CONTENTS. David provides for his parents-He goes to the forest of David marries Abigail and also Ahinoam-David again David and his men at Ziklag-He destroys the Geshurites and Amalekites-The Philistines attack the Israelites- Saul and his army are defeated-He kills himself—The men CONTENTS. 5 Amnon grossly injures Tamar, and is put to death by Ab- David is reconciled to Absalom-The rebellion of the lat- Hushai's counsel prevails--David goes to Mahanaim-Ab- Joab reproves David, who shows himself to the people- The tribes bring David back-He is met by Shimei, Ziba, David makes preparations for the building of the temple- Solomon is anointed king, and pardons Adonijah-David David contributes of his own property to the temple-His thanksgiving and prayer-What he did with regard to Solomon's birth and name-How he began his reign---299 Shimei is put to death-Solomon's officers, and the provis- Preparations for building the temple-Solomon marries a daughter of the king of Egypt--The temple is finished-323 God appears the second time to Solomon-He gives twenty Solomon's commerce-His vast wealth and wisdom-Visit Rehoboam's conference with the people-Ten tribes revolt 6 DAVID. CHAPTER I. SAMUEL IS SENT TO ANOINT DAVID, AND EXECUTES HIS COMMISSION. AN EVIL SPIRIT TROUBLES SAUL. A YOUTHFUL Shepherd becomes the king of a great people. Such was the wonder-working providence of God at that eventful period in the history of the Israelites which we now proceed to consider. The career of Saul was soon to end. His flagrant disobedience of the divine commands had caused the forfeiture of his crown. "I have rejected him from reigning over Israel," was the declaration of God to the prophet Samuel; "fill thy horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons." The prophet obeyed the injunction; and to avoid the danger that might threaten him from the resentment of Saul, he was directed to say, when he reached Bethlehem, that he had come to sacrifice to the Lord. This would be no departure from the truth, while the other and more impor |