CHAPTER XI. THE JEWS. Early History of the Jews-The Cry for Deliverance-Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem-The Accession of King Ahab-Invasion of the Kingdom under Ahaz-The last King of Judah. A EARLY HISTORY OF THE JEWS. N account of the religion of the Jews may with great propriety be preceded by a succinct history of that people. They have been pronounced without reference to their religious belief or ceremonies as "among the most remarkable people in the annals of mankind." Contemplated in connection with their religion, and as a means of understanding it more fully, their history claims our attention more than that of any other nation. It instructs us in a different manner from that of any other, because it brings directly into view the divine dealings with them. The Jews, in the early periods of their history, are known under the more general name of Hebrews or Israelites, who constituted a community of which the Jews, as they were afterwards denominated, were only a part. This distinguished race, commonly called the people of God, was derived from Abraham, lineally descended in the tenth generation from Shem, the eldest son of Noah. In obedience to the command of God, Abraham, who was a son of Terah, the head of a pastoral family, left Ur in Chaldea, his native country, and dwelt with his father in Haran. Ur was a district to the northeast of that region which lies TRIBES OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD. 211 above the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates, and became afterwards the seat of the great Babylonian monarchy. Haran was a city situated in the northwest part of Mesopotamia. The former place, from the signification of the name, was supposed to be particularly infected with idolatry, and hence the reason of the command, connected with the purpose of God to make Abraham the father of a great and peculiar nation. By the same command, after Terah's death, he went into the land of Canaan, which God promised to his posterity. They were to be included within the boundaries of that country. Abraham having acquired a name by his wealth and piety, and having passed through various scenes of prosperity and trial, died at an advanced age, leaving behind him several sons, of whom Isaac only was the child of promise. Ishmael, by Hagar, the maid of Abraham's wife, became the progenitor of a distinct tribe or nation. The Arabs, to this day, claim to be descended from the son of Hagar. Two sons were the progeny of Isaac, viz., Esau and Jacob, the former of whom sold his birthright to Jacob, who also, by artifice, obtained his father's blessing. Esau was the ancestor of the Edomites or Idumeans. In the line of Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, were the Israelites descended. His twelve sons gave the names to the twelve tribes, of which the nation was composed. Jacob closed an eventful life 1689 years B.C., in making a prophetic declaration of the future state of his descendants, and the period of the coming of the Messiah. He had previously been brought out of Canaan into Egypt, by means of his son Joseph, whom his brethren, through envy and malice, sold into that country. Joseph, who was much loved by his father, and hated by his brethren, upon a certain occasion which was presented, fell into the power of the latter, who sought to slay him. This design, however, being providentially prevented, they availed themselves of the opportunity of selling him to a company of Ishmaelite slave-merchants, who carried him into Egypt, where he was bought by Potiphar, an officer of the court. Here, at length, he was wrongfully thrown into prison, by a false accusation of Potiphar's wife; but being proved to be an interpreter of dreams, he was released from his confinement, and introduced to the notice of Pharach, the Egyptian king, who, on a certain occasion, wanted his services in this capacity. His success in interpreting the king's dreams, and his subsequent conduct, procured for him the highest distinction; and he became the administrator of the government. During the famine which he had predicted in interpreting those dreams, and which reached the land of Canaan, all his brethren, except Benjamin, came to him to buy corn. Joseph knew them, although they did not know him; and, by an innocent contrivance, having brought them into Egypt the second time with their brother Benjamin, he declared to them that he was Joseph, whom they had persecuted and sold. Their surprise, mortification, and terror were at first overwhelming; but their distressing apprehensions were, in due time, alleviated by his assurances of pardon and kindness; and inviting his father, and the whole family into Egypt, he allotted them a portion of the territory. Here he protected them; and under his auspices they became flourishing and happy. Joseph continued to rule over Egypt after the death of Jacob, who had sojourned in that country seventeen years. His own decease, which occurred 1635 years B.C., left the Israelites without a protector. In less than forty years from this event, they found a cruel tyrant and oppressor in another king who knew not Joseph. This king perceiving that the Hebrews had become numerous and mighty, resolved to enfeeble them: and, therefore, condemned them to slavery, and ordered that every new-born son among them should be cast into the river. The object in view was defeated; for the people increased in an unexampled manner. THE CRY FOR DELIVERANCE. The history of the Israelites now assumed a very marked character. Oppressed by the Egyptian monarch, they cried unto God for deliverance, and a divine deliverance they ex |