ARGUMENT.

THE argument of the former book will, in a great measure, serve for this. Some things recorded in the two books of Kings are omitted in this book; and several things are contained in it, of which no mention is made there; particularly in the history of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah. And many other things there mentioned are here more fully and clearly explained, as will be observed in the acts of Abijah, Asa, Joash, and other kings of Judah. Upon which account, St. Jerome says, this book is such, and of so great use, that he who without it will pretend to understand the prophets, will expose himself to scorn.

This book begins where the former left off, with the reign of Solomon, from the death of David, and continues the history of the kings of Judah to the captivity, and concludes with the fall of that illustrious monarchy, and the destruction of the temple. That monarchy, as it was prior in time, so it was in dignity, to the four which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of. The Babylonian began in Nebuchadnezzar himself, and lasted about seventy years: the Persian monarchy, in several families, about a hundred and thirty: the Grecian, in its several branches, about three hundred: and three hundred more went far with the Roman. Whereas the monarchy of Judah continued considerable in a lineal descent, between four and five hundred years. We had the story of the house of David before, intermixed with that of the kings of Israel; but here we have it entire: much is repeated here which we had before; yet many passages are enlarged on, and divers added, which we had not before, especially relating to religion; the reign of Solomon we have, chap. 1.-9. That of Rehoboam, chap. 10.-12. The short reign of Abijah, chap. 13. The long reign of Asa, chap. 14.-16. The reign of Jehoshaphat, chap. 17.-20. Of Jehoram and Ahaziah, chap. 21., 22. Of Joash and Amaziah, chap. 23., 24. Of Uzziah, chap. 26. Of Jotham, chap. 27. Of Ahaz, chap. 28. Of Hezekiah, chap. 29.-32. Of Manasseh and Amon, chap. 33. Of Josiah, chap. 34., 35. Of his sons, chap. 36.