of Is´ra-el, and drove him into exile (1 Sam. 21. 10); he alienated the entire order of the priests, and caused many of them to be massacred (1 Sam. 22. 18). 3.) He failedto advance religion, left the tabernacle in ruins, left the ark in seclusion, broke up the service, and drove the priests whom he did not murder into exile (1 Sam. 22. 20-23). 4.) He failedto liberate Is´ra-el; at his death the yoke of the Phi-lis´tines was more severe than ever before (1 Sam. 31. 1-7). The most charitable view of Saul was that he was insane during the latter years of his life. The cause of his failure was a desire to reign as an absolute monarch, and an unwillingness to submit to the constitution of the realm.

[For Blackboard Outline and Review Questions see end of the lesson.]

Part Two

IV.The Reign of Da´vid.This was a brilliant period; for it was led by a great man, in nearly every respect the greatest, after Mo´ses, in Is´ra-el-ite history.

1. Notice thecondition of Is´ra-el at his accession. This will throw into relief the greatness of his character and his achievements.

1.) It was asubject people. Under Phi-lis´tine yoke; its warriorsslain, many of its cities deserted; Da´vid himself probably at first tributary to the king of Gath.

2.) It was adisorganized people. The tribes were divided; national unity was lost; and two thrones were set up, one at He´bron, the other at Ma-ha-na´-im (2 Sam. 2. 4-9).

EMPIRE OF DAVID

3.) It was apeople without religion. The tabernacle was gone; the ark was in neglect; there was no altar and no sacrifice; the priests had been slain.

We can scarcely imagine Is´ra-el at a lower ebb than when Da´vid was called to the throne.

2. We ascertainDa´vid's achievements, the results of his reign. 1.)He united the tribes.At first crowned king by Ju´dah only, later he was made king over all the tribes, by the desire of all (2 Sam. 5. 1-5). During his reign we find but little trace of the old feud between E´phra-im and Ju´dah, though it was not dead, and destined yet to rend the kingdom asunder.

2.)He subjugated the land.The conquest of Pal´es-tine, left incomplete by Josh´u-a, and delayed for nearly three hundred years, was finished at last by Da´vid in the capture of Je´bus, or Je-ru´sa-lem (2 Sam. 5. 6, 7), in the overthrow of the Phi-lis´tines (2 Sam. 5.17-25), and in the final capture of their capital city (1 Chron. 18. 1). At last Is´ra-el was possessor of its own land.

3.)He organized the government.He established a capital (2 Sam. 5. 9). He built a palace (2 Sam. 5. 11); notice that the builders were from Tyre, showing that the Is´ra-el-ites were not advanced in the arts. He established a system of government, with officers in the court and throughout the realm (1 Chron. 27. 25-34). Contrast all this with Saul, who ruled from his tent, like a Bed´ou-in sheik.

4.)He established an army.There was a royal bodyguard, probably of foreigners, like that of many European kings in modern times (2 Sam. 8. 18; 15. 18). There was a band of heroes, like Arthur's Round Table (2 Sam. 23. 8-39). There was "the host," the available military force, divided into twelve divisions, one on duty each month (1 Chron. 27. 1-15).

5.)He established religion.No sooner was Da´vid on the throne than he brought the ark out of its hiding place, and gave it a new home in his capital (1 Chron. 16. 1). The priesthood was organized, and divided into courses for the service of the tabernacle (1 Chron. 23. 27-32; 24. 1-19). He wrote many psalms, and caused others to be written, for the worship of God. Two prophets stood by his throne (1 Chron. 29. 29), and two high priests stood by the altar (1 Chron. 24. 3). This organization and uplifting of the public worship had a great effect upon the kingdom.

6.)He conquered all the surrounding nations.These wars were largely forced upon Da´vid by the jealousy of the neighboring kingdoms. In turn his armies conquered and annexed to his dominions the land of the Phi-lis´tines (1 Chron. 18. 1), Mo´ab (2 Sam. 8. 2), Syr´i-a, even to the great river Eu-phra´tes (2 Sam. 8. 3-6); E´dom (2 Sam. 8. 14), Am´mon, and the country east of Pal´es-tine (2 Sam. 10. 1-14; 12. 26-31). The empire of Da´vid thus extended from the frontier of E´gypt to the Eu-phra´tes River, fulfilling the promise of Josh. 1. 4. It was at least six times the area of the twelve tribes.

7.) We may add thathe reigned as a theocratic king. He realized more than any other monarch the divine ideal of a ruler, and so was "the man after God's own heart" (1 Sam. 13. 14); if not altogether in personal character, yet in the principles of his government. He respected the rights of his subjects, had a sympathy for allpeople, obeyed the voice of the prophets, and sought the interests of God's cause.[12]

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