The Story of the Bible
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Printed for LOGOS PUBLICATIONS 632 Burbridge Road, West Beach, South Australia 5024 by Eureka Press, he Story of the Bible A detailed exposition of the Bible discussed within the family circle. The children of the Phillips family gather with their parents for a daily reading of the Bible — an important part of their lives. Then they discuss together the remarkable events of the greatest Book in all the world. SJsraeVs Solden Opportunity third volume of °ur Story of the Bible introduces us to the golden age of Israel's y; to the time when the kingdom was ruled by David and Solomon to the admiration of other nations. Unfortunately for Israel (though not for Gentiles — see Rom. 11:12-23) it did not retain this glory, but, turning aside from the way of Yahweh, it experienced distress. The previously united kingdom was divided, and because of constant alternating periods of apostasy, the record is one of sunshine and cloud, of victory and defeat, of faithful obedience and ungrateful wickedness. National sin brought national disgrace and sad- ness. This erupted into civil war and ultimately cap- tivity. The original glory was obscured in the smoke of destruction: Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed, and Israel taken captive by the Gentiles. Nevertheless there were many men and women of outstanding faith during that period whose names are recorded in the Book of Life; and many incidents of great importance and outstanding interest. These all have a message for us. The apostle Paul wrote: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Where- fore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation (trial) taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1Cor. 10:11- 13). Let us search out these examples and incidents that we may avoid the mistakes of some and emu- late the faithful obedience of others. By so doing we will enjoy the commendation of the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming, and enter a kingdom that will far exceed that of the past in majesty, glory, extent and duration. Contents ISRAEL'S GREATEST KING 1. David commences his reign 11 2. David's Triumph... 30 3. Royal Promises to King David 55 4. David's Kingdom becomes an Empire 65 5. David Organises his Kingdom 76 6. David's Sin 80 7. David's Family Trouble 90 8. Absalom Challenges his Father's Rule 106 KING DAVID'S NATIONAL TROUBLES 1. Recognition of Israel's Failures 125 2. Divine Punishments upon Kings and People 128 3. The Final Glory of David 134 4. Last Acts of David 147 THE GOLDEN AGE OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY 1. Solomon Commences a Reign of Glory 159 2. The Peace and Glory of Solomon's Reign 165 3. The Glorious Temple of Solomon 170 4. The Magnificent Palace of Solomon 184 5. Dedication of the Temple 189 6. Mr. Phillips Discusses the Queen of Sheba's Visit 199 7. Solomon's Decline 203 DIVISION IN ISRAEL 1. Jeroboam Incites the People to Revolt 215 2. Jeroboam Strengthens His Hold on Israel 220 3. Difficulties in Both Northern and Southern Kingdoms 227 4. Asa: A Good King in Difficult Times 237 5. Wickedness in the Northern Kingdom of Israel 248 6. Judah is Strengthened by the Wise Leadership of Jehoshaphat 258 THE WITNESS OF THE PROPHETS 1. Elijah: Israel's Greatest Prophet 261 2. Elijah Returns to the Land 276 3. Elisha, The Successor is Selected 290 7 4. Times of Crisis Erupt Throughout the World 301 5. Elijah's Departure 318 6. The Work of Elisha the Prophet 324 7. Miracles in Moab and Israel 328 8. The Confession and Cure of Naaman the Syrian 345 9. Further Remarkable Miracles by Elisha 353 10. Divine Vengeance on the house of Ahab 373 11. The Ways of the Wicked Athaliah 386 12. Jehoahaz Brings Israel Low 393 13. The Remarkable Sign of Jonah 397 14. How Hosea Warned the People of Coming Trouble 408 We are pleased to acknowledge the helpful assistance of Bro. John Ullman and Sis. Rene Adams in the proofing and checking of the copy, and to Bro. Mark Edwards in providing many of the pen sketch illustrations used in this volume. — G. E. Mansfield, Editor. We are introduced to David in the First Book of Samuel and are told of his early life in Bethlehem, then of his wanderings in the wilderness; but the account of his reign over Israel is recorded in the Second Book of Samuel; and is also given in the first Book of Chronicles. Originallyy the two books of Samuel formed one book. It is generally believed that the prophet Samuel wrote the first twenty-four chapters of the First Book that bears his name, and that the rest of the book, and the Second Book of Samuel was the work of the prophets Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29-30). ' The Second Book of Samuel tells the story of David's reign and covers a period of forty years, commencing when David began to reign at the age of thirty (2 Samuel 5:4). It can be divided into two parts: the first (covering chapters I to 12) recording his triumph as he came to the kingdom; firstly in Hebron over Judah (chapters 1 to 4), and then in Jerusalem over all Israel (chapters 5 to 12). The second portion (covering chapters 13 to 24) outlines his troubles. This, too, is divided into two parts, for chap- ters 13 to 18 record his family disgrace, whilst chapters 19 to 24 provide a record of Israel's national problems. The theme of the book, therefore, shows how sin turns Triumph into Tribulation. Why should the Bible record the reign of David in such detail? There are two main reasons. Firstly: he was the real founder of the monarchy, the great hero of the nation, the legislator, spiritual leader and poet of his people, the organiser of its Temple worship, and, above all, the one to whom Yahweh gave the third great covenant of promise. Secondly: his kingdom typed that which the Lord Jesus shall establish, for he shall build again the tabernacle of David "as in the days of old" (Amos 9:11). No wonder, therefore, that the description of his life and government occupies so large a place in the divine record. By tracing these things carefully, we can see the shadow of things to come when the Lord Jesus shall reign on earth upon the throne of David (Luke 1:32-33). 10 Chapter One DAVID COMMENCES HIS REIGN "I have a question to ask you," said Peter to his father as the fami- ly gathered in the book-lined room Mr. Phillips likes to call "his library", to consider the portion of the Bible set down for the day. "What is it?" asked Mr. Phillips. "Why should the Bible contain two records of David's life?" "Does it do that?" asked Ann. "Yes, it is recorded in the books of Samuel and also in the book of Chronicles," said Mr. Phillips. "That is right,"said Peter. "Why should it do so?" "One reason is given in Genesis 41:32," replied his father. "There we learn that Yahweh doubles a thing because of its importance. The life of David is important, and is therefore doubled in Scripture." "That is a good wriggle out of a hard question," said Peter, with a grin. "But your answer is not good enough. If we accept what you say, then we would have to admit that the life of David was more important than that of Abraham or Moses, for they are not given twice!" "That's true," agreed Ann. "What do you make of that, Daddy?" "The life of David was more important than that of Abraham or of Moses to those for whom the books of Chronicles were first written," said Mr. Phillips with a smile. "What do you mean by that?" asked Peter. "The books of Chronicles were written after the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon," explained Mr. Phillips. "It is thought that Ezra was the author, and as we shall learn when we come to study his life, he led a group of people back from banishment in Babylon to the land of Israel. They returned to rebuild the State and set up again the true worship of Yahweh. Therefore it was very important to carefully link the regathering of the Jews that took place at that time with the history of the nation that had already occurred. The gap between the time they had been taken captive from the land of Israel, to when they had returned, had to be bridged, and the books of Chronicles do that". "You are not very clear," complained Peter. "Why couldn't the returning Jews just read the books of Samuel? That would have linked them with their past history!" "Peter's getting very difficult, Daddy, isn't he?" remarked Ann. "No," replied Mr. Phillips. "I like you to question me, and if I do not explain any matter clearly, do not hesitate to continue to ask ques- tions. You will not learn otherwise." "Well, I have asked a question, and want a reply," said Peter, somewhat cheekily.