Burning of Ziklag--Defeat of the Amalekites--Judah elects David as King--Abner and Ishbosheth--War between the houses of Saul and David--Murder of Abner--Death of Ishbosheth-- David recognised as sole King--Capture of Zion--Fortification of Jerusalem--War with the Philistines--Victory of David-- The Heroes--Alliance with Hiram--Removal of the Ark of the Sanctuary to Jerusalem--The High-Priest--Choral Services of the Temple--Internal Government of Israel--The Gibeonites and Rizpah--Mephibosheth _page_ 106 1055-1035 B. C. E. CHAPTER VIII. DAVID. War with the Moabites--Insult offered by the King of the Ammonites--War with the Ammonites--Their Defeat--Battle of Helam--Attack of Hadadezer--Defeat of the Aramæans-- Acquisition of Damascus--War with the Idumæans--Conquest of the town of Rabbah--Defeat of the Idumæans--Conquered races obliged to pay tribute--Bathsheba--Death of Uriah the Hittite-- Parable of Nathan--Birth of Solomon (1033)--Misfortunes of David--Absalom--Wise Woman of Tekoah--Reconciliation of David and Absalom--Numbering of the Troops--Pestilence breaks out in Israel--Absalom's Rebellion--Murder of Amasa--Sheba's Insurrection--David and Nathan--Adonijah _page_ 125 1035-1015 B. C. E. CHAPTER IX. SOLOMON. The new King's Rule--Solomon's Choice--Poetic Allegory--Murder of Adonijah and Joab--The Court--Alliance with Egypt--Tyre-- Solomon's Buildings--The Plan of the Temple--The Workmen-- The Materials--Description of the Temple--The Ceremony of Consecration--Reorganisation of the Priesthood--The King's Palace--The Throne--Increase of National Wealth--The Fleet-- The Seeds of Disunion--Jeroboam--Idolatry permitted-- Estrangement from Egypt--Growth of surrounding Kingdoms-- Solomon's Fame--His Death _page_ 156 1015-977 B. C. E. CHAPTER X. SECESSION OF THE TRIBES. Accession of Rehoboam--Jeroboam's return--The King at Shechem-- The Secession of the Ten Tribes--Election of Jeroboam--New Alliances--Rezon and Shishak--Fortification of Shechem-- Jeroboam's Idolatry--Ahijah's rebuke--Religion in Judah-- Abijam--Asa--Nadab--Baasha--Wars between Asa and Baasha-- Defeat of Zerah--Benhadad--Elah--Zimri--Omri--Civil war-- Samaria built--Omri's policy--Alliances with Ethbaal and Tyre-- Ahab: his character--Jezebel--The Priests of Baal--Elijah-- Naboth's vineyard--Elijah at Carmel--War with Benhadad--Death of Ahab and Jehoshaphat--Ahaziah's Accession--Jehoram--Elijah and Elisha--Jehu--Death of Jezebel _page_ 179 977-887 B. C. E. CHAPTER XI. THE HOUSE OF DAVID AND THE JEHUIDES.