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Patriarchs and Prophets
The kingdom of Israel had now reached in extent the fulfillment
of the promise given to Abraham, and afterward repeated to Moses:
“Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the
great river, the river Euphrates.”
Genesis 15:18
. Israel had become a
mighty nation, respected and feared by surrounding peoples. In his
own realm David’s power had become very great. He commanded, as
few sovereigns in any age have been able to command, the affections
and allegiance of his people. He had honored God, and God was now
honoring him.
But in the midst of prosperity lurked danger. In the time of his
greatest outward triumph David was in the greatest peril, and met his
most humiliating defeat.
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