in times of Rebellion and for their exercise to be as Thorns in their eyes and Goads in their sides The Canaanites being thus deprived of their ancient habitation by Joshua and the Israelites Many of them as is conjectured removing to the Mediterranean-Sea where they were known afterwards by the name of Phoenicians continued not all there but spread themselves abroad and sent Colonies far and wide into many places of Europe Asia and Africk concerning which that excellent book of Bochartus called Canaan is to be consulted That is remarkable which * A. M. 2555. Procopius mentioneth concerning Pillars erected in the Province of Africk In Vandalius called Tingitana with a Phoenician-inscription to this purpose We are they who fled from the face of Joshua the Robber the son of Nane How long this War continued till the division of the Land is not expressed in Scripture yet is thence to be gathered For Caleb being fourty years old when with others he was sent by Moses to search the Land was at the time of the Division as he saith 45 years older Now the Spies were sent out in the fifth moneth of the second year after their departure out of Egypt or sooner so that from that time to the entrance into Canaan followed almost 39 years the Israelites being fourty years in the Wildernesse which being deducted out of the said forty five six years and some few remain during which the War in Canaan must have continued The Clerouchia or division of the Land 19. The Clerouchia then or division of the Land fell out in the beginning of the seventh year from their entrance into Canaan and in the year of the World 2555 also beginning It continued about one year as some gather from the story First of all an inheritance was given to two Tribes and an half viz. the Tribes of Judah Ephraim Chap. 14.15 c. and the other half Tribe of Manasses Then met the Israelites together in Shiloh because seven other Tribes yet remained undisposed of Therefore certain men were sent from that place to bring a Survey of all the Land which could not be done in a few dayes and then after their return the division was perfected for all which no lesse then the space of a year seemeth necessary So there are from the beginning of the World to the end of this Division 2555 years Vide Ludov. Capellum in Chronol Sacr. containing just so many weeks of years as there are natural dayes in a year viz. 365. Or if we make a great year consisting of so many years as the solar year consisteth of dayes then have we six or seven such great years It is further observable that from the beginning of the World to the entrance of the Israelites into Canaan may be reckoned so many Jubilies of years viz. 52. as are dayes in the seventh part of a Solar year one onely excepted The War having endured six years they rested on the seventh wherein the Division was made as in the Sabatical year 20. The rise therefore and beginning of the Sabbatical year and of Jubilies some chuse rather to fetch from the first entrance into Canaan then from the division of the Land The rise of Sabbatical years and Jubilies For though they began not to sow the Land on this side Jordan till after the division yet before this had they taken possession of the Countrey lying beyond the River which was divided betwixt the two Tribes and the half whereof though it must be granted that those which were fit for War accompanied their brethren over Jordan according to the charge laid upon them by Moses yet is it to be supposed that those which stayed behind were nourished by the fruits of that soyl For Manna had already ceased and the Corn which the other reaped of the Enemies sowing being but gotten by degrees according as they Conquered the Countrey could scarce maintain them without sending for supplies to those that stayed beyond the River When they had ended the division the Children of Israel gave for an inheritance to Joshua that which he asked even Timneth Serah in Mount Ephraim where he built a Citie and dwelt therein Josh 18. The Tabernacle of the Congregation was set up at Shiloh by the whole Assembly As for the Levites they had no inheritance assigned them Chap. 20. but the Lord being their inheritance they were to live of Tythes Offerings Onely 48 Cities on both sides of Jordan were set apart for them to dwell in which were also to be Cities of refuge whither those that were guilty of casual homicide might fly from the avenger of bloud and there remain in security till the death of the High-Priest Joshua dieth Joshua being very old at the division is by the Jews said to have lived past the first Sabbatical year but to have died before the next arrived Some give to his government twenty years and some above Chap. 24. v. 29. Judge 11.8 but others think he died not long after the division There is no certainty thereof from Scripture but that he lived a hundred and ten years is expresly recorded The Israelites fall to idolatry 21. After Joshua and that generation were dead which had seen the wonders of the Lord another arose after them that knew not the Lord nor the works he had done so that the Children of Israel followed other gods serving Baal and Ashtaroth For this cause the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers which spoiled them He sold them into the hands of their Enemies round about insomuch that they could not stand before them but whithersoever they went out the hand of the Lord was against them for evil as he had said and sworn Neverthelesse he raised them up Judges to deliver them out of the hands of those that spoiled them and yet they would not hearken to their Judges but went a whoring after other gods and bowed themselves unto them Hereupon the Lord resolved not to drive out thenceforth any Nations before them which Joshua left when he died that by them he might prove Israel whether they would keep his way and to teach them War Chap. 3. There were left five Lords of the Philistins with all the Canaanites the Sidonians and Hivites that dwelt in Mount Lebanon from Mount Baal Hermon unto the entring of Hamath The Children of Israel dwelt amongst the Canaanites Hittites Ammorites Perizzites Hivites and Jebusites they took their daughters to be their wives gave their daughters to their sons and served their gods Cushan oppresseth them 22. For this the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel Vers 8. and he sold them to the hand of Cushan-rishathaim King of Mesopotamia How long this was after the division the Scripture expresseth not Lud. Cappellus We read that he oppressed them eight years but some think it should be read in the
that the Land was filled with their numbers The Israelites oppressed in Aegypt But a certain King arising which knew not Joseph to keep them down he pressed them with sore Labour and lest they should increase gave order to the Midwives to drowne all the Male Children in the River At this time 58 years after the death of Joseph Chap. 2. and 41 after that of Levi Aruram the Son of Caath and Grand-son of Levi by Jochabed the Daughter of Levi so called by an Hebraism Vide Pererium in 2 Exodi and not Caath's own Sister as some have thought was made Father of a Son whom for his beauty they hid 3 moneths Moses born not fearing the Kings command A M. 2428. and when he could no longer be concealed put him in an Ark of Bul-rushes daubed within and without with Pitch and laid him on the brinck of the River Hither the King's Daughter by Josephus called Thermutis coming down to wash her self found the Babe and moved with compassion sent for a Nurse which was Jochabed her self through the procurement of Miriam her Daughter which had watched what would become of the Child and unknown had offered her selfe for a messenger Being nursed up she educated him as her own Son and called him Moses because she had taken him out of the water Moy in the Aegyptian tongue as Josephus * De nominibus Haebraeis 〈◊〉 Josepho versis vid. Iacob Cappellum Hist Sacra Exotica ad A. M. 1719. saith signifying Water and Yses taken out though Mosche in the Hebrew is no compounded word signifying drawn out delivered or rather a deliverer not without a mystery he being a Type of that great Deliverer of Mankind He was learned in all the Learning of the Aegyptians and became mighty in words and in deeds 19. But Moses being grown up by Faith refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter and despised the pleasure of his Court having according to Josephus his history thrown down his Crown sett upon his head when a Child and trampled it under his feet for which as an ill omen the Priest who had foretold that his Nativity would prove dysastrous to the Aegyptians would have had him slain but he was spared through the affection of Thermutis Being forty years old he visited his Brethren the Israelites and looking upon their burdens when he saw an Aegyptian smiting one of them he killed him and hid his bodie in the sand But this coming to Pharaoh's ear he was forced to flye for his life into the Land of Midian where he kept the Sheep of Jethro or Hebab Priest of that Country A. M. 2468. who gave him Zipporah his Daughter to wife Forty years he continued with him Exod. 3 4. till the burthens of the Children of Israel were grown so intolerable after above 80 years continuance that God being moved with their cries called to him out of a burning Bush as he was feeding Sheep to send him on a message to Pharaoh about their dismission He laboured by all means to make excuse but at length confirmed by promise of Divine assistance by Miracles and the company of his Brother Aaron 3 years elder he undertook the employment Sent to Pharaoh 20. This message was ill resented by Pharaoh Chap. 5 7. c. and greater burthens imposed on the people no Straw being now allowed them for the making of Brick in which servile worke they were imployed Many signs and wonders were wrought by Moses in the King's presence which little availed Jannes and Jambres Magicians doing the same with their Enchantments Ten Plagues also by the Ministry of Moses The ten Plagues of Aegypt God inflicted upon the Land 1. The waters were turned into blood 2. Frogs swarmed in the Land 3. Lice 4. Flies and other Insects 5. A Murrain followed amongst the Cattell 6. Ulcers in Man and Beast 7. Thunder and Rain mingled with Fire and Hail that destroyed the Corn with the Trees of the field 8. Locusts covered the face of the Earth and consumed the fruits thereof 9. Ensued Darknesse throughout the Land Aegypt such as no Aegyptian could stir out of his house yet the Israelites had light in their dwellings 10. Last of all the First-born were slain from Pharaoh that sate upon the Throne to the First-born of the Captive in the Dungeon and the first-born of Cattell The Israelites depart 21. Exod. 12. The Nine former Plagues Pharaoh's heart was so hardened as to withstand but the Tenth forced him to let the people go Upon the death of the First-born he and his Subjects thrust them out with haste out of the Land A. M. 2508. and fogot the Jewells of silver and Jewells of gold which they had lent them For the Israelites were commanded by God to borrow these things and the night before their departure to kill a Lamb with the blood of which they were to sprinkle the lintels of their doors that the Angel appointed to do this execution upon the First-born might passe by their houses at the sight thereof And in memoriall of the thing this they were to do every yeer on the tenth day of that moneth thenceforth commanded to begin the year being called Abib eating a Lamb in a travelling posture with their loyns girt and staves in their hands Thus left they Aegypt 430 years after the first promise made to Abraham and his leaving Ur of the Chaldaeans 400 after the birth of Isaac 210 after Jacob's descent into Egypt in the 2508th year of the World This their departure is also attested by Heathen Writers but related to have been upon such grounds as the Aegyptians themselves invented who as it seemeth took occasion from the Plague of Ulcers which they suffered in their own persons to feign that because of Leprosie they were forced out of the Land as will largely appear in the History of Aegypt SECT II. SECT II. From the departure of the Israelites out of Aegypt to the death of Solomon and the Rent of the Kingdom The number of the Israelites at their departure 1. THe number of the Children of Israel may be esteemed by what is recorded concerning their men of War Vide Pererium in 12. cap. Exod. of the Age of twenty years and upwards Of these went out about 600000. besides Women and Children so that if those of that Age be reckoned as two parts of five of the whole multitude which is the usual account amongst all Nations to reckon men for War as 40 to 100. in respect of the whole body then the totall number of all both old and young amounted to about 1500000. To these must be added a mixed multitude which having taken up their religion went out with them and is thought by some to have consisted of as many more so that the whole sum of all together at this rate would arise to 3000000. As for the number of the Israelites
eighth year viz. after the division or eighth years because this servitude ended in the eight But that it began not immediatly after the division neither after the death of Joshua seemeth evident because the Israelites served the Lord as long as that Generation lasted which had seen his wonders which cannot be conceived extinct at the same time with him Others think a longer time then seven years to have passed betwixt the division and this oppression assigning fourteen years to the government of Joshua after the division then ten more to the government of the Elders after his death Jacobus Cappellus who might very well live longer then so none that were twenty years old when they came out of Egypt having entred Canaan except Joshua and Caleb After that as many years they attribute to an Anarchy in the sixth year of which they will have the Civil War to have broken out betwixt Benjamin and the rest of the Tribes Judg. 20. wherein all the Benjaminites except 600 were slain Four years after this War and at the end of the 10th Cushan the King of Mesopotamia afflicted Israel for its idolatry eight years But concerning this there is no certainty Othniel delivereth them 23. At the end of the eight years God stirred up for a deliverer Judg. Chap. 3. Othniel of the Tribe of Judah Nephew to Caleb by his younger brother Kenaz and his son-in-law Into his hands the Lord delivered Cushan and the Land had rest fourty years After his death which is set to the end of these fourty years Israel turned again to idolatry and the Lord delivered them up to Eglon Eglon oppresseth them King of Moab for eighteen years At the end of this term he stirred up Ehud a left-handed man of the Tribe of Benjamin who under colour of a message stabbed Eglon into the belly Delivered by Ehud and gathering the Israelites together on Mount Ephraim slew 10000 of the Moabites all men of War After this the Land is said to have rested 80 years the words being taken literally but then some think none of the years of the Tyrants or Oppressors are to be counted severally and by themselves but to be included herein as other years after mentioned else the account will swell much larger then the whole number of years which the Scripture seemeth to allow of If we take-in all the years ascribed to the Tyrants then they will have it an Enallage frequent in all Languages and instead of 80. Ehud governed or the Land rested under him onely eight years but others think they have as much reason to take them literally Shamgar judgeth Israel 24. After Ehud Shamgar the son of Aneth judged Israel Chap. 4. but no mention is made of any time It followeth when Ehud was dead the Children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord and he sold them into the hand of Jabin King of Canaan whose General was Sisera and who had 900 Chariots of iron Jabin oppresseth them he mightily oppressed them twenty years It is most probable that in this time the Government of Shamgar was included he slew with an Oxe-good 600 of the Philistins And the Philistins who at this time might also afflict Israel or else it being but short might fall betwixt Ehud's death and the oppression of Jabin there being probability enough that some time passed after his death before the Israelites so highly provoked the Lord as to be given up into Jabins hands At the end of these twenty years Deborah Deborah and Barach deliver them the wife of Lapidoth judging Israel at this time in Mount Ephraim moved by God sent for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kadesh-Naphtali and made him Captain He with 10000 men of Zebulon and Naphtali overthrew Sisera who flying on his feet to the Tent of Heber the Kenite descended of Jethro father-in-law to Moses Jael his wife killed him by a Nail driven into his Temples as he lay asleep So the Land rested under Deborah fourty years as we read it * Usher another interpreting it in the 40th year viz. after the rest restored to it by Ehud 25. This time expired and the Israelites relapsing to idolatry Jud. 6. God gave them up into the hands of the Midianites The Midianites oppresse them and other people of the East which afflicted them seven years destroying their Corn driving away their Cattel and making havock of all things This made them cry to the Lord who first reproved them by a Prophet and afterwards by an Angel stirred up Gideon the son of Joash of the Tribe of Manasses to deliver them He having pulled down the Altar of Baal and burnt his grove Chap. 7. out of 23000 men chose 300. with which number marching against the Midianites Gideon delivereth them he so affrighted them by a stratagem of Lamps and Pitchers that he routed their whole Army The Ephraimites took Oreb and Zeeb Gideon following the Chance beyond Jordan wholly discomfited them and took Chap. 8. and slew two Kings of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmanna After so great a victory the Israelites offered him the Kingdom but he refused it and asked onely the earings of the prey wherewith he made an Ephod which afterwards gave occasion to idolatry all Israel going a whoring after it and became a snare to him and his house But thus Midian being subdued the Country was in quietnesse under Gideon 40 years as most read it but as others was quiet in the 40th year viz. after quietnesse restored to it by Deborah and Barach Abimelech his Son maketh himself King 26. Though Gideon refused the Soveraignty Chap. 9. yet Abimelech his base Son thinking such a thing was not to be neglected dealt with the Sichemites of whose City his Mother was native to make him King and by their help he seized on the Kingdom having slain his Seventy Brethren upon one stone Jotham the youngest onely escaping The Israelites after Gideon's death had again turned after Idols and therefore God not onely subjected them to the Dominion of this most wicked of all parricides but to intestine dissentions by reason of him For after he had tyrannized three years Gaal with the Sichemites conspired against him which having timely discovered he destroyed them and their City sowing it with Salt and burnt the house of their god Berith with a thousand Men and Women which had fled to it Then went he against Thebez and took it the Inhabitants whereof retired for defence into a strong Tower Here as he was about to set fire to the door a Woman cast down a piece of a Mil-stone upon his head and so brake his skull that he caused his Armour-bearer to kill him lest it should be said that he died by the hands of a Woman Tolah judgeth Israel After his death Tolah the Son of Puah Chap. 10. the Son of Dodo a Man of Issachar that dwelt
at Samir in Mount Ephraim arose to defend Israel and judged it 23 years After him Jair a Gileadite 22 years Jair thought to be descended of that Jair who took the Towns of Argob and called them after himself Hanoth-Jair as his thirty Sons in like manner after that example named so many Cities which they possessed in the Land of Gilead 27. Jair being dead the Israelites returned to their evil courses Judg. 10. ver 8.9 serving Balaam Ashtaroth the gods of the Moabites Ammonites and the Philistins for which God sold them into the hands of the Philistins and Ammonites The Philistins Ammonites oppresse Israel It is written And that year they oppressed the Children of Israel 18 years all that were on the other side Jordan in the Land of the Amorites which is in Gilead Moreover the Ammonites passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah and Benjamin and the house of Ephraim so that all Israel was sore distressed Some will have this oppression but to begin at the death of Jair others think they had oppressed Israel 18 years before and now passed over the River to afflict the other Tribes The Israelites cried to God and being reproved put away their Idolls hereupon the Ammonites being got together in Gilead and the Israelites assembled in Mizpah in the same Country Jepthah the Son of Gilead begotten on an Harlot was sent for by the Gileadites and made Captain Chap. 11. being a mighty Man of valour He first sent to expostulate with the King of Ammon and to demand the cause of the War He answered it was because Israel took away his Land when they came out of Aegypt from Arnon unto Jabbock and unto Jordan of which he required restitution Jepthah replyed that in their journey from Aegypt they sent to the Kings of Edom and Moab to desire passage through their Coasts but this being denied they turned aside through the Wildernesse and compassed about the Lands of Edom and Moab not coming within the borders of Moab and so at length came and pitched on the other side of Arnon which was the limit of Moab's Coasts Then that Sihon King of the Ammorites denying them passage and fighting against them the Lord God of Israel delivered him into their hands and they possessed the Land of the Amorites from Arnon unto Jabbock and from the Wildernesse unto Jordan 28. Seeing the God of Israel had dispossessed the Amorites he demanded a reason why he should possesse that Country and whether he was any thing better then Balack the Son of Zippor King of Moab who never strove nor fought against Israel Lastly he asked him why he recovered not the Land all the 300 years which the Children of Israel had enjoyed it and appealed to God for righteous judgement betwixt them These 300 years if they be reckoned exactly the years of the oppressions and of the Judges must all along be counted in length without including the one in the other but if this be done still many more than 300 will be found and 100 years more will arise in the account of time from the coming out of Aegypt to the building of the Temple than the Scripture in another place alloweth of Some say if so many years really passed betwixt the last year of Moses save one and this time of Jepthah as those successions do make 400 years was rather to have been mentioned seeing the number exceeded that of 300 and therefore accounting the other way short of 300 they allegde that it is usuall when a full or round number is chosen rather to make use of that which most favoureth their cause and therefore Jepthah meant by 300 about or almost so many On the contrary others believe that the scripture doth not suffer them to omit the years of Servitude and contain them under those of the Judges which they suppose clearly appeareth out of those * Judg. 11.18 words before mentioned which in generall describe the condition of the Israelites as successively guilty of Idolatry then punished and delivered after which falling into an Anarchy at the death of their deliverer they again relapsed into the same sin They will have also the particular accounts of these things in Scripture by their order and distinction to hold out no lesse unto us Jeptha overthroweth the Ammonites 29. But the King of the Ammonites not hearkening to Jepthah was overthrown with a very great slaughter Jepthah at his going forth vowed if the Lord would deliver the enemie into his hands that whatsoever came first out of his house to meet him at his return should surely be the Lord's and he would offer it for a burnt offering It happened that his onely Daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and dances and after she had bewailed her Virginity he is said to have done to her according to his vow Some observe that for And in the place may be read Or as if he would offer the thing if it were to be offered or however to consecrate it to the Lord. And their opinion seemeth most probable who hold she was not offered up as a burnt-offering but consecrated to God by perpetuall virginity and austerity of life being altogether separated from Humane society except four dayes in a year for a little refreshment it being said that he executed his Vow upon her for that he did not redeem her with money according to the Law mentioned in Chap. ult Exodus but left her consecrated to God in an unmarried state lest she should seem to be another's and not the Lord 's Jepthah after this warred against the Ephraimites who spake against and threatned him and his house Judg. 12. He cut off 42000 Men all being slain in their passage over Jordan that could not pronounce Shiboleth Having judged Israel six years he died and was buried in Gilead Abzon Elon Abdon Judges 30. After Jephthah arose Ibsan of Bethlehem and judged Israel seven years then Elon a Zebulonite 10 and Abdon the Son of Hillel a Pirathonite after him eight years Now the Philistins again vexed Israel 40 years Seeing neither of these three are said to have delivered the Land The Philistins vexe Israel some think those 40 years to have included some of their Government There are that fetch the beginning of them from the 4th year of Ibzan and end them at the death of Sampson whom they will have the immediate Successor of Abdon Of those that are for the lengthning out of the time some think they are to be reckoned from the death of Abdon Usher and end at the beginning of Samson's Government Sampson which others again inferr by good arguments to be included in them or else 20 of them must fall in with the time of Eli the Seventy Interpreters accordingly giving to Eli not 40 years as the Hebrew Copies but onely 20. Still there are not wanting who think Eli to have succeeded Abdon and Sampson's 20 years who
in Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his Sons had cast them off from executing the Priest's Office With the Tribe of Judah is also to be reckoned that of Simeon whose possessions were within the Inheritance of Judah Josh 19.9 for which that part of the division that fell to it was too much Part also of the Danites had it's seat within that of Judah for it appeareth that they had some Towns in the division of the Land which formerly had been assigned to the Children of Judah who as hath been observed had so large a Country at first assigned to them rather to protect and defend than solely to possesse it All these still remained the Subjects of Rehoboam though ten Tribes are said to have revolted the Tribe of Dan being attributed to Jeroboam for that Dan the chief City was within his dominions and because the Tribe of Manasseh being separated and divided into two parts might be reckoned for two Tribes The Kingdom thus divided the Northern parts fell off but the Southern continued in obedience to the Son of Solomon whose successors henceforth are called Kings of Judah as those of Jeroboam Kings of Israel and yet this distinction is not alwaies observed Jehosaphat being called King of Israel 2 Chron. 31.2 28.19 and also Ahaz though we know they were both Kings of Judah of that division onely 2. Rehoboam purposed to make War upon the Tribes but 1 King 12.14 admonished by God gave over the enterprize of invading them with 180000 Men although there was continuall War betwixt the two Kings all their dayes The Priests and Levites that were driven into Judah reteined it in the true religion three years but when Rehoboam had established himself He and his Subjects rebel against God he forsook the Law of the Lord and all Israel with him committing sins above all that their Fathers had done They built them high-places images and groves on every high hill and under every green tree there were Sodomites in the Land and they did according to the abhomination of those Nations which the Lord cast out before the Children of Israel Because of this the fifth year of his reign Shishak King of Aegypt perhaps invited by Jeroboam who had lived with him in exile came up against him with 1200 Chariots 60000 Horse-men and innumerous people out of Aegypt the Lubims Sukkiims and Aethiopians with which he took garrisons in Judah and pierced as far as Jerusalem Afflicted they humble themselves and are delivered Rehoboam and his Princes humbling themselves at the preaching of Shemaiah thereby obtained deliverance which yet was to be bought at an high rate For Shishak took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the Kings house with all the golden shields which Solomon had made in the room of which Rehoboam put others of brasse He died after he had reigned seventeen years Abiah 3. Abiah his Son succeeded him whose Mother is in one place (a) 2 Chron. 11.20 named Maachah the Daughter of Absalom and in another (b) Chap. 13.2 Micajah Daughter to Uriel of Gibeah A. M. 3043. Some think she was the Daughter of Tamer which might be married to this Uriel and adopted by Absalom who seemeth to have left no issue He imitated the impiety of his Father his heart not being perfect before the Lord his God and yet God remembring the Covenant made with David brought him by a fatherly correction into order and acknowledgement of his Soveraignty 1 Kings 15. He also warred with Jeroboam all his dayes who coming up against him with 800000 Men he joyned battell with him having but half so many and yet trusting in God obtained Victory and killed 500000 Israelites the greatest number we read to have fallen in one battel He took from him Bethel Jeskanah and Ephraim with their Towns neither did Jeroboam recover his strength in his time Abijah waxed mighty married fourteen Wives begat two and twenty Sons and fifteen Daughters Yet he reigned but three years Asa A. M. 3046. 4. Asa his Son succeeded him in the 20th year of Jeroboam ending 1 Kings 15. 2 Chron. 14.15 16. Chap. and did that which was righteous in the sight of the Lord. He reformed what was amisse commanding his Subjects to seek the God of their Fathers in his time the Land had rest ten years In his 11th year according to Josephus came Zerach the Aethiopian against him with 1000000 Men of Cashaeans inhabiting Arabia where also Zerach his Aethiopia is onely to be found and Labaeans besides 300 Chariots To those he opposed himself with 300000 of Judah and 280000 of Benjamin and calling upon his God obtained the Victory which he prosecuted and got much bootie Returnnig to Jerusalem he was so wrought upon by the words of Azariah the Prophet the Son of Oded as together with his own Subjects and others that fell to him in abundance out of Israel he sacrificed to and made a Covenant with God Then proceeding in the reformation of his Kingdom he removed Maaca his Grand-mother from her dignity because she was the patronesse of Idolatry Baasa now who reigned in Israel provoked with the revolt of his Subjects and jealous of the growing power of Asa came up against him and built Rama in the 36th year from the division lest any should go in or out to him Asa to divert him hired Benhadad the King of Syria to invade Israel This Ben-hadad was the Son of Tabrimmon and Grand-son to Hezrin or Rezin the first King of Damascus and from him the Sirname of Hadad descended upon his Posterity He smote Jion Dan Bethmaach all Civeroth with the Land of Napthali and constrained Baasa to leave off building Ramah Asa then destroyed Ramah and with the stones thereof built Seba and Mizpah but was checked by God for not trusting in him but putting his confidence in the King of Syria and War for this was denounced to be upon him all his dayes Hereat he grew angry with the Seer that brought the message and oppressed some of his people and for this was punished with the Gout in his later dayes for a remedy to which he had recourse to the Physitians and not to God So he died in the 41 year of his reign Jehosaphat 5. Jehosaphat succeeded him to a good Father a better Son 1 Kings 22. A. M. 3087. In his third year he sent the Levites throughout the Cities to teach the people having removed the Sodomites out of the Land He married his Son Jehoram to Athaliah the Daughter of Ahab King of Israel and in his 18th year made him Vice-King This affinity drew him down with Ahab to fight against Ramoth-Gilead where Ahab received his death's wound and he escaped narrowly with his life For joyning himself with this wicked King he was sorely chidden by Jehu the Prophet the Son of Hanani which so affected him as he reformed his Subjects 2
Chron. 19 20 21. chap. travelling himself from Beersheba unto Mount Ephraim to accomplish it he also constituted Judges to whom he gave a pious and strict charge After this the Moabites Ammonites and a great multitude of others invaded him against which he first strove by Prayer to God and thereby obtained Victory his Enemies being so stricken with madnesse that they fell upon and slaughtered one another Afterwards intending to send Ships for gold to Ophir because he joyned with wicked Ahaziah King of Israel the Lord spoiled the works and the Ships were broken at Esion-geber Some think he made his Son Partner in the Kingdom it self having formerly been but his Vicegerent a year or two before he died He reigned 25 years or rather 24 with some odd months Joram 6. To Jehosaphat succeeded Joram being 32 years old 2 Chron. 21. A. M. 3109. to the best Father the worst Son who being established in his Seat made away all his Brethren and some of the Princes In his dayes the Edomites or Idumaeans who hitherto from the time of David had been in subjection to the Kings of Judah revolted They had heretofore been governed by a Vice-Roy chosen either out of themselves or the Jews but now they made themselves a King the Prophecie of Isaac the common Progenitor of both Nations being now fulfilled that though Esau should serve his younger Brother Jacob yet the time should come when he should break the yoak from off his neck Gen. 27.40 At the same time Libnah a City of the Priest's in the Tribe of Judah revolted because he had forsaken the God of his Fathers for having married Ahab's Daughter he followed the example of his house making high-places in the Mountains of Iudah and causing his Sujects to commit Idolatry therein Because of this 2 Chron. 21. vers 12. there came a Writing to him from the Prophet Elijah rebuking him for his sin and foretelling his punishment Elijah being before this taken up to Heaven the Jews have believed that this Letter was sent down thence Some think there was another Prophet of this name but most are inclined to believe that foreseeing before his assumption the Idolatry of this man he left this Letter with his Schollers to be delivered to him in due time According to the threatnings therein contained God first stirred up against him the Philistins and Arabians who making an invasion took away all his goods his wives and sons except Jehoahaz the youngest otherwise called Ahaziah and Azariah Afterwards God struck him with an incurable disease in his bowels which after two years came out of his body so that he miserably died having reigned eight years three whereof are to be reckoned in conjunction with his father He was buried without honour at Jerusalem not in the Sepulcher of Kings not desired missed nor lamented Ahaziah A. M. 3116. 7. 2 Kings 8. 2 Chron. 22. Ahaziah his son succeeded him who followed the steps of his Grand-father Ahab's wicked family and became a Patron of Idolaters But having scarce reigned one year he went down to Jezreel to visite his Uncle Joram King of Israel where they were both killed by Jehu 2 Kings 9. Joram being slain outright and Ahaziah dying shortly after of his wound at Megiddo Athaliah his mother seized upon the Kingdom Athaliah usurpeth Chap. 11. 2 Chron. 24. wherein to establish her self she destroyed all the Royal seed Onely Jehosheba the daughter of Joram and wife to Jehojada the High-Priest withdrew Joash an infant her brother's son and hid him six years in the house of God At the end of these years Jehojada brought him out to the people then seven years old and anointing him King slew Athaliah restored the worship of God and destroyed the house of Baal whose Priest Matthan he slew before the Altar Joas 8. Joas then succeeded his father after six years 2 Kings 12. A. M. 3122. who did what was good and just as long as Jehojada the Priest lived and through his advice took care to repair the Temple which now had stood 155 years But Jehojada being dead who lived 130 years the Jews observing that he the repairer of the Temple was born the same year that the builder thereof died Idolatry brake out afresh through his connivance The Prophets exclaimed against it in vain especially Zacharias the son and successor of Jehojada against whom Joas was so far transported beyond the bound's of piety gratitude to his father's memory that he commanded him to be stoned and that in the Court of the house of the Lord. Whil'st as he died he said The Lord look upon it and requite it So he did for after a years time the forces of Hazael King of Syria though but small invaded Judah destroyed all the Princes of the people and sent the spoyl to their King Joas himself they left very sick of great diseases but when they were departed from him his own servants conspired against him for the bloud of the sons of Jehojada the Priest and slew him on his bed in the 40th year of his reign A. M. 3160. 9. Amaziah his son succeeded him Chap. 14. who also seemeth to have reigned with him the three last years seeing he is said to have begun his reign in the second year of Joas King of Israel When he was confirmed in his seat 2 Chron. 25. A. M. 3160. he put those to death that slew his father sparing their Children according to the Law of Moses In his 12th year he undertook an expedition against the Edomites with 300000 of his own Subjects and 100000 Israelites which he hired for 100 Talents of silver But as he was about to begin his march a Prophet dehorted him from joyning to himself the Idolatrous Israelites so that he dismissed them and they returned home in great discontent He prospered against the Idumaeans but the Souldiers dismissed fell upon his Cities and smiting 300 of them took much spoyl Yet he at his return to amend the matter having brought home the gods of the Edomites set them up to be his gods bowed down before them and burnt incense to them The Lord being sore angry for this sent first a Prophet to him whom he rejected But burning with a desire to be revenged upon the Israelites he sent and defied Joas their King who admonished him to be well advised but this being in vain they met and joyned battel wherein Amaziah was taken and led back to Jerusalem the Wall of which Citie Joas demolished 400 Cubits and plundering the house of the Lord with the Kings house then departed Fifteen years after Amaziah lived but then having turned away from following the Lord a conspiracy was made against him in Ierusalem whence he fled to Lachish and there was slain by the pursuers after he had reigned 29 years Uzziah 10. He left a son named Uzziah and Azariah who succeeded him 2 Kings 15. but being
said to have begun his reign in the 27th year of Ieroboam 2 Chron. 26. King of Israel an Inter-regnum of twelve years must needs have passed betwixt his father's death and his beginning the Kingdom all this time having perhaps A. M. 3201. been governed by a Lieutenant or the High-Priest When he came to the Age of 16. all the people of Iudah took him and made him King in the room of his father and under him the State of Iudah much flourished He fought prosperously against the Philistins and Arabians that dwelt in Gur-Baal and Mehunims or Minaeans dwelling in Arabia the Happie upon the Red-Sea the Ammonites sought to him with presents and his name was great in those parts About his 35th year was celebrated in Greece the first Olympiad that great help to our understanding in the distinction of times He invaded the Priests Office in Offering Sacrifice and for that was strucken with Leprosie which continued upon him till his death living in an house by himself and Iotham his son ordering the affairs of the Kingdom He reigned 52 years Jotham 11. Iotham his son succeeded him who prevailed against the Ammonites 2 Chron. 27. and forced them to pay Tribute two years He became mighty A. M. 3253. because he prepared his wayes before the Lord his God he built the High-Gate of the Temple much on the Wall of Ophal Moreover Olymp. 5. an 4. Cities in the Mountains of Iudah and in the Forrests thereof Castles and Towers Under him his Predecessor and his two Successors prophesied Isaiah and Hosea Micah began in his time and Nahum also according to Iosephus prophesied the destruction of Niniveh which was fulfilled 115 years after though others think the beginning of these years should rather be placed in the time of his son A. M. 3269. Olymp. 9. an 2. 2 Kings 16. 2 Chron. 28. He reigned sixteen years and was succeeded by Ahaz his son Ahaz whose reign if it be compared with that of Pechah and Hosea Kings of Israel it will appear that he reigned seven or eight years with his father He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord walking in the wayes of the Kings of Israel he made molten Images for Baalam burnt Incense in the Valley of the son of Hinnom burnt his Children in the fire Sacrificed and burnt Incense in the high places on the Hills and under every green Tree Because of this God stirred up Pekah King of Israel and Rezin the son of Remaliah King of Syria against him who invaded his Kingdom and did much hurt Rezin got Elath which Uzzias had recovered and built the King of Israel gave him a grievous overthrow the Edomites also afflicted him and the Philistins whom Uzziah had brought under made inroads upon him Suspecting his Estate because of these things he sent to Tiglath-Pileser King of Assyria for help presenting him with the Silver and Gold which was found in the Temple 12. Tiglath-Pileser accordingly came up and taking Damascus Nicol. Damascenus apud Iosephum Antiq l. 7. c. 6. killed Rezin in whom fell this Kingdom which having continued ten Generations and begun in a Rezin ended in one of that name Then turned he his Forces upon Pekah transporting into Assyria the Inhabitants of Gilead and Naphthali as formerly he had done those of Damascus But Achaz to procure those things having made himself his Vassal was yet never the better remained in great fear of him and still continued in his wickednesse He made his son Hezekiah for his three last years partner with him in the Kingdom and at the end thereof died having reigned together with his father and by himself 16 years Hezekiah Hezekiah succeeding A. M. 3276. Olymp. 12. an 3. opened the Temple which his father had shut and reformed the abuses in Religion He brake in pieces the brazen Serpent 2 Kings 18. 2 Chron. 29. c. because the Superstitious multitude fancying some Divine vertue therein gave it suitable Worship He shook off the yoak of the King of Assyria refusing to pay Tribute for which cause in his fourteenth year Senacherib being to make War upon Egypt led part of his Forces into Judaea Besieging Lachish Hezekiah bargained with him to depart but he brake his promise and sent Rabshakes with others to Jerusalem who blaspheming God and reproaching the King laboured to draw the people from their obedience This being to no purpose Rabshakes returned to him who had now departed from Lachish and besieged Libnah a strong Citie of Judah removing still nearer Jerusalem that he might seem to pursue what he had given in charge to Rabshakes to denounce against Hezekiah 13. But lying before Libnah news came that Tirhakah King of Aethiopia who as it seemeth had entred into conspiracy with the Egyptian against him was moving towards him at which he was so terrified that he brake up his siege and departed homewards Yet having a greedy mind towards Judaea he sent a blasphemous Letter full of threats to Hezekiah but he lost in one night by the stroak of an Angel 180000 men as some think being on his way towards Jerusalem and confounded hereat returned to Niniveh where he was slain by his two sons Adramelech and Sharezer as he was worshipping in the house of Misroch his God In the time of these dangers Esay 38.8 Hezekiah fell sick unto death the sentence of which he received from Isaiah the Prophet But by his prayers and tears he obtained a prolongation of life for fifteen years and in confirmation of the promise the shadow of the degrees which was gone down in the Sun-dyal of Ahaz was brought ten degrees backward and it followeth The Sun returneth ten degrees backward So the Sun returned ten degrees by which degrees it was gone down As for this Sun-dyal it's thought that in those ancient times the knowledge of Dyals was scarce amongst the Hebrews Yet is it possible that Achaz might have something of that nature though imperfect from the Babylonians who were of old much given to Astrology he being otherwise too curious an admirer of forrein things as appeareth in that he must needs have such an Altar made and erected at Ierusalem as he had seen at Damascus That the Sun went back hath been generally believed Gregory of Oxford but one of late hath gone about to prove that the shadow was lyable to reduction without retrocession of the great Luminary 14. 2 Chron. 32.31 The knowledge of this miracle coming to the Babylonians who by reason of their continual observation of the Heavenly bodies might have more occasion to take notice of it Merodach-Baladan their King sent to Hezekiah to congratulate his recovery desirous it 's likely of his friendship whom he had understood to be so much in the favour of God especially bearing no goodwill to the Assyrians He in a vain ostentation of his Wealth shew'd the Ambassadours all his Treasures
through the prayer of the Prophet Elijah it rained not upon the Land for three years but at the end thereof he prayed again and the Heavens gave rain He took occasion to shew the vanity of the Idoll Baal and then slew his Priests for which being threatned by Jezebel he fled into the desart to Mount Horeb. Chap. 19. Against Ahab came up twice Benhadad King of Syria once with 32 petty Kings and both times with great forces but still was overthrown Chap. 20. and at the latter time yielded himself Ahab honourably received him and making a league with him let him go in safety for which he was sharply rebuked by a Prophet and told that his life should go for the life of Benhadad and his own people for his people but there followed a peace betwixt Israel and Syria for three years In this space Ahab fell sick for Naboth's Vineyard who being by Jezebels procurement accused of blasphemy was stoned to death and so Ahab injoyed the Vineyard by way of confiscation For this so wicked a fact severe judgement was pronounced against him and Jezebel by Elijah the execution whereof by a temporary repentance they caused to be be prorogued But the three years of the peace being expired he renewed the War with Syria for that Benhadad having ingaged to restore such Cities as he had taken refused to surrender Ramoth-Gilead Four hundred false Prophets perswaded him to undertake the Expedition onely Micajah sent from God disswaded him from it With him joyned Iehosaphat King of Iudah whose Son Iehoram had maried Athaliah his daughter But going down both together Ahab received a wound by an arrow and thereof died that day in the 22th year of his reign A. M. 3103. Jehosaphati 18. Ahaziah 6. Ahaziah his Son succeeded him whom he had formerly made his Associate in the Kingdom and reigned 2 years in all being said to have begun his reign in the seventeenth year of Iehosaphat King of Iudah because his Father then dyed having reigned 21 years and some part of another After Ahab's death Moab fell off from Israel 2 King 1. to which it had been subject ever since the dayes of David Ahaziah falling sick of a fall which he had through a lattise in his upper Chamber sent to consult Baal-zebub the god of Ekron about his recovery but the Lord commanded Elisah to meet the Messengers and denounce death to him for this his sin Hereat Ahaziah being angry sent two Captains with their fifties one after another to fetch him to him but he called for fire down from Heaven which consumed them then being intreated by the third he went with him to the King where denouncing the same to his face Joram Ahaziah accordingly died not long after Him his Brother Ioram followed in the 18th year of Iehosaphat King of Iudah ending who wrought evil in the sight of the Lord Chap. 3. but not like his Father and Brother for he put away the Image of Baal erected by his Father yet cleaved to the sin of Ieroboam the Son of Nebat who made Israel to sin because of his carnall interest all the Kings of Israel accounting it an especiall piece of policy to busie the people in the worship of the golden Calves 7. Joram made War upon the Moabites which had revolted in conjunction with Jehosaphat King of Judah and the King of Edom his Tributary Elisha the Prophet miraculoussy providing the Armies of water and promising them Victory When the Sun arose and shone upon the Pits full of water it appeared to the Moabites blood so that they concluding their Enemies to have fallen one upon another came out to take the plunder of the field but finding other entertainment were repelled with great consternation and losse The Israelites then falling upon the Countrey made havock of all things and besieged Mesha King of the Moabites in Kir-hazereth who being streightened attempted with 700 Men to break through to the King of Edom but could not whereupon taking his Son his own some think others the King of Edom's which should have reigned in his stead he offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall This spectacle seemed so horrible as raised indignation against Israel and such pity towards the Man driven by extreme necessity as Josephus telleth it that being mindfull of the mutability of humane affairs they raised the Siege and departed 8. Benhadad King of Syria made severall attempts upon Israel and besieging Samaria reduced it unto extreme necessity by Famine Him Hazael his Servant slew and possessed himself of his Kingdom but having received together with it the succession of the War Jehoram went up against him Chap. 8. and was accompanied by Ahaziah King of Judah to Ramoth-Gilead Here receiving a wound he returned to Iezreel to be cured but the Army was left under severall Captains amongst which was Jehu the Son of Jehosaphat to whom Elisha sent one of the Sons of the Prophets Jehu annointed King to annoint him King He was presently received as such by the Army and returning to Jezreel Chap. 9. slew Joram A. M. 3117 Athaliae 1. Chap. 10. and gave Ahaziah his death's wound after he had reigned twelve years Destroyeth the family of Ahab He caused Iesabel to be thrown down out of a window where her carkeise was eaten by the Dogs after which writing Letters to Samaria he procured Seventy Sons of Ahab to be slain and their heads sent to him Then going thither he slew 42 persons in his way of the kindred of Ahaziah King of Iudah who were going to visite Iehoram and Iesabel at Samaria he put to death all the Priests of Baal and burnt the Temple with the Images Yet took he no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart departing not from the sin of Ieroboam For his executing of justice upon the house of Ahab the Lord promised that his seed of the fourth generation should sit upon his Throne Yet because of the rottennesse of his heart he began to cut Israel short in his dayes by the means of Hazael who now subdued not onely the Gileadites but also whatsoever the Israelites possessed beyond Iordan raging with cruelty againg Man Woman and Child as Elisha had foretold him Iehu coming to the Kingdom at the same time as Aâ—haliah began her usurpation in Iudab reigned full 28 years and then died Jehoahaz 9. Iehoahaz his Son succeeded him in the 23th year of Ioash the Son of Ahaziah King of Iudah who did evil in the sight of the Lord Chap. 13. in the sin of Ieroboam a grove being also in Samaria Hazael mightily oppressed Israel also in his dayes so that to him were left but 50 Horse-men A. M. 3145. Joasi 23. 10 Chariots and 10000 Foot-men Yet the Lord was intreated by him and sent Israel a Deliverer notwithstanding which yet Prince and People remained incorrigible After he had
Forces sent Bachides and Alcimus again into Judaea with the greater part of his forces who coming to Jerusalem to seek for Judas marched thence with 20000 Foot and 2000 Horse against him who had but 3000 men in all With these few he setting upon Bachides all of them forsook him but 800 with which yet he so charged him as fighting from morning till night he put to flight the right wing in which he stood but they of the left perceiving this followed him behind as he gave the charge and compassing him in slew him all his men then shifting forthemselves This hapned A. M. 3844. Maccabaeus is slain of the Greeks or Seleucidae the 152. in the second of Demetrius Soter and after he led the People from his Fathers death six years 62. A great famine then raging 1 Maccab. 9. almost all the Country submitted to Bachides that they might the more commodiously get bread and he made such wicked persons Governours as bringing to him the friends of Judas he mocked them and revenged himself upon them But such of them as remained and could do it assembled themselves together and chose Jonathan Sirnamed Apphus their Captain in the room of Judas his brother which Bachides hearing sought to kill him but he understanding thereof fled into the Desert Thecoa having sent his brother John Sirnamed Gaddis with a party to the Nabathaean Arabs Jonathan his brother chosen Captain in his room to desire they might leave their baggage amongst them He going down with it was met in the way by the children of Iambri from Medaba who killing him and those with him seized upon the prey but no great joy had they of their booty for Jonathan and his brother Simon hearing that they were about to make a great mariage and bring the bride from Medaba with great pomp being the Daughter of one of the noblest Princes of Canaan they went A. M. 3845. Ol. 155. an 1. V. C. 594. Seleucid 153. Demetr Sot 3. Ptolom Philomet 21. and hiding themselves under the covert of the Mountain when the Bridgroom and his friends came forth with Timbrels and instruments of Musick rose up out of the ambush slew many of them and took the spoil so having revenged the death of their brother they returned again unto Jordan When Bachides heard this he marched down and came thither with a great Army upon the Sabbath Day and Jonathan being beset behind and before with the Enemy and on each side with the River and Marishes encouraged yet his men to fight and lifting up his hand struck at Bachides But he declined the blow then seeing himself too weak for the Enemy he leaped into the River after he had slain 1000 of them and swom over with his men to the further side Bachides would not adventure to follow but returning to Jerusalem built up the strong Forts throughout the Land and placed therein strong Garrisons that thence making excursions he might endammage the Jews He fortified the Cities Bethsura and Gazara with the Castle at Jerusalem where he placed Soldiers with provisions and taking the sons of the chief of the Country for Hostages he secured them in the later 63. 1 Maccab. 8. The Ambassadors sent by Maccabaeus to the Romans were well received and entered into a League and society with the Romans which being written in Tables of brasse contained an ingagement mutually to succour and relieve each other Demetrius is forbidden by the Romans to hurt the Jews The Senate also wrote to Demetrius charging him no more to hurt or indammage the Jews being their confederates under pain of being prosecuted with War both at Land and Sea Not long after Alcimus the High-priest commanded the wall in the Temple which severed the Court of the People from that of the Gentiles to be pulled down which had been built by Zorobabel and the Prophets 1 Maâ—cab 9. whose monuments he began to pull down and destroy but at the same time he was so smitten that he could not open his mouth Alcimus his ill end being taken with a Palsie so as he could not speak nor give order concerning his house and died with great torment When Bachides saw that he was dead he returned unto the King Two years then did the Land continue quiet but at the end thereof certain wicked persons sent for Bachides to return telling him he might easily apprehend Jonathan and all his Company in one night at which message he arose with great haste and sent letters privily to his adherents to take them but they having notice of it took fifty of these men which had been the greatest sticklers and slew them Then Jonathan departing into the Wildernesse built up the walls of Bethbusin and fortified it which Bachides having notice of went down thither and closely besieged it but such was his entertainment from the besieged who getting out killed his men and burnt his engines that having lain before the place a long time to no purpose and seeing his journy to be frustrate he eased his stomach against those that had been the cause of his Expedition and putting to death many of them resolved to retreat into his own Country Jonathan having notice of this sent to him to treat of Peace and exchange the prisoners Bachides sweareth never more to molest the Jews which he gladly accepted of and made an oath never more to disturb him Returning then home he never brake it so that the Warre being removed Jonathan dwelt at Machmas or Michmash in the Tribe of Benjamin began to govern the People and destroy the ungodly out of Israel 64. Aritrathes the fifth of that name King of Cappadocia Excerpt Diori Siculi Polyb. maried as we said before Antiochis the daughter of Antiochus the Great She having no children by him at the first introduced two suppositions boyes Ariarathes and Orophernes he knowing nothing hereof but a little after growing fruitful she brought forth two daughters and a son called Mithridates and then acquainting her husband with what she had formerly done procured the two Counterfeits to be sent the one to Rome and the other into Ionia lest they should disturb the true one in his succession who being named Ariarathes and brought up in the fashions and customs of the Greeks obtained the Kingdom after his Fathers death Orophernes afterwards resolving to venture for it came to Demetrius complaining he was injuriously deprived of the Kingdom by his younger brother Orophernes one of suppositions brood getteth Cappadocia by the help of Demetrius and craved his assistance for the recovery of it He being offended at Ariarathes for the refusing the mariage of his sister the widdow of Perseus bargained with Orophernes for 1000 Talents and expelled Ariarathes from Cappadocia though he was helped by Eumenes King of Pergamus Orophernes having thus invaded the Kingdom behaved himself not like one who intended to secure it to himself in the love of his People but