086. Appendix II: General Questions And Subjects For Special Research

II GENERAL QUESTIONS AND SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH The GENERAL QUESTIONS, as in Volume I, follow the main divisions of the book and are intended to guide the student in collecting and coordinating the more important facts contained in the biblical text of each section or in the accompanying notes. The SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH are intended to point the way to further study in related lines, and, by means of detailed references, to introduce the reader to the most helpful passages in the best books of reference. In classroom work many of these topics may be profitably assigned for personal research and report. The references are to pages, unless otherwise indicated. Ordinarily, several parallel references are given that the student may be able to utilize the book at hand. More detailed classified bibliographies will be found in the appendices of volumes I and II of the Student’s Old Testament.

§ XXXI. The Crossing of the Jordan. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the contents of (1) the book of Joshua and (2) Judges 2. The Canaanite civilization of Palestine. 3. Effects of Egyptian rule. 4. Historical significance of the visit of the spies to Jericho. 5. The oldest account of the crossing of the Jordan. 6. Later parallels. 8. What did the crossing of the Jordan mean to the Hebrews ?

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The lower Jordan valley. Hastings, D. B., II, 759–60, 764–5; Encyc. Bib., II, 2578–80; Smith, H. G. H. L., 482–96. Libbey and Hoskins, Jordan Valley and Petra, II, 137–56. 2. The Northern Israelite and late priestly accounts of the crossing of the Jordan. St. O. T., I, 258–62. 3. Political conditions in Canaan according to the el-Amarna letters. Winckler, Tell-el-Amarna Letters; Marti, Relig. of the O. T., 72–6. 4. The religion of the Canaanites. Marti, Relig. of the O. T., 78–96; Wade, O. T. Hist. 84–90.

§ XXXII. Capture of Jericho and Ai. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the situation of Jericho. 2. The Canaanite city revealed by recent excavations. 3. Compare the two accounts of the capture of Jericho. 4. Why did the Hebrews slay its inhabitants? 5. Describe the crime and punishment of Achan. 6. The strategy by which Ai was captured. 7. The basis and terms of the treaty with the Gibeonites. 8. Formulate the testimony of the oldest records regarding the character and work of Joshua.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. History of the city of Jericho. Hastings, D. B., II, 579–82; Encyc. Bib., II, 2396–2403; Smith, H. G. H. L., 266–8. 2. Ancient Semitic methods of warfare. Hastings, D. B., IV, 893–5; Encyc. Bib., IV, 5264–9. 3. The Semitic custom of devoting captured cities and peoples to the gods. Smith, Relig. of the Semites, 453. Hastings, D. B., extra vol., 619–20. 4. Joshua’s rôle in the later Hebrew traditions. Hastings, D. B., II, 786; Kittel, Hist. of the Hebs., Vol. I, 293–7; Smith, O. T. Hist., 82–3. 5. The two traditional versions of Joshua’s farewell address. St. O. T., I, 297–300.

§ XXXIII. Conditions and Conquests in Canaan. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the process by which the Hebrews became masters of Canaan. 2. The friendly Arab tribes in the south (cf. map, op. p. 19). 3. The decisive battles in the south, and the cities captured by the Hebrews 4. The zone of Canaanite cities which separated the Hebrew tribes in the south from those in the north. 5. The important cities in central and northern Palestine retained by the Canaanites. 6. Ehud’s act of deliverance, and its significance.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The hill country of Judah. Encyc. Bib., II, 2622; Smith, H. G. H. L., 305–20. 2. The central plateau of Palestine. Hastings, D. B., IV, 375; Smith, H. G. H. L., 247–56, 323–64. 3. Excavations at the ruins of the Canaanite cities on the plain of Esdraelon. Marti, Relig. of the O. T., 75–8; Sellin, Tell Ta’annek, and Der Ertrag der Ausgrabungen im Orient.

§ XXXIV. The Establishment of the Danite Tribe and Sanctuary. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Give the history of Micah’s sanctuary. 2. Describe the expedition of the Danite spies. 3. The situation of Laish (later Dan). 4. The plunder of Micah’s sanctuary. 5. Later history of the Danite sanctuary. 6. The popular ideas of right and wrong in the days of the settlement. 7. The religious symbols and customs. 8. The prevailing ideas of Jehovah.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The upper Jordan valley. Hastings, D. B., II, 757–8; Encyc. Bib., II, 2577–8; Smith, H. G. H. L., 471–81; Libbey and Hoskins, Jordan Valley and Petra, I, 86–104. 2. The moral standards revealed by the story of the Gibeathites, St. O. T., I, 303–10. 3. The story of Ruth: date, contents, light which it sheds on this period, and its literary, historical, archaeological and religious value. St. O. T., I, 310–5; Hastings, D. B., IV, 316; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4166–72; Driver, Introd. to the Lit. of the O. T., 453–6; Mc-Fadyen, Introd. to the O. T., 290–3.

§ XXXV. Experiences of the Different Tribes. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the literary form and real character of the “Blessings of Jacob.” 2. The early history of the Reubenites. 3. Of the tribes of Simeon and Levi. 4. Probable reasons why the Levites became the custodians of the sanctuaries. 5. Meaning of the oracles regarding Judah and Benjamin. 6. The characteristics and early experiences of the northern tribes. 7. The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. 8. Light which these ancient songs throw upon the life of the Hebrews during the period of settlement.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Ancient Hebrew poetry. Hastings, D. B., IV, 10–12; Encyc. Bib., III, 3795–99. 2. A comparison of the Jacob oracles with the variant version attributed to Moses (Deuteronomy 33). 3. The tradition in Genesis 34. St. O. T., I, 120–3. 4. A map showing the final homes of each of the Hebrew tribes. Cf. map, op. p. 19. Kent and Madsen, Hist. and Topog. Maps for Bible Students, II. 5. Picture the conditions in Canaan during the period of settlement.

§ XXXVI. The Great Victory Over the Canaanites. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the two different accounts of the victory. 2. The literary character of the poetic version. 3. Conditions in Canaan before the battle. 4. Deborah’s work as a prophetess. 5. The motives which influenced the Hebrew tribes to rise against the Canaanites. 6. Tribes which failed to respond. 7. The battle beside the Kishon. 8. The death of Sisera at the hand of Jail. 9. The political, social and religious significance of the victory.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The plain of Esdraelon. Hastings, D. B., I, 757–8; Encyc. Bib., II, 1391; Smith, H. G. H. L., 379–409. 2. The position of women among the early Hebrews. Hastings, D. B., IV, 933–4; Encyc. Bib., II, 1499–1501, III, 2946–48. 3. The assimilation of the old Canaanite population, civilization and religious customs. Marti, Relig. of the O. T., 95–111; Smith, O. T. Hist., 172; Hastings, D. B., extra vol., 634–48.

§ XXXVII. Gideon’s Victory and Kingdom. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the points of difference and agreement in the two accounts of Gideon’s victory and kingdom. 2. Conditions in central Canaan. 3. The tradition of Gideon’s call and its meaning. 4. The successful attack upon the Midianite robbers. 5. The founding of Gideon’s kingdom. 6. The conspiracy and reign of Abimelech. 7. The significance of Gideon’s kingdom.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The character of the Midianites. Hastings, D. B., III, 365–6; Encyc. Bib., III, 3079–81. 2. The primitive ideas of sacrifice reflected in the account of Gideon’s call. Hastings, D. B., IV, 329–30; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4217–9; Smith, Relig. of the Semites, 218–24; 252–65. 3. The Semitic law of blood revenge. Smith, Relig. of the Semites, 72, 420; Gordon, Early Trads. of Gen., 201–6; Hastings, D. B., extra vol., 623. 4. Northern Israelite version of Gideon’s victory. St. O. T., I, 324–30; Moore, Judges, 173–7. 5. The city of Shechem. Hastings, D. B., IV, 484–6; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4437–39; Smith, H. G. H. L., 332–4, 345–6. 6. Jotham’s fable. St. O. T., I, 331–2; Moore, Judges, 244–52.

§ XXXVIII. Jephthah’s Victory Over the Ammonites. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the situation and problems of the east-Jordan tribes. 2. Jephthah’s early history. 3. The peril of the Gileadites. 4. Jephthah’s vow. 5. The rivalry between the Hebrew tribes on the east and the west of the Jordan. 6. The characters and achievements of the deliverers who figure in the period of settlement.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The physical characteristics of the territory of Gilead. Hastings, D. B., II, 174–5; Encyc. Bib., II, 1725–8; Smith, H. G. H. L., 548, 575–90. 2. The early history of the Ammonites. Hastings, D. B., I, 82–3; Encyc. Bib., I, 142–4. 3. The vow in early Hebrew religion. Hastings, D. B., I, 479, IV, 872–3; Encyc. Bib., IV, 5252–4; Curtiss, Primitive Semitic Religion To-day, 156–69. 4. The analogies between the age of settlement and the colonial period in American history.

§ XXXIX. Samson’s Birth and Marriage. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the literary characteristics of the Samson stories. 2. Samson’s history. 3. The Nazirite vow. 4. Samson’s strength and weakness. 5. The relations between the Hebrews and the Philistines. 6. The popular beliefs and standards of the age. 7. In what respects did the period of settlement represent progress?

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Meaning of the Nazirite vow. Hastings, D. B., III, 497–500; Encyc. Bib., III, 3362–3; Smith, Relig. of the Semites, 332, 482. 2. Popular poetry and riddles in antiquity. Hastings, D. B., IV, 270–1; extra vol., 160; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4101. 3. A psychological study of the revengeful spirit. Cf. standard psychologies, especially chapters on Fear and Anger. 4. The chronology of the period of settlement. Wade, O. T. Hist., 195–6; Hastings, D. B., I, 399; Encyc. Bib., I, 773–8. 5. The religious life of the Hebrews during the period of settlement. Smith, O. T. Hist., 104–5; Wade, O. T. Hist., 278–80; Kittel, Hist. of the Hebs., II, 93–102; Kent, Hist of the Heb. People, U. K, 92–8. THE FOUNDING OF THE HEBREW KINGDOM

§ XL. The Philistine Victories and the Fortunes of the Ark. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the general divisions of the books of Samuel. 2. The older and later traditions regarding the founding of the kingdom. 3. The origin, characteristics and early history of the Philistines. 4. Reasons why the Hebrews were defeated. 5. History and significance of the ark. 6. Experiences of the Philistines in connection with the ark. 7. Light which the story throws upon conditions in Palestine.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH. 1. The sources of the books of Samuel. St. O. T., II, 10–4; McFadyen, Introd. to the O. T., 84–90; Smith, Samuel, xii-xxvi. 2. Traditions regarding the birth and childhood of Samuel. St. O. T., II, 12–13, 51–56. 3. The land of the Philistines. Hastings, D. B., III, 844; Encyc. Bib., III, 3714; Smith, H. G. H. L., 169–97. 4. The references to the Philistines in the Egyptian monuments. Breasted, Hist. of Egypt, 477, 512; Maspero, Struggle of the Nats., 697–702; Encyc. Bib., III, 3714–8. 5. Arks among other peoples. St. O. T., IV, 149; Encyc. Bib., I, 306–8; Jastrow, Relig. of Babs. and Assyrs., 653–5.

§ XLI. Saul’s Call and Election to the Kingship. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the crisis in Israel’s history which called forth a king. 2. The origin and character of the sons of the prophets. 3. Real character and work of Samuel. 4. Saul’s qualifications for the kingship. 5. Saul’s meeting with Samuel. 6. The victory over the Ammonites. 7. Saul’s election as king, and its significance.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The sons of the prophets in Hebrew history. Hastings, D. B., extra vol., 656; Smith, O. T. Hist., 109–10; Kent, Hist. of the Heb. People, U. K., 114–5; Kittel, Hist. of the Hebs., II, 109–11. 2. The later prophetic tradition of Samuel’s attitude toward the kingship. St. O. T., II, 65–70. 3. The meaning of anointing. Hastings, D. B., I, 100–1; Encyc. Bib., I, 172–5. 4. The Hebrew ideal of the kingship. Hastings, D. B., II, 840–3; St. O. T., IV, 80. 5. An estimate of the importance of Samuel’s work. Smith, O. T. Hist, 108, 110–11; Wade, O. T. Hist., 233–4; Hastings, D. B., IV, 381–2; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4272–3.

§ XLII. The Great Victory Over the Philistines. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the situation in Israel immediately after Saul’s selection as king. 2. Jonathan’s bold attack on the Philistine stronghold. 3. Extent and significance of the Hebrew victory. 4. Nature and consequences of Saul’s vow. 5. Saul’s foreign wars. 6. The organization of his kingdom.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The pass of Michmash. Hastings, D. B., III, 363–4; Encyc. Bib., III, 3077–8; Maspero, Struggle of the Nats., 710–2. 2. The priestly oracle. Hastings, D. B., I, 725–6, IV, 838–41; Encyc. Bib., II, 1307, IV, 5235–7. 3. A sketch of the character of Jonathan. Hastings, D. B., II, 753–4. 4. The different traditions of Saul’s rejection by Samuel. St. O. T., II, 76–9; Wade, O. T. Hist, 220–2. THE DECLINE OF SAUL AND THE RISE OF DAVID

§ XLIII. David’s Introduction to Public Life. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe Saul’s malady. 2. The oldest account of David’s introduction to Saul’s camp and court. 3. David’s personality and reputation. 4. The two accounts of David’s slaying Goliath. 5. The causes of Saul’s jealousy of David. 6. Saul’s attempts to kill David. 7. The initial stages in David’s training.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Shepherd-life in Palestine. Smith, H. G. H. L., 310–2; Knight, Song of the Syrian Guest; Browning, Saul. 2. The late prophetic tradition of the anointing of David by Samuel. St. O. T., II, 80–2. 3. The valley of Elah. Hastings, D. B., I, 674; Smith, H. G. H. L., 226–8. 4. The late tradition of David’s slaying Goliath. St. O. T., II, 82–5. 5. Compare David’s victory over Goliath with similar deeds of the knights of the middle ages, cf. e.g., the battle of Hastings, 1066.

§ XLIV. David as a Fugitive. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe Jonathan’s services to David. 2. The basis and character of their friendship. 3. The covenant between them. 4. The hospitality of the priests of Nob, and David’s deception. 5. David’s provision for his parents. 6. His followers in his outlaw life. 7. Saul’s slaughter of the priests of Nob.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Covenants between individuals in the Semitic world. Hastings, D. B., I, 510; Trumbull, The Blood Covenant; Smith, Relig. of the Semites, 269–72, 312–7. 2. The use of showbread in Semitic religions. Hastings, D. B., IV, 495–7; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4211–2; Smith, Relig. of the Semites, 225–6. 3. The position and duties of the priest in early Hebrew life. Hastings, D. B., IV, 67–72; Encyc. Bib., III, 3839–41; St. O. T., IV, 172–4.

§ XLV. David’s Life as an Outlaw. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the means by which David ascertained the divine will. 2. The dangers of his outlaw life. 3. His magnanimity in sparing the life of Saul. 4. The effect upon Saul. 5. David’s services to Nabal. 6. The wisdom of Abigail’s action and counsel. 7. The significance of David’s marriage with Abigail. 8. David’s ambition, as revealed by his marriages.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The scene of David’s outlaw life. Smith, H. G. H. L., 278–86, 312–6; Encyc. Bib., II, 2618, 2622. 2. Relations between the Arabs and peasants on the borders of southern Palestine. Thomson, The Land and the Book; Conder, Tent. Life in Palestine. 3. Articles of diet among the Hebrews. Hastings, D. B., II, 27–43; Encyc. Bib., II, 1538–48.

§ XLVI. David Among the Philistines. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe David’s reasons for going over to the Philistines. 2. His reception by the king of Gath. 3. His manner of life at Ziklag. 4. His dilemma when the Philistines set out to invade Israel. 5. The pursuit of the Amalekites. 6. The division of the spoil. 7. Significance of the presents to the southern tribes and cities.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Probable site of Gath. Hastings, D. B., II, 113–4; Encyc. Bib., II, 1646–7; Smith, H. G. H. L., 194–7. 2. The Hebrew laws regarding the distribution of the spoils of war. St. O. T., IV, 83–6, 237. 3. A map showing the tribes and important cities of southern Palestine during this period, cf. maps, op. pp. 19, 121.

§ XLVII. Saul’s Defeat and Death. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the tragedy of the closing years of Saul’s reign. 2. Saul’s visit to the medium of Endor. 3. Details of the battle on Mount Gilboa. 4. Saul’s burial. 5. David’s song of lamentation over Saul and Jonathan: its literary style, contents and significance. 6. Saul’s character. 7. What did Saul do for Israel?

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The later Hebrew laws regarding mediums, sorcerers and augurs. St. O. T., IV, 102, 103; Driver, Deuteronomy, 223–6. 2. Situation of Endor. Hastings, D. B., I, 702; Encyc. Bib., II, 1291. 3. Mount Gilboa. Hastings, D. B., II, 174; Encyc. Bib., 1722–4. 4. The character and work of Saul. Hastings, D. B., IV, 415; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4313–4; Wade, O. T. Hist., 236–8; Kent, Hist. of the Heb. People, U. K., 133–5; Fleming, Israel’s Golden Age, 75–7. THE POLITICAL EVENTS OF DAVID’S REIGN

§ XLVIII. The Two Hebrew Kingdoms Under David and Ishbaal. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe David’s election as king by the southern tribes. 2. The remnant of Saul’s kingdom. 3. Reasons and nature of the hostilities between the two Hebrew kingdoms. 4. Abner’s character and record. 5. His death. 6. Events which led to the choice of David as king of all Israel. 7. Significance of the act.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The chronology of the period of the united Hebrew kingdom. Hastings, D. B., I, 399, 401; Encyc. Bib., I, 788–9. 2. Conditions in the Tigris-Euphrates valley during this period. Goodspeed, Hist. of the Babs. and Assyrs., 155–84; Winckler, Hist. of Bab. and Assyr., 93–9, 198–208; Maspero, Struggle of the Nats., 642–65. 3. In Egypt. Breasted, Hist. of the Anc. Egyptians, 357–61; Hist. of Egypt, 522–6. 4. Reasons why Palestine enjoyed immunity from foreign attack.

§ XLIX. The Liberation and Consolidation of all Israel. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the war of liberation. 2. Subsequent relations between the Hebrews and Philistines. 3. Early history of Jerusalem. 4. Its capture by David. 5. Strategic importance as the capital of united Israel. 6. History and significance of the transfer of the ark to Jerusalem. 7. Compare David’s court and policy with that of Saul.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The topography of Jerusalem. Hastings, D. B., II, 584–6, 591–3; Encyc. Bib., II, 2410–9. 2. Recent excavations at Jerusalem. Hilprecht, Exploration in Bible Lands, 596–606; Encyc. Bib., II, 2409–10; Warren, Underground Jerusalem; Bliss and Dickie, Excavations at Jerusalem; Baedeker, Palestine. 3. Later predictions regarding the house of David. St. O. T., II, 124–30.

§ L. The Internal Events of David’s Reign. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the ancient belief regarding the meaning of calamity. 2. The popular explanation of the cause of the famine in the days of David. 3. The sacrifice of the sons of Saul. 4. David’s treatment of Meribaal. 5. Purpose and result of the national census. 6. The popular interpretation of the census and of the way in which its evil consequences were averted. 7. The prevailing ideas regarding God in the days of David.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Heathen, churchly and modern doctrines of vicarious atonement. Hastings, D. B., I, 197–9: Smith, Relig. of the Semites, 421–30; cf. modern theologies, especially Clarke, Outlines of Christian Theology, and Campbell, The New Theology. 2. The temple site. Hastings, D. B., IV, 696; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4927–8. 3. Evidence that the Hebrews still thought of Jevovah as simply ruling over the land of Canaan. Judges 11:21-24, 1 Samuel 26:19; St. O. T., I, 337.

§ LI. David’s Foreign Wars and Conquests. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the achievements of David’s most famous warriors. 2. The organization of David’s army. 3. Cause of the Ammonite war. 4. The first and second campaigns. 5. The victories over the Arameans and Ammonites. 6. The conquest of Moab and Edom. 7. Indicate by a map the extent of David’s empire.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Hebrew military organization. St. O. T., IV, 80–6; Hastings, D. B., IV, 892–5; Encyc. Bib., IV, 5264–9. 2. The Ammonite capital. Hastings, D. B., IV, 189–90; Encyc. Bib., IV, 3998–9. 3. The Arameans in northern Syria. Maspero, Struggle of the Nations, 668–70; Encyc. Bib., I, 278–80.

§ LII. David’s Crimes and their Punishment. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the character of the early records of David’s family history. 2. David’s wives and children. 3. The Hebrew law regarding adultery. 4. David’s double crime. 5. Nathan’s fable, and its application. 6. Nature of David’s repentance. 7. The effect of David’s crimes upon his character.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. General character, aims and variations of the parallel history in Chronicles. St. O. T., II, 7, 22–8; Hastings, D. B., I, 389–97; Encyc. Bib., I, 763–72. 2. The oriental harem. Erman, Life in Ancient Egypt, 74–7; Lane, Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians, 185–98. 3. Parables in Semitic literature. Hastings, D. B., III, 660–2; Encyc. Bib., III, 3563–7.

§ LIII. The Crimes of David’s Sons. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the character of Amnon. 2. Absalom’s motives in slay ing his brother. 3. David’s attitude toward his sons. 4. The story of the wise woman of Tekoa. 5. Absalom’s appearance. 6. His full restoration to favor. 7. Effect of David’s crimes upon his family and court.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The land of Geshur. Hastings, D. B., II, 162; Encyc. Bib., II, 1710–2. 2. The wise in Israel’s history. Encyc. Bib., IV, 5325-6; Kant, Wise Men of Ancient Israel and their Proverbs, 17–25. 3. The character of Joab. Hastings, D. B., II, 658–9; Encyc. Bib., II, 2460–2.

§ LIV. Absalom’s Rebellion. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe Absalom’s method of winning popular favor. 2. The launching of his conspiracy. 3. David’s supporters. 4. The curses of Shimei. 5. The counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai. 6. Rally of David’s followers east of the Jordan. 7. The battle and the death of Absalom. 8. David’s sorrow. 9. His return to Jerusalem. 10. The rebellion in the north; its significance.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The history of the Benjamites. Hastings, D. B., I, 272–3; Encyc. Bib., I, 534–40. 2. The oaks of Palestine. Hastings, D. B., III, 575, IV, 719; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4975–6. 3. The character of Absalom. Hastings, D. B., I, 18–20; Encyc. Bib., I, 29–31.

§ LV. Solomon’s Election as King. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe Adonijah’s plot to secure the kingship. 2. The action of Nathan and Bathsheba. 3. The public proclamation of Solomon’s succession. 4. Concessions to the conspirators. 5. David’s weakness and strength. 6. The significance of David’s services to his race.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The law of primogeniture in Semitic life. St. O. T., IV, 72; Encyc. Bib., III, 2728–9; Hastings, D. B., II, 341–2. 2. The tradition regarding David’s dying commands. St. O. T., II, 167–71; Hastings, D. B., I, 571. 3. The character of David. Hastings, D. B., I, 571–3; Encyc. Bib., I, 1033–4; Wade, O. T. Hist., 273–6; Smith, Mod. Crit. and the Preaching of the O. T., 155–7. 4. David’s relation to the Psalter. Hastings, D. B., I, 571. Encyc. Bib., III, 3930–4; McFadyen, Introd. to the O. T., 244–8.

§ LVI. Solomon’s Policy and Fame. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the steps by which Solomon established his absolute au thority. 2. Solomon’s officials. 3. His ambitions and his measures to realize them. 4. The nature of Solomon’s Wisdom 5. The wisdom of the East. 6. Solomon’s reputation as the author of later wisdom books.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. The relation between subjects and rulers in the ancient oriental empires. Hastings, D. B., II, 250–3; Encyc. Bib., II, 1907–10; McCurdy, Hist. Proph. and the Monuments, I, Ch. III. 2. Conditions in Egypt during this period. Breasted, Hist. of Anc. Egyptians, 358–61; Hist. of Egypt, 522–8. 3. The authorship of the book of Proverbs. Hastings, D. B., IV, 140–1; Encyc. Bib., III, 3911–2; Kent, The Wise Men of Ancient Israel and their Proverbs, 58–62.

§ LVII. Solomon’s Temple. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe the origin and purpose of Solomon’s temple. 2. Its site. 3. Preparations for its building. 4. Its general plan and dimensions. 5. Its decorations. 6. Objects within the temple. 7. Character and purpose of the side-chambers. 8. The great altar and the vessels used in the sacrifice. 9. The dedication of the temple. 10. Later significance of the temple.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Egyptian temples. Erman, Life in Anc. Egypt., 279–88; Maspero, Struggle of the Nats., 300–8; Breasted Hist. of Egypt, 341–4. 2. Babylonian temples. Peters, Nippur; Maspero, Dawn of Civil., 674–5; Hilprecht, Explorats. in Bible Lande, 467–79. 3. Sources from which the different elements in the temple plan were derived. Encyc. Bib., IV, 4923–40. 4. The later prophetic traditions regarding the dedication of the temple. St. O. T., II, 188–92.

§ LVIII. The Splendor and Weakness of Solomon’s Reign. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe Solomon’s public buildings and the purpose of each. 2. The fortresses outside Jerusalem. 3. Solomon’s foreign commerce. 4. The effect of his foreign marriages. 5. The different rebellions in his empire. 6. The weakness and fatal consequences of Solomon’s policy.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Phoenician merchant ships. Hastings, D. B., IV, 823–4; Wade, O. T. History, 298–300; Maspero, Struggle of the Nations, 193–200. 2. Hiram king of Tyre. Hastings, D. B., II, 389; Encyc. Bib., II, 2073–4; IV, 4682–3; Maspero, Struggle of the Nations, 741–3. 3. An estimate of Solomon’s character. Hastings, D. B., IV, 563–9; Encyc. Bib., IV, 4686–9; Wade, O. T. Hist., 309–11; Fleming, Israel’s Golden Age, 142–3.

§ LIX. Law and Society in Early Israel. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. When were the principal decalogues in Exodus 21-23 committed to writing? 2. From which period do they come? 3. Describe the position of slaves in ancient Israel. 4. The laws protecting them. 5. The Babylonian and Hebrew methods of punishing murder and kindred crimes. 6. Responsibility for property under the early Babylonian and Hebrew codes. 7. Punishment of crimes against society.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Slavery among the Babylonians. Hastings, D. B., extra vol., 589–90; Johns, Bab. and Assyr. Laws, Contracts and Letters, 168–83; Sayce, Babs. and Assyrs., 67–84. 2. The later Hebrew criminal laws. St. O. T., IV, 109–18. 3. Hammurabi’s laws regarding property. Johns, Bab. aud Assyr. Laws, Contracts and Letters, 64–7, 250–70.

§ LX. Moral and Religious Standards in Early Israel. GENERAL QUESTIONS: 1. Describe Hammurabi’s attitude toward the dependent classes. 2. Reasons why the Hebrews were especially considerate in their treatment of resident aliens. 3. Content and purpose of the Hebrew laws regarding interest. 4. The laws enjoining kindness to animals. 5. The Hebrew judicial system. 6. The early laws regarding altars and sacrifice. 7. The sacred festivals. 8. Progress in the popular conception of Jehovah. 9. Causes and nature of the victory of the religion of Jehovah over the local cults of Canaan.

SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL RESEARCH: 1. Later Hebrew laws regarding dependent classes. St. O. T., IV, 124–32. 2. The Babylonian and Hebrew judicial system. Johns, Bab. and Assyr. Laws, Contracts and Letters, 80–99; Sayce, Babs. and Assyrs., 198–207; St. O. T., IV, 86–90. 3. The development of Israel’s religion during the period of the united monarchy. Wade, O. T. Hist., 277–293; Marti, Relig. of the O. T., 72–123; Hastings, D. B., extra vol., 645–8.