Samuel and His Age by George C.M. Douglas

by

George Cunningham Monteath Douglas [1826-1904], Samuel and His Age. A Study in the Constitutional History of Israel. This is a detailed study of the life and times of the prophet Samuel. I picked this copy up at Book Aid whilst assisting with the reorganisation of the bookshop and noticed that it had previously been part of Professor Donald J. Wiseman’s library. This title is in the public domain.

George Cunningham Monteath Douglas [1826-1904], Samuel and His Age. A Study in the Constitutional History of Israel. Edinburgh: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1901. Hbk. pp.276. [CLick to visit the download page]

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  1. Historical Position of Samuel Vindicated
  2. Relation of Samuel and David to Moses and Joshua
  3. The Childhood and Youth of Samuel
  4. The Prophetic Office of Samuel
  5. The Priestly Work of Samuel
  6. Samuel as Judge
  7. Samuel hands over his Office as Judge to a King
  8. How Saul was There Times made King by Samuel
  9. The Completeness of this quiet Revolution by Samuel
  10. Literary Relationship of 1 Samuel to the earlier Books
  11. Recapitulation
  • Appendix
  • Index

Preface

There are certain conspicuous personalities in the history of the Kingdom of God in the Old Testament, men whose lives form epochs in the opening up of His ways to His people. Moses is immeasurably the grandest of these. Probably the next to him is Samuel ; and just as we understand Samuel, his character, his position, his offices, and his work, or fail to understand him, we shall succeed in understanding, or shall fail to understand, very much of Jehovah’s dealings with Israel. There is one very marked resemblance between Moses and Samuel-both exercised the three great functions in the Hebrew Commonwealth, those of prophet, priest, and supreme ruler, combining in their own persons three offices which in ordinary circumstances were jealously kept separate.

It is matter of deep and unfeigned regret to me that the scholars who form what is commonly known as the Critical School….

How to Study the English Bible by R.B. Girdlestone

by

Robert Baker Girdlestone [1836-1923], How to Study the English BibleThis little book was written to help new Christians understand how to read the Bible by Robert Baker Girdlestone [1836-1923], the first Principal of Wycliffe Hall in Oxford. As such it remains of enduring value. This title is in the public domain.

Robert Baker Girdlestone [1836-1923], How to Study the English Bible. London: The Religious Tract Society, 1887. Hbk. pp.112. [Click to visit the main download page]

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  1. A Description of the English Bible
  2. The Bible the Word of God
  3. The Bible Demands Study
  4. Rules for Studying the Bible
  5. Hints on Special Books
  6. The Study of Doctrine
  7. The Practical and Devotional Use of the Bible
  8. Method and Order of Reading the Bible
  9. Useful and Order of Reading the Bible
  • Index of Subjects
  • Index of Texts

Preface

This little book is intended to supply a need felt by many students of God’s Word. They have taken in the message of salvation, they have dedicated their lives to the Master, and have said to Him, ‘Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?’ The answer to this question lies in the Scriptures, and they have begun to read their Bible in order to learn the will of God. But they soon feel that there are two ways of reading, – a right and a wrong way; and they look out for some practical guidance which may enable them to make the best of God’s Word.

The following pages are offered with a view of meeting this desire.

May God bless them to the reader’s use!

For more resources on how to read the Bible, please go here.

Abraham: His Life and Times by William J. Deane

by
Caravaggio's Sacrifice of Isaac - public domain - Source: Wikipedia
Caravaggio’s Sacrifice of Isaac – public domain – Source: Wikipedia

William J. Deane [1853-1943] provides a detailed study of the life of Abraham and assumes that the biblical account is reliable and accurate. This title is in the public domain.

William J. Deane [1853-1943], Abraham: His Life and Times. London: James Nisbet & Co., n.d. Hbk. pp.179. [Click to visit the download page for this title]

Contents

  • Preface
    1. Abram’s Birthplace
    2. First Call
    3. Second Call
    4. The Promised Land
    5. Egypt
    6. Separation
    7. Chedorlaomer
    8. The Covenant
    9. Hagar – Circumcision
    10. Sodom
    11. Gerar and Beersheba
    12. Temptation
    13. Machpaleh
    14. Isaac’s Marriage
    15. Closing years – Death

Preface

The materials for the facts of the life of Abraham are found in Holy Scripture, in the Book of Genesis, and in some of the later writings. I have taken it for granted that these statements are authentic, and have not thought it necessary to follow Ewald and his school in distinguishing the various authors of them, assigning this to” the Book of origins,” and that to the First narrator, and that to the Second, and so on. Nor have 1 esteemed the details thus given as accretions that have grown up round a great central figure in the lapse of centuries, the outcome of hero-worship, the result of a natural desire to accumulate on a great forefather anything that would tend to elevate his personal character ·or exalt the favour with which he was regarded by God…