085. Appendix I: A Practical Biblical Reference Library
APPENDIX I A PRACTICAL BIBLICAL REFERENCE LIBRARY
Books for Constant Reference. The biblical sources for the days of the united kingdom are so complete and the extra-biblical contemporary records are so few that the need for books of reference is not as great as in other periods of Israel’s history. The first volume of the Student’s Old Testament, entitled, The Beginnings of Hebrew History, gives a detailed introduction to the books of Joshua and Judges, and the reasons which have led to the separation of the older from the later narratives. The second volume, entitled, Israel’s Historical and Biographical Narratives, furnishes the corresponding data regarding the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon, and an introduction to the books of Samuel and Kings. Variant versions of the important events of this period are printed in parallel columns, and interpretative and textual notes are found at the foot of each page. At many different points the valuable articles in Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible throw clear light upon the events and characters of this period of Israel’s history. In addition, the student should have at hand a standard history of the Hebrew people, such as Smith’s Old Testament History, or else a more compact and popular history, such as Wade, Old Testament History, or Kent, A History of the Hebrew People: United Kingdom. George Adam Smith’s Historical Geography of the Holy Land is also especially useful for the study of this age, in which a clear knowledge of the geographical background is essential for the understanding of its stirring events.
Additional Books of Reference: Introductions. In addition to the books for constant reference, the teacher and student should be able to refer readily to certain of the most important books in English which throw light upon the background of the period. The Old Testament introductions by Professors McFadyen and Cornill are clear and useful for the general reader. Driver, Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament, is more technical and detailed. The articles on Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings in the Bible dictionaries are concise and illuminating.
Contemporary History and Religion. Breasted, History of the Ancient Egyptians, and Goodspeed, History of the Babylonians and Assyrians, give clear pictures of events in the contemporary life of the two great nations of the ancient Semitic world. Maspero’s Struggle of the Nations furnishes much valuable data regarding the broad historical background of Israel’s history. Regarding the heritage of religious institutions which the Hebrews received from their Semitic ancestors, Smith’s Religion of the Semites remains a great mine of information. Briefer and more popular are the little handbooks by Marti on the Religion of the Old Testament, and Budde, Religion of Israel to the Exile. The latest and in many ways the most satisfactory treatment of the subject is found in the article by Kautzsch on The Religion of Israel in the extra volume of Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible.
Hebrew History. In addition to the volumes on Hebrew History already mentioned, many students will find the brief, popular histories of Cornill and Ottley useful in gaining a clear view of Israel’s history as a whole. Kittel’s History of the Hebrews, in two volumes, contains a detailed discussion of the sources from a moderately progressive point of view, and presents an attractive reconstruction of the history. Volumes I and II of McCurdy’s History, Prophecy and the Monuments, deal especially with the political and social life of the Hebrews during the periods of settlement and empire building.
Commentaries. There is no good commentary in English on the book of Joshua. The admirable commentaries on Judges by Professor Moore and on the books of Samuel by Professor Smith in the International Critical Commentary leave little to be desired. Kirkpatrick’s more popular commentary on Samuel in the Cambridge Bible is also useful. Critical students will find Driver’s Notes on the Hebrew Text of the Books of Samuel and Burney’s Notes on the Hebrew Text of the Books of Kings both thorough and suggestive.