THE LIFE AND REIGN OF DAVID KING OF ISRAEL. BY GEORGE SMITH, LL.D., F.A.S., MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON: LONGMANS, GREEN, READER, AND DYER. SOLD ALSO AT 66, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1867. 101. f. 167. PREFACE. THE Life and Reign of David is a subject so full of interest and importance, that it has had a large share of attention from biblical critics, commentators, and historians. Yet, notwithstanding the numerous articles and able works which have been devoted to it, there has been, as far as the observation of the author has extended, one important aspect of the case left almost untouched; and thus at least one great desideratum remains unsupplied. The Life and Reign of David was the most influential portion of Hebrew history; for it was the grand epoch which gave to the elect people of God the first important movement toward the development of their national resources, and which introduced into their polity great elements of social and religious progress. Besides all this, there were then brought into view such glorious revelations of Divine truth respecting the future of God's Israel, as made that period not only the centre-point of Old-Testament history, but also, in no unimportant sense, a key to the great scheme of human redemption. The reign of David also exhibited the divinely appointed theocracy of Hebrew government in its nearest approach to purity and practical perfection. And under these influences there was raised up by David a kingdom which was then, and has ever since continued to be, a standing type and precursor of the kingdom of Messiah, who is on this account emphatically called "the Son of David," and whose reign is accordingly spoken of as "the throne of David," and "the kingdom of David." These topics have been doubtless referred to by previous writers, but in a manner so partial and unconnected as to leave the mind of the author deeply impressed with the religious importance of contributing to some extent toward supplying the deficiency; and this he has endeavoured to do in the present volume. In performing this task his aim has been to present a fair and faithful narrative of the life of the son of Jesse, and a truthful account of his reign. At the same time he has given due prominence to the religious element throughout the whole course of the king's career; as, without this, any life of David must appear only as an account of a lifeless, spiritless skeleton. To this end many of his Psalms have been placed in juxta-position with the events which called them forth; and special importance is attached to the introduction of a new and most influential agency" the service of song "-into public worship, while the nature of the worship which obtained after this change had been effected has been carefully considered. The religious doctrines taught and received at this time, are also briefly stated; and the peculiar relation of David's kingdom to the sovereign rule of Jehovah is distinctly recognised. And, lastly, the numerous prophecies which speak of David and his kingdom in relation to the Messiah have been fully examined and explained. |