instruction, in the pages of Holy Scripture.

Let us take the story as it stands, and search the Scriptures simply
for it. For the Bible will surely tell its own story best, and teach
its own lesson best.

These Rechabites, who were they? Or, indeed we may ask--Who are
they? For they are said to exist still.

They were not Israelites, but wild Arabs, a branch of the Kenite
tribe, which claimed--at least its chiefs--to be descended from
Abraham, by his wife Keturah. They joined the Israelites, and
wandered with them into the land of Canaan.

But they never settled down, as the Israelites did, into farmers and
townsfolk. They never became what we call civilized: though they
had a civilization of their own, which stood them in good stead, and
kept them--and keeps them, it would seem, to this day,--strong and
prosperous, while great cities and mighty nations have been destroyed
round about them. They kept their old simple Arab customs, living in
their great black camels' hair tents, feeding their flocks and herds,
as they wandered from forest to forest and lawn to lawn, living on
the milk of the flock, and it would seem, on locusts and wild honey,
as did John the Baptist after them. They had (as many Arab tribes
have still) neither corn, seed-field, nor vineyard. Wild men they
were in their ways, yet living a simple wholesome life; till in the
days of Ahab and Jehu there arose among them a chief called Jonadab
the son of Rechab, of the house of Hammath. Why he was called the
son of Rechab is not clearly known. 'The son of the rider,' or 'the
son of the chariot,' seems to be the most probable meaning of the