2. The Israelites did not occupy all the country. They possessed most of the mountain region, but none of the sea-coast plain on the Jordan valley. They were like the Swiss in modern times, living among the mountains. Even in the New Testament period the lowlands were occupied mainly by Gentiles.

3. The landed system was peculiar. Estates were inalienable. They might be leased, but not sold; and on the year of Jubilee (every fiftieth year) all land reverted to the family originally owning it. Thus every family had its ancestral home, the poor were protected, and riches were kept within bounds.

4. The government was a republic of families without an executive head, except when a judge was raised up to meet special needs. Each tribe had its own rulers, but there was no central authority after Joshua (Judg. 21. 25). This had its evils, for it led to national weakness; but it had its benefits: 1.) It kept Israel from becoming a great worldly kingdom like Egypt and Assyria, which would have thwarted the divine purpose. 2.) It promoted individuality and personal energy of character. There would have been no "age of heroes" if Israel had been a kingdom like Egypt.

5. The religious system was simple. There was but one altar at Shiloh for all the land and for all the tribes, and the people were required to visit it for the three great feasts (Deut. 12. 11, 14; Josh. 18. 1). This was the religious bond which united the people. If it had been maintained they would have needed no other constitution, and even its partial observance kept the people one nation.

6. The character of the people was diverse. Throughout the history we trace the working of two distinct elements. There was the true Israel—the earnest, religious, God-worshiping section, the Israel of Joshua and Gideon and Samuel. Then there was the underlying mass of the people—secular, ignorant, prone to idolatry, the Israel that worshiped Baal and Ashtoreth, and sought alliance with the heathen. One element was the hope of the nation, the other was its bane.

Blackboard Outline.

I. Canaanites. 1. Var. 2. Ham. rac. 3. Idol. 4. Weak.
II. Camp. Conq. 1. Camp. Eas. Jor. 1.) Gil. Jah. 2.) Bash. Ed. 3.) Mid.
2. Camp. Wes. Jor. 1.) Cent. Pal. Jer. Ai. She. 2.) Sou. Pal. Beth-hor. 3.) Nor. Pal. L. Mer.
3. Supp. Camp. 1.) Cal. cap. Heb. 2.) Jud. cap. Bez. 3.) Dan. cap. Lai.

III. Gen. Asp. Isr. at Clo. Conq. 1. Nat. rac. sub. 2. Isr. in mtn. reg. 3. Land. sys. 4. Gov. rep. fam. 5. Rel. sys. 6. Char. peo.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.

What was the political system of the Canaanites before the conquest?
How did this condition affect the result of the war?
To what race did the Canaanite tribes belong?
What was their religion?
What was the effect of their worship on their character?
What had taken place shortly before the coming of the Israelites?
What campaigns of conquest were made before the death of Moses?
What battles were fought in these campaigns?
What tribes took possession of this territory?
On which side of the Jordan were Joshua's campaigns?
What traits as a military leader did he show?
What places were captured on the first of Joshua's campaigns?
What was the effect of this campaign on the enemies?
Against what section was Joshua's second campaign?
Where was the great battle fought?
What is said to have taken place at this battle?
What cities were captured at this time?
Where was the third campaign of Joshua directed?
Where was the battle fought in this campaign?
What were the three supplementary campaigns?
What city was conquered by Caleb?
What city was occupied by the tribe of Dan?
What king, long after Joshua, completed the conquest of Canaan?
What was the condition of the native races after the conquest?
What was the result of their continuance in the land?
What portion of the country was occupied by the Israelites?
What modern analogy is given to them?
What was the system of land-tenure among the Israelites?
What were some of its benefits?
What was the form of government?
Wherein was this system defective?
What were its excellences?
What was the religious system of the Israelites?
What was the effect of this system?
What was the religious character of the people?
What was the condition of the mass of the Israelites?