The Lack of Unity Among the Hebrew Tribes.--The Scenes of Gideon's Exploits.--Gideon's Kingdom.--Reasons for the Superiority of the Philistines.--Scenes of the Samson Stories.--The Decisive Battle-field.--Fortunes of the Ark.--The Sanctuary at Shiloh.--Samuel's Home at Ramah.--The Site of Gibeah.--Situation of Jabesh-Gilead.--The Sanctuary at Gilgal.--The Philistine Advance.--The Pass of Michmash.--The Great Victory Over the Philistines.--Saul's Wars. XVI. THE SCENES OF DAVID'S EXPLOITS 147 David's Home at Bethlehem.--The Contest in the Valley of Elah.--Situation of Nob.--The Stronghold of Adullam.--Keilah.--Scenes of David's Outlaw Life In Southeastern Judah.--David at Gath.--At Ziklag.--Reasons Why the Philistines Invaded Israel in the North.--Saul's Journey to Endor.--The Battle on Gilboa.--The Remnant of Saul's Kingdom.--Hebron, David's First Capital.--Fortunes of the Two Hebrew Kingdoms.--The Final Struggle with the Philistines.--David's Victories. XVII. PALESTINE UNDER THE RULE OF DAVID AND SOLOMON 157 Establishment of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital.--Israel's Natural Boundaries.--Campaigns Against the Moabites and Ammonites.--Situation of Rabbath-Ammon.--The Water City.--Extent of David's Empire.--Absalom's Rebellion.--David East of the Jordan.--Rebellion of the Northern Tribes.--Scenes of Adonijah's Conspiracy and Solomon's Accession.--Capture of Gezer.--Solomon's Fortresses.--Solomon's Strategic and Commercial Policy.--Site of Solomon's Temple.--Significance of the Reigns of David and Solomon.--Influences of the United Kingdom Upon Israel's Faith.--Solomon's Fatal Mistakes.--Forces that Made for Disunion.--Situation of Shechem.--Significance of the Division. XVIII. THE NORTHERN KINGDOM 168 The Varied Elements in the North.--Capitals of Northern Israel.--The Aramean Kingdom.--The Philistine Stronghold of Gibbethon.--Omri's Strong Rule.--Ahab's Aramean Wars.--Strength and Fatal Weakness of Ahab's Policy.--Elijah's Home.--The Scene on Mount Carmel.--Ancient Jezreel.--Situation of Ramoth-Gilead.--Elisha's Home.--Jehu's Revolution.--Rule of the House of Jehu.--The Advance of Assyria.--Amos's Home at Tekoa.--Influence of His Environment Upon the Prophet.--Evidence Regarding Hosea's Home.--View from Jebel Ôsha.--Conquest of Galilee and Gilead.--The Exiled Northern Israelites.--The Fate of Northern Israel. XIX. THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM 182