which fascinates young and old alike.

[Sidenote: _Value of these oral traditions_]

The superlative value of these varied traditions is apparent. They were
the links which bound later generations to their prehistoric past.
Incidentally, in the characteristic language of Semitic tradition, they
preserved the memory of many important events in their early tribal
history. They are also the illuminating record of the primitive beliefs,
customs, and aspirations of their Semitic ancestors. Subject as they
inevitably were to the idealizing tendency, they became in time the
concrete embodiment of the noblest ideals of later generations. Thus
they presented before the kindled imagination of each succeeding age,
in the character and achievements of their traditional ancestors, those
ideals of courage, perseverance, and piety which contributed much toward
making the Israelites the chosen people that they were.

[Sidenote: _Influences that led to the writing of history_]

In time this growing heritage of traditions became too great for even
the remarkable Oriental memory to retain. Meantime the Hebrews had also
acquired that system of writing which they learned from their more
civilized neighbors the Canaanites and Phoenicians. From, the days of
Solomon, scribes were to be found in court and temple, and probably
among the prophetic guilds; although the common people, as in the same
land to-day, doubtless had little knowledge of the literary art. While
the nation was struggling for the soil of Canaan, or enjoying the full
tide of victory and achievement that came under the leadership of David,
there was no time or incentive to write history. But with the
quieter days of Solomon's reign, and the contrasting period of national