On this occafion David compofed that admirable Ode the feventy-second Pfalm. When Solomon was crowned it was appointed to be rehearfed in the facred Oratorio, and ftiled

"The Grand Coronation Anthem."

In the twenty-ninth chapter, David full of years, riches, and honours, died, and they buried him with great magnificence in his own fepulchre, and in the city of David, In pursuance of his exprefs orders and directions Solomon afcended the throne of Ifrael, and this amiable young Prince was at the age of Eighteen.

The

O N THI BOOKS OF THE

CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS OF

JUDAH AND ISRAEL

T

BooK THE SECOND.

HIS Book records the Hiftory of four

hundred and feventy-two years, and begins with the Reign of Solomon, carrying on the hiftory of the Jews to their return from Babylon, after their seventy years Captivity. It ends at the fame period as the Second Book of the Kings,

The Reign of Solomon fills up much of this Book. The life and tranfactions of that amiable Prince have been already related; his Splendour and Wisdom are here largely dwelt upon, and VOL. II.

C

his

his affiduous employment in building the Temple, the most magnificent Edifice in the World, conftructed of white marble, in immenfe folid pieces of fixty feet, and fome even of larger dimensions, the infide of the Walls and the Beams were all Cedar, covered with plates of Gold, and also the Roof, fo that when the Sun fhone it caft a blaze of light dazzling all that beheld it. This Building employed One hundred and fixty thoufand workmen, and three thousand three hundred Overfeers, during the space of feven years.

The history of the Kingdom of Judah is here recorded under nineteen Kings, all of David's posterity, and the Reign of Athaliah the Ufurper, the mother of Ahaziah, King of Judah, and it represents to you the gradual approaches and declenfion of that Kingdom. After the first nine Chapters, the Hiftory of Judah is in this Book more diftin&tly related, without being blended with the reigns of the Kings of Ifrael.

Ο Ν THE BOOK O F

EZ RA.

HE

ENCEFORWARD you are not to look on the Jews Free, Rich, and glorious, under the directions of Prophets and Opulent Warlike Monarchs. They had been fold as flaves, and after the cuftom of Tyrants and Conquerors, difperfed through all that vaft and mighty Empire. Some few eminent and worthy Characters attained to Pofts of Honour, in them grew opulent, and were highly diftinguished at Court.

4

Of the vaft numbers who had been carried away captive to Babylon, not more than fifty thoufand

C 2

thousand Jews returned, and they were of the poorer fort, from among the moft indigent. The richer, who ftaid behind, raised a fubfcription to support them in their journey.

The proposal made to the Jews was, that they fhould be governed by their own laws; but, as they were under fubjection to Perfia, and afterwards to Syria and Rome, their Privileges, and even their Religion itself, much depended on the will of their Conquerors.

[3468.] God was pleased to raise up for the Jews a Deliverer, foon after their seventy years captivity was ended. In the very first year of the reign of Cyrus, Daniel the Prophet, whom Cyrus found at Babylon, an old Minister, high in repute throughout the East, and just now had appointed him Prime Minifter in the Court of Perfia, this zealous good man warmly interested himself, and pointed out to that Prince the Prophecies refpecting the Jews, upon which Cyrus published an Edi&t for their release, offering them all and every one the liberty of returning to their own Country to rebuild Jerufalem and the Temple. They were to take with them their gold and filver, a number of beasts for Sacrifice, together with all the rich veffels and utenfils of

the