A harmony of the kings and prophets...

Front matter

HARMON Y , 7

THE KINGS AND PROPHETS;

OR,

Preface

The object of this Compilation of the Holy Scriptures, is to present a connected view of the Kings and the Prophets with reference to order of time which each occupied. Every attentive reader must have noticed that this order is very little regarded, either in the historical or prophetical part of this portion of the sacred volume. We are carried forward several years, and then, without any distinctly marked notice, we are brought back to the same period. This occasions inconvenience to the reader, and not unfrequently obscurity.

For persons in ordinary life to arrange, correctly, the chronology of these books, is more than we have a right to expect. Yet such arrangement not unfrequently gives peculiar force and beauty to the Scriptures. Take Hosea, xi. 8, for example. "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel ? How shall I make thee as Admah ? How shall I set thee as Zeboim ? My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together." The knowledge of the chronology of this inimitably pathetic address to the kingdom of Israel, makes it but five years before the utter extinction of that kingdom ; and thus presents to our view a scene, in which the great Jehovah is the actor, resembling that of the most affectionate parent pursuing his son in a last effort to save him from self-destruction.

IV

PREFACE.

However much men were disposed to study the Scriptures, most of the Bibles in the community have no chronology noted, and they have no means by which correctly to ascertain it ; and others who have the chronology, either have not found leisure or inclination to search it out.

The sacred text will be kept as distinct and as free as possible from original composition ; adding nothing, except occasionally as a connecting link between passages which could not be gained harmoniously without ; and sometimes a short explanatory note or parenthesis.

That this book may assist in the study and in the understanding of the Holy Scriptures, is the prayer of the author.

S. Merrill.

HARMONY,

The promise of a Saviour which God made to our first parents, was solemnly ratified in a covenant with Abraham, and confirmed to the sceptre of David. To him God said,

2 SAMUEL, VII. B. C. 1042.

12 I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son : if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee : thy throne shall be established for ever.

10 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years : seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

1 CHRONICLES, XXIX.

23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered ; and all Israel obeyed him.

24 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

25 And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty, as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

Solomon.

2 CHRONICLES, I.

6 And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon it.

7 IT In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.

9 Now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto David my father be established : for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people that is so great?

11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life ; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king ;

12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee ; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

B. C. -992. I kings, ix.

God's covenant in a vision with Solomon. The mutual presents of Solomon and Hiram. Solomon's yearly sacrifices.

1 And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,

2 That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.

3 And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever ; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

4 And if thou wilt w T alk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments ;

5 Then 1 will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, you, or your children, and will not keep my commandments, and my statutes, which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them ;

* Mr. Townsend has dated this portion B. C. 100], which is three years only after the dedication ; the date of which, in his book and mind, agree. But Solomon was thirteen years building his own house. Reckoning the first and the last of these, after the manner of the Hebrews, the date will agree with the above. I must conclude, therefore, that Townsend'S date is erroneous.

Solomon.