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The Blue Letter Bible
Study Resources :: Text Commentaries :: P. C. Headley :: Women of the Bible

P. C. Headley :: Preface

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Historical and Descriptive Sketches
of the
WOMEN OF THE BIBLE
from
EVE OF THE OLD TO THE MARYS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
BY P. C. HEADLEY.

AUBURN AND BUFFALO:
MILLER, ORTON & MULLIGAN.
1854.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850,
BY DERBY, MILLER, AND CO.
In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York.

Auburn:
MILLER, ORTON & MULLIGAN,
STEREOTYPERS AND PRINTERS.

TO
IRENE,
MY ONLY AND BELOVED SISTER,
THIS VOLUME
Is Affectionately Inscribed.


PREFACE

It was not the design of adding essentially to Biblical Literature, neither the cacoethes scribendi, that induced the Author to increase the number of similar works which have appeared.

It was the suggestion of another, enforced by the consideration, that while there are elegant Gift Books of Female Scripture Biography, there is no volume of the kind for more general reading. The Bible is a book of facts, developing all the great principles of moral obligation which concern man. In these sketches it has been the steady aim to preserve those principles inviolate, and where imagination has aided in completing the narrative, as constantly to observe the known laws of human action, and their peculiar modification in the Hebrew commonwealth.

The sketch of "The Queen of Sheba," is from the pen of the REV. H. W. PARKER; and by permission a few extracts are taken from a recent work entitled, "Sacred Scenes and Characters."

The Frontispiece and tasteful illustrations are from Original Design, by the promising young Artist, C. L. DERBY.

The biographies are in chronological order, and will make an outline of Scripture History, including nearly all the heroic and distinguished women of the Sacred Annals.

The circumstances under which they were written will unavoidably leave traces of haste; but the volume is committed to the tide of popular favor, and will fulfil its mission if it breathe encouragement to the maternal heart, and infuse the spirit of their high destiny to any extent, into the minds of the women of America-a land, which in its moral, no less than its civil aspect, is the world's modern Palestine.


CONTENTS

I.-EVE.

Adam alone in Paradise.-His first Interview with Eve.-Her Temptation and Fall.-Birth of Abel.-His Death.-The old Age and Last Hours of Eve. Pg. 13.

II.-SARAH.

Sarah's Youth and Marriage.-Life in Palestine.-Abram's Visit to the Court of Pharaoh.-She entertains Angels.-Hagar's Exile.-Birth of Isaac.-Hagar banished the second time.-Sacrifice of Isaac.-Sarah's Death and Burial. Pg. 27.

III.-REBEKAH.

The Embassy of Isaac to Haran.-Rebekah at the Well.-The Scene in the Domestic Circle.-Departure for Canaan.-Isaac walking in the Fields sees the Servant coming, and goes forth to meet his Bride.-Rebekah's Death.-Her Character. Pg. 45.

IV.-RACHEL.

Jacob's Journey to Haran.-Resting by the Well, Rachel comes with her Flock.-Makes himself known.-Serves Seven Years for her.-The Fraud of Laban compels him to take Leah, and render another Seven Years' Service for Rachel.-The Flight.-Her Death. Pg. 65.

V.-MIRIAM.

Miriam by the Nile.-Passage of the Red Sea, and her Song.-Her Fall.-Death and Burial.-Power of Faith. Pg. 75.

VI.-DEBORAH.

Deborah beneath the Palm-tree at Bethel.-Her Interview with Barak.-The Summoning to Battle.-The Conflict and Victory.-Song of Deborah and Barak.-Her Character. Pg. 91.

VII.-JEPTHA's DAUGHTER.

Jeptha in Exile.-Called to the Generalship of the Army.-His Vow.-The Victory and Return.-Met by his Daughter.-Her Lamentation and Sacrifice. Pg. 105.

VIII.-DELILAH.

Life's Contrasts.-Samson's Love and Fall.-Scene from Samson Agonistes.-The Temple of Dagon overthrown.-Delilah Compared with the Hebrew Women. Pg. 115.

IX.-RUTH.

The Design of her History.-The Trial in Moab.-Ruth and Naomi return to Bethlehem.-Ruth Gleaning in the Field of Boaz.-His Generosity.-Falls in Love with the beautiful Moabitess, and Marries her.-Her Character. Pg. 127.

X.-HANNAH.

Her Trial and Faith.-The Annual Pilgrimage to Shiloh.-Her Prayer and the Answer.-Birth and Consecration of Samuel.-Maternal Influence. Pg. 141.

XI.-QUEEN OF SHEBA.

Description of Arabia, the Queen's Realm.-Her Character.-Journey to Solomon's Court.-The Royal Interview.-Her Return.-Woman's Sphere. Pg. 149.

XII.-JEZEBEL.

Jezebel's Marriage and Influence over the King.-Her Persecution of the Prophets.-She is unmoved by the Miracle on Mount Carmel.-The Murder of Naboth.-The Queen's Tragical Death.-Comparative Seclusion a Blessing to Woman. Pg. 173.

XIII.-ATHALIAH.

The Family of Ahab.-Athaliah Marries Prince Jehoram, and enters on her Career of Crime.-Massacre of the "Seed Royal," and Preservation of Joash.-The Revolution.-Athaliah Slain.-Origin of Monarchy. Pg. 187.

XIV.-THE SHUNAMITE.

Internal Evidence of Inspiration of the Bible.-Shunem.-The Woman entertains Elisha.-Promise of a Son.-The Boy goes to the Harvest Fields, is smitten with Disease, borne to his Mother, and Dies at Noon.-The Shunamite hastens to the Mountain Home of Elisha.-He restores to her the Sleeper. Pg. 195.

XV.-ESTHER.

Vast Consequences from Small Events.-The Festival of Ahasuerus.-He commands the Queen to grace the Banquet with her Presence.-The Refusal and Divorce.-Esther's Appearance with the Beautiful Maidens in the King's Palace.-Haman's Plot, and Esther's Petition.-Her Success and Noble Character. Pg. 209.

XVI.-ELIZABETH.

The Promise of a Messiah.-Zacharias in the Temple.-Family Scenes.-Birth of John.-Maternal Influence upon the Baptist's Character. Pg. 229.

XVII.-THE VIRGIN MARY.

Her Interview with the Angel.-Visit to Elizabeth.-Joseph's Trial.-The Sojourn at Bethlehem.-The Family keep the Passover at Jerusalem.-Their Residence in Nazareth.-The Marriage in Cana.-Scene at the Door of the Synagogue in Capernaum.-Mary at the Cross.-In the "Upper Room" at Jerusalem, after Christ's Ascension, with the Praying Disciples. Pg. 239.

XVIII.-THE SISTERS, MARTHA AND MARY.

The Sisters, Martha and Mary.-Contrast between the Old and the New Dispensation.-The Family of Bethany.-Lazarus' Sickness and Death.-His Resurrection.-The Distinguishing Traits in the Characters of Martha and Mary.-The Saviour's Last Supper and Interview with them. Pg. 261.

XIX. -TABITHA, OR DORCAS.

Joppa.-Tabitha's Residence there, her Character, and Death.-She is Raised from the Dead by Peter.-Woman's Influence as a Maiden, Wife, and Mother. Pg. 275.

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