could have been "invented" in the first year of Hezekiah's reign. And as connected with this we

mark that not only were the liturgical services conformed to a previous model - the Davidic - but

that the hymns chanted were in "the words of David and of Asaph the seer" (2 Chronicles 29:30).

This seems not only to imply the existence at the time.of Davidic and Asaphite psalms - the

absence of any mention of other Psalm-collections here deserving special notice - but even to

indicate some orderly collection of these Psalms in books . In short, it casts light on the beginning

of the present arrangement of the Psalter in five books. It may well have been that, subject to later

revision, the former collection of Psalms consisting, roughly speaking, of the two first books of

Psalms (now Psalm 1-41; 42-72), was now enriched by the addition of a further collection -

roughly speaking, the present third book of Psalms (Psalm 73 -89), which in its present form

begins with an Asaphite Psalm (Psalm 73), and has in succession eleven Psalms of the same

authorship* (Psalm 73-83).

* The only other Asaphite Psalm is in Book II, Psalm. 1. Alike the Korahite and the Asaphite

Psalms are exclusively in Books II. and III - the 12 Asaphite Psalms, with exception of Psalm 1.,

in Book III.; the 12 Korahite Psalms, with the exception of four (Psalm. 84, 85, 87,88), in Book II.

But whatever our view, or more accurately, our conjectures, on this subject, there cannot at least

be doubt that Hezekiah actively busied himself, under competent guidance, with the collection and

arrangement of the existing sacred literature of Israel. This is expressly mentioned as regards a

part of "the Proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, collected"*

(Proverbs 25:1).

*(...) "removed," "transferred," "colle cted."

And to this, as assuredly among the most important parts of Hezekiah's activity, the closing notice

of his religious work done by him may also bear reference:

"And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the

commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered" (2 Chronicles 31:21).

CHAPTER 11 - HEZEKIAH (THIRTEENTH) KING OF JUDAH

Outward Events of the Reign of Hezekiah - Victory over the Philistines - League against Sargon -

Assyrian Advance and Submission of Judah - Sennacherib - The Assyrian Inscriptions Their

Account of the Assyrian Invasion of Judah - Victories of Sennacherib - Assyrian

Misrepresentation of Events - The Biblical Record - Works in Defense of Jerusale m - The Various

Scriptural Narratives of these Events - The Assyrian Host before Jerusalem - Its Leaders and the

Representatives of Hezekiah -The Conference between them. (2 KINGS 18:7-19; 2

CHRONICLES 32:1-26; ISAIAH 36:, 37)

ALTHOUGH the beginning of He zekiah's reign was mainly devoted to the first and most

important task of religious reform, other matters of pressing necessity were not overlooked. The

same wisdom which marked his restoration of the Temple services also guided his other

administration, and the same happy results attended both. In fact, Hezekiah made use of the years

of quiet to prepare against the troublous period which he must have felt to be at hand. And in the

Book of Kings we have this general notice:

"And Jehovah was with him; in a ll to which he proceeded he prospered;* and he rebelled against

the king of Assyria and served him not" (2 Kings 18:7).**