Chapter III: Part II: Historical Geography

X. EARLY PALESTINE 87

The Aim and Value of Historical Geography.--Sources of Information
Regarding Ancient Palestine.--Evidence of the Excavations.--The Oldest
Inhabitants of Palestine.--The Semitic Invasions from the
Desert.--Influence of the Early Amorite Civilization Upon
Babylonia.--Probable Site of the Oldest Semitic Civilization.--Remains
of the Old Amorite Civilization.--Babylonian Influence in
Palestine.--Egyptian Influence in the Cities of the Plain.--Different
Types of Civilization in Palestine.--Conditions Leading to the Hyksos
Invasion of Egypt.--Fortunes of the Invaders.--The One Natural Site in
Syria for a Great Empire.--Influences of the Land Upon the Early Forms
of Worship.--Upon the Beliefs of Its Inhabitants.

XI. PALESTINE UNDER THE RULE OF EGYPT 97

Reasons why Egypt Conquered Palestine.--Commanding Position of
Megiddo.--Its Military Strength.--Thotmose III's Advance Against
Megiddo.--The Decisive Battle.--Capture of Megiddo.--The Cities of
Palestine.--Disastrous Effects of Egyptian Rule.--Lack of Union in
Palestine.--Exposure to Invasions from the Desert.--Advance of the
Habiri.--Rise of the Hittite Power.--Palestine between 1270 and 1170
B.C.--The Epoch-making Twelfth Century.

XII. THE NOMADIC AND EGYPTIAN PERIOD OF HEBREW
HISTORY 106

The Entrance of the Forefathers of the Hebrews Into
Canaan.--References to Israelites During the Egyptian Period.--The
Habiri in Eastern and Central Palestine.--The Trend Toward Egypt.--The
Land of Goshen.--The Wady Tumilat.--Ramses II's Policy.--Building the
Store Cities of Ramses and Pithom.--Condition of the Hebrew
Serfs.--Training of Moses.--The Historical Facts Underlying the Plague
Stories.--Method of Travel in the Desert.--Moses' Equipment as a
Leader.--The Scene of the Exodus.--Probability that the Passage was at
Lake Timsah.

XIII. THE HEBREWS IN THE WILDERNESS AND EAST
OF THE JORDAN 115

Identification of Mount Sinai.--Lateness of the Traditional
Identification.--Probable Route of the
Hebrews.--Kadesh-barnea.--Effect of the Wilderness upon the Life of
the Hebrews.--Evidence that the Hebrews Aimed to Enter Canaan from the
South.--Reasons Why They Did Not Succeed.--Tribes that Probably
Entered Canaan from the South.--The Journey to the East of the
Jordan.--Stations on the Way.--Conquests East of the Dead
Sea.--Situation of Heshbon.--Sojourn of the Hebrews East of the
Jordan.--Its Significance.

XIV. THE SETTLEMENT IN CANAAN 124

The Approach to the Jordan.--Crossing the Jordan.--Strategic
Importance of Jericho.--Results of Recent Excavations.--Capture of
Jericho.--Evidence that the Hebrews Were Still Nomads.--Roads Leading
Westward from Jericho.--Conquests In the South.--Conquest of Ai and
Bethel.--Incompleteness of the Initial Conquest.--Migration of the
Danites.--The Moabite Invasion.--The Rally of the Hebrews Against the
Canaanites.--The Battle-field.--Effect of a Storm Upon the
Plain.--Results of the Victory.--The East-Jordan Tribes.--The Tribes
in Southern Canaan.--The Tribes in the North.--Effects of the
Settlement Upon the Hebrews.

XV. THE FORCES THAT LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF THE HEBREW KINGDOM 136

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

Effect of Environment Upon Judah's History.--Shishak's Invasion.--War
Between the Two Kingdoms.--Amaziah's Wars.--Uzziah's Strong
Reign.--Isaiah of Jerusalem.--His Advice to Ahaz in the Crisis of 734
B.C.--The Great Rebellion of 703 B.C.--Home of the Prophet
Micah.--Judah's Fate in 701 B.C.--Isaiah's Counsel in a Later
Crisis.--The Reactionary Reign of Manasseh.--Two Prophetic
Reformers.--Situation of Anathoth.--Josiah's Reign.--The Brief Rule of
Egypt.--Jehoiakim's Reign.--The First Captivity.--The Second
Captivity.--The End of the Southern Kingdom.

XX. THE BABYLONIAN AND PERSIAN PERIODS 194

Jewish Refugees in Egypt.--Situation of Tahpanhes.--Memphis.--The
Colony at Elephantine.--Results of the Excavations.--Transformation of
the Jews Into Traders.--Home of the Exiles in Babylonia.--Their Life
in Babylonia.--Conditions of the Jews in Palestine.--Extent of the
Jewish Territory.--Evidences that There Was No General Return of the
Exiles in 537 B.C.--The Rebuilding of the Temple.--Discouragement and
Hopes of the Jews.--Nehemiah's Response to the Call for
Service.--Conditions in the Jewish Community.--Preparations for
Rebuilding the Walls.--Character of the Data.--The Walls and Towers on
the North.--On the West.--On the South.--On the East.--Significance of
Nehemiah's Work.--Extension of Jewish Territory to the
Northwest.--Development of Judaism During the Latter Part of the
Persian Period.

XXI. THE SCENES OF THE MACCABEAN STRUGGLE 207

Alexander's Conquests.--The Impression Upon Southwestern Asia.--The
City of Alexandria.--Greek Influence in Palestine.--The Ptolemaic
Rule.--Situation of Antioch.--Causes of the Maccabean Struggle.--The
Town of Modein.--The First Flame of Revolt.--Character and Work of
Judas.--The Pass of Beth-horon.--Scene of the Victory Over the Syrian
Generals.--Victory at Bethsura.--Rededication of the
Temple.--Campaigns South and East of the Dead Sea.--Victories in
Northeastern Gilead.--Cities Captured North of the Yarmuk.--The Second
Victory Over Timotheus.--Judas's Return.--Significance of Judas's
Victories.--Battle of Beth-zacharias.--Fortunes of Judas's
Party.--Victory over Nicanor.--Death of Judas.--Judas's Character and
Work.

XXII. THE MACCABEAN AND HERODIAN AGE 222

Jonathan's Policy.--Basis of Agreement With the Syrians.--Concessions
to Jonathan.--His Conquests.--Simon's Achievements.--His Strong and
Prosperous Rule.--Growth of the Two Rival Parties.--Wars and Conquests
of John Hyrcanus.--Reign of Aristobulus I.--The Cruel Rule of
Alexander Janneus.--The Rivalry of Parties Under Alexandra.--The
Influence of Antipater.--Advance of Rome.--The Appeal to Pompey.--His
Capture of the Temple.--Palestine Under the Rule of Rome.--Rebellions
Led by Aristobulus and His Sons.--Antipater's Services to
Rome.--Rewards for His Services.--The Parthian Conquest.--Herod Made
King of the Jews.--His Policy.--His Work as a City Builder.--Herod's
Temple.--The Tragedies of His Family Life.--The Popular Hopes of the
Jews.

XXIII. THE BACKGROUND OF JESUS' CHILDHOOD AND
YOUNG MANHOOD 236

The Short Reign of Archelaus.--The Roman Province of Judea.--Territory
and Character of Herod Antipas.--Philip's Territory.--The
Decapolis.--Place of Jesus' Birth.--Situation of Nazareth.--Its
Central Position.--View from the Heights above the City.--The Spring
at Nazareth.--Roads to Jerusalem.--Jesus' Educational
Opportunities.--Scene of John the Baptist's Early Life.--Field of His
Activity.--The Baptism of Jesus.--Machærus, Where John the Baptist Was
Beheaded.--Effect of John's Death Upon Jesus.--Jesus' Appearance.

XXIV. THE SCENES OF JESUS' MINISTRY 247

Why Jesus Made Capernaum His Home.--Site of Capernaum.--Archælogical
Evidence.--Ruins at Tell Hum.--Testimony of the Gospels and
Josephus.--Statements of Early Pilgrims.--Site of
Chorazin.--Bethsaida.--Probable Scene of the Feeding of the
Multitudes.--The Night Voyage of the Disciples.--Places Where Jesus
Taught His Disciples.--Northern End of the Sea of Galilee.--Contrast
Between Its Northern and Southern Ends.--Jesus' Visit to the Gadarene
Territory.--The Chief Field of Jesus' Ministry.--Journey to
Phœnicia.--At Cæsarea Philippi.--The Journey Southward from
Galilee.--At Jericho.--Situation of Bethany.--The Triumphal Entrance
Into Jerusalem.--Jesus' Activity in the Temple.--The Last Supper and
Agony.--Scenes of the Trials.--Traditional Place of the
Crucifixion.--The More Probable Site.--The Place of Burial.

XXV. THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY THROUGHOUT
THE ROMAN EMPIRE 264

Original Centre at Jerusalem.--Spread of Christianity Outside
Judea.--Philip's Work In the South and West.--Extension and Expansion
of Christianity During the First Decade.--Situation and History of
Tarsus.--Influence of His Early Home Upon Paul.--Work at
Antioch.--Importance of the Pioneer Work of Paul.--Paul and Barnabas
in Cyprus.--At Paphos.--Journey to Antioch in Galatia.--Conditions at
Antioch.--At Iconium.--At Lystra and Derbe.--Decision of the Great
Council at Jerusalem.--Work of Paul and Silas in Asia Minor.--Paul's
Vision at Troas.--Paul and Silas at Philippi.--At Thessalonica.--Paul
at Berœa.--At Athens.--Importance of Corinth.--Paul's Work at
Corinth.--His Third Journey.--Situation and Importance of
Ephesus.--Return to Palestine.--Journey to Rome.--The World-wide
Conquests of Christianity.

APPENDIX I. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 279