Palestine or the Holy Land | Page 2

will,
it is hoped, prove useful to the reader, more especially by pointing out
to him appropriate subjects of reflection while perusing the Sacred
Records.
The history of Palestine, prior to the Fall of Jerusalem, rests upon the
authority of the inspired writers, or of those annalists, such as Josephus
and Tacitus, who flourished at the period of the events which they
describe. The narrative, which brings down the fortunes of that
remarkable country to the present day, is much more various both in its

subject and references; more especially where it embraces the exploits
of the Crusaders, those renowned devotees of religion, romance, and
chivalry. The reader will find in a narrow compass the substance of the
extensive works of Fuller, Wilken, Michaud, and Mills. In the more
modern part of this historical outline, in which the affairs of Palestine
are intimately connected with those of Egypt, it was thought
unnecessary to repeat facts mentioned at some length in the volume
already published on the latter country.[1]
The topographical description of the holy Land is drawn from the
works of the long series of travellers and pilgrims, who, since the time
of the faithful Doubdan, have visited the interesting scenes where the
Christian Faith had its origin and completion. On this subject
Maundrell is still a principal authority; for, while we have the best
reason to believe that he recorded nothing but what he saw, we can
trust implicitly to the accuracy of his details in describing every thing
which fell under his observation. The same high character is due to
Pococke and Sandys, writers whose simplicity of style and thought
afford a voucher for the truth of their narratives. Nor are Thevenot,
Paul Lucas, and Careri, though less frequently consulted, at all
unworthy of confidence as depositaries of historical fact. In more
modern times we meet with equal fidelity, recommended by an exalted
tone of feeling, in the volumes of Chateaubriand and Dr. Richardson.
Clarke, Burckhardt, Buckingham, Legh, Henniker, Jowett, Light,
Macworth, Irby and Mangles, Carne, and Wilson, have not only
contributed valuable materials, but also lent the aid of their names to
correct or to conform the statements of some of the more apocryphal
among their predecessors.
The chapter on Natural History has no pretensions to scientific
arrangement or technical precision in its delineations. On the contrary,
it is calculated solely for the common reader, who would soon be
disgusted with the formal notation of the botanist, and could not
understand the learned terms in which the student of zoology too often
finds the knowledge of animal nature concealed. Its main object is to
illustrate the Scriptures, by giving an account of the quadrupeds, birds,
serpents, plants, and fruits which are mentioned from time to time by
the inspired writers of either Testament.
Edinburgh, _September_, 1831.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I
.
INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS.
Interest attached to the History of Palestine; Remarkable Character of
the Hebrew People; Their small Beginning and astonishing Increases;
The Variety of Fortune they underwent; Their constant Attachment to
the Promised Land; The Subject presents an interesting Problem to the
Historian and Politician; The Connexion with Christianity; Effect of
this Religion on the Progress of Society; Importance of the Subject to
the pious Reader; Holy Places; Pilgrims; Grounds for Believing the
Ancient Traditions on this Head; Constantine and the Empress Helena;
Relics; Natural Scenery; Extent of Canaan; Fertility; Geographical
Distribution; Countries Eastward of the Jordan; Galilee; Samaria;
Bethlehem; Jericho; The Dead Sea; Table representing the Possessions
of the Twelve Tribes.
CHAPTER II
.
HISTORY OF THE HEBREW COMMONWEALTH.
Form of Government after the Death of Joshua; In Egypt; In the
Wilderness; Princes of Tribes and Heads of Families; Impatience to
take Possession of Promised Land; The Effects of it; Renewal of War;
Extent of Holy Land; Opinions of Fleury, Spanheim, Reland, and
Lowman; Principle of Distribution; Each Tribe confined to a separate
Locality; Property unalienable; Conditions of Tenure; Population of the
Tribes; Number of Principal Families; A General Government or
National Council; The Judges; Nature of their Authority; Not ordinary
Magistrates; Different from Kings, Consuls, and Dictators; Judicial
Establishments; Judges and Officers; Described by Josephus; Equality
of Condition among the Hebrews; Their Inclination for a Pastoral Life;
Freebooters, like the Arabs; Abimelech, Jephthah, and David;
Simplicity of the Times; Boaz and Ruth; Tribe of Levi; Object of their
Separation; The learned Professions hereditary, after the manner of the
Egyptians; The Levitical Cities; Their Number and Uses; Opinion of

Michaelis; Summary View of the Times and Character of the Hebrew
Judges.
CHAPTER III
.
HISTORICAL OUTLINE FROM THE ACCESSION OF SAUL TO
THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM.
Weakness of Republican Government; Jealousy of the several Tribes;
Resolution to have a King; Rules for regal Government; Character of
Saul; Of David; Troubles of his Reign; Accession of Solomon; Erection
of the