a Levite, was the High-priest; he was the son of Josedech, and grandson of Seraiah, when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed. In about 6 months they arrived in Jerusalem; and set up an altar of Burnt-offering; and in the 7th month celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, and commenced the daily Sacrifices. They then made every preparation for their important work. (Ezra iii.).

549. Samaritans' aid refused.-In the year after their arrival in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Second Temple, B. c. 535. The Samaritans proffered their assistance; but Zerubbabel rejected their offers, because they were not true descendants of Abraham, and were also addicted to idolatry. The Samaritans on receiving this repulse, threw every possible obstruction in the way of rebuilding the Temple, and restoring the prosperity of the Jews, so that during the life-time of CYRUS little progress was made. He died B. c. 530. and was succeeded by his son Cambyses, called in Scripture Ahasuerus: and even during the reign of this prince, which lasted 8 years, no great advance was made. He was succeeded in B. c. 522. by Smerdis, called Artaxerxes. (Ezra iv. 7.).

550. The Jews had not proceeded far in their work before an order came from Artaxerxes (Smerdis), through the misrepresentations of the Samaritans, who said the Jews were fortifying Jerusalem in order to resist paying tribute, for them to desist. B. C. 522. Whence sprung up a mutual hatred between the two nations; which was increased by the erection of a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. Artaxerxes reigned but 7 months, and was succeeded by Darius Hystaspes.

551. Mount Gerizim.—It appears that when Nehemiah was recalled by ARTAXERXES, during his absence Eliashib, the high-priest, married his grandson Manasseh, son of Joiada, to a daughter of Sanballat, and allowed Tobiah, a kinsman of Sanballat, an apartment in the Temple. Nehemiah, on his return, ejected Tobiah; and compelled

549. Who laid the foundation of the Second Temple? Who offered their assistance to the Jews to rebuild the Temple? Was it accepted? 550. What interruption did they offer in consequence? What was the cause of hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews? How did they behave to the Jews? 551. Who was Sanballat, and on what occasion is his name mentioned? Where did the Samaritans worship? Who was their first high-priest?

Manasseh to quit the city. Sanballat, in order to support Manasseh his son-in-law, obtained permission from Darius Nothus (B. C. 410.), to build a temple on Mount Gerizim, where Manasseh might perform his priestly functions. After this event, the Jews were inflamed with the most bitter hatred against their neighbours, and would have 'no dealings with the Samaritans.' John iv. 9.

552. The Temple completed.-Soon after the accession of DARIUS HYSTASPES, the inspired prophets Haggai and Zechariah in 520. B. C. successfully urged the Jews to their task. At last, after many delays and obstructions, Zerubbabel and Jeshua roused by these prophets pushed on the work, and the Temple was completed in the 6th or 7th year of Darius, 515. B. C., 21 years after it had been begun.

553. The Dedication.-At the feast of the Dedication, offerings were made for the Twelve Tribes: but as the greater number were of the tribe of Judah, the Israelites from this period were called Jews, and their country Judea. Among them returned the prophets Haggai, and Zechariah, sent by God to urge on the rebuilding of the Temple: Ezra v. 1, 2. At this part of Ezra (between chs. vi. and vii.), the Book of Esther may be introduced. 554. Ezra appointed. - Artaxerxes Longimanus, who is known in Scripture under the name of Ahasuerus, in the 3rd year of his reign put away his queen Vasthi, because she refused to appear in her royal apparel at a national banquet. This ultimately led to the election of Esther, one of the Jewish captives, to supply her place; which occurred about the 7th year of this reign, 574. B. C.

555. About the same period the pious Ezra was appointed governor of Jerusalem, and received great encouragement from the King and court. Numbers of his countrymen (about 6000) accompanied him into Judæa; and he was invested with authority to demand supplies from the Syrian governors; and to appoint judges, and magistrates.

www

552. When was the Second Temple built? 553. What were the Israelites and the country called after their return from captivity? and why? What prophets left Babylon with Zerubbabel on the release of the Jews from captivity, and encouraged them in rebuilding the Temple? 554. Who was appointed governor of the Jews? By what name is Ahasuerus known in profane history?

After a journey of 4 months Ezra arrived in Jerusalem (B. C. 458.); and deposited in the hands of the principal priests, the contributions, and the vessels he had brought for the Temple. (Ezra vii. viii.).

556. Ezra resigns.-Ezra effected many reforms, (Neh. viii. 14.), and revived the Feast of Tabernacles. (Ezra ix. x. Neh. viii. 17.). At last, he resigned his office, after holding it 12 years; and applied himself to arranging the Scriptures, and providing for the true Worship of God: but whether he returned to Babylon or not, is not known. He was succeeded by Nehemiah. (445. B. C.)

557. THIS book is a history of the government of Nehemiah, and a continuation of the history in the Book of Ezra. It was written by Nehemiah; and embraces a period of about 36 years, at the end of which time the Scripture History closes. Wherefore from the Book of Joshua, or death of Moses, 1451. B. C. to the reformation effected by Nehemiah, is comprised a period of 1031 years.

558. Nehemiah was the son of Hachaliah, of the tribe of Judah, and was born at Babylon during the Captivity. He held the office of Cup-bearer, termed in Scripture Tirshatha, (a word meaning also a governor), to ARTAXERXES LONGIMANUS, king of Persia. Having heard of the miserable condition of the city, and sepulchres of his fathers, he obtained permission of Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem, and rebuild its walls, its towers, and its gates. The

556. How long did Ezra hold his office, and by whom was he succeeded? What festival was revived by Ezra? 557. What is contained in the book of Nehemiah? What period does it embrace? What period is embraced from the book of Joshua to Nehemiah? 558. Who was Nehemiah; of what tribe was he; and what office did he hold in the Persian court? When did he live? What request did Nehemiah make of the king of Persia? What was the object of his mission?

150

NEHEMIAH.

[Neh. xiii. King consented, and by a decree made him governor of Judæa, appointed him a military escort, and gave him authority to obtain materials for his undertaking. (Neh. ii. 1-7.) 446. B. C. This Nehemiah must not be confounded with another Nehemiah, who came from Babylon with Zerubbabel.

559. Reforms. On his arrival in Judæa, Nehemiah made a secret inspection of Jerusalem, and immediately exhorted the Jews to set about repairing the walls, and gates of the city. Their enemies, the Samaritans, adopted every stratagem to defeat their intentions; but Nehemiah armed the workmen, so that they might be ready for any emergency; after fifty-two days the walls and towers were completed. Nehemiah then with solemn services dedicated the whole to God. He directed the rulers of the people to reside in Jerusalem, and one in every ten of the people to dwell in the holy city; while the remaining nine were to occupy the towns. (Neh. xii. 27-43.).

560. He also effected many civil and religious improvements;-(1) He forbid usury, and oppression, and enforced restitution;-(2) He dissolved the marriages of the Jews with heathen women, whom he expelled from the country.-(3) Enjoined a strict observance of the Sabbath;(4) also the observance of the Sabbatical year,-(5) and the annual payment of a third of a shekel for the service of the Temple.-(6) The first fruits of the ground, of their sons, and of their cattle were to be brought to the House of God.-(7) And Tithe of all the produce of the land was to be given to the Priests and Levites. (Neh. x. 29-37.). After being governor about 12 years, Nehemiah returned, as he had promised, to the court of Persia. (B. c. 445-433.).

561. Nehemiah's last days. In the course of a few years Nehemiah revisited Jerusalem, and corrected the irregularities and abuses which had crept in during his absence; and soon after died, having governed Judæa about 25 or 30 years. 3584. A. M. 420. B. C. (Neh. xiii.). About this time (420. B. C.) the prophet Malachi exercised his ministerial functions: and gave great strength and efficiency to the injunctions of Nehemiah, by reproving the priests and people for their scandalous lives.

559. What circumstances attended the accomplishment of this design? What proportion of the people were to dwell in Jerusalem ? 560. What reforms did Nehemiah effect? How long was he governor of Judæa? at Jerusalem during Nehemiah's absence? 561. What happened

562. His writings.—Nehemiah is thought to have written an account of his government, (2 Macc. ii. 13.), from which this Book is said to be extracted; and likewise to have assisted Ezra in the revisal of the Scriptures.

563. The Historical Scriptures end.-As the SCRIPTURE HISTORY closes with this Book, recourse must be had to the Books of the Maccabees, and to Josephus, for the particulars of the Jewish history from B. c. 420. to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. A. D. 70.

564. Judæa, a province of Persia,-JUDÆA continued subject to the kings of Persia about 200 years; the High-priest holding the chief authority under the governors of Syria, in which it was henceforth included.

565. THE Book of Esther contains the history of a Jewish captive of that name, who was raised by marriage with Ahasuerus (ARTAXERXES LONGIMANUS) to the throne of Persia. The author of it is not known, and it embraces a period of about 20 years, coming in between the 6th, and 7th chapters of the Book of Ezra.

566. Its contents.-In this book are detailed -the elevation of Esther to the throne, and the discovery by Mordecai of a plot against the king; the promotion of Haman, and his designs against the Jews; the conduct of Esther, who defeated Haman's plot, and procured his death; the advancement of Mordecai; the deliverance of the Jews; the institution of the Feast of Purim; and the promotion of Mordecai.

562. Give some account of his writings. 563. What prophet lived at this time, and assisted Nehemiah in his labours? At what year B.C. does the Scripture History end? To what books must recourse be had for further particulars of the Jewish History? 564. How was Judæa governed after the death of Nehemiah? 565. What history is comprised in the Book of Esther? What period of time does it embrace? 566. Give an abstract of the Book of Esther.