“211. SAMUEL, SAUL, AND DAVID”

Samuel, Saul, and David

Volume 3

Preface

It was originally contemplated that the Daily Illustrations, so far as founded upon the historical books of the Old Testament, should be completed in the Third Volume of this Work. As, however, the portion of Scripture intended to form the basis of that Volume is, in extent of materials, equal to that in the consideration of which the two previous Volumes have been occupied, it has been found practically impossible to realize this object without materially modifying the plan, and reducing the scale, on which the former Volumes have been framed. But the very favorable reception which has been given to those Volumes, and the approbation which has been bestowed upon their construction, seemed to indicate the inexpediency of any essential alteration; and it was felt that it would be really a less and more advisable change, to devote the Third and Fourth Volumes to the remaining equal portions of the historical books of the Old Testament, than to crush the plan in the attempt to force the substantial matter of two Volumes into one.

Even in this enlarged space, a careful selection of topics has been rendered necessary, by the more than proportionate increase of subjects suitable for the mode of treatment which has been adopted. It will therefore perhaps be found, that the present Volume has been, more than even the Second, occupied in the elucidation of the principles of the Hebrew institutions and government, and in the illustration of historical facts and circumstances. This has often been accomplished, less by the discussion of the subject than by the mode in which it has been stated; and if the reader should find that his view of the matter under consideration has been in any degree freshened by the manner in which it is here presented to him, he will doubtless conclude that this result is achieved through the humble endeavor which has been made to make the statement itself embody the results of some careful inquiry into the facts and circumstances. Thus, although there may be somewhat less in this Volume of the forms of illustration and discussion, there is not less—there is even more—of the reality of this incorporated with the description and statement of the incidents. The Daily Papers of the present Volume will not, it is apprehended, be the less liked on this account; while there still remains enough of super-imposed illustration and investigation to satisfy those, to whom that mode of giving the results of inquiry may be more attractive.

In the present Volume, much care has been bestowed upon the character and history of David. This was felt to be required from us at a time, when the old and thrice-refuted aspersions and injurious insinuations of Bayle and Chubb have been so reproduced, as to appear like emanations from the critical spirit of our own day; whereas they indeed belong to a past age. It will be a great encouragement to the Author, if, while keeping free from indiscriminate laudation and advocacy, he shall be deemed to have contributed in any small degree, in this Volume, to relieve from undeserved obloquy, the high name and great career of “the man after God’s own heart”

London, October 1850.

Autor: JOHN KITTO