f the second Philistine bondage?

What was the condition of the people politically during the period of
the rule of the Judges?

Lesson 7

Saul to Solomon

Old Testament Division--Fourth Period

LEADING PERSONS

#Samuel.#--The connecting link between the times of the
Judges and of the kings (1 Sam. 1-8).

#Saul.#--First king, who made a good beginning (1 Sam.
10:1-27). He united the people, breaking down factions.
Spurned Samuel's advice (1 Sam. 15:1-35). He became jealous
of David, and angered at his own son, Jonathan (1 Sam. 18:8
to 19:11). Rejected by God as king (1 Sam. 15). Killed in
battle at Gilboa (1 Sam. 31:1-13).

#David.#--A shepherd boy, noted for bravery (1 Sam. 16-31).
Chosen king and ruled over Judah seven years (2 Sam. 2). Then
became king over all Israel, and greatly enlarged the
nation's borders. Made Jerusalem the capital (2 Sam. 5:6-9).
A great religious leader and composer of Psalms. Sinned
against Uriah (2 Sam. 11:1 to 12:14). His son Absalom
rebelled (2 Sam. 15 to 18).

#Solomon.#--Son of David. Began his reign with a wise choice
(1 Kings 3). Built the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5).
Sinned in his marriages (1 Kings 11). He was noted for his
great wisdom and riches. He lived in luxury, the people were
heavily taxed, and the outward prosperity was accompanied by
inward spiritual decay. See Samuel's warning in 1 Samuel
8:1-18.

#Other Persons.#--Goliath, the Philistine giant, whom David
slew.--Jonathan, Saul's son, a great friend of David.

#PLACES.#--Mizpeh, Socoh, Gilboa, Jerusalem.

#TIME.#--1121 B. C. to 983 B. C.

[Illustration]

#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--David's reign as king brought the people to
the place of their greatest national success, and David's reign and
that of Solomon were politically the best in all Israel's history.
David was signally honored in becoming an ancestor of Mary, the mother
of Jesus.

The United Kingdom. Saul, David, Solomon

#55. Israel Asks for a King.#--Ostensibly because Samuel's sons were
worthless men, but also and largely because they wished to be "like
the nations around them," Israel asked the prophet Samuel to appoint a
king over them. This Samuel was reluctant to do. But commanded by God
to acquiesce, he anointed Saul, the son of Kish, to be king over
Israel. That God did not consider the change from government by judges
to