The Bible History, Old Testament

Volume VI

By Alfred Edersheim

Table of Contents

  TITLE PAGE
  PREFACE
CHAPTER 1

Three Years’ Famine in Israel — Elijah meets Obadiah and Ahab — The Gathering on Mount Carmel — the Priests of Baal — Description of their Rites — Elijah prepares the Sacrifice — The Answer by Fire — Israel’s Decision — Slaughter of the Priests of Baal — The Cloud not bigger than a Man’s Hand — Elijah runs before Ahab to Jezreel

CHAPTER 2 Different Standpoint of the Old and the New Testament — analogy between Elijah and John the Baptist — Jezebel threatens Elijah’s Life — The Prophet’s Flight — His Miraculous Provision — Analogy between Moses and Elijah — Elijah at Mount Horeb — The Divine Message and Assurance to Elijah — Call of Elisha.
CHAPTER 3 General effect of Elijah’s Mission — The Two Expeditions of Syria and the Twofold Victory of Israel — Ahab releases Ben-hadad — The Prophet’s Denunciation.
CHAPTER 4 The Vineyard of Naboth — Murder of Naboth — The Divine Message by Elijah — Ahab’s Repentance.
CHAPTER 5 AHAB AND AHAZIAH, (EIGHTH AND NINTH) KINGS OF ISRAEL. JEHOSHAPHAT, (FOURTH) KING OF JUDAH. The Visit of Jehoshaphat to Ahab — The Projected Expedition against Ramoth-Gilead — Flattering Predictions — Micaiah — The Battle of Ramoth-Gilead — Death of Ahab
CHAPTER 6 JEHOSHAPHAT, (FOURTH) KING OF JUDAH. The Reproof and Prophecy of Jehu — Resumption of the Reformation in Judah — Institution of Judges and of a Supreme Court in Jerusalem — Incursion of the Moabites and their Confederates — National Fast and the Prayer of the King — Prophecy of Victory — The March to Tekoa — Destruction of the Enemy — The Valley of Berakhah — Return to Jerusalem
CHAPTER 7 JEHOSHAPHAT, (FOURTH) KING OF JUDAH, AHAZIAH AND (JEHORAM) JORAM, (NINTH AND TENTH) KING OF ISRAEL The Joint Maritime Expedition to Ophir — Ahaziah’s Reign and Illness — The proposed Inquiry of Baal-zebub — The Divine Message by Elijah — Attempts to Capture the Prophet, and their Result — Elijah appears before the King — Death of Ahaziah — Accession of Joram — The Ascent of Elijah — Elisha takes up his Mantle
CHAPTER 8 ELISHA THE PROPHET Return to Jericho — Healing of the Waters of Jericho — Judgment on the Young Men at Bethel — Settlement in Samaria
CHAPTER 9 JEHOSHAPHAT, (FOURTH) KING OF JUDAH — JORAM, (TENTH) KING OF ISRAEL The Allied Expedition against Moab — The Moabite Stone — Lessons of its Inscription — The March through the Wilderness of Edom — Want of Water — Interview with Elisha — Divine Deliverance — Defeat of Moab — The Siege of Kir-haraseth — Mesha offers up his Son — Withdrawal of the Allies
CHAPTER 10 THE MINISTRY OF ELISHA AS THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LIVING GOD IN ISRAEL The Prophet’s Widow and her Miraculous Deliverance — The Shunammite and Elisha — The God-given Child — His Death and Restoration to Life — Elisha at Gilgal — “Death in the Pot” — The Man from Baal-Shalisha — God’s sufficient and unfailing Provision for His own
CHAPTER 11 Illustration and Confirmation of Biblical History from the Assyrian Monuments — The Deliverance of Syria through Naaman — Naaman’s Leprosy and Journey to Samaria — Elisha’s Message to Joram and to Naaman — Naaman’s Healing and Twofold Request — Gehazi’s Deceit and Conviction
CHAPTER 12 Two Wonderful Manifestations of God’s Presence with His Prophet: The Interposition on behalf of “the Sons of the Prophets” by the banks of Jordan, and that in the deliverance of Elisha at Dothan — Influence of Elisha’s Ministry — The Syrians led blinded into Samaria — The Conduct of the King and of the Prophet
CHAPTER 13 Siege of Samaria by the Syrians — Terrible Straits and Tragedy in the City — The King sends to slay Elisha, but arrests his Messenger — Announced Deliverance, and Judgment on the Unbelieving “Lord” — The Discovery by the Four Lepers — Flight of the Syrians — Relief of Samaria — The Unbelieving trodden to Death in the Gate
CHAPTER 14 CLOSE OF ELISHA’S PUBLIC MINISTRY: THE BEGINNING OF JUDGMENT The Shunammite on her Return from Philistia restored to her Property — Elisha’s Visit to Damascus — The Embassy of Hazael — Prediction of Future Judgment — The Murder of Ben-hadad and accession of Hazael.
CHAPTER 15 JEHORAM AND AHAZIAH, (FIFTH AND SIXTH) KINGS OF JUDAH JORAM, (TENTH) KING OF ISRAEL Accession of Jehoram — Murder of the Royal Princes — Introduction of the service of Baal in Judah — Revolt of Edom — And of Libnah — The Writing from Elijah — Incursion of the Philistines and Arabs — Death of Jehoram — State of Public Feeling
CHAPTER 16 JORAM AND JEHU, (TENTH AND ELEVENTH) KINGS OF ISRAEL AHAZIAH, (SIXTH) KING OF JUDAH Accession of Ahaziah — Character of his Reign — Expedition of Joram and Ahaziah against Hazael, and taking of Ramoth-Gilead — Joram returns Wounded to Jezreel — Visit of Ahaziah — Jehu anointed King — March on Jezreel — Joram killed — Death of Ahaziah — Jezebel killed — Fulfillment of the Divine sentence by Elijah
CHAPTER 17 JEHU, (ELEVENTH) KING OF ISRAEL ATHALIAH, (SEVENTH) QUEEN OF JUDAH Murder of the “Sons” of Ahab and Joram — Destruction of the adherents of Ahab in Jezreel — March on Samaria — Slaughter of the “Brethren” of Ahaziah — Jehonadab the son of Rechab — Meaning of the Rechabite movement — The Feast of Baal at Samaria — Destruction of the Worshippers — Character of the Reign of Jehu — Decline of the Northern Kingdom — Commencing Decline of the Southern Kingdom
  Appendix