What conclusion, then, must be drawn from all these prophecies, so clear in their general meaning, so distinctive in their character, so minute in many of their details, so unlikely at the time they were written, and yet one and all so exactly fulfilled? There appear to be only three alternatives. Either they must have been random _guesses_, which certainly seems incredible. Or else they must have been due to deep _foresight_ on the part of the writers, which seems equally so; for the writers had had no experience of the permanent desolation of great empires like Assyria and Babylonia, while as to the fate of Egypt and the Jews themselves, history afforded no parallel. Or else, lastly, the writers must have had _revealed_ to them what the future of these nations would be; in which case, and in which case alone, all is plain. (_B._) SPECIAL PROPHECIES. We pass on now to the Special Prophecies. These are found all through the Old Testament, the following being eight of the most important. The fact that David's throne should always be held by his descendants, _i.e._, till the captivity, about 450 years;[139] and its fulfilment is specially remarkable when contrasted with the rival kingdom of Samaria, where the dynasty changed eight or nine times in 250 years. [Footnote 139: 2 Sam. 7. 12-16; 1 Kings 9. 4, 5.] The division of the kingdom into ten and two tribes, evidently announced at the time, since Jeroboam had to go away in consequence, and apparently the reason why the rebels were not attacked.[140] [Footnote 140: 1 Kings 11. 31, 40; 12. 24.] The destruction, rebuilding, and final destruction of the Temple; the first of these prophecies being made so publicly that it caused quite a commotion, and nearly cost the prophet his life.[141] [Footnote 141: Jer. 26. 8-16; Isa. 44. 28; Dan. 9. 26.] The destruction of the altar at Bethel, which was set up as a rival to that at Jerusalem; publicly announced some centuries before, including the name of the destroyer.[142] [Footnote 142: 1 Kings 13. 2; 2 Kings 23. 15, 16.] The destruction of Israel by the Assyrians.[143] [Footnote 143: 1 Kings 14. 15; Isa. 8. 4.] The destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.[144] [Footnote 144: 2 Kings 20. 17.] The captivity of the Jews, including its duration of seventy years, their most unlikely restoration, and the name of the restorer.[145] [Footnote 145: Jer. 29. 10; Isa. 44. 28.] The wars between Syria and Egypt.[146] [Footnote 146: Dan. 11.] We will examine a single instance in detail, and select that referring to the _destruction of Jerusalem_ by the Babylonians, as this is connected with one of the miracles mentioned in the last chapter, _the shadow on the dial_. Now, it will be remembered that, on one occasion, the Jewish King Hezekiah was seriously ill, and on being told of his unexpected recovery, he naturally asked for a _sign_. And then in accordance with his demand the shadow on his dial went back ten _steps_.[147]