An introduction to the Old Testament, critical, historical, and theological

INTRODUCTION

ΤΟ

THE OLD TESTAMENT,

CRITICAL, HISTORICAL, AND THEOLOGICAL,

CONTAINING

A DISCUSSION OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS BELONGING
TO THE SEVERAL BOOKS.

SAMUEL DAVIDSON, D. D.,

OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HALLE, AND LL.D.

WILLIAMS AND NORGATE,

14, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN,

AND

20, SOUTH FREDERICK STREET, EDINBURGH.

1862.

100. p. 49.

101. b. 53

CONTENTS.

THE HISTORICAL BOOKS.

THE BOOKS OF KINGS.

I. Name.-II. Contents.-III. Unity and diversity.-IV. Sources.-V. Date

and authorship.-VI. Nature of the history.-VII.-General scope.-VIII. The

prophets in 1 Kings xxii. 6.-IX. Elisha's conduct to the children..........

THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES.

I. Name.-II. Contents.-III. Sources.-IV. The books of Samuel and

Kings among the Chronicler's sources.—
s.-V. Examination of 1 Chron. i.-ix.—

VI. Relation of Chronicles to the other historical books of the Old Testament.—

VII. Scope.-VIII. Apologetic spirit and historical credibility.-IX. State of
the text.-X. Date and author.-XI. Elijah's letter, in 2 Chron. xxi. 12–15 ...

PAGE

THE BOOK OF EZRA.

I. Union of Ezra and Nehemiah.-II. Contents.-III. The number of sacred

vessels stated to have been taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar.—IV.

Lists of the numbers of returned exiles.-V. Authorship.-VI. Alleged unity

and independence

121

THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH.

I. Contents.-II. Comparison of Nehemiah xi. 3-24, with 1 Chron. ix. 1–22.

-III. Examination of Nehemiah x. 2-28.-IV. Time of Nehemiah's adminis-

tration.-V. Authorship and date.-VI. Summary of authorship in the books of

Ezra and Nehemiah.-VII. The so-called seventy years' captivity in Babylon... 133

THE BOOK OF ESTHER.

I. Contents.-II. Scope.-III. The Ahasuerus of the book.-IV. Historical
improbabilities.-V. Integrity.-VI. Author and age.-VII. Absence of a reli-
gious spirit.-VIII. Estimates of the book by Jews and Christians

I. Name of the hero described in the book.-II. Contents.-III. Structure of

the poem.-IV. Locality of Job and his three friends.-V. Age of Job.-VI.

His historical existence.-VII. Locality and age of the writer.-VIII. Unity

and integrity.-IX. Problem of the book.-X. Job xix. 25-27.-XI. Job xiv.

13-15.-XII. Job xvi. 18, 19.-XIII. Job xxii. 15-20.-XIV. Views of Satan

and angels.—XV. Internal evidence of the book opposed to plenary inspiration. 174

THE BOOK OF PSALMS.

I. General title.-II. Divisions.-III. Alphabetical psalms.-IV. Titles.-