Arter the transfer of the crown from Saul to David, the royal power was annexed to the house of the latter, passing from father to son, with pre ference to the eldest born, though he might be a minor. Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign (2 Kings xi. 21). This rule was not, however, rigidly observed, for instances are not wanting in which nomination of a younger son gave him a preferable title to the crown (t Kings i. 17 ; 2 Chron. xi. 21) : the people, too, and even foreign powers, at a later period, interrupted the regular transmission of royal authority (2 Kings xxi. 24 ; xxiii. 30, 34; xxiv. 17). The ceremony of anointing, which was observed at least in the case of Saul, David, and Solomon (I Sam. x. ; xv. ; xvi. 1, 12, 13 ; 2 Sam. ii.
4 ; Kings i. 34.; Chron. xxix. 22), and in which the prophet or high-priest who performed the rite acted as the representative of the theocmcy and the expounder of the will of heaven, must have given to the spiritual power very considerable influence ; and both in this particular and in the very nature of the observance directs the mind to Egypt, where the same custom prevailed, and where the power of the priestly caste was immense (Wilkinson's Ancient Egyptians, v. 279). Indeed, the ceremony seems to have been essential to con stitute a legitimate monarch (2 Kings xi. 12 ; xxiii. 30) ; and thus the authorities of the Jewish church held in their hands, and had subject to their will, a most important power, which they could use either for their own purposes or the common good. In consequence of the general observance of this ceremony, the teina anointed,' the Lord's anointed ' (I Sam. ii. io ; xvi. 6 ; xxiv. 6 ; 2 Sam. xix. 21 ; Ps. ii. 2 ; Lain. iv. 20), came to be employed in rhetorical and poetical diction as equivalent in meaning to the designation king. We have seen in the case of Saul that personal and even external qualities had their influence in procuring ready obedience to a sovereign ; and further evidence to the same effect may be found in Ps. xlv. 3 ; Ezek. XXViii. 12 ; such qualities would naturally excite the enthusiasm of the people, who appear to have manifested their ap proval by acclamations (I Sam. x. 24 ; Kings i.
25 ; 2 Kings ix. 13 ; Xi. 12 ; 2 Chron. xxiii. ; see also Joseph. De b'ell. 33. 9). Jubi lant music formed a part of the popular rejoicings (I Kings i. 40) ; thank-offerings were made (1 Kings i. 25) ; the new sovereign rode in solenm procession on the royal mule of his predecessor (r Kings i. 38), and took possession of the royal harem—an act which seems to have been scarcely less essential than other observances which appear to us to wear a higher character (1 Kings ii. 13, 22 ; 2 Sam. xvi. 22). A numerous harem, indeed, was among the most highly estimated of the royal luxuries (2 Sam. v. ; Kings xi. ; xx. 3). It was under the supervision and control of eunuchs, and passed from one monarch to another as a part of the crown property (2 Sam. xii. 8). The law (Deut. xvii. 17), foreseeing evils such as that by which Solomon, in his later years, was turned away from his fidelity to God, had strictly for bidden many wives ; but Eastern passions and usages were too strong for a mere written prohibi tion, and a corrupted religion became a pander to royal lust, interpreting the divine command as sanctioning eighteen as the minimum of wives and concubines. In the original distribution of the land, no share, of course, was reserved for a merely possible monarch ; yet the kings were not without several sources of income. In the earlier periods of the monarchy the simple manners which pre vailed would render copious revenues unnecessary ; and a throne which was the result of a spontaneous demand on the part of the people, would easily find support in free-will offerings, especially in a part of the world where the great are never ap proached without a present. There seems also reason to conclude that the amount of the contri butions made by the people for the sustenance of the monarch depended, in a measure, on the de gree of popularity which, in any particular case, Le enjoyed, or the degree of service which he obviousiy rendered to the state (I Sam. x. 27 ; xvi. 20 ; 2 Sam. viii. ; Kings x. 10, 25, sq.) That pre sents of small value and humble nature were not despised or thought unfit for the acceptance of royalty, may be learnt from that which Jesse sent to Saul (I Sam. xvi. 20), an ass, with bread and a bottle of wine, and a kid.' The indirect detail
of the substance which was king David's,' found in Chron. xxvii. 25, sq. (comp. I Sam. viii. ; 2 Chron. xxvi. ro, sq.), shews at how early a period the Israelitish throne was in possession of very large property, both personal and real. The royal treasury was replenished by confiscation, as in the case of Naboth (r Kings xxi. 16 ; comp. Ezek. xlvi. 16, sq.; 2 Sam. xvi. 4). Nor were taxes unknown. Samuel had predicted (I Sam. viii. 15), He will take the tenth of your seed and of your vineyards,' etc. ; and so in other passages (1 Kings v. 13 ; ix. 21) we find that levies both of men and money Nvere made for the monarch's pur poses ; and, in cases of special need, these exac tions were large and rigorously levied (2 Kings xxiii. 35), as when Jehoiakim taxed the land to give the money according to the cominandment of Pharaoh ; he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation.' So long, however, as the native vig,our of a young monarchy matle victory easy and fre quent, large revenues came to the king from the spoils of war (2 Sam. viii. 2, sq.) Commerce also supplied abundant resources (r Kings x. 15). In the 14th verse of the chapter last referred to, it is said that the weight of gold that came to Solo mon in one year was six hundred three score and six talents of gold.' In the same connection we find particulars which give a high idea of Solomon's opulence and splendour : "I'wo hundred targets of beaten gold, each of six hundred shekels ; three hundred shields of beaten gold, of three pounds of gold each ; a great throne of ivory, overlaid with the best gold ; drinking-vessels of gold : silver was accounted nothing of in Solomon's days.' A navy is also spoken of, which was at sea with the navy of Hiram, king of Tyre ; this navy came once in every three years, bringing gold and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches.' According to Oriental custom, much ceremony and outward show of respect were observed. Those who were intended to be received with special honour were placed on tbe king's right hand 0 Kings ii. 19). The most profound homage was paid to the monarch, which was re quired not merely by common usage, but by the voice of religious wisdom (Prov. xxiv. 2t)—a re quirement which was not unnatural in regard to an office that was accounted of divine origin, and to have a sort of vice-divine authority. Those who presented themselves before the royal presence fell with their face towards the ground till their fore head touched it (I Sam. xxv. 23 ; Sam. ix. 6 ; xix. 18), thus worshipping or doing obeisance to the monarch, a ceremony from which even the royal spousc was not exempted (1 Kings i. 16) A kiss vvas among the established tokens of rever ence (i Satn. x. ; Ps. ii. 12), as were also hyper bolical wishes of good (Dan. ii. 4 ; 9). Serious offences against the king were punished with death (r Kings xxi. 10).
Deriving their power originally from the wishes of the people, and being one of the same race, the Hebrew kings were naturally less despotic than other Oriental sovereigns, mingled more with their subjects, and were by no means difficult of access (2 Sam. xix. 8 ; Kings xx. 39 ; Jer. xxxviii. 7 ; Kings iii. ; 2 Kings vi. 26 ; viii. 3). After death the monarchs were interred in the royal cemetery in Jerusalem : So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David ' (1 Kings ii. ; xi. 43 ; xiv. 31). But bad kings were excluded from the sepulchres of the kings of Israel ' (2 Chron. xxviii. 27). In Kings iv. will be found an enumeration of the high officers of state under the reign of Solomon (see also Kings x. 5 ; xii. 18 ; xviii. 3 ; 2 Kings viii. 6 ; x. 22 ; xviii. 18 ; xix. 2 ; 1 Chron. xxvii. 25 ; Is. xxii. 15 ; Jer. 25). The misdeeds of the Jewish crown, and the boldness with which they were reproved, may be seen exemplified in Jer. xxii. : Thus saith the Lord, Execute judgment and righteousness, and do no wrong ; do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow ; neither shed innocent blood. But if ye will not hear these words, this house shall become a deso lation,' etc. Reference on the subject here treated of may be made to Schickard, 7zts Regizem Ilebruor., Tiibing. 1621 ; Carpzov, Appar. Crit., p. 52 ; Michaelis, Mos. Recht, i. 293 ; Othon., Lex.
p. 575.—J. It. B.