IF the days of David and Solomon may be compared to spring and summer in the history of the kingdom of Israel, it was late autumn when our story opens.
JEREMIAH 1:4; 11; 13: “The Word of Jehovah Came to Me”
BIBLE AS HISTORY: The Babylonian Empire
Land and people of southern Mesopotamia. Politically, Babylonia refers to the ancient kingdoms that flourished in southern Mesopotamia, especially in the 7th and 6th centuries BC, whose capital city was Babylon (or Bab-ilu, meaning “gate of god”).
THE BIBLE AS HISTORY: The Israelite Army
The Israelites were not a distinctively warlike people, and their glory has been won on other fields than those of war. But Canaan, between the Mediterranean and the desert, was the highway of the East and the battle-ground of nations.
BIBLE AS HISTORY: Abiathar the High Priest
Abiathar, in the Hebrew Bible, is a son of Ahimelech or Ahijah, High Priest at Nob, the fourth in descent from Eli and the last of Eli's House to be a High Priest. In the article, we debunk some critical opinions concerning Abiathar.
BIBLE HISTORY: Cyrus the Great, the Founder of the Persian Empire and the Conqueror of Babylon
Isaiah’s prophecy spoke of Cyrus as the Lord’s anointed (Is 45:1). Israel regarded him as called and empowered by their God to free them. Under Cyrus the Jews were allowed to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple (Is 44:28).
THE CHARACTER AND LIFE OF KING DAVID: God He Sees What the Heart Is
THE story of David opens with a dramatic contrast between the fresh hope of his young life and the rejection of the self-willed king Saul, whose course was rapidly descending towards the fatal field of Gilboa.
OLD TESTAMENT: Restore to Me the Joy of Your Salvation
Psa. 51:12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” “And David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against Jehovah.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘Jehovah also hath put away your sin; you shall not die.’” It may almost seem that David escaped from his crime too easily.
What Do We Know About Jonathan the Eldest and Favorite Son of the Benjamite King Saul?
Jonathan Was the Eldest and Favorite Son of the Benjamite King Saul
Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. His daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger.
What Do We Know About the Israelite Priests and Levites?
There were three basic classes of religious personnel in ancient Israel: prophets, wise men, and priests, and Levites. The priests and Levites fulfilled a variety of essentially religious duties and were equivalent approximately to the clergy in modern times. They were professional men and were supported for their full-time religious work.
THE BIBLE AS HISTORY: The Bloody City of Nineveh
Nineveh (abode of Ninus) was the capital of the ancient kingdom and empire of Assyria, which was founded by Nimrod, “a mighty hunter before [meaning in opposition to] Jehovah.”* Together with Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen it constituted “the great city.” (Gen. 10:9, 11-12; Mic 5:6) Nineveh was a “city of bloodshed” (Nahum 3:1), for the Assyrians engage in many wars of conquest and used extremely brutal methods in killing their captured warriors.